From part 13
They walked out into the bullpen and as she had expected people started asking questions. Harm did what he said he would and gave a meaningful yet vague description of the past 10 months. On the way out Harriet stopped and talked to them, well to Harm and the conversation was rather strange.
"Sir everything is ready."
"That's great Harriet thanks."
"Have you organised your end?"
Mac noticed that Harriet looked rather uncomfortable and kept giving sideways looks at Mac.
"Not quite, but I will have."
"Good, do you want me to do anything else?"
"Ahhh nope I think I have everything covered."
"Alright then I'll talk to you when you get back from lunch."
"Okay then."
"Bye Mac, bye, bye Rose" Harriet cooed as she walked away."
"What was all that about Harm?"
"Just some work stuff, nothing interesting." He was a very good actor and she would have fallen for it if he hadn't replied so hastily.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing, now where do you want to go for lunch?"
To Be Continued.
What's Meant To Be Will Be 14
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT A Week Later
"Alright Sailor, I know there's something going on. You've been hiding something all week."
"No I haven't." his flyboy grin fixed in place, eyes wide open in mock surprise."
"Ohhh yes you have, I know you Harm, I can see it in your eyes!"
"Well what ever you think I'm hiding, you'll find out soon enough."
"Ha! I knew it. See you are hiding something!" she said pointing her finger at him.
"I didn't say that."
"Ohhh you didn't have too! Anyway, you implied it."
"Okay, okay whatever you think. Now what are you doing with your last day off?"
"Nothing!, well other than spending my last day as a full time mum with Rose and doing some laundry."
"Why don't you leave that for me when I get back."
"Nah it's okay, there isn't much there anyway."
"Okay then. I'll be back soon."
"Do you really have to go into the office on a Sunday!"
"Yeah, this case I'm working on is driving me crazy, there's something I'm missing I just can't figure it out."
"Want me to help?"
"You know I can't give you details! Besides it's kinda hard to figure out without them."
"Alright, don't be too late."
"I won't. Bye."
"Bye."
"Bye, bye Rose…" he cooed "be good for mommy won't you."
The door closed behind him, and Mac plopped herself down on the couch "what is your daddy up too Rosie, hey, what is he hiding from us?"
Her only reply was a cheeky smile from her daughter. "You know something don't you Rosie. I knew it, and I guess your not gonna tell me either hey."
Once again Rose gave her a cheeky smile and looked away "I thought not."
JAG HQ 30 Minutes Later.
"Hi Harriet, sorry I'm late, traffic was awful." Harm said as he walked into the bullpen, with shopping bags in hand.
"That's okay Sir, did you get away from Mac okay?"
"Yeah, she thinks I'm working on a case."
"So she doesn't suspect anything?"
"No… well not really, she knows I'm up too something but she can't figure out what it is."
"Well you only have to keep her guessing until tomorrow night."
"I know, I still haven't figured out how I'll get her here though."
"Don't worry Bud and I'll take care of it." A mischievous look crossed her face as she said this.
Harm looked at her quizzically "What do you have in mind Harriet?" he said cocking his eyebrow
"Nothing. You'll find out in time."
"Right then, let's get all this sorted out and go home."
JAG HQ CARPARK Next Day
"You ready Mac?"
"Yeah, I just hope there's not a mountain of paper work waiting for me."
"Well good luck every time I have come back from leave there has been a mountain of it waiting for me!"
"Yeah well the only time you have leave is when you pull some crazy stint and land yourself in hospital. Therefore leaving loads of paper work to account for your behaviour."
"Cute Marine, real cute."
"Come on we better going we've got to get Rose to crèche and be in the Admiral's offices in 10 minutes."
"Okay, okay, cool down sailor I'm coming."
*****************
"Sir, Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie are here."
"Send them in Tiner."
"Yes Sir."
Mac walked in first followed by Harm whose hand was lightly pushing on the small of her back, guiding her in. They were both about to stand at attention only to be stopped by the Admiral's voice coming from the window, his back turned.
"Don't bother, at ease Commander, Colonel. Please have a seat."
