Dear Santa... it's             Little AJ

       Little AJ ask Santa for a very special                         Christmas gift.

Authors’ Names - Michi and Carol or Carol and Michi

Rating - PG

Graphic by Steph

E-mail - Carol at Writestories315@yahoo.com and

Michi at catherinebellfan@gmx.de or  mp111275@yahoo.de 

Spoilers -  Everything, and nothing at all

Disclaimer - “Still don’t own anything” - Michi  “Damn.  I was hoping one of us would by now.” - Carol

Authors Notes-

Sometimes the funnest (I know its not a word) stories happen when your not trying.  I’m not too big into the holidays, but Michi helped get me there this year.  Thanks for the MV on this one, Michi.  You’re a blast to work with.  - Carol

A big thanks to Carol, for letting me be the gum under her shoes once more. I’m glad to see, that she’s still crazy enough to work with me. And I for sure had a lot of fun with her CV’s. Hope you all will have the same fun. Enjoy! - Michi

Also, a big thanks from both of us to Kay for beta-ing this so quickly.  - Michi and Carol

*****

Roberts Residence

Thursday November 27

Thanksgiving Day

3:34 PM

Mac hung up her cell phone.  “Dammit.”

“What’s going on?”  Harm asked as he stood behind her.

“That was the admiral, I’m going to Iraq.  They need a lawyer who is a Farsi speaker, to go in with some of the troops.” Mac told him.

“When do you leave?”

“The plane leaves Andrews in two hours.  I need to go home and pack,” Mac said in an unhappy tone.

Harm took one of her hands into his.  “At least you got eat Thanksgiving dinner.  Do you need a ride to Andrews?”

“No thanks.  I’m being picked up,” Mac said as AJ Roberts walked into the room.

“Can we play now, Auntie Mac?”  AJ tugged on her skirt.

Mac kneeled down.  “I can’t, Honey.  I’ve got to leave.”

“Why?”  AJ innocently asked.

“Work.”

AJ looked at Harm. “Are you going too?”

“No, AJ.  Just Aunt Mac,” Harm told him.

“Oh.”  AJ said, dejectedly.

Mac looked down at AJ and his sad little face pulled at her heart strings.  She kneeled down in front of him.  “But I’m sure Uncle Harm would want to play with you.”

Harm glanced down at Mac and AJ before quickly joining them.  “Yeah, AJ.  I’d be more than happy to play.”

AJ pleading, looked at Mac.  “But you promised, Aunt Mac.”

“I know, AJ.  But Uncle AJ called and I need to go,” Mac gently told the boy.

AJ took a deep breath.  “You’ll come home right?”

“Of course.  Now hug me before I tell your parents I have to leave,” Mac kindly ordered AJ.

AJ quickly threw himself into Mac’s arms, so quickly in fact Harm had to steady them.  “I’ll miss you, Aunt Mac.”

“I’ll miss you too, AJ,” Mac whispered in his ear.  “Now remember you need to be a good boy, so Santa will bring you your gifts.”

“I know.”  AJ let go of Mac.

Mac and Harm stood up at the same time Bud and Harriet walked into the room.  “Is everything okay?”   Harriet asked.

“Aunt Mac has to leave,” AJ reported.

“Was that Admiral Chegwidden?”  Bud asked.

Mac shook her head.  “I leave for Iraq in two hours.  I actually need to get going now.”

Harriet walked over and gave her friend a hug.  “You be safe out there.”

“I will, Harriet.”  Mac said as Harriet pulled out of the hug.  Mac turned to Bud who gave her a sheepish look.  “I’ll be back, Bud.  So try to keep Harm in line.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”  Bud gave Mac a brief hug.

Harm placed his hand on Mac’s back.  “I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks.”  Mac sadly smiled as they walked towards the coat-rack.

Bud, Harriet, and AJ stood by the door as they watched Harm and Mac walk towards her car. 

“You’ll water my plants?”  Mac asked as she stood in front of the drivers side door.

“Of course.  You’ll call when you get there?”  Harm answered and asked.

