For All Of Eternity

January 20, 2003

Disclaimer: Do you seriously think that a 13 year old girl thinks she owns JAG? Not likely, and if I did, Harm and Mac would be together by now. And no, I'm not accepting profit.

The song "Black Eyes, Blue Tears" belongs to Shania Twain and company; I didn't write it nor do I claim it. I just like it.

Author Notes: This story was originally "At Last" but I changed the name because I didn't want anyone to get confused with TT2's wonderful story...

**This story is dedicated to Jennifer Estep for her encouragement and praise of my stories. Jenn, you have helped me in so many ways, I cannot describe them all.

I did invent a few miscellaneous characters here or there, but they're not all that important so I wouldn't worry.

This story touches slightly sensitive matters pertinent to Harm and Mac's childhoods, but I don't think it's too bad. If it bugs you, don't read it.

Writer's license: I know that Harm and Mac are a few years apart, I know that they grew up in different parts of the world, and I know that none of this could've ever really happened, but I'm hiding behind writer's license, and I really think you should read this one anyways. It's my favorite.

Let me bring it to the attention of everyone that September 11, 2001 never happened in the plot of my story and it never will as long as this story goes. I find it too sad to write about. No references to Osama Bin Laden or terrorism, etc. will be made whatsoever.

Washington, DC
Sarah Mackenzie's home
September 1, 1973
0800 ET

Five-year-old Sarah smiled proudly. Dressed in her new hot pink sundress and matching shoes, she was ready for her first day of kindergarten. Sarah was so excited! Maybe she would have a teacher with soft, blonde hair and colored fingernails like she'd seen in catalogues. Pink, she hoped. Like her dress.

Just as Sarah was pondering what her teacher would look like, her mother walked into the room. Sarah's mother felt frazzled and tired, but nevertheless, she smiled at Sarah. "Ready for school?" she asked.

"Yeah!" Sarah replied enthusiastically.

"Well that's good, because your bus is outside!" Sarah's mother pointed out the window. Sarah grinned. With one last wave at her mother, she hurried out the door. Sarah did not see the tear in her mother's eye as she watched her child leave for school.

The bus driver smiled at Sarah as she walked up the tall bus stairs. "You're in seat seven," he said.

When Sarah sat down in her seat, there was another boy sitting there. He had an airplane shirt and pants on. The little boy smiled. "Hi, I'm Harm!" he told her.

"I'm Sarah," was her meek response.

"Hey, that's my granny's name!!" Harm giggled. He straightened up. "Hey... um.. do you wanna be friends?"

Sarah's eyes lit up. "Friends?!" she repeated. "I never had a friend before!"

"Let's be friends," Harm decided.

"Okay!" Sarah agreed.

"D'you like airplanes?" Harm asked.

Sarah wrinkled her forehead and tilted her head. "I don't know about them," she admitted.

Harm pulled the zipper to his bookbag. He pulled out a model F-14. "This is the plane my daddy flies," Harm explained. Then his smile fell. "My daddy is going to fight in the war next week. He's not coming back fer six monfs." Harm quickly hid behind his child's composure, rather than the mature one he had been taking earlier.

Sarah wrinkled her forehead again. "Why aren't you smiling? When my daddy goes away, my mommy is happy! Mommy always takes me places when daddy leaves."

Harm's eyes grew large. "Really?"

"Yeah," Sarah replied. "My daddy's mean."

Washington, DC
Brookstone Elementary school
January 6, 1974
1200 ET

Harm plunked down on a seat next to Sarah. She had just opened her lunch. "Hi," Harm sighed sadly.

"Hi," Sarah said sensitively. "What's wrong?"

"It's my daddy," little Harm whimpered.

Sarah's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is your daddy mean now too?"

"No. My daddy's M. I. A." Harm said angrily. "And m-mommy won't even let me go f-find him." Harm's lip begin to tremble.

