TITLE: "Mayport II—Settling In" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY . The new year brings a new assignment for Mac and Harm. This is the second in what we plan to be a year long series. Mac and Harm are TAD away from JAG, assuming a joint command of a TSO [Trial Services Office] at the Mayport NAS in Florida. For purposes of this story, Mattie has gone to a foster family. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language and mild violence in future stories. 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.} Previously in Mayport: Mac and Harm were given their TAD assignment and introduced to the other office staff. Lt. Gregory Milay, USN, and Maj. Gwendolyn Sauls, USMC. *********************************** Mayport II—Settling In: It was over breakfast the morning after their first day on duty that Harm brought up the matter of housing for them. "Much as I love living in the BOQ guest quarters it's not my idea of a permanent residence," he groaned as he stabbed a piece of melon. "I need space. I need a kitchen. On the plus side I could get real used to the fresh fruit all year around down here mentality." "Fortunately sausage doesn't have an in season," Mac smiled. "You know I guess we didn't really think about permanent housing." "Possibly because the 'T' in TAD is temporary." "No one likes a smart ass Rabb. What were you thinking?" "I don't know. An apartment or something nearby. You?" "I'm going to look out by the water," she said, suddenly decisive now that her mind was on the issue. "I didn't come all this way to live in another city apartment." "OK it's as good a place as any I guess to look," he shrugged. "You want to take a run out there this morning before we report in?" "That would be OK wouldn't it?" It took but twenty minutes to leave Mayport behind and reach water. Water that seemingly was on all sides. It took fully two hours for Mac to give a discouraging sigh as they sat for a cold drink. "What a waste. Places I can afford look like leftover housing from migrant camps," she muttered, taking a long drink of her Sprite. "We saw some really nice rentals," he pointed out. "Sure if I was on Admiral pay," she moaned, giving the waitress a grateful sigh when she refilled her glass. "You folks new around here? If you don't mind me asking," Bev asked with a quick smile. "We're at Mayport for a year. I had my heart kind of set on living down here by the water," Mac shrugged. "But it's all expensive. Or shacks." "Did you look at Pelican Bay?" "No. No we didn't," Mac shook her head. "Someplace you might recommend?" "I have a trailer on the property. Excuse me. Mobile home. But they rent by the month some cottages that have basic furniture and cooking equipment and all. They're nice but not fancy. Tell Brady I sent you out there. He's the owner." Harm opened the map he had and she showed him the route. "Ten minutes max." "Thanks," Mac nodded. "It wouldn't hurt to have a look and then we've got to get back to work. This is not as easy as I thought it would be." "You're welcome and good luck. It's a nice area. He hasn't crammed them in so that your neighbors are two feet away like some of these places." "You want to have a look?" Harm asked when Bev had left them. "Can't hurt." "Yeah may as well. But so far my choices are living on the water in squalor or taking an apartment inland and driving to the beach. Plus this still doesn't solve your problem." "Hey I've lived in a three by six bunk. I can live anywhere." ========== PELICAN BAY Harm found it easily and drove through the gates. "Looking for Brady. Not sure if that's his first name or his last name." He turned his best smile on a blonde woman working in a flower bed just inside the gates. Not before he enjoyed the view of her bending over Mac did not fail to notice. She stood up and rubbed the small of her back. "Hey. Brady Frost. I'm Melora. Brady's my brother." She returned Harm's winning smile and added, "Can I show you something" which resulted in snickering from Mac's side of the car. "Don't even," Harm hissed before turning back to Melora. "My friend here is looking for a place. We've been sent to Mayport for this year." "So is she looking for a place or are you looking together?" Melora asked. "I think just she's looking" Harm managed. "You're sleeping on the street?" she giggled. "Or are you one of those types that loves the BOQ." "I'm not sure what I'm looking for yet" he smiled, his eyes still traveling over the petite young woman. "I'm looking for a place to stay" Mac muttered. "If you could point me in his direction, you and my co worker can keep you your little conversation." "Brady's not in" Melora smiled. "I take care of potential clients during the day." "I bet you do" Mac murmured under her breath, earning her another long glare from Harm. "So are there any cottages available?" Harm asked as he turned back to Melora. "Actually there's two. So if you two didn't want to live together but still wanted to be close, well that could work out too. I'm not sure what your personal living arrangements are." "We don't have any" Mac smiled. "He's very single. And so am I. Your brother doesn't happen to be single does he?" "Just came off a nasty divorce but yeah he's available." "Oh good" Mac smiled more, unable to resist messing with Harm, earning her yet another glare from him. "This may all work out after all. Can you show us the cottages?" "Of course. But Brady is the one who does all the leases. I just show people the place and tell them about it. Do you want to look at the two bedroom or one bedroom?" "Depends on the prices." "There's only a hundred dollars difference" Melora told her. "Honestly the one bedroom is kind of small. I know it's just you but with the two bedroom you'd have room for an office if you wanted. What do you two do?" "We're lawyers" Mac answered. "So having a place to set up a computer would be nice since we work at home a lot." "So let me show you the two bedroom" Melora smiled. "I think you'll like it. Pull up at the office there and I'll take you over on the golf cart." Harm did as she directed and a few minutes later they were on their way to the cottage that was tucked way at the end, backing up to the water. "So far I love it" Mac sighed as they walked up to the cottage. "This is exactly what I wanted." "The inside is pretty decent too," Melora said as she opened the door. "Brady takes good care of them. He's pretty handy." "I'll bet he is," Harm muttered, bringing up the rear, still frowning at Mac's interest in noting her possible landlord's marital status. Melora opened the door and motioned Mac to step through. "Go ahead and take a look. I'll be here for questions. You'll see the two bedrooms down the hall and the bath connects them. Then there's just this large room here and of course the kitchen. Do you cook?" "No." "Well