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 : As per new rating system.
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; Radiorox; 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; MaritzaCarmicheal; Manda; Brittany4445; Jaka; Dessler; joshklar; KJFlygirl87; LiseGirardi; tb
froggy0319 – Thanks for your review. It took me ages to work a story out of US, and I think by making Harm 'grovel' just a little I've covered the way he's been behaving toward Mac, and still brought them back together in a believable way. Vukovic's in this chapter and the next, but nothing too much! Hope you like the chapter, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter – Hiya! Thanks for your review as always. I enjoyed making Harm grovel, even if only a little. Sorry the interview didn't work out; better luck next time! Pinky luck as always. The sun is shining, but it's intermittent, so I hope this chapter, and the next, cheer you up!
bluejay742 – Thanks for your review. Hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading! Last chapter coming soon!
snugglebug – Thanks for your review. Pukovic is in this chapter, and the next, but nothing too much. Hope you like the chapter, and please keep reading!
starryeyes10 – Thanks for your review. Hope you like the chapter, and please keep reading!
cbw – Thanks for your review. The creative juices have worked overtime on this chapter, and the last! I hope you like the chapter, and please keep reading!
brittany4445 – Thanks for your review. I'm flattered that while you enjoyed the finale (as did I – I keep watching it! For ideas, of course!) you enjoyed my ending more! It means a lot, thank you. I hope you like the chapter, and are ready for the last one coming up next! Please keep reading!
What could have happened after the end of Dream Team…
JAG Headquarters – Conference Room
"What do we do now?" asked Mac in a dazed whisper, looking at Harm as the rest of the staff left the conference room. When the door closed on the General, leaving them as the only two remaining in the room, Harm put his hand out and held Mac's in his warm grasp.
"We bring our plans forward a little earlier, that's all."
"Plans? To do what?" Mac's voice rose on a squeak, and Harm realized just how badly the news the General had given them had affected her.
"Mac, I told you already, I'd be the one who'd walk away from the Navy."
"But…your promotion? Harm, you're…I can't let you throw this away!"
"I'm not throwing anything away, Mac. I didn't have the promotion when I told you I would resign my commission. It's an honor, yes, but it means moving away, and I'm not prepared to do that. My life is with you, wherever you are, and as that now appears to be San Diego, all the better! There are great medical facilities there, so Mattie would be well taken care of, and my parents are nearby, so we have even more family around us."
Mac didn't look convinced, and Harm hugged her, smiling over her head at nothing in particular, just the thoughts in his mind.
"What are you smiling about? This is…so crazy!" Mac's voice dropped to a whisper, and Harm pulled back to look at her.
"I love you, Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, and this is a great opportunity for you, and you're going to take it! All it means for us is letting the General know our plans a little earlier. He already knows we're involved, so that isn't a great shock to him. It's just the little details we have to iron out."
"Little details?" Mac looked long and hard at Harm. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"About you, absolutely!" Harm nodded, and Mac broke into a smile.
"Jerk! I mean about all this! I know we've talked about the future, and the possibility of one of us having to retire. But that's just it, it was a possibility…it wasn't a reality. Until now…"
"I told you what the General said at the hospital, Mac. He'll try his damnedest to keep us both together."
"That was here, though, Harm! Not in San Diego! And not with such a prestigious posting!"
"So we're back to the original idea, and I'll move into private practice, or something similar. To be honest, Mattie's recovery and rehab is going to take up a lot of time in the beginning, so that will keep me busy while you set up your office. Mac, we can make this work, I promise you…" Harm lowered his voice, just before he lowered his head, and brushed a soft kiss over Mac's mouth. With a reluctant groan she pulled away from the kiss moments later.
"While I would love for that kiss to go further, we are still at work."
"We're nearly through for the day. How about we ask to see the General, and then go and see Mattie?"
"Okay." Mac nodded in agreement, and then pulled Harm back for one more quick kiss. "Thank you, for your promise."
Harm grinned and held the door as Mac preceded him out of the room and across the corridor to the elevators.
JAG Headquarters – General Cresswell's Office"Sir, may we have a moment? Petty Officer Coates isn't at her desk." Harm had knocked on the open door, and Cresswell looked up and waved his two senior officers inside.
"Take a seat, the pair of you. I was expecting you to ask to see me. As for Coates, she's secured early to go through to Blacksburg."
"She did?" Harm looked at Mac in surprise. "Well, we're heading that way too, so no doubt we'll see her there."
"You sound surprised, Captain. Didn't you know?"
"I knew Jen…Petty Officer…" began Harm, but stopped as Cresswell raised his hand.
"Call her by her name, Harm, it's almost the end of the day. I won't stand on ceremony now. Carry on…"
"Jennifer has been to see Mattie a few times, but I only saw her there the other night, when Mattie woke up."
"I do know she's secured early on a regular basis at least twice a week, since Mattie's accident." Cresswell's words hit home, and Harm dropped his head.
"Since Mattie moved out, I haven't seen as much of Jennifer outside of the office."
"You're a busy man, Harm. It's understandable."
"But not acceptable, sir." Harm's response was immediate, and Mac gave him a small smile. His commitment to looking out for Jennifer Coates was almost as strong as his commitment to Mattie's welfare, save for the fact that Jennifer was an adult, and capable of taking care of herself. "I'll speak to Jen tonight, at the hospital."
"That would be a good idea. Now, what can I do for the pair of you?" Cresswell sat back in his chair and waited for either Mac or Harm to speak.
Harm broke the silence.
"Sir, we've made a decision, based on what you told us in the conference room."
"I thought that might have sparked a response. So, which one of you wants to leave the military?"
