Have Faith - Part Nine: Don't

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Have Faith

Part Nine: Change

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Harm's Apartment

            Harm rose from his spot on the couch to stare out the window at the mural of pinks and reds and yellows the rising sun was painting.  He had been allowed to take the day off following Davy's funeral.  The judge, however, had found that there was sufficient evidence in her opinion, and Mac was sent to do closing arguments.

            Beth had spent a few hours crying, as the reality of the loss hit her head on, and then fallen into a fitful sleep.  Harm had carried her from the couch to the bed shortly afterward, before falling asleep himself on the couch.

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The Courtroom

            "Defense, you may begin closing arguments."

            "Thank you, your honor." One of the lawyers stood up, and walked over to the members, "Bethany Hope Parkington is nothing more then a deluded child with the fantasy that getting her parents out of the Navy would require charges as outrageous as abuse.  With the help of an overly zealous godfather and a sister who hasn't even resided in the house in over a year, this lie was made up and dragged through this court.  I urge everyone to vote not guilty, as both of the accused have done nothing."

            Mac looked at the man as though he was a three-headed alien, "Ens. Parkington and Lt. Parks have both committed the worst acts of degradation.  They abused – sexually, physically, mentally, and emotionally – Harmony Elizabeth Jewel Parker and Davadita Serenity Parkington.  On top of that, Lt. Parks murdered his daughter – not in self-defense, but in cold blood.  He and Ens. Parkington are both responsible for the death of Mitchell Harmon Parkington who wasn't even their child, but the child of Davy and her fiancée.  If Beth remains with her parents, it is more then probable that she won't live to be sixteen.  And if they remain in foster care status, those children will certainly have the same fate as their own biological children.  Please, save this child from people who say they are parents who clearly aren't and let her be happy with the one person who is willing to fight for her." She sat down, as the members filed out.

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Harm's Apartment

            Over the two hours that had past, Harm had migrated from the window to the couch to the kitchen to, finally, sitting beside Beth so he could watch her sleep.  A knock on the front door tore his attention away.

            "Harm?" A voice called from the other side of the door.

            "Coming, Sarah." He replied.  He opened the door, "Sorry.  Just watching her."

            She nodded, "I figured.  Can I come in?"

            He smiled, "Of course.  So how'd it go?" He asked, after shutting the door but before all else.

            "They're going to Leavenworth." She said simply, "For a long time."

            Harm sighed with relief, "Thank god.  So…umm…would you like some breakfast?"

            "Actually, there's something I've been wanting to do for a long time with you." Smiling, Mac walked forward, hugged him to her, and placed her lips against his.  Harm fell into his wanting as well and deepened the kiss.  He licked her lips with the tip of his tongue, as she pushed hers into his mouth.

            "Ew!  That's wrong!  That is sooo wrong!" Beth laughed, walking into the room.

            The two adults broke apart, "Go back to bed." Harm smiled, pulled Mac back into the hug and stared into her eyes, before hearing Beth's reply.

            "You sure you don't want it!" She teased, walking over to the sink, then froze.  'Calm down, Beth.  This is Uncle Harm.  He'd never hurt you.' She reminded herself.

            Harm walked over and grabbed the sprayer from its spot, and, while laughing, started to soak her down.  In return, she grabbed it from his wet hand and soaked him as well.  All the while, Mac stood watching from the safety of a dry spot, until she could no longer contain her laughter of the two.

            "Oh you think that's funny, Jarhead?" Harm asked, winking at Beth.  She smiled devilishly, and aimed for the marine – who she promptly began to dowse.

            "Alright!  Alright!  I give up!" She cried.

            'This is what it's supposed to be like.' Beth thought to herself, before speaking as Harm handed her a towel, "Who do I live with now?"

            "What do you mean?" He asked, confused.

            "I was supposed to live with Davy.  I know she said I was going to live with you but that was just to appease me.  You wouldn't want me."

            Sheer amazement crossed the two adults faces, "Harmony Elizabeth Jewel Parker, don't EVER say that again!" He said, taking her hand in his and looking into her eyes.

            "But it's true."

            "No, Beth, it's not.  And you are living with me.  I wouldn't have it any other way." He replied, hugging her.  Knowing her eyes were closed, he closed his own and planted a kiss in her hair.

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One Month Later NJROTC Military Ball

            Beth stared out the window of the SUV nervously as they approached the ballroom.  For most of Beth's friends, tonight was the most special night of the summer.  The ball was not only for fun but when the new command staff was picked for the upcoming school year – and although Beth didn't know, Gio had snuck a peak at the list of new officers.

            "Excited?" Harm asked, looking over briefly at the teen.

            Mac had taken Beth shopping for a dress only a week before (much to Beth's dismay), and the two had found a white, strapless, floor-length satin gown.  Mac had had a floor-length, dark blue cape sewn onto the back of it – the cape having been Davy's, which was the only part Beth loved.

