Title : Tell Him
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Spoilers : None as such, after the Dining-Out though!
Summary : Another songfic – heard the song, couldn't resist!
Thank you to MacHarm4ever, HM foreva, jtbwriter, froggy0319, JAGJenni, hothing40, snugglebug, MaritzaCarmichael, maidenpride21, bluejay742, starryeyes10, EyeCandy, Becki, joanoa and Emsta for such wonderful reviews, and so here is the fifth (and final) part. I hope it meets expectations!
Saturday Evening – Somewhere in Georgetown
Harm walked into the club at the very moment the host for the evening introduced Varese and the song she would be singing. Standing in the back of the room he glanced around and saw where Sturgis sat, the empty seat to his right, then Bud and Harriet, and two more empty seats – presumably for himself and Mac. He made his way to the table, dropping a kiss on Harriet's cheek and taking his seat next to her.
"Harm! You made it!"
"Only just! Hi, Sturg, Bud. Is Mac here?"
"She…er…" began Bud, and Harriet smiled at Harm as she kicked her husband under the table.
"Mac will be out in a minute," she informed Harm, and he nodded his head, looking for the door to the Ladies' room. As his eyes found the requisite sign on the door, his ears picked up on something familiar. As the introduction music began to filter through the room, a voice began to sing. Harm turned his head to the stage so fast that the three other occupants thought he might have whiplash. Harriet was still smiling, nodding her head at the expression on Harm's face. This was going to work; she just knew it!
I'm scared
So afraid to show I care
Will he think me weak
If I tremble when I speak
What if
There's another one he's thinking of
Maybe he's in love
I'd feel like a fool
Life can be so cruel
I don't know what to do
Mac's eyes were lowered as she sang the first verse, and as Varese came up beside her to sing her part Mac looked at her and not at the audience. Not yet. It would kill her if she glanced at their table and didn't see Harm there.
I've been there
With my heart out in my hand
But what you must understand
You can't let the chance
To love him pass you by
Varese smiled at Mac and looked out at the audience, and the table where Sturgis, Bud and Harriet were seated, along with a mesmerized Harm. Mac followed the direction of her gaze, and got caught in the ocean-colored eyes she knew so well. So caught that she missed the cue for her to sing along with Varese.
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Tender words so soft and sweet
As a seasoned performer, Varese sang the verse alone, and Mac picked up on the next lyrics, eyes back on Varese and a smile of apology on her face.
I'll hold him close to feel his heart beat
Varese nodded, an answering smile on her own face as she continued the song.
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Touch him
With the gentleness you feel inside
Your love can't be denied
The truth will set you free
You'll have what's meant to be
All in time you'll see
Sturgis glanced across at Harm, who hadn't moved a muscle since Mac began the song. Leaning across the table, he spoke to Harm.
"Pretty good duet, don't you think, bro?"
Harm could only nod his head. Right now he had no capacity for speech, only the ability to hear the words Mac sang. To really hear them, and understand what they said. If the first verses spoke of how terrified Mac was of putting her heart on the line, and her – mistaken – belief of his involvement with Alicia Montes, her next words told him what he wanted, needed, to know.
I love him
Of that much I can be sure
I don't think I could endure
If I let him walk away
When I have so much to say
Mac was looking directly at him now, her eyes wide, trying to draw him to her with her words. He dipped his head imperceptibly, but Mac caught the gesture and smiled at him. They were on the right page, in the right place, at the right time. At last!
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Tender words so soft and sweet
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Mac had turned her attention back to Varese as they sang together, and then she looked again at Harm as she sang alone once more.
Love is light that surely glows
In the hearts of those who know
It's a steady flame that grows
Tonight love will assume its place
This memory time cannot erase
Your faith will lead love where it has to go
Varese joined in for the final verse together, also looking out in the same direction as Mac, and winking at Sturgis as she sang. The answering smile she got from her man was wide and welcoming.
Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Whisper words so soft and sweet
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Never let him go…
As the music faded along with the lights, the audience rose to their feet in a mutual standing ovation. Loudest amongst the cheerers were Sturgis and Bud. Harriet had begun to cheer loudly too, but then she had caught Harm's expression. His eyes were suspiciously moist, and there was a smile on his face that was almost vulnerable as he watched the lights go up again to illuminate the two women on stage.
Harriet had arranged for two bouquets to be handed to Varese and Mac by stagehands but when Sturgis had learned of this he had suggested he and Harm deliver the bouquets. Harriet had been delighted, of course, by the idea. The plan had wavered a little when Harm had not shown up at the club and Bud had offered to present Mac's bouquet in his place. So, with a look of surprise when said bouquet was placed in his arms, Harm glanced across at Sturgis, who held one similar. Both men smiled and nodded, and moved through the tables toward the stage. Whispers of surprise and amusement went through the rest of the audience at their appearance, at the gesture made with the bouquets, but whereas Sturgis was dressed in civilian clothes, Harm still wore his Navy blues, having driven straight from Norfolk to the club, with no time to change.
