Return To Me

by Radiorox

COMPLETE Harm and Mac went to separate ends of the world and never stayed in touch. Four years later, when Harm returns to the States, he and Mac find that you can’t fool destiny. That friendship is the road that leads to the heart.

20. A New Jarhead In Town

Alrighty guys, here's part 20. The thing with Michael should resolve in about 2-3 chapters along with a favor that Harm asks of Mac in the next chapter. It will get actionish and interesting.  If you didn't get the memo Jarvis is working for the guy that Harm originally went after at the beginning of the story. You know? The drug dealing dood? Jarvis is working for him and the woman that Harm and Mac were in her office, they almost got caught? Yes, them. How that happened will be revealed later.

Enjoy!

Jackie

PART 20 – A New Jarhead In Town
0520 Local
Burnett Residence
La Jolla, California

"Mmm." Sleeping wasn't really up on Mac's 'to do' list, but the moment she fell into Harm's bed and his arms, she was out like a light. The only thing that made her wake up was her incessant internal alarm which came together with her internal clock. Sighing, she flipped onto her side, glancing at her boyfriend's sleeping form. Boyfriend, she grinned slightly, wiggling herself into the space closer to him.

"Morning." Harm said softly, nuzzling her neck and placing soft kisses all over her face. "How'd you sleep?"

He looked so cute with the bed head and that sleep laden voice was threatening to make her call in sick. "Surprisingly well." She stretched out lazily, then curled herself back into his, now open, arms. "Thank you for this."

"You don't have to thank me, Mac. . .I just thought you shouldn't be at your place until it's cleaned up and back to normal." Though he wondered just how much would be back to normal. After the issues with Palmer in his place, he remembered that, at times, he was scared to be there alone. A fact he never told anyone. He rubbed his nose against hers, giving Mac an Eskimo kiss.

Not even dealing with Michael could completely zap away this happy feeling about her. Ah, the miracle of being in love. "You know how you asked me to teach you how to love?" At his nod, she kissed his lips softly, then wrapped her arms around him, holding Harm tightly to her. "This is part of it."

"What do you mean?"

"This. . ." She pointed between the two of them, grinning sexily. "Spending time with you like this is. . .is everything to me. . ." It was always amusing to her how, at times, when she was with past lovers, she couldn't wait for them to leave her alone and, despite her rough times with Harm, most of the time she wanted him around. "Webb, Mic. . .I liked spending time with them, but ever so often, I was relieved that they were gone. And with you. . .I want you here as much as possible. . I don't want you gone."

A gentle tingle coursed through his body, it was a welcomed feeling which warmed Harm inside. "Well, I have to admit, sometimes I wanted you gone." He joked, laughing when she gave him a look of mock hurt. "Like when we've argued."

Mac swatted him playfully on the backside. "You're terrible. .. but, I know what you mean. . .Though, after we spent time apart. . ."

"I wanted you back. . ." Harm said first, tightening his hold on her as he did so. "You know, maybe we can skip our early morning showers?" The look he gave her was enough to steal her breath away. His words promised of something that they both wanted.

Despite her previous arguments of having sex under the roof of the Burnett residence, when he kissed her, Mac lost all reasoning. She fused her mouth to his, allowing him to flip her over so that her back was on the mattress and Harm was covering her body with his own. His hands slipped under her t-shirt and Mac, being ever helpful, lifted her arms so that he could take it off. However, true to their magnificent timing, something, or rather, someone would interrupt. "Harm? Mac?" It was Trish.

The both of them stopped their ministrations, looking like two teens who had been caught making out. "Umm, yea mom?"

"Good, you're up." She said from the other side of the door. "Just wanted to make sure the two of you were up in time for a shower and some breakfast. . .I wouldn't want either of you to be late."

"No, we wouldn't want that." Harm said under his breath. "Not a problem, mom." Sighing, he lowered himself onto Mac, kissing her softly before rolling to his side of the bed. "So much for that." Sitting up, he got out of the bed first and pointed to the bathroom. "Better let me hit the shower first, Marine. . I have a little problem that only a cold shower can take care of."

