Chapter XIX - Incident at Potomac Park

A/N - Okay, I have no idea how JAGC security is set up and a lot of this is SWAG, so for the sake of the story, just pretend it is correct. The same is true with the incident in the courtroom. Again, I'm no expert on JAGC court procedures for dealing with someone like Laurie, so for the sake of the story, just imagine it would work this way - please keep in mind the idea is to show Laurie is a different person and JAGC trying to make her feel at home as best they can. As for Capt Sebring's reaction, let's just say I think he would react this way. :) All goofs are mine and mine alone ... now on with the tale...

0451 Local_0951 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

2 Weeks Later, Monday

The noncommissioned officer at the JAG Ops security checkpoint desk did a double take at the pretty navy Lieutenant who was approaching him. He could have sworn she looked like Lieutenant Singer's double, but she was smiling. And he never remembered seeing the Lieutenant smile.

"Good morning ma'am," he managed. He liked the new regulation hairstyle look she was trying.

Laurie's smile grew wider. This was the second time today she had received shocked or disbelieving looks from members of the JAG Corps security platoon members. One had even gone as far as offering to help see her around 'since she was new to JAG'.

"Good morning Corporal Flores, where is Chief Groggins this morning?" she asked nonchalantly as she signed in.

Rico Flores stammered. "H- he- he's on sick call this morning, L-Lieutenant. Sergeant Hillier put me on duty desk," He explained unnecessarily. Who was this woman? And how did she know Chief Goggins? Had she been here before?"

"I hope it isn't anything too serious," she said smoothly as she handed her security badge to him for inspection so he'd be able to have her sign in while he checked her name against the roster.

Corporal Flores scanned her ID with extra scrutiny. She had gotten in the front gate, so should he call them to verify who she was? And if he did, could he explain it away in such a way it wouldn't earn her wrath? He looked from the ID to her. It sure looked like her; she was just wearing her hair differently.

"Is anything wrong Flores?" Laurie knew exactly what was wrong. Loren didn't smile and apparently she didn't wear her hair this way.

"Uh, no ma'am, Lieutenant," Flores said briskly, "the database is just a little slow in responding this morning, just bear with me for a moment…."

Luckily his computer screen didn't face her. He tapped a series of keys and brought up the guardhouse camera. Yep, Petty Officer Herrera and Corporal Stevens were there, so there was nothing amiss….

"Just one more minute ma'am," he added as he picked up his phone and dialed the front gate.

Laurie smiled pleasantly, "Take your time, Corporal, I understand."

'Front gate, Petty Officer Herrera speaking,'

"Herrera, this is Flores, my computer is running slow for me, can you verify Lieutenant Singer came in this morning?"

Rico Flores could hear the laughter in his friend's voice. "She threw you too, Amigo?"

"Uh huh," he said noncommittally. Laurie tried to affect an unfazed look but she knew the two soldiers were comparing notes on the 'new' Loren Singer.

"Yep, it's her. We double checked her too. Never seen such a pretty smile from her before." Benjamin 'Bennie' Herrera was not beyond noticing a pretty lady, officer or not.

Flores smiled. "Thanks Herrera," He looked back up at her as he cut the connection "Uh, Thanks for waiting ma'am-"

Before he could continue with his 'clever' subterfuge, Laurie interrupted him while keeping that pretty smile on her face. "Did Petty Officer Herrera verify that you were talking to Loren Singer and not a bad guy, Corporal?"

Rico Flores felt his face going red as he retrieved her building pass. Damn! "Sorry ma'am, it's just that-"

"That I smiled at you and actually talked to you rather grunting or snarling which is what I usually do when coming into JAG Headquarters Ops in the morning?"

What could he say to that? "Well, uh, yes ma'am." He worked hard not to shrug his shoulders when he said it.

Laurie nodded her satisfaction. "You're just doing your job, Corporal, I understand that. I'm sorry if I caused you problems in the past and no, I didn't see what you were doing as any breach of protocol. In fact you should be commended for double checking."

