Hey guys, sorry for the late post yesterday, but it was Saturday and Carol is...what's the word for it...oh yeah...lazy. Somehow she's got this idea that's it okay to sleep till noon. Maybe she needs to change time zones!?!?! Anyway, here's part 18. Enjoy! – Michi without the sleepyhead...since it's Sunday...

...Till Death Does Us Part Chapter III – Part 18/24

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

NEW AN.... As we stated in the original AN..... "We are not doctors, nor do we play any on TV. However, if you are cute, funny, rich, single, straight, and male... one of us could be tempted to play doctor with you."

We would like to amend said statement. Please replace the word "doctors" with "lawyers." And yes, the second statement still stands as well.

Carol - "I'm sure playing doctor with someone can be fun... how about playing lawyer?"

Michi (shaking head from side to side) - "You would wonder that."

Carol - "Hey, I'll play lawyer or doctor, just as long as I can play."

Michi (with a smug grin) - "You do know your Dad reads this."

Carol (slaps forehead) – "Oh, crap."

Friday March 25

Thompson and Greenblatt Attorney's at Law

Georgetown, Virginia

4:45 PM

Harm fidgeted with the pen on the table in front of him as his lawyer Eric Hyer looked across the table at his colleague Darcy Giblin. Since Harm and Mac decided to go ahead and get the divorce, they set an appointment with Hyer and Giblin, who came recommend from AJ.

AJ was a little sad to hear the news about the decision to divorce, but he couldn't do anything about it. It was their jobs and family on the line. He would relay the message to the SECNAV and get him off their case, at least for a while. He thought that the least he could do was to give them the names of two good and reasonable lawyers.

"Maybe you should call her again?" Eric asked as he looked at his colleague.

Darcy took a breath. "She got stuck in traffic. She said something about court running late."

"She's never late," Harm stated as the conference room door opened and a frazzled Mac walked in.

"I'm sorry, but court ran late," Mac explained quickly to the three people in the room.

Darcy smiled at her client. "It's okay, Sarah. I explained to them why you were running late." Mac smiled softly at Darcy. "Let me introduce Eric Hyer. He's representing your husband."

"Hello," Mac shook Eric's hand. Then she glanced at Harm and he gave her an odd look.

Darcy pulled out a chair next to her and motioned for Mac to sit down. Mac took off her coat, sat down in the chair and noticed it was directly across from Harm.

"Now we have spoken and we need you to understand that this just the first meeting and in the following months we will have several more to iron out any details that come out. The vast majority of divorces can be handled out of court, as long as the people involved keep a level head," Darcy explained.

Harm sat up straight and looked at Darcy. "Ms. Giblin, excuse me for interrupting. But Mac and I both understand the law; we are lawyers. We're getting a divorce to a marriage that only exists on paper. The only thing we are concerned about is our son, Ty."

Darcy gave him a half smile. "I was just going to mention that, Mr. Rabb." Darcy took a breath. "Eric and I have spoken and we would like to work late tonight to get things straightened out. Then all we have to do is waiting for the courts."

"How long will it take for the courts to hear the case?" Mac asked.

"About six months to a year," Eric stated. "We believe we can have yours in the courts within six months though."

"It shouldn't take us that long to work through this," Harm said.

"No, Eric and I have outlined certain things from our conversations with the both of you. It should take us an hour or two tops."

"AJ and Meredith are picking Ty up and they're watching him tonight," Mac said looking at Harm.

Eric looked at Harm, who shook his head. "Great." Eric smiled. "Let's get this taken care of."

6:56 PM

Two hours and twelve minutes later, the divorce of Sarah Mackenzie and Harmon Rabb Junior was laid out. Eric and Darcy had to keep reminding themselves that they were dealing with lawyers. However, what they really had to do was to remind themselves that both of the people involved wanted the divorce and they weren't arguing about who got what.

There was no argument about anything. It was agreed that the status quo was going to stay and that Ty would be in custody with both of them. Eric and Darcy were able to convince Harm and Mac to throw in a clause, stating that the issue would be re-looked at, if it needed to be in the future. They did agree, but neither one of them wanted to discuss that thought.

