"Then Uncle Sturgis was mean and wouldn't accept Mommy's offer. So now she has to come up with a new plan before she goes to court tomorrow." Mac explained to Abi. The phone rang, Mac picked it up. "Mackenzie."

"Colonel, it's Admiral Morris, I was wondering if you had time to cover a few things for me today."

"Normally I would Admiral but I have to be in court first thing in the morning and I haven't quite settled on a strategy yet as I thought I'd manage to work out a deal with Commander Turner."

"Never mind Colonel." Mac felt guilty about not helping out.

"Admiral, what is it you need me to do?" She asked.

"I need you to listen to someone explain a document then just sign off on it. It should take twenty minutes at most." Abi let out a wail.

"Hang on sir." She put the phone on the table and put Abi over her shoulder and gently rubbed her back. "Shush, shush." Abi settled slightly. "You were saying sir?" Mac said into the phone.

"I was saying it should take twenty minutes at most. Have you got Abigail with you?"

"Commander Rabb had to come in for an urgent meeting, so I'm watching her until he's done. If they don't mind a crying baby send them over to Commander Rabb's office. My office is occupied at the moment."

"Thank you Mac."

"My pleasure sir." She hung up the phone. "Shush honey. Mommy is going to have to be a judge for a few minutes, but Auntie Jennifer should be back with your bottle soon." She looked up as she heard a tap on the door. "Enter."

"I tested it on the back of my wrist I think it's the right temperature." Mac took the bottle and tested it herself.

"Perfect. Thanks Jen."

"Can I get you anything else ma'am?" She asked.

"Admiral Morris is sending someone over to see me so when they get here can you show them in and see if you can find out how much longer Harm will be?"

"He and Commander Austin are in with the Admiral at the moment ma'am. I'll ask him to come and see you as soon as he is out."

"Thanks Jen." Mac sat down and started to feed Abi her bottle as she left. A few minutes later Jen knocked on the door.

"Lieutenant Tate ma'am."

"Send him in." She glanced up.

"Colonel Mackenzie?" He questioned.

"Yes, forgive me for not getting up Lieutenant but I have my hands full. Please take a seat." Jen closed the door.

"Is this a bad time ma'am? I can come back."

"This is the only time you're going to get Lieutenant. Here's how it's going play out. You have twenty minutes and twenty minutes only to explain what's going on. I'm doing this as a favour to Admiral Morris, because I'm supposed to be a lawyer this week not a judge. There is a high chance that Abigail will start crying but you'll have to put up with that. There is also a high chance that we'll be interrupted by my husband when he comes to collect her after his meeting with the Admiral. Is that understood?"

"Yes Colonel." He replied not sure what else to say.

"Carry on then."

There was a knock on the door eleven minutes and 34 seconds later.

"Enter." Mac called.

"Hey Mac, did you want me to..." Harm stopped. "Sorry Colonel for interrupting but did you want me to take her?"

"Thanks she needs burping." Mac handed Abigail over to him.

"Sorry to interrupt but my twenty minutes ma'am." The Lieutenant asked.

"I'll add however long this takes on as extra."

"This won't take a couple of minutes Lieutenant. I need to talk to you about Meg when you have a minute."

"I've got to finish this for Admiral Morris, then I to find Sturgis and try again to work out a deal otherwise I have to wade through all this tonight for when we go to court martial tomorrow. Amy isn't in the best mood after this weekend so I doubt she will be tomorrow." Mac explained.

"Why what happened to Commander Helfman?" He asked.

"I'll tell you later. If you see Sturgis can you ask him to come and see me in about fifteen minutes?"

"Sure. Is it okay I still borrow your office and Jen as well?"

"Yes to the office, as for Jen you'd have to as her. Bye honey." She dropped a kiss on Abi's forehead.

"We'll see you later." With Abi in one arm, Harm managed to steer the buggy out of his office and close the door behind him.

"So Lieutenant you have exactly ten minutes and 41 seconds, so please carry on." He looked slightly confused but proceeded to explain the document he needed her to sign.

TBC