|
Title: Lemon Pudding Author: Ali Cherry Summary: Takes place after The Return. Simply cause Harm's home and I use the new Gunny. Disclaimer: Don't own, never will. Lemon Pudding"That'll be all Corporal." Harm Rabb smiled at his client gently as the shaky Corporal stepped down from the witness stand. Behind him, Rabb heard the door to the courtroom open and shut. The Commander walked slowly back to his seat, noticing the Gunny striding towards him with a piece of paper held in his hand. In the prosecution chair Bud's face was masked with stoic hardness, even as Harm watched curiosity twinkle in his eyes. I wonder if he thinks Gunny has more evidence, Harm thought to himself. The Gunny made eye contact with Harm and held out a slip of paper. Harm grabbed it and read. "Frank Burnett shot at work. Call Mom Urgent." Harm felt the blood rush to his toes. Oh God. His eyes wouldn't move from the slip of paper in his hand. Frank, Oh God. His hand started to tremble. "Commander? Do you have any more witnesses?" Harm looked up at the judge. I'm in court. I'm an officer. I have a job. Oh God Frank. "No Admiral." Did I say that? Harm looked at Bud again. He still had on his lawyer face. He looked back at the Gunny. Then back to the sheet of paper. "Do you have a problem with that Commander?" "What sir?" "I said we're going to break for lunch and then I'll hear closing statements." "Yes sir." Shot. "We'll reconvene at 1300. Dismissed." The gavel came down and Harm was still staring at that sheet of paper. Then with precision he packed up his folders picked up his cover and briefcase and calmly walked through the doors. Into the waiting form of Gunnery Sergeant Galindez. "Gunny, can you do me a favor? I need a flight into southern California the earlier the better. Anytime after 1600. Try San Diego first if not there, John Wayne or LAX. If you're desperate try Ontario." "Yes Sir. Should I arrange for a rental car?" "Please. TINER!" The young Petty Officer looked up from where he was flipping through baby pictures of Little AJ. "Yes, sir?" "I need a moment of the Admiral's time, yesterday." "I'll see what I can do Commander." "Thanks." Harm was left standing in the middle of the bullpen staring at the monitors. ZNN. Mom. Harm quick walked to his office, the staff staring at his rapidly moving form. The door's thang as it shut was only slightly less than an outright slam. Two minutes later he emerged with three thick case files in his arms and visited Imes, Mattoni and Brumby. The door shut with much less conviction. Ten minutes later the Gunny hung up the phone and walked to Harm's office. He found Tiner lingering outside. "He's been like that for the past five minutes. I didn't want to disturb him." The gunny looked inside. The Commander was hunched over in his seat. He held his forehead between his thumb and forefinger. The rest of the hand shaded the Commander's expressive eyes. The two men didn't need to see the dark depths to taste the grief, bitter and thick like lemon pudding. Gunny didn't really care for lemon pudding. "TINER! I thought that Commander Rabb needed to see me immediately!" The Admiral's shout across the bullpen disturbed Harm and he started. Harm got up and moved towards the Admiral's office. With the door shut firmly behind him, the Admiral took a seat and looked at Harmon Rabb. There was no twinkle in his eye, no hint of smile at his mouth, no creases from too much laughter. He looked like a different man. The jaw was set with pain, and the lips firm small lines of pinkish white. He carried three thick files. "Well what do you need Commander." "Sir, I need a few personal days." "Can't do it Commander. We're short staffed." "Sir, my step-father was shot and killed this morning. A disgruntled worker opened fire in his office building." "What cases do you have?" "I have a DoD. Lt. Fitzgerald. Commander Imes said she could handle it." Harm handed it over. "Ensign Jones has a plea bargain in process. Mattoni said he was going to take it. Bud can supervise. And Major Charring is a UA. Brumby said he take it." Harm handed over the other two files. "Aren't you in court today, Commander?" "Yes, sir. We have closing arguments after lunch." "Very well. If the verdict isn't in by the time you leave, I'll stand with your client when it does." "Thank you, sir." The Commander stood at attention to be dismissed. "I'm sorry for your loss, Harm." "Thank you, Sir. I'll give your condolence to my mother." "You do that Commander." The admiral turned back to his work. "Dismissed." "Aye aye, sir." "Take these with you and pass them out." The admiral handed the case files over. "Yes sir." Harm felt like an ambush was imminent as soon as the door to the Admiral's inner sanctum closed. Tiner was there, presumably looking for Harm to fall apart. Tiner doesn't think like that, he's just trying to be thoughtful. And Gunny was holding a sheet of paper with scribbles all over it. "Tiner what time is it?" "1235, Sir." 25 minutes to get his emotions under control. "What do you have for me Gunny?" "Sir, I got you a flight into San Diego. Take off time tonight is 1800, you land in San Diego at 1900 their time. You have a rental car standing by from Hertz; I didn't exactly ask what you got. But it was pretty cheap." "That's fine." Harm had made a circuit as they walked, throwing thick files into unsuspecting hands. "I rented it for four days since I didn't know how long it would take." "That's fine." "I'll have all the information typed up when you're done for the afternoon." "Thanks Gunny, I owe you. Whatever you need, it's yours." "No need, Sir." Harm closed the door to his office behind the Gunny. He had fifteen minutes to pretend Frank hadn't been shot. That he wasn't lying in some pathology lab in La Jolla having his guts dissected. The Commander finished his closing arguments. Looking at the clock he realized it was just 1330. His flight left at 1800. An hour at the airport, half an hour to the airport. Fifteen minutes to pack. Just a little to long. The judge sighed. "I don't need the time to deliberate. I find that there is insufficient evidence to warrant a court-martial. Corporal you are free to return to your duties." Everyone was jubilant, the Corporal, hell even Bud. Harm felt like an Iceberg in the middle of a warm ocean. His emotions were frigid numb, coloring their happy responses. He smiled, the gesture not producing happiness or laugh lines. It felt faked. Hell it was faked. I never told him. Harm left the celebration behind him to finish up the paper work for the case. Inside his office he picked up the picture Bud had snapped on a case last year. The group had visited Harm's home for dinner. Harm had tried to stop Mac from telling an embarrassing story, by covering her mouth with his hand and she had licked him. His expression in the photo clearly said yuck, Mac's said I got him. And Trish and Frank said I love you, I love our child, I love his partner, and this is happiness. That was happiness. Paperwork now, grieving later. Harm didn't know how, but Gunny had smoothed every detail with the airline. He had no hassles at check in, the attendant especially helpful and quiet. She had looked at him with friendly sympathy and had him sign a few forms. Then another attendant walked him to the gate and sat him next to an elderly woman. They didn't speak to each other. They were called for pre-boarding and shown to adjoining seats in first class. They were safely up in the air, guarded by the flight attendants, when the elderly lady spoke. "Who did you loose?" Harm looked over at her, she was looking out the window, and sadness was creeping around her skin like heavy makeup, obscuring her lively face. "Excuse me?" "Well, since we are being hovered over, like we're about to break. I assumed you lost someone in the shooting at Chrysler." "Yeah, my step-dad. Frank." "Frank Burnett?" "Yeah." "My daughter talked about him all the time. Said he was always raving about his kid. A Lt Commander in the Navy." "Harmon Rabb." "Sybil Palter." They were quiet. "Your daughter died?" "Yeah. She died in the ambulance." A tear leaked down her face. No matter how much he didn't know about this woman, he put his arm around her and held her as tears escaped