Will You Always Be There?
Chapter 38
Disclaimers: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to Belasarius. I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story.
Spoilers: Anything up to 'This Just In From Baghdad" and any spoilers posted out there are fair game. There are some references to an old episode from season four I believe called 'The Adversaries'
2230
Sunday
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Mattie had just gone back to her apartment. They'd had a nice evening with her. Mattie turned her precocious meter down a notch. Harm was glad she had become a little more perceptive than she seemed to be before. She and her father were making real plans to reopen Grace Aviation. He expected that perhaps as soon as the semester ended she would be returning to Blacksburg. He also knew that she wanted to be with a new 'friend' she had made and was on the phone or on line with all the time these days: Kevin. Harm gave a silent prayer of thanks that he did not have to handle the 'boy issue' on his own and that Tom was doing the primary parenting on that one. Whew.
They were getting things ready for work in the morning when Harm noticed Mac watching him.
"What's on your mind, Marine?"
"I was just thinking about how it's going to be tomorrow, not being in the office with you all day." Mac sat down on the side of Harm's bed.
"It will be fine, Mac. You know you enjoyed sitting on the bench last year."
"I did, but I'll miss you."
Harm sat down beside her. "I won't give you a chance to miss me. We can still have lunch sometimes; we can still discuss cases, unless it's a case that you'll be presiding over."
"That's true, and I know this is all for the best. Maybe it's just that things are changing so fast for us."
"Mostly for the better, don't you think, Mac?" He gave her an expectant look.
"Yes, of course I do, where you and I are concerned. You have to admit, it's been a pretty wild ride for the last month or so."
Harm nodded; he still had trouble grasping the idea that he could not pick up the phone and call his mother in La Jolla.
"I know you're bound to still be having a hard time dealing with this."
"I'll be okay, Mac."
"I know you will, but I can worry about you if I want to, can't I?"
Harm took her hand. "Just a little." He kissed her cheek and got up to finish getting ready for bed.
Mac thought, 'He's not ready to talk about this yet.' She hoped he wouldn't bury everything and would trust her to listen and not judge. She definitely knew about losing a parent. She got up and slipped under the covers, turning off the lamp on her side of the bed.
Harm turned off the light in the bathroom and padded into the bedroom. Mac smiled at him, and he thought about how great it was not to be alone now. If he had anything to do with it he would never be without her again. He slipped into bed and they slipped into a now familiar position, spooning. Mac was right; this was home. Wide awake, Harm lay there thinking, trying to put some perspective on the last couple of weeks. He also listened for Mac's breathing to even out. She was quiet, but he could tell she was awake too.
"I didn't stay in touch with Mom the way I should have, Mac. I wasn't as close to her as I should have been."
"I was estranged from my father, so I know what that is. I don't think that is what you were doing, Harm. I can honestly say that when he died I didn't even know him."
"I wish I had known how little time we had. I left a lot of things unsaid."
"We all think we understand the natural order of things. None of us really thinks about what it would be like to outlive our parents. We all think we have time, and that is not always the case. You did what people our age do, Harm. We pull away, get lives of our own." She turned in his arms to face him. "You weren't a bad son, Harm. Please don't believe you were."
Harm propped his head on his hand. "We did have a really nice time the last time she was in Washington. We reconnected somehow, and Dad's letters helped too."
Mac kissed him lightly on the lips. He smiled at her and kissed her again. "You know, I haven't even asked you anything about your last appointment with Captain Morrison and Commander Fletcher."
"They seem pleased with my progress; they released me to return tomorrow, of course."
"What is the story on the research at Johns Hopkins?" He traced her arm with the tips of his fingers
"Captain Morrison and Dr Ahrens are still of two different opinions. Dr Ahrens is convinced that I am totally cured. Captain Morrison refuses to say anything that will allow me to think he agrees with him at all. Watch and wait seems to be the plan."
"He's just being cautious, Mac. I'm glad he's that way."
