Thank you all so so much!!!

NadaZimri: LOL, oh boy, just what are we gonna do with you, ya rebel?!?! :D....hey no prob, and guess what?? *drum roll*...It's Happy Chicken Day!!!..........*cricket*......really!!! :D Thanks, girly.

e-dog: Hey, thanks!!! Yeah, I was scared outta my mind to see that movie, but my mom had bought the tickets in advance, and I didn't want to waste it. But now that I've seen it, I'm glad, it's given me a whole new perspective. Anywho, well, hehe, you'll have to read to find out what Mama Mac saw or didn't see :D. Heehee, you'll see what I mean later...yeah, at first I wasn't sure how to handle the kids' reactions, and curiously seemed the right way to go, I'm glad it's working! Heehee, it's good to ramble! Really! :D Thanks and see ya next week!

Gillian-Marie: Thank you! Ya, the Clay storyline will lead to something else, which will connect with something else, and hopefully this will make sense in the future, lol. Oh, thank you. I've had a heck of a time trying to figure out how everyone would react to this stuff. I see Mama Mac being defensive with her children for various reasons, which will come out soon. Thanks and see ya next week!

Maggie: Hey there! Thank you, it's hard but interesting to write how these guys would react to each other. I'm still in the experimentation stage, and hopefully it'll get better. Oh, I know, that movie was wonderful, gave me shivers though. The freaky demon kids are wiggin' me out though *shudder*. Thanks and see ya next week!

Annebd: Thank you! OMG, it's been difficult trying to distinguish the young and older Harm and Macs, *sigh*, but I'm relieved it's coming out somewhat decent, lol. Oh, yay, thank you for updating that story!!! Sorry I didn't review right away, the site was giving me troubles and I couldn't access anything!!! Thanks again and see ya next week!

Deb: Thank you! Oy vay, I just hope you'll be able to tell which Mac is which!!! LoL, thanks and see ya next week!

Mars: Hey there! Thank you! Well, I think "hate" is a strong word, more like she's confused and jealous and it's coming off particularly nasty, lol, that's the best way I can explain without giving too much away. Heeheehee, well, there was a point to the seemingly useless Clay bit. *cough*Eric*cough*....ahem... :D...muahaha...thanks and see ya next week!

ArwenUndomiel: Thank you! Oy vay, I'm tellin' ya, it's hard, it is *so* easy to get obsessed, but I'm trying to keep my cool, lol. I'm just so incredibly grateful for wonderful reviewers like yourself :). Thank you. Yeah, everybody was a little...rigid when he had the surgery. It's been a full week now and he had his first follow-up today. He came back with digital pictures they had taken during the surgery of the inside of his knee. *shudder* it was kind of gross, lol. Anywho, he still can't drive, but he's getting around so much better than last week! Thanks again! LOL, I know, it's sooo easy to torture poor Harm and Mac. Mama Mac is just exploding with emotions right now and those emotions are coming out in a particularly nasty way...*shiver*...but further ahead, she's gonna have a little...um...breakdown...yeah...anywho, thanks and see ya next week!

DD2: Hiya! Thank you! Yeah, I hope everything continues to go smoothly too! Thanks and see ya next week!

cmaf: Hey there! Ohhhkay, I've never seen "imho" before, lol, you learn something new every day! Oh yikes, that weather doesn't sound like fun!!! Well, it sounds like this is as bad as it's going to get, so it'll have to get better from here, right? :) I'll pray for a cold front for ya!! :) OMG, okay...*whisper*...you just totally guessed the "big surprise" with Eric, LOL. Are you reading my mind?!?!?! *sigh* lol, great job!!! Thank you and see ya next week!

Mimmi: Thank you! Oh boy, jealous Mac is interesting to write, because we haven't really seen her jealous, well, like, "mean jealous" on the show. Oh, and you can bet there will be more interaction with H/M and the kiddies!!! Hehehe, yes, you get to see Eric very soon!! Hehe...Thank you, I wasn't completely sure how to handle the older Harm and Macs with the whole sledding thing, but my dad does the same thing with my mom and vice versa, LOL. Glad it works here!! Oh, it won't be too bad with the omen, just some awkward moments and funny mistakes. Isabel almost getting hit will probably be the most dangerous part of this "outing" :D. Thank you so much and see ya next week!

Lili: Welcome back!! I know, it was very short, that was a big mistake on my part *hangs head in shame* but I'm hoping we'll never see that short of a chapter again! Okay, I understand, what is your first language?? Thanks again and see ya next week!

