Author: Hollyjp
Subject: Time and Space - April HBX Challenge

Challenge 2008 lines for April.
Harm: Have you noticed we're beginning to think a lot alike?
Mac: (agreeing) That's something isn't it.
Harm: How do you account for that?
Mac: Er...A rip in the time/space continuum.
(The Promised Land)

Setting: JAG final season after the announcement is made that Mac and Harm have new assignments. From that point on its mostly alternate universe and does not stick to the way we saw the show end.

Time and Space
by Hollyjp

The time was growing short between now and their departure from Washington D.C. It made no sense for two people that made their living using the right words to convince juries of the guilt or innocence of people to struggle as they did when it came to finding the right words with one another. But that was the reality of Sarah Mackenzie and Harmon Rabb Junior. Two decorated senior military officers that dedicated their lives to finding out the truth, but struggled to find their way to each other, neither wanting to be the first one to say something in case the feelings weren’t mutual or the changes too much for them to live with.

Their commanding officer, General Gordon Creswell had dropped the bomb into their lives deciding it was time to shake up the Judge Advocate General’s Office and send the senior officers out to new commands while bringing in new blood for the office in Washington DC where he would make or break a name for himself as the best JAG ever. His decision to send Rabb and Mackenzie out to new stations was the beginning of the shake ups he had planned. Turner and Roberts were soon follow to other assignments as well. He had tried to tell the committee that sending Rabb and Mackenzie to opposite ends of the earth would back fire, but they wanted those two positions filled first, and Mackenzie and Rabb had been at JAG longest and were the best ones for the job.

Rabb had gone to him almost immediately and asked for more details about the assignment. He had seen it coming from the moment Rabb and Mackenzie got the shocked expressions under control that life was changing.

“What can I do for you Commander Rabb?” Creswell asked as he indicated Harm should be seated.

“Sir, I appreciate the opportunity to have my own command and the early promotion to Captain, but I’m curious as to why I was chosen over others with less dings in the records and how long is this assignment intended to be?”

“I see. You’re not pleased with the assignment Rabb?”

“It’s not that sir. I was getting ready to make some significant changes in my life and this will seriously impact my ability to do that. It will also create a hardship for at least one person, my ward.”

“That’s right. Mattie, isn’t it?”

“Yes sir.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Her recovery is progressing very slowly and I’m afraid that one more emotional set back could take her will to fight through this away.”

“She didn’t seem like a quitter to me. That young lady has spunk.”

“Yes sir, she does. But everyone has their limits.”

“What are yours Rabb?”

“I’m trying to figure that out sir. I walked away from my career once. I don’t want to do it now, but if that is the only recourse I have, I will. I don’t have a lot of accumulated leave, sir, but traveling from England to Virginia at least once a month, if not more, will be a necessity. You said I had seventy-two hours to report to duty in England, and I’m asking for more time. At least three times that,” Rabb added knowing it was a long shot.

“Can’t do it Rabb, although I could may be double it. You asked for the duration of the commitment. Like usual, it would be a two year stint, but you could sign on for longer or if another opening came along that was better suited to your talents, you could request it.”

“Is there anything coming that I would have a shot at?” Rabb asked.

“There might be something on the west coast opening in a few months.”

“And do you have someone else that you could move to the London spot?”

“Perhaps. Is there anything else?”

“No sir. Thank you for extending my time to wrap up here before I report to duty in London. Let me know about the west coast position as it draws closer. I’d like to be considered for it.”

“Dismissed.”

Rabb stood tall and straight, snapped to attention, pivoted and stalked from the office toward his own. He had a lot to do starting with a call to one Sarah Mackenzie when he got to his office. Grabbing up the phone he dialed her office number as he settled into his chair, sorting papers as he went.

“Mac, its me. How you doing?”


“Still in shock. I didn’t see it coming.”

“Me either. We still on for this evening?”

“I guess...there are some things we need to discuss.”

“I know. I’ll pick you up at your place after work. Say eighteen hundred?”

“Sounds good.”


In his office, Creswell answered a second knock on the door. “Colonel Mackenzie. Come in...have a seat.”

“Thank you sir.”

“You’ll do well on your new assignment. You were hand picked for that command, you know.”

“Thank you sir, its just....”

“What is it? Don’t care to live on the west coast?”

“No sir. I like the west coast. I just need more time to tie up lose ends.”

“I see. Instead of reporting for duty on Friday morning as originally planned, would Monday morning work better for you?”

