A/N: It's hard to believe that it was a year ago today that I posted my very first story. Thanks to all the folks that encouraged me to write, and all those who are still reading. I appreciate each and every one of you!

Chapter 24: Play Nice

They deplane to find a Lance Corporal standing by with room assignments, and transportation to their destinations for the various personnel being delayed in their travels. The few officers have rental cars at their disposal, while the enlisted have a van standing by ready to take them to their accommodations. The SecNav, of course, has the VIP treatment of a limo and driver.

Harm hangs back until most of the personnel have departed before asking the Corporal, "Is there an office nearby that we can use to check in with our CO?"

The Lance Corporal responds, "Yes Sir, the building right behind us will have whatever you need. Just let the Petty Officer on duty know what you require."

The SecNav, comes to stand beside Harm and Mac, and frustratingly states, "Somewhere private. We have sensitive matters to discuss."

The Corporal bounces back to attention, "Yes Sir, Mr. Secretary, Sir! If you give me just one moment to make sure everyone is on their way, I will escort you personally."

Harm takes one look at the SecNav who appears to be rather annoyed. 'Oh well' Harm thinks, 'it was his bright idea to hop on the plane in the first place. It's high time he had to deal with how the real Navy works.' Seeing that the SecNav isn't going to offer any type of verbal response, the Commander replies, "Thanks Corporal, we appreciate it."

Harm looks at the SecNav, and says, "Sir, I am going to store our luggage in the car first, if you don't mind?"

Before the SecNav can answer, the Corporal smartly responds, "Sir, I'll take care of all of that for you, once I get you settled in the office."

Harm is about to argue that it isn't necessary, but Mac jabs him in the ribs as he starts to open his mouth. He shoots her a glare, but wisely replies, "Thank you, Corporal, that will be fine."

Mac nods her head, whether in agreement with him, or just satisfied that she won, Harm isn't sure.

They arrive in the designated office, and Harm places the call to JAG OPS, hoping that Tiner has arrived already. It's just a little past 0500 EST, so the odds of him being there are slim, but Harm figures he will try there first anyway so that he can get a read on the Admiral's mood. Just like the Marine standing next to him, it's usually not a good idea to talk to a former Seal before his first cup of coffee in the morning.

Unfortunately, the duty officer answers on the second ring, "JAG Ops, Petty Officer Landry speaking."

Harm states, "Good morning Petty Officer. This is Commander Rabb. I was hoping to catch Tiner, but I guess he hasn't arrived yet."

The Petty Officer responds, "No Sir, I'm sorry he isn't here."

Harm decides to take a chance and inquires, "I suppose the Admiral isn't in yet either?"

The Petty Officer chuckles, "No Sir. I would certainly hope not! It's never good for the Admiral's yeoman to arrive after the Admiral. Having a two-star answer his own phone could be disastrous to one's career. I can transfer you directly to the Admiral's cell if you would like?"

Harm shares the man's good mood, "Truer words were never spoken. That's ok, Petty Officer, I can call him myself. Thank you for the assistance."

The SecNav sighs, frustrated by another delay. He grumbles, "Why don't you two get a cup of coffee, and I am going to go find a restroom. We can try AJ on his cell phone when we ALL return."

Mac replies, "Sorry, Sir, it is still rather early on the East Coast, but the Admiral is usually in before the sun comes up so we should be able to reach him soon."

The SecNav simply exits the room, slams the door, and yells to the room of various personnel, "Where the hell can a man pee around here?"

A Petty Officer immediately jumps up, "I'll lead you there, Sir."

Harm peeks through the blinds a minute later.

Mac inquires, "What are you doing?"

Harm says, "Seeing if the coast is clear yet to venture out of here, and figure out where the break room is."

Mac rolls her eyes at him, and looks over the phone on the desk. She isn't surprised to see a button marked on the speed dial as "front desk." She dials it, and asks the person on the other end where to get a cup of coffee, and thanks them for their help. She grabs Harm's elbow, and says "Let's go, Flyboy."

On the short trip to the breakroom, Mac asks, "What did the duty officer tell you?"

Harm says, "That a yeoman should never arrive after his commanding officer, else he is taking his own career, and life, into unchartered and deadly waters."

Mac chuckles, "I remember the time when Harriet was on maternity leave after having little AJ, and Tiner took over the filing system in her absence. The Admiral was livid with Tiner for messing everything up. He couldn't find his weekly schedule, he didn't know who was on duty, or catching cases, or anything. The Admiral claimed the only thing that could fix the office was a lobotomy."

Harm laughs, "I could see him wanting to replace Tiner's brain, or lack thereof, on occasion. Why don't I remember this?"

Mac hangs her head, her mood instantly turning melancholy, and quietly says, "It's when you went back to the squadron, right after you got your eyes fixed."

Harm sets his coffee on the counter, and places both hands on Mac's shoulders, feeling ashamed, he tells her, "I'm sorry, Mac. I left so many things unsaid back then." He wants to pull her into his arms, but he knows he can't given their current location.

Mac asks, "Are they going to stay unsaid?"

Harm shakes his head, "No, Mac. I would think that my actions last night/this morning would have given you a hint, but we will talk about it when we have a chance to catch our breath."

Mac questions, "Do you promise?"

Harm tilts her chin up, and looks into her soulful brown eyes that he could easily drown in. His words are soft, but spoken with conviction, "Yes, Sarah, I promise."

The sound of her given name on his lips nearly takes her breath away. There is so much Mac wants to say, but she spies Secretary Nelson out of the corner of her eye, being escorted back to the office they were given. She sighs, "I'm holding you to that, but duty calls," nodding her head in the direction of the SecNav. She sidesteps Harm, and quickly pours another cup of coffee, and grabs some creamer, sugar, and a stir stick to take back with her, not having any clue how the Secretary likes his coffee.

Harm asks, "You need two cups? It isn't that weak."

She shakes her head at him, "No, Harm! It's for the SecNav. I thought I'd try to place nice. You should try it sometime."

Harm laughs, "This isn't kindergarten, Mac."

She winks at him over her shoulder, "You could have fooled me."