Tangled Up In You

Chapter Seven

By LizD

Written Summer 2003

Spoilers – Through the End of Season 8

Tangled Up in You – 7th

1630 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Harm and Mac were going over the case notes. There was a standing order that no one was to leave the area. Admiral Farnsworth had been locked up in her office all day reviewing files and had not made an appearance as yet. For the past three hours she had been interviewing the staff. She was starting at the bottom. Jennifer Coates was dismissed thirty minutes ago, but was not permitted to talk about how the interview went. It was clear that she was not happy.

She knocked on the door. "Sir? Ma'am?"

"What is it Petty Officer?"

"This just came in from the Evergreen. Petty Officer Markus Valentino has been murdered."

"Murdered?" Harm stood up.

"Yes, sir. He was strangled in his cell."

Harm picked up his hat as if to leave. "Where do you think you are going?" Mac asked.

"Norfolk. This is not a UA or theft case anymore Mac. It is now a murder case."

"We can't leave Harm."

"Farnsworth will just have to wait."

"Excuse me, sir." Tiner's voice cut through the room. "The admiral will see you now."

"Thank you Tiner." Harm and Mac made eye contact. "See what information you can get on the phone. I'll see if I can get out of there quickly." He steeled his spine and strode off to meet the old Iron Maiden herself.

In the Admiral's Office

Harm knocked, entered when permitted and came to attention in the front of the admiral's desk. "Commander Rabb, reporting as ordered, ma'am."

It didn't look like Chegwidden's office anymore. The chairs that normally sat in front of his desk were moved off to the side and there was nothing personal in the office at all. Farnsworth looked exactly as she did years ago at the academy. She was all work back then and time didn't seem to have mellowed her.

"Commander Rabb, I have been reading your file." She had not released him to stand easy. This was going to be a tough interview, at the very least a one-way interview. "Very impressive. The only thing more impressive than the number of cases your have won is the number of ways your bent the rules to do that. I am not sure if I should commend your or bust you back down to Lieutenant." Harm lengthened his spine. He was not given leave to speak, and was biting his tongue in case the need to defend himself over took his training. "I understand you are now working on a UA case with Colonel MacKenzie. Can you tell me why we have two such decorated attorneys working on a simple UA?"

"Ma'am, the Valentino case does not appear to be a simple UA."

"I know all about the ghost stories and hauntings aboard the Evergreen. You can't tell me you believe them."

"No, ma'am. However in our investigation we have discovered a great number of anomalies for UA and a number of similarities with the others from the Evergreen."

"So you are justifying the expense of two O5's on this assignment because you are solving not just one, but all the UA's from the Evergreen. You do tend to sink your teeth in to things don't you commander and bring things to light that never would have under normal circumstances."

"Yes, ma'am. We – that is Colonel MacKenzie and I believe that this case is more than about a few sailors going UA. We believe that there has been a conspiracy aboard the Evergreen for years to steal government property and that the cost to the navy could be in the millions, ma'am."

"I see. What makes you think that?"

"Ma'am, among other mounting evidence, I just received information that Petty Officer Valentino was found murdered in his cell about an hour ago."

"You believe that his UA and his death are related?"

"Yes, ma'am. I believe that our investigation is getting very close to something, and that something needed to be concealed with Valentino's murder."

"Commander I am not sure that I agree with you, but I want to see your full report on my desk by 1900 tonight."

"Ma'am, request permission to belay that order and go down to Norfolk to investigate Petty Officer Valentino's death."

"Permission denied. I will assign someone else to the murder investigation. Colonel MacKenzie will also be pulled from this assignment. You will complete your report on your own."

"Ma'am?"

"As you are aware, Commander, I am not Admiral Chegwidden. I do things by the book. I believe in the letter of the law. I will not tolerate anything less from the people in my command."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Further, commander. I have found a position that I feel would be more challenging to you, rather less challenging for the Navy. Commander Ferrari who is in charge of the JAG office in San Diego has resigned his commission. I have assigned Commander Kateland Pike to his place and you will assist her. Be clear commander, Pike is the ranking officer."

"Yes ma'am."

"You report in 10 days. Pike will report directly to me about any and all of your activities. Just because you are 3000 miles away, does not mean I will not be watching you like a hawk."

"Yes ma'am."

