Title: Before Tax Day

Authors: SarahRabb [Lhoatland ] and Pat Steiner [SSbpMN ]

SUBJECT: The Prequel to Tax Day, how it all began

Rating: M, smut-light

Disclaimer: JAG belongs to CBS et all. No copyright infringement is intended. The following is for entertainment only.

"So go already," Harm shouted at Renee's back, in a voice too loud for public use but he was past the point of caring. She had frustrated him since the moment he had found her boarding their flight. Plus the image of Mac admitting her identity to save her was still haunting him. He pushed his way into the bar, and was surprised to find Mac sitting alone at a small table, liquid refreshment in front of her. "Mac?" he questioned her, unable to keep from wondering if she was drinking, and if so why.

"Harm!" she jumped slightly. Then she noticed his gaze on her glass, "it's tonic and lemon...for the time being." she sighed.

He gave a sigh of relief and helped himself to the chair next to hers. "A beer and a single malt shot on the side" he told the server, taking a moment to appreciate the view as she walked away from him and then turning to Mac. "That 'for the moment' wouldn't have anything to do with this would it?" he asked and touched the end of the finger bearing Mic's ring.

Mac sighed, "perhaps..." she looked at the ring as he was touching her hand and then her eyes met his.

"No need to explain" he said softly, "if I were engaged to him I think I'd be craving something stronger." His gaze held hers. Not since the ferry had they looked each other in the eye that way. "Obviously you haven't made a decision yet."

"No I haven't made a decision yet, but what options do I have when you're waiting an eternity?" Sarah asked downing the last of her tonic and thinking his alcohol was looking very appetizing at the moment.

Harm downed the shot and followed it with a long swig of beer before answering. "I never said eternity" he sighed, "I just said I wasn't able to let go and I know that didn't even make a lot of sense to you-well it made even less to me. I think it's that I feel that what we could have could be so wonderful that I don't want to spoil it by doing anything hasty, so I'm afraid to do anything at all." He took another long drink. "If it helps, I'm not in love with Renee and I've no intentions of spending my life with her. Now how you feel about Brumby only you know that."

"I don't want Brumby dammit," Sarah bit the words out so softly she didn't think he'd heard and then she ordered a vodka and tonic.

"That's a tonic with lime" Harm quickly corrected the server, "you don't honestly think I'm going to sit here and let you drink just because you're moping over your love life do you?" Then he picked up her hand, "for someone whom you don't want, his ring certainly looms large here."

Sarah grunted a moment and pulled the ring free from her finger and then dropped it in her pocket. "Enough of that." she said and downed half her tonic and water in one gulp.

"Agreed, out of sight out of mind" Harm smiled, "that's how it is with Renee too. She's being driven up to Panmounjon so she won't be back until morning. I just hope she makes our flight, though she's a big girl. I'm sure she knows how to book another." He knocked back the shot the server had brought and chased it with a drink of beer. "You could tell me why you accepted that in the first place" he finally prompted, "because if it was to get my attention, I can assure you it worked."

"Oh has it now? I don't see it doing any good...other than your wise cracks," Sarah scoffed back.

"It's my coping mechanism" he returned without batting an eye. "Mac I'm totally...I don't even know what the word is for what I feel right now. Confused, clueless, in denial, befuddled-pick one and slap it on my forehead. I tried real hard for some clarity on the ferry and I didn't achieve it as you well know."

Mac rolled her eyes and took another drink again wishing it would ease her pain. "I'm simply not waiting forever...I can't." She ordered another drink and tossed it back and then slammed the glass down on the table rising to go back to her room in her frustration.

Harm caught her hand, "hold up I'll walk with you. If I have any more I'm probably going to punch someone at some point and I don't need to spend the night in a Korean brig and then be dressed down by the Admiral."

Sarah shook her head and sighed allowing Harm to walk with her to her room. She spent the elevator ride caressing her neck and her shoulders and moaning softly as she tried to combat the heat.

"Not a place I'd pick for a honeymoon" he grinned slightly and then took over for her hands, rubbing her neck and shoulders, urging her to put her head back against him. As the elevator climbed higher his mind went back to the airliner and the terrorist demand that Lt. Col. Mackenzie show her self. With every breath in his body his eyes were signaling her to keep still, terrified that if she did not she would be shot. The thought of Renee being killed was abhorrent, but the thought of Mac's death even more so he knew. Impulsively he leaned down and put a light kiss on the top of her hair. "Just glad you're still with me" he said in way of explanation, "after this morning I mean."

"I was just as worried about you," Sarah answered leaning into him, "I do believe you have been holding out on me Rabb. You have magic hands."

"Paying you back for the time you did this for me when I was hiding out at your place" he smiled rocking her with him, kneading her shoulders further until the elevator's bell signaled their arrival at their floor. They stood awkwardly in the hallway for a moment. "If you're not sick of my company I'll invite myself in" he said softly, the liquor slurring his speech just slightly, "I'd rather not be alone right now."