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It had been almost a week by the time Harm returned to JAG headquarters. He was well rested and for the first time since coming home to JAG, Harm didn't feel like his world was spinning out of control. His smile was bright and he was content, finally.

Everyone that saw him felt a little bit better when he smiled. "Sir, the admiral would like to see you." Tiner said when he saw Harm heading for his office.

"Thank you, Tiner. Could you please put this stuff in my office for me?" Harm said.

"Certainly, sir. I'm glad you're feeling better, sir." Tiner said and scampered off.

Harm approached and knocked on the admiral's door. At the order to enter, Harm stood at attention and waited for whatever the admiral had to say. "At ease, have a seat, I'll be with you in a second." A.J. said.

Harm sat down and waited patiently. Whoever the admiral was talking to was getting him upset over something, Harm had to stifle a grin at a particularly rude comment the admiral muttered. However, Chegwidden caught it and was grateful to see it.

"See to it then. Don't let me hear about you messing this up again." Chegwidden said, then he slammed the phone back onto its cradle.

A.J. took a moment to compose himself, least he say or do something totally stupid, and then he really looked at the young man closely.

"I trust you had a relaxing vacation." The admiral said.

"Yes, sir. My mother sends her thanks for taking care of me before I went out there. She was upset when I told her what I had been doing and totally agreed with you." Harm said with a smile.

/ That smile. It's enough to melt a diamond. / A.J. thought.

Before they could continue any meaningful conversation, the admiral's office door burst open and a little ferret of a man in flaming pink thundered in. Harm turned, startled at the sudden interruption, and did his best not to laugh.

"This place will never do. The colors are all wrong." The little man moaned theatrically.

"What do you expect from the Navy?" another man said, he was following the flamingo.

"Sorry, sir. He was moving too fast for me." Tiner said.

"Well find them some place else to complain about, I'm in the middle of something here." The admiral ordered.

Tiner ushered the two men out as quickly as he could.

"Ah, what was that, sir?" Harm asked, both confused and trying not to laugh.

"I'm not sure. They could be from that film crew the SecNav has been threatening us with, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about the way things were handled when you came home." A.J. began.

"Sir, I understand. I just thought I had to prove myself so I took on more than I could really handle. I figured if I could show you and everyone else that I could keep up then maybe we could all forget what a horrible mistake I made in leaving. To be perfectly honest, sir, I had no idea that everything had gotten so out of control until those last couple of days before I left. I'm really sorry that I worried everyone." Harm said. He wouldn't look at A.J. at the moment, too ashamed of what he had done.

"Commander, look at me. We all could have handled the situation a hell of a lot better. I think everyone, myself included, let their emotions get the better of them and unfortunately we took it out on you. We all know that at heart you will always be an aviator no matter what. You had to put one dream to rest before you could get on with any other." The admiral said. "That being said, I've got something for you to work on. I'm not sure what to make of it but I think you've got the right sensitivity to handle this properly."

The admiral handed over a case file and watched as Harm read through it. Harm recognized himself in the cadet the file was describing. A.J. watched as the anger rose in his junior officer's blood and knew that he was reading about the harassment. "I'll do what I can for him sir." Harm said. "I knew you would. Why don't you head on over there now. No sense in sticking around here and fending off that rather bizarre little director." The admiral said. "Aye, sir."

Then Harm left the office and went back to his for a moment. The very thought of someone being so callus as to use the affections of a young man to further the career of another made his blood boil. Once Harm calmed himself, he gathered what he would need and headed out to the academy. / It's gonna be nice to be back there. Even if it is for an investigation. / Harm thought as he drove.

Three hours later, Harm pulled into the parking lot at the academy and headed for the commandant's office. As soon as he walked through the doors, Harm felt eyes on him instantly. Whether it was the wings or the JAG insignia he wasn't sure. Harm ignored the sensation as he approached Admiral Wainwright's outer office.

The young man sitting at the desk was a civilian but was well aware of Navy rank. "Go on in, sir. The admiral is waiting for you." The young man said.

Harm nodded and went in. Rear Admiral Jamison Wainwright was a well built man somewhere in his fifties. He had a full head of salt and pepper hair and cold green eyes. He wore the signet of surface warfare but his eyes told of seeing far too much in his career. He felt the admiral give him the once over before speaking.

"Midshipman Jarrett is waiting for you in the next room. He's pretty shaken up, Commander, so be careful with him." Admiral Wainwright said.

"Of coarse, sir." Harm said and headed for the next room. He could still feel the admiral's eyes on him and tried not to shudder at the man's lustful looks.

Harm stood in the door way for a moment watching the young cadet fidget in his seat. / So young to have to deal with this kind of thing. / Harm thought.

