Title: Harm and Mac Songbook: It's getting better

Author: Rising Sun

Rated: PG

Classification: Story

Summary: Harm and his son spend the fifth wedding anniversary together as Mac is on a case.

Disclaimer: JAG characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright infringement intended. All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual

people are purely coincidental.

Performing in this saga: Mama Cass sings "It's Getting Better"

Feedback: Would be nice.

Author's note: The HMS series is written in a manner that allows for each story to be read as a self-contained story or as part of an arc. This story is part of a potential duet:

* HMS28a: Its Getting Better

* HMS28b: Blood From a Stone

Add to that this story is also part of an anniversary arc including:

* First Anniversary - HMS13f: Compilation

* Fifth Anniversary - HMS28a: Its Getting Better

* Seventh Anniversary - HMS11a: It Wasn't Me

* Tenth Anniversary - HMS14a: You Oughta Know

* Twenty-Fifth - HMS23a: You're still the one

Story Written October 2001

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

SATURDAY - 1335 LOCAL

EN ROUTE TO RABB'S RESIDENCE

Harm couldn't wait to get home. Today was the fifth anniversary of their wedding. He glanced at t he precious bundle on the seat next to him. The baby gurgled.

"Hey slugger." Harm said to David Harmon Matthew Rabb. "Mom's coming home today." He glanced at the car clock. "In fact she should be home right now."

The baby dribbled.

===========================================

1416 LOCAL

RABB'S RESIDENCE

Harm pulled up into the driveway, got out and walked round to the front passenger side. He slung the baby's bag onto his left shoulder, collected David in his right and grabbed his briefcase with his left hand. He closed the door to the SUV with his six and headed for the house.

+ + +

Harm dumped the bags as he entered the dwelling and called "Mac!"

No response.

He placed David in the play cot and conducted a quick recon of the house. There was no sign of Mac. Then he saw the light on the answering machine flickering. He checked it and Mac's voice came through.

"Harm honey ... I'm sorry but I caught out here. I'm not going to be home tonight. Don't know when I'll be back. The Ensign for the deposition has gone AWOL ... Gunny and I are in pursuit. Will call when I can. Kiss David for me. Love you."

"Love you too." Harm said forlornly.

===========================================

And I don't mind waitin'

I don't mind waitin'.

No matter how long it takes

The two of us know.

That it's gettin' better, growin' stronger

Warmer and wilder

Gettin' better everyday, better everyday.

===========================================

1635 LOCAL

RABB'S RESIDENCE

Harm was restless. David was sleeping and having set his heart on being with Mac he was lost. He smiled ruefully hadn't that always been the case? Without Mac he was lost?

The doorbell rang.

He opened the door to find a FedEx deliveryman. "Yes?"

"Harmon Rabb Jr.?" The young man asked.

"Yes."

"Sign here please."

Harm did as instructed and collected the envelope. He was tempted to dump it on the nearest table but opened it just to break the boredom. He recognized the handwriting instantly it was Mac's. It was a letter from Mac!

He headed for the living room and got comfortable in a chair, then ripped the letter open.

Dear Harm

Sorry I missed you. Just leaving a message on the machine seemed so impersonal. Gunny and I are at LAX at the moment awaiting a flight to Brazil. Yep when our boy moves he really moves! As we wait I thought I'd send this along. I called again but got the machine once more.

Our fifth. Did you ever think we'd do this? I know you probably had plans for today but there'll be other anniversaries I promise.

I just wanted you to know how much I love you and to thank you for this life we have... Once I believed that when love came to me ... It would come with rocket bells and poetry... But with me and you... It just started quietly and grew ... and believe it or not, there's something groovy and good 'bout whatever we've got... and it's gettin' better, growing stronger ... Warmer and wilder ... Gettin' better everyday, better everyday.

I couldn't let the day end without you knowing that.

Kiss David for me.

See you soon.

Love Mac

Harm read the letter three times. Then considered her case. A simple deposition, Ensign Wayne Archer had stopped a fellow Ensign from beating up a civilian female. All Mac and Gunny had to do was collect routine statements and determine if the alleged near beating was not so alleged. So why had the hero of the day run? It's didn't make sense... and to Brazil!"

He shook his head. The cases Mac got.

He picked up the letter to read again.

"Come home safe to me Marine. I Love You."

THE END