Flores looked up at her with amazement. He had never heard her speak so kindly to him. Was it some kind of trick? "Well thank you, ma'am," he blurted out. Then wondered why he did that. After all he was just doing his job. Maybe it was that pretty smile of hers.

Laurie's smile got wider. "You're welcome Flores." She finished signing the log and took the badge back from him and then clipped her building pass onto her breast pocket. "I'm free to go in now?"

Rico Flores almost fell all over himself. "Oh, uh, yes ma'am, absolutely ma'am," he blurted out again.

Laurie sailed past his desk, "Have a good morning, Corporal," she said cheerfully.

"Uh thank you ma'am, you too," Rico Flores called out and then turned to watch her go over to the elevator. If she turned around he'd get himself court martialed, but he just could not believe that was Lieutenant Loren Singer. Ay Dios Mio! Who the hell was that?!

xxxixxx

"Lieutenant!" Tiner said coming to attention as she came into the still darkened JAG Corp Ops bull pen. He had a stack of folders in his arms and apparently wasn't expecting anyone, except maybe for the Admiral, to come in this early.

She gave him the same smile she had given the front gate guards and Corporal Flores. "Good morning Tiner, how are you doing today?"

Jason Tiner was thrown for a loop by her inquiry. "Uh, F-Fine ma'am, how are you feeling today, Lieutenant?"

She gave him a pained look. "Pregnant." She replied without enthusiasm. For some reason she suddenly felt very tired and it showed on her face.

The Yeoman 1 took that as his cue. "Oh! Can I carry your briefcase, ma'am?"

Normally, she wouldn't have wanted him to do that and would have been ashamed by her behavior, but after her trip from the car, now all she wanted to do was sit down. "That would be appreciated, Tiner, thank you," she said generously.

Jason happily juggled the files and the briefcase. "You're welcome ma'am," he said cheerfully as he walked her to her office.

"Is the baby bothering you ma'am?" Tiner asked in his usual fashion as she unlocked her door.

She turned as gave him a grateful smile as he put the briefcase in the chair in front of her desk. "I don't think so, but I do need to sit,"

"Oh here, ma'am, let me," Jason put the files and briefcase on her desk, got over behind her and pulled out the chair.

Laurie felt herself blushing as she seated herself and he gently pushed her in as close to her desk as possible. "Um, thank you Petty Officer," she said shyly.

Jason grinned as she turned on her desk lamp. "You're welcome ma'am, can I get you something to drink?" He knew she probably wouldn't want or be allowed to have any coffee.

"Do we have any decaffeinated tea?" she asked.

Jason's smile momentarily faltered. "Not yet, ma'am, but I'll start brewing some up,"

"Thank you Tiner," she called out gratefully to him as he headed for the galley.

xxxixxx

It had been a long slow morning. And with each passing hour becoming readily apparent to Laurie that despite her physical recovery, she was no longer suited to working for JAG Corps.

Mac had been a big help bringing her up to speed on the status of her cases when they began their meeting this morning. It turned out that she, Harm, Sturgis, and Bud, as well as the other attorneys in the office, had each taken a portion of her caseload as their schedules would allow.

Grateful for the help they had given, Laurie thanked her. To her surprise, the Light Colonel actually blushed.

"Ma'am why are you blushing?" Laurie asked innocently.

Mac gave a small smile. "To tell you the truth, Laurie, it's because Loren would have never thanked us for doing this, well, that is, not in the way you do,"

Every time someone said something like that about Loren Singer, it made her wish she could have seen Loren Singer in action. Just what kind of person she had been? She still only had glimpses into who she was before the accident. "How so, ma'am?"

Mac shrugged as if she was at a loss for a real answer to her question. "Well…you're polite, friendly…and you mean what you say."

"You mean the thank you just now, that wasn't in her character, was it?" Laurie asked

Mac colored again and nodded.

