A/N: It is actually possible to watch a video so much that you destroy the tape. My brother managed to do this with a copy of Star Wars when we were kids. Just thought I should mention it in case someone doesn't know that.

1. Just a reminder I don't own JAG. I think this story is proof that if I did things would be a heck of a lot different then they are now!

I should probably issue a language warning. There's a couple of swear words in this section. I really think the Farsi words are worse than the English ones, but that's just my opinion.

Harm and Mac's house

3/13/2004

1831 hours

Tom Johnson and I are cleaning up from dinner. Harm and Mattie took the boys upstairs to get them ready for bed. I think dinner went okay but I'm not really sure. Mattie didn't say much to Tom, but she did stay in the room all through dinner.

"So, Tom, how do you think it went?"

"Actually, I think it went pretty well."

I must shoot him a strange look because he starts chuckling.

"You really think it went well?"

"Yeah, Mac I do. My counselor told me that as angry as Mattie is I should count anytime we're in the same room and I don't get called a jackass a victory."

I snort at that.

"Actually I can guarantee that she won't call you a jackass. Now a mardekeh or coonee are possibilities."

"And what language is that?"

"Farsi."

"And what do they mean?"

"Mardekeh means worthless man and coonee means one who shares his butt."

Tom stops loading the dishwasher and turns to face me.

"You know, I'm not sure which of those three is the biggest insult."

"Well, it would be a tough call. Harm and Mattie should be back down in a minute or two. Do you want to stay for the movie?"

"I don't know. Do you think I should?"

"Actually, I do. I think it'll help prove to Mattie that you're serious about being part of her life but not trying to shove your way in."

"I am too. I wasn't back around Christmas but I am now."

"What changed?"

"I started going to meetings. Those meetings helped me realize just how much I've let Mattie down over the years. She's learned that I can't be trusted and I don't mean what I say. I have to give her reason to trust me."

"You do realize that it might not happen before she finishes high school."

"Yeah, I do and I'm trying to accept that fact."

"Aunt Mac!" AJ comes tearing into the room with Mattie not far behind.

"Hi, AJ. You want to go watch a movie?"

"Yeah. Lion King One Half?"

"Oh, you want to watch Lion King One and A Half. You think Mattie can handle seeing it again?" It's a good thing I bought the DVD instead of the video because AJ would have destroyed it by now.

"Yeah it's fine. I can handle it." Mattie smiles at AJ.

"Okay, Where's Harm?"

"Jimmy was kind of cranky so Harm was going to try and get him in bed."

"Oh okay. Well shall we?" I motion in the direction of the living room.

Mattie and AJ head for the living room, as they go Mattie calls back over her shoulder, "You can come too."

"I'm going to assume she means you, Tom. You coming?"

"Yeah, I think I will."

Harm and Mac's House

2037 hours

3/13/2004

The movie is over and AJ's in bed. Tom and Harm have gone to get his coat and discuss next Saturday.

"Mac, can you come here?"

I head for the entryway.

"What do you need, Harm?" I ask but Tom answers.

"I just wanted to tell you thanks for having me over and I'll see you next week."

"Okay, we'll see you next week."

"Can I say something?"

All three of us turn and look at Mattie in shock. Harm is the first one to speak.

"Sure Mattie."

She turns to face Tom. "I heard you and Mac earlier. I'm willing to give you a chance but you have to understand some things."

"What?"

"I'm not going to call you dad. You are my father but that's just biology. The person that's been there for me is Harm and that make him my dad. I can't promise that I'll ever call you dad, because it depends on you and whether you earn that title. I can however promise you this, if you ever let me down like you have in the past, I will kick your ass!"

With that Mattie runs out of the room. Harm and I both turn back to Tom ready to smooth things over but he seems calm.

"Well I'll see the two of you next weekend."

"Are you okay, Tom?" Harm asks. I'm sure he's thinking that Tom seems awfully calm for what just happened.

"Not really but I'm heading to a meeting so I will be."

"Okay Tom, call if you need anything." I tell him. I have two reasons for this. One is support for a fellow alcoholic. The other reason is I don't want him to fall of the wagon because of what Mattie said. She doesn't need the guilt.

"I will."

Harm locks the door after Tom.

"Well, Harm, shall we go check on Mattie?"

"Actually, I'll go check on Mattie. Why don't you go make some popcorn and I'll meet you in the living room in 10 minutes? We can watch another movie."

"Sounds good to me, flyboy."

"See you in ten minutes, Mac."