Title: Meeting in a Rose Garden

Summary: Mac reconnects with someone she knew in law school. (West Wing Crossover) (Mac/Other, Mac/Harm friendship)

Note: There is a sex scene in this part. It's nothing too explicit, but it's more than I've previously written here. If you want to skip that, it starts with taking off a shirt and ends with a line break.

Part Nineteen

"Sarah Mackenzie."

"Hey gorgeous. You sound busy. Is this a bad time?"

She grinned and leaned back in her chair. "I'm busy, but I can always spare a few minutes for you." Sam snorted and her smile widened. "What's up?"

"What? I can't call the woman I love just to say hello?"

"You can. But you're busier than I am, so you usually don't." He laughed, and the sound warmed her. "Not that I mind, but did you call just to flirt with me, or is there something else?"

"Fine. You win. There's a reason for this call. I'm actually going to be finished here at a reasonable time tonight. Want to go out for dinner? I called Jaleo and they have a few openings tonight."

She hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry, I can't. I have plans after work and probably won't be home until late." She winced and felt anxiety bubbling up within her. She'd never had to tell him no before, and she hated the thought of disappointing him. Hated the thought of having him angry at her. Would he give her the silent treatment when she got home that night? Would he act like Mic or Dalton had at a perceived rejection?

"No worries." He sounded calm and relaxed, and she felt herself let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Anything fun?"

"Um, no. Not really. Bud has an appointment at 6:00 in Bethesda. They're not sure how long they'll be, and Harriet asked if I could babysit AJ at their place."

"That makes sense." There was noise in the background, and he sighed. "Hang on one sec." She didn't respond, but heard him speaking to someone. She was quiet for a moment, and then he cleared his throat. "I'm back. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. I need to get back to work anyway."

"Okay. I love you and I'll see you when you get home."

"I love you too." She hung up and sat up straighter, and then felt angry with herself. He wasn't Mic or Dalton, or even her father. Especially not her father. When was she going to realize that, and stop constantly worrying about disappointing him or making him angry?


It was almost 9:00 when Mac got home, and she was exhausted. She set her keys and bag on the table and walked into the quiet apartment. The tv was off, the kitchen was tidy, and there was no sign of Sam.

"Sam?"

"In the office!"

She locked the door and turned off the light and made her way to the second bedroom they used as a small office. She tapped on the door frame before walking in, and smiled when he craned his neck to look at her. "You look hot in glasses. Have I ever told you that?"

He shook his head and reached for her. He took her hand and pulled her to him, and into his lap. "No, but that's good to know." He leaned in to kiss her, and when he pulled back, he brushed a lock of hair off of her face and studied her. She was beautiful of course, but she looked tired, and… something else. He just couldn't put a finger on what it was. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm okay. Just tired."

"You sure?"

She nodded again. "It's just… It's hard seeing Bud like this. He's so unhappy, and Harriet is trying so hard – too hard maybe, to pretend everything is normal. It's hard to be around both of them together. And of course, AJ is picking up on everything they're feeling, so he's not as pleasant as he usually is." She shook her head. "God, I'm such a bitch to complain about this."

Sam shook his head. "No, you're not. You're not complaining either. I asked what's wrong and you're telling me. Your friends are going through something hard, and you're concerned about them. You're a good friend."

"I guess." Mac leaned her head into his, and her eyes fell on the laptop screen. "What are you working on?"

He glanced at the screen, as if he needed to remember what he had been doing just a few minutes before. "Making some notes about the convention speech. It's in August, so we have to start thinking about that."

She glanced at a calendar that hung over the desk and shook her head. "It's the beginning of June. You guys never get a break, do you?"

"A break? What's that?" He grinned, and leaned back. "I'll have a break eventually. Maybe after the election."

"And then what?" She shifted on his lap and ran her fingers through his hair. "If he wins, that gives you four more years. What'll you do after that?"

He shrugged, and pressed his head into her hand. "I don't know. I figure I'll cross that bridge when we get to it." She nodded, but didn't say anything. He ran a finger over her cheekbone. "Are you sure you're okay? It seems like it's more than just Bud and Harriet."

Mac studied him, her fingers still running through his hair. He was wearing it a little longer these days, and she loved it. They sat in silence, and she knew he was waiting her out. She sighed and closed her eyes. "We've been together for a while now, but I still feel…" She trailed off and went quiet again while trying to compose her thoughts. "Sometimes I forget that you're you, and I still worry about how you'll react to something I do or say. Like today. You tell me you wanted to go to dinner, and telling you I had already made plans filled me with so much dread. I was worried you'd act the way Mic or Dalton acted." She shook her head. "I really thought that after all this time I'd be able to put all of that behind me, but I haven't yet."

