Title: Facing Reality

Disclaimer: These characters belong to people who are not me. Don't sue, please.

Spoilers: Anything that has ever been aired is fair game. This was begun as a "Surface Warfare" post-fic, but it took a long time to finish and went through a lot of incarnations.

Summary: I wish we hadn't even gotten near the M&M wedding. This is how I would have stopped it.

Thanks to beta readers Mandie, Jen, Mollie, and Rachel. Thanks so Sylvi for title suggestions. And thanks for Susan for reading it...for the millionth time...and for lots of other stuff.

Harm moved quietly as he worked his way to the front of the receiving line. He'd already exchanged forced pleasantries with several men and women he'd never seen before in his life...and hoped that he'd never see again. Then he almost smiled when he finally spotted a familiar face.

He stooped down and took Chloe into a light hug, but stood quickly when he heard her mumble, "Look what happened, you moron. Why didn't you do something before the Australian took her away from you?"

His face a mask of shock, Harm moved to the next person in line and was pleased to see that it was Harriet. Trying to school his features, he said, "You look lovely, Lieutenant."

He was immediately concerned, however, when he saw her tears and heard her whisper, "I'm so sorry, Sir."

Shaking his head imperceptibly in confusion, he moved even further down the line, but nothing could have prepared him for who he met next. He gasped as he found himself face to face with his father.

The older man sternly said, "I told you to get in the ring, Son. You should have listened."

He froze instantly, and everything stopped...except for the faint, annoying buzzing in his ears.

Waking with a start, Harm sat up violently slapping the alarm clock that had interrupted his dream, or perhaps his nightmare. He took a calming breath and reminded himself that it hadn't really happened... et. Cradling his aching head in his hands, he wondered what in the world he was going to do to stop that nightmare from becoming a reality. Then he had to ask himself if he even had a right to do anything anymore.

Rubbing his face, Harm looked down at the woman who had merely rolled over at the sound of the alarm clock, and he shook his head. For the hundredth time, he cursed himself for sharing his bed with one woman while another one inhabited his fantasies.

He had tried telling himself that it didn't matter. It was Mac's life, her decision, not his. It didn't have anything to do with him. And he almost believed that. He could have made himself think it was true, but his mind always went back to the Appalachians, Russia, the Watertown, and especially that night in Sydney Harbor. Harm tore himself from those memories when the woman beside him stirred.

"Harm, is it time to wake up already?"

Guilt swamping him, Harm murmured, "Just for me. You can sleep." He leaned over and kissed Renee gently before dragging himself from bed.

`*`*`*`*

"And if anyone present knows any reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

As soon as the chaplain said those words, Mac broke her gaze from Mic's and looked out into the sea of people filling the small chapel. Her eyes finally locked on Harm's and her heart skipped a beat as she saw him rise from his seat.

But then her heart broke as he let out a scornful laugh. "Come on, Mac, did you really expect me to stand up and try to stop you? Why should I risk the embarrassment? You're the one who made your decision, and that means that you're the one who's going to have to live with it."

Mac watched in shocked silence as Harm slid an arm around Renee, who seemed to be locked with him at the hip. As the two of them made their way out of the chapel, she turned back to Brumby, who was staring at her with harsh eyes.

"So that's what you wanted...or maybe I should say that's who you wanted." He dropped her hands and took a step backwards. "It looks like you've lost us both, Sarah. I hope you're happy...alone."

Mac sat straight up in bed, desperately trying to control her breathing. It took her a few minutes to realize that it had only been a dream...or perhaps a nightmare. Wrapping her arms around herself, she rocked a little and hoped that she wouldn't wake the man beside her.

Mic...he'd swept in months before at the Surface Warfare Ball like some prince in a fairy tale. He'd taken her hand and told her that he'd given up everything, his home, his career, for her. She'd been speechless. She'd been flattered. She'd been terrified. And then she'd made the mistake of looking at Harm. If he had smiled or laughed or given her one of those superior grins that made her blood boil in anger, she'd have been fine. But, no, he didn't have any of those looks on his face. Instead, he'd looked lost, confused, or maybe just a little hurt.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Mac willed herself to banish that look from her memory. She needed to forget it. She needed to forget Harm and focus on the man beside her, the man who had flown thousands of miles just so she wouldn't be alone at a ball. The one who actually admitted that he had feelings for her, that he loved her. The one who'd waited all those months for an answer and almost a year for a bigger commitment. The one that Mac had agreed to marry exactly two months from today.

