TITLE: "Anchors Away " Chapter 1 [of 2]
                    AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
                    SUMMARY:  Undercover assignment.  Harm and Mac are now Mr. and Mrs. 
David Quinlan, trapped in a small cabin aboard a ship from Carnival Cruiselines.
         	NOTE:  Story is set [and was written] before the events of Ice Queen.  Singer, Sergei, 
Gibbs & Company etc are not a factor.  
                    CLASSIFICATION/RATING:   J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac]    PG for language and mild 
violence.
                    SPOILERS:  In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to.
                    FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  Addy is 
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into writing it.
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====================
  
  May, 2003
  JAG HQ's
  
  "I don't believe you" Mac hissed as she and Harm walked out of the 
  courtroom. "That was low down and dirty even for you. Tricking my witness 
  like that."
  
  "You walked right into it Colonel" Harm retorted. "And I was doing the right 
  thing for my client. I'm sorry if you don't approve of my methods."
  
  "No I don't. And your client is so guilty it's pathetic. Now because of you 
  and your twisted words he's likely to get off."
  
  "I didn't twist anything. Your witness did."
  
  "My witness was fine until you started badgering her. I can't believe 
  Commander Helfman let you get away with that."
  
  "Because it wasn't badgering."
  
  "Yeah right. That's why the poor woman was reduced to tears and couldn't get 
  her story straight."
  
  "Maybe her story isn't straight" Harm countered.
  
  "Save it for the members Commander" Mac said as she headed to her office. "I 
  don't want to hear it."
  
  "Rough afternoon in court sir?" Jen asked as she followed Harm into his 
  office.
  
  "Not for me" he smiled. "Maybe for the Colonel. She's just sour because I 
  made her star witness look like a fool."
  
  "So that lousy Private McCall is going to get off" Jen frowned.
  
  "He's my client Petty Officer" Harm reminded Jen sharply. "And it's my job 
  to defend him to the best of my ability."
  
  "Sir he attacked several women at Camp Lejeune."
  
  "Allegedly Coates. He's not guilty until the members decide he is."
  
  "You know Bud told me there'd be things about this I wouldn't like" Jen 
  frowned. "And I see what he meant."
  
  "Does this mean you don't want to be my law clerk anymore?" Harm sighed.
  
  "No sir. It just seems like guys like McCall should be locked up and the 
  key thrown away."
  
  "If I were the prosecution that's what I would say too. But I'm not. I'm 
  defending the guy."
  
  "Yeah I know everyone's entitled to a defense sir."
  
  "You were" Harm countered.
  
  "Okay yes sir I'm shutting up now. Is there anything I can help you with before you 
  go back this afternoon?"
  
  "Thanks I'm fine. Just going to work on my closing statement."
  
  "Sir, was it my imagination or was Colonel Mackenzie pretty peeved at you?" Jen 
  asked.
  
  "She didn't like my tactics. But she'll get over it. It's not the first time 
  we've gotten into it over court."
  
  "Well that's good to know sir. Cause she sure wasn't happy with you that's for 
  sure."
  
  "Coates she's never happy with me when we're in court" Harm laughed. "Mac 
  and I have always had our battles there. She gets mad and eventually 
  forgets about it until it happens again."
  
  "And yet sir you're still friends" Jen frowned. "I don't get it."
  
  "That's because we keep the court room separate from our personal lives. 
  What happens in the court room stays in the court room."
 
 While that was a good thought in theory, it was not what happened in this case.  The 
courtroom battle as bitter and long.  Harm, ever living up to his reputation, went to the mat for 
his client, and in the end managed to salvage something for him, getting the Members to agree 
to no confinement, much to Mac's chagrin, given that she felt she had a solid case until 
Commander Helfman issued some rulings in Harm's favor.  Rulings which she did not agree 
with.
 
 A week passed with the two officers civil but nothing more and it was with misgivings that AJ 
called them both in to his office on this particular morning.  "Come in and sit," he ordered, 
frowning when he saw them do just that, Harm on one side of the room and Mac on the other.  
"Let me rephrase.  Sit together, in front of me, so that I can address you both in the same field 
of vision."
 
 "Yes sir," Harm nodded, and waited for Mac to seat herself before he followed.
 
 AJ then handed Mac an 8x10 photo.  "Lt. [jg] William Fields," he explained.  "Hand picked by 
the SecNav for his office staff, deputy XO."
 
 "Nice looking young man," Mac smiled, passing the photo to Harm.  "Is young Lt. Fields in 
trouble?"
 
 "SecNav is positive he's been using his vast computer ability to gather information.  
Information he shouldn't have.  Information he has no business sharing.  For profit.  Seems the 
young man is deep in debt after living in DC for a year.  Big surprise.  His wife doesn't work 
because they have three kids and none in school."
 
 "I don't follow why she's not," Harm frowned.
 
 "Because she'd be working only to sign her check over to her day care provider," Mac told him 
with exaggerated patience.  
 
 "Excuse me.  I stand chastised."
 
 "Anyway," AJ spoke up pointedly, getting their attention.  "Lt. Fields despite the fact that he's 
deeply in debt according to the credit reports NCIS ran on him when they began to suspect a 
leak, is about to take his family on a cruise.  To make a long story short, though of course 
you're going to read the long story in the case file, the reason he's doing that is to meet his 
contact.  The thinking is that the contact would not be able to get through INS to get into the 
country so Fields is taking the information to him."
 
 "I guess that makes sense," Harm nodded.  "And taking  his family is a great cover in theory."
 
 "Yes it is," AJ agreed.  "Carnival Cruises are very family oriented unless they're promoted as 
singles getaways.  Lots of young marrieds, people with children, people on their honeymoons 
and so forth.  Anyone want to hazard a guess where I'm going with this?"
 
 "You want us to follow this guy?" Mac offered hesitantly.
 
 "Well SecNav does, which means I do," AJ sighed.  "The assignment  is to find out to whom 
he's passing this information, to get evidence to bring charges not just against him but against 
his employers and well you know the drill.   How to accomplish that you might now ask.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Quinlan, bon voyage."
 
 "You're not serious sir," Harm gasped.
 
 "No April Fool's a month late," AJ growled, looking down at a packet of papers in front of him.  
"Mr. Rabb of course I'm serious.  Rather, Mr. Quinlan I should say. David Quinlan.  And this 
radiant woman beside you would be your lovely bride Carolyn.  Happy honeymoon."
 
 "Sir with all due respect I don't think this is a good idea" Mac spoke up.
 
 "Would you like to tell the SecNav that?" AJ countered. "Because I'm not 
 going to. It's a simple assignment people. What is the problem?"
 
 "Sir the problem is having to pose as a newly married couple" Mac said 
 slowly.
 
 "Why that's a problem right now I don't know" AJ muttered. "Look whatever 
 differences you two had over the McCall case, lose them now. The SecNav 
 specifically asked for you two on this assignment. And you two are going to 
 go. As Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan on their honeymoon."
 
 "Sir" Harm started.
 
 "Commander I don’t want to hear it. Work it out in the next twenty-four 
 hours.  Your flight to Miami leaves tomorrow at noon. And by then you'd 
 better look like the happy honeymoon couple. Do I make myself clear?"
 
 "Yes sir" both responded.
 
 "Good. Here's your bio's now go on and get out of here. Tiner has the 
 arrangements for your trip as well as the other stuff necessary to pull off 
 this act."
 
 Obediently they left his office and headed to Tiner's desk.
 
 "Flight itineraries" Tiner said as he handed them two sheets of paper. He 
 then pulled out a large manila envelope and slid out the contents on his 
 desk. "ID's for Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan as well as your wedding rings." He 
 handed the two small jewelry boxes to Harm and Mac and waited.
 
 "Thanks Tiner. We'll put them on later."
 
 Tiner nodded and put the stuff back in the envelope and handed it to Mac. 
 With a long sigh she took it before heading to her office, Harm following 
 after her.
 
 "Just what I needed" Mac muttered. "A honeymoon cruise with Commander Jerk."
 
 "You know if you're going to have that attitude we might as well both turn 
 in our resignations now" Harm sighed. "Or start packing for Iceland since 
 that's where our next assignment will be."
 
 She said nothing as she sank into her chair. Spending time alone with Harm 
 was not what she wanted to do right now. Normally she would have been 
 thrilled with the prospect. But not after his stunt in court.
 
 "I suggest we work out whatever it is you're mad about" he continued. 
 "Before we fly to Miami."
 
 "Harm you know damn well what I'm mad about" she snapped. "McCall is guilty 
 as sin and you used every dirty trick in the book to get him off."
 
 "Mac let it go" Harm groaned. "Look I'm not going to apologize for 
 representing my client to the best of my ability. I did what I was supposed 
 to do."
 
 "You went out on a limb for a creep that attacks women. A creep who's now on 
 the streets because of you. Does that make you feel good?"
 
 "Okay so maybe I did more than I had to. But I was representing my client. 
 Get over it already."
 
 "Fine. I'll get over it. But when McCall attacks someone else, it's going to 
 be on your conscious."
 
 "Fine. Can we move past McCall and figure out what it's going to take for us 
 to start acting like a couple on their honeymoon?"
 
 "A miracle" she muttered.
 
 "You really mean that?" he demanded. "Because I thought you and I always had 
 a bargain that we wouldn't let what happened in the courtroom come between 
 us."
 
 "Yes we did," she said finally. "But Harm this case meant everything to me."
 
 "As it did to me."
 
 "You always have to win don’t you" she whispered. "Even if losing would have 
 been the better thing to do."
 
 "Losing would have meant I didn't do my job to the best of my ability" he 
 countered. "It's not about winning Mac. It's about doing my job."
 
 "I can see this is not going to get us anywhere" she sighed. "Let's just 
 forget it. The only way we're going to pull this off is to just forget about 
 this whole case."
 
 "Sounds good to me. Do you want to spend some time going over our cover?"
 
 "Yeah sure" she sighed. "What exactly does Carolyn Quinlan do?"
 
 "We're both lawyers," Harm said as he opened the file the Admiral had given 
 him. "We work together at the same firm."
 
 "I guess that makes it easy. Let me guess it's one of those big firms?"
 
 "Yep. But don't worry we're not near the top at least. We just moved to DC 
 from the southwest so we're pretty new at Grindel, Matters and Summers."

"From Arizona?"

"New Mexico.  Taos.  I was head of my own firm there but it was too small town for me I 
decided."

"Oh yeah?  And what was I doing?"

"Well you were a dance hall girl when I found you and took you under my wing and sent you to 
school and. . ."

"You'd better be kidding mister."

"Of course I am.  I recruited you out of Law School and you were my paralegal for a while, then 
you squeaked past the bar and we practiced together.  Eventually we fell in love."

"And there's the real fantasyland part."

"You gonna rag on me or listen to your story," he demanded.  "We fell in love and married in a 
small family wedding after being hired on by the firm.  Now we' re taking this cruise as our 
wedding trip."

"Someone start throwing rice," she muttered.

"Mac serious now.  We're going to have to find a way to make this work.  I happen to like being 
assigned here.  I don't want to leave," he implored her.  "I don't want them to separate us."

"Since when?" she yelped, but for that moment at least was impressed with the sincerity in his 
tone.

"Mac we're having a bump in the road here.  Not unlike many times in the past.  We can get 
past it."

"By you apologizing maybe."

"Or maybe we can't."

She stared at him for a long minute, her chocolate eyes dark with misery.  "Never mind," she 
finally said quietly.  "Let's just focus on the assignment here OK.  We can do that can't we?"

"Are you suggesting a truce?"

"I'm suggesting we do the job we swore an oath to do."

"That sounds like common ground to me.  And by the way I'm not mad at you."

That took her completely by surprise. "I didn't think you were.  What could I have done that 
would have made you mad?"

"That you didn't live up to our what happens in court stays in court agreement.  That you're 
mad at me in other words."

"Get out."

He gave her a teasing smile and walked to the door. "Going.  Hey I hope you're bringing 
something brief for those long romantic nights we're going to share a bed."  The opening of the 
door managed to precede his last words and no less than seven people heard him.  With a 
sheepish smile and a wave he disappeared into his office.

For the remainder of the afternoon she amused herself with various Man-Overboard scenarios, 
always with Rabb playing the victim.
==============
Three days later they were boarding a plane at Dulles for the flight to Miami, wearing their 
rings, business casual dress for travel, and bearing ID as David and Carolyn Quinlan.

