TITLE:  "Fall From Grace"  Chapter 1
        AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
        SUMMARY:  What happens when a man full of pride and ego is denied that to which he 
believes himself entitled.  Harmon Rabb is not a man who accepts denial easily.  
         CLASSIFICATION/RATING:   J/S/R/A    PG for language and mild violence.
          SPOILERS:  In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to.
          FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  Addy is 
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 and previous chapters, as well as much of our other works, 
are available at 
                                      
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Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there.
                                      
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always up and running]
                                      
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            http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.}
   
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           Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com

Author's Note:  This is not a St. Harm the Magnificent story.  Our Harmon Rabb has human 
weakness and like all of us can if provoked, he can be moody and stubborn and not pleasant to 
be around.  If your image of Harm would clash with ours, this would be a good time to delete.   
We do ask that you not read if it it's just going to infuriate—life is too short for aggravation like 
that!!
=========================
"Fall From Grace" Chapter 1---

  JAG HQ
  January, 2003
  
  "Your honor I object" Harm shouted as he leapt from his chair. "Prosecution 
  is badgering the witness."
  
  "I am not badgering the witness" Sturgis retorted. "The witness is hostile."
  
  "The witness is hostile because you're badgering her" Harm snapped.
  
  "Approach" Mac ordered from the bench. It had been one objection after 
  another and she was growing tired of their games. This wasn't their first 
  time before her and she'd thought they'd be better this time. But obviously 
  they hadn't grown up yet.
  
  "Mac" Harm started.
  
  "Commander may I remind you who you're addressing" Mac said with a small 
  smile.
  
  "You are so loving this" Harm muttered.
  
  "Am not. Now I want you two to start acting like senior officers instead of 
  two kids on the playground."
  
  "He's the one who's objecting to everything cause he thinks you're going to 
  rule in his favor" Sturgis retorted.
  
  "I am not" Harm groaned. "You're the one who's out of control in here 
  today."
  
  "Boys cool it" Mac ordered. "Or I'm sending you both to the brig for being 
  in contempt of court. I do not need this again. I'm warning both of you to 
  cool it."
  
  "Fine" both huffed before Harm headed back to his seat while Sturgis went 
  back to his cross of the witness.
  
  A long three hours later Mac banged the gavel and calling for recess until 
  the next morning.
  
  "You are going to be on her list" Sturgis joked as he and Harm walked back 
  to the bullpen.
  
  "Me? You were the one being a jerk today."
  
  "Only because you were."
  
  "You really don't think she'll be mad to you?" Harm frowned as they reached 
  his office.
  
  His answer came a short time later when Mac whizzed through the bullpen 
  towards the Admiral's office.
  
  "Mac hey wait up" Harm called. "You're not going to tell the Admiral about 
  us are you?"
  
  "Give me one good reason why he shouldn't know that his senior attorneys are 
  nothing but overgrown children" she retorted. "It was bad enough the first 
  time I was up there but you two are even worse this time."
  
  "I'm sorry," he said genuinely. "I didn't realize we were being so 
  difficult."
  
  "Well you were. I'm trying to make a good impression here Harm. I was 
  thrilled when the Admiral asked me to preside again."
  
  "I guess we could have been a little easier on you. But you weren't going to 
  tell the Admiral were you?"
  
  "Actually he did want a report on how things were going," Mac said with a 
  small smile. "Until a minute ago you weren't going to come off very 
  favorably in that report."
  
  "Would offering to buy you dinner make it any better?" he smiled.
  
  "It would. But I'm not sure it's such a good idea until this case if over. I 
  don't want anyone to think the prosecution has in roads with the judge."
  
  "This case will be over by the weekend. Dinner Saturday night?"
  
  "If you stop objecting to everything Sturgis does it might be over" Mac 
  sighed. "Otherwise we'll be doing this long into next week."
  
  "Okay. I promise I'll be better tomorrow."
  
  "Good. Cause I was serious about sending you and Sturgis to the brig."
  
  "I know you are" he laughed. "And that's why I didn't push it after that."
  
  "I'd better go before the Admiral wonders if I bailed on him" she smiled.
  
  "I have to go find Sturgis. We're shooting hoops tonight. I may not beat him 
  in the court room but I plan on kicking his six on the basketball court."
  
  "Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow in court."
  
  She headed into the Admiral's office and he let out a long sigh. He hadn't 
  intended to push her buttons in court. But somehow whenever he and Sturgis 
  went up against each other in the courtroom it was all out war.
  
  Another shake of his head in frustration and he saw Sturgis heading for him.
  
  "I am so out of here," Sturgis moaned.  "Rabb you are going to get us both 
  in deep shit."
  
  "It's not just me," he shot back.  "And are we still on for hoops or not?"
  
  "Of course we are.  You know what goes on in the courtroom stays in the
  courtroom," he returned.  "I'll see you at the court?"
  
  "You got it."
  ==============
  BALDWIN REC CTR
  3 HOURS LATER
  
  "Game. Set.  Match," Harm shrieked, dropping tiredly onto the bleachers.
  
  "You were vicious," Sturgis laughed, heaving the ball at him.  "Of course I
  lost on purpose being as the winner buys.  And it looks like if we hurry we
  can get the last quarter of the Wizards."
  
  A shower and change later, they were seated a small table in the bar down 
  the street, the one beer they allowed themselves, along with a pizza to share, 
  in front of them.
  
  "So did her honor report us or not?" Sturgis asked with a mischievous 
  smile.
  
  "Not sure," he sighed.  "Hopefully not.  Also hopefully she didn't report
  that I made an attempted bribe with a dinner offer."
  
  Sturgis nearly choked on a bite of pizza.  "I'm impressed Mr. Rabb.  You
  actually asked her to dinner?  Too bad it's now, when you and she could be
  accused of malfeasance."
  
  "Not until the case is over with Moron," he groaned.  "I'll have the people
  buried by Saturday."
  
  "I would imagine so with a bribery offer on the table," he laughed, 
  sobering quickly.  "You and her are. . .?"  His breath caught in his throat as he
  remembered a months ago secret that he had held in his heart ever since.
  
  "Well not actually her and me," Harm sighed, letting a little of his
  frustration show.
  
  "Anything you want to share?"
  
  "Just that I don't get it.  Any other woman I'd have had in my bed 
  long--long I'm saying--before this.  Her I can't even hardly bring myself to ask to a
  simple dinner out."
  
  "Is that what you want?  Her in your bed?  Because if that's all, man you 
  are way off base and out of your league.  That woman. . ."
  
  "Deserves much more, yes I know," he snapped in return.  "And that's the
  problem I'm sure.  Once I told her only with her.  I mean that I'm like 
  this only with her."
  
  "No you're like that only with the one and only woman in this world who 
  means everything to you,"  he smiled in that quiet unassuming way of his.  "You
  don't want her as a bed mate," he went on, revising his opinion of his 
  friend upward.  "You want her. .  ."
  
  "I want her to be part of my life--the best part," Harm sighed, the beer
  making him censor his words less than he might normally.  "Hell let's face
  it, I want her to be my life."
  
  Sturgis smiled and held his beer up in an 'amen' gesture.  "Only you can 
  make that happen my friend.  Only you."
  *****************
  JAG HQ's
  Friday Afternoon
  
  "Have the members reached a decision?" Mac asked.
  
  Harm held his breath and let out a long sigh when the decision was read. 
  Sturgis had won. His client had been found guilty. He sighed even more when 
  Mac handed down his sentence of six months of brig time.
  
  "We can appeal" Harm told the young man beside him. "It's not over yet."
  
  "Sir you said you could get me off" Gunnery Sergeant Williams wailed. "You 
  said I wouldn't have to spend time in the brig."
  
  "We'll appeal. Just stay cool. I'll file a motion right away."
  
  "I thought you were the best there was" his client said somberly. "Do you 
  realize what this is going to do to me? To my career?"
  
  "We'll appeal" Harm promised.
  
  "What about me going to the brig? My family can't see me in the brig. What 
  about my little girl? What's Mary going to tell Nina? That Daddy's in 
  prison."
  
  "I'm sorry" Harm sighed. "I'm really sorry. I know you're not guilty. And we 
  can appeal and get this overturned."
  
  "It's too late" Gunnery Sergeant Williams wailed. "I'm going to prison and 
  you can't stop that. I counted on you sir and you let me down."
  
  Before Harm could answer the guards came for his client and with a long sigh 
  Harm watched the young man be led from the courtroom. He sank down in his 
  chair and for several minutes sat there staring ahead at the now empty 
  bench.
  
  "Penny for your thoughts sailor?"
  
  He looked up to see Mac standing next to him. "Not worth it" he sighed. "I 
  blew it today. I let my client down."
  
  "Harm you can't win them all" she said as she sat down next to him.
  
  "He's not guilty Mac. He shouldn't be going to prison."
  "Harm I'm sorry. But the evidence was presented and facts are facts."
  
  "I guess" he sighed. "But it's not right. It's just not right."
  
  "Better luck next time slugger" she said with a gentle hand to his arm. "And 
  I get the feeling you want to be alone so I'm going to leave you."
  
  He did not reply and she trailed her hand along his arm for a few seconds before she started 
away.  
 
 "Mac, hold up," he called, so softly she barely heard him.
 
 She stopped without turning around.  "Harm?"
 
 "Don't go."
 
 She remained in place and he rose and came up behind her, resting a firm hand on her 
shoulder.
 
 "Please could you not go?  I mean the case is over and we could maybe have dinner?"
 
 "Sure if you'd like to," she replied carefully.  "You did say something about buying me dinner 
Saturday night anyway.  You want to change that?"
 
 "No.  I want to do that too.  But that's a dinner date.  This is just grabbing a bite.  Does that 
make sense?"
 
 She caught her breath sharply at his words 'dinner date', but simply replied, "about as much as 
you usually do Flyboy.  Where to?"
 
 "Maybe just some Chinese right around here?"
 ==========
 WONG'S SUBGUM PALACE
 
 "Live a little Sailor, have chicken in your chowmein," she goaded.
 
 "Thanks no, just the bean curd is fine," he nodded to the server.
 
 Once they were alone with their drinks between them, Mac reached across the table and 
slipped her fingers into his hands.  "OK let's talk about what's got you so bummed.  You've had 
losing cases before."
 
 "Of course I have," he nodded soberly.  "But this was different somehow.  In the first place the 
guy is innocent and I should have been able to prove that.  I know my defense had to be 
lacking."
 
 "Or maybe it was that Sturgis was that much more convincing in the prosecution," she offered.  
"Harm I got the impression he thought Williams was guilty.  Anyway, you're going to appeal and 
you'll have your chance to supply new evidence and take a different tact.  And you'll have to 
admit that my sentence was completely within guidelines."
 
 "Yeah OK I know," he sighed and signaled the server, holding up his glass.  "Let me trade this 
for the alcoholic version please."
 
 "Yes sir."
 
 "You don't mind do you?" he asked Mac as an afterthought.
 
 "Harm I'm not your mother.  If you want a drink have a drink."
 
 "I think I'm entitled."
 
 "I think I don't care."
 
 They were silent until the food arrived and Harm pointed a chopstick at her.  "What did they tell 
you about continuing your judgeship duties?  Are you through?"
 
 "Do you want me to be?"
 
 "Well I. . .yeah OK sort of.  I mean I like having you working with me and this is more of an 
adversarial relationship and it's not even the same as when we oppose because we're at least 
on an equal footing."
 
 "Yeah I know," she smiled.  "And this is not something I'd want to do forever but actually it was 
a nice change.  I certainly get to see the real you."
 
 "Is that so?"
 
 "Yes it is," she giggled.  "The little boy in you comes out swinging.  Pouting, fuming, acting out.  
It was all there.  In living color."
 
 "OK I had a bad week.  So sue me.  Just tell me if we're going to have to do act two next 
week."
 
 "I haven't been given any instructions," she sighed.  "But I wouldn't mind having another case."
 
 "Should be my turn anyway," he groused, looking down into his chow mein.
   
