Title: We should worship those who invented instandt messages

Disclaimers: The characters are not mine, nor will they ever be. I promise to return them un*harm*ed!!

Rating: a H/M-Romance

Summary: Takes place while Harm is stationed on the USS Patrick Henry again and Mac is still at JAG but Brumby is out of the picture

Spoilers: Any episode of Jag my work may refer to

Author’s Notes: I apologize for eventual language or grammar mistakes since I’m not a native english speaking person! I hope you’ll enjoy this little adventure of our favourite couple. I’m really looking forward to your feedback, so pleeeaaaase: Feedback would make my day!!!! :-)

Major Sarah Mackenzie was shocked to say the least when her former Partner Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr went to fly Tomcats again.

*Why the hell did I have to cry at our goodbyes?! For God’s sake, I’m a marine. Get a grip, Mackenzie!*

Two weeks had passed since he left and she still had no news.

*Well, no news are good news*,

she kept telling herself over and over again. Rabb on the other side had wholly different problems. Nothing was like he expected it to be. He had hurt his best friend and couldn’t bring himself to tell her, that he needed time to think about them, that he wasn’t leaving her but *for* her, to make a furture for them together possible. After their goodbyes he flet like a jerk, he’d just chicken out.

*What is wrong with me? I can fly a f-14 but can’t formulate a coherent sentence when it concernes her*

Flying wasn’t either what he expected it to be. The captain wasn’t at all pleased to have Harm back on board and his younger collegues, well he felt totally out of place.

*This was a sutpid idea, Rabb*

Then he received his new callsign *pappy*, as if he wasn’t felling old already… and alone. Although he felt so misplaced he was somewhat glad to be back. This chapter needed a rewriting and nothing and noone could keep him from rewriting it. Two weeks passed and he wasn’t able to make himself at hme. Briefings, missions, guys-talk and that 24/7. Now would be his first shore leave, two days in Italy, but hey, it could be worse. He was sitting at Naples harbour thinking of his favourite marine. She on the other side was in court, prosecuting a DDO case, it was an easy one, nothing to worry about, so her mind driffted off to her flyboy. She just hoped that he was alright. Harm started to write a letter to Mac, it wasn’t as easy as he hoped to. Three days later Mac opened her post letter for letter. She long had given up hope to receive a letter from *him*. A huge smile spread across her face when she recognized the familiar handwriting.

Dear Sarah,

I’m sorry it tooke me so long to write you but it is pretty crazy down here. I’m sitting at Naples harbour and think of you. I miss our fights in court already, ninja-girl. I hope you do understand why I had to do this, please. They gave me my new callsign, I’m *pappy* now. I can see you smile reading this. Hopefully by the next week I will have set up my own laptop with I.M. Your nickname is sill ninja-girl, right? I think it will make communication a lot easier…well in case you like to stay in touch with me. Send my greeting to all our friends at work. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

Harm.

She kept re-reading the letter a few times. She couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to cry. She made herself a hot chocolate and decided to write back, although knowing that they might communicate via I.M. before he received her answer.

Dear *Pappy*,

Nict to hear from you. I started to get worried and was almost ready to go save your six when I received your letter. Things are going pretty smoothly over here. I do undertand you Harm, you should know that by now but I do misss my best friend too. Work isn’t the same without you here. I look forward to I.M. with you and yes, my nickname is still ninja-girl. Be careful up there Harm.

Yours truly,

Sarah

He had read the letter three times, it was incredible how just reading from her could increase his mood. A few days later, finally, his laptop arrived and he worked late ‘till it was functional. He was just about to start the I.M. program when the alarm went on.

*oh noooo*

Eight loong hours later he returned to his bunk with his *friend* Tuna.

“You were pretty good up there for an old guy”

“Thanks”

“Who is that girl?”

“Huh?”

“The girl?”

Tuna repeated pointing at a picutre of Mac next to Harm.

“That’s Mac, she’s a marine. We were partners at JAG”

“And?”

“And nothing”

“Oh come on, Pappy. Then why do you have her picture with you?”

“Listen, Tuna, she’s a good friend, and she saved my sic a couple of times. Now, excuse me, I’m tired”

In Washington things seemed to get worse too.They were short of people AND many jarheads and squids seemed to get into trouble. She worked late every night, being early every morning.

