"Ma'am, can I ask you something?" Jen asked, she had her hands behind her back.

"Of course."

"Ma'am, I need permission to speak freely."

"Jen, you pretty much always have permission to speak freely. What did you want to ask?"

"Ma'am, a few weeks ago did you come by some information that you did not disclose to me?" Jen asked.

"Information pertaining to what?" Mac knew what Jen was asking, but decided two could play at that game.

"Information pertaining to my personal life"

"What aspect were you referring to particularly?"

"My relationship with a certain Admiral's yeoman who shall remain nameless."

"You know you're getting good at speaking like a lawyer."

"I should I'm going to be married to one." Jen beamed.

"Congratulations. Now who would have thought Jason would ask you to marry him?" Mac teased.

"You would have seeing as how you knew he was planning on asking me. I must have sounded like such an idiot."

"No, you just had no idea. Let me see the ring." Jen held out her hand. "It's a beautiful ring."

"Jason told me you helped him pick it out."

"No, he picked it all by himself, Harriet and I were just there for moral support and to confirm his choice when he picked one." Mac clarified.

"Thank you anyway."

"Well I couldn't say no after he came to ask for help. It was so sweet, he sat there for five minutes before he even found the courage to broach the subject. So tell me how he proposed."

"Ma'am, you're supposed to be in court. The Article 32 hearing." Jen reminded her.

"Jen, I'm the judge I really don't think they'll start without me."

"Good point." Jen sat down and told Mac all the details.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.

"Enter." Mac called.

"Colonel Mackenzie." The Sgt who was there stepped in.

"Yes Sgt?" Mac prompted.

"Ma'am, everyone is waiting in court, is there a delay that should be made aware of?"

"No, the Petty Officer and I were just finishing something up. We'll be right there."

"Yes ma'am. Sorry to have interrupted."

"That's okay Sgt, thank you for your concern."

"Yes ma'am." He closed the door behind him.

"Colonel, I'm sorry..." Jen started to apologise.

"Jen, I wanted to hear about it, but we should go and let justice be done."

"Yes ma'am." Jen smiled.

~

"Sorry for the delay gentlemen." Mac said as she took her place. "But there was something I needed to attend to. Lieutenant Roberts is the Government ready to present it's case?"

"Yes, your honour." Bud replied.

"Is the defence ready Lieutenant Travis?"

"Yes, your honour."

"Then Lieutenant Roberts proceed."

~

"Petty Officer Tiner."

"Colonel Mackenzie." Tiner got to his feet. "Can I get you something ma'am?"

"Two things."

"Yes ma'am?"

"One, you almost managed to pull it off flawlessly, I'm proud of you and two congratulations."

"Thank you ma'am, I see Jen told you."

"Of course. I'm happy for you, you're a very sweet man."

"I'd rather you didn't spread that around ma'am." Mac smiled.

"Colonel Mackenzie, did you need to see me?" The Admiral asked coming out of his office.

"No sir, I just came to congratulate the Petty Officer." Mac replied.

"Tiner, is there something you failed to tell me?" AJ asked.

"Admiral, Petty Officer Coates an I got engaged on Saturday night."

"I see, congratulations and when exactly where you planning on announcing this to the bullpen?"

"That would be up to Petty Officer Coates sir." There was shriek from the bullpen, Mac looked out to see what was going on.

"Now might be a good time." Harriet was hugging Jena and several of the other women had gathered around to see the ring. "Harriet just found out."

TBC