Chapter 7

13:30, JAG Headquarters, Washington D.C.

Commander Rabb and Commander Turner were walking through the common room heading for Commander Rabb's office "I think I have that folder on my desk somewhere", said Harm.

"Yeah and would probably take us 3 days to find it buddy", said Sturgis shaking his head slightly. "Good job in court today. You really got me, I didn't see that coming. Something happened to you, you've been in a good mood all morning"

"I don't know what you are talking about", replied Harm with an impish smile as they entered his office.

"Yeah right, and I was bourn yesterd…" he stopped in mid sentence, a shocked look in his face. "Harm, what the hell happened to your office?"

Harm took a look around the office, it was all tidy and everything was in its rightful place. The mountain of papers that used to be on his desk, vanished.

"Well Sturgis, what I can tell you is that, the person that has fought my paper warfare, that has covered for me in the past, and that I have shamelessly abused, is responsible for this miracle", Harm said with melancholy heading for the file drawer. If he remembered Meg's filing system he knew exactly where to find it.

"Glad to hear I am appreciated, even if it's 5 years later", said Meg standing in the doorway with a kind smile on her face. Harm's face light up when he saw Meg and Sturgis noticed that. Now he realized the reason of Harm's good mood. And he could not blame him, being around such a beautiful and shiny person.

"Sturgis I would like you to meet Commander Meg Austin, my former partner", Harm said gesturing towards Meg, "Meg, meet another buddy of mine from the Academy, Commander Sturgis Turner"

"Pleasure to meet you again Commander", said Sturgis while kissing Meg's hand.

"The pleasure is all mine Commander", replied Meg with a big smile on her face.

"You two know each other?" asked Harm with a shocked expression.

"Yes, our paths have crossed", Sturgis said with a smile "And all I can tell you Harm is that I got my ass kicked"

"Now you are exaggerating, all I did is win a few cases", replied Meg with an innocent look on her face.

"Well if you consider 4 out of 5 just a few", he said looking at a still shocked Harm. "But I had no idea that she was the spunky partner that you and Keeter told me about, I just thought it was just a name coincidence".

"And what have you been told sir?" asked Meg with a raised eyebrow

"Well, Keeter told me you were bold enough to call him the second best navy pilot after the CAG in front of Harm", he replied with a little laugh.

"He said it not me, I just asked a question", Meg said with a nonchalant look pointing a finger in Harm's direction.

"Ok you two, enough fun at my expense. Sturgis didn't you have some cases to work on?" Harm said giving Sturgis the file.

"I can tell when I'm not welcomed anymore", Sturgis said looking at Meg. "Hope you would give me the chance to redeem myself in court Commander".

"It would be my pleasure sir", Meg replied with a smile, as Sturgis left the room.

"Small world", said Meg with a funny look in her eyes.

"Yes, too damn small for my own taste", said Harm slightly shaking his head. He knew that Meg would have probably made even sedate and reserved Sturgis to "spill the beans on him" with her butter- wouldn't- melt smile of hers. And he also knew that he would have some explaining to do the next time he saw Sturgis off work.

"Afraid I would find some dark little secret of yours?", she asked with a crooked smile.

"Very funny, Meg", he returned her smile. "Thanks for all of this. I still can't understand how you were able to clean that mess in such a short time", he finished.

"Let's just say I had some training from working with a certain pilot who was allergic to paperwork as you are", she said with a laugh.

"Was that the pilot you used to date while in Texas?", he asked with a mock smile.

"No, I never got the chance to date this pilot", she said biting her lip so she would not burst out laughing at Harm's dumbfounded expression. Even though she said it in jest she would have given anything to go on a date with Harm.

Harm on the other hand was left speechless. He looked intently into her eyes and he could see that she was serious in spite of the jest. His heart started to beat faster. Has he really heard that or was it just wishful thinking on his part.

"And do you still want to date that pilot?", he asked almost holding his breath.

But just when she was about to give an answer her cell phone rang. She excused herself and answered the phone. Harm felt really disappointed that he didn't get his answer but maybe it was for the best. First they would have to get through with the case and than he'll have the whole weekend to find out what she really meant.

"Good news?" he asked after she finished the phone call.

"Yes", she answered with a big smile on her face. "Cathy just got a date to the Prom"

"Who's Cathy?" he asked raising one eyebrow. He had heard the endearments that Meg had given the caller and he felt his curiosity raising.

"It's a long story. Let's go and get on with the briefing and I promise to tell you everything after we finish" she told him as they were leaving his office to go to the conference room.

"I'm looking forward to it Meg", he said winking at her.

Four hours later Harm felt very repulsed and angry at what he had found about this Anderson. Even But seemed very affected. They couldn't believe that such a man was once a respected naval officer. And the strange thing was that after 5 years he still found a way to get back into the "spotlight". All during the briefing Harm had watched Meg's reaction. He admired her stamina. She was very professional, didn't let any emotion slip but he knew she was affected.

