Title: You Saved the Best for Last Author: wizkid Rated: PG Summary: I was listening to the son, and inspiration hit! Hope you like it! Classification : H/M shippery fic. Romance. Spoilers: Quotes from just about every season, up to The Mission, but nothing that gives away the episode. Discaimer: They definitely do not belong to me!Wish they did but they belong to DPB, CBS, Paramount, and anymore of the wonderful intenties that claim the. Not really sure who the song belongs to but Vanissa Williams sings it (you definitely don't want me to!) Feedback: Please! Permission to archive: BTL and anyone else that wants to, just let me know You Saved the Best for Last "Sometimes the snow comes down in June Sometimes the sun goes round the moon I see the passion in your eyes Sometimes its all a big surprise." Sarah MacKenzie stood on the other side of the doors to the sanctuary of the church, her hand tucked into the crook of her CO, and friend's, arm awaiting the first chords of the classic wedding march. AJ looked at his senior attorney, one who had become like a daughter to him over the years. "You look beautiful, Mac," he said softly. She did look beautiful. The white of her flowing gown a striking contrast to the tan of her skin, her dark hair, and her dark chocolate eyes. "Rabb's a lucky man." AJ spoke causing the Marine Lt. Colonel to blush, but was rewarded with a beautiful smile. He thought back for a moment about the time he'd know these two, the frustrations they'd caused him.and the joys. They sure made his job interesting and there were even times that he would admit that he missed having Rabb around (although not often) since he transferred to the Pentagon. He patted her hand as the music began and the doors opened allowing their entrance. As soon as she made that first step down the aisle, she took in the scene before her. Commander Sturgis Turner and Lieutenant Bud Roberts, dressed in their Navy best, stood on the groom's side. Congresswoman Bobbie Latham and Lieutenant Harriet Simms were on the bride's side. Then her eyes locked on him. Commander Harmon Rabb Junior, standing at the end of the aisle awaiting her hand, dressed in his dress whites with his gold wings shining. 'Highly over-rated, my butt!' she thought to herself and smiled. He'd never looked better she thought as her eyes locked on his. She lost herself in his eyes, her body operating on autopilot as her feet carried her to him. She could feel what he was thinking, his eyes darkened a bit, revealing the love and passion he held for her. She smiled as she felt him take her hand. "'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish you'd tell me this was love. It's not the way I hoped or planned But somehow, its enough.' In that moment, she thought back to the events of eight months prior: 0200 EST NORTH OF UNION STATION His body jerked at the sound of the rifle's discharge. As his eyes opened, it took him a moment to realize where he was, at home in his own bed. Safe. It took a moment for his brain to register the chill caused by the sweat from the dream on his bear chest against the cool of the night. He pulled the covers around him, silently wishing there was someone there to hold him, as he tried to salvage the remainder of the night. ONE WEEK LATER JAG HQ Harm sat behind his desk staring blankly at the computer screen. He was trying to write his letter of resignation to his CO. This wasn't the first time that his life had been in danger, nor was it the first time he'd had a weapon drawn on him, but it was the first time he'd ever felt so alone. It was the first time in 6 years that he'd had to face death without his partner near him, covering his six. Somehow, just knowing she was near had always given him strength beyond himself. His thoughts again drifted to the Marine in the next office. She was all he thought about facing down that gunman. He had to set things right with her, no matter what. Mac felt someone's eyes on her even though she knew she was alone. She looked through the glass and saw him at his desk, starring at her. There was something different in his eyes recently, an intensity that she'd seen only in regards to his father. Truth be told, it concerned her. What was on his mind now? Little did she know, she was the answer. NEXT DAY JAG HQ ADMIRAL CHEGWIDDEN'S OFFICE Harm stood at his CO's door. His heart was about to beat out of his chest, his hands shaking and sweating profusely. This was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. The Navy was all he'd ever known. All his hopes and dreams had been connected to the Navy, but his being in the same chain of command made a relationship difficult, if