Title: Just Breath
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Summary: Maddie's asthma crops up and there's a death in the family.

****************

Harm watched as his children played soccer in the yard.  He couldn't
believe how long it had been since he held little Maddie in his arms.  She
was five years old now, and the spitting image of her mother. 

Maddie had received every one of her mother's genes.  He knew one day
she would be a Marine.  He watched as she ran after Nicholas, trying to
take the ball from him.  "You can do it, Maddie!" he shouted.

She stopped and fell to her knees.  Harm rushed over to her
immediately.  "Maddie!"  He noticed that her lips were tinged with
blue.

"Dad--dy," she gasped out.  "I ca-n't brea--th."

"Yes, you can," he said, rubbing her back.  He had to remain calm for
her, but inside, he was scared out of his mind.  "Just take it easy."

After about five minutes, Maddie was able to catch her breath.  She
wrapped her arms tightly around Harm.  He slowly got up and whispered
soothing words to her.

"Is she going to be all right?" Nicholas asked.

Harm nodded.  "She'll be fine, Sport.  Where's your Mom?"

"Last time I saw her, she was in the kitchen teaching the girls how to
cook."  Nicholas shook his head.  "She asked me if I wanted to join
them, but I remember the last meal she cooked.  Charred hamburgers and
dark brown french fries.  No thanks."

Harm laughed.  "I won't tell her you said that.  It's getting dark. I
want you inside in ten minutes, you have school in the morning."

"K, Dad."

**************

"Mom, that doesn't sound right," Serena said.  "The recipe calls for ½
cup of baking soda, not 3 ½ cups."

"You should always be prepared."

Christiana eyed her warily.  "Were you a boy scout in another life?"

Mac tossed a handful of flour at her.  Christiana squealed and did the
same.  Soon, Trisha and Serena joined in and food products were flying
everywhere.

Serena stopped mid-throw when Harm entered, carrying a subdued Maddie. Mac noticed the expression on Serena's face and turned around.  "Oh my God, what happened?"

"I think she had an asthma attack.  Beth did mention she might develop
it."  He handed Maddie to her mother.  "Do you want to take her to the doctor tomorrow or should I?"

Mac looked up at Harm.  "You need to be at Headquarters tomorrow, Harm. I'll take her." 

He nodded and wiped the flour off her nose.  "So, don't you think you
should leave the cooking to me?" he asked with a grin.
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