TITLE:  Dust to Dust
               AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
               SUMMARY:   Set immediately after Harm's return to the Seahawk after destroying the nuke.  
The first of two post-Enemy Below stories we have.  These are both 'what if's'.  'What if' the drama did 
not unfold quite as it did in the episode?  Alternative events to how Enemy Below ended.
               CLASSIFICATION/RATING:  J/S/R/A     PG for language, mild violence
               SPOILERS:  In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. "Enemy Below" especially 
for this one.
               FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  Addy is 
ssbpmn@aol.com.  Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into 
writing it.
               NOTE:  All parts of this story as well as much of our other work, are available at 
                             
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required.  Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there.
                             
                             Other archives containing our stories:
                             
                                  http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or 
http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag
                                           
                                           or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at    
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [sadly, not always up and running]
                             
                                       or BTL-
                                       http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/
                                       http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.}
++++++++++++++++

"Dust to Dust"

"Well how does it feel to have saved the world," Mac teased from her prone position on his bed, 
watching Harm emerge from his bathroom.

"Like I'm glad it's over and want to go home," he sighed, rubbing his still-damp hair with the towel 
around his neck.  "I mean I guess it's OK to use what I've been trained for.  No problem with that, but 
this whole theater here makes me really nervous.  It did when we were here before.  When you and 
Webb took off to retrieve that guy."

She sat up and gave him a quizzical frown.  "I didn't even know you had noticed I was gone."

"You damn right I noticed," he growled.  "And I didn't like it one bit.

"Whoa careful there Rabb--that's getting pretty close to a Hallmark moment," she laughed.  

"Who me?  Just don't tell anyone," he laughed as well.  "Anyway I'm ready to go home."

"You and me both.  This Marine has gotten soft working in an air conditioned office.  I hardly knew what 
cammies were for. . ."

Her words were cut off by the sharp voice on the intercom.  "Colonel Mackenzie, Commander Rabb, 
report to the bridge at once.  Urgent."

"Good god what's going on now," he yelped, pulling his shirt on as quickly as he could while swiping at 
his hair a few last times.

They all but ran through the narrow corridors, panting hard by the time they got to the bridge.  At once 
they could sense there had been some kind of major incident.  

Captain Johnson gestured to the radio and a second later Petty Officer Jennifer Coates' panicked voice 
came across on the speakers.  "I don't know how to help him.  There's so much blood.  I know he's in 
shock.  Hurry please."

"Petty Officer have you got the tourniquet in place?"

Harm and Mac exchanged looks of dismay.  "Sir what the hell is going on?" she asked finally.

"Roberts and Coates choppered out to the school to check on the damage," Captain Johnson replied 
tersely.  "Roberts stepped on a land mine according to Coates.  I'm afraid he's lost a leg."

"My god," Mac gasped and looked up at Harm, who was too shocked to speak at that moment.  At the 
same time a strong shudder passed through her.  It had not been that many days ago that Harm was 
standing on a mine and even now when she closed her eyes at night very often the image visited her 
nightmares.

Harm, despite his own horror, slipped a surreptitious arm around her waist in silent support and 
swallowed hard before he addressed the Captain.  "You've got medivac started sir?"

"Two minutes out from the scene.  They're going to scoop and go.  You can meet them on the helo 
pad."

"Thank you sir," Harm gasped and his hand moved to her arm, escorting her to the deck.  Only when 
they were off by themselves,  did she let her emotions show as she turned tearful eyes to his.  "How 
could this happen," she whispered.  "How could Bud. . .he's a non-combatant here. . .how could it 
happen?"

"I don't know what to say."  He was not that far from tears himself.  "I mean we all know the risks and all 
that BS and that doesn't help.  This is horrible."

"They're going to need a lot of support through this--both Bud and Harriet," she whispered, 
endeavoring to keep herself under control.

"And they'll get it," he nodded firmly.  "Let's let you and me be the first ones they can count on."

She nodded her agreement and stared out over the dark ocean, suddenly lost in prayer.  

"There."  His words shook her back to the present and he gripped her arm and pointed.  "Let's go."

The chopper landed on the pad and they stepped forward.  PO Jennifer Coates was the first off and Mac 
could not suppress a gasp.  She was covered in blood, and not far from shock herself.  

"Jen."  Harm stepped forward and a second later heedless of protocol the terrified and nearly hysterical 
young woman had launched herself into his arms.  "He died sir.  He died.  I couldn't save him.  He 
died."  
  ***********

  Three Days Later
  Mac's Apartment
  
  "Mac why aren't you dressed yet?" Harm asked as she let him into her 
  apartment. "We're supposed to be at Harriet's in a half hour.
  
  "I know" she whispered as she fought back tears. Tears for a friend who'd 
  lost his life way too early.
  
  "Mac" Harm sighed as he drew her into his arms. She sobbed quietly for a few 
  minutes and he held her tightly, wishing for all the world that he could 
  have wiped away the events of the last four days. But wishing couldn't 
  change what had happened and today they would have to say goodbye to their 
  friend forever. He'd done his own share of crying, but not in front of her. 
  He'd put up a brave front for her, allowing her to feel she could lean on 
  him.
  
  "I'm sorry" she sniffled a few minutes later as she raised her head. "I 
  promised myself I would hold it together today and I've already failed."
  
  "Hey it's okay" he said gently. "This isn't easy and no one is going to 
  think of less of you for showing your emotions."
  
  "Yeah I know" she sighed. "And thanks for understanding."
  
  "Mac we're all hurting pretty bad right now. It's going to take some time 
  for all this to heal. A long time."
  
  "How do you do it?" she whispered. "How are you so strong when everyone else 
  is falling apart?"
  
  "I don't know" he shrugged. "I guess because I've gotten pretty good at 
  blocking things out over the years. I don't allow myself to feel."
  
  "Not good Commander" she said as she wiped the last traces of her tears 
  away.
  
  "I know. And I'll deal with it later. Right now I have to get you and 
  Harriet through today."
  
  "And little AJ" Mac sniffled, more tears springing to her eyes at the 
  thought of the little boy who would now grow up without a father.
  
  Harm nodded, his emotions welling up at the thought of little AJ. He was 
  even younger than Harm had been when he'd lost his father, and likely 
  wouldn't remember much of the man who'd loved him so much.
  
  "Okay you'd better get dressed" he said finally after a deep breath. "You 
  know Harriet's already hanging by a thread and she needs us to be there."
  
  "Give me ten and I'll be ready" she whispered.
  
  The ride to Harriet's was accomplished in silence and with a long sigh they 
  pulled up, not surprised to see the long black limo in front of the 
  building. Mr. & Mrs. Sims had arrived the night before to be with their 
  daughter and grandson and had arranged for all the extras.
  
  "Come on" Harm said as he took her hand. "We'll get through this. I 
  promise."
  
  She nodded and sniffled at the same time and tried to pull herself together 
  as they walked to Bud and Harriet's apartment. It didn't work for as soon as 
  she saw Harriet, the two women began to cry again as they hugged each other.
  
  "I'm sorry" Harriet wailed. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just can't 
  seem to stop."
  
  "It's okay" Mac sniffled as well as she hugged her friend.
  
  "Hello Harm" Roland Sims said as he shook Harm's hand. "You remember my wife 
  Lydia."
  
  "Of course" Harm nodded and Lydia Sims smiled at Harm.
  
  "Harm thank you for being here. Harriet needs you right now. I'm not sure 
  how she's going to get through this today."
  
  "That's why Mac and I are here for her" Harm said quietly.
  
  "Harriet dear we'd better get going" her father said gently to his daughter.
  
  "Is AJ ready?" she sniffled as she let go of Mac.
  
  "I'll go check" Harm offered, eager to escape the room and all the tears.
 
 The little boy was sitting on the edge of his bed, the big boy bed Bud had bought for him just before he 
had shipped out, swinging his feet and holding a raggedy stuffed Barney.
 
 "Hey buddy," Harm said softly, noting his sailor suit hanging from a dresser drawer awaiting him.  
"Looks like in all the excitement they kind of forgot you.  Can I help you get dressed?"
 
 "Yes sir."  The blonde blue eyed boy looked up at Harm, his expression clearly indicating he had no 
clue what was happening around him.
 
 "I've been there", Harm told him, sitting next to him and tugging off his tee shirt.  "Only I was old 
enough to know exactly what I had lost.  Maybe this is better."
 
 From the doorway, unseen by her grandson or Harm, Lydia Sims smiled softly.  Handsome, most likely 
on his way to Captain if not Admiral, and available.  Plus an obvious love of children.  Yes it might just 
be all right.
 
 With AJ too overwhelmed to object, Harm got him dressed and even his hair combed after a fashion, 
Lydia waiting until he was finished to walk in. 
 
 "Commander you've obviously got a way with the boy," she smiled.
 
 "My Godson," Harm said proudly.
 
 "You know being as you were tasked with that anyway, and that Bud thought so highly of you," she 
began, "I hope you'll be a large force in this boy's life."
 
 "Yes ma'am I do plan to be," Harm nodded.  "Much as Harriet would like."
 
 "Oh she'd like it a lot I can assure you," Lydia smiled and when Harm picked AJ up, she smiled all the 
more.
 
 Harriet had elected graveside services only, with AJ serving as honorary Officer in Charge of the detail.  
She had also requested that it not be drawn out for the sake of herself and her son, and asked that AJ 
and Harm speak.
 
 AJ did so first, extolling Bud as a fine officer, and an asset to JAG who would be missed.
 
 When it was Harm's turn, Mac gave his hand a surreptitious squeeze and he stepped forward.  "The 
Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want," he intoned, reciting from memory the psalm of the Biblical figure 
whose name he carried.   ".  .  .and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.  Amen."  He paused and 
cleared his throat before continuing.  "The man we carry to his final resting place today was a good and 
decent man, who loved his family, loved his country and the Navy, and the God to whom he prayed.  
Loved by his wife and son, and cherished as a friend by those who were close to him. Bud Roberts as 
you are received into the arms of the Lord, know that you will be missed."
 
 One of the few sobs Harriet allowed herself mingled with the first volley of the seven rifles that would 
fire three times, and as that sound died away, another replaced it.  On a nearby rise, a lone bugler 
played Taps and the flag was folded and handed to AJ.
 
 "For your son," he said softly as he handed it to Harriet.  "On behalf of the President of the United 
States, with the thanks of a grateful nation."
 
 It was over.
===========
  Two Days Later
  
  "Harm thanks for the lift" Roland Sims said as they stood at the security 
  gate. "And thank you for being there for Harriet."
  
  "No problem sir" Harm nodded. "Mac and I plan to be there for Harriet as 
  much as we can."
  
  "And don't let my wife boss you around too much" Roland smiled. "Lydia can 
  be a bit overbearing if you let her. I have no idea how she talked Harriet 
  into letting her stay for a few weeks. Course with the move she's going to 
  need all the help she can get. Are you pretty handy around the house?"
  
  "I can manage" Harm replied. "I uh fixed a few things at the apartment for 
  Harriet while Bud was gone." Even as he said the words he felt the now 
  familiar pang of hurt at the mention of his friends name.
  
  "You and Bud were pretty close weren't you?" Roland asked.
  
  "Yes sir, Bud was the little brother I never had. Mac and I watched him and 
  Harriet fall in love, get married, have little AJ and lose baby Sarah. But 
  him and Harriet always got through everything. Except this time it didn't 
  work that way."
  
  "I know. And I know Harriet's holding a lot in right now. Trying to be 
  strong for AJ. But at least she has friends like you and Mac."
  
  "Yes sir she does."  
  **************

  JAG HQ
  Next Morning
  
  Harm stepped off the elevator, seeing at once the light on in Mac's office.
  
  "Hi" he said softly. "How are you?"
  
  "Hanging in there," she said as she looked up at him. "How are you?"
  
  "Okay. I took Harriet's dad to the airport last night and then went home and 
  zoned for a bit. I picked up the phone a hundred times to call you but I 
  didn't."
  
  "I wish you would have. I was hoping you'd stop by or call."
  
  "Sorry. I guess I just needed a little time out from everything."
  
  "It's weird isn't it?" she sighed. "It's like he's still out on the Seahawk. 
  The funeral never happened and in September he'll just be back here where he 
  belongs."
  
  "I know" Harm nodded. "And I wish that were the case. I wish it were 
  anything but this."
  
  "Would I sound too needy if I asked for a hug?" Mac whispered and at once he 
  was at her side, bringing her into his arms.
  
  "You can be as needy as you want," he said softly. "And to be honest I 
  needed this just as much."
  
  They stayed that way until the elevator bell rang and reluctantly they 
  parted as AJ stepped off.
  
  "Morning" he said somberly. "You two holding up okay?"
  