not impossible. She had a future there, maybe even the next JAG. With his track record, his ability to offend anyone in a high ranking position, and the way the SecNav just loved him, he'd be lucky to make Captain. He finally knocked on the door and steeled himself for the Admiral's reaction. His trembling hands turned the knob at his CO's "Enter." Harm came to attention before the Admiral's desk and was promptly given "at ease." AJ Chegwidden looked at his junior officer and friend and knew immediately that something was wrong. "What can I do for you, Commander?" Harm took a deep breath and handed him the letter. AJ read the letter in silence. A long moment passed, although it felt like an eternity for Harm, before the Admiral looked up. He slid his glasses off, laid them on the desk, and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "May I assume, Commander, that this is a result of Webb's most recent adventure?" "Yes, sir. That would be accurate." AJ cursed under his breath and let out a sigh, telling himself that he would have to have words with Mr. Webb, he was tired of his best attorney's being in danger and now he may have lost one because of it. AJ motioned for Harm to take a seat before gesturing for him to continue. "Sir, I guess staring down that gunman this time really did something to me. I realized standing there what I really wanted and what is really important to me personally." He let his mind wander to that moment again. When was he going to learn that Webb was trouble? He wasn't even supposed to be in the garden when it went down, otherwise he would have been armed. The man had surprised them and all hell had broken loose. At that last moment, before the crazed man had noticed him, he'd been able to look at the ground around him and the bodies of the agents the man had managed to mow down. He looked the man in the eyes and had never been so terrified. The man was insane, he was set on murder and Harm was the only one left. He watched as the rifle was leveled at him, and for the first time in a long time, Harm prayed. He prayed for deliverance from this situation, from his seemingly imminent death. He prayed for one more chance to tell Mac how he felt. He closed his eyes, and in that moment he waited to feel the bullet piercing his body. He heard the shot and waited. The pain, pressure, whatever death is supposed to feel like, didn't come. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw the man laying on the ground. Webb, standing behind him, pistol in hand. AJ leaned up to his desk, resting his elbows on its surface, playing with a pencil. "Harm, speaking as a friend and not your CO, does this have anything to do with Mac?" AJ could see Harm visibly collapse back into his chair. "Yes, sir. It has everything to do with her." He spoke so softly AJ barely heard him. "I realized at that moment that I was giving her up to keep my career and at that moment, my career was costing me my life, and the future I had dreamed of having. I promised myself that if I got another chance I'd take it. I love the Navy, sir, but having a chance with Mac is so much more important. She asked me one time what I'd give up to have a relationship with her. I realize now, I'd give up everything, starting with JAG." AJ sighed, he'd already known as much and had come up with a game plan for when this happened. "I'm accepting this only until I can talk to the SecNav and see if I can come up with a better offer. For now, the staff will be told you'll be taking an indefinite leave of absence. I assume you'll be taking some of the leave time you have coming to you?" "Yes, sir" "Just don't use it all, Harm. You'll be back here before you know it "I hope so, sir. But either way, there's something more important waiting for me." The rest of the day passed swiftly. Mac was busy with cases. Harm closed himself up in his office and shut the blinds. He wanted this as quiet as possible until the Admiral had the time he'd requested. He spent the day gathering his things, finishing up cases, and going over scenario after scenario, trying to figure out the best way to tell Mac. Unfortunately, it was not his hand to play. 1830 HOURS JAG HQ Mac had stayed late trying to wrap up a case that would be in court the next morning. With a satisfied sigh she leaned back in her chair and closed the file. She covered her face with her hands, relaxing from the day. As she brought her hands down, her eyes opened and immediately noticed that the light was on in Harm's office. Why hadn't she noticed it earlier? Oh, yeah. The lights from the bull-pen were dimmed now. She smiled as she thought of her best friend and partner. It was