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.

Season of Hope, Season of Love

0335 ZULU
Sunday, December 23rd
Dulles International Airport
Washington DC


Harm and Mac were glad when they finally could exit the plane. After all, a snowstorm over DC had delayed their arrival for nearly two hours, and Mac was so tired that she wasn't even sure if she could handle the ride home. They made their way past all the gates towards the baggage claim when suddenly a toddler blocked their way, bouncing happily.

"Up, up, up, up!" he called, raising his arms in the air.

Mac put a smile on her face and bent down to pick up the toddler when she already heard the boy's mother calling for him.

"AJ! Get your six back here!"

Harm and Mac turned around to see Harriet rushing towards them from one of the opposite gates.

"Harm, Mac, what a surprise!" she exclaimed.

"Indeed." Mac chuckled and handed the boy back to his mother.

"What are you doing here, Harriet?" Harm asked.

"My parents decided to fly in for Christmas from Florida. We're waiting here for over an hour and a half already because their flight is delayed. Bud just ran down to McDonald's to get the kids something to drink."

"Ours was delayed for over almost two hours as well."

"What happened to your arm?"

"Nothing serious, Harriet. To make a long story short, I dislocated my shoulder. Nothing a few days of rest can't cure."

"I am glad to hear that. Oh, I don't know if you heard the news already, but they closed off the area around Union Station because of a hazmat. We heard it on the news on our way over here. Some truck equipped with gas slipped on the ice and crashed into a building."

"Terrific." Mac muttered. 30 more minutes to spend on the road if the area around Union Station was closed down.

Suddenly, the flight from Miami was announced, and AJ happily started calling for his grandparents, waking his little sister who was sleeping on her mother's other arm.

Christina started to wail, and much to Harriet's dismay, AJ kept on chattering happily about his grandparents and pulling faces at Christina.

"Here, let me help." Mac offered and took Christina from Harriet. "You go and get your parents, and we'll wait here for either you or Bud."

"Thank you, Mac." Harriet smiled and walked off to the gate where her parents were supposed to arrive.

Meanwhile, Christina showed no signs of calming down.

"Let me try." Harm suggested, pulled his arm out of the sling which he then stowed away in his pocket.

Carefully, Mac shifted the baby girl on his good arm all the while he supported her back with his bad arm. Happily, Christina snuggled into Harm's chest. Her thumb wandered into her mouth, and she let out a small sigh before her eyes drifted close and she was back asleep.

"You look so cute, you know that?"

"Are you talking to me or her?" Harm chuckled and shifted Christina into a more comfortable position for him.

"You, silly. You even got the little girls clinging to you."

"Colonel, Commander." Bud's voice suddenly sounded through the babbling of dozen of different voices around them. "What a surprise."

"Indeed it is. I heard your parents-in-law are flying in?"

"Oh yeah. They called this afternoon from the airport to tell us they were on their way. How was your time with your parents, sir?"

"Mac and I had a great time."

"Oh, where are my manners, here, let me take my daughter."

Bud quickly handed the two drinks in his hands to Mac and then turned to take Christina from Harm. However, she felt so comfortable in Harm's arms that she clung to him and pried her hands into his coat as to not being taken away from him.

Bud shrugged his eyebrows. Now, this behavior was new for Christina. Harm and Bud looked at each other helplessly, and Mac was about to say something when a shrill call interrupted her.

"Buddy, darling, there you are." Harriet's mother Lydia called. "And there is my little sweetheart."

Without even saying hello to Harm and Mac, Lydia pried the little girl out of Harm's arms much to Christina's dismay. Her objection was a loud wail right into her grandmother's ear.

"Uhm, Lydia, I think Christina was..." Bud tried to say, but had to realize that Lydia wasn't really paying attention to him.

Helplessly, he looked up at Harriet and her father Roland who joined the little group.

"Mother, you're making Chrissy cry even more if you keep on rocking her like that." Harriet warned her mother. "She needs someone she knows to hold her when she's tired. Otherwise she'll keep on screaming in a slightly higher volume."

Groaning, Lydia handed her granddaughter over to Bud, who just shrugged his head in Harm's direction, indicating for her to hand her back to Harm. Willingly, the girl went into Harm's arms and stopped crying immediately.

"Lydia, Roland, I hope you remember Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie?"

