Thank youuuuu!!

LadyJadePerendil: Thank you! LoL, oh, good, I hope the Palmer thing turns out right. I have a bunch of ideas stirring, and methinks it's going to be fun :D. Heehee, you're pretty much on the right track though, I may use something similar to that :). LOL!!!! No, Grace is merely 16, lol. But I have plans for Eric :). Thanks again and see ya next week!

e-dog: LoL, thank you, I had fun writing that scene with Harm and "the low tree branch." I just have this image in my head and I can't help but giggle every time :D. Thank you for that, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought it was funny, lol. "Paradox" is pretty much right on the dot! Cause, well, you know me, I have to make things a little confusing :D. Hey, and I was awake when you wrote that review, it was also around 7:30, lol. Ouch, are you taking finals or something? My bro is in the middle of taking his finals, his earliest test was at 7:15 this morning (yuck). If you are takin' em, good luck! *blink* wow, that was quite a question with the whole, would Harm and Mac be there if Palmer went back in time...okay, I have to think this out...umm...okay, so if Palmer went back, would it be in a different universe...hmm...well, since he figured out how to kind of manipulate time...he might. Because in the mansion, everybody seemed to end up in the same alternate universe, with Mrs. Nolson in there and everything...oh boy, I'll have to think that one through. But Palmer might not make it that far depending on the ideas I have in store for him, mmuahahaha :D. Aiiie! Did you see the 200th eppy??? WOW. Shipper moments ahead!!!! :D Thanks and see ya next week!

Keshet: LOL, oh, thank you, that line has been spinning around my head for a while and that seemed the right place to put it :D. Thank you and see ya next week!

Starryeyes10: Thanks for reviewing! See ya next week!

Winnie Bear: Thank you, oh I try, I really do! :) Thanks, Winnie and see ya next week!

DD2: Hey, thanks! Oh, it's all good, just glad you're back! :) Thanks, DD and see ya next week!

Maggie: Thank you! Hm, well, I don't think Eric will ever remember her, but Grace may be able to prove she knows him based on all the information she knows about him. I dunno, that was spur of the moment idea right there, we'll see what happens :). Thank you so much and see ya next week!

NadaZimri: LOL, to be perfectly truthful, missy, I totally did NOT see the connection between the Grace-Joan-Adam thing...really, I must be blind...well, you already know I'm practically deaf...hehe..LOL, ah, yes, reviewing is quite fun, isn't it?? Welcome to the wide world of..uh...reviewing...yeah...what were we talking about?! CHICKEN!!!.........no, that wasn't it......*scratches head*....or was it chocolate-powder-covered Orlando Bloom??!! *blink*....*drool*....*pop*, okay, I'm back...seriously my memory gland or whatever needs some work. :D. LOL, I laughed for 5 minutes with the whole "Camp Snob" thing, oh man...but I think I've told you that...what were we talking about??? 8^P

Cassie: Aw, thank you, I try :). It's just a sincere hope that I can keep all you guys interested enough to want to come back! Yeah, thanks, the retreat was...interesting, but made me think about a lot of different things about where my life is going, and if I want it to keep going the way it is. But, yeah, I'm glad I went. Thanks, and see ya next week :)

CharmedMummy: Hey! Hey, pancakes are good! Hope ya had fun! :)....1) (Clay/wink): Ya, it was supposed to be a little out of character since his character has been changed by having the responsibility of a family. 2) (sit down!) LOL, yeah, it looked funny in my head and I continued to be amused by it so I added it into the story :D. Glad ya liked it. 3) (Palmer) Ohhh, I know, I have a bunch of different possibilities in store for that guy. I think JAG needs to bring him back, he was simply just the best villain they ever created. 3 ½) (H.G. Wells) ARG, stupid typos!!! I'll fix that now, it's gonna eat at me until I fix it. Thanks for pointing out, I might have never looked back to check :o. Thanks and see ya next week!

Mimmi: Hey! Hehehehe, ohhh boy, I'm back to my old antics of giving you guys questions without answers...yet :D...muahahaha...anywho...Ya, it is sad Eric doesn't know Grace...at least yet...remember, Grace knows everything about him which might make for some interesting scenes ahead :). Oh, thank you, I know, I kept picturing Harm gettin' completely knocked off that sled from the branch, and oh, it makes me giggle every time, LoL. Thank you, I didn't like it much Mac being against her younger self, but she still might have some bickers with younger Harm :D. Especially when she finds out Isabel was almost hit by a car... :).....LoL, okay, don't worry, Eric will have his appearances! Thank you and see ya next week!