"While I appreciate what he's done for me, I get a little impatient to be getting on with my life. I just want to leave this ...illness behind me."
"When do you go back?"
"Not until after the first of the year. My first round of blood work is pretty good. Some testing is still out. Apparently, I'm a star in research circles." Mac smiled.
"Always knew it, Mac." He kissed her.
"He started me on a mild birth control pill." She said in a very matter of fact tone of voice.
Harm leaned up on his elbow. "What?" He hadn't even thought they needed to think of pregnancy as a possibility because of Mac's illness.
"He started me on birth control. What's the matter?"
"When…I mean, what if we…"
Mac laughed and said, "Oh, Harm… I don't think we have anything to worry about. I was on a medication to stop my ovulation all together before I had my surgery and for a while afterward. Then I was started on the pill a week before you came back."
Harm lay back down again, but the look of panic had not left his face.
"Stop worrying, Harm. I mean, even if we were trying to have a baby, I'd only have a 50 percent chance of conceiving… I don't think you have anything to worry about." She smiled at him, trying to reassure him and lighten the mood. "My goodness, Harmon, you have a lot of confidence in yourself, don't you?"
"What?"
"Oh baby…you must think you're something else – think you're that potent …do ya?" Mac arched her eyebrow and gave him a wry smile.
He laughed and rolled her on her back. "Knock it off, Mackenzie."
1045
Monday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm sat in his office going over his case file. Staff call had been interesting. General Creswell was familiar to everyone but him now. Well, he wouldn't say familiar. Creswell was not an easy man to read. He had the feeling that the general had not made up his mind about him yet. He heard a commotion out in the hallway and a familiar but not so dear voice. He rose to look down the hallway. Big Bud Roberts…just great, just what he needed to make his morning complete. Bud was trying to tell him that he could not speak with him right now. The tension level in the office was definitely up a notch or two since General Creswell's arrival.
"Can I help you, Master Chief?"
"Hmmpft, not likely, Commander."
"I'm sorry, sir..." Bud said looking at Harm. "Look, Dad, we'll talk about this at home tonight. I don't have time to deal with this now. I have to be in court in 10 minutes."
"Yeah, thanks a lot, son….for nothing."
"What's the problem here?" Harm was getting ready to have Big Bud thrown out on his ass.
Bud looked at Harm over his shoulder as he tried to dash toward the courtroom. "Dad thinks he's going to be called up from inactive reserve. It seems the Navy wants to recall him to active duty because storekeepers who can do their jobs without a computer are rare these days and they need some to go to war."
Harm could not keep the smile off of his face. He believed that the recall of some inactive reserves was necessary, but did the Navy deserve Big Bud?
"Step into my office, Master Chief. Let's not have a scene here in the hallway. I don't want Bud getting off on the wrong foot having to explain his father to our new commanding officer."
They walked into his office and Harm sat down behind his desk. Big Bud leaned across his desk. "Listen, Commander, I did my time in the Navy. I did what was expected of me and then some."
"And then some," Harm repeated, nodding knowingly.
"And just for the record, I never EVER stole anything from the Navy in my life."
"Really, then why did you as much as admit it to me? Don't forget, I was the prosecutor. I saw the evidence. I spoke with your….associate."
"So I've got friends in low places – that doesn't make me a thief. He had as much to gain by lying as I did. I wasn't worried about you telling Bud. I let you be his savior once again, anyway what was the point? I know your type, Commander. I wasn't going to convince you no matter what I said. I know how you saw me. You're like every other snot nosed ring knocker I've ever met. You already made your mind up about me a long time ago."
"Take care, Master Chief – you're skating on thin ice."
"I'm not worried… I've wanted to tell you just what I thought of you for a long time so before they activate my ass, I'm going to. I know what I am and I know what I'm not. I am proud of my career in the Navy; it's the one thing in my life I did right. They didn't hand out all that gold that I wore on my arm like candy. I earned it. I may have been a rotten father and a terrible husband but that is none of your damn business."
