Title: One Special Night

Author: AnchorsAwieghNavy

Feedback: AnchorsAweighNavy(at)hotmail(dot)com. Put JAG FF , JAG, Your FF, ect. in the subject line so I know it's not spam, in case hotmail sends it to my junk mail folder.

Summary: Harm gives Mac a special night, and starts something big.

Disclaimers: I, by no stretch of my expansive imagination, own JAG, Applebees, or The Watergate Hotel. I am a poor little college student with literally $0 to my name. Sue accordingly. Joshua, and the whole Allexton family are my creations. Rex-Bear is also mine, because I modeled him after my own teddy bear whose name is Max-Bear

Authors Notes: I'm working on another story, which will end up being kind of long. So I'm writing this one because I've had several people ask me when I'm going to put another fic out. I hope I can keep this one short, but I have a habit of not being satified, so I usually keep writing for a long time.

I'm ignoring the season finale in this one. Clay is alive, Mattie is with Harm, and Mac is healthy. And very importantly, Chegwidden is still the JAG.

My other fic deals with speculation of the results of Mac's surgery, so I wanted to write something not dealing with it. This is just some fluff that happens during summer '04.

I'm also using alot of creative license on this one. I know that you can't go to the top of the Wahington Monument at night. I know it's sort of a long way from the Watergate to the Mall. I was in DC in March, so I'm only going by what I can remember regarding distances.

Sorry for the crappy formatting. I formatted the story EXACTLY the way I wanted it, however FanFic(dot)net had other ideas about how it should be. Like I can't type out my email addy without adding (...) around the symbols for at and dot...

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown, Washington, DC

Friday, July 16, 2004

1920 EST--

'He'll be here any minute.' Thought Mac. 'He promised to be on time tonight.'

FLASHBACK TO PREVIOUS DAY

"Hey Mac."

"Hey Flyboy."

"So, uhh, how are you?" He asked nervously.

"Fine..."

"Good, good."

"Did you need something, or is this a 'just because' sort of visit?"

"I, I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay, ask away."

"I wanted to know if...would you... Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night?"

"Like on a date?"

"Yeah. I mean, I know you're involved with Clay, but I also know he's probably not in town. So I thought you might like to go out. If you don't, that's fine, I just wanted to know. I can understand if you don't, you are dating Clay afterall and..." He was cut off.

"Harm shut up."

"Okay."

"To answer your question, yes, I would love to go out with you tomorrow night."

"Really??"

"Yes. Are you surprised?"

"Frankly, yes."

"Don't be. What time will you pick me up?"

"1930."

"I'll expect you at 1945, then."

"I'l be there at 1930 on the dot."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"I promise I'll be there at exactly 1930."

"You haven't broken a promise yet."

"And I don't intend to any time soon."

END FLASHBACK

That was the best moment of her life. When he asked her out.

'He was so cute when he did it. No man has ever been that shy about asking me out.' She smiled to herself. 'But Harm isn't just any man. He's THE man. My dream man.'

She looked at herself in the mirror. Crimson Red lingerie. She always felt better about herself when she knew she looked good under her clothes.

She had chosen a knee length black dress, casual enough for a simple dinner and a movie, but elegant enough for dinner and dancing.

'If he'd tell me where we're going, this would have been easier.' She sighed. 'But no, he has to make it a surprise. Well, we'll see who's surprised when he sees me in this dress.'

She finished her makeup, and check her hair one last time. Then she went out to wait for him to arrive.

That happened 3 minutes later.

"1930 on the dot flyboy. I'm impressed." She said when she had opened the door.

He was wearing a black suit, with a black shirt, and a piercing blue silk tie that brought out his eyes in the best way.

"I promised didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. But how did you manage to get here exactly on time?"

"I've been sitting in the car for 15 minutes..." He said sheepishly. "I was actually waiting for something."

"What were you waiting for?"

"Are you ready? You'll see in a moment."

"Yeah, just let me get my purse." She picked it up off the coffee table, and Harm took the chance to admire her outfit. She came back to where he was standing.

He took her hand and kissed it.

"You look beautiful tonight, Sarah."

She blushed.

"Thank you, Harm. You look very nice too. That tie is a great color for you."

"Really? Mattie said the same thing when she picked it out for me. In fact, she told me I'd be able to catch any woman I wanted with it."

"It brings out your eyes. And Mattie's right. You could get any woman with those eyes."

"I only know of one woman I want to be with tonight, and she's standing right in front of me."

Mac blushed again.

"Is it hard to belive that I'd want to be with you?" He asked softly.

