TITLE: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Chapter 6 [concluding] 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.} +++++++++++++++++++++++ From the Conclusion of Ch. 5-- "Alex do as I say," Mac ordered in her best Marine voice and it worked. The child turned and ran just ahead of Eddie's turning around to reach for her. Mac took advantage of his distraction, grabbing Sam's arm. "Let's get out of here," she hissed to the frightened child. Mac lunged for the door, pulling Sam along, hoping she could simply force her way past Eddie. At the same time Alex pounded down the steps, spotting Harm about to come up. "Alex honey where's Mac?" Harm demanded. "Where is Mac and Sam and Eddie?" "Upstairs." She had barely gotten the word out when there was a piercing scream and then a shot. "Eddie has a gun," Alex whispered to an in-shock Harm. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Ch. 6-- "No" Harm whispered before tearing up the stairs two at a time. He had no idea was he was about to find and he prayed it wasn't going to be what his mind was picturing. He reached the top a moment later and Sam's sobs greeting him. Something told him his prayer wasn't going to be answered and he forced himself to slow his move towards the bedroom until he heard Eddie's threatening voice. "That will teach you to mess with me lady" Eddie sneered. Harm burst into the room, Eddie's face showing his surprise as Harm lunged toward him. He tried to raise the gun at him but Harm's hand slapped it away just before he barreled into the younger man. The two men landed in a heap on the floor, just as the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance. It took but a few moments for Harm to render the young man defenseless but it wasn't until he heard Mac's voice that he stopped his pummeling. "Harm" she called weakly and a moment later he turned his attention to her, gasping at once at the sight of the blood coming from her arm. She lay on the floor next to the door, Sam now clinging to her. "Right here honey" he whispered. "And you're going to be just fine as soon as the police and ambulance get here. And right now I'm just thanking God he was a lousy shot." "I should have known he was armed" Mac murmured as Harm quickly wrapped her arm with a nearby towel that was in the bedroom. "I just didn't even think about it." "It's okay. And it's over now. He's never going to hurt anyone again." "I'm sorry" Sam sobbed as she clung to Mac. "It's all my fault." "No honey, none of this is your fault" Harm told the young girl. "I should have told Mac sooner what he was doing," she cried. "But I didn't want him to hurt Mommy." "Shh" Mac soothed despite her own pain. "It's over honey." "He hurt you" Sam sobbed. "And it's my fault." Sturgis's pounding footsteps on the stairs were in tune with sirens on the street and he let out a gasp when he walked into the room. "What in the hell" he started. "Sturgis is the ambulance coming?" Harm demanded. "Yeah I told them I wasn't sure what had happened. And it sounds like they're here so I'll go tell them we need the medics up here right away." "Please" Harm begged. Sturgis nodded and turned and hurried from the room. The police were at the door when he arrived and he quickly guided them to the bedroom, followed closely by the paramedics. "Okay someone tell me what the hell is going on here while these guys attend to the lady" Officer Charles Dawkins sighed. "I will" Harm said as he kept his eyes on Mac as the young female paramedic moved to assist her. "As soon as I know she's going to be okay." "He shot her," Sam said as she pointed to where Eddie still lay. "He was going to kill her." "He was abusing the girls," Harm said quietly. "And Mac found out." "I get the picture" Officer Dawkins nodded. "Is he the father?" "No. He's dating the girls' mother." "Where is she?" "Out running errands" Mac spoke up. "I wouldn't leave him alone with the girls because I suspected what he was doing. I'd been with them at the pool and when we came back she was gone." "Officer can this wait" Harm sighed. "Please." "Yes of course," Charles nodded, stepping aside so the paramedics could get through. At the same time two other officers hauled Eddie to his feet. "Get this guy down to DC General to be checked over. Don't let him out of your sight. You know the drill, then bring him back to the precinct. So far he's looking at ADW, which I'm sure this