A/N: I'm calling this part 25 and ½ because everyone told me to fix 'this' in the next part and I'm not fixing it yet. This is a conversation between Harm and the Admiral.

JAG Headquarters
Harm's Office
2316 Hours
3/18/2004

Tomorrow morning is going to be quite the shock to the admiral. I think the last time my paper work was this caught up was before I finished law school. I'm not sure what made me come here. Actually, I do know what made me come here, going to a bar just didn't feel right. I know that's the stereotypical thing for a male to do after a fight at home, but it just didn't feel right.

For one thing, going home drunk isn't an option. I wouldn't do that to either Mac or Mattie. For another, it was a stupid fight. I'm not even that angry with Mac. I don't agree with the decision to charge the CAG, but that's the pilot in me talking not the lawyer. If I'm being completely honest, I can see Mac's point.

So why did I storm out of the house? That's a good question. I left because I was mad and I didn't want things to go downhill any further than they already had. I was mad at Mac because she wasn't home to help get the boys ready for bed. I was mad at Mattie for all the questions she was asking about the crash. I have problems even thinking about ramp strikes, and I had to investigate this one.

"Commander Rabb? "

"Admiral. What are you doing here? " What am I doing? You don't ask your CO questions like that, even if you are both out of uniform.

"I think that's my line Commander? "

"Just catching up on some paperwork, sir."

"Right." the admiral snorts.

"Sir? "

"You didn't stay late to do paperwork before you inherited three kids, you expect me to believe you're doing it now."

"A good point. Mac and I had a fight. Here seemed like a better plan than a bar."

"Very adult of you, Harm."

"I'm trying, sir. I'll just head home now, sir."

"Hold up, Commander. Join me in my office for a drink? " I don't know why he phrases that like a question. It's not like I'm going to tell him no. I've been on his good side and his bad side, and I prefer his good side, and refusing your CO's hospitality isn't a good career move.

"Certainly sir."

I put my keys back in my pocket and follow the admiral to his office where he pours us each a bourbon. He sits at his desk, I sit in front of it.

"So what was the fight about?"

"Well, sir."

"Drop the sir, Harm. We're talking man to man, it's AJ."

Oh great, he's going to try and fix me.

"AJ, the fight was stupid. Mac wasn't home when she promised and I snarked at her about her making an accident out to be something more because she values words more than actions."

"That's what makes her such a good attorney, Harm."

"I know that AJ, it just gets to me sometimes."

"Why?"

"Because I can't seem to talk to her. I can be wonderfully clear in a courtroom but when it comes to talking to Mac, I can't get the message across and my actions don't mean anything to her."

"Like the fact she couldn't figure out that you're in love with her simply from the fact you resigned your commission to rescue her in Paraguay?"

"Exactly."

"Okay, Harm, but that doesn't seem like enough to have you here doing paperwork after 2300."

"You're right. I was already upset because I had Mattie asking about the crash. I hate investigating ramp strikes, it's the only time I don't want to go to a carrier. All of that combined to start the fight, and before I knew what was happening, I was telling Mac that I resigned my commission and went to Paraguay because I loved her."

The admiral has put his drink down and is listening to every word I say.

"And what did Mac say?"

"Nothing. She just looked at me, so I left."

"I see."

AJ turns and fixes himself another drink. He makes a gesture to offer me another one but I politely decline.

"Harm, do you know what happen between Meredith and me?"

"No, sir, uh AJ."

"The hell of it is, neither do I. I know what I saw but I don't know Meredith's side of things. And while I doubt talking to her would have changed things, I might be wrong."

"I don't understand."

"I went to her house after work one evening. I went upstairs into her bedroom. Her friend, Marco, was coming out of her bathroom, Meredith was half asleep in her bed."

I can't believe he's telling me this.

"What did you do AJ?"

"I turned around and left. I then avoided all of Meredith's attempts to talk to me. Eventually she gave up and I'm back to being alone."

"It's not the same thing AJ."

"Actually it kind of is. You didn't get the reaction from Mac you wanted so you assumed the worst and left. If you run true to form you'll ignore any attempts Mac makes to communicate about this until she gives up. You say you went to Paraguay because you loved her, do you still love her?"

"Uh, sir."

"Can the sir, answer the question, and no excuses about the regulations."

"Yes, I still love her."

"Then I suggest you two take tomorrow and work on figuring things out. Those kids need both of you."

"Tomorrow's Friday, AJ." I'm a little shocked that he'd give both of us a day off.

AJ looks at his watch for a second before responding.

"Actually today's Friday, but I know that neither you nor Mac have court, and you can prepare your cases from home over the weekend. You wouldn't be any good to me here, and I'd be willing to bet a star that Mac's not getting any sleep with you not home. Both of you take the day and come in Monday ready to work. That is an order."

"Yes, sir."

We both stand up and head for the door. I head back to my office to grab my coat , the admiral and I walk out of the bullpen together.

Now to head home and deal with Mac.