TITLE: "Mayport III-Duty Calls" 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. Mac finds housing and meets her handsome and available landlord, who happens to have a sister who strikes Harm's eye. Greg and Gwen find mutual ground and begin to relate to each other with greater ease. Mayport II concludes with Harm's announcement that he has rented the vacant cabin across the driveway from hers. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Mayport III—Duty Calls" "Sailor you are full of surprises," Mac gasped. Harm grinned and jingled the keys again. "Could I hear why?" "Well it was easy--no looking required and well, lots of reasons," he stammered. "Plus I know my nearest neighbor. Saves getting acquainted." She looked at him in further amazement and then simply shrugged. "Well welcome aboard. And here comes the rest of the guest list." She gestured behind Harm as Melora and Justin arrived, along with Brady and an attractive blonde on his arm. "Hey glad you could make it," Mac smiled and waved. "Brady and Melora this is Gwen and Greg from our office. I assume you know Harm your new tenant." "Yes but Harm doesn't know Brady's lovely guest," Harm laughed, holding his hand to the newcomer. "Karen Wallick and thank you." "Mac I knew you wouldn't mind," Brady added. "Of course not. I've got plenty and then Greg brought some baby back ribs that he pre- cooked. Sounds like a party to me." "Hey Justin," Harm called, nodding to the boy. "You don't look like this is exactly what you want to be doing." "Nah a guy's got to eat. So this is OK. I'm really glad you're living here now." "Me too. How's the math going?" "You helped a lot the other night," he admitted. "I understood it and did pretty good on the chapter test. "Can I ask you again if I need to? I really don't want to take this class over next year and I'll need good math scores if I decide to try for the Academy." "Yep--on both counts," Harm told him. Melora came up to Harm and gave her son a nudge at the same time. "Don't make a pest of yourself." "Harm am I a pest?" he demanded. "All boys your age are but that's fine," he grinned. 'Yeah well the young man also got into trouble today," Melora frowned. "Mooom, I screwed up. Don't make a federal case out of it will ya. I'm doing my time in detention. Harm, you used to get detention didn't you?" "Only all the time," he groaned. "Up to and including my time at the Academy. I served my share of punishment details." "Thank you. The way Mom carries on you'd think I was heading for life at hard labor. Excuse me." With that he wandered toward the beach and Harm shook his head, putting a hand on Melora's shoulder. "This kid is taking me back about thirty years." "Yeah well he's aging me that much," she replied. "I tell myself it's normal rowdiness and defiance." "And you continue to do that. You'll know if he gets into real trouble and I doubt that's going to happen. He's too good a kid." "God bless it was easier when he was just an obstinate two year old. I just didn't appreciate that fact back then. Harm seriously, meeting you has made him talk about going to Annapolis even more." Shades of Josh Pendry Mac had said. "Is that a bad thing?" he asked with trepidation. "No of course not. But he doesn't have the discipline." "Well if he doesn't, they'll make sure he gets it. And quick," Harm assured her. "Come on, buy me a beer will ya." A little while later Mac was standing alone at the fire when Harm came up behind her, tickling the back of her neck before she knew he was there. "Good thing my Marine reflexes are dulled by smelling all this good food. Else you might be lying out flat right about now." "Wrestling can be fun," he grinned. "I mean remember the other night don't you?" "Only barely," she smiled, not caring if he knew she was lying. She had replayed their kiss over and over since then. "Me too. Vague blur. I gather you didn't know Brady was bringing a date." "It didn't come up no. I noticed you weren't shy about helping yourself to a look." "I'm not dead," he laughed again. "Can I give you a hand?" "Of course. I'm glad I decided to do this. I think maybe Gwen and Greg have found some common ground." Harm nodded as he looked over to where the pair was talking. "About time. I thought they were going to be as bad as we were when we first started." "That was because of you mister." "Me? You were the one that was a little uptight when I beat you the first few times out." "Because you cheated" she groaned. "We've had this discussion before" he said with a small smile. "Do you remember when?" "Admiral's porch, the night of my engagement party" Mac said softly. "We talked about a lot that night." "We did a lot more than talk." Mac's cheeks turned red as her mind went back to that moment. That kiss. It was like the kiss they'd shared the other night. "Yes we did," she said finally. "And then I almost lost you. We'd talked about good-byes and for a while I was sure we'd said our final good-bye that night." "But we didn't thanks to you." For a moment neither said anything, both lost in the memories of those horrible hours. It wasn't until Greg tapped Mac's arm that they realized they weren't alone. "Mac you got any aspirin?" "Yeah sure in the kitchen" she managed. "You okay?" "Gwen's got a headache. I think she's a little stressed about leaving but doesn't want to admit it. She's putting on the tough Marine act." "I know it well," Harm said as he looked at Mac. "They do think they can handle everything." "On that note, I'm going to go get Gwen some aspirin and make sure she's okay" Mac groaned. "Harm watch the food will you." She marched off to the house, Harm watching her the entire way. "Didn't want her out of your sight did you?" Greg said with a small smile. Harm opened his mouth and promptly closed it. "That doesn't need an answer." "Of course not. Because you can't deny it. And I don't blame you. I wouldn't want her alone with that Brady guy either." "Have you talked to him?" Harm asked. "A little. I noticed he keeps eyeing Mac even though he brought someone with him." "Most men do" Harm smiled. "So you really think Gwen is nervous about going to Gitmo?" "She's been pretty quiet today so I'm guessing that's it. I really wish she wasn't going alone. That someone was going to be watching out for her." "Careful Lieutenant. If I didn't know any better I'd think you're beginning to like the Major." "We've found some common ground" Greg sighed. "But that's all. It's not like we're going to start dating tomorrow." "You stick to that story Lieutenant Harm smiled. "Because about eight years ago an arrogant Lieutenant Commander met a beautiful Marine Major and the same sparks flew that are going on between you and Gwen. And you see where we are." "In love. Totally. Except neither of you will admit." "Thank you Lieutenant. I needed that," he sighed. "Frankly I've admitted it to myself ages ago. Like an alcoholic admits he's powerless. Hi I'm Harm and I'm in love with Sarah." "Sir aren't you telling that to the wrong person?" Greg asked. "Well of course I am. But I can tell from that