Title: Friends and Enemies
Rating: 13 for language and violence, but there’s romance, humor and drama too. This one has it all.
Disclaimer: None of us owns JAG and we all know it. (But we can dream, can’t we?)
Spoilers: Nothing major. Little pieces of the Impostor and In Country
Summary: A little more Sergei and Chloe, a little more Webb and Terri Coulter, and a whole lotta Harm and Mac. Just when things are better than ever, someone from Harm’s past shows up to wreak havoc on him and his family.
Feedback: I’d love to hear what you think. Please send to StarTrails@xxxxxxxx
AUTHOR’S NOTES: 1. This is the third and final part in my series that began with Friends in Need. This one takes place just after Friends Indeed. To refresh your memories - Sergei and Chloe realized they are in love, and Webb and Terri Coulter have been together ever since the events in Afghanistan. (End of season 7.) Harm and Mac got married in 2003 and now have two children, Rosalyn and Victor (named after Gunny, who was killed on a mission.) Mac left the Marines to be a stay-at-home Mom, but she found it unfulfilling, so she now works part time at the Corps recruiting station.
2. For the purpose of this story, nothing ever happened between Singer and Sergei. And the episode Webb of Lies never happened, or at least, we never met Webb’s mother. (You’ll see why - please excuse the extreme personality I created for her, but I think it’ll be entertaining.)
Okay....on with the show!

Harm and Mac parked in the driveway, as Terri had instructed them, and they, along with Sergei and Chloe, got out of the car to knock on the door.

“It’s open!” Terri called.

They entered the house and all were hit with a wave of soft classical music and the warm, comforting smell of the meal that awaited them. Webb’s mother was in town, and Terri thought it would be nice for her to meet their his. Also, Sturgis was leaving JAG to captain a submarine in the Atlantic Fleet, and the dinner party would serve as a nice sendoff for him as well.

A very frazzled Terri came out of the kitchen in sweatpants and a T-shirt, with her hair in a bun.

“It smells wonderful, Terri,” Harm said.

“Thanks.” Greetings and kisses on the cheek went around. “Here, let me take your jackets.”

“That’s okay,” Harm said, approaching the coat closet. “I’ll get them.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. “I’ve got three things on the stove I shouldn’t take my eyes off of.”

“Where’s Clay?” Mac asked. “Shouldn’t he be helping you?”

“Oh, he is - believe me. He took his mother to an exhibit at the sculpture gallery. Getting her out of my hair is the best help he could’ve given me. I’m a control freak in the kitchen, and if she were here, all she’d do is give me grief about the way I cook. This one’s too spicy, that one’s not spicy *enough*. Forget about it.”

“Then, at my own risk,” Mac asked, “is there anything I can do?”

“I don’t suppose you know how to fold linen napkins into swans?”

Mac laughed. “Sorry. The Marine Corps failed to teach me that one.”

“Right. Well, actually, if you really don’t mind, there’s an ironing board set up in the laundry room. You could run upstairs and grab the blouse that’s laid out on the bed and give it a quick once-over.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks. The cooking’s taking me longer than I thought. I’ll barely have time to change as it is.”

Mac went upstairs to find the blouse. “Harm, Sergei, Chloe, please, make yourselves at home. Can I get you anything?”

Sergei answered, “No, but we have something for you.” He handed her two bottles of wine, one red and one white. “We weren’t sure what you’d be serving, so we brought both.”

“Oh, that’s perfect! Y’know, I never understood that whole ‘red wine with beef, white with poultry and seafood’ thing. I say, put both out and let people choose what they like. Let me get the chiller for the white.”

Harm continued hanging everyone’s jackets while Chloe and Sergei followed Terri into the kitchen. She put Sergei to work filling the wine chiller with ice, and she went into the dining room to work on the napkins.

“I can help with those,” Chloe said. She took one of the cloths and proceeded to fold it into an intricate swan.

Sergei came into the room and placed the wine at the end of the long dining table. His jaw dropped when he saw his girlfriend’s handiwork.

“I didn’t know you could do that!”

“I’ve got a lot of talents you don’t know about yet,” she teased, winking at him.

Terri smiled brightly. “You kids are adorable together.” She said more quietly, “Harm and Mac still giving you a hard time?”

“They’re getting over it,” Chloe said. “It used to bother us that we didn’t have their support, but then we realized - we love them, but we love each other more.”

Sergei smiled and kissed Chloe’s cheek. “No one should stand in the way of love. Not even family.”

“Wise words,” Terri said, and she continued folding napkins. It was certainly food for thought for her, considering Mrs. Webb’s disapproval of her relationship with Clayton.

When the napkins were done, Terri had Harm help her place some of the food into elegant serving dishes.

“Terri, you’ve really outdone yourself,” Harm said. “The table looks gorgeous.” She had set places for eight with fine china and delicate wineglasses. A mix of colorful fresh flowers served as an eye-catching centerpiece, and many candles bathed the room in a soft, inviting light.

“Thanks. I don’t know why I’m working so hard to impress this woman. I even put all those stupid fancy forks and spoons in the right order.”

Harm chuckled. “She can’t be that bad.”

“Worse. She’s like a drill instructor, except she’s got no real authority over me.”

“Then don’t let her get to you. You planned a beautiful evening, and that’s exactly what we’re all going to have.” He continued covering some of the dishes so the food would stay hot until it was ready to serve. “Man, this smell is making my mouth water. I can’t wait to eat.”

“Well, no more peeking through the pots and pans. I have a surprise for you and you’ll ruin it.”

Just then, Mac came into the kitchen. “One blouse, no wrinkles. It’s on a hanger on the bedroom door.”

“Oh, bless you, Mac. I’m so sorry to have asked you to do that. I should’ve had everything ready before any guests arrived and I could’ve met you at the door with my makeup on and a tray of hors d’oeuvres.”

“Terri, don’t be silly. You don’t have to impress us,” Mac said.

“Yeah,” Harm added. “We’re happy to help.”

“Okay,” Terri said, taking a quick look around the kitchen. “I think everything’s ready. Now I just need to get changed before Clay and his mother get here.”

Suddenly, the front door to the house opened and Terri could hear Clay’s voice in the other room. “Oh great. No such luck,” she muttered. “I wish we had a back staircase. Or a trapdoor.”

“Come on,” Harm encouraged. “Just say a quick hello and then you can get upstairs.”

They all went into the living room, where Clay was helping his mother off with her coat. She wore an elegant suit with a short strand of pearls and matching earrings. She caught sight of Terri wearing the baggy, comfortable sweatpants and T-shirt she’d worn while cooking and cleaning all day.

“Oh, Terri, honey, surely you’re not wearing *that*!”

Terri swallowed. “No ma’am. Heading upstairs to change right now.”

“Yes, I should say so.”

“Clay,” Terri said, “would you please make the introductions while I make myself presentable?”

Webb nodded. “Mother, this is Harmon Rabb, Junior.”

“Please, call me Harm,” he said, shaking her hand.

“This is Sarah Mackenzie Rabb, Chloe Madison, and Sergei Zhukov. Everyone, my mother, Marilyn Webb.” They exchanged handshakes and pleasantries.

“Zhukov, is that a Russian name?”

“Yes ma’am,” Sergei replied.

“My husband and I spent a lot of time between Moscow and Odessa. Quite a lovely part of the world.”

Sergei smiled. “Yes ma’am, it is. I’ve always thought so.”

“Please excuse me everyone, while I go powder my nose.”

Just after Mrs. Webb went upstairs, Sturgis appeared at the front door. It was still open, so he knocked lightly and then let himself in. “I hope I’m not too late,” he announced as a hello.

“Sturgis,” Webb said, “not at all. I just brought Mother here, in fact.”

“Well, I can’t wait to meet her. Anyone who could put up with you for so many years has got to be one tough lady.”

“Oh, she is, but not how you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ll give you all a warning and leave it at that. She is in rare form tonight. Rare form.”

“You wanna be a little less cryptic there, Webb? Not all of us have twisted CIA minds to decode that,” Mac said.

“And thank God,” Harm joked.

“Look, I love my mother, but quite frankly, she was born without that part of the brain that filters her words before they come out of her mouth. She means well, but she’s very old-fashioned. I’m telling you in advance, please, *please* don’t take any of it personally.”

“Jeez Webb,” Harm said. “You’re starting to make me wish I’d worn a bulletproof vest.”

“Me too,” Mac added.

Webb shook his head. “They’d be no use. What she says can do worse damage.” He took a deep breath and clapped his hands together. “Now please, make yourselves comfortable. Can I get anyone a drink?”

“Nothing for me,” Sturgis said.

“Whatever beer you have handy,” Harm answered.

“Same for me,” Sergei replied.

“Mac,” Webb said, “I’ve got a strawberry sparkling water with your name on it.”

“Hey!” Chloe complained. “What about me?”

“You can have what I’m having, smarty pants,” Mac said.

“Oh, come on.”

“How old are you?” Webb asked her.

“Almost twenty.”

“Close enough. You look like a white zinfandel girl to me.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

Webb went to get the drinks while everyone found a seat in the living room. Sturgis stepped away and found a decorative mirror on the wall to adjust his tie. As he was doing that, Mrs. Webb came downstairs.

“Oh, there you are! Finally. Would you please fetch me some brandy?”

Sturgis turned toward her and was speechless for a moment. “Uh, I’m sorry ma’am, I think you’ve mistaken me for--”

“Mother!” Webb interrupted, rushing out of the kitchen after hearing what she said. “This is *Captain* Sturgis Turner, a good friend of mine.” His eyes flew to Sturgis, as he tried to convey his horror and a silent apology.

“Oh my heavens! How terribly rude of me. Captain, I’m so sorry,” she said, extending her hand.

Sturgis smiled, graciously dismissing the incident. “No problem ma’am. In fact, it takes me back. No one’s expected me to wait on them since I had mess duty as a punishment at the Academy.”

“An Annapolis man!”

“Yes ma’am, Harm too.”

“Really? You know, I wanted Clayton to go to one of the service academies. I always did love those uniforms.”

“Well, don’t dwell on it, ma’am. Your son does very important work.”

“Yes, he does, but it’s not as glamorous as putting on those dress whites.”

“If you can call living in a steel tube with a hundred other men, eating canned food and not seeing the sun for weeks at a time glamorous.”

“Sturgis is leaving next week to captain a submarine, mother,” Webb said.

“Oh! Well, congratulations, Captain. That’s quite a responsibility.”

“Thank you ma’am, and please, call me Sturgis.”

A few minutes later, the guests were all settled with their drinks, and Terri came downstairs, dressed for the evening in a floor-length black skirt and a violet colored blouse that brought out her stunning blue eyes. Her long blonde hair was partially up in a jeweled clip and she looked nothing like the frantic hostess she was just a short while before.

As she walked across the room toward the kitchen, everyone’s head turned and the sudden silence caused her to stop. “Is something wrong?” she asked, a little nervous. Maybe there was a run in her stocking she hadn’t noticed. Maybe she was dragging toilet tissue on her shoe.

“Not at all,” Webb said, smiling at her. “I think you’ve taken everyone’s breath away.”

Harm nodded his agreement. “You look beautiful, Terri.”

“Like a sparkling amethyst,” Sturgis said.

Terri was speechless. A bright smile spread across her face. “You guys are too much, but thank you. I’ll be right out with some hors d’oeuvres.” Webb followed her into the kitchen, and before she could pick up a tray, he grabbed her from behind, his hands on her waist, pulling her back against him.

“No fair,” he said.

“Hmm?”

He whispered seductively in her ear. “No fair looking so good when we have a houseful of people and I can’t do anything about it.”

“Claaay,” she blushed.

“What?” he pouted. “It wasn’t my idea to have this party. If it were up to me, I’d have you pinned to that dining room table right now and be doing ungodly things to every gorgeous inch of you.”

