January 2006

Harm was surprised to see his wife in his office when he came back from court. He was at the end of a murder trial and things were busy. He'd been late getting home every night over the last week and he felt bad about it.

"Hi there," he smiled. "This is a surprise," he kissed her softly. "You remember my colleague, Viola Clarkson?" he motioned for the woman following him into his office.

"I do," Mac confirmed. "Nice to see you again, ma'am."

"Colonel," Viola offered her hand and a smile. "Harm just got us a conviction." Viola was a busty middle-aged woman who had a rumor of being tough. She was also very nice when she wanted to be.

Mac smiled. "I'm not surprised." And she wasn't. She knew how hard Harm had worked on this case.

"We have to wait for the verdict, but we have made a good case," Harm said humbly. "What are you doing here?"

"I had some business in the building, handing over a case file. A naval enlisted man who's been behaving badly on leave. You guys want to prosecute him for something else so we let you handle it," she explained. "I decided to hand it over myself and see if you had time to have lunch with your wife?"

"You're in luck. I do have time for that," he assured. "Maybe Viola wants to come?"

"And mess up a date between you lovebirds? No way," she smiled. "Later Superman."

Mac chuckled. "Superman?"

"Apparently I'm superman now," he shrugged. "Because I fly."

Mac nodded. "Speaking of flying. You have a chance to go out to a carrier for a few days next week if you want to," she said as she followed him into the hallway.

"I do?" he questioned.

"You have to prepare for a briefing on the rules of engagements during a joint exercise as well, but yeah, you get to fly for two days. If you want to?" she questioned.

"Thanks, Mac," he flashed her a big smile.

"Are you ready to get out of retirement?" she teased.

"For a few days and a chance to fly, sure," he agreed.

"And a chance to hang with the CAG," she added.

"I'm going out to the Reagan?" Harm looked pleased. "It'll be good seeing Keeter again."

Mac could see that Harm was happy about the news.

"I better get those days off then," he added.

"You're wrapping up this case this week, right?" Mac wondered.

"Yes, we have the verdict tomorrow," he assured.

Later that night

That night after putting Logan to bed Harm found his wife in the kitchen tidying up after dinner. He hadn't gotten to spend as much time with Logan this week and he'd made sure to make it home early that day.

"He's down."

Mac nodded but didn't say anything. She had been quiet at dinner too.

"Everything okay?" he questioned.

"They called from Doctor Nestor's office today. They want to see us in the morning. To go over the results. Can you make it?" she questioned. "I set it up for 1500."

He nodded. "The verdict should be in around noon, so I'll make it."

"Good," she smiled half-heartedly as she tried to move past him.

Harm put his arm out and held her back. "Talk to me."

She hesitated. "There's not much to talk about before we get the results, Harm," she pointed out.

"Are you doing okay then?" he questioned as he put his hands on her hips.

"Not really," she admitted. "But I'm going to have to deal with it. It won't go away and whatever happened I can handle it."

"How about it if we handle whatever happens together?" he wondered.

She nodded. "Okay." Her arms moved around his neck and she hugged him close. "Thanks."

"Any time," he kissed the top of her hair.

The next day

Harm looked in on the lasagna and decided that it needed a few more minutes. He closed the oven and looked out the window and up at the sky. He'd been lucky to still get to fly for the Navy as a reserve pilot. It had taken some convincing by General Cresswell, but he'd pulled strings and Harm still got to keep his flight status. He hadn't decided yet if he should retire or stay in the reserves. Mattie was getting better each day and functioning like any normal teenager, so in theory, he could go back to the Navy. He had lost the coin toss but after they had landed a little after the rushed engagement, Mac had suggested that he stay in and ask for a billet in San Diego. He had thought about it but with Mattie in the hospital he needed time with her and he'd decided to go into an inactive billet.

"Logan is doing great."

He turned and found his wife looking at him.

"Where were you?" she wondered.

He smiled. "Thinking about flying," he admitted.

"Figures," she said teasingly.

He chuckled. "So, Logan is doing okay with the grandparents?"

"Yes," Mac let out a sigh.

"And how is Mommy?" Harm wondered as he opened the oven.

"Mommy is okay," she hesitated. "I think."

Harm put the lasagna on the counter and took the bread out. "It's his first night away. You're supposed to be worried."

Mac chuckled. "I guess. I know he's in great hands. Mattie is there too."

"He'll do fine," Harm reassured. "And it's nice to have a night alone."

"That it is," she agreed as she rounded the counter. "It was a good idea, Harm." She moved into his arms and kissed him softly.

"You okay, after today?" he wondered as he held her close. The news at the clinic hadn't been too bad. His sperm was mobile, and even though Mac's endometriosis was severe the doctor felt that Mac's Navy doctor had been too cautious.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she leaned back to look at him. "We try the treatment and we pay attention to my ovulation and we'll see what happens."

"And in a year, if we're not pregnant, we try a different approach," he added.

"Sounds like a plan," she tried a careful smile. "I'm not as discouraged as I was."

"Good," he smiled reassuringly.

They set the table and enjoyed a nice meal. They had done the cooking together. It was something they tried to do at least a few nights a week.

"An upside to having no kids around is this," Harm grabbed Mac after she had put away plates in the cabinet. She let out a shriek. He moved his hand to her behind and lifted her up on the counter and kissed her deeply.

"Oh, Mr. State prosecutor," she said as the kiss ended. "You're so strong and sexy."

"You think so?" he questioned while trailing kisses down her neck.

"So sexy," she said again and moved her head to grant him better access. "I like it when you touch me."

"Tell me more," he requested.

