TITLE: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Chapter 1 AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: Summer 2003. Harm embarks on a new sideline and invites Mac to join him. NOTE: Story is played out without regard to Singer-Sergei-NCIS, or Paraguay storylines. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language and some 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 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} +++++++++++++++++++++++ "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Chapter 1 JAG HQ May 2003 Mac slipped through the half open door of Harm's office and sat down. "What has gotten you scowling so badly Sailor? I hope it's that you're giving up on that sweet little thing you're defending. Lt. Rice I'm talking about." "As if I didn't know," Harm groaned. "You've hardly stopped talking about her all week. Mac she made a mistake. Drawing and quartering went out along with flogging." "Cute. She knew exactly what she was doing and the members are going to see that." "Not while I have a conscious breath. But anyway that's not what I'm doing. I'm trying to account for the last ten years of my life on this form." "Harm why?" she demanded, worry flooding her. If he was applying for an upgrade of his clearance that could mean. . . "I'm applying to be a coach," he assured her quickly, reading her concern. She gave him a blank look almost at once. "The Rec Center--DC Youth Activities--is forming up Little League teams," he explained. "Because there's so few dads in these kids' families, there's a desperate need for head coaches. And you have to undergo a background check for obvious reasons." "OK that's making sense, and that fact does scare me." "Yeah of course. Despite the fact that I have everything but Eyes Only with the Navy," he sighed. "And I hate these forms." "So how did all this come about?" "Actually Sturgis talked me into it. He's been doing volunteering all winter with Youth Activities Center and trying to get me to join him. So I finally said I'd be his assistant coach, and then let him talk me into taking a team of my own because there's such a dad shortage." It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him that the two of them had in place an arrangement to make him the real thing, and she bit it back. "Well good luck. And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that you know you get called out of the area a lot. I hope there's a contingency plan for that." "Yeah me too," he frowned. "Now you're here to talk about Lt. Rice?" "I'm here to hear your surrender." ================== 1 MONTH LATER "Mac, got a sec?" Harm spotted her coming in from court and waved her down. "Oh of course I do. I have to file this brief, let the Admiral know what happened just now, find out if Bud located those figures, and I've got exactly nine calls to return. Could you take a number? And then forget it." "Good you're in a good mood." He flashed her his trademark grin and she stopped in her tracks. He could always get her attention with that. She crossed over to him and shoved the contents of her arms into his midsection. "OK Flyboy, carry my books home and you've got exactly one minute of my time." "Deal. Come with me tonight." "Uh, normally my men are a little less caveman about it when they ask me out," she giggled. "Is that what I'm doing?" he frowned. "OK dinner first. But it will have to be quick." "Where are we going?" "It's a surprise. And don't dress." "Excuse me?" "I mean wear jeans and I'll pick you up at 1700." It was precisely that time when he knocked on her door, waiting impatiently for her to open up. "About time" he said when she finally let him in. "I thought maybe you'd forgotten about me." "Forget that you're taking me to dinner. No way. And where ever else it is you're taking me." "You ready?" he asked as he checked his watch. "We're on a schedule here." "Schedule for what? " "You'll see soon enough. Just trust me." They managed a quick dinner at the local TGIFriday's, Harm barely waiting until Mac was finished before getting up. "Okay this better be good" she groused as he led her to the car. "That wasn't the fastest dinner I've ever eaten there. And we didn't even have time for desert." "It will be. But if we don't get moving we're going to be late." "Late for what?" He just smiled as he climbed into the car and Mac shook her head. Never in her life would she be able to figure out her partner. Her surprise was evident when he finally pulled the car to a stop next to a baseball field. "We're watching a baseball game tonight?" she frowned. "Not quite. Tonight is just practice. And we're not watching, we're coaching. We'll I'm uh hoping you'll agree to help me." He hurried out of the car before she could ask what he was talking about and with a sigh she climbed out as well. A group of fifteen ten-year-old kids stood waiting, crowding around Harm when they saw him. "What took you so long coach?" a lanky looking kid asked. "We thought you were standing us up." "No way" Harm smiled. "You know me better than that by now I hope. And I'd like all of you to met my friend Mac." "Mac" another kid frowned. "How come you got a boy's name?" "Mac is a Marine" Harm explained. "Her real name is Sarah but everyone calls her Mac." "She's the new assistant coach you were talking about?" the lanky kid asked and Mac looked over at Harm. "You forget to tell me something Flyboy?" "I was uh hoping you