*Sleep? What is that?*

She came home feeling her sore muscles and decided t take a nice long bubble bath. He turned her computer on, just in caee and brought it with her to the bathroom. She just didn’t want to take the chance to miss Harm. It wasn’t but a few minutes later that she heard the familiar beep of her I.M. program.

<Hi marine, I know it is late but I thought I take the chance that you’re still awake since I don’t know when I get the next freetime.>

She nearly knocked her pc into the water while trying to dry her hands and type a response.

<Hi flyboy. I’m here. Just got home from work>

<work? Mac are you serious? Did you loose track of time? …No don’t answer that>

<very funny sailor. We’re short of people and there’s a lot trouble so we have to do extrahours>

<I’m sorry>

<why? Did you tell them to get into trouble?>

<NO of course not>

<Then you have nothing to apologize for>

<So, you do miss me?>

<Don’t get too excited flyboy>

<I miss you too>

<thanks, so how you’re holding up, pappy?>

It took him quiet a time to answer.

<Harm you still there?>

<Yeah, I just… don’t know how to anser you>

<What is about the truth?>

<Well, the truth would be that I feel like I made a mistake. Everyone hates me for being here. My friends from JAG, my family, the people here. I don’t fit in anywhere, Mac>

<I don’t hate you foor resuming flying>

<Then you’re the only one>

<Harm, what did you expect? That they roll out the red capret for you?>

<No.. I don’t know it anymore>

<Harm, you’ll have to have faith. You love flying. Just give them time. They’ll come to like you>

<you think so?>

<Yeah, worked with me, didn’t it? So tell me how was your first flight?>

<Oh Mac, it was so great. I felt so alive. I lover every G my body has to cope with>

<That sounds good>

<Yeah it is, thanks>

<what for?>

<Reminding me of why I’m here. I needed that>

<sure, no problem>

They kept on writing for almost two hours. Somewhere in between Mac had ended her badth and crawled into bed. It didn’t take long ‘till she fell asleep. When she didn’t respond anymore, Harm left her a message and shut down his computer. He too was exhausted and needed to be fit in the morning. Sarah awoke a couple of hours later by the light of her pc. She needed a bit to realise what happended an then she saw his last message.

<hey sleepy-head, I need to go now, too. What do you say, same time tomorrow? I wish you sweet dreams, sleep tight>

She smiled, turned the pc off and went back to sleep. For the next two weeks they met every evenign. Feeling very close to each other while chatting and very alone when they had to leave. Two more months and the Patrick Henry would be back to Norfolk, for two weeks. Oh, how he looked forward to it. Harm had to fly a mission and wasn’t alble to be back ‘till four days had passed. He was tired but ne needed to talk to Mac, desperately. He set her an I.M. and waited almost for half an hour but she did not answer. Disappointed he went to bed, crying for the first time since christmas 1969. Mac was on an investigation and came home two day after Harm had waited for her. She felt so lonley. Patiently she waited for his response.

<Hi marine where have you been?>

<I could ask you the same sailor>

<truce. So what are you doing now?”

<getting ready for bed>

*Why the hell did I write that?!*

<red light major>

<Cute harm, only in your dreams>

<I have some good news>

<yeah? Spill it!>

<we’ll be in Norfolk in about tow months and I have two weeks off..I wondered if you’d let me stay with you>

<sure, Harm, that sounds great, but what about your family?>

<I can visit them another time, I really miss spending time with you>

<that would be so awesome, Harm>

The next month went uneventful for both of them. Both counting the days until they could meet again. It was in the middle of the night when Mac awoke scared. She just knew that something had happended to Harm. When she didn’t heard from him for five days straight, she was worried to say the least. Harm onboard the ship was having trouble .He’d taken a severe missle hit during the last mission while saving his wingman. He had a few broken ribs, a concussion, a broken wrist and leg. It had taken him a while to regain his conciousness after he managed to land the plane wih the help of his RIO Skates.

“Commander Rabb, have you family in Washington?”

“No, why?”

You need to rest and heal your broken bones. I’d rather let you stay with someone to look after you. Just in case.”

“You’re flying me out?”

“Commander, You can’t heal on a carrier, we’re not a hospital. You need to recover.”