“Stop,” she whispered, “or you’ll make me want that too, and I don’t think that would go over too well with our friends. Not to mention your mother.”

Clay kissed Terri’s neck roughly, and then smoothed over the spot with more gentle moves. She whimpered softly. “Now who’s not being fair?”

“You just wait until later,” he teased. “I don’t suppose we could send everyone home with a doggie bag, *right now*?”

Terri let out an unsteady breath. “No, but I’m holding you to that ‘later’ deal.”

“Count on it.”

Reluctantly separating themselves, Clay and Terri brought the hors d’oeuvres into the living room. Terri asked Chloe about school.

“Well, I’m looking forward to going back, especially this year. I’ve finished all the core classes and prerequisites, so now I’ll be able to take some more involved classes.”

“And you like New York?”

“Oh yeah, I love it. But then again...”

Sergei held her hand. “It will be hard being so far apart.”

“Well,” Sturgis spoke up, “strong relationships have survived far worse things than a little distance.”

Tell me about it, Harm and Mac thought simultaneously.

“Teresa,” Mrs. Webb said, “this salmon mousse, is this Atlantic or Pacific salmon?”

“Atlantic, I think.”

“I find the Pacific is so much richer in flavor. You might want to try that next time.”

I also might want to try wringing your neck, she thought, biting her tongue. Instead, she smiled calmly. “I hadn’t heard that, but yes, maybe next time.”

Mac sensed Terri’s growing frustration and did her best to ease it. “Well, these are wonderful the way they are, Terri.”

“Yes, delicious,” Sergei added.

Sturgis agreed. “I’m going to miss fresh seafood on the sub. Y’know, it’s funny. I’ll be surrounded by fish, yet the closest I’ll get to any of it is canned tuna.”

“Are you all in the service?” Mrs. Webb asked. Harm, Mac, Sturgis, and Sergei nodded.

“Well, it was the Russian Army for me, but not anymore.”

“The Red Army?!”

“Uh, no ma’am. When I joined, it was just the army. The ‘red’ was all but gone.”

“And it was about time,” Mrs. Webb insisted. “When I think of all this country’s money, and all our boys that went into fighting that communist nonsense--”

“So, Mac!” Webb interrupted, “How are the kids?”

“The kids!” Mac exclaimed, trying to get over her own shock. “They’re great. The Admir-AJ, is watching them tonight.”

Webb laughed. “I have a hard time picturing a former SEAL on babysitting duty.

“Are you kidding?” Harm said. “He loves it.”

“Yeah,” Mac added. “SEAL or not, that man is a six-foot-four-inch teddy bear.”

“So, Sarah,” Webb’s mother said, “are you in the Navy, too?”

“No ma’am, Marine Corps.”

The woman’s face wrinkled in displeasure. “Yuck. That olive green is so drab. I don’t know any woman who looks good in that color.”

“Well I do, Mrs. Webb,” Harm said. “The Colonel happens to look damn se--very professional and authoritative in uniform. As she should.”

“Oh, Sarah, of course you do. I didn’t mean...you see, when I was your age, women didn’t go into the military. We were the Rosies, doing the riveting, waiting anxiously for our husbands and brothers to come home in one piece. A woman, well, it was simply unheard of.”

“Actually ma’am,” Sturgis felt compelled to speak up, “with all due respect, women were quite an integral part of the war effort, in Europe and the Pacific just as much as on the home front. Who do you think tended to all the husbands and brothers so they *could* go home in one piece? If you’re interested, I can recommend a book that--”

“No, I think I’ve had enough history lesson for now. Clayton, would you please pour me a scotch? And make it a double.”

Terri jumped up. “I’ll get it. And Mac, would you come with me? There’s that thing in the kitchen I wanted to show you.”

Mac looked at her, confused.

“You know, that *thing*.”

“Oh right! The thing!” Mac hurried into the kitchen behind her.

“Mac, I can’t do this.” Terri shook her head.

“Sure you can. It’s only one night.”

“But it hasn’t even been one hour and I’m ready to strangle her. I’m so sorry for what she said to you. And poor Sergei. He’s too sweet to stand up for himself.”

“Terri, it’s all right. You and Clay have told us how bad she can be. We can handle it.”

“If you see me lunge at her with a frying pan, don’t try to stop me.”

“Be strong, Commander Coulter. That is an order.”

Terri smiled. “Aye aye, ma’am.”

After a quick hug, they rejoined the group, and in a little while everyone moved into the dining room for dinner. Terri served everyone a colorful salad and sat down to eat her own portion. She splashed a modest amount of olive oil and vinegar onto hers.

“Oh, Terri,” Mrs. Webb noted, “go easy on that oil. You’re watching your figure, aren’t you?”

Chloe picked up the small glass bottle and drizzled some onto her plate. “Actually,” she said, “olive oil is one of the best things a person can eat. It’s part of the reason the Mediterranean diet is so good for you. Did you know there are old men in Italy and Greece who drink a small glass of it every morning? And they practically live forever.”

After some small talk, Terri cleared the salad plates away and she and Webb were in the kitchen making artful presentations with herb garnishes on the plates of filet mignon and mushroom barley risotto. They brought the dishes out and everyone was served except for Harm. Terri went back into the kitchen and emerged with one final plate. She placed it in front of him, and he looked up at her and smiled. There was a hearty grilled portabella mushroom in place of the steak. “Told you I had a little surprise,” she whispered.

After everyone was served, Webb uncorked the red and white wines.

“White wine with meat? That’s not good for the palette,” Mrs. Webb criticized, and she was about to remove it from the table. Sergei beat her to it and grabbed the bottle.

“It is for me, Mrs. Webb. My palette is allergic to red. I hope I will not offend you.” He poured himself a glass of it.

“Oh, if you’re allergic, then by all means.”

Chloe took some of the white, and Webb poured red for the rest of them, and a sparkling cider for Mac. Mac smiled and Webb winked at her.

“I would like to propose a toast,” Webb announced, standing at the head of the table. Everyone lifted their glasses, but Webb’s mother interrupted her son.

“Sarah, honey, don’t you want any wine?”

“I...I don’t drink.”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous. Who ever heard of such a thing? Clayton, pour that girl a proper glass of wine.”

Harm reached for Mac’s hand under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze.

“Mother,” Webb said, “not everyone shares your taste in beverages. Please, show my guests some respect.” He paused to gather his thoughts again. “As I was saying, I would like to propose a toast, to several people. First, to Captain Turner, we’ll miss you, but duty calls, and we know you’re the right man for the job.”

“Go Navy,” Harm joked.

Webb rolled his eyes. “Second, to Chloe, a Spielberg in the making. Good luck this semester. I, of course, will expect you to take me to the Oscars when you get your first nomination. And Sergei, don’t argue, because you still owe me some favors. And last, but not least, to Teresa, for organizing this wonderful evening. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and she has both of mine in the palm of her hand.”

“Cheers,” everyone chorused.

“If I may,” Harm said as he stood up, “I’d like to add something. To an evening surrounded by beautiful women, on behalf of us poor saps, who, by the sheer grace of God, managed to snag you.”

Glasses were clinked together and everyone took a sip and began eating.

“Sturgis,” Mrs. Webb began, causing Terri to preemptively kick Webb under the table, “what about you? Surely you must have a woman in your life.”

“I’m sad to say I don’t have much luck with the ladies.”

“What?! A nice looking colored fella like yourself? I don’t believe it.”

Terri almost choked on her steak. “Look at that!” she exclaimed. “I forgot the salt and pepper! How silly of me!” She got up and practically flew into the kitchen.

Webb was frozen in place and would be no help, Harm noticed, so he got up to follow Terri. When he found her, she was outside on the porch that led off from the kitchen. He could see how tense she was as she stood with her head down and her hands clenched into fists.

“Don’t do that,” he said softly. “You don’t want your mascara to run, do you?”

She kept her back to him. “I’m not crying, Harm. Wouldn’t give that racist bitch the satisfaction.”

“Terri, hey, it’s all right,” he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “She doesn’t mean to hurt anyone. She’s just...from a different generation. A different mindset.”

“Yeah, the ignorant, bigoted one.”

Harm chuckled. “We don’t mind. Really. We all want tonight to go well for you and Clay’s sake, and he’s been warning us for days. We knew we’d have to grin and bear a few things.”

“Harm, for God’s sake, she thought Sturgis was our butler!”

He smiled. “Okay, yeah, that was a little...interesting.”

“And what she said to Mac - oh, Harm. I should’ve ended it right there.”

“Don’t worry about that. Mac’s a big girl, and it’s not the first time she’s faced a comment like that.”

“I can’t go back in there.”

“Yes you can.”

“God grant me the serenity,” she said with her eyes closed.

“Hey, I’ve got a surprise for *you* now. Two, actually.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. First, for you, I would’ve eaten a steak. And second, Sergei’s not allergic to red wine.” He winked at her and flashed his trademark smile.

Terri and Harm returned to the table, with the salt and pepper shakers to keep up their guise.

Webb now owed a lifetime of favors to Sturgis, who had managed to smile graciously and calmly tell Mrs. Webb how he had dated a Congresswoman from Michigan, but it didn’t work out and now she was engaged to an auto industry lobbyist from Detroit.

“Terri, this steak is incredible. So tender, it’s melting in my mouth,” Mac said.

“That’s strange,” Mrs. Webb said, “mine seems a little tough.”

I thought your fangs would be able to cut right through it, Terri thought.

“Well,” Chloe jumped in, “the risotto is divine. The perfect texture.”

Terri smiled. “I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorites.”

They continued eating, with, miraculously, no more off-color remarks from Mrs. Webb. Everyone moved into the living room while Clay and Terri cleared the dishes and prepared dessert. Terri was making a dark chocolate fondue with strawberries, bananas, and pound cake. Webb could tell by the fierce way she sliced the fruit that she was incredibly upset. He’d better tread carefully, he thought.

“I love you, Terri,” he said playfully.

“Then get that woman out of my house.” Slice, slice. There was a regular tapping sound as the sharp knife hit the cutting board.

“She’s gone, sweetheart, as soon as dessert’s over. I’m driving her back to the hotel and her flight leaves early tomorrow morning.”

“Did she ask if Sturgis could go back with her to pick some cotton? Clay, she’s out of control. And the things she said to Mac? I’ve never been so mortified in all my life.”

“I know, honey. I know. I wish I could make excuses for her, but I can’t. That’s just the way she is. Loves to find fault wherever she can.”

“Well she finds a damn lot of it in me, doesn’t she. Clay, she’s driving us apart!”

“Only if we let her.”

“Aren’t we, though? Isn’t that why we’re not Mr and Mrs yet? Because she hates me and you won’t stand up to her.”

“No matter what she says, no matter how insulting, she *is* my mother. Look, you know she lost my father when I was very young, and she’s always been overprotective. She only wants the best for me.”

“Well I’m never going to be that in her eyes. I’m never going to be a ‘proper lady’ who hosts afternoon teas and belongs to the garden club. So if that’s the kind of woman you want, then what have we been doing these past few years?!”

Terri’s hand was shaking as she cut the pound cake into bite-size pieces. Webb took the knife from her and set it down on the table. He took her hands in his and spoke passionately. “That is *not* the kind of woman I want. The woman I want looks at dead bodies for a living, for crissake. And I don’t know about you, but what I’ve been doing all these years is being more in love than I ever thought possible. Now, if you can stomach her for one more hour, I promise you I’ll have a big talk with her on the way to the hotel.”

Terri took a few deep breaths and Webb could see her calming down. She got up and stirred the warm, smooth fondue one last time. “Y’know, this would be great with some Frangelico in it. Maybe I’ll make it again sometime when Mac’s not here.”

“Ooooh, yeah. ‘Cause I could think of better things to put that melted chocolate on than fruit and cake.”

Terri blushed. “Don’t start.”

“Why not?”