"After 9 years, I'd given up hope."

"Waiting this long to ask you out was a mistake. One I hope to make up to you." He offered his arm, and she hooked her hand around it.

They rode the elevator down and Mac gasped when they got to the parking lot. There was a white limosine waiting for them, with a uniformed driver waiting by the open back door.

"Wow." She said.

"Only the beginning. Next comes dinner."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." He smiled at her.

"Please tell me."

"You'll see soon enough." He took her hand and led her to the limo.

She got in and he slid in beside her. The driver shut the door and got into the front, closing the privacy window after he got it.

"Is this what you were waiting for?" She asked.

"Yes."

"What about your car?"

"It's being taken care of."

"You really know how to take a girl out, don't you?"

"This isn't exactly my normal first date plans. The last first date I had was with Renee, and it was nowhere near this way."

"You mean you haven't dated since Renee? What about Catherine Gale?"

"No, there was nothing between Catherine and I except friendship."

"Harm you should know something. Clay and I broke up a month ago."

"Why?"

"He wasn't here enough, when he was here he turned to his vodka, and I don't think it would have even moved forward very much."

"Oh. So I assume you broke it off?"

"Yeah, it was me. But he understood completely. He wants to remain friends."

"He's a good man."

"He deserves someone who will love him back."

"Yes, he does. And there's someone out there who can give him that love."

"I hope so. I want him to be happy. He's done alot for me."

"I'm very thankful for what he's done." Harm took Mac's hand in his. "He kept you alive in Paraguay, and for that I'll be eternally indebted to him."

"You're very different out of JAG, you know."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Very good. I like you away from JAG."

"Thank you. But I'm only giving you what you deserve on a first date."

"And what is it that I deserve?"

"To be treated like a princess. That's what your name means, you know."

"What? Mac?"

"No. Sarah. It means Princess. Didn't anyone ever tell you that?"

"No, no one..."

"Well, it's true. Sarah means Princess."

"That's nice to know." Mac looked out the window. "Are you sure you won't tell me where we're going?"

"No. However, I promise that you'll love it."

"How much longer until we get there? I'm hungry."

"Not long."

They rode the rest of the way in silence, her hand still in his. Each enjoying the other's company.

The limo stopped and the driver came around to open their door.

Harm stepped out and then offered his hand to Mac, who was shocked when she saw where they were.

"The Watergate?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

He took her hand and they walked inside.

Mac was under the impression that they would be going to Aquarelle, the hotel's restaurant. So she was very surprised when Harm led them to the elevator.

"Isn't it a little early in the evening, and relationship, to be getting a room?"

"Trust me." He smiled.

They got off on the top floor and Harm slid the keycard through the lock of room 1319. He opened the doors and Mac gasped.

The room was filled with candles and flowers, red roses to be exact, with a table for two set up in the middle of the large living room of the suite.

"This is beautiful, Harm."

"I had hoped you would like it." He pulled her chair out and she sat down. He took his seat on the other side of the table just as men started coming in with huge trays in their hands. A large plate was set in front of each.

"Enjoy your meal, sir, ma'am." One of the men said before they all left.

"Let's eat." Harm said.

"This all looks great. How did you arrange it in such a short amount of time?"

"I have connections." He grinned.

"Why didn't we just eat at Aquerelle?"

"I thought getting a room might be better. This way we're undisturbed."

"Harm, a room here is over $500. You didn't pay that much just so we could be by ourselves."

"Yes I did. I didn't want to share you with anyone tonight, so I got the room."

"You paid that much, just for a few hours with me?"

"I would have paid more if I had needed to. I thought part of the date could be us spending the night here ourselves."

"You want me to spend the night with you?"

"Well, I mean, there are 2 bedrooms. But yes, I thought I'd give you a night to relax...and it happens to be in a 4 star hotel."

"So I get to relax here all night?"

"I was hoping maybe we could take a walk around the Mall first. But after that, the hot tub is all your's."

"Thank you. And a walk would be wonderful. I've never actually been able to walk around the Mall much at night, though I hear it's beautiful."

"With you there, of course it will be." He put his hand on hers, and she turned it over to allow him to hold it.

They finished their meal in comfortable silence, with Harm looking up and smiling at her occasionally.

"So, how is Mattie?" Mac asked when there were finished and had gone over to sit on the couch in the living room area.

"She's doing great. Enjoying her summer vacation as much as she can, being alone all day."

"Does she spend anytime with her dad?"

"Some, now that he's out of the recovery center. She still has no desire to live with him in Blacksburg."

"How does he feel about that?"

