TITLE:  "Starting Again X-A Candle Burns "
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner  
SUMMARY:  The tenth in the Starting Again series of post-Adrift stories, in which  the return of Meg 
Austin threatens Harm and Mac’s happiness. Rated PG for mild language and violence. 
DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to Paramount, CBS, et al.  No copyright is intended 
with this work of entertainment only.
FEEDBACK:  Certainly not required but loved if you would like to express your enjoyment.  If our work 
does not appeal to you for any reason-we have no problem with that, but please, no need to share that 
with us.  Feedback addy is SSbpMN@aol.com

NOTE:  All parts of this story will be available at 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories. 

       Also, previous chapters, as well as our other efforts, should be available at:
       http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag/ 
       or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at-  
       http://www.shipperarchive.com/fanfic/ or 
  http://hmarchive.topcities.com/fanfic/new.html 
 

“Starting Again X-A Candle Burns”

 Monday, January 7, 2002
 JAG HQ's
 07:30 AM EST
 
 "We're going to tell him right?" Harm asked as he and Mac rode up the 
 elevator. "I mean, I know the rings not as big as Mic's was but I'm sure 
 they'll notice it."
 
 "It may not be as big as Mic's but the size doesn't matter. It's where it 
 came from the matters" Mac reminded him softly. "And in this case, there's 
 much more love behind this little ring than ever was in Mic's."
 
 "And don't you ever forget that" Harm said before giving her a quick kiss as 
 the elevator doors opened.
 
 "Tiner we'll need to see the Admiral ASAP" Harm called as he and Mac made 
 their way across the bullpen.
 
 "He's expecting you sir" Tiner replied
 
 Minutes later they were both seated in the Admiral's office, Mac discretely 
 keeping her left hand covered for the moment.
 
 "Welcome back" AJ smiled. "I trust that you're both recovered from your 
 little adventure in the Northwest. By the way nice job on that."
 
 "Yes sir. The extra time off was appreciated" Mac spoke up.
 
 "So where did you two go for New Years anyway?" AJ asked.
 
 "Belleville Pa" Harm replied. "I took Mac to my grandmother."
 
 "I see. And was there some point to that visit."
 
 "Actually there was sir and you might as well be the first to know. We're 
 now officially engaged."
 
 "You actually agreed to marry him?" AJ teased. "After everything he's put 
 you through the last six months."
 
 "Yes sir, I did" Mac smiled.
 
 "Well it's not like I wasn't expecting this" AJ replied. "I don't think it 
 will change anything here, except that I'll expect you two to act like the 
 Commander and the Colonel while you're here."
 
 "Understood sir" both nodded.
 
 "And off the record, I couldn't be happier for both of you. I wondered if I 
 was going to live long enough to see the day you two got together."
 
 "Glad to hear you're happy AJ"
 
 "Sir, the SecNav" Tiner started lamely as the SecNav entered the room, Harm 
 and Mac quickly came to attention
 
 "I see Tiner. Thank you."
 
 "I'm sorry to interrupt but my morning appointments got changed."
 
 "Of course Mr. Secretary" AJ replied. "Commander, Colonel, we'll finish this 
 later. Dismissed."
 
 "So you two are together?" the Sec Nav inquired as Harm and Mac started past 
 him.
 
 "Uh, yes sir" Harm replied "I asked the Colonel to marry me and she 
 accepted."
 
 "You don't see a problem with this AJ?"
 
 "No Mr. Secretary I don't. They're two of the finest officers I've worked 
 with and I don't see this being a problem in any way."
 
 "We'll see," he said and Harm and Mac made a quick dash for the door.
 
 "Okay, that was not fun" Mac sighed as they headed towards his office.
 
 "Sir, ma'am, it's good to see you again" Harriet smiled. "Hope you both had 
 a good New Years since you had to work on Christmas. Little AJ missed you 
 this year and so did we."
 
 "We had a really good New Years" Mac smiled as she held out her hand.
 
 "Oh my gosh, you're engaged. You finally did it sir."
 
 "Yes I did" Harm grinned as well.
 
 "So when's the wedding? Did you pick a place?"
 
 "Slow down Harriet" Mac laughed. "We just got engaged. We're not in a big 
 hurry yet. We're pretty sure we know where we're going to have it and we'll 
 let everyone know when the time comes."
 
 "I'm so happy for both of you" Harriet said as she hugged Mac and then Harm. 
 "It's about time. And you'll have to tell me how he proposed over lunch. Was 
 it romantic?"
 
 "Very" Mac said as she looked at Harm.

"I do my best work when I'm most inspired," he laughed.  "You ladies are going out to lunch?"

"Is there a problem?" Mac asked, her eyes laughing.

"Uh no.  But I'm going to Bethesda to interview Captain Linscomb.  Nothing.  Just be safe," he sighed.

"Of course we will," she promised.  "You're in mother hen mode today or what?"

"Yeah but I don't know why," he murmured.  "And if I don't get to court now, the Admiral is going to be 
wondering why he keeps me on staff.  See you later."  He looked around the room, wanting badly to 
kiss his fiancee and thought better of it, mouthing "I love you" instead before he strode down the hall.

"God that man has turned into a real romantic," Harriet sighed, looking after him longingly.  "Does he 
give lessons?"

"Oh good grief, Bud is great," Mac chided her.  "And Harm has his moments when he's self centered 
and can't see past his. . .well you know--a man in other words.  But I'd love to have lunch with you, 
especially since he's deserting me.  Bob's at 1200?"
==========

"OK I'm all ears," Harriet declared, taking a long drink of her soda in anticipation of Mac's tale.

"The ring belonged originally to Lieutenant Rabb--Harm's dad," she smiled softly with the memory.  "He 
was going to give it to Trish, and they were going to renew their vows and have another baby as soon 
as he got back from Vietnam.  He had sent the ring to his mother for safe keeping see.  And of course 
he never came back.  Grams had the ring all this time, and Harm asked her for it so he could give it to 
me."

"Oh wow," Harriet sighed.  "A ring with more of a history than just sitting in Walmart's display case.  So 
how did he ask you?"

"He told me the story and put the ring on me," she replied. "But actually he asked me awhile back.  
Technically we've been engaged since San Diego.  The time we spent with his mom and he had to talk 
me down in the plane.  I guess he thought he was giving me something to live for.  Anyway, over the 
radio he told me he wanted us to marry and I accepted."

"Oh my god that's beautiful," Harriet sniffled.  "And Marine or not, you have to think it is too."

"Oh yeah," Mac smiled and blushed both.  "Everything is falling in to place.  The long nightmare that 
started when he left to fly and I got involved with Mic is over, and then of course he's finally recovered 
from his mishap.  Enough to fly without having a meltdown at least and well. . .well there's just one 
other thing that would make it perfect."

"You want a baby," Harriet said knowingly.

"Yeah I do.  I want to give Harm a son.  I guess that sounds kind of old fashioned."

"No it doesn't," Harriet said firmly.  "It sounds just sweet and loving.  And you've loved him for so long."

"So long," Mac repeated. "So much time wasted."

"No don't think of it as that," Harriet chided her.  "Think of it as time you spent getting ready.  So you'd 
know how precious what you have is.  So when?  Have you decided anything about a wedding?"

"Grams invited us to use the farm in the spring," she replied, "and I can see it.  The flowers in the 
meadows blooming she said, and the apple blossoms from the orchard."

"So that's great," Harriet enthused.  "I can't wait. . well we are invited aren't we?"

"Of course, if we do that," she laughed.  "On the other hand, maybe we'll just elope.  Go somewhere 
and just us on a beach at sundown.  I really don't know.  In fact between the fact of just being 
overwhelmed by being officially engaged, and being happy Harm is OK, I've been kind of out there.  
And then of course this morning the Secnav found out our secret."

"You think that's going to be a problem?"

"If it is, he can have my resignation."  Her eyes flashed as she spoke.  "No way am I giving up this 
chance to be happy, much as I love my career.  Harmon Rabb is my life."
  
 "You're serious aren't you?" Harriet said with amazement. "Wow. I never 
 thought I'd hear you say that. When you were with Mic, giving up JAG was the 
 last thing you would have done."
 
 "I didn't love Mic like I love Harm" Mac admitted. "There's no comparison."
 
 "I can see that" Harriet smiled. "Well I'm so happy for both of you. It's 
 about time that you both were happy."
 
 "Thanks. Sometimes I feel like pinching myself to make sure this is still 
 real. I never thought I could be this happy."
 
 ****************
 JAG HQ's
 5:30 PM
 
 "Hi" Harm sighed as he hurried into Mac's office. "How was your day?"
 
 "Good. Missed you" she smiled. "How was your day?"
 
 "Morning court. Afternoon at Bethesda. And I missed you too."
 
 "You look tired sailor."
 
 "Long soak in the tub with my fiancee sounds good right about now" Harm 
 grinned.
 
 "Red light Commander" Mac teased. "And that sounds wonderful to me too. It's 
 not easy to sit here and just look at you when I can think of a million 
 other things I'd like to do with you."
 
 "No it isn't. But I think we'll have to get used to it. It's better than not 
 being together at all."
 
 She was about to reply when she caught sight of Bud talking excitedly to a 
 blonde woman who'd just stepped off the elevator. "Harm, who's that?" she 
 asked.
 
 Harm turned around at the same time Bud motioned to Mac's office, and Harm 
 caught sight of Meg Austin smiling at him.
 
 "Meg" Harm said with forced enthusiasm.
 
 "Meg as in the Meg that was your partner before me?"
 
 "Down ninja girl" Harm smiled. "Remember that ring on your finger. And how 
 much I love you."
 
 "Yeah well she looks pretty excited to see you" Mac said as she looked Meg 
 over. She had never heard much about Meg and she'd always wondered exactly 
 what Harm's relationship with her had been.
 
 "Sir, look who's here" Bud smiled as he brought Meg over to Mac's office. 
 "Can you believe it?"
 
 "Hi Harm" Meg smiled. "You're looking good as always."
 
 "Meg, it's nice to see you again," Harm said as he stood up to greet here. 
 "You in DC on business?"
 
 "Actually I'm here permanently now" Meg replied. "I just got assigned to the 
 Office of Legal Affairs at the Pentagon."
 
 "Congratulations."
 
 "Thanks. I'm excited to be back in DC." She looked at Mac and Harm finally 
 realized he needed to introduce them.
 
 "Uh, Meg Austin this is my partner, Sarah Mackenzie."
 
 "Call me Mac. And it's nice to meet you" Mac said with a forced smile.
 
 "So you're the one who's been lucky enough to be stuck with Harm for the 
 past 6 years" Meg said as she looked at Mac.
 
 "It's a tough job but someone has to do it" Mac smiled. "So you're back in 
 DC?"
 
 "Yeah, it was nice being in Europe but I wanted to come back here" Meg 
 replied. "And when the position opened, I jumped at it."
 
 "So how long have you been in town?" Harm asked.
 
 "I came in over the holidays" Meg explained. "I'm still getting set up but I 
 was hoping that we might be able to get together. You know get caught up on 
 old times."
 
 "That would be nice" Harm nodded politely, not daring to look in Mac's 
 direction.
 
 "I can't tonight, but I was hoping that maybe tomorrow night you'd be free. 
 I came by here cause I knew I'd find you here."
 
 "Yeah sure" Harm smiled. "Would it be okay if Mac came as well?"
 
 "Uh, I was hoping you and I could get together alone" Meg smiled. "Maybe 
 another time we could all get together."
 
 "Meg, I think I should explain something," Harm said sheepishly. "Mac and I 
 are engaged."
 
 Mac didn't miss the flash of surprise that went across Meg's face at Harm's 
 words. She quickly recovered, forcing a smile.
 
 "Congratulations" Meg said finally. "So you finally managed to snag him. I 
 guess the third one was the charm."

"I guess it was," Mac smiled, unconsciously lifting the hand bearing the ring into Meg's view once 
again.

"Though I heard stories of Kate and Hawaii," Meg went on in that same sweet voice.

"Ancient history. . .uh. . .Lieutenant," Mac told her firmly, realizing suddenly she did not know the 
woman's present rank since she was in jeans and a sweatshirt at that moment.

