Mac woke up with a startle. Her husband moved on his side, wrapped her even closer and went back to sleep again. Then the doorbell rang again. She heard Harm let out a groan and she smiled, he was not much of a morning person, especially when they had gone to sleep late the night before. It was 0830 on a Sunday morning and the kids were at their grandparents for the weekend. Harm's mother and stepfather, Trish and Frank, had an apartment close by and they had gotten into the habit of flying back and forth between their San Diego house and Jacksonville Florida, spending a lot of time with their grandchildren.

Mac got out of bed and found Harm's shirt from the floor and put it on. It was probably some neighbor kids wondering if Nathan or Claire could come out and play. She hurried downstairs and to the front door, surprised to find two very serious Naval Officer's outside.

"Graves?" Mac opened the door.

"Ma'am, there's been another one," she said. "You remember Lieutenant Fabray,"

"Colonel," Fabray said, her face looking bothered. "Sorry about messing up your Sunday, ma'am."

"No problem," Mac stepped aside. "Come in."

She led them to the living room just as Harm padded down the stairs, rubbing his face tiredly. "Are you coming back to bed, babe?" He stopped when he noticed the company, realizing that he was wearing only his boxers. "Oh?"

"Graves, why don't you start the coffee while we dress," Mac suggested and started moving upstairs. "Come on, Admiral."

Harm offered an amused smile and followed his wife. "What's going on, Mac?"

"There's been another murder," she said as they entered the bedroom. "I don't know anything more."

"A little heads up would have been nice," he mumbled.

"I'm sorry, but I'm sure they'll get over it. Although, you are eye candy," she teased and winked at him as she found sweatpants and put them on.

"Funny," he finished buttoning his pants. "I'm their commanding officer and now they know how I look like in my underwear."

Mac laughed softly. "Stop being a prude."

"I'm not a prude," he argued and got a wicked gleam in his eyes. "That wasn't what you called me last night."

"Red light, Admiral," she walked past him and to the door.

"You can't red light your husband," he pointed out as he put on a t-shirt and followed her.

They went downstairs and into the kitchen where Graves had started making oatmeal. "The coffee will be ready soon."

Mac found fruit and berries in the fridge while Harm slumped down on a chair across from Fabray, who he noticed looked a little uncomfortable. "So, we have another murder?"

"Yes, sir. Petty Officer Kenneth Gates. Last seen when he left the bar around midnight, found by a jogger this morning," Fabray said.

"It's the third one in two months, sir. We have a serial killer," Graves said as she put four bowls on the table. "There's no sign of any trauma to the bodies, except the slit throat. The killer isn't a sadist."

Mac put fruit and spoons on the table and went to get the coffee. "Do you want your tea, Harm?"

"Coffee, please," he said tiredly.

"Sorry about forcing you out of bed on a Sunday, sir," Graves said as she put the oatmeal on the table. "How was the birthday party last night?"

"It was fun, although I think the birthday boy might be waking up with a headache today," Harm said with a small laughter.

Mac put coffee and mugs on the table and sat down beside her husband. "Someone should tell Keeter that he isn't eighteen anymore," Mac said with amusement. "Breakfast is served so dig in."

"Sir, how do we proceed now?" Graves asked.

"What's the locals saying?" Harm wondered.

"Well, they are pretty much stretched thin at the moment and wants to kick it back to us," Graves said.

Harm nodded as he arranged oatmeal in a bowl and had fruit on it. "Well, we'll get NCIS involved. Work with them, but don't let them take over completely. I promised Petty Officer Porter's mother and father that I would solve their son's murder. I don't want my people to be pushed out of the investigation, but we need NCIS on this." The first victim had been part of Harm's staff until he was found with his throat slit after a night on the town two months ago. Then three weeks ago a new enlisted man was found the same way.

"Yes, sir. We'll head to the office and get started. I feel like we have about two to three weeks to find this killer before he or she strikes again," Graves said.

"Check out anyone who could have a grudge against the Navy. Old cases too, especially the ones where charges have been dropped or the case dismissed. If there's someone with a grudge I figure that's our best chance of finding this killer," Mac added.

Harm turned to his wife. "Good thinking, Mac."

Mac smiled. "Thank you, Harm. Talk to Agent Tate Sullivan with NCIS. I worked with him before when I was assigned a case here, he's one of the best and he'll keep you in the loop."

"Yes, ma'am," Graves and Fabray both said.

Harm finished his oatmeal and put his hand on Mac's thigh. "I'll stop by the office a little later to look over what we've got. If that's okay?" he asked her.

"You won't let it go anyway," she teased.

