MOVING IN TOGETHER

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It had been several months since the whole plan was set into motion.  The articles had touched everyone around the DC area and beyond.  They were not surprised that the DCI was sweating and now trying to shift all blame to Webb, they were surprised that Osborne had yet to surface.  Per AJ's instructions, living arrangements were changed.  They all agreed that there was safety in numbers.  AJ and Meredith were staying with Harriet and Bud.  Tiner and Coates moved in with Ashlyn and Gunny while Sam, Sturgis and Bobbie stayed with Mac.  Harm had already left for the first leg of the plan.  During the day, Bobbie was assigned a bodyguard and Sam remained in the Rabb residence with the alarms armed.  This was no way to live, for any of them.  With a little luck it would all be over soon.

It took a lot of favors, but the plan was set into motion, Harm was going to transport an F-14 to the U.S.S. America, which was currently in the Atlantic near Venezuela and Guyana.  He picked up the plane from Andrews Air Force Base and was off.  He was actually nervous, flying wasn't what worried him. It's what was at stake that worried him.

RABB HOME

"Sam, are you awake?" Mac asked knocking on the door.

"Yeah, I'm up." Sam said. "I was writing."

"Bobbie and I were going to try and put the crib together, do you want to join us?" Mac asked.

"No, thanks I need to work." Sam sighed.

"Sam, Tiner told me you haven't been eating." Mac said softly.

"I'm okay," Sam smiled weakly.

"How much do you weigh?" Mac asked.

"123," Sam replied.

"Sam, you're six months pregnant, that can't be good." Mac stated. "Come on, let's pig out and then you can watch us try to put the crib together."

"You're not going to take no for an answer are you?" Sam smiled.

"No I'm not," Mac said triumphantly.

"Fine, you wouldn't happen to have a cheeseburger?" Sam asked.

"You better believe it," Mac laughed.

"How's the article coming?" Bobbie asked.

"I think this is my swan song," Sam said. "After this I want to do a gossip column."

"I don't see you doing that." Bobbie laughed.

"You're probably right, but I don't want to do investigative work." Sam replied.

"Welcome to my world," Mac laughed.

"God, it's good to laugh." Bobbie said.

"I almost forgot how," Sam said.

"Hey, you realize that once this is over, we have a baby shower." Bobbie smiled.

"I already had my shower," Sam smiled.

"What are you talking about?" Bobbie asked.

Sam told them about Webb's surprise the last time they were together.

"Clayton Webb did that?" Mac laughed.

"I don't believe it," Bobbie stated.

"He did," Sam smiled and showed them the bracelet.

"Wow," Bobbie said. "That's gorgeous."

"Well he has great taste, he married me." Sam laughed.

The women ate and laughed until Sturgis arrived.

"What's so funny?" Sturgis asked.

"Where's your guard?" Bobbie asked.

"He went home after I got in the house." Sturgis replied.

"Are you hungry?" Mac asked.

"I'll get myself something," Sturgis replied. "You stay seated."

"Sam, have you decided if you are going to have natural childbirth?" Mac asked.

"Tiner suggested it, but I think no," Sam replied. "I want drugs."

"What about you, Mac?" Bobbie asked.

"I figure I'm a marine, I can handle the pain." Mac said proudly.

"Can I quote you?" Sam laughed. "So, does Harm plan on being in the delivery room?"

"He says yes, but I don't know." Mac replied. "What about Webb?"

"Well, we never discussed, it's not like he would be here.  If anything, Tiner would be there." Sam said.

"Tiner," Mac laughed. "He fainted when Harriet went into labor with Little AJ."

"He did not," Sam laughed. "He never told me that."

The women started laughing again and didn't hear the phone ring.

"Mac, it's Harm," Sturgis said walking in.  The laughter suddenly stopped as Mac picked up the phone.

"Harm, where are you?" Mac asked.

"I'm on the America." Harm replied. "They're getting everything ready here."

"That's good to know, be careful." Mac replied.

"I will. Mac let me talk to Sam." Harm said. Mac handed to phone to Sam.

"Harm, is everything okay?" Sam asked.

"Everything is fine.  I just wanted to let you know I'm going to bring him home.  You can ask Mac, I've never make a promise I can't keep." Harm said.

"I'm gonna hold you to that, thank you Harm." Sam smiled and handed the phone back to Mac.

"Be careful, I love you." Mac said.

"I love you too." Harm replied.

They sat in silence.  Suddenly the realization of what was happening crept back into their thoughts.  For a few minutes they had put it away, but now it had returned.  Sam got up and went back to her room, she started typing again.  This was the only thing that could keep her mind off of what was really happening.

