Disclaimer: The characters of JAG don't belong to me. I just borrowed them from Bellisarius Productions, Paramount and CBS for this story. No infringement intended.

A Lover is Forever
Chapter II:
Promises

1721 ZULU
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA



"Harriet, you got a minute for me, please?" Mac asked as she passed Harriet, dragging her towards the Lady's restrooms without even waiting for an answer.

"Sure, ma'am." Harriet replied dumbfounded, not really knowing what was going on.

The doors to the restrooms closed behind them, leaving them alone in there. Mac nervsouly started to pace the floor without saying anything while Harriet just watched her, waiting for her to speak up.

"Mac?" she finally asked after having watched Mac pace silently for quite some time.

Mac didn't give her a verbal reply, but just withdrew something out of her pocket and placed it in Harriet's hand. Looking down at the object in her hands, Harriet's eyes grew wide.

"Positive?" she gasped.

"Positive." Mac replied.

"Wow, this is great - isn't it?"

Studying Mac carefully, she knew this probably was anything than great for her though she couldn't figure out why. Mac was supposed to get married to Mic in just 2 days, and she knew they both had talked about having children before. Something was wrong though - something she couldn't quite figure out.

"This is anything else than great!" Mac suddenly blurted out. "This is a complete disaster!"

"A disaster? Why? I don't quite understand. Didn't Mic and you talk about having children."

"Yes, we did, but..." Dreading the words for a couple seconds, Mac finally continued, "it can't be his."

"COME AGAIN?" Harriet exclaimed shocked.

"Just what I said, it is not Mic's."

"I thought... whoa, you just let me run into a brick wall without a warning, Mac. You two are about to get married, how could this happen? I thought you love Mic."

"I do, Harriet, it's just..."

"...that you spent a night with someone else."

"I - we never planned this to happen, it just did."

"And this we is you and?"

Studying Mac closely, Harriet didn't need an answer from her. Now it all made sense, the distance between Harm and Mac the last couple of weeks, their lack of private conversations. Whenever she'd seen them, their conversations were formal and case related, nothing private. All after their rescue from the USS Providence.

"It happened on that submarine, am I right?"

Mac nodded silently.

"Are you planning on telling him?"

"Tell him what? Hey Harm, great news, though I am getting married to someone else, I am expecting your child? How could I possibly do that, Harriet?"

"What about Mic? Do you want to let him believe this is his child?"

"At the moment I have no idea what I should do. I can't tell Harm it is his and neither can I tell Mic it is not his."

"Isn't there even the slightest possibility it is Mic's?" Waiting for an answer, Harriet studied Mac closely, not quite sure what she should read from her expression. "Or is it just that you don't want this baby to be Mic's?"

"No! I mean, yes, heck, it would be okay if it was Mic's."

"Just okay?"

"Harriet! The matter here is that it can't be his, not in a million years!"

Taking a deep breath, Harriet spoke up with the most sincere voice she could muster, "So, let's gather the facts together. You are getting married to Mic in 2 days, but you are expecting Harm's child. If you ask me - and I guess that is what you did by dragging me in here - you have to tell both men what the current situation is. If you keep this for yourself, it's going to explode with a loud boom at one point and you will hurt them even more. I guess this is not what you wanted to hear from me, but that is how I see it. Come clean with both of them."

"I will risk my marriage if I tell Mic it's not his."

"And what do you think will happen if he finds out when you are married?"

"Maybe the best thing is not to have this baby."

"No, no, no, don't start talking like that. I know you want this baby, Mac."

"Yes, damn, I want it, but how can I possibly keep it?"

Breaking out in tears, Harriet gathered Mac into her arms, letting her sob. She was so absorbed trying to soothe her, that she didn't hear the knock at the door, neither someone calling Mac's name. A moment later, the door swung open, and Mic stepped in.

"Sarah, are you in..." he stopped midsentence when he saw Mac crying in Harriet's arms. "Sarah, luv, what happened?"

He pried her out of Harriet's arms, forcing her to look at him.

"What's wrong, Sarah? What happened?"

"Go away, Mic." she sniffed, wriggling out of his grasp and turning away from him, trying to hide the tears the best she could.

"Harriet, would you leave us alone for a minute please?" Mic asked as he turned towards Harriet.

"I don't think it's such a good..." she started, but was cut off by Mic immediately.

"Can I have a minute with my fiancee in private?" Mic uttered sternly, as he reached for Harriet's upper arm, adding, "Please?"

That was when he caught sight of the object which had been carelessly thrown into one of the sinks. He reached past Harriet and picked it up. His eyes widened, first in shock, then in surprise.

"Sarah?" he gasped, turning to Mac and holding up the positive pregnancy test in his hand.

"I guess now this is my cue to leave."

Turning on her heels, Harriet left the bathroom, closing the door carefully being her and making sure on the outside that no one was to interrupt those two for the next few minutes.

"Sarah, luv, is this what you are crying about?"

Nodding silently, Mac finally turned back to Mic, her face tear stricken, her eyes trimmed red from the tears she had shed.

"Why?"

"I.... this.... I don't know. I didn't know what to tell you." she stuttered, wiping away the tears from her cheeks.

"You're crying because we are going to have a baby? Sarah, this is the best news since you agreed to marry me!"

"Yeah, I guess it is."

"You just made me the happiest man on earth!"

Overfilled with joy, Mic picked her up, kissing her and whirling her around the bathroom. He was so happy with the news that he never realized Mac's uneasiness and insecurity about that topic. Her fake smile caused him to smile even more, spinning her around faster and faster in his arms, making her real dizzy.

"Will you let me down, please?" Mac suddenly pleaded. "I think I have to..."

With that, she bolted out of Mic's arms and into one of the stalls, getting sick.

"You have to make an appointment with your Ob/gyn real soon." Mic started to rant as he paced the floor in front of the stall, waiting for Mac to finish. "And then we have to find a house for us. I mean, the apartment is too small for us and a baby. And, and, and... there are so many things we need to do!"

"Right now I guess I am not in the condition to talk about any of these things though." Mac said wearly as she exited the stall and went over to the sink, splashing her face with ice cold water.