victim will press the charge." "Oh yeah," Mac said firmly, wincing as the medic manipulated her arm, Harm hovering close by, his hand resting on her head in comfort. "Officer, listen to me close please. These girls. . .this man has been abusing them. But it's something that's very hard for them to talk about." Alex and Sam looked at her, their eyes big and round. "We just want him to go away," Alex sighed. "Yeah that's exactly right," Eddie sneered. "They don't like me with their mother. Big deal. So what kid wants a stepfather." "Especially one who hurts them, right Eddie?" Harm spat. "I never did." "You lying SOB," Harm returned. "And for your information, it's a good thing you didn't hurt Mac here any worse. If I'd come in and seen her lying on the floor unconscious, I wouldn't have waited to find out if she was still alive. Nothing would have stopped me from putting my hands around your scrawny throat." "You can threaten me all you want, but I never hurt them. Never did anything. . ." "Shut up," Charles ordered sharply. "Mister you have not been read your rights, which Patsy here is going to take care of as she carts you out of here. You're under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, which I'm pushing to make attempted murder in the first. Patsy take him now." With Eddie gone, both Sam and Alex crowded next to Mac. "Hey guys she's going to be OK," the medic smiled. "Joey and I are going to get her to the hospital and get this bleeding stopped and then she'll be fine. Neither of you are hurt?" "No we're OK. But Mama's going to be sad about Eddie," Alex sighed. "Your mama will handle it," Mac said softly, trying to fight off both the pain and the sudden wooziness from the IV the medic had inserted, and she leaned more heavily against Harm. "Listen, Alex, Sam, this is really important OK. It's a favor for me and Harm. If this police officer takes you to talk to a nice lady, you think you could tell her what Eddie did? How he hurt you? Our friend Sturgis will go with you too. Wouldn't you Sturgis, please?" The girls looked from Harm to Mac to Sturgis, who smiled softly and knelt down to their eye level. "I'd be honored to escort these pretty young ladies and to look out for the interests. Officially." "That would be great Sturgis thank you," Mac gasped, seeing at once what he was saying. That he would be an advocate for them, one with more credibility than she since he was less personally involved. "Let's do it," Charles ordered. Mac held out her non-injured arm for a hug from both girls. "Listen now. I don't want either of you to lie, you know that; so when they ask you what happened, you tell them the truth OK. No one is going to hurt you, or your mom. That's a promise." "OK that's enough," Harm spoke up, his concern for Mac growing as she was seemingly weakening. "Sturgis is going to take good care of you and I'm going to do that for Mac." "Can we see you later?" Sam asked tearfully. "Sturgis will fix that too," she smiled. "Sturgis is going to have a busy day," Sturgis laughed, holding his hands to the girls. "Officer, to Children's Services please." With a final encouraging nod from Mac, the girls let themselves be taken and she leaned back against Harm. "I hope they tell," she sighed, and her eyes closed. Harm's alarm was immediate, only to have the medic shake her head. "Sir, she's fine. That's a potent painkiller we're administering. I'm amazed she's stayed awake this long. Her arm's going to take some repair work and stitches, and she'll be fine. "You're sure?" Harm asked. "Yes I'm sure" she smiled. "It looks messy but it could have been a lot worse." "Don't even remind me" Harm sighed. No one needed to tell him how easily Eddie could have killed Mac. He was still thanking his lucky stars that Eddie couldn't fire a gun properly. Two hours later he was pacing the ER area of the hospital, waiting for word on Mac. "Mr. Rabb" the nurse called finally. "How is she?" Harm demanded. "Can I see her?" "She's going to be just fine. Dr. Carmichael fixed up her arm and it looks a lot better than when she got here." "I can see her?" "Of course. Right this way." Harm finally relaxed when he saw Mac, knowing she was going to be okay. It had been close today. Closer than he wanted to think about. He dropped a kiss on her forehead and she opened her eyes to look up at him. "Hi" she smiled softly. "I was hoping that was you." "Well I hope Dr. Carmichael