Sorry if there is anything out of sorts. I wrote this last year, by now, I don't remember most of it. LOL! This is mostly a Harm story, Mac will have some appearances here and there. :-)

Enjoy and thanks for the feedback!
Jackie

PS: The Webbs We... is moving along slowly. We have a new puppy (have had her for approx a month now) she's 9 weeks old and a terror LOL! She and her big sister (which is going to be 3 years old - same parents) don't always get along so we have to keep the little one inside most of the time. They are both German Shep dogs. Sasha and Kayla. Sasha, the big one is... well, HUGE. I call her My Little Pony. ;-)

Anyway, since the puppy is in the house I haven't been sleeping much. She decides to play with her toys or just about anything at odd hours. I'm getting there though! I finished Chapters 1, 2, 3, part of 4 and all of 5. It will start posting in September. :-) I know that's a ways off, but I want to get most of it done so that while I start posting it I can finish. I'll hit you guys with a teaser at the last Act of Into The Underground. :)

ACT 2

0450 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
San Diego, California

"Harm just doesn't appreciate fast food." Mac said with a sad sigh as she, Harriet and Jen sat around the dinning table with various booklets on wedding dresses, floral arrangements and local caterers. "A BigMac is like. . . manna from the Gods!"

"Well, ma'am, as long as he doesn't make you try his meatless meatloaf." Jen chuckled, dipped a fry in ketchup and popped it in her mouth.

"Jen." Mac said sternly, realizing that getting Jen out of the habit of calling her 'Ma'am' off duty was as difficult as it was for Harriet and Bud. "Off duty. . .it's Mac." With a cringe, she put down her burger and sighed. "I can not believe he fed you that meatless stuff. I'm going to have a serious talk with that man about what can and can not feed Mattie and me."

"I love cooking so if you two ever need a chef, drop by Chez Harriet. . .Oooooh." Putting down the soda she was sipping, she pointed out a beautiful bouquet of white roses and iris'. "You could do something like this, but make the ribbons a little shorter kind of like my bouquet." She smiled wistfully, thinking back to the day she became Mrs. Bud J. Roberts. "Next to having kids and finding out Bud was alive, that's been the best day of my life."

Mac and Jen rose up from their seats to take a good look at the picture. The bouquet was very beautiful and dramatic. With a huff, Mac sat back down suddenly uninterested with her manna from the Gods. "It probably costs a fortune. . .Hell, everything costs a fortune. . .This wedding is going to bleed us dry."

"I thought the Captain's parents said they would help with the wedding?" Jen asked.

The moment Trish and Frank found out that their son was finally going to marry Mac, they had been more ecstatic than they thought possible. Trish immediately went into 'mom mode' giving Mac ideas for the reception, floral arrangements and even the wedding itself. After some light conversation, Harm convinced her to ease off and that nothing would happen until he was settled in San Diego with his reservist billet. Nevertheless, his parents offered to put up whatever they needed for the wedding, including money. "They want to help, but Harm and I want to do this on our own, you know?" Frowning, she touched her hand to the picture of the flowers. "Harm's parents have been so wonderful with all of this. . .Trish seriously thinks that if anyone could keep Harm in line it's me." She finished with a chuckle.

"Talk about a full time job." Harriet laughed, taking the magazine away from Mac and tucking it with the rather large pile of things that interested them.

"Tell me about it." Grinning, she glanced between her friends and sighed with a silly expression on her face. "Every time I think of us married, I have these little butterflies in my stomach." She motioned with her fingers as a grin spread over her lips.

"Pre-wedding jitters. . . Everything will be fine, Mac. And if Harm winds up in jail the night before your wedding, don't forget, I forgave Bud." The women laughed, including Jen who had heard the scuttlebutt behind AJ, Harm and Bud's arrest the night of the Bud and Harriet's wedding.

"Okay, girls. . .Give me one moment, I must call my fiancé and make sure he's not out causing trouble." With a chuckle, she took her cellphone and dialed the long but familiar number.

"I bet your bill is off the scale, you call him what? Once a day?" Harriet joked with her friends, knowing too well how much long distance bills could cost.

Mac gave her a pointed glare, then shook her head. "I don't call him every day. . . Harm and I decided to set up a joint phone bill, for your information. . . And as a result the calls are a little bit cheaper. . .besides there's also internet."

Harriet nudged Jen conspiringly. "I can just imagine the monitors melting over their IM's."

"Ma'am, you're terrible." Even so, Jen was laughing along with Harriet when Mac turned a bright shade of pink.

"C'mon flyboy, I know you're up. . ." She waited semi-patiently, furling her brow in confusion as to why he wouldn't answer the phone. "Where are you?" She couldn't help but feel slightly worried. "It's Saturday, he should be at home."

"Isn't it a little early to call him, Ma'a. . Mac?" Jen said with a smile as Mac pinned her with a dirty look.

"No, he told me yesterday to call him at this time. . .apparently there are things he needs to wrap up before flying home and he wanted to get an early start and do them this weekend."