  "Yes sir" Harm nodded. "We're okay."
  
  "Good. I know its going to be a while before any sense of normalcy returns 
  around here."
  
  "Yes sir it is" Harm agreed.
  
  "Carry on" AJ said with a small smile before heading to his office. He'd 
  taken but a few steps when he stopped and turned back towards them. "I hope 
  this makes you two realize that there are no guarantees in this life. That 
  every moment of life should be treasured." With that said he continued to 
  his office, leaving two stunned officers looking at each other.
  
  The day progressed quietly and it was late afternoon when Harm's phone rang.
  
  "Commander Rabb."
  
  "Harm it's Lydia Sims. I'm sorry to bother you at work like this but I was 
  wondering if you might be able to stop by this evening."
  
  "Is something wrong?"
  
  "It's Harriet. As I'm sure you're aware, Harriet and I haven't always been 
  the closest. And she's been in tears all day and I nothing I do seems to 
  help. I was hoping you could stop by. I'd take AJ out and you could try 
  talking to Harriet."
  
  "Maybe Mac might be a better person to handle this" Harm sighed.
  
  "Harm she needs a man to talk. She was talking to Roland but now he's gone 
  and well like I said, she and I don't always communicate real well."
  
  "All right. I'll stop by."
  
  "I'll have dinner for you" Lydia replied. "Thank you Harm. I'll see you 
  later."
  
  "Yes ma'am" he said as he hung up.
  
 Later he was starting to get his papers together to leave when Mac stopped by the door.  
 
 "Just wanted to say good night," she called softly, "unless you'd like to follow me home and we could 
stop for food and a movie."
 
 "Uh. . .actually that's a more attractive offer than I've got, but it's a prior commitment," he stammered.
 
 "Sure yeah OK.  Not a big deal," she frowned.  "Good night."
 
 "Mac you OK?" 
 
 "Yeah I'm fine.  Holding it together.  Just thought maybe you nor me didn't need to be alone.  Like I 
said--no big deal.  See you tomorrow."
 
 Before he could reply, she strode away toward the elevator.
 
 Harm started to call her back and then changed his mind.  He would see what he could do to help 
Harriet tonight and save tomorrow for Mac.
 ============

 ROBERTS APT
 Rosslyn, Va.
 
 "Hello Commander," Lydia greeted him an hour later.  "I'm so glad you came."
 
 "It's Harm please," he urged, reaching for AJ who was at once demanding to be picked up.  Ma'am I'm 
not really sure what I can do here."
 
 "Well I think my daughter just needs to talk.  She's on the balcony off the bedroom.  And I've left the 
dining table set and there's food all set to be dished up.  I hope you'll see if you can get her to eat.  
Except when caring for the boy here is unavoidable she hasn't left that lounge chair, and she's in tears 
almost constantly."
 
 "Yes ma'am I'll try," he sighed, already uncomfortable.  
 
 "This young man and I are going to Chuck E Cheeses," Lydia smiled.  "Honestly Comman. . .Harm, I'm 
not sure how to deal with either of them.  Harriet and I are not close, and I haven't been around little 
ones in a long time."
 
 Harm nodded silently and watched her leave with AJ, then made his way to the bedroom.  Harriet was 
lying on the lounge chair, shut off from the bedroom by the balcony's sliding screen door.  
 
 "Harriet," Harm called softly.
 
 "Sir."  Harriet was so startled by his appearance three feet from her that she leaped to her feet, 
knocking her ice tea glass and tissue box to the floor.  The glass shattered with a loud crash and 
Harriet looked up at Harm, bursting into tears.
 
 "Ssshh it's OK," he soothed.  "Just don't cut yourself," he added, noting her bare feet and he opened 
the screen and reached his hand to her.
 
 "Sir how did you come to be here?" she gasped, trying to hold back her tears.
 
 "Your mom called and thought you'd like to talk," he smiled, helping her inside.  "And she took AJ and 
made dinner for us.  She must have really thought you'd like to talk."
 
 "That woman," Harriet sighed.  "But something does smell good.  I guess it would since I haven't eaten 
in forever.  Let me uh. . ."  She paused and looked down at her stained sweat pants and faded tee shirt.  
"Let me freshen up a bit and then I'll join you."
 
 Harm was waiting outside of the kitchen when she rejoined him ten minutes later, her hair combed and 
in clean jeans and a sweater and Harm took her arm to lead her through the kitchen to the dining room.  
 
 "Whoa she not only cooked, she fussed," Harm smiled.  "Somehow she didn't impress me as domestic."
 
 "Cooking is a hobby, but otherwise she's not," Harriet sighed.  "And candles too.  I would have done 
with a Happy Meal."
 
  "I'm sure you would have" Harm said softly. "But a good meal is probably 
  something you haven't had in a while."
  
  "No I haven't," she admitted. "Food has been the last thing on my mind."
  
  "I know," he said as they sat down. "But you should at least try and eat a 
  little."
  
  "I'll try" Harriet sighed. "And I'm sorry she dragged you all the way over 
  here because of me."
  
  "She didn't drag me over here. I told you if you needed anything I'd be here 
  for you."
  
  "Thank you" she whispered as the tears brimmed. "I can't even thank you 
  enough for everything you've done already."
  
  "Hey it's okay," he said as he awkwardly reached for her, gently holding her 
  in his arms before she finally pulled away.
  
  "You were always there for Bud and me" she sniffled. "You know he loved you 
  like you were his brother."
  
  "And I felt the same way" Harm said quietly. "Bud was the little brother I 
  never had."
  
  "I don't know how I'm going to get through this Harm" she sniffled. "I'm 
  supposed to be moving into the house next week. Nothing is packed and I 
  don't even know where to start. And then there's some work that needs to be 
  done at the new place. I just don't know where to turn."
  
  "You turn right here to me," he said seriously. "I helped you buy that house 
  and I'm going to help you move into it. And you know Mac is willing to help 
  with whatever you need as well. All of us are Harriet."
  
  "I know. And you guys are great. But I don't feel right asking for all your 
  help."
  
  "You're not asking. I'm offering. It's going to be all right. I promise."
  
  "I want to believe that" Harriet whispered. "But I wake up and I know he's 
  gone sir. That he's never coming back. And I don' t know how I'm going to 
  raise AJ on my own. He needs a father." Her voice broke and she started to 
  cry again.
  
  "Harriet don't," he said gently as he once again gathered her in his arms. 
  "AJ is going to be okay. He's still got his godfather remember. I won't 
  desert you or him."
  
  "Thank you" she sniffled. "And I'm sorry I keep crying like a baby here. Mom 
  shouldn't have called you. I'm not good company right now."
  
  "You're not keeping me company," Harm said with a small smile. "I'm supposed 
  to be keeping you company remember. Now let's try eating a little bit."
  
  After dinner he reached for the dishes and she gave him a long look. "Harm 
  no. You don't have to clean up."
  
  "I'm not leaving it for your Mom or you" he countered. "And honestly I don't 
  mind. Why don't you go relax for a few minutes and I'll join you as soon as 
  I'm finished."
  
  "At least let me help" she sighed.
  
  Together they made quick work of cleaning up and a few minutes later he led 
  her to the living room.
  
  "Okay let's get a plan of attack for this move" he said when they'd settled.
  
  "Harm I don't even want to think about it" she groaned. "I don't know what 
  to do with Bud's stuff" Her voice trailed off as a small sob escaped her. 
  "Oh god I have to do something with all his stuff" she cried. "He's not 
  coming back is he?"
  
  "No he's not" Harm whispered as he reached for her. For the next half-hour 
  he held her as she cried in his arms, finally exhausting herself to sleep. 
  He was still holding her when Lydia returned with a sound asleep AJ.
  
  "Is she okay?" Lydia asked once she'd put AJ to bed.
  
  "Yeah it's just getting to be too much for her" Harm said softly.
  
  "Well this is the first time she's slept in days" Lydia smiled. "Honestly, I 
  wasn't sure she was ever going to sleep again."
  
  "I hate to wake her then" Harm sighed.
  
  "Why don't you carry her into the bedroom?" Lydia suggested. "Otherwise 
  she'll be pretty uncomfortable out here on the sofa."
  
 Harm opened his mouth to object in principle to the suggestion and then thought better of it.  Carefully 
rising, surprised to find how light she in fact was, he did as Lydia requested.  Absurdly when he got her 
to her room, he wondered which side of the bed she used, remembering that his mom had her own 
particular side and that for some reason, despite the number of years that had passed, he was able to 
recall that while his father had been away, that side of the bed was untouched.
 
 Shaking off those thoughts, he gently lay her down and covered her with the light blanket folded at the 
end of the bed.  "I wish I knew how to better help you through this," he sighed as he backed out.  "I owe 
that much to Bud."
 
 Lydia was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs and she smiled gratefully.  "Commander I'm about 
to have my wine night cap.  The doctor says it's good for my heart.  I don't know about that, but it does 
help me to sleep.  Join me?  Please."
 
 "One only ma'am.  Driving," he smiled.  "Especially after the two I had with that wonderful chicken dish.  
Thank you."
 
 Lydia quickly poured the two glasses and motioned Harm into the den.  "I wanted to thank you too so 
much for taking care of Harriet.  I see that she ate, and I know the wine helped her to relax."
 
 "I was glad to ma'am," he nodded.
 
 "Lydia please," she insisted.  "And I know I don't really have the right to ask, but Harm I'm not going to 
be able to stay but so long, and if you could. . .well you know.  If I could count on you to look after her, 
and help her to move and all?"
 
 "Of course but Lydia she has a wealth of friends at JAG who will be more than happy to.  Starting with 
the Admiral."
 
 "Yes I met him.  Fine man.  But Harm, you're special to Harriet.  She has talked of you often and well 
before she married Bud, much as I liked the boy. . ."  Lydia paused and shook her head.  No that was a 
thought she would leave unspoken for now.  
 
 "Lydia all I can do is help when I have time," Harm told her.  "Rest assured that if she has a need, 
someone--me or someone else--will see that its met."
 
 "I'd like for it to be you."
 
 "Ma'am?" he frowned, suddenly feeling the first tendrils of misgiving as to her motive.
 
 "I just mean I trust you that's all," she smiled.  "Tell me Harm, anyone special in your life."
 
 Mac's face swum before his eyes almost at once, making him forget his concern of a few seconds 
before.  "Working on it.  Lots of distractions."
 
 "I see.  Well just keep your mind open.  The right person is out there."
     
  "Anytime" Lydia smiled as she showed him to the door. "Drive safely 
  Commander."
  
  He headed to his car and as he pulled out of Harriet's lot decided instead 
  of going home that he needed to stop somewhere else. There was someone he 
  really wanted to see tonight.
  
  Mac had just changed into her boxer shorts and t-shirt in preparation for 
  bed when her doorbell rang and she frowned as she made her way over to it.
  
  "Hi I hope it's not too late" Harm smiled when she opened the door. "But I 
  was in the area so I stopped and got some cappuccino's and deserts from the 
  coffee shop."
  
  "It's never too late" she smiled as well, happy in fact to see him. She 
  motioned him in and a moment later they were settled on the sofa. "I thought 
  you had plans tonight"
  
  "I had dinner with Harriet. You know her and her Mom don't get along real 
  well so Lydia made us dinner and then took AJ so I could talk to Harriet."
  
  "I wondered how Harriet and her Mom were getting along" Mac sighed. "I know 
  they aren't the closest."
  
  "No. And now with her Dad gone she just needed someone else to talk to."
  
  "And that someone is you?" Mac said quietly.
  
  "For the moment" Harm sighed. "She's all worried about moving and the house 
  and since I'm the one who got her into it I feel like I should be there to 
  help."
  
  "You had no way of knowing something like this would happen" Mac said 
  gently. "But you're a good man for being there for her."
  
  "Bud would have wanted us to help her as much as we could. And that's what 
  I'm doing."
  
  "Well you know we're all willing to help too. All of us want to help Harriet 
  get through this."
  
  "I know. And she's going to need all the help she can get. She's supposed to 
  be moving and she hasn't even thought about packing yet. And of course then 
  there's the matter of Bud's stuff. It's too early for her to even come to 
  grips with what happened let alone pack it all up and give it away. But now 
  she's going to be forced to deal with that."
  
  "Poor Harriet" Mac sighed. "You think she's going to be okay?"
  
  "I don't know" Harm said quietly. "She sobbed in my arms until she fell 
  asleep tonight. Every time she thinks or talks about Bud she loses it. It's 
  going to be a while before she puts her life back together."  
  ***********
 
 Two Nights Later
  
  "Harm I guess we're just going to have to invite you over every night" Lydia 
  whispered as Harm once again carried Harriet to her bedroom. Another sob 
  session had ended with her falling asleep in his arms and he'd put her to 
  bed again.
  