            As for the other two in the car, Harm was wearing his dress whites and Mac was wearing a dress like Beth's, only in a rich maroon red and it had spaghetti straps.

            "Hum?" Beth looked at her uncle.

            "I asked if you're excited."

            "Not really."

            "Why?" Mac asked before Harm could.

            "I hate having to get dressed up." She replied, before murmuring, "And I never learned how to dance."

            Mac smirked, "Well, I guess tonight you will."

            Beth looked at her wearily, as Harm pulled into the parking lot.  He instantly found a spot, pulled in, and turned off the car.  He turned so he could see both of the women in his life, "Ready to go?"

            "I guess so." Beth allowed a small smile to escape her lips, as she jumped out of the car.  Mac followed her and the two headed off to the building, while Harm got out and went to the back of the SUV.  He opened the door and pulled out his guitar case.  This was one night he knew Beth would not forget anytime soon.

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            An hour later, the new command staff had been given out – including Beth's new position as the JJAG of the unit youth court (which Gio claimed to have known), and the music had begun.  But DJ was a friend of Harm's and was in on the present Beth was about to receive.

            "Okay, ladies and gentlemen," Kevin Richards cut the music and picked up the microphone, "Now, I'm sure everyone knows about our dear Harmony Elizabeth, but what I'm sure no one knows is the surprise her soon-to-be-father planned for her tonight.  Harm, you're up." He handed the microphone to Harm, as he walked over with his guitar.

            Beth blushed as he sang, the words having a sudden meaning.  She smiled at him and then looked at Mac, "Promise me something…I mean now that you and him know what you are to each other."

            "What?"

            "Be my mother." She looked at her through eyes that held only love.

            Mac smiled back and hugged her, "I love you, too, and I promise you that I'll be your mother."

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December 20th, 2001

            As Harm and Mac (Or "the finally engaged" as most had been calling them) walked into JAG, the electricity of some thing was filling the bullpen.  Neither knew what it was, but the smile Beth had when she'd picked up the phone gave both an idea.

            "Commander, Col., The Admiral is expecting you." Tiner told them, as they passed him and Gunny.

            Harm took Mac's things and headed for her office, leaving her to ask the question they were thinking, "Tiner, what's going on?"

            "I don't understand, ma'am."

            "Everyone seems so…happy.  What's going on?"

            "I'm under orders to not say anything to you or the Commander."

            Smirking, Mac walked over to Harm as he left his office, "Well, It has to do with both of us."

            "I figured." He thought for a second, "You don't think the adoption papers came through this fast?  I mean they go fast, but…"

            "Harm, it's been two months."

            "Good point." He walked into the Admiral's office, "Cmdr. Rabb and Col. MacKenzie re…"

            "At ease." He cut them off, and motioned for them to sit, "I assume the mood of the other people should have clued you both in by now.  But if it hasn't, the adoption papers came.  I thought they were going to your apartment, Cmdr."

            "Actually, sir.  I thought it'd be best here." He smiled, "I'll go get Beth."

            "I believe you should."

            Harm left quickly, leaving the marine and the ex-navy seal, "Excited, Mac?"

            "Somewhat." She smiled weakly, "I'm not sure about this.  I'm about to become the mother of a child I met six months ago.  She was hurt in ways I don't understand."

            "Except one."

            "Except one.  But what if I do bad?  I could handle Chloe, but Beth…I just don't want to hurt her or Harm."

            AJ sighed, "She came to me a few weeks before the ball.  Beth came in, sat down in that chair, and proceeded to ask me a couple of questions.  The first was simple – does Mac like me?  I told her without question yes.  Then she asked if Harriet and Bud liked her.  I told her yes again.  Then she asked one more question.  If she asked you to be her mother, would you?  I couldn't answer for a moment and then I told her what I thought.  She left here the happiest I've seen out of her yet.  She even called Harriet Aunt H.  As bad as her life has been, she's ready to move on.  She's ready for mistakes and love.  I think you'll be a good mother, Mac.  In fact I know you'll make good on that promise you made her."

            She smiled from ear-to-ear, "She called Harriet Aunt H?"

            "Yes.  And Bud is Uncle B.  She almost called be Pop, I think, then called me Uncle AJ."

            Mac relaxed, knowing it was right, and then stood.  She took the papers from Chegwidden and walked into the Bullpen, followed by him.  She kept moving until she reached Harm and Beth, who were standing by Bud and Harriet.  She handed the papers to Harm, "Let's sign, flyboy."

            "But of course." He picked up a pen, and began to sign every blank specified for him.  'I have a daughter.  And soon I'll have a wife.  This is it.  Dad, help me along.'

Mac did the same.  'I have a little girl.  Okay, not so little, but I have a daughter.  Davy, just hope that you can give me help from that star from time to time.'

            And so did Beth.  'I have a mom and a dad.  Who knew something so simple, could be so sweet?'

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The end

There will be more stories with Beth obviously.

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Cassie Jamie

noahXfiles@aol.com