TITLE:  "New Beginnings VII-Billy Goat’s Gruff"
    AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
    SUMMARY:  The seventh chapter of the New Beginnings series,  in 
which 
Harm and Mac make tentative steps toward making 2002 ‘our year’ as they 
promised.   
	In this chapter, Brooke and Harm are paired on a difficult case.
    DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al.  No copyright 
infringement is intended with this work of fiction.
    FEEDBACK:  Yes, if you're moved to do so, to [SSbpmn@aol.com] and 
it would 
be much appreciated by both of us.  However, if your intent is only to 
tell us you 
are not liking our work, please don't spend the time.  While we realize 
our work 
does not please everyone, we do ask that the journey be respected.
    
    NOTE:  All parts of this story and previous chapter will be 
available at 
             http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories
      No subbing is required to read from the message archives.
 
Also, previous chapters, as well as our other efforts, should be 
available at

http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/

or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at   
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html

Previously in NB:    Adm. Boone’s murderer is confronted and Brooke is 
forced to 
kill him to save Mac’s life.  Harm and Ryan are saved from being 
victims of the 
man’s desire for revenge.  
++++++++++++
    
"New Beginnings VII—Billy Goat’s Gruff”
 Monday, March 11th
 JAG HQ's
 
 "Harm have you seen Brooke yet?" Ryan asked anxiously as he checked 
his 
 watch. "I'm due in court and I just wanted to make sure she's okay."
 
 "I suggest you get your six to court Major" Harm smiled. "Admiral 
Morris 
 doesn't take kindly to anyone showing up late. Neither will Mac. She's 
 prepared to nail you and your client with her closing arguments this 
 morning."
 
 "She wishes" Ryan said with a bit of a smile before it faded quickly. 
"Harm, 
 I'm worried about Brooke. You know she's had a hard time since 
Mitchell."
 
 "I know and I also know she's working through it" Harm assured the 
young 
 man.
 
 "Thank you. I don't mind if she's talking to you as long as she's 
talking to 
 someone about it. I haven't brought it up because I didn't want to 
upset 
 her."
 
 "Give her some time. But I'm sure she's okay. She's probably just 
stuck in 
 traffic somewhere."
 
 As he said the words, Brooke came rushing off the elevator.
 
 "Sorry I'm late sir," she said as she stopped outside Harm's office. 
"Ryan, 
 aren't you supposed to be in court?"
 
 "I was worried about you," he admitted sheepishly and she gave him a 
small 
 smile.
 
 "I'm fine. Really. I just overslept."
 
 "Promise me you're okay" Ryan said softly, not missing the dark 
circles 
 under her eyes. "You know I care about you a lot."
 
 "Go. I'm fine. Honest."
 
 "All right. I'll see you later. Maybe we can do lunch out today? Give 
us a 
 chance to talk."
 
 "Sure" Brooke smiled. "Now go."
 
 "I'm out of here," Ryan said as he hurried out. "See you two later."
 
 "Everything okay?" Harm asked when Brooke returned to his office a few 
 minutes later.
 
 "Sure" she said with a forced smile.
 
 "I'll let that go for now. But I know something is bothering you Lt. 
and I 
 think I know what it is."
 
 "Thanks big brother but I'm fine" Brooke sighed.
 
 Before he could reply Tiner walked into his office.
 
 "Sir, ma'am, the Admiral would like to you two. He said it was 
important."
 
 "We'll finish that later," Harm said as he stood up. "Come on, let's 
go see 
 what was so important."
 
 Minutes later Harm could barely contain his laughter.
 
 "Mr. Rabb this is not amusing" AJ said as he tried to keep a straight 
face 
 as well.
 
 "No sir it's not," Harm said as he grinned even more.
 
 "Can I continue now Mr. Rabb?"
 
 "Yes sir. Sorry sir" Harm grinned as he looked over at Brooke, who 
just 
 shook her head.
 
 "As I was saying, someone let out the goat during the SecNav's most 
recent 
 visit to the Naval Academy and the goat attacked the SecNav."
 
 "Sir, was the SecNav hurt?" Brooke said with a small giggle.
 
 "Yes Lieutenant. The goat bit the SecNav in the six."
 
 Both Harm and Brooke burst into laughter at that point, finally 
composing 
 themselves under AJ's stern look.
 
 "Sorry sir" Harm said once they were composed again. "Sir, why are you 
 telling all this?"
 
 "Because I'm assigning you and the Lt. here into the investigation of 
which 
 midshipman let the goat out. The SecNav wants to make sure this is 
handled 
 properly. He wants whoever the guilty parties are dealt with swiftly 
and 
 severely."
 
 "Of course sir"
 
 "Now so far no one is claiming responsibility for this act. It appears 
that 
 the goat is not a model mascot and this is not the first time he's 
gotten 
 into trouble. Seems he managed to escape once before and destroyed the 
 Academy gardens. He was forgiven for that indiscretion but the SecNav 
is 
 calling for him to be destroyed following this incident."

"You're not serious," Brooke gasped.  "Destroy a sweet animal like that 
just 
because he bit the old. . .uh I think I'll stop there.  Sorry sir."

AJ attempted to suppress a smile, not with total success.  "OK now 
let's get 
serious here.  The problem doesn't lie with the goat anyway, but with 
the people 
charged with watching him."

Harm cleared his throat. "With all due respect sir, is this not a 
matter of discipline 
for the Academy.  Obviously someone is opening the animal's stall or 
pen or 
whatever they keep him in.  I don't think he can do it himself."

"If it hadn't been the Secnav's six, it probably would be.  But as soon 
as that 
happened, it became my problem, and now it's yours," AJ laughed 
lightly.  "Look, 
he's got some idea this is a whole big deal, some kind of hazing or 
plebe abuse or 
maybe just an attempt to make the Academy look bad I'm not sure.  What 
I am 
sure of is that you two are going to drive out there and find out 
what's going on."   
He paused and glanced down at his papers.  "You'll meet with Lieutenant 
Commander Berry at 1430.  Clear?"

