Thursday morning

Harm decided that morning when he woke up, to take the time and enjoy breakfast at home. He went for a run and enjoyed a nice shower with his wife afterwards. He had been working long hours and decided that he deserved a lazy morning. Then he went downstairs to fix them breakfast. He was busy checking his email while he stirred the oatmeal, when there was a skype call for him.

"Hi buddy," he chuckled as Matthew's face came into view.

"Hi Dad. What you doing?" Matthew wondered.

"Making breakfast. Are you not sleeping in when you're on vacation?" Harm wondered

Matthew shrugged. "Nah."

"It's only 5.30 there, Matt," Harm shook his head with amusement. "Did you wake your grandparent's?"

"Grandpa is up," Matthew said with a shrug. "We're the first up every morning."

Harm chuckled. "Any plans for today?"

"Swim in the pool, go fishing, skate, bike, soccer," Matthew smiled cleverly.

"Don't exhaust your grandparents', buddy," Harm laughed softly just as Mac walked into the kitchen dressed in her woodland utility. "Why are you wearing that?"

"I'm going to oversee that training exercise at Quantico today and tomorrow," she went for the coffee. "I'm sure I told you last night," she noticed Matthew. "Hey sweet cheeks."

"Hey Mom," Matthew held up a Lego ship. "Grandpa got me this."

"Is he spoiling you?" Mac wondered.

"Yes," Matthew laughed. "So, are you going to go shoot at Quantico?"

"Yes, tomorrow I'm doing my fitness test and my pistol qualifications," Mac smiled.

"So, you get to have fun while I'm stuck at the office," Harm complained. "And no, you didn't tell me about that. I thought you were back on the judiciary?"

"I got the call as I was leaving yesterday, and Colonel Potter suggested that I'd do my fitness test and pistol qualifications while I'm there," Mac sipped her coffee. "And I need to get going. I have to be there before 10.00. Bye Matthew. I love you."

"I have to go too. Grandpa and I are making breakfast," Matthew stood. "Bye. Love you guys."

"Bye buddy. I love you," Harm ended the call and focused on his wife. "Will you be done by lunchtime tomorrow?"

"I should be," she kissed him quickly. "See you tonight. I love you."

"Have fun," he reached for the paper. "I love you too."

Later that day

Harm rose and walked out of the court room. He had been sitting in while the prosecution made its final arguments. The judge reconvened the court after lunch and the defense would make its case. Harm had been impressed by the way the prosecution, led by Admiral Krennick, had presented their case. The defense would have to present a miracle for it to be a lighter sentencing than life.

"Admiral?"

Harm turned and saw Krennick walking up to him. She was sharp as ever, still going strong after the turmoil three years ago where she almost messed up her career completely. Her affair with a junior officer put a halt in her career, leaving her with her one star and making it impossible to get any more. Only her close relationship with SecNav had saved her from having to hang up her uniform. The incident had been covered up. Yes, Krennick still knew how to play her political cards. And now she was prosecuting this case to show how seriously the Navy handled abuse cases.

"Admiral," Harm greeted her.

"It should be a slam dunk," Krennick was confident.

"If it is, Colonel Lewis is sure to be slammed too at his Court Martial," Harm suggested.

"He'll be out either way," Krennick followed Harm into the elevator.

"You're suggesting that this is his responsibility alone?" Harm wondered as they exited the elevator and headed for the bullpen.

"Harm, the Colonel was the commanding officer. The wife's warnings of her husband's abuse reached his desk. Nothing was done about it and now she is resting with her son by her side."

"Corporal Hayes got counselling," Harm let Krennick move into his office before him.

"Not enough. The Marine Corps should have learned something by the Barstow incident," Krennick suggested impatiently. "Hell, the whole military should have learned a long time ago that counselling abusive husband's and father's aren't enough."

"I agree," Harm reassured. "You're doing a good job."

"I know," Krennick looked around the office. "Nice picture," she picked up a picture from his desk. "Nice family," she then put it back and lifted up the one of Mac. "The Colonel could be a model or a movie star."

"Yeah, she's something else," Harm smirked. "Good thing she's a Marine though."

