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Title: Poppa Rabb Author: TC Amlin, Codedriver@aol.com Summary: Harm gets a surprise from the past and asks Mac for help and a little more. Disclaimer: I don't own them I am just borrowing for this piece. All characters except those I came up with belong to CBS and DB. Poppa Rabb1600 EST JAG Falls Church, VA. Mac walked into the bullpen and glanced into Harm's office and saw that he was not there. She had been out of town for over a month now since her quick vacation to Australia and then having being given a case in Florida. In the few days that she had been had actually been at JAG she had missed Harm because he had taken off on some personal leave without a word. Can't say I really blame him after I took off to see Mic on a whim. Bud had told her that he had taken off in a hurry after he received a certified letter the day after she left, and then a few days later called in asked for an extended leave. The Admiral wasn't happy with the 'no reason but I will tell you later' excuse that Harm had given. Harm had lucked out that the Admiral had broken his leg while working out the day before he came back so no reason had been given as yet and the office was pulsating with rumors. "Ma'am. If you are looking for Commander Rabb he took an early day today since he wasn't in court." Tiner said as he came up beside her. "He has been doing that lot lately since he got back from leave." "Thanks Tiner. I guess I will just have to wait till later to talk with him." She said as she headed over to her office. Wonder what is up with Harm. 1800 EST Just north of Union Station Mac walked into to Harms apartment building heading for the elevator when Oscar, the super for the building, stopped her. "You won't find that sailor friend of yours up there any more. He moved last week. I was sorry to see him go. His apartment is still his for another month but like I said he is gone." Mac's face must have shown the disbelief she felt. Harm move without telling her and just where did he move and with whom. Oscar continued, "He said if you see any of my friends that you can pass this address along. So here you are young lady." He said with a smile knowing that the young commander had only given permission for Mac to have the new addy. "Thanks." Mac said as she went to leave. " Has anyone been by to look at his place?" "Nope. Come by some time next week if you want to look at it. I need to get home and finish helping my wife with diner." "Uh, again thanks." Mac said as she headed back out to her car. She got in and pondered whether or not to surprise Harm since he had made these drastic moves without at least telling her. After a rechecking of the address she saw that it was a house number not an apartment. What have you gone and done now Harmon Rabb. 1815 EST On the beltway Mac decided that a surprise attack on the Commander was the best plan and headed on over to his new home. She found it with relative ease and pulled into the driveway. Wow what a nice older place, a fixer upper. Harm will have fun in his off-hours getting this place into shape. She cringed as she saw the streaks of lighting from the south signaling the coming storm. Mac got out and full speed ahead climbed the steps to the front door. After knocking she was greeted by a young boy that was the spitting image of Harm. "Uh, can I help you." The child asked staring at her marine uniform. "Hi. I am looking for Commander Rabb." She asked and nearly fell over when the boy yelled back into the house. "Hey dad. There is a lady in uniform here for you." He said opening the door enough to allow the stunned Colonel in. Harm caught the look in her eyes as he came from the kitchen and with only a hesitant look of panic that Mac caught as he flashed her a smile. "Thanks Sport. Why don't you go finish your homework and let me talk with the Colonel?" "Sure dad." They boy said as he sprinted up the stairs after looking from one adult to the other sensing the tension between the two. "Hi. Mac how was your trips? Come on in and I'll give you the nickel tour." Harm said nervously as glanced up the stairs and waited till he heard the door shut. "Would you like a glass of tea or something?" She followed him to the kitchen hoping her mouth had closed after gathering what information she had since walking up to the front door. She stopped and sat down at the counter. She was about to ask a question when held up his hands. "Me first and then you can ask away. 1, I didn't know about him till about four weeks ago. 2, his name is Harm the III. 3, I have full custody of him as of right now, 4. Renee left me as soon as she found out. And 5, no one at JAG knows yet, I was waiting to tell you first." Mac sat back and thought a second before responding. "Well, I can see why the admiral didn't sent you to Florida. Thanks for letting know first. I am surprised that you have kept him a secret for 4 weeks. Now for some questions, where is his mother, who is she, and why now?" "His mother was a girl I met while I was recovering from my crash, she died about 2 years ago and her mother decided to keep him instead of following her will and giving him to me. His grandmother died about 2 months ago and he was living with neighbors. The Department of Social Services came across Stacy's old will and called me. After a few tests and a positive match, bingo I am the father of an 8-year-old. And before you ask it too. I bought the house because I felt that he needed a place with a yard instead of the streets near my old apartment and it was just too cramped with a child living there. A friend put me in touch with a realtor and here I am." "Well you sure surprised me when Oscar told me you had moved. I thought it meant hat you had moved in with Renee. The last thing anyone was able to tell me was that you had taken personal leave and jeez Harm, why didn't you call me sooner." "Well Mac how would you have taken it if I had called you out of the blue and told you that I am moving into a house with my son. Hhmmm? I really would like to know how you would have responded?" She looked at him and then started to smile. "Okay, okay. You are right, I would have had had a hard time taking it over the phone. He is really cute Harm. A small cut out of you." ìWell I am glad you like him," Harm said as grinned. "He really is a great kid. Well behaved and smart, and he loves flying." "Had him a month and already trying to make a pilot out of him. What are you going to tell the Admiral? And why haven't you told him before now?" Harm shrugged his shoulders as he started to finish unpacking, "I wanted you to know first since I hurt you so bad when I had my vision repaired and didn't tell you." He said turning away from her so that he could avoid her stare. Then trying to sound funny, ìAnd I need a ally when I go into the Admirals office tomorrow and let him know that I can't take too many cases that are long distance, unless I find someone to keep him while I am gone." Mac smiled, he had waited for her and she knew that he must have been dying to tell someone. "Please tell me that you have at least told you mom?" "No, I haven't because