so good to have him back.and without Mic and Renee, the stress between them was diminishing and things were getting so much better. She was enjoying working on cases together as they used to and hoped they'd have one soon. With a smile and a light in her eyes, she pushed the chair back from her desk and made her way to see her best friend. SAME TIME HARM'S OFFICE The time had gotten away from him as he was finishing up his cases. Before he knew it, the others were calling it a day and heading home. "Just a few more things and I'll do the same." He got up from his desk and placed a few things in a box in front of the desk. Moments later, he heard the doorknob turn and the door to his office open as the voice of his dreams called to him, "Hey, Sailor! Working late?" Before he could respond, he could feel her freeze as she surveyed his emptying office. He closed his eyes in a silent prayer as he turned to her. No matter how he'd tried to prepare himself for this moment, the hurt he saw on her face was almost unbearable. "Harm?" she spoke softly, willing back the tears. "Mac.I.uh." he stammered. This wasn't one of the scenarios he was prepared for. She felt as if the world was crashing around her. He was leaving.again. And this time he hadn't told her anything. "How could you?" He didn't know what to say. He wanted to make her understand- HAD to make her understand, but all he could do was stand there immobilized by the pain and tears in her eyes. He watched the emotions play over her face as she gained control. "I can't believe you'd do this. Fine. Fine. I'll make it easy. Bye Harm." He was left stoic watching her retreating form. His body jerked at the slamming of her door. 1900 HOURS NORTH OF UNION STATION Harm stood in his shower, letting the water wash away the stress of the day. As good as it felt, nothing could stop the movie playing in his head. Over and over, he watched as Mac entered his office. Over and over he watched the hurt flood her face. He closed his eyes as the water cascaded over his face. He wanted to run to her, take her in his arms, and tell her it was all for her. He would, but there was something he had to do first. Reluctantly, he turned off the shower, dressed in civvies and left. NEXT DAY 1000 HOURS JAG HQ FALLS CHURCH, VA A soft knock brought him from his last tasks. The door opened and the object of his affection stood in the door. He couldn't help but smile at her. His heart broke a little at the sadness he saw, but he hoped what he had in mind would change everything. "Hi" he spoke a little too cheerfully. "Uh.. I.uh.I'm sorry Harm. I..I jumped to conclusions yesterday. The Admiral.uh.he told us that you were just taking an extended leave of absence." She hugged her arms around her body as she spoke, "Harm, if it's just a leave of absence, why are you packing?" He didn't exactly know how to answer her, so taking a deep breath, he gave it his best shot. "I don't know for sure if I'll be coming back. It depends on how some things go." "What things?" "I can't tell you that right now." He spoke softly, sadly, knowing the statement would hurt her. She simply nodded as she swallowed hard. What had happened to the renewed friendship they were experiencing? "I.I understand." She took a deep breath, "So, uh, when are you leaving?" "Well, I was hoping to be finished today" "I see," was all she could say, but could not control the tear that slipped from her eye. He stood just inches away. He reached to wipe the errant tear off her cheek, but her hand blocked his effort. His gaze was met with a warning glare, asking him to allow her to do this herself. He backed down. "Where are you going?" She was now completely in Marine mode. "I'm not sure yet," he whispered." But I'm staying in DC. I'm not moving or anything." "So you're just leaving JAG?" "Yeah" "Why? I thought the Navy was your life. How can you just up and leave?" 'Cause the Navy isn't my life, Sarah, you are.' Is what he wanted to say, instead, he just shrugged and looked away again. They were both wrapped up in their own thoughts and an uncomfortable silence fell between them. Mac was the first to speak. "So what's her name?" Her question took him by surprise. He couldn't meet her gaze. How do you answer that? He leaned against his desk looking out the window. She shook her head sadly, "Good luck, Commander," she spoke and quickly left the office shutting the door behind her. "Sarah MacKenzie" he said to an empty office. 