“I’ll e-mail when I can.”

Harm soulfully looked into her eyes.  “When are you going to be home?”

“The Admiral said hopefully within the month.  But we don’t know for sure.”

Harm leaned closer to her and softly kissed her lips.  The kiss was short, but filled with enough in promise and emotion to make the falling November temperature feel pleasant.  As he pulled back Mac slowly opened her eyes and gave Harm a questioning look.  Harm smirked.  “In case I don’t get my mistletoe kiss on Christmas Eve.”

Mac returned his smirk.  “And what if you do get your kiss?”

“Then that was an extra.”

Mac was about to say something but the sound of little feet running towards her caught her off guard.  She looked behind Harm to see AJ running towards them at full steam.  He reached them and threw himself in Mac’s legs.  Mac leaned down and picked him up.  “Hey.”

“I don’t want you to go,” AJ sobbed clutching Mac.

Mac’s heart broke again as she gave Harm a pleading look.  “I know.  But I can’t tell Uncle AJ no.”

AJ lifted his head from her shoulder.  “You’ll be home by Christmas.”

“I hope so,” Mac softly whispered.  “How about if you’re the first guy I kiss under the mistletoe?”

AJ giggled.  “Promise?”

“Promise,” Mac said before she and the small boy shared an Eskimo kiss.

Mac handed AJ to Harm and got into her car before she could listen to the little voice in her head telling to do everything she wanted to do at that moment.  AJ sat in Harm’s arms until Mac’s car reached the end of the driveway.  Then he forced Harm to let go of him and he ran towards the road. 

“AJ!!”  Harm, Bud, and Harriet yelled after him before Harm took off running after the child.

AJ didn’t listen, he reached the end of the driveway and waved at Mac’s car as it maneuvered down the road.  “Bye, Aunt Mac!!  I love you!!”  AJ yelled over and over again at the disappearing car.

Harm stood next to AJ until the car was out of sight.  “Come on, AJ, lets go inside.”

“No, Uncle Harm.  I can still see red,”  AJ stated.

Harm glanced down the road and saw nothing but black top and barren trees.  “She’s gone, AJ.  She’ll be home later.”

AJ waved a few move times, then he took Harm’s hand and they walked towards the house.

*****

5:43 PM

AJ and Harm sat playing cars on the floor as Bud and Harriet cleaned up in the kitchen.  “Uncle Harm, where did Aunt Mac go again?”  AJ asked

“Iraq,” Harm told the boy hoping he would understand.

“Where’s that?”

“In the Middle East.”

“Where?”

Harm chuckled to himself, knowing AJ didn’t understand.  “Do you have a map?”

“I’ve got a world in my room.”  AJ smiled as he stood up.  Once he was standing he took Harm’s hand and pulled him up the stairs.  They walked into his room which was covered with toys from his loving family and extended family.  “Here.” 

Harm walked over to the ball on the ground which was decorated like a globe.  He kneeled on the floor and found Iraq.  “Right here.”

“Where are we?”  AJ asked as he looked at the small red splotch on the ball.

Harm turned the ball and pointed towards the east coast of America.  “We’re right here.”

AJ took the ball from him and placed one hand on America and the other one on Iraq.  “How will she get there?”

“By plane.”

AJ smiled quickly at Harm as he thought of an idea.  “If Aunt Mac can get there by plane, we can get there by plane.  Then we can bring her home.”

“We can’t, AJ.  I wish we could,” Harm sadly said.

AJ dropped the ball and hugged Harm.  “I want Aunt Mac to come home.”

“Me too, AJ.  Me too.”  Harm held the boy to him, wishing Mac wasn’t going to Iraq.

8:45 PM

“You ready for bed, Sweetie?”  Harriet asked as she stood in AJ’s room.

AJ shook his head and crawled into bed.  “Yes, Mommy.”

Harriet pulled the covers over him and kissed his forehead.  “So do you want Dr. Seuss tonight or an adventure story?”

AJ thought for a few seconds.  “Can we write my Christmas list?”

