Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986 and angelab for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
jbird7986 Hi. Welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the support.
abigaile Thanks for the support. Next chapter here!
jtbwriter Hiya. Harm's reaction just came to mind while I had them playing in the water. Isn't imagination a wonderful thing! Can't resist the mushy stuff either. Thanks as always!
kjflygirl87 As I said above, the idea came while I was writing about the three of them being in the pool. It just seemed right to put it in there. Sue and Jack will be along soon - the weekend in Bahrain is almost over. How about the 'Eye Spies' for Sue and Jack??? Just a thought! :o)
angelab Hi, welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. I drew from experience (a little!) - I spent my 'honeymoon' in the Sheraton Hotel in Qatar! That's probably more than enough, so...on with the reply to your review! ;o) The flashback to the night in Atlantic is mentioned in the two previous reviews, but personally I feel that such effects can last for years - I suffer from panic attacks sometimes, and there is no trigger I can think of, just my subconscious decides that 'now's the time' and there's nothing you can do about it when it hits, except get through it and move on!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
PENTHOUSE TERRACE
FRIDAY, MID-MORNING
When Harm, Mac and Mattie returned to their suites to shower and get changed, Sturgis and Varese were already up and having a coffee on the terrace. Harm and Mac opted for a coffee first, but Mattie excused herself and went to her suite. Harm followed her, excusing himself also for a few minutes.
"Mattie, are you okay about what happened in the pool?" Harm asked, closing the door to the suite behind him as he waited for Mattie to answer him. Turning to face him, she nodded.
"I am if you are, Harm. I just thought maybe it was my fault for dunking you."
"Nah, it wasn't that. I told you before that I went in the drink with Skates, the night I was flying back for Mac's wedding. I thought I'd got over the nightmares I had following the crash. It's been three years. Today was just the first time I've actually been near water, like I said, and I guess I just freaked. It won't happen again."
"Can you be sure?" Mattie was unsure still, but Harm put his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers.
"Yeah, Mattie, I can be sure. It was just a one-off. Now I know why it happened, I can work with it. It just took me by surprise, that's all."
"Okay. I'll get showered and changed. What time is food being served?"
"When you're ready. It's a buffet, so it'll be waiting."
"Great. I'll be out soon, then."
"Good. See you later." Harm released Mattie and walked back to open the suite door. "Mattie?"
"Yeah?"
"Love you, kiddo."
"Love you too, Harm." Mattie grinned, and turned on her heel to go to the bathroom. Harm smiled and moved out onto the terrace, closing the door behind him.
"Everything all right, bro'?" Sturgis asked, wondering what had happened to Mattie.
Harm nodded and took a seat next to Mac, moving to take hold of her hand and squeeze it reassuringly.
"Mattie's fine. I had a touch of deja-vu in the pool a little earlier. I haven't been near so much water since I ditched the F-14, and I freaked a little. It scared Mattie, but she's okay now."
"You too?"
"Yeah, me too." Harm nodded again, and raised Mac's hand to his mouth and brushed her knuckles with his lips.
Varese shared a look with Sturgis and smiled at him, and then turned to Harm and Mac.
"If it's okay with you, I've rented a boat down at the marina. We can take a ride out around the bay and you can see some of the island from offshore. I figured, with two sailors, we wouldn't need a driver."
Harm and Sturgis looked at each other and grinned.
"I guess you figured right, Varese.
The brunch set the tone of the day, friends enjoying each other's company, getting to know one another more, especially in Varese's case - getting to know Harm, Mac and Mattie, and their 'involvement' in each other's lives! After eating they made their way to a hotel limousine and were chauffeured to the marina where they picked up their boat and went out onto the waters of the Gulf. If Harm had any residual fear of the water after his swim that morning he didn't show it, and Mac relaxed even more when he told her he was all right a little later. Mattie was having a great time, and showed as much natural talent piloting a boat as she did an aircraft. Harm's pride in this talent was obvious, and he was grinning from ear to ear as Mattie steered the boat around the bay under the watchful eye of not one but three qualified seamen - Harm, Sturgis and Mac.
When they returned to the marina later they took a table outside and ordered drinks. Varese took note that although Harm had drunk the beer with Sturgis the previous day, he hadn't touched any alcohol during the evening in the restaurant. Nor had he ordered any alcohol now. It was probably because of Mattie being there, she reasoned, but she was curious enough to shelve the thought for asking later.