Pissed Off Poet: Heyheyhey! Yeah, now the story will move into a bit of a darker side, kind of like the last one did. I need to get serious about this now, Harm and Mac need to get back! LoL, thank you, it was probably predictable as to what profession Eric would have, but come on, I had to make him a doctor, lol. Anywho, thanks and see ya next week!

Pennithil: WELCOME BACK!!! :D Glad to see ya back, pennit!! LOL, yeah, this can get confusing, I have to be careful! There will be more Eric, I promise! :) Thanks and see ya next week!

Nikole1025: Yay! I still have an element of surprise! *jumps around room* ya, Grace is a tad stressed, and I'm afraid it won't get much easier, but when these characters are under my command, a lot happens to 'em!! :D Thanks and see ya next week!

Lili: LOL, yes, it was a cliffhanger...and they're not very nice, but oh, so much fun to write :). I'll try to keep them to a minimum though :D. I know, I wanted Eric to know Grace too, but with my plotline, it wouldn't have made any sense, so, arg, but now think about this: Grace knows EVERYTHING about Eric...hehehe...could make for some interesting scenes ahead!!! LOL, okay, punishment accepted!!! :D Thanks, lili and see ya next week!

ArwenUndomiel: Hey, it's all good, just as long as I know I didn't bore you or anything! Hey, I hope some of your stress in relieved, it's not a fun state of mind :(. Thank you, I was getting a bit tired of Mama Mac being mad at younger Mac...but once Mama Mac finds out Isabel was almost hit by a car (with Isabel's big mouth, you know it's gonna happen...)...hehe, Mama Mac might be a tad angry with Harm...dun dun dunnn...thanks and see ya next week!!!

Macicat: LOL, hey, Palmer ages too!!! And IMO, Palmer is the greatest JAG villain they've created. Now like I said, he won't be the center of the story, I promise! Oh, Harriet and Bud!!! I must include them too...hmm...oh, I have an idea brewing...just wait!!! :D Thanks and see ya next week!

cmaf: Heya! Thanks, Harm and Mac's reluctance was spur of the moment, but I think it makes sense...hopefully... :D ....thank you for the benefit of the doubt, Palmer has a very important role coming up, but he's not gonna take over the show, I promise :). Arg, I will try to make longer chapters!!! Thanks and see ya next week!

Jagchick105: Hey there! Welcome back!!! So glad you're feeling a better!!! What did you have? I believe in your author's note, you said it was chronic, yikes. Hope it doesn't come back! Thanks, the Palmer twist is really important for the conclusion of this story, but he's not gonna take it over, I promise! LOL, I was worried I would be the only one who thought that the Harm-getting-hit-off-the-sled part was funny 8^P. Once again, glad to see your back and can't wait for your next chapter!! Thanks and see ya next week!

SarahRabb705: Hey! Teehee, that was fun to put there with the whole Mac not knowing why she almost married Mic, I got a real kick out of it :D. Ya, Palmer is making an appearance, but he won't be taking over the show! I promise! :) Thanks, Sarah and see ya next week!  

(A/N): In the past, all my times have been based on ZULU. Well, I've decided to just make everything local time to avoid confuzzling myself if I change something around or whatever. Just a heads-up :)

~sancti

One with the story!

Chapter 7: An Opportunity & a Confession

0212 Local Time

Rabb Home

Georgetown, Virginia

 Grace tossed and turned in her bed, unable to fall asleep, and if she did, the slumber only lasted moments. Truth was, her brain was on overload. She had too much to think about and her body wasn't handling it well. The feeling was all too familiar. She'd experienced the same thing a year ago right after Singer's murder. Only this time, she wasn't hearing the gunshots or seeing the blood or having that overwhelming fear of being alone. No, this was entirely different.

Guilt.

It was eating away at her like a parasite. The guilt of knowing if she'd just listened to her parents, none of this would have happened. If she'd stayed home and accepted the fact that she was too young for that party. If she'd just said, "no" to the dare.

