CHAPTER 4
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JAG OFFICES
Harm arrived at the office at 7:45; no one was there yet. He walked over to Mac's office and went inside. He sat at her desk and looked around. The drawer? The credenza? That wouldn't work. In front of her monitor, Harm smiled. He then carefully placed the white rose on her desk in front of the monitor. He got up, making sure no one was in the office and left taking the stairs. About 20 minutes later he returned to the office. Mac was just getting in and had yet to go to her office. She was talking to Tiner who had handed her an envelope.
"Ma'am this came for you last night by special courier after you left."
"Thanks Tiner." Mac said as she opened the envelope and studied the contents and smiled.
"Morning Mac." Harm said. "
"You're late. It's 7 after." Mac teased.
"Yeah well, I'm still early considering." Harm smiled.
"I'll give you that." Mac laughed. "Harm before we go to court, I think we should discuss a possible plea for the petty officer."
"Do I know you or what?" Harm laughed. "Told you, you were at the plea point."
"Keep laughing Harm. You want to hear me out." Mac said walking to her office. "Are you coming?"
"Yes Ma'am. What have you got?" Harm said walking over.
"These." Mac said handing Harm an envelope.
Harm looked at the contents, "Where did you get these?"
"I told you I still had something up my sleeve. The SP at Norfolk got them. Apparently there were some tourists visiting Norfolk. When they got their pictures developed they realized what they had and sent them." Mac said triumphantly.
"Well at this angle you can't really prove its him?" Harm said.
"Harm do you want me to have him drop trow in court?" Mac laughed. "Face it, he was the one mooning, unless there is another Petty Officer with Go Navy emblazed across his bottom."
"What's your offer?" Harm asked.
"Reduction to Airman, and I would strongly advise him to keep his pants up." Mac said.
"Mac, drop him to 3rd class. Airman is two levels." Harm protested.
"Fine, let's let Captain Sebring, decide. I am sure he will find the humor in this." Mac said.
"Ok, Airman. So how was your dinner last night?" Harm asked. Nice segue.
"It was very nice." Mac said as she sat at her desk. "What's this?"
"Looks like a rose." Harm said.
"Hmm, pretty. Wonder where that came from?" Mac said.
"Couldn't tell you." Harm said. "Well time to go get a cup of coffee."
"Good idea." Mac said and walked with Harm to the break room.
BREAKROOM
"Morning you two." Sturgis said as they walked in.
"Morning Sturgis. What was with Bobbie last night?" Mac asked.
"Nothing why?" Sturgis replied.
"Well if I didn't know better I would have sworn you were kicking her under the table." Mac laughed.
"Nope. She's fine." Sturgis said. "So Harm how was your evening?"
"Not as entertaining as yours obviously. "Harm said. "Heard you had dinner with Mac and Joel."
"His name is Cole." Mac corrected and walked away.
"Whatever." Harm replied and turned to Sturgis. "So Stu, what was that about last night?"
"Nothing really, Bobbie hadn't met Cole yet." Sturgis said.
"And what did she think?" Harm asked.
"She thought he was nice." Sturgis replied. "You should try and get to know him Harm."
"What for?" Harm asked.
"He is Mac's friend. As her friend don't you think that would be nice?" Sturgis said.
"Not really." Harm said.
"Harm what's with you?" Sturgis asked, knowing the answer.
"Nothing, I just don't understand what the big deal is. He goes to Harriet and Bud's, you and Bobbie go to dinner with him." Harm stated.
"Is there a problem Harm?" Sturgis asked.
"What problem? If Mac wants to be involved with that… that…" Harm began.
"Tall, handsome pilot?" Sturgis ribbed. "Really why would that interest her?"
"Whatever." Harm said walking away leaving Sturgis laughing.
MAC'S APARTMENT – LATER THAT DAY
"Come on in Cole." Mac called out from the kitchen.
"How was your day? Sorry about lunch, I had a meeting." Cole said.
"That's fine, so no other plans for tonight?" Mac asked.
"Nope, thought it would be a good idea if I had dinner here. What are you making?" Cole asked looking at the array of bowls.
