1A/N: Latest chapter, I'm working hard to get out another chapter of one of my stories before I leave on Sunday. So, bear with me here . . . I haven't stopped writing all day. I'm literally eating and drinking in front of this computer. Not that I mind though.

Special thanks to 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, rainydays502, S, Broesel, ady, Kristie, writingismything, and TV Angel 711!

Note: there are many women in the first part of this chapter that JAG has not seen for a long time. Keep in mind, I just needed women to compose the baby shower.

Team Member 1

1439

Roberts House

Mac's POV

"Oh my gosh, this is beautiful," I stretched, lifting a yellow embroidered baby blanket out of the box. Balloons and teddy bears decorated the edges while clouds dotted the middle. "Thanks so much, Varese."

Varese smiles in return and I move onto the next box. I am half a week away from being seven months pregnant, I feel like Shamu, and my emotions are running rampant. I haven't stopped crying all through my baby shower. It's just everything and everyone's just so NICE.

"And this is a present from Bud," Harriet passes me over a rather box-like looking package. "We were going to get you something together and then . . ." Harriet smiles while rolling her eyes. "We had a slight difference of opinion. Anyways, this is HIS gift."

I unwrap the paper to find a whole Disney animated classics box set. Everything from Cinderella to Snow White to Sleeping Beauty to Lady and the Tramp. And, oh Lord, I'm crying again. "This is just so perfect," I choked, setting it down beside all my other gifts. "I wish Bud was here so I could thank him."

Harriet wraps a comforting arm around me. "I'll tell him you appreciate it."

I nod, wiping the tears from my face and regulating my breath. God, why couldn't I just keep the tears at bay? "Alright, so are we ready to begin?" I asked Harriet, and everyone else nodded.

"Good," said Harriet, immediately taking over. "We're about to begin the Name donation. Let's start with boy's names. Donate as many as you like but ONLY if you know the meanings of the names. Okay, let's begin."

A few minutes of thoughtful silence enveloped while everyone wrote down names and then Harriet collected the papers, putting them into a large decorate shoe box with a slit at the top. "Okay, let's start . . . Kate, you pick first."

Kate Pike reached her hand into the shoe box, pulling out a paper with names scribbled upon them. "Alright, um – for a boy, Nicholas – it means 'victorious people'. Jeremiah – it means 'Sent by God', and William means 'protector'." She smiled shyly. "Okay, who wrote that one?"

"I did," Harriet's mother – sitting in an arm chair at the corner of the living room – piped up. "And I hope you will take those names into careful consideration, dear." She looked at me. "I gave them to Harriet when she was pregnant all three times but no – she insisted upon her son have initials as his first name."

I noticed a slight pink rise underneath Harriet's cheeks but determined not to spoil the day, she thrust the shoebox at her mother. "Okay, your turn, Mom. Pick one."

Mrs. Sims dipped her hand into the shoebox and pulled out a white slip of folded paper. "Okay, um . . . Zachary. It means 'Remembrance of the Lord'. My my, that is pretty, isn't it, dear? And, let's see, James – it means 'Supplanter'. Dylan – 'born from the ocean, or son of the sea' . That's also rather pretty. Dean – it means 'leader'. And Quinn, it means 'the Fifth'.

My head whirls with thought. Zachary Rabb, James Rabb – Zachary Mackenzie. James Mackenzie. I smile and accept the piece of paper, slipping it into my bag. I was taking all the names I could get.

"Okay, thank you," I whispered. "So who wrote that?"

A long silence follows. "Well, evidently it's one of the guys that donated it," Harriet said, taking the piece of paper out and flipping it over. "Yes, that's Gunny's donation. Now, someone else pick . . . Jen, why don't you?"

"Alright," Jen replies, pulling a folded sheet of paper out of the box. "Okay, let's see – Austin, and it comes from the name 'Augustin' which means 'revered, exalted'. Joshua – which means 'Jehovah saves', Adam – 'mankind', Mitchell – 'who is like god?', Michael – it means the same thing as Mitchell, and John means 'God is gracious, merciful'. And that is donated by," Jen flipped it over. "Well, Harriet."

Harriet grinned. "So I guess that makes it my turn to pick, huh?" She pulls out a slip of paper. "Okay, let's see what we have here. Bryan, it means 'strong one', Finn means 'fair', Noah means 'peace', Aaron – 'enlightened', and Andrew means 'manly, courageous'." Harriet finishes, flipping over the piece of paper. "Oh, and need we be surprise? The Admiral donated this one."

