Monday;
0122 Zulu;
McMurphy's;
Washington D.C.
The party was already underway by the time Harm and Mac arrived. Almost immediately upon entering the bar, they found themselves surrounded by the blended sounds of conversation and traditional pub music. Monday was 'Irish Night' at McMurphy's, and although the tunes played were from a CD instead of a live band, the beer and whiskey flowed as freely as they might in any pub in Dublin. Spotting Bud at the far end of the bar waiting patiently for his drink, Harm wordlessly took Mac's coat and began guiding her through the crowd, his hand resting gently at the small of her back. Bud's eyes lit up as he recognized his friends.
"Ma'am! Sir! I'm so glad you were able to make it!"
"Sorry we're late, Bud. What did we miss?" Leaning against the oaken bar, Harm ignored Mac's accusing glare.
"Well, sir, it turns out that Petty Officer Coates can throw a mean game of darts. She hustled Lieutenant Inman, who suggested they play 301. It was over in less than thirty minutes."
"She didn't!" Harm stared at him, incredulous. "Bud, Inman is a barracuda – she'll eat Jennifer for breakfast!"
"Not likely, Commander. After it was over, Admiral Chegwidden very discreetly offered to buy Coates a beer." Chuckling heartily, Bud dropped a tip onto the bar and picked up his drink.
Harm snorted. "Knowing Jen, she'll talk him into buying her two."
"What'll you have, Colonel?" the bartender interrupted.
Stepping between Harm and Bud, Mac leaned closer to the bar. "Give me the usual, Gene."
"Tonic water with lime, no problem. Commander?"
Thinking about the establishment's Monday night theme, Harm paused. "Half- pint of Guinness." Nodding, Gene turned to grab two glasses from the rack.
"Only half? Don't tell me you can't handle a full pint, Sailor." Mac's eyebrow arched with a silent challenge. Opening his mouth to reply, Harm bit back a smart retort when, out of nowhere, Harriet came sailing up to them.
"Colonel, Commander! There you are. I was starting to get worried! Have you ordered anything to drink yet?"
"Just now, as a matter of fact."
"Terrific! So, is tonight going to be the big night?" Harriet's eyes sparkled excitedly as she moved closer, her voice falling to a loud whisper. "You know, ma'am, that rubberband isn't going to hold forever."
"Rubberband? What rubberband?" Harm looked at Mac curiously.
Ignoring him, she kept her eyes trained on Harriet. "Believe me, I'm well aware of the limitations. But like we told Bud earlier, the last thing we want is to—"
"Really, ma'am, nothing would make me happier than for you and the Commander to share your news with everyone tonight. At least give it some thought," Bud persisted. "It's your choice, but the offer still stands." He smiled lovingly at his wife. "Shall we?" Nodding, Harriet put her arm in his and they disappeared off towards the others.
Staring after them contemplatively, it wasn't until Mac tapped Harm on the shoulder that he saw the small glass of dark brown brew sitting on the counter. Amused by the decidedly Irish depiction of a shamrock that had been drawn in the foamy head, he reached for his wallet.
"Don't worry about it," Mac told him, delicately sipping her tonic water. "It's on me."
"You sure?" She nodded. "Thanks. I'll get the next round, okay?"
"Deal. C'mon, Sailor. Let's go mingle." Saying nothing, Harm simply returned her soft smile and nodded in agreement.
Mac pushed away from the bar towards the back of the room, Harm following closely behind. Out of habit, she took note of everyone from JAG as she made her way through the crowd. Harriet and Bud had seated themselves in the center of activity, where they were now talking animatedly with one of the bullpen personnel. Sturgis and his girlfriend, Varese Chestnut, were engaged in conversation at a neighboring table, as was Admiral Chegwidden. It was nice for a change to see everyone enjoying themselves. Continuing to observe as she moved toward Bud and Harriet, Mac stifled a laugh when in the far corner, near the restrooms, she saw Coates beating several of the junior staff attorneys at darts. The infamous Lieutenant Inman was nowhere around.
"Mind if we join you?"
"Sure, Colonel," Harriet welcomed, gesturing for Mac to pull up a chair. Doing so, Mac belatedly realized that Harm had disappeared. She glanced around to see him chatting with Sturgis and the Admiral a few feet away.
