A/N: Um, here's the next chapter – once again, I am putting up a warning saying that this Sunday I am going to be leaving for a week. The chances of my being able to update on this story or To London With Love are slim to none so I will TRY to get as many chapters as I can out but . . . well, let's not think in the negative shall we?

Thanks go out to my reviewers for being as wonderful as you are: 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, rainydays502, S, Broesel, ady and Kristie! If I forgot anyone, please let me know.

Tempting Abbas

Note: this chapter starts off in Mac's POV and REMEMBER, this is set FIVE months later, okay? I kind of fast forwarded, you know, to keep the story moving.

"Ma'am, we're hoping to have your baby shower next month," Harriet informs me, slipping into my office after rapidly knocking a second before hand. I exhale almost tiredly. This last month the fatigue has really been wearing on every muscle in my body. Jake's been a savior with his powerful massaging hands.

"Harriet, really, I don't need a baby shower," I fought futilely. We've been having the same argument for months. "Really."

"But, ma'am, one of the high points in being pregnant is the baby shower!" Harriet face is literally pink with excitement. Now tell me, how can I deny my friend such obvious pleasure?

"Alright, Harriet," I replied wearily. "When and where?"

"Three weeks from this Saturday and my house," Harriet smiles. "And only girls. First rule. Second rule – don't buy anything for the baby. It'll all somehow manage to wind its way into the gift pile."

And my mouth opens to protest but Harriet's already walked away. God, I hate being pregnant . . . no, I don't mean that. I don't. I'm just tired. I work all day to come home to a squabbling Jake and Clay (no, Clay doesn't actually LIVE with us, but he seems to think our apartment's much better than his because he's there till around midnight). And you know what's the absolute worst part? Wholly and sincerely? I can't see my feat.

I know what an incredibly idiotic fear that is but they're my feat. They're attached to my legs. I don't even know if they're THERE any more! I can't bend down to touch them! And Jake mentioned the other day they're looking a little swollen. I have swollen feat I can't touch or see!

I slap my keyboard restlessly, looking up at my list of un-work related subjects. "Devon," I whispered aloud. That was a nice name. What name did I have underneath? Joshua. Hmm . . . Devon Joshua Rabb. Joshua Devon Rabb. And then I mentally retaliated. His last name won't be Rabb. It can't be Rabb. No one must know . . .

Devon Joshua Mackenzie. Joshua Devon Mackenzie. And instantly the wonderful ring both names had possessed is gone. Well, not gone but simply dampened. I exhale heavily and look at my list of girls names. Elizabeth Carrie Rabb. Carrie Elizabeth Rabb. There it was again, the melodic ring of a perfect name. Elizabeth Carrie Mackenzie. Carrie Elizabeth Mackenzie. Both names were rather a mouthful. I bit my lower lip in frustration.

Knock. Knock.

"Enter!" I bellowed, quickly minimizing my little name list. Well, not little, per say . . . okay, yeah it's pretty long. Every name I sort of liked I put on my list. I looked up to see my visitor and raised my eyebrow. "Hey, Webb."

"Mac," Clay said almost uncomfortably. Through my open blinds I can see office personnel stopping what they're doing to look over in interest, hovering in a rather annoying manner. I had no doubt what they were thinking. I stood up and walked over, closing the door and shutting the blinds. I didn't need the whole office privy to my private life.

"What's up, Clay?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, my hand subconsciously resting on my balloon-like stomach.

Clay opened his mouth, closed it again, and then opened it once more, words evidently failing him. "I just wanted to let you know that, um . . . I'm going to be away for a few days so . . . you know, if anything happens," his eyes fall on my stomach – incidentally, of course, "you can call me on my cell. Any time."

I nod. Before there was a Paraguay, before there was even the illusion of Paraguay, our manner towards each other, the friendly but not so much to actually be friends, rested between us. And perhaps bizarrely enough, it was . . . comforting. Not to have to put anything into a relationship, but to always have something there . . . or maybe it was just an illusion. Before a Paraguay. That seemed so long ago now.

"Thanks, Webb," I said then instantly correcting myself with a smile, "Clay. I will . . .incase anything comes up." I determinedly meet his eye. "Which it won't."

"I used to keep telling myself that," Webb replied genially. "But with Rabb nothing ever goes that way." His eyes fell upon my stomach. Another Rabb . . .

He stared at the monitor and then taking the mouse from under my hand, he opened the file I'd christened 'Baby Names'. "What are you doing?" I asked, a flicker of annoyance falling upon my facial features.

