Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: Don't own JAG or characters
Classification: Harm, Mac in there along with the others
PG
Summary: More of a family piece. Harm
finds himself in a new role as a surrogate parent for two young
children. Does have a Christmas twist at the end.
"To Make You Feel My Love" written by Bob Dylan.
Thanks to Carolyn for beta reading.
PART 5
Dec 24
Christmas seemed to have arrived without warning. The caseloads had been heavier than usual for this time of the year.
"Harm, are you going to get to spend some time with the kids on Christmas?" Mac sat across from her preoccupied partner.
"No ... the Clarks are leaving this evening for Florida. They plan to take the kids to Disney World." Harm didn't look up from his computer screen.
"I'm sorry. I know you looked forward to seeing them."
"As long as they are happy...I'm happy." Harm looked up with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Tiner knocked at Harm's door, "Excuse me, sir, you have a call from a Mrs. Mary Clark. She says it's an emergency."
Harm's face blanched as he picked up the phone. "Rabb."
"Commander, Gabe's run away."
"When? How long has he been missing?" Harm's anxious expression and one-sided conversation immediately alerted Mac.
"I'm not sure."
"You're not sure. What do you mean?" Harm's anxiety gave way to anger.
"Last night, Alton sent Gabe to his room for not picking up his toys. He was not in his room this morning."
"Why am I just now hearing about this?" Harm's anger was blatant.
"We thought maybe he was hiding and would come home." The woman began to cry.
"I'll be over there in 20 minutes." Harm slammed the phone down and grabbed his cover and coat.
"Wait Harm, I'll go with you, but first at least tell the Admiral what is going on." Mac followed after him.
******
The Admiral shared Harm's concern. "Harm, take the Gunny with you, too. He's had experience working with police. And Harm, keep me informed."
******
The police were already at the Clark's home when Harm, Mac and Gunny arrived. "Commander Rabb, I'm Ted Stevens and my partner is Jane Vine with the Arlington police. You haven't heard from Gabe recently?"
"No, I haven't spoken with him in over three weeks. Did you search the neighborhood?" Harm began to question.
"Yes, we plan to extend the search. We are expecting six inches of snow this afternoon and tonight."
Harm turned around looking to the Clarks who sat on the sofa. "Why would Gabe want to run away?"
"Commander, Gabe was asked three different times to pick up his toys and get ready for bed. He ignored me, so I took the toy away and told him he couldn't have it back until he learned to pick up when he is told." Alton Clark explained defensively.
Harm looked puzzled, "Why would that upset him? What was he playing with?"
"That jet plane. He has been rather disobedient these past few weeks. He had to learn the consequences of his actions." Alton defended and pointed to the Tomcat toy jet on the coffee table.
"His father gave him that plane... You shouldn't have taken it away. You could have found another way to punish him." Harm shook his head in frustration.
"Commander, I believe my wife and I know what's best for the children. Both children are spoiled and need to have some firm limits set." Alton stood facing Harm, indignantly. Mac and Gunny both waited for the explosion.
"SPOILED! How can you spoil a baby and little boy who just lost both of their parents by allowing them to have the things that help them to remember!" Harm's anger was overflowing.
The police and JAG officers moved closer to intervene in case the tension escalated into a physical confrontation.
"Commander, I don't think you know what is best for the children. You allowed Anna to carry that pink rag around and she cries for no reason, while Gabe apparently was allowed to be insolent." Now Mac felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Gunny quietly whispered, "Hit him one good time, Commander."
Harm's anger turned to a cold penetrating glare, "You sir, are wrong. For your information those children are still my responsibility, and I do know what is best for my children. If you would gather their things, I will relieve you of those 'spoiled children'."
Harm would have continued, but the maid brought Anna into the room. She had been crying but stopped and clapped when she saw Harm. He reached out to her and she held on to him chattering. Harm wrapped her in the blanket she had been sleeping on and picked up the plane and walked outside.
The cold winter air quickly changed Harm's rage to fear as he thought of Gabe. Snow began to fall as Harm moved the car seat to his car and secured Anna.
"I should have called, I should have come by." He berated himself.
"It's not your fault."
Harm looked up to see Mac standing next to him.
"I should have checked on them."
"You thought you were doing the right thing." Mac reached for his hand and squeezed it. "We're going to find him."
"Commander, I think you may want to look at this." Gunny joined them with the children's bags and a drawing pad.
"It's Gabe's drawings." Harm said softly and opened the pad examining each picture.
Mac smiled at the childish drawings of airplanes and people.
"This one looks like you, Anna and Gabe." Mac commented.
Harm looked carefully at each picture but then stared at one, "I think I may know where he might have gone."
*****
A light snow had covered the gravesites of Arlington National Military Cemetery.
"Harm, how would he have made it this distance?" Mac doubted Harm's theory as they drove into the grounds.
Harm parked the vehicle and exited, quickly walking up a slope. He stopped and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a small figure standing by the gravesite.
Gunny and Mac remained in the car with Anna, giving Harm space to approach Gabe alone.
Gabe did not hear Harm as he walked slowly behind him. "I'm sorry Momma and Daddy. I tried to do what you wanted me to do, but I can't. I don't want to live with the Clarks." He cried, "Anna and me want..."
"Gabe." Harm knelt down and touched Gabe on the shoulder. Gabe looked around and lunged into Harm's arms.
Sobbing "Anna and me don't want to live with the Clarks. They took away Anna's 'pinkie' blanket and my Tomcat. We want to Live with you. We want you to be our Dad. I told Momma and Daddy."
Harm felt warm tears in his eyes, "You know, I want you two to be my kids."
Gabe looked at Harm excitedly, "You mean it?"
"I never say anything I don't mean." Harm smiled. "Let's go, its cold out here."
"We need to go get Anna."
"She's in the car waiting for you."
Gabe stopped before they got to the car and looked very seriously at Harm.
"Gabe is something wrong?"
"Promise me you won't climb on anymore ladders."
Harm knelt down and brushed the snow from Gabe's face. "Gabe I can't promise that something won't happen to me or you or your sister. I will try to keep us all safe." Gabe thought a minute, then nodded, "I'll help."
"Do you know tomorrow is Christmas? What did you tell Santa you wanted?" Harm picked Gabe up and held him close to warm him.
Mac and Gunny smiled as Anna clapped and said, "Da Da " as the pair approached, "That's right Anna." Mac said, as tears trickled down her face.
"You never told me what Santa's supposed to bring you." Harm slid into the back seat wrapping his arms around his children.
"I already got it." Gabe snuggled close. "I have a Daddy."
Thirty-one years ago, Harm lost his Dad. Thirty-one years later, Gabe and Anna found theirs.
****
Jan 5th
Harm sat at the table of his apartment, reviewing a case. Gabe had his tablet and pencils, practicing his letter and words for school.
"Have you finished your homework?" Harm stopped to review Gabe's work.
"I have to write a thank you letter, but I can't spell all of the words." Gabe wiggled in the chair.
"I'll write out the words, and you can copy them." Harm put away his file and pulled out a blank sheet of paper.
Gabe began...
Dear Santa, Thank you for my new Steerman airplane. My Dad and I have fun flying it in the park. Thank you most of all for my new Dad.
Harm smiled as he wrote...
Next year Anna and I want a new mommy for Christmas. Her name is Mac. Very truly yours, Gabe Matthews Rabb
The End and have a Merry Christmas!
"Oh you better watch out you better not cry you better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list and checking it twice going to find out who's naughty or nice Santa Claus is coming to town."
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