"He just wants her to be happy. He realizes that it's not going to happen with him right now, or maybe ever." He said. "He, Mattie, and I sat down last week and discussed it. Mattie has expressed a desire for me to adopt her. She doesn't want to live with her dad, although she would like to spend some time with him. Tom told me he's willing to give up his parental rights if he can still be a part of her life. He feels that he is going to have to work very hard to stay sober, and isn't sure he can deal with Mattie at the same time. You have to admit that she can be a handful when she wants to be."

"To say the least."

"Well Mattie doesn't know that he's willing to do that, so I'm going to keep it quiet until all the papers are drawn up and we know that it can really happen."

"So you're going to adopt her?"

"I hope so. I know she's only been with me for 7 months, but I love her like she was my own daughter. I actually have an appointment with a real estate agent tomorrow at 1240 to go look at some houses in Virginia."

"You're put a lot of thought into this."

"I feel like it's the right thing." He smiled. "How about that walk now?"

"Love to."

They left the room and went down the elevator to the lobby.

"So how am I supposed to stay the night if I don't have any clothes?"

"You do... I kind of asked Harriet to "break in" to your apartment today while you were at JAG. She packed you a bag complete with pajamas, and clothes for tomorrow."

"You must have been pretty sure I'd stay with you."

"I didn't think you could refuse a night at The Watergate very easily."

"You're right. It would be kind of hard."

When they arrived at the main floor of the hotel Harm once again took Mac's hand, and they walked out onto Virginia Avenue, toward Constitution Avenue.

They walked quietly for a while, until they got to the Washington Monument.

"Looks like they're doing rides to the top of the monument. Have you ever been up?" Harm asked.

"No. But I think if would be nice to see at night."

"Let's go."

They got in line and waited for the group at the top to come down.

"Are you cold?" Harm asked when he noticed Mac wrapping her arms around herself.

"A little."

He took his jacket off and put it on her shoulders before putting his arms around her.

"Better?"

"Much." She laid her head on his chest.

"Now this I could get used to."

"What?"

"Standing here with you in my arms like this."

"It is nice. This really doesn't feel like a first date."

"Mattie told me we've been dating for 9 years, but didn't know it."

"That could be true."

"If we had been together for 9 years, you would have had a ring on your finger about 8 1/2 years ago."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Good. It was meant to be." The line started moving into the elevator, so he kept one arm around her while they walked on. Due to the low volume of people there, they easily took a spot next to a window.

Mac turned around to look out once they had gotten to the top. Harm just stood to the side.

"Aren't you going to look?"

"Nah."

"Why not?"

"I'm afraid of heights." He grinned.

"Get over here."

He grinned at her again and walked to her side.

"It really is beautiful in the moonlight..." She murmured.

"Yeah." But he wasn't looking out the window, he was looking at her.

She felt his eyes on her and looked up at him.

"I meant the city." She tried to cover her embarassment.

"I didn't." It took all he had in him not to kiss her. 'No, I won't rush her into anything. We need to take this slowly.'

The elevator started it's decent back down the monument, but they kept their eyes locked on one another's.

Harm finally broke contact.

"Looks like we're going back down." He stated lamely.

"Yeah."

"Do you want to walk around somemore?" He asked when they got to the bottom and stepped out of the elevator.

"Sure."

He took her hand again and they started walking.

"Any particular direction?"

"Let's go to the Lincoln Memorial. I've always wanted to see it lit up at night."

"Your wish is my command."

They walked along the Reflecting Pool on their way to the memorial.

"Do you want your jacket back?"

"If you don't want it anymore."

"I'm not quiet as cold now." She took it off and gave it back to him. "I probably looked terrible in it anyway."

"You could never look terrible."

"I think I could. Picture me pregnant. I know I'll look bad then."

"I've always thought pregnant women were stunning, so you'll be drop dead, stop a man's heart, make him think he's gone to heaven, gorgeous."

Mac blushed at his words.

"You know, we still have that deal to go halves on a kid. You're not in a relationship, and there's only one person who I want to be with right now, so we could make good on it."

"Harm, I'm not looking to tie you down with a baby."

He gently pulled her over to sit on a bench.

"What if that's what I want? I'm not getting younger here, and I would like a family. I mean, I love Mattie, but I'd like a wife and a baby too. Hopefully more than one child."

"There are a lot of women out there who would be happy to give you all that."

"Sarah, I don't want a woman from out there. I want you."

She looked up at him with tears coming down her face.

"Harm, aside from Clay, every man who's ever been with me has either died or left. I can't do that to you, or myself."

