AN: Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long to update. Had a bit of writers block. Thanks to those who reviewed. I noticed the reviews have definately decrease, but that's ok. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

Corporal Elliot was in the hangar bay preparing for another amphibious maneuver. He was stowing some gear when Mac approached.

"Corpora Elliot. Can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Sure thing, ma'am."

Corporal Elliot jumped down, saluted, and followed Mac into an office. Mac sat behind the desk and instructed Corporal Bell to have a seat.

"What can I do for you, ma'am?"

"I have a few questions about Corporal Bell I would like to ask you."

"Excuse me, ma'am, but didn't we already do this?"

"Yes we did, but your are the Corporal's roommate. You probably knew him better than anyone else."

"What would you like to know, ma'am?"

"Did Corporal Bell seem to have any problems with anyone in the unit?"

"No ma'am. He got along with everyone here."

"What about outside of the base? Was he seeing someone?"

"Yes ma'am. I heard him say he was seeing someone, but I can't remember he name."

"Do you think anyone else would know?"

"Probably not ma'am. Corporal Bell kept to himself."

"Where were you the night he was killed?"

"I was at the bar with a couple of friends shooting pool. I can give you names if you like."

"That might be a good idea, Corporal."

Corporal Elliot wrote the names on a sheet of paper and handed it to Mac. Mac folded the paper and put it in her briefcase.

"Ok, Corporal. That's all I have for now. I may stop by later if I can think of anything else."

"No problem, ma'am."

"Dismissed."

"Aye, aye, ma'am."

Once Corporal Elliot left, Mac sat back and began massaging her temples. She couldn't shake this feeling that Corporal Elliot was hiding something. He said Corporal Bell kept to himself. That's not the impression she got from the other men in his unit. Something just didn't fit, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She hoped Bud could come up with some information. Mac gathered her notes and made her way back to her quarters to try to put the pieces together.

Bud, on the other hand, didn't even have time to think much less do the background check Mac asked him for. He finally finished reorganizing the filing system yesterday. Since today was Friday, he figured he could get that background check done. No such luck. The admiral decided to review the budget to see where they could save money. It was almost closing time when the admiral released him. Bud almost had to beg to be allowed to stay later. Bud had to explain he was helping Mac in her investigation, and she needed him to do a background check on a potential suspect. The admiral reluctantly agreed. He didn't want this case solved quickly. He wanted Mac gone as long as possible. He had the office almost running the way he wanted. He figured one more week would do it. He knew the staff didn't like him, but he didn't care. He was here to do a job, and he would do it the way he wanted to. The only thing that worried him was that he had a fit rep coming up. He was told that the SECNAV would evaluate his performance and decide whether to keep him or not. That was his reasoning for being so hard on the staff. He really wanted this assignment.

Harm had to admit he was having a good time. He really loved flying, and the CAG made sure he was doing a lot of it. So far, everything went well. They ran into some small arms fire, but it was nothing to worry about. It had been three weeks since he left. He missed Mac so much. Keeter and Tuna kept harassing him over her, too. He had planned on keeping everything secret, but Keeter spoiled that. He knew Harm too well for his own good. It was about a week after he arrived and Keeter, Tuna, and him were in the chow line. They talked about their last mission and what then next one would be. They were sitting there eating when Keeter asked how Mac was doing.

Flashback

"So, how is that gorgeous marine of yours, Harm?"

"Mac is fine. She's at Camp Pendleton investigating a murder."

"Man I sure miss her. I had a blast riding through the desert with her. I have some leave coming up. I think I might just look her up. What do you think Harm?"

Harm knew Keeter was trying to rile him up, but he wasn't going for it. He wanted his relationship with Mac secret.

"You can do what you want, Keeter. Mac is a big girl. She can make her own decisions."

"Well, I just might have to do that. I'll take her on a nice romantic dinner, then some dancing, then back to my place for a night cap."

Keeter could see Harm was definitely not liking his little fantasy. He could tell Harm was about to reach his breaking point, and he was determined to win the bet with Tuna. Keeter suspected something when he found a picture of Mac under Harm's pillow. Tuna said it was nothing, but Keeter thought there was something there. It was time to take it up a notch.

"Maybe I can convince her to stay for breakfast."

That was all it took. With a glare that would make Mac proud, Harm spoke to Keeter.

"I can assure you. Mac will not spend the night with you."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Because I know her. It's not her style."

"How exactly do you know what her style is? I maybe her type you know. You weren't with us in the desert. You didn't see the chemistry between us."

"I highly doubt there was any chemistry, Keeter. You both were too busy trying to escape."

"That's what you think. I think I will use my leave and pay her a visit. See is she wants to make a chemical reaction if you know what I mean."

That was it. Keeter could see it in his eyes, although he didn't expect this type of reaction. It was a good thing they were the only ones in the chow hall. Harm had reached across the table, grabbed Keeter by his flight suit, and pulled him towards him till he was face to face with Harm.

"If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I will make sure only a DNA analysis would be able to identify the body."

"Hey Harm! What the hell's gotten into you? Put me down!"

"Put him down, Hammer!"

Gaining control of his emotions, Harm released Keeter.

"I'm sorry, Keeter. I don't know what got into me."

"I would hazard a guess."

"What?"

"I think the little green eyed monster reared it's ugly head."

"Jealous? You think I was jealous."

"Harm. I have known you for years, and I have never seen you react like that. Even with Dianne."

"Really?"

"Really. Face it, Hammer. You are in love."

"I know that, Keeter."

"You do? I thought you said you and Mac were only friends."

"I did say that, but things change, Keeter."

"Since when?"

"Its only been a little over a month."

"What brought it about?"

"Mac was in a terrible accident. She actually died on me a few times. Going through that experience helped me to realize that I can't live in the past. I need to live in the present, and that present involves Mac."

"I didn't know about the accident. I'm sorry, Harm. I was just trying to win a bet."

"What?!"

"Tuna and I had a bet about you and Mac. He said you two were only friends, but I told him you both secretly loved each other."

"You mean you did all this for a bet?"

"Yeah. Although I didn't expect it to turn out like this. I'm sorry again, Harm"

"It's ok, Keeter. I'm sorry, too. This is all so new to me. I guess I'm just not handling it well."

"Well, we're here if you need us."

"Thanks guys."

"Anytime. Now pay up, Tuna."

End Flashback

Harm still smiled about that day. He was going to tell Mac about it when they spoke, but it slipped his mind. It seemed all he had now was memories. He hoped those memories would keep him going. He was ready to go. He hoped things would stay quiet. If they did, maybe the skipper would send him home. With a sigh, Harm got up and went to get ready for the next mission.

Well there it is. I hope you liked it. If you did, all you need to do is hit the lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)