Note: I know that you want me to star the romance right now but It will start soon enough.
From the time-line perspective this is post Season 2
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Chapter 8 – Independence Weekend
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1500 local, Monday, 30th June 1997, JAG HQ
Harm could not believe it. Mattoni gave him this file only ten minutes ago. It was full of new and strong evidence against the petty officer he defended. That left him with little room for defense strategy. He never liked to loose but without some mitigating circumstances it looked that the petty officer would spend next few months in prison.
The phone ringed four times before he answered it. "Commander Rabb."
"Hi, mom." Harm smiled when he heard his mom's voice.
"No, I do not have plans for the fourth." That was not truth but it did not mattered.
"And Frank? … He is not coming?"
"You can stay with me. Hotels will be full anyway."
"Sure, mom. Mac will love to see you again."
"OK, I will see you on the airport on Thursday. Bye."
When he put the receiver of the phone he closed the file and walked to Mac's office.
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Mac made notes to the notes she did on Friday. This case was stuck with most of the possible witnesses not reachable. Two marines just vanished and no one knew where they could be. They were both still active but all pointed to some top secret operation, only problem was that all Spec. Ops commands did not known about them. When she looked at the case again it looked like nothing happened but some of the evidence said it did. She was glad when her phone ringed. At lest that way she was spared from the need to write more useless notes.
"Major MacKenzie."
When she recognized the voice on the other end she smiled widely. "Hi, Chloe."
"Sure you can come if your stepfather agrees. Can I talk to him?"
"Yes, I can take care of Chloe for whole weekend."
"I will take her from the buss station late Thursday and send her back Sunday evening.
Mac closed her eyes and relaxed in her chair. The three days with Chloe should be fun. She did not seen her since Christmas and only talked to her on her birthday by the phone. Part of the Big sister program was mentoring and spending time together but since she was out of DC or injured she was not able to find time for Chloe.
Harm peeked through the door a smiled to the picture before him. Beautiful marine major with dreamy smile on her face. He knocked on the door to get Mac from her dreamy state.
"Mac, mom just called that she will arrive for the Independence day. And she wants to see you again."
"Great." grinned Mac. "It will be interesting. Chloe just called me and she will also come here for the weekend."
Harm felt dizzy for a moment. He remembered the conversation they had on board of C-5. So far they acted the same in work and as far as they knew no one suspected that they spend a lot of off-work time together. But now, two people in their lives that were most likely to plot behind their back to get them together were about to meet each other.
"That will definitely be a huge challenge, Ninja Girl."
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1940 local, Thursday, 3rd July, 1997, Dulles Int. Airport
They arrived about 20 minutes before the plane was due to land. Harm nervously looked to the number of people that exited the designated gate. His mom did not get out with other passengers that traveled first class. He knew that most of the time she traveled alone she forgot to get out and chatted with the stewardess.
"Harm, don't be so nervous. She will be here soon." Mac had to giggle a little. It was so unusual for the cocky and sometimes overconfident lawyer she knew.
"You know that you need to get Chloe. Her bus arrives in forty minutes and since we need to bring mom's luggage and considering all the traffic we do not have much time to spare.
Eight more people exited the gate before Harm spotted his mother. He and Mac hurried to her. Harm enveloped her in loving hug. "It's good to see you again, mom."
When Trish got from her son hug she turned to Mac and smiled. "Sarah, dearie. Nice to see you here."
"Good to see you too, Trish." Said Mac and gave her quick hug.
"Before you start exchange stories we need to get your luggage, mom. Mac promised to be there when Chloe arrive. And we have only 30 minutes."
"31 minuted and 20 seconds," corrected him Mac.
It took them five more minutes to find the luggage and after that they hurried to their cars. Trish decided that she would ride with Mac for now. She knew from their visit last year and few calls to Harm that this marine had become part of her son's life.
"So, Sarah, tell me how have you been?"
Mac knew that there were two possible answers to this question. The social one and the truth. She knew that Harm probably told his mother at least about some of their adventures so she decided for the truth. "Good. Bad. Shot. Spoiled. But most of the time I had great time even sometimes I struggled in work."
"Harm told me few things but I want to hear more from you."
Mac had to hit the brakes because someone few cars before her nearly missed the traffic signal and stopped at the last moment. "You know, Trish. I never thanked you for the Christmas presents that you and Frank gave me."
