Title: Countdown
Author: Rising Sun
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Rated: PG-13 (NC-17 available)
Summary: Let a love go. If it returns it was meant to be. If not then it was not meant to be.
Classification:
JAG Story/Adventure/Romance: Harm/Mac
Spoilers: We
the People, Yeah Baby, Redemption, People vs Rabb, Soul Searching, JAG-A-THON
and Rendezvous
Disclaimer: JAG characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright infringement intended. All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people are purely coincidental.
Author’s Notes: The song quoted is Touch me in the morning as sung by Diana Ross. Also for details about Harm and his stranded moments read “Stranded”
Feedback: Would make my day!
Story Written January 2, 2002
T-2 DAYS - 1413 LOCAL
JAG HQ, FALLSCHURCH, VA
Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie walked into her Commanding Officer’s office in response to a summons. “Lt. Colonel Mackenzie reporting sir!”
“As you were… have a seat.” She obeyed. “You know Webb.”
She nodded. “Webb”
“Mac” The CIA Agent replied.
“Webb here has some information that maybe of interest to you.” AJ informed her.
Mac said noting but focused on the Agent.
“Your former client Colonel Hayes was killed by a sweeper from the Chinese Tong. He name is Fu Cheng. He entered the country one week before the hit and left one hour after the kill.”
Mac’s gaze hardened. “You have a proposal?”
“We want you to follow Fu Cheng into Communist China …”
“… and what!” She snapped. “JAG is not an arm of the CIA Webb. Why not go get him yourself!” She was really tired of Webb always bringing his high jinx to herself and or Harm.
“For a number of reasons.” He began to count off. One - You can legitimately follow the killer of your client. Two – The Tong is buying weapons from an American source Three – the Chinese Government would welcome an opportunity to put a dent in the Tong and Four the Government don’t want CIA.”
“But they’ll take military?” AJ scoffed. “Why on a CIA Agent posing as Military.”
“It’s Mac’s case.” Webb pointed out.
“The man has a point.” AJ said to Mac.
“That worries me.” She replied. It looked like she was off to China.
“OK Webb on one condition. You personally provide backup.”
“You got it.” He agreed.
“Go get him, Mac.” AJ granted permission.
“Aye sir!”
===================================================
T-1 DAY – 2135 LOCAL
MAC’S APARTMENT, GEORGETOWN
Harm’s voice got deadly. “Say that again?”
Mac sighed and took a deep breath. “I have to go China to follow the killer of Colonel Hayes.”
“By yourself?” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I know you think of me as jarhead but I am not thickheaded.” She snapped. “Webb is my backup.”
“Oh that gives me comfort.” He replied. “The last time he had you following a lead of that type you ended up in Russia!”
“This time China. So I travel a lot … sue me!” She was trying to make this light.
“You speak Chinese?”
“Sorry to disappoint but no.” He was about to object again. “I have to be given a crash course so I will speak by the time I get there.” She assured him. “Harm this is duty. We go where we are sent. End of story.”
He shrugged. “I’ll concede but I’m not happy.”
“Noted … now this is my last night here so let’s make the best of it.” She said.
He smiled at her. “I had to be stranded to realize that I love you …”
“Almost three months ago then you had to be stranded to declare that love…” she grinned at the memory of them on the highway.
“… and stranded to propose.” He needed. “So I break tradition here and ask you to marry me before you leave.”
“Now?” She was shocked.
“Now this night. Sturgis’ dad can marry us.” He urged.
“No.”
“No!” He couldn’t believe her reply. “Mac this mission…”
She gulped and finally confessed. “This mission is a dangerous one. I suspect that I may not return at least on my own steam. No reason to believe that but I just have this feeling. Don’t start Harm.” She read him.
“Mac.” Harm had never felt so close to tears.
She removed the engagement ring. “I have given the Admiral the usual “in case I don’t return” letter. Take the ring I can’t have you waiting for me when I may not be coming back.” She took his hand and placed the ring in the palm of his hand.
Harm was going to argue but the look in her eye stopped him. So instead he said. “The Holidays will never be the same. I lost my dad on Christmas Eve and I’m loosing my love on New Year’s Eve. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll hold the ring on one condition.”
“What.” She was skeptical.
“The moment you get back you put it back on.”
“That defeats the purpose of giving the ring back!” She pointed out.
“Take it or leave it;” He was adamant.
She could see that she was not going to budge him so she nodded.
He held her close “I love you Sarah.” She shuddered at his use of her first name.
+ + +
Harm awoke to find himself in the bed alone. There was a note on the neighboring pillow:
Harm – I am so full of emotion
right now as I look at you sleeping there in my bed so peacefully. So I quote a song at you…
But I can’t watch love die in
the warmth of the night.
If I’ve got to be strong
Don’t you know I need to have
this night when you’re gone?
Be happy my darling.
Love
Mac.
And just like that she was gone. He locked the apartment and left.
===================================================
NEW YEAR”S EVE - ONE YEAR LATER
MAC’S APRATRMENT. GEORGETOWN
The year had gone by and Harm had been inconsolable.
All that the Admiral had been able to find out was that Mac had completed the language course and had successfully entered into China. After that … Nothing.
Harm had gotten into the habit of spending weekends in Mac’s apartment. There he at least felt close to her. The place was full of her smells, her clothes, her paleo stuff and memories. The place did not lack that.
Harm: "Well the rules of engagement have changed Mac."Mac: "What do you mean?"Harm: "I had eye surgery. I got my night vision back."Mac: "When did this happen?"Harm: "A couple of weeks ago."Mac: "You had a major operation and you didn't tell me?"
+ + +
Doorbell rings Mac opens to see Harm “You don’t call … you don’t write.”
+ + +
Mac: Not only can't you turn
in this hypothetical client; you still have to defend him on fraternization
charges unless the judge lets you off the case.
