Authors Note: Wow, Wow, & Wow. I didn't expect any responses on this right away. I thought it would take me days maybe even a week to get any response, if any at all - you guys have me stunned - ok, I promise to finish it. I will work on that and put it up as I can at least do a read through & spell check it. But with much embarrassment I need to apologize for how many mistakes were in the first chapter alone. I mean I even spelled yeoman wrong, I swear I had it correct but humm I did kind of put it up in a hurry Monday evening to see if there was any interest, sorry. And now I have no idea how to fix it in the site so we may have to live with it.

Lyn

Chapter Two

1340 ZULU

RABB RESIDENCE

OUTSIDE LONDON, ENGLAND

When Harm arrived home, he found his bags packed and sitting by the front door. Leave it to a marine, he thought chuckling to himself. The house appeared quiet, a rarity with a bouncy eight month old. There hasn't been too much quiet time in the Rabb household since Connor's adoption, his addition had really livened things up.

"Hey I'm home," Harm called stepping into the kitchen. Mac appeared from the hallway, Connor balanced on her left hip, happily chewing on a teething ring. Until he spotted his father, Connor left out a squeal and reached both arms out for Harm to take him. Harm grabbed him and swung him in a circle before pulling him in a giving him a huge hug and a kiss. "Daddy missed his big boy," he sighed as he gave him another kiss on top of his head.

"Oh, so do you miss me too?" Mac questioned seductively. Harm pulled her into a three way hug with the babbling baby in the middle.

"God, I always miss you guys and now they need to send me across the ocean away from you two," as he gave them both another squeeze.

"Connor and I will be fine. But you make sure that you take the time to go see Mattie. She would never forgive you, if she found out you were back in the states and didn't take the time to drive down to the UV to see her. I know she feels left out at times being stuck at college, as you put it 'across the ocean' and not able to come see us more often."

"Mac she just left after New Year's. And her spring semester will be over in two and a half months, she can then spend the whole summer here in England with us. She really couldn't miss out on this opportunity. It was a way to get her ahead to start college early. Plus I think it will really help her self esteem and independence in the long run. I don't want her to feel stunted by her disability. She was getting frustrated when she reached the plateau of progress in her recovery. And of course I will go see her as soon as I can," he explained. "Now I want to spend my last few minutes holding the two of you, before I have to go," he said as he pulled them closer.

After a few minutes Mac groaned, "Harm you have to go now or you're gonna miss your plane, and then you'll be disobeying a direct order. You need to go . . . now!" she added emphatically, as she reluctantly pulled away.

Harm moaned with resignation, kissed Connor again, handed him back to her, kissed her longingly, and forced himself to leave for the airport.

xxxxxx

1500 ZULU

HEATHROW AIRPORT

LONDON, ENGLAND

Getting through check-in at the airport was fairly quick and painless, of course the crisp naval uniform and ID seemed to help a great deal, adding in a few of those famous fly-boy smiles thrown toward the check-in clerk obviously didn't hurt either.

Sherry, one of the flight attendants greeting the passengers, took notice to the tall handsome naval officer as soon as he boarded the plane. She was definitely going to make an effort to get to know him, during the long flight. Although she had taken notice to the wedding band on his left ring finger during her quick assessment, she took into account that he was traveling alone.

The long transatlantic flight was fairly uneventful for the first three hours, Harm had basically tuned out the other passengers. He politely refused all offers of refreshments or assistance from Sherry. Without these distractions, he finally completed his stack of paperwork and loaded it back into his briefcase with a sigh. Quickly Sherry, who had been trying various ways to get his attention throughout the flight, was again at his side, offering a drink which he reluctantly accepted. He needed to be alert when he arrived in Washington, but one drink just might allow him to grab a much needed catnap during the flight. He knew the jet lag and the loss of sleep, due to the time change had the potential to affect him. She returned quickly with his drink and began flirting with him again. He smiled politely as she tried to strike up a conversation asking questions about his rank, if the trip to Washington was just business, while subtly inquiring whether he also had time for pleasure on this trip. He entered in some small talk while sipping his drink; he could feel the alcohol relaxing him slowly. The flight attendant was nice, the conversation warm, but it made Harm miss Mac all the more. Finally another passenger signaled for Sherry assistance. Harm relaxed settling back into his seat and closed his eyes. Barring any unforeseen problems, the flight should land at Washington-Dulles at 4:55 PM allowing another half hour of driving time to make it to Falls Church and JAG headquarters with time to spare before the 6:30 PM meeting time.

