NEXT 100 YEARS

Rating: M. The only reason is language. But it is quite strong, and some people felt offended. That's why it's no longer T.

Summary: A couple of scenes just after "Fair Winds and Following Seas". They think they've finally made it, but nothing has ever been easy for Harm & Mac. Will be shipper-friendly eventually. The beginning is a little rough, though.

Spoilers: "Fair Winds and Following Seas" only, I suppose. But it's post-finale story, so basically any episode can be referred to.

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be (sadly :P).

A/N: I'm assuming that McMurphy's is in DC, as I've never seen its location being mentioned. If you know it isn't true, please correct me (the real McMurphy's (the only one I've managed to find at least) is in LA, but we'll just pretend we don't know it, right?;)).

A/N: This is my first fanfic, so any suggestions are very welcome. I would also love to have a beta-reader for this story (preferably a native speaker of English). If anyone's interested in the job, please drop me a line.

CHAPTER ONE

0403 ZULU

MCMURPHY'S TAVERN

WASHINGTON, DC

The people gathered in the bar, including AJ Chegwidden who joined the group a short while ago, watched intently the JAG coin as it danced in the air. Everyone had the impression that it took ages before it finally reached the floor with a soft clink.

'That's it, then,' Harm thought. "Bud, would you announce the result?" he asked looking at Mac questioningly at the same time. When she nodded Bud bent down, picked the coin up to show it to everyone and pronounced only one word: "heads".

Six pairs of eyes immediately turned to Harm and Mac. He was beaming, his loving gaze all the time fixed on his almost-fiancée. Mac was smiling; a smile that she thought would fool everybody.

It's not that she wasn't happy. Just a couple of moments ago she was on cloud nine. Nothing could mean to her more than being with Harm. But her job was practically all she had up till now. Therefore, she couldn't help feeling a sting in her heart when she thought about leaving her military career.

Still, ignoring all her doubts, with a happy expression plastered to her face, she said: "That makes it London, I guess." She would suck it up. She was a Marine. She could do it.

The instant the announcement was made, the small crowd started cheering. They were all happy for their friends. None of the people present at McMurphy's that night (including Harm and Mac) knew why it had taken them such a long time to come to their senses and admit their feelings for each other. That's why "it's about time!" was the phrase repeated endlessly in between the congratulations and hugs offered to the couple.

"May I have this dance?" Harm asked Mac after the excitement level had finally dropped down. She smiled, nodded and extended her hand to him, but didn't look up. In fact she hasn't looked anybody in the eye since the result of the coin toss had been announced. Harm had been observing her all this time and didn't like what he was seeing. To their guests she seemed simply happy, excited even. But he knew her better than that. He had noticed that her smile, although breathtakingly beautiful as always, didn't quite reach her eyes. Deep inside he suspected the reason for this. In fact, it was why he had asked her to dance. Of course being close to her was a bonus, which he was very much looking forward to, but first of all they needed to talk. Without witnesses, if possible.

As they swayed to some slow tune, Harm braced himself and asked: "You okay with this?"

"Okay with what?" She knew perfectly well what he was referring to, but didn't want to have this conversation. The last thing she was going to allow herself was to appear weak. She could handle her insecurities on her own.

"The outcome of the coin toss", he replied. He was concerned about her. He realized how many times he had hurt her in the past and didn't want that to happen ever again. And now it looked like the resolution to their little "location" problem that he suggested was becoming another bad decision of his. He wanted to do everything he could to fix it. If she so much as said a word now, he would leave the Navy without having second thoughts.

"Why would I not be?" She started being defensive. Accepting fate's verdict that night was the hardest decision in her life (tied only with the one to dry out). She was not going to have him question it. Especially after she had come to him earlier and practically forced him to finally talk about them.

"I don't know…" It was becoming increasingly difficult for him. "I… I just thought that maybe if you felt uncomfortable, we could just cancel this stupid coin toss…" 'I could resign my commission and we would simply go to San Diego.' That was what he intended to say next. But he never got the chance to do so, as Mac slapped him on the face with all she had in her. And only after she had done it, did she really look at him.

"You fucking bastard!" she shouted breathlessly. "I sacrifice my whole life for you and you simply call everything off! I can't believe I was naïve enough to think that you would finally let go! But no, not Harmon Rabb, Jr. – the champion of non-commitment and backing away! And you know what? After all it's good you haven't given me an engagement ring. At least I don't have to return it now! Goodbye, Harm. Don't call." By the time she had finished her tirade, the tears were streaming down her face at full speed. She stared at his dumbfounded expression for a few seconds and then stormed out of the bar.