1300 Zulu

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown, MD

Harm is awakened by the sound of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. He looks over to the alarm clock to see that is zero eight hundred and he thinks to himself, "Why am I so tired?" He rolls himself out of bed and stumbles into the kitchen where he sees Mac preparing her breakfast before she heads into the office.

"Good Morning sleepy head." Mac says as she walks over to her love and plants a kiss on his check.

"I can't understand why I am so tired this morning. What did you do to me last night?"

"I didn't hear you complaining last night dear."

"I am not complaining, just wondering why I am so tired."

"I guess you need to increase the mileage of your runs. You're out of shape commander!"

"Oh am I? I didn't hear you complaining last night either."

"Why would I? I have everything I need right here." Mac hugs her man with all her might while resting her head on his bare chest.

Harm looks over to the stove and notices that Mac's breakfast is nearly overcooked. "Hey, you'd better watch your breakfast there before you burn it hun."

Mac quickly disengages her hold on Harm and pulls the pan from the burner. "Whew, that was close."

"What is it that you're cooking?"

"Bacon and eggs."

"Real bacon?'

"Yes real bacon. I have cravings now and I want bacon!"

"Ok it is your heart."

"Harm a couple of strips of bacon isn't going to hurt me. You want some?"

"No thanks sweetheart. This body you love didn't come without sacrifice."

"Well I do love it. But I have some organic vanilla yogurt here for you, is that ok?"

"Yes dear, that will be fine."

Mac pulls the yogurt from the refrigerator and places it on the table with a spoon for Harm, she reaches over and picks up the remote control and turns on the tv to ZNN to catch up on the news. The two enjoy their breakfast together before they begin another busy day of court and moving preparations.

1500 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Mac leaves the morning briefing and heads back to her office just as lieutenant Simms gets her attention.

"Colonel, you have a call on line two."

"Thank you lieutenant, I'll take it in my office."

Mac walks into her office and picks up the phone. "This is Colonel MacKenzie."

"Hi Colonel this Jane Antel from Greenbrier Realty. I was calling to let you know that your bid has been accepted and that we will need you and your fiancée to come in and sign the agreement before we can begin closing, ok?"

"Yes Mrs. Antel. I will call my fiancée and I will get back to you when we can come into your office."

"Ok colonel, sooner the better."

"Absolutely. We should be in your office sometime this afternoon."

"Ok colonel I look forward to see you soon. Good bye."

"Good bye Mrs. Antel."

Mac scrambles to find her cellphone, digging under piles of paperwork until she discovers it her desk drawer. She speed dials Harm, the phone rings and rings, Mac wonders what in the hell is he doing? Finally he picks up, "Hello."

"Harm, what took you so long to answer?"

"I was in the shower. You told me to increase my mileage on my run so I did. I got home and I wanted a hot shower."

"Without me?"

"No, but since that isn't an option with you at JAG for the day I made due."

"Awwwww, I am sorry. But the realtor called and said that our bid was accepted and now we have some paperwork to sign off on to start the closing process. I told her we would be at her office sometime this afternoon."

"What time were you thinking about going?"

"Fifteen hundred."

"I'll pick you up at JAG then."

"Ok sailor. I will see you then."

"Alright, I love you."

"I love you too."

1800 Zulu

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown, MD

Harm is in the kitchen waiting for Mac to come home while preparing dinner. He chooses a simple dish to please the woman he loves, Poulet au fromage, or chicken with cheese. He is interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing.

"This is commander Rabb."

"Rabb, this is NCIS Director Morrow. I would like to meet with you tomorrow over lunch to discuss your TAD assignment."

"Yes sir. When and where?"

"How about my office say thirteen hundred?"

"Your office for lunch sir?"

"Yes commander, I think it is better than going out in public until you're assignment is announced next week. And civilian dress as well commander."

"Understood sir. I will see you at thirteen hundred tomorrow."

"Alright Rabb see you then."

Harm hangs, shrugs his shoulders and pulls tonight's dinner out of the oven. He checks it over, pulls out a spoon from the drawer and gives it a taste test. Umm good he says to himself. Just then the door opens and Mac walks in.