wouldn't be kissing you" Harm smiled. "How are you feeling?" "Out of it" she admitted. "Whatever they gave me is doing wonders." "Good. You know you scared me today Marine." "Sorry. I couldn't leave the girls with Eddie. I knew he was bad. I just never imagined he'd do anything like that." "You are so lucky" Harm sighed as he sat down beside her. "I could have lost you before I'd even gotten the chance to make you my wife." "At least they're out of that horrible situation" Mac said softly. "Harm that could have gone on for years if we hadn't done something about it." "I know. And I know you did the right thing. I just wish you hadn't gotten hurt." "I can live with this knowing Sam and Alex will be away from him" she sighed. "No child should have to go through what they went through." "No they shouldn't. Fortunately Sam and Alex had you looking out for them." "I want to sleep again" Mac murmured. "Go ahead angel" Harm smiled. "I'm not going anywhere." "Sorry I worried you" she sighed as her eyes dropped closed. "I'm just glad you're okay" he whispered as he dropped another kiss on her forehead. "I love you Sarah." "Love you too" she murmured. She was still sleeping when Sturgis arrived at the hospital, now accompanied by a somber Gary and Diane Winters as well as the girls. "Harm you have no idea how sorry we are" Gary said quietly as they stood outside Mac's room while Sturgis took the girls to the lounge for a cold drink. "We never wanted you and Mac to get mixed up in our problems." "It's not your fault" Harm sighed. "It's mine" Diane whispered tearfully. "I had no idea what was going on and I should have. I was too busy worrying about myself and not the girls." "Everyone makes mistakes. Mac and I aren't holding it against you." "I'm sorry for what he did" Diane sniffled. "Have they charged him?" Harm asked. Gary nodded. "There's going to be a list of charges but right now they're starting with the attempted murder." "Did the girls talk?" "No. They want Mac there when they do" Diane whispered. "So they haven't told us anything yet." "To spare the girls, I almost would think we could be happy to nail him just on the attempted murder, but some slick defender is going to talk a bored ADA into letting him plead out to something like simple assault, give him three years and he's home after eighteen months of tax payer luxury in some minimum security place where he's on work release," Harm groused. "Home to victimize some other little girls." Mac stirred in her sleep and Harm smoothed her hair back from her forehead before continuing. "Are they keeping the girls?" "No. They're with my mother right now. She drove down from Baltimore the minute I called her," Diane sighed. "I've made so many mistakes this past year. I don't even know where to begin to correct it all." Gary suddenly put an awkward hand on her shoulder. "With a lot of help. Starting with me coming home. If you'll let me. I want to be there for you and my daughters. It doesn't have to be permanent, just until we're through all this. Then we can see if there's still any of us to salvage." "I want that. Yes please," Diane whispered through sudden tears. "They need you right now." "And I need them." Gary led her to the door, Sturgis and Harm walking behind. "If there's anything we can do," Harm began slowly. "Not right now," Gary sighed. "Thanks to Mr. Turner, the girls are going to be allowed to stay with family rather than being sent with strangers." "I didn't do anything but sign my name on the dotted line," Sturgis smiled, walking back into the room in time to hear that. "I'm on their side remember. What's best for them is all I'm going for. And when Mac is able to be up and about, we'll all sit down with the CPS people and hear what they have to say. With any luck, Eddie has touched his last child." "You guys are great," Diane sniffled. "I'm so sorry for all this. Mac could have been killed." "But she wasn't," Harm reminded her. "Of course if she had been, we wouldn't be worrying about Eddy right now, and it would be my interests Sturgis would be looking after but that's all just so much BS now. It's over. All over but the dealing with the bastard. And when the time comes, Alex and Sam are going to be up to telling the truth. Now that they know he can't hurt them--or you Diane--they've got the courage to do it. I know it." Diane and Gary got onto the elevator, Gary holding Diane's arm tenderly as they