Mac laughed through her tears as Harm approached, and after giving Varese a hug of thanks and congratulations she stepped down the side of the stage and took Harm's hand as she made the last few steps to the dance floor. Not letting go of the hand he held, Harm placed the bouquet on Mac's free arm, and stood close. There were still cheers around the tables, and all but a few had taken their seats again, but there was no-one for Harm but Mac.
"It took a while getting here," Harm murmured, and Mac felt herself drowning as she looked in his eyes. It was understood immediately – he wasn't just talking about being late to the club.
"You're here now. We both are."
"I love you, Sarah."
Mac's voice broke on a sob as she told him she loved him too, but her answer was only heard by him as she went into his arms and took the kiss he offered. The sound of whistles and calls brought them both back to their surroundings, and Mac blushed, burying her head in Harm's jacket. Looking around himself, he caught Sturgis' eye and laughed softly.
"I think we should be someplace else, right now. This wasn't quite how I imagined this night would go."
"Oh…" Mac faltered, not sure what he meant by that statement, and he caught her hesitation and realized she was confused.
"I didn't know you were going to sing with Varese. I only meant that I thought we'd be sat at the table together."
"And now?" Mac dared to ask.
"This is beyond my imagination, Sarah. The words of the song were perfect, for us…" Harm paused, and Mac looked up, waiting for him to speak again. When he did, she went wide-eyed, and Harriet grabbed at Bud's hand, thinking Harm had said something wrong, again.
"Maybe we could make it 'our song', at our wedding…"
"Wed…ding? Harm? Are you…? Do you…?" Mac began, but couldn't finish her sentences.
"I do. Do you?" Harm grinned, his familiar 'flyboy' smile in place, but not quite steady, as he waited for her reaction. It came without hesitation.
"I do!"
"Will you marry me, Sarah?"
"Yes!" The bouquet between them was almost crushed as Harm picked up Mac and kissed her. When they broke for air, and he set her on her feet again, Mac held on as she didn't know if her legs would support her. Around them, Varese and Sturgis had been joined by Harriet and Bud. Harm took Mac's bouquet and handed it to Harriet with a smile.
"Just for a minute, Harriet, if you don't mind?"
"Of course not," Harriet returned, not quite sure what had been said between her two dearest friends.
Harm reached into his inside pocket and withdrew a small object. Holding it up so Mac could see, he then placed it at the tip of her third finger, right hand.
"I've been carrying this around for a while. It's found it's new resting place, for now."
"For now?" echoed Mac, looking from the ring to Harm, not sure what he meant by his words.
"This was the ring that my father gave to my mother, when he asked her to marry him. I was hoping we could make it a tradition…that our son could give it to his wife-to-be, when the time comes."
Harriet was already sobbing quietly, but with the most radiant smile on her face. Bud sighed, and handed her his handkerchief. Varese leaned back into Sturgis as his arms tightened around her, both of them watching the scene before them with smiles on their faces too.
Mac couldn't speak. The words were there, on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't voice them…
"Sarah?" Harm brushed away the tears that ran down her cheeks, and Mac made an effort to stop crying but it came out sounding like a hiccup.
"That…that's perfect…" Mac managed, eventually. Harm lifted her right hand up, and then Harriet knew that all was well in their world. Squealing with delight she moved forward and both Harm and Mac welcomed her congratulations, along with Bud. When there was room, they were congratulated by Varese and Sturgis as well.
Cheers went up from the other tables, too, and they all turned to face the audience, made a united acknowledgement by bowing, and smiled as they returned to their table.
When the others took their seats again, Harm remained standing, Mac at his side.
"If you'll excuse us?" he murmured, and four heads nodded at him, smiles saying everything. Harm grinned as he looked down at Mac, and then back at their friends. "We'll see you all tomorrow."
"Let's make it dinner, at our place," Harriet offered, including Varese and Sturgis who accepted readily. Mac and Harm nodded, and then left the club, to the sound of cheers and wishes of 'good luck'.
As the pair disappeared Harriet suddenly remembered that she still held Mac's bouquet. "Oh," she began, about to follow them, but Bud put his hand on her arm.
"Not now, Harriet. Take the bouquet home and you can return it tomorrow. I don't think they'll worry about the flowers for a while."
Sturgis looked across at Bud, surprised at the younger man's sensitivity. It dawned on him then that although he had known Harm a lot longer , Bud was the one who knew more about Harm.
As they settled down at their table to talk about the events that had just played out, and the song that had started them, their thoughts all turned to the couple who had left.
Harm and Mac. Together. At last!
The End!
Well, maybe an Epilog?