Never Say Never

by jpstar57

From when they met in the White House Rose Garden, Mac and Harm were more than colleagues as they understood their attraction to each other. As a result, certain events didn't happen. Mac did not say "Never" in Paraguay. She said something else. AJ is not happy with their choices. They pretty much defy his order of, "Don't get comfortable." Co-Authored with csijagfan & dnieder.

6. Chapter 6

Never Say Never

Chapter 6

Saturday, November 18, 2000

Rabb Farm

Belleville, PA

Mac and Harm's wedding went better than they could have expected. They had their bachelor party and wedding shower the weekend before the wedding. Jack Keeter was Harm's best man while Loren held up her end as maid of honor. She did yeoman's work keeping Mac calm as the wedding time approached. Most of their friends from JAG headquarters and DSO North, plus their other friends and family came to the wedding. Even though he received an invitation strictly as a courtesy, AJ Chegwidden declined to attend. He sent a card with a $200.00 check purely pro forma.

The night before the wedding, Harm, Jack and the groomsmen Bud Roberts, John Marshall and Sturgis Turner stayed in the Belleville Marriot hotel while Mac, Loren, Harriet Roberts, John's wife Tracy Marshall-ne. Manetti and Carolyn Imes stayed at the farmhouse. On the wedding day, Mac wore Trish's first wedding gown.

Trish was happy to let her have the gown saying, "I'm very glad to give it to you. Harm ruined my plans at giving it away to my daughter. Then you came along. I want you to promise that you let your daughter, my granddaughter wear it on her wedding day." Mac could only agree.

The gown was white satin, with a lace insert above the bottom hem of the skirt, lace sleeves and lace at the front that showed Mac's beautiful cleavage and a modest train. Frank walked Mac up the aisle of Gram's church, Our Lady of Fatima RC.

Carolyn Imes held up the tradition she started at Harriet and Bud's wedding. She went up to Harm and said, "Excuse me Mac, it's a JAG tradition. I get to kiss the groom." Mac was a good sport as she let Carolyn have her "long" kiss with Harm. She gleefully "retaliated" when she grabbed Jack Keeter and laid her own "kiss the bride" smack on him. Everyone around them clapped and laughed at the wedding hijinks.

The catering company they hired erected the tent on the field up against the barn entrance so that the walkway flowed into the barn. The same company cleaned the barn out and put down a dance floor inside.

For their first introduction as husband and wife with their wedding party entourage, they came in through entrance opposite the tent. Their wedding photos were taken all over the farm property from the front porch to the top of the mountain with the valley as a backdrop.

To better facilitate the wedding planning, the affianced couple took their leave time two weeks before and then two weeks after the wedding. AJ couldn't countermand that as the SECNAV stepped in and granted the leave time to congratulate them on a job well done in Russia and for what Mac did in Aceh. It was a total surprise that for extraordinary feat, President Clinton awarded her the Meritorious Service Medal at the reception just after their first dance. He went to the band leader and commandeered the microphone.

"I need everyone's attention, please. Can I have the bride and groom front and center."

Mac and Harm went up to stand in front of the president. They snapped to at his, "Attention to orders."

Mac stood straight as President Clinton received a framed Proclamation and a satin box from one of the ubiquitous Secret service agents.

He read from the proclamation, "For her actions in Aceh, Indonesia after the population rioted as they mistakenly thought that a Marine was not going to see justice for a crime he committed, Lt. Colonel Sarah C. Mackenzie, now Rabb, showed determination and coolness under fire in successfully evacuating the embassy staff to a landing zone for pick up by helicopters from the Guadalcanal. Lt. Colonel Rabb is hereby awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her actions."

Clinton took the medal out of the satin box and pinned at the right shoulder of Mac's wedding dress. After they shook hands, Mac stayed at attention for the president to say, "Cmdr. Rabb would you please complete rendering your wife's honors."

Harm stepped forward to stand in front of Mac. He placed his hands at her shoulder and lowered his lips to hers. Mac whispered, "Easy officer." As their lips met, Mac wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and deepened the kiss. There were wolf whistles and catcalls as Harm retaliated and bent her into a dip. The president coughed extravagantly after the usual 20 seconds. The two straightened up to attention to shake hands with President Clinton, who called, "Dismissed. Now let's get on with the party.", too much applause

The newlyweds went through the usual wedding activities; numerous line dances, the Macarena, chicken dance, cutting and smooshing the wedding cake, throwing the bouquet, (Loren caught it.), retrieving and throwing the garter, (Sergei caught it.).

To the appreciation of the guests, Sergei made a comedy of putting it on Loren's leg saying, "This is the reward for coming to America, putting the garter on the lovely Lorenshka."

As Mac and Harm were dancing the final dance of their wedding reception, if she wasn't looking adoringly at her husband, Mac was looking a Loren and Sergei. She said to Harm, "I think we'll be attending another wedding very soon."

"Really, who do have your romantic eye on?"

"Loren and Sergei. They have been inseparable since we got back from Russia."

Harm looked to Loren and Sergei and saw two people definitely in love. They were holding each other very close and looking adoringly at each other.

