Chapter 6

"General Creswell tells me you're a no nonsense, cunning, take no prisoners, kind of commanding officer."

It was bad enough that she hadn't slept well. A different bed meant at night or two of sleeplessness coupled with thoughts of their conversation and Mac felt haggard. Thankfully, she was caffeinated but a half eaten breakfast meant she was practically starving while waiting for the base CO.

Admiral Hollings had a bad reputation and with the look of contempt he'd thrown her direction, Mac wasn't surprised that his first comment was about her gender and second Creswell's glowing recommendation. Lord she hated these types of sailors, the ones who never got the memo that women had a place in their world.

The bastard probably applauded Vukovic's slander and likely won him a place in the good ol' boys club. She stood at perfect attention, her eyes fixed on a spot at the rear wall - a little trick taught to her by a DI in boot. "Aye, aye sir. Serving under a Navy SEAL for nearly a decade has taught me a few things."

"Rumor is that you're ruthless. That's one hell of a description." He squinted at her file and flipped past a page of redacted details which Mac suspected was her various dealings with the CIA.

"I can be ruthless when called for. I'm also fair and much more impartial than Captain Rabb."

At the mention of Harm's name, the Admiral sat back and eyed the Marine appreciatively. Unlike the sailors in his command she didn't flinch, didn't sweat and had no emotion in her eyes. It was like a machine stood before him and he was rather impressed with Mac's stoicism. "At ease, take a seat Colonel."

This time he balanced thin rimmed glasses on the tip of his nose as he flipped through another page in Mac's file. "This is pretty impressive. I dare say you've seen more action than most."

"Right place at the right time, I guess."

He chuckled at her response and then shoved the file to a corner. "I think I like you, Colonel." He waved a hand in her direction. "This isn't an act."

"No, sir."

"Good. So, I assume you've spoken to Captain Rabb?"

Mac tried to remain impartial when Harm's name was mentioned. The part of her that knew what kind of man he was wanted to defend him until her dying breath. But, for now, she needed to stay calm and not act fanatical. Her former best friend had, indeed, punched a subordinate and there was no unringing that bell. "I have, yes. He filled me in on his version of events."

"So you're aware that Lt. Commander Vukovic was speaking ill of you?"

A sly smirk spread across her lips. It was the only emotion she casually expressed. "I'm aware. And having worked in Falls Church with then Lt. Vukovic, those alleged comments are in character."

"A man can't change?"

Mac shook her head slightly. "May I speak freely?"

"Please do."

She measured her words quite carefully not wishing that her real thoughts on the man would make it seem she was solely on Harm's side. "Vukovic thinks of himself a lady's man and is quite cocky about it. He also tried to bully his way to San Diego when General Cresswell allowed the Captain and I to pick our teams before leaving HQ. I don't like bullies nor do I condone officers using scare tactics to get ahead. Respect has to be earned, cultivated and nurtured."

After the way Vukovic had brought up her past transgression as a method to sway her into taking him to California, any respect he might have earned fizzled like a cheap firecracker.

"How close are you to the Captain? There've been rumors and I want to see him treated fairly."

Somehow Mac doubted Harm would get a fair trial. "We were working partners mostly. Friends for a time. We've bailed one another out of more deadly situations than I can count. But, if you're asking if Vukovic's comments were true…The answer is 'no.' No, Captain Rabb and I have never been romantically involved."

She hated how callous that sounded, like Mac didn't give a damn about Harm. Her voice was woody, almost monotone and she hoped Hollings wouldn't see past her charade to the heavy emotion she still carried inside.

Hollings stared at the Marine trying to find a crack in her armor. There was none and either the woman had the best poker face in the World or she was telling the truth. Not that her relationship with Rabb mattered much to him. "Good. Any reason why you can't start today?"

"None but I'll need a day or two to get my footing."

"Understandable and while you're at it, make any changes you deem fit. I'll make sure they're approved."

"Any changes?" She grinned a little devilishly because her first point of order was to keep Vukovic as far away as possible for as long as possible.

The Admiral nodded. "Yes. Within reason of course. You have anything else to add MacKenzie?" He noticed a slight change in the way Mac held herself, like a woman who was afraid to ask something. "What's troubling you?"

"While we're still speaking freely and with all due respect.. I have never, ever had a senior officer much less a commanding officer ask about the nature of mine and Captain Rabb's relationship. Just so that you're aware, I will add that little blurb to my debrief with the general later this evening."

Hollings leaned forward, he wasn't accustomed to any subordinate trying to test his authority. Despite himself, he shook his head and snorted. "You really are cut throat, MacKenzie. Do what you have to do. Look, I generally like Rabb but a man can't go slugging another man because they said bad things about his girl."

"I'm not his girl."

"Of course not, I apologize for assuming." He studied her for a moment and noted that her expression had not changed. The woman was damned hard to read and any of her tells were foreign to him. "So, are you ready to start today?"

"Oooh rah, Admiral."