then that it's small is not an issue," she smiled. "Go ahead. I'll entertain Harm." "You already have," Mac smiled sweetly, leaving them alone to check out the bedrooms. "You two are funny," Melora laughed. "Most of the people we get here are kind of blah, but I can see you guys are different." "Do you live on the property?" "Yep. Brady was kind enough to let me and Justin have a small trailer in exchange for helping out around here." "Justin would be your. . ." "As in husband, live in lover or what?" she asked and when she laughed he could see just the hint of dimples. "Something like that." "Justin is my son. His dad flew Hornets off the Eisenhower and was killed when another pilot ignored a wave off. You know anything about that sort of thing Mr. Navy Lawyer?" "Only everything," Harm nodded. "I'm a fighter pilot myself. Tomcats. I'm sorry for your loss. How long ago?" "Justin is twelve, and Joey never saw him," she replied quietly. "And you won't be flying Tomcats much longer will you." "I'm sorry," Harm said again, picturing the scene easily before focusing on her last remark. "No. They're being mothballed. Every time I fly I think it's my last one, though I'm rated on other craft. Mostly I just do lawyer stuff." "Sounds dull." "It can be. So it's just you and Justin?" "Yep. Men run the other way when they find out you're a widow with a kid. No big deal. I like my life. I'm active with the church and Justin's school and with Brady letting me have a place in exchange for helping, we can manage on the survivor benefits." "Sounds like you've got it all together," Harm nodded. Mac just did manage to swallow a comment as she emerged from the two bedrooms. "I love it, and even if I have to dip into my savings a bit, well with the TAD pay and housing allowance, it's great." "Good," Melora smiled. "It will be good to have someone who's not old enough to be my mother for a neighbor. See you can see my trailer just down the way there. And yes I still call them trailers." "You're going to take it then?" Harm asked her. "I am but that doesn't solve your problem," she frowned. He shrugged and shook his head. "I've lived in a lot worse set ups than the BOQ. I can take my time." "Well I'm not letting this get away. For the next year I'm going to be able to walk out the back door and into the ocean," Mac declared. "Then I'll tell Brady he's got this one rented," Melora told her. "If you sign a year's lease he'll give you a break on the total. Come out tonight about seven and he'll have your agreement ready and the place cleaned up." "I'll be here," she nodded and turned to Harm. "OK Flyboy you ready to get some work done." ================ "Sir, ma'am I'm so glad you're here" Petty Officer Peter Marquest sighed as they walked into the doors of the small JAG office. "I thought for sure I was going to have to call the MP's soon." "For what reason Petty Officer?" Harm asked. Before Peter could reply the raised voices of Gwen and Greg could be heard from down the hall and he let out a long sigh. "Been like that all morning sir, ma'am. They're working on the Atkinson case but there is no way anyone would know they were on the same side." "Who do you want?" Mac sighed. "I'll take Gwen for a change" Harm smiled. "You can have Greg." They walked down the hall to the office where Gwen and Greg were having their heated debate, the yelling coming to a quick end at the sight of Harm and Mac. "Major why don't you and I take a walk" Harm suggested. "I think you and the Lieutenant are in need of a break." "Gladly" Gwen muttered as she threw the file down on Greg's desk. "You're so brilliant, just handle it yourself." "We'll be back" Harm murmured before following Gwen out of the office. "You want to tell me what's going on here?" Mac asked as she sat down in front of Greg's desk. "We were discussing the case" Greg offered lamely. "Oh yeah and that's why Marquest was ready to call the MP's. What on earth is it with you and Gwen? You can't be together in a room for five minutes without getting into it." "Look ma'am I'm trying. But she's a short timer." "Lieutenant, she belongs to the Corps for the next five years. What she does with her life after that time is her business. And while she is here, you are going to start treating her as part of the staff. Not some temporary worker. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes ma'am" he sighed. "I apologize for my behavior. I was out of line." "Yes you were. And likely so was she. But you two are going to have to find some common ground around here. Because frankly Harm and I aren't going to put up with this kind of stuff." "Understood ma'am." "Is this the first person you've worked with?" Mac asked. "No ma'am. Before Gwen, Kelly was here. Uh Lt. Christenson I mean." "Were you and she close?" Greg blushed slightly and Mac understood at once part of the problem with him and Gwen. "So you and the departed Lieutenant were close and then she's transferred and Gwen comes in. And you instantly dislike her because she's replaced someone you were beginning to like. Do I have that about right?" "Maybe" he sighed. "Okay yeah you do." "Look Lieutenant, people will come and go around here. Including Harm and I. That's just something you're going to have to get used to and learn to deal with." =========== Meanwhile Harm had led Gwen down to the small break room. "Have a seat Major." "Sir I'm trying. I swear I am but he just doesn't let up on me. I know I'm not his sweet little Kelly but that's just not me." "May I be filled in on who Kelly is?" "She was here before I came. And she and Greg got along wonderfully because she was more like his assistant than his equal. But then she got sent to the San Diego JAG office and I moved in here." "Okay now I get it. At least that part. But can I ask you a question Major?" "Of course sir." "Do you think that maybe your attitude about getting out of here so you can get back to run the DA's office in whatever city you wind up in doesn't help to make the situation with you and Greg more difficult?" "Look I told you while I'm here, I'm going to do the best I can. I'm sorry if he doesn't understand I'm not a career person like him." "That's fine Gwen. But you don't have to remind him at every turn that you're not staying in." "Do I do that sir?" she sighed. "Only at least once a day" Harm said with a small smile. "Sorry sir. And I promise I'll keep the attitude in check from now on." "Thank you. And now that that's settled I can finally get some coffee. Apartment hunting is not fun." "Did you and the Colonel find a place?" Gwen asked. "Mac did. Pelican Bay. A nice little cottage on the beach. Exactly what she wanted. I'm still trying to figure out what I want." "Pelican Bay is a cool area. One of the nicest without being snobby. I dated a guy who was here on a 6-week TAD a couple months ago. In fact it was