A/N: Thanks once again for all the enthusiastic reviews! The support I've gotten for this story has been overwhelmingly positive. As always, thanks for making my day brighter – I continue to look forward to reading what you have to say!
Summary: Little A.J.'s finally turning five... here's my take on a possible H/M reaction. Please R&R! It's my first fanfic.
Disclaimer: I don't own them and get no reward for doing this other than satisfaction at helping to entertain other fans.
Spoilers: "Yeah, Baby" and "Touch and Go"... aw, heck, if it aired on TV, consider yourself warned.
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Next Day; 2045 Zulu; JAG Headquarters; Falls Church, Virginia
"I've been having some difficulty tracking down one of the witnesses for the Maxwell Article 32," Mac said as she passed a file to Kate, who was seated in one of the chairs opposite Mac's desk. "I've left three messages but haven't had a chance to follow up further."
The two women had been working together most of the day bringing Kate up to speed on all of Mac's outstanding cases. After three hours straight Mac's lower back was beginning to ache. Wishing she could take something, she shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Kate flipped open the folder and scanned through the documents inside.
"Articles 112 and 89?"
"Drunk on duty and disrespect towards a superior commissioned officer," Mac elaborated. "Petty Officer 2nd Class Philip Maxwell was selected for random drug-testing while on duty aboard the Seahawk last month. When the saliva analysis showed positive for alcohol, he proceeded to verbally insult the medic, Captain Johnson, the SecNav and even the President. Seems he'd smuggled a bottle of $200 cognac on board and got pretty loud in his diatribe against Naval SOP. He should be thankful the convening authority decided not to add Article 88 to the charges."
Kate tossed the folder atop the stack of files that had accumulated on the adjacent chair and looked up, her gaze zeroing in on the Colonel. Ever since dinner last night she'd been dying of curiosity, and finally couldn't take it anymore. "How did you do it, Mac?"
"Do what?"
"Sleep with Harm." Bemused, Kate's eyebrow arched as she stared at her colleague. "And then go back to business as usual, like nothing happened."
"You did the same thing."
"That was different. I was never in love with him," Kate pointed out.
"Do you have the Grafton file?" Mac asked, changing the subject. Although she and Harm had finally opened up to one another about their feelings, neither wanted to broadcast the new direction their relationship was taking until they had a better handle on it themselves. It was bad enough that Kate had figured it out for herself.
At the shake of Kate's head, Mac pushed back from her desk and awkwardly heaved herself out of the chair, massaging her back as she crossed the office to the set of file cabinets in the corner.
A small, knowing smile crept over Kate's lips as she watched Mac waddle past. "I'd avoid playing poker if I were you."
Mac wrenched one of the top drawers open and turned to look back with barely masked irritation. "Just what exactly is that suppo—"
Her eyes widening as she stopped abruptly in mid-sentence, Mac's low, guttural moan echoed through the office.
"Are you okay?" asked Kate, immediately concerned.
"Uh, no!" Grimacing as the sharp wave of pain ripped through her abdomen, Mac doubled over next to the file cabinet, one hand on the open drawer for support while the other clutched at the fabric of her maternity uniform. Kate jumped to her feet and rushed over. When she reached Mac's side, however, she paused, unsure of what to do.
"I thought you weren't due for another two weeks."
"I'm not," Mac gasped, her eyes defocusing as she concentrated on getting past the contraction. "But when I saw the doctor on Friday she said that the baby had dropped and I could go at any time."
"What can I do?"
Mac glanced up at her colleague from under furrowed brows. "Find Harm."
"Okay, but let's get you to a chair first."
Nodding as the tightening in her belly eased, Mac forced herself to let go of the cabinet and take hold of Commander Pike's extended hand. Together, the two women hobbled over to the chair where Kate had been sitting a few moments before. Helping lower Mac into the seat, Kate rubbed her friend's shoulder soothingly.
"I'll be right back, okay?"
"Don't worry," Mac assured her. "I'm not going anywhere."
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Across the bullpen in Admiral Chegwidden's anteroom, Harm had stopped to find out when the Admiral would be back and had gotten caught up in conversation with Petty Officer Coates. Leaning against the doorframe, he folded his arms across his chest and flashed Jennifer a grin.
"So tell me again how you met this guy?"
"He's in the study group for one of my classes, sir," Jen chuckled, eyes glittering mischievously. "We were preparing for an exam a few weeks back and..." She trailed off as Commander Pike appeared behind Commander Rabb.
"Excuse me," Kate interrupted hurriedly as she stepped into the doorway. "Harm, can I see you for a second?"
Nodding, he smiled apologetically at Jennifer and turned to look at Kate. His heart dropped as he caught the look of worry in her eyes. "Is everything all right?"
She leaned close, keeping her voice low. "I'm pretty sure Mac just went into labor."
"What?! But she's not due for another—"
Kate shrugged. "She's asking for you."
"Where is she?" he questioned, his gaze darting over the faces in the bullpen and landing on the door to Mac's office. From where he stood he could just make out a figure in Marine green sitting hunched over in front of her desk. Not waiting for Kate's reply, Harm all but sprinted across the linoleum floor. Moments later he was flying through Mac's doorway.
"Hi stranger," she greeted with a pained smile.
Crouching down beside her, Harm's eyes searched her face intently. "How are you feeling?"
"A little surprised, but so far so good," she laughed breathily, reaching out her hand for his. "But you might want to ask me again in a few hours."
"I'll be sure to do that."
Lifting his free hand to her cheek, Harm couldn't help the grin that split his face as their gazes locked and held. Awash with excitement and terrified nervousness, they simply sat for a moment and stared at one another. The moment of truth was finally in sight. Filled with anticipation at their impending parenthood, Mac gave Harm's fingers a firm squeeze and smiled.
Then the intimate moment was broken. The sound of hurried footsteps preceded Harriet as she rushed into the room. Knowing better than anyone what it was like to go into labor in front of your coworkers, she dropped down in front of Mac and took hold of her free hand.
"How are you doing, ma'am?" she asked sympathetically.
"Not too bad, considering," Mac quipped.
"Have you been timing the contractions?"
"No." Frowning, Mac glanced uncertainly between Harriet and Harm. "Aside from the one I really haven't had any— ohhh!" Her eyes fluttering shut, she tightened her grip on Harm and Harriet's hands as the next spasm hit unexpectedly.
"Easy, Tiger," Harm murmured. "Just breathe through it."
After what seemed like an eternity, the discomfort began to ebb away. Mac exhaled slowly, as she'd been taught in Lamaze. She opened her eyes and gave a faint smile.
"Eight minutes, fifteen seconds from one to the next. This one lasted just under forty-three seconds," she said, then paused. "I think."
"You think?" Harm questioned. "What happened to your impeccable sense of timing?"
"It doesn't work too well when I'm in pain."
Harm lifted Mac's knuckles to his lips. "Will you be okay for a few minutes while I go pull the van around?"
"I'll stay with her, sir," Harriet offered.
At Mac's nod, Harm pushed upwards, dropping a light kiss on her forehead as he straightened. Just as he was walking out the door, however, she called out to him.
"Hey Harm, do me a favor?"
"What's that?" he asked, one hand on the doorjamb.
"Steer clear of the elevator."
"Yes ma'am!" Grinning, Harm turned and trotted off towards his office to grab his cover, coat and keys.
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To be continued...
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