I resist the urge to whistle as I stroll into JAG headquarters. I've just gotten the best news I've heard in a very long time. I'm getting a boat! Next to my 'Vette and my biplane, I've never been so excited about a material possession in my life. Mom called from La Jolla early this morning, saying that she and Frank were going to get rid of the little clipper he bought two years ago and proceeded to do absolutely nothing with. I offered to buy it from them and Mom told me to consider it part of my birthday present. A boat! I know I'm acting like a four-year-old, but I've never had my own sailboat, although I did lots of sailing at the academy. It's a skill I've let lapse over the last few years, but hopefully I'll find time to develop it again.

            As I get off the elevator and head in to work, I mentally run down the list of things I need to do before it gets here. I'll need to get a dock slip in Norfolk, buy new sails, break out my old sailing gear from the academy…Lost in thought, I don't see Mattoni until I'm practically on top of him.

            "Hey, Alan," I greet him easily, clapping my co-worker on the shoulder. "How's it going?"

            He gives me a suspicious look. "You're in a good mood," he observes warily, and I nod.

            "Just got some great news," I explain as we both head for the break room.

            If anything, he looks more suspicious. "Really? About what?"

            I grin. "An addition to the Rabb collection, if you will. I've wanted one for ages."

            He chokes. "Really?"

            I give him an odd look. This isn't like Mattoni. "Really. It's an early birthday present, although it won't get here until after my birthday. You know how long these things can take."

            Alan looks ready to laugh or pass out, I'm not sure which.

"What are you going to name it?"

            "That's something I haven't really thought about yet. I don't know." I think for a moment and then shrug. "Not Sarah, anyway. That would get confusing. After all, I've already got one of those." I chuckle, but Mattoni doesn't join in. He looks stunned.

"Well, then, maybe you should leave it up to Mac."

            I frown, considering that proposition for a moment. "I don't know, Alan. She might name it something funny just to spite me."

            He gives me a hard look. "I really don't think the major would do something like that."

            "Are we talking about the same Major Mackenzie?"

            "I certainly hope so," he replies, sighing. "I mean, I know you have a bit of a reputation, Harm, but I'd think one Sarah Mackenzie could keep any guy occupied. Especially a pregnant one. I bet you're in for a fun nine months."

            The sip of coffee I've just taken makes a sudden re-entry to the break room through my nose, spraying across the counter.

            "What?" I demand, coughing. "What the hell are you talking about?"

            "What are you talking about, Harm?"

            "I was telling you about my new boat!" I claim defensively. "What do you mean, Mac's pregnant?"

            He looks mortified. "I'm so sorry. I must have ruined the surprise."

            "It's a hell of a surprise," I snap in response. "I didn't even know she was seeing anyone!"

            "You mean…" His eyes grow wide. "You mean it isn't…you aren't…"

            "No!"

            He and I exchanged completely baffled looks, and my hands clench into fists. Mac's been seeing someone behind my back. Not only that, but now she's pregnant? Jesus. So much for our baby deal. We were just talking about it last week, and she never said anything about this.

            That thought leaves me uncomfortably close to tears, and I think once more about the houseful of kids we could have had before I push the though as far into the back of my mind as I can. It's obviously not going to happen now.

            "Harm?"

            Mattoni looks like he's deciding between pity and shock, but all I can focus on is how hurt I am that Mattoni knew about this before I did.

            "How could she not have said anything?" I mutter, fists clenching again, and just then the door swings open and the object of our conversation, and of every fantasy I've had in the last three years, wanders in.

            "Morning, guys," she murmurs, reaching past Mattoni for the coffee, and something inside me snaps. Whirling on one heel, I blow past her and out the door, headed for the parking lot. I need to get out of here.