“Because we can’t finish. Well, not yet, anyway.” She winked and brought the fondue pot to the table, leaving him standing there with visions for later.

Webb brought out the tray of fruit and poured coffee for everyone. Sergei dipped a plump, red strawberry into the chocolate and took a bite. He closed his eyes as he savored the taste. “Terri, I am feeling like a king tonight. There was a time when only the wealthiest royalty and czars could eat like this.”

“Well thank God those days are over, because this is to die for,” Mac said.

Chloe ate a piece of the pound cake, warm and gooey with a coating of fondue. “Mmmm.” Sergei smiled as he watched her enjoy it. He reached his napkin up and wiped away a dot of chocolate on the edge of her mouth.

“So, did I hear you go to NYU, Chloe?” Webb’s mother asked.

“Yes. I’ll be a junior this year.”

“I don’t know how you do it. That city is so dirty and crime ridden. The island of Manhattan is nothing but a cesspool of iniquity.”

“Um. actually, New York is safer than it’s ever been. My friends and I are out at all hours and we’ve never had a problem. On the other hand, I got mugged at home in Vermont. I feel safer in Times Square than in my one-stoplight town.”

“That can’t be right.”

“It’s true, mother,” Webb said. “Intelligence data shows that--well, never mind what our data shows. A person has a better chance of getting mugged by a cow in Pennsylvania than by an attacker in New York.”

“Speaking of Pennsylvania,” Terri said, “or that’s where it used to be, anyway, how’s your plane, Harm?”

“Oh, she’s perfect. Running like a gem.”

“You own a plane?” Mrs. Webb asked.

“Yeah. A World War Two biplane. The love of my life, after my wife and children.”

“Do you fly often?”

“Not as much as I’d like, but I get up there every now and then.”

“At your age? Do you think that’s wise? I mean, a person’s eyes have to be top notch for that.”

Harm held his coffee cup so tight he thought he might shatter it. Mac placed her hand on his leg under the table to stop him from lunging across the table and decking the woman.

“Mrs. Webb,” Terri said, “Harm has two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He’s flown in war and in peace. He knows what’s best for himself, and he’ll step down when the time is right.”

The tension was thickening again. “Sure he will,” Sturgis joked, to lighten the mood. Even Mac had to laugh.

“Hey! When did this become gang up on Harm night?”

A while later, everyone was gone, after some major apologies from Clay and Terri for Mrs. Webb’s behavior. Webb drove his mother to her hotel, and when he got back, he let Terri relax in a warm bath while he did the dishes and cleaned up. He loosened his tie as he went upstairs, and when he entered the bedroom, the sight of Terri took his breath away.

She stood before him in a floor-length, deep red satin negligee. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back. “Sit down,” she instructed, and led him to the edge of the bed. She remained standing, and paced back and forth as she spoke. “I have a lot to say, so please, hear me out and don’t interrupt.”

Webb nodded slowly and braced himself for the backlash against his mother that was sure to follow.

“I’m very angry right now. I’m angry at your mother, but not for the reason you think. I’m angry that she managed to deeply insult every single one of our guests tonight. But more than that, I’m angry because she didn’t let me get a word in edgewise, to do this the way I wanted to, in front of all our friends.

Webb’s face scrunched up in confusion.

“Clay, I love you. You make me happier than I ever imagined I could be. I’ve made so many mistakes in life, yet God still saw fit to bring you to me. It took me a long time to find you, and now that I have you, I don’t want to ever let you go. Now, I’m sorry I don’t fit your mother’s vision of the perfect wife for you, but that is *her* problem, not yours, and certainly not mine. I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of us using her as an excuse not to go after what we want. And I’m not going to do it anymore. I know what I want.”

She went to her nightstand and took out a small, black velvet box. She got down on one knee in front of him. “Clayton Webb, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

Webb was momentarily speechless. “I...I...this is all wrong! I’m supposed to ask *you*. This breaks with all tradition!”

“Clayton, you and I are a lot of things, but traditional has never been one of them.” She smiled at him. “In case you don’t remember, the first time we met, I handed you a plastic bag with a severed finger in it in the middle of Afghanistan. Not exactly a classic first date.”

“I remember. And I’ll tell you why. I remember because I didn’t know how I could be so frustrated and enraged over those terrorists, and at the same time fall so desperately, head-over-heels in love with you at first sight.” Webb joined Terri on the floor, on one knee. “Let’s do this right, he said, taking the ring from her. “Teresa, I want to fall in love with you again every day for the rest of my life. I want to spend every waking moment making you smile, if you’ll have me. Will you marry me, Teresa?”

Her tears were already falling as she said “yes” and nodded, and Webb slid the ring onto her finger.

“I have good taste in diamonds, don’t I?” Webb joked.

“You do. And you can expect to see it on your credit card bill next month.”

“You’re a sneaky one, Terri Coulter. You want a job in central intelligence?” They kissed and held each other for a few minutes.

“About that deal we made earlier...” Terri reminded him.

“There’s some fondue left downstairs...”

“God, I was hoping you’d say that.”

LATER THAT NIGHT
SERGEI’S APARTMENT
WASHINGTON, DC

Sergei was waiting in his bedroom while Chloe was in the bathroom changing for bed.

“So how come you never told me about your artistic skill? Those swans were really impressive.”

“I don’t know,” she replied through the closed door. “It never came up.”

“Why don’t you tell me about your other hidden talents.”

Chloe stepped out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but the pale pink lingerie she’d bought all those months ago at the mall with her friends. She hadn’t worn it for him yet. She was going back to school in a few days and wanted the last of their time together to be special.

“Why don’t I show you instead?” she purred.

Sergei could hardly believe his eyes. He had seen Chloe nude before; they had done everything two people could do, just short of making love. But seeing her in the tiny slip of material, hugging her curves in all the right places, made her look even more beautiful than usual.

He crooked his finger at her and she walked over and stood in front of him at the edge of the bed. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her to him. Their mouths met, as they had countless times before, but tonight, something was different. More intense. Both of them were desperate to hold on to every precious second they had left before Chloe went back to New York.

They fell back onto the bed, hands and mouths seeking and finding. For several minutes they were lost in each other, but soon they reached the boundary of the familiar. They had been together for months, and both were determined to shatter the final boundary tonight.

“Chloe,” Sergei whispered, kissing the soft spot behind her ear, “please, let me make love to you.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

It was music to Sergei’s ears. “Are you sure?”

She looked into his eyes, and her answer came as a slow nod before she brought her lips to his again. They devoured each other for a while longer, and then the moment was upon them.

“Do you...have anything?” Chloe asked.

Sergei nodded and reached into his nightstand.

“Can you turn off the light?” she asked.

“Why?” Sergei was disappointed. “Chloe, you’re so beautiful. I want to see you. I want to look in your eyes.”

“Please,” she pleaded.

“I wish you would let me look at you.”

“Please, Sergei.”

He sighed in defeat. “If it’s what you want.” He got up and flipped the light switch.

Their lovemaking was slow and tender. Sergei did his best to make her comfortable and not hurt her. Like so many women the first time, Chloe didn’t find much satisfaction in the experience. But Sergei was an expert at giving her pleasure in other ways, and he never minded doing so, even when it took a long time. In fact, hearing Chloe’s sensual moans and touching her, inside and out, was more erotic than anything she could do to him.

Afterward, they fell asleep in each other’s arms. But after a while, Chloe woke up, with a thousand thoughts swimming through her mind. She wrapped a blanket around herself and tiptoed over to the inside ledge by the window and silently opened the blinds.

Everything looks the same, she thought. The stars, the streetlights, the cars parked down below. Most of all, *I* feel the same. She wasn’t sure what she had expected. But it was such a big deal. So much worrying and preparation, and it had come and gone. And she was the same person.

Sergei was as gentle as he could be, she knew. It tore at his heart when she winced from the pain, and he held her hand and kissed her cheek as they joined for the first time. She knew it would be painful, and had expected it. But she could make out Sergei’s features in the dark room, and the look of rapture on his face as they completed the final act that no longer separated them, was almost enough to make her forget. It was that look, his tender caresses, and the sound of her name on his lips in his moment of ecstasy that she would remember.

Sergei woke up soon after Chloe did, but he stayed in bed, watching her out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to go over and hold her, but he understood if she needed time alone with her thoughts. His biggest fear was that she was disappointed. Maybe he hadn’t lived up to her expectations. He wanted to tell her it gets better. So many times in movies and on television, they made it seem like it’s always earth-shattering, both people moaning and screaming and going at it again and again. No one ever talked about how strange the first time can be.

Chloe had fit him like a glove, he thought. He couldn’t have wished for a better feeling than all of her wrapped around all of him. But he felt guilty. He had a hunch it was coming soon, but if he had known it would be tonight, he would’ve bought some flowers and scattered the petals all over the room. And candles. Lots of candles. Next time, he thought. If she would grant him a next time.

He couldn’t stand it any longer. Chloe was probably having as many conflicting emotions as he was.

“What are you thinking over there, all by yourself?” he asked.

“Lots of things.”

“Like what?”

“You’ll think it’s silly.”

“I think you are beautiful and smart and wonderful, but not silly.”

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

“Yes.”

“I...I thought I would feel different. Like...like it would change me. I told you it was stupid.”

“That’s not stupid, Chloe. Everyone in the world thinks that their first time.”

“Did you?”

“Of course I did. And then I felt disillusioned, just like you probably do right now. But it gets better. You try different things, and you learn what you like. And each time is less awkward and scary, and pretty soon, it feels like heaven. Everyone thinks what you’re thinking.”

Chloe chuckled. “I doubt that.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. Because I was thinking about everything - everything before this. I mean...this is a bigger deal for a girl than for a guy.” She paused, deciding whether or not she should tell Sergei everything. But she might as well. There were no more physical boundaries between them; why should there be any emotional ones? “I went to the gynecologist to get on birth control pills and make sure everything was okay. And maybe that doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, but it is to me. It’s one more thing to worry about. One more thing about being an adult, being responsible for myself. Things happen so fast and there’s no turning back.” She turned to look out the window again. “And now you think I’m crazy.”

“I think, my angel, that *I* am crazy. Crazy in love with you. And I also think that you should come back to bed so I can feel you in my arms.”

She complied, and when she got under the covers, Sergei turned on the bedside lamp. He slowly peeled the blanket away from her.

“Sergei,” she said, clutching the blanket.

He uncurled her fingers and continued pushing the blanket away until she was completely exposed to him. “Please, I want to look at you.” He ran his fingers slowly from her face, down the column of her throat, over her breasts, and down to her navel. “Why on earth would you not want me to see this?” he said softly. “I could drink you in forever.”

She pushed his hand away and closed her eyes.

“Chloe, please, what’s wrong?”

“It’s hard to explain.”

“Try. I have all night to listen.”

She sighed. “Where do I begin? Despite that pink satin thing I was wearing before, I’m not exactly happy with my body.”

“Chloe--”

“No, let me say this.”

Sergei nodded, and he caressed her arm while she continued.

“I don’t know what possessed me to put it on. I saw it in a store a while back, before we were even going out. But I thought, maybe, someday. You make me feel beautiful. Adequate. You give me the confidence to wear something like that. I guess what I’m trying to say is, even though you do that for me, you can’t fix what I feel inside. And I’ll probably always feel it, to an extent. It might get better, but it will always be there a little, that I know for sure. And I wish it wasn’t. I wish I could clap my hands and make all that insecurity go away, but I can’t. It’s just who I am and you can’t change it, no matter how many times you tell me I’m beautiful. I know it’s dumb, and I feel dumb for feeling that way, but does it make any sense to you?”

