FORWARD MOTION - 2005 JAG Virtual Season, Episode 5
Author: Susan (sstroud@...)
This and all of my other stories can be found at http://members.tripod.com/susanin_1/index.htm
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. They are property of Bellisarius Productions, CBS, and Paramount. Except for a couple of them that Dae so kindly allowed me to borrow from her story. Spoilers: All ten seasons of JAG and the previous four episodes of the VS.
Especially Dae's story, so you might want to read that one first if you haven't already. (And if you haven't, what are you waiting on?)
Rating: It's clean.
Summary: Harm and Mac face yet another turning point in their lives.
Author's Notes: First off, a big thank you to all of the fellow VS writers. I've been doing this since Jen came up with the idea however many years ago, and I have to admit that it's one of the highlights of my summer. I'm going to miss doing this next year. To all of the readers, thank you for tuning in and offering feedback to keep up tackling this every year. Next, a big thanks to Daenar for allowing me to bounce ideas off of her during the creation of this piece, and for allowing me to use her characters in this story. Thanks to Cath and Steph for their wonderful graphics. To Lisa for offering the beta-read, and to Selena for the commafication. All mistakes that remain, I will take full responsibility for.

*****

1545 Local Time
Friday, July 2, 2010
U.S. Embassy
London, England

Mac picked up yet another file and began looking it over. She was trying to keep busy to make time pass quickly so she could secure for the day and then officially be on vacation. When Mattie had finished school in Scotland the previous week, she had come to London to spend a few days with the family. They had decided they would all spend the long weekend together and then Mattie, Mac and Ben would leave on Tuesday to fly to California. Mac and Ben were only going to stay for the remainder of the week, but Mattie was going to enjoy the rest of the summer with her grandparents before heading back to Virginia for school.

A part of her was thrilled with having a week away from work, but she hated the fact that Harm wouldn't be able to join them for the trip to the States. As much as he had wanted to, his duty roster was too full to be able to be gone for an entire week. She knew that Trish and Frank were disappointed they weren't going to get to see Harm, but it was tempered with excitement at Ben's first visit to his grandparent's house.

Mac looked up at the knock on her door. "Enter."

"Excuse me, Ma'am," her secretary said as she stepped inside. "General Thomas is here to see you."

"Send him in, Michelle," Mac replied. She closed the file she had been reading and stood up as her door once again opened and the general walked in.

"As you were, Colonel," he said in greeting before she could come to full attention.

Mac smile at the older gentleman as he closed the door behind himself. General Thomas had been stationed at the embassy since before her arrival, and she'd come to respect him not only as a leader, but as a kind-hearted man as well. "How can I help you today, Sir?" Mac asked as she motioned for him to have a seat. She waited until he was seated before she sat back down herself.

"I've been talking to a couple of friends in Washington," he commented once they were both settled. "They're very interested in what you've been doing here."

"I'm not sure I'm following you, Sir. All I've been doing here is acting as a consultant on the occasional case involving military law."

General Thomas chuckled slightly at that. "Colonel, saying that that's all you've been doing is akin to saying that your husband is just an okay commanding officer. You and I both know that you've been doing more than consulting. You've been mentoring the younger JAG lawyers stationed here, even going so far as to sit second chair to them to advise them on their trial skills."

Mac allowed a smile to cross her face. "I have to confess to purely selfish motives there, Sir. I love being in the courtroom."

The general conceded the point with a smile and a nod. "I'm also aware of how much you enjoy the mentoring part, even if you don't want to admit it."

"It has proven to be one of my bigger challenges," Mac acknowledged.

"I also know how much your family means to you," he continued.

Mac couldn't help the smile that crossed her face this time. General Thomas had been at Ben's third birthday party last month and it had embarrassed Mac when her son, hands and face covered in frosting, had launched himself into the General's arms upon his arrival. Her embarrassment hadn't lasted long though as the general had merely smiled and hugged him before placing him back on the floor so he could open his present from 'Grandpa Henry.' Mac and Harm had both started to apologize for Ben, but the general had merely waved them off as he explained that all grandparents wanted to be greeted in such an enthusiastic manner.

"My family means the world to me, Sir," Mac said as she forced her thoughts back to the present. "Even more than the Corps, and there was a time when I wasn't sure that anyone or anything could ever do that."

