Home from Iraq a lieutenant kills his commanding officer -- was it self-defence or pre-meditated murder? The Mc Carrans & the Gallaghers two families with deep ties to the military have been close for decades. Now Lt. Brian Mc Carran returns from a harrowing tour in Iraq. Traumatized by war-time experiences he will not reveal Brian depends on his lifelong friendship with Kate Gallagher who is married to Brians commanding officer in Iraq Capt. Joe DAbruzzo. But DAbruzzo also seems changed -- hes become secretive & remote. Tragedy strikes when Brian shoots & kills DAbruzzo on their army post in Virginia. Brian pleads self-defence claiming that DAbruzzo accused him of interfering with his marriage & attacked him. Kate supports Brian & says that her husband had become violent & abusive. But Brian & Kate have secrets of their own. Capt. Paul Terry an accomplished young army lawyer will defend Brian in a high-profile court martial. His co-counsel is Meg Mc Carran Brians sister the brilliant beautiful attorney determined to help save her brother. Terry soon becomes deeply entwined with Meg & the Mc Carrans -- & learns that families like war can break the sturdiest of souls.