Name: A New Beginning 
Author: Martha R. - djeflygirl10@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Anything up to “What If?”
Disclaimer: Come on you know the deal…but don’t we all
wish we did own DJE? Wink, wink.
Summary: Harm is called back to active flight status
to help fix a situation in Iraq. 
Read on for 
more information.
Archive: Just ask.
Note: This is my first attempt at a FF so please
forgive anything that is out of this world. 
Feedback is not asked for, but if you do…be gentle.
Note 2: I do not know how long exactly it has been
since Harm had his quals, but if someone knows, 
please feel free to let me know. Also, for the sake of
this story Webb and Mac have separated even 
though we have no clue what’s going on with their
relationship.
 
 
 
 
UNKNOWN LOCATION IN IRAQ 
18:35
 
The Marines were taking heavy fire and more explosions
were being heard from the distance. The sky 
would illuminate with explosions of heavy bombs being
dropped by bombers. 
 
“Lets go Gunny! We have to get out of here. The Navy
plans on leveling this place. We have to win 
this war Gunny, and I have a feeling we will!” Shouted
the Colonel to his man as he ran behind him.
 
“Yes, Sir, but it will take some time! I can’t wait to
go home and hug my wife and kids. Lets go, 
Sir! I can hear the planes in the
 distance.”
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * 
 
 
2 DAYS EARLIER 

08:15

JAG HEADQUARTERS 

FALLSCHURCH, VA. 

 

“Colonel, Commander, have a seat please. I understand
your slates are full, but I will divide your 
cases between Roberts and Turner.”

 

Both of his senior officers gave him a look of
confusion. And Harm was the first to express it in 
words. “Uh, Sir, I don’t understand. What is the
situation that calls for us to drop our cases?”

 

“Commander, the war in Iraq is progressing, slowly,
but surely. However, there’s been an authorized 
air strike to take out any buildings being occupied by
insurgents.”

 

Mac’s blood instantly turned ice cold, she knew what
was next. She tried to hide her concern as she 
thought to herself, ‘Why? He’s not in active flight
status. He hasn’t had his quals in more than a year’.

 

“So without further a do, Commander, you will be going
to the USS Henry to get de-briefed. They 
personally requested that you be the one who leads the
air strike. And Colonel you will also go to 
the Henry to act as their JAG advisor. You will be
leaving for the Henry tomorrow at 14:00 from 
Andrews. So, I advice that you take the day off to
pack and relax because you guys have a long road ahead
of you.”

 

Harm turned to look at Mac to see her reaction to the
situation. He expected her to be looking 
ahead with her head held high, but what he saw was
anything but. She was looking straight down at 
her hands placed on her lap and was a bit to still.
Sensing the uneasiness, the Admiral decided it 
was time to take action.

 

“Ok you two, that will be all. Dismissed.”

 

“Aye, Aye, Sir.”

 

“Aye, Aye, Sir.”

 

 

MAC’S OFFICE 

08:35

 

Mac sensed someone watching her as she studied her
file and when she looked up, she was greeted 
with the largest of those trademark flyboy smiles that
Harm was famous for. His entire 6’4” frame 
was leaning against her doorway. 

 

“Hey, I haven’t seen that smile in a while.” Mac
commented.

 

“Ha-ha, do you miss it? Or are you just trying to make
conversation?”

 

“Forget it Harm, It was just a comment. What can I
help you with?”

 

Harm’s grin disappeared as he got serious. They sat in
silence as they stared at each other. Mac 
was first to break the silence in attempt to ease the
tension between them. 

 

“Harm, why you? Why not someone else on the Henry or
the Seahawk who is currently in active flight 
status?”

 

“Because I’m an aviator, Mac. It’ll be fine. And I
guess they think I’m really good or very lucky 
considering everything that happens when I’m in the
cockpit of an F-14.”

