1350 EST April 15

As Harm and Mac made their way through the bullpen to the Admiral's office Clayton Webb walked past Tiner's desk heading for the door with a nod to the two officers but no words of wisdom about what was brewing with the boss.

"Colonel, Commander go right in," Tiner offered closing the door behind the two officers. Adm. A. J. Chegwidden was standing looking out the tall windows behind his desk as Harm and Mac talked into the office coming to attention before the huge classic desk. "Col. MacKenzie and Cmd. Rabb reporting as ordered."

"Please take a seat," was followed by a lengthy pause as the Admiral marshaled his thoughts before talking with his senior team. "This conversation must stay in this office. Do I make myself clear?" Both officers nodded their understanding before Chegwidden continued. "Big changes are coming. The Chairman, SECDEF, and SECNAV ambushed me this morning at the Chief's regular briefing. Apparently the White House is going to really push on a comprehensive force realignment and modernization package that addresses the Post Cold War geopolitical situation.

"What that means for the future of the military establishment is uncertain, and if history is any teacher all of the established constituencies are going to pull out all of the stops to advance their respective agendas. After all it's Washington. What do we expect?"

Mac and her partner exchanged one of their "okay, now what?" looks as the Admiral paused and looked away.

"Here is how you, Mr. Rabb fit into the picture," Chegwidden resumed. "Tom Boone is being returned to active duty to for a very sensitive assignment. You will be transferred on board as general counsel and lead investigator. The Chief and SECNAV have concluded that Tom Boone is really what he appears to be.a hard headed, pragmatic officer who has 'seen the elephant' enough times to face a fight with a clear head. He's seen as an officer who is willing to actually recognize the existence of a 'big picture' and act on that recognition damn the consequences.

"Harm, you have known the Admiral for years. He respects you.despite the fact you are a lawyer.and, in fact, he asked specifically for you. He told the Vice President - an old Gulf War associate - that he wouldn't take the job without you.

"That is all I know at the moment. You are on the DF list for all a bunch of very sensitive paperwork involving your new billet effective today. Check with the Gunny to arrange space and storage suitable for handling Top Secret and named Top Secret paperwork. I would rather you find a place here to work than have to move for the moment," Chegwidden concluded.

"Now, it's your turn Colonel. The move to the 3rd MEF is temporary, but it could run up to six months. The former G-2 had his security clearance pulled because of questions about his personal life and the expeditionary force intelligence operation in the Balkans has apparently more leaks than a pasta colander.

"Mac, this is a 'huge' opportunity to take a gigantic career step, and it may open the door to higher rank and bigger things if you make the right impression on COMMEDFOR." The phone cut further conversation off at this point as the Admiral's direct line to the CNO sounded off. "Yes Tom. I'll standby for the Chief." Turning to his senior team the Admiral dismissed the two officers with a question:

"Harm, Mac if you can find the time I would like to pick up this conversation after work this afternoon. How about the Navy Yard O Club around 1800?" After being excused the two officers left their chief's office filled with questions, but pressing court appearances prevented any additional conversation as they went separate ways through the bullpen.

Mac gathered a stack of folders stacked precariously on the corner of her desk and walked out the door heading for Courtroom Three where a mildly irritated Capt. Bennett Wallace was waiting for her appearance. "Good afternoon colonel," the judge pointedly interrupted an apparently heated debate on some procedural point. "I am pleased that you were able to join us this afternoon. Was your meeting informative?" The presiding officer was obviously not at all pleased to listen to a pair of junior attorneys argue over an obscure point of law.

"Thank you your honor," Mac quickly said. "I apologize for imposing on the court's time.."

"That's appreciated Colonel. But what I would really appreciate is a clear statement of the government's position on the Harwell matter. Lt. Singer and Lt. Waters have been busy confusing the mundane with the important."

"Yes, your honor. The government moves to dismiss all charges pending further investigation. Additional information has been developed that may alter the course of the case and it is in the best interest of all involved to drop the current charges and return the accused to duty."

