Chapter 4

Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie was working on yet another will when her computer let her know that she had a new email. She looked at the sender's address, it was from the SECNAV.

Attention JAG Senior staff,

I have just completed my meeting with Major General Creswell. I have informed him of my concerns. I have given him until January 31st to remedy his behavior. If it is not remedied at that time he will be fired. I will expect a progress report from you each week (either individually or as a collective). There is a chance that I could be overruled in removing him from the position. If that is the case I will help each of you find a new position if desired.

Sincerely,

Edward Sheffield

Secretary of the Navy

PS: See you all at the Roberts Christmas Party.

Mac smiles at the thought that things might change but she had already made up her mind that either way she was going to take the SECNAV up on his offer. She opened a new email message and addresses it to Harm.

Butch,

I'm guessing you got the email from the SECNAV too. I wanted to let you know that I haven't changed my mind. I'm going to request a transfer to the position that the SECNAV offered me. I know he gave Creswell a month to change his ways but I don't think I could put up with it for another month. Also I think you and I both know that one of us will have to transfer out eventually grin . I'm going to call the SECNAV and ask for the official paperwork to be drawn up. Hopefully by Christmas Eve I can make two announcements; one about my transfer and the other about our relationship. Of course that second one is on the condition that you're ready.

Are you and Mattie still coming with me to pick up Chloe tonight? I'll see you later

Yours always,

Sundance

Mac smiled and sent the email. She'd be happy when she and Harm didn't have to sneak around behind their friends' backs. In the few days since she talked to Sheffield she and Harm had actually gone on a date. It wasn't disguised as a working dinner or even dinner as friends it was a date. They had gone out to dinner together and then gone back to her place, curled up on the couch and watched a movie. The kisses they shared were more than just good night kisses. It was only a matter of time before one of them uttered the 'L' word. They both knew the other one felt it, they just hadn't said it yet.

Mac picked up the phone and called the SECNAV.

Harm's office

Same time

Harm was working on a brief of the case he had just completed with the SECNAV's email arrived. He opened and read it.

'Thank God,' he thought, 'I can't wait to get off these danger assignments and Mac is dying to get out from behind that desk.'

He smiled and then reread the last line of the message.

'Since when is the SECNAV invited to the Roberts' Christmas party?' Harm pondered. He was pulled out of his thoughts when another email arrived. This one was from Mac.

The entire message made him smile, from her choice of greeting to her wanting them to go public. She was right about one of them eventually having to transfer. He already planned to propose to her, he just had to wait until the time was right. He was going to ask his Mom to send the engagement ring that his Dad and given her. He wrote her a quick message back saying that he and Mattie were coming with her to get Chloe and them got back to work.

It was a short while later that there was a knock on his doorframe. Harm looked up from his computer.

"Bud," Harm greeted, "what can I do for you?"

"I just got out of court," Bud responded, "I was wondering if there was any news about Creswell's meeting with the SECNAV."

"Come in and close the door," Harm said. Creswell had returned a few minutes ago and Harm didn't want his to overhear this conversation.

"The SECNAV sent out an email," Harm began, "He's talked to Creswell and has given him to the end of January to change his ways. He wants weekly reports from us to judge Creswell's progress."

"That sounds too good to be true," Bud said.

"It could be, Bud," Harm responded.

"Sir?" Bud prompted.

"While the SECNAV is technically Creswell's boss his decision to fire Creswell if he doesn't reform could be over ruled by his superiors." Harm explained.

"I see sir," Bud said not too enthusiastically.

"SECNAV has said that if that happens he will personally help find another position for whom ever requests it. He's already offered Mac Commander Lindsey's old position." Harm explained.

"Do you know if she is considering taking it sir?" Bud asked. He was torn between wanting Colonel MacKenzie to be treated fairly and selfishly wanting her to stay so he didn't get even more swamped.

