Classification: H/M shipper, although at first it may not seem too much like it. It pays off, I promise. There is also some
action and investigation in this story, though they are not the main plot they are interesting. Oh yeah and HEAVY ANGST.
Spoilers: Adrift II, Boomerang, To Russia With Love, Gypsy Eyes, Goodbyes, People Vs. Rabb, Lifeline, People Vs. Mac,
Adrift I. Maybe more but they're pretty insignificant.
Just for fun, I dedicate this story to my fellow members and friends with Club 4 for your loyal work and service to our
community. Even if you don't watch JAG I hope you'll enjoy this story!
NOTE: This story was written, edited, and typed after 9/11 and there will be references to terrorism and probably Al
Qaeda, but it isn't based on it at ALL.
Let the fun begin!
2359 ET
May 22
JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
"Harm's been found?" Mac cried.
"Positive, Colonel," AJ replied. "But he's in bad shape. He's unconscious and has severe hypothermia. They're transferring
him to Bethesda tomorrow, but for tonight he'll remain in sickbay."
Mac hid her worry and stood. "Thank you, Sir," she replied. Mac left the office and sat down in her own office. Whether or
not Harm was okay was not her worry. He was strong. He'd pull through. No, her worry was personal. When Harm got back to
being himself, Renee would still be his girlfriend, and Mac would still be the one he'd rejected. He'd toyed with her mind
at her engagement party, but after that he was back kissing Renee's six. And he'd do it again.
1100 ET
The next day (May 23)
Bethesda
Renee bent down and kissed Harm on the cheek. "I'm going to shower, change, and grab a bite to eat. I'll be back to take
you home soon, sweetie," she told him. Mac, who had been watching, ducked around a corner as Renee left, then as soon
as Renee was out of sight, she went to Harm's side.
"Mac..." he groaned. "I was wondering when you'd come."
"Just letting Renee catch up with you," Mac replied.
"Mac... I... I need to talk to you," Harm told her.
"Save your strength, Harm," Mac replied, turning to look out the window. There was a long and uncomfortable silence.
"Mac, don't back away from me now. Having to eject in that storm, nearly losing my life made me think," Harm tried finally.
"About what?!" Tears came to Mac's eyes but she held them back. "About how you're going to break my heart this time?"
Mac hurried out of the room. She knew that she wasn't being fair to Harm, but she didn't care. He was with Renee now,
and she was marrying Mic. Still angry, Mac stormed out of the hospital and to her car. She sat in her car, still, looking
at nothing in particular. And then she cried. She cried for every angry word she'd said to the man who meant the world to
her. She cried even for letting herself think she could live happily with Mic forever.
But the Marine in her spirit protested. She knew she had to move on. She jammed her keys in the car and drove home.
When Mac opened the door to the apartment, she saw Mic, packing his belongings.
"Mic!" she cried. "What's going on?"
"I'm leaving, Sarah. For your sake," Mic told her.
"For my... Mic... what?! We're getting married! You can't..."
Mic interrupted her. "We're not and I can," he said slinging his bag over his shoulder. "You know where you belong."
And with that, Mic Brumby left the apartment and left Sarah Mackenzie's life forever.
Later that day, but not much later
Parking lot
Georgetown
Mac got in her car. Harm was back at his apartment now. She knew it. He'd been released as soon as Renee got back. Still
thinking about Harm, she unknowingly drove to his apartment. When he answered the door, Mac backed away. "I.. um..." Mac
stuttered.
"Mac, come in," Harm told her. Mac didn't need any further persuasion. She slumped into his apartment and fell onto his
couch.
"What's going on?" Harm asked her, sitting down beside her.
"Mic left me!" Mac broke down, unable to hide behind her Marine position. Tears flowed down her cheeks. "And I'm sorry
I yelledatyouandIjustneededsomeonetobewithme..." she sobbed.
"Shh... Sarah... it's okay..." Harm whispered, taking her into his arms. "I'm here for you."
Harm held Mac as she explained what had happened. He dried her tears and looked into her eyes. "Renee left me. But it's
okay. I wasn't going to marry Renee."
"You weren't?"
"No..." Harm whispered. "No I didn't love her like.." Harm stopped there. Before either of them knew it was happening,
they had leaned towards each other and their lips met. Their kiss intensified, their arms wrapped around each other. Mac's
body molded to Harm's and then they kissed for what seemed like a century.
