Celia's notes: We kept saying, "We need to stop it before it breeds."  But it took on a life of its own.  And you know what?  I had a blast.  Writing with Nicole has been the best experience of my albeit short writing career.  She is hysterical, angsty and constantly brought tears to my eyes with her moving characterizations of Harm.  More importantly, she's become a friend like no other, who was like, "Yeah, it's really okay to write smut.  Really, it is."  How many friends tell you that?  :)  And she actually put up with me!  Through the breadsticks, the Ben and Jerry's, and the moods, we finished it.  I'm still in shock.  <g> My God, Nicole, it's done.  PARTY ON!

Celia's thanks:  To Jenn, Maddie and the crew, for loving me no matter what.

And obviously to Nicole--"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin.  Words simply cannot express everything you've done for me, but I'd like to try.  Throughout these weeks (!), I have taken comfort in knowing that at 9:30 every night you'll be online to bring a smile to my face.  Thank you for being my co-writer, my friend, the reason I stay awake till 1, and most importantly, thank you for bringing out the Elvis in me.  Quickly, Squidlet, to the Sin Wagon!

Nicole’s notes:   For once, I am at a loss for words.  How one person can come to mean so much to me in such a short time, I’m not sure.  All I do know is that from the moment Celia and I started chatting, she has been an inspiration to me.  I’ve been searching for a writing partner for years now, and no one ever clicked with me.  From the beginning, Celia and I just absolutely, 100%, no holds barred CLICKED. Every moment we spend together is a blessing and a gift.  She is a talented writer, a gifted storyteller and a woman with a heart of gold.  She brought light to a side of Mac that had never seen the sun.  My thanks on this piece are only for her:  thank you for making me laugh hysterically, letting me cry, understanding, forgiving and tolerating.  Your talent astounds me.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, for everyone to see.  For lack of a better word, the genre of “smut fic” is in and of itself, an art form.  It takes a special kind of talent to write about sex, but a rarer talent is the writer who can combine romance, reality, class *and* sex.  And Celia, without a thought, does this.

I am learning from you every day, and I don’t ever want to stop.  Thank you for the Ben and Jerry’s, the hugs, the memories and the courage you showed.  No matter how nervous you might’ve been at the start of this project, you came through it with flying colors.  I’d be proud and honored to write with you again, any day.  Maybe tomorrow? <g>  Wub ewe.

Musical Notes: “Music Of The Night” from “Phantom Of The Opera”, sung by Michael Crawford in the original version.
“Beautiful” – I don’t know who sings this, or the real title, but if anyone knows, PLEASE tell me!  It sounds a little like Anne Murray.
“Down On My Knees” by Trisha Yearwood, from her “Hearts In Armor” CD
“I Love You” by Sarah McLachlan from her “Surfacing” CD

-------------------------------------
Harriet answered the phone on the second ring.  "Hello, Roberts' household."  She paused.  "Aunt Cecile!" Harriet exclaimed.  "It's great to hear from you.  How are things in Vienna?"  Another long pause on Harriet's end.  "NO!" she giggled.  "That's fabulous.  And Leslie knew who they were?  Gosh, what a coincidence.  Uh huh.  Well thanks for calling, I'd better run, it's nearly AJ's bedtime.  Thanks!  Bye."  She hung up the phone with an evil gleam in her eye.
------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in the car...

"I realized something, Mac.  I won't be able to sleep once we get back to DC."

Mac tore her eyes from the passing scenery and replied brilliantly, "What?"

"I said I won't be able to sleep once we get back to DC.  I'm too used to having you in my arms now."

Mac's grin widened as she leaned over to caress his thigh.  "Me either. Funny, after 30-odd years of sleeping alone, now I can't imagine that big lonesome bed without you right there beside me."

Harm took a deep breath, Mac's hand on his thigh effectively distracting him from the task at hand--not careening off the Beltway.  "I feel the same way," he said breathlessly.  His long arm stole its way around Mac's shoulders and pulled her across the bench seat, until she was sitting practically in his lap.  "C'mere, jarhead."

Evilly, Mac moved her head around and finally plopped a big, wet, sloppy kiss on Harm's cheek.  "DC drivers are bad as it is, sweetie," she said with a glint in her eyes.  Patting his thigh, she straightened and said, "Watch the road and if you get us there safely, maybe you'll get a reward."
 
Harm raised one eyebrow slowly, and wiped his cheek.  "What kind of reward?" he asked, insinuation coating every word with meaning.  His low voice caught in his throat as he murmured the words into Mac's ear.

Harm's breath on her ear sent Mac's stomach into nervous flutters.  But she knew if she was going to keep up this little game, she'd have to keep her cool.  She shrugged her shoulders and started tracing intricate patterns on his thigh.  "Oh, I don't know...maybe a rematch at Monopoly?"

Harm shivered under her warm touch.  It was like fire on his thigh, sending messages to his brain and other various body parts--messages that were most definitely NOT fit for virgin ears.  "Or maybe," he whispered, "not?"  Harm's hand sneaked its way down Mac's stomach.  He slid his fingers over her thigh, gently tracing the definition of her slender muscles with his fingertips.  He slowly and carefully slid his hand between her legs.  Harm anticipated a "Red Light, Commander!" and a slap from his partner sometime soon.

As this little car seduction continued, Mac could almost feel the devil and the angel poof! into place upon her shoulders.  The angel told her to throw him a red light while the devil noted the amount of fun Mac was having right now.  Slyly, a grin spread across Mac's face.  "You know," she began, "It's easier to get to Georgetown from the Beltway and I just bought these really nice satin sheets...interested?"

Harm glanced over at Mac and nearly choked.  "Y--yes.  You sure, Mac?" he asked, concerned.  "I thought this was moving too fast for you?"  *Not that I'm complaining now, mind you* he added mentally.

Mac could sense the apprehension in Harm's voice.  Taking a deep breath and leaning her head against the window, she regarded Harm straight in the face.  "I realized it's fairly simple...I don't want to wake up one more day without you.  And as to how fast this is moving...we've had 4 years of foreplay.  And I'm not saying we have to make love or anything tonight or this week, but I don't want to deny myself this.  We deserve some happiness, don't you think?"

Harm nodded gently.  "You certainly deserve all the happiness life can give, Mac.  And if I can be the one to give it to you," he smiled, "then all the better."  His hand moved up from its comfortable spot, to take hers.  Harm's thumb gently began to caress Mac's palm.  "Left or right to Georgetown?"
 
Mac beamed.  "Take the Rock Creek Parkway, which is left."  She studied their hands with a huge smile on her face.  *Finally!*  Her mind screamed.  She'd never really admit it to Harm, but she had been in love with him since the day she had met him.  So she was a sucker for dress whites, who wasn't?  But it was Harm's tenacity and most of all his little quirks that made him adorable.  How many men did she know that attempted a meatless meatloaf?  Only one.  And here she had fallen in love with him.

Harm grinned, as if reading her thoughts.  "I can't believe this is finally happening.  I've been waiting for this since our kiss in Norfolk."

Mac stared at him.  "Wait, you mean you were kissing *me*?"  She squeaked.  "Not Diane?"

Harm glanced over at Mac and nodded with a smile.  "When I leaned it to kiss you, I was kissing Diane goodbye.  But when I felt your lips against mine, I knew it was you I was kissing, Sarah. Catherine. Mackenzie."  Each word landed a kiss on her palm.

Mac couldn't suppress the slightest shiver as he kissed her palm.  "You probably already realized this, but if we're being brutally honest...I knew I had fallen for you when you took me flying in Sarah."  She laughed and shook her head while relaying the rest of the story.  "When I kept asking who 'Sarah' was...I prayed one day you would change its meaning from your grandmother to me."

Harm turned to stare at her, nearly swerving off the road.  He turned back to watch the street signs, barely managing to answer.  "Mac...my father named that plane after his mother.  I love Grandma Sarah, but since I met you, you're the only one I think of when I'm flying.  She's been named after you since the day you came into my life," Harm added softly. "Besides, if I just pretended you were in the back, every time I flew I felt closer to you.  I couldn't help it."   Mac ducked her head sheepishly, not sure what to make of the loving and tender words, but knowing she would lob off an arm to hear them again.  Silently, she pointed to the turn off for her apartment.

Harm made the turn.  "Hey, Mac, I was wrong."  Without a pause, he continued.  "I've been in love with you since the first time I saw you in that green sweater--and you were mad at me for 'sandbagging' you in court.  I remember thinking that night that you were the prettiest, smartest, most challenging and most bullheaded woman I'd ever met."  He chuckled.

Mac smacked him on the arm.  "In most countries, bullheaded is a good trait for a woman to have."  Mac started rolling her head around and popping her neck--she was never good on long car rides.  "I can't wait to get inside and just flop on the couch."  She said with a small laugh.

Harm drove with his knees, rubbing his arm.  "I never said it was a *bad* thing, jarhead.  I just said you were bullheaded."  He grinned over at Mac and reached behind her to rub her neck.  "Me, too.  So what are we going to do to amuse ourselves tonight, hmm?"  His tone was teasing, but Harm was serious.

Mac took a deep breath and thought about her answer carefully.  While she had teased Harm earlier about testing out her new satin sheets, deep down she knew that while she was head over heels with this man, she did indeed a little time to readjust.  She also knew that they needed to talk about the ramifications of their newfound relationship carefully and when they weren't quite so…excited.  Placing her hand over his she looked him straight in the face.  "Don't take this the wrong way, Harm...but I don't want to have sex with you tonight."

As usual, Mac was blunt and to the point.  Harm opened and closed his mouth several times before settling on a reply.  "Mac, my sweet Marine," he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it gallantly, "You don't have to do a damn thing tonight.  Just go home, crash on your couch, let me make you dinner, and maybe--just maybe--let me kiss you goodnight before I curl up on your couch like a good little guest."  He squeezed her hand lightly.

Tears sprang to Mac's eyes at the tenderness of his words.  Again, she looked him straight in the face.  "Well, crashing sounds wonderful, dinner sounds even better, as long as it's not the meatless meatloaf...but I don't want you sleeping on the couch."  Sheepishly, she lowered her head.  "Can you just hold me?  Like you did at Cecile's? I've kind of gotten used to it."

Harm pulled up outside Mac's apartment and put the car in park.  Turning to face her, he took his partner in his arms and kissed each of her eyelids gently.  "No crying, jarhead," he teased softly.  "I want nothing more than to hold you, I just didn't want to force you into it.  And as for my meatless meatloaf," he winked, "I'll figure something else out."

Mac grinned.  "Well, thank heavens for small favors."  She got up and stretched languidly, something she had desperately needed to do since they got in the car over an hour ago.  Moving to the trunk, she picked up her bag and started up the stairs to her apartment.  Opening the door and walking in, she smiled at being home.  While Cecile's home was a wonderful break, her apartment was her sanctuary.  Flopping down on the couch, she closed her eyes.  "I'd love ziti or something, Harm," she called in the direction of her partner.  "Put on some music, too, if you're up."

Harm followed Mac in, shutting the door with a laugh.  "Yes, ma'am."  He went over to the CD player and examined Mac's alphabetized collection.  "Music, check."  The CD began to play softly in the background and Harm sang along under his breath with the woman on the disc.

"Sometimes you wonder how much I care." Harm put the water on to boil.  "I get so distracted, runnin' nowhere, and I'll take for granted our love is secure."  He poked his head into the living room as he sang and smiled at Mac.  "But if I started losin' you, one thing is sure. I'd be down on my knees, ready to plead." With that, he walked over to the couch where Mac was laying, and knelt down beside her.  "Darlin' down on my knees, makin' you stay.  I'd be begging you please, don't take your love from me. I'd be down on my knees."  Harm grinned a flyboy grin at Mac and kissed her cheek.

Mac touched his cheek tenderly and then rose to go to her CD player.  She shuffled around and found the CD she was looking for.  She popped it in, a grin on her face as she remembered Harm's preference for Sarah McLachlan.  After a minute, a violin filled the air and Mac began to softly sing.  "Just you and me on this island of hope, a breath between us could be miles. Let me surround you, my sea to your shore.  Let me be the calm you seek...Oh and every time I'm close to you, there's too much I can't say, and you just walk away. And I forgot to tell you I love you, and the night's too long and cold here without you..."  Mac trailed off as Sarah sang on and looked up at Harm.  Taking a deep breath she said, "I love you."

Harm's eyes widened and without a word, he wrapped his arms around Mac's waist.  "Sarah..." he murmured.

Mac placed her finger on his lips.  "You don't have to say it back to me just yet if you're not ready.  I just...it's been a long time since I've felt right saying it."  She turned and went into the bedroom.  "I'm gonna go change into some sweats...can I trust you to finish dinner without burning the house down?"

Harm grabbed her hand before she could leave and spun her around to face him.  "I love you, too," he whispered.  "It's just--it *hasn't* been a long time.  I've said it too many times without meaning it, and you're too special.  I--I was trying to think of something else that would show you how I feel, but I couldn't." He stared into Mac's eyes for a moment, then dropped her hand.  "And yeah, I'll go cook."

Mac smiled and then headed off to her bedroom, suitcase in hand.  Cecile had been kind enough to let them keep the clothes ("You'd at least get some use out of 'em," she had said), so Mac started putting away the clean clothes (clean because Cecile had insisted on washing them).  She nearly hollered out to Harm that a pair of his shorts had gotten in her suitcase...but then, with an evil grin, decided against it.  She opened her top drawer and found a neatly folded USMC tank top, and slipped it on, then stepped into the boxers.  They were a little big on her, causing her to grin at the thought of why Harm needed that much room down there.  Shaking her head, she went back out into the living room, closing her eyes at the smell of wonderful pasta.

As Mac entered the living room, Harm turned around holding a spoonful of cooked macaroni.  He nearly dropped it when he saw her standing there.  *My god,* he thought.  *She looks like an angel--a tough angel,* he said amusedly to himself.  Her sculpted arms beckoned his eyes, but her toned legs extending from the bottom of --were those *his* boxers?-- fought for his attention.  He finally dragged his eyes back up to Mac's face, and he smiled.  "Are those mine?" he asked casually.

Looking innocently down at her attire, Mac shrugged.  "Perhaps."  Walking over to where he was standing, she looked at the spoonful of pasta.  "Hmm, macaroni...too bad. I wanted ziti."  Leaning over, she slowly took the spoon into her mouth, gazing up at Harm with something indescribable in her eyes.  She slowly chewed the macaroni and swallowed.  "Needs more salt and a little more butter," she said quietly.

Harm leaned down and kissed her soundly.  "Get out of my kitchen, amateur.  It's going to be ziti, in a minute."  He placed his hands on Mac's shoulders and pushed her gently towards the living room.  "Go change the CD to something danceable, while I finish here."  Harm swatted at her behind as he turned back to the pot.

Laughing, Mac retreated into the living room and searched through her CDs.  Pulling out one she'd picked up randomly in the store the last time she'd been to the mall.  Popping Robert Miles' "Dreamland" in, the techno music began to pulsate throughout the apartment, and Mac found herself dancing all around the room to the heavy beat.

"Something else!" Harm yelled from the kitchen.  "Something...jazzier."

Sticking her tongue out even though she knew Harm couldn't see her, Mac rifled through the CD collection again.  She found Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan's duets album that Harm must have left at her apartment after they had finished a case.  After a minute, beautiful music started floating through the apartment.

Harm sighed in relief and called, "MUCH better.  Now *this* is music, Sarah."  He danced into the living room, capturing Mac in his arms and dipping her gently.

Giggling like a schoolgirl, Mac straightened and kissed the tip of his nose.  "What's this, calling me Sarah?"

"It's your name, isn't it? And it's better than "honey", "baby", "pumpkin" or "sexy thang"." Harm finished with a low chuckle.

Mac threw her head back and laughed.  "Sexy thang isn't that bad, flyboy."  She smiled at him again.  "I don't know, I'm just so used to you calling me Mac...it's kind of your pet name for me in a way, and *that*'s much better than 'honey'."

Harm smiled.  "Yeah, but no one else calls you "Sarah", Mac. Everyone calls you "Mac".  Besides, I like the way Sarah sounds...there are so many beautiful Sarahs.  Sarah McLachlan, Sarah Vaughn, and then there's you." He winked.  "Oh, crap!" He said, turning and dashing into the kitchen.  "Good!" Harm called.  "It's not burnt.  Soup's on!"

Mac followed him into the kitchen, stomach rumbling.  "Good, I'm starved."  She reached up into the cabinet to get some plates and set them on the counter.  Taking out silverware, she commented, "You'd better impress me, sailor...after Cecile's cooking, I'm not sure if I can ever go back to the meatloaf."

Harm chuckled.  "Darlin', if it'll make you happy, you never have to set eyes on Harm's World Famous Meatless Meatloaf again." He set the casserole dish full of cheesy, hot ziti in front of Mac.  "But you're sure as hell not living on Beltway burgers anymore."

