AN: and so we've come to the end of this fic. When I first started writing it many months ago and then had a major case of writer's block, I had no idea that it would get so many and so nice reviews. Harm/Jen community is a small one and I had no illusions of anyone else wanting to read fics with such pairing and so I mainly write for my own pleasure, to bring an idea for a fic to life. Which is why your reviews and kind words surprised and warmed me so much. I would like to thank you all for sticking with this fic and supporting it and me. You will never know how much it means to me. Thank you all!
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To say their announcement went off without a hitcht would be a lie. Both Harm and Jen were nervous, partly because of the nature of the announcement and partly because they had decided not to tell the whole story and let everyone think they got married because they were in love.
The reactions of their co-workers were mixed, as it was expected. Bud and Harriet were happy for them, but confused at the news because they never thought Harm and Jen would do anything about their obvious connection, Sturgis was apprehensive, but was reassured by Harm, and Mac was downright hostile. After glaring at them with anger in her eyes for a good 10 minutes, while they were receiving congratulations, she stormed off into her office and slammed the door loudly. Jen looked from the door to Harm and asked worried.
"Aren't you going to talk to her?"
"No" Harm said with a resigned tone in his voice "Mac was the one that said 'never' and then started dating someone else. And she's still dating him. So, she has no reason or right for being jealous or angry. As she said to me about 4 years ago while she was wearing another man's ring, 'my heart is off limits' to her."
"Okay" agreed Jen "But she'd better not try anything, because an officer or not, I'll defend what's mine."
"Quite possessive, aren't we?" teased Harm, smiling down at her.
"You don't know the half of it, mister. So, you'd better keep your eyes to yourself and I expect of you to run the other way if some other woman tries to hit on you."
Harm grew serious. "I would never betray you, Jen."
Jen murmured "I know. That goes for me too. I could never do that to you." They only realized how close they were standing when they heard someone clear their throat behind them. They stiffened in surprise and turned around, dread filling them.
And rightfully so, since none other but Admiral Cheggwidden stood there, observing them with one eyebrow raised. They immediately flew apart, putting 2 feet between them. He sighed and shook his head. "Again? No displays of affection in public, people, we had an agreement."
"Sorry, Sir" they chorused.
"Get back to work and don't let it happen again." he turned and entered his office.
Harm quickly looked around and asked her "Meet me at 1710 in my office so we can go home, okay? If you can't get there on time, let me know."
Jen nodded "Okay."
Harm turned and left for his rathole... er... office.
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2 hours later the Admiral called them into his office and told them they were getting 3 weeks for a honeymoon starting the next day, but before they could start with the vacation they had a press conference to attend. The SecNav had arranged the conference as a deal with the press: if Harm and Jen attended it, then they would stop stalking them
The press conference that took place 2 hours after the Admiral's heads-up was exhausting. First they thanked everyone for their support and help and then the questions started. Most of them were silly, some of them even rude or intrusive. But finally it was all over and Harm and Jen were definitely ready to go home.
They went to Harm's office to change into their leathers, collected the bike and left for home.
They had a long discussion as to how they would spend their honeymoon, but finally they decided on a cross country road trip with the bike.
Then they had a debate on what to pack.
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They left the next day, getting an early start. During the next 2 weeks they discovered that they could definitely be in extremely close proximity of each other for longer periods of time without getting on each other's nerves or getting fed up with the other. This encouraged them and gave them faith in their marriage.
After 2 blissful, but exhausting, weeks on the bike and after having visited many beautiful places and having swam in 2 different oceans, they finally returned home./\
Only to throw the stuff they had into laundry, pack suitcases with fresh clothes and the next day take the SUV to Grandma Sarah's house for 4 days, since she requested to meet the new Mrs. Rabb.
Grandma Sarah and Jen quickly made friends and Harm and Jen spent those 3 days enjoying the fresh country air. After 2 weeks of being on the road it was definitely a nice change.
They returned home rested and started preparing to return to work.
A few days later Harm and Jen (with new name tags and military ID) returned to work and life went back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for the two of them.
Which isn't saying much. But they were happy.
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2 YEARS LATER
RABB RESIDENCE
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Jennifer Rabb was propped up on pillows in her bed, with her husband's arm around her shoulders and with their 6 days old daughter nursing at her breast. In front of the bed was a TV, with an old English comedy, 'Alo 'Alo, playing.
Smiling softly she reflected on the past 2 years. 2 months after they returned to work they moved in together after finally proclaiming their love to each other. Their relationship became physical only 2 months after that. It might seem like an unreasonably long wait, but they were both determined to make their marriage work and would make love when they both felt that they, and their relationship, were ready. And when they were ready, it was explosive. It was definitely worth the wait. And it just kept getting better.
8 months later they bought a lovely house in Alexandria.
Harm was then promoted to Captain and on SecNav's request, transferred to the Pentagon where he became the foremost authority on Maritime Law and fighter plane crash investigations. Admiral Tom Boone needed a new Yeoman and requested Jen to take the spot. Jen jumped at the chance to work in the same building as her husband, only a few doors down from his office, and immediately accepted.
5 months later they found out they were expecting and cried from happiness.
After 7 months a healthy baby girl was born to them. After 10 hours of labor Faith Rabb was welcomed into the world by her parents.
'Yes' mused Jen 'taking the wrong direction can truly change your life sometimes. But that was the best mistake I have ever made. Harm and I love each other and we have a beautiful daughter. And I know that 40 years from now we will still be together, happy and in love.'
And 40 years later her predictions came true.
THE END
/\ AN: an interesting fact: a guy, Nick Sanders, went around the world with his superbike Yamaha R1 and made 20,000 miles in just 20 days.