TITLE:   "Go Navy "
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner 
SUMMARY:  Missing Moments #6-this one from the episode "Wedding Bell 
Blues".  
The sixth in a summer long series of 'in lieu of a new JAG' stories 
wherein 
older episodes will be revisited and we'll explore what happened that 
we did 
not get to see.  
DISCLAIMER:  JAG of course belongs to Paramount and DB productions et 
al.  No 
copyright infringement is intended.
FEEDBACK:  If you would like, but never expected or demanded.  Feedback 
addy 
is ssbpmn@aol.com

                NOTE:  All parts of this story, as well as much of our 
other 
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                     http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL, H/M 
Fanfiction 
archive.}
           
                          or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at    
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [sadly, not always up and 
running]

  "Go Navy"

  "Hey who's your friend?" Mac asked as she walked up to Harm just 
after the 
ceremony making Bud and Harriet man and wife.
  
  The Indian woman with Harm said something rapidly in Hindi and Harm 
chuckled 
  slightly.
  
  "Don't ask" he murmured.
  
  "Come on Harm" Mac teased. "I didn't know you were dating anyone."
  
  "I'm not dating her" Harm said quickly. "She's the daughter of the 
guy who 
  owns the dry cleaners where I used to take my dress whites. It's a 
long 
  story but in order to find my dress whites, I had to agree to take 
Neela to 

  dinner."
  
  "So you picked Bud's wedding?" Mac laughed.
  
  "I didn't have much choice. I needed my dress whites."
  
  "Well then I guess I should leave you alone with your date" Mac 
smiled. 
  "Have fun."
  
  "Mac wait no," he said as he reached for her arm and gently pulled 
her a 
few 
  feet away. "Please. I uh haven't had a chance to talk to you much 
today. 
And 
  I didn't get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look."
  
  "Thank you" she blushed. "But your date might get jealous if you keep 
going 

  on like that."
  
  "She's not my date. And you know that. And besides, I am supposed to 
spend 
  time with the Maid of Honor since I'm the Best Man."
  
  "I see. Well you'd better tell Neela that. I think she thinks your 
hers 
  now."
  
  "Not likely. And we have a small language problem. You don't by any 
chance 
  speak Hindi do you?"
  
  "Sorry. Russian and Farsi are it for me sailor."
  
  "Harm" Neela said as she walked over and took his arm again. She 
spoke 
rapid 
  Hindi again and Mac barely managed to suppress a laugh.
  
  "You have fun" she smiled as she patted his free arm. "I'll see you 
around."
  
  "Mac no wait" he begged. "You need a lift to the reception don't 
you?"
  
  "I can catch a ride with the Admiral. He already offered to take me 
over."
  
  "Mac" he wailed as she started to walk away.
  
  "Harm you're being rude to your date" she said as she turned and 
looked 
back 
  at him. "I'll see you at the reception."
  
  With a long sigh he watched her walk over to the Admiral and it 
wasn't 
until 
  Neela tugged at his arm that he finally turned his attention back to 
her.
  
  "Sorry" he said with a small smile before leading her to his vette.
  
   As he was opening the door for Neela, Harm could not resist a look 
toward 
AJ's car.  A sharp pang went through him as he watched their C.O. 
assist Mac 
up the high step.  With a hard swallow he smiled down at Neela.  "I'm 
going 
to be spending some time at the reception with my friend Sarah," he 
told her 
softly, knowing she was not receiving a single word.
 
 At the parking lot of the Senate Hotel, he pulled in beside AJ, having 
followed them over, and this time purposely waited until Mac had 
emerged 
before opening Neela's door.  
 
 "Hey stranger," Mac called.  "You think you could save me a dance?  I 
mean 
besides the one we're obligated to do as best man and maid of honor 
that is."
 
 "You bet."  His grin was ear to ear and AJ made a snorting noise while 
Neela 
simply looked confused.
 
 The music and food were just getting underway when the four walked 
through 
the door and they found their places at the head table with Bud and 
Harriet. 
Maj. Sarah Mackenzie and Guest read one card, with Lt. Cdr. Harmon Rabb 
and 
Guest on the other.
 