Feeling guilty, Mac lay back down and immediately felt Mic's arm wrap protectively around her. She gave a sigh that somehow turned into a choked sob as she waited for the sound of the alarm clock. Moments later, as the first rays of sun began to warm the room, she felt Brumby's arm tighten around her, but realized that she'd never felt so alone in her life.

`*`*`*`*

If the Admiral noticed that his two senior officers kept staring at each other across the conference room table when they thought the other wasn't looking, he didn't say a thing. And perhaps he'd just imagined that pained look on the Commander's face when Mac had quietly confirmed that the wedding would take place in May. Maybe he'd even misinterpreted the Colonel's forced smile as she'd told Lieutenant Sims more about the tentative details of the wedding.

However, even though he'd been away for a few days, A.J. knew he hadn't imagined the tension that seemed to fill the office each time Harm and Mac were in viewing distance. Or the way that Bud kept looking at Harm like he was going to grow a third eye. Or the way Mac wouldn't really meet anyone's eyes when the word "wedding" was mentioned.

Walking towards the kitchen, A.J. let out a deep breath in the knowledge that the things he'd been dreading were happening now. In the next few weeks, the Admiral knew he was either going to find a way to keep Harm and Mac from pushing each other further apart and ruining their partnership...or he just might have to dissolve that partnership so they could form another bond. One that he'd warned them against that first day in the rose garden, but had secretly always looked forward to watching happen.

Wondering when the hell his post had turned into a damned soap opera, A.J. entered the kitchen, but he turned and walked right back out when he saw Harm and Mac standing there. From the brief glimpse the Admiral got, he knew something was happening between the two, and though it wasn't necessarily the most professional thing to do, A.J. vowed to let it happen.

`*`*`*`*

Mac hadn't realized that she'd braced herself heavily against the kitchen counter, just as Harm didn't know that he had a death grip on a mug that contained coffee he didn't even want. Both knew, however, that this room was the last place they wanted to be on earth.

With a tentative smile, Harm looked over at Mac and began lightly, "So, you two finally set a date."

Nodding, Mac made her voice take on a bright tone as words began to tumble unchecked. "May 26th. We even decided on a place, I think. There's a chapel in Alexandria, so it will have to be a little formal. A judge friend of Mic's has agreed to perform the ceremony, so it'll be short and simple. The chapel's small, so it will have to be only be family and close friends, but I think Mic wants to invite half the populations of D.C. and Australia."

When her words finally trailed off, Mac looked at Harm, who whispered, almost to himself, "Is that what you want?"

The lines of what Mac truly wanted had been blurred a long time ago, so she only looked at Harm pleadingly. "Just tell me that you're happy for me, and we'll leave it at that, Harm. Please."

Taken aback, Harm felt scalding liquid slosh perilously close to his hand, so he sat the mug down. Knowing that now was perhaps his last chance at true honesty, Harm kept his distance and replied, "I'm trying to be happy for you, Sarah."

"I guess that's all I can ask of you." Mac began to walk past him, but she was stopped by a quiet voice.

"In the first weeks he knew you, he tried to pin a murder on you, Mac. Not quite the best first impression you can make. How can you..."

Mac turned slowly, not with the anger Harm had expected he'd get for that remark, but with a sober smile. "In the first day I knew you, you thought I was a ghost, and then you ended up in a canyon with my loaded weapon pressed to your back. First impressions can change."

For a moment, Harm thought back to that time, which seemed so long ago. "But by the end of that week, I admired your loyalty, your sense of duty. I trusted you."

Closing her eyes for second, Mac was able to get a check on the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. "Then you need to trust me now, Harm. Trust that I'm doing the right thing, that I'm doing what I have to do...and try to be happy for me."

"I will...as long as you promise that you'll be happy."

Unable to reply, Mac only nodded as Harm tried a gentle smile and walked out of the kitchen. He didn't realize, however, that he'd left Mac's mind swirling with questions that she wasn't sure she could answer.

Happy? Was she happy? Mac had spent so long focused on trying *not* to be unhappy, that she could barely remember what it felt like to have true happiness. Yes, at times Mic made her feel wanted, even loved...when he wasn't making her angry, that is...but Mac couldn't honestly tell herself that he made her happy. Then she wondered if he ever would.

A few days later, Mac had her answer. It wasn't the one she was looking for, but was the one she was afraid she'd find.

`*`*`*`*

"Great news, Sarah!"

Mac looked up and was unable to give a genuine smile at the man who had burst into her office. "Mic, I've asked you a million times not to come by without calling. Things are crazy today, and I just don't have the time..."