"Just looking," Webb replied almost robotically. His eyes scanned down the list of names, sorted into two lines of boys and girls names, then a third at the bottom for neutral names. "Hmm . . . Terry Mackenzie. Boy or girl?"

"Girl," I whispered, staring at Webb as though for the first time, transfixed by the almost paternal nature that had overtaken him just then. "I don't like it that much for a boy."

"Hmm," Webb said slowly, words on the tip of his lips. "It sounds . . ." I looked up at him. "Nice." He smiled at me sincerely, "it sounds really nice, Mac."

I feel myself get all choked up, tears stinging the back of my eyes. Damn these hormones. I cried myself silly last night watching Old Yeller, something that I haven't done since I was nothing but a little kid.

"Hey," Webb said almost softly, wiping his hand slowly over my cheek, fading the tears away against my skin. "Three more months . . ." he grinned. "Three more months and I'll have to permanently keep out of the apartment."

I look up, "not enough room?"

"Nah," Webb replied, swinging his coat over one shoulder and opening the door to exit. "I can't stand crying."

And just like that he was gone. I stood there for a moment, looking at his retreating figure before realizing half the office was watching me watch him so I promptly went back to work – looking up baby names.

It isn't fair, my annoyed mind replayed. I've got a zillion names to choose from and no one to lend the slightest bit of help . . . well, I shouldn't say that, there's Jake. But he's not Harm. This is Harm and my baby. It's only right he should help in the naming. But no, it's just me. Harriet never had this trouble. She'd pick a bunch of names, Bud would pick a bunch of names, and then they'd cross the names of each other's list that they didn't like, then they could narrow it down to at LEAST the top ten!

I groaned. Michael Grant Rabb. Hmm, not bad. Michael Grant Mackenzie. Very filmy. Grant Michael Mackenzie – god, no! Save me . . .

1723

28 Belleville Drive

Harm's POV

"Oh, Clay – thank god you're here!" Vera rushes into Clay's arms as he comes through the front door and as she retreats from their embrace I can see a touch of pink in his cheeks. Or is it just my imagination?

"What's the emergency?" Clay's voice is all business. He throws his coat into the closet and he sends a shifty glance between me and Vera. I stand stoically with my hands in my pockets, my back leaning against the banister.

"You've got to talk this idiot out of doing something he's going to regret for the rest of his life!" Vera replied passionately, swinging her gaze towards me. "If that's much longer!"

Clay's eyes flickered to me coolly. "Care to elaborate, Rabb?"

I crossed my arms, staring strongly at the both of them. "I've got a plan."

"To get yourself killed," Vera added on, glaring at me, her dark eyes passionately alight. "And, Clay, you've got to talk him out of it. He'll listen to you."

"What plan?" Clay asked me, Vera's words falling upon deaf ears.

"To catch Abbas," my voice is quiet and prevailing, toning the correct power.

Clay's gaze shifted between Vera and I, taking in our expressions, our body language, and assessing the situation just correctly. "Talk to me."

"Clay," Vera's voice presses. "You can't take him seriously."

I feel blood rush through my body as heat comes to my cheeks, my eyes determined and forceful, anger unleashing itself within me. "Dammit, I'm sick and tired of this!" I hollered vehemently, slamming my arm against the wall. "I've been shut up in this godforsaken house for too long! I can't freaking STAND IT!"

"We have too, Harm!" Vera's voice is insistent and pleading, but there's a detectable undercurrent of power within it. "I've been in this house every day that you have and –"

"But it's not the same for you!" I reeled back, my eyes wild and my heart pounding. "You're still Vera, Clay's still Clay –"

"You're still Harm," Vera retaliated.

"But that's just it!" I screamed, water stinging the back of my eyes. "I'm not! Harmon Rabb is DEAD!" I bite back my frustration, forcing my gaze to the ceiling. "I am dead, Vera! And day after day I just sit here and rot. I watch as my life passes me by, as days pile on days, and weeks just fly and I can't STAND it any more!" I cast Clay and Vera a pleading glance. Their faces are stricken. "This isn't living," I panted, my voice quieting slightly. "This . . . this isn't life."

I slam my fist into the wall, shutting my eyes tightly to keep my emotion from escaping me.

"Harm," Vera begins but I cut her off.

"I know I can't go back, Vera," I said slowly, my words enforced by distance. "I can't turn back time . . . but . . . Abbas wants me – and if he's still out there, I can't be me. You're trying to protect me, but from what? From Abbas? The worst Abbas can do is kill me . . . no, that's not right. The worst Abbas can do is kill someone one I love, which is why I was here in the first place," I turn back to Vera and Clay, who are looking at me considerately, but with a detectable color of fear in their eyes. "But . . . I think if I . . . if this plan . . . dammit, I know I've got my life on the line, but if this plan works, then I can go back to being . . . me."