"I'm on the list for Lieutenant Commander," she said softly.  "Harm I've got an appointment I need to 
get started for; but about tomorrow night?"

"Meg no.  If you'd like to come over and share a meal with me and Mac then yeah, but not just you and 
I going somewhere.  It's not appropriate and I wouldn't leave Mac."

For a brief second Meg looked like she might burst into tears, which Mac did not miss.

"Harm this is important," she whispered.  "Really important.  And it's a matter of confidentiality.  Legal 
confidentiality."

"Anything like that can be said in front of Mac," he insisted.

"No it can't."  She sniffled slightly and shook her head.  

"Unless you want to make this official and we can go into a conference room, that's the only way I'll do 
it," he told her firmly, feeling Mac's eyes on him.

Meg stifled a small sob and looked from Harm to Mac and back.

"Harm really it's OK," Mac spoke up.  "I can handle you having dinner with a friend."

"I can't," he maintained, his eyes narrowed as he focused on Meg.

"OK, OK," she sniffled again.  "Manny's about 1800 tomorrow night?"

"We'll be there," Harm nodded.

"Thanks," she mumbled.  "Mac. . .uh I'm forgetting myself.  Forgive me.  Ma'am. . .nice to meet you.

"Mac is fine in private," she told her.  "See you tomorrow night."  

Meg all but ran from Mac's office, nodding barely to Bud as she exited the building.

"Now that was strange," Harm sighed.

"Harm you know I'm not so insecure that I would have objected to you having a meal with her alone," 
Mac smiled, twisting her ring as she spoke.  "At least I hope I don't come across that way.  I don't do 
I?"

"Well you were uncomfortable with me and Terri," he reminded her gently.

"Yeah I know," she admitted sheepishly, "but somehow wearing this makes a difference.  And even 
you realized that.  Remember Commander Reavis?"

"I know, and how foolish I felt after he saved your life," Harm sighed.

"Yeah," she nodded, "but you know you wanted to strangle him first, and fretted about me not wearing 
your ring.  Well it goes both ways."  A silent moment passed and she reached for his hand.  "To me, 
Meg sounded like she was in some kind of trouble.  You think?  How well did you know her anyway?"

 "Honestly, not that well" Harm sighed. "We were never like you and I were."
 
 "Did you and her ever…." Mac's voice trailed off as she realized she was 
 sounding like the jealous girlfriend.
 
 "No way" Harm said quickly. "First off, the thought never crossed my mind. 
 Second, she was a junior officer. I wouldn’t have risked my career like 
 that."
 
 "I knew that I just needed to hear you say it" Mac said with a small smile.
 
 "And even if I had, none of that would matter any more" he said as lifted 
 her left hand up. "I love you now. No one else. That's what this means."
 
 "And I love you too" she sighed. "I kind of feel sorry for her. She seems a 
 little desperate."
 
 "Well whatever she wants to talk about she can talk to both of us. I have no 
 reason to see her alone."
 
 "Good" Mac smiled. "Now what do you say we go home and find that bathtub?"
 
 "You read my mind" Harm grinned.
 
 Hours later they sat soaking in the bathtub, Mac's head resting against 
 Harm's chest.
 
 "So tell me more about Meg. What was it like working with her?"
 
 "Nothing like working with you" Harm smiled. "Meg was different. I can't 
 really explain it. We just never had that connection that you and I had. We 
 were friends and all but there was no deep connection like you and I seemed 
 to instantly have."
 
 "Or you and Kate?" Mac teased.
 
 "Hey, I was young and stupid then" Harm grinned. "But yeah Kate and I got 
 along better than Meg and I did. Of course she was always calling me sir."
 
 "Wasn't that the Krennick time too?"
 
 "Yes" Harm groaned. "Things were a lot different at JAG then."
 
 "Everyone wanted a piece of the hot shot Flyboy lawyer" Mac grinned.
 
 "Cute Marine. But yeah that's about how it was. You have no idea how glad I 
 was when Krennick and Meg were transferred and you and Bud came aboard."
 
 "Were you really? I thought you hated me at first."
 
 "Never. I guess I was used to everyone swooning over me. And you were the 
 first one who didn't fall for my lines."
 
 "Or that Flyboy smile" Mac smiled as she turned her head to face him. "Which 
 was really hard to resist."
 
 "Is it still hard to resist?" Harm smiled before his lips found hers in a 
 long and loving kiss.
 
 "Yes" Mac whispered breathlessly when they parted. "Sailor, I think we're 
 going to take this to the bedroom."
 
 "My pleasure" Harm said softly before lifting her from the tub.
 
 ***************
 "What are you thinking about?" Mac asked as they lay together a short time 
 later.
 
 "Just wondering if this time was it" he smiled. "I've got you. Now all I 
 need is our baby."
 
 "We'll have that baby" Mac promised. "You know we're going to have to think 
 seriously about the wedding plans."
 
 "Why don't we just run away and get married?" Harm murmured tiredly as he 
 closed his eyes.
 
 "Well that's an option" she laughed. "Not exactly what I'd envisioned."
 
 "Tell me what you envisioned" he said as he opened his eyes and looked at 
 her.
 
 "I like the idea of the farm" Mac sighed. "And we did promise Chloe she 
 could be a bridesmaid."
 
 "Ah yes, she'd be pretty upset if she didn't get to do that" Harm smiled. 
 "Guess we're back at Grams'."
 
 "Is that okay with you?"
 
 "As long as I'm marrying you, it doesn't matter to me where I am" Harm said 
 softly. "We could get married in Iceland and I'd be happy."
 
 "Brrr, too cold" Mac laughed. "And you're right. It doesn't matter where it 
 happens. Just that it happens."
 
 "My sentiments exactly" he said tiredly.  "I love you Sarah."
 
 "Love you too sailor" she said as she placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"And every time we do this, we may have made our baby.  Oh hell, he may already be in there for all 
we know."

"Hey that gives me butterflies when you say that," she objected., snuggling deep within his embrace to 
sleep.
===========
Tuesday 
8 Jan 02
1730PM

"Harm if it ain't clean by now it ain't gonna be," Mac laughed, pounding on the glass door of the 
shower.  "Come on.  You're holding up the party and I'm starving."

"I didn't know you were than anxious to have dinner with my ex girlfriend," he teased, sticking his head 
out of the shower.

"You better me ex partner," she warned, leaning back to lightly kiss his shaving lather covered face.  
"I'm only anxious for Manny's prime rib thank you.  Now move it."

"OK, but I'm shaving extra close just in case she wants to see if I'm as good as she remembers," he 
teased again.

"Rabb you are so full of yourself it's running out your eyeballs," she groaned and on her way out, 
quietly flushed the toilet.  His resultant shout of protest could be heard throughout the apartment.

The phone was ringing when she closed the bathroom door.  "Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie. . .Hello?  
Hello I can hardly hear you. . .That's a little better."  She listened carefully and was just hanging up 
when Harm opened the bathroom door.

"Who was that?"

"An Ensign Martin from the Secnav's office.  Admiral Chegwidden is with him and they want to see me 
right away."

"Huh, why?" he frowned, dropping onto the bed.

"She said it wasn't something could be discussed over the phone."

"You think it's got anything to do with us?"

"Beats me.  But if so, they'd surely want to see us together."

"Well I'm going with you any way," he asserted.  "I'm calling Meg and canceling."

"Harm you're not," she told him firmly.  "You were not invited and if you cancel, Meg is just going to 
demand a rescheduling.  Plus, something's wrong there.   I get the feeling--maybe it's a woman thing--
that she's really in need of some legal assistance.  Go talk to her.  I'll go to the Pentagon, and hopefully 
it's nothing lengthy and I can meet you.  Maybe just hold up ordering or have a drink first."

"I do not believe my fiancee is telling me to have a drink with another woman," he muttered.  

"A woman who meant nothing right?" she prodded.

"Of course nothing," he insisted.   "No desire for her in any way shape or form, but still. . ."

"Still go.  And I'm out of here.  I'll try to get there before dinner gets too far along.  In any case I'll call 
your cell when I'm through."

"And you'll be really careful driving," he prompted.

"And I'll be really careful driving," she agreed with a quick smile, melding into his embrace.

"You're really OK with me seeing Meg?  You know you don't have anything to worry about.  I'm so in 
love with you I. . ."

She stopped him with a gentle finger to his lips.  "Go.  It's fine.  I think it's business anyway."  Another 
kiss and she was gone, leaving him to dress and ponder what in reality Meg might want.

 
 Manny's
 18:00
 
 "Harm" Meg called from her seat at the bar. "There you are. Hey where's Mac. 
   I thought she was joining us."
 
 "Last minute call to the SecNav" Harm smiled. "She's going to try and join 
 us. But she said not to wait for us."
 
 "That was nice of her" Meg smiled. "And I'm sorry she couldn't join us but 
 I'm glad to have you to myself for a bit. I really do need to talk to you 
 about something important."
 
 "Let's get our table and then you can tell me what's going on" Harm replied.
 
 Minutes later they were seated at their table and after the waitress had 
 taken their orders, Harm leaned back in his chair. "So what's on your mind?"
 
 "Before we get into that, tell what you've been up to the past six years" 
 Meg said softly. "I heard you had quite an adventure this summer."
 
 "Yeah nothing I ever care to repeat" he said with a small smile.
 
 "Are you flying again yet?" she asked.

 "Actually no" Harm admitted. "I haven't re-qualified yet. I'm not sure I'm 
 going to now."
 
 "Because of Mac?" Meg inquired.
 
 "Because of a lot of things actually. But honestly, we didn't come here 
 tonight to talk about me I hope."
 
 "All right" Meg sighed. "I have a little problem and I'm in need of a good 
 lawyer on my side."
 
 "What kind of trouble?"
 
 "I'm being charged with fraternization with a superior officer."
 
 SecNav's Office
 Same Time
 
 "I'm sorry Colonel but I have no idea what you're talking about. I did not 
 call you and tell you the SecNav wanted to see you tonight. Are you sure 
 they said Ensign Martin."
 
 "Is Admiral Chegwidden here?" Mac sighed. "The person said he was here with 
 the SecNav and they were both waiting for me."
 
 "No ma'am" I haven't seen Admiral Chegwidden in days" the young ensign 
 replied.
 
 "Let me try calling the Admiral and see if I can figure out what's going on" 
 Mac said as she pulled out her cell phone. After several calls she finally 
 located him on his cell phone.
 
 "Sir, its Mac. I got a call earlier that you were with the SecNav and that 
 you wanted to see me here. I thought maybe it was concerning me and Harm."
 
 "Well if I was with the SecNav that's news to me" AJ laughed. "I haven't 
 seen him since the other day when he dropped in. Who called you?"
 
 "They said their name was Ensign Martin but Ensign Martin here says she 
 never called me" Mac sighed. "I just wanted to call you and make sure before 
 I left."
 
 "Wasn't me Mac" AJ assured her. "Maybe someone got confused as the SecNav's 
 office."
 
 "Yeah I'm sure that's it. I'm sorry for bothering you sir."
=============== 
MANNY'S
 
 "You want me to represent you for a fraternization case?"
 
 "Harm, I know you're the best and I know you can make all this disappear. 
 It's just a big misunderstanding."
 
 "Meg, I can't just wave a magic wand and make charges like that disappear" 
 Harm sighed. "And to be honest, I'm not sure I'd be the best person to 
 represent you."
 
 "Why not?" she demanded.
 
 "Meg, let's be honest for a moment. Don't think for a minute that I didn't 
 know that you entertained the same thoughts the whole time we were 
 partners."
 
 "Didn't you?"
 
 "Meg, first off, I would never get involved with a junior or senior 
 officer."
 
 "Only your partner that was the same rank" Meg snapped. "It was okay for you 
 to bed down with Kate and Mac cause they were your equal."
 
 "Meg, I'm not going to have this discussion with you."
 
 "So you won't help me?" she said as she bit her lip to keep the tears back. 
 "I thought I could count on you of all people to help me."
 
 "Meg, I haven't seen you in six years. Come on. And I know what the 
 prosecutor is going to drag up with the fraternization case. They're going 
 to pull anyone you worked with in the past and put them on the stand."
 
