Harm and Mac arrive at work in Falls Church after a well-rested weekend. They had a fantastic evening to themselves, courtesy of Bud and Harriet. Harm had every intention of thoroughly pampering his wife, but she definitely had other plans. He finally decided that resistance was futile, and they spent hours making love both in and out of the bathroom. Considering she didn't complain about tension anymore he considered his mission accomplished.


They spent their Sunday with the Roberts' family in Rock Creek Park complete with a picnic and a playground. The adults took turns watching over the other families' children while each couple got a stroll hand in hand along the trails with their spouse. This was much nicer than when Harm and Mac used to go running together along these paths. Today wasn't a competition or a race, it was just two people deeply in love intertwining their fingers and enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. Harm and Mac also shared their news of the triplets with Harriet and Bud, but swore them to secrecy until they had a chance to inform their respective Commanding Officers. It was the perfect day.

While Harm and Bud were over pushing the older kids on the swings, Harriet took advantage of the time to catch up on some girl talk. She gushes, "I can't believe you are going to have triplets. It was crazy enough when I was pregnant with twins, I can't imagine adding another."

Mac chuckles, "You? I still can't believe I am going to have triplets. However, Harm was over the moon."

Harriet laugh, "I can only imagine the shit eating grin he had on his face when you told him the news! Bud was going on and on about it when we went for our walk. I'm not sure if he was more excited than I was or just in awe."

Mac gasps, "I don't know if Harm had a smile on his face, as I had to impart the news over the phone, but the line definitely went silent for a few moments. Oh No! Bud isn't suffering from performance anxiety again, is he?"

Harriet inquires wide-eyed, "What?"

Mac smiles in memory, "Don't you remember shortly after AJ was born when Bud and I went to the carrier to prosecute LT Buxton. He was so in awe. Not only of Harm, but of all the various personnel that had combat roles when he was just a 'legal weenie.' He didn't feel that he was playing an important enough role. And you guys were 'very tired' for spending sleepless nights with the baby and hadn't been together in the biblical sense for a while.

Harriet smiles. "Did I ever thank you for intervening? We had a wonderful weekend in that little hotel room in Richmond."

Mac replies, "No, but I already got my thanks when you made the call to the carrier. And please don't take this the wrong way, but I really wasn't thrilled with Bud having that conversation with me. You and I talking about our personal lives is a little different than members of the opposite sex doing it. Especially when one of them is a superior officer to the other. I wish you could have seen the look on Harm's face when Bud politely asked him to leave. That was all the gratitude I needed."

Harriet turns red, "I completely understand that Ma'am. Although I have to say I'm kind of surprised he confided in you at all. As for your husband, I can just imagine, I bet it was priceless."

Mac giggles, "You have no idea! I wish I'd had a video camera. He was offering Bud a hop in an F-14 and Bud was completely ignoring him, thoroughly immersed in his conversation with you. Harm went from cocky fighter pilot to zero in two seconds flat. And Bud using me as a sounding board for relationship advice with you started before you two ever even starting dating. I read him the riot act for not asking you out quicker than he did. He always kept it in very broad terms though."

Harriet gives her a warm smile, "I never knew that, I'll have to tease him about that one day! Thank you for assistance in getting us together, then. As for Harm, he usually never showed his arrogant side with me. Confident, maybe, but he was never really a jerk. Not too many men would have wheeled me around the bullpen. I did see him act that way with others though. You have definitely mellowed him since you guys have been together."

Mac shakes her head, "I don't know about that one. My colleagues on the bench would definitely disagree with you. He still pulls theatrics in the courtroom every so often. I'm just glad it's not against me anymore."

Harriet laughs, "I can understand why. Bud was livid the last time he squared off against the Captain. Harm pulled a rabbit out of his hat that had him doing research for hours. The only bright side was that he made Lt. England stay and assist him. If I were him, I would rather done the research myself and spent extra hours in the office than deal with her."

Mac laughs, "I didn't realize you weren't a fan of the little witch."

Harriet sighs, "I've only had to deal with the woman at professional functions, at least until I was enlisted to help her plan a Jag Field Weekend. I thought I gave up having to plan events when I went on Inactive Reserve, but when the General's wife called, I just couldn't say no. I swear that Lt. England makes Lt. Singer look like the Good Witch, and that is saying something. Is there anything she doesn't complain about?"

Mac mutters, "Apparently not! I take it you head about her little skirmish with Harm?"

Harriet howls, "Oh yes! Bud told me the night it happened. I didn't know how much of it was just scuttlebutt and how much of it was true, but I heard that he gave her the worst dressing down she will probably ever have in her career."

Mac smiles, "I didn't witness it first hand, but she disrespected a senior officer. In this case it was me she was disrespecting, and unbeknownst to her, Harm happened to be standing right behind her when she did it. I haven't seen him lay into too many people over the years. In fact, I'm positive that I've dressed down more personnel than he ever has. Come to think of it, the last person I remember him berating was Lt. Singer when she tried to cause friction between you and Bud when you bought the house and hadn't told him and he hadn't told you that Petty Officer Coates was his legal man."

Harriet chuckles, "Papa Bear protecting his territory."

Mac replies, "I don't think so, this was about more than just him defending me. He really doesn't like it when people are downright cruel to someone else or they try to cause problems with idle gossip."

Harriet teases, "That might be true, but you know at least part of it was standing up for his wife. It's kinda cute!"

Mac shakes her head at her best friend, "Don't let Harm hear you say that!"


While Mac heads to her chambers, Harm drops his briefcase and cover in his officer, and immediately goes to see PO Quinn, the General's yeoman. Once he has an appointment with the General secured for the end of the day, he heads to the break room to get a cup of coffee.