Eric and Darcy were looking over their notes, while Harm and Mac just watched. They both felt out of place. Their lives were being placed on paper while their hearts were breaking. Both of them wanted to stop the lawyers, but they knew this was best.

"I think it covers everything," Eric said, looking up from his papers. "If we come up with anything else, we'll call the both of you."

Darcy placed her pen on her legal pad. "As soon as we have the papers drawn up we'll conduct the preliminary review. About a week later, we can present them in court. That will be followed by the final signing of the papers."

"The process sounds simple enough, but it still might take up to a year," Eric reminded Harm and Mac.

"We understand," Harm said.

"So basically we're waiting for your call," Mac stated.

"Yes, as soon as we have everything together and the court is ready, we'll contact you," Darcy explained to her client.

"Any other questions?" Eric asked.

Harm and Mac looked at each other and shook their heads negatively. Darcy and Eric exchanged looks, too.

"Okay." Darcy stood up from the table. "We'll be in contact then."

Mac, Harm, and Eric stood up. Mac turned to Darcy. "Thank you, for your help."

"No problem, Sarah." Darcy chuckled. "I think your divorce is the simplest Eric and I have ever had."

Eric chuckled as well. "That's a lot considering we've dealt with a lot of divorces between lawyers before."

"Well, Mac and I don't deal with a lot of family law, so we left it in your hands." Harm smiled.

Darcy laughed aloud. "If only our other clients would do that."

Harm and Mac said goodnight to the two lawyers and left the office. Darcy and Eric started to clean up their papers. "They seem like nice people," Darcy stated.

"Yeah, too bad they're in love with each other," Eric said.

"You caught that, too." Darcy handed Eric his silver pen.

"Thanks." Eric put the pen in his pocket. "However, this is what they want. What are we to say?"

"I know," Darcy said with a sigh.

Sunday April 23

Harm and Mac's House

McLean, Virginia

10:34 AM

Harm sat on the deck with Ty standing on his lap. "Daddy."

Ty looked at his father. "Muuummm."

"No, not muuummm." Harm tried again. "Daddy."

Ty lifted his feet and started to bounce as Harm held onto his little hands. "Muuuummm," Ty repeated.

Mac stepped onto the deck. "I thought you were going to help me plant those flowers today."

Harm looked up at her. "Your son and I were working on his words again."

Mac chuckled. "He's still saying muuummm?"

"Yeah. Have we figured that one out yet?"

Mac sat down in the chair next to Harm and Ty. "I'm guessing it's either mama or Marine."

"HA! My son's first word will not be Marine," Harm stated.

Mac laughed. "Not your son, but mine will say it first."

Harm turned to face her as Ty gave out a high pitch laugh and looked at his mother. "Muuummm."

Harm looked at Ty. "Daddy."

Ty wiggled towards Mac. "Muuummm." Harm handed Ty to Mac and Ty laughed as Mac held him. "Muuummm"

Harm then stood up. "My son's first word is muuummm."

Mac laughed. "Don't worry, Harm. I'm sure he'll master daddy."

"By the time he masters it, it will be followed by 'can I borrow ten bucks,'" Harm said as he walked down the back steps of the deck. "Where are we putting these flowers?"

Mac stood up and carried Ty down the steps with her. "I was thinking right in here." Mac pointed to the space in front of the bushes that stood in front of the railing of the deck.

Harm shook his head. "And what are we going to do with Mr. Muuummm here?"

Ty looked at his father. "Muuummm."

"He's going to help." Mac stated.

Harm crossed his arms. "How? And may I remind you, that not only is he starting to say things that we can almost recognize, but he's starting to rock on all fours."

"He also likes grabbing at things," Mac told him. "Need I remind you about Easter?"

"No," Harm said. At Easter Harm had the brilliant idea to put Ty in an Easter basket. Within seconds, Ty had the green and pink grass all over the living room floor, on himself, and in his mouth. "But you do know that he'll try to eat some of the dirt."