"Don't drag Bud into another one of your messes, Master Chief. He has a good career in the Navy in spite of you."
"It may surprise you to know that in my 30 years in the Navy, I didn't get one ding on my record. I made rate every time I was up for it." Big Bud leaned close across the desk. "I'll tell you something else. I served on the 'Ti' and I met your Dad. He was a good officer and had the respect of officers and enlisted. And you know what; he was twice the officer you'll ever be..."
Harm stood quickly and Big Bud backed up. Mac knocked on the door at that same moment and opened it. If looks could kill Big Bud would be no more. She had not seen Harm this angry in a long time. "Oh – I'm sorry."
Harm's eyes never left Big Bud's. "Not a problem, Mac. The Master Chief was just leaving."
"Yeah, I'm leaving." He walked toward the door and then turned back to face Harm. "Tell you what, Commander. I won't tell you how to be a son if you think you can keep from telling me how to be a father, alright?" With that he left the office.
"What the hell is going on here, Harm? I thought you were going to deck him."
Harm turned around and looked out the window. "Son of a bitch."
"I came down to see if you could grab an early lunch with me."
Harm turned and picked up his cover without looking at Mac. "Yeah, let's go. I think I could use some air."
They were out in the courtyard in front of JAG Headquarters. Mac stopped stood with her arms folded while Harm walked briskly ahead of her.. "Do you want to tell me what's going on?"
Harm stopped abruptly and turned to look at Mac. "Big Bud came in today to see Bud. He's raising hell because he thinks he's going to be called up from inactive reserve. He was giving Bud a hard time about it, and he had to go to court, so I stepped in."
Mac could not keep the smile from her face when she thought of Big Bud. "Couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
Mac's smile was infectious, Harm looked at her and said, "Yeah, I suppose. I just let him get under my skin."
"Come on sailor, buy me lunch. It's getting cold out here."
1700
Harm's office
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Bud knocked on Harm's open door.
"Enter."
"Sir?"
"Have a seat, Bud."
"I just wanted to apologize for my father's behavior earlier today. He was out of line and he knows it."
"He admitted it?" Harm was incredulous.
"As a matter of fact, he did."
Harm didn't answer him. What Big Bud had said still stung him.
"Look, sir, I know my father acts like a jackass a lot of the time, but we are getting along a lot better. He is what he is."
"Don't worry about it, Bud. I walked right into it. I know how he is."
"You may not believe it, sir, but he is different than he was when you first met him, or when Mikey and I were growing up. He's just worried that when he's called up he won't be able to handle it physically. He's had some health problems, and the only thing he's proud of is his Navy career. I think it would kill him if he had to go back in on any level and it was a matter of record that he was unequal to the job."
Harm thought he was being too charitable, but he wouldn't interfere. He was glad for Bud's sake that they were getting along. Harm nodded.
"I have to get going sir; again, I'm sorry about this morning."
"Its okay, Bud. What do you plan on doing about him? I mean, about his being called up?"
"I'm just making sure Dad has his medical records updated, and Ill try to get him before a medical review board."
"Well, good luck, Bud."
"Thank you, sir."
With that he left Harm's office. Just then the phone rang. "Hey, sailor."
"Hey yourself."
"Are you ready to get out of here?"
Yes he was; he wanted to turn the events of this whole day off and get home with Mac.
1710
Monday
General Creswell's Office
JAG HQ
General Creswell stood at this window, looking out onto the parking lot. He saw Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie meet and then walk toward an SUV. The commander opened the door on the passenger's side for the colonel. It was obvious to him that there was something going on there, but frankly he didn't want to know.
As long as they conducted themselves professionally, they had nothing to fear from him.
The general turned back toward his desk and smiled. He didn't think any of them knew quite how to take him and that was just fine with him. They all appeared to be a good crew, though a bit too familiar for his taste at times. He thought that his yeoman, Roberts and Turner were getting a handle on things. They were by the book sailors, but Rabb was another matter. He had not made up his mind about him yet.