CharmedMummy: *whimper* Okay, I'll make the pregnancy up since I did promise not to include the 9th season in all of this. Thanks for the little nudge in the right direction :D. 1(Good girl): Okay, okay, I'll try to change it sometime! 2(Teenage changes) You know, I never thought of a different haircut...hmm...how would I be able to put that in there, it's kind of late for that. But school definitely, I'll try and show that she has excellent grades and perhaps somewhere I have Grace thinking about the changes physically she's had. Heh, okay, I have an idea, but it's a little goofy, hehe, okay, maybe you'll see it. 3(Harm w/kids) Teehee...all part of the plan. Oh geeze, just wait and see what's going to happen with this. I plan on someone knocking into Harm. Yes, he has changed in the last 16, 17 years...but his voice hasn't... :D, you'll see...heehee...thank you in advance for how you review, I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again, cause it's true: it really helps me to see what people are thinking, and you present it in such a nice, friendly way, so thank you :). Yeah, The Passion was reeeally good. Violent, hoh, yeah, but after a while, the emotion of the story grabs you more than the violence. I really liked it, though I couldn't write anything even though I tried for the rest of the day, lol. Thanks again and see ya next week!

Jagchick105: Hiya! Oy, I felt so bad about the length of that last chapter *hangs head in shame* I was really mad at myself for having it that short, but that whole week was kind of...strange...but thanks :D. LOL, I know, whenever I put "Admiral" for Harm, I cringe, cause, well, for a plus, it's a really good way to separate Papa Harm from young Harm, but in turn, you always think of AJ. So, yeah, I'm still working out the kinks on that one. Yeah, I'll hopefully work on that with Grace's thoughts about how she's kind of gone backwards physically. I have a couple ideas with that, but I just have to write 'em down, toss it around a little bit. Then possibly delete it *shudder*....*chants*: "The delete button is your friend...the delete button is your friend...." oy, okay, I feel better now. Anywho, thank you, Isabel and Jake are so much fun to write about :D. Thanks and see ya next week!

Pennithil: Yeah, my mom bought the Passion tickets in advance, so I didn't have much choice, lol, but we did a bunch of research together to kind of de-sensitize ourselves before seeing the movie, I think that helped a little :). Thanks and see ya next week!

Macicat: Welcome back! LOL, yes, Mama Mac is fuming a little bit, but young Mac will talk some sense into her :D. Heehee, the kids are so much fun to write about, it's weird, even though they're original characters, they're the children of characters we all know, so it's pretty easy to write about them because they carry the characteristics of their parents. Anywho, thank you Maci and see ya next week!

DelphiKat: Aw, thank you! Oh, you did?! In two days?!?! Wow, lol. Thank you for the effort! Oy, I do feel so bad though when I post short chapters *shudder*. I'm working on trying to make more time in the week to write this. Heehee, thank you and see ya next week!

SarahRabb705: Thank you! Yeah, the Mac to Mac talk will hopefully come out good and not too cheesy or cliché. Cross your fingers on that one! Hehe, well, Harm is about to have quite a day with those two kids!!! Thanks and see ya next week!

Cassie: Thank you, on both counts! Ya, Dad's up and out and back to work (though he accidentally bent his knee yesterday and now it hurts again :[...). Yes, it was an incredible movie, and I'll probably watch it again when it comes out on DVD. I'm really interesting to listen to the audio commentaries!!! Thanks and see ya next week!

Nikole1025: Hehehe, well, being a little predictable isn't too bad I suppose, lol. Oh yes, wait till you see what I have in store for our favorite squid and the kiddies!!! Oh good, I mean, the whole day and most of the next day I couldn't do much after seeing that movie. I was just exhausted, but I'm glad I saw it :). Thanks again and see ya next week!

Pissed Off Poet: Hey there! Thank you! LoL, yeah, it makes perfect sense, but I try to look at it like Mac is being a tiny bit unreasonable, and Harm is I think in a little bit of a daze. So both of 'em are kind of...off. But stuff will start to smooth over after they both get some of their feelings out. The Mac to Mac tête-à-tête is probably the most important part off this chapter, so, hehe, no pressure, lol. Thanks again and see ya next week!

Winnie Bear: LOL, you don't have to say much! Thank you for reviewing though and see ya next week!!!

(A/N): Okay, I'd like to take this time to apologize for last week's REALLY short chapter which has been haunting me all week. Now, this isn't any 8000 words or anything, but it's longer and will make a bit more sense. So sorry again for cutting it SO short last week *shudder*. Thanks and enjoy!

