Mac sat on her bed crying softly as her husband held her close.
"Sarah honey, everything's going to be ok."
"Harm I do not care about the car. I care about what they did. They made my children feel unsafe in their own house. They caused my daughter to get ten stitches. Why Harm? It's not fair. They made my little girl cry."
Harm knew how hard Mac was taking this. She had seen so much violence as a child she vowed that she would never expose her children to any unnecessary violence. He knew this was tearing her apart.
"Don't worry Mac, I won't let anything else happen. Come on get under the covers. You need to get some sleep. Come on sweetheart." Harm pulled the covers over them then while pulling Mac close so her head was resting on his chest.
The next day Harm let Mac sleep in late. He'd called the Admiral when he got up and the Admiral had told him to take the day off. The police had stopped by earlier and he'd filled out a report. He'd called Harriet and she had in turn called all would be partygoers to tell them the party had been postponed and a later date would be announced. He'd gone in to check on Annabelle earlier and she was still sleeping peacefully. He'd been woken up earlier in the night when he'd heard her crying. She was having a nightmare. He had stayed with her to till she fell back asleep.
"Harm," Mac called still half asleep. She had rolled over and noticed she was alone in the bed.
"Hey Marine, welcome to the land of the living," Harm teased as he got back in bed.
"Wait Harm its 0930! We're late for work," Mac said as she started to get out of bed.
"No we're not," Harm said as he grabbed Mac and pulled her back in bed. "I called the Admiral earlier and he told us to take the day off. So get back here. We now have the rest of the day to rest and relax."
"No we don't," Mac said.
"What do you mean?"
"We need to eat. I'm starving!"
Harm laughed, "You're always hungry marine."
"Yes but I'm eating for two here, so take my normal hunger and double it."
"Ok well we wouldn't want you to starve now would we? Let's go see what we can find you to eat," Harm said as they made there way into the kitchen.
Lieutenant Jameson walked into JAG headquarters with a smug smile on her face. She made sure that she got rid of it though when she entered the bullpen. She was interested to see if the Commander and Colonel would be coming in today. She noticed that both the Commander and the Colonel's offices were closed and the lights were off. As soon as she stepped in the bullpen she was approached by Gunny, (In my world he's back).
"Ma'am the Admiral would like to see you." She made her way to the Admiral's office. Tiner buzzed her in.
"Sir, Lieutenant Jameson here to see you."
"Send her in Tiner."
"Reporting as ordered sir."
"At ease, please sit. How are things going on the Richardson case?"
"It's going good sir."
"Can I have an update?"
"Well sir we are supposed to interview Corporal Lansing this afternoon. He's our key to finding out why and how Petty Officer Richardson got in possession of the gun."
"That's a question I would definitely liked answered."
The Admiral thought back to what happened that day in the courtroom. After the guilty verdict had been read the Petty Officer had jumped out of his seat and pulled a gun on his counsel, Lieutenant Bud Roberts. With a gun aimed at Bud's head he continued to move around the room shouting obscenities. He then turned his sites on the victim in the case. Michelle Perez, the Petty Officer's ex-girlfriend. The Petty Officer had been convicted of raping and almost murdering Ms. Perez.
"You F*cking Bitch! You excuse me of rape. You try to have me sent away to prison. No bitch, it doesn't work that way."
With that the Petty Officer shot and killed Ms. Perez. His arm still around Lieutenant Roberts' neck he then moved on to the judge, Admiral Edward Riggs.
"Don't think you're going to get off either. Some Admiral you are. Aren't you supposed to upholding the law?" A second gunshot went off in the courtroom, killing the Admiral.
The Petty Officer then moved his way towards the jury members. His big mistake was turning his back to the prosecution, Commander Rabb. With a nod from Lieutenant Roberts, Commander Rabb snuck behind the Petty Officer and proceeded to disarm him.
There was no doubt as to the Petty Officer's guilt but the Admiral also knew that he couldn't have done what he did without help so he was making sure that all involved receive a just punishment.
"Ok lieutenant, keep up the good work. You'll be working with Commander Sturgis today because Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie are out for the day. That's all, dismissed."
"Aye, aye sir."
"Harmon," Trish called after her son.
"Yes mom?"
"Harmon, I'm going to the store to get stuff for dinner. I'm borrowing your car, I'll be back in a little bit."
"You don't need to go out mom, I'm sure we have enough stuff here."
"Nonsense, tonight you're having one of my special home cooked meals. No arguments!"
