Rating: T for occasional language

Summary: Set in early season 5 when Harm was out flying. This story gives Harm a different (better!) reason for changing his designator than the show provided. And may just open the way for him to find his happily ever after – with a little trouble along the way, of course.

Disclaimer: JAG was created by Donald P. Bellisario and is owned in whole or in part by Belisarius Productions and Paramount Network Television (CBS Studios). This is a work of fiction playing with the characters that I have loved for more than twenty years – I make no money from this and no copyright infringement or disrespect is intended.

Letters Home: Doin' It Their Way

By: visions2share (a.k.a. Vi)

Wednesday, June 9, 1999

U.S.S. Patrick Henry

Mediterranean Sea

Mac,

Sounds like they got everything just right except the vase was supposed to be a little unique – did they miss that part? The message was spot on – I don't know if it is appropriate to say for the first time in an e-mail – but I do love you. I was hoping if the e-mail thing was bad form the roses and card getting there first might make it alright. I did a little research online before choosing those roses – I know red roses are the classic for saying "I love you" but you and I are special. Yellow roses signify friendship and white are for new love. I thought combining them would be a good way to show how pleased I am about our friendship blossoming into new love. And with twenty-four you get one rose for every hour of the day I think of you and miss you!

I think 1400 would work better for our IM date Saturday. I wouldn't mind being awake in the middle of my night to chat with you for an hour or two as you know me well enough to know I'd just go right back to sleep. However, my typing would definitely wake Tuna and I seriously doubt he'd be as understanding. As you saw on my schedule I'm in the air for most of your waking hours Sunday. I'm also hoping to catch a church service Sunday evening.

I need to end this here for now as I have to report to the ready room in half an hour and need time to change into my flight suit before the briefing. Is it odd that I miss the JAG staff meetings? These briefings are just interminable.

Hugs and Love,

Harm

Wednesday, June 9, 1999

Defense Justice Head Quarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Harmon Rabb Jr.!

You are the sweetest man! I love you too! I would have been just as happy with the sentiment even without the roses but they are so gorgeous! I'm leaving them locked in my office tonight but tomorrow night I'm taking them home to gush over all weekend. The vase is engraved (etched?) with the Marine emblem – I didn't notice before – so thoughtful where did you find such a thing?

My schedule for tomorrow changed and I'm in court with the Drake appeal most of the day. Just wanted to warn you that I'll be unable to promptly respond to e-mails.

The admiral told me I can have Bud for co-counsel on the Gaffney thing. It'll be nice to have a good excuse not to have to be alone with the sgt again. He's kind of … slimy.

Brumby asked who the roses were from. Who am I kidding – everyone has asked! Like we talked about I kept my answer vague and just said "boyfriend" – I thought about saying "partner" because I think it is a more all encompassing, serious, possibly permanent, word for someone in a romantic relationship but decided for the first mentioning of being involved with somebody that boyfriend was the better choice. Also, I think around here if I said partner most everybody would immediately think of you and some – Bud, the admiral – would ask if it was you and I don't want to have to lie. I know I don't have to but I would prefer we kept things pretty private until we aren't quite so new. And here where everybody knows both of us I don't want to have to answer questions alone. Is that okay? Did I say, and not say the right things? Honest responses only please.

Brumby was just in here asking to take me to dinner. I said I have plans and glanced purposefully at the roses and he started talking about how we'd have to have lunch tomorrow so I could tell him all about my new man. I don't know if he was trying to pretend he's an old friend or what but when I said I'm in court tomorrow and prefer to keep my love life away from the office gossip mill he gave me the strangest look. Then he asked what my plans were tonight and I couldn't say "going home to dream about Harm" so I said I was being surprised. I don't mind lying to him like I would about lying to Bud or the admiral. I so wish Bugme would just butt out.

I just realized I've spent most of this e-mail talking about other people when I really want to be gushing over how inordinately happy – joyful even – it has made me to know you love me. To know my love is returned is amazing. I've never felt his way before – never been this happy – never been this hopeful at the start of a relationship. I miss you so much – I know this time to focus on our communication will undoubtedly serve us well in the years to come. (See how hopeful I am – I never assume anything is going to last years!) But I'm also really looking forward to when we can be together in person again – in my imagination I see us cuddled up on one of our couches, or on one of our beds to be honest, with your strong arms holding me tightly to your solid broad chest and my head on your shoulder or maybe tucked under your chin – no I think I'd like the shoulder better because then I can look into your eyes while we hold each other. My question for you tonight is this – is this a scenario you would enjoy for yourself? Not just because I want it and you are so sweet but something you genuinely want for yourself? Remember honesty only – we both promised.

Love,

Mac

P.S. I've never signed a letter to a man that way before and actually meant it!

Author's Note: I hope everyone's November is off to a wonderful start! Thanks for sticking with the story! ~Vi