  "Lydia I'm not sure that's the answer" Harm sighed.
  
  "Harm she just needs someone right now. Last night she didn't sleep a wink. 
  Likely she'll sleep through the night again now that you've gotten her 
  relaxed."
  
  "I'm glad she feels relaxed with me. But I can't stay here all the time."
  
  "Of course not" Lydia smiled. "Now can I get you anything before you leave?"
  
  "No thanks I'm fine. I'll be back in the morning to help with the packing. 
  The Admiral was kind enough to let me have a few days so we should be able 
  to get everything packed before the weekend. And then everyone from JAG is 
  coming over to help with the move."
  
  "You should have just brought your stuff and stayed then. It's not a short 
  drive back to your place."
 
  "I'll be fine" Harm assured her. "Good night Lydia."
 
 "Drive safe and remember in the future, bring your bag and crash here."
 
 "Well I tend to like my own bed," he smiled and gave her shoulder a quick pat.  "Good night."
 
 Once he got in, he looked at the phone, wanting to call Mac, but the lure of the bed was more powerful.  
"I'll call her in the morning from Harriet's," he decided and flopped down face first, not moving until the 
alarm the next morning.
 ===============
 "OK the help is here with coffee and donuts, including  a chocolate one on a stick for the young man," 
Harm greeted them.  "And said young man looks like he's traveling."
 
 "You bet he is," Lydia said firmly.  "He's going to his daycare.  We will get twice the amount done in half 
the time.  Say goodbye AJ."
 
 "Goodbye AJ," the child hooted.  
 
 "Bud taught him that," Harriet smiled slightly, walking up to take the donuts and coffee from Harm and 
give him a quick hug.
 
 They had their coffee and made small talk until Harriet drew a deep breath.  "OK I've made a decision 
on Bud's things."
 
 Harm took a reflective bite and looked to her expectantly.
 
 "I'm going to fix a box for AJ of things that were special to him, like the robot he built, his watch and 
rings, and of course the stuff from his career, like his medals, awards and all.  I'm going to keep a few 
pictures of him around, his official picture that was taken just before he left, the family portrait we had 
done at Christmas and of course my picture albums that I've stuffed since the day we met.  As for his 
clothes, I'm keeping his dresswhites that he wore the day we were married, and that's all.  And what I'm 
not keeping I don't want to go to the house.,"  She paused for a breath and looked at Harm.  
 
 "OK I got through that without crying, until now."  And she was in his arms in tears once again.
 
 For a long minute he held her, then firmly backed away.  "Lieutenant I want you to hold it together for 
today.  For me, and for your son, and for yourself.  Please."
 
 With her cry out of the way, Harriet did in fact manage to do just that, soon becoming to busy with 
directing Harm's packing efforts.  Finally by dinnertime, the large portion of the apartment was packed 
and Harm had started to haul the inevitable bags of trash out.
 
 "I think we owe ourselves a dinner break," Harriet sighed when he had returned from the last trip.  "I 
know you're starving, and for a change I'm hungry.  Mom will be back shortly with AJ and we can go.  
Maybe the IHOP over on Jeff Davis."
 
 "I am not socially acceptable to go eat dinner," he laughed.  "Though I did bring a change."
 
 "Well there you go," Harriet nodded, giving him a small push.  "You can shower in the master bath and 
I'll take the tub.  Go."
 
 Lydia arrived with AJ in time to hear the plan, and she settled with him in front of the TV while Harm and 
Harriet were cleaning up.  A short while later the doorbell rang and with a long sigh she got up to 
answer it.  A quick peek through the screen and she knew who it was.  Sarah Mackenzie.  Harm spoke 
of her often.  In glowing terms.  In terms that would lead her to believe there could be. . .
 
 "Ma'am?" Mac had seen her standing there, but she had made no move toward the door.
 
 "Ms. Mackenzie come in."  Lydia recovered herself to open the door.  "What brings you by?"
 
 "Just wanting to help," she smiled.  "I was intending to be here a lot earlier in fact but the office got out 
of hand.  Harm and Harriet around?"
 
 Lydia allowed herself a wicked smile.  "In the shower."  And she received the look of surprise that she 
expected.  "Uh. . .that came out wrong.  Both are getting cleaned up.  Separate bathrooms of course."
 
 "Of course," Mac frowned.  "Am I too late to pitch in?"
 
 "Yeah they've quit for the day and we're getting ready to go eat," Lydia told her, adding reluctantly 
enough for Mac to notice, "please join us."
 
 "I'd like that thanks."  She gave Lydia her most winning smile, but the older woman's tone and words 
were setting off warning lights.
 
 "Mac?"
 
 She looked to the top of the stairs to see him in clean black jeans and a dark gray turtleneck and she 
couldn't help but sigh.  Her partner.
 
 "Yeah Flyboy.  Came to see if you were staying out of trouble."  
 
 Her double meaning was not lost on Lydia who made a slight snorting noise as she left them alone.
      
  "Always" he smiled. "About time you got here."
  
  "Sorry. I really intended to be here sooner. How's it going?"
  
  "So far so good. I think she made it through the worst of it. Going through 
  Bud's stuff you know."
  
  "She okay?" Mac asked.
  
  "Yeah she's holding up. And you're just in time. We're about to grab 
  dinner."
  
  "Yeah that's what Mrs. Sims said," Mac said slowly. "But I got the idea she 
  didn't want me around."
  
  "Well I want you around" he smiled. "And I'm sure Harriet would love some 
  other company besides just me."
  
  "Mac I'm glad you stopped by" Harriet said with a forced smile a few minutes 
  later.
  
  "How are you?" Mac asked as she gave her friend a hug. "You holding up 
  okay?"
  
  "Thanks to Harm I am. I'm not sure I'd gotten through the past few days 
  without him. And it's only because of him that I've ate or slept."
  
  Mac raised her eyebrow but said nothing. There was obviously more going on 
  than she had realized. Lydia's tone made much more sense now.
  
  "Well Harm is good at being there when you need someone," Mac said finally. 
  "And I understand you were just about to go to dinner and maybe I should 
  just come back later."
  
  "No please join us" Harriet urged. "We haven't really had a chance to talk 
  since the funeral."
  
  "You sure you don't mind?" Mac asked.
  
  "Mac join us" Harm spoke up. "That's an order."
  
  They all piled into Harm's SUV, Lydia somehow arranging it so that she and 
  Mac ended up in the back with AJ while Harriet sat in front. AT the IHOP she 
  maneuvered the sitting so that Harriet and Harm were together on one side of 
  the table, with Mac the furthest away from Harm.
  
  "So you two got a lot accomplished today?" Mac asked.
  
  "I think we're ready for the move tomorrow" Harriet nodded. "Is everyone 
  still coming?"
  
  "Yep. The Admiral, Sturgis and Tiner will all be there."
  
  "You guys are great" Harriet sighed. "I don't know what I would have done 
  without everyone's help."
  
  "Especially Harm" Lydia smiled.
  
  "I'm just glad to help," he said sheepishly.
  
  "Harm can we stop by the house?" Harriet asked as they finished dinner. "I 
  haven't been by in a while. I haven't wanted to I guess. Mac you don't mind 
  do you?"
  
  "No I'd love to see it" Mac smiled.
  
  A half-hour later Harm pulled the SUV in front of the large home and the 
  small group climbed out.
  
  "Harriet it's perfect," Mac said softly as they stepped inside.
  
  "It would have been" she sniffled, the tears already streaming. "It would 
  have been if Bud were here." Her words ended in a loud sob and at once she 
  turned to Harm, who at once opened his arms to her.
  
  "Come on Mac" Lydia said quietly. "I'll show you around."
  
  With AJ running in front of them, Mac and Lydia walked through the large 
  home.
  
  "I'm so glad Harm is there for Harriet" Lydia said casually. "She's really 
  coming to depend on him and he's so good for her right now."
  
  "Is that such a good idea?" Mac asked. "I mean, she just lost her husband. 
  Getting attached to Harm might not be such a good thing."
  
  "Oh I don't see why not" Lydia countered. "Harm's a wonderful man. Just the 
  kind of person Harriet needs right now. Who knows maybe something will come 
  of it. It's not too late for her to pick up the pieces of her life and move 
  on."
  
  Mac said nothing as she walked, her mind digesting Lydia Sims' words. She'd 
  never made it a secret that she thought Harriet could have done better than 
  Bud. Someone like Harm would be perfect for Harriet in her eyes. They made 
  their way back to the living room and Mac felt a stab of jealousy as she saw 
  Harm still holding Harriet.
  
  "Darling are you okay?" Lydia asked.
  
  "No Mom I'm not okay" Harriet wailed. "This whole house is mine and I have 
  no clue how I'm going to manage it alone and take care of AJ."
  
   "Honey you're going to ask your friends for help.  In fact you don't have to ask.  They've already 
offered, right Harm?"
 
 "Yes ma'am," Harm nodded vigorously, giving Harriet's forehead a soft kiss.  "And you need to pull 
yourself together for AJ right now OK."
 
 Mac felt another bolt of jealousy tear through her.  Not just jealousy, but apprehension and unease.  
There was something wrong with what she was watching here.
 
 Quietly she slipped from the living room, through the kitchen and out to the deck out back.  Several 
long breaths of the fresh night air did not calm her and she paced back and forth several times.  
"Mackenzie you have lost it totally," she murmured.  "You are jealous of a woman who just lost her 
husband.  What the hell is the matter with you anyway?"
 
 "I was wondering the same thing?" Harm said softly.  "Talking to yourself Marine?  You've been acting 
strangely all evening in fact."
 
 Mac jumped guiltily at the sound of his voice, realizing she had been speaking out loud and wondering 
how much he had heard.  "Harm I'm just. . .I'm not. . .I'm just tired OK.  The work was behind at JAG 
when we left, now we've both missed more time;  and you're gone more.  And then there's just the fact 
of. . .well what happened to Bud and you and Ha. . ."  It was there she stopped, refusing to admit to him 
the true nature of what she was feeling.  Refusing to admit that she was troubled by Harriet and even 
more so by her mother.
 
 He frowned and shook his head, attempting to make sense of her rambling.  "Mac I don't know what to 
tell you except that we're all in pain here.  Especially if you won't tell me exactly what's bothering you." 
 
 She gave a long sniffle and shook her head.  "It's not important.  The only thing that matters right now 
is getting Harriet and AJ settled in this place.  Are we ready to go?  I should have gone home from JAG.  
I'm sorry I've been crappy company tonight.  Total wet blanket."
 
 "Well it wasn't a social gathering anyway," he reminded her.  "Yeah I think we're ready."
 
 It was a quiet ride back to Rosslyn and Harm helped Lydia and Harriet, with little AJ, from the SUV.  
"Harm would you come in for some coffee?" Lydia offered almost at once, adding belatedly, "Mac you 
too of course."
 
 "Not me," Mac answered at once, not waiting for Harm's reply.  "I'm wiped out."  She gave Harriet's 
arm a quick squeeze.  "You hang in there.  It's going to be OK.  Somehow.  Mrs. Sims good night.  Harm 
see you here tomorrow."
 
 "Mac hold up.  Where are you parked.  I'll walk you to your car."
 
 Mac shook her head. "Not necessary really."
 
 "Of course it's not," Lydia smiled.  "She's a big bad Marine."
 
 "It's also dark and I'll feel better if I walk her to her car," Harm snapped, surprising himself with his 
vehemence.  "Then I'll be back to say good night.  But no coffee thanks.  I'm ready to head home."
 
 Leaving a surprised Lydia to walk Harriet and AJ inside, Harm took Mac's arm.  "Where are you 
parked?"
 
 "Harm I'm just around the corner and down the block and you didn't have to. . ." she sighed.  
 
 "I did," he insisted, guiding her in that direction.  "When can you and I talk?"
 
 "Huh?  Talk about what?"  
 
 Pinned down like that he could only shrug.  "Everything I guess.  Oh hell all I know is everything is such 
a god-awful mess right now."
 
 "And I'm way beyond the point where I feel like I can intelligently deal with any of it," she countered.  
"Hopefully things will settle.  Harriet will get moved, Mrs. Sims will go back to Mr. Sims, and you and I 
can. . .and I'm not even going there tonight.  Fortunately there's my car and I won't have to.  Good 
night Harm."
 
 "Mac no wait," he gasped, her words just registering.  "You and I can what?"
 
 "Harm open your eyes to what's going on around you," she said evenly.  "You and I in the weeks 
before we left, and even while we were there--we were trying to put something together.  I'm right 
about that aren't I?  I mean it wasn't just my imagination?  We were starting to put about three years 
behind us and see if we couldn't have something?"
 
 "OK yeah. . ."
 
 "But."
 
