Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I don't make any
money from this.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Harm/Mac Drama/Humor
Summary: Harm has the opportunity to trade places in more ways than
one.
JAG Headquarters
Monday morning 0915
Conference Room
The Admiral glanced at his watch for the tenth time. With each glance the furrow deepened between his eyebrows. The JAG staff seated around the conference table shifted uneasily in their chairs fully aware that when the target of the Admiral's irritability arrived they would all get to witness his wrath towards the tardy individual.
"Well, it seems Commander Rabb has decided to create his own agenda for the day." His exasperation was clearly evident. "Commander Turner, since you are the resident submariner, you will be assisting Admiral Weathers on the congressional hearings related to the on going issue of women's roles on submarines." Admiral Chegwidden passed Sturgis a folder.
"I'm glad it's you and not me, this time." Mac whispered.
The Admiral cleared his throat and gave Mac a glare that caused her to tighten her lips together properly chastised. The Admiral was not in the best of moods, 'Way to go Rabb. Make all of us reap the punishment for your tardiness.' Mac thought as she tried to appear attentive.
"Colonel Mackenzie, I want you and Lt. Roberts to go to Camp LeJeune to investigate allegations of harassment and assault. I received a report from the NCIS that Marine officers and enlisted men alike have been harassed into resigning their commissions or going for early discharge. The assaults are becoming more aggressive, and one Marine ended up in the infirmary for several days. None of the victims was able to or wouldn't identify their assailant. It seems that there is someone among the ranks who believes that they are more competent than the Corp when it comes to selecting who is capable of being a Marine. This will be an undercover assignment for Lt. Roberts. He preformed so well as an incompetent officer in court with Commander Rabb that led to the discovery of that serial killer that I wanted him to lend his talents to try to draw out whoever is harassing Marines."
Bud grinned, "Cool. I mean yes sir." His expression quickly changed to a serious demeanor.
"Colonel Mackenzie, you will be conducting the investigation under the precept that the focus of the investigation is related to alleged illegal drug operations rather than harassment to throw our dungaree judge or judges off balance." The Admiral further explained.
"Yes sir, and sir is Gunnery Sergeant Galindez still at LeJeune?" Mac quizzed.
"As a matter of fact he is. He was the one who has been able to identify that it is a case in fact related to harassment. I imagine he will be an asset to this investigation when he is not performing his assigned duties." The Admiral gave an almost smile that faded when he glanced at his watch.
"Lt. Singer you will accompany Commander Rabb to the Carrier Carl Vinson to investigate a mishap involving a series of near miss ramp strikes. Apparently they have had three in a row and the Captain ready to file charges against the LSO. Speaking of Commander Rabb, I want to see him immediately in my office when he graces us with his presence. Dismissed!"
As the group rose to leave the door to the conference room opened, and Tiner announced, "Sir, Commander Rabb just arrived."
"Well Cinderella has arrived for the ball." The Admiral muttered loud enough for Mac to hear. She nodded her head and placed her hand over her forehead to hide her smile.
Everyone exchanged a pained look as they watched the steam rise off the Admiral. The Admiral turned away from the door and crossed his arms preparing for his assault. The looks of the staff melted into a combination of surprise and compassion as Harm entered the room, "Sir, I apologize for my tardiness. My cell phone..."
He was cut off by the Admiral's first biting words, "Commander, I do not want an excuse from you unless it involves a broken bone, death or nuclear attack. I suggest that." The Admiral turned to face Harm and stopped abruptly, "What the hell happened to you?"
Harm struggled slightly to maintain his balance on the crutches he held on to for support. "Broken ankle Sir."
"I can see that Commander. At ease. How did this happen?" Bud pulled a chair around for Harm to sit as the other officers gathered around the crippled commander waiting to hear his story.
"I had just finished my ten mile run and sort of slipped on some ice outside my apartment." He explained awkwardly. "I twisted my ankle and landed on my cell phone. I tried to call from the emergency room, but couldn't get through. The phone lines where down from the ice storm."
"How clumsy. How did you get here Sir?" Singer asked earning a frown from Sturgis and Mac.
"There was a cab driver in the emergency room at the same time I was. He brought a pregnant woman in and offered to drive me to my apartment and then to work." Harm finished to the slightly bemused looks of his fellow officers.
"Commander, you could have called. I think I would have allowed at least one sick day." The Admiral by now had lost all anger and was trying to appear understanding but not succeeding in hiding his own amusement.
"Sir, my cell phone could not be revived and the regular telephones in the area are not working due to the ice some of which I fell on when I was running this morning and broke my ankle." Harm reminded the Admiral not quite concealing his frustration. His ankle hurt like hell, and frankly he felt stupid for falling in the first place.
"Sir, so you fell and couldn't get up ...and call?" Bud summarized so seriously that the others turned away to hide their mirth at the situation.
Not finding the comment particularly amusing, Harm looked wounded, "And it hurt like hell." His feelings obviously offended.
"That was totally inappropriate of me Sir. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to belittle your injury." Bud remorsefully fell into a series of apologies.
"Commander, I'll get Tiner to drive you home. I would imagine you need to keep that ankle elevated for a few days." The Admiral began to sound more compassionate.
"Sir, I appreciate the offer, but I can prop my foot up here and get caught up on my paperwork." Harm pushed up and balanced on his crutches.
"Lt. Roberts I'll need to send you to the Carl Vinson in Commander Rabb's place. Colonel, you will just have to make due on the LeJeune investigation." The Admiral added as they started to exit the room.
"What was Lt. Roberts going to do? I can help with research." Harm offered feeling badly about the change in assignments.
"Lt. Roberts was going undercover as a Marine officer." The Admiral sighed and then looked at Harm on his crutches and then looked at Mac. "This could work."
"Sir, I don't think that the Commander in his current physical state should be conducting an investigation." Mac responded.
"Rabb's gone undercover as a Marine before." The Admiral nodded.
"You don't think I can play a Marine officer?" Harm countered.
"You may look the needed part, but this could turn dangerous." Mac continued to object.
"I can take care of myself. Besides I would have you watching my six." Harm's eyebrow rose ever so slightly causing Mac to blush.
"Sir!" Mac argued.
"Colonel, we are short staffed, and I think that this will add to the realism of Rabb's cover story as a blundering incompetent officer. Bring him up to par on the case. I think this is a damn good idea." The Admiral strolled out of the conference room in much better spirits than when he arrived. Harm not understanding the assignment looked confused by the Admiral's comment.
Sturgis patted him on the shoulder and decided avoid adding his opinion after seeing the looks between the injured Commander and the Marine Colonel. "I'm sure you two can work it out."
"Harm! What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to compensate for your feelings of embarrassment?" Mac spat in anger once the two were alone.
"Are you trying to psycho-analyze me now Mac?" Harm answered defensively.
"No, that was one of your previous girl friends jobs!" She replied without thinking and immediately regretted the words when Harm visibly slumped.
"No, I just thought that I may help prevent some Marine from getting hurt. I guess I forgot that Marines don't need help from the Navy." Harm's tone reflected the pain of her comment.
"Harm, I shouldn't have said what I said. What I meant to say is that you are hurt and don't need to put yourself at risk."
"You're right, but it's my decision whether to take a risk or not. Or have I lost that privilege? But you know, I'm not the only one capable of hurting people with stupid remarks." He said and hobbled out of the conference room more feeling deflated from her words.
"One step forward, two steps backward...when did he and I trade places?" Mac sighed as she headed to her own office.
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