Author: lisa
Subject: September 2007 HBX Challenge – “Second Time Around”

September 2007 HBX Challenge – “Second Time Around”

Disclaimer: JAG and its characters aren’t mine, I just like to borrow them.

A/N: Some actions in this story may be considered out of character, but please just suspend your disbelief. Secondly, I may be giving away part of my plot here, but I feel as if I should point out that there is an activity in this piece involving alcohol that I in no way condone or encourage! Do I think Harm would actually engage in such activity? No, but for the sake of my story, he did.

Second Time Around
~by lisa


Saturday - 23:50 Local Time

Not again. How could this happen twice in a lifetime? I wonder if Guiness lists this as a record-setting category. Sighing, I lean against the bars of the holding cell and shoot an angry glance at the occupant of the cell across from mine, feeling a twinge of pleasure at the sight of his swollen eye and bloody nose.

My head is pounding – either from the alcohol or the punches I took. Probably a combination of both. I groan thinking that the pain will only worsen when I eventually come face to face with Mac. That will be one angry Marine. This mess really isn’t my fault, but I’m not so sure she will believe that. Not after the way I taunted her yesterday. Besides, if anyone is to blame it should be Gunny, I rationalize. He was in charge of planning. And what about Tiner? For someone on security detail he did a pretty lousy job. I was just there to … hell, I don’t know why I was there. I certainly didn’t want to be.


Previous day - Friday – 13:25 Local Time

“How’s the planning going, Gunny?” Gunny, Tiner and I stood in collusion, plotting the following night’s activities.

“Well, I think we should do something very special for Mr. Brumby, sir.”

I know what I’d recommend. “Like deport him.” I laugh along with Gunny and Tiner, but I’d so like to put Bugme on the first boat back to Oz – preferably a rowboat. With one oar.

Gunny asked, “What do they do in Australia when a bachelor takes the fall?”

I can’t hide the snide tone when I answer, “I don’t know, but I’m sure mass quantities of alcohol are consumed.”

“Get him drunk and watch him box a kangaroo.”

Now that is a great idea, Gunny. What I wouldn’t pay to see that. However, maintaining good order and discipline won’t let me voice the pleasure I would get from such a spectacle. Instead, I force myself to admonish, “I don’t think Brumby would find that too humorous.” Of course Mac picks that moment to sneak up on us. Okay, maybe not exactly sneak – we are in the middle of the bullpen, after all – but I swear you could set Greenwich Mean Time with her sense of timing. It’s too much to hope that she didn’t overhear us.

Suspiciously she queries, “He wouldn’t find what too humorous?”

“Nothing.” I arch one eyebrow just to let her know I’m not scared of her – much. And I can’t help the gleam of challenge that I know is evident when I meet her penetrating stare. This is one of my favorite games – trying to outwit Mac. Sadly, I rarely win.

Tiner must be studying diversionary tactics because he smoothly gets her off the scent of what we’re planning for Bugme. “There’s a Marine waiting in your office, ma’am.”

I’m off the hook for now, but not 20 minutes later I find myself back on it when she corners me in the break room.

“Isn’t a bachelor party kind of retro?”

Flippantly I answer, “We’re kind of retro.”

"What do you and Gunny have planned?"

"Can't tell you, Mac. It's privileged information - and you, Colonel, don't have the proper security clearance.” I move past her to pour a cup of coffee and ask, “Why, what are you afraid we'll do anyhow?"

"Oh, I don't know, get Mic drunk and put him on a train for Alaska."

"Hey, now that's a great idea! Do you mind if I make that suggestion to Gunny?" I wince from the punch in the arm I receive. I sometimes forget she packs quite a wallop. "Don't worry, Mac, we wouldn't do that. That would be too cruel - to the Alaskans."

"Very funny, Harm."

Smirking at her obvious annoyance, I reply, "Thank you. I thought so, too."

"Just no strippers, Harm. Remember what happened at Bud's party."

