AN: Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter. This is part A. I haven't finished part B yet but I wanted to post.
Disclaimer: JAG does not belong to me and neither do the lyrics to Dido's songs.
Chapter Summary: Now the weekend is over, Mac and Harm have to face some unwelcome news back at JAG.
Life For Rent
Chapter three – The Meeting of Foes
(Part 1)
*---------*-----------*-----------*---------*
"This land is mine but I'll let you rule
I'll let you navigate and demand
Just as long as you know, this land is mine.
So find you're home and settle in
Oh I'm ready to let you in
Just as long as we know, this land is mine." – This Land is Mine, Dido.
*----------*-----------*-----------*----------*
MONDAY 0830 HRS
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac tapped her foot impatiently waiting for the elevator to arrive at the right floor. She had overslept after staying up half the night doing the paperwork that she had planned to do on Friday evening, but never had a change to complete. The weekend had been filled by Bud and Harriet's Anniversary Party as well as Sunday spent with Harm lounging on the couch eating in and watching TV. Glancing around the empty elevator nervously, Mac noticed that this would have to be the first time she had ever been late for work. Almost instantaneously the elevator doors slide open and revealed a reeling bullpen alight and buzzing with work. Scolding angrily, Mac stepped out of the elevator and grudgingly made her way towards her office. She snuck a look toward Harm's office noticing that his door was open and his briefcase was lying idly on his desk. She couldn't believe that for once Harm had beaten her to work. Engrossed in thought as she continued towards her office with her head down, Mac walked headlong into Harriet as she hurried out of Mac's office.
"Colonel MacKenzie!" Harriet cried startled, stepping back from the angry marine. "I'm sorry Ma'am, I wasn't-"
"It's ok Harriet." Mac gushed, cutting the rambling lieutenant off. "It was my fault not yours."
Harriet nodded nervously and glanced over Mac shoulder and towards the Admiral's office.
"Forgive me ma'am, but your quite late this morning. Can I ask why?"
Mac nodded moodily.
"I overslept." She said shortly, staring indignantly towards her shoes in embarrassment. "For the first time ever."
The lieutenant smiled, an unmistakeable sparkle in her eyes.
"Overslept ma'am?" she asked amused. "Surely a marine doesn't just over sleep ma'am."
Mac rolled her eyes at Harriet and stepped forward to open her office door.
"You're beginning to sound like Harm, Harriet." She replied matter-of-factly walking in and moving behind her desk. "And I'm not entirely sure that that's a good thing."
Harriet chuckled, watching as Mac dropped her heavy suitcase on her desk and flopped back into her high back chair.
"Speaking of Commander Rabb, the Admiral wishes to see the pair of you in his office this morning. He called the meeting well over 10 minutes ago ma'am. I think your running late."
Mac groaned and reluctantly pulled herself away from the comfort of her chair. She figured that as she was already late a few more moments would hurt.
"How's Bud?" she asked caringly, stopping in front of Harriet on her way out of the office. "He seemed a little down on Saturday night."
Harriet let a low exasperated sigh escape her lips. She loved her husband dearly but his 'obsession' to get back to JAG full time was driving her around the bend.
"He's finding restricted duty hard to handle ma'am. Bud's itching to get his hands on a proper case and get back into the swing of things. It quite disheartening watching him become so frustrated with himself."
Mac nodded grimly, and placed a comforting hand on Harriet's shoulder.
"It must be hard for him." She replied. "Bud does love his job."
Harriet nodded.
"Commander Turner is doing everything he can to get Bud's fitness up, but he agrees Bud is trying to do too much, too soon."
Mac opened her mouth to say something but at the same time Harm barged through the office door. He raised his eyebrow slightly, realising he may have just barged in through a conversation.
"Sorry," he apologised sincerely, stepping into the office. "But Mac the Admiral wants to see you. Now."
Mac nodded, gave Harriet an affectionate squeeze on the arm and smiled.
"Can we talk about this later Harriet?"
Harriet nodded.
"Sure ma'am. Over coffee after the Admiral's meeting?" she asked hopefully, putting on a sincere smile.
Mac nodded.
"Sounds great lieutenant." She said turning her gaze to Harm who was standing in the doorway, arms crossed tightly across his chest and an impatent look displayed on his face. "Now if you excuse me-"
"Of course ma'am." Harriet replied, moving towards the doorway. "Commander Rabb." She greeted nodding to him as she passed out of the door.
"Lieutenant."
Mac studied Harm cautiously, his face hiding his emotion.
"I see you arrived early." She said crossing her own arms across her chest. "Do you actually decide to buy an alarm clock?"
Harm smirked.
"That's what happens when you begin sleeping with a Marine." He replied quietly. "I suddenly find myself waking up at 0500 and wanting to actually get out of bed."
Mac chuckled.
"You wish flyboy."
Harm cocked an eyebrow.
"So," he replied dropping his hands to his side. "Why were you so late to work this morning? Have to be the first time since you started at JAG."
"I was up all night finalising paperwork and I didn't wake until late." She said annoyed, passing Harm and following Harriet's route out the doorway.
Harm followed, easily falling into stride along with the healed Marine.
"You overslept?" he laughed. "Wow."
Mac shot him a warning look.
"Why is it such a big deal? I mean you usually don't even bother to arrive until 0915."
Harm chuckled and fell behind Mac as a group of Marine's passed.
"Morning Colonel. Commander."
Mac smiled in reply, Harm on the other hand nodded as he was still chuckling to himself.
"What?" she asked indigently turning to face Harm after the parade of marines had passed.
"The big deal is you are the most impeccable person I have every met Mac. Especially when it comes to punctuality. You arrive at work up to 45 minutes early just so you can be sure you absolutely ready for the day."
Mac frowned.
"Does this actually have a point Harm?" she said lifelessly, stalking towards the Admiral's office door. "Cause if it doesn't, hold your tongue flyboy."
Harm shook his head and followed aimlessly towards the Admiral's door. Mac knocked twice and opened the door slightly, waiting for the command to enter. It came promptly and when Mac stepped inside she came face to face with non other than Commander Mic Brumby.
"Brumby?" Harm spat, walking into the Admiral's office.
Mic smiled widely, indicating that his cockiness had not dissolved since there last meeting.
"It's pleasing to see you to Rabb." He said sarcastically, watching Harm carefully.
Mac was frozen in her tracks. She gulped down a mouthful of air and took a step into the room.
"Mic? What exactly are you doing here?"
TO BE CONTINUED --