Harm: What if I already asked and was told I can't because the trial is
too close?
Mac: Then you're stuck.
Just how long is she going to be away from me!
He rolled over on her bed and buried his face in a pillow. Damn this mission!
===================================================
NEW YEAR’S EVE - TWO YEARS LATER
BEIJING, CHINA
When her gut had told her she may not have survived this mission she had been inclined to dismiss the feeling. Experience however had told her not to and she had give Harm his ring back. She snorted. It was New Year’s Eve and as she had done this time last year she had sat in her apartment and sulked.
This mission was difficult in ways she had never imagined.
What had begun as a routine chase had metamorphed into an undercover operation. She was now deep undercover… the female Donnie Brasco. When and if Webb decided to pull her out the Beijing branch of the Tong was going to collapse like a house of cards.
But that was thought for tomorrow. Dung Fat had hired her on the understanding that she got Christmas and New Year’s off. Why she didn’t know she just spent it thinking of Harm.
Uncle Matt: "Where did you find this sailor, Sarah?" Mac: "In a rose Garden, Uncle Matt."
+ + +
Harm: Why don't you come with me and help me pick
out a new car with Bud and Harriet?
Mac: Isn't that something Jordan should be doing?
Harm: Mac, you pick out a new car with your girlfriend, you might as well buy
her a ring.
+ + +
Harm: I don't give a damn about Holst, but I do give a damn about you.
+ + +
Mac: I don't know why we couldn't
work things out with us Harm. So where does that leave us?
Harm: I don't know Mac at the end I guess
Mac: How about back at the beginning.
She rolled over on her bed and buried her face in a pillow. Damn this mission!
===================================================
NEW YEAR”S EVE - THREE YEARS LATER
MAC’S APRATRMENT. GEORGETOWN
During the year gone by Harm had been promoted to Captain at the wet down that had followed he had been lousy company. It was three years since Mac had gone on this mission. He had managed to coral Webb on one of his visits Stateside…
[FLASHBACK]
JUNE, 1700 LOCAL
JAG HQ
Harm could not believe his eyes; that was Webb! He dashed out of his office and accosted the Agent. “Where is Mac!”
“No hellos how are you?” Webb growled.
“Want me to break and arm first?” Harm threatened.
“Rabb!” Admiral AJ Chegwidden called “My office now! Webb you too!”
The two men entered the Judge Advocate General’s Office. “Talk and fast Webb.”
“I made contact with Mac recently. She’s fine. She’s deep into the organization and can only brief me in an ad hoc manner and the call has to be hers.”
“Webb how on earth did a chase become an undercover op?!” Harm demanded.
“You of all persons should know that Mac cannot and will not be controlled. I followed where she lead. I just came by to share I’m on the next flight back to China.”
“Thanks Webb.” AJ said.
“Yeah thanks Webb.” Harm echoed.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
That had been six months ago. He smiled ruefully to himself. Mac was indeed uncontrollable, he remembered Sturgis asking him how to handle her. With a firm had had been his flip reply. He pulled out his dog tags and looked at the diamond that he had given her all those years ago.
[FLASHBACK]
He fished in his pocket and pulled out a small box. Mac knew exactly what was in it. He opened it and there laid the
most perfect diamond ring she’d ever seen. “This ain’t no friendship ring.” He warned her. “Marry me.” She said “When.” And held out her left hand. [END OF FLASHBACK]
Most women answered with a yes. Not his Marine. Ms GI Jane had replied when. And just as resolutely she had given it back.
[FLASHBACK]
She removed the engagement
ring. “I have given the Admiral the
usual “in case I don’t return” letter.
Take the ring I can’t have you waiting for me when I may not be coming
back.” She took his hand and placed the ring in the palm of his hand.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
Now here he was on the third anniversary of that hellish New Year’s Eve night. He sat there lost in the light that played off the ring.
He heard a key in the lock; he looked up automatically… and gaped.
+ + +
Mac stepped out of the car.
“Mac.” Webb said.
“Harm… I mean Webb I need to sleep in my own bed you can debrief me tomorrow but not at 2345 on New Year’s Eve.” She waived at him and walked away. So engrossed had she been with him that she noticed neither Harm’s corvette nor that the light in her apartment as on.
She stuck the key in the door and swung it open … and gawked.
+ + +
Not one word was uttered.
Harm stood.
Mac dropped her duffle bag.
They each took a step forward then Mac flung herself at Harm, he caught her and swung her around. He finally placed her down and buried his face in her hair. Yes that was the smell he associated with her. As Harm buried himself in her she hugged him and held on tight. [Thank you God… he’s still mine! Thank you God!]
He raised his head and looked at her. She knew cause she felt it too and the first words since she entered were spoken. “Yes it’s me.”
“Sweet Jesus!! Hot dam! Yahoo!” Harm was like a child at Christmas.
He raised his head and kissed her and unlocked three years of separation. She parted her lips and allowed him access. Their tongues dueled in familiar combat. Finally they came up for air.
He pulled the ring from the dog tags and placed it back on her finger. “Marry me TONIGHT! I’m not taking no for an answer this time Marine! All else will fall in line but tonight you marry me!”
“Is that an order?” she smiled as she got used to the weight again.
“Damn straight woman.”
“Harm it’s 2359 on New Year’s Eve who are we going to get at this time?” She reasoned.
“OK I grant you that point so we’ll find Chaplain Turner at 0001 New Year’s Day.” He replied, he noted that she had not said no.
He was determined she could tell. It had been a hellish three years without him she still couldn’t believe that they had survived.
“Yes.” She said simply.
“Yes?” He echoed.
"Yes." She repeated. "By the way Happy New Year, Darling."
He hugged her. "Happy New Year."