"Yes sir," Harm nodded.  "Well we have to make friends with the goat.  
What do 
they eat anyway, other than Secnav's rears."

That brought another round of giggles from Brooke and a glare from AJ 
who 
opened his mouth to speak.

"Sir we understand really," Harm put in hastily, sending Brooke a 
warning look.

"Just get it taken care of.  This I don't need.  Dismissed."

"Aye sir."  Harm nodded to Brooke who managed to not laugh again until 
the 
Admiral's door was safely closed behind them.

"Lieutenant really," Harm chided her.  At the same time he was glad to 
see her 
laugh--something she had not done often since her killing of Mitchell.  

"OK sir, I'm sorry.  It just hit me funny that's all.  I'll be OK by 
this afternoon I 
promise sir.  Permission to have lunch with Ryan before we leave."

"Of course," Harm nodded, making a mental note to use the hour's ride 
to 
Annapolis to see if she wanted to talk about Mitchell.
==============
"You Sailor, buy a starving Marine a taco?"  

Harm looked up startled from his computer.  "Hey you.  I didn't know it 
was so 
late.  How did it go?"

"Our friend Major Nichols is turning into a litigator," she sighed. 
"Let's just say it's 
been a long morning.  And my stomach is growling.  Are you going to 
take care of 
me or what?"

"Oh counselor that's a leading question," he grinned, shutting down his 
computer.   
"Let's go."

In her office, Brooke was reading intently when Ryan came up behind 
her, 
clamping a firm hand on her shoulder.  "Let's go Lieutenant."

She swallowed and looked up at him, her hair falling into her eyes.  
"Rain check?  
I don't think I'm up to it--I know I won't be good company."

"No."  He knelt by her desk.  "No.  You're keeping too much to 
yourself.  I'm not 
going to let you stew at your desk.  I've got an hour and you and I are 
going to 
spend it together.  Please.  Even if you don't talk about Mitchell, I 
just want to be 
with you."

"OK, hold the puppy dog look," she smiled.  "Besides you'll get a good 
laugh out of 
where the Commander and I are going this afternoon---and why."

 15 Minutes Later
 Lee Wong's
 
 "It bit the SecNav" Ryan laughed. "You're kidding."
 
 "No and we have to find out who's responsible for letting it out" 
Brooke 
 giggled. "Talk about your high profile cases."
 
 "Well at least it's made you smile" Ryan said softly. "You haven't 
done much 
 of that the last few weeks. Not to mention, you've been making 
yourself 
 pretty scarce to me."
 
 "I didn't mean to push you away" she sighed. "I guess I've had a 
harder time 
 dealing with this than I thought I would."
 
 "You know I'm hear to listen anytime you need. I care a lot about you 
and I 
 hate seeing you like this."
 
 "I know. I hate feeling like this. And I'll get through it. But thanks 
for 
 the offer. Maybe some time away protecting a goat will help."
 
 "You really think you're going to save the goat after it bit the 
SecNav" 
 Ryan laughed.
 
 "Well we'll see what the circumstances are" Brooke smiled. "But if he 
was 
 let out it really isn't his fault. And I'm just going to make sure he 
gets a 
 fair shake."
 
 "I can't believe you and Harm have to handle this. I'm glad I was busy 
with 
 Randolph."
 
 *************
 Don Pablo's
 Same Time
 
 "A goat" Mac howled between bites of her taco. "You're kidding."
 
 "I knew you'd find this funny. And no I'm not kidding."
 
 "Well it's about time you got saddled with a case like that" Mac 
teased. 
 "I've already had my share of those thank you. And it is the Academy 
 mascot."
 
 "Yeah well with any amount of luck Brooke and I will get this wrapped 
up 
 pretty quick. I'm sure we can get one of those midshipman to crack and 
tell 
 us who let it out."
 
 "You're sure it's just a prank?"
 
 "Of course. I'm sure there's no major hazing going on. There were 
always 
 pranks at the Academy but I have a hard time believing it's anything 
more 
 than that."
 
 "Well good luck. Don't let the goat bite you in the six" Mac grinned.
 
 "Cute Marine, real cute" Harm groaned. "You are just loving the fact 
that 
 I've been given this case aren't you?"
 
 "Like I said before, it's about time" Mac smiled for a second before 
looking 
 at him seriously. "And I think this might be a good thing for Brooke."
 
 "Yeah she's still having a hard time with the Mitchell thing" Harm 
sighed. 
 "And every time I look at her, I hate myself for what happened."
 
 "It wasn't your fault Harm" Mac reminded him quietly. "If anyone 
should feel 
 bad it's me. She killed him to save my life."
 
 "And thank god she did" Harm whispered as he reached for her hand. 
"And I'll 
 remind you again that neither of you would have been there if I hadn't 
 messed everything up."
 
 "Okay, we're both good at the blame game" Mac said with a small smile. 
"So 
 let's just stop here. All that matters is Brooke gets through this."
 
 "Well I'm going to try and talk to her on the way up to Annapolis" 
Harm 
 sighed.
 
 "Good. I know she's bottling it up inside and I know from experience 
that's 
 not good. And I know Ryan's very worried about her."
 
 "I'll keep an eye on her."
 
 ***************
 En Route to Annapolis
 1 hour later
 
 "So did Mac get a good laugh out of our case like Ryan did?" Brooke 
asked.
 
 "Oh yeah. Course Mac's had her share of crappy cases in the past so I 
guess 
 it's fair that we get stuck with this one."
 
 "Could be worse right?" Brooke smiled.
 
 "True. Did you and Ryan have a good lunch?" he prodded.
 
 "Yes."
 
 "What did you talk about?"
 
 "If you want to know if I talked to him about Mitchell the answer is 
no" she 
 sighed.
 
 "Brooke, you need to talk to someone about this" Harm said gently.  
"Cause 
 it's obviously still bothering you. And don't deny it Lt. The dark 
circles 
 are a dead give away you haven't been sleeping."
 
 "Okay so maybe I'm having a few nightmares," she admitted as she 
stared out 
 the passenger window.
 
 "You want to share?"
 