When the boarding call came, he took her hand for the process, keeping hold of it as they 
walked down the jetway.  "Hey we're not going to the gallows here," he whispered.

"Gallows, cruise, same thing," she returned.
    
  "I thought we were going to try to make this work" he sighed. "Come on Mac. 
  Work with me."
  
  "It's Carolyn. And I'll work with you when we get on the boat. Besides don't 
  all newlyweds fight on their honeymoon?"
  
  "I wouldn't know" Harm returned. "I've never been married before."
  
  "Well there was no honeymoon my first time" she hissed as they reached the 
  plane.
  
  They found their seats and with a sigh Mac leaned back and closed her eyes. 
  She wasn't purposely trying to be difficult. Well maybe she was but he deserved it.
  
  "I'm sorry."
  
  "For what?" she asked as she opened her eyes.
  
  "For whatever I've done that's made you so mad at me. I'm sorry and I just 
  want us to get along."
  
  "I told you when we're on the ship I will. Right now I just want to relax. 
  Can I do that?"
  
  "Do whatever you want" he murmured.
  
  The plane ride was accomplished in silence as was the ride to the pier. It 
  wasn't until they boarded the cruise ship that Mac's attitude finally 
  changed.
  
  "Honey this is wonderful" she smiled for the benefit of the cruise ship 
  employees as they made their way on deck. "Look at this place."
  
  "Welcome aboard" a young woman smiled as she approached them. "I'm Katrina. 
  Welcome to the Paradise."
  
  "David and this is my wife Carolyn" Harm smiled.
  
  "First cruise?" Katrina asked.
  
  "Yes it is" Mac said as she looked around the large ship. "I can't believe 
  how huge this thing is."
  
  "It's a belated honeymoon" Harm smiled. "We got married a few weeks ago."
  
  "Newlyweds" Katrina smiled. "Congratulations. I'm sure you're not going to 
  be wanting to spend much time out of the cabin but if you do we have a long 
  list of activities."
  
  "I don't think you'll see much of us" Harm grinned as he pulled Mac closer 
  and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. Fortunately it registered in her mind 
  that he was acting and she didn't knee him in the groin like she wanted to.
  
  "Well enjoy your cruise" Katrina smiled before heading off to greet other 
  passengers.
  
  "Something wrong honey?" Harm smiled.
  
  "You could have warned me" she hissed.
  
  "If you were with the program I wouldn't have to warn you" he smiled 
  sweetly. "Remember, you are Mrs. Quinlan now."
  
  "How far is the drop from the top deck?" she muttered as they headed towards 
  their cabin.
  
  "Thinking of throwing your new husband over board already?"
  
  "Or divorcing him."
  
  It wasn't until they were in the cabin that they spoke again.
  
  "Mac this isn't going to work if you don't work with me" Harm sighed as he 
  sank down on the bed. "Look I'm sorry I kissed you but we are supposed to be 
  newlyweds and it would help if we acted like that."
  
  "All right" she sighed. "I'll start acting like I want to be with you."
  
  "Thank you. I'm sorry you hate me right now but just try and forget I'm 
  Harmon Rabb and pretend I'm David Quinlan instead."
  
  "Fine. I can do that."
  
  "Shall we go up on deck for the send off?" he asked.
 
 "Yeah we can do that," she nodded.  "Part of getting acclimated."
 
 "OK but if I kiss you again, well don't say you weren't warned."
 
 "You're just loving this."
 
 "Hey what's not to love.  Away from DC, warm weather, nothing to do but relax until we make 
port calls and then keep an eye on our subject.  And then there's the fact that I'm sharing a bed 
with a beau. . .what?" 
 
 The look on her face stopped him cold.  "I guess we hadn't discussed. . ."  He looked around 
at the one bed, not even a queen size, and then the narrow sofa. 
 
 "You better figure out how to rig a hammock," she hissed.
 
 "For our honeymoon sweetie?  I don't think so.  No ma'am.  Housekeeping is going to see that 
bed slept in every morning they come in."
 
 "I'm in hell."
 =============
 The big ship was just moving away from the dock when they got on deck and they joined the 
others in waving and cheering.  His arm went around her as the stood at the rail and though 
she stiffened at first, she finally relaxed and leaned into it.  It would be over soon enough.  
They would do their best, please the Admiral, and it would be over.  They stood for a good 
while, watching the shoreline get smaller as the crowd dispersed.
 
 "OK now what," she murmured when they were alone.  
 
 "Check the passenger manifests and find our target.  The first officer should be able to help 
with that.  Shall we Mrs. Quinlan?"
 
 "Oh David you say the sweetest things," she cooed, taking his arm.
 
 In that manner they walked toward the bridge, and Harm flashed his best smile at the 
receptionist, getting them admitted to the offices.  "Rebecca Morley, how can I help you?"  The 
tall blonde, her hair in a neat bun and dressed in the uniform of the cruise line, approached 
them, her hand outstretched.  She greeted Mac pleasantly, but her smile was for Harm, even 
broader when she found out he was a Naval Officer.  A Naval Officer with an ID and a need for 
her help.
 
 "Thank you Ms. Morley."  He was still smiling as he handed the slip of paper with the Fields' 
stateroom number to Mac.
 
 "Rebecca please, and I know you can't do anything to blow your cover, but if you can arrange 
some private time, either aboard or at one of the port calls, by all means give me a call."
 
 "You  can be sure I will, thank you ma'am."
 
 "Good grief you flirt even as a married man," Mac hissed as they walked back to their cabin.
 
 "Uh. . .remind me not to use your powers of observation on the stand," he returned.  "May I 
remind you that it was her who came on to me.  I was being purely professional.  And 
whatever--it got me the information we needed didn't it?"
 
 "Someday we're going to come across a woman who doesn't swoon at your feet.  If there is a 
god."
 
 "Never mind.  Where is the stateroom?"
 
 She glared as she looked at the paper.  "He's on our deck in G corridor, two over.  A stroke of 
luck.  You remember what Mrs. Fields looks like?"
 
 "Yeah like she didn't ever have two kids," he replied with an evil grin.
 
 "Don't talk to me."
 
 "OK."
 
 He flopped onto the bed once they got back to their cabin and picked up the brochure of 
activities.  "Well we have all afternoon and I for one don't want to stay in this cabin," he told 
her.  "And since we basically need to stay together, we can take turns suggesting activities.  
You first."
 
 "Well that pool did look inviting," she offered hesitantly.
 
 "It would look even more so if you were wearing your blue suit."
 
 "The one from Australia that you hated?  Not hardly."
 
 "I didn't hate it.  I hated that you were showing that Australian Idiot. . .never mind."
 
 "Showing him something you hadn't yet seen," she laughed haughtily, "which in fact about 
sums up your problem with Brumby.  He had something you wanted."
 
 "Mac the last thing I want to do is go over that time in my life.  Seriously.  That's a two year 
period I try to pretend doesn't exist."
 
 "Well then we can at least agree on one thing," she sighed.
 
 "Good.  Now about the suit?"
 
 "That blue bikini was history a long time ago," she said firmly.  "No longer in my life.  Besides 
this is a family cruise.  I brought two suits, neither of which are two piece.  And we're standing 
here talking when I could by lying in the sun with you putting lotion on my back."
 
 "Wow.  Is that a peace offering?"
 
 "No.  It's my back in need of lotion if we're going to be in the sun.  You can have the bathroom 
to change first."
 
 From his bag he pulled out a maroon suit and a white terry cover up and disappeared.  When 
he emerged, she carefully avoided letting him know she was looking, but look she did.  For a 
man pushing forty, he looked thirty-five, and that he worked out was obvious.  He had not 
buttoned the top and while it was not the first time she had seen him bare chested, it had been 
a long while.
 
 "Mac are you going to change? Mac you OK?"  It was not until he was bending over her, his 
hand to her shoulder, that she realized she had zoned out.  "Mac?"
 
 When he came back into focus, she was eye level with his bare midriff and she at once shook 
herself.  "Sorry.  Jet lag or something.  I'll be right with you."
   
 He gave her a peculiar look as she made her way to the bathroom before 
 shaking his head. If he lived to be a hundred, he'd never figure Sarah 
 Mackenzie out.
 
 "I liked the blue one better" he said when she emerged from a few minutes 
 later. "But I have to say you look pretty hot in that one too."
 
 She rolled her eyes at his comment and reached for the small bag she'd 
 brought to carry their suntan lotion and other supplies.
 
 "You ready?" she asked.
 
 "Do I get to lotion you up when we get on deck?" he smiled as they headed to 
 the upper deck.
 
 "Only because there isn't anyone else around. Unless of course I run into 
 Mr. Fields. Who if I remember correctly wasn't so bad himself."
 
 "We're supposed to be married" he growled as he remembered that William
 Fields was in fact much younger than himself.

 "You were the one who mentioned Mrs. Fields earlier," she said with a smile.
 
 "Fine. Why don't we both forget about the Fields for the moment and try and 
 enjoy this while we can. How often we do we get a cruise on a luxury liner 
 paid for by the Navy?"
 
 "Not often" she admitted. "All right. But if we see them around, we should 
 try and get close."
 
 "As long as close doesn't mean you and the good Lieutenant getting together" Harm 
 frowned.
 
 They made their way up to the Veranda level where the large pool awaited 
 them.
 
 "May I?" Harm asked as he held up the bottle of suntan lotion.
 
 "Please" Mac smiled for the benefit of those around them as she lay down on 
 the lounger chair.
 
 She let out a deep sigh as his large hands gently worked the suntan lotion 
 over her back. She managed to hold back a gasp when his hand trailed down to 
 the back of her thigh and down her leg, not wanting him to know how much she 
 was enjoying his touch.
 
 "All finished" he announced before dropping a kiss on the back of her neck.
 
 "What about you?" she asked as she looked up at him. Once again she found 
 herself staring at his midriff and quickly looked away.
 
 "You can get me later. I'm going to run over to the bar and get us some 
 drinks. What can I get you?"
 
 "Virgin Daiquiri."
 
 "I'll be right back" he smiled and dropped another kiss before heading to 
 the bar.
 
 She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes when he was gone, wondering how 
 she was going to keep her mind on their assignment and off of Harm. Spending 
 this much time with him under the guise of newlyweds wasn't going to be 
 easy.
 
 "Excuse me is this seat taken?"
 
 Mac opened her eyes and looked up to see William and Margo Fields in 
 front of her, as well as their children.  Luck was with them.
 
 "Can we take this lounger?" Margo asked.
 
 "Actually I was saving it for my husband" Mac replied. "But at the moment 
 he's seems to have gotten lost getting our drinks so go on and take it."
 
 "You sure?" Margo asked.
 
 "He's not much of a sun bather anyway" Mac smiled. "He'll be in the pool 
 most of the time. Go on and take it."
 
 "Thank you" William nodded. "That's very kind of you."
 
 "No problem" Mac said as she rolled over onto her back. "They never seem to 
 have enough chairs at the pool."
 
 "Well not when you've got our mob" Margo smiled as she pulled the lounger 
 closer to the four others they'd taken. "Course the kids are probably going 
 to be in the pool most of the time too so if you husband wants one back that 
 shouldn't be a problem."
 
 "How old are they?" Mac asked as she motioned to the children.
 
 "April 7, Scotty 5 and Melanie 2" Margo said proudly. "And I'm Margo and 
 this is William."
 
 "Carolyn. And you sure have your hands full."
 
 "Tell me about. That's why I was so thrilled when William said we were 
 taking a cruise. Even if it's with the kids. You and your husband 
 celebrating something special?"
 
 "We're on our honeymoon."
 
 "Congratulations" Margo smiled. "I remember those days. When it was just us 
 and no kids. Course that didn't last long."
 
 "Hon I'm going to take the kids into the pool" William said to his wife 
 before heading off with the three kids.
 
"You have a nice family," Mac said wistfully, finding herself staring at William Fields and the 
children as they romped in the large pool.  There were parts of her job that could be totally 
distasteful and this was one of them.  At the same time she hastily reminded herself, this man 
could be a traitor.  Could be selling out his country and his country's soldiers.

"Hey."  Harm's greeting at first did not penetrate the veil of her thoughts and he followed her 
gaze to William Fields.  "Mrs. Quinlan, your husband is attempting to get your attention," he 
chided her.  

"Sorry," she smiled up at him and for effect cupped her hand at the back of his head and 
brought her to him for a gentle kiss.

"You're drooling over a man ten years younger than you with three kids," he said into her ear, 
his voice a mixture of amusement and irritation.

