Title: The Merriest Christmas

Author: Holly

Written for Mari, who wanted a Harm and Mac Holiday in DC. No miracle pregnancies, just them enjoying the holiday with their friends & each other.


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1500 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia


The bullpen at JAG Ops was buzzing with activity. Things would soon be closing down for the week between Christmas and New Year’s with only a skeleton crew on call. Neither Harm nor Mac were married as yet, but they were now considered senior, single, staff members. For the first year in a long time, Harm and Mac had not pulled holiday duty. As soon as Harm finished up with his arraignment today, he would be free until after the holidays.

Mac had been off duty since they secured yesterday and was now at her apartment waiting for Harm to drop by. Chloe, her little sister, had arrived from Vermont the night before and would be spending several days with her in the city. Harm had promised to stop by this evening after he had secured for the day. Christmas was on a Wednesday this year so Chloe had arrived on Thursday night and would return home Christmas eve day to spend the holiday itself with her grandmother.

Harm and Mac had been spending more and more of their off time together to make up for the time they worked on separate cases. It had been a long year for both of them, first with Mac planning a wedding that would never happen and Harm going down in the cold Atlantic waters. Mac had willed them to find him. Her desperation at his potential loss had forced her to face facts about who she had feelings for. Harm on the other hand finally accepted that he had been granted another chance with Mac. This time he vowed to make it work.

The first step had been to reestablish their friendship. It had taken awhile as they didn’t want to bounce from one situation to the other. After nearly giving up on themselves, they had decided to make sure their friendship was on solid ground. Once that was done, they would talk about what the next step would be before they tried to actually take what they had to another level.

Chloe, now thirteen, jumped on every chance she could find to tease Mac about her relationship with the handsome naval officer that was her partner. After a day of shopping they had come home to pamper themselves and wait for Harm’s arrival by painting their toenails and wearing their new flannel pajamas - or night gown in Chloe’s case.

Harm had fed Chloe’s fantasies this year. He had arranged to take them several places, including the Kennedy Center’s production of the Nut Cracker Suite Ballet on Saturday night, Stars on Ice Holiday Special at the Fairfax Arena on Sunday afternoon followed by a sleigh ride along the mall Sunday evening, and a Christmas Concert at the National Theater on Monday night. In Chloe’s eyes that meant Harm loved Mac.
What Mac didn’t know was that Bud and Harriet would be attending some of the events with them and bringing little AJ along. It was looking like it would be a family-like holiday week. Harm and Sturgis had been working on restoring an old Corvette together. Harm was ready to strangle the man, despite his knowledge and mechanical touch. He needed a break from the project, besides with no top on the car he didn’t want to take it out and get the insides wet and snowy, risking mildew and mold on the inside.

Instead, he planned to chauffeur Mac and Chloe around in his Lexus SUV, a vehicle he appreciated in the cold snowy winters of Washington D.C. Harm had hoped Mac was ready for a few of the surprises he planned to spring on her between now and the new year. If he was reading the signs right, she was as ready as he was to take things to the next level.

Now however, he was on his way to spend the evening with Mac and Chloe. They were ordering in pizza and had picked up some action movies. Mac had warned him that Chloe had picked out “Top Gun” and “A Few Good Men” in his honor. She on the other hand had chosen movies like “Home Alone,” “White Christmas,” and “Die Hard.” Harm decided he would be kind and chose one from each list if they were going to try and watch two movies this evening.


1610 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown


“It’s Harm!” Chloe squealed, racing to the door and flinging it open.

“Hey Chloe...having fun?” he asked the teenager in front of him with her hair in pony tails, her toenails in a variety of colors, and her eyes sparkling and reflecting the smile on her face.

“It’s been so cool. Mac! Harm’s here.”

“Hey Sailor...you’re still in uniform...did you bring a change of clothes?”

“In the car...I didn’t want to presume.”

“Go get them...we’ve planned on two movies, with pizza, popcorn, and hot chocolate layered in between...you need to be comfortable or this will be torture.”