Krennick put the picture down. "I guess you wouldn't have settled for anything less."

"It's not Mac's looks that makes her special," Harm hesitated. "And she would agree with your view on this case."

"I bet she does," Krennick turned her focus away from the picture. "She could have been sitting in this office if you hadn't dragged her to London. There was talk at the Pentagon back then, she was the rising Marine star where JAG is concerned. Do you ever worry that she'll hold it against you?"

"No," Harm was sure. "Listen Krennick, I know we've had our disagreements in the past, I know that it was a slap in the face for you to get stuck at one star."

"Like I'm the only one doing a younger officer," she interrupted. "Your wife had an affair with an officer back in Okinawa," Krennick smirked. "And you've had your share of women."

"We all screw up when we're young. It's what we do as leaders that define us," Harm pointed out.

"Like you haven't been in the skirts of a female of lower rank," she laughed bitterly. "Like you can just turn off your inner nature because of a ring on your finger, or a few stars."

Harm darkened. "I take great offense hearing that. I take no interest in other women, and I would never betray my wife that way. I get that you're bitter, but don't come in here and accuse me of anything. I suggest you let go of that bitterness."

"Harmon Rabb, always so pure and correct," Krennick smirked. "Don't get me wrong. I meant no disrespect. In fact," she made a movement to the desk. "You deserve to sit in that chair. I mean that."

Harm nodded. "I appreciate that."

Krennick made a motion to leave. "I better have some lunch. Care to join me?"

"I have a phone conference, I have to postpone lunch a little," Harm smiled politely. "See you around Krennick."

Later in the day

Mac was just finishing her report after the exercise when there was a knock on the door. She looked up and saw Colonel James Potter smiling at her.

"Ready for tomorrow?"

Mac smiled. "Yes, I look forward to it."

"It feels good to be out of the office a little huh?" Potter stepped into the office.

"It feels great," she leaned back in the chair. "What about you?"

"Being in command has its moments," he shrugged. "It's not like when we were in boot camp, a couple of kids running around," he chuckled. "Did you ever think that we'd end up here?"

"I was just trying to survive boot camp," she smiled, thinking back. "You had ambitions."

Potter nodded. "Oh yeah, and I've done good. I won't make General. I'm retiring, next month. Valerie wants that house by the beach."

"She stuck with you all through. It's impressive," Mac stood. "Are you sure about retirement?"

"Yes, I have no regrets. I've done my duty, followed the rules, stayed faithful, loved my wife and kids as well as any soldier who's more away than at home can," Potter hesitated. "Do you ever think about retirement?"

"On and off," she shrugged. "Right now I'm happy staying in. Harm and I have that dream of starting our own firm."

"There's still time," Potter smiled. "Well, thanks for today, Mac. It was a pleasure having you here. Usually I find lawyers boring and in the way," he chuckled. "You make a good team."

"Thank you," she smiled. "See you tomorrow, Jamie."

"Semper Fi," he turned to leave.

"Semper Fi," Mac shut her computer and reached for her briefcase.

Harm and Mac's house

There was a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen when Mac came home. She could hear laughter as she crossed the living room and for the kitchen.

"Hey, you're home," Harm greeted her with a kiss.

"Hi," Mac sniffed the air. "Something Italian cooking?"

"We felt Italian today," Mattie hugged her Mom. "Guess what?" she reached for her phone. "Look," she handed it to Mac.

"Jenn had the baby! Oh wow, how cute," she studied the picture.

"I just got it," Mattie smiled brightly. "They are all doing great."

"Good," Mac handed the phone back. "I better hit the shower."

"Five minutes," Harm said just as she slipped out the door.

Five minutes later Mac was back, her phone in hand, smiling.

"I got this picture from Jenn," she handed the phone to Harm.

"Cute," he smiled. "We better go see the kid before we leave for Beallsville in the morning."

"I'm going tomorrow morning," Mattie sat down. "Dinner is served."

"How did it go today?" Harm wondered.

"Good," Mac sat down. "Jamie is retiring."

"Who's Jamie?" Mattie wondered.

