This part isn't as long as the last two... but it moves things along a little. Enjoy! and thanks for the comments.

Title: Rock a bye babies

Background: Part 3 of season eleven: Takes place the next day after Keep One Eye on the Road – Reading the rest of the season 11 series first could be helpful, but like episodes, this story should stand mostly on its own.

Summary: Harm and Mac continue adjusting to life and family in London.

Chapter 1

London Headquarters

November 24, Thanksgiving

Beth watched casually as Captain Rabb whistled his way through the bullpen and over to her desk.

"Good morning, Petty Officer. I appreciate your willingness to come in this morning." Harm felt badly asking James to work Thanksgiving morning, but this was the only time that Commodore Harding could meet with Harm over the upcoming court martial of six British paratroopers from the 3rd Battalion and four Americans over recent prisoner abuse.

"No problem, sir. I rescheduled most of yesterday's appointments. Captain Macaffee refused to schedule with me, he insisted on speaking with you personally." Beth noticed even that tidbit of normally annoying news couldn't wipe the gleeful grin off the captain's face. Something was up. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. The Rabbs always had what looked like a very 'hot' relationship, so that wouldn't explain the 'got lucky last night' look on her CO's face. Something was up, but what?

"Good job, James. Thanks." Harm continued shuffling through his messages on his way to his desk.

"Oh, and sir?"

"Yes?"

"There's a fax on your desk from COMUSNAVEUR."

"Thank you, Petty Officer." This was it, what Harm had been waiting for. Dropping his messages on his desk, he picked up the paper he'd been waiting months to receive. A small grin crept across his face. What were the odds of this, he wondered?

Same Time

Rabb flat

Mac rolled over slowly in bed. Stretching her arms and pointing her toes, she had to admit this was most definitely one advantage of no longer being on active duty. She could spend all night making love with her husband, and then spend the rest of the morning getting some much-needed sleep.

Today was going to be a big day, her first family Thanksgiving. Since most of the staff was far from family and home, Mac decided to follow in Harriet's footsteps and do a JAG family dinner. Fortunately, the office here wasn't quite as large as Ops in Washington, or she might have been in over her head. Meg had helped her with some of the cooking Tuesday night. It was a shame she couldn't stay a few more days. The refrigerator was overflowing with ready to heat and serve goodies, including Meg's famous glazed sweet potatoes.

Mac had briefly considered an attempt at making homemade pies, but quickly realized if the BX was kind enough to stock an unusual array of frozen pies, she should be smart enough to buy them.

Tightening the sash on her robe, she peeked into Mattie's room. "Okay, sleepyhead. We've got company coming at 1600 hours and lots of work to do." Mac waited a minute as Mattie opened one eye.

"You do realize the only thing I'm good at is ordering pizza?" Mattie pushed the covers back and propped herself up against the headboard, vainly attempting to rub the sleep from her eyes.

"Then this will be good experience for both of us." Mac tapped the doorway and continued into the kitchen.

She knew she shouldn't let herself get so excited, but she couldn't help it. She so hoped they'd have something special to be thankful for this year. The last few months had been incredible. Only one thing could make being married to Harm any better, a baby.

It was after 1300 when Harm made it back from the office. The sight of his wife in an apron, her hair pulled back in a ponytail with a few errant wisps falling in her face, and up to her elbows in potato peels, filled Harm with an enormous sense of pride and an equal helping of amusement.

"Need some help?" He wrapped his arms around her waist, gently kissing the back of her neck.

"Yes, actually. If you wouldn't mind basting the turkey while I finish up these potatoes." Blowing the strands of loose hair away from her face, Mac nodded in the direction of the oven.

"Yes, ma'am," Harm saluted. Opening the door and pulling the turkey forward, he proceeded with his assigned task.

"How'd the meeting go?"

"About as expected. The biggest thing will be keeping the publicity under control. I did get some good news, though."

"What?" Mac tossed the last of the potatoes into a large pot of boiling water.

"I'll have my new lawyer next week."

"Anyone we know?" Mac began breaking the ends off the green beans.

"Believe it or not, yes." Harm moved up next to Mac to help with the beans. "It's Manetti."

"Wow, they're giving you a Lt. Commander to replace Philips?"

"That was my first thought. I guess someone is taking my request for experience seriously. I would have liked to have kept Meg, but Tracy is a good lawyer and an experienced investigator. Not to mention fluent in Italian," Harm chuckled.

"It looks like we've been given plenty to be thankful for today."

"Agreed." Harm wiggled his brow at her. "Where's Mats?"

"I forgot to buy rolls, so she's gone round the corner for me."

"Do we have time for a quickie before she gets back?" Harm teased.

"In your dreams, sailor! Your staff will be here in a couple of hours. You'd better keep your mind on the food." Mac shook her head. She wasn't about to admit she'd been wondering the same thing.

Several hours later

Rabb flat

"Ma'am, this has to be the best Thanksgiving dinner I've ever had. Just don't tell my mom," Ensign Barnes chuckled.

"No problem, Ensign." Mac couldn't have been more pleased. The dinner had gone off without a hitch. Almost everyone they'd invited attended, and the odd mixture of enlisted and officers seemed to be blending together well. Maybe she'd done good throwing this get together.

"Have we delegated KP yet?" Harm gently placed his arm around his wife's waist, scanning the leftover desserts on the dining room table.

"That's the glory of Ziploc," Mac smiled.

"Allow me, ma'am," Gunny volunteered.

"You don't have to do that, Gunny. We can get it later." Mac waved him off.

"I can help," Beth added.

"Me, too, ma'am. It only seems fair. Mom would never let any of us get away with eating and not helping clean up the mess," Ensign Barnes joined in.

"That's right, ma'am. Standard kitchen rules, the ones who do the cooking don't do the cleaning," Petty Officer Blair added.

"We'll organize it, ma'am. You and the Captain go join the others in the living room for coffee." Gunny nodded in the direction of the other room.

"If you insist." Reaching for another cup of coffee, Mac turned towards the other room.

"I'll wash," Beth volunteered.

"I'll dry. Why don't you two put away the leftovers," Gunny directed.

Ensign Barnes began scraping off the dirty plates and piling them next to Beth, while PO Blair searched for the Ziploc bags Mrs. Rabb had mentioned. Within a few minutes there was an organized assembly line gathering scattered dirty dishes from around the apartment, tossing the scraps, and wrapping up the leftovers.

"You've been awfully quiet today." Gunny dried another dish, placing it on the growing pile.

"I was just thinking how different this year was from last year."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Good. Last year, Sally Peterson and I went down to a restaurant in East Anglia. It's some kind of an estate with a restaurant and pub. The owner's wife is an American and they do a Thanksgiving dinner every year. It was nice, but nothing like this. This almost feels like home, like family," Beth shrugged.

"I know what you mean." Gunny turned to place a stack of dishes in a nearby cabinet.

"Did they do this stateside, too?" she asked, wiping a stray bubble from her nose.

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean, not exactly?"

"Well, I guess if they'd been married back then they might have, but the ones to do this every year were Lt. Roberts and his wife. They always made us feel at home."

"Would that be the fertile one?"

