Two weeks later

The beach lay quiet as they walked hand in hand. It was the last night of their honeymoon and they were heading back to reality the next day. It had been wonderful to just concentrate on each other for a few days. It was the first time they had been able to do that since the night they decided to get married. Between her work and him being in DC with Mattie until she could be relocated, and then all the hours at the hospital and the house project there hadn't been much time for them.

"There's a lot waiting on us," Mac said as they walked the same walk they had taken every night they had been there.

"There is," he agreed. "Are you dreading it?"

"Not dreading it but wondering where we'll fit into it all," she admitted. "It's been nice to be just us."

"Yeah, it's been very nice," he agreed. They had spent a considerable amount of time in bed on the trip. He hadn't minded that at all. But it wasn't just that, it was the lazy breakfast, the long walks and just being together without interruptions. "We have to make some rules."

"Rules?" she questioned.

"Yeah, like once a week we have lunch together," he suggested. "On weekdays," he added.

"And weekends are for family," she suggested. "I mean, there will be some interruptions, with my work, but most weekends are for us."

"Date night," he said.

"Once a month?" she suggested.

He nodded.

"And even though we're looking into adoption, we still work on the baby," she said and tugged on his hand to make him stop.

He turned to her and pulled her into his arms. "Deal."

"But we'll enjoy it too," she added with a smile. "It's not just about the baby."

He leaned in and kissed her. "I have definitely been enjoying it."

"Me too," she rubbed her nose to his. "I love you."

"I love you too," he kissed her again. "

Two days later

Mac reached for the book she wanted on the shelf and looked for the other when she heard the library door open and shut. She was happy to be back. Not that she hadn't enjoyed the honeymoon, because she really had. But she also loved her work and enjoyed her responsibilities.

"Come on Lieutenant," Lieutenant Command Henry Malcolm said.

"What is it, Commander?" Lieutenant Graves wondered with an amused tone.

"You're the Colonel's favorite. How did you do that?" Malcolm wondered.

"I'm not her favorite," Graves laughed it off.

"She recommended that the Navy put you through law school. I think it's safe to say that you're her favorite," the Commander argued. "How did you get her to like you?"

"I don't know. I'm good at my job," Graves reasoned.

"So am I, but I think the colonel hates me," Malcolm complained.

"Well," Graves let it hang. Mac had decided to stay hidden behind the shelf and not reveal that she was listening in on the conversation.

"Well, what?" Malcolm wanted to know.

"You're full of yourself and you flirt with everyone," Graves said and added. "Sorry, sir."

"I'm a charming man," Malcolm offered. "I do my job," he added.

"You're also obnoxious," Graves added. "And again, sir, you asked my opinion."

"I did do that," Malcolm said quietly. "So how do I prove how good I am?"

"You could start by not broadcasting how good you think you are, sir," Graves suggested. "I've seen good lawyers, sir. The Colonel is one of the best. Captain Rabb too. And you are nowhere in their league. So stop acting like it and just be a little bit more humble, sir. People would like you a lot better."

"So now you're saying that I'm not likable?" Malcolm wondered. "I'm good looking, smart, what's not to like?"

"That," Graves said. "Now sir, if you'd excuse me, I'm going to see if I can find the Colonel because her husband is looking for her."

The door to the library opened and shut again. Mac found the other book she wanted and stepped around the shelf.

"Commander," she brushed past him without saying anything.

"Ma'am," Malcolm said as his jaw hit the floor.

Mac was smiling as she turned the corner and saw Graves with Harm. "Hi there."

"There you are, I was starting to wonder if we needed to arrange a search for you," Harm said.

"Nope just needed a few books," Mac said and happily accepted his kiss.

"I was wondering if you had time for lunch?" he wondered.

"Just let me put these on my desk," Mac said.

"I'll take them for you, ma'am, and tell Coates where you are," Graves took the books.

"Thanks, Lieutenant," Mac smiled and followed her husband into the elevator.

Lieutenant Commander Malcolm walked up to Graves just as the elevator doors closed.

"Sir," Graves said with amusement.

"I just made a complete fool of myself," was his only reply as he brushed past her.

"You pretty much did," Graves agreed.

Mac told Harm about the conversation as they waited for lunch and he got himself a good laugh.

"He does have the potential to become an excellent lawyer," Mac said.

"You're keeping him then?" Harm wondered.

Mac nodded. "I'll give him a chance."

"Graves is working out well I assume?" he questioned.

"Are you kidding, that woman is amazing," Mac said. "It's a good thing you found her."

Harm smiled. "She's something else that's for sure."

"She's hard-working and smart and willing to see past the obvious," Mac smiled. "I think she'll make an excellent lawyer."

"That's why you recommended her for law school," Harm reasoned.

Mac nodded. "How was your day so far?" she asked and reached for his hand.

"It's been fine. They are not giving me any time to ease into it. I guess with my trial experience they figure they can throw me right to the wolves," he chuckled.

"You agree?" she wondered.

