Part 3

Same disclaimers

Now that Yahoo is up to date with posts, here is a new part.

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Mac's Apartment

Two weeks later

Mac entered and threw her case down on the floor and tossed her cover on the coffee table. She unbuttoned her jacket and threw herself on her couch in disgust.

In the two weeks since she decided to transfer out had been the closest to hell on earth that she had ever been through. The Admiral seeing his Chief leaving decided to go ahead and make a formal change in the command structure, as of today she was no long his second, Harm was. In an informal meeting, Mac handed the reigns she fought so long for over to him. She still was assigned to JAG till May but would serve in as a fill in. Temporarily taking over the files and dispositions most first year law students were assigned, she understood but it was also like a slap to the face. Here is the price you are going to pay for leaving. The same one she paid several years ago when she left the first time.

Harm seemed eager to lose himself in the new job and title, but the light that shown in his eyes was one of hurt and pain. Everyday their friendship, already torn by two years of destruction died a little more.

Remember you choose this path echoed through her mind.

"Oh Jingo, what have I done?"

The old dog for his part wagged his tail and barked as if to say, "You should have waited."

It was then that she heard Mic's keys jingling in the door, she hated that he was coming to surprise her again. A habit she planned to break him of. She jumped off the couch and opened the door.

"Why Luv, what are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting tonight."

She stood back as he passed into the apartment and sighed, get to over with, "I did but I am not longer chief Mic."

"What? Why?"

"Well, it was supposed to be a surprise but the Admiral wanted the change to take place while I was still there, in case they had any problems."

"Change while your still there? You leaving the marines?" He asked hoping that she would finally be free of her sense of duty and away from Harm.

"No, I am not leaving the marines, I did that once and hated it. I applied for a job at an embassy, one in Sydney." She told him putting on her best smile trying to cover the pain from the day.

Mic couldn’t have looked more shocked if someone punched him. It took him a minute to recover and Mac watched as the emotions of her surprise crossed his face. The last covering any of the surprise and anger he felt.

"I decided that since you have been so homesick lately and you wanted to go back fulltime in the service that I would give back what you did for me, I would move down there."

Trying to keep his voice even, "Why Sarah, that is best news I have heard, but if you don’t want to, we can stay here. I am finally getting my practice going and you could just resign and we could work together."

She was shocked, he wants to stay here, "Well I hate to say this but it is a little to late for that. My leave from JAG starts in May, so I can be off for our wedding and honeymoon, and then I start in June."

Mic put on his best smile and came over and took her into a big hug, giving every impression of a man excited. "Well then Marine, I guess your sailor here will be rejoining the RAN in June. I'll just give them a call later."

Mac finally relaxed, as Mic finally seemed excited over the news. She laid her head on his shoulder facing away from him so that she could hide tears the were threatening to fall without his knowledge.

Harm's Apartment

Same time

The relief of having Renee gone for two weeks was over as he spotted her car in his space. He knew that she was expecting more out of him tonight. A gist he got as soon as she found out that Mac and Mic had set a date.

But was he ready to give up completely and see a future with this woman who was almost living with him now? He went over the conversation a few weeks ago after he bumped his head at how he had gone on telling her that he needed her in his life. But to what end? She wanted the whole dream, marriage, children and security. The things that he wanted but he wasn’t sure she was the one.

Come on Rabb, you blew things because you needed to wait and didn’t spell out why. Mac isn’t one to wait, she wanted the whole dream now and your answer sent her running into the arms of another man. Harm cursed the fates as he climbed the stairs.

"Renee? I'm home?" He flinched at how that sounded.

"About time sailor, I was beginning to get worried about you, and now if you'll hurry we can just make those reservations at La Tours with the production company." She said as she came towards him dressed up and ready to go out for a night on the town.

Harm sighed, "Sorry Renee, but I was made chief of staff today, so I get to go to a meeting on the hill tonight. I have just enough time to change shirts and get up there."

"I thought Mac was Chief?"

Not really wanting to get into it with her right then and there, "Mac is transferring to Sydney in June so that Mic can resume his navy career. So the Admiral switched us out while Mac was still around for me to ask questions. That means I get all of her duties and meetings she was scheduled for."

