Disclaimer: Okay you know the JAG part but I need to add on and say that the song Where Do I Begin? from the movie Love Story does not belong to me it belongs to Famous Music Corporation. I also make a Princess Bride reference and those characters aren't mine either.

Author's Note: Here is part four. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews. I love them very much. I think you will like this part is it a little more romance then humor but I think you will like it. Now later on there will be a part where Harm does a little serenading and it's not the fact that he didn't know any lullabies it's that I just wanted him to sing something else instead. Whew! I think I covered everything so on with the story! In the last chapter I did bring back Renee. I just got a little bored with bashing Webb even though it is fun and so I figured Renee needed a little Shipper tough love too. Lol!

O'Connelly's Residence

1830 Romeo

"There all finished. It wasn't that bad." Mac cooed to Patrick wiping the remaining food off his face. Harm shook his head.

"Not bad Mac? I mean smashed peas and carrots, yuck. I can see why Patrick wouldn't eat it."

"Oh Harm shut up! You are such a wuss." Mac said throwing Patrick's bib at him.

"Oh Mac! You just had to get it all over my shirt. I just bought it last week."

"It's called machine washable and since you are already dirty why don't you burp him and I will go start a load of laundry, we need to wash the towels and things we used. Now surrender your shirt." Mac growled playfully.

"You're asking me strip?" Harm inquired. Mac turned and looked at him.

"Look I don't care if you go around stark naked I just want you to take that shirt off so I can wash it, since you're throwing a fit about it." Even as Mac said this she couldn't resist laughing at the fantasies she was having. She stopped however when Harm's shirt hit her in the face. She picked it up to where it had fallen to the floor and then grinned at the sight of him without his shirt on.

"Okay Mac go do the laundry and I will burp Patrick, now go!" Harm ordered lifting Patrick out of his highchair.

"Alright it's just you and me buddy, now let's see how well you burp, huh?" Harm had taken a liking to this boy, even though it had been a day and a half. Harm also couldn't' helping thinking that he and Mac had made progress while they were here. She had let him kiss her not once, but twice in the same afternoon. Was this what the Admiral had meant by bonding time? No of course not! He wouldn't do that! Or would he?

Mac was down in the basement loading the laundry and thinking to herself.

Why did you tell him that? It was so stupid! I mean telling him that you didn't care if he walked around naked! Man you have been single for too long. It would be a pretty picture wouldn't it? WHOA! Stop thinking that! Just the same we made progress today. It wasn't a huge leap like I thought it would be, but hey he felt comfortable kissing me and in public too! That can't be bad right? Mac finished and started the machine and then headed back upstairs, where she found Harm walking the length of the living room with Patrick. He held a finger to his lips and Mac approached him and he mouthed 'asleep'. Mac nodded and then followed him up the stairs where Mac carefully changed the sleeping boy into pjs and set him in his crib with the stuffed cow that he hadn't parted with it the entire day. Mac smiled over his crib ran her hand over the top of his head softly. Then she turned away and turned off the light and joined Harm in the hall. Together they went downstairs and sat on the couch.

"So Mac you disappeared earlier downstairs, where did you really go?" Harm questioned.

"Harm I wasn't gone that long."

"Yes for twenty five minutes and twenty six seconds." Harm stated matter of factly. Mac looked at him puzzled.

"I counted." Harm admitted sheepishly. Mac laughed.

"Good because I thought you had figured out my secret."

"Will I ever know?"

"Harm you would have a better chance of finding my tattoo." Mac replied.

"How do you know that I don't have X ray vision and I know where it is, because I actually have an idea of where it is."

"Oh you do, do you? Well then shoot. If you guess I will tell you if you're right." Mac challenged him. This surprised Harm but he continued on,

"Okay left or right?"

"What? Oh right." Mac lied, leading him on. Harm knew she was lying instantly.

"Yes. Alright next question, top or bottom?"

"Top." Mac said giving him more rope to hang himself.

"Okay top left, now I need to find out what it is. Now what would my Marine get a tattoo of?"

"I won't tell you."

"I can see the corps emblem, but no, I'm going to say a rose, a red one, that represents love considering it is over your heart." Mac's eyes widened. Harm knew he was right on the money by the look on her face.

Damn he's good!

"Well you almost got it right. Sorry maybe another time." Mac got up and Harm pulled her back down into his lap this time.

"Oh no you don't! I'm right aren't I? I guessed right and you don't want to admit that I know that much about you, do you?" Harm questioned her without mercy, and Mac gave in.

"I just didn't think that you would get it that's all and I wasn't really ready to tell you, but oh well." Harm's tone immediately became concerned.

"Oh Mac I'm sorry. I didn't want to pressure you into anything."