"Try the office, maybe he got called in for something?"

That seemed like a good option. With a nod, Mac redialed the UK area code and the long digits to Harm's office with PO Newman's extension. She was surprised when the young man answered the line. "Hello Petty Officer, it's Colonel MacKenzie."

Everyone knew about them and PO Newman, who was always willing to do a good job, loved speaking to the Captain's fiancé. "Colonel MacKenzie, ma'am. . .How are things in San Diego?" He sounded tired, exhausted even.

Mac sighed. She wasn't in the mood for chit-chat, she only wanted to make sure that Harm was okay. "Nice and sunny. . .the usual. . .Is the Captain available?"

Newman's tone changed suddenly, it was clear he was hiding something. "Uh, no ma'am. . .he is out on a special assignment." Being the one who had put together Harm's flight information and details, he was sworn to secrecy by both the General and the Captain. It had been the General's mistake to give the young man such sensitive information, but if Harm trusted Newman, then the General could too.

"What type of assignment?" She bit her lower lip tensely. Harm would have told her if he had an assignment. There was only one reason why he wouldn't. . .

Sighing heavily, Newman lowered his voice. "The General gave it to him ma'am. . .I'm afraid I don't know much just that he will be very busy for a while. . .It may be difficult to get a hold of him."

"Difficult to get a hold of him?" She repeated, placing her head in her hand. Her stomach was doing flip flops all over the place. Something about this busy work was worrying her. Harriet and Jen traded glances as they saw Mac's shoulders slump. "Has he left any messages for me?"

"Yes, ma'am. . .he said he would contact you as soon as possible. . .And um, that he um. . .loves you."

"Thank you Newman. . .Have a good day." With a frown and a sigh she placed the phone on the table. "Damnit." It was moments like these that she hated what they were: good officers. Glancing up at her friends she frowned. "He's on an assignment."

"I am sure he'll be fine." Harriet said.

"For the most part, when I've spoken to the Captain he complains about work being pretty mundane." Jen supplied, trying to ease her friends apprehension. "They probably need him to wrap some things up."

But, Mac still felt this sudden restless pang through her whole body. For some reason, it reminded her of when he was lost at sea. "Yea, I suppose. . .I guess he'll call me when he gets settled wherever he is." Though her voice seemed convinced, her body language said otherwise.

Two Days Later
1245 Zulu
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
Miami, Florida

The US Southern Command base was something unlike he'd been very familiar with. For the most part, Navy stuck with Navy. However, the military needed an installation close to South America and chose this point as a 'common ground' for all of the services. As he walked from the parking lot to the administration building Harm had to remind himself that he was now 'enlisted' and had to pay proper respect to senior officers. Arriving at the main building, he removed his garrison cap and entered the facilities. This would be the third time he played Marine. He headed straight to the secretary, a blond haired, green eyed civilian girl and used his best flyboy grin. Before he had a chance to say much, she noticed his insignia and quickly deduced who he was. "I bet you're Gunnery Sergeant Rick Davies, just a moment, I'll need to check on Colonel Barrette."

"Thank you, Ma'am." As he waited, Harm thought about being back in America. It felt good to be driving on the right side of the street, to see homes proudly flying Old Glory. Somehow, it made him feel closer to Mac and Mattie despite the fact that they were miles away. He knew he couldn't tell Mac where he was or what he was doing. It hurt that he was so close to her, a mere five hour flight, and yet, he would be whisked away before he had a chance to see her. "Soon, Harm. . . soon." Soon they would be together, yes, that was true. But it was the time in between that was killing him.

Seconds later, he was escorted into Colonel Barrette's office. According to what Creswell wanted, Gunnery Sergeant Davies was supposed to be brash, cocky, with a bad attitude and a love for starting fights. Harm stood ramrod straight at attention in front of the Colonel's desk while the man berated someone over the phone. "Damnit! I don't care if it was a joke! I'll have your six in a sling, Grissom! Now find out who did it and get their asses to my office ASAP!" He slammed the phone down and Harm mentally cringed for wincing and slightly breaking his stance. "I saw that Gunny."

Harm stood as straight as possible, "No excuse, sir." He kept his words sharp and authoritarian sounding but still in a tone that would not threaten a senior officer. Biting back a grin, he remained at attention as the Colonel lit a Monte Cristo cigar. Ah, the scent brought back a longing.

"At ease, Gunny, take a seat." The Colonel kept his eyes on Harm, glaring and trying to rattle the 'Marine.' Many squirmed when he did that as the Colonel had perfected his million dollar stare to use against his subordinates. But this man, he noticed, wasn't even sweating. With a slightly concealed smirk, the Colonel reached for Davies' file and took a quick glance. It was all for show, he already knew the information by heart. "So you're here to keep my Marines in line. . .What makes you so special?"

Biting back a smile was very difficult for him, he was rather liking the way this CO operated. "Men need to be broken down before they become Marines, sir. . .I believe most instructors forget this. . .I know I am not here to be a DI, but that is how I operate. Very few men will like it, most will hate it. I find that those who hate my tactics work harder not to break the rules."