As the waiter appeared with their drinks, he was joined by three more people.
Mac sensed Harm tensing, and she looked up at him from the seat beside her. Across the table Sturgis was suddenly sitting up straighter beside Varese. If Mattie was aware of the sudden tension at the table she didn't show it.
"Hello, Mattie. This is a surprise. I didn't know you would be here today." Mattie looked up and grinned as she recognized Blaise. "I'd like to introduce you to my parents, Alex and Marie Purcell. Mom, Dad, this is Mattie Grace, and her father, Mr Rabb."
Harm got to his feet, his hand outstretched as he shook both Alex's hand, and Marie's. "Hello. I'm Harm Rabb, I'm actually Mattie's guardian at this moment in time, but we're pretty close to father and daughter."
"It shows, Mr Rabb. We noticed last night that you were very protective. It's nice to see." Marie Purcell spoke up, and Harm immediately noticed her open, honest demeanor, and he smiled.
"Thank you." Harm answered, and then turned to introduce the Purcells to Mac, Varese and Sturgis. Mac felt the tiniest hint of dismay at Harm's introduction, as it was so brief - just their first names. Immediately she dismissed the feeling, realizing that he couldn't very well introduce them as the military officers they were; and Varese, as 'an entertainer'? As for Mac herself, how else could he have introduced her? - His girlfriend? - not when she was so much more; his fiancée? - nope, that wouldn't work either. Mac acknowledged that Harm had probably done the right thing, and she brought her attention back to the sound of his voice as he continued talking.
"So, what can we do for you?"
"Well, we understand it's your last night in Bahrain, at least for a while, and we wondered if you would allow Mattie to join us at a beach barbecue. Alex and I will be there, if you're concerned. We just thought, as Mattie and Blaise seem to get on so well, that she might like a little 'younger' company, and you might enjoy a night to yourselves."
"Well, I don't speak for Mattie," Harm said, turning to the teenager and smiling as she came up beside him and put her arm around his waist, "but I would have insisted on a chaperone had there been no mention." At that statement, everyone laughed. Turning to look at Mattie, he raised an eyebrow. "It's up to you, kiddo."
"It's the last night, but I really would like to visit the beach, and besides, you and Mac haven't had a night to yourselves for a while."
Mac dipped her head at this, hiding a faint blush, and Sturgis smiled as he noted her reaction. Harm gave Mattie a quick hug, and then looked back at the waiting couple, and Blaise.
"Thank you, very much. What time were you planning on finishing?" Harm asked, and Marie Purcell smiled as she answered.
"Probably about 10. We should get Mattie back to the hotel for 11ish."
"Okay. Mattie, give me a call when you're back. We'll be in the hotel somewhere."
"Will do, Dad." Mattie grinned as she leaned in and kissed Harm. "Thanks," she murmured as she bent down to kiss Mac's cheek too.
"Enjoy yourself, and be good." Mattie rolled her eyes at Harm as he spoke, and he swatted at her as she walked away from the table to join the others.
"Have a nice time, Mattie. See you later," Mac added, as the teenager walked away, already in an excited discussion with Blaise and his parents.
"So, folks, what would you like to do this evening?" Varese looked around the table, and then burst out laughing.
"What?" asked Mac, unsure of Varese's reaction to her own question.
"You have an evening to yourselves, guys, and you're sat there like some staid old married couple. How about we go out for a meal," Varese raised her hand at Harm's immediate reaction, having told Mattie he would be staying in the hotel. "It's okay, Harm. I've got that covered. Mattie has your cell phone number, right? And we can tell the hotel where we're going to be, also. We have a meal out, and then come back to the hotel for a nightcap in the jazz club. We'll be back at the hotel then, for when Mattie gets in."
Harm relaxed and smiled. "It's becoming habit, Varese. Since Mattie came into my life, things have changed. I never thought I'd be this protective. Heck, Mattie was on her own for six months before I came along, and if I hadn't turned up at the airfield when I did, who knows where she would have ended up?"
"You're a good man, Harmon Rabb. Hang on to him, Mac."
"Yeah, I plan on doing just that," Mac answered, turning to smile at Harm. "Okay, dinner it is. Where are we going to go?"
"I know this great little place in the souq area, in town. Very select, wonderful food, and a great host."
