Chapter Nineteen

Poor, broke college student, characters belong to people in Hollywood.

1730 Local Time

USS Georgetown

Arabian Sea

First Night on the USS Georgetown

Harm arrived on board and immediately went up to see the Captain. The bridge was relatively empty since it was dinner time, Stuart Dunston, the report was also on the bridge talking to the Captain. "Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir."

"At ease Commander. Welcome aboard the Georgetown. I wish it was underneath more pleasant of circumstances."

"Me and you both Captain."

"We have acquired the men you had asked for. They will be at your beck and call."

Harm started to yawn the time difference was really bothering him, and right now it was time for Mackenzie to go to sleep. "Is the excitement of the ship to boring for you, or are we boring you that much Commander?"

"Sorry sir, tired from the travel." Just then an ensign walked into the bridge.

"Captain, there is a shore-to-ship phone call for Commander Rabb. It's the JAG."

"You can take it up here Commander."

He walked over to the phone, wondering what his CO needed he addressed him. "Admiral Jonas, sir?" He heard Mackenzie wailing in the background. "Is Mackenzie okay?"

"Apparently Rabb she really needs her father. I have her because I sent Colonel Mackenzie on assignment to Norfolk, and your step-father had an emergency with the NY branch of his company. I insisted I could watch Mackenzie until the Colonel got back, but she won't calm down."

"Put her on speaker phone, and I will sing to her real quick." He heard the phone click over.

Daddy's little girl paints the world with her magic wand
Daddy's little child breathes new life to the morning time for me
Though we're apart, her thoughts follow me
When I come home, Mackenzie smiles with the dawn
Mackenzie smiles, and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Mackenzie smiles
On a summer day, Mackenzie smiles
A new day, Mackenzie smiles

Daddy's little girl ties a ribbon around my heart
Daddy's little child waves goodbye to the ocean tide that sweeps me
Though we're apart, she's a part of me

Mackenzie smiles with the dawn
Mackenzie smiles and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Mackenzie smiles
On a summer day, Mackenzie smiles
A new day, Mackenzie smiles

When I come home, Mackenzie smiles with the dawn
Mackenzie smiles and she radiates the glow around her halo
When she plays, Mackenzie smiles
On a summer day, Mackenzie smiles
A new day, Mackenzie smiles

When the days have gone grey,
Nothing's wrong when Mackenzie smiles

The Captain had a hard time stifling his laughter. The man who had ice water running through his veins, and who could play tag with a dirty nuke was singing on his bridge.

"Sorry about the inconvenience Admiral."

"Well Rabb, you definitely have the touch when it comes to her. Make sure you get back here in one piece." With that the Admiral hung up the phone.

The Captain walked up to Harm. "Well Commander, first time away?"

"Actually, my fifteen year old is used to it, my almost five month old I think is experiencing separation anxiety."

"Why is she with the JAG?" Harm went into the long drawn out explanation of it.

Dunston sat back and listened quietly. "So Rabb, what you are telling me is that you are a victim of the thefts at that clinic."

"Apparently so Dunston."

"This would make a great story."

"Don't even try this time Dunston. I got fired last year from the CIA because of your little news story."

"Well Rabb, it seemed to work out for the best this time around didn't it." Dunston fired back.

"You're the man who landed the C-130 on the deck of the Pat? Now I know why you sounded so familiar to me." The captain said with dawning occurring.

The XO turned to him, "Harm was a hard SOB while we were at the Academy together. I wouldn't make fun of the man that has ice running through his veins even though he has a tender spot for his newly acquired 5 month old. That man played tag with a dirty nuke and saved my life, as well as everyone aboard the Seahawk for that one. First DFC for saving Admiral Boone, second DFC for pushing a disabled Tomcat out of hostile territory, and a third for playing tag with that dirty nuke, isn't that right Harm."

"Sure is Stemple," Harm said looking at his old academy buddy. "If I may be excused now, I will go interview my witnesses."

"Dismissed." Harm saluted and left to grab dinner and to do his job.

"God, why is he not flying full time?" Dunston wondered aloud.

"Damn, we sure didn't think when we let him go." Stemple mused.

The investigation took two days, but the transport took a whole day with stops in Germany. But Harm was getting back to the States. He was excited to see his girls again. How he really did miss those smiles that would light up his entire world, because he knew he was their entire world.

The witnesses were prepped, and their stories corroborated the theory. Harm wanted to end this trial fast so Mac could get on with the rest of her life. He didn't want her to have to relive any of the pain and torture that she had endured. He had seen her battered, bruised, and broken in body. Her spirit though was another matter. Since the day he saw her outside the lab in Bethesda he knew that the Marine in her would prevail. He was glad though that she finally realized that he wasn't going anywhere soon. He wanted to make sure that Mac was herself again when he told her how he felt, how he wanted to date her properly, and how he wanted to do this relationship right.

He had called his mother to let him know he was on his way. His mother and Frank planned to stay until they were settled in their new home, and would make their way back to California. He was happy for all of their help, without them, he wouldn't have been able to handle everything alone. As he made his way to the baggage claim he felt a huge thud as he was almost tackled to the ground.

"Dad! You made it home." He saw his teenager propel herself at him.

"I promised didn't I?"

"Yeah. But on the news there were more stories about bombings, and I didn't hear from you. But Granddad said you were coming home, that you had enough sense not to wander around in a war zone."

"Oh Mattie, I will always try to come home to you."

