Title: Changing the Status Quo

Author: Hollyjp

Summary: This story begins during season 8 after ‘When the Bough Breaks’. It touches on a few of the season 8 episodes before but for the most part departs into a world of my own making. I guess this is what they refer to as alternate universe. I have abandoned the timeline as we saw it on TV so that I could fit it in to the way I developed the story. Please don’t get all freaky about it...if you can’t suspend your timeline from TV then the story will drive you crazy.

Disclaimer: JAG is the property of Bellisario Productions, CBS, and Paramount. I have borrowed their characters for entertainment purposes only. No monetary gain will result from their appearance in my story.

Changing the Status Quo

CHAPTER 1

Harm watched the activities on dock as the crowd gathered waiting for the USS Seahawk to dock and allow its occupants to reunite with their loved ones. During the two weeks that Mac had covered for Lt. Singer on board the Seahawk, Harm had missed her, realizing as well how much closer they had gotten.

There was so much he wanted to talk to her about. He was still haunted by doubts as to the father of Singer’s baby. Something told him that his half-brother Sergei Zhucov was the father of that baby. He had grown more and more frustrated with Loren’s refusals to name the father and her apparent disregard for the health of the unborn child.

With Mac away he hadn’t been able to talk to her about it. It wasn’t something he wanted to put in an email and their phone calls were short and dealt with business only. Still it had been good to hear her voice the two times he had a reason to call. He had emailed her that he would meet her when they docked and she had said it wasn’t necessary. He had told her she was right it wasn’t necessary but her really wanted too meet her and provide her with transportation back to Washington, D.C. unless she did not want him to. Her response had been a simple ‘thank you - see then.’

Now he stood in his worn jeans and gray sweater under the leather jacket, while leaning against his Corvette with his sneaker clad feet crossed at the ankles. He had been on-board ships when they docked several times and he had also flown off the deck of carriers prior to docking and landed at airfields. He hadn’t met the ship dressed as a civilian before.

It was a new experience to see how family members must feel waiting for their loved one to disembark. Seeing the ship come in with sailors lining the decks, waving and cheering trying to pick out their friends and family was a new look for Harm. They were still too far away and small to be sure who anyone was, although looking for a Marine uniform and a woman gave him a bit of an advantage.

Harm watched as sailors began to stream off the ship. Some had liberty right away, while others would remain on board to secure the ship and do repairs until a new shift came along to relieve them. Then they would get their liberty. Harm knew that as temporary JAG on board, Mac would be among those leaving the ship in the first wave.

Finally he spotted her as she walked down the ramp. He followed her with his eyes and heard some of the whistles that men in the crowd dished out. She ignored them and kept walking coming closer to him with every step. Finally he stood up and started walking toward her. He knew the second she spotted him, as her face lit up in a beautiful smile.

Neither of them said a word until she finally stopped walking when she was directly in front of him. Reacting instinctively, Mac reached her arms up as if she was going to hug him around the neck at the same time he reached his arms out for her. Their momentum carried her into his arms where he wrapped them around her waist while hers settled on his shoulders. They stood there just holding each other. Harm finally spoke the first words between them.

“Welcome Home, Mac,” Harm murmured. Slowly she slid from his embrace.

“Thanks...I wasn’t expecting to be greeted that way. How come?”

“It just felt right...besides, I thought you started it,” Harm told her.

“Maybe I did...I guess we’ve said good-bye more times then we’ve said hello.”

“Could be...You know...I found myself missing you when you were gone...more then I ever have before,” Harm confided in Mac.

“Really? That’s kind of nice to hear.”

“Did you miss me? I mean...you know...did it seem strange not having me around?”

“Fishing, Commander?” Mac teased.

“A little maybe...”

“Actually, I did find myself thinking, ‘I wonder if Harm would agree with me on this,’ or ‘I wish I could run this by Harm’ a few times.”

“Only a few times?” Harm asked as he nudged her shoulder.

“Yes...I’m not risking inflating your ego anymore then it already is,” Mac told him. Harm laughed.

“Let me take your bag, and we’ll get headed back. Okay?” suggested Harm.

“I can carry it..”

“I know you can, but let me do this for you...please?” Mac gave into Harm’s pleading and watched him stow her gear before climbing into the little vintage sports car.

The three plus hour drive from Norfolk to Washington D.C. on a good day could be tricky with the traffic. Today, with all the additional cars coming and going from the docks, it was going to be closer to a four hour drive if al went well.

The cozy confines of the restored Corvette with its custom gear-shift knob between them could have created an uncomfortable atmosphere mocking the newest step in their dance or it could enhance the new closeness they had been feeling since the JAG-a-thon last fall. The gentle smiles they cast at each other and the slightest brushing of his fingers against her leg heightened their awareness of each other. The two weeks apart had left them lonesome for the other. On this day in this car Harm and Mac reached a new level of comfort with each other that included just a hint of the physical relationship they could have with each other.

They had traveled for about half an hour when Harm pulled into a rest area on the highway.

“What are you doing Harm?” Mac asked looking at him with a puzzled frown on her face.

He reached into the back of the car and grabbed a plastic bag handing it to her.

“I thought that you would appreciate having some civilian clothes to travel in so I enlisted Harriet’s help and brought some things for you. Would you like to change?” Harm asked with a smile.

“Thank you...” Mac looked into the bag. “Jeans...sweater...sneakers...Oh Harm, this is wonderful...thank you!” Mac grabbed the things, jumped out of the car and jogged into the restrooms. She emerged a short time later looking and feeling more carefree then he had seen her in some time.

“Feel better,” he asked.

“Yes. Let’s go,” Mac smiled as she refastened her seat belt and tossed her uniform into the back.

Harm pulled out onto the highway again and they headed toward Washington DC in the mid-afternoon traffic. Before long they were entering the Chesapeake Bay tunnel. Harm knew that this was one of the toughest sections of the trip for Mac. He decided to get her thinking about other things as they drove to make the time go faster for her.

“Mac, you know how I got those calls you were suspicious about when I was on the Seahawk with you?”

“Yes...are you finally going to tell me what that was all about?”

“Yes...but I hope you don’t get mad at me.”

“Well, I won’t know until you tell me...so start talking, Mister.”

“I know you were investigating Singer...but I got to thinking about a couple of things and I wanted to check them out before I said anything. I called Tracy Manetti to do some leg work...but I didn’t tell her what I was looking for exactly. I just said that if she found it she’d probably know it.”

“And what did she find out?” Mac asked, her curiosity peaked.

“Loren was seen in Benzinger’s the night before she shipped out getting real cozy with an average looking sandy haired man and they were making eyes at each other.”

“So the father was someone she knew before she got on board the ship after all. Do you know who it was?”

Harm didn’t say anything right away and then said, “I confronted Loren about it on the way back. She would neither confirm or deny what I suspected.”

“So are you going to tell me or not, Harm?” Mac asked beginning to feel a little impatient as much from the tunnel as from Harm’s lack of sharing information.

“Mac, I don’t know...I mean Singer really wanted to keep the identity private. I don’t know if I should share my suspicions. Of course if you put two and two together....” Harm hinted hoping that she would make a guess. “I would tell you whether we were on the same page or not of course.”

“Harm...there are a lot of guys that match the description of average looking with sandy hair...your brother included...Oh Harm! You think Loren and Sergei....?”

“I don’t know Mac...but he was awfully taken with her. They had the opportunity the day of her send-off at JAG. Sergei came by to say good-bye to her because he knew he would be leaving and when he discovered she would soon be shipping out...they might have had their own little party. She’s the one he called to pick him up when I was running late. She took him to the airport instead of me.”

“So you think that Loren is carrying your niece or nephew?” Mac asked amazed at this turn of events.

“I don’t know...but I do know she is threatening to get an abortion. Harriet tried to make her rethink it. I tried talking to her. I told her that if it was Sergei’s and she didn’t want the baby, she could give it to me to raise.”

“You are kidding, aren’t you? Harm, what do you know about caring for a baby?” Mac demanded.

“Nothing much...but I can learn. Mac, if that baby belongs to Sergei he has a right to know.”

“Yes...”

“And if neither of them want it, then I do. I don’t want a Rabb child to grow up without a father or feeling lost.”

“Harm listen to yourself...”

“No Mac...listen to yourself...you’re sounding like Sturgis.”

“Ah, yes...Sturgis. Has he recovered yet from us arguing about who stayed and who headed home?”

“No Mac...I’m not sure Sturgis can recover from that. I don’t think he understands how we can be so stubborn with each other.”

“Sometimes I don’t understand it either Harm...” Mac told him. “Do you?”

“Yeah...I think I do but I’m not sure I can explain it to you.” His voice soft as he spoke, he glanced at her and smiled.

“Give it a try anyway,” Mac directed returning his smile. Before Harm could respond his attention was distracted by a car speeding by him and swerving in close in front of him in the narrow tunnel. Brakes squealing and horns blowing in the steady traffic flow as other drivers adjusted to the dangerous driver in their midst.

“That was close! You okay Mac?” Harm asked seeing how pale she was sitting beside him. “Hey...take a breath...we’ll be out of here soon.” Harm tried to reassure her and reached for her hand. It was ice cold in his. “Mac are you cold?”

“No...young hands, warm heart right?” Mac tried a feeble joke, her voice still shaky.

“If that’s the case Marine, you are about to self-combust. I think I can see the end up ahead...it won’t be long and I’ll pull over so you can get out if you want.”

“Harm, I’ll be fine. I just want to go home.”

“Your wish is my command.” Harm continued to hold her hand as long as he could. He felt her hand warm in his and relax. When he glanced over again, she was asleep. The rest of the trip to her apartment was made in silence as she slept. She sat up suddenly when he stopped the car in the parking space by her apartment.

“Home?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, I guess I was more tired then I realized,” Mac admitted as she unhitched her seat belt and climbed out of the car. Harm had already unfolded his length from the little car and reached into the back for her things by the time she got out. She picked up her purse from the floor beside her and took out her key.

“Harm, I can get this,” Mac started to protest.

“I know, but my guess is that you’re as hungry as I am - maybe more so - and I thought I’d join you for the pizza I ordered which is going to be delivered here in about five minutes.”

“When did you call?”

“While you were sleeping...”

“Thank you.” Mac smiled and headed for her apartment. It was going to feel good to be home.

Over pizza they talked more about Harm’s belief that Sergei was the father of Loren’s child.

“Harm, listen...you say that you don’t want a Rabb child growing up without his father. Loren is saying she’s going to have an abortion. That means no child,” Mac tried to get him to see the reality of the situation and the flaw in his thinking.

“How can she do that, Mac? Could you get rid of a baby like that?” Harm demanded visibly shaken at the idea of her intentionally getting rid of the baby.

“No, but I’m not in Loren’s situation. Maybe there’s more to it then she’s telling us. Maybe Sergei really isn’t the baby’s father. Maybe something happened and she feels that she could never love the baby because of her relationship with the father. We don’t know all the facts Harm, and you were right....Loren has a right to privacy,” Mac told him.

“You agree with her getting an abortion? Mac that surprises me. I guess I didn’t know you as well as I thought I did,” Harm stormed as he got up and grabbed his jacket.

“Harm! Where are you going?” Mac asked as he headed for the door.

“To see Loren...try and talk some sense into her...”

“Harm stop!”

“Don’t do this...not when you’re angry. Calm down and then I’ll go with you,” Mac told him as she wrapped her hands around his arm to halt his progress. She felt him stop and slowly relax under her hands.

“Okay...I think I need to go home...think about some of what you said...” He turned toward her then and smiled, bending down to kiss her cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too. Will I see you tomorrow?” Mac asked him as she relaxed her hold and caressed his arm instead. Before her TAD they had taken up running and working out together on weekends again as they had before her relationship with Brumby.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he smiled. “Meet you at Rock Creek Park at zero-eight hundred?”

“See you then...and thanks again for coming to get me and feeding me.” Mac smiled and watched him trot down her hallway before she shut the door and familiarized herself with her home and her tub again.

CHAPTER 2

Monday Morning

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

“Harm, give it up! I beat you fair and square yesterday,” Mac laughed as they stepped of the elevator together and approached JAG ops. Commander Sturgis Turner was near the copier and looked up as he heard the arguing and laughter coming from the hall to the elevator.

“Welcome back, Colonel Mackenzie. You seem in fine spirits this morning,” greeted Commander Turner.

“Thank you Sturgis, and yes, it’s a wonderful morning. Commander Rabb is still pouting however, because I beat him yesterday,” Mac informed Harm’s old squad mate.

“Maaaccc...” Harm protested. “Do you have to tell everyone?”

“Of course not Harm...just the ones that can help me rub it in a little,” Mac laughed.

“How did you manage to pull that off with Mr. Competitor, Colonel?” Sturgis asked getting into the fun Mac was having at Harm’s expense.

“She cheated,” Harm accused, although smiling.

“I did not.”

“You declared a race as soon as you saw me sprinting, Mac. That’s cheating!”

“Wouldn’t sprinting give you an advantage Harm?” asked Sturgis.

“Not when I was just slowing down to meet her. I’d already run four miles before I met up with her. She was just getting out of her car, stretching, running in place, and she starts jogging toward me watching me in an all out sprint - and she hollers race and takes off down the trail. I claim it was cheating.” Harm defended himself to Sturgis.

“Excuse me, Ma’am...sirs...the Admiral would like to see you right away,” Tiner told them effectively ending the latest round of the debate.

“Thanks Tiner,” Harm turned back to Mac, “We’re not done with this yet.”

Mac and Sturgis followed Harm to the Admiral’s office. Mac and Harm set their things on the table outside the Admiral’s door as Sturgis knocked.

‘Enter! At ease...have a seat,” Admiral AJ Chegwidden barked and directed them as he watched his senior team file into his office. “Good to have you back Colonel. I trust you suffered no ill effects from your stint as shipboard JAG.”

“No sir. I’m beginning to miss the relative peace and quiet already sir,” Mac smiled in a subtle attempt to needle Harm a little more.

“Yes, well, from th sounds of it when you got off the elevator this morning I can understand why you’re feeling that way. Commander Rabb,” the Admiral turned his attention to the tall naval officer.

“Yes sir.”

“You let a Marine pull a fast one on you like that?”

“Sir?”

“Need to be more alert and prepared for counter measured in the future, Commander. Excellent strategy Colonel.”

“Thank you sir.” Mac grinned in spite of her desire to keep a straight face. She kind of liked it when the Admiral jumped into the middle of one of their challenges.

“Well, with that settled, let’s get on to the business of the day, shall we?” Admiral Chegwidden directed them. “I have been notified that Bud will be landing at Andrews tomorrow morning at eleven hundred. I’ve spoken to Harriet, and she would welcome our company if anyone would like to join us to meet his transport.”

“Thank you sir...I’ll be there,’ Harm announced. Mac and Sturgis also indicated they wanted to be there.

“Very good. We can go together in my vehicle if you would like. Now I have a case for you. Sturgis I would like you to work with Commander Manetti to prosecute on this case. I’d you and Rabb to defend, Colonel.”

“Yes sir, Mac said as she took the folder the Admiral handed her. I take it the two of you can stop squabbling long enough to work together.”

“”Yes sir,” Harm spoke up knowing that their ‘squabble’ had just been in good fun and that it was easily set aside for the case.

“Very well, I don’t think I need to remind any of you that this case could either be a feather in our caps or blow up in our faces. That’s why I have the four of you on it together.”

“Yes sir.” All three of them chorused.

“Commander Turner, Manetti should be back tomorrow. She’s been part of the investigation on this case along with Rabb. Any questions? Very well, dismissed.”

They picked up their things as they left his office, and headed to their own offices.

“You want to grab some coffee and then get started on reviewing the facts of the case and seeing how we want to proceed with the defense?” Harm asked Mac as they reached his office.

“Sure. Want me to grab you a cup too?” Mac asked Harm.

“Thanks...See you in a few.”

Three hours later, Harm closed the file and leaned back in his chair.

“What do you think Mac?”

“I think that Sturgis and Tracy are going to give us a run for our money on this one.”

“Do you think we should try to deal?” Harm asked her.

“No...I think the Captain is innocent. I think he’s been set up by a master and I think that despite the damning evidence against him, we can still create reasonable doubt. We need to spend some time with Captain Girradi and do more interviews to see if we can’t find someone that saw something or someone that can provide him with an alibi.”

“Good, then we’re on the same page. I’ve really missed working with you, you know.” Harm told her.

Her smile was the only answer she gave.

Other then the trip to Andrews to welcome Bud home, Harm and Mac worked steadily on the case through out the day and into the evening. They selected the members on Thursday and were told that they would begin opening statements on the following Tuesday. As they left the courtroom on Thursday afternoon, they made their arrangements for the evening.

“Mac, look, we’ve had a long hectic week getting ready for this case. Why don’t we forget the working dinner tonight,” Harm suggested. They had worked at the office and ordered in one night, his apartment one evening and hers the next all week. Harm was getting tired of take out and was looking forward to a home cooked meal. The one thing he wasn’t tired of was the company. He knew the second he saw Mac’s face when she heard his comment, that he hadn’t made his intentions clear enough.

“Oh...okay...”Mac responded fighting to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

“Instead,” Harm continued, “why don’t you come over and relax and let me fix dinner for us.” He watched her face and the smile that flickered there, still very controlled.

“Harm, you don’t have to feed me tonight. I can fix my own dinner,” Mac protested mildly.

“I promise I won’t make meatless meatloaf or tofu burgers for you...I was thinking about grilled salmon, baked potato, tossed salad...real food Mac...what do you say?” Harm pleaded.

 “It does sound good, Harm, but you must be getting sick of me.”

“No way, Marine...I’m sick of working dinners, take-out food, but not the company I’ve enjoyed all week. Come on...I even have dessert planned,” he teased baiting the hook with a little more to entice her to relax with him.

“Well....”

“Brownie Sundaes with coffee ice cream and homemade fudge sauce...” Harm watched fighting his victory smile knowing he had her hooked and she would cave any second.

“You don’t play fair, Rabb...What time do you want me there?” Mac caved with a groan.

“Eighteen thirty work for you?” Harm asked. ‘Who ever said the way to a man’s heart is through their stomach had never met his Marine,’ Harm thought to himself feeling satisfied that he had managed to get her to agree to dinner in his home with him ‘just because’.

“Sounds good...Anything I can bring?” Mac asked letting herself relax again as she smiled up at her tall partner.

“Just yourself...and your appetite.”

“See you later,” Mac nodded as she went to her office to secure her space. Harm hurried to his own office to secure for the evening so he could stop and pick up the rest of the groceries for the dinner he had promised Mac.

After putting the coffee ice cream in the freezer when he arrived home, he got out of his uniform, throwing on sweats and a t-shirt. He made the brownies first so they could cool and put the potatoes into bake at the same time. He made his fudge sauce so that it would only have to be reheated later when they were ready for it. He put the salmon in to marinate while he chopped up the salad fixings.

By the time he took the brownies out to cool he was ready to set the table. He had picked up some flowers and a new pillar candle which he set on the table. Checking the time he decided he would shower and change into something more respectable then the sweat pants he was wearing. If he had realized how sexy they made him look and how irresistible Mac had found him when he had worn them in Russia several years ago, he might not have changed. But Harm wasn’t thinking that the evening would lead any further then the two of them just relaxing in each others company. He wasn’t even sure that Mac would want to explore that kind of relationship with him anymore. He, however, was hoping that tonight would be the first of many more ‘date like’ evenings between them.

Across town in her Georgetown apartment, Mac had showered and was standing in front of her closet in her bra and underpants trying to decide what to wear. There was something different about this evening with Harm. It was almost like he was asking her for a date...but then it was her friend Harm and she knew he liked to cook. Still, something told her that ragged jeans and a t-shirt would not be the thing to wear. Her eyes landed on a dress and then slid away.

What if Harm wasn’t looking at this as a date? That dress would be too much for a casual dinner between friends. She looked at some of her pant suits, and decided they were to formal...too business like...for the situation. It was autumn and so the evenings tended to be cool but the days were still warm. Today had been unseasonably warm and so Mac selected a sleeveless knit dress in a caramel color with a contrasting brown knit bolero jacket. After applying a light touch of makeup she dressed. She didn’t bother with pantyhose, but slipped her feet into tan mules that matched the dress. She added a simple pearl drop necklace as a final touch. Looking in the mirror she was satisfied with her appearance.

She knew that Harm wouldn’t think anything of her wearing a dress as she often opted for casual skirts and dresses for off-duty activities unless sit was really cold. If he did make any comments, she would simply remind him that after being away from her civilian clothes and wearing pants while on board ship for almost three weeks, she preferred more feminine attire now she was home. He would accept that explanation without question.

Grabbing her keys and purse, she secured her apartment and headed for Harm’s place. Depending on traffic the drive would take between twelve and twenty minutes. Tonight the traffic was average and the drive took seventeen minutes. Parking in the ally by Harm’s building, Mac checked her lipstick in the rearview mirror. She decided she looked fine and got out to secure her car. This wasn’t the best neighborhood in Washington DC but they were doing a lot to improve the situation. She had parked under the light as Harm had instructed her to do. Entering the building she took the elevator up to Harm’s floor.

Inside the apartment, Harm had checked the potatoes and taken them out of the oven, set the gauge to broil and put the salmon steaks in to cook. He knew Mac would arrive at any time and so he added ice to two glasses just as he heard her knock. He covered the distance between his kitchen and door quickly, pulling it open only to lose his breath when he saw Mac standing there looking like a chocolate covered caramel- soft, sweet, and good enough to eat.

“Mac...you look great...come on in,” Harm managed after taking a deep breath and telling himself to relax - it was only Mac...his friend and his partner.

“Hi...am I too early?” Mac asked as she crossed into the apartment and took in her host in his black jeans and rainbow pewter shirt that did amazing things to his eyes.

“Not at all. I just put the salmon into broil. Would you like sparkling cider or water to start?”

“The sparkling cider would be great...on ice?” Mac asked.

“Of course...ice is all in the glass. All I have to do is pour it.” Harm returned to the kitchen to pour the cider while Mac took in the candle lit table, the soft music and the flowers on the table. The loft smelled wonderful from the vanilla candle and the cooking dinner. Mac perched on the stool at the island and accepted the glass Harm offered her.

“Thank you...” Mac sipped, “Perfect...what’s the occasion, Harm?” Mac asked indicating the table with the flowers and candle.

“Spending time with you...welcoming you home...celebrating Bud’s return and recovery...take your pick...” Harm answered as he gazed into her eyes. “Too much?”

“No...it looks nice...I like it.”

“Good. I hoped you would.”

“Harm you don’t normally go to this extent when you have me here for dinner. Is something wrong?” Mac asked, still not convinced that there was more to it then what he had indicated.

“No, of course not. I’ve put flowers on the table before when you’ve been coming over...remember before we went for the Tribunal...” Harm reminded her.

“That’s true. It’s just....I don’t know...somehow it feels different tonight...does it to you?” Mac asked.

“Different good or different bad?” Harm asked trying to figure out if Mac was okay with this date-like atmosphere he had created.

“Good...I think,” Mac told him with a gentle smile. She watched Harm come around the island and stand in front of her as she perched on the stool. She saw his eyes glance to her outfit and linger on the three inch expanse of bare leg above her knee that was exposed as she sat her. She felt her face flush as Harm’s eyes met hers.

“I think, that maybe we were both hoping for the same thing this evening,” Harm told her.

“And what do you think that is?” Mac asked in a voice barely above a whisper. The sound of the timer going off prevented Harm from answering and gave them both an out.

“Dinner’s ready. Have a seat and I’ll bring it right in,” Harm instructed her. Mac took a deep breath and steady her racing heart as she moved from the island to the table taking her cider with her. Harm had already set the salad and baked potatoes on the table in bowls. Now he brought their plates with the salmon grilled to perfection in his broiler. “Hungry?” Harm asked.

“Wow...you even made a dill sauce for the salmon?” Mac asked always amazed at Harm’s culinary skills. The few things that he had made that didn’t taste good to Mac, were of course the ones she always reminded him of when she needed ammunition to tease him. This dinner looked and smelled superb. With the first bite, Mac knew it tasted even better.

They ate in silence for a few minutes before they began to talk about Bud.

“Harriet is so afraid that he’s going to push to hard to soon. What do you think Harm?” asked Mac.

“I think that Bud wants to come back and he’ll listen to his doctors and the therapists. Harriet tends to be over protective. She loves Bud for who he is and she doesn’t want him to feel he’s got to prove a thing to her or to anyone. While that’s good and a measure of how much she loves him, it may not be what Bud needs right now.”

“Is that because of what you went through after the ramp strike?” Mac asked. They had never discussed it in detail, but over the years he had mentioned things now and then that Mac had put together on her own.

“Yes...partly. Until I felt that I was needed and had a purpose, I didn’t put enough effort into my recovery program. I think Bud is like that too. If Harriet doesn’t act like she needs him to get better, then he’s not going to be able to face what he’s got to face and get through it.”

“Of course Harriet needs Bud to get better, Harm. What are you implying?” Mac was obviously upset by his words.

“I know that Mac...so do you and so does Harriet...but Bud is dealing with a lot of unknowns right now. When you don’t know how much you can take...when you don’t know if you can manage on your own...when you don’t know if you will ever be able to be function with a woman again...those are pretty scary things that you can’t talk to just anyone about. Harriet is a strong woman and she’ll keep things together and the house running for both little AJ and Bud. She can forget to let Bud know that its okay to share some of that with him...ask his advice...have him take on some of the lighter tasks from her to ease her load.”

“Okay...I think I understand more about what you are saying. Is that what happened to you...everyone tried to protect you and keep you from having to deal with real life and hardships?”Mac asked.

“My mother and Diane tried yes...but Grandma Rabb got it...she insisted that I come to the farm to recuperate. She gave me things to do to help her. Phone calls to make...checks to write...decisions to make...until she approached me about my fathers plane. She asked me to make a decision what we were going to do about it. I couldn’t give up my father’s plane, so I started working harder on my rehab so I could stand up for longer periods of time.

