If Only the Dead Could Talk

rooster dawn

Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.

Spoiler: None

Pairing: Harm/Mac, Victoria/Henry

Alternate Universe

Summary: When the future meets the past, strange things happen. The son of a lost love of Harm meets Mac's daughter at Annapolis with interesting results.

Author's note: This is a continuing story of an "A Special Child" Mac's daughter, given up at birth, reunited with Mac, is now attending Annapolis.

part four

"So is there anyone here interested in some Beltway Burgers, my treat?" asked Mac knowing Tory had an affinity for them as much as she did.

It wasn't that she was able to indulge in them like she used to. Harm always cooked a nice dinner for them. It wasn't often that they ate out and when they did it was usually some place special with a night of dancing afterwards.

"I'm up for a trip, what about you Henry? Are you up for the best burgers mankind has ever seen?" smiled Tory with a slight pleading look in her eyes.

"It has been a while since I've had a good cheeseburger. The mess hall idea of a burger is three ounces." moaned Henry.

"Not at Beltway burgers, the smallest one is eight ounces. Mom usually eats two. The largest one is a pound." teased Tory.

"It's been a very long time since I ate two little missy. Harm doesn't like me to eat too much beef. Besides it's getting a little harder to maintain my fighting weight since I had Tommy." replied Mac.

They all got into the family SUV and made their way to Beltway Burger. Mac ordered a double bacon cheeseburger, double fries, and a large coffee shake. Tory followed suit and ordered the same. Tommy got a small order of fries.

"Come on Henry, be a man, order two of the super size cheeseburgers. You're a big boy, you should have no problem eating them." taunted Tory.

"Okay I'll order two super size bacon cheeseburgers, a super size fries and a super size strawberry shake." replied Henry giving in to Tory's taunt.

"You want to split a third bacon cheeseburger Mom? I'm feeling pretty hungry tonight. The aroma in here is heavenly." smiled Tory.

"Okay honey, but you better not let Harm hear you say something like that, he'll flip out." replied Mac. It was good to have another meat eater around.

Henry watched in amazement as Mac and Tory quickly devoured their bacon cheeseburger before starting on the third. The fries were almost gone. Henry meanwhile was having difficulty getting the first one eaten.

He began to wonder if he would be able to eat the second on. He realized that their burgers were smaller, but still he should be able to eat more than twice what they ate easily. He was a growing boy afterall.

He always won every eating contest at the academy among his friends. This should be a slam dunk. He was halfway through the second burger when Tory began to tease him once again.

"What's the matter big boy? I thought you said you were hungry. I thought you said you like to eat burgers." laughed Tory.

Mac laughed along with her. She loved seeing her girl having so much fun with such a nice guy. She also thought it was interesting how some men thought they could do anything, not realizing how challenging some things really were.

"I usually eat four big Mac's when I go out with the guys. That's at most twenty four ounces, but these burgers are so much larger and they seem to more filling." he replied.

"That's because the hamburger they use here has been fortified to resemble a meatloaf like consistency. It makes it taste better and fills you up. It's a meat eater's dream." Mac informed Henry.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help Flyboy, I'm still hungry." smirked Tory.

Henry tore off half of what he had left and gave it to her. She scoffed it down quickly. Henry just shook his head in amazement. This girl could seriously eat. Her mother was pretty good herself and she still looked great.

"So when is the Commander coming home Mac?" asked Henry. He was looking forward to talking to him. He was in dire need of some serious male bonding right about now.

"Actually Harm is a Captain now he just got promoted last week. He's away on an investigation. He flew out to the Seahawk to investigate a mishap. He should be home Saturday.

Tory, when Harm got his promotion he also got another assignment. He's going to be in command of an unit in London. I'm going with him. We leave in three weeks." smiled Mac.

"I don't understand Mom. You said he got another assignment. What about you?" she asked.

"I'm reserving my commission. I don't want to be separated from him. I've waited too long to be with him to give him up. It's okay honey, Harm and I are trying to have another baby. I also want to spend more time with Tommy.

I'm ready to stay at home for awhile and take care of Tommy. If I get bored, I'm sure I'll be able to find something to do. You'll be able to spend the summer with us in London. You're loved it there." replied Mac.