SOUQ AREA
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As Sturgis and Harm both held the respective seats for Varese and Mac, their arrival at their table was met with many glances. Apart from the fact that many people recognized Varese from the hotel, the two couples made a very striking quartet. Mac was aware of the covert, and not so covert, looks they were getting.
"Harm, do we have a sign over our heads that says 'hi, look at us'?"
Harm shook his head and grinned. "Nope."
"Then why is everyone looking at us?"
"Because they're jealous of Sturgis and I for having the two most beautiful women in the room at our table."
Mac snorted softly at his comment, and Harm raised an eyebrow. "And what about the women?" she asked, amused, waiting for his response.
"Hey, Sturg and I can't help it if we're so handsome," came the reply, and Mac leaned sideways at the table and dropped her head on Harm's shoulder. Sturgis grinned at the pair of them, and Varese smiled, noticing again that when the drinks were ordered, Harm had opted for a non-alcoholic beverage. As Mattie wasn't with them, she chose then to vent her curiosity.
"Harm, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Varese. What?"
"I noticed yesterday evening, and today at the marina, that you're not drinking alcohol, but I know that you had some of the beer yesterday afternoon with Sturgis. I thought it was because of Mattie, but she's not here right now. So, what is it?" Even as she asked the question Varese put her hand over her mouth and stared at Mac.
Harm looked from a stunned Varese to a smiling Mac and grinned as she nodded her head. Turning back to Sturgis and Varese he reached for Mac's hand on the table and answered Varese's question.
"Mac and I are expecting a baby," he confirmed, and Varese almost jumped out of her seat, hiding an excited squeal behind the hands clamped over her mouth. Sturgis was sitting in silence, and then as the truth of Harm's statement dawned on him he hit them both with a huge smile. Getting out of his seat he bent down to hug Mac and then walked around the back of her seat to congratulate Harm.
"That is such great news, Harm! Does Mattie know?"
"Yes, we told her on the Sea Hawk, but she'd already guessed," Mac answered.
"She's a bright kid," Sturgis acknowledged, and Mac nodded, a wry expression on her face.
"Too bright, sometimes - she said she knew I was pregnant because I'd gone off eating 'dead animal'." At Varese's puzzled expression Mac explained about her passion for Beltway Burgers. "I only hope the cravings come back after the baby is born. I'd hate to think I was going totally vegetarian!" she moaned, comically.
Varese laughed at that, and then noticed when Mac looked at Harm before speaking again. Sturgis was aware of Mac's history, and it was only fair that Varese now know the main reason that Mac didn't drink alcohol.
"Varese, there is another reason why I don't drink. I'm an alcoholic, although I haven't had a drink in a long time," Mac told her. When Harm had sat down again he had reached for Mac's hand, and she squeezed it now, receiving his love and strength in the responsive grasp. "Harm shows his support by choosing not to drink around me."
"I think that is absolutely amazing! You're quite a woman, Sarah Mackenzie," Varese admitted softly, and Mac managed a small smile, her eyes tearing up. Harm added to the conversation, giving Mac time to recover.
"I happen to think so, too," he said, and dropped a kiss on the side of Mac's brow as he spoke.
"Well, I think all this deserves a toast. To Mac and Harm, the proud parents-to-be, and to my gorgeous companion," at which Varese nodded her head slightly, and then Sturgis added, "and not forgetting myself!" to which there was a round of laughter.
As the four of them then settled down to ordering their meals, Mac caught Harm's eye as she in turn glanced around the room.
"What is it, Mac?"
"Have you noticed just how many naval officers and crew are in this place, Harm?" she murmured, and he nodded. Sturgis added that he had noticed that fact too.
"Some pretty high up the ladder, too. Oh, no!" Sturgis muttered then, and Harm looked across to where his gaze had settled.
The man at the table across the room raised his glass in greeting and smiled at the four of them.
"Dunstan!" Mac, Harm and Sturgis groaned in unison.
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To be continued
A/N :
1. Gremlins on the loose! I apologize for the headings in the last chapter being stuck on one line without punctuation. I'm not sure what happened, but I'll try to make sure it doesn't go that way again.
2. My beta reading went out the window at the same time - I really should read through, but what the heck, it is the weekend, and I'm on borrowed time at the moment. My husband is due home on leave and I'm supposed to be clearing out the garage to house a new car - when instead, I'm writing fanfic chapters for my wonderful readers/reviewers. Much more satisfying than standing in a cold garage throwing out junk!