 

Mac looked down at her desk and was silently trying to
hold back the tears in her eyes. But when 
she looked up to meet his stare, tears escaped her
eyes and traveled down her cheeks. Harm 
immediately walked toward her and knelt down in front
of her so that they were at eye level. “Hey, 
Mac, don’t. It’ll be ok. How many times have I walked
away from accidents involving a tomcat?”

 

“But Harm, how many more times do you thing you can
before you don’t?”

 

“Look, I promise I’ll be ok.” He gently wiped her
flowing tears and cupped her face with his palm. 

 

“I’ve told you before flyboy, don’t make a promise you
can’t keep.”

 

“Ok, how about I try really hard to be ok?”

 

“You better Harm, I expect nothing less coming from
you.”

 

A moment of silence surrounded them as they simply
looked at each other as they have many times 
before during those famous “Hallmark Moments”.

 

Harm looked down at his knees and then asked “Hey, you
wanna have dinner with me before we leave 
for the Henry?” 

 

“Sure, how about tonight. We have time before we have
to pack.”

 

“Ok, I’ll pick you up at 20:00. Dress warm, it’s cool
out.”

 

MASON PARK

21:15

 

Mac had decided to wear a baby blue sweater with black
slacks…warm, but nice. Harm wore a gray v-
neck sweater with a pair of black pants, too. Harm had
taken Mac to a nice outdoor Italian 
restaurant that was hidden behind a rose garden.

 

When they had finished eating dinner, Harm took Mac’s
hand in his and led her on a walk. At first, 
Mac felt tense, but only after a few seconds she
realized that holding his hand felt completely 
natural.

 

After a few minutes of walking comfortably in complete
silence, Harm chose to speak. “Do you 
remember when we first met, Mac?”

 

Mac was a bit taken back by his question, but was
curious where this conversation would lead. “Yes, 
what was it like 20 years ago?”

They both laughed and Harm’s voice became soft and
full of feeling.

 

“It does feel like I’ve known you forever, Sarah.” She
never realized how the sound of her first 
name coming from his lips was the most beautiful thing
there was. It sounded like music to her 
ears. Harm stopped them and turned Mac toward him. The
look in his eyes was one of regret for all 
the years that have passed between them, but also one
of hope for those to come.

 

“Mac, I know that ever since Paraguay we haven’t been
the best of friends, and you know what…I miss 
that, a lot.”

 

“Harm, I…”

 

“Wait, Mac, let me finish saying this. I know that
part of this is all due to the fact that I can’t 
say certain things when the chance is given. I know
you said that we couldn’t work out, but I think 
you’re wrong.” He paused and waited for Mac’s
rebuttal, but got something else.

 

“Harm, tell me why I’m wrong…I want to know.”

 

“It shouldn’t matter who’s on top, as long as we’re
together.”

 

Mac looked at him in complete surprise. She could not
believe it; her flyboy was actually saying 
this. ‘The planets must all be aligned’ she thought.

 

“Harm, my life has been so turned that I don’t really
know what to think about ‘us’.” 

 

“I know, and I know that Clay is in your life now, but
I just felt the need to let you know how I 
feel before we leave for the Henry. Mac, I resigned my
commission in May so that I could get you 
back. I did it because I needed you. I was not going
to let you die without you knowing how I felt.”

 

“Well, why didn’t you tell me or show me how you
felt?”

 

“I thought that going after you was enough. I was
planning on telling you in Paraguay, but…”

 

“You saw me kiss him.”

 

“Yes, I was shocked to see you bond with him so…so
quickly. You never shared feelings with me that 
way and we’ve seen each other everyday for eight
years.” A long pause followed. “That kiss hurt 
like hell. I was risking everything for you and you
were kissing another man.”

 

Mac was completely silent. She didn’t know what to say
or even if she should tell Harm that she and 
Clay had gone their separate ways. Her mind was not
functioning well and she hated it. She wanted 
to tell him so much, but she just couldn’t, not right
now.

 

“Well, I guess we should go and start packing, huh?”
Mac stated.

