Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I don't make any
money for this.
Classification: PG
Category: Harm and Mac Romance/Humor/Drama
Summary: This is a sequel to 'In Another's Shoes' and 'Something
More'. This story assumes that all the events of season six and seven have occurred.
Gabe finally gets his Christmas wish.
Part 1
August 16
Porter Webb's gardens
The sky was clear and the sun was shining. "I told you it wouldn't rain! I asked God." Gabe exclaimed proudly as he watched his 'Dad' secure the last button to his dress whites.
"All done. How do I look?" Harm turned to his seven-year-old adopted son.
The youngster jumped down off the bed and walked around inspecting the tall handsome Naval Commander. "Dad, you look real good." His young face then grew serious. "You are going to marry Mac aren't you? I mean you aren't gonna change your mind and run off or anything at the last minute?"
"I love Mac, and yes I'm here to marry her. Why did you ask?" Harm knelt down so he could be at eye level with Gabe.
"I love Mac too, and I just don't want anything to go wrong." Gabe said earnestly.
"Marrying Mac could only be right. I promise today that we will finally become a whole family. You, Anna, Will, Mac and me." He said firmly. "She's not just marrying me, but she's promising to be your mother too."
"Good!" Gabe smiled.
A knock on the door interrupted the 'father and son' talk. "Brother, it is time." Sergei entered with Will Harm's soon to be his next son wearing a summer tux that matched his nephews'. Clayton Webb barged into the room immediately behind Sergei.
"Okay Rabb, let's get this mission underway." The CIA agent ordered nervously. "Mother has the orchestra playing your song. The Admiral is ready with Mac." He paused and looked at the naval officer and friend.
"Mac should be impressed, but you may want to wear your dress shoes rather than your running shoes. She may think you are going to skip town." Clay added dryly with a twinkle in his eye.
Harm looked down at his feet and chuckled nervously. "Yea right. I guess I'm a little nervous."
Gabe walked over with his dress shoes, "I wondered why you were wearing your running shoes too." He broke out into a fit of laughter that seemed to spread to all the guys in the room.
Clay gathered the two youngsters and directed them out so that only Sergei remained with Harm as he finished tying his shoes. "I just wanted to tell you big brother that I am proud to be your best man and a part of your family."
"I can hardly believe that less than two years ago, I could count on one hand my family members. Now I have you, Gabe, Anna and I'm about to have Mac and Will as part of my family." Harm choked a little. "I don't know what I've done to deserve all of you in my life, but I do know that I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
Sergei hugged his brother tightly. "It is time. Mac is waiting."
The Webb's back lawn was landscaped lavishly with a large rose garden in full bloom in the center. White chairs seating the wedding guests faced the rose bed where Chaplain Turner stood with Harm, Sergei, Clay, Sturgis and Bud. Will and Gabe stood in front of their uncle.
The small orchestra began to play a classical processional as Mac's bridesmaids dressed in pastel green made their way down the center aisle. Harriet held Anna's hand as the two and a half-year-old toddled down the aisle dressed in a lacy green dress with a ruffled petticoat. When she spotted Harm she pulled away from Harriet and scooted towards her Dad, "Daddy like my petti?" She pulled up her dress proudly displaying the white frilly slip. Chuckling rumbled through out the guest area while Gabe and Will shared an mortified look.
Harm leaned down and picked up the precocious toddler, "You look beautiful Anna." He kissed her, "Can you go stand by Aunt Harriet while Daddy gets married?"
"K Daddy!" She squirmed down and stood next to Harriet grinning broadly.
Harm looked back towards the aisle where the woman wearing a fitted white beaded taffeta gown immediately mesmerized him. Her fingertip length veil with pearl beading on the edges framed her smiling face. Tears threatened as the reality of the moment began to sink in. Before her stood, the man she had dreamed of all of her life. She drew in a sniffle and smiled even more as she spotted Gabe, Will and Anna waiting along with her husband to be. Will waved at her and gave her an approving nod. This was to be her family and another dream realized.
The Admiral leaned over and gave her a quick gentle peck on the cheek. "Here's your new command, Sarah." He then picked up her hand and gave it to Harm who grasp it between both of his hands.