"I think I'll be able to handle it," he reassured. "It's the same job really. You get a case, you prepare and you argue it. The only difference is that I'm always on the prosecuting side of it."

"It is a loss for potential private firms," she pointed out.

"Yeah, and a lot less money," he added. "But I don't know if I'd fit as a bloodsucking private lawyer."

She smiled. "Please Harm, don't ever become a bloodsucking private lawyer."

He laughed softly. "I won't."

Friday night

Mac heard voices as she walked downstairs after a shower. She had been to the gym, something she had thoroughly neglected lately. Harm had joined a basketball team and had the first practice with them. Mattie was out with Jennifer and Catherine. They were going for the movies and out to eat.

"Hey, back already?" Mac questioned.

"Yeah, we ate before the film," Mattie said as she wheeled into the living room. She parked the chair and walked over to the couch.

"Did it go okay?" Mac wondered.

"It went great, ma'am," Jenn reassured.

"We let her skip the chair in the movie theatre," Catherine said and bit her teeth. "She said it was okay. And it wasn't that long a walk."

"It's fine, Graves," Mac reassured. "Mattie knows her limits."

"But don't tell Harm, he'll freak out," Mattie said.

"He's just worried," Mac defended her husband.

"Well, we better go," Jennifer said. "I'll see you in the morning, Mattie. I had fun."

"Me too, Mattie," Catherine said.

"I'll see you guys," Mac smiled.

Mac joined Mattie on the couch. "You okay?"

"Just sick of this chair," Mattie complained.

"I know, but if you get tired and you fall we don't know the consequences," Mac reminded her.

The front door opened and shut. "Harm's home."

"Hi there," Mac smiled when Harm walked into the room.

"Hi," he offered a sweet smile as he headed upstairs. "I'll just shower."

"He looked pleased," Mattie commented.

Mac nodded. "I think he's been missing basketball."

"I miss school," Mattie said and chuckled. "I never thought I'd say that."

"We're looking into it," Mac reminded her.

"I know, but I don't know if I want to be the wheelchair girl," Mattie let out a sigh. "I'll head to my room now." She stood.

"You don't want to spend some time with, Harm?" Mac questioned.

"I'll catch up with him in the morning," Mattie said and headed for her room.

Mac wondered if she'd missed something.

Harm walked downstairs a while later and joined her on the couch.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Mac wondered.

"I did," he smiled. "You?"

"It was great," she reached for his hand. "Did I miss something happening between you and Mattie?"

"Well, I embarrassed her in front of some neighborly girls today," he admitted.

"Harm," she shook her head in wonder. "What did you do?"

"I just suggested that she use her wheelchair," he defended himself.

"Was she overdoing it?" Mac wondered.

"She was just standing there talking to them," he said and looked a little embarrassed. "I wasn't thinking, I was reacting."

Mac hesitated.

"I know what you'll say, but you know one of us has to be the bad cop," he pointed out.

"You're saying that I'm the good cop?" she questioned unsure if she should be offended.

"You let her get away with a lot of things, Mac. When she's not following the doctor's orders," he added.

"I do not, I just suggest things in a different tone than you use," she defended herself. "She's not a recruit you can order around, Captain."

The use of his rank made him raise his eyebrows. "I know that, Colonel."

"You think I'm too nice?" she questioned.

He hesitated, weighing his words. "Maybe you could take my side every now and then."

She bit her lip. "So I should agree with you even when I don't?"

"That wasn't what I meant," he started to stand. "Are we about to have an argument?"

"No," she smiled. "I see your point. I do."

"But?" he questioned.

"Maybe, just maybe, you could ease up a little," she suggested. "She's doing great, Harm. The doctor agrees. I know you love her and you want to protect her, and I love that about you, but she's a teenage girl. She needs to find her own way. Make friends. We can't patrol around her at all times."

Harm thought about it. "I get what you're saying. And nice touch with the, I love you for it. It made the argument so much more powerful." He smiled and leaned down and kissed her. "I'll talk with Mattie."

Mac smiled. "Good.

Harm knocked on Mattie's door.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Come in," she called out.

Harm opened the door and stepped inside. "Did you have a nice night?"

"Did Mac tell you that I didn't use my chair at the movies and you're here to yell at me?" Mattie wondered.

Harm let out a sigh. "I'm sorry about earlier today."

Mattie was surprised. "Okay."

"I was overreacting," he admitted.

Mattie eased up and smiled. "Thanks for saying that."

Harm hesitated, then sat down in a chair across from her. "I've been scared through every part of your recovery. I've wanted so much for you to heal and get to achieve all your dreams." He smiled. "I need to ease up. I get that."

Mattie smiled. "I appreciate everything you've done, Harm. And I know I've been a pain in the ass."

"No, you have been great. You've been through a lot and you're allowed to dish out every now and then I can handle it," he reassured. "Are we good?" he wondered.

Mattie nodded. "We're great. I love you, Dad." She leaned forward and hugged him close.

"I love you too, Mattie," he hugged her close. "We'll figure this out, huh?"

She nodded and released him. "Thanks."

"Any time," he smiled.