as soon as I signed for the house, the foster family that had been keeping him sued me for custody. The used to know Stacy I have to report to the judge for a prelim next week on Wednesday. I could use a really go lawyer to help me out. And one that is allowed to practice in Penn." "You don't fight fair." She responded back. "Of course I will represent you. Again! This time it is really going to cost you." She finished just as a loud crash of lighting struck out back. "Daddy!" Came the scared voice of Harm III as he came running into the kitchen. "Its okay son, it is just some bad weather." "Can I stay down here with you? I finished my homework." ìSure sport. Why don't you and the Colonel here look through the fridge and pick out something for dinner since she will be staying awhile." "Ah, no Harm, I really need to get home." Mac said trying to get away from this scene of domesticity. "Mac, it is pouring down rain out there and the forecast was this to last awhile. So help the young man pick out dinner and relax." Mac was about to fight back when the small voice asked, "Do you like hamburgers?" She couldn't help but laugh and shake her head yes. At least now when she came over work with Harm, she had someone to buy beltway burgers for. Harm knew what she was thinking and mouthed a 'NO' to her and Mac silently responded 'oh ya'. 2300 Rabb Residence Mac awoke with a start trying to get her bearings as she focused in on Harm coming down the stairs. "I just put Harm down." "I guess we both fell asleep on you. When did you buy a TV and VCR?" She asked as she stretched. "Same time I became a father. Lets just say I have bought a lot of things lately that I thought I would be buying with theÖ" He stopped. "With who?" "With the woman that I love and the mother of my children." He finally got out. Harm stood there and stared at Mac and the ring on her right hand. The past few weeks with his son had shown him what a fool he had been down under when she had challenged his feelings. He decided to add, "which should have been you." He whispered. Mac looked at him in disbelief. Did he just say what I thought he said? "Me?" She finally whispered back. "Yes, whenever I used to dream of what my kids would be like, they would be half Rabb and half Mackenzie. A daughter with deep brown eyes and olive skin like her mother and a son that could fly with a marine spirit." Mac felt her eyes moisten up and the tears start to fall. He had dreamt about their children. "Why now Harm, why not a few months ago when I asked you how you felt?" "Because I wasn't ready to let go of my past then and then with this last month I realized that my past is never going to let me go. And everyday I see that ring on your right hand makes me also realize that 40 years from now, when I look back on my past, I don't want to it to be without you. You are a part of my past already Sarah Mackenzie, I love you and I want my future, our future to include you." He said as he glanced to the ceiling. " I love you." Mac stared at him speechless. The words she had hoped for so long had finally been spoken. She then turned her glance on the ring on her hand, the man that had given it to her had been trying since her visit last month to get her to move it over. She smiled inside because she had waited. Finally with tears falling freely from her eyes, she prodded him, needing some more answers to the questions in her mind, "Are you sure? This just isn't some way for you to get a mother for your son." Harm looked at her pained by the accusation she was making. But before he could answer she saw what she wanted to know. "Never mind, don't answer that question. I can see in your eyes that you never thought that." Harm walked over to her and knelt beside her, "Sarah, I have screwed up a lot since we got back from Australia and I am so sorry. Finding out that I am a father and what that means has brought everything into focus. Like I said, I am ready to let the past go, I mean it will always be a part of me just like yours is a part of you, so will you forgive a slow sailor who finally came to his senses?" "Yes. I will forgive you but I plan on spending everyday reminding you what a fool you have been and that you admitted to being slow." She said smiling at him, taking his face with her hands and leaning forward to kiss him. After finally coming up for air, he looked into her face and then to her right hand. She caught where his eyes looking and then releasing him took off the ring and placed it in her purse. No one could have missed the smiles that took form across both of their faces. He then climbed up and sat beside and pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly. " I love you too sailor." Her next though seemed to be his to as he vocalized the question, "How do you think the Admiral is going to take this too?" She giggled, "I have no idea, but lets spring one thing at a time." "Well I need to tell you this too, Bobbie called me last week and asked me again to take that position on the hill, I have really considered it and if you don't have any problems with it. I think that I will take it. I don't want to put us on hold anymore, you don't deserve that and I want everyone to know how I feel." "Are you sure Harm? I mean the Admiral has you in mind for taking over JAG someday. Why don't I take that position if Bobbie will let me? If you don't care? She has hinted that she wouldn't mind me taking it." ìI can't ask that of you Mac, you have worked hard there at JAG, I am the one that left on a dream and had to return. You stay because Bobbie is going to let me do work at JAG as needed and whenever congress is out, so my office will stay where it is. Whenever and if ever I become JAG, then we'll switch. Because if I remember correctly you told Dalton that you belonged in the court room, not behind a desk." "Okay, we'll switch when the time is right. And right now I need to get home." She said attempting to get up. He held her firmly, "You are home Mac." Commenting on the house they were sitting in. Falls Church, VA The next morning 0900 EST Mac walked into the office with a new energy in her step and watched as the Admiral attempted to make it to his on his crutches. Hurrying quickly so that he wouldn't see her trying not to laugh she bumped into Harm. "Excuse me Colonel, why are we in a rush?" He said seeing her amused look that he had on his face too. "None what so ever Commander. Did we make it to school on time?" she asked as he followed her to her desk. He only got out yes as Tiner interrupted. "Uh, Sir, ma'am. The Admiral wants to see you ASAP." "We'll be right there Tiner." Harm quickly shut the door and showed Mac the file he had with him. It was for Harm III custody case. "I have everything there for you Mac. Anything else we can work on later over dinner at the house. But right now we better get to the Admirals office." She took the file and carried it with her incase they needed something with proof for the Admiral. She quickly read through it as she followed Harm. AJ was sitting with his leg propped up on a chair and how irritable he was poured out of every pore. He glared at Mac and Harm as they entered