"Not at all what I was thinking," she grunted, accepting her drink and smiling to Margo as she 
went to join her family with Harm's arrival.

"Care to share?"

"What if he's innocent or being set up or blackmailed."  The words rushed from her and it was 
with supreme effort she kept her voice down. Her eyes were troubled when she looked up at 
Harm and a wave of empathy washed over him.  

"Then I guess that's what we're here to find out," he whispered.  "We can afford to remain open 
minded right now."  He gestured toward the happy family and added softly, "but remember this 
kind of thing is an easy act.  Look at us."

"Yeah look at us," she echoed.  Except that it was not easy.  Not easy to pretend feelings that 
weren't there when in real life those same feelings were suppressed and ignored and denied 
and. . . .

"Hey."  

Another veil of thought.  She had zoned out once again.  "Sorry.  I think the ocean air is 
making me loopy.  What I need is a good dunking in that pool.  Excuse me."

"I'll be right here.  Don't be gone long Mrs. Quinlan.  I love you."  Even as she heard the words 
to be part of their cover they still sent a shock through her.  

"I love you too Mr. Quinlan."  Her eyes locked with his and a kiss was needed. . .for the act.
  
 The kiss that followed left no question for the people around them that 
 these two were in love and when Mac finally managed to pull herself away 
 Harm it was several seconds before she remembered where she was.
 
 "You were going to the pool" he smiled. "Maybe I should join you. You've 
 been pretty spacey since we got here."
 
 "No that's okay," she said quickly. "I just need to cool off."
 
 "I'm sure you do" he grinned more.
 
 Mac rolled her eyes before turning and heading towards the pool where the 
 Fields family was happily playing. Again she found herself watching 
 wistfully as she stepped into the pool, for a moment imagining herself with 
 a baby. Harm's baby. The baby he'd promised her four years ago.
 
 She finally dove under the water, emerging on the other side of the pool 
 near where Margo was now playing with her youngest.
 
 "She's adorable" Mac smiled as she watched the little girl cling to her 
 mother.
 
 "That husband of yours is adorable" Margo said as she looked over to where 
 Harm was sprawled out on the lounger.
 
 At Mac's look of shock at her words Margo laughed. "You're just a newlywed 
 but you'll find out soon enough that just because you're married doesn't 
 mean you still don’t look."
 
 "Of course" Mac nodded. "I'm just surprised you even notice when you have 
 William."
 
 "He is pretty hot isn't he" Margo smiled as she looked at her husband. "You 
 should see him in uniform."
 
 "He's in the military?" Mac asked.
 
 "He's just a Lieutenant jg right now but he's working his way up" Margo said 
 proudly. "But he works for the Secretary of the Navy so he's at the right 
 place to get ahead."
 
 "Secretary of the Navy" Mac repeated. "Wow."
 
 "Yeah it's pretty impressive isn't it. I was so thrilled when he got the 
 job. I mean out of all the other military people, they selected him."
 
 "Very impressive. I can see why you're so proud of him."
 
 "I am. William works hard that's for sure. What about you and your husband? 
 And I'm sorry I didn't catch his name."
 
 "David" Mac replied. "We're both lawyers. Met on the job actually."
 
 "How romantic. He swept you off your feet at the office."
 
 "That he did" Mac smiled as she looked over at Harm. "In fact we just 
 relocated to DC. David wants to move further up towards partner and he 
 wasn't getting the chances out in New Mexico."
 
 "I bet you're having culture shock now" Margo smiled. "From New Mexico to 
 DC."
 
 "It's a little crowded. But the firm was offering him the right position 
 so he took it."
 
 "So you've married and relocated all at once. Talk about adjustments."
 
 Mac nodded and when William came over for his wife she swam back to the 
 other side of the pool and climbed out.
 
 "How was your swim?" Harm asked as she sat down on the lounger.
 
 "Good. Mrs. Fields thinks you're adorable."
 
 "A married woman noticed me?" he smiled. "Wow. Especially since her husband 
 is ten years younger and just as fit."
 
 "Apparently you never stop looking even after you're married" Mac smiled.
 
 "Maybe I should get to know Mrs. Fields better."
 
 "I think you might try and get closer to Mr. Fields" Mac murmured. "I'll 
 work on Mrs. Fields."
 
 "Yeah that's probably better. I don’t want you getting to close to him."
 
 With that he stood up and walked to the pool and dove into the water.
 
 "Show off" she muttered.

Harm cut cleanly into the water, coming up on the other side and giving Mac a wave and a 
cocky grin.  "This is going to be a long week," she sighed, forcing her gaze away from Harm 
and back to the Fields family where Margo was reaching for their youngest, now in tears, and 
cradling her.  

"Billy this child is badly in need of sleep," she called firmly.  "You want to mind the others or 
take the nap hassle."

"We're good here.  You go ahead," the young Lieutenant called.

Mac watched further while Margo scooped up the little girl, giving her blonde curls an 
affectionate tussle.  Harm would be in the water with their son she thought.  A boy who looked 
like him so much it was scary.  His name would be. . . .well a good old fashioned strong 
American name like Andrew or Michael she imagined.  Meanwhile she would be sitting on the 
edge of the pool, large with their daughter inside her.  And she would be likewise named, 
perhaps something from the Bible.  Hannah or Rachel or . . .
 
"You know what, you are really starting to freak me out," Harm groaned, wrapping a wet hand 
around her arm.  "Every time I'm talking to you, you're off in another dimension."

"So don't talk to me," she sighed and then smiled, watching the water come off his hair in 
rivulets.  "Just a few things on my mind is all.  I think I'm ready to go back and shower and 
maybe relax on deck with a book before dinner."

In response he levered himself from the water and offered her his hand to rise.  "That suit may 
not be a bikini but you do it justice," he observed.

"Well you fill out yours pretty nicely yourself," she returned and gave him a quick kiss.

They walked back to their stateroom and Harm gestured toward the shower.  "I'll be in to wash 
your back."

"Not and live," she smiled as she grabbed up her clothes and started for the bathroom, only to 
have him grab her arm and kiss her soundly before she could react.

"What the hell was that for," she sputtered when he let her go.  "You think there's a hidden 
camera in this place or something?"

"Well there could be you know," he screeched.  "I was practicing anyway."

"Harm we have the kissing part down pretty well.  It's the how not to kill each other before this 
week is over and still solve the case that needs work.  Excuse me."  With that she fled to the 
tiny bathroom, slamming the door and leaning against it.  No way would she admit to him that 
his kiss left her body tingling with desire.
 
  "Now you've really pissed her off" Harm sighed to himself. He knew he was 
  taking liberties he shouldn't with her but he honestly couldn't help 
  himself. Not when they were this close and pretending to be together. But if 
  they were going to get through the week he was going to have to watch his 
  step.
  
  "I'm sorry," he said as soon as she walked out of the bathroom a short time 
  later.
  
  "You're apologizing?"
  
  "Yes. Because I don't want us mucking up this assignment because of 
  something stupid I do. And we have to go to dinner tonight and it would be 
  nice if we didn't look like we hated each other."
  
  "Apology accepted. And I think we can get through dinner as the happy 
  honeymoon couple provided you don't overdo it."
  
  "We are on our honeymoon" he objected.  "I don't know if we can overdo.".
  
  "Understood. And I know we need to make it look real. Let's just not over 
  indulge shall we?"
  
  "I'll be good. Now would you rather I left you alone for the afternoon with 
  your book?"
  
  "If you don't mind. I mean it's not like we can hang all over the Fields all 
  the time. They'll be suspicious if we do that."
  
  "I think I'll go work out for a while then. I'll meet you back here for 
  dinner."
  
  "Sounds good" she nodded.
  
  Three hours later Mac put the finishing touches on her makeup and checked 
  her reflection one last time before walking out into the bedroom.
  
  "Wow" Harm smiled as she walked out. The navy blue evening gown clung in all 
  the right places and he couldn't help but admiring her slim figure. "You 
  planning on seducing someone tonight?"

  "No" she smiled. "But the Quinlan's are supposed to be the swanky lawyer 
  types so I figured I'd better pull out the good stuff."
  
  "Well at the risk of getting decked, you look beautiful Mrs. Quinlan" Harm 
  said softly. "You know I see you everyday in uniform and on these rare 
  occasions like this I realize just how beautiful you really are."
  
 She blushed self-consciously at his praise.  "You don't look so bad yourself. Black is definitely 
your color."
  
  "Thanks. You ready to go charm the crowd."
  
  "You know of all the assignments we've gotten this isn't have bad," Mac said 
  as they made their way up to the dining room. "All this paid for by someone 
  else."
  
  "I can think of worse that's for sure" he smiled.
  
  He reached for her hand as they walked into the large dining area and to his 
  surprise she gave him a small smile. They were directed to a smaller table 
  and to their disappointment they weren't seated with the Fields family.
  
  "I guess we'll have to catch up with them later" Harm murmured. "I guess 
  since we're the honeymoon couple they wanted to give us a little more 
  privacy."
  
  She nodded and continued to smile as they sat down at the table where 
  another couple was already seated.
  
  "Hi" Harm smiled as he sat down after pushing Mac's seat in. "I'm David and 
  this is Carolyn."
  
  "Clyde and Jenna" the man with an obviously southern accent replied. "You 
  must be the other happy honeymoon couple."
  
  "Yes we are" Mac smiled. "Nice to meet both of you."
  
  "Can you believe this ship?" Jenna smiled. "It's amazing. When Clyde said we 
  were going on a cruise for our honeymoon I didn't think it would be this 
  great."
  
  "It is pretty nice" Mac agreed. "So where are you all from?"
  
  "Birmingham, Alabama" Clyde replied.  "First time cruising for us. How about 
  you two?"

"First time for everything, well almost," Harm laughed and Mac colored.  Polite conversation 
ensued and Harm and Mac made the most of their cover stories until they managed to excuse 
themselves following dinner and headed to the dance floor as soon as the band began to play.
  
  "That was fun" Mac sighed. "Nice people but not the ones we need to get 
  close too."
  
  "Well I see our happy couple across the room" Harm murmured. "And it looks 
  like they've lost the children for the night. Maybe we can casually join 
  them."
  
  "I'll follow your lead sailor" she smiled as he whirled her around the dance 
  floor.
   
 "It's not like dancing with my sister this time," he grinned as they twirled gracefully toward the 
Fields and then away again.
 
 "I would hope not," she whispered, sliding her hand up his back and then placing a long kiss 
on his lips.  At the same time the devil in her made her press her leg between his, giving just a 
momentary rub but enough to give him ideas.
 
 "You think you're so cute," he hissed, willing his body to not respond.  In vain.  "OK now you're 
a dead lawyer Mrs. Quinlan."
 
 "I'm real scared," she returned, and rested her head on his shoulder for affect as the music 
slowed.
 
 "When you least expect it," he smiled, swallowing hard.  It was so easy to pretend it was the 
real thing.  So easy to pretend they were really. . .
 
 "OK now who's zoned out," she growled.  "I was saying, we lost the Fields."
 
 "Well I don't think they jumped overboard," he replied and gestured to the wide doors that 
opened to the deck.  "It's a beautiful night.  Likely they strolled outside."
 
 "I do not believe you just used the word strolled.  Let's take a look shall we?"
 
 "We can do that but walking on deck in the moonlight is pretty romantic.   You prepared to 
act?"
 
 "Oh more than you know," she retorted, trying to ignore the tingling feel that went through her 
body as she imagined they would kiss again.
 
 True to his hunch, William and Margo Fields were standing at the far end of the deck rail, 
locked in a passionate embrace.
 
 "They keep that up and they'll go home with a Fields bun in the oven," Harm groaned in a 
hoarse whisper.
 
 "Could you be any more crude," she hissed.  "I think it's beautiful.   I don't think it's an act of 
any sort by any means."
 
 Harm nodded, understanding her sentiment, and added thoughtfully, "Maybe not an act.  I 
mean there's nothing to say the man can't be in love with his wife and family and be selling out 
at the same time.  In fact I can see it."
 
 Her eyes narrowed at that.  "Just what can you see Commander?"
 
 "That a man could love a woman so much he would do anything for her," he replied evenly.  
"Even the unthinkable."  He stopped there, letting his words register with her, desperately 
hoping she might understand at least some of the sentiment.
 
 "Well a love like that comes along only once in a lifetime I'll agree with that," she sighed, 
wrapping her arm around his back to lead him out toward the rail. 
 
 "And I'll agree with that," he smiled just before he took her into his arms for his kiss.  They 
held that  pose until the Fields moved away, relaxing only when they were alone.
 