"I can promise you I'll never leave. I can't really promise you I won't die. I'll do everything in my power to stop that from happening, though. Starting with giving up my flight status."

"I'd never ask you to do that."

"It's not a matter of you asking. It's something I'm asking you to support. I'm too old to be out there anyway."

"Have you thought this over?"

"Yeah, for the last year and a half." He smiled. "I know this probably sounds like I'm shirking my duty, but I don't want to get pulled any farther into this war. If I keep up my flight status, it's only a matter of time before they call me to a squadron. I'm too old to be trapping that much. I'd rather be a desk jockey than a jet jockey if it meant being with you." He wiped her tears with his thumb.

"You can have any woman you want, why do you want to be with me?"

"Because you're my life. There hasn't been a night in the last 8.5 years that I haven't wished you were beside me in bed, kissing me goodnight and having me tell you how much I love you. That I haven't wish that it was you in my kitchen every morning, instead of a blonde airhead. I've wished that little AJ was ours. Even Mattie for that matter. You know she could easily be ours. She has my eyes, but she has a combination of our personalities, mostly your's though." He laughed. "For the past 7 months I've wished we were a family. I've dreamt everynight of seeing you walk down the aisle, knowing that we would belong to each other for the rest of our lives. I want to eventually marry you, Sarah. But first I'm going to properly date you. I'm going to get the papers in order so we can adopt Mattie. I want her to be our daughter. And I'd like to give her some little brothers and sisters."

"Are you proposing?"

"Not yet. I am, however, making you a promise. I promise that one day, hopefully in the range of a year to a year and a half, I will propose."

"Wow. I knew you cared, but I didn't know your feelings ran that deep."

"I know I've never been great with words, but I know what I feel."

"Will you ever be able to tell me how you feel?"

"Yes. But not yet. Just know that you're the most important person in my world."

"What about Mattie?"

"I love Mattie as if she were my own daughter, but if I ever lost her I'd be able to deal with it and eventually go on with my life. If I lost you, it'd be like I lost myself. I'd probably end up resigning my commission and sitting in my apartment being a hermit." He smiled.

"Nice to know I'd inspire that." She smiled back at him.

He stood up and tugged her up with him. He then wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"I'm happy we had this talk."

She put her arms around him.

"So am I."

They stood that way for a moment, enjoying the feeling of being surrounded with one another.

"Do you still want to go to the memorial?" Harm asked.

"No, let's go back to the hotel. I'm not feeling very well."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I think the shrimp in my salad just didn't agree with my stomach."

"Let me know if you start feeling worse."

"I'll be fine. I just need to lay down for a while."

Harm led her over to Constitution Ave. and hailed a cab.

"What are you doing Harm? I can walk."

"It's a long way to the hotel. This will be easier."

"Since when do the Marines do things the easy way?"

"You don't when you're on your own. But tonight you're with me." He ushered her into the cab.

The Watergate Hotel

Downtown Washington, DC

2250 EST--

They took the taxi back to the hotel and went back upstairs to their room. The dishes from dinner had been cleared out, and the doors of the terrace opened to let fresh summer air in the room.

Mac started walking toward the bathroom.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To run some water for a long, hot bath."

"Sit. I'll do that for you. You relax for a few minutes."

"Harm, I'm fine. A stomachache isn't going to kill me."

"I know. But humor me, please?"

"Fine." She sighed. "So which bedroom is mine?"

"You can have the one on the left. It has the TV, which is of no use to me because all I watch is ZNN." He walked into the bathroom and started the water for Mac's bath.

When it finished filling he turned on the jets and went out to let her know it was ready.

"Hey Mac...wow..."

Mac was bend over her overnight bag in just her crimson red underwear set.

"Oh, hey Harm. I didn't want my dress to get wrinkled so I hung it up. I was going to put on my PJ's, but since you finished sooner than I expected...I guess there's nothing to hide now."

Harm stood there looking like a fish, mouth hanging open.

"Earth to Harm." She waved her hand in front of is face. "Anyone in there?"

"I'm here somewhere..."

"Well, while you find yourself, I'm going to take a long bath."

"Okay. Yell if you need me for anything."

"Just what would I need you for?"

"To...wash your back...?"

"Nice try, Flyboy."

"I had to make an attempt. That get-up has my hormones raging."

"Wait 'til you see if off me." She winked.

"Is that an invitation?"

"Do you want it to be?"

"Yes...and no."

"That's a real clear answer."