Not letting that familiar argument bother him, Mic came into the room, closed the door, and sat himself across from Mac's desk. "You don't even have time to hear about my surprise for you...or for us, I should say?"

At that, Mac dropped her pen to the desk and allowed herself five minutes with her fiancé. "Okay, so what's going on?"

"I found the perfect place for the wedding, Sarah."

Skeptically, Mac began, "Mic, we already decided. The chapel is already reserved."

Undeterred, Mic interrupted, "But this place is perfect. Imagine this." He rose and moved behind Mac and kneaded her shoulders. "A setting sun. An ocean breeze. Family and friends around us. The sound of the waves hitting the ship as we say our vows."

Mac whipped around in her chair. "What? Where are you talking about?"

The light didn't leave Mic's eyes as he continued, "I talked to some old friends at RAN, and they've arranged for us to be married on a ship in the Tasmanian. It'll be beautiful, Sarah. Can't you just picture..."

In an even voice, Mac interrupted, "When did you ask about this, Mic?"

"That's not important, Sarah. Think about how beautiful this will be. How we'll be able to tell our children..."

"It is important, Mic. Tell me. When did you start planning this?"

"I mentioned it to a mate a few months ago."

"Before we set a date?"

To Mac's sharp question, Brumby only nodded in reply.

"You didn't think it was important enough to ask me if that was what *I* wanted?"

"Sarah, I didn't want to get your hopes up..." He watched as she rose from the chair and stood.

Her eyes were darting fire and ice as she continued, "You didn't think it was important enough to tell me? Just like you didn't tell me about your new firm? Just like you didn't tell me before you moved halfway around the world? Just like you were going to go back to Australia and rejoin the Navy without even warning me? Just like you...you don't trust me enough to let me in on all these decisions that affect my life."

"Do you mean *our* life, Sarah?" Mic's voice grew soft, but Mac could only stare at him.

"Our life? You won't even let me in on the decisions, Mic. You've been making them all. You're the one who's been doing the pushing. I've just been sitting back and letting it happen."

"I thought you needed to be pushed. Maybe I thought you wanted to be...pushed away from him."

For the first time in the conversation, Mac's voice grew harsh. "Don't you dare bring him into this. Harm has no place here, and he never has. This is about me, and who you want me to be. Someone I can never be."

"Sarah, I never asked you to change."

The denial was spoken so softly, Mac barely heard it. Silently, she led them both to the chairs sitting in front of her desk. Taking Mic's hands in her own, she said, "Yes, you did. You wanted me to the be the woman who would be comfortable at those expensive functions. The one who would sit by and let you make my choices for me and then thank you for doing it. The one who would be flattered that you planned a romantic wedding halfway around the world without even asking if that was what I wanted. One who would love you as much as you needed to be loved."

His voice rough, Mic asked, "And what did you want from me?"

Mac finally answered this question honestly, and realized that the truth healed as much as it hurt. "I wanted someone to take me as I am. I wanted someone to want to spend the rest of his life with me. I wanted someone to have babies with, to grow old with."

"Someone? Not me?"

Mac heard the anguish in Mic's voice, and it hurt once again to know that she put it there. However, she knew that honesty was the only way to end this. "You came into my life at a time when I was sure that I'd never find that someone. You were willing to fit that role, but I never considered that I'd be unable to play the part for you."

Mic took a deep breath and gently squeezed the hands he held in his own. "So I guess this is it, then?"

Almost inaudibly, Mac replied, "Yeah, I guess it is. Mic, I'm so sor-"

He stopped her with a slight nod. "No apologies."

She wanted to argue, but Mac only closed her eyes in reply before she freed her hands from Mic's and allowed him to slip off the engagement ring. "I am going to miss you, Mic."

"I'll miss you, too, Sarah. If you ever..."

Mic stopped that thought suddenly and continued quietly as he rose, "Take care of yourself."

With what could almost be considered a smile, Mac replied, "I will. Be happy, Mic."

Mic headed towards the door, but turned slowly. "I thought I was." One sad smile later, he left and closed the door behind him.

`*`*`*`*

Hours later, Harm walked out of his door with one arm draped around Renee. He stopped when he saw Mac coming from her office. "Mac? I thought you'd be gone by now."

"Um, no. I just needed to finish some things up before I headed home for the night. I wanted to have the whole weekend with no work to worry about." Keeping her voice light, Mac shut her office door behind her and smiled at Harm and Renee, who were obviously ready for a night out. "Looks like you two have plans, though."

