Part 2 – Have Fun
2159 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
"Sit down you two." AJ told his senior officers as he made it around his desk and slipped is reading glasses on. He took a glance at the file folder in front of him and grimaced. The Colonel wasn't going to like what he was about to do, but it couldn't be avoided. The law didn't stop just because she was getting married. Still, he decided to start off slowly. With a smile, he looked up at his officers and concentrated on Harm, "Commander, I understand your heading out to the Henry tonight for your Quals?"
Harm's smile beamed, happy of going back to the carrier, his other home, the jet fuel, his other family. "Yes, sir." He said strongly and confidently, his pilot ego kicking up a notch.
The whole 'moment' was broken by the sound of one, now very irritated, Sarah MacKenzie. "What?" She looked between the two men, feeling like she was the only one not in on a group joke. Harm needed to be there, she couldn't explain why, but he needed to be there. "You didn't tell me this, Harm!"
"I ah," He stammered and tried to relax himself, she had a reason to be upset. "I thought we talked about this. . . you, well I told you I wasn't coming."
AJ looked between the two. If he ever had to place a bet on who could kick who's butt, well, he was putting all his money on the Colonel. However, before the two went into one of their famous sparring matches he jumped in. "It was cleared by me six months ago and the Commander reminded me of it some time ago."
Harm nodded at Mac, but the hurt look made him jump to try and explain. "But, I'll be at the ceremony." If he thought that was going to appease her, it didn't. Her glare, that murderous look she got when she was getting angry was scaring him. "It's not my schedule, it's the Navy's" He defended.
AJ chose this moment to try and back the Commander up. "This true Colonel. If he hadn't cleared it six months ago, I wouldn't let him go. I am going to be short on senior attorneys as it . . is."
Mac's glare didn't get better though. If anything, she was getting more livid by the moment. Normally, she was squared away, never defying her commanding officer or disrespecting him. For the most part, she and Harm were careful not to argue in front of AJ, this time, all of that went out the window. She was hurt that he would do this so purposely. "What if the navy changes the schedule and you don't make it." She spat at Harm.
"Let me worry about that." Deep down inside he was hoping that things WOULD change and he would miss everything altogether. Why couldn't she see that he was dying inside because of the wedding?
Mac shook her head and sighed. Her icy glare calmed down as she looked at her hands. "Why do either of us have to worry about it?"
AJ wanted to yell at the two of them. Ever since that case in Australia the two were acting like high school students. "There's a reason why I called you both in here. . ." Waiting for that bit to catch their attention, he continued, "There's been a mishap on the Henry, and since Commander Rabb is not going in as a JAG officer and Commander Mattoni is out with the flu. . . Well, I am sorry Colonel but, you'll have to do the investigation."
Harm's eyes widened. Try as he may, he couldn't conceal his smirk. That was until Mac glared at him aging.
And Mac, well she was just floored. A wedding was supposed to be a girls special day, why did it seem to her like everyone was vehement in destroying it? "Admiral, but as of tonight I am on leave, sir."
AJ shook his head. "I am sorry Mac. . . Hell, I'd go myself, but tomorrow morning I have a meeting with SECNAV."
She didn't say anything else, orders were orders and far be it for her to disobey one, even if it meant her future, her happiness. But, why was it that a part of her felt relived?
AJ knew she wouldn't argue. It was one of the things he valued about having Mac on his team. For the most part, she, unlike Rabb, took the things he said whether she liked it or not. "I spoke to Captain Ingles and he'll have you on a COD off the Henry in plenty of time to make it back before the wedding. . . If not, we'll find any alternative possible."
Harm who'd been quiet for some time, turned to her and offered one of his most cockiest grins. "If anything I'll fly you back myself."
The Admiral saw the war between the two of them and the tension that was in the room only thickened a bit more. He knew that there was something more going on there, but their sense of duty wouldn't let that something be harbored on. He watched them for a moment, the seemingly relieved look in both of their eyes. "Well, you two have packing to do, dismissed."
They headed out of the Admiral's office together. Harm was trying as hard as he could to get to the safety of his office, but Mac caught up to him. Placing a hand on his arm, she stopped him. "Tell me the truth. . .You did this so you won't see me marrying Mic, didn't you?"
Harm looked down at her and shook his head. "Like I said and the Admiral reiterated: it's not my schedule. . ."
"It's the Navy's yea. . ." She finished for him, the brushed past, trying to head into her office. Before she got there, she turned, her gaze practically pinning him to the wall. "Truth is you didn't consider it important. . . If you'll EXCUSE me Commander, I have to let my fiancé know that I won't be at our rehearsal dinner" With that she turned and headed towards the glass doors that lead to the elevators. She felt, more than saw him follow.
"Hey, slow down Mac. First thing, like the Admiral said, it was arranged BEFORE you set a date, and frankly if you need me there to make it work, consider who it is you are marrying." Harm could hear the 'doh!' after his sentence. What in the hell was he thinking? Where did that come from? What was he implying. Mac slid into the elevator and rapidly began fitting the down button. "Oh, Mac. . Hey. . I . . Um" He stammered.
Mac's hurt look broke his heart. "Have fun."
"Aren't you going to wish me luck?" He asked, trying to salvage whatever was left. But he knew, it was hopeless and that final look that she gave him, killed.