Quantico, the next day
Mac loved being back at Quantico. She always liked the chance to get an assignment like this; overlooking an exercise and of course the chance to take her fitness test and qualify to shoot.
"Colonel," Jamie walked over to her. "We're almost ready. This training exercise is to free hostages."
Mac nodded. "You're using sharp ammunition?"
Jamie smiled. "It's the only way for them to truly be ready, huh?"
"A lot of first timers here?" Mac assumed.
"Yeah, but they look promising. It's nice to have the role of supervisor, I must admit that. Seeing younger men lead by example, training these youngsters to make it when all hell breaks loose," Jamie smirked. "Miss being where the real action is though."
Mac chuckled. "You always were a stud, Jamie."
Jamie was about to respond when an explosion occurred close enough for the shrapnel to reach them. Mac felt the impact as she slammed to the ground, the wind knocked out of her.
"Ma'am?" she felt someone turn her around.
"I'm okay, Corporal," she sat up and saw Jamie bleeding from cuts and bruises, already on his feet barking orders and demanding answers. "What the hell was that?"
"I'm not sure, ma'am," he helped her up. "You have cuts. The one in your arm seems the worse."
Mac looked at her arm where she had felt the most pain. "Yeah, I'll probably need a few stitches."
JAG Headquarters
Harm was in the middle of the morning staff meeting. It looked like the worst caseload was behind them and he praised his people for the hard work they had put down. Personally, he was looking forward to the weekend.
"Well, it looks like you're on top of things, Commander," Harm told Graves after she had given an update on a case. He handed a file over to Lieutenant Peters. "A Petty Officer accused of…"
"Excuse me, sir," a Petty Officer peaked into the conference room. "You have a call from Bethesda. It's about Colonel Rabb."
Harm stood abruptly. "Bud take over," he hurried out the door.
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Harm was led to the emergency room by a nurse. She pulled a curtain aside and he found Mac sitting on the bed while being stitched up by a Doctor. She smiled when she saw him.
"Hey Tiger," he smiled.
"That was the last stich," the Lieutenant Commander stood.
"What's the verdict Doc?" Harm wondered.
"Sir, the Colonel has a few cuts, mostly on her face. Superficial so there should be no scarring. They have been cleaned and will heal in a week or two. She also has eight stiches to her left arm. Nothing major. I'll just clean this up and put on a band aid and you can take her home. I don't see any reason to have her on medical leave but she should take it easy until over the weekend."
"I'll make sure she does," Harm promised.
"Still in the room," Mac offered a slight eyeroll.
Harm smiled. "We see you," he teased. "So, what happened?"
"A Private managed to throw a grenade behind him. He wasn't supposed to throw it until he was closer to the building, but he got confused by the orders and threw it too soon. How he managed to get it behind him I'll never know. He was pretty banged up himself. Jamie was standing in front of me and took most of the blow. He needed a few more stiches than me," Mac hesitated as the Doctor put the band aid on her. "Am I free to go?"
"Yes, ma'am," the Lieutenant Commander smiled. "Let the Admiral take care of you over the weekend."
"Don't worry, I'll let him run my errands for me," she got off the bed.
"I'll send a nurse in with your discharge papers. Good luck," the Lieutenant Commander added the last part to Harm.
"Thanks Doc, I'll need it," he flashed Mac a sweet smile. "You need help with your jacket?"
She nodded. "Sure."
"You got me a little worried, Marine. Are you okay?" he leaned in and kissed her.
"I'm fine," she reassured and let him help her with the jacket. "Ready for my weekend to start though."
"We can go straight home and pack the car. If you still feel up to a Beallsville weekend?" he wondered.
"Yes, Beallsville sounds great," she smiled.
Beallsville, later that day
Grams was waiting on them when they drove up. Harm had called her to tell her that they were coming earlier than expected. She rose from her seat on the porch and waived. Harm parked the car and smiled as he opened the door and got out. This place brought out all his best childhood memories. He loved coming there.
"It's so good to see you," Grams hugged him tight. "You look healthy."
"I am, ma'am," Harm kissed her cheek. "And so do you."
"Not getting any younger though," Grams turned to Mac. "And you just keep getting more beautiful every time I see you," she hugged Mac close. "What's with the cuts?"
It's good to see you too grams," Mac smiled. "Just a little mishap at Quantico this morning. Nothing to worry about."