1830 HOURS JAG HQ The lights were already dim in the bullpen as he gathered the last two boxes, turned out the light to his office and shut the door for the last time. Mac had shut herself in her office and not even Gunny was brave enough to disturb her. He was glad to see she was still there though. He sat one box on Harriet's desk along with his cover, picked up the other box containing books and other items he'd borrowed throughout the years, and knocked on her door. Without waiting for her permission, he eased the door open in time to see her wipe tears from her eyes. Her eyes were red from crying and it broke his heart. "Hey" he called softly. "I thought you were already gone," she said harshly. "You know I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to my favorite Marine." He smiled, hoping she would too. "Gunny left a couple hours ago," she tried to tease him, but the humor didn't quite make it to her eyes or change the angry, hurt countenance on her face. He took a deep breath, "besides, I have some things that I need to return to you." He placed the box beside her on her desk. "Thank you, Commander." "Mac, I'll be here. Anytime. I promise." She simply nodded. "Bye, Harm." She waited until she heard the elevator doors close before she allowed the tears to fall. The man she loved just walked out of her life-again. Once her eyes cleared enough to see, she started looking through the box. She took out the books and sat them to the side. Scanning the remaining items, she wondered how he collected that many of her things, and why she hadn't missed them. Then she noticed a small velvet box. She picked it up slowly, her curiosity getting the best of her. 'This isn't mine' she thought, but proceeded to open the box anyway. She let out a small gasp as she was greeted to the sight of an exquisite diamond solitaire. 'So it is a woman. Wonder who she is?' she thought as a tear rolled down her cheek. Wishing with all her heart that one day his ring would be on her finger, she noticed a piece of paper folded inside the box. She picked it up and even folded she recognized his writing. Feeling as if she was invading his privacy, she frowned as she returned the note to the box without opening it. "Aren't you even going to read it?" a voice called from her door. Feeling like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar, her head jerked up and her eyes rested on Harm standing there looking as handsome as ever in his dress whites, flyboy grin firmly in place. 'He wasn't wearing that a few minutes ago.' She thought. "Uh, Harm.uh, this doesn't belong to me." She said holding the box out to him. "Read the note, Sarah." He spoke softly yet convincingly and she noticed the same intense look she'd seen only a few days ago and against her better judgment, she found herself complying. Still looking him in the eyes, she removed the paper from the box and unfolded it. She tore her eyes from his as she read the note: "I'd give everything up for you, Sarah. I know that now. That's why I'm leaving JAG, so we can have a chance. I know this is messed up and backwards, but I'd always dreamed of proposing to you in dress whites and it looks like this is the last time I'll be able to wear them officially. I won't ask you to wear it if you're not sure, but I plan on pursuing you until you're sure that I'm the one. Simply put: Will you marry me, Sarah?" She looked up from the paper, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as Harm stepped forward and knelt on one knee before her, taking her hand in his. "I love you, Sarah." "Geez, Flyboy, when you let go, you don't play around." She smiled at him and he noticed the sparkle in her beautiful chocolate eyes wasn't from the moisture. "I love you too, Harm." She closed the distance between them and their lips met in the first kiss of declared love. She felt his hand tangle in the hair in the back of her head and the kiss deepened. When they parted, his eyes searched hers for an answer. Instead she reached for the ring and held it out to him. A moment of panic struck him as he watched her handing him the ring. "Would you?" she asked sheepishly and was rewarded with the biggest flyboy grin she'd ever seen as he slipped the ring on her finger, on her left hand. He was so excited the he began talking so fast she could barely understand him. She chuckled to herself as she listened, "I'm not going to take advantage of this, Mac. We can just date for as long as you want. No pressure. Just as long as I'm with you, I'll wait..' She stopped him with a gentle kiss. "I love you, Harm, and right now, that's enough." "And now we're standing face to face Isn't this world a crazy place Just when I thought our chance had passed You go and save the best for last." The congregation of friends and family members that had gathered for the service looked on as Sarah and Harm each took a