"What's M. I. A?" Sarah echoed Harm's annunciation on "MIA," separating each letter noticeably.

"Missing In Action," Harm explained. "It means they can't find daddy, not even in the spot between the bed and the wall I always use during hide-and-go-seek, and he might be d-d-dead..." Harm started to cry.

"So why are you sad?? Now your mommy will be happy all the time!" Sarah wondered.

"My mommy's sad now. She loved my daddy," Harm told her. "Doesn't yours?"

"She hates him. Everybody does," Sarah replied sadly.

Washington, DC
Brookstone Elementary
One year later
0830 ET

Sarah walked into her first grade classroom. She straightened the paper bag on her head, and walked shamefully over to Harm.

"Sarah!" Harm exclaimed. "WHY do you have a paper bag on your head?"

"Cause," Sarah replied stiffly. "I do."

Gentle and delicate Ana Lanter, their teacher, crossed the room upon seeing Sarah. "Sarah?" she questioned. "Why do you have that bag on your head? You're to pretty of a little girl to put that on you."

"Am not. And it's there cause it is," Sarah replied, an edge on her voice. She turned away quickly.

Miss. Lanter turned Sarah back towards her. "Sarah, I want you to take that bag off your head now." Sarah shook her head. The paper bag made a scratching sound against her oversized sweatshirt. Today, despite the fact that it was eighty degrees, Sarah had dressed in sweats that her mommy had put out for her. She couldn't let anyone know how she'd been a bad girl.

Miss Lanter saw her opportunity while Sarah was thinking. Quickly, she lifted the bag off of Sarah's head. Shamefully, Sarah lowered her eyes. Her teacher lifted her head, but Sarah fought not to meet her teacher's gaze. "Sarah, what happened?" she asked. Under the bag, Sarah had a black eye. Little did Miss. Lanter know, she had a bruise on her arm as well.

Quickly, Sarah made up a story. "I... I fell down the stairs," she lied. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. She had fallen down the stairs; she had just had a little help. His name was Dad, or "Joe" as Sarah called him behind his back. Only "sir" to his face though. Always "sir". Cause she had to treat authorities with respect.

"Sarah?" Miss Lanter brought Sarah back to attention. "Try to be more careful, okay? And don't put bags on your head."

"Yes, Miss Lanter," Sarah agreed. With that, Miss Lanter stood and walked away.

Once their teacher was gone, Harm turned to Sarah. "You didn't fall down the stairs, didja?" Your daddy did it, din' he?" Harm accused.

Sarah hung her head. "Yes," she admitted. "But don't tell nobody. It was 'cause I been a bad girl."

"Kay," Harm replied. "What'd you do, did you knock over a vase or somethin?"

"I yelled at daddy an' I told him be nice to mommy, an' then he got all mad again..." Sarah explained, as though it was an every day occurrence.

"Oh," Harm said. "Hey, you wanna play blocks?"

"Kay," Sarah agreed.

Washington, DC
Brookstone Middle school
Six years later
1200

Sarah and Harm had finally made it to eighth grade! It was their seventh week of school. The two were still best friends, involved in the same activities, and in the same classes for the most part.

Right now, they were at lunch.

"Who do you like?" Harm prodded.

"No one!" Sarah insisted. "I told you, I don't like ANYONE!" Sarah got a mischievous look in her eye. "Who do you like?"

Harm shrugged. "I don't really like anybody... but... can you tell how Dave likes Anne?" Harm was eager to change the subject from his own love life.

Sarah stared at Harm. "Did you know you're gossiping?" she asked, laughing.

"No I am NOT!" Harm defended. "Just telling you."

"Uh-huh, and it's called gossip," Sarah loved giving him a hard time. He was so funny!

"Okay... fine. But you do it too!" Harm tried.

"I'm a GIRL!" Sarah giggled. "I'm SUPPOSED to gossip!"

