"Colonel are you an alcoholic?" The defence lawyer asked.

"A recovering alcoholic yes. But I haven't had a drink in almost six years."

"Why did you drink then?" He inquired.

"I was being stalked by a police detective and he'd already killed my boyfriend." Mac shuffled uncomfortably.

"That would be a Dalton Lowne." He checked his notes.

"Yes."

"Your honour how does this relate to Commander Powell?" The prosecutor asked.

"I'd like to know that too. Commander?"

"I was just wondering about how the Colonel reacts in such situation. She was put on trial for killing her first husband."

"And acquitted." Mac pointed out.

"I'm just wondering about the Colonel character." He said out loud.

"Colonel Mackenzie is a decorated Marine Colonel and a judge. She wouldn't have to either of position if there was any question of her character Commander." Mac heard the judge say. "I suggest you owe her an apology and then you may ask her any questions you have relating to Commander Powell and on no other topic."

"Yes your honour. Colonel I apologise and no further questions."

"Thank you Colonel. We'll recess for lunch until one pm." He banged the gavel.

"All rise." The bailiff instructed.

~

"How's she been?" Mac asked as she entered her office. Trish was gently rocking Abigail over her shoulder.

"She's an angel. I think she is getting hungry again though." She handed Abigail to Mac. "Why don't you feed her while I go and see if Harm is free to join us for lunch?"

"He can't he's sequestered."

"Sequestered? That's what they do to juries." Trish questioned.

"He was supposed to be subpoenaed to testify tomorrow at the trial I had to testify at, but someone screwed up with the paperwork, so the judge asked me to have him sequestered so he could testify over the video link this afternoon. He's in a room with a Sgt; he can't talk to anyone so they can't accuse anyone of witness tampering."

"It must be an important case." Trish commented.

"I can't tell you it's classified. It should have been a closed hearing, but because Abi was due I couldn't travel." Abi started to grizzle.

"You feed little Miss Abigail there while I go and talk to Harriet. She asked me to baby sit little AJ tonight so she and Bud can go out to dinner."

"Okay." Mac sat down in her desk chair as Trish left. "You know they didn't design these uniforms for this. No they didn't." She said as she unbuttoned her jacket and her shirt.

~ Rock-a-bye baby On the tree tops When the wind blows The cradle will rock When the bough breaks The cradle will fall Down will come baby Cradle and all. ~

Mac gently sang as she burped Abi after she had eaten.

"So honey what should we make Daddy for dinner tonight since you're already taken care of?" There was no response. "We could order take out? Or maybe we should make spaghetti? You think he'd like spaghetti? We'll make spaghetti and you really don't care because you've fallen asleep." Mac gently placed her in her buggy and pulled the blanket up over her tightly. "We'll find Grandma on the way out." She checked her buttons were done up, slipped on her coat and grabbed her cover. She opened the door and pushed the buggy out.

TBC