A/N: It's a good thing that pictures aren't allowed in reviews, as one reader presented me with a flame thrower for my last chapter. What can I say, it's Harm and Mac: one step forward, and an infinite number of steps back! Everyone else can blame Microsoft Office for the chapter, for auto updating and not auto saving, so I had to re-write most of it!

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown

2220 Hours EST

As Mac backs away to retrieve her ringing cell phone, Harm leans towards her, seeking to re-establish contact with her lips, similar to the way he did on the Admiral's porch the night of her engagement party. This time, however, he is unsuccessful, as she puts her hands on his chest, and slightly pushes him away. She whispers, apologetically, "Duty calls, Sailor."

Harm reluctantly releases her, and mutters under his breath where she can't hear, "Sometimes duty is over-rated!"

Mac answers her phone, knowing who it is without even looking at the caller ID, "Good Evening, Admiral."

The Admiral states, "Good evening, Colonel. I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I need both you and Commander Rabb to report to JAG as soon as possible. We have an incident on a carrier that requires immediate attention."

Mac sighs, "I understand, Sir. I'll be there as soon as I can. You just missed the Commander, so you should be able to reach him on his cell phone."

The Admiral questions, "I thought you guys met at the dance studio, how did I just miss him?"

Mac thinks, 'Oh Shit!' She pauses a moment before answering, thinking that how her and Harm spend their private time is none of the Admiral's concern. After taking a cleansing breath, and trying to keep the irritation out of her voice, she responds, "We did, Sir, but our instructor doesn't think that we are in the right class, so we came back to my apartment to discuss our thoughts on the proposed change."

Harm gives Mac's hand a squeeze as he feels her body go rigid. He doesn't know what the Admiral just said, but he knows she's not happy.

The Admiral completely ignores the statement about dance class, and zeroes in on the other half of her comment. He asks, "Do you often invite the Commander over this late, Colonel?"

Mac steadily replies, "Sometimes, Sir, when our case load warrants it. You know that we often discuss cases after hours. Has this all of a sudden became an issue?"

Harm starts to run soothing circles over her palm in an attempt to calm Mac down.

The Admiral relents, "No, it's not a problem. I'm just surprised that he was there this late." He really shouldn't be this involved in the personal lives of his officers, even if he does want to help move them in the right direction.

Mac chuckles, "Besides you know how Commander Rabb is. It wouldn't matter if we took separate cars, or the same car. He would want to insist that I got home safely."

Harm smiles at her remark, that much is definitely true.

The Admiral laughs also, "His over protective streaks bugs the crap out of you, doesn't it."

Mac smiles at the comment, as she looks at Harm lovingly, "It does on occasion, but I also appreciate the officer and gentleman side of him, as long he doesn't push it too far. I am a Marine after all, who can take care of herself."

Harm raises an eyebrow, now even more curious as to what is going on, since he can only hear her side of the conversation. He knows nothing good could have come from the other end of the phone if she was giving her "I'm a Marine speech." He also knows that part of it was at his expense, but he will question her about that later.

The Admiral says, "Very true, and I am sure you remind him of that, often. I'll give him a call, and I will see you both shortly."

Mac replies, "Aye, Sir. I have to call Jillian, our instructor, and let her know that we are being sent out of town to find out when she has another intermediate class. I had only downloaded the information for the beginner ones. I will change into uniform, and be on my way after that."

The Admiral answers, "As soon as you can, Mac," before hanging up.

Mac looks at Harm and sighs. This was not how she wanted them to conclude their evening. "We've got a case. You had better get the lead out, and get home, get changed, and get packed as soon as you can. He wants us at JAG, ASAP, and we will be heading out to a carrier. I don't know any more than that yet."

Harm grins mischievously, "Or, I could cut that time in half by going down to my car, and retrieving my sea bag, and we could spend a little more time together."

Mac raises her eyebrow in shock, "Since when do you keep a packed sea bag in your car?"

Harm leans in to give her another kiss, "This Squid got trained by a Marine."

Mac pushes him away again, chuckling, "Yeah, it only took me how many years to train you? Sailor, I don't think that showing up at JAG with swollen lips from kissing would be in either of our best interests. Even if you don't have to pack, you still need a fresh uniform, and one out of your sea bag isn't going to cut it. Now get moving!"

Before Harm can protest, his cell phone begins to ring. He settles for giving Mac a pouty face, as she heads to her bedroom for a uniform. On his way out her door, he answers, "Good evening, Admiral."