Love's Labors Found Part 2/2

Disclaimer: Same stuff as before. JAG isn't mine. The song 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole isn't mine either. But it is just such a beautiful song, I felt that I wanted to use it. The words are not used, but the song is referenced to.

Authors Note: Okay, this is all of it. Hope you guys liked it a bunch. I was trying for something sweet and easy. I'm not very good at all the technical military stuff, so if I write anymore, this is probably what it will be like. Also, if you are able to, try listening to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' as you read this. ( has anybody else here heard that song. It was used on an episode of ER. It's just gorgeous.) It really sets the mood I was trying to create. Umm… I think that's all, so enjoy the last of this. Thanks for all the reading and great feedback. You guys are so great!!!



As the she hummed along to the light melody of a ukulele strumming 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', she studied the tiny moonlit form of her goddaughter. So tiny and fragile and yet so perfectly… perfect. As Morgan looked up at her with her big blue eyes, trying desperately to keep awake, Mac couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Why couldn't this be her daughter that she was cradling to her breast? Why couldn't she be the one to wake up to this little girl's cries in the middle of the night? It wasn't that she wanted Morgan as her own. It was simply, that Morgan embodied everything she did want. A beautiful, happy child who had parents with a beautiful, happy relationship. Parents who loved each other deeply and eternally. No, it wasn't Morgan in particular that she wanted- it was this ideal life she was in the middle of at the moment.

She smiled down at the little girl and brushed one of the few tendrils of hair she had away from her face. Morgan cooed in delight. She reached her tiny hands up towards Mac, extending her chubby little fingers. Mac gave the little girl one of her fingers to borrow and suck on. She marveled at the difference in size between the two of them. Morgan's fingernails were so small, so new. It was hard to believe that this is how every human being starts out. So fragile and innocent, unaware to the troubles of the world and the hardships and trials they would face later on in life. God knows she did. And she only hoped that this gorgeous child would never have to experience half the heartache.

As she pulled the cotton blanket that had slipped down to her knees back over Morgan's tiny body, she saw their silhouette on the wall disappear as the light across the hall flickered off. The only illumination now was the moonlight. Harm must have finally gotten AJ into bed, she grinned. She heard his door click shut and waited for his footsteps to echo of the walls as he went downstairs to wait. But there was not a sound. And then she knew why. She could sense his presence behind her, standing in the doorway, and she knew he was watching her. An she noticed that although the tiny fist still had a loose grasp on her finger, Morgan had finally fallen asleep. She heard Harm take soft steps across the room to avoid waking the sleeping infant. She looked up when she felt him peer over her shoulder, checking to see what stage of consciousness she was in. his eyes shifted from the tiny form to Mac as he caught her eyes on him. He gave her a little smile and she reciprocated. With that little encouragement, he crossed in front of her and squatted down before the rocker. He reached his hand up to lightly caress the soft inside of Morgan's arm that was outside the blanket. Mac ceased rocking.

" She's beautiful, isn't she?"

Harm looked up into Mac's eyes, his attention immediately drawn to the delicate features of her face. Her almond-shaped eyes, and olive skin glowing in the moonlight. Her divine lips parted and gleaming in the faint illumination. He stared directly into her eyes when he said, " Yes, she is very beautiful.

She looked at him for a moment longer, realizing he wasn't talking about Morgan. She glanced away quickly as the flush started to creep up her neck. Harm in turn looked down to the sleeping baby and noticed how even in sleep, her tiny fingers were still wrapped around Mac's. She trusted her Aunt and felt safe with her. And most of all, she loved her.

" I guess I should put her in her crib," he heard Mac whisper. She started to stand up but he stopped her gently with his hands to her shoulders.

"Here, let me do it."

"No, it's okay. You already put AJ to bed."

"No… I want to. Let me see her," he said reaching out for her. Mac gave in and let him slide his hands underneath the sleeping body. His fingers crept across her arms as he slowly tried to resituate Morgan in his own. She shivered a little at the contact, forcing herself not to catch his eye. Morgan's fingers slowly unwrapped from her own as she was lifted into the air. Harm held her against his chest. She handed him the cotton blanket that had been discarded once again. He draped it over her body. Mac watched as Morgan snuggled into his chest but never waking up. He swayed back and forth a few times before he lifted her up and lightly kissed the top of her forehead. She watched him as he crossed the room to lay her down in her crib. It was as if he was handling a porcelain doll. And for the second time that night, she wished that this could be real. She wished that he would be putting their daughter to bed right now. She shut her eyes and dropped her chin to her chest. Watching Harm and the baby reminded her of all she was missing out on. All the time they had wasted. Why couldn't anything just be simple between them? When she looked back up, Harm was finishing tucking the blanket around her tiny body. He felt her eyes on him and he knew what she was thinking. And what she was feeling. And that was because he was feeling the exact same thing. He too began to think about all the decisions and circumstances that had brought them to this point. After seven years together as best friends and a strong partnership, he wondered why they were never able to express how they felt. If you're supposed to be able to tell your best friend anything then why couldn't he tell her that he was in love with her. For many years he tried to rationalize his decision, telling himself that it was simply because she was his best friend. That is they were to have a lover's quarrel or a petty argument and broke up, he would lose not only her love but the most important thing she ever gave him---her friendship. Now, since they had 'started over', one thing he realized was that that fear would never be realized. Because he didn't just love her- he was in love with her. He had loved Jordan, and Renee and even Annie to some extent. But when he reflected back, he was never in love with them. They weren't the first faces he wished to see every morning or the last ones at night. They were never the ones he wanted to bring chicken noodle soup to when they were sick or write songs on the guitar for. No, that spot in his heart had always belonged to Mac. And as he turned his head and locked eyes with her, his musings were made concrete. He had never known to love any woman like he did Sarah McKenzie. He summoned up every fiber of courage to say what he was going to say next.