Harm rolled his eyes. "Fine, you win," he sighed and turned back to his lunch.

Washington, DC
Sarah's home
One year and six months later
1900 ET

"Bye, mom," Sarah called. She was so glad to be going to Suzanne's house tonight. It meant that she didn't have to listen to her father's screaming.

"Bye Sarah, Happy birthday," Sarah's mother moaned. She was so tired. She had not slept in weeks, what with Joe and all...

Sarah headed out the door, duffle bag on her shoulder. Suzanne's brother’s jeep was waiting outside.

"Hi Sarah!" Suzanne greeted when Sarah got in.

"Hi Suzanne," Sarah greeted back.

Suzanne handed Sarah a package. "Happy birthday," she smiled.

"I... g...get a present?" Sarah stuttered.

"Yes, of course!" Suzanne exclaimed. "Open it!"

Sarah was amazed. Harm was the only person who'd ever given her a gift. She could never give gifts because she didn't have any money. Last Christmas, she'd saved up her money to buy Harm a gift. He'd been so happy. She was dying to do it again, but she didn't have the money and she certainly couldn't get anything from her father.

Slowly, Sarah slipped the paper neatly off the gift. Inside, there was a book. It had a shiny black cover, and the word Diary was written in italic letters on the front. She flipped through the thick tan pages until the diary was on the front page. There was writing there. It said:

Dear Sarah,

I thought you might like to have someplace to record your thoughts, so I got you this. If you ever feel you need to write about how you feel, think, or act, this would be a great place for you to do it. Someday when you're old, you can look back at it and see how you felt in High School.

I hope you enjoy it.

Suzanne

Sarah smiled. "Thank you so much, Suzanne. This means a lot to me."

Washington, DC
Suzanne's house
A few hours later

Suzanne's phone rang. Suzanne rose from the couch to pick it up, leaving Sarah behind her with half painted toe nails.

"Hello," she answered. Suzanne immediately held the phone away from her ear. "It's for you," she told Sarah. "It's your dad."

Sarah gulped. "My d..." she lifted the phone to her ear, "Hello?" she asked calmly.

"...get your behind over here NOW! NOW, YOU GET HERE NOW, SARAH!" Sarah turned away from the phone.

"Suzanne, I have to go. My dad needs me." Sarah turned back and said "I'll be right there, Sir."

"Sarah?" Suzanne asked meekly as she hung up the phone. "Don't go."

"I have to, Suzanne. I'm sorry," Sarah replied sadly. "Thank you for everything."

With that, Sarah slipped her sandals on, grabbed her duffle bag, and begun walking back to her own house, dreadfully wondering what her awful father had in store for her.

When Sarah arrived at her own house, her father was pacing in the front hall. Sarah's mother was no where in sight.

"Sarah!" he shouted. "It's all YOUR FAULT! It's YOUR FAULT your mother left me! It's YOUR FAULT she's gone! HOW DARE YOU!" Joe Mackenzie threw a bottle against the wall angrily and the glass shattered into a million pieces. "GO! YOUR ROOM NOW! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE OUT OF THERE FOR A WEEK!"

Sarah hurried off to her bedroom, tears threatening to fall. When she arrived in her room, she let the tears come, and she cried. Her mother had gone? Without her? She had left her own daughter with Joe Mackenzie? It wasn't fair, what kind of a mother is allowed to do that?

Sarah knew better than to leave her room at all in the next week. Luckily, she still had food in her closet from the last time she'd been locked in there. She couldn't call Harm. It was too late.

Sarah's mind wandered to the diary that Suzanne had given her. She could write there. At least it would relieve her a little bit. She picked up a pen and begun to write.

Today, my mother left my life forever. I hate her. She left me with my awful father. What sort of mother does that to her own daughter? She used to tell me we'd run away, just the two of us run away from him. But now she's gone without me and there's nothing I can do about it. I hate my father. He's locked me in my room for a week, all alone. I can't even go to school. And I can't call Harm. I love Harm. He's so nice to me. I wish he loved me, but he thinks of me only as a friend and that will never change.

