Disclaimer: They are not mine…just playing.

Author's Notes: Thanks for your support with this one

--------------------------------Beyond Blue----------------------------------

Thursday 2335

Roberts Residence

By the time Thursday rolled around Harm was feeling no better, but as he told himself the slide into oblivion seemed to have halted. He was still not happy with a lot of things but he had started to see some positives in his life, something which he hadn't been able to do for a long time now.

He knew he would have to move back home over the weekend and to his surprise realised he didn't want to. For all his feelings of loneliness and isolation he had an overwhelming urge to stay with Bud and Harriet, he just didn't know how to bring it up.

"Something on your mind, Harm?" Harriet asked walking into the kitchen and finding Harm sitting at the table in the dark.

"No, not really," he lied.

"Want to try again?" she smiled and sat down opposite him with her bottle of water. Harm said nothing. "Tell me why you were sitting here in the dark by yourself?" she asked.

"I was just thinking," he said quietly.

"About?"

"Stuff."

"What sort of stuff?"

"You know this and that."

"Harm, this conversation will take forever at this rate. What's up?"

"Before I answer that, can I first thank you for everything you have done for me this week?" Harm said.

"You don't need to thank me. You are family, we do for family. Now, answer please."

"Don't hate me but…"

"Harm I could never hate you," Harriet was beginning to worry.

"But…I don't want to go home. I mean I do but not just yet and I…"

"You are more than welcome to stay here, Harm, we won't kick you out," said Harriet standing and coming around the table to him. "You can stay another day or week or month or however long you want too." She wrapped her arms around him and he rested his weary head on her pregnant belly.

Bud came to the door and took in the sight before him. Harriet threw him a smile and he silently backed away. Harriet was obviously having more luck getting through to Harm than he'd been having. He hoped that before long the old Harm would be back – he missed his friend tremendously.

Wednesday 0530

Roberts Kitchen

Bud was quietly rummaging around the kitchen preparing coffee and toast for himself and his houseguest.

"Morning Harm," he said as the bleary eyed Commander shuffled to the table.

"Mor…ning," Harm croaked.

"You look terrible," Bud said before he could stop himself. "Ah, I mean…"

"I feel …terrible, Bud," he managed before being overcome by a coughing fit.

"Oh, I think you must have picked up Jimmy's cold. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Bud."

"Go back to bed and get some rest. I'll tell the General."

"Thanks Bud but I've got…," he coughed and coughed.

"You've got a cold. You'll be no good at work and you can't go into court like that. So go back to bed."

"Aye, aye Dr Roberts," said Harm before shuffling slowly out the door and back up the stairs to bed.

Bud finished his breakfast and went up to kiss his wife goodbye.

"Was that Harm I heard coughing?" she asked, eyes still closed.

"Yes sweetie, he has a cold so I sent him back to bed. Do you think you can get him to see a doctor today?"

"I'll try." She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

Tuesday 0830

JAG Headquarters

Harm had not made it into work since last Wednesday and as Harm had told the General on Friday afternoon after his second doctor's appointment in three days he had been given a medical certificate for the entire week. The doctor had been concerned with his fatigue and weight loss, although Harm did not share this information with his Commanding Officer.

Sitting in the conference room for the morning briefing, Bud was surprised to see Mac walk in.

"Colonel, you're back. We weren't expecting you for another two weeks or so,' Bud said.

"I wrapped up early. How are you doing Bud, you look tired?" she said.

"I am Mac, very tired."

"Is it Harriet?" Mac asked concerned, Bud must be tired to call her Mac.

"Harriet, two kids and a house guest that came for a week, got sick and has been there more than over two."

"You poor thing, anyone I know?" asked Mac genuinely.

She noted the strange look Bud threw her but had no further opportunity to talk to him as the General walked in and began the briefing.

"Commander Roberts, can I have an update on when I should expect to see Commander Rabb back?" he asked.

"At this stage, Commander Rabb should be back on deck by next Monday," Bud replied.

"What's wrong with the Commander?" Mac asked concerned.

"Mr Roberts can fill you in later." The General then proceeded with the meeting and Mac was left to wait.

After the meeting Bud headed straight to his office. He knew the Colonel would want answers and he knew that the conference room was not the place for them.

"Bud, Bud," she called after him. He kept walking.

"Commander Roberts?" Darn, he thought, he couldn't ignore that.

"Yes, ma'am?" he asked turning towards her.

"What's going on?"

"Can we speak in my office?" he asked, adding a "please."

Mac walked in and Bud closed the door.

When they were both seated, Bud went for the simple truth.

"Harm's unwell, he's got a cold. He has been off work since last Wednesday and he's not due back this week."

"Ah, ha," said Mac waiting for the rest. "And?" she asked when nothing else was forthcoming.

"And what?"

"You're not telling me the full story, are you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Firstly, you just called the Commander Harm and you called me Mac earlier, you never do that. Secondly, you seem to know something you are not telling me. Thirdly, you gave me a strange look in the conference room when I asked whether the houseguest was anyone I knew. Now spill."

The knock on the door was a welcomed relief for Bud.

"Yes, Petty Officer?" Bud asked as Jen opened his door.

"Oh, Colonel, I didn't realise you were in here. I can come back later."

"It's okay Petty Officer, what do you need?" Mac said.

"Um, information," she said hesitantly.

"On?"

"On the issue of fumigation," Jen looked from Bud to Mac and back. She knew Harm's apartment had never been fumigated and she wanted to know why there was a cover story. She had let the matter slide for awhile but curiosity had got the better of her and now she wanted to know why the Commander had moved in with the Roberts.

"Oh," Bud's face clouded over.

"Okay, enough, both of you. Petty Officer, sit down," ordered Mac. "Now, from the beginning, what is going on?"

"Well, Commander Rabb moved in with Harriet and me whilst his apartment was being fumigated and then he caught a cold and hasn't gone back yet," Bud explained.

"There's just one thing wrong with that," retorted the Petty Officer. "The Commander's apartment was never fumigated and he was at your place for, like, ten days before he got sick."

"Bud?" asked Mac.

"Look, Petty Officer Coates is right; Harm's apartment was never fumigated. It was just the story we gave," Bud explained.

"Why did you need a story? Why did he move in with you?" asked Mac.

"I can't go into this now," Bud replied fully aware that Harm would not want his personal life discussed in this forum. He looked from Mac to Jen and back. Mac seemed to understand what he was trying not to say.

"But he is okay?" Mac asked to conclude the informal meeting.

"When he gets over this cold, yeah I think so," Bud answered.

That was enough for Mac, for now, she excused herself and suggested the Petty Officer do the same.