It's Independence Day!

By: Comm. Butler

See part I for disclaimer

Author's note: While I'm at it I am posting this part too. I REALLY appreciate the feedback and plenty more is welcome! Now sit back and enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Dulles International Airport

0005 ZULU

"Gate B6, This is it Mac and are you sure your okay, I mean after that dizzy spell in Security and not to mention those times you looked like you were about to collapse at JAG today. What I mean is do you want to sit down?" Harm asked worriedly.

"Harm I'm fine now let's get Chloe and get to the other end of the airport to get Mrs. Rabb." Mac replied wearily. She then took a step only to cling to Harm as her head spun.

"You're fine huh? Yeah right. Now I'll put my arm around you so you don't do that again."

Mac reluctantly agreed and they walked over to where the passengers were disembarking. When it seemed that all the passengers had gotten off Mac's eyes darted around.

"Harm where's Chloe? Did you see her, or did we miss her or did she miss her connection or…worse." Mac was almost in a panic and they turned around Harm still keeping a strong arm around her waist. She wasn't anywhere to be seen for that matter.

"Mac!" Came a squeal of delight from behind them. They both quickly spun around to see a grinning Chloe jogging toward them.

"Chloe! Oh I'm so glad to see you!" Mac said relieved as she untangled herself from Harm and pulled Chloe into a bear hug.

"So Mac who's your new Sailor? … Harm! No way, no way where's the ring and why didn't I know huh?" Chloe said as she took Mac's hand and looked for the diamond that Mac wished was on her finger. (Instead of in Harm's sock drawer collecting dust like she had seen when she was looking for a sweatshirt she could wear when she was last over at his apartment.) When Chloe saw that there was no ring to be found, her face fell.

"Hey Chloe don't so down remember what I told you, and with that in mind, he might have to soon because he'll have to push the baby carriage."

It was Harm's turn to be surprised and his eye shot up to meet Mac's and his mouth was hanging open and he finally choked out,

"What, when, how umm?"

Mac threw a sly smile to Chloe and a wink. At this Chloe and Mac burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing? I don't think this is funny at all it could cause some serious problems!"

"Gotcha Harm!" The girls chorused.

"So you mean Mac that your not…you won't…I'm not…." Harm babbled.

When Mac nodded Harm looking embarrassed and slightly disappointed, chuckled and grinned sheepishly.

"Nice try you had me for a minute."

"No we had you all the way and if we had waited another minute you would be strutting around proud as a peacock." Mac teased.

"Whatever now let's go get Gran and get out of here I'm bushed." Harm said and began to walk away.

"Aye, Aye Sir!" Chloe said throwing Harm a mock salute.

As they walked towards the opposite end Mac questioned, "Chloe do we have to get your luggage?"

"No I brought one carryon and plenty of money. I figured we would go shopping for new clothes anyway." She stated matter of factly.

Chloe continued to chatter away happily about her life, Mac was only half listening. Inside her heart was going a mile a minute as she thought, I feel like a family with Harm and Chloe, I wish it was true but he and I can't be like that ever and he probably couldn't 'let go' anyway. At that moment Chloe's voice popped into her head singing, 'Harm and Mac sittin' a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G, First comes love than comes marriage then comes Harm with the baby carriage.' Mac felt a smile spread over her face.

"Hello Mac are you listening?" The present Chloe's voice filtered into her reverie and Mac was reluctantly pulled back to reality and she responded, "Of course I was listening. I think that Harm's the one not listening, are you Harm?" Mac said over her shoulder to Harm who was a few paces behind her. Mac was sure Harm had been more focused on her ass than on what she was saying when it took him a minute to reply, "Huh what did you say?"

Mac rolled her eyes and picked up the pace to catch up with Chloe who had sped up because it was "boring" to watch them make gaga eyes at each other. As she sped up Harm resumed in watching her figure and silently commenting on how her uniform fit in all the right places and how the green accented her olive skin and he could have sworn that she had had her uniform tailored to leave just enough to imagination. I wonder exactly what she looks like without that uniform on. Whoa Harm down! She is your best friend and partner and dress whites and gold wings won't fly with her even if they are yours. He found himself reminding him of that fact even more often lately.

When they finally reached Gate B56 people were already disembarking.

"Harm I don't feel so good again I think it was that burger can we sit down?" Mac groaned suddenly. Harm looked around quickly but there wasn't an open seat in sight so he placed his arm around her once more and pulled her to rest against his chest she gladly leaned into him and closed her eyes and breathed in his cologne. She couldn't quite name it though.

"Hey Gran over here." Mac heard Harm say loudly as he waved his free hand. Mac straightened up to see Harm's grandmother happily making her way over to them. Harm could see where he had gotten some of his features from and the smile on Sarah Rabb's face was renascent of Harm's.

"Well Harm dear how are you and I see you have been busy." She said eyeing Chloe and Mac with supreme interest. "Um Gran this is Mac and Chloe who is here for the week." Harm answered slightly confused.

"Oh Harm I know who Mac is but I will say that the picture of her in your wallet hardly does her justice."

Mac still noting Harm's confusion covered, "Well thank you ma'am I didn't know that Harm took me everywhere with him considering we are only best friends and partners. Although Harm never ceases to amaze me." At this statement Chloe giggled and Mrs. Rabb looked embarrassed for assuming something more.