"Oh, sure." Roland piped in. "How are you doing, Commander, Colonel?"

"Fine, sir." Mac replied as she shook hands.

"The Commander and Colonel just came back from a case in California." Bud rambled on. "They spent a lot of time with the kids, but due to work haven't been able to the last few weeks. I think Christina..."

"Christina likes him better than me, I know, Bud." Lydia finished for him.

"That is not what Bud wanted to say, mother." Harriet said.

"Mac and I need to get going." Harm uttered and handed Christina back to her father. This time, she kept quiet and just snuggled into Bud's arms. "We need to be in early at work to finish our report."

Before either Harriet or Bud could respond, AJ started to squeal with delight, "Mis mis twee, mis mis twee, got mis mis twee!"

Harriet quickly covered her son's mouth before he could say anything further.

"He's so excited about Christmas." Harriet chuckled nervously. "So, we'll see each other at work tomorrow. Have a good night."

"You too."

They quickly said their goodbyes and Harm and Mac started to walk down tot he baggage claim to get their bags.

"You know what I am thankful for?" Mac asked after she'd placed a quick kiss on Harm's lips. "That your mother is nothing like Harriet's. I wouldn't survive someone like her. Poor Bud and Harriet."

"They can be glad they live in Florida." Harm chuckled and placed his arm around Mac's shoulder. "Are you up to driving home? Otherwise I will gladly be your driver, Colonel."

"You know what the doctor said. No driving until Wednesday, most of all not in a snowstorm. You shouldn't even have carried Christina. You've pampered me when I was shot, now let me return the favor."

"Ah, being taken care of by the woman I love, that sounds like something I can agree to."

"You better!"

0412 ZULU
Sunday, December 23rd
Mac's apartment
Georgetown, DC



A whiff of cold air blew in Mac's direction when she opened the door to her apartment. The first thing she noticed though when she stepped inside was not the freezing temperature inside, but the decorated Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the living room next to the fireplace.

"Hey, I didn't know you put up a Christmas tree before we left." Harm

"I didn't." Mac replied and took the note that was pinned at the tree. "Aw, this is cute. Merry Christmas from Bud, Harriet, AJ and Christina."

"Mac, did you turn off the heating before you left?" Harm inquired,

"No, I didn't. It's really cold in here, isn't it?"

"Freezing I'd say."

"Let me check the thermostat and you check those messages on my machine, okay?"

Mac disappeared in the bedroom while Harm moved to her desk to check the messages. Seeing that there was only one, he pushed the play button.

"You have one new message. Sunday, 2:45pm. Ms. Mackenzie, this is Simon Burch. I am sorry to call but you were not home earlier when I stopped by. We have a problem with the heating system in the apartment
complex you are living in. We are very sorry for this, and promise this will be fixed first thing Monday morning. I hope this won't cause any inconveniences for you and you have a warm place to stay for the night.
BEEP!"

"Terrific." Harm muttered and turned of the answering machine. "Hey Mac, have you ever used that fireplace?"

"Why?" she asked while walking out of the bedroom.

"The janitor called. There's a problem with the heating system in the house, meaning since Union Station is closed down, we are stuck in this very cold apartment."

Mac groaned, "All I wanted was to come home to a warm bed and get to sleep. Was this too much to ask for? A freezing cold apartment, and pneumonia as an answer."

"Why don't we spend the night in front of the fireplace?" Harm suggested. "With the fire warming us and our body heat, I promise you won't be cold. And sure won't catch pneumonia."

"Yeah?" Mac asked coyly and stepped closer to him.

"Yeah. You make us a bed and I will quickly run by the convenience store down the block to get us some firewood."

"Don't be too long."

"I won't."

With that, Harm was out the door. Mac sighed, but then started to make them a bed in front of the fireplace. She eyed the couch for a moment. Too bad she hadn't thought of buying a bedcouch, this one definitely
was too small for two people to sleep on, especially for someone as tall as Harm.

A comforter as cover and two to cover the floor in front of the fireplace for them to lay on and several pillows, that had to be enough for the night. As Harm was still not back by the time Mac had made up the bed, she decided to change into a warm pajama. Wrapped into the comforter for warmth, she waited on the couch until Harm returned with a bag of firewood.

"Brrr, it's freezing out there." he said and ruffled the snow out of his hair.

