Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me and I don't make money etc from doing this. I just like to create stories.
Classification: PG 13
Category: Drama-Harm/Mac
Summary: When Admiral Chegwidden makes a career change, everyone at JAG is affected.

PART 4

Mac had Sturgis, Bud and Harriet come into her office and showed them the pictures from the folder in Cutner's office.

"Nice pictures Mac. But what does this have to do with Harm's sudden departure?" Sturgis inquired while Bud became totally immersed in looking through all the other pictures.

"Don't you understand? Cutner is using this picture to blackmail Harm." Mac's dark eyes were flaming.

"How would he do that? You and Harm are of the same rank." Sturgis still looked bewildered.

Bud and Harriet exchanged uncomfortable glances as Mac explained, "I faced charges for murdering my former husband. Harm found evidence to clear me, but in the course of the trial, it was brought out that I had an affair with my former CO. The statue of limitations protected my CO, but it was noted in my service record. As you can see I don't have the cleanest of service records. Cutner probably threatened to damage my career if Harm didn't resign." Mac watched Sturgis's face carefully attempt to hide his surprise.

"But you two don't have 'anything' going. Do you?" Sturgis asked.

"No. Besides what you see in this picture. That is as far as it ever has gone between the two of us." Mac sounded disappointed bringing smiles to the junior officers.

"Well that picture shows more than an friendly greeting." Bud added receiving a sharp poke in the ribs from Harriet. "I mean that you two definitely care about one another."

"Cutner buried the whole story somehow." Bud frowned and looked at the pictures. "This wasn't a classified mission, but nothing more has been said."

Sturgis began to smile, "Bud you are a genius!"

"Thank you sir. I think." Bud replied.

"What if the story went public. Pictures and all. He won't be able to use it against Harm. Mac are you willing to take the risk?" Sturgis turned to Mac who smiled.

"I'm a Marine. I don't leave anyone behind." She said raising her eyebrow.

"Harriet, get in touch with the photographer listed on the back of these pictures." Sturgis began their planning strategy.

"The colonel was in People magazine." Harriet added.

"Get in touch with them and someone from the Times and the Post." Sturgis added.

"Bud, I want you to help me track down who else was responsible for burying this story."

"Cool."

"What about Harm?" Harriet asked.

"I've got that covered." Bud grinned. "We have someone else helping us with this."

The two lieutenants left the senior officers in Mac's office. "Mac are you okay with this? You're a little quiet?" Sturgis observed Mac.

"I once asked Harm what he would give up for me."

"Well I guess you have your answer." Sturgis nodded.

*******

Harm juggled the bag of groceries trying to open the door to his apartment when Mac approached and took the bag away so he could better manipulate the key. "Thanks, I'm still a little clumsy." Harm smiled and opened the door.

Mac looked into the bag, "Looks like dinner."

"Will be in about an hour. Would you like to stay? I owe you dinner for the other night." Harm asked with a touch of embarrassment.

"The other night? Did something happen the other night?" Mac teased and began to unpack the items from the bag.

Harm turned away to avoid making eye contact and put several items in the refrigerator. "Did it?"

"No, my uncle taught me not to take advantage of inebriated men, no matter how cute their sixes are." She teased causing him to blush.

"I can't believe you said that." He chuckled and shook his head. "I appreciate your gallantry."

"Do you?" Mac challenged.

Harm looked at Mac ready to respond with all of his excuses from the past, but stopped. "Actually, discretion may be the better part of valor, but valor is not indicated in this situation." He rebutted and leaned on his elbows facing her on the opposite side of the bar.

"Yellow light Commander?" Mac leaned forward meeting his gaze.

"You can call me Mr. Rabb or Harm. I'm a civilian. And my behavior is not dictated by traffic lights or the Navy." He moved within an inch of her face so that he could feel her breath on his face.

"Well Mr. Rabb, who does dictate your behavior?" She whispered as his lips moved to touch hers in a slow gentle but firm kiss.

"Need you ask?" He replied softly after their kiss broke apart.

"I'm really not that hungry." Mac replied slightly breathless from the kiss.

"I'm not either." Harm held her gaze communicating his desire as he walked around the bar that separated them and pulled her into a full embrace kissing her long and deeply.

"On second thought, I'm famished." Mac replied as they broke the kiss and she pulled him into another kiss that suggested they move this moment into the bedroom.

"Starving." Harm moaned and led her towards the bedroom while the sound of rain began to beat against the windows.

********

A sharp clap of thunder aroused Harm from his sleep. He opened his eyes to see Mac standing at the door to his bathroom with just a towel wrapped around her. He smiled sleepily. "Are you really there? Or are you just a hallucination?"

Mac gave him her most seductive smile, "It's raining outside, it's great weather for making love."

Harm sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Mac?"

"Are you alright? I was just teasing." Mac came over and sat on the bed.

"Yea." He reached out and tentatively touched her. Feeling her soft warm skin he drew in a deep breath and smiled. "I thought for a minute...never mind."

"How about a shower and then you can prepare that dinner. I really am hungry...for food." She giggled and pulled him out of the bed towards the shower.

********

"The article will be released in the Washington Post tomorrow and People Magazine already is planning on an article about the mission." Harriet announced proudly.