"Midshipman Jarrett," Harm said.

"Yes, sir." The young man said as he jumped to his feet. When he raised his eyes to look at the man that was approaching him he began to shake all over again.

"Take it easy, son. I'm not going to hurt you. I was asked to come and look into your claim. Now, why don't you sit back down and tell me exactly what happened?" Harm said. Harm's gentle voice went a long way in calming down the terrified cadet.

"It started out as little things, sir. Mark, ah senior Midshipman O'Connor, would be there when I was having a hard time with a class. Sometimes he would listen to me complain about all the work. After a few months he wanted … well he wanted to … and I just couldn't. I'm not ready for that. I want to finish here and maybe go on to flight school. I've always wanted to fly, sir." Jarrett said. He was stumbling over what he wanted to say but when he realized that Commander Rabb from JAG was actually listening to him and not condemning him, he began to pour his heart out.

For the next three hours, Michael Jarrett told Harm his entire life's story. Harm heard much of himself in this cadet. "Now Mark is pushing me not only to be in his bed but he wants me to get pregnant. Even though I still have two years here, he wants children now. It's like he doesn't even care what I want." Midshipman Jarrett said. "Now he's making my life a nightmare because I turned him down in favor of my own career that doesn't include him."

"Bastard." Harm muttered, not realizing that the cadet had heard him. When Harm noticed that Jarrett was looking at him strangely, he explained. "When I was a bit younger than you, I thought I was in love. I spent a wonderful weekend with a guy from school. I told him and showed him my secrete, just like yours. I had no idea that I was already pregnant that summer when I went off and did something really foolish. The point is that I didn't know that he was a jerk until after I lost the baby. He treated it like no big loss. It hurt me real bad. I haven't seen him in twenty years and have never trusted another man since. I'll deal with senior Midshipman O'Connor so he won't do this to you anymore and won't be able to hurt anyone else. The thing is, don't let this sour you on a healthy relationship with someone else. When you're ready, find someone that will treat you with respect and honor you for who and not what you are." Harm said.

Cadet Jarrett relaxed considerably after being around the JAG officer. "Thank you, sir. It means a lot to me that you believe me. I know you're right and I do hope one day to find someone just like that." He said.

"Good. Now return to your studies and I'll deal with O'Connor. I'll be keeping in touch so you know what's going on. If he fights this we may have to deal with an inquiry. Hopefully he'll see reason and we can just get a dismissal. If you have any more problems with Cadet O'Connor let me know, otherwise just concentrate on your studies." Harm said.

Harm asked that Senior Midshipman O'Connor be brought to the interview room so he could question and get a sense of the cadet. When the cadet entered the room, Harm instantly knew this young man was trouble. He spent another two hours talking to him and came to the conclusion that Cadet Jarrett played down the torment Cadet O'Connor put him through. Harm spent the better part of the rest of the day talking to other midshipmen and found a pattern of harassment and he was angry. He thanked the last of the midshipmen that he talked to, who then scurried out of the room. Harm had to sit there and calm down, he was so angry.

Harm gathered his notes and went to Admiral Wainwright's office to give him his report. The young man at the desk looked up as Harm approached and just opened the admiral's door. Once the door was closed the young man shuddered at the fierce look on the Commander's face.

"What are your finding's Commander?" the admiral asked.

"I would recommend that Midshipman O'Connor be removed from the academy. I've documented several cases of harassment by O'Connor. He's making life a nightmare for at least a half dozen other cadets, that I've found. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more." Harm reported.

Admiral Wainwright looked over Harm's preliminary report before he answered. "I'll set the process in motion. You'll send me your report as soon as you get it done, correct?" the admiral asked.

"Yes, sir." Harm said. He then collected his notes and left to return home, it would be long passed day's end by the time he reached JAG headquarters. He had made a promise to himself and his mother that he wouldn't work so many hours that he neglected to take care of himself.

When he got home, Harm dropped his briefcase and cover on the doorside table and hung up his jacket. He knew he wasn't in the mood for something complicated for dinner. He took a long hot shower while he mentally reviewed what he had on hand. The warm water went a long way to relax him after dealing with a jerk like O'Connor. After his shower, Harm made himself a small salad and poured a glass of soda, he went to bed right after finishing.

The following morning, Harm was up before his alarm. When he finished his morning run, he got dressed and had his breakfast. When he entered JAG ops, a sense of peace settled through everyone around.

Harm headed for his office to type up his report on the harassment at the academy. He was still upset at what he had found but the knowledge that the offending cadet was being dismissed helped. As he typed furiously, one hand reached blindly for his coffee cup. He was about to take a drink when he realized it was empty. "Damn." He muttered and got up. Harm headed for the small kitchen and the coffee pot.