Laughing quietly, Gunny nodded. "Yes, that's the one."

"How long have the Captain and Mrs. Rabb been married?" Beth paused to ask. She'd just assumed they'd been married for years, they seemed so comfortable with each other, like a pair of favorite worn shoes.

"Less than a year."

"I wondered why they didn't have any children. I thought maybe...they couldn't. I guess they just haven't had time." Beth turned back to the last few pans.

"Have you decided when to tell Captain Rabb?"

"When to tell me what?" Harm came up beside them, Mac on his heels.

Chapter 2

Beth almost dropped the pot on the floor when she heard the Captain come up behind her. Even Gunny's usually calm demeanor was slightly bristled at Harm's unexpected appearance.

"Nothing, sir. Nothing that can't wait for work," she stumbled.

Harm glanced at Mac. His instincts were to push, but at the shake of Mac's head, he decided it could wait till Monday.

"Kitchen looks wonderful. You guys can come over for KP anytime," Mac offered sincerely, hoping no one noticed her casual attempt to shift the conversation.

Quickly drying off her hands, Beth turned to her hosts. "I've had a lovely evening. Thank you very much, but it's getting late and I'd better start home." Nodding politely, it was pretty obvious to everyone she couldn't get out of there fast enough.

"Yeah, it is getting late," Barnes commented, watching Gunny follow James out of the room.

"Are you okay?" Gunny asked cautiously. He'd followed her to Mattie's room where all the winter wear was being stowed.

Picking her coat up from the bed, Beth nodded her head.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't realize they had come into the kitchen." Gunny felt awful.

Taking a deep breath, Beth turned around to face him. "No big deal, but it really is getting late, and I really am tired. I'm ready to go home and sink into a nice hot bath, then curl into a warm bed for the next three days."

"You're right. It is late. At least let me walk with you to the tube?" It was silly, she probably took the subway alone at night all the time, but somehow Gunny just felt the need to watch over her.

As with every party, once the first person left, everyone else seemed to follow like a parade. Not long after Gunny and Beth left, Harm and Mac closed the door behind the last guest.

"I'd say that was a complete and total success." Mac leaned against the closed door, noticing the unexpectedly pensive look on Harm's face. "What's wrong? Did I miss something?"

"No. I think the evening went well, but why wouldn't you let me find out what Gunny knows that Beth obviously doesn't want to tell me?"

"I'm not sure how much Gunny knows, but the last thing you want to do is corner a woman in a room full of squids. My guess is it has something to do with her health. She may have asked Gunny to cover if she needs a few days off again."

"I suppose that does make sense. He covers her desk now instead of Blair." Harm pondered what was going on. Mac was probably right, but still, something was up, he just knew it.

Mac had an uneasy feeling about all this too, but saw no sense in ruining a long weekend over it.

"Come on, it's almost 2300 hours. I turn into a pumpkin at midnight." Mac tugged at Harm's belt buckle.

"Kinky," Harm grinned broadly.

"Way cool!" Mattie hollered as she bolted from her bedroom. "Jen just answered my email. She said Colonel Blake granted her two weeks leave for Christmas!"

Harm braced himself as Mattie flung her arms around him.

"This is going to be such a great Christmas. Just like before, all of us and Jen too!"

Mac leaned back and watched Harm's hand drop slowly onto Mattie's hair. She hadn't seen much fatherly interaction of late. Mattie seemed to be stretching her 'I'm getting too old for that' wings. Mac couldn't help but think about how good Harm was with her. He deserved a chance to be a dad from the start.

"It'll be great," Harm smiled.

"Thanks, Dad." Mattie squeezed her arms more tightly around Harm.

Mac could see the tear threatening to fall. Mattie hadn't called him that for a very long time. When Mattie turned and pulled Mac into an equally crushing bear hug with a, "Thanks, Mac. I'm so glad you married my dad," Mac couldn't bat her eyes fast enough to stop the tear that trickled down her cheek.

"Me too," she managed to whisper.

"I'd better go back before she thinks we've changed our minds." In a flash Mattie was out of sight.

Bond Street Station

"You really don't have to stay with me. I'll be just fine," Beth repeated again.

"I'm not in a hurry. You know Marines, never leave a man behind."

"I'm not behind. I'm waiting for a train," she smiled. Gunny really knew how to bring back the age of chivalry. "I've been taking the subway all by myself for over a year. I can find my way home, I promise."

Gunny didn't want to appear pushy, but he really didn't feel right leaving her alone on a subway platform so late at night. If there had been at least a few more people around, he wouldn't have felt so uneasy.

"Tell you what, we'll give it a few more minutes. If the train isn't here by then, I'll go ahead and catch mine."

"That's probably the best I'm going to do." Beth looked over at the row of benches along the wall. She wasn't sure how long they'd been waiting, but her legs were really starting to feel it. Just standing around wasn't something she did very well lately.

Watching the wheels in her mind turning, Gunny was interrupted by the sound of a blood-curdling scream. Without a second thought, he was barreling up the corridor in the direction from which the cries came.

"Help! Please help!" echoed through the halls.

Just as Gunny turned the bend he was horrified to see a very pregnant woman on the ground, clutching something to her chest. A rather scruffy looking character was pulling at her arms and kicking her sides.

In less than a flash, Gunny spun the man around. The stranger's eyes were wild and crazed. It caught Gunny off guard for a split second before he regrouped and leveled a blow to the man's abdomen.

Beth had come quickly rushing up the hall behind him, stunned by the near brawl. She gasped unexpectedly as the crazed man shoved Gunny against the wall. The next thing she knew, Gunny had kneed the man in the groin and sent him flying back across the way with a quick right cross. It wasn't until the man stumbled over the crumpled woman on the floor that Beth even noticed her at all.

"Oh, my God." Beth ran behind where the two men were once again slamming each other back and forth against the walls, the sound of pounding flesh sending icy chills up her spine.

"Are you okay?" she nervously asked the prone woman.

"I...I don't know." The terrified mother-to-be was frozen in place. Huddled in a near fetal position, she clutched her bag tightly against her. Her breathing shallow and quick, her words were barely audible.

"We need to get you out of here. Can you stand up?"

The woman's breathing was increasing in speed. She was nearly hyperventilating but she hadn't said another word.

"Come on, let's try." Beth used more strength than she should have trying to lift the woman off the floor to get her away from the still fighting men.

The harder Beth tugged, the more frantically the woman pulled into herself. This wasn't working. At least the fight had moved up the hall a short distance, and now someone coming around the bend was calling for help.

"Do we need to get you to the hospital?" Beth asked. Trying once again to help lift the woman off the floor, a sharp pain pierced through her lower right side. "Ow!" she gasped, more surprised than anything.

The sight of Beth sliding to the ground beside her in apparent pain seemed to somehow snap the frightened woman partly back to reality.

Beth held her side, taking long slow breaths, waiting for the pain to subside.

Just as the other woman shifted her position and started to raise herself off the floor to check on Beth, the crazed attacker went running past them with Gunny in fast pursuit.

When Gunny reached the two women he slowed, not quite coming to a stop. "Are you two okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine," Beth panted, still holding her side. "Go catch that SOB."