Laurie felt a catch in her throat. "Then I made the right decision in changing my name," she said her voice suddenly husky. "I'm really not Loren anymore."

Mac quickly put her hands on Laurie's. "That's not true, Laurie…" Mac seemed overcome for a moment and then steadied herself. "Changing your name has nothing to do with this. It's how you act and react…now."

Now Laurie understood. Mac was feeling guilty about how she had treated her in the past. And if she was…she realized that's why everyone seemed a little ill at ease about being around her. It wasn't that they didn't like her. They liked Laurie, but all of OJAG felt guilty about the way they had treated her in the past, as if maybe it had partially been their fault for what happened to her that night at Potomac Park.

Laurie looked the SJA Colonel in the eye. "Ma'am, it's not your fault or anybody else's here at OJAG for what happened to me. And I don't put any blame on any of you." While Mac was digesting that, she continued. "So you needn't feel guilty."

Mac looked at her solemnly. "But Lor—Laurie, you almost died! And I feel…we all feel…like we pushed you…into becoming involved with Commander Lindsey."

Laurie sighed. She knew what the SJA senior attorney was trying to say to her, but she felt the guilt was misplaced. "Ma'am I don't think I'll ever really know why I did what I did, only Loren knows that and she isn't talking. As for me, I'm ready to move on."

Mac nodded. She could understand that sentiment. "Okay, well, Corporal Jenson's hearing is this Friday. You'll be working with me," She took an expandable folder from the pile of folders on the left side of Laurie's desk and gave it to her. "Judge Sebring will preside."

Laurie looked at the expandable folder She thought about telling her 'no' what she meant was she thought it was time to move on to another job, away from JAGC.

She started to tell the Light Colonel this, but there was something about this folder…something in her memory, but she couldn't quite pull it out…all she could see in her mind's eye was a photograph of a badly beaten Hispanic girl. A puzzled look crossed her face Jenson…why did this particular case interest her more so than the others?

She gave Mac a blank look, hoping she would be able to fill in the gaps. "I'm sorry, ma'am, Corporal Jenson?"

Mac gave her an understanding smile. "Corporal Renaldo Jenson. Receiving and concealing stolen property, assault and battery on a minor-"

Laurie began nodding as that last part of Mac's litany seemed to trigger something. "I remember! He was the Marine who savagely beat that fifteen year old girl, Mariana Yanez. As I recall, he said in his statement that he did it 'just for the thrill of it', right?"

Mac nodded, surprised at how much she actually remembered about this particular case. Up to now she seemed to barely comprehend the previous ones they were discussing. But with this one she seemed to take a special interest and recall everything about it.

"And we want to nail him, so let's go over what we have here-"

Laurie shook her head. "No, I'm good on this one ma'am," she replied.

Mac gave her a questioning look. "Are you sure?"

Laurie nodded. "Yes ma'am, I'm ready. I want to make sure he either pleads guilty or that we go to a court martial so we can nail him." Mac could tell she firmly believed in what she was saying.

The SJA Colonel was relieved that Laurie seemed so confident and sure about this one. She didn't exactly have the warm fuzzies for Corporal Jenson either. "All right, but just to make sure you're ready, we'll rehearse what we're going to say…how about tomorrow morning after Staff Call?"

01237 Local_1737 Zulu
Quantico Youth Center
Quantico MCB, Virginia

Monday early afternoon

Laurie walked into the organized chaos of the Center and up to the front desk. The young woman at the desk looked up and gave her a pleasant smile.

"Hi, may I help you?"

She nodded. "I'm Laurie Singer; I'm here for my one o'clock appointment?"

The woman nodded. Her name badge had 'Julie' stamped on it. She glanced down at the desk pad in front of her and then back at Laurie. "Oh yes, Ms. Singer, please have a seat over there. Mr. Ronney will be right with you."

Laurie thanked her and was about to sit down when a little boy about five years old tugged on her skirt.

She smiled down at the boy. "Hi,"

"Hi," he said back. "Can you help me find my dad? He got lost."