candle and together lit the unity candle before blowing out the flame of their own. Most of the people gathered already knew that their hearts and lives had already been melded together. They didn't know exactly when it had happened but they knew it had. A tear ran down Trish Burnette's cheek as she watched her son gently take his bride's hands in his and looked deeply, lovingly into her eyes. They seemed lost in each other as the music played. Both were remembering the times they'd both fought against these feelings, all the while wishing they could just fall into each other's arms. Memories flooded their minds. "All of the times you came to me When some silly girl had set you free You wondered how you'd make it through I wondered what was wrong with you 'Cause how could you give your love to someone else And share your dreams with me Sometimes the very thing that you're looking for Is the one thing you can't see." Their past played like a movie in their minds. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Harm pulls Mac aside at the office one day, explaining to her that he'd seen his Dad again. "Have you talked to Jordan about this?" "NO!" He replies. "But you're talking to me, you're ignoring the person you have the most intimate relationship with, a psychiatrist, who is supposed to be able to understand what you're going through." "Seems that way, I guess." "Why?" she asks. Frustrated, he answers, "For one thing she's working with a patient right now who suffers from hallucinations. I knew she go directly to that without considering other options. You have always humored my occasional metaphysical moments." "Harm, I don't think either one of us can be objective about your father. Go to Jordan, you owe it to her for all kinds of reasons. And don't tell her you came to me first." "Thanks Mac, you're a good friend." "Yeah, that's me--the girl next door. Look, talk to Jordan, give it time, think it through and if you still can't let it go, go with your gut, it hasn't failed you yet." *~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~* "Why don't you come with me and help me pick out a new car with Bud and Harriet." Harm asked her one day. "Isn't that something Jordie should be doing?" she asked lightly. "Mac, you pick out a new car with your girlfriend, you might as well buy her a ring." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Harm came to see Mac, he was visibly upset. "Jordan and I had a fight." "Let me guess, she wants a commitment." Mac started, "How'd you know that?" "It's what every woman wants I guess. So what, you're not ready to commit?" *~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~* They are standing at the front of JAG HQ after an adventurous day and baby AJ's birth. Mac seems a bit upset. "You OK?" he asks. "Every time I think I've put the pieces of my life back together somebody comes along and jumbles them back up. Everybody who has ever meant anything to me is living my life." "It'll be OK, Mac, you'll get to see Chloe again. One day you'll have kids of your own." "Not at this rate, my biological clock is going off and I keep hitting the snooze button." "Tell you what, five years from this moment if neither one of is in a relationship, we'll go halves on a kid." He said almost smugly. "You and me, have a baby together?" she was not having this conversation with him, was she? "With your looks and my brains, he'll be perfect." "What if SHE has your looks and my brains?" Harm appears to think it over and replies, "That could work too." "Don't make a promise you can't keep." "I haven't yet," he replies and they shake hands. *~*~*~**~*~*~**~**~* "I'm interested in the future too Harm, more and more I want a life that is simple, and good, a great career a good man..." "And shoes, lots and lots of comfortable shoes." He says, picking on her a bit. *~*~**~*~*~*~*~* "Well, this is a natural case for Harm. He's always believed in miracles." "He has?" Renee asked. "Yeah he believed his father might be alive when no one else did. He even saw this father at least once after his father died." "You never told me that. " Renee says to Harm. *~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~* "Why did you go to him so quickly?" Harm asked. "You pushed me away. What was I supposed to do? " " Wait. " he said simply. "For how long? " " As long as it takes. " *~*~*~*~*~*~* "Mac .. where are you going?" "I don't know." "Come to me." "Why?" "So we can talk." "We already talked." "Don't argue with me." "I need a better reason." "You know the reason .. Mac?" "I'm here." "I'm waiting." *~*~*~*~*~**~**~* Mac had taken a TAD assignment on the Guadalcanal and wouldn't return