 "So you'd get on the stand and tell them I entertained those thoughts with 
 you?" Meg said quietly. "You know you're mighty sure of yourself there 
 Commander."
 
 "Meg" he started before his cell phone rang and he quickly stood up and 
 hurried to the lobby to answer it.
 
 "Rabb" he said with a long sigh.
 
 "Doesn't sound like you're having a good time sailor" Mac replied.
 
 "Hey, I thought you were with SecNav and the Admiral. Are you done already?"
 
 "There was no meeting with the SecNav" Mac sighed. "Someone must have been 
 confused when they called."
 
 "So you're coming to join us," he said hopefully. "Please tell me you are."
 
 "You're having that much fun huh?" she smiled. "Yeah, I think I can join you 
 for dessert at least."

"Thank you," he breathed.  "And you were right by the way.  She does have a legal problem, one that I 
don't care to help her with however."

"If she goes through channels and requests you, you may not have a choice," Mac sighed.  "OK look 
I'm heading out.  And yes I will be careful.  See you soon.  I love you."

"You know I love you," he replied, hanging up and walking back to Meg, determined to encourage her 
to seek other counsel.

"Harm what do I have to do?  I'm not above begging here," she whispered.  "I'm really scared.  The 
Navy is my life.  It's bad enough I'm going to have this on my record.  If I'm guilty I'm going to have to 
do brig time."

"For conduct unbecoming?" he scoffed.  "Meg get real.  You may even get off with a reprimand and a 
loss of pay and allowances depending on how blatant and if he shares some of the responsibility."

"He's being charged too," she admitted, hanging her head.

"Well that's fair."

"Adultery."

"Excuse me?"  Harm choked on his water in surprise.  "You weren't being straight with me?  What 
exactly is the charge Lieutenant?"

"That's it," she sighed.  "He's married, but separated.  His wife found us.  God Harm it's a huge mess."

"No kidding," he gasped.  "My god woman you must have been out of your mind, and before you ask, 
no you can't use that as a defense.  You're not really assigned here either are you?"

She shook her mead miserably.  "No--I haven't signed in yet I mean.  I'm relieved of all duty pending 
the outcome of this of course.  I could just resign."

"And that might be good advice," he murmured.  "But you don't want to I know.  I just wish you'd 
thought of your career before you let this guy talk you into bed.  Or is that not quite how it was?"

"Are you my attorney?"

"No.  Meg no.  I'm sorry.  For a lot of reasons, I'm not going to accept you as a client."

"Mac being the biggest," she whispered.

"Partly," he admitted.  "I know she wouldn't welcome it; but she wouldn't stand in the way either.  But 
it's got more to do with you and me and a year together of which we have different perceptions."

Their food arrived at that point and Meg stared at him between bites, making him uncomfortable to say 
the least.  Finally he put down his fork.  "Meg, look. I'm sorry this happened to you.  Really I am, but 
you know you've got options such as resignation, guilty with an explanation and so forth."

"Harm I'm a naval officer," she said softly, trying to keep tears out of her voice.  "A naval officer who 
made a mistake, like you've never done that."

"By the dozen," he told her.  "And I've owned up and paid for them.  Personal and professional."

"Is that what you're recommending?"

"No, not without knowing the whole story."  Immediately he held up his hand, "which I don't want to 
know since I'm not your attorney."

"This is insane," she whispered, this time not attempting to withhold the tears.  "I came to you for help."

"And I've given you my best advice.  And I'll even do this--I'll ask around.  You need a civilian lawyer--a 
woman--a pit bull in other words who will make it look like rape.  And I don't believe I'm saying this but 
it can be pulled off.  You with all your sweetness can get up onto the stand and claim seduction and by 
the time you and this heretofore unknown pit bull are through, the members will be looking to castrate 
the guy.  In fact I may have to offer to defend the schmuck."

Her audible gasp at that made him smile and shake his head.  "Kidding.  But that is my advice.  Advice 
to a friend.  Now eat."

"No I can't.  My stomach is tied in knots and I have an awful headache," she murmured.  "I don't 
suppose I can get you to take me home.  Well where I'm staying.  A crappy room on New York Avenue 
is all I could afford and the place scares me to death.  Talk about rape, there was one just upstairs 
three nights ago.  I heard the screams and called 911.  A lot of the rooms are used as shelter or 
welfare hotel or something and it scares me shitless."

"I'm sorry.  You're not up to driving?  Because Mac is on her way here and I. . . "

"Never mind, I'm sorry I asked," she snapped.  "Excuse me please."

 "Fine, I'll call Mac and tell her not to bother meeting us here" Harm 
 sighed. "What about your car?"
 
 "I'll have my neighbor bring me back in the morning. I just want to go home 
 before I make a scene here."
 
 "All right, I'll call Mac on the way" Harm said as he motioned the waitress 
 for the check.
 
 Minutes later they were on their way to Meg's, Harm quickly dialing Mac's 
 cell phone.
 
 "Hi it's me. Plan B. We're not at Manny's anymore. Meg wasn't feeling good 
 so I'm taking her home."
 
 "She's so sick she needed you to drive her home?"
 
 "No, but she doesn't live in the nicest area and it's late and I'm just 
 going to make sure she gets home safely. I'm sorry the evening has gotten 
 all messed up."
 
 "Hey, it's not your fault. You want me to meet you wherever you're going? 
 We could still go out from there."
 
 "Oh no. Not in the neighborhood we're going to.  I'll stop and pick 
 something up on my way home. We didn't really eat much either."
 
 "You really sound like you've had a fun evening" Mac said sympathetically. 
 "Okay, I'll head home. Tell me you're not going to be long?"
 
 "Not if I can help it. I'll be there as soon as I can."
 
 "Be careful," Mac said softly. "I love you."
 
 "Love you too" he said much to Meg's chagrin. "I’ll see you soon honey."
 
 "Does the SecNav know about you and your partner?" Meg asked tersely.
 
 "Actually he does, so if you think you're going to use that as a way to get 
 me to take your case it won't work."
 
 "I can't believe he approves of it" Meg continued.
 
 "Meg, please let it go. Look, I've given you the best advice I can. I'm not 
 going to be your lawyer and that's all there is to  it."
 
 His words made her pout further and for the remainder of the ride she said 
 nothing except when necessary to direct him to her apartment.
 
 "Would you mind walking me to my place?" she asked quietly as he pulled up. 
 "Honestly, I wouldn't ask if the place wasn't such a dive."
 
 "Yeah sure" Harm said as he found a parking space. He had to admit the place 
 looked less than desirable, the people hanging around the building looking 
 more like drug dealers than tenants. "If you're planning on staying in DC, 
 I'd suggest a better neighborhood."
 
 "Well you try it on a Lt.'s salary" Meg sighed as they made their way into 
 the building.
 
 He kept close to her as he followed her up the dimly lit stairway, not 
 liking the people that walked past them.
 
 "One last favor" she said as she reached her door. "Would you mind coming in 
 with me and making sure there's no one around. Besides the rape last week 
 there were three break ins in the neighborhood."
 
 "You really should consider a better area," Harm said as he followed her 
 inside the apartment. "If you're going to be staying here."
 
 "Well that depends on what happens with the charges" she sighed as she 
 flipped on a light. "Would you mind checking the rooms for me? One of the 
 burglars was waiting in the bedroom in the one break in."
 
 He nodded and started towards her bedroom, Meg following behind him.
 
 "So when are you and Mac getting married?" she asked casually as he checked 
 the closets for her.
 
 "We haven't set a date yet" Harm replied. "Probably in the spring."
 
 "You know I never pictured you the marrying kind. Settling for one woman."
 
 "I happen to love Mac very much" he said as he finished checking the 
 bedroom. "And she's the only one I want to be with."
 
 "Are you sure?" Meg asked softly. "The Harmon Rabb I used to know was never 
 happy with just one woman."
 
 "Meg don't" Harm said quickly.
 
 "Don't what?" Meg smiled. "Come on Harm. I don't believe this Mac is the 
 only woman for me line."
 
 "Meg, I'm going now," Harm said as he walked out of her bedroom. "Good luck 
 with your case."
 
 "Harm wait" she said as she reached for him.
 
 "Meg, I'm leaving," he said firmly as he turned around. "Good bye."
 
 Before he could stop her she grabbed him, pulling him close to her as she 
 tried to kiss him, managing a quick peck before he pushed her away.
 
 "Lt. I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but you are way out 
 of line. And lucky for you I'm just going to walk out of here and forget 
 what you just did."
 
 "Harm, don't leave" Meg pleaded. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to convince you 
 to help me."
 
 "And how the hell was kissing me supposed to accomplish that" he nearly 
 shouted. "What in the world are you thinking?"
 
 "I was thinking that maybe you still cared" she whispered as the tears 
 started.
 
 "Meg what part of I'm in love with Mac did you not understand?" he retorted. 
 "Look I'm sorry you're in this mess. But there's nothing I can do to help 
 you. I'm sorry."
 
 With that he strode out the door, down the stairs and to his vehicle.  For a 
 moment he just sat there shaking his head before starting up the SUV and 
 driving away.

Harm breathed a sigh of relief when he pulled into the parking lot and Mac's car was there.  That she 
was a perfectly capable woman, not to mention a Marine Officer was not lost on him, nevertheless he 
worried until he knew she was at home.

The sound of the shower greeted him as he walked in, and he looked around happily at the small 
apartment.  Small, too small for an in-resident baby, but home for now.

"You want some company in there?"  He was half out of his clothes as he was knocking on the shower 
stall door.

"Of course I do," she yelled back.  "I was hoping you'd get here before I got out."

He stepped through the glass doors and a second later enveloped her in a large hug.  "Missed you.  
And tonight was a total waste.  But at least I met with her."

"Is it serious?"

"Like a heart attack," Harm sighed, pouring some of Mac's soap in his hands and starting to massage 
her back.  "Adultery serious enough for you?" He added bitterly.  "God Mac I always thought she was a 
reasonably bright woman who wanted the Navy as a career.  Now I know what it's like to fall in love, 
but adultery?  How can anyone be that stupid?"

"You're not going to defend her are you?"

"Not unless I'm ordered to," he muttered.  "For a lot of reasons including I don't really care to be around 
her again and I don't think I can help her anyway.  I told her to hire a woman attorney who can attack 
with more impunity than I'd be allowed."

"I'm sorry it was such a crappy evening," Mac sighed, turning around to bury her face in his chest as 
she liked to do while he massaged her back.  "Anyway, I'm glad you're . . ." She paused and wrinkled 
her nose, sniffing the immediate area.

"Mac?"

"Uh. . .nothing," she frowned.  "But that soap has an odd smell.  I just bought it too."

"Well it's bubbly that's all I know," he grinned, proceeding to more fully lather her, playing as he went.  
What came later often started in the shower, and he was soon making it clear that was his goal tonight.  
He helped her to rinse herself and kissed her when he was finished.  "Why don't you go warm up the 
bed for me.  I'll wash my hair and be right in," he whispered huskily.

"Don't be long," she smiled, returning his kiss before stepping out.  Once in her robe, her hair combed 
back, she picked up Harm's uniform heap from the floor, carrying it to the bedroom.  Once again that 
same odd smell assaulted her.  All at once she knew what it was.  Perfume.  The fragrance was on 
Harm's face just slightly but more strongly to his clothes.

Dropping the pile, she returned to the bathroom just as he was stepping out.  "Harm how did you 
happen to come home smelling of what I'm going to take a wild guess is Meg's perfume?"

"What in the hell are you talking about?" he demanded, his confusion genuine.

She stared at him for a long moment before getting back his shirt and thrusting at him.  "I don't know 
what his is, but it's sure as hell not your usual cologne.  I'd like to hear your explanation before I jump 
to a conclusion."

"Well excuse me but I think you're already there," he snapped.   "But for the sake of being reasonable 
why don't you tell me what conclusion you're aiming at."

"That you. . .you. . .you and Meg must have. . ." she stammered, suddenly realizing how ridiculous she 
sounded.  "OK, maybe I should hear you out first."

"Or you could trust me," he muttered.

