Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: No infringement rights are intended to those who own JAG.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Harm/Mac Drama
Summary: Although Harm aggressively works to help his brother gain US
citizenship, he fails to provide the needed evidence that Sergei is truly
his father's son. A major life threatening turn of events however creates a
greater need for Sergei to remain in the US.
"Take a look at this Commander." The technician called out as he peered through the lens of the powerful microscope.
His supervisor strolled over and leaned into the microscope. "Oh no." Theresa Coulter bit her bottom lip.
JAG headquarters
1300
Monday
Harm leaned on his elbow and rubbed his eyes feeling weary from the day's frustrations.
"Can't be that bad?" Sarah Mackenzie's voice penetrated his troubled thoughts.
He looked up and gave her a half-hearted smile. "I just talked with my Mom. I asked her to go through Dad's things and send me any envelopes from the letters he sent her. Seems after my first trip to Russia, she went through his things and threw out everything except the box she sent me with his letter tapes." Harm slouched back into his chair. "I don't have any of his DNA to prove that Sergei is his son."
"Won't they let you give a blood sample? After all you have the same father." Mac asked as she sat down across from him.
"Sergei told me that immigration officials said that would not be enough proof. I went ahead and had samples of his and my blood sent to Theresa Coulter. I thought maybe she could come up with something." Harm sighed deeply.
"Have you heard anything from her?"
"No, she said it would take a couple of days and I'm expecting a call any time now. Sergei received notification that his temporary visa will not be renewed, and he has to return to Russia within the two weeks." Harm slammed his fist down on his desk. "That damn terrorist attack just keeps on hurting people."
"You mean that the immigration restrictions have been tightened since 911?"
"Oh yes, it takes up to three years now to have applications processed, and they have tightened up on who they will even consider for application. Not that I blame them. We were a country made up of refugees seeking freedom and now we are threatened by that very freedom." Harm laughed disheartened by the paradox.
"But you aren't giving up." Mac said more as a statement of fact than a question.
"No, I'm not. I spent thirty years searching for my father, and I found a brother out of this. I'm just tired and frustrated." Harm said a little dejectedly.
"How about I take you out for a nice dinner at this interesting place that Bud and Harriet told me about? Sturgis recommended it but be prepared to sit on the floor." Mac smiled.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Harm's eyebrow shot up with a bemused expression.
"What ever you want to call it. Since I've come back from Saudi Arabia I feel like a liberated woman." Mac replied with a glint in her eye.
"Yea, we need to talk about that. You accused me of defending the cause because she was a pilot." Harm responded pretending to be defensive. "I have always supported women in the military no matter what they wear or don't wear." He added with a mischievous grin.
"Right! You suggested all women submarine crews." Mac rolled her eyes.
"So you don't think an all woman crew could handle a sub by themselves?" Harm taunted enjoying the banter.
"I didn't say that. I think women can perform any job that the men can." Mac replied confidently.
"Well I'll just let the Captain of the Watertown know that you are ready and willing." A teasing contagious smile formed on his handsome face.
"I didn't say THIS woman wanted to serve on a sub."
"Or a tomcat." Harm added.
"Or a tomcat." She echoed.
"You don't make a very convincing case for women in the military." Harm chuckled.
"I didn't know I needed to make a case, Commander." Mac stuck her tongue out and turned to leave.
"What time are you picking me up?"
"1900 sharp. Be ready Squid!"
"Aye, aye, Ma'am." Harm gave a small salute.
Harm continued to smile as she left his office. His day didn't seem so disappointing after all. His phone buzzed interrupting his reverie, "Commander Rabb."
"Harm, this is Terri. I've got those results you wanted." Her voice sounded tentative.
Harm sighed and waited for bad news.
"Harm, the DNA looks to be a close match. You apparently have a brother." Her voice carried a smile with it.
"Great! I mean I knew it, but it is just good to know. If I can just convince immigration." His excitement was obvious.
"Harm there is one more thing that I want you to do." Terry interrupted.
"Sure, name it. I certainly owe you again." Harm waited for her request.
"When we conducted the DNA studies, we found the presence of what looks like the Philadelphia chromosome." She paused.
"Philadelphia chromosome?"
"That and I looked at the white blood cell count."
"So what does that have to do with Sergei and me being related?"
"Harm the Philadelphia chromosome and an critically elevated white blood cell count are indicators of...leukemia."
Harm did not respond immediately as he took in the information.
"Harm? Did you hear me?"
"Terri are you saying that Sergei may have leukemia?"
"No, Harm...It was your blood that showed the abnormalities."
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