Cuba, Days before Mac's Big Day

The mood between Harm and Mac had changed dramatically from that on the plan. Now they were both extremely professional, almost uncomfortably so. "Colonel, would you like to talk with Private Gregory, while I talk with Sargent Markwell?" Mac was taken back when she heard Harm address her as Colonel.

"Sure" with that she led the Private down the hall, to a room that had been designated for resolving the dispute.

'What the hell is this man doing to me?' Mac was so confused. Normally she could be calm and rational. Now Harm was sending her on some crazy roller coaster and she couldn't see when the loops were approaching. 'Colonel?? Even at work he always calls me Mac. That's it. I'm marrying Mic, and that's final.' She couldn't believe she had let herself to kiss him so many times with her wedding day so near.

Mac sat across from the table from Private Gregory. To her he looked around sixteen years old. With a light smattering of pimples, in addition to his fair skin and reddish hair, Private Gregory must have just finished High School. Mac quickly glanced at the folder she held in front of her. D.O.B. 19 March 1984, with that she quickly calculated he was 19 years old. "Would you like to tell what has happened in you opinion, Private?" Mac said gently.

Nervously he replied, "It's like I told the MP's when this all started, we were patrolling the border same as always, Mickey – Sorry Ma'am, Private Harding, he had the global position system, noticed that the fence was a few yards out from where it was supposed to be. That's when we got fired on. Mi – Private Harding got his armed clipped by a bullet, nothing to major, got a few stiches though."

"OK, so why are you and Sargent Markwell the only ones talking?"

Avoiding Mac eyes he replied, "We were with Private Harding in the Sick bay when, I don't know – all the guys are scared, spooked, something happened, I just don't know. They all keep warning us to keep our mouths shut, but Mickey hurt, I don't know why they don't want to find out who got him."

"Are you sure it was the Cuban's that fired?" Mac asked.

"Yeah, we didn't see anyone, but I'm sure of it."

"Why do you think they fired?" Mac was already starting to form an idea as to why.

"Ma'am, I honestly believe that the boundary has been changed, I think we are at fault, but I don't want to accuse the military of anything. It's my life, I don't have anything else." Private Gregory sounded worried as he spoke.

"I don't want anything to happen to me for speaking up. We have all heard the stories down here, no one knows if they are true or not, but there could be some truth to now."

"Don't worry, I'll see what I can do." Mac smiled hoping the fears of the young Private were all in his head.

Harm knocked at the door, startling both Mac and the Private.

"Enter" Mac said.

"Hey, can I just have a quick word?"

"Yeah, excuse me Private."

Mac stepped outside. Harm had found something big Mac could sense it.

"What have you got?"

"Mac, I'm not sure. If Bud were here he would be saying it was some kind of government conspiracy or something, but that just may be the case. We might just have a paper trail to back it up as well."

"What! Conspiracy, of what! And what evidence do you have?" Mac tried to keep her voice down, but it was not working well

"From what I have got so far, the US is extending the boundaries of the base, without consulting with Cubans." Harm was talking in a whisper tone and was constantly keeping an eye out for anyone walking in their direction.

"Yeah, Private Gregory said that the boundary didn't seem to be where it was supposed to be just before they got fired on. But for what reason? What would posses them to do that? Anyway what evidence do you have? Mac wasn't yet convinced, but was starting to believe that this was a possibility.

"It seems that Sargent Markwell's brother just happens to be down here as well. He works for Colonel Sweeny, he has copies of all sorts of orders that either 'didn't happen' or he was told to destroy. It just so happens that he has made several serious complaints against his supervisor that have never been followed up for some reason."

"Hence the reason he has documents he shouldn't have."

"Mac Sargent Markwell says that he is will to testify that there is a conspiracy head by Colonel Sweeny, and is coupled by brutality amongst the ranks that goes unnoticed."

Mac was just about to reply when a young girl walked up to the pair and informed her that Mic was in the phone. With that Mac left.

'23 minutes and fourteen seconds he has been talking non stop' Mac thought as she changed the telephone handset to her other ear. "OK Mic well I have work to get done, so I have to go now, Bye' she abruptly said when Mic mentioned Harm's name. 'I'm marrying Mic not Harm. What made me do that?' Mac got herself a glass of water as she could feel a headache starting to form. When she got back to Harm, she found that he had already got Sargent Markwell's brother in and was informing them of what would be happening next.

"Mac" Harm said as soon as he saw her. "We have got enough here to nail Sweeny. I have the guys on the flight out first thing in the morning. We will be on that flight as well. I what we have here is true I think it is best to get them out of here as soon as possible."

"Commander!" The same young woman that had come up the Mac before was now running towards Harm and Mac. "I have Sargent and Corporal Markwell and Private Gregory on a plane to DC tonight. Sorry but I can't get you two out till the morning."

"That's great! Thanks for your help." Harm was amazed at the woman's tenacity to fulfil his request.

"Well Mac, I think after all of this we should treat ourselves to some dinner."

"No, I think that I'll just go take shower and get ready for tomorrow."

"Come on Mac you got to eat sometime, my treat." Harm was starting to wonder what was up with Mac.

"OK, I'll just get my things and met you out here."

Harm watched Mac as she ate her food. Mac knew this but forced herself not to look at him. "Mac what's up?"

"I haven't received your RSVP to my wedding yet." With that Harm's stomach sunk. Mac was really going to marry Mic.

"I don't think it the best idea for me to go."

"Why? I need you there. You're my best friend, if I could picture you in a dress I'd ask you to be a bridesmaid" Mac smiled as she said it. "I need you to be there."

"Alright, I'll be there." Harm said to make Mac happy, yet uncertain if he could fulfil his promise.

A/N I know that the finding of the evidence was kind of convenient (or was it??) but the main aim was for Mac to have some inner turmoil. I hope I got this. Anyway, thankyou for all of your reviews. Till next time. Cookie xxx