Title: Squids 'n' Jarheads: To Everything There is A Season

Author: Kirsten

Rating: PG-13

Summary: AU. What if Harm and Mac had met at the Naval Academy and became friends there? Doesn't follow the show, although some of the events and characters are actually part of the show.

Author's Notes: I wrote this story as my own and then had the thought one day to turn it into a JAG story. It's really long but I will see if everyone likes it before continuing. I hope that you all enjoy it! Feedback is more than welcome. The song is Keeper of the Stars, performed by Tracy Byrd.

Chapter One: The Academy Years

0945 EST

25 September 1976

Classroom 216

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland

I tear away from my lab to check my lab sheet. Good, I'm going this right. I don't want to have to go back and redo this step.

"Midshipman Mackenzie." A voice says behind me.

I come to attention, "Yes sir."

"This is Midshipman Rabb. He will be working with you."

"Thank you sir."

"Make sure that you catch him up on what you're doing."

"Of course, sir." I say as the commander leaves. I turn to look at Midshipman Rabb, "I'm working on a nuclear chem lab. Why don't you grab some goggles and some gloves."

"Sure." He says.

I then explain the lab to him and allow him to look at what I'm doing. I take a minute to look at Rabb. He's at least six feet and has about six inches on me. His dark brown hair is cut short, per Academy rules, and he has the deepest blue eyes I've ever seen.

Rabb turns to me, "Is this right, Midshipman Mackenzie?"

"Yes it is and please call me Mac."

"Harm."

"Interesting name." I say.

"I could say the same thing about you." He says and I laugh.

"Mine's a nickname. What about your's?"

"It is my father's name."

"It's very interesting." He says.

"Let's get back to work, Harm."

2145 EST

25 September 1976

Room 506

Brancroft Hall

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland

"So, Mac, I heard that you got a new lab partner today." Joy says, putting her uniform away and sitting down on the bunk next to me.

"Yeah. Harmon Rabb." I say, tossing my volleyball up in the air and then setting it up again.

"I also heard he's cute." Joy says, smiling at me.

I sigh, "Sparky, where did you learn all of this?"

Bridget Magouirk, my other roomie, look over from her chemistry homework, "Sparks, you are being a gossip again?"

Joy look over at Bridget, "At least I'm not a bookworm like you, Magouirk."

Bridget glares at Joy before going back to her chemistry homework, "You know, Sparks, some of us actually have to study in order to do well. Some of us don't have photographic memories like you, little-miss-smarty-pants."

"Hey!" Joy says.

"Will you two quit it? I would like to get through tonight without you two killing each other." I say, glaring at both of them.

Joy look at Bridget one more time before turning back to me, "So, what was Midshipman Rabb like?"

I smile. Joy is relentless, "He's about 6'0" feet, dark brown hair, deep blue eyes."

"I know what he look likes, Mac! Now, tell me what it was like to work with him?"

"It was nothing special. You know, we said 'hi,' I explained the lab to him, and we did what we had to do."

"Mac…"

I sigh and say quietly, "He's sweet and handsome. I think that I like him."

Joy squeals, "I have to go check up on his status. See if he's dating anyone back home. You know your track record with men who are dating."

I groan, "You just had to bring that up."

"I'm so mean, aren't I?"

"You're brutal, Sparky, just brutal." I say and smile.

1105 EST

8 December 1977

Enroute to Bancroft Hall

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland

"Midshipman Mackenzie, wait up!" I call as I see Mac ahead of me.

She turns around and smiles when she sees me rushing towards her, "Hello, Midshipman Rabb."

I give her a smile, "How was engineering?" I ask.

"Lots of fun. How was calculus?"

"My favorite class of the day. I wanted to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"What are you doing for Christmas?"

Mac stiffens, "I don't know. Probably staying in a hotel downtown and just relaxing."

"Would you like to spend Christmas with me and my family at the farm?"

"I don't want to be a bother. It's Christmas."

"My grandmother wants you there. Please say you'll come." Mac and I have gotten closer over the past year. She's spent some time at Gram's farm with me last summer. She spend Thanksgiving with Doctor Ryan, who's her history professor.

"Okay, fine. Thanks, Harm."

"You're welcome. Mom and Frank are flying into BWI on the 19th. They'll pick us up on their way to the farm.

"Great. Come on, let's get back to quarters." Mac says, picking up her pace.

2410 EST

19 December 1977

The Rabb Farm

1056 Caitlyn Lane

Bellevule, Pennsylvania

I yawn and lean my head against Harm's shoulder. He smiles at me as Frank pulls the car into driveway. The farm looks huge and I can't wait to explore it with Harm.

"You awake back there?" Harm's mom, Trish, asks.

"Somewhat." I say and smile before getting out of the car to grab my bag.

Harm, instead, takes my bag and leads me into the house. It's a huge, old rambling farm house with all of the typical farm decorations. He leads me upstairs to an empty bedroom, "I hope it's okay."

"It's fine. Thank you so much, Harm." I say and turn on the light.

"I'm glad. I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Mac." He says, kissing my cheek.

I smile as he closes the hatch behind him, "Good night, Harm." I whisper.

