AN: Hey guys! I'm back. Next part is a little short, I realize that, but right now, that was all I could do. Hope you enjoy anyway. ;-)

All mistakes made are mine.

JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
1734 hours local

"You ready?"

I look up from my desk and smile at Harm. "That depends. Am I ready for what?"

Harm grins. "Oh, funny, Marine. It's time to go and get ready for tonight, remember? You in a pretty dress and me in my dress mess?"

I nod and start to gather papers, a silly smile on my face. "Oh, getting ready for that, huh? Yeah, I'm ready."

Closing my office door behind me, I follow Harm to the elevators. Tonight is the annual Governors' Ball, and as always, we're attending. It's the first time we're going together, and Harm figured we could get ready together. Saves us gas, parking space and time. That's how Harm put it, but somehow I doubt it's going to save us time. Knowing how Harm tends to be late and all…

We drive to my apartment, chatting about everything and nothing, and while Harm uses to bath- and bedroom to get ready, I make us a little something to eat before we go. We're going to have dinner later tonight, but if we don't eat a little something now, we'll pass out.

The last couple of weeks Harm has slowly but securely tried to rebuild my faith in myself. Just doing little things: saying that I did a great job when I won a case, little notes he leaves here and there, asking me if he needs to get something when I come over for dinner… He's been trying to let me see that I have a right to an own opinion and that I have the right to voice it. Which feels pretty amazing, to be ho nest. It's nice to have say something and not feel like what you're feeling or thinking will be torpedoed within the following next ten seconds.

Harm comes out of the bedroom with his jacket draped over his arm and his bow tie loosely draped around his neck. He grins at me. "How do I look, Marine?"

I grin back. "Mmm…" I walk around him, inspecting his attire. Lean up to his ear. "Not to bad, Sailor. Not to bad at all."

Harm shakes his head at me. "You keep that up and I'm not going to make you a compliment about your dress."

We both know that he doesn't mean that, but two can play that game. "Wait until you see it." I wink and walk into my bedroom.

It took me about three days until I found this perfect gown for tonight. A one shoulder, chiffon mermaid gown. The sales woman couldn't find the words to describe it, and I thought that the dress looked all right on me, so I went for this one. The silver beading on the fuchsia chiffon on the dress looks pretty amazing.

After a short shower, I pin my half long waves up. A few soft curls frame my face. I put on some make-up, add a touch of lipstick, perfume and earrings and a bracelet and I'm done. Now, if I only knew where I'd left my clutch and heels… A stroke of genius later, I've found them in the bag where I'd left them in, and I'm good to go.

Harm looks up when I enter the living room and his lips pull into that amazing grin of his. I swirl around. "What do you think?"

"I think you look perfect," he says. "I'm going to have to keep the guys away from you tonight."

The compliments make me blush and I smile. "Thank you." His words always mean so much to me. Harm squeezes my hand and goes to get his jacket.

"Let's go."

Half an hour later we've arrived. Harm offers me his arm, which I gratefully accept. The moment we arrive at the hall, I feel about a hundred pair of eyes on us. Harm squeezes my hand and leans into my ear. "Keep breathing, Sarah. They all just think that you look beautiful."

We find the others, say hello to the Governor and his wife, and half way through the night, Harm asks me to dance. I look up at him, unsure what to do.

"I promise I won't stand on your toes," Harm says and extends his hand.

"Don't make a promise you can't keep," I answer. Harm is actually a good dancer, but that's something I don't get to experience a lot. Can't really turn him down now.

We sway to the music, and Harm smiles down on me. "Have I told you that you're beaming?"

I shake my head, still not really used to the compliments. "No. Thank you."

"You're more than welcome, Mac."

The song ends and goes over in the next song, and we just keep dancing. This feels nice. Safe. Secure. I just get to be me and I don't have to hold the charade into place. I rest my head against his shoulder and try not to think. I can practically hear Harm smile.

There is one thing that I know that will never happen. No matter what will happen, Harm will always be there. When I told him how I really felt about myself, he could've easily pulled his hands off the situation. Instead, he stayed right there by my side, helping me.

I look up to him. "Thank you."

He looks a bit puzzled. "You already thanked me, Mac."

"Thank you for you. For being here. For helping me."

He tightens his arm around me. "You're all worth it, Mac. Every single second. Every single thing."

And for the first time in my life, I actually believe him.

TBC