PICTURING YOU
Author: Hollyjp
Summary: Another Harm and Mac life after FWFS story that’s a little different then my others and maybe a little different then what others have written. Just always remember that when I write Harm and Mac they may have problems but they will be together at the end.
Rating: A few parts are for very adult readers...I’ve tried to mark those sections and leave it so you can skip if you want or need to and not miss the story.
Author’s Notes: I got into some technical stuff with this story that probably isn’t accurate. Please allow me ‘poetic’ license on this aspect of this story. Also, I’m not sure if the Naval Safety Center would be dubbed NavSafCent, but it makes about as much sense as some of the other nicknames the Navy has, and it was quicker to type! Joint Forces Legal Services has also become JFLS.
{Voice on the phone}
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.
PART 1
Miramar Naval Station
San Diego, California
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Captain Rabb.”
“Is he expecting you, Ma’am?” asked Lt. Catherine Graves.
“No, but if he’s here I’m sure he’ll see me,” stated the fair-haired holding the hand of the little girl at her side.
“Who should I tell him is asking to see him, Ma’am?” checked Lt. Graves.
“Tell him an ex-helicopter pilot is here to see him, and she wasn’t bad for a girl,” the woman smiled.
“Okay Ma’am.” Cathy Graves sensed a mystery and twitched her lips trying to decide if this was a potential problem for her CO and his wife. As cute as Captain Rabb was, he and Colonel Mackenzie together were even cuter. Graves had taken upon herself to protect them from any undue outside influence and right now, she wasn’t sure if this lady and her little girl were trouble or not.
“Excuse me Captain Rabb, you have someone here to see you. She said to tell you she used to be a pilot and she wasn’t bad for a girl.” She heard the phone line go dead and the office door open as the same time she heard her commanding officer’s voice.
“Sandra?”
“Surprise!”
“What brings you here?”
“I live in the area. My husband told me that he was really impressed with the new Safety Investigator assigned to the base. He said that the combination of experience as a lawyer, investigator, and jet jock made for an awesome combination. I asked him the name of this guy, thinking this has to be a strange coincidence, and he tells me it’s a Captain Harmon Rabb. I had to come see for myself.”
“Come on in. This must be your little girl. She looks like you.”
“Yes, this is my daughter Maxine Gilbert. Honey, this is Captain Rabb. Can you say hello?”
“Hello Captain Rabb.”
Harm squatted down to shake the little girl’s hand. “Hello Maxine. You know, I knew your mom when she use to fly. Are you planning to fly someday too?”
“Mommy still flies. I’d rather ride horses.”
“I see. So talk to me Sandra.”
“Well, like Maxi says, I am a pilot. I fly helicopters for the Air Rescue League. It’s not a military career, sir, but is useful and there are challenges at times.”
“You said your husband is stationed here.”
“Ironic, isn’t it. I go home to Fort Worth, Texas to be with my family while I waited for Maxi to be born. After I got clearance to go back to work, I heard about a civilian post at the Naval Air Base in Forth Worth. I submitted my application and was called in for an interview. I didn’t get the job, but Lt. Commander Ken Burdick called and asked me out. He suggested that I might want to see if any of the news stations or hospitals were looking for a chopper pilot. I did and the next thing I know I am a trained EMT and piloting air rescues.”
“It’s a worthy career.”
“Yes. I enjoy it most of the time. Anyway, Ken asked me to marry him about a year later. He was so good with Maxi and wanted to adopt her, but her father had refused to relinquish his rights.”
“Have them met?” asked Harm quietly while the little girl was busy coloring with some things she had taken from her bag.
“Yes. He started a college fund for her. We’re hoping that someday his girls will be able to get to know her too. My husband has been there for every meeting, Captain if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I admit I was,” Harm smiled and tipped his hat.
“You’re married too, I see,” Sandra commented, nodding to his wedding band. “Tell me about the lucky lady.”
“Actually you know her...she was a major then...she’s a Lt. Colonel now...Sarah Mackenzie Rabb,” Harm announced as he reached for the picture of his family that he kept on his desk.
“Wow...how long you been married?”
“Since August.”
“Still a newly wed. Were you dating back then?” Sandra asked.
“No...it took us awhile to figure things out. I gave up my career for her once but manages to get it back after she decided it would never work between us.”
“Wow...but you’re together now. Both of you still in?”
“Yes. We actually flipped a coin to see who would retire and who would keep their career, but our commanding officer talked some sense into us. We had to endure a separation for a time, but we were able to find suitable billets in the same general area.”
“And what is she doing?”
“She is the CO for Joint Legal Services Southwest.”
“That’s the new program where they are training JAGs to be in the field isn’t it?”
“Yes. She makes sure they’re up on the rules of engagement, know how to handle the demands of being in the field, and can keep their cool under pressure and make logical decisions quickly.”
“And you are no longer a lawyer?”
“I’m still licensed and I sometimes step in to cover cases tried in civilian court. I served as the Force Judge Advocate in Europe for six months, until this position opened up and they could find my replacement.”
“Who ended up in London?”
“Captain Mattoni. We was senior officer at headquarters when Mac and I were first partnered together there. It was a lateral move for him, but he preferred it over his assignment in Japan.”
“So what is it you do here?”
“My official title is commanding officer of the Naval Safety Center Southwest. Our office is in charge of Naval safety investigations. We also serve as liaisons with homeland security and reviews data from test flights to determine if improvements are within the acceptable safety standards.”
“Its hard to imagine you stepping out of the courtroom sir.”
“I’m still in the courtroom, only I’m usually testifying now instead of litigating.”
“Why did you leave JAG? You love the law.”
“I do...but I love Sarah Mackenzie more. We thought one of us would have to give up our career, but thanks to General Creswell and the Secretary of the Navy, we were both able to keep our careers. The first opening that came along that gave us a chance to be together was this one and it was a Captain’s billet. Those don’t come along that often, so I jumped on it. I’ve always like investigations and my knowledge of things that fly made me an acceptable candidate.”
“Well those four bars on your shoulders look good sir.”
“Mommy can we go soon?” interrupted the little girl who had tired of her crayons and books.
“Yes Maxi. She’s patience with me most of the time, but we’re going out to eat and then do some shopping. Perhaps you and your wife would join my husband and I for dinner one night?”
“I’ll talk to her about it.”
“Here’s my card. Please do call. Come on Maxi.”
Harm watched Sandra Gilbert Burdick and her daughter Maxine walk out of his office. The door had barely closed when he called his wife on her cell phone.
“Colonel Mackenzie.”
“I’m looking for Mrs. Rabb. You see her any where around?”
“Not a sign of her at the moment. Will I do?” asked Mac.
“I suppose I could deal with a kick-ass, gung-ho Marine in her place.”
“What’s up?”
“Funny you should ask,” Harm snickered knowing it drove Mac crazy when he did it, especially when she couldn’t make a come back. “I just had a visitor...someone from our past. Any guesses?”
“Please tell me its not the Video Princess,” Mac pleaded.
“Video Princess?”
“Renee.”
“No...not her...not anyone either of us dated.”
“A former client?”
“Yeah...she has a little girl now about seven or eight years old...looks just like her mother...she wasn’t bad at what she did...for a girl.”
“Oh my! Sandra Gilbert?”
“Sandra Gilbert Burdick, now. Her husband is stationed at Miramar but use to be in Forth Worth which is where they met, near her parents home. She’d like to have us get together over dinner one night, so I told her I’d talk it over with you.”