Trish just waved her hand in dismissal. "You send your thanks thru my son. And he send me some photos of you two and few from the Christmas with young girl that now I understand is Chloe."
Mac did not believed that. "Harm never showed me pictures from Christmas. Hell, I don't even know he took them."
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Harm did not knew how but Mac managed to get to the parking lot before him and he was the one first off the airport. He saw that his mom and Mac were already standing by the side of her car. From the way they talked it seemed that both of them shared some good girl-talk. Probably about him. He did not wanted to know at the moment. He found free spot just five cars from Mac's and parked there.
All three of them went to the platform where Chloe's bus was to arrive. They got there just in time. As she sat near the door she was one of first out of the bus and she run straight to Mac with big smile on her face. "Hi, Sarah."
"Hi, sweetie," Mac knew that her 'little sister' was about to jump up so she prepared for it and hugged her in her arms.
When Chloe decided that the hug was long enough she got to the ground and turned to Harm. "Hi, Harm."
Harm also hugged Chloe but knelt first so he was now at her eye level first. "Hi, Chloe." He then moved a little and pointed to Trish. "This is my mom."
Chloe smiled and waved to Harm's mom. "Hi, Mrs. Rabb."
"Stop the Mrs. Rabb thing. It makes me feel old. You can call me Trish." From the moment their eyes met Trish knew that she liked Chloe. This little girl had something in her that gave her strength and she obviously loved the idea of three days with Sarah and her son.
After they greeted each other and Mac took Chloe's backpack they moved to the parking lot. There is was time for them to part for the day. Both Chloe and Trish needed to unpack and prepare for the next few days.
"So Chloe, what do you want to do tomorrow? Go to Zoo or go flying in my biplane?"
"ZOO, please. And can I have your pancakes for breakfast tomorrow?
Harm smiled. Both Chloe and Mac loved his pancakes on Christmas. He had to made them for Mac number of times this year. "Sure. I will make them for all of us and them we will go to the ZOO."
"Great!" squealed Chloe. "See you in the morning." She waved and got into Mac's car.
"Have fun, you two." Said Harm and to that Mac just chuckled. "And don't tell her all the stories, Ninja Girl."
Mac just rolled her eyes. "I will try to left some for tomorrow, Flyboy."
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2055 local, 3rd July, Harm's apartment
They rode in silence to Harm's apartment. Trish still processed all the information that she got today. The way her son and Sarah danced around each other told her a lot. And the nicknames they used were pretty cute.
Harm opened his apartment's door and lead his mom in. She liked how her son changed the apartment. She was here before Harm did all the work and now it looked more like home than just place where pilot live between deployments. His collection of photos grew considerably. There were the old ones of him and his father and his graduation photo as well as few from his short flight carrier. The new ones was what caught Trish's attention. Some of them were the same ones that he send her like the one of him and Sarah during NATO ball or the two of them on the carrier. Then there were two from their visit in her home. The one that really caught her eye was taken in desert and Sarah wore summer dress there. It had to be from Arizona from their first case last year.
"Do you want something to drink, mom?" asked Harm as he put her luggage to his bedroom.
"Only water. Do you have ice?"
"There should be bag in the freezer."
Trish opened the freezer and did not believed what she saw. "Who are you and had you done to my son?"
"Mom?" asked Harm while he moved his spare pillow to the sofa.
"You have meat in your freezer!"
Harm first gaped and then grinned. "I do. I planned to make us dinner tomorrow and then prepare some sandwiches for the day I took you all flying."
Trish tilted her head and turned to her son so she could see his eyes. "There is probably enough for ten!"
Harm just grinned, he knew his marine well. "That's about right amount for one hungry marine, you and Chloe."
Trish only raised eyebrow to her son's statement.
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2110 local, 3rd July, Mac's apartment
After Chloe unpacked and changed from her travel clothes to nice violet pajama she decided that she wanted some snack before sleep. Mac anticipated that and before she went to the airport she prepared few toasts. Chloe took one and went to the couch to eat it.
Mac now also in pajamas sat beside her and looked little bid sad.
"What up?" asked Chloe between bites of sandwich.
"I know that I was not the best big sister the last six months. We did not spend a day together."
"You gave me best Christmas I've ever had and you always listened to my calls."
"But I want to do more. I should do more. I know how hard it is to grow up without someone who loves you."
