Celia's Notes:  I've run out of words to say what writing this series has meant to me, both personally and professionally.  Nicole, words can't describe everything you've done for me, pushing me to be a better writer and person, and letting me know that you'll be there when I fall.  Thank you.  To the silent heroes in all of this, especially Natalie:  the history says it all.  Thank you for loving me no matter what and for always being able to bring a smile to my face.  To my "crew": Jenn, Taryn, Carolina, Ryan, Mikey, Caroline and especially Bob (SING, BABY, SING!), your friendships mean more to me than you'll ever know.  Party at my house!
Dedication:  To my muses:  Mac, Alexis and Shelby.  It's all their fault.  <g>

Nicole's Notes:  Too many words. Head. Going. To. Explode. <tiny boom> Ooops.
Dedication: To my Inspiration (you know who you are, oh GWU co-ed), my Muses -- Harm, Harriet, Sebastian (I promise you'll get more airtime in the next fic <grin>), Olivia and the motivation behind our little uberRabbs, my godson Nicholas.  I love you, baby.
****
Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb's chest heaved as she fought for breath.  Sweat rolled down her face and glistened her body in an almost blinding sheen, and her eyes slipped shut from overexertion, from the morning's activities.  She stayed very still for a few minutes, trying to calm herself, and ended up flopping down, as limp as a rag doll.  After a moment, she forced her eyes open, the harsh morning sunlight blinding her.  She sat up slowly, kicking a box with her foot.  "For crying out loud, Harm, how heavy do these boxes have to *be*?"

"Heavy enough to make you groan," Harm said with a grin.  His arms glistened with sweat, his t-shirt clinging to his muscles invitingly.  "You know I love those little noises."

Mac glared at him from the couch.  Shaking a finger at him, she said, "None a'that, young man.  That's the reason we're so late this morning.  I don't want to be searching through these boxes for something to wear to little AJ's wedding."

Harm turned, a box in his arms, and winked at his wife.  "I couldn't resist, you're just so damn cute when you blush."  He surveyed the living room full of boxes and stood, hands on hips.  "You wanna tackle the upstairs and I'll take on the kitchen and living room?" he asked Mac.

Mac sighed and stood, nodding.  "There's not much to go upstairs, other than the master bedroom and the office, so I can take part of the kitchen if you need me to," she said, walking over to the staircase, patting him on the butt along the way.

Harm shook his head.  "If you could just attack our bedroom, I'll organize the kitchen.  I'm a little particular about it," he admitted sheepishly.

Mac's mouth dropped open in mock surprise.  "You're *kidding*," she said, trying not to laugh.  "I never would have guessed that in a million years."

"Oy." Harm rolled his eyes, echoing an expression he'd picked up from Mac.

Mac stuck her tongue out at him and motioned upstairs.  "Well, I'll go get started...holler if you need me."

"Yes'm."  Harm turned to the boxes on the floor, grabbing the nearest one, dragging it into the kitchen and ripping into the tape with renewed energy.  He turned on the stereo, which he'd hooked up that morning, and began to sing softly as he arranged dishes and silverware.

Mac mimicked Harm's actions upstairs, doing what she did best: sorting and organizing.  She plugged in their clock radio and turned on her own station, singing along to some random boy band, amazed at her happiness to be doing such a tedious job.

Harm finished with the kitchen quickly and moved on to the living room.  He cut into the tape on another box, this one containing knickknacks and pictures.  He removed something unfamiliar and called upstairs, "Honey, is this yours?"

Mac put down her pile of sweaters on the bed and walked halfway down the stairs, looking through the front hallway into the living room.  Seeing the first place trophy in Harm's hands, Mac scurried down the rest of the stairs like a child on Christmas morning.  "Yeah, it's mine," she said with a smile, taking the small trophy from him.  "Chloe and I won this at the Big Sister/Little Sister Olympic Games.  First place in the three-legged race," Mac said proudly, holding up the small plastic Oscar-like toy.

Harm grinned broadly, gently taking the gold-toned statuette from Mac.  "In that case, it gets the place of honor."  He reached across to the mantel atop the fireplace and set the little trophy in the center.  "Looks good."

Mac smiled, walking closer to him and running her hand up and down his back.  "Looks great."  She peered down into the box next to him and grinned.  "I love that picture," she said, leaning in front of him to put their wedding picture next to the trophy.

Harm glanced up at the picture that Mac had put to the left of the trophy.  It was a lovely picture of the two of them, alone in front of the altar, arms wrapped around each other.  With a devious grin, he reached into the same box and came up with another picture, pulling the bubble wrap off carefully.  He slid this picture into its place, on the right.  Harm smiled, seeing Mac, frozen in time, her white wedding dress billowing in the wind.  He stood at the end of a line of men in dress whites, a smile of pure joy on his face, awaiting his bride.  Bud stood at the other end, his face red with embarrassment, his sword raised to slap Mac's behind as she passed him on the end of the archway of raised swords.

Mac groaned good-naturedly and rolled her eyes.  "I can't believe we paid that photographer *that* much to take *that* picture."

Harm grinned, wrapping his arm around Mac's waist.  "I think it's just perfect," he said with a smile.  "It kind of captured the moment."

Mac leaned against him and smiled, nodding.  "Yeah, I guess you're right.  And that look on Bud's face is just *classic*."  They stood entwined for a few minutes before Mac reluctantly pulled away.  "We should get back to work."

"Yeah," Harm agreed, just as reluctantly.  He kissed Mac's forehead, giving her a gentle shove towards the stairs.  "Once these two rooms are done, I think we're officially moved in," he noted with a smile.  "And if you finish it soon and you're a real good girl," Harm winked, "I'll buy you dinner."

"Ooh, you tease," Mac joked, covering her heart with both hands.  She smiled again and turned, nearly falling over the boxes.  She steadied herself and then flashed Harm a grin, heading back upstairs.

Harm watched her go, then smiled, turning back to his task.  After a while, the living room was organized, the boxes were cut up and ready for the garbage, and Harm was as close to exhausted as he'd been since Basic Training.  Walking over to the bottom of the steps, he called up, "You ready for dinner?"

Mac, equally exhausted, came downstairs and looked sheepishly at him.  "I have a feeling I'd fall asleep in my food...can we have a nap first?" she asked, reminiscent of a four year old who's partied too hard at Disney World.

Harm nodded with a smile.  "Whatever you want, sweetie."  He followed Mac upstairs and into the bedroom.  He kicked off his shoes and fell back onto the bed, grateful that they'd thought to put it together earlier in the day.

Toeing off her running shoes, Mac snuggled into the best pillow of all--Harm.  She sighed contentedly as she felt his arms envelop her.  She allowed the exhaustion to overtake her, and within seconds, she was fast asleep.

Later, Harm went to stretch but found his arm trapped under something heavy--Mac's head, he found out as he attempted to wiggle it out from under her.  "Hey, Mac," he whispered in her ear.  "Rise and shine, punkin', it's..." he glanced at the clock, "it's 2100."

Mac stirred, opening one eye in anticipation of the blinding sunshine she'd become accustomed to when waking up in Harm's bed.  She blinked a few times, confused, and then rolled over to face Harm.  "Well, so it is."  She sat up, stretching like a cat.  Looking down at Harm, she grinned and kissed him lightly.  "Come on, flyboy, I think you promised me some Chinese, and I'm *starving*."

Harm watched Mac stretch and his mind immediately went from 'dinner' to a topic completely unrelated.  With a reluctant grin, he slid off the bed and headed downstairs.  "I'll call the Chinese place. Where did you put the number?" he called.

"Counter by the phone, I think.  As long as Jingo didn't see 'Chinese' and chow down." Mac replied, following him downstairs, turning on lights as she went.

"The dog can read?" Harm laughed, amazed.  "What *can't* he do?"  He grabbed the number and dialed.

Mac leaned down and rubbed Jingo's belly.  "He's a Marine's dog, he can defuse a bomb if he needs to."

Harm burst out laughing just as the man on the other end picked up the phone.  "Ahem, hi," he said, stifling another peal of laughter.  "Delivery, please. 6469 Orion Lane."  A slow smile spread across Harm's face as he thought about all the things he and Mac would do in *their* home.

Mac straightened, much to Jingo's chagrin, and looked out over the backyard.  The stars reflected off the pool and the warm summer breeze rippled its water.  She wandered out onto the back porch, her hair rustling as well, a look of contentment on her face.  *So this is what life is supposed to be.*  She mused.

Harm finished ordering their dinner and hung up the phone.  He wandered outside tentatively.  He stopped a few feet behind Mac, admiring the way the moonlight streaked silver into her hair.  "Did you want to be alone?" he asked quietly.

Mac turned, smiling.  She shook her head silently, holding out her hand for her husband.

Harm stepped closer and slid his hand around Mac's.  He didn't speak again, for fear of breaking the mood.  He glanced up at the moon and the stars, almost feeling himself flying among them.

Mac laced her fingers through his, draping his arm around her shoulder.  They stood for countless minutes, simply listening to the leaves rustling in the breeze and the crickets talking amongst themselves.  The phone ringing interrupted their reverie.  Mac laughed and then looked at Harm.  "You want to get it or shall I?"

"Can't we let the machine get it?" Harm murmured, but he had already dropped Mac's hand and was halfway to the phone.  Picking it up, he said abruptly, "Hello?"

"Hey, hey baby, I wanna know oh oh, if you'll be my girl...er, boy!"  A sing songy voice declared before bursting into laughter.  "Howdy doo, Harm!"  Shelby Marks declared.

Harm burst out in laughter to match Shelby's.  He waved frantically to Mac through the glass pane in the porch door.  "Yo, Shelby, what's happenin', kid?"

"Well, kid is about right..." Shelby's grin could be heard through the phone.  "I just wanted to let you guys know that there's going to be a little Marks child wandering around out here soon...and Seb and I were wondering if you were up to godparenting duties."  She flew through the words at a hundred miles an hour, hoping Harm and Mac would agree.

"Oh, my god."  Harm sat down, grateful for the nearby stool.  He blinked, looking up at Mac, and mouthed, "Shelby. Pregnant."

Mac stopped dead in the doorway, bracing her hands in the doorjamb.  She did a quick mental calculation--Shelby would have been pregnant either during or right after the case.  She shook her head and wandered into the kitchen, sitting down next to Harm and motioning for him to put the phone between their heads.

Harm tilted the phone so Mac could hear.  "Repeat that, willya?" he asked Shelby.

"The pregnant part or the godparent part?" Shelby said, the smile spreading.

"Godparent part?" Mac exclaimed.

"Hi Mac!" Shelby called.  Sighing, she continued.  "I was two weeks pregnant when I got shot...if it hadn't been for you two, I wouldn't be here to have my child."  Shelby's voice cracked, and she took a deep breath before continuing.  "So...I was wondering if you guys would be up to godparenting, long distance."

Harm raised an eyebrow at Mac, although he already knew what the answer was.  "I think I can answer for both of us," he spoke up.  "We'd be honored, Shel."

Shelby let out a sigh of relief.  "Well, amen to that. So, um, we're thinking Courtney Sarah for a girl, but we haven't thought of any boy's names...any suggestions?"

Mac smiled at Harm, even as her own heart was breaking.  She shook her head, and said quietly, "Anything but Harmon. Please, Shel, promise me."

Harm spoke up before Mac could say a word.  "Fine, I see how it is," he teased.  "I'll just go sit in the corner."

Both Shelby and Mac laughed.  "I just have this feeling that it's a girl," Shelby confided.  "Courtney Sarah Marks."  There was a pause on the line and then Shelby came back, voice stronger.  "So, I hear you two moved today. How's that going?"

"Not bad," Harm said quickly.  "Hey, Shel, I hate to cut this short, but I think I just heard our dinner arriving. Can we call you tomorrow?"

"Sure. You have my work number, right?"

"Yep."  Mac replied.  "Thanks, Shel. Harm and I...we're so honored."

"Well, you saved my life, Mac, you gave me this chance, so I owe you the thanks."  Shelby said softly.  "Anyway, go have your dinner, and I'll talk to you guys later."

"Congratulations, Shelby," Harm added belatedly.  "Tell Sebastian we send our congrats, too."  He hung up the phone and smiled gently at Mac.  "I know," he said, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

Mac said nothing, just burying her head in his shoulder.  "I know I should be happy for her, but..."  Mac couldn't finish, as the dam broke and the tears began.

"Hey," Harm said softly. He rubbed small circles on her back.  "It's okay. We *are* happy for them," he corrected her gently.  "But we can still be jealous that it's not us. There's nothing wrong with that."

Mac nodded, simply pulling him closer to her. She took a few deep breaths and composed herself.  "I just never realized how much I wanted this," she said quietly.  "Not until I realized how much I loved you."

Harm kissed the top of Mac's head silently. He thought for a moment.  "I know exactly how you feel, sweetie. But if it's meant to be, it'll happen," he promised.  "I promise you, Sarah, we will be fine no matter what happens."  Harm thought that half of Mac's concerns lay in the idea that if she couldn't have his kids, he wouldn't want her, and he wanted to do everything possible to reassure her that those were ridiculous thoughts.

Mac stayed in Harm's reassuring embrace for a few minutes longer, until the doorbell actually did ring.  "Good. I'm hungry," she said, her comment muffled by Harm's t-shirt.

Harm chuckled softly, releasing Mac, reluctant as always to let her leave his arms. Answering the door, he paid the man and spread the boxes of food out on the coffee table.  "All set!" he called into the kitchen.  "Can you bring in the silverware?"

Mac gathered their newly unpacked silverware and plates and wandered into the family room. Handing one to Harm, she placed her plate on the floor and began to dig around in the cabinets under their entertainment center.  "I know there are some in here..."  she muttered.

"Whatcha doin'?" Harm asked curiously, scooping out the lo mein.

"Aha!"  Mac cried triumphantly, producing a few scented candles from one of her favorite stores, Yankee Candle Company. She set them on the fireplace and went on the search for matches. She found them easily and lit the candles, then grinned as she sat next to Harm on the couch.  "We can't use the fireplace, given the fact that it's August, so I figured this was the next best thing."

Harm grinned at his wife's ingenuity.  "It's perfect," he murmured, handing her a plate of food.

Mac grinned and held up her fork in salute.  "To our first dinner in our new house."

Harm raised his fork and tapped it to Mac's.  "To many more just like it."

Mac smiled and chomped happily on her lo mein. She moved aside the food boxes and held up the remote.  "Wanna see what's on?"

"Nah."  For once, Harm didn't need any distractions. He just wanted to enjoy the company of his wife, the delicious food and the relatively cool Virginia night.  "Why don't we just talk? We haven't done that in a while."