At that moment only Harm and Mac existed as Chaplain Turner spoke to them about marriage and commitment...
"I Harm take you Sarah, to be my wife. I will always love you and respect you Sarah. I promise to remain faithful to you no matter what life brings to us."
"I Sarah take you Harm, to be my husband. I will always love you and respect you. I will always remain faithful to you Harm no matter what life brings to us."
"The wedding ring represents an outward commitment. True commitment, however, lies within." The elderly man placed his hand over his heart. "It is the promise that you have made to one another before God and these witnesses. This commitment like the ring has no ending." Chaplain Turner's expressive voice resonated.
Harm took the gold band from Sergei and slipped it onto Mac's trembling finger, "This ring is a symbol of my love and commitment to you Sarah. When you look at it on you hand, know that you will always have someone who loves you...just you for eternity." His voice cracked ever so slightly.
A single tear trickled down her face as she lifted his hand and slid the gold band onto his finger. "This ring is my gift to you. It is not a ball and chain." She smiled as everyone chuckled. "It is a symbol of my commitment to you and my trust in you. It is to remind you that you have someone who loves you with all of her being." He squeezed her hand.
"With the authority I now pronounce you..." Chaplain Turner began only to be interrupted by a child's voice.
"Wait! We have to say our promises!" Gabe announced. Harm and Mac looked a little confused, but the young man continued. "Will, Anna and me are marrying you too." He tried to explain.
Harm looked at the Chaplain and nodded to let Gabe say what he needed to say.
Gabe gestured for Will to join him as he reached out and took Anna's hand and led her so that the three of them faced Harm and Mac. "Mac, we...Will, Anna and me that is... take you to be our Mom. We promise to try to do all of our chores and keep our rooms picked up. We promise to make you cards for Mother's day and Valentine's day. We don't have a ring or anything to give you, but we will give you our love and will call you Mom forever." Will and Anna smiled and nodded in agreement.
Any tears Mac had managed to hold back were now flooding her face as she knelt and gathered each of the little hands into hers. "I Mac take you Gabe, Will and Anna to be my very own children in every way that you can be. I promise to read you bedtime stories and hold you when you need a hug. I also promise to discipline you with love. I will proudly be your mother and will always love you."
Will pulled away and looked at Harm who knelt down to his level. "Harm, I've never had a real Dad before. Sometimes I would pretend I had a Dad who would take me fishing and play ball with me. When you came along, I didn't have to pretend anymore. Would you be my Dad too? I promise to eat my vegetables and do my chores. Can I call you Dad? " His large brown eyes implored.
Harm took the child's hands in his. "I will proudly take you Will to be my son. I promise to try to be the best father I can be, and it will be an honor to be called Dad by you." He pulled the youngster into a hug. Harm could feel the trembling as Will struggled to regain control as tears poured. He pulled out his handkerchief, wiped Will's face, and quietly instructed him to blow receiving a loud nasal sound as he blew into the kerchief.
Harm then took Mac and his children's hands. "I promise to do whatever I must to keep us together as a family. Mac and I promise to be your parents, and the heads of this family. We all agree now, that we will love each other and support one another in the good times and the bad times. We will be there for each other."
"Agreed." Each family member repeated and then hugs were shared all around.
Harm and Mac stood and smiled at each other.
"Now that all the vows have been completed, I now pronounce Harm and Sarah husband and wife. I also now pronounce Harm, Sarah, Gabe, Will and Anna a family. And everybody said..."
"Amen!" A unanimous response from the guests and wedding party proclaimed.
If there had been a dry eye in the crowd there wasn't now.
"Oh and Harm you may kiss your bride."
Harm's hands slid around Mac and pulled her into a deep heart- stopping kiss.
"Yuck." Gabe and Will responded bringing a chuckle from wedding party.
Harm pulled back and looked into his new bride's eyes, "I love you Mrs. Rabb. Are you ready for our new adventure."
"I love you too Mr. Rabb. You know I love a challenge."
"The Groom and Bride would like you to join them for the reception under the portico." Chaplain Turner announced.
"Alright, come on everybody it's time for cake and ice cream!" Gabe yelled as he and Will bounded down the aisle towards the reception area.
