Hickory Dickory Dock…The Cat Ran Up the Clock

Thanks for reading, guys. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or any of the characters. I just take them out and play with them on occasion before replacing them safe and sound back on the shelf.

Part 3/3

Mac wiped the tears from her eyes. She needed to stop crying. There was work to do and tears never solved anything. She was a Marine, dagnabit! In the distance her foggy mind registered the noise of a commotion. Molly ran into the kitchen and skidded to a stop. Issuing a series of sharp staccato barks, she tugged on Mac's skirt.

"What's the matter, Girl?"

Molly barked again and turned to flee the room. Mac heard a loud yelp and registered Harm's scream.

"MAAACCC!"

She bolted to her feet and ran toward the bedroom. Grabbing the doorframe, she used her momentum to swing around the room. Racing toward the noise coming from Harm's closet, she paused just inside the door and gasped in horror as she saw Suzy nab Ben's hamster with her teeth. "Suzy, no, no…drop Toby! NOW!"

Suzy glared back and inched away from the edge. Toby, for his part, shivered and shook while hanging from the kitten's mouth. "You're just kidding right? This is all part of the plan? You're not really going to eat me?"

Suzy gently shook her head from side-to-side, "Ssshh, and hold still…I don't wannna drop you." Toby went limp in her teeth.

Harm's eyes widened further as his eyebrows disappeared into his hair. "Mac, we have to get the hamster away…he's not moving anymore."

She paced at his side, "What do you want me to do? We can't let the cat eat Toby; Ben will never forgive us."

He reached for her hand and pulled her in close. Circling her waist with his hands, he hefted her up in the air. "See if you can reach them."

She lifted a hand high in the air, but Suzy batted it away. "I can't get a hold of them."

He sighed in frustration, "Maybe if you climb up the shelves to their level, I can shoo them your way."

Mac kicked off her shoes and carefully climbed the shelving. Her stocking feet slid amongst the clothing and the shelves started to shake. "Are you sure these shelves will hold me?"

"You're fine," he barked, "…just get a little closer."

As Mac reached out to grab the cat, Suzy bounded over her back and down the closet shelves. The cat's acrobatics threw Mac's balance off kilter. Leaning backwards off the shelf, Mac held on for dear life as her toes tried to find a steady perch. Harm turned toward the door and saw Suzy scurry across the floor. Just as he attempted to give chase, Mac cried out, "Harm, I'm gonna fall!"

"Hang on, Mac…I have to get the cat."

With his attention diverted toward his wife, he didn't register the movements of his pets. Suzy gently set Toby on the floor and nudged him with her nose. "Hurry Toby, we have to escape. Molly's waiting for you right outside the door."

Harm lunged at the cat's retreating form just as the closet door slammed shut in his face. He grabbed the handle and gave it a shove. The door stood firm. Muscling his shoulder into the barricade, he barely moved it an inch. "Mac, did you ever notice that this door sticks?"

"Whaaaaat…." Her scream filled the air as the shelf broke, sending her tumbling backwards into the room.

Harm turned just in time to extend his arms and break her fall. The pair landed flat on the floor. Harm gasped for breath when his back hit the hard surface. Mac landed on his chest, knocking the wind right out of him.

He wheezed in and out, "Geez Mac, did you put on some weight?" She rolled to the side and curled into a ball as the tears began to fall. Her tearful reaction quickly gained his attention. "Sarah, are you hurt?" He gathered her into his arms and raised both of them into a sitting position on the floor. Once she was settled in his lap, he began to palpate her extremities looking for breaks and cuts. "Mac…Mac, talk to me. Did you hurt something?"

When he pulled on her leg to shift her within his embrace, she wrapped her arms and legs round his body and held on. The tears continued unbidden as her body racked with violent sobs. Harm could do nothing but embrace her and hold on tight. His large hand splayed on her back and rubbed gentle circles over the smooth plane.