'Don't look down. . . Don't look.' Yea, like that ever worked? As much as she tried to stop herself from looking, Mac found that she just didn't want to. They were together now, what harm would it do. "Yup, need to take care of that. . .little sailor of yours." She cheekily said, smacking him on the six as he passed by her.

0815 Local
Joint Legal Services Southwest (JLSS)
San Diego, California

Ted Jarvis definitely had the body to play US Marine and the way that crisp Staff Sergeant uniform fit on him, a few heads were turning on base that day. With a pass attached onto his blouse, he headed directly for JLSS, passing security and then being escorted by one pretty blonde by the name of Lieutenant Simms, to Vukovic's office. "Excuse me, Commander? Staff Sergeant Angel Van Edee has an appointment with you." She held the door open for Jarvis (Van Edee) and closed it behind as she figured Vic would request.

For a moment Vukovic sat behind his desk with an impassive expression. Whoever it was in that fake uniform, it definitely wasn't Ted Jarvis. This man was clean shaven where Jarvis always sported enough facial fuzz to be considered grungy. His hair, which once made it all the way to his jaw line, was now the perfect 'jarhead' cut. He wore the uniform with pride – fake pride – Vic deduced. That entire swagger that was normally associated with Ted Jarvis was gone. It was almost as he were a different person . . .almost. "Jesus Christ. . .It doesn't even look like you."

Jarvis remained standing at attention in front of Vic's desk. "Yea, right, now can I sit down, sir?" He tried as hard as possible not to roll his eyes but it happened anyway.

"Uh, yea, yea. . .take a seat. . uh, at ease, I guess." Despite himself, he couldn't stop looking at Jarvis. "Are you always able to do this?"

He chuckled. "You should have seen Rabb's get up a few months back. . .Played an Australian to the T." He grinned. That disguise had been partially his idea, one that would have worked if he didn't already tip Quinn off. "Anyway, it's pretty easy to do, Vic. .. I used to be SWAT. Granted, it's not the Marines, but we're pretty much harasses."

In her office, Mac stood, pacing from one end to the other with her cell phone in her ear. "Talk to me before I go crazy." She said, exasperated and more than a little angered by the morning's turn of events. As Harm had suggested, she'd managed to speak to the base CO about posting extra security around the base. True, not just anyone was let in, but she wanted them to be more cautious of those that they did. Mac had explained the situation calmly and rationally, only to be called everything under the sun.

Harm rose a finger to his secretary, signifying that his next appointment was to wait until the call was over. "What happened?"

"What happened? That son of a bitch called me a BAD Marine. . . a BAD Marine, Harm! Since when does asking for back up make anyone a BAD Marine?" She was furious, completely enraged.

"Who called you that?"

"Rear Admiral Jacob N. Schilling is who." She leaned against her desk, trying to stop herself from being too loud and too emotional, but, damnit, even if he was a squid, they were all military. Weren't they supposed to help each other? "He has some sort of agenda and I am, apparently, not on it."

There she went with conspiracy theories again. "You're talking crazy."

"Am I?" She yelled into the phone, calming down when Jen stood up and took a peak through the windows. Calmly she waved her off, letting her know everything was alright. "He is from the old days of military life, Harm. . .You remember those like MCPO Sullivan?" She was referring to an old sailor from a case they had handled the first year they worked together. A Navy Master Chief accused of sexual harassment.

He chuckled. "I remember you telling him something about castrating the village pervert."

She didn't find it even remotely amusing. "You also remember him not being very fond of women in the military."

"It's their prerogative not to be. . .But they still have to deal with it or ship out."

That would actually be a welcomed thing for women if all of the pig headed, male chauvinists would just let them do their duties. "Look, I understand there is a double standard and the boys club doesn't like it. . .That's fine, I'm living with it. In many situations I've overcome it. . .But I didn't do anything to undermine him. . .I didn't do a damned thing to make me seem weak. . .Sure as hell I didn't do anything to damage the Corps." Shaking her head, she sat in one of the guest chairs across from her desk and sighed deeply. "He said I had it coming for letting my personal life interfere with work."

"That was uncalled for." Alright, so maybe she was right about the base CO.

"That's not it. . ." Mac lowered her voice, keeping it so that only he could here. "I didn't tell him it had anything to do with Michael. . .I only told him my house was broken into and the police were concerned it was not a robbery but that I could be in danger. . .He hinted towards the notion that Michael was involved."