“I thought we were going to do that tomorrow?”  Harriet asked knowing the Toy-R-Us catalog was sitting on the kitchen table.

AJ pleading looked at his mother.  “I only want Santa to bring me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Aunt Mac,” AJ stated as if that was the only possible answer to give.

“AJ…” Harriet started.

“That’s all I want, Mommy.  I promise Santa if he brings me Aunt Mac I’ll be good forever.”

“I don’t think Santa has that much pull, honey,” Harriet softly said.

“I want Aunt Mac to be home, Mommy.  I don’t want anything else.”  AJ nearly screamed.  Then before Harriet could say anything else he threw himself face down into his pillow and ignored his mother.

Harriet stared at AJ as Bud walked into the room.  “What’s wrong?” Bud asked as he held Jimmy to his chest.

Harriet looked confused at her husband.  “AJ’s just upset.”

“I want Aunt Mac,”  AJ said into his pillow.

Bud exchanged a concerned look with Harriet.  Harriet patted AJ on the back then kissed his head.  “I think it’s best if Daddy and I just leave you be. Good night, AJ.”

“Night, Mommy.  Night, Daddy.  I love you.”  AJ called from his pillow.

Bud, Jimmy, and Harriet left the room wondering about their oldest son.

*****  

Tuesday December 16

JAG

9:58 AM

It had been almost three weeks since Mac left. AJ wasn’t the only one who was missing her.  In Harm’s off hours he was a wreck.  His TV was constantly on ZNN and his car radio tuned to NPR, in a chance to hit a story from her area.  In these almost three weeks he had received a handful of e-mails and a scratchy message on his voice mail, but nothing he could hold in his hands.

Harm sat in his office working on case file as his computer beeped.  He turned his head towards the machine and smiled as he saw an Instant Message on his screen

Daisy - Got a minute or three, Donald?

Harm’s smile grew as he thought about the idea to talk to Mac.  He laughed as he thought back to the night at her apartment when Mac set up the accounts.  He knew at that time he should not have let her handle the job.  She handed him the paper with their screen names and he stared at her for a few minutes in confusion. 

“Donald? As in the duck?”  Harm questioned her.

Mac just smiled.  “Yes, as in the duck.”

“Why Donald Duck?” 

“He’s a sailor, and so are you.”  Mac reported, trying to keep a straight face.

Harm watched her face and knew she was holding back, her lip was starting to curve up.  “And Daisy?”

“We both like to shop.”  Mac told him before she started to tell him how to work the account.

Donald - You going to time me?

Daisy - Do you want me to?

Donald -  You IMed me.  What’s up?

Daisy - Barely me…I think it is the first time I’ve sat down since I got here.

Donald -  It’s only been two weeks.

Daisy - I know.  But it’s taken me that long to find half of the papers on my desk!

Donald - You should be used to a messy desk?

Daisy - Watch it, Navy, or you might find yourself in trouble when I get home.

Donald - Hey, think on the upside, at least you have a desk.

Daisy - Yeah and my own tent.  Of course my desk and bed are in the same tent on what we call “Command Row.”  How is everyone?

Donald - Everyone is fine.  AJ misses you like crazy.  Did Harriet tell you about the letters?

Daisy - (chuckling) That he’s ask to write Santa everyday for me to come home.  He’s a great kid.

Donald - Yeah, he is.  When are you coming home?

Daisy - Sounds like you miss me, too.

Donald - Yeah.

Daisy - You catching my cases.

Donald - I’m not talking about work.

Harms thoughts moved on to the sadder side as he realized how much of a difference she made to him.  He wasn’t about to tell her about the half veggie and meat lovers pizza he order by accident last night.

Daisy - …. I know.  I miss you, too.

Donald - So when will you be home?

Daisy - Soon I hope.  I’m one of two who speak Farsi, so it might be a while.

Donald - Christmas?

Daisy - I don’t know.  But can you do me a favor in case I’m not home?

Donald - You’ll be home.

Daisy - Harm…

Donald - (sigh) I know….What’s the favor?

Daisy - Could you hand out my gifts to everyone?

Donald - Sure. Where are they?