He opened his personnel file and shook his head. It was as if he were two different people. In the courtroom he was an outstanding attorney, but his record also had another side. He could be heroic to the point of recklessness. Heroism was one thing, but recklessness was quite another, and that would not be tolerated here.
He would see. He would give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but time would tell.
Chapter 39
0600
Friday
General Creswell's office
JAG Headquarters
Falls, Church, Virginia
General Creswell sat at his desk with the phone to his ear. "I understand, sir. We will discuss the matter later this morning. ….Thank you, sir."
The SecNav had made an early call this morning to to the general to express a concern regarding Commander Rabb. He informed him that certain people were independently pursuing an investigation into who was responsible for the explosion at Trafalgar Square. He did not accuse Commander Rabb, but he did say that those pursuing the information were known to be close friends of his. He had two concerns. First was the concern that the office of the JAG not be compromised by an independent investigation into a personal matter. The other concern was that Commander Rabb not be allowed to personally involve himself at all.
"There are multiple American and British agencies handling this, General. While I sympathize with the Commander for his loss, I won't have their investigation interfered with on any level."
0900
Friday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
General Creswell finished up staff call and had just dismissed the staff when he asked Commander Rabb to see him in his office immediately following the meeting.
After General Creswell had returned to his office, Harm followed and stood at attention as the general stepped behind his desk.
"At ease, Commander. It has come to my attention that you are actively pursuing the investigation into the explosion at Trafalgar Square." He looked at Harm, waiting for him to answer.
"I have friends who are looking into it for me, sir."
"It is one thing to be looking into the incident and another to actively pursue."
"Sir, I…"
The general silenced him with a look. "I have been reviewing your personnel file with great interest, Commander. You have an excellent record in the courtroom, but you have a tendency to let your connections to family and friends lead you into compromising your career and at times your life. I want to make it clear to you that I will not tolerate that in this office. We are at war, Commander; we don't have the luxury of pursuing personal interests….No matter how noble."
Harm was quiet for a moment. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"You may."
"Sir, I value my career in the Navy. It was not my intention at any time to compromise anything. When I pursued my father in Russia I was on leave. As for the accusation of murder, I have no excuse, sir. I took on something I never should have, and I won't make that mistake again….When I resigned my commission last year, I felt that I had no choice. If I had not pursued them, Colonel Mackenzie and two CIA operatives would have died in the Chaco Boreal."
The general raised his hand to silence him. This conversation was about to get personal, and they were not going there. "What have you learned from the situations that you just described?"
"I have a better perspective on what I can do on my own and when I need to ask for help. I also realize that I compromised myself and my career when I wouldn't ask for help and allow things to be handled in the proper channels."
"I will be direct, Commander. What you discuss with your friends and family regarding the incident at Trafalgar Square is purely a personal matter. What you do about what you learn is the business of this office. I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate reckless or compromising behavior from one of my senior officers. You serve on the staff of the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy, Commander. Your conduct reflects on this office and the Navy itself. If you cannot conduct yourself with more discretion than you have in the past, in personal matters, then you will no longer serve this office. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are dismissed,"
Harm came to attention and turned to walk out the door.
"Commander."
"Yes, sir?"
"I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you, sir."
Harm turned and continued to walk out of the office. He closed the door and blew out a breath. 'Whew.' He and Coates looked at each other. Harm raised his eyebrows, and Coates gave him a slight smile as if to say 'I know what you mean.' Neither thought it was prudent to say anything.
General Creswell seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and ears all over the office. Harm walked toward his office looking a little dazed.
Bud noticed him walking across the bullpen. 'At least I'm not the only one he has that effect on,' he thought.
1600
Friday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm had just left the courtroom and was heading back to his office. A door to one of the other courtrooms opened slightly and he heard the words "Court is adjourned until 0900 Monday."