"I will be leaving, sir." Harm's response was without reservation, and Cresswell smiled.
"You really have thought about this, haven't you, Captain?"
"I believe that title is pursuant to taking up the London posting, sir, and as I'm not…"
"On the contrary. The promotion to Captain came first, the posting was awarded based on your promotion."
"I would still be allowed to retire at that grade?" Harm questioned the General's answer.
"That might be debatable, but considering your service record the convening authority would be foolish to withdraw the promotion. Given the circum- stances that led to your decision, it would be seen as a gesture of goodwill to allow you to retire as a Captain. I did tell you before that I would try my utmost to keep you together when you made a decision to be a couple. I am still prepared to honor that statement."
"If that were the case, sir, we would be honored that you would. However, with Mac taking up this posting, it's no longer is applicable. We don't intend to be separated by much more than a drive to and from work. My decision has been made, with Mac's blessing, and so I'll leave the details with you, sir, and wait to hear what the outcome is."
"I can't persuade you to remain at JAG can I?" Cresswell murmured, shaking his head as he smiled at Harm. Both men shared a nod of understanding, and Harm spoke to Cresswell but he was looking at Mac.
"No, sir. With Mac taking up her posting in San Diego, my immediate priority is helping her. Of course, I'm still going to be in the area until Mattie's condition upgrades to where she can be moved to another facility, but that could take a while. At least until she comes out of the coma."
"I understand. Very well, make out your resignation and leave it with me. I'll be in touch as soon as I receive notification. You can make arrangements as necessary at that time."
"Thank you, sir."
"I'm not up for fond farewells over a drink, so when you're ready to depart, Colonel, come see me in my office."
"Yes, sir. Of course." Mac acknowledged quietly, and then followed Harm out of the office as Cresswell dismissed them both.
Saint Vincent Hospital – Blacksburg"Hey, you two," Harm smiled as he entered Mattie's room, followed by Mac. Both Mattie and Jennifer smiled in return at the two of them. Harm stood back as Mac went forward to greet Mattie. It was the first time she had seen the teenager since Mattie had come out of the coma.
"Hey, kiddo! Welcome back." Mac hugged Mattie, careful not to disturb any of the monitor wires and fluid lines.
"Thanks," Mattie answered, her voice still raspy from the breathing tube. As Mac pulled back, Harm turned to look at Jennifer.
"Can I have a quick word, Jen? Please?"
"Sure, sir…" Jennifer stood up and offered Mac the vacant chair as Harm waited for her to go ahead of him and out of the room. Walking down the corridor away from Mattie's room Harm was silent for a moment and Jennifer was unsure as to what was on his mind.
"Sir…" she began, just as Harm began to speak too.
"Jen, please, call me Harm. At least outside of JAG, and definitely out of uniform."
"O…kay, Harm. What is it…that you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, actually, I want to apologize," Harm started, but Jennifer raised her hand to stop him.
"You did that already. We're okay, si…Harm. Really!"
"I'm trying to say I'm sorry for being such a blind idiot, Jen, and not seeing how much care you've been giving Mattie since the accident. It was the General, tonight, who told me you've been coming through here at least twice a week. That's a hell of a round trip time-wise, not to mention gas expenses!"
"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to, Harm. Mattie's like a sister to me, and although she went back to her father, we have still seen a lot of each other."
"Will you do me one little favor?"
"Sure," Jennifer acquiesced, smiling up at Harm.
"Let me know when you're coming through to Blacksburg. If I can, I'd be more than happy to give you a ride."
"Thanks. I will, honestly. It's just, you've been so busy workwise lately, and with Mattie, I just didn't want to cause any more problems."
"Jen, you're not a problem. You're family," Harm murmured, and gave Jennifer a hug, which she returned wholeheartedly. When she and Harm parted she wiped a tear or two from her face and grinned.
"Did you decide on what you're doing about the job in London?"
"Mac's going to San Diego, and so am I. I've resigned, Jen. Mac and I want to be together, and San Diego is an ideal base for us as a family."
"That's great news! I'm happy for you both, and Mattie."
"Jen, let's go back to the room. Mac has something she wants to ask you." Harm smiled down at Jennifer as he steered her back to Mattie's room. When they both entered, Mac and Mattie looked up, and Mattie's face was lit up.
"You're staying with Mac!" she managed to say, and Harm nodded, moving over to give her a hug too.
"Yep. Once Mac's settled in San Diego, and we've got your rehab sorted out." Harm didn't bring up the subject of Tom Johnson, but Mattie did, so Harm outlined his plans to her, waiting for her response.
"You want me to live with you? For ever?"
"If that's what you want, Mattie." Harm confirmed, nodding his head and smiling at Mac.
"Mac? Is that what you want too? I mean, it might not be easy looking after me…like this…" Mattie's bottom lip wobbled, and Mac leaned over to hug her.
"Hey, we're all in this together. You, Harm, me and Jen…" Mac and Harm both looked at Jennifer as Mac spoke, and the younger woman waited to hear what Mac had to say. When Mac had outlined her plan, Jennifer gave her a wide-eyed look.
"You're serious?"
"Absolutely. You're a good yeoman, Jen, but more than that, you're a part of us."
"I'm still doing my psychology course…"
"No problem. As the administrator to the person in control of JAG, South West, I have carte blanche to determine what time I need you to work. You sort out your course work and let me know. We'll arrange your schedule accordingly."
"That's fantastic! Thank you, Mac."
"Thank you, too, for saying 'yes'!"
"Group hug," Mattie murmured, and all four of them laughed.
To be continued
