J*A*G

"A Time for Everything"

Summary: Two tragic deaths, two grief-stricken kids, and two hearts longing to be one…can one event push the course of Fate to where it needs to be?

Author's Note(s): (1) Takes place in season six.

(2) Mac hasn't moved the ring yet.

(3) For the purpose of this story, Sergei is just sixteen.

(4) In this AU,Chloe's grandparents aren't living.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I just wrote this story for fun.

…

Chapter 10: A Time to Prepare

1030 Zulu

Eastside Mall

Pittsburgh, PA

"Harm, why can't I just wear the shirt and pants I wore yesterday to church?" Josh asked Harm as they made their way to a tuxedo rental store.

After he and Mac had stopped by the Beallesville County Courthouse that morning to apply for their marriage license, they and the kids had travelled to the nearest city in order to take care of the kids' clothing for the wedding.

Having called everyone last night and let them know the day, time, and basic plans for the wedding, everything was all set. His mom and Frank were flying in immediately to help out, Bud and Harriet would arrive with little AJ on Saturday, and the Admiral said he'd arrive on Sunday.

Now, while Mac and Chloe searched for the perfect flower girl dress, he and Josh were on their way to secure the boy a white tux—so that he at least matched his and Bud's dress whites.

Sergei had opted to not be apart of the wedding, and had also chosen to stay on the farm and help Gram with some much needed repairs—Harm was of the opinion his brother may have gotten the better end of the deal.

"Because," he told Josh, "a tux is traditional, pal, and Mac wants it to be as traditional as possible."

Josh wrinkled his nose. "Is it too late to do what Sergei did?" he asked, mournfully.

Harm chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Afraid so," he told him, opening the door to the tux shop. "In."

Sighing, Josh entered the store and he followed him.

"Good morning, Gentlemen," a perky sales clerk wearing large gold earrings greeted them. "How can I be of assistance this morning?"

Harm placed his hand on the top of Josh's head.

"We need a white tux," he told them. "For him…"

Josh sent a glare his way—which he pointedly ignored, of course.

The sales clerk smiled at the boy. "And what may the occasion be?" she asked, curiously.

"A wedding," Harm informed her. "He's the ring bearer."

"Isn't he a little old?" she asked, frowning. "Traditionally, the ring bearer is under the age of ten…"

"See," Josh told Harm, smirking. "And I'm twelve."

"This wedding is slightly non-traditional," Harm explained, smiling. "The flower girl is the same age."

"Ah," the young woman said, and pulled out some books from under the sales counter. "Well then, if you'll just look through these catalogues. We have a wide selection of children's tuxes and suits to choose from…"

While Harm started previewing through the various selections, Josh got bored standing there and decided to have a look around the shop.

After he'd checked out all the wedding gowns—some of which he wondered how women even managed to fit in them—and tried to have a sneak peek in the ladies changing room (a matronly sales associate stopped him before he could get a good look, unfortunately) he found the displays of men's, young men's, and boy's tuxes and suits.

There were all the usual styles, of course, but a pair of miniature dress white uniforms caught his eye.

One was small, as if it had been made for a kid about six years old, but the other looked to have been made for a bigger kid—like someone twelve years old.

Josh smiled, an idea popping into his head.

Because it was only hanging from a rack, he grabbed it and headed back to the front to find Harm.

"Hey, Harm," he said, smiling. "Look at this!"

Harm, whose brow was crinkled from looking at various selections of tuxes, looked up and grinned.

"Where did you find that, pal?" he asked, curiously.

"Oh, that," the sales clerk said, wrinkling her nose. "That was a custom made affair. An older naval officer was getting married for the second time. His two grandsons insisted they have dress uniforms, too. Unfortunately, at the last minute, the bride decided she wanted to elope instead…"

"I like this one, Harm," Josh told him, hopefully. "Can we get it for me?"

Harm bit his lip. "I don't know, pal," he said, hesitantly.

"Please," Josh pleaded. "I'll really match you and Bud this way…"

"Are you in the Navy, Sir?" the sales clerk asked Harm, curiously.

"Yes, Ma'am," Harm told her. "I was a naval aviator and now I work for the JAG corps as a lawyer. My fiancé is a Marine—also at JAG. Even though we're not having a traditional military wedding, my best man and I will be in dress whites."

"Please, Harm," Josh said, giving him his best 'puppy dog' expression. "If I have to get all dressed up, anyway, I'd like to match…"

Harm looked at the sales clerk. "Would it be possible to purchase or rent it?" he asked, curiously.

"Of course," the sales clerk told him, smiling. "We've been trying to sale it ever since it wasn't picked up on time."

"How much?" Harm asked, curiously.

"Well, it's marked down to $75.00," she told them, "but then there are the shoes—which will be around $25.00—and any alterations that are needed. Those vary depending on what needs to be done and when the customer needs it by."

Harm glanced around.