I grinned, taking the paper too. "So whose turn does that make this?"

"I'll go if no one minds," Trish Burnett says softly from the other corner of the room. I feel my heart leap into my throat. Honestly, I didn't know she was going to be here. Harriet called her. Right now the name of her grandchild could be uttered, and she wouldn't know it. I feel myself beginning to sweat nervously.

"Go ahead," Harriet urges, pushing the shoebox towards Mrs. Burnett.

Trish dips her hand into the box and pulls back a piece of paper. "Okay, David – it means 'beloved'." I choke, remember Harm a little. But I've been crying so much today that no one takes any notice really. "Christopher, it means 'Christ bearer'. Maddox – son of the Lord. Grant – it means 'great', Matthew – which means 'God's Gift', Alexander 'Protector of Mankind', and Damian 'sweet and harmless.'"

Now, I know the last word wasn't supposed to get to me, it didn't mean how it sounded. Harm-less. Tears begin rolling down my cheeks once again and I look up at Harm's mother to see something blur her eyes too. And I have no doubt what it is. Because on some levels, I think Trish Burnett and I share the same thing – the love for her son.

"That's from Varese," Trish finished, handing me the paper. I smiled and thanked the both of them.

"Does that make it my turn?" Meg Austin asked me, running her hands through her shoulder length blonde hair. Her words replayed in my head, thick with the Texas accent.

"Yeah," I replied, passing her the shoe box. I watched as she took out a piece of paper. Harm's old partner. What did she feel for him? Could it be anything along the magnitude of what I did? I shook my head forcefully. No, it couldn't be. Though I wonder how it was for her. Did he dodge the same questions? Take the same proverbial bullets for her? The same real bullets? I shook the idea from my head as something Harm said came floating back to me.

"You're just this way with me, aren't you?" I asked, the lights of Sydney Harbor shining down upon his face.

"Yeah," he replied almost hollowly. "Only with you."

"Daniel – it means 'God is my judge', Charlie – means 'manly, farmer'," Meg begins before being cut off by Katie.

"Did I just hear you say it means a manly farmer?" she asked incredulously, one eyebrow cocked up to the sky.

"No, it means 'manly COMMA farmer'," Meg responded, smiling with traces of indignation upon her face. "Todd – it means 'fox', Tony – 'worthy of praise', Jordan – 'descendant', and Dawson – 'son of David'. And that was donated by," she flipped it over. "Bud Roberts."

Harriet nodded. "I thought so. He always WAS after naming one of the kids Todd. And then when I suggested James for Jimmy he just lit up and suggested the middle name Kirk," Harriet's voice was so sweetly naïve. I grinned.

"So I guess . . . it's my turn," I said, pulling a slip of paper out. "Okay, a bunch of H names. Hunter – it means its name. Harper – 'Harp Player'. Halen – 'Hall of Light'. Peyton – 'Village of the Warrior'." I flipped over the paper. "Thank you, Jen."

Jen smiled. "No problem, ma'am. But I think all the names said here today were lovely."

I nodded. "They certainly were."

"Should we go through the girls' names?" Harriet asked but then cast a look at me. I was practically sleeping in the comfy armchair, my eyes drooping with weighted slumber. "No, I think not. You're looking a little tired, ma'am."

"I'm –" yawn "fine –" yawn "really –" yawn.

"Alright, we're calling it," Kate said cheerfully, standing up from the couch and piling the few presents that had been on her lap onto the pile on the floor. I stood up and we hugged. "Call me, okay?"

I nodded as one by one all of the various guests hugged me and departed. And finally, it was only me, Harriet and Trish Burnett. I could feel something flip within my stomach, and it was most definitely not the baby. Trish smiled at me and wrapped arms around in me in almost maternal hug. "You know," she whispered, drawing away from me and looking me straight in the eye with the wisdom that only a mother could possess. "This exactly what Harm wanted, you know. Your happiness. That's all he ever wanted."

And just like that, I broke down. For the first time that day the sobs that escaped me were not hormonal, or pregnancy induced. I stood there cradled in a mother's arms as we both wept for the supposedly deceased Harmon Rabb Junior.

2018

28 Belleville Drive

Harm's POV

"So when do we put this plan into action?" I asked, sipping a large mug of coffee with a painful grimace on my face. I thought only Marines made this bad a coffee. Apparently Veras do too.