Daisy - In my closet.  They are already wrapped and labeled.  Thanks.

Donald - You owe me.

Daisy - Me?  You owe me, Flyboy.

Donald - Ha!

Daisy - Okay, okay, lets call it even.

Donald - Deal.

Daisy - Thanks, Harm.

Donald - No problem.  So how are things?

Daisy - Quiet right now but you never know wh

----- Daisy has sighed off----

Harm stared at the computer screen.

Donald - Mac?

Harm tired again but only received the message from IM that Mac had signed off.  “Probably the connection.”  He muttered as he opened his e-mail.

Hey Mac,

Guess we got cut off.  It happens.  We have been busy here without you, in fact I’ve got court in a few minutes.  So I’ll just make this short.  Stay safe there and I’ll see you once you get home…before Christmas I hope. 

-Harm

PS - AJ isn’t the only one who misses you like crazy.

Harm sent his e-mail and smiled at the picture at the corner of his desk.  “You’ll be home soon.”  He softly whispered to the camo-clothed Marine who stared back at him with a smile on her face.  He stared at the photo as a cold rush fell over his body.  He shook it off as just a sudden chill in the room.

Harm looked at his watch and quickly gathered his files and left the office for court.

*****

1:03 PM

Harm and Bud walked into the bullpen as they returned from court.  “But I think Mac and I trained you too well.”

Bud smiled.  “Colonel MacKenzie said the same thing, Sir.”

Harm chuckled but his laughter fell as he noticed the staff was watching a live update on ZNN.  He and Bud slowly turned and faced the TV as Stuart Dustan filled the screens.

“This is Stuart Dustan and I’m in Iraq at a Marine compound.  Three hours ago this compound was yet another one of our military camps to be attacked by yet another group of rouge Iraqis.  Luckily personal only suffered minor injuries.  The majority of the damage was located around the vehicles and some of the tents located on what the personal stationed here call ‘Command Row’.  As more details develop we will report them.  Again this is Stuart Dustan reporting to you from Iraq.”

Harriet slowly turned around and found herself staring at a very scared and nervous Harmon Rabb.  Harm’s face turned stark white as his brain absorbed the words, Iraq, Marine, minor injuries, and Command Row.  Harriet slowly moved towards him and touched his arm.  “Sir.”

Harm blinked and stared at Harriet.  He was to excuse himself from the bullpen, but Admiral Chegwidden called from his office.  “Commander Rabb, my office.”

“Yes, Sir.”  Harm placed his briefcase on the desk closet to him and walked swiftly towards the Admiral’s office.

Harriet watched as Harm left the room.  She looked upwards and sent a silent pray that it wasn’t Mac’s station that was attacked.

“Close the hatch and have a seat, Harm.”  AJ said as Harm walked into the office.

Harm followed his orders and before he could ask a question, AJ answered it.  “I’m trying to find out if it was Mac’s station.”

“Sir?”

“Don’t even ask, Harm.”  AJ warned having a feeling Harm was about to get himself in some serious trouble.  AJ looked patiently at his officer.  “I promise as soon as I know something I’ll let you know.  But I need you not to do anything stupid.”

Harm took a deep breath.  “Yes, sir.”

“She’s going to be fine, son,” AJ fatherly told Harm hoping he was right.

“I know, Sir.” Harm agreed.

“I’ll keep you updated on anything I know,” AJ restated as Harm shook his head.  “Dismissed.”

Harm stood up at attention.  “Yes, Sir.”

Entering his office, Harm closed his door then sat down at his desk, quickly clicking on the e-mail icon.  “Please Mac, let there be a message.”

The mail opened and there was no message.

A few minutes passed before there was a soft knock at the door.  “Enter.”

Harriet slowly opened the door with Harm's briefcase in her hands.  “Sir, you left this in the bullpen.”

Harm tried to give her a soft smile.  “Thanks, Harriet.”

“You’re welcome, Sir.”  Harriet handed him the briefcase.  “Sir, would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”

“Harriet, I really don’t think I would be the best company tonight.”

