Washington D.C April 2012

Harm stretched lazily after shutting off the alarm. After a stressful week, he was looking forward to the weekend. He had been acting JAG for two weeks now, since Admiral Young retired after a turbulent period as JAG. It had been one news headline after the other, until he under pressure decided to retire. His problems with alcohol and two separate situations with female companionship out of wedlock, resulted in pressure from the higher ups and forced him to finally retire. Not a moment too soon according to most of the people serving under him.

"Morning," he mumbled as he watched his wife come out of the bathroom.

"Morning," she said sweetly as she took off her robe, threw it on the bed and walked over to the closet.

Harm smiled widely and sat up. "What would it take to persuade you to come back to bed?"

She laughed softly as she took her uniform out of the closet. "You don't have time for that Admiral."

He let out a groan. "Don't I know it." He got out of bed and walked over to her. "If male lawyers knew that you wore bright red underwear under that uniform they wouldn't be able to concentrate in court."

She turned to him. "Good thing you're the only one knowing then." She stood on her toes and kissed him.

He put his arms around her and pulled her closer, making sure the kiss lasted longer than she had planned. After seven years of marriage he still couldn't get enough of her.

"Mmm, it's a shame the kids will be awake soon," she said when the kiss ended.

He smiled. "And we have to go to work," he kissed her again, then released her. "Maybe we can have lunch today?"

"Do you have the time?" she wondered as she started dressing.

He went to the bathroom to relieve himself, then came back out while brushing his teeth. "I'm finally feeling like I am on top of things."

"Admiral Young really left behind a big mess, didn't he?" Mac hesitated. "I wonder when they'll appoint a new JAG?"

Harm found his uniform and started putting on his pants. Then he hurried to the bathroom again, before coming back out without the toothbrush. "I haven't heard anything."

"I'm sure you'll be on the list," Mac said as she finished buttoning her uniform jacket.

He smiled as he watched her turn into the no nonsense Marine Colonel. "Only you can make that uniform look sexy."

She smiled. "What's with you today?"

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. "Just realizing that I have a very hot wife, that's all."

"Just realizing?" she questioned with amusement.

He laughed softly. "Well, not just, but I've been preoccupied lately. Sorry about that."

"I understand," she said and kissed him softly. "But maybe this weekend we can spend some time alone?"

"I'd really like that," he said and smiled. "So, what about lunch?"

"I can do lunch," she said.

"Good," he said just as the bedroom door opened and an energetic six-year-old barged in. "Morning, Matthew," he said and released his wife.

"Morning. What's for breakfast?"

"Why don't you go get dressed and brush your teeth, honey," Mac said and hugged him. "I'll go fix us breakfast while you and daddy get ready."

"Okay," Matthew said and left them.

"See you downstairs," Mac said and followed her son.

Harm continued to dress. He was looking forward to having things calm down for a while. He had no problems functioning as JAG while they waited for a new one to be appointed, but he wasn't as sure as Mac was that he'd be on the list of possible new JAG's. It would mean retiring with three stars instead of two as he wore now. He hadn't decided yet, but he was considering retirement. The kids were growing up in a hurry and he was missing out on a lot with them because of a demanding career. Their schedules were already packed, with three kids and all their activities, his career and Mac back on full duty. Over the last two weeks he had constant bad conscience because of long days, late nights and not enough time in the day. He wanted time with the kids, he had a lot to make up for with them. And he needed time with his wife, preferably without clothes.

After a meeting with SecNav, he came back to the office in time for lunch. Today, he told his Petty Officer, he wouldn't let anything interfere with his plan on taking his wife to lunch, and picking up his kids from school.

"Yes, sir," Petty Officer O'Neil said and took the files Harm handed her. "You deserve some time off after the work you've done over these last two weeks."

"We both do. I hope you're leaving early today too, Petty Officer," Harm said as he walked into his office.

"I will, sir," the Petty Officer promised just as they both turned when there was a knock on the door.

"Hi, Petty Officer," Mac said as she stepped into Harms office.

"Colonel," the Petty Officer said and turned to Harm. "Anything else, sir?"

"No thank you O'Neil," Harm walked over to his wife and kissed her softly. "Ready for mess hall meatloaf?"

"Sure," she said as they walked through the bullpen. "Busy day?"

"No, not really. It's finally calming down. By the way, we need to switch cars. I'm picking up the kids today."

Mac smiled. "Good for you. They will be really happy about that."

"What do you have going on today?" he wondered as they took the elevator down.

"My schedule is pretty light. I'll be home early as long as the Article 32 hearing won't be prolonged. If the defense rests I should be able to decide if it's going to general court martial before the weekend starts," she said as they walked out of the elevator.

"We probably shouldn't talk about work. We probably should talk about how this will work while I'm acting JAG," he said thoughtfully.

"It could turn out to be permanent, Harm," Mac reminded him.

"We have to find a way to make it work without it being a conflict of interest. I assign the lawyers, they appear before you…"

"But I don't answer to you. And we don't have to talk about work. There are a million other things to talk about you know," she reminded him.

