I know I say at the start of every chapter 'thanks for my reviews' well i just wanted to say i really mean it! thatk you for taking the time to let me know how you think im doing, it really helps to know that you guys are still enjoying it.

so once again - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

Roberts Residence, Tuesday evening

Mac was sitting on the Roberts' sofa watching TV with baby AJ fast asleep on her lap. Harriet and Bud had just left to go out for the anniversary meal, leaving Mac to watch her godson, who, for the moment, was being an angel. Mac found herself looking down at the angelic face of her godson wistfully, thinking about the time after he'd been born and the deal she and Harm had made. I wonder if that will ever happen, she thought, and even if it does, the way he put it, how was it 'go halves on a kid?' doesn't that suggest that he'd just be a friend helping out another friend. Almost as if he doesn't want kids. That would be a shame, he really would make a great dad. In her minds eye she could see what their child could look like, a little girl, petite like her mother, with dark hair and those bright blue-green eyes that could only belong to the child of Harmon Rabb. Or a little boy, complete with that flyboy grin, the spitting image of his father, but with her big brown eyes. She was pulled from her daydream by baby AJ's cry. He had woken up, and was clearly not particularly happy. At the same moment, the doorbell rang, and little AJ's cries grew louder. Mac picked him up, gently bouncing him up and down and rubbing his back, trying to calm him as she went to answer the door.

"Harm!" she exclaimed, as she opened the door, "What are you doing here?" Harm looked just as surprised to see her.

"I guess the two married people failed on the communication part of their marriage!" he replied with a grin, "Bud asked me to baby sit the other night." Mac laughed,

"Well since you are here, you want to stay and keep me company? We were just about to sit down and watch Lady and the Tramp!" (AN: I don't know how old baby AJ is, so for the purpose of my story he's about 1 year old) Harm looked at her, amused beyond belief,

"Lady and the Tramp Ninja Girl? Why do I think that's your influence?!"

"He likes the songs, Harriet said so!" Mac replied with a grin, "Although it is one of my favourite Disney films."

"Well you go and set it up then, I'll take him for a second" Harm said, reaching out to take the squirming little boy from Mac's arms. He wasn't crying anymore, and once he was being held by Harm, smiled contentedly, making little giggling sounds as Harm started pulling faces at him. Mac watched him, a small smile on her face, once again imagining him with their children.

"Earth to Mac!" Harm said, noticing that she hadn't moved. Mac jumped slightly, and blushed, hoping that just this once Harm wouldn't be able to guess what she was thinking about.

"Sorry, I was a world a way!" she said, quickly turning and heading back to the lounge to put the DVD on. Looking slightly perplexed, Harm followed her slowly, whispering ot baby AJ as he went,

"That was a bit strange wasn't it? I wonder what's up with your auntie Mac?!" AJ gurgled at him, "Yes I agree," Harm added with a grin, "women are very confusing!"

About an hour later, Mac was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep, while Harm was sitting on the floor with little AJ, who seemed intent on crawling all around the house. Mac woke up just her favourite bit of the film came on the screen (the spaghetti eating bit of course) and without looking at a watch, said

"We should probably get him into bed now Harm," Harm nodded, and picked the little boy up easily.

"Come on buddy!" he said, starting to carry him upstairs. "Oooh, smells like someone needs a diaper change before bed!" he added, as Mac followed him up to the nursery.

They got AJ ready for bed together, in companionable silence, Harm dealing with the dirty diaper like a pro, then handing him to Mac to change his clothes. Once he was safely ensconced and asleep in his cot bed, they headed back downstairs to help themselves to a drink and a bag of microwave popcorn and sit back down in front of the telly to finish the film.

"I love that film" Mac sighed, as the credits started to roll, "its just so cute"

"Who would thought such a tough Marine could be such a hopeless romantic!" Harm teased, a smile playing at his lips. Mac laughed, poked her tongue out at him and threw a couple of pieces of popcorn at him.

"Oh, you are so going down Jarhead!" he said, reaching for the popcorn bowl himself.

"Like to see you try Squid!" she replied, with a giggle, pulling the bowl out of his reach. Harm paused for a moment, before a wicked glint appeared in his eye,

"Shall we watch another film then Jarhead?" Mac blinked at him, confused as to why he has backed down.

"What are you planning Flyboy?" she asked suspiciously. Harm offered her his most innocent smile.

"Nothing!" he said, pretending to be hurt, "I just thought we should watch a film and EAT the popcorn instead of spreading it around Bud and Harriet's lounge!"

"Well, OK," Mac agreed, still looking slightly suspicious. "What do you want to watch?"

"I brought Top Gun!" Harm said hopefully, reaching over and pulling it out of his coat pocket. Mac rolled her eyes,

"Gee, that's original! How about we watch something non-work related!"

"Fine" Harm pouted, getting to his feet and walking over to the DVD rack next to the TV. "How about an episode or two of the West Wing? I haven't watched any of that in ages!"