*****
A. J. Chegwidden, Tom Boone and Toby Ingles stood sipping champagne watching the happy couple dancing. "Well A.J. which one did you lose out of your command?" Tobias Ingles, the Navy's newest Admiral inquired.
"Mac is transferring to the SecNav's office. I hated to lose her, but you know the rules." A.J. responded.
"I thought that spineless commander was the SecNav's advisor." Ingles chuckled.
"Seems Lindsay retired. Got an offer from a law firm he couldn't pass up. Segal, Price etcetera." A. J. replied with a smirk.
"You aren't telling us something." Tom quizzed.
"Mac was engaged before."
"Oh yea, the Aussie fellow that Harm didn't care for." Tom nodded in recognition.
"When Brumby reserved his commission, he went to work for that firm."
"Small world." Toby Ingles replied.
"When Harm and Mac were on the Guatalcanal last year, one of their partners was co-counsel with Harm. He was after Harm to join their firm after that, but you know Harm." A. J. continued to explain while the others gestured in understanding.
"Well Harm suggested Commander Lindsay for the position." A. J. chuckled. "The SecNav was in need for an advisor and came to me. I told him that either Harm or Mac was going to have to transfer out due to personal reasons. He jumped at Mac. Said that he couldn't handle two Naval Aviators working directly for him." A. J. looked at Tom Boone who grinned.
"I think what he said was that he couldn't handle Rabb like you could." Tom added.
"Well he's got a Rabb working for him now. Mac decided to go by Colonel Rabb now that she's married with a built-in family."
"Mac couldn't possibly be the challenge Harm is?" Tom asked with a glint in his eye.
A.J.'s eyebrow shot up and a half smile formed on his lips. "He just thought Harm could be stubborn. Wait till he butts heads with Sarah Mackenzie Rabb."
"You look like you are enjoying this A.J." Toby observed.
"There is justice in the world." A.J. held up his glass. "And life is never boring. Who would have imagined Rabb with three kids?"
"He makes a damn fine father." Tom Boone's tone became serious. "His dad would have been proud of him."
"He's not the only one." Toby Ingles added.
"To the Hammer, his son and wife, and all those grandchildren." Tom held his glass in a toast.
"Hoo Rah!"
Harm and Mac danced lost in there on world. The music for the wedding had been classical while the reception was more pop. A Lionel Richie tune was floating around the dancers...Harm whispered the lyrics into Mac's ear as they swayed to the rhythm..."My love there is only you in my life...and I want to share all my love with you...no one else will do...your eyes they tell me how much you care...oh yea...you will always be my endless love...two hearts that beat as one...our lives have just begun...forever I'll hold you close in my arms...I can't resist your charms...I'll be a fool for you ...I'm sure, you know I don't mind...you mean the world to me...I know I found in you my endless love."
Bobbie watched the couple as Sturgis guided her on the dance floor. "They are so in love. I'm so happy for them."
"Yea, I guess it took a few kids who needed them to help them get past all of their issues." Sturgis commented remembering all the tension between the couple.
The song ended and Harm took Anna from his mother while Mac took Gabe and Will and led them out to the dance floor.
"You can dance with Will first Mom. I'll dance next." Gabe backed away as his parents danced with his siblings.
"Here we are...out here me and you...reaching out to each other...all that we can do...Here we stand...trying not to fall...there's no need to worry...love will conquer all...do you really want to know how long love will last." Another Lionel Richie song played. "There's no need to worry...love will conquer all...someone tell me why...why can't we belong...were do we start...tell me when...when will we ever learn...there is no where else to turn...the truth is in our hearts."
Anna bobbed her head in time with the music as her dad twirled her around. Will held Mac as he had seen his Dad and stiffly swayed back and forth not sure of the rhythm. Gabe cut in after a few minutes and began to move his shoulders and hips along with the beat. Mac looked over at Harm who was chuckling at the pair. "Did you teach him to dance?" Mac mouthed.
Harm shrugged his shoulders. "He's a natural." He mouthed back. Will in the meantime was dancing with Chloe. The teenager was showing him a few steps that he attempted without much success, but seemed to be enjoying trying.