 Shivering, Grace sat up in the bed and grabbed her grey NAVY sweater that was draped over her headboard and pulled it over her tank top. Then she crept to her door, opening it slowly and wincing as it made a creak. Stepping carefully over the floorboards, Grace made her way to the stairs, taking each one slowly. When she got to the bottom, the first thing she noticed was the light filtering out under the kitchen door. She tiptoed over to it and poked her head into the kitchen. Her father sat with his back to her at the kitchen table, his head bent over reading something. He hadn't heard her and Grace stepped over to him lightly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Dad—"

He flinched and turned to her, causing Grace to recoil. She sighed, it was Harm.

"Sorry." She mumbled. It was getting too easy to mistake her parents lately.

 Grace went to the fridge, pulling out a milk carton and pouring herself a glass. She brought that, and a bag of cookies to the table, slouching down in the chair. Harm eyed her choice of snack with a not-so-subtle look of disgust.

"I figured more people in the future would realize the benefit of fruit." He said with a raised eyebrow.

Grace shrugged, taking a nibble from her chocolate chip cookie. "Nobody can forget the taste of a cookie."

Harm smirked, returning his gaze to the book on the table, but his eyes didn't move across the words. "Can't sleep?"

Grace nodded taking a sip of her milk. "Too much on my mind. What about you?"

"The same."

Harm tapped his fingers on the table for a few seconds before closing the book and turning his attention to her. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said—about this not being our place."

Grace shifted uncomfortably in the chair. "Yeah, about that, sorry for being so harsh, I just—"

"No, you were right." He interrupted with a sigh, "we have our place...this isn't it."

Grace bit her lip, trying to think of a delicate way to continue. "It's not personal, Harm. I just can't help but think what would happen if anyone knew about that house...what they could with that kind of power."

"Which is why you need to torch the house once we leave."

Grace shook her head. "No, you have to bring Mrs. Nolsen back first...then we'll destroy it."

"Right...then we'll go, 'poof.' "

They stayed silent a moment, Grace pushing the cookies aside. "Now all we have to do is figure out a way to get you guys back without waiting a whole year."

Harm drew a cookie out of the bag, turning it over in his hand, then sighing as he took a bite. "Anything's possible."

***

0611

Admiral Rabb stepped carefully onto the first floor, heading over to the front door where his jogging shoes were drying from yesterday. He halted though when he passed the living room, where the TV was set to a news channel at a low volume. He recognized the back of the person's head at the couch and stepped into the living room. His eyes widened though when he saw Grace's head on Harm's shoulder, both asleep. The sight didn't shock him though. He could imagine how close Harm and Mac had gotten to his daughter—their daughter too, technically. He just didn't see himself as much of a father that many years ago. His life was complicated at that time and too many things were happening at once. Taking care of a child throughout all that would have been like pulling 9-G's in a Tomcat while trying to balance a vase on your head. In other words—practically impossible.

 But somehow, his younger self and Mac were able to share the burden and keep her safe—most of the time. He couldn't forget what he'd been told about Singer and what Grace had went through. He was just infinitely thankful that Harm and Mac had been there for her. But still, he wished he was the one who'd been there to comfort her when she awoke crying, or when she lashed out because of her mood swings which she apparently had for a long time. She was his responsibility after all!

 Admiral Rabb felt something dark form inside him, and he suddenly knew what his wife had been going through the last couple of days. The effects on him were simply delayed. But not wanting to turn into the ticking time bomb his wife was before, he turned around and went to the front door, slipping on his jogging shoes and going out into the brisk, dark morning.

***

1020

It could already be pretty loud with five people eating breakfast at the same time, but add on another two, and you could barely hear yourself over the others. Isabel was currently having a squabble with Jake, begging him for his bacon, which she knew he wouldn't eat. Admiral Rabb and the younger Mac were playfully bickering over some case in the past when they were on opposite sides. Grace's mother tried to quiet her two youngest children, and Harm was trying to explain to Grace the apparent "exhilaration" of flying an F-14.

"I can't believe I've never taken you up in one of those! Grace, it's a ride of a lifetime."

Grace rolled her eyes as she pushed the scrabbled eggs around on her plate. "I don't need a ride of a lifetime, I very much like my feet on the ground, where they're supposed to be."

Harm scowled, drinking some orange juice. "You're just like Mac."

At the sound of her name, Harm's fiancée broke off her conversation with Admiral Rabb and turned to Harm. "Did I hear my name?"

Harm shrugged innocently. "I think you're hearing things, Mac."

