A/N: Again, no personal replies. I'm really, really sorry, but life is hectic. I hope you guys know you're spoiled with an update everyday. Yesterday I almost felt guilty (!) for almost not posting a new chapter.

For all of you who want me to go on and on and on with this story: bad news. There are only about two to three more chapters left. But maybe that you guys want to talk me into writing a sequel...?

Have fun!

The Emperor's Crown

Washington DC

1855 hours local

When Harm and Sarah Rabb had walked into the reception hall earlier in the day, they both hadn't been able to feel more blessed then they already did. Was it even possible to feel more blessed then they were feeling that very moment? Surrounded by their friends and family, people they were close to? With their feelings finally confessed, married? Probably not.

It had been fun seeing everyone, catching up with all of them. With Keeter and Stella, Sturgis and Varese, Tuna and Charlotte, Skates and her husband Jonathan. With Victor and Carmen, with Tiner who was still going to law school and getting amazing grades.

Harm had seen Sergei and Galina and the two women had spent at least an hour chatting with each other about their men. Harm was glad Sergei was doing fine and that he got along with Mac. He made a mental note to himself to learn the language when he had the chance to.

And the new Sarah Rabb had finally met her namesake. She had finally met her parents-in-law. From what Harm had seen, they had welcomed her into their lives with open arms, no question asked. Trish had already made a slight hint to the fact she wanted more grandchildren than just Mattie and Mac had laughed and looked at him, the look in here eyes saying that Trish might get what she longed for.

Now, dinner had almost ended and Colonel O'Hara rose, wanting to make a speech. The conversations and laughter slowly died down. He turned around to the table Harm and Mac were sitting at and smiled.

'It's been almost ten years Sarah. Ten years since I met your sailor. And he hasn't changed a bit. He's still the righteous, cleaver, determined squid he was back then. Do you remember when I asked you where you found him?'

'In a Rose Garden Uncle Matt' Mac said and nodded.

'Exactly, in a Rose Garden. I have to admit that in all the time I know you, and that's quite some time now, I haven't seen a happier look in your eyes. As every uncle does, I've worried about you. Even when locked away. Whenever you wrote me about cases, I could hear your stern, lawyer voice in the words you'd put down. When you wrote about the men in your life, even when it was Mic Brumby, there was not the same spark in the words as when you wrote me about Harmon Rabb jr. Seeing the happiness in your eyes, I can only assume'. He winked.

'Promise me one thing Sarah. Whatever you do, don't let him go. Use all the Marine tricks they taught you if you have to, but don't let him go. And to you Mr. Rabb, if you only try to hurt my niece again I will kick your six from here to the other end of the planet. Understood?'

'Aye aye sir'. Harm side-glanced at Mac who grinned. No, he wouldn't ever hurt her again the way he had in the past.

'Well then, to Harmon and Sarah Rabb, may you live a happy life together. To Harm and Sarah!'

'To Harm and Sarah!' everyone roared.

Once Uncle Matt had taken his seat again, Admiral AJ Chegwidden rose, attempting to speak.

'Ten years. It's been ten years since I got the two of you in my command. I've seen the two of you build a friendship and get close, not following up on the advice I gave you in the same Rose Garden all those years ago. It only proves to how pig-headed the two of you are'.

He shook his head. 'As said, despite my warning not to get to close, I watched you getting closer and closer, than fall apart again. I've watched you go out with other people, trying to commit to other people, only to end up with each other. No matter how much you'd hurt the other party, you would always find a way to glue the pieces back together. I don't think 'giving up' is something you know. Not when it comes to Harm and Mac'.

Mac squeezed Harm's hand. They didn't know giving up. Not when it came to them.

'There was one time I thought things had been damaged too much to be glued back together again, and that time it was partly my fault. I know that when it comes to you Sarah, Harm has a sixth sense, and I should've trusted it, instead of letting my anger towards the man get the better of myself. I want to apologize for that'.

