Feedback Contact: etxjaglady @ flash.net (without
the spaces)
Rating: Over 13
Pairing: Harm/Mac
Classification: Romance, Shipper
Spoilers: My stories can contain spoilers of any episode already
aired in the US, and spec about future episodes as well. Spoilers
for the finale.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did, this show would be *very*
different by now.
Archiving: Usual drill. Archived at myjagfanfic @ Yahoogroups;
and various other lists; http://jagficlady.com/ OR http://jagficlady.741.com/
Anywhere else, please ask I like to know where my stories end
up.
A/N: My first take on the finale *after* it aired. Picks up as
the scene froze in "Fair Winds and Following Seas".
Summary: Sometimes, Fate keeps on intervening til She gets it
right.
===============================================
As they watched the coin flip into the air, Harm and Mac stood
in each other's arms, letting Fate make a decision that would
change their lives.
At this moment, with Mac so close and holding onto him as if
she'd never let go, Harm wasn't sure that he would mind giving
up his promotion and the Navy if the toss went against him. Yes,
he'd miss the Navy, but he'd have Mac. And Mattie. Taking care
of her was going to be a full time job until she recovered - and
he firmly believed that she *would* recover and be able to do
all the things she'd planned to do with her life.
And San Diego would give him a chance to reconnect with his
mom again - maybe work through the coolness in their relationship.
Who knows, he thought, she'd probably enjoy having a granddaughter
to spoil. Not to mention any children that he and Mac would have.
He could feel how tense she was as the coin fell back to the floor
at last.
Unwilling to look at the result, Harm waited for Bud to make
the call. His old friend's eyes were filled with a mixture of
sorrow and delight as he announced, "It's tails."
"Guess that means we're going to San Diego, then,"
Harm said, keeping his tone light and pulling Mac closer.
"I guess so," Mac agreed, looking up at him with
uncertain eyes. "You okay with that?"
"Sure. I'm not really Captain material anyway," he
said with a lift of his shoulders. Looking at General Cresswell,
Harm said, "The paperwork will be on your desk tomorrow morning,
sir."
Cresswell gave a sharp nod of acknowledgement. "You're
sure about this, Captain?" he asked.
Harm looked down into Mac's eyes and smiled at her before answering.
"Yes, sir. More sure than I've ever been in my life."
"Very well, then. I won't try to dissuade you. I can try
to find you a billet in the San Diego area for a Lt. Commander,
if you'd rather stay in the Navy. It won't be with JAG, but since
you have a background in aviation -"
Harm considered the offer, knowing that if he stayed in the
Navy, he'd risk their being separated again. He'd given it up
once to save her life - now, he was willing to give it up to have
her *in* his life. "I think I'll just take my retirement,
General. And I know this is leaving you in the lurch as far as
the billet goes-"
"Let me handle it, Captain - and you *are* still a Captain
until that paperwork is approved, by the way. I'm sure I'll find
someone else to take that billet."
Once the General moved away, Mac looked at Harm. "You're
willing to give it up?"
"For you, yes," Harm said, taking her hand in his.
"It won't be the first time, after all." He grinned.
"And *this* time, I got the girl."
"Yes." Mac smiled at him, her eyes glittering. "Thank
you," she said as she touched her lips to his. He could see
that those words were for far more than this evening. It was amazing
how he'd been afraid to trust what he saw in her eyes for so long,
but now it seemed like the easiest thing in the world to do.
"So," Harriet asked as she and Jen Coates appeared,
"When's the wedding?"
"It will have to be soon. I have to leave for San Diego
tomorrow morning," Mac said.
"That doesn't leave much time," Harriet noted.
"Have you talked to Mattie about this, sir?" Jen
asked.
"We called her before we called Bud and Harriet,"
Harm told her. "She was delighted."
"I'm sure she was, sir." Jen looked a little embarrassed.
"I know it doesn't matter now, sir, but - I want to explain
why I wanted to go to San Diego with the Colonel and not to London
with you."
"Let me guess," Mac said, drawing Jen's attention.
"Lt. Vukovic?"
Jen's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "A little, ma'am,"
she confirmed. "I mean, I know he's an officer and I'm enlisted,
but, well, there's something about him - and once I finish college,
I could always go to OCS -"
"Yes, you could," Mac agreed. "But Vic isn't
going to San Diego."
Harm smiled at Jen's surprise. He'd been surprised as well
when Mac had told him that she'd turned Vic down flat when he'd
come to request that she take him with her - and then had explained
her reasons for the decision.
"He's - not, ma'am?"
"No. He'll be staying here in Washington with the General,
I assume."
"Oh."
"If you'd known that before the coin toss, Jen, would
it have made a difference in your decision?" Mac wanted to
know.
Wincing, Jen answered. "Probably, ma'am. May I ask - why
you turned him down?"
"Why don't we sit down, Jennifer, and I'll try to explain."
She gave Harm a smile. "Be right back."
Harm drifted over to where Bud, Sturgis, and the General were
talking over their drinks. "When are you getting married,
sir?" Bud asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Harm said. "If I can get
Mac away, we'll probably find a Justice of the Peace tomorrow
morning before she has to leave for San Diego. Mattie and I will
follow her out in a week or so, once the custody matter is resolved."