“Alright...I’ll be right back.”

As soon as the door closed behind him, Chloe threw her arms around Mac. “He’s even better looking then I remembered. Have you two kissed yet?”

“Chloe! Don’t be embarrassing me in front of Harm this week...or I’ll ship you home without a present,” Mac threatened as she hug the girl that brought such joy to her life.

“I won’t...I promised didn’t I?”

“Yes you did...I just want to be sure.”

“Mac, will I cramp your style being here?”

“My style?”

“Yeah...in case you two want to make out or something.”

“No Chloe...we’re just friends.”

“Can your best friend turn into your boyfriend?”

“Sure...sometimes that happens.” Mac knew Chloe was thinking about the boy at her school. She had talked about Allen all the time. It seemed he was a year older then Chloe, but they shared interests such as animals of all kinds, especially horses. They participated in Four-H activities together and were on the winning team at the local fair this past summer for their calf project.

Mac also knew the question could apply to Harm and Mac. They had become best friends again in the two months since they agreed to start over. Mac’s eyes drifted to the Christmas card and note on the table from Mic. She left it out in the open so she and Harm could discuss it. There were no secrets between them. He had told her about the card from Renee’s mother and they had shared a laugh over it. She hoped they would do the same with the one she received from Australia.

It didn’t take long for Harm to change into the looser less formal clothing. When he returned from the bathroom, he was barefoot and sexy as hell in his old tan t-shirt and soft knit gray sweat pants.

“Need any help?”

“Nope...first movie is about to start. Grab a seat.” Mac instructed him.

While Harm settled into the far corner of the sofa, Chloe dived for the other end, leaving Mac the middle or the chair. As she debated where she would sit, Harm patted the space next to him and Mac was lost. Harm surprised them both by selecting “A Few Good Men” over the action movie, “Top Gun” for the first round. Later when Mac captured him alone for a second she asked with her own eyebrow raised.

“Why that one? It doesn’t seem your style.”

“It doesn’t have any hot sexy scenes in it either,” he admitted in a whisper with a pointed look at the teenager.

“Prude,” Mac teased him.

“In front of a teenage girl...you betcha!”

While Harm and Mac had chuckled over it, they hadn’t shared the joke with Chloe which seemed to feed her imagination. She whispered in Mac’s ear as she walked by, “Harm and Mac...sitting in a tree...k-i-s-s-i-n-g...” before dashing off to where ever she was headed next. They had called for the pizza before the movie started and paused when it came. They ate while they watched the rest of the movie.

Mac made popcorn and hot chocolate while the first movie was rewound and the second choice put in. This time Harm selected “White Christmas”. Chloe had admitted to never seeing the movie before and it was less mushy or violent then the other choices he had been given. It was going for nine before the second movie started. This time, Harm had put his arm around behind Mac’s shoulders. His fingers brushing her far shoulder, found Mac leaning toward him. Chloe, had curled up with her head in Mac’s lap, and then hung her legs over the side of the sofa.

The bird’s eye view made them look like a happy family together, enjoying a relaxing evening at home. Harm felt a sense of contentment as he shared the quiet evening with Mac and her little sister. When the movie was over, Chloe was asleep. Mac tried to wake her, but she was out of it.

“Sit tight...I’ll get her.” Harm had slid away from Mac, stood up and slid his arms under Chloe so he could pick her up and carry her to Mac’s bed. Mac led the way as Harm followed with the sleeping teenager in his arms.

Mac folded back the covers. Harm gently put Chloe on the bed and watched as Mac removed her slippers and then covered her and tucked her in. Dimming the light they went back to the living room. Mac closed the door and followed Harm back to the kitchen.

“Want something more to drink or eat?”

“Coffee would be good...or tea if you’d rather,” he suggested remembering how strong Mac’s coffee tended to be.

“I’ll make us some tea then.”

They talked about the card from Mic while they waited for the water to boil. Some how having a calm conversation about their previous significant others made it easier to move on and maybe move closer to one another.


