TITLE: At The Turn Of The Tide

RATING: PG

PAIRING: Harm/Mac

Disclaimer: I do not own JAG.

Author's Note: My new JAG story. I'm working on a few others, too. More is coming. This idea came to me as I was watching the season finale. A very special note to remember ... since Mac's health problem is still up in there and there is no certainty as to what it is, I decided not to really touch upon it until TPTB does. So this story does not mention it. It's a resolution to the whole Mattie story line, the way I think it should end. However, I am assuming, only because I didn't want to bring in an unknown, that Krennick will be the new Admiral.

Chapter 2: In The End

Roberts' New Home
July 4th, 2004
1500 EST

Harm drove his sports car up to the house, looking out the passenger side window. He saw it decorated wonderfully in the red, white, and blue bows and streamers. In the background he heard noises and could smell the burgers on the grill. Smiling, he drove the car up their new paved driveway, shutting it off. It was then he saw Mac's car, parked just ahead of him. They had debated the idea of coming to the party together and attempting to make the excuse of "saving gas" and "carpooling is good for the environment", but it was more likely than no one would believe them.

Shutting his car door, he walked up the porch steps to front door and rang the doorbell. Harm took off his sunglasses and saw through the screen Harriet quickly setting snacks down on a tray. She didn't seem to hear the doorbell but did see his shadow. Smiling, she called, "Commander Rabb! You made it." She motioned for him to come in. "Don't stand out there. Just come right in, you're family."

Harm smiled brightly at that, stepping into the house and closing the door behind him. He walked into the kitchen and up to Harriet, patting her on the shoulder. "Thanks." He paused for a second, then continued, "Did I ever say how sorry I am that you're not at JAG anymore? Everything feels totally disorganized. We miss you." He walked by her towards the backdoor, still keeping his eyes on her, waiting for a response.

Harriet shrugged. "I am, too, but ... I guess we have to give up something to get something back even greater." At that, Harm stopped before going into the backyard, thinking about what she had just said. The truth in her statement hit him hard, and again reminded him that everything was going to turn out fine.

Sighing, he opened the backdoor and stepped out onto the small deck. He saw then the scene of all of the people who work at JAG: Sturgis and his girlfriend, Coates, among others, and Gunny? Smiling widely, he ran down the steps to Victor Galindez, who turned to see Harm coming towards him. "Sir!"

Harm stepped up and shook his hand. "Gunny. I didn't know you were in town."

Gunny smiled. "No, sir. I didn't know I would be either. I returned from Iraq a few days ago on leave, and I caught Harriet in the grocery store."

Harm patted him on the shoulder. "All the soldiers are doing a great job over there."

Gunny nodded. "It's getting there."

Harm then saw Mac and Coates talking at a picnic table. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful Mac looked. She had her hair down today, and Harm didn't pass up a chance to comment on how great her hair looked since she grew it out a bit past her shoulders. For some reason it made her look sexier, and Harm smiled widely at the thought. Gunny followed Harm over to the picnic table, Harm quickly taking the seat next to Mac. She had a glass of iced tea in her hand, and she smiled brightly at him. "You're late, sailor."

He shrugged and looked to Coates. "I went over to see if you had left yet, and you were already gone."

Coates smiled. "I was on time, sir."

Harm smirked, looking to Gunny. "You remember Petty Officer Jennifer Coates."

Gunny nodded affirmatively. "Only from the Christmas party a few years ago, sir."

Coates replied, "I'm the new yeoman in the office."

"What happened to Tiner?"

Mac quickly answered, "Finally went to law school. He'll probably end up back at JAG in no time." Mac took a drink of her iced tea.

Gunny smiled. "I knew he'd end up there eventually."

They then began talking about old times, what had happened in the past few years and what had happened recently. It was amazing how much they had all been through, and Harm could hardly believe all the hardships and joy all in one. He glanced to Mac, who was listening intently to the conversations. Harriet soon came over, offering beverages and a snack platter to them. Eventually the food was ready.

Harm grabbed a plate as he walked up to the food table. Mac came up behind him, reaching in front to grab a piece of celery. He smiled, whispering, "I can't believe you got ready so fast this morning. It made me look very late."

Mac smiled, snatching a potato chip off of Harm's plate. "That's because you took forever in the shower. I wasn't going to wait for you." Mac then glanced further down the table at the food, smiling slightly as she thought of Harm's dislike of meat. "By the way, what're you eating? There are no veggie burgers here." She smiled mischievously, giving him a wink.

Harm shook his head as she moved further down the line to add more food to her plate. The month and a half they had been together had certainly been interesting. "I can handle regular burgers when I have to." Mac looked back at him just in time to see him add a burger to his plate. He then added mustard and ketchup to it, lettuce, and finally took a large bite of it.

Mac moved closer to him, surprise evident, and whispered very softly with a grin, "I've never wanted you more." Harm's eyes widened with surprise as she walked much further away towards the fresh fruit. He could barely swallow the large bite of the burger he had taken as he watched Mac add more food to her own plate.

Just as Harm was about to whisper his own two cents to Mac, Harriet came walking out into the backyard. It wasn't that event that surprised Harm, but the two people walking behind her. Mattie and her dad. Harm couldn't hide his delight as he set his plate down and walked hurriedly over to them. Mattie smiled brightly. "Harm!" Harm reached out and hugged her, feeling that this holiday never ceased to amaze him.

Harm released her and asked the obvious question. "What are you two doing here?"

Mattie's father replied, "Mac and Harriet invited us." Harm looked to Harriet, who smiled warmly.

