AN: I do my best to beta the chapters myself but I know I still miss a few things. If anybody wants to volunteer to beta coming chapters let me know in a review. And thanks again everybody for the reviews they are much appreciated.
Chapter 12
Wednesday May 26
1000 ROMEO
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Pre-operative ward
"You ready for this Marine?" Harm asked as he came in the door to Mac's room.
"To tell you the truth Harm, the closer it gets to 1100 the more scared I get," Mac said.
"It's ok to be scared Mac," Harm said placing a hand on her cheek, "but you're going to get through this."
"How can you be so sure?" Mac asked the fear very clear in her voice.
"Because I love you Sarah," Harm said placing a light kiss on her forehead, "and we finally have our chance. And I'm not going to let something as small as cancer screw that up."
"I love you too Harm," Mac said, "but will you still love me if I can't have kids?"
"Mac, Sarah, we've been over this," Harm said gently, "it's not about kids for me. It's about us. We can always adopt kids. There are plenty of kids out there who need parents. Mattie's taught me a lot but the most important is that blood doesn't make a family, love does. So don't you dare think for a minute that I'll stop loving you. Understand?"
"Understood," Mac replied with tears in her eyes. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You loved me," was Harm's answer.
It was then that the nurse interrupted them to take Mac to surgery.
"I love you Marine," Harm said.
"I love you too Flyboy," Mac replied before she was wheeled out of the room.
Harm then say down for one of the longest waits of his life.
Harm had paper work to do but his mind kept wandering to the events of the past week. It was about half way through his wait when his mind wandered onto one of the better ones.
FLASHBACK
"Hey Sailor," Harm looked up to see Mac standing in the doorway to his office.
"Hey Mac, what's up?" Harm asked with a smile.
"I was about to phone Commander Austin," Mac replied, "You said you wanted to be in on the call."
"I do," Harm said, "just let me finish up this paragraph and I'll be right there."
"Sure," Mac said and then left to return to her own office.
A few minutes later Harm knocked on Mac's doorframe.
"Come on in, Commander," Mac said professionally. Her face softened after she closed the door.
"Have you told the admiral about tomorrow yet?" Harm asked.
"Not yet," Mac replied, "I thought I'd make these calls first so I have an answer for her when she asks who's replacing me."
"Good idea," Harm said, "shall we?"
Mac nodded, turned on the speakerphone and dialed a number.
"Commander Austin," came the voice from the other end of the line.
"Commander this is Lt. Colonel MacKenzie," Mac said, "I'm chief of staff at JAG headquarters in Falls Church. How would you like a job?"
"Excuse me Ma'am?" Meg asked a bit confused.
Harm decided it was his turn to speak up, "the Colonel will be taking an extended sick leave shortly Commander. We need an excellent lawyer who knows her way around headquarters, you up for it?"
"Ma'am was that Commander Rabb?" Meg's voice asked.
"Yes it's me Meg," Harm answered, "now what do you say to the job offer?"
"How long will you be gone Ma'am?" Meg asked.
"It will be two or three months until I'm back full time," Mac replied, "You'd be TAD to this office."
"I accept your offer ma'am," Meg's voice said, "When should I expect my orders?"
"If not tomorrow, later today," Mac replied, "If I were you I'd start packing."
"Yes ma'am," Meg said, "I guess I'll see you in a few days Harm."
"Let me know when you're coming in and I'll try to get away to pick you up," Harm said.
"Thanks Harm," Meg answered, "goodbye Colonel, Harm."
"Bye Meg," "Goodbye Commander" the pair intoned simultaneously before Mac hung up the phone.
"I guess I'd better get back to work considering I'm taking tomorrow off and I have court first thing Thursday." Harm said as he opened the door.
"And I still have to call Manetti, get my files in order for Commander Austin and tell the Admiral about the change in the time table." Mac replied.
"You want me to come with you for that?" Harm asked, "I have to ask for the time off anyways."
"Thanks Harm," Mac said with a smile, "I'd appreciate that."
"No problem," Harm replied, "just come get me when you're ready to tell her."
"Will do," Mac said and turned her head back to her work. Harm took this and his cue to leave and did so.
End flashback
Knowing that it was going to be Meg replacing Mac in the office made Harm feel a lot better about Mac being out of the office. Manetti was on board too, and it should be easier on her this time since she wouldn't be the SECNAV's spy. The Admiral had approved of both the temporary replacements and promised not to mention Mac's surgery to anyone. The only people who knew that Mac was having surgery other than Harm were Mattie, Jen, Admiral Williams and Admiral Chegwidden. AJ had asked how the doctor's appointment had gone as they were leaving Harriet and Bud's the night before.
TBC