Mac looked him straight in the eye, contorting her face to look like she was going to burst into tears at any moment.  "No...Beltway burgers?"  She said softly, gasping in some air for effect.  Taking a deep breath and making a show of wiping her eyes, she dug into her plate.  "Then I guess you're just going to have to make it up to me."

Harm chuckled.  "I said, no more LIVING on Beltway burgers.  They're all right once a month or so.  But you've gotta start tasting more of the world, Mac.  There's a whole realm of foods you've never tried.  Take Thai for instance.  Ever had Panang Curry duck?"

Mac stopped mid-mouthful.  "Pan-Am WHAT?"  She said, spewing ziti all over the countertop, pausing a minute, then going into a fit of giggles.

Harm looked insulted. "PaNANG Curry Duck.  You'd love it...vegetables, duck, sauce and rice, you can have it spicy as all get-out, or mild."

Mac leaned over and kissed his cheek.  "Okay.  For you, I'll try the pah-na-nay duck.  But only if you promise me something."

Harm laughed and brushed her cheek softly with the back of his hand.  "What's that?"

Mac allowed her hand to roam up his chest and play with his shirt collar.  "Every Saturday night, you come over here with Chinese food from Chen's Watergate and we spend all day Sunday lounging around in bed...breakfast included."  She didn't look in his eyes, fear nagging her at what she would find there.

Harm reached out and tilted her face up so he could see her beautiful chestnut eyes.  "Anything you want, my love, you get."  He kissed her cheek softly, telling her with his actions what his words could never express.  How much he wanted to do for her, to take care of her, to treat her how she deserved to be treated--if she'd only let him.  "I love you, Marine," he whispered.

Mac tilted her head, her eyes softening.  "And I love you.  More than God knows is healthy."  She smiled and broke the gaze and concentrated on her pasta.  A few minutes passed and suddenly she couldn't control a yawn.  "It's only 1930," she said before another yawn took over.  "I shouldn't be *this* tired."

Harm grinned.  "We had a busy weekend. Snowballs, Monopoly, dancing into the wee hours..." he trailed off, caressing her cheek.

Mac shook her head and said earnestly,  "But no. You should be tired, you're the one that got your six whipped in snowball fights and monopoly...I should just be tired because I led."

Harm chuckled.  "I just let you win.  Now, come on, finish your ziti and I'll take you to bed."

Mac smiled.  "Actually, I was thinking of taking a bath first...can I take you up on your offer to wash my back?"

Harm's eyes lit up in delight.  "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Mac."

Saying nothing, Mac scraped the last of the cheese off her plate and set it in the sink.  Silently, she walked into the bathroom and started running hot water, then added some bubble bath she had bought on a whim.  As the tub filled, she whizzed back into the living room and deftly picked up some extra candles.  She lit the candles and then tested the water, finding it just to her liking.  She looked back to the doorway, searching for Harm.

Harm popped out of the kitchen, drying his hands on his shirt.  "Ready?" he asked, walking up to her and kissing her cheek.

Mac nodded and moved to remove his dress shirt, button by button, kissing her way down his chest.  After she dropped the shirt to the floor (grimacing at how wrinkly it'd be when they were finished), she turned away from him.  She stripped quickly and with Marine efficiency and sank deep into the bubbles, closing her eyes and reveling...and anticipating her companion's arrival.

Zip, went his zipper, and swoosh went his pants, and Harm slipped in behind her.  "You're too damn quick, Marine.  I didn't get a glimpse," he complained, as he scooped up some bubbles and poured them over Mac's shoulders.

Leaning back against his broad chest, she closed her eyes and smiled.  "Well, what would be the fun in making it easy, Sailor?"

Harm chuckled.  "None, I suppose.  I guess I'll just have to work for it."  He wet his hands and began to massage Mac's shoulders.

Mac arched into his touch and then placed a hand over his.  "God help me, I can't believe I'm saying this...but stop for a minute."

Harm stopped immediately and removed his hands.  He was determined not to pressure Mac. He wanted her to feel comfortable with him always.  "What's up?"

Mac turned swiftly in the bathtub, sloshing most of the bathwater onto the tiled floor.  She went up on her knees and then placed her legs on either side of Harm's lap and settled down.  "I just wanted to see you is all."  She whispered before capturing his mouth with her own, losing herself in his kiss.

Harm could barely breathe. "Mac," he whispered, kissing her passionately.  "I want you.”

His words made Mac moan softly.  She captured Harm's mouth with her own once more.  After several minutes of kissing, Mac broke away and whispered breathlessly. "Can we move this little party somewhere drier?"

"I like you uninhibited, Mac."  Harm chuckled.  "Yes, let's."  With one swift move, he lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a large towel.  Wrapping another around his waist, Harm picked Mac up and carried her into the bedroom.

Tumbling onto the bed, Mac grabbed Harm's face and once again crushed her mouth to his.  Her mind couldn't wrap around the fact that they were here, in her bed, NAKED, so close to consummating everything...when the phone rang.  Mac broke away, breathing heavily and staring, unbelieving, at the object.  "You have *got* to be kidding me!"  She cried.

Harm kissed her back, pressing against her.  When the phone rang, he groaned.  "No. Don't answer it, Mac." He kissed her neck pleadingly.

Rolling over, Mac regarded her almost-lover.  "Well," she said staring down at her sheets, "If that doesn't kill the mood, I don't know what does."

Harm nodded, even though he couldn't have disagreed more.  "I guess it does.  Besides, we shouldn't force it, right? We want our first time to be amazing and special." He smiled at Mac.  "We'll just unplug the phone next time."
 

0700 Hours
The Next Morning

Opening her eyes and stretching languidly, Mac rolled over and faced her best friend, who was still sound asleep.  She took this quiet time to simply watch his beautiful face and body in the early morning light.

His eyes still closed, Harm's mouth turned up in a smile.  "Whatcha lookin' at, Mac?" He opened his baby blues and grinned at his almost-lover.

Knowing she was caught, Mac simply smiled and climbed out of bed.  "Oh, nothing," she said calmly, walking over to his side of the bed and leaning over to kiss him.  "Just the love of my life."  Turning on her heel, she went about her morning routine as if nothing had happened.

Harm chuckled to himself.  *That's Mac for ya.*  He stood quickly and strode over to Mac, standing at the sink, brushing her teeth.  He wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her neck gently.  "Funny, that's what I woke up to this morning, too."

Smiling, Mac leaned away from him and swished her mouth out with water.  She spit her toothpaste into the sink and turned.  "Come on, flyboy, we have to hurry if we're going to be on time."

Harm shook his head and muttered, "Marines."  He followed her into the bedroom, grabbed her hips and threw Mac onto the bed, flopping down on top of her.  "Who said we're leaving?" he laughed.

Squirming, Mac fought against him.  "Commander, do I have to remind you that I am of higher rank than you are?"

Harm kissed her neck, trailing his tongue up to her earlobe and biting it gently.  "No, ma'am, but I’m bigger.”

Mac couldn't help but snort at Harm's comment.  Kissing him swiftly, she tried to push him off her.  "If we want to remain partners in and out of the bedroom, we need to get moving.  So as not to, um, " Mac bit her lip to keep from laughing, "arouse any suspicions."

Harm burst out laughing and released Mac with one final kiss on her lips.  "When you're right, you're right," he said, slipping into his uniform.

Mac followed suit, donning her own uniform and gathering her briefcase.  She turned to Harm and ran a hand up his arm.  "I think we need to take separate cars to work and back home," She said quietly, "But as long as it's *my* home."

Harm cocked one eyebrow at her.  "And what's wrong with my hovel, Colonel?" he asked, kissing her cheek.

Mac looked at him incredulously.  "What, we need a change of scenery to spice up our love life *already*?"

Harm laughed at her.  "No, I just want to know why it has be *your* place.  And PS, sweetie, we don't HAVE a love life yet."

Mac feigned hurt.  "Well, *fine*, then Commander.  Your place it is."  She kissed him one more time and then opened the door. "Wait five minutes and then leave, so we throw everyone off, okay?"  She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.  Turning back she whispered, "I love you."

Harm chuckled.  "My place, all right. See you at the office. I love you, too!" he called loudly into the hallway, just to see Mac blush.

And blush she did.  Grinning, Mac walked to her car and climbed in, actually excited to go to work.
 

JAG Headquarters,
Falls Church, VA
0715 AM

Having been off for three days, the JAG staff knew the Admiral would demand extra work today, and was more abuzz with activity than usual.  Mac walked into a swarming bullpen and had to dodge a lot of people with a lot of files just to make it to her office alive.  Sighing, she sat down at her desk and stared at the pile of files that had magically appeared in her absence.  She opened the first one and started to read when Tiner appeared in her doorway.

"Ma'am, the Admiral would like to see you and the Commander ASAP."

Nodding, Mac stood.  "I'm not sure where the Commander is, Tiner, but as soon as I find him, we'll report straight there."

Harm sauntered into the office, greeting Bud with a wink.  "Mornin', Bud.  How's Harriet?"

Bud's head shot up at the sound of Harm's voice.  "Good morning, Sir!  Harriet's wonderful, although she did come down a little bit with the sniffles from playing out in the snow all weekend...oh, sir, you should have seen little AJ make his first snowman!"  Pausing, he cocked his head and continued, "Although, if you had been in DC then you would have seen him, but you were out of town...how did that work out, by the way?  Cecile called and said everything was fine, but I'd love to hear it from you..."  Bud trailed off, realizing what he had just said.

Harm's eyes narrowed.  "Cecile...called Harriet? Why?" he asked suspiciously, leaning over so his face was mere centimeters from Bud's.  He tried to look threatening.

Bud swallowed. His eyes darted around, looking for an escape.  "Um, well, Sir..." Sighing, Bud looked at his feet and then back at Harm.  "Cecile is Harriet's dad's sister...Leslie, her cousin, called and told us you'd been by the Days Inn looking for a room."

Harm started shaking silently, then a slow chuckle escaped him.  "Navy and Marine got their sixes fixed up," he laughed.

Bud laughed nervously.  "It would seem so, Sir...and from what Cecile said, it was about time."  Bud's eyes widened and he hastily said, "Uh, if you'll excuse me, Sir, I need to deliver, um, some files..." he dashed off as Tiner came up to Harm.  "Welcome back, Sir.  The Admiral would like to see you ASAP, along with the Colonel."

Harm called after Bud, "You'd better run, Lieutenant."  He turned to Tiner.  "Thanks, Tiner, is Mac in her office? I'll just stop by and tell her." Without waiting for an answer, Harm was knocking on Mac's open door.

Looking up from her files, Mac carefully maintained a facade of non-committal at Harm, even though her stomach was doing flips.  "Good morning, Commander."  Pointedly, "Did you sleep well?"

Harm smiled, coming into the room and leaving the door open.  Somehow, the element of subterfuge made it more exciting.  "Oh, yeah.  See, I had dinner with this gorgeous woman.  You'd love her, Mac, she's absolutely amazing." Harm winked.  "I think I might even love her."

From outside, Harm heard a loud THUD and he turned his head in time to see Harriet scrambling to pick up AJ's diaper bag.  He saw her muttering to herself and he laughed.

Remembering Tiner was behind him, Mac didn't change her facial expression.  "You'll have to tell me about it later.  The Admiral's expecting us."  Rising, she nodded to Tiner.  "Now that the Commander has graced us with his presence, you can tell the Admiral we're able to see him."

Tiner nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

Harm chuckled, holding out an arm for Mac.  "Need a military escort, ma'am?"

Smirking, Mac shooed his arm away.  "Did you forget I'm military, Commander?"  She said, heading into the Admiral's waiting room.  Knocking once, she pushed open the door to find the Admiral on the phone, with a huge grin on his face.  Seeing he had visitors, AJ sobered and said quietly, "Can I call you later?"  and hung up the phone.

"How was your vacation?"  He said brusquely.

"Fine, Sir."  Mac answered.  "Yours?"

"Fine, thank you.  What did your investigation uncover?"  AJ continued.

"Well, Sir, the subject was less than forthcoming with information."  Mac replied again.

AJ nodded.  "I figured as much.  I'll have someone else handle it.  There is a very good chance the Department of Defense will need you two.  But for today, paperwork.  Dismissed!"

Mac turned on her heel and wearily headed back to her office.

Harm paused.  "Ah, sir, can I speak to you privately?"

AJ looked up at his rogue lawyer and then motioned to the chair in front of him.  "What is it, Commander?"

Harm sat down and sighed softly.  "Sir, I have a date tonight.  And I need to know how to make her feel comfortable. See," he continued in a rush, "she's really amazing...she's so special.  But she's been through a lot, and I don't want to rush her.  But I *really* like her, sir, if you know what I mean?" Harm smiled broadly.

AJ smiled.  "Can I tell you a story. Commander?"

Harm leaned back and crossed his legs.  "Please do, Admiral.  Anything that might help."

AJ motioned at the phone.  "That phone call you and the Colonel interrupted...that was...a friend of mine.  I met her a few months ago and since then, well, we've been spending an awful lot of time together.  She's brilliant, funny, and genuinely caring.  But she just went through a very abusive relationship and is extremely wary of starting another one out."  AJ paused and tilted his head thoughtfully, staring at the wall for a moment then looking back at Harm.  "But she's amazing, Rabb.  I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to keep her in my life."  He put his elbows on his desk and leaned towards Harm.  "As men and Navy, we know we're supposed to be in charge of everything. But in situations like these,"  he said, shaking his head, "It's best to let them lead.  Be gentle, and listen hard.  And tell them, without a doubt, how much you love them."  He leaned back.  "They really like that."  He looked down for a moment and then back at his commander.  "Spencer and I are going out to the Froggy Bottom Pub tonight, around 8.  You and the Colonel are welcome to join us, that is, if you don't mind your CO on your date."

Harm blinked rapidly.  "The Colonel? Date? Wha?"

AJ simply looked at him and then burst out laughing.  "I'm not blind *or* stupid, Commander.  Off the record, I'd say it's about damn time.  On the record, however," He paused, choosing his words carefully, "This is a...situation...that needs to be remedied, and it will be, I think, in due time.  Now, are you interested in really good wings and beer?"

Harm opened and closed his mouth several times.  His CO was having the same effect on the aviator as Mac--minus the hard-on.  He could barely think, much less speak.  After a moment, Harm recovered his wits and flashed a flyboy grin to AJ.  "Yessir.  Around 8?"

AJ grinned back.  "Sounds wonderful.  Dismissed!"

Harm snapped to attention, then grinned as he turned and left.  He knocked once on Mac's doorjamb, then entered her office, grinning like a hyena.  "We're having dinner in Froggy Bottom with AJ and his date.  8 o'clock, I'm driving, wear something skimpy."  With a wink, and before Mac could speak, Harm was in his own office.  He leaned back in his chair with a smile.

Mac's jaw dropped open and she had to blink several times, attempting to get her brain to digest what Harm had just said.  The only words she could form were, "Wha? How?"  Confused, she rose from her desk and walked calmly into Harm's office so not to arouse any suspicions.  "What in the sam hell did you say to the Admiral to get him to invite us to dinner?"  She cried after closing the door behind her.

Harm grinned broadly, enjoying her discomfiture.  "I told him I was---" he stopped.  He remembered what AJ'd said about letting her lead.  "I told him I needed advice on a situation, and he ended up inviting us to dinner. And I quote, "If we didn't mind having him and his lady friend on *our* date." "Stunned, Mac's jaw dropped open again.  "So he knows about us?" she said, sinking into a chair in front of Harm's desk.

Harm dropped his chair onto all fours and stood, going over to Mac.  He knelt beside her, gently stroking her cheek.  "I guess so," he said with a shrug, his eyes caring.  "It doesn't really matter, everyone will know soon enough."

Sighing, Mac shook her head.  "Harm, I want to shout it from the rooftops.  But while I think Bud and Harriet and the Admiral will be happy, the Navy most certainly won't.  They could court-martial both of us, Harm!"

Harm took her hand in his and kissed it.  "Whatever happens, happens, Sarah. We'll work it out.  I promise, we'll find a way to make things work."  He smiled reassuringly, drowning in her deep brown eyes and not wanting to be rescued.  "Let's just enjoy tonight like a normal boyfriend and girlfriend, and stop worrying about the Navy, the Marine Corps, rank, chains of command and everything else, okay?"

Nodding, Mac took a deep, cleansing breath.  "I should get back to work--what time are you picking me up?  And where are we going, anyway?  There's not much in Foggy Bottom."

Harm smiled.  "Semper Fi, and trust me.  You'll have the time of your life," he promised.  "I'll go home after work and be back at your place by seven, 'kay?"

Smiling, Mac nodded again and she closed the door to his office and headed back to hers.
 

Mac's apartment
Georgetown
0654 PM EST

Mac turned once more in front of her mirror.  While Harm had told her to dress skimpy, Mac realized that even in off hours, the Admiral was still her CO, and if she and Harm had any chance of staying partners, they would need him on their side.  Putting her hands on her hips, she looked at her short burgundy Ann Taylor dress she'd bought on a whim at the Shops at Georgetown.  She admired the length--not too short, but short enough to show off her legs and sleeveless to show off her arms.  She put two pearl studs in her ear and as she clasped a matching necklace around her neck, there was a knock at the door.

