A/N: At long last, I'm continuing this one. Yay! Don't know where it will lead (Okay, I know it will lead to a happy ending—just not sure how many years it'll encompass—one or two? Certainly not nine, though).

We the People Revisited

Chapter 2: An Utter Cluster

"Well."

"Well," Mac answered back. She couldn't believe this new development. Harm, the man who'd made passionate love to her last night, was her new partner…her new partner in an investigation into her uncle. And what was her uncle thinking? This was turning into a complete and utter cluster.

"I, uh, didn't think we'd run into each other quite so soon." Harm's cheeks pinked up in a faint blush, and she found it endearing. So endearing she wanted to kiss him, but here in the admiral's anteroom was probably not the place for it. JAG was not the place for it. Dammit.

"I didn't either." She chuckled awkwardly. "Well, I guess I know you weren't lying about your work number."

Harm suddenly looked offended. "Sarah, of course I didn't lie. After what…I mean, how could you think that?"

"Harm, we shouldn't discuss this here. And call me Mac."

"What? But your name is Sarah," he said as if she didn't know her own name.

"Yes it is. But I prefer Mac."

"Then why did you—"

This time it was Mac's turn to blush. "I guess I wanted to seem more…feminine."

Harm's lips turned up into a grin. "Honey, you could have been named Curtis John Billy Bob and you'd still be more feminine than any other woman I know."

Mac snorted. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended by that. I am a marine, after all."

Harm stepped closer to her and his voice grew low. "But you're also a woman, Mac. A beautiful one."

Oh god, how am I going to be able to resist him? Mac thought to herself. She already wanted to throw him down onto Admiral Chegwidden's yeoman's desk. She wondered if Harm felt the same, and if his jacket was long enough to cover…certain…things…

She looked down toward his crotch, blushing again when his laugh told her he knew what now held her gaze. "Mac, I've been standing here thinking about Bud dressed like my grandmother to keep things from…but yes, the jacket is long enough."

Mac couldn't help but laugh as well. "You're terrible, Commander. Now, let's get going. We only have 57 minutes before we need to get to our flight."

"That's a pretty exact estimate, Sa—uh, Mac."

"It's not an estimate. And we've just lost another eighteen seconds, so let's move."

"Right behind you, Major."

Harm pulled out into traffic, ever conscious of the woman sitting next to him…the woman he had made mad, passionate love to last night. He groaned inwardly. Why did this have to happen now? With all the women in this city, how was it that he'd met Major Sarah MacKenzie, marine and fellow JAG officer the night before she was paired up with him. Well, this case would be over eventually, he supposed, and then they could pick up where they left off.

"So…" Harm started, trying to break the oppressive silence. "How long have you been in DC?"

"About six months. I was in Bosnia before."

"So, you've been at Quantico since then?"

"Yes."

"Maaac…you can say more than a few words at a time. I don't bite…well, maybe I do a bit, but you already knew that."

Mac sighed. "Harm…I just…we need to focus on this case. It's a big deal."

Harm nodded. "Um, yeah…so…tell me more about Colonel O'Hara."

"I've told you everything I know already."

In that moment, Harm knew she was lying. He didn't know why…maybe it was the intense connection he felt to her, maybe it was the fact that they'd already been as intimate as two people could be, but he knew that she knew more about Matthew O'Hara then she was letting on. It irritated him to know she didn't trust him…actually it wasn't so much irritation that he felt, it was hurt. After all they'd shared last night…

But did you really share all that much? It was just sex…

Except it wasn't just sex. He'd never felt such a complete and utter connection to someone as he felt to his Sarah. But she wasn't Sarah anymore, was she…she was Mac, and he could already tell she could play the stoic marine with the best of them. Gone was the soft yet strong woman who'd moved beneath him while he'd made love to her. This woman was made of steal…and she intrigued him more than ever.

A few minutes later, he turned down his street, parking in front of his building. He hoped she wouldn't mind the mess in his loft; remodeling was never pretty in the beginning, but he couldn't wait to tell her what he had planned for his new space.

Why do you think she'd care about that, his inner voice taunted him. He did his best to ignore it as he shut off the ignition.

"I'll just wait down here while you change. Don't forget to change out your golf club too."

Harm rolled his eyes. Yes, no doubt this marine was prepared for anything, but he wasn't going to let her stay alone in his car in this neighborhood. "Mac, you're not waiting down here. The neighborhood…"

"Then why did you decide to live here?"

"It was cheap. And it needed a lot of work. I needed a new hobby and I enjoy a challenge, so there you go. Now, get out of the car. We only have…"

"Forty-two minutes and thirty-three seconds."

