ST. PATRICKS DAY

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February flew by and it was already the second week in March.  Things had calmed a bit around JAG, while no one was obvious about the relationships, no one walked around in fear.  AJ had spoken with the guilty parties and advised them all to keep it professional and keep it out of the office.  Should things take a more serious turn, they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

Everything was going well for everyone, except Sam and Webb; they hadn't spoken since Valentine's.

Gunny and Ashlyn were the most serious of all the couples.  Things had been moving along well, Gunny rarely stayed at his place anymore and most of his clothes were at Ashlyn's place.  They had decided to make things more permanent and live together.  Jen and Tiner agreed to help out with the move and then everyone was meeting Sam at Flannigan's afterward.  Monday was St. Patrick's Day and tonight was her annual celebration.

MAC'S APARTMENT

"This is going to be fun. I like Sam." Mac said while she dressed.

"She is an interesting character." Harm laughed. "She and Ashlyn have really opened new doors for everyone."

"You know, Ashlyn is really good for Gunny."

"I think so." Harm said. "But don't you think they are moving a bit too fast?"

"Why Harm? Is the seven year route the way to go?" Mac laughed.

"I didn't say that." Harm replied. "They've only known each other a few months."

"Yes, and when it's right, it's right. There is a lesson to be learned." Mac said. "Are you ready?"

"Yep, let's go." Harm said. "It was nice of Sam to include us."

As they were leaving, the phone rang.

"Rabb," Harm answered.

"You even answer that way at her place?" Webb asked.

"What is it Webb?" Harm asked.

"I need to speak with Mac." Webb replied. "Please."

"Mac, it's for you." Harm said handing her the phone.

"What's up Webb?" Mac asked.

"I got that information for you." Webb informed her.

"Great, we are on our way out, why don't you meet us." Mac said.

"No thank you. Watching you and Rabb make eyes at each other is not my idea of a fun evening." Webb said.

"It's not just us. Remember that columnist, Sam Danaher?" Mac asked, slightly tongue in cheek.

"Yes," Webb replied. How could I forget?

"She invited us all to Flannigan's, that's near you isn't it?" Mac asked. "Everyone will be there."

"Yes, I know the place." Webb said.

"Good, then meet us there." Mac said and hung up.

"You invited Webb to Flannigan's?" Harm laughed.

"Why not? It will do him some good." Mac winked.

"After Valentine's is that a good idea? Tiner will be there tonight." Harm asked. "What happened that night anyway?"

"All I could get from Gunny was Sam and Webb got into an argument, you know how he feels about the press." Mac replied.

"But what did Tiner have to do with it?" Harm questioned.

"Tiner and Sam have become as thick as thieves, I guess he feels protective of her." Mac stated.

"That's cute considering that pixie could probably beat both Webb and Tiner up." Harm laughed.

"Harm, you're terrible." Mac laughed. "Let's go."

FLANNIGAN'S PUB

Everyone was already there when Webb arrived.  He searched for Mac and found her talking to Sam.  He walked over and said hello.

"Webb," Sam stated. "What are you doing here?"

"Actually, I'm here to see Mac." Webb replied.

"Excuse us." Mac said and walked away with Webb.

"I did some checking and you are correct." Webb stated.

"I knew it." Mac said. "What's the story?"

"Mac, are you sure you want to pursue this?" Webb asked.

"I have two Lieutenants with stolen cars. I think so." Mac said.

"Ok, it appears that there is a reservist at the police department.  He knows when they are being deployed." Webb said.

"So he steals the cars, and by the time they get back there it's been six months." Mac said.

"Exactly," Webb replied.

"Thanks, Webb." Mac smiled. "You know everyone, join us."

"No, I'll see you later." Webb said.

"Clay, why don't you stay?" Mac asked.

"This looks like a private gathering." Webb said.

"It's a public pub," Mac laughed. "Come on."

Webb agreed and stayed.  He watched Sam with her friends laughing and having a good time.

"Clay I didn't think you were the St. Patty's Day type." Bobbie teased.

"I was meeting Mac." Webb replied. "How are you Commander?"

"Fine, thank you." Sturgis replied.

Webb stayed and watched the group before him.  He wasn't sure why he was staying: You're staying because you're an idiot. He thought.

"Hey Lucy, don't you think it's time?" Ashlyn laughed after a few hours.

