Title : When You're Ready…

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 (Just in case!)


To all the readers/reviewers shown – thanks for the support, and please keep reading! It's nice to see from the reviews given that the 'format' for the story is still working out!

cbw; cool cat; froggy0319; Lisa Brown; ryne'smom; anna7; harmsgirl-03; dana; suz573; Grace; jaggurl; Nikki; Kirsty; kirsten; ss; Arian04; GuitarVixen; iammusic; JennaTripped; JagFan; starryeyes10; Kavi Leighanna; SarahRabb705; BrokenSkye; NavyCB; SailorGirl; moe; katydid13; serendipity112233; Dreamer20715; jtbwriter; joanoa; FoxyWombat; chawkchic; maidenpride21; r; heartandy112; General Mac; jagaddict; ducktapedmoose; lehcar412; laura carr; bluejay742; dansingwolf; Tina Frank; snugglebug; Jackia; The Fiction Spider; Maria; Lisa; aserene; JAGJenni; martini1988; skyefire

jtbwriter – Hiya! Thanks for your review. I never figured that TPTB would make Sturgis so awful to Harm, but I'm glad I managed to get across the way that Harm felt betrayed as a friend. I hope that Harm gets to meet Vukovic before too long – I want to see what reaction DPB has lined up for them! As for the weather and work; it never rains but it pours, huh? Thanks again, hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading! Radiorox – Thanks for your review, and for clearing up my confusion! I don't like the new guy at all! And as for the close up at the end of the episode – yeuch! Good job we have fanfics to fall back on! I hope you like the next chapter, and please keep reading! aserene – Thanks for your review. I wonder what DPB has lined up for Harm/Vukovic when (and if!) they meet. I hated the end of the episode, with the close up, and I think I got a little carried away with the dialog when I started writing this chapter! Hope you like it anyway, and please keep reading! snugglebug – Thanks for your review. I had fun writing this chapter, really, even if I went a bit overboard on Vukovic…could you tell I don't really like the character:o) I hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading! JAGJenni – Thanks for your review. I'm glad I managed to get across the way that Harm felt betrayed by Sturgis. I didn't think DPB would be so mean! It's like everyone's turning on Harm because DJE is leaving. There are so many rumors around – did he jump or was he pushed? – that I don't know what to believe any more, so I'm just going to keep writing! I hope you like this chapter (I got a bit carried away typing, can you tell?) :o) and please keep reading! froggy0319 – Thanks for your review. I'm glad you're smiling uncontrollably (makes people wonder what you've been doing!) and I hope this next chapter works for you too! Please keep reading! cbw – Thanks for your review, and your praise. I enjoy writing, but words like yours make it all worthwhile. Hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading! joanoa86 – Thanks for your review. I'm not intending to make Harm seem too full of himself, but let's face it, the guy's the best! He deserves to be respected and admired; he's earned his place! What is Vukovic – just a lowly Lieutenant. Hope this next chapter keeps your imagination rolling, and please keep reading! chawkchic – Thanks for your review, and I'm with you – I wish TPTB/DPB would take a look at the fanfic pages some time and see where the series should really be headed! There are so many great stories/writers out in the 'real' world:o) Hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading! starryeyes10 – Thanks for your review. Hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!


What could have happened after the end of Straits Of Malacca… Whiting Field, Florida

"He's such an arrogant jerk!" Mac all but yelled, and Harm pulled his head back from his cell phone at the sound. It was rare to hear Mac so fired up in anger, especially since they no longer had their 'blazing battles', and the volume of her disgust rose in line with her fury.

"I wish I could be there with you, instead…"

"Oh, so do I!" Mac lowered her voice, and Harm heard the tiredness in her tone. "Where are you, anyway? I tried the apartment first."

"I got called back to Florida, to help out with the training program, after the hurricane. I'm not sure how long I'll be down here, but I'll back in DC before you know it."

"Before me?" It was plaintive, and Harm tried to reassure Mac without the luxury of being able to physically hold her.

"I'm not sure, sweetheart. I'll have to keep you posted on that one."

"Okay. Look, I'm going to have to go. The walls in here echo, remember? Vukovic has already probably heard more than he should have. He's bunked next door."

"I've got the laptop with me, so you can mail me. Maybe we can set up a date to IM?"

"A date, huh?" Mac cheered up a little, nodding her head even though she knew Harm couldn't see her. "Okay, you're on, sailor. Tell me when and I'll be there."

