Chapter 123

When Mac came out of the bathroom, AJ was gone, and she was glad that she didn't have to face him. Chloe and she spent the rest of the evening watching television and playing with Angela. Mac tucked the baby into her new bassinet after her evening bottle and told Chloe that she was going to bed as well. "You can stay up if you like, hun, but I'm beat. I have quite a bit to do tomorrow, arranging to go back to work and finding a day care for Angel."

"Okay, Mac, I won't be long. I'm just going to finish watching this movie. Night, sleep well."

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

2300 EST

AJ's house

McLean, Virginia

AJ walked his empty house again that night. Nothing was the same without Sarah and Angela. Everything was empty now. He went into the nursery and looked up at the seal pup picture. Going over to it, he took it down and wrapped it in paper to protect it. He was going to take it to work the next day and see if Harriett would take it to Sarah, for him. He found some stationery that Francesca had given him years ago and wrote a note to go with it. Sealing the envelope, he tucked it in with the picture.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

0900 EST

Mac's apartment

That morning, Mac knew that she would have to do something about getting the job AJ told her was on hold for her. So gearing up her nerve, she called the SECNAV. "Sir, this is Colonel Mackenzie, I'm interested in that job as your legal aide, if it's still available."

"I promised Chegwidden that the job was yours if you decided you ever wanted it, Mrs. Chegwidden," he replied, sorry things hadn't worked out for the two of them.

"That would be Colonel Mackenzie, Sir, and yes, I am. When can I start work?" Sarah asked wanting to get the call over with quickly.

"I have someone in the position right now. How about two weeks? Is that soon enough?" he asked, checking his calendar.

"That will be fine, Sir. And thank you. I appreciate you holding the job for me," replied Sarah as
Edward hung up.

1015 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

AJ had just come out of the morning briefing and stopped by Harriett's desk for a moment. She looked up and seeing who it was jumped to her feet. She came to attention when the Admiral said, "Harriett, would you come to my office for a minute, please?" She followed him and once they were inside, he closed the door behind them.

Harriett could tell he hadn't been sleeping, he looked very tired. She was just about to ask if he was all right when he began to speak, "Harriett, I always seem to be asking you favors these days, and one day I'm sure that you'll tell me 'no', and that you've had enough. But I'm hoping that it won't be today."

"Sir, I don't ever foresee that day coming. What is it I can do for you?"

He brought out a brown paper wrapped rectangle from behind his desk and handed it to her. "I was wondering if you would take this to Sarah on your lunch hour today."

"I would be glad to, Sir."

"You're not even going to ask what it is or why I'm asking you to deliver it?" he asked with an attempt at a grin.

"No, Sir, I figured if you had wanted me to know, you wouldn't have wrapped it up, or you would've told me. I'd be happy to take it over, no matter what it is."

"Thank you, Harriett you are a good friend."

"No problem, Sir," she said and waited to be dismissed. Back at her desk, she carefully sat the picture down…she could tell it was a picture of some kind…she just wondered what it was of. But she hoped that Mac would open it while she was there so she could see it then.

To be continued….