Harm's office was larger than hers with the typical dark woods and overall nautical theme that all commanding officer's seemed to be assigned. He had a sofa, several shelves and one of the most comfortable chairs she'd ever sat on.

Petty Officer Donald Marion showed her around, the young yeoman that reminded her a bit of Tiner with Jen's drive. The sailor was squared away, the son of two accountants with aspirations to join law school the following fall. He was direct, polite and a person Mac knew she could trust.

The first order of business was a meeting held in a small conference room where all the members of Harm's staff assembled weekly. All members except Vukovic. She stared at the empty seat and expected the man to saunter through the door at any moment but after an hour of introductions and case insights, Vic was still missing.

Mac let each officer introduce themselves and explain what cases they were working on while she took notes. The same was done for the enlisted, a small meeting for her to learn what everyone did and what was expected.

Lastly, she ordered Petty Officer Marion to call Vukovic until it was understood that she wanted him in the office immediately. Three hours later her intercom came to life and an annoyed petty officer let her know that the Lt. Commander was waiting to enter her office.

She hated the way a chill ran down her spine and the slight shake of her hand that vanished when Mac took a deep breath. She wasn't sure what to expect and given the situation which brought her to London, she knew Vic would act the same - like the World owes him something.

Her assumption was factual when the younger man practically strutted into the office and stood in a sloppy form of attention. "Lt. Commander Gregory Vukovic reporting as ordered, ma'am."

Vic was practically leering with a smug grin plastered on his face. He couldn't believe his luck when the rumor mill began to churn over Rabb's replacement. She was more beautiful than ever, an Oasis in the middle of a desert, ripe for the taking. Vic felt his heart start to race as she gracefully set the pen she was using aside and then glanced up.

"And so we meet again."

Her amber eyes were practically glowing and for a brief moment he was caught up in his infatuation for her. "I knew somehow, somewhere you'd be on top of me again. Must be kismet."

"Knock it off and take a seat." Her skin practically crawled from his inappropriate flirtation and Mac bit back every violent urge to jump over the desk and maim him.

Vic smiled, obviously enjoying the way he affected her. He could see a slight shake of her hand but what he fixated on the most was the parts of skin not hidden by her uniform. The Colonel had shorter hair now, cut to a tasteful bob with copper highlights. Her face was sunkissed, radiant and Vic was more than a little jealous that he hadn't gone to San Diego. "You look good, ma'am. The California sun suits you."

She raised a brow, tilted her head to the side as if observing his own skin color. "You've paled a bit."

"It's the dreary weather and the lack of sun. I'm happy you noticed. Thankfully, it's not a permanent condition. I think you need a chief of staff like me in your command. I'm useful for many things."

"Vukovic, I suggest you cut the crap. I don't find it charming or amusing at all. Just so you know, I called you in to discuss your future in the Navy."

Vic leaned back and placed his hands behind his head. "I'd say my future looks bright or didn't you notice the oak leaves?"

Oak leaves he didn't earn. Mac was willing to bet someone had fast tracked him through OCS as well. He wasn't an Academy grad like Harm or Keeter or Sturgis and never really paid his dues in battle. Vic purposely took the crap cases, the kind he'd easily win just to pencil a 'W' on his resume.

"Congratulations on your promotion." She did the math quickly in her head and given his age and promotion ladder, Mac figured he was accelerated by almost two years. "Even with glowing fitreps and an accelerated promotion, it took me a while to go from O-3 to O-4. You're a lucky man."

"Thank you….Fate favors the fearless."

Mac snorted. She had first hand knowledge of how Vic handled himself and while he appeared to be calm and collected, she saw the tells that stated otherwise. Mac was prepared to die, a fact she understood each time she was thrust into a harrowing experience. Vic's hands shook, his forehead was coated in sweat and his jugular pumped furiously when they searched a container ship in the Straits of Malacca over two years ago.

That felt like eons had passed since then. She was no longer the insecure woman pining over a relationship she destroyed and didn't know how to rebuild or nurture. His flirting, while amusing at one point, was sickening and she was determined to send him as far away as possible like Harm had tried.

"It's come to my attention that you've barely served on a ship." Mac thumbed through his personnel file, stopping when she found a list of his previous posts. "Only eighteen months total?"

"OCS and law school took up a great chunk of my time. And then there was an accident that left me unfit for sea duty. It's all in my file."

The 'accident' in question had been a car crash but most information was redacted or missing completely. His whole file had gaps the size of the Grand Canyon and Mac briefly wondered how a person like Vic could get so far so fast. But then, she wondered the same about Carolyn Imes and her fall from grace. Everything was possible. "Well, it's time to discuss your new post."

"The California sun will suit me and under your command I'll-"

"See, I think the Mediterranean one will suit you better." She interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand. "The USS Nassau needs an onboard JAG and I think you'll fit the bill." Mac almost laughed at his pallor and the way Vic's expression went from over confident to frightened in just a few seconds. "Commander Rhymes, the former JAG had a medical emergency and needs a replacement asap."

