Disclaimer in chapter 1.

Thanks to all who reviewed! I noticed as soon as I uploaded the chapter I had a few spelling errors, that is what I get for writing at 2am! Please keep reviewing, your reviews inspired me to update sooner!

The italics are a dream sequence.

Episode 2

As Time Goes By

Chapter 5

The girls giggled and laughed as they tried on the outdated clothing, at least by their knowledge. Coates was also enjoying the seen unfold, she took pleasure in the girls amusement they seemed like they needed a good laugh, she also wasn't clear on much but she figured these clothes were older then what they were use too.

"Look at this!" Natalie exclaimed holding up a cropped cardigan, Lucy giggled.

"Maybe we should find some safe, neutral clothes." She whispered underbreath. With Jen's help the girls settled on an array of split tanks, polo's, and boyfriend tanks, with several tight, hip hugging jeans, they also selected some accessories, and after five hours of successful shopping the girls loaded up the car and drove back to the admiral's house.

"I know you girls can't say much, but what about the fashion has it changed a lot?" The girls exchanged looks.

"Its safe to say it's defiantly different." Answered Lucy not wanting to elaborate more, as the girls compared their jewelry. In a way even though they would have to figure out how to get back the girls were enjoying their 'vacation' off from the war. Even after being rescued from a POW camp the girls were sent back into the war zone. When they got back the excitedly showed Mac their purchases, Mac still uneasy with the events that had been unfolding in the last 24 hours, she smiled and commented on the purchases. She studied the twins as they sorted through their purchases, swamping purses, and tried on their shoes for her. The girls looked up for her approval from time to time, which Mac would offer the twins, though they were in their 20s, they were perfectly at ease with her. Why not after all she was their mother, and when she looked at them she saw herself and Harm, in their eyes, their smile, the way they laughed, talked, she was relieved to see how they both turned out to be such beautiful, intelligent ladies. Harm was more accepting to the presence of the twins, already he was overprotective and caring for them, it was probably easier for him he wasn't carrying the twins at the same time. When the admiral and Harm had grown bored, they retreated to the kitchen.

"I have some steaks in the fridge, lieutenants do you like steak?"

"I do sir!" Piped up Lucy.

"Is there any veggie dish I could have, sir?" Natalie asked. Mac smiled at Harm clearly she could tell which one took after whom.

"I think Harm can whip something up." The admiral smiled, also noting this coincidence, Major Montego had left twenty minutes before the girls returned after having a last minute briefing with the admiral, commander, and colonel, and in agreement to rondevu with the admiral and lieutenants sometime tomorrow at intelligence headquarters.

After a good, homemade meal, something the girls had not gotten to enjoy in a long time, the girls each got a chance to soak in a hot, bubble bath, before slipping into their new pj's. Mac had grown tired during dinner, so they left shortly after the meal. The family had stood awkwardly in the foray, unsure how to say good-bye, the twins had instinctively wanted to hug and kiss their parents goodnight, but unaware of how they would receive that they stood there staring back at their parents. Harm and Mac unsure how to say good-bye to their 'daughters', returned the stare wondering if they should kiss or hug or shake hands. Coates and Admiral Chegwidden were sitting in the living room, before finally Coates shouted her suggestion.

"How about a handshake?" The family smiled, they exchanged handshakes, but Mac could read the deep hurt looks in the twin's eye's, they wanted more but wouldn't dare ask for it. After Harm and Mac left, Coates stood up and gave the twins a quick hug.

"It was fun shopping with you two!"

"We had more fun then you could understand." Added Natalie.

"Thanks Jen!" Added Lucy. After Coates had left, and the admiral locked the door, he turned back to the twins, they would be staying in the guest bedroom, everyone had agreed that would be the best. The lieutenants smiled back, clearly they considered him more than their parent's commanding officer. He was about to comment on something when the phone rang, he was on the phone until the girls finished getting ready.

"Are you lieutenants descent?" Called the admiral from down the hall.

"Yes sir." The twins replied in unison. The admiral walked into the guest bedroom where the girls were staying.

"That was your da…Commander Rabb, he is on his way over to discuss a case with me…you girls don't need to stay up." The lieutenants nodded, they didn't know if that was the truth, but decided they'd settle for that. "Well goodnight." He finished, as he turned to leave.

"Goodnight!" The twins called after him, they were both asleep by the time the commander arrived.

She could hear the sound of other prisoners being tortured, she waited, for the sound of the guards boots on the pavement, knowing they were coming for her next. She had already seen them dragging her Rio, Amanda, off to the 'interrogation' room. Lucy felt guilty for Amanda being here, she was flying the plane, Amanda had been her Rio, when they were shot down. It was also Lucy who had injured her leg and prevented their quick escape, despite Lucy's protest for Amanda to go on before they were captured by the enemy's intelligence officers, and dragged off to the intelligence prison. Her body was covered in bruises, and she had not recovered from her injuries, and yet they continued their brutal interrogations. She heard the guards coming, she cringed at every footstep, and she saw them at the entrance of her cell. They dragged her into the interrogation room, when she got there she saw, the interrogators, and new tools of torture she had never seen before. As they began questioning her and drawing closer with their instruments, she kept her mouth closed refusing to answer, and as the instruments made contact with her skin she let a blood-curdling scream.

"NNNNOOOOOO!" She woke up in a cold sweat, Natalie was trying to calm her by wrapping her arms around her, but Lucy was still in her nightmare, fighting of Natalie. The admiral and commander came bursting through the door, when Lucy woke up and looked into the eyes of Natalie.

"Its ok, its ok were safe." Natalie assured. "SSSHHH its ok."

"I'm sorry." Lucy cried into Natalie's shoulder, she felt guilty for scaring and waking Natalie, and also for Amanda, her Rio had died in the POW camp.

"You don't have to be sorry, I still have those dreams too." Natalie had also been taken POW about the same time Lucy had, but she was taken to a different intelligence prison camp. Natalie looked up into the concerned faces of her father and 'grandpa', she shook her head assuring them everything would be ok, but there was nothing they could do. Harm was reluctant to leave the room, he wanted to comfort them, but he knew they couldn't tell him anything. He could only wonder and worry what brought the twins to tears; the admiral pulled Harm out of the room.

"I wish I knew, I wish I could help them." Harm commented as they walked down the stairs.

"Me too." Added the admiral as he opened the door for Harm, Harm gave one last glance of concern up the stairs as he stood in the doorframe.

"Don't worry, I'll be just down the hall." The admiral assured.

"Good night sir." Harm said goodbye as he stepped out.

"Good night commander."