"That's not much time to arrange a wedding," Sturgis
said.
"Leave it to Harriet," Bud said. "She loves
arranging things."
Harm looked at the man. "Everything okay, Bud?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't it be? The two people I admire
most in the world are finally getting married after nine years.
Everything's great!"
Harm thought he heard a tiny undercurrent of discontent in
Bud's voice, but didn't pursue it as the General asked, "What
were the Colonel and Coates discussing before you came over here?
If you - don't mind my asking."
"She told Coates that she hadn't offered a position on
her staff to Lt. Vukovic. I think that Coates was expecting to
see him there."
Cresswell frowned. "She's not taking him with her?"
"No, sir."
"Did she tell you her reasons?"
"She did, General, but - I think it might be best if you
speak to her about it."
"I'll do that," Cresswell nodded, watching Jen and
Mac talking as they sat at a table across the bar while Harriet
joined Bud and Sturgis. "What about - Mattie, isn't it? How
is she?"
"She's going to need some physical therapy, but the doctors
are hopeful. They gave me some recommendations for good places
in London. I guess I'll have to get some for the San Diego area,
now."
"Are you certain about resigning, Captain?"
Harm looked across the room just as Mac looked up and their
eyes met. "I think the reward is worth it, General."
===============================================
Jen looked at Mac, and then turned around to see Harm looking
in their direction. With a deep sigh, she said, "You're so
lucky, ma'am."
"I know, Jennifer," Mac said. "Believe me. It's
taken us nine years to get this far."
"I'm glad that you got things right with Capt. Rabb -
I mean Commander Rabb. Too bad he can't keep the rank. I think
it suits him."
"So do I," Mac murmured softly, watching Harm as
he spoke with Bud and Harriet before coming across the room toward
them. It was still hard for Mac to believe that he was finally
going to be hers. That he *was* hers, she corrected.
"Bud and Harriet have an idea about the wedding, Mac,"
Harm said, moving to stand beside Mac, his hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to agree, Mac," Harriet began, "but
since I'm sure Mattie would love to be present at your wedding,
and we all have just enough time to drive out to Blacksburg tomorrow
morning so that you could have the ceremony in her room."
Mac looked up at Harm. "Would the doctors allow that?"
"I think so. I think it would be good for her to be there
when we become a family."
"Oh my," Mac said, blinking. "I just realized
that I'm not just getting a husband. I'm getting a teenage daughter,
too."
"You're just now realizing that, ma'am?" Jen asked.
Harm squeezed her shoulder. "I don't make promises I don't
keep," he reminded her. "I know it's not quite the way
we planned, but -"
"It works," she told him. "And who knows? We
might still get lucky."
"Parenting a teenage girl isn't an easy task, as I'm sure
you know, Captain," the General said as he joined them. "But
I have a feeling that you're both up to the task at hand. Don't
worry about meeting any time deadlines as far as your billet,
Colonel," he said. "I think you can take care of business
here first."
"Thank you, sir," she said.
"You're welcome. I have to go. I'll see both of you tomorrow
morning. Congratulations, Captain. Colonel."
"Thank you, sir," Harm said. "For everything."
"I haven't done anything."
"You gave us a deadline that we couldn't overlook this
time," Mac explained, reaching up to cover Harm's hand on
her shoulder with one of her own.
"If I were you, Captain Rabb, I'd get that lady a ring
ASAP."
"That reminds me," Harm said, reaching into the pocket
of his mess dress uniform and pulling something out. "I guess
I should make this official, shouldn't I?"
Mac stared at the marquis cut diamond ring in his hand. "Harm.
Where -?"
"It belonged to my Grandma Sarah," he explained.
It seemed for a moment that everything had stopped in the bar.
The jukebox fell silent as a song ended. The patrons seemed
to sense something important was taking place in their midst and
focused their attention on the table where a stunningly beautiful
woman wearing a sexy red dress and a Navy Captain wearing mess
dress were surrounded by their friends.
"Will you marry me, Sarah Mackenzie?" Harm asked,
his eyes locked with hers. "I love you. I have for longer
than I can tell."
She drew a shuddering breath as her eyes filled with moisture
and felt Harm's fingers touch her left hand. "I love you,
too, Harmon Rabb," she confirmed. "Yes. I'll marry you."
Harm gave a pretend sigh of relief and grinned as he slipped
the ring onto her finger. "It's a perfect fit," he noted,
leaning forward to kiss the back of her hand before kissing her
mouth.
Behind him, he heard Harriet and Jen both sniffling, and rested
his forehead against Mac's as they both looked at the ring on
her finger. "Those Captain's stripes look good on you,"
she whispered.
"But this looks better on you," he replied, touching
the ring.
"I'll see everyone tomorrow," Cresswell said again,
and was gone.
"We have to go, too," Harriet said apologetically.
"Mike's staying with the kids."
"I'll see you first thing tomorrow?" Mac said to
Harriet.
"I'll be ready," Harriet agreed with a smile before
she leaned over to give Mac another hug and looked at Harm. "I'm
so happy for both of you."
"So am I," Bud agreed, shaking Harm's hand again.
"Congratulations again, sir."
"Better get used to calling me 'Harm'," Bud,"
Harm suggested, and felt Mac look at him as she stood with his
arm around her.