"How do you do that?"

"I've got great timing."

I've got great timing…

Mac snorted inwardly. If she had great timing, she would have met Harm months ago and saved them this awkwardness. They'd be a couple, and they'd never have been assigned to a case like this together.

This case…

She knew Harm didn't know Colonel O'Hara was her uncle, just as she knew he knew she was lying earlier. She didn't know how she knew that; maybe it was their intense connection, increased by the intimacy shared last night, but she did, and she so wanted to tell him the truth. She felt she owed it to him…but had no idea why she should owe him anything…

"There's water in the fridge if you want it."

"What?" She'd apparently been so lost in thought that she'd missed the trip up that rickety elevator and the walk down the hallway. She looked around her and noted the entire place was in an amazing level of disarray. Apparently her sailor did enjoy a challenge.

He's not your sailor, her inner voice taunted her. But why couldn't he be?

Simple. JAG. This mission. The fact that it involved her uncle. She suspected Mr. Webb knew he was her uncle, but she hoped Admiral Chegwidden didn't. He seemed like such a fair CO…it would hurt if she found out he'd sent her out on a mission to find and turn in her uncle. Surely, though, he wouldn't have put her in such a situation. It would be a huge conflict of interest, obviously.

"Water. There's water in the fridge." Ugh. She'd been lost in though again. But she could use a drink, so she opened said refrigerator…and found it was warm inside. She was just about to shout back that his refrigerator died but then she noticed the cooler on the bottom shelf…she also noticed she could see him moving about in his bedroom, the louvered glass separating his bedroom and bathroom from the main area was unable to hide him completely. She blushed in spite of herself. Now she really needed a cold bottle of water…and a cold shower to boot. This was miserable and she cursed the fates for putting her in this position. With a sigh, she twisted the cap off her water and downed half of it in one swallow.

"Thirsty?"

"Gaghhh!" Startled, Mac jumped and lost her footing. Harm caught her but instead of steadying her and letting go, he pulled her close in an embrace. Despite herself, she wrapped her arms around him as well.

"This is hard, isn't it," he whispered in her ear.

"Uh huh," she mumbled into his shoulder. To her dismay, her eyes filled with tears.

"We'll get through this case, and then…"

"Yes," she breathed, and then drew back. Harm's hand reached up, cupping her cheek before brushing her tears aside. His blue-green eyes sought out hers, and then he lowered his mouth until it covered her lips. The kiss was soft, full of promise, and she melted into it. Yes, this case would be over soon, and then they could be together.

"I'd sacrifice my life for Sarah, but not my beliefs."

That's cold, man, was Harm's first thought. He was glad Sarah…Mac…was already asleep. It would be awful to hear such a sentiment from a man who'd stepped up and been the father she'd never had. Not that he didn't hold any beliefs dear himself…but how could he have allowed Sarah to be put in this position?

Well, maybe Colonel O'Hara didn't exactly allow this. It wasn't as if he knew his niece would be drawn into the mission to catch him.

But he should have known. He should have known the government would use anything they could to bring him in.

And Sarah…Mac…he could tell she loved being a marine, and here she was, willing to throw it all away to help her uncle. Why couldn't her uncle understand this and just turn himself in?

What a clusterfuck, Harm groaned to himself. He wished he could just grab Sarah and walk away. Let Matthew O'Hara figure this out on his own. But of course, Harm knew Mac would never turn her back on her uncle, and god help him, Harm wasn't going to let her go into this alone.

Saddened by everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, he crawled inside the sleeping bag next to Mac's. Before he completely settled, he leaned up on his elbow and looked down at the sleeping beauty beside him. I'm sorry, Sarah. With another heavy sigh, he scooted downward in his bag and fell asleep, thanking God once again as he drifted off that Sarah…Mac…was asleep while he talked with Matt. He instinctively new how much it would hurt her to hear that. I'm sorry, Mac, he repeated to himself, and then he was completely out.

Little did he know, however, that the woman next to him was not, in fact, asleep. She'd heard every word.

Mac sat in Webb's surveillance van, stunned. Harm, a man she'd confessed her alcoholism to, a man who she'd put in mortal danger because of her uncle, had actually jumped onto a helicopter to save her and Uncle Matt. This man was too good to be true…too good for the likes of her. Yes, she'd told him she was an alcoholic—a sober one now, but an alcoholic nonetheless, but he didn't know how she'd grown up as basic trailer trash, her father a raging alcoholic who beat her mother until one day her mother up and left, her daughter apparently not good enough to be taken with her. He didn't know how one drunken night, she'd married a man who would eventually be put in prison for a litany of felonies, a man she was still technically married to. Why she hadn't pursued the divorce she wanted, she didn't know…but as she and Harm had lain in bed, cuddled together, basking in the afterglow of what was more making love than sex, she'd decided she would pursue the divorce with a vengeance. Now, though, she knew it wouldn't matter. She was as she always had been…Sarah the alcoholic, daughter of an alcoholic, abandoned by her mother, and now essentially abandoned by her uncle, the one person she thought gave a damn. But no…his "beliefs" were more important than her.