"I'll be there in about an hour," he said to Graves and Fabray.

They both stood and started to clear the table. "I've got it," Harm said.

"Thank you, sir," Graves said and turned to leave.

"Thanks for breakfast Catherine," Mac said as she stood to follow them outside.

"No problem ma'am. It's the least I can do after disturbing your morning. Are the kids with the grandparents?" Graves asked.

"They are," Mac confirmed.

"Have a nice day, ma'am," Fabray said as they left the house. Once the door closed behind them she turned to Graves. "They are really nice people, aren't they?"

"They are," Graves confirmed. "And brilliant."

"I don't doubt that," Fabray said as they headed for the car. "They are legends in the JAG Corps."

"With good reason," Graves said.

Mac found Harm in the kitchen loading the dishwasher. He looked thoughtful when he turned to her. She took the rest of the fruit and berries to the fridge, then walked over to him.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

He wrapped her in an embrace and kissed her. "That I should take you upstairs and spend the rest of the day in bed."

She smiled. "That's not what you're thinking, but I like the idea."

He started kissing down her neck. "I'll let Graves and Fabray get started. Let's go back to bed."

She nodded and stepped out of his embrace, taking his hand and walking towards the living room. "I can at least try to take your focus off the case."

He followed her upstairs. "Drop your clothes and you've got all my attention," he promised.

She squealed as he grabbed her and lifted her up, landing her in the middle of the bed. "God you're beautiful," he said before he moved over her and tugged on her t-shirt. "This has to go."

She laughed and did as requested. "Now it's your turn sailor."

He removed his own shirt in one swift motion then moved his hand behind her back and loosened her bra. "I don't have one of those, but I'll lose my pants if you want me to?"

Mac was about to reply when his hands found their way to her breasts and his lips captured hers. She forgot the whole conversation and lost herself in his touch.

Two weeks later

Mac noticed that her audience had fallen asleep on her and closed the book and put it on the nightstand. She pulled the sheet around Matthew and kissed his forehead. He was getting so big, she thought as she stood and turned to leave. In the doorway, she turned to look at him once more and turned off the light.

"Mom, do I have to sleep?" Claire stood in her doorway of her room looking pleadingly at her mother.

Mac smiled and walked over. "You need your sleep, sweetheart."

Claire let out a sigh and turned and walked into her room. "But I'm really not tired," she yawned widely.

"I can see that," Mac was amused.

Claire got into bed and snuggled under the sheet. "Is Dad going to have to work tomorrow too?"

Mac sat down on the bed. "I'm not sure. I hope not."

"He's been working a lot lately," Claire pointed out. "I miss him."

Mac bent down and kissed her forehead. "I do too. But he has an important job, and sometimes he has to work long hours. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," Claire smiled.

Mac stood and left the room. She peaked in on Nathan who was already in deep sleep. He'd been up early that morning to go fishing with Frank. They had come home with enough fish to make dinner. He'd had a great day.

When she walked downstairs she could hear the front door open and shut. She went to meet her husband. "Hi."

He offered a tired smile. "Hi," he kissed her softly. "Did I miss the kids?"

"You did," she touched his cheek in a sweet gesture.

"I was about to leave earlier, but NCIS showed up to talk to Graves and I thought I should sit in on it," he moved past her and rubbed his sore neck.

"Honey, you've been going at it nonstop for two weeks now," Mac followed him into the kitchen. "Is this turning into an obsession?"

"I just want to get this guy," Harm said as he opened the fridge and found the plate Mac had arranged for him and put it in the microwave.

"Have you figured out the military connection?" she asked.

"Nope, we've got nothing," he looked defeated. "We're getting close to the next murder."

"There has to be a connection there, for the killer to attack only enlisted men. Is there a connection between the victims?" she wondered.

Harm took the food out and sat down. "They served together for a brief period aboard the Arizona. We're not sure if they knew each other."

"Are they looking into it?" she sat down with him.

"We're working on it."

Mac put her hand on his arm. "Harm, I know you won't want to hear this, but you need to step back and let your people work. We have barely seen you lately."

"I know. I'm taking tomorrow off to be with the kids," he reassured her.

"Good, because they miss you," she kissed his cheek then stood. "I'm going to go read for a while."

"Actually," he leaned back and looked at her. "I was thinking that maybe a fresh set of eyes couldn't hurt, so I brought copies of the files with me. Maybe you could consider looking through them with me," he asked pleadingly.

Mac hesitated. "Okay, I'll help you."

Harm smiled. "Thank you."

Mac smiled. "Don't use your charm smile on me, mister."

Harm looked innocent. "What smile?"

To be continued….