A/N Set around A Merry Christmas S9 E11.

A/N I don't own JAG, the characters or anything else belonging to the series. I just write stories and/or rewrite episodes the way I would have wanted them to be, specifically focusing on the romance between Harm and Mac.

Chapter one

Mac reached her hand out, tracing her thumb over Harmon Rabb Sr's name on The Wall, softly murmuring something Harm couldn't really make out but it sounded something like "Merry Christmas, Dad. He won't be lonely this year." Mac looked over her shoulder and smiled faintly at Harm and Mattie. There was a look of defeat and sadness in her expression that her smile couldn't hide.

"Good night, Merry Christmas." she whispered and after one last, long look at Harm she left to find her car.

"Go after her, Harm." Mattie said softly, a stern look in her eyes. She had seen the pain and longing in his eyes as Mac had turned around and started to walk away. Hell, she'd seen the way they looked at eachother practically all day! Putting two and two together, Mattie knew Harm and Mac had a long and complicated history.

"Hurry, before she gets to her car. Harm! Go!" She pushed Harm to get him moving. He looked at her, then in the direction he'd seen Mac go. Maybe. No, she'd said she had plans.

"I can't Mattie, you heard her. She has other plans."

"Yeah, Yeah. She can still have a video call or web cam with her sister if she comes with us! Just stop her from leaving before it's too late, Harm!"

"Stay here, I'll be right back, Mattie." He groaned.

Harm bolted, sprinting over ice and snow, hoping to stay on his feet and not knocking anyone else down in the process of catching up to her. The air in his lungs was cold and his heart was pounding out of his chest. What if he was too late? What if she'd already left? What if..

"Mac, wait! Mac!" She stopped so abruptly Harm almost ran into her. He grabbed her shoulders to steady them both, turning her around in his arms. Her eyes brimming with unshed tears, Harm cupped her face in his hands. His thumbs caressed her cheeks gently.

"Harm? What --" He grabbed the lapels of her coat, and leaned in to claim her lips with his, effectively cutting her off. Dropping his hands to her lower back Harm pulled her flush against him, a hoarse groan escaped his lips when he felt her pressing her body even closer in response. Mac opened her mouth, sucking on his bottom lip, totally oblivious to their surroundings. They only stopped kissing because of their need to breathe.

"Don't leave. Come home with us. Stay with me, Sarah. Please.." Leaning his forehead on Mac's he locked eyes with her, whispering pleadingly.

"Are you sure, what about Mattie? It's your first Christmas together. I don't want to impose." Mac sighed.

"You'd never impose. I'm sure, please come with us. She ordered me to stop you from leaving, so I think she'd be the last to object. Are you trying to find an excuse to say 'No' because you are unsure you can resist ravaging me Marine?" Harm chuckled at his last sentence, earning a swat on the shoulder from Mac.

"Of course not you big doofus. You're cute, but not totally irresistible, you know? Besides, you're the one kissing me, I'm confident I can control myself." She giggled, giving him a mock glare. The sound of her laughter made his heart swell, and he couldn't resist giving her one quick kiss before backing away from her.

"Oh, really? You wouldn't have a problem with no kissing?"

"I didn't say we shouldn't kiss at all, Harm.. I just meant I've more self control than you." Mac smiled innocently.

"Pfffft, right, right.. Are you coming?" Holding out his hand to her he was surprised when she shook her head 'No'.

"I need to go home to change my clothes and pick up some stuff at my place first. It won't take long.Take your girl home and I'll meet you there, ok?"

"Okay, I will. Don't make me wait too long for my other girl though.." Mac almost lost her resolve as he was chewing on that luscious, full bottom lip of his. Sighing she unlocked her car and got in, her eyes never leaving him as he walked back to Mattie, he looked taller and his steps seemed light. With a deep breath she put the car in drive and drove home to her apartment. Now, what was she going to wear for this evening?

Mattie looked confused at Harm when she saw him return alone.

"Where's Mac?"

"She had to go home to change and pack some stuff first. She'll meet us at my place when she's done. Come on kiddo, let's go." Harm smiled and put his arm around Mattie's shoulders.

"Ahem. Don't you think maybe it's better if we spend Christmas and New Year's at my house? It'll be much less crowded, plenty of rooms if Mac wants her own bedroom." Mattie bit her cheek to not laugh right out at Harm's snort at her last comment.

Harm cocked his eyebrow at her. Mac having a bedroom of her own, yeah right, like that's gonna happen.

"I need to call Mac and give her directions." Pulling out his mobile he couldn't help but smile at the sound of her voice as he reached Mac's voicemail instantly. He gave her directions to Mattie's house in Blacksburg and asked her to drive safe.