Dreams Part I: A Girl [Marine] Can Dream, Can't She?
Author: TxJAG_b aka TnJAGAz
Rating: G/PG
Classification: Romance/Story - Harm and Mac – A piece of fluff…
Summary: What if dreams come true…What if they don't – then what?
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of Donald Bellisario, Belisaurius Productions, Paramount Pictures and Columbia Broadcasting Service Entertainment – this story is for non-profit entertainment of JAG fans only. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.
A/N1: The idea for this part came to me while getting dressed this morning and remembering Chloe's lines about Mac having fantasies about Harm.
A/N2: This was my first fanfic story ever [first posted in the late spring-early summer of 2003], so I probably did not have all the characters down pat yet. This little tale, though AU, was based in reality. Paraguay happened, but things did not go the way they did on the show. Gunny has been temporarily assigned back at JAG Corps Headquarters and Harm did not go to the CIA.
A/N3: My thanks to JoshuaTree [my first beta] for reading this work and encouraging me to send it in.
Monday 1130 Local/1530 Zulu
Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie's Office
JAG Corps Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie came into her office after long weekend of reading legal briefs and reports. For anyone else this would have been torture, except for the fact that Mac spent the weekend doing this with her fellow JAG lawyer partner, and friend, Commander Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr.
They had shared breakfast and dinner together, going out for a walk in park both days at lunchtime to clear their minds and relax a little bit in the early summer sunshine. Saturday and Sunday had been spent looking at service records, depositions, fitness reports, evaluations, conduct reports, and witness statements but Mac couldn't think of anyone else she would have rather been doing this with.
When she turned on the lights, there amid the clutter on her desk, sat a small nondescript box, sealed with packing tape. Mac set down her briefcase in the chair next to her desk and looked at the box. There was no writing on the box.
Frowning, she picked up the box and looked at it. No note either. Now she was curious.
Taking the letter opener from her desk caddie, she slit the taped box open. Inside, she saw something wrapped in tissue paper. She pulled the paper apart and saw it was a teddy bear dressed in a dress Marine uniform. Attached to the bear was a note. Trembling slightly, Mac opened the note." To my little Devil Dog, Thanks for the great weekend." –H.
xixixixixixixixixixixixix
Her pleasant little daydream ended; the box was still unopened. Get ahold of yourself, Marine, Mac reprimanded herself, dismissing the notion. Nothing that special would happen. But what if it did? A little voice inside her asked excitedly.
Let's get this over with, her rational side reasoned. She grabbed her letter opener from the desk caddie and slit open the box. Peering inside, her anticipation sank into disappointment. The box contained videotaped testimony from witnesses who were on duty overseas.
Mac sat down in her chair and with a hiss of disgust, moved the box out of her line of vision. She would tackle those later…
1542 Zulu
Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie's Office
JAG Corps Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac was sitting at her desk going over reports…
"In reference to Colonel Marsh's comments about Sergeant Pulver, the Sergeant has displayed the utmost…blah…blah, blah, blah…."
Sarah MacKenzie stifled another yawn. Normally reading through reports like this didn't bore her so, but for some reason it was a real struggle to finish this one. She closed the folder and rubbed her eyes. Time for some more coffee, she thought as she picked up her cup, pushed away from her desk, and got up to walk over to her door.
As she entered the bullpen, Harriet looked up from her station, "Getting more coffee ma'am?"
"Yes Lieutenant," Mac smiled wearily as she headed to the break room.
"Rough weekend?" Continued Harriet with what Mac thought might be a little tinge of hope in her voice.
Mac quickly burst that balloon, "Preparing for the Pulver trial on Tuesday. Spent the whole weekend going over the case. Excuse me, Lieutenant," Mac headed into the break room.
"Sorry to hear that ma'am," returned Harriet dejectedly as she returned to typing at her terminal.
Mac walked over to the coffee machine. She lifted the carafe from its cradle and poured herself another steaming cup…
"Rough weekend?"