~sancti

Chapter 5: Out With the Logic...Again

1535 ZULU

Bethesda Hospital

DC

 Grace felt her insides tighten as they got out of the car and started towards the entrance of the hospital. The last time she was at this hospital she came with a dead Lieutenant Singer. Grace suddenly wondered if Harm and Mac had told her parents about that whole ordeal when they were alone in that bedroom for a couple hours. Her parents hadn't mentioned anything to her. Then again, they both hadn't exactly had the chance to talk to her alone.

 Three people exited the elevator and Grace felt she was finally able to breathe. It was another symptom she'd acquired after the Singer ordeal. She was now claustrophobic. She couldn't explain how what happened to her made her attract the phobia. Grace tried to shake it off and she closed her eyes as the elevator moved up again. But her father nudged her with his elbow, making her flinch. She snapped her eyes open and shot her gaze to her father.

"What?" She asked a little breathlessly.

He stared down at her, his eyes filled with concern. "You okay?"

No. "Sure." She lied with a shrug.

He nodded uncertainly and his eyes flickered to the elevator doors. Grace tried to figure out exactly what he was thinking, if he actually believed her, but his expression was deadpan and he could be thinking about his laundry for all she knew.

 The elevator came to a smooth halt and the doors opened. Grace scrunched her nose at the familiar smell of a hospital. But getting out of the confines of the elevator deemed to be much more appealing, so she was out of the elevator first, her father close behind. The carpeted corridor was mostly deserted, a nurse passing every once and a while.

"What was his room number?" Grace asked, peering at the closed hospital room doors.

As she asked, Harm took a folded piece of paper from a vest pocket and read the information off it. "Room 517. Looks like it's down a little further." He added, his eyes wandering over the numbered doors they passed.

"Down a little further" was an understatement. It was at the very end of the long corridor. Once they got there, Grace could hear her friend's muffled voice through the door.

"Guys, I'm fine! I just wanna go home!"

Grace knocked lightly on the door, then grasped the cold metal handle and pushed the door open. The Webb family turned their heads to the visitors as they entered the hospital room. Mr. and Mrs. Webb were the first to be seen, standing at the end of the bed. A curtain was drawn in front of the bed where Clay rested impatiently. Clay's brother and sister, 14-year-old fraternal twins named Adam and Joan, sat crossed legged on the end of the bed playing cards. The curtain was pulled back and Clay leaned forward as far as he could.

"Grace! Admiral!" Clay greeted them with wide eyes, "What are you guys doing here?"

Grace walked up to the bed, radiating a playful smile. "What do you mean why are we here? To check up on you, silly."

Clay sighed, falling back against the raised bed. "I'm fine."

Grace felt her insides tremble a little when she saw his face. He was quite pale with long stitches on his forehead. His left eye was also bruised, but he tried to hide it by letting some of his dusty-blond hair fall over the eye.

Catherine Webb gave a motherly pout and she moved next to her son, brushing the hair out of his eye. "Oh, come on, Mom!"

Harm nodded at Webb and they moved away from the others. In a hushed voice, Harm asked of Clay's condition. The CIA agent sighed, shrugging a shoulder. "He has some stitches, a few bumps and bruises, he should be home. But because he got a concussion, the doctors want to keep him longer." He added grimly.

 Grace pulled a chair up to the bed, forcing a smile. Clay returned it with a toothy grin, but then it disappeared and his features reflected a question. "Where did you go anyway?"

Grace felt her smile tumble into a frown and she started to twiddle her thumbs. "...Um...Dad called and..." She struggled to find an excuse that she never expected to be asked for. It just wasn't something she gave thought to. At that moment, she heard her father walk up behind her.

"I saw the weather reports and wanted her home just in case the school didn't let out fast enough." He said it so crisply and cool...like it was the truth. Grace's skin tingled when she realized just how good a liar her father was.

Clay then turned his attention back to Grace. "Why didn't you tell me before you left?"

Grace shrugged a shoulder. "He was waiting outside for me."

Joan's voice crept into the conversation. "She doesn't have to tell you everything, you know."

Clay shot his sister a glare. "Was I talking to you?"

"You are now!" Joan spat, her grey eyes gleaming.

Adam nudged his sister. "Quit it, he's sick!"

Catherine jumped in before it turned into a card-throwing brawl. "Hey, guys, let's go the cafeteria."

Both Adam and Joan rolled their eyes as they slid off the bed. "Mom, hospital food sucks!"