But when they separated, Harm saw the uncertainty he felt reflected in Mac's eyes. She got up and quickly left Harm's
apartment, not looking back.
Two days later
Harm's car
Harm didn't understand why Mac had run away. It had been a couple of days; he had fully healed and was now allowed out
of his apartment. Now he could go and find her. He pulled into the parking lot to Mac's apartment at 1900 ET.
Harm walked to Mac's apartment and knocked on the door.
When Mac first opened the door, Harm thought she was going to slam it in his face. But then she said "In." Harm walked
into her apartment. What he saw broke his heart. Empty beer bottles littered the floor and couch. Upon looking at Mac,
he saw that she had not changed since the day Mic had left. Her hair was a mess, and she wore no makeup. How could he
have let her live like that?!
"Sarah!" Harm cried, putting his arm over her shoulder. "Oh Sarah, what happened?"
"Get me a beer," Mac moaned.
"No," Harm replied firmly. "I can't let you do this. Come on. We're going to my place."
"Get me a beer!" she protested. Harm did not answer; he simply led her from the apartment and to his SUV. They drove to
his apartment in silence except for an occasional moan from Mac. Upon trying to get out of Harm's SUV, Mac discovered
that she could no longer walk straight. The world was spinning around her. "Help me," she groaned. Harm was immediately
at her side. He took her to his apartment and sat her down on his bed.
"Wait right here, Sarah," Harm told her. He closed the shutters that exposed his bedroom and proceeded to the kitchen.
Very quietly, Harm pulled out the three beers that he still had in his refrigerator and dumped every bottle down the
drain. He then rinsed the bottles and buried them in the bottom of the trash can. Now she was safe. Harm then returned to
Mac. He found her curled up in fetal position on his bed, crying. Harm sat down beside her.
"Hey," he said softly. "What's wrong?"
"I... I messed up..." she sobbed.
"It's okay," Harm reassured her. "Everyone... messes up sometimes. Erm... even me... I guess... 'sides, Sarah, I'm here
for you and you know it." Harm took her in his arms and kissed her forehead softly. Suddenly a very awkward thought
crossed his mind. Mac probably needed to change her clothes and she was in no condition to do it herself. Her current
ones smelled of alcohol and he wanted her to be free of the awful odor. 'Oh well,' he thought. 'It shouldn't bug me,
she's my best friend.'
"Mac?" he asked. "Can I help you change?"
"Yeh..." she replied weakly.
Harm helped her get situated in a pair of Navy sweats, and then he dug out his unused toothbrush and helped her brush
her teeth. Soon, they were rid of the odor. Mac still needed a shower, but it could wait until morning.
You need to eat, Sarah," Harm decided. He called the pizza delivery place and ordered a small pizza for them. He knew
she wouldn't eat much, but she had to eat something. The food arrived quickly. He helped her eat and then he took her
into his bedroom and tucked her under his blanket. Harm started to leave until he heard Mac's voice.
"Wait," she croaked. "Lay down... with me."
Slightly uncertain, Harm turned and looked down at her. Her eyes were pleading. "I don' wanna be alone." Harm walked
back towards her and climbed in with her. She clung to him, and he held her. No one could steal his Sarah away tonight.
0900 ET
The next morning
Harm's apartment
Mac moaned and rolled over. She prayed that she'd only dreamed the events of the last few days. But no - when she opened
her eyes, she was still in Harm's apartment. 'There is one advantage,' she thought. 'I get to be with him for the moment.'
If she hadn't been such a jerk last week, she wouldn't have gone through that. Harm kissed her! So WHAT?! For goodness
sake, he'd been dancing around his true feelings for years, and she ran away once he finally kissed her and meant it?
She was a coward! She was always running away from her problems. She had run away from her father, she had run from Chris
Ragle, she'd run from Mic when Harm went down, she'd run from Harm at her engagement party, and she'd run from him again
only a few days ago. Thank God the Admiral had given them both two weeks leave. She had time now. Time to have a seat and
stop running. Time to work out her problems.
Just as Mac set in her mind her goals, Harm stirred next to her. His eyes flickered open and he looked at her. "Sarah!"
Harm cried. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Mac admitted. "And very, very ashamed of myself."
