Chapter Eight

Disclaimers – Most characters don't belong to me, they belong to the production people in Hollywood, – but writing definitely doesn't pay the bills or my tuition – All of the sudden the NAVY recruiters are beginning to make sense in my head.

The ride to Bethesda was uneventful. All Harm wanted to think about was Mac, but he knew he had to keep his mind on the road for his children. He knew she would be landing sometime tonight. She was hurt – God, she probably was in pain, - but at least she was coming home to him.

1200 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital Laboratories

He walked down the hall with Mackenzie on his hip and checked in with the lab tech.

"Hi. I'm Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. I called this morning for an appointment to have a paternity test ran."

"Just great, another man who is trying to skimp out on paying child support," the lab tech said underneath her breath. Unfortunately for her he heard, and his nerves were already on edge.

"Stand at attention Lieutenant, I am a superior officer, and as such you will treat me with that respect. And as for you snide remark," Harm pointed to the newspaper that was sitting on the desk, "Things are not always what they seem." The newspaper headline read "Major Breach and Thefts at Fertility Clinic." Harm didn't care if people knew he had kept sperm at the bank. Every fighter pilot he knew did just to make sure that they could carry on the family name or leave a legacy.

The lab tech apologized profusely and gave him the paper work. As he was finishing up the paper work, another lab tech walked in. "Hi Commander. I am Lieutenant Blumenthal. I will be taking over for Lieutenant O'Donnel. I am going to apologize for her actions."

"Pleasure to meet you. I understand that you and the child in question want to be tested for paternity because of the thefts. I wonder how many more people will be coming in."

"Well Lieutenant, this was a little more of a special case."

"Understandable. Follow me." Harm picked up his baby and followed Lieutenant Blumenthal. The room was sterile and cold. "Normally Commander we would swab your mouth, and hers, but since there is so much uncertainty with her maternity and paternity, we are going to take blood."

Harm nodded and got his arm situated. Lieutenant Blumenthal placed on the rubber tubing and handed him a ball. "When I say squeeze, squeeze. Ready, squeeze." He started filling the tubes up with Harm's blood. It was over as quick as it started.

"Okay Commander. We are going to take the baby into the room, and get her blood. It will be a couple of days for yours. It can take up to a month to match her DNA having to go through thousands of people. But at least you will have an answer. I will call the center and get a list of women who have donated or stored to try to narrow it down, but if they don't comply it will take a while. Also, sometimes it hurts the parent more to see us stick the baby rather than the baby. I have seen grown Commanders faint."

"If you think it is best, then we will give it a try."

Lieutenant Blumenthal started to take Mackenzie out of the room when she started reaching for Harm. Harm felt his heart break, but knew she would have to get used to him not always being around. He secured the Band-Aid when he heard the unmistakable high screech wail of Mackenzie. Harm immediately got up and went to the next room and she immediately snuggled against him.

"Hey baby, did that hurt? Daddy's sorry." He rubbed her back and she calmed down. "I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you."

"And you always keep your promises." A small voice said behind him.