"Lasagna." Mac said.
"Really? Where did you find that recipe?" Cole asked.
"From Harm." Mac said with a sigh.
"Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?" Mac said.
"Hey Mac, what's going on?" Harm asked.
"Nothing much, Cole's here we were about to eat." Mac replied.
"Oh. Sorry didn't mean to interrupt." Harm said smiling. Timing is everything.
"You're not. What's up?" Mac asked very casually.
"What's up?" Harm asked.
"Yeah you called me remember." Mac laughed.
"Oh right, I was wondering do you think Little AJ would like a bomber jacket?" Harm asked good bring up Little AJ.
"Probably? But his birthday isn't for a while yet. Shopping so early?" Mac asked.
"Well, I saw it and wanted your opinion. He is going to be four after all. Can you believe it's been 4 years?" Harm said. Remind her of time.
"Time does fly. If you like it I'm sure it's fine Harm." Mac said.
"Ok good. I'll let you get back to your guest." Harm said.
"Bye Harm see you tomorrow." Mac said.
"What did he want?" Cole asked.
"Nothing, he was asking my opinion on a gift for Harriet and Bud's son." Mac replied.
"Why would he ask you?" Cole questioned.
"Oh we are his Godparents." Mac answered.
"You and he are the Godparents to their child?" Cole asked surprised.
"Yes, I never told you that?" Mac said.
"No. I knew you were all friends I just didn't realize how close." Cole said.
"I guess when you work together and spend as much time together it just follows." Mac replied.
"Guess so." Cole said shrugging. "How about that dinner?"
HARM'S APARTMENT
Harm hung up the phone and laughed. Great now I have to go find a baby bomber jacket. At least now I will be the topic of conversation for a little bit, he thought smugly. He picked up the phone and called his mother.
"Hello?" Trish said.
"Hey mom, how are you?" Harm said.
"Fine dear. How are you?" Trish asked.
"Good, good. I was wondering, remember that jacket I had as a kid. Where did you get it?" Harm asked.
"Which jacket Harm, you had a lot of jackets." Trish laughed.
"The bomber one." Harm replied.
"I have no idea. Why?" Trish asked.
"I thought it would be a cute gift for Little AJ." Harm replied.
"Harm what's going on?" Trish asked.
"Nothing mom, why?" Harm replied.
"You sound strange. How's work?" Trish asked.
"Fine, things are going well." Harm stated.
"And how's Mac?" Trish asked biting her tongue.
"Ok, I guess. She's been a bit busy lately." Harm said.
"Really, that must mean you are busy too. Don't you normally handle cases together?" Trish asked.
"Yeah, not this time though. She met some guy when she was on leave." Harm stated very nonchalantly.
"Oh I see." Trish said in that motherly tone.
"Oh please mom. Don't even." Harm said.
"I didn't say a word." Trish commented. "I wasn't even thinking anything but obviously you are."
"No not at all. Mom I'll talk to you next week. Bye." Harm said cutting off the conversation.
"Ok, Harm talk to you then." Trish said laughing inside as she hung up.
Harm went back to his pacing mode. Cole Romaine? What kind of a name is that? Coal? Why not just name your kid Matchlight? His phone ringing broke Harm's thoughts.
"Rabb." Harm said.
"Good evening Commander how are you?" Bud asked.
"Bud it's after hours call me Harm." He replied.
"Sure, Commander. How are you?" Bud asked again.
"Fine Bud, what do you need?" Harm said. In the background he could hear Harriet saying something.
"Oh, just wanted to call and see how you were." Bud replied then muffled "Ok Harriet."
"I'm ok." Harm said trying to hear what Harriet was saying.
"So, how about dinner this weekend?" Bud asked.
"Sure, who else will be there?" Harm asked.
"Well just you, if that's ok. Did you want to bring someone?" Bud asked. "Or should we invite someone else?"
"No no, just wondering. Is Saturday good?" Harm asked.
"Saturday is fine." Bud replied. "See you tomorrow Sir."
"See you Bud; tell Harriet I said good night." Harm laughed.
Harm hung up and once again resumed his pacing. Time to think, what to do. What to do?