He'd know that voice anywhere. He got a glimpse of Mac presiding over the courtroom.
He felt a surge of pride and a bit of awe. She had been through so much but you would never know by looking at her. Mac had changed a lot over the past month or so, but she was still every bit as squared away as she had always been. She was not an open book to everyone, but she had let him in. Finally. He smiled to himself and walked toward his office.
1930
Friday
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Harm was finishing up his specialty and Mac's favorite dish: linguini with clam sauce. He had steamed veggies and had set the table. Mac was getting freshened up. Harm smiled to himself…was she humming? Mattie had left for Blacksburg from school today. Something about a game she wanted to attend with Kevin. She said Tom was going as well, so Harm wasn't worried about it.
Mac walked into the kitchen and glanced at the table. "This is nice, Harm."
"Thank you. Help me get this on the table, would you?" He handed her the serving dish with the vegetables in it.
They sat down and began their dinner. "Oh, Harm. This is so good and I am so hungry today."
"Glad you like it. I thought I'd make your favorite to celebrate the end of this long week."
"It has been a long week. The case today was unbelievable. We have a sailor going to court-martial. She stole the identities of three officers in the clinic in which she served. It will take years to repair the damage she did in just a few months. I almost felt sorry for McBurney. He had nothing to go on. Commander Coleman had computer records and even an additional theft from an imaging clinic in Norfolk."
"Sounds fun. I finished up today with Lt Wall. She didn't lose her wings after all. Sturgis gave me a real run for my money but I pulled it off. She gave her father a ride; it was his dying wish. I don't know how many people I've given a ride in my backseat. I can't believe it even came to this."
Mac looked at him and smiled. He went for the emotional appeal. 'He always does,' she thought. Poor Sturgis – all Harm's flash and fire and there he probably was plodding along. She respected Sturgis, but she knew Harm. If it was an emotional issue he would win hands down. Mac took another bite of her linguini and said,
"You know, Harm, you're going to make someone a great wife someday." She laughed when Harm narrowed his eyes at her.
"Is that a proposal, Mackenzie?"
Mac was quiet. Harm just smiled smugly, thinking she wouldn't have a quick comeback to that. He picked up his glass of water. 'Gotcha,' he thought.
"What if it is?"
Harm nearly choked on his water. Mac picked up her plate and carried it to the sink. Harm composed himself and turned to look at her.
"Well?"
Harm got his second wind and thought, 'okay, I'll bite.' He got up and brought his plate with him, a sly smile spreading across his face. He stood next to her, meeting her gaze.
"Why, Ms. Mackenzie, this is so sudden." Harm was beginning to enjoy this.
"So then you want a longer courtship, Harmon?" She arched her eyebrow, questioning.
"On second thought, I suppose this nearly 9 year dance we've been doing should count for something."
They both laughed and finished clearing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. Harm put on some music. Mac's Sade CD filled the room with mellow and beautiful music. 'Your love is king…I crown you with my heart...Your love is king…'
"Mmmm that's just what the doctor ordered." Mac swayed to the music and Harm caught her up in his arms. They slowly danced from the kitchen and into the living room. Harm wondered if she were serious. He had been thinking about how to ask her and how soon he should ask. He decided to ask her when she wanted to do this. That would tell him if she meant it. He would marry her tomorrow if he thought she would do it.
"So…" Harm pulled back from her embrace. "When are we going to do this, Mackenzie?" Harm looked into her eyes; trying to be sure he wasn't reading something that was not there.
She smiled at him and kissed him lightly, looking directly into his eyes. "I'd do it right now, Harm, if I could."
Harm stopped and brushed Mac's hair back from her face. He studied her face, trying to take in every nuance. "You want to marry me, Mac?"
Mac was suddenly very serious "Yes, I do."
"I thought you'd never ask."
They both laughed and pulled each other into a tight embrace. Harm's heart felt as though it was in his throat. God, she really is going to be mine He swallowed hard.
