Disclaimer: I don't own JAG and its characters.

Rating for this is: PG

A/N: Victor Galindez in this story is a 1st Lt. because of being promoted by his superior officer and a recommendation from Clayton Webb.

Chapter Three

Joint Military Legal Services

San Diego, CA

1 month later

Mac's POV

After Harms conversation with Sergei, he started treating me like a china doll, which is fine while being pregnant even if I am a Marine, BUT i would NEVER tell Harm that or his EGO would be sky rocketing, but lately he has been mother henning me, which HE knows I can't stand.

I did take Sergei's advice though. I started delegating to the rest of my staff so I that wouldn't be stressed out, BUT what I really need is Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts. He is efficient and he know what I want without playing twenty questions with him like I do my staff. Speaking of which there goes my buzzer, it has been going on and off ALL day.

"Yes, Coates?" I asked into the intercom with frustration in my voice.

"Ma'am, a Dr. Captain Sergei..." Jen Coates stated but I cut her off.

"Send him in Coates." I said with relief in my voice.

With Sergei walking in I was able to come around my desk, in doing so I became light headed, and Sergei all but ordered me to lie down.

"Have you told my brother about your dizzy spells sister dear?" Sergei with a little bit of sarcasm and concern thrown in.

"No" I roll my eyes at his sarcasm, "I don't want him taking roost in my office."

"You need to tell him because your blood pressure is up and you need to take breaks during these 4 hours of working." Sergei said pointedly.

With a heavy sigh I said, "What I need is an XO who doesn't keep interrupting me every half hour to let me know what is going on with my staff. He is a competent officer, he just over thinks his decisions, instead of going with his gut instinct. What I need is Bud."

"Why don't you try having Bud TAD a couple of months. For your XO problem, have Bud and Malcolm go over things together and split the XO duties, that way when Malcolm is ready to take the XO position on his own some place else, he will know what to do. And besides it will free you up to take the rest when you need it during your 4 hours of work."

I stared at him in shock. Here was the solution starring me in the face. Even though Lieutenant MacKenzie was a little green when it came to being XO he definitely is willing to learn. And it wouldn't hurt his career either to have someone to teach him the ropes. "Sergei, go to my rolodex, on my desk and there you will find JAG's office number. When you get Lieutenant Commander Roberts on the phone I want to speak to Harriet so that when Bud speaks to her, she will not be blindsided when Bud talks to her. Put the phone on speaker so that I hear."

Sergei dialed the number while it was on speaker, after it rang a few times I heard an all to familiar voice. "JAG Corps, Lieutenant Galindez speaking."

I was stunned and elated that it was someone that I knew. "Well, they made you Lieutenant , how about that!"

"Ma'am how are you?" Victor was the personification of protocol but on the inside he was happy for her.

"Lieutenant" I said with a bit of a warning in her voice. I had always told my friends to call me Mac even if it meant bending the rules a bit. I smiled at that, been spending to much time around Harm.

Victor picked it up immediately, "Mac"

"That is better" I said with a smile to my voice.

"I hear you and the Captain got married." Victor reverting back to protocol.

I picked up on it immediately to mean that someone was listening in, "Yes we did Lieutenant. I need to speak to Lieutenant Commander Roberts. It's of some urgency."

"He is in a meeting with General Creswell ma'am. Do you want me to transfer you?" Galindez said with some annoyance.

I knew that someone was annoying him to know end. He hated that. 'Someone is there like Singer or it is Vokovic?' I wondered. "Tell the person that is standing near your desk if he or she does not go back to work, he or she will be written by not only you but me as well. If that doesn't work report that he or she will be reported to the General." I heard some scuffling and murmuring in the back ground.

"He is gone ma'am. I will transfer you to General's office now." Victor said with relief.

"Thank you Lieutenant" I said with a 'glad that was taken care of' sigh.

Sergei spoke up while Victor was transferring us to the General's office. " You know you have to let him know sooner or later."

"Yeah" I said with a heavy sigh, "I know but I was hoping for later."

General Creswell came on the line, "What can I do for you Mac?"

"I need to bring Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts to my office ASAP."

Both Creswell and Bud looked at each, "Why do you need my best litigator and investigator?"

With a heavy sigh Mac said, "I let my family doctor tell you. I am retreating to his advice at the moment."

"General Creswell, my name Sergei Zhukov Rabb. I am the family physician to one Colonel Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb. Sir, she is expecting her third child. I have restricted her to 4 hours a day here in her office but her current XO Lieutenant Macolom Mackenzie is coming to her with problems that he should handle. I have given the suggestion, that Lieutenant Command Roberts comes out here to help the Lieutenant in his XO abilities. Show him the ropes, you might say. Colonel Mackenzie has said that he is a fine officer but a little bit green when it comes to organization. I posed to bring Roberts out here to help with that."

General Creswell sighed. He knew that Bud was a good officer but he also knew that with his one leg that he would probably only make to Lieutenant Commander which he has, but with this, in helping bring someone up to speed on XO duties that would bring him closer to him being Commander.

"Colonel, I know that you are listening. When do you need Mr. Roberts?"

"This is Tuesday, by Thursday midday if it all possible." Mac revealed to the General.

"He will be on the next flight out."

"Thank you General." Mac was smiling with relief.

"Give my regard to Captain Rabb, and that he will be losing his XO so that I can have him TAD while Roberts is there."

"I let him know. Bud, I will call you in your office in 5 minutes."

"Yes, ma'am" Bud answered and with that he left after being dismissed from Creswells office.