Emma Strachan (aka miss hn)
Hnchick@hotmail.com
1 Chapter 8
1.1 Wednesday, 0930 hours
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
'Excuse me, sir. Commander Rabb is here to see you.' Petty Officer Tiner said over the intercom.
'Send him in Tiner.'
Harm walked into the Admiral's office and stood at attention in front of his desk.
'Have a seat Rabb,' he said putting down his reading glasses. 'What can I do for you?'
'I need to change some information on my personal file sir.'
'Why are you telling me this? All you have to do is fill in the appropriate forms.'
'I feel that I need to explain,' Harm said handing over the forms.
'So you've moved out of your apartment,' AJ said glancing over the forms. The new address looked familiar.
'Sir, I have moved in with Colonel MacKenzie.'
'I thought you said nothing was going on between the two of you,' he said looking up.
'There isn't sir. That's why I'm here to explain.'
'Go on.' AJ said leaning back in his chair.
'The owner of my apartment block decided to sell. This meant that I lost my apartment. So I'm now living with the Colonel until I find somewhere new to live.'
'That's fine Rabb. Just remember, you have to follow certain regulations.'
'I know sir.'
* * * * *
1130 hours
'People, can I have everyone's attention,' the Admiral said walking into the middle of the bullpen. He stood and waited until everyone had stopped what they were doing and had given him their full attention. 'As you all know, some maintenance needs to be done on the building. The carpet in the library needs to be replaced, the building needs to be fumigated and repainted, and since the SecNav has approved the increase in the budget, you all have the next two weeks off.' As soon as he finished, he turned and walked back into his office, leaving everyone to discuss their plans for the next two weeks.
* * * * *
1230 hours
'Are you ready for lunch?' Mac asked standing at the door of Harm's office.
'Yeah, but can we have lunch in here? We need to talk.'
'Sure,' she replied, walking in the door and closing it behind her. 'What did you want to talk about?'
'Us.'
'I guess I better sit down,' Mac said, sitting. 'We're not breaking up are we?'
'No way. I think we should move onto the next stage. I want to get married during our two week break.'
'Harm! How are we going to organise a wedding and tell everyone about us in two weeks?'
'I would love to have a wedding with everybody, but I don't think that's really an option. I think we should go away somewhere and have a private wedding with just the two of us.'
'But what about your parents and your grandmother?'
'I'm sure they will understand. They probably won't like the idea, but they'll know why we did it that way.'
'Ok, so we have decided to get married, but where? Did you have anywhere in mind?' Mac asked beginning to like the idea.
'What about Fiji?'
'Sounds great and it's getting warmer there at the moment.'
'So Fiji it is.'
* * * * *
1645 hours
'Hi Webb. It's Harm,' he said to the answering machine. 'I need to ask you a favour. Could you meet me at McMurphy's Tavern at 8 o'clock. It's really important. Thanks.'
Harm had thought of the best wedding present for Mac but it meant he had to tell Webb about their relationship.
Getting up from his desk, Harm headed to Mac's office to say he wouldn't be home.
'Mac, Webb just rang me. He said he wanted to talk to me about something.' Harm said walking in, wishing he didn't have to lie to her.
'He better not want you to do his dirty work. So when will you be home?'
'I don't have to meet him until 8, so I'll come home with you and leave at about 7:30.'
'Ok, but I'll kill him if he's up to anything.'
* * * * *
2000 hours
McMurphy's Tavern
'So Rabb, what did you want to talk to me about?' Webb asked talking a seat in the booth near the back.
'I need to ask you a favour,' Harm replied putting down his beer. 'But I need to explain something first.'
Harm told him the whole story about the two of them getting married and how they have to keep it a secret.
'So you've kept it secret for over three months. Rabb, you should join the CIA!' Webb said in amazement. 'But I still don't get what you what me to do.'
'Well you know that Mac's uncle is in Leavenworth.'
'Yeah.'
'I was wondering if you could get him out for a couple of days next week.'
'I'll have to see what I can do. I can't promise anything, but I'll try.'
'Thanks. I really appreciate it.'
* * * * *
Sunday, 1230 hours
Robert's Residence
'So where's our favourite godson?' Harm asked walking in the door and handing a box wrapped in birthday paper to Bud. 'I can't believe he's one already.'
'Me either sir,' Bud said walking them out to the backyard.
'Bud!'
'Sorry sir… I mean Harm. I can't help it.'
'It seemed like only yesterday that Harriet found out she was having AJ.' Mac said looking around the yard. Bud and Harriet had done a great job decorating. There were balloons and streamers everywhere.
'Harm, Mac. You're here early,' Harriet said, walking out of the house, carrying a platter of food. Following her out were the Admiral and Sydney.