Chapter 3

Next Morning

Rabb Flat

Harm turned over in bed, slowly being drawn out of a deep sleep by the feel of the cold sheets beside him. Opening one eye, he scanned the length of the bed then looked around the room.

"Morning, sleepyhead." Mac came through the doorway carrying a breakfast tray. "Thought you deserved breakfast in bed."

Hiding a large yawn, Harm sat up, propping the bed pillows behind him. "And just what did I do to deserve this?"

"Oh, nothing special," Mac smiled saucily. They had spent the better part of the late night hours filling their brief window of fertility with every possible opportunity for conception.

Harm reached over to accept the tray, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her down beside him. "You're eating with me, aren't you?"

"I already had my breakfast, I'm just going to get the paper." Mac pulled her arm away, laughing at the tight hold and puppy-dog face Harm was making.

Harm had managed to eat half his omelet and toast by the time Mac made it back with the paper. "I've never had a cranberry and cream cheese omelet before. This is really good."

"It was that or a stuffing and cranberry sandwich," she chuckled loudly. Snuggling up next to him, Mac flipped open the paper and took a sip of the coffee she'd brought in with Harm's breakfast.

"Wow, this is something. Some lunatic was running loose last night in the subway attacking women and stealing their handbags."

"Did they catch him?"

"I'm not... Harm!"

"What?" His head snapped in her direction at the sudden change in her tone of voice.

"It's Gunny. Listen to this." Mac began reading. "The perpetrator's final mistake came shortly before midnight when his last victim's cries for help were heard by United States Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez."

Harm shifted closer in an attempt to read over her shoulder.

"In an apparently drug induced rage, the alleged perpetrator had escaped capture during three previous attacks. Master Gunnery Sergeant Galindez was able to subdue the attacker on the tube platform shortly before the arrival of the police. The Marine was taken to hospital for minor injuries sustained while scuffling with the perpetrator. His last Victim, Melody Baugh, eight months pregnant, was admitted for observation. Another bystander, Petty Officer First Class Elizabeth James of the United States Navy, was also taken to hospital."

Mac had no sooner finished the last sentence when she jumped out of bed and rummaged through her purse in search of her cell phone.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Gunny."

"His phone won't work if he's at the hospital," Harm pointed out.

"No, but if he's home, he'll answer."

"And if he's resting?" Harm raised an eyebrow at her.

"I hadn't thought of that." But it was too late.

"Galindez."

"Gunny? It's Mac. How are you?"

Gunny didn't know how she knew, but by the tone of her voice, he knew she did.

"I'm fine ma'am. Just a couple of cracked ribs and some sore knuckles."

"And Beth?"

Gunny looked over at the still sleeping Petty Officer. "She's fine, ma'am."

"Where are you?"

"I'm still at the hospital, ma'am. They had a busy night here..."

"We're on our way," Mac interrupted, pulling clean clothes out of her drawer and tossing them at her husband.

"That won't be necessary ma'am. I've already been released and the doctor's just signed the papers on Petty Officer James."

"Are you sure you don't need us?" Mac wasn't completely convinced.

"Yes, ma'am. We're fine. Honest."

"Very well, Gunny. But if you or Beth need anything at all, anything, make sure you call us."

"Understood, ma'am. Thank you."

"Semper Fi, Gunny."

"Semper Fi, ma'am." Gunny flipped the phone shut, letting out a short sigh of relief. He had hoped they wouldn't ask what exactly was wrong with Beth.

"Who was that?" Beth asked quietly.

"Colonel MacKenzie."

"How'd she hear about it?"

"Don't know," Gunny shrugged. "The doctor signed your release. We can blow this joint as soon as you're ready."

"I was ready before I ever got here." Beth started to spring up from the bed, the pain in her side instantly reminding her that was no longer an option.

"Hey, take it easy." Gunny moved closer to the bed at her obvious grimace. He couldn't remember ever being as frightened as he was when he realized she'd been hurt last night.

Bond Street Station

The previous evening

Gunny had continued full speed ahead after the crazed man. Arriving at the end of the tunnel, he quickly scanned the platform. There was no sign of the man anywhere. Carefully, he made his way to the edge of the platform, looking for signs of movement down the dark pathway. He was just about to return to the women when the bright lights of the oncoming train flashed around the bend.

Immediately Gunny heard a rustling sound beneath him, giving him enough warning to brace himself as his prey scrambled out from underneath and onto the platform. It only took one final blow for Gunny to render the man nearly unconscious, the London police now rushing down the platform.

"Looks like you've had your hands full, mate," one of the officers smiled, cuffing the now revived and thrashing prisoner.

"If you don't mind, I want to get back to my friend. I'll be up the hall if you need a statement."

"Right-o," the man replied.

Gunny hurried up the ramp and down the long hall to where he'd left Beth and the woman. Paramedics were huddled around the woman, who was now sobbing loudly.

"Is she going to be okay?" Gunny asked one of the men as he kneeled by Beth's side.

"May be going into early labor. Shock like this will do it to you." The polite young man finished setting up the IV drip and moved the woman onto the gurney.

"Just a minute," the woman, now slightly calmer, called out. "Thank you," she muttered, reaching for Gunny's hand. "Thank you so much."

"We really need to get moving," the older paramedic announced gruffly.

"You're welcome, ma'am. I'm sorry it had to happen at all."

"The other ambulance should be here shortly, ma'am." The same man reached over to take Beth's pulse again, while his partner started up the corridor.

"I told you I'll be fine."

Gunny's brow curled into deep furrow. His heart sinking deep in his stomach, he knelt back down.

"What's wrong?"

"Just a few pains," the young paramedic answered for her. "She tried to help the victim off the floor. Should have waited for us."

Just then Gunny spotted another set of paramedics coming down the ramp.

"Don't look so worried, Gunny. I'm fine. I keep telling this guy I don't need to go to the hospital but he won't listen."

"Are you still in pain?" Gunny asked, his voice not nearly as steady as he'd like.

"We'll take it from here. Randy's waiting for you by the curb." Glancing up at Gunny, the recently arrived paramedic shook his head, "Looks like you've had a round or two yourself." He reached for Gunny's bleeding hand, while his partner gave Beth a quick once over.

"Never mind me. Take care of her." Gunny snapped his hand away.

"Don't you worry, now. We can take care of both of you," the gruff paramedic tried to calm him.

"Excuse me," a soft-spoken officer interrupted. "I'm going to be needing to get a statement from you. Both of you."

"You can get it from them at hospital, Fred. We're ready to go and this little lady needs to be checked out. Pregnant too."

"Let me at least get your names." The officer turned to Gunny.

"Master Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez and Petty Officer First Class Elizabeth James."

"You did a fine job. This bloke attacked three other women tonight. The last one's in hospital in critical condition. This could have been much worse if you hadn't shown up."

Gunny nodded at the officer. Not much was registering. He was still trying to make sense out of how Beth had been hurt and what the implications might be for the baby. He couldn't help feeling this was somehow all his fault. He should have protected her better.

Chapter 4

Fitzroy Hospital

0830

"I am so ready to get out of here." Beth reached for Gunny's arm to turn herself out of the bed.