 "I'm ready to go back to the room," she announced at that point.  "No one will wonder why 
newlyweds turned in early."  She did not speak again until they were safely inside their cabin, 
and she had locked the door as an additional precaution.
 
 "OK something is majorly wrong with this picture," she grimaced, throwing her evening bag 
onto the bed and reaching for her zipper, finding it non-cooperating and she gave a short, 
sharp cry of frustration.
 
 "Whoa slow down Mrs. Quinlan," he urged.  "Let me give you a hand with that before you get 
stuck like that.  You look like you've just invented a sixth basic ballet position."
 
 "You want me to let you unzip my dress?"
 
 "Yeah, unless you plan on sleeping in it.  What did you bring to sleep in anyway?"
 
 She sent him a long glare but submitted to the unzipping, fleeing to the bathroom as soon as 
her arms were free.
 
 "You didn't answer my question," he called after her.  "OK I'll just wait and see."
 
 She emerged ten minutes later, now devoid of make up, her hair combed back from her face 
and dressed in. . . .
 
 "You're not serious.   Carolyn we're on our honeymoon here."
 
 "Once inside the door of this cabin, I am not Carolyn and we are not honeymooning," she 
reminded him, letting the long silk gown with the high neckline and long sleeves swish as she 
passed him.  "What are you planning to sleep in anyway?"
 
 "Same thing I do at home.  Nothing," he grinned devilishly.
 
 "I don't think so" she gasped. It had been hard enough to see him in his 
 swim trunks all day without a shirt. There was no way she was going to be 
 able to lie next to him in bed if he was only in his boxers.
 
 "Why not?" he teased.
 
 "Rabb you are not sleeping in your skivvies."
 
 "Mac I sleep in my boxers all the time. You know that. I'm sure not going to 
 change because we're sharing a bed."
 
 "Then we're not sharing a bed."
 
 "And where do you expect me to sleep?"
 
 "I don't know" she shrugged. "But you're not sleeping in the bed with me 
 unless you have clothes on."
 
 "Oh and that sheer thing is any better" he countered.
 
 "It's long. And it covers me."
 
 "Yeah and it leaves nothing to the imagination" he whispered as he stood up 
 and moved closer to her.
 
 "Harm" she warned.
 
 That was as far as she got before his mouth covered hers in a long kiss. She 
 struggled only for a moment before allowing herself to melt against him. All 
 day she'd imagined kissing him like this. And now she couldn't stop herself. 
 Her mind told her to push him away but her body wasn't listening.
 
 It was only the need for air that finally made him finally pull away.
 
 "And for the record, I wasn't kissing Mrs. Quinlan" he whispered softly when 
 they parted.
 
 For a moment she simply stared at him before he headed to the bathroom. She 
 sunk down on the bed, unsure of how she'd let him kiss her like that. She 
 could have stopped him. But she didn't.
 
 She was under the covers when he emerged, dressed only in his boxers. She 
 allowed herself one quick glance before closing her eyes again. Any more 
 than that and she wouldn't be able to forget about the fact that he was 
 lying next to her.
 
 "Good night Sarah" he whispered as he turned out the light.
 
 *****************
 "Mac?" Harm murmured the next morning as he stirred.
 
 There was no response and a moment later he realized why as he opened his 
 eyes and found the bed empty. Empty with the exception of a note.
 
 "Went for a run on the deck. I'll be back for breakfast."
 
 "Better be" he sighed as his head dropped back on the pillow.
 
 By the time she returned he'd showered and waiting for her.
 
 "How was your run?" he asked.
 
 "Good. Maybe tomorrow you can join me."
 
 "I would have today if you'd woke me."
 
 "I didn't want to disturb you. You looked pretty comfortable. Besides I 
 needed some alone time."
 
 "Mac about last night" he started.
 
 "Harm let's not talk about it" she sighed. "We have a case to figure out 
 remember? We need to get closer to William Fields and find out what's going 
 on. Because more and more I'm thinking we don't have the whole story here."
 
 "He's not going to tell two strangers if he's being blackmailed" Harm 
 countered.
 
 "No but he might tell two fellow officers."
 
 "You want us to blow our cover?" he frowned. "Mac come on. We don't know for 
 sure he's not doing this just for the money. Before we blow our cover I 
 think we need a little more information."
 
 "I guess. But what if he's doing it for another reason. Like you said last 
 night. Because he thinks he has to."
 
 "Let me try and talk to him some more. Then we'll think about blowing our 
 covers. We have another full day tomorrow at sea before we get to Belize."
 
 "All right" she sighed. "But I like him Harm. I don't want him to be the bad 
 guy."
 
 "Maybe he is and maybe he isn't. That's what we have to find out."
 
 "I'll go take a shower and then we'll head up for breakfast" she said 
 quietly. "Hopefully they'll be around."
 
 An hour later they made their way to the dining room, Harm's hand once again 
 around hers.
 
 "There they are" Mac murmured as she saw the Fields clan at once of the 
 large tables. "Should we go over?"
 
 "Let's do it" he nodded and headed towards the table.
   
"Margo, William, would it be OK if we joined you?" Mac asked softly, smiling at the three 
children.

"You're kidding," Margo gasped.  "You want to eat in this chaos?"  Just as she spoke the little 
boy heaved an orange section at his older sister, resulting in her squealing.

"Scotty shape up," William ordered.  "Eat your breakfast."

"Yes sir.  April is a baby."

"I am not.  Don't say that or I'll pound you," the oldest child screeched.

"See?  Chaos, but I love it," Margo smiled.  "And we'd love for you to join us if you can stand 
it."

"Thank you.  We'd be delighted," Harm grinned, admiring the children as he guided Mac into a 
chair.  "Quite a family.  You're very lucky."

"Well most of the time yeah," Margo smiled again.  "Billy of course gets away from it all day.  
He comes home and he's rarin' to go.  Me I'm suffering from nervous exhaustion by then."

"It's why I do what I do," William said quietly.  "And you guys are just getting started.  You've 
got a lot to look forward to."

"Yes we do," Harm nodded and gestured to the buffet.  "Honey can I fix you a plate of nice 
healthy stuff?  I see a lot of fruits and yogurt."

"Not while I'm conscious," she laughed.  "You can bring me a cheese and sausage omelet and 
hashbrowns with toast.  And coffee.  Thank you."

"Dear Lord, it's a work in progress," he teased and looked to Margo and William.  "I'm going to 
teach her good eating habits yet."

"Food.  Now."

"I'll join you.  Margo needs a refill," William decided.  

"More juice Daddy," Scotty squealed.  "I'll come too."

"You really do have great kids," Mac told Margo when they were alone, and the envy in her 
voice was only partly from her cover.

"You and that handsome guy will have your own someday if you want I'm sure," she replied.  
"Just don't try to raise them in the D.C. area on a Lieutenant's pay."  For just a moment Mac 
could hear the bitterness in her voice before she gave a self-depreciating laugh.

"It must be hard," Mac prompted, wanting her to talk further.

"Impossible.  I don't work because daycare would take it all.  I think about working in the 
evenings while Billy is home, but then his hours are so unpredictable.  Not a week goes by he's 
not calling to say he's working late which would cause me to miss work and I'd be canned 
pretty fast."

"And it costs a lot to live even with commissary and housing and dependents allowances," Mac 
offered.

"Each month Billy says we fall a little further behind.  Now April wants to play softball.  Not an 
unreasonable request.  Except that registration alone is $100.  Uniform and equipment not 
included."

Mac shook her head in genuine sympathy, adding, "then there's clothes and shoes I'm sure."

"Clothes come from Kids Retread as much as I can," she laughed.  "Shoes from Kmart.  I do a 
once a month shop at the commissary when Billy gets paid.  And try to stay out of the store in 
between except for bread and milk but by the time the last of the last week rolls around we're 
doing ramen noodles.  Bless that our health care is taken care of."

"Can I ask how you afforded this trip?" Mac asked.  "Or did you win it maybe?"

"I don't know."

"Excuse me? You don't. . .didn't you book it?"

"No.  Billy made these arrangements and he won't tell me how.  Just said it was something we 
deserved."

Mac nodded, the investigator side of her wanting to ask a dozen more questions and yet she 
knew there was no way without seeming like prying and raising suspicion.  The return of the 
men precluded further talk and the conversation turned to other things.
 
 "Billy I'm going to take these three back to the cabin to clean up before we 
 got to the pool" Margo sighed after breakfast.
 
 "I'll take them. You go on and relax at the pool. We'll meet up with you in 
 a bit."
 
 "You're so sweet" Margo smiled as she leaned to her husband and dropped a 
 quick kiss on his cheek.
 
 "Well this is supposed to be your vacation too" he smiled. "So I'll take the 
 rug rats here and you go relax."
 
 "David, Carolyn you going to the pool?" Margo asked. "If so, I'd love the 
 company."
 
 "Actually I'm going to go take that run I missed out on earlier" Harm 
 smiled. "But I'm sure Carolyn would be happy to join you."
 
 "Sure" Mac nodded as she stood up. "I was just going to sit and read 
 anyway."
 
 "Then I guess we'll see you later," Margo said as she stood up. "You three 
 be good for Daddy. When you come back up, we'll all go swimming."
 
 Mac and Margo headed out to the pool and with a long sigh Margo sank into 
 the lounger. "I love my kids but sometimes it's so nice to have quiet just 
 for a few minutes."
 
 "Does he do that often?" Mac asked. "Take the kids I mean?"
 
 "When he can he does. He knows I'm with them twenty-four seven practically 
 so if he can he does. But of course that's provided he's not working like 
 crazy."
 
 "Well he got you this cruise so obviously he's quite a guy" Mac smiled.
 
 "I'm lucky" Margo nodded. "William Fields is the most wonderful man I ever 
 met. I know he loves the children and me more than life itself. I'm always 
 hearing from other mothers at school about their husbands not being involved 
 with the kids or them off having affairs. But Billy isn't like that at all."
 
 "Did you know that when you married him?"
 
 "Oh yeah. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on Billy he was a keeper. And 
 if you're worried about yours I wouldn't. David obviously adores you and he 
 doesn't seem to mind children. I'm sure one day you'll have your own little 
 clan."
 
 "One day" Mac blushed as her mind immediately flashed to a scene on the 
 steps of JAG four years earlier. A baby promise. A promise she hadn't ever 
 forgotten about.
 
 "Don't wait too long" Margo smiled. "I'm guessing you two are a little older 
 than William and I. I'm sure your careers came first but now that you're 
 married I wouldn't waste too much time. I can't tell you how many friends I 
 knew who waited only to be disappointed when they couldn't conceive."
 
 "We won't. So Billy just sprung this big trip on you one day?"
 
 "He'd been working all these late nights" Margo nodded. "Finally one night 
 he comes in and hands me the itinerary and says to pack our bags. And here 
 we are."
 
 "You didn't find that odd?"
 
 "Billy has been under a lot of stress," Margo admitted. "Which is why I 
 didn't hound him about where he got the money for the trip. For all I know 
 he cashed out our small nest egg but at this point he needed the trip as 
 much as I did. Or maybe he was doing some moonlighting.  We'll figure something out later. 
Of course I'm sure you and David don't have to worry about that. Both professionals working. 
Must be nice."
 
 "Did you ever have a career?" Mac asked. "I mean before the kids?"
 
 "I was almost finished with school when I got pregnant with April" Margo 
 sighed. "Six classes away from my degree in child psychology. I was going to 
 be a school guidance counselor."
 
 "You obviously love children" Mac smiled. "Why didn't you ever finish?"
 
 "There was never time. I guess if I'd wanted to I could have, but it just 
 never seemed like there was any money left for that once we had April."

"Well eventually they'll all be in school and you'll have some time for that sort of thing," Mac 
suggested.

"Well that doesn't solve the money thing but maybe," Margo sighed.  "You know what, you 
must be real easy to talk to because I don't often open up like this."

Mac bit her lower lip as the possibilities and consequences ran through her mind.  Whatever 
William Fields was guilty of--if anything--this woman was not a part of.  Margo Fields was a 
wife and mother and very much in love with her husband. 

And it was those exact feelings that she intended to lay upon Harm an hour later when she 
went back to the cabin in time to intercept him when he came back from his run.

"Did you have a good talk with Mrs. Fields?" he asked when he walked in and found her lying 
face-up across the bed, watching the ceiling fan lazily turn.

"Go shower."  

"You look like there's something on your mind.  I'll keep."