 "I do" she countered.
 
 "Yeah right" he scoffed. "You jumped right to the idea that Meg and I had 
 done something."
 
 "I did not," Mac said irritably. "I just asked why you smelled like her 
 perfume. You don't normally pick up the smell of perfume just by sitting 
 across the table from someone at a restaurant. And you did take her home."  
 Even as she said the words she knew she'd crossed the line and Harm gave her 
 a long look.
 
 "So I took her home and of course we made love in the five minutes I was 
 there" Harm said sarcastically. "Gee thanks Mac."
 
 "Harm I'm sorry" she said quietly. "I didn't mean that."
 
 "Did you forget that ring on your finger? The one I gave you because I knew 
 I loved you and wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. No one else. 
 Or is every time someone I used to know comes into our life you're going to 
 assume that I'm going to sleep with them."
 
 "Harm that's not what I said."
 
 "No but its what you were thinking" he sighed. "And if you don’t trust me 
 then maybe we're making a mistake here. And before I say something I 
 shouldn't, I'm going out for a while."
 
 "Where are you going?" she whispered.
 
 "For a long walk. And no I'm not hungry but your dinner is in the kitchen."
 
 Without a word he quickly dressed and hurried from the apartment. For a long 
 time she sat on the edge of her bed, silent tears running down her face. She 
 finally went to the kitchen, picking at the food he'd picked up before 
 finally deciding she wasn't hungry. She paced the apartment waiting for his 
 return until she realized he wasn't coming back for a while. She curled up 
 on the couch with a blanket and pillow, falling asleep a short time later.
 
 It was hours later that he finally returned, quietly making his way in. He 
 saw her asleep on the sofa and without waking her carried her to the 
 bedroom, gently tucking the covers around her.
 
 "I love you Sarah" he whispered as he kissed her forehead. "I wish you'd 
 understand that."
 
 With a long sigh he headed for the sofa, finally falling asleep hours later. 
 Meg's attempted pass at him was still bothering him and he realized he 
 should have told Mac what had happened. But logic also told him she would 
 take the news better when she wasn't so emotional.
 
 It was the smell of coffee that woke him the next morning and he pushed his 
 eyes open to see her bringing a mug out to him.
 
 "Morning" she said softly. "I thought you could use this."
 
 "Thanks" he said as he sat up and accepted the cup from her.
 
 "Harm, I'm sorry about last night. I jumped to conclusions and I'm sorry. 
 Sorry I even thought something like that."
 
 "Do you trust me?"
 
 "You know I do" she sighed. "It's just my insecurities. You know it's not 
 like I'm the only person you've been with."
 
 "Yes but you're the only person I'm committed to spending my life with" Harm 
 said softly. "Mac, the only person I love is you.  Not Terri, or Meg or Kate 
 or Renee or anyone else in my past. Only you. You have to believe that."
 
 "I do" she whispered. "I'm sorry."
 
 "It's okay. But I do want to explain why you smelled her perfume on my 
 clothes. You never gave me a chance last night and honestly I wasn’t sure 
 you'd believe me anyway."
 
 "Did something happen?"
 
 "Not for lack of her trying," he said quietly. "She practically threw 
 herself at me when I took her home. She gave me some story about being 
 afraid to go in alone and there were some seedy looking people around so I 
 took her up and made sure her place was safe."
 
 "And she tried something?"
 
 "Yes. And that's why you smelled her perfume on my clothes."
 
 "She got that close?" Mac asked.
 
 "Yes. She caught me off guard. I had no idea she was going to try anything 
 like that. And of course I pushed her away and told her that the only person 
 in my life was you and that she wasn't helping her case any by coming on to 
 me."
 
 "Would you testify against her?"
 
 "Yes."
 
 "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions."
 
 "Let's just forget about it" Harm said with a small smile. "It's over and 
 done with and I want to forget all about Meg Austin. I happen to love Sarah 
 Mackenzie very much."
 
 "And she loves you just as much" Mac said softly.
 
 "And she better not forget that I love her very much" Harm said as he drew 
 her into his arms.
 
 "We'd better get going," she said after a moment in his arms. "Don't want to 
 be late."
 
 "You know we missed something last night," he said with a grin. "We were too 
 busy arguing to work on the baby making."
 
 "We don't have time now," she said as she tried to escape his grasp.
 
 "So what if we're a few minutes late" Harm whispered as his lips found hers 
 in a long and passionate kiss.
 
 "Harm" she groaned when they finally parted. "I'm Chief of Staff. We can't 
 just wander in late."
 
 "Yes we can" he smiled before kissing her neck, slowly trailing his way down 
 as he untied her robe.

His hand slipped inside her robe after he had loosened it, his fingertips sending shivers down her 
spine.  

"You know I can't say no to that," she whispered, melding her body to his.  As he often did, he lifted her 
into his arms, carrying her to the bed.

"Now I want even less to go in," she sighed afterward.  "Want to spend the day here with you."

"I'd like nothing better, but I'd also like to know we're going to be able to feed and clothe this baby 
we're trying to make," he grinned and kissed her.  "Are we OK now--about last night I mean?"

"Oh yeah," she murmured.  "I just simply flew off the deep end like some crazed jealous female.  I'm 
sorry.  The love I felt from you just now. . .well that told me everything I needed to know.  Shower?"

"Oh yeah," he smiled happily, pulling her from the bed.  

They began to kiss as soon as the water hit them.  "This is where we came in," he chortled.
===============
JAG HQ
90 Mins. Later

"You two just getting here?" AJ demanded when he spotted them in the kitchen getting coffee.

"Oh no sir, we've been here for hours," Harm returned glibly, knowing full well AJ would know he was 
not serious. 

"Sorry sir," Mac smiled.  "We had a small complication last night and we worked it out this morning."

"That I figured.  I hope it was good for both of you." AJ returned, ignoring the slight blush that came 
over both of them.  "Look I want you both to get started on McCauley this morning.  I know it's a mess 
and that. . ."  He stopped to frown at Tiner, who was now standing in the doorway. "Tiner tell whoever it 
is I died."

"Too late sir, I told the Secnav you were in.  He's on his way over.  And sir. . .I'm not sure why or 
anything, but he said to and I quote 'have Rabb and Mackenzie available'."

AJ immediately glared at both of them.  "OK you two, what am I about to get my six in a sling over that 
I know is your fault?"

Harm and Mac looked at each other in genuine puzzlement.  "Sir not a clue," she spoke up.  "I mean 
the last major thing we handled was Bremerton.  Do you want to take back your well-done?"

AJ gave her an exasperated snort.  "No of course not.  But whatever this is, I'm not doing C-Y-A here.  
You two messed up, you'll have to fix it."

"Yes sir, not a problem," Harm assured him.  "I've been in trouble so much. . ."

"You got that right," AJ glowered and left them alone.

"Well what ever it is, I'll take the blame," Harm sighed.  "What's another letter in my file."

Mac shook her head.  "It's probably something he wants us to handle.  You've been relatively good 
lately.  I've kept my eye on you."
==============
An hour later Harm and Mac were seated on one side of the conference table with AJ on the other and 
Secnav at the head.

"I'm going to come right to the point," he said firmly, fixing his stare on Harm.  "Lieutenant Megan 
Austin."

Mac gasped audibly and Harm's eyes opened wide.  "Yes sir," he nodded.

"Then you know what I'm speaking of?"

"Meg. . .uh the Lieutenant and I talked last night and I told her I didn't care to help her," he answered 
carefully, suddenly fearing there was more to this than an adultery charge.

"Oh she says you helped her all right," he growled.  "That you made advances to her and when she 
refused you. . ."

"Rape?" Mac gasped involuntarily in horror.  "She accusing him of rape?"

"No.  In fact she's not even alleging attempted rape, only assault.  In other words, she's got you on 
conduct unbecoming and sexual assault, stopping short of attempted rape."

"Sir. . .Admiral. . " Harm choked, and looked directly at Mac, instinctively covering her hand with his as 
he did so.  "Mac you know I didn't."

Her face at that moment was an unreadable mask, though she didn't pull her hand away.

"Colonel I want you to prosecute this case, and in view of that, Commander, kindly remove your hand 
from that of the prosecutor," Secnav went on, a self satisfied look across his face.

"Sir I have to object," AJ spoke for the first time, coming out of his shock.  "Sir please.  If we have to 
take this to thirty-two, let me assign someone other than. . ."

"No.  No way.  Commander you're denying all charges?"

"Of course I am."  Harm looked the Secnav straight in the eye as he said that.  "I would not ever.  I 
mean in the first place I happen to love my fiancee, and in the second, never in my life have I--or would 
I.  God this is a nightmare.  Let me wake up."

Mac squeezed his hand, the one he had been ordered to remove but had not done so.  "Hey we're 
going to figure this out."

"Colonel you are not the defense."

"Sir, with all respect, I request to be," she said boldly.  "He is not guilty."

"No.  AJ I want her to prosecute.  Her second chair will be Lieutenant Singer.  The woman has 
potential and this is a good chance for her to show what she can do.  Commander, your defense 
counsel can be by your choice, but you better make it a good one."

"This is not happening," Harm moaned.  "Sir, please.  Let me talk to Meg.  There's obviously something 
horribly wrong. . .a huge mistake."

"Yes, and assuming you did what she alleges, you made it."  Secnav turned to Mac.  "Colonel I'm 
going to be watching these proceedings very closely.  If I feel like you've not done your best, I'll bring 
charges against you myself for dereliction.  Am I clear?"

"And if I refuse?" she demanded, ignoring Harm's insistent glare.

"Then you'd better be prepared to resign because I'll take you down along with him."

"Mac let it go," Harm spoke up.  "It's going to be all right.  I have the truth on my side remember."
  
 "Harm I can't do this to you" she wailed.
 
 "You can and you will" he said firmly. "I won't let you ruin your career 
 over this."
 
 "So Colonel what's its going to be?" SecNav said smugly. "Are you 
 prosecuting or do I need to have charges filed against you as well."
 
 "I'll do it," she said quietly.
 
 "I thought you might. And seeing as how you're the prosecution, I don't 
 expect you to be sleeping with the defendant."
 
 For a moment she just stared at him, prepared to tell him that he would have 
 to file charges against her. That there was no way she was leaving the man 
 she loved.
 
 "Mac he's right" AJ spoke up before she could say anything. "You and Harm 
 will need to be apart while this is investigated and goes to trial."
 
 "Understood sir" Mac said finally.
 
 "And Commander you are relieved of duty until the this matter is settled" 
 SecNav said without a trace of remorse. "Colonel I expect to be informed on 
 what's going on with this case. Daily."
 
 "Yes sir" she sighed.
 
 "AJ, I'm done here," SecNav said as he headed for the door. "I'll be in 
 touch."
 
 "I'm sure you will" AJ muttered under his breath as he followed him out, 
 knowing Harm and Mac needed a few minutes alone.
 
 "This is not happening" Mac whispered as she closed her eyes, willing back 
 the tears that threatened.
 
 "Mac, I'm so sorry" Harm said softly as he reached for her, gently pulling 
 her into his arms.  "I had no idea she was that demented or I would never 
 have gotten together with her last night."
 
 "Why did you make me do this?" she asked as she looked up at him.
 
 "Because I'm not going to let Meg Austin ruin your career. You've worked way 
 too hard for it."
 
 "I don't care about my career" Mac shouted as she stepped out of his arms. 
 "I care about you. My god Harm you could end up in Leavenworth."
 
 "Mac, I'm not guilty" he reminder her softly. "And as good as a prosecutor 
 you are, you know you have to prove it. Right now it's her word against 
 mine."
 
 "Can I say one thing" she said quietly and he nodded. "And this is not the 
 jealous fiancee speaking. Harm, you have a history of being involved with 
 women you worked with. Whether it be a case or permanent assignment."
 
 "What does that mean?" he said defensively.
 
 "Harm, come on. Does the name Lt. Schiparelli ring any bells?"
 
 "Mac that was years ago. And I only kissed her."
 
 "I know but it helps my case against you. And I hate the fact that I know 
 this stuff about you but I do."
 