"What did the doctors say?" Once the police were done gathering information, Gunny had hovered around her as much as possible, but the doctors wouldn't give him any information other than she and the baby would be fine.

Beth studied Gunny carefully. This man was taking chivalry to an extreme. "Pass me my shoes, please?"

Bending over to pick up the shoes, he handed her one, and waited for her to put it on before handing her the other.

Taking a deep breath, "They think I may have strained a cervical ligament." Beth slid off the bed and turned carefully towards the door. "Do you know where my purse is?"

Gunny turned around and reached under the coats on the chair. "Here you go." He handed her the bag, wondering if she was going to say anything else. Helping her on with her coat, he carefully asked, "What exactly does that mean?"

"That I need to see my regular physician. For now, I'm supposed to watch how I move, and take lots of long hot baths and rest." Looking up to face Gunny, she suddenly felt sorry for having worried him. "Which I believe was part of my original plan for this weekend anyway," she smiled reassuringly.

London Headquarters

Harm's office

Five days later (wed after thanksgiving)

"Welcome aboard, Commander." Harm extended his hand to the old acquaintance.

"Thank you, Captain. I understand dual congratulations are in order."

Harm smiled, not so much about making captain, but for all the joy that marrying Mac had brought to his life.

"My best wishes to you and Colonel Mackenzie. I'm looking forward to serving under you." Tracy Manetti had been anticipating this assignment from the moment she'd gotten wind of the possibility.

"Thank you, on both counts, Tracy. I must admit I was a little surprised to see Admiral Ulnich authorize a lt. commander to fill a billet that could have been met with a lieutenant." Harm waved for Tracy to take a seat.

"I shall consider that my good fortune." Though she avoided using her family connections, she couldn't help hinting to her father's friend, the SecNav, at how much she would enjoy being stationed in London with Captain Rabb.

Harm smiled, "Both our good fortunes." He had a feeling there was a little more to their 'good fortune', but some things were better left unsaid.

"I'm afraid you're going to hit the deck running." Harm proceeded to go over the cases that Meg had left for her replacement. He also expressed his desire to have Tracy share her investigative skills with the junior staff. Even with the brief time they had been stationed together, Harm knew first hand of Tracy's skill with investigation. She'd done an excellent job of catching the serial killer in Naples, and managed to uncover Singer's companion without drawing any attention to her inquiries.

Beth's desk

One week later

Gunny stood up as Beth approached the desk mindlessly clutching her lower right side. She seemed to be having an especially difficult time of things since the incident in the subway.

"Are you alright?" He'd taken a few steps in her direction, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Does this ever end?" she sighed heavily.

"What?" Gunny was momentarily confused.

"I'm way too intimate with the toilets in this building." Beth sat down very slowly in her seat, almost too slowly for Gunny's liking.

"It depends, and your ligament is getting worse isn't it?"

"Not worse, just not better, and what do you mean it depends?"

"Some of my sisters stopped feeling nauseous after their first trimester, around sixteen weeks or so."

"But?"

"Valerie had morning sickness the whole nine months, and what do YOU mean it's not getting better?" Gunny moved a little closer to the desk, lowering his voice.

"I really don't want to talk about this now." Beth turned her chair towards the computer, carefully moving her feet along the floor to avoid twisting her body.

"Have you at least told the Captain yet? He might be able to give you some time off, let you stay home in bed and give yourself a real chance to heal."

"If you must know, I was planning on telling him today, but it won't matter." Beth turned back to face him. It was obvious he wasn't going to just walk away and leave her alone. "The doctor explained that this sort of strain usually happens to women who are further along in their pregnancy. The reality is that I most likely will just have to get a maternity girdle for added support as I…expand."

Gunny watched Beth, carefully considering her words. "Would it help if you got one now?"

Beth really didn't want to discuss this here at work, and certainly not with Gunny. She was sick, she was tired, and she was especially tired of being pitied. The last thing she needed was some Marine with a knight-in-shining-armor complex to come in and try to 'save her day'.

"I appreciate your concern, but I really have a lot of work to do." Beth gingerly turned back once again. She was finding it harder and harder to get through each day with this nearly constant stabbing pain in her side.

Gunny studied the back of her head. He knew from experience that pregnant women could get very moody. He also remembered it did nothing to decrease a stubborn streak. Knowing he might regret it, he had to at least give it one more shot.

"How about dinner this evening? We could try that little Italian place that Barnes suggested."

"Don't you get it? I don't need your help and I certainly don't want your pity!" The last part came out much louder than Beth intended. "Would you please just go away and let me get back to work," she sputtered through clenched teeth, tears pooling in her eyes.

Gunny couldn't have been more shocked if she had hauled off and slugged him in the midsection again. "That would be a negative on all counts," he tried to say as calmly as possible. "Beth," Gunny stepped forward and placed his hand gently on her forearm.

"DON'T!" she snapped, jerking her arm away just in time to see Mrs. Rabb turn the corner into the office.

Mac couldn't believe her eyes. It wasn't possible that Gunny would be making unwanted advances, forcing himself on a junior enlisted person, but that's certainly what this looked like.

"Gunny, Petty Officer." Her voice was strong, filled with authority, but showing none of the shock and anger that was coursing through her veins to her already saddened heart.

The two startled coworkers snapped to attention despite Mac's no longer being a superior officer. Beth held back a slight grimace at the painful tug to her side caused by her sharp movement.

"Is the captain busy?"

"No, ma'am. I'll let him know you're here." Beth felt like she was five years old again and her mom had just announced, 'wait till your father gets home'.

Mac turned to Gunny while Beth picked up the handset.

"It's not what you're thinking, ma'am." Gunny knew he couldn't explain what she'd seen without violating Beth's confidence, but he knew this didn't look good.

"I hope not, Gunny." Mac didn't want to say anything she might regret. Gunny had earned her trust and respect. She had to give him the benefit of the doubt. She just wished it wasn't so hard.

"He says to go right in," Beth interrupted.

Without a word, Mac turned on her heel and headed into her husband's office.

Chapter 5

Mac marched into Harm's office as though she were storming a beach.

"I think we have a problem," she announced, walking up to her husband.

"What's wrong?" Harm placed his hands on his wife's shoulders, immediately thinking something had happened to Mattie.

"I just caught Gunny and Beth in a shouting match. It looked to me like Gunny was... 'pushing'."

"What do you mean pushing?" Harm walked Mac over to take a seat.

"He had his hand on her arm and she pulled it away shouting, 'Don't'. They looked awfully guilty."

"There could be any number of reasons, a lovers' spat." Harm turned to walk back to his desk. "Did they say anything?"

"No, but Gunny did say it wasn't what it looked like."

Sighing heavily, Harm ran his hand roughly over his eyes. "I think it's time we get to the bottom of this." Stabbing at the phone, "Petty Officer, I want to see you and the Gunny in here ASAP."

Gunny must have known he would be summoned because both he and Beth arrived in a flash, now standing stiffly at attention.

"Would you like to explain, Master Gunnery Sergeant?" Harm carefully studied his two subordinates' faces. He wasn't sure, but he thought it looked like Beth was fighting tears. Damn, how he hated romances in the office.

"Respectfully, no, sir."

