Disclaimer: I do not own Harm, Mac, and the rest of the JAG characters. Those are the property of Donald P. Bellisario. However, I do own the characters Lisa Marshall, Hank Marshall, and Dan Wilson.

Note: This is the sequel to "The Gift." If you haven't read that yet, I suggest you do or you won't really know who Lisa and the others are. On a slightly different note, to keep with how that story went, you'll soon see (in the next chapter) where some of the characters have now ended up i.e. Harm's new position and Lt. Singer.

Also, thanks to Browneyeez and Whiteowl for being beta readers! You guys are the best!

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Beginnings

Chapter One: Decisions

By Ann Parker

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1738 PST

19 March 2003

Interstate 15

Near San Diego, California

A set of emerald eyes stared through a pair of sunglasses at the traffic in front of them. They closed briefly as their owner leaned back and sighed. God how she hated traffic jams. Grabbing a hair tie out of her purse the woman quickly pulled her butterscotch hair off her neck, as the sun shone brightly on her. She slowly moved with the crawling traffic and stopped again, after ten feet.

"Wow, that was helpful," muttered Lisa. She was growing very impatient with this…and her life. She'd spent the whole day working on mind numbing transfer papers. Paul, her boss, really didn't want her to go. This paperwork was clearly his revenge. She understood his concerns, fearing that she would find a better and bigger company to work for and leave him. She didn't see that happening. The fact that it was a smaller company, yet still had a strong client base was what appealed to her. Because it was smaller, it allowed her to form more personal relationships with her patients, which she used on their road to recovery. Her location wouldn't change that. Even though he seemed to finally understand this, he still wasn't happy. That led to what seemed like years of sitting at her desk and filling out forms. When she was finally able to leave her office, she took all her stuff with her. Her last day there was real exciting…she got a small cake, a stack of papers, and a migraine.

Now, she headed home for a long weekend of packing. At least Paul had been nice enough to let her leave on a Wednesday and not force her to complete the week. This was the first real chance she had to organize for the move since Christmas. In the middle of January, she had been sent to Texas and remained there for little over a month. Upon her return, she talked to Paul about transferring to DC. It had taken her a few weeks to convince him and when he finally said yes, he told her she had two weeks to get there. Like that was an easy task. Luckily, Lisa expected that kind of reaction from him and that was why Harm was already looking for a place for her. She also had to keep the part about Dan moving with her out of it when talking to Paul. He was the only patient she had ever crossed the line with, and Paul didn't need to know unless they were getting married. And the way they were going, she didn't see that happening.