Mac wanted to curl up into a fetal position and cry, but she supposed that would have to wait until she got home. It was time to once again be the stoic marine. She stood, brushed imaginary dust off her skirt, and stepped out of the van…and then stepped right into Harm.

"Whoa, there, Sa—Mac." He was still in those little shorts and tank top, and she thought they must look ridiculous out here in the desert with her in her little sundress and him in that. His hands gripped her forearms, steadying her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, still holding onto her.

Mac bit her lip. "Nothing…it's just been…"

"Quite the day, huh…quite the last couple of days."

"Yeah…"

"Look, I talked to Admiral Chegwidden. He'll tell you himself, but he wanted to apologize to you about this whole thing. He didn't know Colonel O'Hara was your uncle. If he had, he never would have put you on this case. I'm pretty sure he wants to kill Webb right now…or at least maim him."

Mac merely nodded, and she felt Harm's concerned eyes on her.

"What is it, Sa—Mac?"

Mac could only shrug.

"I know you're worried about your uncle, but I've asked and Admiral Chegwidden agreed to let me defend him."

"Oh. I'm sure Uncle Matt will appreciate that."

"Well, I…I didn't do it for Matt…"

"Huh?"

"I did it for you, Mac."

"You…you did?

"Well, yes…I think…Sarah…I think I'd do anything for you."

Mac could only stare up at him in shock. Shock which was rapidly turning into anger.

"Well, you needn't have bothered, Harm. I'm sure Uncle Matt would have done just fine without you," she spat, and then she turned and stalked away from him. Harm didn't move for a moment, but then she felt him behind her when he finally he came out of his stupor.

"Mac!" he called. "Stop!" He grabbed her arm and turned her around. "What did you mean by that?"

Mac was breathing heavily and she was made even more angry by the tears she couldn't stop from falling. "He doesn't need you, Harm!" she snarled. "He doesn't need any of us. He has his beliefs!" She yanked herself from his grasp and turned away from him, then wrapped her arms around herself. She held herself rigid, desperately trying to stop more tears from falling.

"You heard."

"Every word."

"Mac, I'm sorry."

"It's n-not…y-you w-weren't the one…the one…"

Harm stepped up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "I know…but I'm still sorry."

Mac couldn't hold back any longer. She turned and wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his chest until she had no tears left, while he simply held her.

"Well, we did it, Mac." Harm grinned at the woman next to him. "Ten years…he could be out in five."

Mac, however, didn't smile back, and Harm knew she was still devastated by her uncle's words. He hoped she could find it in herself to forgive Uncle Matt, more for her sake than his, but he understood.

"Look, Mac…"

"I know, Harm. And I'm glad…really. You did…you did great, and I know my uncle is grateful."

"But are you?" Harm couldn't stop himself from asking. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Yes! Of course I am. No matter what, I'm glad my uncle won't spend the rest of his life in Leavenworth. Why would you even ask me that?" She glared at him defiantly.

"I'm sorry, Mac. I just…I mean, I know you're still hurt." Mac's shoulders slumped.

"No, Harm…I'm sorry. Yeah, I am still hurt, and it's going to take a long time to get over it."

Harm gave her arm a gentle squeeze, the only physical comfort he could give her while they were in uniform. "It's okay, Mac…say…why don't we bust out of here and pick up some takeout. We can head to your apartment, watch a movie, destress…" For a moment, he thought she'd refuse, but then she smiled up at him.

"That sounds great, actually. Let's do it."

An hour later, Harm showed up with Mac's favorite Chinese food. Mac took the bags from his hand and walked them to her kitchen. Harm followed her, wondering why she didn't set them on her dining room table. He was more confused when she opened her refrigerator and set the bags on one of her empty shelves.

"Mac?"

She stepped over to him and pressed her finger to his lips. "Shhhhh…Call me Sarah," she whispered, then took his hand and led him to her bedroom.