What they had first sensed in his voice to be annoyance was revealed to be contemplation, a man wanting to talk to two of his friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
"How's Rose doing."
"She's fine sir."
"She went off to crèche alright?"
"Yes without a problem."
"And how's she doing Harm?"
"Don't worry sir, I'm looking after her."
"Well that's good. Now why I wanted to talk to you both this morning was first of all to welcome you back Colonel."
"Thankyou sir."
"And second was to talk to you about your positions here at Jag. What exactly do you plan to do about not working under the same chain of command?"
"We haven't really decided sir, I guess we were waiting for other options."
"That's what I suspected. The ideal situation would be for you both to stay here as you are now and for me to use my Admiral's privilege to try and keep it out from under the SecNav's nose. But obviously that is not an option. So I have been looking at some other options. Some of the less appealing options are for either one of you to get a transfer out of here to a near by office or maybe the pentagon. But I don't want to loose either of you and I'm sure Commander you have no desire to go on a cruise."
"No sir, so what do you suggest?"
"Colonel I want to offer you a position as a judge."
"Ahhh Thankyou sir."
"Look Colonel it's up to you whether or not you take this position, you need to think about it, this is the best offer I can come up with at the moment without you leaving Jag and you'll have more reliable working hours."
"No sir, I think it's a great idea, it just wasn't what I expected."
"Well, have some time to think about it and tell me when your ready."
"Okay Sir, Thankyou again."
"So Commander how has mother and daughter been doing?"
"Very well, but I think the mother is glad to be back at work."
"Yes, I am. I loved spending time with Rose but I was going a little stir crazy being in that apartment all day."
"Well it's good to have you back Colonel. Now you two better get back to work."
"Aye, aye sir."
They walked out of the Admirals office and Mac turned to Harm. "So what do you think about me being a judge?"
"I think it's a great idea, as long as you're happy to do it, I know how much you enjoy being a lawyer."
"I'll be fine, I think I might enjoy the change actually. Anyway I'll have better working hours and be able to spend more time with Rose."
"Well I want you to make the decision that's best for you, I can always get a transfer instead and commute."
"Nope, I don't want you to do that. I'll tell the Admiral that I'll take the judge position tomorrow morning right now I have to go and sort through that stack of paperwork."
"Lot's of it?"
"Not too bad, but it's amazing how much it pile's up since I've been gone. They sent through all my mail from Washington. Most of it's just loose end to tie up."
"Well I have to be in court in 10 minutes, see you for lunch?"
"Yep, meet me down at the crèche and we'll go from there."
"1300?"
"See you then."
***************** "So how was court this morning?"
"Good, I think I've got the defense nailed, Sturgis isn't happy though."
"Go easy on him."
"No way, he can hold his own, besides his client is guilty as hell."
"You know I'm gonna miss being your partner."
"Yeah, I'll have to break in a new partner."
"Aw good to know you'll miss me."
"I don't have to miss you, I live with you."
"Jeez lucky me, I get to live with an arrogant, self confident, nearly 40 year old aviator who's trying to get our daughter to become a squid like himself, which by the way is never going to happen."
"Wow I feel so loved."
"You should!" she smiled and turned toward her office
"Ohhh don't you worry, I'll be around for a long, long time."
"Oh great and here I was thinking I'd only have to put up with you for a few years!"
Harm rolled his eyes and walked away, Mac was in a good mood so far and with any luck her day would be stress free, enabling him to get her to agree to go out tonight without too much persuasion then all the planned events for the night would run smoothly.
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT Same Day 1850 hours
"Harm can you get Rose dressed?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Harm why are we going out tonight." Mac called out from the bathroom.
"Because it was your first day back at work, we haven't been out for ages and I want to spoil you."
Rose lay on the bed kicking her legs and pointing at the ceiling
"Okay then, I liked the last reason best personally."
"Thought you would. Hey, I think Rose is going to end up flying planes like her daddy."
"Oh really! And what makes you say that, she'll take after her mommy and be a marine."