Chloe put the unfinished half of the sandwich on the coffee table and crawled to Mac's lap. Without more words Chloe hugged her big sister. "You love me and Harm at least likes me. It is enough for me."
After some tears from both of them Mac put Chloe to the floor and went to the bathroom. She returned with pink nail polish. "Do you like that color?"
Chloe only nodded as she had her mouth full again.
Mac placed the polish to the coffee table and went to bathroom for the rest of the things she needed. When she returned there was nothing left from the toast and Chloe just looked at the color Mac chose.
"Harm will like this." Before Chloe could continue with her ideas she was smacked playfully with one of the pillows that just moment ago was on the couch.
"Stop it, young lady. We are friends so do not try anything behind my back." Mac knew that it will not help much but each little bit counted with Chloe.
Chloe mind stopped on the words. Nothing behind Sarah's back. So I could plot openly if she do not catch me. She smiled devilishly. "I want mine done first." She then put her feet to the table and let Mac stuck the cotton between her toes.
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0755 local, 4th July 1997, Mac's apartment
Harm woke up early and made sure that he had all the things he would need for the all day trip to Zoo. He also checked for all the ingredients needed for the dinner he planned to make. When he was satisfied that he did not forgot anything he went to the shower.
"Mom, you ready?" asked Harm and put on his shirt.
"Almost, I just need to find my donor card to the Zoo."
"You are donor to the Zoo?"
"Ah, here it is. And yes, Chrysler donated a lot of money to the Smithsonian so Frank and me also donated some. This get us to a lot of actions here and also in San Diego. With that card we go to the some great dolphin and whales shows and here we will get free parking and some other stuff that are not for everyone."
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0825 local, 4th July 1997, Mac's apartment
Harm unlocked Mac's apartment door with the key she gave him five weeks ago. Trish did not believed it. Despite the fact that they were only friends or at lest that was what her son told her last night he had key to her apartment. And Sarah probably had one for his. This had to be some friendship when they trust each other with their apartments.
Chloe watched cartoons while Harm opened door and let himself in. "Hi, Harm. Will I get pancakes?"
"Sure, as soon as I make them and if you can steal one before Mac get to them."
Harm took biggest bowl that Mac had and calculated if the size would be enough to feed one hungry marine, hungry girl, his mom and himself. He knew that Mac had enough ingredients for this. They talked about it two days ago so both of them had enough even if they were all really hungry.
Mac smelled something great and it got her from her bed. Still groggy and without any worry about her appearance she went straight to the kitchen. "Morning, sailor. This is my breakfast?"
Harm slid the pancake he just finished to the plate and looked at Mac. "If you eat it before anyone else, yes." He already saw Mac in that state before but it was something to remember. Usually top notch marine with her hair mussed, without makeup and still sleepy. "But you have to make coffee yourself."
Trish just held her cup of tea and looked thru the open door to kitchen.
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1025 local, 4th July 1997, National Zoo
The Zoo officials knew why they put giant pandas as the first exhibit behind the main entrance. OK, most of Zoos in the world did this but it was done for purpose. Trish and Harm already saw them in San Diego few times but Mac and Chloe never did and were truly fascinated with them. The cute animals just got them staring and nearly drooling. Reactions of few other visitors were the same. After nearly half an hour Harm just took out his camera and snapped picture of Mac with Chloe and then he did one where were the two and one cute panda.
"Mac, do you want do go somewhere else?"
Mac just looked at him with puppy look "But they are so cute, Flyboy."
"I know, Mac. We will return here for their feeding time so you will enjoy them more."
"Few more minutes," said Chloe and continued to stare to the animal before her.
"OK. We will stay here for few more minutes." Harm had to agree that the pandas were very cute but he wanted to see another ones too.
Trish just admired the view. Mac turned to small child and the all happy friends together. Hell, they looked more like a family than just friends. "Just remember that we should go for that highlights tour."
Chloe melted during the tour. She never imagined that she would see animals with a guide that actually knew a lot about the subject. The reptile, invertebrates and then great cats exhibitions was just enough to for morning. They saw tiger cubs and young alligators. Chloe absorbed all information and just could not believe it. This was even better than the Christmas. She felt really loved and enjoyed the feeling. Would it be like this if she had real full family? She never knew her father and her mom was ill nearly a year before she died.