Mac went to her bedroom and put on one of Harm's sweatshirts.  She wrapped herself up and went to sleep.  Bobbie and Sturgis retired to the other bedroom and turned in early.  There were no words between them.  Sturgis just held her close and they drifted off.

ROBERTS HOME

"Harriet, why don't you let me make dinner?" Meredith offered.

"No," AJ yelled from the other room.

"Why not?" Meredith called back.

"Because the Lieutenant is very particular about her kitchen," AJ said quickly, walking into the kitchen. "Aren't you Lieutenant?"

"Ah, yes Sir I am." Harriet replied confused.

"Well, at least let me help," Meredith replied.

"Sure, you can make a salad." Harriet said.

"Do we know if Harm arrived safely?" Bud asked.

"I haven't heard anything," AJ replied. "I guess we could call Mac."

AJ picked up the phone and after a brief conversation returned to the group.

"What did she say?" Meredith asked.

"Harm called them about an hour ago, he arrived safely and just has to wait," AJ answered.

"Can I say something?" Harriet asked.

"Go ahead." AJ replied.

"I know we are doing the right thing here, but I am really scared." Harriet admitted.

"We all are sweetie," Bud replied.

"I mean what if something gets twisted and it backfires?" Harriet asked.

"It won't." AJ assured them all. "With the information Nettington left Sam, it's all the proof needed."

"I hope you're right," Meredith stated. "It would be such a waste to come this far and…"

"Don't even finish that thought." AJ advised.                                    

"Uncle AJ, will you play with me?" Little AJ asked walking into the kitchen.

"Sure, what do you want to do?" AJ smiled.

"Contraton," Little AJ announced.

"What's that?" AJ asked.

"He means concentration," Harriet interpreted, "The card matching game."

"Oh, well come on let's go." AJ said and picked him up.

They went into the other room where Little AJ explained the finer points of matching the Bob the Builder cards to AJ.  AJ made it a point to not do very well much to the delight of Little AJ.  When dinner was ready, Harriet called everyone to the table.  For some reason, the meal was silent. 

"Will somebody say something," Meredith broke the silence.

"I'm sorry, I just have a pit in my stomach," Harriet stated.

"Mommy you aren't supposed to eat pits," Little AJ said.

"I know," Harriet laughed and everyone else started to laugh too, then the laughter died down.

"I just keep thinking if something happened to Harm and Clay, what it would do to Mac and Sam." Harriet said.

"Nothing is going to happen," Bud said.

"Harriet, I've had the same thing on my mind." Meredith stated.

"Well, we can't think that way.  Both Rabb and Webb have been in worse situations," AJ reminded them.

"What about Osborne?" Bud asked. "He hasn't surfaced."

"Maybe that's a good thing," Meredith commented.

"No, it just means he's waiting," AJ said stiffly.

Just then little Emily started crying. "I'll go Harriet," Meredith offered.

The continued eating, returning to the silence.

GALINDEZ HOME

"Jen, when did you learn to cook?" Ashlyn asked.

"I worked as a short order cook but never cared for it until recently." Coates stated.

"Cooking for Jason?" Ashlyn smiled.

"Well, I do like to," Coates laughed.

"You guys are so adorable together," Ashlyn commented.

"Yeah, just lately we haven't had much time together," Coates replied.

"I know this has been tough," Ashlyn said. "But hopefully Webb will be back and he can deal with Sam."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't mind that at all.  I think that what he's doing is wonderful.  I am really proud of him." Coates smiled.

"That's a good attitude," Ashlyn smiled.

"Well, even if I didn't agree, it's very hard to say no to Sam." Coates laughed.

"Tell me about it," Ashlyn agreed.

"So Tiner, how goes things on Sam patrol?" Gunny teased.

"It's fine, I get a break right now." Tiner said. "Although the only thing that bothered me was the little time I get to spend with Jen."

"Helping a pregnant woman is a full time job," Gunny laughed.

"At least Sam hasn't had any cravings," Tiner said.

"No? What would you call wanting breakfast at 4am or the newspaper as soon as it hits the stands?" Gunny laughed.

"I would call that being Sam, pregnant or not." Tiner shrugged. "Have Ashlyn's cravings subsided yet?"

"Well she finally stopped eating marshmallow fluff." Gunny sighed. "But if she dips another Heath bar into mint jelly, I swear I'm going to be sick."

"It could be worse," Tiner laughed. "She could want sardines."

"Don't even give her any ideas." Gunny groaned.

"How come Sam's staying with the colonel?" Tiner asked.

"Since she's the only one who works from home, the Commander said it would be smarter for her to be there, since they have an alarm system." Gunny replied.

"Gunny you think this is all going to work out?" Tiner asked.

"Yeah, I do." Gunny replied.