She turned around to see Commander Sturgis Turner walking in the room with his cup.
"Why is everybody so concerned about my welfare this morning?" Mac grumbled irritably. "First Harriet, now you-"
"Easy Mac," Sturgis countered evenly, cutting her off gently, "You just look at little-"
"Tired?" She snapped back, "Exhausted, green around the gills?" She turned around to face him, "Well for your information, since you must know, I spent the whole weekend working on Sergeant Pulver's case."
"I heard about that one." He crossed over to the machine and picked up the carafe, "Nasty stuff."
"You'd better believe it," She sighed, letting her defenses down temporarily, "Fitness reports, personal and medical leave reports, depositions, evaluations… Harm and I spent the whole weekend-"
Sturgis set down the carafe on the table and looked directly at her, "Whoa, back up there Mac, You and Harm-"
"Relax Sturgis," She quickly interjected, "Nothing happened," Was that disappointment in her voice?
"Are you disappointed?" He probed.
Dammit! She cursed herself, that sure as hell was transparent.
"No," She answered evenly, regaining her self-control and adding a touch of amusement to her voice, "We're just friends-"
"Mac-" began her friend in a disapproving tone. He knew better.
She looked at him with annoyance, "Look, nothing happened; we just spent the time going over the case…"
"The whole weekend?" Sturgis looked as if he couldn't believe what she was saying.
"Yes," She answered back, "The whole weekend," She tried another tactic to get him to change the subject, "Sturgis, we do this all the time…"
Sturgis though, was like a dog with his favorite bone, "Mac a weekend is forty-eight hours long-"
"Very good, Sturgis, I didn't know you could count," She broke in sarcastically before he could finish his thought.
It was time to end this, "Look I have to get back to work-can we discuss this later?"
With that, Mac picked up her cup and walked out of the small room. Sturgis looked after her, sighing and shaking his head. He turned back to the coffee maker.
Mac briskly walked back across the bullpen to her door. No one stopped her. In fact the bullpen was humming with activity and no one seemed to be paying any attention to her. That was good because at least they wouldn't have seen the color rising in her cheeks.
Mac opened her door and headed to her desk. She sat down in her chair and took a sip from her cup. Savoring the aroma, she opened the folder she had been working on and continued reading the report.
1553 Zulu
Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie's Office
JAG Corps Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac had finished three more reports in Pulver's file. She now reached yet another fitness report. PULVER, FRANCIS, SERGEANT, E-5, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS – FITNESS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2002.
Great, She thought to herself, Another one. How did I miss seeing this one before? She glanced at her watch though she really didn't need to. Oh well, less than ten minutes until lunch. I'll plow through this one and then take a break. She started reading the report. It contained the usual material -
That's when she felt the bulge underneath the next page. She turned it over and saw a white envelope. She stared at it as if it was some kind of ugly bug.
What's this? She pulled it out. No name or writing on it. The seal was unglued, so she reached in and pulled out what felt like a card
What in the- she looked at it –it was a card, a greeting card. It showed a cartoon character with serious look on his face 'There is just one thing I have to say…someone had put whiteout over the original words and written in … about this weekend…' Puzzled, she opened it up. The cartoon character had a big smile and a dreamy look on his face. 'Thanks'
Mac smiled and slowly shook her head chuckling. She felt a presence. Looking up, she saw Commander Rabb standing in her doorway, leaning to one side, arms crossed.
"It took you long enough to get to it Mac," He stated then flashed his patented Flyboy grin at her.
She grinned back herself, "What? This is from you?" She queried teasingly with a look of mock surprise on her face. "I thought Pulver had heard about our dedication this weekend."
"That hurt Colonel," a touch of mock sadness in his voice. "Well, I was wondering if you were going to find it before lunch…."
