Disclaimer:  See part one

Author's note:  Anything in italics indicates conversation in Russian.  Greta doesn't speak English, and I don't speak Russian, so let's all pretend!  Also, from my recollections, Alexi is the cab driver and Alex is the Russian army captain, correct?  If I'm wrong, please let me know.  Thanks!  Thanks for the reviews!

2 Months Later

1800 Hours, Local Time (0200 Zulu)

Moscow International Airport

Moscow, Russia.

            Greta grumbled as she and Alexi waited for Harm's friend, Colonel MacKenzie.  Here it was, three days before her wedding, and instead of worrying about last minute details, she was in the airport waiting for some floozy friend of her soon-to-be half-brother-in-law's.  Not only that, but she was here with some insane taxi driver that Harmon knew, because he was a friend of the Colonel's and begged to come with her.  Sergei had thought it would be a good idea for the two girls to bond, but Greta just wanted to get her stuff together.  She sighed again and looked around the baggage claim.  Where was this woman? 

            Alexi, for his part, couldn't wait to see the Beautiful Colonel again.  He had heard from Mr. Webb that she was no longer dating that Australian.  For this, he was grateful.  Maybe now he would have a chance with the beautiful American woman.  In his heart, though, he knew that this was not true.  She loved Harmon.  But still, he could dream, couldn't he?

            Mac walked into baggage claim and picked up her suitcase.  She looked around until she saw Alexi's hand waving violently in the air, then walked over to him.  He met her halfway, followed by a young blond that Mac took to be Greta, Sergei's fiancée.

            "Beautiful Colonel!" said Alexi, hugging her and kissing her cheeks.  "It is so good to see you!  You are looking more beautiful than ever, if that is even possible!  Ah, the Commander has it lucky, seeing you every day!"

            "Hello, Alexi," Mac returned.  "It's good to see you as always.  I promise we won't take any unscheduled trips into Chechnya."

            "That is wonderful news, beautiful Colonel.  I don't like anything that puts you in danger."

            "I'm a Marine, Alexi.  It's my job," Mac told him, not for the first time.

            Alexi sighed and shook his head.  "I know, I know Beautiful Colonel.  But that doesn't stop me from worrying.  Before I get too carried away, may I present Miss Greta Nabreshnikoff, fiancée to Sergei Zhukov."

            "Ah, Greta," Mac said in Russian.  "It is good to finally meet you.  I wish I had met you when you and Sergei were in the States earlier this year, but . . . .  Anyway, it's very nice to meet you.  I would also like to compliment you on your choice of men, and commend you for being able to understand the Rabb psyche.  Heaven knows I've been trying for eight years and haven't figured it out yet!  And I bring congratulations from the JAG staff and a warm welcome into the JAG family, extended though it may be."

            Greta was surprised at Colonel MacKenzie's warmth and candor.  She had been expecting a brainless floozy, like the Renée character.  Instead, this was a woman who was obviously intelligent and genuinely nice.  Startled, she replied, "Hello, Colonel.  It's nice to meet you too.  Thank you for your warm welcome into the JAG family."

            "Please, Greta.  Call me Mac; most people do."

            "OK, Mac."

            Escorted by Alexi, the two women walked out to the waiting taxicab. 

2000 Hours Local

Sergei's Apartment

Moscow, Russia

            Sergei and Harm walked into Sergei's apartment for a late supper after the final tuxedo fittings.  "I wonder how the girls got along?"  Harm wondered.

            "Probably well, Big Brother.  Do not worry about the Beautiful Colonel so much.  Love means you have to let them go and do their own things.  You're ten years older than me; haven't you learned that yet?  Well, maybe not, that is probably why you are not married to Mac yet!" Sergei shot back.

            "Sergei, how many times do I have to tell you, I don't love Mac like that!" Harm complained.  Honestly, between Sergei and Sturgis, he was going to go crazy!

            "Harmon, you can tell me that as many times as you want, I still won't believe you.  I know it, you know it, everybody knows it," Sergei replied.  "But let's not argue, the girls should be here soon."

            At that moment, the doorbell rang.  Sergei ran to answer it.  Greta and Mac stood on the other side, grinning.  Greta walked in and kissed Sergei, and Mac followed, hugging him and kissing both cheeks.  "Hello, Sergei, how are you?" asked Mac.

            "Better, now that I don't have to listen to Big Brother wondering how you were every twelve seconds.  Seriously, Beautiful Colonel, it is good to see you," Sergei replied. 

            "Sergei, knock it off!" Mac lightly replied to his teasing, though her blush belied her true feelings.  "Harm, how's it going?" she asked. 

            "I'm great, thanks, Mac.  You're staying at the Marriott, too, right?" he replied, hugging her.

            The hug caught Mac slightly off guard.  "Yes, and don't worry, I have my own room."

            "I wasn't worried," said Harm confidently.  "Can I come by and talk to you later tonight?" he asked.

            Mac knew immediately that he really wanted to go over his speech some more before the wedding.  "Not a problem, Flyboy."

            "Thanks, Mac."

            The two couples (although, had they been asked, Harm and Mac would have insisted they didn't constitute a couple) had a great time that evening.  Conversation mixed English and Russian, Mac and Sergei translating for the other two.  Finally, Mac began to yawn, jet lag catching up with her.  Harm noticed, and they left for their hotel, leaving Greta and Sergei alone.

            "So, Greta dear, what do you think of the Beautiful Colonel?"

            "At first, I must admit, I was worried that she was like that awful Renée your brother was dating.  But she turned out to be a very nice lady.  How long have she and Harmon been together?"

            "Greta," Sergei said evily.  "You should ask the Beautiful Colonel that and judge her reaction for yourself."  

           

            The next two days were a whirlwind of activity for the young Russian couple that were about to join their lives.  Harm was also busy helping Sergei with what he could, though he often felt helpless because he did not speak Russian.  Mac was helping Greta with last minute details, having gone through the entire experience (except the actual marriage) two years previous.  Evenings were spent with Harm hanging out in Mac's hotel room practicing his best man speech.  Sooner that it seemed, the big day was upon them.

Tune in next time for the wedding!