"Right, right. You should take the day off and rest. I guess that would be the best for you."

"No, I am fine. I can handle it."

"Then let me get you some water, okay?"

"Okay."

Mic rushed out of the restrooms and vanished towards the kitchen while Mac crossed the bullpen towards her office. Not really looking where she was going as her head was still spinning and making her dizzy, she bumped into Harm who was standing next to Gunny's desk. Seeing her stagger, he quickly reached our for her, grabbing her by her arms and holding her up.

"Thanks." she uttered without even looking at him. "I guess I wasn't looking where I went."

"No problem." Casting a closer look at his partner, his eyes widened, "Are you all right, Mac? Frankly, you don't look very good."

"Geez, thanks for telling me, Harm."

"I am sorry." he apologized and glanced over the bullpen to see if anyone was standing near. "Mac, I... can we talk, please?"

"I guess now is not the right time."

"Then when is? When you are married and there is nothing left to say?"

"There IS nothing left to say, Harm."

"There is. You have been avoiding me ever since we came back from the Providence."

"Harm, please! We talked about everything there is to talk about."

"If you think so."

With that, he released her arm and turned to walk back to his office, smashing the door shut behind him. Mac cringed at the loud bang, then turned as well to leave for her office. Casting one look back at the closed door to Harm's office, she closed her office door as well, leaning against it and starting to cry.

1941 ZULU
St. Damian's Church
Washington, DC



Mac was standing in the back of the church, dressed in her wedding gown, observing the beautifully decorated church one last time before she had to return to the chamber because the guest would start filling in. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that one person had already arrived, watching her from distance.

Harm stood just inside the vestibule of the church watching Mac. Seeing her standing there in her wedding gown made him think about what could have been once again. So many times he had thought about it the last couple of weeks. He so much wished their encounter on the Providence had turned out differently. If she had just given them the chance to talk about it, maybe it would have turned out differently. Maybe he would be the groom that day, and not only a guest, watching from the back. Solemly, he dropped his head - it wasn't meant to be.

Finally, Mac noticed him in the vestibule. Seeing him there, in his dress whites, made everything more intense and more confusing for her. She had successfully pushed back the memories of what had happened on the Providence for the last few weeks, but the closer it got to the wedding, and after holding that positive pregnancy test in her hands, that night on the Providence was foremost on her mind.

Her heart told her to just run to him and confess everything - her feelings, her fears, the baby. Yes, she was in love with him, she wanted a future with him, but whatever her heart said didn't matter. Her head told her differently.

"Hi." she finally said as she turned to him, not quite sure yet though if she was ready to face him and be able to withstand him.

"Hi." Harm replied and cautiously took a few steps closer to her.

"Why didn't you come to the rehearsal dinner last night?" she asked, a touch of hurt in her voice.

"I figured it was best for me not to come."

"You could have told me."

"I know I should have, but... I didn't know how to tell you."

With a sigh, Mac confessed, "I needed you there, Harm. I needed my best friend. It would have meant a lot to me."

"I am sorry. I just felt... out of place coming alone."

"Alone?" Mac asked surprised. "Where is Renee?"

"She left 2 weeks ago." he replied.

"2 weeks ago? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I tried, but you never wanted to listen. You pushed me away every time I started talking to you about anything else than work."

There was a moment of silence between them. Looking in his eyes, Mac saw how much she had hurt him. After all, she had just called him his best friend, and she still considered him that, so how could she possibly have pushed him away when he needed a friend to talk.

After swallowing down the lump in her throat, she asked, "Why did she leave?"

"She knew something happened between us on the Providence." Harm replied, his gaze now focused on her eyes. "One night, she asked me why I had grown so distant to her and wanted to know what happened, but I wouldn't tell her. That was when she asked me to choose between you and her. I told her that I couldn't. She called me the next day, saying it was over."

"I am sorry."

"Don't be." His hand reached out to tenderly touch her cheek. "I got everything I wanted and even if it was only for one night. I finally realized it was worth it. You look so beautiful, Sarah." he whispered, barely audible.

"Thank you." she replied, a weak smile forming on her lips. "Harm -" she started, convinced that in this very moment she would tell him about his baby, tell him that the only future she wanted was with him, let her heart guide her for once - but when she looked directly into his blue eyes and saw the pain in them, the pain she had caused him, she couldn't anymore.

"I am glad you are here for me today." she finally managed to say.

"How could I not." he replied. "Be happy, Sarah."

Stepping forward, he enfolded Mac in a quick hug, kissing her forehead softly. Though it only lasted for a second, it felt like a lifetime to both of them. He had to pry himself away from her as he didn't want to let her go, but he knew she wasn't his. Stepping back from her and releasing her from his arms, he had that same sad smile on his face. Without another word, he turned, leaving the church and returning to the vestibule, leaving Mac far behind.

Mac's heart was breaking when she saw Harm heading for the vestibule, and then turning towards the grand wooden doors, walking outside. Her heart screamed at her to rush after him and hold him back, but her feet weren't moving. She had to fight back the tears in her eyes, feeling that for once and all, she had lost her best friend.

Sniffing away the tears, she saw Harriet approaching her with two beautiful flower bouqets in her hands. From the look on her face, she could tell that she had seen her conversation with Harm.

"Mac..." Harriet started and placed her hand on her friend's upper arm.

"Harriet, don't." Mac said in a tone tinged with warning not to press the issue.

Harriet so much wanted to tell her that marrying Mic was the worst decision she had ever made, that there was northing worse than losing your best friend, than denying him his child and not being true to her heart. But Harriet had learned that as much as she'd try, she could not convince her to follow her heart.
"It's almost time." she uttered with a sadness in her voice. "Chloe is waiting in the bride's room." she finally said wih a sigh, and handed Mac her bouquet, before they both headed back to the bride's room to wait for the ceremony to start.

Guests finally filled into the church, taking their spot wherever they wanted. There was no bride's side or groom's side in the church - there were too few personal guests coming for either the groom or the bride.