"I found out that the department of public relations was instructed by Admiral Cutner to withhold releasing the article due to sensitive information related to the war effort which is a line on bull." Sturgis announced. "Seems someone put a bug in the Secnav's ear and I have a meeting with him this afternoon with affidavits from a half-dozen officers including Admiral Morris related to Admiral Cutner's behavior. Looks like he will be asked to take a prompt early retirement." Sturgis smiled.

"What about the Colonel? How will this affect her career?" Bud asked.

"It depends on our new CO." Sturgis responded.

"Looks like Harm is up for another medal. The Secnav has agreed to disregard his resignation if he requests to be reinstated." Sturgis added happily.

"The Navy is the Commander's life." Bud replied confidently.

********

The next day Cutner was no where to be seen with scuttlebutt reporting that he experienced chest pain and possibly experienced a mild heart attack after his meeting with the Secnav.

Mac walked into the bullpen with a light step. "Morning Sturgis, Harriet, Bud." She smiled. "Don't you just love how the air smells after the rain."

The three officers looked to one another and big grins appeared. "The eagle has landed." Sturgis mumbled bringing chuckles from Bud and Harriet.

"I wonder who our new CO will be?" Bud added worriedly.

Petty Officer Jason Tiner appeared at the office door. "Commander, Lieutenants. There will be a mandatory staff meeting in the conference room immediately."

"Tiner! When did you get reassigned?" Harriet walked over and gave the young man a quick hug.

"This morning." He smiled as the officers congregated into the conference room.

"Good morning, people!" The familiar voice of AJ Chegwidden greeted the surprised officers.

"The Secnav has asked me to step in and fill the vacancy created by Admiral Cutner's illness. Looks like he will be opting for early retirement." Chegwidden announced bringing further smiles to the group with the exception of you know who.

The door to the conference room opened and everyone expected Harm to come strolling in late as usual, but Matonni quickly headed towards the nearest chair.

After business was finished, Sturgis stood up. "To welcome the new JAG, I would like to invite everyone to McMurphy's tonight."

********

Everyone showed up in casual attire that evening. Harm and Mac appeared at the same time just as the party was beginning to take off. Several toasts had already been made when the pair approached the bar. AJ handed Harm a beer and ordered Mac a club soda with a twist of lime. "To Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. who's bravery saved two more Marine's sixes." The Admiral toasted bringing chuckles from the room.

Harm looked confused. "I thought I was trying to keep from getting shot." He explained modestly. "Two? As I recall Sergeant Major Cochran saved my six. Who is this other mystery Marine?"

Mac added, "Me." She circled her arms around his neck.

"You didn't need to be saved." Harm smiled as she gave him a kiss that brought hoots and whistles from the group.

"I didn't specify what you saved me from." Mac whispered in his ear with another quick kiss.

"Can you two autograph my picture." The bartender pulled out a picture from the Post of the pair kissing on the Sea Hawk with the caption reading, 'A Hero's Welcome.'

Harm paled. "Mac?" His flustered look earned him another long passionate kiss.

"It's okay. My new CO thought is was a great picture. He's ordered an 8 by 10." Mac grinned mischievously.

Bobbie pulled Mac to the side-leaving Harm alone with AJ at the bar. "Well Harm, I have an opening for a another lawyer." AJ offered as the two men watched Bobbie and Mac chatter happily.

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't know if I want to come back." Harm replied with his gaze never leaving Mac. "You know what we talked about, looking for greener grass." He chuckled and then continued. "For the past year or so I've been doing some soul searching. It took me awhile to realize what I've always wanted, and I don't want to lose it." He looked to his CO for understanding.

"You were considering this move before all the crap hit the fan." The Admiral realized and shook his head. "One thing I can say about my career in the Navy. It's been a good life." The older man added with a whimsical smirk. "But it sure doesn't keep you warm at night."

"Yes Sir, excuse me sir." Harm walked over to Mac and led her to the dance floor. He held her tightly as they swayed to the music of R. Kelly that floated throughout the bar taking them both to a place where only they exsisted..."I love you Sarah."

"I was in a tunnel and couldn't see the light
And whenever I look up, I couldn't see the sky
But then I climbed the hills and saw the mountains
I hollered help cause I was lost
Then I felt the strong wind and heard a small voice saying

The storm is over, the storm is over now
And I can see the sunshine somewhere beyond the clouds
I feel heaven, yea, heaven's over me.
Come on and set me free

In the mist of my battle, all hope was gone
Downtown in a rush crowd and felt all alone
Every now and then felt like I would lose my mind
Been racing for years and still no finish line

But then I climbed the hills and saw the mountains
I hollered help cause I was lost
Then I felt the strong wind and then a small voice saying

The storm is over, the storm is over now
And I can see the sunshine somewhere beyond the clouds
I can feel heaven, heaven's over me
Come on and set me free

Somehow my beginnings stepped right in
Then it became my friend
Now I can depend on the voices of the wind
When it's saying the storm is over

The storm is over now
And I can see the sunshine somewhere beyond the clouds
I can feel heaven, heaven's over me
Come on and set me free..."

The end

"Lt. Singer, I understand you would like to broaden your horizons, find greener pastures and so on and so forth. I'm sending you to a new duty station in the Aleutian Islands. Be sure to pack lots of warm clothing." THE Admiral smirked as he handed the speechless officer her new orders. Leaning back into his leather chair he felt a strong since of accomplishment and smiled to himself, 'Sometimes this job has its perks.'