Disclaimer: As in Chap. 1

1700 EST

The following day

Rabb's Residence

Alexandria, VA

Elaine Rabb had barely stepped into her house when the phone rang. She was just coming back from picking up the children at the day care.

"I'll get it, Mom." Little Harm shouted as he raced for the phone. "Hello?"

"Little Harm, is that you? It's Uncle Clay."

"Hi!"

"Is your mommy there? I need to talk to her."

"She's here. Hold on a sec." Putting the phone down, he yelled at the top of his voice. "Mom! Uncle Clay is on the phone!"

"I'm coming, honey. You don't have to call that loudly."

Little Harm grinned sheepishly.

"Would you please watch your brother and sister for me?"

"Okay, Mom." He quickly ran away to find his siblings while Elaine picked up the phone.

"Hello, Clay. What can I do for you?"

"Hi. Actually, I need you to do something for me."

"Yes?"

"I want you and the kids fly to Okinawa tonight. I have plane ready for you and someone will pick you up in one hour."

"What? Why do you want me go to Japan? Is everything ok?" She was obviously confused.

"I can't explain to you on the phone. Your father, Harm, and Mac are all here. Just fly over, and we'll explain everything to you. All right?"

"I don't know what you guys up to, but I'll go. See you then."

"Yeah. Bye." In Okinawa, Clay hung the phone and glanced toward Sturgis, who was standing behind him.

"What did she say?" Sturgis asked.

"She's coming. Do you really this is a smart idea, Sturgis? I mean, getting her here without even letting her know a single thing that is happening?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't know. However, I'm sure that I don't want to tell her over the phone either."

"That's true. I'd rather have her jump all over my six when she gets here, than to tell her the news without actually being there for her." Webb sighed.

"Say, where are Harm and Mac?"

"They're still with Trey. No, wait. Actually, here they come now."

"How's Trey, Harm?" Sturgis stared at him seriously. 

Harm began to recount their conversation with Captain Fox, but Mac seemed disoriented, not uttering a sound. She just sat down, suddenly finding the opposite wall fascinating. Clay could see that she was slightly in shock, but he tried not to let it show. He knew very well in what condition Trey was in, but decided it was better for Harm to tell Sturgis himself.

As Harm sadly delivered the terrible news, Mac's face stayed blank, although tears began to slip down her cheek. As Harm finished, there was no sound. Sturgis just paled slightly, not knowing how to react. It was too horrible for this to happen, just when they finally had him back.

-------

Dulles International Airport

Almost the same time

"Mrs. Rabb?" A young, blonde woman walked up to Elaine, smiling warmly.

"Yes?"

"Would you please come with me? Mr. Webb had arranged the plane for you."

"Thank you. Come on, kids." Elaine quickly gathered her children together.

She had been surprised when Clay told her to go to Okinawa, but an even greater surprise awaited her as the blonde escorted her to a private plane.

"I wonder why Clay went so much trouble to rent a plane for us." She muttered.

"Mr. Webb didn't rent the plane, ma'am. It's his, and he wanted the pilot to take you straight to Okinawa."

Hiding her surprise, she just boarded the plane, wondering what possibly would be important enough for Clay to use his private plane.

Once they were settled on board and the plane had begun to take off, Little Harm began to interrogate his mother. "Mom, where are we going?"

"Okinawa, Japan."

"Why? What happen there?"

"I don't know, sweetie. Uncle Clay said that he wanted to meet us there. Gramps and Grams are there, too."

"Gramps is there?" Young Andrew grinned in delight.

"According to Uncle Clay, both Gramps Rabb and Turner are there." Elaine smiled sweetly at her youngest son.

"Yeah! You think Gramps Rabb will play awrplane with me, Mommy?" He asked with a hopeful expression.

"I don't know, sweetie. You'll have to ask him."

"Ok! I'll ask him later!"

"No, you will not!" Little Harm shook his head decisively.

"Why?" Andrew pouted.

"'Cause Gramps will play the battleship game with me!"

"No, he won't!"

"Will to!"

"Won't!"

Before the argument could get any more intense, Elaine interrupted them. "Boys, that is quite enough! You are going to scare your sister."

"But, Mom..." Little Harm whined.

"Why don't both of you asked Gramps Rabb if he will play with *both* of you? Harm, you could ask Gramps Turner to play your game."

After thinking about it for a minute, both boys reluctantly agreed to a cease fire. Andrew returned to his drawing and Little Harm went back to his reading.

The boys had never ceased to amaze their mother. They could be perfect angels or complete terrors. Shaking her head with a smile, Elaine turned back to her magazine, once she was sure that Eliza was still asleep. That child could sleep through just about anything.

TBC….

AN: How you like it so far? Please let me know.