15 minutes later, about half the benches were filled with guests, more than they had actually expected. Mic was nervously fidgeting with the sleeves of his uniform as he stood at the altar with Bud as his best man, waiting for the ceremony to start. Finally, the minister arrived next to him, and indicated for the organist to start. Seconds later, the wedding march was to be heard echoing through the church, and Harriet appeared at the end of the aisle.

As she marched down towards the altar ahead of Mac and after Chloe, she felt as if she were marching toward the gallows. Knowing everything she did, she had no idea how Mac could go on with this. After all, she was carrying another man's child. And it wasn't to be wondered about if neither the father of the baby nor the soon-to-be-husband knew about this, they didn't. She had to do something, but she didn't know what.

All the way to her place at the altar, she rather paid attention to her thoughts about what to do to stop this than all the faces that first stared at her, and then at the bride. Smiling faces she saw out of the corner of her eyes, all seeming to be happy for the groom and the bride. If they just knew what she knew, she wondered once again, they probably wouldn't be sitting there anymore, smiling and being happy for the bride and groom.

The bride was carrying another man's child for God's sake, and Harriet was sure, that her heart only belonged to one man. She didn't question her love for Mic, she knew Mac loved him, but she also knew that this love could never be as strong as her love for Harm. And if she didn't stop that ceremony right away with a very ¬ood reason to object, this marriage¬would end in a tragedy sooner or later.

When she finally reached the front, still thinking about how she could stop the ceremony, Chlode nudged her in her side when she just stopped in the middle, forgetting to take her place at the side. With a mumbled excuse, she took her place and turned to see the Admiral guide Mac down the aisle. Proud as a peacock, he lead her to the altar, his face glowing with a smile. Even Mac had a smile on her face - a forced one she used to mask all the uneasiness and confussion that came with this.

Harriet wondered how no one actually could see how uneasy she was with walking down the aisle towards Mic who was waiting there for her with a huge smile on his face.

When Mac finally reached Mic's side, the organist ceased playing the wedding march and everyone quieted as Mic took Mac's arm and the minister beg n to speak up.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

Harriet was wrestling with herself about whether or not to object when the minister asked for objections. How, in clear conscience, could she let Mac, the godmother of her son and the woman she considered her best friend, marry a man when there was another one she longed to be with instead and whose child she was carrying.

Looking over to her husband, she saw him smiling at her. If he just knew everything she knew, if everyone else there sitting in the church knew what she knew, they couldn't be smiling anymore. But matter was, they didn't. It was all up to her to stop this. And she was determined to do it, stop Mac from making the biggest mistake in her life. She had already formed the words in her head and had opened her mouth to speak, but the words of objection she heard did not come from her - they came from Mac.

"I can't go through with this." Mac said so quietly that only Harriet, Chloe, the minister, Mic and Bud could hear her.

Commotion went through the church when the minister looked up from the bible and stopped, his gaze wondering towards the bride.

"Sarah?" Mic asked unsure as he clutched her hand tightly in his.

"I just can't, Mic." she replied, the tears welling in her eyes. "I thought I could but I..."

He silenced her by placing his finger on her lips.

"You don't need to say it. I know."

"I was hoping so much this would work out, but remember you said not to go into this with any doubts. Truth is, I have doubts. I love you, Mic, I really do, but I don't think it is enough for this marriage to work out. I am sorry."

Before Mic was able to find any words to react, Mac turned and ran from the altar, slamming the door leading to the bride's room behind her so loud everyone in the church could hear. The assembled guests were instantly on their feet, staring after Mac, then back at the groom who was left standing alone at the altar with the minister, his Best Man and the Maid of Honor.

"What happened?" Bud asked dumbfounded as he walked closer to Mic and his wife.

"The wedding's off!" Mic announced for everyone in the church to hear.

Confused faces stared at the altar as Harriet snatched up the skirt of her dress and started sprinting down the aisle towards the exit.

"Harriet!" Bud called after her. "Where are you going?"

"To find Commander Rabb!" she shouted and vanished through the doors.

It didn't take Harriet long to find Harm. He was sitting outside on one of the benches, starring up at the birds chirping in a tree nearby. She was totally out of breath when she reached the bench.

"Harriet? What are you doing here?" he asked confused. "You are supposed to be inside the church with Mac."

"I came to get you." she breathed.

"Harriet, I can't. You know that."

"Yes, you can, sir." she insisted, dragging at his hand to pull him on his feet. "I know I am disregarding rank here, but I give a damn shit about it right now. Get your six going, Commander!"

"Harriet!" Harm exclaimed surprised, never having heard such harsh words coming from here - other than when she had been in labor.

"Mac called off the wedding."

"She did WHAT?"

"She called it off right there standing at the altar."

"How could she do that?" Harm asked, more talking to himself than to Harriet.

"Well, that is an answer you should know. Now go!" Harriet shoved him hardly towards the side entrance of the church. "You two need to talk. I mean really talk. And I will personally make sure you will not leave that little chamber until you have talked about everything there is to talk about. And if I have to lock you two in for days, I am determined do it! Did I make myself clear, Commander?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Sims!"

Harm started to walk towards the entrance, then sped up, and finally ran into the church in search for Mac. He finally found her inside the chamber she had used to change. She was standing at the window, her back towards him, Chloe next to her holding her hand. Though he couldn't see her face, he knew she was crying.

"Mac..." his voice cracked as he said her name.

"Don't." She cut him off before he could say anything else. "I need to be alone now."

"What if I don't want to leave?"

"Hell, Harm, just leave me alone now, will you?"

Whirling around, she found Harm standing only inches behind her. His cover was tugged under his arm, and she felt herself falling so bad for those dress whites again, falling for the man she was sure she had no future with. But how wrong she was.

"I won't leave you, Sarah." he said and gently brushed the tears away from her cheek with his thumb.

"I guess that is my cue to leave." Chloe announced. "Don't hurt her, you hear me? I will kick your butt if you do."

Harm smiled at Chloe, the teenager returning the smile before she left the chamber.

"I created a real mess out there." Mac started when they were finally alone. "What do I do now? How can I possibly face all those people again? How can I face Mic again?"

"Time will heal all wounds."

"But not this one."

"It will - if we let it to. Sarah, what happened between us on the Providence..."

"Don't. This is the last thing I need right now."