"I love you."
Mac pulled back and looked at him. She touched his cheek. "Oh….I love you too."
Then she kissed him, lightly at first and then with a passion that carried them both deep into the night. They were on their way.
Chapter 40
A/N: Once again I will say to keep in mind that this chapter was written last fall (04) and is not meant to represent anything other than a good and relevant JAG story. I will quote one of my favorite characters from the show. Adm. AJ Chegwidden. "Make of it what you will."
1930
Sunday
December 5
Georgetown
Harm and Mac walked arm in arm and in step. They had just finished dinner at their new favorite Japanese restaurant. Neither felt like going home just yet, so they decided to take a stroll. The night was very cool but there was no breeze so they were comfortable walking. A light snow had begun to fall; the snowflakes melted as soon as they fell on the pavement. It made the night seem magical. The whole weekend had been wonderful. It had just been Harm and Mac; they hadn't really done anything special, except decide to get married.
They came upon a jewelry store and stopped to look into the windows. They looked at the beautiful wedding sets with what had to be at least 2 carat diamonds. Harm knew that it had to be special, something to last a lifetime. Anything she wanted, he thought.
Mac wandered down further and stopped in front of the farthest window down. Harm watched her as she smiled and placed her hand on the window, leaning closer to the glass. Whatever she was looking at, Harm had the feeling that this was it.
Harm walked up beside her and she turned toward him. Harm's brow furrowed. She had been looking at a set of matching gold wedding bands; they were plain but 18 carat gold and about half an inch wide.
"This is what I want, Harm."
"You don't want a wedding set with an engagement ring?"
"No, I don't think I do."
Harm placed his arm around her shoulders. He leaned closer to her ear. "There's a story here, I can feel it."
"There is – I had almost forgotten until I saw these wedding bands. When I was younger, there was a couple who lived across from my dad and me at the trailer park. They were military too. They were younger than Mom and Dad. Their names were Glenna and Dennis Smith, he was just a corporal. Anyway, my mother had already left and they used to invite me over from time to time for dinner. She wore a ring like this. Her husband wore one just like it. They seemed so much in love, and he seemed so respectful of her. I wanted that. I don't think I even believed love like that existed until I met those two."
"Do you want that set…..for us?"
"Yes, I do." She turned to him and smiled.
"Then that is what we'll have." He kissed her forehead. She looked up at him and he kissed her again.
1130
Monday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm sat at his desk, a case file open in front of him. He heard a knock on his open door and he looked up. Clayton Webb stood looking at him.
"I'm not interested, Webb."
"Not interested in who planted that car bomb in London?" He was sure he had him.
"I'm not interested in what you have to say. You've never done anything for me that you didn't twist to your own advantage."
"Harm…." Webb was trying to sound sincere…it made Harm's stomach turn.
"You've used everything that ever meant anything to me to draw me into one of your 'missions' and then left me with my ass hanging out."
"What about Sergei?"
"What about him?"
"I did that because you were my friend and I wanted to help." Webb continued to try to play on his emotions, it had always worked before.
"You're right about one thing: I was your friend. And you'll never convince me there wasn't something in that for you. I don't know what it was, but I would be willing to bet it wasn't about me."
"The Company –"
"The Company, my ass, Webb." Harm had no patience for this man anymore; he had very nearly cost him everything, everything with Mac anyway.
Just then both men were startled by another voice in the room. AJ Chegwidden stood in the doorway. "He's not with the Company…..are you, Webb?"
Webb looked at AJ and tried to decipher what he meant and how much he knew. He had that slightly crazy look in his eyes, a look he had seen before.
"What would you know about it?"
"Oh, I know a great deal, Webb. Harm, let's you and I take a walk with Mr. Webb out to the courtyard…..shall we?"
When they reached the courtyard, AJ and Webb stood nearly toe to toe and Harm stayed slightly back.