Suzy stared at the closed door. She'd heard Ma'am scream for help and then both of her people hit the floor. The kitten gasped, "Molly, did we break them?"

The old dog leaned more firmly against the door and listened for sounds. "I don't think so. Ma'am is crying, but I think Sir is making it better. Hurry up and grab some things to place against the door. We can't let them out until we hear the slobber-sharing and mating groans."

The kitten tugged at pillows and shoes and clothes, dragging them into the pile by the door. Molly dropped on the mound adding her 80-pound weight to the growing barricade. They were not getting out until they surrendered; Molly decided enough was enough. She wanted the warmth and laughter back.

Mac's anguished cries slowed and quieted over the next five minutes. She turned her face into his neck and inhaled his spicy scent. Her lips moved of their own volition against his skin. His fingers unfastened a few buttons at the back of her dress and slipped inside, starved for the contact of skin-to-skin touch.

When she finally calmed to the point of shuddering breaths, he spoke, "What's going on, sweetheart? I've never seen you this upset?" She shook her head against his shoulder, unable to speak.

"Ssshh, it's OK…I didn't mean that crack about your weight. I was just kidding. You're smaller now than when I first met you." She didn't utter a sound, but cinched her arms more tightly around his neck. "You know, I'm starting to get the feeling this is more than just a bump in the road. I know this isn't about toothpaste tubes, dishes in the sink or socks on the floor. You need to tell me what's going on…what happened last Tuesday to set you off?"

She murmured against the skin of his neck, "I'm not tall, blonde and young."

He tugged on her body, trying to seek her face and look in her eyes. She wouldn't let go of his neck. Holding on by brute force, she was too afraid to see the look of disgust or worse, the apathy in his eyes.

"Mac, what are you talking about? Why would I want you to be a blonde?" When she didn't respond he sighed and let his arms drop to the side.

She slowly leaned away from his body, but when she attempted to slip from his lap, his hands held firm to her thighs. Her eyes dropped to her chest, "I saw her in your office…on Tuesday…she was hanging on you and flirting. Her eyes rose as far as his lips, "And you were flirting back."

His body tensed and his hand reached up to cup her chin. Pulling her face up to met his eyes, he tersely replied, "Woman, do you know how beautiful you are? Why in the world would I want someone else when I'm already lucky enough to have you?"

Her lip quivered at the initial anger in his voice, then the tears tracked down her cheeks when she comprehended his words. "But…."

He pointed his index finger in her face, "Sarah, you are all I've ever wanted. How could you think I would get involved with someone else? Do you think so little of me?"

She violently shook her head, "No…but…."

"But what," he hissed.

"I didn't mean…I just…but you…the last month…."

His expression softened as he remembered the events of the last month. Whispering, he asked, "What about the last month?"

She inhaled deeply to control the trembling in her voice, "You've been so withdrawn. First with everyone, but then you started to interact again with the kids." Her lip began to quake, "But you kept ignoring me. You didn't talk, you didn't touch, you didn't hold me. Do you know what an eternity it has felt like, since I last heard you express your love for me?" He dropped his eyes in shame. This time she reached out a finger to draw his gaze to hers, "What did I do wrong? Why did you stop loving me?"

A tear tracked down his cheek, "I'm sorry…it wasn't you."

She tried to push away and maneuver off his lap. He grabbed her arms and squeezed the flesh holding her tightly in his grasp, "That didn't come out right. What I mean is, you didn't do anything wrong…I screwed up. Sarah, I love you more than life itself…I always will."

She stared into his eyes, gauging the truthfulness of his response. "What did you do?"

He tried to look away, but she followed his eyes, "I failed her. She was so small and young and trusting…and I let her down."

Mac stared back dumbstruck, "Who?"

"Anna."

"Where did you meet her? Oh Harm…why?"

He noticed the tears in her voice again and looked sharply into her eyes. "No Mac, you don't understand…she was a client. She was Ben's age and I didn't protect her."