"What I mean is that if this weren't our first real date, I'd be right there with you in that hot tub. But I don't want to rush things. I've done that with every other relationship I've ever been in, and look how they turned out. That isn't going to happen to us. We mean more to me than to let myself take advantage of you like that."

"It wouldn't really be taking advantage of me. Take advantage implies that it's not consensual."

"Don't try to use your lawyer skills on me." He grinned. "Now get into the bathroom before I decide 'to hell with being a gentleman, I want her now.' Which would ruin my plans."

"What plans?"

"Quit stalling. Go drown yourself with bubbles, relax, and maybe that stomachache will go away."

"You're like Fort Knox... I want to know about these plans when I get out, though."

"And you'll hear about them then."

She disappeared into the bathroom.

He went into his room and changed out of his suit. He went to his overnight bag trying to find the sleeping shorts he thought he'd packed.

'I thought I packed them...' He thought. 'Oh well, boxers will work just as well.'

He went into Mac's room to watch the 11pm news.

Mac came out of the bathroom 25 minutes later...wearing his sleeping shorts...

"Hey, I knew I packed them. You stole them!"

"Next time you surprise me with a date like this, don't let Harriet pack my bag... She put in that gown I wore in Russia."

"Ah, keep the shorts then."

"Thank you."

"Are you feeling better?" He opened his arms for her to lie down beside him.

"Yeah, the hot water helped." She layed her head on his shoulder.

"Feel like watching a movie?"

"Sure, which one?"

"Top Gun is on." He grinned.

She smiled at him.

"Fine."

He flipped the channel to Top Gun and rested his hand on Mac's hip.

Her hand was sprawled across his chest.

An hour and a half later the movie finished. Mac was laying in the same position as when the movie had started.

Harm looked over at her and saw that she was sleeping peacefully. He gently pulled his arm out from under her, and slowly eased his way from the bed.

"Where're you goin'?" She asked sleepily.

"To my room. Go back to sleep."

"No, stay here."

"Are you sure?"

She opened her eyes and lifted her head slightly.

"Harriet didn't pack my teddy bear, so you'll have to be the sub."

He smiled.

"Let me go turn off the lights and secure everything."

"You have 1 minute to do so."

"And if I don't get it done in 1 minute?"

"Suffer the consequences."

"What are those?"

"Me."

Harm laughed as he went out to the living room area. He slowly checked the door and turned off the lights, wanting to know what exactly Mac would do to him.

"What's my time?" He asked, knowing that he had taken over a minute.

"1:28."

"What's my punishment?" He laid down beside her.

Before he knew what was happening, Mac had climbed on top of him and was pinning his arms to the bed.

"I'm holding you hostage."

"Ahh. What's the ransom?"

"A kiss."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea..."

"Why not? Don't you think I'm pretty?" She let go of his arms.

"I think you're the most beautiful woman on earth." He cupped her cheek in his hand. "But that's the problem. If I start kissing you, I'm not sure I'll be able to stop. And I want us to date for a while before we move further."

"You really are a gentleman, aren't you?"

"I'm trying."

"Thank you." She laid down on top of him and put her head on his shoulder.

He rubbed circles on her back.

"You're welcome." He paused for a moment, thanking God for putting Mac into his life. "So what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"I don't have any. I'll probably just read all day after you take me home."

"Would you like to come look at houses with me? We can check out early, go pick Mattie up, then I'll take you both to lunch before the appointment."

"You want me to help you pick out a house?"

"Yeah. If I have my way, you'll eventually live there with me and Mattie, so it seems right that you find one you like too."

"You want me to help you pick out a house for us to live in, but you haven't even kissed me yet. If it wasn't so funny, it'd be sad."

"It is kind of humorous."

She rolled off him.

"Let's go to sleep. It's 0123."

"Will you ever tell me how you do that?"

"Will you ever be able to clearly express your feelings?"

"Yes."

"Then maybe I'll tell you."

"I think that's the best I'm going to get."

"I know it is. Now sleep." She wrapped her arm around his neck.

"What are you doing?"

"This is how I hold my teddy bear. And since you're the substitute, you get held the same way."

"You mean you actually do have a teddy bear?"

"Yes. Uncle Matt gave him to me when I was 4."

"What's his name?"

"Rex-Bear. I was into dinosaurs at a young age."

"Well tonight Sub-Rex-Bear is going to hold you too. Bet your stuffed one never did that."

"No. Can't say he ever has."

"There's a first time for everything."

The Watergate Hotel

Downtown Washington, DC

Saturday, July 17, 2004

0935 EST--

"Harm. Wake up." Mac said softly in his ear.

He didn't move a muscle.

"Harm..."

Nothing.

