Later Tuesday 14th
The day progressed as usual for Harm. He had decided to back off and let Internal Affairs handle the investigation into Steve's death. He had weighed the consequences and found that as much as he'd like to see justice for Steve, he wouldn't put his family in any danger.
Mike Warner had approached him again about where they were in the investigation and also with a warning to stay away. Mike had found out that Graves had gotten her hands on Steve's autopsy report and he warned Harm about getting more involved. He had shown Harm pictures from a crime scene, where one of his colleagues and his family had been murdered in cold blood. The murders had been linked to a drug ring that his colleague had infiltrated. He hadn't been undercover more than a few weeks when he and his family had been found murdered. Mike had proof of a connection between the drug ring and several cops, and these murders proved that they'd do anything not to get caught.
"We are this close to the truth, Harm," Mike held his thumb and index finger a few millimeters apart. "Don't get in the crossfire."
"I won't," Harm had promised.
Thinking back to that conversation as he studied the picture of his family on his desk, he knew that finding Steve's killer wasn't as important as keeping his family safe.
He and Mac had a conversation just after they found out that they were pregnant with Matthew. He had decided to give up flying and they agreed that having a family would change things. They had more to lose, and therefore they had decided together that from now their family came first. He wasn't about to break that promise.
"A penny for your thoughts."
He shifted his focus to the doorway of his office and smiled. "I'm not sure they are worth that much."
Mac smiled and stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. She sat down in one of his visitor chairs. "You okay?"
He hesitated and stood, rounding his desk he sat down in the chair beside her. "I'm okay."
"Yeah?" she didn't look convinced.
"I'm getting better at letting things go, don't you think?" he questioned. "I mean, the suicide missions, as you have called them."
"You haven't been on any of them since we said I do," she smiled.
He chuckled. "You think I've become a boring old man?"
"You're still Superman, just in a different way," she reached for his hand. "Every day with you is an adventure."
"It's an amazing journey," he leaned forward and tugged on her hand to make her come closer. "I love you," he whispered huskily and kissed her softly.
"I love you too," she kissed him again.
He leaned back in the chair. "I want to talk about yesterday."
"Didn't we clear the air last night?" she wondered with amusement.
"It's not about that," he hesitated. "There's something I haven't told you."
"Yeah?" she was curious.
"After I went to see Steve's ex and their daughter, I stopped by Gina Moretti's place. I wanted to warn her about what Mike Warner told me. Mike is…"
"Your friend at Internal Affairs," Mac finished for him. "I'm up to speed so far."
Harm chuckled. "Mike warned me about sticking my nose into something that wasn't my business and showed me pictures that very clearly reminded me how dangerous the people involved are," he sobered up. "It gave me chills."
"But you've already decided to back off, right?" Mac studied him.
"Yes, of course," he reassured.
Mac nodded. "So, what about Gina?"
"She was drunk," he sat up straight and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. "She came on to me. For comfort, I think."
"And?" Mac wondered.
"Well, I backed off, of course," he chuckled nervously. "I just wanted to tell you."
"Leaving it all out on the open," she was amused.
"Yes," he smiled.
"You and she have a history," Mac pointed out.
"Yeah, but that was before you, and I decided to flip a coin," he shrugged. "I was pissed about Paraguay."
"Let's not go there," she suggested.
"All right," he leaned back in the chair. "No bringing up the past."
"We can talk about the past, but it wouldn't serve any real purpose because we can't undo it anyway. Paraguay happened, you being away from JAG for six months happened," she hesitated. "Webb happened."
"It did," he agreed. "The point is that the past is the past. It comes back to remind us how much better life is now, don't you think?"
She smiled. "Sometimes you say the smartest things, Harmon Rabb junior."
He chuckled as he reached for her hand and kissed it. "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah," she stood. "I'm wondering how things have been going at home."
Harm stood and rounded his desk. "I'm sure an old Marine can handle the kids. Even if they are half Navy," he joked.
"He has Mattie to help him, and they were spending time with Trish and Frank too," Mac smiled. "It's nice that he came."
"He is the reason why we met," Harm closed his briefcase and walked over to her. "I'm ready."
She put her hands on his chest and leaned in for a kiss. "Come on, Sailor, let's go."
Wednesday, July 15th Rabb house
Harm swallowed a mouthful of beer and laughed as Pat Scully finished his story about Steve. A couple of friends had flown in for the funeral that had been earlier in the day. Steve had been buried with full police honor after the revelation that he hadn't been corrupt or taken his life with an overdose. There had been a razzia at the police station the previous day, so far five cops, one of them Steve's chief had been charged. Steve had found the evidence they needed, and when Internal Affairs had discovered proof locked into a secret safe at his house it had all fallen into place for them and they could finally bust a big drug lord, and make sure corrupt cops got off the streets. It was a massive bust for them. The bad part was that a great cop had to die for the truth to get out.