After dancing with relatives and friends the bride and groom finally met up at the beverage table where Harm gave Mac a cup of punch. "You ready to blow this joint?" He whispered seductively.
"Anytime flyboy. We have some of our own celebrating to do that is rated NC-17." Mac countered huskily.
Harm grinned and headed towards his parents and Porter and Clayton Webb. "Thank you so much for allowing us to use your beautiful home for our wedding." Mac addressed Porter.
"It was my privilege my dear. I always thought this house would be the perfect place for a wedding. I just hoped it would be Clayton's." She looked at her son who just rolled his eyes.
"You two ready to head out?" Clay asked.
"Yes, thanks for everything Clay." Harm shook his friend's hand and tried not to appear too anxious to leave.
"You two go ahead and have a good time. Don't worry about the children. We are excited to finally get to play grandparents." Trish exclaimed as she smiled at Frank who held a 'cake covered' Anna in his arms. "Anna has her grandpa wrapped around her finger."
"She has her Dad tightly wrapped too." Mac chuckled.
"I think having a female influence around the house is just what she needs." Trish pointed out. Trish gave her new daughter a warm hug.
The crowd gathered to wish the couple farewell as they slowly made their way to Harm's '68 Corvette.
Seeing her parents leaving, Anna decided she was not happy about the idea and began to sob. "My daddy, my mommie...I go with my daddy and mommie."
Mac looked at Harm and turned back to the crying child. Anna had called her mommie and all Mac's maternal feelings tugged at her heart. "Oh Harm, we can't leave her."
Harm gently pulled Mac away, "She'll be okay. Mom has her." He pushed her carefully into the car and then jumped into the red sports car and cranked up the engine. Mikey Roberts and Chloe had shown Sergei the finer points of decorating the car so cans clattered on the street as the car made its exit.
Harm picked up his cell phone and pressed in a number. "Mom? Here talk to Mac."
He grinned and passed the phone to his wife. "Trish?"
"Anna stopped crying the minute you two were out of sight. She is tumbling on the lawn with the boys. Have a good time." Trish reassured her daughter-in-law.
"How did you know?" Mac snuggled as close as she could to her new husband.
"I've been a Dad a little longer than you've been a Mom. Plus she does that to me all the time. Those first weeks I took her to daycare nearly killed me. I finally started calling after I left the building and got the same story." Harm grinned and then his eyes became dark. He pulled over to the side of the road, drew her to him, and placed a deep hungry kiss on her lips. "I don't know if I can make it till we reach the cabin." His hand stroked her face. "Have I told you that I love you in the past ten minutes?"
Mac placed a light kiss on his lips. "It's been seven minutes. The longer we sit on the side of the road; the longer it will take to get there."
Harm cranked up the engine and with wheels spinning they sped down the road...
******
Despite having a ready-made family, Harm and Mac managed to extend the feeling of the honeymoon during the first months of their marriage.
"Come on you guys. Nobody else's parents make out in the grocery store. " Gabe pouted as they drove away from the store.
Will added to the complaints, "And at soccer practice."
"We were not making out. I just kissed you Mom because I was gone last week and missed her." Harm grinned and winked at Mac.
"Kissing is makin out!" Gabe persisted.
"So it embarrasses you that your parents show affection towards each other in public?" Mac questioned the frustrated pair of boys as she sneaked an amused look to her husband.
"Anna doesn't complain." Harm matter-of- factly just to antagonize.
"Anna's too busy going potty to notice!" Gabe sighed in exasperation with his arms folded tightly across his chest.
"I don't mind you showing affection Mom and Dad." Will added with sincerity. "But you suck face like you are giving each other mouth to mouth." The now seven year old going on fifteen responded.
Harm looked at Mac with a shocked expression. "Where did you hear that, William Rabb?" Mac responded as she jerked her head around to look her son square in the eye.
Will immediately realized he had said the wrong thing by his mother's tone, "I ah heard it from some of the older kids. It just means that you kiss good."
"Well we don't want to hear you saying things like that. If you hear things that you are not sure should be repeated, you need to talk with me or your Mom about them." Harm looked into the rearview mirror to ensure that the oldest Rabb child heard him.
"Yes Sir, I'm sorry I said that." Will replied remorsefully.