 "Not really" she said quietly.
 
 "Well I know from experience that sometimes it helps to talk to 
someone 
 about nightmares."
 
"I try to put it out of my mind when I go to bed," she sighed in 
frustration, and then 
sometime around 0300 I wake up and I'm drenched and I know I've 
screamed out.  
Wonder my neighbors haven't called the police."

"Are you sorry you did it?"

"NO way sir," she yelped, her eyes flashing.  "He would have killed her 
sure."

"I think so," Harm nodded seriously, blinking away the mental picture 
he was 
receiving.  "And you'll be in my prayers of thanks for the rest of my 
days.  Look if 
it's any help, think of yourself as having done something the 
government would 
have taken a good long while to accomplish if some smart-ass lawyer 
didn't make 
a plea bargain."

That brought a small smile to her lips.  "What if you had defended 
him?"

"I would have told him to plead guilty and throw himself at the mercy 
of the 
members.  And pray they didn't have any," he grinned and reached over 
to pat her 
shoulder.  "Try to let it go.  I know from experience it piles up."

"What kinds of nightmares do you have sir?"

"Off the record?"

"Sure," she smiled and he laughed lightly, happy to see her mood 
improve, if just 
slightly.

"I have a couple of favorites.  The first one involves the mountains of 
Virginia and 
some poachers.  That's a pretty long story, and Mac should tell you 
most of it, but 
it involves me not getting to her before this guy. . . .well he wanted 
her Brooke."

"OK I get the picture."  She shuddered slightly.  "And?"

"Another one where I don't get to Mac in time.  A church, and I'm 
running and 
running, and I fling open the doors just in time to hear the priest 
say, I now 
pronounce you. . .  And then Mic's head grows ten times bigger until 
it's all I can 
see and he's laughing this horrible laugh.  Dumb right?"

"Mic being whom you refer to as that idiot Australian?" she giggled.

"I guess I've mentioned him before?"

"A few times sir," she laughed again.  "Thanks.  That felt good."
===============
"Commander Rabb, Lieutenant Hastings come in," Lt. Cdr. Barry greeted 
them 
jovially.

"Pretty jovial for a man with a rogue goat in his command," Harm 
smiled.

"Oh it's been just one laugh riot," Barry sighed.  "I have seventeen 
phone 
messages on my desk and twelve are from the SecNav's office."

"Well relax, the boys from Dover are here," Harm grinned.  "Did you 
witness the 
incident?"

"Yes sir, well mostly sir," Barry sighed.  "We were walking away from 
the stables.  
Secnav, a few from his staff, the Commandant, who by the way accounts 
for the 
remainder of my phone messages, and a few from his staff.  And me and 
my XO 
Lieutenant Spencer.  All of a sudden we hear this pounding of hooves 
behind us 
and everyone scatters.  Everyone except the Secretary who was deep in 
conversation with the Commandant about the Army Navy game.  The next 
thing I 
know Bill has come up behind the Secnav and crunched into his six.  I 
have never 
heard a scream like that."

By this time Brooke had her hand firmly clamped to her mouth, letting 
only small 
giggles escape.

"You find this funny don't you Lieutenant?"  Barry stared hard at her 
and Harm 
turned to her, giving her a slight shake of his head.

"No sir, not really. . .well yes sir.  Sir frankly with all that's 
happened in the world, 
well yeah OK, yes sir, a little," she stammered.

"Frankly so do I," Barry admitted, "But the man was mortified.  And he 
was in fact 
hurt.  There was blood and of course his tattered boxers were 
flapping."

"Don't you dare," Harm ordered, looking sharply to Brooke.
    
  She managed to stifle her giggles and a moment later collected 
herself. 
  "Sorry sir."
  
  "Do you have any suspects at all?" Harm sighed.
  
  "Unfortunately no. And that's why I have 12 messages from the SecNav 
on my 
  desk. He wants the guilty party and I have no clue who that is."
  
  "You never saw anyone?'
  
  "No sir" Barry sighed. "And my talks with the midshipmen in charge of 
the 
  stables got me no where. No one saw or heard anything. Which I find 
hard to 
  believe."
  
  "You think they're covering up for someone?" Harm asked.
  
  "Probably" Barry continued. "But I couldn't get anything out of them. 
I'm 
  not sure if visit from you folks would scare them into talking or 
not."
  
  "We can try" Harm said as he stood up. "We'll see who will talk and 
then 
  we'll take a look at Bill."
  
  "SecNav isn't serious about destroying him is he?" Barry asked as he 
led 
  them out of the office.  "Bill's when with us since 1995. He hasn't 
been a 
  model mascot but we're all a little attached to him."
  
  "Well we might be able to convince the SecNav otherwise if we manage 
to find 
  the guilty parties" Harm smiled.
  
  "Well good luck. Lt. Spencer this is Commander Rabb and Lt. Hastings 
from 
  JAG. Would you please show them down to the stables?"
  
  "Be happy to sir" Lt. Aaron Spencer smiled as he looked at Brooke.
  
  "Good. If you need anything, Lt. Spencer will be glad to help. If 
you'll 
  excuse me, I need to return some of those messages."
  
  "Right this way sir, ma'am" Lt. Spencer motioned and they followed 
the Lt. 
  out of the building. "It's just a short walk to the stables. Is that 
okay?"
  
  "Sure" Harm replied and Brooke nodded as she pulled her coat tighter.
  
  They arrived at the stables a few minutes later, Brooke hurrying 
inside to 
  escape the cold.
  
  "Midshipman Meyers" Lt. Spencer called and the young man looked up 
from 
  where he was working. "Commander Rabb and Lt. Hastings from JAG."
  
  "JAG" Midshipman Meyers said nervously.
  
  "We're here about Bill's escape the other day" Harm said as he walked 
over 
  to the young man. "You know anything about that?"
  
  "No sir" the young man said quickly. "I wasn't working that day. I 
believe 
  Midshipman Silvers was working that day sir."
  
  "So you don't know how Bill managed to escape?" Harm continued.
  
  "No sir. Like I said I wasn't here. I wish I could help but I cant."
  
