A few months later...

On route to Annapolis

Harm turned his head and studied the woman by his side. He turned his focus back on the road and let out a contented sigh. She was there with him, after spending almost two weeks in San Diego prosecuting a case, and attending the JAG conference, while he was stuck in snowy D.C being acting JAG. When she came back he was at the hospital making sure that his ward Mattie was okay after a minor mishap with a plane during one of her practice flights. Thankfully she only had a concussion and a few bruised ribs, and doubts about becoming a pilot. Mac had been there for them both, even though Harm's initial instincts had made him push her away, until he realized that having her by his side was what he had wanted all along.

"What?" she wondered with a slight smile.

"Just happy to be getting out of town for a few days," he chuckled. "Between your absence and Mattie's mishap, it's been a long month."

She nodded. "So, this weekend, who's going to be there?"

"Keeter of course, his date, whomever that is this week," he offered a teasing smile. "Sturgis and Varese, Carter and his wife," Harm shrugged. "The rest couldn't make it."

"And the house you're renting? How big did you say it was?" she wondered.

"It's spacious," he smiled. "Don't worry, it won't get cramped. We're usually more people."

"And how many women have you brought to this thing?" she questioned with a little hesitation.

"No one actually," he offered an amused smile in her direction. "Are you implying something?"

"No," she dragged the word out.

"Mac?" he turned his focus away from the road for a second to look at her.

"I was just wondering if you always bring a date?" she shrugged.

"Never," he stopped at a red light and turned his focus on her. "It's been a yearly reunion, men only, but Keeter wanted us to meet this woman he's dating, then Sturgis didn't want to make other plans when Varese wanted to come to town for the weekend, he's all lovey-dovey at the moment," he put the car in motion again when the light turned green.

She laughed.

"What?" he wondered.

"Lovey-dovey?" she shook her head in amusement.

"Anyway," he smiled cleverly. "Keeter then decided that this year women are allowed. I wasn't all that keen on going anyway, especially after last night."

She smiled cleverly. "Yeah, what happened last night?"

He chuckled. "Are you giving me a hard time?"

"Yes," she smiled brightly.

He laughed.

"Are you saying that after last night you wanted to stay in town?" she wondered.

"I'm saying that after last night I definitely didn't want to leave you and go spend the weekend with the guys," he felt a slight blush form on his face.

She laughed softly. "Are you saying that you are all lovey-dovey at the moment?"

"Stop hassling me, Colonel," he offered a pout.

"Sorry," she reached out and caressed the back of his neck softly. "How are we going to play this out anyway?"

"What do you mean?" he wondered as he stopped at a red light again and turned to look at her.

"Well, we're spending the weekend with your friends and a colleague," she raised her eyebrows at his density.

It dawned on him. "I haven't really thought about that," he admitted.

"It's a green light," she reminded him.

He smiled, stole a quick kiss, ignoring the honking behind him, then drove off. "I'm sure Sturgis will keep his mouth shut for a while. At least until we've figured out what to do. I don't think it'll be a problem, I told the General I'd transfer out if anything changed between us."

"When did you talk to the General about us?" she wondered with annoyance.

"A while back," he admitted and shrugged. "He asked about our relationship."

"He did?" Mac was upset now.

"Power down," he reached over and took her hand. "It's just that I've been in this relationship a little longer than you have. You just need time to catch up."

She smirked. "Really?"

"Yeah, but don't worry, I have everything under control," he reassured with a cocky smile.

"Okay then," she relaxed a little, surprised that he seemed so easy going. It was unlike him. The previous night had been wonderful, but it had also taken her by surprise. She hadn't realized how good they'd be together, but over the last two weeks since her return from San Diego, being by his side after Mattie's accident she had enjoyed having him so close. After getting Mattie safely from the hospital and back to her house in Blacksburg, they had left her in her father's care with promises to stop by after the weekend, then gone back to his place for dinner. Stealing many kisses lately, she wasn't surprised when he kissed her after dessert. She had made the decision to take it further, sick of finding reasons not to be with him. They still hadn't talked about her biggest concern, her inability to make a baby with him.

Annapolis

He found a parking spot and stopped the car, before turning to her. "Come on," he opened the door. "This place has the best coffee and chocolate cake."