"No you won't."  No way could she talk to him while he was standing there in a sweaty t-shirt 
that clung to every nuance of his upper body.  "Shower.  What I have to say will keep."

"Then come in and talk to me while I do."

"Oh right yeah.  Harm please.  Do I ask for much?  Having you clean and dry and not smelling 
like a gym sock is not too much.  And neither is to not have to watch the process."

"OK but I bet there's someone aboard this boat who'd take me up on my invite."

"Yeah well there's always Officer Rebecca," Mac reminded him.  "The two of you seemed to 
have that instant lust connection forming."

"Right thank you," he grinned teasingly and ducked into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later he came out, this time in a clean and dry undershirt atop fresh boxers, a 
towel dangling from around his neck with which he was drying his hair.  "I'm all ears.  You've 
got something from Margo that's going to break this case?"

Keeping her eyes averted as much as possible, Mac nodded.  "I wish.  Look all I wanted to say 
was that I don't have a handle on William Fields yet.  He may very well be akin to Benedict 
Arnold for all I know.  And if he is, I'll gladly be the one to bring him down.  But his wife loves 
him.  His kids love him, and if he's hurting them all the more reason why I would like to pound 
his six into the ground.  On the other hand, I'm not seeing that right now."

Harm dropped onto the bed next to her as she spoke and his nearness broke her train of 
thought.  "So what you're saying is that you want to protect his family."

"Yes I do.  Somehow."

"What if she knows about it?"  As he spoke he reached up and pushed a stray lock of hair from 
her forehead, a tender gesture that was rewarded by a soft smile and she reached up and 
covered her hand with his. 

"If she knows about it then she's an accessory and then the Marine in me says she deserves 
whatever the courts can give her. But I look at those three kids and think about a family being 
ripped apart and the woman in me says it's wrong."  Her eyes raked over his body, his 
nearness and her attraction to him adding to her distress.  "Have I mentioned how much I hate 
this assignment?"

"Oh what's to hate about being on a luxury liner sharing a room with your favorite partner," he 
laughed, trying to dispel some of her mood.  He hooked his arm around her neck and pulled 
her into an awkward hug as he spoke and for a moment she resisted.  For a moment.  Until felt 
the need for his comfort and melded against him.

"Harm you know what I mean," she murmured.  "A little compassion huh?"

"I always have compassion for you," he said softly.

"Well right now I'm more concerned about them than me."

"And there's where we differ," he said firmly.  "I want to solve the case of course, but I don't 
want you hurt in the process."

"I don't want him to be guilty," she whispered.
   
 "Okay where's my no nonsense Marine when I need her" Harm sighed.
 
 "Sorry. But they're such nice people Harm. I can't imagine he's doing 
 anything wrong. And if he is it's only because he has to."
 
 "Mac no one is forced to do anything."
 
 "What if he really felt his family was threatened?"
 
 "Mac" he groaned.
 
 "If we were really married and someone threatened to hurt me if you didn't 
 do something for them, what would you do?"
 
 "Whatever they wanted," he said without a second thought. "And it wouldn't 
 matter if we were married or not."
 
 "Even if it was something illegal like passing classified information?"
 
 "I would do whatever it took to make sure no one hurt you," he said firmly.
 
 "Even if it meant going against your country?"
 
 "Why are we having this discussion?"
 
 "Because you said no one has to do anything. And I'm trying to point out 
 that in some cases the person may feel like they have no other alternative 
but to do the wrong thing."
 
 "Okay so say this is what happened in this case" he sighed. "He could have 
 gone to someone for help."
 
 "If he was scared for his family, he couldn't have. He would have just gone along and 
 done whatever he was asked to do. And probably prayed that when he'd done 
 what they wanted, the whole nightmare would be over."
 
 "Mac if someone is blackmailing him you know it won't be a one time thing. 
 As soon as he does what they want once, they'll be on him all the time."
 
 "Which is why we have to find out what's going on and stop it before that 
 happens."
 
 "No that's NCIS's job. We're just here to follow him and then deliver him 
 into NCIS's waiting hands when we get to Belize and he meets up with the bad 
 guys."
 
 "Harm I want you to talk to him."
 
 "You're not talking about blowing our cover again are you?" he sighed. "Mac 
 I happen to like my current duty station. If we mess this up, the SecNav is 
 going to have both of us shipped to the far reaches of the earth.  Opposite far reaches I might 
add."
 
 "Harm these people need help. Our help," she persisted. 
 
 "I can't believe you've gotten attached like this already."
 
 "How could you not? They're nice people with wonderful children. Children 
 who might never see their father if he's sent away to live in prison at 
 Leavenworth.  And anyway, look who's talking.  What about Roscoe and Darl-lyn?"
 
 "What am I going to do with you?" he groaned.
 
 "So you'll try talking to him?"
 
 "I'm not blowing our cover yet. I'm just going to see if I can find out how 
 he managed to pay for this cruise. And then I'll go from there. In fact 
 maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to see if he's gotten any extra money in his 
 account recently. Maybe we can call back to Bud and have him check their 
 bank accounts."
 
 "You won't find anything there."
 
 "What makes you so sure of that?"
 
 "Because I'm betting he's not doing this for the money. He's not that type 
 of person Harm."
 
 "Why don't we wait and see shall we? They have dropped a little money in as 
 an incentive for him to do this."
 
 "I'm not wrong. Not this time."
 
 "Okay Miss Know-it-all. Are we going back up to the pool or what?"
 
 They spent the afternoon lounging poolside and it wasn't until later that 
 William arrived with the kids.
 
 "Hey is Margo coming up?" Mac asked.
 
 "She wasn't feeling good," William said quietly. "She's laying down for a 
 while. I guess she got to much sun earlier."
 
 "I'm sorry to hear that" Mac frowned. "I hope she's okay."
 
 "Yeah she just needs a little time out of the sun. She took some aspirin and 
 I'm sure she'll be fine later."
 
 "In the meantime it looks like you've got the crew" Harm smiled.
 
 "Yeah and keeping them all out of trouble isn't going to be easy. Honestly I 
 don't know how Margo does it all the time."
 
 "You need a hand with them in the water?" Harm asked.
   
"That would be great," William nodded.  "Thanks.  Margo has a lot more patience with them 
than I do most of the time.  By evening when she's been with them all day she's pretty frazzled.  
Of course they're getting to the point of school now and that will give her some relief."

"You must have saved for a long time to bring them on this," he observed, climbing down into 
the shallow water and reaching for Scottie's hand to bring him along.

"It was a sacrifice."

Harm waited for him to say more and when he did not, turned his attention to the children.  For 
the next hour he and William talked of sports and kids and being military, and from the 
conversation Harm gleaned nothing helpful.  Mac dozed and read poolside until she stretched 
and walked casually to the deep end where she dove cleanly into the water.

"Your wife is a pretty lady," William smiled.  "Have you known each other long."

"Huh?"  Harm's focus had been on her and not on William.  For he too had been thinking the 
same thing.

"I asked how long you'd known the pretty Mrs. Quinlan."

"Oh sorry.  She was my paralegal in New Mexico.  That's how we met.  Then she took her bar 
exam and now we're here. . .well here as in DC."

"And much in love."

"Very much," Harm smiled as Mac swam up next to him and he pulled her from the water, 
taking her into his arms for a newly-married type kiss.  "In fact I think I'm going to take her back 
to our cabin for a little more of where that came from."

"David you always have the best ideas," Mac cooed.

"Yeah I need to get the rug rats moving anyway before they prune up," William sighed.  "See 
you guys later.  The kids are going to skate after lunch."

"Hey that sounds like fun.  I saw that listed as an activity.  Honey you skate don't you?" Mac 
giggled.

"Have you ever seen me on skates?"  

"I'll bring the camcorder."
===================
"Mac I'm not strapping on skates," Harm hissed as they walked back into their cabin.

"Suit yourself.  It's great exercise."

"I ran this morning.  Is that not enough?"

"Well only you can answer that."  She passed by him and gave his side a teasing squeeze.  
"Maybe some women like the love handles look."

"I do not have love handles," he screeched.

"Hey I was being kind," she teased, beating him to the bathroom to take off her wet suit.

"I don't suppose you need any help like with the dress," Harm called.

"Thanks I've got it under control," she yelled back.  "The zipper was hard, this is just skin tight 
fabric sticking to my wet body."  She heard him groan and smiled.  They were even for the 
sweaty t-shirt she had to see him in this morning and maybe partly for the boxers he was 
planning to sleep in for the duration.

"Save some cold water for me," he grumbled.  "What are we doing between now and lunch?"

"Harm don't yell at me through the door."  She came out a few minutes later, wrapping her 
robe around her.  "Now what?"

"What are we doing between now and lunch," he repeated patiently.  "Unless you want to play 
honeymoon."  Before she knew what was coming he had grabbed her arm and pulled her 
down onto the bed, flipping her until he had her pinned by her wrists and was looming over 
her.  Not until he had gotten into that position did he reach a sobering realization.  That her 
legs were free, and one lift of a bent leg would send a knee crashing into a very tender. . . "I'm 
going to let go of you now," he whispered, though his eyes never left hers.  "Don't hurt me OK."
  
  "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't?"
  
  "Because deep down you like me?" he offered lamely.
  
  "Maybe before this cruise I did" she teased. "After some of the stunts 
  you've pulled the last few days I think it would be justifiable."
  
  "What if I promised to be good for the rest of the cruise? No more sneak 
  attacks like this."
  
  Before she could answer, he quickly rolled off the bed and away from her 
  before she could do anything.
  
  "You're lucky this time sailor. But you better not try that again. Or there 
  will be a man overboard."
  
  "Somehow I think you mean that" he murmured as he watched her walk to the 
  bathroom.
  
  *************
  "I'm going to break my neck" Harm groaned later as he strapped on the roller 
  blades. "Which is probably what you'd like to see happen.  I am well insured."
  
  "Now honey" Mac smiled. "This is supposed to be fun. Just try and relax."
  
  "If it makes you feel any better David, I've never done this before either" 
  William laughed. "Margo of course is a pro. She's been out with the kids 
  since we bought them their first pair."
  
  "I'm not a pro" Margo smiled. "But I can maneuver pretty good."
  
  "I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Mac said to her.
  
  "Just too much sun earlier" Margo said as she stood up and looked over at 
  the kids. "April honey help your brother and sister. You know they're not 
  that good at this yet."
  
  "Yes mommy" the little girl replied obediently and she reached for her 
  little sister's hand while Scotty took her other hand.
  
  "They're such good kids" Mac sighed. "You've brought them up very well."
  
  "Thanks. I guess that's one reason why I don't mind not having the career so 
  much. I've at least had a chance to be there with my kids. And not just 
  dumping them every day at a daycare where no one pays attention to what they 
  do."
  
  "I can tell the difference" Mac nodded. "I hope when we get to that point 
  I'd be able to do the same thing."
  
  "I'm sure you could. Sounds like David is quite a lawyer. Heck you probably 
  don't even have to work." There was just a trace of bitterness in the young 
  woman's tone and Mac felt a stab of guilt. "And I shouldn't have said that. 
  Forgive me please."
  
  "No it's okay. I probably don't need to work. Especially now that David and 
  I are married and he's got this new position at the law firm."
  
  "You're lucky" Margo smiled. "Now shall we go show these guys how this is 
  done?"
  
  Mac helped Harm to his feet and at once he grabbed onto her.
  
  "Oh no" she laughed. "You're not bringing me down with you."
  
  "How on earth do you expect me to get around in these things?" he moaned as 
  he grabbed onto the wall for support.
  
  "Slow and easy. You'll get used to it."
  
  "This is pathetic," Harm said as he watched the kids skate past him. 
  "They're kids and they can do this."
  
  "They have a shorter distance to fall" William laughed. "And don't have to 
  worry about being out of work if they hurt something."
  
  "Oh great I hadn't even thought of that" Harm sighed. "I just see trying to 
  explain that one to the partner. Sorry sir, I can't come to work because I 
  broke my neck trying to roller blade on my honeymoon."
 
 "But you're so cute," Mac giggled.  "It's not that hard.  Just think about gliding.  You must have 
skated as a kid."
 
 "You bet I did.  At the roller rink on Saturday afternoons but the skates had bottoms you could 
stand up on," he groaned.
 
 "Stand still and let me tighten your helmet," she fussed.  "Can't have you scrambling your 
brains all over the deck."
 
 "What if I hurt something else?"
 
 "Not likely," she giggled, reaching for his helmet straps.  "OK now watch me."
 
