A/N: Well, here's the next chapter . . . enjoy! Oh, and I'm warning you in advance that beginning July 31st I will be away for a week. So, I'll try and update both my stories as quickly as I possibly can before that day comes, okay?

Thanks go out to my reviewers: Bite Beccy, Bail's Other Daughter, Steelo, Starryeyes10, Kitty X, martini1988, QueenOfAces, froggy0319, alix33, mjag, moonlight, nursejay80, AnMaDeRoNi, snugglebug, jaggurl, Anne, ficchic, dansingwolf, Radiorox, cbw, wishwaters, Rocket Rain, sgcgirl52, tlk29, JJScottishGirl, Blueangel, aj, French-navy girl, Marge, Jane, Tina Frank, highplainswoman, mac AND harm fan, Ali Baba, super ducky, tumblebuttons, AB, Abigiale, macandharmlover, jazzy, vhosek malacath, Britainy, MartiniMac, HighHeel Shoe Lover, Sirus 745, Fan, Pissed off Poet 1, southernqt, BrittanyLS, sugar230, K, Ilovemyselftoday, eggy weg, xobabygurlxo, Reni-Maniac, Cille, ForensicsFreak1988, HMtogether4ever, MaritzaCarmichael, Lara783, janessab, tizy, June, vrbinkaCZ, Cherise, DD2, Bekka, Lani-LoveNPain, Dessler, mommie, daisymh, Laura, confused, basketball babe8, Strawberry Kittens, and rainydays502!

Note: this chapter begins in Mac's POV.

Only Time Will Tell

1428

Bethesda Naval Hospital

"Jake!" I jump up from my chair as though electrocuted. I shouldn't have been surprised, really. Two minutes until my appointment so of course he has to come running in right then. Jake lives by the rush of the moment. But honestly, two minutes. My hormones are on edge. "Where were you?"

Jake runs a hand through his chestnut colored hair and takes a seat beside me as we wait in the lobby. "I told you I had some stuff to do. And besides," he casts me a wary glance. "You told me to come at two thirty."

"My appointment's at two thirty," I muttered accusingly, looking away. "You're supposed to be at least fifteen minutes early." My voice is bitter and hollow, and I bite my bottom lip to keep words from getting away from me. I'm officially a whole month pregnant as of today – and the hormones are getting to me.

Jake loops his arm around me and using his other hand, pulls a box of Smarties out from his jacket pocket, flashing me a cocky yet apologetic grin at the same time. "Forgive me?"

I glare at him and then take the box from his hand, muttering about bribery. Jake leans back in his chair obviously pleased with himself. He's found my weak spot – I mean, sure, everyone else knows about it too, but no one other than Harm has tried to manipulate my soft spot for chocolate against me. And, boy, was he good at it . . .

"Ms. Mackenzie?" I look up as my name is called. The secretary stands there with her clipboard. "Dr. Werner is ready for you. Second door to your right."

I smile at her as I get up from my seat. "Thank you." I look over at Jake who remains seated. "Aren't you going to come?"

Jake looks back at me with clear surprise etched on his face. "You want me to?"

I smile at him. "I wouldn't have asked you to come if I didn't want you to come in with me."

"But aren't they going to do some sort of . . . I don't know," he looks uncomfortable. "Feminine sort of thing . . ." I stare at him. "A personal sort of thing."

I shake my head, bemused by his obvious embarrassment. "They're just going to check up on the baby . . ." My eye meets his. "Listen to the heartbeat and see her on the screen."

Jake's up and standing next to me. "Her?"

"Or him," I quickly add as we walk down the hall. Jake steers me in through the door. I settle into the long slightly bent looking chair. God, this reminds me of a trip to the dentist's office or some other horrific thing.

"Hi," a tall woman enters through the door, smiling friendlily to me. "My name is Amanda Werner, and I'm going to be doing your check up for today. I assume you're Sarah Mackenzie?" she asks. I nod. She turns to Jake, "And you are . . . ?"