 "Sir I guess since I don't have a date, then you're my guest?" Mac 
laughed.
 
 "I'd be delighted Major," AJ nodded, "but in that case you have to 
save me a 
dance, besides the one you're saving Mr. Rabb."
 
 "Yes sir of course," she laughed in that light hearted laugh Harm 
loved---when it was directed at him.
 
 The arrival of the bridal couple and the receiving line precluded any 
further conversation.  When the formalities concluded, Mac casually 
walked 
over to Harm.  "You got your toast ready there Squid?"
 
 "Aren't I always prepared to run off at the mouth," he grinned.  "I 
mean who 
usually does the opening and closing statements?"
 
 "You.  Because you're a natural born show-off.  Aren't all flyers?"
 
 "Goes with the territory," he agreed amicably, putting a light hand on 
her 
back to guide her to her chair, Neela following him.
 
 She felt his fingers pressing into her and she leaned back just 
slightly, 
enjoying the contact.  The dance floor looked even more inviting and 
her mind 
swelled with the thought of being swept up into a slow dance.
   
  The guests were seated and at the appointed time Harm rose and moved 
in 
  front of the bridal table to make the toast.
  
  "First off, I'd like to offer my sincerest congratulations to Harriet 
and 
  Bud. Despite a few bumps along the way, your wedding day has turned 
out 
  perfectly." He paused as Harriet smiled at Bud, who leaned forward to 
give 
  his new wife another kiss before Harm continued on.
  
  "In our lifetimes, we are gifted a small number of truly "landmark 
moments". 
  They start small enough, say, riding a two-wheeler bicycle or 
throwing your 

  graduation cap high into the air. And then the most perfect moment of 
all. 
  The moment when you look into the eyes of the most loving, caring, 
giving, 
  individual that you've ever known and realize you've found true 
love." As 
he 
  spoke the words his gaze drifted not to the happy couple in front of 
him, 
  but instead to Mac, who sat beside Harriet. She smiled softly as 
their eyes 

  met and for a moment they were both transported back in time to that 
day in 

  the Rose Garden when fate had brought them together. He smiled back 
before 
  continuing his toast. 
  
  "A moment like this and the commitment which follows should be 
celebrated 
to 
  its fullest. And so, I contend to all present that it is our duty to 
ensure 

  that this moment in the lives of Harriet and Bud does not pass 
unrecognized. 
  And in celebrating their happiness we might just make this one of the 
  landmark moments of our own lives. It is with great pleasure that I 
say 
  congratulations to Harriet and Bud."
  
  He raised his glass and to the cheers of the guests Bud leaned 
forward for 
  another long kiss.
  
  "Nice toast sailor" Mac said after dinner had concluded and the 
guests 
began 
  to mingle about the ballroom. "Ever experienced that moment?"
  
  "Just once" he smiled as he looked deep into her brown eyes. "How 
about 
  you?"
  
  "Just once" she whispered.
  
  "Harm" Neela called as she made her way over to him.
  
  "Hi Neela" he sighed.
  
  She spoke rapid Hindi again and motioned to the bar.
  
  "I think she wants a drink" Mac smiled. "I'll see you around."
  
  "Mac no wait" he called but she'd already taken off towards the table 
where 

  Carolyn and the others from JAG where seated.
  
  "Harm" Neela said as she grabbed his arm.
  
  "Sure come on" he said as he led her to the bar. "What do you want to 
  drink?"
  
  She rattled something in Hindi and to Harm's amazement the man behind 
the 
  bar seemed to understand.
  
  "You speak Hindi?" Harm asked the young man.
  
  "Yes sir. I just come to America from India a few years ago" the 
bartender 
  smiled.
  
  "Good. Can you tell Neela I need to go take care of some wedding 
stuff and 
  I'll be back later" Harm asked. The man nodded and turned to Neela to 
tell 
  her what Harm had said. Neela nodded and Harm took advantage of the 
moment 
  and quickly hurried back over to where Mac was.
  
  "I think it's about time for the bridal dance" he whispered as he 
came up 
  behind her.
  
  "I guess I'm forced to dance with you then" she smiled as she turned 
around. 
  "Where's Neela?"
  
