1832 ZULU
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii


"Harm? Where are you?"

While one part of his mind acknowledged the faraway voice of his ward calling his name, the other part of Harm's brain reminded him how comfortable he was, and he tenderly tightened his hold on her waist.

"Mac, tell me where you are!"

'What are Chloe and Mattie doing in our bedroom?' he asked himself drowsily, but the annoyed feeling quickly wiped away, as Mac snuggled closer to him. With his vision still blurred from sleeping, he looked affectionately at his beautiful Marine. Her features were so peaceful, as if all her angst had vanished away in one single night. Careful not to move his right arm that acted as a pillow for her head, Harm brought his other hand up to trace the delicate lines of her face softly, attentive not to wake her up.

"Sir?"

"Ma'am?"

Harriet's and Bud's anxious voices instantly brought him out of his reverie. Surveying his surroundings, Harm finally realised that they were still on the beach where they had walked the previous evening. After she had told him that she wasn't in love with Webb, he had just gathered her tightly into his arms, and they hadn't said anything else. He had soon noticed that she had fallen asleep in his embrace and instead of brining her back to their cabin, he had carefully lain down with her on the soft sand, shielding her from the cool night, as the pale light of the moon was watching over them. Suddenly taking notes that the voices were coming closer, he gently kissed Mac's hair. "Morning, Sweet Thing," he whispered into her ear. "I don't want to alarm you, but I think the cavalry is looking for us."

In less than a second, Mac was sitting upright, distress showing in her hazel eyes. "What am I doing here? What time is it?" she asked, confused.

Harm stared at her tousled hair and suppressed a laugh. "You're not sincerely asking me for the time, Mac?" he replied, playfully.

The stern look she shot him back quickly stopped his banter. "You're right, it's 0848. We should get going before anybody finds us here," she replied, her voice much too neutral for Harm's liking.

He rapidly got up and offered his hands to help her stand up, but she ignored the proposal and tightened her overshirt around her shoulders. Almost immediately, Bud's voice was heard coming from behind a low dune. "I found them!" he called at the others. "Sir, Ma'am, is everything okay?" the younger man asked, concerned.

"Of course," Harm answered, a little too quickly to his own liking. "Why?"

Bud looked embarrassed. "Mattie and Chloe came to our cabin earlier this morning. They were worried – they said that you weren't in the house and that your beds were still cleanly done. There was no note on the table, so they thought there might have been an emergency." He was getting redder as he was talking, making Harm smile inwardly.

Mac spoke before Harm could. "Bud, don't you think that we're old enough to do our beds when we get up?" she asked him sarcastically, before switching to a softer intonation. "I wanted to see the rising sun on the ocean. Actually, it's been a while since I've been on a carrier and I almost forgot what it looked like. Harm offered to come along."

Harm jumped in, although surprised by Mac's story. "I thought we would be back before the girls would wake up, but since everybody's here," he said, motioning towards Mattie, Chloe, Harriet and the kids who just came into view, and quickly changing the subject, "why don't we enjoy our last moments on the beach?"

While the Robertses were leading the way back to the cabins, Harm threw side-glances to Mac, who carefully avoided his gaze by leaning tightly onto her little sister.



* * * * *



0018 ZULU
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii


Sneakers was sitting on a wooden table in front of the Roberts' cabin, lost in his own world, when someone took a place beside him. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did the other day," started the tall visitor.

"Sir," Alberts replied respectfully, "I should have known better too. Sincerely, it never crossed my mind that there could have been any appearance of impropriety. The colonel and I just discussed the life on this base, how I enjoyed my new career. I used to be on the diving team, you know, but since I suffered a severe pneumothorax five years ago, I had no choice but to choose a new path. Sarah told me something similar happened to you," he concluded, sympathetically.

"Did you just call her 'Sarah'?" Harm asked, suspicious.

Sneakers nodded and smiled. "My gecko was called Mac, because his fingers looked like the ones of the extraterrestrial in the movie Mac and Me. So I told the colonel that I couldn't address her respectfully with that nickname, that's why she authorised me to use her given name." As the commander stayed quiet, the younger attorney continued. "She told me a lot about you. She seems to care a lot for you."

"So do I," Harm replied, thoughtfully, before getting up to join Mattie, who was motioning for him to stand by her side for a volleyball game.

