Thank you all, sooooo much!

GHeTtOnErD: Thank you so much! I hope you like the epilogue!!

Nada Zimri: I know, I'm sad too. But it had to end sometime!!! :(. I'm still sad though. Thank you for the support throughout the whole thing, I owe ya one ;).

Jagchuck105: LoL, I'm sorry, but the epilogue was gonna be as long as a regular chapter! Yeah, she's going to remember everything that happened. Man, that would be sad if she didn't! Oh, you're quite welcome, always open to questions :). And thank you so much for all your nice compliments  *raises coffee mug*. Oh, and, uh, just for old time's sake...see ya next week ;).

Mimmi: Hey there! Thank you! Yeah, though it was tempting to stay where she was, the whole story was kind of a big lesson for her. She had the chance to see her parents and the way they were before actually becoming parents. Aw, thank you, personally, I thought the ending scene was kind of short, and I can think of a few things I could have added, but that's what epilogues are for, right?! :D  . Thank you so for your support!

e-dog: LOL, yes, you've said 'wow' before, but it's all good. :D. It, really, it was quite an adventure, because so many things happened in this story that I didn't even plan on. It was weird, like it kind of wrote itself, if that makes any sense, lol. Thank you so much again for your constant support!

Pissed Off Poet: Thank you! Yeah, basically, the whole story was Grace growing up a little and getting some answers as to why her parents were the way they...uh...were...wait...okay, that sentence made sense...anywho, well, it would be difficult for Grace to explain what happened, and this might be just something she'd want to keep to herself. That is until you read the end of this epilogue...muahahaha... :D...Thank you so much for your support throughout the whole story :).

Pennithil: Hey there, Pennit. *sigh*...I know...but, basically, the whole story was kind of bent on Grace finding out what life was about, and how and why people change. It wasn't really meant for her to find her love. But even though Grace had to leave Eric, there will still be some of him in here :D. 

JagSister: Thank you so much! And here's the epilogue! :D

DD2: LoL, don't worry. The epilogue will be about as long as a regular chapter :).

Kiwi: Thank you! Oh, I know, it's weird for me to know after this, a new chapter won't be due next Friday *sniff*...but once a sequel gets rolling, I'll be back in business :D. Thank you!!! Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*240*~ on the review list! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, KIWI!!!!!!!!!

Kstorm: Thank you! When I re-read the last chappy the next day, I kinda felt like things were rushed a little bit, and I see some things I could have added, but that's what epilogues are for, right?!!! Thank you so for your constant support!

Moonlights Sundance: Aw, thank you! I know, I didn't want it to end either, but, like you said, all good things must....etc.....*sniff*....Hey, and yeah, I read your story before I posted this chapter!!! I believe mine is the second review!!! Thank you for your constant support!

Sunny: Oh, don't worry, already have that allll planned out. Eric and a few other past characters will make an appearance :). Thank you for reading!!!

Maggie: Hey there! Aw, thank you...I try, lol. Thank you so much for your constant support, maggie! :).

Cassie: Thank you! I know, I don't wanna see it end either, but it had to sometime! This seemed like a good spot to do so :). Thank you for reading!

Cmaf: Dooon't worry, Eric will be in it. And I have a little twist with the doctor thing, you'll see. Thank you so much! LOL, I like that signature too! Where do you get those?!!! :D. Thank you again!!!!

Arwen Undomiel: Thank you so much, and those reviews wouldn't be here if it wasn't for wonderful ppls like you :). I just write, lol, you guys handled the review department, thank you for that :D. Thank you so much, personally, I thought the ending was a little rushy, and a couple things could have been added, but that's what epilogues are for, right?!! :D. LOL, oh, I'm gonna strangle those JAG writers if somethin' doesn't happen soon! Ah, but in an interview with DJE a month or so ago on some show, he kind of hinted that something was going to happen...teeheehee.....Thank you so much, and I wish you the best as well! LoL, yes, you'll get your sequel, I just need some time to think!!! :D. Thank you and uh, just for old time's sake, see ya next week :).