"The USS Nassau, ma'am?"

"Yes. It's a fine ship, an LHA. Not a floating city like a carrier but just as busy. I grew fond of watching Harriers take off and land; it's quite impressive. And with no catapult, you'll sleep far more soundly; none of that 'wham' and 'thud' during flight ops."

"You can't do that."

"I already have. The Captain began processing your transfer papers and the Nassau practically begged for an officer of your talents."

Fuck.

Why was he nauseous and coated in sweat? Why was his stomach tightening so hard that he could barely breathe? Her smile, a knowing smirk made him want to scream and punch things. "No. I refuse."

"A good officer needs time at sea."

Vic stood abruptly with his fists rolled into balls on either side of him. His face was red, his legs threatened to give out so that he rocked on his heels to keep hos balance. "You…You, B-" Bitch. He stopped himself from spewing the insult knowing the Marine would probably toss him onto the desk and proceed to disembowel him with a letter opener. "You…You can't get rid of me."

Mac sighed dramatically as she rose to her feet and straightened to full height. With heels she was slightly taller and her grin widened when she realized a page was taken out of Harm's playbook. He often used his imposing height as a way to frighten uncooperative witnesses and clients. Apparently the trick worked on junior officers as well given the wide-eyed Lt. Commander in her presence.

"I am not getting rid of you, if anything I am helping your future advancement."

"I'll speak to the General, he won't find your move so practical."

Mac pressed her palms against the desk and leaned forward as if telling him a little secret. "It was approved by General Cresswell and the SECNAV. It's not a bell you can unring. You're being ordered so it's best that you rush home, pack and wait for a car to take you to Heathrow. Don't look so glum; it's not the end of the World. You'll only spend six to nine months at sea."

"Six to nine? That's practically a lifetime!"

"It will fly by. Before you know it, you'll be at your next post." She handed him a folder, one that held the details of his transfer as well as general information on the Nassau. "Petty Officer Marion has your travel plans and plane tickets. Your flight leaves in four hours and twenty-two minutes. I suggest you get moving."

"You bitch. You fucking bitch."

Mac wanted to break Vukovic and reach across the desk to finish what Harm had started. She could have reacted to his curses and probably should have rounded her desk and had him flat on the ground with her heel on his chest but, the sicko probably got off on things like that. "Snap to!"

Military formalities were one of those things few escaped. Her command, issued in a stern drill instructor bark, had the younger officer standing attention not a second later. She did round the desk and calmly stood toe to toe with Vukovic.

"Not a smart way to start this phase of our working relationship, Vukovic."

It was difficult to keep her cool but Mac managed not to show any kind of emotion. Her stoic facade went on flawlessly even when Vic looked fit to kill. "This won't get me to drop the charges, Colonel. If anything, I'm gonna double my efforts to see that Captain Rabb is locked away."

"I never expected you to drop the charges. See, people like you love to make others suffer without taking accountability for your actions."

His teeth ground so hard Vic feared they would shatter. How dare she make Rabb out to be a victim when the man was nothing of the sort! "My actions? Captain Rabb hit me. It was unprovoked."

"The Captain can be a little over zealous at times and I don't condone his actions but you and I both know it wasn't unprovoked. He won't tell me all the things you said but if it's enough to bother a seasoned sailor, I can guess the verbiage was quite filthy."

Vic honestly didn't remember much of that night. other than the conversation with Rabb and his curiosity into his relationship with MacKenzie. It was a source of embarrassment and annoyance that Vic was so infatuated with the woman. The fact that she'd blown him of so easily had angered him. No woman ever said no - but she did. "A lot of that night is a blur. I was inebriated and-"

"And speaking ill of a senior officer. And no, it wasn't a reason for Harm to hit you but it wasn't unprovoked…Drop off your current files with the petty officer, I'll see they get redistributed. You're dismissed."

"I have court in the morning." He stated as Mac came around the desk and sat. It was Vic's last ditch effort and a pitiful one.

Mac pulled a file with each court assignment and noted that Vukovic's case had been pushed back a week as she requested. "Commander Stockland rescheduled it for next week. Besides, I'm told by your co counsel that Major Hall has done most of the leg work and is competent to see it through alone. Get moving Mr. Vukovic."

Mister? That was an insult saved for lower ranking officers and enlisted. It was a slap in the face that served to add fuel to the fire. He'd get back at them both - at MacKenzie and Rabb. He wouldn't stop until the both of them rotted in jail.

"This isn't the end, ma'am."

"Threats are a sign of desperation."

She was actually smiling when he stepped out of the office and nearly slammed into Petty Officer Marion who wore a big grin as he slapped the flight vouchers against Vic's chest. "Colonel MacKenzie told me to give you these. All of your flights are taken care of and the LHA will send a helo upon arrival. Have a good trip, sir."

Vic turned to stare at Mac who sat behind the desk with a phone receiver pressed against her ear. She was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and he hated her more than ever.