Mac gave the lawyer a curious glare before continuing her conversation with Grace's father. Harm and Grace stifled smiles and went back to finishing their breakfast.

"How's your head?" Grace's mother suddenly inquired after she got Isabel and Jake to split the remaining pieces of bacon.

Harm gingerly touched the bump, wincing. "It'll take a while to heal."

Isabel suddenly giggled from across the table, pointing at Harm. "It looks like you gots punched!"

"Isabel..." Sarah scolded her, but Harm just laughed.

Grace drained her remaining orange juice and stood from the table, bringing her plate to the sink.

"Where are off to in such a hurry?" Grace's mother asked, joining her at the counter, and sighing as she watched Grace's bacon and sausage go down the drain.

Grace quickly washed her hands. "I've got an errand to run."

"Oh, really?" Sarah asked, a hint of teasing in her voice, "...what's his name?"

"Mom, please, I'd be the last one to meet boys at a time like this."

Grace's mother handed her a towel to dry her hands. "So where are you going? I'll drive you."

"No thanks, I'll just take a cab."

At the mention of "cab," Isabel's voice floated over to them. "Oh, guess what happened to me yesterday, Mommy! I was almost hit—" Her sentence was cut off and it was obvious Jake had kicked her foot under the table. But enough information got out and the kitchen quieted. Sarah turned to her child, her eyes darting from Isabel to Harm, whose face had gone a tad pale.

Grace, not wanting to be a part of whatever was to come, pointed to the kitchen door. "I gotta do stuff, see you guys later." 

***

1348

Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington DC

 Grace had never felt so incredibly tiny in her life. Even when she visited the Seahawk or any of the other carriers her father brought her to, they didn't compare to this church. Her steps echoed on the hard floor of the massive room. Her head cranked in all directions, her eyes taking in something new everywhere she turned. The church wasn't terribly busy. A few tourists stood around in awe, a flash from their cameras reflecting off the nave's marble every once and a while. But everything was silent. You hardly ever heard a voice, except that of a small child's every once and a while.

 Grace couldn't believe how long it had been since she visited this place. Her and her family weren't exactly church-going folks, but believed in it enough, Grace's father being Lutheran and her mother Catholic. Grace had been baptised, but not yet confirmed; she hardly knew the meaning of the word. Grace decided she might take a look into that sacrament after everything settled down a little.    

 Grace eventually found herself sitting in the front pew staring up at the dome ceiling, completely mesmerized by the sight. After a few minutes, she stood, finally ready for what she had come for.

 After spending some time getting lost and finally asking for directions, Grace found herself in the Chapel of Our Lady of Hostyn. It was a room no bigger than a classroom, but with glossy marble floors and, dark, beautifully carved wood. A couple wooden benches sat off to the side and two confessionals stood dauntingly at other end of the room. One was occupied, the other's door was open, waiting for it's next "contestant."

 Grace sighed, wanting to get this over with. She stepped inside the dark space, closing the door and sitting down, then suddenly feeling her claustrophobia coming back. Grace closed her eyes and held her breath, counting to ten before a voice interrupted her.

"Excuse me?"

Grace started and shot her gaze to the screen in the wooden wall next to her. She could just make out the priest's face, and she hoped he could barely make out hers. She didn't want him to see the fear in her eyes.

"Um...okay...forgive me, Father for I have sinned. It has been—" Grace halted. Just how long had it been since she last confessed? "Um...it's been like—four years since my last confession...I think."  

Grace gave the priest a sidelong glance, but she couldn't make out his expression behind the hazy screen. Once again, she was glad.

"What is it you'd like to confess?" He asked calmly and smoothly.

Grace fumbled with her hands, once again asking herself why she had come here. "Um..." She sighed, then took in a deep breath. Suddenly, she felt everything she wanted to say pour from her mouth, "Okay, about a year ago...well, not a year ago, more like a month ago—well, technically a year ago...anyway, I went to this stupid Halloween party which my parents told me not to go to but I did. Some...stuff happened and now I'm living with these...two consequences...literally. Anyway, now I'm really starting to feel the effects of those...consequences, and I'm afraid of what it'll do to my family and my friends, and, oh hell, everyone else—" Grace gasped, "Oh my God, I said, "hell" in confession—" She slapped a hand over mouth, "Oh, God I said it again!"