 Domintel: Hey there! Wow, thank you for the effort you made to read all of it, lol! Oh, I know, I know, lol. I don't have a beta-reader, and a couple of times, I'd be up late finishing a chapter, and I wouldn't proof-read it, (bad me, bad me), which usually isn't like me anyway. I get really annoyed when I see typos in there, lol. LoL, but don't worry about it, I always welcome any kind of criticism, even if they're rude (which yours very much wasn't, I've gotten worse :D). Ah yes, and the angst, I have to have my angst in there, lol. Just wouldn't be right without somebody gettin' hurt! :D. Oh thank you, I think it's a really good way to connect with the readers when you respond to them. I enjoy and will always do it :). Thank you so much again, and see ya around!

Sunchaser2: LOL, *looks at calendar* ah! Look at that! It's Friday! :D. Thank you so much, you have a great week too!

Lady Jade: LoL, yes, she remembers everything. It would really suck if she didn't. Kind of because the whole moral of the story, is Grace learning a lesson and using it when she gets back to her normal life. :D thank you for reviewing, it means a lot!!!! Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*250*~ on the review list!!! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, JADE!!!!!!!!!!

Harm-n-Mac Shipper: Aw, I know. Sad. See, when I'm writing these scenes, a lot of times, if I feel really emotional, my joints start to, I dunno, seize up or something, and my nerve endings were doin' something and I get all twitchy, ya know? Tsk, aw, thank you for the compliment. It means so much :). Thank you so much for your constant support :D.

Nikole1025: LOL, thank you. Yes, Eric will make an appearance :D. Thank you so much for your support!!!!

CharmedMummy: Hey there! LOL, I know, it was abrupt, but that's what epilogues are for, right?!?! Oh, when Grace described who "Phdman04" was, she said he was her "unofficial psychiatrist." And doctors always have a PhD from college and stuff. Sorry if that came out confusing. Yess, I know, I wrote the end of that chapter (shamefully) faster than I should have, and when I re-read it, I realized my mistake with nobody noticing her sudden clothes change. But it'll also be mentioned in the epilogue. Anywho, thank you again, and, just for old times sake, see ya next week ;).

Girlgunner: Thank you so much. The Eric/Grace scene is probably my favorite of that whole chapter. Thank you again for your constant support :).

Carby24/7: Aw, thank you! Yeah, if I didn't push myself with the every week thing, I doubt I would've gotten it done. And thank you, the Eric/Grace scene was difficult to write, but it's one of my favorite parts of the last chapter. Thank you, and, just for old time's sake, see ya next week :).

Deb: Thank you. The Eric/Grace part was one of my personal favorite scenes of the story. The goodbye scene was a tearjerker to write as well. I'm so glad you and the others liked it! Thank you again for your constant support!

missmobster: Welcome back! Thank you, yeah, it is kind of a bitter/sweet deal. But it was a blast to write and I'm so glad you like it!!! Thank you again!!!

A/N: Here's the epilogue as promised. Also, if you post a review for this, your review response will be in the first chapter of the sequel to this, due sometime soon.... :D. Thanks again, everybody!

~sancti

Epilogue

1513 ZULU

Rabb Home

Georgetown, Virginia

Sunday, November 1st, 2020

"Good morning, Virginia, and welcome to the first day of November! And it certainly wouldn't be November without the first snow of the season. That's right, look out your windows everybody, there's a fresh dusting of the white stuff—"

"Shut-up." Grace murmured. The voice on the clock/radio stopped.

Grace brought the comforter over her head to block out the rays of sunshine that filtered into her room. Sudden images and words swam around her mind, replaying the events of the night before.

Her father gave her the most curious look. "You grew up, huh?"

Grace nodded. "Yeah. And I realize why you did too."

He narrowed his eyes again. "Me?"

Grace didn't expect him to understand now or ever. What happened to her was something that felt deeply personal now. She wasn't about to try and explain how she changed.

 Grace stood, sighing. "I'm gonna go to bed."

Her father's response was delayed a moment before his head snapped up. "Yeah. We'll talk about this in the morning."

