A/N Yes you did call it JBird. I couldn't help but laugh as I read your comment while I worked on Chapter 21. I was actually contemplating waiting until 22 to pop that twist in, but it worked in 21. And for Harmfan….don't worry. I will state straight out this is not a Harm/Krennick match made in hell. She was the character everyone loved to hate. She's here for another reason all together.

Chapter 22

JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Tuesday August 10, 2004
1300 Zulu

Harm sighed as he got off the elevator and made his way to his office. Last night had been up there in his "nights from hell". He'd had a great time playing with AJ and Jimmy…he couldn't believe how big Jimmy was getting. Just thinking about the time he spent with the boys and Mac brought a smile to his face. If there was one place he and Mac could relax with each other completely it was with the boys. Dinner was a light pasta filled affair that Harriet had made in honour of Harm's return home. No meat in sight much to Mac's despair. He was touched by the whole evening, not to mention Harriet's inability to stop from tearing up every time she saw him playing with the boys. AJ wore his Patrick Henry ballcap everywhere…which was nothing new according to Bud. Apparently there had been some calls from preschool about his refusal to remove it because it came from his Uncle Harm who was away fighting the bad men.

And then the hell portion of the evening's entertainment started. He'd given Mac a long hug and promised to call her later and then headed over to the Dragon Lady's lair.

Flopping down on his chair Harm dreaded the staff meeting he knew was coming up soon. A little knock at his door caused him to look up and no matter how bad his mood, seeing Mac standing there brought a smile to his face.

"Come on in Marine. And close the door."

"How was your second dinner last night?"

"Hellish, thanks for asking."

"That bad?"

"Well…I tried to keep it on work, but she had other ideas. It was getting bad enough around the time she finally brought food out that I was seriously considering shooting myself in the foot when I got home."

"You just want us to come visit you in the hospital again." Mac said with a wink.

"I wish. At least that way I wouldn't have had to come in to work with her for awhile."

"Poor baby. What time did you leave?"

"Not that late actually…thankfully Mattie called just as Dragon Lady was serving dessert. She sounded really worried and said she needed me home right away. You should have seen Krennick's face when I told her my daughter needed me to come home right away." Harm said with a grin.

"Is Mattie ok?" Mac asked in a worried tone. He knew she cared for the girl almost as much as he did and was extremely touched by that.

"She's fine. Apparently Jen let slip some of the things she accidently heard when Krennick left her intercom on yesterday during the last part of my meeting with her. Mattie decided that I needed rescuing and figured that a daughter in distress would be a good reason for me to leave. They actually just wanted to know which movie I thought they should watch. I now have to find a suitable way to say thank you to my new heroes."

Smiling Mac looked up when there was a knock at the door. Jen poked her head in and said "Excuse me sir, ma'am. Commander, Captain Krennick would like to see you when you have a moment."

"My hero!" Harm gushed as he batted his eyelashes at Jen.

"Heroine sir." Jen said with a laugh and a wink and then left.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Buy them a new TV." Harm said absently.

"Excuse me?" Mac said in surprise. She knew that Harm felt most TV was a waste of time. He refused to buy himself one, and now he was talking about buying the girls a new one when he'd bought them one at Christmas.

"They wanted DVDs, I figured a new TV would be better for them. Something bigger than they have."

"That's nice Harm, but I was referring to Krennick. From what I've seen already, she's dangerously close to crossing the line Harm. I can't believe she'd act that way…even if she wasn't interim JAG."

"Well the selection board sits next month, hopefully we'll have some good news. If she gets voted in, I'm requesting a transfer." Harm said without thinking.

"Don't say that Harm." Mac said softly. "You just came back to me."

Harm knew she was talking about more than his just returning from his duty station aboard the Patrick Henry. The steps they were taking in resolving their relationship issues were a delicate subject with them both. Standing up he walked over to where she sat before his desk and placed his hand on her shoulder. To everyone outside it just looked like he was comforting her, but he knew it was more than that. Squeezing gently he said "I told you I'm not leaving you Mac…and I'm not going to. I made a promise."

Mac smiled up at him sadly and then nodded. "Well…you'd best go to visit our JAG."

Rolling his eyes Harm nodded and then opened the door to his office. He then stood aside and waited for Mac to exit before him and then wandered through the bull pen towards Krennick's office. When he got to Harriet's desk he stopped and cleared his throat. She looked up at him with a smile.

"Yes sir?"

"Could you ask Lieutenant Commander Roberts to see when he gets a moment Lieutenant?"

"Aye sir. Can I tell him what its regarding Commander?"

"TVs." Harm said simply.

"Are you looking for one for yourself Commander?" Harriet asked in mock shock, she as well as everyone else knew his views on televisions.

"No, I'm thinking of getting one as a gift for some people I know." Harm said and then excused himself to continue his trek into the lair.