comment that you don't know how we play the game. Just let me point out that Mac and I had this attraction from Day One. It's now eight years later and we're still doing the dance. I expect better from you son. I'm not saying she's the one you'll want to take to the altar necessarily, but don't try to deny what's right there." "Like you've been doing?" "Yeah exactly," Harm nodded. "And since I'm not driving, I'm going to have another beer." "And I'll join you. Gwen doesn't drink much so she can drive home. I noticed the Colonel hasn't helped herself either to a beer or to the margarita pitcher." "No and you won't see her doing that ever. Closed subject Lieutenant." "Yes sir. I'll get us those beers." Greg moved away and Harm turned back to the fire, only to have Brady replace the younger man. "Harm. How's the cabin?" "Seems fine," Harm nodded. "I'll let you know if it's not. I'm not shy." "No I bet you're not," Brady replied. "Where is your lovely partner?" "She stepped inside for a minute. She'll be right back. Where is your lovely date?" "Touche. Karen is a friend of my ex's. She went in to use the lady's room. Harm let me be clear here for a second. I'm not looking to replace Margo. Not anytime in this lifetime. If you can believe that." "Oh I do," Harm assured him. "Justin said you have a lot of women friends. If that works for you, more power to you. Just remember what I told you about Mac and hurting her." "You bet. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better." "I'm sure she is too," Harm growled, reaching past Brady to take the beer Greg was offering him. But it was Harm whom Mac sat down next to with her plate of food a short time later, leaving Brady with Karen and Melora and Justin. "Hey I glimpsed the news while we were inside. DC is co--old," she giggled. "I may not go back." He shrugged and bit into some grilled pineapple. "Maybe if Brady has his way you won't have to. Can you see yourself as mistress of Pelican Bay?" "Oh yeah. Collecting rent and evicting loud tenants," she scoffed. "Get real Rabb." They finished their meals and he offered her his hand. "Shall we walk off this food?" "You bet." She let him pull her to her feet and as he started off toward the beach, he had not released her hand. She was about to pull away when she realized how right it felt and instead she threaded her fingers with his and felt his hand squeeze hers. "I was going to stick my toes in but I don't think it's quite that warm," she mused as they got to the edge of the surf. They walked in silence for several yards, still hand in hand. "You've gone to silent running Sailor. Any special reason?" "Not really," he said softly. "Just enjoying. I'm glad we're doing this." "What's that? Talking? Walking? Holding hands? Working together here?" "All of the above," he smiled and with his free hand turned her face up to his, just touching his lips to hers. "And that. I'm not sure if I ever would have gotten the courage to do that back in DC. Or to admit to what I'm about to?" She took a deep breath, enjoying the last of the sensation from the kiss before she cocked her head quizzically. "What's that?" "That I'm hoping I'm not sorry I moved so close to you. I mean it would be so easy for me to just waltz across the driveway and into your bed, and that's not what this is all about." She thought that over for a few seconds. "You're only this way with me aren't you." "Oh yeah," he breathed, knowing exactly to what she conversation she was referring. He had replayed it often enough in his head. "Was then, still am." "You're sweet," she whispered and then gave a long laugh, pushing him off balance before she took off running, her long legs eating up ground and she flung over her shoulder, "my bed is by invitation only I'll have you know." Despite her head start it didn't take him long to catch her, pulling her down to the sand where he soon had her pinned. "You know that wasn't a smart move" he smiled. "You remember what happened last time I had you like this." "What are you waiting for?" she managed before his lips found hers in a long kiss that left them more breathless than the run had. "I think I'm going to like us being neighbors" he whispered when they parted. "Me too" Mac said softly. "But we'd better get back to our guests." He nodded and a moment later helped her to her feet. "You know I don't miss DC at all," he said as they started to walk back to her cottage. "Not just because of the cold either." "I know what you mean" she smiled. They made their way back to Mac's place where Gwen and Greg were starting the clean up. "Hey no stop" Harm said at once. "You're guests. We'll take care of this later. Sit. Relax." "Harm we're going to take off" Melora said to him. "Justin has homework to do. Thanks for inviting us though. And we're looking forward to having you around. Both of you." "Thanks. I think we're going to like it here." Brady and his date left as well and soon it was just Gwen and Greg with them. "You all set for you trip Major?" Harm asked as they all sat around the fire. "Yes sir. And no I don't want to back out. I can handle this." "I know you can" he smiled. "You'll do just fine. And with any luck this is just someone's over active imagination and you'll be home pretty quick." "I hope" Greg murmured. "Otherwise you might as well setup cots for us at the office. Did you see the pile of new stuff that came in?" "Well unfortunately we don't have the budget for anyone else" Mac sighed. "Of course once the two new paralegals come on board we'll be a little better off. Until then we'll just have to muddle through it." "Any word on them?" Gwen asked. "Uh when Harm and I start going through the resumes" Mac admitted sheepishly. "Which we promise will happen real soon. We weren't planning on having anyone out on assignment this quick. But we'll manage." "Yes we will" Greg said as he stood up. "Gwen you ready? You've got a long day coming up." "Yeah we better. Guys thanks for inviting us. This was fun." "Don't worry we'll do it again" Harm assured them. "It was great," Gwen smiled. "In fact I suddenly decided I want a walk by the water for a couple minutes before I start back. Greg you care to escort?" "Nah," he teased, smiling teasingly as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. Not until they reached the water's edge did he halt their progress. "OK Major, what's wrong?" "Does something have to be wrong for me to want to spend a few minutes alone with you?" she asked softly. "Uh. . .not sure how to answer that." "You men are clueless. Brady Frost too." "What does he have to do with. . .Gwen was he bothering you? Hitting on you?" Greg's face darkened as he contemplated the possibilities. "I know I saw him talking to you earlier when his date was off with Melora but I didn't think much about it." "Oh he was just flirting a little. I assume the man things he's god's gift to women," she laughed. "I told him I wasn't interested and he went away." "Lucky for him. I heard Harm speaking to him earlier too about his intentions." "Well you men do tend to think you're all