funny. I was out there the night the owner and his wife had their blow up. Cops everywhere, shotguns out and everything." "Are you talking about Brady?" Harm demanded, instantly interested. "Yes sir that was his name. I only remember because it's not that common a first name and then I read it in the paper after." "OK wait. They made enough of a stink that it made the paper?" "Yes sir. Well obviously not the Jacksonville papers sir but the local one oh yeah. They had a huge fight and she threatened him with a butcher knife--cut his arm enough that he was bleeding all over the place and then he grabbed a gun and told her to get out. But instead she attacked him and the gun went off and then when the cops came she fired on them." "You saw all this?" "Oh no sir. Not all of it. Some of it I read about in the paper. Sir there's always something happening around here in any of the places where the military lives off post. I just read the articles since I was there and I'd seen them around. Brett-- that was the guy--said they really could argue at full blast and it wasn't the first time the cops had come." "His sister told us he was coming off a nasty divorce," Harm frowned. "Oh yes sir I can believe that from what Brett was telling me. I just know they marched her away in cuffs that night and she was screaming as loud as she could and yelling she'd get back at him if it took the rest of her life." "Nice woman," he frowned, feeling little tendrils of discomfort wind around his spine. "OK back to the wonderful world of JAG. In other words, why we're here. I don't want a repeat of this morning's incident. I'm making you personally responsible for making sure that doesn't happen." "Sir me?" she yelped. "I mean it takes two you know." "Not if one walks away. And Major, you are the ranking officer." "Yes sir. A fact which he reminds me of--and resents." A slow smile came over his face. "Part of the crux of the problem. You're not career but you've managed to make Major." "Sir you know promotions are easier in the Marines sometimes," she flushed. "Plus I've been in a year longer than him even though he's just a month older than me. Lots of things." "I understand. So the next time he mouths off, you're going to tell him to be at ease and walk away before it escalates into shouting." "I am?" "Major," he said warningly, not in the mood for teasing after the morning he had and this new concern regarding Brady Frost. "Sorry sir. It was an order wasn't it." "Bright Marine. Just do it. And as far as Lt. Christenson is concerned, she's gone. You're not." "Yes sir understood sir." "Dismissed." Harm gratefully headed for the coffee machine, fixing Mac a cup as well. She was just emerging from her talk with Greg and she smiled gratefully when she saw what he was bringing her. "Thank you. It will go well with my Advil. But I really do feel like I'm going to be happy out there. I wish you'd consider taking the other cottage." "Well remember living by the water is not a novelty to me after LaJolla," he shrugged. "I'm just not sure but I'm happy you found what you're looking for. Except for one thing." "And what would that be?" He took her arm and guided her to the long table with her coffee. "Remember when Melora said her brother had gone through a bad divorce?" Mac nodded in silence. "OK well not only was it nasty but nasty to the point of the police being called. More than once." "And you know all this how," she demanded, suddenly suspicious. "Harm you didn't come back here and run a check on him or something did you?" "No of course not," he scoffed. "By coincidence when I was chewing out Gwen she asked if you'd found a place and when I told her at Pelican Bay she said she knew a guy who lived out there." "Well maybe but the fact remains they are divorced, at least according to Melora, and I would assume that was the end of it. Are you concerned about me? Harm I haven't even met this guy. In fact. . " She rose and shot him a look of indignation. "In fact I resent the implication that just because I'm going to be in proximity of a single guy, I'm going to jump into the sack with him or take a ring from him. And right now the words--well have you have in the past--are going to get you the most body parts broken." "OK point taken," he sighed. "Just be careful around the man. A vengeful ex can be pretty formidable." "So can an angry Marine." "Point taken again. May I drive you out there tonight to sign your papers and meet your landlord. Maybe buy you dinner on the way." "You sir are on," she smiled. "Now I'm going to my trailer. I mean office." ================= PELICAN BAY 7PM Their knock at the door to the office was opened by a young boy, his shaggy blonde hair hanging into his eyes as he regarded them. "Help you?" "Sarah Mackenzie," Mac smiled. "I rented a cottage this morning and I need to see Mr. Frost please." "And you would be Justin," Harm put in, holding out his hand. "Yeah. How'd you know that?" "Your Mom and I talked some this morning is all," Harm explained. "She told me about you." "Don't know why," he mumbled. "Maybe because she's proud of you?" Harm offered. "Is Mr. Frost around?" "Yeah come in. We're watching a movie. Mom's off doing her thing with the church. Well officially I'm doing homework." "Well I won't rat you out," Harm told him. "Brady those people you said rented the two bedroom dump for way more than it's worth are here," Justin yelled and turned back to Mac and Harm. "I'm just giving him a hard time." "Justin what did I tell you about yelling." A young and well-tanned young man came out of the back and Mac smiled as she looked him over. Maybe a little younger than herself, he was tall and good-looking with light brown hair. "I'm sorry. I'm Brady Frost." "Sarah Mackenzie" Mac smiled. "Nice to meet you." "Harmon Rabb" Harm offered. "Are you two renting the place together?" Brady frowned. "I thought Melora said it was a single woman." "I am renting the place alone" Mac told him. "This is my partner from work. Who is not moving in with me." "Oh good" Brady smiled. "I've got the papers all drawn up so why don't you come back and we'll get started." "Do you have any problem with crime around here?" Harm asked once they were seated in the office. "No usually. Most of my tenants are military and while they may occasionally get out of hand with partying there's no real crime per say. Plus we've got a few older folks who keep an eye out." "Harm please" Mac laughed. "I'm sure it's fine here." "It is" Brady told her. "There's only been one major incident that I can think of since I took over this place and well I'm afraid to say it involved me and my ex. Who thank goodness is now behind bars where she belongs." "I'm sorry to hear that." "Hey it's better this way" he smiled. "I'm just sorry it gave Pelican Bay a bad name there for a bit. It was headline news all