A/N: Yes, yes, I know it took me way to long to update this one. I'm sorry. Life and school always get in the way of doing with I want.
This chapter is going to tell you a bit more about Harm and Rome's history together. Have fun!
Rabb Residence
La Jolla, CA
1047 hours local
Harm Sr. was slowly sipping his coffee cup, staring off into the distance. Sometimes he just didn't believe the nerve his son had. Going on an undercover mission without telling them that he was going away! But then again, that was probably what he would've done.
Both he and Trish knew about the feelings their oldest son had for Romaine Ferreira. They also knew he would do anything to protect her. So now he was undercover somewhere on the Cape Verde Islands, capturing a terrorist and protecting Rome.
Trish came up behind him and let her hand run through her husband's hair. 'He's old enough to take care of himself Harm. He knows what he's doing'.
'Does he?' He looked up to her. 'Does he really know what he's doing? I mean, there are always these things that he tells me about and we both know how passionate and stubborn Harm can be about… anything. And then there is the emotional baggage Rome is carrying with her…'
'I know that Rome hasn't told him yet what happened to her after she broke things of, and I also know that when the time is right she will tell him and they will find a way to get through it. He has a decent head on his shoulders Harm. You taught him'.
Harm Sr. nodded. 'I know that. But that doesn't mean that I worry any less'. He side glanced at her. 'Why are you so damn calm about the whole thing anyway? You're way too rational for my liking'.
His wife smiled. 'Well, I know my son. Remember he came to us, telling us that he and Rome had gotten serious and that he was planning on telling her that he loved her?'
'Of course I do. Nearly gave me a heart attack'.
'He still loves her. It was evident in every phone call I had with him over the past year and a half. There's something between them. He can't live without her in his life, and the same goes the other way around. They will take care of each other. Besides, Agent Webb and Joland are around. Things will be fine'.
It was very clear that her husband didn't really believe her. 'What do we know about that Webb guy anyway? How do we know that Harm will be safe out there? As far as I know, the Agency doesn't really back up any of their agents'.
Trish sighed. 'Harmon Rabb, will you listen to me please? Our son is a grown man; he knows what he got himself into…'
'He did this for the woman he loves Trish; he barely knows what he got himself into'. Abruptly, he rose and started to walk away from her. 'He agreed to go with her because he loves her and he doesn't want to see her hurt. But there are no indications that they won't be hurt'. He stared of into the ocean. 'Damn you Harm, always thinking with your heart when it comes to her'.
'No offence, but this is the only time Harm let's himself think with his heart. He's used to living with regulations, in his personal and professional life. Before he met Rome, I honestly can't say that he has ever thought with heart. Except for anything related to flying of course. But even that only goes to a certain extend'.
Harm Sr. looked at her and shook his head. 'He's still my son Trish. If anything happens to him and I can't prevent it…'
'Then you can't prevent it. Let it go Harm. Junior will make it home safely'.
His thought went back to the time Harm had first brought Rome to their house; a little while after Rome had moved to DC. 'Remember when he first took Rome here?'
'You mean, the first time you thought you were going to have a heart attack?' Trish asked. 'How could I forget?'
Flashback to December 1991
Rabb Residence
La Jolla, CA
2042 hours local
Harm got out of the car and walked around it to open the door for Rome. She was looking in awe at the house. 'Rome, close your mouth please. The house is not that big'.
He got rewarded with a punch on his arm. 'I've never seen a house like this in my short life Harm' she said. 'Now that you're used to it doesn't mean that the entire world is'.
She waltzed pass him to the door and turned around when he stayed behind. 'Aren't you coming?'
Harm shook his head and went over to her, opening the door with his key. 'Before we go inside, there is something you need to know about my parents and their friends. They are a little bit conservative and they might have something to say about you being younger than me…'
'Whose problem is that Harm? Theirs or ours?' Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze she walked into the large hallway. After he had taken her coat and hung both of them on the rack, he opened the door to the den.
They were greeted by a lot of cheers from his parents' guests. 'Junior!'
Harm rolled his eyes when he heard Tom Boone's voice and Rome giggled. 'That is what you get for being named after your father Pilot'.
'Thank you very much Lagarta'. He shook the older man's hand. 'It's good to see you Tom'.
'Did you get stuck with baby sitting duty tonight Sailor?'
Harm turned around. 'Keeter!' He hugged his friend.
'Pretty girl you got yourself here Harm. How much are they paying you to watch her? Does she have any friends?'
Rome moved over and wrapped her arms around Harm's waist. 'Actually, sir, they aren't paying him anything to watch me. I sure as hell am not paying him anything, so unless he's got someone else living with him…' Her voice trailed and she looked up to Harm.
Keeter stared at Rome and then back at Harm. 'This is Rome?' He was obviously confused. 'You're Rome?'
'Jack Keeter, may I introduce you to Romaine Ferreira. Rome, this is Jack Keeter. We went to the Academy together'.
Rome shook Keeter's hand. 'Nice to meet you Mr. Keeter'.
'You're not trying to give me a heart attack do you Rabb?' Keeter grunted, staring at Rome. 'Where did you pick her up?'
Harm shot him a warning look but before he could answer his friend, he heard his father's voice. 'So the lost son has returned home'.
Both the Rabb-men had wide grins on their faces when they embraced. 'Hey Dad. Good to see you'.
'Same here son'. Harm Sr. looked over at Rome. 'Aren't you going to introduce everyone to your date? If that is what she is…'
Harm rolled his eyes, knowing what his father was hinting at. 'No Dad, this is not the next doors neighbors' daughter I have to baby sit. This is my date'. He stretched his hand out to Rome.