Sturgis and Jen left a few moments later, leaving Harm and
Mac sitting alone at the table. "How long have you been carrying
this ring around, Harm?" she asked as his fingers touched
the circlet of metal and diamond on her finger.
"I've had it for a year," he confessed. "Ever
since the dining out. I almost packed it away, though. I wasn't
sure we'd get this far. There's a wedding ring that goes with
it."
"I wish I'd met her," Mac told Harm with a long sigh.
Sarah Jarrett Rabb had died while he'd been working for the CIA
- and he'd been unable to attend her funeral as a result.
"She would have liked you," Harm replied. "I
know we've agreed to be married tomorrow morning, but once we're
settled in San Diego, maybe we could have a wedding with all the
trimmings - you deserve better than a hurried ceremony in a hospital
room."
"Harm, I don't care where we get married," Mac insisted.
"I didn't want the major event that Mic planned, remember?"
Harm smiled. "If I recall correctly, you said something
about a field and goats."
"Maybe not quite that rustic, but as long as you're there,
that's all that matters. You were right. If I needed you there,
then I was marrying the wrong man."
Harm sighed this time. "I thought we agreed to leave the
past in the past?" he said. "What's important now is
our future together." He brought her hand to his lips. "You
know, we'd better get out of here. We have a lot to do tomorrow."
"Your place or mine?" Mac asked, giving him a smile
that Harm wondered how he'd managed to ignore for so many years.
"Your decision."
"Not this time," she said, shaking her head. "I
made the important one. You get to decide where we spend our last
night in DC."
"Fair enough," he agreed. "Your place. It's
closer," he explained with a grin of his own. Seeing the
way Mac's breath caught, he knew it had worked.
"Then let's go, sailor," she told him.
Harm rose and extended his arm for her to take before leading
her out of the bar. Their first time together had been far more
hurried than either of them had wanted it to be due to the necessity
of contacting Mattie, and then the Roberts to get everything set
up for their meeting. Then here had been Coates and Sturgis to
call . . .
Now, they had more time - not all night, exactly, considering
that it was past midnight - and they both had things to take care
of the next morning before they could have the small ceremony
in Blacksburg. They had to go to JAG HQ so that Mac could get
her final transfer papers, and Harm had to turn in his request
for retirement - then they still had to meet with the JP in Blacksburg
and then Mac was going to meet Harriet to find a dress - "You
sure we can get everything done in time?" he asked her as
they moved toward their vehicles.
"We'll manage," Mac said firmly as she unlocked the
Vette.
"Are you having this shipped to San Diego?" he asked.
"Yeah. I thought about driving it, but decided it was
too long a trip. What about yours? Were you going to have it sent
to London?"
"No. I was going to have the Pontiac shipped over. I put
the Vette into storage a few months ago," he explained. "I'd
planned to give it to Mattie once she got her driver's license
-" his voice trailed off.
Mac put a hand on his arm as she looked up at him. "She'll
be okay, Harm," she said. "And she'll walk again."
"I hope you're right," he said, leaning down to give
her a quick kiss that threatened to get out of hand. "You
know, it's a good thing we never did this before now."
"Why is that?" she asked, her arms linked around
his neck to keep him close.
"Because I'm not sure we'd have been able to keep our
hands off each other working in the same office."
"Get a room," someone muttered as they walked by.
"We're going to do that," Harm told the man, winking
at Mac before opening the door to her car. "I'll follow you
to your place."
"Sounds like a plan." She started the car's engine
and Harm stepped back, turning toward the Pontiac he'd traded
the Lexus for. He'd never really liked the SUV - and once he and
Sturgis had finished rebuilding the Vette, he seldom drove it
unless he had to. But deciding to give Mattie the Vette had necessitated
his finding alternative transport - and driving the Lexus hadn't
been an option. So he'd gone back to "Senator" Jim and
gotten a good trade in for this one.
Watching the tail lights of the Vette in front of him, Harm's
mind drifted back to those earlier, stolen moments in his apartment
after he had proposed to Mac - and she had accepted. He hadn't
even explained his idea before they'd ended up in his bed - half
undressed and making love. It had been in the wondrous afterglow
that he'd explained what he'd meant about 'fate keeping them together',
and Mac had agreed to accept whatever the toss of the coin sent
their way.
He pulled his car into the curb behind Mac's and got out -
opening the back door and reaching into the back seat to retrieve
the sea bag he'd packed before leaving his own apartment earlier.
Arming the security system, he turned to find Mac standing near
the front door of the building, waiting.
"Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you, sailor?" she
teased upon seeing the bag in his hand.
"I took a chance."
"Life on the edge," she replied, smiling up at him
as she took out the key to the front doors and unlocked them.
"You know how flyboys are," he said in return. "Always
looking for the next thrill." Inside the front doors, Harm
pulled Mac fully into his arms. "But I think I've found all
the thrills I need for the rest of my life right here."
"Keep talking like that, and we might never get to Blacksburg
tomorrow."
"Oh no. We're going to do this." He gave her a light,
teasing kiss, enjoying the way her eyes became dazed just from
that brief contact. "I fully intend to spend the rest of
my life with you, Sarah Mackenzie. And we're going to have a family
- no matter what it takes."