"Mac?"

" Yeah," she asked timidly. She had an idea by the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes of where this was going.

"Do you think-," he paused and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he crossed over to Mac who was still sitting in the rocker. He squatted down next to her like he had done before. When he spoke again, his voice was almost unheard. " Do you think that this is what it will be like?"

She concentrated on his face, knowing exactly what he was asking. She knew that at this very moment, his head and heart were finally in the same place as hers. She gave him a small smile and grasped his hand that was resting on the armrest of her rocker.

" No," she simply said. His face contorted into a confused expression. He obviously had been expecting a different answer. She decided to provide him with a reason for her answer. " No, because then… then it will be for real," she said in a barely there whisper. He fingers were gently stroking his cheek, moving back to his neck and then to his cheek again in a continuous cycle. " And because then, I know that I won't have to go home and you won't have to go home. Home will be where we are."

He leaned into her caress as her words washed over him. It was a bittersweet moment.

"I wish it were for real, Harm"

" I know, Mac. Me too." he caught her hand and brought her palm up to his lips. He placed one lingering kiss in the middle and then a short, quick one as he pulled her hand to his chest. He reached his other hand out to the back of her neck to pull her forehead to meet his. As their skin touched she expelled the breath that she had been holding.

"I know you wish it were for real. But someday. I promise you that, Sarah."

She pulled back and placed both hands on the side of his face. A tear fell from her watering eyes.

" Don't make a promise you can't keep."

" I will never make you a promise I can't keep," he said, changing their old script around a bit. He needed to help reinforce his devotion to her. He watched as her body caught on a sob and he pulled her close. He caught her shaking form in a tight embrace. He gently stroked the back of her head, winding his fingers through her fine strands.

" I want to believe that is true Harm. But after all this time… after everything we've---. How can I know that is true?" He was silent for a moment, thinking about her question. And for the first time, he knew the right answer.

" Because I'm in love with you." His words were muffled as he answered into her neck.

She pulled back quickly in shock. " What did you say?"

He looked into her bewildered eyes and smiled. She certainly hadn't been expecting that. And he probably wouldn't have either if he hadn't had that chat with AJ.
" I said that I'm in love with you."

Her eyes turned from round saucers to shrunken ovals as a huge grin spread across her face. She expelled a little laugh and shook her head, pulling Harm into one of the best kisses he had ever participated in in his life. Her mouth was tender, and sweet and succulent and so giving. And more importantly, it was the perfect fit. Never before had he felt this at ease with any women as her mouth opened to him. If was destined to be. Mac slid off the front of the rocker and straddled his knees as the kiss became more intense. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled away.

" I'm in love with you too, Harm," she whispered. He pulled her in for another fierce hug as his mind, and her mind as well, reeled with what had just happened. He smiled so hard he thought his face would split into halves.

" So, what does this mean for us?" Her voice was muffled by his shoulder.

He pulled back to look at her eyes. They were smiling at him. Something he had never seen them do quite like this before. He ran his thumb over her lip. He tucked her stray chestnut hairs behind her ear. He caressed her cheek, and jawbone and neck with his fingers. He did all of this because it was right. And he told her.

" I think this means that this is right. That this is where we belong."

She smiled and leaned forward to gently press a short kiss to his lips. " Good," she said pulling away. " Because that is exactly what I was thinking."

He flashed her his flyboy smile before he placed one last kiss upon her mouth. He disengaged himself from her and stood. He put his hand out to help her up.

She snuggled close to his body as he put his arm over her shoulders, pulling her in. she wrapped her arm around his waist. Making their way through the doorway, she looked up at him and asked, " So, what are we going to tell the Admiral?"

As Harm pulled the door shut behind them, he guided their bodies toward the stairs. He thought for a moment then grinned at her, giving her body a tight, tender squeeze.

" Why don't we just start at the beginning."

End Part 2/2