"You don't seem to happy about that, I mean doesn’t that mean you get to spend more time in the office and not out of town?" She asked hoping that he might get to be home and where she could really get his mind off other things.

"It means more duties, like as lead investigator on more cases and then there are the meetings and paperwork. You will most likely being seeing less of me." He caught her frown, "I'm sorry but it will ease up after I get caught up on whatever Mac has going on, so maybe this summer it will slow down."

Renee couldn’t believe it, she knew that he was a dedicated navy man, it would take a lot of convincing for him to leave the service, but there was something else in his voice that told her that with this new job that it would be like moving a mountain. At least with Mac here and married to Mic she would have had a chance. Then she thought of Mac gone and out of sight she might be able to wear down his defenses easier. "Do you think that you might be able to make it all tonight? Or do I need to cut my evening short and meet you back here?" she said then in a seductive tone.

See that she was taking it better than he anticipated or that she was up to something that would become clear later, "I don’t know how long I'll be so you better not count on me for anything."

She cocked her head to the side and decided to attack his senses with her body as she leaned her body into his, "Just let me know if you want company later and I'll be here."

They kissed and he pulled her close keeping his inner turmoil in check.

Wanting to make sure she didn’t get the wrong idea, "I will keep that in mind, never know when I might need a back rub."

Renee smiled knowing she won her point and also got closer to her goal.

Later on that evening

"Webb here."

"Clay, I have some new info for you, when do you want to meet?"

Clay knew that they were getting desperate after hearing what AJ did that afternoon. "How about a meeting at Juan's at midnight?" He asked as he mentioned one of their quiet meeting spots.

There was silence, as he knew that they were seeing if they could get away, "How about lunch tomorrow at Pascals?"

"Can't get away tonight?" He asked trying to be humorous.

"Yes and its not funny Clay. You should have seen their face as AJ made the change today. It was all I could do to keep quiet. I mean it isn’t fair and you know that this shouldn’t be happening."

"I'm sorry, but."

"What did I tell you about buts Clay. Soon, it will be over soon. I can't take this much longer."

** Click **

Clay set the receiver back in its place and looked over the paper work he received right before the phone call. It was amazing the number of calls made by the suspect after the announcement of the changes.

Same Disclaimers as in part one

From part 3

Later on that evening

"Webb here."

"Clay, I have some new info for you, when do you want to meet?"

Clay knew that they were getting desperate after hearing what AJ did that afternoon. "How about a meeting at Juan's at midnight?" He asked as he mentioned one of their quiet meeting spots.

There was silence, as he knew that they were seeing if they could get away, "How about lunch tomorrow at Pascals?"

"Can't get away tonight?" He asked trying to be humorous.

"Yes and its not funny Clay. You should have seen their face as AJ made the change today. It was all I could do to keep quiet. I mean it isn’t fair and you know that this shouldn’t be happening."

"I'm sorry, but."

"What did I tell you about buts Clay. Soon, it will be over soon. I can't take this much longer."

** Click **

Clay set the receiver back in its place and looked over the paper work he received right before the phone call. It was amazing the number of calls made by the suspect after the announcement of the changes.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

Part 4

Past 11pm EST

They hung the phone up on Clay, he just didn’t understand the pain and guilt going on. Everyday that this case went on was another day that they lost, never to get back.

They turned back to the bed, watching the person sound asleep there lost in their dreams. How could they sleep so well knowing what they were doing was illegal? The trading of secrets and drugs for money was incomprehensible. How could you sell out your country like that and still sleep at night.

Very well it seemed as the form in bed rolled over with a smile on their face.

Taking a deep breath they returned to bed for another night of lost sleep.

Across town

Another sleepless night as they stared out the window wondering what road they would cross in the morning. It seemed that everyday a new hurdle was placed on them by the one asleep in the bed.

Did that person know the pain that they were going through? Watching the one they really wanted to continue to drift away? Did they know that with the right words that in a heart beat this would be gone? The life that they dreamed of would disappear as their true love came forward to make things right.

No, instead that person slept peacefully knowing that the honor in which they lived on and based their lives on would never falter, that they would never hurt someone like they had been hurting over the one they really wanted.