wouldn't mind helping me out," Harm said sheepishly. "I even got a little something for you." With that he hurried back to the car, returning a moment later with a bag from which he pulled out a shirt and baseball cap. The front of the cap said coach and the back of the t-shirt said Mac, assistant coach. "You want me to help you coach?" she whispered as he handed her the shirt and placed the cap on her head. "I'll take all the help I can get" Harm smiled. "So will you?" "You really want me?" "Of course. I mean how much do you think I know about coaching baseball. Mostly I just need someone to help keep them in control. And I can't think of anyone better than a Marine." Fifteen faces looked at her and she knew there was no way she could say no. "All right" she smiled. "I'll be happy to be the assistant coach." "Cool" the lanky kid smiled. "By the way I'm Jeffrey." A bunch of names were shouted at her and Mac laughed at the kid's enthusiasm. "Okay first I'm going to need a notebook so I can write everyone's name down" she smiled. "And who does what." "I got that," Harm said as he handed her a legal pad. "You read up. I'll get them ready for practice." "This is quite a group," she approved, looking them over. "This could be a basic training squad in boot camp." "I think it's going to be a fun summer," he nodded. "You've got your hat on Coach. Need any help with your shirt." "Thanks I've got it," she nodded, pulling it quickly over her head as she scanned the roster, already liking what she was about to undertake. "OK let's start with laps," Harm ordered, giving his whistle a short blast. "Around the bases, ease into it. By the time you hit home for the second round you should about full out." With generalized pushing and shoving the team took off running. And with a look to Harm, Mac joined them. "What's the matter with you Coach, you stuck in place," she yelled over her shoulder to Harm. He laughed and set his clip board down, hurrying after them and by the time two laps of the bases were complete, she was out ahead. "Once more around," Harm panted from somewhere back in the pack and at second base, dropped out to let them finish. "Head-Coach needs to get in shape," Mac chortled as Harm walked back across the field." "Yeah well I'm hell with a bat," he told her, knocking off her cap as he walked by. "I think he likes you." Mac turned around to see a much softer face than she would have expected peaking out from a ballcap. "Yeah likes to give me a hard time. I have to work with him too. And you are?" "Alex and this is Sam and we're twins." "Well Alex and Sam I can certainly see that," she smiled, reaching out to shake their hands. "Yeah but you ain't seen this," one of the boys nearby screeched and pulled off their caps. Long braids tumbled down their backs. "Girls." "They certainly are," Mac gasped. "Alexandra and Samantha am I right?" "Yes ma'am and don't even try to tell us apart except for our numbers. Coach Harm said one of us had to be double digits even. So I'm twelve." "My dad said he remembers when girls weren't allowed to play on boys' teams," the boy groused. "Well I can remember when Marine women weren't allowed to do half of what they are now," Mac told him softly. "But if a woman can do the job she should have it. What's your name?" "Toby Reynolds," he replied. "My dad would know that too. He's in the Army at the Pentagon. A Major." "I'm looking forward to meeting him," Mac smiled and looked up at Alex and Sam. "You guys the only girls on the team?" "Yes ma'am. We tried to get some of our friends to come, but they all wanted to play softball. Softball is such a girls' game." "You are girls," Toby yelled. "Shut up. So we're girls. We can still pound you. And we can out-hit and out-field you too." "Not on your best day," he yelled again and ran off. "Boys are dumb," Sam declared. "Talk to me in about four years," Mac smiled, ushering them to where Harm was organizing drills. "Mac you want to show us your batting skills," Harm laughed, the laughter dying when she picked up a bat. "I guess she does. OK fielders be ready," he yelled. Two hours later a tired Harm called an end to practice as the cars started pulling up. "Okay remember tomorrow's the first scrimmage game" Harm said to the group as they huddled around. "Billy you're starting pitcher." The lanky boy gave him a thumbs up. "Yes sir. I'm ready." Harm handed out the rest of the assignments with the promise to the other's that they'd get their chance to play at some point during the game. He was finishing up as a few parents started to wander over. "Looks like you got some help coach" one man said as he looked over at Mac. "Colonel Sarah Mackenzie this is Major John Reynolds, Toby's father. Mac has been kind enough to help me get the group into shape." "Nice to meet you" Mac smiled. "I'm impressed" John nodded. "I thought Toby would just be goofing off out here but it sounds like you two want to put together a team that's going to win." "Well they're still going to have fun" Harm reminded him. "That's what this is about." "Of course. But it doesn't hurt to win either." "Some are a little more zealous than others" Harm murmured to Mac as John rounded up Toby and headed towards the car. "I see that." "Billy come on," a woman yelled from her car. "I don't have all night to wait for you." "Coming Mom" he called before turning to Harm. "Thanks for letting me start tomorrow. I won't let you down." "I know you'll