I mustn't worry about Harm. I have bigger problems at the moment. God, if you're up there, please help me.

Sarah closed the diary and slipped it under her mattress. Then she curled up in her bed and tried to fall asleep, though with little success.

Washington, DC
Brookstone High School
One week and two days later
0800 ET

Sarah walked into her homeroom. She was surprised to see that Harm was not there yet. "Where's Harm?" Sarah asked her teacher.

"Mr. Rabb has moved away from this area due to misbehavior. His mother, poor dear, she had to do something," the teacher answered.

"What??" Sarah cried. "No!" Tears threatened to fall from Sarah's beautiful brown eyes. Anymore, there were precious few times they weren't inhabited by tears. Her mother had abandoned her and so had her best friend. He'd probably been the one who'd called and gotten her father's wrath. Oh God... it wasn't fair. Now she had no one. Why did Harm have to go? Why?

**NOTE: This part was very hard for me to write as I don't like to portray Sarah as such a horrible person, but this is the way I always pictured Sarah's life when she was with Chris. I know it's awful. This whole first part wasn't easy to write. It gets better I promise.

Las Vegas
Chris and Sarah Ragle's apartment
Three years later
0200 ET

Chris Ragle banged the apartment door. "Sarah! I'm home!" he called.

Sarah wobbled down the stairs. "Hi... Chris..." she moaned. "I... hadalittlebeer... today.."

"I see. Well I need some too." He approached Sarah and kissed her. His kiss was not sweet; it was more forceful and demanding than anything else. "An' I need you too."

"Need you too..." Sarah slurred. "Long... day...."

Sarah headed into the tiny kitchen and reached for a bottle on the counter. She took a large drink of it, and then became slightly green. She overcame her bout of nausea and turned to Chris. "Marryin' you was the funnest thing I've ever did."

"Me too," Chris kissed Sarah again and led her to their tiny bedroom, leaving the bottle behind them.

Las Vegas
Sarah and Chris Ragle's apartment
One year and six months later
0100 ET

Two men burst through the door to Sarah and Chris's apartment. "Chris Ragle, come out with your hands up!" one man shouted. Sarah came out of the living room.
"What's going on?" she slurred, beer bottle in her hand. "Chris isn' home yet, whadya want? Man... I'm real tired of people just comin' in like this..."

"Ma'am, I'm afraid you'll have to come with me. Your husband's gotten himself in a bit of trouble with the law."

"Chris din' hurt nobody!" Sarah protested.

"Come with me, Ma'am," one man repeated. The men led Sarah from the apartment.

One hour later
Police department

Sarah picked up the pay phone. She punched in her Uncle Matt's phone number.

"Hello," he answered.

"Unc'e Matt... I needja ta come pickmeup..." Sarah said.

"Sarah!?" Matt questioned. "Sarah where are you??"

"County jail," Sarah replied.

"I'll be right there," Matt replied. Sarah hung up the phone and turned to the police officer.

"Uncle Matt's comin' to get me," she told him.

"Very well, Mrs. Ragle. Where are your parents, by the way?" he asked.

"Ain't got none," Sarah replied angrily. The police officer could tell he had struck a nerve. "My fifteenth birthday my mom left me wif my good-fer-nuttin father. Week later, m' best friend lef me too. M' uncle's all I got now."

"I see," the policeman replied.

Only five minutes later, Matt O’Hara arrived at the jail. He saw Sarah's sickly face and immediately rushed to her side. "Sarah!" he cried. "Are you okay? What happened?"

The policeman cut in. "Sarah's husband has committed a serious crime. Our men picked her up at their apartment. She hasn't done anything, but she's very drunk and it appears that she's been that way for a while. I trust you'll straighten her out?"