"I wouldn't count on it, she seems to have a fascination with the ceiling."
"And from that you draw the conclusion that she want to fly planes?"
"Well at least her heads in the right direction."
"Whatever you say. You ready to go?" Mac came walking out of the bathroom and stood in the doorway.
"Wow! You look beautiful."
"Why Thankyou, I happen to be going out with handsome sailor tonight."
"Hmmm lucky him!"
"Come on flyboy we better get going."
Mac grabbed her purse while Harm grabbed his keys and Rose, they were just about out the door when the phone rang.
"Should we get that?"
"Nah let the machine get it."
"Nobody rings this time or night, it might be important."
"Alright, here take my purse and go put Rose in the car, I'll be down in a minute."
"Okay."
Harm went down to the car and Mac went inside and picked up the phone.
"MacKenzie speaking"
"Mac it's Harriet…"
Harm sat down in the car, waiting for Mac to come down, he saw the light go off in the apartment, 'I wonder what Harriet did to get her to JAG' before he had time to come up with any options he saw Mac emerge from the front of the building, he could tell she was visibly shaken by her demeanor, she slid into the passenger seat and told him the reason behind it.
"Mac what's wrong."
"Drive to JAG."
"What? Why?"
"That… that was… Harriet. Bud has had an accident, he's at the hospital and she want's us to come get her and take her there, a she called a cab but it'll take to long and she didn't know what to do. God Harm he has to be alright."
"Don't worry honey, I'm sure he'll be fine."
They drove in silence until the pulled up outside JAG, Mac looked around anxiously "She said she'd be out here." As she looked around she failed to notice that there was an unusually large amount of cars still in the carpark.
"Maybe we should go up and get her, she's probably too upset to be thinking properly."
"Yeah come on, get Rose out and let's go."
The ride up in the elevator was a long one, time seemed to stand still until finally they arrived. They stepped out of the elevator and Mac froze, in front of her was the entire JAG staff, standing there in the middle of the bullpen
A "SURPRISE!" echoed throughout the building as they noticed her arrival.
To Be Continued
They walked out into the bullpen and as she had expected people started asking questions. Harm did what he said he would and gave a meaningful yet vague description of the past 10 months. On the way out Harriet stopped and talked to them, well to Harm and the conversation was rather strange.
"Sir everything is ready."
"That's great Harriet thanks."
"Have you organised your end?"
Mac noticed that Harriet looked rather uncomfortable and kept giving sideways looks at Mac.
"Not quite, but I will have."
"Good, do you want me to do anything else?"
"Ahhh nope I think I have everything covered."
"Alright then I'll talk to you when you get back from lunch."
"Okay then."
"Bye Mac, bye, bye Rose" Harriet cooed as she walked away."
"What was all that about Harm?"
"Just some work stuff, nothing interesting." He was a very good actor and she would have fallen for it if he hadn't replied so hastily.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing, now where do you want to go for lunch?"
To Be Continued.
What's Meant To Be Will Be 14
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT A Week Later
"Alright Sailor, I know there's something going on. You've been hiding something all week."
"No I haven't." his flyboy grin fixed in place, eyes wide open in mock surprise."
"Ohhh yes you have, I know you Harm, I can see it in your eyes!"
"Well what ever you think I'm hiding, you'll find out soon enough."
"Ha! I knew it. See you are hiding something!" she said pointing her finger at him.
"I didn't say that."
"Ohhh you didn't have too! Anyway, you implied it."
"Okay, okay whatever you think. Now what are you doing with your last day off?"
"Nothing!, well other than spending my last day as a full time mum with Rose and doing some laundry."
"Why don't you leave that for me when I get back."
"Nah it's okay, there isn't much there anyway."
"Okay then. I'll be back soon."
"Do you really have to go into the office on a Sunday!"
"Yeah, this case I'm working on is driving me crazy, there's something I'm missing I just can't figure it out."
"Want me to help?"
"You know I can't give you details! Besides it's kinda hard to figure out without them."
"Alright, don't be too late."
"I won't. Bye."
"Bye."