"No, we need to talk about it. I has been a big mistake we've been dreading this for so long. I think right now is a very good time to talk about it. Mac, you called off your wedding! Look me in the eyes and tell me it was not because of what happened on the Providence. Tell me no and I will leave."

Unable to look him directly in the eyes, Mac turned her head away. Harm shortly shook his head before he tenderly drew her face back to look at him.

"Sarah, I love you. I said it back then and I am saying it now. I love you. When I thought all I wanted was to see you happy, it was the truth, but this, this is not making you happy. In the last 8 weeks you were someone I hadn't known before - not the Sarah I had grown to love. I want her back."

"You can't get her back, not after all this."

"Why? I'd do everything for you, don't you know that? Marry me. Right here and right now. There is a minister out there. Marry me!"

Being totally stunned by that question, all Mac could do was stare at him. Then she slowly regained her composure, her eyes starting to glare at him with fury.

"Okay, when did she tell you?"

"Who? And tell me what?"

"Harriet! When did she tell you?"

"Mac, I don't know what you are talking about." Harm stammered totally confused.

"Hell you know, Harm. Are you feeling responsible now? Tell you what, I don't need that. I can take care of me and the baby pretty well. I don't need you are anyone else for that matter to feel responsible for me. Tell you what, I am a grown woman, I can handle it pretty good."

"What the heck are you talking about? What baby, Mac?" Slowly, it started to dawn on Harm. "Our baby?"

Slowly nodding, tears started to trickle dowm Mac's cheeks again. Choking back a sob, she drew in a dreep breath, waiting for any kind of reaction from Harm. When he just kept staring at her in confusion with his mouth wide open, she spoke up.

"I didn't want this to happen, Harm. It just... happened. I guess the last thing we both were thinking about on the Providence was any kind of protection."

"My baby? Our baby?" Harm exclaimed, still half in shock. "Why didn't you tell me? Or didn't you want me to know?"

"I don't know. Till 2 days ago I didn't even know I was pregnant. It came as a shock to say the least. I still don't know what to feel or what to do about this. So yes, reason because I called off the wedding was our night on the Providence. Or better the result of it."

"You don't wanna have it?"

"No! I mean yes, yes, I wanna have this baby. Damn, this is just all so complicated."

"Why?" Harm asked as he picked up her hand. "Marry me. Let us be a family. I want to make you happy, Sarah. Just tell me what to do."

"Just hold me for a moment, will you?"

Harm shortly nodded before he gathered her into his arms, holding her close to him. Feeling her relax in his arms and finally stopping to sob after a few moments, he pulled her away from him for just a couple of inches and forced her to look at him.

"If you don't want me in your life, Sarah, I can understand after everything I have done, or not have done. But don't shut me out of our..."

"I want you in my life, Harm. I've always wanted. It's all I ever dreamed about." she interrupted him, placing her fingers on his lips to stop him from talking. "I always thought you never wanted me. You pushed me away, so I gave up. But when you finally said you wanted me, I was the one who pushed you away. I don't know why, I... I..." Mac stopped, then went on after a few seconds of silence. "I have..."

Her voice trailed off when her eyes caught sight of the shiny glimmering object he was slowly lifting up for her to see.

"It's nothing compared to what Mic gave you, but it comes from heart and it's the best I can do at the moment. May I?"

Silently nodding, Mac lifted her hand for Harm to take. He first removed Mic's engagement ring and then placed his Naval Academy ring on her finger.

"I guess it's not the right size." Mac chuckled lightly as the tears started to well in her eyes once again when she held up her hand to admire the ring.

"It is just temporary anyways."

A look of confusion washed over Harm's face when Mac removed the ring from her finger and placed it in his palm, tightly closing his fingers around it.

"You will need a ring at the altar."

Before Harm could reply, there was a knock at the door. Turning around, he reached for the knob and opened it, finding Mic standing outside in the hallway.

"Can I have a word with Mac?" he asked as he stepped into the chamber.

Turning his head over his shoulder, Harm looked at Mac who nodded at him.

"Can you leave us alone for a minute?"

Harm nodded silently, and left the chamber to give Mac the time to explain everything that just had happened. He knew it was not easy to do, but she had to do it alone.

"I am sorry." Mac choked out after Harm had closed the door.

"Don't be." Mic replied and tilted her face up to look at him. "Somehow, I knew it would end like this. I never thought we'd actually make it to the altar. I guess I should have put an end to this the moment I sensed that something was wrong."

Mac sniffed, and wiping the tears out of her face, asked, "And when was that?"

"When I found out that the child you are expecting wasn't mine."

"How?"

"I can add, Mac. Your doctor told me you were 8 weeks pregnant. 8 weeks ago you were on the Providence with Harm, not here with me. Besides, you wouldn't have gone to Harriet first to tell her if it was mine, would you? I just don't understand though why you kept quiet, never told Harm."

"Maybe because I didn't know what to do?" Tears started to trickle down Mac's face again. "Whenever you asked me about what happened on the Providence, I wouldn't tell you, remember? Harm and I, we were trapped in our cabin. Water was rinsing through the door, and I thought my life was over. I couldn't let that very last moment slip without telling him that..."

Mac bit her lower lip, stopping herself from what she was about to say.

"That you love him." Mic finished for her, tenderly brushing a strand of her hair out of her face.

Mac nodded solemly, "But that doesn't mean that I don't love you, Mic. It's just different. I really wanted us to work out."

"I can see that. Hey, tell you something. You beat me to that 'I can't' just by a second." They both let out a chuckle. "Sarah, I love you, you know that, but I realized as well that no matter how hard we had tried, we wouldn't have worked out. Your place is with Harm, not me. I can't actually believe he let this go so far."

"He said he wanted me to be happy, and if I was happy with you, he had to accept that."

"Damn jetjock, always knowing the right words to say." Mic whisteled, a big grin on his face. "I think I'll just go back to the church and tell everyone that the wedding is not off, but that there is a new groom. Good luck, Sarah."

Mic turned away from Mac, but she grabbed his hand and held him back.

"Thank you, Mic. I am glad you understand."

"How could I not?"

Mic opened the door for Harm to enter the chamber again.

