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Date Posted: 13:27:28 05/04/14 Sun
Author: Lace
Subject: Living out fate Chapter 1

I started this story a long time ago, but I never finished. I decided to start posting and hopefully that will inspire me to finish. Please feel free to suggest what you think should happen next. :)

The characters aren't mine, mistakes are.

The story is set at the end of season ten and takes Mac and Harm on a journey to live out fate.


Harm's office
JAG Headquarters
July 6th

Harm closed the file and leaned back in his chair. The day was coming to an end, and he could see how the bullpen had emptied. He looked around his office, the empty walls and the packed boxes on the floor by the door. In about an hour he would be taking off his uniform one last time, and then his civilian life would officially begin.

“Ready to leave it all behind?”

He stood as he noticed General Cresswell standing in his doorway. “At ease Captain.”

“I'm pretty much packed, sir,” Harm said.

“Any regrets?” Cresswell asked.

Harm hesitated. “I think I would regret more not doing it, sir.”

“How is Miss Grace?” Cresswell wanted to know.

“Making progress, sir. We're taking it one day at a time,” Harm said honestly. Mattie was awake, she was talking and she was his responsibility again. He had been granted full custody by the court, after her father fell off the wagon.

“I understand your reasons for retiring, Harm. If it was my daughter, I would do the same. Being a Marine is my life, but family is everything. Nothing is more important than that,” Cresswell said honestly.

“I guess fate made the right choice,” Harm answered with feeling. “I don't know how I would lead a Command, and at the same time be helping Mattie back on her feet, and be a good husband.” As he said husband, a smile formed on his face.

“Good luck, Commander,” Cresswell said and offered his hand.

Harm thanked him and shook the outstretched hand. “It's been an honor serving under you, sir.” Harm said.

“The honor has been all mine,” Cresswell said. “I'll see you at the party tonight.”

Just then there was a knock on Harm's office door. “Reporting as ordered, sir.” Mac said as she stood at attention.

“At ease, Colonel,” Cresswell said and saw Harm's questioning look. “I ordered the Colonel to attend your party.”

“Thank you, sir,” Mac said with a warm smile.

“I'll see you tonight,” Cresswell said as he turned to leave. “And no necking in the office.”

Harm and Mac both snapped to attention as Cresswell left the office. “You should have called me,” Harm said with a sweet smile.

“I got a call from Cresswell's yeoman, and I barely had time to pack before I left San Diego. Besides, I know you love surprises,” she teased.

Harm walked over to her. “Permission to hug the Colonel?”

Mac smiled widely. “Permission granted.” The hug lasted shorter than they wanted, leaving both of them wanting more.

“Need any help with your stuff?” Mac asked.

“You can take that box,” Harm said eager to get out of there. “The party is at 1900.”

Mac took the box, along with her bag. “Have you seen Mattie today?”

“She's not expecting me until tomorrow, “ Harm said and grabbed the rest of his stuff.

Mac followed him out, and she noticed how Harm looked around one last time. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I'm fine.”

“It's not too late to change your mind,” she said as they entered the elevator.

“Fate has made its decision, Mac,” Harm reminded her.


Twenty minutes later they were inside Harm's apartment, where there were boxes everywhere. “Wow, your apartment looks strange this way,” Mac said as she looked around.

Harm laughed. “I guess.”

She started removing her uniform jacket. “We have thirty minutes,” she said as she walked over to him.

He leaned in and kissed her deeply. “We can be a little late,” he said as he helped her remove her jacket completely.

A little later they were on the floor, breathing hard as their lovemaking ended. “Well, I never used the floor for that before,” Harm teased.

Mac sat up and started walking towards his bedroom. “We better hit the shower.”

Harm got up and followed her. “Do I get a repeat in the shower?”

Mac laughed as he came running after her. By the time they had dressed and walked out the door they were already late for the party.


Bud and Harriet's house
Washington D.C

Harm and Mac were the last one's to arrive at the party, not that Harm was bothered by it, because he knew he wouldn't have been able to focus until he had been intimate with his wife. Everyone was surprised and pleased to see Mac by Harm's side.

“I would expect Harm to be late, but you Colonel?” Sturgis teased after they had all greeted one another.

“This Marine uses an eternity in the bathroom,” Harm said with a teasing look in Mac's direction.

“I've been around you squids too long, I've adapted to your nature,” Mac defended herself.