"He was a damn good guy," Jack Keeter raised his beer. "To Steve."
They all raised their bottles. "To Steve!"
"It's a shame his girl will have to grow up without her father around," Jason Potter pointed out.
"At least she'll grow up knowing what a hero her dad was," Peter Johnson said.
Harm nodded. "It's a small comfort at least.
Harm turned his head as the door to the porch opened, and Mac stepped out on the deck. She was clad in pajama pants and a tank top, her hair wet after her shower. In no way dressed to impress, but she was beautiful. She had gone to the gym while Matt and Harm made sure the kids' got to bed. "I leave for an hour, and you fill the house with a bunch of sailors?"
Harm chuckled. "I know how much you Marines appreciate the Navy."
"Yeah, I noticed how Uncle Matt has retreated to watch an old western in the TV room." Mac bent down and kissed his cheek. "The Navy isn't so bad most of the time," she ruffled his hair.
"I need a hug," Keeter stood and held his arms out.
"You didn't bring Cathy," Mac complained as she hugged him.
"Sorry, I'll do better the next time," he released her. "This way you'll have all the handsome sailors to yourself though."
Mac chuckled. "Lucky me."
"Mac, you haven't officially met Captain Pat Scully, Captain Jason Potter, and retired Commander Peter Johnson. They were part of our Squadron."
"Back in the day when you were all young and promising," Mac smiled and offered her hand.
"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Rabb. The love of my life," Harm introduced.
Mac shook hands with them all. "It's Mac. I saw you at the funeral earlier today. I had to get back to court, so I didn't get a chance to talk with anyone."
"So you're the Marine who finally tamed the untamable Harmon Rabb," Scully was amazed. "I've met a lot of Marines, but none of them looking like you."
"Don't let her beauty fool you, she's a deadly weapon," Keeter pointed out.
"And twice as smart as all of us," Harm added as Mac sat down beside him on the sofa.
"You're sweet, what's wrong with you?" Mac wondered.
Harm smiled. "What? I'm always saying nice things about you," he put his arm around her.
"Now and then I catch you being nice," she smirked. "And in front of your buddies."
"I'm getting soft on my old age," Harm pointed out.
"So, are you guys talking about old times? Let me guess; a few flight stories came up?" she teased.
"Hammer flew some wild ones," Scully offered.
"Jason here is actually CAG on board the Seahawk," Harm smiled. "He's making sure the next generation of pilots is well trained."
"Someone has to do the real work while you're slacking in an office," Jason teased.
Harm chuckled. "At least they saw me as Admiral material," he threw back.
Mac was amused and happy to see her husband having some fun. "I'll leave you guys to handle all that testosterone," she stood. "Life's too short," she bent down and kissed Harm softly. "Later Rabb," then she disappeared inside the house.
"That is some woman, Harm," Scully was impressed.
"Yeah, I'm a lucky man," Harm agreed.
In the living room
"Not joining the squids?" Matt looked up when she joined him on the couch.
"Nah, us Marines have to stick together," she chuckled as she sat down.
"I bet we could take them even if we're outnumbered," Matt pointed out.
"We totally could," she agreed.
Matt chuckled.
Saturday, July 18th
Harm let the ball fly across the yard and watched as his thirteen-year-old son caught it in his glove again. Being able to hang at home with the family was lovely. They had made no plans for the weekend since they were traveling for Beallsville the next day. Two weeks of leave would be welcomed after a busy period. Uncle Matt had left on Thursday, Mattie the previous day. She would be with her dad for the rest of the summer.
"My turn!" Matthew came running up to him with his glove ready.
"You better stand closer to Nathan then," Harm suggested.
He watched as his two sons got into throwing to each other, then he walked over to the pool where his wife was relaxing in the sun. He ran his hand up her thigh, before slumping down on the sunbed by her side.
"I'm not here, please leave a message," she mumbled.
He chuckled. "Time for lunch soon. Any wishes?"
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "You can decide. I'll eat whatever you make for me."
"Even Harm's famous meatless meatloaf?" he teased.
She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Except that."
He turned on the sunbed, reached out and put his hand on her belly, caressing her softly. "You're beautiful."
She smiled. "And you're a charmer," she reached out and cupped his face. "I love you."
"Not as much as I love you," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "This is life."
"Yeah, it sure is," she agreed.
"I know it's been busy and that what happened to Steve has left me preoccupied, but I just want you to know that this is my priority," he caressed her cheek softly.
"I know that," she touched his nose with hers. "We are lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one, Sarah," he kissed her softly. "I can't wait to have time off now. Grams has been counting down," Harm smiled.
"Dad, when's food?" Nathan wondered.
Harm chuckled. "I better get the kids' fed. And my Marine."
"You're the best," she smiled sweetly.
"I try," he kissed her softly and stood.