Vera stared at me, her dark eyes falling upon my suffering soul. "And if you don't . . ."

"Then I die," I say crudely but finally. "But look at me now, Vera! I'm not LIVING. This isn't what life is. I sit at home and watch . . . soap operas all day while eating food out of a can! I can't do this any longer!" I thrust myself at Vera whose eyes are downcast. "Look at me!" She keeps her gaze firmly upon the ground. "Dammit, Vera, look at me!" I tilt her head up so her eyes meet mine. "I've got to do this . . ." my voice is barely a whisper. "I can't not."

For a long moment Vera and I just stood there, our eyes forming an unbreakable bridge and then . . . she turned away, shattering our gaze into a million pieces. "No . . ." she whispered continually, moving away from us, from Clay and I. "No . . . no, no . . ."

And then she disappeared down the hall. We heard a door slam shut. Silence . . .

I look up at Webb, who's standing staring at his shoes, his eyes determined and his expression thoughtful. "Look, Clay, I –" I begin but Webb cuts me off.

"What do you propose?" He looks at me intently.

"What?" I'm caught off guard. Surely he can't be . . . considering buying into my plot.

"What's your plan?" he repeated, shuffling forward a little. His eyes don't leave me for a second.

I feel my voice catch in my throat but I push it to regulate. "I . . . I want to set myself up." Clay's mouth opens in protest but I plow on with my words. "Just hear me out. Abbas wants me . . . he needs to kill me. And we've taunted him for a year now. He's getting desperate. He wants to move onto his next kill. That means, when I finally show my face, he's not going to fool around with killing everyone around me. He wants to just do it . . . just finish me off. He'll come directly to me . . ." my eyes flicker towards Webb. "And that's when you'll be waiting."

"Harm," Webb begins but I won't let him get another word in.

"Abbas has friends in intelligence, right? You said so – some sort of . . . double agent, feeding him information. Well, it'll just be between you, me, Vera, and Jake, I guess – to take precaution. But you will leak it around the office – accidentally, of course – that I'm going to be shipped to . . . wherever. You pick – we just can't have this confrontation go down here because of . . . everyone else (read: Mac)."

My eyes meet Webb's frantically. "It has to be a sort of deserted place, a place where he'll have no trouble getting to and where not too many people can get injured if this gets . . . messy. But you'll already have the place covered. It should be easy . . . you know, ambush."

"Harm, it's not that easy," Webb pressed. "First of all, you yourself said we don't know who in my department to trust. You think we can take down Abbas with just you, me, Jake, and Vera? We'll need reinforcement. And second of all . . . Abbas is a professional. He will have scouted the area before hand; he will be hiding in the location when we get there. Ambushing him will be extremely difficult if we don't know when he's going to show up."

"Clay, you yourself know that's only technicalities," I replied, desperation seeping into my voice. "I have some . . . friends, that would be more than willing to help me out. Jack Keeter, for one, can be trusted. He'll be of some help. Uh . . ." I shift sort of uncomfortably at the next name that comes out of my mouth, "John Farrow, I do believe would be . . . well, he would . . ."

"I know," Clay replied, shaking his head.

"And then there's the Admiral," I insert quickly, seeing Webb's mouth opening. "If we brought him up to speed he would be of limitless use to us, Webb, and you know that. We can trust him and he wouldn't tell a soul anything that's going on."

Clay just stands there rooted on the spot, my voice carrying through the room.

"Come on, Clay," I persisted. "You know this could work . . . we've just got to give it a shot."

"Well, dammit, Rabb, we only have one," Clay replied, looking at me incredulously. "And what about Mac? And your baby? Don't you want to see him or her when they're born? Don't you want to live to see your family grow?"

Webb touched a nerve. And he knows it. I stare down at the ground. "Yes," I whispered. "More than anything . . ."

"Well," Clay asked exasperatedly, "could you please tell me why a man who has everything to live for is willing to so brazenly endanger his life?"

"Because I don't want to just see my family grow!" I hollered almost pathetically back. "I want to be with my family. I want to grow with them!" Emotion overcomes me and I slump onto the couch, wrapping my arms around my knees. "I love them . . . and that's why I'm doing this."

I look up to see Clay watching me with an almost thoughtful expression upon his face. "You know something, Rabb? That may just be the most meaningful thing I've ever heard you say." I meet his eyes courageously. "And you know what?" he glared at me. "I'm an idiot for going along with this."

