Title : Christmas Comes But Once A Year…

(or, 'How wrong can a woman be'?)

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!)


Thanks again for the wonderful reviews! How can I not continue with such enthusiastic support! I've got to say, I was happy to find out that Alicia Montes was only in the Christmas episode in flashback, and not actually there in person.
On with the story… Roberts Residence, Virginia – late afternoon, Christmas Eve

Harm and Mac watched as Harriet worked her own special magic on her guests. Despite her increased size she still zipped round, stopping to chat to friends and colleagues from JAG, whom she hadn't seen for a while. Some managed to come through to the house to visit, and both Harm and Mac were regular visitors. The pair of them came to see Harriet, and Bud, and of course spend time with their godchildren. On the occasions that Bud had to be away from Harriet, they made sure she was taken care of, whether it was spending time with her and the children, taking the children out so Harriet could catch up on some rest, or simply spending time with Harriet when the children were asleep. Adult company was something she craved when Bud was away, and despite her 'mother earth' appearance, Harriet still had a wicked sense of humor, which both Harm and Mac appreciated, and were sometimes victims of! Harriet, now she was no longer on active status, was more determined than ever that Harm and Mac should be together!

"Do you think we should tell her about Cresswell's orders?" Harm mused, as he bent down to talk to Mac.

"Oh, God, no! She'll go into overdrive!" Mac made a face, and Harm smiled at her.

"We've got carte blanche to 'play nice', Mac," Harm reminded her, and then put his arm casually around her shoulders. Mac was about to move out of his reach, and then reconsidered. In the short while that their relationship had developed they had resolved to be nothing short of professional and so their desire for each other had been restrained to off-duty hours, and in private. Being told that they could express their affection for each other openly was a novelty that Mac came to realize she could quite happily exploit! So, instead of moving away, she put her own arm around Harm's waist and leaned into him a little more. From across the room, Jennifer noticed their closeness, and smiled to herself. Harriet, on the other hand, was practically dancing a jig!

"Jen! Look!"

"Excuse me?" Jennifer turned to look at Harriet, who was bright eyed, and a little flushed. "Harriet? Are you okay?"

"Look at them!" Harriet almost squealed in excitement. "Oh, this is great! How long have they been together? Does Cresswell know?"

"Together? Know about what?" Jennifer intentionally played dumb, and Harriet stamped her foot impatiently.

"Cut the crap, Jen! How long have Harm and Mac been sleeping together?"

"Harriet…that's none of my…"

"Petty Officer, I may on inactive status, but I still outrank you. Now, spill! What's going on?"

Harm and Mac had watched Harriet's heated exchange with Jennifer, and at the look from the younger woman, they nodded together, making their way across the room towards the two women.

"Harriet, do you have a minute? We've got something to tell you."

Naval Chapel, Annapolis – early evening, Christmas Eve

Harriet sat next to Bud, and her face was still lit up. Harm and Mac had told her what had been happening with Alicia Montes, that the General had given his permission to appear as if in a relationship to 'sting' Miss Montes, and that they were really a couple too. It was this last revelation that had Harriet's face wreathed in the most angelic smile.

The objects of her joy were seated alongside the General and his companion, the aforesaid Miss Montes. Mac sat next to Alicia, and Harm beside Mac. This seating arrangement had been fortuitous. As the General entered the small chapel, one of the last to arrive, Harm and Mac were seated alongside Sturgis and Varese. All four moved along to give room to Cresswell and Alicia. With a nod their commanding officer had obliged, ushering Alicia in the pew ahead of him. Mac nodded a polite greeting in silence, and then looked at Harm beside her. The expression he wore was not lost on either Mac, or Alicia, and while one woman smiled in return, the other scowled darkly.

"What is going on here?" thought Alicia. Beside her, Cresswell was paying attention to the service, conducted once again by Reverend Turner. Alicia was amazed that he hadn't been paying attention instead to the two officers sat next to her. For God's sake, Harm and Mac were practically making out during the service, if their shared looks were anything to go by! Not to mention the hands that rested on the cushion between them. They weren't quite holding hands, but where Mac's right hand rested on the pew, Harm's left hand covered it.

As the service ended, all six people on the pew rose to their feet. Making their way out of the chapel, Sturgis stopped to talk to his father, and Varese warmly hugged the older man. Harm and Mac watched the exchange, and smiled as they waited for the couple to join them again. As they did, Varese moved over to link arms with Mac and walk out ahead of Harm and Sturgis. In the crisp winter air outside the chapel, Cresswell waited for his officers.

"Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie, you already know Miss Montes. Commander Turner, I'm not sure if you have met? Nor do I know your beautiful companion."

As Harm and Mac acknowledged Alicia politely, she gave them a restrained greeting, then turned her attention to Sturgis and Varese as Sturgis introduced his girlfriend to Cresswell.

"Ah, you're the lady who sang last Christmas, I believe?"

"Yes, General," Varese confirmed, smiling as she raised her hand to shake Cresswell's. Alicia watched this exchange with a schooled expression, but inside her head was spinning with the events of the evening.

"I enjoyed the performance, ma'am. You have a perfect voice."