Laurie turned and squatted down in front of him. "Where did you last see him?" she asked.

The boy turned and pointed down a hallway filled with parents and children. "Over there," he said simply.

Laurie offered her hand to him, "Well, let's go see if we can find him," And together they walked over to the hallway.

"Billy!" Lauren saw a Petty Officer approaching them both through the crowd.

"Dad, you're not lost anymore!" The boy said as he ran to him.

The Petty Officer squatted down and grabbed the child in playful bear hug. "No, I'm not," He looked up at Laurie watching them both. The Petty Officer immediately stood up and came to attention, noting her rank. "Ma'am! Thank you for bringing my son back to me-" Then he noticed the JAG Corps insignia on her shoulder boards. "Do you work here ma'am?"

Laurie shook her head. "No, I have an appointment with Mr. Ronney in a few minutes. I was about to sit down and wait for him when your son came up and asked me to help him find you,"

Billy's father looked embarrassed. "I am so sorry ma'am. Billy tends to wander,"

Laurie held up her hand, stopping him. "No need to explain Petty Officer, I was glad to help, um, find you,"

He looked embarrassed again. "Yes ma'am," he said giving a squeeze to the boy standing beside him. "Thank you again, ma'am."

Laurie nodded. "No problem. If you don't mind me asking Petty Officer, why are you here?

"I'm a single parent, Lieutenant. Ms. Trifica, Staff Sergeant Trifica's wife, she, uh works here… she was going to help me with getting Billy settled in. We're new to the area,"

"Ms. Trifica is cool," Billy said piping up.

Billy's dad gave Laurie another embarrassed smile. "He's a good kid, just gets a little rambunctious sometimes,"

Billy, his brow furrowed, looked up at his dad. "Dad? What's ram…ram-bunk-chus mean?"

Laurie smiled at Billy and squatted down again to his level so she could better address him. "He means you're a ball of energy, always on the go,"

"Cool," Billy replied happily. "Like a super hero,"

Laurie and Billy's dad both chuckled at his response as Laurie stood back up.

"Petty Officer Daniels!"

Laurie and the Petty Officer turned to see a Hispanic woman in her late thirties approaching them through the crowd. She was wearing gray slacks and a rose colored blouse. Her name tag read 'Juanita Trifica'

"Sorry I was delayed, Petty Officer," she explained and then looked at Laurie standing next to him. "Are you his commanding officer, Lieutenant?"

"No, I helped Billy find his father," Laurie quipped. "He got lost,"

"Oh," Juanita nodded her head understandingly. "Well thank you for doing that. Are you here to see someone?"

"Phil Ronney," she replied. "I have a one o'clock appointment with him,"

Juanita nodded again. "Yes, Phil told me about you coming in. Petty Officer, do you mind me walking her to Phil's office?"

Petty Officer Daniels grinned. "Not at all ma'am, after all, she did help Billy find me. It's the least we can do for her."

xxxixxx

"So does that work okay with your schedule?" Phil asked as he came around the desk to shake her hand.

Laurie nodded as she took his hand in hers. "It's perfect, thank you for this,"

Phil shook his head politely. "No, thank you. You're doing us the favor. We can't pay you anything right now, but we're glad to have you volunteer,"

Now it was Laurie's turn to be self-effacing. "I just wanted the chance to help out and this seemed like the right thing to do given that you and Ms. Chen have helped me,"

Phil liked her manner. She'll do well here… "Well like I said, we're glad to have your help,"

"I'll see you at 4:00 pm this Friday?"

"Friday at four," Phil said confirming her first afternoon working at the Center. "Clarice will have your badge at the desk and she will walk you through what you need to know."

0830 Local_1330 Zulu
NCIS Headquarters
Washington, DC

The bell on the elevator dinged indicating the elevator had reached autopsy. Ducky was waiting as the door opened. He didn't know if the Sergeant was squeamish or not, so he decided he would meet James Garrel at the elevator.

