Chapter 13

AN1: Just answering Angela B's question, everyone is telling Mac to take it easy because she hasn't yet recovered from the injuries she got in the car crash. She has two broken ribs.

AN2: Chloe is back in this chapter. I don't know why I use her so often but she helps out when I have writer's block and her character is a great shipper. LOL!

AN3: I'm really sorry this has taken so long. Writer's block caused the "1 month later" thing halfway through the chapter. I know where I'm taking this but had a bit of trouble with writer's block to actually get it all out. So I used writer's prerogative to just skip forwards a little.

2000

Mac's Apartment

"Wonders will never cease. Right on time," said Mac as Harm stepped into her apartment.

"I like to catch people off guard sometimes," grinned Harm.

Mac smiled back at him and stepped into his embrace.

"Cute pyjamas Colonel," said Harm into her hair.

"Thank you," said Mac with a laugh. "I told you I was getting an early night."

"And you need it," said Harm.

Mac opened her mouth to reply when the phone rang.

"Hello?" she said, picking up the receiver.

"Hey Mac," said Chloe.

"Hi sweetie," she replied.

"Can you hang on a sec?" she continued.

"Sure," replied Chloe.

Mac put the receiver against her shoulder.

"It's Chloe. Would you mind if I talked to her for a bit?"

"Why would I mind?" asked Harm.

"Well, I don't want to be rude. I do have company after all," said Mac.

Harm smiled. "It's fine, and tell her hi for me."

Mac put the phone back up to her ear.

"Mac, is that Harm there?" Chloe asked excitedly.

"Uh, yes, Harm's here. He says hi," said Mac.

"Cool! Can I talk to him?" asked Chloe.

"Okay," said Mac with a smile, wondering what conversation topics Chloe had in mind.

"Miss Madison would like to talk to you," she said, handing the phone to Harm and heading to the kitchen to make two mugs of hot chocolate.

"Hi Chloe," said Harm.

"Hi Commander Rabb, how are you?" asked Chloe.

"Good. You?" he replied.

"I'm good. So Mac told me about how you guys are in love. Finally! When's the wedding?" asked Chloe, ending on a mischievous note.

"Um Chloe, I can't tell you that yet," said Harm, glancing in Mac's direction.

"Aww, please tell me! There's gonna be a wedding right?" said Chloe.

"Oh yeah," said Harm with a smile.

Chloe shrieked excitedly and Harm belatedly pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Chloe, making me deaf isn't a good idea okay," said Harm.

"Oh yeah, sorry," said Chloe with a grin.

"That's all right. Just don't tell Mac what I told you," said Harm lowering his voice.

"I promise. So is the wedding soon?" asked Chloe.

"Chloe…" whined Harm.

"Okay, okay. I had to try though," said Chloe.

"You remind me of someone like that," smiled Harm.

"Really? Who?" asked Chloe.

"Who do you think?" asked Harm.

"Mac!" said Chloe.

"Got it in one Chlo," replied Harm.

"Cool," said Chloe as Mac returned with two mugs of hot chocolate.

"I'm going to give you back to Mac, I'm sure she wants to talk to you," said Harm.

"It was nice talking to you," said Chloe.

"It was nice talking to you too Chloe," said Harm before handing the phone to Mac.

Fifteen minutes later, Mac had said goodbye to Chloe and she and Harm sat drinking their hot chocolates in companionable silence, Mac resting back against Harm's chest with her feet curled under her.

"This was a good idea," said Mac, breaking the silence.

"It was," agreed Harm, shifting slightly to hold her closer.

"Will you come over for dinner when you get back tomorrow night?" asked Mac.

"Is that a date Marine?" asked Harm.

Mac didn't need to see his face to know he was smiling. "What do you think Sailor?" she replied.

"Well, I'd like to think so," said Harm with a grin.

"You'd better think so," laughed Mac.

"I'd love to Sarah," said Harm.