that," she giggled slightly. "Actually what I wanted was to just have a few minutes alone with you before I drive us back. Is that OK?" "Of course it is." He gave her shoulders a quick squeeze. "You're a little nervous about your assignment aren't' you?" "Yeah OK a little," she admitted, thankful it was he who brought it up. "I think I just needed to hear someone I care about say I'll do well." "I think you'll be great," he told her. "In fact I know you will. But you can't always control what other people do, so if it gets bad, you got your orders to pull the plug didn't you? Promise me you won't be too proud to do that." "No I won't be," she said softly. "It's sweet that you're worried you know." "Well a minute ago you said you needed someone who cared about you. You're looking at him." After that the only thing left for them to do was to kiss each other tenderly. ============ Once the guests had gone, Harm helped Mac finish the cleanup. "You want to step across the driveway for a nightcap?" he offered when they were done. "Some coffee to take the chill off? Unless you're tired of course." "Tired of you or tired period?" she giggled. "Either. Both," he replied with a quick grin, catching her arm. "Don't make me insist." "All right. But not for long. I really am tired." "On second thought maybe we better it make your place" he smiled as he realized his place was still missing the essentials for living. "Seeing as how I don't have a sofa or anything yet." "When are you moving your stuff in?" she asked as they headed back to her place. "I'm hoping to convince Greg to help me tomorrow with the stuff I brought down. The rest in enroute from DC as we speak." "You know I'll help too." "I was planning on it." Once she'd made the coffee they retired to her living room. "So I guess that went well. I'm really glad Gwen and Greg have chilled about each other. I think it was mostly the tension of trying to hold the place together after the house-cleaning." "He's worried about her" Harm smiled. "And this assignment at Gitmo. Course I'm sure she's going to do fine." "I hope so. You think we'll get any work out of him while she's gone?" Mac giggled. "Or is he going to be pining away for her." "Well I don't think they're at that stage yet. Though I'm sure he'll be asking you daily how she is." "We really do need to hire those paralegals" Mac sighed. "Before the rest of our staff revolts." "We'll make it priority one tomorrow to go over the resumes. And then take care of whatever fire drill happens tomorrow." "No one said being in charge would be easy." "But you like it here don't you?" he asked. "I love the warm weather" she smiled. "Well warmer than DC anyway. And yeah I guess I do like it here. Especially the neighbors." "Brady?" "I meant you dufus." "Mac do you find Brady attractive?" Harm asked. "What kind of question is that?" she laughed. "Yeah he's good looking. But I'm not sure I like the type that makes their way around to everyone woman." "You noticed that too tonight?" "I noticed he likes to think he's the center of attention." "So you probably wouldn't go out with him if he asked?" "On that note, I think it's time to say goodnight Commander" Mac groaned. "Before you say something I'm going to deck you for." "Okay but just listen to me for one second" Harm sighed. "He's trouble Mac." "Bye Harm. That was your second. Now I'm done listening." "All right I'm going. But we're not done talking about Brady." "So you think. Goodnight Harm." The next morning he was waiting at her door with a mug of coffee. "Truce and I'm offering to drive. Maybe we can take turns each week." "I'll take the coffee and the ride" she smiled. "Thank you." Once at the office, they set to work on going through the resumes for the paralegals. "I guess the first thing we need to decide is if we want civilians or to pull two people off the availables from the Ensign corps," Harm murmured. "One thing's for sure, there's no shortage of people who want to come live in paradise." "Well not everyone likes the heat and bugs," Mac reminded him. "But you're right, we do have a stack of applicants. How do we weed and as you said, Ensign or civilian?" "One of each," he replied logically. "Unless you think the civilian will get lost in a sea of military protocol." "No in fact I think that's exactly what we need. A civilian not so tied to the chain of command who can speak his--or her--mind. You draw up the civilian candidates, and I'll look through the OMPFs here and pick a young ensign. Hmm...about twenty-five, someone who will look great in a pair of red Speedos at our swim parties." "I was thinking more of someone who resembled me," he grumbled. "I don't know of too many forty year old ensigns with love handles," she teased. "Do you even own a pair of Speedos? Let alone red ones?" "Don't talk to me," he yelped. An hour later when Greg had passed by their doorway for the fifth time, Harm who was facing the opening shook his head and gestured to Mac. "I think our Lieutenant has a certain Major who is traveling on his mind." "They're cute," Mac smiled and turned around to see Greg pass by on his return trip to his office. "Lieutenant you do have work to do right?" "Yes ma'am. Just heading back there now." "See that you do," Mac ordered with feigned exasperation. Another hour passed and Mac and Harm managed to narrow their candidates down to five to interview. "It's Miller time," Harm declared. "Or actually Maxwell House." "Hell no Flyboy. You're taking me for an early lunch." "Oh. McDonalds good?" "No. I'm craving Joe's for barbecue again and I don't want to go at noon and wait forever." She stepped ahead of him through the door only to have Greg barrel into her, knocking her backwards into Harm's quick hands. "What the hell is going on here Lieutenant," Harm demanded at once, taking a long look at Mac to make sure she was all right. "Ma'am I'm so sorry," he gasped. "No excuse ma'am but it didn't get there yet." "Greg, kindly make sense," Mac begged. "Starving Marine here who overslept and didn't have time to grab anything but the coffee Mr. Rabb kindly presented me. You're standing between me and my newly developed barbecue addiction and it's not going to be pretty." "Ma'am, sir--Gwen's plane. She promised she'd call me when she got in." "Son maybe she just got hung up checking in or something," Harm offered. "No sir. The plane sir. No one got there. I mean. . .sir the tower is listing the plane as overdue and says there's a storm in the Atlantic." "Have they lost contact with the MAC flight?" Harm asked, feeling concern but refusing to give in to sharing Greg's panic. "Sir I'm getting this information like fifth hand. Can you help? I'm about to lose it here." "Never would have guessed that," Mac sighed. "Harm you think there's reason to worry?" "In the world of MAC flights, timetables don't mean a lot. That they've lost radio is disturbing though," he said quietly. "Let me go make some noise." "Thank you sir," Greg breathed, letting Mac take his arm and guide him to a chair while Harm hurried away. "Lieutenant you're feelings are