Mac's apartment
Georgetown
0021 Hours

Mac sighed heavily as she closed her door and dropped her bag on the floor. It was Saturdsy, or rather very early Sunday and she had just returned from the airport.
She went to the fridge and got out a bottle of water, opened it and drank it on the way to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom she stripped down and had a quick shower, before putting on shorts and a t-shirt. She brushed her teeth, went into the bedroom and crawled under the covers. So tired.
As she started to drift off to sleep, she thought about Harm and about their night together. He had met her at the airport along with Bud and Chegwidden. She recalled the little exchange between the two men.
Chegwidden: You look a bit worse for wear, Commander. Rough night?
Harm shook his head and smiled: No, Sir, best night of my life.

They had boarded without a word to each other. On the plane Mac had sat next to Bud and Harm next to the Admiral. When they landed they collected their bags and all four of them parted ways with nothing more than a "goodnight, I will see you all Monday".
Mac sighed. Men. No, not men. Harm.

JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
1115 Hours
Mac was acutely aware that she hadn't seen Harm all day. She knew he was in his office though. Sunday had come and gone with no contact and now this. It was driving her nuts. Fine! If he wasn't going to make a move, she would. She rose from her desk and crossed the bullpen to his office. She knocked slightly on the door before entering.
Harm quickly masked his surprise and put his pen down.
"Hey" he said with a smile. 'I'll give you 'hey'' Mac thought. But she smiled.
"Hey. I just wanted to see if you want to grab some lunch?" That didn't sound too desperate, did it?
"Can't. Sorry, Mac." He gave her an apologetic smile, but she shook her head.
"No worries. I'll see you around". She turned and walked back to her office. 'I'll see you around.' Smooth, Mackenzie.
She was just about to sit back down, when she was interrupted by Tiner. He let her know that the Admiral wanted to see her.
In the Admiral's office she stood at attention.
"At ease, Mac, have a seat." She did. "How are you doing? Feeling rested after the trip?" She nodded.
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Good. I'm going to have to send you to Iraq for a week or two. I need you to oversee prisoner interrogations and make sure everything is as it should be. Have you had lunch?" Should shook her head. "Okay, grab some lunch and then head to the airport. They'll be waiting for you. That will be all."
She stood and snapped to attention. "Aye aye, Sir."

She didn't bother telling Harm. She merely secured her office and left.

Two weeks later
Mac's apartment
Georgetown
1500 hours

She was late. Late, late, late. Marines are never late, biologically or otherwise. She threw her duffel bag on the floor and rushed to the bathroom where she ripped open the little package she had stopped to buy on the way home. She quickly read the instructions and then she peed on the little stick.
She decided to make tea, while she waited, but she was too nervous to drink it. She saw the light on her answering machine flash and went to press the button.
Message one*
"Hey, Mac, it's me, uuh, give me a call, okay? Or maybe I'll try again late. It's Harm, by the way."
Mac snorted and hit the button again.
Message 2*
"Mac, it's me again. Harriet just told me you've been sent to Iraq. So call me when you get home, okay?"

'Yea yea..' Mac went into the bathroom again and picked up the stick. Such a tiny little thing and yet it has the power to turn your life upside down. She took a deep breath and turned it over.

Mac walked into the living room and laid down on the floor. She was on her stomach, face to the right, arms down by her sides, mind overflowing with thoughts and yet completely empty. She turned onto her back and put her hands on top of her stomach.
'Call me', he'd said. How do you call someone and tell them that they are going to be a father?