"Good," said Mac.

"Any dead animal?" questioned Harm.

"No, I'll be good. No dead animal involved," said Mac.

"In that case you can definitely count me in," said Harm with a chuckle.

1 month later

Harm's apartment

Mac knocked again, wondering what was taking Harm so long to answer the door.

"Harm? Are you there?" she called.

"Almost," said a familiar voice from behind her.

Mac turned and smiled as she saw Harm, who smiled back at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

"So where have you been? Did you forget we had a dinner date?" asked Mac.

"No way, I couldn't forget that. I just forgot I needed to do something and had to rush back to the office," said Harm sheepishly as he opened the door, letting Mac go through first before following her into his apartment.

#flashback#

Okay, this is it. Tonight I'm going to ask Sarah Mackenzie to marry me, thought Harm as he sat in his apartment, the ring box open in his hand. He smiled, imagining putting it onto her finger. Then he shook his head, mentally reminding himself not to get too far ahead. Suddenly he froze, remembering a conversation several weeks ago. Cursing himself inwardly, Harm changed quickly, throwing his uniform back on and putting the ring box back into his pocket. He grabbed his cover and made his way back to JAG headquarters as fast as he could go without breaking any laws. Reaching the bullpen, Harm headed straight towards the Admiral's office, hoping his CO was in a good mood.

A knock on the door roused AJ Chegwidden from the report he was working on.

"Enter!" he called.

Harm entered the room and stood at attention in front of his CO's desk.

"What can I do for you Commander. By the way, hadn't you gone home for the day?" asked AJ.

"I'm sorry I didn't make an appointment sir. I'd left for the day before realising there was something important I needed to discuss with you," explained Harm.

"Very well. At ease and take a seat," instructed AJ.

"Thank you sir," said Harm, sitting down.

AJ looked at him expectantly and Harm cleared his throat nervously before speaking.

"I have a personal matter I wanted to discuss," said Harm.

AJ nodded thoughtfully. "Go ahead Harm."

"Uh, I'm going to…er…uh…ask Colonel Mackenzie to marry me tonight," said Harm finally.

"Sir," he added belatedly.

AJ tried to hide a smile. "Firstly, congratulations and secondly, drop the sirs."

"Thank you si..ah AJ," said Harm.

"Let's hope you can manage to string a better sentence together for the Colonel though," said AJ, chuckling slightly.

Harm chuckled too. "I hope so. I didn't think I'd be this nervous," he said.

"You'll do fine son. You and Mac love each other. It's not like she'd say no!" said AJ.

"Well, I'm not entirely positive she'll say yes," said Harm, nervously fingering the ring box in his pocket.

"Harm, you've done a heck of a lot of risky things in your career. I know that proposing marriage is nerve-wracking but it's not that risky in comparison," said AJ, hoping to help alleviate the Commander's nerves.

Harm smiled slightly. "That's true."

"So what do you have planned?" asked AJ.

"I had to call in a few favours and I'm going to ask Sarah after we have dinner," said Harm.

"I see," said AJ, understanding showing on his face as he broke into a grin.

Harm glanced at his watch and almost jumped out of his seat, before remembering where he was.

"You'd better get going. You don't want to keep a lady waiting," said AJ.

"Yes sir, I'm cutting it pretty close," replied Harm.

"I'm glad you remembered though, that way I'll have a head start for tomorrow," said AJ.

"Thank you for everything AJ. I hope it's not any trouble," said Harm.

"No thanks is necessary. Good luck tonight Harm, not that I think you'll need it," said AJ smiling.

"Thank you sir," said Harm, smiling as well.

"Right then. Dismissed Commander!" said AJ.

"Aye aye sir!" said Harm, standing at attention before leaving the office.

#end flashback#

This is it, thought Harm as he followed Mac into the apartment.

Chapter 14 is coming soon, and I promise it won't be a long wait! I'm thinking it will be a few days tops before I get the next one out.