AN: it's sad to see another fic draw to a close. After this part there is only another short part and an epilogue. I would like to take this chance and thank you all for reading, reviewing and supporting this fic and me. It's been an honor and a pleasure.
sohard2c: good points, the thing with Harm and Mac is (besides the fact that it took them 9 years to make it) that they have many differences, differences that would tear them apart, IMHO. Had they gotten married in S2 they would've been divorced by the end of it if this were real life (IMHO). As it is with how the show ended, I personally believe that they would be getting divorced 1 year later, 2 tops in real life. Too many differences, issues, resentments, fights,... that never got resolved nor cleared, plus the fact that for the last 2 years of the show they weren't even friends anymore, just two people who occasionally worked together and were attracted to each other. I personally doubt that Mac loved Harm (simply because I'm not sure she knows what an adult, mature, healthy love-relationship is, because she had absolutely no role model and only had damaging, power-struggle, unhealthy relationships as an adult. All of her relationships were power struggles, which is how she believed a relationship with Harm would also be - 'we both want to be on top'. Proves just one more time that the woman didn't really know her best friend.), but we've seen that Harm loved Mac, even though he had major problems expressing it. Which is why they invented Mattie, to cure him of his fear of losing the one he loves once he'd told them he loved them and make him capable of saying the word 'love' to someone.
It is my personal opinion that the best chance of Harm and Mac ever working it out and staying together 'till death do them part' would've been had they gotten together at the end of Season 4 and Harm had not gone flying. Or had gone flying, but committed himself to Mac for life, i.e. marriage so that she would know he'd be back to her. They were best friends back then, they solved any issues as soon as the appeared, mostly; and had had that bond, the bond that got broken and never fixed when he left, when Mac started hating him for leaving. They were never that good together anymore after that and their relationship-friendship just entered a downward spiral they never got out from.
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I think that if Loren really had that kind of past and character in the show (of course, had PTB really put an effort into developing her character she would've had) as she had in this fic, then she and Harm would've been a much better match than he and Mac. Sad thing is we would never get that because of the HarmMac fanbase that DPB loved to play with. And had H&S gotten together then, it only would've been a tool to create additional angst and UST for H&M and then DPB would somehow tear Harm and Loren apart.
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The last few years of H&M relationship was damaging to both parties and now, looking back with clear eyes unclouded with H&M shipping, I realize it would've been better had the show ended with Harm and Mac having moved on and having found happiness with someone else. The problem is, the only female character I viewed as worthy and deserving of Harm in the last few years on the show was Jen and she was off-limits. All other female characters TPTB came up with weren't good for Harm.
Sorry for this long musing, it's just something I had to get out and would like your opinion on.
There is still "A sign of possession" and another 3 or 4 active WIPs in the wings. I hope we see each other there. Thank you and enjoy!
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"You know," said Loren some time later, when they were sitting in a chair, she on his lap due to the lack of space "this will be a great story to tell our grandchildren."
A goofy smile spread across his face. "Our grandchildren. I like the sound of that."
Her eyes softened and she kissed him tenderly. "I know. So do I. Now I think we should pack it up and go home. Lest we want the Admiral to change his mind and give us something to do."
Her emphasis of the word 'home' sent a warm, tingly sensation all over Harm's body. She meant his... their apartment. After so many years of loneliness and heartbreak and coming home to a cold, empty apartment, he finally had someone to fill it with love, warmth, happiness and laughter. He knew the other shoe wouldn't drop this time, he understood why he had to live through so much and suffer so, it was all for the sole purpose of meeting and spending the rest of his life with his true soulmate. Which, quite surprisingly, turned out to be none other than Loren Singer.
Which surprised Harm and Loren more than it did anyone else.
"Okay then, you pack up your things and we'll meet at the elevator."
She slid off his lap, waited until he got up on his feet and grabbed his tie, yanking on it, so she could kiss him on his cheek. "See you in a few." she whispered and left his office, swinging her hips seductively.
The female staff, that saw her, was able to clearly recognise the smile on her face. It was the smile of a woman who finally got the man she wanted and was completely satisfied and happy with her life.
Harm stared after her, his eyes riveted to her hips.
He gulped, feeling his mouth go dry and started clearing his desk with a vengeance.
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After taking care of everything, he secured his office, said goodbye to the staff and met Loren at the elevator.
The rest of the ride down was silent, with them just enjoying their new situation and each other's presence, all the while holding hands.
In the parking lot they parted, Loren going to her own apartment to sort out what she'd take to his aparment immediately and to notify her landlord of her impending move.
Harm headed for his own apartment, determined to take care of a few smaller errands.
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"'I love you, marry me.' That's the best you could think of?" Harry looked at Harm sternly, not sure if the older man wasn't making fun of him.
"Well, there were other ideas, but I was informed by a very reliable source that that is all that is needed. Lanna loves you, she'll say yes. She wouldn't be marrying you for some fancy words, she'd be marrying you for you. That's all that's needed." Harm's confidence did little to persuade the younger man.
"Okay... I'll think about it. Who's the 'very reliable source', anyway?"
"My own fiancee." Harm grinned smugly.
Now this caught Harry's attention. "Fiancee? When did this happen? The last time we talked, a few days ago, you were single, much less engaged."
Harm glanced down at his feet. "Today, actually."
Harry smiled, still a little baffled at how fast his friend worked. How little did he know...
"Aren't you going a little fast? I'm not trying to criticize you, man, but you got engaged without even dating the woman. Are you sure you're not making a mistake and won't be regretting it later?"
Harm wasn't offended at that reasonable question. "You know, if it were anyone else, I would be asking them that same question. But I know she's my soulmate, that we were meant to be. I mean, there's no-one else that can understand me better than she, we have so many things in common; that we simply know that there is no-one better or more perfect for each other than the other. And because we know that, we don't have to waste time on dating, which is basically a process of weeding out incompatible and wrong partners. We are perfect for each other and marriage is just the next sensible step."
Harry still look doubtful for a while, but then he saw the sincerety and the steel-like strength of conviction and confidence in Harm's eyes, and knew the other man was right.
"Then the only thing I can say is congratulations! You definitely deserve it, man. So, who is she?"
"That would be me." a voice floated over to them from the direction of the doorway.
Harry turned abruptly, not having heard anyone enter the apartment, and his eyes grew wide at the beauty that stood there. She was a beautiful woman, he had to admit, but in his eyes no woman could surpass the beauty of his Lanna Torres, an utterly feminine woman even though she was an Engineer.
Harm quickly strode over to her, kissed her, grabbed her suitcases and headed for his bedroom, to deposit them there.
"Hi." Loren extended a hand. Harry shook it, surprised at the strength of her grip. "I'm Loren. What Harm told you is true. If she really loves you, then it won't matter to her what the words are. She wouldn't even care if you didn't give her a ring." At her words Harm, who had returned into the living room by that time, blanched and his smile faltered. With how hectic their day had been, he had completely forgotten about a ring for her. "But she will appreciate it if you give a little thought into the situation. Try to avoid a blunder like proposing to her while eating hot-dogs on a bench in the park. A nice, quiet dinner, that you made by yourself, would do nicely."
"Thanks." said Harry and then turned to Harm. "How did you propose?"
Loren snickered as Harm coughed, embarrassed. "I'll tell you in a few years, when I'll be able to laugh about it." At that Loren burst out laughing, while Harry just looked at him puzzled.
"Okay, then. I gotta go now, Lanna will be getting home soon and I have to get ready. Congratulations again and I'll see you both soon."
Harry shook their hands again, clapped Harm on the back and departed.
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AN: okay, this is a really easy one: from where did I get Harry and Lanna?