Pausing at Jen's desk he looked at her and said wryly "Could you tell the Captain I'm here now Jen?"

"Aye aye sir." Coates said with a sympathetic look in her eye. As much as she'd like to do something about Krennick and her predatory behaviour towards Harm, she couldn't do much because Krennick was a Captain and she was only a Petty Officer 1st Class.

"You can go in sir."

Stopping in front of Krennick's desk Harm came to attention and said "Commander Rabb reporting as ordered ma'am."

"At ease Commander. Why didn't you tell me you had a daughter."

"It's a part of my service jacket ma'am. I assumed since you were examining it yesterday you would have read about Mattie."

"I did not, I was more interested in your duty related entries. Is everything alright with her?" Krennick asked, obviously not worried in the least bit what his answer was.

Thinking carefully Harm answered "It is now ma'am. She just needed to discuss some things with me that she felt were important." He said. Well it wasn't exactly untrue, Mattie and Jen had placed great stress on what movie they picked last night.

"Commander you must have made quite an impression on Captain Ingles. He's put you through for a commendation because of your actions while serving as CAG."

"I'm honoured the Captain felt my service warranted such ma'am." Harm said simply. He'd never been comfortable getting any of his awards. He simply did his duty and didn't understand why people kept pinning medals on him for doing it. Its not like there weren't thousands of other servicemen and women doing the exact same thing all over the world right that instant.

"Commander I just got off the phone with SecNav. Can you guess the nature of his call?"

"I would not attempt to ma'am."

"Oh sit down Commander, I always hated having to look up at you. Well, the first thing the SecNav asked me was how you were settling back at JAG…apparently you have a friend in this SecNav."

Harm remained silent after he'd taken his seat and just looked impassively at Krennick. She wasn't even that attractive to him. He was sure some men found her attractive, but why wouldn't see take the hint and leave him alone?

"The Secretary then went on to discuss with me the possibility of reopening the investigation of the death of…Lieutenant Commander Riley. I asked the Secretary if he didn't think that was better left to NCIS and do you know what he said to me?" Krennick asked in an incredulous tone of voice.

"No ma'am, I wouldn't begin to guess the SecNav's response."

"He said, and I quote 'Rabb can do a better job.'. He went on to say about how you were there at the time and that would provide invaluable insight. He also recommended I send Colonel MacKenzie with you. Why would he do that Harm?" Krennick asked suspiciously.

"The Colonel and I have worked well together many times in the past ma'am. We were partners for years and understand how each other works." Harm said truthfully.

"Partners like you and Meg?" Krennick asked archly.

Harm nodded slightly. "Mac and I work well together, much as Meg and I did ma'am."

"You know Harm, she once admitted to me that she'd thought about sleeping with you."

Harm didn't know which one, Mac or Meg, Krennick was referring to so he didn't say anything. As far as he knew Mac had never met Krennick before she came to keep the big chair warm, but he wasn't going to give Krennick any more ammunition than he had to.

"It was while you were being kept by the Chinese. Sad really. She never would have admitted that to me if she was sure you were alive. I was shocked she gave up on you so easy Commander. I on the other knew you were made of…stronger stuff."

Meg then. Harm thought to himself. With a shock he realized he'd never really told Mac about that incident. He'd wanted to forget it so much, and had until Krennick brought it up again.

"Speaking of Austin, I heard she was here for awhile before you shipped out. Did you two…reacquaint yourselves?" Krennick said with her innuendo poorly veiled.

"Red light Captain." Harm said tersely.

"Oh Harm, I'm only teasing you. So, do you think I should send you and Colonel MacKenzie on this investigation?"

"That decision is up to you and the Secretary ma'am. If you feel that the investigation could benefit from my talents, or those of the Colonel, then I would be more than happy to tackle it."

"Well the SecNav certainly appears to have an interest in you taking this on, so consider it your first priority. Have MacKenzie leave her files with that Coates girl…and you do the same. I'll reassign the priority ones. For the time being this is the only case the two of you are working on. Oh and Harm?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I've been hearing some things about you and Petty Officer Coates. Are you being improper Commander?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

He couldn't believe it. This sexual predator was asking him if he was being improper with a person in the office. What right did she have? It took him a moment to get over his shock and shake his head. "No ma'am. Petty Officer Coates helps me look after my daughter ma'am. She's a good friend and colleague." Harm said coldly. It was none of her business the depth of the relationship he shared with Jen.

"Is she the mother of your daughter Harm?"

Harm couldn't help but laugh. And he couldn't stop for a few minutes, even though Krennick was staring at him like he'd gone nuts. "The mother of my daughter Captain? No. Mattie's fifteen ma'am, and Jen's only twenty six."

"Fifteen Commander?" Krennick asked in shock.