 "Huh?"  He gave her a quizzical frown.
 
 "You were about to 'but'."
 
 "I was just going to say that it got kind of lost in what happened.  Not just Bud's death but the war that 
we were a part of, and now of course the aftermath here. . .Harriet and. . ."
 
 "Stop.  Just stop," she ordered quietly.  "You know what, if we want, there will always be something in 
the way.  Duty, another Mic or another Renee, another crisis.  It's just never ending.  I'm going home.  
The middle of the street when we're both tired is not the place to have this discussion.  Good night."  
 
 In the ten seconds it took him to organize his reply and open his mouth to speak, she had pushed past 
him and gotten into her car.  Anything he might have said was lost in the roar of the Vette engine as 
she took off.
 
 "Dammit.  Damn you Bud," he screeched and was immediately ashamed.
    
  For several minutes he just stood there, wondering why things had to happen 
  like they had. Why was it that every time he and Mac got close, something 
  ripped them apart?
  
  "Harm?"
  
  At the sound of Harriet's voice, he turned around, smiling at the sight of 
  her with little AJ.
  
  "Hi. I'm sorry I know I said I was coming up to say goodnight. I just got 
  sidetracked."
  
  "Everything okay?" she asked.
  
  "Yeah it's fine. And I'm supposed to be worrying about you, not you worrying 
  about me."
  
  "You've done a lot for me this past week" Harriet said softly. "And if I'm 
  interrupting your life at all, please just tell me to get lost."
  
  "No way" Harm whispered as he gently reached for her, holding her as best he 
  could with AJ sandwiched between them. "I care about you and this little guy 
  and I'm going to see you through this."
  
  "Thank you Harm" Harriet whispered, her hand gently stroking his back as he 
  held her. "You've always been there for me."
  
  "And I always will" he promised. "Now let's get you inside and settled. 
  We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
  
  His hand stayed around her shoulder as they walked back to the apartment and 
  from the balcony Lydia Sims smiled. Things were working out perfectly.  
  *****************
  Harriet's New Home
  Next Afternoon
  
  "Mac be careful" Harm chided as she carried a large box up the stairs to the 
  Harriet's bedroom. "Leave that stuff for us guys."
  
  "Harm I can lift more than Tiner" Mac said with a deep breath when she 
  finally put the box down.
  
  "Yeah well you don't have to prove it" he frowned. "You're going to be in 
  major pain tonight if you don't take it easy."
  
  Before she could reply Lydia waltzed into the room. "Harm there you are. 
  Harriet needs you downstairs dear. She wants your assistance with setting up 
  the living room."
  
  "I'll be right there" Harm sighed as Lydia walked out.
  
  "Duty calls" Mac said quietly. "You'd better go see what they need now."
  
  "Mac please tell me you're not mad that I'm helping Harriet."
  
  "Harm this is not the time nor the place to talk about this" Mac hissed. 
  "And no I am not mad that you are helping Harriet." Irritably she pushed 
  past him and headed downstairs and out to the back porch where AJ and 
  Sturgis were taking a breather while Tiner entertained little AJ.
  
  "Mac grab a cold one and a seat" Sturgis urged. "You look beat."
  
  "Last box was a little heavier than I thought," she admitted as she grabbed 
  a bottle of water before sitting down with them on the porch steps. "But 
  I'll survive."
  
  "Take it easy Mac" AJ ordered. "That's why we're here."
  
  "I know sir. Just trying to help out the best I can."
  
  "Admiral" Lydia called. "Would you mind helping Harm in here for a minute?"
  
  "Is it my imagination or is that woman the most annoying person on this 
  earth" Sturgis whispered once AJ was gone.
  
  "She's an interesting lady" Mac said with a forced smile.
  
  "Bud got along with her?"
  
  "Not really" Mac said slowly. "I got the impression Mrs. Sims always felt 
  Harriet could do better. Bud didn't come from the right kind of family you 
  know."
  
  "I'm amazed our Harriet is related to her. She's nothing like her."
  
  "No. And I think right now Harriet is just happy to have someone there. She 
  and her mom never really got along."
  
  "Well she seems to have Harm's attention right now," Sturgis said slowly. "I 
  never knew he and Harriet were that close. Course I guess he feels he should 
  be there for her."
  
  "I guess" Mac sighed. "What do you say we go finish up the last few boxes in 
  the truck while they rearrange the living room a hundred times?"
  
  "Good idea" Sturgis said as he stood up. He offered his hand to Mac to help 
  her up and she gratefully accepted it, groaning slightly as she pushed 
  herself to her feet.
  
  "You okay?" he asked.
  
  "Yeah just sore. Nothing a hot bath won't fix tonight."
  
  "I was thinking the same thing," he smiled.  "In fact I've got a new hot tub, just had it installed last 
week.  You should see the set up.  It's got it's own little area of the deck on the townhouse, and the 
little cabana thing they put around it can have fresh air, screens or the solid glass, to include curtains 
for privacy--if you get my drift.  Anyway, there's a DVD, VCR, and 30 inch TV in the wall and the jets are 
so quiet you can hear it perfectly, not to mention a Bose sound system."
 
 Her eyes widened as she listened.  "OK now who are you planning to seduce with that outfit?"
 
 He threw back his head and laughed loudly at that.  "It really does have seduction written all over it, 
especially with the candles.   But the answer to your question is simple--I haven't met her yet.  Seriously 
I got it for me.  My dream come true, and I was at the Home Show two months ago just walking around 
for something to do and the salesman called me over.  Ten minutes later I'm picking out colors and 
signing my life away on the finance forms.  And it's amazing how the day's troubles vanish in a tub of 
warm water with a little light jazz.."
 
 "Sounds nice.  Well I have a bathtub.  We won't talk about how the hot water gives out before it's half 
filled."
 
 "You're welcome to come check it out," he smiled.
 
 "I wasn't hinting," she protested indignantly.
 
 "I know that," he retorted.  "I'd just love to show it off to you that's all.  Thing is, I don't want to 
complicate what you've got with Harm."
 
 Harm's voice from the living room and Harriet's gentle laugh in response reached their ears before 
Mac could reply.  "No further questions your honor," she sighed.  
 
 The afternoon wore on and by dusk, with all the hands helping, the house was starting to come 
together, and Harm, as informal foreman, declared a halt for the day.  The barbecue was lit and hot 
dogs and burgers began to cook.  By the time the food was done, Lydia had arranged an area for 
herself that included Harriet and Harm and AJ.
 
 "Mac come join us," Harm tried.  Mac shrugged and followed him, only to find that it was obvious there 
was no room.
 
 "Mac I. . ." he stuttered and she at once shook her head.  "It's fine Harm.  I'll join Sturgis and the 
Admiral.  Not a big deal."  She walked away quietly and Harm sank down next to Harriet.  Several times 
during the evening he heard laughter from the three of them and once when he looked over, Sturgis 
was rubbing Mac's back and they were talking earnestly.  It was just a few minutes afterward that both 
walked over to where he was still with Harriet and Lydia.
 
 "Harm we're going to take off," Mac said softly, nodding to him and then looking to Lydia and Harriet.  
"Ma'am, Harriet, good night.  The place is really looking good."
 
 "You and Sturgis. . ." Harm frowned, suddenly not liking what he was seeing.
 
 Mac laughed lightly.  "Yeah he's talked me into some back therapy in his new hot tub.  See you 
Monday."
 
 Sturgis in fact had rested his hand lightly on her back as they walked from the yard toward the cars 
parked in the cul de sac.  Harm's eyes followed them all the way and it was not until Lydia's voice raised 
considerably that he heard her address him.

  "I'm sorry. Did you say something?" he said finally.
  
  "I said why don't you help Harriet with AJ" she smiled. "She took him inside 
  and he's likely to be restless since it's his first night in a new home."
  
  "Yeah maybe I should help her tuck him in" he sighed.
  
  "Harm you know I'm going to be going home soon" Lydia continued. "And I hope 
  I can count on you to look after her and AJ after I leave."
  
  "Of course I will" Harm assured her.
  
  "Good" Lydia smiled. "Now go on and help Harriet while I clean up down 
  here."  
  ******************************
  JAG HQ's
  Monday Morning
  
  "So how was the hot tub?" Harm asked casually when he saw Mac.
  
  "Great" she smiled. "If I didn't live in an old building I'd put one of 
  those in myself. But Sturgis said I'm welcome to come over whenever I want."
  
  "I see" Harm nodded.
  
  "So is Harriet getting settled?" Mac asked.
  
  "Yeah she is. Her mom is leaving tonight so we're having dinner before we 
  take her to the airport."
  
  "Is she okay with being on her own?" Mac asked.
  
  "We'll see. But I told Lydia I'd make sure her and AJ are okay. Whatever she 
  needs I'll be there."
  
  "You're a good man Harmon Rabb" Mac said as she started to walk away.
  
  "Mac about the other night" Harm started.
  
  "Harm forget it," she said quietly. "It's over. I shouldn't have said 
  anything and just pretend I didn't."
  
  "Mac I don't want us to be like this with each other."
  
  "Neither do I" she sighed. "But right now you have to do what you have to do 
  and there's nothing more for us to talk about."
  
  "Mac" he tried.
  
  "Harm don't. Please. Let's not make this any harder than it is."
  
  She walked away and with a sigh he headed to his office and dropped into his 
  chair, once again finding himself cursing the man who'd left him in this 
  position.
  
  "Damn you Bud why did you have to die" he whispered.
  
  ********************
  Dulles International Airport
  Several Hours Later
  
  "Harm I am going to miss you" Lydia smiled. "I hope you won't be a stranger. 
  You know you're always welcome to join Roland and I for a weekend. We'd love 
  to have you and Harriet sometime."
  
  "I'll think about it" he smiled.
  
  "Would you really?" Harriet smiled.
  
  "Yeah of course I would."
  
  "We'll have to make plans then" Lydia smiled. "And I'd better go before I'm 
  late."
  
  She gave Harriet and AJ long hugs before turning to Harm.
  
  "It's been a pleasure Harm" she smiled as she reached to hug him as well. 
  "Thank you for everything,"
  
  "Just glad to help" he smiled.
  
  They watched her go through security before Harriet let out a long sigh.
  
  "You okay?" Harm asked.
  
  "Yeah I'm fine," she said with a forced smile. "And I'm sure you've got 
  better things to do than baby sit us."
  
  "Harriet I don't consider it babysitting" he said softly. "You know that."
  
  "I know. But I don't want to keep interrupting your life. I'll get through 
  this."
  
  "You don't have to get through it alone" Harm whispered as he pulled her 
  into arms. "I'm here for you Harriet."
  
  Her arms wrapped tightly around him and he held her for several seconds 
  until AJ started to fuss.
  
  "I think he wants to go home" Harriet sniffled as she let go of Harm. "We'd 
  better get going."
  
  "You going to be okay alone tonight?" Harm asked as they walked back to the 
  car.
  
  "Harm I have to do this. I bought this house and I need to make it a home 
  for me and AJ."
  
  "Harriet there's nothing that says you have to stay at that house," he reminded her.  "It's paid for with 
the insurance, you can do just about anything you want."
 
 "No.  NO," she almost yelled.  "This was our dream.  To leave the apartment, to have a house, to have 
a safe place for AJ to play and go to school, to have another baby."
 
 He drew his breath in sharply at that.  "Harriet are you. . .?"
 
 "No.  I wish I was.  Or at least sometimes I do.  Other times I think I won't even be able to do right by 
the one."
 
 "Reminder number forty-six, you are not alone.  The little guy's godfather, and the man for whom he 
was named both, plan to be a big part of his life."
 
 "Thanks for that," she whispered, letting Harm bundle AJ into his carseat in the back and then to help 
her into the front seat.
 
 They did not speak again until he pulled up out front and without waiting for her to have a chance to 
refuse, he scooped a sleepy AJ from the car and offered her a hand at the same time.  Once inside, he 
made short work of putting the tired boy to bed and found her on the porch with coffee made.  

"I could get real used to this--having you here like this--I mean," she sighed.  "Way too used to it in 
fact."
 
 "Harriet if I didn't want to be I wouldn't be," he told her firmly, "but I am going head out in a few 
minutes.  I want to swing by Mac's and make sure we're on the same page for the Sandusky court 
martial tomorrow."
 
 "OK I understand.  I'll just read myself to sleep later or like Bud did--flip channels until the remote 
drops out of his hand."
 
 Harm nodded and after a few minutes of silence smiled softly and covered her hand with his.  "Bud 
would have loved this house and back yard, and he would have built AJ a treehouse in that old tree over 
there.  Maybe that's something Sturgis and Tiner and I, with the Admiral supervising, can do."
 
