Over the past five months, there had been a number of changes at JAG Headquarters. Admiral Chegwidden had recently retired and Sturgis Turner had been appointed as Temporary JAG until the selection board was convened and a choice was made. Jen was now 38 weeks pregnant, and today was the start of her pre-maternity leave. She was looking forward to the break, and a chance to relax. Harm had rented out the two apartments in the loft to a newlywed couple and a young officer that had recently been assigned to the Pentagon when the Burnetts, Harm's mother and stepfather had given them a spacious five bedroom house in Alexandria as a wedding present.

"Hey, you okay?" Jen snapped out of her internal musing and looked up into a pair of concerned aquamarine eyes.

"I'm fine, sir." Jen smiled. "I'll just be glad when today is over." Her hands were pressed against her distended belly, where little Harmon Francis and Elizabeth Patricia were kicking their mother in chorus. The Rabbs learned that they were having twins shortly after Jen's wet down, when she had a sonogram after the doctor noticed a second heartbeat. Harm's protectiveness over his wife tripled, especially as Mac's behavior recently had become even more erratic.

The Marine had killed Sadik Fahd, the terrorist that had tortured her and Clayton Webb in Paraguay, and had developed a major case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Add to that, Webb had faked his own death in order to draw out an assassin, using Mac as bait. Mac had promptly ended the relationship with Webb and attempted to revert to her usual modus operandi-running to Harm, but Harm was no longer playing her games. He flatly told his former best friend that she had brought this mess on herself and that he had a wife and two children to think of, and was no longer able to save Mac's six when she got herself into trouble. Mac, of course, blamed Jen for Harm's attitude and her attitude toward the younger woman was filled with blatant disregard of both Jen's marriage and condition. Both Harm and Jen were glad that Jen's confinement was beginning, as neither Rabb knew how much longer that they would be able to keep their emotions in check.

That afternoon, Harm watched from his doorway as Sturgis signed Jen's leave papers and handed them back to her with a smile.

"Straighten out your desk and we'll see you in here after your maternity leave, Petty Officer. Tell your husband to come in, and enjoy your leave." Jen nodded and turned towards Harm's office. She stood and walked toward him, repeating g Sturgis's request to see him before returning to her desk and organizing the paperwork and removing most of her personal items. Harm walked into the Admiral's former office, now Sturgis' domain, and re-emerged five minutes later, returning to his office, closing both the door and blinds. When the door opened again, Harm was dressed in civilian clothing. Jen followed his lead, disappearing into the ladies restroom near her desk. Harm had also taken leave, since the last thing that he wanted was for Jen to go into labor at home without anyone there to help her get to the hospital. Harm escorted Jen to the elevator and out to the parking lot, carrying their uniforms and her purse. As he loaded the trunk and closed it, Jen suddenly gave a sharp, pained gasp and doubled over. A wet spot began to spread on her jeans, and she leaned against Harm as he took her into his arms.

"We need to get to the hospital, now." Harm nodded and helped Jen into the passenger side before climbing into the driver's seat and rushing to the hospital, calling Bud at a red light and asking him to inform everyone that Jen was in labor. By the time they reached Bethesda, Jen was in full-blown active labor and rushed into the delivery room.

When everyone from JAG arrived, a nurse led them into a waiting room close to where Jen was preparing to deliver. A loud shout had Bud, Sturgis, and A.J. Chegwidden laughing their heads off and Mac muttering about someone needing to be court-martialed for derogatory and defamatory speech to a superior commissioned officer, as well as threatening the aforementioned officer.

"Harmon Rabb, don't ever f#%*ing touch me again!! If you ever touch me again, I swear to God, I'll cut it off and shove it down your throat!!"

"I wasn't aware that she had such a colorful vocabulary," Sturgis commented idly, with the air of someone remarking on the weather. Bud chuckled and shook his head.

"Harriet was much more expressive." A.J. then proceeded to add his own two cents.

"At least you could understand her and Harm can understand Jen. Marcella taught me a great deal of Italian profanity when Francesca was born." The commentary was halted when the sound of crying babies filled the air, and a few minutes later, Harm walked out to the waiting room, grinning broadly.