"It will prepare him for Marine Recon training," Mac told Harm. Harm glared at her. "That's also why we have the baby walker. He's just starting to push himself in the kitchen, where there is tile. He won't be able to move out here in the grass."

Harm shook his head. "You know, every now and then you have a good idea."

"Well in that case. You can get everything out of the garage, while I get Ty his hat and the walker," Mac said, before she and Ty walked back into the house.

"Hey, get my hat, too," Harm called after her.

Mac shook her head and looked down at her son as they walked into the house. "You know, you should really try saying daddy. It would make Daddy feel better."

Ty looked at his mother. "Mummmummm."

Mac shrugged. "I do like mummm better."

Friday May 28

JAG

6:35 PM

Mac sat at in the library working through yet another case that was causing her to pull her hair out. She had started to read a law book in front of her as she felt something grab on to her leg.

"Ack!" Mac yelped, before she looked down and saw her son sitting on the floor. "Hey, you!"

"Mama," Ty said, as he lifted his arms up to her.

Mac leaned over and picked him up. "Hey, Honey, what are you doing here?"

Harm stood a few feet away. "He wanted to show you his new trick."

Mac smiled at him. "He's a baby not a dog, Harm."

Harm gave her a smug look. "I know that, Colonel. Set him down on the floor."

Mac looked at the tile. "You know how dirty this floor is?"

Harm tried not to chuckle, as did the few personnel who were in the library watching the family. "Trust me."

Mac looked at Ty. "This was Daddy's idea." She placed Ty on the floor. He sat there and looked up at her.

Harm squatted down and got Ty's attention. "Ty, come here."

Ty looked over at his father. Got on his hands and knees and crawled across the floor to his father. Once he was in front of Harm, Harm picked him up and carried him over to Mac, who just sat there in awe. "When did he start doing that?"

"A few days after you left," Harm told her as he sat down in the chair next to her. Ty quickly wiggled out of Harm's arms and nearly threw himself towards his mother. Mac lifted Ty out of Harm's arms and Ty settled into his mother's arms. "When did you get home last night?"

Mac kissed Ty on the cheek. "Around two."

"I thought I heard you talking to Ty last night," Harm told her.

"I got in and checked on him. I was gone for two weeks and I missed him," Mac told Harm.

Harm smiled. Ty wasn't the only who missed Mac. For the past two weeks, she was in Pearl on an investigation. Everyday Harm e-mailed her about Ty and made sure she was okay. But he wasn't able to see her. This was the first time she was away for an extended time since Ty was born. Harm knew for the first time, how Mac felt when he was away for that month. "It's okay; I just wish you would have woken me last night."

Mac gave him a half smile. "I thought about it, but figured you needed your sleep."

"Well, I would have liked to see you sometime before now. You left before Ty and I were up this morning, and all day you've been in meetings or your office."

"I know." Mac said before she glanced at Ty and realized something. "You didn't tell me about this."

"I wanted to surprise you."

Mac chuckled. "It worked."

"I figured it would," Harm said and caught Ty's hand before it knocked against Mac's legal pad, which would have caused her pen to fall on the floor. "No."

Ty looked at his father and stuck out his lower lip. "Dada."

Mac looked at the two. "Did I miss something?"

"No, it's Ty's other trick. He hits legal pads and likes to watch them fall. Especially if pens fall, too."

"How did you learn this one?" Mac asked.

"Actually he was visiting Uncle AJ when that one happened," Harm told Mac in a whisper.

"Great," Mac sighed.

"Yeah. When are you going to be done tonight? I thought it would be nice if Ty and I took you out for dinner?"

"Ten minutes," Mac told him.

"Okay." Harm smiled. "How about Friday's?"

"Sounds fine," Mac said.

"Ty and I will go now and get in line for a table. By the time we're seated you should be there."

"Sounds like a plan." Mac gave Ty a kiss on the forehead.

Harm picked him out of her arms. He looked around them and noticed the personnel who were around had left for the night. He leaned down and kissed Mac's cheek. Mac glanced up at him in surprise. "I missed you," he said with a sweet smile.