My heart physically jumps into my throat. "You'll do it?" I whispered.

He glares at me, his answer in his eyes. There was no question about it. I grinned at him, slapping him hard on the back in a jovial manner. "Webb, I owe you so much, I . . ."

"I know, I know," Webb replied wearily. "God help me, I'm taking directions from Rabb."

Same Time

Somewhere in Washington

Abbas's fist pounded upon the daily newspaper, his blood teeming with frustration and pent up anger. Rabb had escaped too long for comfort. Much too long . . . and now he would pay the heaviest price of all.

Abbas's face split into a recklessly lethal grin. A slow and painful death . . . slow and painful . . .

A/N: Good news – this chapter is longer than the last one. Anyways, for all those who don't read my author's notes at the beginning of the chapter (you know who you are) I'm just notifying you that as of this Sunday I will be away for a week with slim to no chance of me being able to update. Yes, I'm heartbroken too.

Anyways, for all those people who donated names for the baby, thank you. I received many of them and was very . . . amused, by the guesses at gender (you also know who you are). All I can say is, I neither confirm nor deny!

Oh, and one more thing: I would like for you all to keep in mind that because Harm is "dead" the baby cannot have his last name at this time because . . . that's a dead giveaway to the assassin. The baby will have the surname 'Mackenzie' . . . for now(?).

Forensics Freak 1988: I beg your pardon, how did I give IT away! I was very careful about not giving IT away . . . in fact, I'm still undecided about it . . . I thought I knew what IT was going to be . . . but all these guesses . . . hmm, maybe I should take IT in a different direction . . . lol, and I had another suggestion for the name Lily. But I do believe that was HP unrelated.

xLovexNxPainx: lol – it can't be Harmon David Rabb because Harm's dead, remember? And that would be a dead giveaway to the assassin! Otherwise I would name him that . . . lol, Trey's not a bad suggestion though.

Sugar230: James and Rose – I like them. Rose, I must say, was a VERY popular suggestion. Oh, and I hope you're having fun camping. It certainly sounds like a lot of fun. LOL, any bears?

Jamie: lol, I must say – well, first of all – thank you for so many names! And you know, with me – I like very few girls names. I don't know why, I just like the boys names better for some reason. And one thing I really like are neutral names . . . I don't know why, either. And you gave me a lot of names and some were neutral! Oh ya, and I really liked all the boys names you donated. Thanks

Starryeyes10: thanks

Rocket Rain: lol, thank you for the nice NORMAL names, I will definitely look into them!

Maritza Carmichael: thank you, and I'll put them on my list!

Laura: hmm, I've got a lot of reviewers suggesting the name Emma so that's a definite add to my list and I LOVE the name Nicholas so . . . yeah, those are two great suggestions!

Bite Beccy: omg, you like the name Zachary too? I like that name lots . . . I never used to like it and then . . . I don't know, it just really caught on. Zac . . . it sounds, I don't know. It just rolls of your tongue. LOL – and yes, aren't I mean? Oh well – it builds the suspense for the ending.

Broesel: omg, that's so cool – you're German! LOL, I know I shouldn't be as excited I am, but someone in Germany is reading what I wrote! That's so cool . . . anyways, I'm completely in LOVE with the names Noah and Finn – I mean, I like all the names that you put, but somehow Noah and Finn really stood out. Thanks!

Cherise: so you're one of those 'name them after' shippers, aren't you? LOL, I'm a bit slow . . . but the kid's last name can't be Rabb (at this point in time) because that's just like a beacon attracting the assassin (don't you hate him?) but I'll definitely keep your suggestions in mind!

Kitty X: I wish this story would never end too but . . . the end keeps approaching. I can see it . . . however distantly, in the future . . . lol, glad you're liking it.

Ady: oh, wow . . . Aanya, that's a really pretty name. I'll definitely add it to my list. You wouldn't happen to be Indian, would you . .? Not that it matters or anything. Aanya just sounds sort of Indian. Dunno, I could be wrong.

marineJAG: well – you got your reaction to Harm's plan. Not exactly what everyone expected, I'm sure . . . but I'm trying to keep this story moving. The end is near.

Froggy0319: hmm . . . I've had like four people suggesting Elizabeth so that's like definitely on my list! I just . . . I don't know if you read Radiorox's story, but right at the end Harm and Mac had a girl and they named her Elizabeth and I'd just feel bad to copy, if you know what I mean. Taking on that name and everything – but I love your name! It's so pretty. And I think the name Andrew is nice, but I really really like the name Ryan. Thank you for your name donations, and they really were good!