"Colonel James Potter," Mac reached for the pasta.

"Why is he retiring?" Mattie continued.

"His wife wants a house by the beach," Mac smirked.

Harm chuckled. "That's a reason for retirement?"

"Well, I guess it has something to do with the Marine Corp not needing all it's Colonel's now that the war is winding down too," she reasoned. "He seemed okay with it. How was your day?"

Well, busy," Harm shrugged. "I had a run in with Krennick, which is always fun," he rolled his eyes slightly.

"She's an excellent prosecutor," Mac pointed out.

"Absolutely," Harm agreed.

"Who is Krennick?" Mattie wondered.

"She's an Admiral, prosecuting the Hayes Court Martial," Harm explained.

"And she's the only woman who has ever chased Harm around a desk," Mac teased.

"Really?" Mattie was intrigued.

Harm chuckled. "Then Commander Krennick thought then Lieutenant Commander Rabb was cute. She likes her men young and smoldering."

"Isn't there a rule against dating between the ranks?" Mattie questioned.

"I never dated her," Harm said almost choking on a piece of pasta.

Mac chuckled. "Easy there, honey."

"It was a weird conversation with her today," Harm shrugged. "I don't know," he hesitated. "Anyway, the defense doesn't seem to have a winnable case. I guess the verdict should be ready just after the weekend."

"It's a good thing," Mac pointed out. "But I don't want to get into it. Admiral West called me today. I'm assigned the Court Martial of Colonel Lewis. Starting the week after the next."

"Why don't you want to get into it?" Mattie was curious.

"Colonel Lewis is facing charges because he failed to take the proper actions against an abusive Marine. Corporal Hayes," Harm explained.

"Oh?" Mattie looked dumbstruck.

"So, what did you do today?" Mac asked Mattie.

"I slept in, watched TV and did some laundry," Mattie smiled. "It was a good day. I'm glad I have time off before I start work, because this semester was hard."

"We're so proud of you," Mac smiled.

"Thanks," Mattie let out a sigh. "One more year and I'm an intern, can you believe it?"

"I can," Harm smiled.

Later

Mac finished hanging up the laundry and turned the light off, before exiting the laundry room. She was ready for bed, feeling worn after a long day at Quantico. Mattie was still watching TV so she said good night and told her to secure the house.

"What are you reading?" she asked as she saw Harm reading a file in bed.

"I had to send Lieutenant Owens on assignment so I'm taking over a UA hearing tomorrow morning," Harm explained.

"A three-star as defense on a UA case," Mac chuckled. "A little overrepresented."

"Just a little," he put the file down and watched her undress. "You don't need the sleep tee."

She smirked as she put it on. "Didn't we cover that this morning?"

He chuckled as he watched her disappear into the bathroom, then reached for the file again.

"What did you mean with what you said about Krennick?" she wondered as she joined him in bed.

"I don't know," he put the file away again.

"What did she say?" Mac turned to him and propped herself up on an elbow.

"Well, that I had a nice family, that you are beautiful," he turned to her. "In which I agreed."

"And?" she rolled her eyes, tired of everyone bringing up her looks.

"It was just a strange conversation. One minute she's accusing me of being interested in younger officers', and then she compliments me and tells me I deserve to be the JAG," he shrugged.

"She accused you of having affairs with junior officers'?" Mac raised her eyebrows. "Why would she do that?"

"I have no idea," he shook his head in disbelief. "I have never expressed any interest in any other woman since I married you. I would swear under oath."

She smiled. "Don't get defensive."

"I can't help it," he slumped back on the bed. "It's enough that the media portrays me as a charmer, I don't want that kinda reputation."

"Hey," she moved into his embrace. "No one thinks that about you."

"I guess," he cupped her face. "You are beautiful."

"You know, I take it back, I would definitely say that you are a charmer," she teased.

He chuckled. "Any chance that I can charm that sleep tee off of you?"

She shook her head. "Nope, I'm too tired."

He kissed her deeply. "Let's get some sleep."

"I love you," she kissed him again.

"I love you too," he turned off the light and wrapped her in an embrace.