"I was just telling Petty Officer Janus about what happened at Bud's bachelor party," Harriet explained. Her eyes glittered as she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a grin at the memory.
"Lieutenant Sims tells me you bailed everyone out of jail, Colonel?" the young man asked.
Mac smiled at him wryly. "Not everyone. Just Bud, Harm, and Admiral Chegwidden." Janus stared at her in shocked disbelief, then turned to Harriet as if seeking confirmation.
"It's true," she giggled. "You see, the guys had taken Bud to a strip club..."
* * * * * * * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, with her sides aching from laughter, Mac was glad she'd worn a comfortable dress. Finished relating the story of Bud's stag party debacle, Harriet launched into the now-legendary account of how her husband had managed to get himself stuck in the elevator immediately prior to Little A.J.'s arrival. Listening to her friend reminisce, the memory of standing with Harm on the porch outside of JAG spontaneously flashed through Mac's mind. *Five years from this moment, if neither of us is in a relationship...*
Snapping back to the present, she took a quick survey of the area to find Harm. Almost immediately she spotted him sitting a few tables over with the Admiral. From the expressions on their faces she guessed they were exchanging Bud stories as well.
A.J. had just shared *his* recollection of his namesake's birth when Harm felt Mac silently observing him. Lifting his eyes to meet hers, his laughter died and the world around them ceased to exist. In the span of a heartbeat, gazing at each other across the crowded room, the two friends held an unspoken conversation. Mac gave a small, consenting nod.
Turning back to his commanding officer, Harm interrupted quietly, "Excuse me a moment, Admiral." Pushing his chair away from the table, he stood and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, everyone, but if I could have your attention," he said in a loud voice.
He patiently waited for the conversation around him to settle before proceeding. "First of all, I'd like once again to offer my congratulations to Bud. He is an excellent example for all of us of what a good man, father, and husband should be. I have no doubt that he will continue to raise the bar of excellence in his new rank of Lieutenant Commander."
The audience broke out into low cheers and applause. Grinning, Harm raised his hands and motioned for quiet. "Now, with the hosts' permission, I have some other news that I'd like to share."
Inhaling sharply, Harriet let out a low squeal of excitement. "He's going to do it, isn't he?" she whispered furtively. Reaching an arm around his wife, Bud grinned as though he were the cat who'd just eaten the proverbial canary. Mac didn't say anything, but the edges of her lips curled upward in a small smile. Completely bewildered by the entire exchange, Petty Officer Janus turned his attention back to Commander Rabb.
"As you all know, I'm not getting any younger," Harm said self- deprecatingly. More chuckles erupted from the crowd. "For almost a year now I've had the privilege of serving as guardian to a young lady, Miss Mattie Grace. The experience has only served to remind me of how much I've always wanted to have children of my own."
He looked over at Mac, who nodded reassuringly. "You're all aware that Colonel MacKenzie and I have been friends for many years now. Few people are willing to make the sacrifices and take the risks that the Colonel has for me in the name of friendship." Lifting his glass in Mac's direction, he continued.
"We both believe that strong friendship is an excellent foundation for raising children." He turned back to face the crowd. "In the spirit of such friendship, and the fact that she's not getting any younger either," he highlighted, "Mac and I have decided to raise a family together. With that said, we are delighted to announce that we're expecting a little MacKenzie-Rabb sometime late this coming March."
The room erupted in a chorus of gasps. Stunned by the implications of Commander Rabb's announcement, the crowd began to buzz noisily with restless excitement. The tension in the air increased for a few minutes until Harriet finally rose to her feet and lifted her drink.
"To the newest JAG family addition!" she said with a determined smile.
Bud, Sturgis, Admiral Chegwidden, and Petty Officer Coates likewise stood, joining Harriet's toast. "Hear, hear!"
When it became obvious that the Judge Advocate General himself supported his two attorneys, several additional voices were heard raised in tribute. As the initial shock began to subside, Harm and Mac's co-workers one-by-one began to approach and offer their congratulations. Shaking someone's hand, Harm snuck a peek in Mac's direction. To his great pride and pleasure, her entire being seemed to grow radiant under all the attention. Throughout the years they'd known one another, Harm couldn't recall ever having seen her happier. His face split into a huge grin as he suddenly realized he had never been more satisfied in his entire life.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
To be continued...
