TITLE: Miracles Happen

AUTHOR: Clairisant

CLASSIFICATION: AJ/Mac

FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback, but please try to be kind and constructive. Clairisant

CREDITS: A special thank you to my beta readers Qupeydoll, Julie, and Lora.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm altering the show time line just slightly. Everything up to Hail and Farewell is the same, but the timing in that episode and following is changed.

Chapter 1

Friday, May 21, 2004

2100 EST

AJ's retirement party

It was the night of the Admiral's retirement party and they really should have been inside with all the others celebrating with him, but instead they were sitting alone out on the patio because Harm had said he needed to talk to her. So Mac sat there waiting, looking at him, and wondering why he looked like he was trying to gather up his courage for what he was about to say.

Finally after seven minutes of silence, he spoke, "Mac, I know we've been trying to figure out this thing between us for quite a while now and a lot of that can be laid at my door. We've had so many roadblocks along the way, but I think you know how I feel about you. I know this is really soon after you just lost Clay, but in a way that was a part of why I wanted to ask you this now. Another part is that I have Mattie in my life and I really think I'm finally ready to settle down and start a family." He paused to take a deep breath and then asked, "Mac will you marry me?"

Having guessed what he was leading up to about halfway through his speech, Mac wasn't completely surprised by the question. She did, however, wonder at his timing. Having just learned of Clay's death, she would have been devastated by the news if she'd truly loved the spy. But maybe it had taken his death to show her that her feelings for Clay had just been on the surface. She was sad he was gone, but no more so than if it had been any other friend. Now though, she needed to focus on the moment and give Harm an answer. "Harm, do you remember all the pain I was in last week?"

"Sure, but what has that got to do with this?"

"Quite a bit actually. I learned that I had endometriosis and even though I had it taken care of over the weekend, my doctor informed me that the chance I will ever be able to have a child is very slim to none. So, if you were counting on a little Harmon Rabb the Third, then I'm most likely not the woman you want."

"Oh," he said softly and sat there quietly thinking over what he'd just learned. He had to admit that he did want a son to carry on the family name. Although it didn't have to be Harmon Rabb the Third, but that would've been nice. But here was his Ninja-girl telling him that she wouldn't be able to give him children. What was he to do? Did he love her enough to put that dream aside?

Mac watched Harm consider what she had just told him and decided to help him out. "Harm, I know that's a lot to lay on you at once. Why don't you think about it tonight and we can meet for lunch tomorrow. If you still want to marry me you can ask me again then, and if not, don't and we can forget it was ever mentioned."

"I really don't want you to think that was all I wanted from you Mac, but it was a big part of my dream of the future. If you're sure you don't mind me thinking it over, I guess your plan is a good idea."

"I'm sure, Harm. Think about it tonight and we'll meet tomorrow. But right now we should probably get back in there. This is supposed to be the Admiral's night and we are ignoring everyone."

"Yeah I guess so, I just wanted to be able to announce our engagement tonight," he said as he got to his feet and held out a hand to her. The two of them walked in together, but Harm left her side almost as soon as they got in the door, saying, "I need a drink."

Mac looked around the room for the man of the hour and didn't see him. She did however spot Harriett and knew that if anyone knew his whereabouts, she would. "Harriett, is the Admiral here?"

To be continued…..