Title: A New Life
Author: rooster dawn
Classification: Harm/Mac
Spoiler: n/a
Summary: After a scare Harm and Mac begin a new life together.
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
JAG Headquarters
The Admiral had just finished having a conversation with Clayton Webb. They had recently learned that Mac had moved the ring from her right hand to her left hand. She was officially engaged to Mic Brumby now.
Neither one of them was particularly please with this turn of events. Neither one of them like Brumby as a potential mate for Mac. He was an arrogant and obnoxious person who rubbed people the wrong way.
They really didn't believe that Mac was in love with him enough to marry him. They knew the love of her life was a former naval aviator turned lawyer, one Harmon Rabb Jr.
But for some unknown reason they both were behaving like stubborn spoiled children. Neither one of them was talking to the other.
They both were in love with each other, but they were playing a game of chicken that neither one knew how to get out of without losing face or each other.
The Admiral and Webb had to think of a way to change that. After much discussion they came up with a plan.
"So Webb, what is this plan that you've come up with?" asked the Admiral.
"We start by putting the Roberts in a safe house. We tell them it's for their own protection. A group of militiamen from the Brotherhood of Freedom wants revenge for putting their leader in prison." replied Webb smartly.
"That sounds plausible." replied the Admiral.
"After a month we'll tell Rabb and MacKenzie that the Roberts are afraid for little AJ. We'll tell them the Roberts want them to look after him while they're in the safe house." continued Webb.
"This plan sounds good so far." smiled the Admiral.
"After two weeks we will tell Rabb and MacKenzie that the militia is after them too. We will have to put them in the witness protection program for next few years until the threat has been eliminated." smirked Webb with a very big grin.
"What are you going to have them do?" asked a concerned Admiral. If they were lawyers, sooner or later they would draw attention to themselves.
"I've talked to some people at a small private University in the state of Washington. I have arranged for two teaching position in the law department. We will give them new names, David and Catherine Harmon. AJ will be their adopted son, Andrew." replied a serious Webb.
"Are you planning on having them get married or are they going to pretend to be married?" asked the Admiral irately.
"I think having them get married is the best way to go. I think they would be too inhibited to express their love for each other if they weren't. They would probably chicken out thinking that eventually they would return to JAG.
Besides it's what they really want. They are playing a dangerous game of chicken right now. I think they are waiting to see who will cave in first.
Unfortunately they are both very stubborn individuals who might miss out on the best thing in their lives that will ever happen to them." replied Webb with a sense of regret.
"That's very true. We can't let things continue to go as they are now. They have something very special, I don't want to see them blow it." responded the Admiral.
A month later The Admiral had Tiner call Harm and Mac into his office. Webb was standing by the window with hands in his pockets. When Harm and Mac entered the office they saw Webb, they wondered what was wrong. Harm gave a look to Mac, what's happening, her look in return told Harm she didn't know.
"Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered Sir." bellowed Harm.
The Admiral gave them a look of dread. It looked like he was going to tell them some very bad news. Harm and Mac looked uneasy as the Admiral told them "At ease, please take a seat both of you."
"What's Webb doing here Sir? Does he have news about Bud and Harriet." asked Harm uneasily.
"Yes, he does have some news. It's not good, Webb." replied the Admiral.
"As you know the Roberts have been in a safe house for the past month. As time has past the Roberts have been worried that something might happen and little AJ could be killed.
There was a break in at the house they were at. We were able to get there in time to get them out okay. They would like the two of you to look after him until they're able to come home." commented Webb calmly.
"We'd be happy to look after little AJ. Bud and Harriet are two of our best friends. We would do anything to help them out. Do you know how long they might be staying in the safe house." asked a curious Mac.
"No I don't. There is no way of knowing. The threat needs to be eliminated first. It could be a few weeks or it could take years. Are you in agreement with the Colonel, Rabb?" asked Webb.
"Yes, I would do anything for little AJ, Bud, and Harriet." replied Harm.
"Well I'm glad you said that." replied Webb.
"Why Webb?" asked Mac. She wondered what was going on. What did he want?
"We brought little AJ to Jag from the safe house to give to you and Rabb to take care of. Then we got a tip that the militia is after both of you also. They want both of you dead." commented Webb quietly.