"We already have a family," she pointed out. "Mattie,
you, me. I'll be happy with that if we can't -"
Harm stopped her before she unlocked the door to her apartment
and turned her to face him. "I don't break my promises, Mac.
And I fully intend to keep that one, especially. One way or the
other."
"I love you, Harm," she said in a quiet voice, her
dark eyes filled with tears.
"That's good to know." He took the key from her and
unlocked the door, opening it and ushering her inside.
As he followed her, he closed the door and reached out to pull
her back into his arms, picking up where they'd left off earlier
in the evening . . .
Harm frowned when the alarm went off and reached over to turn
it off - but found himself confused when the clock wasn't where
it was supposed to be. Opening his eyes, it took a second for
him to realize that he was in Mac's bed - and that he was alone.
Silencing the alarm, he listened to the quiet apartment. "Mac?"
he called, his frown deepening as there was no reply. In reaching
across the other side of the bed to silence the alarm, Harm's
gaze fell on a piece of paper with his name on it in Mac's handwriting.
Cautiously, he picked it up and opened it, smiling as he saw the
heart with the initials "S.M. + H. R." inside.
"Harm," the note began, "Sorry to have left
you alone, but I have a million and one things to do before we
meet in Blacksburg. I have to get my papers from JAG, and find
a dress - and get my hair done - I'll meet you as agreed at the
courthouse in Blacksburg to get the license before we go to the
hospital to get married. That sounds strange, doesn't it?"
He could almost hear her soft laughter as she wrote the words.
"I love you, Mac."
Taking a deep breath, Harm rolled out of the bed and went toward
the bathroom to take a shower and change into his uniform. He
had to get his retirement request written and submitted to the
General. It was probably a good thing that Bud had turned him
down - although Harm privately wondered why he'd done so. He had
a feeling that there was more to that decision than met the eye
. . .
Capt. Harmon Rabb, Jr. noted the increased attention as he
entered JAG Ops, and figured that the rumor mill had already spread
the word about him and Mac. Carrying the manila folder in his
left hand, he entered Jennifer's office, only to stop as he found
Lt. Vukovic already there, standing *very* close to the Petty
Officer.
Neither of them saw him there, and Harm clearly heard Vukovic
say, "You're kidding, right? They're getting *married*?"
"This morning. I think they're going to have a bigger
wedding once they get settled, but -"
"Get settled where? Mac's going to San Diego and Capt.
Rabb's headed toward London."
"As long as they're happy, I don't think it matters to
them," Jen said.
"Well, maybe with them gone, I'll get some good cases
-"
"You'll still have Commander Turner and Lt. Commander
Roberts to answer to," Jen reminded him.
"But I have an *in* with the General," Vic said,
and Harm's skin crawled at the slimy tone of his voice. "Don't
I, Jen?"
"Not for much longer," Jen told him. "I'm leaving
Washington."
"What?"
"I asked the Colonel to take me with her. She agreed."
"She's taking you but not - me?" Vic's voice trailed
off as Jen caught sight of Harm standing just outside of the doorway.
She rose to her feet in attention.
"Captain Rabb, sir."
"Coates. Lieutenant," Harm said, waiting until Vic
went to attention as well. "Is there a problem here, Petty
Officer?" he asked, giving Vic a pointed look.
"No, sir," she said. "Lt. Vukovic was just leaving."
"Don't let me keep you, Lieutenant," Harm said. "Dismissed."
Vic looked as if he might say something, but apparently the expression
on Harm's face made him reconsider that idea, because he passed
Harm and left the office, heading toward his desk. "I take
it that he isn't happy that Mac turned him down?"
"Maybe if he grows up a little -" Jen said, and then
gave Harm a smile. "You look happy, sir."
"That's because I am," he replied, lifting the folder
in his hand toward the closed door into Cresswell's office. "I
think he's expecting me."
"He said to send you right in, sir."
"Has Mac been here?"
"Come and gone, sir," she answered, and Harm wondered
for a moment about the strange look in her eye. "She said
that she had a lot to do before meeting you in Blacksburg."
Harm nodded and turned toward the door, knocking on the frame
out of habit, waiting for the occupant to call out, "Come
in!"
General Cresswell was sitting behind his desk, files and papers
scattered across it, a pair of reading glasses on his nose, over
which he looked up as Harm came to attention before his desk.
"Captain Rabb reporting as promised, sir."
"At ease, Captain," Cresswell said. "I believe
you have something for me?"
Harm held out the folder. "My request for retirement and
terminal leave, sir."
Cresswell took the folder and glanced at the paper before handing
it back. "I can't accept it, Captain."
Harm blinked in surprise. "Sir?"
Cresswell stood and picked up another paper that he held out
to Harm. "Lt. Col. Mackenzie gave me this when she was here
earlier."
Taking the paper, Harm saw that it was notice of her decision
not to take the billet in San Diego, recommending that it be given
to Commander Sturgis Turner instead, and requesting a transfer
to London ASAP - with her husband, Capt. Harmon Rabb, Jr.
"Mac refused the assignment?"
"She did. With my blessing, by the way. And before you
say that you can't allow her to do that, I should tell you that
I'm not going to go against a fellow Marine."
