Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (Here's the disclaimer for NCIS, as above...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead, rosa, manda, rinkrat, bard2003, laura carr, tj, sahc, kstorm, arian04, deb, lisa brown, smithknk, cmaf, cj, manda may, dd2, firedevil, youngest knight, soleil2, guitarvixen, anaika skywalker, soprano, winjan, sohard2c and amy for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
arian04 Thanks for the heads up on the Admiral, and so now I will be able to add it any other stories. The remark by Sue has been used in STFBEye, but it was right for the ending too. Thanks again for your support, and please keep reading!
alicia5 I don't think I have any other use for Webb, but as I've said before, I can't kill him off in my story. Someone else was brave enough to do it on screen! Consider him gone! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
winjan Hello and welcome to the story! Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
sohard2c Hello and welcome to the story! I can't bring myself to kill Webb, but rest assured he's gone from the story, and others to follow. His treatment of Harm and Mac has been reprehensible, lying to the woman he supposedly 'loved', and (trying) to steal Mac from Harm at such a time as he did! Of course, it didn't work - Harm and Mac were always meant to be together (at least in my stories!). Mattie's going to be in my stories - she's part of Harm's life, and therefore Mac's too, whatever I write! I guess you can't wait for the next chapter, so here it is! Thank you for your support and please keep reading!
jbird7986 Thank you so much for your support, and please keep reading!
nikki Webb's problem was he just didn't know when to quit! He does now! Of course, he was never any 'real' competition for Harm. Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
lori4 Appreciate the heads up on the Admiral! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
amy Hello and welcome to the story! I did plan for them to marry at some later time, but it seemed right to have them 'elope' when they did! Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter Hiya! So many reboots! You've been having problems, I take it? Glad you got in at the last, and that it was worth it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news ahead of the 'last' chapter, but all good things do come to an end. However, I will return with more! I mean, there's got to be the birth, the wedding of friends, the engagement of other friends, the angst, the danger, and the love! Hope you like this penultimate chapter! I've made Tom into a not-so-bad guy, but that doesn't mean Mattie's going back to him! Here's to 'manana', and pinky luck! Thanks as always!
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JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH
VIRGINIA
MONDAY AFTERNOON
"Harm, I have an appointment with the doctor for my scan. I'll pick up Mattie when I'm through and take her home."
"Okay. Be careful." Harm got to his feet and came around the desk in his office. Out of sight of the staff in the bullpen, he made the sign for 'I love you', and Mac inclined her head, returning the sign below the level of the office windows. They were once again in adjacent offices, Sturgis having requested the return to his 'little' office, stating that he missed the comfort of the enclosed space, and that as his superior officer now, Harm should have the front office again. The admiral had agreed, and the switch was made over the weekend.
Harm watched as Mac left the bullpen and then turned his attention back to the desk for a few moments before glancing down into the parking lot. He saw Mac crossing the terrace and walking to her Corvette, and he grinned as he surmised it wouldn't be long before she would no longer be able to get in and out of the bucket seat, at least without help, and after that the steering wheel itself would prove an obstacle. He already had the Lexus serviced and it was ready for her to drive when she gave the word. There was absolutely no way he was going to suggest that she drive his SUV; that was risking life and limb! The decision had to come from her, but he knew how precious she considered her 'cargo', and there was no way she would endanger herself or 'the Team' as she had affectionately named her bump. Watching her slide into the seat of the sports car he eyed her figure with possessive pride. All the weight she carried with her pregnancy was centered on the bulge in her stomach, the rest of her figure, especially from the back, was still as it had been, slender and exquisite. It took many people by surprise to address her from the back, and be totally amazed when she turned and her pregnancy came into focus. As the cherry red car disappeared out of the parking lot, Harm settled down in his chair and got on with his work.
JAG HEADQUARTERS
TWO HOURS LATER
Harm's cell phone rang as he stood in the break room, pouring his second coffee of the afternoon. The words in the reports on his desk were starting to swim together and he had decided he needed to perk up his flagging eyesight. From the caller display he could see the number was Mac's and he grinned as he lifted the handset to his ear. However his expression turned to one of disbelief as he dropped the cup of coffee in his other hand. Bud had just walked into the room behind Harm as the cup dropped, and he managed to push Harm out of the way so the hot liquid wouldn't scald him.
"Sir? Harm? What's wrong?"
