Chapter 10- 11 - 12

Frank stood up "if you don't' mind, Trish and I are going to head back to the hotel. I've got several calls I need to make before the end of business today, I never sleep well on red-eye flights, even if they are on company planes. I need to have a little bit of shut-eye, if I'm going to be any good tonight."

Shannon shook her head. "Harm I'd like to get some running in, after two days of flying, I just want to get the kinks out. Do you know of any good trails?"

"Sure I do, I could do with a run myself this afternoon."

"Andy, you interested in running, getting the kinks out after all that traveling?" his mother asked.

"No, I have schoolwork to do, the sooner I'm done the sooner I can enjoy this extra break" the teen said with a smile.

"I have a computer, so you can do it right here, if you have any questions or problems call. I'll give you my cell number." Harm grabbed a piece of paper and wrote the number on it.

"Harm we've already checked in, I'll give you the hotel information," his mother said, getting a piece of paper out of her purse and putting it on the dining table. She and Frank hailed a cab, and in a matter of minutes, they were headed to their hotel.

To tell the truth Andy really wanted to run, but he also wanted to get school assignments done and wanted it done as soon as possible. Besides, if his parents went for a run they could talk before others got involved. By the look on his fathers face, Andy knew his mother had a lot to answer for and in Andy's opinion rightfully so. He should have been able to see his father occasionally while growing up. He had friends that had divorced parents, and even if it meant only a short time a year with the other parent, his friends at least had been able to see both parents some each year. He hadn't, and told his mother many times is was the one thing he would have liked as a child she had not given him.

Harm told Andy when he was ready to eat to either fix something or order it in. He gave him his extra key in case he went out. He changed out of his uniform and put on sweats.

Chapter 11

Stu's Café

Montgomery County, Maryland

1515 local

Harm and Shannon finished their runs, at the same park just at different paces. They stopped at a diner to get coffee and talk. Things stayed remarkably civil between them even when Harm asked her if she remembered the address of the firm that had handled the divorce. He'd remembered Mic telling him once saying once in passing that he'd clerked at the firm, at the time of the divorce. The talk had happened during a drive to Norfolk while they were doing a JAG man investigation shortly after Harm's return from active duty flying.

This time Harm and Shannon actually talked and listened to each other, getting past the hurtful words of before. They knew they would not reconcile, too many years had passed, Harm was hurt by her actions. He told her how her leaving had devastated him, how he was wary of committing his heart to anyone because of her actions. He also reminded her he knew how it was to grow up without a father. Harm also listened to Shannon, better than he had during their marriage. During this time, they came to an understanding regarding Andy's future.

They compromised, as both wanted Andrew with them, he was old enough to decide for himself, the final decision they would leave up to their son. Andy would decide if he wanted to finish high school in Tasmania or in DC. He would spend the remaining summer vacations until college with his father if he stayed in Tasmania. He would go to Tasmania for the summer if he spent the year with Harm. They worked out a schedule of visitation, leaving the decision of where he would stay until graduation up to Andy. Walking back to the car Harm leaned over to give her a hug, she reciprocated, giving him a tight hug in return. The one thing in their relationship that had never been cool was their physical relationship. Shannon brought Harm closer to her to take it to the next level but Harm shook his head. "I'm sorry Shannon, I can't, I'm seeing Mac, I want to stay faithful to her." Shannon realized knew in her heart it had been a long shot to seduce her former husband and smiled, a bit ruefully.

The ride back to the apartment went well, the earlier animosity gone. As they entered the apartment, Andy was concentrating on finishing one of the assigned papers. He'd worked on his schoolwork all afternoon, so as soon as the assignments were completed he could enjoy his time in the States.

"Andy, we're back, you need to get ready to leave. We're going the hotel.Since it's a nice place we need to change," Shannon told her son as he was saving the assignment to a floppy disc.

Harm took his former wife and his son back to the hotel, he then gave the concierge a note for Frank, giving directions to meet him at DeLaRosa's at seven.

DeLaRosa's Washington DC 1845 local

Harm drove them back to the hotel so they could change. Then he went home, after a quick shower he put on a pair of black slacks, a blue and white striped shirt and a black jacket. He knew he didn't need a tie for DeLaRosa's but he wore one anyway. It was one little AJ had given him for his birthday months before. He always felt good when he wore it, and wanted the same tonight. He made good time arriving about ten minutes before the others who it turned out got lost. Mac declined a phoned invitation to join them citing her workload, since Harm's suspension made it impossible for her to get out of the office early for the next few days.

While they ate, the topics were kept neutral. Trish and Frank talked about a trip they had made to Europe that had been a working vacation for Trish. She'd visited the galleries where several up and coming artists were displaying their work. Andy asked his father if he had been to Europe. Harm said he had been recently, pleading a case before the world court. Andy said it must be nice to travel and asked his father where he'd been in the past year. Harm told him this past year had been much different from years past. Andy asked why. Harm said other than a trip to Paraguay and the trial before the World Court at The Hague; he couldn't say where he'd been. Andy asked him why. Harm replied that he'd worked for several months for the CIA where he'd been remained classified. Trish interjected that she knew he'd been in the Mediterranean – she'd seen the newscast. Harm told the group that newscast caused him his career at CIA. He'd been identified, on international television no less, and that was frowned upon at the company.

Harm told the group that after his dismissal by the CIA he'd worked for a short time as a crop-duster, and his boss was younger than Andy. For some reason struck both his son and Frank as very amusing. The both laughed heartily at that news, Trish and Shannon were laughing more demurely, but both of their eyes were dancing at the thought. The adults just couldn't see Harm taking orders from someone young enough to be his daughter. Harm told them he'd found out Mattie had been living her and running a business by herself since her dad's disappearance. He let them know he'd tried to get guardianship but her father's return changed that. The court decided Mattie was to live with her father. Mattie was unhappy with the decision, but Harm had been allowed to keep in contact she had acquiesced albeit reluctantly. As they were eating dessert, they decided what to do while everyone was in town visiting; Frank had to work preparing for the committee hearing. The others decided on sightseeing. After all, they had a long time local resident as a tour guide.