Title: Trip Down Under

Author: rooster dawn

Rating: G

Classification: Harm/Mac

Spoiler: Boomerang I & II

Summary: Harm fights with Mac and they come to an understanding.

Disclaimers: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.

Feedback is greatly appreciated and welcomed

part 1

8 Jan 00

Brumby's House

Australia

Brumby was sitting out on his back porch. He had come up with a wonderful plan to spend time with Sarah. An Australian sailor had been accused of murdering an American sailor twenty five years ago.

They had finally found the man responsible for the murder. The government of Australia would request a JAG representative to be sent as an observer to the trial. The sailor accused of murdering the American sailor told the government he was the American sailor.

The victim was an Australian sailor who had been accused of killing the American. That meant the body that was buried in the U.S. twenty five years ago would have to be exhumed and returned to Australia.

He would contact JAG next week and talk to the Admiral. He would request the Admiral to send Harm and Bud to observe the trial of the Australian sailor accused of the murder. Sarah wouldn't be involved.

After Harm and Bud left for Australia he would call the Admiral about the mistaken identities. The body that was sent to the US would have to be returned to Australia.

Sarah would want to accompany the body back. He then would arrange to have Harm and Bud some place else when she arrived in Australia. Since she wasn't involved with the defense, she could spend time with him.

It was a perfect plan. And if everything worked out right he would take her out to dinner and ask her to marry him.

11 Jan 00

JAG Headquarters

The Admiral called Harm and Bud into his office. He told them about the murder of an American sailor during the Vietnam War. They finally found the murderer.

"Commander, it seems that the Australian authorities have found an AWOL sailor who killed an American sailor twenty five years ago. They want someone to attend the trial." informed the Admiral"Yes Sir." replied Harm"You and the Lieutenant will represent the US Navy. Stay out of trouble Commander." ordered the Admiral."Yes Sir." replied Harm.

He decided to send Harm and Bud to Australia as requested by Commander Brumby who was representing the government.

When Sarah found out she was very disappointed not to be going along with Harm and Bud. It was the dead of winter in D.C. and she had a miserable cold. She would have like to have gone somewhere nice and warm.

13 Jan 00

Sidney, Australia

Two days later Harm and Bud arrived in Australia. They were supposed to observe the trial. They were told of the mistaken identity of the man and now would be in need of defense attorneys from Jag lawyers.

"He's an American Sailor Bugme. We have the right to prosecute him." declared Harm.

"The Victim was an Australian sailor. The crime was committed here. He will be tried here." argued Mic slurring half the words.

"We'll see about that." replied Harm.

A call was put into the Admiral. The Admiral agreed with Mic. The trial would be conducted in Australia.

They needed the body of mistaken sailor to be exhumed and returned to Australia for burial. Sarah volunteered and was assigned the duty of escorting the body back to Australia.

15 Jan 00

Sidney Airport

When Harm and Bud went to interview the sailor, they were told he had been transferred to a prison about an hour away. They could see the sailor at 1400 hours 15 Jan. Meanwhile Sarah was scheduled to arrive at 1330 hours 15 Jan.

When Sarah arrived in Australia she was disappointed not to see Harm waiting to greet her. Anytime they were away from Jag things were always better between them. Harm was more attentive to her needs and seemed to be emotionally closer.

She thought the time away from Jag would give them the chance to get the closeness back that they once shared before he left to return to the fleet and fly tomcats.

Instead She saw Brumby standing there with his shit-eating grin on his face. She wondered what he was doing there. He was standing next to a mud covered all terrain vehicle. She wondered where he was taking her. She walked over to Brumby.

"What are you doing here Mic? Where are Harm and Bud?" asked Sarah.

"They are at the prison interviewing the sailor. It was the only time they could see him. Let me take your bags and get you settled in your quarters." requested Mic.

"Okay." sighed Sarah.

"Would you like to get something to eat?" asked Mic.

"Yeah, I guess I could do with something to eat. It's been over twelve hours since I last ate." responded Sarah.

"We can go to the beach after we eat and get some sun." smiled Mic.

"Okay." said Sarah.

After Sarah change her clothes they went to a small diner overlooking the beach for something to eat. After they were finished eating Brumby took Sarah to the beach.

"Aren't you going to take off your top?" teased Mic.

"I wasn't planning on it. Why?" asked Sarah.

"This is a one piece bathing suit beach Sarah. Though it is okay if you don't want to. But when in Rome, do as in Rome." pleaded Mic.

"You are a sly devil aren't you Mic. I don't do things just because everyone else does it." smiled Sarah as she blushed. "You should know that Mic."

Several hours later Harm and Bud returned from visiting the sailor. They stopped at a bar on the beach to get a beer. Bud noticed that all the women were topless. Then he noticed a familiar face.

"Sir, I think I see someone we know." wailed Bud.

"I'm sure you do Bud." smiled an amuse Harm.

"Sir, It's Colonel MacKenzie." whined Bud.

"You're right Bud. It is Colonel MacKenzie. And she is with Bugme." said an upset Harm.

They walked over to the edge of the beach. Harm was a little shock seeing Sarah sitting there without her top on. But he was even angrier that she was there with Bugme. What was she doing here with that weasel? Sarah saw them at the edge of the beach. She got up and went over to Harm and Bud.

