A/N- On to part 2 - same theme, Ghost of Christmas Past, but with a slightly different twist this time.

Vietnam Memorial Wall

Christmas Eve 1999

Another cold Christmas Eve was upon Washington, this year seemed colder than last year, at least to Harm it did. Just as he'd done since he had been assigned to JAG Headquarters, he stood at the Vietnam Wall, he traced his father's name.

"Hi dad; I don't know where to begin, I've made a real mess of my life this past year. I walked away from the woman I love, I put flying above her. I honestly thought I wanted to be a pilot above everything, but somewhere along the way, my priorities shifted and I began to see her differently. This scares me honestly, that's why I decided to leave and it caused us to drift apart, and now she's never going to know how much I love her." He stopped and just looked at the ground. Maybe coming here tonight was another mistake, talking to his dad wasn't going to solve his problems.

He turned and started to walk away. A cool breeze brushed over him. He quivered, pulling his overcoat a little tighter, and continued his walk towards his SUV. He kept his head down to avoid the cold December air. He stopped suddenly, he wasn't sure why something made him turn back and look back toward the wall. He blinked when he saw a tall man walking towards him. Surly his eyes were playing tricks on him.

"Dad?"

"Hi little Harm"

"Is that you?"

"What do you think?"

"Honestly; I'm not sure. I know you're only in my mind."

"Why do you think I'm here tonight of all nights?"

"To try and talk some sense into me?"

"No not at all, come with me."

"What?"

Harm senior snapped his fingers, and suddenly Harm found himself in a strange house. He looked around trying to figure out where he was at. Making his way through, he stopped when he saw and heard Mac. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Mac looked gorgeous, she was wearing a deep red velvet dress that hung on her curves in all the right places, He took a few more steps into what looked to be the living room.

He took in all the Christmas Decorations Mac had gone all out in decorating her home. He stood there still watching, till it registered to him that she was now talking to someone, he snuck closer.

"Mama are we going to go see him this year?"

"Yes; don't we always."

"Yes, but this year dada won't be with us."

"I know baby, but your dada is always going to be with us in our hearts."

"Mama; why did daddy go to live with grandpa? Didn't he love us anymore?"

Mac took her son into her arms, "Tommy your daddy loved us very much, but he had a very bad accident that took him from us, He never chose to leave us. Your daddy wanted you long before you were born."

"I miss him, mommy."

"I know sweet boy; so do I."

Harm couldn't take it anymore, he went over to them. "I'm right here! Mac, I'm not dead. Look I'm right here." Harm senior walked over to him, he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Son she can't see you or hear you."

"Why Dad? Why are you showing me this?"

"Earlier tonight you were talking about mistakes you made in your past, I'm showing you what might happen if you continue to chase the past. Your future will be impacted by your obsessions, Mac and your future son will be impacted by your past."

Harm ducked his head," How did I die?"

"I can't tell you that; I can't show you too much of the future. Just a glimpse. Enough to allow you the chance to change it, if that's what you want." He snapped his fingers again, and now they were back at Harm's SUV.

"You're future is up to you now, don't let the past overtake it."Harm started to say something, but now his dad was gone. He looked all around, he started to wonder if everything he'd just experienced was real or a figment of his imagination. One thing he knew for sure was he needed to talk to Mac.

He got into his SUV and headed straight to Mac's apartment. As he drove he replayed all the events that had taken place. God help him; he wasn't going to lose the one person he wanted more than his own life. He had seen what her life would be like without him. He saw his little boy. He now knew why he really came back to DC, it wasn't for JAG, it was for Mac and his future. Without realizing it, he'd driven all the way to Mac's apartment, and he was now standing outside her door, knocking on it.

Hearing knocking on her door, she made her way over, trying to figure out who might be gracing her doorstep this late on Christmas Eve, she peeped out her peephole. Her eyes must have been playing tricks on her. Taking a deep breath; she opened the door, Harm stood there looking at her. "Umm; Mac look I know it's late, but I had to see you."

She moved to the side and made a space for him to walk inside, she watched him as he took off his cover, toying it in his hands. She could tell something was on his mind. "Harm are you okay? "Before he could answer a song came on Mac's stereo.

"I'd like you for Christmas

Please make my wish come true

'Cause I'd dream trees and deck the hallways

If I knew you'd be mine for always

I won't be blue on Christmas

If old Saint Nick comes through

And he remembers that I'd like you for Christmas, New Year's, and Easter too

She'd like you for Christmas

Please make my wish come true

'Cause she'd dream dreams and deck the hallways

If she knew you'd be hers for always

I won't be blue on Christmas

If old Saint Nick comes through

And he remembers that I'd like you for Christmas, New Year's, and Easter too

New Year's, Easter too."

He let the words filter through him. They were so simple yet so beautiful and true at the same time."Mac; I realized tonight that you're the reason I came back to DC, you're the reason, not JAG not the Navy, you just you, not to sound too cheesy, 'I'd like you for Christmas', not just this year but every year for the rest of my life, if you'll have me."

Mac kinda chuckled, "Who'd thought of the great Harmon Rabb as a hopeless romantic? Of course, I'll take you for Christmas, New Years', Easter, and any other holiday you want to throw in there."

He went over to her, picked her up, and placed a toe-curling kiss on her. You know the kind you see in a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie. As they pulled away, both stood there looking into each other's eyes. No words are needed between them. They let their hearts and soles do the talking for them.

Lost in their own little world, neither one notice the figure watching them. He smiled knowing that his son, had taken the first step in putting his past behind him.

-Next two parts will deal with the 4% Solution, and how that could have been different-