Admiral Chegwidden was curious if the Sarah Mackenzie asking to be let in the JAG offices to see Commander Brumby was really the former marine major who he had to let go two years earlier. When Tiner announced that she was there he looked up and fixed his eyes on the door which took a couple of seconds to open.

As soon as Mac had started to pull open the door she squared her shoulders and just simply morphed back into the marine she had been before she had left this place the last time. What she wasn't expecting was that the admiral smiled and friendly greeted her with a handshake.

"It is good to see you Miss Mackenzie. How has life been treating you?"

But before Mac even could attempt to answer this question Tiner interrupted them.

"Sir it is Lieutenant Roberts. He says it is important!"

"Send him in!" Chegwidden responds and then fixes Bud with his eyes. "What is it Lieutenant? Aren't you supposed to be in court right now?"

"Yes Sir but the judge sent me to tell you either you change counsel or he is holding the commanders in contempt because they are fighting like a married couple."

Roberts reported and when he finished he noticed Sarah sitting in the chair. "Oh major hello."

Mac smiled and was just about to correct Bud when the Admiral looked at her.

"Sorry to be so blunt and personal so soon but what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Brumby and are you still licenced to practice law in Virginia?" then he turned to Bud and said

"Ask Meyers if he is okay with civilian council, former Marine Major."

Bud hurried off and Mac answered the questions and said that she still was licensed to practice here but she would need time to prepare if she was going up against Mic.

A short while later Tiner announced that the commanders had arrived but the admiral only wanted Brumby sent in.

"Admiral it is not fair to only let me speak here…." Mic started but Chegwidden held out his hand and silenced him.

"Commander you are only here to receive the news that you have been replaced as defense counsel and you are to prepare Miss Mackenzie as best as you can so she knows the facts of the case." Mic Brumby's usually always cool face fell then he was being replaced but when he heard by whom he wore more off a curious expression.

"Admiral? How can you let her defend?" And in the second he wanted to say you don't even know if she is capable of doing it, it hit him; Sarah had worked with Bud and Harriet at Jag headquarters under Admiral Chegwidden.

After Brumby had apologized to his commanding officer he led Sarah into his office to over the files with her so she could get back into the court room in an hour because the judge had only given them that long to solve the issue.

As the time came to go back in the court room Mac shortly looked herself over in the mirror. She knew that civilian lawyers had a tough stand in military court because they were considered outsiders and most military officers thought that civilians had no idea of how the system works. There only was one thing she still didn't know.

"Who is prosecuting?" And out was the question.

"You should know him or of him at least when you have worked with Lieutenants Roberts and Simms. Commander Rabb." Mic answered nonchalant and Mac sputtered on the sip of water she just had been taking to calm her nerves.

"I am up against Harm? Well that is going to be fun and you have to tell me why you are fighting with him like a married couple!" she managed to get out after her coughing fit.

Mic looked like she just had offended him.

"Oh come on. Bud said it to the admiral. And now I got to go if I don't want to be late." She gave Mic a quick kiss on the lips and then hurried off. As per his orders Mic was not allowed to watch the trial and prepare his next case.

Thank god I am prosecuting that one!

Harm had been gloating when he heard Brumby had been taken off the case and replaced, by a civilian to top it off. The win was his. He was sure of it. So he was swooping in the court room at the last minute and had no time to look who had been appointed before the judge arrived.

The general looked at the two tables in front of him and commented

"I see Commander Brumby changed a little. Would you please introduce you to us and then we will hear what we will do about this case."

"Yes Sir. Former Marine Major Sarah Mackenzie for the defense. I got assigned this case because I was with the admiral at the time of your request and to fully prepare the defense requests a continuance until tomorrow at least."

Normally Harm would have contested her request but he simply was too shocked right now. Mac was back? How and why had she been in with the admiral?

He didn't really get a chance to talk to her because as soon as the judge had granted her continuance she had disappeared and from what he was told by Bud left immediately to prepare.

Maybe Mic can help me get in touch with her? He read her in on the case after all and if he can't help I'll just have to ask the admiral.

Harm formulated his plan and went to look for his friend. He was about to know on Mic's offices door when Tiner informed him

"Commander Brumby has left for the day. He and Miss Mackenzie went home and then for dinner and are not to be disturbed."

In Harmon Rabb's head you almost could see the wheels turn and then snap into one place. Mic's Sarah, soon to be fiancé and Sarah Mac Mackenzie are one and the same person. Wow that was unexpected and he couldn't tell how he felt about that, only that it was weird to know right now.