A/N: It's been a while since I posted an update to this story, but life has been busy. Of late, I've noticed several authors apologizing for not updating their stories in a timely manner. My thoughts are this. We do this because we love to write. We aren't making money and don't have a publisher's deadlines. We all have a life outside of writing. Many of us work full time, so we update when and if we can.

If that upsets some readers, I suggest not reading a story until it's marked complete. I don't like leaving stories unfinished, and I will endeavor to complete all of mine. Might not be as fast as some like, but it is what it is.

Having said that, let's get back to Harm and Mac. The final chapters will cover a period of several months, so here we go.

The Right Thing to Do

Sarah Mackenzie's Apartment
February 22, 2004
2100 Local

Mac collapsed on Harm's chest as they brought their breathing under control. Since doctors had given Harm the all clear to engage in "extra-curricular activities" the two lovers had taken every opportunity to make up for the lost time when Harm was recovering from the gunshot wound.

"Wow, Marine. You wore me out."

"Me. Wore you out? More like the other way around."

Mac moved to snuggle by his side. She idly drew circles on his chest. His arm curled passively around her. They lay in silence for several minutes.

Tomorrow was a big day for Harm. He was going back to work—not for the CIA but had been reinstated at JAG. Mac wasn't sure how Chegwidden did it, probably called in a few favors, but Harm's time spent in the CIA was considered as TAD and deemed "classified."

Maybe he felt guilty about how he'd reacted upon their return from Paraguay. Whatever the case, neither of them wanted to look a gift horse in the mouth. The admiral also promised their change in relationship status wouldn't have any bearing on their job and assignments. "If the two of you make things more permanent, we'll revisit the situation," he had said.

"Do you have everything ready for in the morning?" Mac asked.

"My uniform is in your closet. Already have the ribbons on the jacket. I'm good."

Mac brushed a kiss on Harm's cheek. Traces of a five o'clock shadow were there but he shaved his beard a few days ago and had gotten the military regulation hair cut. While she was delighted that he would be back at JAG and was no longer with the CIA, she'd miss the "rugged" look.

"So, how do you want to handle things, Harm? Should we arrive together or separate? Don't want to give the admiral any reason to separate us. And if more people find out…"

"It'll be okay. It's not like Singer is around to cause trouble."

Mac stiffened at the name. Singer's murder, and Harm's subsequent arrest, was the beginning of their downfall. If she'd defied orders and visited him in the brig or refused the assignment to Paraguay, then Harm wouldn't have had to resign. He wouldn't have been on a mission to find Sadik, and wouldn't have gotten caught in the crossfire due to Webb's ineptitude. Wouldn't have spent time in a hospital on death's door. Tear slipped down her face and Harm wiped them away.

"What's wrong babe?"

"Just thinking of all that's happened during the last few months since Singer's death. It's all my fault."

"Stop saying that. If I'd let you in. Confided in you about my suspicions about Sergei being the father of her child, then we wouldn't have drifted apart. If I'd had the guts to say how I felt about you before you left with Webb. There are a lot of 'what ifs.' We can't worry about them. What's important is that we're together now. And I'm not going to let anything or anyone come between us."

"So, we show up together?"

"Absolutely. We don't have to advertise our relationship for the world to see, and we can maintain a proper decorum in the office." He flashed his flyboy grin. "Look at it this way, there may be fewer fights these days."

JAG Headquarters
February 27, 2004
1800 Local

Harm's first week back at JAG was relatively uneventful. The admiral assigned him as defense council in an Article 32 hearing for a marine major accused of fraternization. Sturgis was prosecutor, and as usual, acted like a hard ass. He made several ambiguous comments to Harm outside the courtroom regarding improper relationships. Asked questions about how Mac was adjusting to Harm being back in the Navy.

Harm couldn't help but believe there was more to Sturgis's comments than idle curiosity. While he and Mac hadn't exactly hidden their relationship, they didn't broadcast it either. Both still wore their matching rings (on the right hand) so it wouldn't be difficult for anyone to put two and two together.