Next Day
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown


“What time is Harm picking us up Mac?” Chloe asked for the third time that day. “I can’t believe he carried me to bed and you guys tucked me in like I was a little kid. I’m so embarrassed.”

“You shouldn’t be Chloe. We were up late the night before and up early yesterday morning. We were on the go all day. Besides, I think Harm likes to play daddy like that...and he’s good at it.”

“You’re just saying that...how would you like to have him carry you and put you to bed?” Chloe fired at Mac before realizing what she had said and covering her mouth to hide the delighted impish grin that was plastered on her face.

“Chloe Madison...you promised...”

“I didn’t say it in front of Harm!” the teenager protested.

“See that you don’t.”

Chloe tried to compose herself as she heard the steps in the hall. “It sounds like Harm ran up the stairs again. Doesn’t that man ever get enough exercise?”

“I doubt it. I called him stick-boy once because he was so skinny. I noticed he started bulking up and putting on more muscle not long after that. Go let him in while I finish up in the kitchen.”

Chloe in her Christmas dress of dark green velvet and her knee high black boots looked festive with her hair in a single braid down her back tied off with a green ribbon. Harm thought she looked more like the little girl he remembered when he first met her then the charming young lady he knew she was becoming from talking to Mac. He had also seen glimmers of things to come in her himself.

“Good evening Miss Madison. You are looking lovely tonight.”

“Thank you sir.” Chloe tried on a curtsy as she held open the door for him. She could tell he had on a suit under his winter coat. She wondered if he had on a boring white shirt or something more modern and colorful. “Mac will be with us...”

“Right now. Hey Harm.”

“Wow...Mac, you look fantastic. I’ll be the envy of every man there tonight escorting two such beautiful woman.”

“Thank you Harm...let me get my coat and I’ll be ready to go. Chloe, you have your coat?”

“Right here,” she called as she reached for it on the back of the chair at the table.
The three left for the Kennedy Center. The lights and the crowds had Chloe in awe. Mac sat between them with Harm on the outside so he had a place to put his long legs. He rested his arm along the back of the seats behind Mac and Chloe. In the dim lighting he missed Chloe’s blush when she felt his hand tug on her braid.

Mac and Harm spent more time watching Chloe watch the ballet then either of them did watching the ballet for themselves. It seemed like anytime he did watch the stage, Mac’s hand soon found its way to his leg to draw his attention back to her and to Chloe’s awed expression.

After the ballet, Chloe recounted all the little details to them as if they hadn’t been there to see if for themselves. Back at Mac’s apartment, Harm shook his head and smiled at her continued exuberance before reminding her she needed to wind down and rest so she’d be ready for the busy day on Sunday.

While Chloe was busy getting ready for bed, Mac and Harm spent a quiet moment alone together, saying goodnight.

“Thanks for taking us tonight Harm. It was so worth it to see her excitement.”

“It was worth it to see you fascinated with watching her. I guess I’d better go and let you two unwind. I’ll pick you up at thirteen hundred. The show starts at fourteen hundred, but we may have to walk. Ice rinks tend to be cool, so make sure she dresses for it.”

“Yes Dad,” Mac teased her partner. Mac froze as Harm’s hand cupped her face. They stared into one another’s eyes. Mac waited to see if Harm was going to kiss her. She fought to hold still and not move toward him. If it was going to happen, Harm had to make this move on his own.

Harm caressed her silky cheek debating whether or not he should kiss Mac goodnight. He noticed she froze in place, so he decided not to go there yet. Her body language warned him she wasn’t ready for that move in their relationship.

With a gentle smile and a whispered goodnight he was gone.


Sunday
The Mall
Washington, D.C.


Harm and Mac strolled along side by side while Chloe and Little AJ ran ahead of them looking at the various Christmas displays. They were approaching the reflecting pool where many kids were sliding on the ice with their boots. Harriet and Bud had joined them at the ice show that afternoon. During one of the intermissions, Harriet had commented that they still had shopping to do but it was hard to find a time for Bud to go with her when she had babysitter available.

