Disclaimer in chapter one.
This episode is dedicated to the seven men and women of the space shuttle Columbia.
Episode 4
They Belong to Me
Chapter 4
Harm stumbled into the office, oblivious of the time. It was another all nighter this time with two howling twins, Natalie and Lucy knew how to keep their parents up.
"Morning sir!" Bud greeted. Harm smiled, at about 2 am after finally getting the girls to sleep. Mac had promised to bring in the twins right before lunch, and at about the same time the admiral would be getting back. Harm glanced at his watch, lunch was not that far away, Harm knew if the admiral were here he'd personally have his six. Before Harm knew it he was swept up in ongoing cases and bottomless paperwork.
"No wonder the admiral requested time off." Harm sympathized yearning to be home with his own family. Harm heard some commotion brewing outside the admiral's office Harm stepped out to see what it was all about.
Mac stood proud in her marine uniform, holding a baby in each arm. Everyone had gathered around them sharing their comments in hushed voices. Harm snuck up on his wife giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
"Oh sir, ma'am your daughters are absolutely gorgeous." Harriet commented her full attention riveted to the twins.
The entire staff was temporarily distracted long enough that they failed to notice Brumby enter. Brumby witnessed as Harm slipped his arm around Mac's waist using his other hand to gently stroke his daughter's forehead. Brumby desperately wanted to go and rip the man limb to limb, but perhaps that was just the beers he had for breakfast. The guard had recognized him, from the other day and in the past so there was not much reason for talking. Brumby staggered up to Harm, grabbing him by the shoulder he spun the commander around till they were face to face. Harm's smile quickly turned to a look of surprise, the rest of the room was stunned.
"Brumby?" Mac was speechless.
"Mac were leaving." Brumby ordered.
"Excuse me?" She stammered pulling her daughter's closer and stepping up beside Harm.
"You heard me." Brumby snapped.
"I don't answer to you." Harm put his arm in front of Mac, despite the fact the marine did not need any protection. Brumby opened up his mouth to say something else, when a commanding voice brought everyone to attention.
"Beautiful everyone is here to welcome me back." Admiral Chegwiggen stood in the doorframe.
"Attention on deck!" Everyone snapped to attention, except for Brumby who slouched forward before drawing himself up to attention.
"Brumby nice to see you joined us. I never got the chance to thank you for assisting us in the diner." Brumby smiled.
"Anytime Admiral. Glad to see you're alright, but unfortunately I have to leave." With that Brumby make a beeline for the exit. The admiral smiled upon the twins.
"Glad to see someone is doing their job." With that the crowd dispersed to go back to their work, with the exception of Tiner, Bud and Harriet, and Sturgis. The admiral had picked up Natalie and began to play with her hair.
"I want a restraining order on him." Harm almost whispered. Mac was still in shock over Brumby's performance, Tiner, Bud, Harriet and Sturgis's glance shifted towards Harm and darted between him and the admiral.
"On who?" The admiral had obviously not overheard the conversation.
"Brumby." Harm growled.
"Whatever for?!" The admiral passed Natalie back to Mac, so he could devote his attention to Harm.
"He can not come within fifty feet of Mac or the twins."
"Harm…"
"Why do you want to put a restraining order on him commander after he just possibly saved our lives?!"
"Because he threatened Mac."
"I wouldn't classify it as a threat Harm." Sturgis suggested.
"What would you call it then?"
"Watch it Commander." Admiral Chegwiggen warned.
"Harm…" Mac had passed Lucy to Harriet and turned to address Harm.
"Mac." Harm looked for something to drive his fist into, but knew he had to control his temper.
"Harm he was drunk, give him time it will pass. In the mean time why don't we go have lunch, and then I got to get the girls back for their nap." Mac ushered Harm as she took Lucy back. She handed Harm a twin hopping it'd help get him back to his normal composure. Harm waved his hand as if he could dismiss his anger, grateful for the distraction of one of his daughters. As the young family left, Admiral Chegwiggen turned to his people.
"Can someone please explain what happened?" Tiner relayed the story to the admiral. Admiral Chegwiggen shook his head in disbelief. "I guess will just have to wait and see for now there's nothing we can do. Let's just hope Harm doesn't do anything that could put his career or life in jeopardy."
Thanks to everybody for the encouraging reviews, feel free to summit your ideas of what should happen!