A/N: Yes, I know, you want me working on my sequel to Obeying Orders. I'm working on that one, I promise. It just doesn't come as easily as I thought it would. Anyway, I hope that you'll like this one too. I just had to write this one. Couldn't get the idea out of my head.

Oh, before I forget, this is not a shipper story. So, if you don't like that idea, don't read it.

Enjoy!

JAG HQ

Falls Church, VA
1446 hours local

It was remarkably quiet in the bullpen when the young woman entered. It wasn't a holiday so that couldn't be it. Not really noticing where she was going, she bumped into a woman who was almost furiously making her way out of the bullpen. She was in a Marine green uniform.

Mac couldn't believe this was the second time today that she was the first one who bumped into a visitor. Now she had to help the woman. Giving her the once over, Mac had to admit that she was pretty. A white blouse tucked into a pair of dark jeans with a black jacket over it. Her long, black hair fell over her shoulders, and the little diamond earrings sparkled in the light. The black pumps made her seem longer. A pair of bright green eyes looked at Mac, which seemed odd because of the woman's semi-dark colored skin.

'Are you looking for someone?' Mac asked.

The young woman fidget a little with the car keys in her hand. 'Harmon Rabb?'

Why did it look to Mac that all the young women in this office seemed to come for Harm these days? 'He's in court right now. Is he expecting you?'

'Not really. Could you show me to the court room?'

Mac nodded and indicated that she should follow her. This one obviously knew where she was going. But what did she have to do with Harm? What did any woman other than Mac herself have to do with Harm? Mac shook her head. No need to be jealous. She should've figured Harm and her out months ago, even though they had only be working together for a little over three years. Mac knew she was in love with him, but Harm always backed off when she tried to bring that topic up so she'd settled for a close friendship now.

Everyone was just walking out of the courtroom when Mac and her companion arrived. Harm must've settled the case with his closing argument already. It had been over forty-five minutes since he'd given his closing argument and if the crowd was coming out, it meant that the jury had reached their verdict a little while ago. The woman's eyes lit up when she spotted Harm at the prosecution table, gathering his things.

'Thank you Major'. She smiled broadly and made her way to Harm whom she tapped lightly on his shoulder.

Harm looked up and his eyes grew wide in surprise. 'Rome! What are you doing here?' He wrapped his arms around the girl and gave her a bear hug. When he stepped back he looked into her eyes. 'I hadn't expected you back yet. How was Seattle?'

Mac watched them exchange greetings. Okay, so Harm obviously knew the girl. Woman. How old could she be? Twenty-five, twenty-six? And how old was Harm again? Thirty-four? Okay, so nine years of age difference wasn't the biggest problem, right? Then why did it bother her so much?

When they made their way out of the courtroom Mac quickly retrieved herself, giving them some privacy. Harm and the woman walked into the bullpen happily chatting and laughing with each other. It stung Mac when she saw how happy they seemed with each other. Who was that woman anyway? And why hadn't Harm mentioned her before?

'So, now tell me the real reason you came in here' Harm said, closing the door of his office behind him.

Romaine Ferreira dumped her purse in the chair next to the one she sank into. 'We need to talk about something Harm. I need a favor and I don't really think you're going to like what I'm about to say'.

Harm arched an eyebrow and sat down too. 'What is it? Something happened in Seattle?'

'What I'm about to tell sent me to Seattle in the first place'. She looked up to him. 'How's your Portuguese?'

'Rusty. Haven't talked ever since your parents went back to Cabo Verde'. He rose from his chair and went around his desk, leaning against it with his hip. 'Rome, what is going on? Everything okay with your parents?'

'Mom and Dad are just fine Harm, it's not about them. Well, it is, partly anyway. Jolando called me to Seattle. My grandparents died earlier this week'.

'Oh Rome, I'm sorry'. He gave her hand a soft squeeze.

Romaine shrugged. 'No harm done. I didn't really know them anyway. Grandpa left before I was even born and Grandma did when I was three or something. I only know them from the phone calls over the years and that's it. Joland called me for something else'.

The sad green eyes that were looking up to him were tearing him apart inside. What could possibly be so bad that Rome was so close to tears? 'You can tell me everything remember?'

Taking a deep breath she nodded. 'We're having some problems Harm. My parents are under direct protection of the CIA and we don't know when we can get them out'.

Harm frowned at that. 'What do you mean; we don't know when we can get them out? And why are they under protection of the CIA?'

'My great-uncle Armando… I told you about him, didn't I?' When Harm nodded, she continued. 'Apparently, he's running a terrorist operation on my grandparents' property. Has been doing it for years. And now my grandparents aren't here anymore he doesn't see a reason not to kill my parents so he can claim the property'.

She rose and walked over to the window. Harm followed her, squeezing her shoulder for support. 'He would have to get to you and Joland before he can claim anything' he tried to sooth her.

Romaine looked up to him, wrapping her arms around herself. 'He doesn't know about us. Grandpa knew little parts about what he was doing and he always kept pictures of me and Joland away from him. My parents have never spoken to him about us. He doesn't know. Yet'.

Harm's eyes darkened. 'And if he does, he'll…'

She didn't let him finish. 'We need to go there. Joland and I are on the first flight out of here to Sal. We're going to see if we can gain his trust'.

'How do you plan on doing that?' He turned around when she walked away from the window again, already knowing the answer, but hoping that he'd guessed wrong.