Mac had offered to take her godson for the evening after Harm had confirmed it wouldn’t be a problem to include him in the sleigh ride. They would all meet back at Mac’s for coffee after the sleigh ride. The horses were waiting by the Lincoln Memorial. Chloe took little AJ’s hand so he wouldn’t get lost or stepped on by the horses. Harm swooped AJ up onto his shoulder and carried him to the carriage. After settling him in his seat, he helped Chloe up and then Mac. Handing his tickets to the driver, he squeezed in across from Mac, doubling his legs up under him as he sat next to his godson.

Mac’s legs and his seemed to entwine on their own. Harm accepted it as Mac made no effort to pull away. He wanted that woman more and more everyday. Being close like this was sweet torture to his libido.

It started to snow before they had made it half-way down the first street. AJ loved the sound of the jingle bells and horses hooves clip clopping along. Chloe enjoyed seeing it through the little boys eyes. Harm and Mac got caught up in each other’s gaze and couldn’t have told anyone what they saw or what Chloe and AJ had asked them.

When they made the five mile circle, Harm helped them all down, thanked the driver and caught Mac’s hand in his as they walked back to his Lexus. He didn’t let it go until she was inside and he needed his hand to drive.

They made it back to Mac’s building just as the Roberts’ pulled up behind them. Thanking them for including their son, they bundled him up and headed home before he fell asleep. Chloe had run ahead saying she needed to use the bathroom, leaving Harm and Mac alone to say goodnight.

Harm walked Mac to her door, once again holding her hand.

“I won’t come in tonight. Tomorrow you and Chloe are coming to the loft for dinner before we go to the Christmas Concert right?” Harm asked still holding her hand.

“Yes. Can I bring something?”

“Just yourselves...and its it snowing, I’ll come and get you.”

“Okay...Thanks again for today and tonight Harm.”

“You’re welcome.” Harm lowered his head then and captured her lips in a quick kiss before whispering. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams...”

Mac touched her lips and smiled in a daze as she watched the too tall sailor stroll down the hall and disappear down the stairs. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow to see what surprises Harm had in store for them.


Monday Night
Harm’s Loft
North of Union Station


Harm went to pick up Mac and Chloe as it had continued to snow lightly all day. They were going to have dinner at Harm’s before going to the Christmas Concert and then back to Mac’s to open gifts. Chloe would be leaving on Tuesday to go home to Vermont and Christmas with her family.

Harm intended to make plans with Mac after Chloe went to bed that night so that they could spend Christmas Eve together as well as Christmas Day. If all went well his New Year’s Eve would be planned too.

Chloe was impressed with Harm’s lasagna and salad with the garlic and cheese bread he knew Mac liked. He even included meat in this lasagna for Chloe and Mac. He didn’t tell them he used ground turkey instead of hamburg and they never said a word.

After dinner they went to the National Theater and enjoyed the Christmas music. Afterward they returned to Mac’s place where they had hot chocolate and exchanged gifts with Chloe. Harm had brought the usual perfume he had started giving Mac their first Christmas. She always wore it, so each year he gave her more in different shaped bottles. Although he had taken Chloe and Mac to lots of places, he still gave her a charm to add to the bracelet Mac had given her at their first Christmas. The charm Harm selected was a snowflake. In the center of which he had the year engraved to commemorate this Christmas season.

Chloe gave Harm a new tie for him to wear for Christmas. Mac gave Harm a new pair of gloves as she knew he had lost one of his favorites and a small framed picture of a vintage Corvette. Chloe got a new sweater from Mac and a new pair of shoes as well as a CD.

“Hey, this is what my corvette will look like if I can find a top for it and get it finished,” Harm told her.

“I know,” Mac responded with a grin. Not even Chlow knew what her expression was all about.

Chloe hugged both of them, thanking them for a wonderful Christmas before she said goodnight and left them alone.

Mac walked Harm to the door. “You don’t need to take us to the airport tomorrow Harm.”

