"The Papers" Chapter 6

Harm was the first one out of the elevator, striding quickly towards his SUV as Mac hurried to stay at his side. The walk through the hallway and out towards the parked cars was silent, as each officer struggled with their thoughts, each thinking of Mattie. Mac could sense the anguish in Harm through their close bond, and she reached over to gently take his hand and squeeze it reassuringly. They were almost to his car, Harm reaching into his pocket for his keys, when Mac quietly coughed to get his attention. He stopped walking to the drivers' side door and looked at her, an impatient look on his face.

"Harm ... I think I should drive. You're.. upset."

"You are, too, Mac." he quietly answered her after looking away for a moment, blowing a breath through his mouth.

"Yes, I am ... but she's your ward ..."

He walked over to where she was standing, fidgeting with her hands and looking down at her shoes. She looked up at him, gazing into his dark, troubled eyes, and her breath caught at the strong emotions she saw there.

"She's your daughter, too, Sarah. You know it's true, and so do we." She knew he was referring to both Mattie and himself in that 'we'. She smiled and nodded. "I know, Harm. You both are my family, too. The Admiral's right, though. I should drive us. Please, Harm."

Why was everyone suddenly doubting his control, he thought to himself, seething quietly as he watched her glance down at her shoes again. Sure, he was upset, and wanted nothing more than to get to Mattie as soon as possible. Who wouldn't? Then Mac chose that moment to look back up at him, their silent gazes locking. He suddenly saw in her hazel eyes what he'd heard in the undertones of her plea; she was afraid that, in his haste to get to Mattie, he would hurt himself – and her – making a difficult situation worse.

And she may be right, he suddenly realized, still looking at her silent pleading eyes.

Harm closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and nodded to himself. His hand that held his car keys slowly raised, until it was between them. Mac looked down at his extended fingers holding the key ring, and then quickly back up to his face as she took the keys. She saw him smile, and reached up to cup his cheek in her other hand for a moment as she took the keys. She held his gaze for another second, sending him comfort and love through their contact, and then nodded, turning to open the doors for them, climbing behind the wheel. She felt his arm brush hers as they pulled out of the lot, past the security gate and the saluting guards, towards Mattie's school at a fast but controlled clip. She heard Harm softly whisper as he stared out the passenger window at the traffic around them, "Hang on, Mattie, we're coming." She reached over to squeeze his hand again, then turned back to making her way through the busy traffic.

The nurses' office at Mattie's school served many purposes, as most high school rooms did ... and was furnished accordingly. Along with a padded examination table and locked cabinets that contained common medicines and instruments, there was also several comfortable chairs, a well-used couch, and a desk with chair in the corner by one of the three windows in the room. Mattie sat in one of the chairs by a window, staring out at the McDonalds across the street from the school – the one Harm told her not to have lunch at except under DefCon 1 conditions. Miss Barrows sat near her on the couch, writing on a pad and occasionally glancing over at Mattie. The walk to the office was quiet, Mattie not speaking at all, only keeping her head down as Ms. Barrows guided her along with an arm wrapped protectively around Mattie's shoulders.

She'd felt Mattie shivering as they walked along, still struggling with the strong emotions she was obviously still dealing with, and she saw that Mattie was still agitated ... her hands wringing in her lap as she gazed out of the window. As the sunlight reflected off of the teenagers' face, Ms. Barrows could see the dark circles under her tired eyes, and felt again the general air of exhaustion around Mattie. Not wanting to startle the girl, she asked quietly, "Mattie?" She didn't get a response, and decided to try again, keeping her voice quiet and even. "Mattie, would you like to lay down on the couch and rest till Mr. Rabb gets here?"

Mattie shook herself away from her thoughts, and turned to look at the nurse, a worn look on her face. "No, thanks. I'm ... too exhausted, and I know we have to talk when Harm gets here. I'd go to sleep if I laid on the couch." She gave Ms. Barrows a small smile, and the young counselor returned it.

"Well, to be honest, I would love to see you getting some sleep right now. But, you're right. Would you like some water or something else while we wait?"

"No, thanks, Ms. Barrows."

