Title: Last Dance

Author: rooster dawn

pairing: Harm and Mac

Spoiler: Surface Warfare

Disclaimer: JAG is property of Belisarius productions, no copyright

infringement intended.

Summary: Anything can happen when a Marine wears a little red dress.

Good feedback is good for one's soul and everyone's happiness.

Author's note: Though it wasn't written as such, and it was written much later, this story could be considered a prequel to the story "Number One Couple in Washington DC"

part 1

Aboard Flight 238

United Airlines

Flight from Puerto Rico

to Washington DC

The Admiral stood up to stretch his legs. He had just spent two hours going over a report with Lieutenant Roberts who was now typing it up. He walked to the front of the plane hoping to get a strong marine grade cup of coffee even though what he really wanted was a stiff drink.

It had been a long and trying couple of days. It had all begun when the brother of one of his Jag officers was involved in a mishap. It had ended when he had to get personally involved.

He couldn't believe that two senior officers, one a marine colonel and the other a naval captain, would get into a turf war over how his people would conduct a mishap investigation. He couldn't understand why neither one of them would cooperate with his representatives.

He spent an hour reaming out their sixes about their disrespect to him and his office. He had to explain to them in clear and no uncertain terms that when he sent someone from his office to investigate, they were in fact him, a two star admiral not some just junior grade officer.

He couldn't believe that they had tried to argue with him about that point and tried to convince him, which one of them was right. They hadn't understood that they were both wrong and that he wasn't there to listen to either one of them.

He left them with the impression that their careers were finished. There wouldn't be anymore promotions for them. If they were lucky they wouldn't be booted out of the military and lose their pensions.

In a way it had felt so good. He had been stressed out about the speech he was going to be giving tonight. For a few hours his mind was distracted from that problem. Fresh air from an ocean spray will do that for you.

He got a cup of coffee from one of the stewardess, a tall blond, good looking woman of say early forties named Gloria. She decided to walk along with him back to his seat. He was easy to talk to and looked pretty snazzy in his whites.

They happened to see Harm and Mac sleeping together in their seats. Her head was resting on his chest and an arm around his waist. There was a blanket resting over the two of them.

Gloria smiled at the sight of the handsome couple. They were perfect in every way. The Admiral was less than pleased. Though it wasn't exactly against the regulations, it was frown upon.

"Are they with you Sir?" asked Gloria smiling. She wondered what the Admiral as thinking. She had heard stories of public display of emotions in the military.

"I'm afraid so my dear. We're coming back from saving the world from environmental terrorist once again." sighed the Admiral wearily. He hoped to get a nap before they landed.

"Really Sir? They make such a lovely couple. I've flown with them many times before. How long have they been together?" she asked curiously.

"They're not together. They are dating other people. They only work together." the Admiral replied wondering what was wrong with them. They obviously loved each other, why weren't they together.

"That can't be true Sir, they always fall asleep together on long trips like they are now. Only two people in love sleep together like they do." she argued.

"I don't know what to tell you my dear, but one thing I do know is, they will never admit to being in love with each other." answered the Admiral as he made his way back to his seat. It appeared that the Lieutenant was finished with his work.

An hour later the plane was landing. Harm woke up first to find Mac sleeping with her head on his chest. He realized to himself that tonight would be the night. Tonight he would have something very special for his marine.

"Hey marine, it's time to wake up. The plane just landed and the Admiral will be heading this way." smiled Harm as Mac lifted her head off Harm's chest. She was a little embarrassed.

"Were you comfortable?" Harm asked his marine.

"Soft bellied squids make nice pillows." she replied with a sweet smile.

She really didn't want this conversation to continue. She nudged him to get up so that she could get her things. She wanted to be off the plane before the Admiral saw them.

Fifteen minutes later they were all heading out of the airport together. There was a car there to pick them up courtesy of Gunny to drop them off at home and later it would pick them up. It would take them to the Surface Warfare Ball being held that night at the Fairwinds Hotel.

