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“For what? I’m not taking her underwear shopping, all though the idea has merit.”
“No, nothing like that, and if you do, I’ll kick your six from here to the Mariana Trench.”
“I’m not taking her perfume shopping. What are you getting her?”
“I know. Call and take her to lunch. A trip to Maui, if I can get a yacht. Play spy for me would you and find out what she’s getting me.”
“If you want a spy, call Webb. Don’t worry. How long do you need?”
“Just an hour or two, would be perfect. Thanks pal.”
“I’ll still see what I can do.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
1:00 pm.
“Hello, Mac?”
“Commander Turner, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Are you free for lunch?”
“Sure. Give me a minute to change.”
“I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Right on time, Mac gets to the curb in a sweater and heavy coat as Sturgis pulls up. Mac climbs in and puts on her belt.
“It’s been a while since we’ve worked together, I thought it might be nice to have lunch for a change.”
“Where did you want to go? I’m starved.”
“Worked up an appetite, eh Mac?”
“Well yes. Planning the best gift ever for your best friend can take a lot out of you.”
“Speaking of gifts for best friends, what are you planning to give him?”
“Ah, ah, Sturgis. I know you’re working for the opposite team.”
“You got me. Never fool a Marine, right?”
“Yes, especially this one.”
“Can you give me a hint?”
“Can do better, how would you like to go to Disneyland as a Christmas present?”
“Sure, but what’s the catch?”
“What I am about to tell you can’t leave this car.”
“Or?”
“You’ll have a highly-sexually-frustrated-and-angry-Marine-Ninja-Girl after you.”
Sturgis laughs hard, Mac blushes a little. Sturgis pulls in to Beltway Burgers.
“I thought you didn’t eat this stuff either?”
“Why are you complaining? It’s my treat, and I’m in the mood for a good burger.”
“I am planning to propose to Harm at Disneyland and I want all of JAG and family to be there, I want you to bring Bobbi if she can make it.”
“Not that, I’m against it, but shouldn’t Harm be doing the one knee thing?”
“I’m tired of waiting and I want to give myself to him forever for Christmas.”
“Wow Mac,” Sturgis was taken a little by surprise, the wind knocked out of him.
“What if he doesn’t accept?”
“If he doesn’t then he’s the biggest idiot in this entire planet and I will leave JAG for good. Transfer to Antarctica if I have to.”
“I agree; it would be the biggest mistake of his life. Now let’s go eat.”
“I have your word on this?”
“Yes, Mac and anything that I can do...”
“I know, thanks.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
1:10 pm.
Harm watches as Mac gets into Sturgis’ car. With Mac safely out of the way he went up to her apartment and let himself in. Jingo was over at Carol’s. Harm went into Mac’s bedroom and began to spell love as large as he could with red roses. But he decides to put a little humor into it by spelling, “L U V,” on her bed. Then he begins to hide clues to his gift in semi-plain sight. Frank had called him back on the way to Mac’s and the yacht would be ready for him when Mac and he arrived.
It takes Harm exactly an hour and a half to complete his mission. He called Sturgis on his cell.
“Hello?”
“Don’t say anything, it’s me. Mission accomplished. She’s free to go home now.”
“No, there is no Jose here. I think you have the wrong number,” Sturgis says and hangs up.
“Who was that,” Mac asks as they turn the corner into the Washington Monument.
“Wrong number.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
4:00 pm.
Commander Turner finally gets Mac home after a fun afternoon and he went home to call Bobbi. Mac slips off her coat, heads for her room to slip into her flannel pajamas. She smells roses before she even opens the door. Mac enters the room and sees, “L U V,” in roses across her bed. Luv? This person needs a spellchecker, Mac thought to herself. She knew it had to be Harm… He and Sturgis had to be working together.
Harm’s Loft Apartment
North of Union Station, Wash. D.C.
4:30 pm.
Sturgis went to Harm’s place after meeting with Mac. Harm opens the door and is ready to drill him for information. Sturgis walks in a little dazed. Harm gets them both a beer.
“Well?”
“Well what? I ain’t gonna spoil this one buddy. You are on your own. I don’t want Mac after me.”
“Awww, come on. I am dying here.”
“I told you to get Webb if you wanted a spy. I just asked because I wanted to know what the office will be like when we get back from vacation.”
“What makes you think things are going to be bad?”
“I’m going to give you the best piece of advice I have ever given you and ever will. So Harm, buddy... Don’t fuck up this time, because I swear, it’s the last one you’ll ever get with her. Please excuse the language.”
“What do you mean last one? What’s going on? Is Mac going somewhere?”
“I can’t say. I’ve already said too much. Just do what I said, if you don’t it will be THE biggest mistake of your life and you won’t be able to fix it.”
“Okay, could you be a little more vague?”
“I should get going. I promised Bobbi I’d call her tonight.”
“Right. Thanks for your help anyway.”
Harm notices that Sturgis didn’t even touch his beer. Mac’s gift was going to be big, but then so was his. He couldn’t stand it if he lost Mac forever. He knew Mac would move on, look at her and Bugme, and she almost married him. Whatever Mac had planned, he wasn’t going to keep his feelings from her any longer.