Mac turned in his lap,

"That's alright I mean you were going to find out sometime I mean eventually when well…"

"What when AJ's fifth birthday swings around? Yeah okay I can see your reasoning but just the same you don't have to…"

"You know what never mind, how about we find something for dessert I'm hungry again." Mac changed the subject but Harm didn't mind. He wasn't really wanting to go far out on that frozen pond right now. Mac got up and went digging in the freezer.

"Yummy! Ben and Jerry's oh and it's Fish Food my favorite!" Mac pulled the small carton out of the freezer and grabbing two spoons came and sat back down.

"Fish Food, Mac? That sounds a little strange."

"Well for someone whose favorite Ben and Jerry's is Wavy Gravy, I wouldn't be talking."

"That is the best flavor! I can't believe you don't like it… hey are those chocolate?" Harm asked grabbing the other spoon and digging in.

"You know I don't think we should be eating out of the carton." Harm said swallowing a bite.

"With the two of us eating it there won't be any left to worry about, they told us to help our selves and it's not like we are cleaning out the fridge we are just eating what we want and when we are hungry." Mac shrugged. Harm chuckled,

"You're always hungry Mac."

"Oh just eat Stickboy you need the fat."

"Well I could just take some of yours." Harm teased. Mac set the carton down on the coffee table and turned on him.

"Did you just call me fat Sailor?" Harm realized his mistake and wanted to take it back. It was one of the unspoken rules between women and men the two others he could remember right now were three, ALWAYS admit it is your fault. Two NEVER tell her 'no' and the big number one, absolutely under NO circumstances that she is fat or her butt is big, even if she asks you.

"Now Mac you know I didn't mean it."

"Oh you didn't did you? Well then why did you say it?"

"Okay it's all my fault, I'm sorry."

"Oh don't try rule number three on me! And don't you dare try to take me on a guilt trip, because you are one dead Sailor!" Mac countered. He was treating her like just any ordinary woman that he dated and she didn't like that one little bit. She thought he respected her more then that.

"Look Mac you really shouldn't let this get to you okay? I was just kidding honest." Harm pleaded standing and starting to walk away. Mac jumped up and hopped on his back her nails digging into his shoulders as her combined weight and his locked knees caused them to fall back on the couch.

"Oh am I too heavy for you, Commander?" Mac questioned from underneath him, it was getting harder for her to breathe under him and as soon as her grip loosened Harm got up off of her. The look in his eyes was as if he was feeling extreme guilt and hurt. Mac took his hand from where she was laying, but he pulled it away and headed up the stairs. As soon as he had disappeared she slammed her fist on the couch.

"Damn it Mackenzie! You just had to get all defensive didn't you? You knew he was kidding and you still had to attack him! What a way to ruin an evening!" Mac said to herself. Then she put away the ice cream and putting the spoons in the dishwasher and after putting the laundry in the dryer she headed upstairs. She checked in on Patrick and then headed down the hall to where there was a light on in the bathroom. Bracing herself she walked in to find Harm, washing his face. She looked at his neck to see where her nails had been and it was bleeding a little.

"Hey isn't it a little early to be getting ready for bed?" Mac asked laying a hand on his bare back. Harm dried his face on the towel beside the sink and turned to face her.

"It's been a long day and they have a wonderful pillow top mattress, so I figured I'd turn in early."

"Harm it's seven thirty. Were you just trying to avoid talking to me?"

"Maybe, I didn't want to set you off again. Me and my stupid mouth." Harm rubbed his neck and winced. Mac reached up and gently touched the scratches.

"I'm sorry, I guess I am just easily offended tonight. How about I take care of those? They are bleeding." Mac picked up a washcloth and wetting it began to wipe the blood off Harm's neck. She then turned him so she could do the other side. Harm grabbed her wrist and pulled the cloth away.

"Thanks Mac. I didn't know that you drew blood. I was more concerned about what I had done."

"Don't thank me. That's what I'm here for. Once again I'm sorry, I just got defensive again. I had better go and let you get ready for bed." Mac turned and was about to walk out when she turned around and laid a hand on Harm's cheek.

"Don't you ever call me fat again though okay?"

"Alright." Harm promised and then Mac headed back down the hall and he remembered,

"Hey Mac!"

"Shh!" Mac held a finger to her lips.

"Oh sorry!… Mac can I tell you that your butt looks big?" Harm grinned. Mac rolled her eyes and entered the master bedroom and pulling off her shirt to change. When she was in Harm's shorts and her marine T-shirt she took her toothbrush and headed for the bathroom. Harm soon left and Mac took over. After taking off what little makeup she was wearing and brushing her teeth and hair she returned to the bedroom to find Harm reading.

"You looking at the latest Playboy?" She asked flopping down on the bed next to him.

