YEAR 12
Mac was sitting in her office, when a brand new copy of The Navy Times appeared as she moved several files off of her desk. It had been buried under a mountain of files and she was about to toss it out when a familiar face drew her to the paper. There on the cover was his picture with that sexy flyboy smile and those blue eyes she loved to drown in. "Meet Allegiance's new XO."

Her heart swelled with pride at what was likely a lifelong dream of his finally come to fruition. She found herself genuinely happy for Harm and the success he was able to achieve this time around. It was well deserved even if their relationship had been the ultimate cost. She read the article on Harmon Rabb Jr that detailed certain facts about his life like his tenure at JAG. It glossed over his career and she couldn't help to notice that several key footnotes were missing.

She studied the picture of him standing aboard a carrier in a flight suit and tried to find a ring but, the picture was far too grainy. Not that she thought about it that often but, ever since speaking with him a year prior, Mac had often wondered if Harm had married his 'nothing serious' girlfriend.

The last year had been a whirlwind. Professionally, everything was perfect. She had spent a few months abroad as requested by the Secretary of State in a joint effort with the Secretary of Defense, dealing directly with the Middle East in hopes of easing tension between the Marines tasked to locate terrorists cells and the local military that still seemed reluctant to allow foreigners into their country. Her ability to read, speak and comprehend Farsi had been paramount although Mac was sure another visit was in her cards.

Unfortunately, she had returned to find Max transitioning into a new chapter in his life. The good doctor had been offered a position in Boston's number one hospital for children's neurosurgeon's. That was when he dropped her a bombshell - an ultimatum.

He would stay in Washington, if Mac agreed to marry him. Max loved her enough to sacrifice part of his dream for her. If she refused, they were over. "Why is marrying me so damned important? Can't we just be together?"

"Why are you still wearing his ring?" Max had pointed out, fishing out Mac's dog tags from the t-shirt she had worn that day. There as it always had been was Harm's ring. She didn't always wear the dog tags and usually took them off when Max was around but, more and more she had forgotten to. He glanced at her sadly, knowing the answer he'd been avoiding. "You still love him, Sarah… I can't compete with that."

Mac had tried to stop him, begged him for more time to make up her mind but, it was of no use. Two days later, he was gone.

Absentmindedly, Mac rubbed the spot at her chest where her dog tags would be, where his ring usually was. It was foolish of her to still carry it with her and yet, she did for no reason in particular.

Once she was done reading Harm's article, she fired up her email program and typed in a familiar email that she hadn't used in years.

Dearest Harm,

She typed and stopped for a moment, eyes fixated on the cursor as it blinked on her screen. "No."

Harm,

Imagine my surprise to pick up the Navy Times and find your picture on the cover. XO, huh? Guess it won't be too long before you make Admiral. I'm proud of you.

Mac.

She pressed send and started at her inbox hoping for a quick response that never came. Mac thought to write to him again or even place a call to the ship but, then it dawned on her that maybe Harm didn't want to have any contact with her.