A/N: Another Heart chapter. I'm kinda meh about it, but it was time to be done with it.

Heart

Chapter 9: The Situation

Eden MacKenzie is my daughter too.

Harm felt the air in the room sucked out as the Admiral stared at him. His heart pounded, though it wasn't in fear. It pounded because this was the first time he'd admitted out loud to someone other than Annie that Eden Quinn MacKenzie was his own flesh and blood.

"You're serious."

"Yes, sir. I wouldn't joke about this. She's my daughter. I'm her father."

"So, you two have met."

"It's not what you think, sir."

"And what am I thinking?"

"That Mac and I have been having an affair for years. That we lied about who we are to each other."

"What else should I think?"

"Admiral, I'm not sure I should say anything more. Not because of what it might mean for me, but because Major MacKenzie shouldn't have her privacy violated."

"Son, I think…"

"Sir, do you want to know to help us, or do you just want to know out of morbid curiosity?"

Admiral Chegwidden leaned back into his chair. "I am not one for gossip, and I will not share what you've told me with anyone. We do, however, need to address the fact that two people in the same chain of command have a child together, even if they are not actively together now."

"Okay, sir."

"So, what happened? How did the two of you meet?"

"We met while I was visiting various law schools. She was in her last year at Duke, and I met her briefly during my tour. She later saw me walking back to my hotel in the rain and offered me a ride. One thing led to another…" Harm looked up at his CO, a faint blush on his cheeks, and the older man told him with a gesture that he could skip over the rest of that night a little over four years ago. Harm nodded and continued.

"She found out she was pregnant after I was long gone, and though she tried to find me, she couldn't. For some reason I'll regret to my dying day, we didn't tell each other our names. She checked with the hotel, but I had registered under another name. It was after my ramp strike, and I'm sure you remember all the chaos that surrounded that."

"I am aware of it. Go on."

"She told me she had a job waiting for her in Virginia. I had no idea she was a marine. I liked Duke Law, sir, but if you want to know the truth, I decided not to attend there because I knew she wouldn't be there."

"You cared for her?" The man sounded a bit incredulous, and it sent a jolt of anger through Harm.

"Of course, I did, sir. I've never been one for casual…I mean, we had a connection. I knew that from the moment I met her. I ended up going to Georgetown on the slim hope she'd be in this part of Virginia. I was right, but of course I didn't run into her again until the JAG picnic we had just after she started here."

Admiral Chegwidden nodded. "I would imagine that was quite a shock to you."

"For both of us. After so many years, she had given up on finding me."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Annie does, and Mac's ex knew too. We've been waiting for the DNA results before telling anyone else so that there could be no doubt. It's taken longer than expected to get them."

"I see."

"Well, that's the whole story."

"I see," his CO said again, and Harm was once again uncomfortable. What did Admiral Chegwidden have in store for him? How much trouble was he in? Was there actually any reason for him to be in trouble?

Harm was lost in thought, thus he didn't notice the admiral stand up and return to his desk. He did hear, however, when the older man picked up his phone to tell his yeoman, Tiner, to send in Commander Mattoni in twenty minutes.

"Sir, shall I leave for Norfolk now?" Harm inquired.

"No, you're off the case."

Apparently, he was in trouble. His mouth was suddenly too dry. "Yes, sir." He could barely get the words out.

"Clear off your desk, and then you are on leave."

Shit. Shit shit shit.

"Sir, am I being fired?" It seemed like a reasonable question.

"No, I'm placing you on leave so you can be where you belong. With your daughter."

"Oh. Oh. Okay, sir. Thank you, sir."

"You're dismissed. Please inform me when you are ready to secure."

Harm stood up from his chair and snapped to attention. "Aye, sir." He turned on his heel and was halfway across the room when the Admiral called after him.

"Harm, we are going to need to address this new development. You two can't continue to serve in the same chain of command when you share a child, even if you aren't together as a couple."

Harm's shoulders slumped. That though had always existed in the back of his mind, ever since he'd discovered Eden, but who would have to leave?

He would. He would insist on it. Mac belonged at headquarters. She'd earned it, and she didn't need her life disrupted again.

"Admiral, sir, request permission to be the one to be reassigned?"

"We'll need to discuss that at a later date."

"But sir—"

"Dismissed, Commander."

"Aye, sir," he said with a sigh, then left the room.

Mac rolled over in bed, surprised for a moment at the sight of a bare, well-muscled back next to her. It didn't take her long, however, to remember how Harm came to be in her bed and the thought of It made her grin in the early morning light. No, there wasn't anything romantic about it, but it was nice, and his presence had been so comforting. Well, maybe there was a little something romantic…he had held her through much of the night…and he hadn't returned to the conversation he'd started before he'd gone to get them dinner.

