Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters don't belong to me. This is purely for
entertainment
Classification: PG- 13 some violent content and mild language
Category: Harm/ Mac
Summary: Harm continues grow in his new role as Dad (from the
fanfic "In Another's Shoes") to Anna and Gabe as Mac plays a more
important role in their lives. Gabe's and Anna's adoption was
finalized, and Harm traded in his DC
apartment for a home in Falls Church.
Thanks to Carolyn and Anne for beta reading!
Spring
Falls Church City Park
"Hold the bat up and spread your legs so you'll have better balance." Harm's long arms reached around Gabe's, showing him how to hold the baseball bat.
"Okay pitch us one!" Harm yelled to the pitcher.
A slow even pitch sailed over the base, and Gabe swung the bat hitting the ball and knocking it into left field.
"RUN!" Harm yelled, as Gabe stood amazed that he actually hit the ball. Gabe dropped the bat and ran to first base, arriving just before the outfielder threw the ball to the first baseman.
"WAY TO GO!" Harm cheered as the runner on third base ran into home.
Gabe, grinning from ear to ear, bent down resting his hands on this knees waiting for the next batter.
Mac wiped her hands on her jeans and carefully aimed the ball, ready to pitch to the next little league batter.
The pudgy, freckle-faced little boy gripped the bat tightly and frowned in concentration as Mac released the ball. A sharp crack was heard and the ball flew into the outfield, as three outfielders all scrambled for the ball.
"SOMEONE CALL THE BALL!" Harm yelled, suppressing laughter as two of the outfielders ran into one another and the third tripped over the other two, allowing the ball to roll to a dead stop. All the bases were loaded, and everyone ran home. Mac couldn't resist chuckling as the three outfielders looked around for the lost ball. When one found the ball, he picked it up and yelled in triumph, "I found it!"
Harm shook his head at Mac in amusement.
"Good practice! We'll work on fielding the ball next practice." Harm patted each player on the shoulder as they collected their gear and headed towards parents who waited in the stands.
"See ya later Coach Harm, Coach Mac."
"Later!"
Mac ambled over to the bench where Harm was packing away the gear and talking with parents.
"Yea, Coach when are we going to get something to eat!" Mac teased, with Gabe chiming in, "We're hungry! We want tacos!"
"Fried corn, dead animal with salsa?" Harm frowned.
"You don't have to eat it!" Mac taunted and gave Gabe a conspiratorial smile.
"Besides it's Saturday, remember! We get to eat something good on Saturdays!" Gabe stated with enthusiasm.
"It is Saturday, but I wouldn't classify tacos as something good." Harm shook his head in defeat. "Let's go pick up Anna first. Gabe take this bag to the car."
Harm picked up the remaining bags and started to walk towards the SUV when he noticed the same boy who watched their practices from a distance every Saturday. "Gabe, who is that boy over there?"
"Will Morris, he's supposed to be in the first grade, but he was held back." Gabe explained.
"Would he like to play? He's always watching." Harm looked back, and the boy had disappeared.
"I don't think his Mom will let him. She's mean."
"What do you mean?" Mac entered into the conversation with interest.
"He gets really bad whippings."
"How do you know?" Harm asked.
"I saw his legs one time. He tore his pants leg on the playground."
"What did you see, Gabe?" Mac knelt down so she was eye level with Gabe.
"He had these bruises."
Harm gave Mac a 'drop it for now' look. "Maybe you can invite him to practice. If he can't play, he can at least practice with us." Harm added with a smile, "Let's go get your sister."
**********
"Harm, that bothers me about that little boy." Mac sat in Harm's office after discussing their next case.
"Will Morris? I have a parent-teacher conference today at Gabe's school. I thought I might see what I could find out. Maybe the kid's accident- prone." Harm watched Mac's thoughtful demeanor.
"Mac?"
"Sorry, I guess I drifted off." Mac looked somber.
************
Harm found out from the teacher that Will was a new student, and she had not met his parents. She did say that she thought they lived in an apartment near the park.
Harm picked Gabe up from school after the conference, and they walked towards the SUV. "There's Will." Gabe pointed. Will was walking on the sidewalk alone, as rain began to pour down.
"Let's see if he wants a ride home." Harm suggested. "But Gabe, if anyone ever offers you a ride that you don't know..."
"I know...don't accept rides from strangers." Gabe recited.
"WILL, YOU WANT A RIDE?" Gabe yelled from the rolled down window of their vehicle.
Harm leaned over and smiled, "It's okay."
Will hesitantly walked towards the vehicle and opened the back door and slid in. "Thanks."
"Will, this is my dad"
"Hey Will, where to?" Harm smiled and assessed the boy. He had the largest brown eyes Harm had ever seen except for Mac. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty. He had bruises on his arms.
"I live at the Terrace Apartments." Came a small reply.
"Will, I've seen you watch our softball practices on Saturday. We could sure use another player." Harm looked into his rearview mirror to see Will.