down her face. Harm spent the rest of the flight holding Mrs. Palter, while she fiddled with his handkerchief. Harm and Mrs. Palter remained seated as the rest of the passengers disembarked. "Commander Rabb?" Harm looked up, a man in flight uniform with wings on his chest walked forward. "I'm Captain Briggs. My Co Pilot told me there was a celebrity on this plane and I didn't believe him." "Excuse me?" "Even us civilian pilots have heard about the Kosov incident." "Oh." "I was sorry to hear that we were transporting you under such sad circumstances. I'm sorry for your loss. Yours as well ma'am." "Thank You, Captain." "It was a pleasure meeting you Commander." The pilot nodded at them and left, leaving the area deserted. "Are you ready Commander?" "Harm. Call me Harm." "Shall we." They stood up and walked to the exit, where a man in a suit waited. "Harmon Rabb? Sybil Palter? I'm Harvey Linton from Daimler Chrysler. If you'll follow me, I have cars waiting. Mr. Rabb, I spoke with a Mr. Galindez and he has cancelled the reservation for the rental car. When we called to make arrangements for your transportation, he informed us that they had already been made. I hope you don't mind if we upgraded you a bit." "No Sir." "Frank was a good man and Debbie was the best, Mrs. Palter, I'm sorry for your loss." "Thank you Mr. Linton." "Mr. Rabb, I understand you'll be staying with your mother? And Mrs. Palter we have you checked into the Hilton." Mr. Linton kept up the conversation never letting them speak as they made their way through the terminal. When they passed the baggage claim Harm dug in his heels. "Our Luggage?" "Being taken care of, Mr. Rabb." He kept walking. When they stepped through the sliding glass doors of the airport, both Mrs. Palter and Harm stopped. There in front, was a Limo and a 99 Mercedes M-Class. "The M-Class is an upgrade from what you usually drive, Mr. Rabb." Harm heard the sneer in Mr. Linton voice. "If it makes you feel any better, I talked my friend into a Caravan." Beside him Mrs. Palter giggled. She leaned in close. "Don't tell this guy, but Debbie just bought me a Volkswagen Bug. You know the new ones." Her smiled turned bittersweet. "Well I didn't talk my friend into the Caravan. His wife did." Mrs. Palter smiled up at Harm. "Thank you, Harm." She walked over and got into the back of the Limo. Harm watched as his luggage was loaded into the back of the SUV. The keys were dangled in front of him. "Mr. Rabb. We'll be releasing the names of the victims tomorrow. I'm afraid it's a slow news week. The press will probably start hounding you." "Thank you for the warning. You'll take care of Mrs. Palter?" "Yes." Harm grabbed the keys. He still had a forty-five minute drive home. He took a deep breath and climbed into the car. Frank was gone. "Hey Colonel. You're back early from the Kitty Hawk aren't you?" Bud's voice called to Mac as she passed by where he was sitting in front of Harm's computer. "Yeah. And now I'm heading home for some sleep. Clean up your mess Bud or Harm'll kill you." "Yes Ma'am." Mac smiled as she dumped her excess files and checked her e-mail. Home, bed and tomorrow she would get to collect that bet she'd made with Harm. Harm pulled in front of his old home and cut the engine. It looked the same. There was no shroud of death that hung over yard. There were no ghosts lazily moving the porch swing. Harm climbed out of the car and grabbed his luggage. He stopped with his foot on the first step. If he tried really hard, he could see Frank laughing like a Hyena on the top step as Mac and his mom ganged up on him. No tears, I'm still in uniform. His head counseled him, 'Deep breath and go inside, where you fought with him for years, where you punched him, where he stood in front of you when your mother was about to kill you. Where you shook hands with him. Where he told you that he liked your Mac. Where he looked so betrayed when you told him you had bought a Lexus. Go home.' Harm opened the door. "Mom I'm here." "Hey Bud. Have you seen Commander Rabb?" Mac stuck her had into Bud's tiny office. He looked up from a file he was contemplating. "No ma'am. I think he might have called in sick. He didn't look too good yesterday and the Admiral reassigned his plea bargain to me." "Hmmm. Thanks Bud." "You're welcome." Mac walked back to her office pausing to stand in the doorway of Harm's. It seemed empty without him. She noticed the frame lying on his desk. She smiled. She remembered the dinner they had had at Harm's old home. It was a moment when she knew she was home, that she had a family. Trish and Frank had made her feel like a daughter. She picked up the photo and placed it back on the bookshelf where it belonged and head for her new partner's office. "Hey Mic. Do you know where Harm is?" Mic looked up. "No. He asked me to take his UA case and then he left. You might want to ask Gunny. He was rattling off times yesterday when the Commander threw this file at me. Mac what's this word?" He pointed to a word scrawled in Harm's usual handwriting. "Death." She chewed her lip. "Oh that makes sense then." Mic settled back into translating the writing on the page in front of him. "Thanks." "Don't worry about him, Sarah. He's probably just flying that airplane of his." Mac got an uneasy feeling in her stomach. "Gunny?" "Ma'am." "Do you know where Commander Rabb is?" "Yes Ma'am. He took a few personal days." "Did he say why?" "I believe that it was a family emergency." "Is his mother and grandmother alright?" "I don't know ma'am." Mac squinted her eyes. He wasn't giving her the straight facts. She could tell. "Oh God." Mac looked over to where Bud was focused on the TV monitors. "Shut up everyone." He reached up and turned the volume up. Mac saw a picture of Frank Burnett flash on the screen. "And now we go to Tracy Needham on the scene. Tracy." "Tragedy struck this quiet neighborhood yesterday with the death of Frank Burnett. The Vice President of sales for the Daimler Chrysler Company lived and worked here in this quiet community and the world was shocked by his death." "I just can't believe he's gone. I mean he always would cut my roses and mow my lawn." The Staff in the bullpen listened quietly as more neighbors droned on about how thoughtful Frank was. "This was the scene yesterday morning when a worker, unhappy with the merger between Mercedes Benz and the Chrysler Corporation opened fire on the executive floor of the Chrysler building. When the shooting stopped, there were three dead and twenty wounded. This man, Frank Burnett stepped in front of his secretary to save her from the gunman." "Frank was always doing little stuff like that. You know hold open a door. Take his own calls. He was the best boss. I'm gonna miss him." "We haven't talked to the widow or her son for comment. The memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 o'clock." Mac turned from the TV's. "Gunny I'm gonna need a flight to San Diego for Friday night." "Yes ma'am." "Mac walked back to Harm's office and picked up the photo she had seen early. She took it into her office and closed the door. Mac was tired as she pulled into the parking lot of the Chapel. The amount of Chrysler cars was staggering. She smiled. Harm must really be getting it now for buying that Lexus. She climbed out of the little Neon that she had rented. Smoothing her dress blues, she carried her cover and walked towards the doors. Inside, men, in distinguished suits, were holding up cream covered walls. The pews were full, except for the family pew up front. She saw Trish and Harm sitting together. He reached over and wiped away a tear, Trish let out a watery laugh. Mac started up the aisle to let them know she was here. She stopped just behind Harm and reached her hand out and rested it on his shoulder. He looked into her eyes, and the world stopped for Mac. His hand rested over hers. A tear slipped down his cheek. She wiped it away gently with her other hand. Trish and he scooted over, making room for her on the bench. Harm didn't let go of her hand. "Hello dear. I'm glad you could make it." "Hello Trish. I'm glad I made it too." "I thought you were on the Kitty Hawk." "I finished early. The office sends their love. We were all pretty surprised