Hmm. Now that was certainly interesting. If Harm truly understood what she was trying to say, it meant that the CO was doing a little more than just taking a hard line on women. "That's not too conclusive considering Schilling knew about the relationship and how obvious it was the Michael had a violent streak."

As if he could see her, Mac shrugged. It was a long shot. . .an incredible long shot that had just dawned on her. But, it did make some sort of sense if her past dealings with Admiral Schilling meant a thing. "True, and I know you'll think I'm crazy, but I have this gut feeling I've been set up."

That didn't sit well with Harm at all. "Why? How?"

"Why? That's easy – he wants a man as the CO of JLSS, not a woman. . .He thinks people do not respect me and as such it breaks down the chain of command. Past Vukovic, I really do not have a problem with my staff." Harm didn't think she would, few people, even himself, were willing to deal with a pissed off female Marine. "And how. . .I don't know. But, I find it odd that I met Michael because of Schilling." Yes, now that she recalled, Schilling could have really set her up using an ex-Marine with a chip on his shoulder to do so. "I met him during a staff party at Schilling's mansion. . .Jesus Harm. . ."

This really wasn't something he wanted to add to his investigation on Michael. If anything, he hoped it to be a case of jealousy. It was easy for a jealous man to make mistakes. "Mac, I'll look into it. . .Now, I am not saying I believe this conspiracy theory of yours, but if it is Schilling, the best way to do this would be through JAG. . .I'll dig up the details, pass them along to Cresswell and have them do a JAGman investigation. . . My hands are tied otherwise." He really hadn't thought about someone from the other side of the fence being involved. If it was a civilian, like Michael, it was easy to grab him and put him under arrest. Now, if it went up the military food chain, things could get sticky. "Just try to stay safe, please. . .And if anything happens, call me." He was dismissing her, knowing that his appointment was not the type of person to keep waiting. "I have to go, I have an appointment waiting for me. . ."

"I'm sorry for ranting. . .I mean, I might be trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat or something." At the moment that is exactly what it felt like, though something inside of her told her otherwise. "I'll see you later, flyboy."

"Later, Marine. . .Love you."

"I love you, too." Funny how three little words can make you feel so good.

And it was even funnier how the sound of someone's voice could totally obliterate that good feeling. "Uh, Ma'am?" Turning around, she found Vukovic peeking through the side of her door. "I'm sorry to disturb, Colonel, but Petty Officer Coates' intercom was not working."

Mac raised an eyebrow in annoyance. No matter how hard she tried, it was futile, Vic would never be someone she could respect or care much for. She would just have to deal with him as best as possible, with as little animosity as possible. God help her. "Commander, did you even think about knocking?"

"Uh, no. . . ma'am." Hey, at least he was being honest which really wasn't winning him any brownie points. "If I may?" At her nod, he entered her office, standing at attention in front of her desk. "Ma'am, I was noticing that we're a bit understaffed and as a result, I wanted to do some recruitment."

The nerve of the man. Now he was insinuating that she couldn't fill her staff? "Commander, do I not have a Chief Of Staff?"

"Yes, yes you do ma'am, but I am sure Commander Roberts would agree that we are understaffed in the bullpen, ma'am."

Though this was true and Bud had mentioned the exact thing to her, she wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily. "Again, Commander. . .I do have a Chief Of Staff to handle this. . . and that Chief of Staff isn't you. And if you are jockeying to win over that position, it isn't going to happen."

Relenting from his current approach, Vukovic tried one that would appeal more to the Colonel's good side. She was always a sucker for a serviceman in need. "Ma'am, I don't mean to be obstinate, but, he's a Marine who saved my life a few years back." The moment he mentioned the word 'Marine,' he saw a hint of caring pass through her stone like face. "He was injured on duty and doesn't want to leave the service, but needs a calmer job."

"I see." Through the window to her office, she spotted, according to the chevrons, a Staff Sergeant who was engaged in some sort of humorous conversation with Coates. "Is that him?"

Vic turned towards the window and nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He was hoping that would be that and no interview would take place. He was reaching a bit too much.

"Send him in."

