Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden
By Amy (sandersonam@cs.com)
Days like today make me wonder if I'm running a JAG office or a preschool. This is the first time that Rabb and MacKenzie have been on opposite sides of a case, the Connors court martial, and it seems to have turned into a game of one ups-manship. After hearing scuttlebutt around the office about how they are attacking each other in court and noticing the way they are barely talking to each other, I decided to stop in the courtroom this afternoon. I tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, but Rabb was just turning around as I walked in. Unfortunately that meant that I couldn't see Rabb performing, but this was the first time that I've gotten a chance to see MacKenzie in action. I must admit that I was a little disappointed in what I saw. She cross-examination wasn't what I expected from her reputation as a tough litigator. She seemed to be reaching for things to impeach Rabb's witness and was almost desperate to score points. When I asked that she be assigned to headquarters, I had hoped that this tough Marine would be more competition for Rabb. Rabb is a good lawyer, but he needs to someone to challenge him to become a better lawyer. He also needs his pilot size ego knocked down a notch or two. Or three or four.
That being said, I hope that I'm wrong about the situation. The cold war that is going on between those two makes me think that I may be. I doubt that Rabb is above playing mind games with MacKenzie. And if he's doing that, he must be worried. If that's the case, everything may work out all right after all. If they don't kill each other first! Like I said, it's like running a preschool.
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If Rabb weren't such a good lawyer, he would be on his way to become the permanent JAG officer stationed in the Aleutian Islands. His stunt today in the courtroom was the most reckless, irresponsible, dangerous thing I've ever heard of. I never thought that an officer under my command, even Rabb, would ever do something that stupid. Seems that MacKenzie scored some points in a cross-examination about the condition of the weapon involved in the incident so what does Rabb do to prove his point. He shots the damned weapon into the ceiling! When I got the call from Captain Morris, I was ready to rip him limb from limb. But then he comes into my office and is so damned logical and stoic that I couldn't even justify disciplining him other than a good ass chewing. He wasn't even intimidated by that. Either I'm losing my touch or Rabb has ice water running through his veins. Definitely the latter! If only he didn't remind me so much of myself at his age!
While calling Rabb on the carpet, he indicated that he has new information about the case. I'd love to know what it is, but I'm also somehow weary of the implications. He wouldn't discuss it with me because I could be forced to reveal it and he thinks it could be bad politically for the Navy. If I had the slightest doubt about his integrity, I would have forced him to divulge the information. But while I often doubt his judgment, I trust his integrity and sense of justice.
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I had a bad feeling my gut about pitting Rabb and MacKenzie against each other. It was like putting a match to gasoline. I should have known that there was going to be an explosion. But in the end, everything seems to have worked out. Rabb dropped the charges based on new information and he and MacKenzie seem to be getting along again. At least until the next time I assign them to opposing sides – then God help us all.
Now if I can just figure out how I'm going to justify fixing the roof.
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While based on the JAG episode, this is for entertainment purposes only and no profit is being made.