 "Doesn't matter. You can bring up all my past indiscretions. I did not try 
 and assault Meg. There's no way she can prove that."
 
 "Maybe. But sometimes the members don't need that kind of proof. Depending 
 upon who you get they may see as the typical Flyboy who's had his way with 
 women regardless of how they felt about it."
 
 "Mac you know that's not the case."
 
 "I'm not the members. I'm the prosecutor. And might I remind you the SecNav 
 assigned Lt. Singer who's been dying to find a way to nail your six to the 
 wall for a while now."
 
 "I guess I'd better find myself a good defense attorney" Harm sighed. "This 
 is a nightmare. Mac I am so sorry about all this. If I could take back last 
 night I would have. I can't believe I was stupid enough to fall for her 
 trap. Maybe if I tried talking to her"
 
 "NO" Mac said quickly. "Please don't. I don't want any more charges brought 
 against you."
 
 "You know she went with assault cause she knew she couldn't prove rape," 
 Harm said quietly. "Because there would have been no evidence. I never 
 touched her Mac."
 
 "Harm don't. We shouldn't even be talking. I'm the prosecution. You need to 
 talk to you lawyer."
 
 "Just tell me that Sarah Mackenzie, my fiancee doesn't believe a word of 
 Meg's crap," he said softly. "I know that Colonel Mackenzie has a job to do 
 but I need to know that my Sarah believes me."
 
 "She does" Mac whispered as the tears slid down her face. "I know you 
 wouldn't do that."
 
 "Thank you. That's all that matters. Even if I'm found guilty, all that 
 matters is you believe me."
 
 "Harm please don't say that. I can't bear the thought of you being sent to 
 prison for this. Of us losing any more time than we already have."
 
 "I know, neither can I" he whispered as he pulled her into his arms again. 
 "We've already lost so many years because we were so blind to what we felt. 
 But if it happens, we'll get through it. Somehow."
 
 They were still holding onto each other tightly when AJ walked in a few 
 minutes later.
 
 "I'm sorry to interrupt," he said quietly.
 
 "It's okay sir" Mac said as she pulled away from Harm. "I need to get to 
 work anyway."
 
 "Harm you thought about a defense lawyer?" AJ asked.
 
 "No yet sir" Harm sighed.
 
 "If you want me, I'll be happy to handle the case."
 
 "Sir, are you sure?" Harm asked. "What about SecNav?"
 
 "He assigned the prosecution I sure as hell should be allowed to be the 
 defense attorney. He wanted the best prosecuting you should be entitled to 
 the best defense."

"Please Harm," Mac begged.  "You deserve the best.  Maybe with Turner assisting?"

"A sympathetic prosecutor," Harm smiled wanly.  "But you know this.  I'm not going to stand for you to 
do anything that makes it look like you're giving less than your best.  I have the truth on my side."  He 
took a long breath and looked to AJ.  "Sir, please.  I want you as Mac's C.O. to make that an order.  I'm 
not letting my stupidity ruin her career."

"My career means nothing if I don't have you in my life," she whispered, her voice muffled by his shirt.

"We can have both," Harm reminded her.

"Well you both have the option of resigning," AJ pointed out quietly, "But it's not going to come to that.  
Harm is innocent, and he's got the best representing him."

"Sir the Secnav isn't going to like you doing that either," Harm sighed.  "I don't want you to. . ."

AJ shushed him quickly.  "Son I'm not going to be around that much longer anyway.  I've got my thirty 
in.  I'm here only at his pleasure.  It's going to happen some time, and if it's over this. . .well there are 
worst causes to go down fighting for."

Mac stepped from Harm's embrace to give AJ and quick hug.   "Thank you sir."

"Mr. Rabb you do need to move out of the apartment," AJ sighed, returning Mac to the shelter of 
Harm's arms.  "I suggest you come out and stay with me.  It will give us time to develop your defense, 
the Secnav will be satisfied, and hey we can drink some beer and watch some basketball."

"Sir. . .I don't think I can do that," he stammered.  "I'm just going to worry about Mac in the apartment 
alone."

"Hey Marine here," she objected at once.  "Marine who lived there alone a lot of years.  Marine who 
keeps a weapon and knows how to use it.  I'll be fine."

"I think we could get away with. . ." He began only to have AJ shake his head sternly.  "No.  I'm 
drawing the line there, for all our sakes.  We've been given an order and we're going to carry it out.  
Now this is what's going to happen. Harm you're going to go pack your things.  Mac, I'm going into my 
office, so if you're gone for a while, I probably won't miss you.  If you get my drift."

"Yes sir, yes sir I do," she smiled.  They were being given a chance to say goodbye.
================
MAC's APARTMENT
3 Hours Later

"We need to go," he whispered as they lay drowsily in each other's arms.  "The admiral gave us this 
time, and he's on our side, and we don't want to muck that up."

"I'm not sure I can let you go," she sniffled.  "I thought I could but now I'm not so sure.  I think I'd rather 
resign."

"No.  I won't allow you to do that," he told her firmly.  "Look, like the admiral said, that's an option, but 
we're not there yet.  You're not going to be able to prove my guilt, no matter how great Meg's 
histrionics on the stand are.  And remember she's under accusation herself for adultery.  A credible 
source for prosecution she's not.  And I say that knowing that you're the best prosecutor JAG's got.  It's 
just not something you're going to win."  He laughed lightly and tickled her gently.  "Not this one 
Colonel."

"I pray not," she whispered, will back tears that she did not want--did not want to ruin the wonderful 
experience they had just shared.  "Shower time squid.  You know we owe the Admiral big time for all 
this.  He's going to call in this favor someday."

"Of that I'm sure," he laughed and rolled from the bed, bringing her up with him.

"I guess that will hold me for now," Harm sighed, looking at the duffel bag by the door.  "Sure as hell 
don't need uniforms.  I've been relieved before, but this feels a lot worse than those couple of times.  
Then I knew as soon as the investigative report was handed in, I'd be reinstated.  This all seems much 
less certain.  But it could be worse--I might have been ordered to the brig now."

Mac choked back a small sob and walked to the door with him.  "This is only temporary Sailor."

"Yes it is, so don't you start interviewing replacements for my spot in that bed back there," he told her.  
Instead of the derisive laugh he expected he received a sharp sob and a second later she was in his 
arms. 
 
"Please don't even think such a thing," she gasped, now letting her tears come.  "I could easily at this 
point say the hell with the whole damn thing and you and I just go some where together and forget we 
ever knew what a JAG was."

"Hey, options remember," he reminded her.  "And like I said before, we're no where near that point yet.  
But know this my love.  You and I are together now.  That ring you're wearing is my promise that we're 
going to spend the rest of our lives together, in or out of uniform."

"You can't know that," she sniffled.

"If I have to, to make sure that we're together, I'll take a plea bargain, plead guilty and get out with a 
bad conduct discharge.  Hell to have you in my life, I'd flip burgers eighteen hours a day."

He spoke with such vehemence that she lifted her head and smiled softly.  "My husband the fry cook."

"Count on it.  Now I'm getting out of here before this gets any harder.  I'll call you soon as I get to the 
Admiral's.  You're staying in, locked up good right?"

"I am.  I have a lot to work on."

"OK," he nodded, taking her into his embrace.  "God this is so hard."
 

 "I know" she whimpered. "I don't even know when we'll get to see each other 
 again like this."
 
 "We'll find a way" Harm whispered as he held her tightly. "Somehow."
 
 "You'd better go," she said as she gave him a gentle push away. "Before this 
 gets any worse."
 
 "I love you" he whispered before dropping one last kiss on her lips and 
 hurrying out the door.
 
 "I love you too" she whispered as the tears slid down.
 
 *******************
 JAG HQ's
 Next Morning
 
 "Ma'am I'm ready to start whenever you are" Lt. Singer smiled as she stood 
 in Mac's doorway.
 
 "Give me a few minutes to get some coffee" Mac sighed. She'd barely slept 
 the night before, visions of Harm in Leavenworth interrupting her sleep.
 
 "Sure thing ma'am" Singer replied. "I do believe that Lt. Austin is going to 
 be in this morning to give us her formal statement as well."
 
 "Why wasn't I informed of this?" Mac demanded.
 
 "The SecNav called me directly ma'am" Singer smiled. "I told him I'd be 
 happy to pass on the word to you."
 
 "You are loving this aren't you?" Mac snapped.
 
 "Excuse me ma'am?" Singer said innocently.
 
 "You know what I mean. You've been waiting for the opportunity like this and 
 you're going to take full advantage of it."
 
 "Ma'am, I'm just doing the job the SecNav assigned me. And yes I'm prepared 
 to win and make a good impression. And seeing as how you're the prosecution, 
 I would assume that you'd want to win as well."
 
 "I know why the SecNav assigned you to work with me Lt." Mac said tersely. 
 "To keep an eye on me and make sure that I'm handling this case properly. 
 And I will be doing just that."
 
 "You must hate having to prosecute your own fiancee" Singer said smugly.
 
 "Lt., my person life is not up for discussion here. I will not tolerate any 
 more comments about my relationship with Commander Rabb. Is that clear?"
 
 "Yes ma'am"
 
 "And I see Lt. Austin is here so I'm going to go get that coffee now" Mac 
 sighed as Meg stepped off the elevator. "Why don't you take the Lt. to the 
 conference room and I'll be there in a few minutes?"
 
 "Yes ma'am" Singer said as she hurried off to greet Meg.
 
 "God, give me strength" Mac moaned as the two women started toward the 
 conference room. This wasn't going to be easy and having to deal with Singer 
 on top of it was going to make it next to impossible. She grabbed her mug 
 and was about to head out when her phone rang.
 
 "Colonel Mackenzie."
 
 "Hi. I hope I'm not calling at a bad time. I just needed to make sure you 
 were okay," Harm said softly.
 
 "Hi" she sniffled as she felt the tears brimming. "I'm okay. How are you?"
 
 "Going stir crazy already" he sighed. "You're probably busy though."
 
 "On my way to talk to Meg actually.  But I'm glad to hear from you."
 
 "I missed you last night. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be calling but I 
 couldn't help it."
 
 "I missed you too. I hate this so much."
 
 "So do I but you know you have to do it" Harm sighed. "And I'd better let 
 you go so you can talk to Meg."
 
 "Not that I want to."
 
 "You have a job to do Colonel" Harm said firmly. "And you'll put your best 
 into it."
 
 "Yes I will" she sighed.
 
 "I love you Mac," he said softly. "Please don't forget that. Especially when 
 you talk to Meg."
 
 "I won't" she promised. "Take care of yourself sailor. I'll see you soon."
 
 With a long sigh she hung up and after grabbing a cup of coffee headed to 
 the conference room to meet with Meg.
 
 "Mac" Meg said quietly when Mac walked in.
 
 "Lt. Let's get down to business shall we?"
 
 "Of course. I'm rather surprised that the SecNav assigned you to the case 
 though. I have a hard time believing you'll be objective in this matter."
 
 "Well that's where you're wrong Lt." Mac retorted. "Now why don't you tell 
 me exactly what happened last night."
 
 For the next hour Mac listened as Meg detailed the evening, presenting a 
 different version of what had happened after Harm had accompanied her up to 
 her apartment. She kept her mind focused on the clock when Meg detailed how 
 Harm had been the aggressor, forcing himself upon her, not daring to look at 
 either her or Lt. Singer. She couldn't imagine that Harm would do something 
 like that and she reminded herself that she was Colonel Mackenzie, the 
 prosecutor, not Sarah Mackenzie, his fiancee.
 
 "Is there anything else Lt.?" Mac asked when Meg had finished.
 
 "No ma'am."
 
 "Lt. is it not true that you have been charged with fraternization with your 
 superior officer who happens to be married."
 
 "That has nothing to do with this" Meg snapped.
 
 "You may think it doesn't but the members will" Mac replied calmly. "And I 
 guarantee the defense will bring it up."
 
 "Who did Harm manage to talk into defending him?" Meg asked with a smile.
 
 "Admiral Chegwidden."
 
 "What?" You're kidding. The Admiral is going to defend him."
 
 "What's wrong Lt.?" Mac asked. "Did you expect Harm not to put up a fight?"

