Dlin dlon, a new chapter is going on, and if it is something you can't bear, of course you shouldn't be here. But if you are patient and read, even a crazy rhyme your fun won't forbid.

I need a shrink, definitely.

Thank you for feedback and advice, really thank you.

Again, I don't own them. Why do I have to twist the knife in the wound every damn time?

A silent waitress put a pint on the greasy wood and disappeared, after getting my change. I was out of uniform, and I would have roused suspicion carrying a more nourished wallet.

1000 EST

DAY 5

"THE LONG WINTER" SET

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH VIRGINIA

"Has everybody learnt their cues? Can we start? Well, with me..."

"SHIT!"

"Shit!"

"S-H-I-T!"

Harriet felt the blushing coming on. She wasn't a demure convent girl, of course, but she didn't think the admiral would appreciate that. But, after all, luck rituals in the Navy could be ever so much worse! It was the first day of shooting, and, given the uncommon not rainy day (sun would be an excessive claim for Virginia, that November), set had been prepared outside. They had planned a few bridging scenes, and the rehearsal of the captain's rescue scene. To begin identifying themselves with the characters and getting used to those work conditions. Till that moment, everything had been right. The night before, she had gave out scripts for the day with Tiner. She didn't understand this experimental film stuff: as a good administrative official, she liked having everything taken into account and registered, but she trusted the kids. They were the experts!
Heading for them with a tray covered with bagels and cups of steaming coffee, stopped a moment discussing the last details with the security officers. She hardly noticed it, when the weight of the tray was delicately lifted from her hands.

"Easy, lieutenant, or we'll see your maternity leave starting ahead of time!"

"Thanks, sir. Don't worry, sir. I was just..."

"Making everything perfect, Harriet, I know"

Struck dumb by the compliment, Lieutenant Simms hardly managed to nod to the commander's morning grin.

"Where do you need this to be taken?"

"What, sir?"

"The tray"

Looking at the puzzled glance, Harriet recovered consciousness and standard elocution rate. That is, too fast even for a bunch of lawyers.

"Yes, sir. The tray, sir. Leave it to me, sir. I was about to bring it to the kids..."

"Kids?"

"The directors, sir. Please, leave it to me. In a minute it'll be done. Would you like some coffee, too? Do you need a file? I know, I should have brought you that dossier about stationery thefts, I'm sorry, sir, I'll see right now..."

"Calm down, Harriet, calm down. Breath in. Breathe out. Again. Very good. Regard the tray as delivered. The "kids" must be hungry, if I guess right and you have kept them running from dawn. Now, take a seat and have a bagel. Nobody will be offended, and your baby needs it"

Harm played the pregnancy card well. He knew that was the only to lead the overexcited lieutenant back to her mind.

"But, sir..."

"No buts. That's an order. And on the set I'm not "sir", but captain...what's his name?"

"Mcbride, si...sorry!"

"thanks. Better. Today, your only tasks will be rest and tell me over and over again whatever name that damn captain is, ok? I learned by heart whole codes, but I'm not able to grasp that name, really. Now excuse-moi, madame, but the new waiter have some delivering to do" after a few steps, yet, Harm suddenly turned back "Harriet?"

"Yes, captain Mcbride?"

"Yeah...whatever. By chance did you see the colonel?"

"I didn't, captain Mcbride"

"don't go too far, now" he grimaced "if you see her, could you tell her we have to talk about something?"

"It's about the plea bargaining, isn't it?"

"You, too? I said and will say it again. My client pleads not guilty. If you see her...I'm rounding out my income by catering, ok?"

"Yes, captain Mcbride"

And, with a last grin, the commander turned gracefully and joined the crew, and began throwing bagels and giving out cups.