“Good man...” Mac smiled as she spoke.
“Hey, I learned my lesson the last time,” Harm reminded her. About two weeks after he had joined her in San Diego, Skates and her husband had been in town and suggested that they all go out to dinner. Harm had agreed to the plan and when he told Mac, she had given him a lesson in assuming anything with his wife. She had scheduled night ops training for the squad to get a feel what it might be like during night combat and having to decide on rules of engagement on the fly. She had refused to change plans and Harm, unable to track Skates and her husband down, ended up meeting them by himself and endured an evening of being the fifth wheel.
“Why don’t we see if you run into them again and if you do, we’ll talk about it,” suggested Mac.
“Sure. See you at home later?” Harm asked.
“Count on it sailor.”
1940 Local
Rabb Home
Castle Glen Drive
San Diego, California
“Mattie, I’m home.” Harm called as he set his case on the floor next to the hall table.
“Hi. You and Mac both had long days today. I’ve got supper ready when you are.”
“Thanks.” Harm dropped a kiss on her forehead when he found her at the kitchen desk working on homework. “How was school today?”
“I hate having to use the wheel chair at school, but I actually enjoyed classes. I wish I could have started at the semester break instead of two weeks into the quarter. Makes it hard to keep up.”
“Which is why the doctor wants you to use the chair at school so you don’t get over tired.”
“I know. It’s just I’m getting stronger and I get around at home without the chair now...I just want to ditch it completely.”
“I know, but we talked about it and Mac and I agree with the doctor. You over did the first time and had a major set back, right?”
“I know.”
“We want you on your feet, but we’re going to do it slow and steady,” Harm reminded her once again. It had become a well sung song if the past few months.
“You and Mac know about slow and steady, don’t you?” Mattie grinned. She loved teasing them about how long it took them to get together.
“Don’t try and divert my attention young lady, it is so not going to work. I know you wanted to push yourself for the wedding last August and we were so proud of how far you’d come in such a short time...”
“Oh boy, here it comes again,” Mattie muttered.
“It set you back so far, you had to practically be bedridden again and it took another ten weeks before you were able to move your right leg on your own. You were told that another stunt like that could mean permanent damage, Mattie, and I know that you don’t want that. Mac and I don’t want that for you, so yeah, for your own good we are being over protective, cautious, what ever you want to call it.”
Neither of them hear Marine Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie Rabb come enter the house or the room, but Mattie saw her first and smiled.
“Mattie you’ve got to take this seriously,” Harm insisted.
“I am.”
“Then why are you grinning?”
“We have an audience,” Mattie informed him then.
Harm swung around and smiled seeing his gorgeous bride standing in the doorway, her arms folded, leaning on the door jam.
“Hey, you look tired. Rough day?” Harm asked gently as he dropped a kiss on her lips, slid one arm around her waist and guided her into his arms.
“Oh brother, mushy time again,” Mattie sputtered trying to hide her own delight at seeing these two people together and so much in love.
“We’ll finish this later,” Harm whispered in Mac’s ear as he turned them both toward Mattie, presenting a visual united from as he went back to his diatribe. “As for you, Mathilda Grace, as your parents now it is our job to make sure that we protect you and guide you and keep you safe, even if its from yourself. So what that you don’t like being in that wheelchair right now to get around at school. You don’t have to use it at home when a cane for balance is enough. Its time you focused on today. Think about how what you do now will help you to get your life back completely. You know you have to give it time. When you gt discouraged, just think about those plans we made. I promised that when you recovered we’d go to work on them...I can’t keep up my end of the deal unless you do your job now.”
Mac looked from her husband to her adopted daughter and back again, waiting to see if Harm had more to say or if Mattie was going to argue with his wisdom. When neither spoke, she decided to lighten the atmosphere.
“Good, maybe we can think about dinner now. Anyone have any ideas?” Mac asked innocently, her lips twitching as she continued to watch her family.
“Everything is ready to go on the table. The crock pot kept the soup hot and the salad is in the refrigerator.”
“Thank you Mattie. Just let me change my clothes and I’ll get it on the table,” Mac said as she stepped toward her daughter and patted her arm on the way to the bedroom. “Harm, you going to help her or change your clothes first?”
Mattie and Harm were still eyeing each other warily moved in opposite directions.
“I’m right behind you,” he informed her as her words galvanized him into action once again. Once in the bedroom with the door shut, he started stripping off his peanut butters. He really liked being able to wear the work uniform on a regular basis and only having to ‘dress’ up when he was called to testify or for the monthly meetings in Washington DC with the head of the task force. He suspected that Mac was about to impart some words of wisdom and when nothing was forth coming he started to study her closely looking for a sign.
“What?” she asked as he studied her face looking for clues.
“Nothing to say to me about what you walked in on?”
“Nothing to add. You were right and Mattie knows it. She’s a teenager and needs to hear the message over and over. You’re a good Dad...I’ve told you that before. Are you fishing for compliments?” she teased.
“You sure?”
“Yes. What did you think I was going to tell you? You got carried away; take it easy on her; Harm , we both know how touch and go things were when we got back from our brief honeymoon and discovered her back in the hospital and doctors contemplating surgery. It took years off both of us. We were both there when she begged us not to let her do this to herself again. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t said what you did. On the other hand, our daughter has prepared dinner for her tired old parents and I think we need to appreciate what a help she is being to us.”
“I agree...and thank you.”
“You can pay me later,” Mac shot over her shoulder as she fastened the button at her waist and padded barefoot toward the kitchen.
Harm followed a few steps behind as he enjoyed the view of Mac’s long tan legs exposed below the hem of her khaki shorts. His eyes wandered up further to the small of her back exposed by her crop top. He remember the first time she had worn this top on their honeymoon. He had been delighted when he realized that she didn’t have to wear a bra under it. His fingers tingled and his breath caught in his throat knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that his wife was preparing him to be seduced later when they got behind close doors. She loved to torment him this way because she knew that all evening he would be needing to hide behind something so as not to corrupt the teenager in the house. He groaned knowing it could be a long uncomfortable evening ahead.
Mattie had the table set and the food ready to serve when they returned.
“This looks great Mattie. Thank you,” Mac smiled as she hugged the teenager.
“It’s nothing special,” Mattie deflected the praise.
“But I still appreciate you helping, Mattie. I remember the days of going to school, coming home to tackle the homework, fixing dinner, and then having no one notice. You do little things to help, and I thank you.” Mac smiled waiting for her appreciation to be accepted. Mac knew it wasn’t an easy thing for Mattie to accept from her yet.
“I like helping...you’ve already done so much for me,” Mattie began.
“You know how you feel good inside doing something to help someone?” Mac asked Mattie.
“Yeah...it does feel good.”
“Well, in a way that’s like the feeling I get when I realize there I things I can do to help you.”
“I guess I get it.”
“I think what Mac is trying to say, Mattie, is that...” Harm started before Mac interrupted him.
“What Harm is trying to do is talk for me and that never turns out well,” Mac laughed as she rolled her eyes at Harm.
“You wound me,” Harm complained, his hands going over his heart.
“Harm, Mattie and I need to find our own ways to communicate and we did pretty good while you were in London. Between our visits and talks on the phone, we did alright. Right Mattie?” Mac asked.
“Yes. But you know Harm, Mac, he’s got to get his two cents in even if we’ve got the exact change.”