when it hit the news." Harm nodded. "You owe me a dinner." Trish leaned over in interest. "Why does he owe you dinner?" "He bet me that it was the civilian tech reps had perpetrated the incidents on the Kitty Hawk, but they didn't. There was a bug that some sailor had accidentally downloaded into the system." Trish smiled at her son. "And no meatless meatloaf." "You didn't!" Harm looked at his mother. "What?" His mother glared at him. "You didn't force that awful stuff on Mac." "It's not awful." "Harm it's classified as hazardous waste." Harm looked heavenly. "When we get back, I'll take you to Beltways, good enough?" Mac shook her head. "Nope, there's a new place I want to try." Mac smiled sweetly. Harm went to open his mouth. "Mrs. Burnett, we're going to start the ceremony now." Trish's face fell and she nodded. The priest walked up to the podium. "We are gathered here to celebrate the wonderful life of Frank Burnet." Mac's mind drifted over the words of comfort that the priest gave to those present. It was so different then her father's own quiet funeral. The priest hadn't offered comfort for the living, just a prayer for her father's crumbled soul. "Frank's Stepson has agreed to say a few words for us." Mac looked over at Harm. He smiled at her, squeezed her hand and walked up the steps. He smiled at the large crowd before him, his mother and Mac, people he had met at different company picnics over the years and quite a few neighbors. "When I first met Frank, well. I didn't care for him much. I was probably the only person that didn't like him on sight." The crowd chuckled appreciatively. "My father went down in Vietnam when I was five. And I had grown up with naval and marine heroes telling me what a legend my father was. No way was I going to let this used car salesman into my father's place. But after a while he grew on me. I especially appreciated him not letting my mother kill me when I ran away one summer." The neighbors laughed out loud. Mac smiled encouragingly, his mother looked fit to kill him. "Umm. Frank, I think I'm gonna need some help tonight." The crowd really started to chuckled. "But I never told him. He was always there for me. When I crashed my tomcat, I thought my world had ended, and then there was Frank. He offered me a job in the company. He always asked if I wanted a job." The executives laughed. "I always turned him down. And even though I know it hurt him, he always supported my need to find out what really happened to my father. After my search was over, I came home and there was Frank, offering me a job." Harm even chuckled. "When I got my eye sight back and went back to flying off of carriers, there was Frank offering me a job, but he told me I had to lose the Lexus." The whole crowd snickered. Harm grew solemn. "I always meant to tell him something, but it never seemed the right time. Every call I've made for the past ten years has never seemed like the right time." Harm took a deep breath. "I always wanted to tell him, that I really lucked out, because both my fathers were heroes." A collective sigh seemed to rise from the crowd. "Frank never flew F-4's off a carrier at night. He never killed for his country. But he worked damn hard his job and he rose through the ranks without stepping on anyone. He never gave up on people and he never stopped loving my mother." Harm looked down, quiet sniffles could be heard through out the church. "I'm going to miss him. I wonder whose going to offer me a job now. I wonder whose going to interrupt when my mom starts in on my relationship to Mac. I wonder whose going to take me golfing, while mom's drooling over some painting. But the most important thing I wonder about is whose going to hold and hug my mom. Because even when I was busy hating him with all my teenage angst, I knew that he would love and protect my mother no matter what the cost." A tear slipped down his face. "There is a poem by E.E. Cummings,
Harm stepped away from the podium and Mac stood up and engulfed him in a hug. His head burrowed into her shoulder. "You did good sailor." Harm wrapped his arms around Mac. Then he stepped away from her and they slipped into their seats. Harm leaned over and hugged his mother. "There is a reception being held at the Burnett house at 1 o'clock but the family asks that you not attend the burial." Harm and Mac stood. Mac felt her hand captured by Harm's larger one. She didn't mind. She belonged there. They made their way to the grave sight following behind the hearse. As they lowered the small box of Frank's ashes Mac and Harm grounded Trish to this world. Harm started singing quietly.
His quiet voice didn't carry any further than their small group of three. But they echoed in the hearts that heard it. "Goodnight Frank." And Harm led Mac away from the grave. Mac shut the door after her, the whispered murmurs of the people inside drifting through the cracks in the windows, like a chilling cold. She looked to where Harm sat on the porch swing. His navy coat was unbuttoned, his tie loosened and his shirt unbuttoned at the top. But he still looked crisp, like a white sheet snapped across a bed by a marine. His head leaned against the chains holding the swing and his mouth hung open slightly. Mac slipped off her high heels and sat down beside him. She reached up to kiss his cheek. With a languid motion his arm snaked around behind her and pulled her close. His breathing subtly changed. "It's almost worse than losing my dad. Frank never knew. I never got around to telling him." Harm didn't open his eyes. "Harm." She took a breath. "You don't tell me, either. But I know. I can see it in the thousand things you do for me. I can see it in the way you look at me. He knew. Every one of those people in that house says the same thing. Frank loved you. That his face lit up every time you called. That he missed you when you weren't home." "But I should have said the words." "Maybe. But to Frank it didn't matter. You know the drill. Actions speak louder than words." Harm nodded his head. "Where are you staying tonight?" "I was just going to grab a hotel room somewhere." "Stay here. I think mom and I could use the company." She looked up at his face. "When was the last time you slept?" He didn't have to say a word. His eyes as they opened told a thousand words. Mac stood up and held a hand out to Harm. "Come on, Flyboy. Another hour of circulating and then you can take a nap." He reached up and buttoned his shirt and straightened his tie. She pulled his jacket closed and buttoned it, making him the consummate Naval officer that he was. She held on to him as she slipped her feet into her heels. Then they braced themselves as they opened the front door to return to the murmurs. "He was such a great guy." "Do you remember." A reporter hiding in the bushes smiled and looked appreciatively at his camera. Mac came down the stairs just as the last neighbor stepped out of the house. Ensconced in jeans and a t-shirt, she felt ready to tackle the cleaning up. She noticed that most of the clean up was done. Knowing Harm, he had silently circled the room during the party, picking up plates and glasses when they were unattended. Trish was looking at the room with a shocked expression. "Trish? Why don't you go upstairs and change. Harm and I can handle this." "He tried to help the last time we did this. I remember getting all these complaints cause people's drinks had disappeared when they turn away for a minute. They couldn't figure out where they went." Trish chuckled. "I think I've done this two too many times." Mac smiled and hugged Harm's mom. "It was more than worth it. Life gives us lots of happiness to make these times bearable." "What's that line from 'An Affair to Remember?' 'Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.'" "I'm gonna go change. Thank you for coming Mac. For helping." "It's my pleasure, ma'am." Trish rolled her eyes. "Trish or mom. Nothing else." "Trish." They both smiled wanly and Trish slowly treaded up the stairs to her room. Mac made her way to the kitchen. The buzz of the dishwasher hung in the air as Harm stood next to the sink scrubbing away at a casserole dish. "Mom's gonna have enough food to last her three weeks." Mac picked up a