Title: A friend or more?

Author: Tempus Meum

Rating:

Disclaimer: The characters and premise used in this story are unfortunately not owned by me. If JAG was mine…the possibilities.

Summary/Authors Notes: Mac and Mic marry and it's not long before she is pregnant, but as Mic becomes more and more distant Harm helps Mac with the fallout

7:

"Harriet smiled as Harm brushed his fingers over Mac's cheek and let them rest on the bare skin of her forearm. Harriet pulled a pillow off the neighbouring bed and carefully adjusted it behind Harm's head, then she pulled the blanket up to Mac's shoulders before placing another one over Harm.

Squeezing Harm's hand that was still on Mac's arm, Harriet's eyes bore into his. "Promise me…promise you'll look after her…no matter what?"

"You know I will Harriet…you know I will."

"If you need anything…anything at all you know where to find me."

"I will…can you…send the Admiral in please."

"I'll see you later."

Five minutes later the Admiral walked in, Mac was still sleeping peacefully, so Harm put his finger to his lips.

"She's okay?"

"She will be…that's actually why I asked that you come in here."

"Harriet told me…bed rest… You want to take time off work to look after her."

"Well…I know that you can't afford too have your two senior attorneys away for that long. But I was hoping that you would let me do as much as I could from home. I won't let her go through this alone sir, she shouldn't have to."

Harm felt Mac stir. "You wouldn't be talking about me would you?"

"Hey!" Mac smiled up at Harm, and then looked up at the Admiral.

"Sir?"

"Mac you're lying in a hospital bed, you can call me AJ. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better, I guess I don't look it though." Mac then realised that she was still clinging to Harm's hand, and in front of her CO none the less. She went to sit up and tried to let go, but Harm tightened his grip. A sudden dizzy spell hit her and she fell beck to his chest.

"It's okay Mac stay there." AJ held up his hand. "When do you get out of here?"

"Tomorrow I think?" Mac replied.

"Well it looks like you are going to have a live in carer for a few months." Mac looked up at Harm and then back at AJ.

"When you're settled in at home I'll stop over and give you both some work to do. You are supposed to rest Mac but if I know you like I think I do, you won't be able to just sit there doing nothing."

"Ah…thanks Adm…AJ."

"Now I will see you both in a couple of days. Look after yourself Mac…and Harm…take care of her."

Before either of them could respond AJ was out the door.

"Do you want me to go so you can get some sleep?"

"No…please don't. Stay…for a while at least."

"I'll stay for as long as you want me to…or at least until the doctors kick me out."

"Thanks!"

"Hey no problem." Mac settled back against Harm's chest again. "So have you thought about any names yet?"

"Well I've thought about it a lot actually."

"And?"

"Well if it was a boy, I was thinking Jayden, but since I know I'm having a girl, it was going to be Macayla."

"I like Macayla."

"Hmm…Macayla Rose Brumby!"

Mac fell silent as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Macayla Rose Mackenzie! I couldn't call my child Macayla Mackenzie. Ohh…I don't know anymore…everything's just…"

"I know…come on get some sleep!"

"You'll stay?"

"Of course I'll stay, but you should lie down properly."

"It's okay I'm more comfortable this way, unless you aren't?"

"No…no I'm comfortable if you are."

As Mac made herself comfortable Harm wrapped his arms around her and pulled the blanket upto her shoulders. "Get some rest okay."

"I'll try."

Two months later

0930 local

Mac's house

Georgetown, Virginia

Harm walked into the bedroom with a breakfast tray, as he had done every morning since Mac had been confined to bed rest. He had all but moved in to the house she had shared with Mic Brumby only a couple of months ago. When Mac returned from the hospital Mic's stuff was all but gone, so she didn't seem to mind the company in the large house. Harm had twice saved her from arguments with Mic about their marriage and their unborn child, he had even mediated their last conversation, and Mic had been quite civil.

"Morning sleepy head!"

"Hmm…morning."

"Breakfast is served, pancakes with fruit sauce, orange juice and fruit salad." Harm placed the tray on the bed beside her and then helped her sit up.

"I don't know how you do it Harm." Mac stated as she admired her breakfast.

"Do what?"

"Put so much variety into making breakfast, I haven't had the same thing in a week."

"Well I wouldn't want you to get bored."

"Bored…how could I get bored, I have been stuck inside, in bed all day, everyday for two months."

"Not quite all day!"

"Well two or three hours of the day on the couch doesn't count. I am starting to feel like a beached whale."

Harm left the room and returned ten seconds later with his own tray, sitting on the bed beside her he leant over and kissed her on the forehead. "How is she this morning?"

Mac placed a hand on her stomach, "A little restless, I think she is practicing a gymnastics routine."

Harm laughed, "Looks like she is going to be just like her mum!"

"How so?"

"An attitude and lots of energy."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

"You can take it as a compliment. Now eat up, Bud, Harriet and little AJ will be here soon. AJ has really been missing you."

"I've been missing him."

Mac finished her breakfast and placed her tray to the side. "Could you please run a bath for me?" she hated that Harm had to do everything for her but she knew there was just some things that she couldn't do if she was going to carry this baby to term.

"Sure!" Harm picked up the trays and returned them to the kitchen before making his way into the bathroom. When Mac heard the water running she carefully positioned herself on the edge of the bed. One by one she swung her legs around until they hit the ground. She was just about to stand using the bed side table for support when Harm came out of the bathroom.

"Everything is waiting for you."

"Thanks…could you?" She was standing now, but her legs were weak from lack of use. Harm was immediately by her side, he didn't crowd her but just let her use his hand for support. Slowly they made there way to the bath tub.

"You okay now?" Mac looked around to make sure everything she needed was close.

"Yeah I'm okay." Harm had installed rails for her on either side of the bath so she had something to hold while she was lowering herself or standing up.

"If you need anything call me okay."

"I will." Harm left and closed the door.

Half an hour later, just as Harm was placing their lunch in the oven to cook, he heard the bathroom door open.

"Feeling better?" Harm called.

"Absolutely." Came Mac's reply from about two steps behind him.

He quickly swung around. "Geez, you sure now how to scare a guy." Mac just laughed. "Couch?"

"Yeah."

"No problem." Once she was settled Harm stepped back. "Can I get you anything?"

"No thank."

"You sure? Water? A blanket?"

"Harm…" Mac reached over and took his hand.

"Sorry I'm doing it again aren't I?"

"Sit down put your feet up." Harm smiled and complied. Putting an arm around her shoulders as he sat. She leaned against him. "You know I'm thinking of signing her up for a soccer team already."

"Kicking up a storm again?"

"Oh yeah…big time…here." She picked up Harm's free hand and placed it on her stomach.

"Wow…that's got to hurt." It wasn't a question, more of a statement, surprising Mac he leaned into her stomach, so that his face was just inches above her naval. "Now listen to me miss…you be nice to your mum. She maybe a marine…but you, being your mothers daughter are a strong little thing…and all that kicking hurts. If you stop right now, I will teach you to play soccer as soon as you can walk. In fact I will teach you whatever you want me to…I'll even teach you to fly my plane if it's okay with your mum. So be nice…no one is going to love you as much as your mum." He leant back then and reached for the TV remote.

"Harm…this has got to be a coincidence but she stopped."

Harm laughed but then stopped suddenly. "I guess I better learn how to play soccer then. No coincidence though…my charm just has that affect on women of all ages."

It was Mac's turn to laugh now. "Cocky aren't we?"