I needed to get the strength back in my arms...we still didn’t know if I could get my stamina back to where I could fly so I started taking courses and looking into law schools. Then as I got stronger and found out I could stay in the navy as a JAG, I had a purpose again. If someone had told me my options, I’m not sure I would have embraced them. And I certainly needed a reason to go through the intense therapy I needed to get on my feet again...but my father’s plane did that for me.”

Harm stopped talking and looked at his hand on the table. Mac’s hand was on top of his. He turned it over and closed it around her hand. They sat there smiling at each other forgetting about their meal for the moment. Slowly they began leaning towards each other, never breaking eye contact. When they had gone as far as they could without actually moving their positions, their lips were still six inches apart. As if on cue, they both sat up, broke eye contact and resumed eating.

They ate in silence again until Mac introduced another non-work related topic for them.

“Have you heard from Sergei?” Mac asked.

“Yes. I got a letter from him. Actually, after we eat I would like you to look at it. He always put some things in it in Russian for me to translate. This one has me stumped.”

“Sure. Did he find another job or go back into the military?”

“He’s got a job running a helicopter for a shuttle service. He’s happy and gets a decent paycheck, considering what most civilians make over there. Loren still hasn’t contacted him.”

“Harm, maybe he really isn’t the father...have you thought about that?” Mac asked him.

“Yes. I wonder what she decided to do.”

“Harriet said that she thinks Loren missed the cut-off date for the abortion and the doctor refused to give her one. She’s in California some where having the baby. I think she plans to give it up for adoption now.”

“I wish she would agree to a paternity test to rule out Sergei. If it is his and he doesn’t want it, then I’d be willing to adopt the baby...raise it myself,” Harm commented.

“You want a child that much, Harm?” Mac asked him. He thought a minute before he answered her.

“I want children Mac...yes...or I wouldn’t have made that deal with you. But this child is about being a Rabb - or not. If the baby has Rabb DNA then I want to raise him - or her. If not, then I hope she is able to find a good home for him if she doesn’t want to raise the baby herself.”

“I’d almost forgotten about our deal...well not forgotten, but I just realized that there’s only a little over a year to go on that deal,” Mac admitted to Harm.

“You know Mac...we never specified whether we’d have the kid by the end of that five years or we’d start working on one...maybe we should think about that,” Harm grinned not wanting to ruin the comfortable atmosphere, but also not wanting to lose the chance to introduce the idea that felt natural.

“Harm...are you sure that’s want you’ll want to do in another year or so?” Mac asked.

“Yes.”

“Can I think about it a bit before I give you an answer?” Mac asked.

“Of course. Mac, if you don’t want the same thing, I’ll understand...I’ll be disappointed of course, but I’ll understand.”

“Okay...hey, you promised me a Brownie Sundae just the way I like it...you didn’t forget did you?” Mac asked changing the subject to one a little less intense.

“Of course not. You done here?”

“Yeah...it was an excellent dinner Harm, and as much as it pains me to admit it, you are a good cook most of the time.” Mac smiled as Harm took her plate away.

“Coffee with your sundae Ma’am?” Harm asked.

“Yes...I’ll make the coffee while you make the sundaes, okay?” Mac asked joining Harm in the kitchen.

“Okay.” Together they fixed coffee and dessert before taking it into the living room to eat it while sitting side by side on the couch.

With her bowl empty, Mac set it on the coffee table and then leaned back with a groan. “I am so stuffed...I don’t think I can move.”

Harm put his dish down next to hers and turned slightly so he could look at Sarah Mackenzie. He watched her as she relaxed next to him, her eyes closed at the moment. She was the most beautiful woman he knew. Physically her beauty was obvious to everyone, but her kind and gentle nature, her competitiveness that matched his own, her sense of humor, her love for people and the little things she did for others, including him, just made her beauty even more breath-taking. Harm was staring at her and leaning closer to her again, when she opened her eyes.

This time, nothing separated them. Mac’s gazed lock with his and slowly he lowered his face toward hers. He saw her lips part and took that as an invitation. His lips met hers, lightly at first, touching...tasting...teasing...exploring texture and taste. He let his lips capture hers more firmly then, deepening the kiss and asking for a response from her. She gave it, deepening the kiss further. When their tongues touched and tantalized, exploring, tasting, and teasing he swore he could hear their hearts beating.

Mac felt the heat from Harm’s kiss spread from where he touched her lips to somewhere deep inside where it then radiated out from every pore in her body. Her hands reached for him, wrapping themselves around his neck. She shifted then, turning more fully toward Harm. She felt his hand on her knee begin to slide up the length of her leg to the hem of her dress, which was now pulled up with the movement of her arms and her stretched out position.

Mac’s internal clock seemed to stop as she lost herself in his kiss and in his touch. She could feel his hair under her hands and his strong arms around her. Heat radiated from his large body as well as her smaller one.

Harm could feel his body reacting to their kissing and touching. He slowly broke the kiss and turned her so that her back rested against his chest, his face against the top of her head.

“I think we’re moving a little too fast for us, Mac. I think we need to think this through.”

“I think you’re thinking to much...but you’re right.” Mac sighed as she leaned against him, playing with his hands that were locked over her stomach holding her against him.

“Mac...I didn’t plan this part of the evening...it just happened.”

“I know...I hope it happens again some time.”

“You do?” Harm asked, pleasantly surprised at her admission.

“Yes...don’t you?” Mac asked starting to sit up and pull away from Harm.

“Yes I do....I just didn’t want to push to far or too fast,” Harm admitted to her.

“Harm, its taken us seven years to get to this point...that’s the first kiss...” Mac trailed off. It wasn’t the first kiss between them...but it was the first kiss that meant something other then hello or good-bye.

“It wasn’t our first kiss Mac...” Harm stopped her.

“I know...but it’s the first time that we were both in a position to let it go where ever it might take us,” Mac admitted.

“And where do you want it to take us, Mac?”

“To a future together...” she admitted with a smile as she stood up knowing she needed to go home soon.

“Me too. Do you think it would be asking to much if I kissed you again?” Harm asked seductively as he stood with her holding her arm at the elbow.

Mac burst out laughing and wrapped her arms around his neck again holding her face up to kiss him again. “I thought you’d never ask,” she murmured against his lips.

Again they kissed. This time both of them allowed themselves the liberty of caressing the other. Mac lowered her arms and slipped them under his arms so that her hands rested on his back before wandering down to his six and drifting across his ribs. Harm’s hands rested low on her back, just above the curve of her hips. He ran his hands up her back urging her closer and then back down again to allow her the freedom to move. This time when they broke off the kiss Harm’s hand came up to caress her face and to run his thumb across her swollen lips.

“I need to go home and get some sleep,” Mac told him. “And don’t tell me I can stay here because we both know we’re not ready for that and neither of us would get any sleep - which we both need badly.”

“How did you know I was going to suggest that?” Harm asked.

“Lucky guess?”

“No...you just know me.”

“Yeah, well I should after all this time. I enjoyed dinner and the conversations and everything else about the evening,” Mac told Harm as she started for her jacket, purse and keys.

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Call when you get there so I know you made it home okay...please,” Harm pleaded before dropping another quick kiss on her lips.

“I’ll call you as soon as I get home...G’night,” Mac whispered as she kissed him once more before silently slipping out the door.

Suddenly Harm felt like things were finally heading in the right directions between them. They had many obstacles to overcome, but this was a start in the right direction. They were both doing the same dance...together. Things were definitely beginning to change between them...or at the very least they were admitting to what they had each felt or wanted for some time.

Twenty minutes later when the phone rang Harm was just slipping into his bed.

“Rabb.”

“I’m home. You can sleep without worrying about me,” Mac announced. Harm could hear her moving around while she talked.

“I’m glad. Have you thought anymore about the timeline on the deal we have?” Harm couldn’t seem to stop himself from asking although he didn’t expect an answer.

“Yes...I’ve thought about it some...Harm, there are so many things we need to work out in order for that to happen.”

“Like what?” Harm asked knowing many of them already but wanting an excuse to keep her on the phone.

“Like our careers...if we’re going to get married...arrangements...where we’d live...can we sustain a relationship without screwing things up...that’s just a few.”

“Mac, no one knows when they go into a marriage if they’ll keep it together or not...but I’d be willing to do whatever it takes to make our marriage work.”

“But no one should have to be a martyr in this and I don’t think either one of us really wants to give up our career at this point.”

“True...but I’m willing to look into something different. Mac, we’ve been fortunate that we haven’t been made to move around...that’s unusual. I’m willing to make a change...there are other options in the area...I just want us to be able to be together.” Harm heard her sigh. “Mac, where are you?”

“Home...”

“You know what I mean?”

“I just crawled in bed,” she admitted.

“Does this mean we’re in bed together?” Harm asked letting her know in his off beat way that he was in bed too.

“Harm! This isn’t going to turn into a kinky phone call is it?” Mac asked him half hoping he’d surprise her and indulge in a little ‘phone sex’. She couldn’t resist a smile thinking about her control freak partner letting go like that just yet. He’d probably be shocked to know that she and Mic had indulged in a few fantasies that way while they had been half a world away.

“Not tonight...I know you’re tired. Besides I’d like to try the real thing before we do that,” Harm’s voice was husky with desire as he spoke which Mac found amazingly sexy.

“Good night Harm.”

“Good night Mac.”

CHAPTER 3

Week Before Thanksgiving

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

The three weeks since their ‘date’ at Harm’s apartment had established a pattern. During the week, while they were in town, they had working dinners at one apartment or the other with take-outs in the office usually once or twice a week. They started going out together on Saturday evenings after spending the day on their own catching up on household chores. Sometimes they would meet to grocery shop together, but usually they put off seeing each other on Saturday until Harm would pick Mac up to go out on a date.

They went to different restaurants. Once they went to a movie, another time they went to a club and listened to music and danced a little. This past Saturday they had returned to Mac’s apartment after dinner and watched a movie they rented. By the end of it they were engaged in a full blown make-out session until Mac called a halt telling Harm it just wasn’t a good time to continue. He eventually understood what she was telling him.

Twice in the three week time period they had been sent out of town to investigate. Once they had traveled to Mayport Naval Air Station and the other time they had ended up at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Both trips had been relatively short and the cases turned over to local JAG officers to dispense with.

This week Mac had been on the bench hearing a case argued by Sturgis and Bud, while Harm had investigated charges against an officer at Pax River for dereliction of duty and negligence. They had agreed to meet at Mac’s for dinner and who ever got there first would get the salad ready to go with the chicken stew they had prepared together the night before and Mac had started in the crock pot before she left her apartment that morning.

Mac had gotten home first. Now the salad was chilling in the refrigerator while the dumplings were cooking. She had tried Harm’s cell phone but didn’t get an answer, so she decided to take a quick shower and wash off the days grime. After toweling off she had slipped into a tank with a built in bra, a pair of undies and her satin lounge pajamas. Her hair was still damp and her feet bare when she heard Harm enter the apartment.

“Mac? You home?” Harm called as he let himself in.

“Be right there,” she called as she fluffed her hair one last time before heading to the living room. “Hi...” she greeted reaching up to kiss his cheek as she went by him on her way to the kitchen. She spotted his bag on the floor by the chair. “Do you want to shower and change before you eat?”

“Would you mind? It seemed awfully warm for late November today.”

“No go ahead. I’ll have dinner ready when you are done.”

Mac set the table and served the meal just as Harm returned from his shower dressed in the infamous sweat pants and matching long sleeved t-shirt. Mac knew the second she saw him that her will power would be sorely tested this night. Fortunately she couldn’t see through her table top like you could Harm’s glass table so she would be able to at least enjoy her meal without being distracted by the form fitting sweat pants.

Harm finished that last bite and sat back watching Mac, finish her meal. He smiled as he watched her. Her appetite had always been a source of humor between them. He was one of the few people that knew how hard she worked out everyday so that she could enjoy eating the way she did at times. He also knew that she didn’t eat huge meals all the time, but when she was hungry she ate without worrying about calories.

“What?” Mac asked as she watched Harm watching her eat.

“Nothing...Actually I was just thinking about all the little things I know about you,” Harm confided in her.

“Really...well there’s a lot I know about you too.”

“Oh yeah...like what?” Harm challenged.

“Like you are competitive by nature but don’t hurt people intentionally...you are a softy when it comes to anyone in need...but especially when children are involved...you are practically a gourmet cook - self taught of course -except for a few of your failures,” Mac smiled.

“True...but I was thinking more about personal stuff...things that most people wouldn’t know...like how hard you work out...how your intuition works for you on cases...how your eyes get big when I say something that surprises you...that you aren’t as tough as you like people to think you are...” Harm trailed off as he saw her shaking her head as if she disagreed with him.

“Those things are no more personal then the things I listed Harm...not really. I don’t think we know that much about each other that is that personal.”

“Okay...you have things in your wardrobe that are complete contrasts...like a white lace nightgown and flannel pajamas with cowboys on them. Both items make you sexy as hell.” Harm challenged her with the most outrageous items that he could think of.

“Okay...I admit that you are one of the few that know about both of those things...” Mac saw his eyebrow go up as if he was questioning her. “Okay...you’re the only one...” she finally admitted.

“Yes...and I’m the one that you come to when things are not going well in your relationships...why is that Mac?”

“I don’t know...I guess because I trust you to keep a confidence.”

“Really? Why do you think you can talk to me about the other men in your life, but you can’t say things to me you wouldn’t hesitate to do or say with them?”

“I guess because I’ve listened to you remind me that we work together and I don’t want to work with anyone else but you if I don’t have to...although lately I feel like the Admiral is starting to split us up more and more.”

“I know...with us taking turns sitting on the bench...I really hope I don’t have to do that again for awhile,” Harm admitted.

“You really would rather investigate wouldn’t you?”

“Yes...or present a case...its more active I guess. So did Bud and Sturgis behave themselves today?” Harm asked changing the subject.

“More or less. Bud tried to act like you and kept pushing the limits,” Mac reluctantly shared her opinion with Harm.

“Me? Push limits? Now Mac...”

“Don’t even think of denying that!” Mac laughed as she got up from the table and started picking up things to take to the kitchen. Harm got up and helped to take care of their dinner items.

In the small kitchen, they worked around each other. Harm trying to ignore the silky pajamas she wore that slid sensuously against her skin as she moved. Mac on the other hand tried to ignore Harm’s physique as he moved around in the sweat pants and shirt that were like a second skin on him. They worked together taking care of food, dirty dishes and preparing an after dinner tea.

Twice, Harm reached his body along Mac’s as he stretched to get something or put something away in a cupboard above her head. She dropped a napkin the last time and Harm saw the long expanse of bare leg that was exposed when she bent down to pick it up again. He froze as he stared at her legs even when she straightened and turned toward him. He felt his body stir in response to the view of the delicate skin he had glimpsed as she leaned over to retrieve something off the floor. When she stood up and turned to toss the wayward napkin, she had caught him staring at her legs. While his eyes slowly began traveling up her body, her eyes were traveling down his.

‘Oh God!’ Mac thought as she noticed the evidence of his arousal that could not be hidden by the pants he wore. ‘He’s going to know I’ve noticed and then things are going to get awkward between us.’ Aloud she said, “That should about do it. Shall we go sit and enjoy our tea?”

“Yeah...sure...” Harm stammered before following her to the living room, carrying his cup with him.

“Do you want to watch a movie or see what’s on TV?” Mac asked as she took her corner of the couch and waited for Harm to sit next to her as he had been doing. To her surprise, he sat across the room in the chair.

“What ever you want,” Harm mumbled as he sat away from her tonight. He knew that his will power was limited and the more time they had spent together in the past few weeks, the harder it was keeping things to just kissing and caressing. He wanted Sarah Mackenzie. He wanted her to unleash her appetite on him while he drank his fill of her.

“Harm, what’s the matter? You can’t watch television from there.” Mac frowned concerned about the way he was physically distancing himself from her.

“Nothing’s the matter Mac...I just thought I’d sit here for a change.” Harm thought of a way to distract her and to change the subject. “Mac, what are you doing next week for Thanksgiving?”

“I’m pulling duty.”

“I am too, but you’ve still got to eat,” Harm reminded her.

“So what do you have in mind?” Mac asked with a sigh.

“Well, I thought I would fix a big dinner this weekend, and then after work Thursday, we could come back here and have our own Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixings. What do you think?”

“So we eat Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday and then turn around and eat it again on Thursday?” Mac questioned.

“We don’t have to actually eat it on Sunday...just prepare it so we only have to warm it up on Thursday,” Harm explained.

“Harm, I have a better idea...I think.”

“Okay, tell me,” Harm challenged with a smile.

“It’s not that far from Headquarters to here. I’ll put the Turkey in the oven on low before I go in and then I’ll run home to baste it at lunch. We can secure at fifteen hundred so we can come back here and throw the potatoes in to bake and have a late dinner...freshly made. Doesn’t that sound better?” Mac grinned proud of her solution.

“Okay...I’ll still make up some pies and some rolls...Grandma Rabb’s best recipe,” Harm grinned.

“How is your grandmother, Harm? You haven’t mentioned her in a long time.”

“She’s doing good. She still lives on the farm by herself. She’s eighty-eight years old and still has a little garden patch every summer that she tends...the neighbor tills it and helps her with the heavy stuff. She cooks, cans and freezes stuff from her garden. You remind me of her, Mac.”

“Old?” Mac tried to hide her grin.

“No,” Harm tossed a pillow from his chair at her, “independent, strong, determined, adventurous and beautiful.”

“You think I’m all those things?”

“You doubt that?”

“Some times...I know you’ve said similar things before, but...”

“Sometimes you have trouble seeing the good in yourself still don’t you?” Harm asked.

“Yes,” Mac answered in a voice little more then a whisper.

“Do you doubt me?” Harm asked her.

“I trust you.” Mac assured him.

“That’s not what I asked. Do you doubt me?” Harm insisted that she answer his question.

“No, I don’t doubt you,” Mac said after a thoughtful pause.

“Then why are you having such a hard time believing me when I tell you that I’m ready to move our relationship to another level...and that if it doesn’t work out between us, I’ll still be there for you. Why Mac?” Harm asked, this time his voice intense but soft.

Mac could only shrug and look away as she felt the tears come to her eyes. Harm moved then from the chair to the sofa beside her.

“Sarah Mackenzie...look at me, please...I need you to look at me.”

“I am...” In fact Mac’s eyes had shifted toward him but were focused on his lap and not on his face. What she saw there took her breath away and she inhaled deeply as his fingers came under her chin and lifted her face so that he could look into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes.

“In the past few weeks, we’ve become more comfortable with each other physically. I like kissing you and touching you...but I want more...if you’re ready. Last week, before you stopped me, I thought we were ready, but now, I’m not so sure. I haven’t felt like I could touch you this week for a couple of reasons. Do you want to hear what they are?” Harm’s voice was husky giving it a rich sexy timber that heated Mac to the core. She could only nod in response.

“I thought at first that you weren’t ready yet...that you still weren’t feeling up to it...but then, I thought if I start kissing you and touching you again, and you want to stop, could I keep control. I don’t ever want to hurt you, Mac...and so until I get a clear signal that we are both ready, I’m holding back.”

Mac nodded as a smiled started to appear on her face. She turned and leaned into Harm hitching herself close to him. She could feel the heat radiating off his large body. She placed her hand on his thigh and slid her hand up higher. She heard his intake of air and her name whispered as he exhaled. His reaction made her bolder, willing to chance things again with her friend...her partner. Lifting herself to her knees and balancing herself by leaving her hand high on the inside of his thigh, she leaned toward him and in a whispery, sexy voice she asked him the question that had been weighing on her mind all evening.

“Do you have any idea how revealing those pants are on you?”

Harm couldn’t answered, but gulped and shook his head no as he waited for her next move. He didn’t have long to wait as her lips captured his earlobe and her tongue traced a wet line on it while her other hand caressed his chest. He allowed his hands to span her waist as he enjoyed her teasing touch. When he couldn’t stand anymore without participating, he turned his head to capture her lips with his own.

The silence in the apartment was broken only by the sound of their whispered words, moans of pleasure, quiet pleading to urge the other on to new heights, and the whisper of clothing be loosened and removed to reveal delicious skin beneath.

By the time they made it to their feet to move to the bedroom, Harm was so aroused it was painful to walk. He had watched Mac reach the heights of ecstasy from his mouth and his hand while limiting her access to him. Now he wanted to be able to take the final journey with her together before they snuggled into each others arms to sleep.

Mac set the alarm clock out of habit and turned down the lights as Harm pulled back the covers and slid into bed naked, he watched her naked body move close to him. Her hand reached out to touch him and he lay still giving her time to explore his body the way he had already explored hers. He closed his eyes when he felt her breath on his arousal as he waited to feel the moisture of her mouth. It didn’t come as he had expected and he jumped as he felt her tongue circle his naval while her hand gently cupped his testicles apply just enough pressure to create en erotic sensation like he had never experienced before.

Mac smiled as he groaned and she again looked at him in all his glory. He was a spectacular specimen of manhood, standing straight and tall, throbbing with his need for fulfillment. She could see the moisture glistening on the tip and she allowed her tongue to dart out and taste that tiny drop which signified how ready he was.

“Mmmm...you taste so good,” Mac murmured, unable to stop herself as she allowed her mouth to close over him. She felt his large hand cup the back of her head, but he didn’t pressure her. It was simply a caress.

“Mac...I need to be inside of you...please...” Harm pleaded with her. Mac nodded and lifted herself to straddle his hips. She slid back against his arousal and she could feel him against her butt cheeks as she wiggled and rubbed herself on him. She felt his hands at her hips lifting her and then she held him and guided him inside of her as he lowered her over his engorged penis. Her hips began to lift, rock, and rotate in a rhythm that would drive them both over the edge very soon.

Harm didn’t want it to end yet, and so he focused on Mac having another orgasm first. As she came apart riding him, he rolled them over, lifting himself on his arms and knees as he made sure she was positioned just so. He began thrusting, slowly at first with long strong strokes, before he rotated his hips and then began faster and shorter thrusts.

Mac urged him on before she cried out for him to come with her to this new place she had found. Harm obliged as his rhythm increased and his strokes became more powerful.

Not only did they both cry out as they found their release together, but they both cried with the beauty of what they had found in each others arms this night. Harm remembered kissing her temple and turning with her so that she was still wrapped in his arms as sleep claimed him. Mac sighed, wove her fingers through his and fell asleep completely sated and comfortable with their new relationship.

CHAPTER 4

Next Morning

JAG HQ

Falls Church, Virginia

“Excuse me Commander Rabb,” greeted Petty Officer Tiner.

“Yes Tiner?”

“The Admiral is waiting for you in his office with Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Turner. Can I take your things for you?” Tiner asked trying to be helpful but urging the Commander to get there quickly.

“Thanks Tiner...bad mood?” Harm asked trying to find out what the atmosphere was in the Admiral’s office.

“No sir...just pressured.”

Harm turned then and hurried to the inner office deciding to play it straight up this morning. He was running late because he had needed to go home to get a clean uniform this morning. They had made love again this morning and agreed that they needed to talk about a few things this evening. Although Mac had needed to hurry, she was able to make it to work on time. Harm was lucky he was only forty minutes late. It could have been much worse.

Harm knocked on the door and was greeted with the Admiral’s gruff command to enter.

“Sorry I’m late sir.”

“At ease Rabb. Have a seat. Commander Turner, I see no need to detain you any longer. You are dismissed.”

“Thank you sir,” Sturgis snapped a salute, clicked his heels, pivoted and turned with precision. After the door had closed, Admiral Chegwidden turned back to Harm and Mac with a chuckle.

“That is one squared away naval officer. Does he ever do anything that isn’t by the book and well within the bounds of good order and good taste?”

“I saw him slip one or twice in our younger days sir,” Harm offered.

“He’s organized, knowledgeable, and nothing is wrong with doing things by the book,” Mac defended the senior attorney that she had developed an odd friendship with of sorts since he had started here a little over a year ago.

“That’s true, Colonel...now, the reason I have the two of you in here...as you may have realized I have not been assigning you to work together very often. There is a reason for this. As you may know an audit of our activities was conducted by the SecNav’s office.”

“Yes, Commander Lindsey interviewed us with zeal,” Harm noted.

“You have the report sir?” Mac asked.

“Yes...and although with the help of Tracy Manetti no actions are being taken against us, I think you need to know that the relationship you two have or are perceived to have, came under close scrutiny. Commander Manetti spoke eloquently on behalf of both of you explaining that you conduct yourselves with the opposite sex with honor and decency. I believe those were the words she used...however...”

“Uh-oh...this doesn’t sound good,” Harm interrupted the Admiral to comment.

“Well it could have been worse. The SecNav has asked that I keep you two off the same cases unless there are exceptional circumstances that he preapproves. He does not feel that you have jeopardized any cases, however, as you are both ‘oh-five’ officers, he feels that you should be assigned to work with junior officers. He also does not want you assigned to the same cases...although he doesn’t mind if you consult with each other on a case. He doesn’t want you out of town together either,” announced Admiral Chegwidden.

“Sir,” Harm started before the Admiral held up a hand.

“This is the best I can do. If I do not abide by this directive, one or both of you will be moved out of my command. Is that understood?” asked the Admiral.

“Yes sir.”

“Aye-aye sir,” answered Harm at the same time Mac had responded.

“Mac, you’re being very quiet. Something you want to say?” asked the Admiral.

“Yes sir...does this mean that Harm and I would be able to pursue a personal relationship without us having to worry about fraternization or conduct unbecoming charges just because we are involved?” asked Mac.

“Are you telling me you are involved?” asked Chegwidden with deadly quiet in his voice.

“Yes sir,” answered Mac with a quick glance at Harm.

“Since when!” bellowed the Admiral.

“We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now on a regular basis...not just work related...but then last night...” Harm started to explain.