He also shamelessly looked her over during the briefing. She had been beautiful before but now she was stunning. He never knew anyone as radiant as Meg- whether she was in flight gear, or in Marine fatigues or in an evening gown. The time and the sun had been very kind to her, both bringing distinction to her features. No wonder all the men she had met today had turned their heads and took long glances at her. At one point she had caught him looking at her and she gave him one of her heart stopping smile.

And he swore to do everything in his power to keep that smile on her face and in his life. He would not let her walk out of his life again. He knew that she cared for him, he just had to find out if what Bruce had told him once was true and if she could feel the same again.

He was brought back from his thoughts by Meg's gentle touch. "Hey, are you alright?" she had asked touching his hand. "You seem far away".

He looked around and saw that they were alone now.

"I sent Bud home, Harriet wasn't feeling well. And anyway we are done here." she said getting up from the table and beginning gather the papers. "So are you going to tell me why you were so far away or am I invading your privacy?"

"I was thinking about my friendship with Bruce", he lied. "I'm sorry we didn't get the chance talk and try to patch things up".

"He would have liked that", said Meg with a soft voice "I never understood your fall out. He was just doing what he thought was best. He even got this crazy theory that you were in love with me and that was why you got so mad", she finished with a small laugh.

"If you only knew, Meg", he thought to himself.

"I told him that you are always so protective and loyal with your closest friends", she said with a smile.

"Meg…I have a personal question", Harm said looking at her.

"I loved him Harm", she said already knowing what he wanted to ask. "Even if we were so different we found a way to overcome those differences and I believe we would have had a good marriage. Maybe not the best but at least we would have tried".

"I know that Meg", he said squeezing her hand. "What I wanted to ask was… do you think you would be able to love another man the way you loved him".

"No Harm", she answered looking at their hands "Every love is different. But what I know for sure is that if I fall in love again I would cherish that love with all my heart"

"I'm sure you would", he said wiping away the tear that was running down her cheek.

"Ok, enough with the sad memories. Let's get out of here", she said with a bright smile.

"Yes ma'am", he said getting up. "Where are you staying?" he asked her while they were leaving the room.

"I'm staying at the hotel across from the park", she said.

"What do you say about having a pizza at your good old partner's place", he asked with smile.

"Is Tony's place still around?" she asked walking towards the parking lot.

"It sure is. I think is a little late for chilly peppers and chorizo though. Will you settle for pepperoni and extra cheese?" he asked leading her to his car.

"No chorizo?" she asked in mock disappointment. She cocked her head and seemed to consider the dilemma seriously. "Well… I guess if you're buying…

Harm just laughed and shook his head. "I guess I'm buying if I want to sleep at all tonight. The last time you talked me into a Texas Pizza I burned a few taste buds right off my tongue".

"Getting soft Commander?" she asked with an impish grin.

"Oh, ho! Ok I'll take the challenge Commander, one Texas Pizza on me", he said stopping in front of the car.

"Harm, what happened to your 'Vette?", she asked with a frown.

"It got stolen a few years ago", he said with a sad smile "They finally found it in a chop shop, all that was left was the frame. So…I thought I should get something a little more practical…"

"Harmon Rabb jr., practical", Meg teased getting into the car.

"Not another word Meg…",he said pointing a finger at her.

Meg shrugged playfully. "What did I say?" she asked innocently.

Harm laugh heartedly and pulled out of the parking lot.

Tony's was just as Meg remembered it, a nice pizzeria owned by a nice Italian family.

Harm made his way to the counter of the cramped restaurant.

"Commander Rabb, it's been so long. You've been working to hard again", said Tony as he was shaking Harm's hand. Tony was a round Italian man with a jolly disposition. Half the fun coming to the restaurant was to see Tony.

"So what will it be Commander. Some fettuccine perhaps?", Tony asked.

"I ordered a pizza…a Texas pizza", Harm said

"Ah…good. The peppers are fresh tonight", Tony said making a kissing sound as he brought his fingers to his mouth.

Meg walked behind Harm and Tony saw her before Harm did. " Step aside", he shooed Harm away "So I can find what this lovely lady would like. The young… they have no respect anymore", he said regarding Meg

Meg giggled as Harm turned around to see who was the lady that Tony was referring to " It's ok Tony, she's with me. We're together".

"Ah…" Tony wiggled his brows wickedly. He leaned towards Meg and whispered to her conspiratorially. Of course Tony's whisper was loud enough for Harm to hear every word he said. "He brings lots of pretty girls here," he chucked a finger in Harm's direction. "But you are by far the prettiest".

Meg laughed and shot a questioning glance at Harm. He opened his mouth to protest but thought the better of it and just shrugged.

"Really?" Meg said to Tony. "So tell me about these women…"

"Ok…Nice to see you again Tony." Harm tossed a bill on the counter grabbed the pizza and steered Meg towards the door.

"Ciao Commander… bella ragazza", Tony said with a sigh.

"You know we can always eat the pizza here", Meg said snickering.

"And I could just die of embarrassment while we're at it. 'Here lies Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. USN… needled to death at an Italian restaurant' he said as he opened the passenger side door and handed Meg the pizza. "And I think we've got a bit of catching up to do before you put me six feet under, Commander".