Sam frowned and shifted. "Sarah, did they ever hit you?"

She shook her head. "No. It was never anything like that. Dalton wasn't as bad as Mic. But they both got angry when I chose to spend time with someone other than them. They would get petty and accusatory and it always, always lead to an argument."

"I'm not them." He shook his head when she opened her mouth. "Just listen, okay?" She hesitated for a moment before nodding, and he smiled. "I'm not them. You had a life before I was a part of it. A life with friends, and a job, and responsibilities." She took a breath, and he shrugged. "I have those things too. I'll never expect you to be at my beck and call, or get mad if you have your own thing to do." He nudged her with his shoulder. "Just like you never get upset when I go out for a drink after work with Josh and Toby, or go hit balls at the driving range when I'm frustrated."

She groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I'm so bad at this."

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "You'll get better at it." He ran a hand over her hair. "Hey, look at me." She raised her head and met his eyes. "I know I'm not perfect, but your exes were assholes. I'm not them. And one of these days you'll realize that."

"What if I push you away before I realize that?"

Sam shook his head and thought of the engagement ring he still had tucked away. "I'm not going anywhere." He cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her. He pulled back, and ran a finger over her full lips. "I love you. I need you. I want you. And that will never change." She let out a shuddering breath and nodded, and he leaned in to kiss her again. The kiss was gentle at first, but then she moaned softly and opened her mouth to him. He pulled back after a moment, flushed and a little out of breath. He tilted his head and began placing featherlight kisses from her ear to the base of her throat, and then pushed the wide strap of her tank top to the side, wanting to spend some time on her collarbones.

She pushed him away for a moment, before grabbing the hem of the tank top and pulling it off. His eyes darkened and he groaned as she deliberately shifted in his lap and moved her hands to pull his t-shirt off. Her hands moved over his perfect chest. "Bedroom" Her voice was just barely above a whisper. She shifted again, and then stood up and held her hand out to him.

He took her hand and stood, but shook his head. "Right here. Please." He pushed his sweatpants and boxers past his hips and stepped out of them, and then unbuttoned her shorts. She pushed the denim and her pale pink panties down and watched as he sat back down in the chair. She raised an eyebrow and he grinned. "Just something I've fantasized about once or twice."

She smiled and moved back to his lap, this time straddling him. She lowered her lips to his, and they both moaned as he moved his hips and pushed inside of her.


Sam watched as she pulled her shorts and panties back on, and then reached for her bra and tank top. He grabbed the bra and held it just out of her reach. "Clothes are overrated."

She snorted and leaned in to kiss him. She grabbed the tank top and then stepped out of his reach. "You can keep the bra." She slid her top back on and smiled. "I'm going to go get something to eat. AJ shared his dino shaped nuggets with me, but I think I need something more substantial."

He watched her leave the office, and sighed as he pulled his own clothes back on, and then followed her to the kitchen. She was reheating the pasta he had cooked for his own dinner, and he went to pour a glass of water. He took a sip of his water and watched her open the microwave, give the food a stir, and then put it back. "I'll be right back." He went to their bedroom and opened his sweater drawer and rifled around for the ring. He found the navy box and shoved it into his pocket and headed back to the kitchen. He sat down at the table and watched her grate an insane amount of parmesan over the bowl of pasta, eggplant and sausage.

Mac sat down across from him and raised an eyebrow. "I like parmesan. Don't judge me."

Sam held up held up his hands and grinned. "No judging."

She took a few bites and looked up at him. "You're staring at me."

He shrugged. "I like looking at you." She blushed and he grinned, and then shifted in his seat. He knew it was all in his head, but he felt like the ring was burning his thigh. He's had this ring for four months, just waiting for the right moment. He hadn't wanted to rush her or pressure her, but now he also wanted her to know that this was forever for him. He wasn't going to change his mind, and he wasn't going to let her fears and anxiety push him away. He didn't want to ask while she was still eating cheese with a little pasta, and took the conversation back a bit. "What do you think I should do once I'm done at the White House?"

Her bite of food hung in midair for a moment, then she lowered her fork back to the bowl. "I don't know. What would you like to do?"