"Well, I see another couple who are inseparable."

"What's this, 'Can You Top This?"

"Just look over there, smartie pants. Skates and Keeter. Look at how they're dancing."

Mac looked to where Harm indicated to see Jack Keeter & Elizabeth Hawkes dancing. Skates was looking up at Keeter with something that some would say adoration. She had her hand up behind his head, stroking his hair and occasionally kissing him.

Mac asked, "Who do you think will get engaged first?"

"I would say Loren and Sergei. President Clinton got Secretary Albright to look into his case. I have a feeling his citizenship will be verified."

"I'm glad Mom came around so readily when we told her of Sergei."

"Yeah, she understood, Dad could never get out of Russia and he took his comfort when it was offered. She's going to give Dad's letters that he licked closed for testing to verify his DNA. I also gave blood for a familial match. I'm glad I left the loft vacant when we moved in together at your apartment. He was able to move right in."

"Good. I'm just glad that our family is growing. Just wait until we bring our babies in."

"I'm glad you want a honeymoon baby. It'll be fun making up for those six months of abstinence."

"Well, Mr. Rabb just wait until we get to our hotel room." She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Harm I'm ovulating."

Mac smiled as she looked up and saw her husband's eyes grow as big as saucers. He said, "I think it's time we said goodbye to everyone."

"Yes, I think so to."

The newlyweds went through their guests to start their goodbyes. They all went out to the front of the house to they got into Harm's Corvette. Keeter, Sergei, Loren & Skates did a nice job of decorating the car with white steamers along the trunk, roof and front hood and the traditional "Just Married" sign taped to the back. Mac thought Harm broke all the speed limits on their way to Harm's room at the Belleville Marriot.

Monday, December 4, 2000

0830 Local Time

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

It was Mac's first day back at headquarters in the last seven months after her six-month deployment and four-week wedding/honeymoon leave. She had a spring to her step as she went to her office. She was feeling very joyful as she achieved her and Harm's most desired result.

During their honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii, Mac and Harm were, what their friend Carolyn Imes called, shagging like rabbits. When they landed home at Dulles the previous Friday, Mac went into the airport pharmacy and picked up numerous early pregnancy tests. She started testing when they got home. The first test Saturday morning was negative as was the test on Sunday Morning. They kept trying as they hardly left the marriage bed the whole weekend. This morning she got another result.

Earlier that morning.

Rabb Apartment

Georgetown, NW

Mac slipped out from under Harm's arm as he slept. She went into their ensuite bathroom and used an EPT. She used her internal clock to count the time down. When she looked, she saw the "positive sign. She brought the stick to the kitchen table and out it down where her husband usually sat to drink his coffee. As she had that thought, she smiled saying to herself, "My husband; I like the sound of that. Now no one can get between us to keep us apart."

She went about making coffee for one. When Harm came out, he had on his pajama bottoms and a tee shirt. Long ago he conceded to Mac that he had to wear something more substantial when he went to bed. He was half paying attention when he sat down at his chair. He rubbed the sleep out of eyes and looked up at Mac as she put his mug full coffee in front of him. She leaned in and kissed the top of his forehead and said, "Good morning Imzadi. Did you sleep well?"

"I did, especially after our good night exercise when we fell into bed."

"Yeah, it's a wonder I'm able to walk straight today as well as all the other days in the last two weeks. We certainly made up for the last six months."

"Yes, we sure did sweet…" Harm said after he sipped his coffee and put it down on the table. As he looked where to put it down, he saw the EPT. He picked it up and looked at the indication window. He looked at the legend beside the window to verify what he was looking at. Then he looked up at Mac and smiled. He also noticed that she was preparing a cup of green tea for herself.

"So, no coffee for you for nine months."

"Yep." Mac went to sit in his lap as Harm moved his chair back. She leaned in to give him a smooch.

Harm asked her," Want to go back to bed to celebrate?"

"I'd love to, but we have to be at work in an hour. We barely have time for you to finish your coffee, and do the "3-Ss" and then for me to do the same."

"Yeah, you're right. How long do you want to wait until we tell everyone the news?"

"We'll tell Mom & Dad right away. I'll tell Deane in my weekly letter. Which reminds me, she's only got the postcards from Maui the last two weeks. Anyway, keep the news to yourself in your office. Purely for necessity, I have to inform the admiral. That'll keep him from sending me overseas or deploy me again somewhere else."

"Yeah, you have to tell him. I'll wait until you say so before I tell anyone else. You go into the shower. That way you can leave first. You have to cross the 'Key Bridge (Francis Scott Key Bridge) to get to work. That bridge is a pain in the ass to cross this time of morning."

"You're right. Give me a few minutes. You can shave while I'm in the shower."

"You got it honey."

The two set about to get ready for their day.

Now, it was fifteen minutes before Staff Call in the conference room. She hung her coat up properly, put her purse away in her desk. She opened her computer to check her emails. She saw that there were over a thousand waiting for her. She sighed as she got saying out loud, "I'll get to them. Right now, I'm just stalling the inevitable."