“Stop! I don’t want to know that much.” The Admiral sighed. “Look, as long as you conduct yourself on duty as two officers and not two lovers, then there shouldn’t be a problem. If you make it official...move in together; get engaged; or elope or something...then let me know because then I am sure one of you will have to transfer out.”

“Understood sir,” Harm snapped to attention.

“Dismissed...and Rabb?”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t be late next time.”

“Aye-aye sir.”

They headed for the kitchen to get coffee before heading back to their own offices.

“Mac are you okay with this?” Harm asked.

“I guess we have to be. I do think we need to talk about this at home later...not here.” Mac sighed.

“Okay...your place or mine?” Harm asked.

“I’ll meet you at your place about eighteen hundred...how’s that?” Mac asked him.

“Sounds good. See you then.”

2010 Local

Harm’s Apartment

North of Union Station

Harm sat sideways on the sofa and Mac sat between his legs leaning against his chest. They had eaten dinner, cleaned up the kitchen and then curled up together. They had been sitting for close to fifteen minutes but neither of them had said anything. Finally Harm decided to jump in with both feet to the one thing he had worried about the most all day.

“Mac, I want to apologize to you for something...I should have thought and discussed it with you last night before we made love, but I didn’t and I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry I didn’t ask you before or just taken care of things myself...”

“Harm what are you babbling about?” Mac finally stemmed his words by jumping in with her question as she turned to look up at him.

“Birth control Mac...”

“Oh!”

“Yeah...I’ve always been very careful about that and somehow last night I totally forgot...I was so into making things feel good I never thought about it. We had talked about doing things the right way and now maybe I’ve messed that up. I’m sorry Mac,” Harm watched and waited to see what she would say.

“Harm, its not the end of the world if I did get pregnant even if its not the way we would chose to have things happen...but the timing isn’t great for that...not that it couldn’t happen, but I think its unlikely.” Mac tried to assure him touched that it would bother him to this extent. She relaxed against him again to communicate silently that she was alright with their new closeness.

“You’ll let me know?” Harm asked his mouth near her ear.

“Yes...Will you stop worrying about everything?” Mac asked as she turned to capture his lips with her own. When the kiss ended, Harm tightened his arms around her just a little before grinning in contentment.

“You know, Mac...you kiss me like that and I may have to do something about it,” Harm warned in a playful tone.

“And what would that be?” Mac asked, her eyes twinkling as she tried to hide her smile.

“Well,” he drawled, “Maybe this...” he said as he lowered his head and began nibbling her neck with just her lips.

“Harm, that tickles!” Mac laughed.

“Then I guess we’ll try something else...how about this?” Harm queried as he captured her earlobe between his teeth and let his tongue play with the tender flesh he had captured.

“Oohh, Harm...” Mac gasped at the fire that burst deep inside her at his playful, but intimate act. Harm released that earlobe and moved his head to repeat it with the other one.

Without a sound, Mac turned into his arms again and pushed him back on the couch so that she was laying on top of him. She captured his mouth with hers as she teased and tantalized his tongue with her own. Harm couldn’t hold back the moan from deep inside him as she became the aggressor and demonstrated for him the moves she wanted him to make. He responded to each thrust of her tongue - each bite of her teeth - with one of his own. He reached his hands down to cup her six and pull her against his throbbing arousal as she lay atop him.

Mac acknowledged his need for her when he felt her smile against his lips and then shifted her hips to cause even more friction on the throbbing nerves protruding from his body. He groaned again and she swallowed the sound before pulling her red, wet, swollen lips away from his as she eased herself down his body, and pushed his shirt up to expose his muscular chest and firm tone stomach. She zeroed in on his nipples, teasing them with her mouth and tongue and then her fingers. She switched back and forth giving each equal attention before moving to his naval.

Using her fingernail she lightly traced the line of hair from his chest that tapered to his naval before continuing below his waist band.

“God, Mac...I’m on fire for you already...I’m not going to last much longer...” Harm practically begged for her to end the torture and let them both find release.

“Ssshhh, let me love you tonight...let me show you all the ways I”ve fantasized about touching you...kissing you...loving you...” Mac whispered before continuing with her exquisite torture of his senses.

Harm nodded and swallowed unable to speak further from the intense sensations he was experiencing. Sex had always been good for him with Renee and Jordan - and even Annie. But making love with Mac, was not something easily described or explained. Each touch awakened new feelings, new sensations, and aroused old ones practically forgotten. It went beyond anything he had experienced with any other lover reminding him over and over that what he and Mac had was something special and unique...something that would not be duplicated for him with anyone else. Never again would he be satisfied with anything less in a physical relationship then what he was experiencing here and now with Sarah Mackenzie.

Mac meanwhile had tired for the moment of exploring his navel with her finger. She felt his stomach muscles tense as she circled his navel with her tongue and continued to follow the line of hair below his waist. While she had been playing with his navel with one hand, she had unbuttoned and lowered the zipper on his pants with the other. Harm lifted his head a little to watch her.

When her nose nudged the elastic waistband of his knit boxer briefs out of her way, Harm threw his head back, closed his eyes and just let himself go enjoying the attention she was giving him. He felt the cool air on his heated arousal as she freed him from the confinement of the soft knit material. Once again he forced his eyes open and lifted his head so he could watch her.

Her gentle hands with their long gentle fingers were wrapped around him as she held his stiffened member in place and rubbed it against her flushed face. The silky head whispered against her soft skin; then brushed her dry lips. He watched as she licked her lips in anticipation of what was to come and then delicately traced the ridge under the mushroom like head, before starting a foray down the underside of his member, creating such intense sensations that he began to lift his hips, bucking under her gentle ministrations. He fought to maintain control as one of her hands slipped between his legs to support and caress the throbbing weight she found there. A groan ripped from his throat as she rapidly took his throbbing member into her mouth as she gently squeezed the weighty sac between his legs.

“Now! Please!” Harm begged, knowing that he would not hold out much longer under Mac’s attention.

Mac removed her mouth from its mission just long enough to respond in the most sultry voice that Harm had ever heard, “No Harm...this time its my turn to give you pleasure.”

“Can’t...take...much...more...” Harm stammered one word at a time, as Mac returned to her former task of driving him out of his mind with the most intense sexual and emotional demonstrate he had ever received. Harm’s head thrashed back and forth against the arm and back of the sofa, as Mac continued to stroke his heated flesh with her mouth and hands until he had exploded, draining him of every ounce in him. As he came down from the orgasmic high, his breathing slowly returned to normal along with his heart rate. Mac slid up his body and rested her head on his chest, her ear turned so she could hear his heart beat.

Harm was quiet and still. Mac was almost afraid to look at him. Part of her feared she had gone to far, and that her uninhibited sexual appetite had scared away her chance at finding something special with the tall naval officer that had been her partner for so many years. The longer he was quiet, the more nervous Mac became.

Twenty minutes had passed before Mac found the courage to look up and Harm’s face. When she did the most gentle sense of satisfaction filled her at the sight before her. Harmon Rabb Junior was asleep with the most satisfied smile on his face that she had ever seen. She couldn’t help smile in return as she rested her chin on her hands and watched him sleep. Three more minutes passed, before his eyes flickered and opened.

“Mac?”

“I’m right here Harm.”

“That was incredible...you are incredible...thank you.”

“You’re not put off or offended by what I did?” Mac asked still a little unsure.

“You’re serious aren’t you?” Harm asked amazed that this woman had any doubts about her ability to please and satisfy him.

“Yes...I mean...”

“Mac...stop...no one has ever done that for me before...I would never trust another woman to do what you did. You were so giving and loving...I’m not sure I’ll be able to do much to help you out with my - ah - equipment, but if you can be patient, I’ll give it a shot,” Harm promised.

“Harm...I wanted tonight to be about me giving you pleasure for a change.”

“Well you did that...but you see, I find great pleasure in giving you pleasure...so if you want me to find the ultimate pleasure tonight...let me take care of you now.” Mac nodded speechless, as she found herself laying on the sofa with Harm bracing himself over the top of her smiling into her eyes.

“There’s just one thing...I think we should finish getting undressed and move this party to my bedroom...what do you think?” Harm asked her.

She agreed to the idea and once in his bedroom he gave to her with his mouth and hands the way she had to him...until she was a mindless mass of sensations. Just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, Harm’s body reawakened and he completed her, entering her with a long slow stroke that built in speed and intensity until they both cried out in completion falling sleep this time in each others arms.

0500 Local

Harm’s Apartment

North of Union Station

Mac’s hand reached out to shut off Harm’s alarm before it rang. She leaned over him as he slept and watched him for a few seconds before she kissed him awake.

“Mornin’...What time’s it?” Harm mumbled when she released his lips from hers.

“Just after five...Harm?”

“Yeah?”

“We were suppose to talk last night about our new rules at work.”

“Sorry...I got sidetracked...you see this gorgeous Marine Lieutenant Colonel started coming on to me and well...things just burned out of control,” Harm grinned up at Mac.

“Oh really? And does this happen often?” Mac teased back.

“No...but I wouldn’t mind if it did.”

“Harm, this is going to be a test for us to behave at work now isn’t it?” Mac asked suddenly serious.

“It could...but we’ve kept things under wraps and controlled for a long time. I think we just have to use our uniform and military training to our advantage and be the Colonel and the Commander until we get the uniforms off.”

“Does that mean I have to run around naked if I come to visit after work?” Mac teased again.

“Now that would be interesting,” Harm grinned.

“Jerk,” Mac mumbled.

“But I don’t think we have to go to that extreme...I just meant...”

“I know...and you’re right. We can do this, right?”Mac asked looking for reassurance from Harm that they would not let go of this new part of their relationship.

“Yes,” was his simple response.

CHAPTER 5

Day Before Thanksgiving

1145 Local

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

“Commander Rabb?”

“Yes Tiner,” responded Harm looking up from the computer as he entered information on a form regarding a client.

“Sir, Admiral Chegwidden would like to see you in his office.”

“On my way...” Harm saved the work he had started, made sure he had a pen with him, and headed for the Admiral’s office.

“Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir.”

“At ease...have a seat and close the hatch Commander.” AJ waited while Harm got settled. “Harm, as you know Commander Lindsey has been making waves.”

“That’s why you wanted to make sure that Mac and I weren’t working together, right?”

“Yes, that was part of it...something else has been brought to my attention, however, that concerns you...and Lieutenant Singer.”

“Singer? You don’t mean that someone thinks I’ve been dating Singer, do they?” Harm’s face showed the shock he was feeling at his commanding officers words.

“Lindsey heard that the two of you had been seen having words both before she went TAD and after she returned. He claims that Singer has been in your apartment and has insinuated that she is carrying your child.”

“No way!” Harm exclaimed at the accusations.

“Harm, listen to me. I was told that both Roberts and Coates had witnessed interactions between you and Singer and I’ve spoken to them.”

“Are you investigating me, sir?” Harm asked, his voice harsh.

“As your commanding officer I have to determine if I feel there is any merit to the accusations. I don’t want to believe them and I think you can probably give me a logical explanation. If it was anyone but Lindsey making these statements I wouldn’t be as worried but the man is vindictive and he didn’t get the results he wanted from his investigation into JAG. He ended up with egg on his face and so he is going to try to score points off any of us that gives him an opening.”

“Sir, I will admit I’ve had words with Singer...most of us have at one time or another...but I am not nor have I ever been involved with her. I am not the father of Singer’s baby. As for being in my apartment...I’ve never invited her there.”

“Why did you have words with Singer?”

“On which occasion?”

“Well, the first time I had words with her I suspected her of trying to set Mac up. I couldn’t prove it so I never said anything. Then there was the time she tried to get me to select her to sit second chair on a big case and I had already asked Bud. That was before she went TAD. No one saw me speak to her as we were alone both times...I don’t know when Coates and Bud saw me.”

“Bud said you grabbed her arm by the stairs a few weeks ago. He couldn’t hear what you said to her.”

“Oh...yeah, I was pretty angry and I did grab her arm to stop her from walking away...but I let go right away...I asked her to meet me at Benzinger’s so we could talk about her plans for the baby.”

“Why, Harm? Why would you care what she plans to do with this baby?”

“It’s a baby sir...and she’s threatening to drink alcohol and smoke and do all kinds of things that would hurt the child’s chances of having a normal life. She also has talked about abortion.”

“You against abortion?”

“Sir...I don’t personally think that abortion is a good option but I am not going to impose my views on anyone. Women need to decide for themselves what’s right for them and the situation they find themselves in. I just wanted her to know she had options.”

“Such as?”

“Adoption...I told her she could give me the baby and I would raise it.”

“Why on earth would you do that if it is not yours, Harm?”

“Good question...I guess it deserves an answer.” The phone rang interrupting Harm’s response. Admiral Chegwidden answered it.

“Chegwidden...he’s here now?...alright...tell him Rabb is already in here and send him in.” AJ hung up the phone and looked at Harm. “Some thing is up. Agent Jethro Gibbs is here from NCIS. He only takes the big cases. He wants to see both of us.”

Agent Gibbs entered and introductions were made. He settled into the chair Mac usually used when Harm and Mac came in to see the Admiral together.

“What can we do for you Agent Gibbs?” asked Chegwidden.

“We recently found the body of a female JAG officers...a lieutenant. Are you missing anyone?”

“Not that I know of. We do have a few people on leave...Lt. Singer is the only female JAG on leave right now. I believe she went out to California...San Diego area maybe.”

“Would you know anything about her whereabouts Commander Rabb?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“Interesting...are you aware she had your phone number and name on her person?”

“No.”

“Do you have any reason to want this woman dead?”

“No...she was pregnant...”

“Really? And how did you know that Commander?” demanded Gibbs nailing Harm with his steely blue-grey eyes.

“We all knew it, Agent Gibbs,” interjected Admiral Chegwidden.

“She had discussed her plans with everyone here?”

“Not everyone but with some of us, yes,” responded Harm.

“Why you Commander?”

“It’s a long trip back from the Seahawk when you’re being sent back from an assignment more or less in disgrace. We talked on the trip.” Harm felt that was enough information. He didn’t feel deserved more then that because something about the man made him bristle.

“Don’t leave town Commander...I’m going to want to talk to you again.” Gibbs stood and prepared to walk away. “I’ll let you know who I want to talk to and when, Admiral. I assume you will cooperate with us.”

“No reason not to Agent Gibbs. We work closely with NCIS. I see no reason to change that now.” AJ retorted as Gibbs made his exit.

“Harm is there anything you’re not telling me?” demanded AJ. Before Harm could respond he held up his hand and continued. “Never mind...I don’t want to know...don’t say anything else. I don’t have to tell you that this is going to complicate things beyond belief.”

“I know sir. I’ll get to the bottom of this...” Harm stated before AJ cut him off.

“Not a good idea, Harm. You need to stay out of things and let others do there job. You also better cooperate...don’t try being cute.”

“Yes sir.”

“I’m going to make an announcement tot he staff about Singer. Why don’t you and Mac take the afternoon off. You have duty tomorrow - Thanksgiving Day, so no one will think anything much about it. Fill her in on what’s happened. She investigated Singer and will probably be called to testify. If you don’t talk to her about the case now, you won’t be able to when the ball starts rolling.”

“Yes sir....thank you Admiral.”

You could hear a pin drop when Admiral Chegwidden announced that NCIS had found the body of a dead Navy JAG and it looked like it was Lt. Singer. Although no one had been close to Singer, they were all shocked that one of their team was gone.

Mac sought out Harm with her eyes as the announcement was made. His grim lipped expression didn’t make her feel good for some reason. Silently he made his way across the bull pen and lightly touched her elbow.

“Come have lunch with me so we can talk...Admiral suggested we take the afternoon off.”

“Alright...let me get my things,” Mac told him as she moved quickly and quietly to her office. Harm had picked up his things ans was waiting by her door when she joined him.

They boarded the elevator and walked to their cars without speaking. As they were about to climb in to their own vehicles, Harm broke the silence.

“Your place?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll follow you.”

An hour later they were seated at Mac’s dining room table finishing their lunch still not saying much. Finally, Harm again broke the silence and told Mac what had transpired.

“Gibbs I can forgive - he’s doing his job,” Mac announced through clenched teeth, “but where does Lindsey get off trying to cast dispersions and doubts just because he doesn’t get what he wants!”

“Mac...Lindsey is an irritant, yes...and his report could come into play if NCIS gets wind of it...but I’m more concerned about Gibbs and where he’s going with the fact that Singer had my name and number on her when she died.”

“You think he suspects you?”

“He could...he might...I didn’t tell him about Sergei and my suspicions.”

“Harm you’ve got to. Call him...tell him so he doesn’t think you’re hiding something. If you call him and tell him that you just didn’t think of it before, he can’t use it against you later.”

“You think that will be best?”

“Yes...I do...and just in case you better ask me to serve as your lawyer now before they ask me to testify.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Yes...Just like you’ve done for me.”

“Hand me the phone Mac...I’ll call Gibbs.” Harm dialed the number and waited for Agent Gibbs to come on the line.

“Gibbs.”

“Commander Rabb...I thought of something I should have mentioned before.”

“And what is that Commander?”

“I have a half brother, Sergei Zhucov. He was in this country for awhile last year and he was quite taken with Loren Singer....she even took him to the airport when he returned to Russia last fall. I remember he told me one time when I was gone on a case, that she came by and was very interested in my apartment and my mail. He had teased her that she would have made a good KGB agent.”

“Thank you Commander. Do you think that your brother is the father of the baby?”

“It had crossed my mind. I asked her but she wouldn’t confirm it. I tried to get her to call him and she wouldn’t. We argued on more then one occasion over it.”

“Did you ever discuss this with anyone?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“My former partner from JAG, Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.”

“You no longer work together?”

“We are both stationed at JAG, but we’ve been seeing each other so we no longer work the same cases.”

“Ah, office romance. Look Commander, I’d like you to come down here to NCIS right away if you can. I’d like to show you some things and see what you think.”

“Alright Gibbs...we’ll be there shortly.” Harm hung up and turned to look at Mac. “You give good advice, Marine.”

“You think?” Mac grinned as she floated up to Harm and wrapped her arms around his waist breaking the ‘uniform code’ they had established this morning.

“Mac...behave...we’re in uniform...remember?” Mac grinned at Harm’s weak protest knowing that he didn’t really mind.

“But we’re in my apartment and alone, Harm.”

“Yes...and I’ve got to go down to NCIS...you coming with me?” Harm put his hands on her arms and resisted her embrace just a little.

“You want me to come with you, huh?” Mac couldn’t resist flirting as she made her words mean something entirely different then what Harm was saying.

“Maaacc...behave...will you go down to NCIS with me and see what they’ve got?” Harm asked again trying to keep control when he really wanted to cave in to Mac’s playfulness.

“Yes. Are we going in uniform?” Mac asked as she turned to get her things.

“Yes. For more reasons then the obvious,” Harm grinned at her.

1458 Local

NCIS Headquarters

Washington DC

“Commander Rabb, Thank you for coming down. This is Agent Kate Todd and Agent Tony Dnozzo.”

“Lt. Colonel Saran Mackenzie and my...colleague at JAG, this is Agent Gibbs and his team.” Harm introduced Mac to the steely eyed agent.

“Dnozzo, help Abby bring that evidence up that we were reviewing earlier.” Gibbs barked at the cocky young agent who was ogling Mac.

“Sure thing Boss. Come on Kate,” Tony said as he moved away.

“Kate, stay here. Commander, Colonel, lets take a seat in the ‘conference’ room shall we?” Gibbs suggested as he led the way to an interrogation room.

The room they were led to did in fact double as a small conference room with its six chairs around the rectangular table. Little was said as they took their seats. Surprising everyone, Gibbs turned to Mac and started speaking to her in normal tones.

“How much have you been told, Colonel?”

“Admiral Chegwidden announced that the body of a female navy JAG with Lieutenant’s boards had been found and that by process of elimination it looked like it was Lt. Loren Singer. Commander Rabb told me that she had a paper with his name and phone number on it when she was found. He also called from my apartment when he remembered that there was a connection to his half brother and that she had been in his apartment a year ago when he was not there. That’s about it.”

“Good...then you are up to speed. I take it you know about the pregnancy.”

“Yes. I investigated to see if I could find out who the father was. Singer wasn’t talking.”

“Do you think that Commander Rabb could be the father?”

“I don’t think he is, no.”

“Why’s that Colonel?”

“Because the Commander knows better then to have that kind of relationship with a junior officer and if he thought he was the father of that child, he would want to raise the baby, even if Loren didn’t.”

“Commander Rabb...you don’t strike me as a family man.”

“How does a family man strike you Gibbs?” Harm asked.

“Touche...I meant you are a bachelor...usually ‘family men’ wear wedding rings.”

“Just haven’t had the chance to ask the question and put a ring in place, Agent Gibbs. Regardless, I have always thought about having a family...more so in recent years.”

“He turned forty last fall,” Mac smiled as if that explained it all. It got an answering and knowing smile from Agent Todd just as Abby and Dnozzo arrived with the evidence boxes.

“Thanks Abby. Have a seat in case you need to explain anything,” Gibbs directed as he took out a picture and placed it in front of Harm and Mac on the table. “Hope you don’t have weak stomachs,” he warned.

Quietly stealing themselves to look, Ham and Mac stared at the still clothed but mostly faceless body of Loren Singer. Mac immediately looked closer at the picture and turned to Harm with a scowl.

“Notice anything odd in this picture, Harm?” asked Mac.

Harm looked at the picture again and when his gaze met Mac’s she knew he had noticed the same thing. Harm swallowed as he turned to Gibbs.

“Where’s the baby?”

“Good question Commander. We didn’t know that she was pregnant until you mentioned it. Our forensic medical examiner followed up on your tip. He says it looks like she gave birth at least three maybe as many as five days before she died.

“But the baby would have been premature,” Harm noted. “Where is the baby?”

“We were hoping you would know,” Gibbs admitted. “Abby, did you have any luck getting more off the napkin?”

“Sorry Gibbs. All I could lift clearly was ‘Rabb’ and the phone number, although it looks like it could also have the letters ‘R-L-V’ but I can’t make out the rest.”

“Any ideas what R-L-V could be?” Kate asked them.

“Can I see the note?” Harm asked. Abby glanced at Gibbs who nodded before handing Harm the napkin now dry and encased in plastic. Both Mac and Harm looked at the letters on the napkin, in Singer’s unique handwriting. At the same time they looked up and said, “It’s an ‘I’ not an ‘L’....’r-i-v’...”

Suddenly everyone was beginning to scramble. Kate grabbed a map and put it on the table...Gibbs grabbed his notebook and began flipping through pages. Mac spotted a phone book on a bookshelf and grabbed it to flip through the pages. Harm closed his eyes and thought trying to bring in to focus something that was floating through his mind as yet unformulated. Dnozzo and Abby grinned at each other like fools watching the others scramble.

Everyone began talking at the same time until Gibbs whistled then to silence.

“Let’s take this from the top. We have a woman that was pregnant strolling along with a paper in her pocket with Rabb’s name and number and something that indicates ‘r-i-v’ which could be any number of things. Her body is found in the Potomac and it was determined that she went in at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Why would she be walking in that area? Any ideas?”

Looking at the map Mac nodded her head.

“She lived near there...on Nash Street I think it was...it wasn’t far from where some friends of ours live in Rosslyn, Virginia,” Mac told them.

“If she had already had the baby, wouldn’t they have a record of it at the hospital?” Harm asked.

“Which hospital?” asked Agent Todd.

“Georgetown, Columbia and Riverside are closest,” announced Abby.

“That’s it! We start by contacting Riverside Hospital...” Kate Todd grabbed the phone and the phone number that Mac pointed to and called while the others waited in silence.

“Yes, this is Agent Kate Todd with NCIS. We are trying to track down a birth from about two weeks ago or more. The mother was Loren Singer...the baby was premature.”

“Yes, Agent Todd...Ms. Singer gave birth on November 12. The baby was very tiny but is doing well. We haven’t seen her since she left the hospital on November 15. I heard her call a friend to come and get her.”

“Did you hear the name she used or see her friend?”

“I heard her call him ‘Commander’ and yes, I did see him...but one Naval officer in uniform looks pretty much like all the others I’m afraid.”

“Could you identify him if you saw him again?”

“Probably. The baby is doing well and really needs someone to bond with soon. I hope she will be returning to spend some time with her little doll.”

“That won’t be happening I’m afraid. We will try to make arrangements for someone to care for the infant. Thank you nurse.” Kate Todd hung up the phone and looked at the stricken faces across the table from her. “I suppose you want to see the baby?”

“If the baby is my brother’s child, then I will take the baby until he can come to claim him...or I will adopt the baby on my own.” Harm’s declaration was vehement.

“And if its not your brother’s child?” asked Gibbs.

“If the father can’t be found, I would still be interested in adopting the baby. Loren wasn’t a friend, but she was a colleague. There must have been a reason she had my name and number and the name of the hospital on her.” Harm looked at each of the agents waiting for them to say something. Finally he turned to Mac. “Will you go with me?”

She nodded before turning back to the agents. “What is your policy when a child is homeless due to the death of a parent?”

“We contact the legal offices at JAG about the death of one of theirs and they are responsible for locating a home,” Kate informed them.

“When you make the call, would you tell them that we are checking on the child and that we would like to be considered as the child’s foster family. I’ve been approved for foster care already when I did the Big Sister program,” Mac explained. “That was so I could do respite as well. Harm and I will do this together,” Mac was decisive in her actions and words. Harm meanwhile was speechless.

“Dnozzo - help Abby take the evidence back to the lab, then get over to Singer’s apartment and see if you can retracce her steps between the time she left the hospital and she went over the bridge. Kate, you’d better help him.” Gibbs ordered before turning back to Mac. “Colonel Mackenzie, let me know if you uncover any more clues...and keep Rabb on a short leash until we’ve completely cleared him.”

“I don’t take my orders from you Agent Gibbs,” Mac shot back seething at his attitude.