Southernqt: thanks for the names – you picked like really popular ones. You have no idea how many people suggested Elizabeth and how many people suggested Rose. LOL – also liked your male names. Especially Michael and James. Thanks!

Abigaile: oh, wouldn't we all just love for Abbas to be killed right now? LOL, he'll die another day . . . of course, so will we all . . . but never mind that, thank you for your name donations! They're currently being added to the list!

Radiorox: LOL, you're actually going to CHARGE me for the chance to have a name you like being that of Harm and Mac's child? Babe, I think it should be the other way around. LOL, and I liked all the names you put down. All going on my list. I especially liked Zachary, Damian, Alex (girl and boy) and . . . well, your name!

Kyrapura: LOL, if I had been in your place I think I would have screamed too! And well think about it this way – for one of the weeks you're away, I am too – so there'll be no updates. You won't miss much.

Rainydays502: loving the names you put down. Especially Taylor . . . Taylor Mackenzie. Yeah, Taylor Rabb sounds better but whatever. That damn assassin . . . lol. Lily's a very popular name. Had like three other people suggest it.

Kristie: well, you definitely picked all very popular names! Matthew's been suggested more than once, Rose – very popular, David – even more popular, and Emma – well, yes – definitely popular! And I like them so . . . thank you very much for contributing to the name fund! (don't I sound like one of those people that come knocking on people's doors at some ungodly hour?) lol

Dansingwolf: Um . . . Stella . . . sorry to say I side with your friends on that one, but I'm totally behind you with Ava, Haley and David. Now, Julia's a very normal name and it's . . . pretty, but that's my pain-in-the-butt baby sister's name and I'm sooooo not naming this kid after her! (no offense to you, Jules, if you're reading this – which I doubt) and I don't write a LOT a lot . . . well, yeah, okay I do but it's SUMMER. I'm home all day . . . drinking Pepsi (I swear I could single-handedly sponsor the drink), watching JAG and writing! This is the life, I'm telling you. And I have seen (almost) every JAG episode. There are some I haven't seen that I really wish I had (they play reruns on History Television every week day so . . . I'm managing) like 'Critical Condition', um . . . hmm, I recently saw A Tangled Webb Part I and though I had seen it before, I'd only caught the ending and it was the end of that show while watching it with my dad that I actually thought to myself JAG wasn't that bad a show and then . . . well, I became obsessed (watched reruns for a year till I'd caught up). LOL, and Clay and Jake soooo deserved to get their butts kicked last chapter. By a pregnant marine too! And though there is . . . many, ideas out there of the gender of the baby . . . and I mean it, many – I will continue to drop tantalizing and confusing hints from this chapter until the baby is actually born and the more you read into it, the more mixed up you'll get! Ahh . . . no, I was determined to keep this response short!

Daisymh: thank you, and I hope you liked this chapter.

Jaggurl: thanks for the suggestions for middle name. Just out of curiosity, did you suggest them for middle name 'cause you wanted an original name first or . . . what? Just wondering, no reason behind my questioning. LOL, thanks for your generous contribution to my name list!

Snugglebug: I know what you mean – my name list is getting so long! I went on this website called well 'Baby Names!' and I was looking through them letter by letter and scribbling down all the names I liked and by the time I was done I had like a hundred! LOL, and it's going to be reeaaalllyyy hard to pick 'cause I don't want to disappoint anyone with an unlikable name (my tastes are . . . selective). Any suggestions would be wonderful (I liked the name Ainslie by the way)

Strawberry Kittens: thanks for the names, girls – much appreciated! I especially liked Katelyn, and . . . well, pretty much all the boys names you donated! They're all on my list, thank you!

Tizy: wow, you gave me sooo many names and such wonderful ones too! you wanna know the ones that I REALLY liked? Jordan, Dawson, Hunter (especially Hunter!), Jane, Matt, Joshua (I'm sorry – I REALLY like J names for boys, forgive me?). Well, I know for one that my mother is totally with you on the name front. Nice simple every day names that kids don't get teased on the play ground for. I though happen to like fairly . . . I won't say exotic names 'cause I've never been partial to exotic girl's names but I like different ones for guys. For the longest time I was madly in love with the name 'Skyler'. I don't know what attracted me to it – I just liked it. But you could hardly call that normal. I just thought that for Harm and Mac . . . well they deserved a normal kid with a normal name. LOL – and I like the names of your daughters! I've got two friends by those names.