"I hope he does," Singer spoke up pointedly.  "I mean it's no fun to convict a defeatist.  I look at this as 
a real opportunity to showcase my skills.  The Secnav will be watching, and you know I aim to be the 
first woman JAG ma'am."

Mac's head fell to her chest in exhaustion.  Meg Austin wasn't going to be hard enough to deal with--
she had to cope with Loren Singer as well.

"And that reminds me ma'am," Singer went on, "I hope we're not entertaining the notion of a plea 
bargain.  I mean I want the conviction, but I want to. . ."

"At least Lieutenant," Mac spoke sharply.  "I think what you want is abundantly clear.  So let's stay 
away from that topic.  Just so we understand each other, I am first chair here.  Not to mention your 
superior officer.  You will treat me with the respect to which I am entitled.  And we will keep dealings 
between us strictly case related.  And just so we're crystal clear here--my relationship with Commander 
Rabb is an off limits subject between us."

"OK but you know it's not where the Admiral and Secnav are concerned," Singer returned, adding 
quickly, "ma'am" when Mac glared.

"That is my concern only," she said firmly.  "And Lieutenant hear this---I swear to God you step out of 
line one iota on this case and I'm going to be sure a letter appears in your jacket to that effect.  Try 
making the Admiral's chair with an insubordination reprimand."

"You wouldn't," Singer gasped involuntarily.  "That sounds like a threat ma'am.  A threat to go easy on 
your fiance."

"No Loren," she smiled deceptively sweetly.  "I've promised Harm, the Admiral, and the Secnav that 
the case will be prosecuted to the best of my ability and I will do that.  My threat as you call it--and let's 
rename it anyway--it's a promise.  My promise is that if you step out of line on this case, I'll make you 
sorry.  You will act in a purely professional manner and you will leave emotions, ambitions, personal 
feelings out of it.  Are we clear?"

"Crystal ma'am," Singer sighed miserably. 

"Then we're through here," Mac announced.  "Lieutenant Austin keep yourself available. By the way, I 
understand you've acquired defense counsel for your case?"

"Yes ma'am.  We're going to the 32 Monday.  With Joey's testimony I should be let off pretty easy.  I 
just want it over.  I'll take my reprimand and loss of pay or whatever they decide."

"You're pretty confident aren't you?" Mac frowned sharply.  "That would be letting you off with a bare 
slap on the wrist.  Adultery is not the same as being late for formation."

"There is a lot you don't know, with respect, ma'am.  I'm the victim here."

Mac could not suppress a snort of disbelief.  "I'm glad I'm not involved in that.  Just know that it's going 
to come out in this case and you'd best be prepared for some discomfort on the stand."

"I can handle it," Meg insisted.  "May I be dismissed?"

"Gladly," Mac answered, rubbing her temples as both Meg and Singer left her alone.
==================
The next two days passed with both sides involved in preparation.  Harm and Mac exchanged nothing 
more than phone calls, each checking on the well-being of the other. For her part, Mac assured him 
she was fine and not to worry, and they assured each other it would be over soon.

Late in the afternoon of the third day Mac felt a familiar presence in her doorway, and to her shock 
looked up to see Harm standing there.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she yelped, using every bit of her self control not to fling herself 
into his arms.

"The Admiral called me in," he smiled.  "We're meeting former Commander Joseph Forrest here."

"Meg's partner in adultery," Mac gasped.  "Can I ask why?"

"He wants to testify on my behalf.  He says he's going to blow the whistle on Meg at her 32, and then 
he wants to do the same thing for me."  He gave her a sheepish grin.  "So Colonel Prosecutor, you 
may be dead in the water before you start."

"I hope so," she whispered, feeling the first breath of real hope.

"Hey watch it," Harm cautioned.  "I'm going to warn him that he's going to have to withstand your cross, 
and you know you're going to have to make it your best.  Don't even think about doing anything less.  
That goes especially when you get me on the stand."

"Harm you're not going to testify?" Mac was in shock at that news.  "Why?"

"Because I have nothing to hide," he smiled.  "And because it will prove in living color to the Secnav 
when you try to rip me apart that he has no cause to question your fitness for duty or the ability of you 
and I to function regardless of our upcoming marriage."

"This gets worse and worse," she moaned, pressing her fingertips to her temples again.

"Are you OK?"  His concern was deep and immediate and he was at her side at once.

"Of course I'm fine," she assured him, daring to touch his cheek with her fingertips.  

"You don't look fine," he all but shouted, taking an even closer look at her, noting her pallor and the 
dark circles under her eyes.  "You don't look fine at all.  You look like hell.  You're not sleeping are 
you?"  His gaze pinned her in place, and she gave a long sigh, knowing he would not relent until she 
confessed.

"Talk to me honey," he whispered, resting his palm against her cheek, "because suddenly I'm about a 
half inch away from sitting down at that computer and banging out my resignation."

 
 "No" she said quickly. "I'm fine. I'll get through this. But you are not 
 resigning. Do you hear me?"
 
 "Mac, I hate what this is doing to you" Harm sighed. "My career is not worth 
 it."
 
 "Yes it is. And as you told me, we're not letting Meg destroy our careers. 
 You've worked just as hard. I won't let that happen."
 
 "All right but if I think this is too much, I will do it."
 
 "I'll be okay" she whispered. "I just want this to be over so you can hold 
 me again at night. I miss you so much."
 
 "I miss you too" he whispered. "Mac, I need to see you one of these nights. 
 Somehow we have to get together."
 
 "How? You can't come to our place."
 
 "I don't know. But I'll think of something."
 
 "You'd better go" Mac said with a long sigh. "Before Lt. Ambitious comes 
 back and decides to tell the SecNav we were talking."
 
 "Take care of yourself Marine" he said softly, wanting so much to hold her 
 but knowing he couldn’t. 
 
 "You too sailor. I'll see you in court."
 
 He walked out of her office with a heavy heart and headed to AJ's. He hated 
 what this was doing to her and resigning wasn't out of the question yet.
 
 "Commander, glad you could join us" AJ smiled. "Mr. Forrest is about to 
 share his experience with Lt. Austin with me."
 
 "Nice to meet you sir" Joseph Forrest said as he held out his hand. "I'm 
 guess I wasn't the only one who fell victim to Lt. Austin. And I'll be happy 
 to help you put an end to her little schemes."
 
 "Why don’t you tell us what happened" Harm said as he sat down.
 
 "Meg and I worked together at the Legal Office for the base in Rota, Spain. 
 She'd always flirted with me but I never paid attention cause I was married 
 and she knew it. Then one day she's waiting for me in my office. Says I 
 either do as she says or she's going to the base CO with my little habit."
 
 "What sort of habit?" AJ prodded.
 
 "I was no altar boy sir" Joseph said quietly. "And I'm not proud to admit it 
 but I was using drugs. I'd had an accident a few years ago and hurt my back. 
 I started taking painkillers and somehow I got addicted. I had a friend in 
 the infirmary who was stealing them for me. Somehow she found and threatened 
 to blow the whistle on both of us unless I did what she wanted."
 
 "Which was have an affair with her?" Harm asked.
 
 "Yes. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do. I didn't want my 
 career ruined and I didn't want my wife to find out either. So I did what 
 Meg wanted. Course it didn't matter anyway because someone found out about 
 us and I ended up losing my career and my wife anyway."
 
 "You're willing to testify to all this in her Article 32?" AJ asked and 
 Joseph nodded.
 
 "Like I said, it doesn't matter anymore. I lost everything I had. I hate to 
 see someone else ruined by her. She's a sick woman who needs help."
 
 "Did she ever mention her time at JAG?" AJ asked.
 
 "All the time sir. And she talked about the Commander all the time."
 
 "She did?"
 
 "Yes sir. I felt like I knew the Commander even though I'd never met him. 
 When were charged, she was so sure she could get him to defend her and get 
 her off."
 
 "And when I told her I wouldn't be her lawyer she decided to play this 
 little game" Harm sighed.
 
 "Is that what happened?" Joseph asked. "You refused to help her?"
 
 "Yes I did" Harm replied. "She wasn't happy about it either."
 
 "Sounds like Meg. When she's backed into a corner, she does what she has to 
 to survive."
 
 "Well this time she isn't going to win" Harm said firmly.
 
 *****************
 AJ's Home
 McLean, VA
 Later that night
 
 "I didn't know my cooking was that bad" AJ teased as Harm pushed his food 
 around his plate.
 
 "Sorry sir, I guess I'm not hungry" Harm sighed as he pushed his plate away.
 
 "Harm, what's wrong? We've got Forrest on our side now and there's no way 
 Meg is going to get away with this."
 
 "Yeah I know" Harm said glumly.
 
 "This is about Mac isn't it?" AJ said with a small smile.
 
 "Sir, I hate being away from her. Seeing her today and not being able to 
 hold her was so hard. And being in court isn't going to be any easier."
 
 "Harm, I know it isn't easy for you two to be apart but you know until we 
 get this all cleared up that's the way it has to be."
 
 "Yes sir" Harm said sullenly.
 
 For the rest of the evening Harm flipped channels on the TV while AJ 
 prepared their defense.
 
 "Harm, I need to run out for a bit," AJ said a few hours later.
 
 "I'm going to bed anyway" Harm sighed. "I'll see you in the morning sir."
 
 AJ nodded and with a smile headed out to his SUV. As soon as he was in the 
 car, he picked up the cell phone and dialed Mac's number.
 
 "Colonel Mackenzie" Mac said somberly when she answered.
 
 "Colonel we need to talk" AJ replied. "Starbucks near your place in a half 
 hour?"
 
 "Now sir?" Mac asked.
 
 "Yes Colonel now"
 
 ****************
 Harm had just flipped on the TV again when he heard a knock at the door.
 
 "Admiral, you forget your key?" he asked as he headed to the door. He opened 
 the door and a small smile crossed his face as he looked at Mac.
 
 "Hi sailor" she said softly.
 
 "Mac what are you doing here?"
 
 "Is that anyway to greet your fiancee?" she smiled.

"Get in here," he gasped and pulled her inside, wasting not another second in taking her in his arms 
and covering her mouth with his.  "God I've missed you," he panted when they parted for air.  "But how, 
why. . .and does the Admiral know?"

"I'm not on the stand here," she objected laughing.  "Yeah he knows.  He is right now on his way to 
Georgetown to spend a wonderful night at Chez Mackenzie.  And I am here at the Chegwidden estate 
to join my fiance."

"This was his idea?" Harm gasped in disbelief.

"Absolutely," she nodded.  "Maybe he thought you were going insane or something."

"He wouldn't have been wrong," he whispered, pulling her against him.  Another long kiss and he 
slipped her coat and most of her clothing from her, there in AJ's living room.  "I had almost forgotten 
how beautiful you were," he whispered, taking her hand and leading her down the hall to the guest 
room.  "I know I'm dreaming and I'm going to wake up and just be clinging to the extra pillow like I 
always am, but for as long as it lasts I'm going to savor every second."

He lifted her into his arms and reverently set her onto the double bed, stripping down to his boxers 
before climbing in beside her.  "How long as it been since I made love to you?" he whispered.  "Feels 
like about five years."

"Why don't we talk less and do more," she smiled, drawing him to her for a long kiss while her hands 
explored his chest.  They made love and slept, woke up and made love and slept again.  

Finally at 7AM AJ returned, making purposeful noise as he unlocked his front door. "You people 
decent?  House mother is on her way up."

"Yes sir," Harm yelled back in laughter, forcing himself awake and giving a long sigh as he looked 
down to find that Mac in his arms was indeed a reality.  

"Breakfast in twenty," AJ called.  

Mac moved in his arms, the noise waking her.  "We got twenty minutes Sailor," she smiled.  "You up 
for that?"  Before he could answer she peaked beneath the sheet.  "Stupid question huh?"

In exactly twenty minutes they reported to the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other.  "Sir, I don't 
know how I can possibly repay you--or thank you--for this," Harm sighed, pulling out Mac's chair and 
kissing her cheek as he helped her to sit.

