Washington D.C June 2012

Harm answered the last question, then excused himself and walked into the building again. He mumbled something about sharks and could detect a slight smile from the junior officer by his side. It was the second week of a high-profile Court Martial and the media was aggressive.

"You'd think it was our fault that Corporal Hayes killed his wife and daughter, sir," Commander Bud Roberts met Harm as he walked into the bullpen.

"Judging by what's been going on in the court room they have reason to ask if the Military is doing enough to help soldiers with problems," Harm reached for a file handed to him by a Petty Officer as he passed by. "Did you sit in this morning, Bud?"

"No time, sir. I have the Winters appeal tomorrow and I better be prepared," Bud followed his commanding officer into his office.

"How is that going anyway?" Harm wondered as he put the file on his desk and sat down. He motioned for Bud to sit too.

"I'm positive the court will overturn the verdict, sir. With the new evidence there is not much doubt that Petty Officer Lacrosse was falsely convicted," Bud hesitated. "I've gotten a lot of calls from the Petty Officer's mother over the last few days. She always knew he wasn't guilty. Never turned her back on him."

"He claimed he was innocent all along. It's all thanks to you that he's finally heard," Harm hesitated. "Five years locked up for something he didn't do."

"He has a daughter he's never met," Bud let out a sigh. "Everyone thought he was guilty."

"To be fair, the coroner did not do a good enough job, the witnesses were deemed reliable, defense attorney was inexperienced," Harm shrugged. "But still…" A knock on his open door made him look up.

"You wanted to see us?" Colonel Sarah Rabb walked through the door followed by Lieutenant Scott Needham. He was young and fresh out of law school.

"I did. You have a twelve o'clock meeting with Captain Johnson at the Pentagon," Harm informed them. "He warned me that he can't say much though."

"I hate the word classified," Mac complained.

"I don't even have the clearance to know exactly what operation Mook was about," Harm pointed out.

"Mook means a stupid or incompetent person, right?" Bud mentioned.

Mac nodded. "So how exactly are we supposed to figure out what happened to Petty Officer Cruz if we aren't allowed to know who was on board the USS Saragossa, where they were or what was their mission? The accident wasn't even reported until after they docket two days ago, and Cruz had been in the cooler for two weeks," Mac looked pleadingly at her husband. "Are you by any chance working on getting the clearance?"

Harm nodded. "Yes."

"But I shouldn't be holding my breath," she guessed.

"Whatever they were doing out there was top secret," Harm shrugged. "Just talk to the Captain, write a report and you can go back to the judiciary again. Your boss wants you back."

"You should have the report on your desk by the end of the day," Mac promised.

"Commander Graves and Lieutenant Peters will be back tomorrow, so you can go back to your real job," Harm told her with a slight smile.

"Okay then," Mac smiled. "Anything else?"

"Nope, that was all," Harm reassured.

She turned and walked away, Lieutenant Scott snapped to attention and walked after her.

Later that night

It was past 2100 when Harm finally locked himself into their home. Another long day was over. He heard the TV as he put his cap on the table by the mirror and he wondered if he'd get yelled at for being late and not calling. Not that Mac yelled when she was frustrated with him. She was more the silent type, letting him know without a word that she was frustrated with him. He headed for the living room and found his wife on the couch, feet up on the table watching the news.

"Anything good on?" he wondered.

She smiled. "I saw you."

He chuckled. "Being eaten by sharks?" he joked as he slumped down beside her. "Sorry I'm late."

"I figured you'd be, but you could have texted me," she reminded him.

"Sorry," he flashed her a sweet smile, then leaned in and kissed her. "We don't have any kids this week."

"So?" she put her arms around his neck.

"So, we could go to bed early?" he suggested between nibbles to her lip. The front door opened and shut. "Oh, I forgot, we do have one kid."

Mac chuckled just as Mattie appeared in the doorway. "Parents' behave."

"Hey Mattie," Mac smiled. "I thought you were staying in Blacksburg all week."

Harm sat up. "Miss me already?" he teased.

"Well, the evil stepmother's sons' came home from college, so the spare room and my old room was occupied, but I was free to use the couch," Mattie rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Victor called yesterday wondering if I would babysit Jenn. He had to go to work. So, I spent the night there."

"Not getting along with Leah?" Harm wondered.

"She's good for my Dad," Mattie shrugged. "He needs the structure, but it just doesn't feel like my house anymore. And that's weird, because I grew up there, while I never really lived here, and this feels like I belong."