Mac looked at him with a semi-surprised look. Finally, she nodded.  "Sure."  She dug around in her rice before continuing.  "Harriet went for her four month ultrasound yesterday. She and Bud might find out what the sex is going to be, if poor Bud makes up his mind."

Harm swallowed the bite he was working on and smiled half-heartedly.  "Seems like everyone around us..."he trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought.  "Do they have any ideas for names yet?"

Mac giggled.  "Well, Harriet wants 'Mackenzie' for a boy and a girl...Bud's...well, Bud's just being Bud at this point."

Harm chuckled softly.  "Indecisive as usual, that's our Bud. I love the name Mackenzie. But somehow, oddly enough, I always thought of it as a girl's name."

Mac smiled at him, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.  "I know, me too. But we agreed...no Harmonies or Mackenzies or Harm, III or Sarahs. Far too confusing. I'd rather not sentence our kids to a life of therapy before they're even conceived."

A chuckle burst out of Harm's throat, escaping like a long-held prisoner.  "I know," he agreed.  "I was just thinking aloud. I also like Madison for a girl, but don't tell Harriet and Bud. I don't want them to steal it."  His blue eyes narrowed teasingly.

Mac grinned.  "Madison Alexis Rabb."  She suggested.  "I like it. Has that 'First Woman President of the United States' ring to it."

"Oh, that's perfect, Mac!" Harm exclaimed.  "Maybe she could be the first female JAG instead?" he suggested with a grin.

Mac laughed outright.  "No, somehow I think that will be reserved for...Shannon Shelby Rabb?"  She said, flashing a grin.

"Mac," Harm said, his grin dropping off his face quickly.  "We probably shouldn't get our hopes up."  Seeing the grin on her face start to fade in time with his, Harm backed up.  "But that's a beautiful name."

Mac sighed and nodded.  "I know...I just...with everyone around me pregnant, I can't help but get caught up in it, and hope it's in the water."  Mac set her plate down on the table and wiped her mouth with a napkin, then stared at it in her hands.  "I just never realized how much I wanted kids, Harm. It hit me when baby AJ was born, but it's just been around me since Cecile's. And the thought of not having that opportunity...it just scares the crap out of me."

"So what if we don't?" Harm asked, confidence seeping into his voice. He scooted down the couch to Mac, taking her hand in his.  "So what if we end up adopting kids who need us...kids who come from homes worse than yours or mine...kids who will know every day for the rest of their lives that we chose them over everyone else, that they were absolutely *wanted*?"

Mac's eyes filled with tears at his comforting words. She nodded, her chin trembling.  "My God, how I do love you."  She said, raising a hand to his cheek.  "You always seem to know exactly what to say."

Harm placed his hand over Mac's on his cheek, stroking the back of her hand tenderly.  "I just say what I know. And what I know is that I love you so much that it doesn't matter if our kids are our flesh and blood or someone else's. They will be *ours*, heart and soul, and we're going to be the best damn parents we know how."  His eyes were sparkling with the challenge, as if he dared life to bring it on. They could take it. Wrapping his arms around Mac, he drew her down to him. They sat like that for over an hour, each lost in their own thoughts, enjoying the proximity.

Mac felt her eyes slipping shut, her tiredness seeping in, despite the long nap she'd had earlier in the day. She stirred in Harm's embrace and murmured quietly, "Let's get this cleaned up and call it a day, okay, sailor?"

Harm nodded silently and stood, gathering the dirty dishes. He deposited them into the sink and came back to the living room.  "Ready?" he asked softly, taking Mac's hand.

Mac shook her head and eyed the dishes sitting precariously in the sink.  "We didn't pay all this money for a kitchen with full amenities to have you continue with your bachelor habits."  She kidded, deftly placing their dishes in the dishwasher. She straightened and reclaimed Harm's hand, barely containing her laughter.

Harm grinned.  "I got you to do it for me, didn't I?" he pointed out laughingly.  "Come on, jarhead."

Mac rolled her eyes and led him upstairs, taking great glee in locking their front door and turning on the outside lights.  "Feels so natural now."  She commented somewhat wryly as they ascended the staircase.

"I know, it's strange, isn't it?" Harm agreed.  "I can just imagine us doing this every night forever."  He turned his head to smile at Mac.

Mac smiled back as they wandered into the master bedroom. She changed into her bedclothes and headed into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.  "What do we need to do tomorrow?"  She asked around her toothbrush and a mouth full of toothpaste.

Harm slipped into bed without brushing his teeth. He just couldn't summon the energy tonight--it could wait.  "Not a whole lot. We promised Bud and Harriet that we'd go over for lunch, but other than that I think we're open."

Mac spit in the sink and wiped her mouth, moving into the bedroom itself after turning on the light. She crawled into their four-poster bed, bought on a whim in an antique store in Alexandria, mainly because it bore an uncanny resemblance to the bed at Cecile's bed and breakfast. Mac smiled and kissed Harm softly on the mouth, whispering simply, "I love you."

Harm smiled into Mac's kiss.  "I love you, too," he whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist. This was, he was sure, the best feeling in the world, being spooned up behind his soulmate.

Mac ran a hand up and down her husband's arm, surprised at the calmness that had come over the two of them in the weeks that had passed since their return from Nevada. They were more content at just spending time together, not needing to fill the time with needless and endless conversation. Mac closed her eyes, soothed by Harm's breathing and the crickets in their backyard.

Harm gently kissed the back of Mac's neck, listening to the summer's noises and wondering exactly when that peaceful silence would be rustled by the breathing of an infant, barely audible to an untrained ear, through a baby monitor.

Mac opened the front door the next morning, letting Jingo inside after their morning jog. She didn't hear any loud noises within the house, so she jogged upstairs and peeked her head in the bedroom.  "Harm?"  she whispered, unsure if he was awake or still sleeping, even if it *was* 9:53 in the morning.

The bed was made and Harm's sleepwear was nowhere in sight. He poked his head out of the bathroom door as Mac entered the room. He was clad only in a towel.  "Hey," he said, kissing her lips quickly, "we must've just missed each other. I jogged west."

Mac nodded, bending down to untie her running shoes.  "Sorry I left without you...you were sound asleep and I didn't have the heart to wake you...and then poor Jingo was dancing in circles downstairs wanting to go out, so I just jogged through the woods in the backyard."

"It's all right," Harm assured her.  "I kind of like jogging by myself anyway. I'm used to it, after all these years. It gives me a chance to think. You hungry?" he asked.

Mac nodded, but motioned to her attire.  "Let me just shower and change first--do you want to go out to breakfast and then head into Rosslyn?"

"Yeah, that sounds good," Harm said, digging through the dresser drawers.  "Where'd you hide my boxers, Mac?"

"Second drawer on the left, right hand side."  She called from the bathroom, stripping quickly and stepping into the shower, humming to herself.

Harm found the drawer and triumphantly pulled out his favorite pair of blue silk boxers. Slipping them on, he grabbed his khakis and finished dressing quickly.  "I'm just going to check my e-mail, Mac," he called over the rushing water. He stepped out into the hallway and turned towards the small office.

"Okay!"  Mac yelled, then continued singing and showering.  "Let me let go, baby, let me let go. It just isn't right, I've been two thousand miles down a dead end road..."

Laughing at how cute Mac could be sometimes, Harm went into the office and booted up the computer. He logged on to the e-mail system and starting going through the piles of mail that had stacked up in their three-week absence.

Mac finished in the shower and quickly dried off, changing into jeans and a gray mock turtleneck. She began to towel dry her hair as she wandered into the office. Leaning over Harm's shoulder, she asked, "Anything good?"

"A couple of jokes from Bud," he nodded towards the printer.  "A note from Brumby."  There was still a scent of acrid jealousy in his voice when talking about the Australian, and Harm had to stifle the urge to spit twice and turn in a circle.  "He says he's doing fine, asks how you are, and wants to know when we're going to visit."

Mac snickered at the resentment in Harm's voice. Instead of saying anything, she dropped her towel on the floor and wrapped her arms around Harm's neck, kissing the side of his head. Whispering in his ear, she said with laughter in her voice,  "Perhaps we should have changed our vows to 'for better or worse, for Brumby or Jordan'."

Harm burst out laughing.  "Oh, god, Mac, you always know just what to say."

Mac straightened, shrugging.  "Only with you, kid. Only with you."  She motioned to the door.  "We should get moving...you *know* Bud's eager to get that new barbecue of his all ready for you two to play fire dragons or something."

Chuckling, Harm logged off and shut down the computer.  "Ready when you are, darlin."

Mac grinned and walked back into the master bedroom to slip on her sandals.  "You driving or am I?" she asked as she started to head downstairs.

"You can," Harm said, in an unusual relinquishing of control.

Mac, surprised, turned and looked at him.  "If you're sure..." she replied, getting her car keys off of the key ring. She patted Jingo on the head and left the radio turned on for him. She headed out to the garage and got into the car, waiting for Harm to join her.

Harm followed Mac quickly, slipping into the passenger side of the SUV.  "Why wouldn't I be sure?" he asked, loving the fact that he could still surprise his wife.

Mac started the engine and pulled carefully out of the garage and down the driveway. She fiddled with the radio stations, finally settling on Dixie Chicks' "I Can Love You Better".  She turned out of the neighborhood and finally shrugged at Harm.  "I don't know...I know how you love your cars and your independence..." she trailed off as she concentrated on merging onto 395, heading towards Rosslyn.

Harm smiled to himself, reaching over and turning his hand palm up to capture Mac's fingers.  "I also love you," he muttered in a rare (although not as rare anymore) moment of sentimentality.  "And I trust you."

Mac squeezed his hand and shot a quick look at him.  "Well, I don't have a witty comeback for that one," she quipped, mimicking Angelina Jolie in 'Playing By Heart'. As they continued on the highway, Mac looked at Harm more closely.  "I do love you, you know," she said quietly as Trisha Yearwood's "Walkaway Joe" came on.

"I know," Harm murmured, staring out the window at the passing trees.  "Hey," he said, changing the subject quickly.  "I wonder if Bud's burned down the house without us yet?"

Mac laughed outright as she changed lanes and headed into Rosslyn.  "I sure hope not, for Harriet and AJ's sake. And for baby Mackenzie, too." She smiled. She paused for a minute, contemplating.  "Harm, I want you to know that while part of my heart is breaking when I see Harriet and Shelby, you've given me the hope that someday, we'll have that dream come true for us. I want to thank you for that, but also tell you that I want today to be about our friends, not about our losses, and I certainly don't want you worrying about me all day, okay?"

Harm nodded thoughtfully. Mac's courage always impressed him, but more so than that, her realistic and survivor's attitude stunned him. She was so strong.  "I'm not," he promised softly, raising her hand to his lips and kissing the palm.  "I'm just thinking about everything."

Mac looked back at him, brow furrowed.  "What 'everything', sweetheart?"

"Oh, just everything," Harm said in what he hoped was a light voice.  "Us, our new home, everything."

Mac sighed inwardly, the nagging feeling she got when Harm was withholding something returning. She looked at him for as long as she could before returning her attentions to the road. She nodded once, briefly, and then almost imperceptivity shook her head.  "Harm, you know you can tell me anything, right?  Like in Nevada."

"Of course," Harm nodded emphatically. Part of him would always be that private, introverted soul he had been before he met Mac, just as a part of him had changed since meeting her, to become more open and communicative.

Mac nodded and smiled briefly at him.  "Good. I just don't want you thinking you need to keep anything from me, sailor."  She turned down the Roberts' street and her smile widened.  "Although," she mused, "I'm pretty damn good at reading you, so don't think you can keep *everything* from me."

Chuckling softly, Harm squeezed Mac's hand before releasing it so she could avoid steering them into a tree.  "I know that, too. And I'm not hiding anything," he fibbed.

"You're such a liar."  Mac gently admonished him, not willing to get into the same repetitive argument they had in Nevada. Moreover, she just wanted to concentrate on the good times ahead with their friends. She parallel parked in front of Bud and Harriet's home and put the car into park. She smiled at Harm, pretending to sniff the air.  "Doesn't smell like singed charcoal."

Harm took a whiff.  "Nope, smells like pine and....dead cow. Ugh," he joked, climbing out of the car.

Mac rolled her eyes and then smiled as two-year-old AJ Roberts came traipsing down the short driveway of the new townhouse his parents had recently purchased.  "Hi, cutie!"  Mac said brightly, picking up her godson.  "Oof, you're heavy!  Where's your mommy, hmm?"  She asked the toddler, who was more interested in the necklace she was wearing.

Watching Mac with little AJ, Harm felt his heart start to break. He slid his arm around Mac's waist in a familiar movement. He leaned over and kissed the little boy's cheek.  "Hey, Godson of mine, how are ya? Gimme five?" he asked.

Little AJ raised his chubby hand and waved it at Harm. Harm connected their palms with a light slap and laughed.  "Good boy!"

Mac laughed and set AJ back down on the ground as she saw Bud open the front door.

"Colonel, Commander!  So glad you could make it!"  Bud said from the doorway, holding his arms out for his son, decked out in his "Navy kicks six--almost as much as my cooking" apron.

Mac grinned and shook a finger at Bud.  "I'm not your superior anymore, Bud. You can call me Mac."

"Yes, ma'am...er, Mac."  Bud stammered, then smiled.  "Come on in!"  He waved them in the small foyer and called out for his wife.  "Harriet? The Commander and Mac are here!"

Harm just shook his head.  "That's our Bud," he muttered.  "Hey," he said aloud, "are we cooking any veggie burgers today, or is it all slaughtered bovine?"

Mac wrinkled her nose at him.  "My, Harm, you have *such* a way with words. What a charmer."  She grinned at him and patted his hand complacently.  "I made sure Harriet bought you some veggie burgers to grill, okay?"

"Joy!" Harm enthused.  "Bud, where's the lighter fluid? This baby needs some *heat*," he pointed to the grill.

Bud returned from the kitchen, holding out the fluid and the lighter.  "Right here, sir. Would you like an apron?"

Mac couldn't control the huff of laughter that escaped her. Even if Harm was a good cook, the thought of seeing him in an apron still amused her, even after seeing the lobster kitchen mitts, which he, of course, had insisted on bringing to the new house.

Harriet emerged from the house, her pregnant belly barely beginning to show under her "Kiss Me, I'm Navy" apron.  "Hi Mac! Commander!" she said brightly, handing Bud a plate of uncooked burgers.

