Fanfic #3 (parts 5 and 6)

One Of His Own

Author: Ren

Rating: PG-13 (for some language)

Type: AJ/Mac/Brumby

Spoilers: Later part of season 6

Summary: AJ and Mac are thrown together by a series of problems, leading to a show down at JAG

Disclaimer: The show JAG and its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount Network TV, CBS and Viacom INC.  They are used for entertainment purposes only.  No Infringement of any copyrights was intended.

 

Parts 5 and 6

Part 5

 

1300 hours

Celestial Bliss

Atlantic Ocean

 

The forty-five foot sailboat cut through the water as Mac chatted with a young couple.  They were amused by the red and white sail, which stood out against the dark blue hull.  The young woman said it had a patriotic look.  When another couple joined them, Mac moved off by herself.  She felt like a fifth wheel, and did not want to answer any more questions regarding her “husband”.  She wished the diamond had been left at home. 

 

Mac leaned against the wires letting the icy spray hit her in the face.  She closed her eyes finally feeling relaxed.  The trip was almost over, thankfully, the water had become quite choppy.  Not paying attention, she let herself move with the boat.  Just then a swell smacked into them, and before she could react, Mac hit the water.

 

 

1345 hours

JAG Offices

Norfolk Naval Base

 

Assuring the updates had been made, AJ sat in the boardroom reviewing staff files.  Thoughts of Mac clouded his mind, and he wondered how she was.  He tapped the end of his pen on the table for a minute and then faced it.  Doctor Walden’s company had spoiled him after all that time alone and not minding.  He was probably too stubborn to admit it, but he did not want to be alone.  All too easily AJ’s thoughts veered back to Mac.  He laughed quietly and shook his head as he thought about her standing in his driveway.  He knew she had embarrassed herself.  “Hell, she embarrassed me,” he thought.

 

“Pardon me, sir,” a voice from the doorway said.

 

“Yes, Ensign.  What can I do for you?” AJ asked, smiling.

 

“Do you have a Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie working for you?” the ensign replied.

 

“Is she here?” he asked, unsure of the ensign’s question.

 

“No, sir.  The Coast Guard is bringing her to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.  The chopper is en route now.”

 

“What the hell for?” AJ asked, jumping to his feet.

 

“I’m not certain, Admiral.  That is all the info I have, sir,” he said.

 

Shocked, AJ stood facing the ensign. 

 

“I’ll arrange for a ride to the hospital, sir,” the Ensign replied before AJ could speak.

 

“That won’t be necessary.  Please put these files back on the Captain’s desk.  I’m leaving now,” AJ said solemnly.

 

******

 

AJ raced his SUV to the hospital, and arrived as the chopper was landing.  He quickly went inside, but was told to wait.  “I’m her CO,” AJ told the nurse,  “the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy.”

 

“Admiral, you can see her shortly.  We need to assess the situation.  We don’t know the extent of her injuries yet,” she replied, pointing to the waiting room across the hall.

 

Reluctantly he went over and sat down.  Someone brought him a cup of coffee, but he paid them no attention.  “Brumby,” he mumbled.  AJ did not want to call him.  “Operation R&R.  Hmmm,” he said out loud as he dialed his cell phone.

 

“Judge Advocate General’s office, Lt. Lauren Singer speaking.  How can I help you?”

 

“Where is Tiner?” AJ grumbled.

 

“He’s on the other line, sir,” Singer replied.  “I can help you, Admiral.  I have some time,” she added, kissing up as usual.

 

“No, I need to speak to Gunny.  Where is he?” he groaned loudly.

 

“I’m afraid Commander Rabb sent Gunny out to track down info on the Emmett’s case, sir.  Are you sure I can’t assist?” she replied.

 

“No!  I need to speak to Gunny,” AJ snapped, causing the waiting room to go silent.

 

“Can I at least take a message, sir?” Singer responded timidly. 

 

“No, Lieutenant.  I’ll try back later,” he said, hanging up.

 

AJ sat back trying to relax, but his head felt like it was going to explode.  He watched the staff rush in and out of the rooms.  “Sarah,” he whispered.  “What happened?”  It seemed like hours passed before a nurse came to get him.

 

“Admiral, you can see her now,” she said, directing him to the back.

 

*****

Mac was connected to several pieces of equipment, including a heart monitor, IV, and oxygen mask.  She hardly opened her eyes when AJ came in.

 

“How are you, Colonel?” he asked softly.

 

“Admiral?” she asked.  “What are you doing here, sir?”

 

AJ laughed and said, “The question is, what are you doing here?”

 

When Mac tried to laugh, she began coughing. 

 

“Are you all right?” he questioned taking her hand.

 

“Fine, sir,” she said giving his hand a squeeze.

 

 “Are you the Colonel’s husband?” a voice from behind said.

 

“No, her CO,” AJ replied.

 

“Sorry, sir.  I’m Lt. Baker the physician on call.”

 

“What exactly happened, Lieutenant?” AJ asked turning to face him.  He put Mac’s hand down, and crossed his arms.

 

”Well, it appears that Colonel MacKenzie was knocked off a sailboat, sir.  She hit the water fairly hard, and swallowed a good portion before she surfaced.  Good thing she was wearing a lifejacket,” the doctor said coming around AJ to check on Mac.  “The crew pulled her in, and within minutes the Coast Guard chopper responded.  Even though the boat was almost to the dock, they didn’t want to risk waiting.  They were concerned about water in her lungs, and she was coming in and out of consciousness, sir.”

