Disclaimer: I apparently don't own any of them. Yup, wishes really don't come true.

A/N: I try to make my Harm & Mac fantasies come true in this installation. It's not that I'm trying to be humourous but if it's funny, it's mission accomplished. :) I realize that a) I don't really like seeing sad happenings between Harm and Mac b) a funny and easy-going pace is how I would prefer them to be in and finally c) isn't humour much easier on the heart for us Harm&Mac shippers? C'mon! Who agrees with me say "YEAH!"

And yes, reviews are good for the heart too.

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Fated to Wait

2315 Zulu

McMurphy's Tavern

"Mac and I have an announcement to make," Captain Harm slipped an arm around Mac.

Silence ensued among their friends.

"We're getting married."

Everybody's faces lit up; Bud, Harriet, General Cresswell, Coates and even Sturgis. They stood in a circle and congratulated them.

"Congratulations!" Coates beamed.

"Outstanding," said the General who raised his glass. "I knew you'd finally come around to the Marines."

Harm and Mac laughed.

"In either London, or San Diego," Mac pointed out.

"And for this marriage to be successful, one of us has to resign their commission," Harm said though they all already knew that in an instant.

"And, it's no surprise that we couldn't decide which one," Mac said rather sheepishly.

"So, we're going to let fate decide," Harm casts an affectionate look to his wife-to be.

Then he turned to Bud who then placed his glass down and dug into his pocket.

"When Admiral Chegwidden retired, he gave me his JAG coin. And I thought this would be the perfect moment to use it," Bud said smugly.

Everyone nodded as though the plan was genius enough to work. It was apparent how this was going to be resolved. Harm and Mac was letting a coin tell

their fate. Bud went through great lengths to show the two sides of the coin to everyone. He looked at Mac.

"Bride-to-be, will call."

The anxiety mingled with nervousness made Sarah dread having to make this decision. She leaned into Harm who stood by her like a pillar. She gave it a

moment's thought and figured, if Harm had a say in this, he would definitely pick 'Heads'.

"Tails," came her answer.

Harm smirked as though he'd predicted for her to say that. Bud was grinning as he prepared to toss the coin.

"I've always wanted to do this at the Superbowl!" he said. Here's goes."

All eyes were on the coin as it flipped up into the air. It seemed to be moving in slow-motion. At least, in the eyes of Harm and Mac, it did. For a moment, everyone stopped breathing. Then it made its decent. The coin fell and fell but instead of landing on Bud's outstretched hand, it went between his fingers like sand. There was an unmistakable 'thunk' sound as it hit the wooden floor, followed closely by the sound of the coin rolling away. Somehow, it managed to slip by the many feet that trudged along the tavern floor and seemed to vanish within the dark compounds of the bar.

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The JAG crew stood silent and in awe. Bud stared at his hand. His empty hand, and a sinking feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. Definitely not a good sign.

"What just happened?" said the lady behind the bar who noticed that they have been standing still for very long.

No one flinched. Harm's eyebrows knitted closely together as he made the first act of sucking in as much air as he could before he suffocates. Everyone else did the same. Mac was a little too stunned to say anything as her senses slowly regained it's sharpness. The General had cleared his throat and his hands were no longer raised. His drink left untouched by his side. Sturgis and Coates exchanged shocked glances but still, no one broke the silence. It took the guts and the frustration of Harriet Sims-Roberts to clear up this tension.

She stood up with arms akimbo.

"Lt. Commander Bud Roberts. How could you do this!" she chided her husband who blinked hazily at her. "I knew I should have been the one tossing the coin. You are just too clumsy to be having such an important job! You see now, where is the coin Bud. Where?"

"Uhh.. Harriet, I-"

"Don't you! I knew after seeing you play 'Monkey-In-The-Middle' with the AJ and Jimmy. Your fingers just couldn't hold it down. You've got butterfingers!"

Harriet threw her hands up as Bud slowly comes around.

"But honey, I didn't do it on purpose!" Bud protested.

"Harriet, it's okay," came Mac's voice. "Uhm, I'm sure we can still make a decision..without the coin," she hesitated.

"Oh Colonel, we might still be able to find the coin. I'm sure we can!" Bud stood up suddenly feeling terribly remorseful.

The rest seemed to nod and began a hasty search of the missing JAG coin.

"Excuse me sir," Sturgis said as he ducked under one of the tables.

"Uh hi, could you lift up your leg for awhile," Harriet smiled at a couple by the corner.

Harm and Mac was astounded but managed to shoot each other amused glances as their friends went all out just to find that coin. Despite the small confines of the bar, lit only by several dim spotlights, they doubt the coin could be found.

"So, what now," Harm turned and drained the last of his beer before turning to lean his back on the counter.

"Ahh... I'm not sure. Either we wait for the coin to show up or we decide which of us will resign," Mac sighed.

"Yeah? Neither of us could decide on that Mac. What makes you think we can now?" Harm glanced her way and chuckled at Bud who was annoying a man sitting by the window.

General Cresswell had retired back to the bar and took his glass.

"Well Captain, Colonel, looks like that marriage might have to wait."

"What made you think we can't decide on who'll resign?" Harm spoke slightly offended.

The General raised his eyebrows in amusement.

"Are you kidding? If it's one thing I'm sure about you two is that you can't agree on anything. Let alone decide on who'll quit," the General laughed at his own words.

Harm and Mac stared at each other and realized that he was right. They can never agree on such a drastic decision like this. Their jobs were on the line! They both knew they were too good at it to just let it go. After much searching, the JAG crew sighed in defeat. The coin was no where to be found.

"Sir, I promise I'll be back here in the morning to find it. It just.. it won't feel right if the decision was made any other way," Bud looked at Harm with

pleading eyes.

"Well Bud I'm just not sure if our plane ride can wait," he replied regretfully.

Everyone felt disheartened. Especially Bud who felt immensely responsible. He would not know what he would do if the Captain and Colonel decided to part ways. Heck he'd probably quit his job. He have resulted the biggest break-up in the history of JAG. It was unquestionable, Harm and Mac should have gotten together long ago. They were the talk of the office, their names were brought up by petty officers at lunch, by judges in their chambers, by their co-workers and friends. There was no denying that these two, were bounded by some strange fate.

And Bud Roberts have ruined it.

Or have he?

"Captain Rabb, I would be forever grateful if you would allow me to find that coin. If you don't Sir, I'd regret it for the rest of my life," he said as he stood as tall as he could.

Harm looked at his close friend whom he had known for years longer than he had known Mac. How could he possibly let his friend be miserable for the rest of his life? With one big sigh and his flashy grin, Harm pat him on the back.

"Bud, I can't let you live a life of regret all the way. So yeah, find that coin Lieutenant. And let me know once you got it," he smiled.

Bud heaved a sigh of relief. His wife shook her head and thought that was a close call. She could not imagine living with a miserable Bud!

"I'll help you find it Lt Roberts," Coates added in.

"I guess those cases will have to wait General. We've got a serious case on our hands right now," Sturgis winked at Harm who grinned.

General Cresswell looked at each of his commanding officers.

"Well, let us all go home and settle this matter in the morning then. I could use a warm bed."

With that, the JAG crew left the tavern. No one noticed the shiny JAG coin sitting idly in a small crevice of a wall at the far back of the bar.

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/TBC/