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986 and angelab for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
jbird7986 Hi. Welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the support.
abigaile Thanks for the support. Next chapter here!
jtbwriter Hiya. Harm's reaction just came to mind while I had them playing in the water. Isn't imagination a wonderful thing! Can't resist the mushy stuff either. Thanks as always!
kjflygirl87 As I said above, the idea came while I was writing about the three of them being in the pool. It just seemed right to put it in there. Sue and Jack will be along soon - the weekend in Bahrain is almost over. How about the 'Eye Spies' for Sue and Jack??? Just a thought! :o)
angelab Hi, welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. I drew from experience (a little!) - I spent my 'honeymoon' in the Sheraton Hotel in Qatar! That's probably more than enough, so...on with the reply to your review! ;o) The flashback to the night in Atlantic is mentioned in the two previous reviews, but personally I feel that such effects can last for years - I suffer from panic attacks sometimes, and there is no trigger I can think of, just my subconscious decides that 'now's the time' and there's nothing you can do about it when it hits, except get through it and move on!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
PENTHOUSE TERRACE
FRIDAY, MID-MORNING
When Harm, Mac and Mattie returned to their suites to shower and get changed, Sturgis and Varese were already up and having a coffee on the terrace. Harm and Mac opted for a coffee first, but Mattie excused herself and went to her suite. Harm followed her, excusing himself also for a few minutes.
"Mattie, are you okay about what happened in the pool?" Harm asked, closing the door to the suite behind him as he waited for Mattie to answer him. Turning to face him, she nodded.
"I am if you are, Harm. I just thought maybe it was my fault for dunking you."
"Nah, it wasn't that. I told you before that I went in the drink with Skates, the night I was flying back for Mac's wedding. I thought I'd got over the nightmares I had following the crash. It's been three years. Today was just the first time I've actually been near water, like I said, and I guess I just freaked. It won't happen again."
"Can you be sure?" Mattie was unsure still, but Harm put his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers.
"Yeah, Mattie, I can be sure. It was just a one-off. Now I know why it happened, I can work with it. It just took me by surprise, that's all."
"Okay. I'll get showered and changed. What time is food being served?"
"When you're ready. It's a buffet, so it'll be waiting."
"Great. I'll be out soon, then."
"Good. See you later." Harm released Mattie and walked back to open the suite door. "Mattie?"
"Yeah?"
"Love you, kiddo."
"Love you too, Harm." Mattie grinned, and turned on her heel to go to the bathroom. Harm smiled and moved out onto the terrace, closing the door behind him.
"Everything all right, bro'?" Sturgis asked, wondering what had happened to Mattie.
Harm nodded and took a seat next to Mac, moving to take hold of her hand and squeeze it reassuringly.
"Mattie's fine. I had a touch of deja-vu in the pool a little earlier. I haven't been near so much water since I ditched the F-14, and I freaked a little. It scared Mattie, but she's okay now."
"You too?"
"Yeah, me too." Harm nodded again, and raised Mac's hand to his mouth and brushed her knuckles with his lips.
Varese shared a look with Sturgis and smiled at him, and then turned to Harm and Mac.
"If it's okay with you, I've rented a boat down at the marina. We can take a ride out around the bay and you can see some of the island from offshore. I figured, with two sailors, we wouldn't need a driver."
Harm and Sturgis looked at each other and grinned.
"I guess you figured right, Varese.
The brunch set the tone of the day, friends enjoying each other's company, getting to know one another more, especially in Varese's case - getting to know Harm, Mac and Mattie, and their 'involvement' in each other's lives! After eating they made their way to a hotel limousine and were chauffeured to the marina where they picked up their boat and went out onto the waters of the Gulf. If Harm had any residual fear of the water after his swim that morning he didn't show it, and Mac relaxed even more when he told her he was all right a little later. Mattie was having a great time, and showed as much natural talent piloting a boat as she did an aircraft. Harm's pride in this talent was obvious, and he was grinning from ear to ear as Mattie steered the boat around the bay under the watchful eye of not one but three qualified seamen - Harm, Sturgis and Mac.
When they returned to the marina later they took a table outside and ordered drinks. Varese took note that although Harm had drunk the beer with Sturgis the previous day, he hadn't touched any alcohol during the evening in the restaurant. Nor had he ordered any alcohol now. It was probably because of Mattie being there, she reasoned, but she was curious enough to shelve the thought for asking later.