"Would it surprise you if I told you that my friends in Washington want you to teach a class at Annapolis?"

"Teach, Sir?" she asked. "I have no experience in teaching."

"Maybe not the formal training," he agreed. "However, you've had over ten years as a JAG lawyer. Your experiences could be very beneficial for up and coming lawyers."

Mac shook her head slowly. "I think I'd be like a fish out of water at the Academy, Sir."

"I disagree, Colonel. And so does Washington."

Mac thought about it for a moment, surprised to find herself intrigued by the idea. Before it began to take root though, her thoughts immediately went to Ben and Harm. "It would never work, Sir. I won't raise my son with his parents on different continents, and there is no way on earth I would ask Harm to give up his command position here in London and request a transfer back to Washington. It would be a career ender for him and you said yourself that he's not just an 'okay' commander."

General Thomas smiled at her. "I would never ask you to do that, Mac. I've learned enough about you in the last five years to know that your family will always come first."

The use of her name immediately brought Mac's gaze up to his. "Then what are you asking, Sir?"

"Think about it and talk it over with Harm. Once you've done that, let me know if it's something that interests you," he replied as he got to his feet, prompting Mac to do the same. "It's a full bird position, Mac. Don't just dismiss it out of hand."

He started towards the door and Mac followed him. "I'll think about it, Sir," she agreed. "But I don't see how it could possibly work."

"It could work, Colonel," he assured her as they reached the door to her office. "Especially since the Captain's name is at the top of a very short list to be the new Judge Advocate General by this time next month."

Mac's surprise was evident on her face and General Thomas merely smiled as he opened the door. "Have a nice weekend, Colonel. And enjoy your vacation."

He was completely out the door before Mac regained her composure enough to reply, "Thank you, Sir. You do the same." She then closed her door and made her way back to her desk, dropping into her seat with a sigh.

Harm was on the short list to be the JAG. If he got the promotion, they would be moving back to the States soon. Part of her was thrilled, but part of her was suddenly terrified. What if he didn't get the promotion? That could be as much of a career killer as his giving up his command position. Then again, if he did get it, were they ready for the upheaval of leaving everything behind? Their entire married life had been spent in London, away from most of the people who had known them before they'd finally become a couple. Would it be difficult for them to make that adjustment? And how would Ben react to being moved so far away from everyone and everything he knew?

On top of all of that, there was General Thomas's offer to consider. She had never imagined herself as a teacher before, but now that he'd mentioned it, she couldn't deny that the idea had appeal. She let out another sigh as she set about clearing off her desk. There was nothing pressing that needed finishing this afternoon so she might as well call it a day. Maybe if she left now, she would figure out a way to bring the topic up with Harm before he actually got home tonight.

1600 Local Time
Force Judge Advocate's Office
London

Harm signed off on the last file and placed it in his out box. He was finally finished and ready to head home for a much-needed long weekend with his family before they all headed to the States. As he powered down his computer, his intercom buzzed.

"I'm gone, Jen."

"Sorry, Sir," she replied. "You have a call from Washington."

"Tell them I'm in a meeting and I'll call them back on Tuesday," he told her as he picked his briefcase up and made sure he had everything he needed to take with him.

"I tried that already, Sir, but Secretary Horn was insistent that I find you."

Harm's brow furrowed as he stared at the phone. Hearing from the SecNav this late on a Friday could not possibly be good for his weekend plans. With a resigned sigh, he settled back in his chair. "Send him through Coates, and then you can call it a night."

"Aye, Sir."

Harm waited for the beep signifying the call had been transferred and then picked up the handset. "Secretary Horn, how can I help you this evening?"

"Sorry to call so late, Captain. I realize that you are probably getting ready to secure for the weekend."

"Not a problem, Sir," Harm replied.

"I'm not sure if you're aware that General Cresswell has handed in his resignation."

"I had heard rumors of it, Sir," Harm admitted.

"Allow me to confirm them from rumors to fact, Captain. His resignation is effective August 13th."

"I appreciate the information, Sir," Harm replied, wondering why the SecNav thought it necessary to make an international phone call to confirm something he was quite sure Bud would inform him of in his next e-mail.

