A/N: Notes and Disclaimers Apply.

Hugs to Snugglebug. You're the best, Lady!

Surprisingly, Mac awoke first the next morning with a strong urge to use the bathroom. Carefully she extricated herself from Harm's arms and went to tend to that. He was still sound asleep when she returned so Mac decided to make him a hot cup of tea and some breakfast. She'd finished about half the French toast when he finally stirred.

"Hey, sleepyhead," he muttered as he padded out to the kitchen. "You fell asleep during my story last night, and what are you doing up cooking?"

"Making my husband French toast," Mac replied. "You were sound asleep. You didn't even feel me get up."

"Nope, I sure...aachooo!...didn't," he said, sniffling noticeably.

"Bless you. That's the sixth one," she sighed. "You're getting a cold, Sailor."

"I don't get colds, babe," he said as he reached for a tissue. "You get colds; the kids get colds; but I do not get colds."

"You sound like you're getting a cold," she repeated. "Sit down and eat. There's tea with honey there too."

"Okay," he said, taking his usual seat at the table and picking up the cup of tea. "Mmm," he said as he took a taste. "That's good. Are you gonna eat with me? I don't want you over-doing anything, got it?"

"I won't," Mac replied. "I'll rest later, but I had a good sleep. I wonder how Lucy..."

"I'm sure she did fine once you got her calmed down," said Harm, taking another sip of his tea. "Is it toast yet? That smells wonderful...what I can smell of it, anyway."

"Its ready, Honey," Mac smiled. "One piece or two?"

"Two," he said. "Smothered in butter and syrup." Mac's French toast was admittedly one of the few foods Harm couldn't get enough of.

Mac arranged the food as he requested it then sat down with one piece for herself.

"This tastes good," Harm smiled. "Well what I can taste of it is good."

"Thank you. Honey, are you sure you aren't getting a cold. You look a little flushed," Mac replied as she pushed her breakfast around on her plate.

"I hope I'm not, he said with a little sniffle. "But I guess anything's possible. Are you not hungry?"

"Not particularly," she replied and reached out to touch his cheek. "You don't feel warm but you sound stuffy."

He sighed and reached for his cup of tea. "I feel stuffy. All I need right now is a cold."

"Maybe I should get the kids today," Mac sighed. "You snuggle up in bed and rest."

"Mac, you just had surgery yesterday, he said. "Even if I do have a little cold, I'm in better shape than you are."

"I think I feel better than you look though," Mac smiled. "Please at least let me go with you then."

"I'd rather you didn't, he said. "But I guess if you just wanted to ride along and let me do all the 'heavy lifting', I wouldn't argue too much." He punctuated his comment with a little wink and a soft smile.

"Harm, you are going to have to stop babying me," Mac said. "I'm fine now, for the most part. And at my next appointment Dr. Bradley will tell you so."

"I'll be thrilled if he does, sweetie," replied Harm. "But until then, please let me baby you just a little bit. It makes me feel better."

"Okay, then get over here," she ordered. "I need you."

Harm immediately stood up and hurried to Mac's side. "What's wrong?"

"I feeling very...lonely," she said with a little grin.

He looked surprised for a moment, and then a broad smile came across his face. "Well, I'd love to keep you company, my love, but neither of us is in any shape for that, I'm afraid."

"Can you hold me a minute?" she asked and lifted her arms up like DJ or Lucy would.

"If it'll make you feel better," he said. "You know I will." He carefully wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

"I wish we could stay like this forever, Sailor," she whispered against his strong chest. "Unfortunately, we have to get our children and you need to call the doctor."

"Doctor?" he asked. "Are you hurting, baby?"

"Okay, two doctors," she sighed. "I'm not hurting more than I should be but I do feel sick and you sound congested," she frowned and pulled back from him.

"I can take some decongestant," he said. "I'll be okay, but what's this about you feeling sick?"

"To my stomach," she finally admitted. "I told you last night, but it's worse now. As soon as I take that pill..."

"Okay, I'll call and see what he says about maybe changing your meds," said Harm as another sneeze came over him. "And we'll stop on the way home and get me something from the drug store."

"I'd prefer a trip to Dr. Rhinehart," Mac sighed. "But that's fine. You call AJ and check on the kids I have to take a shower."

"Are you allowed to shower yet?" asked Harm. "Can you get your cuts wet?"

"Yes, they can get wet," Mac smiled. "They have to be cleaned, Honey. Please don't worry. You'll get lines."

He smiled just a bit. "I thought lines made me look sexy?"

"Not that kind," she replied. "Not the kind you get from worrying about me so much. Please, relax."

He nodded. "I'll try. I'm just so ready for everything in our lives to finally settle back down, you know?"

"I know, and step one is for me to get cleaned up," she smiled. "Call AJ and the doctor's office. I'll be quick."