Harm smiled at Harriet.  "Good afternoon, Lieutenant."  It was a running joke between them. Since Harriet had been so adamant about calling him "Commander", the least he could do was return the courtesy. He turned to Mac and winked, before smiling at Bud.  "No thank you, Bud, I think I can manage."

Bud nodded and increased the heat on the grill, as Mac went over and gave Harriet a light hug.  "How's baby Mackenzie?"  She whispered, a genuine smile on her face.

Harriet's perpetual smile widened into a real grin of delight.  "He or she is fine, we're not sure which yet."  She sank down onto one of the benches that sidled up to the picnic table.  "AJ, get down!" she called as the toddler started to climb onto an overturned milk crate, which was perched precariously close to a thorny rosebush.

At the sound of his mother's commanding voice, AJ turned and climbed down immediately, looking for some other trouble to get into.

Harriet turned her attention back to Mac.  "I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over, though," she admitted quietly, speaking softly so her husband wouldn't overhear.  "I loved being pregnant with AJ but this one is really making me feel awful."

Mac smiled understandingly.  "Just think though, at the end of it all, you'll have this little miracle...that's gotta be a good feeling."

Harriet nodded, her eyes widening.  "Of course. That's the only thing that gets me out of bed some mornings."  She glanced over at AJ, love in her eyes.  "I can't imagine any better feeling than being a mother."  She smiled at Mac, unaware of the damage her words might be doing.  "I can't wait until you and the Commander have a couple of your own."

Mac smiled tightly, unconsciously rubbing her abdomen.  "Well, we've only been married two months, we might have to wait a while on that one."  She looked through the kitchen, trying to see in the backyard.  "It's too quiet out there..."

Harriet dropped the subject, recognizing the expression on Mac's face. After being friends with the Marine for nearly four years, she knew better than to press certain subjects. Harriet stood up and peered through the glass pane.  "Oh, god, they're going to incinerate themselves," she muttered.  "Men."

Mac smiled, motioning to their respective husbands, who were currently bent over the barbecue, adding lighter fluid and having *far* too much fun.  "Shall we go make sure they don't blow up your house?

Harriet nodded quickly.  "Please God!"  She glanced wearily at Mac.  "You're a Marine, maybe you can convince them that less is more when one is attempting to set things on fire?  Bud still outranks me, so he won't listen to me," she fairly whined.

Mac patted her hand soothingly.  "Don't worry, I outrank both of them, and all I have to do is flash Harm that little 'Please?  For me?' grin, and it's all over."  She headed out to the back porch.  "And, if worse comes to worse, we'll call up the Admiral...he knows how destructive Harm is with fire."

Harriet chuckled, following Mac outside obediently.  "Boys," she called.  "The Colonel would like a word with you."

Bud drew his attention from the grill and looked at Mac.  "Yes, ma'am?"

Mac stood, hands on hips, shooting both of them her Marine glare.  "Will you *please* promise Harriet and me that you'll keep the fire to a minimum?  No testing of your manhood, okay?  I think the fire department would like to worry about other things than two Navy men playing with fire."

Bud looked at Mac, then to his wife, and then back to Harm.  "Yes, ma'am."  He finally said, ducking his head like a reprimanded child.

Harriet wrapped her arms around Bud's waist and kissed the back of his neck.  "Thank you, honey," she murmured.  "And I'll thank you properly later."

Mac stifled a grin at that particular comment, and looked at her husband.  "Harmon?  Are you going to behave?"

Harm flashed a flyboy grin.  "Of course, my darling, anything for you."  He leaned over and kissed Mac's cheek quickly. But his eyes sparkled with mischief.

Mac held out her hand.  "Give me the lighter fluid, dear."

Harm looked properly contrite and handed Mac the empty can with a grin.

Mac smacked her hand to her forehead, silently cursing her husband's perpetual two-year-old streak. Turning to Harriet she asked in defeat, "Where do you keep your fire extinguisher?"

Harriet led the way to the kitchen pantry.  "I know they're adults, Mac, but sometimes I just worry. You know, about the little things. Like Bud burning down the house, under Harm's guidance. Or them teaching AJ to cuss before he's out of diapers."  A slight grin appeared on the blonde's face at that thought.

Harm turned towards little AJ, who was digging in a pile of dirt, looking for bugs.  "Hey, AJ," he called softly.  "Wanna help Daddy and Uncle Harm?"

AJ stood up.  "Dada?" he asked, walking over to the grill.  "Hep?" he asked, raising his arms. Harm picked the little boy up and handed him a new can of lighter fluid.  "Just squirt a little bit on there so Aunt Sarah and Mommy can't say we did it."

AJ did as told and Harm took the can back.  "Thanks, kid, you're a gem."  He kissed AJ's forehead and set him down on the ground.  "Now go find a worm."

Inside the house, Mac smiled at Harriet.  "I know how you feel...all day yesterday, I was half concerned Jingo would knock over our dishes, but then I would remember Harm was *carrying* the dishes, which just worried me all the more."  She looked out the window at the two men, who were happy as clams in a sandbox. Sighing dramatically, she said, "It's like AJ said, I don't need children...I'm married to one!"

Harriet laughed aloud.  "I know *exactly* how you feel."  Her eyes were warm and full of love as she watched her husband tossing a wiffle ball to their two-year-old son.  "But sometimes, it's a good thing."

Mac smiled, assenting.  "Yeah, it is a good thing."  A fleeting and wistful expression flashed across her face as she watched Bud and little AJ. Remembering her request of Harm in the car, she took her own advice and turned her attention back to Harriet.  "So, what do we need to do?  Make more food for when the boys burn it all?"

Chuckling, Harriet pointed mutely to the small toaster oven, where four burgers and four hot dogs were slowly sizzling.

"I've got it covered," she laughed.

Mac genuinely grinned and shook her finger at Harriet.  "You are good, Lieutenant. Very, very good."

"Thank you, ma'am!" Harriet beamed at the compliment.  "The rest of it is in the fridge: macaroni salad, potato salad, deviled eggs and sandwich rolls."

"Ooh."  Mac said, wandering over to the fridge and sticking her head in.  "Smells wonderful."  She straightened, and looked back at Harriet.  "So, what can I do to help?"

Harriet's stomach rumbled loudly, forestalling any comment. She giggled in embarrassment.  "I guess you can check on them and see if they're close to being done, and I'll get this stuff on the picnic table."  She leaned out the open window.  "AJ, come help Mommy!"

Mac wandered out to the grill, past a dashing AJ, and ran a hand up Harm's back.  "Well, Harm, I think it's officially dead," she said, pointing to the pitch black meat.

AJ came running in and tripped over the mat. He stared up at Mac for a minute as if he was about to cry.  "Owie," he said simply, standing up and continuing on his way to the fridge.  "Hep?" he asked Harriet.  "Hep Dada?"

Harriet grinned.  "When did you help Daddy?"

"Now."

"Oh, Christ," Harriet muttered.  "I don't even want to know."  She handed AJ a package of dinner rolls.  "Put that on the table *outside*."

The boy wandered off towards the picnic table outside.

Harm shivered at Mac's touch.  "Yeah, I'm trying to make sure it won't feel any pain when you devour its carcass," he teased.  "Actually, that's for Bud. He likes his burnt, he said so. We did some medium-well for you and Harriet."

Mac smiled.  "Mmm, a man after my own stomach."  She peered over the grill again, the intense heat stinging her face.  "Did you put your veggie burgers on?"

"Yep, everything's done. Are you girls ready?"

Mac nodded.  "I think so. Let me run inside and help Harriet carry everything out."  She leaned up and kissed Harm briefly on the cheek, then patted his butt. Saying nothing, she headed back into the house, leaping over AJ at the back door.  "Hey, Harriet?  The boys are in one piece and ready to eat."

"Thank God!" Harriet exclaimed. She reached the tongs into the toaster oven and pulled out the few un-charred pieces of meat.  "Bud likes everything burnt, so I like to keep spares, no matter what," she explained to Mac.  "Now, if you could just get the bowl of macaroni salad," she pointed to the giant orange Tupperware bowl, "Everything else is set out."

Mac grinned and saluted her.  "Yes, ma'am!" she chuckled, picking up the bowl and heading out to the backyard.  She paused for a minute, watching Harriet join her husband and son.  Bud was bent over AJ, tying on a bib and cutting up his hot dog.  He looked up and beamed at his wife.  Mac sighed quietly, a pang in her heart for what might not be.

Harriet's perceptive ears might've picked up the sigh from across the yard, or it might've just been woman's intuition that made her whisper to Bud.  "Something's wrong with the Colonel, honey. I don't know what it is, but she just seems out of sorts."

Harm leaned over and kissed Mac's cheek, murmuring in her ear.  "Come on, we've been through this. There are a hundred ways to have kids. I'm sure we can find one."
Mac sighed again, looking at Harm.  "I know, I know...it's still hard, though, you know?"  She physically shook her head and put on her best smile.  "Let's go, I'm *starved*, and those deviled eggs look wonderful."

"I know," he whispered, kissing her cheek again.  "Yeah, my stomach's sending some signals, too," he grinned.  "Deviled eggs? Where?"  He sniffed the air.

Mac grinned and nudged him with her elbow.  "Don't eat them all, Rabb, some of us womenfolk are hungry, and we get first dibs."  She headed down to the picnic table and set the bowl down, grabbing a burger off the platter.

Harm piled his plate high with veggie burgers, macaroni salad and a few deviled eggs. He grabbed a roll and some butter and slid his long legs under the picnic table, stealing the seat next to baby AJ.  "I'm not the one we need to be worrying about, *dear*," he teased.  "You're the human garbage disposal in this marriage."

Mac shot him an incredulous look.  "Right. And I'm the one who snuck downstairs last night to get his nightly fulfillment of fig Newtons. Don't think I didn't notice that half of the package we bought in bulk is already missing."

"Hey, Fig Newtons are different!" Harm defended himself.  "They're addictive."

Mac rolled her eyes and leaned across the table towards baby AJ. Speaking in a low and conspiratorial tone, she said, "Can you say 'denial', AJ?"

AJ shook his head. "No."

Mac nearly burst out laughing, but continued anyway.  "Well, can you say 'Harm'?  That's another word for denial."

AJ tilted his head to the side and looked mighty confused.

Harm chuckled.  "See? The kid understands."  He ruffled AJ's hair.

AJ raised a little hand and pushed Harm away.  "Go," he said firmly.

This time Mac did laugh, a glorious smile spreading from ear to ear.  "Yes, the kid understands his Uncle Harm is a big old pig who's hogging all the eggs!"  Mac leaned over and deftly stole one of the snacks off Harm's plate and happily put it in her mouth.  "Mmm!"  She said, grinning at both Harm and Harriet.  "Wonderful cooking, Harriet."

Harm looked mad for a split second before his grin widened to match Mac's. Seeing her happy was the best feeling in the world.  "I think someone needs to reread the definition of "pig", AJ. Your Aunt Sarah has me confused with someone who took more than two eggs."  He pointed toward her pile of six.

AJ pointed at Mac's plate, imitating Harm.  "Egg!" was his contribution to the fray.

"Thanks, but it's not all that hard. They're just eggs."  Harriet blushed and reached out to lower AJ's hand.  "Don't point, AJ. Here, eat your hot dog."

Mac shook her head.  "Look how you're encouraging him."  She admonished Harm with a playful smile.

"If I don't, who would?"  He looked pointedly at Bud, who was chewing silently on a mouthful of hamburger.

Bud looked up as the conversation halted.  "What?"  he asked, sending Mac into peals of laughter. She reached over and patted his hand.  "Never change, Bud. Never change."

Harm laughed in chorus with his wife.  "Nothing, Bud."

The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully and happily, and Mac left the house that night in good spirits. She took Harm's hand as they headed out to the car, simply lacing her fingers through his and smiling up at him.  "That was fun," She said, handing him the keys to the car.

"Yeah, it was," he nodded, climbing into the driver's seat and promptly kneeing himself in the chin.  "Jeez, you're shorter than I thought," he laughed, sliding the seat back to its original position.

Mac smacked him on the arm.  "You watch your mouth, young man."  She admonished with a grin, then on impulse, leaned over and captured his mouth with hers. She leaned back into her own seat just as suddenly, a playful smile tugging at her lips, and said, "Home, Jeeves."

Harm just shook his head and pulled away from the Roberts' house with a grin.  "So what do we have planned for tonight?" he asked, idly flipping through the radio stations.

Mac shrugged.  "Well, I'm not all that hungry...for food, that is."

Harm turned and raised an eyebrow at Mac.  "I was just thinking the same thing. It's scary how psychic you are sometimes."

Mac held her palm up to her forehead.  "Carnac says 'Harm is horny'."

Harm burst out laughing and nearly swerved off the road.  "Hell, I've been watching you parade around the office in those little skirts and high heels for five years honey, there's no mystery as to why I've built up some sexual tension."

Mac scoffed at him, ticking off her fingers as she retaliated.  "First of all, I never 'paraded' around anywhere. Secondly, I don't have to be psychic to realize that you get this gleam in your eyes when you're envisioning me naked. And lastly, I don't think it was Harriet who was running her foot up and down my calf at the picnic table, so that was a sign."

"Well, you're right on the last two, but you're a damn liar if you think I'm going to believe that "I never paraded anywhere" line," Harm's eyes sparkled as he countered.  "You do it on purpose, you know, add that little wiggle to your walk."

"I never did!"  Mac immediately said. Cocking her head, she thought about it.  "Well, okay, I didn't originally intend to parade for you. But come on, Harm, do you *remember* what I wore in Russia?  I thought you just didn't get it, but after that, I just thought you were stupid," she said teasingly.

Harm laughed softly.  "Oh, believe me, I *got* it. I swam in an ice-cold lake because I got it, okay," he teased.  "I just didn't know how to react."

Mac smiled back at him and then looked at the passing scenery, thinking.  "But, you know, I don't think we'd be here had we gotten together after Russia, or after any other big, dramatic moment. I think we needed to go through the Daltons, the Annies, the Brumbys for ourselves and each other. It's like Nietzsche said, 'That which does not destroy us makes us stronger.'"  She shook her head and then looked back at Harm.  "Does that make sense?"

"Absolutely," he agreed, turning to smile at her briefly before glancing back at the road.  "I think everything we both went through put us in the place we needed to be in to make this happen."

Mac nodded, taking his hand in hers and kissing his knuckles. She nearly told Harm he'd missed the turnoff for DC, and then started laughing.  "Do me a favor, Harm, when I'm not home tomorrow by 7:30, call me on my cell and tell me we live in Alexandria, not in Georgetown or Union Station, okay?"

Harm chuckled softly.  "Will do, sweetheart."

