Next Day (November 30)
JAG HQ
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
1120 local


Mac still wasn't positive about telling the Admiral about
Mercedes's revelation, but in the end, she decided she really had no
choice. He would find out sooner or later anyway, and besides, Harm
was due back this afternoon.

She walked up to Tiner's desk, waving him down when he started to
stand. "The Admiral said to go on in, ma'am," he informed her.

"Thanks, Tiner." All the same, she knocked softly on the door and
waited for the response of "Enter" before opening it.

Admiral Chegwidden looked to be engaged in one of his least
favorite activities--paperwork. He looked up from several small stacks
of paper as she entered. "Good morning, Colonel. What can I do for
you?"

"Sir," she began, pausing to take a deep breath, "I need to talk to
you. As both a C.O. and a friend."

She had his full attention now, as the papers were laid aside.
"Have a seat, Mac. What about?"

Mac bit her lower lip, uncertain how to begin. "Sir, it concerns
Commander Rabb."

"I see." He leaned back in his chair. "Would this have anything
to do with Mercedes Rabb's visit yesterday?"

Mac wasn't surprised he knew about Harm's cousin's visit. "Yes sir,
but..."

"Go ahead, Mac."

"Sir, she came to me because... she's come across information
concerning Harm's-- er, Commander Rabb's father."

AJ sat up sharply. "I think you better just tell me the whole
story, Mac."

And she did, explaining how Mercedes had come to be in Russia,
working on the unidentified remains, and how, by pure coincidence, had
discovered their identity. Through it all, AJ listened attentively,
fingers interlaced in front of his chin. When she finished, he sat
back slowly. "Jesus Christ," was his sole comment, uttered in a low
voice.

Silence fell for a few minutes before Mac spoke again. "Sir...what
are we going to do? As his friends, I mean?"

"Damned if I know, Mac. You believed her when she told you this?"

"Yes sir," she answered emphatically. "She showed me the evidence-
- the DNA charts, and the picture of the ring. Mercedes herself...
Sir, I don't know her that well. But I've learned to read body
language. She was shocked, nervous, and more than a little scared."

"I see. You put her in contact with Webb?"

Mac nodded. "There really wasn't much of anything else I could
do."

AJ sighed. "Damn. I thought we were finished with this."

Mac waited a bit before speaking again. "Sir...we have to tell
him."

"I know, Mac. I know." AJ pulled off his reading glasses, rubbing
the bridge of his nose. "But not here."


****

Admiral's Home
McLean, VA
2014 local


Mac sat on the Admiral's--AJ's, she corrected herself--couch. All
the players were here, except Harm. He was, as usual, running late.
She smiled weakly. Nice to know there were a few guarantees in this
world.

She scanned the room, unconsciously inspecting the other two men
present. The Admiral was gazing out the window, watching for the
junior officer's arrival and seeming calm and unperturbed. Mac knew
better. The calmness only served to cover focus.

Clayton Webb was in another corner, alternately pacing and glancing
around the room impatiently. The agent looked tired, his three-piece
suit atypically rumpled.

At the window, AJ announced quietly, "He's here." A few seconds
later, the sound of a car pulling up outside was followed by a door
shutting and a hesitant knock. Everyone turned as the Admiral let Harm
in, telling him quietly to take a seat.

Mac took a deep breath. It was time.


TBC..................