Mac tried an alternative. She bent down next to his head and started kissing his neck.

"Hey, that tickles..." He mumbled.

"Get out of bed and I'll stop."

"I didn't say I wanted you to stop. Just that it tickles." He opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"Get up anyway. We need to check out in 34 minutes."

"I'm up, I'm up." He sat up in the bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"You can shower first."

"Why do you need one? You just took a bath last night."

"I like to shower in the morning. It wakes me up, and makes me feel better for the rest of the day."

"Whatever makes you happy. Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, but I'll wait until lunch."

"If you're hungry you can order something."

"No, I'll wait."

"Okay. Well in that case, do me a favor. Call Mattie and tell her to be ready in 45 minutes. If she doesn't answer the first time, keep trying. She and Jen sleep like logs."

"I'll do that. You go shower your smelly self.

"Are you saying I smell?"

"I've seen you smelling better, yes."

"Well, then here." He walked over and gave her a huge hug. "Now you'll need one too."

"Thank you... You're too kind."

"I do try." He grinned, then walked into the bathroom whistling Anchors Aweigh.

Mac went to the phone and dialed the number to Jen and Matties apartment.

Whoever this is better have one hell of a good excuse for waking me up at 9:45 on a Saturday... Mattie's sleepy voice came over the line.

"It's 0942."

Oh, hey Mac. ...Why are you calling me?

"Harm asked me to call you. We'll be there to pick you up in about 45 minutes."

You're still with him?!? I just figured he came home really early this morning.

"No, we spent the night here. But not like you're thinking. There was nothing except sleeping going on."

Alright, I believe you. But only because I know Harm wouldn't sleep with anyone on the first date. Although you all have been dating for almost a decade, but you didn't know it.

"That could be true. Well, Harm's getting out of the shower now, so I'm going to go take one real quick. We'll see you in a while."

Okay. Bye.

"Bye."

Harm walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, still whistling. He went to his room and bent over his overnight bag.

"Ooh, nice view Flyboy." She swatted his butt.

He quickly straightened back up.

"Don't scare me like that. And don't do that."

"Do what? This?" She swatted him again.

"Yes, that."

"But you have such a nice butt. So round and firm."

He looked behind her.

"I could say the same about your's."

"Never tell a woman her butt is round. You'll get your's kicked."

"I believe you would do that." He smiled. "Was Mattie awake?"

"No." Mac laughed. "She said something to the effect of "You better have a damn good reason for waking me up." I told her we'd be there in 45 minutes, and she asked why I was still with you."

"You should have told her we spent a night having wild, passionate sex. Give her something to talk to Jen about..."

"But then it would have been all over JAG by around 0900 on Monday."

"I swear, when I propose we can make the announcment by telling Jen. She'll spread the news."

"We should keep that in mind." She said. "I'm going to take a quick shower, put my make-up on, and get dressed."

"You don't have any make-up on right now?"

"No, I washed my face last night after my bath."

"Oh. Well you look beautiful without it."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying. I've never understood why you wear make-up. You don't need it, you have the natural beauty already."

"Thank you, Harm. But I really do need to take a shower. I'll be ready to go in 15 minutes."

"I'll be waiting."

True to her word, 15 minutes later Mac came out of the bathroom fully dressed and made up.

Harm was standing out on the balcony staring out at the Potomic River.

"Hey." She said.

"I never realized how beautiful the river is. And Arlington makes a perfect backdrop for it."

"Yeah. I sometimes go over to the Marine Corps Memorial and sit and stare out at the city."

"I'm hoping to find a house in Virginia. It's the perfect place to raise a family."

"You ready to go look for that house now?"

"Yeah." He picked up both their bags and they walked downstairs to check out.

Harm's Apartment Building

Union Station, Washington, DC

Saturday, July 17, 2004

1020 EST--

"I'll wait here while you get Mattie."

"Fat chance. You're coming with me."

"It's only going to take you 5 minutes."

"That's 5 more minutes than I want you out here alone."

They walked inside and rode the elevator up.

"Let me put my bag in my apartment real quick. Why don't you go get Mattie?"

"Alright." She went down the hall and knocked on the door.

"Hello Ma'am."

"Out of JAG you can call me Mac."

"Yes Ma'am."

Mac rolled her eyes.

"Hey Mac." Mattie greeted her.

"Hey, ready to go?"

"Yeah. Be good Jen."

"I can't get into much trouble studying, now can I?"

"I can do it."

"Well your middle name is Trouble."

Mattie grinned and closed the door.

"Did you eat breakfast?"