“Yeah, sure”

“Hopefully you could be back with us when we leave Norfolk…”

“I see”

“But since there is no family, I guess we’ll transfer you to the Bethseda Naval Hospital”

“No”

“Excuse me?”

“I have no family in the area but a real good friend. I’ll need to call her to see if it would be ok”

“No way. Give me her name and telphonenumber, you’re not going anywhere”

“Aye, aye, doc”

A few minutes later the phone in Mac’s office rang. Somehow she knew that it would be about him.

“Major Mackenzie”

“Hello major, this is Commander Miller, Im a doctor aboard the USS Patrick Henry.”

*OH my god*

“Is this about Commander Rabb?”

“Yes, ma’am”

She needed to take a deep breath.

“Please, go on”

“The Commander was hit during a mission. It’s nothing severe though he has several broken bones. I would like him to rest a bit and this in not possible on board a carrier. Id like to send him home for the time of his recovery, but he can’t stay without someone to look after him…”

“When shall I pick him up?”

“He wil be trasferred to Bethseda in tow days. You should be able to take him home”

“When exactly?”

“0900”

“Tell him I’m going to kick his six for that one”

“Well…ok”

Two days later.

“That’s quiet a stunt you pulled off Harm”

“MAC!”

“Hi sailor”

“thanks…”

“No problem”

Mac was allowed to work part time for the time of Harm’s recovery. The next weeks were incredible for both of them. They both feared the day of his full recovery. But neither one dared to speak about their feelings. They enjoyed every minute of their time together. But they knew it would end sooner than later. They fell asleep together in the evening and woke up together in the morning. When Harm felt a bit better he heven accompained her to JAG. It felt good to see his friends again but he did realise one thing. This was bothering him. He just didn’t know how to react to that realisation. The change of is attitude didn’t go unnoticed by Mac.

“Come on sailor”

“What?”

“Let’s go home”

“Why?”

“I’m done with work”

“Oh, well…sure”

Harm kept quiet and it began to get on Mac’s nerves.

“Squid, spill it NOW. What’ s wrong?”

“Maaaaac”

“Don’t *Mac*-me, Harm”

“Mac..”

“I’m not letting you off the hook flyboy, ANSWER!”

“Sarah…”

*oh-oh*

“You can tell me everything Harm, I’m not going to bite”

“Promise?”

“Promise”

“Today I just..I realised something. Sarah, although it’s hard to be the new one on the Henry, I don’t belong at JAG anymore”

“I know”

“You..you know?”

“Yeah, Harm, I knew it from the way you talked about your first flight. Harm, it is important to be where we belong.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“No, I’m a little upset, I will be missing to be on investigations with you, but I’m happy for you. I’m glad you can life your dream again, just as I life mine as a marine-lawyer.”

“Oh…Sarah…thank you”

“You’re welcome, squid. But you do get sentimental on your old days, Pappy”

“oh watch it marine”

“Are you challenging me?”

“Perhaps”

And they both laughed. They hadn an incredible good time after that. But then the doctor cleared him for full duty on the next appointment and he would be leaving with the Patrick Henry the next evening.

“Mac, I’ll be home for chirstmas and I’ll stay probably ‘till mid february..”

“You’re welcome here anytime, Harm”

“I’ll write you as soon as I’m on board”

“Take care Harm”

“You too”

They were both unsuccessful in hiding their tears this time.

<Hi marine>

<Hi sailor>

<are we ok?>

<yes we are>

<good…everything is fine here…it’s good to be back but I do miss you already>

<Yeah, I miss you too>

<so>

<so>

<usual time tomorrow?>

<yeah, I’ll be there>

<me too, night>

<night>

The next evening:

<hi sailor, what took you so long?>

<Mac, perhaps tonight isn’t such a good idea>

<why, what happened?>

<I’m in a bad mood today>

<As if I didn’t noticed that by now. What’s wrong?>

<I got into a fight with the guys>

<A FIGHT?!>

<yeah, only verbal, nothing to worry there marine, but I’m pissed>

<you *lost* a verbal fight? Well, I guess you’re better off in the air then…>

<very funny marine>

<I thought so>

<haha>

<see>

<hmpf>

<you wanna talk about it?>

<no…yes…I don’t know>

<come on Harm, was it that bad?>

<you tell me>

<you need to tell me first so I can give you my opinion>

<tuna and the guys wanted to play poker tonight and asked me to join them, I said I was tired…>