"Yes mother," Harm said with a smile. He was a grown man, but he was still afraid of his mother when she started yelling at him.
"Hey honey. Where's your mom going?" Mac asked as she came up behind her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Food shopping," he replied as he turned around and planted a kiss on Mac's lips. "She decided she was going to cook us one of her special home cooked meals."
"Hmmm… sounds good to me."
"Marine, any kind of food sounds good to you. You could spend the rest of your life living off MRE's," Harm teased.
"That may be true but you wouldn't want me any other way," she said with a smile.
"That's for sure," he said as he gave her another kiss.
Commander Sturgis and Lieutenant Jameson had just finished interrogating Corporal Lansing. They were dismayed though, as their questioning seemed to have yielded no real answers. The Corporal had a civilian lawyer that thought it was best that the Corporal not answer almost every question they asked him.
"Well Lieutenant I don't think we would have been able to get anymore out of the Corporal," Sturgis said.
"He seemed like he wanted to tell us something but his lawyer kept silencing him."
"Yes, I could see that. I think they'll both change their tune once the complete list of charges has been drawn up on the Corporal."
"I'm sure they will sir."
"So Lieutenant what are you doing this weekend?"
"Nothing sir," the Lieutenant said wondering what the Commander was asking.
"Well you know the JAG staff is having a BBQ this weekend and I'm sure everyone would love to have you there."
"Oh I don't know sir."
"Nonsense, you should come. I'll write down all the details for you."
"Thank you sir. Do you know if the Commander is going to be there?"
"Why yes he is, in fact the BBQ is going to be at his house. Is there a reason why you asked?" Sturgis said a little suspicious. Harriet had earlier told him of her suspicions as far as the Lieutenant went. She didn't like her or the fact that the Lieutenant was flirting non-stop with the commander.
"Well, sir, I though if he was there I could ask him a few questions about the case."
"Oh I see, yes I am sure he'll answer some questions. After all it is his case along with the Colonel. You might want to ask her some questions too."
"Yes sir that would probably be a good idea."
Sturgis noticed the Lieutenant's tone of voice change when she was referring to the Colonel. Harriet could be right, she might be trouble, he thought to himself.
"Well if that's all I have a deposition in a half an hour I need to get ready for."
"That's all sir"
"Good then I'll see you at the BBQ this weekend." The Commander was anxious to see with his own eyes how Lieutenant Jameson acted around Harm.
"Yes sir."
"Lieutenant Sims," Harriet said as she picked up the phone.
"Hey Harriet it's Mac."
"Oh hi ma'am. What can I do for you?"
"Well we are going to be heading over to the park in a little bit and we thought that maybe AJ and Marie might want to come with us."
"Thank you ma'am I'm sure they would love that."
"Okay Harriet, we'll pick them up in about a half an hour."
"Are you sure ma'am?"
"Harriet we love spending time with our godchildren. We'll take any excuse to spend more time with them. Also we'll keep them for dinner if you and Bud want to go out. You can pick them up when you're done."
"Thanks again ma'am."
"Anytime Harriet."
"Are the troops all assembled?" Mac asked as she entered the living room.
"Aye aye ma'am." Harm said as he snapped off a salute.
"Then let's get going."
The Rabb's had decided that they would spend the afternoon at the park. I was a beautiful spring day in D.C. and it shouldn't be wasted.
Their first stop before the park would be to the Robert' s residence. Mac had called Harriet and asked her if she wouldn't mid if they took her children with them also. Harriet had told her that would be wonderful as the children loved going to the park.
"I told Harriet that they could pick up the kids later tonight after dinner. She said she appreciated it, it gives her and Bud a chance to go out to dinner together."
"That was a good idea. Hey did you ask Harriet how many people were coming to the BBQ on Sunday?"
Harriet had been in charge of keeping track of who was coming to the office BBQ.
"She said so far it's the Admiral and Sydney, Sturgis and Bobbi, her and Bud, Gunny, Tiner and their dates. Oh and Lieutenant Jameson."
"Lieutenant Jameson? Who invited her?" Harm asked in disbelief. The last thing he wanted was the Lieutenant there starting trouble.
"Actually it was your good friend Sturgis. You can thank him."
"Why would Sturgis invite the Lieutenant?"
"I don't know. You'll have to ask him yourself. Even Harriet couldn't figure out that one. Especially since she voiced her suspicions to Sturgis."
Harm got out his cell and dialed Sturgis's office number.
