A/N: Wow. I didn't intend to put Mac in such a bad light in that last chapter. Yes, she made mistakes, but so did Harm. She hooked up with Dalton around the time Harm showed interest in "Neurotic Annie." Turned to Bugme after she perceived Harm pushed her away in Australia. And as for her and Webb… Let's just say I believe the writers of JAG destroyed a good show in the ninth and tenth season. And Harm wasn't blameless in their failed relationship.

This chapter is short, but I love ending with a cliffhanger.

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London, United Kingdom
May 26, 2007
1000 Local

Harm awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee. It figured Mac would be the first one awake, in spite of the fact she was still on San Diego time. There, it was only three in the morning. She once told him she often had insomnia. Maybe she still did. He, on the other hand, slept much later than usual.

His usual routine was to go for a long run on Sundays. It well after midnight before they were able to collect Mac's luggage and nearly two before they arrived at his apartment. They stayed awake and talked until almost four.

The conversation had been cordial, but it was almost like two acquaintances getting together to catch up on old times. Mac told of her trip to DC a couple of months earlier and her visit with Bud and Harriet.

"The twins are adorable. Jimmy's already in Pre-K. I hardly recognized A. J. Can you believe he's about to turn eight?"

"Has it been that long?" Harm knew exactly how old A. J. Roberts was. His memory of the day he was born was forever fresh in his mind.

Five years from this moment…

But now wasn't the time to think about the baby deal. Five years had come and gone. Apparently, Mac wanted a career more than a family, so he quickly changed the subject. "So, how is Bud doing now that he's the senior attorney at JAG?"

"He's really come into his own. We trained him well. He's on the promotion list to become a full commander."

"Well deserved. Bud's a good man. I wanted him here, but I guess him staying in DC was the right decision after all."

"Yeah, especially after Sturgis left. Do you ever hear from him?"

Harm shook his head. "We don't have anything to say to one another."

"Thought the two of you parted on good terms."

"As good as could be expected given the circumstance. Sturgis wasn't the same person I knew at the academy. I still find it hard to forget that he tried to pin a murder charge on me without fully investigating the incident."

"How about the admiral? Ever see or hear from him?"

"Matter of fact, I have. He passed through London during the Christmas holidays. Divides his time between Italy and the states these days. Looks like he and Marcella might be getting back together."

"Good for him. He deserves some happiness after the fiasco with Meredith."

Neither of them talked about their current positions. It was if they feared bringing up the subject would cause another rift. When Mac finally showed signs of weariness, Harm showed her to her room, then went into his own bedroom. Surprisingly, he had fallen asleep almost instantly.

He got out of bed, then took a quick shower before getting dressed and heading into the kitchen. Mac sat at the table, sipping a steaming mug of coffee.

"I take it that coffee is marine grade," Harm said as he walked into the room.

"Is there any other kind?"

Harm shook his head. It would take a lot of creamer to tone down Mac's concoction. "Glad you made yourself at home. If you want, I can make breakfast later."

"Pancakes?" Mac's eyes twinkled.

"Why not?" Harm grinned. He poured a cup of coffee, then sat opposite Mac. "So, what are your plans?"

Mac shrugged. "Nothing specific. Haven't taken a real vacation in a while. Honestly, it feels good not to have a schedule. I've always wanted to see London."

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"It isn't an imposition, Mac. It's a genuine invitation from one friend to another."

Mac's smile was sad. "Friends. I'm surprised you still consider me as one."

"Mac, I never—" He stopped short of saying the words. They would have been a lie. There were times during the past couple of years that he wondered if Mac had ever been a true friend. But then he would remember how she'd gone with him to Russia, the time they saved one another's lives on the Watertown, how she'd "found" him when he was adrift in the Atlantic. He might not be alive today if not for her.

"We said a lot of things that last night we shouldn't have."

"Won't argue with you there, Flyboy."

"Been a while since you called me that. Mac, how did we get to this point anyway?"

"That's what you said on the Watertown, remember?"

"Yeah. And in the end, everything turned out all right."

"Yes, it did," Mac said softly

Their eyes met, and for a few minutes, they were silent. Then, they spoke in unison.

"Mac?"

"Harm?"