JAG Headquarters

Commander Harmon Rabb crossed the bullpen and entered his office. He threw a few files on the desk and grabbed his legal pad and a pen, another file and hurried out of the office again. He had been in with the Admiral after morning staff call, and now he was running late for a court hearing. He had been granted leave for a few days the next week to go do his carrier quals, waiting the longest he could, hoping that a case would take him to a carrier, he was now in a hurry to get it done before time ran out.

"You're running late too?" he asked Commander Sturgis Turner as they both entered the elevator together.

"Yeah, it's one of those days where I'm running behind on everything. Are we still on for tonight?" Sturgis wondered.

"We are. It should be a good game," Harm smiled.

"Did you get the Admiral's permission to go do your quals?" Sturgis wondered as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

"Barely," Harm followed Sturgis out of the elevator. "He wasn't too pleased."

"I can imagine. Things are busy here at the moment," Sturgis saw the judge walk in and he hurried over to his client.

Harm took his place across the aisle, ready to prosecute the case.

Mac's office

Harm knocked on Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's door and smiled when he heard her curse as a bunch of files fell off her desk and to the floor. She was the chief of staff and had more than enough work to do. He wondered how she'd react to him going to a carrier after the weekend. Didn't they have plans? He wondered as he reached for the fallen files.

"Thanks," she said as he put the files back on her desk.

"No problem," he flashed her a sweet smile, remembering their shower that morning. "So, listen, the Admiral granted me leave to do my quals next week…"

"Your quals?" she looked confused. "Carrier quals?"

"Yeah, I'm cutting it short, I know, but I'm leaving on Monday and…"

"But you said you weren't doing that this time?" she reminded him.

"I said I was considering not doing them," he argued.

"Harm, we talked about this," she let out a sigh. "I should have known."

"Mac, it's just for a few days," he pointed out.

"It's not about that, it's about us making a decision," she leaned back in her chair. "You're doing it again. Saying one thing one moment and doing something else the next. Your car…"

"What about my car?" he wondered.

"The new racing wheels," she threw her pen onto her desk. "We were selling it."

"It's enough with one sensible car," he argued.

"Well, right now we have no sensible car," she pointed out with an eyeroll.

"We can talk about it later, tonight," he smiled. "After the game."

She looked confused. "The game?"

"I'm meeting Sturgis. We're watching a College basketball game," it dawned on him that he had forgotten to tell her. "I didn't tell you, did I?"

"No, you didn't," she reached for her pen again and focused on the computer screen. "Again," she mumbled under her breath.

"It's no problem is it?" he wondered and tried a cute smile.

She didn't even bother to look at him. "Sure, do what you want."

"Ma'am," Lieutenant Bud Roberts stopped. "Oh, sorry sir, I was just delivering these," he handed Mac some files.

"Thanks Bud," Mac offered a smile. "Tell me something Bud, do you usually run things by Harriet before making plans?"

"Yes, ma'am, I always do," Bud looked between the Commander and the colonel. Something was going on between them and he had walked straight into it.

Mac turned to Harm. "See?"

"I did apologize," Harm mumbled.

"Actually, you didn't," she scribbled down something on the legal pad. "You're both dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am," Bud turned to leave.

Harm smirked. "You're dismissing me?"

"Yes, Commander. You are dismissed," she didn't even look at him.

"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled and turned to leave. "You're senior by two months," he added quietly as he left her office.

Later that nigh

Harm didn't really enjoy the game as much as he had hoped. Usually he loved it, the atmosphere, good company and watching a good game, but he couldn't concentrate. His wife had not been happy with him, and it was getting to him.

"What's up?" Sturgis wondered.

"I had a fight with Mac," he hesitated. "Again."

"The cars again?" Sturgis assumed.

"Well, yes I guess, but also my quals, making plans without telling her and where to put the new desk," Harm let out a small laugh. "Married life."

Sturgis hesitated. "Well yeah, it's mostly about compromising."

"We're not very good at that," Harm let out a chuckle. "I was supposed to give up carrier flights. Because of the baby."

Sturgis raised his eyebrows. "Wow, Mac's pregnant?"

"No, not yet, but we're working on it," Harm smiled. "It's time."

"Exciting," Sturgis smiled. "And a change."

"Tell me about it," Harm hesitated. "Mac really wants kids."

Sturgis noticed his hesitation. "And you?"

"I do," Harm shrugged. "I don't know, Sturgis. Having kids means giving up a lot. Mac doesn't want me to keep my carrier status."

"But you'll still be in the reserves," Sturgis pointed out.

"Only flying off ground, not carriers," Harm let out a sigh. "It's a big change."

"Well, isn't it worth it?" Sturgis wondered. "I mean, a kid, a testament to the love between you and Mac. I bet that after holding your son or daughter, you don't feel like taking a flight anytime soon."

Harm smiled. "I guess."

"Look," Sturgis chuckled. "Change is scary, but I think a change like that makes it all worth it."

