Will Happily Ever After Happen

By Emie

Chapter 7

OMG you say… Is it really a new chapter? Sorry for the long delay, however I am expecting to regularly update again. I unfortunately have some significant issues that came up, and took me a long time to recover from. However, I decided that I needed to get back to things that I enjoy such as writing and that maybe that would help. Do one thing though always tell your brothers and sisters how much you love them even when they make you mad… I never knew how much I would miss my sisters until they were gone.

Standard Disclaimer: Jag characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done.


Mac was afraid. She was worried that going to this Dr. Cole might actually make her possible relationship with Harm even worse than if they hobbled along on their own. Could Harm really love her if he knew her secrets? Could he truly imagine a relationship with someone that was so broken inside? Mac knew that she hid a lot behind the tough Marine exterior, and after just their first session with Janice, she knew their councilor was not the type of person to let her hide anything.

Growing up in an abusive household one thing that you learned early on was how to hide things; your feelings, what happened at school, how much money you spent… These were all things that could cause you or your mother to end up with bruises or worse. Although, she had become better at sharing things, sometimes she was still that small child afraid that the monster that had her hiding in her closet would come back for her.

Mac knew that Harm was different and wouldn't purposely hurt her; they both had quite the track record for unintentionally hurting each other's feelings, and that was the only reason she was going to give this counseling thing her all. Harm really seemed committed to making this budding relationship work and if Harm could open up to a complete stranger than she could too.

That decision made she scooted a little bit closer to Harm on the bench in the gallery of the courtroom, while they waited for Mic to be arraigned.

Harm felt Mac slide closer to him, and he was worried about how she was holding up. It was going to be an emotional day, not only had they just come from their first counseling session, but now they were waiting for Mic to appear before the Judge. Harm hoped that for his sanity that Mic would be held without bail or that it would be so high that Bugme would not be able to raise the money. However, being a lawyer he knew that he would most likely be released that day with just an admonishment to stay away from Mac.

Picking up Mac's hand and entwining his fingers with hers, he leaned close and whispered, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay. I just wish this was over, already," she whispered back. Taking a moment to reassuringly squeeze his hand, "I wish you didn't have to go through this…"

"Sarah, I don't have to go through this. I'm choosing to be here for you-and I am going to be here for as long as you'll let me."

She smiled at him with her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "Who are you and what have you done with Harm… Somehow right now you are saying all the right things and I think it makes me love you even more."

With his other hand he gently wiped away the tears from the corner of eyes, and said, "Maybe months of watching you wear another man's ring made me contemplate what I could do better if I had another chance. And, even though I would never have wanted to get my chance this way, I am not going to let it slip through my fingers by hiding from you."

Any further conversation was interrupted by the bailiff calling the court to order.


February 20, 2001 1600 Zulu

Washington DC Domestic Violence Court

"The court calls the case of The District of Columbia versus Michael Brumby, case no. 745123."

Mic stood behind the defendants table alone, a hard glint in his eyes as he had spied Harm and Mac sitting together in the front row of the court room.

"Are you Michael Brumby? Is that your true and correct name?"

"Yes, I am," answered Mic.

"In case no. 745123, you have been charged with the offense of assault."

"Your file indicates that you have been warned of your rights by an officer at the time of your arrest. Did you understand all of the warnings given to you at that time? Do you wish to have your rights explained to you at this time?"

Mic cleared his throat and stated, "Yes, your Honor I understand my rights and waive the reading at this time.

"Your file indicates that you waived your right to have an attorney present with you today. Do you still want to proceed without counsel present?"

"Yes, your honor, I plan on representing myself," he stated hauntingly, like this was all just something that didn't even warrant the hiring of an attorney.

"It is your right to have the information setting forth the charge against you read aloud in open court."

"Will the prosecutor please read the information."

The prosecutor was a short, squat man looking to be on the far side of forty, with a hairpiece that looked like it used to belong to Donald Trump. However, when he spoke it was with a confidence that he knew what he was doing was the right and just thing and that by sending people to jail he was protecting people at least for a little while. "The defendant Michael Brumby is charged with assault of his girlfriend, after she tried to call off the relationship."

"Thank you," the judge stated.

"This courtroom proceeding is your arraignment. The purpose of today's proceeding is to ensure that you are the person charged in the information, to inform you of the range of punishment for the offense for which you are charged, and to take your plea."

"Are you Michael Brumby, the person named in the information?"

"Yes, your honor."

"You are charged with the crime of assault. This is a Class B misdemeanor. The range of punishment for this offense is a fine not to exceed $ 1000.00 and confinement in the county jail for a term not to exceed 180 days or both such fine and confinement. Do you understand the allegation against you and the full range of punishment for this offense?"

Turning slightly to glair at Mac and Harm, he flipped back around and answered, "Yes."

"How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty."

"The people on bail?" asked the Judge.

The prosecutor cleared his throat and stated, "Your honor, the people have grave concerns over the safety of the victim. The defendant is a former boxer and biased on his past Naval history has an issued with having an explosive temper… So, we ask for a bail of $1000, along with the requirement that the defendant refrain from use of alcohol. We also ask that the defendant be ordered to have no contact with the victim, including telephone calls, visiting her place of residence and employment."

Mic seemed to balk at the idea that he could not drink, "Your honor, this is a simple misdemeanor; it seems like a whole lot of fuss for something of such little consequence." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he seemed to realize his mistake, "I sorry, I mean no disrespect, your honor. What I meant was I am a respected lawyer with a major firm; I have strong ties to the community and have no previous issues with alcohol. Certainly I can be trusted to behave myself."

"Clearly, Mr. Brumby, you cannot be trusted to behave yourself or we wouldn't be here. I'm agreeing with the defendant. You are being held on $1000.00 cash or bond and stay away from your ex-girlfriend and alcohol Mr. Brumby."


Although, Harm was furious that Bugme was only facing a slap on the wrist, and maybe even less if he got the prosecutor to plea bargain, but he hadn't expected anymore. And that really the important thing was Mac finally facing an abuser and being not only strong enough to walk away, but to press charges as well. Right now, all he really wanted to do was take Mac home and hopefully start their new life together.


I plan on having another chapter up by next Wednesday. Please let me know what you think, it makes my day :)