"Okay. I'll check the flight schedules tomorrow and get back to you. ILY, Mac."

"ILY, too. Later," Mac murmured, and closed her cell phone. The connection was terminated immediately, and although she wanted to redial and talk to Harm for the duration of her time on board, she pulled out the practical side of her nature and got down to typing up the reports due on the case. In a folder at the side of her laptop was a drafted report on her student, the 'jerk' in question. Vukovic.

USS Condon - sometime later

Mac heard the faint beep of her laptop and sat up on the bunk. Wiping the sleep from her eyes she padded over to the machine in bare feet. Realizing she had an email from Harm, she clicked on the appropriate key to retrieve the information. A smile came to her face as she read the details there, and she sat down and sent a reply. Once that was done she accepted that she was now awake, and decided to head down to the gym to get a workout, and maybe pretend it was Vukovic when she used her kickboxing skills on the punch bag. When Mac opened the door to the gym room she groaned. Vukovic was already there. Well, she wasn't backing down from her plans, and simply walked past the man, heading for her intended target.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

"Excuse me?" Mac turned around to face Vukovic.

"I couldn't sleep. Guess you couldn't either. I find gym work gets rid of my stresses. I'm hoping I'll catch a couple of more hours sleep after my workout."

"You guess wrong, Lieutenant." Mac's terse answer would have stopped further conversation from any other, observant, male. Vukovic was was either blind, or stupid, or both as he continued to speak.

"My apologies, ma'am. I just thought…" Vukovic was interrupted by Mac, and she was fast losing what little patience she had with the man.

"I came down here to do my workout, Lieutenant, and I'm really not interested in what you thought. My report is completed, and we'll be heading back sometime tomorrow, so I suggest you get on with your workout, and I'll do the same."

"May I ask what you wrote, ma'am?"

The man had a death wish! Mac scowled as she answered.

"No, you may not. As the senior officer on this case your notes becomes part of my report, and then if the General has any comments he'll address them as he sees fit."

"But if we're working together, ma'am…" Vukovic began, but Mac stared him down.

"Lieutenant Vukovic, the case is over. I am in here to work out. If you have any further queries, I'll answer them later. Right now…" Mac had reached the punch bag and she kicked out in frustration at Vukovic's inane comments, and Harm's absence. God she missed him!

Vukovic watched as Mac began her warm up routine, and then went back to his own workout. Without a doubt, Marine Colonel Sarah Mackenzie was a complex person, but one he intended to unravel. As for her partner, the legendary Commander Harmon Rabb (whom he had yet to meet), Vukovic was certain he could make friends with a fellow officer. Mac missed the grin of satisfaction on Vukovic's face as he believed he had a way of getting under her skin. If he only knew how wrong his approach was going to be!

USS Condon – Wardroom

Mac poured herself another coffee and went back to her table to finish her meal. Just as she took her seat she was aware of a noise and looked up in time to see Vukovic narrowly miss being drenched in coffee as he almost ran into the galley crew replacing a coffee pot. Without apology he walked across to Mac's table and pulled out a chair. As he was about to take a seat, Mac spoke.

"Isn't it polite, as well as customary, to acknowledge a senior officer, Vukovic?"

"My apologies, Colonel. Good morning." Vukovic sat down and smiled at Mac, who got to her feet, her breakfast forgotten. The desire to throw the remainder of her meal at the irritating man was strong, but Mac managed a hint of a smile.

"Lieutenant, the next time you take a woman on a date, remember to seat her before yourself, and if you happen to be joining her already at a table, don't forget to ask first if you might join her, invited or not."

As Mac walked away, Vukovic got to his feet and spoke up.

"Colonel, I seem to keep apologizing to you. Is there any way I can make up for my bad manners?"

Mac paused and turned, looking directly at the man in front of her.

"You can stop trying to impress me, Lieutenant. You are an officer in the US Navy, and you are a JAG. We work together, as and when the General sees fit, and that is all. I expect nothing more from you than the dedication to duty you obviously have, and the ability to carry out your duties within the law of the military."

Vukovic knew Mac was making reference to his work on the misappropriation case, and he had the grace to appear chastised.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

"May I join you for breakfast, ma'am? I do have some questions for you, if you don't mind? You said I could approach you later, and now is as good a time as any."