Sergei leaned over and kissed her. “Yes, it makes sense. I don’t like it, but I understand it.” He pulled her close, her back against his chest, his arm draped over her. “You’re not dumb, Chloe, but I do think you’re a little naive. You’ve got this notion that looks are all that matter, and maybe to guys in college, they are. But in the real world, other qualities are so important. Everybody gets old. Everybody’s going to have spots, and wrinkles, and a gut. But not everyone’s intelligent and creative and inspiring. And Chloe, even if looks *were* the only thing, you’d have nothing to worry about, because you are breathtaking and I love you.”

She was moved to tears. “I love you too. And I’m relieved you don’t think I’m insane.”

“Not insane. Brainwashed. From now on, no more of those horrible women’s magazines for you. Well, maybe the Victoria’s Secret catalogue, but that’s different.”

SAME NIGHT
HARM & MAC’S HOUSE

“That was crazy, huh?” Harm said. He and Mac were getting ready for bed after picking up Roz and Victor from AJ’s and putting them to bed first. Victor had been fussy, but like so many babies, he was soothed by the smooth roll of the car during the drive home.

“Yeah,” Mac agreed. “They’re just lucky Sturgis is so easygoing. It’s hard to believe some people still think that way.”

“Definitely. I wish Webb would grow a spine and propose to Terri already, but then again, I’d hate to see her with the mother-in-law from hell.”

“I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be.”

Harm smiled. “Yeah. I guess we never had that problem, did we? My mother thought you were the second coming. If I hadn’t beaten her to it, she would’ve proposed to you herself.”

Mac laughed. “Mrs. Webb’s a real piece of work, but I’ve got to admit, it’s kind of nice to know I’m not the only one with screwed up parents.”

After a while, Mac was in a deep sleep, but Harm was still tossing and turning. The trouble Mac had always had sleeping disappeared when she married Harm. Something about being near him allowed her to sleep peacefully and she rarely woke during the night.

Harm envied her that tonight. He was tossing and turning, and after a while, he was distracted by a tapping sound. He turned over and saw Roz standing in the doorway in tears. One of her little hands knocked timidly on the open door, and the other clutched her favorite doll tightly to her chest.

Harm sat up and signaled for her to come over. “What is it, sweetie?” he whispered. She sniffled, never taking her eyes off the carpet. “Did you have a bad dream?” Roz nodded. “You want to tell me about it?”

“I was with this man, and he looked like you, only it wasn’t you. I didn’t know where I was. It was so scary.” Anything else she might’ve said was lost to more tears.

“Oh, don’t cry, sweetie. It’s okay. You wanna stay with me and mommy tonight?”

She nodded, and a pitiful, afraid little squeak escaped her lips.

“Okay baby.” He lifted her up and settled her between himself and Mac, who managed to sleep through the ordeal. “Better?” he asked.

“Mm-hmm.” Roz fell asleep almost instantly, and Harm not too long after that.

A FEW DAYS LATER
2330 EST

Harm and Mac were lying in bed, watching the late movie on TV. Well, Mac was watching the movie; Harm’s attention was focused on kissing Mac’s neck and caressing her soft shoulder and slowly pushing the thin straps of her nightgown down her arms. Mac liked the movie a lot, but Harm was doing a good job of distracting her, until a special news report interrupted the normal broadcasting.

“This just in,” the anchorman said. “A violent riot broke out two hours ago at the U.S. military disciplinary barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. The riot was apparently staged to divert the attention of guards and other security personnel as part of an elaborate escape plan for four inmates.”

Harm and Mac both sat up, eyes wide, waiting for more details. The news cut to an Army Colonel giving a brief press conference to a small group of reporters. He identified each of the men, and their pictures were shown on the screen. Two had been in the Army, one was a Marine. The fourth man needed no introduction for Harm and Mac, as they were both intimately familiar with his repulsive, enigmatic face.

“Palmer,” Harm said in a low growl. He covered his eyes with his hands and pressed hard.

“Harm,” Mac said, “let’s just keep listening.”

The Colonel continued. “The fugitives have been at large for approximately an hour and forty minutes. Residents of surrounding areas should be on highest alert. The fugitives may well have been planning this for some time and may have contacts for provisions and transportation on the outside. They could be anywhere in the next few hours, so in fact, the whole country should be on alert. If you believe you see these persons, or any suspicious activity, do not attempt to intervene. Contact your local authorities immediately. I repeat, do not attempt to intervene. These men may or may not be armed, but they are extremely dangerous.”

Mac turned off the TV as the news went back to the anchor for the standard, “We’ll keep you informed as this story develops.” She turned to Harm, who sat there motionless, his eyes still fixed ahead on the blank television screen, his knuckles white and forearms tense as he tightly gripped the blanket beneath him.

“Harm,” Mac whispered, and she gently touched his arm.

“Dammit,” Harm whispered gruffly, pushing her arm away.

At his action, Mac stayed where she was, silent, not knowing what to do or say. Harm stood up and went into the bathroom that adjoined their bedroom, and Mac could hear him turn on the water to wash his face. He returned a minute later and got under the covers without a word.

“Don’t you want to talk about this?” Mac asked.

“No.” His tone was icy, and his face stoic, and instead of holding Mac and cuddling like spoons before they fell asleep, as was their usual routine, he turned away from her, clicked off the lamp, and pulled the covers up to his neck.

Mac hated going to sleep without Harm’s strong arm draped over her, but she knew there was no getting through to him at times like this. He needed to process Palmer’s escape in his own way, and she respected that, although it pained her that even after all these years, there were still things she couldn’t help him with. Things he didn’t want help with. Places inside him he still kept surrounded by impenetrable walls.

Mac woke up a few hours later. She didn’t need to glance at the alarm clock to know it was just past 03:00. And she didn’t need to look over to know Harm wasn’t there next to her. She could feel the cold, lonely weight of his absence.

She put on a robe and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. In the dark room, she could make out her husband’s tall frame as he sat brooding at the table, looking out the window at nothing in particular.

“What’s a handsome man like you doing in a place like this?” she teased.

Harm said nothing, and didn’t even turn to look at her.

“You want some company?” she asked more seriously, absorbing the gravity of her husband’s mood.

Harm shrugged. “I don’t think I’ll make for great conversation right now, but be my guest.”

She sat down across from him at the table and noticed a glass of ginger ale and the box of saltine crackers in front of him. “Are you hungry? If you want, I can make you something better than that.”

Harm shook his head. “Not unless you want to see it come up again all over this table.”

“You all right?”

He shook his head again. “There’s a troop of acrobats doing somersaults in my stomach.”

“You want some antacid or something?”

“No. Believe me, Mac, medicine won’t help this problem. Nothing will help except seeing Clark Palmer back behind bars, where he belongs.”

“Harm, it’s only been a few hours. He couldn’t have gotten that far yet. They’ll catch him.”

“Dammit Mac,” he said. “You and I both know that’s not true. He could already be disguised as anyone. And you heard the warden - he could be on his way to anywhere. Hell, he could be knocking on our door in a few hours.” Harm got up and went to the kitchen sink. He looked out at the dark night while his hands gripped the edge of the counter. A touch of moonlight flowed in through the window, and Mac could see the muscles in his tense back and shoulders accentuated in the blue-white haze. “Son of a bitch could be anywhere.” Mac saw him take a few labored breaths. “If he comes here, I swear to God I’ll--”

“What, Harm? What are you going to do, sit by the door with your pistol all night?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Mac stood behind him, her hands gently massaging his back. “Harm, don’t be ridiculous. They’ll get him before he even changes out of his prison coveralls.” She spoke with much more confidence than she actually felt. The truth was, she was even more scared than he was. She could already see the wheels turning in Harm’s mind, and if he did anything heroic and stupid, she could be left to raise their children without him.

He turned around to her. “You really believe that?” he asked timidly.

“Yes. They’ve got guards and guns and dogs, and they’ll hunt him down like the animal he is. Tomorrow this will all be a bad dream.”

“I hope you’re right,” Harm said.

“I am. Now come on, you need to get back to sleep. It wouldn’t do to have the Judge Advocate General nodding off at his desk tomorrow, would it?”

The Admiral who had succeeded AJ had developed a chronic health problem that forced him to retire, and Harm had been appointed to the position a few months ago. “No, I suppose not.”

THE NEXT DAY
0945 EST
JAG HQ

Harm was at his desk reviewing some files over a cup of coffee when his yeoman, a Petty Officer Green, patched through on the intercom. “Lieutenant Commander Simms to see you, sir.”

“Send her in, Green.”

“Yes sir.”

Harriet opened the door slowly and timidly stepped into the large office of her friend, and now CO. “Um, sir...” she began nervously.

“Come on in, Harriet, I don’t bite,” Harm said. He ushered her to one of the chairs. “What’s on your mind?”

“Well sir...”

“Spit it out, Harriet, can’t you see I’m a busy man?” he joked, pointing to the boring files he’d sooner throw in the trash than spend time working on.

Harriet smiled. “Yes sir. Sir, Bud and I saw the news last night, and, well...I just wanted to see if you’re all right.”

“I’m fine, Harriet, but thank you.” I have no choice, he added to himself. I’ve got a job to do.

“Right. Well, Bud and I know your history with that...that Palmer guy, and if there’s anything we can do...”

“I don’t know, Harriet. What could you do? Plunge a knife into his heart for me? Wrap your hands around his neck and squeeze the life out of him? No way in hell. Nobody’s getting that satisfaction but me.”

Harriet was taken back by his words. “Yes sir, if you say so, sir.”

Harm silently looked around his office, at the model yellow biplane on the bookcase, and at the pictures of his family, Mac and the children. “Aw, Harriet, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go off like that. It’s not easy to sit here shuffling papers all day when that bastard is on the loose somewhere. Not to mention my wife and son are home alone right now.”

“Sir, with all due respect, Mac, I mean the Colonel, is a highly skilled Marine. She can hold her own against anyone, no matter how dangerous.”

“I know she can. However, Clark Palmer is a lot of things, dangerous being the very least. I swear, if he ever got ahold of her, or my kids...”

“Sir, maybe you’d like to go home and be with them? Respectfully, it seems like that’s where your mind is anyway. I know Bud, er, Lieutenant Roberts, is your chief of staff, but he’s on that investigation at the Navy Yard today. I could look after things here, sir. With your permission, of course.”

“Thanks Harriet, but that’s not necessary. I’ll be of no use to JAG today, but I’d be even worse at home. At least here I can yell at people who are duty-bound to stand there and listen. Mac would just get me in a headlock and knock me out.”

Harriet chuckled and pointed to the gold stripes on the cuffs of Harm’s jacket. “I guess those don’t carry much authority at home, huh sir?”

He smiled. “None at all. ‘Soon as I walk through the door, I might as well be a plebe and Mac a Lieutenant General.”

“Oh, come on sir, it can’t be that bad.”

“It’s not. I’m just kidding with you. Mac gives me her love, and as long as I have that, she can take as much of me as she wants. I don’t need anything else.”

“Wow. You’re pretty romantic, for a lawyer.” Harm raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir! I mean--”

He smiled. “It’s all right. Now get back to work, Commander.”

She stood up. “Aye aye, sir.”

She turned to go, and just before she got to the door, Harm called to her.

“Harriet! Thanks for...well, thanks.” Harriet nodded. “Bud’s a very lucky man.”

Harriet smiled. “Sir, would you mind reminding him of that now and then, say, every week at staff call? I think he forgets sometimes.”

“You got it. Dismissed.”

“Yes sir. Thank you sir.” She shut the door as she left.

Harm considered how lucky he was in his friendships. Harriet had always had the courage to be a friend first, officer second, even years before, when she was just an Ensign. All of his friends, he reflected, they had all been through hell and back together - Bud and Harriet, AJ, Sturgis, Webb, and Terri Coulter. A man couldn’t be much more fortunate in life than to be surrounded by people like that, people for whom he’d move heaven and earth.

And God help Clark Palmer if he came anywhere near any of them.