But some inner instinct told Harm it was best not to tell his old friend that he and Mac were practically living together.

Sturgis wasn't happy over the fact Admiral Morris found insufficient evidence to bring the fraternization case to full court martial. He left the courtroom and went straight to his office (Harm's old office) without so much as a word. The man hadn't been the same since Bud did a poor job as representing him in the Jeremy Duncan case.

Fortunately for Harm, Sturgis had already left by the time he tapped on Mac's door. "Ready to go, Marine?"

She looked up and smiled. "Thought you'd never ask. What's the deal with Sturgis? He's acting like he has a stick up his six this week."

"You noticed it, too. Thought it was just me."

"No, he definitely isn't happy about something." She shrugged. "Who knows? Not that I care as long as he leaves me out of his little tirades. He practically bit Harriet's head off because she didn't have some files on his desk as soon as he wanted them."

"Well, he's still sore at Bud, but that's no reason to take it out on Harriet."

"I agree. Let's forget Sturgis. Your place or mine tonight?"

"Do you have clothes at mine? Not that you'll need many."

"Got plans for the weekend, Commander, Colonel?"

Harm didn't realize his CO was standing behind him. Chegwidden had a slight smirk on his face. Mac's had turned beat red.

"Um, Mac and I were just discussing it."

"So I heard."

It was Harm's turn to blush.

"Carry on. And enjoy the weekend." Chegwidden strolled away.

"Sorry, Mac. I didn't know he was there."

"Well," she smiled impishly, "he did tell us to carry on."

"He did, didn't he? Speaking of living arrangements, what do you think about the two of us getting an apartment together?"

Mac's eyes grew wide. "You mean it?"

"Why not? We're together every night. Doesn't make sense to keep spending money on two places. How about we start looking for something this weekend?"

"I like the sound of that."

North of Union Station
1900 Local

Harm and Mac entered his loft. "I'll call for pizza if you want to change first," he said.

"Just make sure you get half meat lovers." Mac called over his shoulder as she stepped up to the bedroom. She quickly removed her uniform, hung it in Harm's closet, then slipped on a pair of sweats. Smiling, she grabbed one of his "Go Navy" t-shirts to wear. She had plenty of her own things here, but she liked wearing his clothes.

She looked to see that Harm was still on the phone. Shrugging, she took off her bra, then pulled the shirt over her head. Harm liked her braless. Besides, it would save time later. If she had her way, neither of them would be wearing clothes long.

Mac padded down the steps to the kitchen. Opened the fridge for a bottle of water. A lot had changed since she first visited here years ago and found Harm's rather unconventional method of keeping things cool.

Harm slipped up behind her and pulled her against the hard planes of his body. As expected, his hands found their way under the shirt to cup her breasts as he nuzzled the sensitive spot beneath her ear.

"What else do you not have on?" His voice had taken on that bedroom timber.

Mac laughed, then slipped out of his arms. As much as she wanted to make love with him, first things first.

"You'll just have to find out later, Flyboy."

"Later? What's wrong with now?"

"First of all, you just ordered pizza. I don't want to be interrupted by a delivery person. Second, I'm hungry and I have a feeling we're going to need all our energy tonight."

"Is that a promise?"

"Count on it. Go change."

"Yes, Ma'am." He gave her a mock salute, then sprinted upstairs to the bedroom.

When Harm's cell phone rang, he called out to Mac. "Grab that, will you?"

"Sure." Turning to the phone, she said. "Colonel Mackenzie."

"Colonel. I thought I was calling the commander's phone," Chegwidden said.

"You are sir. Harm is busy and asked me to answer."

"Very well. Hope neither of you made too many plans for the weekend. I need you both on a plane to the Netherlands in the morning to defend the SECNAV against charges of war crimes. He personally asked for the two of you."

A/N: The Right Thing to Do by Carly Simon