"Alright. Just let me know if you change your mind." Mattie nodded slowly, turning back towards the window. Miss Barrows continued to write on her pad, recording her thoughts and ideas about this situation. She wanted to be able to give Mr. Harris a written report after meeting with Mattie and Harm, and wanted to get her initial impressions in order. She could try to talk to Mattie and find out what had caused the incident in the library – but she thought having her foster father here would make that process a lot easier. She'd noted that Mattie was more open when she was with Commander Rabb during school events and meetings with teachers, and could see the first signs of the independent, self-sufficient shell springing up around Mattie in her present state. Well, he should be getting here pretty soon, she mused as they waited together in the quiet office. Then she could start putting her 14 years of adolescent counseling to good use.

Harm and Mac pulled into the parking lot of the modern, low-slung building that housed Mattie's school, and Harm was out of the vehicle before Mac could shut the engine off and grab her purse to follow him. She cursed to herself as she dropped the keys after taking them out of the ignition, then had to reach down by her feet to retrieve them before jumping out of the car and hurrying to catch up to Harm, who had almost reached the school doors that opened onto the lot. Just inside the entrance, she saw a security guard watching them and speaking into a walkie. The guard was watching Harm more closely than Mac, and she could well imagine why. The intense, worried look on his face would alert any competent guard, and she hoped that there wouldn't be any delays in reaching Mattie.

They reached the metal handles of the doors and briskly pushed them in, walking purposefully up to the guard. Mac decided that she should speak first, since she wasn't sure how Harm would handle the guard in case he wanted to delay him in getting to Mattie. "Good morning, sir. I'm Sarah McKenzie, and this is Harmon Rabb. Mr. Rabb has a child here, and we were called to the school by Mr. Harris' secretary. Could you let them know we're here and on the way to the office?"

Harm had thankfully stayed quiet during Mac's greeting, standing fairly close to the guard as the two men stared at each other. The guard, slightly taller than Harm himself, was swallowing nervously as he took in Harm's commanding posture. The fact that both he and Mac were in duty uniforms added to the intimidating effect, she was sure.

"Ma'am, sir, I've been told to escort you to the nurse's office when you arrived. No adults are allowed to walk around unescorted under normal circumstances. If you'll follow me, please?"

"Thank you, officer." Mac replied, giving him a quick smile. He nodded and started marching down the hall, Harm and Mac at his side. They made quite a sight to the students and teachers in the hallways, the two military officers and the security guard walking with purpose towards the office suites at the end of the long first floor hallway.

When they reached the door of the nurse's office, they found Mr. Harris waiting for them there. He reached out to shake both their hands as Harm launched into "prosecutor" mode. "What's happened to her, Mr. Harris? Is she all right? I need to see her right now!"

"Mr. Rabb, and ... Colonel McKenzie, is it?" Mac nodded. "You're listed as a secondary contact for Mattie, I believe – we've spoken briefly before at a couple of school functions."

"Yes, sir.. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. Please tell us what's happened with Mattie."

"So do I, Colonel. I need to just speak with the two of you a moment before seeing Mattie."

"Where is she?" Harm asked in a tight voice.

"Mr. Rabb.. please. She's in with the nurse. She's physically ok as far as we can tell; the incident this morning was more ... emotional ... in nature than anything else. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but both Ms. Barrows and I were called to the library by the staffer on duty, who reported that Mattie was having some kind of 'episode' there."

"An 'episode'? What kind of 'episode'? Was she sick?" Harm asked.

"No, sir. I don't believe so. I'd like the nurse to check her over, though, if you don't mind. Mattie apparently had fallen asleep and was having a very bad nightmare, which concerned the librarian. She called us, and Ms. Barrows gently woke Mattie, who was in a very agitated state. She didn't say much about the nightmare, and she looks like she hasn't been sleeping well lately." He looked at Harm as he finished, apparently hoping Harm could give more details.

"She's been sleeping fine as far as I know. I try to bring her to school myself as much as I can, and I went to pick her up this morning, but she'd already left for school." Harm took off his cover, and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head and whispered, "Damm," so softly, Mac almost missed it. She knew exactly what he was thinking, though, and acted to quickly nip it in the bud. "Harm, it's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself."