"Thanks. You *know* I'm going to be trying to fit my key into your apartment..." Mac trailed off, shaking her head.  "When do you go back on normal schedule, rather than summer?"

"In about a month, if all goes well. I've got a lot to catch up on, but it should be okay."  Harm made the turn for their house and pulled up on the little tree-lined street. It still seemed odd to him that the big brick house was actually *theirs*.

Mac smiled broadly as they turned in the driveway.  "How do you think Meg's going to handle being back?"  She asked quietly, not really wanting to talk shop, but needing to prove to Harm that she was getting over her hostility towards the younger woman so he would be able to return to work confident that she trusted him.

Harm shot Mac a look, wondering what was going through her head.  "I think she'll be fine," he replied carefully.  "Before we left for Nevada, she and I worked a lot on the current caseload, discussing the new bills passed, the modifications to the UCMJ last year and all that. She seems caught up."

Mac nodded.  "Good."  Motioning towards the house, she said with a smile, "Shall we go see what Jingo's gotten into?"

Harm winced.  "Please God don't let it be my shoes."

Mac shook her head as she opened the garage door.  "No, he doesn't like shoes, he's more of an underwear kind of dog." She walked into the house, calling for the animal, who dashed in from the kitchen, wagging his tail.

Harm peeked around the corner.  "Good boy!" he called.  "He didn't get into the garbage, Mac. Makes me wonder where he *did* get, though," he wondered aloud.

Mac let Jingo out to run around and chase his new squirrel friends in the backyard, then joined Harm in the kitchen. She walked into the front foyer and produced a pair of Harm's boxers with a large hole in the back.  "I think we should get some baby gates to put in the doorways heading upstairs, don't you?"  She said, barely containing her laughter.

"Awwwwwww," Harm complained.  "Those were my good ones."  He held the pair of soggy boxers delicately.  "Good lord, I think we need a barbed wire fence and electric collar."

Mac laughed and patted Harm's hand in solace.  "Oh, he's not that bad," She said, taking the boxers from his hand. Running her hands up and down his arms, she said, "You're just going to have to learn how to put your dirty clothes in the hamper, not in a pile on the floor of the closet."

"Hey, that *was* in the hamper. I bet he figured out how to turn it over."

Mac's eyes widened. Sighing she said, "We'd better go inspect the damage."

Harm dashed up the stairs at near light-speed. He moaned loudly and crouched down to pick up the remains of almost his entire underwear drawer, scattered and chewed across the carpet.

Mac followed Harm upstairs, her jaw dropping open at the sight. Her hand flew to her mouth just as a giggle escaped. But then again, the situation *was* kind of funny.

Harm's head tilted up towards Mac, a pained look in his eyes.  "S'not funny," he murmured half-heartedly.  "Now I have to go shopping."

Mac crouched down next to him and rubbed his back soothingly.  "It's all right, sweetheart, I'll go with you...maybe I'll get some new ones, too, if you behave yourself."  She replied with a teasing tone.

"Oooh," Harm grinned at the thought.  "We'll go to Sears and I get to play model for you," he laughed, turning his head and capturing Mac's mouth.  "Kinky!"

Mac grinned against his mouth.  "Well, I was thinking more along the lines of Victoria's Secret, but Sears works too..."

Harm chuckled.  "There's not much I can wear at Victoria's Secret," he laughed.

Mac laughed back.  "I know, I was just envisioning the new spring collection, and it seems that I have somewhat of a one track mind when it comes to these things...I wonder who I got that from."

Harm grinned.  "Well, you can't possibly blame me for that. We're not genetically related," he reminded her.  "Anyway," he said, kissing her again, "I much prefer you *out* of their lingerie than in it."

Mac arched an eyebrow as her hands went to his polo shirt.  "Well, I much prefer you out of your boxers than in, so why should we spend all this money?  Doesn't make any sense."  She said, shaking her head melodramatically as she ran her hands up and down his broad chest.

"Well, there's the little matter of work," he grinned, his hands slowly sliding up underneath Mac's turtleneck.  "I think there's a reg about underwear."

Mac clucked her tongue as she pulled Harm's shirt over his head and began to kiss his chest lightly.  "Well, we wouldn't want all those little Lieutenants getting any ideas about you and the supply closet, would we?"

Harm closed his eyes briefly.  "Uhm, no?"

Mac looked up at him, trying to look stern.  "Thanks for sounding *so* sure about that one, Harm."

Harm chuckled, opening his eyes.  "Sorry, I can't exactly focus when you do that."

Mac grinned, an evil glint coming to her eyes.  "Well, if you can't concentrate now, I can't *wait* to see you later."  She moved her hands to the zipper of his khakis, intently watching his face.

"I'll be a little puddle of....ooh."  Harm inhaled slightly at Mac's touch.  "Yeah. See? It's happening already."

Mac put her hand to work as her tongue played with his. She semi-forced him to move into a sitting position, straddling him and rocking her hips against him and her hand.

Harm grinned, wrapping his arms around Mac's waist and pulling her tightly against him.  "Mmmmm," he whispered against her mouth.

Mac lifted her hips and began to remove her jeans when a thought struck her.  "Harm?"  She asked softly.  "Do you remember the conversation we had in Barbados?  In the tub?"

Harm tried to think back, but couldn't.  "Not really. Refresh my memory?"

"That sometimes I like it slow and painfully long, but there are others..."  Mac trailed off, trying to help him out.

"Oh!" Harm began to nod.  "I remember."  A slow smile spread across his face.  "Which is it?" he asked softly, already knowing.

"I just need you right now."  Mac said, not as shyly as she had previously.  "Would it be all right?"

Harm's eyes widened.  "Yeah," he said immediately. He took her face in his hands and kissed her hard, yet gently.  "I love you," he murmured.

Mac parted his mouth with her tongue as she wiggled out of her jeans. They pooled at her feet, and Mac broke the kiss, reaching behind her with one hand to remove them fully. She lightly pushed Harm on his back and straddled him again, leaning down and kissing him, whispering, "Oh, how I missed this."

Harm smiled, kissing back, his arms stroking the soft skin of Mac's back.  "I hate to seem like a party-pooper but the floor's kind of hard," he whispered.  "Could we possibly move on up there?"

Mac immediately straightened, apologizing along the way.  "Sorry, flyboy."  She hopped up on the edge of the bed, legs dangling over, thinking for a minute and then continuing.  "Wait a minute, no, I'm not sorry. I remember a certain sailor posing as a Marine...we'll call him H. Rabb...no, we'll call him Harm R., who made love to his wife while she was on a very hard dining room table. So, I would think turnabout is fair play, wouldn't you?" she said, nearly bursting into laughter.

Harm laughed aloud, lying on the floor. He tucked his hands behind his head.  "Well, I didn't hear any complaining out of that Marine's wife, but fair is fair."

Mac shook her head and crooked her finger at him.  "Get up here, flyboy...I don't want you to be sore all night for that reason. I'd rather you be sore for other reasons."
--------------------------------------------
Mac smiled lazily at Harm, but the ringing of the phone cut anything she was about to say off. Mac's mouth curled in a funny expression, a mixture of amusement and annoyance. She leaned over and picked up the phone.  "Hello?"

"Hey kid, it's me."  Shelby's alto reverberated in Mac's ear.  "Did I interrupt anything?"

"No, no, we're fine. What's up?"

Shelby sighed.  "I need your help. Again. And you can tell me to go shove it, but--"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, honey."  Mac could hear Shelby getting riled up. She waved Harm over and held the phone between their ears so he could hear Shelby.

Harm leaned over, draping his arm across Mac's stomach.

"Do you remember when the girls were briefing you, they mentioned a guy by the name of Delancey?  He was above all of the other Marines..."Shelby trailed off, waiting for any kind of acknowledgement.

Harm nodded.  "Yeah, I think I do."

Shelby sighed before continuing.  "Well, apparently the geniuses at the FBI didn't really think that was anything more than a coincidence. But my mom and I did a little digging, and it seems this Delancey is connected to a series of mysterious deaths. He's moved from Ellston and Henderson AFB to outside of Phoenix, and the streak's continuing. So, of course, they called up my mom and stepdad and me and asked us to check into it. Naturally, I thought of you."

Harm rolled his eyes.  "Thanks," he said, sarcasm lacing his voice.  "We're thrilled. But seriously, you want us to come back out and investigate?"

"I know you're going to absolutely hate me, but yes?"  Shelby asked, the question evident in her voice.

Mac sighed softly.  "Shel, we're going to have to call you back after we discuss it, okay?"

Mac could feel Shelby's nod through the phone.  "Take your time. I'll be here."  She clicked off, leaving Mac holding a dial tone.

Mac rolled over and hung up the phone, then rolled back to face Harm.  "So..."

"So," he echoed.  "Do you want to?"

"I think we need to do our own digging before we embark on another crusade, but if they give us a house like they did in Nevada, yeah, I think we should...if you're up to it."  She amended quickly

Harm grinned.  "You really liked that place, didn't you?  Yeah," he answered himself immediately.  "If you're game, so am I."

Mac nodded, laying her head down on his chest.  "There goes the rest of our summer vacation,"  she kidded, placing a light kiss on his breastbone.

Harm shivered slightly.  "Well, you know," he winked, "we did have a helluva lot of sex in Nevada. That's one way to keep the honeymoon going, I guess."

Mac burst out laughing.  "Very true point, sailor. Very true point."  She yawned, then looked sheepishly up at him.  "I think tomorrow will be a library research day," she said quietly.

Harm nodded, kissing her forehead gently.  "Sleep, sweetie."  He wrapped his arms around her, cuddling her close.  "I'm here."

Mac nodded, and closed her eyes, falling into a fitful sleep. She awoke about 2 in the morning, sitting straight up in bed, chest heaving, hair damp from sweat. She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. She looked at the unbothered Harm and swung her legs out of bed. Tiptoeing downstairs, Mac walked out onto the back porch and looked out at the stars. *How could I be such an idiot?*  She reprimanded herself. *Here I am recommending another excursion out west when Harm's just recovered from the last one.*  She shook her head. *What a moron.*  She sank down onto one of the porch chairs, a pit in her stomach. She wouldn't risk his life or safety again. She wouldn't.

Harm felt the bed rise as Mac slipped out and he awoke immediately. Starting down the stairs, he listened to the silence of the deep night. He stepped out onto the porch silently, placing a hand on Mac's shoulder.  "Hey," he said sleepily, staring down at his wife.  "What's up?"

Mac's head shot up at the sound of Harm joining her on the porch.  "Hey," she admonished lightly, "You should go back to bed."

"Not while you're out here," he stated adamantly. Crouching beside her chair, he yawned slightly.  "What's wrong?" he pressed her.

"Harm, just go back to bed. It's nothing, really. I just couldn't sleep," Mac lied, unable to look him in the face.

"Bullshit."

Mac sighed.  "I'm a terrible wife, that's all."  She finally said, angry at herself.  "A terrible wife, a terrible Marine, a terrible *person*."

"Whoa, hold on, what brought this on?"  Harm stood and slid in between Mac's legs, kneeling down so they were almost at eye level.  "Talk to me, Mac."

Mac sighed, waving her hand in the air.  "Oh, you know, here I am suggesting we go out to Phoenix on another escapade when you just finished getting over getting *shot*, for Christ's sake."

Harm reached out and silently ran a hand across Mac's cheek. His fingers brushed her skin lightly, and he hoped they could convey what his words might fail to.  "Sweetheart, I'm an adult. If I wanted to say no, I could've. It's not your job to protect me."

Mac nodded, even as her eyes filled with tears.  "I know, honey, I just...it's just...I don't know. It just hit me all of the sudden, that I nearly lost you no more than two months ago, and I completely forgot. Do you know how that makes me feel?"  She cried, allowing her tears to flow freely.  "I feel like I've let you down, that I've let our marriage down, and that is the worst feeling in the world."

"Oh, sweetheart."  Harm wrapped his arms around his wife and let her cry, something he was still amazed and so happy that she could do around him, finally. When Mac had finished speaking, he whispered.  "I'm glad you forgot. I don't ever want you to remember horrible things like that. You haven't let me or us down by pushing that out of your mind. Do you think I sit around and think about all the times I've nearly lost you? I'd go insane."

Mac buried her face in the crook of Harm's neck, clutching him to her.  "I'm sorry," She whispered.  "I'm so, so sorry."  She understood where Harm was coming from, but the immense feelings of guilt were taking over any part of her rational side.

Harm lifted Mac up gently and took her seat, pulling her onto his lap. He held her tightly and rocked her against him, murmuring.  "Shhh, sweetie, there's nothing to be sorry for. You didn't do anything wrong."

Mac just clutched Harm's shirt, taking several deep breaths to try and calm herself.  She finally leaned back and wiped her eyes.  "Look at me, I'm a mess."  She shook her head and took another cleansing breath.  "Wanna call it a night?"

Harm nodded silently, kissing Mac's cheek where a tear had traced a salty line.  "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Mac's forehead creased in confusion.  "For what, darling?  You didn't do anything. I'm the mess in this relationship," she kidded.

"Stop that," Harm said quietly, watching her face.  "I'm sorry for putting you through all this, and I'm sorry that our marriage has been so dramatic up until now. I'd give anything to change that. And if it's going to remain like this because of this mission, we're turning it down," he said firmly.  "I want a nice, normal marriage. You, me, our house, Jingo. None of this," he said, following the tear-tracks with his index finger.

Mac shook her head, taking his hand in hers.  She looked up at the stars before continuing.  "We've said it before, but honestly, I think that if we were in a normal marriage, we'd be bored out of our minds.  It gets to me sometimes, yeah, but a 9 to 5 job, 2.5 kids would drive us apart, and I don't want that, under any circumstances."

Harm shook his head vehemently.  "I'm not going to keep accepting missions like this if it's going to make you cry every time, and that's all there is to it."

"But I wouldn't want you to do that, Harm, that's the point."  She leaned her forehead against his, closing her eyes.  "It's like in Nevada, I married *all* of you, even the part that needs to go out and try and save the world.  It may hurt me, but you denying a part of who you are would hurt me more."

"No," Harm said firmly.  "Watching you getting hurt is the worst thing in the world for me.  If you think you can handle it, we'll go to Phoenix.  But I am not setting foot out of Virginia unless I know for sure that you're not going to blame yourself *if*, God forbid, something happens."

Mac looked up at him, a new batch of tears threatening.  "I can't promise you that.  But I do want to go to Phoenix, help out, try to save more lives.  It's important to me."

Harm sighed softly.  They were at an impasse.  "At least promise me you'll let me make my own decisions and not think it's your job to keep me safe, all right?"

