EARLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON
29 MAY 2001
SURGICAL CARE WARD
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER

For the second day in a row, Harm made a resolution to stay awake as much as possible. The visits from his co-workers yesterday had worn him out more than he'd anticipated, and the next thing he'd known, the nurses had been making their final rounds for the night. When he'd asked, he was told that Mac had stopped by with the rest of his family, but that they'd insisted on not disturbing him. Sorry that he hadn't gotten to see everyone last night, especially Mac, he'd promised himself that he was going to be awake for their visit today.

He tried watching television to pass the time. His persistent headache of the last two days had eased, and the light from the screen didn't bother his eyes as much. The attempt only reminded him why he didn't own a television. The game shows were inane. Did anyone really get that excited over playing stupid games to win overpriced furniture sets? He didn't even want to think about the soap operas. He didn't get why some woman named Greenlee – who didn't look like she was that many years out of high school and what kind of name was Greenlee anyway – was plotting against some older woman named Erica, who in the meantime was trying to separate her daughter Bianca from a friend Laura, who apparently had a heart condition. People didn't really live like that.

So far today, the only excitement he'd experienced had come when Dr. Stafford had allowed him to be moved out of ICU. He wasn't allowed out of bed yet – which meant he still had the catheter – although Stafford had said that if everything continued as it had so far, he might let Harm try getting out of bed tomorrow. Harm had barely been able to conceal his excitement at that prospect, even after Stafford had warned him that just walking fifteen feet from the bed to the bathroom would probably wear him out.

At the sound of a knock on the door, he called out, "Enter." He turned off the television with the remote and pushed himself up into a sitting position, hoping that it was Mac on the other side of the door.

His momentary disappointment that it wasn't Mac was masked by his pleasure at seeing one of his oldest friends. "Sturgis," he said with a smile. He noticed the man who entered after Sturgis. "Chaplain Turner. Come on in."

"How are you doing, Harm?" Sturgis asked as he took a seat beside the bed, his father pulling up a chair beside him. "As soon as I landed in D.C., Dad told me he'd heard on the news that you'd been in an accident. He called down here and found out that you might be allowed visitors besides family today."

"We had to come down and make sure you were okay," Matthew said in a voice heavy with concern.

"I'm getting better," Harm said in a reassuring tone. He knew they were probably remembering his first crash. They hadn't seen him right after the crash since he'd been in Germany, but Harm knew his parents had been in contact with Matthew during that time. Both men had later visited him at his grandmother's farm – Sturgis joining with Keeter and Diane to try to cajole him out of his depression while his father had offered a friendly ear if he'd wanted to talk. "I'm out of ICU, and I'm hopeful that I'll be sent to Bethesda this weekend. At least, Dr. Stafford tells me that will happen if everything continues to go well."

"Thank God," Matthew said, patting his hand. "That's definitely good news, my boy."

"Yes, it is," Sturgis agreed. "You know, I tried to contact Keeter yesterday, but I haven't been able to find him."

"Who knows where he is," Harm said with a shrug. "Keeter's been doing a lot of work with the CIA and Naval Intelligence the last few years. He could be in Timbuktu for all I know. Webb might know, if he's still around to ask."

"Webb?" Sturgis asked. "Isn't he that CIA agent you've told me about?"

"Yeah," Harm replied. "He brought Sergei here Sunday evening."

"Your brother, Sergei?" Matthew asked in surprise. "I thought he was a prisoner in Chechnya."

"I'm not sure of all the details," Harm explained. "Mac and Sergei didn't tell me much, but apparently Webb worked out some sort of deal for his release."

"I've been praying for him ever since Sturgis told me you'd said he was missing," Matthew said. "I'm sure your grandmother is happy to have her other grandson here."

"She is," Harm said, remembering the joyful look on her face when she and Mac had brought Sergei in to see him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen that look on his grandmother's face. "I know it's been hard on her – first finding out she has another grandson, and then finding out he was a prisoner. Speaking of this situation being hard, I'd appreciate it if maybe you could talk to my mother, Chaplain Turner. She didn't take the news very well a few months ago when she found out that Dad has another son. She hasn't said anything, but I'm concerned about how she's handling the reality of having Sergei here. Maybe you can talk to her…."

