A/N: Final chapter guys, will it be a happy ending?

I have absolutely no idea what they eat for New Year's in the States so I'm serving them what we eat here.

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Saturday, December 31, 2005

1500 Hours

Harm was at his desk, signing off a few final papers. It was Saturday and the office was deserted. Harm had been in all week even though most staff members had been on leave for the holidays. Mac hadn't been in all week. Harm hadn't heard from her.

Tonight was the New Year's Eve party. Harm sighed and rubbed his face. Harriet had talked retired Admiral Chegwidden into hosting a party for his former staff members. According to Harriet, Bud, Sturgis and Varese, Tiner, Coates, the Mattoni's, General Creswell and his wife and Mac and Andrews would all be there.

Harm still didn't know if he was going or not. He wasn't really in the mood for a party and he certainly wasn't in the mood to see Mac and Andrews kiss in the new year. He groaned and stood up. He had finished every last scrap of paperwork he could find and no longer had an excuse not to go home. He gatheres his papers, grabbed his cover and briefcase and headed out the door.

Across town Mac was pacing the living room floor, unable to decide if she should attend the Admiral's party. Sure seeing everyone in an informal setting was always nice, but she wasn't sure she wanted to see Harm.

After he had left on Christmas morning, Mac and Cole had had a long talk about their relationship and Mac had decided to call it quits. Cole had wanted to work it out, convinced that they could get past whatever it was, but in his heart of hearts he knew that Mac could never really get past Harm.

Sighing she headed for the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea.

Chegwiddens residence

Maclean, Virginia

1900 Hours

Harm was glad he had decided to come after all. He was really enjoying himself. It was good seeing the Admiral again and everyone was having a good time. The only thing missing was Mac. The party had been going for an hour and everyone was about to sit down to eat.

Harm took his seat at the table. Harriet had prepared a wonderful meal and the table was filled with ham, stewed cabbage, white and caramelized potatoes, red pickled cabbage, cabbage sausages and a delicious white ham sauce.

Everyone had just taken their seats when there was a knock on the door. The Admiral went to open it and to everyone's surprise there was Mac! She had snow in her hair and on her coat and the cold had given her cheeks a subtle pink colour. She shrugged off her coat and handed it to the Admiral. They exchanged a few words and then they hugged.

Harm noticed she was wearing a stunning red dress. He also noticed that the only available seat was next to him and he hoped and prayed Mac was pick another spot.

She gave a little wave to everyone and took her seat next to Harm. When she glanced at him and smiled a shy smile, his breath caught and all he could do was smile sheepishly. The Admiral raised his glass to make a toast, but Harm couldn't hear a word of what he was saying. All he could feel was Mac's leg next to his and the heat she was radiating. At one point she reached over under the table, took his hand in hers. Uncomfortable, he gave her hand a little squeeze and then let go if it, returning to his meal.

During dinner there was a pleasant conversation and everyone was enjoying themselves. Afterwards they all helped clear the table and everyone gathered in the living room for a game of Charades. Harriet went first and since Admiral Chegwidden guessed it, he was up next. Everyone was laughing and Harm thought that retirement had been good for Chegwidden, because he clearly seemed happier.

After a few more rounds, Harm needed some fresh air and slipped out onto the porch. A few minutes later he was joined by someone else. Harm knew who it was even before he heard the all too familiar voice and he dreaded the conversation they were about to have.

"Hey Sailor" Mac came up next to him and leaned on the railing. Harm was fumbling for the words, unsure of how to get started, but she solved that problem for him. "So what's bothering you?"

He turned and looked at her. She was beautiful. "Mac, I... I love you, always have, always will. But I'm done trying to get you to see that I'm serious. It's not fair to any of us, especially not Cole..." He was about to go on when she stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"I broke up with Cole."

"You did?"

"Well it was a mutual decision, but I opened the door." Harm looked at the ground, afraid to ask why, but she brought his face up with her gentle fingers.

"I couldn't go on. Like you said, it wasn't fair to him. He is a good guy and he truly deserves someone who loves him with everything they've got."

Harm looked at her and nodded. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say. She still hadn't said it.

"I love you, Harm." There it was. He broke out into a huge grin, picked her up and spun her around. He put her down and was just about to kiss her when the door opened.

"Commander!" Harm and Mac both jumped and quickly stood at attention. Chegwidden laughed heartily.

"At ease, Harm. I'm not your commanding officer anymore. He is, however, just in here so be discreet." They both nodded, still at attention. "For Heaven's sake man, kiss her already." Harm saluted his former CO "Aye aye, sir." They both laughed.

When AJ had shut the door again Harm and Mac burst out laughing. Inside they could hear their friends counting down. They inched closer and Harm took her in his arms.

"5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1"

"I love you, Sarah."

"I love you too, Harm."

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" the crowd inside yelled as Harm's lips descended on Mac's and suddenly the whole world disappeared around them and all their was left was love.

Happy New Year, guys. May 2016 be a wonderful and blessed year for you all.

A/N: I know this was OOC. I'm not entirely happy with this story. Harm has too much integrity to move in on another guy's girl. And Cole is too nice, it really wasn't fair to him. But it is what it is. I hope you enjoyed it anyway :)