"The way you love me," her lips met his in a heated kiss. Clothes flew and the kitchen got its inauguration.

"Promise me," she requested when they were resting on the floor a little later. "That even when life is busy and the kids are driving us crazy, we still find time to do that."

"Have great sex in the kitchen?" he smiled as he moved over her.

"Uh hu," she nodded. "I need to get up from this floor. I can't feel my backside anymore."

He stopped his attack on her neck. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she reassured. "But we do have an amazing bed upstairs."

He chuckled as he stood and offered his hand to her. "Come on."

She stood and moved into his arms. "You drive me crazy. And I mean that in a good way."

He smirked. "At your service, ma'am."

"Come on," she motioned for him to follow her.

The next day

Trish walked out on the balcony and handed Mac ice tea. They had been invited for lunch when they picked Logan and Mattie up the next day.

"You've turned my son into someone who's lying on the floor building blocks," Trish said with a sweet smile on her face. "I never thought I'd see that."

"I don't think I had anything to do with that," Mac chuckled. "It's all Logan."

"Fatherhood suits him," Trish sat down. "And motherhood suits you, Sarah. You both seem happy."

Mac let out a happy sigh. "We are very happy. And thank you. I think we're both enjoying a different lifestyle."

"I never thought he'd give up the Navy," Trish admitted.

"I'm not sure he has given it up, Trish. He's still dwelling on it I think," Mac admitted. "It's a process."

"How would you feel about him going back to the Navy?" Trish questioned.

"I'll support him no matter what he decides. He's an excellent officer, Trish. He's an excellent JAG, and he'd do great in London," Mac said truthfully. She always admired Harm's sense of duty. The way he handled himself as an officer was something to look up to.

"He's lucky to have found you. I don't know many women who'd look at it like that," Trish looked doubtful. "I hope he leaves it behind," she admitted after a little while.

"He should decide that himself," Mac pointed out. "I think Harm is at a point in his life where he'd give it up if I requested it. Or if you requested it. He's putting everyone else's needs before his own. Ever since he got custody of Mattie, he's learned to love unconditionally. But I don't think it's healthy if he forgets about his own needs. I don't want to push him."

"My worry is that he believes that he has to be in the Navy, because of his father," Trish said with worry.

"Maybe before, but believe me, that's not why. Not anymore." Mac put her hand on Trish's hand. Trish smiled and took Mac's hand. "Okay, I believe you. I'll support him no matter what."

"Thank you, Trish," Mac smiled.

Trish and Mac both turned when Harm and Logan walked out on the balcony. Mac put her glass down and lifted Logan into her arms when he came running for her. She kissed his cheek. "What have you boys been up to?" Mac questioned.

"Guy stuff," Harm smiled widely. "Right Logan?"

Logan smiled brightly. "Cookie."

"You weren't supposed to tell on us," Harm tickled his belly, making Logan laugh.

"You had cookies?" Mac questioned with amusement.

"Just one," Harm said with a chuckle. "It was Frank's idea."

Trish and Mac laughed.

One week later

Mac left Harm to put Logan down for the night. She knew they had missed each other while Harm had been away for a few days to tend to JAG business and do his carrier quals. Mac had for the first time been alone in the house with Mattie and Logan and she had realized how busy it could be with kids on top of her responsibilities at the JLS. She was happy to have him back.

"I'm beat," Mattie complained and yawned widely as she flipped through channels.

"Me too," Mac sat down on the couch beside the teenager. "Did you get that English paper back today?"

"Yeah, I got the A I wanted," Mattie smiled proudly. "You were right, it was a good essay."

Mac smiled. "See, I told you so."

"This is a good show," Mattie put the remote down.

"Yeah, it's fun," Mac agreed.

Fifteen minutes later Harm joined them. He sat down beside Mac and was happy to have her snuggle into his arms. Both her and Mattie wore pajama bottoms and old t-shirts. Their feet covered in fluffy pink socks. "Been shopping?" Harm motioned for their feet.

"Aren't they cute?" Mattie wondered.

"Adorable," Harm said with a chuckle.

"We have them in purple too," Mac added.

Harm shook his head with amusement. "So, anything new here?"

"Nope, same old," Mattie said.

"Mattie got an A on her English paper," Mac said.

"That's great, Mattie," Harm complimented.

"Since I've done so well, I deserve a day at the Mall with Tina and Carry tomorrow," Mattie said and looked between Harm and Mac. "Right?"

"I guess that's fine," Mac said.

"Yeah," Harm agreed.

"Great. I better text them. And then I'm turning in. Longest week ever," Mattie stood. "Two tests and that History paper was due today."

"You have all weekend to rest up," Harm smiled. "It's good to see you kiddo."

"You too," Mattie bent down and hugged him, then Mac. "Good night."

"Good night," Mac said.

"So, you guys have managed while I was gone," Harm kissed the back of her neck.

"We did. It's been busy, but we've managed," Mac relaxed against him. "It's great having you home. How did it go?"

"You'll have my report on your desk on Monday," he promised. "It was pretty routine."

"I was talking about the flying," she pointed out.

"Ah, yeah that went well too," he smiled. "It was great."

"You did look happy walking in the door today," Mac turned her head to look at him. "I'm glad you got to do that."

"Me too," he kissed her softly. "It's good to be home though."

"I missed you," she kissed him again.

"Maybe we should turn in early?" he suggested.

She wrinkled her nose. "Sorry, but fun has to wait 2-3 days."

"Ah," he hesitated. "So no baby this month."

She shook her head. "Nope."

"It'll happen," he promised and hugged her close.