"Harmon," Matthew said after Harm had trailed off, "you know it doesn't work that way, not with your mother. Remember what happened the last time?"

Harm winced at the memory. After his first crash brought a few veiled comments from his mother about her fear over his remaining in the Navy, Harm had asked Matthew to talk to her. Harm had learned later from Frank how that had gone. When Matthew had offered to listen, Trish had blown up at him. She'd accused him of not understanding what it was like to lose a spouse and to nearly lose a son and had gone so far to ask how he could serve a God who was so cruel to her family. Although she'd apologized profusely when she'd found out that he'd been asked to approach her by Harm, insisting that it was her stress over what had happened to Harm that had caused her to act like that, Matthew was a little hesitant about being so forward with her this time.

"I know," Harm sighed. "If you could just be there if she does want to talk, I'd really appreciate it."

"I'll let here know I'm in Norfolk," Matthew promised. "If she decides she wants to talk, it's up to her. Where's your family staying?"

Harm thought for a moment. He knew they were staying at a VOQ, but he was trying to remember if someone had mentioned which one they were at, since there were several, belonging to three different branches of service, in and around Norfolk. "I think Frank said something about the VOQ at the Shipyard," he finally said.

"Sturgis and I reserved a room out there," Matthew said, "so we'll check with the front desk when we check in. If not, we can call around. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"Actually, I'm glad you're here, Sturgis," Harm said as he turned to his friend. "I could use you help before the mishap board. In fact, Admiral Chegwidden was going to see if he had a contact phone number for you so I could call you this week."

"You're not going to have someone already at HQ represent you?" Sturgis asked in surprise.

"I'd ask Mac," Harm admitted, "but she's got a lot on her plate right now. She doesn't need the additional stress. When the Admiral told me you were starting at HQ next week, I thought you'd be the perfect person to ask."

"I'd be happy to represent you," Sturgis said. "Who's conducting the mishap investigation? Since I'm in Norfolk, I should probably stop in and introduce myself to the investigators."

"The Admiral said it was being handled by the office of the Force Judge Advocate for COMNAVAIRLANT," Harm replied. "JAG's being kept out of it."

"For obvious reasons," Sturgis commented. "The Navy wouldn't want us to investigate one of our own, especially a man who's dumped two Tomcats in his career."

"Sturgis," Harm said with thinly veiled exasperation, "I didn't crash either of those birds on purpose. This time, we had massive systems failure, even before Skates and I flew into that storm and got struck by lightning."

"Buddy, I didn't say that it was your fault," Sturgis said calmly, "nor do I think that."

"I know," Harm said as he rubbed his forehead with his hand. "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's understandable," Matthew said in a soothing tone. "I'm sure these mishap investigations don't get any easier the second time around, even when you know that you did nothing wrong. Your friends and family are here for you, Harm. Take solace in that."

"Thank you, Chaplain Turner," Harm said. He covered his mouth, stifling a yawn as he swore inwardly. He didn't want to admit that his body wasn't capable of keeping up with his desire to stay awake yet.

"We should go, Sturgis," Matthew said, "and let Harm get some rest."

"It feels like I've done nothing but sleep the last two days," Harm said. "Stay and help me stay awake."

"Now, Harm," Matthew said, clasping Harm's shoulder, "I'm sure your doctor would tell you that you need to get as much rest as possible. It will help you heal."

"I slept through my family's visit last night," Harm said in frustration.

"I'm sure they understand," Matthew pointed out, "and they don't want you to wear yourself out on their account. Try to take it easy, son." He rose from his chair, the look on his face telling Harm that he would accept no arguments.

Sturgis rose as well, taking a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and handing it to Harm. "Here's Dad's cell phone number," he said. "If you need to talk to me, he can give me the message. Just remember – don't be the Lone Ranger and talk to the investigators without your lawyer present."

"I'm not even sure the doctor would let them in here," Harm said as he set the paper on the nightstand, "but I'll keep it in mind, Sturgis."

"Take care, buddy," Sturgis said.

"Thank you both for coming," Harm said, "and if you can think of anything to keep my occupied while I'm in here, bring it with you the next time you come."