"Hold your horses there, Butch, there's plenty that needs to be thought out," Clay mumbled, also taking a sip of coffee. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful and his words silent. "This is going to take time, Harm. It can't be rushed."

"Well, dammit, can it at least go at a decent pace?" I added scornfully, a frown etched on my face. "It's been almost a whole damn month and we haven't gotten past 'GO' yet.

Clay uttered a hollow chuckle. "Welcome to my world."

A long stretch of silence follows as we both sip our coffee. "Dammit, this is bitter," I added, lowering the cup from my lips. I looked at the dark coffee disdainfully, tipping it a little to watch it swirl around within the beige colored mug.

Clay releases a sour-noted laugh. "You're in quite the foul mood today."

I utter a few more swear words under my breath as I take another long gulp of coffee. I shake my head surlily, my dark hair falling in front of my eyes. I was in bad need of a hair cut. "So tell me, Clay, what's new on the tactical front?"

Clay exhales slowly, his age magnified upon his exhausted face. "Slipped it to Tim Grabaowski today. You know the desk jockey down by the second floor?" I shrug – I had met a lot of faces when I was in the CIA – none that I would be too pleased to see again. "Anyways, gave him a message to give to his supervisor – stated very plainly that Abbas was on the move and we could bring you out any day now. Course, I called Kovac before I slipped it to Grabaowski so he knew to ignore the message. He doesn't think young Tim's the snitch – nor do I for that matter. But he's got a loud mouth on him and a loose set of jaws. Not the greatest combo for a Confidential floor secretary. But he does good filing work, Tim does. Despite all his faults, he's pretty damn valuable. Anyways, if Grabaowski doesn't tell someone, I'd be surprised. No one out of the office – he knows the rules on that. But even inter-office info is usually banned unless the person in question is in all the right departments." Clay shrugged. "But Tim's young, and inexperienced. Maybe even a little ignorant. Our message will find its way around."

"And if it doesn't?" I challenged, setting my jaw strongly. I took another sip of coffee, willing my internal wince not to effect my calm exterior.

"We're taking all the necessary precautions," Clay replied. "We'll release another message in another department. We'll work our way around."

"How long?" I asked, my penetrating blue eyes forcing their way into Clay's mind.

"Till we make it around all the departments or until we release the next message?" Clay asked me, his eyes sagging with all his lost slumber.

"Both."

"I estimate," Clay replied, sipping his coffee hard, his grey eyes thoughtful, "give or take a month maybe eight. Seven at a minimum. To get it around the whole office, I mean. Another three weeks and we'll have slipped the next message."

He seemed so calm and relaxed in his chair that I felt the urge to get up and smack him hard across the face. Eight months just to get it around one building! And that's not counting Abbas's actual capture. I could feel my blood boiling within my veins. No, don't get mad. This is not Clay's fault. This was your idea.

"That's . . ." I trail almost depressingly. "That's a long time."

Clay shrugs his shoulders very business like. "It's not too bad. I've waited years on a case just to get to the next step. But in the mean time, we're going to have to start on making this Dream Team of yours." He looks me squarely in the eye. "It'll give you something to do while we wait for the word to get around."

I open up the side drawer to the dinning room cabinet and pull out a deck of playing cards. Clay and I have become accustomed to playing Poker every night betting dimes. Not much, but it keeps us entertained. I deal out the cards, "so what have you to for me."

Clay flips open the cover of his briefcase and pulls out identical brown manilla envelopes. "I've listed the possible categories we will need when considering team members and I have three possible people that will fit each one. First," Clay began, opening the first set of three envelopes. "Is informant. Very important. Gives the word, gets the word, and passes along the word. And from my files I have come up with three possible informants." He lays out three 8 by 10 photographs along with their personal info sheet.

I gaze at the three: two men and a woman, all between the ages of 25 and 45. Prime age. "And you're sure they can all be trusted?"

"I'll put my life to it," Clay replied briskly.

"No need to, mine's already put," I replied sullenly, my eyes scanning over the photos. "I trust you've used Interpol to check for backgrounds on all of them?"

"This morning."

"Scanned with Face Recognition for possible multiple identities?" I asked, picking up the first personal info sheet.

"Finished last night. No one with facial similarities over thirty-seven percent," Clay replied crisply. "They've all checked out and I know each one of them personally. I can't imagine they'd be our snitch."

"Well an informant would be the opportune position for a snitch," I replied, picking up the second file. "Gives the word, gets the word, and passes along the word."

"They check out, Harm."

