Precious Selections By Jared Chapman Disclaimer: I do not own JAG or any of the characters in this story. Those of you who do…please don’t sue me. I’m just another one of the thousands of fans who love your show and I am not profiting in any way from this story. Those of you who read this story…please do not copy or redistribute it. You could get me in trouble and that’s just not nice! However, if you wish to archive it, please send me an email and I will be happy to say ok! Spoilers: A little bit of everything to date. Summary: Mac spends a weekend alone at Harm’s place. What she finds there will send her heart into a tailspin. Takes place immediately following “Exculpatory Evidence” in season seven. Feedback: jared2142@hotmail.com Archive: BTL 0825 Eastern Time Friday JAG Headquarters Falls Church, Virginia “As you were, people,” the Admiral said gruffly as he strode into the conference room for the morning staff meeting. He spent the next half hour going over the current cases with each attorney before handing out a few new ones. Harm was a little surprised when he didn’t get any new cases. Especially since he didn’t have much going to begin with. “That will be all. Let’s get to work, people,” AJ said before motioning for Harm to stay behind. After they were alone, an odd look came over the Admiral’s face. “What is it, Admiral?” Harm asked carefully. He wasn’t sure if he was in trouble or not and he didn’t want to make it any worse if he could help it. “How long has it been since you visited you mother, Commander?” he asked almost accusingly. “About six months, Sir. Things have been pretty hectic around here,” he replied quickly. ‘Where in the world is he going with this?’ he wondered to himself. “Then I suggest you get your six packed, Mister,” the Admiral said with a mock glare. “There is a Tomcat standing by for you at Andrews. I figured you could keep your airtime up and pay a visit to your parents all at once. Besides, it’s slow around here and you deserve a little leave.” “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Admiral. When should I plan to return?” “I’ll set up a return hop for you and I will let you know later on. I’ll give you at least the weekend though. Enjoy it, Commander. That’s an order. Dismissed.” “Aye-aye, Sir,” Harm replied with a wide grin as he spun and exited the office. Just as he made it across the bullpen and was about to enter his office, he heard a soft, beautiful voice call his name. “Harm,” Mac called from the door of her office. “Can you come here a sec?” “Commander Rabb, reporting as ordered, Ma’am,” he nearly shouted as he stood at attention in front of her desk. “Harm,” she said, drawing out his name. She hated it when he teased her like that, but she couldn’t help but smile when she saw the flyboy grin plastered across his face. Finally realizing that he wasn’t going to give up, she finally gave in. “At ease, Commander.” “What’s up, Mac?” he asked while trying to keep from laughing. He knew just the right buttons to push with this Marine. “Actually, I need to ask you for a large favor,” she said, suddenly turning serious. “Shoot.” “I need to stay with you for the next few days. I just got a call from my landlord. He says that the pipes in my building burst this morning. It’s going to take them all weekend to get everything fixed.” “That’s fine with me, Mac. I am not going to be home, though. The Admiral arranged for me to take a Tomcat to California so that I could spend some time with my parents. “That was awfully thoughtful of him.” “Yeah, tell me about it. Listen, Mac, if you need a place to stay you are welcome to just take over the place until I get back. I should be gone at least for the weekend.” “Thank you so much, Harm. You’re the best.” “No, actually, I believe that that title belongs to you, Ninja Girl. I have to run. My plane is waiting. Just use your spare key and make yourself at home, ok?” “Ok, see you when you get back, flyboy.” “Count on it, Marine.” * * * * * 1849 Eastern Time Friday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station Mac sighed as she climbed the stairs to Harm’s apartment. After she received the call from her landlord she had been looking forward to staying with Harm. They hadn’t had much time to spend with each other and she was hoping they could finally have a chance to really talk. Now she was, once again, going to be alone for the weekend. ‘Oh, well,’ she thought as she turned the key and made her way inside. ‘We’ll just have to make some time when he gets back.’ After settling in and ordering a pizza, she decided to get comfortable. After going thru her bag several times she realized that she had forgotten to bring clothes to sleep in. ‘No big deal,’ she thought. ‘I’m sure Harm has something I can borrow.’ She searched thru each of his drawers before she came to the one at the bottom corner. She opened it and removed a dark blue shirt with the word NAVY printed in white across the front. As she reached back down to close the drawer, she noticed something sticking out from the bottom of the pile of shirts. At first, she just closed the drawer and started to walk away. Eventually, however, she was overcome with curiosity. After moving the pile of shirts she found a small, leather-covered book about the size of a Bible. She opened the cover slowly and discovered that the book was Harm’s journal. ‘Put it back,’ her mind was screaming at her. But her heart was screaming back just as loud. ‘Read it!’ Her eyes darted back and forth between the book and the spot where she had found it while she pondered the choice. Just then, the doorbell rang, signaling that her pizza had arrived. ‘Maybe latter,’ she thought as she quickly put the journal back in its place and went to answer the door. * * * * * 0115 Eastern Time Saturday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station It had only taken a half hour, after the pizza was gone, before Mac’s curiosity got the better of her again. She spent the next several hours, on his couch, reading his teenage years and his twenties thru his own eyes. She laughed with the funny stories he had written about his friends and their adventures, and she cried with him as he wrote his way thru the hard times. In places, the paper was adorned with his tears and she could see all of the times when his heart had been broken. Then, as she turned another page, she caught sight of the word Mac in the middle of the next entry. She paused a moment, knowing that this must be the point where she came into his life. Finally, after a moment of mental preparation, she began to read the entry. January 5, 1997 I’ve just spent a few days with an angel. At first, I thought she was a ghost. Now I can’t get her out of my mind. She’s my new partner at JAG, but she looks just like Diane. So much so, that I completely freaked out when I first saw her. I think the look on my face scared her a little. I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t. After all, I stared at her as though she were a ghost. After spending the last couple of days working with her, I am happy to say that she is not a ghost. She is very different from Diane. I can’t begin to describe how strong she is, and how totally fragile at the same time. Her name is Sarah Mackenzie, although she insists on being called Mac. That, is just one of the many things that intrigue me about this woman. She insists that she is this big tough Marine, and she insists on being called by a man’s nickname. Yet, I can’t seem to see her as just another guy. She is so much more than that. She’s honest and proud. She showed incredible courage by standing by her uncle. She’s everything you would expect from a Marine, and at the same time she is beautiful and intelligent and everything one could want in a woman. She is, without a doubt, the most amazing woman that I have ever met, bar none. I can’t wait to see her tomorrow. A single tear rolled down Mac’s cheek when she finished reading this first entry. ‘If he only knew what I was thinking about him,’ she thought as she let out a small giggle. Her thoughts about him had been just as mixed back then. She didn’t know whether to think that he was just a stuck-up jet jock, or the man of her dreams, at first. ‘I know what to think now,’ she smiled at the thought. After skimming thru a few more pages, she found another entry that caught her eye. February 24, 1997 I can’t believe I let this happen. I almost lost the most wonderful person that I’ve ever known, and all because I was being careless. I should have checked the hoses before we took off. I must have been too worried about getting up there and showing off for her. I don’t know if I could have ever forgiven myself if something had happened to Mac. She has become so very special to me. I don’t know how to describe my growing feelings for this woman. When we were trapped on the mountain, one of the poachers tried to assault her. The rage, that went thru my body when I realized what he had tried to do, it scared me. If he hadn’t already been dead, I am afraid I would have killed him myself. I felt the same way when that creep shot her in the leg. I haven’t felt that type of reaction since the day I found out that my father had been shot down. I know that this type of reaction didn’t come from me being protective of my partner. It came from somewhere deep inside me. It came from that place where we keep our brightest hopes and our darkest secrets. The question is why. Why did I react this way? Am I falling in love with her? I know the answer to these questions, somewhere in my heart. My brain just isn’t ready to process the information. Mac let out a small sigh when she read the last part. ‘I wonder if his brain will ever be ready to process that information.’ * * * * * 0236 Eastern Time Saturday Burnett Residence La Jolla, California Harm laid in bed, unable to sleep, his mind resting on the image of the beautiful Marine back home at his apartment. It was not an uncommon occurrence, recently, for the ex-pilot to go for days without sleep. She was all that he could think about these days and many nights as well. When he did sleep, she filled his dreams, always dancing just out of his reach as he awoke each morning. Finally he got out of bed and went downstairs for a midnight snack. ‘Maybe a little food will help me sleep,’ he thought as he rummaged thru the refrigerator. Just then, he heard a soft voice behind him. “Can’t sleep?” Frank asked quietly, so as not to startle his stepson. Harm turned to find his stepfather with a concerned look on his face. “Yeah, I guess I just have a lot on my mind.” “Oh? And does this lot on your mind include a certain Marine Colonel?” “You’re just as bad as mom, you know that?” “We just care about you so much, Harm. You never answered my question, by the way. You can’t sleep because you can’t stop thinking about her. Am I right?” he asked with a look of reassurance. He didn’t want to push his stepson too hard, but at the same time he was worried about him. When Harm didn’t answer, Frank decided to push just a little further. “Come on, Harm. Let’s go sit down and you can tell me about it. I promise not to push you. I just want to help. Deal?” “Deal.” * * * * * 0242 Eastern Time Saturday Burnett Residence La Jolla, California “How long has this been going on?” Frank began as the two men took seats on the living room sofa. “Ever since Australia,” he replied quietly. “I see,” the older man replied softly, instantly knowing just what Harm was referring to. He had taken Mac’s engagement to that Australian very hard, and Frank had tried to help him as much as he could. “Why do you think that this is causing you to lose sleep, Harm?” Harm didn’t answer right away. He didn’t know how much of this he really wanted to admit, even to himself. But, at the same time, he could tell that his stepfather was not going to just let him off the hook this time. ‘Face it, Harm,’ he thought to himself. ‘The man loves you and he wants grandkids. Deadly combination.’ “What is it, Harm?” Frank asked when he saw a small grin come over his stepson’s face. “I was just thinking that you and mom are probably pretty anxious to have a grandchild or two.” “That’s definitely true, Harm. But, that is not why we are having this conversation. I have heard you talk about nothing but Mac for years now. And now, you can’t even sleep because of your feelings for her.” He paused for a moment to let Harm think about what he had just said, and to choose his next words carefully. “You love her, don’t you?” he said with a soft smile. “You love her just the way that I love your mother. You love her the way that I know your father loved your mother. I can see it your eyes, Harm.” “I love her more than I can even describe, Frank. I can’t even begin to explain it.” After he said the words, he was amazed at how relaxed and relieved he felt almost instantly. “Doesn’t that feel better, son?” “You have no idea.” * * * * * 0925 Eastern Time Saturday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station Mac woke up the next morning with Harm’s journal lying open on her chest. ‘I must have fallen asleep reading,’ she thought. ‘Wouldn’t Harm just die if I told him that his innermost thoughts had put me to sleep,’ she thought with a chuckle. She could just imagine the look of mock hurt in his eyes. She hadn’t even completed the thought when she noticed the entry on the page of the open journal. April 1, 1998 Well today is April fool’s day. I guess that kind of sums up the way I feel this morning. I feel like a complete fool for a couple of very unique reasons. First of all, I nearly killed a man in cold blood last night. If it hadn’t been for Mac showing up I may have actually gone thru with it. I don’t know what came over me. When I finally discovered who killed Diane, I just snapped. Mac spent all night trying to talk me out of going after him, but I didn’t listen. I still can’t believe how close I came to throwing everything away. I still can’t believe that Mac risked everything to follow me. She showed up wearing one of Harriet’s uniforms and scared the Commander so bad that he fell off the pier and was crushed by the hull of his own ship. That’s the point where I really became a fool. Going after Diane’s killer was crazy, but I can justify that to myself pretty easily. She was my first love and her death nearly ruined me. But what I did after the Commander fell off the dock was simply stupid. When I saw Mac dressed in a Navy uniform, it reminded me so much of Diane. I took her in my arms and I kissed her. That was the good part. Of course, when I finally let her go, I completely screwed up. She looked up into my eyes and said, ‘I know, you were kissing her.’ She said it with so much understanding, that I didn’t even bother to correct her. Maybe I was afraid. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to tell her how I feel. I wasn’t kissing Diane last night. I knew full well that it was Mac I was holding in my arms. Now if I can just find the courage to tell her. When she finished reading it the first time, tears began to fall down her cheeks for what must have been the tenth time since the night before. She went right back to the beginning and read it again. Then she read it a third time. She simply couldn’t believe what she was reading. And yet, there it was, in his very own handwriting. She had wondered for years about that first kiss, and now this confirmed her hopes. He really was kissing her. * * * * * 1654 Eastern Time Saturday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station After spending the day shopping with Harriet and playing with her adorable godson, Mac was just glad to be back at Harm’s place. ‘Spending the whole day with a toddler can be quite tiring,’ she thought as she set her purse down on the kitchen counter. She was about to reach for a frying pan to start dinner, when she saw her temptation sitting on the counter, right where she had left it. ‘No, I promised myself I wouldn’t go any further,’ she thought as she reached up and grabbed the frying pan. But, before she could get any further with dinner, she found herself grabbing the journal and crashing on the couch. ‘I really have it bad for you, Flyboy,’ she mumbled as she opened the book. As it happened, the journal fell open to a page with a folded up piece of paper clipped to it. Then she noticed that the whole page was covered with tear spots. With a saddened expression on her face, Mac began to read the entry. February 16, 2000 I’ve lost her. The most important person in my life and my very reason for living now belongs to another man. And, it is no one’s fault but my own. She tried to tell me how she felt about me on the ferry, and I was too stubborn to listen. She did everything but flash a neon sign at me, and still I couldn’t let go. Now just isn’t the right time for Mac and I to have a relationship. I know that because I know that my life is just too crazy right now. I don’t want to hurt her by rushing into something and having it blow up in our faces. I really did a poor job of explaining that to her, though. What is wrong with me? I love her more than life itself, and yet I’ve somehow managed to let another man creep into her life. Now, she’s engaged and I will never have another chance. If I had known that returning to flying would cost me my Sarah, I would have never done it in the first place. I would give anything to take back the things that I’ve done over the past year, the things that have driven her away and into another man’s arms. Most importantly, I would give anything…my wings, my career, anything…to have another chance on that ferry. I would give up anything to be with Sarah. I wrote her a letter. I was going to give it to her at the airport. I came to my senses and I was going to tell her. But it was too late. A few new tear spots slowly joined the old ones on the page of the tattered journal. Mac didn’t know she could cry so many tears. Some of them were tears of joy, while others were tears of sorrow, and still others were tears of regret. Regret that she had not listened to him on the ferry, just as he hadn’t listened to her. After a moment, she removed the folded piece of paper that was clipped to the page. She unfolded it carefully, revealing the letter that he mentioned in the entry. Dear Sarah, I really messed up with you tonight. It’s just that I am afraid that the mess that is my life right now would cause a relationship between us to fail. I don’t want to hurt you. I couldn’t live with myself if I did. You mean more to me than anything or anyone I have ever known. I love you, Sarah. Please wait for me. I want to be with you more than anything, more than flying, more than being in the Navy, more than breathing. I just want it to be right. I’ll never love anyone the way I love you, Sarah. Please wait for me. Yours forever, Harm Her tears were now sobs as she slowly folded the letter back and clipped it back to the page. ‘Why can’t we just get this right?’ she wondered after getting up and wandering over to the window. As she stared out into the twilight, all she could think about was how much she missed him, needed him, and loved him. ‘Come home, Harm,’ she whispered to the empty apartment. Just then, the phone rang. She walked over and looked at the caller id. Her heart leapt into her throat when she recognized the number to his cell phone on the little screen. After taking a moment to steady herself, she finally picked up the phone. “Hey, Sailor,” she tried to keep her voice from cracking, but failed miserably. “Hey, Ninja Girl. Are you ok? You sound like you’ve been crying,” he asked, the concern flowing thru the line. “No, just stubbed a toe getting to the phone,” she replied quickly. “How are your mother and Frank?” she asked trying successfully to get the topic changed. “They’re doing really well, actually. Mom says to tell you hello. She wants to know when I am going to bring you out to visit.” “I’ll bet you’re having fun with that conversation,” she said with grin as she imagined Harm’s mother pushing him about settling down. “You have no idea,” he replied with a chuckle. Then his tone turned soft yet serious. “I miss you like crazy, you know.” “Come on, Squid. It’s only been a day,” she said, thinking that he was just returning banter. “That’s all it takes with you, Sarah.” When she heard his tone and the way he used her first name, she knew that he was being serious. “I miss you too, Harm. Come home soon.” * * * * * 1646 Eastern Time Sunday Burnett Yacht Off the coast of California After spending Sunday morning visiting old friends, Harm had opted