April 17^th

JAG HQ

Bud watched as the two people he was closest to continue to dissolve any friendship that they had. It wasn’t what was said it was what was not.

Mac felt that her place was gone as Harm mainly kept her on DOD's and simple minor cases that were easily pleaded out and gave him and the rest of the staff more important cases. For a person everyone was used to coming in early and leaving late, Mac was doing just the opposite. Harriet was hard pressed to get anything out of Mac as the marines shields got tighter and harder to penetrate.

As for Harm, he seemed to be flourishing as the Chief, and he let Mac know everyday that he was doing a great job, of course wordlessly. Then there was Renee, she was up there almost everyday it seemed hanging all over Harm. The office pool was up to three hundred dollars that he would ask her to marry him before the Colonel left.

He also knew that Mac knew about the pool even though she wasn’t supposed too.

Harriet was unsure how to feel about it. Renee had become a friend to her whenever Harm went out of town and came over to the apartment often to see AJ. But Mac was her friend, the one who stood up with her at her wedding, the God mother to her child.

Harriet also caught the Admiral looking out over the bullpen noticing the staff watching the two senior attorneys. She often wondered what exactly was going through the Admirals mind when it came to Harm and Mac.

Mac for her part resigned herself to Harm's treatment, his way of punishing her for leaving again. She gave up last week when a case came up on the Seahawk and she wasn’t invited and then found herself on the outs with Harriet when she showed up and found Renee playing with AJ. Now that hurt, here she was, still here but gone, watching the world pass her by.

Harm looked with a slight glance at Mac and saw the sadness that emanated from her. He hated treating her this way but the was no choice. If she was going to leave then she would go hating him and that way he could live with what he was feeling, that she would leave with Mic because she hated him.

"Commander?"

Harm looked up to see Singer standing there. Her excitement over Mac's leaving was barely contained and he hadn’t helped when he gave her a case with Bud. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"I was wondering sir if I could have the rest of the week off, my parents called me to let me know that they were coming to town. I would like to show them around Washington."

Harm found himself at one of the crossroads he dreaded, he told Mac no to taking a few days off for wedding plans and now here was Singer, "Are you cases up to date?"

"Yes sir, I am completely caught up and would be will to spend time after work next week to make up what ever I missed."

The hell with it, "Fine then, let the Gunny know and have a great time."

Singer smiled, "Thank you sir."

"Dismissed."

The hate for himself grew as he started thinking over the plans Renee had for them that evening. He got up and grabbed his cover and stuff. "Gunny, I am going to be out of the office for the rest of the day, so if you need me I will have my cell and pager."

"Sure sir."

Harm walked out feeling the eyes watch him go. There were things to do and the afternoon would give him a chance to do them.

A couple of hours later

"Gunny, can you tell me where Lt. Singer went?"

"The Commander gave her the rest of the week off, and then left himself ma'am."

Mac stood and stared for a moment, the hurt all but coming across her features. Harm knew she wanted the next few days off but gave her some excuse and denied it. She bought the excuse and now he let Singer have the rest of the week. She needed to get some things done, alone without Mic around. Things he didn’t need to know about and now she would have to give lame excuses and hoped that Mic bought them.

Fine then, "Gunny, I have some research I need to do so I will be leaving for the afternoon and will be late in the morning."

"I have your cell number ma'am." Gunny could see the fire burning beneath the surface of the colonel in front of him.

"Thanks Gunny."

As she pulled out of her parking space, Mac left tread from the tires of her car as she sped off.

AJ heard and saw the car peel out, something had to break and he just hoped it didn’t involve the blood of one them.

Part 5

May 12th

0400 EST

It all happened so quickly, the pieces falling into place and the whole operation was done. Over with, the truth free to be told and the fall out to be handed down, now was the time of sorrows.

Time to see if the past two years of pain and hurt could be set aside with understanding of duty and service. Would the one their heart begged for understand that? Would they be able to repair all damage they caused with all of the people most important to them?

Clay came up beside them and joined them on the curb where they sat. "You can tell everyone everything within reason now."

"A lot of good that is going to do Clay, I mean the damage is done."

"It can be repaired, the changes that are taking place could turn out to be what you two need to reconnect."

