"Dad's coming home today," Christiana told Maddie and Nicholas. "Want to help me with dinner?"

Maddie looked up at her sister and shook her head. She was afraid to see him. When they visited him at the hospital, he looked so pale and out of it. She didn't want to see him like that. "I've got some homework," she replied quickly, running to the stairs.

Nicholas told Christiana he'd help, and then added, "She's been weird since we got home from the hospital."

Christiana nodded. She had a good idea what was up. "Come on, Ni, let's get started."

*********

Mac had to smile as Harm sat on the hospital bed, arms crossed. "Harm, it's just to the car, honey."

Harm glared at the wheelchair. "I'm pretty capable of walking to the car, Mac. I am not an invalid."

"Humor me." He hesitated for a moment, but then thought better of it. Mac kissed him on the cheek. "I love you," she whispered.

He was silent as the nurse wheeled him to the elevator. Why he felt like an idiot sitting in the chair, he didn't know. Before he knew it, they were in the lobby and heading out the door.

"Rena should be pulling the car around in a few minutes," Mac told him.

"Doesn't she have classes today?"

Mac nodded. "With her teacher's permission, she was able to skip it so she could spend some time with you. She'll be heading back in a few days."

"She didn't have to do that," Harm replied.

"Stop acting like that. She wanted to."

Harm inwardly winced. What the hell was he acting like such a baby? He took a deep breath and calmed himself as Serena pulled the car to a stop. "Mac."

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

She smiled. "It's all right, honey, I understand. I wasn't here too long ago myself..."

"Sarah," he said, grabbing her hand. "I love you."

***********

"Where's Maddie?" Harm asked Trisha.

"She's in her bedroom doing her homework. Dad, she's a little scared about what happened. When we saw you in the hospital, your face was so pale."

Harm nodded. "I see. I'll go up and talk to her now."

Maddie was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She gave up on her homework because she couldn't concentrate. She kept thinking how she had nearly lost both of her parents in a matter of days.

Her breaths began to come in short gasps and she reached for her medicine on the night table. Instead of grasping it, she inadvertently knocked it to the floor.

Harm entered the room just as it happened. He rushed over to help her. "Here you go, Maddie," he said, handing her the medicine. He could see tears in her eyes as she breathed it in.

"Maddie?"

She nodded slowly and set her medicine down. "I got scared."

"That you wouldn't see me or Mommy again, right?"

"Yeah. You looked almost like... almost like you were dead. Daddy, I don't want to lose you or Mommy!"

Harm hugged her close. "Maddie, I can't promise you how long we're going to be here, but I can promise that as long as we can draw breath, we'll be by your side."

Maddie nodded again. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Little Marine."

***********

Mac picked up the phone. She needed to call Harriet about Maddie's birthday party. If there was on person who could plan a party, it was Harriet Sims-Roberts.

"Are you sure about that, Bud? I mean, Petty Officer Mikelson has an airtight alibi."

"He may have an alibi, Sir, but the evidence is stacked against him!"

Mac shook her head and hung up the phone. She then headed to Harm's den. Without knocking, she entered the room. "Harm."

He looked up from the file he was reading. "Um, I got to go!" he exclaimed, hanging up the phone. "Hey," he said.

"Hey what, Captain Rabb?" Mac asked, crossing her arms. "I thought we discussed this!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard you on the phone with Bud. Talking about Petty Officer Mikelson and his alibis."

Harm sighed. "I know it was suggested that I take a few weeks off work, but Bud needed my help."

Mac stared at him. She wasn't buying it. "Then why is it Bud already believed the man was guilty and you were trying to convince him otherwise?"

"All right, so I called him. It's no big deal; I just wanted to check things out."

"Harm, Bud is perfectly capable of running JAG on his own," Mac said. "He's done it before."

"Yeah, I know."

She took his hands and pulled him from the chair. "I was going to call Harriet about Maddie's surprise birthday party, but it can wait. How about we see if we can find our children and play Trivial Pursuit?"

Harm smiled and kissed her on the lips. "Sounds like a great idea, Mac."

She kissed him back. "I'll round them up, why don't you get the game set up in the kitchen."

"Will do." He watched his wife head to the door. She turned to face him. "What?" he asked.

"I was just thinking how I have everything I've ever wanted in life," Mac told him with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I have a great career, a good man..."

Harm smiled back at her. "And shoes, lots and lots of comfortable shoes."
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