"Of course," Uncle Matt replied. He turned to Sarah and held his hand out to her. "Come on, sweetie. Let's go."

"Kay..." she sighed. She followed Matt to his car. They got in and drove away.

Ten minutes into their drive, Sarah realized they weren't headed for his home. She waved it off though, and turned her attention to the song playing on the radio by Shania Twain.

Black eyes, I don't need 'em

Blue tears, gimme freedom

Positively never goin' back

I won't live where things are so out of whack

No more rollin' with the punches

No more usin' or abusin'

I'd rather die standing

Than live on my knees

Begging please - no more

Black eyes - I don't need 'em

Blue tears - gimme freedom

Black eyes - all behind me

Blue tears'll never find me now

A tear slipped down Sarah's cheek as she thought of her life before this day. How her father had beaten her mother, his cruel words. How she had cowered in the corner as she watched his rage as a child. A flashback of that day that she had worn a paper bag to school in first grade came to her as she listened.

Definitely found my self esteem

Finally - I'm forever free to dream

No more cryin' in the corner

No excuses, no more bruises

I'd rather die standing

Than live on my knees

Begging please - no more

Black eyes - I don't need 'em

Blue tears - Gimme freedom

Black eyes - All behind me

Blue tears'll never find me now

I'd rather die standing

Than live on my knees

Begging please...

Black eyes - I don't need 'em

Blue tears - Gimme freedom

Black eyes - All behind me

Blue tears'll never find me now

It's all behind me; they'll never find me now

Find your self esteem and be forever free to dream

Sarah's uncle looked at her as the song ended. "You okay?" he asked, bringing her from her thoughts.

"Thinkin' 'bout this song..." Sarah replied. "R'minds me of m' father an' mom an' me."

"Hey, unc'e Matt, where we goin'?" Sarah's thoughts turned back to the highway.

"You'll see," Matt replied evasively.

Two hours later, Sarah did see. They were at Red Rock Mesa.

NOTE: This is the part where it gets better. Much better.

Washington, DC
The White House Rose Garden
Ten years later
1200 ET

Sarah got out of the car. She looked at all the people in the Rose Garden. Talking, laughing, being happy. Why did she have to be so worried on such a beautiful day? She was so nervous. Who would her new partner be? What would he be like? Would he hate her, or would he be nicer than that? Would they be friends?

Just then, three men wearing Navy uniforms approached her in her quiet corner of The Rose Garden. "Major, this is your new partner," said a tall, bald man. She knew the tall man as Admiral AJ Chegwidden, JAG of the US Navy. He was to be her new CO.

Sarah stuck out her hand to the man next to AJ. He had dark hair, wore Lieutenant Commanders' insignia, and his blue eyes were mesmerizing. He looked about her own age. 'God, Sarah. Don't go falling in love with your partner,' she thought to herself. But it was too late. That man reminded Sarah of someone, but she did not know who. Whoever it was, she must've loved him.

The man had taken her hand. "Mac," she greeted. For that is what she was asking people to call her nowadays. "Mac" was short for her last name, Mackenzie.

"Harm," the man replied, still holding her hand.

Mac nearly passed out as she realized who it was.

It was Harmon Rabb. Her childhood best friend.

Harm stared at Mac. He knew that she reminded him of someone. But who?

Just then, a tall CIA agent named Clayton Webb approached them. "Major Sarah Mackenzie, good to have you on the case," he greeted. It was Harm's turn to feel faint now. Sarah Mackenzie? His childhood best friend? The girl he'd had a wild crush on in High school? It was her!

"Harm?" Mac whispered.

"Sarah?" he whispered back.

Both of them grinned as they recognized someone who had meant so much to them so many years ago.

AJ Chegwidden wrinkled his brow. "Do you two know each other?" he asked.

"Kind of, Sir."

"Used to, Admiral."

Harm and Mac spoke simultaneously and then laughed.