"Respectfully ma'am, even though it is none of your business, I am working on adopting Mattie. Now, if that will be all I will get Colonel MacKenzie and start this investigation."

"Dismissed Commander."

"She asked what?" Mac asked sharply.

"If Jen was the mother of my daughter." Harm said indignantly. Even though he saw the humour in Krennick making an ass out of herself with the question, he was insulted she would even think to ask that question.

"Oh my." Mac said blinking her eyes in shock.

Before Harm could respond there was a knock at his door followed by the ever cheerful Lieutenant Commander Roberts.

"Lieutenant Sims said you wanted to see me sir? Sorry it took so long, court ran late this morning."

"Its alright Bud, come on in…take a load off."

"Thanks sir." Bud said gratefully and then sat down in the chair next to Mac. "Commander…I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am."

"Sorry Bud?"

"That you have to put up with Captain Krennick again. I know how much you had to go through when she was the Admiral's aide."

"Not your fault Bud, you didn't send her here. And you have to put up with her too."

"Not in the same way as you sir. If I may speak freely Commander?"

"Go right ahead Bud." Harm said with a smile. No matter how much he tried to get Bud to relax around him, Bud always seemed so formal.

"Why don't you get an investigation started against her Commander?"

"On what grounds Bud?" Mac asked. Harm was sure she knew the answer, but he hadn't really told her everything about Krennick so she was probably looking to formulate how things would go in her head.

"Sexual harassment ma'am. Meg told me about all these times that Captain Krennick would show up at Harm's house after going for a run looking to use his shower…or the time that she set up an officer's retreat for just her and the Commander." Bud said, his disgust evident.

Mac just sat there in shock for a minute and then rounded on Harm. "Why didn't you do anything about this before?" she demanded, anger evident in the very way she now held herself.

"Krennick's too smart for that Mac. She's a lawyer, she knows the loopholes and knows how to get away without leaving a trail."

"Damn it Harm, there's no way she deserves to be sitting in the Admiral's office is that's how she behaves. You could have done something about it."

"You think I'm the only one she's done it to? I'm sure there's dozens of men out there she's slept with or tried to sleep with in her insane quest to gather as many trophies as she can." Harm said bitterly.

"That doesn't matter Harm." Mac fumed. If he wasn't careful, Harm knew this conversation would send Mac into Krennick's office looking for blood. "Or don't you care?"

"You know me better than that Mac. She disgusts me, the way she keeps throwing herself at me. You think I like that kind of thing?"

Taking a deep breath Mac notably struggled to get herself under control. "Anyway…what are you going to do?"

"Nothing for the time being. I'm hoping finding out about Mattie scared her away. Oh Bud, that's why I wanted to see you. What's a good TV to get Mattie and Jen?" Harm said glad he could change the subject.

"You're buying them another TV sir?" Bud asked excitedly.

Harm couldn't help but smile. Bud enjoyed all things electrical, even if someone else was getting it. "They…pulled me out of the fire last night and I've decided to reward them."

"How big is the one they have now?" Bud asked thoughtfully already apparently going over the catalogue of electronics toys he kept in his head.

"About this big." Harm said vaguely holding his arms apart.

"You don't know sir?"

"No…I just had the salesperson pick one out. I want to get them something nice though Bud. They have no idea how much they saved me last night."

"How about a 32 inch? Its not a big screen, but it's a good size."

"Is it good for watching movies on?" Harm asked thinking about the primary use his girls put their TV to. Besides, he was known to wander over there for the odd screening.

"Its not bad sir. Not as good as a big screen, but I'm not sure you could get one of those into their apartment anyway."

Nodding at what Bud had said Harm sat there thinking about how he wanted to spring this on the girls. Maybe it would work best if he could get it in there while they were out somewhere, but how could he ensure that both Mattie and Jen were out of the apartment when he needed them to be? And then it came to him and he smiled.

"OK, two things. You two want to go shopping with me later?"

"I'd love to sir!" Bud said with a huge smile.

"Boys and their toys." Mac muttered. "Sure, you two will need a woman's advice or you'll end up getting them something for watching sports on. You said two things though?"

Harm smiled his best flyboy smile at Mac. "I need a favour from you Marine."

"What do you need?" Mac asked warily.

"A diversionary strike." Harm said with a grin. "While Bud and I are setting the TV up I need you to keep the girls occupied."

"What did you have in mind?" Mac asked with narrowed eyes.

Harm sighed. He knew he didn't really have to convince Mac to spend time with the girls, but he thought that she might appreciate getting something out of it too. "As much as it pains me to say it….maybe you could take them out for dinner. Maybe some…" here he shuddered dramatically "Beltway Burgers."

As soon as he uttered the magic words Mac smiled blissfully and her eyes lit up. If only he could figure out how to make her do that when it involved him. "I'm in!" she said enthusiastically. "Tonight?"

