Title: We Can't Start Over
Author: Tempus Meum
Rating:
Disclaimer: The characters and premise used in this story are unfortunately not owned by me. If JAG was mine…the possibilities.
Spoilers: Up to 'Boomerang'
Summary: An alternate conversation on the ferry in Sydney changes things considerably.
4.
1228 hours
Court house
Sydney, Australia
Mac sat on a bench outside the court house waiting for Harm to take her to lunch. Looking up she saw people beginning to walk out of the building. Deciding to stay seated she began looking for Harm from where she was. She couldn't see him, however she did spot Mic, turning away in hope that he wouldn't see her she was annoyed when she heard him call out to her.
"Sarah…what are you doing here? Were you waiting for me to get out of court? Did you want to go to lunch?"
Spotting Harm over Mic's shoulder Mac turned back to Mic. " Sorry Mic, I have plans for lunch." She then gave Harm a little wave. Turning around to see whom she was waving at, Mic saw Harm.
"You are going to lunch with him?"
"Yes Mic I am, do you have a problem with that?"
"Well…didn't you have dinner with him last night?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather have lunch with me instead?"
"Absolutely sure!" Mac replied as Harm walked up to them. Standing beside her Harm placed his hand on the small of her back.
"You ready to go?"
"See you later Mic." As Mac put her arm around Harm's waist they turned and walked away leaving Mic standing there with his mouth gaping.
"What's with him?" Harm asked as they walked away.
"He was just wondering why I would rather go to lunch with you instead of him." Mac smiled.
"What did you tell him?"
"I didn't really tell him anything."
"Probably for the best, don't want him to go to the Admiral, he might try and gets us in trouble if he thinks it will give him a chance." Harm tried to hide his jealousy, but it didn't go unnoticed.
"Harm you're not really worried are you? I mean it's Mic, he's nice and all but...you've been my best friend for five years…and I have loved you almost everyday of those five years…nothing is ever going to change that." Mac stopped walking and turned to face him. "I love you and I always will."
"I love you too Mac. I just…well…you did come here because Mic asked you to…you seemed to hit it off with him. He…"
"Harm…I came here because I had the time off, I'd never been to Australia and I thought that even though you were here for a case…you would have some time…and this being…neutral ground…well…I thought we'd be able to talk…that's all. I'm sorry that I gave you the impression that…that it was him I wanted." Mac moved to a nearby bench and sat down.
"I should have…realised…I should have had more faith in you." Harm sat down beside her and took her hands in his. "Forgive me?"
"I could never be angry with you for long Harm, not that I'm angry…I mean I have no reason to be you were just being overly observant."
"Is that what you call it?" Mac leant over and kissed him lightly on the cheek before rapping her arms around him, he reciprocated the hug pulling her closer into his chest.
"I am going to love you and only you for the rest of my life, we are going to grow old and wrinkled together." 'But first we have to make it official!' Harm thought.
"I like the sound of that, not the wrinkled part but the rest."
"Now…where to for lunch?"
Half-an-hour later they were headed back to the court house. "You know…Australian women don't hide their jealousy very well."
"Hmm…what do you mean?"
"Well I think I am getting quite a few dirty looks."
"Really…I hadn't noticed."
"Men never do Harm…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harm pulled her in close to his side.
"Well walking around in this uniform…you don't realise how much attention you're getting."
"Attention?" Looking around Harm was surprised to see a small group of women quickly avert their gazes.
"Great now I've done it!" Mac had to laugh as Harm continued to look at his admirers. Tightening her hold on him, she was grateful when he wrapped both of his arms around her and placed a kiss on the top of their head.
"They can look…I've only got eyes for one girl!" Mac's smile widened as they walked. "Are you going to be okay this afternoon?"
"Yeah…I'll find something to do…might take a walk in the city…do some sight seeing, and a bit of shopping!"
"Well enjoy yourself…I'll just go back in here and show these Australians what I'm made of."
"I'll come by your room tonight after dinner?"
"Okay…we can go and get some ice cream or something?"
"Sounds good." Harm pulled her in for another hug at the bottom of the courthouse steps.
"So all it took was another continent?" They both froze at the sound of a voice from behind them. Swinging around they faced Bud.
"Bud?"
"Sir…ma'am!"
"Um…we can explain…!"
"Nothing to explain ma'am, I'm very happy for the both of you…Harriet is going love this news."
"About that Bud…"
"I understand sir, you want to tell the Admiral first! I know Harriet likes to gossip. I'll keep it to myself."
"Thanks Bud…"
"Um…ma'am…does Commander Brumby know?"
"I don't think so?"
"He's just been asking a lot of questions about you that's all."
"He has…what did you to tell him."
"I told him that if he wanted to know he should ask you directly, as it was no business of mine."
"Speaking of Bugme!" Harm was looking over Bud's shoulder, as Brumby sidled up behind them.
"Thanks Bud…are we still on for dinner tonight?"
"Umm…if you still want to go?" Bud looked up at Harm and back to Mac.
"Of course I do! I've been looking forward to it. And it will stop the nagging."
"Oh…no problem ma'am…I'll pick you up at six."
"Commander, Lieutenant, Sarah!"
"Brumby!" Harm and Bud said in unison, but Mac was sure a whispered Bugme had escaped Harm's lips also. She just smiled and lifted the toe of her foot to bump it against his.
"Mick! Um…you all better get inside its almost 1300." Bud and Harm both nodded not bothering to look at their watches. Mick however looked down at his watch.
"How did you know that…you're not wearing a watch…he looked around at their surrounding and back to her when he didn't see a clock.
"If she told you that Mick…she'd probably have to kill you." Harm replied for her. Bud and Mac both joined him in laughing at Mick's expense. He turned away then and walked up the stairs, obviously not happy about being laughed at.
"I'll see you at six Bud…"
"Yes ma'am!" Bud turned to head up the stairs.
"Bud…while we are here, you can call me Mac." He smiled and nodded as he walked to the top of the stairs to wait for Harm.
"Have fun!" Harm whispered as he bent down slightly and placed a light kiss on her lips.
"You too!"
"I'm sure I will!" He wrapped her up in his arms and held her for a short time before letting her go and stepping back.