"The Kiss"
by Rita Widmer

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish I could own this show and its
characters, but I don't. I'll live with it.

Author's note: This is my version of what might be going next week on
JAG. This is my only second story for JAG, and today I found out that a
"Remember WENN" story of mine has been nominated. Its up on the
"Remember WENN" site. Its based on a true story, and you don't have to
know the show to understand most of the story.

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Engagement Party
***************

Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie watched as her best friend came through the door.
He had told her that morning that he may not be able to come. The music
was playing softly in the background, and Mac recognized the song. It
was an old one, but it was the one that Harm and her danced for the
first time too. She turned to her fiancee, and said, "Mic, there's
Harm. You don't mind if I have a dance with him do you?" She watched
him for a second before smiling and walking off to Harm.

Harm smiled at her, but even he could tell it was strained. He was
listening to Mac and his song; he liked to call it. "Congratulations,
Mac!" He said to her as she approached.

"Thank you, Harm. I was wondering if you would like to dance, or would
it be too much like dancing with your sister?" Her smile was also
constrained.

He didn't give an answer, but took her hand and took her to the dance
floor. He tried to keep her at safe distance, but that night long ago
when they danced for the first time repeated in his head. For each new
verse he found himself pulling her closer. She didn't seem to notice
it. *See she doesn't even care if you hold her close. You have no
effect on her. She doesn't care about you.*

It took Mac's full attention to not give away the weakening in her
legs. She loved being in his arms, and wanted to stay there forever.
She could feel Mic's eyes on her as she danced. He was jealous of Harm,
and he surely did have a good excuse to be so.

The song ended, but they kept in each other's arms. Their eyes meeting
as their lips moved forward. Mac could feel his warm breath on her when
all of a sudden the moment was gone when Harm pulled back.

"Sorry, Mac. I thought I could do this, but I can't. I should leave
now."

"What's wrong Harm?" She took his arm and took him out to the patio.

"I never thought I would be celebrating your engagement to... someone
else. I feel like I'm loosing my best friend and its hurting."

"I know. I've felt that way ever since you left for flying. I thought
every chance of us was over. When you came back I think deep down I
wanted to hurt you. In my heart, I knew you didn't do it to hurt me,
but I couldn't help feeling that way."

"Sarah, I'm so sorry. I wish I could take back my change of designator,
and not have had a chance to hurt you. I don't want to hurt you ever."

"You needed to go back there, Harm. It was your opportunity to see what
you had back home, and what you were missing by leaving. Otherwise you
would spend the rest of your life wondering what it would have been like
to go back to flying."

Tears were threatening to fall as she finished.
Harm looked into her eyes, and saw the tears. "Mac, come here." She
slowly came over, and he took her in his arms. It felt so right to hold
her. "I'm changing my designator or resigning once you get married to
Bugme."

"Why Harm?"

"I just have too, Sarah."

"Please Harm tell me the full truth. I want to know if there is a chance with
the real man I love."

He pulled her away slightly to look in her eyes. " Who is it you really love?"

"I will not be the first one to say it. I have to hear the right words from you
before I can allow myself to confess."

Harm knew she was talking about her feelings for him which stunned him.
He was caught off guard, but finally gathered himself. "Sarah, I believe I have
loved you since we met in the Rose Garden. I had wanted to convince myself
it was just the likeness to Diane, but as I got to know you for you I realized it
was not at all Diane, but you."

She was silent for a long moment. "Then why did you back away?"

"I had to know your feelings, and it would be wrong to do that in front of Mic.
No matter how much I hate him, I couldn't do that to him."

Mac's heart was singing and aching at the same time. She knew she has used Mic
to get revenge on Harm for hurting her in Australia, and then given up hope when
nothing changed between them. Her heart was beating fast as she tried to gather
up the courage to say 'I love you, Harm.' Those words would not come out of her.

Harm watched the struggle in her eyes. They were so mesmerizing that he found
himself coming nearer to her. Their lips just touch.

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Just before the screen goes black three simple words are seen.

"To be continued..."