Harm had come back to her apartment, surprising Mac who had assumed he had driven down to Norfolk after his meeting with Admiral Chegwidden. She'd hoped he'd call her and tell her about their conversation, but figured he didn't want to discuss things with her while he was driving. When he had shown up at her door, she was surprised, yes, but at the look on his face, her surprise turned to apprehension…

"Harm? What's happened? What's wrong? Why are you here?" She had the sudden fear he'd been fired for coming to her rescue last night. Harm stepped inside, closing the door behind him before he gripped her by the shoulders.

"He knows."

"Who knows?"

"The admiral."

"The admiral knows…knows what, Harm?"

"About Eden. He knows about Eden…that she's mine."

"But how…you told him?" Mac was incredulous.

"I did, Mac. I'm sorry, but I-I had to. Singer ran straight to Admiral Chegwidden this morning after she found me here. He assumed I came here to…to…" He blushed furiously.

"He assumed…that you…oh." Understanding dawned her.

"I know I shouldn't have told him, Mac, not without discussing it with you first, but I didn't want him to think…that you and I…well, that we were lying about being in a relationship. Besides, the DNA results will be here by the end of the week—"

"So they say."

"Right, so they say, and we were going to tell AJ as soon as they were here anyway."

Mac brushed past him and slowly sat on the couch. "I-I know. I guess now that the moment has arrived, I'm nervous…are you in trouble, Harm? Are we?"

Harm sat down next to Mac and took her hand in his, resting them both on his thigh. "No, we're not. In fact, ol' AJ gave me leave to be with you and Eden."

"He did?" That was certainly unexpected.

"He did, but there is a bit of an issue."

"And that is?"

"We can't both serve in the same chain of command anymore."

"Oh. I guess…I mean, I love it there, but you've been there longer. Where do you think I'll be assigned?"

"At JAG, Mac. I won't have your life disrupted any more than it already has."

"But—"

"No, Mac."

He seemed so adamant, but Mac knew she wouldn't let him unilaterally make a decision that would affect all three of them. She finally decided to just let things go for now. Caring for Eden was the most important task they had. They could discuss their careers later.

"Okay. This conversation isn't over, but I think we should table it for now. I left Eden's room to get her a snack just before you got here, and I suppose—"

"Mommy!" A call from their daughter interrupted them, and Mac had to smile when Harm stood up and hightailed it down the hall to Eden's room. There was no doubt that Harm loved his daughter, and as it always did, that realization elated her and saddened her at the same time. She was elated because her daughter had what she'd always wanted her to have—a good, caring father to love and protect her. It saddened her because Harm and Eden had missed so much time together, and for her, the what if's tortured her. If she'd found Harm, would they be a family together now? Would he have been there to hold her hand as she brought Eden into the world? Would he have married her?

Yes, he would have…

Surprised by her own thoughts, Mac did her best to push them to the back of her mind as she went to get her daughter the crackers she'd requested.

"Is she asleep?" Mac asked, knowing full well their daughter was, or Harm wouldn't be joining her in the living room now.

"Yeah. Didn't take much, no matter how much she didn't want to go."

Mac nodded. "Yes, she was very insistent she stay out here."

Eden had spent most of the day out in the living room with both her parents, Harm having carried her out for lunch. It was a nice change of scenery for their little girl, having been cooped up in her room for the last couple of days. Mac would have brought her out sooner, but pain had been the limiting factor. It was amazing how much better she was doing after a night and a day with her father. Mac would have been jealous, but Eden wanted her mother just as much, and her daughter no doubt could sense Mac was calmer with Harm around. Mac was sure her own anxiety had been affecting Eden before as well.

Harm sat down next to Mac on the couch and took her hand, which sent a small thrill through Mac. His hand was rough and warm and large, dwarfing hers, and it conveyed a quiet strength. She was lucky to have found him. Eden was too.

"So, did you want to order anything in for supper?" Harm asked, hand still clutching hers.

"That would be good. There's some takeout menus in the drawer by the dishwasher if you want to pick one." She would be happy with anything as long as Harm was here with her.

"I was thinking that Greek place we went to the other day, the one with the great briam?"

Mac thought for a moment, then nodded. "I could eat Greek, but Niko's doesn't deliver on weeknights."

"I don't mind getting it." He looked hopeful, and Mac remembered how much he'd enjoyed the food there. Even Eden had liked it.

"Okay, Harm. Greek it is. I'll take a gyro, extra tzatziki sauce, extra feta, and a salad with—"

"Extra feta, I know, Mac," he grinned. He pulled out his cellphone and called the restaurant, placed their order, then took her hand again.

"They'll have it ready in thirty minutes."

"Great."

The two of them sat in companiable silence for a while, until Mac became aware of Harm stroking her wrist with his thumb. She looked down at their joined hands, then back up at him. His cheeks had a light blush as he squeezed her hand more tightly.

"Mac, I…I was…I'd like to talk to you about something."

"Yes?" Mac held her breath, wondering if he was about to tell her he had proposed to Annie, or that he had feelings for her too. He had kissed her after all. But did those kisses really mean anything? Probably not…yes, he probably wanted to talk about Annie.

"Annie and I—"

Of course. Mac's spirits fell, even as she had just told herself that this talk would be about him and his girlfriend.