0905 EST

20 December 1977

The Rabb Farm

1056 Caitlyn Lane

Bellevule, Pennsylvania

"Good morning." Mac says as I come into the kitchen.

I quickly head towards the coffee pot and pour myself a cup, "Good, Gram got the good stuff," I say as I take a sip and then head over to where Mac is sitting at the kitchen table, dressed in a Naval Academy sweatshirt and cowboy pajama pants, her long brown hair in a ponytail. I lean over to grab the sports section that she has thrown across the table.

"Yuck, your breath smells horrible."

"And yours doesn't?"

"Hey, at least I brush my teeth before I join the rest of civilization."

"Are we arguing over my dental hygiene?"

"Yes."

"You're worse than my DI during Plebe Summer."

She laughs, "So what are we going to do today?"

"I thought we could go sledding." I say as I motion to the food of snow sitting outside.

"How old are you?"

"What?"
"How old are you?'

"20."

"Okay, Harmon Rabb, you are 20 years old. Don't you think that's a little too old to be going sledding?"

"No." I say as she grins at me. I roll my eyes, "You are so annoying sometimes. You do know that, right?"

She smiles, "Damn right I do. Now, I'm going to get ready for this little sledding excitement that you have planned."

I laugh and grab a cereal bowl, "Be ready in 20."

Later that night, after we have eaten dinner, I wander into the living room. I chased Mac out of the kitchen after she volunteered to do the dishes. I smile softly as I see her sleeping form on the couch, a book on her chest and her ponytail off to the side. I grab a blanket out of the drawer and spread it over her before sitting down and picking up my favorite book.

Gram comes in and I motion for her to be quiet, "Sorry, Harm. When did she fall asleep?"

"Don't know. She's so beautiful."

"She's an amazing woman, Harmon. You love her, don't you?"

"With all of my heart, Gram."

2405 EST

24 December 1977

First Congregational Church of Bellevule

1005 Main Street

Bellevule, Pennsylvania

I laugh as Harm and I walk out of the church, "That was a great service."

He smiles, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's one of my favorite services."

"Mine too." I say and smile.

"Hey look," he says as he points to the sky. I look up to find the night sky aglow with bright, twinkling stars, "It's so pretty."

"It's more than pretty, it's beautiful." I say and look at his face.
"Just like you." He says before kissing me gently.

I look in the eye, "I think I've fallen in love with you, Harm."

"That's good because I've fallen in love with you, Sarah."

I smile as Harm pulls an around my waist and pulls me close, "Merry Christmas, Mac." He whispers in my ear.

"Merry Christmas, Harm."

I lean my head against his shoulder as I look up at the stars and he starts to hum and I ask, "What are you humming?"

"A song."

"Will you sing it for me?"

He smiles, "If you really want to hear it."

"Harm, sing!"

He smiles and starts to sing:

I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what we was doin'

When he joined these two hearts

I hold everything

When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars

I feel tears come to my eyes, "That was fantastic, Harm!"

He smiles, "I'm glad you think so."

"I do. And I also know that I love you, Harm."

"And I love you, Sarah." He says as he leans down and kisses me again.

I just simply smile.

2105 EST

25 December 1977

The Rabb Farm

1056 Caitlyn Lane

Bellevule, Pennsylvania

"Mac, come on. There's something outside that I want you to see." I say, grabbing my coat and Mac's off the rack and handing hers to her.

"Harm, come on. It's cold outside. Are you sure that we have to go out?"

"I'm sure." I say, feeling around in my coat pocket for the box. Good, it's still there.

I take Mac's hand and lead her outside, where there's a horse drawn sleigh. Gram keeps two horses at the farm so that she can go riding and let the local children ride them. I found the sleigh in the back of the barn the other day and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

"Oh, Harm, it's beautiful." She says as she looks at the two brown horses with jingle bells on their harasses and the old wooden sleigh.

"Let's take a ride." I say as I help into the sleigh and tuck the blanket around us. Picking up the reins, I cluck to the horses and I feel their powerful legs moving to pull us and the sleigh.

As we drive around the property, I take us down by the pond. The ice is thick enough for us to skate on and I stop the sleigh.

Going around the back, I pull out lanterns, matches, and two pairs of ice skates. I smile up to Mac, "Ready to go ice skating?"

"Are you kidding? I love ice skating."

The lanterns have created a circle around the pond and I pull Mac out onto the ice. She smiles and laughs as we skate around. I love to see her smile.

I sneak up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close. Letting go, I skate in front of her to stop her.

Getting down on one knee, I smile at her as I pull out the box from pocket, "Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, I know that we have more than two years left together at the Academy and I know that our future is uncertain, but I love you more than there are stars in the sky. When I first met you, I wasn't sure that our friendship would last beyond that class. But as I look back, I realize that I was wrong. Look at us. We are best friends and lovers without the Academy knowing which must count for something. You are best friend, my lover, and my other half. I love you, Sarah. Will you marry me?" I ask as I take her left hand.

"Yes." She says, through her tears. I take off her glove and slip the diamond ring onto her finger.

"I love you." I whisper in her ear.

"I love you too."

End Chapter One.