A/N: And once again thanks for the wonderful reviews! They are very much appreciated.

Just to warn you, the story doesn't pick up where I left it in the last chapter. You'll find out what happened to Rome eventually but not just yet. Also, I took a lot of liberty with Harm's family. You'll see what I mean.

Well, I hope you'll enjoy this part.

Pereira Residence

Ribeira Grande, Santo Antão

Cape Verde Islands, Africa

1450 hours local

'Gaby, you want to come and make a test ride?' Harm pocked his head into the nursery Rome was making ready. Ever since Rome had told him what had been going on for those two years, they had been on their way back to being closer. Since that had only been two days, it wasn't much, but things looked a lot brighter already.

Rome looked up. (Don't bother to speak English around here Zach. You're being a bit rude don't you think?)

Harm grinned and walked into the room. 'There's no-one here other than you and me. I don't have to worry about a thing'.

(Yes you do. Anyway, I'd like to make a test ride with you. Just let me finish this wall here and I'm done).

He started to tickle her. 'Pig headed. Just hurry up. That bird is ready to fly'.

(They always are around you). Rome stuck her tongue out and turned to the task at hand. Half an hour later, they were on their way to the small airstrip. Chico, one of the other agents, looked surprised when Harm showed up with Rome.

(What is she doing here?) he asked.

Harm raised an eyebrow. (You know my wife always gets to make the test ride with me. I told you guys before).

Chico raised his hands in defeat. (Go ahead. Don't chew me out when the boss is not going to be happy when he finds out).

Harm nodded and helped Rome into the little plane. The small yellow plane looked a lot like the Stearman they had at home. 'Ready?'

'Bring it on' Rome confirmed.

It didn't take long for Harm to get the small plane into the air. After he made some loops and spins, he decided to make an hour flight out of it, leading them around the mountains. Here up in the air he didn't have anything to think about. 'You wanna take over?'

'Oh yeah'. Rome took hold of the stick and made a few spins on her own. He heard her laugh. He was going to make sure she was going to enjoy life again. Besides capturing Armando, he had a new mission. Bring the girl back that ate life with a big spoon. What she had told him still dazed him. If she'd only let him in then… If she hadn't turned away from him…

But that was what she had done and there wasn't anything he could've done to prevent the following from happening. It had been her choice and she had to live with the consequences. He could try to make things easier for her but he couldn't take the pain away. And for some reason that wasn't what he wanted to do. Rome was strong; she could overcome this too. She needed someone strong to stand beside her to help her stand her ground at times, but she would be okay.

It was over an hour later when Harm landed the small plane on the strip and they got out, leaving the plane in the capable hands of Chico. Armando was waiting for them in the hangar, looking anything but pleased. (What was she doing up there with you?)

Harm casually dropped his arm around Rome's shoulders. (My wife is always the one who makes the test ride with me) he explained.

(That's changed from now on. Only pilots are allowed in there). His eyes were cold. Ice cold.

(She is a pilot. She's practically as good as I am. And she is the only one I want to make test rides with. If that doesn't please you, find yourself another pilot to fly missions for you).

Rome softly squeezed his hand. He couldn't go on and jeopardize the mission with comments like that. But Armando seemed to like the 'take-it-or-leave-it' attitude of his newest pilot. He nodded. (She can go up with you. As long as her duties in the house are still taken care of).

(Count on that) Rome said and she and Harm walked back to the house. 'That was close' she whispered when they were out of Armando's reach.

'Yep. You always make the test ride with me. In 'Sarah', in 'Trish'… don't see any reason why it should be different now'.

Izabel came running out of the house when they approached. (Gaby! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!)

Rome smiled and patted her arm. (Don't worry. I was making a test ride in one of the planes. Didn't Suzette give you my note?)

When Izabel shook her head Rome rolled her eyes. (I told her to give it to you the moment you would wake up. Anyway, Zach wanted to test one of the planes and we always do that together, so that's where I was. Up there). She pointed to the sky.

Izabel's eyes grew almost as big as plates. (You've been up there?) she asked in disbelieve.

(Zach told me to fly an airplane a long time ago. We have two of them at home. We always go flying together). Slightly it was the truth. When they had been together they always went flying together.

Harm winked at Izabel. (I'll take you up one time when the baby's born) he promised. (I've got to go back to the hangar ladies, if you'll excuse me. I'll see you at dinner). He kissed Rome's cheek and went back to work.

He only had three more days before Sunday and the plane had to be in perfect shape before he would take it to Porto. There was a lot of work to do before then.

JAG HQ

Falls Church, VA

1304 hours local

Mac stepped out of the elevator, having returned from lunch. The bullpen was gathered full of people who were laughing together. She frowned. What was going on? Stepping into the room she spotted an older version of Harm right away. It had to be his father, telling stories about flown missions.

