Chapter 6: McMurphy's

Disclaimer: All characters from the television show JAG and the show itself are the property of CBS and Donald P. Belisario. The characters Ron Allen, Matthew and Samantha Rabb, story, and storyline contained herein is the intellectual property of J.S. Levin copyright June 1, 2004 and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the author's consent. Inquiries may be directed to the email address contained in the author's profile.

Spoilers: Through Season 10

A/N: Ok...this one's really short. Sorry, but I couldn't think of too much to do here as I'm really waiting for the big party later on. Trust me; it will be worth it (I hope). I forget where McMurphy's was located in the show. I'm placing it in Falls Church in order to show its proximity to JAG HQ. Forgive me if it's wrong.  Thanks for all the reviews, I always look forward to reading them.

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McMurphy's
Falls Church, Virginia
1900 Zulu (1400 local time)

Mattie and Harm entered the already jumping establishment. Almost instantaneously, Mac walked over to them.

"Harmon Rabb, Jr., one of these days, you are going to have to get somewhere on time," she mock scolded.

"Sorry, Marine, but we weren't paying close attention to the time at lunch," Harm answered back as Bud Roberts walked up.

"Sir, ma'am, Mattie," he said, nodding his head at each one, and then returning to face Harm, "How are you doing, sir?"

"I'm hanging in there Bud. We miss you upstairs. AJ's been a great help to us though. He reminds me a lot of you when you first joined JAG, Bud," Harm said.

"Well, sir, frankly, I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. As Harriet keeps telling me, I was apparently fairly ditzy at first," everyone laughed.

"She's right, Bud, but hey, we grew to love you anyway," Mac said.

"Et tu, ma'am? My own boss is out to get me." Bud lamented, holding his hands as if to pull the proverbial dagger out of his chest. After he "wrenched" it free, he joined in the laughter.

Good-natured conversation continued with the long time friends. A little while later, Mac pulled Mattie aside. "Does he have any idea?" she asked.

"No, ma'am," Mattie answered, "He is as clueless as clueless can be...for Harm anyway" she smiled mischievously, and then a thought struck her. "Oh! You might want to call Chez Louis and cancel the reservation he made for your promotion tonight."

"He made a reservation at Chez Louis tonight, for me?" Mac gushed, and her eyes twinkled at the memory. Harm had taken her there the night that he proposed. It was one of the most expensive restaurants in town, also one of the most romantic. After dinner there, he had taken her for a moonlit stroll in the park. While they were lakeside, he had knelt down and proposed.

"Ma'am?" Mattie waited a moment. The second time she tried to get Mac out of her daze. "Mac!" she said stridently.

Mac jumped. "Oh, sorry Mattie. Um, well, I guess I'll call and cancel, since we already have dinner reservations for tonight. Don't we?" Mac's eyes twinkled when she said that last bit.

"Yes, ma'am." Mattie smiled and then looked at Mac tentatively. "Um, I have a favor to ask of you. Would you mind terribly if I changed into my dress uniform over at your place? I'm staying in Norfolk, and it's a little bit of a drive..." Mattie trailed off.

"Are you kidding? Of course, you can change at our place! Just make sure you get there early and keep out of sight once you've changed. If he does see you, you can be 'visiting' the twins," Mac said.

The party gradually slowed as people went off to get dressed in their formalwear for the evening's festivities. The dress code was ultra-formal; it meant tails for all military personnel present. Mac relaxed against the bar, as she had had all of her and Harm's formalwear ironed the previous day, unbeknownst to Harm. She had also ironed the ribbon on the copy of Harm's Medal of Honor. Aside from the presentation, he would never wear the actual medal; a second had been given to him via the mail, which he would use. Navy regulations did not allow a miniaturized version for his tuxedo jacket like other medals, so he'd have to wear the copy around his neck.

"Everyone seems to be leaving early," Harm commented, laying his elbows back on the bar next to her. There was a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"Probably just taking advantage of the free afternoon," Mac replied, knowing that he was probably thinking that not everyone cared. If only you knew, she mused in her head.

They continued to mingle until finally the last of the crowd had left at 1600 local. It was just Mac and Harm left in the bar.

"Ready to go home and get changed, Ninja Girl?" Harm questioned.

"Get changed? Changed into what?" Mac feigned ignorance.

"Your dress uniform I'm talking black tie," Harm said.

"You got it, Flyboy. But I'm driving to wherever it is we're going though. I want to run the 'Vette's engine," Mac said, hoping Harm wouldn't second-guess her. He didn't.

A simple, "Ok, marine," was all she got out of him. They left the bar arm in arm, to spend the rest of the evening celebrating and well wishing.

TBC. . .