"Do you think that you could stop what has been set in motion concerning the transfer? Give us time to talk before it goes into effect."

"I'll call AJ and see if I can put it on hold. At least till you two have a chance to talk and see if there is a chance for minds to be changed."

"There is still the other person in their life. I haven’t just hurt the one I love, I have hurt that other person too. I just hope that it's not too late to come clean. Lying to them this past couple of years has been hard."

"You want me to join you? I know that it might help."

Taking a deep breath, wanting the past to be just a dream, "Yes, at least when the Admiral goes off you can take the heat."

"What are you going to do if things go sour?" Clay asked.

"I'll cross that road when it comes. I just hope that things can be repaired some before that happens."

Clay helped them to their feet careful of the arm wound they refused to get treated.

They waved their hand at Clay before he spoke, "It hurts but I need it to hurt."

Clay shook his head as he watched his friend limp off, his heart going out to them and what they would be facing later on at JAG.

JAG HQ

1630 EST

The tension of the day mounted as he waited for the day to end so he could get on with his life.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Clay enter the bullpen and go into the Admirals office.

Clay stood looking at the artwork on the wall as Tiner went to have Mac and Harm join him and AJ in a meeting. He could only guess what was going to happen and how AJ was going to take it as they came to attention and saw the grim lines across his CO's face.

"Have a seat you two, Clay would like to clear the air on some things. Webb."

"For the past two years our office has been following a trail of classified secrets being traded by a certain individual who has connections with several double agents. Last night we finally got the break we needed and with the help of some others," He hinted," we were able to bring them down."

"It wouldn’t have been possible with out the help of the military, we would have lost the trail a long time ago. It seems that by accident that one of the main agents crossed paths with this office and with the help of one of its officers, we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we did."

AJ saw the puzzled looks and pain that crossed the faces of his two top officers, knowing that one of them felt the same stab in the back at being left out of the loop too, "What Webb isn’t telling you is that he asked them to get into a relationship with that agent to get information."

"Just what kind of relationship?"

Clay hung his head down, turning away to get a way from the glare, "A romantic one. We thought that it was over last year, then after some investigating in Sydney, we discovered a new thread. So we asked them to continue the charade in any way possible."

"So that you could catch the whole group, not just the few." One of the top attorneys asked as they turned to look at the other one sitting beside them. It was then as the truth came out that what had happened down under became clear.

No one was misunderstood that night; it was all because of duty.

Part 6

Betrayal hit hard as Harm stared at Mac, the past two years of misunderstanding between each of them now crystal clear. She was undercover, after Mic because he was being pursued by the US for illegal activities not because she loved him. And your jealously and short sidedness missed it all.

The past two years of looks between each other, signals sent out and not received and the pain caused by mistrust. He let out a heartless chortle and walked over to the fireplace.

Mac winced at the heartless laugh, "Harm?"

"What Colonel?" Harm glared at her, "Is there anymore Clay?"

"No just that Mac has done an outstanding job helping me in bringing Mic and the people he was working for down. Her job with me is now officially over save for some court appearances."

"What about Mic?" Harm asked as he turned away from the group.

AJ felt his heart going out to the young Commander, after watching the young mans heart break at the airport for no reason now, the next information wasn’t going to help that, "Commander Micheal Brumby took his own life as the bust went down."

Harm looked back over to where Mac was now standing and saw her tears as they ran unstopped down her face. "I confronted Mic as Clay was coming over. We had a fight." She stopped to gather her thoughts and wiped her face, "He pulled a gun, and after a brief fight he knocked me to the floor. It was then while Clay was pounding on the door that Mic then turned the gun on himself."

Harm stood still, ever since Kate confronted him on his feelings he wanted to act on them. Now that he could, he was frozen. Anger overwhelming him, so instead of reaching out for her and pulling her close, "Excuse me. Sir. I need some air." He left without waiting for permission.

Mac watched as he almost sprinted for the door.

AJ watched as the door closed behind him. "Mac. I need to know your intentions, Clay told me that you only turned in the transfer request as part of your undercover."

"It was never my intention to leave sir. It was a ploy that worked really well, too well, caused Mic to over react. If there is still a spot here for me, I would like to stay, if not Clay has a position for me."