She squared her shoulders and walked out of the office to the admiral's office. When she arrived at Tiner's desk she pointed at the door. Tiner picked the phone up to call in, "Admiral Chegwidden, Lt. Colonel Mac..., er Rabb to see you sir ~ Yes sir. Go right in ma'am."

Mac went to the door and knocked. She went in at Chegwidden's "Enter." She marched in and stood in front of his desk to say, "Lt. Colonel Rabb reporting for duty sir."

AJ held his expression neutral saying, "Welcome back. Congratulations on the Meritorious Medal. I read the report. Nice job."

"Thank you, sir."

"I'm glad you came in. I was going to you in before you got to staff call. So, down to business. I'm sending you to 'the hill' to work with Congresswoman Latham." AJ said.

"What 'military waste' is she looking to get rid of now sir?" Mac asked holding up her fingers in quotes at 'military waste'.

AJ answered, "The OSPREY. Ms. Latham was on a "ride-along" along with Congressman Feltzer in one. It was hit by an ocean swell. It seems she is blaming the mishap on the OSPREY which was (AJ consulted a note on his desk) 'so faulty that the pilot couldn't handle it'. She is also claiming that there was an attempt at a cover-up because the pilot over-flew the data recorder."

"Does Ms. Latham have a bias against the OSPREY sir?" Mac asked.

"Ms. Latham is trying to kill the OSPREY. She will be conducting hearings to do just that." AJ answered.

"What do you need me to do sir?" Mac asked.

"I want you ensure that Ms. Latham asks the right questions. Make sure her concerns are legitimate and she doesn't rush to judgment. Former SECDEF Cheney may have tried to kill the OSPREY, but there have been enough good people working to keep it going. Find out all the answers Colonel." AJ instructed her.

"Aye, aye sir," Mac said.

"Also, FYI your husband is defending the pilot involved, Major Asher. The major asked for him specifically. So, you and he are working this case from different sides."

"Not a problem sir. Between the two of us, we'll get the answers we need." Mac acknowledged.

"Very well colonel, dismissed." AJ said ending the briefing. He looked down to restart his paperwork on his desk.

"Ah, sir there is something I have to notify you of. It's why I came in here in the first place."

Chegwidden picked up his head to say, "What is it?"

"I'm pregnant sir. It's a honeymoon baby. Cmdr. Rabb and I were planning on having one. I will have it by the end of August, sir."

"I see. Okay follow the protocols, eight hours days, no overseas assignments, etc. Make sure you yeoman knows about your doctor's appointments. If that is all dismissed."

"Aye, aye sir." Mac replied at attention. She turned about and walked of the office.

Later that evening

Harm was in the bedroom hanging up his uniform when he heard the apartment door open and slam. He finished his task and peaked out. He saw his wife at the front table going through the mail. He was amused as she went through each envelope and solicitation saying, "No way, bullshit, garbage, no fucking way. They've got to be kidding."

Harm walked softly up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. Mac smiled and locked her arms around his. She tilted her cheek to receive his kiss. Harm whispered, "How was your day dear?"

"Infuriating."

"Really? Care to talk about it while I make dinner?"

"It's Bobbie Latham."

"So how is Congresswoman Latham these days?"

Mac rolled her eyes as she walked to the bathroom. "The Congresswoman and I never seem to see eye to eye. I think it's because of you." Mac replied as she walked into the bedroom to change out of her uniform.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"How can it be my fault?" I've never been involved with her. Remember, we've been together since Redrock."

"Because, she had the hots for you since you worked on her bullshit committee in the use of Sarin gas in Iraq during the Gulf War, that never happened," Mac called from the bedroom.

"I never dated her. We only worked together in her office on the Hill. I wouldn't exactly call that a history."

"I think she wanted to date you. You never told her why you weren't interested. She also bothered by the fact that you're married to me now."

"Actually, she was jealous of you back then," Harm admitted as he started stir frying vegetables.

"You're kidding!"

"No. You'd probably be surprised at how many of the women I've known since we came to DC have been jealous of you."

"Why?" she asked as she walked out of the bedroom and dressed in her pajamas of a USMC tee shirt and cotton drawstring bottoms.

Harm bent to receive her kiss before he replied, "I guess I wasn't as good at hiding my feelings for you or concealing our relationship as I thought I was."

"Yeah, I remember fighting off Dalton and other guys who would hit on me back then. Still, that's not why she is infuriating."

"Why?"

"She wanted to spend some extra time going over the case. I told her that being pregnant I was limited to eight-hour days. She didn't think that I was committed enough to do the work."

"Yeah, I can see how that would irritate you."

"Also, during the hearing in the committee room, I had an episode of morning sickness. I ran from behind the dais to try to get to the Ladies' Room. I didn't make it I had to puke in a waste basket in the chamber right behind the dais. She heard that and called out, "Clean up in aisle threeee!" Mac said in a mocking sing-song voice.

"SO, how are you going to deal with her?"

"I'll show up and do the work, though I don't believe she's right. I hear that the flight was delayed three hours because she was running late."

"Yeah, I know. Major Asher told me that to."

"So, what are we going to do about that?"

"We work the case as we always do. Now sit down and have some dinner."