The Admiral told them another car had picked up Sidney, Renee, and Harriet. They would meet them at the hotel. He hadn't known precisely when they would be returning to DC. He saw no reason for them to be late just because they were waiting for him.

Mac was the first one to be dropped off. The Admiral thought she might need a little more time to get ready. Yeah she was a marine, but she was also a beautiful woman who liked to look her best. He saw no reason why she should have to be rushed.

Harm was the next person to be dropped off. Rabb could be slow on a good day, might as well give him the extra time he would need. It might increase the odds that the Admiral wouldn't arrive late.

"Sir, if you don't mind, I'll take responsibility of picking up the Colonel. It's on my way to the hotel. It'll cut a half-hour off your trip. It should give you more time to arrive at the Ball on time Sir." Harm informed the Admiral.

"Is the Colonel aware of your plans Commander?" asked the Admiral.

"Yes Sir, I told her I would pick her up and take her to the Surface Warfare Ball. She agreed that it would make things easier for you if you didn't have to pick us up." replied Harm.

"Very well Commander, don't be late, I don't want to make any excuses for you." conceded the Admiral.

Fairwinds Hotel

1900 hours

Without the need to pick up Harm and Mac the Admiral made good time. He was in and out of his house in twenty minutes. Roberts was punctual and waiting outside when the Admiral's car arrived to pick him up.

Bud handed the speech he had written to the Admiral as he entered the car. Bud was pretty please with himself. It wasn't very often a lowly lieutenant was chosen to write an important speech for an admiral. It was definitely a gold star moment as Harriet liked to say.

The Admiral scanned the document before commenting "Good job Lieutenant, this is a load off my mind."

Twenty minutes later they arrived at the Fairwinds Hotel, the site of this year's Surface Warfare Ball. The Admiral saw Sidney, Renee, Harriet, and Mic waiting for them in the lobby.

The Admiral felt like whistling when he saw Sydney, the woman he loved, standing there looking so beautiful. He resisted the temptation though, instead he gave her a kiss on the cheek in greeting.

"You look beautiful Doc." greeted the Admiral.

"What are you doing here Brumby? Does the Colonel know you're coming?" bellowed the Admiral forcefully hoping that he put the fear of god in Mic as he shook his hand.

"I'm here to surprise Sarah Sir." replied Brumby.

"You think that's wise Brumby, that is, to surprise a marine?" asked the Admiral fearing what he would hear next. The last man to surprise Mac ended up dead.

"I miss her Sir. I needed to be here with her. I reserved my commission to be here with her." mumbled Brumby. "Where is Sarah? I don't see her anywhere."

"Oh boy." sighed the Admiral. He hated to break the man's spirit especially since he traveled so many miles to see her, but there wasn't any easy way to tell him.

"She's coming to the Surface Warfare Ball with Commander Rabb. Her apartment is on the way to the hotel. You know how late he can be sometimes. He offered to pick her up so I wouldn't be late on this special night." explained the Admiral.

He could see that both Brumby and Renee were more than a little upset with the news that Harm and Mac were coming here together. They both were jealous of Harm and Mac's relationship. They also were very possessive people who didn't like to share.

The Admiral led the party of six into the ballroom reserved for the event. They found the table reserved for them. Admiral Tom Boone, Commander Jack Keeter, Commander Caitlin Pike, and Lt Commander Meg Austin were sitting there.

The Admiral was a little surprised to see this combination of people together. They weren't exactly buddies, nor did they know each other very well. He also knew Tom wasn't very fond of women in the navy, especially those from Jag. They had crucified his six a few times.

Keeter had probably flown with Tom Boone at some point in his bizarre career. He was a friend of Rabb. Tom was Rabb's godfather. Maybe they were friends.

"Who's this blimey dingo AJ? I don't know if there's a place reserved for dingoes." smiled Tom. He liked being an instigator.

"He's the former Commander Mic Brumby of the Aussie Navy. He worked for me for a short time last year at Jag as part of a foreign exchanged program. I'm sure there's room for him. I'm sure you remember Lieutenant Roberts and his wife Lieutenant Roberts and his wife Lieutenant Sims." the Admiral began the introduction.