Renee smiled broadly. "I've finally gotten this Sailor on dry land for the weekend, and I've talked him into taking me to a play at the Kennedy Center. Then we'll see what happens." She then stopped and looked around a moment, "I actually figured that you and Mic would be making some more wedding plans this weekend. Harm told me that you set a date." That date was set firmly in Renee's mind and calendar.

Knowing this would be the first of many times she'd have to say this, Mac replied matter-of-factly, "Actually, there aren't going to be any more plans. Mic and I decided that we shouldn't get married."

The shock on Renee's face was mirrored on Harm's, though more compassion showed in his expression. He immediately took a step towards Mac. "I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, but I'm fine. Really."

Not convinced, Harm looked at his date. "Maybe we can postpone tonight, Renee. Mac shouldn't..."

Before Renee could protest, Mac's voice broke into Harm's argument. "Mac should go home now, and you two should go see a play."

Harm shook his head, but didn't speak as Mac said, "You're not going to change your plans."

"Then, tomorrow?" Harm didn't notice Renee's impatient glare or the way she pulled slightly away from him.

"Actually, tomorrow I'm taking little A.J. to the Natural History museum. I'm going to show him some dinosaur tracks."

Mac's smile actually reached her eyes, so Harm knew it was real. Still, he couldn't help but add, "If you need anything, you know where I'll be."

Looking pointedly from Renee to Harm, Mac gave another smile. "I do. Now you two go and have a good time."

Harm look another long look at Mac. She wasn't some fantasy, but was standing there flesh and blood...and so was the woman clinging to his arm. "Okay. 'Night, Mac."

Harm and Renee made it down to his SUV before Renee broke the silence that had settled around them. "You know, Harm. She's a big girl. I'm sure that she can take care of herself."

"I know that, Renee," he replied as he opened the door for her and waited while she climbed in.

Once he had made his way around to the driver's side, Renee continued, "Then why do you feel it's your duty to drop everything to be there for her?"

Harm turned to look at her and replied, "Renee, I'm her friend. That's what friends do for each other."

"Are you sure, Harm?" Renee probed. "Or is it maybe because you're relieved that she isn't marrying Brumby?"

Harm let out a deep sigh before he responded. "I'm not going to lie and say that I think she's making a mistake by calling off the wedding, Renee. I have never thought that Mic was the right guy for her, and to be honest, I am relieved that they're not going through with it. However, my only motive behind my relief is that I know Mac deserves better."

Renee shook her head and turned to look out the window. "Take me home, Harm."

"What about the play?" he asked.

"I don't want to be second choice anymore," she stated softly.

Harm reached out and turned her to face him. "You are not second choice, Renee. I told you that I want you in my life. Mac's decision not to marry Mic doesn't change that. I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I just needed to know she was going to be okay first. Because she's my friend, and she's been there for me on more occasions than I can recall, and I owe her that at least." He paused to take a breath before he added, "Now, how about that play?"

Renee reached out and laid her hand gently against his cheek as she replied, "Yes, I'd like that." She paused a moment and continued, "I'm sorry, Harm."

"No, I'm sorry," he countered. "I should have been a little more sensitive."

"Hmmm, Harmon Rabb, a sensitive guy?" Renee pondered. "I like it."

Harm grinned before he leaned closer and placed a soft kiss to her lips. "Thank you for understanding."

Renee merely smiled as he leaned away from her and started the engine. After pulling out of the parking lot, Harm reached over and took her hand in his. As he interlaced his fingers with hers, he couldn't stop his thoughts from returning to his dream. In spite of the fact that Mic was now out of the picture, the uneasiness in his stomach hadn't lessened at all. In fact, if possible, it had grown worse since running into Mac in the bullpen.

`*`*`*`*

"Do you, Harmon Patrick Rabb, Junior, take Renee Elizabeth Peterson to be your wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, to honor and treasure from this day forward?"

Harm just stood there frozen, looking at Renee, who stared impatiently back under a thin film of lace. No matter how hard Renee stared, however, the answer wouldn't come. Unable to speak, Harm turned helplessly towards the guests, and then realized they were alone in the room. Turning back to his bride-to-be, he heard the minister quietly clear his throat, then he felt Renee give him a none-too-gentle nudge.

"Harm...Harm..."

The insistent, whispered hiss became louder and louder until Harm realized that it wasn't Renee's voice. Instead, Harm found himself sitting at his desk with Mac staring at him from the doorway. A concerned look on her face, Mac walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

"I thought I'd lost you there for a minute, Commander." Her voice was light, just as it had where Harm had been concerned in the recent past.