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
1:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Harriett arrives promptly at Mac’s door.
“Hey Harriett, come on in. Now, I need you to help me get this into your van.”
“Okay, you know, Bud seemed to be acting strange this morning.”
“Really?”
“I think Harm’s taking him flying for Christmas. He was up so early.”
“Maybe. Or Harm’s trying to torture him for information on my gift.”
“I think it’s so nice of you. Little A.J.’s going to have a ball. I hope Harm does it right this time Mac, for all our sakes.”
“Me too, Harriett, me too.”
Mac and Harriett loaded up the folding boxes and head for Harriett’s place.
Roberts’ Residence
Somewhere in Va. or Wash D.C.
1:30 pm.
Mac helps keep Little A.J. occupied in the kitchen while Harriett starts cooking.
“Harm’s mother, Trish is going to put up Chloe and her Granny for a couple days,” says Mac as she hands Harriett the eggs from the refrigerator.
“How nice of her.”
“It’s only until Harm and I get there, but as I figure it, they should get to know each other if we’re going to be family.”
“It makes sense, but what if Harm doesn’t take the hint?”
“Like I told Sturgis, if he doesn’t get it this time I’m gone.”
“If you do go, I’m going to miss you a lot. We all will. You know how to Instant Message?”
“Oh yeah, I’ll keep in touch.”
“Auntie Maac, don’t go!”
“I’m not going anywhere yet squirt, at least I hope not.”
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown, Wash. D.C.
1:45 pm.
Harm and Bud work on finishing Harm’s plan. Harm takes over the bedroom and begins spelling out, Y O U on the bed. Bud stays watch at her door. Harm puts Martinelli’s sparkling cider in the refrigerator.
“Harm, are you sure this is going to work? What if she doesn’t come home tonight?”
“It will work. It has to. What time does your party start?”
“Five o’clock, I think.”
“Good. My car is loaded up so I’ll take you home and get ready at my place.”
Roberts’ Residence
Somewhere in Va. or Wash D.C.
5 pm.
Mac and Harriett finish setting up the tables as the doorbell rings. The Admiral and Meredith arrive first. Then Sturgis and Bobbi, Lt. Singer decided not to come to the party this time. She was afraid of loosing more jewelry and embarrassed by how big her pregnancy had gotten. Lt. Commander Manetti came with Tiner. Harm shows up, the last sheep in Chegwidden’s Flock. Mac carefully keeps away from all doorways, when she spots Harm coming in the door. Buffet dinner was the way to go this year. Mac and Harriett had set up the most beautiful table. Dinner conversation was light, mostly sticking to business at the office and the changes the SecNav might be making after the first of the year.
After dinner, they all gather around the Roberts’ tree to pass around gifts. The Admiral passes out his first. Gift certificates to a fine dining restaurant in D.C. Mac gave out her gifts and the trips to Disneyland, with a little speech.
“Over the years you all have put up with Commander Rabb and I, and this is how I wanted to repay you all. Now, I must say good night because I have a plane to catch. I promised Chloe I would go see her for Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.”
“I’ll be right back everyone,” Harriett says.
Mac and Harriett leave the house and get into the van. Harm watches from the porch wondering if this was the gift that Sturgis had talked about, but a trip to Disneyland? Wait. He didn’t get a gift from Mac. Everyone else got a trip, but him. Something was off.
Harm’s Loft Apartment
North of Union Station, Wash. D.C.
9pm.
They get to Harm’s place and Mac lets herself in. Harriett begins to set up the folding boxes. Setting each one in side the other. Mac goes into Harm’s bathroom and changes into a fire red nightgown. She fixes her hair and make up.
“Whoa Mac! That is hot. Harm’s going to love the split up the side.”
“Did you remember the small oxygen tank?”
“Yeah. Where did you get that? I might go shopping there for Bud,” Harriett helps Mac into a rather small box, partially filled with green velvet pillows.
“All set?”
“Yes. Now close up all the boxes and lock up Harm’s place,” Mac starts using the oxygen tank. There is enough air for her until Harm gets there. Harriett does as she’s told and heads home.
Roberts’ Residence
Somewhere in Va. or Wash D.C.
10:00 pm.
“How come you’re back so early,” asks Harm.
“She forgot something at home and decided to take a cab. Oh, and I think I saw Santa over your place on my way back.”
Harm’s eyes seemed to light up and he suddenly has a wide smile on his face.
“It’s getting late. I’m going to go home and catch the 11:00 airing of It’s A Wonderful Life.”
“Good night Harm and merry Christmas.”
“You too, Harriet,” Harm says good night to everyone and heads home waiting for Mac to call to thank him for the gift at her place.
Harm’s Loft Apartment
North of Union Station, Wash. D.C.
10:30pm.
Harm opens his front door and notices this huge wrapped box in his living room. His eyes go as big as saucers. Mac goes on all silent running. Then he flips on the nearest light, and a huge red bow atop the box appears. Inside Mac, carefully poses waiting to spring. How had this gotten in his apartment? Mac would be at the airport by now. He could call her cell, but he thought she probably had turned it off. Harm notices this big tag hanging from the box and turns it over to read.
“Merry Christmas, Santa Baby,” Harm reads a loud.
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