"Seeing the Colonel's face is pretty much thanks enough," AJ nodded and Mac blushed.  "And much 
as I hate to ruin the mood with business, Mac you should know that Joseph Forrest is going to pretty 
much blow a hole in Meg when he takes the stand.  I'm telling you that so you can rest a little easier.  
You'll still be able to do a credible job on prosecution, but you're not going to be able to refute his 
testimony too well."

"That's good to hear," Mac nodded.  "I feel like I'm walking a fine line here.  Harm is innocent.   For the 
first time I feel like I'm play acting, like we did in law school.  My heart isn't in it."

"It damn well better be," AJ declared.  "You know the SecNav is going to be reading the transcripts 
word for word."  He took a long breath and looked at both her and Harm.  "Mac serious now.  You're 
being watched.  Watched by him, watched by Singer whom I believe is reporting to him.  He could--and 
would--ruin you for this."

"My God sir," Harm gasped, his arm going protectively around her shoulders.  "No.  I won't let it 
happen."

"OK stop both of you," she groaned.  "Give me some credit for being able to handle this will you 
please.  Harm, you and I are going to be together.  Worst case scenario, this all hits the fan and I'm 
forced to resign.  Big deal.  I'll learn how to run the fry machine at McDonald's."

"You think that's funny, but I promise if it comes to that, then I'm going out with you," he declared.

"OK too much devotion on an empty stomach."  AJ held his hand up for quiet. "No more talk of french 
fries or resigning please.  Eat your eggs.  Mac, just be careful how you play it is all I'm saying."

"Well the real problem is Meg is going to get up on the stand and claim to be the victim," she 
murmured.  "Especially if she manages to pull that off in her own case.  That blonde blue eyed 
innocent act that I know she can do so well."

"Yeah I even mentioned that earlier," Harm sighed in frustration.  "Told her to hire a pit bull feminist 
attorney.  And you're right, she can do that innocent act--has it down to a science."

"Did it work on you Flyboy?" Mac could not help the jab, but at the same time she studied his face 
intently.

"Never," he answered, his eyes never leaving hers so that she would know he was speaking the truth.  
"Never.  And just so's you know I'm on the up and up here, I'll confess to a dalliance with Kate."

"Oh that's old news."  Mac shook her head in dismissal and Harm nearly choked on a bite of egg. "You 
know. . .er.  . .knew?"

"When she visited JAG last year," she shrugged.  "She let it be known that you and she were once. . 
.not details of course, but it didn't take much to figure out where she was going."

"Weekend in Hawaii," he sighed miserably, "forty-eight hours of fun, over soon as we got back."

"And totally irrelevant," Mac pointed out.  "Unfortunately Meg is not."

  
  "No she's not" Harm sighed. "But we do have Forrest on our side like the 
  Admiral said. Hopefully once he's testified, she'll look like the conniving 
  little witch she is."
  
  ****************
  JAG HQ's
  24 Hours Later
  
  "I can do this" Mac said to herself again as she paced her office. "I can go 
  in there and pretend he's just another defendant. Not the man I love."
  
  A knock at the door interrupted her pacing and she opened the door to see 
  Meg and Singer waiting outside.
  
  "Ma'am, we're ready whenever you are" Singer smiled. "Time for justice to be 
  served."
  
  Mac gave her a long look but said nothing, knowing Singer did things like 
  that simply to taunt her.
  
  "Meg, you're ready to take the stand?" Mac asked. "When I do my questioning 
  it will simply be the facts. But be prepared for the Admiral to come at 
  you."
  
  "I can handle it" Meg assured her. "I'm telling the truth so I have no 
  reason to be worried."
  
  "Good. Then we best get down to the courtroom. Captain Sebring doesn't 
  appreciate tardiness."
  
  Meg nodded and moments later they made their way down the hall to the 
  courtroom. Mac took a deep breath as they walked in, avoiding looking in the 
  direction of Harm and AJ, who already stood in place. The court was called 
  to order and just as Mac was about to start her opening statement, the doors 
  to the court room opened again and the SecNav walked in, taking a seat next 
  to Meg. She couldn't help but look in Harm's direction and his eyes caught 
  hers, his look telling her everything he couldn't say at that moment.
  
  The morning passed with opening statements and Meg's testimony of the 
  events. Finally Captain Sebring called for lunch recess, leaving AJ's 
  cross-examination for the afternoon.
  
  "Nice job Colonel" the SecNav said as he approached her. "I wasn't sure what 
  I was going to see today. But you seem to have put together quite a case 
  against Commander Rabb."
  
  "Just doing my duty sir" Mac replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to 
  get Lt. Austin ready for Admiral Chegwidden's cross examination."
  
  He nodded and Mac hurried off, heading straight to the ladies room. She 
  allowed herself the luxury of a short cry before washing her face and 
  heading back to her office where Singer and Meg waited.
  
  "We did pretty good this morning didn't we?" Meg asked. "The members seemed 
  pretty sympathetic."
  
  "That's because the Admiral hasn't done his cross yet" Mac sighed. "So far 
  they've only gotten your story. Which he's going to try and tear apart."
  
  "Doesn't matter ma'am" Meg replied. "My story is" She stopped as she looked 
  out into the bullpen and saw AJ talking to Joseph Forrest. "What's Joe doing 
  here?" she shrieked.
  
  "I believe he's on the defense witness list," Mac said calmly. "Isn't that 
  correct Lt. Singer?"
  
  "There's no Joe. . ." Singer started and then stopped. "Yes ma'am. He's on the 
  revised witness list we received this morning."
  
  "No. He can't testify" Meg snapped. "Did you know about this?"
  
  "I knew that the Admiral was considering him as a witness" Mac replied. "I 
  was not aware he'd actually put him on the witness list until this morning. 
  Is there something I need to know Lt.?"
  
  "He wouldn't" Meg whispered. "He wouldn't dare do this to me."
  
  "Do what?" Mac prodded.
  
  "Nothing" Meg said quickly.
  
  "Lt., I need to know all about you and Mr. Forrest. When he goes on the 
  stand to testify, I need to know what he's going to say. So why don't you 
  tell me about you and him."
  
  "There's nothing to tell. We were involved in an affair. I knew it was wrong 
  and broke it off but someone had already ratted on us."
  
  "Who initiated the affair?'
  
  For several seconds Meg sat there, saying nothing. "He did," she said 
  finally. "I'd told him several times I wouldn't get involved because he was 
  married and we were in the same chain of command. But finally I relented 
  because he kept begging me."
  
  Mac raised an eyebrow at Meg's story, doubting that any of it was the truth.
  
  "So you didn't start the affair?" Mac asked and Meg shook her head.
  
  "No ma'am, he did."
  
  ************
  The afternoon session went well for AJ as he shot holes in Meg's story of 
  Harm's alleged seduction. Several times he managed to trip her up on details 
  and Mac could see that doubts growing on the members faces. Meg's tears did 
  little to help her case and even Mac's redirect did little to help Meg's 
  case. She sulked back to her seat and to Mac's relief Captain Sebring called 
  a recess until the next morning.
  
  "Lt., do we need to talk about what happened again?" Mac asked as they 
  walked back to her office.
  
  "Are you on my side or his" Meg snapped.
  
  "I'm on the side of the truth. Of which I think I've heard very little of. 
  And I'm sure when Joseph Forrest takes the stand he's going to have a 
  different version of your affair."
  
  "And that's what you want isn't it" Meg glared. "So you and Harm can be 
  together again. You don't care about me and what happened."
  
  "Lt., I have done my job to the best of my ability" Mac said calmly. "I 
  cannot change the facts of what happened. As for Harm and I, that is none of 
  your concern."
  
  "Fine" Meg said coldly. "I'll see you tomorrow Colonel."
  
  She stomped out of Mac's office past a bewildered looking Bud and onto the 
  elevator. She glared in Mac's direction as the doors closed and Mac let out 
  a long sigh. With any amount of luck this would all be over tomorrow when 
  Joseph Forrest took the stand. "Nice job counselor" AJ said as he stuck his head in her office. "You 
have a  few minutes? I need to see you in my office."
  
  "Uh sure sir" Mac said as she looked around the bullpen to see if the SecNav 
  was still around.
  
  "He's gone and Lt. Singer is in the law library on an errand with Tiner" AJ 
  smiled. "And no one else saw my client come in with me."
  
  Mac nodded and moments later stood in the arms of the man she loved.
  
  "You did good today Marine" Harm whispered as he held her tightly. "I'm real 
  proud of you."
  
  "I hated it" she whispered. "I hated every second of it. Well except for the 
  Admiral's cross."
  
  "Yeah that was pretty good wasn't it" Harm smiled as he finally pulled away 
  to look at her. "It's going to be okay. Tomorrow when Joe takes the stand 
  it's all going to be over for her. And you and I will be back together."
  
  "Please God" she murmured. "I just want our lives to be normal again. And 
  you back in my bed where you belong."
  
  "I will be" he promised her. "Tomorrow this will all be over."
 
 "OK people let's break this up."  AJ stuck his head into the office once more.  "Mac see you in court 
tomorrow, now get your six out of here before Singer and Tiner--now there's a couple--get back."  He 
had the good grace to pull back and close the door, allowing them their goodbye.
 
 For a long minute neither spoke and Harm tilted her chin up to meet his gaze, gently thumbing away 
her silent tears.  "We can do this Marine.  Suck it up.  By the way, you're not the only one crying."
 
 She took a long breath and attempted a smile.  "Tomorrow night when you're acquitted you and I are 
going to celebrate big time," she vowed with a long sniffle.  "OK Flyboy.  I'll see you on the stand 
tomorrow."
 
 "Remember you're being watched," he cautioned.  "Do not be easy on me at all.  I have the truth on 
my side."
 
 "Yeah I know," she nodded, and their lips eagerly sought each others, a long kiss of goodbye.
 
 "Harm lets go, Mac you give us a minute to get out," AJ urged, once again opening the door.
 
 With extreme reluctance they broke their hold of each other and AJ gave her an encouraging nod 
before urging Harm ahead of him.
 
 She took several minutes to compose herself and then began the lonely drive home, thinking how 
different it was when he was with her.  They would have soft music on the radio and be laughing over 
the days' events, telling Bud and Singer stories perhaps.
 
 Foregoing dinner, once at her apartment she sat down at her table to work.  Around midnight, with 
drowsiness about to overcome her she heard a light tapping at the door and a deep voice calling softly,  
"Mac it's Harm.  I need to see you.  Let me in."  In her semi-awake state and with her anxiousness and 
concern she did not stop to think, but instead flung open the door.  The discharge from the taser 
weapon hit her full force and she fell back into the apartment.  "You," she managed before the swells 
of darkness overwhelmed her.
 
 ==========================
 JAG HQ
 8AM
 
 "I don't see Mac's car," Harm fretted when he and AJ pulled in.
 
 "Oh good lord it's too early for you to start worrying," AJ groaned.  "She'll be here--today of all days--
she'll be here."
 
 "Sir you don't understand," he went on, scanning the parking lot as he exited the car.  "I tried to call 
her last night about midnight and I didn't get an answer."
 
 "Perhaps because it was her bedtime?" AJ scoffed, "and she turned off her phone because she was 
up to here with all this?"
 
 "That's what I tried to tell myself," he muttered.  "But I also couldn't help thinking she would never go 
totally out of touch, and she's a very light sleeper, when she does sleep."
 
 "Why don't we concentrate on what you're going to say on the stand today after Mr. Forrest gets 
through blowing Meg's reputation to hell," AJ told him.  "Mac will be along.  There was probably a line 
at Starbucks.  I want you to come into my office this morning and stay there until it's time to go into 
court."
 
 "I need to see her sir," he objected plaintively.
 
 "Absolutely no way.  You know the secnav is here, Singer is taking names and I'm not letting there be 
a hint of impropriety.  I've already stuck my neck way out for you two."
 
 "Yes sir you have--you've gone further for us than anyone else would have," he sighed.  "And I'm not 
being very grateful right now.  I'm sorry."
 
 "Just let's get through this morning," AJ urged, "and then we'll all head out to dinner to celebrate.  My 
office Commander.  You can use the Admiral's head if need be."
 