"Okay and your Mom and I will try to be more aware of our expressions of affection in front of your friends from now on." Harm added.
Later that night Harm and Mac tucked each of the children into bed together as per routine when they were both home. When they reached Will, they found him crying quietly in his bed. "Will, what's the matter son?" Harm stroked his head.
"I'm sorry I was bad. I promise I won't say it again just don't leave." He pleaded.
Mac sat on the side of the bed while Harm continued to try to console the little boy. "Will, we aren't going to leave you. You said something that we didn't approve of, but that doesn't mean we stopped loving you."
"But that's why people leave you. If you do something wrong, they won't like you anymore, and they will leave. That's what my mom said about her boyfriends." He continued to sob.
Mac cuddled the child in her arms. "Your mother's boyfriends were not always nice people. Your mother left because she was physically hurt so badly that the doctors couldn't help her. She didn't want to leave you. She was sad that she had to leave you." Mac rocked the child soothingly.
"Will Rabb remember the promises we made to each other at the wedding? We meant them." Harm spoke firmly but gently. "We promised to love each other during the good and bad times and to be there for one another."
Will sniffed as his sobbing ceased. "Even if we are bad?"
"Remember we said we would lead this family." Mac added. "Being a parent means correcting you when you say or do things that are bad so that you won't repeat those things."
"Making mistakes doesn't mean you are a bad person." Harm added. "I've made mistakes and your grandmother had to discipline me. I didn't like it at the time, but I'm glad she did. I know right from wrong most of the time because of her discipline."
"Did you cry when she disciplined you?"
"Sometimes. I usually felt bad because I thought I let her down. Sometimes I was angry because I didn't think I deserved to be disciplined, but now I know she was right."
"Did your Mom and Dad discipline you Mom?"
"Sometimes, but my mom and dad didn't know how to correct me in a way that helped me understand what I did was wrong. My parents were like your mother's boyfriends." Mac said sadly.
Will's eyes grew large, "Did they leave you?"
"My mom left because she didn't love my dad."
"I'm sorry Mom, but Dad loves you, he won't leave you and I won't either." Will hugged her tightly.
Harm smiled, "That's right. We guys need to take care of Mom. You need to get some sleep." He tucked the boy in and kissed him on the forehead.
Mac and Harm started out the door, "Mom and Daddy. It's okay if you want to kiss in front of my friends." Will added with a smile and turned over and closed his eyes.
"That went well." Mac looked up at her husband and kissed him on the cheek as she closed Will's door behind them.
"You want to go suck face?" Harm whispered as they headed to their bedroom.
********
Several weeks later...
Harm and Mac had managed to coordinate their travel so that one of them could be at home with the children. For the past two weeks, Mac had been on assignment at Pearl in Hawaii. This was the longest separation for her and Harm since their marriage, and she was terribly homesick. She had detected over the phone that tensions were building and though Harm wouldn't admit it, he needed her to help with the kids.
Will sounded distant, and she suspected he was feeling insecure about her leaving. Gabe and Anna were fighting the last time she called resulting in the phone call being cut short so Harm could go handle the situation.
Sitting next to a window on the plane, Mac breathed a sigh of relief that she was finally going home. She closed her eyes planning to nap so she would be well rested when she reunited with her family.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" Mac opened her eyes at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Mic?"
**********
"How are you Sarah?" Mic smiled self-consciously.
"Fine. Ah, sure you can sit here." Mac replied uneasily.
Mic sat down and strapped himself in, "Admiral Chegwidden have you on a case?"
"No, actually I'm the advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. I'm not with JAG anymore."
"I didn't think you would ever leave JAG. This must be a promotion."
"Sort of. What about you?"
"I'm heading to DC. I'm on sort of an advisory assignment myself."
The conversation came to an uncomfortable dead-end.
"How are Bud and Harriet?" Mic struggled to keep the dialogue going.
"Fine, I figured you would have talked with them."
"No, I haven't talked with anyone since, you know."
"How is Harm?"
"Happily married." Mac smiled.
"I'll be damned! He asked Renee to marry him?" Mic smiled in surprise.
"No actually, he married me."
Mic's gaze darted to her left hand where she showed him her ring.