"Take care, Harm," Matthew said before they turned and left the room.

-----

"So what do you think, Dad?" Sturgis asked as soon as they were out of Harm's room.

"He's definitely not the same man he was ten years ago after his first crash," Matthew said thoughtfully. "I was very worried about that boy then."

"I know," Sturgis said, remembering. It had become his, Keeter and Diane's mission in life to make sure Harm didn't wallow in self-pity. It'd been difficult, given Harm's innate stubbornness and the fact that their Navy careers didn't allow them to spend as much time with Harm as they'd have liked, but between the three of them and Harm's grandmother, Sturgis thought they'd done fairly well in reminding Harm that he wasn't a man who knew how to give up. "He doesn't blame himself for the crash. That's a good sign. Of course, both he and his RIO survived this time."

"I don't know if he could have handled losing another RIO," Matthew admitted. "I also noticed that Harm is more concerned about those around him than himself."

"That's not unusual for him," Sturgis pointed out. "He is the one who asked you to speak to his mother the last time. He's concerned about her again, he thinks Mac is under enough stress without him adding to it, and I'm sure he's concerned about his brother's condition after Sergei spent five months in a Chechen prison camp."

"That reminds me," Matthew said, "who is Mac?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie," Sturgis clarified. "She's been Harm's partner at HQ for, um, nearly five years now, I think. From what I've gathered over the years, they've become rather…..close."

"Ah," Matthew said. "Well, if they're as close as you're implying, it's little wonder that he's concerned about how she would handle the investigation on top of dealing with what happened to Harm."

"Well, I don't know that they're that close," Sturgis backpedaled. "You know, ever since Diane's death, he doesn't talk a lot about the women he sees. Mostly, he just talks about work and his family. Mac is his partner at work, so I suppose it's natural that he'd mention her a lot."

"Harm has always been somewhat private," Matthew remembered. "I think he's always felt he's had to keep so much inside so he can take care of everyone else around him. The best thing you can do as his friend is to make sure he knows that he has people he can lean on."

"Always, Dad," Sturgis promised.

-----

ONE HOUR LATER
VISITING OFFICERS' QUARTERS
NAVAL SHIPYARD PORTSMOUTH

"Hello, Sir," the desk clerk said to Matthew. "May I help you?"

"Yes, Petty Officer," Matthew replied, handing her his blue retiree ID card and a credit card. "My son and I have reservations. The name is Turner."

"Give me just a moment, Captain," she said, reading his rank off his ID. She hit a few keys on her computer's keyboard. "Here it is. One room with two double beds for two nights."

"Would it be possible to extend that, Petty Officer?" Matthew asked. "My son just found out he's going to be involved in a mishap investigation and will probably need to stay in Norfolk past Thursday." He turned to Sturgis, who was facing away from the front desk, staring into the lobby. "Sturgis, how long do you think you'll need to stay? Sturgis?"

"Sorry, Dad," Sturgis said after a long moment, not turning to face his father, unable to tear his eyes away from the lobby. "What did you say?"

"Son, what is it?" Matthew asked, turning to follow his son's gaze, trying to figure out what was wrong. There were only three people sitting in the lobby that he could see – a young girl who looked to be in her early teens, a young man perhaps in his late teens, and an older woman that he judged to be in her early thirties. There seemed to be nothing remarkable about them. They were simply sitting on one of the couches, talking quietly amongst themselves.

Sturgis finally turned to face his father, shock evident on his face. "Dad, see that woman sitting over there," he pointed out, tilting his head towards the lobby. "Does she look familiar to you?"

Matthew studied the woman for a moment. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. She had short, reddish-brown hair and a complexion that he pegged to be possibly Middle Eastern in origin. "Somewhat," he replied, "but I don't think I've ever seen her before."

"Imagine her with darker hair, almost black," Sturgis said, "with a bit of a curl to it."

Matthew formed the picture his son painted in his mind, nearly gasping as he realized what Sturgis was getting at. "She looks a lot like Diane Schonke," he said, stunned. He'd officiated at Diane's funeral as a favor to her parents, with whom he'd become friendly during their children's years at the Academy. "I thought Diane was an only child."

