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The Right Reasons 14: TMI or Not TMI?

Rating: IM15
Summary: Mac meets with Sturgis – will it be too much information for him to handle?
Disclaimer: See Part 1 for disclaimers.
Spoilers: All the way through the Season 9 finale, but none of Season 10.

Friday Morning
In Harm’s Car


“Are you sure about doing this, Mac?” Harm asked, looking over at her as he drove.

“I’m sure, Harm. I’ll talk to Sturgis as soon as we get in.”

JAG Headquarters

Mac sat in the Admiral’s old office, now occupied by Sturgis. “Commander, I need to talk to you about some medical leave I’d like to take in the next few weeks.”

“Is everything okay?” Sturgis was concerned. He reconsidered his question. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me,” he apologized.

“It’s all right. I’m fine. I just need to have a medical procedure. Without going into too much detail, it’s to treat a condition that I have that has been causing some pain and, uh, infertility.”

Sturgis looked at her. “But Webb’s … I mean … are you …” he stuttered and stopped.

“No, I’m not trying to have Webb’s posthumous child,” she reassured him. “But I am planning to be pregnant before long.” She smiled.

“Um, is this something I need to know about?” he asked her, clearly uncomfortable.

“Yes, you do. Because after I come back from medical leave, I’ll be looking for a new assignment. My long-term personal plans …” and Mac broke off from her rehearsed speech. “Dammit, I had this all planned out.”

“What planned out?” Sturgis was confused.

“I’m just going to say it, straight out. Harm and I want to have a child. Together. And both of us working here at JAG won’t fit with that. If it’s all right, I’d like to pursue other opportunities available to me.”

“You … and … Harm?” Sturgis’ brain hadn’t gotten past Mac’s first statement. “But what about …” He broke off before actually saying “Webb” but Mac understood his implication. She sighed. His reaction was no different than what they were probably going to get from everyone else.

“It’s really too complicated to explain, but yes, Harm and me.”

“Are you planning on getting married?” Sturgis asked her.

“The topic has come up,” Mac replied dryly. “I’d say once we know about my new assignment, then you’ll hear about wedding plans.”

“As long as I’m invited.”

Mac assured him, “Of course. So I guess this wasn’t what you were expecting to hear from me on a Friday morning, huh?”

Sturgis chuckled. “Nothing surprises me any more, when it comes to you two.”

Mac’s Office

Harm was waiting when she returned from her meeting with Sturgis. She shut the door behind her and sat down at her desk.

“How did it go?”

“Exactly as I expected. He thought I wanted to have Clay’s baby, his mouth dropped open when he found out about us, and then he asked about marriage.”

“Good. So you’ve had practice for when we tell the others.”

“How about you tell the others. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. Make doctor’s appointments, call Chloe, find a new job …”

Harm laughed. “All right, all right. I’ll tell Bud, and Coates, and then Mattie tonight when I get home. You get busy finding that job, Colonel.”

“Believe me, I will,” she said with feeling. “Then I can wear this the proper way,” and her fingers went to the ring he had given her last night, now hanging on a chain around her neck.

“Agreed.” He blew her a kiss before opening the door and making his way to Bud’s office.

To Part 15