"Then lets start the fire and join me under the comforter to get warmer."

15 minutes later, the light was turned off, the fire had been started and Harm had dressed into a pair of sweatpants and a sweater. Together, they sat in front of the fireplace in a tight embrace, the comforter neatly tucked around them for warmth.

"Feeling warmer?" Harm asked as he rubbed Mac's upper arms.

"I am getting there." she replied.

"I wonder why most places have a fireplace in the living room but not in the bedroom. It would be a lot more practical there, don't you think?"

"You can make sure about that when we go house hunting. And then if the heating ever decides to quit on us again in winter, we can all snuggle into bed together."

"Like we can snuggle into this comforter now and go to sleep. It's late and I know you are tired."

"Whenever I pictured myself lying under a comforter in front of the fireplace in your arms, the last thing I ever thought about was getting any sleep." Mac retorted.

"We can repeat this any time, whether the heating is working or not."

"I'll take your word on that."

"Now get some sleep. You need it. I'll keep an eye on the fire."

Together, they lay back on the comforter. Mac made herself comfortable in Harm's arms, trying not to hurt his shoulder. Eventually, she found a comfortable spot and placed her head on his chest, seeking the warmth his body offered.

Harm smiled and bent forward to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Love you two." he whispered.

"We love you as well." Mac mumbled into his chest before she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.





1207 ZULU
Monday, December 24th
Mac's apartment
Georgetown, DC


When Mac awoke, the strange feeling in her stomach returned. For the first time in days though, she didn't feel the urge to throw up. Tiredly, she rubbed her eyes and was about to snuggle back into Harm's warm embrace when her internal clock alarmed her that they had overslept.

"Harm, we're late!" she exclaimed and threw the comforter off, exposing both their bodies to the cold air.

Harm didn't really take notice about them being late. He never even opened his eyes when his hand reached out for the comforter and pulled it back up to his chin.

"Hey sleepyhead, you can sleep in late tomorrow." Mac giggled and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"What time is it?" Harm mumbled, finally arching his eyes open at least a bit.

"0707 and 55 seconds. If we want to be at work by 0800, we have to hurry. Get up, lazy butt."

Harm muttered something under his breath, but finally rolled over and got up. He rubbed his upper arms and toddled in direction of the bedroom.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Taking a hot shower. I feel like an icicle, brrrr. Want to join me?"

"Oh no!" Mac chuckled, raising her hands to tell Harm to stop right where he was.

"If you promise to behave, I will as well. As you said, we're running late. You need a hot shower, I need one, but there isn't enough time left for two turns, so?"

"So, counselor? The heating is off, meaning there won't be any hot water either. If you want to get warmer, you have to dress warmer. I for one will go to the kitchen and boil some water for hot tea. That will warm your body from the inside."

"Why can't we just go some place warmer for breakfast? I'd even suggest Beltway Burgers if it's warmer than in here."

"You just got yourself a date, Sailor."




1311 ZULU
Monday, December 24th
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA


People hassled from one end of the bullpen to the other, preparing for their last day at JAG before the Christmas holidays. While Bud and Harriet prepared the meeting room for a little Christmas bash, Gunny had offered to watch AJ and Christina whom they had brought to HQ.

"Okay buddy," Gunny said sternly to AJ, who sat on his chair, sulking."Your mom and dad don't like it when you hit your sister, and I won't tolerate it either. Please apologize."

Gunny quickly turned over to his desk on which little Christina sat. Big blue tear stricken eyes stared back at him.

"Make me!" AJ suddenly exclaimed and hopped off the chair, running off like a whirlwind.

Without thinking, Gunny took off after AJ, trying to get a hold of him. When he finally did, he saw Harm's SUV pull up in the parking lot through one of the windows in the hallway.

"They are coming!!!" he yelled as he ran back into the bullpen.

Forgetting about Christina, he made a beeline to the meeting room, AJ always securely tugged under his arm. Faster than for a bomb evacuation, the bullpen was cleared and the whole JAG staff had filed into the
meeting room on Admiral's order. The only person left in the bullpen was sitting on her Gunny's desk - little Christina Roberts.

A smile broke out on the girl's face when she spotted her godparents shuffling through the door, dusting the snow from both their covers. Happily, she clapped her hands to draw their attention to her. Finally, she wasn't alone anymore.