 "That would be great, thank you," she sighed, feeling tears again.  "Harm since you're going anyway, 
would it be OK if I went on upstairs.  Right now a hot bath and a good cry are sounding good and you 
don't need to be here for that."
 
 "You got it.  Good night."
 
 "Good night, thanks for everything."  She rose and he rose as well, she going into his arms without a 
second thought for a long good bye hug.
 
 The drive to Georgetown was a slow one with an accident on the Beltway near Springfield first, and 
then on the bridge.  And a dead cell phone precluded him from calling her.  It was just after 9PM by the 
time he arrived and he was not surprised to have her open the door in her robe.
 
 "I miss the horses," he smiled, referring to her attire at Christmas when he brought Jennifer Coates to 
her place.
 
 "Horses are retired for the summer," she smiled.  
 
 "Mac anything I can. . "  Sturgis's voice calling from the kitchen.
 
 Harm gasped and froze.  Sturgis.  Sturgis at Mac's place.  "OK I'm sorry.  Obviously I'm interrupting.  
Uh. . .we should have time to do case strategy before we convene anyway.  See you then."
 
 "You're not interrupting anything but pizza.  Get in here."
 
 "Harm hey.  Mac said you were supposed to come by.  I was just feeling like a sausage pizza and I 
didn't want to eat alone so I gave her a call."  Sturgis was just coming from the kitchen, pizza in hand.
 
 "And naturally I'm not one to turn down pizza, especially sausage," she spoke up.
 
 "No naturally," he glowered and the three stood awkwardly until Harm added lamely, "I took Mrs. Sims 
to the airport, and left Harriet and AJ at their place."
 
 "Harm she'll be OK," Sturgis said firmly.  "I don't think we--you especially--are giving her enough credit.  
But that aside, she's got to make her own way now.  You can't hold her--or AJ's--hand the rest of their 
lives."
 
 "I agree," Mac added quietly.  "You've already done plenty."
 
 "Yeah well I'll be the judge of that," he snapped, much to their surprise.   Finding Sturgis at Mac's was 
bothering him, bothering him more than he wanted to admit to himself, let alone either of them. 
        
  "Of course" she said quietly.
  
  "Look it wasn't a good idea for me to stop here" Harm sighed. "I'll see you 
  guys tomorrow. Enjoy your pizza."
  
  "Harm you're welcome to stay" Sturgis frowned.
  
  "No I'm going to get going. I'll see you tomorrow."
  
  Instead of going home he found himself driving around town, his mind trying 
  to figure everything out. Before Bud's death everything had made sense. Now 
  nothing made sense. Mac and Sturgis? His mind kept replaying them together 
  and he shook his head to get rid of the image.
  
  He finally went home, only to find his answering machine light blinking 
  furiously with several messages.
  
  "Harm it's Harriet. I'm sorry to bother you but I heard something and I'm a 
  little scared. Can you just call me when you get home? I'm sure it's 
  nothing."
  
  He picked up the phone to call her just as the next message began to play. 
  "Harm it's me again". Harriet's voice, only this time more frightened than 
  before. "Please call me when you get home. I just need to talk to someone."
  
  He dropped the phone and pulled out his cell phone, dialing Harriet's number 
  as he ran down the stairs.
  
  "Harriet it's Harm" he said when she answered.
  
  "Harm" she wailed. "I'm so sorry for calling. But I'm scared and I didn't 
  know who else to call."
  
  "It's okay. I'm on my way. Did you hear someone outside?"
  
  "I don't know" she wailed. "This is the first time I've been alone here and 
  I keep hearing stuff and I'm scared."
  
  "I know. And I'm on my way. Just try and relax. It's going to be okay."
  
  "Thank you" she sniffled.
  
  He pushed the speed as much as he dared and arrived a short time later.
  
  "Harriet it's me" he called as he knocked on the door. "Harriet?"
  
  The door opened and as soon as he was inside she threw herself into his 
  arms, the tears starting at once.
  
  "Shh it's okay" he whispered as he gently stroked her back and hair. "I'm 
  here and everything is going to be okay."
  
  "I'm sorry for being such a baby" she wailed. "But I'm not used to being 
  alone here. I got used to it at the apartment without Bud but this place is 
  so big and every time I hear something I'm afraid it's someone trying to 
  break in."
  
  "You're not being a baby" he said softly. "You're scared and upset and you 
  have reason to be. You've been through a lot the past few weeks."
  
  "Thank you for coming" she whispered as she finally looked up at him. Her 
  tear stained face tore at his heart and with all his heart he wished that he 
  could bring Bud back.  This wasn't the way it should be. Harriet deserved a 
  husband.
  
  "I'm glad to be here. Now why don't I make you some tea so you can relax and 
  we can talk for a bit if you want."
  
  "You are so good to me" Harriet said as she followed him to the kitchen. 
  "I'm really sorry I can't handle this on my own."
  
  "Will you stop apologizing" he chided. "I told you I'm glad to be here. And 
  you need to loosen up on yourself. Harriet you lost your husband. Your world 
  has been turned upside down. No one expects you to just deal with this."
  
  "Yes they do" she sniffled.
  
  "Who does?" he frowned.
  
  "Everyone else at JAG. I know they're thinking I should be able to deal with 
  this."
  
  "No one expects you to just get over this" he said gently. "Especially me."
  
  He made them both some tea and a half hour later he led her to the bedroom.
  
  "Harm I hate to ask this" she whispered. "But would you mind staying 
  tonight? If I know you're here, I'll be able to sleep."
  
  "You want me to stay?"
  
  "Of course you don't want to stay" she sighed. "I shouldn't have asked you 
  that."
  
  "No I'll stay" Harm said softly. "It's no problem."
 
 "Harm you're going to be dead tomorrow," she objected.
 
 "I'll be a lot less tired if I sack out on the sofa and go home first thing to get cleaned up," he assured 
her.  "If I go home now I'll just be wide awake and then I'll be concerned about you and not sleep 
anyway."
 
 "You're way too good to me," she sighed.  "And I do promise I'll get myself together one of these days.  
I think maybe I need to see someone."
 
 "Well it couldn't hurt, but right now you get to bed.  And on my to do list is going to be to arrange for a 
security system to be installed.  It will go a long way toward your peace of mind.  Good night."  He 
leaned down and put a firm kiss on her forehead.  "Get on in there.  I'm going to take another look 
around and then I'll see you in the morning."
 
 "Harm. . ." she began and then shook her head, not wanting to cry again in front of him.
 ==============
 JAG HQ
 Following Morning
 
 "Tiner, am I the only person around here capable of appearing for duty," AJ growled, noting the time,  
noting that his staff call was already twenty minutes late and he was the only officer present.
 
 "Yes sir I'm sorry," Tiner cringed.  "If it makes you feel better sir Mr. Rabb called and said he was on his 
way."
 
 "Not much."
 
 Harm did in fact arrive thirty minutes later, panting slightly.  "Sorry sir thank you," he gasped as he 
reported.  "I have an excuse but I'm sure you're not interested."
 
 "Good looks and smart too," AJ replied.  "I don't suppose you have a clue as to the whereabouts of Mr. 
Turner or the Colonel."
 
 Harm felt the air leave his body, remembering how twelve hours previous they were so comfortable 
together.  "Sir I'm sorry no.  Of course if they decided to. . ."  He bit back the rest of that thought.  It 
was unkind at best.
 
 "Mr. Rabb?"
 
 "Uh. . .nothing sir.  Sorry."
 
 "This place is going to hell in that handcart," AJ muttered, looking out of his window in time to see 
Sturgis drive up.  "Well there's Mr. Turner at least."
 
 "Alone?"
 
 AJ swung around at Harm's question.  "Rabb what the hell is with you this morning.  Yes he's alone.  
You were expecting otherwise?"
 
 "No sir, I'm not expecting anything any more," Harm sighed.
 
 Turner arrived on the run, much as Harm had.  "Sorry sir.  Crash on the bridge has the beltway backed 
up in my direction, and of course the one time I desperately need it, the cell is dead." 
 
 "Never mind.  Now we just need the Colonel."
 
 "No Mac?" Sturgis frowned.
 
 "No--no Mac," Harm retorted suddenly.  "I don't suppose you know anything about that?"
 
 "Well I don't know a thing about it but I have a feeling much as I don't want to, I think I should," AJ 
ordered.
 
 "Sir Mac and I shared a pizza last night and I left her place about 2300," Sturgis explained quickly.  "I 
only was concerned just now because that accident. . .the radio. . ."  He paused and looked helplessly 
at Harm.  "An eighteen wheeler crushed a Corvette," he managed.
        
  "No" Harm whispered, his mind already painting a picture of the little red 
  corvette underneath the semi.
  
  "Okay let's not jump to conclusions gentleman" AJ spoke up. "There are a 
  hundreds of corvettes. We have no reason to believe the one in the accident 
  was Mac's."
  
  "And no reason not to" Harm countered.
  
  "Have we tried her cell phone" AJ sighed. "It's quite possible she's simply 
  stuck in the traffic jam."
  
  "Why hasn't she called then?"
  
  "Harm there's a million reasons why. Maybe her cell phone was dead like Mr. 
  Turners. Or maybe she forgot her phone."
  
  "Or maybe she's crushed underneath a semi" Harm snapped. "And why am I 
  standing here when I need to go and find out what happened to her."
  
  He ran from AJ's office to the elevator and frantically pushed the button 
  for it.
  
  "Come on" he muttered as he waited. Mac could be hurt. Or worse. And he 
  needed to get to her. The elevator doors finally opened and he quickly 
  stepped in, colliding with Mac as she juggled her briefcase and cup of 
  coffee. She let out a small gasp of pain as the hot coffee sloshed onto her 
  hand and at once he grabbed the cup from her.
  
  "Mac thank god" he gasped. "You're okay."
  
  "Except for the burn on my hand of course I'm okay" she sighed. "What were 
  you in such a hurry to get to?"
  
  "You" he whispered.
  
  "Me?" she frowned. "Harm what are you talking about? Why were you in a hurry 
  to get to me?"
  
  "I'll explain after we get some cold water on your hand" he said as he 
  noticed the reddening spot. He grabbed her other hand and led her to the 
  break room, pushing her hand under the faucet while he turned on the cold 
  water.
  
  "Harm it's okay" she said after a few seconds. "Honestly. It's not the first 
  time I've spilled coffee on myself."
  
  "You sure?" he asked as he looked at her hand.
  
  "Yes. And since I know I'm late for the Admiral's staff call it might be a 
  good idea if we get moving."
  
  He nodded and moments later they were both in the Admiral's office along 
  with Sturgis.
  
  "Nice of you to join us Colonel" AJ remarked. "You're co- workers were about 
  to send out the Search and Rescue for you."
  
  "I apologize for my lateness sir" Mac replied. "I overslept and then there 
  was a huge pileup on the beltway."
  
  "Yes I know. The one Mr. Rabb was sure you were in the middle of. No cell 
  phone?"
  
  "Sitting on the table at home sir," she said after giving Harm a curious 
  glance. "I do apologize sir."
  
  "Well know that we're finally all here maybe we can get some work done" AJ 
  sighed.
  
  It was lunch when Mac finally had a chance to talk to Harm, the knowledge 
  that he'd been worried about her coming as a surprise to her.
  
  "Hi you got a minute?" she asked as she walked into his office.
  
  "Yeah sure" he said as he looked up. "What's up?"
  
  "You were really worried about me this morning?"
  
  "Of course. Sturgis is telling me a Vette got crushed under a semi. You 
  weren't here. No one had heard from you. Course I was worried. I always 
  worry about you."
  
  "I wish you hadn't left last night," she said quietly.
  
  "Yeah well I ended up at Harriet's anyway. She was afraid and she wanted me 
  to spend the night. So I did."
  
 Her mouth dropped open and for a long moment she could say nothing.
 
 "On the sofa Mac," he told her quickly, adding, "not that I'm obligated to explain or justify to you."
 
 "No you're not, and for the sake of the sanity of both of us, I suggest we leave it that way," she 
snapped.
 
 "Fine.  Just know that if she needs me I'm going to be there."
 
 "Oh of that I'm sure," she retorted.  "Commander White Knight.  Saint Harm.  By all means.  You go 
right on being there for her.  She's always had a little crush on you Rabb, and while I'm sure right now 
this has only to do with need on her part, it won't be long before it will turn in to want and another kind 
of need."
 
 "Well a man could do a lot worse," he snapped back, turning on his heel.
 
 "Of all people you would know that," she shouted to his retreating back, feeling tears well and hating it.
  
 For his part, he nearly crashed into Sturgis who was approaching Mac's office from the other direction.  
"S'cuse me," he growled, hurrying past.
 
 "OK I give up.  What's got his shorts in a knot?" Sturgis asked her.
 