"I know for a fact that she's going to take it," Harm said, "She called the SECNAV to request the paperwork be drawn up almost as soon as she got his email."

"I see sir," Bud said.

Harm could see the conflict in the younger man's eyes and guessed what it was about.

"Don't worry Bud," Harm said, "one of the things the SECNAV talked to Creswell about was filling the junior lawyer position Lt. Singer left open."

"Yes sir," Bud seemed to brighten a little.

"Now what's this about the SECNAV coming to your Christmas party?" Harm asked lightening the mood.

"Since the General turned down my invitation and SECNAV's been so great about this whole thing I thought it was a good idea." Bud explained, "he's already promised we won't get in trouble if we aren't on our best behavior. Are you still bringing the squash sir?"

"Yep," Harm said, "We'd better get back to work before the General catches us."

"Yes sir," Bud said, "Thanks for the update."

"You're welcome Bud," Harm said. Bud stood and left the office.

Before getting back to work Harm wrote a quick note to himself to pick up some spaghetti squashes on the way home. Since Harriet was 8 months pregnant everybody was bring part of the meal. They were still holding the dinner at the Roberts' house to keep up tradition. The admiral was even going over early to help with the turkey.

Later that day

Dulles International Airport

Mac, Harm and Mattie were waiting for Chloe's plane to arrive. The board said it was running 20 minutes behind schedule. Harm decided he would take the opportunity to ask Mac something he had been meaning to talk to her about.

"Hey Mac," Harm said, "Can I talk to you over here for a minute?"

"Sure," Mac answered. They moved over a little ways away from Mattie. "What is it?"

"I was wondering, well really Mattie and I were wondering," Harm began, why was he getting nervous? "Well you know we have that big house now. And we were wondering if you and Chloe would like to spend Christmas with us. I'm not trying to push you or anything. You can sleep in one of the guest bedrooms. And I guess if Mattie and Chloe get along Chloe could sleep in Mattie's room or in with you."

"Harm stop," Mac said placing two fingers on Harm lips, "you're rambling. I'd love to. But I'll have to talk to Chloe when she gets here. I guess with the way things are going between us it's a good thing you got that big house."

In November a house had come on the market that was absolutely perfect. There was an attic bedroom for Mattie and then 4 bedrooms on the second floor, one of which had been set up as an office. The first floor had a formal living room, dining room, kitchen and family room all with lots of natural light. It even had a swimming pool in the back yard. There was a basement that Harm was renovating into a separate apartment for Jen. That way she could have her freedom and pay her own way but still be nearby. Until that was done she was sleeping in one of the guest rooms. It had taken everything he got from the sale of his loft plus a substantial contribution from Frank but Harm had managed to buy the house.

It was announced that Chloe's flight had landed. Harm took Mac's hand in his and draped his other arm around Mattie and led his girls to the arrivals gate.

The trio watched the crowd looking for Chloe. As it turned out Chloe spotted them before they spotted her.

"Mac, Harm," Chloe cried out to them running up to hug Mac.

"Hey kid," Mac said hugging her little sister.

"Hey yourself," Chloe responded, "and I'm not a kid."

"No, you aren't," Mac agreed.

"Hey Harm," the teen greeted.

"Hi Chloe," Harm said, "I want to introduce you to someone..." he began to turn toward Mattie.

"Mattie right?" Chloe asked extending her hand, "Mac's told me a lot about you."

"That's me," Mattie said, "I've heard about you too. Listen I know we don't really know each other yet but Harm and I want to invite you and Mac to sleep over Christmas Eve."

"Sounds cool," Chloe said, "but I reserve the right to change my mind if we end up hating each other."

It was clear to all present that Chloe was joking. The two teens seemed to really be hitting it off.

After collecting Chloe's bags the four of them headed out for dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Over supper they caught up with Chloe and made plans that Harm would pick Mac and Chloe up before the Roberts Christmas party. After the party they'd make a quick trip to the wall and then back to Harm's place.

TBC