"Hey peanut, where did everyone go? Did they forget you?" Harm cooed at her as he picked her up with his good arm.

Christina wrapped her arms around Harm's neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck, snuggling close to him.

"Yeah, you're my little huggy bear, I know."

"Where's your mommy, peanut?" Mac asked the little girl as she stroked her blond hair. She knew she probably wouldn't get an answer, but it was worth a try.

"Harriet?" Harm finally called. "LIEUTENANT SIMS!"

There was no reaction.

"Give me that little huggy bear and you take this back to my office. I'll see if I can find Harriet and Bud."

Mac took off her coat and handed it over to Harm before she took Christina from him. Harm had started to walk off in direction of his office the moment the Admiral's voice bellowed over the PA.

"Cmdr. Rabb, Col. Mackenzie, in my office this minute!"

"Why do I have this feeling that we are in severe trouble?" Harm inquired, mumbling some words under his breath that Mac couldn't clearly understand as he dropped off both his and Mac's belongings in her office.

They knocked at the door to the Admiral's office since Tiner wasn't there to announce their presence, and after they heard the Admiral calling 'Enter', they opened the door and stepped into the office.

"Sir!" Harm and Mac exclaimed in unison, snapping to attention.

"As you were." the Admiral replied and looked up at them from his desk.

Frowning, his gaze fixed on Christina, who was shyly giggling into Mac's shoulder.

"Sir, I can explain..." Mac started, but was immediately cut off by her CO.

"No need, Colonel. Please have a seat. There are certain things I need to discuss with you two."

Harm grumbled silently as he took a seat in one of the chairs, Mac taking the one next to him.

"Well, Commander, Colonel, you left me in quite some shock and surprise when you left for Miramar last week."

"We are sorry, sir. That wasn't our intention at all. We just felt that after all that sneaking around, you were the first who should know about this."

"I know, Commander. Now, what I want to discuss with you is your current work situation. I feel this can't wait until after the holidays."

Harm and Mac just nodded at him silently. Finally, the time of truth had come.

"I had a meeting with the SecNav Wednesday last week." AJ went on further. "We discussed your case for a mere two hours."

"Who has to leave?" Harm inquired, deliberately clearing his throat.

"No one, Cmdr. Rabb. I think I made my point clear that I want to keep both my best lawyers at JAG. For the time being, you can remain partners as long as you will keep your relationship low profile."

"Yessir." Harm and Mac said in unison.

"I felt your personal relationship yet hasn't affected your work, and I strongly hope it will continue being like this. Once I hear any rumors about an upcoming wedding between a certain Commander and Colonel working in my office, your case will be rediscussed with the SecNav. Did I make myself clear?"

"Yessir."

"I hope you both know that you owe me for this."

"Yessir."

With a smile, AJ rose from his chair. Harm and Mac sprung at attention the same moment while Mac tried to balance Christina on her arm as well.

"Harm, Mac, I personally didn't have the time to say how happy I am for the both of you."

Plastering a smile on their faces as well, the two junior officers stood at ease.

"Thank you, Admiral. We hope you know how much we appreciate this."

"Why, Commander, my arguments were the best. I am understaffed, you two are my best lawyers, yada yada. His arguments were very weak."

"We won't disappoint you."

"I sure hope not, Colonel." AJ shortly glanced at his watch. "Now, I had a staff meeting scheduled for 0815 that we are obviously late for now. Why don't you go ahead and let everyone know that I will be there in about 10 minutes. Dismissed."

"Aye, sir!"

Harm and Mac made a dismissal turn and left the office. Christina started to giggle when Mac pulled funny faces for her on their way through the bullpen.

"I wonder where everyone is, especially Bud and Harriet. It's not like them to leave Chrissy all alone."

"Maybe she's taking after AJ in that matter. Trying to get away from them whenever he has a chance to."

"We can't possibly take her to the staff meeting." Harm argued.

"Why not? Bud has to be there. Easiest way to find him."

"Point for you, counselor."

Harm and Mac made their way towards the meeting room, all the while still having a very eerie feeling about where the whole staff suddenly had vanished. If the Admiral had secured the building due to the announced thunderstorm, he probably hadn't scheduled a staff meeting for 0815, they knew that.