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
The party was already underway by the time Harm and Mac arrived. Almost immediately upon entering the bar, they found themselves surrounded by the blended sounds of conversation and traditional pub music. Monday was 'Irish Night' at McMurphy's, and although the tunes played were from a CD instead of a live band, the beer and whiskey flowed as freely as they might in any pub in Dublin. Spotting Bud at the far end of the bar waiting patiently for his drink, Harm wordlessly took Mac's coat and began guiding her through the crowd, his hand resting gently at the small of her back. Bud's eyes lit up as he recognized his friends.
"Ma'am! Sir! I'm so glad you were able to make it!"
"Sorry we're late, Bud. What did we miss?" Leaning against the oaken bar, Harm ignored Mac's accusing glare.
"Well, sir, it turns out that Petty Officer Coates can throw a mean game of darts. She hustled Lieutenant Inman, who suggested they play 301. It was over in less than thirty minutes."
"She didn't!" Harm stared at him, incredulous. "Bud, Inman is a barracuda – she'll eat Jennifer for breakfast!"
"Not likely, Commander. After it was over, Admiral Chegwidden very discreetly offered to buy Coates a beer." Chuckling heartily, Bud dropped a tip onto the bar and picked up his drink.
Harm snorted. "Knowing Jen, she'll talk him into buying her two."
"What'll you have, Colonel?" the bartender interrupted.
Stepping between Harm and Bud, Mac leaned closer to the bar. "Give me the usual, Gene."
"Tonic water with lime, no problem. Commander?"
Thinking about the establishment's Monday night theme, Harm paused. "Half- pint of Guinness." Nodding, Gene turned to grab two glasses from the rack.
"Only half? Don't tell me you can't handle a full pint, Sailor." Mac's eyebrow arched with a silent challenge. Opening his mouth to reply, Harm bit back a smart retort when, out of nowhere, Harriet came sailing up to them.
"Colonel, Commander! There you are. I was starting to get worried! Have you ordered anything to drink yet?"
"Just now, as a matter of fact."
"Terrific! So, is tonight going to be the big night?" Harriet's eyes sparkled excitedly as she moved closer, her voice falling to a loud whisper. "You know, ma'am, that rubberband isn't going to hold forever."
"Rubberband? What rubberband?" Harm looked at Mac curiously.
Ignoring him, she kept her eyes trained on Harriet. "Believe me, I'm well aware of the limitations. But like we told Bud earlier, the last thing we want is to—"
"Really, ma'am, nothing would make me happier than for you and the Commander to share your news with everyone tonight. At least give it some thought," Bud persisted. "It's your choice, but the offer still stands." He smiled lovingly at his wife. "Shall we?" Nodding, Harriet put her arm in his and they disappeared off towards the others.
Staring after them contemplatively, it wasn't until Mac tapped Harm on the shoulder that he saw the small glass of dark brown brew sitting on the counter. Amused by the decidedly Irish depiction of a shamrock that had been drawn in the foamy head, he reached for his wallet.
"Don't worry about it," Mac told him, delicately sipping her tonic water. "It's on me."
"You sure?" She nodded. "Thanks. I'll get the next round, okay?"
"Deal. C'mon, Sailor. Let's go mingle." Saying nothing, Harm simply returned her soft smile and nodded in agreement.
Mac pushed away from the bar towards the back of the room, Harm following closely behind. Out of habit, she took note of everyone from JAG as she made her way through the crowd. Harriet and Bud had seated themselves in the center of activity, where they were now talking animatedly with one of the bullpen personnel. Sturgis and his girlfriend, Varese Chestnut, were engaged in conversation at a neighboring table, as was Admiral Chegwidden. It was nice for a change to see everyone enjoying themselves. Continuing to observe as she moved toward Bud and Harriet, Mac stifled a laugh when in the far corner, near the restrooms, she saw Coates beating several of the junior staff attorneys at darts. The infamous Lieutenant Inman was nowhere around.
"Mind if we join you?"
"Sure, Colonel," Harriet welcomed, gesturing for Mac to pull up a chair. Doing so, Mac belatedly realized that Harm had disappeared. She glanced around to see him chatting with Sturgis and the Admiral a few feet away.
