Thanks again to those who read and review. I can't tell you how much it helps jumpstart a writer's mind. Speaking of which, this is the first time I started posting a story without having it pretty fleshed out… so I'm reading it for the first time as I write… (ah, writers are crazy. Such is life).

Two Days Later

Outside Courtroom B

1143

Mac reached up instinctively and straightened his collar. "You look fine. It'll be fine, Harm. Just be yourself."

"That's what I'm worried about. What if myself isn't good enough?"

"Harm." She looked at him, willing him to calm down.

"This is ridiculous, Mac. I've never been this worried before a case, not even when my career was on the line."

She sighed at him. "That's because this isn't a case, Harm. It's just a hearing. You know it's the first formal conversation about Mattie." Mac looked down the hall to see if the courtroom had opened yet. "And you're not worried about the case, you're worried about her."

His eyes found hers, and the aquamarine edged toward green in his concern. "What if I let her down, Mac? I started this whole thing-"

"You're doing a good thing, Harm. Let's not borrow trouble." She gave him a tight little reassuring smile, and he skimmed his hand over her arm.

"Thanks." The commander shrugged his tension and tried to grin. "Getting Chaplain Turner was a great idea."

"Well, I figure he's God, Man, and the Military all in one nice little package. Not to mention he's a wonderful advocate."

"It was brilliant." His expression was sincere. "Thank you."

Mac brushed it off. "I try to be brilliant once a day."

"Usually before lunch."

They laughed together lightly, although the tension was still evident. "You're incorrigible, Rabb."

"Just don't let the judge hear that." His expression shifted abruptly to his previous nervousness. "What if she won't give me a chance?"

"Listen. We've got good paper. We've got the Chaplain's letter of recommendation, we've got the Admiral, Bobbi…" She stopped, looked up at him sincerely. "You have a lot of people on your side, Harm."

"I know." His eyes met hers and became uncommonly gentle. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you for this. You know I would have been too worried to tell people, let alone ask for help."

Mac shook her head. "It was only two days. And just some leg work. Or phone work, as it was. You built your own reputation." She looked up at him. "And I hope the best way to thank someone is to still be there for them when they need you."

They stared at each other, and impulsively, he reached out and pulled her into a hug.

They stood quietly for a moment, and she grinned into his chest. "Butch and Sundance ride again."

"Thank God." They laughed quietly, still unsure of their footing, but better. "I just hope it's enough."

Mac sighed. "Harm, at least you have the lawyer's advantage."

He frowned at her, confused. "And what would that be?"

"You know that no matter what happens, you can always challenge it, fight it, try to find another way. I've seen you do it a hundred times."

He brushed a fond kiss on the top of her head. "Keep it up. I may begin to believe you." She put her hand on his chest, looking up at him, when he suddenly tensed, releasing her from his arms.

"There they are." Mac stayed where she was while Harm walked briskly down the hall to meet Mattie and Bud, who had driven out to pick her up while Harm readied himself for the hearing. "Wow, look at you." He smiled down at Mattie, who brushed her hands over her outfit nervously.

"You think it's okay?" She was wearing a simple suit dress of navy blue, the white blouse underneath showing a bit of lace. "I feel all girlie."

Harm laughed as he hugged her. "You look beautiful, Mattie. And very professional, as well." She dimpled, looked nearly embarrassed, and saw Mac.

"Harm? Why is she here?"

"Mac's been helping me with the case, Mattie. She's been a real lifesaver."

"I bet."

"Mattie…" Harm hesitated, looked between the two women and took a deep breath. "If we make this work, we'll have Mac to thank for it. She's worked really hard."

"Why?" The question shone in her young eyes, and Harm looked into them calmly.

"Because it's what friends do." He took her by the shoulders and gently steered her toward where Mac stood quietly down the hall. "And now we'll see how well you've been practicing the diplomacy thing." Mattie rolled her eyes at him, then put on a somewhat reluctant smile as they walked over.

"I don't know if you two have been formally introduced. Miss Mathilda Grace Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Rose Mackenzie." As he hoped, that earned him a shocked glare from both of them, and he smiled to himself as they looked back at each other, unable to help the 'do you believe him?' look. The colonel was first to extend her hand.

"Hi. Most people call me 'Mac', and no one uses the 'Rose' part."

"Mattie. People who call me 'Mathilda' often get smacked."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Harm speaks very highly of you."

Mattie blinked at the polite offensive, but gained her composure quickly. "He speaks often of you, as well, Colonel." Mac's smile quirked into a grin as she noted the phrasing, and the girl relented. "Should I call you 'Mac'?"

"I would like that."

"Alright." The girl looked around the hall and back to the colonel. "What do you think the chances of this working are, Mac?"

"Mattie-" Harm's voice was controlled but firm.

"I just want to know, Harm." She looked up at Mac, and Harm was amazed at how similar their expressions were. "Well?"

Mac looked over her young adversary and made as quick a decision as she ever had to in court. Harm recognized her 'opening argument' voice and stared. "I believe that this will be a difficult fight, Mattie, but also believe that most things worth having are worth fighting for." She avoided Harm's gaze as she continued, feeling his stare. "You should also know this: Whatever happens after this interview, Harm will always be there if you need him. A piece of paper or someone else's opinion isn't enough to dissuade him once he's made up his mind. Trust me."

Mattie looked away from her and up at Harm. Her defenses crumbled just a bit, and her voice was younger sounding. "Is that true?"

His expression was completely sincere. "Yes." He grinned. "A deal's a deal." When Mattie looked away, his eyes darted back to Mac, but she had backed up a step to stand next to Bud.

"We should probably go find a seat so they can go over the details before Judge Alberti calls them in." Bud and Mac made eye contact, and the intensity of his expression made her a little nervous. They hadn't really spoken about anything but the custody hearing since he blew up at her two days ago. "Lieutenant?"

He slowly smiled, extended his elbow to escort her into the courtroom. "You can call me 'Porthos', Ma'am." She stared for a moment before the reference clicked, then smiled tightly as she put her hand on his arm.

Turning to Harm and Mattie, she said, "We'll see you inside." Her eyes met Harm's once more. "We'll be right there if you need us."

He nodded, and frowned as they walked away. He thought he heard Mac say 'does that make her D'Artagnan?' followed by Bud's chuckled response. 'We'll have to see how she handles a sword'.

Mattie was still watching them, a delicate frown creasing her brow. Harm looked at her, puzzled. "What is it, Mattie?"

She sighed and looked up at him with resignation in her eyes. "She's harder to hate than I thought."

The Commander really laughed for the first time that morning. "Tell me about it."