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Date Posted: 17:15:38 01/16/13 Wed
Author: Cammy
Subject: The Consequences of Suppositions, Chapter 15 (Part II)

The Consequences of Suppositions, Chapter 15 (Part II)
By: Cammy
Disclaimer: Not mine
Rated: R (for language and sexual situations)

(Continued from Part I)

Mac’s head tilted, her eyes narrowing at Sturgis’ taunting expression. Harriet’s mouth formed a perfect ‘o’ just a few feet away.

She wondered why she was surprised the gossip had traveled full circle back to JAG. The uneasiness she had felt since arriving at Bud and Harriet’s intensified, but she laughed any way and tried to appear unaffected. Sturgis was deliberately egging her on. “That’s classified, Commander.”

He smiled playfully in return, putting his arm around her shoulders and giving them a quick squeeze. “It’s good to see you, Mac. You’ve been missed around HQ.”

“I echo that sentiment, Commander Turner.” Admiral Chegwidden joined the threesome.

Mac felt a slight blush rising to her cheeks, “Thank you, Admiral. That’s very kind of you, sir.”

The Admiral looked at Meredith and Sturgis. “If you’ll excuse us, I’m going to steal the Colonel for a few minutes to talk business.”

“Certainly, sir,” Sturgis straightened and nodded.

Mac followed the Admiral back to the Roberts’ dining room – now empty except for the two of them. The room was still lit by the glow of red and white candles set around the room for dinner.

“You doing okay, Mac?” He asked, arms crossed across his broad chest.

“I’m fine, sir. I’m glad to be back in Washington.” Mac sensed the Admiral was inquiring about more than her professional health.

“You give much thought to our last conversation?”

She took a deep breath and nodded. “Regarding the judiciary? Yes, sir. A lot of thought actually. If it’s still on the table, I would be honored to accept the appointment, Admiral.”

“Are you sure,” he asked. “I told you didn’t have to decide until next month, and I meant it. I just wanted to see if you had any inkling yet. Remember, this will be one of the final decisions you make regarding your career path in the military, and maybe even in the rest of your professional career. No more investigations, no more dog fighting on behalf of the government or a defense client. You will be an impartial magistrate, concerned only with the cause of justice.”

Mac gave him a crooked grin. “Are you saying I haven’t always been an impartial legal officer concerned only with the cause of justice?”

Her retort earned a small, shared chuckle. “I’m saying this an important decision that you don’t have to rush into making.”

The unanswered questions she had about Harm’s relationship with another woman made Mac question her eagerness to come back to Washington. She didn’t have the stomach to play third wheel to his relationship with someone else again – especially knowing he may have for some short while felt for her what she’d felt for him for years.

Mac turned serious. “My only lingering concern is where I’ll be assigned. I know the opening is here at Falls Church, but is it transferrable at some point to another post if there was an opening and I made a request to move?”

He studied her carefully. “These judicial appointments get way too political, which means there is always a shortage of judges on the bench because the selection process is inevitably delayed. Once sworn in, you’ll have options. I want you to stay at headquarters because, as you know, we need the help on the bench here and we get the highest profile and complex cases. But, if you wanted to go elsewhere, yes, that could be arranged.”

With all her questions answered, Mac finally began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Something that had always been a dream of hers, even before law school, was now within her grasp. “Sir, I really don’t need another couple weeks to think about this. I would like nothing more than to accept the appointment. It would be a great honor, Admiral.”

The Admiral smiled and extended a hand, which she readily shook. “Consider it done, Judge Mackenzie.” He paused, “Like I said a couple weeks ago, it has a ring to it, doesn’t it?”

She dipped her head, suddenly feeling shy. “Wow, I don’t know what to say, sir. I’m still not sure how to thank you enough, Admiral. For everything, sir.” When she looked up, her brown eyes shown with gratitude.

“You’ll make a fine judge, Colonel.” He looked briefly through the room’s entranceway to the group huddled in Harriet’s living room before abruptly changing the subject, “Does Commander Rabb know you’re back?”

“I don’t think so, sir.” Mac glanced away. “I haven’t spoken with him recently. I believe he’s in La Jolla visiting his Mom for the holidays.”

The Admiral looked down at her, his face inscrutable. “Actually, he’s not in California. Landers called him out to the 316th on Monday night. The District’s been under heightened alert.”

Mac looked at her superior in disbelief. “Harm’s on CAP right now? I haven’t heard about any homeland security issues. What kind of threat are we talking about, sir?”

“Significant, but DHS and joint command believe they’ve taken all appropriate mitigation measures and the situation is under control. We should hear something soon.”

Mac nodded, letting the news that Harm was spending Christmas Eve in the skies over Washington and the Atlantic Ocean sink in. “I’m sure he’s fine. He always is.”

“I’m sure he is too.” He paused. “Mac, I don’t want to pry, so I won’t, but are you sure you’re okay? You seem distracted.”

Mac looked away again. “I’m fine, sir.” When she looked back at the Admiral, she was surprised to see such genuine concern in his eyes. She swallowed back the growing dryness in her throat.

An uncomfortable moment passed as he stared at her, but thankfully, he let it go. “Colonel, shall we rejoin the party? I’m sure we’ve missed some hall decking and jingle belling.”

Mac followed gratefully, thankful for the easy exit from the conversation. She spent another twenty minutes consumed in small talk with Harriet, Meredith and Coates before begging off to leave early for the church service.

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Replies:

[> getting more and more interesting every read Cammy -- Bev uk, 15:03:10 01/17/13 Thu [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Not so jolly Christmas eve -- marye904, 20:48:15 01/19/13 Sat [1]


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