"It's okay, Mac. You've been through some tough stuff lately, I won't think any less of you. As for everyone else, I
don't see why they'd have to know!" Harm told her sincerely.
Mac threw her arms around his neck. She kissed each cheek and then proceeded to hug him while saying
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!"
Harm laughed. "No prob, Mac. You know we should really get our showers and then grab some breakfast."
"Good idea," Mac agreed. "I know I smell."
"Not as bad as you think," Harm assured her. Mac laughed and headed off to shower. While she was in the shower, Harm
started breakfast. They had to eat something! He cooked pancakes and sausage (for Mac). Just as he finished, he heard
the water stop. Then came Mac's uncertain voice.
"Harm?" she called. "I um... don't have any... clothes."
"I have a T-shirt and shorts you left here last summer," Harm replied. "And you've got shoes, socks, and um... other
stuff... that I washed last night."
He retrieved her clothes and called to her. "Put on a towel or something, I'm coming in with your clothes." He walked
in to find her in a corner, wrapped in a green towel. 'Oh my God have mercy,' was Harm's immediate thought. Those
illusions he'd had had been quite accurate... She stood there, water droplets still rolling off her arms, holding a
towel around herself. Harm couldn't help it. He stared.
"Something interesting you, flyboy?" Mac asked, flashing him a grin.
Harm nearly passed out. He had to clutch the sink to keep from falling over. He handed Mac her clothes, slowly, and
unknowingly walked backwards to the kitchen.
Mac soon joined him at the table, fully dressed. "I can't believe the way you stared in there," she teased.
“Well...I...I mean um....” Harm stuttered. Mac laughed and kissed him on the cheek.
"Not a problem," she assured him.
When they had both showered and eaten, they sat down on Harm’s couch. “We need to talk,” Mac told Harm.
Harm sighed heavily. He was so scared of messing things up with her.
“Don’t get mad at me?” Harm requested. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Neither have I,” Mac replied. “Lets both promise to hear each other out and to tell the truth.”
“Agreed,” Harm replied.
“Mac. I’m in love with you.”
“Harm. I’m in love with you.”
They said it simultaneously and then laughed, relieved that the other felt the same way, and they hugged each other
tightly.
Harm spoke first. "Mac, I've loved you since the day I met you. But I was a coward. I wanted to be your friend. I wanted
to wait on the romance. But I was still jealous of any man you were ever with. When you left JAG, I missed you crazily.
I thought I'd lost you forever to Dalton Lowne. I'd lost any reason to stay sane. I went after my past, and as you know
it landed me in court. Then, when you took me in when I broke out of the brig, I knew you cared. When you followed me to
Russia, I knew you cared. I worried about you the whole time... and... if you don't mind my saying, I love your idea of
pajamas," Harm paused and looked at Mac. She smiled at him in amusement. Harm continued. "Sydney Harbor," he started. Mac
cringed, the memories still painful. "Mac, I wasn't ready. I had just returned from flying. I came back because I missed
you, you know. My life had never been such a mess since I was six and my father went down. I didn't want to hurt you, and
I knew if I went to you then that I would. I loved you too much to let myself mess things up. It was like landing a Tomcat.
You've got one chance, and if you screw up, you may never get to try again, and you'll never again experience that
wonderful feeling. Then, when you took Mic's ring, you were forbidden territory. Not in a million years would I touch a
woman wearing another man's ring. At your engagement party, I realized I was losing you forever. It was my last chance
I'd ever have to kiss you like that. So I did. And when I saw your confused face afterwards, I was sorry. I'd complicated
your life and I knew it. But now I feel like we've been given a second chance. Please tell me I'm right."
"You're right. Harm, I've loved you forever. I followed you to Russia because I loved you. And because I spoke Russian.
Harm, I missed you so much when you left to fly. When you came back there was too much distance between us. So I tried
to fix it in Sydney Harbor. I wanted you so much. When you told me to wait, you broke my heart. I took it as if you had
said that I meant nothing to you. When I took Mic's ring... I suppose I was just trying to make you jealous. I know it
was stupid. Then... when you kissed me on the Admiral's front porch, I found out I didn't know what I wanted. I thought
I had wanted to be with Mic, but I was wrong. When your plane went down, I knew in my heart that I could never be with
another man besides you. But I'd convinced my mind to love Mic. He left me for my sake. He wanted me to be with you. And
now... now I really want to be with you," Mac explained.