do your best" Harm smiled. "But I think you're Mom is in a hurry. You best run along." "She's always in a hurry" Billy sighed. "Billy" she yelled again. "I said come on. Now." "Gotta go," he said before hurrying off. "Hey how's my two girls doing" another man smiled as Alex and Sam ran over to him. "We're going to start tomorrow Daddy" Alex squealed happily. "And we've got a new coach. And she's a girl." "I guess that would be you" the man smiled as Mac walked over. "I'm Gary Winters. These two balls of energy are mine. "Mac" Mac smiled. "They are a lot of energy. And excellent baseball players." "Well Diane hates it but I love the fact that they're not afraid to play with the boys" he smiled. "She liked it better when she could dress them up in frilly dresses. But they're tomboy's all the way." "Is Mommy going to come to our game tomorrow?" Sam asked. "I don't think so honey. You know Mommy doesn't like sports." "Doesn't she want to see us play?" Alex frowned. "We'll get her out here one day" Gary promised. "But we'd better run along since you've got homework and Mommy's waiting." "Bye Mac" they called. "We're glad you're on the team too." "So am I" Mac smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow." The mass of cars finally left the field and Harm and Mac were about to head to their car when they realized that there was still one kid left. "Jimmy is someone coming to pick you up?" Harm frowned as he knelt down in front of the boy that sat on the bench. "Dad said he'd be here after work unless he had to stay late," Jimmy said quietly. "I guess he had to." "What about your Mom honey?" Mac asked softly. "She works nights. I only see her in the morning before school." "Harm we can't leave him here alone" Mac frowned. As she spoke another car pulled up and a man Mac guessed to be a little younger than herself dressed in fatigues hurried over. "I'm sorry" he sighed. "I got tied up at the base. I told Jimmy this might not work with my schedule." "It's not problem" Harm assured him. "In fact if there's anything we can do to help out, just let us know. We can hang out here late or we can take him somewhere else." "Thank you. And by the way I'm Scott Nelson. I appreciate you watching for him. It's hard with Naomi working nights. If it becomes too much of a problem, he'll just have to give it up." "But Dad" Jimmy wailed. "Jimmy we talked about this before you start. You know my schedule. You know I'm on call a lot of the time. And you know your mom is stuck with PM watch." "My mom's a cop," Jimmy said with a touch of pride. "One of DC's finest. But she's got three to eleven and it's hard a lot of the time," Scott said softly. "And you First Sergeant?" Harm asked, noting his rank and insignia. "NCOIC of an MP company at Belvoir," he sighed. "So I'm a cop too. Though Jimmy doesn't see it that often since I do more domestic disturbances than bank robberies like his mom." "Coach Harm is in the Navy Dad remember," Jimmy spoke up. "And now Mac is a Marine." "Should I be saying sir and ma'am?" Scott asked with a quick smile. "Don't you dare," Mac growled. "But I'm a Lieutenant Colonel and Harm a Commander. We're with the JAG Corps in Falls Church." "Well I'm pleased to meet you both. Jimmy stays with our neighbor after school, and I'm afraid some times the transportation is going to be an issue. He's old enough to know that I can't just punch out at the end of eight hours if there's something going on." "You live in the city?" "Yes sir, because of Naomi's job. It's required." "Well so do we, so when he needs a lift, you give me or Mac a call," Harm told him firmly. "We don't normally ask for favors," Scott protested. "I could make it an order," Harm grinned. "Seriously, it's not a problem." "Please Dad. I really really really want to do this," Jimmy wailed. "We'll talk. Get in the car. Your mom will have a mini melt down if you're up late or don't get your homework done because of this ball stuff." He clamped a hand to Jimmy's shoulder and with a nod to Harm and Mac, headed him to the car. Harm gave Mac a tired but happy smile and they set about picking up the equipment. "Now how about that dessert you got cheated out of earlier?" he asked when they were done. "Only if you're serving it to me with three Advil while I soak in a hot tub of bubbles." "I am so there," he laughed. "Little sore are you?" "No I'm a lot sore thank you. And I'll take a rain check on the dessert. Seriously I have some work to do and I wasn't kidding about the tub." "Rain check you got it," he nodded. "You go on to the SUV. I can make two trips." "I'm sore, not disabled," she retorted, giving him a quick shove and reaching for one of the duffel bags of equipment. Once in the car he turned the radio to soft jazz and she lay her head back against the seat as they drove across the city to Georgetown, almost asleep by the time he shook her arm. "Sit still I'm coming around and I'll walk you up." Too tired, though it was a good kind of tired, to protest, she waited for him and as soon as the door was open all but fell out into his arms. "Sorry." "I'm not," he grinned, keeping his arm closely across her back as they walked into the building and up the short flight of stairs. "You going to be OK now?" "Oh yeah. Just been a while since I did the confidence course, but the exercise was good. Thank you." "For?" "For dinner of course, but also for inviting me to do this with you. I love it. It's going to be a