"No, but it's the next best thing. Aviator Monthly, this one is really cool it's got this great article on fighter engine technology."

Mac scooted up beside him and resting her head on his shoulder looked down at the page full of complex looking diagrams and summaries about various engines.

"Harm this like French to me could you explain it?" Harm looked at her surprised.

"You want me to talk to you about plane engines, oh Mac are you sure you're not coming down with something?"

"No Harm but I figure I had better at least understand the damn things if my better half is flying them."

"Mac need I remind you that you aren't married. Anyway see this one? That is a standard engine on a WWII biplane, it is constructed somewhat like Sarah's engine, and here they are comparing how similarly the are maintained and run like the F-14. And this one here…" Mac listened patiently while Harm explained excitedly.

She wasn't really keeping track of what he was saying, she was just glad that she was near him. Was this what the Admiral had meant. Her and Harm had always been close but they never freely discussed things like marriage and having children together. They had also acted thus far like they were married and things were going well. Harm was still explaining things to her when she dozed off on his arm. He smiled down at her. This must have been what the Admiral meant. He was falling in love with her for the who knows how many time. This sealed it. She was the one he wanted in his life forever. He didn't know however how to tell her. It was harder then it sounded to come out and flatly say it just say 'Mac I love you and if I ever lost you I think I would die.' He had tried to tell her a thousand times. The day when she was leaving JAG and go civilian, when he had changed his designator. The one that stuck out in his mind though was in Sydney on the ferry. He was still kicking himself about that one. Oh well, when the time is right it will come out. He just hoped that time didn't run out before then.

Harm turned off the light, and carefully laid Mac under the sheets. He heard her groan in her sleep,

"Air-cooled radial…1943…" Harm continued to smile at the fact she actually had been listening. He closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly, with Mac's steady breathing beside him.

O'Connelly Residence

0155 Romeo

A sharp wailing pulled Mac from a wonderful and peaceful sleep.

"Oh not again! Harm… Harm!" Mac shook Harm who rolled over.

"What is it?" He asked ticked off, then he heard Patrick's wails from across the hall.

"He didn't do that last night did he?" He asked Mac sleepily. She buried her face in the pillows.

"Yes, it's your turn I did it last night." Mac gave him a push.

"No you do it." Harm protested.

"Get your six out of this bed now!" Mac said kicking him. Harm fell right off the bed and hit the floor taking the sheets with him.

"Give those back!" Mac shrieked and pulled the sheets back up. Harm stood and went to Patrick's room and lifting the boy out of his crib tried to quiet him. It seemed to work for about a minute and then the boy's wails became more pronounced and Harm made his way down stairs and began walking the length of the living room over and over, rocking him gently.

"Hush, now hey it's alright…shh." He tried to talk the boy down but he wouldn't calm down. Harm walked the length a few more times before going back upstairs and into where Mac was sleeping.

"Mac! He won't calm down, I don't know what to do! I tried walking and talking to him, what else can I do?" He heard Mac groan,

"Try the cow, it's his favorite." Harm went grabbed the cow from Patrick's crib and held it out to the boy, who took it and cuddled it, instantly calming down. Harm walked up and down the hall until the boy fell asleep in his arms.

"Oh thank god." He whispered. Then he laid Patrick back down and walked as quietly as possible back to the bedroom and fell into bed. The minute Harm closed his eyes he heard Patrick cry again. Without argument he got up and picked up the boy and his cow and went downstairs. He repeated his steps earlier for about an hour and when Patrick was still crying. Harm went through the steps of what could be wrong with him. Diaper was dry, he wasn't hurt in anyway. Harm checked to make sure he wasn't hungry, and after getting a face full of partially chewed food Harm went back to Mac.

"Mac isn't there an off button or something, no matter what I do he won't be quiet."

"Did you try singing to him?"

"Singing?"

"Yes. Try that it worked last night."

"Alight." Harm walked out of the room running through the songs in his mind. There had to be one that he could sing, that was peaceful. He looked back down the hall and it hit him. He hadn't sung this one in forever he hoped he remembered the words. Walking back and forth downstairs he started in his deep voice,

"Where do I begin… to tell the story of how great love can be,

The sweet love story that is older then the sea,

The simplest truth about the love she brings to me?… Where do I start?" Harm paused, what was the verse? Then he heard the music again and continued,

"With her first hello… she gave a meaning to this empty world of mine…

There'd never be another love, another time;

She came into my life and made the living fine.

She fills my heart,

She fills my heart with very special things,

With angel songs, with wild imaginings.

She fills my soul with so much love… That anywhere I go I'm never lonely.

With her along, who could be lonely?… I reach for her hand,

It's always there." Patrick had quieted in his arms and closed his little eyes. Harm panicked he couldn't remember the end of the song. He just began to repeat it as he continued to walk with Patrick.