"Bye, bye Rose…" he cooed "be good for mommy won't you."
The door closed behind him, and Mac plopped herself down on the couch "what is your daddy up too Rosie, hey, what is he hiding from us?"
Her only reply was a cheeky smile from her daughter. "You know something don't you Rosie. I knew it, and I guess your not gonna tell me either hey."
Once again Rose gave her a cheeky smile and looked away "I thought not."
JAG HQ 30 Minutes Later.
"Hi Harriet, sorry I'm late, traffic was awful." Harm said as he walked into the bullpen, with shopping bags in hand.
"That's okay Sir, did you get away from Mac okay?"
"Yeah, she thinks I'm working on a case."
"So she doesn't suspect anything?"
"No… well not really, she knows I'm up too something but she can't figure out what it is."
"Well you only have to keep her guessing until tomorrow night."
"I know, I still haven't figured out how I'll get her here though."
"Don't worry Bud and I'll take care of it." A mischievous look crossed her face as she said this.
Harm looked at her quizzically "What do you have in mind Harriet?" he said cocking his eyebrow
"Nothing. You'll find out in time."
"Right then, let's get all this sorted out and go home."
JAG HQ CARPARK Next Day
"You ready Mac?"
"Yeah, I just hope there's not a mountain of paper work waiting for me."
"Well good luck every time I have come back from leave there has been a mountain of it waiting for me!"
"Yeah well the only time you have leave is when you pull some crazy stint and land yourself in hospital. Therefore leaving loads of paper work to account for your behaviour."
"Cute Marine, real cute."
"Come on we better going we've got to get Rose to crèche and be in the Admiral's offices in 10 minutes."
"Okay, okay, cool down sailor I'm coming."
*****************
"Sir, Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie are here."
"Send them in Tiner."
"Yes Sir."
Mac walked in first followed by Harm whose hand was lightly pushing on the small of her back, guiding her in. They were both about to stand at attention only to be stopped by the Admiral's voice coming from the window, his back turned.
"Don't bother, at ease Commander, Colonel. Please have a seat."
What they had first sensed in his voice to be annoyance was revealed to be contemplation, a man wanting to talk to two of his friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
"How's Rose doing."
"She's fine sir."
"She went off to crèche alright?"
"Yes without a problem."
"And how's she doing Harm?"
"Don't worry sir, I'm looking after her."
"Well that's good. Now why I wanted to talk to you both this morning was first of all to welcome you back Colonel."
"Thankyou sir."
"And second was to talk to you about your positions here at Jag. What exactly do you plan to do about not working under the same chain of command?"
"We haven't really decided sir, I guess we were waiting for other options."
"That's what I suspected. The ideal situation would be for you both to stay here as you are now and for me to use my Admiral's privilege to try and keep it out from under the SecNav's nose. But obviously that is not an option. So I have been looking at some other options. Some of the less appealing options are for either one of you to get a transfer out of here to a near by office or maybe the pentagon. But I don't want to loose either of you and I'm sure Commander you have no desire to go on a cruise."
"No sir, so what do you suggest?"
"Colonel I want to offer you a position as a judge."
"Ahhh Thankyou sir."
"Look Colonel it's up to you whether or not you take this position, you need to think about it, this is the best offer I can come up with at the moment without you leaving Jag and you'll have more reliable working hours."
"No sir, I think it's a great idea, it just wasn't what I expected."
"Well, have some time to think about it and tell me when your ready."
"Okay Sir, Thankyou again."
"So Commander how has mother and daughter been doing?"
"Very well, but I think the mother is glad to be back at work."
"Yes, I am. I loved spending time with Rose but I was going a little stir crazy being in that apartment all day."
"Well it's good to have you back Colonel. Now you two better get back to work."
"Aye, aye sir."
They walked out of the Admirals office and Mac turned to Harm. "So what do you think about me being a judge?"
"I think it's a great idea, as long as you're happy to do it, I know how much you enjoy being a lawyer."
"I'll be fine, I think I might enjoy the change actually. Anyway I'll have better working hours and be able to spend more time with Rose."