"But - General, -"
Cresswell lifted his hand to silence Harm. "I think this
is something you and she need to discuss. As for her future, I
have something in mind - but I need a little more time to get
things set up and approved. I should know something by the time
I get out to Blacksburg for your wedding. That is - if I'm invited,"
he hinted broadly.
Still in shock, Harm said, "Of course you are, sir."
"Your travel orders have been changed to tomorrow - you'll
report to the JAG office in London day after that. Coates has
your paperwork on her desk. And having said that, Captain, I will
say that I regret not having taken the time to get to know you
since taking over as JAG. But I tend to place my attention where
I feel that it's needed most - those who do their jobs well and
efficiently I tend to overlook - rightly or wrongly. If I had
it to do over again - I would change that."
"Thank you, General," Harm said as he realized what
Cresswell meant.
"Now get out of here. As of now, you're officially no
longer in my office. But I'll be in touch."
"It's been an honor, General," Harm said, coming
to attention.
"Dismissed, Captain."
Harm turned on his heel and left the office, meeting Jennifer
Coates' knowing eyes. "You knew?"
"That Col. Mackenzie turned down the slot in San Diego?"
she asked. "Yes." She held out some papers. "Your
travel orders, Captain."
Harm glanced over them before looking toward the bullpen to
see Lt. Vukovic talking to a blonde Ensign. "You told him
that you were going to San Diego with Mac."
"Only because I didn't think it was his business,"
Jen said. Her face took on an uncertain look. "Captain, I
know that I'm probably being forward, and after I asked to go
with the Colonel instead of you, I wouldn't blame you for saying
'no', but -"
"You were wondering if you could go with me instead?"
"You *and* the Colonel, actually. I can't even begin to
explain why I wanted to go to San Diego -"
"I think we both know the reason for that, Jen,"
Harm said, looking toward Vic again.
"Yeah, I guess we do," she agreed. "Can you
forgive me for being so silly and immature?"
"I don't think you were being either. Your - focus slipped
a little, that's all. I'd be honored to have you as my yeoman,
Jen." Glancing at his watch, he said, "I have to get
going - you'll be in Blacksburg?"
"I wouldn't miss it, sir. The General's trying to figure
out who he's going to leave in charge while we're gone."
"As long as it's not Vic, I don't think there'll be a
problem," Harm said with a wry grin. "I'll see you later."
He was crossing the bullpen as Bud appeared. "Captain!"
Bud said, smiling broadly. "I can still call you that, right?"
he asked. "I mean, I'm assuming you're here to turn in your
retirement papers?"
"The General refused to accept them, Bud," Harm said.
"Mac beat me to the punch. Only she's asked for a transfer
to London instead of resigning."
"Really? Then you're going to London after all?"
"Looks that way - unless I can convince Mac to abide by
the results of the toss."
"Well, technically, sir, she is," Bud pointed out
as they moved toward the elevators. When Harm lifted an eyebrow
in silent surprise, Bud continued. "She won the toss, so
it's her decision where you and she end up. She's decided that
it's going to London. That way, neither of you *has* to give up
your career, and depending on what her detailer and the General
find for her there, hers won't take as big a hit as yours would
have by refusing the promotion and the assignment as FJA."
It made sense, Harm decided, in a strangely convoluted sort
of fashion. "Thank you, Bud. You know, I wish you were going
with us."
Bud looked sad as the doors opened. "So do I, sir. But
Harriet -"
"Think about it. If you change your mind - you know where
to find me."
"I doubt that will happen, but thank you anyway."
"I'll see you in three hours," Harm reminded him.
"Can't get married without my best man, can I?"
Bud's smile appeared again. "N-no sir. I'll be there."
The elevator doors closed behind Harm, leaving Bud alone in
the corridor. London would have been great, he thought, and then
put the idea out of his mind. Harriet had made it more than clear
that she wanted to stay where they were. Turning around, he found
General Cresswell watching him from the bullpen, and moved back
toward the glass doors. "General."
"Could I see you in my office, Commander?" Cresswell
asked, but it wasn't a question as he turned and headed in that
direction without waiting for Bud's answer.
Once in the office, Cresswell went to the window and looked
out. "May I ask why you turned down Capt. Rabb's offer of
a position on his staff?"
"There were a - number of factors, General. Harriet's
put a lot of time into our house here. She doesn't really want
to leave it or uproot four children to move them to England. And
then there's my leg -"
"You're completely recovered from that, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir. But I still need to see doctors and therapists
occasionally -"
"There are excellent places to live in England - and doctors
there as well. The military hospital there is very good. Not as
good as Bethesda, but I think they can handle just about anything
they're given." Cresswell turned to look at Bud. "Is
your wife aware of just how *good* this would look on your record?
Assistant to the FJA of Naval Forces Europe? That would be quite
a feather in your cap, Commander. And it would make it that much
more likely that you'll be able to retire as at least a full Commander
rather than having to leave before your twenty is up when you're
passed over."
"I know all of that, sir. And I'm sure Harriet does as
well. She was in the Navy -"
"If you had gotten orders to a new duty station - what
would she do then? Suggest you leave the Navy or follow you wherever
your career took you?"
"I think - I'm sure she'd follow me if I were ordered
to go, General. But it wasn't an order - it was my choice about
whether to take the billet."