Harm focused on that single thought as he leaned back in his tall leather chair and stared out the window. The sun was becoming obscured by ominous, billowing thunderhead clouds. The steely darkness threatened to overwhelm the day, as if even Nature herself knew something was coming. Something terrible.

That evening at home, Harm tried to play with Roz after dinner, but his heart wasn’t quite in it. It wasn’t easy to smile and make happy shapes out of Play-Doh when what you really wanted was to throw a grenade at another man’s head.

After putting their son and daughter to bed, Harm and Mac sat in the living room reading the newspaper. Harm was hogging the comics and sports sections hoping for a good distraction. He didn’t need to read the news. He knew there was nothing new on Palmer. He was still out there. He could feel it in his bones. He’d know without being told when they caught him. If they caught him.

The comics kept him smiling for a few minutes, and the sports pages kept him occupied as he read about the Capitals training camp. Jagr was in the best shape of his career, and Kolzig and Bondra were looking great in team scrimmages. Maybe they would finally make a serious run at the Stanley Cup in the spring.

After a while, he got up and went to check his email in the spare room they used as an office. A few minutes later, Mac joined him in there.

“Anything good?” she asked, leaning over his shoulder.

“MAC!” He jumped up. “Jeez! Don’t you know better than to sneak up on someone like that?”

“Like what? Like Palmer, coming to get you? Harm, this is ridiculous. You can’t go on like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like he’s gonna jump out at you from every corner, from behind every tree. He’s nowhere near here and you know that.”

“No, I *don’t* know that, Mac, and neither do you. At the risk of sounding like an egomaniac, I’m probably the first person he plans to visit, so you’ll excuse me if I’m a little jumpy.”

“Harm, they *will* catch him.”

Harm sighed, his shoulders falling as he let it go. This conversation was a losing battle and he was tired of trying to make Mac see things his way.

Mac stood behind him and rubbed his tight shoulders. “Secret admirer?” she teased, as Harm opened an email message.

“Not unless it’s a man, admiring me from a few hundred feet down in the ocean.”

“Sturgis?”

“Yeah. He sends his regards, and a little death wish for Palmer.”

“Boy,” Mac said, “news really travels fast, huh?”

“Yeah. Even under water, apparently.”

“Well, tell him I said hello.” Mac kissed Harm on the cheek and went upstairs to get ready for bed. A few minutes later, the phone rang, and Mac got to it first.

“Hello?”

“Mac, hi, it’s AJ.”

“Oh, hi sir!” No matter how many times AJ had told Harm and Mac to call him by his first name since he’d retired, it was a hard habit to break.

“I hope I’m not calling too late. I meant to try you earlier, but things kept coming up.”

“No problem, sir. And don’t worry. You didn’t wake anyone. Roz is a heavy sleeper, and Victor’s finally gotten the hang of sleeping through the night.”

“Ah, well, glad to hear it. Although, there was something I was most certainly *not* glad to hear, and that’s the reason for my call.”

“Then you know about Clark Palmer.”

“Yes, I do and it turns my stomach.”

“You’re not the only one, sir.”

“How’s he taking it?”

“Worse then he lets show, but I know better.”

“Y’always could see right through him, Mac. Poor sap never stood a chance.”

Mac chuckled. “No sir, but you could say the same thing vice versa.”

“Yeah, I guess I could,” AJ said, suppressing a laugh. “I’m just glad you kids finally woke up and used those sparks between you for something better’n arguing.”

“Spoken like a true romantic,” Mac said.

“Aw, heck, Mac. Even an old SEAL’s gotta have a soft spot somewhere. But seriously, how’s Harm doing?”

“Well sir, he’s been better, but all things considered, he’s holding up really well. Too well, actually.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s holding it in, but I know it’s there. Plain as day. And eventually, it’s all gonna come out and I’m just not sure I’ll be able to handle it when it does. Not on top of my own fear.”

“You’re worried, Mac?”

“Terrified.” There was no point in denying it. Not to someone who could read her like an open book anyway.

“You’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Colonel.” AJ used her title, hoping to remind her that she was, in fact, a badass Marine. “But please, if there’s anything I can do, just say the word. If you and Harm want to go out for an evening, or get away from all this for a weekend, you know I can never get enough of that beautiful little girl and her brother, even when he’s crying his head off.”

“Thank you, sir. We could always use a good babysitter, especially one with combat experience! But honestly, short of staking out our house every night with some serious firepower, I’m not sure there’s anything you can do.”

“Hey now, that’s not such a bad idea. I’m always up for a good stakeout.”

Mac laughed. “Well, I’ll keep it in mind, sir.”

“You do that. Can you put Harm on?”

“Sure, just a second.” Mac called down to Harm and she hung up the phone when she heard him pick up.

“Admiral, good evening, sir.”

“Come on Harm, it’s just AJ now.”

“Sorry, AJ. You could wear Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and I’d still salute you.”

“Well, never mind that. Enough about me. How are *you* doing, son?”

“Fine sir, why?”

“Oh, cut the crap. It’s all over the news.”

“Sir, really, I’m okay.”

“Come on. This man’s tried to kill you more than once.”

“Thanks for the reminder.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“That depends. You still licensed to practice law in Virginia?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Then you can defend me after I pump that son of a bitch full of lead.”

“Whoa there, tiger. I was thinking more along the lines of Mac and the kids staying at my house while this thing plays out.”

“Oh, sir, that’s more than generous of you to offer, and my common sense is telling me it’s a great idea, but my heart’s telling me this is my home, and if I can’t protect my family on my own, then what kind of a man am I?”

“A damn stupid one, that’s what. Why don’t you help Mac pack a few things and drop everyone off. Tonight.”

“Sir, really, I can’t ask you to do that. We’re fine here.”

“Rabb, swallow that pride of yours already. Big as it is, I promise you won’t choke on it.”

Harm couldn’t suppress a smile at that. “Tell you what, sir. We’re okay for now, really. But if things heat up, they’ll be on your doorstep first thing.”

“This is a bad idea, but I can see I’m talking to a brick wall on this one, so it’s a deal. Anytime, day or night. You let me know.”

“Will do, sir. Thank you.”

“One more thing, Harm.”

“Yes, sir?”

“You can cut the act around the Colonel. Mac knows you better than anyone and you’re not fooling her, or me, for that matter, with this bravery mumbo-jumbo.”

“I don’t know, sir. I’m doing a fantastic job of fooling myself. Does that count?”

“Not if it gets you killed.” Harm was silent, and AJ realized he better not end the conversation on that note. For Mac’s sake, he should put Harm in a better mood before saying goodbye. “And don’t you dare let that happen, otherwise I’d have to go to the great beyond and haul your six back to earth because there is no way I’m gonna get sucked back behind that desk at JAG Ops. Not when I’ve gotten so used to spending my days fishing and catching up on thirty years of good books.”

Harm smiled. “Yes sir.”

“All right. You go get some sleep now, and be sure to give the munchkins a goodnight kiss from their grandpa AJ.”

“I will, sir. Goodnight. And thanks again, for everything.” He hung up the phone, adding to himself, “Especially for treating them like your own.” AJ’s daughter, Francesca, had a daughter, but AJ was lucky if he got to see her once every few years. Now that he was retired, he’d be able to travel to Italy more often, but he still loved having surrogate grandchildren close enough to spoil all the time.

AJ had been especially touched when Harm and Mac had named their son after Victor Galindez, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant who’d been such an asset to JAG, and a damn fine human being besides. It would haunt AJ for the rest of his life that the last time he ever saw Gunny was when he granted him release from JAG to rejoin a fighting unit, for what turned out to be his final mission. “Be safe, Victor,” he had told him. But some orders just can’t be obeyed.

A few hours later, Mac woke up, and just like the night before, she knew Harm wasn’t in bed with her. She saw his pajama top thrown haphazardly on his side of the bed, and she put it on to cover her bare torso as she went looking for him in the chilly house.

She found him in the first room down the hallway, Roz’s bedroom. She stood in the doorway, quietly taking in the scene before her. In the dim light offered by her daughter’s Hello Kitty nightlight, Mac could make out Harm’s strong form, sitting on the edge of Roz’s bed, with Victor in his arms. It was a picture that never failed to melt her heart and make her fall in love with Harm all over again.

There he was, tall, broad, strong, the essence of pure masculinity, clutching to his bare chest their tiny, soft baby. Mac could watch them like that forever, and in moments like this, she understood the way Harm felt when he used to watch her breastfeed.

Roz was asleep, facing the other way. All Mac could see was her long, dark hair fanned along the pillow. She watched Harm’s back rise and fall with each calm breath.

Harm must’ve sensed she was watching him, and he turned around slowly, trying not to wake Victor. Mac was surprised to see a lonely tear make its way down his cheek. “Hey, beautiful,” he whispered.

Mac smiled. “I could say the same to you.” She tiptoed into the room and reached out to brush away the wetness from his face. “You all right?” she whispered.

He turned his head and shut his eyes tightly to stop more tears that threatened to fall. Mac smoothed her hand through Harm’s hair. “Come on,” she whispered, tilting her head in the direction of their bedroom.

Harm nodded, and he got up to kiss Roz goodnight. He kissed her forehead. “That’s from me,” he whispered, “and this one’s from Grandpa AJ,” he said before he kissed her cheek. He followed Mac into Victor’s nursery, and before laying him down in his crib, Harm pressed his nose lightly against his son’s face and inhaled deeply.

“How can something so tiny smell so good?” he wondered aloud.

“He doesn’t always smell that good. Trust me. I’ve got proof in the diaper pail.”

Harm was lost in the moment and didn’t even hear her joke. “It’s like baby powder, and innocence, and happy dreams, and every good thing you can think of. There’s nothing else in the world like baby smell,” he mused.

No, Mac thought, and nothing like a rock solid man reduced to mush because of it. Nothing as sweet. Nothing as romantic. Nothing she was luckier to have in her life.

They put Victor to bed, and Harm followed Mac into their bedroom. Once inside, Harm grabbed Mac firmly by the waist and turned her around to him. “You, young lady are doing very illegal things to that shirt,” he said.

“Oh yeah?” she played along. “Like what?”

“Well, for starters, it’s against the law to look so good in clothes that aren’t even yours.” He pushed against her slightly, forcing her to walk backward toward their bed.

“What else, officer,” she asked in a throaty whisper.

“Well, for a man’s shirt, it’s sticking out in all the wrong places.”

“Like where?” She closed her eyes.

“Like here,” he said, and he trailed his hands from her waist, up her sides, and around to her soft breasts, which were, indeed, doing things to his shirt that Harm’s own body never had.

Mac could hear the desire in his voice. “Oh, well officer, I wouldn’t want to break any laws. Isn’t there anything I can do?”

Harm pulled her close to him, and she could feel his arousal. He whispered seductively in her ear, “You can let me take it off you. I’m afraid I have to perform a strip search.”

“Oh, well, if it’s the only way...” She took Harm’s hands and placed them at the top button. He made his way down, and when the last button was open, he slowly, torturously, slid the shirt over Mac’s shoulders and down her arms until it fell to the floor in a small blue heap. He leaned in and kissed Mac deeply. He put his hand behind her back to support her as they sank down onto the bed.

A little while later, when they lay wrapped in each other’s arms, Mac brought up the conversation she’d meant to have with Harm before he had so deliciously distracted her.

“Harm, about before...”

“Hmm? Oh, it was nothing. Forget it.”

“It’s not nothing if it moves you to tears.”

“Gee, thanks for bringing that up. You really know how to stroke a guy’s ego.”

“Judging from the look on your face a little while ago, I did a pretty good job of stroking something else, so the least you can do is tell me what’s bothering you.”

He turned his head. “It was stupid.”

“Stupid enough to make you cry. Please, Harm, don’t shut me out.

Harm remembered AJ’s words from earlier that evening. It was no use pretending with Mac. He looked into her eyes, twinkling from the moonlight streaming into the room. “Just when my life was perfect. Just when I finally had everything I ever dreamed of, something like this happens. Something to take it all away. It isn’t fair.”

