Never Say Never
Prologue
Summary: 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. Also, AJ is not happy with their choices. They secretly defied his order of, "Don't get comfortable."
Disclaimer 1: I do not own any characters from 'JAG'. They are the intellectual property of DPB, CBS & Paramount
Spoilers:
Full Engagement - 2/21/1997 - They do not have a forced landing and get chased by poachers. They fly up to Gram's Farm in Belleville, PA, where Harm introduces Mac to Gram and his folks. While there, Mac expresses her interest to become a licensed pilot; to further share with Harm one of his greatest pleasures. Because of that, they declare their love for each other. They agree to keep it from the admiral and the rest of the JAG Headquarters company, even Harriet & Bud.
Second Sight - 4/27/1999 – Harm and Mac are flying, in Sarah. They get to the airfield a little too close to sundown. Harm's vision is blurred as they are landing and he tells Sara, now a licensed pilot, to "take the stick and land. Mac confronts him about his blurred vision and gets him to see her ophthalmological surgeon, Dr. Cathy Ryan at John's Hopkins. Harm has the laser surgery to fix his eyes. While he is home recuperating, Mac finds out her father is dying. They both get to Fresno just in time for Mac to see and speak with her father. Mac and her father reconcile with him apologizing for how bad he treated her when she was growing up. They express their love for each other and Joe Mackenzie passes away with a lighter heart. AJ was not happy that Harm went to Fresno with Mac. Shortly after that Harm goes back to flying, further infuriating AJ. Mac is his girl in port. They celebrate her getting promoted to O5 when she comes to the Patrick Henry to try Buxton. Harm manages to get back to JAG with help from the SECNAV, over AJ's objections. Out of spite, he assigns Harm to another DSO in DC. Harm is promoted to O5 after he is cleared from being charged for insulting President Clinton.
Boomerang 2/15/2000- – Mic Brumby is not the arrogant boorish twit, harassing Mac to go out with him. He was in fact Harm's friend from Georgetown as they graduated Law school together. When he is assigned to JAG as an exchange officer, he sees immediately that Mac & Harm are an item. He gets infatuated with Renee Peterson when she shows up to do Harm's Navy commercial. They double date at the fancy restaurant to celebrate the successful production of the commercial. Renee and Mic hit it off, marry in DC and she goes with Mic back to Australia when he is reassigned there.
Author's Note: To make a couple of events, to be shown later make sense, George W. Bush was not elected President in 2000 as he did not win Florida. Josiah Bartlett won in Florida and the popular and electoral vote and was elected President in 2000. This will enable some story elements to be shown later to fall into place.
Never Say Never
Chapter 1
Tuesday, February 15, 2000
1130 Zulu
Sydney Harbor, Australia
Mac and Harm were on the ferry to the amusement park to examine the scene of the murder they were in Australia to investigate. RAN Lt. Cmdr. Michael "Mic" Brumby called for their help as the defendant was a US Navy deserter from the Vietnam War.
"So, Harm I liked how you looked at me when Renee and I shed our tops at Manly Beach."
"I always knew you had an impressive pair. I liked how the other guys appreciated it as well. They were giving you all the looks."
Mac went over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head onto his chest. She whispered to him, "I'm glad that you appreciated them. While I appreciated the other men looking, I was only happy at the looks you were giving me. They're like the looks you give me at home."
"Like?"
"Well let's see like; when I get up in the morning; when I come out of the shower; when I change at the end of our work day. It's a wonder we get to work on time most mornings or get any sleep at night."
Harm chuckled at that saying, "Well it would help if we didn't have to keep our relationship secret from the admiral."
"Yes there is that. I hate that he's got a problem with us being together."
"Yeah, I hate that too. Remember back when I was recuperating after your friend Dr. Ryan at John's Hopkins fixed my vision, and we went out to Fresno to your dad's funeral?
"Yeah."
"Well, he didn't appreciate on the first day I reported for duty, I gave him my request to be transferred back to a flying billet."
"I remember he was pretty steamed."
After I accomplished what I wanted to flying, it was only the SECNAV's intervention that let me come back to JAG. He put me at DSO North out of spite."
"Sometimes I think he's taking it out on you because he's jealous that you could fulfill your dreams and he couldn't. I'm surprised he let me come down here to accompany Dunsmore's body. Also, it IS a good thing you're at DSO North. We don't have any hint of impropriety hanging over us. Also, we don't have to restrain ourselves from making out in the galley."
"Or the supply closet," Harm adds giving her a smooch.
"Or that," Mac says smiling against his lips. Giving into the urge, Mac deepened the kiss. During the lip lock they heard a very deep Aussie accent saying, "Hey you two, wait to you get back to your room!"
Mac and Harm broke their clinch and turned to see Mic and an evidently pregnant Renee Brumby walking toward them.
Mac and Harm looked back at them and smiled. They turned to give the married couple space at the rail. As they sailed under the famous Sydney Bridge, Mic asked Harm, "So mate when are you going to make Sarah an honest woman?"
"Well, I was thinking of that. You know they wrote "Eternity" on this bridge for "K2000".
"Is that how long you're going to wait?" Renee asked.
"No that's how long I want to spend with Sarah," Harm said as he was taking something out of his pocket and getting down on one knee.
Mac gasped and Renee squealed with joy as Harm began his plea. "Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, I love you with all my heart. I have loved you since I met you. I cherish all the times we spend together, running, flying and working together and as Mic so eloquently put it, I want to make an honest woman of you. With that it mind, would you do me the greatest honor of marrying me?"
Mac was so overwhelmed with joy, she had tears running down her cheeks. She could barely get a hold of herself and only had the wherewithal to nod her head and mouth, "Yes."
"What was that?" Harm asked. He really wanted to hear the "Yes".
"I said YES you idiot. Now get up here, shut up and kiss me!"
As Harm got up, Mac took hold of him by taking his cheeks in her hands and kissing him soundly.
Renee was clapping her hands and still squealing with joy. When the now affianced couple broke the kiss, she went forward to wrap them both in a hug. When she released Mac & Harm, Mic got in his hug for Mac and turned to give Harm a hearty handshake.
"Thanks for letting us witness the happy event. I'm so happy for the two of you," Renee gushed.
"Yeah, congratulations. I hope you two have many more happy times together."
"Thanks Mic, Renee," Mac said as she dried her happy tears.
The two couples turned to watch the harbor go by, basking in the overall happy atmosphere.
Soon their time "down under" would end and they would have to go home to face the admiral's reaction to their new status.