Sneakers observed the scene, amused. Chloe, Mac and the admiral were waiting on one side of the net, positioning themselves to counter the service. AJ was coaching the girl, helping her to place her hands correctly not to get hurt. On the other side, Bud was standing at the far end of the field, the ball in his hand, ready to serve it. Harm, Mattie and Teresa were distributed on the large square of sand, encouraging him. Harriet was sitting right outside the field, with little AJ, Jimmy and Melinda, who was acting as the official referee. Suddenly, the first ball was thrown into the air, quickly recovered by Chloe, under the resounding applause of little AJ as she passed it to the admiral, who smashed it onto the other side. The ball flew like this from side to side for over an hour, everyone enjoying the game. They had rapidly stopped counting points, as they were all having so much fun. Mac burst out laughing when Mattie smashed the ball behind Harm's head, but he rapidly took his revenge by throwing the ball just a little too high for her, so that she fell on her six trying to get it. On the other hand, everyone held their breaths when Bud lost his prosthesis while diving to catch the ball, but he triumphantly got up as the other team dropped the ball, too concerned for him to keep their guard.

Then, for their last meal on the island, Melinda had brought many platters of bitesized fish and seafood. Sneakers couldn't help but smile as Harm carefully avoided all the squid fragments, trying to ignore Mac's banter. To accompany this dinner, Melinda had prepared for everyone a half of a pineapple filled with pieces of tropical fruits in light syrup, each little boat decorated differently.

Reluctantly, Sneakers had to remind them by the end of the dinner that the shuttle would be there soon to take them to the airport, so they all headed for their respective rooms to get all their belongings ready.



* * * * *



0438 ZULU
Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu, Hawaii


"Do you have any idea how much I'm going to miss you?" the admiral asked Melinda, lightly tracing the outline of her face with the back of his fingers. While the others were registering their luggage, he had brought her into a quiet hall for their farewells.

She stared intensely into his eyes, holding his both hands in hers. "I certainly do, but I'm also sure that there's a great woman waiting for you in D.C. She may not be mourning your absence, but I really believe she yearns for you. Well, you were here just for a couple of days, and I know I'm going to miss you," she said, kissing him on the cheeks.

"Thank you for opening my eyes, Melinda," he replied, sincerely.

She tilted her head on the side, a large smile gracing her lips. "You did most of the thinking, you know. You just needed someone to talk to." After a few minutes of silence, an idea crossed her mind. "Hey, why don't you come here with Meredith for your honeymoon? I have a large suite in the guesthouse. It's not as luxurious as a nuptial suite, but it's really cosy, and it's on me. My wedding present. I would love to meet her."

The admiral stayed speechless for a while. "I don't know what to say," he answered, impressed.

"In this case, just go to Meredith and tell her that you love her," she replied, hugging him tightly.

Genuinely shaken, the admiral followed her graceful silhouette with his gaze as she returned to the registration desk to bid her goodbyes to the others. Before crossing through the doors of the airport, she stopped to look at him as he mouthed a silent "thanks" in her direction. Solemnly, she brought her right hand to her heart and exited the building.



* * * * *



"I really enjoyed working with you, Sneakers," Mac said, shaking his hand before he brought her into a quick embrace.

"Me too, Sarah," he replied, looking discreetly around them to make sure nobody was eavesdropping. "I hope everything is going to be alright for you," he added, slightly cocking his head towards the tall commander.

She smiled at him. "Don't worry, I think everything is going to be just fine."

"Come on guys, let's not be late," Harriet called out, getting everyone's attention. "I have really great news for all of us. The flight has been overbooked, but I pleaded that we were all in the Navy – sorry, Ma'am," Harriet looked sheepishly at Mac, who started laughing, "and they offered us seats in the business class section without additional charges. Colonel, Commander, you, Chloe and Mattie will be sitting in row eleven. Admiral, Commander Coulter, you'll be seated in row eight, near the window on the port side of the plane. Bud and I, along with the kids, we'll be just across the aisle," Harriet explained, making sure everyone had the right ticket. "Boarding should start in ten minutes, and ETA brings us into Washington just after lunch time."



* * * * *



0729 ZULU
Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean


The first movie was about to begin when the admiral approached his two senior attorneys. "Now that we're on our way back to D.C., would one of you care to tell me exactly what happened?" he asked, the control in his voice more impressive than any furious comment.

Straightening his spine as much as the comfortable chair permitted it, Harm looked right in front of him. "I think I was quick to judge, sir."

"Colonel?" His intonation admitted no excuse.