<it was nice of them to include you>

<yould you please let me finish>

<sorry>

<as I was going to write, I was tired and It would have meant to miss you so I excused myself. Tuna then made the comment that started it all. He said I had a date with my girlfriend I got furious but the guys thought that’d prove their point. Then they wanted to know who *she* is and Tuna explained about the picture…>

<Which picture Harm?>

<The one from the Nato-Ball>

<Now I understand, and that’s all?>

<WHAT?>

<harm, you’re guys, they make such comments, I don’t think he meant it seriously>

<but….>

<but what?>

<I.. you..us…I mean…>

<Harm, this is the real reason, am I right?>

<what do you mean?>

<you got furious because somewhere deep down you wished he would be right>

*Why the hell did I write that?*

*Oh my god, I can’t believe she just wrote that*

<sorry?>

<Harm, did you never thought about it? I mean…>

<Sarah, what is going on?>

<I don’t know. >

<Sarah, if we cross that line, there’s no turning back>

<Harm, it don’t want to turn back…I’m so confused…but it feels so right, I mean…we could try and seee where it leads us?>

<You mean don’t think just feel?>

<Yeah something like that. I mean maybe we tend to think too much>

<Well…ok…we could try it…I guess>

<hmm>

<and how exactly does this work? I mean..>

<uhm.. well.. I have…no idea>

<We make quiet a pair>

<yeah, we do, Sarah>

<I like it when you call me that, I know it sound ridiculous but I can actually *hear* you saying it>

<you’re not being rediculous. It’s the same for me>

<so we call it a night then?>

<yeah>

<sweet dreams sailor>

<sweet dreams marine>

Neither one fo them could sleep that night. Harm and Mac both were nervous as hell when they started their conversation that night. It somehow was akward for both of them.

<so…did you come to peace with the other guys?>

<Well, I wouldn’t call it peace, but we’re not shooting at each other anymore>

<It’s good to hear that>

<yeah, it feels good too>

<The admiral misses you>

<I never thaught that day would come>

<I know what you mean…Harm?>

<yeah?>

<I miss you>

<I miss you too>

<What is happening between us, Harm?>

<I don’t know, Sarah, but I’d like to explore it>

<you do?>

<definetly>

Mac started crying. Why had he to be all around the world now that they were able to really talk to each other. But perhaps his was why. Perhaps they needed the space.

<Mac, you still there?>

<Sorry, Harm, I got carried away>

<you ok?>

<yeah, I was just thinking>

<about what?>

<us>

<us?>

<yeah>

<do you wanna talk about it?>

<There’s nothing to talk about, I just realised that we needed this dictance with me here and you on the carrier to be able to really talk to each other>

<yeah, I felt that too>

<we better go now, I have a long day in court and you need to be fit too, be careful up there>

<I will, sleep tight>

<yeah you too>

The net day Harm and the other pilots were sent off on missions. It took Harm three days to accomplish it and Harm was more than relieved to be back in one piece.

<hi marine>

<hi sailor, hard mission?>

<yeah, I’m glad we made it back allright>

<me too>

<Sarah, I uhm …thought a bit about you?>

<me? When?>

<while I was flying>

<you think about me while flying?!>

<yeah tenthousand feet high I can think the best>

<But you need to concentrate!>

<well, I do….on you>

<HARM!>

<don’t worry, I have everything under control>

<haha>

<maaaaac, will you listen to me please????>

<ok>

<Sarah, I know you think I say this because I’m not near you now, but I realised something. I feared to loose your friendship if I let go of my feelings but… I think we won’t loose our friendship, it’ll still be there but we would win us as lovers…I mean…>

<are you serious?>

<Yeah, Sarah, I’d like to try it if you…>

<but you know my history…>

<and you know mine>

The next few weekswere something special for them. They began t really feel like being madly in love. Their conversations became more and more intimate.

<hi sarah>

<hi yoursefl flyboy>

<Sarah, I need to tell you something>

Mac started to get worried, what if he changed his mind?

<I am all ears>

<Sarah Catherine Mackenzie I love you>

<oh Harm, I …I love you too>

Mac started to cry, happy tears for once.

Christmas couldn’t come fast enough…

THE END (or is it?)