Mac snorted.  "That's like asking you to keep the bathroom clean."  She chuckled.  "But I promise I'll try."  She wrapped her arms around his neck.  "I'll try with everything I have.  I love you, Harm, and I trust you...but I won't stop worrying about you."

"You don't have to, I think it's cute.  Just don't think you have to keep me safe.  I can do it on my own," he said proudly, like a five-year-old who's just learned to tie his own shoes.  "Now come to bed?" he murmured, kissing her neck in that little spot he knew would make Mac forget her name.

Mac tilted her head and groaned.  "You're a wicked, wicked man, Harmon Rabb," she admonished, turning to capture his mouth.

"I know," Harm said around Mac's mouth.  He trailed tiny kisses back down Mac's neck to that spot, concentrating on it.  "Now forget this ever happened and come back to bed," he pleaded.

Mac threw her hands up in defeat.  "All right, all right, you win, I lose."

"Yay!" Harm cheered in quiet victory, conscious of the neighbors who might be trying to sleep at 0230.  "Come on," he grinned, standing and depositing Mac gently on her feet.

Mac took his hand and led him back into the house, making sure there was no further conversation for the rest of the night.
--------------------------------------------
Three days (and many suitcases) later, Harm and Mac were once again winging their way across the country.  Darkness fell, and Harm stared nonchalantly out the tiny fiberglass window at the faint lights of civilization below.  They were approaching Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport quickly.  "Are you okay?" he asked, turning to Mac.  Harm knew she would understand his concern.

Mac sighed and ran a hand through her hair.  "I've been better," she admitted, looking at her hands.  "But this is old habit for us, right?" she said, trying to lighten her tone.

Harm nodded, slipping his fingers between hers.  "I love you," he murmured.  "No matter what," he added, somewhat unnecessarily.

Mac squeezed his hand. "I know.  And I love you."  The stewardess announced their final descent into the airport and Mac tightened her seatbelt, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, trying to calm her stomach.

Harm took Mac's hand between both of his and turned it palm up.  Slowly, deliberately, he ran his strong fingers over her palm, tracing letters.  "I".  "will".  "be".  "fine".

Mac brought Harm's palm up to her mouth and kissed it gently, then placed it on her thigh as a comforting measure for both of them.  The plane landed with a jolting bump, and they deplaned quickly.  Heading out into the terminal, Mac went up on tiptoe, searching for their greeting party.  "Do you see her?" she asked Harm, thankful for once that he was taller than she.

"Yeah," Harm pointed across the terminal, then raised his hand in a short wave.  Taking Mac's hand in his, he led her towards Shelby.  "Hey, kid," he said with a tight smile.

Shelby grinned her infamous grin and gave both Harm and Mac tight hugs.  "I know, I know, you hate me, we'll deal, let's go."  She turned on her heel and steered them towards baggage claim.  "I've already checked into the hotel; we got adjoining rooms.  I hope that's okay...and that you two won't keep me up at night."  She shot a look at the couple, a mysterious glint in her eye.

Harm winked at Shelby.  "Well, I can promise *I* won't, but I don't know about her.  Mac can be kinda loud," he teased, bracing himself for the smack.

Mac simply shook her head, bending down to get the first of their suitcases.  Oh, she wasn't going to let that one slide, she'd just surprise him with her retaliation later.

Shelby, realizing what Mac was doing (there's a telepathy between wives), simply grinned and loaded up their Smarte Carte for the trip out to the parking garage.

Harm, as unsuspecting of what lay ahead for him as a newborn calf is of the sun's glare, picked up his bag, happily surprised that Mac was deciding to have a sense of humor today.

"We ready?"  Shelby asked, peering over the overloaded Carte.  Mac nodded, picking up her overnight bag.  "Ready, sweetheart?"  She asked Harm sweetly.

Harm heard the sugar-sweet tone in Mac's voice.  Now Harm was afraid.  He nodded mutely.

Shelby bit her tongue for once in her life and led them out to the parking garage.  "Now, we got you guys two cars again...Harm, you can drive in the SUV with me, if Mac's up to driving solo."

Mac nodded.  "Sounds good to me."

Shelby dug two sets of keys out of her purse, handing one to Mac and the other to Harm.  She stopped the luggage cart next to a large beige Lexus and a sporty Mitsubishi Spider.

Mac grinned, fitting her lock into the Mitsubishi.  Sinking in the leather seat, she grinned up at Harm.

Harm smiled back at Mac, truly worried now.  He shoved his bags in the trunk of the Lexus and slid his long legs under the wheel.

Shelby climbed in the passenger seat and rolled down her window to talk to Mac.  "It's about an hour outside of Phoenix.  I'll guide Harm, if you'll follow."

Mac looked up from fiddling with the radio.  "Sure thing."

"Cell phone's in the console.  See you there!"  Shelby waved.  She turned to Harm, buckling her seatbelt.  "You ready?"

"Ready," he said.  "Lead the way."

Shelby guided Harm out of the airport and towards I-17 and their new house in New River, Arizona.  It mirrored Ellston very much, but had a lot more young families and professionals.  "Wanna hear who you'll be playing this time?"  Shelby finally asked as they cleared the airport

"Sure," Harm said, merging onto the highway.

"Caroline Katherine Michaels and Benjamin Robert Anderson.  Married three years in August.  She's a reporter, you're a Naval Intelligence Officer.  You met while she was doing an exposé on the abuse of women in the Navy, and she nailed your ass to the wall."  Shelby took great glee in describing the situation to Harm; she and Seb had thought of it on a whim while in the bathtub together.

Harm sighed with a grin.  "Wonderful.  I get to be the bad boy of the Navy yet again," he laughed.  "Why don't you give me something I can test my acting wings on sometime?"

"Oh, but see, that's the beauty of this.  You're intelligence, but you're the best international undercover agent the Navy has.  You're secretly working for the DOD and CIA, which allows you to keep in touch with Terri and Ashley should you get into trouble."  Shelby shot him a look.  "Would you rather be a forensic pathologist or something?"

"Hey, no!" Harm held up a hand.  "That sounds perfect.  I like being the best," he laughed.

Shelby rolled her eyes as she pointed out the turn for their "home", and hotel for the night.  "Right.  Whatever.  At any rate, the house isn't all wired yet, so we're going to be spending a beeeeeutiful night in our local Days Inn.  Take a right here."  She instructed.

Harm did as instructed, glancing in the rearview mirror to make sure Mac was still on his six.

Mac was a little distracted, singing along to "She's In Love With the Boy", but waved nonetheless at her husband.

Harm waved back and smiled.  "I hope this house is as fabulous as the last one.  You've raised my wife's expectations," he warned.

Shelby simply smiled and pointed at the Days Inn.  "You'll just have to trust me on that, Harm, for the time being.  Here we are!" she proclaimed, watching Mac pull into the spot next to theirs.

Shelby climbed out of the car and started to walk up the steps to their rooms.  "Come on, slowpokes, some of us have husbands to call."

Mac grinned at Harm, then motioned to the hotel.  "Why are we here?"

"Yeah, and some of us have luggage!" Harm called with a grin.  "Go on up, we'll meet you in a minute."  He turned to Mac.  "Apparently, the house isn't wired yet, so we get to slum it for a night."

Mac grinned and then moved to get their luggage out.  She turned to Harm, quirking her mouth.  "We don't have to bring *all* this, do we?  Just our overnights would work, right?"

"Right," he agreed, grabbing a small bag out of the SUV's trunk.

"Amen."  Mac pulled her bag out of the trunk and slammed it, reaching for Harm's hand with her free one. "Did Shelby tell you anything about what we're doing here, case wise?"

"Not a damn thing.  I guess she's saving that for our dinner conversation."

Mac nodded and they walked into their room, whose door Shelby had opened.  Through the open adjacent door, Mac could hear Shelby on the phone, her voice low and quiet, and with an obvious smile.  Mac grinned and set her bag on one of the double beds.  She turned to Harm, pointing to the two beds.  "That's your punishment for the earlier crack, sailor."

Harm decided there was only one way to make Mac crumble and he'd just have to play it out.  He shrugged off-handedly, as if the thought of sleeping an entire night apart from her didn't bother him in the least.  He set his bag down and pulled out clothes for the next day, his toothbrush and deodorant and set them on the dresser.  He folded his bag neatly, silently, and placed it underneath.  Leaning around the door, he mouthed to Shelby, "Dinner? Starving."

Mac rolled her eyes and shook her head, somewhat amused at how easily they had resorted to their pre-marriage banter.

Shelby looked up at Harm and smiled, holding up her index finger to him, motioning for him to hang on just one second.

Harm chuckled softly to himself, going back into their room and changing shirts quickly.  Plane trips always made him feel a little grungy, a feeling he avoided if he could.  As he stripped from the waist up, Harm thought he could feel Mac's eyes on him.  Or rather, he *hoped* that's what he felt.

From the other room, Mac and Harm could hear Shelby on the phone.  "Yeah, I know honey...yes, I have everything...oh, for crying out loud Sebastian, I'm a grown woman who is licensed to carry a firearm, I think I can remember to take my prenatal vitamins....well, *thank you* for thinking I have more brains than a three-year-old.  Yeah, look, I gotta go, the crew's preparing for a mutiny.  Right.  I love you too, honey, and I'll call you tomorrow....oh, don't do that.  Sebastian, put those cookies down!  I can hear you--Seb!"  Shelby sighed and slammed the phone down in frustration.  Rising from her bed, she looked at Mac, who had joined Harm at the door.  "Why did we marry two-year-olds?  Why?"

Mac simply smiled, allowing Shelby to vent her frustration.  Instead, the detective slipped her shoes back on and got her purse.  "You want Denny's or IHOP?"

"IHOP's good," Harm voted.

Mac shrugged.  "Fine by me."

"Good.  Let's go.  Harm, you're driving.  I doubt the people of this town would like a hormonal pregnant woman who is having murderous fantasies about her husband behind the wheel."

Harm snorted with laughter and grabbed the keys.  "You're just as insane as Mac," he muttered with a laugh.

Mac scoffed, swatting at his butt.  "Don't insult me like that," she hissed, as Shelby said the same thing loudly.

Mac climbed into the passenger side seat, and Shelby retreated to the back, belting herself in the middle so she could drape herself over the car's console as any child would.  She directed Harm down the road to IHOP and gleefully got out even before the car had come to a full stop.  "I cannot *wait* to have some strawberry pancakes!"

Harm just shook his head slowly, following Shelby into the restaurant.  "You are *crazy*."  He turned to Mac with a grin.  "If this is what pregnancy is like, can we *please* skip it?" he begged.

Mac tried not to flinch at his suggestion, but realizing what he meant, simply rolled her eyes and shook her head.  "Hell no.  I want you to feel the level of frustration I've had to endure for the past six years, and pregnancy seems like the only logical alternative."

"Frustration?" Harm scoffed.  "I've done nothing close to this!"  He motioned towards Shelby.  "I just follow my good ideas.  She's *mad* I tell you!"

Shelby, who was busy conversing with the hostess and trying to get seated without the ten-minute wait, turned around and stuck her tongue out at him.  "I am not.  And if you think I am, blame Seb.  He's the one responsible for all this."

"I don't think, I *know*," Harm emphasized.  He turned to the hostess and flashed a flyboy grin.  "But seeing as how my friend is pregnant, ma'am, d'you suppose we could sit down soon?  I'd hate for her feet to get sore, you understand, don't you, ma'am?"

The hostess all but drooled, and grabbed three menus.  "Right this way."

Harm grinned at Mac proudly.  "I'm quite useful, sometimes, you must admit."

Mac had no choice but to roll her eyes again and follow the three into the back of the restaurant, where Shelby immediately plopped down into the cushioned side of the booth and sighed happily.  Mac sat across from her and tersely thanked the waitress, who was looking at Harm *way* too cutely.

Harm smiled politely at the waitress.  "Can I get a Coke, please?"  He turned and flashed a grin at Mac, the one that was reserved only for her.  "What do you want, baby?" he asked, making it clear to everyone within a ten-foot radius that he was Mac's.

Taking great comfort in the jealous expression that flitted across the waitress' face, Mac smiled lovingly at him and said, "I'll just have water."

"I'll have water, too, please."  Shelby said, unable to control the grin that was cemented on her face from watching the exchange.  As soon as the waitress left, Shelby howled with laughter and clapped her hands.  "You guys crack me up."

Harm grinned, sliding his hand underneath the table and rubbing Mac's leg lovingly.  "Every once in a while, you gotta show off the ball and chain," he chuckled lightly, "or people start getting ideas."

The waitress returned quickly with their drinks, and Mac was sure that it wasn't because IHOP was an establishment known for service.

"What're y'all havin'?" the girl asked, popping her gum loudly.

"Strawberry pancakes," Shelby said immediately.

Mac smiled and, somewhat unconsciously playing with her wedding rings, said, "Same for me.  Dear?" she asked, turning to Harm so the woman wouldn't see the gleeful grin on her face.

"I'll take a tuna melt and onion rings," he said quickly, squeezing Mac's leg reassuringly.  "Thanks."

The waitress nodded, and as soon as she was out of earshot, Mac took one look at Shelby and burst out laughing.

Shelby just shook her head and wiped her eyes.  "God, you two are fun.  You should make those 'how to' videos on marriages."

Mac smiled at Harm, and then looked back at Shelby.  "Forget it.  You mention a video camera and the word 'marriage', and his twisted little mind gets all sorts of terrible ideas."

Harm grinned wickedly.  "I do not," he protested, the grin widening.  "Okay, maybe I do, but it's not my fault you look good in leather!" he told Mac.

Shelby sputtered her water all over the table and doubled over in laughter.

Mac's eyes widened and she smacked Harm's arm playfully.  "Honey, shhh!  The people here think that you meant 'ball and chain' in the figurative sense!  Don't spoil our secret," she admonished lightly.

Harm cradled his head in his hands, tears of laughter spilling out of his eyes as his body trembled.  "Good lord," he gasped.  "Warn a body before you say something like that.  The image of my Marine....with a whip..."  He couldn't help laughing all over again.

Mac simply smiled, and continued to smile until their food arrived.

"Yay!" Shelby cried happily as she dug into her pancakes.  Mac began to cut her own with her fork and knife, all while running her foot up Harm's calf.  Her mind flashed back to when she had done the same movement the first time they had gone on a "date", with AJ and Spencer.  How quickly things change.

Harm shivered a little and glanced at Mac.  He raised an eyebrow.

Mac just shook her head and dug into her plate of food.  She took a few bites and then looked over at Shelby, whose plate was already half eaten.  "So, Shel, what's the plan?"