Sam shrugged, not entirely sure. He could always work for another politician, but President Bartlet would be a hard act to follow, and he didn't think a Congressman or Governor would be worth the insane hours and never-ending stress. He could go to another law firm, and actually practice again. He hated the soullessness of corporate law, but he was good at it and the pay was exceptional. "I have no idea. I miss practicing law, but I don't know if I can stomach another firm like Gage Whitney."

Mac winced. "Yeah. What about trying to stay on with the next administration?"

"It would all depend on who the President is. I can tell you with absolute certainty that I couldn't work for John Hoynes if he gets the nomination."

She raised an eyebrow. "Not a fan of the Vice President?

He shook his head. "Not really. He's good at his job, but I don't really care for him personally, and I don't trust him." He took a sip of his water and leaned back. "I know it's crazy to say this, since he lied about the MS for so long, but I trust President Bartlet completely, and I couldn't sacrifice this much of myself for someone I don't trust."

"It's not crazy." Her voice was soft, and she reached across the table and touched his hand. "I just..." She swallowed, and pulled her hand back. "You'll still be here though? Right?" His eyes met hers, and the intensity in his gaze made her shiver.

"I'll be wherever you are."

She took a deep breath. "Sam..."

He shook his head and stood. He moved to her chair and knelt before her. "Sarah, I will be wherever you are. Wherever you want to go, or wherever the military sends you. Unless you tell me that you don't want me with you, of course."

She shook her head and then placed a hand on his neck. Her thumb stroked his jaw, and the rest of her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I will always want you with me."

He smiled and reached into his pocket. This was it. This was the moment; he just knew it. A part of him, a small part, regretted the lack of romance and a big gesture, but he felt as if this was more her. More them. A quiet, intimate moment with just the two of them. He pulled out the box and opened it slowly. Her eyes went comically wide and he took a deep breath. "I bought this months ago, but I've been waiting for the perfect moment. Marry me?" Her hand covered her mouth, and she was staring at the beautiful, vintage ring. He placed a hand under her chin and tilted her face up so her eyes met his.

"This - this is the perfect moment?" She swallowed and her eyes darted to the ring again, and then back at him. "I'm not even wearing a bra."

He laughed, and felt a little less nervous. "I decided I didn't want to wait for the perfect moment. I've almost asked so many times, but I didn't want you to feel rushed or pressured. I want -" He took a breath and watched her tongue run over her bottom lip. "I just want you. As my wife. No matter where our careers take us, and no matter how much uncertainty we face with them, I know that I can handle any of that as long as I have you with me."

"Oh, Sam..."

He shook his head. "I love you. And it's fine if you're not ready. I'm not going to ask you to do anything crazy like wear it on your right hand or anything. Just, don't say no. Please don't say no. Just tell me you're not ready."

She smiled, and brushed a few tears off of her cheeks. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yes, a thousand times."

His face lit up and he pulled the ring from its velvet cushion and let out a breath as he slid it on her finger. The ring fit perfectly, and she instantly held her hand up to examine it.

"Do you like it? The jeweler told me it was from around 1925."

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." And it was. The antique ring had a large center stone and was set with gently curved graduating rows of glittering small diamonds, accentuated with delicate milgraining and decorative engraving. She looked from the sparkling ring to him and smiled. "it's perfect."


Mac pulled into her parking spot and turned off the ignition. She glanced at the ring, and then took a deep breath. She was anxious about announcing her engagement to her friends at JAG. Most would be happy for her, she knew that. She just really hoped Harm would be one of them. She sat there for a few minutes, until his car pulled in beside hers. They got out at the same time, and met up in on the curb in front of both vehicles.

"Morning, Mac." He adjusted his hat and shifted his briefcase to the other hand. "Were you waiting on me?" He grinned and began walking toward the building.

She fell into step beside him, and then stopped and touched his arm. "I need to tell you something."

He turned to face her, a look of concern marring his previously relaxed face. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is good. Really good, actually." She held out her left hand and tried not to wince when he inhaled sharply. He recovered quickly and gingerly reached for her hand to look at the ring. She watched him, and waited in silence for his eyes to meet hers. "I wanted to actually tell you this time. I wanted you to be the first to know."

He nodded. "Thanks." They stood in silence for a moment, and then began walking again. But then he stopped, and waited for her to do the same. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to look at him. "You're happy then? Honestly happy?"

She nodded, and couldn't help but smile. "I'm happier than I've ever been."

"Okay then." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Then I'm happy for you, Mac. I really am."

End Part 19