It took a great deal of energy for him not to groan out loud. Normally, Roberts would do the interviews, approve or deny them for the busy Colonel and that would be that. However, this change of events wasn't high up in his to do list. According to Jarvis, Mac knew him. Maybe not well, but Vic had found, from past experience, that Mac was damned good at remembering people just by their face. "You're busy ma'am. . .I can send him to Commander Roberts. . .Also, I already interviewed him – squeaky clean."

Again he fought back a groan as her eyebrow shot up to her hairline. "Send. Him. In." Mac punctuated each word, letting him know that she meant business and he was not to interfere. "And please return to your office, Vukovic, I doubt very much he'll need you as an interpreter." Tiredly, she sighed as Vic stepped outside giving, what appeared to be, a 'pep talk' to the Marine. This really wasn't something she was looking forward to at the time being, but, having another good Marine on staff wouldn't be a bad thing.

She stood up as the young man entered her office and stood at, what could be considered, a mediocre form of 'attention.' There were details in his movements and posture that only a fellow Marine could point out. As any tough as nails CO would do, she let him stir for a moment, pleasantly noting that the 'Marine' before her did not even flinch. "Have we met before, Staff Sergeant?"

'Yes.' "No, ma'am. . . I would remember."

"Is that so? Do I seem that difficult to forget?"

'With legs like those?' "I never forget a face, ma'am."

Mac rounded her desk, standing in front of the man, just a few feet away. "Stand up straighter, Staff Sergeant . .Suck that gut in." There was something about him that reminded her of. . .of. . .someone. Though, she couldn't quite put her finger on who. She brought her hand up to her mouth, tapping her lips thoughtfully with her index finger. "I swear I know you."

'Oh shit.' "I would know if you did, ma'am. . .But I do have one of those faces."

That seemed to partially convince her, though something was still striking a cord and she didn't know why. "At ease, take a seat." Maybe during the interview she could remember. "Lt. Commander Vukovic tells me you are in the need for reassignment. . .Why?"

Jarvis tried to remain in some form of 'attention' while sitting down on the chair. Vic had mentioned on several accounts how 'anal' Marines seemed to be and that it wasn't a job that anyone could coast through. "Well, most of it is classified information."

If he thought that would get him off of the hook, he had another thing coming. "How classified is it? Because, I can guarantee you that I can find out, in detail, what you've been up to." That was the privilege of still having friends working in the CIA. Not that she would do that, classified was classified, but Mac found threatening people she wasn't too sure of would sometimes do the trick.

Unfortunately, Jarvis had an ace up his sleeve. "I am sure you can, ma'am." He sighed and closed his eyes, opting for some form of dramatic effect. His voice shook slightly when he spoke. "I can't get into details, but, I was living abroad and fell in love with a local. . .We secretly married and had a child, but her family had some enemies. . ." By controlling his body, he was even able to make himself turn slightly pale and sweaty almost on queue. "My daughter and wife were kidnapped and killed. . .I tried to go after the man that captured them. . .but I was injured." He lowered his head down in hopes to look both shameful and horrified, all the while keeping one eye on Mac as best he could. "It's not in any records. . . And because I was good friends with my CO at the time, no charges of any kind were filed. After I recovered, I was allowed to go back to duty."

Mac sat behind her desk, her hands across her chest. That look that was first there, one that spoke of her current indifference to him, had disappeared. Now, it was replaced with compassion, caring. But, Jarvis still wasn't completely convinced he'd won her over. She was a lawyer and a Marine. Two deadly combinations when it came to the fine art of psychological warfare. If he passed, then, damnit he was definitely good at his job. "I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Staff Sergeant, my condolences."

'Heheheheh, dumb broad is buying it.' "Thank you ma'am. . .That means a lot that you. . ."

"Now, if you'll allow me to be blunt, what did that have to do with the Corps? Or rather, why is it that you do not feel up to continuing your duties." It wasn't that she was trying to be mean, but a good CO had to be impartial to things and make sure they weren't getting the wool pulled over their eyes.

'Damnit. Busted? Maybe?' "I, ah. . . .Well." Nope, that certainly wasn't good. Marine's didn't stutter, they would regain their composure before speaking. What the hell was she doing! "Well, see, my post would require me to stay in that country and deal with her family. . . I ah. . .don't wish to do that?" The last sentence came out sounding more like a question than a statement. It was then that any inch of compassion in Mac's eyes disappeared completely.