Harm put his finger to his lips and held the cell phone up to Bud's ear. The voice was clear, and it was identifiable immediately. In the background Mattie's voice could be heard also.
"What are you doing?" The teenager's voice was full of terror, and Harm wondered why he couldn't hear Mac's voice. He didn't even know where they were! In the past he would have raced out of the building and been in his car without thinking, but age and wisdom had tempered his youthful rashness, and so he waited for another clue before he set off at a run out of the building, calling back to Bud.
"They're at Mattie's school. I just heard the bell. Tell the admiral where I've gone, and why!"
"Yes, sir!" Bud acknowledged, then turned and walked as fast as possible into Jennifer's office, knocking on the open door to the admiral's office.
"Mr Roberts? You have a problem?"
"Sir, it's the Colonel...Mattie's father is at the school, and he's taken the Colonel hostage. The line to her cell phone was opened up so that we could hear her, and Mattie, but I don't think Mr Johnson is aware of the fact, so Mac isn't actually doing any talking direct to the cell phone.."
MATTIE'S SCHOOL
30 MINUTES LATER
"It's your fault, Colonel...you gave him my daughter! You! I thought you'd understand, being an alcoholic yourself...but no! Your loyalty is with him...with Rabb!"
Mac had kept her cell phone below the line of the window, and prayed that the charge lasted long enough for Harm to figure out where she was. She wasn't disappointed. A half hour after the confrontation with Tom Johnson had begun, Harm was there in her line of vision, pulling his own Corvette into a squealing stop as he slammed on the brakes. A crowd of students and teachers had already formed around the perimeter of the parking lot, and they parted with a collective gasp as Harm climbed out of his car, stood to his full six foot four, and walked through the group as they parted. Mattie edged back from Mac's car as Harm came up behind her and spoke softly.
"Mattie, it's me...back up, sweetheart..."
"Mattie, stay where you are!" Tom Johnson ordered, without turning away from Mac. From his vantage point above Mattie, Harm could see the gun in Tom's hands. Hands that were shaking, from nerves, or alcohol, or a combination of both Harm wasn't sure. Either way, it wasn't a good sign.
Mac sat in the car, unable to move under the glare of Tom Johnson, and aware that the desire to use the bathroom was becoming desperate. In an attempt to appease the man in front of her car, Mac smiled at him, trying to reason with him.
"Tom, please, I'm pregnant. I need to use the bathroom."
"You should have thought about that before you slept with him, Colonel. That's what happens when you 'fraternize'! You get pregnant! See, you're having his kid already - why do you need mine?"
"Tom...Mattie was on her own when Harm came into her life. You weren't there...she needed someone, and that someone happened to be Harm. If it wasn't him, it would have been the state. Is that what you would have wanted?"
"The hell with you, Mackenzie! You tricked me! You told me Mattie would come back to me, when I was ready! I'm ready, and she doesn't want me!"
"That's not true, Tom." This time it was Harm who spoke, and Mac grimaced as the need to use the bathroom became painful. Walking up to the car, Harm bent down and opened the door.
"Don't you dare! She's staying put until I get her to give back Mattie!"
"Damn it, Tom! Mac's pregnant! Don't you remember when your wife was pregnant with Mattie? It's not comfortable for her to be in the car like that. I'm going to help Mac out and Mattie is going to take her into the school to use the bathroom." All the time Harm had been speaking he had been helping Mac up and out of the vehicle, and behind him Mattie had come to put her arm around Mac's waist and lead her away from danger. Harm had put himself between Tom and Mac, and Mattie started walking away. Quickly she was surrounded by a group of staff, who shielded the two of them further. Mac turned once to call to Harm.
"I'm coming back out here."
"I'm not going anywhere, Mac," Harm replied, without taking his eyes off Tom Johnson.
"I'm counting on that." Mac allowed herself to be taken into the school building and was relieved to find the nearest bathroom was just inside the principal's office. Within minutes she was walking back through the doors and towards the confrontation at her car. Tom was still standing with the gun pointing at Harm. Harm was leaning back against the door of the car, his arms crossed; a deceptive stance that Mac had seen many times. The smile on his face belied the activity going on in his brain as he assessed the situation and worked out the best way to diffuse the tension.
"I'm back," Mac stated unnecessarily. Harm had once told her that he always knew where she was, and he had proved her right on many occasions. He might not have her psychic ability, but his instinctive awareness of her was eerie.