 "Nothing I care to talk about now," she muttered, giving her mouse button a vicious click.  "I suppose 
you're hear to talk about your worthless client."
 
 "Yes but obviously she's not going to get a fair hearing from you in your present mood," he observed 
quietly.
 
 "Sorry, and you're right I'm not in the mood to talk about bimbo females because I'm more likely to 
insist she get life in the electric chair."
 
 "Sounds like you need a session in the hot tub later with a neck massage thrown in?"
 
 Her countenance brightened at once. "Candles and music?"
 
 "Wine if you'd like."
 
 "I'd like, but I don't," she sighed.
 
 "There's a story there."
 
 "Yeah a long one and I come off badly in it," she sighed.  "But I'll bring some Chinese.  How's 1830 for 
you?"
 
 "I'll be waiting there in my Speedos."
 
 "OK now there's an image it's going to take me two hours to get out of my head," AJ groaned from the 
doorway.  "I've really got to work on my timing."
 
 "Sir."  Said in unison from his two subordinate officers.  
 
 "You people think we could postpone this orgy discussion while we discuss JAG's position on the  issue 
Congresswoman Latham's committee is bringing up, and the first one to say to me what issue is that is 
dead.  Where is Mr. Rabb?"
 =============
 1430 PM
 
 "Harriet it is not a bother.  If it was I wouldn't be offering.  I want to go over the alarm system 
information with you and make a decision," Harm told her on the phone.  "And it's silly for you to cook 
when I can run by the Spaghetti Bucket.  Not to mention it's a beautiful night.  I can get AJ's pool up 
and running so he can enjoy it tomorrow."
 
 Outside his door Mac stood, knowing she was eavesdropping and not caring.  Obviously Harm's 
evening plans were in place.  "Well so are yours Mackenzie," she reminded herself and allowed her 
thoughts to drift to a warm tub, music and candles, gentle hands kneading tense muscles.  
 
 "Mac?  Maaaa-aaaac."  Harm's voice finally broke through to her.  "Did you want to see me?  Are you 
OK first of all?"  
 
 "Yeah I'm fine and no I don't need to see you.  You've got someone waiting for you and so do I.  I'll 
talk to you about Chavez in the morning.  Good night."
 =============
 FOLLOWING MORNING
 JAG HQ
 
 "You look pretty alert this morning," Harm observed.  "Must have had a good night?"
 
 "In the Turner hot tub yes I did thank you.  I swear I'm about to chuck my apartment and buy a place 
so I can do the same thing."
 
 "Well why bother when you're obviously so welcome at his."
 
 She leveled her gaze at him, waiting.
 
 "Sorry.  Uncalled for and withdrawn."
 
 For a long few minutes she ignored him while she fixed her coffee and toasted a bagel.  "You don't look 
like you slept well," she finally ventured.  "Rough night at Chez Roberts?"
 
 "Yeah.  Nightmares.  All night long.  Theirs and mine."
 
 She shook her head, no longer surprised that he was sleeping there. "You deserve a night off."
 
 "Well it won't be tonight.  The guy is coming to install a security system and I need to be there."
 
 "Of course."  She shrugged and started to leave only to have him catch her arm.
 
 "What are you doing tomorrow night?" he asked, almost desperately, plunging ahead before she could 
answer.  "Because if you don't have a date to get waterlogged, would you like to drive out toward 
Annapolis, eat some seafood, walk by the river?"
 
 For a long minute she could only stare at him, not sure what she was hearing.  He was almost, very 
possibly, actually asking her out.  "Are Harriet and AJ coming?" She heard herself ask.
 
 "You're not asking that seriously are you?"
 
 "No I guess not," she sighed.  "Couldn't resist yanking your chain."  She drew a long breath and finally 
smiled softly, the smile he loved so much and had not seen a lot of lately.  "I'd love to.  Thank you."
  ***************
  Mac's Apartment
  Twenty Four Hours Later
  
  "Hi" he smiled when she opened the door.
  
  "You're right on time," Mac said as she let him in. "And it looks like we've 
  got a beautiful evening in store."
  
  "I know how to pick them" he grinned. "Are you ready?"
  
  "Yeah just let me get my sweater" she said as she headed towards the 
  bedroom. She returned a moment later with the sweater in hand and with his 
  hand on her back they made their way down to his car.
  
  "I wasn't sure we were ever going to reconnect," she said softly once they 
  were both in the car.
  
  "Me too" he sighed. "And I've wanted to very much. It's just that since 
  Bud's death everything has gone crazy."
  
  "It didn't have to you know. In fact I thought at first it might have made 
  us closer" she said quietly. "But it's been the opposite."
  
  "That's not all my fault you know," he said defensively.
  
  "I know. But with you spending all your time with Harriet, I needed someone 
  too you know."
  
  Before he could reply his cell phone rang and with a sigh he answered it. 
  "Rabb."
  
  "Harm it's Harriet. I'm sorry to bother you again but I need you."
  
  "What is it?" he asked, careful not to let Mac know that it was Harriet.
  
  "Mikey came and took AJ for the evening. He had some time off and he wanted 
  to be with him. And now I'm alone and it's so quiet here I can't stand it. 
  Please would you come over?"
  
  "Now?" he sighed.
  
  "Please Harm" she begged. "I haven't been all by myself like this and I'm 
  scared."
  
  "Is that Harriet?" Mac said quietly from the passenger's seat.
  
  He nodded and Mac let out a long sigh. "If she needs you Harm go. I'll find 
  something else to do for dinner."
  
  For a moment he said nothing. "Harm you still there" Harriet sniffled. 
  "Harm?"
  
  "Yeah I'm here," he said quietly. "Harriet can't I come by later."
  
  "Harm please" she wailed. "I need you."
  
  He looked over at Mac, her face expressionless. "Go" she said as she opened 
  the door to the SUV. "I'll see you on Monday."
  
  Before he could stop her she was gone.
  
  "Harm are you coming?" Harriet asked.
  
  "Yeah I'm coming" he sighed. "I'll be there shortly."
  
  He sat there for several minutes, wondering how long it would be before she 
  called Sturgis. Finally he started the car and headed to Harriet's. He 
  didn't want to go, but it was what he had to do. He wanted to be with Mac. 
  Not with Harriet.
  
  "Why Lord?" he sighed. "Why did you have to take Bud away?"
  
  He was still asking that question when he pulled up at Harriet's, letting 
  himself in with the key she'd given him for emergencies.
  
  "Harriet" he called. "Harriet where are you?"
  
  "Up here" she called.
  
  With a frown he headed upstairs to the bedrooms, reaching hers a few seconds 
  later.
  
  "You okay" he started as he walked in, only to freeze at the sight of her. 
  She lay in the middle of her bed wearing a long silky nightgown.
  
  "I'm sorry I had to trick you" she whispered as she stood up. "But I didn't 
  know how else to get you to come here."
  
  "Harriet what's going on?" he asked as she walked to him.
  
  "I wasn't lying when I said I needed you," she said softly as she made her 
  way to him. "I do need you. I need you to make love to me."
  
  "Harriet" he gulped. "I think I'd better leave."
  
  "No please don't" she whispered. "Harm please. Tonight let it just be me and 
  you."
  
  "No. I can't. Harriet this is wrong. You're Bud's wife. And Mac."
  
  "Bud is dead. And if you loved Mac you wouldn't have come to me tonight. You 
  would have stayed with her."
  
  As she spoke she moved closer, her hands gently reaching for his arm, 
  tugging him towards the bed.
  
  "No" he repeated. "This isn't right."
  
  "Harm just let go" Harriet said softly. "It's okay for us to do this." Her 
  hand reached up to him, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.
  
  "Harriet" he tried again, this time cut off by her lips on his.
  
  "Harm don't talk" she whispered when they had to breathe.  "Don't talk please.  I've wanted this since 
the first time we've met.  I've always wanted. . ."
 
 "You're right too much talking," he panted, his body making his decision for him.  He covered her 
mouth again and this time his hands slipped beneath her shirt.  With four hands doing the job it took 
but a moment to divest themselves of their closing.  
 
 "Harm please," she begged, moving closer to him until their bodies were melded.  Just before the final 
coming together, Mac's face floated before him, followed a second later by the realization that she was 
by now happily installed in Sturgis's hot tub.  It had been a long time for him. . .a long time since Renee.  
A long long. . .
 ================

 "NOOOooo."  Harm's scream echoed long and loud through the small sick bay.  "Nooooo.  You're dead.  
You can't. . ..NOOOOO.  Bud nooooooo."
 
 "Sir please," Bud gasped.  "Sir what's wrong.  Ma'am is he OK?"
 
 Mac was too alarmed by his outburst to do more than drop his hand and attempt to embrace him, 
concerned about disturbing the myriad of tubes and monitor wires lying across him.
 
 "What the hell is going on in here."  Lt. Cdr. Daniel Kessler arrived on the run.  "How the hell did you 
two get in here?  Ma'am no disrespect but I thought I had left orders that he wasn't to be disturbed."  
Before Mac could answer Kessler turned his wrath to Bud.  "Get out Lieutenant.  Now."
 
 Bud took his words for the order it was and fled.  
 
 "Commander may I remind you I do out rank you," Mac murmured, her mind on calming Harm who was 
now thrashing badly, quiet but the alarm he was feeling still on his face.
 
 "In my sickbay I might agree if you were the Commander-in-Chief," he retorted. "Otherwise I'm in 
charge and this man is in danger of hurting himself.  If he pulls out those staples he's opening himself 
up to infection.  Let me in there Colonel."
 
 "What are you going to do to him?" she demanded, eyeing the syringe now in his hands.
 
 "Sedate him.  Hopefully when he wakes up he won't be having whatever nightmare it was.  Not that 
they're unusual when a man was in severe shock and then he's starting to come out of it.  Move 
Colonel."
 
 Mac nodded and backed away, not releasing his hand.  The injection took effect almost at once and 
Harm was still, falling back into sleep with anguish still on his face.
 
 "Ma'am why would he think Lieutenant Roberts was dead?" Kessler frowned when he was satisfied with 
Harm's condition.
 
 She shook her head helplessly.  "I don't know.  I'm not even sure I know my own name at this point I've 
been so scared and I'm. . ."
 
 "Exhausted," he finished for her.  "Like I told Roberts, you're out of here."
 
 "No way."
 
 "Look, he's going to sleep a good six hours.  If there's a change I'll call you.  But if you don't get some 
rest and food, you're going to be in the next cubicle.  If I have to, I'll have Captain Johnson remove 
you."
 
 She opened her mouth to object and realized the futility.  "OK I'm going to shower and change."  Her 
gaze fell to her midriff, seeing the bloody clothes and she shuddered with the memory.  It had 
happened only fourteen hours before and it already seemed like forever ago that Harm. . .
 
 She reluctantly released his hand, placing it back on the mattress, and kissed his forehead.   "I won't 
be far Harm.  You're going to be OK."
 
 When she got out into the corridor, she met Bud coming toward her.
 
 "Ma'am I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to upset him.  I just needed to see if he was OK.  Needed to see for 
myself.  I had no idea. . ."
 
 "Bud stop it's OK," she told him wearily.  "I'll be in my quarters for a little while.  I'm holding you 
personally responsible to come get me if there's anything I should know about."
 
 "Yes ma'am.  I'll walk you."  Just outside her door Bud gave her shoulder an awkward pat.  "Ma'am he's 
a tough guy.  You know that.  This time tomorrow you'll wonder why you worried."
 
 "I hope so Bud.  Thanks."  She hurried inside before she succumbed to tears in front of him.
 ================
 She showered and finally changed from her bloodied clothing and did in fact attempt to lie down and 
rest, but every time her eyes closed the horrible experience swam into view.  She could hear the 
explosion, see Harm. . ."  She shuddered hard and rolled to her stomach, burying her face into her 
pillow.  It was how she remained until an hour later when Bud knocked at her door.  
 
 "Ma'am?"
 
 She froze, Harm being her first thought until he added quickly, "Ma'am I thought you'd want to know.  
Mr. Webb's chopper is inbound.  ETA is ten."
    
  "Thanks Bud" she managed.
  
  "Would you like me to walk you up?" he asked. "I know you're still a little 
  out of it."
  
  She nodded and a few minutes later they made their way towards the deck of 
  the large carrier.
  
  "Ma'am do you know why the Commander was so upset when he saw me?" Bud 
  asked, still mystified by Harm's reaction.
  
  "No Bud I don't" she sighed. "Commander Kessler said it's probably just from 
  the shock of everything he's been through. And hopefully when he wakes again 
  that won't happen. Course right now I'm just praying he's going to be fine."
  
  "You and the Commander have gotten closer since I've been gone haven't you?" 
  Bud said with a small smile.
  