Christmas had been great, but since then all they seemed to do was argue. After the party, she and Dan had talked about moving there. He seemed perfectly happy with the idea at the time. Now, every time they talked, she had to convince him to come. He kept trying to get her to move to Chicago, saying that he couldn't leave his job. She wondered what happened to the man that said 'I need to be around you everyday and I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen, even quit my job and move where ever you want to go.' Why was he now taking it back? She knew that she was being a little unreasonable, but she didn't care. It was about time that she put herself first and thought about her own happiness. She knew being around everyone in Falls Church was a key step in reaching that, while at the same time wondering if the relationship with Dan really was. Was it really worth saving, especially after their fight last week? They hadn't spoken since. Sighing, she changed the radio station while she waited to get home.

~~~~~

2115 EST

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown

Harm and Mac rose from the table when they finished eating. Since Christmas they spent almost every moment possible together, especially their evenings. The fears they once had of a romance affecting their friendship were gone. They were completely comfortable with the new direction they were traveling and this reflected in their work. Rumors of a wedding led to a new office pool. Both simply ignored the chatter and were content in their relationship, knowing this was the one that would last forever.

They headed into the kitchen and continued their conversation. "I can't believe Gunny is coming back to JAG," said Mac as they put the plates into the kitchen sink. This morning they learned the Marine's tour was finished. He was coming back to Headquarters tomorrow. Mac, of course, was very happy.

"I'm glad to have my marine back at Headquarters. There is too much blue walking around now." Harm laughed, placing a hand on the small of her back as they walked into the living room.

"I bet there is." Mac stuck her tongue out at him and he rolled his eyes. "Hey, remind me to get some more of my clothes tomorrow."

They sat down on the couch and immediately curled up next to each other, enjoying the closeness. They had waited so long to be in each other's arms and now they savored every moment.

"Will do, we don't need you to be chewed out by the Admiral again for being late, like you were on Monday," Mac replied with a giggle. Harm rolled his eyes.

"Well, what could I do? I had nothing clean to wear. Everything clean was at my place and I was here with you, so I had to run home first." Mac wiggled slightly out of his embrace and raised an eyebrow.

"Would you rather not be here with me?" she questioned. Harm shook his head and kissed her.

"Of course not, I guess I'm just saying it would be easier if all my stuff was here," he murmured against her lips. Maybe she wouldn't catch his meaning if she weren't ready to move in together.

That didn't happen, "You want to move in together?" she asked, praying he'd say yes. He nodded and kissed her again. He really wanted more, but this was a start. "Whose apartment?"

"Well, since half of my stuff is already here, I'll move the rest lease out my loft," Harm replied.

"But you've put so much work into that place, are you sure you want to give it up?"

"I'll make sure the new tenant will take good care of it," he replied with a hint of laughter. Mac simply rolled her eyes. Lightly smacking his arm, she watched as his eyes suddenly lit up.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, knowing some idea was brewing.

"Lisa called a few weeks ago about finding a place for her and Dan. They would be perfect," he stated.

"Wait, repeat that. Lisa and Dan are moving out here? When did that happen?" inquired Mac. Lisa had only told Harm about the moving plans, just in case they fell through. Because of that, Harm looked a little doubtful.

"I didn't tell you that?" he asked innocently. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind. She's been thinking about it since Christmas, but kept it quiet in case it fell through. That way only I would be disappointed. Anyway, she finally got her boss to agree. I think she had Dan convinced to come too, but I'm not positive."

"Well, I'm glad she'll be out here. Although, I doubt Dan will come," Mac stated Harm raised an eyebrow as she continued. "Well, there was something about them at Christmas. They seemed to love each other, but it didn't appear to be long term. I was talking to Dan after we sang carols and he seemed settled and happy in Chicago."

"But after the party she told me he was willing to quit his job and move here with her," Harm countered.

"He might have been at that time, but it has been a few months Harm. We may be ready to move in together, but I don't think those two are."

~~~~~

Same time, PST

Lisa Marshall's residence

San Diego, California

The silver convertible pulled up to an apartment complex and parked. Lisa grabbed all her stuff and quickly entered the building. She made a beeline to the elevator and within seconds was waiting to reach the third floor. A soft ding was heard and the steal doors of the elevator opened. Lisa's black heels clicked on the tile floor as she reached her door, 3B. She dug out her keys and unlocked her door while balancing all her paperwork. Unfortunately, as soon as she entered the apartment she tripped over something and dropped the papers.