Harm and Mac both gaped nearly open mouthed at Gunny. Could it be Mac was right?

"I beg your pardon, Gunnery Sergeant?" Harm had now moved from his seat and was staring Gunny down.

"Sir, if I may?" Beth interrupted.

Harm's head snapped in Beth's direction. He really needed to apologize to AJ one day soon for all the grief he and Mac had caused him over the eight years under his command. It's a wonder he never had them both keelhauled.

"Feel free to enlighten us, Petty Officer."

"Well, sir. It's a personal matter, sir." Beth paused for a moment, the pain in her side distracting her from what was already something she'd been trying to avoid, something hard to find the words for.

Noticing her struggle, Harm ordered, "At ease," and returned to his seat.

"It's not the Gunny's place to inform you of my condition, sir."

Harm quickly glanced in Mac's direction, then at Gunny. Blasted Marines never showed what they were thinking.

"Go on, Beth." It was obvious she was having trouble spitting this out. Suddenly, Harm was more worried for her than upset.

"Well, sir, you see. That is…" Straightening her shoulders, she spit out, "I'm pregnant, sir."

Harm's glare at the Gunny would have burned a hole through any other human being. Under normal circumstances, Harm would have immediately congratulated the Petty Officer, but he didn't like what was running through his mind at the moment.

Taking a deep breath, Beth noticed for the first time the way Captain Rabb was staring Gunny down. She should have realized what conclusions he would jump to. In a small way, she appreciated the silent way the captain appeared to be defending her.

"The father was killed in Iraq," she quickly added before the captain voiced what he was obviously thinking.

"Sit down, Petty Officer," Harm gestured, "You too, Gunny." Harm pointed for Gunny to bring up a chair from along the wall.

"How are you feeling?" Harm asked.

"Fine, sir." Now the tears were really threatening to fall. Gunny was right, she really shouldn't have been so afraid to tell the captain.

"Do you need anything? I mean…"

"No, sir," Beth interrupted. "Everything is under control." That might not have been exactly the truth, but she wasn't going to add the captain and Mrs. Rabb to the list of people who should feel sorry for her.

"Excuse me, sir?" Gunny ventured carefully.

"Yes, Gunny?" Harm immediately noticed the icy glare Beth shot in Gunny's direction.

"The Petty Officer was injured in the struggle at the tube station, sir."

"Is this true, Beth?" Harm 's concern flared.

"No, sir. Well, yes... I mean, well, I pulled a ligament, but it's not a problem, sir."

Harm could tell by the tight press of Gunny's lips that he didn't quite agree with her assessment but had no intention of saying anything further. This was an interesting pickle. There was obviously much more going on, but Harm had no earthly idea of how deeply he had a right to dig.

"Thank you very much, Gunny. That will be all." For a fraction of a second Harm thought Gunny was going to disobey an order.

"Aye aye, sir." Clicking his heels, Gunny quickly glanced at Beth, not even slightly comfortable with leaving her alone, even if it was with the colonel and Captain Rabb.

Waiting for the door to latch shut, Harm turned his attention to Beth. "I'm going to ask you a few questions. I'd like you to answer me honestly, but you don't have to answer at all if you'd prefer not to."

"Yes, sir." Beth braced herself.

"Has Gunny been forcing himself on you in any way?"

Beth's eyes opened wide. "NO, sir!" That wasn't what she'd been expecting, but thinking back, that must have been how it looked to Mrs. Rabb. "Gunny has been the perfect gentleman, sir. He's been a wonderful friend." Blast, those damn tears were filling her eyes again. She really hated these emotional hormonal roller coasters.

"I see." Harm sat back, relieved. Mac, on the other hand, had barely moved. He almost doubted if she was breathing. He would have thought she would have shown some sign of relief, but her Marine countenance was firmly in place.

"How are you feeling, really?"

"I'm fine, sir." Beth looked her CO in the eye. Reading his doubt, she recanted. "Mostly that is. This was all a surprise, and now with this blasted pain in my side, well, I've had better days, sir."

"Have you been to a doctor?"

"Yes, sir. There's not much that can be done." Beth realized she'd been rubbing her sore side.

"I've never been pregnant but even I know rest is a requirement for healing. If you need any time off, or any assistance of any kind, I expect you to come to me."

"Yes, sir. Thank you. If there's nothing further, sir, I left Ensign Barnes at my desk."

"Dismissed, Petty Officer." Harm nodded, "And Beth."

"Yes, sir?"

"Congratulations."

Smiling for the first time today, Beth returned to her duty station.

Turning towards his wife, Harm was startled by her glassy stare. Mac was still focused on the closed office door. Slowly she stood up from the chair, never looking away from the door.

"Mac?" Harm walked around the desk, closer to his wife. "Mac," he called a little louder, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mac barely heard the sound of her name. Moving her head only far enough to look down at the hand resting on her, she unsuccessfully batted back a single tear.

The damp feel of her tear dripping on his hand sent a small chill down Harm's back. "Honey, what's wrong?" Harm was seriously concerned. Gingerly, he pulled Mac into his arms, wanting to protect her from whatever had her so spooked.

Mac remained rigid in his embrace.

"Mac...Sarah. What is it?" he repeated.

The sound of her given name opened the floodgates. Mac collapsed heavily into Harm's arms, her tears flowing freely.

"Mac, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

"It's not fair. Less than one percent." Mac's sobs were muffled by Harm's shoulder.

"What's less than one percent?" Harm was very confused. This was so unlike Mac.

"Her chances of getting pregnant," Mac stuttered between gasping breaths.

"Who, Beth? Why do you say that?"

"She was on the Pill for a medical condition. Taken properly, the Pill's success rate for contraception is 99. That's why this surprised her. She thought she was sick, not pregnant."

Now everything was starting to make sense. Of all times for his yeoman to accidentally get pregnant, did it have to be when he and Mac were actively trying to conceive? But that alone couldn't be bothering her. There had to be something else going on, Mac was simply too upset.

"Mac, honey, we'll have our turn. Maybe even now..." he paused as he felt Mac pulling away shaking her head.

"No. That's why I came by... I... just got my period." Trying to compose herself, she looked away. "Who are we trying to kid anyway? Less than one percent," Mac repeated, drying her eyes with the back of her hands. "It's not fair." Pulling away completely, Mac walked over to the door. "It's just not fair."

Before Harm could process what had just happened, Mac had walked out, closing the door tightly behind her.

Chapter 6

Gunny had waited patiently for Ensign Barnes to finish taking a message and go back to his own desk when he and Beth froze at the sound of the opening door to Captain Rabb's office. Without looking at either of their faces, Mac tightened her coat sash around her waist and hurried past Gunny, barely nodding at their chorused, "Ma'am."

Beth stared long and hard at Mrs. Rabb's back as she disappeared through the bullpen. "Did she look like she was crying?" Beth asked softly.

"I didn't notice, but she did seem upset."

"I hope it's not because of me. The captain was everything you said he'd be. You don't think she's angry with me, do you?" Beth turned worriedly to Gunny.