"She was, Dad," Sturgis said with a shrug. "I suppose it's true, that old saying about everyone having a doppelganger out there somewhere. This woman appears to be a few years younger, however. She's about the age now that Diane was when she died, I would guess."

"Are you okay, Sturgis?" Matthew asked. Sturgis had never had any problem making and keeping friends, but Harmon Rabb, Jack Keeter and Diane Schonke had probably been the closest to him. When Diane had died five years earlier, Sturgis had told him that he felt like he'd lost a sister. Seeing a woman who looked like she could be Diane's twin had to be unsettling, to say the least. It was ironic seeing this woman here in Portsmouth, while the man that Diane had loved lay in a hospital just miles away.

Sturgis turned his back on the lobby. "I'm fine, Dad," he insisted. "It's just a shock. Diane's been dead for five years. I was just wondering what Harm would say if he saw Diane's virtual twin wandering around here. Anyway, what were you saying before?"

"I was asking how long you thought you might need to stay," Matthew said, accepting the change of subject. His son was the stoic type usually, not given to wearing his emotions on his sleeve. Sturgis wouldn't let himself dwell on the shock of what he'd just seen. "I thought you might want to extend your stay since you're representing Harm in front of the mishap board."

"Can I extend the reservation through Friday?" Sturgis asked the desk clerk. He turned back to his father. "Since Harm said he will possibly be sent home this weekend, I don't think I should have to stay later than that."

"It can be done, Sir," the desk clerk replied. "If you're going to be staying on official business, then I'll need a copy of your orders, Sir."

"Can I have my office fax them to you?" Sturgis asked. "This mishap investigation came up at the last moment. I was down here to visit my friend in the hospital."

"That will be fine, Sir," the clerk said. She tore a sheet of paper of the printer and pushed it across the counter to them. "I have you here for three nights. Please initial here, answer these questions here, and then sign at the bottom, Sir."

-----

As Chloe told Sergei about her grandparents' farm up in Vermont and all the horseback riding she did up there, Mac had the feeling someone was watching her. Looking up, she saw two men standing at the front desk, the younger of whom was studying her intently. When the other one turned to look at her as well, she considered walking over there and saying something, but then resolved to put it out of her mind.

They weren't leering at her, in which case she would definitely have said something. They looked….shocked, she decided – like they'd seen a ghost. Maybe one of them had served with Diane once upon a time. The Navy wasn't that large that it was outside the realm of possibility that she'd come across someone occasionally who'd served with Diane. In fact, after Harm had told her that Diane's last cruise had been aboard the SeaHawk, Mac had been surprised that half the crew hadn't done double takes the first time she'd stepped aboard the ship, just months after Diane's death. When both men turned their attention back to the petty officer behind the desk, she put it from her mind and turned her attention back to the conversation going on beside her.

"We do not have horses on our farm," Sergei said. "It is a small farm. We work the land ourselves and walk if we need to go somewhere. I did not learn how to drive a car until I joined the Army."

"I can't imagine not being able to drive," Chloe said breathlessly. "I'm not old enough to drive on the roads yet, but my grandparents let me drive around the farm sometimes. I'm going to get my learner's permit the day I turn fifteen. I've got to have the permit for a year before I can get my junior license, but I intend to get that as soon as I turn sixteen."

Mac smiled indulgently at her sister's exuberance. She was sorry that Chloe was leaving today. Kyle wanted to take his daughter back to Vermont and visit with his parents before he reported back to duty this weekend. She'd miss Chloe's bright, sunny nature, which had returned full force now that Chloe was convinced Harm was going to be okay. Chloe had protested when Kyle said they had to leave, but had finally agreed after talking to Sarah. Mac wasn't sure what Harm's grandmother had said, but whatever it was had convinced Chloe to accept leaving.

"Here comes Dad," Chloe said reluctantly.

"It'll be okay," Mac assured her, putting her arm around Chloe's shoulders. "Remember, your dad said you could come back later in the summer. By then, Harm won't be asleep or on his way there every time you want to talk to him."

"He'd better not be," Chloe teased. "You two owe me a trip to Camden Yards, so try not to wear your new husband out."