"Look, Ninja Girl, they have burgers here." Said Harm when they paused neat the kids farm to eat something. It was nearly noon and Mac started to show signs that she was hungry.
"Great, Harm. I'm getting hungry."
"You are always hungry, Mac."
"I'm mot," answered Mac and punched Harm's arm.
"You two, stop it." Trish could not stand it any more, they behaved like teens or long time married couple. "We should look at what they have here."
"I want chips!" announced Chloe.
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1800 local, 4th July, National Zoo
Chloe was tired from all the walking and also from the excitement about so much great animals. She was glad when they got to Mac's car and she sat to the back seat. If it was not for the prospect of dinner she would just fall asleep.
"Chloe, do you need to pick up something for the evening or can we go straight to my place?" asked Harm from the right front seat.
"I have all I need. … Yawn." answered Chloe.
"I hope you stay awake for the fireworks," commented Mac from driver's seat as she turned the car from the parking lot and then to the Harm's place.
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1900 local, 4th July, Harm's apartment
Harm changed to his usual cooking outfit and got the meat out of freezer. Mac and Chloe took lemonade from fridge and sat to the couch. Mac knew that her culinary skills were nowhere near Harm's so she did not wanted to 'help' him.
"Do you want some help?"asked Trish. Harm seemed to had his hands full with the meat.
"Maybe with the vegetables. I have some fresh cucumbers and tomatoes in the fridge."
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They went out for the fireworks. Like the one on the New Year it was great show and all four of them watched it like never before. Chloe was ecstatic and jumped up and down and pointed to some of the more exotic pyrotechnic effects.
After the fireworks Mac just sat to bench and started to cry. Harm sat as close to her as he dared and put his arm around her. "Hey, whats up, marine?"
Mac turned her head so she could look directly into his eyes. "This was my first real Independence day. Before I was always deployed, in training, deep in my books or drunk. Thanks for today, Flyboy."
Harm smiled and placed kiss on her forehead. Mac wished that he would get real kiss but Trish was here and as much as she wanted to believe her will was strong enough it would probably not end with just one kiss. After she relaxed she put her head to Harm's shoulder and just enjoyed the feeling.
Chloe watched her big sister and her friends and inside her head she jumped more than during the fireworks. Her New Year wish was in the process of becoming true.
Trish looked at the trio before her and she knew that they looked like a real family now. They acted that way in the Zoo too but this was something more. The feeling that her son and Sarah belong together was stronger than before. She could not figured out how and why they still were not a couple.
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5th July, Leesburg Airfield, Virginia
Harm finished the preflight check for the third time and Mac watched carefully. She did not wanted to repeat their experience with bad fuel line. When they were both satisfied that everything seemed OK, Harm decided that it was time he should take someone up.
"Who wants to go up first?"
"Me! Me!" decided Chloe.
"Mom, you OK with it?" asked Harm little uneasy. He did not wanted his mom to feel left out but on the other hand he knew that Chloe never flew in airplane or at least not in one like this.
"It's fine just do not flew far."
"Don't worry, we will be just ten minutes from here." Harm put on his flight jacket and went to the plane.
Mac made herself comfortable in the front seat and waited for Harm to put Chloe in her lap.
"Why can't I b here alone?" asked Chloe as Mac strapped them to the seat.
"Because you are too small. The com gear is made for older ones and besides you would not see anything."
Harm flew to the less populated area and when he saw only forest around them he he called to Mac. "Sarah is yours, Mac."
Chloe did not had comm gear so she did not heard what Harm just said and her eyes nearly fell out when Mac took control of the plane.
"Mac, easy. No big maneuvers like rolls."
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Nearly a hour later Harm landed smoothly back at the airfield and stopped near the hangar.
"It was great how you flew, Sarah." Chloe loved all the time in the air and most of all the rolls and the fact that Mac actually flew them for some time.
"Son, you really let Sarah pilot?" Trish knew it was against regulations but it was not the point. One thing was if she piloted while she and her son were alone up there but with Chloe?
"Mac learned few things since February." Harm knew that his mom was concerned because of Chloe and he did not let Mac do the more dangerous maneuvers. "And I did all the rolls and other things. I know what she can and can not do."
"You do, sailor?" asked playfully Mac as she got out of what she began to think of as her flight jacket.
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Next chapter – Grandma's Farm
