Useless chpter, I know, but the handbook says "let tension grow", and who am I to contradict the handbook? But I swear, next chapter will be full and tasty!

So, thank you again for feedback and no, I don't own them. How many times will I have to repeat that?

I felt at ease in the darkness. Not that I was a "dark and dangerous" guy. I loved way too much the sun, the wind, I loved flying. But sometimes a man has to come to a compromise. And that seemed one of the best, given the situation. Still better than parachuting in enemy territory to ask the passers-by for information. I hadn't find out yet, who I had to thank for the bright idea, I thought while massaging my shoulder. Under the fabric, the mark of the bullet was still vivid. Too vivid, in my modest opinion.

1823 EST

MAC'S OFFICE

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH VIRGINIA

"According to Brown vs Virginia my client is not guilty. The contempt was cast upon an object not physically present"

"Yes, but your client is a seaman, and according to Uniform Code of Military Justice, his behaviour can be considered as bad example, as well as the beginning of a disrespectful conduct towards an officer"

Harm and Mac were coming out the elevator, after the day of shooting, when they were intercepted by a overexcited Bud, who had been waiting for them for quite a long time, apparently.

"But a flag is not a senior officer. And he was on leave, and drunk!"

"It isn't an acceptable justification. Bud! What are you doing here?"

"You really don't want to ask for seven years"

"Sir. Ma'am. I've the files you..."

"Today a joke, tomorrow he'll refuse obeying orders in action, you never know. Thanks, Bud"

"Don't, Ma'am. You don't understand. These are..."

"Maac! Mmm...it seems somebody preceded us" Harm announced, from his privileged point of view, while they were reaching the door. Not paying attention to the lieutenant, the commander took the files and placed them under his arm with hat and costume, and followed the colonel in her office.

"But...Sir..." Bud groaned to their backs.

This time, Webb had decided to sink behind Mac's desk, at the end of the day.

"Make yourself at home please, Webb" she barked. Her only desire would have been curling up and shutting the world out of the office.

"You could have told me you were waiting for a guest, Mac. I wouldn't have hold you back so long" was Harm's sarcastic remark, getting in the little room.

"How kind of you, Rabb! Goog evening to you, too, anyway"

At the moment Mac was tired, very tired, and didn't think she could bear even her partner's little jealousies, which, in other time and place, she could have well and truly appreciate.

Hardly holding back irritation and need for acetyl-salicylic acid – her migraine was dangerously rising – she hardly could hiss "Shut up, kids!", before letting herself fall against the closet.

"Mac! Are you feeling well?", Harm immediately asked, approaching her with very worried look. Even more irritating.

"No. I'm not well. All I want is going at home, drowning in my bathtub and forgetting the world under the blankets till tomorrow morning"

"But..."

"I'm fine. I'm not tainted. It's just...migraine is killing me. So, if Mr Webb would enlighten us about his presence and free us of the said..."

"Ok, ok, I didn't want to bother you. I was thinking the latest news could be of interest to you"

"Yeah..." Mac sighed "I'm sorry for the outburst. You're doing more than your duty requires, Webb, keeping us informed. It's just, I'm really tired" she said, at the same time begging, with the eyes, the commander next to her.

"Don't worry. I'll be short. Actually, there isn't much to talk about. At this moment, we only found out our man works in the administrative offices. At least, he certainly isn't in your office. But we will go on and follow the plan"

"What plan?"

"The movie" the CIA agent grinned.

"You are amusing yourself, aren't you?" Harm hissed, not reassured yet by his partner's explanation.

"Who? Me? Absolutely not. It's just a simple operation. Even though I'm finding out very interesting stuff, rummaging in your desks. Like this picture" he continued, lifting a frame, till then hidden in a drawer "it's, Rabb, awfully like that in your office, isn't it?"