When Mattie realized that Harm wasn't going anywhere, she let him go, and began rambling about the new house. She told him that the furniture for her bedroom, the nursery, and the rest of the house was going to be delivered. She couldn't wait to finally have everything she always wanted. Mattie had decided to surprise her dad by having the boxes labeled and ready to be packed so they could pack fairly quickly. All they had to do was to finish packing, and then they would be ready to move the next day. When they finally made it to the rest of the family, Mackenzie reached out for her daddy.

"DA!"

"Ah, you didn't forget me did you baby?" He brushed his finger against her cheek. He turned to his mother and Frank. "Thanks for watching the kids for me. I really appreciate it."

"Harm, we are their grandparents, we wouldn't think of it otherwise."

He was looking around for Mac, and realized that she was no where to be found. Frank saw him looking around, "Harm, she tried to get away from work today, but couldn't. She said to tell you though she wanted you to see you when you get to work after Mackenzie's appointment."

"Thanks Frank."

They dropped Mattie off at work so she could at least work most of the day at the camp, and then took Mackenzie to her check up. As they were leaving Bethesda, he saw Lieutenant Blumenthal. He stopped to address them.

"Lieutenant Blumenthal, let me introduce my parents, Trish and Frank Burnett."

"Pleased to meet you. Commander, I just wanted to let you know that we have found Mackenzie's biological mother. She said she would get in contact with you."

Harm, who secretly wished that Mackenzie's birth mother wouldn't be found, was a little frightened at the thought that someone might try to take his angel away from him. He held the girl a little tighter. "Commander, I hope I didn't bring you any unpleasant news."

"Thank you for the update Lieutenant." Harm left the lieutenant standing in the middle of the hallway. He strapped Mackenzie in her car seat and dropped his parents off. He said he needed to spend some quality time with his daughter.

1100 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

Harm walked into the office with Mackenzie on his arm. She squealed with delight when she saw Admiral Jonas. Harm gave Mackenzie a half-hearted smile.

"Commander, a word with you in my office."

"Aye, Aye." Harm followed the admiral into his office. He handed Mackenzie over to Coates, "Coates."

"No need to explain sir. Besides, what good is having a surrogate daughter if you can't do stuff like this."

He stood at attention in front of the admiral. "Sorry sir, I know I should have dropped Mackenzie off at the daycare."

"Don't worry yourself about that Rabb. At ease. Me and Mackenzie came to a little understanding when I was babysitting for Colonel Mackenzie while you were abroad," He pulled out a little toy, "This keeps her really happy, I discovered. What did you find while questioning the troops?"

"There was scuttlebutt around the camps that these men were sympathizers. When I heard this, I immediately called Commander Turner to put a trace on any email or phone records that could tie these men to those claims."

"How do you plan on proceeding?"

"I plan on charging them with articles 81, 84, 85, 87, 93, 132, and 133. We are ready to proceed as soon as possible."

"I concur with you. Make the big ones stick. As I have said before, I know that I haven't been here very long at all, but there is something bothering you."

"It's personal sir."

"Concerning?"

"They have found Mackenzie's biological mother, and whereas I can be really happy, I am worried that the woman may want custody of her. But my first, and foremost priority right now is this case."

"The reassurance was definitely needed Commander. Spend time with your daughter, but try not to cause an uproar in the office. Dismissed Commander."

Harm saluted and turned briskly on his heel, and went towards Mac's office. He saw Mac with Mackenzie. He smiled, he wished that Mackenzie was really hers. He stood in the doorway and watched Mackenzie grab for the rattle. Mac sensing there was someone behind her turned around, "Hey there sailor. I was teaching Mackenzie to think like at marine."

He clutched his hand over his heart, "My baby, a marine?? Never!"

"How was the trip Stickboy?"

"Well, it looks like I will be able nail these bastards."

"Good."

Mackenzie looked up at her father, and reached for him. "Hey baby. Are you ready for lunch?" She gurgled, and Mac's stomach began to growl, "It sounds like the both of you are ready for lunch."

"Well, you get to go change her, and I will make the bottle in the break room." Mac told him.

"Why do I get to do the dirty work?"

"Because she wants you, she adores you, and loves you," Mac answered back. Harm looked at her, and got this sad smile on his face.

"You know Mac, everything seems so perfect, and now, it might be all ripped away."

"Harm, you can't think like that. It doesn't work to be pessimistic. Let's go have a nice lunch with that adorable little girl of yours, and then lets get you packed after we get done with work."

"Sounds like a plan Mac." He gave Mac a hug. "I know I haven't been around lately, and I might be giving you mixed signals, running hot and cold, but Mac, I wouldn't be able to do things without you, and I wanted you to know that. I want to do this relationship right. I know that both of us have things we have to work through right now, so I have a suggestion. I told you I would go as slow as you needed, just let me know though if we are crawling."

Mac just squeezed him some more. At least she knew where he was coming from, and at least now she knew he was feeling overwhelmed by everything. She knew she could help him by telling him that she was Mackenzie's biological mother, but still felt like it was best if she waited until after the trial. She needed time to adjust. So much happened to her the past year, she knew it would only take a little for the bough to break. The last thing they needed was a mistrial to happen due to a slip up on their parts.

She watched him change Mackenzie on his desk. It was amazing how well they took to each other, it was like he had known about Mackenzie her entire life. She went to pick up Mackenzie as he grabbed her baby bag. To any normal person looking at them, the eye would have detected a perfectly happy family.