Tom Johnson looked at the pair of them, standing together, beside the car as the gun in his hand wavered. Behind Tom the school security men were waiting, having been warned off by Harm when Mac was inside the school.
"What do you want to do now, Tom?" Harm asked
"I want Mattie home with me," reiterated Tom, sullenly.
"That isn't going to happen, Tom. It's nothing to do with Mac, or even me. It's the decision your child has made of her own free will. If you give me the gun now, we can stop this nonsense and you may still have Mattie in your life."
"No! Mattie hates me! You made sure of that, with your fancy outfits, and friends, and cars. You've blinded her to what she really is! A country kid who's going to be lost in your world." Mattie spoke up then. She had been standing behind Mac, and now she moved into her father's line of vision.
"I'm not lost. I'm exactly where I want to be. I'm getting straight A's here. I'm in the accelerated learning program because I have above-average intelligence. I'm really enjoying school, and it's because of Harm, and Mac, and me! I was able to skip school and run Grace Aviation before because the school couldn't meet my needs as a student, and they decided it was easier for me to play truant than find a way to deal with me, one on one. I have been given that chance here, and I don't want to lose it. This past six months have been hard, but I've shown how well I'm doing, and yes, it does have a lot to do with a stable home life..."
"You're not even living with him, Mattie! He's farmed you out to some other kid!"
"No, he hasn't! You don't understand!" Mattie bit her lip and tried to calm herself down before she continued speaking. Harm held tight to Mac's hand as the teenager spoke to her father as though she was the adult and he was the child. "Harm is looking for a house; he has been since we've been together. It hasn't been easy for him, or for me, but we've made this work, and the family services people are happy with my progress too. I lived for two years on my own, running the business and keeping the house, but I'm a child, not an adult. I grew up because I had to, but Harm has let me be a child again! I can't come back to you, because I can't take care of you," Mattie paused, and Tom broke in on her words.
"Sure you can! You did before!"
"I know I did, but I shouldn't have had to! You have to go through with the rehab, and then take your life one day at a time. I'm always going to be your child, but I'm Harm's daughter. I know our living arrangements are a bit unorthodox, but really, is it so different to being in a house? I eat at Harm's, I do my homework there too, or sometimes in my bedroom. That happens in houses too. I could be upstairs in a bedroom, or downstairs in a study, or even in a basement den. Climbing a flight of stairs or two is no different to crossing a landing in an apartment building."
"It isn't right," Tom muttered, and Mattie spoke once more.
"It's my life now, and I like where I'm at. Harm has always told me to keep my heart open to you, and I'm trying to...but right now you're making it really hard to do that. Please, give Harm the gun. I want to believe that you'll get better, but I can't do anything for you while you're like this."
"I...I just want you, Mattie...you're 'my' daughter," Tom uttered, letting the gun drop in his hand, but not releasing his hold on it fully. Mattie made a move forward but Harm put his hand out to stop her. Mattie halted, but spoke again.
"You left me alone, Daddy; I was just a little girl. Mom was gone, and I only had you to help me. But you couldn't even help yourself! I had to look after myself, and I did a good job, and that's what you have to accept now. I'm never going to be able to get back the time you took away from me, but Harm and Mac, and the others have given me a chance to be my age now...and I like who I am. Give Harm the gun, and let him help you too. He wants to. He's a good man, Daddy, and he cares. Please..." Mattie asked once more, and at the tone of her voice Tom Johnson looked at her. Through the haze of pain and alcohol, and sheer weariness he recognised something in what Mattie had said, and turned his gaze on Harm and Mac.
"You'd help me?"
Harm nodded, and beside him Mac did too.
"I wouldn't have shot you, Colonel...there's nothing in the gun...I just got desperate."
"It'll be okay, Tom. I won't be pressing charges; as far as I'm concerned, it was a misunderstanding, that's all."
"I can't thank you...I don't know how...but I'll try..." Tom mumbled as he put out his hand holding the gun and Harm took it from him, holding it by the barrel. Dropping the chamber open with a practiced move he saw that Tom hadn't lied. The gun was empty. Mattie stepped forward and put her arms around Tom.
"I'll try too, to understand what you've been going through."
"Okay..." Tom nodded, and then Harm walked up to the two of them.
"I'll get you back to the center. Mac can take Mattie home, and then when you're ready, we'll all be through to see you there."