walked. "Looks like those two might just be OK," Sturgis sighed when the doors closed. "You and Mac? You need anything before I head out?" "Just a best man for the wedding," Harm grinned. "It's not that far off." "You're serious aren't you?" his friend laughed. "You're going to be married at home plate?" "Right after my Twins beat your Marlins out for the trophy on Labor Day." "Maybe if you had the real Twins to play," Sturgis hooted. "And besides who's to say your guys are going to survive that far." "We are just coming into our own," Harm laughed, relief that Mac would be OK making him almost giddy. "Would you care to put something behind that boast? Say a steak dinner at the Orleans House? Well lobster for you." "You Commander Turner are on. And I'm going to get back to my Sarah." "About time you realized that" Sturgis smiled. "I'll talk to you later." Harm returned to Mac's room where she was once again stirring. "I'm right here," he said softly when she murmured his name. "Just like I promised." "What's going on?" she murmured as she looked up at him. "Are Sam and Alex okay?" "They're with Diane's mother right now. Sturgis was able to keep them out of child services for now. And it looks like Gary and Diane might be working things out." "She didn't know did she?" Mac asked. "No she had no clue what Eddie was doing. And likely the only reason he was with her was because of the girls." "They're all going to need counseling." "Oh yeah" Harm nodded. "And we'll make sure they get all the help they need. But right now all I'm concerned about is you." "I'm okay," she said with a small smile. "Course this is going to require a lot of TLC." "And I'll be more than happy to give it to you" Harm smiled. *************** One Week Later "You should not be here" Harm frowned as they prepared for their game. "I don't know how you convinced me to let you come tonight." "I'm just here as a cheerleader" Mac smiled. "I promise I won't do anything else." "I'm holding you too that." A few minutes later the sound of cars signaled the arrival of the players and Mac smiled as the kids ran to the dugout. "Hey Coach Mac" Jimmy Nelson smiled. "It's great to have you back." "Is that Toby I see with your Dad?" Mac asked as she looked out and saw Scott Nelson helping Toby to the dugout. "Yep. Toby's been hanging out with us while Coach Harm took care of you. It's been so cool too. It's like having a brother." "So you and Toby get along pretty good?" she asked. "Yes ma'am. I hope he stays longer." "Hi Mac" Scott smiled as he walked over while Toby went to join the other kids. "Heard about your little adventure. You doing okay?" "I'm managing. Harm is of course smothering me with care. But I finally convinced him to let me come tonight. And I hear you've been taking care of Toby?" "He's a good kid. Damn shame what his father did to him. He's not going to get to play the rest of the season but he still likes hanging out with the other kids." "Hi Toby" Harm smiled as the young boy came over to him. "Mr. Nelson treating you okay?" "Great. I like hanging out with Jimmy. And his mom is a cop. That's so cool." "So you like it with the Nelson's?" Harm asked. "Yes sir." Harm nodded thoughtfully while Toby ran over to join Jimmy and the others. "Penny for your thoughts sailor" Mac said softly as she joined him. "Did you see how happy Toby is with the Nelson's" Harm said quietly. "Yes. You don't think he'd be happy with us?" "He could be. But Jimmy's his age and it's like having a brother." "So why don't you talk to Scott and see if he and Cindy would like to have custody of Toby" she offered. "Well now that they've found Reynolds maybe" Harm sighed. "You're not sure are you?" she smiled. "You liked the thought of being a dad to a great kid like that." "Well yeah OK sort of yeah maybe," he grinned. "I guess I was having Josh Pendry flashbacks." "I figured as much." She ran his hand down his arm. "Sailor soon as you make me your wife, I'll let you make me a mother. That's a promise." "And one I intend to see through on my part," he grinned and kissed her quickly. "OK Ms. Walking Wounded, take a seat. I'll handle this victory. ============ A week after that night, Sarah Mackenzie sat between two very frightened little girls, holding each of their hands. The chambers of Juvenile Court Judge Martha Masterson was the scene, and present was Edward Stiles' court appointed attorney, an assistant prosecutor, and the case worker assigned to the children. Four hours and an ocean of tears later, it was over. Judge Masterson signed off on the formal charges of child sexual abuse. Already the prosecutor had secured an indictment of attempted murder for Mac's shooting, and it would seem the man would be soon forever out of the lives of the girls. The tears were still on Mac's face when she emerged, and it was not until the girls saw their mother that they left her side and ran to her, their farther hovering close. "Sarah," Harm said softly, and the tenderness in his voice sent her into another wave of soft sobbing. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done," she whispered, making no resistance as he led her away to a quiet area where they were alone. "I'm so sorry. I wish I hadn't let you," he said softly, pulling her against him despite the fact of their uniforms, letting her cry softly. "I wouldn't have let you stop me. It needed to be done. And the girls were nothing short of amazing. Once they got in to it, they nailed the guy. Even the defense counsel was eyeing the prosecutor, pleading out all over his face." "I'm glad. And while I was waiting, Diane told me she and Gary are getting counseling for themselves and with the girls. They're moving out of DC and going to try again. Gary's dad is going to make a place for both of them in his company." "Oh wow," she gasped, smiling through her tears. For just a brief second until she sobbed again. "Harm I want them at the wedding. Flower Girls. I promised them. "Hey stop I know you did. And I in fact reminded Diane about that," he soothed. "They'll be there." "OK thanks," she sniffled. "And now I'm taking you home." "Harm no. I need to wash my face and maybe eat something but I'm ready to go to JAG." "Not unless you want to be DDO," he smiled. "The admiral called me earlier and said I was to call him and let him know how it went. Then he ordered me to take you home. Said he knew where to find us if something came up, but it was a quiet day." "Us? You're staying with me?" "Well he knew better than to order me to work and leave you home," he grinned. "You ready? You OK?" "I need a hot shower," she sniffled. "Not even after the most grubby grungy team practice have I felt this dirty." "I'll help you," he smiled and rose, pulling her up with him. "Let's go home honey." ======== MAC's APARTMENT 1 Hour Later "You OK?" Harm knocked at the door of the bathroom. "Yeah. I'll be right out. Is there food?" "From Saul's," he confirmed. "Corned beef for you, tuna salad platter for me." "Thank you Harm," she sighed, opening the door and stepping into his waiting arms. "It was a bad baa--aad day, but at the same time it was good too." "I know. And I have more news too," he smiled, slipping his arm around her to lead her to the table. "Toby's father signed over his parental rights, and Social Services made the Nelsons his foster parents, prelude to adoption." "Are you sad?" "Just a little," he admitted. "But this is great for Toby and Jimmy. Besides, in a few years we're going to have a houseful of our own." "Whoa, we better get through the first one first Sailor." "And take care of making you Mrs. Harmon Rabb" he said as he lifted her hand. "We've been so preoccupied with everything else that we haven't taken care of this." "Whenever you're ready," she said softly. ************************ JAG HQ 2 Weeks Later "You're not nervous are you Flyboy," Mac asked while she poured two cups of coffee. "You've been a witness before haven't you?" Harm looked up from where he was absently glancing at the newspaper. "Not a lot. Plus I'm usually the one asking the questions. I like to be in control." "No shit. I never would have guessed," she teased, dropping a quick kiss on his cheek as she placed the coffee in front of him. "Whoa hey no fair. Undue influence on my witness," Sturgis objected from the doorway. "Harm you look scared. How can being a witness be a big deal." "I'll be fine. Soon as I throw up again," he grunted. "Look guys it has nothing to do with being nervous about being on the stand. Just pay me no mind OK. I haven't seen this woman since the day she accused me, and I've liked it like that." "Well if it's any comfort she hasn't mentioned your name since," Mac assured him. "And I doubt seriously she'll be filing any charges after your calm cool collected polished testimony." "I'm glad you're not doing the cross," he sighed. "I