HOW DID THIS HAPPEN

===============================================================================================================================

JAG HEADQUARTERS

Mac and Harm arrived at work and were hit with a barrage of questions.

"How was the dinner?" Harriet asked.

"What was their house like?" Coates asked.

"What did they serve?" Tiner asked.

"Where there a lot of big wigs there?" Gunny asked.

"Did you wear your uniforms?" Bud asked.

"Did you cause any trouble?" Sturgis asked.

"Ok, people. Enough with the questions, I am sure they will be happy to give you all a detailed report later." AJ said from his office door. "Commander, Colonel my office."

"Aye, aye Sir," Mac and Harm replied and went to AJ's office.

AJ'S OFFICE

"At ease," AJ said. "I am assuming things went well last night since I didn't get any calls, yet."

"It was fine Sir," Harm smiled. "Actually Mac is having lunch with Mrs. Nelson today."

"How the hell did that happen?" AJ asked.

"I'm not quite sure Sir," Mac shrugged. "She seemed to have taken a special interest."

"A special interest in what?" AJ asked.

"I don't know Sir." Mac said.

"What about you Rabb? Do you have any special plans with anyone I should know about? Lunch with the White House press secretary perhaps?" AJ asked sarcastically.

"No Sir, I just danced with a couple of wives." Harm smiled.

"Is that something I need to worry about?" AJ sighed.

"No Sir," Harm replied.

"You know what?" AJ began. "I don't want to know, dismissed."

"Yes Sir," They replied in unison and left the office.

BULLPEN/MAC'S OFFICE

"Petty Office Coates, I'd like to see you in my office." Mac said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Coates said following her.

"Close the door," Mac ordered, "And have a seat."

"Yes, Ma'am," Coates said and took a seat.

"Coates, Jen what's going on?" Mac asked.

"Going on Ma'am?" Coates asked.

"Yesterday you were in here and it was obvious something was bothering you." Mac said.

"Yes Ma'am. There was but I will deal with it." Coates said.

"I normally don't do this, but I am going to break my own rule." Mac said. "Spill it."

"I don't know where to start," Coates said.

"Try at the beginning," Mac smiled.

"Ma'am, I just well lately, it's just that." Coates stumbled.

"Out with it Petty Officer," Mac stated in an official tone.

"I don't think I fit in here," Coates said.

"What would make you think that?" Mac asked.

"On the train ride, everyone seemed so close and together.  I felt like a third wheel." Coates admitted.

"Jen, you are a part of this family, don't ever think otherwise." Mac smiled.

"Thank you Ma'am." Coates replied.

"I'm serious Jen, we are all happy you're here.  You're a great addition." Mac said.

"I guess I'm just not used to being part of a group like this," Coates said.

"Well get used to it," Mac smiled. "That's an order, dismissed."

"Yes Ma'am," Coates smiled and returned to her desk.

Mac smiled to herself as she watched Coates walk away.  It was a good feeling when you do something nice for someone.  Making sure that Coates felt welcome was a good thing. Mac was lost in her thoughts when Harriet knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, Colonel, they are waiting for you in court." Harriet said.

"Thanks Harriet," Mac said jumping up and went to the courtroom.

Mac came back from court exhausted.  The case she was hearing had to be the dumbest case in history, two petty officers fighting over a carton of cigarettes.  She made it back to her office and sat down when Harriet appeared at her door.

"Colonel, there is a woman named Dorothy here to see you." Harriet informed her.

"Oh no, I forgot about that." Mac groaned.

"Do you want me to get rid of her?" Harriet asked.

"No, that's the SecNav's wife." Mac advised.

"I'll just tell her you'll be right there." Harriet said.

"Thanks," Mac smiled weakly.

"Colonel MacKenzie, it's wonderful to see you again." Mrs. Nelson said breezing into her office past Harriet. "I decided not to wait for your call."

"It's nice to see you too Mrs. Nelson and please call me Mac." Mac replied.

"Then you must call me Dorothy, we are going to become great friends." Mrs. Nelson stated. "I was thinking we could go to La Madeleine."

"That would be very nice. I just need to let the Admiral know I will be leaving for a while." Mac replied.

AJ'S OFFICE

"Sir, I just wanted to let you know that I going for my lunch with Dorothy Nelson.  I don't know how long she is going to keep me." Mac stated.

"Why exactly are you going out to lunch with Mrs. Nelson?" AJ asked.

"I'm not exactly sure," Mac sighed. "I'll let you know when I get back."

LA MADELEINE

Mac followed Mrs. Nelson to the table and took her seat.  She was uncomfortable, not because of location but because of the company.  The entire ride over Mac just wondered what in the world this woman wanted with her.

"This is my favorite restaurant in Falls Church," Mrs. Nelson said, breaking the ice.

"It is lovely," Mac replied.

"Mac, please you're my guest, relax." Mrs. Nelson smiled.

"Yes, Ma'am." Mac replied.

"Please call me Dorothy or Dotti, Ma'am is so formal." Mrs. Nelson stated.

"Thank you M… Dorothy." Mac smiled.  She had a smile plastered on her face.

"Wonderful, now let's order." Mrs. Nelson said.

