Many and multitudinous thanks to the reviewers on site – wildxtreme, I am familiar with that title by Swift and I liked the sound of it when I'd finished my first draft… so… yes. And to AeroGirl – (Check her out at .org), one of my early inspirations because of her excellent JAG fics - thanks for the encouragement.

JAG Headquarters

Admiral Chegwidden's Office

0910 Tuesday

Admiral AJ Chegwidden looked thoughtfully impatient as he held the receiver to his ear. "And I don't suppose you can tell me any more than that."

"C'mon AJ, you know how it is. If you don't have time anymore, which I understand completely, can you at least spare someone?"

"No."

The voice on the line sighed wearily. "Look, it's just for a day, maybe an afternoon, every week or two. You can keep your precious stable of lawyers intact the rest of the time. For the most part, I just want someone -"

"What you want is a reference book that you can pick up when you need it. It's not that easy. I've been getting crap from the Secretary about my 'lack of control' over here."

There was a heated pause. "We both know that's –" the voice paused, clearly censoring himself. "That's ridiculous. You're the best, and your people reflect that. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking."

"Thanks," AJ drawled sarcastically. "I'll tell the Secretary you said so."

"If I thought it would do you any good, I'd tell him myself." There was a shuffling of paper on the other end. "Looking at the senior staff, I see Rabb, Mackenzie, Turner… any of those would be-"

"Highly inconvenient." AJ rubbed his fingers across his forehead and exhaled heavily. "Here's the thing. If I do let one of them do this, I don't want any confusion about chain of command if you suddenly have to pull him out."

"I don't think that will happen. I already said it was strictly part time. A couple hours a week, like we've always done it. And only when -"

"Yes, but I know how these things go. Part time when you need him, and if I need him at the same time, we have trouble."

"Look, we've always been able to do this on the side before. I don't think I've ever been unreasonable about taking whatever you could set up. What's different?"

"I told you, the Secretary –"

There was an exasperated sigh. "AJ, don't make me point out my third star. One SEAL to another. What the hell is going on?"

JAG Headquarters

Admiral Chegwidden's Office

1020

"Morning, Sir. Tiner said you wanted me?"

"Yes, Commander. Sit."

Harm sat, slightly apprehensive. He knew the look that the Admiral had; the one that usually would portend an unpopular assignment. "If this is about the Lewis case –"

"No, Commander, this is something else." Harm nodded attentively, his eyes vivid blue in the morning light coming through the Admiral's window. "I'll just tell you what I can, and you can give me your opinion."

"I'll do my best, Sir."

"Good." AJ closed a folder on his desk. "There's an Admiral at the Pentagon who is looking for legal advice."

"Personal advice, Sir?"

"No. Well, sort of. There's a whole slew of politically correct advice over there, but he's always come to me to chew over the legal ramifications of his decisions." Harm nodded, frowning slightly. "Once or twice a month we'd meet for lunch, make it a casual session. If there was anything I wasn't sure of, I'd look it up and get back to him. Of course there were many times he couldn't tell me what the hell I was advising him on, but we managed." The younger officer took in the Admiral's unusually warm expression, and a light dawned.

"A former teammate, Sir?"

Nodding with a faint grin, AJ continued. "Now, with everything that's happening, he wants to meet more often."

"Understandable, Sir."

"Understandable, but not practical. I've got more on my plate as well. It just isn't feasible for me at this time."

Harm looked thoughtfully at the Admiral's desk. "I can see that, Sir."

"Right." At this point AJ stood, walked around to sit in the visitor's chair next to Harm. He leaned forward, looking intently at the younger officer, his elbows resting on his knees. "When I told him I didn't think it was possible, he asked if one of my staff could do it. Someone I trusted."

Harm's eyes widened slightly as he listened.

"He said it would likely be one meeting a week, and maybe a phone connection once or twice. I know how these things go, but I think he's being realistic. Barring acts of God or Congress, of course." AJ looked Harm in the eye. "I thought you might be interested."

The Commander was speechless for a moment, locked by the eyes. "Thank you, Sir."

