Author: Jaggie 107
Subject: PROMISES (HBX Challenge - September 2008)

Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have a little fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.

Rating : K+

Summary : Harm always keeps his promises!

Author’s Note – Have to confess, I already had this story written on ff.net but it’s perfect for the Challenge; I already had the words written! (Well, a bit of jiggling…). I’m traveling in the next couple of days too, so I wanted to post something before I left! Hope I’m forgiven!?

Set around Season 9, after the return from Paraguay, and Harm's stint in the CIA.


HBX Challenge - September 2008)

Mac: Don't make a promise you can't keep.
Harm: I never have yet.

Yeah, Baby


PROMISES


2100 Hours
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown

Harm knocked on Mac's door. It was opened immediately, almost as if Mac had expected him.

"You knew I was coming." It was a statement, not a question. Mac nodded in response.

"I guess...I..."

"May I come in?"

Mac opened the door wider and Harm stepped through into the hallway, turning to face Mac, catching her as she swiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

"You've been crying. Why?" It was asked gently, and as he raised a hand to brush her cheek her huge, chocolate-brown eyes shimmered with more tears threatening to overflow.

"Why did you come?" Mac asked, as she walked away from Harm and into the lounge. He followed her.

"When you came to see me, you asked if I missed everything."

"You said 'no'."

"I was under the impression you were with Webb."

"And you have Catherine."

"No, actually, I don't. What I told you in Paraguay was true. I did kiss 'the bride', all part of the story for her mother, but nothing else. A favor, on the way to finding you."

"Then the...the baby isn't..."

"Mine? No. Mac, I really did a number on you, didn't I? If that's what you believe..."

"I knew. Deep down, I knew, but I was scared..."

"To be scared means you still care..."

Mac nodded. "I don't know how to move on from here, Harm, except to say that we have now."

"That sounds good to me," Harm smiled - not his usual, patented flyboy smile, but a gentler, more vulnerable expression.

"I just...I need to tell you about Webb. I haven't seen him since that day you left the hospital. In Paraguay...we never...it was just a mission. We...I...thought we had a friendship, but when we got back, after the hospital, he kept on pressuring. He did admit to cutting you loose, but then I guess...he did us a favor, hm?"

"So did Catherine. That night you came to my place, after you left Catherine said you'd given her 'the look'."

"The look?" queried Mac, tipping her head slightly.

"Yeah. The 'leave my man alone' look. Was she right?" Harm sat on the edge of the coffee table to face Mac on the chair. Mac managed a tremulous smile, and nodded.

"Yes, she was right. I know I hurt you, Harm. When Mic gave up the Navy for me I used it against you, and when you gave up the same, I used that against you too! I told you that it was all you had."

Mac stopped and looked at Harm, her eyes fixed on his face, as though memorizing his features. Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I lied, Harm, to you and to myself. You have me...you always have had, and if by some miracle you still..."

Harm put his finger on Mac's lips to stop her. Her breath hitched and she lowered her head but Harm tipped her chin up until she faced him again, and then he leaned in to her, punctuating his next words with soft kisses.

"I. Love. You."

Mac hiccoughed on a sob and brought her hands up to Harm's face.

"I love you too, so much! I have done for so long!"

"We're going to be okay, Sarah. We're not always going to get it right, but together we can get through anything! I promise."

"And you don’t make a promise you can’t keep," Mac whispered, smiling.

"I never have yet," replied Harm, grinning.


Epilogue

Baby David Harmon Rabb made his appearance almost nine months to the day his parents said 'I do' on the day of A J Roberts' fifth birthday.

Another promise kept.


The End