over Mayport. It took me a while before I got tenants in here again. But it's working out now and I'm really happy with the place. And I hope you will be too." "Well the cottage was perfect" Mac smiled. "I'm really looking forward to being right on the ocean." "There's nothing like waking to the sounds of the waves crashing and the sun coming up in your bedroom" he nodded. "And here's your standard lease. You're welcome to read it if you want to read all that lawyer mumbo jumbo." "We are lawyers," Harm said as he reached for the paper. "Mac you don't mind if I read do you?" She gave him a long look and took the paper back from him. "Yes I do. If I want to read it I will. But I don't need you reading it." "Sorry I didn't know you were lawyers. JAG Corp?" Mac nodded. "We just transferred from DC. It's supposed to be a one year TAD but it could be longer." "Hopefully" Brady smiled and Harm rolled his eyes. Ten minutes later they were finished and Brady stood up and handed her the keys. "It's all yours. If you need any help with moving, just let me know, I'd be glad to lend a hand." "Well I appreciate it" Mac smiled. "Is everyone around here as friendly as you are?" "I'd like to think so. Like I said we've got a good bunch of people here right now. And once a month we do a little get together with all the tenants. Like a cook out or clam bake. Gives people a chance to meet all the new people." "I'll be looking forward to it. This really does sound nice." "There's some really good seafood places nearby too" Brady continued. "Once you're settled, maybe we could do dinner." "I'd like that" Mac smiled much to Harm's annoyance. "Thank you." "That is unless you're already taken" Brady said as he looked over at Harm. "Hey we have no commitments" he shrugged. "The lady's free to go wherever she wants." Melora returned just as they were about to leave and she smiled once again at Harm. "Did you sign a lease of your own?" "Not yet" he smiled. "I’m still thinking about it." "That little cottage isn't going to last much longer you know." "I don't think Harm wants anything on the beach" Mac spoke up. "He's more of a loft or high rise type of person." "I've spent a lot of time on the beach at LaJolla California," he shrugged. "Plus a lot of time at sea. The ocean doesn't hold that much fascination for me I guess. Not that I'm not sure the place isn't just fine. I've lived in a bunk on ship so I can certainly handle the BOQ while I look around." "Well if you change your mind give me a holler," Brady smiled. "People come and go here a lot so I most of the time have something." "I'll be settling in tomorrow night if that's OK," Mac spoke up." "You bet it is. Stop by for the key and I'll give you a hand." "Thanks. That would be great." "He better watch where he's putting those hands," Harm muttered as he walked outside with Mac following him a few steps behind. "You say something Sailor?" "Who me? You ready?" "Yes I am. Now that I know I'm escaping, the BOQ doesn't look that bad." =============== FOLLOWING DAY "Lieutenant, slow down. You're talking way too fast for me," Mac begged into the phone. "I'm a JAG lawyer, not a stenographer. Now slow down, start your story from the beginning, and don't exaggerate any more than you have to." "Yes ma'am I'm sorry," Lt. Kathleen Hennesy gasped. "It's just that no one is doing anything here about it." She heard the young woman take a breath and this time when she spoke Mac could at least get the basic details. "Do you have anything else you want to add?" "Probably but I'm too upset right now to think straight. Ma'am you're not going to mention my name please. I'm scared here." "I understand, and we'll keep your name out of the initial investigation you have my word. After that it probably won't matter anyway. You can call me tomorrow and I'll let you know what I've found out after I do some checking." "Yes ma'am thank you. I honestly don't want to resign my commission and go home but I'm scared." "That much I got. Just go about your business and call me about this same time tomorrow." "I feel better. Thank you." The connection broke and Mac looked down at her legal pad, full of notes, chewing her pen as she read over what she had written and made some additions. "You still want to get barbecue for lunch?" Harm's voice from her doorway broke her from her thoughts five minutes later. "Gwen says Joe's has the best." "Yeah I'm starving, but I had an unnerving phone call." "Brady?" "Yes Harm. Mr. Frost has asked me to elope to Vegas with him." "Cute. So what?" "There's a Lieutenant down at Gitmo who says there's a huge problem no one is doing anything about and she's scared to death. Now I think she's probably exagerating but I don't like to hear that she was brushed aside by NCIS and Security there. Or so she says." "What kind of problem?" Harm frowned. "She claims that she's being stalked. Followed and harassed. And that the other night, she saw someone outside her window in her quarters. Then she's been getting strange emails, notes on her car, this type thing. She scared to death." "NCIS brushed that aside?" "So she says. Now maybe they didn't find anything to investigate. But at the same time, this woman is terrified. Harm she said she was ready to resign her commission." "Okay so what do you want to do Colonel?" "I think we should go check it out since no one else is taking it seriously" Mac shrugged. "I'll be happy to go." "Hey wait. No. If there is some weird male stalker there then you're not the best person to be going." "Harm I can handle myself." "We'll both go. Because you're not going alone." "You think we can trust the kids alone?" she said with a small smile. "Or are we going to come back and find Marquest running the show since the other two will have killed each other." "I think we made ourselves pretty clear the other day. They're officers Mac. They know how to act. Besides they're going to be busy with the Atkinson case. They won't have time to fight. Apparently that civilian lawyer Atkinson hired is pretty slick." "I thought he was pretty cute actually" Mac teased. "You would" he muttered. "So how do you want to handle this? Surprise visit?" "Why do you say that?" she frowned. "Well you mentioned that no one seems to be taking this woman seriously. Maybe that's because someone knows what's going on and doesn't want to talk about." "I'm with you. So we just drop in and see what's going on." "I think so. Maybe we can use some other pretense for visiting her." "I'll call her back. If she can give us something about her last duty station, we should be able to come up with a reason for needing to talk to her." "Sounds good. Now how about that lunch?" he smiled. It was over lunch that Mac casually approached Harm's living arrangements. "So have you thought about looking anywhere for a place to live?" "I think I'm getting used