"Sounds great, I haven't seen any of that in a while either." They settled down comfortably, quickly getting caught up in the story line. About twenty minutes in, Harm glanced over at Mac, and noticing the look of concentration on her pretty face, decided it was time to act out his plan. Without her noticing he removed a piece of ice from his glass, and when she wasn't looking, dropped it quickly down the back of her jumper. She squealed, wriggling around to get the ice to fall out of her top.

"You sneaky squid!" she said, collapsing into giggles, grabbing a cushion and aiming a half-hearted blow at his head. Harm was laughing too, thrilled at how successful his little prank had been.

"Sorry.." he managed to stay, still laughing hysterically, "I couldn't resist!" Mac rolled her eyes at him,

"Flirt!" she accused, still laughing

"So what if I am?!" Harm countered with a flyboy grin.

"I will get you back for that," she promised, a wicked grin appearing on her face.

"I'll be looking forward to it" Harm replied flirtatiously, enjoying the blush that appeared on his companions face at his words. She looked so cute, blushing and flustered like that. They fell into a comfortable silence, and returned their attention back to the screen. Without thinking anything of it, twisted herself around, put a pillow on to Harm's leg, and lay down.

"Making yourself comfortable Jarhead?!" He asked her teasingly, not minding in the slightest.

"I need to be comfy to be able to drool over Rob Lowe!" she retorted with a grin.

As they continued watching TV, Harm absentmindedly started to stroke Mac's short hair, glorying in how soft it felt, and that she wasn't protesting. He could have sworn he heard her let out a small sigh of contentment, but decided it was best not to say anything. He didn't want an angry Marine on his hands if he could help it.

They had just finished one episode, when a wail was heard over the baby monitor.

"I'll go." Mac volunteered, Harm had calmed him down last time after all.

"OK," Harm replied, yawning, "Shall I go and make us some coffee?"

"Sure, thanks" Mac replied, as she made her way upstairs.

"What's the matter little one?" she asked, reaching down and picking AJ up. "Are you missing mummy and daddy? Don't worry, they'll be back soon." She started humming softly, a lullaby that her Uncle Matt had sung to her as a child. AJ started to calm down, looking at her adoringly with his big blue eyes. She walked up and down the room, still humming softly, trying to lull him back to sleep, not noticing Harm standing in the doorway, a faraway look in his eyes as he watched her with their Godson. In his imagination, a clearly pregnant Mac was holding a beautiful brown-eyed baby girl, with beautiful curly brown hair, the spitting image of her. Their baby.

Mac looked up, and caught him staring.

"Would you stop for red lights?" she asked, referring to the episode of the West Wing that they had just finished watching, in which Donna had promised Josh that if he were ever in an accident, he wouldn't stop for red lights. Harm got the reference immediately,

"I wouldn't stop for police lights or sirens either." He replied, walking into the room. She smiled and looked up into his eyes.

"Me neither" she admitted softly. And here we are again, Harm thought, with a trace of amusement. We're really doing well on these 'moments' recently! She looks so beautiful right now, I really want to kiss her. He moved slightly closer, not taking his eyes off of hers. Mac's eyes widened, her tongue poking out to wet her lips in anticipation.

At that moment, the door slammed downstairs, and they heard Bud and Harriet call to out.

"Mac?"

"We're up here!" Harm called, flashing Mac a rather sheepish flyboy grin. Harriet and Bud appeared in the doorway.

"Commander, what are you doing here?" Harriet asked in surprise. Bud looked embarrassed

"That's my fault honey, I asked Harm to baby sit and then forgot all about it. Sorry Harm!"

"No worries, it was great to spend time with my godson," Harm replied with a smile "and this lovely jarhead of course!" he added with a wink, earning him a smack on the arm from the aforementioned Marine. Harriet reached out and took her son from Mac's arms.

"Thanks for looking after him." She said, "Did he just wake up?"

"Yes, about 5 minutes ago," Mac replied,

"He's got into this habit of waking up at this time, I'll just put him down again."

"We should probably take off, leave you guys to it." Harm said, moving forward and giving little AJ a kiss on the forehead. "Bye little man!" Mac followed suit and then followed Bud and Harm out of the room.

"See you tomorrow Harriet."

"Bye Mac, thank you!"

At the door, both Harm and Mac turned and said their goodbyes to Bud, before walking down the path to their cars tomorrow. They stopped at Mac's car, grinning sheepishly at each other.

"Well I suppose I better be going," she said looking up at him, suddenly feeling shy. Get a grip Mackenzie, she told herself, this is your best friend in the entire world you're standing with, not Rob Lowe. To her great surprise, Harm nodded, and lent down, gently kissing her cheek, his lips lingering just a couple of seconds longer than a usual peck on the cheek.

"Night Mac, Sweet dreams" he murmured huskily, before turning and walking to his car. Mac stood there for a second, her heart racing, then shook herself and got into her car, waving to Harm as she drove off. The fundraiser definitely was going to be interesting.

Harriet, who had witnessed the whole exchange from the nursery window grinned happily. Wait til I tell Sturgis she thought gleefully.

I think I might have put a fair few anglicisms in there today – sorry about that, I know that I should make more of an effort but just using the word diaper is a struggle to me!!!

Please don't hold it against me!!!!!

All reviews good and bad are appreciated!