From upstairs Mac listened to his voice. It was distant yet she could hear the words. She remembered the last verse and listened as he repeated the first two.

"… The sweet love story that is older then the sea,

The simplest truth about the love she brings to me?" By the time he had reached the middle of the second verse she could hear his voice getting louder, as he climbed the stairs and entered Patrick's room. She climbed quietly out of the bed and stood at the master bedroom doorframe and she watched him lay Patrick in his crib in the moonlight and then he turned and walked back downstairs. She followed him and saw him go to the dining room and look out the wall of windows at the moon.

The song that he couldn't finish bothered Harm. Why had he picked it? He had never sung it to anyone he just practiced it in his apartment all alone. Every time in the few times he had, he had been thinking of Mac. It fit her perfectly. She was everything that the song said and more. It also addressed his problem. Where did he begin to tell her the things he felt?

Mac could tell Harm was lost in thought. The song must have been bothering him. She didn't know how she knew but she did. Was he singing about Diane, Jordan or even Renee? Or was he singing about her, Sarah Mackenzie, Mac his best friend? She certainly hoped so. Then before she could stop herself she began the verse of the song that he couldn't remember.

"How long does it last?

Can love be measured by the hours in a day?

I have no answers now, but this much I can say…" Mac stopped when Harm turned and looked at her.

"I thought you were asleep."

"No. I listened to you earlier and I know the end." Mac stated standing beside him.

"I know. You were just starting to sing it. Please finish." Harm encouraged.

"Oh I don't sing very well, but alright. It's going to sound a little weird singing about a girl you know. Brr! It's a little cold down here." Mac cleared her throat and was about to go on when Harm put a finger to her lips and pulled her into his arms. He then sang softly into her ear,

"… This much I can say,

I know I'll need her till the stars all burn away,

And she'll be there,

She'll be there."

Harm finished the song and Mac asked him,

"You knew all along didn't you?"

"No, but when you started I remembered it."

"Where did you hear it?"

"Watching a chick flick. I think it was called 'Love Story' I liked the track so I found the sheet music and I played it once or twice when I was thinking of you." Harm told her honestly. Mac smiled.

"You know how extremely corny that sounds."

"Oh well. I did fail my communication with women class."

"More like you never took it. You know I love it when you hold me like this." Mac stated absentmindedly.

"You do?" Harm questioned. Mac nodded.

"Yes, too bad we can't do it more often, or we might be able to if…" Mac turned in Harm's arms to face him.

"Harm how many times do we have to go through this?"

"We haven't gone through it, we have been dancing around it, but I want to go through it."

"Right now in the middle of the night?" Mac said stepping out of his embrace.

"Right now. Right here and we won't be wasting anymore time." Harm stated flatly.

"Alright then Harm. I love you, too much to ever be able to tell you. I'm not sure I can live without you, but the question is, do you love me? Or have you been leading me on for so long? Can you not live without me?" Mac looked at Harm who shifted a little uncomfortably.

"Well do you Harm? Or am I going to have to wait some more?"

"No Mac. You don't have to wait anymore or ever again for that matter. I love you Mac. That is as simple as I can make it. If I tried to explain what I have felt for years it would take all night. I love you Mac." Harm concluded trying to stay in a level tone.

FINALLY! It came out right! Harm thought, as he smiled at Mac, who let out a heavy sigh,

"Come here, I have another secret for you…" Harm leaned in towards Mac who whispered,

"In order for this to be a 'hallmark moment' this is the part where you wrap your arms around me and kiss me, instead of us standing here looking like idiots." Harm laughed and immediately pulled her close.

"I think that can be arranged." He lifted her lips to meet his in a passionate kiss that very well could have beat out Wesley and Buttercup's kiss in the Princess Bride. When Harm and Mac parted they stood there draped in moonlight and in each other's arms not saying a word. Everything that could have been put into words for their emotions in that moment had been expressed in that kiss. Mac yawned suddenly and then laughed tiredly.

"I really know how to ruin things like this don't I?"

"You only ruin them, I make them crash, burn and then blow up." Harm joked.

"You are the only Flyboy I know that can do that to any occasion."

"Well I hope I'm the only Flyboy in your life."

"One time there was this pilot… what was his call sign? It was a fish of some kind I think." Mac teased.

"Mac don't scare me like that. Now if you don't mind I think I will be getting back to bed now." Harm said dropping his arms and then turning to walk away. Mac followed him up the stairs where they both collapsed on the bed, exhausted.

"Wow what a day. Goodnight Harm." Mac said, but when she didn't hear an answer for Harm, she just felt him pull her close again she smiled.

Oh what a day! Was her last thought before she drifted off to dreamland.