Disclaimer: I own nothing…I'm just playing with them.

My military protocol etc is not perfect…just go with the flow

This one's for me because I need it…. I am unwell at the moment and am not making any promises about when more JAG will be posted…rest assured I still have a few JAG stories in my stockpile though.

Final Chapter

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MAJOR GENERAL CRESSWELL'S OFFICE

Thursday 0830

Bud and Harm had briefed the Major General of the events on the Ulysses, had been given an update from Bethesda on Sturgis' night and had looked over the priority cases given Sturgis and Mac would be out of the office for the rest of the week. When all was decided the pair stood to attention and were dismissed.

"Aye, aye, sir," they said in unison and turned to leave.

"Ah, before you go Commander Rabb, I believe congratulations are in order," General Cresswell said dryly.

"Sir?" said Harm turning back.

"Your recent wedding," said the General straight faced.

"Sir?" repeated Harm, his heart racing.

"We have had several phone calls in your absence from a lady eager to speak to you. When she was informed this would not be possible she asked to speak to your beautiful wife, Sarah. Am I to assume that would be Colonel MacKenzie?" General Cresswell asked.

"Yes sir, I mean no sir," Harm stumbled.

"Which one is it?" he asked, trying to hide his amusement at Harm's discomfort.

"Yes sir, she is talking about the Colonel, no sir, we are not married," Harm clarified, a slight sheen of perspiration appearing on his brow.

"Then why should she say you were?" he asked.

"A misunderstanding, sir,' Harm replied.

"Some misunderstanding, Commander. She was quite clear about the details," he reported.

"Sir, it's a long story but I assure you the Colonel and I are not married." Not yet anyway he added, to himself.

"Is there anything and I mean anything I should know?" General Cresswell asked.

"No sir."

"Very well, dismissed.

CHLOE'S HOUSE

SATURDAY 2256

Disappointed Harm was stuck in Washington DC for the weekend, Mac spent her Saturday evening curled up in front of the open fire with Chloe. Her grandmother's condition had improved and they were all feeling far more optimistic about the future than they had a few days ago.

"Thanks for coming, Mac," said Chloe putting down her book. "I know I haven't been the best of company but I really appreciate you coming and putting up with me."

"Anytime, Chlo, I'm just glad things are looking brighter," Mac said.

"Me too! When do you have to head home?" Chloe asked, hoping it would be later rather than sooner.

"Tomorrow evening, I'll call about a flight in the morning. Is that okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine now besides I think you've got more important things to deal with at home," Chloe grinned.

"What do you mean?" Mac asked surprised.

"I heard your phone call the other night, I know it was Harm. What's happening there?" she asked, excitedly.

"I love him Chloe." Mac replied simply.

"Tell me something I don't know?" Chloe said rolling her eyes.

"He loves me too," Mac smiled.

"He actually said it? And you said it? Where? When did this happen?" Chloe's questions spewed out without a pause.

"Yes. Yes. The Cabin. Last Sunday, "Mac answered.

"Oh Mac, I'm so happy for you," said Chloe coming to hug her. "It's about time."

"My thought exactly." Mac grinned.

"Well, on that happy note I'm off to bed," Chloe kissed Mac's cheek and went up the stairs.

Mac sat there for a while longer before deciding to call Harm. After several unsuccessful attempts she gave up and went to bed herself. It was nearly an hour later she became aware of someone else in the bedroom.

"Is that you, Chloe?" she mumbled into her pillow. "Do you want to sleep here?" There was no answer but her visitor slid into the bed behind her. Mac smiled and turned around when she realised who it was.

"Harm, what are you doing here?"

"Holding you in my arms," he smiled and kissed her forehead. She moved closer to him and quietly drifted off to sleep.

It was the early hours of the morning when Mac awoke again. It was not at all unusual as this was the time when her mother's voice, which had been curiously absent this week, appeared. Mac lay there quietly, ready for the grating, echoing voice that had become as familiar to her as her own heartbeat, but there was nothing. She closed her eyes and tried to picture her mother but nothing came. Something was wrong, this wasn't normal.

Silently Mac slipped out of bed and sat on the easy chair. She pulled the blanket around her shoulders and drew her knees up to her chest. Thoughts raced through her head, where had her mother gone? Tears trickled down her cheeks as the reality hit her.

"Mac, what's wrong?" Harm said, seeing her sitting in the dark.

"No, no, don't get up," Mac said, moving back to the bed. She sat on his side of the bed facing him.

"What is it?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Nothing?" he asked, wiping away her tears.

"Well, it is something but not in a bad way," Mac explained.

"Mac, what?" he asked, confused and anxious.

"You love me," she said simply.

"I know, I told you that last week," Harm said, trying desperately to figure out where this conversation was headed.

"I know and things have changed in that week," Mac replied.

"Like what?" Harm was beginning to feel nervous. "Do you still love me?"

"Of course!" she said kissing him quickly. "

"So?" he prompted.

"My mother hasn't visited me at all this week," Mac said quietly.

"And that's different," asked Harm, relieved this wasn't about him.

"Yep, she's been around every night or at least every second night for the last twenty odd years," Mac explained.

"And not at all this week?" Harm asked.

"Nope." Mac shook her head.

"You know why, don't you?" he asked, squeezing her hands.

"Yep, I figured it out just now. It's because this thing we have is true love. It is perfect and wonderful and leaves no place for her at all," Mac smiled as fresh, joyful, tears fell.

"That's right." Harm leaned forward and kissed her nose.

Mac slipped back into bed and into Harm's arms.

"I love you, Harm," she whispered into the darkness.

"I love you too, Mac, but now that your mother's gone we do have one more problem?" Harm said, holding onto her tightly.

"What's that?" Mac said sitting up.

"Cresswell knows we were married." Harm said.

"How?" asked Mac.

"A nun told him."

Mac lay back on the bed laughing. It had been a rollercoaster of a week; an accident, a cabin, a nun, a missing friend, a seriously ill grandmother and true love. She rolled into Harm and felt his arms surround her immediately. From this place she knew she could face any challenge life had to offer – even Major General Cresswell.