Mac deflated against his chest in relief, "A client? A little girl? Harm, you scared the life out of me. Why didn't you tell me when it happened…I could have helped? You didn't have to go through it alone."

"I didn't want to expose you or the kids to that ugliness. I thought if I kept it to myself; I could keep my family safe." Tears tracked down his cheeks, "Mac, it was awful. The judge, the CPS worker, no one would listen to her or to me. They sent her back to her mother and stepfather…and he beat her to death a few days later." He gasped in a breath, "I went to the murder scene. Her eyes. Mac, her eyes…they haunt me."

She pulled his face to her lips and kissed his forehead, "Ssshh sweetheart, don't think about it. I'm here…I'll listen and try to help. You don't have to be alone anymore."

He muttered into her chest, "That's why the blonde was there on Tuesday."

She ran her fingers through his hair, "I don't understand. What does she have to do with a case that happened a month ago?"

"New case," he continued, "…it involves a toddler named Henry. The blonde idiot is a new caseworker for CPS. She was assigned Henry's case. I've been trying to convince her to sever parental rights. I'm sorry I was flirting, but that's all she responded to. I didn't even like her…she's dumb as a stump. When she insisted I take her to lunch, I refused. So she found in favor of Henry's biological parents just to spite me."

Mac tipped his face up, "Harm, we have to stop her!"

He smiled despite himself; that was his Marine, take charge, gung-ho and Semper fi. "Power down Marine, I already did. Josephine and I spent all afternoon in the courts. The judge finally sided with us. Henry is going to be adopted by his foster family."

Mac glared, "What about the blonde tree stump? Surely, CPS won't keep her on."

Harm shook his head, "Josephine and the judge talked to her supervisor." He waved his hand in the air, "Barbie, Bambi, whatever her name is, is history."

He stroked a finger over her cheek, "I'm sorry I worried you. And I'm sorry I didn't confide in you. But most of all, I'm sorry I gave you a reason to doubt my love. I'm in this for life, and it would be a very short one if I lost you. I love you, Sarah." Her eyes welled with tears. "Why are you crying?"

"Because I wasn't sure I'd ever hear you say that again." She brushed her lips over his, "I love you, too."

He deepened the kiss. When he pulled back, he caressed her cheek, "I'm sorry for ruining our Valentine's dinner. With the excitement around Henry's case, I forgot all about it."

Her face lit up, "It might be a little late, but we could still try."

He chuckled in response, "I don't think so…the closet door is jammed. I think we're stuck in here until someone comes to our rescue."

Suzy danced with pride, "We did it Molly! Should we let them out?"

Molly grinned in mischief, "Not yet. I heard the 'love' word and I think I heard slobber-sharing going on, but I haven't heard any laughter or mating groans. I'm not letting them out until they fully surrender. The cold went on for too long this time…I'm not taking any chances."

"Harm, who exactly is going to come looking for us? We can't stay in here forever?"

He laughed for the first time in weeks…it felt good. "If push comes to shove, Mom or Frank will eventually show up. I don't think they will be able to stand our kids for more than a week or two."

She waggled her brow, "So what do you want to do until then, Sailor?"

He grabbed her hands before they could find trouble. "You could tell me about the dinner you planned."

She sighed in mock frustration, "Alright, if you insist. First," her fingers tried to wiggle from his, "…there was the salad. And not just any ordinary salad, either…there were mixed greens and asparagus."

His eyes lit up, "I love asparagus."

She grinned, "I know! I roasted them your favorite way…with olive oil and freshly shredded aged-parmesan cheese." His tongue slipped out to lick his lips. "I also wrapped them in prosciutto before roasting and then drizzled them with balsamic."

He actually caught himself whimpering, "What else? How about the main course?"

"Boneless chicken breasts filled with a wild mushroom stuffing, white cheddar and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and spicy green beans."

He shuddered, "That's enough…I don't want to hear anymore."

