Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Saturday

June 28, 2003

1700 Hours

Naval Academy

Banquet Hall

"It is my pleasure to introduce for the first time in public, Commander and Mrs. Sturgis Turner," Harm's voice, as best man, rang loud and clear. He was very happy for his best friend and his ex-partner.

He looked over to Meg who was showing Harriet her engagement ring. He had asked her last night after the rehearsal dinner. He remembered how he didn't even feel the least bit nervous asking her, like it was meant to be. He was lost in the memory when the Admiral came up to him.

"So, Harm, when are you and Meg going to get engaged?" He knew they were seeing quite a bit of each other in the past few months and wondered how long it would take him to admit his feelings for her. Unlike him, where if given a chance he would have gone back in time and changed a few things like leaving the Navy and telling Mac how he had loved her, but that would never happen.

'To bad I never kissed her when I had the chance.' He thought.

"Well, it's funny you should ask," Harm said looking over to Meg and seeing that she was heading his way. "Why don't you ask her?"

He put his arm around Meg and pulled her close. "The Admiral was just asking when I would pop the question," he said, smiling down to her.

Showing her hand to AJ, "He asked last night and as you can see I said yes." Her smile was almost as big and bright as Harms.

AJ was very pleased that he didn't waste any time. 'I guess with Mac's passing, Bud's accident and 9/11 people realize how short life really is.' Giving one of his half grins, he said, "Good! That's good; just let me know when so you can have time off for the honeymoon. I'll see you later; I'm going to give my best wishes to the bride and groom."

They watched him leave and talk to Kate and Sturgis before the happy couple went to the dance floor for the first dance as man and wife. Then the rest of the couples went to dance along with them.

"May I have the pleasure, Ma'ma?" Harm asked, bowing slightly at the waist.

"Of course you may, Sir," Meg smiled to him.

He led her to the dance floor pulling her very close. Whispering into her ear, which sent shivers up and down her spine, "Have I told you lately how much I love you, or how beautiful you look?"

"Yes, you have, but you can keep telling me," She said, with a smug look, then pulled his head towards her and right before their lips met, she continued, "I love you too, so very much."

Everyone at the reception watched the two couples, one just joined in holy matrimony and the other soon to be. They all could not get over how much things had changed in the past two years since they lost part of their family.

Harriet and Bud where expecting a new baby and Bud was coming back to JAG in the new year after his accident and passing his physical to come back to active duty. Singer was actually being more human after meeting Harm's brother Sergei and having his baby boy which they named Luca David. They had been married for the past two months. Tiner was taking his law courses at GW. The Gunny left for Afghanistan and Iraq to fight the war against terrorism. And the Admiral was even seeing a Professor, Meredith Cavanaugh. She was someone quite different but good for him, though her cooking was awful.

Tuesday

July 15, 2003

Saudi Arabia

Looking out at the dessert Sarah was thinking over the past few months. Here she was with a group of people that had accepted her without question. They had no idea who she was, oh, they knew her name and that she came from America, but that was all. How could they be so trusting? Sure, Allah guided them and they trusted in Him, but to take in a complete stranger was something she could not comprehend.

Sarah was still having the dreams and sometimes nightmares of the faces that she could put no names to. She wondered who they were and if they were alright. One dream that stood out was one where she was standing in front of a handsome bald man with the most amazing brown eyes. They were about to kiss. Then it would move to where she was in front of him again, only this time he was yelling at her, that frighten her. In the dream she recalled that she felt ashamed and sad. Like she did something wrong, but could not remember what.

She saw the military group on the mountains and knew they were headed their way. Sarah always tried to hide when they came. She thought that one might know who she was, and she wasn't ready to face anyone yet that might know her, so far no one had. After all, they had almost over two years to find her. Sarah knew she was being spiteful, but right now all she knew about herself were her feelings.

Sarah had made her decision last night, she would become ArmAn's one and only wife, neither believed in having more than one wife. Sarah told Faisal's first wife, Habibeh that she agreed to marry ArmAn so they could prepare for their version of a wedding ceremony, which would be in a few short minutes.

She had fallen fast and hard for ArmAn. He was kind and compassionate. They would talk for hours about where he went to school in Washington DC. He talked of his grandparents home in Virginia and how it was still there waiting for him if he so desired to return. He said maybe one day he would return with his own family, so that they too could learn about America.

Habibeh came to Sarah. "It is time for you to get ready Sarah. Come and we will help to get you prepared."

They went to the tent that she shared with the other young women who were to be married soon.

Habibeh gave Sarah the dress that she wore when she took Faisal as her husband. "Thank you, Habibeh, it is so lovely. I'm a little nervous. Even though I have not had my memory returned to me, I know this is right. I am in love with ArmAn and I know he loves me as well."

"It is time for us to go."

Sarah headed out of the tent and to her future.

Same time

Mountain range

101first Marine Group

"Sir, down there along the ridge is the Bedouin group that was reported to us. It looks like they are getting ready for a celebration of some sort."

"It looks like a wedding to me."

"Should we wait until morning to check them out?"

"No, I'll send the Gunny, you, and two others. We will go from there, see what's up."

"Yes sir!"

A Few Minutes later

Bedouin Camp

"Hello, we do not mean to intrude, but we are looking for this man. Have you seen him in your travels?" Gunny Victor Galindez inquired, holding a photo as he was looking into the man's eyes to see if he was telling the truth.

"No we have not seen that terrorist in are travels, but if we do we will inform the proper people. Now I must ask you to leave. My brother is taking a wife and it is only for family. You must leave."

"Yes, we will and thank you for your time."

As Gunny and his team were leaving he saw the woman who was to be married. The only thing he could see were her eyes her face was covered. They stared at each other for a few seconds. There was something about her that Gunny thought he recognized. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Come on Gunny, stop starring at her. Boy, do you need to find yourself a woman." One of the guys in his team said, laughing.

"Yeah, like you don't. Let's get out of here." Gunny replied.

Sarah couldn't believe it. One of the faces from her dreams was here. It seemed as if he was going to come over and talk to her, but he kept walking. Sarah guessed she got her answer. No one was looking for her, or seemed to care. Sarah forgot that most of her face was covered; she was so use to having it that way. Now she knew that marrying ArmAn was the right thing to do, this was her family now. Whatever was in her past was staying there. She wasn't going to try and figure it out anymore.

She turned with a smile on her face toward her new life.