"I hope he's not going to give us another investigation this week. Sending Shepard along was punishment enough, don't you think?" Harm asked and pushed the door to the meeting room open.

Mac didn't even had a chance to reply to Harm when loud cheering along with "Merry Christmas" came to their eyes. Christina began to squeal with delight at all the commotion and happily clapped her hands, being
very unimpressed by the stunned faces her godparents made.

"What is this all about?" Harm asked dumbstruck as he closed the door behind Mac.

"A Christmas party for you and the Colonel!" Harriet exclaimed joyfully and took her daughter from Mac. "I know you didn't announce anything publicly yet, and I swear to God Bud and I didn't tell anyone, but you have to know people working at JAG are all very bright."

Harm and Mac just smiled at each other. Sometimes, these people were impossible. They turned around to look at the Admiral who had joined them only seconds ago and now cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"I will make this short. Harm, Mac, on the behalf of the staff at JAG, I would like to say how happy we all are that you two finally stopped beating around the bush and found your way into each other's life. Over the last few years, the office pool changed from 'will you two ever come to your senses' over 'when will you go public' to 'what comes first, marriage or baby?'. Since your baby announcement came first, and since Lt.s Roberts and Sims have been excluded from the office pool due to certain circumstances that I think you are aware of, Gunny and Tiner were the lucky ones to win the pool. If you should have any further questions about that office pool, and I think you will have those, you may go to Lt. Sims directly. Gunny, Tiner?"

Gunny and Tiner appeared from the back of the room. Gunny was carrying a baby carrier with a doll dressed in Marine greens sitting in it while Tiner pushed a baby stroller with a doll dressed in a sailor suit.

"We know you probably won't need any of these in a few months, but as officers of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps,"

"And soon to be parents." Tiner piped in.

"And soon to be parents," Gunny repeated, "you have to be prepared for everything."

"We both thought that half of the money we won in that pool belongs to you as without you there wouldn't have been a pool. So Gunny and I went out to buy some sort of a starter set for the newest addition to your family."

"With Lt. Sims and Cmdr. Imes' help that is."

"I would have come to that point, Gunny. Anyway, there are three boxes sitting in the back that contain everything you possibly will need."

"Diapers, bottles, clothes, toys, you name it, we got it."

"That is so sweet, Gunny, Tiner. Thank you." Mac coaxed and took the carrier from Gunny. "Marine greens, Harm. That's what this child will wear."

"I aim for the sailor suit, Mac." Harm replied, indicating the doll sitting in the stroller.

"Maybe they should invent marine green sailor suits for you, sir, ma'am." Bud snickered.

The whole crowd in the bullpen began to laugh and walked over to personally tell Harm and Mac how happy they were for them - except two female Navy Lieutenants of course who stood aside.

"Everybody is so damn proud about those two for going against the rules." Lt. Shepard complained. "They get a party and a lot of gifts, and I get to alphabetically sort ten year old case files for reporting them."

"Susan, you have to learn a lot." Lt. Singer replied. "It's all about the way you use your information. Giving them out right away, and to the wrong person is the biggest mistake you can make. I know a couple of things about those two, and when the times is right for revenge, they will know how much trouble I can cause, believe me."

"What exactly do you know about those two?"

"Just stuff that I know will ruin both their careers once it surfaces. Did you know the Colonel was once married?"

"Colonel Mackenzie? No, I did not. What happened?"

"All you have to do is go down to records and request the file United States VS Maj. Sarah Mackenzie and Lt. Col. John Farrow. Oh, and while you are down there, you might as well request the file of her second court martial. I think that will answer all your questions. If I was Commander Rabb, I'd have second thoughts about being involved with someone like her, an adulteress, a murderer and even an alcoholic."

"Are you done badmouthing the Colonel now, Lt. Singer?" a voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

The two women whirled around to see Admiral Chegwidden standing behind them.

"I need someone at JAG for the holidays in case something might come in. I think you two would be perfect for that job, Lieutenants."

"Admiral, sir..." Lt. Shepard tried to object, but Lt. Singer cut in immediately.

"Yessir, that will be no problem, sir."

"Good. Tomorrow morning, 0600 sharp. Each minute you are late, I will deduct one of your vacation days for." AJ shortly stopped, before he raised his voice, "UNDERSTOOD, LIEUTENANTS?"