Shaking himself slightly, Harm knew he'd been lost in yet another disturbing daydream. He turned towards Mac and tried a smile of his own. "Sorry, guess my mind was somewhere else."

Mac knew that this had happened more than once in the past few months...since she and Brumby had gone their separate ways. She didn't want to mention it, though, not since she and Harm had regained somewhat of a working relationship.

"Well, I don't want to bother you, but I need some information on..."

She stopped cold when she saw the velvet box and shiny diamond that Harm held in his hands. Attempting not to stumble, Mac said quietly and slowly, "I guess your mind *was* somewhere else. Does this mean I get to be the first to congratulate you?"

Narrowing his eyes, Harm paused a moment before he looked down at his hands. "Oh, no. I'm not going to, I mean, I haven't asked..."

Harm trailed off and motioned for Mac to take a seat. He attempted to speak, but wasn't sure what to say. Mac, however, leaned forward slightly. "It's okay, Harm. We've all been expecting it. Renee, I think more than anyone, has been expecting it."

His brow raising at that, Harm waited for Mac to continue. Mac only smiled slightly, "She's been dropping hints right and left, Harm. To you, to me, to Harriet. I think even the Admiral's caught on."

Taking a deep breath, Harm replied, "So, I guess I should ask her."

Not knowing if she should say anything at all, Mac leaned back in her seat before she began slowly, "Guessing shouldn't play a part in this, Harm. You know what you want to do. You even bought the ring." She nodded towards the velvet box that Harm toyed with idly.

"Actually, no I didn't."

Now it was Mac's turn to be confused. "Then why do you-"

Harm closed the lid with a gentle snap and laid the box on the desk. "Mom mailed me this earlier this week. Dad gave it to her the night he proposed, and she wore it until Frank replaced it fifteen years later. I guess Renee's hints haven't been lost on mom, either." His voice trailed off once again, and he paused before he continued, "I'm not sure exactly what I should do, Mac."

Harm looked closely at her, as though he were searching for answers there. Mac shifted slightly under his gaze. "Harm, maybe you shouldn't be having this conversation with me. Look at my record. I'm quite possibly the last person in the world who should be giving relationship advice."

His eyes not leaving Mac's, Harm asked quietly, "Why did you say yes to him, Mac? What made you want to marry Brumby?"

Taken aback, it took Mac a moment to respond. Finally, she spoke the truth, a truth that she'd only come to realize herself recently. "I took the ring because he actually wanted me, Harm, and I said I'd marry him because I was afraid he'd leave if I didn't." Her eyes lifted, met his, and held them. "Not quite the best reasons to marry someone, huh?"

Ignoring that question, Harm asked gently, "Is that why you ended it?"

A sad smile crossing her lips, Mac countered, "Why do you think I'm the one who ended it? Why not Mic?"

"No man in his right mind would let you go once he had you."

The flash in Harm's eyes as he spoke those quite words was not lost on Mac. However, she shook her head slowly and replied, "But this isn't about me, Harm, and it shouldn't be."

Harm only nodded, and Mac saw the confusion that still flooded his features. "It sounds like you have some things to think about, so I guess I'll give you the same advice you gave me. Be happy."

With that, Mac rose, leaving Harm staring at the small, velvet box. After several long moments, his attention turned to the phone. "Renee, it's me. Can you come over tonight? We need to talk."

`*`*`*`*

Renee plastered a smile on her face as she waited at the door. Normally, she would have just used her key and walked right in, but somehow tonight that just didn't seem right. Something in Harm's voice told her that her life would be changed when she walked in that door. And if the small package from California that she'd seen lying on the table the day before was any indication, her life was changing for the better.

However, as soon as she saw the look on Harm's face, Renee changed her opinion. She had barely made it into the room when she asked, "Harm? Is everything okay? Your family?"

Trying to smile, Harm took her hand lightly and led her into the room. Directing her to the sofa, he sat down and turned towards her. "Everyone is fine. Actually, it's just that I...well, I've..."

"You've decided."

Renee's voice was so low that Harm barely heard her, but he knew exactly what she meant. Shaking his head, he replied, "No, at least not in the way you think."

"Then what is it, Harm? You told me once, maybe even more, that I'm not second choice. But what am I doing here? What are we doing here?"

Harm let out a deep breath. Renee had only been there a few moments, and things were already going badly. He watched her pull away as he answered, "You're here because we need to talk. Really talk, Renee."