0900 hours

Friday

23 Dec 2005

Rabb/MacKenzie Estate

The next morning while Henry was out for a run Mac thought it was a good time to talk to Tory about Henry. She needed to know the real reason Tory invited Henry to visit this Christmas.

She didn't think it was because they were just friends. Nor did she think it was about them being a couple or her dreaming about becoming a couple with Henry.

Though that might be a possibility some day in the future when they both were out of the academy, but not now. It must have something to do with Harm. Did she think Henry was his son? Did she think Henry was a son forgotten.

She had known Harm for nine years now. They had discussed his relationship with Diane on more than one occasion. Not once did he ever mention having a child with her. She didn't think it was something Harm would forget to tell her.

She had a feeling that both Henry and Harm were in for a big surprise tomorrow when Harm finally made it home tomorrow. She wondered who would be more shock, Harm or Henry.

She could prepare Henry for the possibility of meeting his father, that is Harm. Of course there isn't any proof that Harm is Henry's father, but the resemblance was too much to assume anything else.

Maybe she should sit down with him this afternoon with the photo album. It would give him some perspective of who Harm was in his mother's life. She felt like she was living an episode of the twilight zone.

"Morning sleepy head. Did you sleep well?" Mac asked Tory as she walked into the kitchen where Mac was sitting.

"Yeah, it was great to sleep in my own bed for once. I don't get to sleep past 0600 hours at the academy. Where's Henry? I didn't see him anywhere when I came down." answered Tory.

"He went out for a run. I think the two bacon cheeseburgers did him in last night. He seems to be a nice boy." replied Mac as she started the info gathering.

"He is Mom. But I don't get to spend much time with him because he's an upperclassman. We manage to see each other for a few hours every other week. I wish it could be more, he's fun to be with." she sighed.

"You're too young to be entertaining those thoughts in your head. You have three and a half years to go at the academy first. Then you'll have to go to one of the specialty schools for another six months to a year.

Don't get too fixated on one boy. He may never be ready to give you what you want. It takes a long time for flyboys to grow up and become a man, to accept responsibility for what a relationship brings to the table.

You've known Harm long enough to know that's true. He's actually one of the better ones. Besides sweetie, most men aren't ready or interested in settling down until they're in their mid to late twenties.

They want to experience life, establish their careers. The last thing on their minds is to get married. They're more interested in having fun." chastised Mac.

"Mom! I don't even know him that well. I just like spending time with him. We talk about how we grew up. He spent most of his time with his grandparents, seeing his mother when she was stateside, but not often enough.

She was out to sea a lot. He doesn't know who his father is. As much as I love my adopted mother and father, I never knew my real father either. I only knew you as the really nice lady who brought really nice gifts once or twice a year.

I feel that Henry and I are so much alike that way. But I have you in my life now, Henry doesn't have anyone." reasoned Tory.

"Is that why you quizzed me about looking like someone else and wanted to see the photo album? Is that why you invited him here for Christmas? You think he's Harm's son? I know he looks like Harm, but he may not be Harm's son. I don't want you or him to be disappointed." asked Mac.

"Do you think Harm is his father?" she asked.

"I think it's a good possibility sweetie. Diane is his mother. Harm and Diane were very good friends at the academy. But Harm was in love with Annie Pendry back in those days. She married one of Harm's best friends.

Harm even dated Annie after her husband died for six months. But in the end Annie wasn't ready to be with someone and Harm reminded her too much of her dead husband. She couldn't deal with the possibility of losing him too.

I do know Harm was going to get together with Diane the weekend she was killed. Whether or not they were ever involved sexually, I don't know. It's not something we ever talked about.

Before they could go on any further Henry walked through the door. He had run five miles and walked a half mile to cool down. He was ready for a shower. He was hungry too.

"Why don't you take a shower Henry. Tory will show you where the clean towels are. I'll cook some breakfast for everyone. Any requests?" ordered Mac.

"I'll have some pancakes Mom." chirped Tory.

"Pancakes sound fine to me Mac." replied Henry.

"Are you sure Henry? I can make you some eggs too." asked Mac.

"Yes Mac. After last night's meal I think a lighter breakfast is called for." he replied.