A/N: The rotten author that hasn't updated this story in months should be smacked, just saying! It's bad when you write yourself into a corner and aren't sure how to get out of it. I'm ready to get back to the lightheartedness, and dance classes, but it will take a few chapters to get there.

Aboard the C-130

0220 hours

The SecNav narrows his eyes at Mac, surprised that she has the audacity to challenge him that way. He would have expected that coming from Rabb, but not MacKenzie. Perhaps they have been partnered too long that his tendencies are rubbing off on her. He would consider having AJ reassign one of them, preferably "Harmful Rabb", the hell out of Washington, but the problem is there is no other team in the entire JAG Corps that can compare to them. Much to the SecNav's chagrin, both of their stars are on the rise, and there isn't a damn thing he can really do about it. They are too well respected, both in the military, and outside of it. Congresswoman Latham would likely have his head on a platter before a Congressional Committee if he tried to separate them. If this case ends up on her purview, she might find a guillotine for him anyway. He really needs to tread lightly here, as he knows the Congresswoman is a strong advocate for women's rights in the military, and she still keeps in touch with the JAG Officers. He fears her a lot more than he fears Admiral Chegwidden.

To say that Harm is shocked at Mac's response would be an understatement. How he wants to wrap his arms around her, or at least squeeze her hand in silent support, but he can't do that in front of the SecNav. He will have to settle for a look, and hope that she can read the message behind his eyes.

Harm is also fully aware of how much respect she has for Admiral Chegwidden, but he feels there is a deeper story going on here than she is letting on. He really wonders how much of this has to do with the SecNav's comments related to the Admiral, and how much has to do with the "Boy's network" trying to rid the service of female personnel. He strongly feels it has more to do with the latter. Maybe it's because she too, has been subject to harassment that she didn't report. He doesn't think it was at Okinawa, but perhaps during her time in Bosnia. Harm doubts that anything has happened during her tenure at JAG, as he is pretty sure he would have known if that was the case. She might not have trusted him fully in the early years of their partnership, but they have grown a lot since then. Then again, she didn't tell him that she had a husband either until it blew up in her face, so maybe something did happen since she has been at JAG. He immediately shakes that thought away, he doesn't want to think that after all this time that they are still keeping secrets from one another.

Another introspection that dawns on Harm is that several of the comments that he makes to Mac himself, could in and of themselves, be considered harassment. They have often shamelessly flirted, and made statements that had the potential to have meanings of a sexual nature. However, other than occasionally throwing each other a "yellow light" or a "red light" in the early years, they haven't seemed to be unwelcomed on either side. In fact, tonight, his actions seemed to be green lit all the way. He does realize that as close as they were getting before they got the call for this investigation, those actions will need to be shelved during their time on the ship. It doesn't mean he won't think about it though!

The mere thought of him being lumped in with a group of males that believe women shouldn't have every opportunity in the service as the men do, makes him sick to his stomach. Harriet, Meg Austin, Traci Manetti, Jordan, Mac, are all perfect examples of upstanding officers who earned their way. The only other exception of upstanding female officers he has encountered, besides Lt. Singer of course, that sticks out in his mind like a sore thumb is Allison Krennick. He wouldn't doubt that she probably slept her way to where she is. There are probably several men in the service, himself included, that were subjected to harassment by her. He also doubts that any of them ever voiced it, he surely knows that he didn't. His damn ego at the time wouldn't let him. He is inclined to believe that if it happened to him at this stage in life, that he might have handled the entire situation differently.

This whole night has taken a very frustrating turn in Harm's mind. The phone call sending them on this case was the first unfortunate event, the Sec-Nav being on the plane made it worse, and the information that Nelson has just relayed is the straw that breaks the camel's back. His can almost feel his blood boiling. He wants to rewind the last few hours to where he was holding Mac in his arms at the dance studio, or when he was nuzzling the back of her neck at her apartment. Maybe, if he is lucky, there will be a problem with the transport taking them to the Seahawk when they land. Not so much with the plane, but a weather delay would be nice. After all, London is known to have some occasional temperamental climate conditions that only a bear donning a yellow raincoat and red boots seems to enjoy.

Harm looks between the SecNav and Mac, trying to determine which one of them will blink first. The SecNav issued a challenge, and Mac threw the gauntlet right back at him. He would gently tell her to "Power down, Marine," if he thought it would do any good. However, Mac has that definite look of fire in her eyes, the one that Harm has seen on several occasions that states emphatically, "Don't mess with me, I'm a Marine." However, Harm seriously doubts that the SecNav will heed the warning being expressed from her posture, her demeanor, and her words. He inwardly cringes as he realizes the potential fallout on this one, but he also knows that Mac will need a comforting presence to chill her out once she has a chance to separate herself from the situation. And he will gladly be the one to provide it, even if he has to tell her good-bye at the airport if the SecNav chooses to send her home. Harm idly wonders how Nelson would respond if Harm passionately kissed Mac right in front of him. Thankfully, Harm manages to keep the grin on the inside.

After narrowing his eyes at Mac for what seems like several minutes, the SecNav is the first to see reason, and backs down. He really wasn't expecting MacKenzie to challenge him, but doesn't want to push the envelope any further, especially not to formal charges. Much to his dismay, he needs her on this case. He relents, "Fine, we will call AJ when we land, and fill him in on the current situation." He shifts in his seat, attempting to get comfortable in this contraption that they have the nerve call a transport. He is definitely used to traveling in more posh conditions. He gruffs, "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to try and catch a few hours of sleep."