"She's all yours." he uttered, looked back at Mac one final time, then proceeded to walk away.

"Mic!" he heard Harm's voice call after him. He immediately stopped and turned around, seeing Harm holding his sword in Mic's direction.

"Sarah asked me to lead the Arch Of Steel. I'd be honored if you would do it instead. That is if you would like to do me this honor?"

"Any time, mate."

Mic took the sword from Harm. He quickly turned to attention and saluted, Harm doing the same. Then Mic made a dismisal turn and walked away.

Back in the hallway, Mic passed Bud and Harriet, who were anxiously waiting for any news - whether there would be a wedding or not.

"Lieutenants Roberts and Sims, your presence is requested in the chamber." Harm bellowed from the chamber as he saw them standing there.

"Yessir!" he heard before he returned to Mac.

She was nervously fidgeting with her wedding dress, and the tears had completely ruined her makeup, but when she saw Harm smiling at her, she couldn't help but smile back. The smile faded quickly though when he pulled the handkerchief from his pocket, gently spread it out before her, bent down on one knee, and took her hand into his. Bud, Harriet, and little AJ made it into the chamber just in time to hear his proposal.

"Sarah, I asked you on the Providence, I asked you 10 minutes ago, and I will now ask you again because I haven't gotten this one single word answer yet. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?"

"Yes," Mac answered, almost a whisper.

She looked up from Harm to see Harriet's face glowing, and Bud smiling like he had never before. Little AJ on his father's arm, had his father's cover on his head, and was giggling at all the adults.

"Kiss bwide!" he suddenly exclaimed.

"We're not quite there yet, Buddy." Harm laughed and gathered Mac into his arms to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You ready?"

"Give me ten minutes for my stomach to calm down and to redo my makeup, and I'll be ready to go. I am having butterfly wings flying around, and if they don't stop in a second, I have to make a mad dash for the..."

Mac covered her mouth with her hand immediately and raced past Harm out of the chamber in search for the restrooms. Harriet quickly followed her, trying to ensure that she was all right, and most of all would not ruin her wedding dress. The men watched after them, and Harm breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Mac made it into the restrooms safe and sound.

"Auntie Sawah sick?" AJ asked and looked up at his father. "Unca Harm kiss boo boo way!"

"Auntie Sarah is not sick, Honey. Auntie Sarah is going to have a baby." Harm cooed at him while tickling his belly.

"The Colonel is pregnant?" Bud asked astonished.

"Yes, but shhh. We will get to that later."

"But, Sir, how? I mean, your baby? I don't quite understand."

"It's a story too long to tell now, Bud. For now, I need you as my best man."

"Thank you, Sir! I'll be honored! But, damn, I don't have my sword with me for the Arch of Steel. I wasn't supposed to be a part of it. I have to run back home to get it. Or maybe I can have yours, Sir? I saw Mic with it just a couple of minutes ago."

"It's okay, Bud." Harm chuckled at the junior officer's enthusiasm and confusion. "I asked Mic to do us the favor. I hope that is okay with you?"

"Oh yes, Sir," Bud nodded, "it is."

"You may need to give him some advice though on what he has to do."

"That I can do, Sir. Oh, and I think AJ here has a tiny little question. He wanted to ask Mic about it, but I guess he was a little shy. You want to ask Uncle Harm now?"

Little AJ nodded enthusiastically and reached his arms out towards Harm who took him from his father's arm.

"A-Tsay kiss bwide fiwst, otay?" he said with the sureness of a big boy.

"AJ wants to kiss the bride first?"

The toddler kept on nodding.

"How about you let Uncle Harm have the first kiss."

"Otay."

Having completely misunderstood, little AJ wrapped his arms around Harm's neck and placed a big sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Have fiwst kiss, Unca Harm!" he giggled joyfully.

"Well, thank you!" Harm chuckled. "But how about letting Uncle Harm kiss Auntie Sarah first? And then AJ can give her a big big kiss."

"Yessy yes!" the boy rejoiced.

"Then let's inform everyone that we have a wedding after all!"

Harm and Bud left the chamber and met with a couple of confused fellow officers, not to say a very irritated CO.

"What did I just hear Brumby say? The wedding is not stalled?" AJ Chegwidden asked, as he pointed at Mic, whom was amiably talking to the priest.

"No, Sir," Harm shook his head, "there will be a wedding today. That is as soon as the bride is feeling better and is ready to walk down the aisle."

"All right, Commander. Now how about we all take our seats and wait patiently until we hear the Wedding March." AJ gently ushered everyone standing around him towards the church pews. Before he walked off, he turned back to Harm and Bud. "I assume you won't be needing a seat, Commander?"

"No, Sir. Though you might reserve one for Mr. Brumby."

Harm tugged at his uniform jacket one last time when he saw Harriet walking towards them.

"Is Sarah feeling any better?"

Harriet smiled at Harm's using of Mac's given name, "She's fine. It was just a little much excitement for her stomach. She asked me to tell you that you should take your place at the altar, and she will be right there."

"Thank you, Harriet." Harm smiled and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. "C'mon, Bud, I need my best man next to me."

The priest was looking more than confused when Mic and Harm joined him at the altar. Though Mic had been kind enough to fill him in on the details, he just shook his head at them with confusion.

"Good luck, Mate." Mic uttered and patted Harm's shoulder. "Make her happy."

Taking an empty seat in the front row, which originally had been reserved for Harm, Mic sat quietly. Drawing in a deep breath, Harm took his place with Bud standing behind him, and patiently waited for the arrival of his bride.

His heart pounded faster and faster when the music started to play, and though it was only Harriet and Chloe walking down the aisle, his damp hands were shaking terribly. Only twenty minutes ago, he had thought his world had crashed, and now, here he was standing, waiting to marry the woman he loved more than anything in the world.

At last Mac appeared at the end of the aisle on the arm of the Admiral. Harm had never before seen his CO beam as a smile spread across his face, and his eyes shone like hers did. Hers was a true smile, one that wasn't forced anymore, and she walked briskly toward him as if the dream might end too soon.