 "This really bugs you doesn't it?"
 
 "What that you got to do this first?" he retorted in denial. "Of course not."
 
 "Yes it does. Harm admit it."
 
 "Well I have been at JAG longer than you" he snapped. "I still can't believe 
 he let you have first crack at this."
 
 "I'm sure the Admiral has his reasons. And I'm sure you'll get your chance 
 soon."
 
 "I'm sorry" he sighed. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just frustrated 
 that I lost the case and that you've gotten two shots on the bench while the 
 Admiral seems to have forgotten I exist."
 
 "It's okay. I know you've had a rough week."
 
 "Well thanks for listening to me whine tonight. I promise I'll make it up to 
 you tomorrow night."
 
 "Our real date" she smiled. "I can't wait."
 
 "It's more than just dinner you know. Maybe we'll see a movie or rent 
 something."
 
 "Sounds good to me. And I'm really sorry about today in court."
 
 "Not your fault and what did I always tell you about that."
 
 "What happens in court stays in court" she smiled. "I know. But you didn't 
 exactly handle my first time on the bench very well either you know."
 
 "I know. And I'm sorry about that too. It's just that the Admiral mentioned 
 the whole judgeship thing to me first and then suddenly you get first dibs 
 at it. I don't get it."
 
 "Harm you'll get your chance. I'm sure you're next on the list."
 
 "You're right and I'm whining again and you're probably wishing you'd never 
 accepted my dinner date" he sighed. "And I wouldn't blame you one bit if you 
 didn't want to go out after tonight."
 
 "And miss my free meal and a movie" she teased. "No way. Lighten up sailor. 
 If not for me, for yourself. There's no sense bringing yourself down about 
 this. I'm sure that Monday morning the Admiral will have you in his office 
 telling you you're the judge of the week. In the meantime, you might want to 
 sit back and enjoy your weekend a little."
 
 "I will. Tomorrow night especially."
 
 "So where are we going?" she asked.
 
 "It's a surprise. But you'll want to dress up."
 
 "La Tours?" she asked.
 
 "No and I'm not telling you where it is either. Just dress up and be ready 
 at five."
 
 "That early?" she frowned.
 
 "Who said we were eating right away?" he grinned. "Just be ready at five."
 
 **************
 Saturday Evening
 Mac's Apartment
 4:50 PM EST
 
 The pile of clothes that she'd tried on and taken off littered the bed and 
 with a sigh Mac reached for one more outfit. That one finally met her 
 standards and she was just finishing fixing her hair when her doorbell rang 
 a few minutes later.
 
 "Hi" she smiled as she opened the door to let Harm in.
 
 "Hi yourself" he smiled appreciatively at the long skirt and sweater combo 
 she'd finally decided on. "You look really nice."
 
 "So do you" she nodded as her eyes drifted over him, the dark suit he'd 
 chosen making him look even more handsome.
 
 "Are you ready? I don't want to be late for our reservations."
 
 "You said we weren't eating right away," she said as she reached for her 
 coat, which Harm helped her into.
 
 "I did. But we still have to get there first."
 
 "Okay I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride" she smiled. "But you know I 
 would have been happy with just a simple dinner anywhere here in town."
 
 "I know. But I thought it would be nice if our first real date was a little 
 special."
 
 "You've gone romantic on me Rabb" she giggled.
 
 "Is that so bad?" he asked as they made their way down to his car.
 
 "No. I kinda like it."
 
 A little under an hour later he pulled into the parking lot of the Inn at 
 Little Washington.
 
 "This is where we're having dinner?" she gasped. "Harm I've read about this 
 place. Dinner is like a hundred dollars a person on the weekends."
 
 "Yes and that's why people only come for special occasions" he smiled. "And 
 tonight is a pretty special occasion if you ask me."
 
 "Yeah it is" she smiled as well.
 
"Let's officially call it our first date," he went on, helping her from the Vette.  "This way we can 
tell the kids where it all began."

Her eyebrows went to their highest point at that.  "Kids Flyboy?  Which kids would these be?"

"Well starting with the one I promised you forever ago, and working from there," he laughed and 
sobered quickly, shrugging as he tucked her arm into his.  "Hey just being open to extreme 
possibilities."

"And that's about as extreme as they get," she laughed lightly, praying that he would not hear 
her heart pounding and she quickly changed the subject as they got inside.  "So what's good 
here?"

"Everything according to Renee."

"You brought her here?" she asked quietly, not successful in keeping a modicum of 
disappointment from her voice.

"Hell no.  This is the kind of place you bring someone you can see yourself having. . ., " he got 
out before he clamped his mouth shut.  "She wanted to, but I always made an excuse," he 
finished lamely.

"I see," Mac smiled and gave his arm a quick squeeze, again knowing her heart was pounding.  

The head waiter pulled out her chair and Harm at once guided her into it.  

"You do know how to treat a lady," she smiled.

"An officer and a gentleman," he reminded her.  "Being the meat eater you are, try something 
exotic like venison maybe?"
============
"OK no more food is going into this stomach tonight," she declared, pushing away the last two 
bites of the chocolate lava cake and picking up her coffee cup.  "This was the best meal I've had 
in a long long time and thanks for encouraging me to the venison.  It was amazing."

"Well just as long as it doesn't make you want to go into the woods and shoot Bambi," he 
groaned.

"Have you never hunted?"

"No.  Well yeah as a kid on Grams' place I used to plink birds and squirrels and rabbits with 
Gramps old twenty-two, and now that thought disgusts me, but not as much as when I let Frank 
talk me into going elk hunting in Montana one Fall.  They're big beautiful magnificent animals, 
and to shoot them is criminal."

"But a human that's threatening you?" she asked, her head cocked quizzically.

"A man threatening me, or someone I care about, oh yeah, in a heartbeat," he replied firmly.  
"Change of subject.   I was thinking about talking to the Admiral about a turn on the bench.  You 
think?"

"I think it's not something I should advise you about," she replied after a moment's hesitation.  
"I'm not sure why it's so important to you.  Does it have to do with competition with me?"

"NO."

"Uh. . .you want to try that answer again," she smiled.  "Harm we can be honest with each 
other."

"Yeah OK yeah.  It hurt when the Admiral pointed out to be just before your first turn that you 
were senior to me.  It brought back a lot of stuff I thought I'd put behind me, like. . . ," He 
paused, not sure whether to continue.

"Like me arriving at your boys' club playground on the water and you realizing you had to say 
ma'am to me?" she asked gently.

"No. . .yeah.  Yeah OK.   I should have been told ahead of time.  By you."

"Agreed.  And if we'd been keeping in touch, I'm sure I would have," she replied evenly.  "But a 
couple of emails does not constitute keeping in touch.  Harm you left me, and JAG, and put it far 
behind you.  And in all honesty, you had no plans to return.  Am I right?"

"To JAG no, probably not, at least not for a good long while.  But to you. . .well JAG maybe was 
off my radar screen, but you weren't."
 
  "I wasn't?"
  
  "You weren't. But then everything was messed up when I returned and we both 
  know what happened after that."
  
  "Let's not go there," she said with a small smile. "It's all in the past."
  
  "Yeah it is. And I'm sorry I'm being such a jerk about the judge thing. And 
  maybe we should stick to another conversation besides that."
  
  "You brought it up" she reminded him. "And I'm guessing that's what's 
  really bothering you."
  
  "I did and I shouldn't have. I'm ruining our first date by bringing up 
  work."
  
  "You're not. I'm having a wonderful time. Dinner was excellent and for the 
  most part the company was too."
  
  "The company was the best part of the meal" he smiled. "I really did have a 
  good time tonight."
  
  "Me too. And thank you for such a memorable experience. I had no clue you'd 
  do something like this for our first date."
  
  "I hope it won't be our last," he said hopefully.
  
  "I could probably be talked into it again" she teased. "Seriously this was 
  great. I really enjoyed it."
  
  "If you're up to it, we could catch a movie. I'm sure we can make it back in 
  time for the last showing of something."
  
  "Aren't we a little over dressed for the movies?" she laughed.
  
  "So" he countered.
  
  "All right I'm game. Whatever we get there in time to see we'll see. Even if 
  it's a romantic chick flick."
  
  "That's scary but okay" he smiled. "I suppose I can handle that."
  
  They headed back towards Mac's place, stopping at the theater nearest to it.
  
  "We are so over dressed" she giggled as they walked to the ticket counter.
  
  "Yeah well that group of guys over there doesn't seem to mind" Harm said as 
  his hand went to her back. "They haven't stopped looking at you since you 
  stepped out of the car."
  
  "Because we look so silly I'm sure."
  
  He kept his hand on her back as he guided her to the ticket counter.
  
  "Maid in New York" she smiled. "Looks like that's what's playing next. You 
  sure you can handle that. It's a romantic comedy."
  
  "I'll manage" he laughed. "Just don't get weepy on me when he proposes or 
  does something sappy like that."
  
  "Do I look like the weepy type?" she laughed.
  
  "You never can tell" Harm smiled as he purchased their tickets.
  
  Two hours later they emerged from the theater, the night air now quite cool 
  as they made their way to Harm's Vette.
  
  "Thanks for the movie" she said once they were in the car. "I've had a 
  really good time tonight. Dinner was wonderful and this was nice."
  
  "Me too. And I'm not ready for it to end. Can I talk you into a late night 
  latte at Starbucks? And I promise no mention of work."
  
  "I have your word on that?"
  
  "Yes. So what do you say?"
  
  "Sure why not" she smiled. "Starbucks it is."
  
  It wasn't long before they were settled at a small table at the nearby 
  coffee shop.
  
  "So what's it like being the judge?" he asked as they sipped their coffee 
  and shared a muffin.
  
  "Harm I thought we weren't going to talk about this" she laughed.
  
  "I'm sorry. You're right. I need to let this go don't I?"
  
  "Yes you do."
  
  "All right. I won't mention it again. I promise."
  
 "Hey if it's bothering you you can mention it," she countered.  "I mean I would hope we're to the 
point where we can talk about just about anything.  Right?"
 
 "Yeah but I find myself harping and being a general pain sometimes," he admitted.  "And I hate 
it and yet I keep after it.  Look, only child here.  I don't take 'No' too well."
 
 "You're kidding," she gasped playfully.  "I never would have guessed."  Her hand reached for 
his before she continued.  "You know what I think.  And I'm going to say this because we can be 
honest and speak from the heart to each other.  You've have had a career ninety-nine percent 
of Naval officers can only dream about.  You're a decorated aviator and had that total 
experience, and you're a decorated attorney as well.  You're also a flake but that's what I love 
about you."
 
 His breath caught at her words and for a long second he could only stare.  "Is that all you love 
about me?" he finally got out.
 
 Only then did she realize what she had said and managed a quick smile "No.  There's the fact 
that you are buying me coffee that gives you a warm spot in my heart also."
 
 "Ah OK.  Just wanted to be sure we understood each other.  I need to thank you too."
 
 "For?"
 
 "Just for being you.  My partner who puts up with me.  And my moods."
 
 "Well thank you for the acknowledgment.   You're not easy, but then neither am I."
 
 He grinned at that and lifted his coffee cup in salute.
 ==================
 It was the following week before the matter of judgeship came up again.
 
 "Any idea what the Admiral is wanting?" Harm asked Sturgis as they met just outside AJ's door, 
with Mac hurrying to join them.
 
 "No not a clue," he shrugged.
 
 "Oh by the way, I didn't get to tell you well done on the Armstrong case," Harm smiled.  "I'm not 
sure I would have known that technical point.  You saved the case for the People."
 
 "Well thanks," he nodded.  "It had come up in Pearl once and I managed to recall the 
precedent.  I was however pretty amazed Admiral Morris let it fly."
 
 "No I think he was just as impressed.  And. . ." Mac offered, and gave them a playful toss of her 
head going on in a sing-song voice.  "I know what the meeting is about and you don't."
 
 "You want to share?"
 
 "Two words--well three--Commander Abraham Lieberman."
 
 "He's going to trial isn't he?" Harm groaned.  "And it's being moved here."
 