"Don't say 'sucks', honey." Catherine said tiredly as she led them out of the room.

When the door closed, Grace turned to her friend. "You gonna be okay?"

She didn't even realize her hand had been resting on the side of the bed until Clay covered her hand with his own. A sharp memory quickly came into focus of her and Eric. When her eyes flickered to Clay's, she half expected to see Eric, but instead it was the lifelong friend whom she'd always bickered with. Grace snatched her hand away and surprised even herself when she practically stood at attention and quickly made her exit into the corridor. Webb and Harm stared at the door as it closed with a bit of a slam. Webb cocked an eyebrow, looking from Harm to his son. Clay's jaw hung a little until he finally turned to the two men standing at the end of his bed.

"What did I do?"

Webb cleared his throat uncomfortably, pointing to the door. "I've, uh, got to make a phone call."

When he left, Harm sat down in the seat Grace had occupied. Clay was staring at his feet; his brow furrowed and didn't seem to notice Harm was there. Finally, he picked up his head, looking straight at Grace's father.

"Admiral—Harm...does Grace have a boyfriend or something?"

Harm slightly remembered the younger Mac and Harm saying something about a boy Grace had made a best friend out of, but they didn't elaborate much on it. Harm figured his daughter lost the boy rather tragically or something like that, and now the thought of having another boyfriend brought back too many memories. It boiled in him a little knowing Grace was having, "relations" with a guy, but he pushed it aside, realizing he couldn't convey any information about this, "other guy" to Clay. 

"Look, Clay, she probably hasn't told you," Harm tried to say delicately, "but she's been going through some...rough times lately."

Clay gave him a blank stare. "But—she always tells me everything that goes on in her life...mostly to annoy me!"

Harm made a dry chuckle before continuing. "Heh, ell, you know, Clay, she's a teenage girl, they all have problems."

Clay's eyes narrowed as he put the pieces together. "So, like, she has even more problems than she tells me?!"

"Uh—probably." Harm replied half-heartedly.

"And you know all about her problems." Clay said matter-of-factly.

Harm put up a hand in defence. "I didn't say that."

"You implied it."

Harm sighed. "Look, just—I wouldn't try to instigate any kind of relationship different than the one you have now." There. It was concise and clear...at least to Harm.

Clay shook his head. "I knew it. There's another guy."

"Clay—"

"Please, Admiral. I think I'd just like to be alone."

Harm bit his lip as he hesitantly stood from the chair and stepped out of the room, leaving the boy to his own troubled thoughts. 

***

1548 ZULU

Rock Creek Public Golf Course

Washington DC

 Harm angrily punched the numbers on the cell phone Admiral Rabb had let him borrow. The signal wasn't getting out and giving a frustrated sigh, he roughly stuck the cell phone back into the pocket of his jacket. Meanwhile, Jake patted his sister's shoulder, but the girl still whimpered and a couple sobs escaped. Harm rested his right elbow on his raised knee, while the other leg lied straight out in the snow.

Jake pursed his lips. "Um...sorry, Harm. I didn't think Isabel would wimp out like this."

"I didn't wimp out!" She snapped choking on her tears, "I just don't feel like doing it right now!"

Harm and Jake sighed, staring down at the steep hill where other sledders slid quickly to the bottom, their sleds going beyond the hill and finally stopping some yards away. Harm drew both legs up, crossing his arm over his knees.

"Well, Isabel, we have three choices," Harm said, staring out at the snow-covered golf course, "You use the sled to get to the bottom, you let me carry you, or we carefully walk down on foot."

Isabel's eyes, the only part of that could be seen with all the snow gear she had on, widened to an almost impossible size. "I don't like any of those choices." She answered flatly.

Harm glanced over at Jake who shook his head and stood, grabbing his sled.

"Well, I'm gonna take a couple of slides. You wanna ride with me, Isabel?" Jake asked thoughtfully. The girl sniffed and shook her head sharply. The boy shrugged and got in line behind a few kids.

Harm nodded at a girl squealing happily as she slid down...and down and continued to slide once she hit the flat ground. "Looks like fun."

"It's not," Isabel mumbled, "it's susyside."

Harm gave the girl a sidelong glance. "You mean, 'suicide'?"

"That's what I said." She replied defensively.

Harm smirked. "Okay."

It was finally Jake's turn and the two watched as he let out a yelp and slipped down the hill. Isabel leaned forward and watched tentatively as he made it safely to the ground.

Harm shrugged a shoulder. "That didn't look so bad, hm?"

