Two Months later

2000 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Mac and Bud have taken over the conference room as the lay out their proposed ideas for an appellate brief on a capital murder case. Their discussion is interrupted by petty officer Tyner breaking in, "Colonel, the admiral would like to see you in his office ASAP ma'am."

"Did he say why Tyner?"

"No ma'am. Just to locate you and bring to his office."

"Ok Tyner. I'll back in a moment Bud. Keep the coffee warm this could be a long night."

"Yes colonel, would you like me to order something to eat as well?"

"Not right now Bud. This shouldn't take too long."

Mac and Tyner head straight for the Admiral's office where they find him on the phone.

The admiral motion to them to come in. "Yes Mr. Secretary, We'll get right on it."

"I just got off the phone with the SECNAV. There was an incident that occurred near the Kosovo Serbian border. A flight from VF-218 squadron engaged what they thought were Serb troops chasing refugees fleeing the fighting and attacked the convoy. As it turned out they mistakenly attacked a convoy of KFOR peace keepers. They killed 3 high ranking officers of the Russian Army."

Mac stood silent as fear and concerned slowly washed over her face.

"Mac, you know that this is Harm's squadron, right?"

"Yes sir I know that. Were the names of the pilots involved in the report?"

"Only the pilot involved in the attack a Lieutenant Andrew Buxton. Do you know him?"

"Of him sir, Harm has spoken of him. He was Harm's flight leader until he was shot down last month. Harm was recently promoted to flight leader because of Lt. Buxton's reckless flying."

"Colonel, I would like you to turn over the capital case review to Lt. Roberts. I will have Commander Metoni assist in completing the review. Colonel, I am dispatching you to the Patrick Henry to investigate the incident and comply a full report with any recommendations of charges against any and all guilty parties."

"Aye aye sir. I will get started on that immediately." Mac responds cautiously.

"Mac, are you worried about Harm's potential role in this?"

"Well sir I cannot help but think about it."

"Yes, I suppose so. Harm wasn't mentioned in the initial report. We have to assume he wasn't part of the incident."

"I know that sir. But Lt. Buxton is in his wing." Mac says before she is interrupted by the Admiral.

"Listen here Marine, you cannot let your personal feelings affect your performance in this matter. If you feel you cannot do your duties to the best of your abilities, I will send CMR Brumby in your place. Understood, Colonel?"

"Yes sir. If it has to be done, I prefer to do it."

"Ok, Colonel. You are dismissed."

"Aye sir." With that Mac heads towards her office. She plans to make a call to the Patrick Henry and contact Harm for any information he can give her about the incident.

"This is Colonel Sarah MacKenzie from JAG headquarters. I wish to make a shore to ship call to the USS Patrick Henry. Thank you, I'll hold." Mac waits patiently as the navy operator attempts to contact the Patrick Henry.

"Colonel, I have the Patrick Henry for you."

"Thank you, operator. Hello, this is Colonel Sarah Mackenzie with JAG headquarters. I am trying to contact Commander Harmon Rabb in regards to an ongoing investigation. "

"We'll try to get him for you colonel, please hold." The seconds seem like hours as Mac is on hold as they effort getting Harm to the phone.

"We have Commander Rabb for you ma'am."

"Sarah, how are you?"

"Harm, I just heard about what happened. How are you?" An anxious Sarah replies.

"Are you investigating?"

"Yes Harm the admiral assigned me to the investigation."

"Well Sarah, I am fine. I wasn't in the vicinity of the incident; I was engaged with a Serbian spy plane at the time."

"I am glad to hear that. When the admiral informed me of the squadron involved in the attack I became very worried."

"I figured you would've heard the news by now and I wanted to call you but we were not allowed to make any calls until we were debriefed by Fleet JAG."

"My flight leaves in an hour and a half. I'll be aboard soon and you can tell what happened. Also, the Admiral sends his congratulations on our engagement. "

"Thank him for me will you please? Is Bud coming with you?"

"I already have. Bud cannot come with me; he is working on a capital murder case appeal. After it is filed he may be involved with any court martial. "

"Ok, tell Bud I said hello."

"I will and he is already talking about your bachelor party. I told him that it cannot be anything close to his."

All Sarah can hear is Harm's laughter. "You don't want to bail me out of jail again?"

"No way sailor, next time you'll stay where you lay."

"Aye aye ma'am."

"I got to get going. I love you Harm and I am glad to hear you're ok."

"I love you too, Sarah. See you soon. Good Bye."

"Bye." Sarah hangs up the phone with smile knowing her man is safe.