 "That would be my guess," she smiled.  "Of course  it's a pretty educated one because I read 
the morning briefing email."
 
 "No one likes a smart ass," Harm hissed as Tiner motioned them to enter.
  
 "Have a seat people" AJ motioned. "As I'm sure some of you have heard the 
 Lieberman case has landed here. Lots of publicity and quite frankly it's 
 going to be a zoo around here until it's over."
 
 "So who's handling which side?" Harm asked.
 
 "Funny you should ask Commander" AJ smiled. "I've give you the pleasure of 
 defending Commander Lieberman. Use Manetti as necessary for assistance."
 
 "I guess you two get to prosecute" Harm said as he looked over at Mac and 
 Sturgis.
 
 "Not quite. Colonel you'll be prosecuting. Lt. Singer is available to help 
 you."
 
 "Thank you sir" Mac said with a forced smile. "It should be interesting 
 working with the Lieutenant again."
 
 "So what am I doing sir?" Sturgis frowned.
 
 "You'll be presiding over the trial Mr. Turner" AJ smiled. "I trust you'll 
 have an interesting time with these two in the courtroom."
 
 "I'm sure I will sir" Sturgis smiled. "Thank you sir. I appreciate the 
 opportunity. I won't let you down on this one."
 
 "I'm sure you won't," he said as he handed a file to both Harm and Mac. "Any 
 questions?"
 
 "No sir" Sturgis and Mac said at once. Harm, however, said nothing as he 
 stared down at the file AJ had handed him.
 
 "Is there a problem Mr. Rabb?" AJ asked.
 
 "Can I speak to you in private sir?" Harm said without looking over at Mac 
 and Sturgis.
 
 "Of course. Colonel, Commander you're dismissed."
 
 Mac shot Harm a warning glance but he didn't look her way. With a long sigh 
 she followed Sturgis out, hoping Harm wasn't going to get himself in trouble 
 with the Admiral.
 
 "Okay Commander what is it?" AJ asked when they were alone.
 
 "With all due respect sir, I thought I was going to have the next chance on 
 the bench. Especially since I should have the first shot at it."
 
 "And what makes you think that?" AJ asked as leaned back in his chair. "You 
 know something I don't Commander."
 
 "Sir I've been here the longest. That should account for something. And you 
 know my record is far superior to Mac and Sturgis's."
 
 "Yes but your attitude recently hasn't been. I know how you carried on in 
 court the first time Mac was on the bench. And this last time was no 
 different."
 
 "She told you" Harm snapped.
 
 "No Commander she did not" AJ snapped back  "And if you think for one minute 
 that I don't know what goes on in this building, you are sadly mistaken. 
 Both times you've acted like a child and quite frankly if I don't see a 
 change in your attitude, I'm not going to recommend you for a stint on the 
 bench any time soon."
 
 "Sir that is not fair. You know I deserve a chance."
 
 "No I don't. Not with the attitude you've been presenting lately. I'll let 
 Singer sit before I let you. And unless you want that to happen, I suggest 
 you not bring this up again. Do I make myself clear?"

 "Crystal" Harm snapped before hurrying out of the AJ's office.
 
 He made his way across the bullpen, the slamming of his door a few seconds 
 later signaling to Mac that he'd returned. She waited only a minute before 
 heading to his office.
 
 "Harm" she called as she knocked on the door. "You got a minute?"
 
 He didn't answer and with a deep breath she opened the door and walked into 
 his office.
 
 "Harm you want to talk?" she asked quietly.
 
 "No I don't" he sighed. "And I think it's best if you just stayed away from 
 me cause I'm really not in a good mood right now."

"Harm please don't shut me out."

"Do not Harm me.  Do not patronize me and leave me the hell alone," he hissed.  "Is that not 
plain enough for you?"

"Oh you bet it is," she snapped, returning impatience and anger in kind.  "Excuse me 
Commander."  She walked out and left the door open, allowing the office staff to be once again 
treated by the sound of it being slammed.

"That went well," she sighed in frustration, giving Sturgis the eye.

"Hey not my fault," he yelped in objection.  "I just follow orders around here.  Like we all do."

Mac motioned for him to follow her into her office and quietly closed the door.  "Look I know we 
all are following those orders.  But you know Harm.  He's got to be the best at everything.  And 
he easily gets frustrated if he's denied.  And for the life of me I can't figure out why this 
judgeship thing is so important to him.  Maybe it's just a matter of he thinks it's something he's 
entitled to and can't stand being told no."

"Man was an only child.  Maybe he was indulged," Sturgis grinned.  "I on the other hand. . .well 
you probably don't want to hear about my five brothers and sisters."

"No I don't," she snapped and was immediately contrite.  "Sorry.  You don't need that from me, 
or Harm for that matter.  I'm just worried about him."

"And we both know why."

"Yeah there is that complication," Mac sighed.  "Look you better be prepared for next week 
when we're in court."

"I remember him well.  I'll handle him," he smiled.  "What I want to know is what you're going to 
do with him?"

"For right now stay clean away from him like he's requested," she said firmly.  "I'm not one of 
those women who runs back for more.  When he wants to be civil he knows where to find me."
===========
Harm's mood darkened over intervening days, not improved by the fact that he took one look at 
Cdr. Lieberman and realized he was guilty.  Not only guilty but  not remorseful.  A trafficker in  
pornography, and stupid enough to use his office computer at Mayport besides.

"Commander the prosecution is going to be all over you, and then when she's finished so is the 
judge," Harm growled, reading over his case file in between glares over the top of the folder at 
their first meeting.

"Then you'll just have to be better than her," Lieberman smirked. "I got a look at her.  Some 
woman that got into law school and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel because it looked good for 
affirmative action or diversity or some such crap.  I know them.  I know all about them."

"You don't know shit about anything," Harm hissed and reached across the table for a handful of 
the man's shirt.  "And you best keep a civil tongue in your head when you refer to Colonel 
Mackenzie or I'm going to rip out that tongue.  Are we clear?"

Lieberman jerked back from him.  "Oh yeah we're clear. She's giving you a little on the side isn't 
she.  Nice looking too.  Wonder if she'd like to do some photo shoots."
  
 It took every ounce of restraint Harm had him not to slug Lieberman. It 
 would have been so easy to just level him to the floor. Instead Harm pulled 
 the man closer and got right in his face.
 
 "So help me God if you mention her again, I promise you're going to be one 
 sorry son of a bitch" Harm hissed. "Do I make myself clear this time?"
 
 "Crystal" Lieberman swallowed hard.
 
 "Good. Now sit down and keep your mouth shut if you want me to defend you."
 
 Lieberman nodded as Harm released him and he quickly sank back in his chair.
 
 "So what chances do I have of getting off?" Lieberman asked.
 
 "Slim to none" Harm retorted. "Colonel Mackenzie is going to nail your six 
 to the floor. They have all the evidence and you have nothing."
 
 "So I'm going to do confinement?" Lieberman demanded. "You have to do 
 something."
 
 "I'm an attorney not a miracle worker" Harm snapped. "You're the one who was 
 peddling porn on a government computer."
 
 "Well you have to do something for me. You're my attorney."
 
 "I can only do what so much. They have your computer. It has porn on it. 
 There's not a whole lot I can do with that."
 
 "Think of something" Lieberman shot back. "Dammit you're supposed to be 
 defending me."
 
 "I can only defend you so much. It's an open and shut case. They have all 
 the evidence and we have nothing."
 
 "What about others who had access to my computer? The network guys. Anyone 
 who could have done it to make me look bad."
 
 "Lame" Harm sighed. "The members won't buy it for a minute. Why would some 
 network guy have it in for you."
 
 "I don't know I'm just giving you ideas" Lieberman snapped. "Something you 
 should be doing. That's what the government pays you the big money to do 
 right."
 
 "They may pay me to defend scum like you but that doesn't mean I have to put 
 a lot of effort into it" Harm retorted.
 
 "Maybe I should get myself a new attorney then."
 
 "Go ahead. But no one is going to give a rat's ass about you Lieberman. 
 You're a sick individual and a disgrace to the uniform. And you're getting 
 the best with me as it is."
 
 "Fine. But you better show me that you're at least putting a little effort 
 into this Commander."
 
 "You'll get the effort you deserve" Harm snapped. "Beyond that, there's 
 nothing anyone can do for you."
 
 "When do we go to trial?" Lieberman asked.
 
 "Couple of days" Harm said as he grabbed his briefcase. "My co-counsel will 
 be over to prepare you for that. What to say and not say."
 
 Lieberman nodded. "Fine. I'll do whatever you say."
 
 **************
 JAG HQ's
 Next Afternoon
 
 "Commander you got a minute" Manetti asked as she walked into Harm's office.
 
 "Yeah what is it?" Harm sighed as he looked up at her.
 
 "I finished going over everything with Commander Lieberman this morning. 
 He's ready for tomorrow."
 
 "Thanks. I appreciate that. Not that it's going to help much."
 
 "Commander that's something I wanted to talk to you about" Manetti said as 
 she sat down. "Isn't there more we should be doing?"
 
"I'm not real sure what you're getting at Tracy," Harm frowned.  "He doesn't even deny he's 
guilty.  The only thing he denies is that the charges are warranted."

"I think we might approach it with the precedent in that old Miller case."

"What did you have for lunch?" Harm scowled.  "You're talking about that idiot who was running 
an Amway business off his computer?"

"Yes sir.  I've taken the liberty of printing this out for us."

"How totally efficient of you," he scowled again.

"Sir, our client wants us to give him every chance."

"I gave him a chance yesterday when I talked deal with him and he told me where to go," Harm 
muttered.  "So we're going to go with what we've got and let the members try the case based on 
what this guy has done."

"You're sure?"

"Very."
======================
 JAG Courtroom
 Two Days Later
 
 "Your honor I object" Harm said as he jumped to his feet and Mac gave him a 
 long glare.
 
 "Overruled."
 
 "Get real" Harm snapped. "You've got to be joking."
 
 "Approach" Sturgis ordered and with a sigh Harm and Mac both headed to the 
 bench. "Rabb you are so pushing it today. One more comment like that and I 
 will have you thrown in the brig for contempt of court."
 
 "You might as well" Harm muttered. "You've given her every break there is. 
 There's no way the people can lose this one."
 
 "Harm I mean it" Sturgis warned. "I've already given you more leeway than 
 you're entitled too. One more comment and you're out of here."
 
 Harm opened up his mouth and promptly closed it at Sturgis's warning glare. 
 Unknown to both of them, AJ had slipped into the courtroom minutes before 
 and had witnessed the entire exchange.
 
 "Thank you. Can we continue now?"
 
 The rest of the afternoon Harm said nothing, letting several opportunities 
 for objection go passed. He was not going to end up in the brig for Lieberman 
 and his client soon realized he wasn't helping him much.
 
 "What are you doing?" Lieberman hissed a short time later. "They're 
 crucifying me and you're letting them."
 
 "I have no basis for an objection" Harm retorted. "We knew this wasn't going 
 to be in our favor and frankly I'm not about to end up in the brig for you."
 
 "What the hell good are you then?" Lieberman demanded.
 
 "If you want another lawyer, get one" Harm snapped.
 
 He was glad when Sturgis finally called for a recess, with closing arguments 
 to be held the next morning.
 
 "Commander can we talk?" Manetti asked as she and Harm made their way back 
 from the courtroom.
 
 "If it's about the case, there's nothing to talk about" Harm sighed.
 
 "I'd like to do the closing arguments tomorrow."
 
 "No"
 
 "May I ask why not Commander? I think I might be able to make a more 
 impassioned plea for our client."
 
 "I'm lead counsel and I'm making the closing arguments. Thank you for the 
 offer but I've got it under control."
 
 "Whatever you say Commander" Tracy sighed as she walked out of Harm's 
 office. She started towards her own office before turning and heading to 
 Tiner's desk.
 
 "Can I help you ma'am?" Tiner smiled.
 
 "Is the Admiral available?" Tracy asked.
 