"Yeah, I think that would be good."
Harm leaned across and touched Mattie's cheek with his finger.
"I'm proud of you, kiddo. I'll get Tom back, and then I'm coming straight home."
"Okay." Mattie hugged Harm, and murmured into his ear. "Thanks, Dad." Harm hugged her a little tighter, and then released her as he smiled at both her and Mac.
"I'll see you at home, Mac."
"You'd better," Mac grinned, and waved as Harm walked back to his car with Tom Johnson. Turning to Mattie, Mac handed her the cell phone. "Do me a favor, Mattie? Give Bud a call and tell him what's happened, and ask him to let the Admiral know what Harm's doing. If they need him, they can get in touch with him by cell."
"Okay. Mac..." Mattie murmured, opening the passenger door but not getting into the Corvette just then.
"Yes, sweetie?" Mac watched the expression of anxiety on Mattie's face.
"Thank you, for not charging my...Tom."
"I think he's had enough to deal with recently, Mattie. He's not going to be able to get better in jail. As long as he does make the effort to get better now, I'll hold off, but if he threatens you or me, or Harm, again, I will not be so lenient."
"Neither will I!" Mattie muttered, and Mac grinned.
"You're starting to think like me, Mattie! Are you sure you don't want to join the Corps instead?"
"Nah!" Mattie retorted, and Mac laughed.
"Come on, let's get home. I think the Team have had enough excitement for one day."
As Mac and Mattie got into the Corvette, the crowd around the school parking lot dissipated, and went back to their business. Mac had already had a word with the school principal, and advised that there would be no further incidents at the school.
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
MONDAY NIGHT
Mac and Harm were seated on the couch, Mac nestling between Harm's outstretched legs, her head on his chest, his right hand resting on the bump, his left hand brushing gently through her hair.
"You've got something on your mind, Harm."
"Yeah, sort of...I rang Mom and Frank today."
"Are they okay?" Mac turned her head up to look at Harm, but found only a warm smile on his face as he looked down at her.
"They're fine. I was telling them about arranging a blessing, and Mom asked if you'd be happy for her to host it at the house in La Jolla. The garden is big enough for what we were talking about. Just family and close friends."
"I'd love that! But what about the logistics of getting people to La Jolla?"
"Frank's suggested chartering a jet."
"Oh, Harm...I don't know," Mac moved to sit up, so she could face Harm, and he waited while she settled in his arms again. "It's one thing to invite people, but we can't ask them to pay to get across country like that!"
"Not a problem. Frank's got a company jet available. His gift, he said."
"I don't know what to say..." Mac suddenly fell quiet, dropping her head, and Harm tipped her face up with his finger on her chin.
"Hey, what's going on?" he murmured, leaning forward to drop a reassuring kiss on Mac's lips.
"It's just...I can't believe your Mom and Frank would want to do this much..."
"Number One son gave them exactly what they wanted - you!"
"What? What do you mean?" Mac's curiosity was piqued, and she poked Harm in the chest. "'Fess up, sailor. What's going on?"
"Nothing! Honest! Mac, my mother has waited for this moment for a long, long time...she's waited for you, and for me to do the right thing for you. I may have had my head 'up my six' as AJ put it so eloquently, but my mother knew you and I were right for each other a long time ago. Frank has always been there for her, and for me, even if I didn't admit it for a long time. Now, our children have grandparents that will love them, and spoil them, and teach them values and appreciation."
"I know that; I have their best example right here in my arms," Mac said softly, and leaned in for Harm's kiss. "I would love to have our blessing in La Jolla, surrounded by love and happiness. Do you want to do this when I can fit in my original 'wedding dress'?"
"I want to marry you again as soon as possible, and I think you look gorgeous whatever you wear, or don't wear," Harm drawled with a definite leer in his expression! "Whatever size you are, you are beautiful, Sarah."
"You say the nicest things, Harm," Mac murmured, and the conversation ended at that point; the only words heard after that were for the two people making love.
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To be continued
A/N:
1. I may have previously stated that school was finished; I've tried to find reference in the chapters but I can't put my finger on it just yet. If it is the case, then consider that Mattie was back at school for summer assignments, or something similar!
2. I think I've got Bud and Harriet's location wrong too - Rosslyn was the apartment. I'm not sure where the house is located. Again, if anyone out there does know, can you let me in on the details, please? Thanks.
