This is a bit of a filler... I think... maybe not. As the title would surmise, Harm is defending Mac's honor which I loved on the show. There's a few times that he steps up for her and I think it's time.

Chapter 7 - Defend Her Honor

"What the hell happened to you?" Mac saw him walk into his office with a limp and definitely noticed the scratches on his right cheek. Harm unceremoniously dumped his briefcase and cover on top of the filing cabinet and roughly pulled out his chair. She winced when he dropped into it and overturned his wastebasket to use it in order to raise his injured leg.

"Accident. The curb attacked me on my morning run." No thanks to you. He mentally added unable to keep the short tone out of his voice when he spoke to her. Her eyes grew wide and hurt and immediately he recanted. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to speak to you that way it's just… I haven't slept and now this." He pointed at his leg and sighed recalling he'd missed morning muster too. "How pissed is he?"

"Very. Why didn't you call?"

Harm sighed again. Why? Oh no reason really, he was just real busy arguing with his girlfriend about his work partner whose name he may or may not have called in the throes of passion. Actually, he left in the middle of said accident not really enjoying Jordan's incessant allegations that he and Mac had been lovers. If only..."Huh?"

"I said I covered for you although I'm not sure Chegwidden believed me. Told him that you had a medical emergency." She saw him groan when he twisted his leg in effort to get comfortable and every maternal instinct she had to care for someone made her rush to his side. "I guess I wasn't too far off." Tenderly she pressed a hand to his cheek - the one not scratched - and turned his head to look at him. "Jeez, Harm. Did you at least put triple antibiotic on it?"

Her touch felt electric and set every nerve ending on fire. She was so gentle with him, her thumb brushing just below the scratch almost touching his lips. Harm breathed in deep getting a strong whiff of that perfume she wore that combined with her shampoo and the smell of her skin. It all made a heady combination and he found himself staring at her dumbly when she disappeared into her office and returned with a small bottle of cream. Whatever she was telling him he didn't register. His brain was much too flooded and overwhelmed by the feel of her skin on his. It hurt a bit and even that didn't matter because he concentrated on her and only her.

Mac was so cute. Brow furled in concentration, her tongue darted out through her parted lips. Though it only took a minute or two tops, her first aid care felt like a small lifetime and he was hard pressed to find more areas of his body that needed that tender, loving touch. "All set."

"Thank you. You always take care of me."

She grinned. "Same thing you'd do for me, partner." Mac nudged him slightly and motioned towards his open door. "I have to head to Norfolk in a bit. The Admiral's actually letting me off the hook it seems."

"That's good, Mac. I think he's punished you enough." He surmised although Harm knew if it were someone else he'd have them grilled for perjury. "You went through a lot."

"I'm actually excited although the case is a bit silly."

"At least you can get out of here. Knock em dead, Marine." He watched her leave. She'd been barely gone for five minutes when Harm realized that he missed her.

He missed her more than a friend should and he wondered what he could do to change that.

Thankfully he hadn't gotten chewed out by Chegwidden as he believed would happen and Admiral Morris had given him a continuum. Big Bud's case was proving to be every bit as annoying as the man himself. Harm genuinely felt bad for Bud and Mikey, the upbringing that must have been hell on both men. At least Bud was able to make something out of himself and was on his way to being an excellent lawyer under his and Mac's tutelage. The fledgling attorney was a bit enthusiastic in his methodology but he couldn't blame Bud - it was hard to beat JAG's ace.

It was sometime around noon when he spotted a specific brunette passing by his office, that flirtatious gleam in her eye. "Commander, my office please and close the hatch."

Carolyn Imes sauntered in surprise by the request. For the most part she conversed with Mac and Harriet finding that any advances towards Harm were never returned. She still flirted when possible although it was all for naught, it was clear that the sexy pilot turned lawyer had his eyes on someone else - like a certain Marine Major she was certain kept his bed warm at one time. "What can I do you for, Harm?"

