0200 Zulu

USS Patrick Henry

In the Adriatic Sea

Mac sits anxiously as the COD approaches the Patrick Henry. She prepares for landing thinking about the queasy feeling in her stomach, is it nerves? Is she hungry? May be once they land her and Harm can get something to eat and catch up. Just as she starts to smile the COD is stopped by the tail hook catching the arresting wire.

"God I hate that. I wonder why Harm loves this so much." Mac wonders to herself.

As she embarks from the plane, she is greeted by an airman.

"Commander Rabb is waiting for you by the hatch ma'am. Let me take your bags."

"Thank you petty officer."

"Follow me ma'am."

"Hi handsome." Sarah says to Harm as she opens up her arms to hug her man.

The petty officer looks at Harm. "It is ok petty officer, she is my fiancée."

"Congratulations ma'am. I didn't realize you were Hammer's fiancée."

"That's ok petty officer. Harm can we get something to eat I am starving?"

"Right this way colonel. Petty officer, can you Colonel Mackenzie's bags to her quarters?"

"Aye aye sir."

Harm leads Sarah to the galley so his Sarah can get a bite to eat.

"Harm, this is going to be weird. This is the first time we have been on a carrier for an investigation that we are not working together."

"Yes it is. But I am a witness so in a sense I will be helping."

"That depends on your answers flyboy."

"Aye aye ma'am. You know that you are not that popular here after your investigation of the rules of engagement backlash."

"Harm, I can handle that. Are you afraid the boys are going to tease you about it?"

"No Sarah I am not. I have been defending the decision you and Bud wrote. It is what the President wants and we are here to follow orders."

Harm and Sarah sit down to eat when Captain Pike approaches.

"Commander." Harm attempts to stand at attention when Captain Pike interrupts him, "As you were commander. Isn't it customary when you board a ship you see the captain first, colonel?"

"Yes sir, I was just really hungry since I haven't eaten in eight hours and I knew you were in flight ops so I thought I could get a quick bite before I came to see you."

Enjoying watching Sarah squirm Captain Pike decides to put her at ease, "Its ok colonel I thought you might want a moment alone with your fiancée. Let me add my congratulations to you."

"Thank you sir that is very kind of you. Harm informs me you would like to invite you to the wedding."

"Colonel I was afraid I was going to have to order the commander for an invite. My wife and I would be delighted to attend. I know you are under serious time constraints for this investigation colonel, so when you are finished I can make myself available for you."

"Aye sir I am on a deadline. I have a tele-conference with the SECNAV at ten hundred."

"Here is my preliminary report on the incident. That will give a basis for our discussion. And I'll leave you two alone for a moment." Captain Pike leaves the couple alone and heads back to flight op's.

"Harm, based on what you told me I already feel as though Lt. Buxton is guilty of at least disobeying a direct order. I am not sure I can be objective on this investigation."

"Sarah how many investigations have we done where our initial thoughts were proven wrong once we began to get all the facts?"

"Enough to know it is always a possibility."

"This investigation is no different."

"Harm, three Russian peacekeepers were killed. This investigation is different."

"I stand corrected counselor."

The two share some ice cream as Sarah catches Harm up on all the gossip from the office. While Harm loves flying, he begins to realize his mistake. JAG was more than a job; it was a place of comfort filled with good people that cared about each other.

1000 Zulu

USS Patrick Henry

In the Adriatic Sea

Mac's alarm has awakened her from a good night's rest. This was the best sleep she has had since she returned from Italy. Even though Harm did not spend the night with her, just knowing she was near him and that he was safe allowed her the inner peace to fully rest. But as she rises from her slumber she begins to feel light headed with a slight tinge of nausea. Convinced it is because she hasn't had much to eat she gets dressed so she can start her busy day.

Mac went to the galley to get some coffee and breakfast and prepare her notes for her interviews. She stopped by the pilot's ready room to see if Harm was there so she could see him before he had to take off for a mission. As she neared the room she heard the rumbling of the pilots getting up to head to the flight deck. Then she hears her name yelled from a distance, it was the love of her life. Her heart still skips a beat whenever she hears his voice and her face lights up with joy.

"Hey are you getting ready to take off."

"Yeah we have another photo mission to run this morning. Intel has news of mass grave sites and we've been selected to get some recon photos."

"How long will you be gone?"

"About four hours."

"Good you have a lunch date with me when you return. I should have all my interviews completed by then except for you. You'll be the last before I have to report to Admiral Chegwidden."

Harm looks around to make sure that no one could see them and bends over and gives Sarah a kiss good bye. "I'll be back soon."

"You better. We have a date."

Harm smiles and hugs Mac and makes his way to the flight deck.

Sarah watches him until he is out sight, takes a deep breath and heads towards the conference room for her first interview, Lt. Buxton.

1600 Zulu

USS Patrick Henry

In the Adriatic Sea

Mac returns to her quarters after her lunch with Harm. She was very happy that he returned to the carrier safely and that her investigation led to no evidence of Harm's involvement in the attack of the Russian peace keepers. With her mind at ease, she was able to focus on her investigation and prepare her report for the Admiral.

"Colonel, we are all anxious to hear your report." The Admiral states with great purpose.

"We sir?"

"Yes colonel the SECNAV is here. He wanted to hear your report first hand."

"Good morning sir. Well it appears that Lt. Buxton exceeded his orders. He was briefed the day off the incident on the rules of engagement. On previous briefings he has made numerous jokes about the gutless nature of these rules. The rules of engagement states that any actions against an enemy force must be passed through the battlefield commander. No communication occurred between Lt. Buxton and the high command. Radar shows that Lt. Buxton made no initial pass to assess the situation only that he made one pass in which he attacked the vehicle."

"Looks like we have enough to go to court martial on manslaughter charges." SECNAV commands.

"Sir disobeying a direct order would be a stronger case. Manslaughter will be more difficult to prove."

"Then colonel, charge him with both. Good day. Thank you Admiral I will talk with you later." SECNAV leaves the admiral's office to return to Washington.

"Colonel I want you to prosecute. Would you like Lt. Roberts to assist you?"

"Yes sir that would be helpful."

"Fine, I will have CMR Brumby defend Lt. Buxton. We will have the trail in Italy. The pilots can testify via video conference so we do not interfere with flight ops. That will be all Colonel."

"Aye aye sir."