Chapter 7: The Wrong Direction?

Disclaimer: All characters from the television show JAG and the show itself are the property of CBS and Donald P. Belisario. The characters Ron Allen, Matthew and Samantha Rabb, story, and storyline contained herein is the intellectual property of J.S. Levin copyright June 1, 2004 and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the author's consent. Inquiries may be directed to the email address contained in the author's profile.

Spoilers: Through Season 10

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, please keep 'em coming.

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Rabb Residence
Washington, DC
2130 Zulu (1630 local time)

Harm and Mac arrived home to find Mattie's car in front of the house. Mac glanced over at Harm, who had a questioning look on his face as he steered the vehicle into the driveway.

"Oh, I told Mattie she could come over and visit the twins. She also had mentioned something to me about a date she has over at the O-club, so I told her she could change here."

They exited the automobile and walked up to the door, which opened up just as Harm reached for the handle. There stood Mattie, in full mess dress, miniature medals gleaming from her lapel.

"Hey, Mattie! Get some time in with the kids?" Mac asked to keep her husband from suspecting anything.

"Yes, ma'am. I know the Academy will be glad to have them. Oh, um by the way, they asked if I could run them over to the mall before I headed out. I told them I'd check with you, but if you didn't have any objections..." Mattie trailed off.

"No...not at all...feel free," Mac nearly shouted, getting it out just as Harm was opening his mouth. He promptly closed said mouth.

The twins came running out of the house, paused just long enough to say, "Bye, mom. Bye, dad," and hopped into Mattie's car.

"I guess they really want to go to the mall," Harm said, turning to look at Mac.

"Guess so,"

"Sir, ma'am," Mattie glanced at both of them and walked to her car.

Mac and Harm went inside. Going upstairs, Harm remarked to his spouse, "Did any of that seem strange to you?"

"Strange? How? Not really..." Mac trailed off.

"I dunno...maybe I'm losing it a little. I think my promotion is getting to me, Mac."

"Don't worry about it, flyboy. We're going to have a nice dinner, and tomorrow you're going to be able to control half of the fleet," Mac informed her husband.

Just before they were to leave, Mac found herself downstairs waiting for Harm. Again. They changed in separate rooms as they always did for formal occasions, it made it feel like a date, not knowing what the other was wearing. "Harm, can you ever get out of this house on time?"

"No dear," he responded. "But here I come now."

Mac looked at her husband while he walked down the spiral staircase in their home. Now then, this is why I married the man, she thought.

He was wearing his tuxedo uniform. The shiny black shoes and black pants gave way to a golden colored cumber bund and tuxedo shirt. Multiple rows of miniature medals, which included some of the nation's highest honors, hung beneath miniature naval aviator's wings on his white tuxedo jacket. The silver anchor and two silver stars gleamed even brighter than the gold on his shoulder boards. Completing the ensemble was the Medal of Honor hanging from the blue ribbon around his neck over his bowtie.

Not one to be stared at without staring back, Harm looked at his wife. She was also in full "mess dress," wearing her female Marine's tux. Her red collar with the golden Marine globe and anchor stood out against the deep blue dress uniform and frilly white shirt. The two sets of silver stars glinted from her shoulders, and three rows of medals shone from her lapel. Damn, she's gorgeous, he thought.

"Are you ready, hon?" Harm asked, donning his cover.

"Yes, dear," Mac replied, as she did the same, "Don't forget I'm driving the 'Vette."

"I haven't, but I'm driving home," he interjected.

"Sounds fair to me," she said as they got into the low-slung car, which was now a classic in its own right.

Mac started out of the driveway. Harm noticed immediately they were going in the wrong direction, despite the fact he'd told her earlier about Chez Louis.

"Um, Mac...you're going in the wrong direction."

"Honey, I hate to tell you this, but there's been a slight change in plan," Mac said.

"Um...ok. Where are we going?" Harm queried. He figured Mac had a quick stop to make.

"You'll see, flyboy. Don't worry about it right now." She told him in such a way that he had no idea what she had planned for the rest of the evening.

TBC. . .