They all laughed. “I'm just glad you found the time to be here,” Harriet said.

“Yeah Mac, it wouldn't be the same without you,” Bud said.

“I'm glad too,” Mac said and took her husbands hand.

Harm sent her a loving look, and pulled her close. “We have a lot to celebrate actually. My retirement, Mac's command and Mattie's recovery.”

“Hear hear,” Chegwidden said and raised his glass.

With that the party started.

Later Mac helped Harriet in the kitchen, and they found time to catch up.

“The kids are fine,” Harriet said when Mac asked about the children. “But they are growing up so fast.”

“Would you mind if I stop by tomorrow to spend some time with them? I have to leave the next day, and I'd really like to see them,” Mac said.

“Of course, come by any time,” Harriet said with a sweet smile. “It's weird not having you around.”

“Well, my offer still stands Harriet. I still want Bud to be my blue suit XO,” I still haven't found one,” Mac said with hope in her voice.

Harriet hesitated. “We have a life here... I don't know, I guess I'm scared. But it would be good for Bud's career.”

“Why don't the two of you talk it through again, and have Bud contact me if he want's the position,” Mac said.

Harriet nodded. “So, how's married life.”

Mac smiled. “It was pretty good three hours ago,” she said with a slight blush.

Harriet chuckled. “So that's why you two were late?”

Mac laughed. “I can't wait to have him around. And Mattie.”

“I'm so happy for you,” Harriet said.

Thye looked up when Harm entered the kitchen. “There you are. The Admiral is about to say something.”

Mac took Harm's outstretched hand and followed him. They had been so happy to see the Admiral again. He arrived at the party with his girlfriend, Melissa. A school teacher he'd met eight months earlier.

“I've had the pleasure of working with Harm and Mac for nine years, and I consider them both family. When Coates called me and told me that she had news about them, I was wondering who was being Court Martialed this time, or who were following who across the world this time.” He paused until the laughter had calmed down. “Imagine my surprise when I was told that they had tossed a coin to decide who was leaving the service because they had decided to get married.”

Again laughter filled the room, and Harm and Mac shared a sweet look as Chegwidden continued “I have to say that it's about time! I have never seen two people more devoted to each other, and I know that you'll be happy together. I was happy when I was asked to walk you down the aisle, Mac. It meant a lot to me. And Harm, I look forward to starting up a private practice with you. On Monday Melissa and I will be moving into our new house in San Diego, and as soon as Harm is settled we'll be looking for office space.”

There was a round of applause. Chegwidden raised his glass. “To Harm and Mac. “

They all raised their glasses. “I want to say a few words,” Harm said. “First of all, I want to thank you all for coming. I've been asked the same question over and over again since I announced that I was retiring. Will I regret it? The answer is no. I will miss the Navy though, and it's going to take some time to get used to it. To tell the truth I'm glad the coin landed in Mac's favor, mostly because of Mattie, but also now I get to be the son my Mom always wanted.”

There was a round of laughter. “I have a lot to be happy about. Mattie is recovering, and she's looking forward to move to San Diego, mostly because the winters are warmer,” he joked. “And even though I lost the coin toss, I won the hot girl.”

Again there was a round of laughter and Harm pulled Mac close. “I just want to thank everyone that I've served with. It's been a blast. And Bud, you more than anyone have thought me what it means to be a real man, and a good husband. Mac,” he turned to face her. “You've been the best partner and best friend I've ever had. I love you and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”

He raised his glass. “Thank you all for being here.”

The party went on for several more hours, and it was past midnight when Harm led Mac into his apartment. The second the door was locket she was in his arms, they went to his bedroom and didn't leave the bed until they had to the next day.


The next day
Mattie's hospital room

Mattie was feeling better and better every day. She was inpatient, and her physiotherapist had repeatedly asked her to take it easy. They still didn't know exactly what the reason for her troubles walking was, and until the specialist in San Diego had examined her no one wanted her to do something that could potentially hurt her more.

“You better rest up for the flight tomorrow, Mattie,” Harm warned.

“I'm fine. I look forward to it. When do you think the specialist will see me?” Mattie wondered.

“Let's just take one day at a time, Mattie,” Harm answered, giving her a worried look.

“Jennifer is looking forward to seeing you,” Mac said, changing the subject before father and daughter started fighting.

Mattie smiled. “I can't wait to see her.”