  "Yeah we have" Mac whispered. "And that's why he has to be okay."
  
  "He will be" Bud said as he gave her hand a quick squeeze. "He's made it 
  this far hasn't he? I don't think he's going to give up now."
  
  Minutes later they stood by as the chopper carrying Clayton Webb landed on 
  the deck of the Seahawk. He hopped off, glancing around and seeing Mac 
  almost at once. He headed towards her and she and Bud started towards Clay.
  
  "Mac I came as soon as I could," he yelled over the noise on deck.
  
  "I know" she nodded. "Let's go somewhere we can talk."
  
  Bud led them down the passageways of the Seahawk to one of the conference 
  rooms near the legal department.
  
  "This should be nice and quiet," he said as he let them into the room.
  
  "How is Harm?" Clay asked at once.
  
  "So far they're cautiously optimistic and saying they're pretty sure he's 
  going to be okay" she sighed.
  
  "You don't sound convinced" Clay frowned.
  
  "You wouldn't be either if you were the one that was there when it happened" 
  Mac whispered. "God Clay it was so horrible."
  
  "Come on let's sit down," Clay said gently as he guided her to a chair. "Bud 
  can you get us some coffee?"
  
  "Yes sir" Bud nodded. He hesitated as he looked at Mac; not sure he should 
  leave her.
  
  "Bud it's okay" she sniffled. "I'll be okay."
  
  "I'll be right back ma'am," he said before hurrying out of the conference 
  room.
  
  "I'm so sorry Mac" Clay sighed as he sat down next to her.
  
  "It's not your fault" she whispered. "It was mine. I was driving the jeep. 
  If I'd been paying more attention this wouldn't have happened."
  
  "Can you tell me what happened?"
  
  She nodded as two tears slid down her face. "Like I said I was driving the 
  jeep. We were talking about Gunny and him being in love with Fareeza. I got 
  sidetracked and all of a sudden there was this goat in front of us. I 
  swerved to avoid it and hit an anti-personnel mine and that's when Harm was 
  thrown from the vehicle."
  
  "Is that when the mine went off?" Clay asked.
  
  "No" she said as she shook her head. "Of course he landed pretty hard and 
  was hurting from that. But he'd landed several feet away from the jeep."
  
  "And in between him and jeep was mines" Clay finished and she nodded.
  
  "He'd taken several steps before he stepped on one" she whispered. "I knew 
  as soon as he'd set his foot down what he'd stepped on. Course at that point 
  I was just glad it was one of the old Russian pressure mines that didn't 
  detonate until the weight was removed from it."
  
  "So what happened?"
  
  "We debated his options before I finally came up with the idea of replacing 
  his weight with the weight of the tool box from the jeep. And that's what we 
  did."
  
  "And it didn't work as planned?" Clay asked gently.
  
  "No" she whispered, the tears now streaming down her face. "He made me go 
  behind the jeep because he didn't want me to get hurt. He was more concerned 
  about me than himself." Her voice broke and a small sob escaped her. At once 
  Clay reached for her, holding her awkwardly in his arms.
 
 "And then?" Clay prompted gently after he had let her weep softly.
 
 "I don't know what happened.  He yelled for me to get down.  I ducked my head and heard him count 
and then I lifted my head oh god Clay it was so awful.  I heard and felt and saw the blast and saw him 
flying through the air.  Like it was on a VCR, playing out frame by frame."
 
 "SSshhh OK," he soothed.  "You know he's lucky he didn't lose a leg or arm here.  It could have been a 
lot worse."
 
 "I thought he was dead," she gasped out, looking up at him through tear filled eyes.  "And I'm sorry.  If 
I wasn't so tired and scared I wouldn't be slobbering all over you like this."
 
 "You go right ahead and slobber," he told her.  "It must have been awful."
 
 "I thought he was dead," she repeated.  "At first I couldn't even go to him.  His jacket was soaking in 
blood from his back and I couldn't move.  I was standing there and someone was screaming and 
screaming and screaming.  It was a good minute before I realized it was me.  Finally the Marine in me 
kicked in and I called for the medivac and then the nightmare really began."
 
 "I heard it was a while."
 
 "Three hours and forty-one minutes and I was sure he was going to die in my arms.  I couldn't get the 
bleeding stopped and he was in so much pain." She sniffled hard and lifted herself from him.  "Thanks.  
I haven't really been able to tell anyone that.  I mean I gave my report and I managed to hold it 
together, but it's easier talking to you and it is helping."
 
 "I'm glad."  Clay patted her hand and then gave her another long hug, remaining like that until Bud 
returned.  
 
 "Ma'am, sir?"
 
 "Come in Bud."  Mac tried to smile and Clay released her to reach for the coffee.  
 
 "Thank you Lieutenant."
 
 "I guess I'll go see if Jen needs me," he sighed.  "Ma'am please if you find out can you let me know."
 
 "Find out what Mr. Roberts?" Clay asked at once, looking from one to the other.
 
 "Harm woke up and saw Bud first thing and just flipped out," Mac sighed.  "We don't know why, but the 
doctor sedated him again right away.  He was afraid he'd pull out his work where he took out the 
shrapnel and closed up the wounds."
 
 "Harm has known Bud for years," Clay scowled.  "Why would seeing him, even given that he was in pain 
and under the influence of drugs, make him react badly?"
 
 "Yes sir exactly," Bud sighed.  "What if something happened to him while they were doing surgery. Like 
some kind of bad reaction to the anesthesia.  I mean what if he's got brain damage or. . ."
 
 "Bud for godsake stop that," Mac snapped.  "I'm already  freaked here.  You're not helping.  I'm sure 
there's a logical explanation.  Remember he was in shock and had lost a lot of blood."
 
 "That was going to be my next question," Clay said softly.  "What's the medical word?"
 
 "Shock and blood loss," Mac replied.  "The shrapnel managed to miss vital organs and his spinal cord.  
At first they wanted to medivac him, but then they decided he'd never survive the trip so they did the 
procedure here."
 
 "Prognosis?" 
 
 "A helluva lot better than when they first brought him in," she whispered tearfully.  "God Clay they gave 
me thirty seconds.  Barely time to tell him I loved him let alone say goodbye."
 
 Bud's mouth dropped open at the same time his eyebrows reached their highest point ever.  "Ma'am?"
 
 "Never mind Bud," Clay interjected.  "Obviously she's upset and isn't sure what she's saying."
 
 "Yes sir."
 
 Mac shook her head.  "No Clay.  I knew exactly what I just said, and exactly what I told Harm before he 
was taken from me.  But it wasn't the first time anyway.  I told him the same thing when I was holding 
him on the desert, sure that he was bleeding to death in my arms."
   
  Her words ended in a long sob and at once Clay reached for her again, 
  drawing her into his arms.
  
  "I'm sorry Mac," he said gently. "I didn't know that you and Harm had gotten 
  that close. I mean, I also guessed there might be something but I wasn't 
  sure."
  
  "I love him Clay" she wailed. "And I thought I was going to lose him. And 
  I'm still so scared that he's not going to be okay."
  
  "Hey you know your partner better than anyone. He's going to be fine. He 
  survived three hours in the desert; he'll pull through. Course having you 
  tell him you loved him is probably what kept him going."
  
  "He loves you too ma'am" Bud spoke up.
  
  "How do you know this Bud?" Mac sniffled as she raised her head from Clay's 
  shoulder.
  
  "Because of how he reacted when you went to the POW camp with Mr. Webb. He 
  would barely speak to me while you were gone. And it was because he was 
  upset that you were there. He loves you ma'am."
  
  "And I love him" Mac whispered. "And I just want him to be okay."
  
  "Okay let's try and drink some of this coffee and then I'm going to take you 
  down to the mess. I'm sure you haven't eaten in the last fourteen hours and 
  when Harm wakes and sees you look like death warmed over, he's not going to 
  be happy."
  
  "Can we stop at the sick bay and make sure he's okay?" she asked.
  
  "Of course" Clay said gently.
  
  "Still sleeping" Commander Kessler informed her. "And still doing very well 
  considering his condition less than twenty four hours ago."
  
  "Can't I please sit with him?" Mac begged. "When he wakes up, I want to be 
  there."
  
  "He won't wake up for a few more hours" Kessler replied.
  
  "Come on Mac" Clay urged. "We'll get some food and then maybe you can try 
  and get some rest."
  
  "No" she shook her head. "I'm not sleeping until he wakes up and I know he's 
  okay."
  
  In the end she won the battle and after a short visit to the mess was able 
  to return to Harm's room. She heard Clay's gasp behind her when he saw Harm 
  for the first time and she turned to face him.
  
  "He's going to be okay?" Clay whispered.
  
  "Now you know why I'm so scared" Mac sniffled as she sat down beside the 
  bed, reaching for Harm's hand amid the tubes and wires. "I was there Clay. I 
  held him while the life drained out of him."
  
  "Yes but he's still with you" Clay reminded her with a gentle squeeze to her 
  shoulder. "That should tell you something."
  
  "I just want him to be okay" she whispered.
  
  "You going to be okay if I leave for a while?" Clay asked. "I need to talk 
  to Captain Johnson but then I'll be back."
  
  "Yeah I'm fine now," she said as she brought Harm's hand to her face, 
  pressing it against her cheek. "As long as they let me stay here, I'm fine."
  
  "Harm's a lucky man. When he wakes up he's going to find out how lucky he is 
  to have you."
  
  "Please Lord just let that happen" Mac breathed.
  
  It would be another three hours before the man she loved would stir. She'd 
  nodded off in the chair, her hand still wrapped tightly around his when she 
  felt the hand pull back.
  
  "Harm" she gasped, instantly awake again at his movement. "Harm can you hear 
  me?"
   
  As she nodded Harm started to toss again, his hand yanking back at the touch 
  of hers.
  
  "Harriet no" he moaned. "This is wrong. I love Mac. And Bud was my friend."
  
  "Harm" Mac whispered as she tried to reach for his hand again. "Harm it's 
  okay."
  
  "No this isn't right" he moaned as he squirmed in the bed as if he were 
  trying to get away.
  
 As firmly as she dared she pushed him to the pillow, torn between calling the medic and not really 
wanting him to be knocked out again.
 
 "Harm you've got to stop this.  It's Mac.  Not Harriet.  Harriet is. . ."  Her words failed as she realized 
what exactly he had said.  'I love Mac'.  She had to swallow hard before she could speak again. "Harm I 
love you too. Very much I love you."
 
 "Harriet?"
 
 "Harm no.  It's Mac," she frowned.  "Harriet is back in D.C. with little AJ.  You're here on the Seahawk 
with me.  Try to focus Harm and understand that."
 
 For a long moment he seemed to not even breathe.  "I'm. . .the Seahawk?"
 
 "Yeah.  You were medivac'd back here after the. . .never mind it's not important."
 
 "I hurt," he managed after another long moment of silence.  "And I'm so confused.  I was. . .Harriet and 
I. . ."
 
 "You and Harriet?  Now I'm confused.  Harm we haven't seen Harriet for days."
 
 He nodded slowly, taking that in.  "Mac why do I hurt?"  
 
 "You don't remember do you?"  She stroked his cheek as she spoke, her eyes never leaving his.
 
 "I can't think.  It's all so jumbled.  Harriet and you.  And Sturgis."
 
 "Well I don't know what Harriet has got to do with this.  Or Sturgis for that matter," she said softly.  
"You want to tell me what you remember?"
 
 "I was about to make love to her."
 
 The words hit Mac between the eyes.  "To. . .to Harriet?"
 
 He nodded miserably.  "She wanted to.  Wanted me.  I wanted her.  But it was wrong.  I don't love her.  
I love you."
 
 There it was again.  His declaration.  
 
 "And you told me you loved me.  You did didn't you?  I didn't dream that up did I?   I didn't just 
imagine. . ."
 
 She at once put two fingers to his lips.  "Harm no.  You didn't.  I did tell you that.  Over and over.  On 
the desert when I was holding you.  You were bleeding and I was holding and rocking you and telling 
you that I loved you and you couldn't leave me."
 
 He digested her words for a moment.  "Did you mean it or were you just keeping a dying man alive?"
 
 Her eyes widened at that and she trembled slightly with repressed emotion.  "Harmon Rabb don't you 
dare say that.  Don't you dare even think for a minute I could say those words so lightly.  Words I've 
never. . ."  She stopped before she could finish, suddenly remembering her desperate attempt to keep 
Mic from leaving and she corrected herself.  "Words I've hardly ever said and certainly never meant 
from my heart.  Until now that is."
   
  "You mean that" he whispered. "But what about you and Sturgis?"
  
  "Me and Sturgis? Harm what are you talking about?"
  