"Ah Sergeant Garrel, good to see you again," The NCIS ME said as a greeting.

"Good to see you too, Doctor," The Marine Sergeant replied. "I hope I'm not keeping you from anything," James was curious why the doctor had met him here rather than in autopsy but didn't want to pry. Oh well it was just as well, he wasn't going to stay long.

Ducky chuckled at his politeness. "Not at all, m'boy, now what can I do for you?"

"Thought you would want an update on Lieutenant Singer," he replied

Ducky nodded. "Yes indeed. I heard she might be working as a volunteer at Quantico's Youth Center,"

"Yes sir. She is," James replied.

Donald Mallard gave him an apprising look. "Have you been in touch with her?"

James only told a half lie. "Only to get her the information on Youth Center so she could volunteer there."

"I see." Ducky said absently. He was watching the Sergeant's face and he knew James Garrel was not telling the full truth.

"I haven't seen her, sir." James said suddenly as if he knew what Doctor Mallard was thinking.

The NCIS ME knew better. "But you have talked with her." Ducky persisted.

"Well yes sir," James admitted. "To give her the information-"

Ducky waved his hand dismissively at that statement. "Beyond that I mean, my lad."

James Garrel was silent.

Ducky wished at that moment he had some of that fiery Marine DI in him that Jethro could dredge up so easily when needed. He guessed admonishing older doctor would have to do. "Well? Have you considered the fact that having just lost your sister to an accident that you might be transferring that love/loss protective instinct to Laurie? Sergeant, this is not a game. You could get in serious trouble-"

"The Lieutenant is resigning her commission, Doctor Mallard." James revealed to him. He knew there was a chance he was doing that - transference feelings to Laurie, but no, his feelings for her were different. He really felt something deep down for her that he couldn't describe and she obviously felt them as well.

Ducky gave him a skeptical look. "She told you this?"

The Marine Sergeant nodded. "Yes sir, she says with her memory problems that she can't remain at JAG Corps Headquarters or be an attorney any longer."

Ducky knew all too well the effects that young love could have on two people. "James I don't know you that well, but from what I can tell you're a good lad and I don't want to see you get hurt, or in trouble. Are you two sure about this? Is this what she really wants to do?"

James knew about young love but he also understood the rules he was bound by. "Yes sir, but as you know, until it becomes official, we have to limit our contact with each other." He wanted Ducky to know though how he really really felt about her. "It's been hard and I won't lie to you Doctor, we have talked over the phone and about more than just the Youth Center. But trust me sir, I would never do anything to hurt her. I love her."

1002 Local_1502 Zulu
Courtroom Two
JAG Headquarters

Friday

Captain Owen Sebring sighed heavily as he sat down in his chair. As Investigating Officer, why did he have to draw Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Singer today of all days? He wasn't ready for this. He figured that by Noon, the Colonel would be requesting for a recess and he would have to call the two ladies up for at least one sidebar before then.

"All right, let's get started." He rumbled as he looked out at the defense and prosecution counsels. It didn't even register with him that Loren Singer looked different than she had the last time he saw her. All of Judiciary had heard about what had happened to her but he figured it was that she was just trying a different look.

The opening presentations went smoothly enough. Corporal Renaldo Jenson was everything the Corps didn't want in a Marine, at least the way Mac told it. Her arguments were strong and very convincing. Carolyn Imes fought back diligently, but even the Navy Captain could see it was looking like a lost cause. Still the day was young, and Carolyn might be able convince him otherwise.

Owen Sebring noticed that Lieutenant Singer wasn't champing at the bit the way she usually did, but she couldn't seem to take her eyes off of Corporal Jenson. Jenson at first had ignored her, but as time went on, the JAG judge noticed that Renaldo Jenson looked decidedly unsettled every time he looked in Loren's direction.

Before he knew it, both sides had presented their case. Captain Sebring made a notation on his laptop. "We'll adjourn until 1000 tomorrow at which time this court will reconvene and an Article 32 hearing will be held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a General Court Martial. This courtroom is adjourned."