The smile on his face quickly faded. "Congratulations, I guess you two figured it out."
"We had a little help. In fact three little helpers." Mac added awkwardly.
"You had a baby, ah babies, triplets?" Mic's eyes were round.
"No," Mac smiled and pulled out her pictures in her wallet. "Harm adopted Gabe and Anna when some friends of his were killed. We then adopted Will." Mac pointed out each child proudly.
Mic noticed the contentment in her expression as she told him about the kids. "You sound happy Sarah. I'm glad. Motherhood is good for you."
"Harm and the children are good for me." Mac stated emphatically.
"You love him?"
"With all of my heart."
There was a moment of silence as Mic adjusted to the information.
"What about you Mic? Any special lady out there?"
"No one since you." He held her gaze until it became uncomfortable. "You know I never stopped loving you. I just couldn't compete." He picked up her hand and held it.
"You were right to leave. You were right about us. You were right about Harm." She pulled her hand away. "Maybe I should move to another seat."
"Don't Sarah, I promise to behave myself. We'll keep the conversation to safer subjects. Tell me what Tiner and Gunny are up to?"
The rest of the flight Mac managed to keep the conversation away from their relationship. She did manage to get a couple of hours sleep after they changed flights at Los Angeles to their Washington connection.
When they finally touched down at Dulles, she felt herself excitedly anticipating seeing her family. Mic insisted on taking her carry-on bags. Due to increased security, Mac knew Harm and the kids would have to wait outside the boarding areas. Mic helped her collect her luggage and escorted her down the concourse where she finally saw her tall good-looking husband. She left Mic behind as she practically ran to her family. "Oh, I've missed you all so much!" She hugged and kissed each one. Harm was holding a cranky Anna while Will and Gabe rummaged through a bag Mac gave them containing souvenirs.
So focused on his beautiful wife, Harm failed to notice the dark haired Australian that trailed behind. "I missed you Ninja girl." He ignored his agreement with the boys to limit their demonstration of affection in public as well as protocol.
"Mommie, they've been mean to me." Anna whined interrupting her parents.
"They have?" Mac pulled the little girl into her arms and kissed her.
"Gabe and Will called me a squatter." She lamented.
Mac looked at Harm for an interpretation, but before he could respond, Anna explained. "I want to stand up to go tee tee like the boys, and Daddy won't let me."
Mac looked at her Harm who gave her a look that said, 'You are going to have to handle this one'.
"I see. Mommie brought you back a present." Mac pulled a plastic flower lei off Gabe and put it on the unhappy little girl bringing about a much-needed change in disposition.
"Pretty! I so pretty."
"Looks like you two have your hands full." Mic's voice interrupted the family moment.
Harm's face reflected ten different emotions before he responded, "Mic. What a coincidence seeing you here."
"Sarah and I shared flights from Pearl. She's caught me up on your news. Congratulations, you have a terrific family here." He extended his hand after sitting Mac's luggage down.
Harm shook his hand as Mac tentatively watched the interchange.
"Daddy, who is he?" Gabe pulled on Harm's jacket.
"Gabe, Will and Anna. This is Commander Mic Brumby an old friend of your Mom's...and mine." Harm explained with a tight smile plastered across his face.
"He talks funny." Gabe added suspiciously sensing his father's uneasiness.
Mac jumped in, "He's from Australia. He is a Navy lawyer like your Dad." Mac did not miss the tenseness in Harm's face after she said that.
"I bet my Dad can beat you in court." Gabe taunted.
"Oh, he already has." Mic responded good-naturedly. "I guess I better be on my way. Let me help you get your luggage to the car first." He offered only to have Harm quickly snatch up the luggage.
"I can get it. Thanks for helping Mac retrieve her luggage. I guess you need to go to wherever you're suppose to be." Harm drew an odd look from Mac as he began to herd his family towards the door.
"Give us a call before you leave town Mic. Maybe you can come over and have dinner one night." Mac offered and received another glare from Harm.
"Daddy said when you came home we could go to McDonald's." Will held his mother's hand tightly as they made their way to the parked vehicle.
"McDonald's? You did miss me Sailor." Mac chuckled as Harm returned a sheepish look.