AJ looked Webb directly in the eye. "I'm only going to say this once. Back the hell out of this, Webb. You want back in and the door is closed. I just spoke with Kershaw, your former boss'. You're out and you know it."
"I know you'll want this inform…."
AJ cut him off. "I know what you know and I know why you're here. You figure you'll drop just enough information for your 'friend' here to get the scent and you'll follow him where ever he leads you. Your days of using JAG staff for your own self promotion are over. I don't have the SecNav breathing down my neck anymore and I don't have to worry about propriety. I can nail your ass any time I want to."
AJ stepped a bit closer, and Webb backed up.
Harm stepped forward and placed a hand on AJ's shoulder. "It's time to go, Webb."
Webb continued to back away from them. "This is not over."
"Yeah….it is as far as you're concerned." Harm looked at him directly. "Let it go. This is not your concern and I don't want your help." With that Webb turned and walked away.
General Creswell had seen this exchange from the window of his office. He'd never met AJ Chegwidden, but he recognized him from pictures. He watched Harm nod back toward the building and AJ shake his head. They both sat on a stone bench. Creswell deduced that he must be one of the people asking around about the incident at Trafalgar for Rabb. He turned and stepped away from the window.
Another person observed from the window. She wondered when or if Harm was going to tell her about this. At least he had sent Webb away, which was obvious. It didn't look as though this was about her, or AJ would not have been involved. This had to be about his mother's death. 'Oh no, please don't start chasing ghosts again,' she thought.
AJ leaned forward. "Harm, that bomb had components that could have come from at least half a dozen countries in the Middle East. The car was registered to a student, a British citizen, who had reported it stolen 2 hours before. She can account for her whereabouts; it isn't thought that she knows anything."
Harm sat looking across the courtyard, trying to take in what he had just said. The impulse to try and follow up with this student was strong. But he could not now, he knew.
"Look Harm, it could still be IRA or any other terror group right now. Britain is our strongest ally in the war on terror and the war in Iraq. Whatever can be done to erode support for the current administration can be expected. They have an election coming up soon. Hell, this could be homegrown. America isn't the only country with people who want to take things in their own hands. That bombing in Spain cost us an ally – the terrorists won that round."
Harm smiled without humor. "Do you know what this situation reminds me of? The tremors we felt before September 11th. We were too content to wait it out, blame it on other things rather than believe that a group of people could hate us enough to want to kill thousands."
AJ frowned.
"You know, the first World Trade Center bombing, the embassies in Africa…the Cole.
What will they think if something on the scale of the train bombing in Spain happens? What makes people think it will stop if we don't fight them?"
"It is a faceless, stateless enemy, Harm."
"I hate that term."
"I know, I do too. But it is accurate."
Both men stood and shook hands. "Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome. If I hear anything else, I'll let you know." AJ started to walk away. He turned back toward Harm and said, "Don't allow Webb to weasel his way in…"
Harm interrupted him. "I won't." AJ nodded, and with that the men parted.
1945
Monday
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Mattie made dinner that night. She had said she had something she wanted to talk to Harm about. She made spaghetti with marinara sauce for Harm and a meat sauce for her and Mac. When they started to clear the table, Mac started to get her coat and leave.
"Where are you going?" Harm and Mattie both said at once.
"Well, I thought you might need to be alone. I don't want to intrude."
"You're not intruding, Mac. You know everything Harm knows anyway." Mattie smiled slyly and looked at Harm.
"Come on, Mac, let's go sit down and see what Ms Matilda has on her mind." Harm offered his hand and she took it. 'I don't know everything he knows' she thought. They needed to talk about what she saw. It would not be tonight, though. Harm had enough to deal with right now. 'Soon, Sailor' she thought.
Mattie sat in the chair opposite them on the couch. "Well, I think you both may know what this is about."