showing," Mac said gently. "Yes ma'am. Right now I'm scared to death and want her to be OK. I assume those would be the feelings to which you're referring." "Yes. And from experience I'm going to tell you that these things happen. And you need to hold it together like the officer you are." He nodded and took a deep breath. "Yes ma'am. It's just the not knowing part that's driving me crazy." "Lieutenant, let me tell you a story" Mac sighed as she sat down. "About how I spent some very long hours not knowing about my partner. All I knew was his Tomcat had gone down. They'd found his RIO but there was no sign of him." "Harm crashed?" "Fortunately he ejected before that happened. But they were over the Atlantic in the middle of one of the worst storms that spring." "You must have been terrified." "That's an understatement. When they said they were giving up, I nearly lost it." "But they found him." "I found him," Mac said softly. "Harm and I have always had some kind of connection. And that night, well fortunately it was working. I gave search and rescue coordinates and they found him. And just in time." "Ma'am if you two are so connected, why aren't you together?" Greg asked. "Good question. And if I had the answer to that, we wouldn't be where we are all these years later. Point is, things are going to happen. And there's going to be times when you need to keep your feelings in check." "Understood ma'am." "Okay let's go see what Harm has found out" she sighed as she stood up. "Hopefully this worrying is for nothing." Harm was still on the phone when they reached the office and he motioned them inside. "Thank you. Yes I'll be waiting." He hung up and let out a long sigh. "Okay there was some problem with the plane and they had to make an emergency landing." "Where?" Greg demanded. "There's nothing but ocean between us and them." "Key West Lieutenant." "Thank God. Is she okay sir?" "That's what I'm waiting to find out. All I was able to find out was the plane was on the ground in Key West after experiencing some severe turbulence. No word on if there was any problems or if anyone was hurt." "Well at least they're on the ground." "And I'm sure she's fine" Harm continued. "If there had been any kind of incident, they would have known about it. Likely she'll be calling us before they call back to tell me what's going on." As he spoke, Peter came rushing into the office. "Lieutenant, I have the Major on the phone. She said it's urgent." "See what did I tell you" Harm smiled as Greg took off running. "Disaster averted." "Thank goodness. Our young LIeutenant is falling hard and fast." "So I noticed. What did you say to calm him down?" "Just told him a story about a stormy May night when I thought I'd lost my best friend" Mac said softly. "That things happen and sometimes you don't know what's happening and you have to hold it together." "Were you holding it together that night?" he asked. Mac shook her head. "Far from it. I thought I'd lost you for good that time." "You know I don't remember hardly a thing about that time. My honest to God last real memory is Skates ejecting. Then everything else is mixed up in cold and wet and thoughts of seeing Dad and Gramps." "Well I think Renee was pretty distressed that you didn't remember her," she laughed. "Especially since you didn't seem to have that problem knowing who I was." "You were a thorn for her no doubt," he smiled. "But that night while you were waiting, I can see you Colonel, issuing orders and calmly deciding the next moves regarding the dinner and so forth." "I ran away from the table and broke down in tears," she corrected him. "And that's how Mic found me. Crying over you instead of being with him." "I. . I didn't know," he said softly, his hand going to her arm. "You never told me." "No I know I didn't. I would have. Had we had that talk that night I would have. See that was the first time Mic honest to God knew how it was. I was in total distress but I still remember the look on his face when he realized how upset I was. It was like a light bulb going off. From that moment on, there was no way a wedding was going to happen between us." "You should have told me." "I would have. That and a lot more. In the talk we never had." "Ouch." "Yeah I know. Me too. And yes I know you came out to the Guadal to talk, but the moment was lost as they say. "I know. It was a grandstand play meant to impress, and looking back I should have known better." He ran his hand lightly down her arm from where he had been resting it, diverting her attention and she smiled gently. "I'm not sure there's a lot of point in going back over all of that," she finally said. "You and I have both been total pinheads at times." "So what does that mean we should do now?" he asked hopefully. "That we should learn from our mistakes?" "Sounds good to me." He bit his lip and started to continue, only to turn away. "Hey whoa no," she yelped. "You had still something on your mind Sailor. Learning from our mistakes would be that we say what we're thinking." "OK. But it's going to sound pretty sappy." "I can handle sap. I'm a Marine." "OK. This year we've been handed. Maybe that's God's way of saying now or never you know? Maybe He's telling us that we've got this one last best chance to make it work between us. See? Sappy." "No. No it's not sappy. It's probably one of the most from-the-heart things I've ever heard you say," she replied, willing the note of tearfulness from her voice. "I have my moments," he smiled. "Not just for when you and I are alone at the beach either." Meanwhile Greg had picked up the phone and when he did not hear Gwen answer right away, was pacing the floor. Finally her soft voice came back to him. "Greg is that you "Gwen are you okay?" he demanded. "Yeah I'm fine. My nerves are a little shattered but I'm fine. I need to thank the guys who got us down in one piece. Apparently all the systems went to hell and somehow they managed to get us on the ground without incident." "Thank God" he murmured. "So you're okay?" "Except for shaking all over, yes I'm fine. Not something I want to go through again anytime soon that's for sure." "You have no idea how relieved I am." "Afraid you were going to get stuck with all the work" she teased. "Yeah right. More like afraid you were lost in the ocean. All I knew was your plane had lost contact and they didn't know where you were. Harm fortunately was able to find out that you'd landed in Key West." "I'm fine Greg." "You still going to Gitmo today?" he asked as he sank down in his desk chair. "They're working on getting us another flight. But the word is yes we're going to get there some time today." "You okay with that?" "About getting on a plane right away no. About going to Gitmo, yeah I'm fine. Trust me the plane ride was pretty scary." "How scary?" "We dropped a few thousand feet all at once," she admitted. "And thankfully I didn't scream. Some Marine I would have looked like." "Hey I'm sure everyone else was thinking the same." "Not likely. They all looked cool as cucumbers." "That's what you think. I've seen a