Author's Note: Sorry this took longer than expected. I had a cold, and couldn't seem to drag myself to school to post this. I may have forgotten to mention previously that in the year since Harm and Mac left JAG, they haven't spoken. I'm afraid Mac might seem a little out of character, but oh well. It's my story. So, on with it!

Chapter One: If You See Him

0029 ZULU

THURSDAY, JULY 20TH, 2006

JOINT LEGAL SERVICE CENTER SOUTHWEST

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Colonel Sarah MacKenzie was finishing up some paperwork when there was a knock on her office door. "Enter!"

Harriet poked her head into the room. "Are you busy?"

"Harriet!" Smiling, Mac jumped up and hurried across the small room to embrace her friend. "It's so good to see you!"

"You, too!"

The two sat across from each other at the desk. Mac pressed a button on her intercom. "Jen?"

"Yes, ma'am?" Petty Officer First Class Jennifer Coates answered.

"Hold my calls, please."

"Yes, ma'am."

Mac leaned back in her chair, still smiling. "So, how are things at home?"

"Wonderful," Harriet answered. "AJ's doing great in school, and Jimmy loves preschool. The twins are growing so fast, I can't seem to keep them in clothes that fit."

"Do you have any new pictures?"

"Always." Digging through her purse, she pulled out an envelope of photographs and handed them over.

After Mac had gone through the photos, she surveyed the work in front of her. "I have about ten minutes of work to get through. After that, how about we go out for a bite to eat? I'm pretty sure my fridge is…well…empty." (Harriet was going to be staying at Mac's apartment.)

Harriet laughed. "Sure. Sounds great."

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0104 ZULU

MALY'S CAFÉ

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Mac and Harriet ordered cheeseburgers and salads, and then began catching up on each other's lives.

"Congratulations on your promotion, ma'am," Harriet said.

"Thank you…But drop the ma'am, would ya?"

They laughed.

"So, where's Bud?"

Harriet had been avoiding the subject, but now she replied,

"He's in London. He's…helping Harm with something."

Mac's eyes got slightly misty as she leaned back in her chair. Harm. "How's he doing?"

"Harm?" Harriet waited for Mac to nod before continuing. "He's fine, as far as I can tell. He's enjoying his new billet, but he misses DC and JAG." And you, she added to herself.

Mac swallowed over the lump in her throat. "Have you seen him since he left?"

Her friend shook her head. "No, but I hear he's planning a trip to the states to see Mattie."

"If you see him…" Mac's voice trailed off as she realized she didn't know what she wanted to say.

Luckily, their salads arrived then, and they dropped the subject.

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2027 ZULU

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH, 2006

JOINT LEGAL SERVICE CENTER SOUTHWEST

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Mac, Harriet, and Jennifer Coates gathered in the courtyard of the building for lunch. They talked about old times, and plans for the future. Harriet and Jen carefully avoided the subject of Harm…Until Harriet's cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered it cheerily."Bud! Hi, honey! How's the case?…Good. When will you be home?…Great, we'll be home the same weekend, then…How's Harm?…That's great! Tell him hello for me, and that I can't wait to see him…Okay. Love you, too…Bye." Harriet put her phone away and smiled. "Bud sends his love."

"How's everything in London?" Mac asked.

"Pretty good," Harriet replied. "The case is moving along, and they should be done at the end of next week."

"How's Harm?"

Both Jen and Harriet were surprised to hear Mac ask the question, but they recovered quickly.

"He's fine," Harriet said. "He says hi, by the way."

"Is he visiting soon?" Jen questioned.

Harriet nodded. "He's coming to spend Christmas with Mattie. He finalized everything this morning, actually."

"If you see him," Mac said quietly, "tell him I wish him well."

Everyone was quiet as they stared down at their lunches. Somehow, Jen and Harriet knew Mac wanted to say more.

"I still miss him," she went on, almost to herself. "More than ever…I think, deep down, I still love him…I don't know why I ever let him go." She brushed away a tear. "Tell him…Tell him if it takes forever, I'll still be here."