A/N: Thank you all so much for all the kind reviews:hugs everyone: I know my chapters aren't particularly long, but I'm trying to update as quickly as reality allows, so I'm hoping that'll count for something! Anyway, still don't own anything remotely pertaining to JAG, unfortunatly, so onward we go...

Mac had just beaten the general Friday traffic, managed to get in her apartment and change into sweats when she heard a knock on her door. More than a little apprehensive, she opened it, knowing what was going to be on the other side. As expected, a delivery man stood with a package and clipboard. "Sarah Mackenzie?"

"Yes, though I'm afraid I may regret admitting it." The delivery man gave her a strange look and handing her the clipboard. Signing it quickly, she took the package with a forced smile and retreated back into her apartment. She sat the package beside her on the couch, trying to figure out how one plain box could insight so much apprehension.

The tape on the corners came off quickly with a knife, and slowly Mac lifted the lid. Letting out a gasp, she pulled out the garment. It was nothing like she would have ever expected. A cream-colored gown folded gracefully over her couch, long, gauzy, and altogether beautiful. The style was distinctly Victorian, with a low-cut neck trimmed with sparkling lace, long fitted sleeves, and a full skirt embroidered with subtle silver designs. It was a gown fit for a princess, and, for once, Sarah Mackenzie was utterly speechless.

Under the gown a small piece of paper lay folded carefully. In Harm's meticulous handwriting You will understand in time was scrawled, making Mac furrow her brow even more. Not only were the words distinctly not Harm, or even something said in normal conversation, they rang a bell in her head that she simply could not place.

"I'll worry about that later." She said aloud to the empty room. First there were more pressing matters, like trying on the gorgeous dress in front of her. Being a marine did not cancel out the Cinderella feeling she had as she rushed to the bathroom to change. Staring at herself in the mirror, she gaped at her reflection. The dress fit in all the right places, complemented her color…made her feel beautiful.

Harm… The thought of appearing with Harm in this dress, with her hair done, her makeup perfect…it was a dream she could not even imagine. Smoothing down the full skirt in the front, she turned slowly once for good measure, and smiled. He did good…really good. Suddenly it occurred to her that a thank you call would most defiantly be in order, so, without taking off the dress, she swished her way to the living room. Sitting down as delicately as possible, she reached for the phone and dialed the familiar number.

After two rings the deep voice of her Squid picked up with a quick and professional "Rabb". My Squid? Oh my Lord…

"Hey Harm, it's Mac."

"Mac." The tone of his voice changed immediately from cold professionalism to warm candor. "Did you get it?"

"I did, Harm. It's…I mean…really beautiful." Intelligent, Mackenzie. Nice.

"I'm glad you liked it." The voice on the other end sounded almost relieved. She could almost see the smile lighting up his features. "I hoped you would."

"I love it, Harm. Really I do. It's so elegant, and it fits me perfectly…"

"You've tried it on?"

"Still wearing it, actually." Way to look insane, Mac. Good going.

She heard his laughter at the other end, less scornful that she would have thought. It was more…affectionate than anything. "I'm glad. I had to consult Harriet about sizes."

"She knows what it is?" Calling Harriet right after this…

"No, just that I'm getting you a costume. Then again, with your subtle attempts to find out about said costume, the entire office knows." Mac laughed at the truth of the statement, though she was a little disappointed at the dashing of the last hope of figuring out the mystery.

"So it does fit well, then?" Harm switched the conversation immediately, probably knowing where Mac was heading with the line of questioning.

"So well, Harm. It makes me feel beautiful." Mac immediately put her hand to her mouth, wishing she could take back the last childish, wistful words to leave her mouth. I didn't just say that…please Lord tell me I didn't just say that…

The silence on the other end of the line assured Mac that she had just revealed herself to be a complete idiot. Just before she opened her mouth to do some rambling damage control, Harm's voice came softly though the phone. "You're always beautiful, Mac."

The shock of his statement literally left her speechless. After a very awkward moment of silence from both parties, Mac managed a breathy "Thank you".

"You're welcome, Mac." Harm's voice sounded as shaky as hers did, but Mac refused to let her mind dwell on the reasons why. Wishful thinking…just wishful thinking…

Desperate to change the subject and regain some semblance of dignity, Mac pulled the same card she'd played for weeks now. "So, now that I have the gown, is there any hope of getting you to tell me what it is and save me hours of pondering?"

Soft laughter rang in her ear. "Not a chance, Mackenzie. The note I left in there is all the hint your getting."

"Hint? One sentence, Harm, which made little sense. That's what you gave me as a hint?"

"It'll make more sense when you see me, I promise. You only have to wait until tomorrow, Mac. Think you can handle it?"

"No." His laughter grew louder. "You're enjoying this way too much, you know that?"

"Yes, I do. I also know that you can wait until tomorrow, despite how much you believe you need the information now. Don't forget the appointment at 1500 either."

"Wouldn't miss it." Her voice made it clear that she was perfectly sincere. "And what time should I expect you here, oh mysterious one?"

"Party starts at 1900, so I'd say about…1815? Just so we can have time to deal with any traffic that may come up. It'll also give you time to put on the dress, do your make-up…whatever you women need to do to get ready for a party."

"1815…so I should expect to see you around 1845 then?" They shared a soft laugh.

"I'll be on time, I promise. Wouldn't miss this for the world." Mac smiled slightly and nodded, before realizing he couldn't see her.

"Me either, flyboy."

"Well, I better let you go…you know, get out of that dress, spend a few hours pondering the costume…"

"Yeah, I better. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Absolutely. 1815, be ready and waiting."

"Always, Harm, always. "

"Night, Ninja Girl."

"Good night, Flyboy."

Slowly she sat the phone back in the receiver, an unreadable smile playing across her lips. She padded her way back into her bedroom and hung the dress meticulously on her closet door. Stepping back, she admired it with a growing feeling of excitement, and decided that Harm was right about one thing – she would spend the next few hours trying to figure out what it was. Then the next few would be dedicated to dreaming of dancing with a handsome prince (interestingly enough, in a naval uniform) in a land far, far away.

A/N: I know, I know, you still don't know what it is! At least know you have a little bit of information. Kudos to you if you figure it out before I post the next chapter (in which Harm will show up and all we be explained, I promise). Anyway, thanks again for all the kind reviews, and please keep sending them!