“I’d like to...and then I want to convince you to go with me to the Roberts, to the chapel, and to the wall. Will you do that Mac?”

“Yes...consider it a date.”

“I will...” He bent his head to collect another quick kiss before he left. Mac smiled as she shut the door.

“Harm kissed you!” Chloe cried as Mac turned around from closing the door.

“Yes...were you spying on us young lady?”

“Not really. I just same out to thank Harm again and when I saw him kiss you I froze. It didn’t last long did it?”

“Long enough,” Mac muttered. Maybe it was a good thing that Chloe was going home tomorrow. It suddenly felt like Harm was ready to move them forward. Despite her reassurances to Chloe that she wasn’t going to crimp Mac’s ‘style’ as Chloe had put it, it certainly would be easier to make that step without worrying if a teenager was spying on them. Suddenly saying good-bye to Chloe at the airport tomorrow didn’t seem as daunting. Maybe Mac wouldn’t have to endure a lonely holiday after all.


Christmas Eve Day
National Airport
Washington, D.C.


With a final wave at the airplane which was carrying Chloe back to Vermont, Mac turned to Harm. “I wanted to thank you for all the time and things you did with us.”

“I already told you I enjoyed it too. However, I do believe we have a date tonight, don’t we?”

“We do.”

“You have your Christmas shopping finished?”

“Yes..Harm it is Christmas Eve.”

“I know. Just thought I’d check. So, I’ll drop you off and then pick you up later to go to Harriet and Bud’s.”

“Actually, could you drop me at Harriet’s now? I’m going to help get things ready for dinner tonight.”

“Sure...I guess I’ll see you there later then.”

Harm was a little disappointed as it didn’t seem as much like a date now he was going to meet her there. On the other hand, he would be taking her home later, so he decided to go with it.

Mac opened the door when he arrived at the Robert’s apartment. As usual Harriet had outdone herself with her decorating, but Harm’s attention was riveted on Mac in her black and red pant suit cut low in the front. She was so gorgeous she took his breath away at the most inopportune moments.

Harm handed Harriet the toy for car he had bought for Little AJ, now all wrapped in colorful paper and ribbons. He kissed her cheek lightly and laughed at her blushing cheeks. Harm knew on some level that women found him attractive to look at, but he didn’t think most women were as attracted to him as they were. He was humble enough not to take his looks for granted, yet was amazed at assumptions some people made about him because of his looks.

Mac had always been different. From the first time they met, she had not allowed him to charm his way into or out of anything. It took him awhile to be sure that when he looked at Mac he saw Mac and not Diane, his long dead girlfriend.

While Diane had been soft and fluttery in her mannerisms, Mac was confident and firm in her approach. Not that Diane hadn’t been fit. After all she had been a top candidate at the Naval Academy. Unless Diane had been in uniform, she had been all ‘girly girl’ while Mac tended to be strong and decisive regardless, unless she was feeling vulnerable or behind closed doors with someone she trusted. They her softer self was allowed to exist. When Mac was with Chloe or Little AJ, her softer side was more apparent.

Harm found that it was Mac’s independence and competitive nature that drew his admiration and appreciation first. The more he got to know her the more he had wanted her. Yet his inability to be sure he wanted her, Sarah ‘Mac’ Mackenzie instead of Diane Schonke made him hesitate and deny his attraction was any more then friendship until Mic had entered the picture and almost married her.

Harm didn’t know if he could have made it through the wedding had they gone ahead with it. Thankfully he would never know now that Mic had faced the fact that what ever this was between the two of them would never go away. It gave Harm the courage to try to move things forward with Mac now.

Despite the confined space of the apartment, some people danced to the slow Christmas music while other chatted in small groups as they gathered around food and beverages.

When it was time to go to the chapel for the service, Harm and Mac were the last ones out. Mac hesitated in the door way and looked up to the mistletoe hanging overhead. Harm and Mac exchanged a slow gentle kiss that buckled her knees and raised Harm’s eyebrows. The look in Harm’s eyes when Bud returned to lock the apartment, told Mac that he had plans for later. She hoped he understood she was agreeing with him with the look she returned. Soon her big Christmas present for him would be revealed.