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (Here's the disclaimer for NCIS, as above...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead, rosa, manda, rinkrat, bard2003, laura carr, tj, sahc, kstorm, arian04, deb, lisa brown, smithknk, cmaf, cj, manda may, dd2, firedevil, youngest knight, soleil2, guitarvixen, anaika skywalker, soprano, winjan, sohard2c and amy for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
arian04 Thanks for the heads up on the Admiral, and so now I will be able to add it any other stories. The remark by Sue has been used in STFBEye, but it was right for the ending too. Thanks again for your support, and please keep reading!
alicia5 I don't think I have any other use for Webb, but as I've said before, I can't kill him off in my story. Someone else was brave enough to do it on screen! Consider him gone! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
winjan Hello and welcome to the story! Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
sohard2c Hello and welcome to the story! I can't bring myself to kill Webb, but rest assured he's gone from the story, and others to follow. His treatment of Harm and Mac has been reprehensible, lying to the woman he supposedly 'loved', and (trying) to steal Mac from Harm at such a time as he did! Of course, it didn't work - Harm and Mac were always meant to be together (at least in my stories!). Mattie's going to be in my stories - she's part of Harm's life, and therefore Mac's too, whatever I write! I guess you can't wait for the next chapter, so here it is! Thank you for your support and please keep reading!
jbird7986 Thank you so much for your support, and please keep reading!
nikki Webb's problem was he just didn't know when to quit! He does now! Of course, he was never any 'real' competition for Harm. Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
lori4 Appreciate the heads up on the Admiral! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
amy Hello and welcome to the story! I did plan for them to marry at some later time, but it seemed right to have them 'elope' when they did! Thank you for your support, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter Hiya! So many reboots! You've been having problems, I take it? Glad you got in at the last, and that it was worth it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news ahead of the 'last' chapter, but all good things do come to an end. However, I will return with more! I mean, there's got to be the birth, the wedding of friends, the engagement of other friends, the angst, the danger, and the love! Hope you like this penultimate chapter! I've made Tom into a not-so-bad guy, but that doesn't mean Mattie's going back to him! Here's to 'manana', and pinky luck! Thanks as always!
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JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH
VIRGINIA
MONDAY AFTERNOON
"Harm, I have an appointment with the doctor for my scan. I'll pick up Mattie when I'm through and take her home."
"Okay. Be careful." Harm got to his feet and came around the desk in his office. Out of sight of the staff in the bullpen, he made the sign for 'I love you', and Mac inclined her head, returning the sign below the level of the office windows. They were once again in adjacent offices, Sturgis having requested the return to his 'little' office, stating that he missed the comfort of the enclosed space, and that as his superior officer now, Harm should have the front office again. The admiral had agreed, and the switch was made over the weekend.
Harm watched as Mac left the bullpen and then turned his attention back to the desk for a few moments before glancing down into the parking lot. He saw Mac crossing the terrace and walking to her Corvette, and he grinned as he surmised it wouldn't be long before she would no longer be able to get in and out of the bucket seat, at least without help, and after that the steering wheel itself would prove an obstacle. He already had the Lexus serviced and it was ready for her to drive when she gave the word. There was absolutely no way he was going to suggest that she drive his SUV; that was risking life and limb! The decision had to come from her, but he knew how precious she considered her 'cargo', and there was no way she would endanger herself or 'the Team' as she had affectionately named her bump. Watching her slide into the seat of the sports car he eyed her figure with possessive pride. All the weight she carried with her pregnancy was centered on the bulge in her stomach, the rest of her figure, especially from the back, was still as it had been, slender and exquisite. It took many people by surprise to address her from the back, and be totally amazed when she turned and her pregnancy came into focus. As the cherry red car disappeared out of the parking lot, Harm settled down in his chair and got on with his work.
JAG HEADQUARTERS
TWO HOURS LATER
Harm's cell phone rang as he stood in the break room, pouring his second coffee of the afternoon. The words in the reports on his desk were starting to swim together and he had decided he needed to perk up his flagging eyesight. From the caller display he could see the number was Mac's and he grinned as he lifted the handset to his ear. However his expression turned to one of disbelief as he dropped the cup of coffee in his other hand. Bud had just walked into the room behind Harm as the cup dropped, and he managed to push Harm out of the way so the hot liquid wouldn't scald him.
"Sir? Harm? What's wrong?"
