Disclaimer: None of the JAG characters are mine, they belong to Donald Bellisario and CBS and whatnot.

Ok, next chapter. I apologize for the shortness, trying to gather my thoughts for exactly how I want stuff to proceed without making it either too annoying or too implausible so bear with me. Worked on this in class today so I apologize for any weird misspellings, hopefully I managed to avoid inserting random computer terms. :-P Thanks for the reviews! So read, review, and enjoy this chapter (despite it's shortness). :-)

USS Seahawk

1300 ZULU

Mac was already awake and curled up once more on the bunk when there was a soft tapping at the door. A voice called through tentatively; clearly a young enlisted man who wasn't quite sure was to do. "Colonel? Ma'am?"

Mac smiled to herself as she grabbed her crutches, rising slowly to her feet, calling out as she did so, "Enter."

The young man opened the door fraction and poked his head in, somewhat intimidated by actually having to address such a senior officer, "Ma'am, the COD is about to land."

"Thank you," Mac smiled warmly at him. He blinked, nodded once, then vanished. She chuckled softly to herself. Glancing around out of habit she muttered irritably to herself when she realized none of her belongings were on board for her to worry about leaving behind. Shaking her head slightly she moved to the door, awkwardly tugging it open far enough for her to get through with the crutches.

Cursing the awkward items every step of the way she finally managed to make it to the deck. Vukovic was already waiting, watching as the COD was prepped to take off again. Captain Ingles was also standing on the deck. He flashed a smile at her when he noticed her appearance and strode over. He leaned over and yelled over the sound of the plane, "Your belongings have already been shipped back to the States! You'll take a military transport from in country back home!"

Mac nodded and returned the smile, "Thank you, sir!"

Ingles held out his hand, Mac shook it firmly. As he did so he leaned in closer so only she could hear, "I'll keep you updated about Harm, Mac. Don't worry, we'll find him."

As he straightened Mac met his eyes and nodded resolutely, "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it." Ingles nodded in return then stepped back to allow her to head for the COD. Vukovic had already boarded and was watching her impatiently from inside the plane. Mac sighed and squared her shoulders as best she could before hobbling quickly to the waiting plane. A young lieutenant offered her a hand up, helping her settle into a seat next to her "partner". She briefly considered requesting to move to a different seat but decided it wasn't worth the trouble. That and she didn't particularly want give the appearance of whining.

Fortunately the plane took off shortly thereafter, preventing Vukovic from trying to speak to her. Unfortunately, once in the air he promptly decided they needed to have a conversation. Sighing Mac shifted the ear protection over so she could hear his question, knowing he wouldn't give up until she did so. "When did you get the Commander's jacket?"

Mac blinked and stared at him for a moment, unable to comprehend that he'd really asked such a stupid question. She'd figured he would eventually ask about the jacket, hell everyone else but Captain Ingles had. She hadn't figured he would be dense enough to not figure out when and where she'd grabbed it. Apparently he figured it out fairly quickly since he glanced away almost immediately, clearing his throat. Mac rolled her eyes and waited for him to continue.

She didn't have to wait long. He only waited a second longer before speaking again, "Stupid question. Better question. Why are you wearing the Commander's jacket?"

Mac refrained from rolling her eyes again as she answered, "Why does it matter?"

Vukovic shrugged uncomfortably, he didn't really have a good answer for that. At least not one he was willing to voice as he was positive Mac would kick his ass for implying a relationship between herself and Rabb. Hell, he wasn't entirely positive there was one, though he suspected. He'd only seen them together during this recent mission and he had to admit they acted professionally even if they were rather more comfortable with each other than he'd realized. Sighing he replied, seeing Mac was still waiting for an answer, "Just curious."

"Well don't be," she looked forward again, reaching to replace the ear protection.

Vukovic spoke again and she sighed resignedly, "Why not?"