"I'm a dad! Both Jen and the twins are perfectly healthy. Jen is being moved into a room, and the nurses are cleaning and dressing little Frankie and Trisha." As Harm was shaking hands with Chegwidden, one of the nurses opened the door.

"Commander Rabb?"

"Yes?"

"We've moved Jennifer and the children. We'll let your friends know when they can visit, but in the meantime, Jennifer is asking for you." To the amusement of his colleagues, Harm turn and dashed down the hallway and around the corner. Jen smiled at Harm, sliding over so that he could sit next to her on the bed. When the JAG staff entered the room, they were greeted with the sight of Jen leaning on Harm's left shoulder, holding one of the babies in her arms. Harm held the other twin in his free arm, looking tenderly at his wife and children. The picture of domestic bliss brought smiles to the faces of all but one of the visitors. Mac was feeling even more bitter and jealous after her recent appointment with the doctor.

The angry 38 year old had been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, which reduced her chances of conceiving a child to less than five percent. This had only increased her resentment toward the Rabbs, Harm for abandoning her and Jen for stealing him. It just wasn't fair, Mac thought angrily. Harm was supposed to wait for her, not impregnate and marry the first little slut that came along.

Three of the nurses came back in, two taking the babies, and the third asking everyone but Harm to step out. The others had barely gotten into the waiting room when Harm walked through the double doors.

"Are you going to need a ride home?" Mac asked in a seductive voice, placing a hand on his arm. A look of revulsion flashed in his eyes and Harm struggled to keep his voice neutral.

"No, thank you," Harm replied calmly. "The hospital staff is setting up another bed in the room and Jen is taking a quick shower while the pediatrician is checking the twins over." The elevator rang and Harm turned to see A.J. Chegwidden emerge with two people that Harm wasn't expecting to see for another day or so.

"Darling," Patricia Rabb Burnett rushed forward to embrace her son, Frank following behind her. "How are Jennifer and my grandchildren?"

"She and the babies are fine, Mom." Harm glanced up to see the nurse smiling at him. "Are you ready to see them?" Trish didn't waste any time, pushing her son and husband through the double door. Harm grinned at Jen as he followed his mother into the room.

"Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, how are you?" Trish smiled at her daughter-in-law.

"We're wonderful, Jennifer, and for the last time, it's Trish and Frank. How are you feeling?" Before Jen could say anything, two nurses came into the room carrying the twins. Harm nodded at Jen as they each took one of the babies, and Jen cleared her throat.

"Trish, Frank," The older couple looked at her as she grinned broadly, "meet Trisha and Frankie." Frank Burnett's jaw dropped as tears fell down Trish's cheeks. Harm smiled as he handed his son to his stepfather.

"Their full names are Harmon Francis and Elizabeth Patricia, but we decided to use derivatives of their middle names in honor of their living grandparents."

Jen began dozing off as they were talking, so Harm pressed the button for the nurse. When she entered, he had her take the children so that he could walk the visitors out and Jen could get some much needed sleep. As soon as everyone was back in the lobby, Harm said his goodbyes before turning back around and returning to his wife's side. As he disappeared, Frank caught a glimpse of the combined fury and longing on the face of Sarah Mackenzie and pulled A.J. Chegwidden aside.

"She's not been taking this well, has she?" Chegwidden sighed and shook his head.

"No, and what makes the situation even worse is the fact that she refuses to accept that it was her own actions that drove him away. If she had shown him even a tiny percent of the loyalty that he has demonstrated to her over the years, he wouldn't have even considered dating Jennifer. The day Jennifer asked Harm out, I had just sent him packing and Mac had pushed him away to jump into bed with the idiot spook that nearly got all three of them killed. Jennifer was concerned and, after confirming that he was a civilian, asked him out. Those two managed to keep everything a secret until after he was done with the CIA and I told him that it had all been a ruse and he had never been discharged from the Navy." Frank started chuckling.

"Oh, to be a fly on the wall in your office that day." A.J. started laughing and nodded his head.

"I admit that I made things even worse. After they left my office, I waited until they had enough time to reach the middle of the bullpen before yanking my door open and screaming 'RABB!!' across the room. Told Harm to update his personnel file and told Jen to get her security badge and ID changed. Then I told them both that she was to take leave by her 38th week of pregnancy, as I didn't want my office to serve as a delivery room again. I turned around, walked back to my office and slammed the door." By now, Frank was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down his face. Harm had come back into the waiting room and was staring at both older men worriedly.