and had them stand at attention for a few minutes before letting them have a seat. "Commander, I want to know why you are asking for paperwork duty for yourself and the Colonel?" Harm glanced over to Mac, she just shook her head in sympathy. "Well sir, I have been taken to court and the Colonel has agreed to be my attorney of record. I am hoping that the situation will come to a close quickly." "Just what kind of trouble are you in this time Rabb?" "Someone is battling me for custody of my son sir." "Excuse me? Did I hear you right, your son?" "Yes sir, I found out a few weeks ago that I was a father. I have an eight year old son." He said as he handed the Admiral some paperwork. "Here is my change of address and all the information on my son so I can add him to my dependant list." AJ sat there and looked over the papers as Harm squirmed silently in his seat. It was all Mac could do to not smile at Harm's uneasiness, but the Admiral's look was all that she needed to keep quite. "Well, I don't know what to say Commander. Besides the Colonel, does anyone else know?" "No sir, just the two of you sir. I was hoping to let everyone know slowly. Harm is a little spooked by everything right now and having the office want to meet him would be a little much." "I agree with him sir. Until the custody hearing is over, the fewer the better." "And I suppose you have met the little guy?" "Yes sir, a replica of his father." "Great, another Harmon Rabb to contend with." AJ said with some amusement for the first time. "I would like to meet this little carbon copy, so Colonel see that your client here brings himself and the boy out to my place for dinner tonight. That's an order." 1800 EST AJ's home Harm, Harm III and Mac got out of Harm's SUV and headed up to the deck where Sydney and AJ were sitting enjoying each others company. AJ heard the shutting of the doors and headed over to meet them. Harm looked down at his son and then to his CO. "Sir, this is my son Harmon the III, Harm this is, " Harm was saying when AJ interrupted. "You can call me uncle AJ." AJ said as he kneeled as best he could before the boy and shook his hand. Mac look over to see Harm had the same shocked expression that they both quickly hid as the Admiral stood up and led them to the back. After eating dinner, they all sat and watched Harm III play with Sydney's dog in the yard. "He's a great kid Harm, you are lucky that he is that well behaved." Sydney said. "Well one of you is going to have to go by a nickname. Two Harms is to many." AJ said. "I know, try fixing dinner with just them and you. Calling Jr. here commander all the time gets old." Mac replied teasing. "I will not be called Jr." Harm said. Frowning at the thought. "I guess if he doesn't mind he can go by Trey, for his number." He had dreamed of a son nicknamed Trey since he had made the deal with Mac. Mac stood up and leaned over the railing,"Harmon, come here for a minute." yelled out like a true mom. Bring smiles behind her back. "Yes ma'am." He said as he ran up on the deck. "What did you grandmother call you besides Harm or Harmon?" Harm asked his son. "She just called me boy. Never by my name." He replied back looking down at the ground as he spoke. Harm got down in front of his face and pushed his chin up so they were looking eye to eye. Not knowing really what to say he finally just asked him, " I want to know if you minded that we call you by a nickname, a name that would be just yours and one that would keep everyone from mixing us up." The boy just shrugged his shoulders. "How would you like to be called Trey, for the Harmon Rabb the III. Now there might be other boys with that name but in this family, it will be yours alone." "I guess that that would be okay. Could I still go by Harmon sometimes too?" "Yes, you can go by both of them. This way though everyone wont mistaking you for me and me for you." They all sat and watched as Harmon III mulled this decision over in his head. He finally said, "I think that being called Trey would be cool." Hugging his father. Mac stood and watched with tears in her eyes, she had watched the whole conversation watching how Trey moved and reacted, she had been there at one time in her life. When she was young and her father used to treat her like she was in the way. She had gotten some information about Trey's grandmother and knew that Harm was lucky that he got his son when he did. "Well Trey, "AJ said getting up and heading towards the sliding glass door. "how would you like to help me dip ice cream before you have to go home." The child seemed to beam with a new self respect with his new title, but before answering he looked at his father. Harm nodded yes and within seconds Trey was right behind AJ heading for the kitchen. Harm instantly recognized that Sarah was not with them anymore until she returned his gaze with a half-hearted smile. He was about to ask what when he saw her mouth later. Harm carried Trey into the house and up to the boys' room. Mac helped him get Trey ready for bed and tuck him. Her heart went to him for the life that he had lead till he had been handed to his father. She knew from Harm's look at the Admiral's that she didn't have to explain some of Trey's uneasiness. It was evident that they had a long road to help his son overcome the past hardships. She knew that they would do it though because their house would only know love instead of emptiness. As they were tucking him in she knew that in just 24 hours that the sleeping little boy had stole her heart forever. It also broke her heart that he wasn't hers with Harm but after late last nights revelation she knew that someday with Harm she would get to tuck her own child into bed. Harm caught the look in her eyes as he took her hand a led her downstairs to the kitchen. "You really want one don't you?" He finally asked. "Yes." She whispered. He sat and pondered for a moment. "Well I made a pact with this marine one time about going halves on a baby. Maybe I'll ask her if she wants to move up the date. The only thing is that I want her to be my wife first." I didn't hear what he just said did I? ìI am sure she won't mind moving up the date." She said looking straight ahead, not looking at him so she could keep it together. She felt him come up next to her and take her hands in his. "Well then Marine, will you marry me, become the mother of my children so I don't have to just dream about them anymore?" She looked into his eyes and sighed. Letting him sweat a minute of two before she answered. For a moment Harm thought that she was going to say no, but then she kissed him, a kiss that left nothing to be lost in the translation. After breaking apart, she said, "Yes, I will marry you." "There is one thing though that I want to wait for." He said as his shoulders relaxed from the tension of the moment. Seeing the misunderstanding in her eyes he went on, "I want the adoption of Trey to be final with both of our names on it. I want him to be ours completely. You may not be his birthmother but from now on, you are his mom." She kissed him again before answering. "Well I never thought that I would get to marry you Harmon Rabb and I told