There was a brief pause before the SecNav spoke again. "I also wanted to inform you that your name was on the short list to be his replacement."

Harm suddenly found himself unable to breathe. Not quite believing what he'd heard, Harm merely replied, "Sir?"

"You heard correctly, Captain. Your name is one of five on the list to be the next JAG."

"I'm honored, Sir," Harm replied. He had always hoped this would happen one day, but he never expected it would come this soon.

"The official selection process won't begin until after the holiday next week, but we plan to have a successor in place before General Cresswell actually steps down."

"I understand, Sir," Harm replied, his thoughts immediately going back to the time following Admiral Chegwidden's retirement when Sturgis had been the acting JAG.

"You've been doing a great job over there, Captain. It hasn't gone unnoticed."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I'll let you get back to your meeting now, Captain. You'll be hearing from the selection committee soon."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir." Harm returned the phone to its cradle and leaned back in his chair. A thousand thoughts were running through his head at once, but he could only seem to settle on one. How was he going to tell Mac that he was on the short list and, if he got the nomination, they would have to uproot not only themselves, but Ben as well?

1630 Local Time
Rabb House
Kensington
London, England

Mac unlocked the door to their flat still feeling somewhat dazed. She had spent the entire ride home trying to come up with a good way to bring up the JAG position to Harm, but she was still no closer to a solution. As she closed the door behind her, a loud "Mommy" rang through the room and brought her back to the present.

The loud squeal was followed in short order by a peal of laughter as her three-year old son came barreling at her full force. Dropping her briefcase to the floor, Mac knelt down to meet him and scooped him into her arms before standing back up. "Hello, baby," she greeted him as she hugged him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Not a baby," he insisted as he placed his hands on her cheeks and looked into her eyes. "Mommy's big boy."

"You're right," she agreed as she looked into eyes that were identical in color to Harm's. "How is my big boy doing?"

"Mattie promised ice cream," he replied with a big smile.

Mac looked past the child in her arms to where Mattie was leaning against the back of the couch, watching them with a smile on her face. At Mac's unasked question, Mattie explained, "We went to the park this morning and he saw a couple of people walking around with ice cream cones so he wanted one, too. Since we hadn't had lunch yet, I told him we could have ice cream after his nap this afternoon."

Mac focused her attention back on the now squirming child in her arms. "Were you a good boy for you sister this afternoon?"

Ben gave an enthusiastic nod and Mattie answered for him. "As always, Mac. It comes from having both a Marine and a Naval officer for parents."

Mac kissed Ben again before putting him back down to play. Looking up at Mattie, she asked, "If that's the case, why didn't it work for you?"

Mattie shrugged and laughed. "I'm going to blame it on you guys getting in the game a little late in my case."

Mac retrieved her briefcase and carried it to the den before re-joining Mattie. "Mats, do you have plans for the evening?"

"I talked to Jen earlier about seeing a movie with her and then crashing at her place."

"Is Tom out of town?" Mac asked.

"I'm not sure," Mattie replied. "All I know is that when I asked Jen if they had plans tonight, she seemed very eager to make some with me. I don't get it. It's obvious that they're crazy in love with each other, but yet he still hasn't proposed. And to listen to Jen talk, you'd almost think she was scared that he might. I don't suppose you could talk some sense into her?"

Mac laughed as she scooped Ben into her arms again and they headed into her bedroom. "I don't think I'm the right person to be giving relationship advice, Mattie. It took Harm and me nine years to figure out what we wanted. Besides, I can understand Jen's hesitancy. It's hard to be involved with someone when you're in the military. Especially when you're stationed overseas. You never know when your orders are going to change and ship you someplace new. Living with that type of uncertainty can be a big strain on a relationship."

"But if you're with the right person, location doesn't matter," Mattie countered as she took Ben from Mac and placed him in the center of the bed, making sure that he had at least two toy planes to keep him occupied while Mac changed clothes, and then sitting down beside him.

Mac pulled a pair of shorts and a t-shirt out of her dresser and carried them behind the changing screen as she replied, "So how is Rob anyway?"

There was a long pause before Mattie replied, "I thought we were talking about Jen and Tom."