"Is everything okay, A.J….Frank?" Frank Burnett managed to compose himself before turning to face his stepson.

"Everything is fine, Harm. A.J. was just telling me about the day you returned to JAG." Harm grinned, as he too could see the amusement in the way that he and Jen had reacted. "How is Jen?"

"She's finally asleep, and the twins are in the nursery. I finally managed to convince her that sleep would be a precious commodity once we get home, and to take advantage of it when we can.

The twins were about two weeks old when Harm returned to work on a part-time basis. When asked why, Harm simply shrugged and said that both he and Jen were restless, not used to staying at home all the time. "We're getting in each other's way all the time and Jen is getting irritated." Harriet, who had come in to bring Bud a file he'd left at home chuckled, while Mac snorted and cleared her throat.

"That just proves how immature she is." Mac declared arrogantly. "A real woman would want her man with her." Harm, Sturgis, and Bud looked at the marine as if she'd grown two heads while Harriet simply shook her head.

"Not necessarily, Colonel," the blonde interjected. "I can't speak for the Commander and Jen, but Bud nearly drove me insane after little A.J. was born. He was hovering constantly, and I couldn't even use the head without having to answer twenty questions." Harriet smiled at the twin spots of color that appeared on the Commander's face. "Sir, I know that you worry about her and how she's feeling, but she's a strong woman. Just be there when she needs you and don't smother her." Harm nodded, thanked Harriet, and walked back to his office, Mac following behind him. Before she could say anything, Harm's phone rang. Mac watched as Harm grabbed a pen and notepad and began jotting down notes.

"All right, let me make sure that I have everything…milk bags, Lysol, Coca-Cola, milk, something for supper , and something chocolate…okay…love you…bye." Cradling the receiver, Harm looked up to see Mac still lounging in the doorway.

"Playing errand boy?" Harm shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

"There's no reason for Jen to have to pack the twins up and waste both time and gas when I drive past three different grocery stores on my way home from work." Mac was still standing there when Harm's phone rang again. A smile began to spread on his face as he listened to the caller. "Okay, Jen, I promise that I won't forget the diapers again. I love you, too. Trisha and Frankie asleep? Good, why don't you go ahead and take a nap, then. I'll be home soon." Harm hung up and muttered "I'm never going to live that one down."

Feeling two pairs of eyes on him, Harm looked up at both Mac and Sturgis, who had been standing behind her.

"What time are you planning to head out, Harm?" Harm glanced at his watch before looking up at the interim JAG.

"Probably within the next half-hour or so. I've nearly finished the reviews of both the Anderson and Watson cases, and will take the Elliott depositions to the house and finish them there."

"All right then. Give the Petty Officer and the twins my best and I'll see you tomorrow." Harm nodded and gathered his paperwork before placing it in his briefcase. Sturgis paused before turning back to Harm with a grin. "Jen still giving you a hard time about the diapers incident?" Harm gave a rueful grin and nodded.

"Of all the things to forget that day, I forgot diapers." Harm picked up both his coat and briefcase and headed through the bullpen. Harm walked out of the office and carefully avoiding Mac's attempts to draw him into another pointless conversation. As he reached the elevator, Harm spotted Bud, wearing the lanyard identifying him as a Flag aide.

"Hey, Bud, what's with the lanyard?" Bud smiled as he clutched his briefcase.

"I've been asked to serve as the aide to the President of the JAG selection board." Harm looked at his former protégé and now dear friend with a curious expression. Both Mac and Sturgis were standing nearby as Harm asked the expected question.

"So, who's the lead candidate?" Bud's answer caused Mac to drop her coffee mug, shattering it and spilling coffee all over the floor.

"It's a Marine, sir. A Colonel Gordon M. Cresswell."

Okay, here is chapter 1 of my sequel to "What Should Have Been". Other than Mattie, all of our favorites from Season 10, and even some from before will be making a cameo appearance. I'm considering ways to bring my three favorite Season 1 ladies, and I think I have figured it out. Enjoy the fireworks and please read and review.