As she reached her place next to Harm, she found the love and devotion in his eyes mirroring her own. For a few seconds, they stood gazing at each other, savoring in the thought of a long lost dream that was finally coming true.

"Dearly beloved," the priest began and Harm and Mac turned towards him, "We've come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. God intends the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind for the mutual joy, for the health and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. Into this holy union Sarah and..."

The priest helplessly looked at Harm, who quickly supplied his name.

"... and Harmon have now come to be joined," he continued. "And I ask again, that if any among you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married speak now or forever hold your peace."

Harm quickly glanced over his shoulder into the crowd of people sitting in the church. All he could see were smiling faces, and not even one that looked like there'd be an objection - not even Mic Brumby.

After a moment of complete silent, the priest continued, "Take your right hands please."

Harm and Mac found each other's eyes immediately as their hands joined to be together as one.

"Harmon, I ask you to repeat. I, Harmon, do take you, Sarah, to be my wife."

Harm had to clear his throat before he could get out a word, "I, Harmon, do take you, Sarah, to be my wife."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse," the priest continued, and Harm repeated, "For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you as long as we both shall live."

"...as long as we both shall live," the groom echoed, and gently squeezed the shaking hand he was holding.

"Now Sarah, I ask you to repeat. I, Sarah, do take you, Harmon, to be my husband."

Mac's voice cracked slightly when she started to speak up, "I, Sarah, do take you, Harmon, to be my husband."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you as long as we both shall live."

She said her vow desperately trying to keep the tears back that were threatening to flow and unmercifully asking for release. She sniffed abruptly giving into tears of joy.

"The rings please," the priest announced, and both the best man and maid of honor shrugged their shoulders, grimacing slightly.

Winking at them, Harm pulled his Naval Academy ring from his finger once again, and placed it at the tip of Mac's thumb.

"I know it took us a long time to finally stand here, to confess our feelings for each other, Sarah. I regret so many things in my life, mostly that I didn't tell you earlier how much you mean to mean and that you are my whole life. I am thankful for having you in my life, and I will never ever regret loving you as much as I do. Today, we will start a new life, together as Harm and Sarah. I hope we will have many happy years together."

The priest nodded at him after he had finished his confession, so he slipped the ring on her finger with the words, "With this ring, I thee wed, Sarah."

Now Mac did as he did and pulled her Marine Corps ring from her hand only to place it at the tip of Harm's pinky finger.

"I don't look back at the time we may have wasted, I looked forward to the time we are allowed to spend together. Good times or bad times, I don't care because I know that no matter what it is, we can deal with it and pull through it together, we always have, because your love was strong enough to guide me, and my love to lead you. With my vow to you today, I gave you my heart and my soul, forever to be yours and yours alone." She slipped the ring on his finger completely, "With this ring, I thee wed, Harm."

By the time the priest took both their hands into his, there almost was no dry eye left in the church, and once again, the tears that were running down her cheeks ruined Mac's makeup.

"Bless oh Lord these rings to be a sign of the values by which this man and this woman have bond themselves to each other," the priest spoke, his gaze wandering upwards towards the sky. "Now that Harmon and Sarah have given themselves to each other by solemn vows with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings I pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder. Amen. You may now kiss the bride."

The crowd began to applaud when Harm kissed his wife for the very first time. Their kiss was tender and sweet, yet passionate and fulfilling.

"A-Tsay kiss bwide!" they heard a toddler squeal behind them.

Breaking apart, they humorously glanced at each other, and Harm gently wiped away the tears from Mac's cheeks.

"I love you, Mrs. Rabb," he whispered. "I always have."

"Presenting to the public for the first time - Cmdr. and Mrs. Harmon Rabb JR!" Mic Brumby bellowed as the Arch of Steel was formed and the bride and groom had appeared outside the doors of St. Damian's church.

Harm glanced over at Mac with a smile on his face as he took her arm and guided her through the Arch of Steel. They both stopped at the end of it, and Mac stole a quick peek at Mic to signal him it was time for the swat with the sword. Bud, who was standing behind Mic, giving him instructions on what to do, quickly whispered something to him.

A moment later, Mic lowered his sword, but instead of swatting Mac's bottom, he swatted Harm with the words "Semper Fi, Commander" and a cocky smile on his face. Gunny, who was standing on the other side of the arch, reacted immediately as he lowered his sword as well and with the words "Go Navy, Colonel", swatted Mac's bottom.

Stifled laughter was being heard from the crowd that had formed in front of the church, which soon erupted in loud laughter when the groom and the bride started to laugh as well. They stole a quick kiss when Mic gave the command for the people forming the Arch of Steel to retreat, then turned back to the well wishers who had formed a small line in front of them.

Chloe being the first in line immediately enveloped Mac into a big bear hug, whispering something to her that caused her to giggle. Then she moved on to Harm, looking up at him with a naughty grin on her face.

"You know, Chloe was the goddess of green growing things - which means she basically was the goddess of fertility back in Greek mythology." she said, casting a look over to Mac and then back to Harm.

"Thank you for that lecture of Greek history," Harm replied slightly irritated.

"You have no clue what I am talking about, do you?" Chloe asked, cheekily.

"I guess it is slowly dawning on me," Harm replied, winking.

"Be easy on Mac tonight. I mean, it's your wedding night, but remember, you're not alone."

Harm laughed as he gently swatted Chloe's back when she turned to leave and let the next well wisher step forward. Though both Harm and Mac shook hands, and accepted all the best wishes, the line didn't seem to get any shorter at all. After about half an hour, the line finally came to an end when AJ stepped forward as the last one to wish them well.

"Mac," he said as he learned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Then he stepped back, studying both his junior officers.

"Apparently my advice for you two went to hell."

"What kind advice, Sir?" Mac inquired.

"Not to get too close. You two are working together." AJ replied with a smile. "And for this one time I am glad you two didn't listen. But why the hell did it take you five years? Usually when you disobey my orders it doesn't even take an hour!"

"Well, Sir, I guess we took some detours to finally get here."

"Some very long detours I might add, Commander." With that, AJ extended his hand in Harm's direction. "We'll talk about the new working arrangements in two weeks. I am not expecting you two back in the office any earlier than that. This is an order I hope both of you will follow."

