A/N: I always hated Mic's character, but it is fun to give him the upper hand for a while... LOL... let the fun of Chapter VI begin! Enjoy! Andsowego

Fair Winds and Following Fate

Chapter VI

The drive back to pick up Harm was long. Mac had a lot on her mind as she navigated the busy streets of DC. Surprisingly enough, the lunch at Sydney's had been, simply put, wonderful. Within minutes, her stress and apprehension had been washed away over good food and in good company. The conversation had been completely different than she had anticipated, and Mac actually found herself feeling at ease. Suspicion had given way to easy conversation, smiles and laughter. They had ended the meeting with a hug, and a promise to see each other again soon. It was as if nothing had changed, and Mac was able to feel hopeful that things were going to be just like the old days.

As Mac neared the hospital to pick up Harm, she knew. Mac knew she could never tell Harm what had happened today. He was loving, yes, and he was understanding, yes, but he was also jealous and possessive and quite the baby when it came to matters like this. Mac was prepared to take the developments of the lunch date to her grave if that's what it would take to keep Harm happy and uninvolved. Now it was just a matter of finding a way to keep the details to herself without being consumed by guilt.

As she pulled into the lot, she saw him standing near the front door of the building. How is it possible that a man can look so good, just standing in a parking lot, in faded jeans and an old sweater, waiting for a ride? She took a moment to admire him. How lucky she was that they'd found each other all those years ago, but God, how they drove each other nuts! As he approached the vehicle, Mac put the car in park and got out of the driver's side door.

"How'd the exercises with Mattie go?" she asked.

"Actually, pretty well. Mattie's one tough girl. Never allows the therapy session to get to her, you know? She's strong, just like a certain female marine I know..." he smiled.

"You're driving flyboy" she teased as she tossed him the keys.

Best Western Lodge
17:00

The lunch had gone exactly as planned... a little charm, a little wit, and admittedly, a little flirting. Mic had her right where he wanted her. It was as if nothing had changed between them, even after being separated all this time. How had he ever managed to leave her in the first place, thinking that it would be easy to just forget? Well, judging by that good-bye hug after lunch, she couldn't forget either. He knew deep down that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. But could they both come to terms with the hurt they'd caused each other? He was sure they were capable of it, but he knew that she'd need further convincing.

They were meant for each other. She knew all about his past, his weaknesses, and yet somehow still loved him unconditionally. Mic knew that once he had come clean about the reasons for his leaving, she'd take him back. They were going to meet again before he left DC, perhaps for dinner. It was then that their plans would be finalized. And yet, he still hadn't been completely honest with her about his intentions. Little did she know that she'd be returning to London with him sooner rather than later.

P.O. Jennifer Coates' Apartment
18:00

As Jennifer fixed dinner for herself, her thoughts turned to Harm. No one had ever cared for her the way that he did. It's like they'd become family over the past few years. He really was like a protective older brother in many ways, but it was so much more than that. She wanted to be a better person after meeting him. Jen wondered if Harm was aware of his own influence on people. Just about everyone who came into contact with him had their life bettered, whether or not they were willing to acknowledge it. Not to mention the fact that people would pretty much bend over backwards just to make him happy, and do so without hesitation. Everyone, that is, except Mac. Jennifer had spent many a day wondering how it was that those two weren't together. Both lawyers, both military, both stubborn as hell. Mac seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to Harm, and yet until faced with the ultimate separation, they hadn't managed to get it together.

Jen's thoughts returned to the previous evening. Being there at McMurphy's when they announced their engagement was wonderful, but still saddened her a bit. All those years, wasted. Well, at least now they both had a chance at happiness and weren't going to ignore it any longer. Mattie would be thrilled, there was no doubt about that. Jen didn't have doubts either, until today. One chance encounter in front of a bistro downtown had changed her opinion completely.

What on earth would prompt the Colonel to meet with Commander Brumby for lunch? The whole thing just looked so... civil. Sitting down to eat should be an act reserved for people who actually liked each other, shouldn't it? Jen turned the circumstances around and around in her mind. What if Mic was coming back to JAG? Why would the Colonel have invited him to lunch? What about Harm? And why the heck wasn't he at his fiancé's side? Jen's overactive imagination sought out all sorts of explanations. The only things she knew for sure, were that Mic Brumby was no longer in Australia, that the Colonel had been meeting him for lunch for some strange reason and didn't look particularly happy to be there, and that Harm was nowhere to be found for the whole incident.

Jen really did love Harm. Not romantically of course, but she really loved him. He was kind, generous, and selfless, and would give anyone the shirt off his back if he thought it necessary. Jen only hoped that one day she'd somehow be able to pay him back for all that he'd given her. Mac, however, was another story. Jen always admired the Colonel. Her strong will and impeccable work ethic had made her a great role model, but there had always been something missing from their relationship. Jen was sure they hadn't reached the point of being 'friends', let alone ever truly knowing each other on a fundamental level. Mac was just so closed off when it came to ever really getting to know anyone other than Harm. Well, given her past, who could blame her really? Regardless, Harm loved her and they were going to get married. Such a permanent situation, marriage was. Things sure would be changing for Harm and Mattie once Mac was Harm's wife. For a brief moment, Jen's imagination struck a scenario that was entirely too real.

What if the Colonel and Commander Brumby were closer than she'd originally speculated? Jen's heart sank at the prospect. It may have taken Mac and Harm nine years to get things right, but there's no way that Mac would ever betray Harm, Jen was sure of it. And yet, the doubt was still there. If there was something suspicious going on between Mac and Brumby that Harm didn't know about, Jen would figure it out. She was an ex-thief after all... she knew a few tricks for 'on-the-sly' information gathering. After everything Harm had done for her personally, she felt she owed it to him to find out the truth and fill him in. She'd start with a simple inquiry at JAG on Monday morning into how their weekend was, and then take it from there.

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Chapter VII coming soon. Let me know what you think! Please leave a review. Andsowego