I lay the second one down on the table. "Okay, so give me the brief overview."

Clay clears his throat. "Edward Klein, born in Columbus, younger sister Hilary. No spouse, no children. 37 years of age. Been in the business for nearly a decade. Eighteen successful missions. Two failed. Comes personally recommended by Charles Kovac." Clay looks up at me. "My boss."

"Huh," I grunt. I looked at his picture. His face was crude, as if drawn by someone who had no actual knowledge of the appearance of a human face. The top part of his head was bald with disheveled salt and pepper hair covering the rest of his scalp. His electric blue eyes were ones that could compete with Harm's. He looked like he'd seen it all - and was not afraid to see more. "Okay, next one."

"NCIS agent Elizabeth Yillen, born in Memphis. Four older brothers - William, Henry, Max, Dudley. No spouse, no children. 28 years of age. Been in NCIS for little over three years but before that was in the newspaper business. Not much of a background to go off of – but she's left with the most impressive record of 23 successful missions. She was an informant for NCIS before accepted as one of the team."

"Not bad, not bad," I agreed, nodding my head while looking at her photo. She had a charismatic face. Not exceptionally beautiful, but strong. Powerful features, determined eyes, thin face, light complexion, straw blonde hair tied up in a messy ponytail. She looked like someone that had lived under the tyranny of four older brothers. Like someone who could complete the mission. "Next."

Clay clears his throat. "Anthony Shapiro, born in Miami. One sister - Lisse. No spouse, no children. 32 years of age. Ex FBI Agent. He now does his own private work. He was in the FBI for seven years before being turned loose. He's done many odd jobs for me – both when he was at the FBI and after. Number of successful cases – exact number unknown. But fifteen at minimum. Failures, none that I know of. Except for that one Russian one . . . but he was just a kid back then. Twenty-four. He screwed up, but managed to fix it on time. Never classified it as a failure because he managed to save the day at the last minute. The department kept him around because he was bright and had keen investigative skills."

I grin at Clay. "I trust he comes with your recommendation then?"

Clay shrugs. "He was a kid when I met him. Literally living off the streets. His family was pretty poor. Father died when he was a young age. But he and his sister turned out pretty good. Lisse Shapiro's got a job at a law office downtown, a couple a cute kids, and is doing well for herself. Tony . . . well, he drifts a bit. But he's smart, Harm. Real good at digging up dirt, and without having to resort to gossip columnists." I could see his eye shifting to Elizabeth Yillen's picture.

I open up the Shapiro file. Everything seems to check out. I look at the picture. It shows a young man with tanned perhaps Hispanic skin, dark hair that fell before his eyes, and a generally very handsome face. His eyes were a soft brown color, but determined; set on his goals. He looked intelligent. "This picture has to be taken a while ago. He doesn't look over twenty-eight."

"Well it was," Clay began semi-uncomfortably. "Last picture before he left the Bureau. I used him several other times. But he had no permanent job. He was an odd one, floating where there was need of work. But he did alright for himself, as I told you before."

"You know where he is now?" I asked, putting the picture and info sheets back in their respective files.

"No, but I can find out pretty easy. Tony and I haven't lost touch." Clay eyed me almost slyly. "Does this mean he has the job?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "If he's as good as you say he is, then yeah. Consider him employed."

Clay grinned at me, shuffling the cards a bit more. "Why I do declare, Harmon Rabb, we have our first Dream Team Member. Besides, you know . . ."

"The gang," I finished, casting a quick sly look at my cards. I framed my face with my best Poker expression. "Yeah."

"Well, one member down," Clay said, picking up a card out of the deck. "Four more to go . . ."

A/N: I would like this to be noted that 'Team Member One' is the first of the 'Team Member' set within this story. It will go up to Team Member Five. And . . . okay, not much to say this chapter except – thanks for all name donations! They were very much appreciated! I did all the guys names that were donated this chapter (save a few that were donated by people who'd donated a lot in one review – I took the majority of the names then). Next chapter I'll do the girls names . . . LOL, you people still taking shots at the gender?

Final note: FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ THIS BEFORE, STARTING SUNDAY I WILL BE AWAY FOR A WEEK! Just incase you haven't heard that yet . . .

Steelo: yay, you caught up! OMG – excited about Sunday? I can't wait. As for Clay admitting his feelings to Vera . . . let's just say their relationship's going to get interesting . . . and I'm even thinking about writing a sequel to this. I've got the idea in my head and depending on how I end this (I've already worked out two possible endings) One – ending THE ENDING. Or two – the end . . . until next time! Mwahahaha, that'll just warrant a sequel. Hmm . . . I wonder what everyone else thinks?