to the BOQ actually." "You're joking right. You're not going to spend a year at the BOQ." "No I'll find something. I'm just not sure what's right for me. You knew you wanted the beach and you've got it. Along with Mr. Frost." "You don't like him?" she smiled. "Oh please he was hitting on you like crazy. And he's coming off a disastrous marriage so he's likely on the rebound and looking for someone real quick." "Is that your psychological assessment counselor?" she giggled. "Mac I'm trying to be serious here" Harm sighed. "Look if I were you, I wouldn't get too involved with the guy." "Well thank you Commander but I think I'm capable of making my own decisions about who I hang out with. Brady seems like a nice guy and there's no reason I can't have dinner with him." "It's your life." "Yes it is. Now back to this stalker thing. I really don't think both of us need to go." "No you are not going alone," he said at once. "End of discussion." "Commander if I remember correctly I happen to outrank you." "Yes but we're jointly in charge of this office" Harm reminded her sweetly. "And that means we make the decisions together. And we're both going." "You can be such a pill at times," she groused. "Harm please. We may not both be needed." "OK fair enough. Then I'll go." "That's not what I was driving at," she objected. "Not to mention you're going to look pretty funny trying to get close to someone in the junior officer BOQ." "We should call the base commander and have him order an NCIS investigation." She was about to comment on that when Gwen appeared in the doorway. "Ma'am, sir excuse me. Me and my partner the cretin have decided to do a working lunch. Would it be too much to ask you to bring us back two of the minced pork with fries for him and slaw for me?" "Does this look like a Denny's take out window Major," Harm growled, more sharply than he intended. "No sir. Sir I'm sorry," she gasped. "Harm mind your manners," Mac smiled and gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Sorry. Bad mood-itis here. We'd be glad to. And we'd better get going or it's going to be dinner time and Mac here has a date." "Do you ma'am?" Gwen picked up on Harm's comment right away. "Yeah I'm moving into my new place and the landlord is giving me the key. I can hardly contain myself," she groaned. "Not to mention I haven't a thing to wear." "Could we please," Harm begged. "Major I trust you guys are making some progress on that case." "Well yes sir. So far it's almost 1200 and I haven't killed him yet." "Carry on Major." It was as they were driving to Joe's just outside the gate that Mac had the idea. "Harm I don't think either of us should go to Gitmo." "Excuse me?" "The Major. Gwen. I think we should slide her into the BOQ in the guise as a TAD. Us just poking around probably isn't going to get a lot of response. And much as I'd like to think I look twenty-five again I don't thanks to a partnership for the last eight years that's aged me twice that." "So it's my fault you look forty-five?" He managed to keep a straight face as he asked. "You are a dead man. Let's get our food to go too and talk to them while we all eat." "If I sound too enthused it's going to come off that I'd sooner she be endangered than you." "Harm she's just going down there to get some information. Which is all I would have been doing too. Now as it is, I'll have to stay here and have Brady entertain me." "I'm not sure that's an improvement. What about their case?" "I don't think a couple of days delay is going to hurt anything." ============= BREAK-ROOM JAG OFFICE 35 Mins Later "And that's the story people," Mac told them in between bites of sandwich. "You mean I would get to go undercover? Leave all this behind, go to Gitmo and be undercover?" Gwen's eyes sparkled at the thought. "That about covers it," Harm smiled. "Yeah you get to go be bait for a stalker," Greg frowned, making Gwen's eyes widen. "And this would be a problem for you, even if that's what was going to happen?" "Well first off, you're not trained for something like this. I mean, you're a lawyer." "I'm also a Marine. I can handle it." "Mac maybe he's right" Harm frowned as he had the first inkling that maybe Gwen wasn't the right person for this assignment. "Well then the only other choice is me" she countered. "Harm please" Gwen begged. "I can handle this. Just because he doesn't think I can doesn't mean you shouldn't let me try. He's just jealous that I might get to do something more than lawyer stuff." "I'm not jealous" Greg retorted. "Then why don't you want me to go." "Have you ever thought that maybe I'd rather not see you get your stupid self killed" he muttered before walking out of the breakroom. "He's jealous. I know it." "I don't think that's totally the case Gwen" Harm told her. "Look you two talk about this and I'll go talk to him. And then we'll reevaluate this whole mess." "Mac you know I can handle this don't you?" Gwen asked her once Harm was gone. "I'm willing to let you try. If that's what you want." "Of course it is. This would be the most exciting thing I've ever done. And I know I could pull it off." "Gwen there could be a real problem there. You realize that right?" "Yes I do" she nodded. "And if something happens, I can handle it. I was trained just like you were ma'am." "Yes you were" Mac smiled. "Okay I'm fine with it. And so is Harm. Hopefully Greg will be as well. And for the record I think Harm was right about him not just being jealous." "Oh please you don't think he actually cares about me" Gwen laughed. "He'd probably be happy if I went to Gitmo and never came back." "I doubt that." "Well I don't. And I hope you won't let him make your decision." "No we won't." Harm meanwhile had found Greg at his desk and sat down in front of the younger man. "You want to talk?" "Why bother?" he sighed. "She thinks she knows everything anyway." "Does she?" Harm prodded. "Harm come on" Greg scoffed. "I'm not jealous. Besides I know that you need a woman for the assignment. And Gwen is the only one here beside Mac and obviously you don't want her going alone otherwise you wouldn't have offered Gwen." Harm opened and closed his mouth several times before finally answering. "Okay you may have me on that one. I did have some initial concerns." "It's pretty obvious sir," he said with a small smile. "Never mind that. I just want to make sure your attitude isn't because you think she's getting another one up on you. There's obviously a big competition thing between you two." "No it's not. Quite honestly I'm just concerned she'll be able to handle it there. Gitmo is not Club Med you know. Especially now with all the prisoners housed there." "I know that. And that crossed my mind. But at the same time, she is a Marine." "Who has never been in any kind of situation before." "That's right. And she's also a JAG officer and she's