While Mac went to shower and dress, Harm finished the last few bites of his breakfast, as well as all of hers, and placed the dishes into the sink before calling AJ to check on the kids. Once he spoke to the retired Admiral and let him know that they'd come get their offspring within a couple of hours, he placed a call to Dr. Bradley's office, leaving a message about needing to change Mac's pain medication.

Mac promised to be quick in the shower but she took longer than expected. In fact she was in there for over a half an hour and that had Harm a little bit worried.

He went into their bedroom and opened the bathroom door, sticking his head inside. "Mac, baby? You okay in there? You need any help?" He was sincerely concerned, and if she needed his help, she'd get it.

"I'm fine, Sweetie," Mac called. "I'm just really enjoying this. I'll be out in a minute."

"Okay," he said, relieved that the cause of delay was merely that she was enjoying herself so much. "I called AJ and the docs, so as soon as you're out of there, I'll hop in and maybe we can be out of here in an hour."

"Great, I can't wait to pick up my kids again," Mac sighed and stepped over to turn off the spray.

Mac opened the shower door and stepped out, clothed in nothing not even a towel and stood in front of her husband.

He stood and stared at her for a few moments. "Wow, baby," he finally said, walking towards her and holding out a tentative hand to gently touch her abdomen. "You're all swollen."

"Doesn't hurt though," she smiled. "The last time I looked like this it was agony." She reached with her one hand for the towel. "I should have covered it up."

"No, no," he said, gently taking the towel out of her hand. "I think you look beautiful, it's just..." He placed a kiss on his fingers, then placed his hand back against her swollen belly. "I hate that you have to go through this."

"Going through this will let us have our baby, Harm. That's what will get us through it."

He nodded, gently running his hand over her tiny incisions. "I know. I just hate that we have to get there like this."

"So do I," Mac sighed. "Okay, enough of this. You get in the shower. I cannot wait to get to AJ's and scoop up my boy! I haven't swung him around in forever."

"And you'll have to wait a bit longer to do that, sweetie," said Harm. "No lifting anything over 10 pounds for the next week, remember?"

"I'm a Marine, Harm," Mac replied. "I may not have seemed like it lately, but I can lift our son. You wait and see."

Harm smiled a bit and shook his head as he grabbed his towel and turned on the water for his shower. "I'll remember this 'Marines heal faster than the average person' attitude when it comes to...other things."

"You do that Sailor," she smiled and went to get herself ready.

Once Harm had showered and Mac had found an outfit she felt comfortable in, the pair headed to AJ's house to reclaim their children. Mac was tired and feeling a bit nauseated from the pain killer she was taking, but overall she felt fairly good. Harm's head had cleared out a bit in the shower, the steamy water helping a lot, but he seemed to feel worse as time went on.

"You're getting warm, Sailor," Mac frowned as she held his hand. "You're going straight to bed when we get home. And don't kiss Lucy or DJ on the lips."

"What about you?" he asked. "I kissed you on the lips just last night, or rather, you kissed me." He squeezed her hand gently.

"If I get sick I get sick, if they get sick we have to sit up nights with Vapor Rub," Mac laughed.

"If you get sick," he said with a sly grin. "I'll do your Vapor Rub."

"Count on it, ring the bell," she sighed. "I can't wait to see them, Honey. I can't. I missed them so much."

"Me, too" he said. "I feel like they've spent more time away from us than with us lately."

With a ring of the doorbell and a ten second wait, Harm and Mac were reunited with their children, both of whom were thrilled to see their parents.

DJ toddled quickly to his Mommy arms outstretched, and Lucy ran to Harm first, "Daddy! I missed you!"

"Hey, Button!" exclaimed Harm as he scooped his daughter into his arms. "Did you have fun with Uncle AJ?"

"Yes, I did," Lucy replied. "But I want to go home with you and Mommy."

"You can come home with us," he said. "We missed you, too!" He looked over at Mac, who was attempting to pick up their son. "Mac..."

She looked up at him, having tried to lift DJ, but getting no further than placing her hands beneath his arms and putting a tiny bit of pressure on her abdominal muscles. "DJ, baby." she said. "Go see Daddy, okay?"

"Mama, up!" he said very clearly.

"Here, DJ," said Harm, putting Lucy down and going over to him. "Let Daddy pick you up and then you can give Mommy hugs and kisses."

DJ complied and Mac made her way over to AJ's sofa to sit down. The retired Admiral looked beat.

"Did they wear you out, AJ?" asked Harm as he held his son.

"Lucy..." he sighed. "Four times last night."

"I'm sorry," said Harm. "Things have been tough on her lately, but now, hopefully, we're past the worst of it."

Lucy made her way over to her mother and climbed up on her lap and snuggled next to her, "Are you all better now Mommy?"