"Well I want you to make the decision that's best for you, I can always get a transfer instead and commute."
"Nope, I don't want you to do that. I'll tell the Admiral that I'll take the judge position tomorrow morning right now I have to go and sort through that stack of paperwork."
"Lot's of it?"
"Not too bad, but it's amazing how much it pile's up since I've been gone. They sent through all my mail from Washington. Most of it's just loose end to tie up."
"Well I have to be in court in 10 minutes, see you for lunch?"
"Yep, meet me down at the crèche and we'll go from there."
"1300?"
"See you then."
***************** "So how was court this morning?"
"Good, I think I've got the defense nailed, Sturgis isn't happy though."
"Go easy on him."
"No way, he can hold his own, besides his client is guilty as hell."
"You know I'm gonna miss being your partner."
"Yeah, I'll have to break in a new partner."
"Aw good to know you'll miss me."
"I don't have to miss you, I live with you."
"Jeez lucky me, I get to live with an arrogant, self confident, nearly 40 year old aviator who's trying to get our daughter to become a squid like himself, which by the way is never going to happen."
"Wow I feel so loved."
"You should!" she smiled and turned toward her office
"Ohhh don't you worry, I'll be around for a long, long time."
"Oh great and here I was thinking I'd only have to put up with you for a few years!"
Harm rolled his eyes and walked away, Mac was in a good mood so far and with any luck her day would be stress free, enabling him to get her to agree to go out tonight without too much persuasion then all the planned events for the night would run smoothly.
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT Same Day 1850 hours
"Harm can you get Rose dressed?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Harm why are we going out tonight." Mac called out from the bathroom.
"Because it was your first day back at work, we haven't been out for ages and I want to spoil you."
Rose lay on the bed kicking her legs and pointing at the ceiling
"Okay then, I liked the last reason best personally."
"Thought you would. Hey, I think Rose is going to end up flying planes like her daddy."
"Oh really! And what makes you say that, she'll take after her mommy and be a marine."
"I wouldn't count on it, she seems to have a fascination with the ceiling."
"And from that you draw the conclusion that she want to fly planes?"
"Well at least her heads in the right direction."
"Whatever you say. You ready to go?" Mac came walking out of the bathroom and stood in the doorway.
"Wow! You look beautiful."
"Why Thankyou, I happen to be going out with handsome sailor tonight."
"Hmmm lucky him!"
"Come on flyboy we better get going."
Mac grabbed her purse while Harm grabbed his keys and Rose, they were just about out the door when the phone rang.
"Should we get that?"
"Nah let the machine get it."
"Nobody rings this time or night, it might be important."
"Alright, here take my purse and go put Rose in the car, I'll be down in a minute."
"Okay."
Harm went down to the car and Mac went inside and picked up the phone.
"MacKenzie speaking"
"Mac it's Harriet…"
Harm sat down in the car, waiting for Mac to come down, he saw the light go off in the apartment, 'I wonder what Harriet did to get her to JAG' before he had time to come up with any options he saw Mac emerge from the front of the building, he could tell she was visibly shaken by her demeanor, she slid into the passenger seat and told him the reason behind it.
"Mac what's wrong."
"Drive to JAG."
"What? Why?"
"That… that was… Harriet. Bud has had an accident, he's at the hospital and she want's us to come get her and take her there, a she called a cab but it'll take to long and she didn't know what to do. God Harm he has to be alright."
"Don't worry honey, I'm sure he'll be fine."
They drove in silence until the pulled up outside JAG, Mac looked around anxiously "She said she'd be out here." As she looked around she failed to notice that there was an unusually large amount of cars still in the carpark.
"Maybe we should go up and get her, she's probably too upset to be thinking properly."
"Yeah come on, get Rose out and let's go."
The ride up in the elevator was a long one, time seemed to stand still until finally they arrived. They stepped out of the elevator and Mac froze, in front of her was the entire JAG staff, standing there in the middle of the bullpen
A "SURPRISE!" echoed throughout the building as they noticed her arrival.
To Be Continued