 "Yes ma'am. Go on in."
 
 Inside his office Harm let out a long sigh. He knew he wasn't doing his best 
 but he didn't care. Lieberman didn't deserve his best. The man was scum and 
 he deserved whatever the members decided.
 
 "Trying to get yourself thrown out of here" Mac asked as she walked into his 
 office. "You know the Admiral was watching us today."
 
 "Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll send me to Iceland" Harm retorted. "Is there 
 a reason for your visit Colonel?"
 
 "Harm how long is this going to go on?" she sighed.
 
 "How long is what going to go on?"
 
 "You being a jerk?" she snapped.
 
"I have reasons for my mood," he returned.  "If you don't like it then you can. . .well I'll leave that 
to you to figure out."

"I can't do this," Mac said firmly with sudden resolve and turned on her heel.

"What can't you do?" Harm demanded to her back.

"And that's something I'll leave to you to figure out," she snapped, far more loudly than she 
intended as she stormed to her office.

It was an hour later that Tracy timidly knocked on her door.  "Ma'am I wouldn't bother you if it 
wasn't urgent," she called softly, looking around furtively and relieved to see there was no sign 
of Harm.

"Come in," Mac replied, gladly looking up from her notes and rubbing her throbbing temples.

"Thank you.  Permission to speak freely please."  Tracy closed the door and sank heavily into a 
chair.

"By all means once that's door is closed," Mac nodded.  "What's on your mind Commander, and 
does it have the initials H-D-R?"

"Yes ma'am.  Of course it does.  I wanted you to know I've spoken to the Admiral.  I've got some 
major concerns about the representation we're giving Lieberman.  Commander Rabb has 
rebuffed all my suggestions and offers.  Look I know Lieberman is pond scum but that's not 
something our oath says we can decide for ourselves.  He deserves the best representation and 
he's not getting it."

Mac pressed her fingers together at the tips thoughtfully.  "And what was the Admiral's take?"

"He's going to review the transcripts and of course it depends on if Lieberman appeals," she 
replied.  "Ma'am I can't be sure but from the way he talked, I think he believes you and the 
Commander are having personal problems and it's affecting his job performance."

"In other words he thinks we're involved you think?"

"Yes ma'am.  I mean I heard right away when I came here about you two.  Rumors and stories.  
Uh. . .sorry ma'am.  I always figured what you and the Commander did outside the confines of 
this office stayed there and frankly I have my own life to live so I didn't concern myself at all, but 
honestly ma'am. . ."  She paused and gave a long sigh.  "I'm not actually sure why I'm here 
except to tell you just so you know that I'm going to cooperate with any investigation as to Mr. 
Rabb's lack of will on defense."

"Yeah.  I'm sure you'll do what you have to," Mac told her.  "And I guess I appreciate what 
you're telling me, for what reason I'm not sure."

"Because he's too good a lawyer and too fine an officer to let his career wash down the toilet.  
Excuse me please?"

"Dismissed by all means," Mac groaned.
===============
Mac had no further contact with Harm for the remainder of that day, a situation for which she 
was not sorry. 

The following morning she was just beginning her closing remarks for the People when AJ 
slipped through the doors and took a seat in the back row.  She summarized the case with 
several points neatly laid out, ticking them off on her fingers, and satisfied she had presented a 
cohesive case for guilt, sat down at her table.

"Sir I can rebut," Tracy whispered, showing Harm her notepad where she had written down 
Mac's main points.

"I've got it covered," he hissed and got to his feet.  His presentation was short and unorganized, 
and he felt the glares of Lieberman and Tracy, as well as AJ, as he spoke.  The trial broke for 
deliberations and Harm quickly slammed his papers into his case, leaving the courtroom as 
soon as Sturgis left the bench.

"Sir I wouldn't go far," Tracy yelled after him, her frustration getting the best of her.  "You 
probably don't even have time for coffee before the verdict."
  
  "Are you implying something Commander?" he demanded as he turned around and 
  made his way to her.
  
  "Yes I am" she hissed. "And you know damn well what it is. As does everyone 
  else sitting in that court room."
  
  "I've provided our client the best defense we could" he snapped.
  
  "That's a line of bull and you know it."
  
  "Watch it Commander. I am still the senior officer on this team and you will 
  not address me in that manner. Do I make myself clear?"
  
  "Crystal" she said before turning and walking back into the court room.
  
  As she predicted it wasn't long before the members came down with a 
  decision, finding Lieberman guilty on every charge that had been brought 
  against him.
  
  "Thanks for nothing" Lieberman hissed after the verdict was read. "And you 
  can be damn sure I'm going to appeal."
  
  Harm said nothing; instead he grabbed his briefcase and walked out of the 
  courtroom. AJ was waiting for him and Harm let out a long sigh.
  
  "Commander why don't you join me for a chat in my office" AJ smiled. "You 
  and I need to talk."
  
  "Yes sir" he said as he followed AJ to his office.
  
  "What the hell do you call the last two days in court?" AJ demanded when 
  they were behind closed doors. "Tiner could have done a better job in there 
  than you did."
  
  "Sir I did my best" Harm started.
  
  "Save it" AJ snapped. "I don't want to hear it. You know damn well that 
  wasn't your best and your client paid the price. I don't know what's with 
  you Commander but I'm giving you fair warning that if that attitude doesn't 
  change you're going to be working at the LSO office in Norfolk real soon. Do 
  I make myself clear?"
  
  "Yes sir."
  
  "And you can kiss your shot on the bench goodbye" AJ continued. "Because 
  after this last episode, there's no way I'm even going to consider 
  recommending you."
  
  "You're not serious sir" Harm demanded.
  
  "Yes Commander I am very serious" AJ snapped.
  
  "This is not fair sir and you know it."
  
  "Yes Commander it is. And I don't want to hear another word about it. 
  Dismissed."
  
  "Aye sir" Harm snapped before hurrying from the office.
  
  ****************
  1 Week Later
  
  The tension remained in the air at JAG as Harm avoided his co-workers. Mac 
  had given up even trying to talk to him after meeting with a wall every time 
  she'd tried.
  
  "Colonel do you think you can find your partner and bring him into my 
  office?" AJ asked as he found Mac in the break room this particular morning.
  
  "I'll try sir. It's not like we're on speaking terms right now."
  
  "Well you'd better get on real quick" AJ sighed. "Cause you're both going to 
  Cherry Point. I'll explain when you and Harm find your way to my office."
  
  "Yes sir" Mac sighed. She wasn't looking forward to spending any time with 
  Harm. Not when he was in the mood he was in. After filling her coffee cup 
  she headed to his office.
  
  "We've been summoned to the Admiral's office," she said quietly.
  
  "For what?" he scowled.
  
  "We're going to Cherry Point. Together."
 
 "Lord I must have really screwed up in this life," Harm sighed, looking heavenward.  "You think 
you can open a hole I can fall into while I'm walking."
 
 "What are you babbling about now?" she frowned.
 
 "Not an F-ing thing," he replied, striding ahead of her.
 
 She watched the back of his head, a frown of despair across her pretty features.  At that 
moment he seemed totally unreachable, and any possibility of a shared future so dim as to be 
barely alive.
 
 "Good you're both here together," AJ smiled when he saw them.  "That hasn't been the case a 
lot lately.  I'm not sure why."
 
 "Because I can hardly stand my own company let alone inflict myself on someone else sir," 
Harm spoke up with unusual candor.  
 
 "Well maybe a change of scene is just the ticket," AJ smiled benevolently.  "Lord knows it will 
be quiet around here."  
 
 "Is that why we're being sent sir?" Harm scowled.
 
 "No."  AJ leveled his gaze on both of them.  "Major Francis Wilkes."
 
 "Who?" From Harm, obviously not having heard of the man in question.
 
 "He's accused of sexual misconduct with his step daughter and two of her friends while they 
had a weekend sleepover at their place.  His wife was out of town," Mac said quietly, wrinkling 
her nose in obvious distaste.
 
 "How old are these kids?" Harm demanded.
 
 "Bridget is the stepdaughter and she's fifteen.  Her friends are fourteen and sixteen," AJ said 
quietly.  "It's a messy case and it's about to hit the papers."
 
 "He's being court-martialed?" Harm asked.
 
 "No.  They lived off post.  The DA wants the case, so the Major has requested a JAG 
representation."
 
 "Oh I was hoping we were prosecution," Mac sighed, giving Harm a sidelong glance.
 
 "No.  Prosecution is the DA herself.  Amanda Fuller is her name," AJ went on, glancing through 
the file.  "Major Wilkes is alleging this is all a conspiracy cooked up by Bridget who hates him.  
You should know it's going to be messy.  A leak from Fuller's office is indicating he's been 
arrested for soliciting young prostitutes and the papers are loving the juice.  All three times he 
was turned back to military justice; but not this time.  The word also is that Ms. Fuller has her 
eye on the congressional seat in that district.  So you know what that could mean too."
 
 Mac gave Harm another long sideways glance and this time Harm caught it.  "Sir I don't think 
the Colonel has complete faith in my ability in this case.  Perhaps she would be more 
comfortable if you were to assign Mr. Turner."
 
 "Normally I don't figure the Colonel's comfort level in to my decisions," AJ growled.  "But just to 
let you know that I did consider Mr. Turner, he's departing for the USS Charleston this 
afternoon.  I'm not sending an aviator to handle a submarine matter if you get my drift.  Anything 
else?"
 
 "I think we've got it sir," Mac spoke up.  
 
 "Good.  Tiner's making your flight arrangements.  Dismissed Colonel.  Commander a word 
please."
 
 When they were alone AJ rose and came around to lean on the edge of his desk in front of 
Harm.  "Commander the word of warning after the Lieberman case is still in effect here.  Your 
career is teetering.  Be very careful."
 
 "I understand sir.  In all candidness sir,  my career is not what it used to be."
 
 "No it's not, and that's your doing."
 
 "I don't see it that way sir."
 
 "Perhaps you'd best start.  Because there's not room at JAG for a senior officer with an attitude 
problem coupled with a sudden lack of courtroom and litagator acumen.  I've placed a formal 
counseling statement in your jacket.  Whether it's removed or added to depends entirely on 
you."
 
 "And the Colonel."  The words were out before Harm could stop himself.
 
 "Excuse me?"
 
 "Never mind."
 
 "No please by all means.  I want to know exactly what that meant."
 
 "Sir I'm sure you and she will have a long talk when this assignment is finished.  A talk about 
my conduct and performance.  Funny, I never thought of her as a spy."
 
 "Mr. Rabb, you are dismissed.  Gladly.  And you might mention to your Maker when you next 
hit your knees that A--I need you badly on this assignment and B--that I'm already late for a 
meeting or we'd be continuing this discussion.  Do not be here when I get back.  Get out."
   
 ******************
 ANDREWS AFB
 Two Hours Later
 
 "Is that scowl a permanent look?" Mac asked as Harm hurried onto their 
 waiting flight.
 
 "Yes it is" he shot back. "Especially given how my day has gone."
 
 "Well I'm not real thrilled with the aspect of spending any time with you 
 either" she retorted. "So why don't we just do the right thing and only 
 speak to each other as necessary to do our jobs."
 
 "Now that's the best thing I've heard from you in a long time."
 
 Fortunately it was a short flight to Cherry Point, neither speaking during 
 the entire trip.
 
 "I suggest we go talk to our client first" Mac said once they'd secured a 
 car and directions to the Major's home. "And see what he has to say for 
 himself."
 
 "Fine" Harm nodded. "Then we'll go talk to Ms. DA."
 
 They both headed for the driver's side of the car and he gave her a long 
 look. "You know I always drive."
 
 "Well Commander I happen to be the senior JAG on this case so I'll be 
 calling the shots" she smiled. "And the first one is I'm driving."
 
 "You're pushing it Colonel" he muttered as he walked around to the other 
 side.
 
 "Did you say something Commander?" she smiled as she climbed into the car.
 
 "No" he snapped as he slammed his door.
 
 "You're the one who asked for it" she murmured.
 