"I sure hope so, baby girl," replied Mac. "I know that would make you happy, huh?"

Lucy nodded, "DJ and I made you presents."

Mac's face lit up. "You did? That was so nice of you, baby." She placed a kiss atop Lucy's curl-topped head.

"I'll go get them," Lucy smiled and went to get the little potholders AJ helped her and DJ make for Mac. They were in the shape of hearts, one had an "L" and the other had a "D".

"Oh, they're just beautiful," gushed Mac, fighting back years of joy. "Thank you Lucy Bear." She looked up at her son, who was still in his father's arms. "Thank you, little sailor."

DJ smiled and reached out, "Mommy!"

"Bring him over here," she said to Harm. "He can sit next to me so I can hug him."

Harm did as Mac asked and soon she was cuddling both of her children close to her. Harm and AJ sat and watched smiling. "Okay, Little Ones, I think its time we got our things and went home. What do you think there Lucy?"

"Uh-huh," agreed the child.

"Okay, go to Daddy so he can get you in the seats okay," Mac told them. "Mommy needs to talk to Uncle AJ."

The children followed their Daddy out to the SUV while their mother remained behind.

"AJ, I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for us," Mac said. "And I know Harm told you about Mexico..."

AJ nodded. "He did. How are you two doing with that, if you can pardon my asking?"

"Much better since Pennsylvania and my illness getting worse," Mac replied. "I'm almost scared to be healthy again. I had to say that and I knew I could say it to you."

"You're scared because you feel like that's been the only thing keeping you together?" asked AJ. "Because if the answer to that is yes, you need to think of another question."

"I think it could be AJ. He's so..." Mac sighed. "What other question?"

"Oh, maybe 'how could I possibly think that the only thing keeping Harm and I together is an unfortunate illness?' Or 'why am I so afraid that things are finally getting better?'"

"I'm afraid to hope again, AJ," she sighed. "I'm afraid that this one didn't work and we'll be back to where we started. I'm so afraid and I can't tell him. I just can't."

"The surgery was only yesterday," said AJ. "How can you think it didn't work?"

"It doesn't feel like it worked," Mac sighed. "I doesn't' feel like it worked."

"Ok, all set," said Harm as he popped his head in the door. "Kids are strapped in; I'm ready when you are."

"In a minute, Honey," Mac said plastering a smile on her face.

"I'll be in the car, okay?" he said.

Mac nodded and waited for her former CO, father figure and friend to help her.

"Well, only time will tell that, I suppose," he replied. "Until then, try to stay on the positive side. Focus on all the things going right between you two right now and build on them. This will be tough, no doubt about that, but you two are some of the toughest people I know."

Mac rewarded that effort with a tiny smile, "Thanks AJ. For everything. Dinner next week?"

"Just tell me when," he answered. "Go on, go home with your family and get some rest; that's an order."

"Aye, Sir," Mac replied and headed out to the car with to head home with her family.

Harm drove home, making a stop at the drug store as he promised Mac he would do. By the time they got home, two and a half hours after they left he was beginning to feel pretty miserable, and DJ pretty tired. "Honey?" Mac asked gently as Harm pulled the SUV into their driveway.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"You okay?" Mac asked gently rubbing his leg. "Can you get a sleepy Sailor inside?"

He smiled just a little. "You mean the kid or his father?"

"Both," Mac replied and touched his cheek. "100.4, bets?"

"What do I get if I win?" he asked, trying to keep his charm running full speed.

"You get dinner in bed tonight," Mac replied. "And full use of the remote."

"And if I lose?" he continued, opening the driver's side door.

"I get to use the remote," Mac replied. "Lucy come on now, out of the car," Mac told her daughter.

"Okay, Mommy," answered the child, unfastening her straps and climbing down from her booster seat. "Can I watch a video?"

"Sure you can," Mac smiled. "Just be quiet for Daddy okay?"

Lucy nodded and ran towards the front door while the rest of the family lagged behind.

"Let me have him," Mac said. "You change and go lie down."

Harm shook his head. "I'll put him in bed, and then I'll go change and lay down."

"Okay," Mac sighed. "I'm going to go and sit with Lucy. Call me if you need anything okay?"

"I will," he said with a sniffle as he carried a sleeping DJ to his room. Once the boy was settled in his bed, Harm went across the hall to the master bedroom, where he changed into his most comfy pair of sleep shorts and a T-shirt before crawling underneath the covers, where he remained for the next three hours.

Mac sat with Lucy watching videos with her daughter, who stayed next to her mother quiet as could be. "What's wrong, Baby?"

"I'm kinda sleepy" said the child. "I was sad last night."

"Tell Mommy," Mac said gently rubbing the top of Lucy's head.

"I didn't know if you were all better yet," she said. "I couldn't see you, and it made me sad."