“Hey, that’s a good one,” Mac crowed reaching over to give Mattie a high five.
Harm squinted first at one woman and then the other. “You’re ganging up on me.”
“He is smarter then we give him credit for,” Mac teased addressing her comment to Mattie.
“Sometimes,” Mattie agreed with a giggle.
“Alright. Alright.”
“So how did Sandra Gilbert look today?” Mac asked changing the subject.
“Happy. Her little girl looks like her. She named her Maxine. Father and daughter have met,” Harm informed Mac.
“How did that go?”
“Okay I guess. The siblings haven’t met yet.”
“It’s got to be difficult on their spouses.”
“This Burdick guy she married sounds pretty supportive of her,” Harm added.
“Do you know him?” Mac asked.
“I know the name...can’t put a face with it though. So Mattie, any potential friends at your new school?” Harm asked changing the subject to draw her in.
“Of course. It’s hard to get to know people when I’m in the chair. That’s one reason I don’t want to use it,” Mattie explained making one more pitch for parking her chair at school.
“Don’t start again,” Harm warned, but with a smile.
“Mattie, this soup you made came out really good,” Mac praised.
“Thanks Mac.”
Mattie and Mac exchanged knowing smiles. Mac’s appreciation halted another round of the worried parent routine from Harm, while Mattie’s acceptance of Mac’s praise earned them both a smile from their hero.
PART 2
During the months Harm was stationed in London, Mac had flown out to spend time with Mattie every two or three weeks. They would call Harm together at least once during the weekend so they could all talk and make plans. Harm had tried to fly out to meet them once and got as far as Washington DC when he was met at the airport and escorted to a Joint Staff meeting at the Pentagon for an emergency meeting. As a result of that meeting, Harm landed himself in the billet he had now with full support out of Washington D.C.
Disappointed that his schedule hadn’t allowed him to see Mattie and Mac after their carefully made plans, they all consoled themselves with the fact that August was drawing closer. Although they would be separated after a short honeymoon in the Bahamas for a couple of months, they decided it could be worse. They had waited nine years before deciding to marry. They figured another few weeks of being apart would pass quickly and they at least had the legal bond of the ceremony to assure them they were progressing with their relationship.
In the weeks following the tropical honeymoon, Mac looked for housing that would be suitable for Mattie in her wheelchair. Trish and Frank Burnett kept their eyes and ears open for potential housing, and stumbled across a great option a month before Harm and Mattie were due to arrive. The house was in the price range Harm had felt comfortable with; it was on one floor; it provided the newlyweds and Mattie with privacy; and there were lots of possible projects that Harm could get involved with.
An artist at the gallery Trish operated was selling his one floor craftsman style home in order to upgrade and move out of the city. The house wasn’t picture perfect but it was located on Castle Glen Drive about half way between Miramar and North Island Air Station.
The University of San Diego High School was close by for Mattie. Harm and Mac had tried to convince Mattie to go to a private school, but she had insisted on public high school. They finally compromised when Mattie was accepted into the University High School. Mattie would be able to work on college credits while she was earning her high school diploma. Mattie was able to take a handicapped accessible bus to the high school until she was able to go with crutches or a cane. It allowed her the most independence of the other options they had considered.
San Diego Naval Medical Center was only seven miles from the house and now that Mattie was legally adopted by Harm and Mac, they were able to have her seen by doctors there in a state of the art facility.
Harm had been thrilled when he saw the house for the first time. He liked the idea of puttering around the house and had already suggested several remodeling projects to his ladies. Although this place wasn’t modern, like the loft, it was cozy and allowed him an endless source of creative projects, a side of him that Mac had forgotten about over the years until she saw his excitement and plans for the house.
The floor plan was fairly simple. You entered through a front door that was off set toward the driveway. There were two wings off each side of the main part of the house that formed a little courtyard in the back. A sheltered little patio led into the rest of the fenced in back yard. In one corner the previous owners had kept raised garden beds for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables. There was even a strawberry bed.
While the kitchen, living room and an office/guest room made up the main portion of the house, one wing contained the dining area off the kitchen, a utility room and the master bedroom and bathroom. The other wing had two small bedrooms and a bathroom. A doorway at the end of the hall lead to a little efficiency apartment that had been added on to the end of the wing. Mac and Harm turned it into Mattie’s suite. It even had an outside door to the little courtyard.
The house had archways leading from room to room. Harm had built additional closet space in some of the ‘dead’ areas in the floor plan giving the interior interesting angles and functional storage. A two car garage was attached on the kitchen side of the house but there was no door leading directly into the kitchen. Harm added a connecting window into the kitchen area so the groceries could be unloaded from the car to the kitchen through that window before they came around to the front door to enter the house. A full door would used up too much kitchen counter and storage so he had settled for this unique system. Mac and Mattie thought it was a great idea.
All the rooms needed fresh paint or wall paper when they moved in. They all agreed to go with paint over wall paper. The work that needed to be completed before they moved in, like the painting, was done first while Harm had been still been in London.
After dinner the three of them cleaned up the kitchen together. They would often spend time together each evening working on a project in the back yard or in the house. Mac enjoyed those times together when they were just the Rabb family. No titles, no worries, no pressures.
2230 Local
Rabb Residence
“I didn’t think she’d ever go to bed tonight,” Harm grumbled in Mac’s ear as he backed her into their bedroom.
“And why would that be a problem?” Mac teased rubbing herself against his evident arousal and desire for her.
“You know damn well what the problem is,” Harm mumbled before claiming her lips with his own, searching her mouth, enjoying her sweetness, pulling her hips against his.
“I’d say you like what you see,” Mac teased her husband as his wayward hands touched any skin he could find and his lips followed.
“I nearly came undone outside tonight when you two started spraying each other with the hose. Mattie’s shot that hit you square in the chest was - ah - revealing shall we say?” Harm reminded Mac.
“Only a little bump showed...I checked.” Mac giggles as Harm the prude showed up again briefly, before he located those bumps he had referred to. The cold water had made Mac’s nipples perk up, but the material was thick enough so she hadn’t been exposed. The warm evening air, dried her top as she wore it, not necessitating a change of clothes, something she had Mattie had delighted in as they got use to the warmer winter air in southern California. Although Mac had grown up in the southwest, mostly, she had lived in the northern climates for most of the past twenty years. Mattie had never lived further south then Virginia so had more adjusting to do.
Mac giggled as Harm sat on the bed, so he could kiss the bare skin on her belly and back below her top by turning her where she stood between his knees. Mac had selected her top tonight on purpose. He had been turned on by the top during their honeymoon and each and every time she put it on sense. There were times she took great delight in driving him crazy, like tonight when she had put the top on with this very thing in mind. Sometimes she wondered how he had kept his hands to himself for so many years when they were partners. It really was a testament to his military training as an officer and a gentleman.
Harm on the other hand, was ready to see more of her satiny soft skin. Using his thumbs he worked them under the lower edge of her top and began to peel the cotton upward.
“Harm, would you like me to remove my top...it’s going to take forever the way you’re trying to do it.”
“Yeah...show me what you’re hiding.” He ducked his head closer and tasted her skin from navel to the bottom of the top as she reached to pull the top over her head, freeing her breasts to his sight; to his touch; and to his taste.
Mac’s head was thrown back as he touched, tasted and tantalized her sensitive breasts. Holding them...supporting their weight...massaging them...each touch created electric sparks inside Mac’s body. Her hands tangled in his hair, holding his mouth closer to her, urging him to touch and taste more.