"Forgive me?" Harm asked her.
"Forgiven. Forgive me?" Mac followed up.
"Forgiven," Harm replied. "But I think I still need a kiss to feel better."
Mac leaned in and kissed him lightly, but their small kiss turned into much, much more. Five years of passion, desire,
and tension was being released. Mac's arms wrapped around Harm's neck, his own arms wrapped around her torso. Harm pulled
her into him and deepened the kiss. Finally, the need for air separated them, but they still held each other tightly.
"If that's what I've been missing for the last five years, I've been the stupidest man alive," Harm breathed.
"Harm?" Mac asked, suddenly concerned. "Why do you want me? I'm an abused runaway alcoholic teenager who's just grown up
a few years. Why would you want someone like me?"
"Mac, Sarah, I want you because this little thing called my heart tells me that you're one wonderful, beautiful,
determined, passionate Marine, and a heck of a kisser. I want you because I'm in love with you. You are the one for me.
And don't you ever doubt it," Harm said softly, pulling her onto his lap. He held her to him, so happy that she was
finally his.
The next day, Harm and Mac took a trip to the park. Then Harm took Mac back to his apartment. He was going to clean up at
her place. She wanted to come with him, but for her own good, Harm had gone alone. She'd not been thinking clearly when
she'd last seen it, and Harm was afraid that if she looked now, she'd be even more upset with herself. He, himself, still
could not stand the sight of her apartment.
As soon as it was clean, he grabbed her some clothes and headed back home. He found Mac cleaning his apartment. "Payback,"
she explained.
"You really don't have to, Mac," he told her. "C'mon, let's sit down and watch a movie. We can order Chinese food."
"Okay," Mac agreed. "Harm... I love you so much!!!!"
"I love you too, Mac, but I can't help but wonder what brought that declaration about now?"
"Going through the stuff you packed me," she explained. "And I just figured out that you're the best man alive." Harm
raised his eyebrows. "You see," Mac went on. "Most men I've known would've taken advantage of me if they found me drunk.
They wouldn't have taken me in and taken care of me. Hell, Harm, you fed me for God's sake! Most men also would've begged
for sex the rest of the time, and packed me only the revealing things I own, or maybe packed nothing at all. How many men
would clean up my apartment for me? You did clean up my apartment, you packed me real clothes, you did take me in, and
you saved my life. That proves that you love me, and you're not just after sex."
"Of course, Sarah!" Harm exclaimed. "I would kill any man who would do anything like that to you!!!"
Mac crossed the room and sat next to Harm on the armchair. "You've got a lot of men to kill," she smiled, and wrapped her
arms around him. She snuggled into his chest as their movie came on.
Over the rest of the week, Harm and Mac spent all their time together. Friday, however, they would remember forever.
Mac had run to her own apartment for more clothes on Friday evening. She came back, and was immediately amazed. The
lights in Harm's apartment were dimmed. A table was set for the two of them. A candle was in the center. There was a
casserole on the counter. Harm came out of the kitchen with a single red rose. He handed it to Mac and kissed her hand.
"Be seated, my beautiful Marine," he said. Mac sat, grinning. She had a thing or two up her own sleeve for the evening.
When their dinner was over, Mac put her plan into action. "Harm," Mac said, leading Harm to his bed. "Wait right here,
I have something to show you." Mac proceeded to the bathroom, where she changed her clothes. Harm gasped when she came
out wearing a white lace gown. The top was lace, and the skirt was silk. Two silk straps held it on her shoulders.
"Wow," Harm whispered. Mac made her way to him and planted a kiss on his lips and sat on his lap. "It's time," Mac told
him. "I love you."
"I love you too, Sarah Mackenzie," Harm answered.
NOTE: To answer all of your questions, "yes". I just decided not to write anymore because I'm too young to read or write
things like that. LOL!
Mac and Harm both woke up at the same time. Both were grinning. They kissed, then they dressed, then they ate. After
breakfast, they sat on Harm's couch and worked on the scrapbook they were making for Harriet's birthday.
They were interrupted when someone knocked at the door. "Ugh," Harm sighed. "Better get it, could be the Admiral."