"So how've you been?" Harm asked Mac as they walked towards the JAG car.

"Are we talking since I turned nineteen or before?" Mac replied.

Harm looked at her, concerned. "Talk later?" he suggested.

"Sure. My place," Mac replied.

Falls Church, VA
JAG office
The same day
1300 ET

Harm and Mac stood in AJ's office. He was explaining a case to them in which someone had stolen the Declaration of Independence, and was currently trying to get away from police.

"This person is a Colonel Matthew O’Hara," AJ told them.

Mac breathed sharply and her eyes widened. Matthew O’Hara. For the second time, she felt as though she would faint. Mac quickly formulated a plan and then regained her military composure.

"You have to get it back. Mr. Webb will be coming with you, as will Lieutenant Roberts. Use whatever force is necessary," AJ explained.

Mac had met Lieutenant Roberts earlier. He was a nice guy, slightly gullible. He might fall for her plan. Harm, however, was worrying her. He knew her too well. But she had a good plan, and there was one thing Harm didn't know. He had no idea about Colonel O'Hara. Webb didn't know her very well. She could get past him. This idea just might work.

Somewhere
A couple hours later

"I'll head to the base, you guys go in the helo," Mac suggested.

"Okay," the others agreed. Mac headed to her car while Harm, Webb and Bud (aka Lieutenant Roberts for Jenn and my o ther non-JAG watching friends) hurried to the waiting helo. Mac got in her car and begun the drive to Red Rock Mesa. How would they know she wasn't going to the base?

Five minutes later, Harm waved down her car. "You're not going to the base. It's the other way," he told her.

"Oh, is it?" Mac tried to act innocent.

"Mac. I know better. How do you know him?" Harm asked. "I know you too well, you can't lie to me."

After a short pause, Mac said "He's my uncle Matt. He saved my life when I was nineteen.

"Where is he?" Harm asked.

"Red Rock Mesa," Mac replied. She trusted Harm. He wouldn't betray her trust any more than he would've when they were in High School.

"Let's go," Harm decided. "But let's rent a car. Webb's probably got yours bugged.

"Okay," Mac agreed.

A little while later
Somewhere
The famed sundress scene. I just couldn't leave it out. LOL!

Harm and Mac stood next to the van. Harm peered in a window. "There's a bed in back," Harm grinned, slightly amused.

Mac stared at Harm in disbelief. "So?!" she cried indignantly. "Just because you were my best friend fifteen years ago doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you, especially not when my uncle's in trouble!"

Harm wrinkled his brow. "What?! No! I'm just saying... it fits our cover story."

"Oh. Sorry," Mac replied, turning away. Harm knew something must've happened between the time he had last seen her and now to make her change so drastically. A person may get older, but their personality didn't change. Hers had changed a bit, so it seemed.

Just as Harm was thinking, the man returned with the keys. "Have fun, kids," he grunted. With that, Harm and Mac got in the car and headed to Red Rock Mesa.

NOTE: For everyone who’s seen We The People, everything stays pretty much the same until the end. This picks up that night at Mac’s place. To Jennifer (A friend of mine at home) and the rest, Col. O’Hara is to stand trial with Harm as defense council, the Declaration is fine, and Harm jumped on a helicopter to save Mac’s life!!!

Later that night
2000 ET
Mac’s apartment
Georgetown

Harm picked up a black book on Mac’s coffee table. She had set it there just moments earlier. “Diary” was written on the front. He knew he shouldn’t read it, but he had to. He read all of the entries. There were only five. One about her mother leaving her, one about him moving away, one about someone named Chris and how happy he made her. There was one about Uncle Matt and how he took her to Red Rock Mesa to dry out. And there was one very recent one.

Today, I met my new partner. Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Junior. My childhood best friend. The man I’ve always loved. He’s the greatest, most wonderful person in the world, and I’m still in love with him.

That was all there was.

Just then, Mac came out of her kitchen.