 He did just that, watching in amazement as her lithe body moved out ahead of him, her long 
legs, trim and muscular at the same time, making the skates eat up the smooth deck.  He was 
even more amazed when twenty feet away she executed a perfect half circle to turn to face 
him once more.  "OK you.  Show me what you've got."
 
 One foot moved.  By two inches, and then the other.  Then the first one again until he had 
reached as far as his arm's length-hold would allow and he was brought up short and he 
stopped totally.
 
 Mac laughed and skated back to him, prying his hand from the railing.  "You're anchoring 
yourself Sailor," she whispered into his ear.  "Let go."
 
 "I. . ."  He swallowed hard as those two words brought a sudden vision of another boat and 
another time when they came up between them.
 
 "It's all right," she smiled, reading his thoughts.  "Here, give me one hand and put the other on 
the rail, but let it slide along.  You trust me don't you?"
 
 "With my life," he returned in honest emotion.  "Where did you learn to do this anyway?  
You're amazing."
 
 With a quick look around to be sure no one could overhear she admitted, "I've been doing it in 
the parks for a couple of years.  It's a nice change from running.  Good for the thigh muscles."
 
 "No shit," he whispered, giving her legs a long look.
 
 "Stop.  Now lets do it.  Lean forward into each leg, stroke, change.  I've got you."
 
 "I don't want to make you fall."
 
 "Not gonna happen.  I'll cut you loose first," she giggled.
 
 Thirty minutes later he had managed a few rudimentary glides, looking more miserable all the 
time.  "OK I am so through," he finally declared.  "My legs are killing me, I'm all hot and sweaty 
and I want something cold to drink, preferably with alcohol.  I'm going to need a lot of TLC 
before dinner in other words.  Aspirin, ice bags, pillows fluffed and propped.  That sort of 
thing."
 
 "Good thing you men don't give birth," she groaned and Margo laughed loudly, understanding 
totally.  
 
 "Two weeks ago Billy had a sore throat and I had to put a priest on speed dial just in case," 
Margo sighed.  "Carolyn if he gets too much, ship him to me.  I know how to deal with whiny 
men.  You haven't had much experience."
 
 "Something to look forward to.  OK Mr. Whiny, I'll take you back to the room and fill the 
bathtub and get you something and maybe fluff a pillow.  I think I draw the line there.  You take 
off your skates and I'm going to make one lap without you holding onto me like I was your life 
jacket."
 
 "Please by all means," he sighed, wanting to get another look at her legs in action.  Some of 
the skaters had thinned out and Mac took advantage to get up to a faster speed.  Movement in 
front of her eye caught her attention and to her horror there was a little boy, obviously an 
escapee from a parent, and obviously way too young to know the danger he could be in.  With 
surprising speed, the toddler darted in front of her blocking the skate path.  Instinctively she 
knew she would not stop in time and to barrel into him could injure him severely.  Evasive 
action was needed and a half second later she had turned her direction toward the wall, hitting 
it full on with her midriff and bouncing backwards to land on her back.
 
 Harm had looked up in time to see her crash to the ground and to his horror, she did not 
move.  "Maaa-aaac".  The word rushed from his lips before he could stop it and he knew the 
second it was out he had blundered, though at that moment her well-being was his only 
concern.  Thankful that he was out of the skates, he tore down the track at fast as he could, 
slipping slightly in his socks.  Dimly aware of Margo and William behind him, he paid them no 
heed as he dropped beside her and his panic rose when he heard her attempting to breathe, 
air gurgling in the throat.
 
 Meanwhile the little one's mother had scooped him up and was standing to one side, stunned 
by the havoc he had wrought.
 
 "David is she OK?"  Margo clung to William's arm as she asked, both of them watching the 
scared lawyer gently lift her to a sitting position.
 
 "Breathe honey," he whispered, "Breathe slow and easy. Then you have to tell me where it 
hurts OK?"  He rubbed her back gently, holding her against his chest, and at that moment 
there was no one named Quinlan.  There was Harmon Rabb holding the person he cared 
about most in the world. 
   
 It was several anxious minutes before her breathing started to ease and Harm 
 continued to hold onto her as the crowd gathered around them.
 
 "Sir I've got the ship's doctor on the way" one of the crew informed Harm. 
 "Just in case."
 
 "Not necessary" Mac managed finally. "I'm okay."
 
 "Far from it" Harm whispered. "Mac that was quite a hit you took. You're 
 going to let them take you to the medical center and get checked over 
 completely."
 
 "We have a state of the art facility on board ma'am" the crewmember informed 
 her. "And the doctor is one of the best. And here she is now." He moved out 
 of the way for the young woman and Harm frowned at her.
 
 "You're a doctor?"
 
 "Yes sir."
 
 "Did you graduate last week?"
 
 "Not quite. Angela Simmons. I finished my residency at Duke University 
 Medical School two years ago. Now that we've established my credentials, why 
 Don't you tell me what happened to your wife. And how about some names 
 here?"
 
 "Harm and Mac" he said without thought. "She moved to avoid a little kid and 
 smacked the wall pretty hard and then fell backwards on her back which 
 knocked the breath out of her."
 
 "Mac can you tell me where you hurt?" Angela asked.
 
 "Just here" Mac said as her hand went to her abdomen. "This is what slammed 
 into the wall."
 
 "How about your head? When you feel backwards?" As she spoke, Angela's hands 
 went to Mac's head to check for any lumps. "Did you lose consciousness?"
 
 "No I just couldn't catch my breath at first."
 
 "I don't think you've hurt your head. I'm a little more concerned about the 
 abdomen. As soon as the stretcher gets here I'm going to have you taken up 
 to the medical center for an ultrasound to make sure there's no internal 
 injuries or bleeding."
 
 "Internal injuries?" Harm gasped as he held Mac closer to him.
 
 "I'm not saying she has internal injuries, I just want to make sure she doesn't."
 
 "And if she does?" he demanded. "How soon can you get her off this 
 boat and to a real medical facility?"
 
 "Harm calm" Mac said softly. "You're getting all worked up for nothing."
 
 "I'm getting worked up because you could be seriously hurt and we're 
 floating out in the middle of the ocean."
 
 "Harm if I find something wrong I can have a chopper out here real quick" 
 Angela informed him. "But let's not jump to any conclusions just yet."
 
 The stretcher arrived a moment later and Harm carefully lifted Mac onto it. 
 It was only then that he realized Margo and William were looking at him and 
 Mac with confusion.
 
 "I need to talk to both of you," he said to the couple.
 
 "I would say you do" William frowned. "But I think you best stay with you 
 wife. If she is your wife."
 
 "She's someone I care about very much" Harm sighed. "Please if you can, come 
 down to the medical center. I'll explain everything there."
 
 He walked away to catch up with Mac and Angela. When they reached the 
 medical center, Mac was quickly moved to the ultrasound room and Harm forced 
 to stay in the small waiting office. He sunk down in one of the chairs, 
 still reeling from what had happened. The case no longer mattered to him. 
 Only that Mac wasn't seriously hurt. He was surprised when William walked into the medical 
center a few minutes later.
 
 "Harm and Mac" he said quietly. "It took me a few minutes but I know where 
 I've heard those names before. Commander Harmon Rabb and Colonel Sarah 
 Mackenzie. The two top dogs at JAG HQ's. The SecNav has mentioned you 
 several times."
 
 "I'm sure he has" Harm sighed. "And there is a good explanation for this."
 
 "I think I know why you're here. And that's why I told Margo not to come 
 with me to talk to you."
 
 "You're protecting her from everything aren't you?" Harm said quietly.
  
William nodded and then choked down an almost sob.  "Sir I've got myself into a huge mess."

"It's Harm, and yeah you have.  Of course so have Mac and I because thanks to me I've blown 
our cover so if you're really our target, well I'm going to be pretty PO'd that I risked our careers 
for you.  And trust me, you won't like me if I'm pretty PO'd."  

William nodded again and Harm took a deep breath.  "William just so we understand each 
other here.  If you are selling out, then I'm going to bring you down.  And god help you if Sarah 
Mackenzie gets hurt in the process because not only will I take you down, I'll take you out.  
And I know that sounds harsh, but before I offer you my help--our help--I want you to know the 
condition it comes with."

"Yes sir.  Harm.  See I know exactly where you're coming from because that's what got me 
here.  Can I show you something?"

"Sure."

He pulled out his wallet and slowly began to unfold a yellow piece of paper which he handed to 
Harm.

Harm stared at the sketched image,  explanation unneeded but William provided it anyway.  

"That's our red Caravan.  Even the license number is correct.  Obviously that's Margo driving 
and the three kids in the backseat and the truck slamming into them is. . ."

Harm held up his hand for him to stop.  "You should have reported the first threat son.  You've 
had the lectures.  You know how these people operate."

"I know.  This was the most serious.  Before that it was exposure because of my debt, things 
like that.  I resisted all that, told them to go ahead and tell, even though it would cost me my 
clearance and probably meant a reassignment.  I could have handled that.  Having my family 
hurt. . .no.  You told me before you'd do anything to protect Mac.  You have to understand how 
I feel.  Please sir."

"I'm going to need to talk to Mac.  William god help you if you're lying to me.  And that's 
something you'll hear from me several times here on out so get used to it.  On the other hand if 
you're telling the truth, I can just about promise you I'll go to the mat to help you.  You want to 
share who's behind all this?  Who's put you up to it?"

"Sir I don't know.  I mean should I hold that back for leverage?  Would you if you were me?"

Harm grinned slowly.  "Yeah I would, but I'm better at this game than you are.  You'd better tell 
me."

William gave him a look of pure apprehension. "You're familiar with Commander Lindsey?"
  
 "You're kidding right?" Harm gasped.
 
 "You know him and you don't believe me," William said dejectedly. "This is 
 exactly why I couldn't go to anyone. No one would believe me. I'm a Lieutenant junior grade
 and he's a Commander on his way to Captain."
 
 "I didn't say I didn't believe you. But you're serious about this?"
 
 "Yes sir. I wouldn't lie to you. I know you probably don't believe that but 
 it's the truth."
 
 "Okay you're not lying. Commander Lindsey is the one who put you up to 
 this?"
 
 "Yes" William nodded as the door to the examination room opened.
 
 "How is she?" Harm demanded as Angela walked out. "Is she okay? Do you need 
 to have her medivac'd somewhere else?"
 
 "Harm breathe please" Angela said with a small smile. "Before we have to 
 have you air lifted because you had a stroke worrying about Mac."
 
 "Just tell me it's nothing serious" Harm sighed. "Please."
 
 "It's not. She's got some bad bruising going to quickly show up but there's no internal damage 
or bleeding. She's going to be extremely sore for a few days there but I don't 
 see any cause for any alarm."
 
 "Thank you God. Can I see her?"
 
 "Of course. I'm going to give you some pain medicine for her once she's back 
 at your cabin."
 
 "But she's okay? I don't have to worry about anything happening to her 
 later?"
 
 "I've thoroughly checked for any signs of internal problems and there aren't 
 any. She's just going to be hurting for a few days. Why don't you go see for 
 yourself?"
 
 "I will. William we'll finish this after I get Mac back to the cabin."
 
 "We need to talk tonight," William said quietly. "Tomorrow we dock in 
 Belize."
 
 Harm nodded his understanding before following Angela back to the 
 examination room.
 
 "God you scared me to death today" Harm murmured as he reached for Mac's 
 hand. "How are you feeling?"
 
 "Like I slammed into a wall," she said with a weak smile. "You were really 
 worried weren't you?"
 
 "Only if you call about to have a stroke worrying" he teased. "But that 
 doesn't matter. I'm just glad you weren't seriously hurt."
 
 "We blew our cover didn't we?" she asked.
 
 "I blew our cover. But when I saw you hit that wall nothing mattered except 
 that you were okay. Nothing is as important to me as you Sarah."
 
 "Did I hit my head too?" she frowned. "Because I swear I just heard you say 
 I was important to you."
 
 "Like there was any doubt to that. Of course you're important to me Mac. I 
 care about you a lot. More than I have anyone in a long time."
 
 "More than Renee?"
 
 "She wasn't even close" he whispered. "You're the person that means the most 
 to me Mac. It's always been you."
 
 For a moment she just looked at him, still not sure she was hearing him say 
 this.
 
 "Me?" she whispered.
 
 "Why do you think I've been enjoying this assignment so much?" he said 
 softly. "It's because it's allowed me to do stuff with you that I've wanted 
 to do for a long time. I just couldn't figure out how to make it happen."
 