Trish came out of the kitchen and placed a tray of food on the table when she saw her oldest son talking to his father having a beautiful young girl wrapped in his arms. She looked to be the same age as Nate was now. Was Harm dating her?He hadto be, judging by the look in his eyes.
'Darling! You made it!' Trish gave him a motherly hug and back off to look at Rome. 'And who is this beautiful young lady you brought with you?' She took her husbands hand and gave it a squeeze.
'Mom, Romaine Ferreira. Rome, this is my mother Trish'.
Rome smiled a brilliant smile at Harm's mother. 'Thank you so much for having me Mrs. Rabb. My family is out of the country and this is like spending Christmas with family after all'.
'Not a problem darling. I'm delighted to have you. And call me Trish. Mrs. Rabb makes me feel way too old'.
'You can call me Rome. Harm always does, don't you Pilot?' She gave him a peck on the check and looked at Trish. 'Is there anything I can help you with?'
'Well, there are some things that need to be finished off. Come on, you can help me and let me know how you met Harm'.
(Be careful with what you tell her Rome. Everything you say in this house can and will be used against us) Harm whispered in her ear before she followed Trish to the kitchen.
'Don't worry about me Harm. I can take of myself'. She winked and went out of sight.
Harm Sr. eyed his son, taking a sip of his bourbon. Harm Jr. met his eyes. 'What is it now Dad? You don't like her?'
'I don't like her age' Harm Sr. mumbled. 'How old is she anyway?'
'Does it matter? I'm in love with her and she is in love with me and that's all there is to it'.
'That was not what I asked you'.
Harm sighed. 'She's twenty. Seriously Dad, I didn't force her to be with me if that is what you're thinking'.
'Obviously it doesn't matter anymore what I think these days'.
Now Harm took offence. 'What is that supposed to mean? Don't you think I took it over consideration over and over again before I decided to go for it? Don't you think that I know that this is something huge? I talked to her about it, I talked to Sturgis' dad, I talked to I don't know who else, and then I finally take the step to bring her home with me and all you can think of is that she's as good as nine year younger than me? I thought better of you Dad'.
Rome and Trish, who'd come out of the kitchen saw the both of them with an angry look in their eyes. Rome rushed over to Harm's side and started to whisper to him in Portuguese.
(What's going on?) she asked. (Why are you so upset?)
Harm scowled. (He said something about… what we talked about and I tried to make it clear to him that I didn't like the way he was talking about you. He argued that it didn't seem to matter anymore what he was thinking these days. You know how long it took me to get as far as we are now Rome).
(Of course I know. He should know that too. We knew people were going to react this way when we would come Harm. Let it go. It's none of their business). She ran her hand over his hair and rested it in his neck.
(You're the first girlfriend I even considered to take home and then he reacts like this). He was still angry, but started to calm down. He locked his eyes with her and smiled. (I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it out on you).
(You didn't) she assured him. (Just don't let this visit be ruined for either one all right. Your father is entitled to have his own opinion but we are together and there is nothing about that that he can change. Try to enjoy the stay okay? I like your Mom).
Harm started to laugh. (You want me to stay because you like my Mom?)
Rome reached up and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. (You like your Mom too Pilot. And I have a lot of other people to meet before we can even consider leaving. It's Christmas. Have a little Christmas spirit).
When she met Trish in the kitchen again, the older lady was leaning against the counter. 'I haven't seen Harm ever calm down that fast before. What did it take?'
Rome smiled. 'Some reasoning and a language that he has to focus on to understand and speak. It directs his mind to something else'. She stayed silent for a while, looking out the window. 'His father is having a problem with Harm being with me doesn't he?'
'Harmon doesn't always approve of his son's actions, but I think that has more to do with the fact that Harm looks so much like him. If you'd come with Nate he wouldn't have mind, because in the back of his mind it wouldn't have worked out anyway. But that's different with Harm. Due to his ramp strike he's changed. Part of me also thinks that he's ready for a steady relationship. It just surprised all of us darling'.
The younger woman took a deep breath. 'Harm's a little more introvert ever since the ramp strike, I've noticed that. But, I want you to know, that even though I'm young, as I know myself, I have every intention of staying with him ma'am. I've tried to talk myself out of it as well, but the feeling is too strong to fight. And ever since I found out that he feels the same for me, we decided to give up on the fighting and just let it be'.
Trish looked at Rome. She was serious. Really serious. 'You don't sound like a twenty-year-old you know that? Don't look like one and surely don't act and talk like one'.
'I know that ma'am. It's what I get all the time. But I meant what I said about Harm and me'.
Trish patted her arm. 'I know you do. Now, come on, you have a whole bunch of other people to meet. They'll love you'.
Back to the present
Harm Sr. sighed. 'I was pissed at him for doing that to me. But you were right. If it had been Nate that brought her, I wouldn't have responded the way I now did with Harm. And he was right too; he deserved better than that from me'. He paused. 'But that doesn't mean that I wasn't partly right. She left him a year later'.
'You can't totally blame her for that. It was partly against her own will to leave him. She just didn't have a choice'.
'He had the choice now to leave her and move on with his life. He could've been married by now'.
Trish softly chucked. 'You're right, he could've been married by now. But if he wasn't married to Rome, he wouldn't be married to the woman he loves with all his heart'. She kissed his shoulder. 'They'll be fine Harm. You have to believe that'.
Harm Sr. looked at her. 'I'm trying very hard to do that Trish. I really am'.
TBC... and hoping I'll receive more of those amazing reviews