Harm was returning to his office, carefully drinking his coffee, when Mic Brumby got in his way. "I heard you had some fun yesterday." The annoying Australian said.

Mic's sudden appearance startled Harm enough that he nearly spilled his coffee. "What are you blathering about now, Bugme?" Harm muttered as he tried to get around him.

Harm's insult didn't faze the man one bit. "Heard you went out to play nursemaid to a herm at the academy. Was he as clingy as I've heard they are?" Mic sneered.

Harm stopped in mid stride at that. "You better hope not. Now get out of my way." Harm demanded. He wasn't going to dignify the jerk by continuing the conversation.

That pricked Mic's attention. Figuring that he could get some teasing in and maybe bring down the high and mighty Harmon Rabb, "You're one of them aren't you? Mister hotshot pilot/supper lawyer is a herm. Who would have thought?" Mic taunted.

"Back off, Gumby, it's none of your business." Harm growled.

Neither man saw that they were attracting attention from the rest of the people in the bullpen much less that their argument brought the admiral out of his office. "You are one of them," Mic started again but Harm's hand found his throat. "Don't push me, mate, you'll see just what I can do." He threatened.

"What the hell is going on out here?" A.J. demanded. He had heard Harm's half hearted admission. His heart filled with even more love for the young aviator but he knew that he had to be careful. Right now, as far as Harm knew everyone in the office knew what he was and so he was going to be embarrassed and prickly. For now Harm won't take kindly to anyone's advances, most likely fearing it would be more out of curiosity than true affection for him. "Explain yourself Mr. Brumby." The admiral demanded.

"Just a difference of opinion, sir." He stammered.

"What about you?" the admiral asked when he turned to Harm.

"Nothing unusual about that, is it, sir?" Harm said. All he wanted to do at that moment was to hide in his office until everyone had left. "I'll have my report from the academy on your desk in a couple of hours, sir." He finished and quickly made for his office.

The rest of the JAG staff returned to their work, thoughts of what Harm had said still floating around in their minds.

Harm finished up the report and prints it out but for the moment is too embarrassed to leave his office. / Now everyone knows. They'll be looking at me like I'm some kind of sex crazed freak now. Damn Brumby, I just wish he would go away and never come back. / Harm thought. There was a discrete knock on his door and a blonde head poked itself through the slight opening she made.

"Are you all right, sir?" Harriet asked.

"Yeah, just a little bit upset with myself for letting Brumby bait me like that." Harm said. Harriet came in and shut the door behind her.

"If you'll excuse me, sir, but Commander Brumby is a jerk. Being a mother myself I know the wonders of conceiving, carrying and baring a child. It is a wonderful experience. You are one of those lucky ones that get to enjoy that same wonder. Don't let Mr. Brumby make you feel bad about it. One day you'll find someone that you can share it with, then you'll know what I mean." Harriet said. When she tried to meet Harm's eyes she saw such sadness. "What is it, sir? You know you can tell me anything and it won't go any further than this office." She said.

Harm fought with himself as to whether or not to tell her. He knew that she wouldn't say anything to anyone if he asked her not to, but this was an old pain. "I almost had that chance. A long time ago I trusted someone and we did create a life, only I didn't know until it was too late. I lost the baby in my first trimester. He was such an ass about losing the baby I have never trusted anyone since. Ever since A.J. was born I have been thinking about it, about having another baby but since no one here had known, I was afraid to try." Harm said.

"Don't let small minds like Commander Brumby make you turn away from something that is part of who you are. Personally I think you would make a great father. I bet you would get a real kick out of carrying a baby to term. You know that you don't need a partner to have a baby these days and you'd have an office full of friends to help you with everything from morning sickness to potty training and everything else. You are a wonderful man Commander. Mr. Brumby is just jealous of you, that's why he picked that fight. No one out there thinks any less of you, as a matter of fact I think you have managed to impress them even more now." Harriet said. She smiled when Harm finally met her eyes and she saw that he had really listened to her. "Thank you, Harriet. I really appreciate you coming in here. I'm also glad I finally told someone, other than my mother, about what happened. Bud is a very lucky man to have you." He said.

That really embarrassed the young Lieutenant. "And I'm glad you trusted me enough to be open about it. I won't say anything to Bud if you don't want me to either." She said as she was heading out of the office.

"I don't want you to keep secretes from your own husband, Harriet." Harm said.

"He won't ask for details and I won't give them. Don't worry, sir. Bud respects you enough to know when to ask and when to leave well enough alone." She responded.

"Thank you."

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