for a relaxing day of sailing with his mother and Frank, aboard their yacht. The cool sea breeze was so relaxing, and at the same time, it seemed to clear his head and help him think. He just stood by the railing and watched the sea pass beneath him for the longest time. As usual his thoughts were of Mac. He found himself wondering if it were finally time to tell her. After all, he had tried in the past. But, every time he thought he was ready, he would either chicken out or something would come up to stop him. ‘I can’t hold out much longer,’ he thought, just as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. “What’s on your mind, darling?” his mother asked gently. “You look as though the weight of the world is hanging on your shoulders.” “It’s about, Mac.” “I can’t say that I am surprised, Harm. Is she involved with someone else again?” “No, it’s not that.” “Then, what is the problem, son? You are obviously in love with her. Why don’t you just tell her?” “That’s what I can’t figure out, Mom. I’ve been sure of my feelings for her for a very long time. I want to be with her so much. I guess I’m afraid that I’m too late. I’m afraid that I will tell her how much I love her and that she won’t feel the same way anymore.” “I don’t think that’s going to happen, Harm. I’ve seen the two of you together, and she definitely cares about you a great deal. Besides, even if I am wrong and she does reject you, at least then you will know. Then you can stop torturing yourself. Think about the upside if she does return your feelings. You will have the one person that truly makes you happy. Not everyone is given that chance, Harm.” “You’re right, as usual,” he said with a defeated grin. “Now all I have to do is figure out how I am going to tell her.” “You are on your own there, my son,” she replied with a smile. Just then, Harm’s cell phone began to ring. “Commander Rabb speaking.” “Good afternoon, Sir.” “Yes, Sir.” “I will be there, Sir.” With that he clicked the phone shut. “Frank, we better head back. I have to be at the airfield first thing in the morning.” * * * * * 1725 Eastern Time Sunday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station Mac ascended the stairs to Harm’s apartment at full speed after returning from her run. She had finished reading Harm’s journal early in the day, and she had spent the afternoon on cloud nine. From the first entry he made after their first meeting, to the last entry he made before leaving for California, his journal made it very clear that he was in love with her. She couldn’t think of a single thing that could make her happier. Except for one thing, that is. She wanted to hear him say it. She knew that if she could get him to say those three little words, just once, that they would be together forever. As she began fixing dinner for Jingo, her mind raced in a million different directions. ‘How can I get him to admit it?’ she wondered out loud. After Jingo had been fed and she had had dinner herself, Mac turned on the stereo and sat down on the couch. Just as she did, she noticed that the journal was still sitting on the coffee table. ‘I’d better put this away,’ she thought as she grabbed it and headed for the bedroom. Halfway there, a folded piece of paper fell from inside the back cover of the book. Mac stopped and picked it up, looking at it curiously. ‘I don’t remember seeing this before,’ she thought. The paper was dried out and it smelled like it had been soaked in salt water. Carefully, she unfolded the page and her heart stopped when she saw what it contained. It was another letter he had written to her. It was printed in his handwriting on a piece of letterhead from the Patrick Henry. When she saw the date, she instantly started to shake. He had written it the night of her engagement party; the very same night that she had almost lost him forever. Dear Sarah, I love you! I’ve fought off those three words for too long. I love you so much, Sarah. I want to be the one to hold you. I want to be the one that you wake up next to every morning. I want to be the one to build a family with you. A part of me wants to stand up at your wedding tomorrow and object. I want to run down the aisle, sweep you off your feet, and carry you away with me. But, I can’t decide that for you. I can’t ruin something that you want that way. I love you far too much for that. The decision has to be yours, but I couldn’t let you decide without telling you how I truly feel. I am ready to let go, Sarah. I know I don’t deserve another chance. But, if you find it in your heart to give me one, I promise that I will love and cherish you forever. And if you decide that I am not the one you want, if you decide that you want to marry Mic, I will support you and be here for you as your friend as long as I live. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about you, Sarah. And, all I want is for you to be happy. I will love you until the day I die. Love, Harm She finished reading the letter for the fourth time and then gently placed it back inside the cover of his journal. She knew what to do now. ‘Just come home, Harm…’ she whispered ‘…and we can be together forever.’ * * * * * 0705 Eastern Time Monday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station Mac had just finished preparing for work when the phone in Harm’s apartment rang. “Hello?” “Mac, it’s me,” Harm yelled into the phone. Mac could near the roar of the jet engines in the background. Her heart began to race when she realized that he was coming home. “You coming home, Sailor?” “Yeah, I fly out in ten minutes. I just wanted to let you know that I would be home today.” “I’m glad. Listen, I’m going to have to stay a few more days. The pipes still aren’t working in my building.” “That’s ok, Mac. I don’t have to report to work until tomorrow. I’ll have dinner ready when you get home.” “Sounds wonderful. I’ll see you later, squid.” “I’m looking forward to it.” “Me too,” she replied with a huge grin as she hung up the phone. ‘I just hope he can forgive me,’ she thought as she gazed at the journal that lay on the coffee table waiting for him. * * * * * 1152 Eastern Time Monday Harm’s Apartment North of Union Station Harm skipped up the stairs and entered his apartment, happily whistling ‘Anchors Away.’ He had a large bag of groceries under each arm and a plan in his mind. ‘Tonight is our night, Sarah,’ he said quietly as he set the groceries down on the counter. Just as he was about to head for his bedroom to change, his eyes caught sight of his journal, sitting on the coffee table in plain view. ‘Oh, no,’ he thought. ‘I didn’t leave that out, did I?’ Then he saw a small pink envelope with a red rose lying on top. They were right next to the journal, and his mind suddenly put everything together. ‘She didn’t!’ he half yelled, as he rushed over to the living room. He picked up the journal and flipped thru it quickly. He could see no outward sign that she had even opened the book, until he came to the back cover. His letter was gone. The one that he had written for her the night he crashed. He quickly picked up the little pink envelope and opened it carefully. He wasn’t sure if he was angry, relieved, happy, or just plain scared. His emotions were going wild as his mind imagined her reaction to the words he now knew that she had read. He removed the contents of the envelope to reveal two small sheets of paper. The first was his missing letter. Tucked inside was the second sheet. He opened it slowly revealing a letter, written in the handwriting he knew so well. Dear Harm, I know that you are probably furious with me right now. You have every right to be. I had no right to violate your privacy by reading your journal. But, I am not sorry that I did it. I am not sorry that I now know to be true, the very thing I have wanted most for so many years. I have dreamed so many times, that you would say to me, the things that you’ve written in this book. Can’t you see how much I need you? Can’t you see how much I want you? I love you so much Harm. And, all you have to do is say it. Look me in the eyes and say those three little words, and I am yours forever. You said in your letter that I had to make the choice. Well, I choose you, Harm. You are the love of my life. Come get me. Yours forever, Sarah By the time he finished the letter, all of his confused feelings faded away, and all that was left was love. He wasn’t going to wait another second. He quickly changed into his uniform, ran down the stairs, jumped into his vette, and screamed off towards Virginia. ‘I’m coming, Sarah.’ * * * * * 1245 Eastern Time Monday JAG Headquarters Falls Church, Virginia Harm nearly knocked over his good friend Sturgis as he ran out of the elevator. All of the papers that he had been carrying scattered across the floor. “Woa, take it easy there, Harm.” “Sorry, Sturgis,” he said as he helped his friend retrieve the files from the hallway floor. “What’s the big rush?” Sturgis asked when he saw the glint in his friend’s eye. When Harm didn’t respond, he began to suspect that it had something to do with Mac. “You’re here to see Mac, aren’t you?” he asked with a devious grin. “I love her, Sturgis,” he replied. His entire face lit up at the very thought. “Ok, I hate to break it to you buddy, but the only person around here who doesn’t already know that is Mac. Is that where you were headed? You are finally going to tell her, aren’t you?” he asked as a large smile crept across his face. “You guessed it, buddy.” “Well, I am afraid you are going to have to wait, my friend. She left for lunch with Harriet about a half hour ago.” Sturgis could tell that his friend was disappointed. It had probably taken a lot for him to get up the nerve, and now he had to wait. “Maybe, you should go have a little talk with the Admiral before she gets back.” “Good idea,” he replied as he realized that it would be nice to run this by his friend and mentor before he actually went through with it. “Good luck, Harm,” Sturgis called out as he watched his friend cross the bullpen and head for the Admiral’s office. ‘Lunch is going to have to wait,’ he thought as he headed back for his office. ‘I’m not going to miss this.’ While Harm and Sturgis were talking, A.J. was busy in his office with a pile of paperwork. He had just decided to take a break and had walked to the window, when he heard a knock on the door. “Enter,” he called, expecting to see Petty Officer Tiner. When he turned, he instead found an out-of-breath fighter pilot. “Commander, I thought I told you that you didn’t need to report until tomorrow.” “Yes, Sir. Actually, I have something that I need to speak to you about.” The Admiral paused for a moment, taking note of the excited look on Harm’s face. “And did you need to speak to Admiral Chegwidden or A.J.” he said with a knowing smile. There could be no mistaking the expression on his friend’s face. This was a matter of the heart for sure. “I think both, Sir.” “Is this about Mac, Harm?” “Yes, Sir, it is.” “And?” the Admiral said, motioning for Harm to continue. “I am in love her.” A look of amusement came over the Admiral’s face. “Really?” he began in a tone that was just a little bit sarcastic. “Tell me something I don’t know, Mister Rabb,” the older man replied as a broad smile took over his features. “It’s about time you got your head out of your six!” “Yes, Sir.” “Have you told her yet?” “That’s what I came here to do, but she’s out to lunch. I thought I had better come talk to you first, anyway. I think once I finally tell her how I feel, I am going to have a hard time keeping myself from sweeping her off her feet and carrying her out of here.” “Commander Rabb,” the Admiral drew out his name as he turned and gazed out the window. For a moment, Harm thought the Admiral was going to tell him that he had better do no such thing. Then the Admiral turned to face him again and looked him square in the eye. “You’re a coward if you don’t!” he said just as serious as a heart attack. When he saw the look of surprise on the young man’s face, he smiled again. “She just pulled into the parking lot, Commander. Go get her.” “Aye-aye, Sir,” he replied as he rushed thru the door and broke into a run. “It’s about time.” * * * * * 1305 Eastern Time Monday JAG Headquarters Falls Church, Virginia As she pulled her car into the parking lot, Mac found herself checking the time on the car’s clock. She had been so nervous, ever since his phone call this morning, that her internal clock had gone all out of whack. ‘Just after one,’ she mumbled to herself. ‘He’s probably home by now.’ As she made her way into the elevator, she found herself wondering for the hundredth time that day, what his reaction would be when he found out that she had read his journal. ‘I hope he doesn’t hate me,’ she thought, just as the doors of the elevator opened on her floor. She walked straight thru the bullpen and toward her office. She was almost there when she heard a commotion in the direction of the Admiral’s office. Spinning around, she caught sight of a tall Navy Commander running across the bullpen. When their eyes met, he froze, still ten feet away from her. He paused a moment so that she could read his eyes. She could tell right away that he wasn’t mad at her. Her heart skipped a beat when his famous flyboy grin crept across his handsome features. This was their moment. Everyone in the bullpen had stopped what they were doing and were watching the two officers intently. The Admiral had stepped out of his office and was watching the scene unfold with great interest. Neither Harm, nor Mac, were even the slightest bit aware of the two-dozen sets of eyes watching them. They were lost in their own little world, their eyes and hearts locked together in a way neither one had ever felt before. Slowly, Harm closed the distance between the two. He gathered Mac into his arms and gazed deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Sarah,” he said just loud enough for her to hear. “I love you, Harm,” she whispered back as a single tear made it’s way down her cheek. He placed his thumb on her cheek and wiped away the tear, while he brought his other hand up to cup her chin. Then, as the bullpen erupted in cheers, he pulled her chin up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. The kiss quickly turned from sweet and soft to passionate and longing, as the cheers from the bullpen turned to catcalls. They finally broke the kiss when they ran out of breath, and Harm surprised her by swinging her up into his arms and carrying her towards the elevator. They heard the Admiral say: “Show’s over people. Back to work,” just as the elevator doors closed. When they were finally alone, Mac looked up into Harm’s blue-green eyes. “You’re not mad at me?” she asked hesitantly. “How can I be mad at you?” he answered sincerely. “You deserved to know everything that you read and more. I love you so much, Sarah.” “I love you too, Harm. It feels so good to finally say that.” “Tell me about it,” he replied as she treated him to another passionate kiss. When they came up for air, she found a mischievous look on his face. “I’m going to hold you to your promise, Marine.” “Oh, and which promise would that be?” she said, teasing him. “The one were all I had to say was three little words and I get to keep you forever,” he replied kissing her again. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, flyboy.” * * * * * The End Thanks to everyone who sent me feedback…you rock!