*********
Later that night after finally getting the kids settled down in bed, Mac lay curled up next to Harm. "I missed you terribly." She cooed.
"Sounds like you had company to keep your mind occupied." Harm replied flatly.
Mac pushed up and looked at her husband, "He was on the same flight home. What was I suppose to do say, 'This seat is saved, you can't sit here?' " Mac reacted angrily.
"Yea." Harm replied awkwardly.
"You've been hanging around the kids too much. You are beginning to act and sound like them!" Mac plopped back into her pillow and rolled over.
"Hey, Sarah, I'm sorry. I guess that did sound sort of childish." He replied contritely.
"Yes it did."
"I just missed you so much and when Bugme showed up." The irritation was evident in his tone.
"What did you think? That I had some sort of affair with him for the past two weeks?" Mac snapped.
"No...I just was feeling a little...insecure."
Mac smiled at his confession. Harmon Rabb Jr. actually admitted that he felt insecure. She rolled over and touched his face. "You have nothing to worry about. You will always be the only one for me."
He smiled and pulled her close and kissed her. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Harm, you feel warm." She pressed her hand on his forehead.
********
Mac turned on the bedside lamp flooding the room with light. Harm tightly closed his eyes against the painful simulation.
"You look flushed. How do you feel?"
"I'm fine really. Just turn off the light, I have a headache." Harm tried to sound convincing.
Mac got up and rummaged through the medicine cabinet returning with a thermometer. Before he could object, she stuck it into his mouth.
Harm pulled it out and examined it. "I hope that's not the rectal thermometer."
"We have two kinds?" She replied innocently.
"Funny."
"Just keep it under your tongue till I tell you take it out. That's an order Mister." Mac threatened.
"Have the kids been sick?"
Harm started to remove the thermometer to respond only to have his hand swatted. "I said leave it in place."
"I had a feeling you didn't tell me everything to keep me from worrying. What else did you not tell me?"
Again, Harm reached for the glass probe only to have his hand pulled away.
"Why didn't you tell me you didn't feel well. I could have gotten someone to pick me up from the airport."
Harm pulled the thermometer out and caught Mac's hand before she swatted him. "The kids are always sick with something. You know that. I did not hide anything from you...except that Gabe failed his spelling test because he was busy trying to flirt with the student teacher. I have been fine until today. I just feel a little achy... probably just cold. And I'm glad I picked you up because Mic would have wanted to bring you home, and yes I'm jealous." He finished and stuck the thermometer back under his tongue.
Mac smiled sympathetically and stroked his head, "Poor baby. Let Momma make it feel better." She leaned over, kissed his warm forehead, and received a grin.
The next morning...
"Harm, you are not going in today. I already called the Admiral and explained that you are sick." Mac pushed him back into the bed.
"I am in the middle of an investigation. Time is crucial." Cough, cough. "I'll take some of that flu, cold, fever medicine that tastes nasty, and I'll be fine." Cough cough.
"Harm you can barely talk, you sound congested and you still have a fever. I don't think you slept for more than an hour at a time last night."
"I'm sorry I kept you up. Look I need to at least go to the office and organize everything so Bud can check a few things out for me and then I'll come home." His voice ended in a hoarse rasp.
"You probably are contagious, and no one wants you to be coughing on them much less breathing the same air as them. I'll call and have the Admiral put you on mandated medical leave." Mac threatened as she handed him a couple of cold capsules.
He sat back against the headboard, took the capsules, and chased them with juice wincing in pain with this sore throat. One more symptom added to his list of discomforts.
"I called and made you an appointment with Dr. Stringer at Bethesda. I'll come home early this afternoon and drive you." She grabbed her purse and keys from the dresser and yelled for the kids to put a move on it. "Stay in bed, get some rest and drink lots of fluids. I love you." She kissed the top of his head and left with the kids in tow.
The medication made him so sleepy that he almost didn't hear the phone when it rang. "Bud, did you get the information?"
"Yea, yea I'm fine. It's just a cold. Mac is overreacting. " His raspy voice did not make him very believable.
"We need to talk with Lt. Miller today."
"I know you are in court."
