2348 (11:48 p.m.)
Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station

Harm couldn’t get Mac’s words out of his head. Will you help me raise Chloe…? With a deep sigh, he leaned back onto the couch and closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to ponder the subject.

After Mac had asked him the question earlier that day, his first impulse had been to shout “Yes!” at the top of his lungs. But it had taken only a few moments for him to realize that this was a decision that couldn’t be made right away. It would take a lot of thought and consideration. So, he’d told Mac that he would need some time to decide, which she had very generously agreed to.

And now, many hours later, he found that he couldn’t think of anything else.

He knew that Chloe would need a father, and more than anything in the world, he wanted to fulfill that need. But, he also had a career to consider. Dividing time between family and job would be no easy task, but he knew that it could be done; Bud had been handling it for years. Then again, Bud had raised A.J. from birth - Chloe was a teenager. Maybe she wouldn’t want a new father. But Harm knew deep in his heart that Chloe would be delighted. And Mac could definitely use the help.

Harm pulled a deep breath and opened his eyes. Where does this leave me? he asked himself. Right where you started ten minutes ago. He answered his own question.

He slowly exhaled and leaned forward again to study the paperwork in front of him. He flipped a few pages, read a couple of paragraphs, then picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number. Two rings, and then…

“Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie.”

“Mac, it’s me.”

“Harm, what in the world are you doing up this late?”

“Maybe I should ask you the same question,” Harm replied, noting that there wasn’t a hint of sleepiness in her voice.

“Yeah, you’ve got a point.” Mac gave a small sigh. “I just couldn’t sleep. What’s up?”

“Well, I was just looking over the Haler case, and I have an offer to make.”

“Oh?”

Harm paused for a quick moment, made his proposal, then waited. He could tell by the silence on the other end that Mac was deep in thought.

“Deal.”

Harm smiled in relief. “Good,” he said. “We’ll inform the Admiral tomorrow morning, and I’ll call Lieutenant Haler.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Harm settled back against the couch pillows. “How’s Chloe?”

“She woke up a few minutes past noon, had something to eat, then immediately went back to bed. She’s been asleep ever since.” Harm could hear the concern in Mac’s voice.

“You OK?” he asked gently.

“Yeah, just tired.”

“All right.” Harm prepared to say goodbye, then thought of something. “Mac, what are you going to do with Chloe tomorrow while you’re at work?”

“I was just thinking about that myself, and I honestly don’t know.”

“I’ll bet Sergei would take care of her for you.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want her to be a burden…”

“Mac, trust me, he won’t mind.”

She was quiet for a few moments, then finally, “OK.”

“Good. I’ll tell him that you’ll drop her off tomorrow morning before work.”

“Thank you, Harm.”

“You’re welcome,” Harm told her. “See you in eight hours.”

“Seven hours and fifty-two minutes, but who’s counting?”

Harm rolled his eyes. “Goodnight, Mac.”

“Bye.”

~*~*~*~*

0800 (8:00 a.m.)
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The elevator doors opened, and Harm entered the bullpen with Mac right behind him. As he began walking toward his office, he turned his head and talked to Mac over his shoulder. “I’ve got to call Lieutenant Haler, then we can go see the Admiral.”

Mac nodded. “That’s fine.” She stopped at her office to drop her briefcase on her desk, then headed to the break room to get some coffee.

She was pouring herself a cup of Tiner’s brew when she heard someone else enter the room. She turned around to see Harriet, who gave her a bright smile.

“Good morning, ma’am!”

Mac managed a returning smile. “Hi, Harriet.”

“How are you, ma’am?” Harriet took a mug from the shelf.

“Been better,” Mac answered truthfully.

“What’s wrong?” Harriet asked, immediately concerned. She turned, giving Mac her full attention.

Mac’s face turned grim. “Chloe’s father and grandmother were killed in a car accident on Saturday.”

Harriet’s expression was one of horror. “Oh, Colonel, I’m so sorry.”

Mac nodded mutely.

“What’s going to happen to Chloe, ma’am?”

“I’m adopting her. Harm and I are going to request leave so that we can go to Vermont and get all her things, plus I’m going to have to arrange the funerals.” Mac sighed. “There’s so much to do, but I’m not really concerned about it. I’m worried about Chloe.”

“Is she all right? I mean, considering…”

“I don’t know. She’s barely said two words to me since she found out. She’s actually been sleeping most of the time.”

“Ma’am, may I suggest something to you?”

“Of course, Harriet.”

“I think you should just let her have her space for a while. That’s how I was when we lost Baby Sarah. I just needed time to think and to grieve, and I imagine that’s what Chloe wants right now.”

Mac took a minute to mull it over. “You know, I think you’re right, Harriet. Thank you.”

“Anytime, ma’am.”

“Well, I better get going.” Mac grabbed a chocolate doughnut from the box. “Harm and I need to see the Admiral about getting leave.”

“Good luck, ma’am.” Harriet gave her a brief but warm hug. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Mac smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Harriet.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

~*~*~*~*

Five Minutes Later

“Enter!”

Harm and Mac walked into Admiral Chegwidden’s office and stood at attention.

The Admiral, sitting behind his desk, looked up at them over the top of his spectacles. “Good morning, you two. Have a seat.”

The two partners relaxed and sat down in the pair of chairs facing Chegwidden’s desk. “Thank you, sir,” they said in unison.

“What’s on your minds?”