"I am sure we won't have a problem with that, Admiral," Harm smiled as he shook hands with his superior.

"Working arrangements?" Mac whispered as she leaned closer to Harm, wrapping her arm around his and cuddling close to him. "What is he talking about?"

"You know the rules, Mac. No married partners. We'll be lucky if we stay in the same chain of command."

Mac went absolutely quiet after what she had so deliberately tried to push back in her mind ever since she had allowed herself to be honest about her feelings for Harm and a possible relationship with him was suddenly spoken out loud.

"You never thought about that, did you?" he asked, tentatively.

"I never got past the question, Harm. Our whole life together was based on a 'what if' till about an hour ago, so why should I worry about the second step if we never actually got close to making the first? Did you think about this?"

"A lot," he replied honestly. "The whole point of not getting involved with you was the chain of command."

Silently, Mac gazed at Harm for quite some time, a light smile on her face. For the first time in her life, she had gotten an honest answer from Harm about why he could never fully commit to her till that very day.

"Hey Mac, Harm, the photographer wants to take a photo in front of the church now!" Chloe's voice suddenly brought them both back to reality, quickly followed by a loud clicking sound of a camera.

"That's gonna be one hell of a cute picture!" Chloe laughed, having convinced the photographer to take a picture of the newly weds while gazing lovingly at each other. "I get a copy!"

"Sure thing, Chloe." Harm replied as he placed his free arm around the teenager's shoulders and released Mac from his arm to steal a few words with Chloe in private.

"So, are you happy with how things turned out?" Harm asked.

Chloe nodded, "Absolutely. Though Mic wasn't that bad a choice either. Mac asked me to respect whatever decision she would make, and I said I would. But can I tell you I am so glad she changed her mind?"

Harm let out a light chuckle, "Care to tell me why you think I am the right choice for her?"

"Oh please, even the blind can see how much in love you are. I knew it even before I met you, that Mac was in love with you I mean. She talked a lot about you, you know. It was Harm here, Harm there... And when I met you, I knew you were in love with her too. Of course you broke her heart when you left for flying. She cried the whole night after you had come to tell her you had gotten your eyes fixed. She thought I wouldn't hear it, but I did. I guess she was really pissed at you. She didn't talk about you for weeks. Of course that all changed when I learned she had met you on that carrier you were serving on. She had butterfly wings in her stomach about you all over again."

"Did she say that?"

"No, but a woman senses such things."

Harm just laughed as they walked over to where the small gathering had formed for the group picture to be taken. For a very brief moment, Harm watched Mac from afar as she laughed with Harriet about something. 'His wife' he thought to himself, 'Sarah Mackenzie Rabb, Mrs. Harmon Rabb JR.' Finally!

Their eyes met, and her smile ignited his own.

"Harm and Mac, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Chloe sung with laughter as she ran over to the small group gathered in front of the stairs that lead up to the church, having noticed the look on Harm's face.

"Shoosh!" Mac giggled as she stopped Chloe and ordered her to stand next to her.

They were all quickly assembled, but Harm noticed people missing.

"Hey, this is supposed to be a family picture," he called out loud. "Tiner, Gunny, get your sixes over here! And where the hell is Brumby?"

"He left, sir." Harriet informed him while Gunny and Tiner made their way over for the picture.

"He left? Why?" Mac asked surprised. Well, duh!

"He didn't say, Ma'am." Bud butted in. "But given all that happened today, I can understand. After all, you were going to marry him and not Commander Rabb."

Harriet elbowed her husband in his side for making that comment. She didn't think it was necessary to constantly remind the newly weds about the wrong turn their lives could have taken earlier that day.

"Are we ready to take the pictures now?" the photographed interrupted after strategically placing the group around the groom and the bride. "We'll take two group pictures, then I want one of the bride, the Maid of Honor and the bridesmaid, one of the groom, the best man, one of the bride and Admiral Cheggawagon as he gave her away and then the bride and the groom together of course."

"That we can do." Harm called to signal them they were ready.

"And the name is Chegwidden!" AJ called from the last row.

"I am sorry, Admiral!" the photographer excused himself as he looked through his camera and waved his hand for the group to gather closer together.

Five minutes later the group pictures were completed and another ten minutes they spent doing the individual pictures. The last few minutes were photos of just the couple in love poses, bringing a lot of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' from the gallery, with a final 'oh, how cute!' Chloe watched their nuances, taking in every kiss, and sighed wistfully.

"Well, young lady, why don't you quickly gather your belongings and escort me to Olivia & Juliet's?" AJ asked as he approached Chloe and placed his arm around her shoulder, startling her for a moment.

"With you?" she replied, looking up at him over shoulder. "I thought I could drive with Harm and Mac."

"Give the newlyweds a break, Chloe."

"Hey, it's only ten minutes by car from here to Olivia & Juliet's. What could possibly happen during that time?"

"Ask me again when you're a little older, young lady."

"If you are trying to give me that speech about bees and flowers..."

"Give the Admiral a break, will ya, Chlo?" Mac said, as she and Harm approached. "And I really do think it's a good idea you go with the Admiral to the reception so he doesn't have to ride alone," she added.

"You know, Mac, it's not dark yet, meaning it's not the wedding night yet, so behave on the ride over to the reception. Or, while I think about it, whatever could happen during one careless moment in the heat of passion already did, so... just do whatever you want. You don't need my permission anyways."

Chloe waved her hand as she wandered off towards the church to quickly gather her stuff from the bride's room while Mac stood opposite her CO, her face blushing.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Colonel, Commander?"

"Ah, uhm," Mac stammered as Harm gently squeezed her hand, "I think that deserves a public announcement at some later point, Sir."

AJ just smiled at his junior offices, having gotten the hint. His face wandered away from them when he saw Chloe running out of the church, screaming 'I am ready to go, Admiral'.

"Slow down there a little bit." Harm chuckled as her caught her in time before she could fall after tripping over her own feet.

"These shoes suck," Chloe complained immediately.

"You wanted them, Chloe." Mac reminded her.

"How could I know they'd fit so lousy?"

"All right everybody." AJ called and clapped his hand. "Let's get going! There's a wedding reception waiting!"