"You will have one opportunity to prove to me that you deserve to wear those commander bars. You screw up once, even just a little bit – and you will be brought up on charges and dismissed. Am I making myself understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"In the mean time you will make yourself available to transition all the cases here at JAG to the new personnel."

"Yes ma'am."

"You will get your written orders this evening."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Send Colonel MacKenzie in. Dismissed."

"Aye Aye." Harm turned on his heel and walked out.

He breathed a sign of relief when outside the office. The SecNav had now set his sights on him, and probably Mac. They were not long for the service. Working in San Diego with Kate was hardly a lousy assignment, but this would not go over well with Mac.

He was not able to say more to Mac about the interview other than she was next. He pressed her hand and the look in his eye must have told her a lot because she placed her hand over his heart to let him know that she understood.

Thirty minutes later Harm was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. He could not focus on the report in front of him and it was due in a little under two hours. A knock came on his doorframe.

"Come." He said without looking up.

"That is the general feeling around here today isn't it." It was Sturgis. He came in and sat down. "So where are you going?"

"San Diego." He looked up at his friend. "You?"

"Groton."

"Groton? That's in Connecticut right?"

"Yes Harm." He hated how Harm always made fun of the submariners. "I think she was trying to be nice and get me back where I belong, on a sub."

"This whole thing stinks." Bud's voice interrupted them. "Quantico." He came in and slumped in to the empty chair.

"Quantico is not a bad draw, Bud."

"I like it here sir." He looked around and lowered his voice. "Although here is not much like here anymore."

Sturgis and Harm exchanged amused looks. "What about Harriet?"

"Back to the Inspector General's Office."

"At least you will be with in a hundred miles of each other."

"What about the Colonel sir?"

"Don't know. She is in there right now."

"No, she isn't." Sturgis said. "She left about 10 minutes ago. She didn't stop here?"

"No." Harm's phone rang. "Rabb . . . Hi, where are you? . . . Where? . . . Why? . . . No idea, really? . . . San Diego . . . Yeah, I know. . . . Ok, yeah, my apartment. Ok." He hung up. "She is on her way to the SecNav's office."

"Oh, that can't be good." Bud said stating the obvious.

2315 EST

Rabb Residence

North Of Union Station, Washington DC

Harm was still working on the Valentino case, even though it had been taken away from him. He was still not able to follow orders. Mac let herself in. She looked wrung out. She took her jacket off and dropped it on the floor. She kicked her shoes off and slumped down on to the couch. Harm went to get her some tea. When he came back she looked like she was asleep with her head back on the couch. He gently sat down next to her. She looked up at him.

"So?" He asked.

"When the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I have a huge decision to make." Harm cocked his head. "I drew a career making assignment. The only problem is it will take me half way around the world from you."

1930 EST

McMurphy's Pub

Saturday Night

The admiral was sitting at the bar flanked by Meredith and Tiner. Tiner was catching the admiral up on the events of Friday.

"Admiral Farnsworth arrived early, reviewed all the personnel files and current case files before 1030. She then asked for a copy of the report filed by Commander Lindsey. She had a meeting with the SecNav at noon and then at 1330 she started her interviews of the staff. No one was allowed to leave, cases were put on hold and hearings were suspended. By 1830 nearly everyone at JAG had new orders."

"New orders, huh?" The admiral confirmed.

"Yes, sir." Tiner continued. "Am I to report Andrews on Monday 0700."

"Andrews? Doing what?'

"Don't know sir, will get my duty station when I get there."

"Don't neglect your classes, Tiner."

"No sir I won't."

Three old friends of AJ's showed up and he was obliged to speak with them. Tiner moved away.

Harriet and Bud were sitting in the corner. Harriet was trying not to cry, but she couldn't help it. The good news was that they would not have to move and both positions were actually a step up for them.

"Harriet, you are going to have to get a hold of yourself."

"I am trying."

"This is the admiral's retirement party."

"I know – but it is the end for all of us too."

"Harriet."

Harm walked up to the table. "Harriet. Bud."

"Good evening, sir." Bud said. Harriet started crying again and excused herself from the table.

"Something I said?" Harm sat down.

"She is a little emotional sir."

"Understandable – hormones."

"Yes, sir and all the changes."

"We'll be OK, Bud. All of us."

"I know that sir, but it was so much better than OK for a long while."

Harm got a distant look in his eye. "Have you see Mac?"

"No, sir. I assumed she was coming with you."

"No, she had to go into the office today. She was getting a briefing."