towel and started drying the dishes setting out to dry. Harm pulled the plug on the soapy water. "Nap time sailor. That's an order." She pushed him towards the stairs. Picking up the stray odds and ends, she decided to check on them. In the first room she found Trish curled around a pillow, she had changed into Jeans and a sweatshirt. Mac pulled the quilt at the bottom of the bed over her and kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams." In the next room, she found Harm sitting up, asleep. Still in uniform. At least he took off his jacket. Pulling open the dresser drawers she pulled out a pair of jeans and one of Harm's long sleeved shirt. Actually she pulled out her favorite shirt of his. The one that stretched across his broad shoulders, making him seem larger than life. She reached down and unhooked his tie clasp. She started to loosen his tie. He fell over. He didn't wake up. She sighed. "Harm. Harm wake up. You'll strangle yourself sleeping in your tie." He opened his eyes slowly. "What?" She slid the tie loose and started to pull it off. His eyes got wide. "Mac?" A shirt hit him in the head followed by a hard pair of jeans. "Change." She walked away but not out of the room. She picked up the various clothing he discarded and hung them up, placing them in the garment bag hanging in the closet. When he was done. She pushed him down. He lay down without further comment. His eyes closed. His breathing didn't even out. Mac decided to try something. She pulled the blanket up over his form. Sat down beside him and started a gentle raking of his hair with her fingers. He sighed, his breath bottoming out to a barely audible breeze. Listening to him, she felt her mind drift away. She laid her head down next to his and fell asleep with the warmth of him behind her and his arm holding her gently. Trish leaned in the doorway to Harm's room. She loved watching the way her son cradled Mac's head. His arm lay gently across her like a seatbelt. His hand, okay he's a grown boy. Um man. His leg moved and she checked his face. Still asleep. His leg slid between Mac's. The blanket having been discarded to the bottom of the bed. Mac stirred and turned over, burrowing her nose into his collar. Harms hand made it's way under her shirt. Mac's arm slid around, her hand coming to rest on his butt, her leg snaking over his, trapping his leg between her two legs. Trish made her way into the room, pulled up the blanket to cover their intertwined bodies and sighed. You see the love between them when they're awake, and the almost explosive attraction when they sleep. You know I could use some help down here. There are two of you in heaven now that should count for something. She meandered down the stairs to watch "Early Edition." He's such a cute boy. Never seems to get a break when it comes to love though. How sad. As Admiral AJ Cheggwidden returned from his early morning jog, the sun was just cresting over the horizon. The dew smell permeated his skin and the Admiral stopped to stretch before picking up his paper and heading inside. Enjoy the day today AJ, you have a meeting with the SecNav tomorrow. He opened the front page and started to scan the stories. Mac woke up slowly as the feeling of the warm body behind her shifted positions. Her first thought was to roll over and hang on for the roller coaster ride that was bound to ensue. Life as Harm's partner was never straightforward. But I'm not his partner anymore. Yes I am, just not at work. We're best friends and that's a partnership. Friends. That means no rolling over and holding on. Besides it's time to get up. Well it would be if I were in Washington. She climbed out of bed. Harm stirred. "Mac?" "I'm gonna go jogging. Want to tag along?" Harm looked at her. He probably wouldn't be able to get back to sleep without her warmth next to him. "Sure." Mac went to change. The reporter sat up in his car as the door opened. The two lovebirds walked out in jogging clothes. He snapped a few shots as they stretched and fell into rhythm jogging away. Half an hour later the two returned, walking. The woman carried something wiggly in her arms. The man had his arm around her and they were quietly laughing. Some more pictures whirl by. This was a great human-interest story. Grief overlaid with a forbidden young love. He had been informed the AP picked up the first story and photo. Thank God for slow news weeks. He watched them enter the house. AJ made it all the way to the human-interest section by seven. He glanced over the happy stories and the recipes and stopped short. There covering the whole bottom half of the first page of the section was a picture of Rabb and Mackenzie. The bastard photographer must have been hiding in the church somewhere cause Harm was sitting in a pew with Mac standing just behind him. In the picture AJ could see the love, support, grief, and passion that flew between the two people. AJ read the article. It was well written, no out and out lies, he hoped. But it clearly suggested the two in the picture were in love. The article mentioned that the most touching part of the ceremony hadn't been the eloquent speech made by the stepson, but the support and love that had radiated between the two when they embraced at the end. AJ guessed he was lucky he got to read the paper. He wouldn't be ambushed. Besides not many people make it to the Human section. Maybe there wouldn't be such a big deal. One thing was for sure, Rabb and Mac were gong to be doing some explaining. AJ picked up the phone without another thought and dialed the number written in his book. Harm picked up the phone as fast as he could. Who could be calling at four in the morning? "Hello?" "Commander Rabb?" "Admiral? What are doing calling this early in the morning?" Mac stopped petting the kitten that Harm had tripped over this morning. The poor thing had been mal nourished and barely had the strength to purr when Mac had picked him up. Harm stopped cutting the mats that had gathered in the cat's long fur. "I'm calling about the spectacle on the front page of the human interest section of the Washington Post." "Excuse me, Sir." Mac raised her eyebrows. "There is a picture of you and Colonel Mackenzie and an article. It implies that the two of you are having an intimate relationship on the way to marriage." "Mac and I are just friends!" Mac was looking perturbed. "One second, sir." Harm covered the phone lightly. "There's a picture of us in the Washington Post with an article implying a more than platonic relationship." AJ listened over the phone. It was four in the morning in California, why the hell was Rabb close enough to Mac to have a conversation. He heard a Meow in the background and a small chuckle. "You talk to the Admiral and I'll get this guy some turkey casserole." "Hello Admiral." "What the hell is going on out there?" "Sir?" "It's 0400, there." "We went jogging sir and found a cat." Was that supposed to explain it? "You went jogging?" "It's seven in Washington sir. I'd be on my way to work already." The admiral sighed. "Perhaps if you'd read the article, we can answer the charges." "You can read it when it comes in the paper. It was put out by AP so everyone has it." He wasn't sure he heard it, but he thought he heard a faint, "Shit" over the line. "We will talk when you two get back." "Yes Sir." "Tomorrow Morning." "Yes Sir." The phone clicked in Mac's ears. "Harm, we have a problem." She watched as he came back out of the kitchen. "What?" "It was an AP story." "Ouch, but still it was in the human interest section, no one reads it but the Admiral." "Harm its Sunday. Everyone-" "Reads it on Sunday." He took a deep breath. "I don't think it'll make a difference." "I guess we'll see tomorrow. When do you fly out?" "I have a flight at 1400." "I think I have the same flight." "I was planning to leave about 1130 to make sure I got there in time." "Sounds good." "I'll arrange to have Mr. Linton pick up the car here and I'll just ride in with you." He smiled at her. Now if we can get mom up, there is this great place that starts serving breakfast soon. Shower Marine." Mac stood up and saluted him. "Sir Yes sir." Harm smiled while she jogged up the stairs and went looking for the cat. She wasn't in the kitchen. Harm searched the downstairs. She wasn't to be found. Harm searched his room. Not there. Mac nearly dropped the towel covering her body when she found him searching under her bed. Harm almost pulled the towel away when he saw her. "I'm looking for the cat." Harm started nervously. "Well she's not in the bathroom." Harm sighed and slipped past her. He was very careful not to touch her. Mac stood her ground. Trish awoke to the sound of someone rummaging around her closet. She ignored it and tried to get back to sleep. Then something bumped under her bed. Soft cursing could be heard. Trish smiled. "Harm what are you looking for?" Harm's head peaked over the edge of the mattress. He looked like he was six. He looked guilty. How come I associate six years old and guilty? "This is going to sound strange but I'm looking for a-" Trish lifted up the blankets to reveal the small kitten curled up next to her. "That." "When did you and Mac have time to find a stray cat?" "We went jogging." "It's five in the morning." "It's eight in Washington." Trish sighed. Those pesky time zones. "I was going to wake you up anyway. We want to go to Crazy Otto's." "Coffee now!" Harm smiled and stood up. "I love you mom." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. She held his head. "You look just like your dad when you do that." He brushed a tear away from her cheek. "And just like Frank when you do that." He smiled at her. Trish looked beyond him. "Mac you are a life saver. Do you mind if I call you Sarah? Mac is such a military thing." Mac smiled at her and handed her a cup of coffee. "Sarah is fine." Harm grabbed the second cup out of her hand and took a sip. "That, flyboy, was my cup of coffee. Besides you smell. Go get your shower." "Yes ma'am." He handed the mug back and removed himself from the side of the bed. The three entered the hole in the wall restaurant just as an older man flipped the sign to open. A friendly waitress walked up to them to seat them. "Is it just the three of you?" "Yes." Trish answered for them. They were seated in an old cracking booth and set to peruse the menus. Five minutes later the woman returned with water and three coffee mugs, which she filled. "Harm? This only has omelets on it." "Trust me Mac that's all it needs." Mac looked back at the menu. "Okay folks what'll it be?" "I'll have a chili cheese omelet. Half order." Trish said without looking at the menu. "You honey?" "I'll have a Ham and Cheese omelet." "Half order?" "No. I'm starving." The waitress' eyes widened. "I'll just have a plate. I'm gonna share." The waitress picked up the menus. "Sure thing sweetie." The woman walked away. Several truckers entered and were shown a place at the counter. Several of them had newspapers in their hands. Harm started telling his mom about the Petty Officer he had helped defend back on the Patrick Henry when several of the customers turned to look at them. They turned around quickly enough and there was a hushed conversation. Harm pretended not to notice, he kept telling his tale. Their food arrived soon after. "Oh Darlin' I forgot your plate. Just a second." Harm smiled at her. Mac hit him. "What?" "Why didn't you warn me? There's enough on this plate to feed the entire Jag staff." "I figured that. That's why I'm sharing with you." Harm reached over with his fork and snagged the end of her omelet. She scooted it closer to him. Trish looked on in amusement. A flash went off. Mac and Harm looked. They couldn't see a camera, but then the whole counter looked guilty. The woman bustled over with a plate, a newspaper, and a big felt pen. "Ohhhh. I didn't know you were celebrities. Could you sign the picture for our wall? Please? Otto just loves it when the newspaper has stories of people who come in here." Trish grabbed the paper, saw the picture and started reading the article. Mac glared at Harm. "It won't make a difference, huh." Trish skewered them both with a glare. "You knew about this?" Harm looked away. The counter was staring again. "The Admiral called when he saw it." "Are you folks gonna sign it?" Harm looked at Mac. She shrugged and took the pen. They both signed the paper. With the comment, "We're JUST FRIENDS!" at the top. He handed it back. "Thanks." She tacked the paper to the wall, near the door. Mac and Harm sighed. Trish smiled. Life was always interesting. Good idea guys, she thought to her two husbands. "Call me, honey, when you get home." Trish gave her son a hug as Mac stood near the car. "I will mom." Trish headed over to Mac. "Call me when you get home, honey." Trish hugged Mac tightly. "I will Trish." Mac wiped a tear off her face. "If you need anything, I left my phone numbers for you." "I've got them. Don't worry about me. I'd worry about having people staring at you for at least a week." Harm and Mac rolled their eyes. "We have to talk to the Admiral in the morning." They all grimaced. Harm hugged his mom again and walked around to climb in the car. He looked at the small space. He reached down and tried to scoot the seat back some. It wouldn't budge. "Sorry Flyboy that's as far as it goes." Harm sighed. "This car is smaller than the cockpit of my Tomcat." "Shut up Stick boy we're already running late." He climbed inside. Trish moved up towards the house and waved as they drove away. The house seemed very quiet without them. Harm and Mac made it all the way to the gate before someone took a picture of them. The flashes were getting to be annoying. Again the crowd covered the guilty party. "So how come you rate first class?" Mac asked, tired already. Their early morning seemed like yesterday and the newspapers all seemed to be shouting their hidden love. She couldn't wait to get on the plane, where hopefully flash photography was prohibited, like a ride at Disney World. "Ask Mr. Linton. He arranged my ticket." Harm smiled at her sideways. Another flash went off. "Dammit! I feel like a fish in a bowl." Mac refrained from comment. After a while, the stewardess called for pre-boarding and Harm got up. "See you in Washington." "See ya, Partner." Mac watched him walk away. She stood up to get ready to board the plane. As she handed her ticket to the attendant waiting at the gate the woman stopped her. "Ma'am? Someone paid to have you upgraded to First Class with your boyfriend." "What?" The woman thrust a paper into Mac's hand. "Just give this to the flight attendant at the door, she'll direct you to your seat." Mac walked down the gangway in a daze. Someone paid for me to sit next to Harm? Half the time when they traveled commercial they didn't sit together. Federal rates meant whatever seats no one wants. Mac gave the male attendant the paper. "Oh ma'am. Right this way." Mac followed behind him. "Hey Jarhead. Long time no see." Mac smiled at him. "Same to you, squid." Mac settled into the seat next to him. She leaned over. "Can you believe that someone paid for me to have this seat?" She whispered near his ear. Harm rolled his eyes. "I'm glad I guess. It's better than having to sit next to someone who wants to hear all about our 'love affair.'" "You're right. If they want to blow their money, all the better." Harm smirked at her. The plane started its bumping roll towards the runway while the stewardess started her lecture. "And I'd like to say a big hello to our own celebrities flying with us in first class. Harmon Rabb and Sarah Mackenzie. You may have read about them in the newspaper." Harm and Mac slinked down in their seats. "The flight attendants have newspapers for you to peruse if you want to read about their unfortunate love." "We sound like one of those bodice rippers, Caroline is always reading." "I'm going to sleep before anyone can get out of their seats." Harm closed his eyes. "Good defensive move." She closed her eyes. Soon both of them drifted off, Mac's head resting on his shoulder. The flight attendant covered them with a blanket and reclined both their seats. The older woman across the aisle sighed happily. In the coach section, the article about Harm and Mac was read out loud for the enjoyment of all. Harm pulled into the parking lot of Jag. Thank God traffic had been normal, it made it feel like he had landed himself in reality instead of the fishbowl of