JAG and it's character's don't belong to me. I'm only playing in Mr. Bellisario's world. Any characters NOT taken directly from JAG or making cameo appearances from other televison shows DO belong to me.


A/N: Thoughts are in *'s


CHAPTER 10


After arriving at the park almost 30 minutes early, Harm and Mac walked the familiar paths hand in hand. They talked about nothing, and anything that they happened to think about. As they approached the pre-arranged meeting spot, Harm felt Mac tense. "Relax... breathe," he told her. He felt her try, and fail. As they came around the curve, they saw Kate and a young woman. Harm stumbled, and caught himself before he fell. He knew they were meeting Mac's daughter, but he hadn't expected this. It was as if he were looking at a mirror image of his partner, only years younger. "She... she looks like you," he stammered.


Mac was unable to respond. She had frozen and was staring at her daughter. **My God, she looks just like I did at that age.**


Kate moved forward to break the tension. "I know we're a little early." She took Mac's hand and gently pulled her forward. "Sarah, this is Rachel. Rachel, Sarah." They stared at each other for a long minute, each awed by the resemblance.


"They could be twins," Harm finally found his voice.


That seemed to break the bond between Mac and Rachel. Mac opened her arms and asked, "Can I hug you?" Rachel didn't answer, she launched herself at Mac and nearly knocked them both to the ground. Both were crying and trying to talk at the same time.


"I thought you..." "I shouldn't have..." "Why did..."


Harm and Kate stood back and watched. "They're going to be ok," Kate said. "That's good. I was worried."


She walked over and put a hand Mac's shoulder. "I'm happy for you guys, and I wish I could stay to enjoy the reunion. I got a call this morning that I need to deal with. They want to bring Jeff Corwin, from Animal Planet, in to tape a show; Chris and Martin from Zoboomafoo are coming to open the new lemur exhibit; and Steve and Terri will be in the states around Christmas. They're going to visit her parents in Oregon and they'd like to stop by here for a couple of days before they fly back. I need to make call on all of that and put my request for leave in early. I guess I need to make sure they aren't going to want to do any filming too. It's much cheaper to call them from the zoo. You guys have my cell number if you need anything." She glanced at Harm, "Can you guys give Rachel a ride back to the house later?"


Harm tossed the keys to the 'Vette to Kate. "We need to trade cars - we brought the 'Vette. I guess we weren't thinking this morning. Are you driving the Pontic?"


Kate handed her keys to Harm. "I should be home by dinner. Why don't I call Maria and tell her to expect you guys? We can trade cars then."


"Sounds like a plan. See you."


"Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful lady, Mac?" he asked, walking over to Mac and Rachel.


"Harm, this is my daughter," her voice broke, but she recovered, "Rachel. Rachel, this is Harmon Rabb - my partner at work and my best friend."


"Damn, he's hot!" Rachel said. Then covered her mouth with both hands, blushing. "Did I say that out loud? I'm sorry. I.. uh.. Oh God."


Harm laughed. "She is definitely your daughter, Mac." Thinking of her conversation with Sturgis when she admitted out loud that she loved Harm, Mac could only agree with him.


Looking at Kate, amused, she added, "He most certainly is. And behave yourself. He's taken," Mac looked at Harm to be sure, "I think."

Harm put his arm around Mac's shoulders. "Most definitely," he added.


"Have you been to DC before?" he asked Rachel. She shook her head, no. "Then why don't we hang around here for a while. We can play tourist and see al the monuments, go to the Smithsonian," he was interrupted by Mac.


"To see the Air and Space Museum?"


He sighed. "To see whatever. I was thinking Air and Space, but the Natural History Museum is also interesting. It's up to Rachel."


"I guess that's okay. Whatever you guys want to do is fine with me." She was still a little awed by her mother and the good looking guy she seemed to be hooked up with. Inside, she was wondering how permanent their relationship was, and trying to figure out how to ask all the questions she had cataloged over the years. Somehow, though, she knew that in time Mac, Mom?, would tell her whatever she wanted to know. Just knowing that this woman and been willing to see her and talk to her was almost enough.