Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or its characters. This is just for fun.
Classification: PG
Category: Harm/Mac Humor
Summary: This picks up on When You're Not Trying. Mac and Harm adjust
to married life.
PART 2
I was so tired that sleeping on the sofa was not as traumatic as it would have been had I been actively involved in our 'disagreement'. I never actually disagreed, I just screwed up. The last thing I remember saying was "Sarah, I'm sorry. I've tried to call, to check in, to not assume, and I've apologized. There is nothing else I can do. I'm too tired to fight... Maybe you're just unhappy with me. I don't seem to do anything right for you anymore."
She closed the door to the bedroom, and I heard the door lock.
JAG HQ
Thursday
0700
"The Commander's in early. I figured after returning from the Coral Sea yesterday, he be in late." Tiner comments.
"Well his walk is not stiff, like he's marching. So he must not be angry. He definitely doesn't have a bounce, and we know what that means. He kind of dragging today. It must be real bad at home this time." Gunny observes.
"How did the investigation go, Sir?" Bud Roberts walks up to the Commander from behind.
"Witnesses were interviewed, the suspect denied wrong, the evidence was uncovered, and the guilty apprehended. Nothing new." I still feel the jet lag pulling at my energy, and my depression at my failure at marriage even more so.
I walk towards the break room to retrieve a much needed cup of coffee, and Bud follows closely behind.
"Sir, permission to speak freely."
"Go right ahead," I laugh sarcastically remembering how freely I spoke last night.
"You look like hell. Did you and the Colonel have another disagreement?"
About this time the Admiral enters to refill his coffee cup. "Commander, you do look like hell. Is Roberts trying to give you "No sir, I don't think any advice would help me at this point." I respond somewhat despondently.
"Well the only advise, I would give is 'don't'." the Admiral says matter of factly.
"Don't what?" Bud and I say simultaneously.
"Don't get married." he pauses as he pours his coffee. "But you didn't ask for my advice before you got married as I recall."
I wince as I recall explaining the events of our wedding to the Admiral after returning from Smithfield.
The Admiral carefully hides a smirk thinking, "I'm enjoying myself too much. Keeping Rabb under my thumb has been the best part of this whole situation."
"Well, tell us what happened." I didn't think men were as noisy as women, but I am finding out how wrong I am.
"Last week I missed an important function of Mac's at the pentagon. So when she told me about this dinner we were invited to attend with her CO and this full colonel with whom she works, I made sure I didn't miss this one."
"Was this last night after you just returned from Japan?" Bud quizzed.
"This was after over 24 hours of transportation hell. I walk into the door, and Mac is ready to leave. Needless to say, I was not the most alert last night. But I am not going to disappoint Mac. Dinner went fairly well. We had some champagne which was not my idea. Her CO is a General Howard Patrick. He seems like a pretty ok marine, all business. His wife, Rebecca is very lovely. I called her Renee at least twice Mac said." Both the Admiral and Bud groaned.
"Oh it got better..I listened to the Colonel ramble for what seemed like hours when Clayton Webb shows up with a date. I proceed to introduce the table. I stepped in 'it' knee deep when I introduced the Colonel and his wife. I was so tired from the trip plus the champagne didn't help.... I mispronounced Colonel Will Fulk and his wife Ima's last name." I sigh and avoid making eye contact.
I don't think I have ever really heard the Admiral laugh like he did in the break room that day. Bud gave up trying to be sympathetic and joined in while Tiner and Gunny peaked into the room to make sure we had not all lost our minds. I still didn't think it was that funny.
"I guess you are in the doghouse Commander." The Admiral had finally stopped laughing enough to reply while wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Sir being in the doghouse would be considerrd a major improvement to my current location." I mutter and shake my head.
"Commander, take the day off. You can use the sleep."
"Aye, aye sir"
.............
I sleep late into the afternoon being awakened by the phone. "Commander, the Admiral need to speak with you. Can you hold." Tiner says and transfers the call to the Admiral.
"Commander, I hope you caught up on your rest. I need you to go down to Norfolk for the next few days. The Patrick Henry is in port and will be deployed the first of next week. The Captain wants us to do a series of inservices for the pilots on maritine law and rules of engagement in no fly zones. You are the only one up on this, so I need you to leave this evening. Any questions?"