yesterday. That is until he spotted a TV crew interviewing a young ensign. Harm searched his car for something to hide behind. Finding nothing, he pulled a folder out of his briefcase and held it up as he passed right behind the reporter. She never knew her story was passing her by. Until Bud called out to him. "Commander Rabb!" Harm stopped just by the door. Bud ran up to him as the reporter descended. Harm yank Bud hard and fast into the building and past the security check point. "Oh. Sorry, Sir." "It's no problem, Bud. But next time I'll have to kill you." Harm smiled as they waited for the elevator. "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I know you kinda didn't like your step dad but I know he was still a big part of your life." "Thanks Bud." The door to the elevator opened and the two men stepped inside. Just as the doors were about to close, Harm saw a flurry of activity near the checkpoint; he held his arm in the door. "Please Hold the Elevator!" Mac came dashing down the hall as fast as she could with heels on. Harm saw a cameraman break past a Marine and come charging down the hall. "Get ready with the door Bud. This is gonna be close." "Aye, sir." Bud held his finger over the door-closed button. Mac slid past the doors and Bud hit the button repeatedly. The door shut in the man's face. "That was close." Harm and Mac looked at him. "What." "Close is not being able to get to your car because of the amount of reporters." "Close is turning on the internet just so that your phone'll stop ringing." "Close is not being able to sleep in your house because reporters are trying to climb the windows to see if your son is still home." "Oh God. They did that to Trish? They should all be shot." Harm looked over at her. "Yeah, she took Frankie and went to the Neilson's. They've been friends for years. And well, Mr. Neilson has a big gun collection." Bud's eyes grew big. "Why are reporters hounding you Ma'am? Sir?" "You don't read the newspaper on Sundays, do you Bud?" Mac shot him a glance. "Well usually Harriet and I do. But she's in Florida this week." Harm, Mac and Bud got off the elevator and Mac and Harm headed straight for the coffee machine. The door to the Admiral's office slammed. They looked up to see the SecNav storming in their direction. Bud saw and interpreted the look, beating a hasty retreat. The SecNav stopped next to them. They stood at attention. He growled at them and slammed through the glass doors. "Did he just-" "Growl? Yep." Harm and Mac poured their coffee and headed to their respective offices. When they reached midway through the bullpen they heard the words that ended a hope for a quiet morning. "TINER! ARE MACKENZIE AND RABB HERE YET?!" "Yes sir. I think they just step in." "I WANT TO SEE THEM NOW, TINER!" Harm looked at his coffee. He had to go up against an angry admiral with no coffee or breakfast. Never a good sign. The gunny stood up and collected their covers and briefcases. His desk was the recipient of two coffee mugs. The whole office was watching them. It was that fishbowl thing again. Harm sighed. "Would either of you two like to explain these two articles?" The admiral held up the Sunday edition of the newspaper and the Monday edition. Harm's eyes grew wide and he gestured for the second of the papers. There, on the front page, was a picture snapped at the airport. Harm scanned the article with Mac reading over his shoulder. The anonymous source that had provided the picture, had also talked to the reporter. "This is just crap, sir." Harm was glad Mac said it and not him. "Would you care to explain?" "Sir, our relationship is strictly platonic. Colonel Mackenzie is my best friend. I can't believe that some reporter blew up her support at my father's funeral into some love connection." "Now the whole country is trying to further a romance that doesn't exist, sir." The Admiral calmed down and sat, gesturing with his hand that they should sit as well. He sighed looking at the pictures. He knew what the country saw in those photos. He had seen it for the past three years. Smoldering looks that spoke of passion and fierce protectiveness and a light banter that he missed when it wasn't around. In the picture, the world saw a challenge of souls, a test of love and devotion. "Sir, the Colonel and I both have kept in mind the regulations. Even if we did feel what this says, we would never act on it." "I know that, Commander. Too bad the whole God Damn world doesn't and that includes the SecNav. He thinks this is just a plot hatched by Harmful Rabb to drive his blood pressure up some more." The admiral smiled evilly. Harm shot Mac a look. "That's enough you two." Mac and Harm wore identical puzzled expressions. "Excuse me, sir? What did we do?" "That look thing. It's what got this picture taken." The admiral held up a paper again. He sighed and got up. The window was calling again. Instead of the organization that usually reigned, his parking lot was cast in chaos by the numerous media services. The world wants romance. Hell I want romance. Some one like Laura to love again. AJ turned back to his two best lawyers. They were trying hard not to do the look. They failed. How many times could he sigh in a morning before he turned into a windbag? "Sir?" Tiner's voice erupted over the intercom. "What is it Tiner?" The admiral restrained a sigh. "Sir, Lt. Simms is here. She wants to know if she's needed to handle the media." "I thought she was in Florida." "She was, Sir. When she realized that the press had jumped on the loving lawyers piece she had her dad arrange a flight for her and AJ." The admiral watched with amusement as Harm mouthed 'loving lawyers' to Mac. "Send her in Tiner." Harriet came bustling in, little AJ in her arms. The Admiral watched as the Commander gave up his seat and relieved Harriet of the baby. "Lt Simms. I hope our little party here didn't disturb your vacation." Harriet smiled sweetly, despite the tightened dry edge to the Admiral's voice. "No sir." Mac noticed her hands were shaking. She motioned with her eyes that Harm should give back the cooing baby. Give Harriet's hands something to worry with. Dutifully Harm handed back his godson. The admiral sighed again. "Lt. Simms, do you have a strategy for handling the fishbowl the media has put this office in?" "Well sir, I see two options. One: give them what they want. Have a big engagement party, the whole shebang, and sloppy kisses. The public will tire within a few days, and the Colonel and the Commander can get back to their lives." Harm's eyes grew wide. The Admiral held up his hand to forestall the argument. "And the other option." "We let the media in for two days. Show the Commander and the Colonel in opposites. Show them with their partners with the same.trust that they show in that picture." Mac smiled. Harm looked passive. "We'll go with the second option for the time being. You will be coordinating the press and the office. The gunny's a busy man and doesn't have the experience to pull this off." "Yes Admiral." "Good. You two. Lay low!" Mac and Harriet stood up. "Dismissed." "Aye aye, Sir." Two coffee cups were picked up and reheated and two doors shut with firm resolve. Harriet sighed; her plan hadn't worked. But with luck it might be put into motion yet. She smiled and juggled AJ as she set down to work out the Press schedule. Four days later, Harm was ready to chuck his career and go back to carrier duty. Anything to get away from the picture hungry masses. He turned off his ringer and screened all his calls. He had to sleep on the floor, so his drooling face wasn't pictured on the front page. The last straw had been a hapless ensign that had asked for a autograph on a photograph of him showering, it was blurry because of the glass blocks, but the person that had taken it, one of Harm's own neighbors, had sworn the Colonel was showering with him. Harm tore up the paper, without a word and slammed the door to his office. He sat quickly at his desk and burrowed his head in his arms hoping to escape the camera's that seemed everywhere. Harm heard the click of Mac's heels against the floor and the opening of the door. He didn't lift his head. "I know. I owe her an apology." "Why?" "That was ungentlemanly