 

AJ gently looked at Mac, and took her hand again as the doctor continued to reassess her condition. 

 

“I think we will keep her here for the afternoon.  So far I can’t see any reason for her to spend the night.  She is responding well to the treatments, and her chest x-ray looked excellent,” the doctor replied as he wrote on her chart.  “However, I want to let the medicine take full affect before I release her.  She should sleep a few hours, sir, if you want to head back to your office.  Someone can contact you, Admiral, with any changes.”

 

“Thank-you, Lieutenant.  I am going to stay for now,” AJ said, shaking the doctor’s hand.

 

When the doctor left, AJ sat down and began stroking Mac’s forehead.  She opened her eyes and smiled.

 

“You’ve made me worry, Colonel,” he said shaking his head.  “Hell, Mac.  I thought only SeAls were crazy enough to take a swim in water that frigid,” AJ said laughing.

 

He sat with her as she drifted back to sleep.  AJ was not going to leave, but he had to reach Gunny before news of this spread.  He did not want Brumby to find out yet.  At least not until Mac told him it was OK.  AJ spoke to the nurse, and then called Gunny.

 

 

PART 6

 

1930 hours

Portsmouth Naval Hospital

 

Mac sat up in bed and stretched.  The pain in her chest was evident with every breath, and she had a sore throat.  AJ was asleep in the chair next to her.  His newspaper scattered on the floor.  Mac could hear nurses on the opposite side of the curtain, and tried speaking to them, but her sore throat made it hard for her to speak loudly.  She looked around for a clock wondering how long she had been there.  Despite everything, she was starving.

 

“How are you feeling, Colonel?” AJ asked stretching, too.

 

Mac put her hand on her throat, “I’m OK, except for the throat, sir,” sighing deeply, Mac laid back.  “Sir, how long have I been here?” she asked.

 

“About five and a half hours,” he said.

 

“Admiral, why are you still here?” Mac questioned, not believing he sat with her all afternoon.

 

“I’m still here, Colonel, because I am concerned about you.  I want to make sure you are all right,” he answered.  AJ looked deeply in her eyes and smiled.  He wanted to tell her out right his feelings, but he held back.

 

“Did you call Mic?” Mac asked coughing slightly.

 

“No, I informed Gunny of the situation.  Told him we’d play it by ear,” AJ said giving her a wink.  He stood up and went to get the doctor.

 

Mac was relieved Gunny got the call.  She remembered pleading with the Coast Guard Lieutenant to be taken to a different hospital, however Portsmouth was the closest and it prevailed.  She was sure by now the news had made its way to JAG headquarters.  Hopefully Gunny Galindez could dismiss any scuttlebutt, and she could talk to Mic first, but a fight with him was inevitable.

 

 

2000 hours

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

 

 

Because Harm returned early, Mic and Renee were unable to meet last night.  When Harm called Renee to tell her he was stuck working late this evening, she phoned Mic.  Mic picked her up at the location of her new commercial for the National Zoo’s Panda Project.  He treated her to dinner at Sin Bon, a swanky new French restaurant, and then brought her to JAG.  They were giggling and chatting about wedding plans, as he escorted her to Harm’s office. 

 

Harm was surprised to see them together.  He knew Mac was gone, but when did Mic and Renee become chummy?  “Hey, what’s going on?” he asked, getting up from his desk.

 

“Harm,” Renee started, “You were stuck here, and Mac is gone, so we decided to have a nice, long dinner.  You know, the kind where people sit still for more than five minutes.  No eating on the fly,” she said teasing him.

 

“Yeah, Commander.  I bet you didn’t know I see more of Renee than I do Mac,” Mic said, knowing it would annoy him.

 

“Oh, Mic, behave,” Renee giggled, swatting him on the arm.

 

“Thanks for the company,” Mic replied as he stepped out of the door, “I was glad I didn’t have to eat alone.”

 

“You should get used to it,” Harm retorted.

 

Before they could spat, Renee chimed in thanking Brumby for dinner, then turned her attention to Rabb.

 

Mic walked away thinking about Mac.  He wanted to ask someone if they knew when she would return, but the office was pretty well empty.  Mic headed for the elevator, running into Lieutenant Singer.

 

“Going down, Lieutenant?” he asked pushing the button.

 

“Yes, sir.  I am surprised to see you here, Commander,” she said.  “I thought you would be in Norfolk with Mac, especially after her accident,” she continued. 

 

Lieutenant Singer knew he did not know what was going on.  She overheard Gunny talking to Tiner about the accident, and how they were not to discuss it with anyone, under no circumstances.  Lieutenant Singer, however, could not let the opportunity slip by.  

 

“What accident?  What are you talking about, Lieutenant?” Brumby asked, worried about Mac.

 

“Sir, you don’t know?” she replied innocently.

 

“No, tell me what you know, Lieutenant!” he exclaimed as the elevator took them down.

 

Singer filled Brumby in with as much information as she could.  He was dumbfounded.  How could no one tell him?  He was certain this had to do with Rabb.  When the doors opened, he ran out.  Mic had to get to Norfolk immediately.

 

Lieutenant Singer walked slowly to her car feeling satisfied.  Of all the women lawyers, she was determined to be the best at all cost.

To parts 7 and 8

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