"I can't." "It doesn't cost anything. If you just want to come hit a few ball, that's okay too." Harm was afraid of pushing the boy.
He nodded, "This is where I live. Thanks." Harm pulled over, and before he could say anything, the boy exited the SUV and ran into the apartment complex.
Gabe turned to Harm. "I don't think he has a good Mom and Dad."
Harm nodded and drove home. "Gabe, what makes a good Mom and Dad?"
Gabe had been especially quiet most of the trip home. "A good Dad is someone who makes you feel safe when you're scared, who makes you eat things that are good for you, even if you don't like them and coaches your team but doesn't expect you to be the best player on the team and is proud of you anyway." Gabe looked up and smiled at Harm who reached over and rubbed Gabe's shoulder.
"And Mac would make a great Mom." Gabe added under his breath.
**********
The next Saturday Harm and Gabe arrived early so that Harm could work with Gabe on his pitch. Will was sitting on the bench waiting. Gabe looked up at Harm and smiled, "Hey Will, are you gonna play with us." Gabe greeted.
"I thought I would try, if that's all right. I mean, I don't want to play in any games, but I could practice." Will stood looking at the ground as his foot made circles in the dirt.
"Great! Gabe wanted to practice his pitch for a while. How about I get you a glove, and you two throw the ball to warm up." Harm then tossed Will a glove.
Harm opened the equipment bags and began to sort while he watched Will and Gabe toss the ball back and forth laughing whenever one of them dropped the ball.
***********
Each Saturday for the next month, Will came to practice but never to a game. He and Gabe became close friends at school. Gabe would come in and talk about how they chased girls and played pilots and how good Will was in math. "The teacher can give Will any problem, and he always comes up with the right answer!" Gabe chattered over dinner one evening.
"I would like to meet his parents. Maybe Will could come over after practice, and we could go to the movies or something." Harm suggested.
"That would be fun!" Gabe bounced off his chair. Anna decided to copy Gabe and stood up in her high chair ready to jump when Harm grabbed her and pulled her up so they were face to face.
"Little lady, you don't jump off chairs!" Harm sternly looked into the toddler's eyes. She began to giggle causing Harm to fight his urge to smile. 'This one is going to be the death of me.'
***********
After Saturday's practice, Harm offered to take Will home and explained that they were going to the movies and would like him to go. Will looked excited until Harm explained he would need to ask his mother for permission.
"I forgot, I promised to help my Mom today." Will was obviously not being truthful.
"I'll ask her." Harm really felt the need to meet this woman.
Will nervously escorted Harm and Gabe to his apartment. Loud music was blaring from the window as a woman in her early twenties answered the door, "Is Will in trouble!"
"No, I'm Harm Rabb, Gabe's father, and we just wanted to invite him to go to the movies this afternoon. I will have him back by 7 tonight." Harm explained as warmly as he could.
The woman took a long drag from her cigarette and smiled rather seductively, "Mr. Rabb, why don't you come in."
Harm and Gabe entered the messy apartment and stood awkwardly as Alicia Morris tossed things off the sofa so they could sit.
"Soooo, you're the baseball coach Will talks so much about." She smiled and sucked in on her cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke. She was younger than Harm had imagined. Her tattoos and pierced tongue really added to her look.
"I told Will he could play as long as he didn't give me any trouble. You see Will's father dumped us before he was born, and I have had to raise him all by myself. Can I get you something to drink?"
"No thanks,"
"Well, I think I could stand something. Are you sure?" Alicia strolled into the kitchen and returned with a glass full of green gelatin. "Jell-O shooters. You sure you don't want to try one?" She took a spoon and slurped a bite and giggled. "Umm."
Will sat, fidgeting, on a chair throughout the visit. Harm, sensing Will's discomfort, decided to hurry and make the visit short.
"Will is a great addition to the team, Ms. Morris. We are happy to have him." Harm attempted to lighten up the tension Will was experiencing.
"Will? He's so clumsy. I can't believe he can run without falling down. He's constantly falling and hurting himself." Alicia spoke matter-of- factly and then took a large spoonful of the vodka and gelatin mixture from her glass.
Will continued to look down at his feet.
"Well, if it's all right we will be on our way. I'll leave you my card with my cell phone number." Harm stood up and gestured for the boys to leave.
"This is real nice of you Harm." Alicia smiled, "Come by anytime, I understand you're single too."
Will looked embarrassed as they left the apartment.
"I wanted some Jell-O," Gabe looked disappointed as they climbed in the SUV.
"My Mom doesn't make it right." Will commented sadly and stared out the window.
"We'll get popcorn at the movies." Harm changed the subject and glanced at Will through his rearview mirror.
"Can we call Colonel Mac and invite her to the movies?" Gabe asked eagerly.
"She's in Florida, at Mayport, finishing an investigation." Harm explained. He wished she were here. She would have some ideas on how to help Will.
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