"Is there a men's dressing area?" he asked, curiously. "Let's let him try it on and see if it will fit."

"Of course, Sir," she said, pointing. "It's in the back to the right."

Harm nodded and steered Josh in that direction.

Entering the dressing room, he asked, "Do you need any help getting it on?"

"C'mon, Harm," Josh wrinkled is nose at that suggestion. "I'm not a baby!"

Harm chuckled at the kid's embarrassment. He remembered being that age all too well.

"I know you're not, buddy," he assured him, "but you've also never put on a naval uniform, either."

"I'm a bright kid," Josh told him, cheekily. "I'll figure it out."

Harm nodded. "All right," he told him, "but if you need any help. Just ask. Okay?"

Josh nodded. "I will," he said, and closed the fitting room door.

A few minutes later, he reemerged wearing the miniature uniform.

Harm had two thoughts simultaneously as he smiled down at the boy.

Luke would be so proud of him, he thought, and Annie is probably rolling around in her grave…

As luck, or fate, would have it the uniform fit Josh perfectly.

No alterations were needed, so all they had to do was purchase it, the miniature cover (the hat, for those non-military people out there…) that went with it, and the shoes.

All in all, it was about a hundred dollars less than what Harm had expected to pay—and that was for renting a tux.

"Well, buddy," he said, draping an arm around Josh's shoulders. "That's taken care of. What do you want to do now?"

Josh thought about it. "Can we go to the arcade?" he asked, pleadingly. "And get something to eat?"

Harm glanced at his watch.

"I'm sure Mac and Chloe are still gleefully shopping," he said, smirking, "so I think that can be arranged. C'mon."

After thirty minutes of hard electronic game, pinball, and skeet playing at the mall's arcade, they headed over to the food court for some soda and pizza.

"Thanks for letting me get the dress whites, Harm," Josh told him, after about his fourth or fifth slice of pepperoni pizza.

"You're welcome, pal," Harm told him. "Someday, I bet you'll have an authentic set to go along with 'em…"

"Yeah," Josh assured him, grinning. "You can count on that. Hey, Harm?"

Harm grinned. "Yeah, kiddo?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"About the other day," Josh said, quietly. "You know, when Chloe and I…uh, well…"

"Got lost on purpose and worried us all half to death," Harm finished for him, pointedly.

Josh blushed. "Uh, yeah, that," he said, hesitantly. "Did you really mean what you said?"

"About…?" Harm asked, raising an eyebrow.

Josh blushed even more. "You know," he told him. "About what you'll do if we get in trouble again…"

"About spanking you?" Harm asked, grinning. "Yeah, pal, I was as serious as a heart attack on that one."

Josh sighed. "I thought you were," he said, quietly.

"Hey now," Harm said, reaching across the table to lift his chin up. "You know I'd never do anything to ever hurt you, Josh."

"I know," Josh said, honestly, "and Dad spanked me a couple of times, too. Mom didn't believe in it, though…"

"I know," Harm told him, "and it wouldn't be at the top of my child rearing practices, either. Most of the time, buddy, if you get in trouble you're just gonna get grounded and maybe given extra chores. But what you and Chloe did…"

"I know," Josh said. "It was big. We are really sorry about it. You guys know that, right?"

"Mac and I know that, buddy," Harm assured him, grinning. "She and I have been talking, actually…"

"About what?" Josh asked, curiously.

"Well," Harm told him, "after the wedding and we're all back in D.C. and after everyone has gotten adjusted and everything…Well, the gist of it is that she and I want to formally—legally—adopt you and Chloe."

"I thought you already had," Josh said, puzzled.

"Currently," Harm explained, "we're just you're legal guardians. Adoption would make us you're parents—if that's you want, that is."

"I, uh, I can't say nothin' 'bout Chloe," Josh said, hesitantly, "but I think I'd like that."

"You would?" Harm asked, a bit surprised by his answer.

"Yeah, I always wanted you to be my second dad," Josh told him, quietly. "I loved Mom and Dad, Harm, you know that. They're always gonna be my real parents, I won't ever forget that, but…"

"You want a family," Harm guessed, smiling.

Josh nodded. "Yeah, and I know they'd want me to have that," he told him, quietly. "Wouldn't they?"

Harm grinned. "Yeah, buddy," he agreed, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "They would."

There was a bit of silence for a moment that was only broken when Josh inadvertently let out a large burp.

"Um, excuse me," he said, blushing in embarrassment. He and Harm burst out laughing.

"You're excused, Mr. Pendry," Harm joked, still chuckling. "Now, c'mon, let's go pry a couple of ladies away from all those expensive dresses."

Josh nodded and the two of them headed in search of Chloe and Mac.

...

1200 Zulu

Harrison's Department Store

Pittsburgh, PA

"What about this one?" Mac asked Chloe for about the hundredth time.