“Not orders, Colonel...merely a friendly suggestion.” Gibbs touched his hand to his forehead in a mock salute before he took his leave.

Mac and Harm made their way from NCIS headquarters to Harm’s SUV. Although neither said a word, they were each wishing they had worn civilian clothes so they could have held hands. Silently they got into the car and headed for Riverside hospital.

CHAPTER 6

1803 Local

Riverside Hospital

Washington DC

Harm and Mac entered the hospital and made their way to the nursery. They stopped and spoke to the nurse at the nurses station.

“Good evening. I’m Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie and this is Commander Harmon Rabb. We are here to see Loren Singer’s baby.”

“Yes of course...the nursery is down there. You can see through the glass and the nurse on duty there will come out to answer any questions you may have.”

“Thank you.”

Together, their arms touching, they approached the viewing window. They were both expecting to find a baby in an incubator with lots of tubes and wires keeping it alive. Instead, they found a beautiful fair complexioned baby with a tiny blue knit cap on its head and a name tag that said, ‘Baby Boy Singer’ on it. The baby was asleep in its basinet. Harm tapped on the window and the nurse came right out.

“Are you here to see our little Singer?” the nurse asked.

“Yes we are.”

“Are you relatives or potential adoptive parents?” the nurse asked.

“Well, the father may be my half brother, but until we are able to do some tests, we won’t know. I guess we could also be considered as adoptive parents. Could we hold him?” Harm asked.

“See that door right there?” the nurse asked pointing to the door to her right. Harm and Mac nodded. “You go in there and be seated, and I’ll bring him right in to you. He needs more loving then we have time to give.”

Harm and Mac entered the room to find two rocking chairs, a sofa and two easy chairs scattered around the room with movable screens that could be used to give some privacy. Harm sat in a rocking chair and Mac took the easy chair next to him. Another door opened and the nurse came in pushing the basinet.

“Here you go...I took the liberty of bringing his bottle. There are clothes you can use to protect your uniforms from him...and also protect him from the metals and sharp things on your uniforms.”

“Thank you nurse. Can you tell us some things about him? They said he was very tiny when he was born.”

“Yes, but I’ve seen them smaller. He weighed just four pounds. She said that she was just starting her seventh month. He probably would have ben a nine pounder if he had gone full term. As it is he lost a few ounces but has been gaining it back and then some. We don’t let them go home until they are at least five pounds and if all goes well he should be ready to go home in about two weeks.” The nurse handed Mac the baby and the bottle as soon as she saw the cloth on her shoulder.

Mac would have protested so that Harm could hold the baby first, but he nodded his acquiescence so Mac relaxed and enjoyed the feeling of the tiny warm body in her arms.

“Too bad he doesn’t have a name...call him what ever you like in the meantime. Let me know if you need anything.” The nurse smiled and walked into the other room.

Harm watched Mac hold and feed the tiny boy as if she had been doing it forever.

“You look pretty natural there, Mac,” Harm smiled.

“You ready for a turn after I burp him?” Mac asked.

“Go ahead....I’ll hold him after you’re done feeding him.” He had watched her feed, burp, feed and burp until the bottle was empty. Finally Mac stood up with the tiny baby in her arms and placed him in Mac’s big strong arms. The baby looked even tinier then he was.

“It feels like there’s nothing there.” Harm smiled at the tiny baby. “Hey there little man...we need to think about a name for you. If you are my nephew then Sergei will need to choose your name, and if not, then we will. Until then, we need to call you something. Right Mac?”

“Any ideas Harm?”

“A couple...I know that Sergei’s middle name is Alexander. I think Alex might be a good option...it’s Russian and American sounding. I also know that Loren is both a man and woman’s name. Maybe Alexander Loren for his parents...”

“ You have another idea as well?”

“Yes...if we adopt him and Sergei is not his father...then I think I’ll stick with Alex but use Harmon for the middle name.”

“Good idea...you could do that anyway you know. Sergei would probably like the idea that his son had his father’s name.”

“You’re right Mac...then Alexander Harmon...Singer... it is...for now.”

“We could see if she named the father on the birth certificate...”

“I doubt she did or they wouldn’t have Baby Boy Singer on his name tag.”

“We should tell the nurse so they can use his name.” Mac agreed.

By the time the nurse came to reclaim baby Alex, Harm and Mac were both in love with the little boy. After one more kiss from each of them, he was returned to the nursery with his new name and the nurse’s approval.

The father’s name was not listed on the birth certificate.

They parked in front of Mac’s apartment but were joined by Agent Todd and Agent Dnozzo before they reached the door to the building.

“We meet again. What can we do for you, Agents?” Harm asked. His lack of sleep was catching up to him as well as the stress from the day. He wasn’t his friendliest.

“We found something in Singer’s apartment addressed to you. We went to your place but it was dark so we thought we’d check here.”

“Let me see.” Harm took the envelope and opened it carefully, removing a letter in Loren’s distinctive handwriting. Mac stopped him.

“Let’s go inside and read it in there.” They all followed Mac to her apartment. Inside Harm sat on the sofa and read it aloud.

{Commander Rabb, If you ended up with this letter, then something has happened to me. I am in labor as I write this and it’s about two months too early. Sergei is not the father. I wish he was because then I know that if something happens to me, you’ll be there to make sure the baby is taken care of.

I would give you this child if I could. I don’t think I have what it takes to be a parent. You do...you take care of everybody even when you aren’t happy with them...you even look out for me. Thank you.

Please look out for my baby if he lives. I don’t think his real father wants him...as a matter of fact, I think he’s trying to get rid of both of us...I think that’s why I was chased last night when I was walking home...I made it okay but started labor later and now it’s zero three hundred and I’m heading for Riverside Hospital.

You see, I wanted to make it big - first woman JAG - and I decided to use any and all means at my disposal to get there. I just didn’t realize that he was as ambitious as I was...nor more vindictive.

I did plant those file for Mackenzie to find and I did hate the fact that no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t measure up to geeky Bud. And you...you wouldn’t even look at me...so I couldn’t use you...but when I met the personal aide of the Secretary of the Navy last Christmas, I thought I had it made.

It backfired though. I ended up pregnant and he found out I was trying to use him and then he threatened me when I waited too long to get the abortion. Harriet talked me out of it actually. I still don’t feel I’m cut out to be a mother.

I needed someone to know the truth and to take care of the baby if he lives...the ultrasound showed that I was going to have a son. I have no idea what to name him so feel free to give him a name if I don’t. Thanks Loren Singer}

The two agents and two officers sat quietly thinking about what they had just heard as Harm read Loren’s letter.

“It looks like that is her last request, Commander...you have a baby.” Agent Todd informed him.

“Alexander Harmon Singer...until we can adopt him.” Harm stated quietly.

“Commander Ted Lindsey,” Mac said softly.

“What?”

“Excuse me?”

“Lindsey!” Harm repeated as Todd and Dnozzo questioned what Mac was saying. “Lindsey is the baby’s father and was trying - or rather did - kill Loren Singer!”

“He’s right,” Mac backed him up. “Loren laid it out in that letter.”

Agent Todd took out her cell phone and called Agent Gibbs. After she had shared the information with him she hung up and smiled.

“Looks like you are not only off the hook, but Gibbs said to thank you for your help on the case. Let’s go Tony. I want to be there when they bring Lindsey in.”

Harm and Mac shook hands with Tony and Kate and watched them leave after Mac ran the letter through the fax machine on copy mode so that Harm would have it to take to the authorities to take custody of little Alex.

When they were alone again, Mac asked Harm, “Are you hungry?”

“No...go ahead and eat though Mac.”

“You okay?”

“I’ve got a lot of thinking and planning to do...arrangements to make...I think I’d better just go home tonight.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” Harm nodded as he watched her step closer to him.

“Even if I promise to leave you alone so you can really sleep tonight?” Mac asked stepping close but not touching him.

“Yeah...can I take a raincheck?”

“Rain or shine...when you’re ready just come back.”

“Thanks Mac...I need some time to think and then I want to talk to you before I make any decisions...okay?”

“For whatever its worth, I’ll be here Harm...”

“I know...and its worth a lot.” Harm dropped a quick kiss on her lips and touched her nose before he picked up his coat and made his way back to his car.

Thanksgiving Day

2240 Local

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

After securing for the day they had returned to Mac’s apartment as planned for their Thanksgiving dinner. They went to the hospital to spend time with Alex after dinner.

Today had been quiet so they had filled out the paper work that would be submitted for Harm and Mac to adopt Alex together. They had a lot of logistics to work out - like whether or not they would get married; where they would live; how they would tell people about the changes in their lives. - but they knew this was something they wanted to do together.

After leaving the hospital they had dropped by to see Bud and Harriet. They were telling them about the news and mentioned that they were going to try and find someplace big enough for the three of them. Harriet had perked right up and told them that the house next door to AJ’s day care was available as a rental if they didn’t want to buy a place.

They agreed to check it out as soon as they could get a hold of someone. Harriet offered to lend them things that AJ had outgrown so that they wouldn’t have to go out and buy all new stuff. By the time they had gone through the items in storage, Harm was convinced that the baby would need the biggest bedroom instead of the smallest. The issue of bedrooms was one of the things they had yet to discuss.

They had slept together a few times now, but neither of them had admitted to be in love with the other...although Harm knew he loved Mac. He didn’t want to presume that she would agree to that kind of relationship although he hoped she would agree to them living together. He wanted marriage and commitment and maybe even more children of their own...he wanted it all with Mac.

Once back at Mac’s apartment, Harm took her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly leaving both of them with racing hearts and the blood pounding in their veins.

“There is so much we need to talk about Mac...but I’ve missed you...missed holding you and kissing you...”

“Yes...” Mac whispered breathlessly as she placed her lips against his bobbing Adam’s apple.

He couldn’t think when she found those spots that she teased with her tongue. The nerves there seemed to be directly linked to his lower body. The more she nuzzled and licked those spots, the more aroused he became. It wasn’t long before Harm lost the battle between will-power, control and a seductive Sarah Mackenzie. With a groan he gave into the sensations she was creating within his body. As the passion between them began to build again, Harm remembered thinking that there was nothing she could do that hadn’t already been done or no response his body would make that she hadn’t already solicited from him. By morning he knew he was wrong. He managed to give thanks that he had been blessed with Sarah Mackenzie in his life before he let sleep claim him.

Friday 0739 Local

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

Harm stuck his head in the bathroom while Mac showered. “Coffee’‘s ready when you are. You want eggs or pancakes for breakfast?”

“What?” Mac asked sticking her head out of the shower.

“Eggs or Pancakes?...and the coffee’s ready when you are.”

“Eggs and toast thanks...and I’ll be ready in about five minutes.” Mac saw him flash her a smile and snap a salute before he turned whistling and shut the bathroom door again.

Mac couldn’t get the smile off her face this morning. She had decided that Harm had to be a prude years ago, but this past week, since they had started sleeping together, Mac had realized that Harm was not a prude. He couldn’t be and welcome her advances now that she had let go with him. She realized that he had never experienced some of the things she had done or realized that those little things could ultimately increase the pleasure they felt together.

There were times that Mac wished she could roll back time and remove Chris, John, Dalton, and Mic from her life...but then she would not have learned some of the little things that she knew about and used on Harm. Suddenly Mac realized that maybe each of them had been in her life for a reason...to teach her the things she would need to know so that she could reach that lock on Harm that kept things so under control...until she got to him. Watching him come unglued under her ministrations was a turn on in and of itself. Last night she had done it again.

It had all started off simply enough when she had nuzzled his neck and found a nerve twitching there so she had dampened the skin with her tongue to sooth it. From there she had fished an ice cube from her drink and after holding it in her mouth she had removed it and let it drip on his neck and chest. Her cold tongue had then chased those drops of melted ice increasing the heat index in both of them. He had responded to the different temperatures on his chest and so she grew bolder and tried them in other places on his body, always following the cold with the heat of her mouth.

Later, she had asked him to try some different things with her and he had willingly obliged and then suggested a few things of his own. She had shown him the vibrator she had often had to settle for to ‘stay human’ as she called it. He had asked her to show him how she did that and she had demonstrated how she satisfied herself when she was alone, telling him about some of the fantasies that included him. She had eventually told him she had bought the vibrator when she had been seeing Mic and they had engaged in phone sex. She later had found it handy when Mic had fallen asleep after he was sated, and long before she was satisfied.

Harm had been surprised to discover that watching her pleasure herself had turned him on, so she had turned the tables on him, and asked him to show her how he had managed to go for close to two years without a woman. She had been caught up in the long slow glide of his hand followed by the short quick bursts and then the rotation across the head when she saw how he also toyed with the rest of his ‘equipment’ every now and again.

Mac was fascinated by the various tempos and strokes he had used but had noticed also that he kept one finger along the nerve cord no matter what he did. He never reached completion before Mac had needed to become involved with what he was doing. She had placed the vibrator beneath his erection and just barely touched him. His bod jerked at the unexpected sensation and he had groaned although Mac hadn’t been sure if it was in pain or pleasure until he had whispered, “Again...”

Mac grew bolder with her toy and let the vibrator trace lines along the length of his erection, circling the head, and then the package beneath. Harm thrashed wildly on the bed increasing the pumping action of his wrist as Mac added to the stimulation that he couldn’t control.

They had laughed together as they cleaned him up after his release that had been powerful and intense. He never expected to find the experience erotic or a turn on but he had been wrong. They had come together making sweet love once more before they had fallen asleep.

Finally dry and dressed in jeans and a sweater Mac joined Harm for breakfast. They had the day off as they had been on duty for Thanksgiving. They planned to try and check out some houses and larger apartments today as well as spend some time with Alex at the hospital. They hoped to get an update on the case from the NCIS agents but knew that they were no obligated to release information to the two JAG lawyers.

Mac realized that Harm was looking at her differently this morning. She was a little concerned but refused to stick with their standard operating procedure when one of them sensed something was wrong - by ignoring it.

“Harm, what is it?”

“Nothing Mac...”

“I don’t believe you. Talk to me,” Mac didn’t care if she was begging.

“I think I’m in big trouble here,” Harm began not looking at her.

“Why?”

“I - ah - I...it doesn’t matter...forget it.”

“Harm...we are not doing this again...we’ve finally gotten off the starting line...don’t drag us back into the dance that goes no where....please. Is this because of the kinky stuff we tried last night?”

“Yes...no...its more then that but its part of the problem I think...I may have to show you...”

“Show me what Harm?” Mac asked glad he seemed to be trying to communicate what he felt was a problem.

Harm stood up and came around the table to stand near Mac. Her eyes were close to the level of his crotch and she couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his jeans. She wasn’t surprised, as he was well endowed. It wouldn’t take much for it to be obvious. Mac’s eyes traveled upward to his face.

“I can’t get enough of you Mac,” he said as he took her hand and placed it on his arousal. I’ve never been like this with anyone...well maybe the first time when I was sixteen...but not since...I’ve always gotten satisfaction and been able to walk away. I can’t get enough of you. When you aren’t with me, just thinking about us...about you and the things you do to me, I can’t make it stop...I’ve been able to hide behind my uniform this winter, but come spring...or if I wear peanut butters...its not going to be good...I have to find a way to control my urges Mac...”

She could hear the desperation in his voice and knew it wasn’t something to laugh about...although she smiled because she was pleased that he thought about her...and them...even when in uniform.

“Harm, maybe its because its still so new between us...”

“Mac, look at me...I can hardly walk I’m so aroused and three times last night should have slowed me up some given that I’m forty years old!”

“So do you want to ignore it or deal with it?”

“Mac...”

“By yourself or with me?”

“Mac...”

“Okay Flyboy...tell me if you want me to stop...” Mac dropped on her knees in front of him opening his jeans sliding down his hips just enough to free him from jeans and boxers. She took him into her mouth and he held her head guiding her and helping to set the rhythm as she once again brought him to release. When she was done, she excused herself to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, while Harm dressed himself again. Once again he could move and for the moment wouldn’t be embarrassing himself or Mac in public.

When Mac returned they made calls to set up times to see a couple of the places they had found out about including this mornings newspaper. They had four places to look at. One was an apartment in Mac’s building on the first floor. They started their inspections there.

The apartment in Mac’s building was on the ground floor and had a back door off the kitchen that opened into a fenced back yard. The floor plan was very similar to Mac’s apartment but had two more rooms and a second bathroom off a small hall off the living room. The apartment manager told them that because Mac was already a tenet, she could take the apartment without delay if she wanted it.

“Can we get back to you later today or tomorrow?” Mac asked.

“No problem Ma’am...just let me know and its yours.”

“Thank you.”

They were quiet as they got in her car this time and made their way to the house in Rosslyn that Harriet had told them about. Again it was a three bedroom two bathroom home with kitchen, diningroom, and living room. There was a small yard and it was close to the day care. There was no garage or anything that made it stand out but the fact they could rent without a lease was a plus. The owner didn’t have a problem with them redecorating or remodeling as long as the workmanship was professional quality.

“Thank you. We have a few more places to look at and we’ll get back to you later today or tomorrow if that’s alright?”

“Great...no one else is scheduled to see it until next week, so no rush.”

Harm slid into the passenger seat of Mac’s car. They had been quiet since she had helped him with his problem this morning. It was beginning to feel awkward between them and Harm hoped that it hadn’t ruined the special relationship they had. It was his fault...his inability to control his desire for her body...he felt his body responding again and without thinking he blurted out the words running through his mind.

“This has got to stop!”

“What?” Mac hit the brakes and pulled into a parking lot of a store they were passing.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to blurt that out...its me Mac...I’ve ruined this thing between us haven’t I?”

“This thing between us? No Harm, you haven’t ruined ‘this thing between us’ but maybe I have. I thought I was helping this morning, but you’ve hardly spoken to me since.”

“Mac...”

“No Harm...I need to say this...I pushed you to do things you’ve never tried or never heard of and I’m sure that bothers you...yes you liked it and even crave it but I can’t help you think less of me for knowing about those things...or thinking of them...and that bothers you...”

“Mac, stop it! You told me this morning to tell you if I wanted you to stop...I do...with this kind of thinking...Mac, I’ve never felt like this with anyone. It bothers me that I can’t get enough of you...it makes me dependent on you like I’ve never depended on anyone...no one else will do Mac...” he turned toward her in the little car as he gave his impassioned plea.

“Harm, we agreed that we have a future together and we’ve taken steps in that directions. I don’t think either of us trusts anyone else the way we do each other. Yet its only been recently that we’ve allowed ourselves the level of intimacy we have now. It’s new, exciting and scary. Its natural that we’d have awkward moments and this is really the first one we’ve had. We can put it behind us if we want to and go from here or we can let it tear us apart.”

“I know...I want us to keep moving forward together. I want you to be as bold and as aggressive as you want to be with me...or as shy and needy as you feel...without worrying about how I’ll react or what I need. Can we do that?”

“We can try. Are we having a hallmark moment?” Mac asked.

“I think we are.”

“Thank you for not ruining it for me.”

“Can I add to it?” Harm asked.

“You can try...” Mac trailed off as Harm reached over and took her hand, kissed it and returned it to the steering wheel.

“Let’s go find visit Alex and then find a place where we can live together...and raise a family.”

CHAPTER 7

1130 Local

Riverside Hospital

Washington DC

“Hey Alex. How’s our little man today?” Harm saked as he took the baby from the nurse. She was a new nurse they hadn’t seen before and she scowled at Harm and Mac as they requested time with Alex. She had asked for ID before she had allowed them into the family room.

Another couple were there holding their twins. The woman was nursing but seemed unfazed by Harm and Mac being there. Mac had slid open one of the screen dividers knowing that she wished it was something she could be doing for Alex. Someday she hoped that she would hold her own child to her breast and nurse the way the other woman was doing. Until then, Mac vowed to be the best mother she could to baby Alex.

“Mac, everything okay?” Harm asked as he saw a scowl on Mac’s face.

“Yes...just thinking about something else...I’ll tell you later.” She smiled to reassure him that it was nothing to worry about. Harm turned his attention to the infant in his arms that had begun to fuss. Harm’s large hand almost covered the baby from head to diapered bottom. Alex must have felt secure with him as he quieted again. This time Mac and Harm sat together on the sofa. While Harm held the baby she was able to bend close and talk to him or hold the bottle. Then they would switch.

The physical closeness of the two adults communicated to the infant as he took his bottle and watched their faces. He would kick his legs and shake his Harms sometimes as if he didn’t want to lose their interest. For the first time tonight, his eyes seemed to be following Harm and Mac’s quiet conversation. When Harm spoke his eyes would turn toward his face. When she spoke, the baby would try to focus on her. Once they almost thought he was trying to smile.

When he was once again asleep in his basinet they returned the baby to the nursery. This time the nurse was a little friendlier.

“Alex seems to be waiting for you to come these days. If its possible to come more often so that you can feed him at least twice a day it would probably be good.”

“Oh...we didn’t want to impose. We’d love to come more often,” Mac enthused. “We can probably come at least three times a day and sometimes more. Feeding times are good?” Mac asked.

“Yes, he’s almost up to five pounds and that’s his go home weight. It took him two weeks to gain the first eight ounces, but since you’ve been coming he’s eating a little better,” the nurse told them.

“He always finishes his bottle for me,” Harm smiled.

“Yes...it’s the only one he does finish. That’s why more feedings from you would help him go home sooner.”

“Then like Mac said, we’ll work something out so we can be here more often.”

“I’ll take him back to the nursery. We’ll see you in about four hours?” the nurse asked.

“We’ll be here.” Taking Mac’s hand they returned to the car to visit the next two places on the list.

The next place was a newly rennovated townhouse in Arlington on Emerson Drive. It was quite fancy but Mac knew that Harm wasn’t comfortable in that setting anymore then she was. They thanked the landlord before returning to the car.

“What do you think so far Mac?”

“I think the apartment in my building has been the best so far in regards to price, location, and potential...but how do you feel about it. It’s a much more traditional living space then your modern loft.”

“I like the coziness of your apartment Mac...its just not an atmosphere that I can sustain on my own.”

“Well, lets take a look at this last place and then make a final decision. It’s on Savannah Place right in Falls Church,” Mac told him as they headed that way. The relator was there waiting for them.

They pulled up in front of the small brick house with its wrap around porch. There was a two car garage at the end of the driveway with a path to a side door.

“Commander Rabb?” asked the man on the porch.

“Yes...and Sarah Mackenzie. Please call me Harm.”

“Thank you Harm...I’m Ken Adams. Just moving to the city?”

“No sir...thinking of moving from rented apartments into one house.”

“This is a great starter home. Upstairs you’ll find two bedrooms and a bathroom. The main living floor has a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, bathroom and utility room. No basement but there is storage in the garage and a garden shed out back.”

Harm and Mac wandered through the house. Harm had to admit that he could see them living here, despite the smallness of the house and lack of space for guests. He asked what they were asking for the home and then stopped in his tracks when he heard the asking price. This house, as small as it is, might be too good a deal to pass up. He’d have to see what Mac thought. The apartment however gave them more space.

Once on the road again, he asked her what she thought.

“Harm, the house is adorable and the price is reasonable. It’s close to JAG too.”

“But?”

“It’s not that big. What if your parents or Chloe come for a visit? Where would we put them?”

“In the baby’s room...move him in with us?” Harm suggested.

“I don’t think it makes much sense...but I’m open to suggestions.”

“Mac, what if guests stayed in the living room - or we give them our room and we sleep in the living room?” Harm asked trying to come up with a workable solution.

“You really want the house, don’t you Harm?” Mac asked.

“You don’t?”

“I think the apartment will give us more room. Until we find a house that we know is exactly what we want, I think buying is more risk then either of us wants to take.”

“You’re right. I think we need to take the apartment.”

“Well, while we’re making decisions, can I put something else on the table for us to discuss and decide about?” Mac asked.

“We have the papers to drop off at the courthouse to take custody of Alex. I think while we are there, that we should look into what we need to do to get married...I mean you said you saw that in our future and I just thought if we are going to adopt we’ll improve our chances if we have the paper...” Mac trailed off as Harm took over.

“Good idea Mac. Don’t you want to have a big wedding with all the trimmings?” Harm asked.

“Not really...too much work and too many things can go wrong,” was her cryptic reply.

“Are you saying that you would rather have a civil ceremony at City Hall?” Harm asked.

“Works for me.” Mac assured him.

“Then let’s check it out when we drop the papers off.” Harm agreed.

Mac pulled into the parking lot of Washington DC City Hall and they went up the steps and into the building. Harm’s hand had settled in the small of her back to guide her along. They stopped first to talk to them about getting married.

“How may I help you,” the lady asked.

“We’d like to find out what we need to do to get married here at City Hall,” Harm told her.

“You need to fill out the paperwork for a marriage license and pay for it. Then we need to get you on the calendar and schedule time for the actual ceremony. Are you sure you want to have a plain civil ceremony?” she asked looking at Mac.

“Yes. We are both in the military and scheduling anything personal too far in advance can be a nightmare. I’d rather go with the basics when it works for me.”

“Well, we could fit you in later this afternoon, probably...or lets see...”

Mac and Harm exchanged glances and then nodded to each other.

“We’ll take the afternoon slot if you don’t mind.”

“Are you sure you aren’t rushing into anything?”

“We’ve known each other eight years...I wouldn’t call that rushing a thing.” Harm chuckled.

“Alright then...fill out this papers and leave a check with me and then come back at three thirty this afternoon.”

“Thank you.” Harm accepted the paperwork and completed it while Mac corrected their application for adoption indicating today as their wedding date. She checked over the information he entered on the license form and then wrote a check to cover the cost.

“I’ll get it Mac.”

“I know...but I want to...we’ll work out a system for a joint budget eventually.”

“We can do that if you want,” he agreed.

“Thank you...I know it may seem odd, its just...”

“You want to us to have a real partnership...equals, right?” Harm explained for her.