Harm stood outside Mac's apartment and knocked nervously.  He tugged at the neck of his blue sweater and smoothed his jeans.  Harm really wanted to make this work--to make her comfortable enough with him to take this all the way to forever.

Mac swung the door open and smiled.  "Hi." She said.  Looking at his casual attire, her brow furrowed.  "Am I too overdressed?"

Harm shook his head slowly.  "God, no.  You look amazing."  His eyes traveled over her face, down her graceful neck.  They continued slowly down her firm stomach to her gently rounded hips, and past the end of the dress to her stunning legs. Legs that seemed to go on forever.

With a smile, Harm handed Mac the yellow rose he had hidden behind his back.  "You know what yellow roses mean, right Mac?"

Mac opened the door wider to let him inside the apartment. She took the beautiful rose and went into the kitchen to get a bud vase.  "I think, traditionally, they mean friendship."  She called back to Harm.

Harm smiled to himself.  "Yeah," he replied.  "I just wanted you to remember that first and foremost, I'm your friend."  He blushed a little, and busied himself by straightening Mac's CD collection.  "We should get going.  You know the Admiral, always early."

Touched, Mac said nothing but went to get a black cardigan to go over her dress.  She placed a hand on his arm.  "Let's go."

The drive from Georgetown to Foggy Bottom usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you follow Virginia Avenue up to Pennsylvania Avenue.  On this night, however, given traffic and the fact that the Froggy Bottom Pub is on a side street at the edge of The George Washington University, where there is no parking to be had, the trip took closer to 30 minutes.  Harm and Mac finally parallel parked in front of the small pub, which was adorned in small white Christmas lights and had a big frog pointing up into the main restaurant and down into the cellar.  "Are they in the restaurant or the bar?"  Mac asked Harm as they stepped up onto the sidewalk.

Before they had a chance to answer, AJ's voice bellowed, "Rabb!  Mac!  Over here!"  Their CO was further back in the restaurant, waving.  Mac started into the restaurant, followed by Harm and AJ smiled as they finally arrived at the table.  "So nice of you to come.  This is Spencer McMillan.  Spencer, this is Sarah Mackenzie and Harm Rabb."

Harm smiled warmly.  "Nice to meet you, Ms. McMillan."  He extended his hand to shake hers.

Spencer laughed softly.  "Please, call me Spencer.  And may I call you Harm?" she asked, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.

"Of course," Harm replied politely, taking in the picture.  This was certainly not what he'd expected when AJ said he was bringing a date.  Young, couldn't have been more than 25 or so, and beautiful.  Not that AJ wasn't a handsome man, but Harm certainly hadn't anticipated such a lovely creature.

"I'll have a Michelob," AJ began and then motioned to Spencer.  "She'll have a pina colada."
 
"I'll have a bottled water, thanks," Mac said.  "Harm?"

Harm slid in next to Mac, squeezing her hand under the table.  "Two Michelobs."

AJ smiled.  "It's AJ tonight.  What changed?"
 
Mac looked at Harm for a second and then laughed.  "He got a clue, AJ."

Harm choked back a laugh.  "She means that she finally got up the nerve to make a move."  He smiled at Mac.  "Right, kiddo?"

Spencer laughed and smiled at AJ.  "You were so right about them," she stage-whispered.

Mac's jaw dropped.  "Kiddo?"  Shaking her head, she turned back to AJ and Spencer. Quite seriously, she said, "I think he finally woke up and realized what a wonderful, kind person I am.  And he realized that if he wanted to continue the Rabb gene pool he has to settle down sooner or later."  Leaning across to Spencer, she whispered not so subtly, "He hasn't had that much luck with women over the years, so I was the next best thing."
 
AJ groaned.  "Please, Rabb, don't continue your DNA line...I've lost all my hair because of you, I don't know what I'd do if another one came along!"

Harm doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach.  "Mac...you are too...funny."  He turned to Spencer.  "Please don't listen to her.  I could have any woman I wanted--I just want this pain-in-the-six Jarhead." He nudged her gently.  "God only knows WHY." He grinned.  "And speaking of gene pools, Mac, I think we should drop the subject right there."  Harm leaned over and whispered in her ear, "because to discuss baby Mackenzie-Rabbs, we'd need to discuss sex...me...you...”

Mac shivered, then rubbed her arms to pretend it was the temperature inside the pub, combined with her sleeveless dress, that made her shiver.  She took a sip of her water and looked at the menu.  As she did so, however, she slipped off her shoe and started to run her foot up and down Harm's calf, maintaining her innocence on the outside.

AJ simply brought the menu up to his face to cover the idiotic grin that had taken over his normally somber expression.  He leaned over to Spencer and whispered. "What did I tell you?"

Spencer giggled under her breath.  "You were so right.  It's obvious, even if I had no experience with psychology...they're adorable!"
 
Harm gasped, then coughed to cover himself. "Mac," he whispered behind his menu, "You can't do that...I won't make it through the appetizer!" he pleaded like a little boy.

Mac simply looked at him and raised her eyebrows.  Leaning towards him on the pretense of pointing something out on the menu, she whispered huskily, "Didn't your mother tell you the best things in life come to those who wait?"

Harm chuckled softly.  "She told me a lot of things.  And I think the chicken sandwich is a MUCH better choice, Mac," he said loudly, for AJ's benefit.

AJ, realizing Harm's rise in tone was for his benefit, nearly spit out the mouthful of beer he had just sipped.  Clearing his throat and wiping his mouth, he said, "Are we ready to order?"

AJ waved the waitress over to their table and started to order.  "We'll have a basket of wings to start out.  I'll have a bacon cheeseburger with everything."
 
Mac set her menu down.  "Mmm, sounds good.  Make it two."
 
To Spencer and Harm the waitress said, "For you?"

In unison, Spencer and Harm replied, "Chicken sandwich, plain."  Harm chuckled and Spencer giggled breathily.

Harm continued, "And a side salad, ranch dressing, please."

Spencer smiled.  "Make that two? And another pina colada," she held up her near-empty glass.

Harm smiled at Mac for no reason, and pretended to drop his napkin on the seat beside him.  Reaching down to retrieve it, Harm's hand brushed Mac's thigh and he curled his fingers under to caress her leg gently for a split second.  Then, his hand was back on the table as innocently as could be.

AJ sat back and crossed his legs, regarding the scene in front of him.  He was enjoying the company, but he realized that this relaxed and carefree atmosphere would come crashing down to earth come tomorrow.  He snuck a peek at Spencer and gave her hand a squeeze as Mac did the same to Harm.

"So, how did you two meet, anyway?"  Mac said, leaning towards the other side of the table.  "Harm has been less than forthcoming about information."

AJ looked at Spencer, grinning like a schoolboy.  "Well, I think that's a story for Spencer to tell."

Spencer grinned.  "It's the most interesting story, actually.  I used to work out at the same gym AJ goes to.  We had seen each other, but never introduced ourselves.  I guess it was just bad timing, you know?  He was with someone," Spencer glanced at him, sympathetically squeezing his hand when she mentioned Laura, “and I was just coming out of a bad divorce--my second--and...well, that's that.  Anyway, one day AJ came into my office--something about a patient of mine possibly being the daughter of a kidnapped official.  He wanted confidential information about the girl so she could be questioned.  I told him in no uncertain terms that the information was confidential.  He said okay, and promptly asked if I was free for dinner that night." Spencer smiled at AJ.  "It was instant chemistry, and ever since, we've been finding out more and more things we have in common." She took a sip of her pina colada and paused for comments.

Mac leaned back in her chair.  "That is a great story."

AJ smiled and shrugged.  "As fun as it may be, I think you have us beat."  He leaned forward, as if he was going to relay a secret.  "Now, I've told Spencer some of your escapades, but I think you two should share some of the better ones."

Mac looked at Harm, her eyes dancing, and said, "You willing, flyboy?  I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed at remembering the countless times I beat you in court."

"Countless?" Harm countered.  "I can count them on one hand, Marine," he teased.  "Okay, maybe it would take both hands, but it could still be done." He winked.  "But go ahead and tell the best one."

Mac sat back in her chair, thinking thoughtfully as their food arrived.  Picking up a fry very slowly, attracting Harm's attention, she perked up at her first thought.  "Well, there was the time you got me shot."

"What?!" Harm exclaimed. "*I* never got you shot!"  *Good lord, she makes French fries sexy!* he thought.

Shooting him her patented look, "You most certainly did get me shot.  When you took me flying in 'Sarah' and the poachers attacked. Remember that?"  She leaned across to Spencer.  "Wouldn't even make me breakfast after we spent the night together."  Turning back to Harm, she continued, "Come to think of it, you refuse to make me breakfast every time you spend the night.  There was the forest, the time in Russia..."

Harm began to tick off the facts in order on his fingers.  "First off," he said, interrupting Mac, "I didn't get you shot, it was not my fault we ran into poachers who’d killed a game warden.  Secondly, I would've made you breakfast, if we'd had any food!" He laughed good-naturedly.  "And you can't keep lying, I made you breakfast the other morning," he poked her arm gently.

Mimicking Harm's actions, Mac raised her fingers.  "Well, first of all, an Egg McMuffin at McDonald's is not breakfast.  It may not be your fault that the poachers attacked us...but the number of times you have given me a heart attack trying to prove your manhood, oy!"  Mac said, leaning once more to Spencer.  Motioning to AJ, she said, "Does he do that to you?"

"An Egg McMuffin most certainly does count," Harm grumbled to Spencer.  "Going to one of *those* places for her? It's like the seventh layer of my personal hell.  Besides," he said, raising his voice a little, "Leave my manhood out of it.  If you hadn't been so damn set on sacrificing yourself as a human shield in Iran, we'd've been outta there in two days instead of two weeks!" Harm teased.
 
AJ laughed and held up his hands.  "All right, truce, truce."  Shaking his head, he sighed.  "You two are certainly a handful.  I keep telling Spencer I don't need children when I have you."

Mac grinned.  "Aw, what a sweet thing to say!"

AJ reared his napkin back as if he were going to throw it at Mac.  Making a show, Mac leaned into Harm, hiding under his arm.  "Save me from the big bad Admiral!"  She said, à la Scarlett O'Hara.

Harm laughed, wrapping his arm securely around Mac.  He held up his free hand to AJ.  "Now, I'll have to ask you to kindly stop attackin' my little darlin'," he said in his best Clark-Gable-doing-Rhett-Butler impression.  He kissed the top of Mac's head.  "You’re safe now, sweetheart."
 
Spencer giggled and wrapped her arm around AJ's waist.  "Now, leave my boy alone, you two meanies."
 
Harm chuckled.  "He started it, calling us children. Harumph." Harm grinned.

Mac nodded.  "Yes, he did.  Now, I'll agree with Harm being called a petulant child, but I've at least reached adolescence."

AJ gave a full belly laugh.  Raising his glass, he said, "I'd like to propose a toast.  To new beginnings.  May our jobs not interfere."

Mac raised her water glass.  "I'll drink to that!"

The foursome clinked their glasses and after a moment, AJ continued.  "I hate to bring the evening to an end, as it has been most entertaining, but we do have work tomorrow.  At which point, I'd like to see both of you in my office at 10:00 to discuss...arrangements."

Mac sobered and sought Harm's hand under the table.  Finding it on his thigh was an added bonus, as she began to scratch lightly.  At table level, she simply nodded.  "We can do that."

AJ rose, holding a hand out to Spencer.  "The bill's been put on my tab, so whenever you're ready.  See you tomorrow."

Harm ignored the teasing, focusing his attention on the seriousness of tomorrow's meeting.  He entwined his fingers with Mac's, squeezing them comfortingly as he agreed aloud, "Yes, sir. See you tomorrow."
 
Spencer smiled at Mac and Harm.  "Nice meeting you both.  I look forward to seeing you again, soon."
 
"Goodnight," Harm smiled.  When Spencer and AJ had left the restaurant, Harm turned to face Mac, squeezing her hand tightly.  "Let's go home, Sarah," he said softly.  "We have a lot to discuss before 1000 tomorrow."

Nodding, Mac rose, clinging tightly to Harm's hand, trying to maintain some contact with him and their carefree night.  Lost in their own thoughts, they climbed into the car and made the trip past Union Station.
 

Harm's Apartment
0958 PM EST

Wearily, Mac slumped on Harm's couch, slipping her shoes off.  Placing her stocking feet on his coffee table, she leaned back and closed her eyes.  "What are we going to do tomorrow?"

Harm didn't release Mac's hand the entire trip.  When they arrived at his apartment, Harm sat down beside her on the couch wordlessly.  He slipped one arm around her shoulders, enjoying the feeling of having her in his arms.  "I don't know."  He leaned over and kissed her closed eyelids.  "But we'll figure something out.  For now, why don't we take a long, hot shower and get some sleep?" Harm asked quietly.

Mac nodded.  "Sounds amazing.  But on one condition," She said, holding up her shoes, "Footrub.  I await the day that they make comfortable shoes!"  She rose from the couch, pulling Harm with her and headed to the bedroom.

Harm followed willingly with a smile.  "Anything you want, my sweet.” He laughed softly.  "Before or after the shower?" Harm asked as was dragged into the bathroom.

Mac laughed as they reached the bathroom.  Turning on the shower, she turned her back to Harm, motioning for him to unzip her dress.  "After shower.  The hot water should loosen my tension."  She stepped out of her dress and looked pointedly at Harm.  "You going to join me or what, sailor?"  She said huskily, rising up on her toes to kiss him.

As he loosened her zipper, Harm kissed her back softly.  He tugged off his sweater and t-shirt, dropping his pants and boxers with a grin.  "Wouldn't miss it, Marine." He stepped into the stream of water, drenching himself.

Mac followed him.  Closing her eyes as the spray hit her, she sighed loudly and let the water sweep her away.

Harm reached up and gently began to massage Mac's shoulders.  As a soft moan escaped her lips, he leaned down and started kissing her neck. His lips drew a line from the nape of her neck to her shoulder and back.

He kneaded her shoulders gently and whispered in Mac's ear. "About tomorrow...I think one of us should transfer out of the chain of command, without going too far.  Can we do that?" he asked as he soaped up his hands.

Mac turned in his embrace and kissed him, passionately.  After breaking the kiss, she caressed his face with her thumbs.  "I'll go."  She moved her arms to around his waist and kneaded his back as he had just done to her.  "I heard through the grapevine that there's a pilot program out of Quantico, for training marines to be liaisons to the FBI, the DOD, NSA, and so forth, all the way to JAG. I'm sure I could convince AJ to let me head up that aspect of the program."  She rubbed her hands over Harm's chest as she waited for an answer.

Harm smiled slowly.  "If that's what you want, Mac. I hate to have to stay at JAG without you, but I think you have a better chance of surviving in a new field than I do," he said seriously, his pilot's ego abandoning him in a moment of insecurity and complete comfort in Mac's presence.  For once, he didn't need the bravado he'd built up over the years.  Since his father disappeared and his grandmother had told him to "be strong for your mom", Harm had built a shield around himself, convincing himself that he was impenetrable and perfect.  It had almost worked—-until he met Mac. Not only did she see past his bravado into his very soul, she called him on it.

"I love you," he finished.  Ducking his head, he kissed her sweetly, his kiss saying all that his words could not.  "I love you, Sarah," he repeated, pulling her close and holding her tightly to him.  "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Mac was surprised at how easily Harm had agreed.  But deep down she knew she had to be the one to go; Harm had an excellent chance of becoming the JAG once the Admiral retired.  She hugged him back with equal force as she finally replied, "That's the point, Sailor.  You may not have me at work, but you will have me at home.  And that's the most important thing."

Harm smiled through the knot in his chest.  He was worried that this whole thing would come crashing down around their heads...but enough of that for now.  With a flyboy grin, he turned off the water and held out a towel to Mac.  "Well, I'm pruned, how 'bout you?" he joked.

Mac smiled back, wrapping herself in the towel Harm had offered.  "Now," She said, taking Harm's hand and heading up to his bed, "You said something about a massage?"

Harm nodded, forgetting his fears about work and real life for the moment.  "Yes, ma'am." He saluted her, this time with his arm, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  "Lie down.  I'll be right in."  He grabbed a bottle of lotion from below the bathroom sink.
 
He followed Mac into the bedroom, smiling. "Ready?"

Mac had laid down on her stomach, wrapped in Harm's sheet, her head on her arms and his pillow.  She mumbled her agreement and anxiously awaited Harm's hands on her sore back.

Harm slid his hands over Mac's back, his entire body tingling at the touch of her skin.  He gently tugged at the sheet, readjusting it. Harm began kneading her shoulders, trying to be gentle.  He knew his hands were strong and the last thing he wanted to do was bruise Mac!