Mac's eyes widened. "He'll understand." Harm answered the unasked question. He got up and pulled the open the door.
To Harm's surprise, Renee barged in. Mac jumped up.
"Um... bye guys... I was just going... Thanks... um... Harm..." Mac stuttered, tears springing to her eyes at the obvious
situation. She knew what was going on now. Harm should've known better. He should've known she was sensitive. She hated him for
his stupidity.
"Mac! Wait!" Harm cried.
"No, Harm," she sobbed.
"Thank you Colonel, we appreciate it," Renee jumped in.
As the door closed, Harm shouted "WE?!"
"Yeah... Harm... about that.... you think you'd wanna... um... date.... again?" Renee asked.
"NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!!" Harm raged. "DAMMIT RENEE I’M IN LOVE WITH HER AND NOW SHE THINKS I'M CHEATING ON HER!!! YOU
CAN'T JUST WALK BACK INTO MY LIFE LIKE THAT! I WANT YOU GONE! LEAVE! NEVER COME BACK!" Harm was shouting like a maniac
as Renee left and he knew it. He knew Mac was sensitive right now. She'd think he lied about breaking up with Renee just
to get to her! Harm grabbed his keys and dashed outside. He sped to Mac's apartment.
Harm banged on the door. "Mac! Mac! Come... please... Mac.... misunderstanding.... Mac, she's gone!"
The door opened briefly. Mac looked him straight in the eye and said "If you care about me at all you'll leave right now.
Now go, before you drive me to drinking again."
"Sarah! No!" Harm cried. He was so afraid... would she really drink again? Just because of this? Harm left sadly,
feeling defeated.
1000 ET
Monday morning
JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
Harm and Mac stood at attention in front of AJ's desk. "You two are going on an investigation aboard the USS California,
an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic. Three of the pilots are suspected of being terrorists. A Mohammehd Ahdir, Baheid
Saiid, and Ismaeah Aleen. Your job is to find proof without blowing your cover. You're supposed to pretend to be
investigating a mishap involving a night landing. Are you clear?"
"Yes, Sir," Harm and Mac replied in unison.
1200 local
The next day
Aboard USS California
Atlantic Ocean
Harm and Mac walked into the mess hall. They had an agreement that they would keep a business relationship throughout
the duration of the trip. Still though, Mac would not talk with Harm about their relationship outside of work.
Both Harm and Mac sat down next to Mohammehd Ahdir. “Hello, Lieutenant,” Harm greeted.
“Hello, Sir,” Mohammehd replied with an obvious Arabic accent.
“Would you mind if we interviewed you about the mishap?” Harm asked.
“Not at all, go ahead,” Mohammehd replied.
So they interviewed Mohammehd, and got several very patriotic answers from him. He told them how proud he was to live
in America. Yet for some reason, when they interviewed American sailors, they got less such answers. Baheid and Ismaeah’s
answers were much like those of Mohammehd. Both Harm and Mac found this very strange. But the real shock, however, came
one week into the investigation.
One week later
Aboard USS California
Atlantic Ocean
“NOBODY MOVE!” Mohammehd screamed “OR I’LL SHOOT YOU ALL!” Baheid and Ismaeah were nowhere to be seen. Harm noticed this.
“My partners,” Mohammehd began, “are keeping the hostages. We have the Commander of your fleet, we have a Commander
Ingals, and we have a Colonel Mackenzie in our command.”
MAC! Screamed Harm’s mind. No! Not Mac! Please not his Mac! He snapped back to attention when he heard Mohammehd’s voice
again. “You are to cooperate with our demands, or we kill the hostages. Harm watched helplessly as Ismaeah yanked Mac
forward from the bridge. “And we wouldn’t want to hurt this pretty lady, now would we?” Mohammehd added.
Harm couldn’t hold back any longer. “Mac!” he cried. “Mac! I love you! Sarah... it’s okay...” he wanted to hold her so
badly.
Mohammehd laughed heartlessly. “I see our pretty lady has herself a Sailor,” Mohammehd turned to Ismaeah. “Take her away.”
He turned back to the crowd of pilots and other sailors. “We need a navigator, three pilots, and a ground crew.”
Harm suddenly had an idea. “I’m a pilot,” he spoke up.