going to be pulling investigative duty. The line between us and NCIS blurs at times." "Yes sir. Sir please tell me you're not sending Gwen because you don't want Mac to go." "Honestly Lieutenant that's not the reason. I was willing for Mac to take the case, though I had been insisting on going with her truth be told. But then Mac had the idea that Gwen would fit in better in the junior officers BOQ and she's right. It makes perfect sense." "To you maybe," he groused. "Harm she's going to be ordered to pull the plug if it gets too hairy right?" "At the top of her list," he nodded. "Her orders are going to be to just go down there and hang around and see if the person making the report has a genuine complaint or is just being hysterical. Frankly I'm just as upset by her allegation that security and NCIS didn't pay her much mind." "OK." The expression he wore told Harm he was not totally convinced. "Ease up Lieutenant I think she'll do just fine. Now I think you've got a little more than just normal partner concern going there." "Do I have to answer that?" he gasped. "No of course not. Just keep it under the radar that's all." He was about to answer when Gwen appeared in the doorway. "Sir permission to have a word with Greg please." "By all means, We're through here." Harm smiled and returned to Mac. "They OK?" Mac asked at once. "They will be. Mac I don't want Greg or Gwen to think we're sending Gwen instead of you just to protect you." "Harm the only reason I'm not going is because in my judgment I think Gwen has the better chance to get the information we need. Believe me if I thought the best person for the job was me, I'd be packing." "OK. We'll fix up her paper trail and get her on her way in a couple of days then?" "Yeah I think so. Is Greg going to be OK with it? He likes her you know. A lot." He smiled tolerantly. "Yeah I know. It shows. I just hope they don't manage to kill each other before they come to grips with it." "New subject. You going to help me move my stuff out to the house?" "What's in it for me?" "My gratitude. Which you never know might come in handy--calling in a marker you know." "On those terms, and dinner on you, of course." Gwen and Greg were still working when Harm and Mac peeked into Greg's office. "We're out of here" Harm told them. "Mac's moving into her place tonight." "You guys want some help" Greg offered. "I'd be happy to move a few boxes for you. Or help with whatever you need." "Well if the truck with all my stuff were here I'd take you up on that" Mac smiled. "But I only called the other day and they said it would likely be the weekend before the truck gets here." "What are you sleeping on?" Gwen frowned. "The floor. I've got plenty of blankets and pillows that I brought with me. I'll manage for a few days. Harm's just helping me move all the stuff we brought down here initially into the place. But if you want to help this weekend, I wouldn't complain." "Be happy to. Just let me know what day. I'm pretty free." "Come on Colonel" Harm smiled. "You're buying me dinner remember." His arm went to her back as he guided her out and Gwen smiled slightly as she watched them walk out. "So what do you think the story is with those two?" "It's none of my business." "Oh come on Greg. Don't you wonder about them?" "Well if I had to guess I'd say there's something between them" he shrugged. "But it really isn't any of our business." "Mac told me she and Harm had been together for nine years. And that when they first starting working together, they used to fight all the time like we do." "So there's hope for us" he said with a small smile. "Maybe" she smiled. ******************** Pelican Bay 1 hour later "I should have taken Greg up on his offer" Harm groaned as he carried another load of Mac's clothes into the cottage. "Oh come on there's not that much" Mac laughed as she took them from him and hung them in the closet before arranging them. "Exactly how many clothes do you own?" "Enough. A girl never knows what she's going to need." Harm shook his head and headed outside to get another load, nearly running into Brady as he headed through the door. "Hey Harm" Brady smiled. "Helping Mac get settled." "Yep. We've got it under control." "I see. Well I just thought I'd offer my services if you needed them." "We donut" Harm smiled. "Thanks anyway." "Harm can I ask you a question" Brady said as he walked towards the car with Harm. "You said the lady was free to do what she wanted? But I get the feeling that's not really the case." "Mac makes her own decisions on who she goes out with. If you want to ask her out, that's your choice." "And you won't care?" "It's not my place to care" he shrugged. "We're friends. Yes I care about her and I'm not going to let her get involved with anyone that I think will hurt her." "Like me?" "I don't know you enough to know that. So I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now." "Well thanks for that," Brady smiled and Harm nodded, turning to go, then turning back to the latest man in Mac's circle. "On the other hand, if you did anything to cause her pain or upset. . .well let's just say it would suck to be you." "Does she know you're this protective of her?" Harm shrugged. "It's not something that comes up in normal conversation if that's what you're asking. On the other hand, we've had each other's backs for a long time. I've saved her and she's saved me. It's what we do." "Fair enough," Brady nodded. "But she's not wearing your ring." "Not yet," Harm muttered under his breath before he again shrugged. "And on that note, this conversation is over." Twenty minutes later with everything into the cottage, Harm dropped the last box. "Ma'am with the Slave Driver's permission I'm taking ten." "Get out of here," she yelped, working in the kitchen with Brady at her side. He stepped out into the fresh night air, the crashing waves drawing him to the water's edge. "Hey Harm." He spun around and was surprised to see Justin Miller coming out of the water, surfboard under his arm. "Justin you have to be out of your mind," he laughed. "It's freezing." "Yeah I know but look at those curls," he panted. "I was on the porch trying to do math and they were just calling to me." "Well you're turning blue. You better get inside." "Yeah it's freezing now but inside the curl," he persisted. "I know all about it," Harm sighed, "though not for a lot of years." "You surfed?" "I spent a lot of time in LaJolla--that's San Diego in case you didn't know." "No I do. Wow. Some boss waves there. You really surfed?" "I really did. But I got my homework done first?" "No way. No surfer would do math when he could be on his board." "Yeah but when my Mom was right behind me, I always said I had my homework done. He froze in place. "She's not?" "Oh yeah she is." "I'm so busted. I'm not supposed to be out here alone either," he said