"Like what to have for dinner tonight?" he questioned.

"Exactly. I'll let you make that decision," she said and smiled. "Now, I need food."

He laughed softly.

Harm didn't realize how much he had missed driving the minivan. Not because he thought it was the most amazing car ever, but because he got to drive around with their kids in it. He was enjoying the interaction between them, and every now and then they'd want to tell him something or ask him something. He got more conversation out of the drive to and from school than any place else.

"Jake has to live in two places now, Dad. His dad moved out and he has a new girlfriend, Jake said."

"Really? Well, that happens sometimes," Harm told his son.

"He'll have two rooms, and twice as many toys, Dad," Matthew continued. "And his dad bought him a new videogame yesterday. Can I go over and play?"

"Sure, we'll set something up next weekend maybe," Harm promised.

"Dad?"

"Yes."

"Would you get a new girlfriend?"

"No, absolutely not."

"Why?" the six-year-old asked curiously.

"Because I love your Mom."

"Mom is pretty great," Matthew agreed.

"She is the best."

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"Well, yes, but she's also my wife."

"What's the difference?"

"A girlfriend is someone you're not married to," Harm explained.

"Oh."

Harm stopped the car and smiled as Nathan and Claire got in. "Did you guys have a good day?"

"Dad?" Nathan was surprised.

"Are you picking us up?" Claire added.

"Yes, I'm trying to make up for the last two weeks. I promise things will calm down from now."

"Do you have time for my game tomorrow?" Nathan wanted to know.

"Absolutely," Harm promised.

When Mac drove up to their house later she found all kids and Harm outside playing soccer on the front lawn. She smiled as she got out of the corvette, Harm's proudest possession, except from his plane of course. She walked over to them.

"Hey, honey," Harm ran over and greeted her with a kiss.

"Are you guys having fun?"

Matthew came running over too and hugged her. "We're ordering pizza for dinner, Mom."

"That sounds great." Mac watched as Matthew ran over to Nathan and Claire who were busy with the ball.

"Finally the weekend," Harm said.

Mac smiled and touched her husband's cheek in a sweet gesture. "Finally."

"The kids were happy when I picked them up." Harm took her hand and leaned in and kissed her again.

"I bet they were. Hopefully things will calm down for a while. I should change," she released him and headed inside the house. After watching her husband walking around with constant bad conscience for two weeks it was nice to see him with the kids. Maybe they could find some time alone as well during the weekend.

"Nathan, look after the others for a while. I'm ordering pizza, and I need to talk to Mom about something." Harm hurried inside and walked upstairs to the master bedroom. He found his wife with her shirt unbuttoned, busy hanging up her jacket. He closed the door and walked over to her, kissing her deeply. The jacket was forgotten as her shirt hit the floor.

"Wow!" Mac turned breathlessly to her husband a while later. "That was really good Admiral."

Harm laughed. "God, I needed that. I've been having trouble concentrating today. I almost forgot about good order and discipline for a while and considered stopping by your office to… well, let's just say that it wouldn't have been appropriate."

She kissed him deeply, letting her hands wander up his sides and around his neck. They had been so busy, and so tired at night that sex had been the last thing on their minds. "We should really get up before the kids come looking for us."

Harm kissed her again then he let out a sigh and rose. "You're right."

She got out of bed and put on her robe and started gathering her uniform from the floor. After seven years of marriage he still had the ability to make her knees go weak. And he still found ways to surprise her, like he had done fifteen minutes ago.

Harm dressed and reached for his phone. "I forgot about the pizza."

"Too busy with other things, Admiral?"

The way she said Admiral almost made him forget about the pizza again. He smiled and looked at her with love. She was so beautiful, her hair messy after their loving, her lips slightly swollen from the kissing, her eyes sparkling. He loved seeing her happy.

"I better order before you make me forget again."

She laughed softly and hung her uniform in the closet. She put on underwear and found jeans and a sweater from the closet. She was about to put on clothes when she felt his arms around her, and his lips on her neck. "Harm…"

"What?" He ignored her protest and turned her around in his arms finding her mouth.

The door to their bedroom flew open. "Dad, when's pizza?"

"I forgot to lock the door," Harm mumbled as he released his wife. "Soon, buddy."

"What are you guys doing?" Matthew wondered as he got on their bed and started jumping.

"Kissing," Harm responded as he walked over to the bed and tried to reach for his son. "No jumping on the bed."

Matthew laughed and jumped out of reach.

Mac put her clothes on and put her hair in a ponytail before she walked over to her boys. "Are you giving your dad a hard time, Matt?"

Matthew laughed as Harm finally reached him and lifted him up in the air. "Come on, buddy."

Mac loved watching the interaction between father and son. They had matching smiles on their faces as Harm put Matthew on the ground.

"Are you guys all done kissing so we can have pizza?" Matthew asked.

Harm pretended to think about it. "Fine, let's have pizza." He reached for his wife's hand. "We can kiss later."

Matthew ran out of their room and Mac followed her husband in the same direction.