Written: 25.10.2000

Category: Story - short pointless one.

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: DPB and CBS own the JAG team, everyone else in this, owns themselves!

Summary: Shippers know how to party, and point some clueless lawyers in the right direction.

Authors notes: Okay... it's another strange one from me. My apologies to those shippers whose inboxes were bombarded while getting this one organized. We all need a party by the sound of the current eppy's in the US. Feedback would be nice.

~*~*~*~

Mac was annoyed. Not that she didn't like walking, it was just the fact that she rarely had to walk any great distance to Harm's apartment. There were cars all around the street. 'Must be something on somewhere' she mumbled to herself.

As she reached Harm's door. She realized the loud noise, she heard as she approached, was emanating from his apartment. What was he doing? The music was almost deafening.

She knocked loudly, but doubting anyone could hear her, she tried the door. It wasn't locked.

There was a party in full swing, and she didn't recognize anyone!

Confused, she wandered in, people smiled and greeted her. They knew who she was? Why did they know her, yet she was oblivious to their identities? Perhaps Webb had something to do with this?

She must have looked as confused as she felt. One of the revelers smiled, and asked if she was looking for Harm. Mac nodded and was pointed in the direction of the kitchen area. She strained her eyes over the top of other people and then saw him in deep discussion with several women. Her heart stopped. Who were all these people, mainly woman, in Harm's apartment?

Determined, to find answers, she started weaving her way across the room. Finally making her way to Harm.

She was miffed.

He hadn't even seen her arrive!

"Hey Harm, you didn't tell me you were having a party?" she asked cautiously.

He looked up, surprised.

"Mac! Hello! I didn't *know* I was either. They all just... sorta showed up," he added sheepishly.

"Really? Just showed up? Just like that?" she asked, in an accusing tone. Not that he owed her any answers she thought. They weren't *together*. But she wanted answers all the same.

"Mac, honestly. Come on, as if I'd have a party and *not* invite you?"

"He's telling the truth Mac, really," said one, her accent so much softer than Mic's but definitely Australian.

"And you are?"

"Bridget. These are my friends Anne, Margie and Pat," she replied with a smile. The trio all smiled warmly and greeted her.

"So... who organized this little shin dig if *you* didn't sailor?" quizzed Mac.

"Ahh... she said her name was Jaye. Another Australian would you believe. I thought she might have been a friend of Brumby's, but she didn't take to kindly to that remark!" Harm replied with a grin.

"Really?"

"Well apparently there's a 'shoot on sight order' if he shows up here. Everyone seems happy to comply," replied Harm.

"Sounds like he'd better *not* show up then," replied Mac with a chuckle that surprised everyone, before she adding, "Maybe she does know of Mic!"

"Well, if it makes you feel any better Mac, I had to phone Renee and make sure she didn't plan to come around. They have the same order out on her too," said Harm.

Mac smiled sweetly - too sweetly. "Such a shame."

"What? That there's the order on the video princess, *or* that Harm warned her?" asked Pat.

"Video princess?" queried Harm, raising an eyebrow.

Mac blushed, how did they know? "Girl talk," she merely responded.

"Hi Mac. I've got a whole 3 liter jug of chocolate milkshake made up if you want a some?"

"Ah yeah... sure," replied Mac, to yet another stranger who knew her name.

"Okay... it's Maggie isn't it?" asked Harm.

Thankfully someone had changed the music. The decibel level wasn't quiet as loud now, and they could communicate without having to shout too loudly.

"Yes," she replied as she poured a drink for Mac. "Good memory!"

"Next time you guys drop by for a party, I'm going to request name tags," he grinned.

"Next time?" queried Jaye wandering over. "Sound good to me. Same time next week perhaps?"

"Ah well..."

"Seems you have made them an offer Harm, that they have no intention of refusing," laughed Mac. "Hi, Jaye?... Mac."

"Yes. Hello Mac. We needed somewhere for our parties. Harm's place here is just perfect."

"Jaye... how are Rorie and Jami doing?" asked Bridget.

Jaye nodded over towards the sofa where the two were sitting, looking worse for wear.

"Rorie is swearing off peppermint schnapps for life, and as for Jami... well, from what I gather, too many college drinking games were the influence."

"I might take Rorie a bowl of that vanilla ice cream she brought," said Harm sympathetically, as he wandered over to the freezer. "She looks like she could do with something to dilute all that alcohol."

"Have you guys been chatting to Harm?" Jaye asked quietly.

"Yes, I think he's with the program now," smiled Pat.

"Hey guys!"

"Hi yourself Dixie," said Margie. "Did you find the store okay?"

"Certainly did. Potato crisps and more chocolate," she replied, putting the shopping down on the bench.

"Any Pepsi?" asked Mary strolling over to the group.

Dixie reached into a bag. "Pepsi!"

"Great. I could use a drink," Mary replied. "Where should I put these homemade pork egg rolls and veggie rolls?"

"On the main table," offered Liz. "I think there was a bit of space left beside the Tastykakes."

"The what?" asked Jaye.

"Oh I know what they are," replied Mac.

"I'll be back in a tick," said Jaye, "I have to find Tina and the bottle of baileys. I'm sure you can have a discussion with Mac?"

"Good idea," replied Anne. "You'd better make sure Tina brought that extra bottle. You two will have it finished before the night is out. And last time I saw, her she was talking about ordering pizza and chicken wings."

"Oh sounds great," Mac chipped in. "Mild or spicy sauce?"

"Both I think," said Jaye with a laugh. "I did a rough head count here before, so we're talking bulk chicken wings. Ah... you guys might want to keep an eye on Harm too. If he gets chatting with anyone who writes NC-17..."

"Yes. Might get a bit scared of the responsibilities he is required to live up to!" laughed Pat.

"Someone who writes what?" queried Mac.

"Chat time," said Anne.

~*~

"Hey Mac, how ya doing?" asked Harm as he finally found her. He knew he should have headed to the food.

"Good, really great actually. These people sure know how to party!" she replied over the decibel level of the music. "Are they *ever* going to go home?"

"Doesn't look like it. Jaye suggested I ask you if I could crash over at your place tonight? This party might go most of the night, and well... I don't think the Admiral would appreciate either of us sleep deprived."

"Oh I don't mind a bit of sleep deprivation," said Mac coyly, "just as long as it's for the right reason."

"Right reason?" queried Harm as he glanced over at the two Australian women and their friends watching from the lounge. "You've been talking to those shippers?"

"Yes, we had an interesting chat," smiled Mac.

"So did I. Do you want to tell me what they said to you?" he asked. "I couldn't get them to explain to me exactly which ship they were from? And when I asked them Navy or Marine's they couldn't tell me which they were with. They just said they were 'shippers'," said Harm rather blankly.

Mac smiled.

She understood perfectly.

"Let's go! I'll explain at my place."

 The End.