"YESSIR!" they exclaimed, snapping to attention.

"Dismissed." he mumbled, trying to stifle his laughter. This was certainly worth it teaching Singer and Shepard a lesson.

Ashamed that everyone had heard about the Admiral's little display, Singer and Shepard hurried out of the meeting room, both their faces colored in dark shade of red. Really everyone starred after them in silence.

"I thought this was supposed to be a party!" AJ broke the silence."You have 10 more minutes until I want to see everyone back at work."

He turned around to leave the meeting room as well, but turned back shortly before he reached the door.

"Work ends at 1530 for everyone this afternoon. Merry Christmas!" he called and was out the door.

1633 Zulu
Monday, December 24
JAG Headquarter
Falls Church, VA

Harriet shortly knocked at Mac's office door and stepped in.

"Uhm, ma'am, I was wondering if you have seen my son around?" she inquired sheepishly. "I've been looking for him all over the place. He just seems to have disappeared. Sometimes I think I have to put him at one of those plastic chains they have for parents so their toddlers won't run away though I think they are really awful. A child is not a dog."

Without saying anything, Mac pointed under her desk where little AJ Roberts was sound asleep. Mac's coat was carefully placed under his head to rest on.

"I found him there when I came in. I guess he was looking for a quiet place to sleep."

"Oh, I am so sorry. He'll never do that again."

Harriet moved to pick up her son, but Mac stopped her.

"Why don't you let him finish his little nap. I don't mind. I know you have your hands full with Christina."

"Thank you, Mac. Our babysitter was supposed to look after them this morning, but when my parents called that they were coming over for Christmas, I called her off thinking my parents would like to take them. They told us they wanted to attend a gallery opening at noon and couldn't take the kids. Of course, our babysitter already had other plans for today."

"It's okay, Harriet. Why don't you check back by noon to get him? I have to run by the mall during my lunch hours."

"Late Christmas shopping?" Harriet asked amused.

"Very late Christmas shopping. With being out of town for work, I never got a chance to pick up an album and a frame for the photos I had made. I remember you asked me to show them to you?"

"If you don't mind."

Mac opened one of her desk drawers. Hesitating for a moment, she finally pulled out a file folder and handed it over to Harriet.

"Wow, Mac, if I didn't know that was you for sure, I wouldn't believe it. They are terrific!"

"Thanks."

Suddenly, Harriet started turning one of the pictures and pressed her nose against it to get a better view of something.

"I hope this is only a very little piece of lint on this photo." Harriet uttered and handed Mac the photo back, indicating a little black spot on one photo right where her thongs ended.

Mac blushed when she saw what Harriet indicated. One more secret wasn't a secret any longer.

"Tattoo." she choked. "If you're ever going to tell anyone about this..."

"My lips are sealed. So what is this?"

"Ying and Yang, two fish biting each other's tail. And before you ask any questions, I had that made before I joined the Marines. Topic finished."

"I thought maybe Harm had you branded."

"Excuse me?" Mac burst out laughing. "If a guy ever as so much wanted to brand me in any way, I'd kick his six from here to the North Pole. I am not some damn cow, not to mention anyone's possession."

"Let me tell you, once you've been through a couple of days nursing your baby, you'll feel like a dairy factory. That's pretty close to feeling like a cow." Harriet chuckled. "Besides, once you have a wedding band on your finger, you are close to being branded forever."

"I doubt that Harm and I are going to cross that bridge anytime soon."

Harriet stood shocked for a moment, not trusting her ears and what she had just heard.

"C'mon Harriet, it's the 21st century. You don't have to get married just because a baby is on the way."

"I thought you loved each other. Isn't that reason enough to tie the knot?"

"I love Harm more than anything else, and he knows that. I am just not sure what a piece of paper will change between us. And to be honest, I don't think I am quite ready to take that step yet. One day, I want to be Mrs. Harmon Rabb JR, that's all I ever dreamed about. I just don't want to use our baby as an excuse to put a rush on things. There wouldn't be any mention of a possible wedding right now if I wasn't pregnant. We'll tie the knot whenever we are ready."

"It took you almost 6 years to confess your love for each other. You know each other better than you know yourself. You trust each other with your life, you are best friends, so why wait? What will be different in a couple of months, a year, ten years?"