AJ rose his glass with humbleness. 'I'm glad you proved me wrong' he softly said.

With the end of AJ's speech the speeches didn't end, because than Sturgis took the stand and helped by Keeter, he started to tell a story of Harm's adventures in the Academy.

'…sitting on that balcony, pondering on the things life might throw on us; Harm said something that I will never forget'. Sturgis looked down at the glass in his hand. 'He admitted that he was afraid to love anyone, because he was scared as hell that he'd lose that person just as well'.

Harm pressed his lips. Sturgis was giving some very personal information away.

'I of course responded with saying that he was overreacting but he just went on. He said that if he was around someone he could be able to love, all his senses, his brain, would just shut down. He made me swear that night, that if I ever saw him with anyone that would be able to break through that brick wall he'd build around his heart, I was supposed to let him know that'.

A grin appeared on Sturgis face. 'And I swear to God that the second I saw him with you Mac, I knew that was it. For the first time since I knew Harmon Rabb, I saw him so totally at ease… I can't describe how that felt. Whenever joking with you, or just having a conversation with you, his guard was down. For the first time since Christmas '69 Harmon Rabb was just a regular guy. A very deep in love, regular guy. And heaven knows I've tried to point that out to him'.

Mac started to laugh, brushing a tear of her face, even though she had promised herself not to cry again that day. Sturgis nodded.

'I mean it. So, I'm glad that our wise Admiral took rights into his own hands and did this. Oh and Mac, I did keep my promise. All I did was have an invitation to the wedding'. He winked and sat down next to his wife.

Harm turned to Mac. 'What is he talking about?' he asked.

'I let it slip to him that I was in love with you. It's been, how many years Sturgis…?'

Sturgis looked up. 'Three, four years?'

'Yeah, I guess. I told him that he had to keep it to himself or he would face consequences. He didn't break his promise'.

Her husband grunted. 'Why couldn't you have told me Sturg? It would've saved us a lot of time'.

'I'm a man of my word Harm. As you are'.

Mac patted his arm. 'Don't worry about it'. She looked around. 'More speeches?'

Bud and Sergei said some words to the bride and groom and then it was silent. All that had to be said to the bride and groom was said. Mattie leaned into Jen and whispered something in her ear. Then she rose. 'Can I add to everything?'

Harm swallowed his sip. 'Stand's all yours Mattie'.

Mattie walked over to the table where the gifts were standing at and bent down to get something from under it. Than she walked to Harm and Mac's table. Harm frowned surprised at the huge card she was carrying.

'There is one thing you two did do, except saying your vows in the church' Mattie started. 'You picked your own honeymoon. Remember that day Jen walked into your office Mom? Claiming that she saved some money and didn't know which location she had to pick for a romantic get-away with her boyfriend?'

She turned to Harm. 'Or when Harriet bumped into you in the break room with the brochures Dad? Saying she and Bud were going on a second honeymoon?'

Holding up the card, Mattie smiled. 'This is the one thing you simultaneously agreed on. Honeymoon for two to…' She flipped the card open. 'The Virgin Islands'.

Mac clasped her hand over her mouth, clearly in shock. Harm wasn't really any better. Than her eyes traveled to Jen. 'You…!'

Jen laughed. 'Have a nice time ma'am!'

Everyone applauded and cheered. Harm sat back in his seat. 'And I was thinking when Bud and Harriet were going to take some time off and have that romantic get-away' he mumbled.

'They're not' Mattie happily said. 'Your plane leaves at 1600 hours tomorrow afternoon'. She handed them the card. 'I'll be staying with Grandma and Grandpa, so don't worry about me'. She winked and went back to her seat next to Josh and Chloe.

The couple stared at each other and started to laugh. 'You went for the Virgin Islands just as well huh?' Mac whispered.

'Harriet asked me where I would take my wife on our honeymoon. Told her that the Virgin Islands were perfect for two weeks of perfect lovemaking'.

'I believe there are going to be' his wife said before her lips met his.

TBC... and keep reviewing please!