"It was part of an undercover op that she released her position her AJ, so in all reality she is still your chief of staff. If you don’t want her then I will be more than happy to take her off your hands." Clay taunted AJ.

AJ came around to stand in front of Clay, "Thanks to you Webb, my office is turned upside down again. Two of my best officers have been pawns in your affairs." Meaning more than just devices to carry out a mission.

"Well AJ, if you had just held back making changes till Mac was scheduled to leave then you wouldn’t be in the hot seat over promoting and now demoting Rabb." Clay came back holding his ground.

"Sir, I would be more than happy just returning to full status as one of the senior lawyers."

"Well Colonel, I would love to do that but as Webb just pointed out you are still technically my COS. So after you take the rest of the week off to heal and get your bearings. I will have a talk with the sec nav and then with the Commander."

Mac looked at AJ and saw the pain that she had caused him too by not telling him her involvement with Clay, "Sir, I am sorry that I was never able to say anything, it was just part of the cover." She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts, "Clay, I accept your job offer. I think that is it best that I move on."

"Colonel, I don’t think that you should be making decisions right now. You have been through hell and I think that it would be wiser to collect your thoughts before you make life-changing moves. If you still want a transfer when you get back then I will help you, if you want to stay then Commander Rabb will step down and everyone will get the explanation, an abbreviated one, to why things were done and why you are back as chief."

Mac was about to answer when she saw Clay's unspoken look of take what he has said to heart and take a week.

"Thank you sir. If I may be excused."

"Dismissed Colonel." About the time she reached the door, "And Mac, go and find Harm. Heal the wounds now before you leave and if he agrees to go with you. He has the week off too."

30 minutes later

After collecting her things and securing her office, Mac headed out hoping to find Harm, wanting to talk with him and set a few things straight before his mind was set in stone.

As she walked out the door of the JAG building, she saw him leaning up against the oak tree, the same one where he was leaning against when she left with Dalton in what now seemed like years ago.

She walked towards him hesitantly, "Harm?"

She barely heard his whisper, "You could have told me."

"How?"

"I don’t know, but you could have. I would been there for you." He then walked off towards his car.

"Harm!" She said to the retreating back, and then to herself. "I know that Harm, but we both know that you would have never allowed me the freedom I needed to get the job done. I hated every minute I kept things from you. I wanted so much to tell you that I would have waited forever till you were ready to let go. I want you to know that I love you still and I'll be here when you are ready to talk."

Part 7

Harm's Apartment

1900 EST

Renee found Harm seated looking out his window, she could tell by his look that he knew about Mac and Mic.

She saw the breaking news story as it hit her desk at her new job as director of the evening news for the CBS affiliate. The thought of getting involved with another person to investigate them and keep the country safe was a foreign concept to her. But not to the man who was brooding across the room, not the man whose life centered around the Navy and serving his country.

To him what Mac did was duty and Renee knew that as soon as he calmed down that he would go to Mac, running to him more than likely. But living with him as much as she had been the past few months she knew that he would have to get over the hurt of being left out.

Renee knew this as well as her own fate as she read over the details of what went down that morning.

"Harm?"

"Renee."

"Are you okay? I heard about what happened to Mic and Mac. Is she okay?"

Harm's gaze never moved from the spot on the window, never moved from watching the rain fall down like his shields that were now cemented in place from the afternoon meeting with AJ, Mac and Clay. The ones that Renee had been working on that were slowly disappearing, the ones that protected him from Sarah Mackenzie, "I am fine, yes I heard and I have no idea."

After setting her purse and raincoat down she sat across from him, "I believe sailor that you should of said I don’t know how I am feeling, yes I know more than you do about what went down and that as much as I want to I don’t want too I care a great deal about Mac. you see Harm, I know that you care for her more than you let on and that as soon as your heart heals over what she has done to you this past year or so, I am history." A sad chuckle left her lips, "What do I mean when, I mean that I am history now. I never was in the running with an opponent like her."

Harm listened to what Renee said, his silence answered her questions and after a few minutes she got up and grabbed the box she sat bay the door.

"I will just pack my stuff and get out of here Harm."

"Don't."

