A/N: Only one more chapter after this one. The last two chapters cover a period of several months, but I'll move through it quickly. Since the majority of Season Ten was at the least "meh," and at the worst disgusting, I won't dwell on the episodes. I took liberty with a few scenes and made them to fit the story.

I had a hard time writing this chapter because I hate, repeat hate, Season Ten. Even the few episodes I referenced nauseate me. But here goes.

Let's Live for Today

USS Hennessey
September 2004
1630 Local

In the weeks following Clayton Webb's death, life returned to normal for Harm and Mac. Rather as normal as things could be where they were involved.

A subsequent investigation determined Webb's death was an accident. Had he lived, he would have been arrested and charged with kidnapping. Authorities also looked into his faked death. Porter Webb had known her son was alive. She couldn't accept him being fired from the CIA and wanted to help him begin a new life. She denied any knowledge of his plans to kidnap Mac.

AJ visited Harm and Mac often when he was in town. He and Francesca were still touring the major league ballparks. Not only that, there was someone new in his life. Well, not exactly new, but he and Marcella had reconnected through their daughter.

It didn't take long for Sturgis to return to his priggish ways. Harm wasn't sure what happened to his one-time friend. Maybe power had gone to the man's head. Whatever the case, he seemed to have it in for Harm. Not that any of the other staff were happy with their temporary CO.

In early September, when the news came that a new JAG was being brought in, everyone was relieved. Everyone that is, except Mac.

In a rare occurrence, Sturgis had sent her and Harm to investigate an incident between a Navy frigate and a Canadian fishing vessel. During their investigation, Harm got word the selection board had selected Gordon Cresswell as the new JAG.

"I just spoke to Bud. The Selection Board has filed a report. It's official. Colonel Cresswell is now the new JAG."

"Well, that's just great," Mac said.

Her response wasn't what he'd expected. He thought she'd be happy a marine was being brought in.

"You want to tell me what the problem with this guy is, or?"

"Cresswell was the staff judge advocate in Okinawa when I first got there. He knew about my affair with John Farrow. Even made sure Farrow got his letter of reprimand."

"Go on."

"If I hadn't already got my rotation orders, he probably would have demanded disciplinary action against me, too."

"That was a long time ago, Mac."

"Marines have a long memory, Harm. He could make my life hell. He could transfer me to some other billet. He could… he could separate us. How do you think he's going to react when he learns we're living together? I doubt he'll be understanding like the admiral was."

"Mac, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If it comes down to it, I'll resign."

"Harm, no. You did that once for me. I won't let you do that again."

"Mac, I would do it a hundred times if it meant having you in my life. Now, why don't you say we finish our investigation so we can get home?"

JAG Headquarters
September 7, 2004
0800 Local

When Harm and Mac returned to JAG headquarters after completing the Hennessey investigation, Harm was surprised to learn none of his personal belongings were in his office. This wasn't good. He and Mac exchanged a worried look before Petty Officer Coates hurried toward them.

Her voice was cheerful. "Commander, Colonel. Welcome back. Commander, your things are in your old office.

"My old office? Why?"

"Commander Turner convinced the general you should be there."

"Sturgis did that?"

"Yes, sir."

"He's up to something. Can't believe he did it as a gesture of goodwill."

"As soon as you're settled, the general wants to see you."

"Both of us?" Mac asked.

"Yes, but one at a time. Commander Rabb first."

"Tell him, I'll be right there."

"This isn't good, Harm." Mac rushed to her office, then closed the door.

General Cresswell's Office
0815 Local

Harm stood at attention and waited while the new commanding officer reviewed his personnel file.

"At ease commander. Have a seat."

"Yes, sir."

"I understand you spent some time TAD to the CIA."

He nodded. "I spent several months there."

"Classified, I know. I'll not ask anymore. In 1999, you left her to return to active flyer status."

"That's correct. I began my Navy career as an aviator. I was forced to stop flying because of an issue with my eyes. After the problem was corrected, I changed my designator."

"I trust you're happy at JAG."

"Yes sir, I am. I have kept my flight status active."

"With two DFCs and a silver star, I can understand why. Tell me about Colonel Mackenzie."

Harm tried to hide his surprise at the General's bluntness. "Sir?"

"The two of you have a personal relationship. Isn't that correct?"

"Yes, we do."

"Relax. I know about the arrangement my predecessor made with the SECNAV. I trust the two of you to keep your personal relationship out of the office and maintain proper decorum."

"We will. As we have been doing the past few months."

"Then we have an understanding. And by the way, the SECNAV told me the only reason he didn't appoint you as acting JAG was because of your relationship with Colonel Mackenzie. He felt you were the better person for the job, but knew it wouldn't look good for you to be in command over her. He didn't want Turner but he was the only other choice."

Mac wasn't able to talk with Harm before she spoke to the general. He smiled and nodded, leading her to believe things went well. Still, she couldn't help but be a little nervous when she walked into the CO's office.

"At ease, Colonel. I think it's best we clear the air. Start with a clean slate, so to speak."

"Sir?"

"When you were stationed in Okinawa, I recommended reprimanding a senior officer for having relations with a junior officer in his chain of command."

"Yes, sir."

"I assumed you learned your lesson at the time. It has no effect on my opinion of you."

