November 27, 2003

The Roberts' House – Alexandria, Virginia

1331 Eastern

Beth had arrived back at Harm's a little early this morning, wanting to offer Mattie any help she might need to get ready for the party. She had decided on wearing a simple emerald green dress, while selecting a silver necklace as her only visible jewelry. The loose nature of her hair style hid whatever earrings she might have been wearing. Her makeup was soft, with only a splash of red on the lips.

Harm was doubly glad to see Beth. Firstly, because he knew Mattie was a tomboyish teen who had been decidedly uncomfortable with the idea of wearing a dress today. She had still been simply glowering at the two dresses that she had brought with her when Beth did arrive. Beth had taken the scene in in a glance and picked up the two dresses. With a gentle hand, she had guided the teen into the bedroom while shooting Harm a glance that positively screamed "Stay Away!"

An hour and a half passed while Harm waited. He had planned on fixing breakfast, but didn't want it to be done before Beth and Mattie were finished. There was no sense in letting the food grow cold. Finally, a soft cough caught his attention and he turned towards the sound. Seeing Mattie standing there, he smiled as he looked at the picture before him. The dark blue of the dress was contrasted by the red waves of hair. Beth had obviously used a little makeup on the teen, judging by the added color on her cheeks and light eye shadow.

"You look wonderful, Mattie," Harm said encouragingly.

"Thank you, Harm," Mattie replied softly.

"Well, now that we're done, how about fixing us some breakfast before you hit the shower," Beth said with a grin. "Because we are definitely not going to the party with you dressed like that."

Harm could only grin sheepishly. His trouble sleeping last night had resulted in a later than normal start to the morning, so he was still wearing his sweat pants and a T-shirt. Deciding to keep things simple and knowing they'd be eating heartily in a few hours, he settled on scrambled eggs and some sausages for Mattie and Beth.

Once he had finished eating, Harm headed for the bathroom and a quick shower and shave. From there, he headed into the bedroom area in search of what he would wear for the day. What he finally settled on was a grey suit he'd bought while working for the CIA. This was paired with a light blue shirt and grey tie to match the suit. Mattie and Beth both smiled with approval at the image he presented. If someone didn't know he was a naval officer, Harm could have been easily mistaken for a successful businessman.

"Well, don't you look sharp," Beth said as she approached for a kiss.

"Thank you, ma'am," Harm said as he held her close for a moment or two.

It was a glance at the clock that made Harm realize that they were running late. So, he hurriedly directed the ladies to get their coats and head downstairs. Walking out, he paused to quickly lock the apartment door before following them down the stairs and on out to the Lexus. Mattie quickly jumped into the backseat, leaving Harm and Beth able to sit side-by-side for the drive across town.

Fortunately, traffic was relatively light because of the holiday. Most families were either already together or weren't planning anything until later in the day, which meant most people weren't out driving. It was when they arrived at their destination that Harm realized that they were probably the last to show, resulting in them being the center of attention when they walked in.

After finding a parking space down the street, Harm led the ladies up the walk to the house and through the front door. Pausing inside the entryway, he helped Beth and Mattie out of their coats before looking for a place to put them. Thankfully, Harriet had seen them come in and came to the rescue.

"Commander, glad you could make it," she said excitedly, her eyes taking in the two unfamiliar females that had accompanied him.

"Thank you for having us, Harriet. Where are you storing the coats?" Harm asked.

"Upstairs in the front bedroom. Just lay them on the bed."

Harm disappeared upstairs, dropped the coats on the bed and swiftly made his way back downstairs. He saw that Harriet, Beth and Mattie were still standing where he'd left them and quickly realized his mistake.

"Harriet, I'm so sorry. Forgive my bad manners, ladies. Allow me to introduce our hostess, Lieutenant Harriet Sims. Harriet, this young lady is my ward, Mattie Grace. And this is my girlfriend, Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes."

It was easily debatable who was more shocked at the moment. Harriet looked like she was going to pass out and, for a brief second, Harm thought he was going to have to catch her if she did. But the moment passed and she quickly recovered herself. The other shocked party was one Elizabeth Hawkes. Nothing had prepared her for Harm's introduction of her as his girlfriend. She'd been expecting friend or good friend, but not girlfriend.

Seeing this, Harm edged slightly closer to Beth and whispered into her ear.

"Just because you wouldn't let me say it, doesn't mean I don't feel it, darling. I do love you."