The girl's brows drew in and her aquamarine eyes locked gazes with Harm's. It was weird, the lighting was perfect and Harm could have been looking into his own eyes. The eeriness got to him and he looked away.

Harm changed the subject. "So how long have you been afraid of heights?"

She shrugged, but with the thick jacket, her whole torso jerked. "Forever. But I didn't think the hill would be this big."

"Admiral Rabb?" A female's voice floated over from next to him. Harm started and instinctively pulled up the jacket collar over the lower half of his face and tugged his hat down a little.

A second later, a woman came over in a red wool jacket that went to her feet, hugging her arms. Isabel got to her feet and waved.

"Hi, Ms. Paxton!"

Harm stood, figuring by Isabel's reaction that this was one of her teachers.

The thirty-something woman didn't have anything covering her face or her head and her shoulder-length blond hair blew around fiercely. Harm swallowed. She was gorgeous.

But Mac is prettier. He reminded himself, and she's your fiancée.

"Guess what, Ms. Paxton?!" Isabel said excitedly.

Ms. Paxton smiled big, revealing perfect white teeth. "What?"

"I almost got run over by a car today!"

Harm squeezed his eyes shut and sighed, then opened them carefully. Ms. Paxton had a blank expression, but she forced a little smile. "Oh, that sounds...exciting."

"It was! Harm—" Harm nudged the girl, and she quickly changed her phrasing, "Daddy saved me!"

It must have happened too quickly for Ms. Paxton to register the, "Harm," part and she looked over at Isabel's, "father."

"Well, um, I recognized Isabel's jacket, but I wasn't sure if it was you guys."

Harm nodded uncomfortably. He had to remember to—well, to be himself. Who knew it would be so hard? "Uh...yeah, decided to take advantage of the snow."

Ms. Paxton nodded. "Yeah, I have my kids here."

Oh, thank God, she's married.

"Thought it would cheer them up, since, well you know, the divorce was such a messy one."

Harm's eyes widened and all he could do was nod again. Harm tried to gather his theories about her. This woman had to know the family well enough to freely offer personal information. So Harm just played along.

"Yeah, a little snow and sledding ought to perk 'em up."

Obviously not liking the subject, Paxton changed it.

"So how's life as the JAG?"

"Uh...busy."

Isabel tugged at Harm's coat. "But you're not the—"

Harm forced a laugh and glared down at the girl. Isabel narrowed her eyes, then Harm watched as they widened and she nodded her little head.

"Yeah, it's been real busy."

Ms. Paxton nodded. "Where's Mac?"

"At home."

"Ah," Paxton checked her watch, biting her lip, "we were just about to go get some hot chocolate, you guys wanna come?"

Harm thought about how strange he would look in a coffee shop with almost all of his face covered. "Uh, no thanks, we're just gonna head home after this."

The woman looked a little disappointed but she quickly hid it. "All right then, see you later" She waved at the girl, "bye Isabel."

Isabel struggled to get her arm up high enough to wave, the coat making it difficult. "Bye, Ms. Paxton!"

The woman made an about-face and started toward two kids who were waving to her, undoubtedly her own. Harm swallowed hard, glancing down at Isabel.

"Your teacher?"

Isabel shook her head. "Nope. Our family councillor. Mommy says it's 'ironic,' whatever that means, 'cause she got divorced."

Harm blinked. "Family councillor?"

"Yeah, Gracie's been acting bad and we all had to go to Ms. Paxton."

Harm's eyes flickered to Jake who wearily climbed up the hill. "Is that so..." He shook away the thought and pointed at yet another kid sliding down the hill, "What do ya say we tackle this monster and get it over with?"

Isabel looked up at him nervously. "Will you go on with me?"

***

1600 ZULU

Bethesda Hospital

 Grace kept pacing the long corridor, thinking out everything she could. Did she really want to start something with Clay? No, it would be just too weird. She'd been a "friendly enemy" towards him for as long as she could remember. But how could she dissuade Clay's incentives? She could tell him flat out that she liked their relationship right where it was and didn't want it to be anything different. But would that crush him mentally? She wouldn't be able to stand that.

 Feeling she would practically fall over with anxiety, Grace backed up against the wall, but instead ended up backing into the drinking fountain. It proved to support her enough and she leaned her weight against it. But as she stared at the floor, a familiar scent caught her attention. It seemed like thousands of memories triggered at once and every part of her body froze. Finally, she lifted her head and saw a handsome man in his mid-thirties, cocking an eyebrow. He was a doctor in blue scrubs. But Grace knew who it was before she even had to look up.