"Oh my god! I don't believe it." cried Mac.
"We are going to put the two of you along with little AJ in the witness protection program. You will be assigned new identities, David and Catherine Harmon and their son Andrew.
You both will be teaching law at a small private university in Washington. You will not be able to make contact with any family members or friends during this time. We will inform them as necessary that you are safe and doing well." explained Webb.
"You mean you want Harm and I to live together as a married couple?" asked Mac with a scared look.
"Yes." replied Webb.
"But I'm engaged to Mic." responded Mac desperately.
"You just told me you would do anything for the Roberts. And besides you really don't want to marry him anyways." smiled Webb.
"Yes but ... " started a perplexed Mac.
"There are no ifs, ands, or buts. Your safety is our first priority. The Chaplin will be here this afternoon. Webb has sent his men to clean out your apartments and pack up your belongings. Anything concerning your time in the service or you identities will be stored away." ordered the Admiral.
"What about Mic?" asked Mac solemnly.
"What about him. Don't worry we'll talk to him. He's just S.O.L.. This is for your own safety Colonel. We're taking this threat very seriously. I suggest you do the same." bellowed the Admiral.
"We'll tell Brumby that you have been assigned a deep undercover cased that could last anywhere from three months to several years." replied Webb. Hoping that would convince her.
"What about our families? Will we be able to contact them?" asked Harm.
"No. We'll tell them the same story that we'll tell Brumby." replied the Admiral.
"This is really weird." replied Harm.
It didn't seem real. Bud and Harriet were nearly killed. He and Mac were going to take care of Aj. And now they were going to be living together as man and wife under the witness protection plan. What else could happen?
"It's 1130 hours. Why don't the two of you go and grab some lunch and be back here by 1300 hours." ordered the Admiral.
"After you're married and you changed your clothes, you will be taken to Dulles International for a 1430 hours flight to Washington non stop. Good luck to both of you." continued Webb.
Harm and Mac left Jag and went to lunch. They went to one of their favorite out of the way Italian restaurant. While they ate they talked about the events of the morning and what was about to transpire that afternoon. They were very confused and worried.
"I hope Bud and Harriet are alright." started Mac.
"I'm sure that they are okay. I think they're just concerned about little Aj. Webb's people will do a good job keeping them safe. I think that Bud and Harriet just want to make sure that he's safe." replied Harm seriously as he tried to keep up a brave front.
"I'm sure you're right Harm, but I'm still worried, particularly since they want to move us across the country." replied Mac with an uneasy smile.
"It'll be alright Mac. We'll just treat it like a new adventure. Hopefully without the dangers that we usually seem to find ourselves in." chuckled Harm as he tried to get Mac to relax.
"It's been a long time since we've had an adventure together. It might actually be fun, but why are they marrying us now. Especially since I'm engaged to Mic?" asked a confused Mac.
"They have been trying to hook us together for fives years now. You know that. So now with this crisis they have the perfect opportunity to do something about it. We can look at it as a trial run." smiled Harm.
"What do you mean as a trial run? We weren't looking to get married before. What are you talking about Harm?" asked Mac.
"Well first of all it will give you the opportunity to cater to a man's needs. If you can't satisfy me you surely won't be able to satisfy Mic." laughed Harm smugly.
"I'm suppose to satisfy you Stick boy? Yeah right. Aren't you being conceited. The man who can't let go. I think it should be the other way around. You're the one who owes me flyboy." chuckled Mac with a smile.
"I think you know what I mean Sarah. I've always thought of you as being special. I only wanted you to be yourself. I only wanted you to be happy. If you're happy then I'm happy." smiled Harm.
"That's so sweet flyboy." smiled Mac coyly.
"Mic on the other hand I don't know about. I don't think he knows who you really are. And what he does know he doesn't respect. I know he cares about you but I don't think he really loves you the way you need to be loved.
A beautiful and intelligent woman deserving of total respect not as a trophy wife." replied Harm lovingly.
"I think I understand what you're saying. You may be right. Which explains why I don't think I love him like the happy ever after love." replied Mac sadly.
"May be then this is a good thing." questioned Harm hopefully.
"May be." replied Mac.