"It's Commander to you." He couldn't bite back the contempt in his voice if he tried not after what Jordan had told him - the indiscreet comment about Mac's trial. The term 'adultery' was thrown around and he didn't like that one bit. It wasn't exactly secret and anyone who had an eye on the Times knew that a Marine Major, a JAG, had been arrested and taken in for questioning over the murder of her estranged husband. While the case wasn't extremely publicized, it wasn't hidden from public view either but it wasn't something one would look for if not goaded into. In his opinion, Jordan had no business looking into Mac's checkered and the thought disgusted him.

"Oh. Okay, Commander. How may I be of assistance?"

Harm nearly grinned when her friendly tone took on a business approach. The smile she was wearing evaporated and he could tell she was trying not to be worried but her hands still shook. Her eyes dilated and he caught on the subtle way her breath changed, her pulse on the side of her neck quickened. Years of investigations made him hone in on those little details which is why he was so sought after and so good. Carolyn Imes was nervous which is exactly where he wanted her. "Do you normally gossip about your co-workers behind their backs?"

"How do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid or coy with me, Commander." He stood up, carefully rounding his desk without showing off much of his limp. The door he'd asked her to close was still open and so he shut it and came up right behind her towering to his full 6'4" height. "I want to know what prompted you to discuss the Major's case with Commander Parker?"

"Harm, give me a break, everyone knows…Mac should have been smarter than that. A lawyer that forgets to divorce her husband? Please."

The flippant tone made him take a slow breath. Never in his life had he been violent towards a woman and yet Carolyn was getting him there. "No. Not everyone knows. And her past is Mac's business not mine or yours, and certainly not Jordan's. It's hers. She was found not guilty and whatever happens with her Article 32 has nothing to do with you. So I'm going to ask… No, I'm not asking. I'm ordering you to mind your damn business when it comes to Major MacKenzie, am I clear?"

"Or what? Watcha gonna do?" Carolyn looked at him, intent on staring him down as much as possible and showing that he had no authority over her. They were the same rank, commissioned around the same time and at one point she held his life in her hands until said Major had her taken off his case. "You don't think I can't see it? Or anyone else for that matter?"

"See what exactly?"

"That you're in love with her."

Harm ignored that comment and gripped the back of her chair coming dangerously closer than he should ever be. "You need to drop it. If you don't, so help me Carolyn, I'll have your oak leaves. She nor anyone here deserves the kind of gossip that can ruin a career. Leave her alone. That's my first and only warning."

Imes had been repentant although he felt she wanted to tell him more and ask the same questions Jordan had. How the hell had he and Mac become the office's scuttlebutt he had no idea. They always conducted themselves in the best way possible for two military officers. True, they bantered and, he guessed - flirted a little but, at no point had he even made a derogatory or sexual innuendo towards her. At least not where prying ears could hear.

On his way to the break room Harm hoped he'd gotten through to Carolyn without needing any commanding officer kind of intervention. He really wasn't sure how to explain to Chegwidden that his staff was engaging in lewd gossip about a fellow officer or how he felt compelled to come to said officer's rescue. Besides, he'd also gossiped about co-workers so why did it bother him so much that they'd been talking about Mac? It wasn't like the woman was a saint.

In the breakroom he stood leaning against the cabinets and staring down into his cup of coffee. "You're in love with her." Lord was that getting thrown around a lot these days or what? He rolled his eyes at the words that were now becoming common. Brumby said them. Jordan said them. Annie and now Carolyn. And his mother, he rolled his eyes again at the thought of how cheerful the woman became when he told her Mac had joined him in Russia. "She's quite the girl."

It was a tone she'd never used for any single one of his girlfriends, not even Diane Schonke. Although dating Mac would likely be pleasant, he was pretty sure she wasn't interested in him that way and the last thing he wanted or needed was just a simple one night stand. That's what had driven Kate away and he feared Mac would leave for the same reason.

Apparently, today was the day for him to play hero or at least try to and he was struck by an off colour comment, one that he'd made to her over a year and a half ago.

"You know the one about how a female Marine is like the energizer bunny?" It was Mic, his boisterous voice carrying through the hallway. He had Mattoni in tow although Harm could not hear the other man's rebuttal. "She was that and so much more. Screamed my name all night."