"I don't believe you, Staff Sergeant."

"It's the truth ma'am."

She snorted, stood up and made her way around the desk, settling herself against it as her eyes bored into his own. "Care to take a lie detector test?"

"You do that around here?" 'Oh yea, definitely busted.'

Mac glared at him squarely and for the first time since he walked in, Jarvis was starting to get nervous and it showed. "Get out. . .Whatever Commander Vukovic was planning with you in my office, will not work."

"He was only helping a friend, ma'am." Nope, not even whining was working. This woman was certainly a piece of work.

"I have the right mind to contact your CO and let him know about the on goings of your life, however, if you work for whom I think you're working for, that really wouldn't do squat. . .So, get out before I have you thrown out on your six." She stood there, stone face and with a voice that meant business.

Reluctantly, Jarvis stood, ignoring any type of Marine protocol as he headed towards the door. He paused with his hand on the door knob. "What part of my act needed work?" He asked, quite tongue-in-cheek, but a question that was well asked.

Mac chuckled. "Your eyes, Sergeant. . .I can read them like an open book."

'Ah, yes. His eyes.' Okay, so she saw through his little song and dance routine, but, at least, he accomplished one thing - Mac didn't know who he was. "Thank you, ma'am. . .Have a good day." He stepped outside unceremoniously, glancing up at Vic who questioned him with a raise of his hand. "Sir, can we speak in your office." Speak, hell. . .Jarvis wanted to PUMMEL Vuckovic. In the evening they'd discussed the game plan. One that Vic SWORE was fool proof. Sure, if you didn't have the female Marine from Hell. He entered Vic's office, still ignoring any type of officer/enlisted protocol while doing so. When Vic entered, he grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the desk. "Look you little slime. . .You told me I would have access in here and now. . ."

Vic grabbed onto Jarvis' hands which were closing down on his esophagus. "Can't breathe."

"Good, so I can talk and you can listen. . ." Jarvis pressed his full body weight on Vuckovic, inflicting just a bit more pain that necessary. "Find a way to keep me here, you got it?"

He nodded, then tried once again to release his grip. "'enzie. . .office. . . day. . ."

"What?" Jarvis released his grip on his throat but kept a tight grip on his shirt collar. "Repeat it."

"I said." He croaked, "That MacKenzie is not in the office all day." When Jarvis released him Vic slid off the desk hitting the floor as he coughed, trying to regain his vocal chords. "Damnit, we're supposed to be in this together, you crazy psychopath."

"This type of work, my friend, is like a. . .Well. . .It's like a well choreographed dance." Jarvis grinned. "And when you dance, someone has to lead." He turned towards the wall where a small mirror was in place, which he used to straighten himself up. "Now, where can I hide until MacKenzie gets out of her office?"

There was a morbid mob-like quality about the way Jarvis worked, something that told Vic he was more than up to no good and that this wasn't just a ploy for revenge. It was more the desperate acts of someone on a payroll. And yet, the threats, empty as he first believed them to be, were driven home when Jarvis tried to destroy his windpipe a mere second or two ago. "I took a peak at her yeoman's records. . .MacKenzie is scheduled to leave the office at ten today. . .You can hide out in here, if she asks I can always take the fall for it."

"Is that wise?"

Vic shrugged. "I never play by her rules and she knows it. . .Is it wise? No. But, she knows it's my M.O."

With a huff, Jarvis dropped into one of the guest chairs, nonchalantly waving his hand towards Vic's desk. "Sit. Work. . .We have almost two hours to kill."

0820 Local

Rabb and Galindez Investigative Service

Pacific Beach, California

"Mr. Rabb, Detective Sawyer." Harm's secretary, Natalie, escorted Sawyer into his office, offering to bring in some much needed coffee and bagels. "I'll be right back with the coffee."

Harm smiled. "Thanks Nat." He waited for the woman to step out before his eyes, beautiful and brilliant, turned dark and dangerous. "Anything?"

Sawyer plopped into the chair across from Harm and shook his head. "There is some news about your partner and I have some questions for you in reference to Mrs. MacKenzie's break in."

