Title: Getting it RightAuthor: rooster dawn

Pairing: who else is there

Spoiler: The last couple of shows of season ten

Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Harm and Mac, forever together, never ever apart

Good feedback is good for the soul and my happiness.

part nine Getting it right

McMurphy's Tavern

Harm walked up to the bar in his Mess dress uniform. He was there to meet Mac. She hadn't gotten there yet. They were going to tell their friends that they were getting married and that they weren't sure if they were going to London or San Diego.

London was the best place for him and his career. He would be a captain there. There probably wouldn't be another captain's billet waiting for him in San Diego though his mother would probably welcome the transfer. But his new position would surely lead to him becoming the JAG someday.

San Diego would be a great place for Mac. She would make full Colonel two years sooner than if she went somewhere else, but she was still young enough to wait for another command of her own.

Besides, if she was in a command position, would it help their endeavors to have a child of their own. She would be under more stress if she was in command. It wouldn't make getting pregnant any easier. He didn't know what he wanted them to do, but it had to be fair for both of them

"What can I get for you Sir?" asked the bartender as he approached the bar.

"I'll have a draft please." replied Harm. He couldn't believe what was happening.

"What put that smile on your face?" asked the cute bartender. What I wouldn't do to have a gorgeous hunk like him she thought.

"I just got engaged. That is I think I did." replied Harm. He was still a little stunned that he had asked her to marry him and she had said yes.

"Don't you think you ought to find out?" asked the bartender.

"That's kind of why I'm here." smiled Harm as he saw Mac walking into the bar and over to him. She looked hotter than any woman had the right to in her red hip hugging dress with a slit in the side exposing her long beautiful leg.

"Hi Harm." greeted Mac before kissing him sweetly.

"It figures a great looking guy like him would be with a beautiful lady like you." smiled the bartender.

"We're working out the logistics." smiled Mac.

"That's right, you're the fiancee to be." sighed the bartender.

"That's one of the things we're working on." smiled Mac.

"I don't see a ring." observed the bartender.

"We're negotiating that." smiled Mac.

"You're very lucky ma'am." commented the bartender.

"Yeah, lucky me." smiled Mac.

Bud, Harriet, Coates, and Sturgis entered the bar. Harm had called them and asked them to join him for a goodbye drink. It was the last night they were in town. They didn't know if they would be back again any time soon.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice Bud." greeted Harm.

"You're kidding! We wouldn't have missed it for the world. Sir." replied Bud.

Harm and Mac shared greetings and hugs with Jen, Sturgis, Bud and Harriet.

"Hey, everyone is here." greeted Mac.

"What's everyone drinking?" asked Harm since he was buying.

"Joanna, a Bloody Mary and a Martini please?" ordered Harm.

"So why did you invite us all here?" asked Sturgis. He was surprised to see Harm in his dress mess and Mac was dressed to kill in her red dress.

"All in good time buddy, we're waiting for the General. We have some news to share with all of you." replied Harm.

Ten minutes later the General entered the bar. He was short of wind as he had hurried from headquarters to assist Jen. She had called him saying she had a flat tire.

"What are you doing in here Coates imbibing in liquid refreshments when you were supposed to be waiting out front for me? My wife is going to have a fit because I'm late. I thought you needed my help with a flat tire." he bellowed.

"I met Commander Turner as he was coming into the bar Sir. He helped me out with the tire. I was about to give you a call when I saw Lieutenant Roberts and his wife. I stopped in to say hello when the Captain offered to buy me a drink Sir." rambled Jen.

"I wasn't born yesterday Coates. That's a fish story if I ever heard one. Did you have a flat tire?" he asked.

"No Sir, Captain Rabb ordered me to get you here sir, any way I could, so I lied. I didn't think you would abandon a damsel in distress Sir. And Sir this celebration wouldn't be the same without you." she replied.

He noticed that the Captain was in his dress mess and the Colonel was dressed to kill in a beautiful red dress that let you know that she was all woman. She was draped on Harm's arm or had she become a part of him. He couldn't tell which, but he had his suspicions.