Mac smiled as she stripped out of her uniform and pulled on her shorts and t-shirt. When she stepped from behind the screen, she looked over at Mattie. "I thought we were talking relationships in general. So how is he?"

"He's just a friend, Mac."

"So you've said," Mac replied as she hung her uniform in the closet. "All I'm asking is how he is."

Mattie stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I got an e-mail from him yesterday," she finally stated. "He asked how my summer was going and when I'd be heading back to Virginia for school."

Mac made her way over to the bed and stretched out on it as well, her weight propped up on one elbow while she ruffled Ben's dark hair with her free hand. "Sounds like a nice, friendly e-mail," she said. "So what aren't you telling me?"

Mattie rolled to her side to face Mac and then replied, "He told me that he missed having me around."

"And this is a bad thing?" Mac asked.

"Yes," Mattie replied with a sigh. "Because it made me realize just how much I miss him, too."

"It's normal to miss your friends, Mattie. I still miss Harriet and we've been here for almost five years now."

"But I don't miss him like I miss Hal," Mattie confessed.

"How do you miss him then?" Mac asked.

Mattie shrugged as she picked up one of Ben's planes and handed it back to him. "Honestly?"

"Always."

"I miss him like Harm missed you when I first met him," she replied. Mac raised her eyebrow in question and Mattie elaborated, "I don't want to miss him, and I don't want to admit that I miss him, but the truth is that I miss him so much, it's almost a physical pain."

As Mac thought back to the time when Mattie had first entered Harm's life, she realized that what Mattie had just described was exactly how she'd felt about Harm, too. Realizing the depth of the emotion behind the words, Mac merely offered a soft, "Wow."

"And then I start wondering if he misses me that way, too. And then things just get complicated when I start thinking like that. He's a great friend, Mac. And I don't want to jeopardize that by pushing for something more."

"Now *this* I can give advice on," Mac replied with a smile. "Be his friend, Mattie. Don't try to push him into something he's not ready for or you'll just end up making both of you miserable. Rob's a smart guy and in spite of how insecure he appears to be around the female population, he's not that way with you. I have a feeling that when he's ready, he'll let you know exactly how he feels about you and what he wants from your relationship. Until then, treasure his friendship. It could be the foundation for something wonderful down the road, or it could just be one of those incredibly special relationships that you always carry deep in your heart."

"He reminds me a lot of Harm," Mattie said.

"Then you definitely don't want to try to force his hand, Mattie," Mac replied. "My experiences with Harm taught me that he wouldn't override my choices in relationships because he respected me too much. I imagine Rob would be the same with you. If you called him and told him you were getting married, expecting him to tell you not to, he would merely wish you all the happiness in the world. Even at the expense of his own."

"He's a pretty great guy, my dad. Isn't he?" Mattie teased, effectively changing the subject.

"Yes, he is," Mac agreed. "And your brother is already showing signs of inheriting his charm."

"Ben's the perfect mix of you guys. He's got your coloring, Harm's eyes and smile, your patience and Harm's charm."

"Not to mention Harm's love of all things that fly," Mac added with a smile as Ben crawled on top of her and buzzed her with one of his planes. She pulled him securely onto her lap as she sat up and then blew raspberries on his belly as he squealed in delight. "Come on, Ben. Let's go call your daddy and see when he'll be home. Then we can throw some steaks on the grill for dinner."

"Call daddy, yeah!" Ben replied.

"How about if Ben and I call Harm and you can go ahead and start dinner," Mattie suggested.

"Sure," Mac agreed as she got off the bed and put Ben down on the floor. "And see if Jen wants to join us before you guys go to the movie."

"If it's okay with you, I'll see if she minds us taking Ben with us to the movie, and then out for ice cream," Mattie offered.

"You don't have to do that," Mac replied as they made their way out of the bedroom.

"I know," Mattie replied. "But he is my brother, and I do owe him ice cream. And I missed out on his birthday party last month since I was still at school, so it'll be fun for us. Besides, I'm sure you and Harm won't mind a little alone time." When Mac nodded her agreement, Mattie added, "By the way, the mail is on the table. There is an envelope from General Cresswell addressed to you and Harm. I'm hoping it's an invitation to Cammie and Mike's wedding. Let me know if it is, okay?"

"I'll do that," Mac agreed before Mattie took Ben's hand and led him into the den to call Harm.