few Navy officers sweating bullets before. Marine Corp for that matter too." "Well thanks for saying that" Gwen sighed. "And thanks for caring. I'm sorry you were worried." "I'd miss having someone to harass back here you know," he said softly. "The other guys aren't as much fun as you." He hung up just as Harm walked into his office. "That was Gwen. She's okay." "Told you so" Harm smiled. "Now you think we can get some work done around here today." "Yes sir. I'm right to the piles. Which don't ever shrink around here." "Marquest is setting up interviews with candidates for the paralegal positions as we speak" Harm told him. "So hopefully that will help a little bit." "Civilians or active duty?" "We're going to try for one of each. Just to keep things interesting." "They're not interesting enough for you?" Greg said with a small smile. "Nope. And before you tackle that pile, you want to join Mac and I for lunch. I promise her an early lunch now that we've picked our candidates." "I don't want to interrupt anything." "Lieutenant, we are on Navy time. The Colonel and I are simply going to lunch. We are not going to have wild sex under the table at the restaurant." "We're not?" Mac giggled as she walked into the office. "Is that a request?" Harm mimicked her words of long ago, making her blush. "Maybe someday it will be an order," she returned. "Should I be dismissed?" Greg yelped. "Yes Lieutenant, to bring the car around," Harm told him. "Gladly sir. Now that I know Gwen is OK, I am starving." "You Colonel are a flirt," Harm declared as soon as they were alone. "Only with you and you love it." "Not true." "You don't love it?" she asked, pretending to pout. "Of course I do," he grinned. "Just that you're. . .OK flirt is not the word I want to use here. You're friendly with everyone, including Brady Frost." "That man does bother you doesn't he," she smiled slyly. "Maybe that's why I don't tell him to get lost." "Oh I'm sure that's got a lot to do with it," he replied with another easy grin. "You enjoy making me crazy." "Highlight of my day," she laughed. "As for Brady, he's a nice guy. Kind of fun to be around. Little full of himself maybe. Like he might have been an aviator in a former life." "Cute. Just be careful around him will you please." "He really does get under your skin doesn't he?" "Actually yes," he admitted, "which is going to make you mess with the guy even more isn't it?" "Live in fear," she laughed, starting for the door only to have Harm grasp her arm. "Mac seriously, I don't often get feelings about people, and half the time when I do I'm wrong anyway, but this guy doesn't set well with me." "No guy that's ever looked at me has set well with you," she returned. "OK guilty there. Just be careful around him. You're flirting and enjoying his company, and I understand that. I'm just not sure he does." "Harm I know when and where to draw the line," she said firmly. "Yes you do. But I'm not sure he knows you well enough to respect that." "Well if he doesn't I'm sure you won't have a problem making sure it's a lesson he learns," she smiled sweetly, pulling from his grasp and walking out the door. "You got that right," he glowered, managing to have the final word. ======== "You realize when we go back to DC we're asking Joe if we can open a franchise for this place," Mac declared thirty minutes later as she bit into her barbecue brisket. "Of course. When the Admiral does my retirement interview and asks my plans, I'll tell him you and I are going to become hash-slingers," Harm laughed. "I told you it was addictive here," Greg chimed in, nodding to the long line forming and going out the door. "People don't eat the base food when they can get in here." They ate in silence for a few minutes until Greg wiped sauce from his mouth and said softly, "Ma'am, sir--thank you for not labeling me some kind of fruitcake this morning for being concerned about Gwen." "Lieutenant, we've both been there before" Harm assured him. "I can't tell you how many times over the years I've worried about Mac." "You worry about me?" she scoffed. "I think I was the one doing most of the worrying. Right off the top of my head there's a few I can think of where I was scared to death. Like when I thought you'd drown at the bottom of that ship." "Sir you do have a way of getting into situations don't you?" Greg smiled. "Mac was telling me earlier about your punch out over the Atlantic." "Yeah maybe I do" Harm admitted. "But I've had my share of moments worrying too. One word here. Paraguay." "Paraguay?" This from Greg and Mac nodded slowly. "I did a short stint with the CIA for an old friend who needed a wife for an undercover assignment. Things went a muck and well both of us owe our lives to the Commander here." "CIA?" Greg's eyes widened even more at her words. "Wow ma'am that's impressive." "Hey I'm not the only one. Mr. Rabb here spent a nice part of his summer working for them too." "Is this the kind of stuff I can look forward to one day too?" "We have friends in high places at the Agency" Harm smiled. "Well I used to. Mac may have a few more there than I do now. But yeah I did a few missions for them. Got to fly again." "And land a C-130 on a carrier" Mac said with just a hint of proudness in her voice. "Not something too many people can say they've done." "Wow. You guys really have done a lot. And here I thought you'd just spent the last eight years at JAG HQ's trying cases." "Not quite" Mac smiled. "Mr. Adventurous over there would have been bored to tears if he wasn't doing some of this stuff on the side." "She's right," Harm admitted. "I never totally gave up my wings." "How come you went to JAG then anyway?" Greg asked. "I mean obviously you were more into flying weren't you." "I'd had a bad crash. And for a while I couldn't fly because of an eye problem. The I got that fixed and well I tried to do it again but it was too late, and quite honestly I missed the Colonel here too much. So I went back to JAG." "Yeah right" she laughed. "You mean you hated the fact that I'd gotten a promotion before you." "Has there always been this kind of competition between you two?" he asked with amusement. "You kind of sound like me and Gwen and I want to know what I'm in for." "Always" Mac smiled. "Every time we step into a court room together we still go at it. But I suppose we should tell him our cardinal rule." "What happens in the court room stays in the court room" Harm continued. "Otherwise you'll be at each others throats constantly. What happens in there you leave there. You don't take it back to the office. If you do it becomes personal." "I'll remember that" Greg nodded. "Sounds like a good piece of advice." "It is. Trust me. Otherwise Mac and I would have killed each other a long time ago." "I doubt that" she smiled. "Well you guys seem very in tune right now," Greg murmured. "Like I'd like Gwen and me to be. And then sometimes I think why am I even worried about that. Soon as her time is up, she's going to jump ship and go work for some DA somewhere." "Which is her choice, and a smart man would not