'I guess you had the same idea as us. Come early and help set up,' said Sydney looking around. 'But they seem to have everything under control.'
'Bud, have you organised the meat?' Harriet asked checking that everything was in order.
'Not exactly. It's nearly done.'
'How about Harm and I come and help you. We'll get it done quicker that way,' the Admiral offered walking towards Harm and Bud.
'Good idea.'
The three men walked into the house, leaving the women to sit and chat.
'So where's AJ?' Mac asked taking a seat.
'Asleep. He gets really grumpy if he doesn't take a nap during the day. I'll wake him before everyone I due to arrive.'
'Why did you choose the name AJ?' Sydney asked.
'Well Bud and I wanted to name him after someone important in out lives. So we decided on AJ after the Admiral. He is not only important because of work, but because he brought little AJ into the world.'
'What do you mean?' Sydney asked puzzled. It became obvious to Mac and Harriet that the Admiral hadn't told her the story of when AJ was born.
'He delivered AJ on the floor of his office.'
'Are you serious?' she asked amazed.
'Yeah. Does anyone want a drink?' Harriet asked standing.
'No thanks,' said Sydney. 'What about you Mac?'
'No, I'm right,' she replied, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
While Harriet went to get herself a drink, Sydney took a closer look at Mac. In particular, her left hand. When she brushed away the strand of hair, sunlight reflecting off something, caught Sydney's attention. From what she could tell, it looked like an engagement ring. But from what AJ told her, Mac had broken up with the guy. So what was going on?
* * * * *
2000 hours
Harm and Mac's apartment
Georgetown
'Wasn't AJ cute today?' Mac said walking in the door.
'Mac, he's our commanding officer,' Harm replied, knowing which AJ she was referring to.
'Wrong AJ stupid,' she said throwing her purse at him. 'I'm going to have a long relaxing bath before I do anything.'
'Can I join you?' Harm asked hopefully, with a huge grin, as Mac walked into the bathroom.
'No way!' she yelled, walking back out.
'Why not?' he asked, looking very disappointed.
'Not that. Look.' She said holding up her left hand.
'Yeah, it's the ring. So what?'
'So what! I've had it on all day.'
'Are you sure?'
'I'm sure. That could be the reason why Sydney was looking at me strangely all day.'
'Maybe she didn't notice.'
'If she did, we are in so much trouble.'
* * * * *
to be continued…………
Hnchick@hotmail.com
1 Chapter 8
1.1 Wednesday, 0930 hours
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
'Excuse me, sir. Commander Rabb is here to see you.' Petty Officer Tiner said over the intercom.
'Send him in Tiner.'
Harm walked into the Admiral's office and stood at attention in front of his desk.
'Have a seat Rabb,' he said putting down his reading glasses. 'What can I do for you?'
'I need to change some information on my personal file sir.'
'Why are you telling me this? All you have to do is fill in the appropriate forms.'
'I feel that I need to explain,' Harm said handing over the forms.
'So you've moved out of your apartment,' AJ said glancing over the forms. The new address looked familiar.
'Sir, I have moved in with Colonel MacKenzie.'
'I thought you said nothing was going on between the two of you,' he said looking up.
'There isn't sir. That's why I'm here to explain.'
'Go on.' AJ said leaning back in his chair.
'The owner of my apartment block decided to sell. This meant that I lost my apartment. So I'm now living with the Colonel until I find somewhere new to live.'
'That's fine Rabb. Just remember, you have to follow certain regulations.'
'I know sir.'
* * * * *
1130 hours
'People, can I have everyone's attention,' the Admiral said walking into the middle of the bullpen. He stood and waited until everyone had stopped what they were doing and had given him their full attention. 'As you all know, some maintenance needs to be done on the building. The carpet in the library needs to be replaced, the building needs to be fumigated and repainted, and since the SecNav has approved the increase in the budget, you all have the next two weeks off.' As soon as he finished, he turned and walked back into his office, leaving everyone to discuss their plans for the next two weeks.
* * * * *
1230 hours
'Are you ready for lunch?' Mac asked standing at the door of Harm's office.
'Yeah, but can we have lunch in here? We need to talk.'
'Sure,' she replied, walking in the door and closing it behind her. 'What did you want to talk about?'
'Us.'
'I guess I better sit down,' Mac said, sitting. 'We're not breaking up are we?'
'No way. I think we should move onto the next stage. I want to get married during our two week break.'
'Harm! How are we going to organise a wedding and tell everyone about us in two weeks?'
'I would love to have a wedding with everybody, but I don't think that's really an option. I think we should go away somewhere and have a private wedding with just the two of us.'
'But what about your parents and your grandmother?'