0145 ZULU
Olivia & Juliet's
Georgetown, DC



The reception was winding down. The dinner was served, the toast made, and the wedding cake was cut. The bride and groom had taken their first dance together leading to the traditional throwing of the garter and the wedding bouquet, completing all of the formalities. While Tiner had caught the garter unexpectedly and much to his surprise and embarrassment, the bouquet found its way right into Chloe's arms after some kicking, pushing and jumping into the right direction.

Everyone in the room laughed with the young girl's enthusiastic catching of the wedding bouquet, and grimaced at the terrifying question that followed whether she had to marry Tiner now because he had caught the garter.

The guests were enjoying themselves at their tables, visiting and watching Chloe ask each and every single male party guest for a dance - whether she knew him or not. Finally, she had grown tired after having danced to only three songs with a young guest named Dale who obviously was one of Mic Brumby's friends. Carrying her shoes in her hands and walking barefoot, she returned to the head table where Mac was talking vivaciously with Harriet.

"Chloe, you're not supposed to walk around barefoot in here," Mac said when she saw the teenager throwing her shoes on the ground next to her chair.

"Yeah?" Chloe replied as she lifted the tablecloth and looked underneath. "And what are you two doing? You are not wearing YOUR shoes either."

"Yes, but we are not walking around without them. Next time you leave the table, put them back on, okay?" her big sister asked, sweetly.

"I won't leave this table for a long, long time. My feet are tired."

Mac laughed as she looked up to see Harm returning to the table. In his dress whites, he was irresistible. Absentmindedly, Mac licked her lips in anticipation, bringing giggles from Harriet and Chloe. When Mac realized why they were laughing, she blushed, and joined them.

"What are you all laughing about?" Harm asked, as he stealthily checked his fly.

He placed a quick kiss on Mac's lips, before he looked over at Harriet and Chloe, waiting for an answer.

"Nothing important. Just some girl stuff." Chloe responded, a naughty grin on her face.

"You know, Chloe," Harm started as he walked around the table and stopped behind Chloe, resting his hands on the girl's shoulders, "You haven't asked ME for a dance yet."

"Oh please, spare me!" the girl dramatized.

A shocked 'Chloe!' escaped Mac's lips, soon followed by some chuckles.

"No offence, Harm, but people might get some ideas if you dance with me to the next song. I hope I picked the right one. Now go!"

Chloe pulled at Mac's arm, trying to get her out of her chair.

"I could really need a little help from your side, Mac," she complained to the tired bride. "You know, they won't start playing until you two are out there on the dance floor, so trying to sit this one out and complaining your feet are hurting won't work."

With a sigh and a smile playing across his lips, Harm turned to his left and extended his hand in Mac's direction, "I guess we should do her the honor."

Mac glared at Chloe, then reached under the table to slip on her shoes and take Harm's hand. Together, they crossed the short distance towards the dance floor while the band started playing a new song.

Harm's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Her eyes locked with his, glittering in the dimly light the dance floor was bathed in. A soft smile played across her lips, dazzling her new husband.

"This is the last dance and we're outta here," he mumbled, not being aware he actually said it out loud.

"We're getting really impatient here, aren't we, Mr. Rabb?" Mac chuckled as she placed her head on his shoulder and they started to dance to the slow music.

"What's so bad about wanting some time alone with my new wife?" he inquired, leering at her. "Besides, what you did with your tongue five minutes ago should be considered illegal. So tell me, who's getting impatient with whom?"

"I know a lot more things my tongue can do, Harm," she whispered huskily in his ear.

"Keep that going and I'll never last through this song."

Mac laughed about his response, feeling him tense when her left hand moved down slightly towards his butt. Oh, how she loved teasing him.

"Ah, uh, Mac," Harm croaked, unable to utter a coherent sentence. Humming with the music, he fought desperately to keep his hormones in check.

His soft low voice soothed his wife, and she felt his body relax against hers as they swayed to their own private rhythm, taking her with him to a place far away, never realizing that the music had stopped playing seconds before.

"I thought you said we're outta here after this dance," Mac murmured into his shoulder.

"We are," he replied.

"Then in case you haven't noticed, the music has stopped."

Harm abruptly stopped the dance, pulling away from Mac just enough to look at her eyes glimmering in the dim light with anticipation.

"How about you quietly retreat to the ladies' room and I will call us a cab since my car is still parked at the church. We'll meet outside in five minutes. Gone without anyone knowing."

"I think I can do that," Mac replied with a smile.

Placing a tender kiss on his lips before she stepped out of his embrace, she headed in direction of the ladies' room. For a moment, Harm just stood in the middle of the dance floor, watching after her with a naughty grin on his face.

"Ah, Waiter, one moment, please!" he beckoned, gesturing to him across the room.

"Would you be so kind and call a cab for me, please?"

"Of course, Sir."

Harm thanked him, then turned, only to bump into Chloe.

"So, wedding night starting off right?" she inquired with a sly grin on her face.

"No, ugh, Mac just went to the ladies' room."

"Yeah, right. And you need a cab to get where?"

"Have you been eavesdropping, Chloe?"

"No, what would you give such an idea, Harm?" she replied, incredulously.

"Why don't you go back to the head table and engage in some small talk, okay?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she whined.

"Chloe!"

In the meantime, Harriet had noticed that Chloe was giving Harm a hard time while he obviously had intended to slip out of the reception. His subtle attempt at leaving early was to get a head start on the wedding night. He needed at least a little gratification - even though it was still early, but Harriet knew this night was the most important night for the two of them, and she would not allow Chloe to interfere, so she devised a plan.

Lifting her son from her lap, she set the toddler on the ground and pointed at Chloe, telling him to play huggy bear with her. The boy scurried off as fast as his tiny feet would carry him, and a moment later, Chloe had a toddler attached to her legs.

"Huggy bea, huggy bea!" he exclaimed joyfully as he wrapped his arms tighter around Chloe's legs.

Harm started to laugh as he looked up towards Harriet, mouthing a thank you in her direction. Before Chloe could even react, Harm was gone, leaving her behind with an exhuberant toddler attached to her legs.