Harm put his finger to his lips and held the cell phone up to Bud's ear. The voice was clear, and it was identifiable immediately. In the background Mattie's voice could be heard also.
"What are you doing?" The teenager's voice was full of terror, and Harm wondered why he couldn't hear Mac's voice. He didn't even know where they were! In the past he would have raced out of the building and been in his car without thinking, but age and wisdom had tempered his youthful rashness, and so he waited for another clue before he set off at a run out of the building, calling back to Bud.
"They're at Mattie's school. I just heard the bell. Tell the admiral where I've gone, and why!"
"Yes, sir!" Bud acknowledged, then turned and walked as fast as possible into Jennifer's office, knocking on the open door to the admiral's office.
"Mr Roberts? You have a problem?"
"Sir, it's the Colonel...Mattie's father is at the school, and he's taken the Colonel hostage. The line to her cell phone was opened up so that we could hear her, and Mattie, but I don't think Mr Johnson is aware of the fact, so Mac isn't actually doing any talking direct to the cell phone.."
MATTIE'S SCHOOL
30 MINUTES LATER
"It's your fault, Colonel...you gave him my daughter! You! I thought you'd understand, being an alcoholic yourself...but no! Your loyalty is with him...with Rabb!"
Mac had kept her cell phone below the line of the window, and prayed that the charge lasted long enough for Harm to figure out where she was. She wasn't disappointed. A half hour after the confrontation with Tom Johnson had begun, Harm was there in her line of vision, pulling his own Corvette into a squealing stop as he slammed on the brakes. A crowd of students and teachers had already formed around the perimeter of the parking lot, and they parted with a collective gasp as Harm climbed out of his car, stood to his full six foot four, and walked through the group as they parted. Mattie edged back from Mac's car as Harm came up behind her and spoke softly.
"Mattie, it's me...back up, sweetheart..."
"Mattie, stay where you are!" Tom Johnson ordered, without turning away from Mac. From his vantage point above Mattie, Harm could see the gun in Tom's hands. Hands that were shaking, from nerves, or alcohol, or a combination of both Harm wasn't sure. Either way, it wasn't a good sign.
Mac sat in the car, unable to move under the glare of Tom Johnson, and aware that the desire to use the bathroom was becoming desperate. In an attempt to appease the man in front of her car, Mac smiled at him, trying to reason with him.
"Tom, please, I'm pregnant. I need to use the bathroom."
"You should have thought about that before you slept with him, Colonel. That's what happens when you 'fraternize'! You get pregnant! See, you're having his kid already - why do you need mine?"
"Tom...Mattie was on her own when Harm came into her life. You weren't there...she needed someone, and that someone happened to be Harm. If it wasn't him, it would have been the state. Is that what you would have wanted?"
"The hell with you, Mackenzie! You tricked me! You told me Mattie would come back to me, when I was ready! I'm ready, and she doesn't want me!"
"That's not true, Tom." This time it was Harm who spoke, and Mac grimaced as the need to use the bathroom became painful. Walking up to the car, Harm bent down and opened the door.
"Don't you dare! She's staying put until I get her to give back Mattie!"
"Damn it, Tom! Mac's pregnant! Don't you remember when your wife was pregnant with Mattie? It's not comfortable for her to be in the car like that. I'm going to help Mac out and Mattie is going to take her into the school to use the bathroom." All the time Harm had been speaking he had been helping Mac up and out of the vehicle, and behind him Mattie had come to put her arm around Mac's waist and lead her away from danger. Harm had put himself between Tom and Mac, and Mattie started walking away. Quickly she was surrounded by a group of staff, who shielded the two of them further. Mac turned once to call to Harm.
"I'm coming back out here."
"I'm not going anywhere, Mac," Harm replied, without taking his eyes off Tom Johnson.
"I'm counting on that." Mac allowed herself to be taken into the school building and was relieved to find the nearest bathroom was just inside the principal's office. Within minutes she was walking back through the doors and towards the confrontation at her car. Tom was still standing with the gun pointing at Harm. Harm was leaning back against the door of the car, his arms crossed; a deceptive stance that Mac had seen many times. The smile on his face belied the activity going on in his brain as he assessed the situation and worked out the best way to diffuse the tension.
"I'm back," Mac stated unnecessarily. Harm had once told her that he always knew where she was, and he had proved her right on many occasions. He might not have her psychic ability, but his instinctive awareness of her was eerie.