softly. "But she was gone and Brady was busy taking your woman." "Never mind that. Hi Melora." "Hi Harm. You know my son--the surfer who's about to have his board confiscated." "I think I hear my math homework calling," he yelled and took off running. "He's a great kid," Harm grinned. "You got some coffee. Old man in chilled night air here. Also I wanted to ask you--and this is just between you and me now OK--is that one-bedroom next to Mac still needing a tenant?" "Actually yes. The couple I showed it to this morning pulled out," she replied. "You interested?" "Yeah I am. Can we make a deal without letting Brady or Mac know? It's kind of a surprise. I wasn't planning on telling her until I moved in." "I'll tell Brady the couple wanted it and he won't even think twice" Melora smiled. "Until you show up to sign the lease. After that I won't be able to hide it." "That's fine. And thanks. I really appreciate it." "I didn't think you wanted to be by the ocean. Or did you decide you wanted to be by Mac instead." "It's a long complicated story" Harm sighed. "So tell me over that cup of coffee. Unless you're worried about her being alone with Brady and you want to go back to her." "No I'll take that coffee," Harm said after a moment's pause. Mac and Brady had been nice and cozy working in the kitchen together and he didn't feel like being a third wheel to them. Especially when a beautiful woman was offering him coffee. She led him back to her place where Justin was now diligently working on his math homework. "You know that little move is going to cost you" she told her son. "Mom you have no clue how hard this stuff is" Justin whined. "Justin it's not that bad. You're making it worse than it is." "Anything I can help with?" Harm asked as he looked over his shoulder. "I did pretty good in math." For the next half-hour Harm helped Justin work through the math problems while Melora watched them. Finally the last problem was done and Justin let out a long sigh of relief. "Thanks Harm. I probably would have been here for another hour if you hadn't helped me." "No problem. Glad to help. But I better head back and make sure Mac doesn't need any help." "Oh I'm sure Brady's got it covered" Justin smiled. "He gets all the women." "Justin" Melora sighed. "Do not talk like that about your uncle please." "Mom you know it's true. Since he finally got rid of Aunt Margo he's been with like a million different chicks." "Enough. To your room young man." "Thanks for the help Harm" Justin said as he picked up his books. "I wish you were moving in here too. You could show me how to surf and how to do math." "Well you never know" Harm smiled. "Thanks for helping him" Melora said as she led Harm to the door. "I really appreciate it. I'm not real good with that stuff. I barely finished high school myself." "No problem. And I'll get a raincheck on that coffee." "I'm holding you to it" she smiled. "Since you'll be in the neighborhood." "You'll take care of that?" "Consider it yours. Just show up on Tuesday to sign the lease and you'll get the keys. That okay?" "Totally fine. And thanks again for that. I just kind of wanted it to be a surprise." "No problem" Melora told him. "You and her are pretty close aren't you? I mean considering you want to live right next to her. Most people can't stand to be with the people eight hours a day let alone live next to them." "Mac and I have an interesting relationship" Harm sighed. "Which you were going to tell me about." "One day. Justin's math was more important." "Yeah it was" Melora nodded. "Thanks again for helping with that." "No problem" Harm smiled. "Night Melora." He ambled back to Mac's new home, finding her and Brady on the porch, sharing a cup of coffee despite the deepening evening chill. "Thought you got lost Flyboy," she smiled. "But no matter. We got pretty settled. At least I could make coffee and I'll be able to find a uniform in the morning. Get yourself a cup and join us. And where did you go anyway?" "Sorry, I had a better offer than emptying boxes," he smiled. "Brady that's a great kid you and Melora are raising." "Justin? Yeah he's OK most of the time," Brady nodded. "Fancies himself some kind of future surfer champion one day, then the next he's all over my computer on the Navy website, which upsets his Mom given how his father died. I don't take much credit for him though. Melora's done a really good job with him alone. I was too busy with Margo to pay him as much attention as I should have." "I'm not up to speed on Justin apparently," Mac interjected. "Justin's dad was an aviator who was killed on a carrier," Harm explained. "Must be about thirteen years ago now Brady?" "Yeah about six months before he was born. They'd only been married a few months before he got cruise orders and he would have rotated home in time. Just one of those things." "Shades of Josh Pendry," Mac smiled gently. "Yeah something like that I guess," Harm nodded. "Except Josh knew his dad and has the memories at least. I suspect Justin just has a box of things and a picture." "Yeah," Brady said quietly. "And an uncle who should pay him more attention. And on that depressing note, I'm calling it a night. Mac, welcome. You know where to find me if you have any problems and Harm, I'm sure I'll be seeing you around." "You got that right," Harm grinned. "Good night." Left alone with Mac, Harm took a quick look around, satisfying himself that the place was livable for her. "You doing an inspection Sailor?" she asked, coming from one of the bedrooms to find him fiddling with the kitchen window. "Yeah. The lock here is broken," he frowned. "Right. Well since the Boston Strangler isn't a threat any longer I don't think I'll panic." "Cute. You going to be OK out here? I feel really strange leaving you here." "Harm I'm a Marine. I keep a firearm. There's a man a two-minute run I can call if all hell breaks loose." "Yeah. That Brady is right there is very comforting." "Sarcasm doesn't become you. Good night Harm." "You're getting rid of me." "You figured that out. Harm I'm tired. I ache. I need my tub. You need to drive back to Mayport, unless you plan on crashing in my living room." "You wouldn't mind?" "Well of course I wouldn't mind but I don't think I see the necessity. Is this about Brady?" He didn't answer right away and she knew she was right. He was jealous of Brady Frost. For some reason that made her feel slightly warm inside. "Harm?" "Okay I'm sure he's a nice guy. I just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about him." "I would hope not" she giggled. "If you did I'd wonder about you." "Mac I'm serious. The guy has an ex wife who's a wacko." "Harm we all have pasts" she sighed. "Including me. Remember when my ex showed up. I'm not going to hold it against the man because his ex wife is a little crazy. Who by the way is in prison for what