Harm did know... Mattie was going back to Blacksburg. He had known it was coming, and he knew it was best, but all of a sudden the thought of her going back pained him. Mac took his hand and closed her other hand over it. She did not look at him, looking instead at Mattie. It seemed to be instinctual now; she seemed to know when he needed that little bit of extra support.
"I think at the change of the semester, I'll be going back to Blacksburg….My dad and I have talked about it. Dad thinks it would be better for me grade wise if I wait, and I suppose he's right….Oh, not that I don't want to be here, but I think I want a life back there now."
Harm smiled at Mattie. She was a different girl than the one he'd met at Grace Aviation. Back then, she'd been a moody, brooding little girl, trying to be tough, breaking his heart when she would not allow herself to lean on anyone.
"Harm?"
"I'm sorry, Mats, I was just thinking about how different you are from when I first met you."
"I'm not as big of a pain in the butt as I was before, right?" Mattie smiled mischievously.
"Oh, I didn't say that."
"Hey…" Mattie picked up a pillow and threw it at Harm. Mac had his hand so he didn't block it well. It smacked him directly in the face knocking his head back on the couch.
Mattie stood. "Oh…Harm …I'm so..."
Harm looked directly at Mattie and slowly started to get up reaching for the pillow as he went.
"Mac…help me."
"Hey don't look at me; I'm just moral support here."
Mattie ducked as a pillow flew across the room and turned to run; she grabbed a pillow on her way and turned and busted Harm in the stomach.
"Oooff…Hey!" He caught her and turned her around. "You may be faster, kiddo, but I have a longer reach." He bent down to pick her up and threw her over his shoulder, and then dumped her back on the couch. Harm looked at her and smiled smugly. "Now let that be a lesson to you." He then turned to walk back toward the kitchen. A pillow flew across the room, hitting Harm in the back of the head.
Mattie and Mac both laughed hysterically. Harm turned and looked at Mac. "Traitor."
2230
Monday
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Mattie stayed until about 2100. Jen was out that evening with an old friend. Mattie could not recall her name. They played Scrabble, and Mac and Mattie were ganging up on Harm once again, making up words as they went.
They had gone to bed and slipped into their 'spoon'. Mac smelled of her 'Warm Vanilla Brown Sugar.' The scent would always remind him of the night he came back to Pennsylvania to find her waiting for him. She had felt so good in his arms – he couldn't have held back from her if his life had depended on it. He nuzzled her neck and kissed it.
"Are you sleepy, Mac?" he said hopefully.
Mac smiled to herself and turned slightly to look at him. "What did you have in mind, Sailor?"
He kissed her. "Oh, I could think of a few things…" He still could not get over the fact that he could be with her every night if he wanted to. His reactions were automatic; a touch, the sound of her voice, the scent of her skin drew him to her. He kissed her deeply.
"So, Mac, when are you going to make an honest man out of me?" Harm smiled as he spoke and leaned in to kiss her again.
"You're not honest?" Mac teased and kissed him back
"You know what I mean, Mac – when do you want to get married?"
Mac turned around and faced him, lying on her side. "You know we really should let our COs know what were planning to do."
"I know... I have been trying to think of the best way to go about this. I think I'll just put the request through, and then if the general has any questions or concerns we'll discuss them. I don't think he wants to know very much about any of us personally."
Mac raised her eyebrows.
"I didn't mean that in a negative way. Creswell is all business, and given the rollercoaster we've all been on over the last year I think it may be the best thing for all of us."
"Well, I can put my request through to Admiral Morris and then see where we go from there. We will have to be sure you and I aren't in the same courtroom after we're married….my god…after we're married. That sounds so unreal."
"Second thoughts, Mac?" Harm furrowed his brow.
"Not on your life, Sailor. You're in this for the long haul."
"Oh… really..." Harm reached across Mac and turned off her light, plunging the entire apartment into darkness.
"Harm…stop it!" She was laughing.
"Hey… what was that you just said?….you're in it fo…"
Harm didn't get to finish his sentence.
TBC