great summer." "I think so. Good bunch of kids, great assistant coach," he grinned and to his enormous surprise, just before she slipped inside and closed the door, she placed a fast kiss at the corner of his mouth, leaving him both speechless and breathless, staring at the closed door. "It's definitely going to be a great summer" he sighed contentedly. He hadn't been sure how Mac would react to the idea of helping him coach. But now he could look forward to a long summer of evenings with her. *********** JAG HQ's Next Morning "Colonel you okay?" AJ frowned as Mac slowly made her way across the bullpen. "You hurt yourself last night?" "No sir. Just did a little extra curricular activity with the Commander that my body wasn't used to." "I'm not even going to touch that" AJ shook his head before walking away and Mac blushed as she realized how that had sounded. "Mac hey there you are" Harm smiled as he walked out of his office. "How you feeling today?" "You're here early?" she frowned. "Did I miss an early morning staff call?" "No I'm just a little psyched about tonight so I couldn't really sleep. So I figured instead of staring at the ceiling I might as well get in here since we need to be out of here quick." "I would have been here sooner if I hadn't gotten lost in the shower." "Still sore?" "A little. You've been doing this coaching thing a little longer than I have. It'll take me a few times to get used to it." "I'm sorry I wore you out so much the first time" he apologized. "Hey it's not your fault" she countered. "I was the one who was a little overzealous. But I'll be fine in a few days." "Just let me know if I can help out with those sore muscles" he teased. "I've been told I have good hands." "I may take you up on that" she blushed. "But in the meantime I need to get some coffee before my client gets here." "Lt. Dalworth?" Harm asked. "The guy who vanished for six months in Mexico so he wouldn't have to go to sea." "That would be him. Says he's got an explanation for all of it. I can't wait to hear it. And if I don't get some coffee in me, I'm not going to be very sympathetic." "I have to run too" he sighed. "I'm meeting with Colonel Jeffer's attorneys in a half hour." "Attorneys? He's got more than one." "Apparently he's got the money to afford DC's finest law firm. I didn't realize being a Colonel in the Marine's paid so well." "It doesn't" Mac laughed. "How is he affording this?" "Apparently his wife's family has the money. And they're footing the bill to get the good Colonel off on his assault charge. Of course I'm not making any deal on this one. Not after talking to Major Johansen. He deserves to be locked up." "Good luck. I'm off to my UA." ==================== It was after lunch before their paths crossed again, Harm finally returning from his meeting with the defense attorneys. "How'd it go?" Mac asked. "As I thought it would. They weren't happy that I wasn't dealing. But I know I've got the case against him and I'm not going to let him walk." "So you're going to trial?" "Yes. How'd your morning go?" "Lt. Dalworth never showed" she sighed. "Apparently he's UA again." "Did you report him?" "You bet I did," she growled. "I don't have time for his games. A little brig time might bring him around to the Navy's way of thinking." "Or I could take him out behind one of the old buildings at the Navy Yard and beat some sense into him like the DI's used to years ago," he laughed. "Hey don't laugh. That's Plan B," she sighed. "Anyway, I'll deal with it tomorrow. But from what I can glean from the couple times we've talked, he's gotten himself into some kind of mess and doesn't know which way to turn. I wish I could have convinced him to trust me." "Maybe this time. Did you order him held?" "Yeah I did, but he could be on a greyhound for god knows where. Anyway, sounds like you had a better day." "Oh yeah. I'm going to nail this jerk's privates to the wall. And in a few short hours, you and I are going to go watch a rag-tag team of kids play their first game. You ready?" "Of course. And they're not rag tag Head-Coach, these kids are razors," she told him staunchly. "Right. I'll settle for them not embarrassing themselves their first time out." ========================= DC PARKS & RECREATION Field For the first time the DC Twins were in uniform. Uniforms spotlessly clean. They would not stay that way, but for now the team was resplendent as they lined up along the first base line. Their opponents, the DC Mariners, stared at them from the third base side. The sound system played the National Anthem and afterward Harm called the team in close. "You guys can do this," he said quietly. "But what's most important? Doug?" "That we have a good time and be good sports no matter what." "You've taught them well Head-Coach," Mac beamed. "Yeah they're my guys. Correction, our guys. Let's roll." With the game halfway over, there was a close play at second and the Mariner slid hard into Sam, knocking her over. "Time Ump time," Harm called at once, seeing his player on the ground. "Time Out," the umpire shouted and could not help but smile. "And the runner is out." He smiled further at the look of outrage on the boy's face, as the kid scrambled to his feet and then shrugged and walked off. Mac and Harm bent over Sam, helping her upright. "I did it Head-Coach. I did it. I made the play. I held the ball." "Yes you did and you've got a nice scrape on your elbow as a battle wound," Harm