"Settling the Score" 1?

By Rita Widmer

Disclaimer: Still the same from the prologue.

Author's Note: Thank you all that sent feedback. I hope I won't disappoint you. To not confuse you the prologue took place on Sept. 11, so we're heading back in time now.

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Sept. 9th

Sarah MacKenzie looked down at her cell phone, and a smile crossed her face as she realized who was calling. It had been awhile since they had talked, and now she wondered what brought the call.

"Colonel MacKenzie," she answered in her usual formal tone since she was still at work.

"Don't give me that military stuff. I knew you when you were just Sarah," the woman on the phone answered with a hint of a laugh in her voice.

"Yes ma'am." That brought a laugh from both women. "Now that the formalities are over, what brings this call?"

"I need your help."

"What's wrong, Adalia?"

"I'm hoping it's nothing major, but I rather have your opinion on what to do. Can you come to the Muslim Community Center tomorrow morning?"

"As long as I don't get called away on duty out of town, I'll be there."

Mac smiled up at Harm as she said her good-byes to Adalia.

"Personal phone calls at work, tsk tsk tsk," Harm looked mockingly upset as he spoke.

"Can I plead the fifth?"

"Still will get convicted."

"Then I will take a plea bargain."

"Buy pizza tonight, and bring it over to my place."

"My client accepts. What time?"

"7:00, and don't be late."

Mac watched as the flyboy grin was flashed at her before he spun around and left her office. "Punishment he calls it," she murmurs to herself, "sounds more like my pleasure."

"I heard that."

Shaking her head, she got back to work. It sounded like she had a busy weekend ahead of her, and work would need to stay at work.

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She stood in front of his door with pizza in one hand, and dessert in the other. It wasn't part of the bargain, but it couldn't hurt. No matter how much he denies it he still likes his sweet things

"Right on time, Marine," Harm says as he opens the door for her.

"Did you expect anything else? I thought you knew me better then that."

"No, no. I just hope one day I will catch you late."

"If you ever do then I'll let you pick out the punishment."

"Yes, ma'am." He took the pizza from her, and looked at the bag still in her hand. "I don't remember that in the plea bargain."

"I figured I was left off easy so I added to the charge."

He set down the pizza on the table, and took the bag from her and looked inside. His eyes almost boggled out of his sockets as he realized what was inside.

"You know I don't eat that kind of stuff, Mac."

"More for me then. Thank you."

She laughed at the disappoint on his face. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I'll pretend to ignore your sneaking some for a prize in return."

His face let up at that news, and they finally settled down to eat. He had snuck at least two servings of the dessert, and when they moved to the couch Mac expected to get her reward.

"Now tell me what that phone call was about," Harm stated.

"Just an old friend calling up. She wants me to visit her at the community center she runs tomorrow."

"Is that all the reason?"

"Harm, she didn't tell me much. I haven't seen her in a long time, and I'm looking forward to spending some time with her. Don't worry about it. It's probably nothing. Now for my prize."

This was his favorite part of his evenings with her. More and more they had spent their evenings at each other's place, and they were closer then ever. He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips.

"How was that for a prize?" he asked.

"Hmm, it will do for now."

They spent the rest of the evening relaxing, and softly talking about unimportant things. Harm was still a little worried about the phone call, he let it go for now, and vowed to talk to her tomorrow night.

As they approached the door, she stopped and turned to look at him. "I remember someone sneaking two servings of dessert tonight, and I'm still waiting for the prize on that one, Sailor."

Not bothering to deny it, he took her in his arms very slowly, and kissed her more passionately this time. With a dazed look on her face, she left his apartment with a quiet good night. She luckily missed the flyboy grin on Harm's face, because her body couldn't have taken it.

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Sept. 10th

Mac stepped into the community center with a smile on her face. Everywhere there were signs of patriotism. No one could ever doubt these people loved America as any other group of people.

"Hi, can I help you?" A young lady asked Mac.

"Yes, I'm here to see Adalia. She's expecting me. Just tell her Colonel MacKenzie is here."

"Yes ma'am. Come this way. I wanted to join the military, but I'm afraid too."

"Why?"

"Because I'm Muslim, and there are so many people that think we are terrorists or should be."

"There are Muslims in the military right now, but I would love to talk to you more about it another time. I have something important to talk about with Adalia. What's your name?"

"Mary, my mom wanted me to have an old-fashioned American name."

"It's the person inside that matters not the name. Go off and enjoy yourself, I'll find you later."

"Thank you, Colonel."

Mac entered the office after being told to enter. Inside she found Adalia in tears, and she rushed over to hug the woman. "What's happened?"

Mac looked down at the sheet of paper handed to her, and her face went white with what she read and saw on it.

TBC…