Grace went to her closet to look for pajamas and Harm suddenly stopped at her door. He gave her a once over, slightly raising his hand to point at her.

"Are those new clothes?"

Grace looked down at herself, smoothing her hand over the shirt. "Um...no?"

Her father shook his head, then bid her good night before closing the bedroom door.

Grace almost drifted back to sleep when she heard a familiar thump of feet in the hallway outside her room. The rapid footsteps grew closer and her door swung open. Grace jolted when the little form jumped onto her bed.

"Gracie! Gracie! Did you really sneak outta the house?!" The little girl said as she jumped up and down on the bed, "Mommy and Daddy are really mad!" Isabelle said with a toothy grin.

Grace stared at the girl, still in her pajamas (a gray U.S. Navy T-shirt that went below her knees), with her brown curly hair sticking out in all directions. Before Grace could react, another pair of footsteps bounded in the hallway then into her room.

Jake jumped up onto the bed, landing on his stomach. Unlike his sisters, he was dressed and ready for the day.

"You went to that party, didn't you?! Did you make out with Ben?!" Jake sneered.

Usually, Grace would have pushed them both out of her room, slamming the door in their faces. But now, she couldn't be happier to see them. She pulled both of them toward her and embraced them tightly. They were like real proof that she was back. Jake immediately detested the situation and squirmed out of the hug.

"What's your malfunction?!" He exclaimed, falling back onto the bed. He brushed a hand over his shirt, as if any contact with either of his siblings would mean impending death...

Isabelle on the other hand was more shocked than anything by her sister's sudden bout of kindness, and she made herself comfortable in her sister's lap.

 Grace smiled at them both. She never quite realized how much she had missed them. Isabelle then looked from her sister to Jake. "What's "make out" mean?" She asked innocently.

Grace glared over at Jake, who shrugged sheepishly. "Sor-ry, she usually never listens to what I say!"

Grace playfully kicked him, triggering Jake to beat her with a pillow.

***

1520

After five minutes of, "Pummel Big Sister," Grace's two siblings ran off down the stairs and into the coat closet to put on their snow gear. Even though there was barely three inches of snow, it was enough for the two to get excited about. Grace slowly made her way down the stairs, taking in the familiarity of the home. Her childhood home. She recognized ever mark on the wall, every dent in the wooden banister.

 She heard her parents' voices and, knowing she wouldn't be able to avoid them any longer, headed towards the kitchen. As she entered the room, the first thing she saw was her mother on the other side, opening the blinds. Light flooded into the room, giving her mother's form a glow. And when she turned around at Grace's footsteps, she looked like the young Mac for a second. Grace halted as her eyes played tricks. After a moment, she recognized a wrinkle here, and a gray hair there. This was her mother. But so was the other Mac, it was just she was younger and inexperienced as a parent. But this one was wise; you could see it in her eyes. And at the moment, those eyes were scrutinizing her shrewdly.

 Grace wanted to run to her and hug her, but Mac looked less than affectionate. Without so much as a "good morning," she nodded her head towards the table, where Harm quietly drank his coffee and pretended to read the paper. Grace sat down across from her parents, ready to receive whatever punishment they'd created in the last ten hours.

 Mac opened her mouth, but clamped it shut, looking down at the table. Harm slumped down in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. Grace parted her lips, curious. They were angry about something else, she knew they were.

 Grace recognized the military stance in her mother as she straightened her spine, folding her hands on the table. "Your father was...kind enough to hold off until now—"

"I know you two deserve a full explanation." Grace said, broaching the most important part of the conversation.

Her parents exchanged glances, and her mother's frame relaxed as she leaned back in the chair. "All right. You'll start with how you got that bump on your head."

She sighed. It wasn't the injury she received when she first crossed over. She suffered it coming back. "That comes later."

"You went to the party, didn't you?" Harm asked quietly.

Grace nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't stay for more than an hour."

They looked at each other again, obviously surprised by their daughter's honesty. "Really," Mac continued, "...and...where did you go?"