As the waiter appeared with their drinks, he was joined by three more people.
Mac sensed Harm tensing, and she looked up at him from the seat beside her. Across the table Sturgis was suddenly sitting up straighter beside Varese. If Mattie was aware of the sudden tension at the table she didn't show it.
"Hello, Mattie. This is a surprise. I didn't know you would be here today." Mattie looked up and grinned as she recognized Blaise. "I'd like to introduce you to my parents, Alex and Marie Purcell. Mom, Dad, this is Mattie Grace, and her father, Mr Rabb."
Harm got to his feet, his hand outstretched as he shook both Alex's hand, and Marie's. "Hello. I'm Harm Rabb, I'm actually Mattie's guardian at this moment in time, but we're pretty close to father and daughter."
"It shows, Mr Rabb. We noticed last night that you were very protective. It's nice to see." Marie Purcell spoke up, and Harm immediately noticed her open, honest demeanor, and he smiled.
"Thank you." Harm answered, and then turned to introduce the Purcells to Mac, Varese and Sturgis. Mac felt the tiniest hint of dismay at Harm's introduction, as it was so brief - just their first names. Immediately she dismissed the feeling, realizing that he couldn't very well introduce them as the military officers they were; and Varese, as 'an entertainer'? As for Mac herself, how else could he have introduced her? - His girlfriend? - not when she was so much more; his fiancée? - nope, that wouldn't work either. Mac acknowledged that Harm had probably done the right thing, and she brought her attention back to the sound of his voice as he continued talking.
"So, what can we do for you?"
"Well, we understand it's your last night in Bahrain, at least for a while, and we wondered if you would allow Mattie to join us at a beach barbecue. Alex and I will be there, if you're concerned. We just thought, as Mattie and Blaise seem to get on so well, that she might like a little 'younger' company, and you might enjoy a night to yourselves."
"Well, I don't speak for Mattie," Harm said, turning to the teenager and smiling as she came up beside him and put her arm around his waist, "but I would have insisted on a chaperone had there been no mention." At that statement, everyone laughed. Turning to look at Mattie, he raised an eyebrow. "It's up to you, kiddo."
"It's the last night, but I really would like to visit the beach, and besides, you and Mac haven't had a night to yourselves for a while."
Mac dipped her head at this, hiding a faint blush, and Sturgis smiled as he noted her reaction. Harm gave Mattie a quick hug, and then looked back at the waiting couple, and Blaise.
"Thank you, very much. What time were you planning on finishing?" Harm asked, and Marie Purcell smiled as she answered.
"Probably about 10. We should get Mattie back to the hotel for 11ish."
"Okay. Mattie, give me a call when you're back. We'll be in the hotel somewhere."
"Will do, Dad." Mattie grinned as she leaned in and kissed Harm. "Thanks," she murmured as she bent down to kiss Mac's cheek too.
"Enjoy yourself, and be good." Mattie rolled her eyes at Harm as he spoke, and he swatted at her as she walked away from the table to join the others.
"Have a nice time, Mattie. See you later," Mac added, as the teenager walked away, already in an excited discussion with Blaise and his parents.
"So, folks, what would you like to do this evening?" Varese looked around the table, and then burst out laughing.
"What?" asked Mac, unsure of Varese's reaction to her own question.
"You have an evening to yourselves, guys, and you're sat there like some staid old married couple. How about we go out for a meal," Varese raised her hand at Harm's immediate reaction, having told Mattie he would be staying in the hotel. "It's okay, Harm. I've got that covered. Mattie has your cell phone number, right? And we can tell the hotel where we're going to be, also. We have a meal out, and then come back to the hotel for a nightcap in the jazz club. We'll be back at the hotel then, for when Mattie gets in."
Harm relaxed and smiled. "It's becoming habit, Varese. Since Mattie came into my life, things have changed. I never thought I'd be this protective. Heck, Mattie was on her own for six months before I came along, and if I hadn't turned up at the airfield when I did, who knows where she would have ended up?"
"You're a good man, Harmon Rabb. Hang on to him, Mac."
"Yeah, I plan on doing just that," Mac answered, turning to smile at Harm. "Okay, dinner it is. Where are we going to go?"
"I know this great little place in the souq area, in town. Very select, wonderful food, and a great host."