Mac shut her eyes in sheer ecstasy.  "Mmm, harder," she groaned.  She sighed and allowed Harm to take over.

His hands pressed deeper into her cinnamon skin, kneading and massaging the knots away. Slowly, they traveled down from her shoulders to Mac's backside, pressing gently into that tight area between her spine and her pelvis.  "How's that feel, sweetie?" he asked, absolutely *loving* that he was able to use the little nicknames he'd been dying to use for so long.  Harm adored being able to touch Mac like this, however innocent it was, without any tension or fear between them.

"Mmm, Harm, I lied when I said you should be a comedian if you needed a career change...you should be a masseuse.  This feels wonderful, honey, thank you."  Mac buried herself deeper into the pillow and lost all conscious thought.

Harm smiled to himself.  "I'm glad," he said softly.  His hands continued on their way.  "Tell me if you want me to stop," he said quietly.

Mac moaned again.  "Shoot me if I ever tell you to stop."

Harm grinned.  “Will do, ma’am.”

Mac turned and smiled at him.  “You’re really something, you know that?”

Harm couldn't answer.  He was too busy falling into her eyes.  "I---I--" he stammered.

Mac moved her hand from his hair to his face.  "I love you."  She whispered, leaning up and kissing his cheek.  Kissing his other cheek, "I need you."  Hovering above his lips, "I want you."

Harm's heart fluttered in his chest.  "Really?" he asked carefully.  "I don't want to rush you."  Before she could answer, Harm kissed Mac gently, tangling his fingers in her hair.  Then he pulled away reluctantly, so she could answer.  This was important.

Mac's heart swelled at his concern. She clasped her hands around his neck and looked deep into his eyes.  "I.  Love.  You."  She said, each word punctuated by a kiss.  "You aren't rushing me.  Now that we've gotten here, I can't imagine myself without you.  This is the icing on the cake."  She leaned up again and kissed him, slowly.  "Please, Harm."  Taking a deep breath, she continued.  "Make love to me."

Harm's eyes were pools of passion, love and tenderness as he wrapped his arms around Mac's waist and pulled her onto his lap.  He kissed her neck softly, feathering kisses across her collarbone.  "I love you, too," was all he said.  His hands spoke volumes, however.  Harm caressed Mac's hips gently, just enjoying the softness of her skin against his fingers.
 
Harm's eyes strayed from Mac's legs on a slow path to her face.  He stared into her eyes once more, still a little unsure of what they were doing.  He knew he wanted it, and he knew she did, but Harm was worried about the repercussions.

Mac writhed as Harm stopped his ministrations.  "Wha?"  She said, looking up at his face.  Seeing the passion mixed with the apprehension, she ran her hands down his chest.  "What's wrong now, sailor?"

Harm smiled at his nickname.  "Nothing," he murmured, kissing her cheek.  "Just feeling unusually worried.  I need a distraction."  He winked pulled her tight to him, pressing skin to skin.

"Mmm, then let me distract you." Mac kissed him back helped him find his way.

Later, they lay wrapped in each other's arm, their legs and blankets in a tangle.  Harm reached out and gently straightened the blankets around himself and Mac, tucking them under her backside.  "How did I go without this for so long?" Harm whispered into Mac's hair.

Mac smiled and rubbed his arm, which was laying on her chest.  "I don't know," she answered as softly, "But promise me we won't have to go without each other ever again."

Harm pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.  "I promise, I'm going to be by your side for as long as you'll let me, Mac."

Beaming, Mac wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him to her.  "How's forever sound, sailor?"

Harm flashed her a flyboy grin.  "With you? It sounds like heaven."
Lacing her hand through his, she looked up at him with her big brown eyes.  "It's a deal then.  Forever."  Yawning loudly, she sheepishly covered her mouth with her hand and laid her head further on the pillow, simply looking at her partner, best friend, lover, and now, her certain soulmate.

Harm rolled towards Mac a little and kissed her nose.  "Do you believe in soulmates?" he asked, squeezing her fingers.

Shocked that he was thinking the same thing, it took Mac a minute to reply.  But when she did, it was with such force she surprised herself.  "Yes.  Since I met a certain sailor in the rose garden of the White House four years ago."

Harm grinned broadly.  "Me, too.  I always have, to an extent.  My mom was so certain that Dad was her soulmate.  She must've told me a hundred times how it felt the first time he touched her hand--the electricity she felt, and how she felt like she'd come home when she met him." He blushed a little.  "Sorry, didn't mean to get so sappy.  Comes from being around women all my childhood."

Mac placed a hand on his cheek.  "I love thinking of a little Harmon Rabb running around in diapers, wreaking havoc."  Sighing, she unconsciously tightened the sheet around her.  "I never thought I'd find someone like you," She said, tears clogging her throat.  "You had wonderful examples...I had *my* parents.  I never knew love could feel like this.  I feel like I'm free, I'm flying..."  She put her head on his chest.  "Thank you for teaching me how to love you."

Harm caressed Mac's back in small circles as she spoke.  "Thank you for teaching me to let you." He chuckled.  "If that makes any sense." Harm paused in thought for a moment.  His voice was soft when he spoke again.  "I never thought I'd find anyone like you either, Mac.  I always thought I'd end up settling for someone who cared about me, but who I wasn't really in love with.  That's all I had before you."

Before Mac had a chance to answer, her stomach grumbled loudly.  Bursting into laughter, Mac regarded Harm once more, with a truly happy smile on her face.  "You know, it is technically morning...you make me some eggs and I'll forget that little conversation about how you never made me breakfast."

Harm grinned, and hopped out of bed.  "It's nice to see you smile, Mac. You don't do it often enough." He kissed her forehead swiftly, then pulled on his boxers and headed into the kitchen.  Harm called over his shoulder, "Get some clothes on and come out here.  I don't like cooking all by myself."

Running a quick hand through her hair, she rustled around for something to slip on.  Finding Harm's dress shirt, she quickly buttoned it and walked out to the kitchen.  On the way down, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.  She had that "glow" about her.  It wasn’t just the sex--it was the fact that she loved--and was loved back.  She smiled wider as she wandered into the kitchen and started raiding Harm's fridge.  Clucking her tongue, she straightened and closed the door.  "One rule, flyboy.  If we're going to be involved, you need some junk food around this place."

Harm chuckled.  "I'll run out and stock up on Cheetos tomorrow.  There's popcorn in the cabinet if you can't wait the ten minutes until 'breakfast'," he teased.  "By the way, nice outfit.  You look much better in that shirt than I ever did."  He stirred the eggs and flipped the sausage.

Mac looked down at her "attire".  "Well," she began, walking over behind him and rubbing his back, "I guess I'll just have to add this to my wardrobe."  She hoisted herself up on the counter and simply watched him.  She wondered how she got so lucky, and as an answer, she simply leaned down and kissed his head.  "Thank you."  She whispered.

Harm shivered as her hands ran up his back.  As he watched her hoist herself onto the counter he grinned to himself.  *Not many women can do that,* he thought idly.  *Everyone else I've dated has been so...so her opposite! Weak, in need of protection...*my* protection.  She doesn't need that,* Harm was pleased to note.

"Thank you for what?" he finally asked her, concentrating on the eggs, avoiding her warm stare.

Mac shrugged, leaning over and grabbing a forkful of eggs.  "For being you, I guess."  She closed her eyes and said in a caveman voice, "Man make good eggs."

Harm laughed loudly and grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the counter and into his arms.  He spun Mac around in a little circle before setting her on her feet with a grin.  "Woman get salmonella if she not let Navy finish cooking said eggs."

Mac scoffed and waved her fork at him.  "Woman Marine!  Woman faced more bad things than salmonella!"

Harm chuckled.  "Woman never been doubled over in pain puking her guts out over chicken embryo."  He swatted at her behind with the spatula.  "Now scram, jarhead.  Go find some music."

Mac placed her fork on the counter and put her hands up in defeat.  "All right, Man beat Woman there."  As she walked out into the living room and over to the stereo she called, "Why am I feeling déjà vu all over again?"

Harm chuckled.  "Because we're going to be doing this every morning at around 2 for a long time?"

Mac laughed.  "Must be it."  She looked through his waning CD collection.  "Okay, in addition to restocking your fridge and pantry, we are totally redoing your CD collection.  And for crying out loud, Rabb, think you could add some color to your apartment?"  She teased, settling on an instrumental jazz CD and wandering back into the kitchen.

Harm stuck out his tongue.  "I like it this way, Mac.  And there's nothing wrong with my CD collection!" He feigned hurt.  "What's with all the changes? I thought you liked me for me."

Placing a hand on his bare chest, Mac looked earnestly up into his eyes.  "Of course I do, sweetheart.  I'm just making your domain 100% compatible with me."  She waited three seconds before bursting into peals of laughter.

Harm turned away in a huff.  "Yeah, I see how it is."  Mac couldn't see it, but he was grinning from ear to ear.  He was so happy to see her happy, he could barely contain himself.

Mac walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his middle, burying her nose in her back.  "How do you reduce me to a schoolgirl, Rabb?"  She whispered, mostly to herself.  She straightened and leaned around him, investigating the eggs like a ravenous dog.  "Man finish eggs yet?"

Harm turned in Mac's arms, pulling her close.  "The same way you make me feel like I'm 16 again." He grinned.  "And Tarzan finish eggs, Jane, sit."  He patted the counter.

Suddenly ravenous, Mac hopped back up on the counter and took the eggs Harm offered her.  Digging in, she watched Harm watch her, and with her mouth full, she sputtered, "What're you looking at?"

Harm chuckled.  "I just love watching you.  Doesn't matter what you're doing, you look stunning doing it."

Mac waved her fork around incredulously.  "Yeah, I'm sure I look amazing.  It's 2 in the morning, my hair is a mess,  I'm eating eggs, I'm in your way too big dress shirt, I haven't shaved in a week...look out Cindy Crawford, here I come!"

Harm laughed and moved closer, until he was two inches or less from her.  He ran his hand up her leg and under the shirt.  "Blech," he said, laughing.  "Cindy Crawford? Who wants that hag when I have a Marine in my kitchen wearing *my* shirt?"

"Mmm, good answer!"  Mac said with a grin, swooping down and kissing him, running her hands through her hair.  Straightening, she moved her attention back to her eggs.  "You know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It gives me all sorts of energy for daily excursions.  It's not polite to deprive me of that."

Harm grinned, protesting his innocence. "Who's depriving you?" he asked, his hand still caressing Mac's thigh.  "I'm just telling you how great you look."

Mac waved her fork at him once again.  "Uh-uh.  You're trying to distract me.  And while it may be working temporarily, if you want me to zonk out on you in the middle of whatever you have planned for the rest of the day, then keep it up.  I need my breakfast."

Harm laughed.  "I'm not trying to distract you, Mademoiselle Paranoia.  I'm simply enjoying the feeling of your soft skin under my fingers while you enjoy my eggs.  Is that so wrong?"

"'Course not, Senor Sneaky.  I was just telling you I'm foiling your little seduction scene."  She placed her plate on the counter and leaned down to him, losing herself in the smell simply known as 'Harm'.  "But you know what?"  She said breathlessly, then dropped her voice to a whisper as she continued.  "You don't need to seduce me...you already have."

All the blood in Harm's body rushed immediately from his head at the sound of Mac's sultry voice.  He wrapped his arms around Mac's waist and slid closer to her, trapping her on the counter.  "Good, because that's what I was going for," he whispered back, kissing her neck. "I love you, Sarah," he whispered.

Breathless, Mac nipped at his neck.  "I...love...you...too."  She managed to whisper back.

Harm kept his arm around Mac to support her, pulling her ever closer to him.  He kept his eyes locked on hers, kissing her mouth and neck while they were making love.  This time, as before, he couldn't help thinking that he felt like he was finally home.  He'd found a place, inside her--physically AND emotionally.  She was his castle.
 

Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
0645 AM

As she had done mornings previous, Sarah Mackenzie stretched languidly in her lover's bed.  Safe and comfortable in his arms, she realized reluctantly that if they were going to make it into the office on time, they should probably get a move-on. Showering and dressing quickly and with Marine precision, she wandered back into the bedroom to find her shoes and watched Harm sleep on the bed, looking as if he were five years old.  Hating to wake him, she crawled over to his side of the bed and nuzzled his face with her nose.

Harm moaned softly and stirred, squinching his eyes shut.  "Mmmm?"

Smiling to herself, Mac placed a light kiss on his lips.  "Rise and shine, flyboy.  I have to pick some things up before I head to work...I'll see you there, okay?"  She rose and on her way out, called, "I love you."

"Mac?" Harm cried, his voice distressed.

Hearing him cry out, Mac shut the front door and hurried back to his bedroom.  "What is it?"  She asked, concerned.

Harm sat up and grinned.  "Just wanted a real kiss.  You can't leave me with a peck," he laughed, reaching up to pull her down for a last-minute kiss.

Mac let herself get swept away in the kiss for a moment, and then placed her forehead against his.  "You," she said breathlessly and as if she were going to throw him back on the sheets, "are the meanest old sailor I've ever met!"  She sat back and thwapped him on the arm, grinning.  "I seriously need to get going, though."  Kissing him one more time, she dashed out the door before he could keep her there any longer.

Harm laughed, laying back and tucking his arms behind his head.  "That was so worth it!" he yelled after her.
 

JAG Headquarters
0945 AM EST

Work was conspiring to keep them apart, Mac mused as Harriet handed her yet another file that "desperately needed her attention".  Leaning back in her chair, Mac stared at the ceiling, thinking of the events of the past few days.  She found it incredible that she had managed to live thirty years without Harmon Rabb and the pains he was going through not having him by her side for thirty minutes was like having her arm ripped off.  She sighed again just as her phone rang.

"Mackenzie."

"It's AJ.  I figured this was less obvious than sending Tiner to get you."

"Uh, yes, Sir."

"Go get Rabb and be in my office ASAP, okay?  And no stopping off in the supply closet."  AJ said, humor edging his voice before he hung up.

Mac happily placed the file back on her desk and all but ran to get Harm.  Once she got out in the bullpen, however, she was able to maintain some semblance of professionalism.  She knocked once on Harm's door and said, "Admiral wants us."

Harm grinned broadly.  "Yes, ma'am!" he said, snapping off a salute.  He turned sideways to get around his desk, and as he passed her, he gently patted her butt.  It was a gesture that said, all at once, "You're mine and I love you."
 
"My Marine," he whispered.  "Come on," he added, aloud.

Mac smiled and then sobered as they reentered the hallway.  They made it to the Admiral's office.  "He's expecting us,"  Mac said to Tiner, who simply nodded.

Mac knocked once and entered the Admiral's office.

AJ nodded at them with a knowing look on his face.  "Sit."  He ordered.

The two lawyers did as they were told, and AJ folded his hands in front of him.  "Have you two come to a decision regarding your present...situation?"

Mac cleared her throat.  "Yes, Sir.  The Commander and I feel that it would be in both of our best interests if I were to transfer from JAG."

AJ nodded.  "And where would you like to transfer, Colonel?"

Mac stole a look at Harm and then looked back at her C.O.  "I've heard of a new training program out of Quantico, run by the Justice Department.  I've also heard that JAG is looking to set up a fellowship.  I think I could do a good job as the liaison."

AJ sat back in his chair, seemingly thinking over what Mac had proposed.  After a minute, he replied, "I don't think so, Colonel."

Mac stiffened.  "Sir?"

AJ's eyes danced merrily.  "I think that your talents would be wasted as a simple liaison, Colonel.  The SECNAV and I have discussed it, and I think the JAG program would work best if you would head it up for us."

"Sir?"  Mac said incredulously.

AJ nodded.  "Unless you think it's too much work, Colonel."

"No, Sir!"  Mac said.  "I thank you for your trust in me."

AJ nodded and turned his attentions to Harm.  "What do you think about this, Mr. Rabb?"

Harm smiled broadly.  "I think she'll kick six, sir."  He added a second later, "As usual."

AJ grinned.  "I have the same sentiments.  Now, Mr. Rabb, with Commander Brumby gone and the Colonel not far behind, you and Lieutenant Roberts will be responsible for more cases.  Can you two handle it?"

Harm nodded swiftly.  "Although, I do have an idea regarding that problem, sir, if you'll hear it?"

AJ leaned back in his chair, intrigued.  "By all means, Mr. Rabb, go ahead."

Mac looked at Harm in confusion.  "Where are you going with this?"  She asked quietly.

Harm smiled comfortingly at Mac.  "Don't worry," he replied.  Turning to the Admiral, he continued, "She's a very bright lawyer, with talents comparable to Bud's in the computer field.  She has experience with military law, and even knows a little about JAG," he smiled.  "She's been in the reserves for three years, but is interested in going back on active status--she just needs an assignment to do it.  JAG Pacific wants her, but if you say so first, we can get her before she's snatched up.  She's quite good, sir, a real talent.  I think she'd do well here." Harm finished his spiel.