give her a hard time about it," Harm said calmly. "That's a long ways off and you and she have a lot of time to work together. A lot of things can happen. Hell you could change your mind about staying in." "Oh right. Like my dad would let me. . .never mind," Greg sighed. "Dad Navy son?" Harm asked gently, picking up on his words. Greg gave another long sigh. "My dad is a retired captain sir. He brought a plastic aircraft carrier to the hospital to put in my bed." "My dad was Navy too," Harm nodded. "Except that since I was old enough to realize what Navy was, it was all I wanted to do." "Maybe you and Gwen aren't so far apart in your feelings after all," Mac added quickly. "Maybe this is not the career for either of you. On the other hand, I think you both have a good future." "Yes ma'am thank you. It's just that I never considered not staying that's all. I don't think I could do that to him." "Shoes of the father," Mac smiled and looked to Harm. "Sir your dad would be long since retired," Greg ventured. "My dad went MIA in sixty-nine, shot down over North Vietnam," Harm explained. "But a few years back with the help of this amazing Marine here, I learned what happened to him." "Wow," Greg breathed. "Nice. You were little weren't you." "Six. Eat your sandwich Lieutenant. There's an office full of work waiting for us." "Yes sir. And that sex thing isn't going to happen I guess." "Bright boy." ============= THREE DAYS LATER TSO OFFICE Mayport Harm looked up from his desk to find Greg looming in his doorway. "Lieutenant do not lurk. Knock or just say 'Commander' or if the frickin' door is open come in." "Yes sir, sorry. You busy?" "Not any more. What's on your mind? And by the way, if you're fretting over your closing this morning on Weathersly, don't. You did your best with very little to work with." "Yes sir, thank you. No I'm concerned about Major Sauls sir." "Well of course you are. Today is a day like any other day, and you can call her Gwen, Greg. Now what's up?" "She's been making reports to you and the Colonel?" "As ordered," Harm told him with exaggerated patience. "Is she not in touch with you?" "Yes sir she is, but she sounds kind of. . .like unsure or nervous." "Well that wouldn't be unusual. She's undertaken a solo assignment here and she's not got a lot of experience under her belt." "Has she said something to you?" Harm shook his head. "Not at all. Her reports so far are that she's fitting in, meeting some people and otherwise has nothing of substance." "Yes sir. I'm just not real comfortable sir." "No. Really?" Harm teased. "But you would know her best so giving your concern some validity, the next time she calls, Mac or I will pin her down a little more and make sure she's not getting over her head. Good enough?" "Good enough sir, thank you," Greg breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay what's with him?" Mac asked as she walked into her and Harm's shared office just as Greg was walking out. "He's worrying. He thinks Gwen is holding back on us." "You think she might be or is he just in hyper mode?" "Well it's worth asking her next time she checks in. This is her first assignment like this. And she may not be willing to admit that she's in over her head." "Good point" Mac nodded. "You want to handle it or should I?" "I'll talk to her. She may not want to admit to another Marine she can't handle it. And I get the feeling she looks up to you Colonel." "Oh please. I am not role model for anyone." "Yes you are. And anyone who knew where you've come from in your life would be proud of you. Just like I am." "Rabb you near cease to amaze me" she smiled. "Just when I think I have you figured out you go and say something nice." "Well it's the truth." "Okay what are you trying to butter me up for. There has to be an ulterior motive somewhere." "Can't a guy be nice without getting the third degree?" Harm laughed. "I guess. So you'll handle Gwen?" "Next time she checks in. Meanwhile don't we have an interview soon?" "Our civilian should be here any moment" Mac nodded. "Ms. Renee Westcoff. Why am I picturing her to be blonde and barking orders like the last Renee?" "I have no clue what her hair color is" Harm smiled. "But she's extremely qualified. And she better not be expecting to give orders but instead take them." Renee Westcoff was in fact a brunette, her short hair cut similar to Mac though that's where the similarities ended. She was extremely petite, Mac guessing her to be just under five feet tall. "Sir can I ask just how tall you are?" she smiled as she looked up at Harm. "Six four on a good day" Harm laughed as he led her to their office. "Don't let him scare you" Mac smiled as well. "Please sit down." An hour later Renee had them both smiling with her tales of being a paralegal and Harm looked over at Mac and she nodded slightly. This one would work well for the office. "One down one to go" Mac said once they were finished with the interview. "And I really must say you made a good choice Commander. Except that the poor woman is going to get neck strain working in this office." "I'll just sit down when I talk to her" Harm smiled. "But she's great. Great personality and she knows her stuff." "Commander I've got the Major on the line" Marquest interrupted a moment later. "You'd said you wanted to talk to her." "Put her through" Harm told him. A moment later Gwen came through on the line. "How's it going Major?" Harm asked. "Okay sir." "You want to give me a little more than okay sir?" "Not sure actually sir," she admitted. "Like I've said in my reports, I've gotten my assignment and met Lt. Hennessy who is very nice but pretty upset that's easy to see. They gave me a room a few doors down from hers with another lieutenant who totally hates me but that's another story." "An irrelevant story?" "So far yes sir. Personality clash there. And I thought everyone loved me." "We all do here Lieutenant. What's this woman's problem?" "Well in all fairness I don't think it's me. She and Lt. Hennessy are up for one position in the shop that they both want and Lt. Witch is just always on edge over it that's all. So everything I do is wrong. Like not washing out the shower when I'm through." "I could Fed-Ex you some cleanser." "Cute sir. I actually feel I'm making some progress as far as getting to know what's going on. And no I don't feel like I'm in over my head." "So you don't want to pull the plug." "No sir. Not at all." Gwen's response was indignant and immediate. "Sir I know Greg is worried and I love him for. . .maybe I should rephrase that?" "Don't worry about it. He's concerned. Now why don't you email me Lt. Witch's information and let me run a check on her here just so we can say we've covered all our bases. Meanwhile you'll be careful and you'll demand NCIS get involved the minute you know that's warranted and you'll call me or the Colonel if that happens." "Yes sir. On all counts. Sir did Greg ask you to call me? If it's OK to ask that is." "He's concerned Lieutenant." "Should I speak to him sir?" "Yes why don't you and then I can get back to work. You just