  "I left her with the bartender who speaks Hindi. He told her I had 
wedding 
  stuff to handle."
  
  The DJ called the wedding party to floor for the bridal dance and 
moments 
  later they stood together as they watched Bud and Harriet dance their 
first 

  dance as husband and wife.
  
  "They made it" Mac said softly. "After everything it all worked out."
  
  "Yeah it did" Harm said as he dropped his arm around Mac's shoulder.
 
 "We're getting awfully touchy feely there aren't we Commander?" she 
asked, 
her eyebrow raised.
 
 "Yes we are," he replied boldly, "and about to get more so.  Next 
dance is 
ours.  I do a mean dip.  You up for that?"
 
 "Only if you want to end up flat on your back," she teased, listening 
for 
the orchestra to start up once again and sure enough a second later he 
was 
taking her onto the floor.
 
 "Memories of the NATO Ball," he whispered.  "Well of this good part.  
Not 
the shooting."
 
 "No it wasn't a real pleasant night at that point," she agreed.  "You 
really 
did give a nice toast there.  You're very glib.  Talk the old windsong 
and 
all that."
 
 "Oh yeah I'm great with words when they don't mean much to me 
personally," 
he replied.  "It's only when I'm trying to express my own emotions that 
I 
freeze up and my tongue refuses to cooperate."
 
 "But you say a lot with your eyes," she countered.  "I generally know 
what 
you're thinking."
 
 "Which is not good when we're opposing."
 
 "Sure it is.  Helps me to stay one step ahead of you.  Right now I 
think 
there's more than this wedding on your mind.  You care to share?"
 
 He shook his head slightly.  "Not really.  Just a lot has happened 
with 
Annie, and with you and Dalton and Coster of course.  And then my 
little 
adventure with Palmer.  I just feel like I need to catch my breath 
maybe."
 
 "Take some time then.  See your folks or your grandmother.  Or go to 
some 
beach in the Caribbean and ogle."
 
 He opened and closed his mouth several times before he formed his next 
words.  "Actually I have this really odd feeling something is about to 
happen.  Something big--that's going to change my life.  Not only that 
but 
you're involved.  It's a feeling I can't shake."
 
 "Something good?"
 
 "Hey I'm not saying I'm psychic.  Just an odd feeling.  Put it up to 
my 
pilot's instinct maybe."
 
 "Well right now I'm enjoying the feeling of dancing with you," she 
said 
softly, keeping her eyes from his.  "But if something does come up you 
and I 
will handle it together.  Like we always have."
 
 "You know I do feel like I could count on you," he sighed.  "It's a 
good 
feeling."
 
 "Always," she smiled and this time she looked up and pressed her cheek 
lightly to his as they danced.
 
 "I do know you feel mighty good to hold on to," he whispered.  "Like 
maybe 
this shouldn't be a one time thing."
 
 "Hey you know where I am," she returned, speaking into his ear and 
letting 
her lips just barely graze his skin.  Enough so that she felt him 
tremble 
just slightly.
   
  Too soon the music ended and reluctantly he let go of her.
  
  "Save another dance for me?" he asked.
  
  "Of course" she smiled before wandering away to talk to others.
  
  The evening's festivities continued with the cake cutting and finally 
the 
DJ 
  asked for all the single ladies on the dance floor for the bouquet 
toss.
  
  "Come on Mac" Carolyn Imes said as she grabbed Mac's arm. "This is 
our 
  chance."
  
  "Not the bouquet toss" Mac groaned as she led her to the floor.
  
  "Come on it's tradition" Harriet smiled as they made their way to the 
center 
  of the floor. "All single ladies have to be out there."
  
  "She's right" Carolyn nodded. "Up front Mac. You're never going to 
catch it 

  way back there."
  
  "Who said I wanted to catch it?" Mac sighed but allowed herself to be 
pushed 
  to the front.
  
  Minute's later she had no choice but to grab the flying bouquet as 
Harriet 
  strategically threw it right to her.
  
  "Nice catch Mac" Carolyn laughed. "And a great throw by Harriet."
  