Jake grins at her, stretching out a hand. "Totally available."

I roll my eyes and interject before Dr. Werner can say anything. "He's not my husband," I explain as they both shake hands.

"I can see that," Dr. Werner smiles, one eyebrow cocked up towards Jake's direction. "Anyways, shall we begin?"

I nod with mixed feelings. "Sure."

She gets something out of a cupboard off to the corner and I watch as Jake settles himself in a chair beside me. "Don't worry," he replied soothingly. "Everything's going to be fine."
"As if you would know," I snapped, my tense emotions seizing me once again. Why the hell did I even ask him to come?

"Hey," Jake spoke softly, taking my hand in his. "It'll be all right. And after this appointment's over, we'll go to Baskin Robbins and have ice cream – because we both know how much you love that."

Oh yeah . . . that's why. I smile at him, taking long deep breaths. "Yeah . . . yeah, sure."

"Okay, everything's all set," Dr. Werner approached us. "Now, I'm going to run over to the desk and get your file, Ms. Mackenzie, and in the mean time you can change into your robe."

She hands me my robe and promptly exits the room. A long and uncomfortable silence follows. "I'll just . . . turn my back," Jake stated, immediately turning around. I can practically feel the thoughts – personal things, feminine things. My god, he's worse than Harm.

"So . . ." Jake's tone is light but clearly uneasy, his back facing me. "How did it go with the Admiral?"

I lift my shirt up from over my head. "The best it could have gone . . ."

"Which is?"

I roll my eyes as I throw my jeans down to the floor. "What do you think?"

Jake shrugs his shoulder. "That bad, huh?"

I sigh, pulling the robe on over my head. "Well, not THAT bad . . ." I trail, tying the gown up at the back. "But he was about as blunt as a brick through a window."

I pushed my bundle of clothes into his hands. "All came crashing down?" he asked almost sympathetically.

"You could say that," I muttered, lying back down on the table/chair.

Jake looks at me with an obviously very amused expression upon his face. "Did he ask who the father was?"

I look him squarely in the eye. "No . . . but he'll wonder." I throw my hands up in emotional defeat. "They'll all wonder."

"Yeah, but you can't stop that, Mac," Jake whispers from beside me. He sends me a consoling glance. "They'd all wonder even if he was here." He grins at me, "You know, some wise man once said that the imagination is both a human's greatest ally and their greatest foe."
I grin ruefully at myself. "Yeah, that's a pretty accurate assessment." I stare at him with a glint in my eye. "Which wise man said it?"

Jake runs his hand through his hair in a very Brad Pitt-y like manner. "Mac, you know I never pay attention to anything that doesn't involve –"

"Yes, I know," I replied dully. "It's just a shame it couldn't have been a wise woman that had said that."

Dr. Werner entered the room, holding a file that was most likely mine. "Are we ready to begin?"

I smile at her and Jake nears me with an almost protective air about him. "Completely," I whispered.

"Alright then, Ms. Mackenzie, I am just going to place this over your stomach, increase the volume on this machine, and if we listen closely – we'll be able to hear your baby's heart beat," she spoke so fast, so robotically, I had to strain to listen to every word.

I grasped Jake's hand firmly. And then . . . I heard it. It was loud, almost hollow, and it was completely rhythmic.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

You know that feeling where you're so overcome by emotions, everything's just battling within you so ferociously and you don't know what to do because everything's so complicated that you just have to cry? You know, just to let it all out?

Tears streamed down my face and I bent over a little, trying hard not to break out into a sob. Jake's hand touched my shoulder comfortingly but it did not stop the internal war. That heartbeat, that consistent thump, was my baby. Harm's and my baby . . . Our baby . . .

"Wow," Jake whispered, his eyes glazed over in awe. "That's our Jane," he grinned. "Or Jake, Jr."