Shelby looked up from her food, a small train of strawberry juice falling down her chin.  "Ask him," she said with a full mouth.  "He can tell you the basics."

Harm looked somewhat confused.  "Well, all she told me was that I'm a Naval Intelligence Officer and you're a reporter."  He quickly brought her up to speed on names and other details.

Shelby swallowed and nodded.  She wiped her mouth and leaned over somewhat conspiratorially and began to speak in low tones.  "Basically, there's a connection with this Delancey guy that nobody's figured out yet.  Unofficially, we know there have been dozens of deaths with people under him.  Abdulan just happened to be the most obvious.  I wonder whether or not this Delancey guy is brainwashing his Marines to carry out...I don't know, a higher purpose or something.  We found some fucked up shit in Abdulan's apartment after he died, so I think it's possible."

Mac shot a look at Harm.  'Brainwashing Marines?' she said with her eyes, knowing he'd understand.

Harm shook his head.  "I don't think Marines are brain-washable, Shel."  He turned to Mac.  "Did you find anything at the library the other day?"

Mac shook her head, putting her fork on the edge of her plate.  "Not much.  There are no records of Abdulan, few mentions of the murders in the Middle East...there were more general ones on the recent murders, but nothing we didn't already know."

"What about the classified stuff?" Harm pressed.  "Bud couldn't find anything? That kid has more backways and trap doors into the Navy computers."

"They've sealed this case tighter than King Tut's tomb," Shelby interjected.  "I had to threaten the girls with bodily harm before they would tell me anything, and that wasn't helpful."

"Wait."  Harm wrinkled his brow as he thought.  "Bud's the best.  He can find stuff on *anybody*.  You mean there weren't even records of 'Craig Miner'?" he asked Mac again, using Abdulan's phony name.  "There should've been something, unless..." he trailed off.

"Unless?"  Mac said, urging him to continue.

"Unless this is bigger than a couple of dead Marines," Harm said dramatically.

Shelby dramatically thumped her head on the table, while Mac exhaled and leaned back in the booth.  "Somebody's been watching 'Crime Detectives' too much," she muttered.  "Are you going to enlighten us with your theory, sailor?" she asked quietly.  "'Cause I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around all this."

Harm shook his head.  "Not much to it," he explained.  "Just that when the government takes such care to cover things up like this, it's usually something way more important and damaging than the case at hand.  We've both seen it, Mac."

Mac sighed and ran a hand through her hair.  "Yeah, we have."  She fiddled with her fork for a minute when inspiration suddenly struck.  Turning to Shelby she said, "Would the girls give us access to their classified CIA files?  You said you had to threaten them with bodily harm...but if we all get on them, and Clay too, it might work."

Shelby shrugged.  "Worth a shot, right?"

Harm nodded enthusiastically.  "Sounds good to me," he agreed.  "I'll call Webb when we get back to the hotel."

Shelby patted her rounding stomach.  "You ready to blow this pop stand?  I'm stuffed."

Mac smiled and rose from the booth.  "Let's get going, then."

Harm stood and picked up the check.  "Well, that waitress was a lot more friendly towards the beginning of the meal, wasn't she?" he laughed, leaving her a ten percent tip.  "Tsk, service sure has lost something lately."

Mac smiled, taking his hand.  "I wouldn't worry about it, Harm," she said, winking at Shelby.  "Let's just go, 'kay?"

Harm grinned back at Mac and tickled her palm with his fingertips.  "Sure, baby."

Mac laughed, yanking her hand away from him.  "You know how ticklish I am!" she admonished, walking briskly ahead, throwing him a teasing look from across the parking lot.

Harm's long legs caught him up to Mac quickly and he grabbed her, spinning her around and kissing her thoroughly.  "Tease," he murmured with a grin, pulling away reluctantly.

Shelby watched, a sly grin crossing her face.  A scene from her favorite movie popped in her head. "So this is love," she whispered, watching the couple in front of her.

Mac wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him to her.  "I love you."  She whispered, rising up on her toes to give him an Eskimo kiss.

Harm blushed a little.  "God you're cute," he grinned, breaking away to climb into the SUV.  "Come on, I'm ready for bed."  He winked at Mac.  *Not for sleep,* he thought.

Shelby climbed in the back of the car, rolling her eyes dramatically.  "You guys better not keep me up tonight."  She shook her finger at them.  "I need my beauty rest."

Mac squeezed Harm's thigh and looked back at Shelby.  "All depends on him.  Although, after his conduct this afternoon, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"We've got pillows," Harm murmured for Mac's ears alone.

Mac grinned at Harm and squeezed his arm, then leaned back to talk to Shelby.  "So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

Shelby shrugged.  "Up to you, and it depends on what the kids give us tonight.  The house is supposed to be ready by noon tomorrow, so we can hang out in the hotel, sleep late, you know..."  Shelby trailed off, her telltale grin taking up its familiar residence.

Harm laughed to himself.  Shelby had a one-track mind, and from the grin on her face, it was a track leading directly into the gutter, just like his.  "Good.  I'm sure we can find an "or something" to occupy our time, right, sweetie?" he squeezed Mac's hand as they pulled up outside the hotel.  "Last stop, everybody out!"

Shelby yawned and wearily trudged up the stairs.  Stopping in front of her door, she shook her head and said, "This is the terrible part about being pregnant. The cravings and the being tired."  She opened her door and stepped inside, then stuck her head out at her fellow travelers.  "If I come knocking on your door at three in the morning demanding peanut butter and pickles, tell me to go back to bed, okay?"

Mac laughed.  "Will do."

"I'll go call the girls, if you'll call Webb?"  Shelby asked Harm.

Harm nodded.  "Sure thing.  See you in the morning!"  He practically dragged Mac into their bedroom and pinned her against the door, kissing her neck with a wicked grin on his face.

Mac grinned, reaching back and throwing the bolt for good measure.  "I think I'm still supposed to be mad at you for your earlier comment," she pointed out, arching her neck for him.

Harm nodded, tracing his tongue against her neck, finding the perfect spot.  "Sure, mad, okay.  Maybe later?" he grinned.

"I can do later."  Mac said, capturing his mouth and silencing him so much Shelby couldn't have any idea what happened in those four walls that night.
--------------------------------------------
Harm slid the plastic card into the lock and opened the hotel room door as quietly as possible.  Brushing a sweat-curled hair off his forehead, Harm walked silently over to the bed, where Mac was wrapped around a pillow.  He bent over her, gently caressing her cheek.  "Good morning, Sarah," he said softly, kissing her cheek.

Mac stirred in bed, opening one eye and regarding him.  "Wha' timzit?" she muttered softly before really waking up.  She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes.  "You went running without me?" she asked around a yawn.

Harm shrugged apologetically, sinking onto the bed, carefully avoiding Mac's legs.  "Sorry, sweetie.  I couldn't bear to wake you.  You look so serene when you're asleep."

Mac shrugged and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.  "It's all right, I suppose...you know I would have gone with you, right?"

"Yeah," Harm nodded.  "I just thought you needed your sleep more." He stood and stretched out a hand to her, a slow smile spreading across his features.  "But you can join me for a shower, if you want."

Mac didn't reply, just got out of bed and headed into the bathroom.

In the other room, Shelby Marks stood at the door, grinning like a Cheshire cat.  She plopped down on the bed and fiddled with the remote, channel surfing and giving her colleagues thirty minutes to "clean up".

Forty-five sensational minutes later, a very satisfied pair of military officers came strolling out into the hall, freshly laundered.  Harm rapped on Shelby's door.  "Up and at 'em, girly!"

Shelby threw the door open and immediately an ear-splitting grin adorned her face.  "Well, you two certainly look well rested for what I heard banging through the walls last night," she said primly, gathering her bag and shutting the door.

"You didn't hear squat," Harm countered.

Shelby rolled her eyes and motioned for Harm to open the car door.

Mac shook her head and took Harm's hand after closing their own room door.  "You sure you've got everything?" she asked.

"Yup, I triple-checked every drawer and counter," Harm nodded firmly, starting the car.  "Point me towards home, Shelby."

Shelby grinned, as did Mac, who climbed in her own car.  "It's just a few miles down the road, on Magnolia Drive, which is off the road we're on right now.  Okay?"

Mac nodded, starting the car.  "Sounds like a plan."

Shelby rolled up her window and said to Harm, "Pull out and take a right, driver."

"Yes, ma'am," Harm grinned.  As they pulled out, he glanced over at Shelby with a sincere, wide smile.  "Thank you so much for asking Mac and me to be the godparents of your baby, Shel.  I can't tell you how much it meant to her.  And me, I mean, but it meant a lot to Mac."

Shelby shot him a look, not quite sure he wasn't being sarcastic, but calmed when she saw the sincere look on his face.  She unconsciously put a hand on her stomach and looked out the window, eyes filling with tears.  After a moment, she spoke.  "Seb and I had been trying for ages to get pregnant.  Right after we got married…it'll be two years October."  Shelby took a deep breath and continued, needing the emotional release.  "I, uh, I was attacked when I was in high school, and some pretty terrible things were done to me, and they told me I'd never have children.  So when I found out...I just, I was floored.  And I knew that if it wasn't for you, and especially Mac, I would have never had that chance, so..."  Shelby shrugged, wiping a stray tear away.  "It just seemed right."

"I'm sorry," Harm said quietly, unsure of what else to say.  After all that he had been through, he understood the need to tell someone--someone you think might understand.  "Mac and I are trying, too," he admitted, staring at the road ahead.  His voice was low and even.  "I mean, it's only been a couple of months, so I'm not worried..." he trailed off, the expression on his face revealing the truth.

Shelby shook her head.  "It's okay to be worried.  It's okay to be scared."  She implored, her blonde hair falling in front of her face.  "I never realized I wanted children until they told me I couldn't have them.  I'm sure you and Mac are feeling the same way--we're not the youngest of people, Harm," She chuckled.  "Seb and I went through IVF three times before it worked.  Cost us most of our savings, but God, it'll be worth it.  I want my child to know how adored they are--and while I know my family and Seb's will do that, sometimes I'm just downright scared shitless about the whole process."

"Shelby," Harm reassured her, "I'm sure any child of yours will know how lucky he or she is.  You and Sebastian are going to be great parents."  He turned his head to smile quickly at her.  "Yeah, I'm a little nervous, but not really scared.  Mac and I have discussed this to no end."

Shelby pointed a turnoff and motioned for Harm to take it.  "Discussion is good, Harm, but you know what they say..."  Shelby's irresistible gleam returned to her eyes.  "Practice makes perfect.  And I don't care *what* you say, there was major whoopie going on in your room."

Harm laughed a little.  "Well, you said it, darlin'.  Practice, practice, practice.  Besides," he added, "Mac and I agreed that if we can't get pregnant ourselves, we're going to adopt.  At least, I think we agreed," he frowned.  "We've really tried to avoid the topic."

"Well, don't give up on yourselves just yet...just keep your options open."  Shelby pointed to a gated community on the side of the road.  "Welcome to Magnolia Cedars, 'Ben'," she said to Harm, referring to his cover name.  Shelby grinned, leaning across to the guard stationed at the guardhouse.  "Hey, Pete."

"Hey, Shel."  The guard opened the gate without further comment and waved Harm and Mac's cars through.

Harm raised an eyebrow slightly.  "Come here often?" he teased.

Shelby grinned.  "Nah, he's one of ours. I can't be involved as much here, as it's outside my jurisdiction, but I was allowed to post operatives throughout the community.  Pete's a great investigator, so it made perfect sense to put him up front.  Turn left here."

"Ah," Harm nodded, making the turn.  He checked his rearview for 'Caroline' and was relieved to see Mac still following them.

Shelby turned in her seat as well, waving to Mac through the rear window before straightening against her seatbelt.  "It's the third house on the left, the white one."  She joked, as all the homes were either white or a light peach color.  You couldn't really have dark houses in Arizona; you'd bake in the summer.

Harm chuckled.  "*Which* white one?"  But he turned into the driveway without missing a beat.  His heart skipped a little at his first glimpse of the enormous house.  "Good lord," he muttered, "I wish JAG had a budget like the FBI.  You don't know hell until you've lived in base housing."

Shelby grinned and opened the door, stretching her back out as she set her feet on the driveway.  "Nah, I've just let the girls know that they owe you somethin' fierce for all the shit they've put you through, so they came through with this."  She turned to Mac, who had pulled in behind them.  "Whaddya think?" she called.

Mac put the car in park and got out, staring at the large white house.  She opened her mouth a few times and shut it promptly, trying to find the correct words to describe the beauty of the house.  "Wow."  was all she could come up with.

Shelby grinned and motioned towards the front door.  "Come on, I'll give you the semi-grand tour...I have to go meet the Captain down here and then catch my flight."

Harm wrapped his arm around Mac's waist and they headed towards the house.  Stepping into the foyer behind Shelby, Harm leaned over to murmur in Mac's ear.  "Good lord.  This place is bigger than the last.  I bet you're glad you don't have to clean it," he joked.

Shelby swept her arm in a grand gesture in the large front hallway.  "This is the foyer, no pronouncing the "r", thank you very much.  Through there's a kitchen that makes Emeril look like a small time chef...it's the same basic layout as the Nevada house, only there's the family room *and* the great room.  Same sound system layout, too, nothing new to teach you there..."  Shelby stood with hands on hips and looked around.  "I don't think there's anything else, really.  I have to go meet the Captain, so can I steal your car, Mac?"

Mac nodded and handed her the keys.  "Fine by me."

Shelby looked at both of them.  "Any questions?"

Harm nodded quickly.  "Is the fridge as stocked as last time?" he asked, a note of schoolboyish hope in his voice.

Shelby grinned.  "Of course.  Although, come to think of it, when I was telling my liaisons what to get, I might have been having cravings...so just disregard the mass amounts of Ramen noodles and pickles in the pantry.  Anything else?"

Mac laughed and shook her head.  "Not from me.  Harm?"

Harm laughed along with Mac.  "Nope.  Thanks, Shel."

Shelby bowed and headed towards the door.  "My cell's on the fridge, I shouldn't be more than two hours, and I'll bring the Captain back here...I'll be starved by then, Harm, so fix me something good for dinner, okay?"  She walked out onto the front stoop and headed towards Mac's car.  "Be good!"  She hollered, a knowing smile on her face.

Harm stepped up behind his wife and slid his arms around her waist.  "Why is it that every time she says "be good" I have an urge to be bad?"

Mac rolled her eyes.  "Because you're a perpetual five year old, darling."  Mac said, turning in his arms.  Quickly kissing his nose, she tugged on his hand.  "Come on, we need to get unpacked and get me fed before Shelby comes back...something tells me that she's one of those nonstop eaters."