She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Not even the dessert?"

His shoulders sagged, "Alright, tell me."

"A flourless chocolate torte," she trailed her lips down his neck, "…covered in chocolate ganache…."

"With raspberry syrup?" he groaned.

"Oh yeah."

"That's it! You're killing me!" He flipped her onto the ground and ravaged her neck. "I love it when you talk food! I swear you could make plain white bread sound sexy."

She giggled and pushed him away…slightly. Stroking his cheek, she smiled the smile that she saved just for him. "Maybe we could cook tomorrow night. I think Trish would be willing to keep the kids until Sunday." She frowned, "I think your folks were a little worried about us."

"Why do you say that," he brushed his fingers through her hair.

"Trish was kinda hinting around about you being unhappy."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart…I'll talk to her." His stomach growled loud enough to fill the room. Grimacing in embarrassment, he dipped his head. "Sorry, I haven't eaten much lately."

Her eyes reflected love and concern. She ran a hand down the firm plane of his t-shirt clad abdomen, then darted underneath the soft cotton hem for the return trip. Her fingertips counted ribs just under the skin, "I noticed…we need to work on that." Her other hand gently cupped his cheek as her thumb traced the dark circles under his eyes. "You haven't been sleeping either."

"I couldn't," his voice cracked, "…I kept seeing her face."

"Are you going to be alright? Do you need to talk to someone…professionally?"

He shook his head, "I don't think so. I feel better since I won Henry's case. And besides, talking to you usually makes everything right."

She smiled, "Smart man…next time remember that. We're stronger as a team than as individuals."

"Oh yeah…definitely." He grabbed a thick down comforter and two pillows from the shelf. Spreading them out on the floor, he waggled his brows and threw her a wicked grin. "I've missed you. Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart."

She grinned back, "What did you have in mind?"

His tongue peeked out, "Well, now that you mention it."

Suzy jumped up from the floor, "Molly, what was that?"

Molly beamed with pride, "That's the mating call. Our work here is done."

"Really? We did it?" The kitten jumped around the room, "Did you hear that Toby? We saved the day!"

Molly scooped the hamster onto her head and corralled the celebrating kitten, "Come along kids…let's give them some privacy.

Mac squinted into the bright light. Stretching her arms overhead, she stifled a yawn. As her eyes adjusted to the light in the closet, she noticed the door was opened a crack. "That's odd. Harm said it was stuck." She shrugged and slowly rose from the floor. Even with the padded comforter, her back was going to pay a heavy price. Dancing around in the cool air of the early morn, she reached for Harm's robe on the back of the door. Glancing back at his slumbering form, she smiled when she took in his relaxed and contented face. He hadn't slept this well in weeks. She kissed the fingers of her right hand and gently placed them against his lips. His mouth puckered at the soft touch then slackened again in sleep. Mac slipped from the closet, careful not to make a sound.

Stepping outside the door, she almost tripped over a pile of clothes and pillows and shoes. Shaking her head perplexed, "That's even stranger? Where did all the clothes come from?" She pushed them away from the door with her foot and continued on to the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, she was whisking up eggs in a bowl. Setting a sauté pan on the burner to warm, she added a pat of butter to melt. She wandered over to the refrigerator and grabbed some cheese and the asparagus spears. Walking back toward the cook top, she placed the ingredients aside. Frowning in thought, she crossed to the fridge once again and withdrew the mushroom filling. She smiled when she heard some noise coming from down the hall. Cracking two more eggs into the mixing bowl, she whisked them up light.

Harm found her perched atop the kitchen counter enjoying an omelet, a short time later. He sauntered up in front of her, slipping in between her legs. Fingering the sleeve of her robe, he smirked, "I wondered where this got to. You have your own robe you know."

She grinned with satisfaction, "Nope, mine was hanging behind the bathroom door. I didn't have any clothes in your closet. Besides, I like wearing your robe…it smells like you and makes me feel like I'm wrapped in your arms."