you one time that one Harmon Rabb was enough in my life and now you ask me to take on two of you forever as wife and mother. Geez, Harm Thank God I'm a Marine. No ordinary woman could handle such a task." She finished as they started laughing. "Oh, I forgot something." Harm said as he got up and raced off to his office with Mac following behind him. She found him going through a box marked family stuff as he finally found what he was looking for. He got up and turned back to her and handed her a small box. She carefully opened it and slowly took out the ring the rested inside of it. Harm took it from her and read the inscription. "Semper Fi Sarah. I bought this last year after I before I left for flying. After we made our pact when little AJ was born. I am not going to go backwards and try to rationalize why I didn't do this sooner but as you can see. I bought it for you." "Well then sir, please put it on." She ordered as she held up her left hand. Next Morning Rabb residence Mac woke up disorientated and quickly realized that she was in bed with Harm. His arm draped over her protectively. After awhile last night, talking had lead to kissing and them falling asleep on the couch. Or at least that was where she was when she had fallen asleep. Harm must have carried her to bed. She felt Harm waking up and moved up to kiss him. After breaking from it, "Don't start something you don't want to finish Marine." "Well if little prying eyes and work didn't exist, I would continue, but I need to get ready for work." She said getting up and stretching. It was about that time that Trey came running into the room, "hey sport, why are you up so early?" Harm asked his son as Trey leap onto the bed. "I don't know." Came his response along with, "What's for breakfast?" Mac giggled as Harm shot her a dirty look, "Well Trey, what do you want? I am sure that I can help you come up with something?" "Can you make French toast?" "I sure can, does daddy have all of the ingredients?" Mac asked. "Yes, daddy does right down to the powdered sugar." Harm answered. "Lets go then while daddy gets ready for work and you go and get ready school." "All right." Trey yelled as he sped out of the room to his. "I thought that you needed to leave and get ready for work?" Mac smiled and shook her head, "Harm I am a marine as you so nicely say it, I came prepared. I have an over night bag in my trunk with an extra uniform. Just in case I ended up over here for another night." "Well, when are you going to move in? I told you last night that this was your home too. No sense in paying rent on a place when you have a house payment to help make." "Oh so I see, you need me to help make the house payment." She said in mock hurt. "Just get your shower while I start breakfast so I can get mine." "Yes ma'am." He said saluting her and then drawing her to him for a kiss. Mac had been able to get a week continuance so that DDS could come out and interview them together as a family and to add her name to the petition. The Representative from DDS had been impressed with them and how well Trey was handling the new chapter in his life. He had been very excited when Mac and Harm had told him about their plans to get married and what he thought about Mac becoming his new mother. Mac had made sure that he knew that she wasn't trying to replace Shelly, he had understood in the only way a child could and told her that no one could replace his mommy, and that mommy wouldn't mind Mac filling for her. Two weeks later Court House 1000 EST The hearing was going to be simple, each party was going to say their piece and then the judge was going to make his ruling. All other necessary paperwork had been turned in along with the recommendations from DDS. Mac and Harm sat at one of three tables that had been set up for the custody hearing. The DDS was at one and the Olsen's who had had temporary custody of Trey as foster parents were at the other. They were trying to make Harm into a navy playboy that had no concept of family life or commitment because of his past relationships, that he was an wanderer and that the boy would never know a stable life because of all of the transfers that went along with military service. It was all Harm could do to sit still through some of it but Mac had stilled him with a brush along his leg with her hand. "Is that all Mr. Wilson? Is there anything else bad you want to say about Commander Rabb before he defends himself?" The Judge asked. Upset with the judge's words, Wilson coughed and sat down. "Commander Rabb, I know that you are somewhat upset with how you have painted in here today, but please keep it short and simple." "Yes sir. Well I will begin with the fact that I don't have a girl in every port, I am engaged and seeing as how she is a Marine, I don't like upsetting her. We have known each other for several years and she has been by my side through thick and thin. We plan on starting a family as soon as things settle down, and before you say anything Mr. Wilson. Trey thinks that it will be cool to be an older brother. I have been in the Navy since I joined the Naval Academy and have served with honorable service. I started as a pilot and after a crash, attended Law school and have since served at JAG HQ since with a small stint of carrier duty as a pilot again. I will be transferred soon to the Capital as the Legal Advisor on military affairs. So I won't be getting out of Washington much and Trey will have a stable home for some time. As for my fiancÈe, she is the Chief of Staff at JAG HQ, so she will not be transferred any time soon either. Where will we live, well I bought a home for my new family and it has 5 bedrooms and plenty of yard space for a growing boy to play in. And finally, why I never looked for my son and never wanted him before now? I never knew about him till Mrs. Jackson from DDS called me a couple of months ago and why do I want him now? I never knew my father; he died in Vietnam when I was six. I want my son to have a chance to know me and love me. He already calls me dad like we have known each other since he was born. I don't think that it is right to take him away from me right now. He needs to know stability and I think that I, "looking down to Mac, "that we can provide that." "Very good Commander. And thank you for not slamming the Olson's. I have already read the reports from DDS and agree with them. I am sorry John and Kitty, but Trey needs his father. I there for give full custody to him and Colonel Mackenzie. They have what it takes and will give him the home that he needs. I will add that in one year from today, you may get a visitation with him and see how he is doing. Is that all right with you commander?" "Uh, yes sir that is fine. If they will give me their home address I will send them pictures, but I do request that they stay away and don't antagonize him. He has been through enough." "Bailiff, send in Mr. Harmon Rabb III." Mac took Harm's hand into her own as Trey entered the room. In just a few minutes she would be signing the paperwork to make the boy her son and herself a mother. Wow was all she could think. She saw the happiness in Harm's eyes as he watched