keep your head Gwen. You'll do fine." "Yes sir, thank you." Harm touched the button as sent the call into Greg's office, leaning back in his chair and thinking over what Gwen had told him, and more to the point how she sounded. He was still in that position a minute later when Mac knocked at his open door. "Gwen OK?" "She's talking to Greg now. I think she's got it under control. A little unsure but most definitely not ready to throw in the towel." "OK. I know Greg is worried." "As I would be about you. You ready to talk Ensigns?" By the end of the day they had selected the candidate the wanted to interview. "Fine young man," Mac declared, looking at his picture. "Yes for sure. And you've not stopped staring at that picture." "He's cute. I appreciate cute," she giggled. "But does he appreciate older women?" "When I turn forty Commander we'll talk older." ================== Two days later Ensign Alex Conway arrived at the Mayport JAG offices for his interview. "Ensign Conway I'm Colonel Sarah Mackenzie and this is Commander Rabb" Mac smiled as she greeted the young man as he arrived in their office. His picture hadn't done him justice, his green eyes sparking back at her. He was her height, his dark hair cut short and a smile that reminded her of a certain Flyboy. "Morning sir, ma'am." "Have a seat Ensign" Harm told him as he pulled out his file. For the next half-hour Harm fired question after question at the young man and Mac watched her candidate respond without losing his cool. "Ensign if you'll give us a moment" Mac said finally. "We'll be right back." She gave Harm a long look and a moment later they stood out in the hallway. "What on earth was that all about? The poor man is not on trial here." "I'm just making sure he's the right fit for the office" Harm shrugged. "I don't remember you grilling Ms. Westcoff like that?" she retorted. "Or was that because she was a she or because you picked her." "I wasn't grilling him." "Yes you were Commander. And frankly I think he's handled himself pretty well. Not that man is going to want to come and work here after facing that." "Mac I honestly wasn't trying to grill him" he sighed. "If I did, well it wasn't intentional. I promise you that." "Then why are you being so hard on him?" "Maybe because I have a lot on my mind." "Do you know something about Gwen I don't know?" Mac frowned as she looked at him. "Because if you do Commander you better start sharing. Last time I checked this was a joint command." "No it's nothing. Just a bad feeling I have." "About Gwen?" He nodded slowly and let out a long sigh. "Look it's probably nothing. Or more like me being worried that the first time I send someone out for an assignment they're not ready for it." "But she hasn't called you to tell you anything is wrong has she?" Harm shook his head. "No. But I tried calling her today and so far she hasn't returned my call. Which probably means nothing except that she's busy." "Yeah but obviously it's bothering you." "Maybe I've picked up some of your telepathic ways" he sighed. "I don't know. Something just tells me something isn't right down there. And I'm sorry if I took it out on Ensign Conway. Speaking of which, we'd better go back in before he thinks he's done something wrong." "Do you like him?" "Well he if he stood up to my grilling obviously he's the right man for the job." "Great. Let's tell him and then you and I are going to talk more about Gwen." It was at that precise moment that Greg walked by. "Is there something going on with Gwen?" he asked at once. "Nothing Lieutenant. Carry on please." "But if there was, you'd let me know right?" he persisted. "If there was and if you needed to know, yes we would" Mac sighed. "Lieutenant she's fine." "Permission to be dismissed to go fret privately ma'am," Greg smiled. "Get out. Harm let's go tell Ensign Conway to look for PCS orders soon. And it would be nice if you'd be the one to welcome him aboard." "Yes ma'am." They were on their way home to Pelican Bay when Harm brought up the matter of Gwen once more. "I really do wish I could have gotten through to her. For Greg's sake but mine too." "So what exactly has you so bummed. She may have simply not had a charged cell phone on her today. Look at how often that's the case with me." "Yes I know. It's one the things that most frustrates me about you," he groaned. "It's just that she was mentioning her roommate and Lt. Hennessy and talking about how the room mate and Hennessy are up for the same position and there was some kind of rivalry going on there." "You think that could be behind Lt. Hennessy's complaint?" "I think it's plausible yeah," he admitted. "Did you suggest that to her?" "Well no that's part of the problem. I kind of blew it off as a personal problem between women in the BOQ.. So it's just got me kind of bummed." "Well un-bum yourself for the evening Commander. I'm sure she's fine and working. Let's give it till morning and then we can do some serious checking if she's still out of touch. Maybe she made a friend." "Yeah that kind of news would really cheer Greg up." "Your turn to cook," Harm reminded her when they pulled into the driveway between the two cabins. "Thanks. I'll see what's in the freezer. Hey look I've been served." "Excuse me?" Harm tried to peer over her to where she was pointing to her door. "Flowers. Harm that's so sweet." He scowled when he saw the arrangement. "Well it would be but I didn't do it." "Brady," she laughed, her face brightening. "What a great guy," he replied sarcastically. Mac had already picked up the bowl when he joined her. "Brady?" "Nope. No name. Just says--to a beautiful lady. Harm you can tell me." "Honest I didn't. It has to be Brady." "Implying that no one else could think me beautiful." "Oh stop putting words in my mouth Counselor. I'm going to get out of this uniform while you continue to smell the flowers." "Well it has been a while since I've gotten flowers" Mac smiled. "In fact I can't even remember the last time it was." "That a hint?" "Maybe. But these sure are beautiful." "I'm going to change. You want to cook out tonight? I've got some chicken in the freezer." "You doing the cooking?" she asked. "Of course. Provided you do the cleanup." "Deal. I'll meet you over at your place in a bit. I may go stop by the office and see if anyone knows where the flowers are from first." "So you can ask your admirer out on a date?" he muttered. "No to thank him for being so sweet." Mac dressed and made her way to the office where she found Brady attempting to help Justin with his homework. "Mac hey what a surprise" he smiled. "How are you? Everything okay?" "Great actually. And I didn't mean to interrupt. You guys look pretty intense here." "I'm trying to help but this math stuff is Greek to me" Brady admitted. "Is Harm home?" Justin asked. "Last time he helped me out and he knew exactly what he was doing." "Sure is" Mac told him. "Why don't you run down there? He was going to start dinner but we can wait while he helps you first." "Great thanks" he said as he gathered his books. "See yah Brady." "I hope