"No Lt. Singer will not do. I wish Gunny were still around. I'll think of something." Harm looked at the clock. Mac would not be home until 1530 to take him to the doctor. That gave him four hours to drive over to Pax River and get back. He needed to talk with Lt. Miller today. He stood up and the room swirled for a few seconds. He reached for the Tylenol bottle, swallowed a couple of pills and proceeded to dress.
Harm arrived a few minutes before the Lt. was scheduled to fly out to Iceland on a supply drop. Cases of weapons had been disappearing. A pencil pusher at the Pentagon had discovered the inconsistency and reported the discrepancy. Whoever was behind this was very creative. Lt. Miller's last few deliveries had come up short, and Harm wanted to interview the man himself.
Thirty minutes later Harm felt that he had run into a dead-end. If his head weren't so congested and achy he could think straight. In the back of his mind a little nagging thought kept trying to emerge that the man was not being truthful, but the harder he tried to analyze the situation the more his head hurt. He looked at his watch and hurried back home.
As he opened the door, he heard the phone ringing. He rushed into the house and picked up. "Hello." He cleared his throat and tried again. "Hello."
"Harm, what took you so long to answer the phone. I was beginning to worry." Mac sounded concerned.
"I didn't hear it ringing." Harm responded, 'I not really lying.'
"The SecNav has me down to meet with a delegation this afternoon. Will you be up to driving yourself to the doctor? If not I'll call Sergei."
"I'm sure I can drive." His voice seemed to evaporate.
"What did you say?"
He cleared his throat, "I can drive."
"I called Julie's mother, and she will come over after school and stay with the kids until I get home. You probably will need to pick up Anna."
"Okay." He coughed.
"Harm, let me call Sergei."
"No. Bye." Harm sat the phone back down. 'Sergei is in New York this week.'
The physician at Bethesda was backed up with patients, and Harm had to wait for two hours. The harried physician gave him a quick exam, diagnosed him with the flu and prescribed an antiviral medication.
Harm made it to the daycare a half-an-hour late and was chastised by the director. Anna was irritable crying all the way home, and Harm felt too badly to try to console her. He arrived home to the stereo blaring a loud rap song and Will and Gabe fighting over the computer.
All Harm wanted to do was crawl in bed and sleep, but first he had to stop some of the noise that threatened to take away what little sanity he had remaining. He turned off the stereo, paid Julie, sent the boys to separate corners of the room, pulled out a box of cereal, poured each of the kids a bowl of cheerios and declared supper ready.
"I don't want cereal for supper." Gabe whined.
Anna picked up the little round floating pieces of cereal and lined them up around her bowl and in her hair.
Will ate his obediently and served himself seconds pouring milk all over the table while Harm dozed with his head propped up on his hands at the table. "I don't think Daddy feels good." Will observed.
Gabe walked over to where Harm was sleeping and put his hand on his head. "He's got a fever. I wonder where Mom is?"
In the meantime, Mac studied intently the document on the conference table and smiled at her discovery. "I knew it was here. Take a look." She passed the folder over to the Australian representative next to her. They were reviewing the South Pacific Naval Agreement. Several of the member countries wanted to declare the agreement null and void because of a suspected violation. Australia supported the United States in maintaining that the Agreement was still viable.
"Great job Mac. I should have known you would figure this out. Now if we can just convince the other members of the delegation." He grinned warmly. "It's good to work with you again, Sarah."
Mac smiled back, "It is good to work with you again too Mic."
"How about I buy you some dinner before you go home?" He offered.
"I need to get home. Harm is sick, and Julie our sitter can only handle the crew for a few hours before they outsmart her."
"No worries. I'll see you tomorrow."
Mac picked up her cell phone as she drove towards the Rabb residence.
"Rabb residence." Will's voice answered.
"Hey Will, it's Mom I should be home in about twenty minutes. Let me speak to your Dad."
"He's sick Mom. Gabe is taking care of him, and I'm taking care of Anna."
"Where is Julie?"
"Dad sent her home."
"Did you have dinner?"
"Yea, we had Cheerios."
"I'll be home soon."
Mac pushed her speed up and to the next exit where she knew she could take several short cuts to save time. She made it home in record time, unaware of the car followed.
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