Chapter Two: It Couldn't Be

Sophie stepped off the elevator at 0745 the next morning. She was out of her business suit and in freshly dry cleaned dress blues, three gold stripes ringing the jacket sleeves. The people who were already working looked at her curiously. The PO who had taken her information at the reception desk hurriedly came to attention. Sophie returned his salute and made her way through the bullpen to Tiner's desk.

"He's waiting for you, ma'am." Tiner said, holding open the office door.

Sophie thanked him and proceeded to the Admiral. She came to attention and then sat, at his request.

"I had a feeling you'd be early, Commander."

"Yes, sir."

"Before we get started this morning, there are a few matters I'd like to discuss."

As Sophie watched, he opened a desk drawer and removed a small velvet box. She just stared at it as AJ set it in front of her.

"It's been waiting for you all these years." He said. "It really should have been presented to you formally, but with your circumstances, I just held on to it."

Sophie opened the box and almost fainted. She felt tears form in her green eyes, but pushed them back. She touched the blue and white ribbon gently. The Navy Cross.

"Congratulations, Commander." The Admiral said. "Now, walk with me to the conference room for the morning briefing."

Sophie took a seat next to Sturgis. Beside the Admiral, he was the only familiar face. Sturgis smiled at her reassuringly. Across the table from Sophie was a smiling Lieutenant with a plump round face and next to him was a beautiful Marine Lt. Colonel. The Admiral sat at the head of the table.

"Good morning, people." He started the meeting. "First, I'd like to introduce Cmdr. Sophie Aston." AJ motioned to Sophie and she smiled. "Cmdr. Aston comes to us from Boston and is an accomplished attorney. She's a little rusty though, to the Navy so I want her to second chair a few of your cases until she gets back into the swing of it." The Admiral continued, with his staff taking notes.

After the meeting was over, they filed out of the conference room. The smiling lieutenant called after Sophie.

"I'm Lt. Roberts, ma'am." Bud said, extending his hand. "I just wanted to welcome you to JAG."

"Thank you, Lt." Sophie shook his hand.

"We'll be working on the Matthews case together, so if you need anything..." Bud said.

"I appreciate it."

After chatting a little while with Bud, Sophie went back to PO Tiner to find out about a desk.

"Let me see ma'am." Tiner said. He had taken her cover and briefcase when she met with the Admiral in the morning. "Lt. Sims will help you with that. I'll introduce you to her."

The two went to find Harriet Sims, the office manager. She was in the kitchen area with the Marine Lt. Colonel.

"I'm Sarah Mackenzie, but everyone calls me Mac." The Colonel greeted Sophie.

After intros were over, Mac and Harriet pondered the desk situation.

"There isn't a free office, but you should have one, ma'am." Harriet said.

"Just a desk is fine, really." Sophie insisted, making herself a cup of coffee.

"Colonel, what about Lt. Singer?" Harriet asked, turning toward Mac.

"That's a wonderful idea, Lt." Mac replied, smiling evilly. Harriet was beaming.

Soon, Sophie was installed in her own office. It was relatively painless except for the rude glares from Lt. Singer, whom Sophie had not met.

After familiarizing herself with a few more things, Sophie went to Mac's office to discuss a case.

"Please, sit." Mac said, smiling. Sophie sat and waited for Mac to find the file. Mac was rummaging through the piles of papers on her messy desk. Sophie looked around the office. There were books and pictures on the shelves. Mixed in here and there were stones and fossils. On a shelf closest to the desk, there was a picture that caught Sophie's eye. It was Mac outside. Next to her was a little boy with blond hair and big blue eyes. Next to the boy was a handsome dark haired man smiling a bright, charming smile. Sophie couldn't breathe. It couldn't be. It just couldn't.