"I agree, Colonel," Mr. Harris said, and then paused for a moment in thought. "Let's have you four talk a while, then you can come and see me in my office. We'll decide what to do next based on what comes out of your chat and my counselor's recommendations. All right?" He looked back and forth between Harm and Mac, getting nods in return. "OK. Here they are," and he knocked softly on the door to the nurse's office, then turned the knob and opened the door. Harm immediately strode past him into the room, and was met halfway by Mattie, who'd heard the door and had leaped out of her chair towards it as it opened. She threw herself into his open arms, and he held her close as she wrapped her arms around him, sobbing again.

"Harm —" Mattie cried, burying her face in his neck as he slowly rubbed her back inside his strong arms. Mac stood just inside the door, watching, while Ms. Barrows was looking on intently from where she stood near the couch in the room. Mr. Harris had quietly closed the office door behind Mac after glancing at Miss Barrows, giving her a nod. Mac listened in concern to Mattie's plaintive sobs, as Harm whispered comforting sounds to her, and wanted nothing more at that moment than to take Mattie in her own arms and take all the pain she saw on the young girl's face away. It broke Mac heart to see so much anguish on Mattie's face, and she could only guess at what she'd see when Mattie opened her eyes. The room was quiet except for Mattie's slowly quieting sobs and Harm's gentle murmurs.

After a minute or two, Mac saw Mattie open her eyes, and they grew large as saucers as she saw Mac standing there by the door. Mattie whispered in surprise, "Mac.." and unwrapped an arm from around Harm, reaching out to the woman who was as much mother to her as her real one had been. Mac moved forward quickly, and hugged Mattie tightly, Harm never letting go of her.

"Mattie, sweetheart ... it's OK now. We're here," Mac whispered into Mattie's hair, and then let her go to put both hands on either side of Mattie's face as Harm let her go slightly. "What's wrong, baby?"

Mattie looked from Harm to Mac and back, large tears still silently spilling down from her eyes as Ms. Barrows brought over some tissues to hand to Mac, who smiled gratefully at her, then tenderly dried Mattie's face. Harm reached up to brush the fingers of one hand gently across Mattie's face, and Mac watched as Mattie's eyes closed briefly at the gesture, turning her face into Harm's palm. Mac knew that Mattie loved it when Harm did that ... it was a special gesture between them, and even Ms. Barrows seemed to pick up on it. Mattie seemed to suddenly gather herself, becoming much calmer, and only her eyes now showed the turmoil she still felt.

"Harm ... Mac ... I, um, got a letter from court yesterday, and I had a talk with Dad a few days ago."

Mac could see Harm's jaw clenching at this, and she was about to speak when Ms. Barrows suddenly spoke.

"Why don't we all sit down? Mattie, do you want me to stay while you talk to Mr. Rabb and Ms. McKenzie?" Mattie turned in their arms, and glanced over at the counselor.

"Yes ... please ... could you stay?" Ms. Barrows smiled and nodded at Mattie, then continued, glancing at Harm and Mac, "if it's alright with everyone?"

Harm and Mac looked at each other; without knowing all the details of what'd happened, there was no way to know if this was something private or not. Finally, after communicating silently between themselves, they seemed to agree that Mattie's answer would suffice, and Harm turned to Ms. Barrows.

"It's fine, Ms. Barrows. We could still use your help if you don't mind."

"Of course, Mr. Rabb. I'm here for all of you. Well ... let's sit and get Mattie off her feet, all right?" Harm and Mac sat on the couch, Mattie between them, while Ms. Barrows took the chair closest to them.

Mattie sat for a moment gathering her thoughts, her fingers entwined in Harm's larger ones. "When I spent time with Dad this past weekend, he told me how his things were going with his treatment. He said that he was still struggling, trying to hang onto his sobriety ... and that he'd been thinking about everything ..." Her tears started again, and Mac leaned over to softly kiss her wet cheek. Mattie smiled a little, and then took a deep breath, looking down at her hands in Harm's, as every adult in the room waited for her to continue.