When he walked in, he took a glance towards Harm and that sick and smarmy smile spread across his lips. The man was convinced the partners had a thing and it crashed and burned which left Mac a free agent in his eyes. "Harm here knows all about that, dontcha Rabb? You know how women are."

Mattoni took his leave likely because the tension in the small space had become constricting. The two Commanders stood their eyeing each other until Harm casually put his mug down on the counter top and folded his arms across his chest. "Please. Please don't tell me you're talking about the Major."

Mic shrugged, reached around the man to grab a mug. "Oh, c'mon Harm. Just having a little fun… a little good ribbing. You know how girls are." He smacked him on the shoulder and leaned against the opposite counter.

"You go out with her once, not even on a date and you're going around gloating like something happened… Like you're someone special to her."

"Who said it was only once?" At that Harm's face fell, that cool control of his did too and he ground his teeth so hard it was audible. Mic noticed the change of course and took liberty of goading the former aviator because he could, it was too easy not to. He found he rather enjoyed riling up Rabb and when it came to Mac - short trip that it was. "Let's face the facts, Rabb. You're just upset because I got what you never had."

Harm shouldn't have but he really couldn't help himself. Lack of sleep combined with the constant barrage of questioning about his and Mac's relationship made him snap completely. In two quick motions he grabbed the Australian by the jacket and slammed him into the pantry behind. Mic was strong and likely a formidable opponent if they ever stripped blouses but, at this given time the attack came as a surprise. Plus Harm was taller and used his height as an advantage. "Let me go, Rabb!"

Instead Harm slammed him again and the empty mug in Mic's hand fell to the ground with a loud crack. "If I ever catch you so much as looking at Mac the wrong way you'll be nothing more than a grease stain, Brumby."

"Rabb…" Try as he might, Mic couldn't shake himself out of Harm's grasp. If anything, the man held him tighter his hands just short of wrapping around his neck. He could see the fire in Harm's eyes the steely anger of a man who would kill and it scared him. "Let me go."

For good measure, Harm slammed the man once more this time hearing an audible wince and sharp intake of air when the wood behind them splintered slightly. "You're gonna tell Mattoni and anyone else who heard your little fable exactly how much of a lying sack of shit you are. And you're gonna call Mac and apologize. You will do that today, Commander… am I clear?"

"Crystal."

The commotion had brought out some of the staff and, unfortunately one Admiral AJ Chegwidden who walked in only to find Harm holding Mic against the pantry. "What the hell is going on here?! Commander Rabb, my office now."

Harm had been accustomed to being dressed down. His exploits throughout his career had placed him in the receiving end of plenty of sour moments. Chegwidden liked to let his staff stew while standing at attention, something that was proving to be painful with the hastily attended gash on his knee. He tried not to squirm and remain ramrod straight but the longer he stood the more his knee hurt,the more his knee hurt the more Harm sweated. To be fair, he was just defending a friend although he could see how bad it looked to his commanding officer.

Honestly? It just looked bad, period. And it wasn't like he hit Brumby although that fantasy made him smirk, a gesture Chegwidden somehow caught from the corner of his eye. "Something funny, Commander?"

"No, sir."

"What the hell is going on with you today, Rabb? First you come in over an hour late looking like you lost a fight with Mike Tyson, next you are threatening coworkers. The only reason I don't write you up on charges is because neither Imes or Brumby pressed on it…What is wrong with you?"

Imes had gone to Chegwidden? He almost rolled his eyes at that. "Sir...This morning couldn't be helped. I took a spill while running. I can show you the scars." He was halfway to raising up his pant leg when the Admiral waved him off.

"I see them… landed on your face huh?"

The gruff former SEAL seemed amused at this as his eyes softened and a grin spread across his lips. "Aye sir. I wasn't paying attention and hit a curb the wrong way. As for Commander's Imes and Brumby, sir…" How could he put this delicately without making it all sound like high school drama? Actually, the more and more he thought about it that was exactly what this all was - drama. He just felt Mac didn't need to be a part of it not with everything she'd gone through. True, she was a tough Marine but, he'd seen the softer side of her too, the vulnerable parts. That look in her eye as she spilled the details on Chris Ragle and John Farrow made him hurt for her. "Both had made derogatory comments about the Major."