“Sir, please don’t make me pull the godchildren card.  You know how much I hate that,”  Harriet pleaded hoping it would work to get Harm to come.

Harm chuckled softly.  “Can I bring anything?”

“Just yourself, Sir.  Is six an alright time?”

“Perfect,”  Harm stated.

Harriet smiled at him.  “Thank you, Sir.  AJ will be so happy to have you over tonight.”

“No problem, Harriet.”  Harm said before he dismissed her from his office.

After Harriet left his office she closed the door behind herself.  Harm turned to his computer and quickly typed out an e-mail to Mac.

Mac-

We just heard that another camp was hit.  Please, tell me it’s not you.  The Admiral’s trying to find out, so who knows how long that could take.  I just need to know that you’re okay.  I’m hoping we just lost a connection this morning and that it was nothing serious.  Please be alright.  I don’t know what I would do if you were hurt.

Love-

-Harm

He hit sent before he could change any of the words or any of the thoughts. Now he just needed to wait for a response telling him she was okay.

*****

Harm’s Apartment

9:34 PM

Harm slowly walked through his apartment, the wear of the evening etched on his face and body.  He still hadn’t heard anything about or from Mac.  His nerves were stretched to their limit, especially from his own thoughts about her safety. 

He sighed heavily as he toed off his shoes and collapsed onto his bed.  Closing his eyes he remembered how AJ Roberts opened the door to show Harm a picture of Aunt Mac that he drew.  He gave it to Harm with the orders to hang it in his office.  Harm smiled at the young boy as AJ continued to tell Harm that Santa was going to bring Aunt Mac home, because Santa brought things to good little boys.

They had finished dinner when Admiral Chegwidden stopped by and said he was unable to find anymore information about the camp.  Since Mac’s section was on the move, they were hard to locate and the weather was not helping the situation.

Right now Harm was just semi-glad to be home where he could forget the fake smile on his face for a small boy, and where he didn’t have to hide his fear.

12:03 AM

“Ring….ring…..ring….” the phone ordered.

Harm’s sleep-fogged mind commanded his body to wake up. He slowly reached over and picked the phone up. “'ello”  he muttered into it.

{“Hey, Harm, it's me. Did I wake you?”  Mac asked.}

At the sound of her voice Harm quickly sat up with relief and excitement.  “Mac, thank god. Are you okay?”

{Mac gave Harm a slight laugh.  “Of course I'm okay.  I’m sorry about how we lost the connection earlier today.}

“I don’t care about that, Mac.  You’re okay, right?”

{“Harm, I’m fine.  Why wouldn't I be?”}

Harm took a deep breath knowing Mac wasn’t going to tell him.  “Mac, it was all over the TV. I didn't know if you were hurt or even worse. Even the Admiral couldn't tell me anything.”

{Mac sighed.  “Harm, don't worry. I'm okay; I'm fine.”}

“Are you sure?”

{“Yes, Harm, I'm sure. Do you want me to catch the next Marine I can get to tell you the same?”  Mac teased, knowing she was lying to him.  The burn on her arm was hurting like hell and the bruises on her body were going to take awhile to heal.}

“No, of course not. I'm just worried that's all.”

{“I know, but really, everything is okay.”}

“You promise?”  Harm asked.

{“Harmon Rabb Junior, I am ordering you to stop being so nervous right now.  I’m fine.  Nothing is wrong with me, except for the fact I need to give the phone to someone else.”}

Harm breathed a sigh of relief.  “How about if I stop being nervous once you get home?”

{“Are you always this incorrigible?”}

“Isn’t that way you love me?” Harm joked with a laugh.

{“So you keep telling me,” Mac commented back.  “I need to go.  Give everyone my love, especially Little AJ.”}

“I wish we could talk longer,” Harm whined softly.

{“Me too.  I miss you.”}

“I miss you,” Harm admitted.  He was about to add on something else when he heard the phone click and the call was disconnected.

He set the phone back in the cradle and smiled at it.  His sense of fate was restored as he spoke to Mac. As far as he knew she was fine and that was fine enough for him.

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