“That's exactly what she said,” Mac said with a small laugh. “And San Diego is great. Our house is right by the beach. And there are lots of teenagers in the neighborhood.”

“When do I get to live there?” Mattie asked.

“When the Doctor says it's okay,” Mac said and gave Mattie a stubborn look. “And until then you'll do exactly what he tells you to do. After all you do want to get back on your feet don't you?”

Mattie glared back. “But I will never get better if I just lay in bed.”

“How do you know that?” Mac asked. “Maybe that's what you need to do. And we won't know that until the specialist has examined you, right?”

Mattie stared at Mac for a while. “I hadn't thought about that.”

Harm reached for Mac's hand, thankful that she was there by his side. “We're going to be a family, living under the same roof very soon. You just have to be patient.”

Mac looked lovingly at him. “It's going to be great.”

Mattie looked hesitant. “Are you sure you want me around Mac?”

Mac turned to her. “Of course I do.”

“I don't want to be a burden,” Mattie said sadly.

Mac reached for Mattie's hand. “Don't ever think that you are a burden, Mattie. I'm in this for the long haul, and I guarantee you that there will be hard times, but as long as we are together we can handle everything.”

Mattie nodded. “Thanks.”

“And believe me, there's no use in arguing with her,” Harm said teasingly, to lighten the mood a little. “When Marines decide something, there no way to turn them around.”

Mac rolled her eyes. “See what I mean, he always finds a way to ruin every Hallmark moment.”

Mattie laughed. “I don't know Mac, he was pretty romantic at your wedding.”

“That's true,” Mac agreed.

Harm chuckled. “I'm going to have trouble with the two of you, aren't I?”

Mac and Mattie shared a look. “Yeah,” they both said.

Mac and Harm stayed for a little while longer, before they left and went to Bud and Harriet's house. They spent most of the day with the children, before they went back to Harm's apartment. They finished packing up everything, and went to bed. It was the last night in the apartment.


The next morning Harm was up first, and while he prepared breakfast he looked around his apartment, remembering peaces of his life that had occurred there over the years.

“A lot of memories huh?”

He turned and saw Mac studying him. “Yeah,” he said quietly.

“Any regrets?” she wondered as she went for the coffee.

“Plenty, but nothing that matters anymore,” he said and offered a sweet smile.

She sipped her coffee as she studied him. “What's the best memory?”

“From the apartment? Wow, that's a though question,” he said thoughtfully. “There's all our dinners, and then there's all the memories with Mattie. It's hard picking out one moment...”

“I guess,” she agreed.

He looked around again as he moved over to where she was standing. “I guess the best memory must be when you showed up while I was packing. For days I was waiting for you to come to me, and I had almost given up hope when you came that night,” he smiled at the memory.

“I couldn't leave without giving us one more chance,” she said sweetly.

“I'm happy you came,” he said and kissed her. “I can't believe this is the last time I see this place.”

“Think of everything you have to look forward to,” Mac said, worried that he was having second thoughts.

Harm offered a reassuring smile. “I'm not having second thoughts, Mac. Not for a second. And you're right, I do have a lot to look forward to. I still haven't seen the house, and hopefully Mattie's new Doctor will have good news. Then there's the new practice with A.J. And then there's us.”

“I can't wait to show you the house,” Mac said. “I just hope that you and Mattie will love it as much as I do.”

“I'm sure we will. And thank you for being so great with Mattie, I know it means a lot to her. And to me,” Harm said and kissed her again. He loved that he could do that as much as he wanted.



An hour later they had had breakfast and dressed. It was time to leave. Harm looked around his apartment one last time before he locked the door. He had just closed another chapter in the book that was his life. A new one would begin.


To be continued...

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Replies:

[> A good start Lace i look forward to seeing there new journey together -- Bev uk, 13:57:33 05/04/14 Sun [1]


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[> What a great start can't wait to see where the journey takes them -- Beth, 14:40:03 05/04/14 Sun [1]


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[> Looking forward to this journey for our favorite duo -- usmgrad, 21:23:01 05/04/14 Sun [1]


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[> Nice start, looking forward to reading more! -- Ciara, 18:58:38 05/06/14 Tue [1]


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[> Lace, so glad I stopped by to 'catch up'. This is going to be a great story and am anxious to see where you'll be taking us. (Also glad you're back to share your great talent with us.) -- carramor, 20:40:26 05/09/14 Fri [1]


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