Tom Johnson looked at the pair of them, standing together, beside the car as the gun in his hand wavered. Behind Tom the school security men were waiting, having been warned off by Harm when Mac was inside the school.
"What do you want to do now, Tom?" Harm asked
"I want Mattie home with me," reiterated Tom, sullenly.
"That isn't going to happen, Tom. It's nothing to do with Mac, or even me. It's the decision your child has made of her own free will. If you give me the gun now, we can stop this nonsense and you may still have Mattie in your life."
"No! Mattie hates me! You made sure of that, with your fancy outfits, and friends, and cars. You've blinded her to what she really is! A country kid who's going to be lost in your world." Mattie spoke up then. She had been standing behind Mac, and now she moved into her father's line of vision.
"I'm not lost. I'm exactly where I want to be. I'm getting straight A's here. I'm in the accelerated learning program because I have above-average intelligence. I'm really enjoying school, and it's because of Harm, and Mac, and me! I was able to skip school and run Grace Aviation before because the school couldn't meet my needs as a student, and they decided it was easier for me to play truant than find a way to deal with me, one on one. I have been given that chance here, and I don't want to lose it. This past six months have been hard, but I've shown how well I'm doing, and yes, it does have a lot to do with a stable home life..."
"You're not even living with him, Mattie! He's farmed you out to some other kid!"
"No, he hasn't! You don't understand!" Mattie bit her lip and tried to calm herself down before she continued speaking. Harm held tight to Mac's hand as the teenager spoke to her father as though she was the adult and he was the child. "Harm is looking for a house; he has been since we've been together. It hasn't been easy for him, or for me, but we've made this work, and the family services people are happy with my progress too. I lived for two years on my own, running the business and keeping the house, but I'm a child, not an adult. I grew up because I had to, but Harm has let me be a child again! I can't come back to you, because I can't take care of you," Mattie paused, and Tom broke in on her words.
"Sure you can! You did before!"
"I know I did, but I shouldn't have had to! You have to go through with the rehab, and then take your life one day at a time. I'm always going to be your child, but I'm Harm's daughter. I know our living arrangements are a bit unorthodox, but really, is it so different to being in a house? I eat at Harm's, I do my homework there too, or sometimes in my bedroom. That happens in houses too. I could be upstairs in a bedroom, or downstairs in a study, or even in a basement den. Climbing a flight of stairs or two is no different to crossing a landing in an apartment building."
"It isn't right," Tom muttered, and Mattie spoke once more.
"It's my life now, and I like where I'm at. Harm has always told me to keep my heart open to you, and I'm trying to...but right now you're making it really hard to do that. Please, give Harm the gun. I want to believe that you'll get better, but I can't do anything for you while you're like this."
"I...I just want you, Mattie...you're 'my' daughter," Tom uttered, letting the gun drop in his hand, but not releasing his hold on it fully. Mattie made a move forward but Harm put his hand out to stop her. Mattie halted, but spoke again.
"You left me alone, Daddy; I was just a little girl. Mom was gone, and I only had you to help me. But you couldn't even help yourself! I had to look after myself, and I did a good job, and that's what you have to accept now. I'm never going to be able to get back the time you took away from me, but Harm and Mac, and the others have given me a chance to be my age now...and I like who I am. Give Harm the gun, and let him help you too. He wants to. He's a good man, Daddy, and he cares. Please..." Mattie asked once more, and at the tone of her voice Tom Johnson looked at her. Through the haze of pain and alcohol, and sheer weariness he recognised something in what Mattie had said, and turned his gaze on Harm and Mac.
"You'd help me?"
Harm nodded, and beside him Mac did too.
"I wouldn't have shot you, Colonel...there's nothing in the gun...I just got desperate."
"It'll be okay, Tom. I won't be pressing charges; as far as I'm concerned, it was a misunderstanding, that's all."
"I can't thank you...I don't know how...but I'll try..." Tom mumbled as he put out his hand holding the gun and Harm took it from him, holding it by the barrel. Dropping the chamber open with a practiced move he saw that Tom hadn't lied. The gun was empty. Mattie stepped forward and put her arms around Tom.
"I'll try too, to understand what you've been going through."
"Okay..." Tom nodded, and then Harm walked up to the two of them.
"I'll get you back to the center. Mac can take Mattie home, and then when you're ready, we'll all be through to see you there."