"Colonel MacKenzie." Harm clarified knowing Mac would probably have done the same. "I know you won't find this comforting, but I have one of my guys on Michael Rose. If you don't catch him, maybe we will."

"Hmm." Sawyer didn't particularly find this surprising. Since finding out about Rabb's business he was curious as to how much beef their little PI shop ended up attracting. Needless to say, this wouldn't be the first or the last time that there was a hit on someone working in the private sector of investigations. Still, there were a few details that were never discussed, primarily because the night before Harm was busy trying to 'take care' of Mac. To take her away so she wouldn't have to 'see the destruction.' Typical, Superman qualities that Sawyer didn't find the least bit admirable. If anything, they pointed at something sinister. "We never really spoke much last night, Mr. Rabb. . .You were too busy trying to get Mrs. . .I mean Colonel MacKenzie away from her home."

"Yeeesss, she was distressed and really didn't need to be there. Furthermore, Detective, there was no other pertinent information that she could give you. . .Not to mention, you guys already have a report of assault on Mr. Rose. The pattern fits."

Sawyer shrugged. "Patterns can sometimes be broken, you know that. . .And I am not talking about the Colonel. . .I am talking about you. . . Where were YOU the night before last?"

"You really are a piece of work, Sawyer." Harm spat out in complete amazement. It was true, most cops just didn't get it. Out of everyone on SDPD, why him? According to Benson, Sawyer wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. "Unless I can teleport, I definitely wasn't the one to do that to Mac's apartment." Yep, ripped a page right out of Bud's alien space book.

Watch out! Here comes the obvious question. "And why is that?"

"Because I was with her the whole time and you can check that with her."

"And you couldn't have snuck out? Wouldn't be the first time that. . ."

"Oh yea." Harm chuckled. "I snuck out of a small sailboat cabin. Jumped off the bow, swam to shore, messed up her place and got back in time to kiss her awake. . .I must be the Bionic Man." He snarled, shaking his head at the detective's audacity. "We were on my stepfather's Yacht all weekend long. .. and you can ask her, she'll corroborate."

Sawyer shot his hands up in defeat. "Hey, it's my job to ask. . .You were a lawyer, you should know."

"Yes, I do and as such I would ask where the person was first before pointing fingers. . .The first rule of lawyering is that you don't ask a question you don't know the answer to. . .It makes you look like a fool." 'And an ass.' He silently added with a smirk for good measure. "Besides, there were. . . 'fluids' left on the bed, isn't that enough?"

Now Sawyer was truly embarrassed. "Erm, well they never arrived to forensics. . .Apparently, they were left open, contaminated and as such, disgarded."

Harm threw his hands up in shock. "Amazing, you're doing this by the seat of your pants." What was the world coming to? "As for Gunny. . . er, Victor Galindez, you said you had news?"

Apparently things weren't going smoothly, Harm deduced by the way the young detective shuffled in his seat. "It was an inside job." The words hit home with a clarity that bothered Harm greatly. "While I believe, along with you, that the blame lies on Theodore Jarvis, there is nothing to corroborate it."

"Nothing at all?"

"No, just a spotty record. His letter of misconduct that got him thrown off the force and the fact that he's just a slime ball who has it in for you."

Harm nodded. It wasn't an airtight case. True, if he had a good prosecuting lawyer, like, let's say, himself? He'd probably nail Jarvis to the wall, reasonable doubt or not. "Why do you think it was him?"

"It's a hunch."

Similar to what he had. But hunches didn't always lead to much. "I guess I'll have to do a bit of internal investigations on my own."

"The narcotics were not recovered either, so I suspect that whomever took them, is planning to sell quickly or is well out of town by now." Sawyer scanned through his booklet and found one other point. "Your partner does believe the intruder was a male. . .When I spoke to Galindez today, he said something about his assailant's body shape that fitted more of an average height male who has well defined muscles. . .His face was hidden by a skimask."

This really didn't seem to get any better. And now, with Jarvis gone and Gunny injured, he would be forced to pick some new players for the team. "Thank you, detective, let's keep in touch."