"Dang it," she mumbled as she bent down to pick them up. She glanced around to see what she tripped on. It was one of her boxes. "Could this day get any worse?" she groaned. She moved the box to the stack of others and then went to find some food. "Thank god for takeout," she said to herself as grabbed the leftover Chinese food and popped it into the microwave. While she waited for it to finish she looked around her mess of an apartment. Boxes and trash bags everywhere and things half packed. Boy did she have her work cut out for her. Her eyes landed on her CD collection and she sighed, remembering what happened when she was packing it last week.

~~~

"Dan, you were willing to move in December, what has happened in these three months that you won't go now?" she asked her boyfriend over the phone. It was really the only way they communicated now. The visits back and forth had ceased. She was sitting on her floor, stacking up her CDs to box up.

"I got this promotion, L. If I move I'll lose everything I've worked so hard for," Dan countered on the other end. Lisa sighed, halting the moving of her R&B stack.

"What about us, Dan?"

"You could move to Chicago," he replied quickly. She rubbed her forehead. Again with the Chicago business, didn't he remember why she wanted to move to DC in the first place?

"Honey, I want to move to DC, remember? That's where all my friends are."

"You mean that is where Harm is," stated Dan, venom in his voice, a tone she had never heard before. She didn't like where this was going.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" she asked. After all this time, he couldn't possibly be jealous, could he?

"You know what I mean. You want to be with Harm, it is as simple as that," he countered.

"Yes, I want to be around Harm. He is like a brother to me, you know that. Why is that a problem?" she set down the CDs and stood up, beginning to pace. Where was this coming from? He had never questioned her relationship with Harm before. It was as if he was trying to upset her and start a fight.

"A brother…sure." Dan stated Lisa froze. He didn't just say that. How could he?

"I can't believe you, Dan. If you really feel that way then why are we even talking about living together? If you can't trust me with Harm, then I don't want to be with you," she yelled. Frustrated tears stung her eyes.

"Lisa I—"

"Dan, don't. I'm tired of arguing with you." She hung up the phone and sunk down on her couch, crying.

~~~

The microwave beep brought her back to the present. She sighed, wiped the few tears she hadn't notice fall, and grabbed her food. They hadn't spoken to each other since that night, but she refused to believe it was over. They just needed to talk things out she decided, as she picked at her shrimp chow mein. The sound of a ringing phone snapped her out of her current train of thought. Instead of letting it ring a few times, as she normally did, she leaped at it, nearly tripping over some things in the process.

"Hello?" she answered after the first ring, praying it was Dan.

"Lisa?" questioned Harm. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Hi Harm," she replied and took her half-eaten dinner into the kitchen to pitch. "What's up?"

"Well, I have place for you if you're interested," he replied. He knew she never answered after the first ring, something had to be bothering her. Yet he decided to let it go for now.

"That's great! Where is it?" she asked. Good ol' Harm, always coming through.

"Actually, it's my place. Mac and I are going to move in together and I thought you and Dan would like to take my place," he replied. Lisa smiled to herself, she should have seen that coming. "Which reminds me," continued Harm quietly when he was sure Mac was in the bathroom, "did you get that package from my mom?" Harm could hear a giggle from the other end.

"Yes, Harm, I got the package," Lisa replied. Both were silent for a minute until Lisa spoke again. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't Dan and I come for a visit on Friday? You know, see the new place, pick out paint, deliver your package, visit and help you pack?" That's if Dan agreed, she thought.

"Good idea. Just let me know your flight schedules and I'll come pick you guys up," he replied, receiving an odd look from Mac whom had just returned.

"Will do, I'll see you later Harm. Tell Mac and the rest hi for me." She hung up and immediately headed to her computer. She needed tickets to O'Hare and Dulles for the next two days ASAP. Hopefully, Dan would talk to her. They had some decisions to make.

"Who are you picking up?" asked Mac as she sat down next to her boyfriend, soon-to-be roommate.

"Lisa and Dan, she was going to see if they could come out on Friday to check out their new place. She said hi, by the way," Harm replied, wrapping his arm around her.

"That's great," Mac commented. Harm nodded and sighed. "What's wrong?"

"I think something was wrong with her, she was a little edgy when I mentioned Dan. Maybe something has already happened between those two." Harm advised.

"We'll know soon enough, won't we?" she said. Harm nodded as she pulled him off the couch. "Come on, roomy. Let's go to bed." He smiled and they headed to their bedroom.

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Okay, love it? Hate it? Yes, if you noticed things aren't great between Dan and Lisa. I decided a perfect relationship just wasn't going to cut it with them because most long distance relationships don't work. Who knows, maybe there is someone else in her future. Please tell me what you think!!