"Ma'am, I think you just need to slow down...take a deep breath." The tranquil voice suggested carefully.

Grace took his advice, breathing in deeply, and then letting it out slowly, her breath quivering.

"Better?" The priest asked.

Grace nodded. "Yeah."

"Good. Now what exactly was it you wanted to confess?"

Grace tried to backtrack, then remembered. "Oh, right, uh...I disobeyed my parents, and now these consequences are getting a little difficult to live with and, um...I'm afraid."

Grace waited for an answer, and she felt it took to long for it to come, but the priest eventually spoke.

"It sounds like a—complicated situation you're in, but try thinking of it this way: what can you learn from these...consequences? As humans, we make mistakes all the time and we have to live with the outcome of those actions. In turn, they often teach us a lesson. So just think about it: what lessons are they teaching you?"

Grace thought about that for a moment. What were Harm and Mac teaching her? Patience? Responsibility?

"Do you understand what I mean?" The priest asked.

"Um...yeah...I think so."

Grace thought she heard the priest sigh in relief, but she ignored it.

"Was there anything else you'd like to confess?"

Grace considered that, then flinched in excitement. "Oh, yeah, can I be forgiven for cursing in confession?"

***

1410

Rabb Home

Grace came home to a surprisingly quiet house. She soon discovered her mother had taken her siblings to the mall, Harm was catching up on his lost sleep from the night before, Mac was reading in the living room and Admiral Rabb was in his office/guest room. Grace made her way upstairs to the office, taking off her gloves and her hat. She then could hear her father's soft murmur as he spoke on the phone. The door was ajar and Grace couldn't help but listen when she heard the first couple of words.

"To tell you the truth, I haven't even thought about the guy for years...well, why call me?" Her father sighed with light frustration, "Look, I could care less about what the man does, just as long as he stays in pris—you found what?"

Grace inched closer to the door, now intrigued by the conversation.

"Well, I know he's a computer genius, but that seems a little out of league for him...still, I, uh...I think I'll check into it...no, of course I don't believe him, but you never know...all right, thanks for the update, Nick...mmhm...bye."

Grace didn't expect him to get right up, and the girl sprang away from the door, but not before her father saw her slinking away. "Hey!" He called.

Grace froze in the middle of the hall, her shoulders drooping. She whipped around, crossing her arms. "Who was that?" She asked quickly, trying to bypass the fact that she'd been eavesdropping.

Admiral Rabb sighed, his eyes darting from the office to his daughter. "How much did you hear?"

She walked up to her father, stuffing the gloves into her hat. "Enough to know you're going to check up on someone in prison. Who is it?"

Her father crossed his arms as well and hesitantly answered. "His name's Palmer."

Grace rolled the name around in her head. "Palmer, Palmer, doesn't ring any bells."

"It shouldn't," He said as he walked past her towards his bedroom, "I've never told you about him." He added bitterly.

Grace followed him in, watching him take out a duffle bag from the closet and put it on the bed. "Well, now's a good time as any, right?" She asked hopefully.

"No." He answered without much hesitation as he stuffed clothes into the duffle bag.

Grace rolled her eyes as she flopped down stomach first onto the bed, resting her chin on her crossed arms. "Did he do something in prison?"

"Yeah, tried to escape."

Grace's brow rose. "Oh. And that requires you to suddenly pack up for Kansas?"

Her father sighed as he zipped the duffle bag closed. Giving her a incredulous shake of his head, he started to unfold the little story. "They checked out his cell and found papers and the walls full of equations...Palmer thinks he's figured out time travel."

Grace shot up in the bed, balancing on her knees. "What? Dad, could in be genuine?"

He shrugged. "I dunno, that's why I'm going."

"B—but you have to take me with you!" She cried.

Admiral Rabb shot her a glare. "Absolutely not, why would you even consider that?"

"B—because I've been through it! I'll be able to ask questions you won't, I can see if he really knows what he's talking about—"

"Grace—don't, it's completely out of the question."

"Oh, come on, it's not like I'll be in danger! It's in a prison and you'll be there with me the whole time!

The girl's lip drooped and her brown eyes suddenly widened dramatically. Her father cocked his head to the side. "Don't even start, Grace. You're not going! End of story!"

Grace smiled. She'd won. She'd be paying Kansas a visit.

***

TBC

***

Dun, dun dun. Twists ahead! :)