"Go on, Harm," Mac encouraged when he didn't continue.

"Well, um…"

It was at that moment Mac's phone rang, and the caller ID indicated it was her uncle. Harm saw and recognized the name as well and he picked up the phone for her. "Here. Answer him and we can talk when I get back with dinner, okay?"

Mac took the proffered phone and nodded, while Harm stood up and grabbed his wallet and keys.

"Hi, Matt," she answered, waving at Harm as he went out the door.

"Ohhh, I love their gyros," Mac sighed as she took the last bite of her Greek feast. They were back on the couch, a movie playing in the background. Mac had thought of asking Harm to continue their earlier conversation, but she decided she didn't want to ruin the mood. It had taken them a while to finish their meal, having spent much time talking about their childhoods. It seemed the two of them never ran out of things to talk about, and tonight's chat focused on the summers they spent with their respective relatives. Harm spent his summers with his paternal grandmother, incidentally, also named Sarah, and Mac had spent summers with her maternal grandmother and Uncle Matt when he was around until her grandmother died when she was thirteen. That had been hard on the young Sarah, she not having adopted the nickname Mac yet, her grandmother being a far more positive female role model than her mother.

Harm told her how his grandmother had saved him after he lost his father in Vietnam and after his ramp strike. He also asked her if it would be okay if he told Grandma Sarah and his parents about Eden, and if he could take the little one to his grandmother's farm in Pennsylvania for a visit when she was better. Mac eagerly agreed, especially when he asked her to come as well.

All too soon, the yawns started, the fatigue set in, and Harm was urging Mac to go to bed. She assumed he would leave, return to his apartment as he hadn't been there in a few days, but instead, followed her down the hall.

"I'm just going to sleep in Eden's room." He spoke quietly as his hand dropped to her lower back to guide her toward her bedroom.

"Harm," she whispered. "You don't have to do that. Eden's much better now. You could go home even." Not that I want you to…

"I can't…Mac, I don't want to leave her, and I don't want to leave you alone. Something could change.

"But Harm…"

"I'm staying, Mac." He was so sweetly adamant, and Mac knew there would no changing his mind, much to her relief. However, she couldn't just let him sleep on the floor…

"Okay, Harm, but at least sleep in a real bed."

Harm shook his head. "I wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping in Katie's space."

"I didn't mean Katie's bed."

Harm stared at her for a few seconds, obviously confused, but finally understanding dawned on him. "Oh, you mean…"

"Yeah, come on." She took his arm and pulled him to her bedroom door.

"Mac…I…okay, I will."

"Good."

Mac had spent a peaceful night, often in Harm's arms. They'd both fallen asleep fairly quickly, and in their slumber, they had closed the distance in between them. Harm had wrapped his arms around her and pulled her toward him, his leg going over her hip. It had reminded her of Mac's one night with him and, fighting her desire, she'd let him hold her.

It had felt so wonderful.

Mac sighed in the early morning light. What would it be like to wake up this way every morning? What would it be like if he…

Harm groaned in his half-sleep, his eyes fluttering over. He knew immediately where he was, and his face split into a grin. He sensed Mac was awake behind him, but he didn't want her to know he was as well, not just yet.

He remembered holding her in the night, having awakened briefly to notice they had drifted toward each other. He had had her tucked into his body, his leg pulling her in even closer. He had fought the urge to kiss her, knowing he needed to officially break it off with Annie before he pursued something with Mac. Of course, Annie had been sent away on business, giving him no chance to tell her it was over.

For now, though, he was determined to enjoy his closeness with Mac, even though right now they couldn't go any further. He concentrated on her little movements and sighs, doing his best to maintain his façade of sleep. Each of Mac's tiny shifts in position were sending thrills of desire through him, thrills that went straight to his groin. He couldn't stop the groan that escaped him again.

"Harm?"

Damn. She knows I'm awake. Now she'll want me out of her bed.

He decided to stubbornly refuse to leave. It was still early after all.

"Yeah?"

"You awake?"

Harm chuckled. "Well, I'm talking to you, so I would guess I'm awake."

"So, still just a guess?" Her tinkling laughter filled the room, and before he could stop himself, he flipped over and grabbed for her. A moment later, though knew what he was doing and knew he shouldn't, he covered her body and slid his hands up her arms to lace his fingers through hers.

instead of laughing now, she only stared up at him silently. He knew she had to feel his erection pressing against her as her widened eyes met his, for he instantly flushed, her mouth opening in a surprised "O."

Harm's pulse pounded in his ears. Their gazes held, and the more seconds that passed, the more he knew he'd done the wrong thing. Any moment now he expected her to throw him off of her with full force, so he'd likely be flying off the bed too.

But nothing was happening. Absolutely nothing. That more than anything told Harm his actions weren't wanted. He needed to apologize.

"Mac—"

Her hands suddenly ripped away from his and made their way to the back of his head, where her fingers wove through his soft strands of hair. She pulled his face toward hers, and then she hungrily claimed his lips.

End Chapter 9