"Then, sir, why do I feel it might?"

"You're a Marine, Colonel. A good one, I think. I've reviewed your file. You've been a fine officer and an asset to JAG."

"Thank you, sir."

"I know about your relationship with Commander Rabb. You're of the same rank, so there's not a problem there. As I told him, maintain proper decorum and keep your personal relationship out of the office. Dismissed."

Mac stood at attention, then left the room.

Well. that went better than expected.

USS John F Kennedy, Persian Gulf
February 16, 2005
1400 Local

Harm sat in his stateroom. Relieved of duty. Grounded pending an investigation. All for shooting down a plane that was headed straight for an American oil rig. Of all people, Sturgis Turner was the person assigned to investigate.

He finished his report in record time. Didn't check all the facts. Barely talked to Harm. Now he just learned Turner recommended he be charged with negligent homicide. Damn the man. Harm wasn't going down easy. If nothing else, he'd give Sturgis a piece of his mind. He rushed from the room and caught Sturgis in the corridor.

"Hey, Sturgis."

"Harm. I see you read my report."

"Oh, yeah. It was factual, thorough, and unbiased until your conclusion."

"I call it as I see it."

"No, you call it as you'd like to see it."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you saw an opportunity to take me down, and you went for it."

"You shot down a civilian aircraft with an Iraqi official onboard. Without authorization. You want me to sweep that under the rug?"

"No. I want you to consider the context and put your personal feelings aside."

"I made a fair and unbiased assessment. Personal feelings had nothing to do with it."

"You let your animosity toward me get in the way of your judgment."

"That's a lie, and it's insulting."

"Well, it's not as insulting as being accused of murder."

"I'm not having this conversation with you."

Typical of Sturgis to turn away and not face the truth. "Yeah? You've had a problem with me since you came to JAG, Turner. Be a man, admit it."

"Yeah. I got a problem with you, Rabb. You're arrogant, condescending, and jealous. But that didn't affect my findings."

"Jealous of what?"

"You couldn't stand it that SECNAV chose me for acting JAG over the great Harmon Rabb."

Harm almost laughed. If Sturgis only knew the truth. But the bastard wouldn't believe it. And yes, he was jealous at first. "All right, I do admit it. But I lived with it."

"Lived with it, my ass. You tried to undermine my authority every step of the way. When I needed your support, all I got was sarcasm and disrespect."

"Well, if you weren't such a tight-assed, pompous, sanctimonious prig, Turner, you would have had support. You're your own worst enemy."

"Yeah, maybe so. But I'm not the one facing an Article 32."

Andrews Air Force Base
February 25, 2005
1730 Local

Harm breathed a sigh of relief when the plane touched down at Andrews. The trip from the Persian Gulf had been long and tiring. Not to mention Sturgis was also on the flight. They sat in different rows but the man's presence was enough to leave a bad taste in Harm's mouth.

Sturgis never acknowledged any wrongdoing on his part, not even after they learned the truth. The Iraqi official wasn't on the plane. The pilot did intend to hit the oil rig in a suicide mission. Sturgis, in a condescending manner, simply said, "You got lucky."

Harm didn't bother to dignify that comment with a response. He waited until the plane taxied to a stop. Grabbed his seabag then made sure Sturgis had started up the aisle before stepping in front of him and down the stairs to the tarmac.

Inside the terminal, his eyes scanned the room. A crowd was there to welcome their family members home. A familiar feeling came over him. Mac was nearby.

He saw her standing to the side, away from the crowd. She was dressed in jeans and a low-cut pullover shirt. The general must have allowed her to secure early. And since she wore civvies, they didn't have to worry about military decorum.

Harm flashed her his flyboy grin. She rushed to his side and they embraced.

"Welcome home, sailor."

Harm didn't miss Sturgis's glare of disapproval as he walked past them. He'd work with the SOB because he had to. But any thread of friendship that once was had been permanently snapped.

Harm and Mac's Apartment
2100 Local

Mac sat in Harm's lap on the sofa, her hands idly caressing his bare chest. He was tired. Jet lag was catching up to him, and his eyes grew heavy.

"Want to turn in early?"

"May have to soon. But right now, I just want to be here with the woman I love. To live in this moment. I came too damn close to having everything taken away from me."

"What was Sturgis thinking?"

"He's not the same person I once knew. Out to prove he's better or something."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I was in Cresswell's office when he got the call from Sturgis recommending charges against you. He didn't act too pleased."

"That's behind us now. Things are changing, Mac. It's not just because the admiral has left. I don't know. I once thought being in the navy was everything. Now, I'm not so sure. You are the most important person to me on this earth. We had a few rough months there, but I don't regret resigning to go after you in Paraguay. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"You mean that, don't you?"

"Yes."

Mac closed her eyes content just to be in his arms. To hear his words. No man had ever done for her what Harm had. Sure, Mic resigned his commission and moved to the states. And he never passed up an opportunity to throw that in her face.

But Harm never tried to make her feel guilt over his decision.

"Harm?"

"Yeah, honey?"

"I'd do the same for you."

Over the next few weeks, more changes happened at JAG as the general brought in new officers.

But the biggest surprise of all was about to come.

A/N: Let's Live for Today by The Grass Roots