When Mac’s knees buckled, Harm guided her on to his lap and helped her to wrap her legs around his waist leaving no doubt to the effect she was having on him. He allowed his mouth to claim hers once again while his hands, slightly rough but very gentle, caressed her bare back before settling at her waist.
“I want to feel your skin against me,” Mac managed to demand against his mouth between kisses.
Together they removed Harm’s shirt and he drew her bare breasts against his chest. Sliding side to side creating a friction that would drive them both over the edge soon. For now they went with enjoying the sensations the movement caused in both of them.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of you,” Harm admitted to Mac as he reached for the button on her shorts.
“I know...I’m the same way about you...Wait...let me stand up,” Mac insisted as she reluctantly got off his lap so that they could both remove the rest of their clothing.
Mac smiled as she studied her husband now, and thought back to the first time they had been together. As comfortable as they were with each other as partners and friends, they had both been more nervous with each other as their clothes came off for the first time. They had laughed about it which had gone along way in helping them quickly find their comfort zone. Thinking about it now, it seemed hard to remember how nervous they had been. While their love making had been limited to the bedroom and bathroom, Mac could imagine them christening other rooms in the house eventually, should Mattie be away overnight sometimes. Mac kept the idea to herself for now, not wanting to shock her amorous husband at the moment.
Harm’s hands and lips were busy finding all the spots he had found on Mac that turned her on when touched them. Mac had learned to just hold on and enjoy it when Harm was in his search and plunder mode. He would eventually give her a chance to return the favorite, but he was a man on a mission tonight. It was one designed to give as much intense pleasure to his wife as possible. The little whimpering sounds that came from her throat told him what he needed to know.
He sat on the lounge chair in the corner of the room, settling Mac onto his lap again, only this time guiding himself into her moist heat. With his hands at her hips he guided her wild ride as she rocked her hips against his. His hands and mouth were everywhere on her while she rode him hot and wild, their hips grinding together where they were joined. Her frantic cries told him that she needed one final touch to take her over the top, and he obliged, letting his thumb stimulate her hidden nub between them. One touch and her caught her wild cries in his mouth, muffling them in the night.
As she came down from her release, he was still hard inside her. Her head rested on his shoulder while his hands lightly caressed her back.
“I love you Mac,” he whispered in her ear, waiting for her to give him a sign she was ready for more.
Mac pulled her legs up wrapping them around his waist again, drawing him further into her body as she captured his mouth this time, becoming the aggressor in the relationship for the moment. Pushing him back so he was reclining on the lounger, she leaned over him, teasing him with her breasts, as she used her legs to lift and lower herself over him. He was close, she knew, by the way he closed his eyes and his breath hitched. She began bouncing on his lap, to increase her tempo. Her breasts bounced and brushed his face as his mouth sought to capture her. Getting one hand free, he guided her breast to his mouth, wrapped his tongue around the engorged nipple, suckling her as she rocked and gyrated her hips against his.
Harm could feel her muscles beginning to contract around him once again. This time they rode the crest of their orgasms together until they lay sated in one another’s arms.
After a quick shower, they slid into bed together, naked. Harm held Mac in his arms, his chin resting on her head. Feeling that it had been enough time sense he last brought up the subject, he would try again tonight.
“Mac, I don’t mean to push you, but have you given any more thought about getting pregnant?”
“I think about it every day Harm. You know I want to; You also know what the doctor said. Even if I get pregnant there is a good chance I can’t carry full term because of the weakness in the uterine wall. That’s why they are not willing to do in vitro with us and introduced the idea of a surrogate the last time.”
“Are you ready to talk about that yet?” Harm asked her quietly.
“I don’t think I could handle watching your baby grow inside another woman, Harm.”
“But the doctor said it would be your baby too. They can harvest your eggs and fertilize with my sperm. It would be our baby.”
“I know...I want to keep trying ourselves for now Harm.”
“Okay...trying is good. I know how much you want the experience Mac...would it really bother you to see our baby growing inside someone else...I mean its not like I have to put the sperm in there myself.”
Mac smiled despite the topic and the intensity of her feelings on the subject, yet Harm had a way of putting things that made her laugh. “I know...do you mind waiting a little longer for me?”
“No. Whatever we do, it has to feel right for both of us.”
“I did talk to Harriet after the last appointment,” Mac admitted, hesitating to tell Harm what their friend had offered.
“And?” Harm waited and when Mac didn’t say anymore he looked down to see if she was asleep. She was chewing her lip so he knew she was thinking and worrying about this more then he had realized. “Mac? Talk to me.”
“Harriet offered to be a surrogate for us if we decide...” Mac trailed off, overwhelmed at their friend’s generosity. “She and Bud talked it over and are willing if we decide to go that route.”
“How do you feel about that?” Harm asked her.
“I’m not sure. I think it was generous, kind, and typical of what Bud and Harriet would do for someone they cared for. I’m not sure it would be a good idea. What do you think?” One part of Mac wanted Harm to be his arrogant stubborn, hard-headed man that she found when she first came to JAG. He would have jumped at the chance and found a way to convince her it was the thing to do. But the mature Harm, would talk it over and agree to abide by her decision for now.
“I think I would feel funny about it,” Harm admitted. “It was a nice offer, though.” He kissed her forehead. “Think you can sleep tonight?”
“Oh yeah.” Mac snuggled closer and after closing her eyes, she fell asleep dreaming of the baby she still hoped to conceive. They had been married for almost six months. She had been going to the doctor’s here in San Diego for eight months and
while they gave her a higher chance of getting pregnant, they had given her a weaker prognosis on carrying to term.
Harm had gone for his own series of tests after he had relocated to San Diego, and they knew for sure that he was fully functioning and loaded with live ammo for their mission. Mac had given him a new nickname that had a secret meaning between them. Every time she called him ‘Hot Shot’ he would blush and get flustered.
The doctor had explained to them why he had wanted to test. They had been fully prepared given Harm’s age, exposure to toxic jet fuels, and ejection history that he could have low motility or sperm count which would necessitate special preparations for them to give them their best chances. Instead his test results had shown both an unusual high sperm count given all the previously mentioned factors and a high motility rate. Harm had blushed when the female doctor told them his results and actually fanned herself. Mac had dubbed him ‘Hot Shot’ then and there. Harm had tried to convince Mac that it had been a coincidence not a reaction to the news. Mac refused to believe the ‘doctor had a hot flash’ theory however, and Harm couldn’t change her mind. For now, nature would do what it wanted.
PART 3
February 21, 2006
1110 Local
Miramar Air Station
“Captain Rabb!” Lt. Graves called as she flew in his office door just as he hung up the phone.
“Calm down Lt. Graves. What’s going on?”
“There’s been an accident sir...at Turner Field.”
“Give me the basics on the way to the airstrip.” Harm grabbed his cover and brief case as he headed for the helo waiting for them. “Did you activate the team Graves?” Harm checked with his sometimes easily rattled assistant.
“Yes sir, while I waited for you to end your call.”
“Fill me in.”
“Yes sir. Apparently Lt. Commander Yates was directing an air boat into shore before Captain Morales finished with his training exercise. Morales ordered his men into the water and to deploy their rafts. The water wasn’t deep enough and eight men were injured.”
“Any deaths?”
“Not yet sir, but two of the men are thought to be in critical condition with possible head injuries.”
