Chapter 17

Usual disclaimers apply.

"Power down Marine. I'm glad you have your old spunk back, but there is not need to be angry at a piece of paper." He said trying to lighten the mood.

Mac looked at Harm. "I find out that men who are Americans beat me into unconsciousness, and now this." She thrust a piece of paper at him. He read it, and some recognition spread across his features. "I was going through my mail, since I have been out of the office for nearly a month. I was trying to clear off my desk when I saw this letter."

Harm read it aloud. "Miss Mackenzie: This will be in the news, and it will be better if you are braced. There have been several thefts of our client's sperm/eggs. Our records have indicated that it has been your eggs have been stolen. We are very sorry about this. If you have any questions, please contact our office." Harm seemed very puzzled by the idea of things. Why was she storing eggs? Why was she getting sick in her office?

"I'm sure you have questions Harm."

"You will tell me when you want. Let's go to lunch, we will talk about anything you want."

Harm led her away from the office. He realized everything was falling on to Mac so quickly, and he wished that he could take away her pain. He got her take out from Fu's House of Noodles and took her to a park.

"What do you need to talk about?"

"Harm, last year, when Clay recruited me to go to Paraguay, I went to the fertility clinic for options just in case I got injured. I decided then to store my eggs. I wanted to make sure that one day I could have a family. So that one day, we might make good on our five year deal."

"Mac, you don't have to explain to me."

"I need to talk this out, having a family is important to me. After Paraguay, I went to the hospital for a routine physical, and I found out that I may have a condition that may leave me to never have children, PCOS," she stated, "but it hasn't gotten to that point yet. Clay never wanted a family, and that is something we fought about. I meant everything I said at your custody hearing about Mattie," she said, and then needing a change in topic, "Where are you and Sturgis at with the case?"

"Mac," Harm started to want to comfort her, but she stopped him. "Sturgis is doing the legwork. Once we know what we are looking at, I am going to question witnesses while my mom and Frank are in town, I am flying out to the carrier. If it is more than two days, Sturgis will come out. I want to be in town for Mackenzie's doctor's appointment. Since I just got her, I want to make sure that she is developing right, and is up to date on her shots."

"I want to be part of the witness list. And before you try to protect me Harm, the jury of our peers needs to know what those people did to me. Harm, you need to know why I believe the prisoners started uprising. There was abuse happening in the camp between interrogator and prisoners. I saw the signs, and was planning on reporting it, but then all this happened. I wanted to tell Admiral Jonas but I "

"Mac, I know, those men over there who did this to you don't deserve to be treated any better, some do deserve torture. I will think about putting you on the witness list, and just for the record, abuse will be brought up in court because it was SOP for the CIA. I have to get going. Unfortunately, you know my questioning style, and I know Krennick's. This is why I don't want you on the witness list, but you will be on it per your wishes. She is going to be working on destroying your reputation."

"Harm, I think I can handle a blast from the past. Just promise me you will be careful when you go out there."

"I will be. If the abuse is worse, then I will report it."

They strolled back into the office after lunch. Sturgis was waiting for him in the conference room, and Coates had his flight information. "Harm, here is a list of people who have known the defendants. It will only take two days tops. I will be down with the Murray court marshal with closing arguments tomorrow, so then my time can be spent entirely on this case."

They worked until the end of the day. Harm had made plans to meet his parents at the house.

1395 Kalmia Drive

1745 EST

Harm was the first one at the house. The kitchen had been finished during the day. He marveled at how much work had been done. He ran his hands over the countertops, the kitchen had turned our marvelously.

"Dad."

"In the kitchen Mattie."

"Is Mac here?"

"No, she needed to be alone tonight. She said she needed time to think. It was a draining day. I told her where I would be though."

"What's going on Harm." His mother asked.

He picked up Mackenzie who had been reaching for him. She snuggled into his chest, and held on to him for dear life. "Hey wiggle worm. I missed you too. I know you got used to having Daddy around, but Daddy has to leave for a two days."

"Dad, No! We are supposed to move in this weekend. Nothing ever goes as planned, and something always happens."

"Mattie, I promise I will be home by Friday. Your grandmother and grandfather are here to take care of you and Mackenzie. I am just going to pick up some witnesses for an upcoming trial."

"Where are you going?" Mattie asked, almost timidly.

"To the Gulf, maybe a prison in Iraq to question some guards."

Mattie ran out the backdoor and stood by the pool which was filling with water.

Harm handed Mackenzie to his mom. "I need to go talk with her. She has never freaked like this before."

"Harm, before here was a real possibility that her and Tom would be reunited. Now, you are her father, and you have another daughter. Her life is perfect now," Frank explained to him.

"Thanks for the insight Frank."

Harm walked out to the pool. "Hey kiddo."

"Daddy, Mac was hurt real bad over there. My friend's brother died. Uncle Bud stepped on a landmine and lost his leg. What if you don't come back?"

"Oh, baby. I am not going to lie. There are things that go on in this world that are bad. You know it, and I know it. Your mom getting taken away from you was really bad, and now you are afraid I am going to be taken from you."

"Yeah."

"I can't promise I won't be taken from you, but I promise I will try my hardest. I love you, Mattie. I love you guys so much that I know I don't want to leave and miss out on any moment of your life. I want to be there for your first date with my gun out, I want to watch you graduate, and I will, but this is a part of military life. Honey it is only two days. We are lucky for that, it could have been longer. I leave tonight, and come back Friday morning. I will be here when we move on Saturday. Mattie, I want you to understand that even though we aren't a conventional family, you have a family. Mac, me, Mackenzie, your grandparents, and the family at Jag will all be there for you. You will never be alone."

"Mattie, your grandparents want to see you." Mac said from behind him.

Mattie gave her dad a kiss and walked inside. "How long have you been standing there?"

"I heard it all. I didn't mean to ease drop."

"I'm glad you heard."

"I would ask you not to go, but I know it's your job. Harm, I know you have always seemed bulletproof, but what are these kids what am I going to do if something were to happen?"

He saw the longing in her eyes, and couldn't figure out what to say. "Nothing is going to happen right now. I am going to nail these people though. As you said, it is my job. Mac, while I am gone, keep an eye on Mattie for me. I meant what I said about everyone being a family. You are as much as part of this family as I am."

"Harm," Mac started to say. He stopped her though.

"I need to go pack now. Have dinner with my parents, and give my baby a big kiss for me. In case anything does happen, I had my will revised a couple of months ago after I took custody of Mattie, now that includes Mackenzie. I want you to raise the kids, that is if you will."

"I will."

Harm walked inside and said his goodbyes. Mackenzie started crying immediately when she realized that her dad would once again be leaving without her. Everyone could see that this was the first time that Harm really didn't want to leave to go overseas.