  "Harriet you did that on purpose didn't you?" Mac accused as the 
Harriet 
  stood by with a wide grin.
  
  "Of course not" Harriet said innocently. "Would I do that?"
  
  "Nice catch Marine" Harm said as he walked over to her.
  
  "I didn't have much choice" Mac laughed. "Harriet threw it right at 
me. It 
  was catch it or let it hit me in the face."
  
  "So doesn't this mean you'll be the next to get married?" Harm asked.
  
  "So they say" she smiled.
  
  The women and cleared the floor and after all Bud had removed 
Harriet's 
  garter the DJ called for all single men.
  
  "Come on Harm" Mikey Roberts said as he passed by Harm and Mac. 
"You're 
  single."
  
  "Remind me that when I get married not to do the big wedding" Harm 
groaned 
  as Mikey led him to the floor.
  
  "This should be cute" Carolyn smiled as she stood next to Mac. "Who 
do you 
  think is going to dive for it the hardest?"
  
  "Not Harm" Mac laughed. "Marriage is the last thing on his mind. Not 
the 
  Admiral. How on earth did they even get him out there?"
  
  "I dont know. But I'm putting my bets on Harm."
  
  "No way. I'm betting on Mikey."
  
  "We'll see" Carolyn smiled.
  
  As Harriet had done, Bud strategically flung the garter in Harm's 
direction 

  and despite a desperate attempt from Mikey; Harm still came away with 
it.
  
  "You know what's next don't you?" Carolyn laughed. "Harm gets to put 
the 
  garter on you."
 
 Mac's eyes widened.  "OK no.  No wedding I've ever been to. . ."
 
 "You need to get out more," she giggled.  "Or maybe have a glass of 
the 
champagne punch first."
 
 "Pass," Mac sighed, looking over to Harm, who was twirling the garter 
on his 
finger while Mikey was saying something to him.  At once Harm threw 
back his 
head and laughed, then headed for Mac, a look of fiendish glee on this 
face 
and the men clapping their approval.
 
 "What are the chances an earthquake will swallow this room in the next 
five 
seconds," she groaned.
 
 "Actually you know what, that's a handsome Sailor heading for you," 
Carolyn 
whispered.  "A couple of us wish he'd take half the notice of us he 
does you 
you know."
 
 Mac opened her mouth to object and before she could the mob of men was 
bearing down on her.  "OK Marine, suck it up and do this, and then 
we're 
outta here," she muttered.  Now to the applause of the other women, she 
lifted her leg onto the nearest chair, hiking the red dress as far as 
it 
would go with modesty.   She pointed a red high heel shoe at him and 
with her 
hands on her hips, nodded for him to proceed.
 
 With great flourish he produced the circle of fabric and lace and laid 
it 
over the toe of her shoe.  Still with that same glint in his eye he ran 
both 
hands slowly and sensuously up her leg, leaving the garter resting on 
her 
toe.
 
 "What the hell are you doing Rabb?" AJ thundered.
 
 "Whoa I don't know but it's getting awfully warm in here."  This from 
Mattoni.
 
 "I'm just preparing the way for my attack.  Clearing the runway," he 
grinned, his eyes now locked with hers.  For her part, she had not 
moved, 
hearing Carolyn's words in her head.
 
 "Don't hurt me," he whispered, finally reaching for the garter and 
with 
gentle hands slipped it into place.  The men applauded once more and 
Harm 
took her hand to help her to her feet, leaning forward to whisper in 
her ear. 
 "Let's give them a real show."
 
 Before she could respond, his lips came down hard and firm on hers.  A 
half-second of resistance from shock and surprise, and then she melded 
to 
him, giving as well as receiving in the kiss.
 
 As if turned off by a switch, the guests were stunned silent until AJ 
gave a 
catcalling whistle and the clapping began anew.
 
  They finally parted and Mac blushed heavily at the audience.
  
  "Sorry" Harm grinned. "I couldn't resist. You can kill me later if 
you 
  want."
  
  "I don't think so" she managed before slipping from the ballroom and 
down 
to 
  the ladies lounge.
  