“JAG investigators on the scene?”
“I don’t know sir. For this would I contact Colonel Rabb?”
“Were they training for combat or normal drills?”
“Drills sir.”
“Then you called the regular JAG office.”
“It gets so confusing, sir. I mean why would you have to step away from the law when you could have both been working in different areas of JAG, each with your own command?”
“Graves?”
“Sorry sir. I know you are an amazing investigator and all, its just I know you enjoy litigating.”
“Focus on this job, Graves.” Harm looked at the two other men comprising this response team.
Major Mark Unger and Lt. Jesse Kingston along with Lt. Cathy Graves and himself made up response team one. Major Unger was their helo pilot getting them quickly to accident sites. While they also dealt with forensics and good old fashion investigative work, they were still in the military on active duty, unlike the NCIS investigators that were called to investigate Naval and Marine crime scenes.
A second ‘first response’ team was headed by Harm’s executive officer. He had selected “Commander Dave Jackson, a former submariner and Seal to be his executive officer. Jackson in return had asked for Lt. Rivers to be assigned to their squad. Harm had been a little reluctant but after assessing the situation he agreed. Lt. Rivers had been passed over for a promotion for a second time. As a result, he needed to take a new billet and a lateral move was all that would be allowed. His respect for Commander Jackson and his grudging respect for Captain Rabb, made this option the only choice left to him. The fourth member of the second team was Captain Wayne Travers their helo pilot.
Back at their headquarters, Master Gunnery Sargent Victor Galindez, Sargent Frank West, Petty Officer Chandra Norse, and Petty Officer Barry Adams provided research, technology support, language skills, and explosives expertise for the two response teams. ‘Master Gunny’ Galindez ran the office and the team and put his field experience to use working to determine the meanings behind the accidents. Sargent West was an explosives expert, PO Norse was a master at several languages and cryptology, while PO Adams’ technology skills made Bud’s computer expertise to look amateur and outdated.
The helicopter set down and Harm, Cathy Graves, and Jesse Kingston were out and running toward the area where rescue workers were still surrounding the scene.
“Captain Rabb, Naval Safety Investigations. Who’s in charge here?” demanded Harm.
“I am sir. Commander Bill Halliday. How can we help you?”
“Walk us through the accident. Graves, get this down.”
“Yes sir.”
“Commander Yates got a flash that their was a storm coming in. With this particular model of air boat, they’ve had some stability problems. They have been experimenting with ballasts to try and make the craft more stable. Anyway, Yates ordered Morales to get his men clear as they were headed to port. Morales didn’t have the weather flash, so he had his men deploy their rafts for the final exercise figuring they could row to shore, or swim. He didn’t realize that Yates was in as shallow or that he was turning the air boat. One raft was sucked into the air boat fan, and another was capsized.”
“Yates and Morales?” Harm asked.
“Morales is one of the injured. Yates is on the air boat cleaning and checking for necessary repairs.”
“How do Morales and Yates normally get along?”
“About as well as a Navy man and a Marine can, sir.”
“I see. Unger, you and Jesse inspect the air boat. Graves, I need you to secure a car. We’re going to the hospital.”
“Aye, aye sir,” Graves saluted, before turning to secure a navy issue car.
The day dragged on for Harm. They had waited to interview the men in the hospital. They waited for Unger and Kingston report. When it came, they didn’t have any significant damage to report. Finally they got in to see Morales.
“Captain Morales, I’m Captain Rabb. This is Lt Graves. We have some questions for you about the incident.”
“Yes sir. You’re not JAG are you?”
“Not anymore. I represent the Naval Safety Center here in San Diego. Could you tell us what happened?”
“Yes sir... We were suppose to practice maneuvers using our rafts. Most of us have had extensive training get on and off the old amphibious ships, but the new air boats they use, well sir, there are other factors to consider that the men don’t fully understand. The new rafts are smaller, seating fewer men. The teams have to get the raft into the water and get themselves into the rafts quickly without flipping them. Once they get the knack, it’s pretty easy to do.”
“I understand Captain...we understand the purpose, but we want you to tell us what happened.”
“Aye, aye sir. I saw that Yates was heading for shore and we needed to get in one more drill to stay on schedule. When I saw the direction he was heading, I gave the signal to begin the drill. Just as the first two boats hit the water, the next two were preparing to go, but the air boat made a sharp turn. The next two rafts slide into the water but the men lost their balance and momentum ending up in the water. I tried grabbing the raft closest to me to stop it, and it was sucked into the fan and me with it.”
Harm studied the bandages on the man’s hands, and head.
“How bad are you hurt Captain Morales?”
“It could have been much worse. I grabbed the screening which prevented me from being ground like mince meat. One of the raft ropes was wrapped around my arm and I have cut marks from that; fortunately the rope broke before it could severe my arm. My head was lacerated from flying debris. Did they locate my squad?” Morales asked in concern.
“Yes sir. My understanding is that one other man was hurt...Sargent Tim Jennings.”
“What happened? He was in the first raft. They got away without a problem. It was the other raft the wasn’t ready that got sucked under the air boat.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know. Look, we’ll let you rest. Heal up soon, Morales. Your men need you.”
“Captain Rabb?”
“Yes Graves?”
“Don’t we need to ask him about the report Yates issued?”
“Very good, Lt. Graves. Thank you. Captain Morales, there is one more question if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead Captain Rabb.”
“Why didn’t you hold up when you heard Yates post the storm warning?”
“Storm warning sir? I didn’t hear any storm warning. He circled his hand to indicate he was ready for us to gear up.”
“Circled his hand?” Harm asked as he raised his arm and rotated his hand from the wrist in a circular motion.
“Exactly sir. That’s how he had been signaling us to gear up on every exercise we’ve done with him.”
“Do you have a problem with Commander Yates?”
“No more so then I do most other squids, sir,” Morales grinned at Harm. “I do have to uphold Marine tradition if you know what I mean sir.”
“I do.”
“Captain Rabb is married to a Marine Colonel, sir.” grinned Lt. Graves earning her a frown from Captain Rabb.
As they left Morales room Harm made a few notes on his notepad, while Lt. Graves launched into her apology routine.
“I’m so sorry captain, if I said too much in there, I mean. I mean everyone hears you and the Colonel tease each other, I just....”
“Graves, enough. It’s okay, let it go.”
“Yes sir.”
“Let’s check with the nurses’ station on Sargent Tim Jennings. Maybe we can speak to him as well.”
They were in luck and shown to Sargent Jennings room, one floor up.
“Sargent Jennings? I’m Captain Rabb with the Naval Safety Center.”
“About time someone did something about those damn air boats, sir.”
“Tell me about them. These new ones are loud and you can’t hear a thing.”
“That’s why they use hand signals.”
“Yes sir, but whoever approved those signals hasn’t been out there using them. They are too fine sir.”
“Explain more Sargent.”
“Yes sir...when Commander Yates gave the gear-up signal, we got the rafts launched. Problem was, when I looked back to watch the next two, I was at another angle and realized that Commander Yates was either telling us he was turning, or there was a twister expected in the area. All three of those hand signals use on hand. Gear up is a circular hand with the index finger pointing up at the end of each circle; the twister is the hand in circles while the thumb is folded against the palm; and the turn is indicated with the motion coming from the elbow and not the wrist. They are too close together to always be certain from a distance.”
“What about head gear and microphones?”