As Mac and Laurie got up to leave, Owen motioned to both of them. "Colonel, Lieutenant, a word."

Carolyn stopped and looked back Mac and Laurie. Mac for her part said nothing as she and Laurie got up and walked to the bench.

Carolyn decided if there was anything going on that she should know about, Captain Sebring would have let her know. She headed out of the courtroom with her client.

The doors to the courtroom closed, leaving the Navy Captain with just the prosecution team. Mac and Laurie looked like two schoolgirls standing before the principal.

"Lieutenant I know you are recovering from a serious injury, so I'm only going to ask this once; is there any reason why you kept staring at Corporal Jenson this morning? Is this some new intimidation tactic you're trying out?" The Captain asked pointedly.

Mac started to speak. She was going to tell him another possible reason for Laurie's staring. Owen looked sharply at the JAGC Marine attorney. "I'd like to hear what the Lieutenant has to say Colonel, if you please," Mac's mouth snapped shut in surprise.

Laurie Singer had the decency to look embarrassed. "My apologies Your Honor. I didn't mean to offend you or the court…" she began.

"Then why, pray tell, were you staring at Corporal Jenson? And don't deny it – I caught you doing it several times and fortunately for you Commander Imes didn't catch you doing it. Though by all rights I should inform her if you were trying to coerce her client."

"Please believe me, Captain, Your Honor, that's not what I was trying to do at all." Laurie said in as humble a manner as she could manage. "I find myself doing this a lot with everyone since my, uh, accident." Now the Judge was looking at her incredulously. Mac wanted to say something but incurring the wrath of Navy Captain Owen Sebring was not on the top of her list today.

"Do you do this with all defendants, Lieutenant?" The Navy Judge said off handedly.

Laurie gave an uncharacteristic shrug. Well, uncharacteristic for Loren Singer, that is. "This is my first case since I've been back on duty sir. Again, I apologize for my behavior – it's just – this is all deja vu for me, Your Honor. I've seen all of you, including the defendant before. I guess I'm just trying hard to remember all of you."

Owen Sebring sat back. He had almost forgotten that her amnesia had wiped her memory of everyone she knew and worked with and unlike the Loren Singer he had previously known, she hadn't tried to weasel her way out or become defensive. He cleared his throat and tried to give her a stern look.

"Be that as it may, staring at a client could be construed as intimidation, and you must refrain from it. If you can't control your impulses I'll have to ask Admiral Chegwidden to sever you from this case, am I understood Lieutenant?"

"Understood sir," she said meekly.

Owen Sebring was caught off guard by her answer. He certainly didn't want to seem totally unfeeling toward her situation. "Yes, well, um, all right. By the way, how are you feeling otherwise?"

"You mean about my pregnancy or medically regarding my head injury?" she asked innocently. Mac couldn't believe what Laurie had just said to the Judge.

The Navy Captain cleared his throat again and actually looked embarrassed. "I meant medically…about your, ah, head injury," He said waving at her head.

"Better sir, thanks for asking. Again, I apologize for my behavior today. It won't happen again."

"All right Lieutenant." He gave Mac a stern glare. "Colonel, let us hope that tomorrow goes more smoothly."

Mac swallowed audibly. "Aye sir," She fought giving Laurie a stern look herself. She'd save her comments to the Lieutenant for later.

"Step away from the bench. Dismissed." The Navy Captain said as he stood.

xxxixxx

As Mac and Laurie headed back to the JAGC Ops bull pen, the SJA Colonel gave the Lieutenant a cutting look. "Lieutenant, my office, now!" she hissed not wanting to draw to much attention.

Laurie swallowed audibly as a stern Mac held the door for her and they both went into Mac's office. Mac closed the door and the blinds.

"Lieutenant, what the hell was that all about?" The Marine attorney snapped once the door was closed. Laurie wasn't sure what to do in terms of how stand at this moment…attention…parade rest…damn her fragmented mind! Being upset didn't help things either.