"I told him a few things, which he seemed to understand. One, that I can't afford to lose any staff here. Two, that whoever is taking this assignment should be directly under his command."

Harm glanced out the window toward the Pentagon, frowning thoughtfully. "I really don't want to leave JAG, Sir."

"I should hope not, Commander. If you're interested in this position, it will mean that you are in the Admiral's chain of command, that you are available to him once a week in person and probably wherever your cell reaches. It will also mean that you'll still have a full workload here, which it will be your duty to keep him informed of so as to minimize conflicts." The Admiral looked down at his folded hands for a moment before continuing. "It'll mean, Harm, that you'll still be working for me, but you'll be out of my chain of command." He waited.

Harm's thoughtful frown suddenly became a wide-eyed stare. "Are you sure about this, Sir?"

"No." He slowly allowed a grin to appear. "Are you? I imagine the extra workload and on-paper transfer will mean a bump in your pay scale, and it will probably be in the Admiral's best interest to have your security clearance upgraded…" AJ continued quietly. "It's a big responsibility, Harm. And a big challenge here. If you two can't handle working together, one of you will still have to move, and if we've put this in motion it would probably be you." The Admiral took a deep breath. "I don't want to presume too much, but I have faith in you both to not make me look bad. At least if I ask nicely beforehand." Harm grinned at that, looking a bit sheepish. "Should I assume you're interested, or do you want to talk about it… with anyone… first?"

Harm flashed the smile. "Oh, I'm definitely interested, Sir. But you're right. Can I give you a final after lunch?"

"No later. Sorry for the rush, but I want this cleared up."

"Yes, Sir."

The Admiral stood and paced around to his chair again, suddenly fully in command once more. "That will be all, Commander. Dismissed."

Rabb stood to attention. "Aye, Sir." With a smooth about-face he stepped to the door, stopping halfway out to turn around and look back at the Admiral, sincerity shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Admiral. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

"I have a vague idea."

With a broad smile, Commander Rabb headed back to his office.

The Admiral sat writing for a moment or two, stopped, looked thoughtfully at the door. With a quiet grin he picked up the phone and hit the button for an outside line.

JAG Headquarters

Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's Office

1040

"You're kidding."

"Nope." He grinned at her, shaking his head.

"Harm, that's amazing! What a great career move."

"It's a bit more than that."

"Really?" Mac was sitting back in her desk chair looking up at Harm's smiling face. "Better than being a personal legal advisor to an active Admiral?"

Harm closed the door he was leaning on and glanced through the half-closed blinds before answering. "Mac, it would transfer me to this Admiral's chain of command. I'll have more work on the side, but I won't be leaving JAG."

Mac first reaction was a frown toward her commander's office. "Why would he –" her eyes grew wide. "Are you telling me the Admiral offered it just so we…" she shook her head, unable to finish the sentence.

"No, he really does want a military lawyer. That way he can have someone with a security clearance on his own staff that he can talk to – but since what he seems to want is an outside opinion, he wouldn't want me in the office anyway.

"You don't know who it is yet?"

"Not until I take the job."

"But, Harm…"

"I know." He smiled at her. "The Admiral is giving us a chance. If we want it."

Her dark eyes were shining. "I think we've established that already."

"Agreed." He leaned over her desk, resting his palms on the smooth surface. "But it will be more responsibility. It could take more of my time."

Mac shrugged. "That could happen with any promotion, Harm. Anywhere." She seemed to sit a little straighter in her chair. "This is a big decision. Do you want to do this? If something happens here, and we can't pull it off..."

His eyes rose slowly from the desktop to her face. "I've made a conscious decision not to worry about us. And as for the assignment, I think it sounds interesting. If he was a teammate of the Admiral's, I should be able to get along with him." He broke into the grin. "'His and Hers' Admirals. Who would have thought of giving us a gift like that." She dropped her head and laughed. "I can't wait to come clean to the guys." A knock on the door interrupted the moment, and he picked up a pen from Mac's desk as he straightened up to open it. "Hey, Bud. I was just leaving." As he traded places with the lieutenant, Harm glanced over his shoulder. "She's all yours. At least until after lunch."