He cleared his throat and looked past her. "Um, you done with that?"

Grace flinched. That voice. Exactly the same, maybe a little deeper. She jerkily turned her head, seeing she was still leaning against the drinking fountain. She stumbled away, backing up to the wall next to the fountain.

The man made a small smile, looking a little uncomfortable. "Thanks."

Grace watched him drink, not really caring that he probably thought she was insane because she stared at him so strangely. He straightened his spine, nonchalantly wiping away some water from his chin. He peered at her curiously.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

Grace blinked a few times and was getting very close to pinching herself. "You—you're a doctor."

He glanced behind him for a fleeting moment before returning his attention to Grace. "Um...yeah—listen, are you sure you don't need help?"

Grace shook her head. "No, Eric."

The doctor blinked and he looked down at his ID tag pinned to his shirt. "Heh, that's, uh, Doctor Eric, ma'am." He said, flashing a smile.

Grace nodded. "Yeah." With that, her eyes rolled into her head and she fell to the floor.

***

1605 ZULU

Rabb Home

Georgetown, Virginia

 Mac paced the foyer, hoping, wishing, and praying for her fiancé to come home. She knew she promised to talk to that woman who'd locked herself upstairs, but now she'd lost her nerve. She didn't think she'd be able to converse well with her older self. Especially since her older self was so grouchy at the moment. Mac let out a deep breath and let her eyes wander to the staircase.

There's no time like the present. She grudgingly reminded herself.

Mac started up the stairs, running her hand lightly along the railing. When she got to the top, she noticed the only room with its door closed was at the end of the hall. She made for that one, stepping carefully. Taking in a breath, she knocked gently.

Nothing.

Mac knocked again, this time a thump was heard from inside, and she thought she heard footsteps. She jumped a little when the door swung open. Mac looked directly into the woman's eyes...her eyes. She was losing her nerve again.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have disturbed you—"

"What do you want?" Her voice was a little raspy, she'd obviously been crying shortly beforehand.

Mac forced a smile. "I was just wondering if I could talk to you. The quiet's starting to get to me down there."

The woman's expression was deadpan, but she opened the door more to let her in. Mac nodded in thanks and entered the bedroom. The room was simple with a nice bed in the middle, two armchairs opposite in the corners of the room. A dresser, and a nice closet with French style doors.

 The older Mac stepped over to the bed, sitting cross-legged in the middle of it where a tissue box and many rolled up tissues were scattered around her. Mac sat at the edge of the bed, folding her hands in her lap. Grace's mother did the same without realizing it. Mac quickly changed the position and crossed her arms. Her older self didn't seem to notice.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Mac slowly tapped her fingers on her arm. "Um...well...why do you hate us?"

The woman slowly lifted her gaze to Mac, clenching her jaw. "I don't hate you." She muttered, "I envy you."

Mac blinked, uncrossing her arms. "Come again?"

The older woman looked up. "I envy you, Colonel."

Mac opened her mouth, hoping for encouraging words to slip out, but nothing inspiring came to her. "Why would you?"

She looked at the younger woman. "Why wouldn't I? You've had a very strong impact on some of the hardest times in my daughter's life. You were there for her and I wasn't! Just why do you think I envy you?!"

Mac wasn't expecting the third degree, but it certainly did place things in perspective. The only answer she could conjure up was an apology. "I'm sorry, Sarah."

The older woman waved it away. "I'm also thankful," Mac stared at the woman intently as she continued, "Gracie made the right decision to go to you two. Who knows what would have happened to her if she went elsewhere."

"So...you're thanking us?"

Grace's mother sighed and directed a tight smile at her younger self. "Thank you for believing her."

Mac made a have smile. "She made us believe her. Went so far as to get a blood test."

The woman's eyebrows rose quite high. "She volunteered to have a blood test? You mean she actually allowed someone to stick a needle in her?"

"Well...I wouldn't say volunteer. She was actually quite...resistant." Mac tried to clarify, remembering the incident.

The older woman chuckled. " 'Resistant.' Sounds like Grace."

Mac nodded, pursing her lips. "You guys really did a good job with her."

The woman glanced over at a family portrait on their wall. Mac recognized it from the small one Grace had. The older woman sighed. "I thought we did. Now I'm not so sure."

*** 

TBC

***

Okay folks, sorry for not uploading right away. The site wouldn't let me log in all Thursday night and Friday morning, so yeah, blame the site! :D Thanks and see ya'll next week :).

~sancti