Title: The First Step Towards the Rest of Your Life
Author: red rooster dawn
Pairing: Harm and Mac
Disclaimers: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.
Summary: It has been a long time since they have been together so Harm and Mac get together in a big way.
Feedback is welcome
part three
"The USO is hoping to raise money for the servicemen serving in Afghanistan and their families Ma'am. We have been in touch with a game show and they have agreed to help us." replied Victoria.
"That sounds amicable lieutenant. How does that concern me?" asked Mac.
"We are in need of eligible young men and women serving in the different branches of the military who are currently stationed here in the Washington area. We were looking for a marine and your name came up at the top of the list as a possible contestant Ma'am.
I was hoping that you would be willing to participate Ma'am. You are very beautiful and would draw a large viewing audience." explained Victoria.
"I don't like being the center of attention lieutenant. I also don't like being exploited because I'm a female in the military. What is the name of the game show lieutenant?" asked Mac.
She saw fear across the young lieutenant's face. How she loved to scare scatter brain bubble headed squids. They always seem to fear marines.
"It's the Dating Game Ma'am. I've been told you have everything they're looking for in a contestant including beauty. You have an engaging personality that can draw the audience in due to your experience in the courtroom.
They will be spellbound and hanging on your every word." replied Victoria hoping that she sold Mac on the idea.
"Sucking up to me lieutenant doesn't work with me. I find it revolting and degrading on your part. However I will agree to be on the show. What you're doing is for a very good cause.
I've seen the show many times and enjoy it very much. I particularly like the humor involved between the men and women as they ask and answer questions. What do you wish me to do?" asked Mac.
"You will be one of the three bachelorettes representing the Marine Corps Ma'am." replied Victoria.
"You mean I don't get to choose one of the men lieutenant." scolded Mac.
"The networks thought it might be better to see how a Naval Officer deals with asking a beautiful Marine questions and how he responds to her answers. They didn't think three young men could handle being interrogated by a Marine Officer." replied Victoria with a smile.
"Very well lieutenant. When is this event suppose to take place?" asked Mac.
"In a few days Ma'am, on Valentine's Day, Ma'am. They would like for you to come in today to shoot a few promos. They think that seeing you will entice more viewers to tune into the show." replied Victoria.
Mac gave her a look that could kill. Why were they waiting until the last minute. She could have been out of town conducting an investigation. When would these silly young lieutenants learn to think about others and not about their own selfish needs.
"You're very lucky lieutenant that I'm not busy. I'm usually away conducting investigations this time of years. This is a time when many young squids screw up for no good reason except for being horny.
If that is all lieutenant I need to get back to work." said Mac letting Victoria know that it was time for her to leave.
"Yes Ma'am." replied Victoria and she got out of her chair and out the door as quickly as possible. She had gotten what she had come for and didn't want to risk ruining it by staying any longer than she had to. She would give Harriet a call and thank her.
Mac meanwhile sighed wondering why she was doing this. Why had she agreed to be on the Dating Game? Sure it was for a good cause, but she didn't want to be with anyone whose name wasn't Harmon Rabb. But she was also lonely. One night out to have some fun wouldn't be so bad would it?
Wednesday
14 February
Washington DC
Harm arrived in Washington early that afternoon. He was surprised to see that a car waiting there for him. There was a driver there to drive him back to wherever he was going. He wondered who had been so thoughtful.
He thought that maybe Mac or the Admiral had sent the car to pick him up, but then again he thought neither one of them knew that he was coming to Washington today. He hadn't told anyone.
He wanted to surprise Mac. He had made arrangements to take her to her favorite Italian Restaurant and then to a dance club where they could spend the rest of the night dancing. He was pleased that he still had connections.
He had come to the conclusion long ago that dancing, especially with him, was his marine's favorite pastime. Not that he could blame her. He loved dancing with her too. They had taken many lessons together at various officer's clubs when they were away on investigations.
It had perplexed some of the base commanders that they would partake in such activities while they were supposed to be investigating mishaps and or other crimes. They explained to them that they were constantly attending formal social functions in Washington.
They found that it was a good way to mingle with the important people who attended these functions such as Senators, Congressmen, and important Naval and Marine Officials.
Though in reality it gave them a way to get away from these people who liked to be seen with military officers and who could talk their ear off if given the chance. They were always selling something.
Harm was surprised to see a young lieutenant waiting for him inside the car. She was quite attractive he thought. She must be a public relations officer. For some reason the Navy seemed to put the pretty ones into public relations instead of allowing them to use their brains for something more important.
"Commander Rabb, my name is Lieutenant Victoria Campbell. I'm here to talk to you about participating in a show that the USO is sponsoring for the servicemen currently serving in Afghanistan and their families." greeted Victoria.
She wanted to set the tone for their meeting. She didn't want to give the Commander a chance to refuse her before she told him what she wanted. She knew it would be hard for an officer to refuse her if what she wanted them to do was for the benefit of those serving in a combat zone.
"You've heard about my singing lieutenant. How many songs would you like me to sing? I can even tap dance if you like." teased Harm. While he could carry a tune he was hardly good enough to perform on stage.
"What? Ah, no Sir. It's a game show Sir." replied Victoria.
"When is this event supposed to be taking place lieutenant?" asked Harm.
He was more than a little put off with her. He hadn't been back more than fifteen minutes and someone wanted something from him. He was on leave. He was under no obligation to do anything for the Navy let alone some snot nosed lieutenant.
He was there to surprise the woman he loved. He wanted to make this day a special one for her.
"Tonight Sir. We were looking for the most eligible bachelors and your name came up. You're the Navy Poster Boy. Who better to have on the show than you Sir." replied Victoria. She noticed that Harm was less than happy with her.
"I have other plans for tonight lieutenant. And what possible use could you have for an old bachelor like me for? Surely there are much younger men you could have gotten." questioned an irked Harm.
"Sir, we have been in touch with an old syndicated TV show. They have agreed to our request to host a show for the benefit of the Arm Services." explained Victoria.
"What's the name of the show lieutenant?" asked Harm as an idea of what it was suddenly came across his mind.
"The Dating Game Sir. It's the Valentine Day edition." replied Victoria.
"As I have already told you lieutenant, I have other plans for tonight. I plan on wining and dining a very special young lady tonight followed by a night of dancing." informed Harm.
"You can still do that Sir. You can do the show. We can arrange with the lady of your choice to have that special night on Saturday instead of tonight. The show should be over no later than 2000 hours Sir.
We have been promoting the show for the last two weeks. We have taken the liberty with the SecNav's permission to use your likeness to heavily promote the show. Everyone is expecting to see you Sir." pleaded Victoria.
Damm these people! Who the hell did they think they were? Every time they wanted to do something stupid they went to the SecNav. Did they think he was incline to do it because the SecNav said yes?
"I don't like your tactics lieutenant, but so long as you know I will be out of the studio by 2000 hours lieutenant. I have another place to be with a very special young lady." informed Harm. He didn't think this was a good idea.
"Thank you Sir." said Victoria. She didn't want to say anything. She had gotten what she wanted.
Harm meanwhile made a call to that special lady, but she wasn't home or at the office. He wondered where she was. He hoped that the Admiral hadn't sent her away on an investigation.