of me." "It was stupid of her to ask." "My neighbors have turned against me, and joined the minions. They keep telling the reporters about how you stay over occasionally, that when you do come over, that sexy music is playing and that you never leave before 2200." He felt her hip against his arm as she leaned against his desk. He lifted his head and shifted back in his seat. "You know last week my world tilted because Frank was shot in a senseless shooting. He died protecting someone. And the one thing the media hooks on? The fact that my best friend came to the funeral to support me." He sighed, the pain of losing Frank still etched on his face. She leaned down and patted his hand; he captured it, fiddling with her fingers. There were nine different flashes that captured the intimate moment, and in the middle of the gaggle of reporters stood a horrified Lt. Simms and an angry SecNav. Harm looked at Mac. "Opps?" Mac couldn't help it, the expression on his face looked like a little boy. She laughed. She tried to stop the gaiety that bubbled up. She quickly walked out of the room, heading for the ladies room. The SecNav stood in the doorway, his eyes bulging, his face red. He stepped in the office as Harriet shoed the reporters along. The door shut with a bang. Harm stood at attention. "You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" The voice was deathly calm. "You're an assassin picked by the Admiralty to kill me." "No Sir." "How else can you explain this? This operation was about proving to the media that you and the Colonel are 'just friends.' The god damn press is never going to let this go now." Harm felt the frustration and anger begin to bubble in his stomach. He needed to let go and just run. He hadn't been on a run since the Sunday morning with Mac. He declined response and the SecNav left Harm's office with a bang. Harm closed his eyes. Looking at his case files, he packed them into his briefcase and grabbed his cover. He headed over to the gunny. "I'm not feeling well, Gunny. I'm gonna try to go home and get some rest." The Gunny nodded, but didn't say anything. Harm walked out of the office with a staggering walk, his shoulders slumped. It hasn't been my month. Harm's feet pounded on the compact dirt trail. He blocked the soft call of birds, the flicking of the rain and the occasional argument between other people in the park. All he wanted to hear was the thump thump of his feet as they connected with the muddy path. He noticed the second sound of feet when he hit a puddle; the sound was slosh, curse, thump, thump. Harm looked over to see the steel face of his superior. He continued running, concentrating on the thump of his feet. After another mile of silence, Harm decided to acknowledge the man. "Evening Admiral." The Admiral grunted and kept pace with Harm. "How's the Dawkin's case?" "It looks good. The NCIS investigators failed to find his alibi before they charged him. Brumby's just being stubborn." They returned to the silence. Soon another set of footsteps joined the group and Harm noticed that the Gunny had picked up pacing behind them. No greeting, just running. Thump thump, Brumby picked up next to them and for once kept his mouth shut. He's not that bad, he just always has to have his say and that's annoying. Harm thought. They picked up Mac somewhere near the playground and Harm was surprised to hear her greet the others. Talking had seemed banned earlier from the others. Mattoni joined the group, his eldest son with him. Jonathon started cracking jokes about the other joggers on the trail. Soon the group was trying not to slow their pace so they could laugh. Caroline joined them, her stylish jogging outfit blending with the group, and earning her a few jokes from Jonathon. Tiner tentatively joined the group last, standing a bit off to side, as if not sure if he belonged there. Harm veered off and herded Tiner into the group, never breaking the thump thump. He broke off from the group at his exit and turned towards home. He was surprised when the Admiral called out, "Last one to Harm's gets the three disorderly's on my desk." The pack of Jag officers picked up the pace from thump thump to oh- my- god, run for your life. As the officers pounded into Harm's building, Harm pulled in front of the Admiral and Mac, heading up the stairs with the Gunny on his heels. Brumby, Mattoni, Imes and Jonathon thundered behind them with Tiner following slightly behind. Harm hit his door with a thump. "Not me." Gunny thumped it with the Admiral at the same time. "Was never going to be me." Mac hit the door, "Not it." Brumby went to hit the door and it opened under his hand. He fell screaming, "Bloody hell not it." The others filed into the small hall outside of Harm's apartment. Caroline getting the dubious honor of the disorderly conducts. Harriet who was helping Commander Brumby off the floor looked up at the sweating mass of people that stood outside the door. "Dinner's almost done sir." Harm looked at his apartment. Remembering the last time the officers had gathered here. When Annie and Josh were here. Now instead of Annie and Josh there were Mattoni's wife and daughter and baby AJ. Harriet's vegetable lasagna was cooking and no one made rude comments about the lack of food in his refrigerator. Harm looked over to see the Admiral breathing hard and Mattoni wheezing. "Are you guys alright?" "What was that, Commander, twenty miles?" Harm breathed through his mouth trying to slow his heartbeat. "I don't know, Sir. I wasn't keeping track." Mac's eyes twinkled as she handed the Admiral a bottle of water and Bud distributed more to the others. Harm walked over to where Baby AJ was sitting in his car seat slash feeder chair. He picked up the baby and rasp berried his stomach. AJ squealed in delight. Harm held on to him, only relinquishing him when the Admiral motioned with his arms. "Who's going to butter the Garlic bread?" Harm slipped away while Harriet argued several of the people into helping her make the garlic bread. Harm grabbed some civvies and headed to the bathroom. Five minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, dressed and semi-clean. He was hit in the head with a dishtowel. "You are doing dishes!" Harm looked at the little girl standing with her hands on hips. "I am, am I?" "Yes, Mommy says those that don't help with dinner, do the dishes. You didn't help." The staff controlled their laughter. "Well I'm not doing them, I'll just leave them for whoever lives here." "That's not very nice." Harm bent down to the girl's level. "What's your name?" "Denisa." "Can I tell you a secret Denisa?" The girl bent forward, and Harm whispered in her ear. She hit him upside the head. "It's not nice to trick people." Harm gazed up at the group of adults, holding his head. "Better watch out Mattoni, it looks like your little girl is a Jarhead waiting to happen." The Jag staff laughed. Mac hit Harm hard on the head. "You, squid, have no taste." "You tell'em Sarah." Brumby threw his hat into the conversation as the Staff organized around the table. "So Tiner? What took you so long?" "I would have been here sooner, but I fell when Commander Imes used me as a push off." "You mean Caroline pushed you?" Harm wiggled his eyebrows at Caroline. "Yes, Sir." "Tattletale." The group laughed. The admiral cleared his throat. Everyone silenced, bowed their heads and linked hands. "Bless this food, so that it may nourish our body as you do our soul. And may you convince all the world that Harm and Mac are-" "JUST FRIENDS!" Every laughed as they said it and Harm smiled weakly at them. There was a knock on the door. "I don't know who it could be, everyone I know is here." The group laughed and continued passing the food as Harm opened the door. "Webb, Mrs. Webb. What a nice surprise. Why don't you come on in? We were just about to have dinner. Why don't you join us?" "Actually mother wanted to ask you to join us for dinner." Webb stepped inside and gazed at the huge table before him. "Harriet there's enough for two more, right?" "Of course Commander." Bud got up and brought a chair out of Harm's bedroom while the Gunny rolled the chair from the desk over to the table. "We'd hate to impose." "It's no imposition