"For the moment," Cresswell said, and Bud saw the
smile in the man's eyes. "I think Capt. Rabb will have need
of an assistant who knows his way around, Commander Roberts. Someone
he's comfortable with. Don't you?"
"By all means, General," Bud agreed.
"And since you would no longer be in my command, that
might possibly resolve some of the - difficulty between my daughter
and your brother, don't you think?"
"Uh, yes sir," Bud said, surprised at the turn of
the conversation as Jen Coates knocked on the door.
"Excuse me, General, but - if Commander Roberts doesn't
leave soon, he'll be late meeting with Capt. Rabb in Blacksburg."
"Then you're dismissed, Commander. Petty Officer Coates,
we'll be leaving within half an hour as well. Requisition transportation."
"We, sir?" Jen asked.
"I'm invited to the wedding, too," he informed them.
Harm paced back and forth in front of the entrance, occasionally
checking his watch. Mac was supposed to have been here fifteen
minutes ago. They had agreed to meet here at 1030, get the license,
and then go to the hospital. But she was late.
He still couldn't quite believe that she had done what she
had. Giving up something she'd been so pleased about - something
that would have looked wonderful on her record - for him. He needed
to talk to her, find out if this was what she really wanted. He
still remembered his 'daydream' or whatever it had been at Jen's
promotion dinner. Mac had been so resentful of his star rising
while hers had fallen that it had driven them apart until they
had almost lost each other.
He didn't want it to happen in real life. He wasn't sure he'd
be able to survive if it did. Not now.
He saw her come out of a shop down the street and move toward
him - her dark hair curling around her shoulders. She looked so
lovely, and Harm couldn't help but notice the looks she got from
men on the street. He felt a tiny thrill of pride that he was
the only one she was looking back at, and smiled as she approached.
"Hi there," he said, pulling her close and giving her
a kiss. "You're late."
"I know. I was at the beauty parlor down the street -
and it took longer than I thought it would. I'm sorry."
"I tried to call your cell -" he began, and she gave
him an embarrassed grin.
"I forgot to charge it last night. I was - otherwise occupied,
I think."
"Really?" Harm questioned, knowing exactly what -
or rather, who - had occupied her. "Or was it that you didn't
want to talk to me after I'd been to see General Cresswell?"
"He told you?"
"He didn't have much choice. Mac, are you sure about this?"
"Very sure, Harm. You gave everything up for me a couple
of years ago. I'm only giving up a post - I'll still be in the
Corps. And we'll be together. You've worked too long and too hard
not to take this promotion and assignment that goes with it."
"I have to know that you're doing this for the right reasons,
Mac," he insisted. "I don't want - I just couldn't handle
it if you wake up one day down the road and resent me because
you gave up something because of me."
"No one is forcing me to do this," she assured him.
"It's my choice. After all, I won the toss - so I get to
decide where we go, don't I?"
"That's what Bud said," Harm informed her, touching
her cheek with his fingers. "I have to be sure, Mac."
"I'm doing what I want to do, Harm. I want to be with
you. London or San Diego or Washington, DC, it doesn't matter
where. Just as long as we're together." She smiled up at
him. "We'd better get going if we're not going to be late
for our own wedding, sailor. It's 1050. And there's no way of
telling how long it's going to take to get the license."
He turned them toward the building, keeping his arm around
her. "Is that what you're wearing?" he asked, noting
the jeans and top.
"No. I have the dress that Harriet and I picked out in
the car. I'll change at the hospital."
"Jen asked to go with us to London."
"Did you say yes?"
"Of course I did." He opened the front door of the
building and stepped aside for her to enter before following her
inside.
Mattie was surprised when they walked into her room. She accepted
Harm's embrace and smiled at them both. "You look really
happy," she told them.
"It's traditional to be happy on one's wedding day, isn't
it?" Harm asked Mac.
"Wedding day?" Mattie questioned, looking from Harm
to Mac and back again before Mac held up her left hand to show
Mattie the ring. "You're not already married, are you?"
"No," Mac answered. "But we will be before long.
Once the Justice of the Peace gets here, and our friends."
"Here?"
Harm took her hand, relieved when he felt her squeeze back
slightly. "We decided that we couldn't get married without
you there," he explained. "So I talked to your doctor
and the nurses, and they agreed to let us hold the ceremony here."
"Really?"
"Really," Mac repeated with a smile for the young
woman. "We're going to be a family, Mattie. And that means
starting now, we're together. In everything. Once we're in London
-"
"London? You won the coin toss, Harm?"
"Actually, Mac won it," he told her, putting his
arm around Mac again. "And it was all set that I'd retire
and we'd move to San Diego. But when I went in to turn in my retirement
papers this morning, I found out that Mac had refused the assignment
to San Diego."
"Can you do that?" Mattie asked Mac. "Are you
leaving the Marines?"
"Yes, I can do that. And no, I'm not leaving the Marines.
I'll be transferred to London as soon as they find a post for
me there. It won't be as a lawyer, but I'm still a Marine. I can
do other things. Maybe I'll be posted to the Embassy there. There's
no way of telling what I'll end up doing. But the important thing
is that we'll be together." She reached out to cover Harm's
hand that was holding Mattie's. "A family."
"You know what you're getting into?" Mattie asked.