Her heartbeat quickened. "This ?" She tried to reply nonchalantly as she held up the card. "Why should I have found it before lunch? And what are you thanking me for? It was just work – what we did this weekend – we've done it a hundred times before –"
"I know," He added quickly not wanting to lose the momentum, "But it saved me from having to do my laundry and cleaning my apartment –something I really look forward to every weekend."
She chuckled again shaking her head and sighing, sometimes Harm said the silliest things…She crossed her arms and stared up at him, "So what you're saying is a weekend of reading reports with me is better than cleaning your clothes and straightening up your apartment?" She had to admit that his saying that did sound flattering, even if all they really did was just work…
She decided to see where this was going. "So why did you want me to find this before lunchtime?"
"Well," He began earnestly, "Then it would be easier for me to ask you out, to lunch, that is, if you would like to go…"
Mac was taken aback, "Lunch?" She quirked an eyebrow at him, "What are you proposing Counselor?"
"Nothing fancy, really." He smiled at her again showing her the basket he had been hiding behind his back, "Just lunch in park across the street – my treat" He added.
Well this is a pleasant surprise, She thought looking at him, "Okay," She smiled at him again, "But no leaves and twigs – I want real food."
"Well then, come with me." Harm held out a crooked arm to her. Mac looked unbelievingly at Harm. Was it her imagination? She closed her eyes and then looked again at him, No, the arm is still being offered. Smiling broadly, she got up from her desk and took his arm.
Harm and Mac walked out into the bullpen, where all work suddenly came to a screeching halt. A few surprised gasps escaped from some of the women.
Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez and Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Tiner who had been engaged in a friendly argument, looked as if they had been shot. Harriet shot out of her chair, her mouth a perfect "o" of surprise.
"We're going to lunch Harriet," Said Harm smiling at the Lieutenant's shock.
"We'll be in the park across the street if anyone needs us," Added Mac giggling as Harm guided her out the door, with his hand at the small of her back.
Everyone in the office stared out at the two officers as they got to the elevator. Mac and Harm waved happily at everyone as the elevator doors shut.
"Did you see that?" Noted Tiner, being the first to break the office silence.
"You didn't see anything Petty Officer and neither did the rest of us," Growled Gunny.
Harriet was still too stunned to say anything. She merely sat back down and began typing as a grin began to spread across her face.
1600 Hours
Mac's stomach growled as Harm lead her into the park. He stopped and looked at her in surprise.
Mac looked at him with an innocent smile. "I'm hungry," was her only response.
Harm chuckled and shook his head, "It sure sounds like it, come on over here, He lead her to a clearing beside two tulip poplar trees. The Commander set down the basket beside the picnic table. Opening it, he pulled out a red and white gingham blanket and spread it on top.
Mac started to open her mouth; a witty comment was on her lips -
"None of your smart remarks, Colonel." Not looking at her as he began to pull items out of the basket, "Just sit down and let me take care of this…"
Mac was stunned. She sat down at the table. Wow, she's only seen this side of him a couple of times and despite her feelings about male chauvinists, she wasn't angry with him. In fact, it was kind of intriguing.
Harm got out utensils, several small cups and a few sandwiches wrapped in wax paper.
She looked curiously at the wrapped sandwiches.
Harm smiled at her, handing her two of the packages, "Here, ham and chicken salad sandwiches for you-"
"And what are you having?" She asked looking over hungrily at the other wrapped sandwiches.
"Two tomato, bell pepper, lettuce, pickle and cucumber sandwiches," He smirked and offered one to her, "Want one?"
She smiled at him, he may have been brave enough to arrange this, but his eating habits were still the same "– No thanks, she shook her head, I'll stick with my meat salad sandwiches, Sailor."
"Suit yourself Marine." They began eating. Harm bit into his and then looked like he was choking.
Mac put hers down, her voice full of concern. "Harm! Are you okay?"
"Sorry," He swallowed what was in his mouth and cleared his throat so he could speak more clearly, "I almost forgot to give you this-"
He reached in the basket and handed her a small box that was taped shut.