"Hello Harm. It's really beautiful here. And it's so nice and warm." smiled Sarah.

"Hi Sarah, What are you doing here?" asked a concerned Harm.

"I escorted the body back to Australia." smiled Sarah.

"I mean what are you doing here topless with Bugme? You wouldn't do that for me, would you?"

"Well when I arrived here at the airport you weren't here to greet me. I'm here with Mic because he asked me. Are you requesting me to go topless for you Harmon? Do you want me to?" asked Sarah.

Sarah gave Harm one of her special upturn lip smile that Harm loved so much to see. She was amused to see the reaction on Harm's face when he couldn't reply to her queries.

Harm was flustered. Sarah had caught him off guard. He hadn't expected her to be so candid and provocative. He liked it, but didn't know how to deal with it.

"Maybe we can talk about it later Sarah." mumbled Harm.

"Anything you say fly boy. I'm looking forward to it." smiled Sarah.

Later that night Harm took Sarah out to dinner. They had a wonderful meal. They didn't talk much. Harm was totally absorbed looking at Sarah. She was dress very nice.

Harm knew she was beautiful, but it always amazed him how beautiful she really was when she was out of uniform. After dinner they went out on deck of the ferry. Sarah was beaming.

She was away from the DC winter, in nice warm weather of Australia. She was feeling no ill effects of the nasty cold she had been suffering from all week.

It was a beautiful night and she was with the man she loved. They were far away from Jag and everyone they knew. Maybe they could explore their feelings for each other tonight.

"This is the bridge where they filmed From Here to Eternity." Harm informed Sarah as he looked up at the bridge.

"That nice Harm, we are 10,000 miles from Jag. Can't we talk about something more important." asked Sarah.

"Like what Sarah?" asked Harm.

"Couldn't we talk about exploring a new level to our relationship." asked Sarah.

She knew she was venturing into new territory, but she loved Harm and wanted more from him. She wanted Harm to love her. She needed to find out if he did.

"What do you mean Sarah?" asked Harm. He was not sure where this conversation was going.

"I have notice that our friendship has finally gotten back to where it was before you left to go flying tomcats. Am I right Harm?" asked Sarah.

"I would have to agree with you Sarah. I actually think that we have even gotten closer the last few weeks." replied Harm.

"I agree. That is why I think we should explore our feelings for each other while we're here in Australia. No one would know." hoped Sarah.

"We would know. We have regulations Sarah. No matter where in the world we are, we should respect those regulations. Even if there weren't any regulations against seeing each other I'm not ready yet." wailed an uneasy Harm.

"You are only using the regulations as an excuse Harm. Those regulations are only meant for men and women serving aboard ships together during times of war in a combat situation.

They weren't designed to stop two people who truly love each other from getting together and having a relationship Harm." cried Sarah.

"That maybe true but ... " started Harm before Sarah interrupted.

"Harm, there is no buts, it hurts me to keep seeing you have loving relationships with other women, having the type of relationship with them that I want to have with you.

Knowing that you love me as much as I love you, but you won't even consider having a loving relationship with me because you are afraid of commitment." wailed Sarah.

"You may be right Sarah. I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that kind of a commitment yet." responded Harm.

"Harm, I want to have a normal man woman relationship with you. Is that so wrong Harm?" asked Sarah tearfully.

"No it's not Sarah." replied Harm. He knew she was right, but he wasn't ready.

"Am I the only one you are this way with?" asked Sarah.

"Yes, if I was ready for a long-term relationship you would be the only one I would want to have one with. I don't want to ruin our friendship over some frivolous affair Sarah." replied Harm.

"I don't think it would be frivolous. I think we both want to explore our feelings for each other. How long do I have to wait for you to be ready Harm, eternity?" wailed Sarah.

"No, not eternity." replied a solemn Harm.

For the next couple of days Harm and Bud work on their case defending the sailor. At night Harm would have dinner with Sarah. They tried to behave as though nothing was wrong.

Harm wanted things to be the same as before they had their little talk, but Sarah was hurt. She put on a good face, but wished she was elsewhere. During this time Harm and Brumby were having verbal fights about what was best for Sarah. Particularly about who loved her more and who should have her.

"Harm, you know Sarah loves you. If you love her then tell her. But if you don't love her enough to commit to her then let her get on with her life. Stay out her life when it comes to her relationships with other men.

Let her see whomever she decides she wants to see. I love her and I could make her very happy if she would give me a chance. But that can only happen if you let her go." whined Mic.

"Whether I love her or not is immaterial here. The fact is you aren't good enough for her. You don't respect her as a person never less as a woman.

Sarah saw this in you the first time you open your mouth. She could never have a serious relationship with someone like you." sneered Harm.

What was wrong with this guy? Why couldn't he understand Sarah didn't like him? He was a pig. The man didn't respect women. They were only something for him to play with and toss away.

At this point they began to wrestle. Bud reached in to break them up, but Harm and Brumby were both throwing a punch at this point. Clueless, Bud took both punches in the jaw. His jaw was broken in several places.

When Harm and Brumby's superiors found out about the fight they were very upset. They were displeased with the unprofessional conduct of Harm and Brumby.

They had Harm and Brumby put into a close room. They were ordered to beat the heck out of each other until they hurt as much as Bud. The fight lasted about 30 minutes before they both were exhausted.