"I was just telling Petty Officer Janus about what happened at Bud's bachelor party," Harriet explained. Her eyes glittered as she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a grin at the memory.
"Lieutenant Sims tells me you bailed everyone out of jail, Colonel?" the young man asked.
Mac smiled at him wryly. "Not everyone. Just Bud, Harm, and Admiral Chegwidden." Janus stared at her in shocked disbelief, then turned to Harriet as if seeking confirmation.
"It's true," she giggled. "You see, the guys had taken Bud to a strip club..."
* * * * * * * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, with her sides aching from laughter, Mac was glad she'd worn a comfortable dress. Finished relating the story of Bud's stag party debacle, Harriet launched into the now-legendary account of how her husband had managed to get himself stuck in the elevator immediately prior to Little A.J.'s arrival. Listening to her friend reminisce, the memory of standing with Harm on the porch outside of JAG spontaneously flashed through Mac's mind. *Five years from this moment, if neither of us is in a relationship...*
Snapping back to the present, she took a quick survey of the area to find Harm. Almost immediately she spotted him sitting a few tables over with the Admiral. From the expressions on their faces she guessed they were exchanging Bud stories as well.
A.J. had just shared *his* recollection of his namesake's birth when Harm felt Mac silently observing him. Lifting his eyes to meet hers, his laughter died and the world around them ceased to exist. In the span of a heartbeat, gazing at each other across the crowded room, the two friends held an unspoken conversation. Mac gave a small, consenting nod.
Turning back to his commanding officer, Harm interrupted quietly, "Excuse me a moment, Admiral." Pushing his chair away from the table, he stood and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, everyone, but if I could have your attention," he said in a loud voice.
He patiently waited for the conversation around him to settle before proceeding. "First of all, I'd like once again to offer my congratulations to Bud. He is an excellent example for all of us of what a good man, father, and husband should be. I have no doubt that he will continue to raise the bar of excellence in his new rank of Lieutenant Commander."
The audience broke out into low cheers and applause. Grinning, Harm raised his hands and motioned for quiet. "Now, with the hosts' permission, I have some other news that I'd like to share."
Inhaling sharply, Harriet let out a low squeal of excitement. "He's going to do it, isn't he?" she whispered furtively. Reaching an arm around his wife, Bud grinned as though he were the cat who'd just eaten the proverbial canary. Mac didn't say anything, but the edges of her lips curled upward in a small smile. Completely bewildered by the entire exchange, Petty Officer Janus turned his attention back to Commander Rabb.
"As you all know, I'm not getting any younger," Harm said self- deprecatingly. More chuckles erupted from the crowd. "For almost a year now I've had the privilege of serving as guardian to a young lady, Miss Mattie Grace. The experience has only served to remind me of how much I've always wanted to have children of my own."
He looked over at Mac, who nodded reassuringly. "You're all aware that Colonel MacKenzie and I have been friends for many years now. Few people are willing to make the sacrifices and take the risks that the Colonel has for me in the name of friendship." Lifting his glass in Mac's direction, he continued.
"We both believe that strong friendship is an excellent foundation for raising children." He turned back to face the crowd. "In the spirit of such friendship, and the fact that she's not getting any younger either," he highlighted, "Mac and I have decided to raise a family together. With that said, we are delighted to announce that we're expecting a little MacKenzie-Rabb sometime late this coming March."
The room erupted in a chorus of gasps. Stunned by the implications of Commander Rabb's announcement, the crowd began to buzz noisily with restless excitement. The tension in the air increased for a few minutes until Harriet finally rose to her feet and lifted her drink.
"To the newest JAG family addition!" she said with a determined smile.
Bud, Sturgis, Admiral Chegwidden, and Petty Officer Coates likewise stood, joining Harriet's toast. "Hear, hear!"
When it became obvious that the Judge Advocate General himself supported his two attorneys, several additional voices were heard raised in tribute. As the initial shock began to subside, Harm and Mac's co-workers one-by-one began to approach and offer their congratulations. Shaking someone's hand, Harm snuck a peek in Mac's direction. To his great pride and pleasure, her entire being seemed to grow radiant under all the attention. Throughout the years they'd known one another, Harm couldn't recall ever having seen her happier. His face split into a huge grin as he suddenly realized he had never been more satisfied in his entire life.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
To be continued...
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---