As Sergei looked puzzled, Mac rolled her eyes, her cheeks tinted pink at her sister's suggestive comment. It was comforting, however. Some things never changed, and Chloe was one of them. She wondered if she and Harm could survive a few days together in the same apartment with Chloe.

"Chloe, are you ready to go?" Kyle asked.

"Dad, we have to wait for Harm's family," Chloe said insistently. "They're going to meet us down here to say goodbye before going back to the hospital."

"I know, Chloe," Kyle said patiently. Mac thought she could see the amusement in his eyes at his daughter's delaying tactics. "I ran into Mr. and Mrs. Burnett. They're stopping at Mrs. Rabb's room to pick her up, and then they'll be down here."

"Okay, Dad," Chloe muttered, brightening instantly when she looked towards the hallway. "Here they come."

-----

Sturgis and Matthew finished checking in and turned to head towards their room when they saw Trish, Frank and Sarah walking in their direction.

"Matthew and Sturgis Turner," Trish exclaimed as she gave them a hug in turn. "I assume you heard about Harm's crash."

"Yes, we did, Trish," Matthew explained. "I checked with the hospital and they said he could probably have visitors besides family starting today, so we drove down from D.C. this morning."

"I'm sure Harm was happy to see you," Frank said, shaking each man's hand. "I know it was a big help to have Sturgis around after his first crash."

"Thank you, Mr. Burnett," Sturgis replied. "I was happy to help a buddy out." He turned to Sarah. "Hello, Mrs. Rabb. It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too, Sturgis," Sarah replied, stretching up to kiss his cheek. "And you, Matthew. Come and meet the rest of the family." She motioned them towards the lobby.

"That's right, Mrs. Rabb," Matthew said. "Harm said that your other grandson arrived Sunday night. Thank God the Chechens released him."

"Believe me, Matthew," Sarah said, "I've thanked God a lot the last few days for both of my grandsons. I wasn't just talking about Sergei, though. Harm's wife is also here."

"Harm's wife?" Sturgis repeated, stunned. "He didn't mention he was married when we saw him earlier."

"Humph," Sarah muttered. "In a way, I suppose that doesn't surprise me, given the circumstances. It's a rather long story, and I can understand Harm not wanting to get into it right now." At their concerned looks, she added, "Oh, it's not that Harm married the wrong woman or someone we disapprove of. She's a wonderful woman, just perfect for him. I'll let him tell you the story if he wants to. Come on, they're right over there."

As he followed his father and Harm's family into the lobby, Sturgis was confused. There were now four people in the lobby, the three he and his father had seen earlier, now joined by a man. Surely, the woman couldn't be who Sarah was talking about.

"Are you ready to go, Chloe?" Sarah asked, embracing the teenage girl.

"Yes, Gram," Chloe replied with a pout.

"Remember," Sarah said, "you'll be back before you know it. And if you're in town long enough, I'll insist that Harm and Mac bring you up to the farm for a weekend."

"I'd like that, Gram," Chloe said. She glanced back at Kyle, a hopeful look on her face.

"Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Rabb," Kyle said. "I'm sure my parents and I can agree to that."

"Good," Sarah said. She turned back to Sturgis and Matthew, pointing out each person as she introduced them. "Sturgis and Matthew Turner, this is Chloe Anderson and her father, Chief Petty Officer Kyle Anderson. Over here is my grandson, Sergei Zhukov, and this is my granddaughter-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. Chloe, Kyle, Sergei, and Mac – this is Commander Sturgis Turner and his father, retired Captain and Chaplain Matthew Turner. Sturgis attended the Academy with Harm."

-----

Mac inhaled sharply at Sarah's last statement, realizing that Diane was the reason why Sturgis and Matthew had been staring at her when they'd been standing at the front desk. It took her a moment to find her voice when it was her turn to greet them. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, her voice sounding weak to her ears. "You went to the Academy with Harm, Commander?"

"Yes, I did, Colonel," Sturgis replied politely, scrutinizing her intently.

"Then you knew Diane," Mac stated in a stronger tone.

At Sturgis' hesitant nod, Chloe piped in, "Who's Diane?"

"Just an old friend of Harm's from the Academy," Mac said evasively. "She died five years ago….this month, actually."