Chloe jumped in before Mac had any chance to answer. "Admiral, it's my fault. Mac wasn't alone with the major on the beach when she fell asleep. Sneakers, Mattie and I were singing around the campfire, but Mac was exhausted because she had had some problems with her snorkel and flippers during our diving expedition. Sneakers wanted to wake her up when I left with Mattie – the seagulls were scaring me to death – but I begged him not to."

"Is that true, Colonel?" the admiral asked Mac, who was sitting at attention next to Harm.

"I believe so, sir."

"For once, could you two make sure I don't have any report from the SECNAV on my desk for at least one month?" the admiral requested, exasperated.

"Aye, aye, sir," Harm and Mac both replied simultaneously.

"So help me God," he whispered, returning to his seat as the beginning credits of the movie were appearing on the small screen over his head.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *






1150 ZULU
Somewhere over the United States


"Mac, why did you tell Bud you wanted to see the sunrise this morning?" Harm asked her, his voice not higher than a murmur as most people on the plane were sleeping. They were sitting side by side, Chloe and Mattie sound asleep and leaning respectively on their big sister's and guardian's shoulders. Mattie wanted the seat by the aisle, and as she had her feet tucked beneath her, Harm had plenty of space for his long legs. Chloe, on the other hand, wanted to sit by the window, to stare at the immensity of the ocean.

"Because it's something I wanted to see for a while," she answered softly, turning her head slightly in his direction and smiling as she noticed Mattie snuggling closer to him in her sleep.

"I'm really sorry you missed it," he replied, sincerely.

Her large smile puzzled him. "Who said I missed anything?"

"Well," he started, uncertain, "you slept up to about a quarter to nine – the sun was already up high in the sky by that time."

"You slept past 0800, Sailor," she told him mirthfully. "You should know by now that my internal clock works anywhere. I woke up around 0630, just in time to admire the sunrise, but I rapidly drifted back to sleep," she explained, a seducing smile gracing her lips as she imperceptibly brushed her fingers on his hand, before resting her head lightly on the top of Chloe's.



* * * * *



1928 ZULU
Dulles International Airport
Washington, D.C.


Teresa had already boarded her flight for Boston when the others retrieved their luggage and finally crossed the gates. Without ceremony, the admiral ordered everyone, especially Harm, to be on time the next morning and hailed a taxi.

Little AJ had begged his parents for McDonald's during the whole flight, so Bud and Harriet were rapidly gathering all their belongings as AJ hugged tightly his godparents, Chloe and Mattie.

When Mac started on her way to catch a cab with Chloe, Harm called after them. "Hey, ladies, what about dinner at my place, tonight? You bring Chinese take-out, and I'll cook dessert," he offered.

Mac and Chloe exchanged a look, studying the offer with a mocking serious. "Sounds great," the girl answered, as Mac nodded in agreement.

"Cool!" Mattie replied, enthusiastic. Mac and Chloe were still walking a little ahead of them when she addressed Harm. "Do you have any idea what we're going to prepare for dessert?"

"I don't know," he responded, just before sparkles enlightened his eyes and a machiavellian smile spread on his face. "Hey, Mac!" he waved for her, waiting until she stopped to faced him. "Are you up for chocolate, Marine?"

He started laughing at her horrified look, or was it at her crimson face or her gaping open mouth, he wasn't really sure. He had rapidly caught up on the girls as Mac had frozen on the spot. He flashed her his usual Flyboy grin and winked. "What about brownies with hot fudge and chocolate ice cream on the top?" he clarified. Both Mattie and Chloe approved with loud applause, while Harm added to Mac's intent on a suave intonation. "Chocolate is great – there's no rush to change our diet. Whenever we get bored of it, there are tons of other sweets."

She immediately hit him on the chest, with a mock-insulted expression on her features. "You do understand that with all these confections, I'll need a whole new exercising program to get rid off the extra pounds," she warned him, looking straight into his eyes while the girls got a head start in search for a taxicab.

Mattie and Chloe waved at Harm and Mac as a taxi stopped in front of them. Harm waited until the girls were comfortably sitting in the cab before taking Mac's hand. "I'm looking forward to it," he replied with a fabulous smile on his visage, bringing her hand to his lips to brush a soft kiss on her palm before closing delicately her fingers on it, never breaking eye contact.



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FIN





A/N : Thank you all for your kind reviews. I really enjoyed writing this story, but now I have some postgraduate studies that need my undivided attention. I'll stick around to read your wonderful fics, but I may be quiet for a while. Why don't you stop by to sign my Guestbook? That's a nice way to keep in touch, and it's not much harder than to press the "review" button!

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Thank you ! ! !

Kat