A New Beginning

CHAPTER 1

A year earlier

JAG, Washington D.C

Harm entered Mac's office and put a file on her desk. "The Jackson file for you."

Mac grabbed it. "Thanks."

"How are you?" Harm searched Mac's tired eyes.

"Henry was up all night throwing up, so I'm tired. I was going to call in sick today, but I have the Winston Court Martial. Mic took the day off to be with him." Mac leaned back in her chair and looked thoughtful for a moment. "We actually signed the divorce papers yesterday."

Harm sat down in one of Mac's visitor chairs. "How are you feeling about that?"

Mac shrugged. "It was the right thing to do. We haven't been living together since Henry was six months old, he's happy with Amanda and it was time to finalize it. We both want to get on with our lives."

Harm nodded. "I can understand that. How's Henry taking it?"

"He's too young to really understand it, but he's used to us living separately."

Harm stood. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"I will." Mac gave him a thankful smile.

Harm smiled back and turned to leave her office.

"Harm."

He turned back to her. "Yeah?"

Mac hesitated. "About what we talked about. You and me."

"Mac, we don't need to do anything right now. I'm here whenever you're ready." Harm reassured her.

"I think it's time I get on with my life, Harm. I just didn't want to start anything until Mic and I were divorced, but now that we are I think I'm ready."

Harm was relieved. "How about I take you to dinner this weekend. We'll take it from there."

Mac nodded. "I'd that. I'm sure Mic won't mind having Henry for one night."

Harm crossed his arms over his chest and studied her. "How will you share custody?"

"I have full custody, but Mic can visit whenever he wants and he'll be taking care of Henry whenever I'm away on business. We thought it was best for Henry to have the stability of one home, and since he's a mommy's boy Mic wanted me to have him. We're adults and we can deal with this as adults. Mic knows that he can see Henry whenever he wants to."

Harm smiled warmly. "I have to say that it's a very mature divorce. I'm impressed."

"We want what is best for Henry, and we're still very good friends. I don't see any reason to create a problem where there isn't one."

"I agree." Harm opened the door, but didn't leave the office. "So Saturday?"

Mac nodded with a small smile on her face. "I'll talk to Mic about Henry."

"Let me know." Harm gave her a wink before he left her office.

Mac's house

Later that night

Mac entered her house and dropped her briefcase on the floor, she removed her shoes on the way to the living room. She found Mic on the couch, in front of the TV.

"Is he asleep?"

Mic turned to her. "He fell asleep about an hour ago."

Mac walked over to the couch and slumped down on it. "Thanks for staying with him today."

"No problem, but I promised Amanda that I'd be home in time for dinner so I better get going." Mic stood. "Henry will hopefully sleep through the night, so you'll get some rest."

Mac nodded. "I hope so, I hate it when he's sick."

"Will you be able to stay home with him tomorrow?"

"Yes, I finished up the case today and I'm on leave until over the weekend." Mac hesitated. "Listen Mic, about this weekend. Would you mind having Henry on Saturday night?"

"Sure, just bring him over." Mic gave her a teasing smile. "You have a date?"

"Harm is taking me to dinner."

Mic nodded. "As a friend or as something more?"

"It's complicated."

"You two always make things complicated." Mic walked over to Mac and kissed her cheek. "Stop wasting time." He gave her a smile. "See you on Saturday."

Mac smiled back. "See you then."

Mac watched Mic leave before she found her way to her son's room. He looked peaceful so Mac silently left his room so as not to disturb him. Hopefully the flu was leaving his body and he would be up and running within the next few days. She walked over to her own bedroom and changed into her pyjamas before she walked to the kitchen to find something to eat. She grabbed the phone on her way there and dialled Harm's familiar number.

"Rabb."

Mac had to smile at his very grumpy greeting. "Hi Rabb, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to figure out why a Captain in the Navy would mess up his career because of a woman." Harm responded with a little huff.

Mac chuckled. "The Bartley case? What's the Captain saying?"

"That he didn't do anything wrong."

"He had a relationship with a Petty Officer, and he cheated on his wife. Maybe he should rethink that statement."

Harm let out an annoyed sound. "Sturgis wants to make a deal, the Captain wants his day in court and I want to go on vacation."

Mac laughed. "Sounds like you have a fun time coming up."

"Tell me about it. I'm sure I'll figure it out. How's Henry?"

"Asleep and not throwing up." Mac said with relief.

"I'm glad."

"Me too. And I talked to Mic about Saturday and he'll take Henry."

"That's great Mac. I'm glad."

"Me too."

"I'll pick you up around 1900. Sound good to you?"

"I'll be ready."

"Good. Have a nice time on leave and I'll see you then."

"Good night Harm."

They ended the call and Mac smiled to the empty room. Maybe they could get it right this time.

Saturday Night

Mac's house

Mac sat on the couch with Henry in her lap, both clad in their pyjamas and covered by a blanket. Harm walked into the living room and handed Mac a bowl of chicken soup.

"See if you can keep this down."

Mac gave him a thankful smile. "Thanks. I'm sorry about our date."

Harm sat down on the couch. "Don't worry about it; I'll take you out when you're done throwing up."

Mac tasted the soup. "This is good. Taste this Henry."

The one year old boy shook his head.

Mac put the bowl on the table and hugged her son close. "Are you getting tired little man?"

Henry didn't answer, he just buried his head in his mother's neck.

"I think I should put him to bed." Mac made a move to stand.

"Let me do that, you eat." Harm reached for Henry and the boy relaxed into his godfather's arms.

"Thanks Harm." Mac reached for her soup again.

"No problem." He walked out of the living room with Henry.

Ten minutes later he was back. "Didn't take much to get him to sleep."

"Poor kid, he hasn't fully recovered from the flu." Mac had finished the soup and put the bowl on the table.

Harm sat down beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"That's good. I left you some soup in the fridge, you can just heat it up whenever you feel like."

"Thanks Harm, I really appreciate this." Mac leaned back on the sofa.

Harm smiled. "You're tired, I'll leave so that you can go to bed."

"I'm not that sleepy. Please stay."

"Okay." Harm agreed. He relaxed into the couch. "When do the new owners take over the house?"

"Three weeks. The apartment will be ready for us to move into, in about a week."

"Are you sure you want to leave this place."

Mac nodded. "Yeah, I do. It's too big for me and Henry alone and it's where I lived with Mic. I want to get a new start. Besides the new place is closer to work, which gives me a shorter drive and more time with Henry."

"I guess that sounds reasonable." Harm agreed. "Just let me know when you need me for packing and moving."

Mac smiled thankfully. "I'm glad you said that, because I could really use your help."

"Whatever I can do."

Mac yawned. "I'm sure there's a lot you can do."

Harm sat up. "That's it, I'm leaving now. You need to get some sleep." He stood.

"Okay, I guess I am tired."

"I'll see you at work on Monday if you're up to it. Call me if you need me for something."

"I will." Mac smiled. "Thanks for the company, I know it's not the night you had planned, but we'll try again soon."

Harm smiled back. "We will. Good night."

"Good night."

Mac watched him leave and felt for the first time in a long time that her life could only get better now.