"Lucy, Mommy doesn't want you to worry about her so much okay?" Mac told her. "That makes Mommy's heart very sad; to know you are so worried."

"I don't want you to have a sad heart," said Lucy. "I'll try not to be worried, okay?"

"Okay, that's my girl," Mac smiled and hugged Lucy just as the phone rang. Mac grabbed it so it would not wake Harm. "Rabb Residence."

There was no reply, only silence.

"Hello?" Mac said into the receiver. "Hello?"

"Is Harm there?" asked the voice on the other end of the line.

"He is, he's asleep," Mac replied. "Who is this?"

"It's, um, it's Annie," replied the caller.

"Hello," Mac said. "What can I do for you?"

"Nothing I can really think of," replied Annie. "I just need to talk with Harm."

"He's not feeling very well," Mac replied. "He's got a bit of a cold."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," said Annie. "But it's really no wonder with all the stress he's been under lately."

"I suppose its not," Mac replied. "And we all know where that stress came from, don't we?"

"Indeed we do," retorted Annie. "It's been hell on him, you know?"

"What are you referring to exactly?" Mac asked. She wanted to know what this woman knew, that little part of her heart that was still skeptical needed to know.

"Things at home," said Annie, being far too bold for her own good. "Since you got sick, his life has been miserable."

"Funny, I'd say since you interfered in his life at home, it's been miserable. I'm his wife, he loves me," Mac said firmly, glad to stake her territory.

"No, things were bad long before..."Annie's voice drifted off. "I know even lately, things have been rough, I mean he had to practically put his life on hold those three weeks you were so sick." Mic had told her about how he'd kept the kids when Mac had to have those procedures done not long ago, and she couldn't just let knowledge like that slide.

"How did you know about that?" Mac asked. Then to Lucy, "Lucy, go play Legos in your room."

"It's not important," said Annie. "But it just goes to further show how much Harm has had to sacrifice for you. Do you know how much he resents you for that?"

"That's a lie," Mac hissed. "You have no idea what our relationship is like or our marriage. If he resents anyone its you, for interfering, and for parading that baby around in front of him, like it's his child!"

"Oh, it's his child, Mac," said Annie, an evil tone coming through in her voice. "That night with him, my God, it was amazing. I can see why you're so angry all the time, having to miss out on sex like that..."

Mac flinched and thanked God Annie couldn't see her, "All right, you listen to me. This is your first and last warning, you stay away from Harm, you stay away from me, and you stay away from my children or so help me God I will bury you. Is that clear?"

"Oh, I'll stay away from you," said Annie. "And I'd never want to come between Harm and his children, but I can't leave him alone. This baby is his, and he made me some promises which I intend to hold him to."

"Those weren't promises," Mac replied. "You blackmailed him, but the jokes on you because I know all about it. You have nothing on him, nothing."

"I'm carrying his child," spat Annie. "I dare say that's 'something', don't you?"

"That fact, Annie, remains to be seen," Mac replied. "Now, I would appreciate you not cal Harm anymore. He does have enough to worry about and he is ill right now."

"He told me to call when I needed to," she said, refusing to give in to Mac's orders. "This isn't for you to decide."

"Then pray tell what is so urgent that you need to speak with him?" Mac asked, her tone with a hint of annoyance.

"I need to ask him some questions about his family medical history," answered Annie snottily. "The doctor wants me to have some genetic testing done, but before I can decide to do it or not, I need to ask him a few things."

"Fine," Mac replied. "I'll have him call you when he's feeling better. I of course assume you're calling the other possible candidates as well."

"What's that supposed to mean?" snapped Annie.

"That you don't know this baby is Harm's. God knows how many others there were," Mac shouted now. "You act like you are so sure, that you are so innocent, well innocent women don't seduce their dead husband's best friend while he's hurting so badly he's drowning in alcohol. The kind of the person that does that...well God knows how many times you have done that!"

"That's not what happened and you know it!" shouted Annie in return. "He came to me because he was dying inside over everything you put him through and all the needs you couldn't meet. He sacrificed so much for you, and you can't even see what happened in Mexico for what it really was, a desperate cry for attention - you know, the kind you can't give him anymore!"

Harm stirred in his sleep, his wife's yelling from the living room getting his attention.

"I give him plenty of attention, I give him love and kindness and all the things that women like you aren't capable of giving," Mac spat. "Where the Hell were you then when his grandma died? Where were you when he found his father's burial sight, huh? I'll tell you, being a self centered, colossal bitch!"

Hearing the words "colossal bitch" coming from the living room, even as sick as he was, he knew right away who Mac was on the phone with. "Shit..." he muttered to himself as he threw the covers back and went to get out of bed. He got both feet on the floor, but when he tried to stand, he found his legs had the strength of overdone spaghetti. Slumping back into bed, he called out to her. "Maaaac..."