Mac reached up to caress his cheek. “No, it isn’t, but that’s exactly why you should stop worrying. You and I have both had enough tragedy for five lifetimes, and God isn’t cruel enough to put us through any more of it.”

“It’s not God I’m worried about. Palmer works for the other guy, remember?”

“Well, I’m willing to bet he’s done with us, too. Your father, Luke, Jordan, Gunny. No way. We’ve been through enough. There’s no one left.”

Harm swallowed hard, thinking of the two children sleeping peacefully down the hall. “Yeah, there is.” He pulled Mac close and they snuggled comfortably against one another. “I love you, Sarah,” Harm said in the dark.

“I love you too.”

“Baby, I’m gonna hold you tight, and if it’s okay with you, I’m never gonna let go.”

The following morning, Harm and Mac awoke to good news. All four fugitives had been apprehended during the night while trying to secure a rental car. The clerk had recognized the men from the news report and was able to stall them with paperwork until the police got there. They were all back in Leavenworth, under maximum security.

“Thank God,” Mac said, wrapping her arms around Harm from behind as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

Harm said nothing, and stared coldly ahead at his reflection.

“Harm, you’re stiff as a board. You can relax now, they’ve got him. It’s over.”

“It’s never over. Not with Palmer. I know him. He’s still out there.”

“What are you talking about? They found them all last night. You heard the warden say it himself - they won’t even be allowed to breathe without permission for the next few years.”

Harm shook his head and went back into the bedroom to grab his uniform jacket. “Mac, I can’t speak for the other three guys, but I know, in my gut, Palmer’s walking around a free man, smiling like a kid on Christmas.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because as much as I despise him, I’ve gotta give that SOB credit for being intelligent. I mean, a rental car? Come on, that’s way too elementary for him. Palmer would never go down because of something so stupid. Something’s not right. I can feel it.”

“Harm, you’re scaring me.”

“You *should* be scared.”

Mac gave him an unsettled look and she sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Mac, I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean that. I’m probably just paranoid, and that’s exactly what that scumbag wants - to play these head games and drive me crazy. Mac, Palmer’s my problem, and I’ll deal with him.”

“It stopped being only your problem the day we said ‘I do.’ If you honestly think something’s up, maybe we should look into it.”

Harm sighed, and sat down next to her. “No, you’re probably right. He’s back behind bars, and the last thing I want to do is give him the satisfaction of scaring me into believing otherwise.” He ran his hand through Mac’s messy morning hair and kissed her cheek.

“You want some breakfast before you go?” Mac had time for a leisurely morning. She had to drop Roz off at kindergarten, but after that, she didn’t have to be at the Marine Corps recruiting station until lunchtime.

“No, I’ll grab something on the way to the office.”

“Jelly donut?”

Harm smiled. “Not likely.”

“Egg whites on whole wheat, then,” Mac said, wrinkling her face in mock disgust. “You’re so boring.”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

“That I do, sailor, that I do.”

TWO MONTHS LATER (NOVEMBER 2009)
**MAC’S BIRTHDAY**
1500 EST

Mac had worked the morning shift at the Marine Corps recruiting station, and after picking up Victor from daycare, she stopped at Roz’s school to take her home from kindergarten. She held Victor as she stepped into the classroom, almost tripping over building blocks and loose crayons.

Other moms and dads were scattered about, helping their children pack up their belongings. Mac scanned the room, but Roz was nowhere in sight. She waited a few minutes in case Roz was in the bathroom, but she didn’t appear. Finally, Mac approached the teacher, a young woman with a cheerful smile.

“Mrs. Keating?”

“Oh, Mrs. Rabb, hi!” She looked at the baby in Mac’s arms, bundled up in blue wool. “My gosh, Victor, you’re growing so fast! You’re gonna be as big as your daddy in no time.”

Mac smiled. “For my sake, I hope not. He’s already outgrowing clothes faster than I can buy them.”

“Yeah, that age is so hard. They’re like little clothing money pits.”

“Yeah. Any idea where my daughter’s gone off to?”

“Oh, I assumed you knew. Your husband came by for her earlier. Took her out in the middle of the day.”

“He did?” It wasn’t like Harm to do that without telling her. “You sure it was my husband?”

“Navy Captain, twice as tall as I am, hard to miss?”

“Yeah, that’s him.” She thought for a minute, and then realized what was going on. Her face lit up. “Ooooh, he’s so bad! You see, it’s my birthday today, and I bet he’s up to something, with Roz’s help.”

“I wish my husband was romantic like that.”

“Well, I wish he hadn’t taken her out of school, but I’ll wait and see. His surprise might make up for it.” She smiled all the way back to the car, and, against her better judgment, she didn’t call Harm to double check that Roz was with him.

Mac looked in the rearview mirror at her son, who was strapped securely in his car seat. “Your father is a sneaky one, Victor. A big, lovable sneak.”

SAME DAY
1800 EST

At the risk of assuming too much, Mac didn’t prepare anything for dinner. She figured Harm would take her out somewhere nice. She was on the couch watching the news when he came through the door, holding a huge bouquet of multicolored roses.

Harm hung up his coat and walked over to her with the flowers. “Happy birthday, beautiful,” he said, and then kissed her.

She smiled brightly and inhaled the deep scent of the roses. “Oh, Harm, I love these. They’re so pretty. But where’s your helper?”

“Hmm?”

“That sneaky little girl who helped you pull off whatever you’ve got planned tonight.”

“Mac, what are you talking about?”

“Come on, Harm,” she joked. “Give it up, where’s Roz?”

“Roz isn’t with me. Didn’t she have school today?”

“Yes, which *you* took her out of early to surprise me, right?” Harm stood there, confused, and Mac’s alarm intensified. “Right?!”

“No, but that look in your eyes is starting to make me wish I had...”

“Then she’s really not with you?!”

“No! I thought you were picking her up, like always!”

“No! Oh God, Harm, oh my God! I went to get her at the end of the day, and her teacher said you were there earlier and took her out of class.”

Harm felt his heart begin to pound as he started to fear the worst. “Mac, I was at work all day. I didn’t even leave the office for lunch.”

Mac’s knees gave out and she had to brace herself on the arm of the couch to prevent herself from falling down. She whimpered a quiet, unintelligible cry, and Harm raced over and guided her to a chair.

“Where is she, Harm?” she choked out. “Where’s our little girl?”

“Okay, let’s think.” Harm tried to stay levelheaded. “What’s her teacher’s name again?”

“Keating. Rosemary Keating.”

“Rosemary Keating, okay. Let’s see if she’s in the phone book.” He ran into the other room and came back with the thick white pages. He flipped the pages, scanning frantically for the name. “Keating...Keating, here it is.” He dialed so quickly that he entered a wrong number and got a disconnected message. “Dammit!” He slammed the phone against the table. He dialed again, this time slowly and deliberately.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Rosemary Keating please.”

“Speaking.”

“Mrs. Keating, this is Harmon Rabb, Roz’s father--”

“Oh, Captain, hi! It was nice to see you this afternoon.”

Harm swallowed hard. “Are you sure you saw me today?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Did your wife like her surprise?”

“What?”

“Your surprise. I think it was so sweet of you to let Roz help.”

“I...I...oh God--”

“Are you all right, Captain?”

He whispered inaudibly, “No no no no.”

“Captain?”

“Mrs. Keating, I don’t know who came to your classroom this afternoon, but it wasn’t me. I was at my office the entire day.”

“Don’t be silly. Of course it was you. You’re a difficult face to forget.”

Harm could hardly believe it. Their daughter was missing, and this woman was fucking flirting with him! “What?!”

“I’m sorry, I only meant that I have several students with parents in the Service - three Army, two Air Force, but you’re the only Navy.”

“Look, Mrs. Keating, I’m sorry to ask you this, but it’s a matter of life and death. Can you meet me and my wife at the school as soon as possible?”

“My husband and I just sat down to dinner.”

“Rosemary, please! Roz is missing and we need to talk to you!”

“What?! Oh my goodness, why didn’t you say something sooner? I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Harm hung up the phone, and he expected to have to help Mac get up and into her coat, but when he turned around, she was already bundled up and waiting for him, with Victor in her arms and the car keys in one hand. Harm threw his coat on and they dropped Victor off at a neighbor’s house.

“You’re in no condition to drive,” he said, grabbing the keys from her.

“And you are?!”

“Don’t argue. Just get in.”

Harm ran every red light he safely could, and when they got to the parking lot, Rosemary Keating was already waiting for them. Harm and Mac jumped out of the car and approached her quickly.

Harm stood there before her. “Rosemary, please, take a good look at me. Are you certain I’m the man you saw today?”

“One hundred percent. Gold wings and all.”

Harm braced himself on the car as he felt the force of his worst fear and suspicion coming true. He pushed hard against the car and released a long, deep, inhuman roar. “I’ll kill him. I’LL KILL HIM!”

Mac cautiously placed a hand on his shoulder. “Harm?”

“Mac, it’s Palmer!”

“They...they caught him.”

“No Mac! Remember what I said? The way they found the others - it was too simple for him. He’s still out there, and now he’s got our daughter!”

“I don’t understand,” Mrs. Keating said. “If it wasn’t you, then who came for Roz?”

“The most evil, diabolical animal in the world.”

“But...but...”

“Rosemary,” Mac said, “Clark Palmer is a master of disguise. He’s done this before, and fooled everyone, including me.”

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

“No, please, you had no way of knowing.”

“Rosemary,” Harm asked, “can we go into your classroom? Maybe he got stupid and left a clue somewhere.”

The night janitor let them into the building, and they hurried to the classroom. “I want this place dusted for prints,” Harm said firmly. “He must’ve touched something - the doorknob, a desk.”

“He was wearing gloves, I remember,” Mrs. Keating said.

“Well, I’ll still call the police, and Terri, too. He might’ve left *something* to prove he was here. Some fibers, hell, maybe an eyelash fell out.”

“He did leave something,” Mac said softly. She walked slowly to the back of the room where the children normally hung their coats and book bags. A lone backpack hung from one of the hooks. She gently lifted it off and squeezed it to her chest.

Harm went over and tried to take it away from her. He wanted to keep her as far removed from this as he could. Mac’s reaction was to close her eyes and hug the bag tighter.

“I didn’t even notice it was still here,” Mrs. Keating explained. “You--um, that man, was here, and I have twenty-two other kids...I should’ve paid more attention.”

“It’s not your fault,” Harm reassured her. “This is nobody’s fault but my own, for not trusting my instincts when I knew Palmer was still on the outside.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Please just inform the school authorities. We’re going to need their total cooperation if we send a forensics team in here.”

“Consider it done. There’s an empty classroom at the end of the hall I can move my class to.”

“Good idea.”

“Captain?” she asked. “Will he be back? I mean, is there reason to believe any other students here are in danger?”

Harm sighed. “No. No, I’m afraid this vendetta is very personal. There’s no risk to the other children.”

They went over exactly what Palmer had said when he came for Roz, and Harm gave Rosemary his card in case she remembered anything else. Mac was unsteady on her feet, so Harm helped her into the car and started for home, where they would contact everyone they needed to. Harm’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as his mind raced through all the ways he would take pleasure in killing Palmer. He was soon distracted by the sound of Mac opening the zipper on Roz’s book bag.

“Mac, don’t,” he said quietly. He didn’t know what would be in there, and he didn’t want Mac finding out first, when he was unable to put his arms around her.

Mac reached in and pulled out Roz’s pink and purple mittens and matching hat. She had only one thought -- wherever her daughter was, she was probably cold. Mac couldn’t hold it in any longer. She buried her face in the small mittens and cried uncontrollably.

Harm kept his eyes on the road, but could still see Mac shaking with her violent sobs. He reached over and placed his hand on her knee and gave it a comforting squeeze. It was all he could do until they were out of the car.