"Oh," Chloe commented. Fortunately, she seemed to recognize that it was a difficult topic for Mac and didn't say anything else on the subject.

"Chloe, our taxi is here to take us to the airport," Kyle said.

"Darn," Chloe muttered. "I guess I've gotta go."

Mac pulled her into a hug. "Gram's right," she reminded her. "You'll be back before you know it."

"I know," Chloe said. "Take care of that bodacious husband of yours and remember that you owe me trips to Camden Yards and to Gram's farm. And remember – when you guys decide you're going to do the whole church and the white dress thing, I'm your flower girl."

A blush crept over Mac's cheeks at Chloe's usual, but no less embarrassing, description of Harm. "And I'm sure if we were to somehow forget any of that," she teased, "you'd remind us."

"Only every week," Chloe joked. She gave hugs to each member of Harm's family and nodded towards Sturgis and Matthew. "It was nice to meet all of you."

Mac sighed, wrapping her arms around herself as she watched Chloe and Kyle walk out. It was almost like when she'd watched Chloe walk away with her father two years ago, only Harm wasn't beside her to promise to help put the puzzle pieces of her life back together. She smiled wanly as she felt a hand on her shoulder, turning to meet Sarah's concerned gaze. "I miss her," she said simply. "I don't get to see her as much since she moved to her grandparents' farm in Vermont, and it's never for long enough when I do."

"I know," Sarah said, hugging her. She leaned over to whisper in Mac's ear, "It is okay to let go and not be so strong all the time."

"Thanks, Gram," Mac whispered back.

"I didn't realize you were in the area, Sturgis," Trish said. "I think the last time Harm mentioned you, he said you were still at Pearl."

"I was," Sturgis confirmed. "The Navy decided they wanted me at JAG HQ, so I start there next week as a new staff judge advocate. Apparently, it's good timing since Harm asked me today to represent him before the mishap board, not to mention the fact that I can pick up some of the work load while Harm is recovering."

An uneasy silence followed his statement, broken by Sergei's confused question to Mac. "Why are you not representing Harm? Is there some rule in America that you cannot be a lawyer for your husband?" he asked.

"Not as such," Mac replied, "but it's probably a good idea for someone else to represent Harm. I'm too close to the situation." She pressed her lips into a firm line, unwilling to discuss the subject further

"Mac?" Sarah said softly as the conversation around them continued with the topic of the mishap investigation. "It's okay."

"Of course it is," Mac replied just as quietly. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Sarah motioned her to the side, just far enough away from the others so that they couldn't be overheard. "Harm didn't mention this to you, did he?" she asked gently.

"He just hasn't had a chance to," Mac replied. "Commander Turner just got here today. I haven't seen Harm yet today, and he was asleep last night when we went to the hospital." She forced a smile, trying to deflect Sarah's scrutiny. "Gram, you know your grandson. He wouldn't keep something like this from me, especially since I was going to find out whether he said anything or not."

"That doesn't mean you're not upset that Harm didn't talk to you about this first," Sarah pointed out.

"I'm not upset," Mac insisted. She turned back to the group. "Is everyone ready to go back to the hospital? I'm sure Harm is waiting for us."

Noticing Sarah still watching her, she forced a reassuring smile, pushing back the tendrils of doubt creeping into her mind.

-----

AN HOUR LATER
SURGICAL CARE UNIT
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER

Harm's expression brightened as his family entered his room. "I'm awake this time," he joked with a grin, accepting their hugs and kisses in greeting. "I've been working on myself."

"Just as long as you realize that you do need as much rest as you can get," Sarah said firmly as she sat down.

"Yes, Gram," Harm said, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.

"Harmon," Trish said, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. "Listen to your grandmother."

"Yes, Mom," he said as he noticed that there weren't enough chairs for everyone.

Scooting over and patting the now empty space beside him on the bed, he motioned to Mac with the other hand. She smiled as she curled up beside him, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "I'm sorry I missed you all last night," Harm said.

"Gram's right," Mac said. "You need all the rest you can get."

"It's a conspiracy," Harm complained, glancing at Frank, who shrugged.

"You're not the only one we're worried about," Sarah pointed out. "Your brother needs to eat more."