"Harriet, I know you can't understand this."

"Honestly, no, I can't. Have you two at least talked this over?"

"Briefly in La Jolla. Marriage is not an option for us, at least not now."

"You're a grown woman, Mac, I won't judge any of your decisions - though I can't and probably never will understand them. However, you don't become family just by signing some papers, you are right about that. Bud and I consider you two our closest friends, and if I am honest, you are also some sort of family to us."

"Thank you, Harriet. Harm and I feel the same way about you. Now, if you don't mind, I need to get some work done before I leave for lunch. I'll drop AJ off at Bud's office before I leave."

"Thank you. And if you ever feel like you need to talk about this marriage thing, you know where to find me. I am only a phone call away."

Mac smiled and nodded at Harriet before she dismissed her and returned to her work.

1923 Zulu
Monday, December 24th
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA

"Sir, excuse me, you got a minute for me?" Bud asked after he had knocked at the open door to Harm's office.

"Sure, come on in, Bud." Harm replied and gestured for Bud to step in.

"Sir, Harriet and I were wondering if you and the Colonel would like to join us for Christmas dinner tonight? Mikey is coming up from Norfolk as well. I am sure he'd like to see you again. Besides, the kids would be thrilled if you were there."

"Bud, it's your family dinner tonight."

"We consider you and the Colonel family as well." Bud replied. "You are our children's godparents. They know you better than they know their grandparents. It was such a nice evening last year with you two there."

"To be honest, Bud, I had already made plans for tonight. Mac knows nothing about this yet, but I plan on taking her to The Obelisk tonight. It's our first Christmas as a couple, and I wanted this to be special. Not that dinner at your place wouldn't be special either..."

Bud raised his hand, "I understand, sir. Candle light dinner just for the two of you in one of those romantic booths in the back of the restaurant. I should have thought about you two wanting to spent this evening alone."

"Bud, I didn't mean to disappoint you. We'd love to come over for dinner, but tonight is just a very bad time. We said we wanted to stop by tomorrow morning to bring by the kid's presents, so why don't you just stop by at our place instead and we'll cook lunch for all of us. Some very good friends placed a fabulous Christmas tree in Mac's apartment you know. I think AJ and Chrissy would love it." Harm snickered, giving him a wink with his eye.

"We possibly couldn't interrupt like this, sir."

"Nonsense, Bud. I know Mac will love the idea. So it's a deal. Tomorrow at 11 at Mac's place. All you need to bring is yourself, the kids, Mikey and Harriet's parents. We'll take care of anything else."

"Tomorrow at 11, we will be there."




2114 ZULU
Monday, December 24th
Mac's apartment
Georgetown, DC


"I am so glad we could talk Bud and Harriet out of the idea to join them for dinner tonight." Mac said and plopped down on the couch, dragging Harm with her.

"It's our first Christmas as a couple, they understood. And I sort of made a deal with Bud." Harm mumbled under his breath.

"A deal with Bud? What are you talking about?" Mac inquired.

"I invited them over to lunch tomorrow."

"You did what? Don't you think you could have asked me first? We don't have enough food to feed all of us. About how many people are we talking about anyway?"

"Us, Bud, Harriet, the kids, Mikey and Harriet's parents."

"Harm, that's 7 adults and 2 kids. How did you think we'd feed them? Microwave dinner? I don't even think I have enough of those in the freezer anyway."

"Relax, sunshine, I got all taken care of." Harm appeased her, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. "All we need to do is stop by my place. I have two chickens and veggies in the freezer. And I think I saw two packages of mashed potatoes and mac and cheese somewhere in your kitchen. That should be enough. I'll even take care of the cooking, so you don't have to worry about anything. All you need to do is play nice with Harriet's parents. Think you can do that?"

Mac sighed, "All right, I think I can live with that. I just would have liked it if you had talked to me about it before."

"I tried, but you were in the ladies' room for 20 minutes talking with Carolyn about what do I know. And Bud and Harriet had to run by the grocery store with the kids, so they were quite in a hurry when Bud asked. I thought lunch tomorrow sounded a lot better than dinner tonight."

"That you are right about." Mac wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his shoulder.

"When do you want to go to the Wall?"

"I usually went when it was dark to put up a candle, but I'd like to go now before the snow gets any worse out there."