That got the man's attention and Chegwidden's smirk turned into a scowl. "Derogatory how?"

"Permission to speak freely?"

Chegwidden cringed. "Am I going to regret this? Go ahead, at ease you look like you're about to fall."

Harm crashed into a guest chair and took a moment to swipe a handkerchief across his brow. "Thank you, sir."

"Spill it, Harm. What happened with Mac?"

"Carolyn felt the need to divulge specifics of her case with Jordan, sir. I know I sound like a tattletale but, it's not appropriate especially not with her Article 32 coming up. She doesn't need to be bad mouthed to others."

"Does the Major know?"

"I don't know sir. I hope not but, I've spoken to Commander Parker about this as well."

"And Brumby?"

Oh Brumby. The more Harm thought about it, the more he wanted to knock the other man's lights out. He knew it would be an even fight, Mic was a boxer and would likely cause some damage but Harm would enjoy the challenge. "After her trial he took her out to celebrate. While I realize the Major is an attractive woman it's not right to speak about her the way he has. Commander Brumby is a coworker, he knows how hard women have fought to even get a foot in the military at high ranking positions. Speaking of her in the matter of which he did, especially when he's in uniform, was disgusting."

"What exactly did he say, Commander?"

He cringed, both annoyed with Brumby and himself. "Sir, it wasn't clean even by a sailor's standards. Even if she spent time with him, that's not the type of rumor you want to spread."

Chegwidden sighed and rubbed a hand over the bald spot on his head. Whatever hair he had left was surely going to fall out if he stayed in this command much longer. Being a SEAL out on a mission seemed less harrowing than navigating an office. "While I agree and will have a stern talking to with the Commander...You aren't her keeper, Harm. The Major can take care of herself."

"I know. But, she's my friend and doesn't need this, not right now. Mac's been through a lot, more than you know. She doesn't need to come to work with a bullseye on her back too."

"While I agree your actions with Brumby need to be punished, Commander. I hope you like rubber stamping because you're gonna be doing a lot of it for the next few weeks."

"I'm not particularly fond of it, sir."

"Too bad."

Mac was tired, the kind that made your body physically weary and about to drop at any second. The last few weeks had done her in. Nights upon nights of insomnia had finally opened up a chink in her armor which is why she'd basically acquiesced to Mic's apologies over the phone and accepted a do over. He wanted to take her to an expensive dinner, so be it and then she would let him down after riling him up. He deserved it after all although he never got down to the dirty details that made him call.

The bullpen was mostly dark, the only light coming from the office of her partner which had his head down buried in one of the files that were piled on his desk. Through the open blinds she watched him for a moment, the darkness giving her a chance to study him unabashed. He looked tired and in pain but that didn't diminish how attractive Mac still found him. Harm's tie was undone, his sleeves were rolled up and the jacket hung across the back of one of the guest chairs. It was far too late for him to be there and she wondered why he hadn't gone home a good three hours earlier.

He was also sporting a five o'clock shadow that she rarely saw. The man was the epitome of a clean cut Naval officer and came in every morning freshly shaved and presentable - the scent of his aftershave that lingered during morning meetings was a testament to that. This rougher look screamed sexy to her and for a bit all Mac could do was stare. And then there was his pen, the one currently in his mouth, a habit Harm had which sometimes brought her to the point of madness. If it wasn't the pen it was the plastic little stir stick that he would nibble on, his lips pressing down on it. Those soft, kissable lips that she tasted twice - once when they kissed in Norfolk - twice when he breathed life back into her after Corpsman Hodge had taken it.

Mac bit her lower lip and watched him a bit more, just a few more seconds of quiet contemplation. Dear God did she fall for him, so hard it hurt and despite the resentment and anger of his actions towards her in the last few months - she still loved him. In fact, she fell a little more after she found out about his need to defend her honor. It was infuriating at first, demanding of her ire and a long argument she would have drawn out over it.

