GLAD YOU’RE HERE
(July’s HBX Challenge)

Harm and Mac glared at one another, their bodies heaving from the exertion of their latest efforts. They had always been passionate people, firmly supporting their position - whatever it might be. In a way this situation was no different.

At JAG their debates in and out of the courtroom had been legendary. As for their personal lives no matter what they did or said they couldn’t completely walk away from one another. For nine years they had each lived life on the edge of the precipice waiting for the other to make the ultimate move that would either bring them together permanently or allow them to walk away and not look back.

After months of dancing around moving closer and then distancing themselves again Harm had admitted to Mac that he wanted to be a part of her life. He wanted to have it all with her. This time when Mac danced away Harm had left a door open instead of slamming it shut as he had in the past. He had told Mac to let him know when she was ready.

Harm had thought she reminded him on a moth near a flame, darting closer only to move away from the searing heat. He smiled because he knew that every time she was near they generated a heat that he had never experienced before. Given that they had exchanged few kisses in a nine year period, it astounded him.

Harm had also enjoyed women. The control he had over most other aspects of his life, was also one reason that he made such a good lover. He could hold off for hours making sure his partner was well and throughly sated before letting his control go long enough to find his own release.

Something about Mac had made him loose that control and it scared him. He had feared that until he had at least a small amount of control around his body when he was near her, he wouldn’t be able to love her the way she deserved to be loved. So for years he fought for his control and berated himself for not having it with the one person he needed it for more then any other.

Anger at himself and later after Renee left from sexual frustration, he did the one thing he feared most. He found himself being snarky and lashing out at Mac at the worst times. He would feel horrible afterwards but then try to make it up to her and fight harder to control his feelings and actions.

It was only after he realized that she was in pain and avoiding the doctors and hospitals that he stepped in and forced her hand about going. She had always hated hospitals especially for herself. It had been the turning point for him in their relationship. He had made sure she knew he wanted her, but his timing left a lot to be desired.

Mac had just lost her boyfriend and found out the pain was from a condition that could prevent her from having children, the one thing that she had agreed to years before that Harm hoped would still united them whatever else happened. Instead of being thrilled with his declaration, she darted away from his heat once again.

This time Harm found his control and gave her space. He made sure she knew he was there waiting but he left her in no doubt that the next move was hers.

At Christmas time when he almost lost her, he had reaffirmed his commitment to her at her bedside in the hospital, a place she hated along with the weakness of her body injury and illness heaped one. He sat at her side and held her hand watching her sleep. When the doctor released her the next day, he was at her side and saw her home. He tried to make her Christmas special despite her pain.

Little did he know at that point that just having him there made Mac fall even more deeply in love with him. Her pride however, fueled by their track record, held her back from letting him know she was ready.

Things at JAG that winter and spring had been hectic and insanely busy. He had been sent to help determine damages as a result of the hurricanes that had battered several military installations. Mac was tied up with the new guy, Lt. Vukovic who had potential for being an outstanding lawyer had his morals and sleazy attitude toward women not interfered with his better judgment.

In the middle of it all, Mattie had been injured. Thankfully she had recovered almost to her old self, but at the time it had been touch and go. Mac had come to him then to offer him the kind of support he had offered her. Only Harm let his control slip and pushed Mac away again temporarily. He promised her it had nothing to do with her pushing him away, but he knew she didn’t completely believe him.

The next thing they knew they were being assigned to new duty stations half a world away. Harm had immediately told her he’d come to see her when he heard she was going to be in San Diego instead of Washington DC. It hadn’t been until he learned he was being sent in the opposite directions and being given a promotion that he realized it was going to be as easy to cope with as he had first thought.

This time they were being forced to decide not only between their personal relationship, but their connection to the military. They both had a career that wouldn’t be easy to walk away from. They had both tried it in the past and both found their way back - to each other and JAG.

Finally, Mac had walked through his door and said the magic words, “Let’s talk about us.” It had resulted in the infamous coin toss when they had allowed fate in the form of a special JAG coin to decide their futures.

Now here it was two years later and so much had changed in their lives. As their breathing returned to normal, they began to smile. Harm’s arms wrapped around Mac as she rested her back against him so the nurse could place their newborn son in their arms. Once they held him they forgot the hundreds of miles they had driven to and from the hospital and doctors’ offices trying to find a fertility treatment that would give them the best chance at having a child of their own.

Harm kissed Mac’s cheek as her whispered in her ear, “There was a time you hated it here.”

“In a hospital...yes,” Mac agreed unable to take her eyes of the beautiful baby in her arms, suckling at her breast. “Nothing stays the same,” she reminded him a little distracted at the miracle of her son.

“Tell me about it...” Harm murmured as he moved slightly so he could place a light kiss on his son’s head. Tears came to Mac’s eyes when she heard Harm whisper to his son, “I’m glad you’re here.”

Looking at their miracle baby which they could hold in their arms and study with their eyes, hospitals and doctors’ offices didn’t seem like such a bad place anymore.

THE END