  "Can't or won't?" Harm prodded. "Just because you weren't here 
doesn't mean 
  you don't know anything about what happened. You and Midshipman 
Silvers are 
  roommates correct?"
  
  "Yes sir."
  
  "Was this some kind of prank?" Harm asked. "Or something else?"
  
  "No sir. I don't know sir. Bill just managed to escape from his stall 
I 
  guess."
  
  "Just happened to escape the day the SecNav was here?" Brooke spoke 
up. 
  "Come on Midshipman Meyers. You really expect us to believe that."
  
  "Ma'am it's the truth" he said nervously.
  
  "Too bad Bill doesn't talk" Harm smiled. "I'm sure he'd have a 
different 
  story to tell."
  
  "I wish I could help sir, but I really can't tell you anything," the 
  midshipmen said quietly.  "If you're finished, I need to get back to 
the 
  dorm to study."
  
  "Of course. We'll talk again" Harm assured the young man.
  
  He hurried out of the stables and Harm looked over at Brooke.
  
  "I'd say he's hiding something" Brooke smiled. "A little nervous for 
someone 
  who knew nothing."
  
  "I think we need to talk to the roommate" Harm replied. "Lt. Spencer 
can you 
  get us his schedule?"
  
  "Yes sir. I can do that."
  
  "We'll wait here," Harm said as he looked around. "I want to go take 
a look 
  at Bill's stall and see if there's anyway he got out on his own."
  
  Lt. Spencer nodded and Harm and Brooke made their way back to Bill's 
stall.
  
  "Harm, we can't let the SecNav destroy him" Brooke said as she looked 
at the 
  goat. "You know it wasn't his fault. And he's so cute."
  
  "I wouldn't go that far" Harm laughed.
  
  "Come on Harm, you don't think he's cute" Brooke said as she reached 
her 
  hand in to pet Bill.
  
  "I can't believe Ms. California is petting a goat."
  
  "He's cute. And as long as he doesn’t come up behind you I think 
we're safe."
  
  "I guess he isn't so bad," Harm said as he looked down at the goat. 
"You 
  hungry big guy?" He reached for a clump of hay to feed the goat with, 
  holding it in his open hand.
  
  "You think that's a good idea?" Brooke asked.
  
  "Why. . . .OWWwwww" Harm yelled as Bill sank his teeth into Harm's 
finger. He 
  managed to yank his hand back, blood spewing from the open wound.
 
 "My God what the hell," Brooke screeched, seeing the blood flowing 
freely 
between all Harm's fingers as one hand held the other.
 
 "Harm let me see," she ordered, at the same time looking around 
frantically for 
something to staunch the blood.  On a nearby shelf of supplies she 
spotted a 
towel and grabbed it, yanking his hand to her despite his howl of pain 
and protest.  
"Harm be still.  I need to get this wrapped and you've got to get over 
to the 
hospital.  It's going to need stitches.  It's all the way to the bone."
 
 "It just hurts," he screeched again.  "What the hell is the matter 
with that thing.  I 
was just trying to be nice."
 
 "Maybe you scared him," she offered, exactly what Harm did not want to 
hear.
 
 "I scared him?  He bites hell out of me but I scared him?" he shouted, 
glaring at 
the now placid animal, munching quietly.
 
 "And you're still doing it," she chided him.  "OK the stall is locked.  
Let's get you to 
the hospital."
 
 "Bitten by a goat," he muttered.  "That's going to look great on my 
purple heart 
citation."
 
 Brooke shook her head, taking his arm to guide him to the car.  "You 
don't get a 
purple heart for a non-battlefield injury."
 
 "I deserve one."
 ================
 ER
 Naval Academy Hospital
 
 "Two hours.  TWO hours," he muttered for the fifth time, keeping his 
hand tightly 
to his chest.  The triage nurse had taken a quick look, ordered some 
initial 
treatment, and directed them to a group of chairs.
 
 "Yeah I would have thought we'd have been seen sooner with you 
bleeding all 
over," she smiled, looking down at her uniform, now brown with dried 
blood.  "I do 
know that there's no way we're going to make it back in what Mac and 
Ryan would 
consider normal time.  I need to give JAG a call."
 
 "And when you do, please have the Admiral file a complaint about how 
one of his 
staff is being treated," he groused.
 
 "Oh stop, you got  a pain shot and they stopped the bleeding didn't 
they.  You'll 
keep," she smiled.  Just as the connection was completed, the nurse 
came to 
escort Harm into one of the exam rooms, Brooke following slowly as she 
heard 
Tiner's voice.  "Tiner hi, it's Lieutenant Hastings.  Look, please tell 
Colonel 
Mackenzie and Major Nichols and the admiral that we're pretty delayed 
over here 
in Annapolis.  We're at the ER here. We've had an accident."  There was 
dead air 
for a moment and then several clicks.  "Tiner can you hear me?  It's 
not serious 
but we're going to be a while.  Thanks."
 
 She broke the connection before she heard his reply and turned her 
cell off 
before following the nurse into the room. 
 
 "Mr. Rabb, sorry for the delay.  The computer somehow seems to have 
lost you," 
the nurse was frowning.   
 
 Harm merely groaned as the doctor began to probe his finger. 
 ===================
 JAG HQ
 
 Tiner stood at his desk for a long minute, holding the now dead phone.  
The 
Admiral was at the Pentagon for the afternoon and he was uncertain what 
to do.  
The word 'accident' was the last thing he had heard Brooke say before 
the 
connection dissolved.  Finally he walked down to the courtroom wanting 
to let Mac 
know right away.

 "You got lucky this time Major" Mac said as she and Ryan exited the 
 courtroom. "I have no idea how you pulled that one off."
 
 "Learned from the best" Ryan grinned.
 
 "Speaking of which, they should be back from Annapolis. "
 
 "Oh good ma'am, you're out of court," Tiner said as he hurried up to 
her. "I 
 thought I was going to have to interrupt and I know how much Admiral 
Morris 
 hates that."
 
 "Something wrong Tiner?" Mac asked.
 