"There's plenty to eat, you two. Bud's been delighted to use his grill all day. Help yourself," Harriet offered, and walked away to attend to her other guests.

Mattie smiled, taking Harm's hand. "Let's eat."

As they walked towards the spot where Harm had left his plate, Harm let Mattie and her father begin as he walked up behind Mac. He whispered behind her, "I can't believe you did this."

Mac turned around to look at him, the plate she was holding separating them. "Now you know. You'll always be in Mattie's life." She smiled warmly and began to walk away, but Harm grasped her arm. She turned to face him, seeing the happiness in his eyes.

"In our life. Come sit with us," Harm replied, motioning towards the table that Mattie and her father were sitting at. Mac smiled and followed Harm. She was now even more convinced that Harm would be ok. He knew he would always be an important part of Mattie's life.

The afternoon went on as Mattie, her father, Harm, Mac and the rest all enjoyed the 4th of July picnic. It had been a wonderful time for all of them to catch up. Soon Mac proceeded towards Harriet, talking to one of her best friends intently, knowing they had not done so since Harriet had left JAG. Mac felt somewhat guilty that she was not able to tell Harriet about her latest love. They tended to share such things with each other, and Mac certainly had been boiling over wanting to tell someone about her recent relationship. It was then that Mac felt her eyes wander a bit past Harriet to catch Harm snacking as he talked to Mattie and her father. The day had been very, very good.

As the night came, the next phase of the day had begun. Fireworks. However, this involved everyone leaving to a local park where they were being set off. Harm came walking up to Mac, who he had stayed relatively away from during the rest of the afternoon. He did this because he knew if he had been even remotely close it would have been difficult for him not to want to hold her hand or put his arms around her. Now as he came up behind, and no one was really looking at them, he grabbed her hand.

Looking up, she smiled. "Do you think that's wise?"

Harm shrugged. "Thank you for today."

Mac smiled even more warmly. "You're welcome."

Harm pressed. "It really meant a lot to me."

Mac squeezed his hand a bit tighter. "I know."

He then looked around, seeing everyone still engrossed in their own conversations, no one really paying any attention to them. Smiling, Harm grabbed both of her hands in his. "Let's tell them."

Mac couldn't hide the surprise surfacing, and asked with disbelief, "Seriously?"

Harm nodded, even more convinced. "I'm getting tired of hiding. You don't know how many times I wanted to put my arms around you today, show everyone who I was with. Let's just tell them. There's no Krennick or anything. It's our friends."

Mac sighed, looking over his shoulder at everyone. Squeezing his hand again, she replied with assurance, "Ok." In all honesty, she had felt the same way. She wanted to share this first holiday with Harm, really share it as a couple. Just being at the same party wasn't enough.

Harm then let go of her hand and urged her to follow. They approached the group, who were now getting blankets together and little snacks for the night's festivities. Only Harriet saw them join the group, and she asked, "Do either of you want a blanket?"

Mac took only one blanket, and replied, "I think Harm and I will share one."

Harriet nodded, not really catching Mac's obvious reference. Harm then quickly added, "Together. We'll share one together."

"Good," Harriet responded, and then began to fill the picnic baskets full of food.

Mac finally called, "We have an announcement to make everyone." All heads turned to Harm and Mac, who were standing rather rigidly next to each other.

Harm chimed quickly, "Well, uh ... Mac and I ... are together." He then grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. There were no words, however, for the looks they received. All were positive, it seemed, but very difficult to gauge.

Suddenly Sturgis replied with a sigh, "Finally." Both Harm and Mac glanced to him, acting like they had no idea what he meant, but knowing full well that everyone in the office probably knew of the 8-year dance.

Harriet quickly added, "How long?"

Mac answered, "About 6 weeks." Mattie was smiling, as was her father. That was always a good sign, Harm thought to himself.

Suddenly Coates replied, grabbing a blanket, "We've known for awhile, sir ... ma'am."

Harriet nodded, walking up to Mac. "I've wanted to ask about it, but I knew I couldn't until you said something."

Mac couldn't hide the smile creeping at her lips as she wrapped her arm around Harm's waist. The relief washed over her quickly, and Mac suddenly felt everything was where it should be. She could show her love for Harm now in front of their friends, something both had wanted to do for sometime. They would certainly still have to hide in front of Krennick, and some when they were around the public of Washington to be safe, but for the moment there was no hiding. Part of the masquerade was over.

"The Admiral doesn't know yet?" Coates asked, already knowing the answer.

Mac shook her head. "No, no. We'll tell her when we need to."

Bud looked to his watch and suddenly replied, "Hey, we better get going." Soon everyone began filling their baskets and heading towards their cars. Harm and Mac walked together hand in hand as they followed, Mattie and her father walking next to them. Mattie couldn't hide her delight at the announcement, and knew from the moment she entered Harm's life that the Lieutenant Colonel was an important person in his life. Not only did this change affect Harm, but it also affected her. Mac would suddenly be apart of her life, and Mattie was looking forward to learning about her.

That night everyone attended the fireworks, laying blankets out, enjoying each other's company. Bands played all night, making the atmosphere light and enjoyable. As the fireworks began, Harm found his eyes traveling to Mattie and her father, who were enjoying the wonderful lights in the sky. He then saw Bud and Harriet gazing up to the bright sky, holding each other tight while watching the shadows of light dance. As his attention turned back to Mac, she was sitting between his legs, her eyes gazing at the lights. Harm wrapped his arms around her, and she leaned back into him. All he had ever wanted in his life had finally come. Mac was right, he mused. Everything had worked out.

The End!

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