He shivered in the cool air, "Well, it's cold in here. Mind sharing my robe?" He grinned as he released the cinched tie and slid his arms around her naked form.

She closed the robe around his bare back, "You should've worn more than boxers." She offered him a forkful of her midnight snack.

His lips parted and slowly accepted the bite. "Why? Don't plan to wear them for long." His eyes rolled back and he licked his lips, "This is really good. What's in it?"

She offered another bite, "Fontina cheese, the prosciutto asparagus and the wild mushroom stuffing."

They ate in silence for a bit, before he began shuffling from side-to-side. "Harm, what's wrong?"

"Feet are cold…this tile is like ice." He reached out and grabbed her slippered feet. "Someone stole my slippers, too." He pulled off the footwear and dropped them to the floor. Sliding his feet into their warm depths, he grinned, "Much better!"

"Hey, now my feet will get cold," she scolded.

He set the omelet plate aside and lifted her into his arms. "No they won't…I'll carry you."

She locked her feet behind his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're right, this is better."

He placed his lips beside her ear, "To the bedroom?"

"Oh yeah, but can we use the bed this time?"

"Well shoot, I was just getting use to the closet."

She inhaled deeply to gather her thoughts. His lips were doing things to her neck. "Harm, you said the closet door was stuck, right?" His mumbled a 'mmhuh' against her skin. "Well, this might sound strange…but there was a pile of clothes and pillows outside the door. You don't think? No, that's just crazy."

He pulled back to look in her eyes, "What's crazy?"

"The animals…Molly, Suzy, Toby…it's like they plotted…. Never mind, it's crazy."

He grinned at her silliness. "Mac? What time is it?"

She frowned, "I don't know?"

"Oh, Thank Goodness! You were getting too good at telling time without a watch in the last few days. I'm glad to see I haven't lost my touch." He leered wicked at her lips.

She giggled in response, "To the bedroom, Jeeves!"

"Yes Ma'am!" He paused at the kitchen door, "What about the dirty dishes?"

"Leave them!"

"Living dangerously…I like it. By the way, I left my socks on the bedroom floor. Inside-out no less."

She grinned, "That's OK, I squeezed the toothpaste from the top instead of the bottom."

Their laughter could be heard throughout the moonlit house. All was right in the world again…at least in the home of the Rabbs.

Molly and Suzy studied the lovers from the front hall. "Molly, where are they going? We don't need to lock them up again, do we?"

Molly pushed the kitten along toward the kitchen, "No they're fine now. We did our job."

"But…"

"Just you never mind, little one. You're too young to know." The old dog ambled into the kitchen and paused by the sink. Looking around in both directions, she placed her front paws on the counter and quickly nabbed a piece of lettuce from the glass bowl.

"What are you doing, Molly? Ma'am doesn't allow us on the kitchen counter." Suzy bounced on her hindquarters trying to steal a peek.

Molly whispered back, "Ssshh, do you wanna get caught? I'm sneaking a reward for Toby."

The kitten bounced around the room, "What about me? I did a good job, too. Don't I deserve a reward?"

Molly glanced around the kitchen and then reached up to steal a piece of cheese. Tossing the slice at Suzy, she grumbled, "There…are you happy now?"

Suzy mumbled around the cheese in her mouth, "Mmmm, dis mmm good."

"The old dog sighed, "Don't talk with food in your mouth!"

The kitten swallowed, "Sorry Ma'am. Don't you want a treat, too?"

Molly shook her head, "No, that's okay…I already got my treat. My people are happy again. The house feels warm."

"Yeah it does. I like it much better when Sir and Ma'am laugh instead of using loud words."

Molly picked up the piece of lettuce with her teeth and mumbled, "Come looong...we neez tak dis to Toby."

Suzy giggled, "Don't talk with food in your mouth, Ma'am!"

Molly rolled her eyes. 'Kids.'

The End…for now?

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!