laughed. "Mac take our second basewoman in for some first aid please and send Peter out." "You got it," Mac grinned, pulling Sam to her feet and the resultant applause from both teams and the spectators made the young girl smile happily. "I don't want to sit out," she moaned as Mac escorted her off. "You can go back in if Head-Coach wants, just as soon as you get cleaned up and bandaged. "If there's blood you can't play again until it's gone. That's the rule." "Yes ma'am." Meekly she followed Mac, who led her toward a quiet area and sat her down. When Mac returned with the first aid kit, there was a man standing behind a nearby fence, watching Sam. When Mac looked toward him, he looked away quickly and took several steps back. Her training and instinct kicked in at the same time and she stared intently at the stranger before kneeling down in front of the young girl. "Sam do you know that man?" she asked, keeping her voice casual. "Yeah. It's Eddie. He's my mom's friend." "Oh good OK," Mac breathed. "So he's cool?" She nodded silently. "OK then," Mac said softly, busying herself cleaning up the wound. "And you're good to go. Hit the bench." "Thanks," Sam ran off and Mac stood up slowly, letting her gaze rest once more on the man Sam called Eddie. For what reason she was not sure, but she wanted to let him know she was aware of him. The rest of the game passed without incident and in the bottom of the ninth the Twins were behind by one run but still had a chance to win the game with a runner at first and only one out. "Toby you're up" Harm called and the young boy hurried to the plate. He connected with the second pitch but ball went right to the short stop. A second later it was all over as Mariners completed the double play. The jovial team celebrated their win and Harm and Mac gathered the team in the clubhouse. "It's okay Toby" Mac told the dejected boy. "You did your best." "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have swung at the pitch." "Damn right you shouldn't" John Reynolds yelled as he walked into the clubhouse. "You could have won the game if you hadn't hit into that double play." Toby bit his lip to keep back the tears and Harm frowned at the irate father. "Look he did his best. That's all that counts." "Come on Commander. You and I both know that's not what counts in this world." "In this world it is" Harm countered. "This isn't the World Series. It's little league." "He needs to start learning that there's no place for losers in the world" John snapped. "Dad I'm sorry" Toby sniffled. "Oh for pete's sake don't start balling like a baby. Hopefully next time you won't screw up. Grab your stuff let's go." "Toby you did fine" Mac said to the boy. "You gave it your best shot. That's all that matters." "You know I expected a little more out of you two" John said as he turned around. "I thought you'd be teaching these kids how important it is to win." "Winning isn't everything Mr. Reynolds" Mac countered. "In war, the loser is the dead guy" he retorted. "And you call yourself a Marine." He grabbed his son's arm and led him to the car. "Well that was interesting" Mac murmured. "You guys all did good" Harm told the remaining kids. "This was a first game and I'm proud of how you played. We've got a long season and we're not going to let our first lose get us down." "I'll try harder next time coach" Billy spoke up. "If I hadn't let them get that homer we could have won." "You gave it your best. That's all we're asking for." "Samantha, Alexandra" a woman's voice called and Mac looked up to see a well-dressed woman approaching. "Do not make me come in that icky dugout to get you." "Mom" Sam sighed. "She doesn't like sports." Mac nodded and led the two young girls outside. "Sam what happened to your elbow" the woman gasped. "See this is why I told your father you shouldn't be playing these stupid sports." "Mom it's just a scratch. Coach Mac took cleaned it and it's fine." "I'm Mac" Mac smiled. "Diane. And I'm afraid to ask what Mac is short for. It's bad enough Gary calls these two Sam and Alex when they're names are Samantha and Alexandra." "Mackenzie actually. My first name is Sarah which didn't work too well in boot camp." "Boot camp?" Diane frowned. "You're a soldier?" "Marine actually. I'm partners with Harm at JAG." "Great just the kind of role model I want my daughters to have. I'm trying to make them into young ladies and now they have a female coach that's a Marine. I told Gary this was a bad idea. Girls get your stuff so we can go home please." "We like you even if she doesn't" Alex whispered to Mac before hurrying after her mother and sister. "What was that all about?" Harm frowned as he joined Mac outside the dugout. "Apparently I'm a bad role model" Mac sighed. "Because I'm a Marine." "Okay I won't even ask why that is." "I guess she expects women should be dressed pretty and not get dirty" Mac smiled. "I thought she was going to choke when I told her I was a Marine." "Okay sounds like we've got an interesting group here" Harm sighed. "Oh yeah. And there was some guy watching the girls. Sam said he was a friend of her Mom's but he gave me the creeps." Harm's eyes narrowed. "Well obviously there's a dad. Gary is his name. Come to think of it though I've never seen them together. He's come, and she's come but only to motion them into the car. The friend I don't know about. What did he look like?" She shrugged. "It wasn't so much what he looked