2115 Local
Burnett Residence
La Jolla, California

The moment Harm stepped foot into his parents' home, he walked in to a welcomed sight – Mattie, Mac and Trish sitting around the fireplace, laughing. Grinning, he leaned against one of the walls, quietly watching as they exchanged, what appeared to be pictures back and forth. "And this is Harmon when he was three and decided to turn my broom into a jetfighter which he would fly around the house, naked."

Well, talk about sucking the joy out of his already hectic evening. "AHEM." He cleared his voice and gave them all a stern look which only made them break out in laughter all over again. "Absolutely, zero respect." He dropped his briefcase on the coffee table and sat on its top, spying a picture which Mac was clutching. "Okay, mom, which one did you give her?"

Mac held up the picture for him to see. "And here I thought you were a Veggie Boy all your life." The picture she held out was a shot of one seven year old Harm holding a big, thick, barbeque sauce covered piece of rib. "There is hope for you yet." She teased, then leaned in and kissed him much to both Trish and Mattie's delight – well – squeals. As they broke apart, Harm stared sternly at her. "Woops, did I let the cat out of the bag?"

He shrugged. "Yea, well. . .I guess since she was showing you the baby pictures, mom already got the memo." Grinning he turned over to Trish and Mattie who were now clattering away happily about how they just knew that Harm and Mac would 'hook up' and that they were 'so cute together' followed by a whole slew of conversation that Harm just could not decipher. "I was going to ask if they approved, but I'll take the clattering as a yes."

"Then kiss me again." Mac commanded, leaning in and accepting another with a grateful smile.

- - - - - - - - - - - -'

Jecho – No No, if they went by the wayside with Michael, they'd team them three up, scary thought!

JAGJenni – Yea, I know what you mean, some stories are flat at the end and it's like "went through all of that for nothing" I know what you mean. I usually try to hook them up in the middle and then have a bunch of problems cos it's fun to see them handle the problems. To me, it's sort of like, what could have happened to H and M had they dated on the show and had to deal with real life. Etc. You know? And thank you for the review. Much appreciated!

William – Thank you! RL is getting there. I hope. ;)

Jamie – It's Michael alright, trust me on that. And yea, there are a few people bugging them which is why, after the Michael thing is dealt with, they won't know what hit them.

MichelleUk – Suspense rocks!

Xblue – Hate me! What the hell did I do now!

LtJGMEG – Stubborn! Them! Naw! ;) Yea, that idea with Mattie was cool. I am not really big into writing her in, but it works sometimes. Yay me!

Froggy – Yep, all is well here in Miami, well, semi-well, a lot of people still don't have power. Ah well, live on. Yes, they'll continue to help eachother out though they might hit a small bump. :) for entertainments sake. LOL!

MxFan – Thanks!

Nikki – Thanks! I try to combine things that work that would be very much harm and Mac, could you imagine them on TV dating? It would be so hot and sooo fun! Ah, TPTB didn't know what they had until it was gone.

Jaggurl – It will get even more exciting, lots of tricks thrugh several corners. ;) And mac's going to wind up on a little investigation soon enough.

Foxy – Week's better, thanks. Course, it wil lbe SUPER better once NEXT week is over. Last week of Anatomy. Thank God!

MiDushi – Michael – Mac dated him at some point between the time she and Harm were out of touch. It was around th esame time or so that Harm was dating Susan the Pyscho in the UK. It's in the earlier chapters that mac tells him what happened. Basically, Michael went a little nutso and cos Mac wouldn't move in with him or allow him to move in, he tried to rape her. Didn't succeed. Apparently though, he still has a thing for her and even called her one night, supposedly from Jail. But. . .well, you'll see. ;)

TV Angel – Feeling better thanks! Thankfully I don't write when I am in a bad mood else Harm and Mac would either both be dead or broken up LOL!

Lisa – Jerks all three of them huh? Michael, thus far, is the worst, because they know he's around, but they don't know about Jarvis and Vic and their thingies. Let's just say it's not going to be good. Well, it will end fine, but the middle part. . .well, you get it, I hope.

Nix – I always keep them together! No, Susan is not joining in this endeavor, that would be too soap operaish (Laughs) and noooo. She's noo… she sucks.

JaggieGold – You have chapter 19 and now chappie 20:D