"Yeah…and you and I can talk about the investigation while we're at it." Harm said.

"Need me to bring anything?"

"Just yourself and a smile." Harm said with a wink.

"Yellow light Commander." Mac replied with an exaggerated frown.

Neither one of them noticed the smile on Bud's face as he looked from one of them to the other. It had been far too long since he'd seen his two friends this relaxed around each other.

North of Union Station
2355 Zulu

"They'll be home any minute Bud. How we doing?" Harm asked Bud as he watched his younger friend play with some wires behind the TV. Not only had they bought the girls a TV, but the salesperson at the store had recommended a digital theatre surround sound speaker system and Harm had decided to spend a little more on his girls. Not to mention the eight DVDs he had ended up buying at the last minute. Some of them actually looked like movies he'd enjoy…especially that one 'The Usual Suspects'. Bud said it was a great movie, and agreed that Harm and Mac would enjoy it.

"Just about….done!" Bud announced triumphantly as he stood up straight behind the new TV. Working his way out from beside the wall he and Harm slid the TV back up against the wall and then organized the speakers according to the chart provided in the box.

As Bud cleaned up the boxes and Styrofoam Harm had an idea. Running into the girl's kitchen he tossed some popcorn into the microwave. He'd never eat it, but if what he was expecting to happen happened he knew the girls and Mac would. Even full of that Beltway sludge. Going back out into the living room Harm tapped Bud on the shoulder. "Want to stay to watch a movie Bud?"

"Sure…just let me call Harriet." Bud said happily. He always enjoyed spending time with Harm and Mac and the girls.

Nodding to Bud Harm handed him the phone he'd figured Bud would need and then started looking through the stack of new DVDs. Why not go with the one Bud had recommended? Pulling the cellophane wrapping of the DVD he inserted it into the player and then went to grab the popcorn from the microwave. Setting it on the coffee table he sat down on the couch and grabbed the remote. Bud settled himself into one of the mismatched chairs the girls were famous for and Harm turned on the TV. He had to admit, it did look a lot bigger. As the movie started the door opened and the girls all walked in.

"Harm? What are you doing here?" Mattie asked when she saw him sitting on the couch.

"Bud and I decided to watch a movie." Harm said casually. "If you ladies aren't too tired you're welcome to join us."

"Well gee dad. Thanks for letting us watch a movie in our own…what is that?" Mattie asked sharply.

"What's what? Oh…the movie." Harm shrugged trying to keep a straight face. "Bud and I went and picked up some of the movies off that blackmail list Jen gave me."

"No not the movie…what is that!" Mattie demanded pointing at the TV.

Harm looked at her and feigned concern. "Mattie, sweetie, that's a TV."

"That's not our TV."

Harm took a moment to look around. "We are in the right apartment aren't we Bud?" he asked his friend casually.

"I thought we were sir." Bud said playing along.

"Maybe we're in the wrong apartment. But wait…that doesn't explain what you're doing here." Harm said to Mattie struggling to keep his face straight.

"Harm." Mac said in a warning tone.

"What?"

"Play nice." Mac said raising a hand to hide her own smile.

"Explain sir." Jen said as she moved up to stand next to her roommate.

"Excuse me?" Harm said with mock indignation.

"Sir…we're missing the movie." Bud said with a smile.

"Why, I think you're right Mr. Roberts. We are missing the movie. All because these two girls can't figure out that they are the proud new owners of this fine TV."

"Don't forget the speaker system sir." Bud said.

"Thank you Mr. Roberts. And the speaker system."

"Speaker system?" Mattie and Jen asked at the same time. Then they both jumped on Harm "Thank you dad!" they both chorused sweetly.

"So are we going to watch a movie?" Harm asked after his hugs were done.

"Yeah!" Mattie called and then moved over on the couch to leave Mac room. "Mac?"

"Harm, weren't we going to work on the investigation?" Mac said with a smile.

"Later. Let's spend time with the girls." Harm said patting the couch next to him. "At least this time I'm not outnumbered too badly." he added with a wink at Bud.

As Mac sat down on the couch Mattie poked her hard in the arm. "Owe! What was that for?" she asked.

"You were in on it." Mattie said.

"Excuse me?"

"You were in on…this." Mattie accused once more.

"I will neither confirm, nor deny that councillor." Mac said with a smirk.

"Thank you." Mattie said and then she wrapped Mac up in a big hug. "Look, he even made us popcorn. Are you sure they sent the right Harmon Rabb back when they got tired of him?"

"You know I've been wondering the same thing Mattie. I think the real Harmon Rabb stayed on the Henry." Mac said poking Harm in the arm.

"Can't we just watch the movie?" Harm asked in a pained voice. Even with Bud there they still ganged up on him.