Author's notes: This story was written a while ago but I thought I'd still share it.

Mac realised mid week Harm was not alright. Despite his protestations and then his outright rude denial Mac wasn't fooled. He had been his usual self on Monday when Mac had gone into his office to say goodnight, they had even exchanged friendly banter on the progress of Mac's latest case involving a cross dressing lieutenant. On Tuesday morning he was very quiet and kept to himself but as Mac spent most of the day in court she failed to notice the extent of the change in behaviour.

By Wednesday, Harm was surly and argumentative. A passing comment from Sturgis about the weather being unpredictable was met with a tirade of dialogue that was neither cohesive nor logical. Mac had been working in her office and had heard their raised voices from the bullpen. She had followed Harm to his office in an attempt to calm him and to find out the real reason behind his uncharacteristic response. However, for her trouble, she received a dressing down from Harm and was told in no uncertain terms that his mood, his behaviour and his life was of no concern to her and he would appreciate it if she would get the hell out of his office.

Mac, stunned by Harm's blatant hostility, did as he had asked and kept her distance. She did not speak to him or look directly at him for the rest of the day or on Thursday. Late Thursday afternoon, Sturgis came into Mac's office looking worried.

"You got a minute, Mac?" he asked closing the door behind him.

"Sure, Sturgis, what's up?" she knew, by the closing of the door, this would be a sensitive issue.

"Harm!" Sturgis said without elaboration.

"Hmmm! What's going on with him?"

"I was hoping you'd know. He has been rude and obnoxious since Tuesday that is of course when he is not being surly or silent."

"I don't know, Sturgis, he is not exactly speaking to me either. So I guess the question is what happened on Monday? Any suggestions?"

"Not a one."

The pair were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Enter," called Mac and Bud walked in.

"Sir, Ma'am, I was, um, I, um…"

"What is it, Bud?" asked Mac.

"Ma'am, it's the Commander. I can't seem to find him at the moment and I need to speak to him urgently. Do you know where he is?"

"I'm afraid not, Bud. May I ask what's so urgent?" Mac asked.

"Well, I don't know if I should tell…I'm not sure…"

"Commander Roberts, we are quite concerned about Commander Rabb and his behaviour this week. Do you have any information that would enlighten us?" Sturgis asked in an authoritative tone.

Bud sighed heavily and Sturgis and Mac could see mind working. He knew he should share this news, after all they were his friends too, but he felt a fierce sense of loyalty to Harm and wasn't sure if he'd appreciate Bud sharing any information regarding himself. "I really don't know?"

"Bud, if you know something please tell us. It is obvious something happened to Harm this week and he needs help. He won't come to us so we need to go to him. Please Bud!" Mac was insistent.

"Look, I don't know what this means but I'll tell you anyway. I just had a brief meeting with a police officer by the name of Sergeant Leonard Ingram. He gave me this envelope to give to the Commander and he said to tell him that it wasn't his fault, there would be no charges filed and he wished the Commander all the best in dealing with the situation." Bud finally explained.

"What situation is that?" asked Sturgis.

"I don't know, Sir, as the Sergeant wouldn't elaborate but by his mood and his tone I was led to believe that it is or was a sad situation that Commander Rabb finds himself in." Bud flipped the envelope in his hand and dropped it on the desk. In shaky blue writing the envelope read Mr Rabb and a small butterfly sticker sat in the top right corner.

"Who's the letter from?" asked Mac.

"Don't know."

She picked the envelope up and scanned it for any additional detail but it yielded none.

"I guess we need to find Harm," Sturgis said finally. "Any ideas?"

Bud and Mac shook their heads.

Any further discussion was interrupted by the General summoning them to his office. When they were standing at ease in front of his desk, he began.

"I am not too sure as to what you know or don't know in regards to Commander Rabb's week. I have spoken to the Commander and am now aware of the situation he has found himself in. I have ordered him to take leave and he will not be rejoining us until Monday week at the earliest."

"Sir, what is the situation?" Mac asked cautiously.

"I think the Commander should be the one to tell you but I ask you not to pressure him, to give him some time and space to come to terms with matters."

"General, I respect what you've said but …" Sturgis began.

"But nothing, Commander. Commander Rabb will get through this and he will let you know if he wants help or not. Understood?"

"Yes Sir," Sturgis replied.

"Now, I suggest you all wrap it up for the day. I want to see you in the conference room at 0700 tomorrow so we can disperse a few of Rabb's more urgent tasks. Dismissed."

"Aye, aye, Sir," said all three coming to attention. They paused a moment and then walked out silently. Once the door was closed they looked at each other perplexed.

"What is going on?" Bud asked but no one had the answers.

"I'm going over there now," Mac said determinedly. "Harm's obviously in some trouble and he needs a friend."

Sturgis and Bud fought the overwhelming urge they felt to go with her and agreed she may be more successful going alone.

Mac had been at Harm's apartment door for nearly five minutes before she knocked. During her trip over she had thought of all the "situations" Harm could be in. She had rehearsed conversation starters and points of argument as to why or how she could help. She had prepared herself as well as she could in the time allowed but now that she was at the door she was nervous. Her heart began to quicken, she wanted to help Harm but was suddenly scared the situation might be more than she could handle.

Finally she knocked, quietly at first and then a few louder raps, but the result was the same and no one answered. She knocked again and called his name but the door stayed closed. She fished around on her key ring and found his key, the one for emergencies. She thought for a few seconds and decided she could argue this was an emergency. As she raised the key to the lock, Jennifer appeared in the hallway.

"Good evening Ma'am," Jen said, startling her. "The Commander isn't home."

"Hi Jen, do you know where he is?"

"No Ma'am, he left about 20 minutes ago. When I asked where he was going he yelled at me and told me it was none of my business. I mean I know it's not but I've just been so worried about him since it…" she stopped suddenly.

"Since it what, Jen?"

"Since it, since, because of his actions this week, Ma'am."

"That's not what you were going to say, Petty Officer. You said "Since it", go on, spit it out."

"All I know Ma'am is that on Monday night the Commander had an accident and he hasn't been himself since."

"Accident? What sort of accident? Car? What?"

"I honestly don't know Ma'am. I think it was a car accident but only because he has been getting lifts in with me and getting a taxi home. He said his car was in getting serviced but he only had it done two months ago so I think it is in for repairs."

"Did you ask him about it?"

"I tried but he isn't exactly into communicating this week, is he?"

"No, he's not."

Mac decided waiting for Harm to return could be a long and ultimately futile mission so she said goodnight to Jen and made her promise to call if Harm returned. Jen made no such call as she was fast asleep when Harm staggered home drunk at 0415. She went into his apartment on Friday morning before work to make sure he was okay. Initially she was hesitant but as she went into the hallway she noticed his apartment door ajar and thought she should investigate. In the bedroom she found Harm passed out on top of his bed, fully dressed and surrounded by the unmistakable smell of alcohol. She covered him with a nearby blanket and left him to sleep it off. On his bedside table she left a glass of water and a note that read. Sir, call me at work if you need ANYTHING.

It was early afternoon before Jen managed to catch Mac in her office and despite her feeling that she was betraying Harm, she decided to tell the Colonel of how she'd found him that morning. Mac made no comment but thanked Jen for confiding in her. She squared away her desk and presented herself to the General, asking for an early mark. Whilst the General suspected she was going to see Harm he did not ask, he knew the Commander needed all the friends he had at this time and so he consented without question.