I cross my arms over my chest and smile as if at a pleasurable memory. "Oh, yeah, I remember! There was this incredible stripper - she had the biggest boo ..."

Rolling her eyes she interrupts, "Never mind, I don't want to hear it." If looks could kill I’d be toast.

"Boots, Mac, she had the biggest boots I've ever seen. They went all the way up to…”

Interrupting, she says, “I don’t need to know about your strip club escapades, Harm.”

I really don’t want her to think that I’m into that kind of thing, but I can’t back off too much. Getting Mac riled up is just too much fun. “Hey, I never would have gone to a place like that if it wasn’t for Bud. And besides, I seem to recall you sending Harriet off to a life of wedded bliss at a male strip club, what was it called? Oh yeah, ‘Rocketmen”. Remember, I saw you drooling over that male stripper - must have been the fact that he was wearing my dress whites.”

I grin at the flustered look on her face as she protests, "I was not drooling! And he wasn’t wearing them for very long. Besides, I told you before - your dress whites are overrated."

Lowering my voice, I step closer and tease, “Oh, so what you really like is to see the dress whites come off.” Ha! I’ve made my marine blush. Our eyes lock and the electricity between us sparks like a live wire. I smell the heady scent of her perfume and feel my heart pound in my chest at her closeness. The tension thickens and I’m mesmerized by an emotion I can’t quite identify in her gorgeous eyes. Unfortunately, I remembered why we’re having this conversation. I’ll never be the one dressing – or undresing – in dress whites for her. That reality is like a bucket of cold water and I step back, breaking the connection.

Trying to regain our lighthearted banter, I ask “Why no strippers, Mac? Don't tell me you're afraid Bugme will find another 'sheila'. You know, Mac, you shouldn't marry a man you can't trust."

Indignant, she replies, "His name is ‘Mic’. And I trust him. Now can we please just drop the subject?"

"Hey, you're the one who brought it up. But don't worry, we'll take good care of the old Micster."

Knowing I had pushed her a bit too far, I take pity and reassure, "Mac, if it makes you feel better, we aren't taking Mic to a strip club." Pausing as I turn to leave the break room, I can’t resist adding, “But don’t be surprised if Brumby takes us to one - for one last thrill.” Laughing at Mac's angry growl, I duck just in time to miss the spoon hurled at my back. Thank God for pilot reflexes.

Still chuckling, I make my way back to my office. Getting a rise out of Mac truly is my favorite sport. And she gives as good as she gets - she always has a comeback. That’s why I love bantering with her – she challenges me like no other. I have never met a woman like Sarah MacKenzie before. If only the topic I was teasing her about didn’t turn my stomach. And that thought brings back the grim reminder that I’m about to lose her. To Brumby, no less. And tomorrow night I have to act as if I’m happy about that. I have to celebrate the fact that Mac is marrying Bugme – that she will be Mrs. Brumby. The thought makes me want to put my fist through the wall. In the past I’ve done my best to avoid analyzing why the idea of Mac being married to that arrogant bastard bothers me so much. I’ve told myself that Mic just isn't right for her – I don’t want to see Mac get involved with the wrong man again. But as the wedding date stares me in the face like a giant D-Day on my calendar, I know the reason for this knot in the pit of my stomach is not that Mac is about to marry Brumby – but just that she’s marrying someone else – someone other than me.

Well, I have no one to blame but myself. I had opportunities to make my interest known and I blew it. It’s just, that in my own convoluted way, I thought I had. When I said not yet, I really did mean someday. And our baby deal was as much of a promise for a lifetime together as it was about a baby. I’m not quite sure when I came to the realization, but whenever I thought of my future, Mac was always a part of it. I knew she would be the one for me. I just always thought there would be time to work it all out. And now it’s too late.


Saturday – 21:00 Local Time

It’s too early to go home, but it’s torture sitting across the table from Bugme’s smirking face. Gunny took us to this smoky sports bar – “Knockers” - where the waitresses are known for their skimpy outfits and, well, the way they fill said outfits.