"Yeah."

"Harm's taking us to lunch first."

"Good, because I'm still hungry."

"You should become a Marine. That way you'd have a good excuse."

"Are you having a negative influence on my ward Mac?" Harm asked.

"I'm trying to."

"I know you're hungry Mac. What about you mattie?"

She gave him a look that screamed 'I'm a teenager, of course I am.'

"Okay, dumb question. Where do you 2 want to eat?"

"Big Boy." They both said at the same time.

"Okay. I can live with that."

They all got into the Lexus and Harm drove to Virginia, then found the nearest Big Boy..

(A/N-- I don't know if ya'll have Big Boy's where you live, but here in Kentucky it's some darn good eatin'.)

A House in Virginia

Saturday, July 17, 2004

1420 EST--

Harm, Mac, and Mattie got out of the Lexus to look at the 4th house of the day. This one was in Great Falls, Virginia.

It was 2 stories, 3100sqft, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and needed no repairs. The best part was that it was in Harm's price range.

"This is the last house I have for you today. If you don't like it, I'll look up some others for us to look at next Saturday." The realtor said.

"I think I already like it." Harm said, judging from the looks on Mac and Mattie's faces.

"I have to get going. I have a meeting. However, the owners are inside and will give you a tour."

"Okay. I'll call you Monday to let you know if you need to keep looking."

"Sounds great. Talk to you later." The realtor got into his car and drove away.

Harm took Mac's hand and put his other hand on Mattie's shoulder.

Mac rang the doorbell, and a 40-something woman answered the door.

"Are you all here to see the house?"

"Yes Ma'am. I'm Harmon Rabb, and this is Mac and Mattie."

"I'm Rose-Anne Allexton. Come on in and I'll give you the dime tour."

"Thank you."

"We'll start in the living room. As you can see it has a large fireplace, which is wood burning. 3 big windows, so you'll get a lot of sunlight in here. The carpet and wallpaper is brand new, so if will be good for another 10-15 years."

"It's a beautiful room." Mac said.

"Next in here is the Study/library. Perfect for an office too."

"This could easily work for a study and office." Harm commented.

"In here we have a family room. Nice sealed wood floors, but carpet could be put down if you have any little ones running around."

"We only have Mattie right now, but eventually we'll add some others." Harm said.

"I'd put down at least a large area rug then. You don't want anybody slipping on the floor." Rose-Anne told them. "Believe me, I've had that happen more than once with my kids."

"How many do you have?" Mac asked.

"We have 4. The oldest, Matt, is in law school. Grace and Sarah are both at Georgetown. Then there's Joshua, who's about your age, Mattie. He's probably around here somewhere."

"Cool." Mattie said.

"There's a little eating room connected to the family room. Bigger than a nook, but not as large as the dining room. Here's the kitchen, and there's Joshua. Joshua, this is Mattie. Her parents are looking at the house."

"Hi Mattie."

"Hey."

"Do you want some ice cream? It's cookie-dough."

"Thanks."

Joshua dipped her a bowl of ice cream and pulled out a stool for her to sit on.

"So, how old are you?" Mattie asked.

"16. You?"

"15."

"Cool."

"Hey Mattie, we're going to finish looking at the house."

"Okay."

"What school do you go to?"

"Roosevelt High. What about you?"

"Carson Long Military Institute..." He grimaced.

"Don't like it?" Mattie laughed.

"It's not that. I just wish it were closer. Being gone 9 months a year isn't fun. I like the military lifestyle though."

"Cool. Harm and Mac are both in the military."

"Cool, what do they do?"

"They're both lawyers at JAG in Falls Church. Harm is a Navy Commander and Mac is a Marine Lt. Colonel."

"Sweet. I want to go to the Naval Academy when I graduate. I've started applying and trying to get my recommendations."

"I'm going to start applying when school starts again."

"What grade are you in?"

"I'm going into the 11th."

"Me too. Hopefully we'll both make it into the Academy."

"Well, I've got the Navy's JAG to write me a letter of recommendation."

"You actually know the JAG?!" Joshua was shocked.

"Yeah, he's Harm and Mac's CO."

"Wow, that's so cool."

"Yeah. Luckily he likes me now. I kind of made a bad first impression."

"What'd you do?"

"Called him a bald, cranky, old man."

"Oh man... I'd hate to have been in your shoes.'

"He's actually a cool guy. Former SeAL, but inside he's a big teddy bear."

"I'd never call a SeAL a teddy bear."

"He can't do anything about it, not yet anyway." She smiled.

"I know this may sound like a weird question, but are you allowed to date?"