They ordered lunch and Mrs. Nelson told Mac about her charity work and how she kept her days occupied.  She talked about going on the campaign trail with her husband and how his recent appointment as the SecNav has finally settled them.  She talked about her children and how she went through the empty nest syndrome after they left for college.  She talked and talked and talked… and talked. While she talked Mac smiled and nodded.

"Now tell me, where did you and the Commander meet?" Mrs. Nelson asked.

"We actually met at the White House.  We were assigned to the same investigation.  The Commander had just received a medal." Mac replied.

"Oh that sounds so romantic," Mrs. Nelson cooed.

Based on Mrs. Nelson's reply, Mac was thankful that she didn't mention that they met in the Rose Garden of the White House.

"I guess," Mac answered with a confused look.

"So when did you fall in love?" Mrs. Nelson asked.

"Excuse me?" Mac asked.

"When did you and the Commander fall in love?" Mrs. Nelson repeated.

"I'm not clear on what you are getting at," Mac said carefully.

"Dear, your secret is safe with me." Mrs. Nelson smiled. "I'm actually here to help."

"Help with what?" Mac asked.

"Ensuring that you and the Commander will live happily ever after without any problems from all those rules and regulations." Mrs. Nelson smiled.

"Oh, I don't think that's necessary." Mac replied.

"Of course it is," Mrs. Nelson smiled. "You do love him."

"Well, yes I do." Mac said wishing the words would go back in her mouth.

"See I knew it," Mrs. Nelson squealed.

"No, Ma'am, I mean Dorothy. Commander Rabb is one of my closest friends, my best friend really." Mac said quickly. "We have a mutual admiration and respect for each other."

"It's okay," Mrs. Nelson smiled. "You just leave everything to me."

Mac sat there while Mrs. Nelson paid the bill.  If she felt like a deer caught in headlights it would have been an improvement.  What ever Mrs. Nelson was planning or thought, couldn't be good.  The fall out could be worse.  Mac wanted to bang her head against a wall repeatedly.  The idea of a concussion was more appealing than what was currently happening.  Mac returned to JAG in a slight daze.  She suddenly had an ally in Mrs. Nelson and she wasn't sure why.

JAG HEADQUARTERS

"Hey there partner," Harm smiled. "How was lunch with Mrs. Nelson?"

"Don't call me partner," Mac said and pulled Harm into the hallway.

"What's wrong with you?" Harm asked.

"Mrs. Nelson," Mac said. "That woman has an agenda and I believe we are it."

"Mac, what are you talking about?" Harm asked.

"She asked me when we met, when we fell in love and then told me she was on our side." Mac replayed the conversation.

"What did you tell her?" Harm asked.

"I didn't tell her anything, at least I don't think I did." Mac stated.

"Oh this isn't good." Harm said. "What does she plan on doing?"

"I wish I knew. We're screwed." Mac said.

"Everything okay Colonel?" AJ asked walking over.

"Yes Sir," Mac smiled. "We were just talking about…"

"Window treatments Sir, Mac asked if I would help her hang her new curtains." Harm said quickly.

"Ok," AJ replied. "Oh Colonel, how did lunch go?"

"It was interesting Sir," Mac stated. "Mrs. Nelson is rather talkative."

"What did she want?" AJ asked.

"She wanted a women's perspective about life in the military." Mac stated.

"Did you give her one?" AJ asked.

"Yes Sir," Mac smiled.

"Carry on," AJ said and returned to his office.

"Helping me hang my curtains?" Mac asked.

"It was the first thing that came to mind." Harm shrugged.

"Excuse me Colonel, you have a phone call." Coates said walking over.

"Who is it?" Mac asked.

"It's Mrs. Nelson," Coates replied.

"I'll be right there," Mac groaned, "We are beyond screwed."

MAC'S OFFICE

"Colonel MacKenzie," Mac said grabbing the phone.

"Mac, it's Dorothy." Mrs. Nelson said. "I wanted to invite you and the Commander for brunch this weekend."

"Um, I don't know if the Commander is free this weekend." Mac said. "You would have to ask him."

"Right, I should check directly with him." Mrs. Nelson said.

"Mrs. Nelson," Mac began.

"Dorothy," Mrs. Nelson interrupted.

"Dorothy, I think you have the wrong impression of my relationship with Commander Rabb." Mac said.

"Nonsense dear, a woman knows these things." Mrs. Nelson replied. "I'll see you Sunday, 1pm at the Jefferson."

"Yes, Ma'am." Mac sighed.

Ten minutes later Harm walked into Mac's office.

"I just got a call from Mrs. Nelson she invited me to brunch on Sunday." Harm announced.

"I know, she invited me too." Mac stated.

"Well, I told her I had a previous engagement." Harm said. "What was your excuse?"

"I didn't think that quickly, I was too busy trying to convince her that I don't know your social calendar." Mac said.

"I guess you're going to brunch." Harm laughed.

"This is not funny." Mac replied.

"It is from where I am sitting," Harm teased.

"Get out," Mac said.

"I'm going," Harm laughed. "Hey are we getting together tonight?"

"No I think we need to lay low." Mac sighed.

"You're probably right," Harm agreed and returned to his office.