They had been in five different stores already and looked at least fifty dresses…if not more.

"What color dress did Harriet say she was wearing again?" Chloe asked, curiously.

"I think she said it was a rose pink," Mac told her. "Why?"

"Because I want to find something in rose pink," Chloe said, giving her a 'duh' look. "I want to match the Matron of Honor."

Mac sighed. "Chloe, we may not find…" she started to say, but then something caught her eye.

It was a simple spaghetti strapped dress—in a light pink color.

"Eureka!" she exclaimed, going over and grabbing the dress. "What do you think?"

Chloe looked the dress over and smiled brightly.

"It's perfect!" she exclaimed, happily. "Where can I try it on…?"

"Over here," Mac said, leading the way ladies dressing room. "Want any help?"

"Mac," Chloe gave her an exasperated look. "I'm twelve—not two."

"I know, I know," Mac said, holding up her hands defensively. "My mistake… Go on, let's see how it looks."

Chloe laughed and closed the door. She reemerged a few minutes later. The dress fit her perfectly.

"Oh, Sweetheart," Mac said, smiling. "You look beautiful."

"You think so?" Chloe said, happily. "You think Harm will think so?"

"I know he will," Mac assured her, smirking.

"I'm glad," Chloe said. "I want to look pretty for him."

"Really…?" Mac asked, smiling.

"Yeah," Chloe admitted. "I've always loved Harm, you know that."

"I know," Mac told her, and then gave her a hesitant look. "How would you like for him to be your father—legally, I mean?"

Chloe frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked, curiously.

"He and I were talking," Mac told her, sitting down in one of the nearby chairs and pulling her to her. "After the wedding, and everybody has gotten adjusted a bit more, he and I would like to formally adopt you and Josh. Would you like that?"

"I'd love it!" Chloe told her, hugging her.

"Really?" Mac asked, a little surprised by her reaction.

After all, she had just lost her father…

"Heck yeah," Chloe told her, smiling. "I loved my mom, Mac, and my dad—you know that. But they're gone and you're all I have left—you and Harm. I want us to be a family—a real family. That's why I did what I did…"

"You mean get yourself and Josh lost in the woods on purpose?" Mac asked, raising a serious eyebrow.

It was still a touchy subject with her.

"Yeah," Chloe blushed at the stern look. "I really am sorry for scaring you."

Mac's eyes softened a little bit.

"Oh, Sweetie, I know you are," she told her, hugging her. "Now, go take that off so we can go pay for it."

Chloe nodded and did just that.

They headed out of the store with the dress and pair of pink shoes to match fifteen minutes later.

"Hey, Mac…?" Chloe asked, glancing at her curiously.

"Yes, Chloe," Mac said, glancing back just as curious.

"Do you think Harm meant what he said?" Chloe asked, hesitantly. "About what he'd do if Josh or I got in big trouble again?"

"You mean about spanking you?" Mac clarified, raising an eyebrow at her. "Yes, I believe he was very serious."

Chloe nodded. "That's what I thought," she said, quietly.

Mac stopped and turned her around so that they were facing each other.

"You're not afraid of him now, are you?" she asked her, seriously. "You know Harm would never do anything to truly hurt you, Chloe—you know I wouldn't let him, right?"

"I know," Chloe told her, truthfully. "It just surprised me a little. I mean, it sounded so…"

"Fatherly?" Mac asked, smirking. "Did Kyle ever…?"

"No," Chloe answered, truthfully. "Though he did threaten it a couple of times when I was driving him crazy…"

"You?" Mac asked, smirking. "Drive somebody crazy? Surely not…"

Chloe giggled. "C'mon, Mac, I'm not that bad," she said, but then looked worried. "Am I?"

Mac shook her head. "No, Sweetheart," she assured him, chuckling. "Of course not…"

She bent down to kiss her head.

"There you two are," a familiar voice spoke up and they turned to find Harm and Josh headed their way.

"Hey there," Mac greeted them. "Get what you needed?"

Harm held up a garment bag. "Yep," he assured them. "You two?"

Mac held up their garment bag. "Yep," she said. "You ready to go?"

"Lead the way, Colonel," Harm told her, smirking.

"Oh no, Commander," Mac told him, smirking back. "I insist you go first."

"But, Mac," Harm said, leaning down to kiss her. "Marines always lead the way…"

"If this gets any deeper," Josh said, wrinkling his nose, "we're going to need combat boots."

"You said it," Chloe agreed, smirking.

"Oh, ha, ha," Harm said, ruffling their hair. "You two think you're both so funny, don't you?"

"Funnier than you," the two kids spoke at the same time.

"They have you there, Harm," Mac told him, laughing.

Harm tried to look stern, but failed miserably and broke out laughing—as did the kids.

"C'mon," he said, draping an arm around Mac's shoulders. "Let's head out."

Together, the four of them headed toward the exit of the mall.

TBC...