* * *
Flight 108

Mac was jolted awake as the plane began its decent from the charcoal black sky. She stretched and rubbed the sleep from her eyes trying to shake herself awake. Several minutes later the plane had arrived at the
terminal. Gathering up her luggage Mac trooped wearily out of the airport. A gust of icy cold wind met her and she immediately called a cab to drive her the 15 minutes to the hotel where she had her reservations.

*
0400 Zulu
Ramada Inn

Mac handed the cab driver her money as she opened the door, clenching her teeth against the bitter cold when it hit her. She scurried with her luggage to the hotel entrance and quickly stepped inside. She approached the desk and asked for her room number.

"Room 124 ma'am" the lady told her, handing her the key to the room. "If you need anything during the night, just dial 1 and someone here at the desk will answer" she added sweetly.

"Thanks, I doubt if I'll call tonight, all I want is a hot bath and a warm bed" Mac replied.

She pushed the elevator button and waited as it reached her floor.
After setting her luggage down, Mac went immediately to the phone and dialed the Admiral's number. On the 3rd ring, a sleepy Navy Seal answered.

" 'Lo? Whoo iss it?"

"Um…Admiral, it's Mac."

AJ was instantly awake. "Did you make it okay Mac? Have any problems with the flight or hotel?" he asked.

"No sir, I made it here in one piece, I just now arrived at my hotel room," Mac informed him.

"Well now I can rest better knowing you made it safely" AJ added "I want you to get some rest as much as you can and call me before you leave for Leavenworth" AJ instructed.

"Yes sir, I will. Thanks again Admiral, I'm about to fall asleep as it is. Um…sir, can I ask you to do a favor for me?" Mac asked.

"You name it Mac, I'll do it," AJ said immediately. "Would you please avoid informing Commander Rabb of this situation? He doesn't need my problems to hinder his concentration on his case," Mac said.

"Mac, Harm will want to know why you're not here when he gets back. I can keep from telling him, but I can't keep him from finding out. I won't say anything Mac, for right now, but if I don't hear about it from him by day after tomorrow, I will tell him. He deserves to know, and you deserve his help and support," AJ replied softly.

"Okay Admiral, just think up something for now until I figure out a way to tell him. I just don't want him worrying about this, sir. It's the last thing he needs. I guess if I don't by day after tomorrow, I suppose you can. Thank you again sir." Mac said.

"Okay, have a good night's sleep and I will talk to you later Mac, good night or…in this case (the Admiral glanced at his clock) good morning" AJ said with a chuckle.

Mac couldn't help but let out a small laugh of her own saying "You too Admiral, bye". Mac hung up the phone and went to soak in a hot bath to try and relieve some of the tension that had wrapped itself around her since the previous evening. Mac wished she had Harm there to rub her shoulders; he could relieve even the worst stress-knots. Wearily Mac climbed into bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

*
0730 Zulu
Ramada Inn
Wherever Leavenworth is

Mac realized it was 0730 in the morning the first instant she awoke. It was a blessing she had an internal clock for she could always rely on it to wake her up when she needed it to. Sleepily she climbed out of bed and groaned as her head pounded harshly against her temples. Vaguely she wondered if someone had come and beat her head with a brick in the night, it felt that bad. After dressing, she called Officer Gains to inform him that she had arrived and they made a time to meet early that morning. Mac attempted to eat some breakfast, but the stress and lack of appetite would not allow it. Walking over to gaze out the window overlooking the city, Mac tried hard to imagine Harm behind her with his strong arms wrapped around her,
easing her pain as only he could do. Little did she know that Harm was there, unfortunately not in person, but in spirit.

An hour later, Mac left the hotel for Leavenworth, telling herself the entire way that she would be okay.

*
0850 Zulu
Leavenworth Prison
Wherever it is

It was raining heavily when Mac arrived at the parking lot of Leavenworth Prison, making the feeling in her patched and battered soul grow even gloomier. She quickly put the umbrella over her head as she got out of
her Corvette, finding that every step she made pulled her towards a deep depression. Once inside, she met up with Officer Gains to sort out the arrangements.

"Colonel, I'm glad you came, most people don't get here this early," Gains said as he shook her hand. He showed her into the meeting room and offered her a seat.

"I got a flight out as soon as I could, thanks to my C.O." Mac informed him as she sat down.

"Well it sounds as though you certainly have a wonderful boss Colonel," Gains replied.

"Yes I do, and please, call me Mac," she said.

"Well in that case Mac, call me Rob" he responded. At that moment someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Gains said while sorting through some papers in his briefcase. Two men whom Mac didn't know walked into the room a second later. "Mac, I'd like to meet Captain Brenham and General McStevens, they
will be helping you in getting your uncle taken care of so he can live with you," Gains informed her.

Mac shook their hands while introducing herself and sat down.

"We'll try to make this as easy as possible for the both of you, but we do need to process the paperwork, and as I'm sure you know that can take awhile, so if you're ready, we'll begin," Captain Brenham said.

"Let's get started sir, the sooner the better," Mac replied, "I would like to see my uncle as soon as I can. Does he know I am here yet?" Mac went on.

"I told him that you had been informed of his condition and that you planned to be here soon. He doesn't know you've arrived yet. After we get the legal stuff taken care of, you are welcome to see him Mac," Rob answered. A few minutes later the four officers were buried in the paperwork.