"Some men will resent you for pushing so hard, Gunny." Barrette was very amused with this man. He'd reminded him of the DI's of old.

"I realize that, sir. But this is not a popularity contest. I am here to keep the staff in line not to make friends." Harm was almost fooling himself into believing his own words. Maybe it was a bit too over the top, but he was doing as told.

Barrette grinned, this was just the type of leader his enlisted men needed. "I think you're going to do just fine, Gunny. . . Welcome aboard."

1610 Zulu
Joint Legal Service Southwest
San Diego, California

"Ma'am? Is something wrong?" Petty Officer Jennifer Coates stood in front of Mac's desk, her hands tightly holding a file folder. "Colonel MacKenzie?" She winced slightly, figuring that her actions might anger the Marine. Slowly, she came around Mac's desk and tapped her shoulder. "Colonel?"

It was uncommon and certainly odd, but it still happened, Mac nearly jumped out of her seat. "Jesus, Petty Officer, you scared the sh. . .hell out of me."

"I apologize, Colonel. I just came to give you the file which you requested. . .It was misfiled." She hoped that whatever mood the Colonel was in didn't mean the woman would attack her for no reason. COs had that prerogative and it was something that subordinates, especially enlisted personnel was non too thrilled about. Mac, however, didn't answer, she didn't even take the file, but merely sat there with a far away look. "Colonel, I don't mean to pry. . .but. . .is something wrong?"

Mac's deep sigh followed a slight shake in her body. Since last night, she felt that something was going to happen. Sure, those were natural feelings for humans to have, but this time it bothered her immensely. She literary felt it in her bones. "Ever get the feeling something really bad is going to happen?"

Though it wasn't quite the answer Jen was looking for, she knew it had to do with Harm. "Pardon me being nosy ma'am. . . I assume this has to do with the Captain?"

Lashing out would have been easy and, though Jen was a friend, within the confines of the office she was Mac's subordinate, a person she could just order away. "I know he's busy, but, even so, he usually calls or e-mails or at least gets online, even for two seconds to let me know he is alright. . . He hasn't called me all weekend, I've left four messages on his cellphone and I'm worried. . .Harm has this knack of getting into trouble and, this time, I am not around to help him get out of it." She buried her head in her hands and sighed. "Maybe I'm overreacting?"

Jen really didn't know what to say but knew she needed to keep things light and positive. "Ma'am, I am sure he's just busy. I am sure they just need him to wrap everything up before he comes home."

Mac nodded feeling slightly reassured. "Yea, Jen. . .You're probably right. . .thank you. . . dismissed." After Jen had retreated from the office, she sighed deeply once again then leaned into her chair as she glanced out the window. "If everything is fine, why do I have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach?"

1720 Zulu
US Southern Command
Miami, Florida

Colonel Barrett stood in front of a small contingent of enlisted Marines. To his right stood Harm, at attention, dressed in digital cammies complete with that blank Marine stare. "Listen up, Gentlemen. . .After much searching, we have found you a new instructor – Gunnery Sergeant Rick Davies." Turning to Harm he nodded, "All yours Gunny."

Snapping out of attention, Harm saluted his CO, then turned towards the group in front of him. By now, he was familiar with all of them as their files had been on his desk the moment he was ushered into his office. His taller form hovered over most of the men, but there was one in particular who seemed to take this in stride. With the speed of a surface to air missile, he stood in front of Corporal Paul Greene, his personal space invading the other man's as he shoved him out of attention. "Corporal, am I dressed like a clown?" He didn't even give the man a chance to answer. With a strong punch to the abdomen, he had the man on his knees. "I understand you gave your last instructor a bit of trouble? Well, ladies, this is a whole new ballgame."

As Colonel Barrette stood by, watching, Harm moved away from Greene and stood in front of all the men with a scowl. "All of you, drop and give me two hundred. . .SOUND OFF." Walking around the men, he spoke with a stern voice, one that would likely cause fear to new recruits. "This isn't a game, ladies. . .Being a Marine is a full time job and I am going to make sure you do that job right, else you'll all be sent back to bootcamp by the time you can finish singing the Marie Corps Hymn." Walking to Corporal Greene, he placed a foot on the man's back, making it more difficult for him to push up. "I want all two hundred push ups done, and then I want two hundred squat thrust. . .Once you're done, you are to hit the rack and be back here at no later than OH FIVE HUNDRED. . .I'll be watching you, gentlemen." Releasing, Green, Harm turned away from the group and stepped to Colonel Barrette.

Greene pushed off the ground with a grunt and lightly kicked the man next to him. "You know what? We could make a killing off of this guy. . .I wouldn't mind kicking is ass."

"Sounds like a plan and my money is on him kicking your ass." Lance Corporal Mike Sutton chuckled, then grunted as he went into the next push up.

Glancing up, Greene found Colonel Barrette speaking with Gunny Davies, the two briefly made eye contact and with a slight nod, a silent agreement was made.

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