she did." "You're right" he sighed. "And I'll get out of here. You don't need me camping out here." "Well it might be kind of fun. Seeing as how I'm camping out myself. You're welcome to stay. I've got plenty of extra blankets if you're willing to sleep on the floor." "You don't mind?" "No of course not" she said with a small smile. "But unless you've got a uniform hidden away somewhere you're going to have to get up early to make the drive back to Mayport. And I'm sorry but I don't have anything you can sleep in." "Boxers will do" he smiled. "On that note, I'm going to soak" she said as a slight blush crept into her cheeks. When she returned he'd spread out the sleeping bags and blankets and short time later they settled into their makeshift beds. "So did you and Melora have a nice little chat? I assume that's where you went?" "Actually I was helping Justin with his math homework." "You and kids" she sighed. "Hey I just realized he's just under Mattie's age" Harm smiled. "When Mattie comes to visit, she'll have a friend. Someone she can hang out with." "You're right. Except of course you haven't found a place to live yet. And you know Mattie is going to want to visit soon." "I'm working on it." "When?" she laughed. "Trust me, I'll get a place soon. Don't worry Colonel." "You know sometimes I still can't believe we're here" Mac sighed. "That we're running this office by ourselves." "And so far haven't screwed up anything too bad" he smiled. "Do you think we're doing okay? Honestly?" "Honestly yeah I'd say we're doing just fine. This Gitmo thing will hopefully turn out to be nothing." "You're not regretting out decision to send Gwen there are you?" she asked. "No" he said slowly. "I think she can handle it. I just hope it's someone's overactive imagination and nothing more." "Well it bothers me to hear a report of criminal activity so easily dismissed anyway," she pointed out. "Assuming what the Lieutenant was saying was accurate. Anyway, I think Gwen can get a good feel for what's going on. She seems like she's got a good head on her shoulders." "Greg is upset about her going." "As were you when I was talking about sending myself." "Well yeah, because. . ." His words failed him and he simply shrugged. "Let's just say I've had a change of mindset or something OK." "And leave it at that?" "Please." "OK. So what's with Justin and Melora?" "Just a single Mom struggling with a kid that's about to turn into a teenager that's all," he shrugged. "And he kind of gravitated to me. Maybe to any grown up male who will pay him some attention without barking orders at him." "When you say it that way, you make it sound like he could be a target for a pedophile." "I would hope not," he muttered. "No I think his Mom is busy trying to have some sort of life and of course Brady has this complex and his own personal life to manage." "So you're planning to step in?" "Mac we're only here a year that's going to fly by. But yeah if he wants to hang out some or needs someone to talk to, why not." "You are a dad waiting to happen," she laughed. "OK yeah guilty," he laughed as well. "But I don't need you giving me a hard time about it." With that he rolled over closer to her and before she could react, he gave her side a long tickle. "OK Flyboy you are a dead man," she gasped and launched herself at him, landing on top of him for all of three seconds until with his extra poundage he was able to get leverage and flip them so that he was on top. Careful not to press his weight on her, nevertheless he held her fast. "I should be hearing an 'uncle' about now," he coached. "I'll turn blue first." "Whatever. I've got all night." "On the other hand if I lifted this knee just so--well your dreams of fatherhood might just. . ." "Hey no. Uncle. Uncle," he yelped and started to release her, then a second later renewed his hold and lowered his head toward hers until their lips were but an inch apart. There he held, as if trying to make up his mind. "You all glory and no guts there Sailor?" she whispered. That was all the invitation he needed and at once his lips met hers. The gentle kiss turned into more as he lowered himself closer, his body soon pressing against hers. Neither seemed to want the moment to end but finally the need to breathe forced them apart. "How was that?" he whispered. "I'd ask for a replay but I'm not sure we'd be able to stop" Mac murmured. "Then we'd better not" he said as he rolled off of her but remaining so that he was still facing her. "Because I don’t think we're ready for that. Not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind a few hundred times." She blushed at his words. "I didn't know that. Course I'd be lying if I said the thought hasn't crossed my mind." "Maybe one day we'll act on those thoughts" he whispered. "When it's right Harm," she said as her hand reached out to stroke his cheek. "For the first time in a long time you and I are in a good place. I don’t want to ruin that." "Me neither" he said as he took her hand and pressed it to his lips for a quick kiss. "It's taken us a long time to get to here." "Yes it has. And I hope that the Melora's and Brady's of the world won't interfere with that." "Only if we let them." "We'd better get some sleep," she said finally. "It's been a long day." "Night Sarah" Harm said softly, this time reaching his hand to her cheek and stroking it gently. "Night Harm." ********************** Tuesday Evening Following Week "Hey you busy tonight?" Mac asked Harm as she walked into their shared office. "I was thinking of having a little cook out now that I've got all my stuff. I was going to see if Gwen and Greg might like to come too. A little happy send off and happy new home party." "Uh sure. What time? I've got something I need to take care of after work." "Around six?" she shrugged. "That work for you?" "Sure. Sounds great. I should be done by then." "Hot date?" Mac teased. "You wish you knew" he laughed. "It's a little surprise I've been working on. You'll see soon enough." "You found a place? Is that it?" "Maybe. Maybe not." "Harm come on" Mac pleaded. "Tell me." "Patience Colonel. You'll find out soon enough." Soon enough turned about to be as Mac was lighting the new grill she'd gotten for the back porch of her cottage. Gwen and Greg were already there and she wondered where Harm had gotten lost. "Need some help?" Mac looked up at the sound of Harm's voice, surprised to see him there. It was then that she noticed his SUV parked in the small driveway of the cottage next to hers. "Harm I have plenty of room for parking. You didn't have to park over there." "Sure I did" he smiled as he held up the keys on the key ring that said Pelican Bay. "You didn't," she gasped. "You're my new neighbor?" "Yes ma'am. Where's my welcome aboard?" THE END Mayport III will follow in the near future with the investigation in Gitmo.