Knowing she couldn't explain the biggest part of her "adventure," she told only the details they would understand. "Outside Georgetown to the old Dupree Mansion. It was a dare."

Mac scoffed. "What? Grace, that place is dilapidated and—and unstable—"

"I know." Grace pointed to the bump on her head, "I fell through the stairs. I'm okay though."

"You what?!" Harm shot forward in the chair, his voice rising until Mac put a hand on his arm.

"Don't worry, I'm fine!"

Her father sighed sharply and leaned back in the chair again. Mac rubbed her temple, returning her gaze to the table. Grace swallowed. There was something else bothering them.

"What is it?" She asked.

Harm propped his elbows on the armrest of the seat, placing his crossed hands under his chin. "There's an article in the paper this morning about the party."

Grace narrowed her eyes. That didn't make sense. "Why?"

"Do you know a girl named Mel Lance?"

Grace shrugged a shoulder. "Not really, she's in my chemistry class...why?"

Harm stared at the paper, clenching his jaw. "When cops came to the frat house because of noise complaints, they found her beaten and raped in a bedroom upstairs."

Grace felt her breath catch. Mac pursed her lips, containing whatever emotions stirring inside. "Authorities arrested her attacker this morning. His name's Tom Kozach."

Grace cringed.

"You know him?" Harm asked, noticing her discomfort.

"Only because he spilled his drink on me." She murmured, remembering how angry she was that her sweater had been ruined. It dawned on her how much more could have been ruined. Mel Lance was a quiet, reserved girl who simply enjoyed science. She didn't deserve this. Then again, no one deserved to be raped. Grace just couldn't help thinking she might have been the victim. 

But Harm seemed to think this was just as bad with hanging out with the guy. "You know, I thought you told me the party was going to be chaperoned!" He said a little harsher than he had too.

"That's what I was told!" Grace retorted. Her parents had to believe that.

Mac squeezed her husband's hand, silently informing him to let her take over now. Like a little boy being ordered into silence, he slumped back in the chair again, crossing his arms. Mac reached across the table and grasped her daughter's hand. "Gracie...we love you. We'd never want to see you hurt. But what happened to that girl," Mac sighed, "just knowing that you were in that same frat house, mingling with those very people...it's...daunting. You understand?"

Grace nodded. "Yes. I understand perfectly," she then scoffed at her parents' skeptical looks, "really, I do!"

Harm glanced at his wife, who bit her lip, looking down. "Grace, we—we really need to make sure you're grasping what we're saying. No only did you go to the party, which we clearly told you not to, you snuck out of the house! Imagine what could have happened with you walking the streets alone—"

"But I didn't," Grace exclaimed, "Clay picked me up—" She stopped when she realized what had tumbled out of her mouth.

Mac gasped. "Clay was in on this too?!"

Grace, frustrated with herself, stood from the table. "Look...I came back alive, right? I realize what I did was wrong, and it won't happen again! Why won't you believe me?!"

Mac stood, stepping up to her. The girl's mother still had three inches on her, and she knew it. Mac used it to appear as challenging as possible. Grace didn't dare look into her eyes.

"You destroyed a big part of the trust I thought we had," Mac murmured, "it'll take a while to get that back."

"I know." Grace answered, just above a whisper.

And to her surprise, her mother hugged her, like she was relieved. Grace returned the hug, looking over her mother's shoulder and seeing her father give her a small nod of assurance.

"We don't want you to get hurt, that's all." Mac said before breaking the hug.

Grace missed her old parents. And Eric. And Nancy, Patrick, her cat, and oh, hell, even Daniel. But when she was in that world, she found what she missed most was the fact that this was where she belonged. She had a place here. She was a puzzle piece with a place in this world, even though at times it was difficult for her to fit into that big puzzle.

 And she loved the security of knowing that. She actually had a place in this world. And to think it took her a whole year and all she went through to realize that. It was a scare tactic. And probably the only way for her to look at the world any differently.

***

1430 ZULU

Rabb Home

Georgetown, Virginia

One Month Later...