I wish Mac could see the way Mic is ogling our flirty blonde waitress. I think the admiral must notice it as well because the next time Betty Bombshell comes to the table, he makes a point of reminding Mic that he does have a fiancée. Mic gives me another reason to loathe him when he vulgarly states, “Hey, just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.” With a ‘diet’ of Mac, how could he even want to look at someone else?

Now Bud is the one with a diversion that keeps me from sticking my foot in my mouth and telling Bugme what I think of him. “Hey, I know what we could do! Harriet went to a shower last week where they played this game to see who knew the bride the best. They asked questions like ‘what’s the bride’s favorite color or would the bride prefer to sleep in lingerie or an old tee shirt’.”

Remembering Mac in a sexy white negligee in our hotel room in Russia, I speak without thinking. Simultaneously Brumby and I both answer: “Lingerie.” My response earns me an angry glare from the groom-to-be. Fortunately, the admiral saves me from an explanation.

“Lieutenant, this is a bachelor party, not some ladies bridal shower. We don’t play games.”

Gunny pipes up and makes a suggestion of his own. “Sir, we actually did something similar back in New Mexico – only with a twist. It’s a drinking game called ‘I’ve Never’. We take turns telling something we’ve never done with or known about the bride - but we think the groom has. Anyone who can answer affirmatively, has to take a drink.”

Mic laughs, “It sounds like a ruse to get the groom drunk.”

Hey, maybe we can find a kangaroo after all.

Somehow we find ourselves playing Gunny’s game with the understanding that it’s all in good fun - we obviously intend no disrespect to Mac - and we decide to forget about rank for the night. Mattoni, our designated driver, will sit out the game.

The admiral starts out the game, saying, “I’ve never ridden in Mac’s Corvette.” Bud and I join Mic in a drink.

I go next. “I’ve never seen Mac’s office organized.” Laughing, everyone present leaves his glass on the table.

Next the Gunny takes a turn. “I’ve never gone against, the Colonel, uh – Mac – in the courtroom.” Everyone except Tiner tosses back a drink.

Tiner makes things a little more interesting with his remark. Maybe the petty officer isn’t as timid as I thought. “I’ve never seen Colonel MacKenzie in a bikini.” I think Bud must have been gloating to poor Tiner about what Mac does for a bikini - either after Miami or Sydney.

Just to stick it to Brumby I ask, “Do I take a drink for each time or just one drink for the total?” I relish the exclamation as Brumby angrily mutters, “Blimey!”

Gunny answers, after all it is his game, “Uh, just one for the total, sir.”

After Mic, Bud, and I take our drinks, Bud takes his turn. I think the alcohol is already getting to Bud’s brain because I can’t imagine him ever having the nerve to open this can of worms otherwise. He does sound a bit woozy when he says, “I’ve never kissed Sarah MacKenzie.”

Mic takes a drink and as I glance around the table I notice all eyes are on me to see if I’ll raise my glass. The image of Mac dressed in Navy whites on a dock in Norfolk comes to mind. It may have started out as a kiss goodbye to Diane, but the moment my lips touched Mac’s I felt something I’ve never felt before or since. Meeting Mic’s venomous glare, I slowly raise my glass to my lips as Brumby curses under his breath. My gaze swivels to the admiral when I think I hear him mutter to himself, “Good thing almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” No one else seems to have heard him, but I’d really like to know exactly what he meant by ‘almost’.

I see a wicked gleam in the admiral’s eyes as he briefly studies Mic and then turns his scrutinizing gaze on me. It’s his turn again, but he hesitates, as if plotting a move in a game of chess. Leaning back he calmly states, “I’ve never seen Mac’s tattoo.”

Tiner’s eyes widen with shock. “The Colonel has a tattoo?”

Gunny scoffs, “She’s a Marine, Tiner. You wouldn’t be surprised that I have a tattoo, would you?”