Dr. Werner turned to us smiling. "You already know what you're going to name your baby?"

"Oh, no," I interrupted quickly. "We haven't worked out any name – he's not . . . the father. He's . . ." and I stare at Jake, my voice laden with the utmost sincerity, "a friend. He's a very good friend."

1928

Mac and Jake's Apartment

Clay's POV

"She relieved you?" an amused grin split across Jake's face. "Vera KICKED you out?"

Jake and I sat on the couch in the apartment, Mac lying horizontally across the leather armchair, her pretty nose engulfed in a book. I glare at him. "Well, I don't exactly see YOU sitting next to Vera directing the next move."

"What do you think of the name Patrick?" Mac pipes up from the corner. What's she reading? I strain my eyes. 'Best Names for the Newborn Baby.'

Jake looks at Mac considerately. "I suppose it's a nice enough name if you were going to say it once – you know, like, 'Hi, my name is Patrick.' But could you imagine calling your kid that? Patrick, Patrick, Patrick. And besides, the abbreviation is a girl's name."

Mac and I just stare at Jake and then Mac shrugs, diving once more into her book. "The spook's got a point."

"And MY point is, Jake, you've got to go and reason with Vera," I muttered, turning back to him. I know that Mac's nose is in the book but I notice her ears perking with interest. I lower my voice even further, "and we can't have this conversation here . . ." I look around, "where's a room with a lock?"

Jake looks at me with annoyance but then stands up. "The bathroom."

"You're kidding me."

"Hey," Jake replies passively as we both get up from the couch. "Headquarters picked the apartment. And it didn't come with locks on the rooms. Which, you know, considering it's a CIA apartment you'd at least think . . ."

"Yeah, I got the point," I said quickly, shutting the bathroom door behind me.

"Okay," said Jake slowly, sitting on the toilet. "What seems to be the problem? And other than the fact that Vera "relieved" you," he said quickly seeing my mouth open.

I took a deep breath in. "Vera and Catherine have taken control of the household."

A long pause follows my statement. "No offense, Clay, but Harm isn't exactly one who'd just . . . sit back and watch others take charge. You . . . well," he broke off.

"Harm doesn't know," I said quietly, ignoring the sting of his unfinished comment.

"Michelle!" Mac hollers from the living room.

"Too French!" Jake hollers back. "That's false advertising!" He turned back to me, "You mean Harm doesn't know about . . ." he pointed his arm towards the direction of Mac's voice.

I shook my head.

Jake's mouth formed an 'o' of surprise. "Wow, that's . . ." he slaps my arm. "You didn't tell him all this time!"

"Well, it's not like Mac rushed to tell the Admiral she was pregnant!" I hollered back, my eyes fierce. "She only told him today and she knew before I did."

"Well that's –" Jake begins to shout and then stops. "How did you know that?"

"Well, Jake, the woman usually knows before the ex-boyfriend that she's pregnant . . ." I begin sarcastically but Jake cuts me off.

"No, I mean that she told him today," Jake retorted.

"Oh," I replied, leaning against the bathtub. "He called me today yelling about how if I was the father he'd strangle me."

"And what did you say?" Jake asked obviously amused.

"I told him not to count on another namesake," I replied, flashing Jake a twisted sort of grin. "Hey, SOMEONE has to be the father, right? And . . . you know . . . people will start to wonder . . ."

"They'll still wonder, Clay!" Jake retorted, rolling his eyes, "they'll wonder how you ever got Mac."

Rrrriiiinnnggg.

Jake whips out his cell phone. "Holter."

"Hey, Jake."

"Vera," Jake says, more to me than into the phone. I flail my arm around to signal to Jake that I'm not there. "How's everything going over there?"

"Oh, just put Clay on. I know he's there."

"What do you mean? Clay's not here," Jake stresses his words, clearly having fun with the whole concept. "What ever gave you that idea?"