"Hey beautiful, how was your day?" Harm says as he is excited to see his lady. He notices that Mac expression didn't change much as she sets her briefcase down and throws herself on the couch.

"Is everything ok?" Harm asks Mac.

"What a terrible day hun. The admiral gave me two new cases and he assigned Lieutenant Singer to sit second chair with me because he feels I need to take it easy. If he wanted me to take it easy he wouldn't assign me more cases and he would have Singer work with me."

"You really don't like her do you?"

"Is it that obvious?" Mac states dripping with sarcasm.

"I couldn't tell." Harm says while rolling his eyes.

Mac chuckles, "Come here, I need a hug."

Harm walks over to the couch and wraps his arms around her. Mac thinks to herself "How lucky am I?" Only a few months ago she would've been sitting alone starring at her walls without anyone to talk to. She probably would've called Harm to discuss her day, but this is far better.

Mac lets Harm go and Harm tells her that dinner is almost finished. "I made chicken tonight with a cheese sauce. What would like to drink with dinner?"

Mac is walking towards the bathroom while starting to disrobe so she can take a shower, "Oh whatever will be good."

"Well this dish is usually served with white wine and we cannot have that."

Mac looks back at him inquisitively, "Honey, why do I need to know this?"

"I guess you don't. But I got some pellagrino for you."

"Harm does it bother you that I am an alcoholic?"

"No, why would it bother me?"

"Well for one, I know you like a glass of wine with your dinner or a beer after work. Are you worried that I will not allow you that?"

"No Sarah I am not worried about that. I have decided not to have alcohol in our house. I guess for a moment I didn't think of you as an alcoholic just my bride to be when I asked the question but I remembered when I was asking it."

"You decided that there was not going to be alcohol in our house without talking it over with me?"

"Sarah I didn't think it would be a problem. I am sorry if I offended you."

"Harm what offends me is that you didn't talk to me about it not that you made that decision for me. I want you to include me in these decisions." A half dress Mac says to him.

"I am sorry for not discussing it with you I just thought it would be the best decision for us."

"Yes it was. But decisions for us must be made by us. Agreed?"

"Yes Sarah, agreed."

"Harm I don't want to change you. If you want a drink I am ok with that. I understand why you made the decision, you want to remove the temptation for me to have a drink and I love you for that. But I have you to talk to when I come home. We can deal with what may be bothering me; I don't need a drink to deal with it."

Mac puts her arms around Harm and steps onto her toes and kisses Harm passionately. "Now I am going to take a shower and you can get dinner ready."

"Yes dear, it will be ready when you are."

Mac smiles at him and closes the door. Harm sets the table and finishes prepping dinner knowing that the reason she was upset was because she lost in court today and it was a good chance that her argument was heard by the judge. All she wanted was to be heard and Harm did just that.

1800 Zulu

NCIS offices

Washington DC

Harm approaches Director Morrow's secretary to announce his arrival for their appointment. Just as he approaches Ms. Case's desk director Morrow appears from his office.

"Commander Rabb, good to finally meet a glorified war hero."

"Thank you sir. But I am sure you have some combat veterans on your staff. My accomplishments are not out of the ordinary of any fighting man or woman."

"Nonsense commander, you are the only man on my staff that is crazy enough to push an F-14 by its tailhook out of enemy territory to save the crew from possible capture."

"Well sir I might have to agree with you on that."

"Which part commander, the DFC or the crazy guy?"

"Both sir." They men share a laugh as they shake hands.

"Come on in commander. Let me tell what I expect from you." The two men enter Directors Morrow's office.

"Have a seat commander." The director closes the door, "Commander, when admiral Chegwidden called and asked if I could use an experienced investigator and attorney on my staff for a TAD assignment I said yes and when he told me it was you, well I felt like I hit the lottery. You see commander my office has never had anyone with your experience on staff. The many tasks you could perform would help alleviate some burden from an already overburdened staff."