"Don’t what? Let you tear apart my heart like Mac has done to yours? I know that you will never love me like you do her but at least I had a chance with Mic marrying her, now she is all yours."

Harm took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I'm sorry Renee. I really am. I wish that I could tell you that you are wrong but you're not."

She stopped short of the bedroom, "I know that you are sorry Harm, I know that if she had married Mic that you would have settled for me. Whether or not I could have lived with that, I don’t know. You don’t know. So before we end up enemies, I am going to leave."

By this time Harm was beside her, his hand on her shoulder. "Can we still be friends Renee?"

This time he was rewarded with a sad smile, "All of your other ex's still keep in touch with you, so why not."

Mac's Apartment

2100 EST

She looked over at the bags that lay by the door pondering her next week off. Red Rock Mesa was one thought but without anyone to check on Jingo it was crossed off the list. She finally settled on getting behind the wheel of her vette and going where the wind took her.

The old dog sensed her depression and came to lay beside her with his head on her lap. She petted the canine as the tears fell, she let them run, not stopping them as one by one they made their way down her face.

Mac thought over all the times in her life that she had cried over something, there weren’t many, but the last several times Harmon Rabb was there by her side to comfort her. Tonight she cried over that loss along with the loss of her dreams.

Same Time

AJ's Residence

AJ opened the door and was surprised to find Harm standing there, "Commander."

"Sir."

"Can I help you?"

Harm shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and then turning to leave, "I am sorry to disturb you sir, this was a bad idea."

"Harm! Wait. You need someone to talk to, and I'm here."

Harm got to the steps before he stopped. "I need advice sir."

AJ looked at Harms back, feeling sorry for the young man. A memory of himself at that age went through his mind, he knew that what he was about to tell Harm went against the code that both of them lived by but Harm deserved the chance he gave up. A chance at a life that he gave up for his career, one that Harm could have along with his. "Son, go after her. Tell her how you feel and see where it leads."

Harm turned to face his CO, "And what if she turns me down."

"Then you will know that you didn’t suffer the past year for nothing."

Harm looked at AJ for a moment wondering where the man that told him to not look back went to.

"I know what you are thinking Harm, that I told you to never look back. Well it is because I thought as you did last year when she took the ring, that she had chosen Mic. I knew that if you were ever going to get on with your life that you needed to start right then and there. You had two choices, to fight for her or to let her go and move on."

"I tried to move on."

"I know you did, I sat and watched you. You did better than I ever did. I never got past my wife leaving me. I never forgave her for not realizing that my job was what made me tick."

Harm followed AJ as he walked inside to the kitchen and took the beer that AJ offered him.

AJ leaned back against the counter, "I was envious of you when you left to fly again. Getting a chance to do your first love again." AJ stopped a moment lost in memories. "But I know that Mac jealous of your flying and that it hurt her because she doesn’t understand that it is the part of you that makes you tick."

"Is that why you were so mad at me when I asked for a transfer?"

"Yes, and that you were throwing away a great career to follow that dream along with a woman that wanted you." AJ took a swig of his beer and smiled, "Mic said that we all were a little but in love with Mac. When did you realize it?"

"Kate helped me. I fought it, or tried to bury it after Sydney and she told me the reason she couldn’t stay at JAG was because I didn’t need three women in my life."

AJ and Harm both laughed, "You are down to one now I take it?"

"Yes, Renee left me a little while ago."

"Then why in the hell are you here talking to a run down SEAL, why aren’t you at Mac's telling her some of the things that you just told me?"

"I don’t know."

AJ took another drink, "Mac has the next week off, you do to if you want to join her in the search for answers to the future."

Harm set the bottle down, came over to stand in front of AJ, "Thank you sir."

"Hooyaa Mr. Rabb. Now go, take control of your life and make mine a living hell as I try to keep you both under my command."

Part 8       

Mac's Apartment
am EST

    Harm sat watching for Mac to come out and leave.  He'd called Bud to see if they knew where Mac might be heading off to since he assumed that they would be taking care of Jingo.  After a brief conversation he found out that Mac was taking Jingo with her and that she planned to leave in the morning.  He was able to side step their questions concerning what was going on and what they had seen on the news.  Harm finally told them that as soon as he knew all of the facts that he would fill them in.