"I called his apartment, he's not there," Vera's voice is mechanical. "Where else would he be? Now put him on."

"Alright." Jake shrugs and hands the phone to me. "The lady's good."

I flash Jake a contemptuous look and take the phone, "so, are the walls crumbling around you yet, Azhad?"

"You wish."

"No, that would defeat the purpose in you screwing up the mission yourself," my voice is blunt and unforgiving. "What do you want?"

"Harm's going to find out."

"No," I replied through gritted teeth. "No, he's not going to find out . . . just listen to me."

"I'm done listening, Clay," Vera's voice travels clearly through the phone. "But Harm's going to be told. And . . . and I think you should be the one to do it."

"What?" I'm purely incredulous.

"He's known you the longest and . . . you should just tell him, okay?" Vera's voice broke through.

Why is she doing this? I'm morally opposed to it. She KNOWS that. So . . . why? "Vera, I can't," I begin but then I hear the sound of movement and the changing of hands and then –

"Hello?"

"Harm?" I asked loudly.

The bathroom door opens. "Jake, what do you think about –" Mac stops in mid-sentence. "Harm?" she exclaims. Jake throws me a look that very plainly says 'after all that, you didn't lock the door!'

"N-no," I stutter, pulling away the cell phone. "No, it's –"

"Mac?" Harm's voice travels clearly. "Mac!"

"Harm!" Mac called from where she was standing, moving for the phone. "Harm!"

"No, it's –" I begin but Jake cuts me off.

"Clay," he said slowly, his eyes meeting squarely with mine while his hand began reaching gradually out for the phone. "It's time," he spoke with truth.

I took one long look between Mac and Jake and the cell phone. I handed it to Jake who placed it in Mac's hand. "I think it's time we bring a friend of ours up to speed," Jake said softly, turning around to exit the room. "Come on, Clay."

"But," I begin to protest.

"Now." Jake's voice is demanding. I sigh and follow, stuffing my hands inside my pocket and beginning a whispering verbal battle.

"Harm?" Mac's voice is drenched in tears though her eyes remain dry. "Listen, Harm, there's something I've got to tell you . . ."

A/N: I'm so sorry! I KNOW I said Harm was going to find out in this chapter . . . which he sort of does. Sort of. Yeah, I know, I cheated the system. But I SWEAR TO YOU I will have Harm's reaction in the next chapter. Which is what we're waiting for, right? Anyways, let me know your thoughts on the chapter. If I should continue, if I should not . . . and feel free to let me know any suggestions you have.

marineJAG: LOL, that would be one highlight of pregnancy – making your husband cringe. Oh, and though Clay is technically "relieved" – you know him. He's never OUT of the picture, as this chapter proves. Oh no, he'll definitely still be in the story. He's way too good a character to waste.

Snugglebug: did you know that before the tv show actually started – they did make a JAG movie? Well, I mean, it wasn't like a movie movie that went in the theatres or anything but it was aired on tv as an hour and a half movie to advertise the tv show. Yeah, and then afterwards when playing reruns they just split it into two episodes. But it featured Harm, of course, and Kate Pike and it even had Bud on the show even though he wasn't there for the first season. It wasn't all that great a movie because . . . well, you know, no Mac, but still . . . it wasn't bad. If they just made a movie WITH Mac in it!

Rainydays502: omg, you don't like writing? That's so sad – I love writing! But it's good that you read – did I mention I love reading too?

Froggy0319: LOL, you like these stories THAT much? I'll try and update TLWL tomorrow . . . maybe even tonight if I could just get through all these review responses!

ForensicsFreak1988: LOL, I know what you mean! I mean, none of my friends ever wished that You Know Who(2) would die but . . . like, I finished the book the first day it came out and I called my friend who's HP obsessed and she was like, "I'm only on page 180." And I was just absolutely astounded and her excuse was "I was to enjoy the book as long as I can." And then NO ONE had finished it so I called up my mother and was like, "You Know Who (2) died!" And my mum who has never picked up an HP book in her life was like, "Oh, that's too bad . . . but look at it this way – he already died to me when Richard Harris did." Ah . . . mothers, they just don't understand . . .

