CHAPTER TWO

Harm snapped to attention, "Sorry sir, I did not realize you were standing there."

"At ease Rabb. Let me ask you a question, is there a baby on your desk?"

"Sir, yes, sir. A lawyer was just here to see me, and told me to sign some papers for a package that a late ex-girlfriend left for me. Apparently sir, the package was a baby."

"Rabb, when your old CO told me that nothing around here would be boring with you and Mackenzie around, he definitely wasn't joking. What is that baby's name?"

"I don't know sir. I just discovered it, about the same time you did."

"Well, check the diaper bag, maybe your ex left you a note in there. Come, pick up the carrier, and lets go to my office."

Harm didn't know what his CO had in store for him, but he was glad that he was beginning to show some type of personality. With Chegwidden's shoes to fill, it could not be an easier task. They received some stares as they walked across the bullpen, but hey – the bullpen was nothing but gossip anyway.

When they reached the Admiral's office, PO Coates stopped them. "Commander, it's Mattie's volleyball coach on line two."

He picked it up. "Hi Ms. Vargus . . . no its alright . . . yeah, I'm sure Mattie will love to meet all the girls . . . no problem . . . 8:00 tonight . . . okay. Thanks."

"Problems at home Commander?"

"No PO. Mattie will be meeting the girls from the volleyball team tonight for dinner at 1700. Ms. Vargus is going to pick them all up. This way Mattie can spend time with Tom for lunch, and still meet the team for dinner."

The Admiral smiled. He couldn't believe that Rabb had taken on a teenage ward just to do it, and had done it with such ease. He remembered when his daughter was a teenager and he just sighed. The sound of a loud wail was enough to bring Admiral Jonas out of his reverie.

Harm looked down at the baby.

"Well, Commander, are you going to stare at the kid, or pick it up?" Harm stared at his CO, and snapped back into reality.

"Sorry sir."

"Don't apologize Rabb. I remember what it was like when Raquel wailed all night. I came in looking half dead, and I am pretty sure you will too," the Admiral paused, "that is if you are planning on keeping your child. Take the rest of the day off. Go home, figure everything out. I will expect you here tomorrow, if you haven't arranged childcare, I am sure we can figure something out."

Harm stood at attention as much as he could with his "package" from the lawyer. "Dismissed." the admiral said.

Harm turned on his heels and headed home. He strapped the baby as well as he could in the car seat. "I can pass aerodynamics, and get a degree in both aeronautical engineering and law, but I can't figure out how to install a car seat?" he thought to himself. Satisfied that a nothing could move the child he drove home.