Still laughing, Harm followed Mac outside and began unloading their suitcases from the trunk of the Lexus.  "Hey, Mac," he called.  "What do you want for dinner tonight?"  A sudden thought flew through Harm's brain.  *Wow.  You sound like a grown-up.*

Mac heaved one of her suitcases out of the trunk and started walking towards the house, contemplating Harm's question.  Finally, she turned and looked at him.  "Pasta."

"Oooh, you wild woman," he teased.  "If you ever say, "You know, Harm, I think tonight I'd like an arugula salad and a tofu burger," I'd collapse and die."

Mac burst out laughing.  "If I ever said that, I think I'd collapse and die myself."  She looked around at the seemingly quiet neighborhood and called a little louder, "How many more bags, *Ben*?"

"Just three," he called back.  "I'm not good at this undercover stuff," Harm muttered to the inside of the trunk.  "Couldn't Mom have just named me "Bill" or something?  Then I could use my real name and I wouldn't have to keep worrying about the damn cover.  Geez."

Mac set her suitcase in the foyer and went back out to the car, holding out her hand for another bag, her hand brushing Harm's as she took it.  Mac smiled at him and his muttering and turned to head back towards the house.  "You'd better not be admiring my butt, Ben!"  She called out randomly, nearly cracking up in the process.

Harm broke into laughter.  "I wasn't.  I was actually staring at your breasts, sweetie."

Mac turned on her heel, inertia and a heavy suitcase nearly knocking her off the front porch into the flowerbed.  "Benjamin Robert Anderson, I *cannot* believe you just said that!" she admonished, half embarrassed and half turned on.

"We're married, Caroline, I'm allowed," he grinned, following her up front walk.  His long legs caught up to Mac quickly, and Harm reached out to put a hand on the small of her back, his fingers brushing her backside.  "Besides," he murmured, "they're two of your best assets."

Mac rolled her eyes for anyone who might be watching or listening, but once they were inside the house, she leaned back against his hand, brushing against other parts in the process.  With a wicked grin, she dropped the suitcase and kicked the door shut with her foot, rising up on her toes to kiss him.

Harm smiled broadly.  She never failed to surprise him.  Wrapping his arms around Mac's waist, Harm pulled her close, kissing her neck.  He murmured something almost unintelligible about how long they had before Shelby got back.

Mac chuckled and whispered back, "Have to find the sound panel, first, sailor."

"Damn this house," he grinned, releasing her.  "Well let's get on with it, shall we? Where was it last time?"

"Basement."  Mac started searching around for the basement door, discovering the house in the process.  "Good God, Harm, look!" she cried in the great room, where the TV wasn't an actual TV, but a projector and matching screen.  "Have you ever *seen* anything like that?" she asked, craning her neck up at the ceiling to get a better look.

"Yeah, once, at the Flight Academy.  They used it to show us maneuvers."  His eyes were wide.

Mac turned slowly around the room, mouth unabashedly hanging open.  "This is insane."  She finally said.  "Absolutely insane!"

"Yeah, but it's great insanity," Harm laughed.  "Come on," he pleaded, tugging on Mac's hand.  "Sound panel."

Mac laughed.  "The hornball makes his first appearance of the trip," she said with a grin.  "Okay, sound panel."  She walked into the kitchen and started opening doors until she found a set of stairs.  "Bingo!" she called.

"I am not a hornball!" Harm protested.  "I just have a one-track mind when it comes you and sex."

Mac rolled her eyes and flicked the light switch, heading down the carpeted stairs.  "Dude, Harm, look...a pool table!"  She said with a grin.  "Now I can beat your butt at yet another game."  She walked over to the panel, which wasn't covered like the previous house and turned off the sound in all the rooms except for the office.  "All done."

"Keep dreaming, Mac," Harm teased.  "I was pool champion at the Academy."

Mac hopped up on the pool table and grinned at him, swinging her legs.  "I could whip your ass any day, any time, Rabb.  You just tell me when and where and I'll show up."

"Mac, we've been through this before," Harm grinned with a twinkle in his eye.  He advanced on her slowly, until he was standing between her legs.  "I like to be the one doing the whipping."

Mac quirked an eyebrow and tilted her head, running a finger up his chest.  "Well, aren't we cocky tonight?" she teased softly.

"Depends on you," he smiled, staring down at Mac.  Harm was amazed at the way she still made his stomach flip-flop and the way he got all nervous every time they made love...not nervous because he thought Mac would turn him down but nervous because he wanted each time to be as wonderful for her as it was for him.

Mac laughed lightly for a minute and then looked up at him, smiling.  "Come here," she ordered in a whisper, grabbing a handful of his shirt and pulling his mouth to hers.

Harm complied without comment.  He braced his hands on the pool table, leaning in to kiss Mac gently.

Mac moved her hands from his chest around to his back, running her nails up and down his shirt.  She hooked her knees around his, pulling him ever closer and having her center brush up against him.  "You ever do it on a pool table, sailor?"  She asked huskily, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"Once, in college, but it was lousy," Harm grinned.  "How about we make a new memory?"

An hour later, Mac lay sated under Harm, taking a few deep breaths, trying to calm her shaking body.  She looked up at her husband, a breathtaking smile appearing on her face like the sun breaking through the clouds.  "So, was that better than your earlier tryst?" she joked.

"By leaps and bounds," he whispered, kissing her cheek, her neck, her mouth, anywhere he could.  "'Cause I love you."

Mac made a little contented noise and closed her eyes again, out of love and out of exhaustion.  "I love you more," she smiled.  "Shelby's going to be back soon...we should get off this poor table and look like we didn't just have wild monkey sex on government property."

Harm burst out laughing.  "Keep me on my toes, jarhead," he said between chuckles.  "You look exhausted.  Why don't you go lie down while I unpack our stuff and make dinner?"

Mac struggled to sit up.  "Nah, I'm fine...I'll unpack while you cook, kill two birds with one stone before Shelby gets back."

"You sure?" Harm asked, concern in his voice.  "I can handle it."

"I know, sweetheart, but I'm fine, really.  Let's get moving, Shel should be here in thirty-four minutes."

Harm nodded worriedly, taking Mac's hand and helping her off the pool table.  He retrieved her shorts from the floor and held them up for her to slide her legs in.

Mac hopped down and shimmied into her shorts.  She put a hand on Harm's chest.  "Honey, I'm *fine*.  Why is this bothering you so much?"

"I just worry about you," Harm reassured Mac, kissing her lightly.

Mac smiled against his mouth, then took his hand and dragged him up the stairs.  "I know, honey, but you really don't need to.  I appreciate the concern, but it's not necessary, okay?"  She put a hand on his butt and steered him towards the kitchen.  "Woman work up appetite, man must cook."

Harm grinned.  "Damn independent spirit," he muttered.  He raised his voice an octave and faked a girl's soprano.  "What am I, your housegirl?" he giggled.  "Cook, clean, it never ends!  Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it's Cinderelly," Harm laughed as he took out the frying pan and pot.

"Light the fire, do the ironing," Mac continued, walking into the front hall and picking up the first of the suitcases.  After several trips and a few rests (Mac swore Harm brought Jingo in one of the suitcases, it was *that* heavy), Mac opened the bags and started putting their clothes and other odds and ends away, humming to herself.

After a little while, supper was simmering and sizzling on the stove.  Harm stood over one of the pots, debating whether to add another spice, when the phone rang.  "Hello?"

"Hi, Harm!" Harriet's perky voice was sunshiny even through the phone wire.  "Can I talk to Mac?"

Mac stuck her head out of the master bedroom.  "Who's on the phone, dear?" she called, wiping her hands on her shirt.

Harm turned his head and called upstairs.  "Harriet, for you, sweetie!"

"Ooh!'  Mac bounded down the stairs and walked into the kitchen to pick up the extension, as Cindy had apparently instructed Shelby not to have any portable phones in the house.  "Hi, Harriet!  What's up?"

"Well, it's kind of silly," Harriet began sheepishly, "but it's getting late here, and Jingo can't sleep, so I thought it might help if he talked to you."

Mac clucked her tongue.  "Put him on."  When she heard the telltale licking of the phone and heavy breathing she said in a semi-high pitched but soothing voice, "Hey, baby!  Hi Jingo!  You being a good boy at Auntie Harriet's?  I'm sure you are, but it's night-night time, okay, honey?  You go to sleep now, find your Chihuahua toy and go to bed.  Mommy and Daddy love you, Jingo, that's a good boy."

Harm chuckled softly in the background.

The line went quiet, void of all sniffing noises and Mac said quietly, "Harriet?" as she shushed Harm with a hand.

"Oh, wow.  What did you say?" Harriet wondered aloud.  "He just curled up at the foot of the bed and closed his eyes!"

Mac chuckled.  "That dog has more of a bedtime routine than I do, which is hard to accomplish.  He likes his toy and he likes his doggie bed, but sometimes he needs a last dose of admiration or something.  Has he been giving you any more problems?"

"No," Harriet replied quickly, "he's been a doll.  He even let little AJ ride around on him yesterday.  I caught him and made him stop, but it was too cute.  Oh, listen to me, I should let you all go, I'm sure you're busy.  Is everything okay out there?" she asked.

"Everything's just great, Harriet."  At her words, the doorbell chimed and Mac could hear Shelby singing some random song on the other side.  "Actually, our contact's here, so I should probably go...you be sure to call me if he gives you any trouble at all, okay?"

"We'll be fine, Mac.  Thanks!" Harriet said before hanging up.  She turned to Bud with a smile.  "They're going to make such great parents."

Harm turned the heat off under the food and went into the foyer, opening the front door.  "Hey, Shel, come on in. Dinner's ready."

Shelby grinned and waltzed into the foyer, kicking off her shoes and singing, "If it makes you happy..." She shrugged off her coat and placed it on the banister, then motioned to her guest, a middle-aged man with brown hair and the beginnings of a beer belly.  "Harm, Mac, this is Captain Luke Jackson.  Captain Jackson is an old buddy of my mom's, and the head honcho in this here town."

"Captain," Harm said, extending a hand, "I'm Commander Harmon Rabb and this," he indicated Mac, "is my wife, Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."

Jackson held out a hand to Harm and Mac, tilting his trooper's hat in tandem.  "Nice to meet y'all.  I hope this little fireball hasn't been giving you too much trouble."

"Not a bit," Harm smiled.  "She tries, but we've been through worse."

Shelby made a face at both of them.  "Whatever.  You can't pick on a pregnant lady.  It's a law or something."  She turned to Harm.  "Is dinner ready?  I'm *starved*."

Mac laughed.  "Shel, you're *always* hungry.  You're almost as bad as Harm."

Shelby made an indignant face at Mac.  "Come on, I thought we were supposed to be comrades here!  Unite against the veggies!"

Mac shook her head and ushered Shelby into the kitchen.  Pointing to the stove, she said, "Look for yourself.  It's almost done.  Now sit down before you have a coronary."

"Mac, don't even try that garbage.  You're the one who's always hungry, not me.  What a crock."  Harm turned to Captain Jackson with a grin.  "They're always complaining about my being a vegetarian, but when it comes time to cook, I somehow get drafted."  He shrugged.  "I hope you like spaghetti and meatballs, Captain?"

"A 'course."  The Captain nodded and sat down at the kitchen table.  Shelby joined him and started speaking quietly, then would burst into laughter that reverberated through the house.  Mac just shook her head and then looked at Harm.  "What can I do to help?"

"Set the table?" Harm suggested, brushing his hand against Mac's hip as he passed her in the kitchen.  "Thanks."

"Sure."  Mac opened the cabinets and thankfully found the plates rather easily and carried them over to the table.  She was setting them in front of Shelby when the detective jumped, nearly sending Mac flying backwards.  "Shel?  You okay?" Mac asked, immediately concerned.

Shelby nodded and held up her pager.  "It was on vibrate.  Sorry."

Mac shook her head and continued to set the table as Shelby got up to return her page.  Mac nodded at the Captain, who said gruffly, "Shelby told me of the good work you did in Nevada.  I'm expecting nothing less here."

Mac was taken aback, but didn't show it.  "Of course, sir."  She nodded once and wandered back to Harm, still watching the Captain.  She did *not* have a good feeling about this.

Harm leaned down, pretending to rearrange pots.  He murmured, his voice covered by the metal, "What's wrong?"

Mac didn't look down at him, but started to wipe the counter.  "Later."  She said quietly.  Louder she said, "Dinner almost done?"

"Yup," Harm said aloud, in answer to both her question and her comment.  He stood, placing a hand on Mac's back as if to guide her to the table, but mostly it was to reassure them both of their solidarity.  *Come hell or high water, we're partners,* he thought.

Shelby finished on the phone and smiled at the three people gathered around the table.  "Sorry about that." she said sheepishly.  "Smells great, Harm!" she enthused.

"Thanks, but spaghetti's not all that hard," he grinned, setting out the big bowl of pasta and the pot of sauce.  "I have meat-full and meat-less balls," he explained, pointing to two ceramic dishes on the counter.  "Pick your poison."

Shelby groaned.  "What's the point of non meat meatballs?  It's like decaf coffee.  What the hell is the point of decaf coffee?  I don't get it."  She held out her plate and said, "Hook me up with the bovine, please."

Mac nodded, holding out her plate as well.  "I'm with sister Shelby here."

Harm chuckled.  "Some of us don't want to die young," he pointed out, scooping three meatballs onto her plate.  "More?"

Shelby shook her head.  "Nah, that's good, thanks."

"'Kay."  Harm gave Mac some meatballs then turned to Jackson.  "Meat-less or meat?" he asked politely.

"Meatless, thank you.  The wife's getting on my back about eating healthy."  Jackson smiled tightly.

"Good for her," Harm nodded emphatically, piling meatless balls onto both his plate and Jackson's.  "It's the only way to go."

Shelby made a gagging noise and Mac grinned, raising her water glass in salute.  Shelby swallowed and then said, "You guys all settled in?"

Mac nodded.  "Almost."

"Good.  I doubt you saw them, but there are addendums to your files in the office, you'll need to go over them before heading out tomorrow, Harm.  Lukie here will provide you with security and access to all files if you need them."

"Security?" Harm looked slightly wary.  "I think we'll be fine."

"Better safe than sorry."  Jackson piped up.  "Especially given what happened the last time you two went out anywhere."

Mac shot a quick look at Harm as Shelby cleared her throat.  "My mom just told him to take extra good care of us, that's all, right, Jack?"

Jackson nodded and started eating again.