"He told me ... he, um, said that he felt like he had barely enough strength to fight the battle with drinking, and that he had decided that it wouldn't be fair to me to watch him try to win – or not. He said that he thought that the best thing for me would be for him to give up his parental rights so that I could be yours, Harm. Dad said that he knows that you love me and that I would be better off with you than him, because he couldn't let me be a part of what he had to fight every day."

She took a deep breath, and added in a quiet, despairing voice, "He doesn't want me anymore, Harm, he ... doesn't think I'm WORTH keeping or fighting for!" She leaned on Harm's shoulder, shaking with heavy sobs.

All three adults sat, stunned, as Mattie continued to cry and Harm and Mac tried to comfort her. Mac and Ms. Barrows were thinking, from different perspectives, how needy alcoholics became and how much they wanted to have any family close by as they struggled to stay sober. It was rare for an alcoholic to willingly give up legal rights to their children; the pathology of the disease usually made them possessive, and they usually felt that having their kids around them meant that they had more to fight for. Harm, for his part, felt conflicted; he couldn't imagine or understand how anyone who knew Mattie would decide to give her up, while at the same time ... elated that Mattie would finally be completely his. Well, his, Mac and Jennifer's. But HIS daughter, after everything that's happened to this point. Mattie, though, being the teenager she is, could only see it as a final rejection by her only remaining natural parent, and now Mac and Harm began to understand what had brought on Mattie's present state.

"Why didn't you tell me this before, Mattie?" Harm quietly asked.

"I'm sorry, Harm ... I really am. I was just ... stunned, and I couldn't think straight. Then I got the letter from Family Court, and you hadn't mentioned getting one from them, and I didn't know if you were thinking about changing your mind, and I couldn't sleep thinking about everything ..." Mattie shook her head, and leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes.

Harm looked at her, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Mattie ... sweetheart ... how in the world could you ever think for a second that I would change my mind about adopting you?"

"They must have sent you a copy of the papers, too, Harm, right? And you haven't said anything about it at all! You always talk to me about everything! So, I thought that meant ..." The girl sitting next to him looked down at the floor, not meeting anyone's eyes. Mac sat on her other side, her hand covering her mouth in shock, unable to speak. She'd begun to see the domino of coincidences and misunderstandings that had happened, and could see in Harm's eyes that he had made the connection, too. But for Mattie to think that it all meant that she wasn't loved or wanted by Harm anymore ... oh, my God, she wondered to herself. How had things gotten so bad so quickly?

"My god ...", Harm muttered. "Mattie, sweetheart. Look at me." Mattie slowly raised her tear-filled eyes to meet Harm's. "Mattie, I love you so much ... and I would NEVER, NEVER give you up! Do you understand? There's no place on Earth you could go that I couldn't find you, because you are my heart, Mattie." He picked up her hands and surrounded them with his own, holding her eyes with his. It felt to Mattie as if the two of them were the only people in the room, and Mac had never heard the passionate tones she now heard in his voice. Mattie sat there, enthralled, as Harm opened himself up to her.

"You and Mac are the best, most important things in my life, Mattie. No matter what happens around us, or with us ... that will NEVER change. I won't let it – I promise you."

The room was still as Harm fell silent, locked in a gaze with Mattie as she searched his eyes, listening to his words. Beside them, Mac sat still, considering what she'd heard in Harm's declaration as well. Miss Barrows looked on quietly from her chair, not wanting to disturb what was happening. She knew from Mattie's file that, if there were any problems in her psyche about trust, they revolved around her biological father and the fact that she'd lost her mother in such a horrific way – a car accident caused by her father driving while drunk. Now, it seems, those issues had now spilled over into her relationship with her guardian, and were at the heart of Mattie's struggles this morning. Mattie reached up, then, and gently placed her palm against Harm's cheek, slowly smiling as Harm turned his head slightly to kiss her wrist. They still held each other's gaze, and Miss Barrows was in awe at the power of the connection between these two people who'd found each other in such a unique way.

She heard Harm clear his throat, and start speaking again.

