A/N: I know you all are enjoying "The Life Fate Wanted" and I will post another chapter of that one soon, I sorting it out now-but in the mean time, I wrote ANOTHER alternate ending. This one addresses Mattie's accident. This one a less fluffy but more angsty. I hope you enjoy it. I am going to upload 6 chapters now, I likely have another 3-4 already written, but I need to add a scene to chapter 7. :)

Harm followed the coin with his eyes as it rotated through the air and landed in the commander's palm. He needed to put a stop to this. He was taking the decision out of fate's hands and putting it back in his own. However, fate had actually set him on this path some time ago. The results of a coin toss wouldn't change that.

"Bud, wait," he blurted, glancing at the woman in his arms as he cleared his throat to explain. "It's not necessary."

"Harm?" she asked in the soft voice she only used in their most personal interactions. The concern etched into her features was laced with a heavy dose of hurt. She thought he'd changed his mind.

"I'm going to retire," he announced. The finality of the statement made him a bit light headed, but he knew it was the right thing.

"But a couple hours ago…"Mac protested.

"A couple hours ago I hadn't been granted custody of Mattie. Now I have," Harm countered. He started to relax as he saw the relief and understanding flood Mac's expression. They'd talked about this. Whatever future they created together had to include Mattie. He told the teenager he wouldn't abandon her and he meant it. "And the more I think about it, I realize that I need to be there for her as she recovers and I can't adequately do that while navigating a Captain's billet in London. And I've heard there are some really great rehab programs in San Diego, so if you'll take us…" he smiled down at Mac, quirking an eyebrow expectantly.

"Yes," she breathed. "Of course, yes," she repeated with a nervous chuckle.

"Then I guess you'll want this," he grinned, producing a small velvet box from his pocket. She took it from him and cracked it open.

"Harm…" she used that soft voice again as she studied the simple engagement ring.

"From one Sarah to another," he replied meaningfully as he slid it on her finger. Mac swallowed thickly. It was his grandmothers. She tossed her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "And I'm crazy about both of them." Harm whispered in her ear.

"So, still getting married then?" Coates interrupted. Harm barked a laugh. He'd been so focused on the moment with Mac that he'd forgotten they had an audience.

"Yes, and going to San Diego," Harm confirmed.

"So the job is yours if you want it, Coates," Mac offered.

"Oh, thank you!" The young woman nearly squealed with delight.

"Captain, you are now on terminal leave pending your resignation papers and Colonel, I am going to see if I can get you a couple more days in our fine city to get a handle on all these developments," General Creswell announced.

"Thank you, sir," Mac said with a soft nod.

"Now, we toast to marriage and family," Sturgis started.

"And friends we'll never forget," Bud added.

The group stuck around the bar for awhile longer reminiscing about their time together at JAG HQ and tossing around ideas for Harm and Mac's upcoming nuptials. Eventually everyone went their separate ways, the General home to his wife, Bud and Harriet to relive the sitter, and Sturgis and Coates just calling it a night.

"So did you figure it out?" the bartender asked Harm. "Are you actually engaged?"

Harm deferred the question to Mac with a knowing look.

"Yes, we are," she grinned, lifting her left hand.

"Oh! Pretty ring!" The woman gasped.

"Like you said, I'm lucky," Mac shrugged as Harm wrapped his arms around her. She tucked her head against his chest

"You ready?" He asked, rubbing her back.

"As long as I get to go home with you," she countered, pulling back to see his face.

"For the rest of your life," he smiled, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss.

Mac leaned against the doorframe and just watched Harm for a moment. He was stretched out on her bed, leaning against the headboard, eyes closed and hands folded in his lap. She almost couldn't believe that her trip to his apartment that afternoon led them here. At best she'd hoped for a solid goodbye, but this was so much better. She looked down at her new engagement ring and crossed the room.

Harm cracked an eye open as he felt Mac straddle his hips.

"Hey" she smiled.

"Hey," he returned easily. He studied her for a moment. She was so beautiful. Her silk negligée made him smile. He thought about the last time he'd seen her in one.

"It nearly killed me when you wore one of these in Russia," he chuckled, sliding his fingers under one of the straps.

"I doubt that, you had other things on your mind," she countered.

"There was a beautiful woman who I cared for very much sleeping just across the room in almost nothing. The world itself could have been ending and I would have still noticed you." he admitted, his hand drifting up her neck to cup her cheek.

"Nine years I have been desperate for you to say things like that," she breathed.

"I know, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long," Harm replies, leaning forward to kiss her softly. He pulled away as a yawn overtook him. "Sorry about that," he chuckled.

"Tired?" Mac asked. Harm nodded. He scrubbed his face with both hands.

"I don't remember the last time I wasn't tired."

"Probably before Mattie's accident." Mac assumed. It had been painful to watch Harm try to function on the couple of hours of sleep he allowed himself while waiting for the girl to wake from her coma.

"Are you ok with all of the Mattie stuff? I know I sort of sprung it on you." Harm asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" She cocked her head to the side.

"Well, it's one thing to agree to marry me. It's another thing to agree to marry me and take in my teenage ward who may or may not be paralyzed for the rest of her life. It's just a lot..."

"It is a lot. How do you feel about it?" Mac hadn't really checked on him since he announced he was leaving the Navy to appropriately care for Mattie. It was a huge decision.

Harm thought for a moment. He wasn't sure how to explain it. Just like the last time he'd done it, leaving the Navy wasn't a decision he made lightly but one he made surprisingly easily. The people he loved needed him more.

"I love Mattie and she needs me. That's really all I know. The rest I have to figure out," he shrugged.

"We have to figure it out," Mac corrected.

"Yeah, we." Harm grinned.

"Speaking of which, when were you thinking we were going to officially become a 'we'?" Mac asked, looping her arms around his neck and pressing their foreheads together.

"Biblically or legally?" he wondered, accenting each word with a kiss.

"Well," She drawled. "Biblically sounds fun, but since I can't have that right now, legally will have to do." They decided not to consummate their relationship until Mac had officially transferred from HQ and Harm turned in his resignation papers. Harm didn't want to potentially put Mac in the same position she was in in Okinawa.

"How would you feel about waiting until we get settled in San Diego?" Harm asked. The way Mac tensed in his arms told him everything he needed to know. When she attempted to climb off his lap, he locked his arms around her. The look on her face was the same one he saw earlier at the bar. Again, she thought he'd changed his mind.

"Harm, stop," she pushed against him.

"No you stop, hear me out," Harm chuckled.

"This isn't a joke, Harm," her features hardened.

"I know, Mac. I don't think it is. I cannot wait to start our life together, really. This is not a matter of if I want to marry you, just when. There are certain people that I would like to be at our wedding that I don't think can make it before you report to California," he explained. "Like Mattie," he added meaningfully. Mac sighed and relaxed against him. He made a valid point. "We'll figure it out, Mac." Harm assured her, stroking her back. "But tomorrow. I've made enough life changing decisions for one day."

"You have," she agreed, pushing up so she could see his face.

"But all good decisions," he admitted, quirking an eyebrow. She smiled at him and kissed him again.

"I love you," she breathed.

"Love you too," he replied, shuffling her off his lap and curling his large body around hers.