AJ looked as if he were going to pop a vein.  "Mr. Rabb, don't make me come over there and drag that name off your tongue.  Who are you talking about?"

Harm grinned wickedly.  "Lieutenant Commander Meg Austin."

Both AJ's and Mac's jaws dropped.  AJ sat back in his chair, eyes wide and a partial grin on his face.  "I never even thought of that."  He looked at Mac, whose face showed confusion and a smidge of apprehension.  "Are you okay with that, Colonel?"

Mac shook herself out of her reverie.  Was she okay with Harm's old partner working with him again?  Were they that comfortable in their new relationship?  Straightening, she looked AJ in the eye, then turned to Harm.  "I think it would work wonderfully, Admiral."

AJ nodded.  "I'll sign the necessary paperwork."  Rising, he moved in front of his desk and addressed Mac.  "I will miss you around here, keeping this one in line," he said, motioning to Harm.  "But I am confident you will bring more pride to our program down at Quantico.  Congratulations, Colonel."  He saluted her and Mac saluted back, tears in her eyes.

Mac started to leave when AJ spoke up again.  "Dinner, on me and Spencer.  Tonight at Bertucci's, 2000 Penn, around 8."

Mac smiled as she reached the door.  "Aye, aye, Sir."

Harm looked relieved as he followed Mac out of the Admiral's office.  "Hey, Mac?" he asked quietly.  "I didn't mean to spring that on you like that.  I just thought of it myself as we were walking in to see AJ.  I've been corresponding with Meg lately, and she mentioned wanting to get off reserves status, and it just clicked.  Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Mac looked up at him as they headed towards their respective offices.  Taking a deep breath, she sat down at her desk and watched him.  "I'll admit it did take me by surprise,"  she began, "But I'm willing to work through it if it means I get to wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life."

The grin on Harm's face was bright enough to read by. He shut the door to the office and kissed Mac gently.  "Thank you for being wonderful.  Not many women would agree to something like this."
 
Mac shrugged.  "Well, you know, I try."  Laughing she kissed him again.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.  "Colonel, I..."  Bud trailed off as he walked into the office and saw the obvious scene before him.  "I, uh, I'm *so* sorry, Colonel, I, uh, had these, uh, files and uh, the Admiral said they were important..."

Mac had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing.  "Bud, calm down!"  She finally implored.  She looked at Harm, her eyes asking how they should handle this.

Harm winked at Mac and turned to Bud.  "Lieutenant, good morning," he said formally. "We weren't expecting you.  But since you're here..." Harm moved around behind Mac's chair, resting his hands on her shoulders.  "Don't tell anyone but Harriet, and ask her not to spread it around, understood?" he said simply.
 
Bud nodded earnestly.  "Of course, Sir.  Oh, I mean, of course *not*, Sir.  Wait, I mean, um, I mean you can trust me, Sir.  Nobody will find out."  He turned to leave and then sheepishly turned back to place the file on Mac's desk, then backed out wordlessly, all but slamming the door behind him.  Mac tilted her head back to look at Harm.  "Well, that went well, don't you think?"

Harm leaned his head back and laughed uproariously.  "Yes, love, I think it did--for Bud."  He kissed her mouth as she looked up at him.  "I'm going to miss whooping your behind in court, you know."
 
Mac shook her head.  "I think you have that backwards, sailor.  You're going to miss *me* whipping *your* butt.  And here I thought I was dating a nice, wholesome sailor and I get a masochist!"

Harm chuckled to himself.  "No, dear heart, I think my record speaks for itself.  And," he added as his hand reached for the doorknob, "I like a little bondage once in a while, but no S&M, thanks." He ducked out of her office and into his before Mac had a chance to speak.  He always tried to sneak in the last word.

Mac waited until she knew Harm was out of earshot before she burst out laughing.  *Boy,* she thought, *Do I know how to pick 'em!*
 

JAG Headquarters
1223 PM EST

Once again, Mac didn't see Harm for a while, but around lunchtime she stood up and stretched.  Wandering out into the bullpen, she walked to Harm's office to ask him if he wanted to go grab some lunch when she heard laughing.  Coming to the door, she saw Harm leaning back in his chair with a huge smile on his face and a young blond woman in Navy uniform sitting across from him.

Harm stood as Mac entered his office.  "Hey, Mac!"  He took her hand and pulled her gently over towards the blonde.  "Mac, meet my ex-partner and your replacement, Lieutenant Commander Meg Austin.  Meg, this is Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."  He smiled and sat back down.
 
Mac nearly blanched at the words "your replacement" but instead held her hand out to the young woman, taking a mental note of her young age.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander."

Meg smiled.  "Please, call me Meg, Sarah." She took the offered hand and shook it delicately.  "Harm's told me so much about you, I feel like we've already met," Meg said, with a sweet grin she flashed in Harm's direction. "It's great to meet you."
 
Mac leaned around Meg and shot a look at Harm.  "Well, Meg, feel free to call me Mac--everyone does.  And I would love to hear of some of your early exploits with the Commander, he's been very secretive about a lot of them."

Meg's smiled broadened.  "All right, Mac.  What would you like to know? About the time he nearly got me killed in Cuba? Or the time he made me jump out of the plane and I almost died? Maybe the time I had to go out in the woods with five psycho Marines--no offense--to track his six down because was chasing an AWOL prisoner? Or how about--"
 
Mac held up her hand, barely containing her laughter.  "And here I thought you used all your charming stunts on me, sailor."  Mac said to Harm with mirth dancing in her eyes.  "You guys interested in lunch?  We can continue our conversation there, and I can show Meg the ropes...and my filing system," she joked.

Harm smiled.  "Well, I had to practice on someone, right, Meg?" he laughed.  "Lunch is on me, if you two will sneak me past the Admiral."
Mac placed her hands on her hips.  "Have you been slacking off again, sailor?" she said, with mock-seriousness.

At Harm's comment, Meg laughed and held up her hands in helplessness.  "I don't know what I could do to help, Harm.  She *is* your partner. I'm just a lowly reservist."
 
Mac laughed at Meg's comment, still not liking the warmth in Meg's gaze that was directed at Harm.  The three went down to the JAG cafeteria and had sat down outside when Bud came to call.

"Lieutenant Austin!"  He said, then realizing he was interrupting, looked at his bosses.  "Um, excuse me, Sir, Ma'am."

"Quite all right, Bud."  Mac said, stealing a look at Harm.

Harm was glancing between Bud, Mac and Meg alternately. His gaze rested a little longer on Meg, though.  He hadn't realized how much he missed her until she was back.  Harm caught himself staring at Meg and glanced over guiltily at Mac and smiled.  He reached under the table and squeezed her hand.
 
While Mac squeezed Harm's hand back, she couldn't help but notice the attention he was paying to Meg.  She released his hand and turned her attention back to her sandwich as Bud and Meg caught up on old times.

"What brings you back to JAG, *Commander*?"  Bud asked, a smile on his face.

Meg smiled.  "I'm going to be taking Mac's job when she leaves. Essentially, my old position.  Did you have something else to ask?"
 
Harm watched Mac pick at her burger.  He leaned over and whispered, "Don't tell me you're going vegan?"
 
Mac simply shook her head and didn't reply, for Bud's exclamation would have drowned her reply out anyway.

"Colonel, you're leaving?!?"  He all but screamed.  Realizing his tone of voice, he lowered it to a whisper.  "Why?  What?  When?"

Mac placed a hand on his.  "Bud, calm down.  The Admiral has asked me to head up the JAG training corps out of Quantico.  I'm just relocating, not leaving."  She snuck a glance at Harm and then looked back at Bud.  "I'll be around to help out, too.  You don't need to worry."

Bud looked at Harm.  "Sir, is this true?"

Harm nodded.  "'Fraid so, buddy. I'm not happy about it either, but--" he almost said "if we want to stay together, one of us has to leave", but thought better of it.  Harm knew that if Meg found out that he and Mac were together this soon, it could cause problems--between him and Meg, between him and Mac, and most importantly, between him and Mac and the Navy.  Technically, they were breaking one of the biggest rules in the military: fraternization.  So he finished with, "But that's what has to happen."
 
Under the table, Harm squeezed Mac's hand again, then released it.  He wondered what was bothering her--the transfer? Meg? Or something entirely different.
 
Mac tried again to soothe Bud's fears.  "Bud, I promise you I'll be around.  In fact, I'm sure you'll forget I'm not technically JAG anymore, I'll be around so much."  She set her burger down.  "Everything will be fine.  Harm and Meg made such a good team before, they'll do even better now."

"Not as good as you and the Commander, though, Colonel!"  Bud replied without thinking.  Eyes widening, he immediately stammered, "Oh, Commander, Lieutenant, I'm so sorry!"

Meg smiled comfortingly.  *Some things never change,* she thought.  "Bud, honey, it's okay.  I understand, and I agree.  Harm and I have a *totally* different approach to things than he and Mac do.  But it's like riding a bike," she grinned at Harm.  "Once you learn, you never forget, right? I'm sure we'll do fine."
 
Harm smiled back. "I'm sure we will." He turned to Bud.  "Don't worry about Mac, Bud.  She'll be fine, won't you, Mac?"

Mac didn't reply right away, as she was trying to wish away the pit had settled in her stomach.  She looked up and saw three pairs of eyes expectantly waiting an answer and then nodded quickly.  "Oh, yeah.  I'll be fine.  It's you guys I'm worried about, not being able to function without me."

Harm chuckled softly.  "You know how much we're all going to miss you, but I am sure we'll find a way to go on," he teased.  He still felt like something was off, though...like Mac wasn't okay with Meg being back in his life.
 
*Oh, well,* he thought. *I can't really say or do much until we're alone tonight.*

*I know he can't make a big show out of it, but he could at least try to seem a little sad I'm leaving.*  Mac mused, watching the scene in front of her.  Suddenly she stood.  "Well," she said, clearing her throat, "I need to get back to work.  Meg, it was nice to meet you, and you and I really should get together to discuss current and past cases.  Harm, Bud, I'll see you guys later."  Mac smiled briefly and got up from the table, all but running back to the safe confines of her office.

Harm watched her back, and when she was gone, he turned to Meg.  "I'm not sure what I did, but I think I hurt her feelings."
 
Meg shook her head.  "Women are sensitive, Harm, even women Marines," she pointed out.
 
Harm sighed softly.  "I know. I just wish I knew what I'd done so I could fix it."
 
Meg cocked her head to one side, wondering silently.
 

Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
0712 PM EST

Mac lay sprawled out on her couch, eyes closed, trying very hard not to think about Harm.  *Damn him for being so insensitve!* she silently fumed.  She had left JAG earlier that day without saying goodbye; he and Meg had been catching up on old times or something like that.  Mac flung her arm over her eyes and sighed, burrowing herself deeper into her couch.

There was a loud knock on her door, accompanied by a voice.  "Mac? It's Harm," he called softly.

Mac sat up on the couch, staring at the door.  *Maybe if I look at it long enough, he'll go away.*  After waiting about a minute, she sighed and got up.  Doing a quick check in the mirror, she opened the door.

Harm stood outside, looking contrite.  He held in one hand a large bag, which held the faint aroma of food, and the other held three roses: one yellow, one white and one red.  They were tied together with a red ribbon, with a tiny note attached.  Without a word, he held the roses out to Mac.

She took the roses and simply looked at him, her eyes asking what he was trying to pull.

"Can I come in?" he asked softly, his eyes pleading with her to tell him what he'd done wrong.

Sighing, she opened the door wider and let him pass.  Rationally, she knew he had no clue what he'd done wrong, but damnit, she didn't feel like being rational.  She motioned to the bag.  "What's that?"

Harm held it up.  "This? Just dinner.  I'm hoping you and I will talk and work out whatever's bothering you before we starve."  There was no humor in Harm's voice, he was being completely serious.  Whatever it was that was bothering Mac, he wanted to know so he could fix it.  He hated seeing her upset, but more especially, he hated it when she was upset with *him*.

Closing her eyes briefly, she waved him into the kitchen and shut the door behind him.  She knew he was right--why was it he was always right?  She followed him into the kitchen and added the three roses to the rose he had brought her the night before.  She took the ribbon off and unfolded the note, her eyes welling up at its contents.

"And I forgot to tell you I love you. And the night's too long and cold here without you.  --Sarah McLachlan.  I do love you, now and always, and I'm sorry. Your Squid?"

Mac placed her hand to her mouth to try to stop from totally bursting into tears.  She took a few deep, cleansing breaths, and was finally able to speak.  "You've always been my squid."

Harm's eyes welled up with tears.  "Mac," he began.  Her name was barely out of his mouth before Harm broke down.  "I'm sorry.  I'm still not sure what I did, but I hate knowing I hurt you.  God, I'm sorry."  He held his arms out to Mac.

Seeing him cry broke Mac's heart as she all but barreled towards his open arms.  Wrapping her arms around his waist she looked up at him and on an impulse, leaned up and kissed his tears away, then kissed him on the mouth, hard.  "I'm the one who should be sorry, Harm."  She said softly into his shirt.  "I was just jealous, I guess...I want nothing more than to be by your side all day and all night, and Meg coming back made me realize I can't do that."

Harm kissed her tenderly, repeatedly with soft gentle kisses all over her face.  He stroked her back and pulled her to him.  "I'm jealous of all those FBI boys over at Quantico that are going to be eyeing *my* girl every day," Harm said softly.

Mac laughed, wiping her eyes and then his.  "You’re the only GI I want, Harm.”

Harm chuckled softly, but his heart was breaking.  He couldn't find the words to tell Mac how much he was going to miss working with her.  But he tried.  "I'm going to miss you every day, Mac.  So much."  He paused.  "But I guess the bright side is that we'll be together every night, right?"

Mac nodded emphatically.  "And now maybe we can keep pictures of each other on our desks.  That wouldn't tip anybody off, would it?"  She leaned up and gave him one last kiss and then gave him an Eskimo kiss as she used to do with Chloe.  "One more thing, sailor...where's that food you brought?  I'm starved!"

Harm smiled.  "I only brought that to bribe you.  We promised AJ and Spencer that we'd meet them at Bertucci's, remember? Are you feeling up to it?" he asked, brushing his fingers across the tear-tracks under Mac's eyes.

Mac nodded.  "Yeah. Just, uh, let me get freshened up," she said, motioning to her sweats and non made-up face.  "We should leave in 13 minutes if we don't want to be late."  She called, going into the bedroom and throwing open the closet.

Harm chuckled.  He went into the kitchen and splashed cold water on his face, wiping away any trace of his own tears.  "Hey," he said from behind a towel, "What are you wearing tonight? Anything like that burgundy number from the other day?"

"Ha."  Mac pulled on a pair of black dress pants and a green lamb’s wool sweater.  Running a brush through her hair and reapplying light makeup, she took a last look at herself and went back out to the living room.  "You ready?"

Harm's jaw dropped.  "How do you manage to look better *every* *single* *time* I see you?" he asked wondrously.

Mac self-consciously tugged at her sweater.  "Thanks," she said sheepishly, going to the closet to get her coat.  "If we're going to get from Georgetown to Foggy Bottom in 7 minutes, we'd better hurry."

"We can be late," Harm said distractedly.  "Seriously, I don't get it.  Most women need an hour in the bathroom and two hours with a curler and blow dryer, makeup kit and all, to even look presentable.  You take five minutes, and even without wearing something revealing, you've got me imagining evil things," he chuckled.  "How do you do it?"

Mac walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.  "Most women aren't Marines.  And most women don't have to meet the man that has given his blessing to her falling in love with her partner in 6 minutes 12 seconds, so move, sailor!"

Harm just laughed as he followed Mac out the door.  "No, most women just aren't *you*, Sarah."
 

Bertucci's
2000 Penn
Foggy Bottom, DC
0705 PM EST

Mac laced her fingers through Harm's as they walked through the mall and up to the podium at Bertucci's.  "We're meeting Chegwidden, party of 4?"

The hostess smiled and pointed to a table that was outside the main part of the restaurant.  Mac leaned around the podium and saw AJ and Spencer cuddled at a very intimate table.  Mac smiled her thanks to the hostess and as she and Harm walked over to the table, she whispered, "*That's* certainly a sight I never thought I'd see."

Harm laughed, wrapping his arm around Mac's waist and pulling her close as they walked.  "This whole night is something I never thought would happen. AJ--smiling and acting all mushy.  You and me, together...wow."
Mac leaned over and pinched him.  "Well, you're not dreaming, flyboy."

AJ looked up as the two reached the table.  "Finally.  I'm starving."

Mac laughed as she sat down.  "Sorry, Sir, you would be amazed at how long it takes him to get ready to go out."

Harm feigned shock.  "Me? It took this one a whole five minutes to get out the door," he jerked a thumb toward Mac.  Grinning, he pulled out the chair for his sweetheart.

Mac simply rolled her eyes as she looked over the menu.  As she placed her napkin on her lap, she reached over and squeezed Harm's thigh, her eyes relaying the love she felt for him.