 Grace stepped out of the house of her own free will for the first time in a month. It was December first, the day her parents said would be the end of her punishment. Which was simply being grounded for a month. She didn't mind it all that much. It gave her time to be closer to them. To discuss her boundaries, and those of her friend's. She wasn't sure how she did it, but her parents agreed to let her date, as long as the boy was given the old, "Rabb Inspection." Her father enforced the rule and demanded to meet any boy she was even thinking about dating. She repulsed at the idea a little bit, but knew there was no way out of it, so she accepted.

 A car horn honked from the road, and Grace flinched as a bitter wind cut through her jacket. Grace kicked through some of the freshly fallen snow as she made her way down the front yard toward Clay's car. She opened the door and slipped into the warm interior where Christmas music blasted loudly from the speaker. Clay loved just about everything that had to do with the Christmas season. So much in fact, that by the time it actually reached the twenty-fifth, Grace was completely sick of, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and, "Santa Baby."    

Grace turned down the music and sighed happily, glancing over at her friend. "Well—that's it. I'm free."

Clay sniggered. "Just wait until the Christmas parties roll around."

Grace playfully shoved him as the car pulled away from the curb.

"Where to, m'lady?" Clay joked as they came to a red light.

Grace put her hands over the heater. "You mind taking a long ride?"

He gave the girl a sidelong glance. "The Oaks, I take it? You sure you wanna go?"

Grace took her gloves off now that her hands were warmed. "Yeah. It's been too long, I should go."

Sighing, Clay pulled into the right-turn only lane and stepped on the gas.

***

1648 ZULU

The Oaks Assisted Living Home

Lynchburg, Virginia

 The beauty of the place always took Grace aback. The grounds were gorgeous, with gardens stretching for an acre during the spring and summer. At the moment, the ground was covered with a fresh coating of powdery snow.

 Clay and Grace took off their coats, gloves, and hats, hanging them on a coat hanger near the door. For a retirement home, there was certainly a lot going on. The seniors were all over the place. In a room nearby, someone was playing the piano and a senior's voice echoed, "The First Noel," throughout the halls. A couple of old guys sat at a small table next to them playing chess. And there was movement, though slow, and laughter through the foyer of the retirement home.

 One of the nurses spotted them, and Grace recognized the woman right away.

"Miss Rabb!" The little woman said cheerfully as she walked up to her, "It's been a while!"

Grace made a half smile. "I know. How is he?"

The nurse's smile slowly dissipated and she bit her lip. "It hasn't been better, Grace. You wanna see him?"

Grace nodded, though it was more an automatic reaction. Her feet stayed rooted to the ground. It wasn't until she felt Clay's hand slip into her own, did she gain the confidence to follow the nurse down the cheerfully decorated hallway.

 The elder woman's singing and the piano music became louder as they passed the room. The nurse smiled. "That's Mrs. Johansson. She used to sing in clubs as a young lady. She's still got quite a voice!"

They passed another hallway, making a turn here and there until they finally reached  a room with an American flag taped flimsily to the door. The nurse brought a finger to her lips, signaling them to be silent. She then knocked lightly on the door.

"Admiral! You have visitors!"

Grace immediately recognized the voice from inside. If she didn't know better, the man sounded like he always did. "Send them in!" He ordered.

The nurse, who Grace just remembered was named Shirley, opened the door and stood aside for them to come in.

The room was exactly as Grace had remembered it from six months ago. It had all the standard furniture. A nice bed, armchair, dresser, TV, bookshelf, and a counter for the Admiral to prepare snacks. And the man's most prized possession—his desk. Though considerably smaller than the one he owned when he was the JAG, he treated it all the same. Everything from his old desk lined this new one. Even papers and files still cluttered it.

 AJ had his head bent down over his, "work" and didn't look up until Shirley cleared her voice. "Sir?"

He put up a hand to silence her. "Hold on a minute," AJ finally finished writing whatever it was, and folded up the piece of paper, holding it out to Shirley. "Make sure this gets to the SecNav ASAP, Petty Officer."

