AN: Thanks so much for all the great reviews...To all of those who are anxiously awaiting Mac's rescue; Breathe deeply! We're not quite there yet, but you know I'd never let Mac down!

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Part 4

"It's not like the Colonel to be late," The General remarked, as they all went to take their seats around the table that Harriet had packed with home-cooked delights.

"I'm sure she just got caught up with something," Bud mused, from where he was slicing the turkey for his guests.

"She usually calls Chloe on Christmas morning," Harm added, although the knot in the pit of his stomach tightened, even as he spoke, "I'm sure she just got a bit caught up in chat. You know what girls are like!"

The last of this was said to his Godson, sitting next to him, who giggled when Harm went to tickle him. Little AJ had been telling him all day how 'yucky' the girls were, in his class at school.

Mattie was only able to pick at her food, she hadn't felt like eating much since late last night, though she couldn't put her finger on just why.

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"Maybe we should just go ahead and open presents, even though the Colonel isn't here," Harriet pondered, aloud.

At JAG this year, Coates had arranged a Secret Santa and everyone had drawn the name of a fellow worker out of a hat, almost three weeks before. Harm didn't know whose Mac had drawn, but Harriet had told him that she had some presents set by, which would be suitable for almost anyone. Harm's present for Petty Officer Coates now sat alongside the other presents under the tree and Mattie also had gifts for Jen and Mac, her present for Harm having already been given to him, that morning.

After the excitement of the gift-giving was over, everyone sat with a gift, even Harm. It turned out that Mac must have picked his name in the Secret Santa, because even though they weren't supposed to know who they were receiving from, Harm knew that this gift with an unmarked card was the one Harriet had put under the tree a short time before. It turned out to be a novelty coat hook that fixed on the back of a door, so Harm had decided that he would put it up inside his office at JAG.

After all of the gift-wrap was cleared away, Harm went in search of Mattie, who had disappeared from sight soon after the gift-giving was done.

He found her on the front porch of the Roberts house, just staring off into the thick blanket of snow, outside.

"Hey, is there something wrong?"

Mattie had been quiet all morning.

"Just feel a little weird, that's all…" she replied.

"It's great having you here, you know…" Harm took a seat next to her, giving her shoulder an affectionate squeeze, to let her know that he was glad she had chosen to spend her first Christmas since she returned to her Father's care, with him, "And everyone's so happy to have you here. I know it feels a little strange, after all this time, but…"

"No, not like that," Mattie interrupted, "Just as if…something's missing…or not quite right…It's probably because Mac's not here…"

"I know you wanted to give your present to her, I've got one of my own for her, but she probably just wanted to sleep in today, after her trip to Norfolk. I'm sure she'll be by, later."

Hmmm," Mattie nodded, still not convinced.

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Mac maneuvered herself so that she could get her hand on the horn, again. Her breathing was labored because of the effort, on top of her painful ribs and again, it brought no reward. The highway, even at its busiest, was probably goodness knows how far away and nobody would have their windows rolled down in this weather, so as to hear her. She could only hope that somebody noticed the break in the shrubbery where her car had left the road and entered the forest, but those were long odds, too, considering how much it had snowed, since. She only hoped that somebody would miss her and come looking.

With a jolt, she realized that she was missing Bud and Harriet's Christmas party. She had presents in the trunk of her car at home for Harm, Mattie, Jen, Bud, Harriet and all of her Godchildren, including the two babies. She had so been looking forward to seeing the kids. She'd been kept so busy with work, lately and she just wanted some kids to play with, even if she wasn't able to have any of her own. Mac had come to terms with her condition by reasoning that she would play an even more important role in her Godchildren's lives now, than ever. Even if she didn't have her own kids, she'd spoil Bud and Harriet's as if they were he own. Harriet didn't mind sharing her bundles of joy, from time to time!

Now, she only had to get out of here, so that she could go and spoil her Godchildren on one of the most important occasions for such matters…

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