Vhosek malacath: I'm so sorry I didn't put Harm's reaction in this chapter, but next one I PROMISE will have it! Swear to it!

Southernqt: lol, you only check mine for updates? Aww, I'm flattered! I mean it, very sincerely. Oh, you're an only child . . . god, I wish that was my life! lol

vrbinkaCZ: yeah, I may just do that . . . you know, take a nice long break from writing and get up on a horse or something . . . yeah, I'm just afraid of all those angry reviewers writing to me saying to hurry up and post! lol – the sad life of an overzealous writer. Ah well, can't complain. I chose it.

xLovexNxPainx: ooh, what episodes are you getting? Like, I watch the History Channel every week day for JAG and we're in the middle of the sixth season. Is that where you are or are you watching an entirely different channel? And you know what goes good together – peanut butter and oreos! I mean it, you know . . . if you're a peanut butter person.

Radiorox: Mac and Webb . . . ugh, less said the better. Worst mistake JAG ever made. I mean, Webb has a good character – no, nix that, he has an awesome character! And then he got thrown into the HM whirlwind and what can we say . . . he's as low as Vukovic on the likeable scale . . . wait, do you think that was a little harsh? I mean, you know, can anyone go THAT low . . .? lol

Jaggurl: Harm "technically" found out this chapter. You know "technically" speaking, but I promise you get the reaction next chapter!

MaritzaCarmichael: ahh, never liked Webb much . . . sad to say he's still a thorn in all our sides. But hey – next chapter, we'll have a great HM scene! You know, to make up for it all.

Dansingwolf: you know, I'm really very impressed! That was a short(er) review! Perhaps the shortest I've ever seen you do since . . . the creation of this story. Ooh, now let's see if I can pull off a short review response. And no, Catherine was not nearly as blonde on the show as I've portrayed her here. But what can I say – this story was in desperate need of a complete ditz and well . . . Catherine fitted the bill. With a little imagination, of course. And as for my V/C scenes . . . well, I DO enjoy writing them because, I must say, Clay is one of the most interesting characters I've ever come upon. You know, Harm and Mac are through and through good, and I love writing them, don't get me wrong, but in the immortal words of Bud Roberts referring to Clayton Webb, "And just when you think you know him . . . he does something nice." Clay's so . . . twisted it's both amusing and pathetic at the same time that he just leaves me with so many possibilities. I can make him a treacherous villain – or I can make him the golden-hearted good guy who everyone thinks is bad, but isn't so much. And then of course I had to pair him up with someone equally as . . . complicated. You know, I haven't revealed a lot about Vera yet. I was planning to do it so early on in the story and then just though I'd take my time and now . . . well, I'll have to do something about that in the next chapter. Honestly, I never thought I'd get this far without letting everyone know that . . . okay, I'm stopping myself early on. You'll find out soon. Wow, this response was . . . okay, not that short. Oh well, I haven't as much willpower as you.

Strawberry Kittens: lol, a girl, huh? Well, I must confess to you . . . that I do already know the gender of the baby. It's been a long time coming, but I've fixed it already. And . . . I'm not going to tell you if you're right or wrong, because that would just plainly ruin the surprise, but I just want to ask: why do you want it to be a girl? And don't stress over not reviewing last chapter – it doesn't matter, as long as – you know, you read and enjoyed.

KittyX: no problem, pleasure to serve you chapters. Hope you liked this one.

Daisymh: Hope you don't think you waited too long for this one. Lol, tried to post as soon as possible. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter!

Bite Beccy: (joins in the happy dance) and you have to tell me what you think about HBP! (joins in for another round of happy dancing) I'm going to go start writing TLWL!