Suddenly, she felt a soft yet sharp article hit her face.  She whipped her head around to see her Navy SEAL CO looking at her sternly, holding a breadstick.  "We have a whole basket of these if you keep making googly eyes at him."

Mac looked at Harm and then back at AJ and burst out laughing.

Harm struggled to hold back his laughter.  "Sir, I've told you before.  Leave my Marine alone or deal with me." He winked at his CO, reaching over to lace his fingers through Mac's.

AJ's face went from humor to serious in a split second.  "You giving me an order, Commander Rabb?"  He growled.

Harm stared him right back down.  "No, sir.  Merely suggesting you treat the Colonel with the respect she deserves."  His heart pounded as he fervently hoped the Admiral was jerking him around.

Spencer placed a restraining hand on AJ's arm.  "AJ, come on, he was kidding," she said softly.

AJ's head snapped from his staring contest to look at Spencer.  Placing his hand over hers, he looked back at Harm.  Softening, he looked from Harm to Mac and back again.  "I respect you and the Colonel as much as anyone," he said in the softest tone Mac had ever heard.  "And I am as proud of you as I am of my own daughter.  I will miss you two working together, but I know better than anyone, that this," he swept his hand around, indicating their relationship, "will be well worth it.  And I salute you for it."

Harm visibly relaxed.  "Thank you, sir.  Speaking for Mac and myself, we appreciate that more than you could ever know."  Harm turned his head to smile at Mac, raising her hand to his mouth so he could kiss it.  "And you're right, AJ, *this* is worth any sacrifice."

Mac beamed at him and then looked to the Admiral.  "I want to personally thank you, Sir, for granting me this transfer and for being so supportive of us."  She looked at Harm, smiling.  "You've gone above and beyond the call of duty, and we both really appreciate it."

AJ simply smiled, and then when he spoke, the emotion was evident in his voice.  "Thank you, Mac, and you too, Rabb.  You've made life interesting, but have taught me as you did it.  And for that, I will always be grateful."  He nodded once and then turned back to Spencer and his menu.  "So, what looks good?"

Harm glanced at Mac unobtrusively.  "What was that about?" he whispered into her ear.  "I've never seen him like this."

Mac shrugged.  "But it's better than having him chew our sixes off, right?"

Harm shrugged.  "Seems like he's having mood swings or something."  Harm dismissed the thought as he kissed Mac behind the menu.  A piece of breadstick came sailing over and landed between them.
 
Harm heard Spencer's giggle from across the table, and he lowered his menu just enough to send a mock-glare her way.  "Juveniles," he teased.

"Hey, Rabb, even though Mac's leaving, I'm still your CO," AJ warned, threatening them with another breadstick.

A waitress came over to take their orders, and as she was finished, she went to take the breadstick basket from AJ.  "More breadsticks?"

Mac and Harm cried, "No!" as AJ nodded, "Please.  And keep them coming!"

The waitress simply looked at them and left, shaking her head.  AJ took a sip of the house wine she had brought and looked at Mac.  "I talked to Dick Sutton over at Quantico today, he's looking very forward to meeting his newest team member."

"Well, thank you, Sir," Mac said and AJ shook his head.  "I'm not in uniform, Mac.  My name's AJ."  He implored with a smile.

Mac simply nodded and he continued.  "Rabb, how do you think Commander Austin is going to fare?"

Harm grinned.  "I think she's going to readjust just fine.  The few years Meg's spent in Texas since she went reserves have been great for her.  She's in a much better place than when she left."
 
He smiled at Mac.  "Of course, she won't be anything compared to Mac, but we'll survive."

AJ smiled.  "I agree.  But I wouldn't think of trusting anyone with this training other than the Colonel.  Now," he continued, leaning his elbows on the table, "I want an honest answer.  Is Meg going to affect you two and this side of your relationship?"

Mac looked at Harm.  Was it going to?

Harm shook his head vehemently.  "No, SIR.  I love Mac, and nothing's going to change that, least of all a good friend like Meg.  Neither Meg nor I would dream of it."

Mac's heart swelled at Harm's words and she smiled at AJ's response.

"Good, 'cause if I ever heard of such a thing happening, I *would* hunt you down, not as your CO but as someone who is expecting a wedding invitation before he dies."

Harm choked on a piece of breadstick.  He started to cough and sputter.  "Sir, we've been dating for a *week*.  We're not even thinking marriage yet!"

Mac nearly spit out the mouthful of water she had in her mouth.  "Um, AJ..."

AJ held up his hand and cracked up.  "I know, I know.  That would be like asking me to get remarried--no offense, of course, Spencer---but I tell you honestly, I've never seen two people mesh together like you do.  Never."

Mac smiled.  "Thank you, Sir."

AJ smiled back as their food was delivered.  "Finally!"  He said, digging into his shrimp scampi.

Harm smiled at Mac, lifting a forkful of noodles off his plate and twirling them neatly.  "Want a bite?" he asked softly.
 
Opening her mouth, Mac nodded.

Fighting back the urge to make an airplane noise, Harm fed Mac the bite of fettucine.  "Good?" he asked, reaching out a finger to wipe some alfredo sauce off her lower lip.

Mac nodded.  "Very.  Thank you."  She leaned in to kiss him as yet another breadstick flew by her head.  Irritated, she simply picked it up off her plate and threw it back in the direction from which it had come.

Harm laughed, holding up a menu as a shield from the flying breadsticks.  "Quit picking on us and have some fun, you cranky old SEAL!"  Behind the menu, Harm kissed her passionately, tasting the sweet combination of pasta and Mac.  He chuckled into her mouth at that thought...fettucine ala Marine. *Marine, Marinara, whatever,* Harm thought.  *They're both edible.*

AJ watched as his two lawyers did something he wasn't supposed to know they were doing behind their menu.  He put an arm around Spencer and kissed the top of her head.  Secretly, he had waited what seemed like an eternity to see them--and himself--happy.  He tried to put he thought that it could all come crashing down at any second out of his head and concentrated on the bliss surrounding him.

Spencer took AJ's face in her delicate hands and brought her lips to his.  "Stop thinking about what they're doing and start thinking about what we're doing," she suggested sagely, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck.
 
"Mmmmm, let's go," Harm murmured into Mac's kiss.

Mac nodded.  "I’m ready for dessert,” she whispered.

AJ cleared his throat and grinned at Spencer.  "Well, again, this was fun...we should do this more often."

Mac snuck a glance at Harm, not sure how to answer that.

After the goodbyes, Harm practically ran back to the car, tugging Mac with him.  When they were settled in the car, headed toward Mac's apartment, Harm finally relaxed, squeezing her hand, as if to reassure himself that she was still there. "Love you, Mac," he said softly.

Mac leaned over and kissed his neck, squeezing his hand back.  "I love you, too."

Harm turned to stare at Mac, losing himself in her eyes again.

"Will you *please* watch the roads, flyboy?  There are enough crazy drivers in DC already, you don't need to add to them."  She patted his leg.  "And besides, we don't want to end the evening prematurely, do we?"

Harm chuckled and turned his head back to the road.  He pulled up outside her apartment in a matter of minutes, and grabbed the keys out of the ignition.

Before he could get out of the car, Mac leaned over and grabbed his head in her hands, devouring his mouth.

Harm cradled her tightly, kissing her back.  "Mmmmph," he whispered.  "Let's go upstairs."

Mac kissed him one final time and then leaned over and opened the door, grabbing his hand and dragging him upstairs.

She didn't have to drag him--Harm was following Mac like a puppy about to get a bone. As they entered the apartment, Harm shut the door and advanced on Mac, trapping her between himself and the door.  With a wicked grin, he kissed her lovingly.

Harm led Mac into her bedroom and took her over to the bed, sitting her down gently. "Lay down, angel.  It's your turn," he winked.

Mac did as she was told for once, and closed her eyes, impatiently waiting for Harm to start whatever he was up to.

Harm kissed Mac slowly, every inch.

Mac lost almost lost all conscious thought; save for "More!"  Tangling her hands in his hair, the only words she could form were "Unnhh" and "Oooohhhhh."

Mac couldn't hold herself back any longer. Whispering against his lips, "Harm.  I need you..."

Harm lay on top of Mac, kissing her neck.  He whispered, "I've needed you since the day you pulled me onto that helo in Arizona."  He kissed Mac hard on the mouth.

Mac couldn't help but smile.  She murmured against his mouth, "I've wanted you since the day I pulled you onto that helo in Arizona."

"Mmmmm," he moaned softly.  "I hope we never stop doing this, Mac."

She giggled like a 5 year old on Christmas morning.  "Okay.  We'll quit our jobs...and...just make love...sounds good to me," she said breathlessly.

Harm nodded vigorously.  "Yes..." he murmured. "Please?"

Mac nodded.  "Okay.  We'll give AJ your resignation...tomorrow." Then she cried out as she tumbled over the edge, feeling as if she was following the sun's trail across the sky.

Harm followed quickly on her heels.  "I love you," he moaned, holding her tight against him as waves of pleasure swept through his body.

Hearing those words brought tears to Mac's eyes.  Even though he had said it times before, it still struck a chord with her when they were like...this.  Holding him, she whispered, "I love you, too."

The words she spoke and the tears in Mac's eyes were enough to melt Harm into a puddle.  He caressed her hair and rubbed her back, kissing her gently and tenderly.  "Why are you crying, jarhead?"

Mac laughed.  "You're going to think I'm a sentimental sap."

"Yes, but I'll love that about you," Harm grinned, kissing her forehead

Mac shook her head.  "It's so stupid!"  She said, a look of embarrassment on her face.  "I think Matthew Perry said it best...you're everything I never knew I always wanted.  I never knew love could feel this good, this *right*."  She giggled and covered her eyes with her hand.  "I sound like a Hallmark card!"

Gently, Harm moved her hand to cover his heart.  "I feel the same way, Sarah," he said softly.  "And it's not stupid, it's amazing.  Do you know how long I've waited to tell someone I love them, and mean it?  To want to wake up every morning with my lover by my side, never being bored or wanting another?  To feel challenged by her, inspired by her, *loved* by her?"  He kissed her nose.

Coyly, Mac shook her head.  "No, actually, I don't know.  Why don't you explain it to me?"

Harm rolled over on top of her and started tickling her.  "Geez, Mac, make a guy spell it out, why don'tcha?"  He leapt up and stood in front of her, arms outstretched.  He tilted his head back and cried loud enough to wake the neighbors.  "I've never been in love like this!"

Hysterically laughing, Mac jumped up on the bed and placed her hands on her hips, mimicking a superhero stance.  "Me either!"

Joining her in laughter, Harm rushed at Mac, tackling her to the bed and kissed her hard.  "I love you, Marine," he chuckled.  "You're insane, just like me."

Mac leaned up and kissed his nose.  "I'm not insane, I'm just a few fries short of a Happy Meal.  But I love you back."

Harm fell over in laughter.  "How are we ever going to explain this to our children? You know they're going to blame *us* one day during therapy for *their* issues."

Mac stopped laughing.  "Our *kids*?" she asked after a minute.

Thinking he'd said something wrong, Harm sobered.  "I was just kidding...I mean...ohboy."

"So, you don't want kids?" Mac said, realizing she was confusing him, but having fun with it anyway.

Harm blinked rapidly.  "No, I do.  But...Wait." He held up a hand.  "Let me rephrase.  Yes I do want kids, but only with you.  And did I say something wrong before?"

Mac shook her head, placing her hand against his cheek.  "No, sailor...it just caught me by surprise.  And I would love to have your kids.    Nothing would make me happier."

Harm smiled broadly.  "Really? I can't imagine you having kids..I mean, I can," he corrected himself quickly, "But I never did before."

Mac shrugged.  "I never wanted kids before."

"But you do now? What changed?" Harm asked quietly, pulling Mac down to lay beside him.

"I met you."  She simply said.

Harm choked back a lump in his throat.  "Wow," was all he could say.  "I always wanted kids," he went on, when he could think again.  "I just never met anyone I trusted enough to want kids with.  I'm not making sense anymore, am I?"

Mac shook her head.  "No...the scary thing is, I can understand you.  Now I know what Harriet goes through on a daily basis."

Harm looked hurt.  "Hey, I am not that bad."

Mac grinned and kissed him.  "No, you're not."  Settling in his embrace, she twined her fingers with his.  "So, what are we naming these kids of ours?"

Harm grinned at her, rubbing his thumb over her palm.  "I hadn't given it much thought."  After a second he said, "Anything but "Harmony" and "Mackenzie", please."

"Agreed.  Way too confusing."  After being silent for a minute, Mac looked up at him, sheepishly.  "I have a confession."

Harm smiled, kissing her forehead.  "Go ahead, Mac.  You know I love listening to you."

"Well, when Harriet was pregnant with baby AJ...we talked about what we'd like to name our kids...and while I told her my names, like Grace and Alexis and Christopher...I was visualizing them with you as their father."

Harm was stunned.  "R-really?"

Mac nodded sheepishly.  "Really."  She flopped on her back.  "I told you it was stupid."

Harm rolled over on top of her and kissed her soundly.  "It's not stupid," he whispered.  "I'm honored."

Mac kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.  "It's weird, but I've always envisioned us with two little girls...both of whom want to be Marines, like their mom, by the way."

Harm chuckled.  "I'm not taking that bait, jarhead.  But I've been kind of fantasizing about it this past week with you.  I always saw us with a few kids-couple girls, couple boys."

Now it was Mac's turn to be surprised--she hadn't been completely sure as to whether or not he was serious about having kids.  "Oh?  Any names for these 'few' kids of ours?"

Harm nodded.  "I've always wanted to name my son "Edmund".  It was my dad's middle name, and mine.  And I don't think I want a little Harmon Rabb the Third, but I could see myself playing catch with 'Eddie'." He smiled.  "And I want to name a little girl after my mom...maybe Patricia Catherine? after both our mothers."  His eyes glazed over as Harm drifted off in thought.

Mac reached over and squeezed his hand.  "I don't think I could deal with *another* Harmon Rabb, but Eddie has potential.  And I love Tricia...almost as much as I love you."

Harm chuckled.  "My mom will die of happiness. Speaking of which, when's the wedding? If I have babies out of wedlock, she'll kill me."

Mac smiled.  "I think AJ would, too..."  She quieted, thinking about their conversation earlier that night.  Looking him straight in the eye she said, "I thought we weren't ready to get married yet."

Harm grinned.  "Well, I didn't mean *tomorrow*, Mac." His blue eyes twinkled.  "But sometime in the next year, I'd like to think about setting a date.  If that's ok?"  Harm remembered what AJ had said about letting Mac take the lead, and he was trying to.  His mind just kind of went off on tangents when he looked at her--picturing their future.

Mac grinned back, her heart soaring.  "It's a deal, flyboy.  Spring or summer?"  She teased.

Harm smiled.  "Well, if we start planning now, and if we're ready, we can have it this June.  It's only six months, but you've put up with me for almost five years now.  I think it's safe to say we'll be together forever."

Tears unexpectedly filled Mac's eyes.  "Forever sounds like a plan to me, flyboy."  She leaned over to give him a kiss, more full of promise than any of the other previous hundred had been.  "It's nearly one...we should get some sleep.  I have administrative meetings all day tomorrow, plus we have to help Meg get ready to take over..."

Harm smiled.  "All of which will be handled with the utmost calm and dedication, as is everything you do.  Close your eyes and rest, love." He was a bit choked up himself, but determined not to show it.  "Would you like me to sing you to sleep?" he offered softly.

Mac nodded and buried her head half on her pillow and half on his arm, closing her eyes and letting Harm's voice lull her to sleep.

Harm cuddled Mac as close to him as comfortably possible and began to sing softly.

"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.  Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.  Silently the senses, abandon their defenses.  Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor."  He glanced down at Mac, resting peacefully by his side.  The moonlight illuminated her face softly through the curtains, making her appear an angel.

"Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Turn your face away from the garish light of day.  Turn your throughs away from cold, unfeeling light--and listen to the music of the night."  This song seemed ever-so-appropriate to Harm at this moment.  All he and Mac had was the dark, at least until she left JAG.  As much as he wanted to proclaim their love from the rooftops, he had to pretend nothing had changed.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.  Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before.  Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar."  In the back of his mind, Harm remembered the day he took Mac flying in "Sarah".  He heard her whoop and cheer as he rolled the plane. She'd been so carefree that morning.  Harm wanted to make her feel like that *every* day.

"And you'll live as you've never lived before.  Softly, deftly, music shall surround you.  Feel it, hear it, closing in around you.  Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight."  As Harm sang to Mac, he wondered if maybe his love was a void...a darkness which women couldn't help but be attracted to but which ultimately ended up breaking their hearts.  Harm knew that no matter what, he would not let Mac get hurt ever again, especially by him.

"Let your mind start a journey to a strange, new world.  Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before.  Let your soul take you where you long to be!  Only then can you belong to me."  Harm smiled at the thought of Mac belonging to anyone.