"Her assignment is quite a coup sir."

"Yes, yes it is. Can't say I am not a little jealous."

"Jealous of whom?" Mac was right behind him.

"You." He got up and held his chair out for her.

"Me?"

"Yeah you. How did it go?"

"Great." She said with very little enthusiasm.

"Congratulations Colonel." Bud said.

"Thank you."

"You will make General out of this." Harm said goodheartedly. He was over compensating.

"Don't get carried away, Harm."

"I am going to have to salute you."

Bud saw that Harriet needed him so he excused himself.

He mock whispered in her ear. "You might get brought up fraternization charges."

"Harm, I wish you wouldn't make too much of this. Not tonight."

"Why not? You are going to be attached to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations working on a special anti-terrorism task force. Has a marine ever been assigned there?"

"Many – I am one of many."

"You were hand picked for that job, Sarah."

"And I will have to ship out to the Kabul in the morning."

"You have been overseas before."

"I have – I also have never had a better reason to stay home before." She took his hand.

"You have never had a better reason to come home." He brought her hand to his lips quickly. "This is big, Sarah. I am really proud of you."

"It is a big deal." She allowed herself half a smile.

"Yes, yes it is." He kissed her hand again and let it go. They were still a little sensitive about PDAs – particularly in this group on this night.

"How are you going to like being in San Diego?"

"Ah – my mother will like it. She'll get to see me more often."

"You'll be working with Lieutenant Ferrari?"

"Actually no." He looked a little guilty. "Kate Pike."

"Kate! Kateland Pike? When were you planning on dropping that little bomb shell?"

"I hadn't planned on dropping anything and I don't think it is much of a bomb shell."

"Right."

"Are you jealous?"

"Of Kate Pike – you bet your baby blues I am."

"Don't be. I am thinking this is temporary – if it goes at all."

"Harm this task force that I am assigned to is not a quick six month thing. The war on terrorism has been going on for decades and in earnest for the past two years and the headway that we have made is not significant. This could be a long term assignment – a very long term assignment."

"I am aware of that. I am also aware that you won't be assigned to Kabul or over seas for the entire time. They will bring you back home." He took her hand again. "Look, Mac, this is not my first choice, but there is no way I am going to let you turn this opportunity down."

"Would you take it if you were in my shoes?"

"In a heart beat. You know that."

"What about us?"

"I can wait. We can wait."

"For how long?"

He pressed her hand. "For as long as it takes." He had said those words to her before – he was willing to wait then as he is now.

"What are the odds you are going to get out to the Coral Sea, the Seahawk or anywhere east of Washington anytime soon?"

"Slim to none. They like to keep the west west and the east east."

"And never the twain shall meet."

"Not never – just not likely."

"Congratulations Colonel." It was the admiral's voice. Both Harm and Mac stood up quickly. They still thought of him as their commanding officer. "As you were, people."

"Good evening, admiral." Harm said.

"Thank you sir." Mac looked very guilty.

"Mac, this will be the opportunity of a lifetime for you. When this assignment is over you will be able to write your own ticket."

"If all goes well, sir."

"I have every confidence in you."

"Thank you sir."

"Hell, when this is done you could go into politics."

"POLITICS! I would rather push boots, sir."

"Mac," he continued. "I am very happy that this came up for you."

"You had nothing to do with it sir?" She asked.

"No, you can thank me for that." The three turned around to see Clayton Webb smiling slyly.

"Webb." Harm declared. "What did you have to do with this?"

"We were asked to give recommendations. This task force will be working very closely with the agency." Harm's eyes turned green. Clayton was thrilled that he was able to cause that reaction in Harm. Mac looked annoyed. Webb extended his had to the admiral. "I am not sure if congratulations are in order, AJ, but what the hell. You and I have had our differences in the past, but know you will be missed."

"Thank you Clayton."

"Mac, can I speak with you in private for a moment." Clayton asked.

Mac agreed. Harm was not happy and the admiral needed to distract him. "So Harm, I hear you are headed off to San Diego." Harm was watching Mac and Webb across the room. The conversation did not seem familiar and Mac looked back at him occasionally. "Harm?"

"Yes, sir. San Diego. I leave in a week – ten days actually." He looked back at the admiral. "Sir, do you have a plan of what you will do now that you are retired?"

"It has been two days Commander. Think I need a little more time."