"After lunch, Sir?"

Mac covered smoothly. "We've got court this afternoon, Bud. And then the Commander will be busy losing the Foster case to me."

Harm grinned at her and walked away, calling over his shoulder. "That has yet to be seen, Colonel."

Bud looked at the Colonel and frowned slightly, then out toward the Commander's office. Turning back to her, he said, "He's in a good mood today."

Mac laughed and looked at Bud. "I can only assume that's because he thinks he's going to win."

"Is he?"

She smiled mischievously. "Not if I can help it. What can I do for you?"

He smiled at her, openly surprised. "You seem to be in a good mood, too." Mac lifted her eyebrows and blinked at him. "I mean, not that you aren't usually in a good mood, Ma'am. I mean… ah…" He stared down at the file in his hand. "I have the witness list you wanted." He held it out like overdue homework, and while Mac struggled not to grin as she took it, her expression abruptly became serious as she looked it over.

"We didn't get Major Arkin?"

"No, Ma'am, that's what I wanted you to know. He's still deployed, and they can't even tell me where he is." He looked apologetic.

She stared, bit her lower lip. "This could be difficult."

Courtroom 6

1310

"And because of Major Arkin's importance to the defense, and his current deployment on a classified mission, we respectfully ask for a continuance."

"Your Honor, the government feels that if the entire defense hinges on the testimony of one man, when the prosecution has any number of witnesses that can place-"

"Which all have second-hand or circumstantial accounts, your Honor. Clearly my client has shown-"

The door in the back of the courtroom opened and closed quietly. Admiral Chegwidden sat down, unnoticed by his officers as they continued to argue their cases, voices raised slightly. If he didn't know them, it would be easy to think that they were merely professional rivals, and ones that didn't get along that well. He winced internally as Harm pressed a point, making his colleague sound less than prepared. They argue cases like some people play tennis. He waited for the judge's comment.

"Commander Rabb, I understand that in time of war we are trying our best to expedite matters. However, I must agree with Colonel Mackenzie that it is only fair to allow an eyewitness to testify. Colonel, you should realize that there is the unfortunate possibility that Major Arkin may not return. You have two weeks. If he isn't back by then, we go on with whatever you have."

"Thank you, your Honor."

"This court is adjourned until 1430."

AJ stood quietly and slipped out the back door. He was standing there waiting as Harm and Mac exited the courtroom, talking much more calmly.

"So does Arkin really matter that much?"

"What, you think I'd bluff just to get a continuance? That's a Rabb move."

Harm clutched his chest and did his best to look wounded as he turned and saw the Admiral. Abruptly he snapped to attention. "Afternoon, Sir."

"At ease. Walk with me, people." They fell into step with him, walking out into the afternoon sun. "Nice work in there."

The two younger officers looked at each other. Their expressions were strictly professional at this point, and they prepared their defense instinctively. The Admiral did not make a habit of checking on courtroom performance unless he was concerned about something. Rabb cleared his throat. "Ah, we didn't realize you were there, Sir."

"I know that." The Admiral stopped and leaned against the stair railing, crossing his arms lazily on his chest. "Let's just say I was pleased by what I saw as 'appropriate behavior'."

"Well, Sir, we did get a little loud, but – " Mac stopped, frowned. "Did you say 'appropriate', Sir?"

"Yes. Nothing less than I expect." He shifted, looked up at the blue sky and changed the subject. "You have an answer for me, Commander?"

Harm looked at Mac for the briefest instant, then nodded. "Yes, Sir. I'd be pleased to have the opportunity."

"Good. I'll get it underway, then." He looked at Harm and extended his hand. "Good luck."

"Thank you, Sir. I'll do my best to live up to your standards."

The Admiral couldn't quite hide a smirk. "Well, you do that. I'll make the announcement at the staff meeting tomorrow."

Mac nodded to them both, her voice cheerful. "If you'll excuse me, Sir, I have to get back for a conference call about Major Arkin's last known assignment." The Admiral nodded her dismissal.