Beth shuddered slight at both the tone and the words, not noticing the looks they were getting from Harriet and Mattie. Seeing that they were being ignored for the moment, Harriet turned to Mattie and smiled.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mattie."

"It's nice to meet you too, Lieutenant Sims."

"No, it's Harriet," she said, looking at the teen. "You're not in the navy and you're a guest in my house. Even Harm just calls me Harriet."

"Then why do you call him Commander?" Mattie asked.

"It's alright for a superior officer to call a junior officer by their first name, especially in a social setting. A junior officer can call a superior officer by their first name very rarely and only if they have a long friendship. But never while on duty."

"That's weird. I mean, you don't stop being friends just because you're on duty, do you?"

"No, we don't, but overfamiliarity can lead to disciplinary action because it's contrary to good order and discipline. Those things are essential in the Navy, Mattie, because when a superior officer issues an order, there isn't time for discussion. Instant obedience may well be vital to saving lives," Harriet told the teen.

"It's something you learn, Mattie," Harm said to her as he came over, Beth by his side. "We've all been trained in that and lots more, whether at the Academy, NROTC, OCS or boot camp."

"Well, I need to get back into the kitchen and check on dinner. There are snacks and drinks in the dining room and everybody is either in the living room, the den or in the back yard. Make sure you find little AJ, Commander, he was asking about you when the others started arriving," Harriet said as she turned to leave them.

Harm smiled as he watched her walk away, before leading Mattie and Beth into the living room. Everyone had heard their arrival and were all staring at the entryway with a mixture of expressions on their faces. Bud and Coates were sitting on the couch, with little AJ between them, while Sturgis, Mac and the Admiral were congregated near the fireplace. The only ones of the five who recognized either Beth or Mattie were Mac and AJ and the resulting expressions when they each made the connections were well worthy of film.

AJ was very curious why Harm would have brought that girl with him to a party and why her parents would have allowed him to have done so. Sure, she used to be his 'boss', but AJ still thought that was just a bad joke that Harm had been trying to play on him. Nobody was going to let some kid run their business. AJ also thought the girl was obnoxious, remembering how she'd called him a bald guy and the jerk who'd fired Harm.

Mac's attention, though, was squarely focused on the brunette by Harm's side. She well remembered Skates and she was shocked to see the little naval flight officer here. The last time Mac could remember Harm speaking about Skates was a couple of years ago, right after his trip to the Super Bowl when he'd finally confessed about the tickets and great seats. Yet, here he was with her, his hand joined in hers, together with a young redhead. The image it struck in Mac's mind was of a happy family. Skates couldn't be Harm's girlfriend, could she?

Sturgis's expression didn't waver, just that bland look that had become his habit. He still wasn't entirely comfortable socializing with the rest of the staff, but because the Admiral had decided to attend Sturgis felt he had to as well. Seeing Harm with the two ladies, he quickly guessed that the brunette was his friend's new girlfriend. At that, he shifted his eyes to Mac and watched her reaction. Things were certain to get interesting, he thought.

Both Coates and Bud had happy expressions on their faces. Neither of them knew who the two ladies were, but they could clearly see that Harm was happier now that he had been recently. It was simple enough for them to guess that either one or both of the women were responsible to that change in their friend.

Harm could see that everybody was looking at him. So rather than moving from person to person making introductions, he decided to just introduce Mattie and Beth to the entire room. After that, he would then introduce them to those who came to meet them.

"Everyone, may I introduce you to my companions. This is Mattie Grace, my ward, who I'm working with the Montgomery Country Family Courts to get full guardianship. And this is Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes, my former RIO and current girlfriend," Harm announced with a broad smile on his face.

With that, the rest of the room came over towards them. Coates and Bud were closest and the first to introduce themselves to the two woman, followed by Sturgis. AJ and Mac, conversely, made directly for Harm and moved him off towards the den. Beth watched this helplessly, worried about what this potentially meant. Yet, there was no way for her to follow without being unnecessarily rude. So, she contented herself to watching over Mattie and meeting Harm's friends and colleagues.

Once they had gotten him alone, AJ and Mac silently exchanged a look before AJ began to speak.

"Let me make sure I heard you correctly, Commander. You are that girl's guardian?"

"Yes, Sir, I am," Harm answered, curious about what was going on here.

"And where exactly are her parents?"

"Her mother was killed in a car wreck and her father's whereabouts are presently unknown. When I discovered the true nature of her situation, I offered to help Mattie."

"That doesn't surprise me," Mac put it. "Is she going to be another one of your quests, Harm? And when you get bored with her, are you going to abandon her too?"