Harm nodded silently at Mac.  "Well," he finally said, "I guess we can use all the help we can get."

"Good."  Jackson seemed contrite for the time being, and Shelby cleared her throat once again.  "It seems I won't be leaving on the jet plane tonight or anytime soon...Seb is freaking out and so is my mom, so I'm staying in town, at least for the weekend."

"Good," Harm smiled.  "Then you can come antiquing with us on Saturday."

Shelby grinned.  "Anything to spend Seb's money.  Can we hit Ann Taylor too?"

Mac's eyes lit up and she grinned.  "Yeah, Harm, can we?"

"Sure," Harm laughed, his eyes gleaming at the thought of Mac owning more of those little sundresses and Capri pants.  "On one condition..."

"What?"  Both women asked, as excited as children on Christmas morning.

"Mac makes a side trip to Victoria's Secret."

Mac's jaw dropped open as Shelby let out a whoop and burst into laughter, applauding.

"Harm, we have a guest!"  Mac hissed.

Jackson shook his head.  "Don't worry 'bout me, Colonel, when you've put up with Shelby as long as I have, you get used to that kind of discussion."

Harm glanced at Jackson.  "Yeah, I don't think there's a man alive who minds when his wife goes lingerie shopping, right, Captain?"

Jackson nodded shortly, a mysterious smile on his face, almost annoyed.  He quickly finished his dinner and rose.  "Well, I have some official business to attend to, so if you'll excuse me.  I can show myself out."  He nodded briskly to the three people and quickly shut the door behind him.

Mac shot a look at Harm and Shelby.  "Well, that was interesting."

"Yup," Harm agreed.

Shelby looked into the foyer at the closed door.  She shook her head and put her napkin on the table, cradling her head in her hands.

Mac looked at Harm and then back and Shelby.  "Shel?" she said worriedly.

Shelby raised her head and sighed.  "Something's off with him.  I swear to God, he's not normally like that...I don't know what to do."

Harm reached his arm across the table and patted Shelby's arm.  "It'll work itself out."

Shelby snorted.  "Whatever."  She sighed again and pushed her plate away.  "I'm sorry, I'm just really crappy company right now.  Um, Mac, your car is back in the driveway...FUCK!"  Shelby exploded, running towards the front door.  "Fucking BASTARD!" she yelled, slamming it.

Mac rose and met her in the hall.  "Shelby, honey, you have got to calm down."

"He left without me.  I have no car, and no rental agency will come pick me up at this hour on a Friday.  Fuck."

Harm walked up behind the women, placing a hand on Shelby's shoulder.  "Honey, calm *down*," he said firmly.  "Stay here tonight, Mac can lend you pajamas.  We have enough rooms," he said quietly.  "It'll be fun.  And tomorrow, we'll take you back to the hotel and get your stuff.  You can stay here until Sebastian comes to get you or whatever."

Shelby rubbed her eyes tiredly.  "I'm sorry," she said quietly.  "I'm worried about Jack, Sebastian is driving me up the wall and back down again and my leg is absolutely killing me."

Mac took her hand and said quietly, "From the gunshot?"

Shelby looked at her.  "Yeah.  The meds can interact with the baby, and I'm high risk already, so they're a no-no.  Hurts like a bitch."

Harm rubbed his arm in sympathetic memory.  "Listen," he said quietly, "it'll work out."  He squeezed Shelby's shoulder comfortingly.  "Just relax and let Mac and me handle it, okay?"

In a moment of very childlike mannerisms, Shelby just nodded.  Mac put an arm around her and pointed her towards the staircase.  "Is there a bathtub up there?"

Shelby nodded.  "Big one in the master, smaller ones in the guests.  With Bath and Body Works coming out the wazoo."

Mac nodded.  "Go climb into one of them, okay?  Fill it up with warm water and bubbles and sink in until you're nearly asleep.  I'll put a pair of pajamas on one of the beds, and then you can just crawl in, okay?"  Mac said soothingly.

Shelby nodded and then looked at them, smiling sheepishly.  "I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Harm said softly, smiling reassuringly.  "Forget about it, go enjoy your bath."

Shelby trudged upstairs, humming "Sin Wagon" just to please herself.

Mac sighed and looked at Harm.  "Poor kid."

Harm nodded, slipping an arm around Mac's waist.  "I hate seeing her upset.  It's just not right."  With a determined set to his jaw, Harm released Mac and headed for the kitchen.  "Can you clean up? I have an errand to run."

Surprised, Mac replied, "Uh, sure.  I'm gonna go check on Shelby."  She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss.  "Be careful."

"I will," Harm promised, hugging her tightly.  "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Yes, I do, but you can keep telling me."  Mac said lightly, squeezing his butt.  "Now get going before it gets too dark...you know I don't like you out late at night in a big, fast car."

Harm smiled wanly.  "Yes, ma'am."  He turned and paused at the front door, watching Mac heading upstairs to check on Shelby.  He marveled at the kindness hiding in her strength.  Without a word, Harm left, shutting the door quietly behind him.  He sped off, following the map Shelby had given him earlier, with the police station circled in red.  *"For emergencies," she'd said.*  Harm thought this qualified.  He pulled up outside the police station and strode in, looking around the deserted lobby.

"Excuse me, Officer" he said to the lone woman behind the front desk.  "Where do I go for personnel records?"

"And you are?" The woman replied.

"Commander Harmon Rabb, United States Navy," Harm said, summoning up every ounce of commanding presence he had at nine o'clock at night after two days of traveling.

"Right," the woman said, somewhat disbelievingly.  "Just one moment, please."  She shuffled through some papers, and then looked back up at him.  "Down the hall, fourth door on your right."

"Thank you, ma'am," Harm said, tipping his head slightly in gratitude.  He walked down the hall and entered the Records Office.  "Good evening," he said to the man behind the desk.  "I'm looking for a personnel record, I'm hoping you can help me."

The man looked up from his solitaire game and smiled.  "Whose record are you looking for?" he said kindly.

"Captain Luke Jackson."

The man reared back in surprise and when he spoke, he spoke in low tones.  "Um, why do you need to see that file, Sir?"

"I need to see his service record, also," Harm added, evasively avoiding the question.  "I'm with the Judge Advocate General Corps, sir, and I'm working with the Captain.  It's more of a formality than anything else."

The man blinked a few times and looked quickly around, then sighed.  He tapped a few keys on his keyboard and then said quietly, "Captain Jackson's file is in the third stack over, second shelf, all the way on the right."

"Thank you, sir."  Harm strolled over casually and picked up the inch-thick file.  He settled down at a table to read, but found it was too long and far too late for him to glean anything of importance.  Besides, he wanted to bounce things off his sounding board--Mac.  He walked up to the desk and handed the gentleman Captain Jackson's file.  "Could I get a copy of this?"

The man glanced around and nodded, opening a file drawer under his desk.  He handed Harm a manila envelope and said, "Here you go.  But I didn't give this to you."

"I was never here," Harm added, striding over to the copier and piling the papers into the tray.  He hit "start" and waited five minutes for the thick file to finish.  He took the copies, stuck them in the envelope and discreetly tucked the manila-clad copies under his leather jacket.  Handing the original back to the clerk, Harm nodded acknowledgment.  "Thank you.  Have a good night."  Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into the driveway and let himself into the house.  "Mac?" he called softly.

Mac came quietly down the stairs and met him in the hall.  "She's out cold, poor kid."  She motioned to the papers in his hand.  "What's that?"

"Good," Harm nodded.  "She needs to sleep.  This?" he raised the envelope.  "Captain Luke Jackson's personnel file and service record."

"Harmon Rabb, you're nothing if not thorough.  What's it say?"  Mac asked, moving into the kitchen and getting two mugs out of the cupboard.  She filled a kettle with water and sat at the counter, waiting for Harm's answer.

"I didn't look at it yet.  I needed you to bounce it off of," he grinned.  The thought that he was quite dependent on Mac both scared and intrigued him.  "Ready?"

Mac smiled back and nodded.  "Let's go."

"Okay," Harm said, opening the envelope and pulling out the pack of copies.  "You take the first half of his career, I'll take the second."  He handed her a stack of papers.  "Enjoy."

Mac rolled her eyes, but complied, walking over to the desk and finding highlighters in its drawers.  She chucked one to Harm and then started on Jackson, Lucas Elliott, years 1985 to present.

Harm bent his head to his task.  A few minutes later, he muttered, "An official reprimand for a training incident with a cadet.  Apparently he smacked the kid."

"Harm, look at this.  He left the Navy in '85, but didn't take the job as a police officer till '89.  There's no mention of those four years anywhere else in here."  Mac slid the file over to him as the kettle steamed and she finished preparing some tea for the two of them.

Harm glanced down at the paper Mac offered.  "He was Navy? I wonder why he didn't mention it."

Mac motioned to the file.  "That's what it says here...is there any mention of it in your file?"

Harm glanced down at the service record.  "No, this is mostly police service.  Doesn't say much about his pre-force days."

Harm reached over, picked up the kitchen phone and dialed JAG Ops.  It might've been midnight but he had to try.  "Tiner!  Good, I was hoping someone was a workaholic.  Can you get me a service record?  Luke Jackson."  He waited as Tiner apparently fiddled with the computer.  "Good, thanks.  Just fax it over.  The number?" he glanced at Mac.  "What's the fax number here?"

"805-657-4873."  Mac said, looking at the two files.

"Thanks."  Harm repeated the number for Tiner and hung up.  "We should have his record in a minute.  Find anything else interesting?"

Mac finished making their tea and handed one cup to Harm while looking at the files.  She shook her head.  "This doesn't make any sense."  She said, taking a sip of the tea.  "Something's not right."  She muttered.  "Not right at all."

Harm took a sip of tea and nodded at Mac.  "Something's missing, all right.  Maybe it'll be in his Navy file."

Mac nodded distractedly.  "You want to go get the fax or shall I?"

"Can you?" he asked, thumbing through the stack of papers.

"Sure."  Mac hopped down from the stool and walked down the hall into the office, where, sure enough, the fax machine was whirring wildly, spewing papers all over the floor.  Mac hunkered down and started picking up the papers, nearly falling over at what she saw.  She abandoned the clean-up operation and rushed back into the kitchen.  "You won't believe it, " she said, putting the top page in front of Harm.  "Jackson wasn't Navy, he was *Marine*."

"Oh my *God*."  Harm paled.  "Delancey?"

"I don't know, I'm hoping the rest of the fax will have something."  Mac called over her shoulder as she ran back to the office.  She gathered up the rest of the papers and jogged back to Harm, spreading them over the counter.  She quickly organized them and started looking through the file.  "Classified, classified, classified."  She read.  She looked at Harm.  "Oh God."

"What?" Harm asked, peering around her.

She pointed to the name 'Chris Murray'.  "CM.  Chris Murray, Craig Miner?" she asked.

"Oh my god."  Harm sat back, his chest tightening.  "Who's Chris Murray? An alias?"

Mac nodded.  "For Abdulan.  At least, that's what my gut's telling me.  If this guy isn't Delancey, I think he sure as hell knows who is."  Mac continued after pausing.  "I think we need to call Clay."

A sleepy voice emerged from behind them.  "Call Leslie.  She'll know."

Mac's head whipped around.  "Shelby, you're supposed to be asleep."

Shelby shook her head, walking over to her purse and getting her glasses.  "It's nine o'clock. I may be pregnant, but I don't need to go to bed at nine."  She looked at the plethora of papers donning the counter and shook her head.  "Shit," she muttered.

"Go back to bed, Shelby," Harm said firmly. "You need your rest."

Shelby shook her head.  "No.  If Jack's involved in this, I need to know.  I need to help."

Mac placed a hand on her arm.  "I agree with Harm, Shel.  You're under a lot of stress right now, and you don't need that."

Shelby shook her head adamantly.  "I need to do something.  I'll tell you what, I'll go to bed in an hour, no whining or anything, okay?"

Harm sighed softly.  "Mac?" he raised an eyebrow.  "It's up to you."

Mac chuckled, looking at Shelby.  "I feel like I'm negotiating with you to stay out an hour past curfew."  She sighed and then continued.  "You get on the horn and call Clay, call Leslie, call whoever you have to, and get us an actual record for Jackson.  I think these were falsified, or at least parts of them were, and we need to find out why."

Shelby nodded, heading over to the phone and dialing quietly.

Mac went back to the fax, comparing it with the other two files they had.  "Look," she said to Harm.  "These contradict each other.  I don't believe it."

"I do," Harm said slowly.  "I think we've underestimated this entire thing, Mac.  We figured on it just being Abdulan, if that was even the name of the guy we killed."  He paused in thought, grabbed his cell phone and dialed.  "Las Vegas Medical Examiner, please."  Within ten minutes, Harm had a fax of the autopsy report and the number of the cemetery where Abdulan was buried.

An hour later, Shelby yawned and hung up the phone.  "Our fabulous friends have been thoroughly chewed out, and we should have answers by tomorrow morning.  I'm heading off to bed.  I suggest you do the same."

Mac rubbed her eyes.  "Yeah, I think that's a good idea.  Harm?"

"Agreed."  Harm gathered up the papers and stuck them back in the envelope.  It was going upstairs with them--he was leaving nothing to chance.  "Shelby, bed, now," he ordered with a gentle smile.  "Mac and I have a couple more things to do."

Shelby yawned again and nodded.  "Whatever.  Just try not to keep me up with the wild monkey dance, okay?"

Mac chuckled.  "Don't worry.  Night, Shel."

Shelby waved dismissively, heading to the guest room.  "I like pancakes for breakfast, Harm, " she said, her trademark grin temporarily returning.

"Your wish is my command, Shelby.  Now git!"  Harm reached his hand out for Mac, watching Shelby disappear up the staircase.  "Why do I feel like we need to protect her?" he asked quietly.

"She's vulnerable right now, as much as she tries to build herself up.  I think, too, that we've realized this is bigger than any of us imagined, and she's been there, trying to do her job as best she can, and now she's getting screwed," Mac replied, wrapping her arm around his waist.

Harm nodded in agreement.  "Yeah, I guess that's it.  Thanks," he added, kissing Mac's forehead.  "Now come on, I think I hear the bed calling us."

"I'm sure you do."  Mac grinned, lacing her fingers with his.  "Come on sailor."

Harm grabbed the manila envelope which had become, in the past two hours, the bane of his very existence.  He squeezed Mac's hand, following her upstairs.

"Just know, dear, that if you cuddle that envelope, it'll give you paper cuts in places you'd rather not have them."  Mac quipped as they headed into the bedroom, hoping against all hope sleep would come tonight.
 

THE END