He awoke surprised, first that he had actually fallen asleep, then checking his watch and finding that he had slept for almost an hour. Sherry made her move again, seeing he was finally awake. She tried to get him to open up with some small talk and offered him another drink. He declined her offer of a drink and then casually mentioned his wife and baby boy, who were not able to join him for this business trip. Sherry swiftly took a tactical retreat. Harm breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to hurt the flight attendant's feelings. He had to admit she was a beautiful woman, and in the past she probably would have turned his head, but since he and Mac admitted their feelings for each other and their subsequent marriage, nothing and no one compared to her.

xxxxx

2155 ZULU or 1655 EST

WASHINGTON-DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

After arriving at Washington-Dulles International Airport, he made his way through customs quickly with only his carry on bags. Again his uniform and naval ID expedited the customs process. He picked up his rental car and within 20 minutes he was on the beltway and headed to Falls Church.

Exiting his rental car he affixed his cover and paused to look up at the familiar red-brick building with a smile. He had numerous fond memories during his years working at JAG Headquarters. Yet at the same time there was something ominous about the general's phone call this morning, which left a hint of sour feeling in his stomach.

Making his way through the nearly empty bullpen, he went directly to General Cresswell's office and knocked on the door frame, as he glanced at his watch.

"Enter."

General Cresswell sat behind his desk. Harm could see that three individuals sat in the chairs facing the desk, from his peripheral vision, he quickly realized that one of them to his right was the SecNav.

He stopped in front of the generals' desk at attention, "Captain Rabb, reporting as ordered, sir."

"At ease"

Harm relaxed slightly, shifting his left foot to shoulder width and placed his hands into position at the small of his back, but kept his eyes forward.

"Captain Rabb, I ordered you here under such short notice, after receiving a serious complaint into your conduct," Cresswell explained; as he motioned toward the other people in the room. "The SecNav is here to listen to your explanation to this complaint of course, and I'm sure you know Mrs. Annie Harrison . . ." Harm turned to see Annie Pendry, now Harrison sitting to his left along with another gentleman, "and her husband Mr. Paul Harrison," the general continued his his introduction.

"Ah. . .," Harm murmured stunned. Recovering quickly, "I mean, Mrs. Harrison, my apologies ma'am," he stammered. He then stepped over to shake both of their hands. He could see Annie's face was a mix of anger, worry and confusion. It appeared that neither of the Harrisons had slept well recently. The sour feeling in his stomach went into over drive.

General Cresswell rose to his feet and came around his desk. "Mr. & Mrs. Harrison, I would appreciate if you can wait in the outer office for just a few minutes. I need to ask Captain Rabb a few questions," General Cresswell explained as he escorted them to the waiting area.

Upon his return, he began, "Mr & Mrs. Harrison have filed a complaint against you for interference with the custody of a minor, removal of said minor from parental custody, and an attempt to take said minor across international boundaries," General Cresswell continued to explain.

"Excuse me?" Rabb questioned, stunned beyond belief as he swiveled his eyes from the general to the SecNav and back.

"Rabb, I think you more than realize that we do not need to tell you what has come to light during the initial process of this complaint, nor do we need to hear your answers to these allegations before filing charges, and schedule an article 32 hearing. However, the general has convinced me that we should give you a moment without the Harrisons, to listen to your side of this . . . incident prior to any decisions of making formal charges," the SecNav stated gruffly.

"Captain Rabb, I have requested the SecNav to give you a chance to answer to this complaint, before it lands you in a court martial. But I sincerely hope that your answers convince us both that this all is a terrible misunderstanding or an Article 32 will be called so fast it will make your head spin, do I make myself perfectly clear," the general challenged.

"Sir, I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about . . . custody of a minor, what minor? . . . Are we talking about Josh?" He shook his head trying to clear his thinking. "No we can't be, he's almost a year older than Mattie, he would be nineteen now, his birthday was in January, he's no longer considered a minor," Harm calculated aloud, as he tried to figure out what they were talking about.

"Captain, are you denying that you have had contact with Joshua Pendry?" Cresswell inquired.