Mic laughs and elbows Gunny. “But I bet your’s isn’t as cute as Sarah’s or located on your …”

The admiral cuts him off again. “Keep it to yourself, Brumby. Now, is anyone going to take a drink?” Once again all those present seem to be watching me with fascination. While I’ve had all kinds of fantasies about discovering Mac’s tattoo, I’ve never actually seen it, uh, in the flesh, so to speak. Although, when Mac was undercover on that case in Gulfport, the picture I saw of her wearing nothing but that tattoo is emblazoned on my mind. Knowing how embarrassed she’d be, I did keep Bud from getting a good look at the picture, but just one glance was all it took for me to be able to recall every detail.

Mic takes a sip of his drink as I weigh whether or not seeing that picture counts. I did see the tattoo, after all. So for the sake of truth and for the chance to further mess with Mic’s mind, I toss back the last of my bourbon.

That’s all it takes for Mic to snap, uttering expletives like, well, a drunken sailor. Hollering, he exclaims, “Next, you’ll be telling us you slept with her, Rabb!”

Cocking my head to one side I briefly wonder if he means literally or figuratively. If it’s the former … Knowing full well I’m provoking him, I say “Well, there have been a few occasions when we …” My explanation is cut off by Mic jumping to his feet and pushing the table out of the way to get to me. Gunny and the Admiral grab hold of his arms to restrain him, but that doesn’t keep his mouth from moving as he shouts, “So, you’ve kissed my fiancée, and seen her tattoo, and now you’re saying you slept with her? What, I suppose you think you should be marrying her, too.”

Unbidden, I hear the words come out of my mouth, “Maybe I should.” Surprisingly, I don’t find myself regretting the admission. Rather, I’m relieved to finally acknowledge it. That is, until I see Brumby shake loose the hold on his arms and feel his fist make contact with my jaw.

I relish the opportunity to answer in kind as we trade several punches before the Admiral, Gunny, Tiner, and Mattoni finally separate us. Bud wisely stayed out of the middle this time.

Unfortunately, the bar manager wasted no time in calling the police. Two hours later I find myself in a holding cell once again after a bachelor party gone wrong. Only this time the only company I have is Bugme in the next cell. I think the admiral is letting us cool our heels before sending someone to bail us out.

At the sound of the outer door opening, I turn hoping to see Bud or Mattoni coming to bail me out. Instead I look past the guard into the face of my partner. Okay, maybe I was wrong earlier when I thought she would be she angry – perhaps fuming, livid, irate would be better descriptions. I gulp at the furious look I receive before she turns to Mic.

“I can’t believe this! What do you two have to say for yourselves?”

Brumby rises to his feet, coming up to the bars of his cell. “Sarah! How did you know we were here?”

Her ire is badly disguised. “The admiral called me. Told me you two got into a brawl at your bachelor party.”

“It was all Rabb’s fault. We were playing this drinking game about you …”

‘Geez, could you be any stupider, Brumby?’ I can tell she’s ready to blow a gasket over that one.

“What? A drinking game? About me??”

Wisely, I choose to stay out of this and keep my mouth shut.

“It’s not what it sounds like, luv.”

Crossing her arms over her chest she demands, “Why don’t you enlighten me, Mic.”

Mic’s voice takes on a hard edge. “I think you owe me an explanation first, Sarah.”

“ME? I’m not the one sitting in a jail cell!”

Stupidly, Mic raises his voice in response to Mac’s outrage. “No, you’re just the one who’s slept with Rabb!

I wince. Ooh, I bet Brumby is thanking his lucky stars he’s behind those bars and out of her reach after that one.

“What? What are you talking about?”

I watch with interest as Bugme digs himself into a bigger hole. Ignoring her question he continues his angry rant. “You’re mine, Sarah. And I want to know exactly what took place between you and Rabb! Or is it still going on?”

Whoa, I’ve never seen Mac so angry. I almost feel sorry for Bugme – almost.