"I'm sorry Mattie," Mac smiled. "We are happy that you feel like you belong here though."

"We're happy to have you home for the summer," Harm added. "How is Jenn anyway?"

"One day past her due date and really cranky," Mattie laughed. "And she practically chased Victor out of the house."

"I know the feeling," Mac remembered back to a little over six years ago in London.

"Hey, all a guy does is ask if you're feeling okay, and in return he gets his head chewed off," Harm complained.

"Good times," Mattie joked. "Anyway, I did show her a picture of her holding cute baby Matthew and that seemed to cheer her up."

"He was a cute baby," Mac agreed.

"Talking of Matthew, did you talk to our kids' today?" Harm wondered.

"Yes, they're doing good," Mac reassured.

"Good," he smiled. "So, I'm hungry, did you make dinner?"

"Nope, I haven't gotten to it yet," she started to stand. "I'll have something delivered. We can be unhealthy for once."

"I'm in," Mattie agreed. "Pizza?"

Mac nodded as she found her phone. "Pizza it is."

"Okay then," Harm stood. "I'll go change." He went upstairs and to the master bedroom. It was Wednesday already, and he had been late getting home all week. He had hoped that with the kids' away visiting the grandparent's they would be able to have some quality adult time, but so far there had been very little of that. He had hoped that the office would calm down, but the caseload was piling up. Mac's TAD had been very helpful, but she was going back to the judiciary. Thankfully he had two officers coming back from assignment the next day.

Later that night

Harm was tired after a long day so after pizza he excused himself to get some sleep. Mac started cleaning the table and Mattie jumped up to help.

"Is it just me or is Dad a little tired?" Mattie wondered.

"It's been busy at the office for weeks. I've barely seen him lately," Mac shrugged. "He's the JAG."

"When do you guys have leave?" Mattie wondered.

"Not until July," Mac put their plates into the dishwasher.

"A while longer huh," Mattie smiled. "Well, I'm looking forward to sipping ice tea while resting by the pool next week."

"I'm guessing the grandparent's are a little tired after a whole week of kids', so you better help out a little too," Mac said with laughter.

"Two weeks without them. That's a long time for you," Mattie commented.

"Don't remind me," Mac let out a sigh. "But they are having fun," she closed the dishwasher. "Are you staying up?"

"For a while longer. I'll secure the house before I go to bed," she promised.

Mac yawned. "Well, that's it for me," she hugged Mattie. "It's good to have you home."

"And it's good to be home," Mattie smiled.

"Good night," Mac headed out of the kitchen and went upstairs.

Harm stepped out of the bathroom just as she entered their bedroom. She smiled sweetly and closed the door. "Grams called," he said.

"How is she?" Mac walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Good, but feeling a little lonely," he kissed her softly. "Maybe we could drive out there on Friday and spend the weekend?"

"Sounds good. You could use some fresh country air," she nibbled down his throat and let out a squeal when he lifted her up and planted her on the bed.

"You need to lose the clothes," he moved over her. "And this sailor will show you a good time."

"I do have a thing for handsome sailor's," she laughed softly and pulled him closer. "I love you so much."

He sobered up. "I love you too," he kissed her softly.

Later

"It is not the lack of love, but the lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages," Harm turned on his side. "Who said that?"

"Friedrich Nietzsche," Mac propped herself up on an elbow and studied him with curiosity. "Why?"

"I had lunch with Red today. He just finalized his divorce and is headed out to sea again," Harm smiled. "He was always a poet, but I figured he didn't come up with that one himself."

"How many years?" Mac wondered.

"Ten," he shrugged. "The quote just stuck in my head. It made me feel good, because it made me think of you."

She smiled. "It's true I think. Friendship is important."

"I agree," he traced her jawline with his finger.

"You know, Nietzsche's sister became the curator and editor of his works after his death. She used his work to fit her own nationalist ideology, contradicting his stated opinions. He was opposed to antisemitism and nationalism," Mac noticed the look on Harm's face. "What?"

"You are such a geek," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "A hot geek."

Mac chuckled. "We should get some sleep."

"Yeah, tomorrow is another day," he let out a sigh. "I'm making you dinner."

"You have the time for that Admiral?" she wondered.

"I have been a bad husband, and I intend to make it up to you," he stated.

"I think you're pretty good," she kissed him again, then snuggled into his arms. "The best."

"Good night," he wrapped his arms around her.