Title: The First Step Towards the Rest of Your Life

Author: red rooster dawn

Pairing: Harm and Mac

Disclaimers: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.

Summary: It has been a long time since they have been together so Harm and Mac get together in a big way.

Feedback is welcome

part nine

"Are you always so charming and seductive Ms MacKenzie?" asked Tom.

"I'm a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corp Tom, what do you think?" replied Mac.

Back at the party everyone looked to Harriet again. They wondered if what the Colonel had said was true. Did Harriet play a role in all this? Harriet could be quite manipulative when she wanted to.

"Well lieutenant, what do you have to say for yourself?" bellowed AJ.

"Any involvement I had in the show was only preliminary Sir. Victoria came to me with four ideas for a show. I told her I thought the Dating Game would be the best. Bud and I watch it every night on the game show station.

It has attractive people who get your attention. There is always humor because of the questions that are ask and how some of them are answered. She wanted some military personnel with high profiles.

I gave her a list of people in the Washington area who might be willing to do the show. Victoria could check out the list to find the people she wanted and who were considered attractive.

It would make it easier to ensure that everyone would be available for the show Sir. I just help get the ball rolling Sir. I was not involved with any of the decision making process Sir.

Victoria needed someone from all four branches. I thought Colonel MacKenzie fit the bill. She has been lonely of late. I thought that she might like to be with someone on Valentine's Day since the Commander was supposed to be in the Med.

She is well connected here in Washington. She is also very beautiful. I didn't know that the Commander would be returning to Washington Sir. You don't know what it's like to not have adult conversation every day." whimpered Harriet.

"I don't think it really matters who was responsible for putting them together Sir. Harm and Mac were great on the show. His questions were ingenious and her answers were provocative and very seductive.

We saw a side of her that we couldn't even have imagined existed. It made for great theater. They were wonderful. Everyone will be talking about this show for months." explained Carolyn.

"Don't get carried away Commander. All I saw was their usual banter. It was hardly entertaining." argued AJ.

"I beg to differ AJ. They were outstanding. I use to watch this show when I was growing up. Humor, candor, and a little seductiveness is what this show is all about. Harm and Mac were special tonight. They were the best I've ever seen." related Bobbie.

"Come on AJ, You know no one does it better than those two. You've seen them in the courtroom. They played the game better than anyone and usually in a very subtle manner that only two gifted people can. They know how to play to a captive audience and work them." argued Tom Boone.

"Maybe you're right Tom. They usually are two steps ahead of everyone. Mac was wearing his favorite color dress. All her answers were about embarrassing him, but in a loving way." conceded AJ.

"See Gunny, I told you they knew who was on the other side of the partition. They know he other so well." gloated Jason.

"Someone must have told them." moaned Gunny not willing to admit that Jason was right.

"You don't know them Gunny. I've heard the Commander say many times that he always knows where she is. Didn't you listen to the questions he was asking her? Didn't you see the manner in which he asked them?

It was like he was in the courtroom and was leading the witness. He has always said don't ask a question that you don't know the answer to." Jason tried to explain.

Back at the studio Harm informed Tom that he would have to take a rain check on their offer of dinner and a night at the theater to Friday night. He had already made plans to take his marine to dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant and at to a night club for dancing.

Tom understood and thanked him and Mac. It was the best show he had ever been a part of. They had garnered their highest ratings ever. All the reviews were sensational. They had never had a better audience participation.

They would be re-airing this episode several more times over the next few months including this Saturday night at seven pm. Harm told Tom they would make an effort to view it.

"Before we go Tom I have to do something." said Harm as he reached into his pocket for something. "I was going to do this after dinner and I had a chance to talk with her, but I guess now is as good a time as any."

Mac had seen the move of his hand to his pocket. Now he was talking about waiting till dinner about doing something. Her heart began to beat faster and faster with anticipation. It was hard to breathe as she tried to catch her breath. Was he going to do it now?

Harm pulled the ring from his pocket and got down on one knee. The audience went wild for a moment before quickly settling down to hear the question and the answer.

"Sarah MacKenzie, you are the one special person in my life. From the moment we met in the Rose Garden I knew we were destined to be together. You are the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever known.

You make me better. I know what not having you in my life is, it's miserable. I don't want that anymore. I was a fool to choose flying over you. I love you very much Sarah. I want to be with you every day for the rest of my life.

Sarah MacKenzie, will you do me the honor and become my wife? Will you marry me?" asked Harm.

There was a hush in the audience as they waited for her answer. The Jag staff was equally shocked and stunned. They had been so interested in the dance and hadn't seen this coming. How was it possible??

Mac stood there trying to catch her breath. She was having difficulty breathing. The man she loved wanted to marry her. How was that possible after all this time? While she thought this day was a possibility, she didn't expect it so soon.

Maybe after a period of time when they were comfortable being together again. Her legs felt weak and rubbery. She thought she better say yes before she collapse to the floor. She drew a calming breath and said

"I have waited all my life to find a man as wonderful and caring as you. Not a day goes by that I don't think my life is better just knowing you. You have always made me feel special. You've helped me overcome so many things in my life.

I'm a better person for knowing you. For the last month I've been dreaming about tonight. What would we do? What would we say? I have hoped that someday tonight would come, though I have to admit I didn't think it would be tonight. I love you so much Harm that I would be very honored to become your wife." replied Mac with tears in here eyes.

Harm put the ring on her finger and stood up to take her into his arms. They shared a passionate kiss that seemed as if it would never end. And for the viewing audience it didn't for the show went to commercial before rolling the credits.

The End