Mac stared at the box as if it was something alive.
"It's for you," Harm quickly set his own sandwich down, "Go ahead Mac, open it."
Mac was sure Harm could hear the beating of her heart as she moved her hands toward the box. The Commander smiled as she took the box and began trying to pry it open.
"Here, let me help," Harm offered reaching over toward her.
"Harm, I'm a Marine," Mac pulled away from him. She had to fight to keep the excitement out of her voice; "I think I can handle opening a taped box…"
"Okay Marine," He replied, "But if you need help…"
Mac smiled the nicest smile at him to offset her comment, "Thanks, but I think I can handle this one by myself – oh…"
Easily tearing the top of the box open, revealed a teddy bear dressed in a marine soldier's uniform.
"I was passing through the Crystal City underground this morning," Harm began explaining, "And I saw this guy sitting in the window of a store…uh, Mac?"
Mac's eyes were riveted on the stuffed animal. She pressed his stomach and the Marine Corps Hymn began to play. Mac's hand flew to her mouth as her breath hitched…
"Mac?" The Colonel smiled as the song continued to play.
Harm reached over and touched her shoulder, "Earth to Mac…"
Mac looked up and Harm noticed her eyes were bright with tears.
Harm immediately felt like a jerk. "Hey, I'm sorry, I'd didn't mean to – Oh hey, now don't cry-"
"Just shut up and hug me, Flyboy," Mac brushed at the pesky tears, her voice husky with emotion. Harm got up and walked around to her side of the table and began to hug her. Mac's tears made trails down her face, as she held on tight to the Commander.
1650 Hours
Harm and Mac were laughing as they came in through the office doors. Mac was clutching her teddy bear.
"You and your sandwiches Harm,"
"Hey, cut me some slack, I gave you chicken and ham salad…"
"Yeah and you had that tasty garden salad special on wheat…"
"Are you criticizing my eating habits, Jarhead?"
"Just pointing out that your meals are unbalanced, Squid…you need some meat-"
"You mean dead animals? Oh Mac, that's-"
They stopped when they noticed everyone was staring at them. Harriet had a big smile on her face. Sturgis was smiling and shaking his head. Bud had a sly smile on his.
Coates smiled broadly as did Gunny.
"What's everyone looking at?" Harm was trying to throw them off.
"Something that should have happened a long time ago, Sir," Replied Bud.
The entire bullpen broke out in applause. Mac began to flush crimson, smiling shyly. Harm for once, was at a loss for words.
"Colonel! Commander! My office! Now!" Barked Admiral A.J. Chegwidden who had come out to see what the commotion was about. Everyone in bullpen scattered as people quickly buried themselves in their work
Mac looked worriedly at Harm. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled at her – it was his 'don't worry everything is going to be fine' smile. Somehow it made her feel better…
"Colonel! Commander! Right Now!"
xixixixixixixixixixixixixix
1555 Hours
"Colonel!"
Mac blinked. It was Harriet. She looked at her commanding officer, "Are you okay, ma'am?" She looked at what the Colonel was holding, "What's in the envelope?"
Mac looked down at the envelope. She reached in and pulled out a sheaf of papers, disappointed, she opened them and looked. It was a dissenting opinion on Pulver's November examination. Sighing heavily, Mac put the papers down.
"Nothing Harriet, just more on the Pulver case."
She looked sympathetically at her for a moment and then remembered the mailer in her hand.
"Oh ma'am, this came for you in the morning express mail…"
Mac smiled weakly and took the packet. "Thanks Lieutenant,"
Harriet started to turn to leave, but she turned back to Mac, "Ma'am? Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No Harriet," Mac spoke quickly, trying to hide her disappointment. The Lieutenant's crestfallen look made her feel guilty, so Mac looked at her with genuine appreciation, "But thank you…"
Harriet smiled a sad smile, "You're welcome ma'am." She turned to leave and saw a certain Naval Commander headed toward Mac's office that would certainly brighten her day. She closed the door and walked toward him.