 

Disappointment filled Harm’s heart as he realized that
maybe Mac and he weren’t as destined to be 
as he had thought.

 

“Yeah, I guess we should.”

 

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE

13:57

 

Mac was patiently waiting for Harm to show up.
Hopefully he wasn’t late or they’d miss their 
flight. She quickly spotted him as he made his way
toward her. 

 

“Hey, I’m not late am I? I got caught up.”

 

“Nope, right on time…lets go.”

 

USS PATRICK HENRY

16:45

 

The flight on the way to the carrier was a long and
quiet one. Neither had said a word since before 
they left. Mac was a bit disappointed; maybe she had
hurt him when she didn’t say anything in 
return to his confession. 

 

“Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie reporting as
ordered, sir.”

 

“Commander, Colonel, good of you to join us. Rabb you
will be de-briefed in a minute. Colonel, you 
will go with him to ensure that the squadron knows the
rules of engagement. Sorry that we had to 
drag you out here for this, but this is important to
the war, and our nation.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Very well, Dismissed.”

 

READY ROOM

17:50

 

“Ok. Everyone’s ready to go. Good luck ladies and
gentlemen. Go get ‘em.”

 

Every Raptor was ready to strap up and get in the air.
Everyone except Harm. 

 

“Harm, what is it? Why aren’t you going? Usually you’d
be running out onto the deck.” Mac smiled at 
him as she spoke.

 

“Mac, I don’t know how this is going to go, but if
something does happen…”

 

“No, Harm, just go. No goodbyes ok. You’ll come back.
You have to.” She moved toward him slowly as 
he opened his arms for her. She stepped in for a hug
that said everything she hadn’t. “Good luck 
Harm.” He looked at her one last time and walked away.

 

 

 

SOMEWHERE OVER IRAQ

 

“Henry this is tomcat zero four approaching target.”
Harm spoke back to the skipper of the Henry.

 

“Roger Harm, when over the target, stand by for
command.”

 

“You heard that squadron, stand by for the order.”
Harm said.

 

**********************

 

The planes were heard approaching from far and the
tiny village was rattled by the sound of the 
engines.

 

The Marines were taking heavy fire and more explosions
were being heard from the distance. The sky 
would illuminate with explosions of heavy bombs being
dropped by bombers. 
 
“Lets go Gunny! We have to get out of here. The Navy
plans on leveling this place. We have to win 
this war Gunny, and I have a feeling we will!” Shouted
the Colonel to his man as he ran behind him.
 
“Yes, Sir, but it will take some time! I can’t wait to
go home and hug my wife and kids. Lets go, 
Sir! I can hear the planes in the distance.”
 
The two officers made their way toward their humvee
and tried desperately to get as far away from 
the buildings as possible.
 
***********************
 
“Henry
 this is Hammer, we are approaching target.”
 
“Roger, fire when directly over target. Fire at will
after that. Good luck.”
 
“Aye, Aye, Sir. Skates, we have to do this the right
way the first time so keep me honest.”
 
“Gotcha Harm. ETA one minute.”
 
“Ok Raptors, fire when directly over the suspected
buildings. There will most likely be someone 
firing back at us from the ground so keep your eyes
peeled for any missiles. Lets try to get back 
to the Henry in one piece. Lets show ‘em a fireworks
show.” 
 
In an attempt to be humorous Skates returned “Harm I
think it’s too early for the Fourth of July.” 
She smiled.
 
“Ok Raptors, fire at will!” Harm ordered.
 
The air strike proceeded for minutes as bombs were
being dropped on the target to ensure success. 
Heavy blasts rocked the village to the core and
insurgents were running about trying to find a way 
to fire back at the F-14s over head.
 
 
BACK ON THE HENRY
 
Mac listened to the radio transmission as she
nervously tried to hide her emotions. Her palms were 
beginning to sweat and she could swear that her heart
was going to leap out of her chest. But for 
the sake of her career she kept her composure on
check, her marine mode fully activated.
 