Mac was about to tear her a new one when she stopped herself. Oh God, she doesn't realize that she's done anything wrong! Mac could see there were tears forming in Laurie's eyes. Mac felt like meanest snake in the world at this moment. Loren Singer would have battled her right back, but this was Laurie Singer, and right now as Mac was quickly beginning to understand, she didn't know what she had done wrong.

"I'm sorry Colonel, ma'am…" Laurie said in a quiet voice full of unshed tears.

Mac came over to where she was standing. "No Lieutenant, belay that. Let me apologize to you. You didn't deserve that." She could tell that Laurie was uncertain what to do next. "Please sit Lieutenant." Laurie carefully sat down and Mac sat down in the chair next to her.

Laurie looked ashamed. "No ma'am, you are right to be mad, I got us in trouble with Captain, I mean, Judge Sebring…." She trailed off looking down at her lap.

Mac's heart went out to Laurie. How would she feel if she were in her place?

"Lieutenant…Laurie…" Laurie looked up her. Tears were still threatening to spill out of her eyes. "Laurie, you weren't trying to intimidate Corporal Jenson, were you?"

Laurie shook her head. "No ma'am, like I told Judge Sebring, in my mind, I see fragmented images of him, I just want to remember…" She trailed off again.

Mac nodded. She just wished that Owen Sebring could understand this.

The SJA Colonel was about say something soothing to Laurie when someone knocked on her closed door.

Mac looked at the door and then back at Laurie. "Just relax, Laurie, take a tissue from my desk if you need one." Mac got up to answer the door.

"Thank you ma'am," Laurie said as she quickly grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. She mentally admonished herself for coming apart so easily.

Mac opened the door to see Captain Owen Sebring standing in her doorway. He looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Mac immediately went to attention. "Captain!" Laurie saw who it was and immediately mimicked her action.

That seemed to make the JAG Navy judge even more uncomfortable. "Uh, as you were, Colonel, Lieutenant, do you mind if I come in?"

"No sir, not at all sir, please come in," Mac said automatically as Owen Sebring came in the room. He noticed that Loren Singer was still at attention.

"At ease, Lieutenant," he said quietly to her, "Please take a seat."

Laurie carefully sat back down, her eyes checking with Mac to see if this was okay. Mac, with her back to the Captain, nodded. Owen Sebring sat down in the chair next to her.

Owen Sebring cleared his throat. "Um, Lieutenant, I wasn't aware of the extent of your, uh, injuries, until just now when Commander Helfman and Colonel Blakely told me the full story of what had happened to you."

"Yes sir," Laurie said stiffly.

Owen's voice was unusually kind. "Do you understand that you were staring at Corporal Jenson and why that might be considered intimidation by Commander Imes?"

"Yes sir, I do now, I didn't realize I was doing it then," Laurie said sounding a little more confident now.

Owen Sebring smiled at Laurie. "Yes, well the Colonel should have counseled you on that beforehand, but even she, I think, was as unaware as I was about what you were doing, isn't that right Colonel?"

Mac nodded she was glad the other judges had had a chance to talk to the Captain. "Yes sir, the Lieutenant and I were just talking about that, I guess we all have become used to the Lieutenant's momentary stares since she came back. I should have counseled her about that. My apologies, Captain."

"We're all human, Colonel," Owen said uncharacteristically and then he turned back to Laurie. "Lieutenant, do you think you'll be ready tomorrow morning to be second chair to the Colonel?"

Laurie seemed to sit up straighter in the chair. "Absolutely sir. Again, I'm sorry about the staring."

He gave her a fatherly smile. "Well, we'll just forget that happened Lieutenant," As he stood, Laurie stood as well.

He gave both JAGC officers a stern look. "Colonel, Lieutenant, until tomorrow morning. Carry on."

Mac walked him to the door and closed it again after he left.

-TBC…