"I haven't gotten any letters from Family Court for at least a couple of weeks. I didn't know anything about this, and would you please tell me what is in that letter you got!?!" Mac watched Harm's perplexed face as Mattie suddenly shook herself away from Harm's loving but penetrating look.

"It's ... in my backpack, over there." Mattie whispered, motioning to the bag at Miss Barrows' feet. She reached down and picked it up, bringing it over to Mattie with a smile. Mattie returned her smile as she took the bag from her hands, and opened one of the inside pockets, extracting an official- looking envelope with the Family Court seal on the front. She hesitated a second, and then reached in to take out the letter that it held, slowly opening it as she sat her bag down on the floor between her feet. Harm and Mac both leaned over Mattie as they all saw the heading in large print at the top of the document:

"Notice of Dissolution of Parental Rights In the Case of Mathilda Grace Johnson"

The legal text flowed beneath it, and at the bottom they saw two signatures - one from the judge handling Mattie's case, and the other from Mattie's dad. Mac took the document from Mattie's hands as Mattie and Harm looked at each other again, quickly read through the text, and turned to glance at Miss Barrows, who returned the look with interest.

"This is a notice from the court saying that Mattie's father has legally given up his parental rights to Mattie. Both the judge and Mr. Johnson have signed it." Miss Barrows' eyes widened for a moment, and she nodded.

"My notice must not have arrived yet. The court should have called me, though. I'm going to roast that court clerk alive!" Harm mused, and they were all surprised to hear a snort from Mattie, who had a twinkle in her wet eyes. Mac smiled while Harm raised his eyebrows at the girl; it was so good to see Mattie's eyes twinkle again.

"Sorry, Harm. It's just that ... well, with you roasting the court clerk while being a vegetarian and all, well ..." and at that Mac emitted her own snort, trying to contain the laugh that threatened to bubble up from her throat as Mattie smirked at a mock-frowning Harm, "it just seems kinda weird!" She finished with a playful grin. "That's all I'm saying."

Mac tried to halt the giggle she gave from escaping her lips at Mattie's joke, but couldn't quite manage it. The result was a most unladylike sound coming from the Marine, and Harm turned a mock glare in her direction.

"You're not helping, Marine." The twinkle that was in Mattie's eyes had now moved to Harm's as well.

"Sorry, Harm. But my girl does have a point, you know." At hearing the phrase 'my girl', Mattie turned to Mac, giving her the brightest smile she'd ever gotten from her. The one on Mac's face was equally as bright, she knew, and Harm laughed, shaking his head at his girls. Miss Barrows chose at that moment to remind them that she was still there, and cleared her throat.

"Well, Mr. Rabb, Ms. McKenzie ... it looks like we've figured this thing out, and now we can move forward, hmm?" She smiled at the trio before her. Harm nodded, and asked, "What happens next, Miss Barrows?"

"Well, I think it's clear what brought on Mattie's nightmare this morning in the library, and her lack of rest lately. I'm confident that with some good sleep and some more talking between the three of you, she'll be as good as new. What I'd like to do now, though, is just take some vitals for our medical records. I want to make sure she's physically OK, and then I think she should go home with you and sleep. We'll talk about how she's feeling tomorrow, and if any additional time off is needed, I'm sure Mr. Harris will approve it. Meanwhile, I'll speak to your teachers, Mattie, and get any assignments you need sent home."

At the sound of homework, Mattie groaned, causing the adults to smile.

"You're very kind, Ms. Barrows. Thank you for being there for her this morning," Mac said.

"It's no problem. She's an exceptional young lady, and I'm sure you all with get through these latest developments OK. If you need to, please feel free to talk to me anytime you need to. I counsel families as well as students, and if I can help in any way, I will." She got smiles from Harm and Mac, and stood up to come over and kneel by Mattie. "Mattie, I'd like to say something to you about your father, if you don't mind. Maybe it will help." Mattie looked up at Harm, and then back at Miss Barrows, and nodded.

