After taking her oath of office, and receiving congratulations from all her co-workers, Mac made her way back to her office. She slumped down into her chair, glancing over towards the office that used to be home to her best friend. If only he was here, that would have made her entire day, but he was thousands of miles away living out his dream. Deep down she was proud to be the wife of a Naval Aviator. But still, there was a tiny piece of herself that longed for him to be with her.
Hearing the knock on her door, jarred her back into reality. As she looked up, the last person she wanted to see was darkening her doorway. Grimacing slightly, she Motioned him on in. "May I offer my congratulations Col."
Mac managed to muster a small smile, "Thank you, Comm Brumby."
Mic leaned across her desk. "How many times must I tell ya, to call me Mic."
Mac pushed herself back, standing up. "Outside the office that's fine, but here we still address each other by rank. But Thank you for the congratulations."
Giving her a wink; "How bout I take ya out to celebrate tonight."
"That's not necessary, still thank you for the invite." Mac looked at him as he remained in her office." was there something else you needed?"
"No; think about that dinner." He said as he smiled and headed out.
Mac flopped back down in her chair, turning to face the window, her mind still longed for her husband, her best friend, even on a day she should be happy, she had no one to celebrate this with, as she continued to just sit there, the reality of her life started to take hold of her. Hearing her father's voice in her head, "you'll always be alone" She shook her head, trying to make the voice disappear.
She felt tears start to spill, she took her hand and brushed them away. Taking a deep breath, she turned around to face her desk, determined to make a dent in the pile of files on there.
USS Patrick Henry
Harm was making his way from the mess hall back to his cabin when he heard his name being paged to the bridge. Turning around he made his way towards the bridge. Not knowing what to expect once he arrived. As he entered he stopped and came to attention in front of Captain Ingles.
"LtCom Rabb reporting as ordered."
"At ease Rabb. How'd you like a weekend pass?"
Harm looked curious; "Sir?"
"Admiral Chegwidden would like you home for the weekend."
"Sir what's this about?"
"Your wife?"
Harm's eyes got wide; "Mac? Is she okay Sir?"
"Walk with me." Harm followed him. After they cleared the bridge he turned back to face Harm. "Your wife got a promotion, Admiral Chegwidden thought she'd like someone to share this with."
"Mac got promoted?"
"Yes to Lt Colonel."
Harm smiled from ear to ear. "That's my Marine."
"Go pack; your COD leaves in 45 minutes."
"Aye Aye Sir." Harm took off in a dead run to his cabin, upon entering he quickly packed up his seabag, along with grabbing his bag with his dress whites, forming a plan in his mind. After gathering up everything, he changed into his peanut butters, grabbed his flight jacket and cover, and headed topside, stopping just long enough to grab his flight vest and helmet, stepping out the hatch, and making a swift run to his waiting COD. He took his seat and started to formulate his plan for his wife.
Later in the day
JAG Headquarters
Still looking at her pile of files, she grimaced, the pile seemed larger now than when she had begun. How was that even possible, she just shook her head, still looking at the cases, it was times like these, that she wished Harm was still in the office next door to her, closing her eyes she rolled her neck from side to side and arched her aching back. What she would give for one of his famous neck rubs.
Ring Ring: Hearing her phone, she grimaced, "Maj... LtCol MacKenzie."
("I see you got a promotion, Mac?")
"Meg! I'm happy you called, I'm buried in stacks of paperwork."
("I'm sorry to hear that, I'm in town for a few hours, how'd you like to meet for lunch?"
"Sounds fantastic, let me just get a handle on this mess on my desk, and I'll meet you, just name the place."
("Wong's house of noodles, let's say 1200?")
"Perfect; I'll meet ya there." Mac smiled as she hung up with Meg, her day was turning around now.
Mac had started to wind up what she'd been working on, she glanced up when she heard light knocking, "Col do you have a minute?"
"Yes sir," Mac said as she started to stand, Admiral Chegwidden, singled her to remain seated.
"Col; what plans do you have to celebrate your promotion?"
Mac signed, "A friend invited me out to lunch Sir."
"Excellent Col, why don't you take the rest of the day, to enjoy your promotion, I'll see you bright and early Monday morning."
"Thank you, Sir."
"My pleasure Col." The Admiral said as he turned around to leave out. Feeling good now, Mac quickly finished up, so she'd have time to get to her apartment and change clothes before she met Meg for lunch.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
After getting home, he went about getting his surprise ready for Mac, for this he needed help, he remembered how Mac told him about her friendship with Meg, and he decided to enlist her to help him. With that, they both came up with a plan. Meg would call Mac and invite her out to lunch telling her that she's in town for a few hours and would love to see her when in reality he is the one that Mac is meeting. The perfect plan, he smiled to himself.
After setting all this up he went about getting ready to meet and surprise his wife. Now to get on with part two of his plan, for this, he needed the help of Admiral Chegwidden. He placed a call to his former CO.
1200pm Wongs House of Noodles.
Georgetown
Mac had gotten lucky, she'd made great time getting from her place to the restaurant, as she entered she started searching for Meg. Not seeing her she walked over to the check-in stand, informing the young woman she was meeting her friend Meg Austin.
The young lady nodded her head, informing Mac that Meg had called them to inform them that she was running a tad bit late, but she would meet her at the table. Mac nodded her head and followed the young woman to a table. Sitting down Mac opened up her menu and began to look it over. She stopped when she heard a voice.
"Ma'am you're a vision in red. Care if I join you?"
Mac turned to face the voice, "How dare..." Her eyes got wide at the sight of her sailor standing next to her dressed in his dress whites holding a dozen Red Rose. She jumped up throwing herself into his arms not caring that she crushed the roses.
"How Harm?"
"You can think Admiral Chedwiggen, he knew you needed me here to celebrate your promotion."
Crying and smiling, "Your the one I I wanted, to be celebrating this with."