like, but I swear he almost leered at Sam and then he like dared me to object. But he was neatly enough dressed. Hell I don't know. I'm hot and sweaty and dirty and admittedly sort of disappointed we lost the first time out so I'm not required to make sense. I just know he creeped me out. Now take me home." "Yes ma'am," he grinned. "But speaking of creeps, I'm afraid these twelve weeks are not going to end without me and Mr. Reynolds having words. I'm not going to allow him to verbally abuse one of my players." "I just hope that abuse is only on the field," Mac said softly. "I didn't. . .oh my god you think?" "I think it's like Eddie. Probably nothing but bears watching." "OK yeah," he sighed. "Mac if we think anything is going on here you know we're obligated." "Yes of course I know the law, but right now a hot shower is a much more immediate problem," she groaned. "Hot to get the dirt off, cold to cool down." "I could help with that." "Promises promises," she flung over her shoulder and began to trot to the car. "Someday it's going to be a lot more than just that," he muttered, shouldering the last of the equipment. =============== "You're awfully quiet, you OK?" he asked when they were halfway across the city. "That thing with Sam still on your mind?" "Oh just a little," she confessed. "It's probably nothing." "But you're still going to fret over it." "You know me so well," she smiled. "And want to get to know you better." "I uh. . .I don't think I have a come-back for that. You want to explain it to me?" she asked hesitantly, his words catching her totally off guard. "I mean Harm you know me inside and out in all ways except literally." "Well that's a whole other discussion," he grinned, his face going from light to dark in the blinking lights of the city. He felt her eyes on him and knew he needed to explain the words he had blurted out. "Mac it's not that complicated. I wanted you to come coach with me because I needed the help, and I knew much as you like kids, you'd be good at it. But moreover I saw it as a chance for us to spend some good time together. Outside JAG. Does that make sense?" "Oh yeah it does," she breathed, suddenly feeling a rush of warmth inside her. It was going to be a great summer. ************* JAG HQ's Next Morning "Heard you almost won" Sturgis said the next morning as Harm walked into the break room. "We did good for our first time out" Harm nodded. "Course I had a parent who didn't think so." "You'll get used to those. There's always a few in the bunch that think the kids have to win or its the end of the world." "I've definitely got one of those. Army Major to boot." "Ahh. So he's of course thinking there is no such thing as losing" Sturgis smiled. "Exactly. And he verbally abused his son in front of the team because he grounded into a double play in the ninth inning. He doesn't seem to share our belief that the kids are supposed to have fun first." "Gonna be a long summer with him. Trust me. I've been doing this long enough to know what those kind are like. They'll be screaming at you and the kid at every game." "Thanks. I could have done without that." "How else did it go?" Sturgis asked. "Well Mac got the cold shoulder from a mother who thinks it's inappropriate for women to be in the military and she's upset that her husband is allowing their twin girls to play baseball and be coached by someone like Mac." "Wow you do have any interesting group" Sturgis laughed. "Mine sounds pretty boring compared to that." "How'd your guys do?" Harm asked. "We won actually. I've got a good group of kids that are anxious to play. Can't wait till we take you guys on. Course that's down the road a bit." "We'll beat you" Harm smiled. "Hey there's Coach" Mac smiled as she joined them in the break room. "Telling Sturgis about our interesting evening." "Yeah he was. Sounds like you're going to have an interesting season." "I'm just worried about Harm and Major Reynolds coming to blows" she laughed. "Or myself for that matter. I just hope that was a one time event and next game he'll be a little calmer." "Doubt that" Sturgis smiled. "Hey any word on your UA client yet?" "No yet. He's probably hiding out in Mexico again. Course he's done nothing but dig himself an even deeper hole." "And you've got the big Colonel Jeffers case" Sturgis said to Harm. "You know if you need any help with prosecuting I'd be glad to help out. I'm just about done with the Greer case." "Thanks I may take you up on that" Harm sighed. "I met with his two attorneys yesterday who were a real treat. Needless to say, it's not going to be pretty in there when it does go to trial." "Let me know" Sturgis said as he headed out. "Feeling okay this morning?" Harm asked Mac. "I'm all right. The body's getting a little used to this now. And it really is fun to be with the kids." "What about the coach?" he smiled. "Yeah he's a pretty good guy too" she laughed. "Course it wouldn't be a bad idea for him to take me out for dinner as a thanks for helping me out with the team." "How about a real dinner Saturday night? When we're both not beat from practice or a game." "Sounds good. And I get my dessert from the other night right?" "Of course. It'll be like a real date." "Date" AJ frowned as he walked in. "Who's going out on a date?" "I uh just asked the Colonel to have dinner with me Saturday night" Harm smiled. "And she was crazy enough to say yes" AJ teased. "Well sir, you know how important food