“Not been approved sir.”
“Are you saying it would have made a difference?”
“Yes sir.”
“Very well Sargent. We will look into that more. How bad are your injuries?”
“Concussion and wrenched knee.”
“Take care Sargent.”
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
Back in the car Lt. Graves was denying to know what Captain Rabb was thinking. He had handed her the keys and he was looking at his notes while she drove them away from the Medical Center. She was about to ask him where he wanted to go, when he radioed the rest of the team.
“Major Unger, do you copy?”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“What’s your location?”
“We’re just arriving back at Turner Airfield.”
“What’s your ETA for NavSafCent?”
“Fifteen minutes Captain.”
“See you there.”
“I take it we’re heading back to Miramar.”
“Yes. Do you have another idea?”
“No sir, its just I know you try to wrap up and get home for dinner.”
Harm glanced at his watched and realized that it was dark and it was getting late. He hadn’t called home. He grabbed his cell phone and rang his house.
“Harm?” Mac answered, her concern evident in her voice.
“I’m so sorry, Mac. Time got a way from me and this is first chance I’ve had to call. I’m going to be at least another hour, maybe two before I can get home. Did you and Mattie eat yet?”
“No.”
“Please go ahead. I’m really sorry Mac.”
“Harm, its okay as long as you are alright. I take it you got called out.”
“We did. I’ll fill you in later. You and Mattie go ahead and eat. I grab something later.”
“Drive carefully. We love you.”
“I love you too.” Harm put his cell away and looked over at Lt. Graves. He smiled and shook his head. Every time she heard him tell Mac or Mattie that he loved them, she would get this silly grin on her face and start gushing about how ‘cute’ they were. Harm put up with it, because he liked the idea that she thought he was at least trying to be a good husband and father and because she was actually pretty good at this investigative stuff. She earned the right to be on his team.
1950 Local
NavSafCent
Miramar
Team one assembled along with Galindez and Norse back at headquarters. Each member of the team reported out information they had, adding anything the previous teams left out. Information was typed into the computer and projected onto the smart board for everyone to see. They would review the information, verify data collected, and then issue a report with recommendations when appropriate. The team tried to wrap things up within twenty-four hours whenever possible.
The second team, lead by Commander Dave Jackson, was currently in Hawaii investigating a recent rash of accidents on the submarine fleet in the water there. While team one was looking for supporting data on their findings, Harm checked in with team two.
“Dave, it’s Harm. What you got?”
“It’s a mess out here Harm. Not only can we not find a pattern, have my team gets sick every time we step on a sub.”
“Guess we need to find you more ‘bubbleheads’ for these calls.”
“I wish. Anyway, any chance West could come join us?” I could really use the technology support here on site.”
“Let me check first with Pearl and see if we can borrow one of the JAG techs. If not then I’ll send West out in the morning.”
“Fair enough. We’ll check in tomorrow.”
“Captain Rabb, I think we’ve got the data we need to support our theory,” announced Galindez.
“Excellent. Look, we’re all tired. Let’s call it a night and get back to it in the morning when we’re fresh. If we’re right, we can wrap this up in two or three hours...and if we’re not, then we need rested minds to examine our info again.”
“Aye, aye, sir. Do you want me to call Pearl about the tech for Commander Jackson before I secure.”
“Please, and if they don’t have someone let West know. Thank you, Gunny,” Harm said still using the old name for one of his favorite people.
Harm had ended up with Victor Galindez as a fluke. Mac had apparently been calling around trying to locate him to add to her staff. She had left a message with his mother for him to call and left their home number. Harm had answered the phone when Gunny had called.
<Flashback>
“I got a message to call this number because someone named Rabb was looking for me.”
“Gunny. I appreciate you getting back to me quickly. Look I’m stationed in San Diego now and heading up the Naval Safety Center in San Diego. I need good investigators on my team that know how to do research and use data. Interested?”
“Yes sir. I’m on leave right now, but I’m suppose to go back next week to get new orders.”
“I’m a Captain now, Gunny, and I’ll put in the paperwork for your promotion to Master Gunny and cut your orders to report to San Diego in one week.”
“Make it eight days and you’ve got a deal.”
“Done.”
“I was surprised to hear you left JAG, sir.”
“Had to...well one of us had too.”
“Sir?”
“Mac and I got married Gunny. She got stationed in San Diego running joint legal services and I was sent to London as Force JAG Europe. When we got our orders, we got our heads out of the sand and decided to marry. One of us was going to give up our careers, but General Creswell convinced us to hang in there a little longer and he would help one of us secure another billet closer together as soon as there was an opening. When this one opened up, I knew it was perfect. I still get to play in the courtroom sometimes, but I have always enjoyed the action of investigations. The further up the chain I went in JAG, the further I was from the courtroom anyway.”
“It will be good to see you both.”
“Eight days Gunny.”
<End Flashback>
Mac had been furious with him for about ten minutes until she realized it was her own fault for not giving Gunny more information. She had just told his mother to have him call Rabb and then she left two phone numbers. Her office and home. Gunny had gotten through on the home number first. Harm had answered and assumed that Victor had gotten his message not knowing Mac had been trying to reach him too. It had been an honest mistake and one used to torment the other now and again.
PART 4
2235 Local
Rabb Residence
Harm was bone tired by the time he had parked in the garage and entered the house. It was quiet and dark accept the nightlight in the halls and kitchen. He turned on the light in the kitchen to get a drink and spotted the note from Mac.
[Hey Harm, we left you some salad and cold grilled chicken. Eat something please. Wake me up when you get home if I’m asleep. Love you, Mac.]
Harm took out the salad, chicken and his homemade dressing and stood at the counter to eat a small portion. He was eating the last bite when he felt Mac’s arms slide around his waist from behind, and her head rest on his back.
“Sorry Mac.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been great about calling when you’re going to be late. Time gets away from all of us once in awhile.”
“It’s still no excuse.”
“Harm its fine. I picked Mattie up from school today and we spent a fun couple of hours together.”
“I’m glad you and Mattie have bonded so well.”
“Me too. I was afraid we would have territorial disputes over you.”
“Over me?”
“Yes. It happens when a single parent marries, sometimes.”
“Really.”
“Ready for bed?” Mac asked changing the subject.
“I could be,” Harm teased.
“Harm,” Mac rolled her eyes as she slid in front of him and reached up to kiss his chin, the closest she was able to get to his mouth at the moment.
He lowered his head so that she could reach his mouth more easily. Their lips nibbled and caressed while hands touched and urged more closeness. Harm’s exhaustion disappeared as Mac’s touch once again woke up every nerve in his body. Her touch had that effect on him when she didn’t even try. When she was in the mood for making love, he didn’t have a prayer of saying no. Of course, he didn’t want to so it was not a problem. While he still had any brain cells working, he whispered against her lips.
“Bedroom.”
Mac groaned, just wanting to go with the moment, but knowing Harm was right. Leaving everything just where it was, Harm and Mac moved to the bedroom while continuing their kisses and caresses.
In the few months that they had lived together full time, Harm had quickly learned to recognize most of Mac’s moods. She had been almost sexually aggressive lately which warned him that the infamous three days of hell was close. He had always kidded her about a man being lucky to get five good days a month with a woman, but he had adjusted that assessment with Mac. He soon discovered that if her sexual urges were satisfied, which he had no complaint about, then her mood swings were minimal. There were three days that she was usually uncomfortable and Harm tried to keep his distance, but be understanding and supportive.
