While Harm was divulging his woes to Bud, Mac had stopped by Petty Officer Quinn's desk to request an audience with General Cresswell.

Knowing that the Colonel reported to Admiral Morris on the judiciary side of the house, the PO was a bit puzzled why she wanted to see him. Noticing the scowl on her face, and not wanting to upset a superior officer, especially not this one, he replied, "I'll buzz him right now, Ma'am." Mac sits down in the chair while awaiting an answer.

The General is not at all surprised to hear from his yeoman that Colonel MacKenzie is outside his office asking for an appointment. He thinks to himself, 'Rabb must have mentioned the puppy. Oh, this is going to be fun.' He tells the Petty Officer, "Send her right in."

Mac enters his office, and stands at attention only because it is engrained in her as a Marine. Creswell can tell by both her stance and her knitted brows that she is not in a good mood. He states, "Have a seat Colonel. I wanted to offer my congratulations on your pregnancy. I was rather surprised to hear that you are expecting triplets. You and Harm are fine parents, and I'm looking forward to see these three when they arrive."

Mac is caught slightly off guard by the General's congeniality. Her previous interactions with him don't usually involve a lot of small talk, although they do tend to offer each other a challenge every once in a while. If she was a man, Harm probably would have threatened to bring out the measuring stick shortly after the General had come on board. However, this morning she isn't in the correct frame of mind for idle chit chat or a challenge, although going out on the qualifications range right now might really help her release some pent up anger. She just isn't quite sure whose picture would fit perfectly on the bulls-eye at the moment since she is quite irate with the majority of the opposite sex this morning. With that in mind, she does realize that she needs to maintain some form of decorum with a superior officer, even if is tough. She curtly replies, "Thank you. Might I speak freely, Sir?"

The General replies, "I take it your husband mentioned my suggestion." He immediately picks up on the roll of her eyes at the term "husband." Rabb must be in hot water for something other than this. He tries to soften his normally gruff voice, "What's on your mind?"

Mac isn't taking any chances. This isn't AJ she is talking to, who once warned her that there was a fine line between initiative and insubordination. She has a feeling that bringing out the Marine Devil Dog with the General might get her charged with conduct unbecoming. Treading lightly, she asks for clarification, "Is that a 'yes, I may speak freely?'"

The General cocks his brow, fully aware that he is about to have his ass handed to him with both barrels, "Yes, Colonel. You may speak freely."

Mac begins to pace, as she speaks "I admire you, Sir. You are a by the book Marine that protects his people, and you don't mind shaking things up a bit. You also care, like your predecessor did, about the JAG family. You make sure that wrongs are righted." She pauses as she stares him straight in the eye, "However, what goes on in MY house and MY marriage should not be your concern unless it is in some way affecting the way my husband does his job. I will consider your suggestion of a dog, not necessarily a puppy. And if you even mention the Air Force or Army to my children, I may have to whip your butt on the pistol range, again, Sir. Please keep in mind I have a lot of extra oomph now carrying these three future Marines!"

The General drops his jaw, and then bursts out in laughter. This was definitely not the reaction that Mac was expecting. She inquires, "Is something funny, Sir?"

The General just chuckles, "I hear you loud and clear, Colonel. Your position is understood. Now, please resume your duties before I hear complaints from my staff about a missing judge when court is supposed to start."

Mac turns on her heel and exits his office fuming. Apparently, she got her point across, but she has no idea why the General was laughing at her. She thinks to herself, 'I will never understand men!'


Harm makes the mistake of leaving his office to refresh both his and Bud's cups of coffee. He nearly runs headfirst into Mac because she is too busy staring at the floor to notice where she is going. He reaches out to steady her, forgetting the mug in his hand, which shatters on the floor when he drops it. "Mac, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

She stares at him, thankful for his concern, but she is still irritated. Although now, she is more angry with the General than her husband. She curtly replies, "I'm fine, Harm. We'll talk later. As the General reminded me, I'm going to be late for court." She clomps her heels on each stair heading up to the next floor, leaving Harm slightly befuddled.

PO Quinn comes running in with a broom and a dustpan, "I'll clean the mess up for you, Sir. It sounds like you are having a bad enough morning."

Harm replies, "That I am, Petty Officer." Ensuring that his wife is out of earshot, Harm adds, "Let me give you a piece of advice. It is less dangerous to wrestle an alligator than it is to argue with a Marine."

Neither of them happens to notice the General standing there until he clears his throat and questions, "Is that true Captain? I didn't realize you had ever wrestled at all, let alone with alligators."

Harm mutters, "Umm. It was a suggestion by Admiral Chegwidden at one point."

The General smiles, "AJ was well known for some appropriate phrases. However, I will forgive your faux pas since I would venture to say that you were referring to your wife instead of me."

Harm nods vehemently, "Yes, Sir."

The General replies, "Good. I wouldn't advise talking to her for just a little while yet. I don't think her discussion with me improved her disposition any, but she might reconsider the dog. I thought my wife was terrible with the hormones, but you are definitely going to have a rocky road for the next few months."

The General walks off towards the breakroom whistling the Marine Corps Hymn as he thinks to himself, 'The Colonel is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Harm's got bigger balls than I do!'