"JAG on deck." Someone called as Mac and Jen walked on to the bridge of the carrier.

"Colonel Mackenzie and Petty Officer Coates reporting as ordered." Mac said.

"Relax Colonel. Colonel, Petty Officer welcome to the USS Harry Truman." The skipper Captain Thornton greeted them.

"Thank you skipper." Mac said.

"Sir." Jen added.

"I'm grateful you could come at short notice. I'd like this mess cleared up as soon as possible."

"The wheels of justice take as long as they take Captain, but I'll do my best. But I as of yet haven't be informed of what the case is involving. So I'll need to go over all the information before tomorrow morning. I'll also need you to make yourself available if I need any information."

"Of course. Anything you need just ask Colonel."

"We're going to need a quiet office with a large table where we can spread out everything that has happened so far and I'll also need a phone with a permanent connection to the US for the duration."

"That can be arranged. XO show the Colonel to her state room and the Petty Officer to her assigned quarters. Then talk to the Comms officer about setting up that phone line and arrange an office for the Colonel."

"Aye aye sir."

"Thank you Captain." Mac said.

"If you follow me Colonel, Petty Officer." The XO Commander Hiltman said.

~

Harm was sat at his desk prepping for the Article 32 hearing he had first thing in the morning. Every five minutes he glanced at the phone, Mac's plane was supposed to have landed at Naples over three hours ago and she still hadn't called. So when the phone rang, he grabbed it with haste.

"Rabb."

"Hey flyboy calm down and take a deep breath."

"Your flight was supposed to have gotten in three hours ago."

"It did, but by the time we got through customs they had a COD ready to leave so we had to take it. There wasn't time to call and once we got here I had to meet with the Captain and then wait for the Comms officer to set a phone so I can call you anytime I like." Mac explained.

"So you're okay?"

"I'm on a carrier off the coast of Italy and you and Abi are still in Virginia what do you think?"

"Bad question. By the way can you have Jen call Tiner, he was in here earlier asking if you had called." Harm said.

"She's going to as soon as I'm done on the phone. She's settling into her quarters right now."

"So she's not there?" Harm asked.

"No. Why?"

"I know where you were on Saturday when you were supposed to be shoe shopping."

"Oh, you do do you? Where was I then?"

"In a jewellers shop with Tiner helping pick out a ring." Harm replied.

"Ah, he told you then." Mac leant back in her chair.

"Yes, you could have told me you know."

"He asked me not to tell anyone and I had to respect that. You can't tell anyone either."

"I won't. It's a nice ring."

"It should be seeing as it took two and half hours to choose it. He's a little nervous about it and Jen is a little concerned because I think he was trying to ask her before we left and he couldn't quite do it."

"I know. Be careful out there with all those sailors."

"Harm, I'm a Marine I can handle a few sailors. Look I'd better get back to work I have all these court documents to wade through before tomorrow and since it's six hours ahead here. 0900 is a lot closer."

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you too, I call you tonight." Mac hung up.

TBC