 "Like those kisses?"
 
 "Among other things, yes."
 
 "Harm I get the feeling you're trying to tell me something."
 
 "I am and once this mess is all over I'll tell you what that is. 
 Unfortunately tomorrow we dock in Belize and William has just spilled his 
 guts to me about what's going on."
 
 "Tell me he's not the bad guy he's been made out to be," she whispered.
 
 "He's not. At least I'm pretty sure he's not lying to me. I warned him the 
 consequences if he did and I think I have the truth from him."
 
 "And what is that?"
 
 "He's being coerced and blackmailed by Commander Lindsey. I don't know the rest but 
 apparently Lindsey threatened Margo and the kids."
 
"Harm do you hear yourself?  You're about to accuse a ranking officer of. . .of god knows what.  
Did your helmet fall off one of those times you wiped out this afternoon?"

"I know.  It sounds really bad doesn't it."

"To say the least.  William Fields is what--a messenger boy for some deal Lindsey has cooked 
up?  And for what possible motive.  Lindsey may be a lot of things but he's not a traitor.  Is 
he?"

Harm shook his head, making an exasperated groan.  "My gut would say it's got to do with 
money and money only.  Maybe Lindsey is being pressured on his end.  All I know is that 
Fields was assigned there, a new guy, anxious to make good, and very very light on rank 
compared to the rest of the office.  Hell even the civilian interns probably outrank him.  Hand 
picked by the SecNav to work in Lindsey's shop based on his potential.  As I told William, 
you've been to the lectures.  You know how it works.  How it's easy to exploit the weakest 
member of the pack."

"I don't want to think that."

"You'd rather think that William is the reincarnation of Benedict Arnold or one of those men 
from the 90s who sold out?"

"NO."  The word came from her with such force that she winced in pain and that was enough 
for Harm to hold up his hand. 

 "Enough of this.  You're in no shape to be talking work.  What's going to happen is that I'm 
taking you back to our cabin and the doctor has something for your pain, and you're going to 
bed."

"Harm you're not leaving me out of this.  Don't even."

"Would I do that?" he demanded, his face little boy innocent.

"In a heartbeat," she replied at once.

"To keep you safe, yes I would," he admitted candidly, his hand going to her face, cupping her 
cheek gently.  "Sarah I'm going to kiss you now, and it's me, me kissing Sarah OK?"

"Yeah," she breathed, the case momentarily pushed aside as his warm lips touched hers.  A 
gentle kiss, Harm concerned for the pain she was in, and a second later he had gathered her 
into his arms.  

"Ah ready to take her home I see," Angela smiled from the doorway.  "Would you like a 
wheelchair."

"Yes."

"No way in hell."

"Uh. . .when she takes that tone she means it," Harm sighed.  

Angela handed him a small vial of pills.  "Two now, one as she needs, and prepare for her to 
be out of it."

"Hey 'she' is still here," Mac grumbled.  "And I won't be taking any more than necessary."

"And that's fine, but you can't heal if you're in pain," Angela stipulated.  "Healing takes rest.  
You're very lucky woman.  Had your belly hit that bar in a different spot going the speed they 
said you were, you might have ruptured. . ."

"Ma'am please.  Nightmares are going to be bad enough," Harm yelped.  "Let's get you back 
then."  He  could not help but notice her grimace as he all but bodily lifted her to her feet, his 
arm going around her waist tightly.

"If you guys need anything or ma'am you get worse, a medic will be to your cabin two minutes 
after you call.  But please, do yourself a favor and take twenty-four hours to rest and heal.  It 
might save you a week of pain."

"If I have to tie her to the bed," Harm vowed.  "In fact I'm not ruling that out."

"Lucky lady," Angela smiled, giving the handsome Naval Officer a quick once over.

"Yes she is," Mac murmured, "but not just for reasons obvious to the eye."

With not too much difficulty Harm got Mac back to the cabin and helped her to the bed, grateful 
they had taken off her shorts and shirt at the doctor's office, replacing them with a short robe.  
Thus the question of help undressing did not come up and he eased her down onto the pillow.  

"Thanks, now about William Fields."

"About your pain pills," he corrected, reaching into the mini-fridge and pulling out a bottle of 
juice.

"Coke please."

"Right.  Excuse me for thinking something healthy.  Now take these."

She glared but complied.  "OK since these are likely going to send me to la-la land very 
shortly, can we talk William Fields again."

"Sure.  You got your wish.  He's not the bad guy."

"If we can believe what he says," she nodded, willing to play devil's advocate for the moment.  
"And you do right?"

"Yeah I do.  But god help him if he's playing me, and you, for a fool.  I'm going to talk to him 
later more and I'll have a better feel for it."

"We please."

"We if you're up to it," he agreed.  "Don't for a second think I don't want you on this.  It's just 
that you scared me bad this afternoon and I didn't need to hear the doctor talked about 
something rupturing on top of that."

"It was a freak accident."

"It was that.  It could have been listed as underlying cause on my death certificate.  Right after 
cardiac arrest."

"I'm sorry."  They fell silent for a few moments and when she started to speak again he placed 
a gentle finger to her lips.  "Right now could we table it all and just let me hold you?"

"You are not my Harmon Rabb."

"I most certainly am," he replied indignantly.  "I'm the same Harmon Rabb who has always 
loved you."  
  
  "Okay I obviously hit my head as well as my middle" she whispered. "Because 
  I must be hallucinating because I could have sworn you just said you loved 
  me."
  
  It took a moment for Harm to realize that he had in fact said those words to 
  her.
  
  "You're not hallucinating. I did just say that I love you" he managed 
  finally. "And I meant every word I said."
  
  "You love me?" she whispered.
  
  "Is that so hard to believe?"
  
  "I'd hoped. But I never really believed that I would hear. . ."
  
  "Believe it Sarah. I love you. And pretending to be your husband the past 
  few days is a dream come true. Well except for the part earlier when I was 
  afraid you were going to hurt me. And this wasn't exactly how I planned to 
  tell you and if you don't feel the same way then. . ."
  
  He was silenced by gentle fingers to his lips. "For the record Mr. Rabb, I 
  love you too" she said softly. "Even though some times you can be the most 
  infuriating man on this earth."
  
  "Me?" he smiled.
  
  "Yeah you. But I guess that's why I love you. You drive me crazy yet there's 
  no one else I'd want with me but you."
  
  "You mean that?"
  
  "Very much" she said softly.
  
  "You need to rest," he said as he slid beside her on the bed. "And I'd like 
  very much to hold you until you fall asleep."
  
  "That won't be long," she said with a long yawn. "These pills are making me 
  loopy already. I knew I didn't want to take them."
  
  "You probably won't even remember this conversation when you wake up."
  
  "Oh yes I will. I've only been waiting seven years to hear you say those 
  words to me. This is not something I'll forget."
  
  "That long?" he smiled. "I thought you hated me at first."
  
  "Never Flyboy" she murmured tiredly. "You had me from hello."
  
  "And so did you" he whispered as he dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Rest 
  honey."
  
  He waited until he was sure she was sound asleep before gently sliding off 
  the bed. After one final kiss he headed off to find William. A quick knock 
  at their cabin told him they weren't there and he headed up on deck to the 
  pool area. He finally located them in the crowd and made his way over to 
  them.
  
  "William do you think we can go talk somewhere?" Harm asked.
  
  "No" Margo spoke up. "Whatever is going on William, you can tell me. Who are 
  these people and why have they been following us?"
  
  "I can't," he said miserably.
  
  "William Fields I want to know what is going on now" she said quietly. "No 
  more lies. Who are these people?"
  
  "Commander Harmon Rabb from JAG" Harm answered. "And my partner who is now 
  resting is Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."
  
  "JAG?" Margo frowned. "Isn't that the Navy legal group? What do you want 
  with William?"
  
  "Honey you don't need to know this" William tried again.
  
  "I want to know the truth William. What is going on?"
  
  "Commander Lindsey threatened you and the kids if I didn't do what he 
  wanted," William said miserably. "So I agreed to courier stolen classified 
  information to his buyers."
  
  "Who is Commander Lindsey?"
  
  "Someone high up at the SecNav's office" Harm supplied. "The reason Mac and 
  I are here is NCIS got word that your husband had classified information and 
  was going to sell it. They wanted us to follow him until the trade took 
  place so they could get the people the information was going to."
  
  "William you didn't.  No." Margo gasped.
  
  "He was going to hurt you and the kids. I didn't have a choice. I would do 
  anything to keep him from hurting you."
  
  "Why didn't you tell someone what was going on?"
  
  "I didn't think anyone would believe me" he sighed. "I'm the new guy on the 
  block at the SecNav's office. Commander Lindsey is well respected. I knew no 
  one would believe me."
 
 Margo swallowed a sob and looked to Harm.  "You believe him don't you.  Please.  You do 
don't you?"
 
 "The answer is a qualified yes.  I do believe that you Margo to be not involved.  I have told him 
what would happen if he crosses me up, and he's sticking to his story.  So right now, yes I do 
believe him.  Until he gives me reason not to, but you're not going to do that are you William?"
 
 "Sir no sir," William gasped.  "I want my life back.  At this point I don't even know if I care if it's 
in the Army.  I want my family to be safe and I want to stop the worrying that's giving me 
ulcers."
 
 "OK calm down now," Harm soothed as Margo sobbed softly and wrapped her arms around 
her husband.
 
 "What should I do sir?"
 
 "Well first stop with the sir.  It's Harm for the duration of this operation.  Second, you're to do 
exactly what you've been told.  Whatever instructions you're given you're to follow."
 
 "Sir. . .Harm. . .I don't understand.  How is that going to work?  To help?"
 
 "Well first of all, long as they think you're cooperating, your family is safe."
 
 "Yes thank you," William breathed.
 
 "And then, long as you're doing what they think you should be, they'll do the same.  William 
even if you were guilty, it's the big guys we're after.  Our assignment was to stop this at the 
head.  In fact we might even have offered you a deal to give up the rest."
 
 "OK I understand," he sighed.  "I just wish I knew more of what I was doing.  The meet is in 
Belize at the port call."
 
 "OK.  We're going to be right with you."
 
 "Harm so are Margo and the kids.  They said.  You know I can't put them into danger.  I 
won't."
 
 "Hey I understand.  It's going to be OK.  Mac is going to be with me too.   Unfortunately.  It's 
going to be totally calm and cool.  Promise."
 
 "You love her don't you?" Margo asked shyly.
 
 "Yeah I do.  And I was going to tell her in some kind of special way, but it just kind of came 
out.  I do that sometimes---my mouth goes off before my brain is engaged, but in this case, 
well maybe it's OK."
 
 "Only maybe?"
 
 He blushed and smiled at the same time.  "No, it is.  I'm glad she knows.  The doctor was 
saying earlier how serious her injuries could have been and  how lucky she is, and I was so 
relieved and taking care of her and. . .it just popped out."
 
 "But you meant it," Margo offered.
 
 "Every letter of each word," he laughed.  "And on that note I'm going to get back to her."
 
 "Harm I'm afraid," Margo said suddenly, reaching for his arm from the safety of William's 
embrace.
 
 "Hey you've got the pros from Dover on the case now," he grinned.   "Relax.  As long as your 
Billy has been straight with me, it's all good."
   
 "You won't let them hurt him will you?" she whispered.
 
 "Not on our watch" Harm smiled. "Honest it's under control. Besides NCIS is 
 going to be close by watching the whole thing as soon as I get in touch with 
 them. Do you know where you're meeting them yet?"
 
 "Altun Ha" William sighed. "It's some ancient city that has a large temple. 
 I'm supposed to be there tomorrow at noon with Margo and the kids."
 
 "And will be right behind you" Harm nodded. "I'll call NCIS and let them 
 know the location so they can be ready. In the meantime, just try and relax. 
 We'll work this out."
 
 "Thank you Harm" Margo said quietly. "For everything."
 
 "Save it for tomorrow once this is over. And now if you don't mind, I'm 
 going to go back to Mac and make sure she's okay."
 
 "Of course. I guess we'll see you in the morning then?"
 
 "We'll meet for breakfast like we did this morning" Harm nodded. "I'll see 
 you guys then."
 
 He hurried back to the room, happy to find Mac still sound asleep. He 
 reached for the file with their NCIS contacts as well as his cell phone.
 
 "Agent Drucker it's Commander Rabb" he said quietly. "We've got a meeting 
 place. Tomorrow at noon at Altun Ha."
 