“Yes sir, it would. Thank you.”

“What else is on your mind, Colonel?”

“It’s just I’ve been making some plans for the future sir and I may need to take medical leave for several months.” Mac prayed the General wouldn’t ask for more details as she thought about her decision to make one last ditch effort to get pregnant before her twenty percent chance was gone.

“Months? Are you okay Colonel?” Creswell asked not wanting to pry but needing to know if her medical issues would prevent her from fulfilling her new duties.

“Yes sir, for now.”

“How long Colonel before you may need to take leave?”

“At least a few months I would think.”

“How would you feel about setting up this new program and then turning it over to someone else to run, while you take on a different assignment.”

“I’m prepared to do,” Mac smiled hoping this met the Colonel would support her decision.

“Then report to San Diego on Monday morning and start the process. I think I know the perfect replacement for you when its time for you to leave the program.”

“Thank you General.”

“You know, Mac...I’ve always thought you could do better than a squid, but Rabb’s more like a Marine in squid clothing.”

“Yes sir. He can drive both branches crazy without half trying,” Mac smiled as she prepared to be dismissed.

“Good luck, Colonel. Dismissed.”

“Aye, aye Sir.” Mac snapped a salute and made her way back to her office. Tonight she would pitch her plan to Harm. If he was willing, they could get started right away this weekend. If it didn’t take, she would make the trip to London next month to try again.

Some where, some how, between last Christmas and this spring, Mac had gone from thinking that her glass was eighty percent empty to thinking of it as twenty percent full. Now she just had to find out if Harm was still willing to work on his half of the bargain.


Harm knocked on Mac’s door at the agreed on time. He his plan was to convince her that even though he would be in London for a few months, they should make plans to get married and start the family they both wanted. By the time the baby was born, they would be married and living together somewhere with jobs they both could live with. Those jobs could be civilian or military, but they would be together.

“I’m ready,” Mac announced as she opened the door, greeting Harm with a dazzling smile.

“Good. Let me take that,” he offered as he reached for her overnight bag. “I’ve got some news.”

“Me too. You first,” Mac offered as she let him take her bag and turned to lock the door.

“I don’t have to be in London until Monday morning.”

“Perfect. I don’t have to report to San Diego NAS until Monday morning either.”

“You know Mac, I’ve been thinking.”

“Me too.”

“Doesn’t it seem strange that they are sending a Naval Officer to the JAG position formerly given to Marine JAGs?”

“Yes, and they are sending a Marine to the Naval Air Station in San Diego.”

“So why?”

“A rip in the time/space continum?” Mac suggested with a cheeky grin.

“You are spending to much time with the Roberts family,” Harm laughed as he draped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to his big strong warm body just as they reached his car.

“So what are you doing with the Corvette while you’re in London?” Mac asked.

“I’m having it shipped over.”

“Good. You worked to hard rebuilding this to have to sell it or put it in storage.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Harm waited for them to finish dinner before he pounced on Mac with his idea. She was relaxed this evening, and they hadn’t even taken a stroll down memory lane at this point. He had high hopes for his plan to convince Mac they should try for that baby they wanted together...tonight if she was willing.

“Mac, have you given any more thought to our deal?” Harm asked in a rush, afraid if he didn’t something would interrupt him and he wouldn’t get the words out.

He wants to bail on it...I just know it. Mac closed her eyes and said a silent prayer before she cautiously answered, “Yes.”

“Good...because I was thinking that London could be temporary and we could start trying for our family now...while we plan our wedding.”

Wedding? Had Harm just proposed? Mac wasn’t sure and she didn’t want to make assumptions. Instead she latched on to the most obvious statements and went with it. “I agree we should start trying now...if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure I want to go halves on a kid with you Mac...always have been. The question was just when.”

“I know...and I’m thinking now.”

“Now? As in you want us to try right now?” Harm asked almost swallowing his tongue with this development. Not that he didn’t want her...he did - always had. It was just he hadn’t let himself hope that it would all come together so quickly and that would be in the same book, say nothing about the same chapter!

“If you think you can finally let go,” Mac said in her most seductive voice. She was determined to know what making love to Harmon Rabb Junior was like before they moved half way around the world from one another. She hoped that she would conceive this weekend, but if she didn’t, she was determined not to give up until the doctor told her there was no hope left and a second doctor confirmed it.