 "Did not" he retorted. "None of this would be happening if I'd gotten a shot 
 at the bench first."
 
 "Harm do you realize what a child you sound like?" she sighed. "Grow up."
 
 "I thought we'd made a deal not to talk except in the course of business" he 
 reminded her.
 
 "Yes we did. And the silence will be bliss."
 
 Following the directions she'd been given, Mac easily located the Major 
 Wilkes home and a short time later they made their way to the front door.
 
 "Major Wilkes?" Mac asked the middle-aged man who opened the door.
 
 "My JAG lawyers" he smiled. "You must be Mackenzie and Rabb. I didn't 
 realize I was going to luck out and get a Marine woman. I'm feeling better 
 about this already."
 
 "Major I suggest you don't address me as a Marine woman" Mac said calmly. 
 "Colonel Mackenzie will be just fine."
 
 "Sorry Colonel" he smiled. "Do you have a first name?"
 
 "I think Colonel is all you need to call her" Harm retorted. "She's your 
 lawyer not the next female you're going to accost."
 
 Francis Wilkes frowned as he looked over at Harm. "I don't like you already 
 Commander. You sound like you've already determined that I'm guilty. And I'm 
 not. It's a bunch of lies."
 
 "You'll have to excuse my partner" Mac said as she glared at Harm. "And I 
 promise you will provide you the defense you're entitled to. Now do you have 
 some time to speak to us about these allegations."
 
 "Of course. Please come in."
 
 "What was that about?" Mac hissed as she and Harm followed Major Wilkes into 
 his study.
 
 "Nothing. I didn't like his tone with you."
 
 "Too bad. I can handle myself remember. And we will be providing the Major 
 the best defense we can."
 
 Harm only rolled his eyes as they caught up to their host and a moment later 
 they were settled in his study.
 
 "Can I get either of you anything?" he asked.
 
 "No we'd just like to get down to business" Harm spoke up before Mac could.
 
"Bridget and her chattering little friends cooked this whole thing up," Wilkes said, shrugging his 
shoulders.  "I married Linda about four years ago.  Bridget was eleven at the time, and a huge 
brat.  I'm pleased to tell you that she hasn't changed.  Linda pretty much lets the kid do what 
she wants, makes my life miserable and I'm supposed to foot the bill for skating, sports, dance 
and so forth.  Meanwhile I get nothing but grief from her.  No respect or even politeness.  I'm not 
supposed to discipline her.  Basically I'm here to write the checks and endure her abuse."

"Thank you Major."  Mac held her hand up for silence.  "And I'm guessing Bridget will deny all of 
that?"

"Well Linda and all of Bridget's friends have witnessed her treatment of me."

"What would have made her suddenly pull a stunt like this?" Harm asked.

"New York."

"Go on."

"Her dance line group.  They're going to New York?"

"What the hell is a dance line?"

"Competitive synchronized dance.  All these young girls who are fourteen or fifteen but look 
twenty-one dress up in these short tight outfits, put their hair up on top of their heads, wear gobs 
of make up, and they compete.  Bridget's team won state.  And the nationals are in New York."

"Excuse me but is there a point upcoming," Harm interrupted irritably.

"Yeah. I mean yes sir.  Miss Snippy expected me to write a check for $989 to cover the trip.  I 
said no."

"Because you don't have the money?"

"No I could have.  I just put my foot down as my mother used to say.  I'm not subsidizing her 
disrespect of me any longer.  Then she looked at me and these were her exact words—'I hate 
you and I'll fix you good'.  What she doesn't seem to realize is that if I get thrown in jail and out 
of the Navy, her little paradise is going to come to an end."

Harm was writing furiously and he looked up when Wilkes paused.  "Where are Bridget and 
Linda now?"

"Part of my bail is that I have no contact with Bridget, so Linda moved out with her--they went to 
her mother's.  Suits me.  I didn't feel like leaving my home.  What is sad is that Bridget could be 
a good kid but her mom lets her run all over her.  All I hear is Frank she's only fifteen, what do 
you expect.  Frank she's a teenager, let her enjoy.  Well Frank here is through."

"Frank is also in a lot of trouble.  You know the prosecution is going to bring up your three 
soliciting charges."

"Hey I pleaded no contest and took my punishment.  All three times I was drunk and not in my 
right mind and Linda and I were having major problems.  Over Bridget.  I was sleeping in the 
den."  He gave a short laugh and nudged Harm.  "Commander you understand I'm sure.  I mean 
look at the woman you're. . ."

A long glare from Harm silenced him.  "So this is your story.  It was all a plot by Bridget and her 
friends."

"Yes sir.  A plot to ruin me.  Which even if I'm found innocent, you know that sort of thing will 
dog me the rest of my career."
  
 "And this is what you expect us to tell the jury?" Harm scoffed. "That your 
 step daughter cooked up this plan all because you wouldn't pay for her to go 
 to New York."
 
 "It's the truth" he shot back.
 
 "Well I'll be honest Major I'm having a hard time with it and I'm sure the 
 jury will to" Harm retorted.
 
 "Then why the hell are you here Commander" Wilkes demanded. "I asked for JAG 
 representation thinking they would be on my side."
 
 "We are on your side" Mac interrupted. "Again you'll have to excuse my 
 partner again. What he's trying to say is that the members may have a hard 
 time with you simply blaming your step daughter for this."
 
 "Colonel it's the truth. And I'm sure once you talk the little brat you'll 
 see exactly what I mean."
 
 "First we're going to talk to the DA. Then we'll talk to Bridget and Linda."
 
 "I'm not dealing. No way. I can kiss every part of my career goodbye if I do 
 this. At least if we go to trial I have a chance of winning and can save 
 some scrap of it."
 
 "We'll tell her that" Mac nodded. "And we will be back again soon to talk to 
 you. I just want you to know this isn't going to be an easy sell."
 
 "I know. But I'm going to fight. I have that right don't I?"
 
 "Yes you do. And we'll do our best to defend you."
 
 She looked at Harm as she spoke and he gave her a long glare back. Major 
 Francis Wilkes was no different than Commander Lieberman. The only thing 
 that made Wilkes worse was he wouldn't even admit to his guilt.
 
 "That went so well Commander" Mac sighed once she and Harm were alone in the 
 car. "You're really trying to dig yourself a deeper grave aren't you?"
 
 "Oh I'm sure you'll be reporting back to the Admiral about my behavior" he 
 snapped.
 
 "I was thinking more along the lines of what our client might tell your CO" 
 Mac retorted.
 
 "Look Mac you know his story is a bunch of BS. I can see through guys like 
 him real easily. You on the other hand get snowed over by them."
 
 "I'm not getting snowed over" she snapped. "I'm defending my client. And 
 last time I checked it wasn't our job to determine his guilt or innocence. 
 That's what the jury is for."
 
 "True. And the jury is going to laugh us right out of the courtroom with 
 that story. And you know it."
 
 "I'll admit it's not much. But he still deserves proper representation. And 
 if you can't do that, maybe you should have yourself removed."
 
 "Oh that would look so good with Admiral" Harm laughed sarcastically. "Gee 
 Admiral would you mind taking me off this case since I think our client is 
 another loser and I don't want to defend him."
 
 "Well then I guess you'll just have to keep your mouth shut and do your job 
 won't you?"
 
 "You know Colonel I used to like you."
 
 "Funny, I used to like you before you became the biggest jerk on earth" she 
 retorted.
 
 No more was said until they reached the DA's office.
 
 "Can we get through this without any comments?" she asked as they made their 
 way inside.
 
 "Sure Colonel. I won't speak unless I'm spoken to. How's that sound?"
 
 Mac rolled her eyes but kept quiet as they reached the secretary's desk.
 
 "Hi I'm Colonel Mackenzie and this is Commander Rabb from JAG. We're here to 
 talk to Ms. Fuller."

 "Oh yes" the secretary nodded. "Ms. Fuller is waiting for you. I'll show you 
 in."
 
 A moment later they were escorted into the office of Amanda Fuller and Mac 
 rolled her eyes again as she watched Harm's eyes sweep over the young DA. 
 She was tall and thin; her long blonde hair currently swept up in a bun. As 
 they walked in, she looked up at them and smiled.
 
 "Colonel, Commander so nice of meet you" she said in a thick southern 
 accent. "So are we here to talk a deal?"
 
 "I'm sorry Ms. Fuller but Major Wilkes doesn't believe he needs a deal" Mac 
 smiled back.
 
 "Amanda please. And I'm sorry to hear that because I real think a deal is 
 the only way he's going to stay out of prison for the next twenty years."
 
 "Well the Major doesn't see it that way. We're prepared to go to trial."
 
 "Is that so?" Amanda smiled, her glance landing on Harm. "So tell me 
 Commander, is that how you feel too?"
  
"No but I'm bound with what he wants.  I'm going to keep trying to talk him into taking the deal."

"Ms. Fuller it's not out of the question that the girl could make this up.  There's no physical 
evidence to disprove her story.  She was careful to say it was only touching and comments.  
Her word against his.  You're going to have to put her and her friends on the stand," Mac 
pointed out.

"Colonel I know my job," she said firmly.  "And Bridget is prepared to testify as are the two other 
young ladies.  They're very brave."

"Well I hope they are under cross," Mac returned.  "I won't be gentle.  They're plenty old enough 
to understand the consequences of such an accusation so if they made it, then they should be 
prepared to back it up."

"Of course they are.  And then I'm putting the guy away.  Unless he wants to cop to third degree 
assault.  Five years.  With good behavior and psych treatment he's home in two."

"Home to what?  To register as a sex offender and where would he get a job?" Mac demanded.

"Not my problem," Amanda smiled sweetly.  "And what if you guys get him off, and he does it 
again?  Only next time it's more than just a little touchy feely stuff."

"What he might do is not our responsibility," Mac countered.  "It's going to come down to his 
word against theirs.  Whose testimony the jury finds more credible."

"And if you were prosecuting?"

"I'd be celebrating," Harm broke in.  "Instead I'm on the losing end of another loser case.  Where 
you on the other hand Ms. Fuller are going to enhance your rep by putting away a child abuser."

"Could we at least say alleged please," Mac begged in a hoarse whisper.

"How about if I say disgusting instead and then wait outside."  With that he turned on his heel 
and walked out.

Mac stared at his retreating form. "Ms. Fuller my apologies for my partner's rudeness.  Normally 
he's not quite that bad."

"Well he does have a way about him.  On the other hand. . ." her voice trailed off and she 
smiled softly.  "On the other hand if the Navy were to be not to his liking, well in 2004 I'm going 
to be putting together a run for congress from this district.  Our Mr. Salzburg is retiring you see.  
I could use someone like that--someone that passionate--in a campaign and then on staff."

Mac's eyes narrowed as she spoke and a little prickle of apprehension played in her belly.  At 
that moment she would have hated to swear Harm would never leave JAG or the Navy.  
Nevertheless she drew herself up to her full height and said firmly.  "Ma'am my partner is having 
a few rough spots right now but that certainly doesn't mean he'd leave his career for politics.  
Excuse me.  I think we're through here."

"Of course, but tell Mr. Rabb I'd enjoy having dinner with him before he leaves.  Once the trial 
concludes of course."

"Of course," Mac murmured as she walked out, adding in a low mutter as she got outside.  "I'm 
not your messenger woman, lady."
 
  Harm was waiting in the car and with a sigh she climbed into the car.
  
  "Don't even start," he said before she could open her mouth. "I don't want 
  to hear it."
  
  "Fine. But for the record Commander, your attitude sucks and you'd do us 
  both a favor if you removed yourself from this case."
  
  "I won't give you or him the pleasure of that" Harm retorted.
  
  "Of course. Because everything in this life is about Harmon Rabb."

 He did not miss her sarcasm.  "Mac you know the guy is guilty. Come on."
  
  "I know I have the duty to give my client fair representation. A duty you've 
  obviously forgotten."
  
  "Can we just go back to the BOQ?" he moaned. "This is getting real old 
  today."
  
  "Fine. By the way, Ms. Fuller invited you to dinner when the case is over. 
  Seems she likes your style."
  