that was okay," Mac said once she and Brady were alone. "I didn't get the idea you were having much fun helping him." "I wasn't. Besides this way you and I can talk alone. You haven't been around much." "We've been swamped at work. Still working on getting a new staff in place. So unfortunately it's been work late and then collapse and do the whole thing all over again." "All work and no play makes Mac a dull lady" Brady smiled. "You sound like you could use some time off. Or even a night out." "Are you asking?" she smiled back. "Maybe. You have plans for the weekend. Or is Harm a permanent part of your life now that he lives next door." "No. Last time I checked I was pretty free to do whatever I wanted." "What do you say we go out Saturday night? Dinner, dancing. I know some great clubs." "Sure" she said after a moment's pause. "I'd love to." "Great. Six okay for you?" "Perfect. Oh and I had one question. The flowers?" "Flowers?" he frowned. "What flowers?" "There were some flowers at my door when I got home. They're not from you?" "No. And honestly I don't remember seeing any delivery trucks in here today. Are they from Harm?" "He said no but he could just be playing games." "Maybe you've gotten a secret admirer" he smiled. "Well yeah I suppose it could be," she shrugged. "You're sure it wasn't you?" "I would know if I sent you flowers I think. Honestly no. I'm just not the type to send flowers to a woman I'm not in a relationship with. It's not me. Sit on Harm or something and make him confess." "Yeah I'll do that. So you been staying out of trouble this week?" "Pretty much yeah," he grinned. "Rented that old cabin behind you earlier this week for sixty days so that pleased me." "Oh yeah? Good grief I haven't even seen anyone in there." "Guy said he was a writer and wanted quiet," Brady shrugged. "New people too in the trailer on the beach--the blue one." "Now yeah I've seen them. At least from a distance. In fact I thought I heard them arguing maybe two-three nights ago." "Couple in their thirties, with two kids. I pointed out it was small, but she said it was what they could afford." "Then at least I'm not going crazy because I did hear someone crying from over that way. OK well I'm looking forward to Saturday then," she smiled. "Me too. You want to stay and eat some leftovers?" "Thanks no. Harm is going to do a chicken and I need to work." "Another time then. Send Justin up when he becomes a pain." "No problem. By now Harm has invited him for dinner." "For fresh cooked chicken? I'm sure he's accepted. Just make him be here by nine will you. Melora will be home by then and it will be my fault if he's not." Mac was still smiling when she reached their area, and that smile increased when she smelled the chicken cooking and heard Harm's patient voice explaining the equation. "Wow you should have been a teacher," Justin sighed. "When you explain it, I totally get it. When Mrs. Munson drones on about it, the only thing I get is sleepy." "I've often suggested he should have had another career myself," Mac giggled. "Hey," Justin grinned. "I've been invited for chicken. Hope that's OK." "Of course. In fact I told Brady you would be and he reminded you to be back by nine." "Yeah yeah. You'd think I was in first grade." "So did Brady own up to the flowers?" Harm asked. "Denial across the board. So why don't you 'fess up and be done with it." "Mac if I had sent you flowers I would have signed the card," he scowled. "Plus I would have had them delivered to you at the office so everyone could see what a great guy I was." "Oh please" she groaned. "Well it's the truth." "Never mind. I'll just imagine they're from some hunky guy who is admiring me from a far." "Or they were left at the wrong door" Harm smiled. "Good point. I never thought of that. Anyway they're nice to look at. Seeing as how I don't get flowers often." "Sounds like a hint Harm" Justin laughed. "Aren't you supposed to be working on your homework" Harm teased. "Yes sir. Doing that right now." Just before nine Harm walked Justin backed to his place despite him telling Harm he didn't need a baby sitter before returning to Mac's place for coffee. "You like him don't you?" "Kind of reminds me of me and yeah he's a good kid and I like him a lot" Harm admitted. "How about his mother?" Mac asked casually. "She's nice to look at" Harm smiled. "But I don't see anything going on there. Unlike you and Brady." "Brady and I have nothing going on." "Oh yeah right. Only because he hasn't had time. I'm sure he'll be asking you out any day now." Mac smiled but said nothing. Little did Harm know he'd already asked her out and that they had a date for the weekend. "You're smiling" Harm frowned as he caught a look at her face. "What? He's already asked you out hasn't he? And let me guess you've accepted." "And what if he has?" "Mac I warned you about him. He's trouble." "Dinner and dancing will not get me in trouble Harm." "With Brady it will." "You're just jealous" she smiled. "No I'm concerned about you. You don’t know anything about this guy except that his ex tried to kill him and he dates nearly every woman in town. If that's not enough to tell you to stay away…" "Harm he's a nice guy" she sighed. "He can't help what his ex did. And it's not like you didn't have your share of women at one time. Lord knows how many notches there must be on the Rabb bedpost." "You're going to go out with him anyway aren't you?" "I see no reason not to go to dinner and dancing with the man." "It's your life" he sighed. "And on that note Colonel I'm out of here. I'll see you in the morning." With a long sigh Mac watched him walk over to his place before sinking down on her sofa. "Yeah well if you'd ask me out, I wouldn't have to go out with Brady" she muttered as she hugged the pillow to her. *************** Friday Morning TSO Mayport It was a tired Lt. Gregory Milay that trudged into the JAG offices early again that morning. He'd been in early every morning to keep the piles from getting too high and today was no different. "Morning sir" Peter smiled. "Morning Peter. Coffee made?" "Of course sir." Greg grabbed a cup and headed to his office just as his phone began to ring. He quickly dropped his stuff and reached for it. "Lt. Milay." "Greg it's Gwen" came the tearful voice. "I need your help. I'm in trouble." "Gwen what's wrong? What's happened?" Before she could answer the line suddenly went dead and for a moment Greg stared at the phone. Gwen was in trouble. Big trouble. "Damn" he swore as he slammed the phone down. He needed to do something. If he waited for Harm and Mac and told them about Gwen's call, they likely would go down there and leave him to handle the office. But he didn't care about the office right now. "Marquest" Greg yelled and the young man came running. "Yes sir." "Marquest I need you to do me a favor. I need you to type of orders for me to go to Gitmo like you did for Gwen." "Sir I can't do that. Not without the Commander or Colonel's signature." "Marquest type the orders. I'll handle the rest." THE END Chapter 4 will follow in good time.