"Hell yes. Come on Ethel." Sam said. "Jason, give me a hand."

Tiner lifted Sam up and sat her on the bar and then helped Jen up.  Gunny did the same for Ashlyn.

"Chuck you gonna join us?" Sam asked her editor.

"No kid, you're on your own." Charles laughed.

"What's going on?" Harm asked.

"Ashlyn told me that she and Sam have a tradition on St. Patrick's Day." Harriet replied. "My belly won't let me join in."

"Paddy, you're sure this is ok?" Sam asked the owner.

"It wouldn't be a celebration if you didn't do it." Paddy replied with a smile.

"Wait, we're missing someone." Ashlyn said. "Mac, you promised."

"Mac, what are you doing?" Harm asked as Gunny helped Mac onto the bar.

"A promise is a promise. Someone taught me to never make one I couldn't keep." Mac laughed.

"Ok Paddy, here we go." Sam laughed and Paddy waved his hands to quiet the place down.  The entire place gathered around the bar and watched the four women standing on the bar singing.

Oh! Me name is McNamara

I'm the leader of the band

Although we're few in numbers

We're the finest in the land.

We play at wakes and weddings

And at ev'ry fancy ball

And when we play to funerals

We play the march from Saul

Oh! The drums go bang

And the crystals clang

And the horns they blaze away

McCarthy pumps the old bassoon

While I the pipes do play

And Hennessey Tennessee tootles the flute

And the music is somethin' grand

A credit to old Ireland is McNamara's Band

The men just stood there with their mouths hanging open.  Never did any of them expect to see these women dancing an Irish jig on a bar and singing.  When they were done, the entire place erupted with applause.  They helped them down off the bar and everyone was cheering for more.

"Mac, when did you learn that?" Harm laughed.

"Last weekend, when you were away, we all got together." Mac smiled.

"Sam said she and Ashlyn have been doing that since they we kids."  Jen told Tiner.

"That was the last thing I ever expected to see you doing." Tiner said.

"It was fun." Jen laughed.

Paddy bought the group a round and then spoke. "Any one else?"

"Sturgis, what about you? You must know an Irish song." Sam laughed.

"Bud's done karaoke." Mac laughed. "I've seen it."

"That isn't a good song for tonight." Bud said quickly and then turned to Harriet, "I sang Delilah once."

"I know a song you could do." Webb said walking over.

"What's that?" Gunny asked.

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," Webb said looking directly at Sam.

"Does anyone know that one?" Harriet asked.

"Yeah, I do." Harm said. 

"My bar is yours." Paddy said with a smile.

Harm began to sing:

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure it's like a morning spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angles sing.

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away,

They all smiled as Harm sang the song.  During the second stanza, Sam looked over at Webb, who was staring back at her.  With nobody watching, Sam casually walked over to Webb, reached up and kissed his cheek. Webb gave her a smile and Sam went back to the rest of the group.

Those Irish eyes do smile. Webb thought.

"Harm that was great," Sam clapped.

"Very nice, Commander," Gunny said.

Webb walked over to Tiner, and held out his hand.

"I never meant to insult Danaher or your friendship with her." Webb said.

"I apologize for almost slugging you." Tiner replied.

"Seems to be a habit with the people at JAG," Webb replied, thinking about his broken nose and Gunny's shot in Afghanistan.

"She's very special to me, Mr. Webb." Tiner explained.

"I can see that Tiner, she's very lucky." Webb said and walked away.

A few hours of celebrating had gone by and everyone was laughing and having a good time.  Webb even stayed and watched the festivities.  The music was playing and they were all singing to different Irish songs.  Some they knew, some they didn't.  Sam knew everyone of them.

Gunny had his arms around Ashlyn and kissed her neck. "Ash, let's go home."

"In a little bit," Ashlyn smiled. "This is the first time I've seen Sam smile in a while."

"Tonight has been great." Mac laughed. "I never had so much fun."

"It's going to get better." Harm said kissing her.

"Harm, not here." Mac laughed.

"We need to get going." Harriet said. "I'm feeling a bit tired."

"Thanks for inviting us." Bud said.

"There's always a stool for you here." Sam said.

Harriet and Bud were about to leave when Harm stopped them and asked them to stay.  "We're all leaving soon, just wait a bit." 

They agreed and returned to their seats.