"What's this all about Rabb?" he asked impatiently. He needed to get home to his wife. He wondered if his worse fears were about to come true.

"What are you drinking, General?" Harm asked trying to defuse the situation.

"A very dry Martini, thanks Captain. I understand Colonel that you're taking my yeoman to San Diego with you." he inquired.

"I would love to take her with me Sir, she's an excellent yeoman. But that hasn't been determined yet. In fact Harm and I have some news that we want to share with everyone first." replied Mac.

"Well first thing is, the Colonel may not be going to San Diego." began Harm before he was interrupted by the General.

"You're not thinking of turning down this assignment Colonel? It took a lot of effort from a few people to set up that command. I had to pull a few strings along with your former CO to get you the top billet." he replied looking annoyed.

"Harm and I haven't gotten that far in our negotiations Sir." replied Mac as she snuggled in closer to Harm causing Harriet and Jen to sigh and wonder after all this time had they finally decided to become a couple.

Harm stood up and pulled Mac up with him. He wrapped an arm around her as she wrapped both of hers around him. Everyone stood there with dumbfounded look on their faces. They all had suspected, but had never seen such intimacy between them before.

"Mac and I have an announcement to make. We're getting married." he smiled his famous flyboy smile.

"In either London or San Diego." added Mac smiling and hugging Harm even closer.

"We have decided that for this marriage to be successful, one of us has to resign our commission." continued Harm.

"And we hadn't decided which one before we came here. But during the trip here from my apartment I came to the conclusion that I'm going to reserve my commission." added Mac dropping the bombshell.

"No Mac, this is a decision we should make together." Harm argued.

"Harm, it's okay really. We want to have a child together. We've gone through all the literature. Our best chances are for me to have a stress free environment. Commanding a bunch of squids and jarheads fighting is not conducive to a stress free environment.

Besides I've already had two squids give up their careers for me. It's my turn now. I love you Harm." she replied before giving him a kiss that became more passionate.

"Congratulations, it's turning into quite a special night." observed Bud.

"Will you help me pick out a dress?" Mac whispered to Harriet.

Now it was the General's turn to speak. Like any good CO or as Rabb was known to say, be prepare for any and all possibilities. He thought that this might happen especially after his talk with Coates and she said it wasn't happening.

While two younger officers might have gone their separate ways to further their careers, older officers were more likely to find a way to stay together, especially two officers who had gone through reportedly what they had gone through over nine years and were still together.

"That might not be necessary Colonel. While I believe that offering you both your own command was in the best interest of the Navy and Marine Corp, there was always the chance that one of you might resign your commission.

Admiral Cheggewidden warned me that separating the two of you was an improbable mission to undertake. It would take an act of God to make it happen if it was truly possible. He thought that a contingency plan should be in place in case one of you balked.

Since that appears to have happen I guess I should tell you Colonel what the alternative plan we have for you. Since you possess certain language skills that have been deemed highly useful in the war against terrorism, they have a position in the Military Intelligence Unit based in London.

The position is yours Colonel if you want it. However, in return we would like you take the Joint Legal Service Center, Southwest Command for three months while we find a replacement for you.

While some members of the CNO staff and advisors thought the possibility of you not accepting the command was a possibility, they didn't think it was very likely. They have been cultivating you for this command for the last five years.

Your work with Commander Rabb and other Navy personnel shows that the Navy and the Marines can work together. They thought that you were the perfect candidate. They didn't even examine would else was a possible alternative." informed the General.

"I don't know Sir. Everything has been happening so quickly Sir. First the announcement of my new orders, then the talk with Harm about what we wanted and the decision to resign. Now you're offering me something else that affects not only me, but Harm too Sir.

I don't think I can give you an answer tonight until I have had a chance to talk with Harm. Even if I decide to accept your offer Sir, there will have to be reassurance in writing that I would only be there in San Diego for three month whether or not the Navy has found a replacement for me.

Harm and I have made a decision to move our relationship to another level. We have made our plans for the next five to ten years. We intend follow through on those plans and to be together Sir." replied Mac.

"I think that can be arranged Colonel. It is a reasonable request. And once again congratulations to the both of you." replied the General.

The End