Harm glanced at Sergei, who smiled. "Grandma says that to me at every meal," he said. "If I were to eat as much as she wants me to, I would be too large to fit into my clothes."

"Then we'll buy you some bigger clothes," Sarah pointed out.

"Sergei," Harm said conspiratorially, "the easiest way to deal with Gram is to simply say yes to whatever she says, and then do what you want anyway."

"That's enough, Harmon," Sarah said, chuckling. "I won't have you undoing the eighteen years of hard work Sergei's mother did raising this sweet young man by you teaching him your bad habits." She turned to Mac. "You'd better watch out for this one once you start having kids of your own."

Everyone laughed except for Harm, who stopped at the burning feeling in his lungs, which were still irritated by the salt water he'd spent all those hours in. He settled for watching his family interact, happy that they all were getting along despite the unusual circumstances which had brought them together.

"Speaking of bad habits," Trish said, "we ran into one of your old Academy cohorts at the VOQ."

"You saw Sturgis?" he asked, knowing there was only one person she could be talking about. He glanced at Mac, but she was looking away, and he couldn't get a good read of the expression on her face. He wondered what Sturgis had said to them.

"Yes, we did," Frank confirmed. "He said that you asked him to represent him."

"I did," he admitted, wincing inwardly. He realized that he had some damage control to do when he covered Mac's hand, which was resting on his chest, with his own, her fingers tense as he clasped his fingers around hers. He needed to talk to her, but this wasn't a conversation to have in front of the rest of the family. He shot Sarah a look silently pleading for her help.

Sarah nodded. "Trish, Frank, Sergei," she said, "why don't you accompany me to the cafeteria? I need a little something to tide me over until lunch."

"Mom?" Trish began.

"Gram," Mac said at the same time, believing that she knew what Sarah was doing, "it's not necessary."

"Yes, it is, dear," Sarah said insistently. "We'll be back in about half an hour."

-----

After Trish, Frank and Sergei followed Sarah out of the room, Trish spoke up, "He didn't tell Mac, did he, Mom?"

"No, he didn't," Sarah confirmed with a sigh. "I'm sure he planned to tell her and probably never thought that she'd run into Sturgis first."

Trish shook her head. "I'm sure you're right, Mom," she said. "I know my son. Sometimes he does things without considering all the consequences first. He's just not use to taking into account what his wife is going to think about what he does first."

"He'll learn," Frank added. "He's not the first man to discover there's a learning curve when it comes to marriage."

-----

"It wasn't necessary for your grandmother to do that," Mac said. "I don't want your family to feel like I'm monopolizing your time."

"I wanted Gram to do that," Harm said, shifting slightly so he could look into her eyes. "I think we need to talk about Sturgis."

"There's nothing to talk about," Mac said. "I understand why you'd want someone else to represent you."

"Mac….Sarah, it's not a matter of wanting someone else to do it," he said. "I trust you with my life. You know that. I just think you've got enough to worry about right now and when the Admiral suggested…."

"You talked to the Admiral about this?" Mac interrupted, more harshly than she'd intended.

"When he stopped by yesterday before he went back to Washington," Harm confirmed. "I was going to talk to you about it when you visited last night…."

"But you were asleep when I came by," she finished in a calmer tone. "It's okay, although I'm not sure how not acting as your lawyer is supposed to make me worry less about the mishap investigation."

"There's nothing to worry about there at all," Harm insisted. "It's routine in this case. They'll discover exactly what happened – we suffered massive systems failure and ended up flying in the middle of a storm that wasn't where the meteorologists said it was."

"You sound so sure," Mac said.

"Of course I'm sure," he replied. "I have nothing to worry about." He studied her intently for a long moment, his gaze softening the longer he looked into her deep brown eyes. "So are we okay?"

Mac stretched up, pressing her lips to his. Harm turned more fully towards her, deepening the kiss as he pulled her more tightly against him, moaning softly as her lips parted against his, her tongue darting out to tease his lower lip. Slowly pulling away after a long moment, they rested their foreheads together. Mac gave him a soft smile as she took his free hand in hers. This was the only thing that mattered.

-----

To be concluded in part 15….