"You should take better care of her," Grams reprimanded her grandson.
"I wasn't even there," Harm defended himself.
"He's taking really good care of me," Mac assured.
"Well, you can carry your bags to your room while I fix us something to eat. You haven't had lunch yet, have you?" Grams led Mac to the house.
"Not yet," Mac assured her.
Harm followed behind with their bags, disappearing upstairs with them. Grams and Mac went to the kitchen. "So, a mishap huh?" Grams wondered.
"Yeah, I was overseeing an exercise," Mac shrugged. "These things happen."
Grams went to the fridge. "I think that a chicken salad is what we need. Out on the porch in this great weather. A little too hot for my taste though."
"Sounds great. What can I do, Grams?" Mac wondered.
"Sit down and relax," Grams ordered.
Harm walked up behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her. "Sounds like good advice, honey," he kissed her cheek.
"Harm can help me," Grams ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," he smiled and released Mac.
They enjoyed lunch on the porch, catching up on what was new. Mac always found an inner peace when she was there. After she married Harm, it had become one of her favorite places. Grams had welcomed Mac into the family right away, giving Mac the feeling of belonging. Harm's family had been wonderful, adopting her as one of their own.
"Thank you for lunch, Grams. I'll do the cleaning," Harm stood.
"I raised you well," Grams complimented.
"You sure did, Grams," Harm agreed.
Harm had been a handful for Trish after Harmon had been shot down in Vietnam. He had spent summers and other vacations in Beallsville and he had told Mac that if it wasn't for Grams he wouldn't be where he was today.
"It was so nice of you to take the time to come see an old lady," Grams smiled. "Especially now that you have the house to yourself."
Mac smiled. "It's been quiet. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be just us, but I miss my babies."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Grams chuckled. "And it's important to have some adult time. Being a parent is hard work, it's easy to lose yourself a little. You both seem very happy though. Although, my grandson does seem tired."
"We are, both happy and tired," Mac agreed just as Harm came back with more ice tea. "Harm's been working hard."
"It's been a little busy," he agreed as he sat down. "Late nights."
"I saw you on TV. Don't exhaust yourself. It's only a job," Grams reminded him.
"Tell that to the big guys at the Pentagon," Harm joked. "It's slowing down now though."
"Well, this weekend is for relaxing," Grams ordered.
"That sounds great, Grams," Harm reached for Mac's hand just as his phone rang. "Sorry."
He stood and brought his phone with him inside. "Relaxing?" Grams questioned.
"It's a high-profile case," Mac explained. "It's probably Bud with an update. Harm had to leave early because I was hurt so he didn't get to finish what he intended."
"Well, I'm glad it wasn't anything serious," Grams let out a sigh. "And that you still chose to come here."
"We've been looking forward to this," Mac leaned back in her chair. "I could stay here forever."
"It's a magical place," Grams agreed.
The next day Mac woke a little after six listening to birds singing in the trees. She felt rested after going to bed early the previous night. Harm was sound asleep by her side, as usual more over on her side than his, sharing her pillow. She ran her hand through his soft hair, burying her head in the crook of his neck.
"Are you awake, handsome?" she whispered and was offered a groan in return. "I'm awake," she whispered.
"What time is it?" he mumbled.
"A little after six," she ran her hand down his chest.
"It's early," he complained. "Too early on a weekend."
Her hand found its way further down. "I'll make it worth your while."
His eyes opened and met hers. "How's the arm?"
Typical Harm to worry. "It's fine," she assured as she leaned in and kissed him.
It was after nine when they woke up the second time. Harm smiled and pulled her closer.
"We should get up," she mumbled.
He kissed her softly. "I need a shower."
"We could save water," she ran her hand suggestively down his chest.
"I'm all for that," he agreed and moved out of bed.
The shower took a little longer than planned, and they didn't really save any water by showering together. Harm smiled as he dried off, thinking that he was a lucky man.
"What are you smiling about?" Mac wondered.
Harm chuckled. "Just thinking that I'm a lucky man."
"Yes, you are," she agreed teasingly as she removed the band aid covering her stitches.
"Need help with the new one?" he wondered as he walked over.
"Sure," she handed it over to him and waited for him to fasten the new band aid. "Thanks."
"All part of the service, ma'am," he kissed her softly.