his son come over to them. "Do I get to go home with you?" He asked in a small voice with his eyes looking to the ground. Harm had expected to win but had prepared them all for the worst. Lifting the young lads face up so that he could look into his face with tears in his eyes, Harm shook his head yes, "Yes Trey, you get to come home with us?" "You mean the judge is going to let her be my mommy too?" "Yes, I am now your mommy." Mac said as the tears started too. The Olson's just sat and watched the scene as Trey jumped into Mac's lap and hugged her. Harm leaned over and took both of them into his embrace. After a few minutes Trey walked over to the other table and said goodbye to the Olson's who then left. Mr. Wilson kept muttering about an appeal and finally John shoved him away. The judge for his part was a spectator until the clerk brought out the paperwork for them to sign. "All right lets get this over with so you guys can go out and celebrate." Surprising them all, "do you do weddings sir?" Trey asked as he signed his name. "Yes son I do, why?" "Could you marry them now?" Mac looked over to Harm. They hadn't let anyone besides AJ know that they were a couple or about Trey. She stopped short as she saw the grin that came across his face. " What a good idea son. What do you say Marine?" "I do?" She said as she smiled back. "Well let's finish this paperwork and we'll get you two hitched." The clerk smiled, she had been standing outside with Trey and knew that he was going to ask so she brought along a license too. 30 minutes later, the Rabb family left the courthouse hand in hand. JAG HQ Thursday Morning May 11th 2000 The next day Mac had had the night of her dreams as she and Harm had finally made love as man and wife. She had hated to wait till they got married and was she ever glad the Trey had pushed it that morning that they get married. Of course her son having their wedding rings that they had picked out in his pocket had made the entire thing even sweeter. The fact that she was now a mother of an 8-year-old still stunned her but at least she hadn't had to call her mother last night and give her the news. Trish had read Harm the riot act over the phone and after groveling for awhile and promising to bring his wife and son out to California for a summer vacation, she had settled down. Mac had talked with her for some time too after Harm had been raked over the coals. She knew that she as going to like her mother in law and had found an instant friend. She listened as Trish gave some advice about 8 year old boys and then had said goodbye so that Mac could give her men some hell. "Colonel Mackenzie? The Admiral would like to see you and Commander Rabb ASAP." ìThank you Tiner, I will get the Commander." "Come on Hon, the Admiral wants us." She said without realizing what she had called him. Harm just smiled and let it pass. "Yes Ma'am." They came to attention and waited for AJ to finish his phone call. He smiled a small smile as he caught their wedding bands and then went back to business and grabbed the hook off his desk and went to scratching inside his cast. "Well I don't have to ask how everything went yesterday since I figure Mr. Rabb will be adding you too Colonel to his dependent list." It took Mac a second to figure out how he knew that, and then she remembered her wedding ring. "Yes sir, we got custody of our son and he insisted that we get married. How could we deny him that?" "I suggest Colonel that you learn to say no to your son or you will be wrapped around his little finger. And as much as I hate this, your transfer to the hill has been approved and starts in 2 weeks. Of course since congress will be out you will serve here helping the backlog of cases. And lastly, when do you want leave for your honeymoon?" "The 1st 2 weeks of July sir. My mother in law insists that we come out and visit her then. I wanted to go earlier but with Trey in school and mom pissed at he Commander here, July would be better for all." Mac said straight faced as Harm looked at her in shock. AJ just laughed. "Just give me the dates Colonel so I can pass them on and make sure you are free then. Does anyone else in the office know?" "No sir, we wanted to keep it hush hush till we knew for sure that Trey would be ours. We have discussed and decided that we will tell everyone at the softball game Saturday. That way we can get used to everything and let certain others know before it becomes common knowledge." "Very well. That sounds like a good idea to me. And on me, take the rest of the day off and do your casework at home. I don't think that you want to be here anyway and tomorrow too." "Thank you sir. I believe we will take you up on that offer. We need to finish moving Sarah's stuff along with taking care of a few other matters." "Dismissed." As they left the Admiral's office it was all they could do to keep from holding each other's hands. Thursday Later that afternoon Rabb Residence Mac flopped back on the couch as Harm and Trey brought in the last of her things, they had been moving all day with the exception of picking Trey up from school and she was worn out. "Is that everything Mom?" Trey asked like a child made to work over his allotted time. "Yes son," she smiling as the words rolled off her tongue, "that is the last of it, just put it with the rest in that room next to yours. When I have time this weekend we'll go through it." "Alright, then can I go and play with Jingo?" "Sure, until the pizza gets here." Mac said as the boy scampered up the stairs. "I didn't know you have so much stuff, especially in a furnished apartment." "Well I've lived there for 5 years Harm, I accumulated a lot of stuff. Besides, Trey told me I had a lot less than you did." She said as she gave him a shove. Then she sat back and sighed. "What?" "I just realized that in one short month, I found out that you really loved me, you have a son, you asked me to marry you and I adopted said son, and now here we are, married to each other with our son playing in the back yard. It was suddenly over whelming." "What? That we both finally got what we really wanted with a great bonus." He said as he pulled her next to him as he sat down beside her. " I didn't ask before, but seeing as we have been married now for all of 24 plus hours, did you ever send Mic back the ring?" Mac sat still for a moment and pondered how she was going to say this without hurting him, but he did it for her. "You didn't because of the swiftness of everything or haven't because you weren't sure about me?" Taking a deep breath, " Yes and no. I knew how you felt, but, " "Were afraid that I would chicken out like I did on the ferry. I totally understand, but that man across the ocean deserves to know that you are a married woman now and that you are mine for eternity." "He was on assignment for a couple of weeks so it also made it easier, he is supposed to call me Sunday, so I will call him then." " Well I am just glad that you don't have to face him when you tell him. Of course I wouldn't want to be around him either. He already hates me and this will just fuel it even more." "I just plan on telling him that I cant marry him