know. But I told Tracy to show you no mercy," she giggled. "Which for her is not a problem. She's not in love with you. In fact I'm not even sure she likes you." "Thanks. Remind me not to ask her to defend me." "Harm if the Major thought of filing charges, it never even left her command," Mac reminded him quietly. "I guess. I know I'm making too much out of this. Not to mention I'm concerned about you. You're not that long back off convalescent leave. And I know your arm hurts still." "Cleared for duty remember. Light duty and now regular duty." "Mac you almost died." "Harm for crying out loud it was a flesh wound much as I hate that cliche. Sturgis, talk to him. He's your witness." "Yeah but he's your fiance," Sturgis laughed. "Harm she's fine. Now. And she was not almost killed. Yeah it was a close call, but it wasn't a life threatening injury. Now what's gotten your shorts in a knot?" "Major Johansen," he grunted. "The woman is borderline psychotic, and I'm being generous. Mac did you even tell Sturgis what she did when you and Tracy visited her?" "Of course we did." "Well I'll bet the got the sanitized version." "As opposed to what really happened," Mac laughed teasingly. "I left out the part about how she jumped out at us like she was Norman Bates's mother." "Not cute. Not one iota of cute," Harm groaned. "Let's do it." The court-martial of Lt. Col. Nathan Jeffers droned through the morning. Harm testified just ahead of the lunch break and thus was able to view the proceedings in the afternoon as the defense continued. As Harm hoped, Sturgis had done his usual thorough job. A parade of witnesses testified to Maj. Johnson's past history, citing examples of her instability. Testimony that was impossible for Mac and Tracy to refute. Finally toward the end of what Mac knew was leading to the inevitable, during a point of order Sturgis looked across the aisle at Charlene and simply shook his head. "Sir, the people have no interest in any charge of malicious prosecution against the Major. If the Colonel is found not guilty on all charges and specifications, the people will be amenable to a simple agreement that help and counseling be provided and she be allowed to serve out her current term." "NO" Major Charlene Johansen yelled as she leapt to her feet behind Mac and Tracy. At once Harm stood up as well, sensing that the woman couldn't be trusted. "Major sit down" Admiral Morris ordered as he pounded his gavel. "Before I find you in contempt of court." The enraged woman took a step towards Mac and Tracy, Harm seeing that from inside her purse she'd pulled out something. Something that looked like a weapon. "Mac look out," he shouted as he quickly crossed the courtroom floor, reaching Charlene just as her arm raised at Mac. Harm grabbed for her, catching her arm. It was then that he caught sight of the gun in her hand. "You bastard leave me alone" she shouted as she whirled around to face Harm, the gun waving wildly at him. "I swear I'll kill you." The Marine guards immediately raised their weapons as the spectators in the courtroom began to scatter. "Put the gun away Major" Harm said calmly. "This isn't going to help you." "Yes it will" she grinned. "First I'll kill you. Then Colonel Jeffers. Then Colonel Mackenzie for not believing me." "No one hurt you Major. You hurt yourself. You need help. Put down the gun and we'll get you help." "Harm please be careful" Mac whispered. "Major put down the gun," Harm said once again as the Marines stepped forward. "We can end this without anyone getting hurt." "No. That's not how it should be. You have to pay for what you did to me." "Major I didn't do anything to you. You know that. Now put down the gun." The next few seconds were a blur to everyone in the courtroom. As Charlene Johansen's finger tightened around the trigger, the Marine guard readied his weapon. He fired a second before she realized what he'd done. The bullet hit her arm, the gun falling from it to the floor. Immediately the other guard moved forward and quickly secured the woman. "Thank God" Mac murmured as she quickly hurried to Harm. "Hey it's okay," he said as he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm fine. Don't freak on me now Marine." "For a second I thought I was going to lose you" she whispered as she buried her head against his chest. "Never. I'm just thankful she didn't hurt anyone." "I knew she was unstable" Mac sighed. "I