A/N: Angela, part of this chapter is all your fault! Hopefully I won't see any fires headed my way this time. To my anonymous viewer who felt I was dragging this out: I have found that when you write, the story sometimes takes a life of its own. To all those still reading, I hope this meets your approval!

JAG HQ

Falls Church, VA

2300 Hours EST

Mac takes her time getting ready so that she won't arrive at JAG too far ahead of her partner. She is not in the mood to be grilled by the Admiral about the dance class, or the events afterwards. When she is ready to leave her apartment, she gives Harm a quick call on his cell to determine his estimated arrival time. Thankfully, Harm only had to drive home, and grab a uniform out of his closet to change into. He did grab the extra toiletry bag out of his bathroom, just in case the current one in his sea bag had out of date items. He has learned from past experience that expired toothpaste and mouthwash do not taste very good! By the time Mac calls him, he is ready to head out the door himself. They arrive at JAG HQ within a few moments of each other.

By the time they arrive, the Admiral is pacing his office like a caged lion. Sometimes, wearing stars on your shoulders really sucks! It has great privileges, but at the same time, the amount of political garbage you have to endure can be quite cumbersome. This case was definitely going to be a political minefield, and he needed his top team at their very best.

When they reach the Admiral's outer office, Harm gestures for Mac to go ahead of him. They stand side by side in front of their Commanding Officer at attention, as Harm announces, "CDR Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered, Sir."

The Admiral tells them, "Both of you have a seat. I'm sorry to have to call you in so late, but there is a COD leaving out of Andrews at 0030 Hours, and I want you both on it. The sooner we can wrap this investigation up, the better."

It isn't often that a case is high enough priority to require them to take a COD in the middle of the night. However, cases affecting flight ops aboard a deployed carrier would definitely fit that criteria. Harm inquires, "Mishap, Sir?"

The Admiral hands each of them a folder, "No Commander. Attempted rape. Captain Johnson has requested both of you, personally. Apparently, the victim is a Lieutenant, and also Marine Corps Three Star General Schaeffer's daughter. I don't need to tell you how unhappy he is. He doesn't take too kindly to the Navy as it is, as I get to hear firsthand. He's pissed that his daughter betrayed the Corps and joined the Navy."

Mac struggles to keep a straight face at this tidbit of information.

The Admiral continues, "The accused is also not only Navy, but an F-18 pilot to boot. To try to diminish the amount of feather ruffling, the Captain feels that having a Marine investigate might help keep the General off of his back. I happen to agree with him. Since the accused is a pilot, Captain Johnson also thinks that Harm might be able to break through some of the barriers on that side. Commander Rabb being on the carrier will also have the added bonus of a back-up pilot on board, if needed. The accused, Lieutenant Commander Grayson, is temporarily grounded pending the results of your investigation. I want this case wrapped up as soon as humanly possible. If you encounter any, and I do mean any, problems along the way, you will keep me informed. Understood?"

Harm and Mac instantly reply, "Aye, Aye, Sir."

The Admiral eyes both of them for just a second, trying to discern from their body language if there has been any shift in their relationship. Unfortunately, all he sees before him is two impeccable officers. If tonight's dance class made any type of impression on moving their relationship forward, it wasn't showing through. He states, "Dismissed, and stay out of trouble!"

Mac saw the gleam in Harm's eye at the mere mention of the possibility of time in the air. She rolls her eyes at him. On the way to the elevator, she says, "I saw that look in your eye, you were dreaming about being able to ride an $80 million-dollar piece of equipment."

Harm gives her a full flyboy grin before whispering, "Who says I was dreaming about riding that at all? Personally, I was looking forward to riding something else entirely this evening, until the Admiral interrupted!"

The elevator, for once, has good timing. Once they have stepped inside, and the doors are closed, she exclaims, "Oh, you thought you were going to ride me, huh? Shouldn't that be the other way around?"

Harm teases, "Oh! Is this like in Armageddon, when the guy wants to ride the nuclear warhead? We'll just have to see how you handle that much horsepower Colonel."

Mac taunts, "Well if it's horsepower I have to handle, I will need to consult Martha for some pointers."

Harm questions, "Martha?"

Mac giggles, "Yeah Martha Anderson, Chloe's grandmother. She runs a farm."

Realization still isn't dawning on Harm, "And what does that have to do with this situation?"

Mac plainly says, "She has lots of horses."

Harm continues, "And…..?"

Mac explains, "Well the story goes, if you ride a cowboy, you save the horse. I need to know if the horse would still be spared if you rode a Sailor. After all, we don't want anything detrimental to befall the horse. So, I just need to clarify if I can ride a Sailor and Save a Horse, or If I have to ride the cowboy to save the horse."

Harm just chuckles at her ramblings as the elevator dings signifying their arrival, "Any which way you want it Sarah. I don't mind the top, the bottom, the side, or anywhere else, as long as it is you I am sharing the experience with. Leave the cowboys on the farm!"