  When she returned the party was in full swing and for the next 
several 
hours 
  managed to keep herself occupied, alternating between dances with the 
  Admiral and Mickey. She saw Harm leave with Neela and she tried to 
ignore 
  the pang of jealousy as she watched them leave. Finally the DJ 
signaled the 

  final dance and as she headed off floor, a gentle arm reached for 
her.
  
  "You promised me a dance other than the bridal dance" Harm said 
softly.
  
  "I thought you were gone" she whispered. "I saw you leave earlier."
  
  "I had to take her home Mac. But I came back for you. And the dance 
you 
  promised me."
  
  "Then I guess we should dance" she smiled as he led her to the dance 
floor.
  
  Most of the crowd had gone and they had the dance floor to themselves 
as 
the 
  soft music played around them.
  
  "I hope you're not mad about earlier" he said softly.
  
  "No. You just surprised me that's all."
  
  "So you don't hate me?"
  
  "Never."
  
  "Then at the risk of getting turned down, how would you like to go 
get a 
cup 
  of coffee with me after we finish this dance?"
  
  "I could do that" she smiled.
  
  "Good. And don't forget you have to give me my garter back."
  
  "So you can hang it from the rearview mirror of your Vette?" she 
laughed.
  
  "Of course. You are going to give it back right?"
  
  "I don't know. We'll see. You may have to earn it back."
  
  "Oh really?" he smiled. "And what would I have to do to earn it 
back?"
  
  "I'm still thinking. But taking me out for coffee is a good starting 
point." 
  She dropped her head to his shoulder and for the rest of the song it 
was if 

  they were the only two people in the world.
  
  "Come on let's go" he said softly when it finished.
  
  They slipped away after a quick goodbye to Bud and Harriet and a 
short time 

  later were seated at a nearby Starbucks.
  
  "We're a little overdressed for the late night crowd" Mac smiled as 
she 
  looked around the still crowded shop.
  
"And everyone is looking at me wondering how a schmuck like me managed 
to end 
up with a beautiful woman like you," he grinned.  "And thank you for 
coming.  
I couldn't resist that little playacting at the reception.  Thanks too 
for 
being a good sport."
 
 "Hey if I hadn't have wanted you to do that I would have flattened 
you," she 
smiled, laying her hand overtop his.  "I enjoyed it.  Every second of 
it.  So 
let it go will you."
 
 "Well no I don't want to let it go," he sighed.  "It was much too 
enjoyable."
 
 She blushed and looked down into her coffee.  "Bud and Harriet seem so 
happy.  I hope it lasts for fifty years."
 
 "You think that's possible?"
 
 "Well I don't have any role model for that.  My parents were horribly 
miserable, but I hope to do better."
 
 "So do I,' he said at once.  "I mean I know my mom and dad were 
enormously 
happy, but they spent more time apart than together.  I don't want that 
for 
me."
 
 "And what do you want?" she asked quietly, emboldened by the direction 
of 
their talk.
 
 He turned his hand over, letting her fingers fall into his palm, 
before he 
spoke.  "A home, a wife, someone to insure that the Rabb lineage 
doesn't die 
with me.  I'm the last one Mac.  The last Rabb, except of course for my 
Grams.  Well there's Mom too, except she's a Burnett now.  Once my 
family had 
all kinds of members.  Aunts, Uncles, Cousins.  My dad and grandfather 
were 
both only children.  And I'm not sure why I'm telling you this except 
that 
you're easy to talk to and I've had champagne."
 
 She giggled lightly at that, squeezing his hand.  "You know what, we 
need a 
pact.  Something that says we're always going to be there for each 
other.  
And as for the Rabb name, well maybe someday. . ."
 
 She left her thought unfinished and he grinned broadly, understanding 
at 
once.  "You and me, together. Yeah I like that."  He lifted his coffee 
cup.  
"To us, and the future, and whatever that entails."
 
 "To us," she replied.  "To whatever the future brings--to us, 
together."
 
 Prophetic words were spoken that night, for a few weeks later she 
would go 
with him halfway across the world in his quest for the truth about his 
father.  There he would come to tell her that she had gone further than 
anyone he knew, and that he would never forget that.  It was another 
link in 
the chain that bound them together, growing stronger all the time.
 
 THE END