"Harriet, is Mac in her office?" He asked with what she thought sounded like eagerness.
She smiled brightly at him, "Yes she is Sir, and she would probably really appreciate a visit from you right now."
"Oh yeah?" He arched an eyebrow at her, "Why do you say that?"
"She just seems like she's having a bad morning, Sir."
Harm smiled his patented Flyboy smile, "I'll see what I can do, Harriet." He knocked on Mac's door.
"I'm sure you will Commander," Said Harriet out of his earshot. She looked up to see Tiner and Gunny looking at her.
"Well?" Said Gunny looking at her.
"The Commander is talking to her," Harriet said briskly as she sat back down at her terminal.
"That's good," Interjected Tiner, "The Colonel has looked a little down," Harriet cut his eyes toward him, "Well, she has ma'am," added Tiner defensively.
Gunny looked at him and smirked. He turned back to his own desk.
"Petty Officer, the Colonel's personal life is none of our business," Harriet admonished the Admiral's yeoman.
"Yes ma'am, sorry ma'am-" Both could hear Gunny Galindez snickering
"Is there something funny, Gunnery Sergeant?" Harriet snapped in a cutting voice.
Gunny turned back toward her, chastened, "Uh no ma'am, Lieutenant, ma'am."
She looked sharply at both men. "Now look you two," As if she was admonishing two schoolboys, "If you don't want to get the Commander and the Colonel in trouble, you'll have to keep your personal comments about them to yourselves, read me?"
"Aye, aye ma'am, loud and clear,"
"Yes Lieutenant,"
"Let's hope the Admiral didn't hear that exchange," She turned back to her terminal and away from the two senior enlisted men.
She cast one nervous eye on A.J. Chegwidden's office. The door had not opened. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Mac heard the knock on her door. "Enter," Mac didn't look up as she pulled out yet another fitness report.
The door opened.
"Hey,"
Mac recognized that voice. Her heart began beating faster as she looked up, "Hey yourself," She smiled.
Harm smiled back, "What do you say to me taking you away from all of this?"
"I'm interested," She closed her folder while keeping her attention on him. A smile continued to play on her lips, "What did you have in mind?"
"Lunch… my treat," Replied Harm nonchalantly.
Wow, just like in her daydream! Easy girl…it's just lunch. Don't get carried away…
"All right Harm," She answered as calmly as she could, "Give me a few minutes to tidy up here, okay?"
"Sure thing, Marine," He responded, pleased that she accepted, "I'll wait for you out in the bullpen."
Harm opened the door and stepped back out into the outer office. Harriet tried not to look up as the Commander walked out of her office. She caught a glimpse of his smile. That and his demeanor spoke volumes. Good, he got through to her, she thought happily to herself.
Both Tiner and Gunny did their best to hide their smiles. Harm looked over at them, puzzled. Both men turned solemn and bent over their terminals as if there was something interesting on their display screens.
Harm sat down in the chair and waited for Mac to appear.
In a few moments, Mac's door opened and the Colonel stepped out into the bullpen. She looked around and saw the Commander waiting for her. A smile began to form.
"Okay Harm, I'm ready, where are we headed?" She hoped her heartbeats wouldn't drown out what he was going to say.
"How about Chinese?" Her countenance temporarily fell. He quickly added, "It just opened, they have a good lunch menu…we can go somewhere else if you like-"
She looked at him. Well it wasn't the park, but that was silly, Harm would never do anything like that. She smiled reassuringly at him, "Chinese is fine, Harm."
Relieved, his smile returned, "Well then, let's go."
"How far is it?" She asked as they walked to the door, "We only have fifty-five minutes and twenty four seconds you know,"
Harm rolled his eyes and shook his head "Just down the block," He began smiling again, "You'll really like it Mac."