Mac took hold of his hand and held it to her face, needing to feel some part of him close to her. Harm could feel her tears running down his hand, and he vowed to hold her for as long as she needed after they called the police.

When they pulled up in front of the house, Harm left Mac while he went next door to get Victor. He was as calm as possible and even managed a very fake smile while the neighbor made small talk. He tried his best to appear normal. He wasn’t prepared to explain or answer any questions.

When he returned, Mac was waiting on the doorstep, with Roz’s mittens still clutched tightly to her. Harm unlocked the door, and putting his hand on her back, he led her to the couch. He grabbed the phone and dialed 911.

“9-1-1 Emergency.”

“Yes, I’d like to report a missing child.”

“How long has the child been missing, sir?”

“I’m not sure. A few hours.”

“Seven hours forty-eight minutes,” Mac said, having guessed the question from Harm’s response. The teacher had said Roz left with Palmer at noon.

“Almost eight hours.”

“I’m sorry, we can’t file a missing child report until it’s been twenty-four hours.”

“What?!”

“Sir, many kids run away, then change their minds and go home in a few hours.”

“How many five-year-olds do that?!” he exploded. “Look, I’m sorry, but she’s only five, and I *know* she didn’t run away. Can’t you do something?”

“I can dispatch a team to come get some information from you if you’d like.”

“Yes, please.” Harm gave the dispatcher his name and their address.

“Okay, and sir, if you have one, it would help if you could have a recent photo of your daughter available.”

“I will. Thank you.” He hung up and took a seat beside Mac. “Sarah, honey, the police are on their way.” She nodded. “Can I get you anything?”

She shook her head. “My daughter back.”

Harm wrapped his arm around her. “They’ll find her,” he said. “She’ll be back here doing cartwheels in the living room before we know it.” He didn’t believe a word he said, but for Mac’s sake, he had to be strong. Or look that way, at least. Inside, it felt like someone was wielding a saber in his stomach, trying to slice his way out. Mac could be so fierce and collected sometimes, but Harm knew, when it came to their children, all bets were off.

He held Mac close until the police arrived. Harm opened the door and two uniformed officers entered.

“Captain Rabb, I’m Sergeant Christopher Bennett, and this is my partner, Officer Paul Straka.” The men shook hands and Mac acknowledged them from the couch. She didn’t trust herself to stand. The officers took out notebooks to record the facts. “Let’s not waste any time, Captain, Mrs. Rabb.” Sergeant Bennett flipped to a clean page. “What’s your daughter’s full name?”

“Rosalyn Mackenize Rabb. We usually just call her Roz.”

“Can you give me a description of her?”

“She’s about three and a half feet tall, forty-five pounds. Long, dark brown hair, brown eyes.”

“Any distinguishing features - birthmarks? Scars?”

“No,” Harm answered.

“She has a scrape,” Mac interrupted. “Her right knee.” Harm looked at her. “She fell on the patio yesterday.”

“Do you have a recent photo of her?”

Harm nodded and reached for his wallet. “Just took it a few days ago.”

“She’s a beautiful little girl,” Straka spoke up. “If it’s okay with you, we’ll hold on to this so we can make copies and get the word out.”

“Yeah.” Harm handed the officer something else he prepared before the police came. “These are her fingerprints. We had them done a while back as part of that SafeChild program.”

“Smart man. I wish more parents would do that.”

“Look, we know who took her. All we have to do is find him.”

“Captain?” Bennett was surprised.

“I know who has her. His name is Clark Palmer.”

“What makes you think this man took your daughter?”

“I don’t think it. I *know* it.” Harm was frustrated. They were wasting time when they should be out there looking for Roz. “It’s hard to explain. He’s a master of disguise, and he showed up at her school today, looking like me. Fooled the teacher and walked right out of there with her almost nine hours ago.”

“So this Palmer guy could be your twin? We should be after someone who looks like you?”

“No. Yes.” Harm sighed and took a deep breath. He passed them a newspaper clipping he’d saved from when Palmer escaped with the other men. “This is him. But he’s an expert in makeup, wigs, you name it. He can make himself into the spitting image of anyone.”

“The Leavenworth breakout. I remember this. ‘Thought they caught those guys.”

“Not this one.”

“All right, Captain, you seem to know this guy pretty well. What’s his M.O.? Any idea where he might’ve been headed, or what he’d be driving?”

Harm shook his head. “No, on both counts. I’d say to check with the car rental companies, but we have no idea where or when he might’ve gotten one. Or if, even. Maybe he stole a car. What’s that on top of jailbreaking and kidnapping? Besides, he could’ve used a phony name, and done it anywhere between here and Kansas. Dammit.”

“Well, Mr. Rabb, you’ve given us a few things to go on. We’ll get an APB on this guy and your daughter, and hopefully someone will spot them.”

“And what do we do now?” Harm asked, indicating himself and Mac.

“The only thing you can, Captain. Wait.”

“And try to keep the phone lines open,” Straka said. “We’ll be in touch.”

“So that’s it? We’re just supposed to sit here?”

“I’m sorry, but yes, that’s about all you can do. As soon as we get back to the station, we’ll scan Roz’s picture into the system and in about twenty minutes, every cop in the country will be on the lookout. But we’ll scour the area, too. You’d be surprised. These kinds of people, they’re sick. They get off on the thrill. So many of them stay closeby just to see the agony they created.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Harm said. “Not with Palmer.”

“Anyway, he might not have gone very far.” They exchanged cards, and Harm wrote their home phone number on the back of his. “Captain, Mrs. Rabb, we’ll do everything we can.”

Harm closed the door after them. “Well, that’s bullshit. I’m not gonna sit here on my six while that bastard puts more miles between us and our little girl.”

“What are you gonna do?” Mac asked. She still hadn’t let go of Roz’s backpack.

“Call in the cavalry.”

Half an hour later, AJ, Webb and Terri, Bud, Harriet, and Sergei, were gathered in Harm and Mac’s living room. Their faces all showed their state of alarm. No one knew yet what they were doing there, except that Harm had said it was an emergency and to get there as soon as possible.

“Can I get anyone anything to drink?” Mac offered quietly, not wanting to seem rude, even in the midst of this. Roz’s backpack was still hanging from her hand.

“Mac, sit down.” Harm had to almost push her into a chair. “Thank you all for coming so quickly.”

“Brother, please,” Sergei said, “what is going on?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” AJ said firmly.

Harm swallowed hard. He didn’t want to say the words. Hearing himself say them would make it true. He took a deep breath. “Roz is missing. She was kidnapped.”

Harriet gasped loudly and clapped her hand to her mouth. Terri’s reaction was the same, but she managed to stand up and rush over to Mac’s side.

“Kidnapped?!” Webb said incredulously.

AJ tried to stay focused. “How long has she been missing, Harm?”

“Since noon. Clark Palmer showed up at her school, disguised as me again, and walked right out with her.”

“But sir,” Bud said, “I thought they caught him months ago.”

Harm shook his head. “No. I never believed that for a second, and I was right.”

“You are sure of this?” Sergei asked. He had heard many times the story of how the man named Palmer had held Harm hostage in his own apartment and copied his features so well that even Mac was fooled.

“I’m sure. We talked with Roz’s teacher. She thought it was me, but Bud and Harriet can vouch that I never left the office today. So either I’ve got a twin out there, or that sick bastard’s got our daughter.”

“So what’s the plan?” Always a man of action, AJ didn’t want to waste another minute.

“Well sir, how do you feel about a trip to Ft. Leavenworth?”

“I’m on the next flight there, son.”

“Sir, he fooled the guards once before, and I want to make sure I’m right about him doing it again. Besides the fact they need to know they’ve got the wrong man in his cell.”

“I’ll clean up their act. Even retired, an Admiral ought to have some pull out there.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Sir, what about us?” Bud asked, speaking for himself and Harriet.

“Well Bud, as of now, you’ve got a new assignment. I’m not leaving this house until my little girl is back inside it, so in my absence, you will be the acting JAG.”

“Me, sir?”

“You sir.”

“Congratulations, Lieutenant,” AJ said. Although Harriet’s promotion to Lieutenant Commander had come eventually, Bud’s prosthesis would always make it more difficult to advance.

“Harriet, please, *please* don’t consider this a demotion, but how would you feel about some babysitting duty? Things might get a little crazy around here and I’m not sure Mac or I will be in any condition to take care of Victor. I can give you the leave time, off the books.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Mac interrupted, “because things are *not* going to get crazy around here.” She spoke firmly for the first time since Harm had come home that night, without Roz. “Things will be just fine, because they’re going to bring her back. Tonight.”

Terri put her arm around Mac and could feel her trembling. From anger or fear, she couldn’t tell.

Harm shot Harriet a frustrated look. Harriet put her hand up and nodded, trying to convey that she’d be available any time they needed her.

“Terri,” Harm continued, and she looked up from where she was kneeling beside Mac, “the police are sending a forensics team to Roz’s classroom tomorrow. Palmer was wearing gloves and a wig, but there might be some other clues there. I’m sure they won’t like it, but see if you can push your way into that investigation.”

She nodded. “I’ve got some contacts on the force. I’ll see what I can do.”

“What about me?” Webb asked. “What do you need?”

“You, Clay, are going to do what you do best - wrack your brain to figure out his next move. You have more experience than any of us in tracking down the most vile creatures on the planet. You’ve always come through for me and Mac in the past, and we need you now more than ever.”

Webb nodded. “I’ll do my best. In fact, AJ, I’ll join you at Leavenworth. We may be able to get some information out of the guys who helped Palmer escape.”

“What will I do, brother? My niece is out there somewhere. What can I do?”

“I don’t know yet. Maybe just stay here and keep us from losing our minds.”

Sergei nodded. “Whatever you need.”

AJ stood up. “I hate to rush out on you all, but unless you need me to stay, Harm, I’m gonna go home to book my ticket and pack my bags. Mr. Webb, I suggest you do the same.”

Webb nodded. “Definitely.” He looked at Terri, but she said if it was all right, she’d stay a while longer and get a ride home from Sergei. Webb agreed, and he and AJ grabbed their coats and headed for the door.

Mac broke out of her near-catatonic state to tell them, “Thank you for coming.”

AJ turned around. “Mac, we’ll find her. You have our word.”

“I know, sir. I just hope it’s enough.”

“Sir, ma’am,” Harriet said, “we can stay too. The sitter’s available for a few more hours. We’re in no rush.”

“No,” Harm said. “You and Bud go home and be with your children. Now is no time to be away from them. You hug them tight and never let them go.”

“We will, sir,” Bud replied.

Harriet gave Mac a quick hug. “You call us anytime if you need anything.”

“Or if there’s any news,” Bud added.

Harm walked them to the door. “Bud, if there’s urgent JAG business, call my cell phone. We need to keep our house line open for the police.”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t, sir.”

Only Harm, Mac, Terri, and Sergei remained in the now quiet living room.

“I don’t know what to say,” Terri told Mac. Mac took her hand and the two women sat together, knowing no words were needed. Terri wished she could do more. Female friends were hard to come by in her line of work, and in the past few years, she and Mac had grown quite close. They often went out for coffee and girl-talk. They could commiserate when Harm and Webb drove them crazy, and could relate as women in uniform.

Harm and Sergei went into the kitchen. “Harm, what are we going to do? Do you have any idea what this guy’s next move will be?”

“Besides rotting in hell, no. I’m just praying Webb and the Admiral can get something out of the guys at Leavenworth.”

“Should I tell Chloe about this?”

Harm sighed. “No. She’ll be beside herself worrying, and there’s nothing she can do. God willing, Roz’ll be home in no time anyway.”

“Harm, this Palmer - how evil is he? I mean, do you think he’s capable of...of...”