'I'm sure they will understand. They probably won't like the idea, but they'll know why we did it that way.'
'Ok, so we have decided to get married, but where? Did you have anywhere in mind?' Mac asked beginning to like the idea.
'What about Fiji?'
'Sounds great and it's getting warmer there at the moment.'
'So Fiji it is.'
* * * * *
1645 hours
'Hi Webb. It's Harm,' he said to the answering machine. 'I need to ask you a favour. Could you meet me at McMurphy's Tavern at 8 o'clock. It's really important. Thanks.'
Harm had thought of the best wedding present for Mac but it meant he had to tell Webb about their relationship.
Getting up from his desk, Harm headed to Mac's office to say he wouldn't be home.
'Mac, Webb just rang me. He said he wanted to talk to me about something.' Harm said walking in, wishing he didn't have to lie to her.
'He better not want you to do his dirty work. So when will you be home?'
'I don't have to meet him until 8, so I'll come home with you and leave at about 7:30.'
'Ok, but I'll kill him if he's up to anything.'
* * * * *
2000 hours
McMurphy's Tavern
'So Rabb, what did you want to talk to me about?' Webb asked talking a seat in the booth near the back.
'I need to ask you a favour,' Harm replied putting down his beer. 'But I need to explain something first.'
Harm told him the whole story about the two of them getting married and how they have to keep it a secret.
'So you've kept it secret for over three months. Rabb, you should join the CIA!' Webb said in amazement. 'But I still don't get what you what me to do.'
'Well you know that Mac's uncle is in Leavenworth.'
'Yeah.'
'I was wondering if you could get him out for a couple of days next week.'
'I'll have to see what I can do. I can't promise anything, but I'll try.'
'Thanks. I really appreciate it.'
* * * * *
Sunday, 1230 hours
Robert's Residence
'So where's our favourite godson?' Harm asked walking in the door and handing a box wrapped in birthday paper to Bud. 'I can't believe he's one already.'
'Me either sir,' Bud said walking them out to the backyard.
'Bud!'
'Sorry sir… I mean Harm. I can't help it.'
'It seemed like only yesterday that Harriet found out she was having AJ.' Mac said looking around the yard. Bud and Harriet had done a great job decorating. There were balloons and streamers everywhere.
'Harm, Mac. You're here early,' Harriet said, walking out of the house, carrying a platter of food. Following her out were the Admiral and Sydney.
'I guess you had the same idea as us. Come early and help set up,' said Sydney looking around. 'But they seem to have everything under control.'
'Bud, have you organised the meat?' Harriet asked checking that everything was in order.
'Not exactly. It's nearly done.'
'How about Harm and I come and help you. We'll get it done quicker that way,' the Admiral offered walking towards Harm and Bud.
'Good idea.'
The three men walked into the house, leaving the women to sit and chat.
'So where's AJ?' Mac asked taking a seat.
'Asleep. He gets really grumpy if he doesn't take a nap during the day. I'll wake him before everyone I due to arrive.'
'Why did you choose the name AJ?' Sydney asked.
'Well Bud and I wanted to name him after someone important in out lives. So we decided on AJ after the Admiral. He is not only important because of work, but because he brought little AJ into the world.'
'What do you mean?' Sydney asked puzzled. It became obvious to Mac and Harriet that the Admiral hadn't told her the story of when AJ was born.
'He delivered AJ on the floor of his office.'
'Are you serious?' she asked amazed.
'Yeah. Does anyone want a drink?' Harriet asked standing.
'No thanks,' said Sydney. 'What about you Mac?'
'No, I'm right,' she replied, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
While Harriet went to get herself a drink, Sydney took a closer look at Mac. In particular, her left hand. When she brushed away the strand of hair, sunlight reflecting off something, caught Sydney's attention. From what she could tell, it looked like an engagement ring. But from what AJ told her, Mac had broken up with the guy. So what was going on?
* * * * *
2000 hours
Harm and Mac's apartment
Georgetown
'Wasn't AJ cute today?' Mac said walking in the door.
'Mac, he's our commanding officer,' Harm replied, knowing which AJ she was referring to.
'Wrong AJ stupid,' she said throwing her purse at him. 'I'm going to have a long relaxing bath before I do anything.'
'Can I join you?' Harm asked hopefully, with a huge grin, as Mac walked into the bathroom.
'No way!' she yelled, walking back out.
'Why not?' he asked, looking very disappointed.
'Not that. Look.' She said holding up her left hand.
'Yeah, it's the ring. So what?'
'So what! I've had it on all day.'
'Are you sure?'
'I'm sure. That could be the reason why Sydney was looking at me strangely all day.'
'Maybe she didn't notice.'
'If she did, we are in so much trouble.'
* * * * *
to be continued…………