Mac was torn with getting as far away from the man as possible, and acknowledging his questions as she had said she would.

"Very well." Mac retook her seat, and Vukovic waited for her before sitting down himself. If he thought his exaggerated actions would appease Mac, he was wrong.

"Ma'am, about your report…" Vukovic began, and Mac went on alert immediately.

"What about it, Lieutenant?"

"I just think that as we are partners on this, you could at least let me know what is in your report so that I might concur with your…"

Mac rose to her feet once more, waving Vukovic down as he attempted to rise with her.

"Lieutenant, as I explained before, you submit your report to me, and I pass both your report and mine to the General, as individual papers. If your report is factual there should be no problem. As for being partners, we're not. You are a junior officer," Mac stressed the word 'junior', and Vukovic knew it. "As such, you are under my command while we are on this vessel. Do I make myself understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." Vukovic's tone bordered on insubordinate, but Mac let it go as she made one more comment.

"You don't get to concur with me, my report, or anything I do, Lieutenant. I, on the other hand, can concur or disagree with your comments as I see fit."

"Yes, ma'am." Vukovic waited while Mac left the Wardroom, and then he slumped back into his seat. While there were no other officers in the room to witness his dressing down, he was aware of the muffled laughter coming from behind the galley door. Glancing down at the table, and his untouched coffee, he decided against eating breakfast and returned to his quarters instead.

Whiting Field, Florida

Hey, sweetheart, what's happening? Harm began the IM conversation, and within seconds Mac was sending back to him.

I'm about to commit murder! Sorry, Harm, I didn't mean…I know your last case…

Oh, Mac, don't worry about it. Is it Vukovic you're wanting to kill?

Can't you tell? Mac smiled, even though she was alone, and so for good measure she put a 'smiley' on the screen and sent it to Harm too. He's questioning me on the report for the General. Says he wants to read it so he can 'concur' with my findings!

I'm beginning to like this guy less and less.

Oh, don't say that. Mac waited for Harm's response, and then added another comment. The General says you two are so alike! This last comment was sent and Mac waited for Harm's response once more. When none came, she typed again. Hey, I was only joking!

I know; I was just debating the General's state of mental health!

Enough of them. How about you? Did you get to see the twins before you left?

Not yet. I managed a quick visit, but Bud said the twins had been taken to bed, so I had a quick glass of punch and then left. Maybe we can go see them together?

Yeah, I'd love that. Maybe it's time we told Bud and Harriet about us, too. I'm sure Harriet's going to know as soon as she sees us together, anyway, but I'm going to melt when I get to see the twins…

Go on… Harm responded, knowing there was more to Mac's comment. He wasn't disappointed.

Well, you know how you get when I just melt in your arms…

I take it we're not talking about the twins now, are we?

Nope… Mac's reply was fast, and Harm grinned.

I hope there's no censor for these IM's, Mac.

Well, we'll just have to be vague, and imagine the rest…

I can imagine quite a lot, marine…

I know. I love your imagination, Harm…

The rest of the conversation was, as Mac had suggested, vague to the onlooker, but between the two of them the references made meant something completely different. Their connection was cut short when there was a knock at Mac's door.

"Just a minute! Who is it?"

"Vukovic, ma'am. I've been asked to inform you that the helo is on its way in for us. Thirty minutes."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Mac answered, hoping the younger officer would get the hint and leave her in peace.

"Er…ma'am…?"

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"I'm not accustomed to shouting through steel doors, ma'am. Could we have this conversation face to face?"

Mac bit her lip in frustration, typed three words to Harm, and opened the hatch.

Harm looked at the words on his screen. Vukovic at door.

It was at least five minutes before Mac typed something more.

I've got to go. Helo due in 30. I'll let you know when I'm back in town. ILY, sailor.

Okay. ILY2. Harm signed off as soon as he saw Mac's message link disappear. Closing his laptop, he sat back in his seat, wondering when he would get to see Mac again in person.

Following weekend – Roberts' Residence

Harriet opened the door to find Harm and Mac stood together. Glancing behind them she made a quick note that they appeared to have travelled in one vehicle – Harm's SUV.

"Hey! Come on in! It's great to see you both!" As Harm and Mac entered the house, Harriet spoke up again. "I'm really sorry I missed you at the open house, Harm. Bud said you'd had to leave. Thank you so much for the bears, though. They were gorgeous!"