"I want you to think about something. I have spoken to my share of parents who struggle with addictions and problems like your father's, and I have rarely seen any of them voluntarily give up custody in order to protect their child or children from whatever they happen to be struggling with. Most of the time, they are so wrapped up in struggling with their own demons, they drag their kids down with them. I wasn't there when you last spoke with him, but it sounds to me that he was self-aware enough to make sure you were safe and protected in case his drinking got the best of him. Whatever you might think of him, or feel towards him ... I think that kind of act is commendable, and speaks well of your father. You're angry and bitter towards him, Mattie – I can see it in your eyes – and you have every right to be. Just ... try to see it from another perspective, OK? I don't want those feelings to cause you any more hurt than they already have. You're a strong person, Mattie, and –"she paused to glance at both Mac and Harm, who were listening intently, "you're very lucky to have these two people in your life. It's OK to hurt, and feel, and struggle. Just don't do it alone, all right? Talk to them, Mattie ... and talk to me, if you need to. I'll always listen, OK?"

By this time, both Mattie and Mac were softly crying, and Harm had wrapped his arm around Mattie, hugging her to him. Mattie wiped her eyes, and nodded. "I will, I promise. Thank you." She smiled at the kind counselor kneeling next to her.

"You're very welcome. Now, why don't you hop on the exam table, and I'll take your blood pressure and pulse real quick, then you three can go see Mr. Harris before heading home. Will you need to get back to work, Mr. Rabb? Or can you stay with her?

"Both Mac and I will be with her, Miss Barrows," Harm answered, as she took Mattie's pulse and wrapped a BP pad on her arm. She pumped the pad, taking a quick reading and writing the results down on her pad before smiling at Mattie and removing the pad. "Your pulse is a little high, but your BP is fine. I want you to eat something soon, and then sleep as much as you can. When you're back in school, come by and see me. We'll get some more readings and check you out again. All right?"

"Yeah, Miss Barrows. Thanks."

"Now, get out of here, and go see Mr. Harris. I don't want the rest of the kids to think I'm playing favorites!" and at that, Mattie laughed, hopping off of the table and going to retrieve her backpack. She walked to the door of the office, Harm and Mac at her side, and when she reached the doorway, suddenly stopped to place her bag on the floor and turned back to Miss Barrows, who was watching them leave with a smile. Mattie walked over to her, and gave her a big hug.

"I hope you're always there whenever I freak out," she said as Miss Barrows hugged her back.

"Next time I'll bring popcorn," Miss Barrows joked, and Mattie laughed, letting her go and walking to join Harm and Mac at the door. Mattie picked up her bag again and slung it over her shoulder, and Harm took her free hand, leading her and Mac from the office.

Miss Barrows went to her open door, and watched this unique and close family walk down the hall to Mr. Harris' office.

When they reached the entrance to the main office where Mr. Harris was, Mac stopped and turned to Harm and Mattie, pulling out her cell phone. "I'm going to check in with the Admiral while you two go and see Mr. Harris. Then you –"and she pointed at Harm, "can feed Mattie and I; someplace with lots of meat dishes!" Mattie smiled, and laughed at the expression on her guardian's face.

Harm shook his head and turned to glare mockingly at Mac as she dialed the Admiral's number. "My girl WILL eat some vegetables, too!" and guided Mattie in hand through the open door, asking the receptionist if they could see Mr. Harris. Mac watched as the receptionist ushered the tall officer and his daughter into an inner office, as she waited for her call to connect.

"JAG Office – Petty Officer Coates speaking. How may I help you?"

"Jennifer, It's Mac."

"Ma'am! How is she? Is she all right?" Jennifer's concern rushed over Mac through the phone, and she was reminded again just how worried Coates had been this morning.

"She's fine, Jen. She had a nightmare sleeping in the library, and was dealing with some things by herself – like a certain flyboy does sometimes. It all just got to her, plus it looks like her dad has relinquished custody. That's what the letter was all about."

"Oh, my god! Then – she'll be Harm's for good! Can I speak to her?" Mac laughed.

"One question at a time, counselor!"

"Sorry, ma'am. I've been so worried about her ... and the Admiral has been stalking around his office – he's worried, too."

