A/N: Please see authors note at the bottom, see first chap for disclaimers, and I have changed Harm's rank to Captain.

It was safe that Harm was truly relaxed, okay so having his wife and daughter there would have made things just as great, but it he and Tyler were having a boys day in while the girls were having fun getting ready for Mattie prom. The two had gone shopping over an hour ago, picking out a dress and all those other…girly things that Harm just didn't understand. He merely handed over his credit card and threw his hands up in defeat. He knew that they would be awhile and settled back for a relaxing afternoon.

Just the though of dresses, colors to match the tux, make-up and earrings made Harm shutter. There were just some things a Navy Captain knew nothing about. That's why he elected to take Tyler and save his son from a world of girly things. Things his two year old son shouldn't be exposed to just yet.

There were just settling down to a basketball game that Harm had taped sometime ago, when the doorbell rang. Harm put Tyler down in the playpen and stood up. "Don't go change the channel on me pal, I've waited two weeks to watch this game, so don't get any ideas."

"Ding-dong" Tyler babbled happily when the doorbell rang again.

"Alright, alright I'm going."

There leaning against the door frame, in black baggy pants and a ripped black tee shirt was Josh.

After showing Josh into the living room, Harm grabbed a soda from Josh and sat down across from him.

"What's up Josh?"

"Nice digs, Commander, or should I say Captain?"

Harm laughed, "Yeah I got promoted awhile back ago, they've asked me to start teaching at the Naval Academy this fall…but I know you didn't come over just to ask me about my career, what's going on Josh?"

Josh shifted in his seat, and wrung his hands together. "We used to talk, right? I mean…well"

"What's on you mind Josh," Harm said saving the boy of the trouble of that awkward beginning.

You know my mom's deal. She won't let me have anything to do with the Navy not after my Dad and well…you. I just want to know what happened. I mean one day we're hanging out taking down the bad guys on the tiger cruise, and then the next she's saying that you're not coming over anymore and I can't call you…or talk about you."

Then all of a sudden the answer Harm had spent weeks looking for became painfully clear. Josh looked up to harm, and the fact that they had been so painful ripped apart became Josh's undoing. Annie marrying so soon after the fact, and starting a family again, Josh just found him self starting to be separated from the life that he knew.

"Josh…your mom…"

"I know. I know she got pissed because we lied to her about where we were going and the fact that we almost died just added to her paranoia. But…"

"But what Josh?" harm asked leaning forward forcing josh to meet his eyes."

"It's just not fair."

"Life isn't fair kid, it wasn't fair that your dad had to die and you don't like your step dad-"

He stopped when josh flinched.

"Something you want to share with the class there Josh."

Josh sighed and leaned back in his seat. It's nothing. He's just…just…he's Army!"

Harm laughed, as did Josh, and it seemed as though the two had finally come to an understanding.

"Do you still want to go to the academy Josh?"

Josh sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. "I do, I don't know man, flying is all I think about…I mean it's just not because of my dad…it's all I ever wanted to do."

"I know, Josh. You know my mom didn't want me to be in the Navy either. She thought I would end up the same way my dad did. She couldn't go through that again, and I understood that. I may have only been six, but I remember what she went through how there were just some days that she just didn't even get out of bed. And then when I came back from trying to find him…

Harm closed his eyes losing himself in the memory.

Flashback

He was sixteen years old standing at his front door with a Navy Captain and a priest with their hands on his shoulders. He could have been being brought home by the cops and it wouldn't have made him feel any different. He was just plain and simply mad. He Dad was out there somewhere and nobody was looking for him.

His mom answered the door, Frank standing behind her, her eyes were red and puffy from crying. He was sent to his room, while she talked with the Captain and the Priest. When he heard the footsteps coming up the steps, he knew what was coming, a grounding, a long lecture, and to top it all off; screaming.

Standing tall, he was ready for it. But when she stood in front of him her arms balled tightly in to fists, he wasn't ready for what came next.

She smacked him across his face. Not hard enough to send him across the room, but hard enough to leave a mark. He was shocked. It was something his mother had never done before, but then again she had never been given a reason to do so.