Harm watched Mac move toward him and heard the seduction in her voice as he reached for her. Pulling her into is body and feeling her hands sliding up his chest and over his shoulders to link around his neck was all it took.

“I’m all yours Mac...forever and ever if you want me.”

“Oh I want you sailor...always have. Now shut up and kiss me,” Mac spoke her lips against his.

The heat between them ignited. His hands caressed up and down her back while his lips devoured hers. Their tongues touched and tangled and clothes came off.

Mac wasn’t exactly sure how they got to Harm’s bed, but she knew that’s where they were. Harm hesitated as he hovered above her. Their eyes met and the words were there that neither had yet spoken to the other. In that moment, words weren’t necessary. They knew with no doubts and no reservations. Mac smiled and nodded. Harm returned her smile and nod before he joined them physically as they had never been joined to one another before.

It felt so perfect and so right that Harm knew he wouldn’t last. He was pleased when he realized that Mac was feeling the same way. Together they reached that special place together.

Later, wrapped in Harm’s arms, cuddled against his chest, Mac finally found her voice once again.

“That was amazing. It’s true what they say...love makes all the difference in the world.”

“I know. You didn’t answer my question Mac,” Harm reminded her.

“Question? The only questions I remember hearing were, ‘Have you given any more thought to our deal?’ and ‘Now?’ Was there another question I missed?” Mac teased.

“Come to think of it...I think I forget to ask the question.”

“Want to try it now?”

“Sure...will you marry me Mac?”

“Yes. I love you Harm.”

“I love you too.”

“Have you noticed we’re beginning to think a lot alike?” Harm asked hugging her tighter to him, making sure she knew that he wanted her again.

“That’s something isn’t it?” Mac smiled, letting her hands wander over his torso and lower to the evidence of his arousal.

“How do you account for that?” Harm asked, as his body jumped as he grew harder still.

“Another rip in the time/space continuum?” Mac asked as she boldly caressed him now, while sliding to straddle his legs.

“You have been hanging out with the Roberts family too much,” Harm chuckled before sucking in a deep breath as her hands continued wandering.

“Yeah, and look how many children they have!” Mac laughed as she raised herself up and slid over him taking control completely this time. Harm, good to his word, let her have full control.

“I think we should get married this weekend,” Harm murmured against her hair later as they lay sated in each other’s arms.

“There you go again making statements instead of asking questions Harm,” Mac poked him in the ribs before kissing him.

“Mac, there are only so many rips in that time/space continuum that you’re always going on about.”

“I know...and I don’t want to change you too much...after all you wouldn’t be the Harmon Rabb Junior that I fell in love with would you?”

“Sure I would...just don’t expect all the improvements to happen overnight Mac.”

“Never. So shall we go see Mattie in the morning and let her know?” Mac asked.

“Yes...would you mind having just a simple ceremony with a Justice of the Peace in Mattie’s room tomorrow. We can do something more formal for everyone else later.”

“Harm, I don’t need a big wedding. I’d like to marry you in Mattie’s hospital room tomorrow morning so she can witness our commitment to one another and to her.”

“Thanks Mac.”

“No thank you...for not giving up on me...on our deal...on our future...on us.” Mac placed kisses on Harm for each thing she thanked him for.

“It was tough at times Mac...but I just knew we were meant to be.”


Four months later...

San Diego, California was where Harm had lived as a child. His mother and Frank still lived there. Now he and Mac would be making their home together in the area and raising their children here.

Captain Rabb now headed the Joint Services JAG program, while Captain Sturgis Turner was now in London in charge of the office Harm had been in.

Mac would soon start inactive duty. Her doctors had all recommended that she limit the stress in her life while she was pregnant to give her and the babies the best chance for carrying to term. In six more months she would give birth to fraternal twins. They had not been able to determine the sex of the babies.

Mattie had been transferred to San Diego to a rehabilitation unit. She was still making progress, but unable to take more than a few steps on her own. Her goal was to be able to live independently once again. In two more years she would be eighteen and she hoped she would have graduated from high school by then. College was not as important to her right now, but Harm and Mac wouldn’t let her give up that dream just yet either.

Bud Roberts was the only one still at JAG in Washington, DC from the old crew, and he had heard rumors that he was being shipped out soon as well. Mac knew that Harm had requested Bud as his assistant in the joint forces program and they were waiting for the assignment to be approved.

The time/space continuum was keeping everyone on their toes.

That’s all folks!