"The infamous Lieutenant and his wife huh? Mr. Roberts, you didn't tell me you were married. I thought I had instructed you better than that." smirked Tom.

"This lovely young lady is Renee Petersen, she's a friend of Commander Rabb. And this lovely lady is my date, Dr. Sidney Walden." grinned the Admiral.

"Please to meet you both, you both look very lovely tonight. Well I guess the dingo can sit over in one of those two seats with Ms Petersen. These two seats are reserved for MacKenzie and Rabb." smiled Tom mischievously.

"But Sir, I traveled ten thousands miles to be with my fiancee tonight." whined Brumby.

"Quit your whining Brumby, just be lucky we're allowing you sit with us tonight. Besides, if she was your fiancee, then why is she coming here with Rabb tonight?" smirked the Admiral.

Mac's apartment

1900 hours

Mac preened herself in front of her bedroom mirror. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect tonight. It wasn't very often in the last year that she had the opportunity to dress up nicely and go out with Harm.

It had been a monthly occasion back in the day when they spent a lot more time together working. Even when they were dating other people they still found the time to go out for a night of dining and dancing, but when Harm left to fly everything changed.

They hadn't found a way to get back the closeness and friendship they once shared. She really didn't know why. Harm was just different when he returned from the fleet. He seemed less sure of himself.

She had tried to fix things with him in Australia, but all it seemed to do was make things worse. Though she had to admit, Harm was beginning to return to his old self last month. He had won a big case that seemed impossible to win.

He began to get the cocky attitude that only a fighter pilot possessed, he was teasing her whenever he had the chance, and they were beginning to resume the old bantering they used to do.

She looked into the mirror once again. She went through a mental checklist. Earrings that Harm gave her before he left to fly. The Rolex watch that Dalton had given her.

True Harm hadn't liked Dalton, but this watch was too beautiful to wear everyday. But on special occasions like tonight it was the perfect accessory. There also was the charm bracelet Harm had given her after their first flying experience.

Each time they completed an adventure together Harm had given her a charm to remind her of those special times; flying in a F-14, their trip to Russia, the Watertown to name a few.

She was glad to know Harm would be late. It was a bad habit he had, but on nights like tonight it gave her extra time to get ready. Yeah, she was a marine. She could shower and get ready as quickly as the next marine, but on nights like tonight she was still a woman.

She was still a woman who wanted to look her very best for the man she loved. She checked her makeup. It looked pretty good. Her hair had come out better than she expected as she admired the soft curls in her hair.

Ah ... ! The red dress hugged her body like a glove. It always amazed her how full and rounded her body was with all the curves. Whenever she worked out with Harm she always felt so small, almost like a stick figure next to him, but then again he made everyone look small.

He was a giant among men. Even his career seemed to be larger than life at times. She couldn't wait to see him in his dress whites. She had never really been impress with them until she met Harm.

She heard the doorbell ring. It must be Harm. He's a little early. She slipped on her matching red shoes with four-inch heels. How often did she have that luxury? Both Dalton and Mic were much shorter than Harm.

If she wore these shoes when she went out with them she would tower over them, not particularly a great idea when dealing with their humongous egos. She looked down at her hand and saw the ring. Better take this thing off.

All it would do is make him self-conscious and become more reserve. It would make him back away, something she didn't want to happen tonight.

She smoothed out her dress and picked up she matching wrap and purse. She went to open the door hoping that she would blow Harm's mind.

"Hello Harm, won't you come in." greeted Mac.

Harm stood there unable to move or say anything. Mac smiled realizing that she had made the impression she had hoped for. She moved out of the way as Harm began to move.

"Hi, you look beautiful Sarah." Harm managed to get out.

Now it was Mac's turn to go numb. He had called her Sarah, her given name. It wasn't very often that he did, he only called her Sarah when he wanted her undivided attention. Her heart began to race and her breathing became shallow.

"Thank you Harm, you look pretty nice too." replied Mac as she blushed deeply. She handed her wrap to Harm so he could drape it across her shoulders.