“Ok crew lets get them back.” Commanded the skipper.
 
“Tomcat zero four this is Henry, get back home
Raptors. Mission is complete.” 
 
“This is Tomcat zero four, Roger. We are on our way
back to the carrier. Target has been completely 
destroyed.”
 
“Roger Hammer, now get yourself and
 the rest of that squadron back in one piece.”
 
 
SOMEWHERE OVER IRAQ
 
The mission was a success and now the Raptors were
heading back home to safety. Missile detecting 
warnings were going off and red lights were blinking
uncontrollably inside Harm’s tomcat.
 
“Harm we have a missile in bound!” Skates yelled.
 
“Skates keep me on track, this is going to be a rocky
way back to the carrier. Raptors we have 
missiles coming from the ground keep your eyes open
and maneuver carefully.”
 
“Roger, Hammer, lets go home.”
 
 
BACK AT THE HENRY
 
“Henry this is tomcat zero four we have a bit of a
 problem…”
 
Harm was interrupted by the skipper’s voice. “Harm you
get that tomcat and its pilot back alive. 
That’s an order!”
 
“Roger Skipper, but we are experiencing heavy fire
from the deck. We have missiles in bound, one 
after the other.”
 
Mac was starting to panic. Her pupils dilated and her
heart was beating furiously in her 
chest. “Skipper, are they going to make it?”
 
“Colonel, you know the Commander likes to scare the
hell out of people pulling these stunts. He’s 
going to be fine.” The truth is that even the skipper
was worried. He was trying to convince 
himself that Harm’s luck hadn’t ran out just yet, but
it was impossible to know. He only hoped that 
for the sake of the Navy and Mac he would be alright. 
 
 
BACK TO HARM’S
 COCKPIT
 
“Skates lets get the hell out of here. This is getting
heavy!”
 
“Harm if we change directions maybe we can avoid any
more missiles.”
 
“Roger Skates. What do I do? Keep me on route.”
 
“Come thirty left.”
 
“Coming thirty to the left.” Harm paused and was
desperately trying to avoid any missiles 
approaching the jet. He turned off the radio and tried
to speak to Skates. “Hey Skates, I want you 
to eject if we get hit. Try to contact a base around
here and call for help. When you make it…and 
if I don’t, do me a favor and tell Mac that I love her
and I’ll…I’ll always be with her. Okay?”
 
“No! Harm I am not ejecting because we are not going
to get hit and you will tell the Colonel 
yourself.”
 
Just then as Harm came back twenty, a missile hit the
jet and the tomcat twirled uncontrollably. It 
was going down. There was no time to eject as the
plane exploded and killed two great officers.
 
BACK AT THE HENRY
 
“Sir we have lost communications with the Commander.”
 
************************
BACK AT THE HENRY
 
“Sir, we have lost communications with the Commander.”
 
“OK, check it out! He’s probably experiencing radio
malfunctions. Lets go!”
 
Mac awoke from her daydream as she realized that the
bridge was in chaos as they tried to figure 
out what was wrong with the radio. She was sweating
profusely now and she could no longer stand the 
constant beating of her frantic heart. “Sir, Sir,
what’s wrong?” She managed to choke out the words.
 
“Colonel we have lost contact with Hammer, but I’m
sure it is just a malfunction. Relax, please.”
 
Mac prayed that nothing had happened to him. She knew
that she could not live without him. He was 
her reason for living, and she really needed him with
her. She whispered to herself “Come on Harm, 
please, come back to me.”
 
A static was heard on the radio as Harm turned on his
radio again. 
 
“Henry this is Hammer.” The sound of Harm’s voice made
Mac release a deep breath that she was 
holding.
 
“Tomcat zero four what is your status?”
 
“We have been hit! Our right wing has been severely
damaged and we are experiencing heavy 
turbulence. We are ten minutes away from the carrier.”
Harm yelled into the radio.
 