 They entered through AJ's private door, not giving Harm the chance to check for Mac.  He spent the 
next hour pacing while AJ checked his notes and fed him questions for his testimony.  Finally five 
minutes before court was to convene he packed up his papers and motioned Harm to precede him.  
There was no sign of Mac in her office in the quick glimpse he was able to make, and he hurried to the 
courtroom.  
 
 AJ gave him a hissed reminder not to try to speak with Mac and opened the doors for him.  Singer sat 
alone at the prosecution table, the secnav in a seat behind her.  There was no sign yet of Joseph 
Forrest, nor of. . .
 
 "Where is she?" Harm demanded, looking around frantically.  "Lieutenant Singer, where is Colonel 
Mackenzie?"
 
 She shrugged noncommittally and Harm started toward her, only to have AJ grab his arm.  "At ease 
Mister."  When he turned to Singer his voice was carefully controlled. "Lieutenant you just had a 
question put to you by a superior officer.  Now I'm asking you that same question.  Are you going to 
shrug me off too?"
  
  "No sir" she said quickly. "And I don't know where Colonel Mackenzie is. I 
  haven't seen her at all today."
  
  "Something's wrong" Harm said anxiously. "She wouldn't not show up today. 
  Something happened to her."
  
  "Calm down Commander" AJ said sharply. "Maybe she just got hung up in 
  traffic."
  
  "Is there a problem AJ?" the SecNav asked as he peered at him and Harm.
  
  "With all due respect sir, yes it seems there is" AJ sighed. "Lt. go back to 
  and tell Tiner to call Colonel Mackenzie at home and on her cell."
  
  "But sir, we're supposed to convene any second now" Singer protested.
  
  "Not without the lead prosecutor we won't" AJ snapped. "Now go."
  
  "Sir, Meg's not here either" Harm said as Singer hurried off. "And neither 
  is Forrest."
  
  "Great everyone's missing today. Admiral Morris is going to love this."
  
  "AJ what the hell is going on here?" the SecNav demanded. "Where is Colonel 
  Mackenzie?"
  
  "I don't know sir" AJ managed as calmly as he could. "Hopefully Tiner will 
  reach her and we'll get this all cleared up."
  
  "Admiral you have to let me go find her" Harm said as he grabbed AJ's arm. 
  "You know the only reason she wouldn't come is if something happened to her. 
  And with Meg missing" He stopped as Meg walked into the court room, 
  smirking at him as she did so.
  
  "She did it" Harm shouted as he started towards Meg. "What did you do to 
  Mac?"
  
  "Commander" AJ yelled as he grabbed his arm, keeping him away from Meg. 
  "Stand down now."
  
  "What in the hell is going on in here?" Admiral Morris asked as he walked 
  into the courtroom. "I could here the yelling back in my chambers. Would 
  someone like to tell me what's going on here."
  
  "What did you do to Mac?" Harm yelled again as he fought AJ's restraint. "I 
  know you're behind this."
  
  "Commander Rabb" Admiral Morris shouted. "Do I need to have you removed from 
  this court room and taken to the brig?"
  
  "Harm, I suggest you calm down," AJ said quietly. "If you're in the brig, 
  you're not going to do her any good."
  
  "What did you do to her?" Harm repeated coldly as he glared at Meg. "So help 
  me god, if you've hurt her you're going to be sorry."
  
  "Admiral where is the prosecution?" Admiral Morris asked as he looked over 
  at the empty table.
  
  "Colonel Mackenzie is missing sir" AJ replied. "There was no word from her 
  this morning that she had any kind of trouble. Lt. Singer has gone to get PO 
  Tiner to try and locate her. In the meantime, I ask for a recess until we 
  know the status of Colonel Mackenzie."
  
  "You have reason to believe there's some kind of foul play?" Admiral Morris 
  questioned.
  
  "No sir, I don't" AJ said as he glared at Harm. "At this point it's very 
  possible she simply had an accident and hasnt been able to call and let us 
  know that."
  
  "She did something to her" Harm started again as he looked at Meg. "What did 
  you do to her?"
  
  "Commander Rabb, I am not going to warn you again. One more outburst from 
  you and your six is going to the brig. Do I make myself clear?"
  
  Meg smirked at him again and if AJ hadn't been holding Harm back he would 
  have had his hands around her throat.
  
  "Harm" AJ warned. "He's not kidding. Stand down now."
  
  Harm stood there for a second before backing off as Singer walked into the 
  courtroom.
  
  "And luck Lt.?" AJ demanded.
  
  "No sir. No answer at home or on her cell. Tiner is going to call the police 
  and see if there were any accidents this morning that she might have been 
  involved in."
  
  "Sir, we need to get someone over to her place" Harm said quietly. "What if 
  she's lying there hurt or worse." He glared at Meg again; somehow knowing 
  that Mac hadn't just disappeared. Not without some help.
  
  "Admiral, do you agree that we recess until we can locate Colonel 
  Mackenzie?"
  
  "Isn't Lt. Singer capable of handling it until we get word on the Colonel?" 
  Admiral Morris asked. "She is the co-counsel."
  
  "I can do it" Singer spoke up. "I'm more than ready to handle this."
  
  "Sir, you can't let this go on" Harm pleaded. "Not when we don't know what 
  happened to Mac."
  
  "Admiral, I think it would be best if we waited to find out what happened to 
  the Colonel" AJ tried.
  
  "Admiral, I know what you're saying but it's very possible that the Colonel 
  is on her way and simply doesn't have her cell phone on or something silly 
  like that. I'm not going to hold up this trial until I know we're dealing 
  with something more here."
  
  "Sir" Harm pleaded.
  
  "Harm, let it go or you'll be in the brig" AJ warned. "Tiner will call 
  around and we'll find Mac. In the meantime, we just have to go on."
  
  "This court martial will come to order" Admiral Morris said as he banged the 
  gavel.
  
  Before Singer could stand up, Tiner burst into the courtroom.
  
  "Petty Officer Tiner, what is the meaning of this?" Admiral Morris demanded.
  
  "Sorry sir" Tiner said quickly before looking over at AJ and Harm. "Sir, I 
  just got a call from DC police. They found Mac's car down in the old 
  warehouse area."
  
  "Did they find Mac?" Harm demanded.
  
  "No sir. There's no sign of Colonel Mackenzie. They're searching the area 
  for her as we speak. I gave them her description and they've got all 
  available men looking for her."
  
  "What did you do to her?" Harm shouted as he leapt past AJ and over to Meg, 
  grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet. "I know you're behind this. 
  What did you do to her?"
  
  For a moment she said nothing and then a small smile crossed her face. 
  "Wouldn't you like to know? Sorry Harm, but by the time they find her it's 
  going to be too late. I sure hope she's got good dental records because 
  that's the only way they're going to identify the body."
  
  Harm stared at her in horror as slow outrage began to sweep over him.  "If you've hurt her in any way. 
. ." he began and his hands as if of their own accord began a steady progression from her arms up 
across her shoulders to her neck.  "The truth Megan, the truth right now or so help me it will be the last 
breath you take because if she dies, I won't care what happens to me anyway."
 
 "Commander at ease at once before I have security put you in irons," Morris thundered from his perch.   
Harm's hands moved away slightly and at the same time Morris pointed his gavel at Meg.  "Lieutenant, 
be careful to what you're confessing."
 
 Harm shot him a look that would fell a maggot.  "Sir, she's obviously done something with--or to--
Colonel Mackenzie.  For godsake she's got to tell me."
 
 "Sir please."  AJ added his own plea.
 
 "Lieutenant Austin, anything you say further is off the record and will not be used against you.  Where 
is Colonel Mackenzie?"
 
 Meg leveled a long look at Morris.  "I only wanted someone to love me," she whispered and Harm 
immediately went to a different tact.
 
 "Meg I know you did," he whispered.  "Everyone deserves that, and I found that in Sarah.  I love her, 
and she loves me, and I don't want her to die.  Tell me please where she is."
 
 A long look into his blue green eyes later, Meg relented.  "The Carmody warehouse on the corner of 
Fifth and G Northeast.  But you won't make it."
 
 "The hell I won't," he yelped.  "Admiral call the DC police and tell them to search that building for Mac."  
 
 Without waiting for permission he ran from the courtroom, wasting no time in beginning a wild drive 
into D.C. during which he prayed non stop.  Prayed and vowed that if Meg's predication came to pass.  
If in fact all there was left was Sarah Mackenzie's ashes as she had promised, he would personally see 
Megan Austin in hell.
 ===============
 CARMODY WAREHOUSE
 Same time
 
 There was not a part of her that did not hurt Mac decided.  Her arms were bound behind her, 
seemingly forced out of their sockets, and her legs likewise bent double and trussed together.  That 
she had been tied by a Sailor was not in doubt.  Plus her chest burned from the taser hit.  None of that 
was as ominous as the candle burning lower and lower beside her; and beside the body of Joseph 
Forrest.  Meg had made him help her set this all up.  And then she had killed him, put a bullet into the 
base of his skull while he was lighting the candle.  The candle that when it burned down would set off 
an explosion and fire that would level the old decaying warehouse.
 
 Vaguely in the distance she could hear the scream of siren, and a small shot of  hope went through 
her before she remembered this was D.C. and in that part of the city, police and fire sirens were a daily 
fact of life.  Another two tears squeezed from her eyes and she felt her engagement ring press into her 
clenched fist.  "I love you Harmon Rabb," she murmured beneath the filthy rag around her mouth and 
the candle flame blurred.
 
 **********
 Harm continued his mad drive through DC, alternating between praying and 
 berating himself. If he'd never gone to see Meg that night none of this 
 would had happened. He should have known then that something wasn't right 
 with Meg Austin but he'd ignored that possibility.
 
 "Please let them get there on time" he breathed as he neared the warehouse.
 
 He'd just pulled up his vehicle when the first explosion ripped through the 
 warehouse and he flew out of the vehicle screaming her name. He ran towards 
 the lone door on this side of the building, determined to find her.
 
 "Sir, stop you can't go in there" a voice yelled. Harm continued as if he 
 hadn't heard, and it wasn't until several pairs of arms grabbed him from 
 behind that he was stopped.
 
 "Let me go" Harm shrieked as he attempted to break free from the three 
 police officers that were holding him back. "I have to get inside. I have to 
 find her."
 
 Another explosion ripped through the warehouse and the three officers tried 
 to pull Harm farther away from the inferno.
 
 "SARAH" Harm screamed.
 
 "Sir, if she's in there it's too late now" one of the officers said quietly.
 
 "NO" Harm yelled as he finally yanked free of the three men's hold on him. 
 He took off running for the door again, determined that he'd either find her 
 or die with her. Over the roar of the fire, he heard a voice call his name. 
 He froze just outside of the flaming building, turning slowly.
 
 "Harm" Mac called again weakly, supported by the two firemen who'd found 
 her.
 
 "Thank you God" Harm whispered before running to her. He took her from the 
 two men, lifting her into his arms as he held her tightly, tears running 
 down both their faces as they clung to each other.
 
 "I thought I'd lost you" he managed finally.
 
 "You can't get rid of me that easily" she sniffled as she raised her head to 
 look up at him.
 
 "I'm so sorry this happened. It's all my fault. I should have known better. 
 I should have…" He was cut off by two trembling fingers to his lips.
 
 "Stop" she ordered. "It's over now. And I'm okay."
 
 "You look anything but" Harm whispered. "Did she hurt you?"
 
 "Just a little sore from being tied up. But I'm okay now that you’re here."
 
 "When I saw the explosion, I thought you were still in there. And if you 
 were I was going in to die with you. Because I wasn't going to live the rest 
 of my life without you."
 
 "No way sailor. We're going to be living the rest of our lives together."
 
 "Sir, why don't you bring her over here so we can get her checked over" one 
 of the medics called and Harm nodded. He carried her to the waiting 
 stretcher and gently set her down.
 
 "You're not leaving me are you?" she whispered.
 
 "No way. I'm not going to let you out of my sight for a long time" he 
 assured her as he reached for her hand, leaning down to drop a quick kiss on 
 her lips before stepping back to allow the medic's to examine her. "I love 
 you Sarah Mackenzie."
 
 "I love you Harmon Rabb" she sniffled.
 
 The End