“First of all, Mic, I don’t ‘belong’ to anyone. Secondly, I’m not even going to dignify that dirty insinuation with an answer. Harm is my partner and my best friend and I must say he has only treated me with respect – unlike you Mic.

Brumby foolishly continues his demands. “Sarah, you need to choose between Rabb and me! I won’t allow him to stay in your life after we’re married. I’ve decided – I think you should resign your commission and we’ll move to Australia after the wedding.”

Her face grows red with rage and I’m quite sure Brumby is about to feel wrath like he’s never known.

“You won’t ‘allow’ it?? Sorry, Mic, but you can’t dictate who my friends are. And there is no way that I’m resigning and moving to Australia! But I think you should, Mic, because it’s over between us - the wedding’s off! I’m just glad that I wised up before it was too late. I won’t be any man’s possession!”

Taking her engagement ring off, she whips it at Mic. “Use that for bail money.” Without even a glance in my direction, Mac storms out of the holding area leaving Mic plaintively calling after her to come back.

Well, now. That’s quite a development. I glance over at Mic and I can’t help the smirk on my face. “Tough luck, pal. But as someone told me once, you win some, you lose some.”

“Oh shut up, Rabb!”

Hours later I find myself standing outside the police station, slightly stunned at the turn life has taken tonight. I came to a realization tonight that perhaps I could have a second chance at a future with Mac. But am I really ready to commit? Reminding myself of how I almost lost her, I gather my resolve. Fate has given me another opportunity to state my intentions and I better not screw it up this time.

Bud had called Renee to bail me out, and after I did some explaining of my own, I suddenly find myself unattached. I’m ashamed to say that the breakup with Renee brings a sense of relief.

I’m exhausted, but I can’t go home until I’ve seen Mac. If nothing else, I at least need assurance that she’s okay. Knowing Mac, I bet she was too wound up to go home. Besides, she’d want to avoid another confrontation with Brumby if he showed up at her door. Driving past her apartment just to check, I see no signs of her Corvette. Following a hunch I head over to Arlington.

The pre-dawn sky is just starting to lighten as I approach the solemn site usually packed with tourists. It’s now deserted save for one Marine sitting on a bench, her knees drawn up to her chest. I breathe a sigh of relief at finding her, and pause, gathering my courage. I approach slowly, trying to get a read on her emotions. She barely glances at me as I sit beside her. “Hey, Mac. Helluva night, huh?” Shrugging out of my jacket, I drape it over her shoulders, my hand lingering to give her shoulder a squeeze of support.

Staring straight ahead she scoffs, “That’s the understatement of the year, Harm. How did you find me, anyhow?”

Taking my eyes off her profile, I join her in gazing at the stunning depiction of the flag raising on Iwa Jima’s Mount Suribachi – a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all fallen Marines. “I know where you find your strength, Mac. So where else would I find a kick ass Marine, but at the Marine Corp War Memorial?”

For the first time she turns to me and I reach out to gently dry the streaks of tears I find on her cheeks. At least this time I wasn’t the cause of them.

“You’re wrong, Harm. This isn’t where I get my strength, that comes from you.” Sighing, she turns away again. “But today I don’t feel very strong. I’m angry and confused and tired of my messed up life.”

I take her hand, and she squeezes mine in return. Tentatively I ask, “You want to talk about it?”

She glances in my direction. “Not particularly. Do you mind just sitting here with me?”

“Sure, Mac. Anything you want.” I let go of her hand to wrap my arms around her and pull her close. Immediately, she nestles her head against my shoulder and I feel a bit of the tension leave her body.

After a few moments she breaks the silence. “I'm sorry I left you there – in jail. And while I wouldn’t mind if Mic rotted in that cell, I suppose that wasn’t the kindest way to break off our engagement. I should have at least gotten him released, too.”

I chuckle and say “If you hadn't we'd probably both be dead by now.”

Puzzled, she looks up at me, “What?”