“All willing come forward,” Mohammehd commanded. Harm and several others stepped forward. Harm winked at the others to
let them know he had a plan. The small group followed Mohammehd to the bridge.
“Pilots. You are to fly these flight plans,” Mohammehd handed them out. Harm gasped when he realized that Mohammehd was
going to attempt to use them to blow up US targets. In Washington DC! “Navigator! You navigate the ship WEST. Flight crew.
You make sure our pilots do their jobs.”
“Sir,” Harm addressed Mohammehd. “Sir I need a RIO and so do the other pilots.”
“Take the hostages. We were going to kill them anyways,” Mohammehd replied.
“We also need to confer to match our flight plans and make sure we have success,” Harm added as Ismaeah and Baheid
brought Commander Ingals, Captain Wyatt, and Mac over.
“Very well,” Mohammehd agreed. “Wait... no I need another hostage while you talk. So you don’t plan anything.”
“Commander Wilder then,” Harm suggested. “She's a very important officer.” Really, she was just the one who was most flirtatious.
As Mohammehd brought Wilder in, Harm whispered “Pretendtofallinglovewithhim,” to Wilder. She looked at him as though he
was insane and he winked at her. Turning back to the group, Harm asked “Does everyone have their PLAN from Mohammehd?”
Harm saw a knowing look cross Commander Wilder’s face as he emphasized the word “Plan”.
“Here’s the plan,” Harm whispered to the group. “There’s a carrier ten miles away. Pilots, you land there. We’ll radio
a rescue ship and they’ll take the crew from this ship. Mohammehd won’t do anything because he won’t want his girlfriend
blown up. Then we get some officers from the rescue ship to take care of Mohammehd and his friends.”
“Sounds good,” another pilot whispered. “Let’s do it.” Everyone murmured in agreement and then they turned to face
Mohammehd, Ismaeah, and Baheid who were conferring quite excitedly with Wilder.
“Go. Perform your mission,” Mohammehd commanded them.
Harm, the pilots, the flight crew and the RIOs headed to the flight deck.
“Harm, what are you doing?!” Mac cried once they were out of Mohammehd’s hearing range. “I’m not a RIO and I hate those
planes!”
“Shh... Mac... I had to get you out of there. They’d have killed you. He won’t kill anyone now,” Harm explained. He
climbed into the Tomcat. Apprehensively, Mac climbed in behind him.
“Mac?” Harm asked.
“Yeah?” she replied.
“If we both get out of this alive, will you give me a chance to explain about Renee?”
Mac sighed. “I suppose so,” she answered.
Ten minutes later, they took off. It was a very short time until they were near the other carrier. Harm used his radio
to call them. “Emergency! We need to land!” he cried.
“Permission granted, come on in,” the person on the other end replied. Easily, Harm landed the plane with only a slight bump.
A flight crew met them on the deck.
“What’s the deal here?” one man cried. “You’re the third consecutive emergency landing!”
“There are terrorists on board USS California!” Harm cried. “We need you to radio another ship to take the crew of the ship. The
terrorists won’t stop you, we’ve got a plan.”
“Yes, Sir!” the man replied. Harm and Mac followed him to the bridge. There, they explained the situation to the ship
Capitan. He immediately radioed the USS Independence and sent the ship to USS California’s location. Harm and Mac met
the other pilots and RIOs there on the bridge. They all waited anxiously for word from the USS Independence.
Finally, word came. “The crew of the USS California has been unloaded. They are safely onboard our ship, including the
hostage. The terrorists are resisting capture. They will not surrender. We have to fire.”
“Very well,” said Captain Wyatt. He did not seem too upset to lose his ship if it meant beating the terrorists. Five
minutes later USS Independence radioed them again.
“We’ve torpedoed the USS California; the terrorists are gone for good. We’re coming to pick up the others so that you
can go on as normal.”
Everyone high fived Harm for coming up with a plan. There was hugging and shouts of happiness and joy. Then Harm turned
to Mac. “Soon as we’re back in Washington, I owe you an explanation.”
“Yeah,” Mac agreed. “And I owe it to you to listen, seeing as you just saved my life.”
Harm smiled. “There was no one more worth saving.” He pulled her into a hug, and she hugged him back.
Harm and Mac walked off of USS Independence. Immediately, they were flooded with questions. “Mr. Rabb, are you aware that
you saved a whole crew?”