"Sam, one more before you go." Paddy said.

"Paddy, I'm sung out." Sam laughed. "Find someone with a good voice."

"Samantha Erin Danaher, you know it's tradition." Paddy said. "Here, this will loosen the pipes."

Sam took the shot of Irish whiskey and downed it. "Only for you Paddy, but everyone has to sing."

They were all standing together; Sam began to sing and then waved for them all to join.

Oh, Danny Boy the pipes the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside

The summer's gone and all the leaves are fallings

Tis you tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back, when summer's in the meadow

And all the valley's hushed and white with snow

And I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow

Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy, I love you so.

But when yet come and all the flowers are dying

If I be dead, as dead I well may be

Then come and find the place where I am laying

And kneel and say an Ave there for me

And I shall hear, though soft your tread above me

And all my grave will warmer sweeter be

And you shall bend and tell me that you love me

And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.

They all joined in and sang the sad sweet song.  It brought tears to Paddy's eyes as well as others.  Mac was listening to everyone sing when Harm pulled her aside.

"Why are you crying?" Harm asked wiping a tear.

"It's a sad song." Mac said.

"Mother's sang it to their sons." Harm said.

"It's beautiful," Mac said.

"Speaking of sons," Harm said.

"Who was speaking of sons?" Mac asked.

"We were," Harm smiled.

"Harm what are you talking about?" Mac asked.

"Our son," Harm said. "You think he will join the Navy or the Marines?"

"Harm how much have you had to drink tonight." Mac said.

"Not a drop, I wanted to be stone cold sober." Harm smiled.

"Why?" Mac asked.

"For when I gave you this," Harm said and slipped a ring on Mac's finger.

"Harm?" Mac asked looking at him.

"Mac, would you marry me?" Harm asked.

"You're serious." Mac said.

"Like a heart attack." Harm smiled.

"You want to get married?" Mac asked.

"Yes, do you?" Harm asked.

"Yes, yes of course I do." Mac laughed.

"Well then, I guess we have an announcement to make." Harm said as he kissed her.

The song ended and everyone turned to look at Mac and Harm who were locked in an embrace. Neither noticed all they eyes on them.  It wasn't a big deal, they all knew they were a couple; it was just that they had never been a party to public displays.

"Excuse us." Bud laughed.

"Hi." Harm said with a smile.

"What's going on?" Sturgis asked.

"We're getting married." Mac and Harm replied in unison.

There were cheers and congratulations from everyone. 

"Where's Sam?" Tiner asked as he said good night to Ashlyn and Gunny.

"She was just here." Ashlyn said looking around the bar.

"Maybe she left." Gunny offered. "She'll be fine."

"She always is." Ashlyn said with a smile. "Let's go home."

"Where's Webb?" Harm asked. "He didn't even say congratulations."

"That's Webb." Bobbie laughed.

"You two are something else." Sturgis smiled.

"I'm very happy for you both." Harriet said giving them hugs.

"Are you going to tell the Admiral?" Bud asked.

"I think we have to." Mac replied.

They said good night and left.  This was going to be a St. Patrick's celebration to remember.

SAM'S APARTMENT

Sam and Webb had been sitting for about 10 minutes when Sam got up and poured herself a drink. "Can I fix you something?"

"Haven't you had enough?" Webb asked.

"No," Sam said as she lit a cigarette.

"Must you do that?" Webb asked taking the cigarette from her and putting it out.

"I guess not." Sam said.

Webb got up and poured himself some scotch.

"Haven't you had enough?" Sam asked sarcastically.

"I've had more than enough." Webb said, not talking about the scotch.

"What happened with Jason on Valentine's?" Sam asked.

"I was wrong." Webb said.

"Why didn't you just ask?" Sam questioned.

"I'm just a crutch, standing in your way of finding more." Webb said sarcastically. "It's not my place to ask."

"Well, I'm a crutch, too." Sam snapped.

"Touché," Webb replied, giving a mock toast.

"What are we doing here?" Sam asked.

"I don't know." Webb replied.

"That's a good answer," Sam said sarcastically.

"Do you have an answer?" Webb asked. "Do you want more?"

"I'm not sure." Sam replied quietly.

"Maybe I should leave." Webb said walked in to the door.

"Webb, wait." Sam said. "Can you give more?"

"I don't know." Webb said and left.