is" Mac laughed. "Of course. And I hear you two are coaching a little league team together. You know if you need any help, I'd be glad to assist. I did a fair amount of coaching myself over the years." "Sir if you're serious I'm going to get you signed up. Of course I could use the help. It would be so much easier to split the team into three for workouts, and then it's always good to have someone on the field who knows baseball. A lot of these kids don't have good adult influence. You'd be great sir." "Breathe Harm," Mac laughed. "Sir except for flying I've never seen him so enthused about anything." "Nothing wrong with that. Mr. Rabb you know my number. Tell me where and when." =========== The next 'when' came Thursday night. Harm had secured a shirt and cap for AJ and introduced him to the team. "OK sir you ready?" "Out here it's AJ please," the older man grinned. "And you bet. What's first?" Practice was in full swing when Mac took a break to get some water. With her water bottle raised above her, she did not see the slightly built boy come up to her, standing silently a foot away and she startled when she finally did become aware of him. "Coach Mac I'm sorry I scared you," Robby Donnelly whispered. "No it's OK, I always scream and spit water," she teased. "But you look like a man with something on your mind." The boy scuffled his cleated shoe for a moment. Smaller and quieter than the other boys, he nevertheless possessed batting prowess some of them could only envy, and his fielding was above reproach. "Yes ma'am. I don't want to bother Coach Harm and Coach AJ seems great but I don't know him. I don't know you either but I need to tell someone. My mom said." "I'm all ears Mr. Donnelly." "It's not a big deal really. Just that we might have to move before the games finish." Mac nodded. With the large number of military members and government workers in the DC area, it was understandable. "Well it is a big deal because the team is going to miss you, but I'm not surprised. What would surprise me is if we got thorough the summer without losing a couple of you. Your mom or dad being transferred?" "Yeah something like that," he muttered. "OK I did what she told me to do. I can go back and play now." "Of course. Did she give you an idea when it might happen?" "No she just said don't be surprised. I never am. Not like it's never happened before. Excuse me." He turned away quickly but not before she caught the hint of a tear in his eye and the resentfulness in his tone. "Another unhappy one," she muttered, watching him walk back to the field. From where he was practicing with the basemen, Harm saw her and called a break, trotting over to her. "Hey you OK? Something wrong? Composing your resignation?" He dropped an easy hand to her shoulder and lowered his head to look at her intently. "Nah nothing like that. Not that simple. Robby just had a talk with me. He said his mom told him to tell us they may be moving." "OK I figured we'd lose one or two as the season wore on. I'd be sorry to see him go, but we are deep enough at third. OK don't tell me let me guess, you think there's something more to it." "No I don't," she lied. "Well yes you do, but that's OK. Mac these are city kids. None of them come from a Father Knows Best household. You and I didn't either." "No I didn't. And you know what?" Her voice got more intense as she spoke. "You know what, I wished very badly that someone--a teacher, a neighbor just someone--took enough interest in me. Took enough time, cared enough--to see that I wasn't OK. I couldn't articulate that something was wrong. Hell it was only when I got away and looked back that I actually realized how bad it was in fact. And quit making that face. There is a point coming." He laughed and gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "Of course there is counselor. By all means." "OK just this. I wished someone had cared enough to find out why I was so unhappy. And I vowed that if I ever saw a troubled kid, I was going to make it my business to interfere. So with Sam and Alex and now with Robby--yeah it's probably nothing. But what if it's not?" "I hear you," he soothed. "I'm concerned with Toby too. And I know I don't have to remind you of Dar-lyn and Annie." "No and thank you for understanding," she whispered. "I'm probably totally off the deep end here. So the kid doesn't want to move. Most kids don't. But at the same time, how many actually get tearful over it." "Some do. But we'll keep an eye on him. And when his mom comes to pick him up, maybe I'll run over and talk to her." "Thank you. That would make me feel better." "Whatever it takes" he smiled. "You ready to get back to practice? Be nice to win one next time." "Yeah so Toby's dad doesn't go ballistic" Mac sighed. Practice drew to a close an hour later and by the time Harm had looked for Robby Donnelly he was gone. John Reynolds had watched practice again and he walked over to meet the newest coach of the team. "John Reynolds" he said to AJ. "I hope you're here to help them make this team a winner." "AJ Chegwidden. And I'm just hoping I can teach the kids a thing or two." "Like how to win" John pressed. "I see you've met the Admiral" Harm smiled as he walked over to John and AJ. "He's graciously offered to help out with the team since he's coached little league before." "We going to win a few are we?" "I don't know Mr. Reynolds. We'll see how it goes. I'm more concerned with the kids