 "I got a call from Lt. Hastings ma'am" Tiner continued. "We had a bad 
 connection and all I could make out was something about an accident."
 
 "Accident? You sure?" Ryan demanded. "Were they hurt? What happened?"
 
 "I don't know sir. Like I said the connection was real bad. But I know 
she 
 said accident and I think something about the ER."
 
 "ER?" Mac screeched. "Tiner, when did she call?"
 
 "Just a few minutes ago ma'am. I'm sorry. Did you want me to try and 
call 
 her back."
 
 "We'll handle it" Mac said as she and Ryan hurried to her office. She 
 quickly dialed Brooke's cell phone number and waited impatiently as it 
rang 
 and rang before finally going to voice mail.
 
 "No answer?" Ryan asked and Mac nodded as she hung up the phone before 
she 
 picked it up again and dialed Harm's cell phone number. Again it rang 
and 
 rang before going to voice mail.
 
 "Neither of them are answering" Mac said anxiously, her mind picturing 
the 
 worst case scenario of a major accident. "Something bad must have 
happened 
 that neither of them are answering."
 
 "We need to get to Annapolis."
 
 "Yes we do" Mac agreed. "You drive and I'll keep trying to reach 
them."
 
 They left word with Tiner that they were going to Annapolis to check 
on find 
 out what had happened to Harm and Brooke and moments later were on the 
road 
 to Annapolis.
 
 "Nothing" Mac sighed a short time later as she continued to try both 
the 
 cell phones.
 
 "You don't think something real bad happened do you?" Ryan asked.
 
 "Well if Tiner talked to Brooke she couldn't have been hurt too 
badly," Mac 
 said quietly.
 
 "Mac, I'm sure Harm's okay" Ryan said quickly. "If he weren't, I'm 
sure 
 Brooke wouldn't have just told Tiner. She would have asked to talk to 
you. 
 Course that doesn't explain why she's not answering. Unless she was 
hurt too 
 and just managed to call Tiner before she passed out or something."
 
 "Okay, stop before we both freak each other out" Mac said with a long 
sigh. 
 "We'll be to Annapolis soon and we'll find out what happened."
 
 "Should we got to the Academy Hospital first?" Ryan asked.
 
 "Yeah I'll try calling and see if they know anything" Mac said as she 
opened 
 her phone again and dialed information. Moments later she was 
connected to 
 the Hospital.
 
 "This is Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. I'm trying to locate my partner 
Commander 
 Harmon Rabb. I believe he may be there in your ER."
 
 "Yes ma'am, there's a Harmon Rabb in the computer but there's no 
information 
 available at this time."
 
 "I need to know what happened to him" Mac pleaded. "Can you please 
find 
 out?"
 
 "Hold please" the woman said and promptly put Mac on hold.
 
 "We'll be there before she comes back" Mac groaned as she remained on 
hold 
 for several minutes.
 
 "Hang up and call back" Ryan suggested as he pushed the accelerator a 
little 
 harder.
 
 "I'll give her a few more minutes" Mac sighed. "And then I'm calling 
back 
 and taking names."
 
 She waited a few more minutes before hanging up and dialing again. She 
was 
 transferred to the information desk again and before she could open 
her 
 mouth to speak was given a brisk "hold please."
 
 "I do not believe this" Mac shrieked as she slammed the phone closed 
again.
 
 "Mac, we'll be there soon anyway" Ryan soothed. "We'll find out then 
what's 
 going on."
 
 "Please Lord just let them be okay" Mac murmured under her breath.
 
 "Amen" Ryan said softly as he reached over and gave her hand a quick 
 squeeze. "They'll be okay."
 
 "Thanks. Sorry, I'm going off again on you aren't I?" Mac sighed. "You 
must 
 think I'm off the deep end."
 
 "Hey, trust me, I'm one step behind you. The only thing that's keeping 
me 
 from losing it is that Tiner talked to Brooke. I just keep telling 
myself 
 she can't be hurt to bad if she could call him. Right?"
 
 "Right" Mac said with a forced smile.
 
 "And this is why partners don't get involved" Ryan sighed.
 
 They arrived at the Academy hospital a short time later and hurried 
inside. 
 They'd just reached the information desk when Brooke and Harm came 
through 
 the double doors, Brooke holding on tightly to a very woozy Harm.

"Never mind," Mac shook her head at the clerk and turned to them.  "I 
think we 
found our partners."

Ryan sprinted for them, pulling up short when he saw Brooke's blood 
covered 
uniform.  "What. . .what happened?  My God are you OK?  Where are you 
hurt? 
Why are you not in bed?"  The questions poured out of him as he stared 
in shock 
at the blood.

Despite his pain, Harm gave the two of them a bemused glance.  Ryan was 
him 
all over.  "It's my blood Major, relax," he said quietly, holding up 
his hand, now 
carefully wrapped, the middle finger splinted out straight with the 
rest of the 
bandaging around his palm.

"OK, I'm breathing again then," Ryan panted, nevertheless giving Brooke 
a quick 
hug.

"Harm what happened?" Mac demanded, having taken a second to take a few 
breaths to calm her self, relieved to see him at least ambulatory.

"Bill bit him," Brooke smiled sympathetically.

"Bill who?  Some guy did this to you?" Mac screeched.

"Bill the Navy goat," he muttered.  "Could we get out of here please.  
And what are 
you two doing here anyway?  Brooke didn't you tell them what happened?  
We 
didn't need the cavalry."

"Your client bit you?"  Mac broke into peals of laughter, in her relief 
not trying to 
stifle herself.

"Ma'am in all fairness, it's pretty bad and sir, I did tell Tiner it 
wasn't serious.  I 
don't know why he didn't get that part straight," Brooke spoke up, 
patting Harm's 
arm in comfort.  "He was in a lot of pain and they had to take three 
layers of 
stitches.  He's also going to possibly need another surgery to regain 
full use of 
that finger."

"Well he can't drive in D.C. without it that's for sure," Ryan added, 
studying the 
injury.

