A/N: For the purposes of this story, nothing after Season 6 occurred, other than Harm being pulled from the ocean. I couldn't leave him floating there indefinitely! Takes places during Season 10. I initially had Admiral Morris as the judge, but Captain Carey seemed to be the judge for many episodes in Season 10, so I felt he was more appropriate for the timeline.

Thanks to a special friend who gave this one a read for me.

JAG HQ

Falls Church, VA

Jennifer yawns as she walks into JAG OPS at o' dark thirty. She hopes that today will be a better day at JAG than it has been recently. There has been so much tension in the office since Admiral Chegwidden retired and Sturgis was appointed the "Acting JAG." Pretty much no one was happy with the "by the book" preacher's son at the helm, except maybe Commander Roberts. Adding to the stress was the strain between Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie. Scuttlebutt has it that CIA Officer Clayton Webb faked his own death, and that Mac had subsequently broken things off with him. Jen would have thought that the break-up would have eased the tension between Harm and Mac. Instead, it seems to have the opposite effect. Harm is trying to be there for her, but Mac seems to be wound tighter than an antique clock! Additionally, rumors are flying everywhere on who is on the short list to become the new JAG, and any name that comes up appears to have someone screaming for the woods. The latest name circulating is Captain Krennick. Although she has never personally met Captain Krennick, she has heard plenty of stories about the woman being a barracuda. She shudders at the thought of having to work for someone like that!

Mattie kept her up late last night rambling on about her upcoming date with Kevin. Ah, to be young and in love. They were giggling so hard at one point that Commander Rabb came over to see what all the hoopla was about. The identical blushes on Jennifer and Mattie's faces and the term "girl talk" was all he wanted to know.

Harm left their apartment shaking his head. He wasn't ready to deal with a teenager girl interested in a teenage boy. Especially one that he hadn't met. However, his Navy issue 9mm was cleaned, polished, and loaded if necessary. He resigned himself to the fact that "the talk" was coming sooner rather than later. He could only hope that he could adequately explains things without getting too embarrassed himself.

Shortly after all the senior attorneys arrive, Sturgis calls them all into his office. Even though several of them have court cases on the docket today, there is administrative work to be completed as well. Mac, Bud, and Harm all exit the office with arms full of file folders relating to JAG instructions and budget numbers that need to be updated. Grumbling can be heard from the Colonel and the Commander as they make their way to their respective offices to drop off the mountains of paperwork, and get to the courtroom on time. Jennifer chuckles at the site until Sturgis drops several additional piles on her desk to be distributed after court has adjourned for the day. She mutters to herself, "So much for today being better."

By mid-morning, things have settled down a little, other than the various calls from the SecNav's office. Jennifer answers her ringing phone, "JAG HQ, Petty Officer Coates speaking."

The Marine guard from the front gate, Gunnery Sergeant Edwards, says, "Ma'am, I have been trying to reach Commander Rabb. Do you happen to know where he is?"

The petty office politely responds, "The CDR is in court, can I take a message for you?"

The Marine replies, "There is a Mrs. Tate from Social Services here to see him. She doesn't have an appointment, and I can't seem to find her name on the visitor's request log."

Jennifer is immediately worried. She thinks, 'what in the world would Mrs. Tate being doing here? Oh god, Mattie!' Jennifer says, "It's ok Gunny. I'm familiar with her also, please send her right up, and I will get a message to the Commander."

Jennifer hangs up the phone, jots a note on a piece of paper, and hurries to the courtroom. Inside, she goes up behind the prosecution table and taps Commander Rabb on the shoulder. He turns around and takes the note from her. All color immediately drains from his face. The only reason Mrs. Tate would be here is if something was wrong with Mattie. He turns back to Captain Carey. "Your honor, may I have an immediate recess please?"

The Captain wonders if this is one of Rabb's antics until he notices the stricken appearance of the normally calm and collected Commander. He bangs the gavel and grants the prosecutor's request. "Court adjourned until 0900 tomorrow."

CDR Rabb quickly says, "Thank you, your honor," and races out of the courtroom, with Jen hot on his heels. "Jennifer, what is wrong? Did she say anything about Mattie?"

Inside the courtroom, Colonel Mackenzie and Captain Carey share a questioning glance wondering what the hell is going on. Captain Carey comes down from the bench and asks the MP's to secure the defendant. Once they are alone in the courtroom, he asks the Colonel, "What do you think all that was about?"

Mac states, "I have no idea, but I don't think that it has anything to do with the case. Harm was white as a sheet. Even if it was new evidence, I don't think he would have reacted that way. Something personal must be going on. Oh God, I hope nothing has happened to his mother, his grandmother, or Mattie!" She continues, "Captain, may I be excused to see if I can figure out what is going on?"

The Captain agrees. He might be hard ass in the courtroom, but he does have a heart. "Yes Colonel, if something has happened to a family member, he is going to need your support. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."

Mac turns to go find Harm and figure out what is going on.

Outside the courtroom, Jennifer is having a hard time keeping up with his long strides. "I Didn't speak to her, Sir. I just told the guard to let her up."

By the time they reach the doors leading into JAG Ops, Mrs. Tate is just stepping off of the elevator. He dismisses PO Coates and leads Mrs. Tate across the bullpen towards his office, panic still evident on his features.

As Jennifer saunters back to her desk, she contemplates the situation. Mrs. Tate didn't seem upset. She highly doubts that if something were seriously wrong with Mattie that she would even be here. As her social worker, she would have been at the hospital calling, not showing up at the office. Mattie has been spending more time in Blacksburg with her father lately, and they have begun the reconciliation process. While this is good for Mattie, Jen worries how the Commander will handle it if Mattie decides to move back in with her father. She thinks, 'Oh No! Maybe there was a hearing to revisit custody and/or visitation. That would easily explain the social workers' need to see Harm.' She immediately dismisses that theory as neither Mattie or the Commander has mentioned any court appearances nor has Mattie expressed any verbal desire to return to her father's custody just yet. She decides her worry will just have to wait; the Commander will let her know what is going on when he has a chance.

Harm ushers the social worker into his office and shuts the door. He immediately starts firing off questions, "Mattie? What happened?"

Mrs. Tate looks up at the tall, handsome Commander and patiently sets a hand on his arm, "Relax, Commander. Mattie is fine. I didn't even think how this would look to you when I requested to be let into headquarters."

Harm visibly loosens up, and sits down behind his desk, waving his hand to offer Mrs. Tate the other chair, "If Mattie is fine, what are you doing here?"

Mrs. Tate takes the offered seat, inhales, and inquires, "Commander, do you know a woman by the name of Renee Peterson?"