"No, I don't. Whatever is bothering her, IF anything is bothering her, it probably has nothing at all to do with you or what just happened." Gunny could tell by the colonel's stance that something was wrong. He hadn't seen her hold herself that way since just before she'd left for the Guadalcanal, but he couldn't imagine it having anything to do with Beth. He just hoped there wasn't trouble in the Rabb paradise.

"Beth, about what you said earlier...We need to talk."

"Gunny, whatever it is, can't it wait?" Beth sat down heavily in the chair. The last twenty minutes had taken its toll on her.

"No, it can't." Moving a little closer to avoid being overheard by anyone outside her office, "I do not now, nor have I ever pitied you. I thought we were friends."

"We are. It's just that... you don't have to feel like you need to keep taking care of me."

Gunny took a second to carefully choose his words. "If Sally hadn't been transferred home, if she went to dinner with you and brought you an occasional cup of tea, would you accuse her of pitying you?"

"Of course not. She's my friend."

"Then what am I?" Gunny's expression was almost pained.

Closing her eyes with sudden clarity, "I'm sorry, Gunny. You've been a great friend. I guess my only friend right now. If you can forgive me, I'd love to have dinner tonight."

Stepping back from the desk, Gunny nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll be back at 1700."

"1700," she agreed, watching him return to his post. Maybe he'd let her blame her stupidity on hormones.

Two weeks later

December 21, 2005

Heathrow airport

"Just remember, if you're needing someone to show you the sights, you've got my number," the suave British accent floated through the air.

It took everything in Jen not to melt into a large puddle where she stood.

"Who was that?" Mattie questioned, her eyes still following the tall blond man as he walked to the express.

"No one." Jen turned to give Mattie another hug. "I can't believe I'm here. In London!"

"I can't believe you're spending two weeks and this is the only bag you brought?" Harm lifted the medium-sized suitcase slightly up in the air.

"Flat presents," Jen shrugged laughingly.

Harm and Mac looked at each other and smiled.

Jen had fallen back a step, slowing her pace to match Mattie's, but more so to watch Harm and Mac. This was the first time she'd really had the opportunity to observe them together. Harm left for England the day after they'd announced their engagement and then he flew in and out for the wedding. It was a very surreal experience to watch them walking casually through the airport, hand in hand, talking softly between themselves.

"They really do look good together, don't they?" Jen asked out loud.

"Well, it's cute now, but wait till dinnertime, it gets down right annoying. People their age aren't supposed to be all over each other." Mattie rolled her eyes. Jen stifled a chuckle, wondering if Mattie thought the same thing about people Jen's age too.

"Now, tell me more about this 'no one' person," Mattie prompted.

"He sat next to me on the plane, he's a pilot with British Airways. They had some safety conference in DC. He was hoping to get on this flight so he could be home for his sister's birthday tomorrow."

"That certainly is a lot of info for 'no one'," Mattie snickered.

"Yeah, well it's an eight hour flight. I'm surprised I don't know what color underwear he had on." Jen hadn't meant that to come out the way it sounded but when she saw Mattie's eyebrows climb up to her hairline, she smacked her on the arm. "You know what I mean!"

"Yeah, sure I do," Mattie laughed some more, happy as could be to have Jen with them for the holidays.

"Here we are," Harm pointed to the nondescript car with a nervous looking young man standing conspicuously at attention beside it. "That's Corporal Freeman," Harm leaned back towards Jen. "If you need a ride anywhere while you're here, he'll be the driver."

Jen nodded, following Mac into the back seat of the car.

"So how are you liking San Diego?" Mac started, shifting sideways to better see Jen.

"Can't beat the weather, ma'am."

"Let's get something straight: I'm no longer your superior officer. The name is Mac."

"Yes, Maacc," Jen had to force herself to get the name out. It just didn't feel right. Somehow, it felt disrespectful.

"Do you like working under Colonel Blake?"

"He's probably the sweetest Marine I've ever met. So different from General Cresswell."

"Really? How so?"

"For one thing, he's always smiling. Nothing personal, ma'am, but I didn't think Marines were allowed to smile that often."

"It happens," Mac grinned.

"What about guys? I hear there are lots of hotties there. I mean, aren't there tons of good looking pilots running around?" Mattie interjected.

"I wouldn't know. My office isn't anywhere near where the pilots hang out, and even if it was, it wouldn't do me any good."

"Oh yeah, that pesky officer thing." Mattie momentarily scrunched her face.

"Yeah, that thing," Jen laughed.

"I still don't get why the Navy cares who you hang out with in your free time."

"That's not the point, Mats. The rules exist to protect the enlisted. It prevents officers from being able to apply undue influence. It also prevents any one enlisted person from getting preferential treatment." Harm joined the conversation.

"I suppose, but isn't it not allowed even if you don't work together?"

"That's right," Harm assented.

"Then who is that protecting? Mattie pressed.

"Enlisted are subject to officers' orders no matter who we work for. That's why any enlisted personnel have to salute an officer. It's a good thing, Mats, really. Besides, why would I want to get mixed up with an egocentric jet jock?" Jen tried really hard not to look in Harm's direction.

"I think I resent that comment," Harm held back a chuckle.

"You, sir? No, sir, I'm sure you were the exception to the rule." Jen had to practically bite her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.

"Okay, children," Mac laughed out loud. "Did Blake pick anyone else from HQ to go to San Diego?"

"I believe he took on most of the people on your suggested list. He brought in a couple of people from his previous post. The only person from HQ who wasn't on your list was Vic."

"He took Vukovic?" Harm and Mac both asked in surprise.

"Yeah, but it didn't last long. Blake transferred him to Iceland. I didn't realize there were lawyers in Iceland," Jen snorted.

"Iceland?" Mac's jaw was practically dragging on the floor. "What they get him on?"

"Conduct unbecoming and insubordination."

"Wow. How'd that happen?" Harm interjected.

Chuckling softly, "He made a rather unwelcome advance at a commander who had been incorrectly arrested for driving while under the influence."

"And she was able to make her accusations hold up? Usually he-said she-said cases don't work that easily," Mac explained.

"They do if Commander Haskell, the officer you've hit on, happens to be married to your boss."

Chapter 7

"He didn't!" Mac's eyes opened wide.

"Ohhh, yeah," Jen smiled. "Apparently he suggested they might accomplish more towards winning her case of they discussed strategy at his place."

Somehow Mac's eyes grew wider.

"When she explained she was married, Vic made it perfectly clear he didn't care. Then when she called him on it and pulled rank on him, he called her Honey." By now Jen was trying so hard not to laugh, she was almost spitting.

"Not good," Harm chimed in.

"I think the last straw was a comment he made to Colonel Blake about Commander Haskell's legs just before Colonel Blake decided to call her back to his office and introduced Vic to his wife. It was pretty amusing to see all the color drain from Vic's face."

"Iceland, huh?" Mac grinned.

"Yeah. He accepted the transfer rather than face an Article 32, but there is a permanent letter of reprimand in his file."

"At least his career is floating belly up. I still don't understand how he made it this far in the Navy." Mac was delighted to hear of Vukovic's latest assignment. It was long overdue as far as she was concerned.

"I know you're probably pretty tired, but we have to go to a little Christmas thing at the office this afternoon. We'll be on minimum staff starting tomorrow through the New Year. Do you think you're up to joining us, or would you prefer to rest at the flat?" Mac asked.