"Can I discuss an idea of mine with you? I think it might be something you would be interested in."

"Of course."

"Let me buy you a drink."

A group of ex-SEALs burst into the bar. "AJ! LIEUTENANT AJ CHEGWIDDEN! FRONT AND CENTER!"

"I think I am being paged."

"Lunch tomorrow sir?" Harm was eager to discuss whatever it was with him.

"Very good." He smiled. "I am intrigued."

AJ went off to great his old friends.

Across the room Mac watched Harm and prayed that he would not come over and make a scene with Clayton.

"I haven't spoken to you in a while." Webb started.

"No, I have been pretty busy." She said looking over his shoulder. "You are looking well."

"Fully recovered now." He felt her uneasiness. "Do you mind that I put your name in for this assignment?"

"I would rather you discussed it with me first." She stated. "When did you do this?"

"Actually it was shortly after we go back." He smiled and motioned for them to sit down. "There is no ulterior motive here Sarah. I was asked for my recommendation – as I am sure many people were. To be honest I didn't think you stood a snow balls chance in hell of getting drawn."

"Oh really."

"Not because of your experience or what you brought to the table, I honestly thought with your training and your knowledge of the culture in the Middle East that you were an excellent candidate for this assignment. The reason I thought you wouldn't get drawn is because of the number of times your name gets brought up with Rabb's. I hate to tell you this but it is never in a good way."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that Rabb has a reputation for not following orders, pushing the envelope and taking chances that are unnecessary. If they thought you were anything like him, they would have dropped you in a minute."

"I can't believe you are saying this."

"It's true."

"It is also true that Harm's not following orders, pushing the envelope and taking chances – unnecessary or otherwise - saved your ass and mine in Paraguay and countless other times I don't care to mention. They could not have found a better legal mind or dedicated officer for this assignment."

"I thought you two were just friends."

"And?"

"You are defending him like he is your --."

"Whatever Harm and I are to each other is none of your business."

"So when Rabb defined you as 'just friends' the other day, he was what – lying?"

"What other day?"

"A week ago, Friday. I went to see him and he said that you had mutually agreed to be 'just friends.'"

She looked over at Harm. It must have been before she came over for dinner. She knew he was protecting her. "What did you go see him for?"

"To tell him that I would step out of the way if he were ready to step up."

She laughed. "The sheer arrogance that drips off you is astounding." He shrugged. "Thank you Webb, for your vote of confidence." She attempted to walk away, but he grabbed her arm.

"Sarah, wait." She turned back and removed his hand from her arm. "We never finished -."

"Yes we did Clay. Yes, we did. We shared a harrowing experience and that brought us closer than either one of us expected. But that is the beginning and the end of it."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure."

She returned to Harm, who was now speaking with Turner, Tiner, and Jennifer Coates. Bud and Harriet soon joined them. They looked more like they were at a funeral than a retirement party.

Toward the end of the night, Admiral Chegwidden – a little sentimental from the drink and the huge number of people who made and effort to attend. Some came from thousands of miles with very short notice – made his comments.

"You all know that I am not one to make speeches." He started.

"More like tirades." Tiner said a little too loudly, but everyone laughed.

"Thank you, Tiner." The admiral started again. "Gathered her tonight are comrades and friends from three decades of my life. Some of you I thought were dead." Laughter filled the room and faded quickly. "Some of us have been through hell and back and a few of our group could not be with us tonight. To them, let's raise our glasses and say 'rest easy.'" They all drank and took a moment to remember the fallen. "But tonight is not an end," he pulled Meredith to him. "What is past is prologue to our future. It has made us who we are and will be the legs on which we stand and face tomorrow. Many of you here tonight have been with me at JAG for the past seven years. I understand that most of you will be moving on to new assignments come Monday morning. Carry with you the things we have learned from each other, for each of us is a better person for the experience. The only easy day was yesterday. It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve with you."

"And with you Admiral." Bud's voice cracked from the back.

"Admiral AJ Chegwidden!"

"Here, Here." They all raised their glasses and drank except the admiral.

2330 EST

MacKenzie Residence

Georgetown, VA

Harm was lying on the bed watching Mac pack. She was getting a little emotional and he was trying his damnedest to be supportive and keep her spirits up. All he really wanted to do was wrap his arms around her to ask her to stay even if only rhetorically, but he knew that it would not be fair. This was a career move for her that would set her up for so many great things – things that would not take her half way around the world.