“I don’t even want to think about it, Sergei. He has no mercy. None. And if I stop for even one second to imagine what he might be doing to her, I’ll lose it, and I need to keep it together for Mac.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We wait. Wait for news from Leavenworth, wait for forensics to get started tomorrow.”

The men joined Mac and Terri in the living room and they sat together quietly, all silently willing the phone to ring. A long while later, Mac’s internal clock told her it was 23:30. She let go of Terri’s hand, which she had been holding the entire time.

“You all must be hungry. I’ll go fix something.” She went to stand up, but Terri pushed her back down.

“Mac, we’re fine. Don’t worry about us.”

“Right,” Sergei said. “In fact, Terri, maybe we should be going.”

“Yeah. That investigation’s going to start early tomorrow, and I intend to be there for every second of it.” She turned to Mac. “Mac, you call me anytime, day or night, okay?” Mac nodded. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow from the scene.”

“Remember to call my cell,” Harm reminded her.

“I will. And I promise you, if Palmer so much as sneezed in that classroom, we’ll find the germs.”

“Thanks, Teresa. For everything.”

They all exchanged hugs, and then Harm and Mac were left alone with Victor in the now empty, cavernous-seeming room. Harm left Mac alone for a few minutes while he brought Victor upstairs to get him ready for bed. He kissed his forehead and laid him down in the crib. He wound the knob a few times on the mobile that hung above. Pastel colored animals hung from it and turned in slow circles while soft, happy music played. Harm leaned over the crib and stared at the peaceful look on his son’s face. “I love you, Victor, and your big sister’s gonna be back before you even know she was gone.”

If only he could believe that.

He made his way back down the stairs, but stopped in his tracks when he saw and heard Mac. She was still on the couch, but she was shaking and sobbing loudly, clutching a sheet of paper in her hands.

Harm got ahold of himself and rushed over to her. “Mac, what is it?!”

She handed him the paper, and for the first time that night, Harm’s emotions took over and tears flowed down his face as he embraced his wife. While Harm was upstairs, Mac had looked in Roz’s book bag and pulled out the stray paper. It was a piece of construction paper, with a crayon drawing of Mac in uniform. But instead of the regulation hat, Roz had drawn her in a party hat, and across the top of the paper, in a rainbow of colors, were the words “Happy Birthday Mommy!”

Harm and Mac clinged to each other and cried until no more tears would fall. “Come on, Mac. You’re exhausted. Why don’t you try and get some sleep. I’ll stay by the phone.”

“Fat chance. I’m not sleeping until I can do it knowing Roz is safe in her bed doing the same.”

“Honey, there’s nothing more you can do tonight. Look, if you want, stay down here with me, but at least close your eyes for a little while.”

“I can’t.”

“Mac--”

“Harm, if I fall asleep, I’m afraid I’m going to wake up in the morning, and Roz won’t be here. And then this won’t be just some horrible dream I’m trapped in.”

“Mac, we’ll get her back. And then that’s exactly what this will be - a bad dream.”

“Harm, you don’t know that. We have *no* idea where she is.”

“Maybe not, but I have a little faith in the police. And I have more than faith in AJ, Webb, and everyone else. I’ve trusted them with my life before, and now I’m trusting them with Roz’s. They’ll find her, and she’ll be fine.”

“You believe that?”

“Yes.”

And he did. For now.

THE NEXT MORNING
SOMEWHERE OVER THE APPALACHIANS

Webb and AJ were able to get seats in business class so they would have room to work during the flight to Kansas.

“Mr. Webb, that little girl might as well be my granddaughter, and we have *got* to get her back. We’re the best chance Harm and Mac have.”

“I know. I’ve called ahead, so they’ll be expecting us.” He handed AJ a file with the pictures, service records, and prison records of the three men who escaped with Palmer.

“Look at them,” AJ said. “Look at their eyes. You can tell they’re not right in the head.”

“I think we should interview them all separately so they can’t lean on each other. I just hope they haven’t had any time together to make up a story.”

“Even if they have, I’ll get to the bottom of this. Hell hath no fury like a SEAL on a mission.”

“Hoo-rah.”

Three hours later, Webb and AJ were meeting with Colonel Ron Francis, the head of security at Ft. Leavenworth.

“Colonel, I am Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Retired, and this is Clayton Webb.”

“Admiral, Mr. Webb,” he shook their hands. “What can I help you with this morning? You said something about some interrogations?”

“Yes, Colonel. You had a breakout here a few months back, and we have reason to believe one of the men is still on the loose.”

“Admiral, the four escapees were apprehended two days later and have all been under maximum surveillance ever since.”

“Well I trust you believe that, but it’s even more serious than that.”

“Sir?”

“The one who’s still out there has kidnapped the five-year-old daughter of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General.”

“Is this some kind of joke?”

“I’m afraid not,” Webb answered. “Please humor us, Colonel, and take us to Clark Palmer’s cell. We’ve got some questions for whoever’s inside it.”

Several minutes later, they arrived at the cell. “Palmer!” Colonel Francis yelled.

The man on the bed looked up. “Yeah?”

“On your feet!”

The man got up and walked up to the bars, where the men waited on the opposite side.

“Who the hell are you?” AJ demanded.

“Well, my underwear says Clark Palmer.”

AJ was not amused. “I’ll bet it does. What kind of stunt is this?”

“I don’t know, is the circus in town?”

AJ reached through the bars and grabbed the man by the neck. “Say the truth or say your prayers, ‘cuz all I have to do is squeeze and you’ll be meeting your maker!”

“I am Clark Palmer,” the man choked.

AJ released him, and in so doing threw him back a few feet. “Dammit! Stop covering for him! He’s not worth it!”

“I’ve got me a three-month supply of cigarettes that says he is.”

“Let’s get out of here before I kill this bastard.”

They went back to the Colonel’s office, and AJ began a tirade that had him red with fury. Even in retirement, his command presence was overwhelming. “Colonel, this is a disgrace!”

“A disgrace, sir!” The colonel stood crisply at attention.

“This man has fooled this institution not once, but twice! If there is any excuse for this, please enlighten me!”

“No excuse sir!”

“Is this a military prison or a three-ring circus?! I know little girls who keep better tabs on their Barbie dolls than you keep on these criminals! What do you have to say for yourself, Colonel?!”

“Nothing sir! I’m ashamed of myself and my staff, sir!”

“You’re damn right you are!”

“Sir, with all due respect, I was assigned to this command three weeks ago. The escape took place under my predecessor, Colonel Paul Hull.”

“Are you trying to pass the blame, Colonel?!”

“No sir! Just thought the Admiral should know the reason Colonel Hull is no longer in command is because he’s in one of the cells instead. Pled no contest to fraud and embezzlement of prison funds. It’s possible he helped Palmer escape himself.”

AJ considered Francis’ words. “This place is an embarrassment to military justice!”

“Overhauling it as we speak, sir! That’s my immediate job duty.”

AJ took a few breaths to calm down. “All right. Colonel, if your hunch proves correct, and I can get anything useful out of this Hull guy, I’ll buy you a round at the O-club. But I want to talk to him *now,* and Mr. Webb here will deal first with...” he flipped through the files on the escapees, “PFC Adam Hughes.”

“Yes sir. Admiral, Mr. Webb, please follow me. I’ll escort the prisoners myself, and guards will be stationed right outside the interrogation rooms.”

SAME MORNING
0830 EST
HARM AND MAC’S HOUSE

Sergei used the spare key he had and quietly opened the front door. He suspected his brother and sister-in-law weren’t sleeping, but he didn’t want to make much noise in case they were. He got inside and saw them on the couch, both awake but with bloodshot eyes.

“No news yet?”

Harm shook his head. “No. Nothing.”

“Coffee?” Sergei carried a cardboard holder with several large coffees from a big-name cafe in the neighborhood.

“Yeah, thanks.” Harm got up and took one for himself and one for Mac. Mac turned her head at the offering. “Mac, look, you’ve got to get something in your system. You haven’t had anything since breakfast yesterday.”

“Maybe later,” she said grudgingly.

“I have bagels, too,” Sergei said, as he held up the large bag.

Harm took a sesame bagel and didn’t even bother cutting it or putting anything on it before taking a big bite. “Sergei, why don’t you go to work today. We don’t need you to be here.”

“Maybe you don’t need me, brother, but I need you. You’re not the only one who was up all night sick with worry, y’know. Roz may not be my daughter, but she is my niece. I grew up with no family, and now I have so much, and my mind won’t rest until she’s home.”

“I’m sorry, Sergei. Please, don’t take anything personally right now. This is really hard for all of us.”

Mac stood up and yawned and stretched. “I’ll go check on Victor.”

“Mac, please, rest. I’ll do it,” Sergei offered.

She fell back onto the couch. “Thanks. There’s a bottle of formula in the fridge.”

Harm followed Sergei into the kitchen.

“Did you get any sleep at all, brother?”

“No. But I did conduct a scientific experiment during the night.”

“Yes? What did you find out?”

“That I do not have telekinetic powers.”

“And how did you come to this conclusion?”

“Well, I stared at the phone for eight hours and it still didn’t ring.”

A little while later, they were all settled in the living room, drinking coffee and watching the morning news. Mac marveled at how the world seemed to go on as it always had. Weather reports, stock indicators, everything. It was ludicrous. Didn’t they know a little girl was missing?!

Around 11:30, Harm’s cell phone rang. He looked at the display and recognized the familiar number. “It’s Terri,” he told Mac and Sergei. “Terri, what’ve you got for me?”

“Hey Harm, not much, unfortunately. If he was wearing gloves, we won’t find any prints. We did manage to find a few hairs, but they’re synthetic. I guess his wig-making skills aren’t what they used to be if these fell out.”

“Anything else?”

“We found several dark blue fibers, and we’ve already matched them to a standard issue Navy officer’s jacket. But there’s no way to prove conclusively that Palmer was here. Harm, I’m sorry.”

Harm sighed. “It’s all right. We knew it was a longshot. And anyway, I don’t need proof to know.”

“How’s Mac holding up?”

“Not so good. I may have to force feed her something before the day’s over.”

“She’ll be okay, Harm, and so will Roz. These are two very strong ladies.”

“I know. But this is gonna take more than just strength. Terri, you keep me posted if there’s anything else.”

“You know I will. We’re not done here yet.”

“Thank you - for everything.” He ended the call and put his phone down on the table. Mac and Sergei looked up at him expectantly. He sat on the couch next to Mac and shook his head.

“Nothing. But we knew there was little to no chance anyway. I just thought it they found anything, it would make it that much easier to nail his ass to the wall.”

“I don’t need any evidence to do that,” Mac said. She was keeping so quiet since Roz had gone missing, but in moments here and there she spoke loudly and with determination. Harm much preferred that to her silence. It was good to be reminded Mac still had a presence of mind. He didn’t want her retreating into herself. If, God forbid, Roz never came back, he was afraid Mac wouldn’t either.

Meanwhile, back at Leavenworth...

Webb was trying to get information out of PFC Adam Hughes, one of the men who’d escaped with Palmer. The room was hot and uncomfortable, but Webb knew it was to his benefit. The more unpleasant, the quicker he could break Hughes, who would want out of there as much as he did.

“Why’d you do it, Hughes?”

“Why do you th-think?” The young man couldn’t have been more than nineteen, and spoke with a nervous stutter. “Look at this place. Such t-tiny cells. No room to breathe.”

“You’re claustrophobic?”

“Y-yes. I trained as the f-fourth man in a tank. Holed up in one of those training for hours every day. D-drives a man crazy.”

“Is that how you wound up in here?”

“Yeah. K-killed my CO and another officer. Had the best marksmanship scores in my platoon.”

“It’s a shame you didn’t take that rifle to Clark Palmer’s head instead. What made you think you’d get away with it?”

“Palmer. He’s a g-genius. We only got caught because of the r-rental car.”

“How did Palmer break away?”

“Went to the bathroom. Must’ve s