"Good morning Colonel." Jen said as Mac came in on Monday morning. Jen handed her her post.

"Good morning Jen. Have a nice weekend?"

"Yes ma'am went ice-skating."

"How many times did you fall over?" Mac asked.

"Only the once ma'am."

"That's good."

"How's Mrs Rabb doing?" Jen inquired.

"She's fine; she had a bit of an emotional weekend. We took her to the wall; I don't think she's been there for a while."

"I get emotional when I go to the Wall ma'am, and I don't have a relative on there."

"Good point. I made the changes to the pre-trial report, if you give me a minute I'll get you the disk and if you can run off two copies for me to sign and then run them over to the bullpen."

"Of course ma'am."

"And if I get in a bad mood by the end of the week you'll have to forgive me, I don't mean it."

"What's happening at the end of the week ma'am?" Jen inquired.

"Harm leaves for his quals."

"I'm sure everything will be fine ma'am." Jen said trying to be reassuring.

"I hope so, but then my head keeps reminding of all the crashes and mishaps I investigated, the ones we're heard about in court and the number of times Harm has had to eject."

"Ma'am if you think of it in the grand scheme of things and the thousands of flights the Navy make a month, the overwhelming majority go without incident."

"Logically I know that but..."

"But it doesn't help." Jen finished.

"Exactly. I'll be in my office." Mac said.

"Oh ma'am, you also had a couple of calls."

"Who from?"

"Commander Green and Commander Keslart. There was a traffic accident on their route here, they are having to follow a diversion, but they will be late for member selection."

"Push it back thirty minutes to give them time to get here. Can you let the relevant parties know and arrange some coffee for those that are waiting?"

"Of course ma'am."

"Thank you."

~

"Okay, we'll reconvene at 0900 tomorrow morning for opening statements." Mac banged her gavel. It had taken more hours than she cared to think about to select the members for the court martial. "That took way too long." Mac said with a sigh.

"At least it's over until the next court martial ma'am." Jen pointed out.

"I think if that's how they behave about selecting members, it's going to be a long court martial. I'm starving; do I have time to go for lunch?"

"Unfortunately not ma'am, since this over ran you only have thirty minutes until your next meeting, then you are back to back for the rest of the day."

"Chinese or pizza?" Mac asked as she entered her office.

"Ma'am?"

"We don't have time to go out so the take-out can come to us. I have to eat and if that's in my meet then so be it."

"I'd suggest Chinese is the best food in that context."

"Chinese it is. What would like my treat?"

"I can't let you do that ma'am." Jen protested.

"Think of it as a thank you for taking care of Abi on Friday."

"Ma'am, it's really not necessary, I don't mind helping out with Abi, she's my goddaughter and I love her."

"Do I have to order you to eat my food?"

"No ma'am." Jen gave in.

"What would you like?"

"Sweet and Sour pork, Kung Po Chicken and some noodles."

"I'll call the order and give the money. When it gets here just interrupt whatever I'm involved in."

"Yes ma'am."

TBC