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication." Harm felt the words deep in his soul.  Loving Sarah Mackenzie was like being drunk all the time--in the best possible way.

"Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation.  Let the dream begin, let your darker sided give in, to the power of the music that I write.  The power of the music of the night." Harm finished softly, kissing Mac's forehead once more.

"Sleep well, my love.  We have forever to tackle, starting tomorrow."

Mac sighed contentedly, floating the edge between dreaming and wakefulness.  She was awake enough, however, to whisper, "I love you."

Harm whispered back, "I love you, too, Sarah.  Sleep, now."
 

The Following Tuesday
0800 hours
JAG Headquarters

Harm strolled into the office, whistling contentedly.  He and Mac had spent the weekend doing absolutely nothing.  They listened to music, read the Sunday paper and played cards. And Mac had introduced him to Jingo.  If peeing on your shoe is a sign of affection, he and the dog were off to a good start.

Mac followed Harm in, counting to twenty before making her entrance.  She smiled hello to Bud and Harriet (who had been informed by her husband about Mac and Harm's 'togetherness', and who Bud said screamed so loud the neighbors thought they were making another baby) and headed into her office, only to find Meg rifling through her filing cabinets.

"Um, hi, Meg."  Mac said after a moment.

Meg turned and smiled.  "Oh, hey, Mac.  Bud said he didn't think you'd mind if I looked around and tried to get a hold on your filing system.  I didn't move anything, I promise."  Meg held up her hands like she was surrendering.  "You don't mind, do you?" she asked sweetly.

Mac set her briefcase on her chair.  "Of course not.  This is going to be your office in a few days...although rifling through the cabinets isn't going to help you master the Mackenzie filing system."  She walked over and pulled out a drawer.  "These are all cases involving Marines, subdivided by their offense, redivided by court date, and then divided one more time by conviction or acquittal."

Meg nodded, grabbing a pad off the desk and writing furiously.  "Marines, offense, court date, convict or acquit.  Got it. Next?"

Mac pointed to the filing cabinet they were standing in front of.  "Now, all these files are files involving Marine offenses...this one next to it is Navy.  Those are bigger, so they're subdivided again alphabetically."  Pointing to the piles on top of the cabinets, she continued, "Those in the blue folder are Navy, obviously, and pending cases.  Green is Marine, of course."  She finished by pointing to a stack on the chair in the corner.  "The yellow ones are ones that need to be researched by Bud.  Normally an orange Post-It means Navy and a green one means Marine.  The court dates are always highlighted, more important ones in yellow and less important in pink.  How're you doing?"

Meg was writing so hard her hand was cramping.  "Orange post, navy, green, marine. Court dates highlight, yellow more, pink less.  I'm just fine.  Anything else?"

Mac stood, hands on her hips, chewing (carefully) her lip thoughtfully.  "No, I think that's about it.  The drawers in the desk don't hold squat, so I don't file anything in there.  Oh, and don't staple things in the files, they get all ripped and stuff when Bud tries to pull them apart, it gets messy."  She sat down at her desk.  "Anything else?"

"No staples," Meg muttered as she wrote.  "Nope, I think that's it.  Oh, you'll have to give me the passwords to your computer so I can get in and change them."

Mac nodded.  "I'll write them down for you on Friday. Oh, all the files on the computer are divided into folders within Microsoft Word, pretty much the same way the hard files are.. I don't think you'll have a problem, seeing as you were here a year."  Mac sighed.  "I sure am going to miss this place, though."

Meg nodded.  "I felt the same way when I left," she confided, sinking into a chair.  "You'll get used to it, though.  The thing I missed most was talking to Harm every day.  But you're not moving far, so you'll still see him occasionally," she added brightly.

*Oh child, if you only knew,* Mac thought with a smile.  "And with this new job, I'm sure to be in here on occasion, so he can't get rid of me just yet."

Meg giggled.  "Good.  I was just beginning to like you, I was hoping you and I could be friends." She leaned in towards Mac.  "I was hoping you might give me the lowdown on Harm's life lately....you know, who he's seeing, if he's happy, if I have a chance with him," she winked.

It took all of Mac's self will not to shake some sense into her and yell, "Stay off him, he's MINE!".  She simply smiled and shook her head.  "Well, I don't have to tell you Harm doesn't have the greatest luck with women...I think he's still reeling from his last girlfriend, Jordan.  She left him pretty harshly."

Meg nodded and winked.  "Well, he'll need someone to get him over that, won't he?" she sighed softly.  "There is that messy chain-of-command, fraternization junk, but we'll work around it.  We always did before," she laughed.
 
Mac raised an eyebrow.  "Oh, really?  He never said anything before."

Meg smiled.  "Well, we were never technically involved.  We just flirted. A LOT," she emphasized.  "I suppose I should've said something before I came back to JAG, but oh well.  It'll work itself out."

Mac had no choice but to smile back and continue the conversation.  "Let me give you one piece of advice, Meg:  Harmon Rabb is one complicated man.  He can be your best friend one minute and then sandbag you to the Sahara the next.  He's quite a challenge, so you need to be willing to put up with it."

Meg laughed.  "Oh, I was with him long enough to figure that out, Mac. And believe me, for that body and those eyes, I'd put up with *anything*," she giggled girlishly.  She thought she was confiding in a new friend--she had no idea what she was actually doing.

Mac smiled briefly and then motioned to her files.  "Well, if this office is going to be in any shape for you by Friday, I'd better get a move-on cleaning up and whatnot.  Um, could you send Harm in here when you get a chance?  I need him for a reference question."

"Sure!" Meg grinned and turned to leave.  "Oh, by the way," she said, turning back to Mac for a moment.  "Thanks for being so cool about all this." She ducked out of the room and went to find Harm.

"Hey, Harm, the ol' ball and chain wants you," Meg called laughingly.

"Thanks!" Harm said automatically, turning towards Mac's office.

Meg just shook her head and made a noise under her breath--the sound of a whip cracking.

Mac buried her head in her hands.  Yeah, she was being cool about this...but only because she thought Meg wasn't interested!  Well, *duh*, Marine, this is Harm, of course she's going to be interested! She contemplated banging her head on the desk, but was snapped out of her wallowing when she heard Harm coming up the hall.

Harm stepped into the office and closed the door.  "What's up, jarhead?" he smiled.

Mac looked up and sprinted out of her chair, hissing, "Close the door.  And the blinds."

Harm backed up in surprise, shutting the blinds quickly.  "Mac, what's wrong?"

Mac said nothing, simply walking over to him and pulling his mouth to hers, devouring him with all the energy she had.

“Mmmmmmm," Harm moaned softly, wrapping his arms around Mac and pulling her close.  He kissed her hard, putting all the pent-up kisses he'd kept all morning into her at once.

Mac ran her nails up and down his back, pulling him closer to her.  "Think we can sneak into the supply closet without anyone noticing?"  She said between kisses, pulling him closer.

"Mmm, god I hope so.  I don't think we can do it in here without attracting a lot of attention.  Especially with the way you were moaning last time," he teased.  "The neighbors complained this morning."

Just as Mac geared up to answer, there was a sudden rap at her door.  Leaping away from Harm, Mac ran a hand haphazardly through her hair and went back to her desk.  "Yes?"

Bud stuck his head in, nodding at Harm.  "Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but a representative from Quantico is on line one."

Mac sighed.  "Thanks, Bud."  As Bud left and shut the door, Mac sighed.  "Can I take a rain check on that storage closet?"

Harm shook his head, pushing himself off of Mac's desk.  "Nope.  Take this call, and then meet me there." He smiled and ducked out.

Grinning after him, Mac pressed line one.  "This is Colonel Mackenzie."

"Colonel, it's Dick Sutton over at Quantico..."

Mac leaned back in her chair, not quite giving her future boss her full attention, her thoughts just down the hall in the soon-to-be infamous supply closet.

Harm glanced around furtively.  No one appeared to be watching, so he headed down the hall as if towards the bathroom.  Turning and glancing once more, he ducked into the supply closet and sat down on an overturned bucket to wait.

Mac hurriedly finished her phone call and got up, glancing quickly down the hall to make sure everyone was otherwise occupied.  Walking briskly, she hurriedly opened the supply closet door.  "You lookin’ for a little action, sailor?"  She said to Harm with a grin on her face.

Harm shook his head teasingly.  "Nope, sorry, ma'am, I'm taken."  He stood and crossed to her in one long step, wrapping Mac in his arms and pulling the door shut.

Later…

Harm savored the taste of Mac’s kisses on his lips as he peeked out the door and stepped into the hallway quickly.

Across the hall, Bud winked over at Harriet, who simply beamed.  "Think he was looking for the Pledge?" She whispered.

Bud simply grinned and went back to making his copies.
 

0800 hours
The Next Day
JAG Headquarters

"Mornin', Harm," Meg replied, her Texas accent coating her voice as she spoke his name.  "How's it hangin'?"

Mac counted to twenty and then followed Harm into the office.  Her stomach turned a little when she saw Harm and Meg flirting, especially given Meg's confiding in her about her attraction to Harm...but Mac simply smiled remembering the wild night the two had had the night before.  "Good morning, Harm, Meg."  Mac said with a smile before heading into her office.

Harm turned with a smile.  "Mornin, jarhead."  He turned back to Meg.  "So what are you doing for lunch?  Mac and I thought about heading out for an hour or so...you and Bud wanna come?"

The nickname wasn't lost on Meg...but, ignoring it, she smiled brightly.  "Sure, I'll be there!"

Mac headed to her office, smiling at Bud on the way.  She sat down and looked at the pile of files on her desk.  As her week at JAG was coming to a close, she was meeting it with mixed feelings.  She was going to miss working with everyone, but was excited to start new with a job she knew she was going to love.

Harm headed to his office.  He wasn't dealing well with the idea of losing Mac as his partner, and he didn't think he was going to be able to face her in court that afternoon.  Harm knew he *had* to, he just didn't know how he'd do it.
 

JAG Headquarters
0112 PM EST

Mac stood and stretched, having sat for close to three hours trying to finish up the last bits of her case against Petty Officer Jack Miller.  She had sent Bud to the courtroom ahead of her, and she walked into the hall and up to Harm's office door.  She knocked once and opened the door.  "Harm, I---" She stopped dead when she saw the love of her life embracing Meg.

Harm turned, releasing Meg.  "Uh, hey, Mac."  He looked slightly embarrassed.  "What's up?"

Mac opened and shut her mouth a couple of times, trying to come up with an answer.  "I, uh, I just wanted to know if you wanted to head down to court together...you know, maybe take the deal I offered you.  But I can see you're busy, so I'll just catch you later."  She turned on her heel and bolted out of the office.

Harm turned to Meg.  "Sorry," he said, and raced after Mac.  His long strides caught up with her in moments.  "Mac, wait!" he called.  "Wait," he grabbed her arm.  "Listen!"

Mac whipped around, tears threatening to overflow onto her cheeks.  "Don't do this here." She hissed.  "I have to be in court."  She turned and started to walk away.

Harm reached for her hand and turned Mac to face him.  "I'm not going to go into court and face you, knowing what you think.  We have ten minutes before court, stop and talk to me," he demanded, softly.  "Give me a chance to explain before you jump to conclusions *again*," he said firmly.

Sighing, Mac crossed her arms and motioned for him to continue.  "You have 9 minutes, 51 seconds."

Harm shrugged and said simply.  "Meg's a good friend.  She was my first long-term partner at JAG, we had a working relationship and a personal *friendship*," he emphasized the last word.  "When she left for Texas and you came to JAG, you know I wasn't happy.  But I got to know, and love, you," Harm added, tenderly.  "And I love you a lot more, in a completely different way, than I ever loved Meg."  His blue eyes were loving yet almost challenged Mac to test him.  "But there's a small piece of my heart that belongs to Meg, as it would to any friend that went through so much for me.  I feel the same way about Bud, Harriet and the Admiral."  Harm paused to catch his breath.

Still angry and hurt, Mac retorted, "That doesn't explain why you were hugging her."

Harm wanted with all his pilot's ego to yell at Mac, to tell her that he had a perfect right to hug whomever he wanted, whenever he wanted.  But he knew that between changing jobs, the beginning of their tenuous--at best--relationship, and Meg's return, Mac was vulnerable.  So he bit back the sarcastic comments and continued softly.  "The point is, I missed Meg when she went to Texas.  And since she's been back in Virginia, I haven't had much of a chance to really talk with her.  You and I have been together almost twenty-four, seven," he smiled tenderly at Mac.  "So we were talking this morning.  And Meg started to tell me what happened to her in Texas.  She was upset, and I was comforting her."

Mac took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair.  She looked at the floor for a minute and then back up at Harm.  "I'm sorry." She said.  "I know Meg's your friend, and you hug your friends.  I just...I guess I was...I was thrown, that's all.  I wanted to keep you all to myself, I suppose."  She grasped his hand.

Harm pulled her into his arms.  "I know, Mac.  I felt the same way every time I saw you touch Brumby's hand, or smile at Dalton or defend Chris."  He kissed the top of her head.  "I'm all yours, sweetheart.  But, as much as I love you," he tried to phrase it delicately, "I won't give up my friends.  And I hope you wouldn't, either."

Mac laughed.  "What friends?  I'm too busy beating your butt in court for friends."  She squeezed him one final time and then released him.  Conspiratorially, she leaned in to talk to him.  "That plea bargain I offered you the other night still stands...I'd take it if I were you."

Harm laughed.  "You have plenty of friends, jarhead.  And you keep dreaming, darlin'.  This defense is locked up airtight."

Mac shook her head.  "Harm, you have more holes in your case than a piece of swiss cheese with an infestation of mice living there.  As for the dreaming part...I'm not sure if I'll be able to object to your motions, given the fact that I've seen your motions *outside* of the courtroom."

Harm laughed softly.  "Well, this is our last case together, Colonel, let's make it a good fight.  Deal?" he extended his hand.

Mac shook his hand.  "Deal."  She walked to the courtroom doors and turned back to him.  "Loser makes dinner and draws the bath."  She whispered, winking at him.

Harm chuckled to himself.  "Deal, Counselor."  He entered the courtroom a step behind Mac, leaning over to whisper in her ear, "But you still owe me a game of Monopoly."

Mac looked at him, quirking an eyebrow, and set her briefcase on the table.  She forced herself to think about her prosecuting duties and get her mind off the fact that less than 12 hours ago, defense counsel was slamming into her, calling out her name along with God's.

Harm, over at the prosecutor's table, was having the same kind of thoughts.  As he began his opening statement, he turned to point at the defendant, and caught sight of Mac out of the corner of his eye.  He almost missed a beat as he remembered being with her.  He almost choked, but managed to go on with the opening statement.  When he'd finished, Harm sat down, nodding at Mac, and wondering if she was thinking what he was thinking.

Mac got up, deliberately not looking at Harm, and addressed the jury.  Her opening statement was calm, collected and concise, even as her insides were burning. She finished and sat down, collecting her notes for the first witness, crossing her legs.  *I've got the hots for defense counsel.* She thought with a grin.

"Yes, your honor?" he snapped out his daydream.

"Any objections to the first witness, counselor?" the judge said, a bit miffed.

"No, sir."  Harm sat back down.  This was going to be a *long* trial.

Mac shot a look at Harm, her eyes dancing.

They finished for the day and after she had finished packing up her things, she walked over to Harm.  Placing a hand on his arm, she said softly, "Both offers still stand."

Harm nodded.  "Give me a sec to confer, ok?"  He turned to his client, leaned down and whispered.  "Uh huh.  Okay."  He swiveled back to face Mac.  "We're taking the deal.  The Petty Officer doesn't want to do any more time than he has to.  He and I both know he's innocent, but the odds of us getting a better deal than what you're offering are slim."
Mac nodded.  "Good.  I'll have Bud draw up the paperwork for tomorrow."  She turned to walk out and then went back up to him, talking in a low voice.  "I feel like Thai tonight."

Harm grinned.  "Panang duck and curried rice it is, dear," he whispered.  "Your place, 1900. Wear absolutely nothing."  He took off out of the courtroom at a jog.
 

Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
1858 PM

Mac blew out the match and stepped back to survey her apartment.  It was lit only by candles (a fire hazard, she was sure, but hell, it was mood lighting, so therefore it was acceptable) and there was soft Vivaldi playing in the background.  Had she not known better, she would have easily thought she was trying to seduce Harm.  She grinned and pulled at the hem of his Navy sweatshirt which she had stolen from him during their stay at Cecile's.  She had gotten cold "wearing absolutely nothing" and threw it on.  She brought the collar up to her nose and inhaled his scent, her stomach growing more excited at the thought of him once again being in her bed.

Harm knocked on the door softly.  "Princess, it's me," he grinned to himself.

Mac ran to the door and skidded to a stop (à la Tom Cruise in "Risky Business") and took a deep breath before opening the door.  "Hi."  She said, with just a hint of breathlessness.