Harm certainly wasn’t one of those husbands that complained that his wife wasn’t interested in sex. He and Mac had a satisfying and active sex life. Some times he felt like Mac was trying to make up for lost time. He had also been pleased to discover that his age had not significantly diminished his recovery time. Maybe he had lost a few minutes, but if he had, the power of Sarah’s love certainly compensated for those few minutes.
Two weeks later
NavSafCent
{Excuse me Captain, Commander Burdick is here to see you.}
“Show him in Lt. Graves.”
“Yes sir.”
“At ease Commander. How can I help you?” Harm asked assessing the fair-haired officer that had married Sandra Gilbert and was helping to raise another man’s child.
“Well Captain, I wanted to introduce myself. I understand that you know my wife, Sandy.”
“Yes. She stopped and introduced me to her daughter and told me she was married to you. You look familiar, Commander.”
“Yes sir. About ten, maybe eleven years ago I met you when you were working a case with a friend of mine.”
“Meg Austin?” Harm asked trying to think who he had worked with when the Texas drawl helped him make the leap.
“Yes sir. She spoke highly of you as an investigative lawyer...not quite as nicely as a man however,” Burdick grinned.
“Well, I was young back then. She knew me before I met my wife. Things changed drastically after that,” Harm vowed.
“If you and your wife are free this weekend, Sandy and I would love to invite you over for a backyard cookout. Do you have children, Captain?”
“Actually we have a teenager. She’s adopted and recovering from a plane accident.”
“Well, she’s welcome to come with you. It will be casual. We have a horse shoe pit if your interested.”
“I’ll talk it over with my wife and we’ll be in touch. How’s that?” Harm asked as he accepted the card Commander Burdick handed him.
“Excellent. Guess I’d better get back to the shop.”
Later that evening
Rabb Residence
“So what do you think?” Harm asked.
“I’d like to go. Mattie?”
“Sure. How old is their little girl?”
“Eight.”
“Cool age. Count me in.”
“You have the card, Harm?”
“Right here.”
“I’ll go call her now.” Mac picked up the phone. It was answered on the second ring. “Sandra? Sarah Rabb.”
[Oh...yes, the name through me for a second.]
“I know...it still throws me at times too. Your husband extended an invitation to my husband for us to join you Saturday for a cook out. Our daughter has agreed to come with us. I hope you don’t mind.”
[Daughter?]
“You husband didn’t explain?”
[No, I’m sorry.]
“Harm and I adopted a teenager. Her name is Mattie.”
[I’m not surprised. He was great with Maxi the other day...actually, we thought we might ask if Max and his other two daughters could join us Saturday as well.]
“That’s fine. Can I bring anything?”
[No thanks. I’ve got everything covered. We look forward to seeing you Saturday around noon.]
Saturday Noon
Burdick Residence
“Looks like we’re right on time,” Harm said as they pulled into the drive and saw Sandra and Ken Burdick and Maxine come out to welcome them.
Mac and Mattie joined Harm at the front of the car to walk toward their hosts. Introductions made, Maxine invited Mattie for a tour of the grounds.
“Mommy said you were adopted,” Maxine started right in for a conversation opener.
“Yes I am.”
“Ken wants to adopt me...but I have a Daddy.”
“I do too...but he couldn’t take care of me anymore. I still write to him every week and he writes to me too. Sometimes he even calls me.”
“So you have two dads?”
“Yes.”
“What about Moms?”
“Just one. My real Mom died when I was twelve.”
“I have me real mom. She and my Dad never got married. He had another family. He’s coming today and I get to meet them for the first time.”
“Are you nervous?”
“No....Yes, a little.”
“What do you know about your sisters?”
“Just that one is sixteen and the other one is thirteen. How old are you?”
“I’m seventeen.”
“I bet you and my oldest sister will get along good.”
“Just because two people are about the same age doesn’t mean they’ll be friends.”
“I know.”
“Your room is great,” Mattie told the younger girl as she was shown around.
“Yeah. Let’s go out back with the others.” Maxine led them through the house and into a game room that had a sliding patio door to the deck.
Mattie could see Harm and Mac. As usual he had his arm around his wife. Mattie smiled. He was so happy now. He never seemed sad or acted like his last friend had kicked him. He still played guitar, but seldom hours of lonely sounding blues. He still played blues, but he played other stuff too. Sometimes Mac would sing along. She had a great voice and when they sang together they reminded Mattie of the hot country music couple that had so many hits. It wasn’t that they sounded or looked like them, but it was the passion you could hear in their voices for each other. Mattie had tried to convince Harm to put one of his guitars into the car just in case. He wouldn’t do it so she had gotten Mac to help her get his acoustic guitar in the back without him knowing it.
The Burdick’s had a mutt they had gotten from the dog pound three years previously. It looked like a mixed breed yellow lab with spots. They had named her Daisy and Maxine and Mattie were enjoying throwing the ball for her to chase and retrieve for them.
Mac and Harm exchanged smiled when they heard Mattie’s laughter mingling with Maxine’s.
Mary-Beth and Caitlin arrived with their father shortly after the rest of them had eaten. Sandy, as she asked them to call her, had explained that they weren’t going to be able to get away and join them until later.
Mac had been pleased to find the atmosphere relaxed. The two couples filled any breaks in the conversation with observations about the two girls, so very different in age, but having no problem communicating.
“Maxine seems mature for her age,” Mac told Sandy and Ken.
“In some ways, she is. Yet at times she is very immature. I think a lot depends on whether or not we’ve discussed it and given her tools for each encounter. We told her that Ken wants to adopt her, and she’s unsure how that would be now that she knows her biological father. I mentioned to her that Mattie was adopted. I’m sure she is pumping her for her opinion.”
“Mattie has a unique situation as well. I’m sure she would be willing to share her experience with the concept with Maxine,” Mac assured the younger woman.
“Are you planning to have other children Mac?”
“We’d like to have children, but we haven’t been married that long yet, so I guess time will tell. What about you?”
“No. Ken and I won’t be having more children, that’s why he wants to adopt Maxine.”
“Would you shut out her biological father?” Mac asked confused as Harm and Ken continued their horseshoe game.
“No...I think not.”
“I think your chances are better if you take the stance you want her to feel the security of a two parent home, but are willing to allow the biological parent visitations at least. Once she’s eighteen you could lose her otherwise.”
“I see your point. Here’s Max and his girls now...Mary-beth...Caitlin...” tears sprang to Sandy’s eyes as she saw the two girls that had idolized her for the first time in almost nine years. Her arms opened, and they ran to her as if it had been yesterday. Now taller and nearly grown-up they had been looking forward to seeing their former mentor and reacted as they had years ago, hugging the woman.
Mac shook Max’s hand in greeting. Sandra had prepared him for their presence. Harm and Ken came toward him and shook hands as well. He looked up in time to see Maxi running toward him with a teenager walking more slowly behind.
Introductions were made and the four young people went off together to talk.
“Thank you Max. I know this wasn’t easy for your wife.”
“You’re right. It wasn’t. I tried to convince her to come too, but she refused.”
“What did the girls say when you told them?”
“I think they liked the idea. Mattie looks to be about Caitlin’s age, sixteen.”
“Mattie turned seventeen last fall,” Harm told him.
“You two really did understand what we went through back then didn’t you?” Max asked Harm and Mac.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Harm frowned.