"I can't walk. I might never be able to-"
"I don't believe that, Mattie," Harm said in a firm
tone. "And I don't want you to believe it either. You *will*
walk again. I'm *sure* of it."
"I know what I'm getting into, Mattie," Mac said
in answer to the girl's question as Bud and Harriet arrived.
"Hey, you two, it's bad luck for the groom to see the
bride before the wedding," Harriet declared, giving Mattie
a wink that caused the girl to laugh for the first time in what
seemed like forever to Harm. "Come on, Mac. Let's go find
someplace where you can change into your dress." She laughed.
"At least you don't have to worry about them ending up in
jail like they did the night before Bud and I got married."
"In jail?" Mattie asked, curious now. "I gotta
hear this."
"Thanks, Harriet," Harm called out after her in a
quiet voice.
"Anytime, sir," she replied airily.
"Now, what's this about jail?" Mattie wanted to know.
Harm and Bud spent the next few minutes recounting the bachelor
party from Hell before Sturgis, Jen and General Cresswell arrived.
After being introduced to the General, Mattie told Harm, "He's
nicer than the Admiral was."
Cresswell chuckled, seeming more at ease than Harm had ever
seen him. "I'm not sure that my daughters would agree with
you. Petty Officer Coates tells me that you're planning on attending
the Academy."
Harm felt Mattie's fingers on his again as she answered. "I
was," she said. "Before the accident."
"I'm sure you'll find your sea legs again and be as good
as new," Cresswell said with confidence. "Have you considered
the Marines as a career path?" he asked, and Mattie gave
Harm a wide grin.
"Not really. But that might change."
"Spending all your time around Navy personnel, you tend
to fall into bad habits," he said, and Harm heard the teasing
in the other man's tone. "Don't let them blind you to other
options."
"I won't, General," she told him. Another man entered
the room, looking around.
"Can I help you?" Bud asked.
"I'm Roy Morgan. Justice of the Peace. I'm looking for
Harmon Rabb, Jr.?"
"That's me," Harm said, releasing Mattie's hand to
approach the older man, his hand out in greeting.
Morgan took it and shook Harm's hand with a firm grip. "Where's
the bride?" he asked, looking toward Jen, since she was the
only other female in the room other than Mattie.
"Not me," Jen said quickly. "I'm just a friend
of the family."
"She's changing into something appropriate, Mr. Morgan,"
Harm said. "She should be back any minute."
"We might as well get the particulars out of the way,
then," Morgan said, taking a pair of glasses out of his pocket.
"Do you have the license?"
"Right here," Harm said, handing it to him.
"And the ring?" Morgan asked as he scanned the document
in his hands.
He patted his jacket pocket. "Here."
"One ring or two?"
"Two," Bud answered, surprising Harm. "Harriet
told me that she and Mac went shopping for a ring while they were
looking for a dress."
"I see. I guess a double ring ceremony, Mr. Morgan,"
Harm said, removing his Academy ring over to his right hand. It
felt strange and heavy there - and his left hand felt curiously
bare.
Harriet's head appeared in the doorway. "Are we ready?"
she asked, her expression revealing how much she was loving all
of this.
"I'm ready," Harm answered, and felt a calm fall
over him that he hadn't expected. This was the most right thing
he'd done since his original decision to get custody of Mattie.
"Very well," Morgan said, moving to stand near the
bed where Mattie lay and indicating that Harm should stand in
front of him to his left. "Who's your best man?" he
asked.
"Come on, Bud," Harm said, and Bud moved to stand
beside him as Harriet entered the room, carrying a rose and wearing
a dress in a pale shade of pink.
Mac appeared in the doorway, a vision in a dress made of ivory
silk, form fitting and knee-length. The thin straps that held
up the bodice were trimmed with beading that continued along the
top of the dress and was repeated at the hem. She was carrying
another rose and Harm thought she looked a little nervous. But
when she joined him, he saw that her eyes were as clear and as
certain as his no doubt were.
"We're here today to witness the joining of these two
people in wedlock," Roy Morgan began . . .
Harm slipped the ring onto Mac's finger, and watched as she
placed one onto his - a simple white-gold band that surprisingly
nearly matched the one he'd just given her. Glancing away from
Mac for a moment, he saw the nurses on the floor gathered beyond
the glass windows into the room, smiling.
"By the authority vested in me by the commonwealth of
Virginia, I hereby declare that these two are husband and wife.
You can kiss the bride," he told Harm.
Harm gave Mac a long kiss, hearing Mattie's giggle before they
came up for air.
"Wow," Harriet said.
They signed the marriage license, along with Bud and Harriet
as witnesses, and then Mr. Morgan left them to celebrate after
commenting, "I've performed quite a few weddings in my time,
but I think I'll remember this one for a long time. Good luck
to you both."
"Thank you," Harm said, seeing him to the door.
One of the nurses appeared with a tray. "We can't offer
you champagne, but we have some apple juice to toast the marriage
with - if that's okay?"
"More than okay, Carol," he assured her. He'd gotten
to know most of the nurses here since Mattie had been admitted.
Carol was a motherly type who had fussed over Harm during his
visits with Mattie, insisting that he should be getting some rest
instead of haunting the hospital.
Once everyone had a cup of the juice, Bud lifted his glass.