Harm's messages. So when the opportunity came up, he took the assignment that would get him to her. One day he finally cornered her to have a talk about "us" "That's why I left, Harm. There's no us. There's you and Renee. What are you willing to give up to have me? Mic gave up the Navy and his country. Would you sacrifice your girlfriend?" "What, you're testing me?" "Well, would you?" "What if I did?" "Answer the question." "As long as you answer mine." "I'm so sick of this dance" she said frustrated and turned and walked around him and out the door without him seeing her. "Yeah, I would. I would give her up" he turns and realizes Mac has gone. *~*~**~**~*~*~**~* They had just finished the Jagathon race, tying for second place. Trying to catch their breath against the tree Mac began to ask a question she'd had since Sturgis let it slip that Harm and Renee had split. "Why didn't you tell me about Renee?" "Uh, I don't know, Mac. It occurred too late to mean anything." "In English, please?" "I couldn't." he said sadly. "She broke up with you?" Mac asked, realization dawning. "It's been over for a while." "I'm sorry." "So am I .. I'm sorry I, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you." "Were you afraid you'd look foolish?" Mac asked. "Maybe. I don't know." "I don't know why we couldn't work things out with us, Harm .. So where does that leave us?" She said, letting go of some of the hope she'd held of their getting together. "I don't know, Mac. At the end, I guess." Harm said sadly. "How about back at the beginning." His sad tone told her there may still be something there. Besides a renewed friendship with him would be good to. They both looked at each other and smiled. *~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~* "Because I'm in love with him." **~*~*~**~*~*~*~* "I'm glad you're here." They just looked at each other and smiled. He'd never know how good that simple statement had made her feel. ~*~*~* Standing before him now at the altar at their wedding, she knew he was thinking the same thing he had that night. His smile was the same, tender, loving. Yes, he was glad she was here. "And now we're standing face to face Isn't this world a crazy place Just when I thought our chance had passed You go and save the best for last" "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife." Chaplain Turner turned to Harm, "You may kiss your bride." Harm smiled as he leaned down to claim her lips with his own. He wanted to savor the sweet taste of her lips longer, but he was ready to get the rest over with so he could have his wife all to himself. He withdrew and smiled at her again. "Presenting for the first time, Commander and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr.!" Husband and wife walked through the sword arch and at the end Lt. Bud Roberts swatted Mac on the bottom, "Welcome to the Navy, Ma'am." Not to be outdone by Navy, Gunny swatted Harm on the bottom, "Welcome to the Corps, Sir." Mac looked back at Gunny and smiled. Esprit de Corps shinning brightly. "Sometimes the very thing you're looking for Is the one thing you can't see' Harm and Mac opened the door to their home, finally back from a wonderful honeymoon. After carrying their luggage in, they collapsed together on the couch and noticed a box sitting on the coffee table. Harm picked up the card folded on top and read it to Mac, "Sir, Ma'am, I hope you'll forgive me for snooping, but I think you'll enjoy the results. Love, Harriet," They looked at each other and opened the box to reveal a very thick photo album. They sat back, Mac leaning against Harm and looked through the pages. Evidently, Harriet had made copies of the pictures they each had of the other or both of them, but they also found pictures that neither had seen. Pictures that no one from JAG would have been around to take. That's when they noticed the tag on them "Compliments of Clay." All the pictures looked innocent enough at first glance, but then they noticed that in all of them, there was something in the way they'd looked at each other. There were several pictures taken at the office, a few from McMurphy's, and some that they weren't sure where they were taken. Harriet had given them a history of their love. A love that was not expressed in words but in looks, gazes, and gentle touches. "Sometimes the snow comes down in June Sometimes the sun goes round the moon Just when I thought our chance had past You go and save the best for last." Deep inside Mac's body, cells began dividing, creating a new life. Unbeknownst to her at the time, one day, very soon, she was going to be able to make Harm a very happy man. This time by making him a daddy.