 "How do you know this?" Chuck Drucker demanded.
 
 "Our cover got blown" Harm sighed. "And Fields isn't the one you want here. 
 He's just being coerced into this by a bigger fish."
 
 "You want to let me in on who the bigger fish is."
 
 "After we nail the guys Fields is meeting. He'll have a very interesting 
 story to tell you."
 
 "All right Commander. I'll get my people ready."
 
 "Make sure you do. Fields is taking his family. And it wasn't his choice. He 
 was told or else."
 
 "This isn't what we need" Drucker sighed. "But we'll deal with it. You and 
 the Colonel better be ready just in case this thing gets out of hand. I was 
 expecting him alone. Not his whole family there."
 
 "We'll be ready" Harm promised. "You just make sure you bring enough people 
 to handle this."
 
 With a sigh Harm hung up the phone, wishing more and more there was some way 
 he could do this without involving Mac.
 
 "Harm" she murmured as she stirred. "Is that you?"
 
 "Yeah it's me," he said softly as he slid down on the bed beside her. "How 
 are you feeling? You still in pain?"
 
 "No. Just feeling real loopy and strange still."
 
 "That's why you're supposed to be sleeping."
 
 "I was. But then I heard you talking to someone."
 
 "Agent Drucker from NCIS. William told me where the meet is tomorrow so I 
 called Drucker to let him know. Problem is William was told to bring his 
 family along with him."
 
 "Harm no" Mac gasped.
 
 "Hey we'll handle it. That's why I called Drucker and told him to have some 
 extra people on this. And of course we're going to be right behind them. 
 Unless of course I can talk you into staying here on the ship while I go."
 
 "I won't dignify that with an answer."
 
 "It was worth a try," he said with a small smile. "And the only reason is 
 because I love you and if this whole thing goes sour I don't want you in the 
 middle of it."
 
 "Do you think I want you alone in the middle of it?" she countered.
 
 "I know. But I'm not hurt."
 
 "Harm I'm just sore. I'll be fine by tomorrow."
 
 "All right. You're coming whether I like it or not. Which for the record, I 
 don't like."
 
 "Too bad. I'm still coming. Does Margo know about all this?"
 
 "Yeah and of course she's upset" Harm sighed. "And tomorrow she's probably 
 going to be a basket case worrying about everything."
 
 "With good reason. Her family is in danger Harm."
 
 "I'm hoping not. If everything goes as planned, NCIS will simply grab the 
 guys he's giving the information to and it will all be over. And then we'll 
 go back to DC and nail Lindsey."
  
"It's going to take a lot of proof to bring that guy down," she said softly.  "And if he gets 
confinement I'll be hugely surprised no matter what we do.  Probably just be allowed to retire 
gracefully and live off the taxpayers the rest of his life."

"Yeah.  Well keeping the Fields family safe and you as well is my main concern.  William is 
willing to testify and once we nab the guy he hands the stuff over to, I bet that guy will give up 
Lindsey too."

"Do we have a plan?  And it better not include something like you drugging my juice and then 
sneaking out."

"Damn you're getting too good for me," he teased.

"You wouldn't?"

"To keep you from getting hurt, in a heartbeat.  Even if it made you hate me.  At least you'd be 
alive to do so."

"I. . .well I don't know what to respond but it's not going to happen so no need.  Plan?"

"To everyone but the Fields we're Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan, on the trip to the ruins.  People know 
we've been friendly with them.  So we stick close, have the cameras working.  We'll just have 
to be casual, look like we're taking film and with any luck, we'll have an open and shut case 
except you and I know there's no such thing guaranteed."

"I wish Margo and the kids weren't going to be there," she fretted.

"Well so do I and I know William does.  This is why they did it.  Total leverage."

"Of course."  She bit her lower lip for a second in thought.  "You think there's even the slightest 
chance William could be lying?"

"I'm not willing to back him a hundred percent," Harm admitted.  "Of course part of that concern 
is that I'm worried about three kids and an innocent woman; and scared shitless for the woman 
I love."

"It will be all right," she smiled.  "I love you too and that's why you can't go without me."

"I pray so," he sighed.

"Pray that I love you?  You don't know?" she giggled.

"Not that," he groaned.  "Now are you ready for food?"

"Starving.  Thought you'd never ask.  And let me up, because I'm taking root here.  I need 
some fresh air and to get my legs moving again."

"Mac no."

"Harm yes.  Now either help me up or get out of my way."  

The determined set of her jaw told him he had no choice and he all but bodily lifted her from 
the bed, not missing the wince the movement caused. "I'm sorry."

"Just let me get dressed so we can go eat," she insisted.  "I had clothes didn't I?"

"I could like you better without," he grinned and went to her drawer in the dresser.  "What does 
the lady wish?"

"Something loose thank you.  And you're going to have to help me into it, so try not to enjoy it 
too much."

"No way--never happen."
 
 He did his best not to look too much as he helped her into a loose fitting 
 sundress a few minutes later.
 
 "Okay now up on deck so I can get some air and food" she sighed.
 
 "You doing okay?" he asked. "Or are you in a lot of pain?"
 
 "Little pain. But I can't lie here all night. And tomorrow I'm going with 
 you so I might as well get used to moving."
 
 "Well let's not over do it" he fretted as he helped her to the door.
 
 "I wasn't planning on doing any dancing tonight if that's what you're 
 thinking," she said with a small smile.
 
 "Funny Marine. Come on let's get dinner and then you're back in bed where 
 you belong."
 
 Slowly they made their way up to the dining room and Harm quickly guided Mac 
 to a nearby table and helped her into the chair.
 
 "Doing okay?" he asked again.
 
 "Harm chill. I'm fine. It's just a little sore that's it."
 
 "Well if you'd seen yourself crashing into that wall you'd understand why 
 I'm fretting so much" he sighed as he sat down at the table. "I swear I'm 
 going to have nightmares about it tonight."
 
 "You were really worried weren't you?" she said softly as she reached for 
 his hand.
 
 "Seeing the woman I love plow into a wall. Oh yeah I was worried. So worried 
 I blew our cover."
 
 "Well maybe that was for the best. I really want to help William."
 
 "And we will. Everything is set for tomorrow. NCIS will be there and 
 hopefully they'll grab the bad guys while we keep the Fields' safe."

 "Let's just hope it's that easy."
 
 After dinner Mac managed to persuade Harm to take a short walk up on deck.
 
 "It's so beautiful out here" she sighed as she leaned against him as they 
 looked out into the vast ocean. "
 
 "And romantic" he whispered softly in her ear.
 
 "Since when did you become a romantic?" she giggled as she turned to face 
 him.
 
 "Since I fell in love with you" he smiled before kissing her gently.
 
 "You keep saying that. I'm beginning to think you really mean it."
 
 "Believe it Sarah" he whispered. "I love you."
 
 "Is it going to be like this when we go back to DC?" she whispered. "Or is 
 all the magic going to end when we step off this ship?"
 
 "It's not going to end. I promise you that. The Harmon Rabb you have now is 
 the Harmon Rabb you're going to have when you get home."
 
 "Good. Cause I love this Harmon Rabb" she smiled softly. "Very very much 
 actually."
 
 "As he does you" Harm whispered before helping himself to another kiss. This 
 one was longer and it wasn't until Mac groaned slightly that he realized he 
 was holding her too tightly.
 
 "Sorry" he said sheepishly.
 
 "That's okay. But I think I'm ready to head back to the cabin and call it a 
 night. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
 
 "Yeah we do" he nodded soberly. "Mac is there anyway I can get you to stay 
 behind?"
 
 "No way. I'm not letting you go alone. Not when we don't really know what 
 we're going up against. We do this together."
 
 "Promise me if things go sour, you'll worry about yourself" he sighed.
 
 "Not when there's three innocent children to think about first. But I can 
 promise you I won't do anything stupid. And I don't want you doing anything 
 stupid either. We've just gotten to the point we've been reaching for for so 
 long now. I don't want to lose you."
 
 "And I don't want to lose you either" he whispered.
 
 "Come on let's go back to the cabin" she said softly as she reached for his 
 hand.
 
 He nodded and guided her back to their cabin. Once inside he helped her out 
 of the sundress and into her nightgown before helping her down on the bed.
 
 "How about another one of those pain pills?" he asked.
 
 "Yeah I guess" she sighed. "At least that way I know I'll sleep."
 
"I should take one myself.  You know we're all alone out here don't you.  No one to back us up.  
Certainly no one we can confess we blew our cover to.  Well except NCIS.  And they're 
expecting us to arrest Fields as soon as he makes the exchange anyway.  I just hope we can 
justify that we don't."

"You want to call and get orders?"

He thought that over for a moment and shook his head.  "No.  Because I don't want to get 
orders to arrest him regardless.  Not in front of Margo and the kids.  The man is not going to 
rabbit.  He's far too invested in his family to do anything like that.  He'd die before he'd leave 
them."

She smiled softly.  "I see that William Fields has swung you over to his side."

"Well maybe mostly a little," he grinned, cupping her cheek with his palm.  "I guess I can see 
where he's coming from.  To love someone that much."

"He's going to need a lawyer when we get back--if for no other reason than to make sure his 
jacket is clean," she smiled again, leaning into his hand.  "You want to join me in 
volunteering?"

"I'd follow you anywhere.  You know that." 

"Then go get ready for bed Sailor and follow me into this bed because I'm wanting to sleep 
again."

She lie there tense and alert, her mind on tomorrow until he came from the bathroom, boxers 
and undershirt on, and only when he slid in next to her, pulling the covers up over them did she 
let out a long breath and allow her body to go limp against his.  "It's going to be real hard to go 
back to sleeping alone," she whispered, running her hand down his arm.  "Though I'm not sure 
what the admiral thought when he assigned us this.  Thought about how we were to share a 
cabin I mean and what the arrangements would be."

"I think he figured we were adults and would work it out, which we did," he whispered.  "Sleep 
now.  I love you."

"Words I never thought I'd hear."

"Well I didn't think I would from you either," he countered.

"You want to hear them again?"

"Anytime you want to say them for the rest of our lives together," he said into her ear.

Instead she turned around enough to capture his lips with hers.  "Does that tell you enough?"

"I'm reading you five by five."
 
 *****************
 "You didn't sleep did you?" Mac sighed the next morning as she and Harm got 
 ready.
 
 "A little. Too much on my mind."
 
 "It's going to work out. We'll keep them safe and NCIS will nail the bad 
 guys."
 
 "I hope it's that's easy" he sighed. "You ready for breakfast?"
 
 They found the Fields family on deck and they quickly joined them at the 
 table and while Harm and William took the kids to the buffet, Mac took the 
 time to talk to Margo.
 
 "How you doing?" Mac asked Margo softly. "You okay?"
 
 "I was going to ask you that" Margo said with a small smile. "You really had 
 that man of yours worried. And here I find out he's not really your husband 
 but he might as well be since you two are totally in love anyway."
 
 "It's a long story" Mac smiled. "But yeah this little assignment has made us 
 realize a few things."
 
 "He loves you so much."
 
 "Just like William does you."
 
 "I wish he'd told me what was going on" Margo sighed. "I wish it hadn't come 
 to this. But Harm told me you two would do everything to help him."
 
 "We will" Mac promised. "And we're going to keep you and the kids safe too."
 
 "Please. I can't imagine anything happening to them. William would be 
 devastated."
 
 "We'll do our best. And then this nightmare will be over."
 
 "I brought you a plate," Harm said to Mac when he and William returned from 
 the buffet. "That way you don't have to get up."
 
 "Thanks. I could have got up though."
 
 "I know. But you're going to be doing all that walking later so you might as 
 well take it easy now."
 
 "Still hurting?" William asked Mac.
 
 "A little sore" she admitted. "And I don't think I'll be doing roller 
 blading again for a while."
 
 "Not in my lifetime" Harm groaned. "Thank you but the old guy cannot take 
 another one of those moments."
 
 They kept the talk casual over breakfast, finally splitting up to get ready 
 for the trip to Altun Ha.
 
 "God I just want this to be over" Harm sighed as he paced the small cabin. 
 "I'm going to be trying to make sure you're okay and their okay."
 
 "Harm chill. First I can watch myself. Second we'll both be watching them."
 
 "I am not going to chill until you're back on this boat safe" he whispered 
 as he pulled her into his arms, mindful of her sore abdomen. "I love you and 
 I hate this whole arrangement."
 
 "It's going to be fine. And then we'll have the rest of the trip back to be together."