"If you even scare me like that again…how could you do this Harmon…going off to Vietnam like that…I can't lose you too…I've lost my husband…I can't lose my only son," she said holding his face in her hands.

End of Flashback

"So as much as I wanted to be in the Navy and as much as I wanted to be like my father, I couldn't do that to my mother."

"So what did you do? I mean you are in the navy, how did you get your mom to change her mind?"

"We struck a deal actually, for two summers I would experience other types of jobs and just see what else was out there, and if I still felt the same way, she would let me go. But it wasn't that easy to get into the academy, Josh. I had to keep my grades high, I need a letter of reference…it was a lot of work."

"You think that would work with my mom," he asked. "I mean the whole finding something else I might like thing."

Harm regarded the young man sitting in front of him for a moment. He was a lot different from the ten year old he knew. He knew that this boy would go places, but only if he applied himself.

"I don't know Josh it would be something you would have to talk to your mom about. And it wouldn't be so bad to talk to your step father about it either. He might be a good ally."

Josh scoffed. "Since when have the Army been anything but a pain in the ass when it came to the Navy."

Harm and Josh both laughed, but agreed that Josh would at least try. The three spent the afternoon together, well the two because shortly after Josh's arrival Tyler went down for a nap. Discussions of basketball, girls and Josh's home life kept the two men talking for quite sometime, Harm didn't even notice when Mattie came in the room arms full of shopping bags.

"Dad Mom says she need's your help with the rest-"

She stooped when she spotted Josh on the couch. Harm groaned when the two sixteen year olds locked eyes for the first time. He could have sworn he heard the fireworks go off.

"Oh no," he groaned and hauled Josh outside to help with the rest of the bags.

TBC

Sorry, a horribly short update, but I wanted to throw another possible romance in the mix before the real stuff starts.

I CANNOT BELIEVE how many people don't want Mac to be Harm's wife. If I knew not putting them together would get me more reviews I would stop writing HM fics.

Next chap, though, I will defiantly reveal harm's mystery wife. So it might be awhile before the next chap is posted so I can figure out just who that will be.

I still need names for Harm's next child. Boy and girl names and names for the other basket ball teams, if you please. Thanks to all who reviewed and please keep them coming.

Sorry to all those in the Army for the jokes, I meant no harm.

Thank you guys for hanging in there, I graduated college, on May 25th, so the last few weeks have been hectic.

Virago500: I see your point and am amazed at how many anti Mac people there are out there. What about the season finale? Did we not see that they were both willing to give up their carriers for the chance at happiness? But I do see your point, so don't be surprised if I stay from my usual genre.

Jeanaz8: LOL, don't worry I'll stick to the safe names. And it's nice to see that there are still Harm and Mac fan's out there.

Syrae: I understand what you're saying, but isn't the whole see-saw effect what makes them so right for each other? The fact that they can still relate even after all that they have been through? The baby will of course remain a mystery until its birth, but any suggestions for names will be much appreciated.

Lynnp: believe it or not, I wrote this chapter with you in mind. I knew their talk had to happen sooner or later, and since my next chapter will be the unveiling of Harm's wife, I wanted to get this out of the way. So what do you think of Josh and Mattie?

Rose: Don't worry; I have no intention of abandoning this story. It's just getting good now.

Bree: Thanks for the support. I have been under a lot of stress trying to find the perfect match for Harm, but you won't have to wait much longer. Next chapter and the mystery will be revealed.

G: I have changed harm's rank to Captain, and maybe a move is in his future, you'll have to wait and see.

neon007, katydid13, Michelle Pownall, dawnfaer, Abigaile, IAmTheBoss: All will be revealed in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.

Alexx: You're very observant, aren't you. You make very good points, and you're right. My intention really wasn't to hold back the identity of Harm's wife, but it was just so much fun keeping it a secret, regardless of who it is, what Harm said concerning him and Mac is true. Mac is still, and will always be a big part of his life.

jj Queen: thanks for the review, and I promise that I will finish this story. I just don't know when, and thanks for taking the time to check out my other fics.