SOUQ AREA
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As Sturgis and Harm both held the respective seats for Varese and Mac, their arrival at their table was met with many glances. Apart from the fact that many people recognized Varese from the hotel, the two couples made a very striking quartet. Mac was aware of the covert, and not so covert, looks they were getting.
"Harm, do we have a sign over our heads that says 'hi, look at us'?"
Harm shook his head and grinned. "Nope."
"Then why is everyone looking at us?"
"Because they're jealous of Sturgis and I for having the two most beautiful women in the room at our table."
Mac snorted softly at his comment, and Harm raised an eyebrow. "And what about the women?" she asked, amused, waiting for his response.
"Hey, Sturg and I can't help it if we're so handsome," came the reply, and Mac leaned sideways at the table and dropped her head on Harm's shoulder. Sturgis grinned at the pair of them, and Varese smiled, noticing again that when the drinks were ordered, Harm had opted for a non-alcoholic beverage. As Mattie wasn't with them, she chose then to vent her curiosity.
"Harm, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Varese. What?"
"I noticed yesterday evening, and today at the marina, that you're not drinking alcohol, but I know that you had some of the beer yesterday afternoon with Sturgis. I thought it was because of Mattie, but she's not here right now. So, what is it?" Even as she asked the question Varese put her hand over her mouth and stared at Mac.
Harm looked from a stunned Varese to a smiling Mac and grinned as she nodded her head. Turning back to Sturgis and Varese he reached for Mac's hand on the table and answered Varese's question.
"Mac and I are expecting a baby," he confirmed, and Varese almost jumped out of her seat, hiding an excited squeal behind the hands clamped over her mouth. Sturgis was sitting in silence, and then as the truth of Harm's statement dawned on him he hit them both with a huge smile. Getting out of his seat he bent down to hug Mac and then walked around the back of her seat to congratulate Harm.
"That is such great news, Harm! Does Mattie know?"
"Yes, we told her on the Sea Hawk, but she'd already guessed," Mac answered.
"She's a bright kid," Sturgis acknowledged, and Mac nodded, a wry expression on her face.
"Too bright, sometimes - she said she knew I was pregnant because I'd gone off eating 'dead animal'." At Varese's puzzled expression Mac explained about her passion for Beltway Burgers. "I only hope the cravings come back after the baby is born. I'd hate to think I was going totally vegetarian!" she moaned, comically.
Varese laughed at that, and then noticed when Mac looked at Harm before speaking again. Sturgis was aware of Mac's history, and it was only fair that Varese now know the main reason that Mac didn't drink alcohol.
"Varese, there is another reason why I don't drink. I'm an alcoholic, although I haven't had a drink in a long time," Mac told her. When Harm had sat down again he had reached for Mac's hand, and she squeezed it now, receiving his love and strength in the responsive grasp. "Harm shows his support by choosing not to drink around me."
"I think that is absolutely amazing! You're quite a woman, Sarah Mackenzie," Varese admitted softly, and Mac managed a small smile, her eyes tearing up. Harm added to the conversation, giving Mac time to recover.
"I happen to think so, too," he said, and dropped a kiss on the side of Mac's brow as he spoke.
"Well, I think all this deserves a toast. To Mac and Harm, the proud parents-to-be, and to my gorgeous companion," at which Varese nodded her head slightly, and then Sturgis added, "and not forgetting myself!" to which there was a round of laughter.
As the four of them then settled down to ordering their meals, Mac caught Harm's eye as she in turn glanced around the room.
"What is it, Mac?"
"Have you noticed just how many naval officers and crew are in this place, Harm?" she murmured, and he nodded. Sturgis added that he had noticed that fact too.
"Some pretty high up the ladder, too. Oh, no!" Sturgis muttered then, and Harm looked across to where his gaze had settled.
The man at the table across the room raised his glass in greeting and smiled at the four of them.
"Dunstan!" Mac, Harm and Sturgis groaned in unison.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
A/N :
1. Gremlins on the loose! I apologize for the headings in the last chapter being stuck on one line without punctuation. I'm not sure what happened, but I'll try to make sure it doesn't go that way again.
2. My beta reading went out the window at the same time - I really should read through, but what the heck, it is the weekend, and I'm on borrowed time at the moment. My husband is due home on leave and I'm supposed to be clearing out the garage to house a new car - when instead, I'm writing fanfic chapters for my wonderful readers/reviewers. Much more satisfying than standing in a cold garage throwing out junk!