"Damn, you are good at this."

"What?"

"Packing."

"I'm a marine. We know how --," she lost her train of thought.

"Mac?"

She sat down on the end of the bed. "I just wish I were sure about this."

"What makes you unsure?" He asked. She just looked at him. "Come on Mac. Put that out of your head. We will be fine." She shook her head and looked away. "Do you want us to be fine?"

"Of course."

"Then we will be."

"It is so unfair, Harm. We had a week."

"A week more than most people get – and we also had seven years." She nodded like she really wasn't listening. "So what did Webb have to say?"

"Don't – don't – I really can't take that tonight."

"It was a question."

"Are you jealous of him?"

"More envious than jealous." He said sitting up. "The man will be sleeping in the room across from yours."

"And Kate Pike will be across the office from you."

"I don't want to be with Kate. I made that decision before I knew you."

"I don't want to be with Clay."

"Which is the only reason I don't hogtie him and take his place."

"We work better as a team, Harm."

"Maybe you could suggest that to the Chief." He smiled and pulled her down onto the bed with him. "I don't know what I will do without your constant nagging and taking the opposite side of every argument."

"I don't do that."

"You just did."

"Maybe I do – but you do too."

"There is not doubt in my mind that I need you around to keep me on the straight and narrow." He felt her pulling away. "But I will handle it – and you can keep me honest via e-mail."

"Harm, can I ask you something?" He mumbled a 'yes'. "When does a career become just a job? And when do you know that there is something more in life than that job?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"I was watching the admiral tonight. He put his heart and soul in to the Navy for close to thirty years. He met and lost his wife, had a daughter that he never really got to know, and was alone and lonely for a very long time."

"He has Meredith."

"Now he does, but what if put his wife above this career. Would he be celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary rather than he wedding?"

"You can't think like that Sarah. You make the best decisions that you can and live with them later."

"What if I told you that the fight to keep the world safe for democracy is not in me any more."

"I would say that you are either lying to fooling yourself."

"Don't you just want to stop sometimes and settle back and settle in? Have a normal life?"

"I don't think either one of us knows exactly what 'normal' is."

"Wouldn't you like to find out?"

He leaned back onto the bed and sighed. "Oh Sarah."

"What?"

"You are killing me. I am trying so hard to do and say the right thing – but you are killing me."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't want you to go. I don't want me to go. I want everything to go back the way it was six – eight months ago - with one major exception." He rolled over to look at her. "Is that what you want to hear? Do you want to hear that I hate the idea of being halfway around the world from you? Or that I can't imagine not seeing you tomorrow and having no hope of seeing you for months on end? This whole thing is throwing my feelings for you into overdrive. There are so many things I wanted for us -- still want for us but I don't want to rush any of them. I wanted to savor and enjoy every tiny moment. But none of that is an option for us now. We don't get to choose this round. I will figure out how to live with it, because I have to. Because I want to. Because there is no other choice. But I don't have to like it. But god damn Sarah, let's just get through this."

"If I declined this assignment, would you be disappointed?"

"Yes." He paused and thought for a moment. "I would be disappointed for you but not in you." He reached out and took her hand. "Mac this job will turn stateside very soon, trust me. You will be back before you know it and we will figure out what to do then."

"It is a hell of an opportunity."

"Yes it is."

"I could do some really good work."

"Yes you can."

"I am an excellent candidate for this job."

"The best – non better."

"Will you really wait for me, sailor?"

"Until the moon turns green." He leaned in and kissed her.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

1130 EST

Washington Law Firm

Mac walked into a busy Washington law office. She took the sight it. It was wonderful to see so many people she knew. She had been away for what felt like a lifetime. It was like coming home, only not.

The phone rang. "Rabb, Chegwidden and Roberts, may I help you?" It was Harriet. "Hold please." She looked great. Next to her was a sleeping baby. Mac went over and looked in the bassinet.

"Colonel" Harriet said with a great deal of surprise. "You were not supposed to be here until tomorrow."

"I came in early. What is going on here?"

"Harm's surprise." She laughed.

"Quite a surprise."

"He is out picking up the shingles now."

"How did you get so busy so fast?"

"I'm not sure ma'am, but Harm and the admiral – sorry AJ have been putting this together for months now. Bud and I just got here this week."

"It is like coming home."