ma'am." Mrs. Webb smiled at Harm. "Why thank you, Commander." "Call me Harm, ma'am." The two new guests were added to the table and the team passed the food to the new comers. By the time the dishes were done, the group had gathered around on the carpeted floor of the bedroom. Denisa and Jonathon were out like lights in the living room and Harm was cradling AJ on his chest. The rest of the team talked about nothing and everything. Mac told everyone that her new car could do at least a hundred, to which everyone had looked shocked. "What about you, Comm. I mean Harm, have you ever gone that fast?" Mrs. Webb's eyes sparkled. "I used to have a tomcat that went that fast ma'am, but I traded it in for a really nice courtroom." "That's kinda like trading in a Corvette for a Lexus don't you think, Harm?" "Yeah maybe." He yawned. The conversation floating out of his head and he fell into the land of his dreams. He heard laughter and Clay groan. Then softer, closer, "He's out, Sir." A familiar hand touched his head. He remembered nothing else as yellow faded dreams of summer afternoons, flooded his head. Frank was there, trying to play baseball with him, his father was behind him, giving him pointers. Frank and he spoke the same words, "Choke up on the bat a little, Harm. Let the ball come to you. It's like love, son. When you find it, make the connection." Harm awoke from his dreams to the dark gray of early morning. His apartment was cold and empty feeling after the soft laughter of last night. He couldn't remember the dream that called invitingly to him. There was a soft yellow and love, Frank and his dad were there playing baseball, coaching him, but their words disappeared in the vapor of morning. He got off the floor where someone had covered him and walked quietly into the other room, there passed out on the couch was the Gunny. Harm shook his head and scribbled a note. Five minutes later, he was walking along the mall, his footsteps even and measured. The walk was familiar, something he did at least once a month. Although the cars trudged along the streets the grassy area itself was empty, the vendors not yet arriving and the tourists still asleep in their hotels. And there just beyond the Lincoln memorial was the large dark V of the Vietnam memorial. Harm was glad he had beaten the sun to the place. He found his dad's name, tracing it with his finger, knowing now that a spirit didn't reside there as it had for 30 years. He leaned against the wall, soaking in the feeling as he slid his back down the wall, huddling in his jacket. No one was around this early and Harm just sat feeling the sounds of birds, the honk of cars and the sound of soft crying from the other side of the wall. He leaned his arms on his knees and put his head down. He closed his eyes and just felt the activity of morning starting. Someone sat next to him. "You know its cold and wet here?" Harm looked under his arm at her. "Are you ever warm?" "Very funny flyboy." Mac was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, not her usual fare. "Did you just climb out of bed?" "No I'm always up at 0500 on Saturday when I get phone calls from men charged to make sure you get breakfast." Harm had lifted his head and was staring at her with those gorgeous eyes that seemed neither brown nor blue but somewhere in between. "Breakfast?" "Yeah so get your frozen six in gear. I'm hungry." "When are you not, Jarhead?" She hit him. They got up and Harm slid his arm around her shoulders. "So what are you buying me?" "Me? No way, Flyboy. You got me up, you're paying." "Where to then, Miss?" A family watched the couple leave, noticing that it was the couple from the newspaper. The father raised his camera and thought better of it. He had just enough film to get pictures of his kids in front of his Dad. They walked to the panel. "See kids? This is your grandfather's name." The man pointed to a name etched in the black. It was just above Harmon Rabb Sr. "I thought that Grandpa Mike was your dad?" "No he was my step-dad. But he took such good care of Grandma and me." The little girl leaned against her dad. "I miss grandpa Mike." "I do too honey." "What was it he always said about Lemon Pudding?" The older boy asked his dad. "He use to say that life was like lemon pudding, that you never knew what you'd get, sweet or bitter, but you always knew it had taste." "Thanks Mac, let me just go put this down." Harm twiddled the rose between his fingers. He hadn't meant to come here and he was thankful that Mac had thought of the rose. She had looped her arm through his bent one, and she leaned her head against his arm. The family looked up from where they were poising next to the panel. Harm stopped abruptly, Mac tripped over his foot. Harm looked at her in concern. "Sorry, Mac." She smiled up at him. "No problem, Flyboy." The family looked at the couple again. The man stepped forwarded and offered his hand. "Tim Reedley." "Harm Rabb, Jr. My friend Sarah." "You're Harm Rabb?" Harm's eyes narrow suspiciously. "I've always seen your father's name, and well wondered about his family." "You're Peter Faradon's son?" Tim smiled. "I took my step-dad's name. But then I knew what happened to my dad." He stepped back and pointed to mark indicating death. "I know now too." Harm looked at Mac, she reached up and wiped away the tear that slid down. "I guess everyone heard how your step-dad died, huh?" Tim seemed ill at ease. "Yeah. I never really told him, but I loved him." Silence descended over the group. "Why don't we get a picture? Two guys with their dads." Harm and Tim stood across from each other, pointing their fingers at their fathers' names. Tim's wife hugged him, while his son fiddled with the camera. "Mac, would you please join us?" Mac smiled at Harm, and stepped under the arm he offered. He brought her against his body; she hugged him closer. "Everyone say, 'I want my daddy.'" The group laughed but complied. "I want my daddy." Mac even said it, which surprised Harm. He looked into her eyes, from where he towered over her. "Make the connection." Tim, his family and Mac all looked at him quizzically. "I had this dream last night, my dad and Frank were saying something and when I woke up, I couldn't remember what it was." "Good thing you figured it out, flyboy. I'd hate to have you obsessing over breakfast." "Somebody better be nice or she's not getting breakfast." The family laughed. "Make what connection?" Tim asked. "I have no idea, but I'm glad I remembered part of it." Tim smiled at Harm. "It was nice to meet you, Tim." "Same here, Harm." Mac and Tim's wife were walking away. "If I may make a suggestion?" "Go for it." "Kiss her once, just to see." Harm looked at the man. "I never knew, until I kissed her." "Let me guess, your step-dad told you." "He was a smart man." Harm nodded, shook Tim's hand again and stopped. "Hey, Ninja Girl." Mac looked back at him. "Food's this way." Harm threw his thumb in another direction. Mac wrote something down and gave Tim the piece of paper, said goodbye and joined Harm. He handed back the forgotten rose. "My dads don't need this, but you look like a rose is what you need most." "What I need most is food. So feed me. That's an order." "Yes ma'am. Right away ma'am." Harm held his arm out for her and she accepted it. "So what did you write on that slip of paper?" "Wouldn't you like to know?" "I wouldn't have asked." "What are you going to give me in exchange?" "Hell Mac, I'm already taking you to breakfast." "I want dinner too. And none of your cooking." Harm held his hand to his chest. "No more about Harm's meatloaf. I promise never again will I cook for you." Mac stopped and pulled Harm in front of her. She invaded the small personal space between them. "Oh I don't know? We could do some sizzling together." Harm grinned sexily at her, his mouth lowering closer to hers. He moved so they were cheek to cheek. "Like fajitas?" Mac went weak in the knees. "Oh Commander, you so read my mind." Harm laughed and pulled up, but didn't back away. "What would I do without you, Colonel?" His eyes gazed intensely at hers. "You would probably starve. Lets move it, sailor. We have food to eat." She pushed him off and they continued their walk. THE END FOR REAL END |