“Well, sir, first of all, we’d like to inform you that we’ve reached an agreement on the Haler case,” Harm told him. “We should have everything wrapped up by this afternoon.”

The Admiral nodded. “Good.” After studying the two officers’ faces for a few moments, he asked carefully, “But there’s something else you wanted to tell me, isn’t there?”

“Yes, sir.” With a quick glance at Harm, Mac took a deep breath and told their CO about Chloe’s family. “…So Commander Rabb and I would like to request two weeks’ leave, to arrange the funerals and get Chloe moved down here,” she finished.

Chegwidden’s face was full of sympathy. “Absolutely, Colonel,” he told them. “But Commander, I’m sorry, I can only spare you for one week. With Lieutenant Singer in Indiana investigating the Stakely homicide and Commander Turner going TAD next week to help Congresswoman Latham in Washington, I’m going to need you to handle some of the cases here.”

“Aye, sir,” Harm replied.

The Admiral turned to Mac. “Colonel, I’m giving you the full two weeks.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Give Chloe my deepest sympathies.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Harm and Mac rose and snapped to attention. “Aye, aye, sir!”

~*~*~*~*

Twenty Minutes Later
Harm’s Office

Mac knocked on the doorjamb of Harm’s office.

Harm looked up from organizing the papers on his desk. “Hey, Mac.”

“Hi.” Mac walked in and sat down. “I was wondering - do you want to fly to Vermont or drive?”

“Well…” Harm picked up a stack of folders and stowed them in his file cabinet. “I was thinking that we could drive up in the Lexus, then at the end of my leave, I could fly back here, and you can use my SUV to haul Chloe’s things.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“I thought so,” Harm told her, flashing a small grin. “When do you want to leave?”

“Is tomorrow morning OK with you?”

Harm nodded. “That’s fine.”

“All right.” Mac sat in silence for a while, and finally she’d been quiet for so long that Harm stopped what he was doing to sit down in the chair beside her.

“Are you OK?” he asked, seeing that her eyes were filled with tears.

Mac shook her head. “I am, it’s Chloe that I’m concerned about. Harm, she’s hardly been out of her room for two days. Harriet says that she probably just needs her space, but I’m afraid that she might not be able to handle all of this.”

“Mac,” Harm said gently, “Chloe’s one of the strongest people I know. This is going to be hard on her, but she’ll be able to get through it.”

“How can you be so sure?” Mac turned her head to gaze into his eyes.

“I just know.” Harm reached over and took her hand. “It’s going to be all right, Mac. I promise.”

Mac sniffled, and couldn’t help but trust his reassurance. “OK,” she whispered.

~*~*~*~*

0745 (7:45 a.m.)
Harm’s Lexus
Somewhere on the Highway between Washington, D.C. and Vermont

Harm momentarily tore his gaze away from the road to glance over at Mac, who was sleeping in the seat beside him. They’d been travelling for an hour and a half, and Mac was already worn out. She had told Harm before they left Georgetown that she’d been up most of the night with Chloe, who had battled numerous nightmares. Harm knew that both of his companions would probably sleep for most of the ride.

He looked in the rearview mirror to watch Chloe in the backseat. She also was already asleep, curled up in a ball. Even in slumber, her facial expression was one of pain. Harm’s heart went out to the young girl.

He finally returned his full focus to the road ahead of him, his thoughts drifting back to the decision that he was facing. He’d pondered the subject for hours the night before, but yet again he hadn’t been able to get past the question.

To be completely honest with himself, deep down in his heart, he was afraid - afraid that he wouldn’t be a good enough parent to Chloe. Having not known his own father during the later years of his childhood, he didn’t know how to be a dad. Sure, he’d helped take care of Little A.J. on occasion, but a full-time responsibility was entirely different. Then again-

“Noooooo!” The shrill scream pierced the silence like a knife.

Harm was instantly jerked out of his reverie, and Mac woke up immediately. “What…?” she began.

“No, Daddy, don’t! Don’t leave me!” cried Chloe, flailing around in the backseat.

“She’s having another nightmare!” Mac reached back and began to shake Chloe’s shoulder. “Chloe, honey, wake up!”

Harm flipped on his flashers and pulled onto the side of the road. Mac unbuckled her seat belt and crawled into the backseat beside Chloe, who was now awake.

“Daddy, daddy!” Chloe sobbed, clinging onto Mac. “I want my dad!”

“Shh, Chloe, I know.” Mac gathered Chloe into her arms and rocked her.

Chloe continued to cry. “Why did he leave me?” she wailed. “Why?”

Harm’s heart melted as he watched Mac comfort Chloe. He opened his car door, walked around to the other side of the Lexus, and slid into the backseat with Mac and Chloe. He wrapped his arms around both of them, and Mac laid her head on his shoulder as Chloe continued to weep between them.

“Shh, Chloe.” Harm rubbed her arm gently. “It’s OK.”

“No, it isn’t! They left me! I’m all alone!”

“No, you’re not,” Harm told her firmly. “Mac and I are here, and we’re not going to leave you - ever.”

“That’s right,” Mac agreed.

Chloe quieted down, still sniffling. She cuddled up to Mac, and before long she fell asleep again. Harm dropped a kiss on her forehead before he and Mac returned to the front seats.

Mac sighed as she shut her car door and buckled her seat belt. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

With a sigh of his own, Harm turned on the ignition and pulled back onto the highway.