"OK you people stand around and make jokes here.  I'll just quietly 
pass out thank 
you," Harm sighed and in fact was about to do just that, his knees 
weakening 
suddenly.

Mac's arms went around him at once, hugging and holding him up at the 
same 
time.  "OK Sailor, OK.  Let's get you home.  You've had a bad day.  
Just keep that 
finger below window level.  I don't want to get shot at on Route 50."

"Mac I'm serious here.  I'm not going. . ."  His face went stark white 
and blank and 
he fell against her.  

"Ryan help me," she yelped, barely able to hold up Harm's two hundred 
pounds.  

Ryan quickly grabbed him from behind, easing him into the nearest 
chair.  

"I need a doctor, here now," Brooke shouted and a few seconds later a 
young 
intern was at their side.  "I'm Dr. Allen.  Problem?"

"He's had treatment for a bad cut on his hand and he just collapsed," 
Mac gasped, 
any vestige of humor now gone from her in her renewed panic.

At once the doctor checked his pulse.  "He's had some medication for 
the pain 
right?"

"Yeah he has, two shots worth, and then a tetanus," Brooke confirmed.  

"Harm can you hear me?"  Mac pushed aside the doctor to kneel before 
him.

"Of course I can hear you," Harm moaned.  "What happened?"

"You passed out on me Sailor," she whispered, feeling a sudden urge to 
tearfulness.  "I wasn't scared enough on the ride over here?  You 
decided I 
needed another stroke."

"I think he's OK," Allen nodded.  "Sometimes these medications can 
cause a spell 
of low blood pressure that will do that.  He needs to be home in bed, 
and I 
suppose they ordered that he not be left alone for the rest of the 
night?"

"Exactly," Brooke nodded.

"Just keep an eye on him then," Allen instructed, "and let's get him 
into a wheel 
chair for the rest of the trip to the car.  I'm surprised they didn't 
order him into one 
when they released him."

"Oh they did," Brooke sighed.  "But you see how far they got with 
that."

"Dumb-Ass," Mac yelped, gently smacking the side of his head.  "You 
could have 
fallen and hurt yourself worse.  Ryan go get the car for us please, and 
then you 
and Brooke can follow us back to Harm's place.  Why don't you stop and 
get us 
some dinner.  When you get there you'll know Harm--he'll be the one in 
bed."

"I wish Bill had gone for my throat," Harm moaned in misery.
 
  A nurse appeared moments later with the wheelchair and Brooke and Mac 
helped him into it while Ryan went to pull up the car.
  
  "In you go sailor" Mac said as she helped him into the passenger seat 
before 
  turning to Brooke and Ryan. "We'll see you guys later. Don't forget 
dinner."
  
  "Under control" Ryan assured her. "Just take care of your patient."
  
  "I will" Mac said as she climbed in. "You still alive over there 
sailor?"
  
  "Barely" he moaned. "I can't believe that stupid goat bit me."
  
  "What did you do to it?" she smiled.
  
  "Nothing. I was being nice and feeding him and he takes a chunk out 
of my 
  hand. Ungrateful creature."
  
  "This isn't going to look good on Bill's record" Mac teased. "First 
the 
  SecNav and now a JAG lawyer. He's not making friends in good places."
  
  "No he's not" Harm sighed as he leaned back in the seat and closed 
his eyes.
  
  "Just rest" she said softly. "You've had a rough day."
  
  "How'd you do against the Major?" Harm asked as he managed to open 
his eyes 
  again to look over at her.
  
  "You taught him too well, Commander."
  
  *************
  "You really know how to give a guy a heart attack" Ryan sighed as 
they 
  followed Mac and Harm.
  
  "Hey don't blame, blame Tiner. I told him it wasn't serious. He must 
have 
  missed that part."
  
  "Yeah all he told us was accident and ER. Enough to send me and Mac 
off the 
  deep end."
  
  "So I noticed," Brooke said with a small smile.
  
  "Hey, I can't help I worry about you" Ryan smiled as well. "What 
would you 
  have done if you'd been in my place?"
  
  "Probably remained a little calmer" Brook teased. "Honestly what were 
you 
  and Mac thinking happened?"
  
  "I don't know what Mac was thinking but I was picturing you and Harm 
in some 
  wreck somewhere. The only part that saved my sanity was Tiner said 
he'd 
  talked to you."
  
  "You were that worried?"
  
  "In case you didn't notice Lt., I happen to care about you. And yes I 
worry 
  about you a lot. You have no idea how glad I was when I saw you and 
you were 
  okay."
  
  "I was fine the whole time. I'm sorry you were worried."
  
  "Well at least you seem a little better than you were earlier," Ryan 
said 
  softly.
  
  "Yeah having Harm bleeding all over me took my mind off my other 
problems" 
  Brooke admitted.
  
  "You want to share those with me?" he prodded gently.
  
  "You know. The Mitchell thing. But I'm working through it. I promise. 
And 
  being busy does take my mind off it."
  
  "You know I'm here if you need me."
  
  "I know. And I'm glad you are" she said with a small smile. "You mean 
a lot 
  to me Major Nichols. She was silent for a moment before suddenly 
looking 
  over at him. "Hey, I forgot to ask. How'd you do today?"
  
  "Actually I won," he said with a big smile.
  
  ***************
  "Okay, sailor, you're going to have to help me a bit" Mac said as she 
gently 
  pulled him from the car. "I can't carry that cute six of yours in by 
  myself."
  
  "Cute six?" Harm mumbled.
  
  "Yeah but you'll never remember I said that" Mac smiled as she 
somehow 
  managed to lead him inside and to the elevator. "You're still pretty 
out of 
  it."
  
  "If I'm out of it how come it still hurts" he whined as she helped 
into his 
  place, heading directly for the bedroom.
  
  "Because your pain medication is probably wearing off" Mac sighed. 
"Into 
  bed" she directed as she pulled back the covers and gently pushed him 
down.
  
  "This sucks" he complained as she untied his shoes and slipped them 
off 
  before taking off his tie and jacket. "How am I going to get dressed 
in the 
  morning?"
  