"Good luck with that."

"Thanks. I think I'm going to need it." She turned to Harm and extended her hand. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Harm smiled as she turned to leave, and suddenly looked like he remembered something important. "Oh, Mac, I almost forgot. Here." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. "This is yours." She held out her hand and he placed a pen and a small metal object on her palm. She frowned down at it for a moment, then her eyes darted up to his, shining, a faint blush on her cheek.

"Ah… thank you," she said, in a tiny voice. Saluting the Admiral, she turned and walked quickly back toward her office. Harm just stood there, smiling after her. The Admiral cleared his throat.

"Do you suppose it's the Navy or the women that make us this way?"

"Beg pardon, Sir?"

"I left a bunch of pansies on the Professor's desk the first week we were dating."

"Pansies, Sir?" Harm's brow furrowed.

"Pansies. For thoughts." He looked down and pursed his lips. "Hamlet." Harm stared, a bit bewildered.

"Ah…"

"Nevermind, Commander. My point is we all find our own way to say private things in public. But let's keep it quiet. You don't know why there's a sprig of rosemary under my desk blotter, and I can't imagine why you just handed Colonel Mackenzie a thimble."

JAG Headquarters

Conference Room

Wednesday 0925

Lieutenant Bud Roberts flipped the file in front of him closed, looked at the rest of the collected staff. "And that seems to be the end of it. It looks like they're dropping all charges against Corporal Lewis." He looked up with a sigh, and Mac laughed.

"You sound almost disappointed, Bud."

"It was an awful lot of work that won't get used, Ma'am. But I'm not really disappointed." He grinned at her, looked up at the opening door of the conference room and managed to be the first on his feet, even slowed by his leg. "Admiral."

"Sit down, people, this won't take long." He looked over at Colonel Mackenzie, the accepted chair of the informal meetings. "Sorry I'm late. Are you through with anything important?" She glanced down at the pad in front of her, then down the table for any input.

"Looks like the Lewis case was the last, Sir."

"Good. Then I have a little news."

The Admiral made the announcement of Harm's change in status with a minimum of fuss, and it took a minute for people to realize what was actually happening. Sturgis was the first to comment.

"So there really shouldn't be much of a change in appearances, Admiral?"

The Admiral nearly grinned. "Let's put it this way. There better not be. I don't expect to have to run a string and two cans between here and the Pentagon building." The staff chuckled and rose as one when their commander stood to leave. "Dismissed." The Admiral was at the door when he heard Rabb clear his throat over the casual chatter that marked the end of the meeting.

"Colonel Mackenzie?" Harm's clear voice rang out in the room, so that no one could help hearing.

She looked up at his formality, replying with equal gravity as she handed Bud a stack of folders. "Commander Rabb?"

"I was wondering if you were free for dinner this evening."

There was a moment of absolute silence when it seemed everyone in the room was holding their breath. Eyes darted from Harm to Mac to where the Admiral stood with his back to the room, one hand on the doorknob, but no one seemed willing to move. Mac blinked, a little startled. "You mean to work on –"

"No, Mac, I mean I would like to take you out to dinner. On a date." His eyes sparkled and he broke into the grin. "If you're available." All eyes were on the two of them, in a spell that was broken abruptly at the sound of the Admiral opening the door and leaving with a heavy sigh. Mac looked at Harm a little nervously, the blush on her cheek faint.

"I'd be delighted."

"May I pick you up at, say, seven?"

"That would be lovely." She turned smoothly and walked back into the corridor, leaving the rest of them staring at Harm. Sturgis was the first to break the silence.

"You dog."

Sarah Mackenzie stood in the quiet hallway, looking up toward the heavens with tears smiling in her eyes. He'd given up his place in the seniority line here at JAG. He'd publicly asked her out. Their boss seemed pleased with their behavior in court. And he had given her a thimble… Having nothing else to worry about, her mind suddenly came up with the only question it could.

What in the world will I wear?

Laughing to herself, she walked back through the bullpen in a warm, romantic blur.