"Thank you, sir." Sturgis smiled, pride in his expression at the praise Varese received. Unlike his previous relationship, with the feisty Senator Latham, Varese had no hidden agenda. Her career was important to her, but so were her friends, and she made time for both. As Varese swept a small curtsey, Mac smiled at the display. Beside her, Harm leaned in to whisper in her ear. Mac nodded and looked up at him. Alicia noticed the byplay, and wanted desperately to know what had been said. In an attempt to find out, she tried to engage Harm in conversation.

"Mac, I'm sure you won't mind if I borrow the Commander for a moment?"

"Actually, Miss Montes, I have a prior engagement, and I'm running late." Harm was about to excuse himself from the group, turning to speak to Cresswell. Alicia put her hand on his arm, her grip quite strong.

"This will really only take a minute, Harm. Why so formal?"

"Alicia, I really have to be going. If you'll excuse me?" Harm gave a quick smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, and then he turned back to his commanding officer. "Sir, with your permission?"

"Of course, Commander. We are, after all, off duty. I trust you have other plans for this Christmas Eve?"

Harm nodded, looking at Mac, and this time his smile did reach his eyes, as did Mac's in return.

"Yes, sir. I do."

Alicia made a sudden noise, and tried to hide it with a cough, which in turn caused her to cough for real. The reaction caused the others around her to look at her with some question at her actions. Cresswell watched as Harriet came up behind Alicia and patted her on the back quite strongly.

"Miss Montes? Are you all right? Can I get you some water?"

Alicia managed to shake her head, and then spoke a little hoarsely.

"No, thank you, Mrs Roberts. I'm fine. Gordon, may we leave now?"

"Of course. If you'll excuse us? Miss Montes and I have a prior engagement also. Ladies, and gentlemen…" As Cresswell turned away, Alicia looked back over her shoulder. Harm was giving Varese an affectionate hug, and then patting Sturgis on the back, before turning to look at Mac.

"Alicia?" The sound of Gordon Cresswell's voice brought her attention back to her host, and she smiled at him.

"Sorry, things on my mind." As the limousine pulled away from the chapel grounds, Alicia caught one last glimpse of Harm and Mac, holding hands as they walked toward Harm's car. "Gordon…?" she began, turning to face the man seated beside her.

"Yes?"

"You asked me earlier what I thought of the Commander and the Colonel, and their working relationship?"

"Now you've seen them together, you have an opinion?" he queried politely.

"Professionally they have an excellent relationship. Their records speak for themselves, and the short time I've…known…the Commander, he has the highest standard of ethics. Even if it means losing a case, as long as the truth prevails, he will do what is right."

"That's pretty much the impression I get, both from what I've seen and read myself, and what I've heard from others. What about Colonel Mackenzie?"

"The same ethics, perhaps a little jaded. I understand a lot has gone on in her life."

"Oh? How would you know such things? I didn't think you and the Colonel had spent much time together."

"Oh…" Alicia waved airily, dismissively. "We talked during the retrial. Harm told me quite a lot too."

Cresswell gave Alicia a piercing stare, but if he had doubts, he hid them.

"Are you aware that there may be more to their working 'relationship'?" Alicia decided to quit pussyfooting around.

"What are you saying?"

"Well…I'm sure the parting comment from Commander Rabb was meant to mislead you. It's obvious to me that the 'prior engagement' he claims is only a ruse, and that he and the Colonel are going to be together this evening. Perhaps all evening."

"Are you insinuating that Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie are fraternizing, Alicia?" Cresswell sounded amazed. Alicia smiled secretively.

At last!

"Well, it does seem a little contrived. They were all but holding hands in the chapel earlier, and then this byplay as we left."

"When I asked you for your opinions on their working relationship, I didn't expect this attack on their characters. You surprise me, Alicia."

"It's what I see, Gordon. A woman knows when another woman is involved with a man, and I see that involvement between the two of them. What are you going to do?"

Cresswell fell silent, as though deep in thought over Alicia's words.

He's finally got the message! He's going to see them charged!

How wrong can a woman be?

The Memorial, Washington DC – late evening, Christmas Eve

Harm stood facing the wall, his hand brushing the lightly falling flakes away from the name etched in the marble. He was aware of a familiar scent, and the soft voice in his ear, coming to him from beside him. He brought Mac into his embrace, his arms around her, standing with his chest up against her back as they both faced the wall. Mac raised her own hand and lightly ran her fingers across the letters that made up the name of Harmon Rabb, Senior. Although she had never met the man she knew his story, both through Harm's memories, and through her own adventures on the way to finding out about his life in Russia, and his death. Now it seemed she had come full circle with both the name on the Wall, and the man at her back. In the distance a clock chimed the midnight hour.

"Merry Christmas, Sarah," murmured Harm softly, bending down to kiss her cheek gently. Mac reciprocated by raising her hand to his cheek, and leaning closer into his embrace.

"Merry Christmas, Harm."

Turning in his arms, Mac looked up at him.

"Time to go home," she murmured, and Harm nodded, taking her hand and walking back to the parking lot, and his car.


To be continued