having fun and learning how to play with the other kids." "What a waste" John muttered before retrieving his child and heading to the car. "That's the overzealous one" Harm sighed. "In case you couldn't tell." "Never" AJ laughed. "Don't worry Commander I've dealt with my share of fathers before. Nothing I can't handle." "Hi Mac" Gary Winters smiled as he came to retrieve Sam and Alex. "How'd practice go?" "No injuries tonight" Mac laughed. "Which I'm sure will make your wife happy." "Don't pay any attention to her" Gary sighed. "She has this thing about the girls being girls and she's not going to give it up just yet." "Do you know a friend of hers named Eddie?" Mac inquired. "Why?" Gary frowned. "Was he with her the other night?" "He was watching the game. Well more like watching Sam and Alex." "I'll talk to her again. I told her I didn't like him near the girls. But she doesn't listen to anything I say." "Gary this may not be any of my business but I'm guessing you and Diane have some serious problems" Mac said quietly. "Yes we do," he said with a long sigh. "And you're really easy to talk to and once I found out you and Harm were lawyers I was going to talk to you anyway. Basically Diane and I have been together because of Sam and Alex. But I'm not sure we can even do that anymore." "It's that bad?" "Now it is. When we agreed that we'd stay together until the girls got a little older I thought that was the best thing for them. Now I'm not so sure it is. Especially when she's hanging out with guys like Eddie." "How'd she meet him?" "College. She went back to finish her degree in psychology. I guess he was in one of her classes." "Well Harm and I aren't domestic lawyers but we'd be happy to help if we could" Mac said quietly. "I may take you up on that. Right now I'm just trying to get through the summer so the girls can enjoy it. Then we'll figure out what Diane and I are doing." He gathered Sam and Alex and Mac checked the dugout, not surprised to see Jimmy waiting again. "Sorry Coach" he sighed. "I guess Dad got hung up again." "It's okay" Mac smiled. "We still have to clean up." "I'll help" Jimmy said as he sprung to his feet. "I really like Coach AJ too. He's really cool." "You know he's an Admiral" Mac smiled. "An Admiral. Wow. I bet he's got lots of stars." "Four, two on each shoulder," Mac smiled, nodding to AJ as he went to gather the warm-up balls from that field.. "But he's pretty much a regular guy when he's out of uniform." "Oh yeah? Did you and him ever date?" Mac did not answer right away and Jimmy waited, taking pleasure that he had made her blush. "Hey Mac I'm waiting to hear the answer to that too," Harm teased. "Well you know better," she returned. "I would not date my immediate superior. Any more than he would ask me. Jimmy the answer is no." "OK. That's good. Because Coach Harm wants you." Now it was Harm's turn to blush, and even with his back to Mac, she could tell that was exactly what he was doing, his ears turning scarlet. "Harm and I are friends. Close friends," Mac said slowly. "And if he wants me--well wants to ask me out--he knows my number and before this discussion goes any further, that would be your dad." Scott Nelson exited his car and walked slowly toward the field. "You ready son?" "Yes sir. Just been talking Harm and Mac through a date." "What?" "First Sergeant it's not important," Harm groaned. "But this is a pretty astute young man you've got here. And you look beat. Bad shift?" "Oh yeah. And if you want to know how bad, turn on the 11 o'clock news. Let's go James. I've got a message from your mom on my voicemail. Seems she got a call this morning from your math teacher." "Uh. . .I am so out of here," Jimmy grinned. "Bye Coach Harm, Coach Mac." "Cute kid," Mac sighed, leaning on the duffel bag as she watched the boy dash to the car ahead of his dad, leaving her and Harm the field's only occupants. "Yeah he is. Uh. . .should we talk about what he said?" She turned a soft smile on the head coach. "Not unless you feel like we need to." She ran a gentle hand down his arm, pressing her fingertips lightly. "I don't know about you, but I'm pretty happy with what's happening between us." "I think I am too," he replied, and before the moment could be lost, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers. "And that counselor was the proof." "And very nice it was," she smiled, coloring bright pink. "Looked good to me too from where I'm standing," AJ called. "Well done Mr. Rabb." "Yes sir, thank you," Harm grinned, and Mac colored even further. "Carry on you two. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't be late." "No sir." Mac finally found her voice and neither moved until AJ had begun to drive away. "I got a well done," Harm grinned. "But that wasn't my best." "Something to look forward to," she smiled back. "You planning on demonstrating that best soon are you?" "Yes ma'am. Date night Saturday remember. I'm even wearing a suit." "No dress whites?" "Hell no. You told me they were over-rated remember." "Well I may have been too hasty." "Rush to judgment," he teased, shouldering two of the equipment bags and started toward the car. When he was about ten feet from her, he flung back over his shoulder. "I'll wear them for our wedding." She was too shocked to reply before a small smile crept over her face. Things had definitely changed between them. And the change was real good. THE END Chapter 2 to follow on Wed. 16 Jul 03