"Yes ma'am." Harriet hugged her. "Welcome home. You look wonderful."

"Thank you."

Jennifer Coates came up to greet Mac and relieve Harriet from phone duty. The women chatted for a moment and Harriet introduced Mac to her daughter, Jane. Bud joined them and gave Mac a very warm welcome.

AJ Chegwidden's Office

Prudence Farnsworth and AJ Chegwidden were across a desk from each other. He looked very professional in a suit and tie.

"So, AJ. I can count on you?"

"If you subpoena me, I will be there. But I think you ought to let this drop."

"AJ I have no business being at JAG. You and I both know it. I am a teacher not a leader much less a trial lawyer. The SecNav set me up to be his lackey and I don't like being used."

"So you're going to bring him up on charges?"

"Unlawful command influence, on several counts. And I will win."

"I'm sure you will."

"He never tried that with you?"

"He tried it all the time. He failed. That is why I am here and you are there."

"You should fight that too."

"I am actually quite happy here." The admiral heard the laughter coming from the outer office. He excused himself from the admiral to go see what was going on. When he saw Mac his eyes lit up.

"Colonel MacKenzie front and center." He said in his best command voice. She turned with a start and came to attention. Seeing him in a suit and tie rather than a uniform was a bit odd, but it made her realize how silly she was standing at attention. "As you were Colonel." She walked over to him and reached out her hand. He pushed it away and pulled her into an embrace. "It is damn good to see you Mac."

"Thank you sir." She smiled. "You are looking well."

"Better than well. I should have done this years ago." He looked around. "I've been hearing some great things about your work. I knew you would kick some ass."

"Yes sir."

"Mac, if you don't call me AJ, I will --."

"Will what sir?" She smiled.

"You look great Colonel. Whatever you have been doing agrees with you."

"Thank you sir."

"Rabb not back yet?"

"No sir - AJ."

Harm pulled into the parking lot with Turner. Turner was still in uniform and was down from Groton for the weekend.

"So she is coming in tomorrow?" Turner asked.

"Yes."

"And she doesn't know anything about this place? What does she think you have been doing for the last two months?"

"Well to be honest, we have had very few conversations in the last two months and the e-mails have been short. She has been very busy. Since I got back from San Diego, I have been pretty roped myself and she has been wrapped up in meetings and conferences etc. She was instrumental in capturing those three Kabir cells."

"I know that." Sturgis nodded to the office. "What will she say about this?"

"I hope she will think it is a great idea. I can't tell you how great it is to be working again. The stuff I was doing in San Diego was trivial – a giant paper shuffle."

"You are about to go to trial on the Valentino murder case?"

"We are."

"That is the Petty Officer that was UA and then murdered in his cell."

"They have the wrong man, and I can prove it." He nodded. "I can also prove that the man that murdered Valentino has been stealing from the Navy for more than fifteen years to the tune of several million dollars."

"Well that ought to get you an invitation back to JAG."

"Not sure I want an invitation. It is actually nice not having to follow orders and taking the cases that I want."

"The admiral?"

"Is an excellent trial lawyer. I can't believe he sat back for so many years. I have learned more from him in the last two months than I did the entire time at JAG. I think he is liking being out from behind a desk too."

"I meant about you two working together."

"He is a team player all the way. Bud and I still treat him like he is our CO, but he reminds us at ever turn that he is not."

"So what about Mac? Are you two handling the time and distance well?"

"I don't know. She has been very distant in the last few conversations we have had. I think she has something to tell me, but just can bring herself to say it out loud. And I am not about to ask."

"Like what?"

"Don't know – but I am really trying not to think the worst. Whatever it is, it will come out this weekend."

The men walked into the office and Harm and Mac's eyes locked from across the room. The hustle and bustle faded and they were the only two people in the world. He stepped up to her and did not hear Harriet explain that Mac came in a day early. Or Jennifer tell him that Mac was very impressed with the office or Bud mention that Mac and Jane were already fast friends.

"Hi." He said tentatively.

"Hi."

"You are here early. I was going to pick you up."

"I am here a day ahead of schedule."

"I can see that."

"This is great." She nodded toward the room but did not take her eyes off of his. "Do you have an office?"

"An office?" God she was the most beautiful sight for sore eyes he had ever seen. It had only been four months, but he forgot how the highlights in her hair reflected the sun or how deep dark and inviting her eyes really were. "Yes, I have an office." He came to his senses. "Yes, I have an office. My office. Right this way." He directed her toward his office.