"Well sir I am here to serve."

"And you will commander. Your primary tasks will be investigations and any legal issues that may come with them, warrants, search and seizures, etc."

"Yes sir I thought that is where I would be needed. The admiral did say that there was also a chance that I would be trial counsel on some cases, is that true?"

"From time to time commander I have influence on who can be appointed trial counsel. Especially on cases of importance to the Navy."

"I think I understand sir. When do I assume my duties?"

"At zero eight hundred Monday. I'll introduce to your team and you will not be required to wear your uniform unless you are doing official navy business. Until then commander you are dismissed."

"Yes sir. Good bye Director."

"Good bye Rabb."

Harm leaves the director's office, smiles and says good bye to Ms. Case and exits. He reaches for his phone and speed dials Mac.

"This is Colonel MacKenzie."

"When are you going to answer your phone as Colonel MacKenzie-Rabb?"

"Hi sweetheart. When we get married stupid."

Harm chuckles, "So even though you are carrying our child it isn't official?"

"Hell no sailor, not until we hear the words man and wife will it be official."

"Yes dear. I am leaving NCIS now. The meeting went well director Morrow seems a little more pleasant than the admiral."

"Good I have been thinking about your meeting all morning. I am glad it went well. What are your duties going to be?"

"Exactly what we thought, help with investigations and prosecutions. Although I think I am going to be more of a cop than a lawyer."

"You are a good investigator Harm. They are lucky to have you."

"Thank you honey, I am excited about doing something different. But don't you think it is a waste of my talents?"

"Perhaps, but at least I get you to myself every night."

"There you go again being selfish."

"I have waited for this for so long I have the right to be selfish when it comes to you."

"Yes Sarah you do. I meet my team leader and team on Monday. Hey are you free for lunch today?"

"Sorry honey but I have to be in court in fifteen minutes. But if you want to meet me around sixteen hundred we can grab a bite."

"Ok, but have you eaten something before you go to court?"

"Yes dear I had salad, yogurt with a banana. I am really not that hungry, I have been worrying about your meeting to think of food."

"Sarah, you are eating for two remember."

"How can I forget, everything's fine Harm, remember the doctor's appointment on Wednesday."

"I have it in my planner on my phone. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Ok sweetie I got to run. See you at sixteen hundred."

"Ok honey. Love you."

"I love you."

Mac hangs up and grabs her briefcase and heads to court with a big smile on her face.

2100 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Chegwidden is at his desk reviewing his notes from his morning meeting with the SECNAV. He is starting to get frustrated when petty officer Tyner pages him over the speaker phone.

"Admiral; commander Rabb here to see you."

"Send him in petty officer."

"You may go in now commander."

"Thanks Tyner. Hey when Colonel MacKenzie gets back from court and you tell her I am in with the admiral?"

"Yes sir."

"Thanks again Tyner." Tyner nods his head as Harm enters the admiral's office.

"What can I do for you commander?'

"Well sir I just had my meeting with director Morrow at NCIS."

"And how did it go commander?"

"It went well sir. I just got the feeling he wasn't telling me everything. Is there something I should be aware of sir?"

"How would I know that commander?"

"I am not sure sir I just got the feeling he was leaving something out."

"Well commander if that is the case I am sure you'll find out soon enough."

Just the admiral finished his words there is a knock on the door. "Enter." The admiral yells.

"Sorry to disturb you admiral, but my lunch date is late and I heard he was in here."

"Yes colonel, we are finished here. He is all yours."

"That is all I ever wanted sir." Mac says smiling.

"Alright you two are dismissed and go get a room. May be I can finish some reports for SECNAV."

"Aye aye sir." The couple says in unison as they stand at attention.

Harm and Mac turn to leave and as Harm opens the door Mac whisper's to him, "I know this little hotel on south side of DC if you're interested?"

"And how would you know about this hotel colonel?" Harm questions.

"Need to know commander, need to know."

Harm smiles as he carefully places his hand on the small of her back and guides her to the elevator. The two head off to Benzinger's so they can enjoy a quite meal together.