"If I rest I'll wake up in time for everyone to go to bed," Jen smiled. "I'd like to see the offices here."

"Very well. We might as well head straight over," Harm directed to Corporal Freeman.

There was something very odd about walking into a military office out of uniform. Jen followed Harm, Mac, and Mattie through the bullpen.

Beth James snapped to attention as the crowd approached her desk. "I have several messages for you, sir." She handed Harm a stack of notepapers.

"Thanks Beth. You remember my daughter, Mattie." Harm nodded in Mattie's direction, quickly skimming through the phone messages.

"Hi ,Mattie," Beth smiled. She'd been so impressed when Gunny told her the story of how Captain Rabb had stepped in to take care of her when her father abandoned her after her mother's death. Was there nothing this man wasn't capable of?

"This is our houseguest, Jennifer Coates." Harm waved towards Jen.

"Ma'am," Beth nodded.

"It's just Jen. I work for a living."

Beth smiled broadly, "Nice to meet you, Jen." It was an old joke, but Beth immediately understood it to mean Jen was enlisted also. She couldn't help but wonder what would have made two officers and a noncom such good friends that she would be a houseguest.

With their coats hung in Harm's office, the Rabb clan joined the rest of the personnel in the bullpen for the beginning of the festivities. There was plenty of punch, pie, and holiday cookies to go around. Christmas carols played softly in the background on a portable CD player.

"So you were working with Lt. Roberts on the Seahawk during the Afghanistan investigations?" Gunny took another sip of his drink.

"Worked with him, then Lt. Singer, and briefly with the colonel before transferring to JAG HQ." Jen noticed an odd look on Gunny's face.

"You're the one who saved his life."

"Excuse me?"

"You saved Lt. Roberts' life. The colonel told me all about it. Excellent work, Petty Officer." Mac had explained to him on one occasion in Paraguay how Jen's quick thinking and dogged insistence had most likely saved Bud's life.

"You're giving me too much credit. I did what any other person would have done." Jen was becoming very uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was taking. "Did you work long at Ops?"

"Almost three years," Gunny answered, glancing quickly across the room.

"I still can't believe you were in a wheelchair when I first met you." Beth shook her head, watching another couple across the room out of the corner of her eye.

"Sometimes the whole thing just feels like a terrible nightmare, like it never really happened." Mattie grabbed another cookie.

"The captain and Mrs. Rabb must be very proud of how hard you've worked. I can honestly tell you, I don't think I would have been strong enough to overcome this the way you have." Beth continued sneaking glances across the room, not sure why she was so focused on the beautiful brunette. "Do you know Jen well?"

"Oh, yeah. She's like a sister. We used to live together when Harm first became my guardian."

"She lived with the captain?" Beth hadn't meant to sound so shocked.

"No, nothing like that. Harm's place was more of a bachelor pad. I mean, he didn't even have a bedroom door. In order for social services to allow him to be my guardian, I had to have a separate bedroom, and Harm needed a backup adult to stay with me in the event he was called out of town. Jen and I lived in the apartment next to his."

"Is she in the Navy or Marines?" Beth watched carefully as Jen and Gunny laughed merrily.

"Jen? She's a Petty Officer First Class like you." Mattie turned to see what Beth kept looking at across the room.

"Why Petty Officer Coates, what a pleasant surprise." Tracy Manetti stepped up next to Jen and Gunny.

"Nice to see you again, ma'am," she replied politely.

"Ma'am," Gunny nodded.

"Is this your first trip to London?" Tracy directed at Jen after nodding back at Gunny.

"Yes, ma'am. It's very exciting."

"Have captain and Mrs. Rabb made plans to be your tour guides, or has Gunny here volunteered for the job?" Manetti smiled up at Gunny.

Jen felt the color flush in her ears. She didn't remember Commander Manetti being so bold back at Ops.

"I think Mattie is probably going to be taking up most of my time, ma'am."

Gunny couldn't help but think, 'Good save'. He also couldn't help but wonder why he felt so uncomfortable. He was enjoying his conversation with Jen, yet his attention kept drifting across the room to Mattie and Beth. Maybe this would be a good time...

"If you ladies will excuse me." Nodding politely at each woman, Gunny turned on his heel towards the opposite side of the room.

"Hello, Miss Grace." Gunny clicked his heels.

"Whatever it is, I didn't do it," Mattie laughed.

"Didn't mean to imply that you did," Gunny smiled back.

"Hmm, I bet. If you're trying to decide what to eat, those butter cookies are to die for." Mattie pointed at the green Christmas tree cookies across the table.

Beth watched the two, growing increasingly uncomfortable. She was fairly sure Gunny had caught her watching him a few times, and she just wanted to escape into a hole somewhere.

"If you'll excuse me..." Beth started.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," Gunny interrupted.

Mattie quickly took in the scenario and decided this was one of those moments that didn't need to be witnessed by a teenager.

"I think I'm going to go see if Jen wants some cookies." Without waiting for a response, Mattie headed in Jen's direction.

"She's right. The cookies are really good," Gunny started.

"Did you know Jen in Washington?"

"No. I transferred out about a year before she arrived."

Beth nodded, really wanting to go home and crawl into bed for the next few days.

"Listen, I was thinking of getting out of London for a couple of days. You know, like you suggested. With the offices being virtually shut down except for essential personnel, I thought it might be fun to take a train up to York," Gunny ventured.

Beth's expression was blank. Gunny had no idea what she might be thinking.

"I understand it's a really interesting medieval town," he pressed.

"Don't know much about it," Beth offered quietly.

"Then you've never been?"

"No."

"Would you like to go? It's more fun exploring new places if you have company."

Beth stared silently at Gunny. Exactly what was he suggesting? Suddenly she had no idea what to say. "I uh, I'm not sure I'm uh..."

A light bulb of recognition went off in Gunny's head. For a smart guy who had been around the block a time or two, he sure botched this assignment. No wonder she was hemming and hawing.

"I'd be staying at a place called the Judges Lodging Hotel in the center of the old town. I know you're on a budget, but it would be worth it to me to cover the cost of your room to have the company of a friend." Gunny hoped he'd recovered from his blundered request.

"Oh. I..." Why was he doing this? He shouldn't be wasting his time on her. He should go after someone available like Jen. They seemed to be hitting it off anyhow.

"Look at it this way, it may be your last chance to get away before you're tied down with the baby. It'll be good for you." Gunny could sense her hesitation, but he hadn't realized how badly he wanted her to join him until he heard himself asking.

"Gunny, you should take someone you could really have fun with, like Jen." Beth raised her head, pointing in Jen's direction.

"Why would I want to go with someone I don't even know?"

He couldn't be that dense, could he? If he didn't get it, she wasn't about to explain it to him. He was right, she really could stand to get away, but it wasn't fair to make him pick up the tab for her.

"I've got a little money saved. I can spring for two nights. How does that sound?" Beth smiled.

"Like I won't have to eat my meals alone." Gunny was grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't remember the last time he'd looked forward to anything as much as he was now looking forward to seeing some ancient town in the middle of northern England.