  "Guess you'll lose any modesty you have left since I'll be helping 
you" she 
  smiled as she brought the covers over him.
  
  "Like I said, this sucks" he sighed.
  
  "You'll survive sailor. It's just a goat bite."
  
  "Just. He took a chunk out of my finger."
  
  "I know" she soothed as she sat down beside him on the bed. "And it's 
going 
  to hurt for a while. But that's why the nice doctor gave you the pain 
  medication."
 
 "Yeah well you can fax him a message for me and tell him what to do 
with that.  I 
don't want any more of it.  I hate pills anyway.  And I hate that sort 
of half out of 
control feeling it gives me."
   
 "And what does half a six pack during the basketball game do for you?" 
she 
chided him.  "Harm if you're in pain you're not going to sleep, which 
means I'm not 
going to sleep, which means I'm going to be cranky and it won't be 
pretty."
 
 "Then we can be cranky together," he pouted.  "And I have to go back 
there 
tomorrow and deal with this thing."
 
 "You're not going anywhere until you're able to stand up without 
falling," she 
informed him.  "I'll chain you to the bed if I have to."
 
 "Can we think about that when I'm feeling better," he smiled, forcing 
himself to 
see the lighter side.
 
 "Grow up Rabb," she groaned, hearing Brooke and Ryan at the door with 
the 
food. 
 
 "I didn't have those kinds of thoughts when I was a kid," he hollered 
after her.
 
 "Thank God," Mac smiled.  "Starving people in here.  What smells so 
good?"
 
 "I've got Italian and Brooke has Chinese," Ryan grinned.  "Harm's got 
a Chinese 
pasta place on the corner."
 
 "In this neighborhood it's probably a terrorist front," Mac sighed.  
 
 "Is that the food? I'll be right there," Harm yelled.
 
 "Move from that bed and I'm going to tranquilize you," Mac yelled 
back.
 
 "How's he doing?" Brooke asked with a sympathetic smile.
 
 "He'll be dead by morning if you listen to him," Mac laughed.  "Look, 
you go sit on 
him.  Ryan give me a hand getting this served up would you please."
 
 Brooke disappeared into the bedroom and Ryan followed Mac into the 
kitchen, 
frowning slightly.
 
 "OK what's on your mind Major," she demanded, noting his expression.
 
 "Not much," he sighed and flushed under her gaze.  "Well OK, I was 
just thinking 
about today and how scared I was over her.  I'm really not sure I'm 
ever going to 
get used to this, and I don't feel in control, and that scares me 
almost as much as 
having something happen to her does."
 
 "Whoa OK," Mac smiled and squeezed his hand.  "Let me guess, she's the 
first 
person you've ever cared for like this?"
 
 "No, but the first one I’ve had feelings this intense for.  I mean 
there was once 
someone I thought was. . . but nothing like this.”  
 
 "And that's scaring you too?"
 
 "Oh yeah big time," he nodded miserably.  "I think I could be. . ."  
His voice trailed 
off and he looked up, little-boy helpless.
 
 "You could be falling in love?" she asked gently.  "And don't bother 
to answer, it's 
all over your face."
 
 Meanwhile Brooke pulled up a chair next to Harm's bed, taking pity on 
the man 
who at that moment looked the picture of misery.  "Commander you're 
going to be 
OK," she said softly, patting his hand.  "I mean the goat might have 
picked a 
target other than your finger."
 
 "You have no idea how much better than thought makes me feel," he 
moaned, 
making an effort to focus on her.  "Hey I need to thank you today for 
looking after 
me though.  I know I was pretty out of it for a while."
 
 "You're still pretty out of it," she smiled.  "But you've got two 
friends and a woman 
who loves you. . .OK let me stop there before I get in trouble.  But 
she does."
 
 "Yeah I know," he sighed.  "And I her.  And when the time is right, I 
hope we're 
able to tell that to each other."
 
 "Just don't let it go too long," she said soberly.  "I made that 
mistake about five 
years ago."
 
 "OK, I know there's a story there but I won't make you share," he 
smiled.  "How 
about you and your partner out there."
 
 "No comment sir," she smiled and blushed.  
 
 "None needed," he replied, to her even greater coloring.
 
 "Okay sailor, you think you can sit up if Brooke and I get your six to 
the 
 kitchen?" Mac teased as she walked in.
 
 "I can try" Harm sighed as the two women helped him from the bed and 
slowly 
 led him to the kitchen.
 
 "You look like hell Harm" Ryan said as he helped Mac get him into the 
chair.
 
 "Thanks I feel like it."
 
 "Don't encourage him" Mac grinned. "I'll be listening to him whine all 
night 
 as it is."
 
 "I think I'm entitled to some whining" Harm complained.
 
 "Yeah along with that Purple Heart right" Brooke teased.
 
 "And you call yourselves my friends" Harm sighed. "Thanks a lot."
 
 "Okay, we'll stop picking on you" Mac smiled. She watched as he 
attempted to 
 maneuver his fork with his left hand, finally dropping it to the plate 
in 
 frustration.
 
 "Who's idea was it to have Chinese and spaghetti anyway?" he growled. 
 "Couldn't you have gotten something simple like pizza?"
 
 "You want some help sailor," Mac said softly.
 
 "No I got it" he sighed as he finally managed to get the rice to stay 
on the 
 fork long enough to make it to his mouth. "Have I mentioned how much 
this 
 sucks?"
 
 "Many times" Mac sighed.
 
 Following dinner, Ryan helped back to bed while Mac and Brooke cleaned 
up 
 the kitchen.
 
 "Mac you need anything else before we leave?" Ryan asked as he 
returned to 
 the kitchen.
 
 "No I can handle it" Mac assured him. "He's going to take another pain 
pill 
 and then he'll sleep and be fine."
 
 "Let us know if you need anything," Brooke added.
 
 "Thanks. And thanks for taking care of him today."
 
 "No problem" Brooke smiled. "I feel kind of bad about it. I was 
petting Bill 
 and telling Harm he wasn't so bad. I didn't know he'd take off half 
his 
 finger."
 