"I guess as best man, I should make the first toast. To Harm
and Mac. Happiness."
"Happiness," the toast was repeated around the room.
Sturgis was next. "Almost from the moment I arrived at
JAG, I could tell these two were meant to be together. I'm just
glad you finally got it right. Godspeed."
"My toast is a little different," Cresswell said.
"It's a combination wedding gift and toast combined, I suppose.
Maybe more of the former --- I've been trying to figure out how
I could keep closer tabs on the various JAG offices around the
globe - and after a discussion with SecNav, I think I've come
up with a pilot plan that we'll be testing in the London offices.
Effective her arrival in London, Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie will
become the JAG Liaison Officer between myself and the FJA of Naval
Forces Europe, answerable directly to me, and not in the FJA's
chain of command. You'll be my eyes and ears in that area of operation,
sending weekly reports back to my office about what's going on
- giving me a heads up in case there's a problem that I need to
know about before it becomes a problem. Congratulations, Captain,
Colonel. Fair winds and following seas, I believe the saying goes?"
"Fair winds and following seas," everyone repeated.
"Thank you, General," Mac said. "I didn't expect
-"
"You'll also have some time to work on a case here and
there, I'm sure. We'll discuss your duties tomorrow, since you'll
be staying in DC until Mattie's able to travel?"
"That's the plan," Mac agreed, surprising Harm, who
looked down at her. "It makes sense. You have to report for
duty. I can stay here with Mattie for a week or so, until the
custody agreement is finalized and you find a place for us to
stay."
"I'm certain that the two of you will come to some kind
of agreement," Cresswell said, moving away from them to talk
to Sturgis about his new assignment to San Diego.
"I'm so happy for you two," Harriet told them, giving
them each a hug. "I'm sure you'll be so happy together."
"I don't think there's any doubt about that, Harriet,"
Mac agreed as General Cresswell appeared again.
Cresswell was across the room, talking to Bud, and Harm noticed
him handing some papers to the junior officer. Bud looked at the
papers, then over to where Harriet was still talking to Mac about
her plan to remain in her apartment for the next couple of weeks
until Mattie was ready to travel - and asking Mattie how she thought
she would like London.
Bud remained where he was, studying the papers while Cresswell
approached them again. "We have to get back to the office,"
he explained. "I'll see you tomorrow, Colonel. And I'm sure
we'll be in touch, Captain. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mattie."
"Same here, General," Mattie replied.
"Petty Officer Coates? Cmdr. Turner? With me."
Sturgis and Jen each took their leave of the gathering, with
Jen assuring Mattie that they'd be spending a lot of time together
in London once she got her final orders.
"I'll see you later this afternoon, Cmdr. Roberts,"
Cresswell said as they left, and Bud, still studying the papers,
nodded in acknowledgement.
"Yes, sir."
"What is *so* interesting Bud?" Harriet asked once
the others had gone.
"I - I've been transferred out of DC," he told her,
giving her an uncertain look.
"Transferred?" Harriet repeated in disbelief. "To
where?"
"London," Bud answered, and Harriet immediately turned
to look at Harm.
"Did you have something to do with this, Captain?"
Harm lifted his hands in a defensive gesture, shaking his head.
"No, Harriet. The last I knew, Bud had turned me down about
the move. Apparently Gen. Cresswell felt differently about it
and forced the issue by making it an official transfer."
"Do you have to take it?" Harriet asked Bud. "Can't
you - turn it down, like Mac did her transfer?"
"He could, Harriet," Mac said. "But unless the
General is willing to find another billet for him or let him stay
here, he would have no choice but to resign from the Navy."
"Without a pension other than disability," Bud finished.
"And I really don't want to do that."
"Bud -"
He put his hands on her shoulders. "Harriet, I love you.
And our children. But I love the Navy, too. It's all I ever wanted
to do. Even if I were able to stay here, there's no way I'd be
able to get my twenty years in to retire with full benefits. The
only reason I got my last promotion was because the Admiral moved
Heaven and Earth to get it. This move would look *very* good on
my record - and might even give me what I need to be able to retire
as a Commander."
"What about your doctors and therapists at Bethesda, Bud?"
Harriet said.
"I don't need to see a doctor all the time, Harriet. I'm
fine. And if I *do* need a doctor there are some good ones in
London. I know it won't be easy, packing up four kids and moving
across the ocean, but isn't it worth the trouble to insure a good
future for all of us?"
"Look at it this way, Harriet," Mac chimed in. "We'll
still all be together. You, Bud, Jen, Mattie, Harm, and me."
"Now *that's* what I call a 'dream team'," Harm noted,
causing him, Bud and Mac to smile as they remembered the last
time that phrase had been used.
"What about the house?" Harriet wanted to know.
"We can find someone to rent it. Or sell it - but I think
renting it out might be better. That way, we could come back here
some day and settle."
Harriet looked around the room, seeing all of the hopeful expressions.
"You really think this is a good idea, Mac?" she asked
her friend.
"Only if you can live with it, Harriet," Bud answered.
"Then let's do it," she decided. "You're right.
I was being selfish and not thinking about what you might want
to do."
"It looks like we're going to London after all, sir,"
Bud told Harm.
"You know, I think this could be a continuation of a wonderful
friendship," Mac said as they all laughed.