Harm looked around his loft. It was starting to take shape, but he still had a long way to go before he would feel comfortable having Mac over. He'd spent the night at her place last night, where they'd spent hours making love, finally having their Chinese at two in the morning, then made love once more before falling asleep. He knew he should feel tired at this moment, but instead, he felt energized. Finally, after weeks of being tied up with her Uncle Matt's case, they were together again. There would be no issue; since she was assigned to Quantico they didn't serve under the same command. Harm didn't want to admit it to himself, but deep down, he knew he was in love.

Harm checked himself out one last time in his bathroom mirror, then hopped down the steps into his living area and grabbed his wallet. He wanted to pick up some flowers for Sa…Mac…no, Sarah…before he picked her up for dinner. With a grin, he was about to open his door when he was startled by a knock. Cursing under his breath, he looked though the peephole.

It was Sarah.

"Sarah!" he said as pulled open the door. "I thought—"

"Harm, we need to talk."

Well, those words are never the start of something good, he thought nervously to himself. He noticed then that she was most certainly not dressed for dinner. He gulped.

"Oh—oh, okay, come in. Did you want something to drink? All I have is water…I mean, I have beer but I know you don't want that. Why don't you just sit down and I'll bring you the water, okay? Couch is over—uh, I don't have a couch yet…" He rambled on, a poor attempt at keeping her from telling him what he knew she was going to tell him. Of course, the moment she lay her hand on his arm and looked up at him, he knew not only was it a poor attempt, it was futile as well. His whole body slumped and he sighed.

"Okay…what is it…Mac…"

Something like hurt flashed in her eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

"Look, I wanted you to hear it from me before this goes any further…Harm, Admiral Chegwidden called. He…he's offered me a permanent position at headquarters…and I'm going to take it. It's a great step in my career, and—"

"That's all? Admiral Chegwidden offered you a place with us?" Harm's fear was rapidly turning back into happiness.

"Yes, but—"

"That's wonderful, Mac! I can see you every day then!" Then another though hit him. "Oh…but then we'll be under the same command…well, we'll just have to talk to Chegwidden. I'm sure he can—"

"No."

"No? Look, Sarah. Admiral Chegwidden is fair…we can make this work…"

"No, Harm."

"Wait, are you saying…you don't want to make this work?" This couldn't be happening now.

"Yes—that's exactly what I'm saying. Like I was trying to tell you…this is an amazing opportunity to advance my career. I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize my place here. Look, Harm…I'm sorry. This…this would have been great…but you need to think about your career too. I mean, we'd only known each other two seconds before you almost ruined your career for me."

"Don't you mean thirty-six hours, fifty-three minutes and, I don't know, forty fucking seconds?"

Mac's eyes widened. "Harm, please…don't get upset. We both know this is how it needs to be. Look, I'll see you on Monday…and I hope we can still be friends."

Harm's face turned to stone. Apparently she was determined to ruin this for them. Well, he'd let her.

"Fine. Fine. Yeah, I'll see you on Monday."

"Harm…"

"Goodbye, Mac."

"But—"

"Goodbye, Mac," he repeated, his voice dripping with scorn. He was devastated, and the only way to hide that was to cover it with anger.

"Okay…I'll let you be…and Harm, I really am sorry." She stepped over the threshold into the hall.

"Yeah. Me too." He slammed the door in her face.

Mac jumped as Harm's heavy door closed before her. This was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do, but it had to be done. When Admiral Chegwidden called her this afternoon and said his piece, she'd been all set to refuse. She'd go back to Quantico, and that would be that. She and Harm would be free to be together, and no career advancements could outshine that. But then, Admiral Chegwidden himself went on about the benefits this position would be to her career in the Marines. It meant promotions. It meant defending and prosecuting the most important cases in the Navy. How could she refuse?

And yet, she still wanted to refuse…until she thought about her life up to this point. Yes, she'd made something of herself in the marines. She was a good officer and a great lawyer. An officer and a lawyer that came from a questionable background, who's only worthwhile relative was in Leavenworth, having betrayed his country, the corp, and yes, her. If anyone ever found out about their connection, she would need this position at JAG to show that it wasn't just her uncle who got her there. It was her own grit and intellligence that brought her to this point. Yes, this had to be done, and the kindest thing she could do was end it with Harm now. She was doing the right thing.

Then why do you feel so heartbroken?

I don't.

You do.

I don't!

You do. Come on, knock on his door and take it all back. Talk to Admiral Chegwidden like he suggested…

I can't.

Yes you c—

NO, I CAN'T! she shouted to herself. I will NOT take it back! And then before she did, in fact, take it back, she ran down the hall to the stairs. She didn't stop running until she was in her car, then drove off before Harm could see her sobbing from his window.

End Chapter 2

Next Episode: Jinx