just never guessed she was that crazy." "She needs help. And hopefully now she'll get it." "I'm just glad it's all over. She scared me Harm. I thought she was going to shoot you." "It's over honey," Harm said softly. "She won't hurt anyone again." ==================== Saturday, August 30th DC Parks and Recreation Baseball Field "I can't believe this is our wedding day" Mac giggled. "And here we are playing baseball." "For the championship no less" Harm said proudly. "These kids were amazing the last half of the season." "Yes they are. I've never been so proud of a group as I am of them." "And whether we win or lose, it's been a great summer" Harm smiled as he pulled her into his arms. "For all of us." "Yes it has" she sighed. "You know I'm never going to be able to concentrate on the game today." "Come on Coach" he teased. "This is it. The big moment. No worrying about that little wedding ceremony that's going to take place afterwards." "Of course not. It's just the biggest moment of my life." "And hopefully the best" he smiled. "Becoming Mrs. Harmon Rabb has always been a dream," she said softly. "And now it's coming true." "Right after we play ball." It was a hard fought game but in the end, Harm and Mac's DC Twins came out on top, Sam hitting the game winning hit. She was mobbed by her teammates and Mac smiled broadly at Harm. "Nice job coach." "Couldn't have done it without you" Harm said softly. "You'll come back next year again won't you?" "Depends on how well tonight goes?" she giggled. "Tonight?" "Our wedding night. Nine months from now would be next June." Harm grinned widely as he realized what she was saying. "He could be the newest member of the team." "He? What about a she?" "That would work. Course I think first we need to get through the wedding." Two hours later under the now setting sun, Harm and Mac stood together at home plate, Sam and Alex on one side, Toby and Jimmy on the other. Chaplain Turner smiled as AJ led Mac to home plate from the dugout, the guests gathered around them. "You sure you're ready for this?" AJ teased as he brought Mac to Harm. "Very sure" she whispered as she took Harm's hand. It took but a few minutes for Sarah Mackenzie to become Mrs. Sarah Rabb. And when Chaplain Turner finally pronounced them man and wife, Harm took his wife into his arms for a long kiss. "Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world" Harm whispered when they parted. "No, thank you for making my dreams come true," she replied. "As sappy as that sounds, it's what I wanted to say. I love you so much." "Ladies and Gentlemen, Commander Harmon Rabb and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie Rabb," Chaplain Turner intoned and a large cheer went up from the teams as well as the other guests. "And on that note---play ball," AJ shouted. "I mean, lets eat." =============== OPENING DAY-Little League Season June 2004 "Mac I'm not sure you should be here. Hell I'm not sure I should be here," Harm fretted, guiding her largely pregnant body into a lawn chair. "Relax Coach. I'm fine," she assured him as she massaged the bulk that was their daughter or son, that fact yet to be determined. "I mean we're ten minutes from like six hospitals, you're a matter of only yards away, and the baby shows no sign of coming." It was only a small lie. She had been having small pains since last night, pre-labor, and she had managed to keep that fact to herself, not wanting to spoil the opening day he had spent the last two months preparing for. "You OK? You sit still now," he urged, pressing a bottle of juice into her hand. "Harm I couldn't get out of this chair if there was a Condition A evac," she laughed, "and if I drink that, there's going to be another kind of emergency." "Drink it anyway. Someone will help you up." "Harm you've fretted over me for nine months," she smiled. "Go play ball." "Coach. Need the head coaches," the umpire called from home plate. "OK I'm going, but I'm keeping my eye on you." "You do that." She tilted her head up as high as she could for his kiss and smiled happily as he ran off to join the team. "Baby your daddy is going to be great at the job," she smiled, again stroking her belly. It happened halfway through the game during the 4th inning. Assistant Coach AJ Chegwidden strode on to the field, nodding to Harm who was coaching at third. "Time Ump. Time," he yelled. "Coach Rabb's wife's water broke. It's showtime." THE END