…Till Death Does Us Part Chapter II – Part 16/26

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

Tuesday July 6

JAG

9:34 AM

Mac had been back for just over two weeks and had already adjusted to life back at JAG.  Getting back to work was the easy part; the hard part was adjusting to the stares and people talking behind her back.  They weren't being rude about her, just wondering.

No one had come out and asked her about the father, not even Harriet.  She guessed everyone either didn't care, or knew Mac liked her privacy.  To help her adjust to the office AJ gave her some simple settlement cases, and cases which no one wanted to take to court.  AJ was very pleased with Mac's work and glad to have her back on staff.

The worst problem for Mac was Harm.  He wasn't rude to her or anything like that, he was just silent.  They didn't talk to each other.  The only time they exchanged words were when they had to.  She hadn't told him about the baby being his for several reasons, but the largest being that she couldn't.  She couldn't tell him about it, because of his sense of duty, that and the fact they weren't talking.  There was a cold feeling around them, which everyone was picking up on.  Luckily for Mac, no one associated the baby being Harm's as reason for that cold feeling.

As they discussed the new cases this morning, AJ found himself wary about the next case. 

"Major Andrea Garner is accusing her CO, Colonel Scott Tunney, of sexual harassment."  AJ glanced at Mac. "Colonel, I would like you to investigate."

Mac stared at him in shock and surprise.  "Sir?"

AJ handed her the file.  "Both of them are stationed at the Pentagon.  Commander Turner will assist you."

Mac opened the file and looked it over, as Harm brought up the point, which everyone was thinking about.  "Sir, I thought Colonel MacKenzie was handling the smaller cases."

AJ spoke to Harm's concern as Mac glared at Harm from the open file.  "Commander, are you asking to investigate this case instead of the Colonel?"

"No, Sir, I just thought I would bring up a mild concern," Harm stated with a quiver in his voice.

"I assure you, Commander, I will be able to lead the investigation without any problems," Mac stated.

"I'm sure, if the Colonel does experience any problems while she is investigating, she will address them to me at that time," AJ stated.  "Now, if there is not anything else."  He glanced at the officers at the table and did not receive any objections.  "Good.  Dismissed."

AJ rose from the table and his officers stood at attention.  He exited the room and the officers glanced at one another.  Harm opened his mouth to say something to Mac, when he watched her slowly close her eyes and sway slightly.  "Mac," Harm said to her.

Sturgis noticed Mac's sway and gently grabbed her arm, since he was standing next to her.  "Mac?"

Mac grabbed the edge of the chair and leaned forward slightly.  After a few seconds she regained her balance.  "Ummm."

"You okay?"  Sturgis asked as Mac straightened back up.

"Yeah, I just stood up too fast," Mac softly said, feeling herself get embarrassed.  She looked at Sturgis, who was still holding onto her arm and across the table at Harm, who had the same worried expression like Sturgis.  "I'm okay; I just need to remember to stand up slowly."

Bud chuckled from across the table.  "That should be a hard habit to break."

The other three chuckled.  "Yeah, but it's better then breaking my nose on the table."  Mac joked.

"Does it happen often?"  Bud asked as they left the conference room.

"Not recently," Mac told him.  "Now the first few months it happened too much to my liking."

Harm and Sturgis walked behind Bud and Mac.  "Sturgis," Harm started.

"Yeah, Harm."

"Keep an eye on Mac during the investigation," Harm suggested.

Sturgis gave Harm a confused look.  "Of course, Harm.  I was planning on to."

End Part 16