Harm thought about it. "It is something we both want. And Mac is going to be a great mom. She has that nurturing gene in spades. Just look what she did for Chloe."

"And you?" Sturgis wondered.

"I can learn," Harm smiled. "I got married, didn't I? I mean, I can probably be a dad too."

"May I make a suggestion?" Sturgis wondered.

"Yeah, sure," Harm was curious where this was going.

"Talk to Mac, let her know about your doubts. She'll understand," Sturgis reassured.

Harm nodded. "I'll talk to her when I get home."

Beallsville, Pennsylvania

Mac took her bag and walked towards the main entrance. She knocked, then turned and looked around. She inhaled the fresh air and saw birds flying past, settling in the big oak tree in the garden. It was beautiful here, with the creek running by and the big fields surrounding the small house. She turned back when she heard the door open.

"Sarah?" Sarah Rabb lit up and hugged the younger woman.

"Hi, Grams," Mac smiled. "Do you mind a weekend guest? I just needed to get away."

"Are you kidding?" Grams stepped aside. "You are welcome here whenever you want, you know that. Where is Harm?"

Mac hesitated. "I just needed some space."

Grams closed the door and motioned for the living room. "Arguing again?"

"Just not agreeing," Mac left her bag in the hallway and entered the cozy living room. The TV was on, an old black and white movie showing.

"I came across this old movie and I had these flashbacks," Grams laughed softly. "Let me get you something to eat."

"You don't have to…"

"Nonsense, you're skinny," Grams patted her arm softly. "We need to fatten you up. Sit."

"Yes, ma'am," Mac smiled and walked over to the couch. "I feel better already."

Grams smiled, then headed for the kitchen. Mac watched her go, then leaned back on the couch. This was a special place. Harm's special place. After they married, it became her special place.

Harm and Mac's apartment

Harm was surprised to see the darkened apartment. He wondered if Mac had gone to bed early, but found their bedroom empty. He found a note on the refrigerator, held up by the monkey magnet, one that he had thought was cute and bought for her.

"What the hell," he read the note once more, then reached for his phone and called her.

"Hey, Harm," her soft voice answered after two rings.

"You're gone for the weekend?" he sounded more upset than he intended.

"I just need a little breather. Don't worry, I only packed for the weekend."

"Why would you pack for more?" he wondered.

"Harm, we're not on the same page, we fight and we're not communicating. I just…"

"Hey Mac, I was hoping we could talk tonight. I've been thinking and…"

"Look, I just need the weekend to clear my head. I'll be back on Sunday and maybe we can make some sense out of this then. I have to go, okay?"

"Mac?"

"I love you, Harm. I do. Bye.

"I love you too."

The line went dead and he put his phone on the counter and let out a sigh.

Beallsville, Pennsylvania

"Was that Harm" Grams wondered as she put a plate in front of Mac.

"It was," Mac wiped away a tear stubbornly. "This looks great."

"It's just an omelet," Grams smiled warmly and put her hand on Mac's shoulder. "Now, tell me what's going on."

Mac hesitated. "Well, I don't know. We made plans, to look for a bigger place. We've been living in that small apartment for two years now, and it was supposed to be temporary. We want something bigger now that we're starting a family."

"You're pregnant?" Grams smiled widely as she sat down on the couch beside Mac.

"No, I've been wanting it for a while, but we just recently agreed to throw away birth control," Mac hesitates. "I can't believe I'm talking to Harm's grandmother about this."

"Oh, dear," Grams laughed. "I do know where babies come from. It might be a while since I had them, but I do remember."

Mac wiped her eyes. "Damn it."

"Here," Grams handed her a handkerchief. "It'll be fine. Whatever it is, it'll be fine."

"I'm not so sure," Mac wiped her eyes. "Harm is doing his carrier quals, he refuses to get rid of his Corvette, and we can't agree on where that stupid desk should stand."

"Oh dear, that's quite a lot of frustration," Grams let out a sigh. "I take it the desk isn't the real issue."

Mac laughed. "No."

"My grandson doesn't want to give up his flight status," Grams shrugged. "Oh, he'll give it up the second he looks into that baby's eyes. Believe me. Harm thinks he needs to fly, it's his legacy, from his grandfather and his father. But he's on a greater path, and he'll realize that."

Mac studied the older woman. "You think?"

"Yes, he's just having trouble letting go," Grams reassured. "But he married you, that's a milestone for him. And having a baby, that will be a milestone too. Oh, he's going to turn into a sap. I can't wait to see that. Please, don't wait too long before you get pregnant, I'm not as young as I used to be, and I want to see my grandson hold his baby."

Mac smiled. "We have to make up before that happens."

Grams chuckled. "Well, if you make up the right way, a baby might be the result."

"Grams," Mac shook her head in wonder and smiled. "I'm glad I came here."

"Me too," Grams smiled. "Now, you eat while I make up the bed for you."

"I can do that," Mac suggested.

"No, you are my guest," Grams stood. "I'm old, but I can still make up a bed."

"You are amazing," Mac said and meant it.