“You do understand. No wonder I ...feel so comfortable going into this.” Mac hesitated. She had almost taken them some where that she wasn’t sure either of them were ready to go.

Harm glanced at his watch. They still had a lot to do and it was time to return to feed Alex.

“You want to finish up here and I’ll run the adoption papers upstairs to Family Court?” Harm asked. Mac nodded her agreement and handed the papers to him. She shook his head as his long legs carried him on his mission. Turning back to the clerk, Mac handed over their papers.

“Is there anything else?” Mac checked.

“Will you bring your own witnesses or would you like us to provide them?”

“I’m not sure...maybe you’d better have someone available. IS it a problem?”

“Oh no...I often serve as a witness and we have several others that can step in. IF you bring one person great, if not, we’ll see who’s around when you return. You sure you want to proceed so quickly?” the older woman asked Mac again.

“Yes.”

“I guess if I had a chance of getting hitched to someone that looked like him, I’d rush right into it too!” she laughed.

Mac smiled, shook her head and picked up the papers offered to her. “See you later then.”

Mac met Harm at the door and they returned to the hospital. Alex seemed to be waiting for them and this time his kicking feet would go each time he heard Harm’s voice. Mac had to admit she was a little jealous, but when he snuggled up to her and fell asleep after finishing his bottle, she felt better.

They left the hospital and returned to Mac’s apartment. Harm told her he was going right home and that he would return later with a load of things and dressed for their wedding. He suggested they go out for dinner afterward as well.

“What about NCIS? We were going to check in with them.” Mac reminded him.

“I will...I’ll call when I get home. You going to speak to the building manager?”

“Yes. I’ll find out when we can start moving things in.”

“I’ll call Chegwidden. He’s not going to be happy.”

“Wait and we’ll call him after the wedding,” Mac suggested.

“Alright...I just thought he might stand up for us.”

“True...okay, give him a call...Harm?”

“Yes?”

“This morning, you had a problem and wasn’t sure if you could handle being around me all the time because of it...have things been better today?”

“Oh yeah...I still feel like it wouldn’t take much to make me come unglued, but I also feel like I can still function and keep that part of my life for when we’re alone together.” Harm smiled, his eyebrow raised, as he thought how lucky he was to have Mac.

“Good...see you later,” Mac said as she buzzed his lips with a quick kiss.

Back in his loft, Harm called NCIS first.

“Agent Dnozzo.”

“Yeah is Gibbs or Todd around?”

“No. May I help you Commander Rabb?”

“I wanted to get an update if possible on who killed Singer.”

“And I’d like a million dollars, but it ain’t going to happen.”

“Is that because you don’t know or there’s nothing to update?” Harm asked trying to keep his cool.

“Commander Rabb?” a new voice came on the line. “This is Gibbs. I apologize for my agent.”

“I understand, Agent Gibbs. Are there any new developments?”

“Yes...Agent Todd and I just returned with Commander Ted Lindsey. He’s under arrest and we are preparing to interrogate him now. You are welcome to observe,” Gibbs invited.

“Thank you, but I have a previous engagement and we probably will not be able to make it. Good luck and I’ll look forward to hearing what happened. We’re moving ahead with the adoption of the baby. Filed papers today,” Harm informed the senior Agent.

“Good for you...I’ll be in touch.”

After signing off with Gibbs, Harm called Admiral Chegwidden’s house.

“Chegwidden.”

“Good afternoon sir. I’m sorry to bother you at home, but I have information for you and also a favor to ask.”

“Go ahead Rabb.”

“Thank you sir...Commander Lindsey has been arrested by NCIS and is being interrogated now regarding the death of Lt. Loren Singer.”

“Lindsey! Well don’t that beat all!”

“There’s more sir,” Harm hesitated.

“Rabb...”

“Sir, they found a letter addressed to me in Loren’s apartment. In it she says that she wants me to have the baby if I want it. She also made it clear that it was not Sergei’s baby and she led us to Lindsey. I’ve filed for adoption today...and one other thing...if you’re free, Mac and I would like you to serve as a witness at our wedding.” Harm waited for the explosion on the line. It didn’t come.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha,” Chegwidden’s laughter took Harm by surprise. “Where and what time?”

“Washington DC City Hall at fifteen-thirty today.”

“Is this what Mac wants?”

“Yes...”

“Then I’ll be there. It may have taken you two a long time to figure things out, but I think you’re doing the right thing.”

“You do, sir?”

“I do, Rabb. No uniforms I take it.”

“That would be affirmative sir.”

“Anyone else know?”

“Not yet sir...just the clerk at City Hall.”

“Where will you live?”

“There’s a larger apartment available in Mac’s building. We’re going to try to get that. There’s a chance we can bring Alex home at the end of next week, too.”

“Alex?”

“The baby sir...Loren didn’t know what to name him, so we decided on Alexander Harmon in case he was Sergei’s son. It worked for us if we are able to adopt him as well.”

“Monday we’ll talk to the SecNav about this situation. Something tells me he’s going to need a new JAG at his side. You and Mac should talk it over and decide who is better suited to the job.”

“Yes sir. Thank you sir.”

“Later Rabb.”

Harm relaxed glad that it had gone so well. He took three trips to the Lexus. One with extra uniforms; one with food items that wouldn’t keep; and the third with his civilian clothes that he would want or need. Once that was done, he took out the small box in his bedside table opening it to reveal a ring that was forty five years old and that hadn’t been worn for over thirty years. It was the wedding ring set that his father had given to his mother. Several years ago his mother had given it to him. Now it would be placed on Sarah Mackenzie’s finger as she married their son.

Checking the time he rushed to shave, shower and dress. He was getting married today!

Mac had made the arrangements with the Apartment Manager to move right into the larger apartment during the weekend. Phone calls were made to have phone numbers transferred on Monday. All other utilities were paid directly to the Apartment Manager as part of the rent.

With living arrangements made, Mac turned to her closet to see what she had that could serve as a wedding dress. She found a white eyelet suit in her closet that seemed to be just right. Her white winter coat completed the look and would work if she decided not to take her coat off for the ceremony itself.

Knowing what she would wear, she took her shower, and began preparing for Harm’s return. They had agreed they wouldn’t worry about unloading his car when he came back and they would take her car this evening. Mac told Harm he could drive for a change.

She had just finished dressing and applying her make-up when she heard the knock on the door.

CHAPTER 8

1500 Local

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

“Wow! You really look like a bride...ready?” Harm smiled at the picture Sarah Mackenzie made as she opened the door for him.

“Yes...did you get a hold of the Admiral and NCIS?” Mac asked as they walked down the hallway.

“Yes I did...the Admiral will meet us there and NCIS has arrested Teddy - Commander Lindsey. What about the apartment?” Harm countered.

“It’s ours...we can move in this weekend...the phone will be transferred on Monday.” Mac smiled at him as he took her hand in his. “We’re really doing this aren’t we?” Mac asked him.

“Do you want to back out?”

“No...This feels right, Harm.”

“I know...the Admiral said he wouldn’t miss the chance to see this...and he also said that we should discuss which one of us is better suited to being the SecNav’s personal JAG.”

“Is that our only option?” Mac asked with a frown.

“He didn’t say. You obviously aren’t interested. I can handle it I guess.”

“Wait Harm...let’s see if there are other options.” Mac implored him.

“We can ask him later.” They slid into the car and Mac had to acknowledge that Harm knew how to dress and wore clothes well. The pinstripe suit he wore was one of her favorites. He had worn it at Christmas last year. Today he wore a pearl gray shirt and matching tie with the gray on black pin stripes. His eyes were more green then blue with the gray shirt.

At City Hall, Harm took her hand to help her out of the car. Admiral AJ Chegwidden stood inside watching them through the glass doors. They made a dashing couple in or out of uniform. The fact that he thought of these two as family had made it hard at times to keep them in line, yet they came through for him time after time like no one else he knew - even his old Seal team.

“Admiral,” Harm greeted him with a smile and a handshake.

“Mac you look the picture of a happy bride. Thank you for including me here.”

“Thank you Admiral...I know this will make things awkward...”

“Not at all...since I talked to Harm, I found out that the Sec Nav has other ideas about his personal aide...he’s chosen Tracy Manetti.”

“So what other options do we have?” Harm asked.

“Actually the SecNav has assured me that as long as you do not work cases together he will leave you in the same office under my command for the time being...however, he wants you to both look for possible command positions within the next year. He says its time to rotate staff...including me.”

“What are you going to do sir?” Mac asked.

“I’m going to do my job and start planning for my retirement. Shall we go?” asked Admiral Chegwidden.

They walked into the office where they had bought their marriage license earlier in the day. The same pleasant lady was at the desk and greeted them by name.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Rabb, Ms Mackenzie. I see you’ve brought another witness with you.”

“Yes we have. This is our commanding officer, Admiral AJ Chegwidden,” Mac introduced their witness.

“I’m Rosa Marita and I’ll serve as the second witness. If you’re ready well go on in. Oh yes and do you have rings?”

“No.”

“Yes,” Harm answered over Mac’s no.

“Harm?” Mac looked at him puzzled as he handed her a small jewelry box he pulled from his suit coat.

“These are the rings my father gave my mother. She gave them to me a few years ago...would you mind wearing them?” Harm asked as he waited with baited breath for her response.

“Oh Harm...I wasn’t expecting this...are you sure?” Mac had to fight to control the moisture gathering in her eyes.

“Yes.”

“Thank you...they’re beautiful.”

“Are we ready?” asked Mrs. Marita. At their nods she knocked on a door and opened it poking her head inside. “We have a couple waiting for you to marry them Mr. Naismith.”

A gentleman in his early fifties joined them and shook hands with each of them as Mrs. Marita introduced them. He checked their paperwork and then began reciting the words to the service. He talked them through their vows as Harm presented Mac with the wedding band and they both promised to love, honor and cherish regardless of what life sent their way. In less then five minutes they were declared to be husband and wife.

“Congratulations Harm...Sarah...thank you for inviting me to be here to witness this moment between you,” AJ said as he signed the marriage certificate as a witness. “When we’re done here, I’d like to take you out to dinner...call it a small reception.”

“Thank you sir, but we’ll have to decline. We need to go to the hospital to feed Alex. We thought that after things settle down some, we could have sort of a belated reception with our JAG family...we know people will be disappointed that we didn’t have a big formal wedding with all the trimmings...but its just not what we wanted.”

“Very well...Mac...are you changing your name to Rabb?”

“I’m not sure...I think for now there will be less confusion if I keep Mackenzie. Maybe later I’ll change it.” Mac decided.

“Keep me posted. I think I’ll go home and start planning a reception in your honor and we can work out the date later. Will you accept that?” asked AJ.

“Yes sir...thank you very much.” Harm slipped his arm around Mac’s waist as they finished the paperwork to make their wedding official.

1630 Local

Riverside Hospital

Washington DC

Harm and Mac walked down the hallway toward the nursery. They could hear a baby crying and sounding quite put out.

“It sounds like Alex,” Mac said to Harm as they walked down the hallway toward the wailing baby. They picked up speed and when they got to the window they looked in and saw that it indeed was Alex that was crying so loudly. They didn’t see any nurses in the area so they entered the Family room which was also empty. Harm opened the door into the nursery and called. There was no response, just Alex’s angry cry. No other babies were in the nursery at all at that point...and no nurses. Harm went in at that point and picked up the frantic infant.

As soon as Alex heard Harm’s voice and felt his gentle strong hands lifting him he began to settle down. Little hiccoughs still punctuated his breathing but he was relaxing and quiet. His little fist found his way to his mouth and he was now sucking on it.

Mac in the meantime had tried to find someone in the nursery and in the process found the bottle that had been put up for Alex’ feeding.

“Mac. Are their any diapers that you can see. He’s soaked. He’ll need a new shirt too.”

“Yeah...there are some here...this should work...want me to do it?” Mac asked.

“Talk me through it, Mac,” Harm suggested.

Together they had Alex clean and dry and took him into the room to be fed before a nurse arrived.

“Oh good...we were short staffed here this afternoon and several of us got pulled to help in delivery. We figured you’d be along so when the other babies went to be with their parents we left him. I thought I’d be right back but well things went crazy. Did you find everything you needed?” the bubbly nurse asked them.

“Do you often leave babies...premature babies...in the nursey all alone and let them cry until they can hardly breathe?” Harm asked with barely controlled anger.

“No sir...that doesn’t happen very often...I’ve worked here six years and that’s the first time I’ve had to leave a baby alone for more then thirty seconds.”

“How soon before we can take him home with us?” Mac asked.

“Let’s see...” the nurse checked his chart. She looked up with a smile.” He’s at five pounds now and if he holds that for two more days or gains more over the next two days he’ll be ready to go home. Do you have legal custody yet?”

“Not yet...we applied today.”

“I’ll let the social worker here in the hospital know and I’m sure she’ll follow up on it first thing Monday morning.”

Harm and Mac spent more time with Alex that evening and made sure he was sound asleep before they left him. Hand in hand they left the hospital and headed for their next stop.

They had decided to dine at the Season’s Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue. Normally when they went out they enjoyed quiet cafe’s over fancy restaurants but tonight they both wanted something different and special to mark their wedding celebration.

Once they were seated, Harm took Mac’s left hand and looked at the wedding band sitting there. His thumb lightly caressed it as he reached into his pocket to remove the engagement ring that went with it. With his gazed locked with hers he slid the diamond ring on her finger to nestle with its companion, they way they liked to nestle with each other in bed.

Harm’s breath caught in his throat as he realized that he and Mac had made that final step...they were married. They had promised to be there for each other no matter what and Harm didn’t make a promise that he couldn’t keep. He smiled as he gazed into her eyes.

“Sarah...”

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to say your name...do you really liked to be called Mac more then Sarah?” Harm asked.

“Not when you say itlike that,” she smiled in return.

“Like what?”

“Like it’s the most beautiful word you know...like you...like you want me with you as more then a friend.”

“I do...don’t you know that?” Harm asked a little surprised at the insecurities Mac was showing him.

“I guess...I mean I know you don’t make promises you can’t keep and I know that you wouldn’t have made it through the ceremony if you didn’t feel it was something you could do...but yeah...sometimes I still feel like I’m ‘Mac - the girl next door’ not ‘Sarah-the woman you can’t get enough of.’ I know its silly...I know physically we’ve got something special and unique...and hot...but sometimes I’m afraid to believe we can have it all.”

“I know...but its ours if we want it now...and I do want it all with you...whether I call you Sarah or Mac,” Harm assured her.

The waiter arrived at that moment to discuss the menu and take their orders. They didn’t return to their hallmark moment until later that night.

2320 Local

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

Harm sat at the dining room table with a pad of paper and pen in hand. They had returned from another visit to the hospital after dinner. This time the nursery had several babies in it and the nursing staff bustled around like Mac and Harm were use to seeing. Alex was awake but calm when they arrived. Mac accepted the baby in her arms and nuzzled his soft cheek that was filling out into the plump baby cheeks that seem so natural on newborns. Alex was growing stronger and filling out with each feeding.

{FLASHBACK}

Sitting in the rocker to feed the baby, Mac looked up to see Harm watching her, a gentle smile on his face.

“What are you thinking, Mr. Rabb?” Mac asked.

“How good you look with Alex in your arms...” he said with a sheepish grin.

“I keep forgetting how tragic his life has been already...his mother murdered; no one to love him and care for him; facing foster homes and uncertainty...”

“Not if they give him to us,” inserted Harm adamantly.

“I know...we need to make plans to move into the new apartment this weekend and get some baby furniture. I think we should call Harriet and Bud tomorrow too and tell them what we’ve done.”

“What have we done?” asked Harm.

“You’re joking right? Harm, we’ve got to tell them we got married. I don’t want them to hear that from anyone but us.” Mac spoke urgently as she lifted Alex to burp him. The baby picked up on her distress and fussed until Mac rubbed hid back and settled him back down with the rest of his bottle.

“Oh! You’re right of course. We can call in the morning and see if they are free. We can go over to pick up some of te furniture they offered us and we can tell them then.”

“Harm are you really okay about us getting married?” Mac asked.

“Of course...is this because I didn’t get what you meant by ‘what we’ve done now’ when you said it before?” Harm asked tipping his head as he spoke.

“I guess...”

“Mac, I’m glad we are married...are you?”

“Yes...”

“But?”

“Nothing.” Mac insisted.

“I know we aren’t having much of a honeymoon, but I still intend to show you just how glad I am to be married to you tonight...unless you have other ideas,” Harm smiled as he spoke with a low sexy voice.

“Harm...not here...”Mac pleaded as she closed her eyes and swallowed trying to regulate her breathing and slow her racing heart. That man had a way of turning her on with the simplest of things...the sound of his voice; a gentle touch; or a hint of what he wanted to do with her behind closed doors.

Harm had laughed as he took Alex for the last burp and then soothed him until he was once again asleep.

{END FLASHBACK}

After they had returned to the apartment, Harm had sat at the table to plan out the furniture they would move from the loft the next day and the items that he remembered Bud and Harriet saying they could borrow. He then made a list of other items he thought they would need in order to bring the baby home. He hoped that Mac would be pleased with how complete and well thought out his list was when she saw it...but not until morning. He had other plans.

Mac had asked for a few minutes alone when she left him at the table making plans. She had gone in to get ready for bed. Harm had just set down his pen when he felt her hands slide over his shoulders and her lips against his neck. He turned his head to capture her lips as she came around beside him. Harm pulled back and looked up at her. She stole his breath as she stood there in the white nightgown she had taken to Russia with them several years before.

“How did you know I’ve always had a fantasy about taking that nightgown off of you?” Harm asked with voice thick with desire.

“Because I’ve always had a fantasy about how you’d react when you saw me in it?” Mac admitted.

“Were you trying to seduce me when we went to Russia?”

“And if I was?”

“Then it should tell you how blind and stupid the man you married really was.”

“And now?” Mac asked holding out her hand to him.

“I think its time to show you that I’m a much smarter man these days,” Harm admitted as he took her hand and pulled her into his arms lowering his head to kiss her bare shoulder and nuzzle one strap out of his way until it fell down her arm.

“You’ve got way to many clothes on, Husband,” Mac whispered as she undid his tie and pulled it off, dropping it on the floor.

Together they removed clothing from him as they moved to the bedroom. Mac had set the mood with candle light and soft music. She had turned down the bed that she had made up fresh with a new set of soft golden beige sheets she had never used before. They felt marvelous on her heated skin when Harm finally removed the white lace gown, letting it drop to the floor before he lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed. He poised himself above her while kneeling between her legs. The desire in his eyes told Mac all she needed to know. The little nod of her head told him she was ready for him. He reached for a condom but she stopped him, shaking her head no.

“Please, Harm...I don’t want anything between us tonight...we’re married.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Make love to me Harm.”

And he obliged.

CHAPTER 9

0830 Local

Robert’s Residence

Rosslyn, Virginia

“What do you suppose those two are up too?” Harriet asked Bud as she hung up the phone.

“What do you mean, Sweetie?” Bud asked as he joined his wife in the kitchen, using his crutches to support him still.

“That was Harm...and Mac...asking if we would mind if they came over to pick up some of those baby items we said we would lend them for Loren’s baby.”

“He must be doing better and they must have heard from the court yesterday so they want to get things settled.”

“Bud...they didn’t take the house by the day care...and when I suggested that we could bring the things by, Harm took the phone from Mac and said, ‘I really think we should come over there to talk to you if you don’t mind Harriet.’ Harm knows better then to take over from Mac like that, but she didn’t seem to mind at all. I’m telling you Bud, something is up with those two!”

“If you say so, Harriet.” Bud knew when it wasn’t worth disagreeing and so he offered to get some of little AJ’s things together for them.

“They’re already packed and it will be easier for Harm to get them when he gets here. They can go from the garage to his car easier then if we bring them inhere first.”

“Okay Harriet. What time will they be here?”

“Soon. They were just leaving the hospital after feeding Alex when they called.”

“Are they going over to do all the feedings?” Bud asked amazed.

“Just during the day. The nurses do the night feedings.”

“Wow! They are devoted to that baby aren’t they?”

“I’m telling you Bud...they are up to something.” Little AJ’s arrival in the kitchen distracted them as they waited. Before long the door bell rang and Harriet went to admit Harm and Mac into her home...and find out what they weren’t telling. She didn’t have long to wait.

“Hi Harriet,” Harm smiled as he bent to buzz her cheek with a kiss. He didn’t release Mac’s left hand as she put her right arm around Harriet to hug her.

“Hey Bud,” Harm step forward and shook the younger man’s hand while Mac kissed his cheek.

“Come on in you guys. What’s happening?” Harriet asked.

“Well, I guess we should just tell you,” Mac started.

“Tell us what?” Bud asked while Harriet beamed.

“We’re married,” Harm announced as Mac held out her hand for them to see the rings.

“Married! You eloped?” Harriet squealed, not sure if she was angry with them for not inviting them or just excited that they had taken the step.

“When?” Bud asked more practically.

“We didn’t really elope...we had Admiral Chegwidden attend as our witness. We were married yesterday at City Hall.” Mac explained.

“Kind of a rush...meaning no disrepect of course,” Harriet mumbled.

“None taken Harriet. Yes we decided to get married without a lot of fanfare for a number of reasons...among them because we wanted to be married when we applied for custody of Alex.”

“And did you hear already?” Bud asked.

“No...but we could hear as early as Monday...as least regarding temporary custody. We need to be ready just in case.”

“Well, first of all, Congratulations!” Harriet smiled hugging them both again. Then turning to Mac she said, “We need to have a girl talk real soon.”

“I promise we will Harriet.”

“Alright, let me show you where the things are. We put them in storage in the garage when we moved here. Harm, why don’t you back up as close to the garage as you can. Mac and I will meet you out there.”

“Okay Harriet.”

Twenty minutes later the Lexus was loaded with a changing table, a full size crib, a portable crib, a stroller, two infant car seats so they could have one in each car, a diaper bag, a crib mobile, a box with assorted infant clothes in it and another box with receiving blankets, bibs, bottles, and crib sheets. Hugging Harriet and Bud again, they returned to the apartment to unload the items in the new apartment.

Harriet and Bud were disappointed that they wouldn’t be in the house by the day care, but understood their decision to move into the larger apartment while they looked for the perfect place.

With trips to the hospital by one or both of them in between, they rented a small rental truck and moved Harm’s furniture themselves. They decided to leave the appliances in the loft which would bring a higher asking price when it sold. Mac drove Harm’s Corvette to the hospital to feed Alex while Harm drove back to the apartment. The plan was for him to start painting the living room and the baby’s room. They would unload and set up the furniture together when Mac returned.

Both rooms had gotten a coat of paint by the time Mac returned. They decided that the one coat paint had done its job and so they began to unload Harm’s furniture. Harm’s bed went into the third bedroom, while the black leather sofa and chair were positioned away from the walls in the living room for the moment with the coffee table between them. The room was big enough to hold Mac’s sofa as well.

Harm’s desk and bookcase went into the third bedroom as well. The glass table fit into the kitchen up against one wall. The extra chairs were spread around to the bedrooms leaving just three chairs in the kitchen. The boxes were separated by the rooms they would go in and the cabinet Harm had used as a hutch went into the hallway for lack of a better place.

They grabbed a bite to eat before Mac went to her apartment to pack and Harm took a turn at the hospital with Alex. When Harm returned, they began moving Mac’s things into the new apartment. They moved the bed first and then the bureaus. The dining room table, the chairs and hutch came next. By then they were running out of steam so they opted to bring down some boxes and Mac’s clothes. They got the bathrooms operable and decided to take showers and put on clean clothes before they had dinner and went back to the hospital for Alex’s bedtime feeding.

2240 Local

Rabb Apartment

Georgetown

Harm and Mac collapsed on the his sofa in their new apartment. Harm had the checklist he had worked on the night before and started crossing of all the things they had accomplished that day.

“Are you as tired as I am?” Mac asked while he head rested on his shoulder with her eyes closed.

“Yeah...we didn’t get that much sleep last night Mrs. Rabb.” Harm smiled.

“That sounds nice.”

“No regrets?”

“Not yet...”

“But you think you might eventually?” Harm probed only partially kidding.

“No...I think you are worth holding on to...Mr. Rabb.” Mac slipped her hand into his as they sat quietly on the couch.

Together they drew up their plan for the next day. They would bring her sofa down. The chair would fit in the baby’s room. They would assemble the crib and changing table and unpack the clothes tomorrow. Mac suggested that they would need an extra set of drawers for the baby’s things, until Harm presented a plan to build a built in shelf and storage unit in the closet space that existed. Mac liked the idea so it was agreed that he would do that while she unpacked boxes and set up the kitchen.

Combining the households of two independent people that had lived alone for years was not an easy task, but somehow they managed to do it - each giving up something of theirs and embracing something of the other’s. By the time they collapsed in bed on Sunday, an ‘old married couple’ of two days, they fell asleep holding hands following a quick kiss when they climbed into bed in their new home.

1130 Local

JAG HQ

Falls Church, Virginia

“Tiner! Get Rabb and Mackenzie for me,” called Admiral AJ Chegwidden from behind his desk through the open door. Less then sixty seconds later Tiner reappeared.

“Sir, Rabb is on his way. Colonel Mackenzie has left for lunch.”

“Thank you Tiner.”

“Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir.”

“At ease...close the hatch and have a seat,” directed the Admiral.

“Settled into your new quarters?”

“Yes sir.”

“I received a call from NCIS. Gibbs said they got Teddy to talk. I thought you’d want to know what happened.”

“Yes sir.”

“Lt. Singer saw Commander Lindsey as a means to the top...or at least to the SecNav’s office. He used her to get information on all of us here at JAG. When she found out about what he was up to she upped the ante and seduced him. She was planning to use that to get him to do what she wanted. When she found out she was pregnant she had planned to get an abortion, but when she discovered that Lindsey was more concerned about being found out she waited too long. When he found out that she had not aborted the pregnancy, he threatened her. When that didn’t get the response he wanted, he threatened the baby. She had gone to see the baby one more time. She had planned to contact you to offer the baby to you after all and ask you to help her.”