Everyone in the office watched as Mac and Harm left. Harm held the door for her. As she went through, he put his hand in a guiding manner on the small of her back. They went over to the elevator and got in.
As soon as the doors closed, Gunny walked over to Tiner and whispered in his ear, "Five bucks says they're married in less than three years…"
Tiner looked at the Marine Gunnery Sergeant, "You're on."
PO2 Coates walked up to Harriet's desk, "Ma'am? Are the Colonel and the Commander finally getting serious?"
Harriet looked toward the elevator, "Maybe Coates, just maybe."
"Ma'am what about the fraternization rules? I mean the Admiral –"
"The Admiral has rooted for this as long as any of us, Petty Officer. We just have to make sure it doesn't disrupt the office –"she looked at Coates standing at her desk, "Did you have something for me to sign?"
"Uh, no ma'am, sorry ma'am." She headed back to her desk.
In his office, Admiral A.J. Chegwidden had heard all the exchanges. Tiner, by mistake, had left his door cracked open ever so slightly. Just enough for him to hear everything. A.J. looked at the bullpen over his reading glasses and sighed heavily. It sounded like Harriet had her hands full, but so far she was doing a good job. When it got out of hand, he would straighten everyone out. He thought about Harm and Mac and chuckled. He looked out the window and saw them walking down the street. Their hands didn't touch, but they did brush occasionally.
Playing with fire, He grumped to himself, smiling and shaking his head. The phone buzzed. The Admiral tapped the intercom button.
"Yes Tiner?"
"Sir, it's Ms. Cavanaugh on Line 2."
The gruff Admiral smiled, picking up the receiver, "Put her through,"
"Aye sir,"
The line clicked as he turned away from the window for a moment "Hello Meredith,"
"Hello A.J.," Meredith sighed on the other end.
"What is it darling?" Asked A.J. growing concerned, "What's the problem?"
The voice on the other end was wistful, "Honey I hate to do this, but I have to break our luncheon date."
"Oh, that's too bad," A.J.'s voice changed from concern to sympathy mixed with curiosity, "How come?"
"I have a conference with one of my graduate students and this is the only time she had free."
"Does it have to be today?" Exasperation was creeping in; he had really been looking forward to spending time with her.
"A.J.," The English Literature Professor's voice turned stern, "You know better,"
The Admiral smiled. There was no doubt; Meredith was as dedicated to her job as he was to his. "I'm sorry honey; I was just looking forward spending time with you right now."
He could see her smiling on the other end, "I'll be home early this evening and make it up to you, I promise." Then, without warning, suspicion crept into her tone. "A.J., did you see the Commander and the Colonel recently?"
The Admiral, who had started leaning back in his chair sat upright cleared his throat, and tried to change the subject. "The Commander and the Colonel? They left a few minutes ago for lunch." He hunched over the phone lowering his voice "…now Meredith please don't-"
"How are they doing?" She cut him off, her excitement growing; suddenly fear crept into her voice. "The Commander didn't do something romantic did he? Oh A.J.-,"
"No Meredith," He reassured her, chuckling and leaning back again, "They just went to lunch together, they do it all the time,"
"But you know how they feel about each other," She pressed her point. "He may decide today's the day."
The Admiral turned around and looked thoughtfully out the window, "Yes, it could happen that way," Then he remembered they were talking about Harmon Rabb, Jr. His pitch turned to a gravelly grumble, "But this is the Commander we're talking about…"
As the waiter left the table, Harm looked over at his partner and friend, who was taking a sip of her water.
"What?" Mac worriedly examined her blouse, "Did I spill water on my uniform?"
"No," Replied Harm good naturedly, "You didn't, I just-"
"You just what, Commander?" She quirked an eyebrow at him
"I just - well, I was going to give this to you later on," He said bringing out the small plastic shopping bag, "But now seems as good a time as any-"
Mac's breath hitched as she opened the bag. Inside was a teddy bear dressed in Marine dress blues.
-TBC…