    From the admirals, to the phone call, his apartment and now hers, he was still keyed up from a night of no sleep.  Of course this didn't help the nerves to calm down or his head from spinning from all of the questions he had to the answers he didn't want to know.

Inside Mac's Apartment

    Mac was finishing her second cup of coffee when she peered out her window and saw Harm's SUV parked beside her vette.  Paused briefly by shock her thoughts went into overdrive as she pondered why he was parked outside of her place.

    Taking a deep breath she knew that sooner or later that she would have to face him but after a night of sole searching she was actually looking forward to a week of preparation.  She picked up her phone and dialed his cell.

    "Rabb."

    "There is a fresh pot of coffee up here if you want any."  She said not knowing what else to say at the moment.

    "Are you sure?"  His hesitant question came back.

    "No, but you are invited all the same."

    "I'll be up in a minute."

    Mac hung up her phone, opened her door and headed to the kitchen to make him a cup.  A few minutes later Jingo's bark and Harm's hello to the dog finished whatever was left of her calm.  Nerves on overdrive were what met Harm as she carried out their coffee.

    "Black, no sugar like you like it.  Hope you don't mind it is a new blend that I got hooked on this winter." She said holding out the Semper Fi mug to him.

    Taking a careful sip, "Not bad.  Thanks."

    They both sat, neither one wanting to break the stifling silence between them so they sat staring until the pressure caused Harm to chuckle.

    "What?"

    "Look at us Mac, I mean this is ridiculous." Motioning his hand between them, "It took me all afternoon and talking with the Admiral to realize that you were just doing you job."  He said as he finally realized after he entered her apartment that all of the whys and what for's didn't matter and neither did their answers.

    "So is that an apology from Harmon Rabb?"

    "Yes and no."

    "Figures."

    "Yes it does, we are both guilty Mac.  Me of not realizing my heart a long time ago and you for not trusting me enough to let me know what was going on."

    "Harm you have got to realize that I wanted to tell you when we were down under but then Clay told me that I couldn't break silence.  It killed me to take the ring, especially after nearly losing you on the Sarabatchi. Then the tension just built up from there between us.  I hate to say that I am glad that the walls went up because we both know how obsessive you are over things that you care about and I needed room to move concerning Mic. So that I could do my job."

    "That ring was like a knife to my heart."  He looked down into the cup he held, in an almost whisper, "It hurt worse Diane's death."

    Mac knelt in front of Harm, took his hands in hers, "I never meant to hurt you Harm.  I love you too much to ever hurt you like that, I guess I should say hurt you like that again."

    His eyes finally met hers and he saw his feelings for her mirrored there. "I hope you meant what you said Marine because I am going to hold you to it."

    "I mean every word."

    A small smile came across his face; "I guess I should apologize too for acting like a jerk these past few months since you switched that ring over."

    "You have been that."

    "Thanks."

    "You said it flyboy not me, but as you said, we are both to blame for our behavior the past year.  So shall we call it even?"  She asked hoping that he would say how he felt towards her, or that he felt for her more than just a friend.

    "Can it be done that easily Mac?  Can we just put the past two years behind us and move on with our lives from here?"

    "I hope so, I don't want to repeat the past two years anymore than you do Harm. I am ready to just leave them where they belong in the past, I want to move forward and see where the road takes us."

    He was quiet for a moment, "where do you want to the road to go?"

    She thought to herself for a second, laying her heart out there for him to pick up or leave. "I don’t care as long as I am by your side."

    "I think that that can be arranged.  After nearly losing you to another man I don’t plan on letting that happen again, I need you beside me and I want you there for eternity.  I love you too much to let you walk away from me not knowing that."

    "Thank God."  She said as she leaned forward to kiss him, as their lips met he pulled close, crushing her to him.

    Finally they parted for air, "So where are we going on vacation this week?" He asked settling her in his lap.

    "Huh?"  She asked from the fog his kiss caused.

    "The admiral gave us a week off to see what our future holds and I was asking you where are we going?  I hope that you don’t mind but after a talk with Bud, he said you were taking Jingo with you on the road, so I packed a bag In case you wanted some company besides the canine kind."

