A/N: At last, here's the final chapter of Missing. It takes place a year after Harm's crash and Mac's planned wedding to Brumby. Unlike in the show, Bud wasn't injured in Afghanistan. The setting is a product of my imagination. The title comes from a song by The Eagles.

Love Will Keep Us Alive

Hidden Hills Farms - Rural Virginia
May 25, 2002
1730 Local

Sarah Mackenzie looked in the full-length mirror as Harriet made the final adjustments to her wedding gown. She could hardly contain her excitement.

Harriet smiled. "You look so beautiful. I'm so happy for you. And I don't have to ask if you're happy."

Mac recalled a similar conversation one year earlier.

You look so beautiful.

Harriet, save it for the wedding.

I'm so happy for you. Aren't you happy for you?

Yeah, of course.

It was a lie. She'd tried to justify her lack of enthusiasm because her best friend probably wouldn't be at her wedding. She wasn't happy to be marrying Mic. It took Harm crashing in the Atlantic to make her realize the truth.

If Harm had made it back, would he have tried to stop her from marrying Mic? If so, would she have listened to him, or defiantly gone through with the wedding? She would have been saddled with a lifetime of misery.

At any rate, today wasn't one to rehash old memories. Today was marrying the man of her dreams in the type of wedding she wanted.

Both she and Harm wanted something simple. The venue in rural Virginia was perfect. Hidden Hills was once a working farm. The farmhouse was now a bed and breakfast. The barn had been turned into a venue for weddings and other special occasions.

Mac had chosen a simple floor-length dress with an empire waist and lightly flared skirt. Instead of a veil, she wore baby's breath in her hair. Harm didn't want a military wedding, thinking this should be more for Harm and Sarah, not the commander and the colonel.

But when Mac requested that he wear his dress whites and gold wings, he relented. Yes, she'd fallen in love with Harm the man, but the navy was a part of him. She hoped he'd like the little surprise she'd planned.

Harmon Rabb Jr. glanced at his watch for what must have been the twentieth time in the last five minutes. Would 1800 ever get here? It seemed like one minute lasted at least an hour.

He fidgeted with the collar of his dress white uniform, then began to pace the floor.

"Nervous?" Bud asked.

"No. Why would you think that?"

"You're pacing, sir."

Harm stopped, then smiled. "I guess you're right, Bud."

"It is a big day for you, sir."

"Bud, do you think for once you can forget about protocol and call me Harm? We're not on duty, and you are my best man."

"Force of habit, s— Harm."

"That's better."

Harm stood by the window that overlooked the Virginia countryside. A year ago, he was flying in from the Patrick Henry in hopes of stopping Mac's wedding to Brumby. He'd often wondered what would have happened if he hadn't crashed. Would he have had the courage to go through with his plans? Or accept that Mac was happy with her choice and watched her get married to that pompous jackass?

He shook off his thoughts. This wasn't time to think about the past. In a few minutes, the love of his life would walk down the aisle. To him.

Harm was glad Mac didn't want a big, formal wedding. He knew she had been uncomfortable with the grandiose affair Mic had planned. She'd wanted a simple, outdoor event with a couple of goats as witnesses.

Their wedding would have a few more witnesses, but it was perfect for the surprise Harm planned for her.

A soft knock brought Mac from her thoughts. Harriet opened the door for Chloe. Mac marveled at the way she was growing into a young woman. She wore a tea-length ivory dress with a sage green sash. Although Chloe was a little too old to be a flower girl, there was no way Mac wouldn't have her "little sister" in the wedding.

"This is like the best day ever. I always knew you and Harm were meant to be together." Chloe turned to Harriet. "I knew it before she did."

"You did?"

"Anyone could see it. Except for them, of course. I realized it before Harm left to return to flying." Chloe went on to tell Harriet about that time. "By the way, who won the office pool?"

"Office pool? What are you talking about?" Mac asked.

Harriet blushed. "Um… Well… we, um…"

"Harriet!"

"Well, darn it, ma'am. Chloe's right. Everyone could see it. I don't even recall who thought of it first."

Mac smiled. "So, who did win?"

"Let's just say that Bud is taking me to a nice bed and breakfast next weekend to celebrate our anniversary."

Another knock came. This time Chloe answered, and A J Chegwidden stood at the door. "Are you ready, Mac?"

"More than ready."

Harm stood at the altar with Bud at his side, watching as Harriet walked toward them with Chloe close behind.

"Relax son," Chaplain Turner spoke softly. "It won't be long before you see your bride."

He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. The Navy Chaplain had read his thoughts. Harriet and Chloe reached the alter, then the guests stood as the wedding march began.

Finally. Finally! Mac smiled as she walked down the aisle on the arm of A J Chegwidden. Harm knew he was biased, but there had never been a more beautiful bride. Harm wasted a lot of years, and because of his stupidity, nearly lost her to another man. But today was the start of forever.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

Mac smiled, and Harm flashed his flyboy grin before he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss went on a little longer than was conventional, but Mac didn't care. It wasn't until the catcalls started that they pulled apart, then walked down the aisle arm-in-arm.

Before they reached the outer door, Mac pulled him aside to an alcove. "This is where we stop for now, flyboy."

Harm looked puzzled. Bud and Harriet left the building, and other guests began piling out. "What's going on, Mac?"

"Be patient. You'll see."

"Okay, but don't say it's my fault if we're late to the reception," Harm teased.

After a few minutes, Chloe stuck her head in the door. "It's time," she said before dashing back outside.

Mac and Harm walked to the door where a group of Naval officers stood on either side in their dress whites.

"Mac, you didn't."

"Yes, I did."

Bud spoke. "Officers, draw swords.

"Arch swords.

"Blades to the wind. Presenting, for the first time in public, Commander and Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr."

They walked beneath the arch. Despite the fact he was best man, Bud couldn't see himself swatting Mac's six with a sword.

A J did it instead. "Go, Navy."

"Return sword. Dismissed."

"Thank you for that, Mac. It means a lot."

They started to walk to the covered pavilion when Mac heard bells tinkling. She looked toward the little hillside where a man led a pair of goats. She gasped in surprise. "You remembered."

They watched as the goats disappeared over the hillside.