"No sir, I'll start packing." Maybe this time away will do Sarah and I some good.
I see Sarah's wedding band on the bedside table. It never really fit, and she takes it off often. I meant to get her a new set, but I guess I've been too busy. I reach over and drop it into my pocket. After finishing packing, I write a note explaining my absence and head out to Norfolk.
**************
Pentagon
1000
"Colonel McKenzie, General Patrick's wife is on line one."
"Thanks, Pettigrew."
"Mrs. Patrick, how can I help you."
"Call me Rebecca, please, I just was calling about dinner last night."
"Mrs, ah Rebecca, I am so sorry about last night. Harm had just returned from a long assignment and wasn't himself. He and I were both so embarrassed.."
"I was calling to tell you. The General and I enjoyed ourselves immensely."
"You did?"
"We haven't laughed that hard in years."
"The General thought it was funny?"
"Will and Ima are so boring and snobbish. The General has plans to transfer him out of the Pentagon and as far away as possible. We knew Harm was exhausted. He was such a good sport to have listened to all those old stories. I hope you weren't too hard on him."
I just chewed him out for hours on end. Good move, Marine.
"Another thing, we would love to have you and Harm come to our place soon. We live on the back nine of Capital Golf Club. Howard understood Harm to say he played? "
"Harm would like that. We both would."
"Well, see you soon."
.......
1800
Roberts Residence
Bud answers the door surprised to see Colonel McKenzie.
"Bud is Harriet at home. I'd like to speak to her?"
"She's giving little AJ his bath. I'll go get her?"
"No, I can talk with her while she finishes."
"She's in the bathroom, Ma'am."
After knocking on the door Mac enters to find Harriet sitting on the floor next to the bathtub. Little AJ is happily playing with his boats and other floating toys.
"Ma'am, can I help you?"
"Harriet, I've really messed up." Mac slides to the floor next to her friend.
"Messed up, Ma'am?"
"Last week Harm missed a reception at the Pentagon I invited him to attend. Well, I guess I over reacted and told him he thought his job was more important than mine." Mac explained sadly.
"Do you believe that Ma'am?"
"No, I know Harm is proud of me and my work, but that's not the worst of it. You know the other night when he returned from Japan. He was exhausted."
"Yes, Bud said he had some major difficulties on his trip home. If fact the Admiral gave him the rest of the day off to catch up on his sleep."
Mac groans, "Well, I figured he slept most of the trip back, so the minute he walked in the apartment that evening, I hit him up with a dinner invitation with my new CO, another Colonel and their wives. I guess after my last blow up over missing the reception, Harm wasn't about to miss this dinner. Needless to say, he wasn't at his best. He got the some of the names a little confused...a lot confused, and I chewed his six out for an hour ... and then slammed the bedroom door and locked him out."
"Permission to speak freely." Mac nods.
"You know Bud has a tendency to stick his foot in his mouth." They both smile. "You remember some of our first fights. We just were not communicating. Well, we don't communicate perfectly now, but I have learned a few things along the way. First, never go to bed angry,.. second, men need to feel appreciated,.. and most important when all else fails use sex."
"What!"
"Whenever we are fighting alot and can't seem to get past the arguments, we go to the bedroom. You'd be surprised at how well we can communicate afterwards." Harriet smiles slyly then giggles.
"The problem is Harm's not home."
"He didn't leave you?" Harriet responded anxiously.
"No, at least I don't think he did. The Admiral sent him on assignment in Norfolk. He just didn't call. He left me a note. And I couldn't find my wedding ring. I left it on the bedside table because its a little too tight. In my anger I forgot to put it on this morning when I left for work. I'm afraid I really hurt him this time. Last night he said maybe I just wasn't happy with him..Harriet that's not true." Tears begin to form in Mac's eyes as she recounts their argument.
"Well, Norfolk is not that far. Remember what I said, when all else fails." Harriet smiled.
"No it's not, I guess I could surprise him." Mac smiles as they both begin to giggle.
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