Mac headed to the kitchen and sat out both steaks and fish to put on the grill before she picked up the stack of mail on the table. She quickly flipped through it, finding the letter Mattie had mentioned. Using a knife to slit the envelope, she pulled out the enclosed invitation. She read the invitation three times before it finally registered what she'd read, and with a smile on her face, she returned it to its envelope and tucked it in her pocket for later.

"We talked to Jen," Mattie said as she and Ben entered the kitchen. "She'll be over for dinner and then the three of us are going for a movie and ice cream."

"What about Harm?" Mac asked as she moved the rest of the mail to the counter and set about peeling potatoes.

"Jen said he'd already secured for the day and should be home any minute."

"Great," Mac replied. "So do you want to man the grill or the potatoes and vegetables?"

"I'll take the grill," Mattie offered. "Unlike you, I like my steaks to be completely cooked before I eat them."

Mac laughed at the familiar argument. "Don't forget the fish for Harm."

Mac sat Ben in his booster chair at the table with his sippy cup and a carrot stick while she finished the potatoes and tossed a salad. She had just placed the garlic bread in the oven when she heard Harm's keys in the lock.

"Daddy's home," Ben stated as he looked up at Mac. "Down please."

Mac smiled as she walked over and got him out of his seat. She had no sooner set him on the floor than he was running full speed towards the front door. Mac heard Harm return his enthusiastic greeting and chuckled as she went about setting the table. It sometimes amazed her how such a simple thing as watching Harm with Ben could make her fall even more in love with him. He was as wonderful of a father as she had always imagined he would be and it thrilled her to no end to see the love he lavished on both Ben and Mattie.

"Something smells fantastic," Harm said as he walked in with Ben perched on his hip.

"Dinner is almost ready," Mac replied.

"I wasn't referring to dinner," Harm commented as he walked up behind her and wrapped his free arm around her waist. Mac relaxed into his embrace as he nuzzled her neck and whispered, "I wasn't expecting you to be home yet. I was going to surprise you with dinner tonight."

"I wasn't getting much accomplished so I secured early," she replied as she turned in his embrace and leaned up to meet his lips.

Harm slanted his lips over hers, his hand moving to the back of her head as he deepened the kiss.

They broke apart laughing when Ben placed a hand on each of their faces and said, "Me, too. Me, too."

"You, too, huh?" Harm asked as he released Mac from his embrace and lifted Ben over his head. Ben giggled excitedly as Harm spun around making airplane noises.

"You're spoiling him, you know?" Mac teased as she stood back and watched them.

"I can't help it," he replied as he once again pulled Ben down into his arms. "He looks so much like you that he's got me completely wrapped around his finger."

"Are you saying that I have you wrapped around my finger?" Mac asked.

"Baby, you can have me wrapped around anything you want," he replied huskily before leaning down and kissing her again.

Mattie chose that moment to walk back into the house carrying a tray of food. "Hi, Harm," she said.

Harm allowed the kiss to linger for a moment longer before he broke it off and turned to Mattie with a smile. "Hi, Mattie. How was your day?"

"As I'm sure Ben's already told you, we went to the park this morning."

Harm placed Ben back in his booster chair and took the tray from Mattie to put on the table as he replied, "He did, in fact, mention that to me."

"Did he tell you that he loved being in the swing?" Mattie asked. "He kept asking me to push him higher."

"He loves the swings," Harm replied. "I think it's the feel of the air in his hair."

"I think it's because he likes being able to tell you what to do," Mac countered.

"Could be that, too," Harm agreed as he helped carry the rest of dinner to the table. Noticing an extra place setting, he looked up at Mac. "Are we expecting company?"

"Jen's coming for dinner," she informed him. "And then the girls are taking Ben to a movie and out for ice cream."

Harm nodded in reply. "In that case, I'm going to go change clothes real quick." He gave Mac a wink and a suggestive smile, "That is, unless you want to help me."

Mattie reached out and put her hands over Ben's ears as she said, "Really, guys. Do you have to talk that way in front of the children?"

Harm and Mac both laughed and then Harm excused himself to change clothes. When he returned a few minutes later, Jen had arrived and they all sat down to enjoy dinner together.

Part 2