Mac glanced over again, pinning him with a practiced glare, "Because it's nothing that needs to concern you, lieutenant." Resolutely she replaced the ear piece and settled into her seat, pointedly ignoring him. He huffed in annoyance, replacing his own ear piece. He hadn't missed the stress on his rank. The fact that simply the way she said his rank could irritate him simply annoyed him even more. He muttered to himself then turned to look out the window. Maybe once they were back in the states he could actually get her to speak to him civilly again if not in a friendly manner.

JAG Headquarters

1400 ZULU

General Cresswell permitted himself a small smile as he glanced into the bullpen. As before the entire staff had shown up well before it was strictly necessary though he'd managed to beat most of them this morning. He'd been on the phone for over an hour already, talking to first Colonel Peterson in country then Captain Ingles of the Seahawk. He'd been alternately happy at the location of his officers and furious at the report that was given. He took it as almost a personal insult that people dared to first capture then torture them. And he hadn't missed the implications of guilt though he opted to wait until they were both back on duty before pressing the issue. Cresswell wanted to talk to Colonel MacKenzie in person first.

Glad that he had some good news Cresswell stepped out of his office and into the bullpen. He half heard someone call out, "Attention on deck!"

"As you were." Cresswell gazed around the room, taking in the anxious faces. Yes, the office was sometimes an asylum, but it was a close knit asylum. After a moment he spoke again, "Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Vukovic have been located. They are on their way back to the States as we speak."

The sense of relief in the room was palpable. Briefly there was an excited babble which subsided just as quickly when Jen spoke up, "What about Commander Rabb, sir?"

Cresswell sighed and glanced down for a moment before he looked up and met the worried gaze of the room. He shook his head slightly, "Commander Rabb is not with them."

There was a collective gasp then dead silence in the bullpen. Bud asked quietly, his voice carrying easily through the room, "Why not, sir?"

Cresswell pondered briefly how to phrase his answer then replied as calmly as he could manage, "According to the brief report I have received, the Commander was unable to be freed." He held up a hand, instantly silencing the angry murmurs that had begun. "We can't jump to any conclusions; however, from what I have been told Colonel MacKenzie tried her best to free him. It was apparently his own choice to be left behind so that the Colonel and Lieutenant could get away."

There was another period of complete silence at his words as everyone pondered this. Apparently they seemed to reach the same conclusion as the murmurs that slowly began weren't as angry. Cresswell let out a quiet breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He'd been afraid they would blame the Colonel for not getting the Commander out and everything he'd heard indicated that the opposite was true. Hell, she'd apparently asked both Colonel Peterson and Captain Ingles for permission to immediately join the marines searching for Rabb. Cresswell was proud of that, she was a true marine even if she'd been overruled on both counts and was being sent home anyways.

After the murmurs subsided once more Sturgis stepped forward, asking the question everyone wanted to know, "When will they get here?"

"They left only Iraq only a few minutes ago, they won't be back in the States until some time tonight."

"Do we have an estimate on that time, sir?"

Cresswell shook his head, "Not really, we should have one by the end of the day. It will all depend on whether they get delayed anywhere along the way. I have been assured, however, that they will be home by tomorrow. Then they are both going straight to Bethesda."

Sturgis noticed Bud's expression grow even more concerned and quickly asked, "Bethesda, sir?"

"Both have various injuries. Though they've been checked out by doctors over there we still want them to report temporarily to Bethesda to be sure. As such, Lieutenant Vukovic will be on medical leave for one week, Colonel MacKenzie for at least two."

Bud sighed a soft sigh of relief, at least it sounded like they were in one piece. Sturgis glanced over and nodded reassuringly. He'd seen Mac and Harm's reactions to Bud's injury; he'd hate to see his buddy's reaction if Mac had been hurt that badly. Fortunately it sounded like she wasn't. Though I think I'd be willing to put up with his reaction if it meant he was coming home too, Sturgis thought.

Cresswell glanced around then suddenly barked, "Ok, back to work people!" He smiled in amusement to himself as everyone suddenly jumped to do their jobs. With a final glance he turned back to his office, he had some paperwork to do as a result of this mess.