 "He'll be okay so don’t worry about it" Mac smiled.
 
 "Mac" Harm called from the bedroom.
 
 "We'll leave you to your patient" Ryan grinned. "See you tomorrow."
 
 "Thanks. Bye guys."  She locked the door behind them before heading 
into 
 Harm's bedroom. "What is the problem sailor?"
 
 "I can't sleep" he moaned. "It hurts."
 
 "Okay, how about we try one of those nice little pills then" she 
soothed. 
 "And that way we'll both get some sleep."
 
 Annapolis Naval Academy
 2 Days Later
 
 "Commander, I'm surprised to see you" Lt. Cdr. Barry said as he 
greeted 
 Harm and Brooke.  "How's your finger?"
 
 "Better thank you. The Lt. and I are hoping to get this wrapped up 
today. 
 We'd like to talk to Midshipman Meyers and Silvers."
 
 "I'll arrange for them to be brought down here" Barry nodded.
 
 A short time later Brooke and Harm walked into the small conference 
room 
 where Midshipman Meyers was waiting.
 
 "Okay Midshipman Meyers, you want to try that story again" Brooke 
started.
 
 "I'm sorry to hear about your finger sir," the young man said quietly.
 
 "You want to tell us what happened the day the SecNav was here?" Harm 
asked.
 
 "Midshipman Silvers and I thought it would be funny to see what would 
happen 
 if we gave Bill some beer. We used to sneak it on campus and then 
drink them 
 down in the stalls so no one would know. Well the day the SecNav was 
here we 
 did that. And then we decided to give Bill some."
 
 "And then you let him out?" Harm prodded.
 
 "Yes sir. He was going crazy in his stall so we figured we should let 
him 
 out. We didn't know that the SecNav was going to be on the campus."
 
 "Is this what happened the time he ate up the gardens?" Brooke 
inquired and 
 Midshipman Meyers nodded.
 
 "Yes ma'am. We got lucky that time and so we tried it again. I guess 
it 
 wasn't the smartest thing to do."
 
 "No Midshipman it wasn’t" Harm agreed. "You know the SecNav is calling 
for 
 Bill to be destroyed because of these incidents."
 
 "Sir, you can't let that happen to Bill. It wasn't his fault. We're 
the 
 one's who should be punished, not Bill."
 
 "And you will be punished" Harm replied. "But Bill still may have to 
go. A 
 vet is going to look at him and see if it would better for him to be 
 elsewhere given his recent aggression."
 
 "Not destroyed. Please. You have to save him."

"I'm going to do my best to get him a stay of execution," Harm sighed, 
"but he's a 
proven biter and it may not be easy."

"How's your finger sir?" Meyers spoke up and Silvers broke into a long 
gale of 
laughter.

"At ease both of you," Brooke ordered sharply.  "What happened to the 
Commander was not funny. . .well not that funny."

"OK, this is what's going to happen," Harm interrupted, holding his 
still bandaged 
hand up for quiet.  The splinted finger was at that point pointed 
straight up, and 
both Meyers and Silvers broke out in more laughter.

"I'm glad I could provide you boys with such amusement," Harm glared.  
"Because 
what I'm recommending to the Commandant is that you spend the next 
thirty days 
confined to your quarters except for classes and training--confined at 
hard labor."

"Sir," Meyers gasped and Harm leveled his gaze at him.

"Permission to speak freely?" Meyers swallowed hard, suddenly afraid.

"You're being let off easy Midshipman," Brooke spoke up.

"Yes ma'am," he sighed in resignation.  "I suspect so."

"Son, I put in my time right here and bore my share of punishments," 
Harm smiled 
softly.  "I know you probably don't think so now, but a little 
discipline now will make 
you a better naval officer.  Obvious as that statement is--it's one of 
the hardest to 
swallow.  I'm also recommending that once your punishment is served, 
that the 
record is expunged."

"OK, thank you sir," Meyers breathed.  "Thank you."

"Dismissed," Harm told them.

"Nice touch sir," Brooke smiled.  "You're human after all."
=================
Saturday, 48 hours later

"Is he OK back there?" Mac asked anxiously, turning around to Ryan and 
Brooke 
in the backseat of the rental mini-van.  They had removed the third 
seat, and in 
that space Bill the Goat was riding to his new home.

"They are going to charge us for fumigating," Harm gasped, rolling the 
window 
down even further.

"Harm lighten up," Mac giggled.  "He's upset.  Don't you get that when 
you're 
upset?"

"We don't know each other that well Colonel for me to share that with 
you," he 
teased.  "I just want to get this animal delivered and the van cleaned 
up.  And us.  
You guys smell like goat."

"And you don't?" Mac chortled.  "I mean you lifted him into the back 
there.  Which 
by the way was very brave of you Flyboy."

"Oh I figured he'd already had a chunk of me," he smiled.

They had picked Bill up that morning after he had been in solitary at 
the Academy 
stable and were now delivering him to his new home.  A farm in the 
rolling country 
side of McLean, thanks to AJ asking around his neighbors, was awaiting 
him.  
While back at Annapolis, the next Bill would be moved into his new digs 
that day.

"Turn Rabb here," Mac screeched suddenly, spotting the road they were 
looking 
for.  

"Warning?  Next time a little warning please," he groused, taking the 
corner 
practically on two wheels.  The Leonard farm was at the end of the 
narrow road, 
and the four officers spilled out, to be greeted by three blonde 
children, jumping 
up and down at the back of the van.
==============
"See all he needed was a change of environment," Brooke laughed.  
Indeed, Bill 
was seemingly totally content, grazing in a pasture while the three 
children took 
turns petting him.

"The kids are great with him," Mac smiled.  "The kids are great period.  
Mr. and 
Mrs. Leonard are very lucky."

Harm's arm slipped around her waist and he pulled her to him.  "Do I 
detect a note 
of envy there Ms. Marine?"

"Me a mother?" she gasped in pretend horror.

"What?  That's such a foreign idea?" he laughed.

"No, no it's not," she whispered, leaning into him as he tightened his 
hold.  "It's not 
at all."

THE END