Disclaimer: JAG is not and never will be mine, but a girl can dream can't she.

Author's Note: I am so sorry it has taken so long to update! Year 12 has been hell and I haven't had the time to sit down and write. Again the story hasn't been bettered so any and all mistakes are mine and I am proud of them. The next chapter is under way but I won't be posting until I get at least 10 reviews, I need inspiration!

***************************************************************************

JAG HQ

1446 EST.

With a look of complete horror on his face Admiral Chegwidden put the phone back in it's cradle. Until recently the Ex SEAL thought he could handle almost anything, nothing that life threw at him would faze him, he just took it in stride. Until this day AJ Chegwidden was in complete control of his life. Never had he been so wrong. One phone call, one, and his entire life had taken a nasty turn.

Resting his elbows on his desk and burying his head in his hands, AJ, let a quiet tear slide down his face while reflecting on the life that had been so abruptly taken away. Over the years Harm had become a son to him. The son that was going to take over the family business one day. He had a trust and faith in Harm, which he had in no one else. Now all that was left was the memory of what was, and what could have been.

If AJ thought the knowledge of this loss was eating away at him, the duty to tell his fiancee was nearly his undoing. How was he to look Mac straight in the eyes, and tell her that the person she loved more than her own humble life, wasn't coming back. How could he say to Mac, that it was Harms sense of honour that got him killed. He couldn't, not without breaking down himself while he watched her life being shattered.

His sense of duty was what finally compelled him to press the little button that opened him up to the world. "Tiner, get me Colonel Mackenzie" he said into the speaker, cutting off any reply by breaking the connection. More tears trailed down his face thinking of what he was about to do. The soft knock on his door was all he needed to break him out of his revere.

"Come In" He said forgetting protocol. If he had to be the messenger, he was also going to be the friend. Mac entered with a confused look on her face that was graced with a smile. He had always loved that smile, giving just a hint of her playful nature, but keeping everyone guessing as to her seriousness. Seeing the Admiral and the water marks on his clean- cheek, caused a look of panic to replace that of curiosity and ease.

Motioning for Mac to sit down, AJ rose and slowly walked around to the front of the desk. Unsure of how to proceed he knelt in front of Mac and took her hand. It was warm, and soft, and pliant in his. Although as soon as he looked up at her, she grasped his hand like it was a lifeline, fear was in her eyes about what was going to be said next. Returning the gesture AJ squeezed her hand a little tighter. A firm pressure meant for reassurance, if only he could give it.

"Sarah" he rasped before taking a quick breath, trying to compose himself. "Sarah, something's happened" The look on Mac's face, caused him to gulp in order to force down the tears that were building. "There has been and accident, and well, Harm... well Harm he..." Again the SEAL trailed off not knowing how to proceed, but one more look at Mac and he knew he didn't need to.

"I'm sorry Sarah, Harm isn't coming home"

At that moment AJ Chegwidden wished he had never graced this earth. In all his years in the service, never had one moment haunted him like that moment, and the look on Sarah's face.

Gut wrenching sobs wracked her body as she sunk down to the ground, hugging herself, and crying out Harms name. A whisper of no accompanying it.

He held her as she fisted his jacket in her hands, and soaked his lapel with her tears.

He rocked her, as she subconsciously started to rock herself, her sobbing becoming more and more painful to listen to.

He whispered to her, trying to comfort her with the reassuring sound of someone's voice

He cried with her, forgetting he was a strong individual he broke down and shed the tears that he had held at bay.

Yes, all his years of training never prepared AJ Chegwidden for this moment, when one of his own people, had been destroyed from words he had said. When one of his people had been killed because of the principles he expected them to uphold. When a couple so in love, that had been through every possible obstacle together, were torn apart because of the assignment he sent one of them on.

As her sobs became more desperate, and her broken body that was now clutching more fiercely to the Admiral, rocked more violently. When she cried out Harms name over and over with such despair in her voice, and the tears that she was crying were threatening to choke her. It was then that AJ Chegwidden vowed he would have revenge.
To be continued