As she drove home, she went over the conversation in her head, all of the things she would scream at him until he listened and now, she could only watch him. The anger dissipated the moment she saw his Corvette still in his spot next to her Jeep. Quickly, she dropped the fleet car's keys on her desk and took her own, grabbing her briefcase as well. She was halfway towards the glass doors when she heard his chair creak as he stretched and then those blue eyes met hers.

"You alright, flyboy?" Mac grinned as she walked into his office, the fight was already gone from her resolve. Before her wasn't the cocky Naval officer but just a man - her best friend and he looked just as exhausted as she was. "Why are you here so late?"

"Why are you?"

"Dropped off the fleet car." She leaned against one of his guest chairs and stared at the mass of files that rivaled the one in her own office along with the rubber stamp that was once in her possession - his penance. "Oh you sailors and your scuttlebutt."

"You heard, huh? About which one?"

"There was more than one?" She seemed shocked and mortified over this. What the hell had happened during the span of one day? "Brumby called to apologize about uh… embellishing on our dinner. He wants to make it up to me."

"I'm sure he does." Harm couldn't leave out the contempt in his voice. "This way he has more seedy details about your prowess in bed."

"Oh, he glossed over that part. I'll get him back for that, don't you worry."

"I'm sure you will." He tilted his head and stared at her for a moment unconsciously slipping the end of the pen in his mouth to chew on the cap. "I really wish you wouldn't take him up on another date, Mac."

"It wasn't a date. We went to that hot dog stand in the Mall, sat on a bench and listen while he went on and on and on about himself." And she never got much of a word in not that Mac wanted to divulge any of her personal problems with Mic Brumby anyway. "Honestly? He creeps me out a bit. He's a little to eager and I'm not the only fish in the sea." She shivered at the thought of Mic touching her and ran her hands up and down her arms to ease the goosebumps.

"Carolyn was the other. She felt the need to make an indiscreet comment to Jordan about you. How you and Farrow got along while you were still married." He hated admitting that to her especially considering his girlfriend was on the receiving end of that information. He also hated thinking of Mac with another man. "I'm sorry, Mac."

"It's okay… I'm sure I had it coming. Chris would still be alive if it weren't for me… Dalton too."

"No. Don't go there… don't. None of that was your fault. With Chris you defended yourself. With Coster, he was manic and you're lucky you're still alive."

She smiled at his crazy plan to bait her stalker. A crazy plan that worked despite a few bumps and bruises to both of them. "Thanks to you...How's your leg by the way?"

"Hurting like hell." He admitted, tossing the pen on the desk and shifting to lean back into his seat. He studied her for a moment, grinning when Mac raised her brow in question. Even exhausted, Mac looked beautiful. "You know? I expected your 'I'm a Marine, Harm. I can take care of myself.' speech."

Mac laughed, damn he knew her too well. "Oh, I had it prepared and lost my spunk when I realized you were still here."

"And I would have deserved it, I guess I went a little crazy."

A soft gaze held hers and Mac felt the butterflies flutter in her tummy. He had a way of looking at her that did that, an expression that was unlike all of the rest. "Will you settle for a thank you? Never really had anyone care that much, honestly."

Harm pressed a hand over his heart dramatically and bowed his head while keeping his eyes on her. "I shall always defend thy honor, m'lady."

That earned him a smack on his shoulder. "Don't forget, Harm. I'm still a Marine."

"Ouch. Never." The hand that smacked him a moment earlier was now resting on his shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. Her touch spread a warmth through him and it was all he could do to not pull Mac down to him and kiss her breathless. The rumbling of her stomach had other ideas. "You haven't eaten have you?"

"Famished actually… How about a late dinner? I'm buying. If you don't have plans with Jordan that is."

"I'd like that." While speaking with Mac he hadn't noticed his cell phone ringing incessantly or the five messages left behind from the woman in his apartment still bereft from her ignored allegation. "And no, I didn't really have plans with her tonight."