“Commander Rabb, how did you come up with such a good idea so fast?”
“Would you be willing to set up an interview with ZNN Sir?”
Harm held up his hand to silence them. “I just did my job,” said simply, and then, with Mac by his side, he pushed
through the crowd to the JAG car parked on the street. He and Mac escaped in it and drove back to JAG. They followed
their prearranged plan and split up into their own cars to go home, as it was 1900. But instead of going to their
respective apartments, they drove to Mac’s place. They’d planned to talk and then go from there.
It was not long until Harm and Mac were sitting on Mac’s couch (even if they were at opposite ends).
“Mac... I know what happened on that day... that Saturday... I know what you think it was,” Harm started.
“What do I think it is?!” Mac snapped, the memories still painful. She had cried for the rest of the day over the man
who she loved more than anything in the world, the man who she had spent Friday night with.
“You think that I lied about breaking up with Renee. You think I wanted to be with both of you. You think I was cheating
on you.”
“And you weren’t?” was Mac’s reply.
“Mac, think about it!” Harm whined. “Can’t you tell how much I love you? I wasn’t in a million years expecting to see
Renee ever again! I definitely didn’t WANT to see her that day or any day! She broke up with me and then showed up that
day and basically asked if I was still available. I told her no way. I was in love with you and I still am. I made that
very clear to her and she left. I’d have tried to talk to you before, but I was afraid that you’d drink again... I love
you too much to let you get hurt. Please believe me, Sarah. Believe me that I love you, and not Renee. Believe me that I
never loved anyone the way I love you, and I never could.”
Mac had tears in her eyes. “Oh Harm,” she whispered. “I do believe you. I’m so sorry. Please. Please Harm... don’t
leave me!”
Harm scooted close to her and pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her lips softly and whispered “I could never leave you.
I love you too much.”
Mac tilted her head back as if to say “kiss me again”, and Harm got the message. He met her waiting lips with his own.
She pulled into him and he wrapped his arms around her. They were so happy to be together again.
But unfortunately, one can only hold one’s breath for about thirty seconds. After that time was up, Harm and Mac had to
separate.
“You know...” Mac breathed. “Normally, I’d make you prove you loved me, I wouldn’t rush back into your arms like this...
Which by the way I think you just did... but it was my fault this time. And anyways... two weeks of not kissing you like
that was way too much.”
Harm grinned. “Make up for lost time?” he suggested.
“Good idea,” Mac replied.
Over the next few months, Harm and Mac's relationship progressed normally outside of work. They still had not officially
told AJ anything, although everyone knew he was aware of the relationship. Harm and Mac had not moved past the kissing
and simple signs of affection since that night at Harm's apartment, but they spent every night together, just holding
each other. They knew they had a solid relationship and they also knew that there was always someone for them to turn to.
It was the best thing either of them had ever experienced.
Then one night, it was time to take it further. Harm and Mac were going out. It was a Friday night, and they'd planned
on having dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown. Dinner was wonderful. Harm was feeling very romantic and had brought Mac
a dozen red roses. After dinner, Harm insisted they go to his apartment.
"Have a seat," Harm said, indicating an armchair. Mac sat down as Harm went into his kitchen. A minute later, Harm
returned with a long, black box. He slipped the lid off the box and held it towards Mac. Inside were a single red rose,
and a small black satin box. Harm removed the box and knelt before Mac. Opening the box, he asked "Sarah Catherine
Mackenzie, will you marry me?"
Tears came to Mac's eyes as Harm slipped the ring on her finger. "Yes," she said softly. "Yes, Harmon David Rabb, I
will marry you."
Mac picked up the rose and held it to her. "You remembered," she whispered. "About roses."
"How could I forget, Sarah?"
Mac laid her rose back in its box as Harm swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He kissed her
softly. His kiss was not demanding; it was sweet.
"Let me put that rose in some water for you," Harm said softly, heading back off to the kitchen. "I'll be right back."
When Harm returned, Mac was lying on his bed, still wearing her navy blue dress. He sat down on the bed beside her. Mac
sat up and allowed the straps of her dress to slide down her arms. She leaned towards Harm and their lips molded
together. Nothing had ever felt so right, so good.
And then, Harm and Mac traveled the road they had only been down together once before.