“This is what you wrote earlier.” It was a statement, not a question. “Sorry for reading it... I had no idea...”

Mac cut him off. “Just come get your tea. You saved me and my uncle, I can’t be mad at you. But I do have to ask... what do you think?”

“Mac... I...” Harm started. “I ... can’t seem to say this very well... I had a crush on you... and now I... I’m... in love with you,” he stuttered.

Mac grinned. “You just met me for the first time in fifteen years.”

“I still know and love you. I don’t jump on helicopters for just anyone you know.”

“I’m in love with you too,” Mac told him. “But you already knew that.”

“I did,” Harm confirmed. “But I still like to hear it.” He leaned closer to her. “Permission to kiss the Major?” he asked.

“Granted,” she replied. As soon as she spoke, Harm met her lips with his own, and kissed her softly. As they both realized how wonderful, how right it felt, the kiss deepened. Harm wrapped his arms around the beautiful Marine he was kissing and held her there. He did not remove his arms, even when their mouths parted.

“I’m sorry for leaving you in high school. I promise it won’t happen again,” Harm whispered.

“Not a problem,” Mac replied. “It’s done and over with.”

Suddenly, Harm loosened his grip on her. “What about Chris? Are you still married?” Harm tried to hide the fear and disappointment in his voice at the thought that she could be married to this man.

“Chris was shot ten years ago, after I was well over him,” Mac replied.

“I’m sorry,” Harm put his hand on her shoulder.

“Be happy, he was a jerk,” Mac replied. She pulled closer to Harm. “Come on, let’s talk.”

So the two headed to Mac’s living room, still holding each other.

An hour later
Same place

Mac felt better. They’d talked. Harm had told her why he’d moved so suddenly (he had a few bouts of running away. His mother had felt they needed to leave the house where Harm’s father had been so that Harm could move on); why he’d never contacted her (what else. Mr. Afraid-of-his-feelings Rabb has always been that way.). He told her everything that had happened since the day he left, and she told him about her life since he had gone. They’d hugged, laughed, and cried together. Now they were just sitting on Mac’s couch, holding each other.

“This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, what I did tonight,” Harm told Mac. “I told you how I felt and I risked everything. And I’m so glad I did.”

“I’m glad you did too,” Mac smiled. “I couldn’t stand to lose you again.”

“Me neither, Sarah. I want to be with you for the rest of my life,” Harm told her.

“And same goes for me,” Mac replied. “But you do have to go home tonight. I’m not sleeping with you on our first day together in fifteen years.”

“Good,” said Harm. “I didn’t expect you to. I respect you, you know.”

Mac grinned. “You have to be the best man on earth. Most men I’ve dated leave me because of that.”

“You can’t have dated many good men,” Harm decided.

“Very true,” Mac replied.

Harm stood and gave her a small kiss. “See you tomorrow?” he asked. “It’s Saturday.”

Mac nodded. “Bright and early.”

The next day (let’s call it September 22)
0800 ET
Mac’s apartment
Georgetown

Harm knocked on Mac’s door. She opened it quickly to see Harm standing there in running shorts and a gray Navy T-shirt. “Go jogging with me in the park?” he offered.

“Sure,” Mac agreed. “Come in... I just have to get dressed.” She was still in her USMC sweats that she slept in every night. Harm seated himself on the couch as Mac headed into her room. Two minutes later, she appeared in front of him wearing running shorts and a USMC T-shirt. Her hair was already brushed. “You know,” Mac started. “People are going to stare. How often do you see a Marine jog with a Squid?”

Harm laughed. “Not very,” he admitted. “Ten miles?” He figured that ten miles would challenge her, but found himself proven wrong when she replied “Fifteen.”

Harm stared at the beautiful marine grinning at him, completely amazed by her. She started out of her apartment. Stunned, he followed her.

They drove to the park in Harm’s Corvette. It would’ve been a lie to say they hadn’t enjoyed the ride. Since it was such a nice day, they’d been able to take the top off.