The young man standing next to him was rolling his eyes and adding some things what made the audience laugh. Mac tilted her head to the side. She knew that Harm's father had been shot down at Christmas Eve '69 and been found two years later. Best Christmas gift Harm had ever got. His little brother Nathan was born a year after Harm Sr.'s return, making him almost nine years younger than Harm. He would be turning twenty-six in June.

Harm Sr. finished his story and looked around the crowd. 'So, now you've heard all that, can someone tell me where my other son is?'

Everybody shook their heads. All they knew was that Harm had taken leave a week ago and wasn't going to be back for at least another seven days. 'Rabb!'

Harm Sr. turned around and smiled the smile all the Rabb-men had patent on. 'Chegwidden! Nice to see you. Can you please tell me where that other part of the Rabb clan is? I need to talk to him'.

AJ mentioned towards his office. 'Let's talk in there Hammer'.

Harm's father and Nathan followed the Admiral to his office, but Harm Sr. turned around and mentioned for Nathan to stay put. 'Stay here until your mother comes back. She'll have a heart attack if she doesn't know where we went to'.

Nathan nodded and sighed. It was the first time he was visiting JAG and he didn't know anything other than what Harm had told him. There had to be a Major walking around here that he was partnered with. And then there was Lt. Roberts and Ensign Simms of course. But he only knew them from stories his big brother had told him.

A young blond Ensign bumped into him on her way to her desk. She blushed. 'I'm sorry sir… I should've paid attention to where I was going'.

Nathan smiled. 'Don't worry about that Ensign…?'

'Harriet Simms sir'. She tilted her head to the side. He had the same eyes as Harm had and that smile was plastered into place. He was younger than Harm though.

Nate shook her hand. 'Nathan Rabb. Nate will do'.

Harriet's face broke into a smile. 'Right. You are the Commanders little brother!' When Nate rolled his eyes she clasped her hand for her mouth. 'I'm sorry sir; I didn't mean to insult you… It's just that the Commander always talks about his little brother and that's how I know you but…'

'Don't worry about it. Please. I'm pretty used to it. I gathered from the Admiral that Harm is out of town?' he asked, effectively changing the subject.

Harrietnodded. 'Yeah, he took leave a week ago. Admiral Chegwidden granted him at least two weeks leave so he won't be back for at least another week'.

'Did he leave with someone or did he tell you where he was going?'

Mac came closer to them when she heard that question. Maybe that Harm's little brother could shine some light on the mysterious young woman she'd met a week ago.

'He didn't tell me where he was going…' Harriet trailed.

'But…?' Nate asked. God, he really looked like his father and older brother.

Harriet leaned in and Mac had trouble hearing what she was saying. 'There was a woman that came into the office the day he left; she was stunning. I think she was around your age, long, dark hair, bright green eyes… They spoke a foreign language… Oh, and I remember Harm backing her up against the wall, telling her he loved her, giving her a quick kiss and almost running back to his office to grab his things and than asking leave'.

'Rome' a woman's voice said, resting her hand on her son's shoulder for support. Nate looked up and nodded.

Harriet frowned. 'Rome? What does Italy's capitol have to do with this?'

Trish Rabb laughed. 'No, not the city Rome Ensign. The young woman's name is Romaine Ferreira; we always short that down to Rome. She's a… friend of the family'.

'Some friend of the family if he tells her he loves her' Harriet mumbled under her breath.

Mac sighed but the two others started to laugh. When they looked at each other, they smiled. Mac only heard scraps and pieces of their whispered conversation.

'…if they left together… …he never stopped having feelings… …maybe this means that they will be… …this doesn't mean they went somewhere exotic together Mom…'

'Major, could you get Commander Brumby and get to my office?'

The Admiral's strong voice woke Mac out of her spying game. 'Aye, sir'. Trotting back to her office she put her file on her desk and went to get Mic Brumby out of his office. He had only been her for a couple of days on an exchange program, but he was already getting on her nerves. The way the man tried to persuade her into going out with him…

Nate stopped her when she walked past him. 'Major Mackenzie?'

Mac nodded, frowning. 'Yes?'

'So you are the one who is supposed to keep my brother out of trouble'.

She couldn't help but smile. 'Sort of Mr. Rabb. I'm sure you know that your brother is pretty good at getting himself into trouble. There has to be someone to look out for him'.

Harm Sr. had joined his family and narrowed his eyes, giving her the once over. 'So this is Mac. We've heard a lot about you. About your language skills, your infallible clock that drives him nuts…'

'That's because he's always running late Admiral' Mac pointed out. 'I hope he didn't get that from you?'

Trish started to laugh, patting her husband on his shoulder. 'They did a good thing partnering him with her. Where have you been by the way?'

Harm Sr. threw his head back. 'Chegwidden's office. I'll tell you over lunch. It was nice meeting you Major, Ensign'. He winked and the family walked out.

Mac looked after them and shook her head. It was time to go back to work. She would find out where Harm was later on. Besides, it would only be seven more days. Right?

TBC... reviews would be nice