"Yeah, as long as Harm okay's it."

"Do you want to go out tomorrow night? If it's okay with your dad, I mean."

"Yeah, I'd like that."

"Cool. I'll go ask permission now." He smiled.

"I'll wait here."

"Okay."

Joshua went upstairs and found his mom, Harm and Mac talking in one of the rooms.

"Uh, Sir. Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." They walked out into the hallway.

"Umm...C/1st Lt. Allexton asking permission to take Mattie out tomorrow night, Sir."

"On a date?"

"Yes Sir."

"Where do you want to take her?"

"The mall for a movie and pizza or something."

"I think that would be okay. Are you a driver, Cadet?"

"Yes, Sir. I've had my license for 8 months."

"Okay. Permission granted."

Joshua grinned.

"Thank you, Sir."

Harm walked back to where Rose-Anne and Mac were talking.

"What did my son want? Wait, let me guess. He wants to take Mattie out?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow night."

"I figured. He goes to Carson Long Military Institute, so he only gets to go out while he's on summer break. Yet, he still wants to go to Annapolis."

"Well, as a graduate of the Naval Academy I can tell you it's not as bad as you'd think. You don't have time to think about girls until your last year anyway, so it works out pretty well."

"He has his heart set on being a Submariner."

"My goal was flight school. Luckily I was great in math, so I made it."

"Are you still in the Navy?" Rose-Anne asked.

"Yes Ma'am. Mac and I are stationed in Falls Church at JAG HQ."

"You're in the Navy too?"

"Oh good God, no. I'm in the Marine Corps."

"Ohh, the best of the best."

"I like to think so."

Meanwhile down in the kitchen, Joshua and Mattie were talking.

"Your dad said yes."

"I figured he would. Harm's a good guy."

"Is he like your stepdad or something? I noticed you call him Harm."

"No, he's my foster parent. My real dad is in an alcohol rehab center."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I like living with Harm better than my real dad."

"So, is Mac his wife?"

"She's...his girlfriend I guess... They had their first date last night, but they've been partners and best friends for 8 years. I can promise you they'll be married within the next year and a half."

"Cool."

"Yeah. Harm's already said he wants to get married in the Naval Academy Chapel, so that will be pretty cool to go to."

"Is he a graduate?"

"Yeah. Class of '85."

"Wow. You're just getting better and better."

"I'm lucky Harm found me."

"Do you want me to show you the rest of the house? My mom is probably almost done, but I can show you the upstairs real quick."

"Alright."

"This is my room." He showed her a room with dark blue walls, an unmade double bed, a desk, and a set of drums.

"Drums. Cool. I've always wanted to play the drums."

"I can teach you. I've only got a month left until I go back to PA, but I'll teach you what I can."

"Cool. Thanks."

"Alright, so my sisters room is here. Pretty boring. And the room my mom uses for sewing and scrapbooking is here. Also boring."

"I agree."

"Hey Mattie, are you ready to go? Mac is hungry again."

"I guess..."

"Sir, if Mattie wants to stay for dinner, I can bring her home."

"It's fine with me."

"Thanks Harm." Mattie gave him a hug.

"Be good, don't cause trouble, all that crap."

"I will." She grinned. "Bye Harm."

"Bye. Come to my apartment when you get home. Just so I know you made it safely."

"I will."

Harm walked downstairs into the living room.

"Mattie is going to stay longer. Joshua will bring her home."

"Okay. Now feed me."

"Let's go."

They went out to the Lexus and got in.

"So what do you think of the house?" He asked.

"I like it a lot. It has charm."

"So I should make an offer?"

"It's your decision, Harm."

"No, it's our decision. I want you to have a say in it."

"Then yes, if Mattie likes it, make an offer."

"I'll ask her when she gets home tonight."

"Hmm, home. I don't want to go home. Home is so lonely."

"You can spend the night with me if you want to. We'll swing by your place so you can grab somemore clothes are stuff. I'll even let you bring Rex-Bear."

"Nah, you're a better bedtime pal than Rex."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yeah. I like hugging you more than Rex. You're warmer too." She winked.

"Feel free to take advantage of my warmth anytime you need to." He reached for her hand. "So what do you want to eat?"

"Applebees. One of their Sizzlin' Apple Pies."

"Okay. Let's go. I know better than to keep a hungry Marine waiting too long."

(A/N-- I had a few beta readers tell me that the house sounds great. Well, thank you, it is. It's actually my house. Joshua's room is my room, complete with drum set, always unmade bed, and desk. I also have a bass, but I suck at playing it.)