Once at the park, Mac had taken off running before Harm had even gotten the keys out of the ignition. Harm wasted time shouting how it wasn’t fair. So he lagged behind her a bit. By the twelve mile mark, he was already begging Mac to stop.

“One more mile, we’ll stop at thirteen,” she insisted.

Harm sighed heavily. “As long as you’re prepared to carry me.”

Mac slowed a bit. “A challenge?” she questioned.

“Sure,” Harm replied. She jogged over to him and lifted him a foot off the ground. He looked down at her, amused.

“I don’t... think... this is going to work...” Mac grimaced. Harm laughed and jumped down.

“Fine, you’re one for two. C’mon, one more mile and I buy you breakfast and you can eat all the dead cow you want,” Harm giggled.

“Agreed,” Mac replied, grinning. “Dead cow?” she questioned as they jogged off.

“I’m a vegetarian,” he explained.

Mac laughed. “You couldn’t tell by lifting you.”

Harm jogged closer to her and elbowed her in the side. She laughed.

Only two minutes later, they saw the thirteen mile marker. Both stopped jogging and headed for the street. Bob Evans was just around the corner. They ate the promised breakfast and then left in Harm’s ‘vette.

**AN: I have no idea what they do for the next several hours, but it isn’t what you may be thinking. Just have to say that I’m picking up at 2000 ET at Mac’s apartment.

“So,” Mac said as she opened the apartment door. “What should we do now?”

“Watch a movie?” Harm suggested. “There are some action flicks on later.

“Sure,” Mac agreed. They sat on her couch and Mac picked up the TV guide. “The movie they wanted to watch is on at 2100,” Mac told him.

“Kay,” Harm replied. “What time is...”

“2004 and six seconds,” Mac interrupted.

“YOU have been able to do that since FIFTH GRADE! What IS your secret?!” Harm laughed.

Mac shrugged. “It’s a Marine thing I guess,” she lied.

“You weren’t a Marine in the fifth grade,” Harm reminded her.

“I was related to two,” Mac replied. “You think Uncle Matt didn’t teach me anything?”

Harm laughed. He gave her a friendly hug. Suddenly, she pulled away, an uncertain look in her eyes. “Harm?” she asked. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, Sarah, anything,” Harm replied, concerned.

“Harm, you’re not doing this with me... you’re not dating me because... because you feel sorry for me about our childhood... are you? I... I mean...”

Harm looked at her for a minute, reading the worry on her face. Then he took her in his arms. He knew she was losing her battle against tears. “Sarah,” he whispered, holding her close to him. “How can you think that? You know I love you. I do feel badly about what happened to you before, but that’s not why I love you. Sarah, I can’t explain why, but when I first met you, I knew I was in love. Not the Kindergarten time, when I met you yesterday. Sarah, I love you for who you are.”

By now, Mac had lost her battle against tears and the waterworks were flowing. Harm turned her to face him and wiped her tears. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “It’s just... I... well you are the best thing that ever happened to me and I couldn’t bear to lose you again.”

“You won’t,” Harm reassured her. “I plan to stick around and watch our kids grow up someday.”

At that, the floodgates burst. “I love you!” Mac exclaimed through her tears. “And I’ve been dying to say that to you since Junior High School.”

“I have too,” Harm agreed. “God, Sarah, I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, and more than I ever knew I could love anyone.”

“Kiss me,” Mac requested. Harm heeded her request and kissed her softly. As he started to pull back away, she followed him, protesting his end. Their lips met again in a longer, more passionate kiss. After this, Harm pulled away. Mac still had a look of protest on her face.

“I thought you said not on the first...” Harm reminded. “Cause most guys...”

“It’s the second night,” Mac insisted. “And you’re not most guys. You’re Harmon Rabb.”

**************To answer your question, YES. They did. LOL!***************