"Yeah, I think that would be good."
Harm leaned across and touched Mattie's cheek with his finger.
"I'm proud of you, kiddo. I'll get Tom back, and then I'm coming straight home."
"Okay." Mattie hugged Harm, and murmured into his ear. "Thanks, Dad." Harm hugged her a little tighter, and then released her as he smiled at both her and Mac.
"I'll see you at home, Mac."
"You'd better," Mac grinned, and waved as Harm walked back to his car with Tom Johnson. Turning to Mattie, Mac handed her the cell phone. "Do me a favor, Mattie? Give Bud a call and tell him what's happened, and ask him to let the Admiral know what Harm's doing. If they need him, they can get in touch with him by cell."
"Okay. Mac..." Mattie murmured, opening the passenger door but not getting into the Corvette just then.
"Yes, sweetie?" Mac watched the expression of anxiety on Mattie's face.
"Thank you, for not charging my...Tom."
"I think he's had enough to deal with recently, Mattie. He's not going to be able to get better in jail. As long as he does make the effort to get better now, I'll hold off, but if he threatens you or me, or Harm, again, I will not be so lenient."
"Neither will I!" Mattie muttered, and Mac grinned.
"You're starting to think like me, Mattie! Are you sure you don't want to join the Corps instead?"
"Nah!" Mattie retorted, and Mac laughed.
"Come on, let's get home. I think the Team have had enough excitement for one day."
As Mac and Mattie got into the Corvette, the crowd around the school parking lot dissipated, and went back to their business. Mac had already had a word with the school principal, and advised that there would be no further incidents at the school.
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
MONDAY NIGHT
Mac and Harm were seated on the couch, Mac nestling between Harm's outstretched legs, her head on his chest, his right hand resting on the bump, his left hand brushing gently through her hair.
"You've got something on your mind, Harm."
"Yeah, sort of...I rang Mom and Frank today."
"Are they okay?" Mac turned her head up to look at Harm, but found only a warm smile on his face as he looked down at her.
"They're fine. I was telling them about arranging a blessing, and Mom asked if you'd be happy for her to host it at the house in La Jolla. The garden is big enough for what we were talking about. Just family and close friends."
"I'd love that! But what about the logistics of getting people to La Jolla?"
"Frank's suggested chartering a jet."
"Oh, Harm...I don't know," Mac moved to sit up, so she could face Harm, and he waited while she settled in his arms again. "It's one thing to invite people, but we can't ask them to pay to get across country like that!"
"Not a problem. Frank's got a company jet available. His gift, he said."
"I don't know what to say..." Mac suddenly fell quiet, dropping her head, and Harm tipped her face up with his finger on her chin.
"Hey, what's going on?" he murmured, leaning forward to drop a reassuring kiss on Mac's lips.
"It's just...I can't believe your Mom and Frank would want to do this much..."
"Number One son gave them exactly what they wanted - you!"
"What? What do you mean?" Mac's curiosity was piqued, and she poked Harm in the chest. "'Fess up, sailor. What's going on?"
"Nothing! Honest! Mac, my mother has waited for this moment for a long, long time...she's waited for you, and for me to do the right thing for you. I may have had my head 'up my six' as AJ put it so eloquently, but my mother knew you and I were right for each other a long time ago. Frank has always been there for her, and for me, even if I didn't admit it for a long time. Now, our children have grandparents that will love them, and spoil them, and teach them values and appreciation."
"I know that; I have their best example right here in my arms," Mac said softly, and leaned in for Harm's kiss. "I would love to have our blessing in La Jolla, surrounded by love and happiness. Do you want to do this when I can fit in my original 'wedding dress'?"
"I want to marry you again as soon as possible, and I think you look gorgeous whatever you wear, or don't wear," Harm drawled with a definite leer in his expression! "Whatever size you are, you are beautiful, Sarah."
"You say the nicest things, Harm," Mac murmured, and the conversation ended at that point; the only words heard after that were for the two people making love.
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To be continued
A/N:
1. I may have previously stated that school was finished; I've tried to find reference in the chapters but I can't put my finger on it just yet. If it is the case, then consider that Mattie was back at school for summer assignments, or something similar!
2. I think I've got Bud and Harriet's location wrong too - Rosslyn was the apartment. I'm not sure where the house is located. Again, if anyone out there does know, can you let me in on the details, please? Thanks.