"Okay. That'll give me time to wrap up some special gifts while you are gone. I think I'll go change out of this uniform now."

Harm grabbed Mac's wrist when she started to get up and walk away.

"I want you to come."

"Why? This is your time with your dad, Harm. I never went to the Wall with you before."

"You have to ask why? Family, Sarah. We are family now. You belong by my side tonight."

Mac smiled and turned to walk away, "I am going to get us two candles."





2145 ZULU
Monday, December 24th
Vietnam Memorial
Washington, DC


It was snowing heavily when Harm and Mac finally reached the Vietnam Memorial. Hundreds of candles were already lit, lighting up the darkness around the Wall. Harm reached for Mac's hand as they approached the marble plate his father's name was written on.

He stopped and wiped a couple of snowflakes from the plate to reveal his father's name before he stepped back and sharply saluted, Mac doing the same next to him.

"I am not coming alone tonight." Harm started and reached for Mac's hand again to pull her close to him. "This is Sarah, dad. My Sarah, my love, my life."

Smiling, he shortly turned to Mac who smiled back at him.

"We are expecting a baby, dad." Harm continued and turned back to the Wall. "Your first grandchild. I guess you thought I'd never make you a grandfather, huh?" Harm chuckled shortly. "Mom's already so excited about this. I don't think she can wait until next summer to hold her first grandchild in her arms."

While Harm was talking to his father, Mac had lit the candles. Handing one over to Harm, they both then placed them on the snowy ground in front of the wall.

"Merry Christmas, dad. Wherever you are."

Mac put her head on Harm's shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"He'd be proud of you for what you told Frank. I know that."

"Mac, you didn't even know him. How can you be so sure?"

"I know his son, that's why I can be so sure. You are your father's son in everything, Harm. Sometimes I don't think you realize how much alike you are, and not only because you followed in his footsteps."

"I think you've been talking to my mom just a little too much." Harm snickered, pulling her closer to him for warmth and the comfort he needed right now.

For the first time in years, he didn't have to come alone to this place. His Christmas tradition was to spend hours at the Wall, talking to his dad about what had been going on in his life, about his aims and goals - and about the love he thought he was never going to find, and later never going to be able to have in his life.

But now it was different. This Christmas Eve, everything was going to change. He no longer had to come here alone, he had a family to take with him - and a family to call home to. This year, it was only Mac there with him, the next year, they would be three.

His life had made the turn he always had hoped it would make one day. Sarah Mackenzie, the love of his life, was at his side, and she was giving him the greatest gift of life, their child. He had a family of his own, and wasn't living on borrowed time anymore, like he had with Josh Pendry or the Roberts' kids.

"If you want some time alone..." Mac started, but was stopped the moment Harm placed two fingers on her lips.

"I want you to hear what I have to tell him. I don't want there to be any secrets between us ever. Okay?"

Mac nodded silently.

"Dad, do you remember what I told you when I was standing here last year?" Harm began. "That I had finally set my heart free and was ready to let go and take the next step, but didn't know how to approach that subject because I was too afraid to hurt my best friend? That maybe her feelings had changed for me because I pushed her away when she was trying to tell me how she felt for me? I was such a fool, dad. I had all I ever wanted in life right in front of me, and that for the last 6 years. All I had to do was just go tell her. Do you know how Sarah found out about my feelings for her? In a letter I had left her in case of my death. She never was supposed to read it, but no words in this world can express how glad I am that she did. Dad, you know I don't believe in God very strongly, but I do believe in guardian angels. I know someone up there had a hand in having Sarah find that letter. Maybe all those years ago, it was that guardian angel as well that sent her to me in the first place. Thank you, dad. For bringing life's greatest gift into my life."

When Harm finally had stopped pouring his heart out to his father, he turned to his side and looked at Mac. Even in the dusk, he could see that tears were streaming down her face. Gently, he touched her cheek and wiped the tears away with the back of his hand.

"I didn't intend to make you cry with what I said." he whispered and cupped her face with his hands while his thumbs brushed away the last remains of her tears.

"I just couldn't help it." Mac sniffed and put a smile on her face.

Harm answered the smile with one of his own.

"Merry Christmas, Sarah. I love you."

For a moment, time stood still and the snowflakes falling from above started to dance around them when two pairs of lips joined into a gentle kiss.