"Thank you colonel. Perhaps at some point you can clear up why Lt. Singer couldn't just either ask for a brief recess or make that routine motion in your absence. Good day." Mac dropped the files into Singer's lap, made an abrupt turn and marched out of the courtroom leaving a very confused lieutenant in her wake.

As this scene unfolded Harm walked into the "old" courtroom on the ground floor just as Adm. Morris adjourned court for the day to consider a motion for directed verdict that Bud and Lt. Cmd. Imes had argued since court had been called into session after lunch. "Sir, I'm sorry I didn't know when you would be back in court, and Adm. Morris insisted that we are already behind schedule backing his docket up." "Bud, you were right. Argue the motion when it comes up. Adm. Morris is a stickler for keeping his docket moving, and it's not a good practice to get on his bad side . even through you will be abandoning the Washington wrangling for the lead litigator's job in paradise."

"Sir, that came out of the blue. I knew I had enough time in grade to be considered for promotion in this cycle, but a promotion, a transfer to Hawaii, and the deputy chief's job. I can't wait to tell Harriett."

"It's a reward," Harm said, "but remember who JAG/Pacific is these days. Keep one eye on your six Bud. Capt. Krennick is still bucking to be the first female JAG, and remember: Under the cold, calculating exterior that Allison presents to the world, a truly hard, cynical heart beats."

"Thanks for that reminder. I had managed to forget that she had moved out of NATO headquarters and to PACFLT. That could make even a tropical paradise seem a little like the South Pole." "Bud, she's a pain in the ass," Harm said, "but she is also a fine attorney who can show you ways to play the legal system like a violin."

On that note Harm ducked into his office closing the door behind himself.

The balance of that wonderful spring afternoon was devoted to busy work and some serious mental gymnastics for JAG's two senior officers. The old order was being turned over and a new reality was about to unfold that could, would change many things.

Over the years Harm and Mac, much to the dismay of their friends, managed to keep their mutual attraction shoved back into one pigeon hole or another while running through several lifetimes worth of lame excuses for not acting on the obvious. That lengthy list of excuses was rapidly turning into a very complicated dry hole with a fiancée and a serious girlfriend involved.

Harm's reluctance to step up to the plate and tell Mac how he 'really' felt combined with her 'engagement' to Mic Brumby was a difficult subject for him to consider in any detail without a migraine headache. Now things were really spinning out of control on a personal level.

The Video Princess had the full court press on for a commitment; one-time lover Kate Pike was coming back to Washington, along with Meg Austin, the star of some very vivid fantasies. "Jesus! I really would like to be the President's picture on the wall just to see how this will all work out," Harm thought. "Because I really don't want to face all of my 'issues' at once anymore than I want to be the Chief Piñata for the CAG in this mystery program.

"Cocktails with the Admiral at the O-Club should be interesting."

Mac was entertaining some of the same thoughts and concerns less than 50' and more than a world away in her office.

'I'm tired, just tired of Mic hovering over me. I'm tired of the constant polite wrangling about a wedding. I'm tired of constantly fencing with Harm, and I'm really tired of watching Renee try to drag Harm by the nose.or some other appendage (Oops! Red Light Colonel. Where the hell did that come from?)'

Mac shoved back from her desk dumping a stack of files on the floor as she spun the chair around to look out the window. "Fuck it! Just fuck it! I've been pussy footing around everybody for so long I have lost track of who I am, and I am going to fix that starting now. A move to the Med may be the best thing to come along, because by the time I am through 'fixing' my life storming some God damn beach may be a walk in the park."

With that she grabbed her cover and briefcase and walked smartly out of her office and right into Harmon Rabb's face.

"I guess this means you are ready to leave for the Navy Yard." "Yea. I guess so. Shit I'm sorry Harm. Are you okay?

With that the two 'partners' disentangled themselves, picked up their scattered gear, and headed for an informal chat with their commander, friend, and mentor.