Harm, I wouldn't dream of letting him know that we are married for some time if I ever tell him. I am going to hurt him enough as it is." Harm was about to say some thing else when the doorbell rang. He kept ringing but didn't understand why she wasn't answering. "Yo, dude. You can bang on that door and ring that bell till you are blue in the face but that chic ain't going to answer that door." A woman said as she came out of her apartment. "And why is that?" Mic asked. "Her and her son moved out yesterday." "Excuse me? She and her son?" "Well when a boy calls a woman mommy several times, one would just assume that they belong together. I didn't know she had a child but then I just moved in 2 months ago. She hadn't been in a lot lately." "Do you know where she might have moved?" "Nope, and the manager is out of town and I don't think that she has officially let them know yet." "Thanks." He said as he headed back to the stairs. He thought back over all of his conversations that he had had with Sarah, not once had she ever mentioned a son. Of Rabb would know, he knew more things about Sarah than she had ever told him and he was her fiancÈ. Almost fiancÈe', if he could ever get her to move that ring over. After a drive he found himself over at Union Station looking for Harm. A quick look around told him that Harm's SUV was no where to be seen so he headed to a hotel. I will just grab her at JAG in the morning. 0800 EST JAG HQ Friday Morning Mic entered the bullpen and looked around. He had gotten there early so he could surprise her and found Bud staring at him. "Hello Bud, how is the family? Mac tells me that you and Harriet are expecting another, congratulations." "Thank you sir. I am surprised to see you here." "Well I came to surprise my lady, do you know what time she is due in by chance?" "No sir I don't, she has been out all week and doesn't plan on coming in today either." Harm took a step from the elevator and ran over the Admiral as he jumped in the other one as it opened, causing them both to fall back. "Uh, sorry sir. I didn't mean to knock you over." Harm said as he scrambled to help AJ up. "You had better have a good, no make that great reason for nearly breaking my other leg Commander. I thought I gave you the day off." Swallowing first since he didn't know how AJ was going to take this, " You did but I needed some notes on a case." "Then why the escape?" "Commander Brumby was talking to Bud sir, he has been undercover for the past few weeks and Mac hasn't.." "Oh God, she hasn't told him yet that she married you and now has a son with you. I didn't need that this morning Commander." After straightening up his uniform and getting his crutches set right he turned to Harm, " Go home and enjoy this morning of peace, tell you wife to get her personal life in order. I don't need another fight between you and Brumby." He said as Harm saluted him and got off the elevator when the doors opened. " Oh, and Commander." "Sir?" "Consider this my wedding present. You and the Colonel own me and I will collect." "Aye aye sir. Ah, sir? What are you going to tell him?" Harm asked but wasn't given any reply back as the door shut. He immediately grabbed his cell phone and called home. "Hello?" "Sarah, guess who is at JAG right now and who is coming home and who owes their CO more than they ever wanted to owe?" "Oh no." "Oh Yes. I'll be home in a few minutes. Love ya." Upstairs AT JAG HQ The Admiral had a smirk on his face that Bud had no clue was about but saw that he lost it as he saw Mic. " Commander Brumby" "Sir. I was wondering if you knew anything about what is going on with Colonel Mackenzie right now?" "My office Commander." AJ said as he hobbled that way. After shutting the door, " Well sir. I would really like to know?" "I have no idea what the Colonel is doing right now." She is most likely pacing and wearing a hole in the carpet he thought. " She will be in next week and if you will leave Tiner where you are staying I will pass it on." "Thank you sir. I was also wondering where Commander Rabb is? I am hoping that he maybe can spread some light on a matter." Oh I bet he could, AJ thought too. " No, I don't know where he is right now. He has had some private matter to attend to. He hasn't been in much the past few months. Anything else?" "No sir." Mic didn't like the last part about Harm and a personal matter. "Then dismissed." I would really hate to be in that mans shoes, Harms or Mac's. Moments later Mic caught Bud on his way out, "if you see or hear from Mac or Harm, let them know I am in town." "Sure sir. I think that they might be at the game tomorrow at Turner Park." "Well then mate, see you in the morning." Friday night May 12th 2000 McMurphy's Tavern 2000 EST Trey had made a friend with the boy next door and after a visit with his parents off and on over the past couple of days, Mac and Harm felt secure in letting Trey spent the night. So taking advantage of having a sitter, Harm had taken Mac out for dinner and dancing. "I am so glad that you suggested this and drug me out. I have been stressed out from this past week and needed something like this." "You are welcome Mrs. Rabb. Anytime you need dinner and dancing let me know. We may have to settle for the kitchen but I know that I can show you a good time." He finished with a kiss. They were caught up in themselves and missed seeing Harriet and Bud, who too found a sitter, entering the bar with Mikey. "Hey Bro? Isnt that Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie?" He said as he pointed them out on the dance floor. "Ya, that is. On my." Harriet said as she watched the couple kiss. "This isn't good." Bud said as they sat down, with none of them losing site of Harm and Mac. "What Bud?" "If they are seeing each other, and it is obvious that they are, what is Commander Brumby going say about it." "Well it isnt like he is here in DC, and if she decides to sent the ring back, at least she wont have to face him." Harriet said in the hopes that Mac and Harm had finally told each other how they felt. After looking a little closer she noticed that the ring she was staring at was on Mac's left hand, not her right. " Look Bud, the ring has moved." Bud had sat there quiet as he too saw that there was a ring on the Colonel's left hand, but he had seen the other ring enough to know that the set was different. " You're wrong about Mic not being in DC, he got here yesterday and that ring isnt the one that he gave her. And I bet the Admiral is going to be pissed when they get back to work next week." "Have they been off?" "Yes, remember I told you that they had been off all week except for a brief appearance on Wednesday." "Well I think that you two need to make sure that they know that this Mic dude is in town." Mikey said as pondered over the menu. "Well I will let her know in the morning at the game." "We better do it now. I told Mic about the game." "BUD!" she said loud enough to get Mac and Harm's attention. With just a look they both knew that they had been seen and that there was no way to escape. " Lets tell them now so we can get the hurt over with before that game." Harm said. "They are going to kill