"I missed you, too." Mac returned the sweet smile.

Harm looked into her eyes and felt something inside him click. He blinked and took a breath. "Okay, we'll see you in a few then."

"Okay," Mac said before Harm and Ty left the library.

Harm and Mac's House

McLean, Virginia

10:34 PM

Mac had just put Ty to bed and was walking back downstairs. She walked into the family room, where Harm was sitting on the couch reading a book. "What are you reading now?"

"Tom Clancy." He held up the book and Mac shook her head.

"I think I'm reading that."

Harm then pulled the bookmark off his lap. "That would explain this."

Mac grabbed the bookmark out of his hand. "You lost my spot."

Harm chuckled and Mac joined him. "You know where you are in this."

"Yeah," Mac said, before she sat down on the couch next to him. Harm closed the book and looked at her. "So what else happened while I was away?"

Harm shrugged. "Not much. I already told you what Ty did. Everything else was pretty much the same. Except for one thing."

"What?"

"Webb called a few times, while you were away," Harm told her.

Mac shook her head. "He called my cell phone, but didn't leave a message. How did he sound?"

Harm took a deep breath. "He didn't sound well."

"Damn," Mac cursed under her breath.

"What?"

Mac realized that was aloud. "Nothing."

"When was the last time you talked to Webb?"

Mac took a deep breath and looked at the wall behind Harm. "While you were away on the Henry."

Harm gave her a confused look. "Did he stop by?"

"No," Mac paused. "I went to see him."

"Why?" Harm started to wonder if Mac and Clay had started something again.

"To ask him why he told the SECNAV about our marriage."

"You think he did it?" Harm asked, shocked by this bit of information.

"I know he did," Mac stated. "We ended up arguing and Clay admitted to sending the SECNAV the information. He was bitter and wanted to get revenge."

"Why was he bitter?"

Mac took a moment on how to answer this question. It was an easy one, but it involved a certain amount of tact. "Clay was upset that you apparently can make any mistake you want and I'll still be there for you. He thought that I threw myself at you. He was just jealous." Mac ran her hands over her forearms, hugging herself.

Harm reached out and caught one of her hands in his. "He was jealous?"

"He was pretty sure we were involved and that I dumped him to be with you."

Harm chuckled softly. "He had no reason to be jealous."

"I know. But Harm, I'm worried about him."

"Why?"

"He was drunk when I was at his place and he looked horrible."

Harm sighed and could relate to Clay's position. "Losing the woman you love will do that to a man."

"No," Mac softly said. "I think there was something else there."

"Mac, you've never lost the one you love."

"Yes, I have," Mac interrupted.

Harm gave her an odd look and corrected himself as his brain said Dalton and Brumby. "I'm sorry you have. But you have the ability to say no to alcohol, Clay doesn't. He was probably just having a few drinks to forget what he did to us. I'm sure it's nothing else."

"Harm, I think something happened to him. It's just a feeling I have."

Harm softly looked at Mac and could tell that she was concerned about Clay. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. "I trust your feelings. How about tomorrow afternoon I give him a call and invite him over for dinner? The three of us can talk."

Mac found herself slightly surprised at Harm's suggestion. "Have Clay over for dinner?"

"Yeah, we can teach Ty how to correctly run away from CIA agents." Harm smiled.

Mac laughed at his comment. "Good idea."

"Great," Harm paused and looked at her. "Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

Mac checked her internal clock. "Nah, I think I'm going to take a bath and go to bed. I haven't slept much for the past two weeks."

"Okay, if Ty needs us tonight, I'll get him."

"He's sleeping through the night, he won't need us."

Harm shrugged. "Just in case. Okay?"

"Okay." Mac slid her hand out of Harm's. "Good night."

"Good night, Mac," Harm said as Mac walked out of the room.

Harm leaned against the couch cushion and missed the days where they would hug or kiss each other on the cheek before going to bed. He missed many of the little things they used to share. Two months had passed since the visit with the lawyers. He chuckled to himself as he had a devilish thought. 'What are my chances that in the next four to ten months I can convince Mac to stay married to me?'

End Part 18