  "I don't know. It's all so strange Mac." He was about to say more when Bud 
  stuck his head into the room again. Harm gasped loudly at the sight him, and 
  Mac turned to see who was there.
  
  "Bud why are you here?" Harm whispered. "What do you want?"
  
  "I just wanted to make sure you're okay," Bud said slowly.
  
  "Harm what's wrong? Mac asked. "Why are you looking at Bud so strangely?"
  
  "He's dead isn't he?"
  
  "What?" Mac and Bud both gasped at the same time.
  
  "He was killed when he stepped on a mine. He and Jen went out to the 
  collateral damage site. And he stepped on a mine and before they could get 
  him back he died."
  
  "Harm Bud is very much alive," Mac said quietly. "You were the one who was 
  hurt by a mine. Not Bud."
  
  "You're not dead?"
  
  "No sir I hope not" Bud said with a small smile. "I haven't been on land for 
  a few months now."
  
  "So you're not dead. So I wasn't helping Harriet deal with everything."
  
  "No sir. Harriet and AJ are doing fine. Getting ready to move into the house 
  you helped them pick out. Which by the way now that I know about it I'm real 
  excited."
  
  "I'm so glad you're not dead" Harm whispered.
  
  "Well we're pretty glad you're going to be okay," Bud said with a small 
  smile. "You had the Colonel pretty worried here."
  
  "I love her Bud" Harm said to Mac and Bud's surprise. "I love her. And it 
  wasn't until I almost lost her—again-- that I realized how much I love her."
  
  "I always knew you did sir" Bus smiled. "I'll go find Mr. Webb and let him 
  know that the Commander is doing better."
  
  "Thank you Bud" Mac nodded as Bud turned and headed out. She turned her 
  attention back to Harm, still surprised by the words she'd heard from him. 
  "You've used that four letter word a lot since you woke up sailor."
  
  "I know. But I want you to know how I feel" he whispered.
  
  "Well the feeling is very mutual," she said softly. "And as much as I want 
  to talk about this more, you need to rest."
  
  "Mac what happened?" he asked suddenly.
  
  "You don't remember the mine?" she whispered. "You were thrown from the jeep 
  and when you tried to walk back to it you stepped on a pressure mine."
  
  It was a long few seconds before he nodded, memories of what had happened 
  suddenly returning.
  
  "I remember that. I guess I didn't make it behind the jeep in time?"
  
  She nodded, tears slowly slipping down her cheek. "No" she whispered. "You 
  didn't. I watched it all happen. Like some horrible movie and I couldn't 
  stop it. At first I thought you were dead. I thought I'd lost you then." Her 
  voice broke and she reached for his hand, pressing it to her lips as she 
  choked back a sob. "I kept pleading with you not to leave me" she continued 
  tearfully.
  
  "And you told me you loved me."
  
  "I didn't know if you'd hear me or not" she whispered. "But I needed you to 
  know just in case."
  
  "I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said softly.
  
  "Three hours and forty one minutes of hell" she sniffled. "Holding you and 
  just praying that you wouldn't leave me before help arrived."
  
  "I'm so sorry Mac" he whispered.
  
  "It's okay" she sniffled again. "You're going to be okay now and that's all 
  that matters."
  
  "Am I going to be okay?" he asked quietly.
  
   "You're doing a helluva lot better than you were," she said softly, swallowing a sob.  "You had  lost a 
lot of blood and until they got the shrapnel removed they couldn't be sure if any of your vital organs or 
even your spinal cord had been hit."  She swallowed hard and gave him a sheepish look.  "You might as 
well know too that they dripped a pint of my best into you."
 
 "They . . .you gave a. . .I don't know what to say."
 
 "Hey it's not a big deal," she smiled.  "That was the easiest part probably.  Nothing like. . .well you 
already know the story."
 
 He sighed and sank back deeply into his pillow.  "It's starting to all come back yeah.  I made you get 
behind the jeep.  At least I did that much right."
 
 "I wanted to stay with you."
 
 "I know.  I thank god you listened to me for a change."  He closed his eyes and for a few minutes there 
was silence in the room, Mac content to simply stroke his forehead and  hold his hand.
 
 Just about the time she thought he was asleep, his eyes opened once more.  "It's all coming back to 
me and it's not real pleasant," he said quietly, squirming with the renewed pain as the medication was 
wearing off.
 
 "I'm sure feeling yourself being blown apart is not," she nodded sympathetically.
 
 "No not just that.  It was worse.  Harriet.  She and I. . .we almost.  God I'm so ashamed."
 
 "Harm you're going to have to let go of it," she frowned.  "It didn't happen.  Except in your mind 
maybe.  A mind full of pain and drugs.  Nothing that could be held against you in a court of law."
 
 "And you and Sturgis," he persisted.  "Mac did you know he had a hot tub?"
 
 "News to me," she laughed.  "Does he share?"
 
 "Share?  You were over there every night just about.  I was losing you to him.  And losing myself to 
Harriet I guess."  He tossed on the bed once more, his face showing the agitation he felt.
 
 "Harm serious now, let it go," Mac told him sternly.  "I haven't seen Sturgis any more recently than 
you've seen Harriet.  He's a friend, a good friend, but I certainly have no romantic inclination toward 
him.  How could I. I'm in love with you."
 
 That brought a smile of relief to his face--for all of a second before his brow furrowed.  "You don't think 
that I'm having some kind of hidden desire coming out or something do you."
 
 "Get a grip will you," she scoffed and added after a short pause.  "OK I think maybe Harriet has had a 
little. . . well crush for lack of a better word, on you since she met you.  But I also know she loves her 
husband very much.  And you sir are far too much of an officer and a gentleman to consider committing 
adultery anyway.  At least when you're in your right mind."
 
 "Which if this pain doesn't stop won't be for long," he muttered, squirming again.
 
 "Harm I'm sorry.  I should have called someone right away."
 
 "No.  No I'm glad we talked.  It helped a lot.  I didn't want more drugs but I don't think I have a choice 
now."
 
 A few minutes later Kessler strode into the room, Bud on his heels.  "Our patient is doing much better I 
see," he smiled.  "Commander you gave us all a good scare.  Hurting are you?"
 
 "Badly," he admitted, grateful for Mac's holding of his hand.  
 
 "And you will for several days to come, plus it's going to take a good week  after that for you to even 
start to feel like you have any strength."  Kessler quickly injected his IV line as he spoke.
 
 "There's something to majorly look forward to," he sighed and smiled up at Mac.  "Guess I'll need some 
care and attention.  If I promise not to whine too much, will you?"
 
 "Don't push it Squid," she laughed with relief, finally believing he would be OK.  Kessler left them once 
more and Bud remained, trying to be unobtrusive in the corner until Harm's gaze rested on him.
 
 "Come here Bud," he requested.
 
 "Sir," Bud nodded and stepped forward.  "Sir I'm glad you're OK."
 
 "No Bud.  For a lot of reasons, I'm glad you are," Harm said firmly, reaching out to shake the younger 
man's hand.  "Damn glad."  
 ************
 Four Days Later
 
 "Rabb you were in no way ready to come home" Mac fretted as she helped him 
 off the large plane.
 
 "I'm alright" he sighed. "Just tired and hurting. Get me home and into my 
 bed and I'll be fine."
 
 "As soon as I find the welcoming committee" she frowned as she looked around 
 for Sturgis. He'd promised he'd come to help her get Harm home and she 
 finally caught sight of him coming towards her.
 
 "Need a hand Colonel" Sturgis smiled as he hurried to meet up with them.
 
 "Please" Mac groaned as she shifted Harm's weight to him.
 
 "They let you out of the hospital?" Sturgis frowned as he took a good look 
 at his friend. "Who'd you bribe?"
 
 "No one. They said I was well enough to travel" Harm sighed.
 
 "Yeah right" he scoffed. "Anyway it's good to have you two back."
 
 "Glad to be back" Mac said with a small smile. "I think we've had enough of 
 the desert for a while."
 
 "I bet" he smiled. "Well let's get this guy home."
 
 "You okay?" Mac asked gently after they'd both climbed inside Sturgis's car.
 
 "Hanging in there" Harm said with a weak smile. "Please don't worry so 
 much."
 
 "Hard not to" she sighed as she gently stroked his cheek, a move not missed 
 by Sturgis who smiled as he looked back at them. Something told him that the 
 secret Mac had been keeping—and holding him too-- was no longer a secret.
 
 "Home sweet home" Sturgis announced a short time later and Mac gave Harm a 
 gentle shake to wake him.
 
 "You with me Flyboy" she said softly as he pushed his eyes open. "We're 
 home."

 "Yeah I'm with you" he murmured as Sturgis opened the door.
 
 Minutes later they reached Harm's apartment, the door suddenly opening as 
 they reached it.
 
 "Hi guys" Harriet smiled.
 
 "Harriet" Harm gasped. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?"
 
 "Sturgis gave me your key," she said slowly. "I stocked up the fridge for 
 you and Mac. I knew you were coming home and I figured the last thing Mac 
 would want to do is go to the store. So I picked up some stuff for the next 
 few days."
 
 "You didn't come for any other reason?" he asked as he eyed her 
 suspiciously.
 
 "No" she said as she gave Mac a curious look. "Did I do something wrong?"
 
 "No you didn't" Mac spoke up. "That was very nice of you Harriet. Harm is 
 still a little out of it."
 
 "I'm sorry," Harm said finally as his mind realized there was no ulterior 
 motive to Harriet being there. It had all been a dream. A very strange 
 dream. "Just ignore me. I'm not quite myself yet."
 
 "No he's not and he should be in bed" Mac sighed. "Come on sailor."
 
 She led him to the bedroom and gently helped him into bed. She didn't miss 
 the pain that flashed across his face as he finally settled and with a long 
 sigh she sat down beside him.
 
 "You okay?" she asked.
 
 "Just hurt a little," he admitted. "I hope I didn't scare Harriet."
 
 "No she just thinks you've lost your mind" Mac smiled.
 
 "Mac you won't ever tell anyone about that will you?" he asked. "I mean, I 
 wouldn't want Bud or Harriet to ever find out."
 
 "Harm it's not like it happened" she laughed. "It was just something your 
 mind conjured up."
 
 "I know. But I just don't want anyone to know. Okay?"
 
 "It'll be our secret," she said softly as she reached for his hand and took 
 it in hers. "Does that work for you?"
 
 "Yeah it does" he sighed. "I love you Mac."
 
 "I love you" she whispered before dropping a quick kiss on his lips. "You 
 rest. I want to talk to Sturgis and Harriet for a minute."
 
 "Find out if he got the hot tub" Harm murmured as his eyes drifted shut.
 
 "You have the strangest dreams sailor," she said softly before standing up 
 and heading out to the kitchen.
 
 "Is he okay ma'am?" Harriet asked. "He doesn't look real good."
 
 "He's a lot better than he was when we first got to the Seahawk" Mac 
 shuddered. "I wasn't sure he was going to pull through."
 
 "Obviously he had good reason to" Sturgis smiled.
 
 "Yeah we've gotten a little closer" Mac blushed.
 
 "A little" Sturgis laughed. "I'd say a lot. But it's about time. And 
 speaking of time if you don't need me I'm out of here."
 
 "Got a hot date with a certain Congresswoman?" Harriet laughed.
 
 "No I'm going to look at a hot tub. Today's the last day of the big pre 
 summer sale."
 
 "Hot tub?" Mac gasped.
 
 "Yeah. Is there something wrong with a hot tub?"
 
 "No of course not" Mac said quickly. "I'm just surprised."
 
 "Well when I get it set up you'll all be invited over. Well that's if 
 there's time in between me and Bobbi using it" he grinned before heading out 
 the door.
 
 "Ma'am I'm sure you'd like to rest too" Harriet said as she reached for her 
 purse. "If you need anything, just give me a call. And I'm glad the 
 Commander is okay."
 
 "Me too" Mac sighed. "And of course Bud sends you all his love."
 
 "I can't wait till he's home" Harriet sighed. "I'm counting off the days."
 
 "You love him a lot don't you?" Mac smiled.
 
 "Yeah I do" she smiled as well. "You take care and remember if you need 
 anything call."
 
 "Thanks Harriet" Mac said as she showed her to the door. With everyone gone 
 she headed back to Harm's room, surprised to find him awake.
 
 "Hey I thought you were going to sleep" she frowned.
 
 "I will if you join me" he murmured tiredly.
 
 "Love to" she said as gently slid in next to him. "And by the way, Harriet 
 is very much in love with Bud, not you."
 
 "Good" he sighed.
 
 "Guess what. Sturgis is getting a hot tub," she said softly a few moments later.   
 
 "You're not going over without me" he murmured.
 
 "I wouldn't dream of it" she smiled as she leaned over and gave him a kiss.
 
 
 
 The End