us." She said as she took Harm's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze as they came over to where the Roberts were sitting. " I am surprised to see you guys out without one of us babysitting." "Well Ma'am, Harriet's mom and dad are here and giving us a break while they buy stuff for the new little guy." "Well that's great. I understand how finding a sitter can be a pain." Mac said. "Uh Sir, Ma'am, I should let you know that Commander Brumby is in town and is looking for you both. Mainly the Colonel though." "The Admiral called me at home and let me know. Thanks Bud. I will give him a call some time tomorrow afternoon and have a talk with him." "I told him about the game in the morning." "Gee, thanks Bud." Harm said a little ruder than he meant. "Harm, it isn't his fault that we have been keeping secrets. He was just trying to be friendly." She said scolding her husband. "Sorry Bud. I just don't look forward to facing Mic after Mac gets though with him." He saw her shake her head as he went on, " Especially when he finds out that she is married to me." "You two got married, when and why didn't you let us know." "Harriet, they are our superiors." "So, they are the closest friends we have Bud and I want to know." Mac and Harm both laughed and then sat down to join them. Harm spoke first. " We should add that we also have a son, mine from a relationship many years ago." "He's eight and we got married after we signed the adoption papers earlier this week. We didn't let anyone know because we didn't want Trey to get to know everyone if he was going to be taken away." "Trey?" Harm smiled, " Harmon Rabb the III." Bud laughed, " I thought you said one time ma'am that one Harmon Rabb as enough in your life." "I did Bud, but I am a marine so I think that I can handle the job." They all laughed at that one. Mac and Harm sat and talked with the Roberts for about an hour and between takes about Trey and apologizing from both sides of the table. When Harriet yawned Bud decided it was time to go, " I need to get her home." He said. "No problem, we need to get home too. It is going to be a long day tomorrow. And Bud." "Yes sir?" "Stay out of the middle." "Aye aye sir." A short time later Rabb residence Harm opened the door and let Mac walk in. They hadn't said much since Harm's last comment to Bud about staying out of the middle. Mac knew deep down that no matter what she said that there would be a fight, she just hoped that she wasn't the one fixing food for Harm to eat out of a blender. She suddenly laughed as she tried to think with her tired brain what salad soup tasted like. Harm was caught off guard and gave her a funny look as he led the way to their bedroom. "Sorry, just lost in thought." "What were you thinking about?" "What salad soup would taste like if Mic happens to break your jaw." "I'm hurt Mac. I think that I can defend myself against the Aussie quite well." "Oh, I have no doubt about that. I was just thinking about what poor Bud went through the last time." "Um hm. Come on Marine, a quick shower and to bed with us." "Just a quick shower?" She said with a glint of mischievousness in her eyes as she started to undress as she headed into the master bath, a stupidly smiling sailor followed her. Saturday morning 0830 EST On the beltway Trey had come bouncing in at 730 and had quickly gotten ready while his parents had a quiet discussion down stairs. He was kinda scared about meeting all of the people that they worked with but was excited too. "Now remember Trey that most of these people have known your father and I for years and that finding out about you and us getting married will surprise all of them." "I know mom. I promise to be good. Is the uncle AJ and Sydney going to be there?" "Yes, and while we are playing, why don't you sit with them and Harriet." "Isn't she the one you said is going to ask me a lot of questions?" Mac hit Harm across the chest as he tried to contain his laugh at Trey's comment about Harriet. " Owww. Yes Trey, she will ask a lot of questions but you don't have to tell her anything you don't want to." Harm pulled into a parking space and popped the back. Trey and Mac helped him get out their softball gear and cooler. "Morning Sir, Ma'am. Is this Trey?" Bud asked as the walked up beside them. "Yes Bud, Harriet. This is Trey. Trey this is Bud and Harriet Roberts and their son AJ." "Hi." Trey said shyly as AJ toddled over to him. "He is so cute Commander. A small version of you." "Morning people. Lets move it so we can get a count of whose playing." Big AJ said as he got out of his truck. Aye, aye sirs came from the whole group that was standing there. 20 minutes later found the team from JAG warming up and waiting for the other team to arrive. "Looks like we may win on a forfeit." AJ said as he stood coaching from the dugout. "Well as much as I would like to play, there are other things I would like to be doing." Harm said as Mac looked at him and then threw the ball as hard as she could at him. A few minutes later the Ump called the game and the JAG team gathered at the dugout for a quick meeting before dispersing. "I have a few announcements and then we are all free to leave. 1st there is a game next Saturday at 11 am, that team is in second behind us so I know that we will play. Due to the case loads, there will just be a batting practice at home run alley on Wednesday from 1900 to 2000 for all that want to show up or are in town. Lastly, and this is about the Commander and Colonel, and they asked me this morning to announce it. The young man you see sitting with Lt Roberts is Commander Rabb's son. He just got custody of him last week when he also married Colonel Mackenzie. The Commander is being transferred to the Hill and will assist when congress is out. Any questions?" He asked as everyone gathered around Harm and Mac to offer congrats to both. Trey came over as Harm introduced him. With all of the commotion no one saw Mic come up. "Well mates you must have won with all of the backslapping that is going on." He said. Everyone stopped and glanced around between Harm, Mac and Mic. Many just stopped and stared for a moment until AJ spoke up, " why don't we all head over to the picnic area and set up for lunch, at least those of you who are staying." Within a few seconds the whole group moved out of the battle zone and with the Admiral. Except Mac and Harm. With a pat on the shoulder, Harm pushed Trey towards the benches to gather his and Mac's gear. "Just leave hers lad." "What's he going to do with mommy's stuff?" Trey asked not knowing what he was saying or starting. "Go on head sport and pick out a spot with the Admiral." "Okay." Trey said warily as he passed by Mic, who was starting to get a sinking feeling and very pissed off. Waiting at least till Trey was out of earshot, " When were you going to tell me you had a son Mac? When we got married?" "I just adopted him Mic." "Well shouldn't you have consulted me on that first?" "Lay off Mic." Harm said as he stepped closer to Mac. "This isn't any of your business Rabb so stay out of it." He said grabbing Mac's arm in an attempt to get away from Harm. "Let go Mic." She said pulling