    Letting her head rest on his chest, "I was just planning to hit the open road and see where I ended up.  So if you think you can handle the unknown for a week with me, you are more than welcome to come along."

    Glancing down, "I think that I can handle a week right now." His grin grew as he saw some uncertainly come across her face, "But I want us to discuss this forever idea we have mentioned a couple of times while we cruise the open road."

    "I have no problem with that."

Part 9

A week later
JAG HQ
0830 am EST

    Harm walked into the bullpen with a new bounce in his step thanks to a week of emotional healing and recouping.  He knew that the day was going to be along one but he also knew that Mac would be by his side forever now as his thumb played with the new ring that rested on his left hand.

    "Morning Sir, have a good week off?"  Bud asked as he came up beside Harm.

    "Yes I did Bud, I don’t think that I have felt this good in years."

    "Well good for you sir." Bud paused as they got their messages from Gunny, "The Admiral told us about what Colonel Mackenzie has been doing the past year and that she is resuming her job as Chief of Staff."

    "I know Bud, I talked with him yesterday and he told me what he said to the staff."  Harm said as he set he cover and brief case on his desk.

    "How do you feel about it sir?"  Bud said faster than his brain could stop him, shaking his head now, "I'm sorry, I shouldn’t have asked."

    Harm smiled, "It is a dead subject Bud, Mac was doing her job.  End of story and I hope that you will pass that on to the rest of the staff.  Mac and I just want the whole issue to drop and everyone get on with their duties."

    Bud took the hint, "Aye sir.  The Porcaro file is on your desk and I have the Barton DOD taken care of."

    "Good, I'll meet up with you later after the morning briefing."

    Bud backed into Mac as she attempted to enter Harm's office, "Morning Bud."

    "Morning Ma'am." Coming to attention, "It is good to have you back and its great that you aren't leaving ma'am."

    "At ease and thanks Lt.. I am glad to be staying too." Smiling a million watt smile at Harm.

    "You're welcome, excuse me."

    Harm and Mac both laughed at Bud, "I hope he never changes."

    "He hasn't since the first time I met him on the Seahawk over six years ago." Harm paused to remember, "What can I do for you Colonel?"

    "The Admiral has a case for us, on the Patrick Henry.  And as I understand it, a certain pilot I know is due for his quals this month.  I figure I can handle some of the case myself while he spends some time in the air."

    Following her out of the office and across the bullpen, quietly for her ears only, "Do you think that they will let us hot bunk?"

    "Red light Commander." Surprised by Harm's asking while they were walking amongst the staff even though her mind wandered there as soon as the Admiral suggested it.

    "Red light?"  Came his question and confused look as they waited for Tiner announced them.

    Low for only him, "I believe we promised our CO that we would be professional here."

    "I know we did but since when did asking where I would be sleeping become unprofessional?"

    "Where am I bunking and hot bunking are two different things."

    Tiner interrupted them, "You can go in now sir's"

    Harm did his best to wipe the silly grin he had been wearing since their impromptu wedding at his grandmothers on Friday.  Mac slapped him on the arm as they entered.

    AJ focused on the paperwork in front of him as the two senior attorneys took the place in front of him.  The phone call from them letting him know that Mac was staying and that they had gotten married on the spur of the moment was the one he hoped he would be getting.  There were still strings to pull to keep them both there but the battle would be worth it and using Harm's quals as a way to give them a chance to work one last case together for some time while irking the secnav couldn’t get any better.

An hour later

    Harm sat outside waiting for Mac in her vette brought out of past memories as she got in, "You okay?"

    "Yes, just remembering how many times I have seen you drive off with someone else and how lucky I am that that will never happen again." Taking her hand in his, playing with her wedding band.

Trying to change the subject, "You think that the fog will be totally gone before we take off?"  She asked mentioning the mornings heavy fog that was still lifting.

    "Hmm?  Oh the fog, it's gone Mac.  Everything is clear now. Nothing to cloud the way anymore."

    "Good." Catching his double meaning, "Then shall we get home and get packed? I believe I need to see what I have in my drawers that are suitable for hot bunking."

    "Yes, lets go see." He said spinning out of the parking lot.

    "Careful sailor, this is no tomcat."

The end.