"You're welcome. We come bearing more gifts, and more time to spend, this time," Harm responded, hugging Harriet, and then Mac did the same. It wasn't lost on Harriet that Mac had let Harm do most of the talking for the two of them. Keeping the thought to herself, she showed her friends into the lounge, and went in search of Bud.

"It's almost too quiet. I wonder where AJ and Jimmy are?" Mac queried.

"Maybe out in the yard?" Harm suggested, and Mac nodded, walking out to where Harriet had gone looking for her husband. When she pushed open the door to the deck she was met with a sight that she had ached for most of her adult life. A family scene; husband, wife, children. Pausing to look at her friends and their family, Mac heard Harm came up behind her and relaxed against him as he put his hands on her shoulders. Leaning down so he could murmur in her ear, he spoke one single word.

"Soon." For a single word, to Mac it spoke volumes. Of the promise of marriage, of a child – maybe even children, and of forever. With Harm. Turning her face up to look at him she smiled and nodded. Harriet and Bud were aware of the private moment between their friends, and both of them came toward Harm and Mac.

"Is there something you want to tell us?" Harriet asked, but the huge smile on her face told them that she had already guessed at their news.

"I guess so," acknowledged Mac, holding Harm's hand as Harriet came up the deck steps to hug her.

"We are so happy for you both! When? When did you get together?"

"A while back…" Mac hesitated, and Harriet gave her an understanding look.

"It's okay, Mac. It's your lives, and your privacy. We're just so happy for you! Did I say that already?" Harriet looked at Bud and then back at Harm. "It's just that we're so happy for you!" All four adults broke into laughter, and Mac wiped at the tears in her eyes, as Harriet did the same.

Harm followed Bud down the deck steps to the yard, and was immediately drawn into a game with AJ and Jimmy, and Bud! Harriet and Mac stayed on the deck, while Mac gave a more detailed description of how she and Harm got together.

"We got together a little while after Webb…after he was found alive. It's just been nice getting to know each other in our new relationship. I mean, we've known each other for almost ten years, but this time around it's different."

"I remember that feeling," Harriet mused, and Mac smiled, remembering too how she and Harm had watched over Bud and Harriet's initial stumbling in their relationship, shared in their wedding celebrations, and then celebrated some more when their family began to grow. Harriet had stopped speaking, and was watching Mac's expression. "You look absolutely radiant, Mac. Being in love suits you. Or rather, being in love with Harm, and being able to show it. Somehow, with the others," Harriet didn't need to name names; Mac knew who she was referring to. "With them, you weren't totally happy."

"I know. Strange, isn't it? I mean, I admitted to Sturgis a while back that I was in love with Harm, and I was, but I wasn't able to show it then. When he quit to go to Paraguay, I was just so angry with him that I didn't let myself see that he had done it for me. By the time I realized, it was too late. He was out of the Navy, and my life, or so it seemed."

"When it's meant to be, Mac, life has a strange way of turning itself around. This proves it!"

"Yes, it does," Mac nodded in agreement, hugged Harriet once more, and then leaned back with a demanding look. "Now, where are these beautiful babies of yours?"

Harm's Apartment – later that night

"I saw you today, with the twins…" Harm murmured, as they lay in his bed, arms around each other, and Mac's head resting on his chest. At his words, she lifted her head to look at him. "You're going to make a wonderful mother, Sarah."

"I hope so," she returned softly, a worried look in her eyes. Harm leaned down and kissed her forehead before allaying her fears.

"I know so. Neither of us had a perfect childhood, and that makes us all the more determined to make this right for our child, or children…" Harm paused, and Mac smiled at him.

"You planning a soccer team?" she laughed.

"No, but if we are blessed to have children, whether one or one dozen, we'll both be good parents. We know the pitfalls already, so we know what to avoid. If all else fails, we have the two best examples living down the road, so to speak. Harriet and Bud seem to have found the right combination of family and career."

"Yes, they do." Mac nodded in agreement, and then her contented smile turned sultry. Harm responded immediately, both physically and verbally.

"What are you smiling at now?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you would like to practice a little," mused Mac, running her finger lightly down Harm's bare chest, and beyond…

Harm smiled too.


To be continued (I keep forgetting to add that sometimes!)

A/N – I'm not sure if the name of the ship is the USS Condon or Camden, so I've chosen the former. If I'm wrong, I apologize.