free. "We need to talk." Harm inched closer as Mac looked angrily at Mic who became oblivious to Harm. "I want children Mac but our own, you should have told me that you were planning this. At least he isn't yours from your past. I had all sorts of ideas, like he was Farrow's or you late ex's. And why didn't you let me know that you were moving?" Mac didn't have time to answer as Trey came running back up, " Dad, can I have the keys to the car. I left my cup in there." Mic for his part kindly didn't say a word until Trey was out of hearing again. This time the seething came out as he spat out. " He is you son?" "Yes, he is my son, Harm the III, we call him Trey. And since you won't let her talk, I will." "Harm, this needs to come from me." "Well spit it out Sarah, why are you sharing custody of Rabb's son?" "Because I am his wife. Harm and I got married. I thought that you were out on a case and I planned on calling and telling you tomorrow. I am so sorry that it didn't turn out Mic." Mic stood the stunned for a few seconds and then without warning swung and hit Harm square in the jaw and knocked him to the ground. Mac and Trey immediately along with the JAG spectators reacted. Mac being the closest tried to pull Mic off of Harm as he jumped on him and continued hitting him in the chest. As she tried to stop him, Mic swung and hit Mac along side her head and knocked her out as Trey whacked him over the head with a baseball bat. Bud arrived just seconds afterwards and helped Harm get the unconscious form of Mic Brumby off of him while Trey ran over to Mac. Sydney came over to Mac first as AJ ordered Bud to check out Mic. Mac was groggy but she came around quickly. "Didn't duck again Marine." Harm finally got out as he shook his head clear. He hadn't even seen the punch that Mic landed. A, " Humph." Was all he got from Mac as she rubbed her head and finally focused in on Mic, " Who hit him?" "I did. He was hurting you and Daddy." Trey whispered. "Come here son." Mac said trying to comfort the child." I am all right and so is daddy. Are you okay?" "Yes." He mumbled out. "Mic will live, since it was the younger Rabb that hit him but we better call an ambulance anyway." Sydney ordered as she produced some ammonia caps from her bag. Mic was instantly awakened by the cap and looked around for Harm. "That's enough Commander Brumby. You have done enough damage today. If you want more answers and can act like a gentleman, I will see if the Colonel is will to meet you sometime at my place. Otherwise you leave her and the Commander alone." "Yes sir. Who hit me?" He asked rubbing his head. "One should never turn their back on a Rabb, even if he is 8 years old. And especially when they are protecting each other." The realization that Trey had hit him took most of the wind out of his sail as he saw the terror the 8-year-old had of him and the anger in Mac's eyes because of it. He didn't even look at Harm. "And Mic, I wouldn't press charges if I were you, there are to many witnesses for the Rabb family and most of them would defend them in a heart beat." "No sir, I don't plan on it. I am just sorry that I let my pride go to my head and lead me to scare this young lad. He was just doing what any boy should do, protecting his parents. You are lucky Harm. He seems to be a great boy." Harm just nodded and got up to look at Mac and put his arm around Trey and pulled him close. The ambulance arrived and took Mic in. Tiner and Gunny drove Mic's rental car to the hospital and stayed with Mic till he was released. 2200 EST Rabb Residence Harm studied the bruise that was still forming on his chin. He was lucky that Mic only got his jaw once, the bruises on his chest were another matter and even though he fought the entire way, Mac had taken him to a clinic for x-rays and a check up. She put up a small fight but was checked out too. Harm looked over at her as she came out of the bathroom. He noticed that she had a nice bruise forming along the side of her face. " Shut up now dear, or I will add to yours." She said as they stood in front of the mirror. Harm took the towel from her and finished drying her hair while he tried to relax. " I wonder what everyone who wasn't there today will say about the bruises?" "I have make up Harm that should cover it up nicely. And I won't let anyone ever think that you are a monster this early in our marriage." "Thank you dear. I appreciate that." "Did Trey have any problem falling asleep?" "No, he was out like a light. Even though he still kinda scared at what happened today, he still feels like a hero after Mic's comment about defending his parents. I told that was fine but to never hit anyone with a bat again unless threatened." "My little hero." " Are we sleeping in Colonel or are we running in the morning?" "Lets sleep in and make Sundays a sleep in day. Good with you?" "You bet, I would love to sleep in with you. Hell I love just sleeping with you and making love with you, there are a millions things that I would love to just do with you. "Well work on number 2 on your list and work on your promise." "Deal." He said as he threw the towel across the room and pushed her back onto the bed. Monday JAG HQ Mac was glad that the day was almost over, the stares at her and Harm had finally stopped from those that they considered non friendly, like one Lt. Singer who had not been a happy camper when she heard the news that she and Harm were married. ' I guess she thought that Mic would take me away and leave her an opening.' So when Mic entered her office she was caught totally off guard. "Mic, what are you doing here?" After taking a deep breath, "I came to apologize and say good bye. I had no right the other day to just fly off the handle like that." "I'm sorry too Mic, I should have told you sooner but, ì "Its okay Sarah. I understand, my anger just got the best of me, I always knew that I would lose to Harm. Reality just hit me harder that I thought it would. Of course, finding out the way I did didn't help. I also want to apologize to you and Harm about what your son saw. I should have had better restraint. I know I scared him good." "I will tell Harm, I really don't think that you two should meet again for awhile. Trey is still getting used to all of the changes in his life, and seeing a stranger attack his parents didn't help." "Can we at least part friends?" "I think that can be arranged, but it will take me some time to convince Harm and Trey." "I can understand that, and," as Mic smiled, "Give me some time before you come and visit too." They both let out a laugh and she got up and came around to hug him. " Take care Mic." "I will, keep in touch?" "Sure." "Bye Sarah." "Mic." Sarah watched as he left and boarded the elevators. It was then that she noticed Harm leaning against the wall near the kitchen, watching her and Mic's talk. Harm headed over to his office and flashed her a smile to let her know that he was okay, but she saw his eyes flash that read I would have let him have it if he had caused a scene. She smiled back; all was good in the world for the Rabb's. At least till the next crisis. |
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