“Yes sir, part of that we knew from the letter that was found in her apartment.He confirmed it?” Harm asked.

“Pretty much. Lindsey had followed her after she left the hospital and Loren spotted him. He confronted her and she slipped, hitting her head when she tried to get away from him. He didn’t see anyone around and they were on the bridge so he pitched her over. He has signed papers relinquishing all parental rights to the child. NCIS has notified the hospital social worker and I have notified the Family Court in Washington, D.C. It looks like you’re a step closer to claiming that little guy.”

“Thank you sir. Mac and I really appreciate the support.”

“Hey, the JAG family must stick together as long as we can. We make each other better and stronger day after day,” AJ Chegwidden told Harm. “Do you and Mac have a schedule for who is going to the hospital when to take care of Alexander?”

“Yes sir. We go together in the morning before we come here. Then unless she’s in court, Mac’s going to leave here about 11:30 and should get back by 1:00. I’ll leave between fifteen thirty and sixteen hundred and then after we have dinner we’ll go together one more time and tuck him in. He may be able to come home with us in a couple of days.” Harm informed his commanding officer.

“Have you arranged daycare?”

“We’ve looked into a few options and Mac said she has about twenty five days of leave on the books. I have about the same. We thought maybe we’d half to take some half days for a few weeks so that one of us can be home with him most of the time. Then when he gets a little older - a little bigger - leaving him all day with a sitter won’t be so difficult.”

“So you think...I remember when Francesca was a baby, Marcella was home with her but I wanted to take her out to dinner and we got a babysitter when the baby was about three months old and Marcella had to call about every half hour to check on her. She was so worried she couldn’t eat dinner and we gave up and went home. I can see both you and Mac being that way.”

“Maybe...maybe the fact he’s not our flesh and blood will make it easier,” Harm speculated.

“The way you already obsess over that child, I’d say blood doesn’t mean a damn thing to either of you.” AJ chuckled.

“You could be right sir,” Harm acceded.

“Well, keep me posted. Oh, and Gibbs said that if you are interested in joining NCIS as an investigator he wouldn’t mind you on his team.”

“Thanks, Admiral, but if I leave the Navy it will be for something a little more safe then NCIS,” Harm remarked eyebrows raised.

“That will be all for now Commander.”

“Aye-aye, sir.”

1425 Local

Mac’s Office

“Lt. Colonel Mackenzie,” Mac answered the phone on her desk.

“Yes, I’m looking for Mrs. Rabb.”

“Speaking.”

This is Carol Chadwick with Family Services. We received a petition for custody of a male child born to Loren Singer on December 12, 2004 by you and Commander Harmon Rab Junior. We would like to meet with you both this afternoon if possible.”

“My husband is in court this afternoon and then we go feed the baby between four and five o’clock. Can you meet us there?” Mac asked.

“Well, perhaps that can be arranged. He’s at Riverside...yes I can meet you there at four thirty. That will give me a chance to see you with the child as well.”

“I’ll tell my husband and we’ll see you then.” After hanging up Mac went to see the Admiral and tell him that she would also need to leave early today. She had the court clerk skip a note to Harm as well.

1630 Local

Nursery

Riverside Hospital

“Mrs. Chadwick?” Harm extended his hand to the lady with the purple suit and lavendar blouse that waited in the family room where they spent time with Alex.

“Yes, Commander Rabb...and you must be Mrs. Rabb,” she offered her hand to Mac.

“Yes, Ma’am...I’ve kept my maiden name for now, at least when I’m on duty.”

“I see. Do you go get the baby or do they bring him to you?” Mrs. Chadwick asked.

“I’ll show you,” Harm smiled as he tapped on the nursery door and the nurse opened it with Alexander in his basinet and the bottle ready to go. Harm wheeled him in as he talked softly to the baby, forgetting that someone was there to watch him with the baby. He scooped him up and kissed his cheeks before settling the baby in his arms and giving him the bottle.

“I see you are comfortable handling babies, Commander Rabb. Have you other children?”

“No Ma’am. But I hope to have more then this little guy someday,” he said as he smiled at Mac.

“I see. How do you think you will feel if you have this child that is not yours and then you have children of your own?”

“He may not be blood, but he is ours already. We love him as much as we would a child of our own. We knew his mother and his father. They were not always the nicest people...but this child is innocent and deserves the best life can offer,” Mac answered for both of them.

“This is all happening very quickly. How will you be equipped to care for an instant family...a baby with some special needs?”

“I think our maturity is a bonus. We are more settled and able to make decisions based on what the child needs then a younger couple would be. This is a choice we are making not a situation we are dealing with.” Harm told Mrs. Chadwick as he lifted Alex to burp him then settled him on his shoulder to rub his back.

Mac watched the woman watch Harm and knew that she was impressed. Her eyebrows had lifted when he had put the cloth over the medals to protect the baby from them. Mac had taken the seat next to Harm on the small sofa and she reached over to touch the baby’s cheek with her finger.

“There amazing things aren’t they Mrs. Rabb - ah - Colonel Mackenzie?” asked Mrs, Chadwick.

“Mrs. Rabb is fine...I’ll use Mackenzie only at work...and yes...babies are a miracle. We were both present when our godson was born. Watching him grow and all the stages he went through has been so much fun and so interesting. He’s almost four now,” Mac explained.

“It’s very different when you are the parents - not the godparents. Do you think that you and your career can handle being a parent?”

“Yes. We’ve already made some arrangements with our Commanding Officer so that we can spend shorter periods of time away from him when he comes home,” Mac explained.

“You sound pretty confident that you’ll get custody of this baby. What if you don’t?”

“We’ll be very disappointed of course...but the letter the mother wrote before she died indicated that she wanted Harm to raise her child. That has to account for something, doesn’t it?” demanded Mac as Harm finished feeding the baby.

“In the adoption procedures maybe, but not in short term foster care. I need to see your house as well. IF you’re almost done here, I’d like to follow you home and do that now.”

“Of course...but please understand that we just moved into the new place this weekend and we have not finished unpacking,” Harm explained as Mac took the baby from him and settled him into his basinet.

1745 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

Mrs. Chadwick followed them into the apartment without a word. They showed her the apartment and baby’s room first, the rest of the apartment, and the back yard. When they returned to the living room she spotted the schedule on the pad of paper that Harm had left their that morning that outlined the schedule for hospital ‘duty’ for the week.

“I can see that you are making plans - and back-uup contingencies - for the baby. The nurses at the hospital all felt that you have bonded with the baby. I will file my report in the morning that you would be suitable for short term and long tern care of the infant.”

“Thank you Mrs. Chadwick,” Mac smiled as she extended her hand to the woman. Harm also shook he hand and then showed her out. Once she was gone he reached for Mac.

“Ready to be a Mom?”

“Yeah...I think I am. Do you think we’ll be able to bring him home tomorrow? The nurse said he is continuing to gain and has not dropped below five pounds.”

“Yeah, we I took him back she said that the doctors feel he is thriving so much better because of us. Mac, I don’t know if I can take it if they don’t let us have him.” He looked down into her upturned face as he still held her in his arms.

“I know...let’s not think about that right now.” Mac’s stomach rumbled and she laughed,”Hungry Marine here...time to feed me!”

The week dragged by waiting for word from Family Services. By Thursday morning Harm called to see what was happening. No one had an answer for him until he finally got Mrs. Chadwick on the line.

“I’m sorry for the delay Commander Rabb. We were scheduled to go before a judge on Wednesday and he was taken ill. We have been rescheduled for this afternoon.”

“We were not informed of this. We should be there shouldn’t we?”

“No...not in this case. I will call you as soon as I get out of court. I have four cases this afternoon that will be heard.”

“Thank you Mrs. Chadwick. We look forward to your call.”

“What did she say?” Mac asked as soon as he hung up the phone.

“She’ll call us later when she gets out of court. I think it was a good thing that we put the car seat into the Lexus this morning. Alex could possibly come home tonight.” Harm smiled and although they didn’t touch the look in their eyes as they gazed atone another spoke of shared memories of their love making the night before and this morning as they made up for the Sunday night exhaustion they felt after moving all weekend, when they had simply fallen asleep holding hands.

CHAPTER 10

1650 Local

JAG HQ

Falls Church, Virginia

“Lt. Colonel Mackenzie,” Mac answered out of habit as she picked up her office phone.

“Mrs. Rabb? This is Mrs. Chadwick from Family Services.”

“Yes Mrs. Chadwick. Do you have news?”

“Yes...Congratulations...the judge has moved the child’s case directly to the adoption phase given the death of the biological mother and the signed release from the father. You may bring Alex home tonight if the doctor’s agree that he’s ready. You will have regular visits from our office for a period of six months and then you will appear before Family Court for the judge to hear how its going. If all goes well, he could finalize the adoption at that point.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Chadwick. This means so much to us.”

“May I ask, Mrs. Rabb, are you unable to have children of your own?”

“Not that I know of...its just we both love children and feel that we have a bond with Alex...maybe because his mother worked here with us and was part of the JAG family. We feel that he belongs to us...regardless of who raises him.”

“Well, that support went a long way in putting Alex’s case on the fast track to adoption...that and the dedication you have shown the baby without knowing what the decision on placement would be. Again, Congratulations and I will be seeing you.”

“Thank you...I can’t wait to tell my husband.” Mac hung up and went to see the admiral to make arrangements for leave.

“Mac, I did some checking...you are entitled to some maternity leave even when you adopt...I can let you have up to six weeks without touching your accumulated leave if you’d like.”

“Thank you Admiral...I don’t know that I’ll need all that time...and there are things I can do at home as well.”

“Alright...as Chief of Staff go ahead and work out a schedule and let me know what you need from me. Congratulations.”

“Thank you sir...I need to secure and go to the hospital. I want to be the one to inform Harm.”

1730 Local

Family Room

Riverside Hospital

“Commander Rabb?”

“Yes?”

“I’m Alisha Miller, the Social Worker here at Riverside Hospital. I was asked to have you join me in the conference room.”

“Is something wrong?” Harm asked, red flags popping in his brain.

“Please come with me,” she repeated as she led the way from the Family Room at the Nursery to the conference room on the other end of a wing of offices jutting out from the hub of the hospital.

Frowning, Harm followed her to the conference room. As he stepped inside he spotted Mrs. Chadwick, Dr. O’Hara, and Mac.

“Mac? What’s going on?” Harm asked as he rushed to her side.

“Go ahead, Mrs. Rabb. We’ll let you tell him,” instructed Ms. Miller.

“Harm, Alex is ours...”

“You mean...?”

“Commander, as I told your wife, the judge was impressed with the attention you’ve given to the baby without knowing the outcome. Because the mother is deceased but had left that letter indicating that she wanted you to care for her child and the biological father signed papers relinquishing his parental rights, the judge decided to move this case immediately to adoption. You will have regular visits and evaluations and then at the end of six months if all goes well, Alex will be signed over to you permanently.”

“Wow! Thank you...When can we take him home?” Harm asked.

“That’s why I’m here, Harm...he’s coming home with us tonight,” Mac smiled at her husband as he fought to control his emotions.

“Commander Rabb, Mrs. Rabb, the two of you have been the talk of this hospital with your unending visits to the nursery to help care for Alex. During the first two weeks of his life, it was a chore to get him to eat and keep it down. He would gain a few ounces and then loose them. Weight he should have gained in a week, he struggled to gain in twice that time.

“You came along and bonded with him and he began to thrive. He’s still tiny, but he’s ready to go home. You are welcome to find your own pediatrician or you may continue to see me. I have office hours both here at the hospital and in my own office in Falls Church. He should come in for a check up in a week and then we can set up a regular schedule for immunizations, to chart growth and to deal with any problems that may appear as a result of the premature birth.”

“Do you expect any, Dr. O’Hara?” asked Mac.

“Actually, no...he’s thriving and bonding. Thing look very bright for this boy’s future.”

“Do yo have a car seat?” asked Alisha Miller.

“Yes, I put it in this morning just in case,” Mac told them.

“We’ll send you home with more information then you might want, from daycare providers that take infants, to formula options with samples, to a bathing set and other newborn gift packs. There are hotlines to call if you discover there’s something you don’t know or questions you might have.”

“Thank you, Ms. Miller. Mrs. Chadwick, thank you for all you’ve done. Dr. Chadwick, we’ll see you on Friday then?”

“Yes, here’s an appointment card for you. Directions to my office are on the back.”

“Thank you.”

Arms around each other’s waists, Mac and Harm made their way back to the nursery, where they were given a gift laden diaper bag, a box with a carry handle and Alexander Harmon Singer wrapped in a blue receiving blanket and a blue quilt. Mac accepted her son and Harm the gifts. The nurse presented Mac with the wheelchair. They looked at each other and then the nurse.

“Hospital policy...sorry,” responded the nurse.

Mac shrugged and sat in the chair while the nurse wheeled her to the curb. Harm brought the Lexus around and they loaded Alex in the infant car seat. They shared a quick kiss and Mac jumped in. Harm stopped by the Corvette and let Mac out. He waited until she was in and the car had started. She followed him the short distance back to their Georgetown apartment where they unloaded the cars.

Harm set the car seat on the dining room table while they unloaded the gift box and bag. Included in the items was a baby monitor, bottle warmer, a box of ‘premie’ disposable diapers, three ‘onesies’, formula samples and written instruction of what the nursery used and how it was prepared along with instructions of when and how to switch formulas if necessary.

“There’s a lot of stuff here. I guess I’ve got to get that shelf unit finished soon,” Harm shrugged.

“There’s enough storage in the changing table for now...Oh Harm...I almost forgot to tell you...Admiral Chegwidden has secured leave for me similar to maternity leave designed for adoption.”

“Really? Are you going to take time?”

“Yes, tomorrow at least. I’m also going to work out a schedule for working home and in the office. I think it will be good for everyone if Alex goes to a sitter for a few hours a day. As he gets older I can expand my time away from him...when we’re both ready.”

“Mac, that’s great. Admiral’s been a good sport about all of this hasn’t he?”

“Did you expect anything less?”

“No...I guess I didn’t,” Harm admitted.

“Harm, what do you want for dinner tonight?” Mac asked as they set out the things they would need to make up bottles for Alex during the night.

“Pizza?”

“Oh thank you! I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Shall I call and have one delivered?” Harm asked smiling at his wife.

“Thank you, husband.”

2055 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

Harm set the baby monitor on the coffee table in front of them as he sank onto the sofa next to Mac. Between putting the baby’s things in order, preparing formula and bottles for night time feeding, eating their pizza, and discussing day care options they had taken pictures of Alex alone and with each of them so that they could start a baby book. They had made a list of things they felt they needed to buy for the baby when Mac looked at Harm and asked the million dollar question.

“Harm, have you told your mother or grandmother about us or about Alex?”

Harm had stopped mid-motion and just looked at his wife for two heart beats before answering with a smile. “That’s what I forgot to do! I knew there was something...”

“Harm! I can’t believe you.”

“I’ll call after we get Alex to bed.”

“I’m not letting you forget,” she had promised.

Now as they sat together on the sofa, Mac handed Harm the portable phone without a word. He took the phone and started dialing after a quick glance at his watch.

“Gram? Did I wake you?...I know and I’m sorry...but I have some news I think you’ll like...well, I hope you’re setting down...I promise its nothing bad...you remember I told you about Mac...yes, the lady Marine that can kick mt butt if she’s a mind...that’s the one...yes, well...we got married last week...Gram...Gram...there’s more...we’re adopting a baby...yes I guess so...it’s a long story Gram...short version?...Okay, a woman we worked with at JAG gave birth to her baby early. The biological father killed her and terminated his rights to the baby. They found a letter the mother wrote saying she hoped I would take care of her son...yes I do...very much...We named him Alexander Harmon Rabb...we took pictures to night...announcements?” Harm looked at Mac and she nodded as she added to the list of things to do.

“Yes Gram, we’ll be sending out announcements for our marriage and the adoption...I’m calling her next...I love you too Gram...Yes, I will if the weather holds...we’d love to have you come down if you are up to it...we moved into a larger apartment in Georgetown and we do have a guest room...okay, let me know when and I’ll meet you...thanks Gram...G’night.” Harm hung up the phone and looked at Mac.

“Would you mind if she came to visit and stayed with us?”

“Not at all. It will be fun to spend some time talking to her and hearing stories about you when you were little,” Mac grinned. Harm rolled his eyes and picked up the phone again.

“Might as well get this one over. This might not be as easy,” Harm sputtered as he punched in his mother’s phone number. “Frank? It’s Harm...fine thanks and you?...Is Mom there?” He listened to Frank and then waited for his mother to come on the line. He took Mac’s hand in his for morale support.

“Hi Mom...I’m fine...actually I have some news I think you’ll like...well Gram liked my news...no I’m not leaving the Navy...you’re close...only I’m not going to get married...I already am married...”he held the phone away from his ear and winced at the diatribe his mother was issuing. “Mom? Mom, listen...I’m listening?” Harm rolled his eyes and Mac had to fight to keep from laughing out loud.

“Mom I’ll fill you in if you give me a chance...and there’s more to this...are you sitting down...Mac and I got married last week and we’re adopting a baby boy...we don’t know but we assume so...eventually yes...the short version is a colleague was killed shortly after giving birth to the baby and the biological father doesn’t want the baby...we do...he’s great...Alexander Harmon Rabb...yes she is...just a minute...” Harm took a deep breath as he moved the phone from his ear. “She wants to talk to you Mac.”

“Hello Mrs. Burnett...alright, Trish...it was my decision to get married at city hall...we plan to have a reception later...we thought that it would improve our chances of adopting this little guy if we were married...yes I do...I hope so...I think I can handle him...he’s great with the baby...I’d like that...thank you...here he is,” Mac handed the phone to Harm again.

“Mom?...Yes I will...soon I promise...I love you too...G’night.” Harm hung up the phone and rested his head on the back of the sofa feeling drained. “Sorry about that Mac. Did she grill you too bad?”

“Not at all. I think I like your mother.”

“What did she tell you,” Harm groaned.

“Nothing much...but she’s promised to tell me lots of things if I call when you’re at work.”

“You wouldn’t would you?” Harm asked turning his head towards Mac as he rested it on the back of the sofa.

“I might...” Mac laughed as she leaned her head against his chest. “But I could be persuaded if you tried real hard I think.” Mac said flirting a little with her husband.

Harm lowered his head and captured her lips. It seemed a lot longer then just over a week ago that he had all he could do to be around her without finding himself uncomfortably aroused. Now he enjoyed feeling his body come alive as he kissed her and she returned his kisses. He turned off the lamp at the end of the sofa and then turned to stretch himself over her as he laid her back onto the leather sofa where they sat. His lips wandered from her lips to her neck and he felt her shiver with desire as he teased the pulse point in her neck at the same time his hand covered her breast.

“Yes Harm...touch me...love me...” Mac murmured as his lips wandered lower while his hands began removing her clothes. At the same time, she worked on getting his clothes off him and letting her hands explore his muscular form. She couldn’t get enough of his body. From the texture of his skin and the hair that covered his body just right in all the right places to the crooked ear to the strength of his erection Mac couldn’t get enough of him.

Somehow they managed to move from the sofa to the bedroom and take the baby monitor with them without breaking the mood of the moment. Once in the bedroom, Harm sent Mac into a frenzied release with his hands, then his mouth and finally after entering her and reaching the heights together. They were just coming off the high of their orgasms when they heard Alex crying for his bottle.

“Harm?”

“Yes Mac?”

“Do you realize that he went almost six hours since his last bottle?” Mac asked as Harm slid out of bed and pulled on his robe.

“Think he’ll sleep most of the night?” Harm asked.

“I think it’s a little early to expect too much, but five to six hours at a stretch would be great. The doctor said we should start seeing the time between feedings going from every three to four hours to every four to five hours soon. Must be coming home tired him out.”

“Do you want me to bring him in here with us to feed him?”

“I’ll come in there with you...you get the bottle, I’ll get him changed.” Mac suggested.

Together they played they fed him and played with him until he got sleepy again. They put him to bed and each kissed him goodnight. Tonight would start a routine of shared parenting that both adults would cherish in the weeks to come.

CHAPTER 11

December 12

1400 Local

Ronald Regan National Airport

Washington DC

Harm and Mac waited and watched for his grandmother, Sarah Rabb, to come off the plane. Finally Harm spotted her. Mac wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but it wasn’t the reality of Sarah Rabb, grandmother of Harmon Rabb Junior. The tall, elderly but somewhat “rugged-looking” woman coming toward them with her gray hair neatly wrapped in a bun wearing a classic ‘school marm’ type suit in a deep eggplant purple with a lace white blouse wasn’t it.

“Gram!” Harm called out as she neared them. The smile that Mac had always called the ‘Rabb smile’ lit her face when she spotted her grandson.

“Harm! And you must be Mac,” Sarah Rabb greeted them each with a warm embrace before turning her attention to the baby in the pack Harm wore on his chest with the sleeping Alex.

“He’s asleep now, Gram, but he’ll wake up soon. Shall we claim your luggage?”

“Let’s go. So Mac...Harm tells me you like to be called Mac.”

“Well, I like Sarah also, but in the Marine Corps it was easier to be just one of the gang when they called me Mac so it stuck.”

“He doesn’t call you Mac all the time does he?”

“No,” Mac laughed, “He calls me Sarah sometimes...but with both of us being Sarah Rabb now, it will make things easier if everyone just calls me Mac.”

“I suppose your right. You know Harm, your grandfather and father had pet names for me and your mother.”

“Pet names, Gram?”

“Yes. Your grandfather called me ‘Snook-ums’ usually and I believe your father called your mother ‘Darling’ usually. Do you have a pet name for your wife yet?”

“Not really, Gram...but I’ll work on it,” he promised as he winked at Mac. “Snook-ums, huh?”

“Don’t even think about that one Sailor!” Mac threatened with a laugh. When Sarah Rabb and Harm both chuckled with her she felt such a sense of belonging and peace that she had to fight back tears for a few seconds. The emotions of the moment threatened to overwhelm her, but with a couple of deep breaths and the distraction of Alex as he wiggled on Harm’s chest and she composed herself again.

“Its so good to be here. I hope we’ll have time to do some shopping while I’m here, Mac.”

“Oh I’m sure that can be arranged.” As they picked up her suitcase and walked to the car they chatted about al kinds of things.

“What did your mother say when you called her with the news Harm?”

“She gave me an earful, Gram...but I think she’s happy for us. She sent a letter and asked thousands of questions which Mac and I are still answering and I think this is the third response letter we’ve worked on. Each time we send one we send a picture of two as well.”

“Good thinking! I can’t wait to see the pictures myself.”

“We’ve started a baby book for him. It’s been a lot of fun.”

“Harm, when you named him Alexander, did you remember that was your grandfather’s middle name?” asked Sarah Rabb.

“No, I didn’t...it’s Sergei’s middle name so I just thought...wow...really?” Harm was speechless.

“How did you come by the name Harmon for a first name when Harm’s dad was born?” asked Mac.

“Its my maiden name. My husband insisted that we go with a plain simple name that captured both of us and insisted that my last name and his together was perfect.”

“Harm, did you know that?” asked Mac.

“Yes, but I guess I forgot about it, just like I forgot his middle name was Alexander. You know, I always wished I had a middle name...now I understand why I don’t. I never got that before. Thanks Gram.”

“Your welcome son. And by the way, I would have used Alexander as a middle name for your father too if your grandfather had agreed to it.”

1830 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

“What a delicious dinner,” Sarah Rabb exclaimed as she set down her fork and looked at her empty plate.

“Thanks Gram.”

“I enjoyed watching the two of you share the duties. In my day that wasn’t something that happened all that often...the wife took care of the home and the husband was the bread winner. I’m glad to see I have a modern grandson that isn’t threatened by traditional roles and that pitches right in. Your grandfather, when he was home, did that as well. Your father not as much, although he did a lot with you.”

Mac soaked up all the stories the older lady told about her husband and her family. Somehow it made her feelings for the man she had married even richer and stronger.

“I don’t think I do anything that noble Gram. I was a bachelor for so long and had to fend for myself that many of the things I do are out of habit,” Harm explained.

“Well whatever the reason, I’m proud of the way you share so many things. Now Mac, what do you need for my great grandson? Clothes...furniture...toys...give me some ideas of what you need,” Sarah Rabb begged.

“Gram you don’t have to go buy stuff for the baby. We were able to borrow several things from some of our friends and we’ve been picking up things as we need them. Having you here means a lot to both of us, doesn’t it Mac?” Harm asked.

“Yes it does. Now, we’ll go shopping tomorrow and take Alex with us. When we get home, Harm should have the shelf unit finished, right?” Mac teased.

“Yes...I never expected it to take me this long to get it done. It’s hard to believe that he is a month old today.”

“He had a check up earlier today and he weighs seven pounds. The doctor was thrilled and said that although he expects him to lag behind a few weeks with some of the developmental milestones, he also thinks that by the time he’s eighteen months old, we’ll never know he was born early.” Mac had been impressed with the growth and development chart for premies that the doctor had presented her. They would go back in two weeks, just before Christmas to get his first shot.

“Mac, I know you’ve taken some leave time to be with Alex. How is that working out?” Mrs. Rabb asked.

“Good...I go in every morning for four or five hours and then pick him up around noon. I bring files home to read while he sleeps or work on the computer. A couple of times I’ve worn the carry-pack and taken him into the office in the afternoon. Harm will take him when I have a client. The Admiral also usually takes him for a little while.”

“That’s great. What’s that saying, ‘Its takes a village to raise a child?’ It seems that is what JAG has become for all of you...a village that raises a child.”

“I guess you’re right Gram.”

2330 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

“I like your grandmother a whole lot, Harm,” Mac said as she slid into bed and settled herself in his arms.

“Really? Even though she thought I should call you ‘snook-ums’?” Harm teased.