  "Maybe I'll take her up on her offer."
  
  "And maybe you can sleep with her and add another notch to the Harmon Rabb 
  bedpost."
  
  "Do I detect a note of jealousy Colonel?"
  
  "Oh please. Like I care what you do."
  
  "I think you do" he smirked.
  
  "Well Commander I hate to disappoint you but you're quite wrong. I don't 
  give a damn who you see and what you do with them."
  
  There was no further words spoken until they reached the BOQ at Cherry 
  Point.
  
  "When would you like to work on our client's defense strategy?" she asked as 
  they climbed out of the car.
  
  "Whenever you'd like Colonel. But quite truthfully the only strategy he has 
  is throwing himself on the mercy of the court."
  
  "Never mind" she sighed. "I'll handle this myself. Thank you Commander." 
  With that she turned around and headed back to the car.
  
  "Where are you going?" he asked.
  
  "What do you care?"
  
  "I don't" he snapped and turned and headed to the BOQ.
  
  She drove back to town and finally located the local library. For the next 
  hour she poured through all the notes she had from Major Wilkes. She wasn't 
  as sure as Harm was that Major Wilkes was guilty. Bridget wouldn't have been 
  the first teenager to make up a story to get back at her stepfather.
  What she needed to do was find out if the young lady had had any problems in 
  the past.
  
  "Colonel what a surprise" Francis Wilkes smiled when he opened the door to 
  see Mac standing there. "I didn't expect you back right away."
  
  "I just wanted to go over a few other things with you. Do you have a few 
  minutes?"
  
  "I have nothing but time Colonel," he said as he held the door open for her. 
  "Where's your partner?"
  
  "Back at the BOQ working on something else" Mac lied. "And I've been going 
  through the notes and I wanted to talk to you some more about Bridget."
  
  "What do you want to know?"
  
  "Was there any prior incidents like this before?" Mac asked. "Any instances 
  where we could prove she's lied for her benefit? Maybe a teacher or a friend 
  who knows something?"
  
  "No. This is the first time she's done anything like this. She's played her 
  little games before but never like this."
  
  "So there isn't any one who can discredit her?" Mac sighed.
  
  "No. I'm sorry."
  
  "No we'll think of something. I for one do not think this is as hopeless as 
  my partner does."
  
  "And I thank you for that Colonel" Francis Wilkes smiled.
   
 "Well it's not the first time we haven't seen eye to eye on a case or a client."  
 
 "But you two are friends aren't you?"
 
 "We're supposed to be but that's been hard to achieve of late," she sighed.  "And the fact that 
I'm talking about this to a subordinate officer who happens to be a client is indicative of how 
asinine the whole thing is anyway."
 
 "Well sometimes us men defy logic," he smiled ruefully.  "Lord knows I've made my share of 
mistakes.  One of which was to marry a woman with a willful spoiled daughter."
 
 "Where is Bridget's father?" Mac asked softly.  "Was Linda a widow?"
 
 "Oh good grief no.  When we met she had divorced him a year before and they were in the 
midst of a huge custody fight."
 
 Mac nodded thoughtfully.  "And her dad is where?"
 
 "On the upper coast.  Atlantic Beach.  He remarried about the same time Linda and I did."
 
 "Beach?  He lives on the beach?"
 
 "Married a widow with a big house that's paid for.  Her husband was a killed by a drunk driver.  
Poor guy did better for his family after he was gone."
 
 "It works that way sometimes," Mac nodded.  "How much contact does Bridget have with him?"
 
 "With Connor?  That was part of the whole custody thing.  He was drinking heavily the two 
years before they split, out of work most of the time, in jail part of the time.  Real  honey of a 
guy.  Of course I've had my moments I guess.  But anyway he's apparently gotten sober, works 
for the B and B his wife runs.  And to answer your question, Bridget loves to go there."
 
 Mac raised an eyebrow at that.  "OK Daddy has access to all that money.  Why doesn't he foot 
the bill for Bridget's activities.  Does he pay child support?"
 
 "Prenuptial agreement," Wilkes snorted.  "He lives in his wife's paid for home but has no assets 
in his own name to speak of.  Not even the car he drives.  Yeah he sends her $100 a month 
spending money.  Big deal.  It keeps her in make-up and CDs that she blasts from her room so 
loud I can't hear the TV in the den."
 
 "Well he might be worth talking to," Mac nodded thoughtfully.  "I'll see what Harm thinks."
 
 "He thinks I'm guilty."
 
 "Well besides that.  Is it possible Mr. Connor has influenced Bridget's desire to escape?  You 
said she likes going up there."
 
 Wilkes shrugged elaborately.  "Honestly I don't know.  The man did get sober I'll give him that."
 
 "How often does she go visit?"
 
 "He had supervised visitation rights only at first which he never used.  Then when he met this 
woman and straightened himself out, he petitioned and about two years ago got the supervision 
requirement removed.  I don't even remember what the exact arrangement was, like a weekend 
a month or something but the last year Linda has let her go whenever she wants.  I swear it's 
like night and day the peace that comes over the house then."  
 
 "Well it's not much but it's more than we had," Mac nodded.  "You try to take it easy.  You're not 
on the gallows yet." 
 
  "Thank you Colonel. My career is everything to me and even if I am found not 
  guilty I'm not going to have much of it left. But I'll be grateful for 
  whatever you can do for me."
  
  "Glad I can help. I know how mixed up kids can be at that age and hopefully 
  we'll get this all sorted out."
  
  "So you do believe me?"
  
  "Yes Major I do.  Oddly enough I do.  I'm not sure how we'll get the jury to believe you but I'll 
  come up with something."
  
  She returned to the BOQ at Cherry Point and with a long sigh headed to 
  Harm's room.
  
  "Harm it's me" she said as she knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"
  
  The door opened a moment later and he looked out at her. "I thought we were 
  through for today."
  
  "I got a little more information that might help Major Wilkes case. 
  Bridget's real father might be a player in this."
  
  "Nothing is going to help his case" Harm scoffed. "He's guilty and there's 
  no way you're going to prove otherwise to a jury."
  
  "Harm that's it" Mac snapped tired and cross with little patience for him at the moment. "You're 
pushing it mister and I've about had it. You have a duty to represent this man. I don't care what 
your feelings are towards him personally but I will not allow you to continue like this."
  
  "You going to call the Admiral and tell him I'm not behaving properly?"
  
  "It's real tempting that's for sure" she retorted.
  
  "Go ahead. I really don't care Mac."
  
  "Don't care about what? Harm I don't understand you anymore. Why all of a 
  sudden do you feel like the world is against you?"
  
  "Because it is."
  
  "Well can you just let that go for a while" she sighed. "We have a case 
  here. And I'd like us to do our best for our client."
  
  "Mac our client is guilty. I have no doubt in my mind that Bridget isn't 
  lying about him. He's another loser like Lieberman and I'll be happy when 
  the jury finds him guilty and sends him to prison where he belongs."
  
  "That's really how you feel?" she demanded.
  
  "Yes it is."
  
  "Fine. I'll report that to the Admiral and with any luck I'll have someone 
  down here tomorrow who actually cares about helping the client." She turned 
  and walked away, the slamming of his door coming a moment later.
  
  She returned to her room but the encounter with Harm had left her too edgy 
  to work. Instead she donned a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt and headed 
  over to the gym where she took out her frustrations on the punching bag.
  
  "Someone must have pissed you off" a young man smiled as he walked over to 
  Mac as she finished off the bag.
  
  "You could say that" Mac panted.
  
  "I wouldn't want to get on your bad side" he grinned even more. "Are you new 
  here?"
  
  "Just visiting" she sighed. "Colonel Sarah Mackenzie from JAG."
  
  "Sorry ma'am" he said sheepishly. "Corporal Randy Simpson. You must be here 
  on the Wilkes Case."
  
  "You know Major Wilkes?" she asked.
  
  "Everyone's heard about the case ma'am. I don't know the Major personally. 
  Just heard of him."
  
  "And what have you heard?"
  
  "Is this on the record or off?"
  
  "You know something" she smiled. "And I'd like to hear what you know. I'm 
  defending the Major and I need all the help I can get on this."
  
  "I know of his step-daughter Bridget" Randy sighed. "And I can tell you 
  she's not as innocent as she'd like you to believe."
  
  "Keep talking Corporal" Mac urged. "What do you know about Bridget?"
  
  "I know she tried to make it with a few of the younger guys here."
  
  "She's only fifteen" Mac gasped.
  
  "Ma'am when you see Bridget you'll understand. She's fifteen going on 
  twenty-one. Major Wilkes used to bring her with him some weekends when he 
  had to work and she'd be practically throwing herself at the guys."
  
  "Did he know about this?"
  
  "No. And no one wanted to tell him either."
  
  "How often did she come with him?" Mac asked.
  
  "Not that often. I think he was catching on to what she was up to so he 
  stopped bringing her with him."
  
  "You know for a fact this was going on?"
 
 "Yes ma'am.  I uh. . .I nearly. . .and if you try to get me to say that on the stand I'll deny we ever 
had this conversation."
 
 "Corporal right now I'm just interested in your experiences.  I'm no where ready to make out a 
witness list.  You and Bridget. . ."
 
 "No ma'am," he gasped in horror.  "No ma'am it never got that far.  But she did try and truth be 
told I did ask her out until one of my buddies told me she was jail bait and I cancelled right 
away.  Ma'am I was sure she was at least eighteen.  Probably closer to twenty I thought.  With 
one of those halter tops and tight jean shorts and make up.  Oh yeah.  But I'm not sure what this 
could have to do with the Major, but I wanted to tell you."
 
 "It could have a lot," she nodded.  "Goes to character of the complaining party.  Makes his 
allegation that Bridget is fabricating somewhat more plausible.  Let me ask you, did Bridget ever 
come right out and say she was over eighteen?"
 
 "No ma'am not to me.  Because I got that word from my buddy Warren after Bridget and I 
started to get friendly.  Warren told me she'd lied to him about her age and he found out just in 
time to avoid making a bad mistake.  I don't know exactly how though."
 
 "OK Corporal, thank you," Mac said sincerely.  "That helps.  At least I hope it does."
 
 "You think he's innocent ma'am?  I mean I know you're his lawyer but really do you think he 
is?"
 
 "He'll get the best defense my partner and I can provide him," she smiled, inwardly groaning as 
she thought of Harm and his problems with the case and gave the bag a particularly vicious 
punch before heading to the shower.
 
 She stood under the hot water until it turned lukewarm, then with new resolve to talk to Harm, 
marched back to the BOQ.  "Harm it's me, can we talk," she called softly outside his door.
 
 It was a long minute before she got her response.  "I'm not sure we have anything to talk about 
but yeah sure come in," he mumbled, fumbling with the lock and finally opening the door.
 
 "You look like hell," Mac frowned and took a whiff. "And I can tell why.  You were asleep?  And 
I take it you went out about the same time I did."  Her gaze went past him to the night stand and 
the bottle that rested there.  "To the package store."
 
 "Is there a point to this visit?"  
 
 "Well there was, but making it while you're drinking is pointless.  Shall we plan to talk over 
breakfast?"
 
 "Whatever yeah," he slurred.  
 
 "And tomorrow we want to see Bridget and her mother.  I'll make an appointment to do that."
 
 "Am I still on the case?"
 
 "Do you want to be?"
 
 "Honestly Colonel right now I don't give a damn."
 
 "Why does that not surprise me.  Go back to bed or the bottle Harm.  We'll talk tomorrow.  But 
just so you know, I haven't talked to the Admiral yet.  See for some reason I keep hoping the 
Harmon Rabb I know will come out of this funk."
 
 "Funk?  I'm being screwed twelve ways to Sunday and I'm in a funk?  Colonel I'm in a lot more 
than that thank you.  Good night."   With that he took her arm and escorted her to the door, 
giving her a firm shove into the hallway.
 
 Mac regarded him for a long moment, feeling tears threaten and determined she would not give 
him that.  "Good night."  
 