“I mean no disrespect, but you worked together back then and now you’re married. I assumed you had to hide your relationship as well.”
“Back then we didn’t have anything more then a friendship. We were partners and had been told not to get too close. We listened.”
“Unlike us.”
“Unlike you.”
The conversation became somewhat stilted at that point, and nothing seemed to ease the tension.
“Harm, I think we should be going. I think I saw Mattie limping a little.” Mac knew that if an excuse was needed to call an end to an otherwise fun day, Mattie’s help would not create questions.
“I agree. Mattie, we’re going now,” called Harm.
Mattie waved back and hugged Maxine before waving to the others and returning to Harm and Mac’s side.
Once in the car, Mac turned to Mattie. “How were things going with the girls?”
“Ok. Caitlin goes to school with me and we have one class together.”
“That’s great.”
“She’s really smart and wants to be a pilot. I told her she should look into Anapolis, Dad.”
“And you think I might be able to get to know her and write a letter on her behalf?” Harm asked with a grin as he drove them back toward their place.
“Yeah.”
“Mattie, do you still want to go to Anapolis?”
“Yes...but I don’t know that I can pass the physical.”
“You’ve got over a year until then. You’re talking college level courses. Don’t give up that dream yet, Mattie.”
“Okay. But will you think about writing a letter for Caitlin?”
“I’ll think about it, but no promises.”
“Agreed. Maxine asked me about being adopted.”
“And?” prodded Harm.
“Looking for compliments?” Mattie shot him a sassy grin and then added, “I told her that it works for me.”
“You looked like you were enjoying playing with Daisy.” Mac had watched them and her mind had drifted to Jingo. He had died of old age and had been buried on a farm in Vermont thanks to Chloe and her grandmother.
“That dog is one high energy pooch. I’d love a dog that followed us around and maybe wanted to play for ten or fifteen minutes at a time,” Mattie admitted.
“You ever have a dog?” Mac asked her.
“No. Have you?”
“Yeah. I’ve had two dogs. When I was a kid there was this big old dog named Ruggles. I loved that dog so much and he just disappeared. I never found out what happened to him until about six years ago.”
“You never told me about that Mac,” Harm spoke softly, proud of the way Mac easily opened up to Mattie about her own childhood.
“A few years ago, when my father died, my mother showed up. She told me then what happened to him. When my mother left, he followed her. She took him on the bus and then somewhere she went off and left him. I not only lost my mother that day but my dog.”
“Oh Mac,” Harm reached his hand over to cover hers on her lap. He knew for that split second she was again the lonely little girl needing to be loved.
“Anyway, about a year after that I had a case where the drug dog was too old to perform anymore and when I proved it to save my client, the poor dog was sent to the pound to be put down if a home couldn’t be found. I went and got him and brought him home. His name was Jingo. After awhile I realized that he couldn’t stay home alone all day and it was a problem when I got sent TAD so I asked Chloe to take him for me. He loved being on the farm in northen Vermont. His last years were good ones.”
“When did he die?” Harm asked realizing that there was a lot he had missed in her life when he returned to flying for those six months.
“About three years ago. Chloe called me and we cried together over the phone...it was after I got back from seeing Lilianna.”
“I wish you had let me know Mac.”
“I know. Harm, where are you going?” Mac asked realizing he hadn’t taken the turn through Miramar that she thought he would take.
“So, would you like to get a dog now?” Harm asked.
“Are you serious?” Mac and Mattie asked in choral response.
“Yes.”
“It would be nice,” Mac slowly admitted turning to look at Mattie. “What do you think?”
“I like the idea.”
“Great. I happen to know there is an animal shelter not far from my mother’s gallery in LaJolla and we’re about fifteen minutes from there. I thought we could check and at least get our names on the list.”
“Oh Harm, are you sure?”
“Yeah...I’ve always wanted another dog too.”
“Tell us about your dog,” Mattie asked, her eyes shining.
“It was a Jack Russell Terrier named Kip,” Mac said for him.
“You remember me telling you that?”
“Yeah, it was after your ‘vette was stolen and they found the body.”
“Frank and my mother got another dog after that but it was never my dog.”
“So what kind are we going to look for?” Mattie asked.
“I’m not sure it matters. I think it needs to be a dog we all connect to, don’t you?” asked Mac.
“I think Mac’s right.”
“Please promise me it won’t be something big and slobbery...like a Saint Bernard or something,” Mattie grimaced. “A girl I went to school had one and it drooled all the time. It was really gross.”
Harm and Mac laughed, their hands joined, silently communicating that this was a family moment to treasure.
PART 5
LaJolla Animal Shelter
They had to fill out all kinds of forms and pay a $75 fee that would be returned if they were not approved to adopt a dog from the shelter. They were sent to a viewing room and waited for someone to come and talk to them. They could hear all kinds of dogs barking in the background but one had a distinctive sound. It wasn’t a constant bark, but intermittent, as if it was calling out and then waiting for the right response in return. Finally they were joined by an animal adoption consultant.
“Hi, I’m Marie and I’m please to tell you that you’ve been initially approved for pet adoption. I looked over the papers and see that you didn’t have any particular type of dog in mind.”
“That’s right. We thought we’d know the right dog when we heard it or saw it,” Harm informed Marie.
“Yes, and that’s probably a good way to go in to this. Now it did say that there are some features you want or don’t want in your dog...no droolers, good with kids...a couch potato...smart...loyal...you know I think I have two dogs that you’d like to meet.”
“Really?” Mattie’s eyes lit up. “What kind are they?”
“One is pure mutt, but we know that one parent was a boxer. The other one is a boxer.”
“A boxer, huh?” Harm thought. I knew someone that had a boxer. It was a great pet.”
“Let me go get Katie and Bruiser so you can meet them...oh and you will be free to change their names if you want to,” Marie told them.
Marie came back with Bruiser first. He was a handsome brindle boxer and he took to Mac and Mattie right away, but shied away from Harm each time he tried to pet the dog.
“What’s Bruisers story?” Harm asked at last suspecting the dog had been abused.
“His owner beat him, but we thought we had him socialized and ready to go...you know, his owner was a bug man, like you....and we’ve only had men less then six feet tall here working with him...I think we’ve got some work to do with him still. I’m sorry, but we wouldn’t be able to release Bruiser to you. Let me go get Katie.”
Harm could see that Mac and Mattie had fallen for Bruiser already. He felt bad that he was the cause of their disappointment. He hoped that Katie would fit the bill.
It was then that Mattie’s face lit up. “I think Katie is the one that’s been talking to us...listen!”
They did and sure enough that questioning ‘woof’ and the wait followed by another ‘woof’ was coming their way. About then, a ginger colored mutt with a long tail with a white tip on the end and soft silky floppy ears appeared. Katie stopped and looked at each of them as they knelt down to her level each holding out a hand. Katie sniffed each one and then her tail starting wagging so hard and fast she almost knocked herself over. The three Rabbs laughed in delight at her antics. She sat on Marie’s command and then proceeded to lift one paw and then the other, lowered herself to the floor, attempted to roll over, and then sat up again and reached her paw out to Harm’s knee.
“What’s Katie’s story?” Harm asked again.
“She was abandoned basically. Never abused, but left for fourteen and sixteen hour stretched tied on a porch with no water or food. We could reach the owner for the follow up and so we went and got her and brought her back here. She wants people around that will love her...and you want loyal, she’ll give it to you.”