'Undercover'. Romaine shot him a guilty look. 'Look Harm, it's the only way to get in there. If I go up to him and say like: "Hey, I'm Romaine Ferreira, nice to meet you. I'm your niece' I know for sure he'll send a bullet through my brain before I can count to one'.

'I don't want you to go Rome'.

She grabbed her purse. 'That's tough than Harm, 'cause you don't really have a choice. If I don't go I know for sure that the conversation I had with my Mom last night was the last one. And I don't want that to happen'.

'You're endangering your life out there Rome. If the CIA is on it, let them handle it' Harm argued.

Her eyes were shooting fire at him. 'You know I can't let that happen Harm. You know what it is to stand on the sidelines and watch something happen to the ones you love. You've been there with your father. It's tearing you apart inside'.

'Romaine…' he tried again. But she wasn't going to listen to his reasons.

'I just wanted to let you know. Wish me luck Harm'. She looked at him one last time and walked out of his office. But Harm knew better than to let her go. Not like that. Running after her, he grabbed her arms and backed her up against the wall.

'I'm going with you. I love you Rome and I'll be damned if something is going to happen to you when you run into a place like that. Understood?'

The glimmer in her eyes told him all he needed to know and he pressed his lips to hers. God, he'd almost forgotten how sweet her lips tasted. Pulling back, he looked at her. 'Give me half an hour to clean things up here'.

He trotted back to his office, grabbed his briefcase and cover and checked if there was anything out of order. Then he walked to Tiner. 'Tiner, I need to talk to the Admiral. It's important'.

Petty Officer Tiner looked up. 'Yes sir'. He pressed a button on the phone. 'Admiral, Lt. Commander Rabb is here to see you sir'.

'Send him in Tiner'.

Harm was already through the door when the Admiral pressed the button. 'That must be important Rabb. You never burst into here like that. What is it?'

Before Harm could even begin to explain, Tiner's voice came over the phone again. 'Admiral, Agent Webb is here. He would like to talk to you'.

'Especially since I know that Harm is already here'. Clay pushed the door close with his foot. 'I need him'.

AJ raised an eyebrow. 'What do you mean, 'I need him'? What the hell for?'

Harm's mind was slightly put to ease. If Clay had come to recruit him it would mean that he'd already known that Harm would follow Romaine no matter what. But it would also mean that he knew about their personal history.

'CIA mission. I can't do it without him' Clay said.

The Admiral leaned back in his seat. 'That's a lot to hear you say that you can't do this mission without Harm Webb. What is going on?'

Clay started to pace the office. 'We need to capture a terrorist. We have some people he wants and we want to take him out before he has found them. We need someone who can keep Pereira occupied until we can catch him. Harm's perfect'.

'Why is Harm perfect? As far as I know, he doesn't speak… Where are you going anyway?'

'Cape Verde Islands' came the simultaneous responds.

Clay continued: 'That's the near the West Coast of Africa before you ask. Harm is perfect because the daughter trusts him'.

'You're involved with the daughter? She wants to turn in her own father?'

Harm shook his head. 'It's her great-uncle sir. The people he wants are her parents. It's way to complicated to explain right now and frankly I don't think we have the time. He's a terrorist and he needs to be brought down. That's all I want and can tell you'.

AJ pursed his lips, eyeing Harm. 'Go get him. But I want the whole story as soon as I can get it. Understood?'

'Aye sir. Thank you sir'.

AJ waved with his hand. 'Dismissed Commander. Make it back in one piece'.

Harm and Clay left the office both letting their breath out in relieve. 'That was close. I was gonna ask for leave'.

Clay shook his head. 'Wouldn't have worked. Besides, I really need you with this one. Rome didn't want to do something without you. And you know how she can be'.

'How who can be?' Mac's voice came.

Harm and Clay stopped walking. Right, he was going to have to explain it to Mac. But what was he going to say? "Hey Mac, listen, someone's in trouble and I have to go and save them?" That wouldn't work. Both men knew that. Harm's eyes traveled to Romaine, who was standing in the doorway to the hall. She was waiting for them.

'Nothing, forget it Mac. Listen, I need to go out of the country for a little while. Could you take care of Traces for me?'

During one of their investigations Harm and Mac had found a little black cat that had actually led them to more evidence on their case, leaving a trail of footprints behind. When Harm had taken the cat home, he'd called him Traces.

Mac frowned. 'Sure. Any idea how long you're going to be?'

'Nope. It may take a week or two tops I think. That all right with you?' Harm stuffed his cover under his arm, wanting for this conversation to be over. He couldn't tell her that he had no idea how long he was going to be. Especially he didn't know it himself.

Before Mac could give a real answer to that, Harm heard Romaine's voice. 'Aproximado Harm. Nós não temos o dia inteiro'. (Come on Harm, we don't have all day).

Harm nodded. 'Eu estou vindo Rome. Dê-me um momento'. (I'm coming Rome. Give me a moment).

Mac's eyebrows rose up to her hairline. 'I didn't know you spoke a foreign language. Going on a vacation?'

'No, there's just something I need to take care of. Thanks for watching Trace for me. I see you soon'.

And with that he left the bullpen, with Clay and Romaine right behind him. Leaving a rather stunned Mac.

Let me know what you think of it. Do you want more? Or should I just give up and leave it?