"Commander Sturgis."
"Hey it's Harm."
"Hey buddy what can I do for you?"
"You can start by telling me why you invited the Lieutenant to the BBQ on Sunday."
"We wouldn't want her to be left out would we?" Sturgis said jokingly. "Seriously? I wanted to see how she acted around you. I wanted to see for myself if she would start any trouble."
"So you invited her just to start trouble? Leave it to you to invite her just to see if anything happens. I tell you what'll happen, she's annoying and she'll ruin the party. Next time keep your curiosity to yourself."
"Whatever you say man. I just want to see what happens."
"I'd love to stay and chat but I have to go. We're heading to the park," Harm said.
"Well enjoy the day out while the rest of us are stuck in the office."
"I intend too," Harm said laughing. "I'll see you on Sunday."
"See you Sunday. And tell Mac I said hi."
"I will bye."
"Bye Harm," Sturgis said as he hung up his phone.
"So does Sturgis have a reasonable explanation for inviting the Lieutenant?" Mac asked one Harm was off the phone.
"He said he invited her to see how she acts around me."
"What does that mean?"
"Well Sturgis seems to think that eventually the Lieutenant is going to wind up doing something that will probably embarrass herself, so he wants to see what happens."
Lieutenant Jameson was getting a cup of coffee when she overheard Harriet talking on the phone with Mac. So they're going to the park? Well that means they won't be home. A smile crept across her face. Since both the Commander and the Colonel were not in, the Admiral had told her that she could leave at four. It was almost three.
Frank and Trish Burnett had just finished some shopping at the mall for their granddaughter's birthday, and were now on their back to their son's house. When they got there they were shocked to find police cars surrounding the house. They parked their car a few houses down and went in search for some answers as to what was going on.
"Excuse me officer but what is going here?"
"And who are you ma'am?"
"I am Trish Burnett. This is my son's house." The officer checked the sheet the alarm company had given him. On the list were the names of people cleared to intervene in a situation when Harm and Mac could not be reached. On list were Trish and Frank Burnett.
"Sorry ma'am. Someone broke into your son's house about an hour ago. We tried to reach your son but he's not answering his phone."
"He took his kids to the park. He probably left his phone in the car. Was there any damage done inside?"
"It doesn't seem as if anything was stolen but pictures were smashed some things were overturned and the bedrooms are a mess."
"Do you have any idea who could have done this?" Trish asked curios; this is the second time the house had been vandalized in the past two days.
"Well ma'am there have been a string of such incidents in the area and the house at the end of this block was hit a little while after your son's. We have yet to catch the guy doing this but we he seems to be targeting several homes in this area not just your sons."
Everyone was packed in the car and all were ready to head home. They had thoroughly enjoyed themselves but all were now tired, wet and hungry.
About a half an hour after they had reached the park, Harm had told Mac that he had forgotten something in the car and that he would be right back. Little did she know that what he forgot was a set of water guns had a brought with him. When he got back he pulled the boys aside and distributed the guns.
"Okay guys gather around," Harm had said to his twin sons and to his godson AJ. "Each of you gets one of these. Be careful we don't want to let the girls no we have these. When the time is right I'll let you know and then you can soak them. Okay?"
The boys had given their cheers, and high fives were exchanged. Harm then went to sit next to Mac on the blanket that they brought with them.
"Did you get what you needed?" Mac had asked him.
"Uh yea, I mean no. I went to see if I had left my sunglasses in the car but I guess I forgot to bring them." Harm seized his perfect opportunity as Mac looked away for second. That's when he whipped out his weapon and commenced firing.
"Hey!" Mac had screamed as she turned to see what was getting her wet.
"Go get em boys."
Then operation "Go get those girls," went into affect. Mac had managed to get some of the ammunition onto their side and by the end both sides were soaked.
"Admit it Mac, we caught you totally by surprise."
"That may be, but we turned the tables on you. If I'm not mistaken we managed to get you guys just as wet as you got us. Never underestimate the Marines. We always put up a good fight. Right ladies?"
"Right mommy," Annabelle cheered form the back of the car. Marie nodded her head in agreement.
"You better watch it Navy. Next time it will be our turn for an attack," Mac teased.
"We're not worried, the Navy can take anything you jarheads dish out," Harm said as he turned on the radio. A Billy Joel song started playing, "You may be right." Harm started singing and Mac had to laugh. She remembered the first time she had heard Harm sing this song. It had been right after they had gotten engaged. JAG was hosting a karaoke contest for charity. Harm had chosen to sing this song.