 Not until she was back in her room did she give in to the emotion, resulting in a long sleepless 
night as she ran the gamut of anger to frustration to sadness to fear.
 
 The next morning without much sleep she forced herself up and after another long shower, 
made her way to Harm's room.  "Breakfast Flyboy and we've got a lot we need to accomplish 
today," she called, giving the door a firm pounding, knowing he would no doubt be sleeping 
heavily.
 
 There was silence from the room at first and then she could hear a low moan, a noise unlike 
any other she had ever heard him make.  "Harm are you OK?  Harm open up."  Another moan 
and then silence.  Total dead silence. 

 It took her but a moment to decide what she needed to do next and she 
 hurried down to the desk of the BOQ.
 
 "Private I need to get into Commander Rabb's room immediately" she told the 
 young man behind the desk. "I think he's too sick to open it himself. I 
 tried pounding on the door but he's not answering."
 
 "Yes ma'am" the Private nodded. "Would you like me to call for medics as 
 well?"
 
 "Once I get inside I'll let you know. Please I just want to get in first."
 
 She followed the Private back to Harm's room and as soon as he'd opened the 
 door, she pushed past him towards the bed where Harm lay.
 
 "Harm" she said as she knelt beside the bed. "Harm wake up now."
 
 He managed to turn his head and look her way and she leaned back at the 
 smell of alcohol that emanated from him.
 
 "Mac what are you doing here?" His words were slurred and with a sigh she 
 realized he'd gotten completely drunk after she'd left him. The bottle he'd 
 been nursing the night before was now empty and she gave him a long look 
 before looking up at the Private.
 
 "That'll be all Private. Thank you."
 
 "Yes ma'am" he nodded before hurrying away.
 
 "Rabb you are so pathetic" she muttered. "Totally pathetic."
 
 "Good maybe you'll send me away" he muttered as he pushed himself up, 
 holding his hands to his aching head.
 
 "Is that what you really want?" she demanded.
 
 "I want you not to yell" he retorted. "Man with a hangover here."
 
 "Fine. I won't yell. And you can spend the day hung over. I'll go talk to 
 Bridget and her mother myself. I don't need your help on this anyway."
 
 With that she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her as she 
 did so. He was the most infuriating man in the world and she'd had just 
 about enough of Harmon Rabb to last her a lifetime. She made her way out to 
 the rental car and was on her way off base when her cell phone rang.
 
 "Forget it Rabb, I'm not interested in hearing it" she snapped, figuring it 
 was him calling so not checking the caller ID.
 
 "Hearing what Colonel?"
 
 "Sir, I'm so sorry" Mac gasped as she realized her CO was on the other end 
 and not Harm. "Please pretend you never heard what."
 
 "Sorry Colonel. I called to see how things were going down there but from 
 the sounds of it things haven't changed since when you left."
 
 "It hasn't been that bad" Mac lied. As much as Harm pushed her buttons, she 
 didn't want to be the one to tell the Admiral he wasn't doing his duty.
 
 "You want to try that again Colonel. Seeing as how a minute ago you sounded 
 pretty upset with your partner."
 
 "It's nothing really. Just the usual stuff between me and Harm."
 
 "One more time Mac. How has Harm really been? And I don't want the 
 sugar-coated version. I know you feel the need to protect your partner but I 
 want the truth."
 
 "He's been a bear," she admitted finally, yielding to the fact she was talking to her CO.. "He's 
pretty much told Major Wilkes he thinks he's guilty and has done nothing to help the case. Quite 
 honestly I might as well be working alone."
 
 "Thank you Colonel. I appreciate your candor and I'll take care of things 
 from here."
 
 "Sir he's just been having a hard time" Mac sighed, instinctively coming to her partner's 
defense. "The judge thing has 
 gotten him into this big funk that he just can't get out of. I'm sure it 
 will pass."
 
 "I've given him time for it to pass" AJ replied. "And nothing has changed. 
 And unfortunately he's forced me to make a decision I didn't want to make."
 
 "Sir what are you going to do?" Mac asked quietly.
 
 "I'm going to start by pulling Mr. Rabb from the case. You can expect Lt. 
 Manetti down there in a few hours to take over. And after I chew out Mr. 
 Rabb's six, I'm going to send what's left of it to Norfolk. There's an 
 opening in the LSO office there."
 
She fell into silence at those words, swallowing hard as she digested the implications--to Harm's 
career and to Harm and her.

"Colonel are you still there?"

"Sir, yes sir.  Uh. . .whatever you think best sir."

"You're not in agreement?"

"Sir it's not my place to comment.  I will say we can't keep going like this."  She gave a long 
sigh, realizing the truth to her assertion.  She and Harm were destroying each other and she 
was being forced to watch while he was destroying his career.

"It's not like I'm sending him to Devil's Island Colonel," AJ added with a soft chuckle.  "You can 
still see each other, and it's not set in stone by any means.  I'm not even going to requisition for 
a permanent replacement.  Just someone to fill in the gap for say six months while I decide 
what's best for all concerned, the Commander included."

"Yes sir I understand."  

"I'm going to send Manetti down with written orders for Harm to report back to me.  If you uh. . .if 
you want to soften the blow ahead of time, feel free but you're not obligated."

"Yes sir.  I don't know.  It might go down better coming from a friend but at the same time, I'm 
not sure I want to add another nail to that coffin."

"I know you'll make the best decision.  Meanwhile hang tight until Manetti gets there."

"Yes sir.  Will do.  Thank you sir."  She disconnected the call and pulled the car over to the side 
of the road, resting her forehead on the  steering wheel in frustration.  When did life turn into 
hell?  To tell Harm or not rolled over and over in her mind, adding to the concern she was 
already feeling for him.  He was sick, caused by his own hand not withstanding, and deserved 
some compassion for that.  Plus if Tracy was going to be on the case, seeing Bridget and Linda 
alone was all but pointless, just adding to more catch-up Tracy would have to do.  
=============
BOQ
20 Mins. later

"Harm it's me.  I need to talk to you," Mac called softly as she knocked.  "You still alive in there 
Flyboy?"

"Barely.  Just a minute until I get decent."  The words came as a moan and Mac gave a small 
sigh of frustration and satisfaction at the same time.  She knew from experience the day after a 
drinking binge was hell on wheels.

He opened the door a minute later, dressed in an undershirt and boxers, bloodshot eyes and 
stubble growth adding to his appearance.  "Just don't go into the bathroom.  I've got some 
cleaning up to do in there."

"Here's a hint for that project--room spray," she told him.   "I'm not even going to attempt to tell 
you how bad you look.   Are you OK?  Besides the hangover of course."

"I don't expect to live until sundown.  Mac I can't play twenty questions here.  And if you came to 
gloat please get it over with, and do it in a whisper."

"I came to be sure you were OK," she replied evenly, "though I'm not sure why I worried.  You're 
always OK.  Though right now you look nothing like Renee's golden boy on the recruiting 
poster.  And I do have something more serious to talk to you about."

"Whisper remember," he begged, dropping to the bed and leaning over to rest his head 
between his hands, his fingers pressed into the temples as far as he could.

"OK, and there's no other way to say this than straight out.  Commander Manetti will be here 
later this afternoon.  She'll be carrying orders relieving you from this case and returning you to 
D.C."

"I see.  Is that all?"  He did not lift his head as he spoke and she held her breath, trying to hastily 
decide if the Norfolk news would be better from her or from the Admiral. 
   
 "There is more," he said as he finally looked up, her silence telling him 
 that she had something else to tell him. "What is it?"
 
 "The Admiral will tell you when you get back," she said slowly. "I just 
 wanted to tell you Manetti was coming down."
 
 "Bull. What is the Admiral going to tell me?" he demanded. "Come on Colonel, 
 spit it out."
 
 "You're being sent to the LSO office in Norfolk for the next six months" she 
 said quietly.
 
 "I see. Let me guess.  This was your idea."
 
 "No" she shouted. "It was the Admiral's. How dare you even think I would 
 have suggested that."
 
 "Well you obviously called him to tell him about my behavior now didn't 
 you?" he retorted.
 
 "He called me. And for your information mister, I wasn't going to rat on 
 you. I just didn't have a choice. He questioned me and I wasn't able to evade him."
 
 "Oh I'm sure you didn't. So I guess this makes it nice and pretty for you 
 and Sturgis now with me out of the way."
 
 "I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer" she whispered. "This is 
 not what I wanted. But you have dealt yourself this hand and you're going to 
 have to live with it."
 
 "Me" he shouted. "I didn't do this. If I'd been given the judgeship first, 
 none of this would have happened. But for some reason the Admiral thinks so 
 damn highly of you now and treats me like dog droppings."
 
 "I'm out of here" she sighed. "Call me when you realize that no one is 
 responsible for this but you."
 
 "Then it's been nice knowing you Colonel," he said as she headed to the 
 door. "Maybe I'll see you around."
 
 "This isn't permanent," she said quietly as she turned to face him. "At 
 least not yet. But with an attitude like that, it sure as hell might be. And 
 if that's the case, well it's been nice knowing you too Commander." With the 
 last words said, she turned and hurried from the room, making it to room 
 before giving into the tears. Everything had suddenly spiraled out of 
 control and now her partner was going away for six months. Or maybe forever 
 if that was what he wanted.
 
 Having not slept the night before, Mac easily fell asleep after crying her 
 heart out for a man she cared so much about. It wasn't until she heard 
 knocking on her door that she roused.
 
 "Tracy wow that was quick" Mac said with a forced smiled when she opened the 
 door.
 
 "Admiral got me on the flight out of Andrews right after you called" Tracy 
 replied. "So here I am and ready to get to work."
 
 "Have you talked to Harm?" Mac asked slowly.
 
 "I did ma'am" Tracy nodded. "And he's gone. Fact he was waiting for me when 
 I arrived. He got on the plane as soon as I got off."
 
 "How was he?"
 
 "Well he was still pretty hung over. And of course he didn't speak a word to 
 me. I tried to talk to him but he just ignored me."
 
 "At least he doesn't just hate me then" Mac murmured.
 
 "No ma'am, I think he hates the whole world right now. But I'm sure that's 
 not much of a consolation to you seeing as how you and the Commander were so 
 close."
 
 "Were being the key word there," Mac said quietly. "But that's another story 
 that you don't need to hear."
 
 "Ma'am if you want to talk, I'll listen. I am a good listener. And whatever 
 you tell me won't go any further than these ears. I'm not a spy for the 
 SecNav like some people think."
 
 "I never thought that" Mac said with a small smile.
 
 "Well unfortunately my relationship with the SecNav has made people a little 
 frightened of me. I may have gotten this appointment because him and Daddy 
 were friends but I have earned my way since."
 
 "Yes you have. And we've got a lot of work here on this case. Everything is 
 against Major Wilkes but I for one think we can save him and his career."
 
 "Let's do it then" Tracy smiled.
 
 "I was going to talk to the accuser and her mother today. I'll bring you up 
 to speed on everything else on the way over."
 
 ***********
 JAG HQ's
 4 Hours Later
 
 "Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir" Harm said as he walked into AJ's 
 office.
 
 "Have a seat Commander" AJ ordered.
 
 "I'll stand sir. Just give me my orders to Norfolk and I'll be out of here."
 
 "Sit down Commander" AJ ordered. "If you think you're getting out of here 
 with just your orders you're wrong."
 

"Yes sir," Harm replied automatically, dropping into the nearest chair.  "Or I could go back to my 
office and fire off a resignation."

AJ regarded him silently for a moment and then walked around to sit next to Harm instead of 
across from him.  "Is that what you want son?"

"I don't. . .no sir, it's not," he replied hesitantly, giving his head a quick shake as if to clear it.  "I 
mean I guess I have that option open any time don't I.  I just want things to be normal again.  I 
want me and Mac. . .I mean I want back the good working relationship I had with the Colonel 
and I want to be respected and I. . .OK I'm aware that some of it is my fault."

"Only some?" AJ asked gently.

"Only some yes sir," he returned.  "A lot of things have happened that weren't in my control."