Chapter 8

Rabb Flat

Next morning

"You're up awfully early considering your body clock thinks it's two o'clock in the morning," Mac smiled over a cup of coffee. "Would you like a cup?"

"Yes, ma'am. I mean, Mac, but I can help myself." Jen walked past Mac and over to the counter by the coffeepot.

Mac smiled out of one side of her mouth. With any luck, Jen would be easier to train than Bud.

"It's incredibly nice of you and Harm to invite me for Christmas. I've really been looking forward to it. Christmas was so 'odd' the last two years without you and the captain."

Mac let her mind wander back briefly to the last two holidays. Two years ago she'd spent Christmas Eve with Clayton Webb, though her heart was with Harm and his new ward. Last year was spent banged and bruised, but Harm's hands holding hers made it the nicest Christmas she'd ever had. Her heart shuddered at how much longer they might have waited if the transfers hadn't come in. They'd probably still be teetering on that line of 'just friends', with each silently wanting more.

"I love the apartment. I think it's great the way yours and Harm's things mix so well together. I would have thought your traditional stuff with his modern stuff would have clashed, but it doesn't. It's just perfect. Like the two of you."

"Well, while I agree with you, this place is perfect for us. I don't think anyone would consider Harm or me perfect," Mac chuckled quietly. Lord did they ever have their flaws.

"I meant perfect for each other. I mean, you know what this reminds me of?"

Mac shook her head no.

"When I first met you five years ago. The commander looked so comfortable with you at the table. I thought the two of you had something special. Then you told me I wanted what everyone wanted, a good job, a good man, and a couple of kids. Well you've had the great career, you've got the great guy, and I bet it won't be long before you've got a couple of kids running around here. Though, technically you've already got that if you count Mattie."

"Mm, Mattie," Mac nodded, her expression suddenly sullen and empty.

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I shouldn't have brought up the career thing, but I mean, you're still a lawyer. You can do that anywhere. Can't you?"

"What? Oh, yes. I just recently had to defend a seaman who was wrongly accused of stealing from a museum. It's not that. You're right. I've had a good career." Mac put on a brave front, trying to reassure the young woman in front of her.

Jen stared silently at Mac for just a moment longer than she should have.

"Really, Jen. I'm okay with resigning my commission. There's more to life than being a Marine." Boy, Mac never thought she'd hear herself say those words and mean them.

"Then is it the kids, Ma...ac? Is it Mattie?"

Now how was Mac supposed to answer that? "It's not Mattie. She's great to have around. She's the child Harm never had."

"Then it's kids in general?" Jen couldn't believe Mac or Harm didn't want them. They were both too good with them. Mac had kept up with Chloe long after she didn't need to anymore, and Harm was like a real father to Mattie. Something wasn't... oh no. Now Jen wished she hadn't said anything. It suddenly dawned on her, even though the colonel looked great, she probably wasn't that young any more. Brother, talk about open mouth and insert foot.

"I'm sorry, Mac. I shouldn't be prying. Forget I said anything." Jen hoped she hadn't done irreparable damage.

"Morning, ladies." Harm leaned over to kiss his wife. "You two look awfully serious. What are you talking about?" He turned towards the counter with the coffee.

"Christmas," Jen grinned at the same time Mac muttered, "Kids."

"Oh." Harm's expression fell just as Mac's had not very long ago.

It was obvious to Jen that something was up.

"Well, Christmas is definitely a holiday for kids. I bet the Roberts have their hands full about now," Jen tried to ease the tension in the room.

"That I bet they do," Mac chuckled. Her smile was more sincere, but her eyes still showed the pain she was hiding.

"So," Mac exclaimed enthusiastically. "What's on the agenda for today? Harm has to work today and tomorrow so it's just us girls, unless you and Mattie want to explore London on your own."

"I thought I'd let Mattie set the pace. I can't get over how good she looks. If I hadn't seen what she'd been through eight months ago, I wouldn't believe it."

"Yeah, we're pretty proud of how hard she fought. Though the good looking PT didn't hurt any," Mac laughed.

"Never mind," Harm added, sitting down by his wife, with his coffee and a muffin.

"I detect a fun story here," Jen grinned.

"Nothing as interesting as that hunky pilot who gave you his number," Mattie yawned sleepily from the doorway. "Don't you people know vacations are meant for sleeping in?"

"I'm not on vacation," Harm offered, "and what hunky pilot?" Harm's smile faded quickly. Surely Jen wasn't thinking of getting involved with an officer.

"Don't tell me you missed that gorgeous hunk of six foot blond male that practically made her swoon when he said, 'If you need a tour guide, call me'?" Mattie repeated with a melodramatic flair.

"He wasn't my type," Harm teased his ward.

"Considering the way you two carry on, I would think you wouldn't object to some other people getting a little action," Mattie grinned coyly.

"MATTIE!" Jen was now officially mortified.

"Oh come on, Jen. He looks hot, he sounds hot, he's a pilot, so he must make big bucks. What more could you ask for on your Christmas list?"

"Mattie," Jen looked nervously at Harm and Mac who seemed unexpectedly amused by the conversation, or was it by her discomfort? "You don't go calling every guy you meet on a plane. For all I know he could be married or an axe murderer. Besides, I'm here to visit with you guys. I'm not looking for any 'action', as you put it." Jen let out a heavy breath, and shook her head. How the hell did this whole conversation get out of control?

"Does this mean I can go back to polishing my nine millimeter?" Harm whispered in Mac's ear.

Giggling, she whispered back, "No."

"Let me know if the girls leave you home alone and you want me to join you for lunch." Harm kissed Mac goodbye. Her ovulation kit showed that now was the time to try, but they had decided with Jen visiting and all, they would just let this month go by without any extra efforts.

"If you guys already had plans, I'm sure Mattie and I could find something we can do on our own."

"Nope, my calendar is open if you guys want to do something together," Mac nodded, getting up for another cup of coffee.

London Headquarters

Harm's office 0745

Harm was surprised to find Tracy waiting for him outside his office.

"Sorry about this, sir. I just called your house and Mac said you were on your way over."

"No problem, come on in." Harm opened the office door with one hand and nudged Tracy inside with the other.

"I don't know if this is of any significance or not, but I have a corporal in my office. He brought me these papers." Tracy handed a few crumpled sheets of paper over to Harm. "He told me his girlfriend slipped them in his pocket. Apparently, she didn't have enough time to explain what they say. Her brother came home unexpectedly and he had to climb out the window in a hurry before the brother realized the corporal has been keeping company with his sister."

Harm smiled softly at Tracy's delicate southern phrasing. The smile quickly disappeared when Harm realized the papers weren't in English.

"The only thing she managed to tell him as he was climbing out the window was, 'Hurry, you have to stop him.' He brought the papers straight here. According to the MPs, he's been waiting for hours for an officer."

"Sir, I've been trying to get a hold of someone from crypto since I got that and there doesn't appear to be a military soul left in London who can translate that for us. Should I turn it over to Scotland Yard?"

"No, not yet. I have an idea." Raising his finger at Tracy to wait, Harm stabbed at the buttons on his phone, waiting impatiently for an answer.

"Mac, honey. Sorry to interrupt, but I need you here ASAP."