"Well it just may be a lunatic you're looking for," Harm belted while stopped at a light.
"Your crazy Navy," Mac said still laughing.
"Crazy for you marine," Harm said with a big grin on his face.
That's when he noticed the police cars in front of his house. Mac looked up and noticed the same thing.
"Harm what's going on?"
"I don't know."
Harm stopped the car behind one of the patrol cars. He got out and went to ask one of the officers what was going on, while Mac stayed in the car with the kids.
"Excuse me officer but what is going here?"
"Who are you?" The officer asked Harm.
"This is my house.'
"Commander Rabb?"
"Yes."
"Sorry sir, we came here earlier this afternoon when we got a call form the alarm company. It seems someone broke into your house. It looks like the person was in there for a while before the alarm went off. Were still not sure how they got in and if and how they might have bypassed the alarm." Just as the officer was finishing briefing Harm, his mother ran up to him.
"Harmon."
"Mom are you and Frank ok?" Harm asked worried.
"Yes dear we're fine. We were out when it happened. When we came back the police were already here."
While Trish related the story to Harm, Frank had gone to the car to tell Mac what was going on.
"Frank what's going?" Mac asked concerned. She was glad that the police had nothing to do with him or Trish.
"Someone broke into the house. When we got back from shopping the police were already here." Frank noticed the shocked look on her face. "Why don't you go and see what's going on. I'll stay here and watch the kids."
Mac got out of the car and made her way over to where Harm was talking with one of the officers.
"Someone broke into the house?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am. I was just informed that it seems one of your bathroom windows was open. Who ever got in cut the screen and gained entry. They must have gone out a different way because they tripped the alarm on the way out."
"Was anything taken?" Mac asked, no emotion in her voice.
"From what we can see no. You'll have to go through to make sure everything's all there." With that the officer left them alone.
"I'm going to see how Frank is doing with the kids,' Trish said wanting to give Mac and Harm a moment alone.
"Who could have done this?" Mac asked her husband.
"I don't know. They said there was another house down block that was also broken into. Supposedly there have been a string of break-ins in this neighborhood lately."
"But someone breaking the window and then a break-in the next day?"
"I know. Seems unusual for me too. We mine as well go and see if anything is missing," Harm said as him and Mac walked hand and hand toward the house.
When they got inside Mac let out a gasp. The house was a mess. In the living room all the furniture had been overturned and several things had been smashed. The glass on the coffee table was shattered, as were the lamps on the end tables. Mac looked at the fireplace and noticed that the wedding picture on the mantle had been destroyed.
The police told them that the only other place they saw that had been vandalized was the bedrooms. Mac and Harm made their way upstairs, stopping at the first bedroom, their daughter's.
Inside they found all the clothes in the draws were now thrown all over the room. In addition all the things hanging on the walls had been taken down and smashed.
The next room they went to was the twin's room. As in Annabelle's room the clothes had been thrown everywhere and the dressers had been overturned. Harm walked over and picked up the two model tomcats that were now in pieces. He could still remember when he had made them with the boys.
When they entered the master bedroom, Mac could no longer fight the river of tears that now streamed down her face. The doors of the mirrored closets were shattered. The stuff that was on top of Mac's dresser had been smashed. Mac opened her closet to see if the inside looked as bad as the outside. It worse than Mac thought. Her clothes had all been ripped off the hangers and a lot of them were torn. She noticed her wedding dress in the lying in the corner of the closet. Her dress was originally sealed in a bag and stored in the top shelf in her closet. Now it lay in a pile shreds in the back her closet. At that moment Mac started sobbing.
When Harm heard Mac crying he ran out of their bathroom. He'd gone into there to see what if any damage had been done. It wasn't too bad. The contents of the medicine cabinet had been thrown all over the room.
When he saw her sitting sobbing in the middle of the closet he went over and picked up pulling her into strong arms.
"It's ok Mac. Don't worry sweetheart."
"Did you see what they did to my dress?"
Harm looked into the direction Mac was pointing. He saw her wedding dress shredded at the bottom of the closet.
"Oh honey come here," Harm said as he picked her up and put her on the bed to rest as pulled her close. He just held her as she cried, trying to soothe her. Eventually he felt her even breathing. She had cried herself to sleep.
After a little while Harm carefully got out of bed, careful not wake Mac. He covered her with a blanket then went downstairs to see how the kids and his parents were doing.