I'm so sorry for the delay. I've been slowly moving everything on my harddrive from my PC to my laptop but I ran into some technical difficulties when my rabbit, Snickers, decided that the cord for my mouse was too tasty to resist. I finally found a new mouse that actually works—I'm too cheap to buy a new one, especially since the PC is destined for the scrap heap anyway—this morning and I was transferring files when I found this. I knew I had a chapter, or at least a portion of one, written up, but I could have sworn it was still on paper and not typed up. Obviously I was wrong.

I've since invested in an overpriced baby gate to keep the rabbit on the main floor since my computer equipment is upstairs in my bedroom, so unless the dog knocks the gate down, I shouldn't run into this problem again. Knock on wood.

Sorry this chapter is so short, but I wanted to get this story started up again. I'll try to get the next chapter written and up as soon as possible, but I'm starting a new job this week and the training is supposed to be pretty extensive so I might be too busy/tired to write as often as I'd like.

The Ranch

2300

San Antonio, Texas

Even though they were both exhausted neither Harm nor Mac could fall asleep. They both had too much on their minds.

"Harm?" Mac said tentatively. "Are you awake?" she asked, even though she was relatively sure he was.

"I'm awake," Harm replied. He placed a tender kiss on the back of her neck before pulling her a little closer to his body. "What's on your mind?" he asked, hoping whatever Mac wanted to talk about would stop him from seeing a little girl, a miniature Meg, being slaughtered over and over again.

"Lily," Mac said. Harm tensed up and Mac rolled over to face him. "No, just hear me out," she said before Harm could protest. Harm nodded and shut his mouth. "I was just thinking that the school is probably not the safest place for her to be right now, and since she can't go to her father's and we can't risk her coming back here, why don't we talk to Meg about taking her out of school and having her stay with someone else for a while?"

"I'm not sure putting her up with strangers is the best way to protect her, Mac," Harm said, unsure he completely understood her plan.

Mac nodded. "I realize that. But she's about the same age as little AJ and Bud does owe his acceptance to law school to Meg... I mean, we'd have to talk to Meg first, and then Bud and Harriet if Meg thinks it's a good idea, but I think that getting Lily away from the school and to a place where she can be protected full time without going to a safehouse is a good idea."

"I agree. We'll bring it up with Meg in the morning," Harm said. He moved a little closer and rubbed Mac's nose with his own. "Until then, though," he whispered, "you are not to think about anything other than where you want to go when we get back to DC."

"Go?" Mac asked as she slid the hand that wasn't tucked under the pillow under Harm's shirt. Her fingertips lightly traced the muscles and bones of his back and side, smiling when she reached a spot that tickled.

"Yeah. I figure that once this is all over we could take a Friday and a Monday off and have four days to get away from it all," Harm said.

"Hmm, that sounds nice," Mac smiled. "Any thoughts on our destination?" she asked as she snuggled up against Harm, their bodies now as close as they could be while fully clothed.

Harm thought for a second, debating the merits of the country bed and breakfast over a tropical location, but he decided that it wouldn't matter as long as he had Mac with him. And he told her so.

"Well, personally, I wouldn't mind going somewhere with a beach," Mac said. "Harriet and I went shopping a few weeks ago and I got a new bathing suit… I think you'll approve…" she teased.

"I'm sure you'll look amazing, Mac, but I'm not sure I'll want to let other people see you in it…" Harm said.

Mac grinned. "You've got nothing to worry about, Flyboy. I'm all yours. Unless, of course, George Clooney comes around." Harm rolled his eyes as he leaned in, capturing Mac's lips in a deep and sensual kiss.

JAG Ops

0700

San Antonio, Texas

"It's risky, and not wholly above-board, but it could work," Admiral Bradley said thoughtfully. He looked at Meg who looked like a little girl called in front of the principal. Harm was seated beside her, there for moral support should she need it. Mac was standing with her hip brushing against Harm's shoulder as she shifted her weight. "Ultimately this is up to you, Commander Austin. I won't make this an order, but I will recommend seriously considering what Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie are suggesting."

"I…" Meg said softly, her voice shaky and unsure, "I think I need to think about this for a while. Right now Lily is safe; that's all that matters to me at the moment." She looked over at Harm. "You really think it could work?" she asked, willing to trust in his judgement because he had never steered her wrong before. Harm took risks, that much was true, but never with human life, and especially not with a child's life.

Harm took a moment and then nodded. "I looked at the picture of Lily in your mother's room this morning before we left. She could easily pass as Harriet's daughter. Mac has a former client who can get papers for Lily—birth certificate and a passport. Harriet has an older sister… I'm drawing a blank on her name at the moment."

"Katherine," Mac supplied helpfully.

"Katherine," Harm nodded, flashing Mac a quick smile before turning back to face Meg. "We can have the papers say that Lily is Katherine's daughter and Bud and Harriet can watch over Lily until this is taken care of," Harm said.

"She needs to be in school," Meg said softly.

"Admiral Chegwidden's sister, Adele, is an elementary school teacher. She works two days a week—cutbacks—and she'd be willing to privately tutor Lily on her day's off. She won't fall behind," Mac promised.

Meg worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

Okay, this is probably the shortest chapter I've ever posted, but, seeing as it's been, like, forever since I updated this fic, I hope you guys won't mind too much. The next chapter is already in the works and I promise I'll keep Snickers away from any and all cords in the future.

Mel