“Okay Rabb, do you think you can make it back on
deck?” The skipper
 asked.
 
“Yes, Sir. We will, but it’s not going to be easy.”
 
“Well…just get back.”
 
Mac had almost turned purple in the face as she heard
that he was hit, but she knew that he was 
confident that he would land safely back on deck. And
she believed he would.
 
TEN MINUTES LATER
 
“Henry this is tomcat zero four approaching carrier.”
 
“Zero four this is paddles, we see you. You are a
little low pick it up a bit.”
 
“Paddles how do we look?”
 
“Good zero four keep it coming.”
 
“Tail hook down?” Skates asked. 
 
“ Tail hook down.” Harm said. “Skates, we’re going to
make it.
 
“Knew you wouldn’t let me down, Sir. And that you
wouldn’t leave without telling the colonel that 
you love her.”
 
Harm smiled as he pictured Mac in his arms and their
kids running around their house.
 
The tail hook caught the wire as the jet landed on the
deck safely.
 
“Great job Hammer, looks like you still have some luck
with you.”
 
“Thanks paddles.” Harm smiled.
 
People from the bridge and from the flight deck
greeted Harm as he got off the tomcat. Everyone 
including a certain Marine Colonel had a smile on
their face.
 
“Damn it Hammer how many stunts like this one do you
have in you?” Paddles asked.
 
“Ha-ha, I can’t say, but hopefully enough to keep the
Navy on its toes.” Harm joked.
 
Everyone congratulated him and Skates for their great
job and the rest of the Raptor squadron came 
over to shake their hands.
 
Harm looked among the crowd as he caught Mac’s eyes.
He gave her that flyboy grin and winked at 
her. It wasn’t for another few minutes that everyone
resumed their duties. That was when Harm 
hugged Skates and whispered, “Thanks.” 
 
“No problem Harm, just make sure you waste no more
time. See ya around.”
 
Harm walked toward Mac who was now walking back toward
the hatch. He caught up with her and gently 
turned her toward him. 
 
“Hey, were you planning on going back inside without
me?” He smiled.
 
She smiled with tears in her eyes. “No, I was planning
on disappearing before you saw me crying 
again.” Harm gently wiped away her tears with a smooth
motion of his thumbs. His touch sending 
sparks up and down
 her body.
 
“Why are you crying, Mac? I’m back, see, no
scratches.” He motioned with his hands to his body.
 
“Yeah, but you almost didn’t come back. I had this
horrible vision that you were hit with that 
missile and you had no time to eject. I couldn’t take
it Harm, I almost lost you…again.”
 
“Yes, but you didn’t. I’m right here.” He moved closer
and enveloped her in a tight and warm hug. 
Mac cried silently as she felt him holding her. Tears
of relief engulfed her.
 
“Harm, I-I almost didn’t get to see you again.”
 
“I know, but I told you that I would try really hard
to be safe. And I’m never leaving you again. I 
love you Sarah Mackenzie.” Mac looked up from his
shoulder and stared into his eyes.
 
“I love you, too. And Harm…about Clay,
 um…”
 
“Don’t worry Mac, I had a feeling. And now that that’s
over and done with, I’m going to make sure 
that you marry me and no one else.”
 
“I’d hope you’d say that.”
 
“I’m never letting you go, Mac. Never.” He cupped her
face in both of his hands and moved closer to 
meet her lips. Their first real kiss as lovers was a
nice soft and caressing kiss. Their lips doing 
all of the talking that hadn’t been done for years. 
 
Harm moved to kiss her neck and made his way up to her
ear where he whispered “I love you.” And he 
kissed her again, but this time more passionately. A
sensual kiss that was surely not the first and 
very certainly not the last. They put their foreheads
together and just loved the fact that they 
had each other. “I love you, too flyboy.”
 
And so we see our two favorite JAG lawyers
 embarking on a new beginning.
 
~THE END~