"I know, Jen. Harm and I will get her some lunch, and then take her home, let her sleep. She didn't get much last night, and she's dead on her feet. You can talk to her whenever she wakes up later. We'll stay and watch over her till you get home, and then the three of us can talk. I just need to clear this with the Admiral – can you connect me?"

"Yes, ma'am, and ... please tell Mattie I love her, and sweet dreams."

Mac smiled. "I will, Jen. Thanks."

"One moment, ma'am. See you tonight."

Her phone clicked, and then the Admiral's gruff voice came on the line.

"Colonel? How is she?"

"She'll be fine, sir. Some ... emotional storms have been battering her the past few days, and it all just caught up to her. It seems as though her father told her during their last visit that he was permanently giving up custody, said he couldn't let her deal with his struggles any more. She took it as rejection, and he signed the papers right away. Mattie got a copy of the rights termination order in that letter, but Harm hasn't been officially notified of anything yet."

"Damm. Poor girl. And damm her father for doing this without finding a better way to explain things. What the hell's wrong with that court on notifications!?!"

"My feelings exactly, sir. Sir, I'd like to ring his neck for what he's put her, and us, through. Then again, he's never been known for his judgment skills."

"Agreed, Colonel. So what happens next?"

"Well, sir, we request permission to take her out to get some food in her, get her home, and then put her to bed. She's exhausted, but should be back to normal after a meal and lots of sleep. We'd like to stay home with her, sir, and then decide tomorrow if she's ready to go back to school or not. Her school counselor recommends that she be held out at least a day to get her feet back under her, and she and Harm are in with the vice principal right now. We can all talk about the custody stuff tomorrow after she's rested."

"Permission granted, Colonel. Things around here are under control. I think we can do without my senior officers for a day or two. Mattie's well- being has to be looked after right now. Would Harm like me to make some calls to Family Court, see if I can find out what the hell's going on over there?"

Mac put her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing – the Admiral would run roughshod over any clerk he got hold of, and would probably cause more of a fuss than needed. "I think Harm has some words he wants to share with them, sir. Why don't we let him deal with that?"

"Fine. Tell him I'm here if he needs more artillery. All right. I'm going to send Coates home a little early today, mostly because she's going to be bouncing off the walls around here anxious to get home to see Mattie. Expect her about an hour earlier than usual, Colonel. Meanwhile, check in with me tomorrow morning, and bring me up to date at that time."

"Aye, sir. Thank you for being so understanding, Admiral."

"Hey, that's what I'm known for." Mac suppressed a giggle. "Yeah, yeah ... I know. Don't spread it around – that's an order. Tell Mattie she's invited to dinner at my house soon. She can explain to me who the hell 'Hootie and the Blowfish' are. Meantime, I'll expect a call tomorrow morning, Colonel."

"Yes, sir."

"Good afternoon, Colonel." The line went dead, and she shook her head, closing the cell phone in her hand and returning it to her purse, just as Mattie and Harm returned from the office. Mattie looked much better now than she did when they'd first arrived, Mac thought.

"I got her sprung from jail for a day or two, Mac. Let's go find some food, and then it's home and bed for you, young lady!" Mattie nodded, and yawned, covering her hand and yawning again.

"Yes, sir. Harm, can I please have a Beltway Burger?" She turned her wide brown eyes on Harm, and he theatrically sighed.

"Well, I guess so ... but you order extra lettuce, you read me?" Mattie grinned, winking at Mac, who was laughing again. Harm smiled at them both, and turned to Mac. "We all set?" She knew he was referring to the Admiral, and nodded. "Yep. Gotta check in with him tomorrow morning, but we're clear. Mattie, he said to tell you he hopes you feel better, and that you're invited to dinner at his house sometime soon."

"Cool! I should freak out more often!" which earned her a mock glare from both adults, who pointed simultaneously towards the exit doors and the parking lot. "Out!" they both shouted, smiling.

Mattie giggled and then suddenly yawned again, and started to pick up her bag, only to be stopped by Harm, who shouldered the bag himself and took her by the hand, and the three of them walked down the hallway towards the exit, Mattie leaning against her new father.

THE END