Surprised, she opened the door and got out. "Did you use to go here a lot?"

"Yeah, it was kinda my quiet place away from everything," he smiled and took her hand. "Come on."

She followed him inside and he found them a table. He left her and a little while later he was back with two cups of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. He handed Mac a fork.

"Thanks," she smiled sweetly, waiting for him to sit down before she asked; "So why did you bring me here?"

"Well," he smiled sheepishly. "I just wanted to bring you to a place that is all mine. I haven't brought anyone here before."

She found his shy smile and sweet confession adorable. He had brought her there to make a point. "Harm, are you trying to tell me something?"

"In my own way," he chuckled. "I'm your guy, Mac. You're my girl."

She reached for his hand. "I love you, Harm."

He smiled warmly. "I love you too, Sarah. That's why I gave you this last night," he touched the ring he had put on her finger last night.

She leaned in and kissed him, then tasted the chocolate cake. He was right, the place had the best chocolate cake and coffee.'

Later..

Harm drove up to a huge house and parked the car. Mac saw Keeter walk through the front door and wave at them. Harm opened the car door and got out, meeting his old friend with a manly hug. Mac smiled and opened the car door, and got out.

"Sarah Mackenzie, come and give me a big hug!" Keeter half ran over and lifted her up, hugging her close. "You are even more beautiful than I remembered."

"Thanks," Mac smiled as her feet again touched the ground. "You look good Keeter."

"I tell Harm to bring someone and he brings you," he studied his friend, then Mac. "Does that mean that there's more than just friendship going on? Because the last time I saw you, you said that you were working on it," he reminded Harm.

Harm took Mac's hand. "I finally wore her down."

"He can be very convincing when he puts his mind to it," Mac smiled cleverly.

Keeter laughed and turned to the house. "Come say hi to the rest of the gang."

Harm retrieved their bags from the car and locked it. They followed Keeter to the house and met the others.

"This is Meghan," Keeter introduced the woman he had brought.

"Commander Rabb?" Meghan laughed softly. "My, the world sure is small."

Harm offered his hand. "How's the art school?"

"Oh, it's getting there. A lot of work though," she smiled.

"You two know each other?" Keeter looked surprised.

"Commander Rabb is the JAG officer who gave me that check after my father was killed," Meghan turned to Mac. "And this must be your brunette?"

Mac looked questioningly at Harm as she offered her hand. "Sarah Mackenzie."

"Yeah, she's my brunette," Harm smiled cheekily and reached for Mac's hand. "Actually, you guys will be the first to know that Mac and I are engaged."

"Congratulations," Sturgis looked surprised. "When did his happen?"

"Last night," Mac smiled happily.

"We need to bring out the champagne," Keeter shook Harm's hand. "Congratulation's buddy."

"Thanks," Harm looked at Mac lovingly.

Harm took Mac to show her the room they were staying in. He put their bags on the floor before turning to her. She looked around and smiled.

"Not too shabby," she walked over to the balcony door. "Too bad it isn't summer, huh?"

"Yeah, too bad," he smiled sheepishly. "You're beautiful."

She turned to him. "Thanks," she looked questioningly at him. "So, your brunette?"

"Yeah," he shrugged. "It came up."

"I've kept you waiting," she hesitated.

"I didn't mind. You've been through a lot, and to be fair, after me never being able to commit in the past I never expected you to be ready just because I finally could let go," he reached for her hand. "What matters is that we are together now."

She smiled. "I love you so much, Harm. We have so much to talk about, the past, babies…" she let out a sigh. "I can get past it all as long as I have you. Can you?"

He leaned in and kissed her softly. "All I want is you, the past is what it is, and babies… well, we can make it happen if we want to."

"Let's just see, okay? Right now, I want to focus on us," she kissed him.

He nodded. "Me too," he hesitated. "We should go downstairs."

"Yup," she tugged his hand. "I like Megan."

"She's nice," Harm agreed. "I wonder if she'll tell Keeter that she kissed me after I handed her the check."

Mac looked at him with amusement.

"It was all her," he clarified. "I only have eyes for you."

"You better," she smiled cleverly and led him out of the room.