"About Mac?"

Harm looked down before he said, "No, about us. I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest. Okay?"

At Renee's nod, Harm continued. "Are you in love with me?"

Taken aback, Renee paused before she began, "Of course, I love you..."

Interrupting, Harm stopped her with a gentle finger on her lips. "No, I asked if you were *in* love with me. Or do you just love the idea of me?"

Renee began to argue, but stopped herself this time. Her smile became sad as she said, "I fell for a Naval officer who really didn't want to have anything to do with me, but worked with me anyway because he took pride in his job. I fell for a man who really loves his family and friends and takes care of them."

"But..."

This time, Renee shook her head. "I tried to fall in love with a man who seems to always put his work before me. One who won't open up to me about anything, no matter how much I want to be inside his head and his heart. One who constantly looks at a woman he calls a partner and a friend in the way that I can only dream that he would look at me."

Taking a deep breath herself, Renee finished, "So, if I answered you honestly, I would have to say that I'm not in love with you, but I would be if you could have found a way to love me back."

Harm saw a sheen of tears in Renee's eyes, realizing that was something he'd never really seen before. "I am so..."

"Don't you dare apologize, Harm. That will only make it worse, as if it could get any worse." She added the last part in a voice that Harm wasn't totally sure he was meant to hear.

"I never meant to hurt you, Renee. I need you to believe that."

Renee rose slowly, with Harm following her, and allowed him to take her hands once more. "So, I guess this is it."

Nodding, Harm said slowly, "Yeah, I guess it is."

Their eyes met and held a moment before Harm leaned down and softly brushed Renee's lips with his. Pulling back, he said, "I won't ever forget you, you know."

Renee tried a little smile, "I've been told I'm hard to forget." Her expression sobered, however, as she said, "Now I need you to promise me something."

Harm stood silently as Renee released his hands and took another step towards the door.

"Promise me you won't make the same mistake twice, Harm. Maybe you both need some time, and maybe neither of you knows exactly what you want, but don't make her...or yourself wait forever."

Harm barely heard the door closing quietly behind Renee, though her words echoed loudly in his head.

`*`*`*`*

Harm stood at the altar of a tiny chapel, candles providing the only flickering light in the room. He didn't notice when the soft music swelled or how the minister took a silent step forward. The only thing he saw was the woman who walked slowly towards him, her eyes shining with both happiness and tears.

Though it broke the sacred silence of the moment, Harm couldn't help but comment softly when Mac offered her arm to him, "Took you long enough, Marine."

"Well, I had to wait on a certain Sailor," she whispered in reply.

As they turned arm-in-arm towards the alter, Mac heard him whisper again, "I think he learned his lesson."

Her words almost overshadowed by the minister's, Mac linked eyes with Harm and said, "Just in time."

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Harmon Patrick Rabb and Sarah Anne MacKenzie. Sarah and Harm have asked you all to share in this day as they begin their life together."

He paused a moment as Harm and Mac turned slightly to face each other and link hands. Smiling, he began, "Do you, Harm..."

"Harm. Harm? Harmon Rabb! Wake up!"

Shaken awake as much by the not-so-gentle landing of the plane as by Mac's voice, Harm willed the images from what must have been a dream to come back in his mind. Eyes a bit blurry, he looked to Mac, who wore a concerned expression.

"You okay?"

Harm took a moment to remember his dream, knowing it was one he wanted to come true. It had been months since he and Renee had ended it, and even longer since Mic had gone back to Australia. Maybe it was time.

Grinning, he replied, "Yeah, I think I finally am."

Wondering a bit at that answer, Mac looked at Harm closely, "Well, we're finally here, and we have forty-seven minutes to make it to the base to question the sergeant. Are you ready?"

Harm nodded, but still had that smile on his face as Mac leaned down to organize her briefcase before they deplaned. She didn't hear him take a deep breath. "Hey, Mac?"

Mumbling a response, Mac didn't bother to look up.

"About dinner . . ."

Still rifling through papers, Mac replied absently, "Well, we should be able to grab something after we meet with the officer and his lawyer but before we have to check in at our quarters."

"No, I mean dinner...with me." Shaking his head, Harm tried again. "Would you like to have dinner with me, Sarah?"

Finally looking up, Mac met Harm's eyes and saw something she hadn't seen in while. Perhaps something she'd never really seen. And that light in his eyes only got brighter as he said softly, "We have to start somewhere, don't we?"

Smiling, Mac's only reply was, "Took you long enough, Sailor."

The End