They rode without talking to the chapel. The service was lovely and inspirational as always when Chaplain Turner gave one of his Christmas sermons. Mac slipped her hand in to Harm’s when the Chaplain began to talk about Joseph, the forgotten father of Christmas. Their simple hand holding kept the loneliness and bad memories away.

As they left the chapel, Harm felt Mac’s pulse race a little. He wondered if she was anticipating being alone with him later as he was. They chatted with friends a little as they left the chapel. He could sense Mac wasn’t totally focused on their friends, looking toward the road like she was expecting Santa to arrive - or maybe someone else she knew. Harm felt his spirit sink just as Mac’s head snapped up and her eyes lit up too. He didn’t want to turn and see who had arrived...not on Christmas Eve.

“Harm...look,” she pointed and he had to see. He tried to console himself that she at least hadn’t run into someone else’s arms. She was still holding his hand.

Slowly he turned, pasting a smile on his face as he did so. “Sturgis?” Harm looked from their colleague to Mac. She was beaming. He looked back at Sturgis again, who was now standing almost beside of him. This time he realized what Sturgis Turner had just driven up in - Harm’s newly restored vintage Corvette - with a black top on it!

“You did this?” he asked Sturgis not expecting that kind of generosity from his old Academy squad mate.

“I was only an accomplice.”

Harm turned to look at Mac’s beaming face again. “Merry Christmas Harm. I hope you like it.”

“Mac...you did this?”

“I asked Sturgis to help me surprise you, yes.”

“Why Mac?”

“Why not? You are always going the extra mile for someone. I thought it was time that someone did a little something extra for you.” And because I love you she thought. Now wasn’t the time to reveal that little gem. Maybe later when they were alone.

“The picture you gave me...it was my car wasn’t it?” At her nod he continued. “Thank you.” He hugged her and Sturgis, as exuberant as any kid on Christmas morning.

“Here are your keys. I’ll drive the Lexus back to your place so I can pick up my car if you want to take the Corvette,” Sturgis informed him.

“Thanks man...I’m overwhelmed.”

Harm helped Mac into the newly restored vintage Corvette. For the first time, Harm took Mac with him on his annual pilgrimage to the Vietnam Memorial Wall to honor his father who had gone down Christmas Eve in 1969. Harm introduced Mac to his father as if the man was really there.

“Dad, I want you to meet my partner Mac. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had Dad and I hope to convince her to stay a part of my life forever. I think I”ve finally forgiven Mom for finding happiness with Frank instead of fighting to bring you home. It doesn’t mean I miss you any less, but it does mean she’s moved on to live a full life without you. That was hard for me to accept. I’m afraid I’m a one woman man, Dad. I’m ready to make a life time commitment to the woman I love...I just don’t know if she loves me the same way, but I’m thinking she might...just a little. I was kind of hoping you’d give me a sign about what I should do.”

Harm paused as if waiting for some kind of sign, and then realized Mac had slipped her hand into his. Turning to face Mac, there in front of the huge black wall and his father’s name, Harm cupped Mac’s face in his hands.

“I’m ready, Mac...are you?” Harm asked, his voice little more then a whisper.

“Yes.”

“Spend Christmas Eve with me Mac...and Christmas Day?”

“I’d like that.”

“I want us to move our relationship to the next level , Mac.”

“I do too...if you stay at my apartment tonight, I want you in my bed...in me.”

“Merry Christmas Sarah Mackenzie...”

“Merry Christmas, Harmon Rabb, Junior.”

He kissed her then, longer and deeper then the other kisses they had shared. When they broke the kiss, he wrapped her close in his long arms. Looking up at the night sky he whispered, “Thanks Dad.”

“This was the best Christmas of all,” Mac murmured against his shoulder.

And she hasn’t even seen the ring I have for her in my pocket thought Harm. That would be for later, after they were home and alone.


THE END