Harm grinned.  "Breathless" was cute on Mac.  Hell, EVERYTHING was cute on Mac....but not as cute as nothing.  "Uhm, hi," he finally replied.  He held up his offering of Thai.  "I brought dinner, as request, ma'am.  And a little surprise," he jiggled a small bag just above Mac's reach.

Mac opened the door wider and leaned up to kiss him.  Stepping back, she let him pass, and then made sure the door was securely locked, not wanting a repeat of a few nights ago.  She turned back to him.  "You know I love surprises."

Harm headed straight for the living room, tucking his package behind a couch cushion.  "No peeking," he warned, "Or I won't use what's in there."  Laughing to himself, Harm dished out dinner onto two plates and poured hot tea for the both of them.  He balanced the plates on one arm, glasses in the other hand and came back into the living room.  "Dinner is served, mademoiselle."

Intrigued, Mac said nothing, but took the offered plate.  Looking at the interesting selection Harm had brought, she muttered, "Here goes nothing," and brought the fork up to her lips.  Chewing delicately, she placed her hand to her mouth in amazement.  "Harm...this is *wonderful*!"

A deep laugh rumbled through Harm as he chewed.  "I know," he said with a grin.  "I told you that you'd like it once you gave it a chance---like me!" He leaned over and gently wiped some sauce from the corner of Mac's mouth.  "Ya know, you're messy eater," he said, kissing her gently.

Mac grinned.  "Well, then, I guess you'll just have to clean me up in the bath later, huh?"

Harm grinned broadly.  "Promise?" he asked, reaching over to stroke her cheek.

Mac turned her head and kissed his palm, smiling devilishly.  "Of course.  But only on one condition."

"What's that?" Harm asked around a mouthful of veggies.

Mac fished around the couch cushions.  "That you show me what was in that blessed bag.  You know I hate surprises."

"Five minutes ago, you loved surprises," Harm teased, snatching the bag out of Mac's hand.  "I'll show you when we're done eating."

Mac stuck her tongue out at him.  "You're no fun anymore, Sailor."

Harm chuckled.  "I just don't want you to choke on your duck."

Mac looked at him, eyebrow quirked.  "This is a new side to you, Commander."  She commented, taking another bite of the food.

Harm crossed his legs Indian-style and leaned back against the couch.  "I've never been with someone I could trust before."

Mac smiled and squeezed his knee.  "I'm getting more and more worried at the contents of this bag, though."

Harm smiled comfortingly.  "Don't worry.  If you don't like the surprises, we won't use them.  Now finish your dinner."

*Won't use them?* Mac thought to herself.  *I have a feeling this is going to get very, very interesting very, very quickly.*  "Okay."  She finally said.  "Harm, I wanted to talk about today..."

Harm's smile faded quickly and he nodded.  "Shoot."

Mac placed her plate on the table and looked at him.  "I'm sorry I freaked out about Meg.  It's just...it's so obvious she's attracted to you...and I'm just petrified you'll realize you could do so much better than me."

Harm slid quickly across the carpet to Mac and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.  "Sarah Mackenzie, where did you get the crazy idea that there's anyone out there better for me than *you*?"

Mac leaned into his embrace.  Sighing, she continued, "I have something to tell you, so hold that thought for a minute."

Harm remained silent.  *So -this- is what AJ meant,* he thought.  His fingers stroked Mac's hair gently, mesmerized by her beauty, even in sadness.

"Part of the reason I reacted so badly to seeing you and Meg together was..."  Mac took a deep breath before she continued.  "She talked a lot about her attraction to you, and talked even more about her desire to have more than a professional relationship with you.  That's why I got scared, Harm...she's spunky, young, she has a sense of humor...everything I don't really have anymore."

Harm took a minute to reply.  When he did, it was heartfelt and sincere.  "I'm sorry.  If I'd had any idea, I would not have hugged her like that--both because it hurt you and because it'll lead her on." He shook his head slowly.  "I can't believe she never said anything.  I'll have to talk to her Monday," he thought aloud.

"You're right, Mac," Harm said, coming back to the moment.  "Meg's younger than we are, and a lot of fun.  That's why we're friends.  She brings out the kid in me.  We laugh, we flirt, we generally have a good time."  He paused to turn Mac to face him fully.  "But, you're also wrong, Mac.  You have everything Meg has, and more.  She's spunky, you're courageous.  She's young, you're young at *heart*.  Meg has a--a childlike appreciation for life.  You're coming at life from a vantage point so far beyond hers it's not even comparable.  You've been through things she could only have nightmares about facing.  And you came out on the other side."  Harm squeezed Mac's hands tightly in his, feeling her slight tremble.  "I like Meg, she's a lot of fun.  But I *love* you.  You're the one I want to be with forever, to wake up to every morning, to have my babies, to remind me to take my medication when I'm senile," he cracked tenderly.  "Meg's a good friend, but you bring out the Elvis in me."

Mac swiped at the tears that had fallen during Harm's speech.  "Thank you."  she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face there as well.  "I love you so much, Harm."

His heart was so full that it felt like it would burst right open.  Harm pulled Mac onto his lap and just sat like that for a long moment.  His savored every sensation--the feel of her in his arms, sitting in his lap, her salty tears tickling his neck.  "I love you, too, Mac," he murmured, rubbing her back in small circles.  "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Mac leaned back and kissed him tenderly.  "Well, let's just hope we'll never have to find out, okay?"  she said, smiling in spite of her tears.

Harm nodded, his eyes clouded with tears.  He bent forward and kissed away Mac's tears, tasting the salt on his tongue.  "I hate seeing you cry, Mac," he said softly, tracing the line of her cheekbone with his fingertip.

Mac placed her hand over his.  "I'm not crying," she said with a smile, "I'm just washing away my makeup naturally."

Harm laughed softly.  "Who says you don't have a sense of humor, jarhead?"

Mac smiled again and then simply looked at him.  "I can't believe we're *here*," She said after a minute.  Taking her hand in his, "I can't believe you're *mine*."

Harm nodded.  "I know, I can hardly believe it, either.  But, Mac," he smiled, kissing her cheek, "I've been yours for a long time."

She cradled his head to her cheek, wiping away the last of her tears.  "I can't believe Friday's my last day at JAG."  She said, releasing him.

Harm pulled her back down to him.  "I like you there," he protested with a soft smile.  "I can't believe it either.  And here it is Thursday night already.  How am I going to work without you there to tease me, Mac?"

Mac laughed.  "Maybe you'll actually *work* without me there to distract you."

Harm shook his head.  "I doubt it.  Having you up against me in court always challenged me.  I knew I didn't have a prayer of beating you if I didn't give it a hundred and ten percent.  You don't realize how good a lawyer you are, Mac."

Mac ducked her head at the praise.  "Thanks, Harm."  She stretched languidly.  "So, are you planning a party for my last day tomorrow?"

"Hey, now, wait." Harm tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.  "We have to work on this self-esteem problem," he smiled.  "I look at you and I see a goddess.  It's hard to believe you'd see anything less in yourself."

Mac shook her head.  "Must be that beauty in the eye of the beholder thing."

Harm tipped his head in thought.  "No, because everyone who knows you sees it, too."  He leaned his forehead against Mac's and began to sing softly.  "How could anyone ever tell you, you were anything less than beautiful?  How could anyone ever tell you, you were less than whole?
How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle?  How deeply you're connected to my soul.”

Mac closed her eyes and let herself get swept away by Harm's soothing voice.  She turned around and leaned against his chest, drawing his arms around her.  *Better than a blanket*, she mused with a smile.

Harm cuddled her close, repeating the words softly.  "How could anyone ever tell you, you were anything less than beautiful?”  Slipping his little bag of surprises behind the couch, Harm stood, pulling Mac with him.  He lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, singing quietly.  "How could anyone ever tell you, you were less than whole?“  Harm laid Mac down on the bed, and slid in next to her, wrapping his arms around her.  "How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle?  How deeply you're connected to my soul.”  Harm kissed the back of Mac's neck tenderly.  "I love you, Sarah."

Mac smiled and squeezed his arms.  "And I love you.  And I'll never get tired of saying it."  She rolled over and regarded him.  "Harm...I know that bag of yours is begging to be opened...but would it be okay just to stay like this tonight?  Just to hold me?"

Harm smiled.  "I was just about to ask the same thing.  I have the rest of my life to make love to you until you believe that I'm never letting you go.  Tonight, I just want to feel you fall asleep in my arms like you did that first night at Cecile's."

Mac grinned.  "Scary how were being psychic tonight, huh?"  She reached under the comforter and removed her socks.  "Can't sleep with socks."

Harm laughed.  "I can't sleep without 'em," he rubbed his sock feet against her calf.

Mac giggled.  "That works...so you can warm my feet in the middle of the night when I get cold."

Harm kissed her shoulder warmly.  "Anytime, darlin'."
 

Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
0715 AM

"Harm!"  Mac called from the kitchen.  "We'd better get moving if we're going to be anywhere close to being on time!"  She placed a cup of coffee on the counter, fixed just the way he liked it, and next to it, a piece of whole wheat toast.  Moving into the hallway, she started to get her briefcase together.  "Harm!"  She called again.

Harm appeared out of the bedroom, freshly showered and shaved.  "You bellowed, Mom?" he grinned.  "I pity our children.  I can just hear it now," he teased, as he spun Mac around and pulled her close to hug her tightly.  "Let's go, troops! School bus is here. Hup, hup, hup two three! March!" he mimicked.

Mac made a face at him. "Well, maybe if they have my timing, I won't have to bellow the way I bellow at *you*."  She said, kissing him swiftly.  "Come on, it's my day to go in second...and it would be very tacky for me to be late on my last day."

Harm grabbed her hand.  "I don't think so, sweetie.  First off, our kids are going to have *your* eyes and my timing.  And secondly, you're not going anywhere alone.  It's your last day, and *I*, your boyfriend, am driving you in. No if ands or buts, unless it's your butt, in my car."

Mac smiled and then looked at him with a semi-worried look on her face.  "Harm, if we still want to keep this quiet, you know that won't work."

Harm shook his head quickly.  "Why would I do that? I love you, Mac, and today's the day I get to shout it from the rooftops!"  As he pushed her gently towards the door, he grabbed something off the bookcase and followed her.
 

JAG headquarters
0742 AM

As Mac got out of the car, she slowly took in the beautiful Falls Church landscape.  A sad smile worked its way onto her face.  She looked up at the big brick building where she had spent so many years of her life...and then looked back at the love that had finally found her.  She shut the car door and smiled at him.  "You sure you want to go in together?"

Harm took his briefcase in one hand and Mac's hand in the other.  "I've never been so sure of anything in my life," he said confidently.  His insides were churning, but he was positive that this was the right step.

Mac smiled at him and headed into the building.  A million thoughts ran through her mind on the elevator ride up to the offices and she squeezed Harm's hand for support as the doors dinged open.

A million thoughts ran through Harm's mind, too, but you can bet they weren't the same as Mac's.  He squeezed her hand back, hoping some of his surety would rub off on her.  "Ready?"

Taking a deep breath and stepping out of the elevator, Mac nodded.  "As I'll ever be."

Harm smiled.  "Good."

Mac opened the door to the offices and her eyes immediately filled with tears as she noticed a banner adorning the wall.  "We'll Miss You, Mac!"  Mac smiled through her tears and looked back at Harm.  "Did you do this?"

Harm grinned boyishly.  "Harriet helped."

Mac laughed, a watery sound, and squeezed his hand.  "Thank you."  She looked around the office; it was business as usual except for the banner.
Mac hastily wiped her eyes as she saw AJ walk towards them.

AJ smiled briefly and motioned towards his office.  "Can I have a moment with you, Mac?"

Mac nodded, squeezing Harm's hand one final time and following the Admiral into his office.

AJ motioned for Mac to sit down before taking his own seat.  "I'll make this brief, Mac.  I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you've done for this office...and for the members of my staff, especially that Commander out there."  AJ smiled.  "He was a mess after Meg left...but then you turned that around.  So, from me to you, *thank you*."  He said, his voice breaking.

Mac's eyes filled with tears again.  "Admiral, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve under you, Sir.

AJ nodded briefly.  "Well.  You still have to work to do, so dismissed."

Mac got up and stood at attention.  "Aye, aye, Sir."  Wiping her eyes, she left the office.

Harm smiled as Mac came out of the Admiral's office.  With a wink, he ducked in, spoke quickly to AJ and came back out.  He motioned for AJ to follow him.

AJ, with a bewildered but amused look on his face, came out and regarded the bullpen.

Harm cleared his throat loudly.  "Excuse me.  Can I have your attention, please?"  He paused, as the bullpen continued to crackle with activity.  "ADMIRAL ON DECK!" he shouted and everyone froze.  "Thank you," he smiled.

Mac ducked her head and tugged on his sleeve.  "What are you doing?"  she hissed.

Harm didn't answer, just raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.  "Ladies and gentlemen, and Admirals," he chuckled softly.  "I have a little announcement I'd like to make.  Well, two, actually," he amended.

Meg raised an eyebrow.  "What's up, Squid?" she asked jokingly.  "You get another medal of honor?"

Harm shook his head, glancing at Mac before turning back to the silent crowd of their friends.  "Now, most of you figured it out long before we did, but just to officialize things--Lieutenant Colonel

“Sarah Mackenzie and I are in love!"  Harm laughed softly as a cheer went up in the bullpen.

Mac's jaw dropped as the words spilled from Harm's mouth.  No words were able to form, so she sat there in dumb silence as he continued.

"And," he continued, getting down on one knee.  "I want to spend forever with her.  Mac, will you do me the honor of becoming my partner in life, like you were in JAG?  I don't want to live a day without you by my side, jarhead."

Mac's eyes filled with tears again, and a hand flew to her mouth.  Her mouth moved, but again, she wasn't able to make any words, so she did the next best thing: she leaned down and kissed him, nodding along the way.
Harm smiled so big he thought his face would crack right in half.  He stood quickly, and with a whoop of victory, crushed Mac to him and kissed her hard.  "I love you, Mac," he whispered into her mouth, tears streaming down his face.  "Now I have forever to prove it to you."

Mac threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.  Turning back to the crowd, she wiped away his tears and then jabbed her fist in the air, crying out, "We did it!"

Bud passed a Kleenex to Harriet and yelled out with AJ, "It's about time!"

Harm laughed, his arms still around Mac's waist.  "About *damn* time," he added. Suddenly remembering, Harm released Mac and pulled a little bag out of his pocket.  Out of the bag came a small box.  He opened it towards her, watching Mac's eyes for a reaction.  "I believe this is yours, ma'am."

Mac placed her hand back on her mouth and reached out for the box, outlining the velvet with her fingers.  "I can't believe this is happening." she whispered with a huge smile on her face.

"Me either," Harm added, unable to think well enough to form a coherent thought.  He turned back to the little crowd of friends who were trying vainly to peer at the ring.  Harm held up the small velvet box, explaining.  "This is a ring my grandfather, Matthew Rabb, gave my grandmother, Sarah, on the day he proposed.  After my plane crash, which almost all of you know about, I went to spend some time with my grandma Sarah.  As I was leaving, she slipped this ring into my hand.  I asked her what I was supposed to do with a woman's engagement ring.  She told me, "Someday you'll meet your soulmate.  And when you do, you'll need a ring to put on her finger."  She patted my fist, holding the ring.  "Give this to the next Sarah Rabb."  And now, I am," Harm choked out around the lump in his throat.  He slid it into Mac's ring finger.  It fit almost perfectly.  "That's where I get my psychic streak," he joked softly.

Mac held her hand out, admiring the antique diamond.  "It's beautiful."  She whispered.

She looked back at Harm and mouthed, "I love you."

Harm whispered with tears in his eyes.  "I love you, too."

AJ wiped at his eyes (although he would swear he wasn't crying) and started a round of applause as Mac leaned in to kiss Harm tenderly, letting the cool band of her ring run up his cheek.  After they separated, AJ cleared his throat.  "All right, people, back to work."  Turning to the newly engaged couple, he took both of their hands in his, with a kind, fatherly smile on his face.  "Thank God you did it today, Rabb...today was my day in the Are they or aren't they pool...I get to split $250 with Harriet!"

Harm's entire body shook with laughter.   "Looks like I should be the one congratulating you, sir," Harm laughed.

AJ smiled and shook his head.  "No, I think your winnings outweigh mine...although, with the money, I can afford a hell of a lot of breadsticks at Bertucci's."  Nodding to himself, he turned and headed back into his office.

As AJ left, Mac leaned back and looked at Harm with a worried look, but lost herself in his eyes.  "We should call Cecile and tell her the good news."  she whispered, leaning in closer to him.

Harm shook his head, realizing that in all the confusion, he'd forgotten to tell Mac.  "Harriet can call for us."

Harm grinned broadly as he quickly explained the Cecile/Harriet situation.  A matching grin crossed Mac's face as she figured it out.  "They're in trouble," the pair said in unison.  Harm leaned over and kissed Mac gently.  "Here comes forever," he whispered.