“She did not...she just meant you could give me a nickname.”

“Like Marine?”

“No...something more personal.”

“Ninja Girl?”

“You haven’t used that one in a while,” Mac smiled.

“You have a better idea?”

“Bud calls Harriet ‘Sweetie’ sometimes,” Mac reminded him.

“Want me to try that one?” Harm asked as he moved her hair away from her neck and touched his lips to the pulse point hidden there.

“No...I think sometimes people use endearments and it sounds fake...like they just don’t remember the person’s name.”

“So if I came home from work and called you ‘Honey’ you wouldn’t believe me?” Harm asked.

“I don’t know...try it sometime.”

“I just might do that...” Harm said as he nuzzled her neck.

“That feels nice.” Mac whispered as he nuzzled her neck again. Her response was to slide her hand up and down his bare leg.

“It’s a little higher...Honey,” Harm teased just before Mac’s hand made contact with his most sensitive parts. The aired hissed into his lungs and escaped in a whoosh as she found the objects of her desire. Their playful banter and touching began an erotic sexual encounter made deeper by their feelings for one another.

The next morning Harm awoke with a start. It was daylight and something had to be wrong.

“Mac? Honey, wake up...Did you get up with Alex during the night?”

“No...I thought you did...you always do...” Mac was awake and sitting up in bed. She looked at the clock. “It can’t be that late!” Mac exclaimed jumping out of bed and grabbing her robe. Harm was right behind her slipping into his robe as well.

“Sleeping through the night is one thing...but not waking up by eight is another!” Harm followed Mac from their bedroom into Alex’s room. The crib was empty.

“Oh God! Harm, who took him?”

“Is something wrong?” came a voice behind them.

“Gram! Alex!” Harm and Mac exclaimed together rushing to them and holding htem both.

“What’s wrong?” asked Sarah Rabb.

“Did you get up with Alex last night, Gram?” asked Harm, trying to be gentle.

“Yes...I thought you both deserved to sleep all night for a change. I don’t sleep much at one time anymore...so I came in to check him and he was awake but quiet around two this morning. I fed him and changed his diaper and he went right back to sleep. I got up around six as usual. He was still asleep but when I checked at six thirty he was waking up. So we got up and had breakfast and took a bath and got dressed. We were just coming to see if you were up when we heard the ruckus.”

“Oh Gram, that was sweet of you...it’s just...” Mac trailed off not sure what to say.

“We panicked a little this morning and forgot you were here. We should have figured that out,” Harm told her.

“I’m sorry if you were worried. I just thought that it was something special I could do.”

“It was Gram...and thank you.” Mac kissed the woman’s cheek and she rubbed the baby’s back as she snuggled in his arms.

“Thanks Gram...but don’t spoil us, okay?” Harm hugged his Grandmother again.

“I won’t...but sometimes you need to let someone spoil you a little...both of you. You are not responsible for everything that goes wrong in life and you two try to carry that kind of burden in the name of duty. It can destroy you if you don’t watch it.”

“We’ve been in the military long enough to know that it does control how we think, what we allow ourselves to feel, and what we allow ourselves to say. It’s standard operating procedure for both of us,” Harm explained to his grandmother and in away to Mac and himself.

“Well, I think if you don’t work to change the ‘status quo’ as you legal types say, its going to eat you alive and spit you out.” Sarah Rabb turned and led the way to the kitchen. “I’ve started the coffee. What would you like for breakfast?”

“Gram...” Harm started to protest.

“Mind your manners, young man,” she began.

“Yes Ma’am.” Harm grinned.

Twenty minutes later they sat down to eat fresh made biscuits, scrambled eggs and bacon with orange juice and coffee. Alex sat in his seat on the table, his hands and feet going as he listened to the adults in his world laughing and talking. If he could have talked he would have told him that he thought life was pretty good.

1640 Local

December 15

Ronald Regan National Airport

Washington DC

“Gram, I’m so glad you could come spend a few days with us,” Harm told his grandmother as they prepared to say good-bye at the airport.

“I am too Harm. You’ve got a great family and you are proving to be a good husband. I’m very proud of you.”

“Thanks Gram. I’m a very lucky man.”

“Mac, it was good to meet you. You make sure he behaves himself and if he doesn’t you just let me know.”

“I will Gram, but you raised him just fine. I don’t think he’ll give me too much trouble,” Mac assured the older woman.

After hugging them both and kissing the baby’s now plump cheek, Sarah Rabb waved good bye as she boarded the small commuter plane for the short flight home. In less then an hour she would land at Mifflin County Airport where her neighbors, Ellen and Sam Leeds would meet her at the airport and drive her the twenty minutes home.

Arm in arm Mac and Harm walked back to the Lexus. Once Alex was settled back in his seat they headed home, rehashing Sarah Rabb’s visit.

“I thought I would feel a little awkward meeting her Harm, but I can see where you get your charm and determination from.” Mac told him as she slipped her hand in his as he drove.

“Well half of it at least. My grandmother is a force to be reckoned with, but my mother had no problem going nose to nose with her.”

“Didn’t they get along?”

“Oh sure...still do...but they also are equally determined and opinionated and sometimes they clashed. They always worked out a compromise eventually out of respect for each other.”

“I can see that...Harm?”

“Yeah...Christmas is only ten days away...do you think its too early to get our Christmas tree?”

“You want to do that? Put up a tree, decorate it, keep it alive, clean up after it...you know all those needles getting in the carpet...wouldn’t an artificial tree be better?” he countered.

“They tend to look kind of cheesy Harm.”

“Not the new ones.”

“The ones with the lights built in? No thank you.”

“Not those Mac...look lets stop at the Mall and see what we can find.”

“So you’re not doing the ‘scrooge thing’ about Christmas?”

“Is that what you thought?”

“Yes.”

“Mac...I’m not a Scrooge. I actually like Christmas. I don’t likt the pine needles in the carpet though.” Harm repeated.

“Then lets stop at the mall. I’ll look at the fakes and try to keep an open mind,” Mac promised.

Harm pulled into the Mall parking lot and found a space not to far from the building. Harm put on the carry-pak and Mac helped him to settle Alex against him. They entered the building and found a store called the White Dove which bragged of a ‘magical Christmas land all year long’. Mac pointed to a huge tree in the center of the store.

“They even have a real tree in here Harm. Still think that fake trees are cool?” Mac asked as she rolled her eyes.

“Yes...because that, my dear, is a fake tree...Go look and touch...You’ll see.” Harm couldn’t hide the smile.

“It is a fake! But that tree is too big for our place...I’m sure they had this specially made.”

“They probably did...but I still think we can find the perfect tree for us. How big a tree do you want?”

“Well, the ceilings are what eight feet high?” Mac asked.

“Yes.”

“So if you allow for room for a topper on the tree we probably wouldn’t want one more then six and a half or seven feet,” Mac reasoned.

“Then lets go look.” Harm led her to the display area. They had some already decorated and others standing plain looking like a miniature forest.

“Wow! Harm, I hate to admit it but these are great. They look real.”

“We have a spray to make them smell real also, Ma’am.” Mac turned toward the young man that worked on the store floor.

“Do you get this reaction a lot?” Mac asked him.

“Some...what style are you interested in? We’ve got Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, White pine, Scotch Pine...”

“What do you have in the six to seven foot range?” Harm questioned.

“All of them. Do you have a large or small space to work with?” the clerk asked.

“Nothing too bushy,” Harm suggested.

“What about the Blue Spruce Mac finally asked.

“A nice choice, Ma’am. It’s one of the most popular models.”

“We’ll take one then. Mac, do we need decorations?” Harm asked.

“No, I don’t think so. I bought new decorations two years ago. They should be fine.”

“Mac, what is it you want that you aren’t asking for?” Harm stepped in front of her and spoke quietly.

“Nothing...”

“Mac?”

“An angel topper...I’ve always wanted an beautiful angel on top of my Christmas tree.”

“Then we’ll have one.” Turnig to the young man helping them, “We’d like to see Angel tree toppers. Have any of those?”

“We do...follow me.” He led them to a room off the main floor filled with Angels. One way was all angel tree toppers. Gold, silver, crystal, pink, blue, white, rainbow, red velvet gowns, and green satin robes as well. “We tell people to find the face first...then we’ll find the color that works for clothing.”

“Thank you...that helps,” Mac admitted with a laugh as she tried not to be overwhelmed with choices. It took them fifteen minutes, but they found one that Mac immediately fell in love with just the way it was. She had a beautiful face and her flowing robes were white gossamer giving her the appearance of floating above the tree. “This is my guardian angel,” Mac announced.

Harm had watched her face as she had searched the angel faces. He knew immediately when she had found the one that she wanted. Her face had lit up and her eyes had glistened.

“We’ll take this one.” Harm handed the angel to the clerk and took Mac’s hand. Together they walked around the store stopping as they found ornaments intended to be engraved. Harm looked at an ornament with gold rings and crsytals that had been engraved with, ‘Baby’s First Christmas’. He stopped Mac and pointed to the one that caught his eye.

“Let’s get one for Alex. You like this one?” Harm asked.

“It will make a perfect keepsake.” They handed it to the young woman that engraved it with ‘Alexander - First Christmas - 2002'. She polished it and placed it in a small box.

They checked out making arrangements for the tree to be delivered to their apartment later that evening. They made their way through the mall, mostly window shopping until Mac spotted a sweater that was perfect for the outfit she had gotten Chloe for Christmas.

“Mac, let me get it for her. I hadn’t gotten her anything because I wasn’t sure what to get...this is perfect.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah...now if I can find something for Gram, Mom and you, I’ll be done.”

“Jerk!” Mac laughed.

“No really...I’ve got a gift for Alex, Frank, little AJ, even Tom Boone. I couldn’t decide what to get you, Gram or Mom...” Harm defended himself.

“Really?” Mac looked at Harm. Somehow over the last few years he had matured into a generous, caring man that took the time to think of the perfect gifts - even if they were little tokens and not something grand.

“Surprise you?”

“A little yeah...you’ve changed Harm.”

“For the better?”

“Yeah, I think so...come on...I suddenly need to get home with you and our son.” Mac smiled as she threaded her fingers through his and headed for the car.

CHAPTER 12

December 20

1830 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

“Did you hear?” Harm asked Mac as he joined her in the kitchen as he got home from work. He bent over to check on the sleeping Alex in his seat on the table.

“It’s true?”

“Yeah...I’ve got to leave with Tom for the Patrick Henry tomorrow. Admiral Chegwidden assures me that we should be back December 24. Mac, I don’t want to go...” Harm admitted.

“Yes you do...you may not want to be away from us just before the holidays, but you can’t wait to work with Admiral Boone and you can’t wait to get on the carrier...and its okay to admit that Harm.”

“I do enjoy working with Tom and I’ve always looked forward to being on carrier, but I’m telling you Mac, I don’t want to go. I want to be here to spend the holidays with you and Alex. Did you hear from Chloe?”

“I did hear from Chloe and she’s coming down for a couple of days. She has to go back before Christmas though.”

“I’m not going to get to see her either, am I?” Harm was obviously down about the situation.

“No...but she’ll be down again this spring. I’m picking her up at the airport tomorrow and she was able to get a seat on the flight back the morning of December 24. It was that or she couldn’t come.” Mac stepped close to her husband where he leaned against the counter and reached up to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t be a worry-wart. Go do your job. Chloe and I will have fun catching up on girl talk and taking care of Alex. When you get home, we’ll go to the Robert’s house for dinner and the Christmas service as usual. Then you can go to the wall and meet us back home afterward.”

“Not this year, Mac...you and Alex need to come with me to the wall...at least I’d like you too.”

“I’d like that. We’ll go.” Mac turned to finish getting their dinner. She stumbled and Harm reached for her.

“Mac! Are you okay?”

“Yeah...I just got light headed for a second. I guess I turned around too fast.” Harm hovered near-by.

“Are you sure? Maybe you should call the doctor.”

“Harm, I’m fine. I use to do that when I was ovulating...probably that’s all it is.”

“If you’re sure,” Harm hedged.

“I am. Let’s have some dinner.” Mac offered him a plate and took hers. They sat at the kitchen table. The conversation focused on the rest of their Christmas plans.

“If the weather holds,” Harm began, “I thought we could drive up to see Gram on Christmas Day. What do you think?”

“How long does it take?”

“Depending on traffic about three and half hours by car. I’d suggest we fly but we’d have to take so much with us I’m not sure it would be worth it.”

“That shouldn’t be too bad. Alex rides well.”

“We could open gifts Christmas eve and then hit the road by eight-thirty or nine and get there between noon and one. What do you think?” Harm asked.

“I think it’s a great idea, Harm. Uh-oh...someone’s waking up...” Mac nodded to Alex as he blinked his eyes and looked around.

“Hey Alex...How’s your day been little man? Come see Dad,” Harm spoke to the baby as he lifted him from the seat and held him up so he could see his father’s face. Harm kissed his cheek and then nuzzled the baby’s belly with his nose. “Uh-oh...time for a change. Maybe Mom can fix your bottle while I change you.”

Mac watched Harm as he carried the infant to the bedroom to change him, talking all the way. Turning to fix the baby’s bottle, Mac once again experienced a moment of light headedness and grabbed the counter for support. Shaking her head a little as she regained her composure she prepared the baby’s bottle. As she carried it to the living room to give it to Harm, she glanced at the calendar on the kitchen wall. She stopped and looked at it again, flipping back to November and then October, she returned to the December calendar. She looked at it thoughtfully for a moment and then continued to meet Harm.

Alex was sucking his own hand when Harm returned with him. Settling into the corner of the leather sofa, Harm accepted the bottle Mac, handed him and touched Alex’s lips with the nipple. He took the nipple immediately and began to suck greedily. Mac rested her arm on Harm’s shoulder as she watched father and son sharing their time together as had become their habit in the weeks since Alex came home with them.

Harm had burped the baby and then talked to him again before resuming the feeding. “You’ve got to be good for Mom while I go away.” The baby began to pucker up as if he was gong to cry loud and hard. “Now, don’t worry its just for a few days. Aunt Chloe will be here with you and Mom. You’re going to be the man in the house, so you’ve got to defend us, understand?” To Mac and Harm’s amazement, Alex smiled at them.

“He smiled!” Mac cried. “Did you see that?” Mac jumped up to grab the baby book, the camera and to try to get Alex to smile again.

The flurry of activity startled him, but as he settled down, he smiled again. This time they got a picture of Alex with one of his first smiles. Mac recorded the event in the baby book as Harm finished feeding the baby.

Mac stood up and took Alex from Harm, laying the infant of his mat near the Christmas tree. She returned to the sofa and slid into Harm’s lap winding her arms around his neck.

“Was there something you wanted Mrs. Rabb?” asked Harm.

“Yes, actually there was.”

“And what would that be?”

“An exchange of words that we have yet to use.”

Harm frowned, puzzled by Mac’s statement. Trying to buy a little time to think over what she was saying, Harm began caressing his wife and kissing her neck in all the places he neck would get a reaction.

“Mmmm, this is good...” Mac murmured. Harm began stroking her body with his large hands. “Even better...” she mumbled before capturing his mouth with her own.

Their kisses grew more heated and wandering hands grew bolder, inciting arousal in both of them. “I want you so much Harm...” Mac cried as her frustration mounted waiting for him to do more then touch her body through her clothing as he kissed her.

“I want you too Mac...let’s make it an early night,” Harm suggested. Together they secured the apartment, tucked the now sleepy infant into his bed and retired to their bedroom.

Harm ws different tonight. She had commented that she wanted words and yet every time he tried to speak, she stopped him with a kiss. Her hunger for him was vast and he found himself turned on by her demands tonight. Although Mac often talked to him when they made love, tonight was different. Her breasts seemed more sensitive then usual, but she had mentioned that she thought she might be ovulating. He wondered if that was part of what was happening tonight.

The first time he sent her over the edge with his hands she had thrashed wildly on the bed and instead of the breathless gasping of his name, she called out in full voice and then urged him to do it again to her.

This time her sexual instructions drove him even wilder as she directed him while he satisfied her with his mouth. When she reached for him telling him what she wanted to do to him a heartbeat before she acted on her plans, it was all he could do to control his own reactions to her touches. Just before he found his own release she backed off and began touching herself and asking him to help her find her own release again saying that watching him respond to her touch made her need him all over again. He prepared to enter her but she stopped him.

“Not yet Harm...I need you to touch my breasts again...please...with your hands...your mouth...rougher...oh yeah...just like that...pinch them...Ooohhh...Love me Harm...Love me,” Mac demanded.

“I do Mac...I do love you...I need to be in you...now...I want you now Mac.” Harm insisted as she nodded and helped to position herself for maximum pleasure when he joined them finally in the age old dance. His endurance surprised even him as she continued to demand release over and over again. On her knees with her six toward him and her breasts swaying; On her back with her legs locked around his waist; With her legs over his shoulder and locked around his neck; and then sitting on his lap facing away from him and then straddling his hops and he lay on his back on the bed; and finally spooned together they found their release together, falling asleep in the same position.

The last thing Harm heard was Mac’s whispered words, “I love you too Harm.”

Alex was sleeping for longer stretches now. Harm heard him over the baby monitor and slipped out of bed without Mac even stirring. He was sure she was exhausted after their wild lovemaking. He knew he was. Mac had seemed desperate last night. Harm thought maybe that his leaving on an assignment just before the holidays may have played a part in it. Wrapping his robe around him he tended to his son.

After changing him he carried him to the kitchen to fix the bottle. He talked to Alex while he worked.

“You know, Alex, I’m awfully glad you’re with us. Right now it seems like all you do is eat and sleep and pee, but that smile tonight reminded me that you are talking in a lot if information now and learning what you like and don’t like. Guess your mother and I have been doing that too. Tonight she almost turned me inside out doing all the things that really get to me. Now you need to be good for her while I’m gone. She’ll take really good care of you and I’ll be home in a few days. Then we’ll go see your great grandmother.” Harm carried the baby and the bottle back to the nursery and continued talking to him while he fed and rocked the infant.

“I realized to night that I’ve never actually said ‘I love you’ to Mac before. I’m not sure if she heard me or not...but she said it too just before she fell asleep. That’s something you’re going to be hearing a lot more of...the words ‘I love you.’ We’re going to say them to each other and to you all the time. Okay son? I do love you and now I’m going to tuck you in and crawl back in bed with your mother. I’m going to tell her I love her then too. And again in the morning and again when I leave. No doubts anymore.”

Harm was as good as his word.

0700 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

“Rabb! Let’s go!” Tom Boone shouted as he entered the apartment stopping by to pick Harm up.

“Be right there Tom...Mac?”

“I know...we’ll be fine...and by the way...thank you for last night, Harm...I’m not sure what came over me...but it was great,” Mac whispered to him as she hugged him.

Harm kissed her once more. “I love you...see you on the twenty-fourth.”

“I love you too...”

“Rabb! Let’s go. Mac, I’ll have him back to you for Christmas.”

“Thanks Admiral Boone.” Mac watched Harm wave one last time as he closed the door. “Okay Alex, its you and me kid...but soon we’ll have Chloe to keep us busy and then Daddy will be home again.”

In Tom Boone’s car on the way to catch their flight, Harm had to put up with the good natured ribbing from his father’s wingman.

“You’ve become quite the family man, son...looks like you’re keeping the Colonel happy too. Was that real or just trying to impress me?”

“It’s real. Why would I want to impress you?” Harm gave it back to the older man knowing that when they were alone they were just Tom and Harm not Admiral and Commander.

“Didn’t say you would...just asking. Seriously, your mother must be in heaven with you married and having a kid.”

“You know the whole story don’t you Tom - about the adoption?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I got the sense that while she was happy Mac and I got married, she’s not as content to accept Alex as her grandchild.”

“Did she say that?”

“No, but her voice was warm and happy when I told her about getting married but it was pleasant but not as warm when I explained about Alex.”

“Could be she was just too shocked son. Then again, it may take her a while if she thinks that aren’t going to be Rabb biological children.”

“That’s up to Mac to decide on that one. I thought we explained that to my mother also...and we’ve sent her pictures and given her time...but I think Mac’s noticed it too.”

“What about your grandmoterh,,Harm? What’s she think?” Tom asked.

“Oh she adores him. Came right down and spent a few days with us and we’re hoping to drive up and spend a couple of days with her. WE both decided to take a few days of leave over the holiday.”

“Good for you. As I said, its obvious you’re in to playing house.”

“I’m not playing Tom...I love having Mac and Alex to come home to, and do things for. I don’t know how my father found it in him to leave my mother and I to fly for six months or more at a time.” Tom glanced at the tone of Harm’s voice. It had been awhile since he and Harm had really talked about Hammer.”

“Don’t forget Harm, your Dad was younger then you when you came along...and it was his life...his career. There was a war going on and we thought we’d save the world. He use to talk about you and your mom all the time...and play those damn tapes your mother sent. I think that’s what kept him going. Don’t for one second think he didn’t miss you or want to be home...he did.”

“Thanks Tom...I guess I needed to hear that. I’m not sure I could leave Mac and Alex...going for a few days is hard enough as it is.”

“I’ll keep you busy and you won’t notice too much. We’ll be home for Christmas Eve...maybe I’ll stop at the wall this year.”

“I do every Christmas Eve...since I’ve been in Washington DC. IT would take something awfully important to keep me away. Maybe we can go together, Tom,” Harm suggested. Tom just nodded.

December 21

1620 Local

Dulles International Airport

Mac held a fussy Alex to her chest as she waited for Chloe’s plane to arrive. She had kept Harm awake and making love to her most of the night so she hadn’t gotten a great deal of sleep. She wondered how Harm was managing as he had even less sleep then she did due to waking up to take care of Alex during the night.

Alex was missing Harm more and more as the day went on. She knew she was more emotional having him gone as well plus the excitement of Chloe coming. The baby tended to sense her emotional state as well so she had tried not to dwell on it. She had tried to keep busy all day but things had not gone well.

Alex usually loved his bath and today he cried the entire time. She had fixed lunch for herself and then when she tried to eat it the sandwich had tasted funny so she had thrown it away. Before she could grab something else she had needed to tend to Alex. Between cleaning and making up the guest bed fresh for Chloe, they had gone shopping for groceries.

Nothing looked appealing to Mac so she reverted to one of Chloe’s favorites for dinner- what Chloe called leftover spaghetti and meat sauce. Another words, Chloe liked it better when it was reheated. So Mac had a batch ready in the refrigerator so they could heat it up with salad for dinner when they were ready for it. The nice things was if they decided to wait and eat it tomorrow they could.

Then Mac had disturbed Alex’s sleep time to go get Chloe. They had arrived at the airport and the plane had been delayed to a storm in Burlington. Mac then discovered she had gone off without the pacifier or bottle for Alex. She had to fight back tears as she waited now for almost an hour. Finally Mac spotted a hat bobbing in the crowd coming off the plane. Chloe! She’s know the hats anywhere. She gathered her things and with a still fussy baby on her chest she went to greet her ‘little sister.’

“Chloe!”

“Mac!” They hugged carefully with the baby between them. “Oh let me see him,” Chloe exclaimed. ‘Mac he’s so adorable and light...I guess I just pictured him with dark brown hair. What color are his eyes?”

“Blue. I sent you pictures, didn’t I?”

“Yes, and they were great...but I guess I didn’t realize how light his hair really was...I thought it was from the flash I guess. Oh Baby...don’t cry.” Chloe rubbed his back through the carry-sack. “I can’t wait to hold him and feed him.”

“He’s still young so he doesn’t do much yet...although we got our first smiles from him.”

“I know newborns basically eat, sleep and dirty their diapers, but he’s about six weeks old now right?”

“Yes, but he was born two months early. He only weighed a little over four pounds and it took him two weeks to gain a pound and be able to come home. He’s up to almost nine pounds now. The doctor said that he’s really happy with his growth and weight gain. His weight is about what he thinks it would have been if he had been born on his due date.”

“Wow...being born early really messes up those age benchmarks, huh?”

“At first...he’ll start catching up a little at a time. Let’s go get your luggage and get out of here. I forgot his bottle and pacifier and he misses Daddy so he’s really cranky this afternoon.”

“That sounds funny,” Chloe giggled as she took Mac’s hand and walked with her to the luggage area.

“What’s that?”

“Hearing you refer to Harm as Daddy.”

“I wish you could see him with the baby Chloe. He’s wonderful...even takes night feedings.”

“Why won’t I see him with Alex?”

“Oh...I forgot to tell you. Harm’s got sent on an assignment. He left this morning and hopes to be hope Christmas Eve. You have to leave earlier the same day.”

“Oh...I was looking forward to watching the two of you together, now that you’ve admitted what I saw a long time ago.”

“I know...but there are some things you can’t rush.”

“Like making up your mind? You did rush the wedding though,” Chloe reminded her with just a touch of hurt in her voice.

“I’m sorry you weren’t able to be a witness for us. Maybe some day if we renew our vows you can be an attendant.” Mac suggested.

“Really? Do you think you will - renew your vows?” Chloe asked all excited again.

“Maybe...I’ll talk to Harm about it sometime. Come on. Let’s get my little man home, fed, changed, and settled and then I’ll show you his picture album. After I put him down for the night maybe we can do something special...so think about what you’d like to do.”

“Okay...I’ve got some ideas....” Chloe went from one idea to another chatting all the way back to the apartment. Mac smiled enjoying her company and feeling better then she had all day.

Chloe had watched Mac taking care of Alex after they got back to the new apartment. Chloe had given her approval as they walked through the living room to the hallway where the guest room and Alex’s room were located. Once Mac had Alex clean and dry again she let Chloe hold him while she fixed the bottle. She started him on his bottle and then showed Chloe had to burp him. She offered to let the teenager try it. Chloe welcomed the chance and once she had held him a few minutes, she managed to switch positions like she had been doing it awhile.