"Mac, not that it's really any of your business, but I've made Mattie a promise. No matter what happens, I'll always be there for her," Harm said.

"And you don't make promises you can't keep."

"No, I don't."

"I'm surprised that a family court would consider you for guardianship of a teenage girl, Commander," AJ said, taking over the conversation again. "There's so much against you there: single male, living in a loft with no space for the girl. Your job could send you half way around the globe at a moment's notice for an extended period of time."

"Is that an observation, Sir, or should I get my bags packed?" Harm asked, fighting to keep his rising temper under wraps.

"Strictly an observation. As is the fact that your involuntary recall can potentially be terminated at any time, which would leave you without either a steady source of income with which to support yourself and the girl or medical benefits. And don't try to tell me that crop-dusting business would be able to provide either of those things for you."

"I appreciate your concern, Sir, but my personal life is just that, personal. Let me simply say that Mattie's and my needs will be well taken care of, whether I remain in the Navy or not. I've purchased a house and we are moving in there this weekend."

"And how is your relationship with Skates going to survive those 6 month deployments, Harm?" Mac asked.

"Well, Mac, we won't have to worry about that for the next three years. Beth is teaching at the Academy, so we'll be able to spend plenty of time together. And if she gets deployed in the future, we'll handle it just like you and Webb handle your separations. Where is he, anyway?" Harm asked with a little grin.

Whatever Mac's response might have been was cut off when Bud appeared to let them know dinner was ready. When they all reached the dining room, Harm saw that someone must have guessed what was happening in the den, because the seating arrangements had Harm, Mattie and Beth towards one end of the table while the Admiral and Mac were at the opposite end.

The obvious tension between the three senior attorneys caused the conversation around the table to be somewhat stilted. Harm made a good effort to join in, but his earlier good humor had been dampened by the confrontation. Mac and AJ was largely silent throughout the meal and both of them left as soon as was polite afterwards. After that, some of the mood was restored. Harm spent almost an hour playing with his godson, while also talking with the rest of the group.

Eventually the party began to break up. Harm made sure to invite Bud and Harriet over to the new house on Saturday. He explained that the furniture was being delivered then, so things might be a little messy, but he wanted them to see it. When Coates and Sturgis heard this, they invited themselves along, saying that Harm could probably use all the help he could get.

Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment – Georgetown

1917 Eastern

After leaving the party at Bud and Harriet's, Mac had spent several hours just driving around while thinking. Harm's remark about Clay not being at the party had hit a little close to home. Nobody at the office knew, because she hadn't said anything, but Clay was out of the country and would be gone for several weeks. When she'd asked him where he was going, he'd been vague, saying that he had meetings scheduled in Europe and his itinerary was classified. He had promised to call, which he had done until last night.

Now, as she walked through her front door, she instantly went to check the answer machine and found no messages waiting. There were also no missed calls on her caller ID. With that done, she went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of iced tea. She turned on the stereo and settled back on the couch, letting her mind drift as she thought about her life and what she wanted most. She smiled a little as she remembered something she'd one said to Harm about a good man, a good career and comfortable shoes, lots and lots of them.

Well, she reflected, she had a good career and plenty of comfortable shoes. What she wanted now was that good man. As she reflected, she felt doubts creeping in as to whether Clay was that man. The secrets and lies bothered her immensely, because she knew a relationship needed a foundation of trust in order to survive. And if he couldn't tell her where he was going, what he was doing or even when he'd be back, that road led to doubts and questions. Mac was only human, so when there was mystery or missing information, it was only natural that her mind would try to imagine what was actually happening.

Then there was Harm and the harem he'd showed up with. Mac still shook her head, remembering his almost casual announcement that he had a ward and a new girlfriend. She couldn't help wondering how long either of those situations would last, given the track record Harm had with relationships. Sure, he'd said all the right things about Mattie, but he'd said all the right things about Sergei and look how that turned out. How long could it really be before he got bored with Mattie and what would the fallout of that be? As for Skates, what did Harm see in her anyways? She was short and plain, with the voice of a mouse. She was nothing like Harm's previous conquests, rather she was almost the exact opposite.

What Mac was missing, because she wasn't ready to look there yet, was that the possibility existed that Harm's prior relationships had failed because they were based around the physical. Whereas the relationship he might have with Skates was born out of a friendship first that had developed into something more. If she was willing to be perfectly honest with herself, she would admit that Harm and Skates was a relationship that could last.