Rainydays502: thanks, and I love both names that you suggested. Hmm, definitely adding them to my list!

Snugglebug: thank you, and I'm definitely adding both suggestions to my list – Dylan was already suggested (of course you spelt it different) but I'll add Carina to my list for the girls. Thank you for name donations and I hope you like this chapter!

Dansingwolf: LOL, you watch Friends too? I find that show hilarious. Endlessly entertaining. And yes, I saw the 'Joshua' episode. In fact, I'm actually in love with the name Joshua. I don't know if you ever read the book 'The Gospel According to Larry'. Actually, you probably haven't cuz it's not a famous book or anything, but it's by Janet Tashjian and I absolutely fell in love with it when I read it and the main character's name was Joshua and ever since then I've loved that name too. Weird logic, I know. But if you love a character that much, you begin to really like his name. And as much as I like the tale of Hercules, sadly enough – the boy will not be named Hercules Rabb. But good luck on finding a Stella-liker. Ooh, this reply was short too. Hmm, I'm getting good at this.

DD2: thanks! And the last chapter was surprisingly long, considering this story hasn't the best track record length wise. This chapter was only five pages, but what the heck. I figure you guys would want me to post faster rather than longer chaps. Considering the fact I'm going away. LOL

Sugar230: ah yes, 'feet' and 'feat'. What can I say – it's two confusing for my poor little brain! LOL – well, Bud and Harriet have another very important position to play in this story. Only I can't tell you yet. (Don't you find it annoying when authors say that?)

KittyX: thanks, and I hope you liked this chapter.

FUNAV-CHICK: David, Alexander, and Harm were already suggested. But seeing as the name 'Harmon' would be a dead give away to the assassin (because remember, he likes to torture those close to his victim) Mac will have to refrain from naming the baby (if a boy) Harm. But definitely adding the name Nichole to my list for girls.

Froggy0319: omg, I didn't consider there ever a question of whether Harm would be there when the baby's born! But now that I look back on it – I never said there was no shot. Oh . . . dreadfully sorry, but I promise you that at the same time Harm will be doing something very important. If that's any consolation.

Abigaile: if I pretend it's Sergei's kid then the kid would be a Zhukov. And none of us want that – lol. Adding Hollin and Haden to my list. Thank you very much!

Starryeyes10: thank you

Writingismything: thank you, definitely adding those names to my list! And I'm crazy about the name Joshua. So many people have suggested that name. LOL – hope you like this chapter.

Ady: LOL, well my powers aren't so great – I'm half Indian myself so . . . it's pretty easy to spot another Indian name. I was in India actually, over this march break. Very nice – very humid. Hope you like this chapter!

TV Angel 711: thank you very much for your names! I especially love the names Nicholas and Jason that you suggested. What can I say? I really dig guys names. I love so many more guys names than I do girls. I wonder why . . . anyways, thanks for reviewing – and I hope you like this chapter!

Xlovexnxpainx: we all pray with you for Harm's life! LOL

Kristie: LOL, ya Friends can totally screw one up. I think that show's totally hilarious. Anyways, okay – definitely taking your names into consideration and putting them on my list. Hannah – I never thought of that name that way. Harm plus Sarah. Huh. LOL – hope you like this chapter!

marineJAG: ooh, loving the names you suggested. Thanx. I'm sorry I couldn't use all the names you suggested in this chapter (the chapter would have been very long in that case) but I think I covered some of them. LOL, really digging the names Sean and Damien.

Jaggurl: okay, I was just wondering, you know . . . I think it would be very confusing if they had the same first name too. It's just that everyone else was suggesting their names for first name and I was kinda blown by the fact you suggested it for middle. Wanted to make sure I had heard right . . . LOL

Dessler: thanks so much for the names. They're going down on my list. Especially liking the names William, Nicholas, and – well, all the girls names! LOL

Strawberry Kittens; lol – you get to know the gender when . . . I write it. Aren't I mean? Ah well, I have a nice side too . . . but I like to keep it under wraps. Bad for the rep.

MaritzaCarmichael: thanks, and here's the update!

Bite Beccy: Zac I just think is an awesome name for a guy . . . seriously. It's one of my favorite boy names. Again, don't ask me why. Some names just really stick with me. Zachary's just one of them.