Chloe had been thrilled with the ‘leftover’ spaghetti and salad Mac had put on the menu. Mac had been enjoyed it as well having not had much to eat throughout the day. After cleaning up after their meal, they settled together on the couch catching each other up on their lives.

Chloe showed Mac pictures of her new boyfriend and heard stories of their first date alone. They had gone out with friends many times but it was the first time he came to the house to pick her up and they went somewhere without their friends.

“Did he kiss you good-night?” Mac asked sweetly teasing her ‘little sister’ just a little. Chloe’s blush was enough of an answer.

“Mac, did you tingle all over when you got your first kiss?” Chloe asked suddenly serious.

“No, Chloe I didn’t. Did you?” Mac asked not sure where Chloe was going with this question.

“No...I thought maybe something was wrong...that I didn’t do something right when I tried to kiss him back.”

“Oh, Chloe...not every kiss is going to make you ‘tingle’ but when it’s the right guy, you’ll know...it might not be a tingle but you’ll know,” Mac assured her.

“Do you tingle when Harm kisses you?” Chloe asked grinning impishly.

“Sometimes...sometimes I just feel warm all over and sometimes I don’t. It depends on the mood and the purpose of the kiss.”

“Wow...dating and figuring this stuff isn’t easy is it?”

“No, Chloe it isn’t. And sometimes the older you get its harder because of experiences you might have had,” Mac cautioned her.

“Was that why it took you and Harm so long to admit what I saw a long time ago?”

“What you saw was wishful thinking, young lady,” Mac told her as she hugged her tight.

“No way! I could see how you looked at each other and I heard you talk about Harm...I knew you were in love.” Chloe insisted as she hugged Mac back. The phone rang then and Mac reached to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Chloe get there okay?”

“Hi! Yes she did. She was just telling me about her new boyfriend.”

“Uh-oh...sounds like a set up to me,” Harm chuckled.

“It was...everything okay?”

“Yeah...I just had a few minutes and wanted to try to catch you before it got too late in DC. It’s morning here.”

“Admiral Boone actually let you out of his sights long enough to make this call?”

“Yeah...but he’s coming back now. I’ve got to go.” Mac could hear the conflict in his voice - his reluctance to go and his desire to get the assignment done so he could come home.

“Be careful...I love you.”

“I love you too...wish Chloe Merry Christmas for me.”

“I will...’Bye.” Mac hung up.

“Harm?” Chloe grinned knowingly at Mac.

“Yeah...he said to wish you a Merry Christmas.” Mac smiled with just a touch of sadness in her eyes.

“And he said he loved you, didn’t he?” Chloe teased.

“Yes.” Mac didn’t tell Chloe that this was something new that had just started the night before. “So, what do you want to do while you’re here?”

“I need to finish my Christmas shopping, and I’d like to see Harriet, Bud and little AJ; Could we go to the Smithsonian?...I miss the dinosaur exhibit.”

“Well, I think we can fit it all in. Now you leave Tuesday morning, so do you want to open your presents tomorrow after dinner or Monday night?”

“Sunday after dinner, please.”

“Very good. Then that’s what we’ll do. Now, tomorrow we’ll get up and go shopping, come back and wrap presents, fix dinner and then after we eat we’ll open presents. Monday we can go to the Smithsonian and stop over to see Harriet and Bud. Wow, this really is going to be a fast trip isn’t it?” Mac commented.

“Yeah...but maybe I can come back in the spring.”

“I hope so. Alex will be bigger and will do more things by then.”

“You mean besides eat and sleep?” asked Chloe with a grin.

CHAPTER 13

December 24

USS Patrick Henry

Indian Ocean

Harm and Tom Boone stood on the deck of the carrier waiting for the COD to arrive to take them home. They had wrapped up their duties finally, after several roadblocks. There was one COD left and they were going to be on it. They stood in disbelief when the tail hook from the COD rolled across the carrier deck and the COD kept going. Harm’s face was crestfallen and Boone had all he could do not to laugh at his expression. He knew the depth of his feelings for his family and he also knew he didn’t show personal emotions easy. He was too much his father’s son and an officer.

“Looks like we’ll be spending Christmas Eve on a carrier, Harm.”

“Not if I can find another option,” Harm stated with grim determination. “I’ll meet you in the ward room.”

Tom watched Harm stalk away. The new CAG on the USS Patrick Henry had taken a dislike to Harm for some reason. Tom Boone considered himself to be able to read people, but for the life of him he had no idea why the man disliked Harm. While they had been on board, Harm had been a model officer. The wild, brash, cocky, fly-boy was gone, replaced by the thoughtful mature, officer and family man Harm had become. Not to say he still didn’t push the envelope and leave no stone unturned. It wouldn’t have been Harm if that was the case. Shaking his head he went to the ward room to wait for his young friend.

He didn’t have long to wait. Harm showed up with a list of planes scheduled to be returned to port. There was an F-14 that needed to go to Lakehurst, New Jersey. It would be a bit of a drive back, but they might be able to re-route to Pax River with enough notice. Getting the pilots scheduled to take the flight to stand-down might not be so easy.

Boone hadn’t counted on Harm’s ability to talk and a twist of fate in the form of a dental hygienist with the same name as a famous singer-actress all the rage these days...Jennifer Lopez. Harm didn’t miss a trick and soon they had a ride in an F-14...until the CAG stepped in.

“If you were going to be in the front seat, Admrial, I wouldn’t hesitate, but I’m not letting him fly another of my birds,” the CAG informed them.

“Another? I’ve never flown one of your birds CAG.” Harm defended himself.

“Yes. You have...I was sitting at Pax River for her when you decided to dump her into the Atlantic.”

“I was cleared of the incident, CAG. There were problems with that bird. She had a hard deck landing that scrambled her electronics.”

“She was fine a week before that when I left her. You flew her and dumped her. I won’t forget that or forgive you.” The CAG walked away leaving the two men speechless. Harm looked at Tom Boone.

“It wasn’t me that caused that birds problems...I found them.”

“Come on son. You’d better call your wife and let her know what’s happened.”

Harm and Tom had just returned to the ward room to get their things when they were called to the bridge. They headed up hoping for a new solution. The CAG met them and informed them that they had to pull the pilots after all and send them on a mission, so he had no choice but to let them return the tomcat if it was to stay on schedule. With a stern warning to Harm not to dump the bird or deviate from the flight plan, they were dismissed and heading home. Three hours later then planned, but on their way.

0940 Local

Dulles International Airport

Washington DC

Mac hugged Chloe good-bye with Alex sandwiched between them in his carry-pack. It had been a short visit, but a nice one. Chloe kissed Alex’s baby soft cheek and smelled his scent once again.

“You have everything?” Mac asked her one more time.

“Yeah...I love you Mac.”

“I love you too Chloe.”

“Tell Harm I’m really glad for you guys...and Merry Christmas.” Chloe started to back away to board her flight but stopped waiting for Mac to respond.

“I will. Merry Christmas to your father and grandmother.”

“Un-huh...Hope you’re feeling better and not getting that stomach bug that so many people have had.”

“I told you, Chloe, I’m sure its nothing...I haven’t slept good since Harm’s been gone. I’m just over tired I guess. Besides I’m not sick...the food just didn’t taste good to me. I ate fine last night and I’m sure I’ll be fine today. Now go.”

“Merry Christmas...and thank you.”

“Chloe, you’ve got to go.” Mac shook her head as she heard the final boarding call for Chloe’s flight back to Vermont.

“I know...Bye!” With one last wave she turned and boarded the plane. It had been a fast trip but Mac had really enjoyed Chloe’s company and it made it much easier to deal with Harm being gone.

Touching Alex’s cheek, she fought back tears again at Chloe leaving and the anticipation of seeing her husband again tonight.

“Okay, Baby...I think we’ll both take a nap later, what do you say to that?” Alex wiggled and made the little baby sounds she loved to hear. Taking a deep breath she headed back to their apartment and started laying out strategy for getting everything done on time this afternoon.

Tom Boone would drop Harm off, so she didn’t have to worry about going to get him. He had thought that he would be getting back between four and five which would give him just enough time to shower, change and jump in the car to go to the Robert’s house. They were suppose to arrive there around six for dinner. They would go to the chapel for the service at nine and then go to the wall after that. When they got home, they were going to open gifts and then Christmas morning they would pack the car to go to Pennsylvania.

Mac decided to get their bags packed today so they didn’t have to deal with hit later or in the morning. She put one gift in the bag for Harm from her and then the gifts for Gram. She packed warm clothes for all three of them including the sweater Chloe had given her for Christmas that she had knit by herself with a little help from her grandmother. It wasn’t a complicated pattern, but Chloe had used a special yarn that made it feel like angora but it was completely washable. She had selected a deep red color that looked good on Mac and gave her confidence. It would look great with anything, but especially her black jeans and black slacks. Both were packed.

For tonight, she had found a print dress with Christmas Poinsettias as the print on a cream and pink background. It made her feel very feminine and delicate when she touched the silky print. Chloe had wrinkled her nose at it until Mac tried it on and then she agreed it was perfect.

She wasn’t sure if Harm was going to wear his winter blue uniform or a civilian suit tonight, so she made sure both were ready.

The day wore on and no word from Harm. Mac slept for two hours while Alex slept that afternoon. She felt much better afterward. By four-thirty Mac took her shower and started getting ready. She wore her robe while she fed Alex and got his diaper bag and extra bottles ready. She dressed him in a red knit one piece outfit with attached booties and put the identical one in green in the bag for back up. She slipped the tiny Santa-like hat on his head and grabbed his white thermal blanket to wrap him in.

Still no word from Harm and it was almost time to leave for Bud and Harriet’s. She was just reaching for the phone when it rang.

“Harm?”

“No, Ma’am...This is Petty Officer Reindeau. Commander Rabb asked me to call you and let you know his transport was delayed. He’s fine and he’ll meet you at the Robert’s house.”

“And you are sure he’s okay?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Thank you Petty Officer.” Mac hung up the phone and sighed. At least she didn’t have to worry. Delays happen. “Okay Alex, Daddy will meet us there. Let’s get going before the roads get too bad.” It had started snowing about an hour ago. The forecast was not good for the evening, but it was suppose to clear by morning.

Mac settled Alex into his car seat and then got her coat on. She gathered the diaper bag, her purse and the baby and proceeded to the Lexus.

“You know, Alex, Mommy should trade in her Corvette and get a more suitable vehicle so I don’t have to use Daddy’s all the time. Maybe we’ll join the mini-van crowd. There a solid, safe vehicle and easy to put things in and take things out of...I should mention that to Daddy later.”

Same time

Somewhere over the Atlantic

“Mac’s going to have my hide if that Petty Officer couldn’t get through to her.”

“He will.” Tom Boone snickered.

“You going to join us for dinner with the Robert’s and our JAG family?” Harm asked.

“I don’t think so. I’m going to try to make it to my sister’s. Guess we’ll have to miss the wall together this year after all Harm.”

“We could stop on the way.”

“Alright...if you want to take the time.”

“The way its suppose to snow and blow later, I don’t want Mac and Alex out in that. I’ll go early or I won’t go.”

1800 Local

Robert’s House

Rosslyn, Virginia

Mac pulled up to the beautifully decorated home that Harriet had bought with Harm’s assistance while Bud had been stationed on the SeaHawk. Bud and been upset at first, but after seeing how much it meant to Harriet, and what a beautiful home it was, had gotten over it.

She hurried to the door and Bud opened it as if he had been watching for her.

“No Harm?” Bud asked.

“He’s been delayed but will meet us here.” Mac told him looking around. “This looks great, Bud.”

“Thank you, Ma’am...Mac...would you like me to take Alex for you so you can get your coat off?”

“Thanks Bud.” Mac watched Bud for a few minutes talking to the baby. “Where’s Harriet?”

“She’s running a bit late. She wasn’t feeling great earlier, but she’s fine now,” Bud told Mac, grinning.

“I’m right here. Hi Mac.”

“Hi Harriet. You look lovely tonight.”

“Thank you...so do you.” Harriet hugged her friend as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“What can I help you with?” Mac asked.

“Not a thing. The fruit punch is ready and I’ve got Coates - Jennifer- setting out the appetizers. Mike is watching AJ, Bud is talking with the Admiral and Meredith. We were just waiting for you and Harm...and of course Alex. Let’s go join them, shall we?”

Mac followed Harriet and Bud into the living room where everyone was just gathering around the piano to sing some carols. Mac found herself fighting back tears on several of the beautiful songs. Meredith was an accomplished pianist which had surprised everyone, as she couldn’t sing to save her soul.

Mac had tried to reach Harm on his cell phone but he was out of range or it wasn’t on. She left him a message just in case. She returned to the festivities and the friends celebrating the season with songs. Alex didn’t seem bothered by the music.

They were sitting down to dinner, unable to hold off any longer if they weren’t going to be late for the services at the chapel. Mac tried not to show her disappointment that Harm was not there with her when Bud stood to say the blessing. He started, stopped, cleared his throat, and tried again.

“This has been an amazing year for many of us. I’ve faced some personally challenging situations but with the help of my friends and family I’ve been able to come back in ways I never imagined. Commander! Merry Christmas!” Bud stopped to greet Harm as he came through the door in a rush, shaking off his coat and hanging it up on the peg. His eyes spotted Mac immediately at the end of the table.

“Go ahead Bud,” Harm nodded as he slipped into the seat across from Mac and they exchanged smiles. There would be time for kissing later...in private.

“As I was saying, the year has been an interesting one. We’ve lost colleagues and gained new ones. Harm and Mac have married and are adopting Alex, Lt. Loren Singer’s son - one she never had the chance to know or to love. And today, Harriet and I discovered that we’re pregnant again.”

“Congratulations!” everyone called simultaneously. Their accompanying applause startled Alex and he whimpered. Harm got up and removed him from his seat at the end of the table (a bench like seat that the car seat fit on perfectly). Alex immediately quieted and began to smile as he recognized Harm’s voice and face.

At Harriet’s announcement, Mac found herself wiping tears from her eyes again. Harm reached across the table and touched her hand.

“You okay?”

“Yeah...I’m just really happy for them.” Mac smiled reassuring Harm. They enjoyed a festive dinner. Harm ate without putting down Alex. He had trouble taking his eyes off his wife. She seemed to have a glow about her tonight. He couldn’t wait to be alone with his wife and show her how much she meant to him.

As they finished dinner and prepared to leave for the service at the chapel, Harm noticed that Mac had eaten much. That wasn’t like her.

“Mac, are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t eat much.”

“I’m fine...I probably ate too many appetizers earlier.”

“If you’re sure,” Harm hesitated.

“I am...and I’m glad you’re home. We missed you.”

“I missed you too. Look the roads are getting bad out there. Tom and I went to the wall before he brought me here, so we’ll just go right home after the service. You okay with that?” Harm asked.

“Yes. I don’t want to have Alex out in this weather any more then I have too. I’m glad you and Tom went together. You’ve never done that before have you?”

“No...it was good.”

2245 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

Mac settled Alex in for the night while Harm took his shower and hung up his uniform. He joined her wearing his navy blue robe. She felt his hands slide around her waist and ease her back against him as she stood watching the baby settle into sleep. As Harm held Mac he began to sing ‘Winter Wonderland’ softly near Mac’s ear. His breath tickled and she leaned her head against his hard shoulder. When they were sure Alex was asleep they left him and went to sit by the Christmas tree, the room lit only by the lights on the tree.

Together they opened presents from friends and relatives and those that had been put under the tree for Alex. They all got clothes and books. Mac enjoyed looking at the books for the baby. Some were suitable for playing in water and other were soft enough for the crib or play pen. Others were designed to be read to the baby.

Harm had bought a suit for Mac that had both a skirt and slacks. It was in a deep eggplant color and had two blouses. One in a matching color, the other a cream color. There were even shoes to match in another box.

“Harm it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“If you don’t like it you can take it back,” he offered.

“I’ll only return it for a different size if it doesn’t fit, because I love it.”

Harm then opened the shirt and tie Mac had gotten him. In another box was a tie clip. With a tomcat on one end and an aquamarine stone on the other. The gift was from Alex. The stone was his birthstone.

“It’s beautiful Mac.”

“I found it when I was shopping with Chloe the other day. Those are the two things that mean the most to you in the world so I thought it fitting they share the tie bar.” Mac smiled at Harm.

“You’re wrong, though Mac...Jets and Alex are not the most important thing in my life anymore...you are...Sarah Mackenzie Rabb,” Harm waited for her reaction. He thought she would either smile or reach for him to hug him. Instead, she burst into tears.

“Mac? Sarah? What’s wrong? Come here, Honey...Talk to me...please,” Harm begged as he gathered her sobbing body close to him caressing her back and rocking her against him. “Sssshhhh it’s okay...can you talk to me?”

“I don’t...know...what’s wrong...” Mac sobbed. “I have to fight tears all the time. When I’m happy...when I’m sad...I feel like I could cry.”

“So did I make you happy or sad?” Harm asked her deciding to go for humor.

“Happy...very happy...I wanted you to tell me you loved me so much before you left...and you did...I didn’t have to ask...but this is even better...”Mac’s tears were slowing, but she still had a hiccough in her breathing every few words.

“Let’s finish opening these and then go to bed. We’ve got a long trip tomorrow, but if you aren’t up to it, you tell me okay?”

“I will. I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep in your arms.” Mac assured him.

It was almost midnight when they settled into each others arms in their bed. Tonight it wasn’t about wild passionate sex. It was about being together; comforting one another; and loving each other unconditionally.

Harm got up during the night to feed and tend to Alex. He looked out the window and saw the snow coming down. He turned on the radio in the kitchen and heard the storm advisory that had been issued. The storm had stalled off the coast and Washington DC would be getting hit hard before the storm moved on north in eighteen to twenty four hours. They wouldn’t be making the trip to see Gram after all...not this weekend.

1200 Local

Christmas Day

Rabb Residence

Harm was beside himself. Mac had turned her nose up at breakfast and again when he tried to fix her some lunch. Twice he had caught her grabbing something to steady herself. Each time she claimed she was lightheaded because she hadn’t been eating much and each time she refused food. Finally he decided he needed to set her down and talk about what was going on with her.

“Mac, please...don’t ignore this. I can’t lose you. If there’s something wrong we need to find out what it is and get it taken care of. Please,” he begged her.

They were sitting on the couch and Mac suddenly realized what the signs meant. She wasn’t sure how Harm would react. She was afraid to hope if the truth were known. Taking a deep breath she took his hand in hers and held it to her face.

“I think I know what’s wrong. Do you think I could get to the store in the Lexus without a lot of trouble?” Mac asked.

“What do you need? I’ll go.” Harm told her.

“No...I need to do this.”

“Mac, if its personal hygiene stuff, I can handle it.”

Mac smiled at the idea of him buying tampons or pads for her. “I know Harm, but that’s not it. I promise I’ll tell you...show you...later...okay?”

“Be careful.”

“I will.” Mac bundled up in boots, hat, coat, and mittens and headed out for the drug store on the corner. She knew they planned to be open Christmas Day. She went inside and looked in a couple of places until she found what she was looking for. She made her way back to car and back home without any mishaps.

“Did you get what you wanted?” Harm asked her.

“Yup...I’ll show you in a few minutes.” She told him as she headed for the bathroom. She reread the directions and then waited the required time. She was right. She was shocked. It was time to show Harm.

“Harm?” she called as she returned to the living room, the last place she had seen him.

“In the kitchen...”

“Can you come here for a minute? Please....”

Harm came through the entry from the kitchen carrying Alex. “You okay?”

“Yes. Sit down...Look at this.” She handed him a stick like object. He took it and looked at it puzzled until he saw the one visible word showing. It left no doubt as to what Mac was telling him.

“Pregnant? You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?” Harm looked at Mac with his old ‘deer-in -the-headlights’ expression. She had nodded after each question.

“I love you,” he stated as he reached for her. She went to him and accepted his one-armed hug as Alex was in the crook of the other arm. “Are you okay with this?”

“Yes. I’m a little shocked. I guess I didn’t think about it being this easy...I never told you but I have had problems with endometriosis and doctors had told me that it would be difficult for me to get pregnant - although not impossible. I guess this was meant to be Harm. Are you okay with it?”

“Yeah...I’ve always had this fantasy about you being pregnant with my child. It’s a lot to take on with Alex. Do you still want to adopt?”

“Yes.”

“That’s going to mean two babies under a year old at once, you know.” Harm cautioned her.

“We can do it Harm. We have friends that will be more then glad to help.”

“Any idea when this baby will be born?” Harm asked.

“August or September...Harm, I haven’t had my cycle since we were first together. A doctor can give us a better idea. I’ll call tomorrow and see when I can get in to see them.”

“I’ll say one thing for us Marine...when we decide to change the Status Quo, we do it in a big way!”

EPILOGUE

August 31

1730 Local

Rabb Residence

Georgetown

“Mac? I’m home. You okay?” Harm called as he entered the apartment.

“We’re out back Harm,” called Mac from the patio.

“Hi Harriet. Hey AJ, you taking good care of Mom and Aunt Mac?”

“Uh-huh...and Alex.”

“Good man.” Harm leaned down to kiss Mac and lightly touch her belly. It felt different. He scowled and watched her face as he touched her again. He felt the odd movements under his hand and saw her clench her teeth.

“Is it time?” he asked, much more calmly then he had thought possible.

“Almost. Jennifer is coming over to watch the boys. Bud’s bringing her when he comes to pick up Harriet.”

“You too?” Harm asked.

“Me too.”

“I hope Bud hurries...I don’t want to be trying to help both of you deliver here at home,” Harm had kiddingly told them. He really was worried that Harriet would deliver soon. Just then Bud arrived. “Hey Bud...looks like we’ve got our next few hours planned. Thanks for coming Jennifer.”

“No problem sir. Glad to help.”

“Everything’s where I told you Jen...Harm?”

“Yes.”

“Can you get my bag? Jen, can you bring Alex over so I can tell him I’ll be back in a few days and kiss him goodbye.”

Bud helped Harriet to the car. She was just ready to get in when her water broke. Bud didn’t waste any time getting under way with his wife.

Mac slowly walked to the new mini-van they had purchased with Harm at her side. He helped her get in and buckle up and then they were on their way. Bud to one hospital and Harm to another.

1940 Local

Naval Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland

“Congratulations Lt. Roberts...it’s a boy!”

Harriet and Bud laughed and cried as they heard their son exercise his lungs. He scored high on the APGAR scale and weighed in at eight pounds, three ounces. Harriet had insisted on the name James this time - Jimmy for short. When she couldn’t decide on a middle name, she asked Bud for ideas. He had offered Kirk and she liked it. It wasn’t until after the papers were signed and they were at home that she would learn the link to Bud’s obsession - Star Trek.

They called Jennifer at the Rabb Residence to tell AJ about his brother. She had not heard from the Rabb’s yet to know what was happening.

Same Time

Riverside Hospital

Washington DC

“It’s still going to be awhile, Mrs. Rabb. Would you like to walk around...sometimes that helps things to move along.” The nurse was checking her every half hour but there was minimal progress. There was progress so they wanted to give her more time. With Harm’s arm at her waist to support her, they walked up and down the hospital corridors, stopping to visit the nursery every few laps and to rest.

“Mrs. Rabb? How are you doing?” asked her doctor.

“I’m ready for this baby to be born...my body seems to be a little slower to adjust.”

“Do you need anything for pain?”

“No...I’m fine. Walking has helped some...I get restless just laying there.”

“I’m sure you do. Walk as much as you want. We’ll check you again in a few minutes.”

2300 Local

Birthing Area

Riverside Hospital

“Mrs. Rabb, you’re almost there. Would you like to walk some more?”

“I guess so...Harm?”

“Right here, Honey.”

“Help me up...I’m so tired...I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Yes you can...I’ll be at your side and you’ll do just fine.” They had only taken about five steps when Mac’s water broke.

“Oh! This feels awful....what a mess...” Mac muttered as she tried to keep the wet gown away from her body as the fluid ran down her legs.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and Mr. Rabb into scrubs. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have a baby soon,” the nurse cheerily directed them. She helped Mac to take off the wet gown and wiped off her legs before putting her into a dry gown. She helped her to get onto the birthing table and checked her once more. “I’m going to call for the doctor. This shouldn’t take long now.”

Harm, dressed in the jade green scrubs used at the hospital hurried back to Mac’s side.

“Try to slide in behind her and support her back as much as you can. When it’s time to push, the more resistence you can give her to push against the easier it will be. You may need to help her hold her leg out too. You went to classes right?”

“Yes we did. Focus your breathing Mac...” Harm coached as he wrapped his arms around her. For the next half hour they breathed together through each contraction. Finally, the doctor instructed Mac to begin pushing with each contraction and holding it for a count of ten if she could. Harm was in charge of counting for her.

“That’s it Sarah, you’re doing great...baby’s dong great...I see lots of dark hair...get ready to give me a big push on the next contraction...ready...push! Perfect...I’ve got the head...next ones gives us the shoulders...ready?...let’s do this...now!”

With Harm at her back and holding one thigh and the nurse holding the other, Mac gave one more big push and felt the baby slide from her body. She collapsed back against Harm with tears in her eyes and they placed their baby daughter on her stomach while Harm cut the umbilical cord. The nurse took her away to get her scores and clean her up.

Harm nuzzled Mac’s face as he whispered in her ear and kissed her tenderly. “I love you Sarah Mackenzie...thank you for making my life complete.”

“I love you too...I think I know what we should name her”

“You do?”

“Yeah...like your grandfather named your father...Mackenzie Rabb - perfect for a girl...don’t you think?”

“So we’ll have two Mac’s?” Harm asked. “Big Mac and Little Mac?” he teased.

“No...we could call her Mackie, or Micki or even Zee...we can work out a suitable nickname, don’t you think?” Mac gave Harm the look he couldn’t resist.

The birth certificate would read:

Mackenzie Rabb

September 1

7 lbs. 3 oz.

21 inches long

Parents: Sarah Mackenzie Rabb and Harmon Rabb Junior

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

THE END