"All right.  I'm going to refrain from reminding you that you know we're all ultimately responsible 
for our own behavior."

"Yes sir thank you.  Sir, am I being exiled here permanently?  I know you said six months to 
Mac.  Is that almost a promise?"

"I'm not replacing you permanently as I told her," AJ answered.  "At the end of the time, if you've 
kept your nose clean, we'll talk about a return here on a trial basis.  One thing I can promise, if I 
have to repeat relieving you, you won't be back.  And it will be reflected in such a way it your fit-
rep that you can kiss a promotion good bye.  Are we clear?"

Harm nodded, biting back any thought of defiance at that moment.  The situation would require 
some thinking over, and anything he might say now would be in anger. "Very sir.  Very clear.  
Permission to clear my office and then take care of some things at my place before reporting for 
duty?"

"I'll tell them to expect you on Monday morning first thing," AJ nodded.  "Dismissed, and Harm--
stay in touch.  If I can help."

"Yes sir."
=============
HAVELOCK, NC

"Colonel, Commander come in," Linda Wilkes greeted Mac and Tracy.  "Bridget is out back on 
the deck.  She's been told you were coming and she's OK with talking but I know you'll be 
gentle."

Mac took a long breath and with an encouraging nod from Tracy, spoke softly as she said, 
"Ma'am, Bridget has made a very serious accusation that could ruin a man's career not to 
mention his life.  As his defense attorneys we are required to protect him, and to look after his 
rights.  Does Bridget know he's alleging she made this all up in a conspiracy to get him out of 
her life."

"You bet she does and a bigger load of bull I've never heard," Linda growled.  "Come on this 
way if you must.  What exactly do you hope to accomplish?"

"Well for one thing we're going to impress upon her the seriousness of her allegations, and then 
I want her to know once she's on the stand, she's going to be intensely questioned."

"She can take it," Linda said firmly.  "This way."

The girl that was lying half asleep on the closed in deck looked anything but fifteen, given the 
string bikini which she wore.  Mac and Tracy looked at each other, each knowing what the other 
one was thinking.  Jail bait, just as the young Marine had hinted.

A half hour talking with her got them no where.  She budged not an inch from her story that the 
three of them were sleeping and her stepfather had fondled them.

"OK was that a waste or what," Mac groaned to Tracy, throwing her briefcase into the back seat 
and slamming the car door.  

"Yes ma'am.  You know we're going to have to discredit her on the stand."

"Oh yeah.  And it's going to be a pleasure.  God I'd like to hope I wasn't a little snit like that 
when I was fifteen."

Tracy smiled broadly.  "No point in me hoping that.  I know for sure I was.  Spoiled rotten 
besides."

Mac smiled and pulled away from the house, too late realizing she was going the wrong 
direction to get out of the development.  She went around the block to start over, and by the 
time she reached the front of the house, Linda Wilkes was backing her car out of the driveway.

"I thought she looked a little dressed up for just us," Tracy mused.

"We'll at least she'll know how to get out of here.  There's like a dozen roads all criss crossing 
but only one goes out."
  
  "Where do you think she's going?" Tracy asked.
  
  "We could follow her and find out" Mac smiled. "Because quite honestly I've 
  been wondering about her and the Major and what kind of relationship they 
  really have."
  
  "We've got time" Tracy nodded. "She's probably just going to the food store, but go on let's see 
where she goes."
  
  They followed Linda to a nearby apartment complex and watched as she knocked 
  on the door to one of the second floor apartments. The door opened and it 
  wasn't long before they saw Linda was in the arms of a man not her husband.
  
  "I guess she's doesn't miss the Major does she" Tracy said quietly. "We're 
  going to need to find out who her friend his."
  
  "I'll go check the mailboxes," Mac said once Linda was inside. "Maybe 
  there's a name on them."
  
  Tracy nodded and Mac hurried to the row of mailboxes, finally locating the 
  one that went with the apartment Linda had gone into. The name Sherman was 
  on the box and Mac headed back to the car.
  
  "Last name is Sherman. We can check the directories and see if we can get 
  the full name."
  
  Tracy dialed and it wasn't long before she determined a Wayne Sherman lived 
  at the apartment.
  
  "We'll have to see what we can find out about Mr. Sherman" Mac said as they 
  headed back to the base. "And then maybe we'll go have another talk with 
  Linda."
  
  "Sounds good. You ready to call it a day and get some dinner."
  
  "It's that late already?" Mac frowned. "It's hard to believe this morning I 
  was pulling Harm out of his drunken stupor."
  
  "Is that why the Admiral relieve him. Not that it's any of my business of 
  course."
  
  "That was part of it" Mac sighed. "Among other things."
  
  "Like I said earlier, if you want to talk about it" Tracy offered.
  
  "There's nothing to talk about. Harm hates me and that won't change at least 
  for the next six months."
  
  "Why is that?"
  
  "I guess it's all right to tell you" Mac said quietly. "You'll find out when 
  we get back. The Admiral is sending Harm to the LSO office at Norfolk for 
  the next six months."
  
  "I see" Tracy said slowly. "Did he know that when he left?"
  
  "Yeah I was the one who told him. Hence why he hates me more than everyone 
  else. Not to mention he seems to think I'm responsible for all this."
  
  "How on earth could you be responsible?" Tracy frowned. "That's the most 
  ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
  
  "Not to Harm. I guess my getting the bench first is what set this whole 
  thing off. Then the fact I got a second shot before he even got his first 
  was like salt in the wound. And of course then Sturgis."
  
  "I'm sure the Admiral had his reasons."
  
  "Well whatever they were, Harm didn't care" she sighed. "He feels like he's 
  been cheated. And of course now he may never get a shot at the bench."
  
  "This is just temporary isn't it?" Tracy asked. "His reassignment to Norfolk 
  I mean."
  
  "The Admiral said it would be. Course I think that's up to Harm and how his 
  attitude is. Which right now sucks."
  
  "I think once he gets away he'll get some perspective. And all this will be 
  ancient history."
  
  "I hope so" Mac sighed. "Harm and I have had our differences in the past but 
  this is the first time I've felt like our friendship is in jeopardy."
  
  "Ma'am I don't think the Commander is going to throw away the friendship you 
  two have. From what I've seen so far, you two have a pretty strong bond."
  
  "Had is more like it. I don't think we have much anymore."
  
 "Sometimes things worth having don't come easily," Tracy said slowly, "if you'll forgive me for 
sounding like a fortune cookie."
 
 "Harm and I have had plenty of chances," Mac said firmly.  "And our friendship has been rocky 
before I'll admit.  I mean there was a two year period he was gone and then back, and we had 
Mic Brumby and Renee Peterson as part of our lives, at times it didn't seem like we'd ever be on 
the same page."
 
 "Sounds like I missed a lot of the history between the two of you."
 
 Mac smiled sheepishly.  "Maybe that's better.  Poor Sturgis came into the middle of one of our 
spells and. . ."  Her train of thought left her as the scene in her office came to her.  'It won't work.  
I'm in love with him'.
 
 "Ma'am?  Ma'am you spaced out on me.  Are you OK?"
 
 "Yes I'm fine.  And let's get off that subject please."
 
 "Yes ma'am.  Are we going to speak to Linda Wilkes?"
 
 "We are.  I think I'm going to ask her to come see me here.  A little intimidation."
 ===============
 TWO DAYS LATER
 
 "Ma'am it's going to work," Major Wilkes breathed, daring to allow himself some hope as the 
court recessed after Mac's questioning of Bridget.  "You're going to discredit her aren't you?"
 
 "I think so.  Just don't get your hopes up too far," Mac cautioned, herself breathing a sigh of 
relief as they adjourned for lunch.
  
 "What do you think ma'am?" Tracy asked as they sat on a nearby bench eating 
 sandwiches a short time later.
 
 "Too hard to say. It's really his word against hers. All we can do is 
 discredit her. And show that she had motive in her accusations. If anything 
 there will be enough doubt that the jury won't be able to come back with a 
 guilty verdict."
 
 "Sounds good. Let's just hope it happens that way."
 
 "As long as he didn't forget to tell us anything we should be fine" Mac 
 sighed. "But I think we've got this one. I know if I were on the jury I 
 wouldn't be able to find him guilty."
 
 Mac's cross-examination of Bridget continued after lunch. She had to admit 
 the young girl was quick with the response, obviously coached well by Ms. 
 Fuller. She kept her cool despite Mac's attempts to discredit her with 
 regard to her dating men from the base.
 
 "She's good" Mac sighed as she sat down. "But I think we got in enough 
 doubt."
 
 The rest of the afternoon finished with the rest of the prosecution's 
 witnesses and as the last witness left the stand Mac was sure they'd made it 
 through without any damage. Until Amanda Fuller's law clerk walked in with a 
 surprise witness.
 
 "What the hell is he doing here?" Francis Wilkes screeched as Amanda called 
 Gregory Simon to the witness stand.
 
 "What's wrong?" Mac hissed as she turned to her client.
 
 "You can't let him testify. You can't."
 
 "Your honor I object to this witness" Mac said as she stood up. "Mr.  
 Simon's name was not on the list of witnesses provided by the prosecution."
 
 "Your honor we just managed to get this witness in town" Amanda Fuller 
 smiled as she approached the bench.  "He wasn't on the list before since we 
 weren't sure he would be able to make it for the trial.  Plus he wasn't all that willing—took some 
convincing."
 
 "Your honor, we haven't had time to interview this witness" Mac countered. 
 "We request a recess until tomorrow in order to allow us to interview the 
 witness."
 
 The judge didn't see it that way and ten minutes later Mac watched as her 
 case suddenly fell apart as Gregory Simon played a videotape of the night in 
 question. Mac felt her stomach turn as she watched her client fondling his 
 stepdaughter and her friends.
 
 "How did you get this video tape Mr. Simon?" Amanda Fuller asked.
 
 "Major Wilkes sent it to me" Simon replied. "He wanted to know if I could 
 use Bridget in my movies."
 
 "Mr. Simon you make porn movies don't you?" Amanda Fuller asked.
 
 "Yes ma'am. I had no idea she was that young of course.  Mr. Wilkes certified that she was 
over eighteen."
 
 "So you and Major Wilkes know each other" Amanda continued.
 
 "Yes ma'am. I've arranged women for him on several occasions when his wife 
 and stepdaughter were away."
 
 "Why did he want Bridget to be in porn movies?" Amanda asked.
 
 "He said she was always flaunting it so she might as well put it to good use 
 and make some money. Course he never told me she was only fifteen.  I wouldn't even be 
disclosing this except I've been promised I'm not going to be made the bad guy."
 
 "Do something" Francis Wilkes hissed at Mac. "You have to stop this."
 
 "There's nothing I can do now," Mac said quietly.  "Except try and see if 
 Ms. Fuller is still willing to make a deal."
 
 Two hours later it was over, as Francis Wilkes pleaded guilty.
 
 "I am so glad that is over" Tracy sighed as they left the courthouse. "I 
 still can't believe he did that. God what a slime."
 
 "Slime is too good of a word," Mac said quietly. "And to think I believed 
 him. How could I have gotten taken in by him."
 
 "I believed him too ma'am."
 
 "Harm didn't. He was right about him all along. And instead of trusting his 
 instincts I believed my clients lies."
 
 "Ma'am don't be so hard on yourself," Tracy said gently. "You had no way of 
 knowing."
 
 "Tracy his career could be over because of this case" Mac sighed. "And in 
 the end, Harm was right about him."
 
 "Well try not to blame yourself so much. Harm deserves some of it himself."
 
 "I know. But still. How could I have been so stupid."

 "I'm sure the Commander isn't blaming you for this. Hopefully he's using 
 this time to get his head on straight again."

"I hope so.  I just know I don't believe a man like Wilkes is good enough to shine Harmon 
Rabb's shoes.   And that I'm going to support his coming back to JAG every way I can."
THE END

The concluding chapter will follow, detailing Harm's life in Norfolk and what happens when he 
and Mac try to connect.