Shirley stood at attention. "Aye, aye, sir." Clay and Grace exchanged glances. After the nurse made an about-face, she leaned over to Grace, opening the, "letter." Written inside was a bunch of scribble lines, "You just have to play along sometimes. Call me if you need anything."

The nurse left the room, closing the door behind her. The two teenagers stood awkwardly for a few seconds before Grace cleared her throat. AJ stopped writing and slowly lifted his head to look at her. He narrowed his eyes, like he recognized her but couldn't figure out for the life of him where he'd seen her. Grace smiled and sat down in the armchair next his own.

"Hi, Admiral."

AJ stared at her curiously, cocking a dark eyebrow. "Do we have an appointment?" He asked, scanning her face with his serious eyes.

Grace sighed. It had gotten so much worse. But he didn't say yet that he actually didn't remember her. "Um...no. This is kind of a surprise." She answered, nodding to Clay. The boy made a small wave of a his hand, clearly too uncomfortable to say anything. AJ only studied Clay for a moment, since he never said anything. He then turned his attention back to Grace.

"I'm very busy, ma'am. Is there something I can do for you?" Without waiting for an answer, AJ turned back to his work.

Grace held back tears. He'd called her, "ma'am."

"Admiral, it's me...Grace. Grace Rabb?"

AJ stopped writing again, and his eyes looked toward the ceiling. "Rabb. That bastard went back to flying," he shook her head, "I told him it was a step back in his career."

Grace couldn't believe it. Her parents had visited AJ not two weeks ago. They said he was doing well! This wasn't well! He'd forgotten the past fifteen years! But Grace knew why they did it. So they wouldn't upset her. It was only a matter of time before she found out on her own.

Grace stuck out her hand. "Admiral, I'm Ensign Grace Rabb. I'm training to be a lawyer. The SecNav suggested I work at your JAG office."

This caught his attention and he shook her hand, his eyes still scrutinizing her. "Really," He said flatly, "how long have you been studying law, Ensign?"

Grace bit back the tears again. "About a year, I guess." She couldn't help it anymore, she choked on a sob and lowered her head so he wouldn't see.

AJ chuckled. "Don't worry, Ensign, soon you'll have that degree and you'll be defending your first client in no time. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish my letter to the SecNav, which has to be delivered ASAP. Send my yeoman in here before you leave—dismissed."

Grace felt Clay's hand on her shoulder and she stood. His arm wrapped around her shoulder and he eased her towards the door. She was now infinitely grateful for the time she'd spent with AJ, and was glad she got the words across when she could see his true expression.

***

1850 ZULU

Dupree Mansion

Outside Georgetown, Virginia

October 31st, 2002

Harm stared at the hole he'd made in the stairs. The hole he'd dropped his daughter into. He wasn't even sure what had just happened. He'd dropped her, then just found himself staring at this hole. He could feel Mac's gaze as well, and he turned to see her gawking at him.

"Harm," she murmured, "we—we didn't go poof. W—weren't we supposed to go poof?"

He was speechless. Why didn't anything happen? A thought suddenly dawned on him.

The old lady. Mrs. Nelson, was it? It made sense. For this gap to close, wouldn't she have to go back as well?

Harm and Mac's gazes connected. "Mrs. Nelson." He whispered, just loud enough for Mac to hear. The Marine's eyes widened and her jaw dropped a little.

Harm shook his head. "Why didn't we think of that?!" Sighing sharply, Harm started down the stairs.

Harm's foot suddenly caught the axe, and he fell backward. Mac watched in horror as the tall man fell, breaking through the unstable wood.

"HARM!" She screamed. She didn't get an answer, and before she realized what she was doing, Mac ran up the stairs, falling in with him.

The year of 2020 would be greeted by some very confused visitors.

***

***

Now, now, I will address the Eric/Grace situation in the new story, but I couldn't really find a place for him in the epilogue. I think I'm just gonna save that and any Clay Jr./Grace situations for the sequel. Once again, any reviews for this will be responded in the first chapter of the sequel, which will be entitled, "False Tactics." First chapter out in a few weeks! *whimper* I need my coffee break!!! :) Thank you all again...so, so much.

~sancti