“If Brumby and I had been released at the same time, I don’t think I could have stopped myself from throttling him over the way he treated you. And I think he would like nothing better than to return the favor. So see? You saved our lives by leaving us locked up.”

She chuckles at my exaggeration, but the truth is, part of me would like to finish what we started at the bar. “But, hey, you don’t have to worry about Mic. Mattoni was just arriving to bail him out when I got released.”

“Well, Mattoni can just put him on the next boat back to Australia!”

She looks at me quizzically as I laugh. Great minds do think alike.

“You know, Harm, you once told me there was no chemistry between Mic and me. Well, you were right. Mic wasn’t right for me – I tried to force myself to feel for him what I feel for, uh, what a woman in love should feel. But I don’t think I ever really loved him – not a forever kind of love.”

“I know it’s painful, Mac, but it’s better to come to that realization now, than six months into the marriage.”

“My head knows that’s true, but my heart still hurts.”

She rests her head against my shoulder again and we sit in silence. It feels so right to have her in my arms. After a few moments she breaks the solitude once again. “By the way, why was Mic so angry with you?”

I hesitate, afraid of her reaction. Afraid of verbalizing my feelings. ‘It’s now or never, Rabb.’ She meets my gaze as I speak. “Well, Mac, I did sort of antagonize Mic, but what really set him off was when I told him, that, uh … that I thought I was the one you should be marrying.” My last few words come out in a rush.

She sits up, staring at me in stunned silence and once again I have no clue what she’s feeling. I’m still in one piece – that’s a good sign. Finally she finds her voice. “Excuse me, what did you say?”

Now I’m feeling bolder. Mac, your wedding has been hanging over me like a black cloud. Not because I can’t stand Brumby – which I can’t. But because I knew I had missed my chance to make it clear to you how I feel.”

In little more than a whisper she asks, “How do you feel?”

I love you Mac. I’m in love with you. I know this is lousy timing with what happened between you and Mic today, but when I left the police station, I vowed I wouldn’t let another opportunity pass me by without telling you that.”

I can tell she has never been more shocked. “You … you love me? What about Renee?”

I look away briefly. “It’s over between me and Renee. She bailed me out and I told her what happened. I think she’s known all along what I had a hard time admitting. It’s you that I want to be with, Mac. It’s you that I see myself raising a family with, growing old together. I’m ashamed to say Renee was just a stand in.”

“Harm, I don’t know what to say, I, uh…”

Afraid she’s about to break my heart I rush to stop her. “You don’t have to say anything, Mac. I know this is a crappy time to tell you all this. I know you’re overwhelmed and upset. Just, when you’re ready, think about what I said, and if you think you might someday feel the same...” My words fade as I run out of things to say.

“Harm, there’s no point thinking about it. I know how I feel. I don’t know what kind of woman this makes me – telling one man I love him on the same day I break an engagement with another, but …”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up. Did you just say you love me?”

“Yes, Harm. I love you, too.”

I silence her by pulling her against me and my lips meet hers in a passionate kiss. Once again I feel an emotion I’ve felt only once before. I can’t get enough of her as the kiss deepens. I need to slow down before I’m arrested again – this time for public indecency. Breathlessly I pull away, relishing the glazed look in her eyes as her eyelids flutter open. Grinning, I imagine that same look is on my face, too.

We’re both breathing hard, but she seems to catch her breath first.

“Harm, I don’t know where this will lead, but we have to take things slow between us. Just give me time to …”

Interrupting, I stop her, “You can have all the time you need, Mac. I won’t push. But I know exactly where this is leading – it’s leading to a lifetime of love and happiness and babies with your looks and my brains – or vice versa. It’s leading to you and me together, Mac – forever.”

I pull her to me once again, and as the rising sun warms our faces, the love I feel for this woman floods my heart with warmth. Taking her hand, I pull her to her feet. “Come on, Mac. Let’s go home. Our future is waiting.”

The End