Title: Favor

Pairing: Harm/Singer

Rating T

Summary: Harm needs someone to go and pick Mattie up from school. The only person who can do it is someone he would not have expected to offer. (Harm has full custody of Mattie)

JAG H.Q.

Falls Church, VA

1130 (Local)

Cmdr Harmon Rabb came out of his office looking around JAG HQ, to his disappointment, and because of the weather the Admiral had secured all but the duty staff to leave early. Harm had only stayed because of an appeal that he was currently working on, and it had to be filed by 1500 today or it would be dismissed.

Harm looked into the offices of his fellow lawyers, all his saw were empty chairs, and darken rooms. He was getting frustrated, Mattie's school had just called him to advise him that Mattie wasn't feeling vey well; she was running a fever and had to go home. The school would be closing due to the winter storm that was hitting their area but Mattie had to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

He couldn't leave until his appeal was filed, or a Marine Gunnery Sergeant would be sitting in prison for a crime Harm knew he didn't commit. Normally he would ask Mattie's roommate Chief Jennifer Coates but she had taken a couple days vacation to visit some friends and go to a concert up in New York City so she wasn't around, Mac was TAD on the Seahawk, Bud was in D.C on a case, Harm knew that Harriet wouldn't mind picking Mattie up from school and taking care of her for him, but with the weather and she has her kids to deal with he wasn't going to ask. He knew she wouldn't say no and that it was no problem, but he didn't want to give her the chance.

"Is everything alright Cmdr?" A voice form behind him in an office he hadn't bother checking, because of the current owner. He slowly turned around already knowing who it was.

Lt. Cmdr Loren Singer was packing up for the day when she saw the Cmdr poking his head in and out of the offices around him; he looked like a defeated man at the moment. For some reason she wanted to know what had gotten him so stirred up. She knew someone had called him, since she could hear his phone ringing with out the normal background noise in the air. Something had gotten him worked up.

Harm had turned fully around and was watching Loren walk over to him; he thought he saw a brief flash of concern in her eyes. Could it be this cold hearted, career driven ice queen as Mac had called her one day, actually be concerned about someone other then herself?

Harm took a deep breath.

"Yes and No, More No then anything, Mattie's school just called to say she isn't feeling well and has to be picked up because she has a fever. I can't leave till I get this appeal done, and no one who is authorized to get her is available at the moment." He slowly breathed out.

Loren knew how much this appeal was to him, she had sat second chair to the prosecution, while she is always in it for the win, she didn't like this one, and she knew in her gut the Marine wasn't guilty. So did Turner the lead prosecutor on the case, but they had to do what they were order to do. The Jury found him guilty because the evidence pointed to him, but not to him at the same time. Sometimes she wondered why she had become a lawyer in such a messed up legal system.

With out thinking the words had started to come out of her mouth before she knew what she was saying.

"I can go and pick her up for you Sir, if you would like." She knew it wasn't something that would help her career any, harm has never been openly nice to her, but he hasn't been mean or cruel to her, more neutral then anything. Thinking back on things, the times he has talked to her about things, was him offering advice to her about decisions she has made or were about to make. He had and is always respectful, professional, and truthful to her no matter the situation.

She figured this is something I can do for a fellow officer in need, something someone would do for a friend. To be honest with herself, now that she thought about it she didn't mind doing it either.

"I know you are pressed for time Sir, with the weather outside like it is and getting worst, you wouldn't make it back here in time to get the appeal in before the dead line. I know how you feel about the Sgt. I feel the same way. He got shafted… Sir…"

The first thing that ran through Harm's mind was what she wanted in return. But to say he was shocked when he heard sincerity in her voice was an understatement. He had though of returning with Mattie to the office so he can finish but Loren was right the weather would not allow him to do that.

"Thank you for the offer, but I couldn't ask you to drive in this weather Loren, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you."

He could instantly see the look of disappointment in her eyes, that's when he knew she was asking to do this as a friend, not for a career boost.

"I would feel a lot better if you took my SUV instead. It has 4 wheel drive, and loves to play in this weather." A sly little grin popped up on his face as he pulled out his keys and some cash and handed them to her.

Almost as if they had done this countless times before, Loren had her keys out and was handing them over as well.

"I will call the school and let them know you will be picking her up, he just go to the front door the office is right there, you will have to show ID to sign her out and they will take you to the nurses office to get her. I'm not sure if she will feel like eaten when she gets home, but there are soups and things in the cabinets, plenty of take out menus in the drawers. Mattie knows what I like; make your self at home. I should be finished with this in another hour, maybe two."

Loren nodded as she put the money in her purse. "I take it just bring Mattie to your apartment?"

Loren knew Jenn was out of town for a couple days, but didn't know if she wanted anyone besides Mattie in her place.

"Yes please, my apartment is fine, Mattie has the key. " Harm paused for a second making sure there wasn't anything else he needed to convey to Loren.

Loren saw the worry on Harm's face, "Don't worry about it Cmdr, I will make sure she stays safe till you get home." She turned and headed to the elevator.

Harm followed her to the doors as they opened. "Thank you very much for this Loren, I really do appreciate it." Harm watched the doors close before going to first make the call to the school, then to finish his appeal.