Title: Leaving
Author: Pandora
Rating: PG
Series: JAG
Pairing: Mac/Webb
Spoilers: "Need to Know"

Discliamer: I don't own JAG or any of it's characters. The people who do know who they are. (Donald P. Bellisario, et al)

Note: I've never been one to "go with the flow" and stay with the usual pairings. Generally, I tend to lean a little to the unconventional side. If the idea of Sarah MacKenzie being with anyone except Harmon Rabb repulses you, read no more. This is a Mac/Webb fic. Response to the Muse Tails Christmas challenge.

Leaving
By Dolphin

Colonel Sarah MacKenzie stared at her lover in shocked disbelief, his words still settling in.

"WHAT?!" she finally managed. Flinching, Clayton Webb sighed, reaching for her hand. She moved out of his reach and glared at him, hurt obvious in every nuance of her expression.

"I have to go, Sarah. I've been reassigned." Because I defied orders and leaked classified information to your precious Commander Rabb. For you.

"For how long?"

"I don't know," he admitted. Probably forever. Until I get shot by some rebel somewhere. Lousy terrorists.

"I see." The question was lurking in her eyes: why? Why do you have to go? Why can't you stay? Webb sighed, taking her hands.

This time she let him.

"Sarah, I love you, and I would give anything to be able to stay. But I have to go… at least long enough to get my resignation through. It's the Federal Government, Mac. You know these things take time."

"I know… but I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, my love, which is why I'm going to give you your Christmas present early."

"You are?" she asked. He nodded, squeezing her hands tightly.

"Yes. Sarah…" Clay reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jeweler's box. Dropping to one knee, he opened the box and presented it to her, revealing the diamond ring inside. Sarah's eyes widened. "Will you marry me?" he asked.

"Yes, Clay!" She pulled him to her and they kissed, then he slipped the ring on her finger and they kissed, sealing their promise.

Sarah huddled in her coat, shivering in a light rain, watching as Clayton Webb boarded the plane that would take him out of her life, at least, temporarily.

I love you, Clay she thought, raising her cold fingers to her lips and kissing them when he turned for one last look. He returned the gesture, then boarded the plane.

Fighting tears, Sarah called in sick to work but Admiral Chegwidden pleaded for her to come in. She didn't want to go, but she grudgingly agreed.

She knocked on the Admiral's door but there was no answer, so she went straight to her office and closed the door, remembering one time when Clay had entered after hours. Everywhere she looked were little reminders of him, and she found herself fighting tears again.

Suck it up, Marine! She ordered herself, fighting against a second surge of emotions. There was a knock on the door and she looked up.

"Come in," she called. It was Rabb.

"You okay?" he asked. She nodded. No I'm not okay, Harm. Go

away./

"Mac, listen. I know Webb was reassigned."

"How?"

"He told me. Yesterday. He left this morning, didn't he?" he asked. She nodded. Harm handed her a small package.

"He asked me to give you this."

"Thanks," she said quickly. Rabb took the hint and left, as she tore the paper from the box. It was a heart-shaped diamond pendant, and a note. She read the note, fingering the pendant. It was heart-shaped, encrusted with diamonds and gold, delicate, beautiful.

Sarah:

I'll be home for Christmas. This doesn't count as your gift…

Love,

Clay.

Smiling now, Sarah closed the box and went home, hardly able to wait. Santa Claus was coming… and so was Clayton Webb.

Finis