He let her precede him and closed the door afterward. She had gone to the center of the room and turned to look at him. "This is nice."

"I did it myself." He said. "You look great."

"So do you." She waited. For some reason he was nervous and she was getting there. "So you resigned your commission to go into private practice with the admiral and Bud."

"I did."

"That is what you wanted to tell me – surprise me with?"

"Exactly." He smiled. "So, what do you think?"

"I think - It's great."

"Yes, yes it is. There is space on the letter head to add 'MacKenzie.'"

"I see."

"It would look great. 'MacKenzie, Rabb, Chegwidden and Roberts.'"

"I get top billing?"

"Ladies first." He smiled.

"Are you going to kiss me hello?"

That was all the prodding he needed. He moved close to her, took her hand, leaned down and kissed her. It was soft at first and sweet, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him completely to her. Before their passion and four months of separation got the better of them, he pulled away and pulled her into an embrace.

"God, how I have missed you." He said. "I should have told you to met me at home."

"You have appointments you can't cancel today?"

"Nothing I can't cancel." He pulled back and looked at her. "It is so good to see you."

"And to be seen." She got a serious look in her eye. "You have been keeping up with the reports out of the Middle East."

"With what you have been doing, yes. Very impressive."

"I have been a key player, if I do say so myself." She looked down. "But these last four months have - well I have found something."

"Found something?"

"I have found the answer to a question I asked you before I left."

Harm got very nervous. He could not remember a question that she asked him. There was something up and he panicked. What if she didn't want to be with him any more? But there was that kiss. What if Webb had convinced her that -? He had to change the subject. "Can we talk about that later?" He led her over to the couch.

"Later?"

"Yes, How long?"

"Excuse me?"

"How long can you stay? I don't want to miss a moment with you. How long can you stay?"

"Well, I am not sure."

''What do you mean?"

"I mean that I might not have to go back."

"Why what is going on?"

"They will probably not want me back."

"Why not?"

"They usually don't like to send people in my condition back to a war zone."

"What do you mean?"

She smiled. "They usually don't like to send people – WOMEN – in my condition back to a war zone."

"Women in your condition? What condition?" He was confused for a moment and then it dawned on him. "Women in your condition!"

She smiled broadly. "Not gonna welsh on our deal are you?"

"I don't understand. You're pregnant?"

"There is that steel trap mind of yours at work."

"Mac – unless there is something else you have to tell me, we haven't seen each other in four months."

"I am about seventeen weeks."

"Seventeen weeks! How long have you known?"

"A little over two months."

"And you didn't tell me?" He stood up and moved away.

"I tried. I tried to tell you a thousand different ways, but I couldn't get the words out."

"But you stayed there for two more months."

"I was safe. It was as safe as being here. You have to know I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our baby."

"I don't know that."

"Harm – please. Don't be upset about this." She got up and went over to where he was standing. "I thought you would be happy."

"I am happy – at least I think I am happy."

"Harm." She took his hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Harm?"

He looked away. "Everything is happening so fast – I don't know what to think."

"That is how I felt until I finally found the answer to those questions."

"What questions?"

"When does a career become just a job? And when do you know that there is something more in life than that job? When I found out I was pregnant, my priorities changed."

"Yet you stayed for two more months."

"I needed to finish what I started and I have."

"Mac." He shook his head. He couldn't get past the fact that she had known for two months and didn't tell him.

"Harm." She turned his face back to hers. "All you have to do is listen to the facts. I am home. I am not going anywhere. You are home and not going anywhere. Our friends are around us. And we are together having a baby."

"Together – having a baby." His confusion faded and his face melted into a bright grin. "You're having my baby."

"I love you." She declared.

"You do?" She smiled. "Yes, yes you do." He kissed her.

Fade to black

Fade Out

Fade In

JAG: The Next Generation – Life after JAG.

Thank you all for reading – those of you who stuck with it until the end. I am sure I disappointed some of you (even I feel like I took the easy way out to end this saga) but I hope I gave you a few moments of fun. Since this is my last foray into the world of JAG I would like to apologize for stepping on the toes of DPB and the creators and actors of JAG. The characters you have created have inspired these pages. The highest form of compliment is imitation. I, as a watcher and fan fictionist, am impressed and awed by your talent and the fact that you have a real show. Please keep up the good work.