A/N: The conclusion of Seventeen.

Not a Second Time

Hi, Harm. It's Mac. I doubt you'll call me back. After all, you haven't returned sixteen earlier messages, but I really need to talk to you. It's about Commander Imes. Can you please put aside your feelings and call me? It's important.

North of Union Station
October 30, 2003
1830 Local

Harm listened to the message from two days earlier, then pressed the delete button. Mac was persistent. He'd give her that much. Did she really think he'd call her to discuss Carolyn Imes? What was the deal? Did she want to rub salt in the wound again by giving him details about the officer who had filled his position? Sturgis had already told him that Carolyn was coming back to headquarters, he didn't need Mac to give him the news.

At least she hadn't mentioned Clay in her latest message. He supposed he should be grateful for that.

He walked to the refrigerator for a bottle of beer when a knock came to his door.

Better not be Mac.

When he looked through the peephole to see Sturgis, he opened the door. "Hey, Buddy. What brings you here?"

"Glad I caught you."

"I've been gone for a couple of days. Just got home."

"Did you get Mac's message?"

"Mac has left me a lot of messages. All of which I've ignored."

"Well, this one is important. We need your help, Harm. Turns out, Carolyn Imes isn't a lawyer. She never passed the bar exam."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Wish I was. The Admiral is having us review all her cases. Twenty-seven of those you served as prosecutor. We can use your help."

Harm shook his head. "Unbelievable. But why is my help suddenly needed? It's been months since anyone called me on JAG business. Chegwidden made it clear I'm not needed."

"Don't do it for him. Do it for a friend."

"Mac doesn't need me."

"I'm not talking about Mac. Would you do it to help an old academy mate?"

Harm sighed. "Okay, I'll do what I can. I should be in town for a few days, but I could get called away on a mission with little or no notice."

"Understood."

"I would appreciate it if you brought the files to me. I had no desire to visit JAG."

"In the car. I took the liberty of bringing them."

"Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?"

"Yeah." Sturgis smiled.

JAG Headquarters
November 6, 2003
0900 Local

Harm wasn't surprised that Mac had called him as a character witness in the Imes' Court-Martial.

"What is your appraisal of Commander Imes' legal skills?" Mac asked.

"Outstanding," Harm replied without hesitation.

"And her character?"

"Impeccable."

"Would you consider her a friend?"

"I consider her a respected colleague."

"Thank you, Mr. Rabb. No further questions."

"Commander Turner?" Admiral Morris asked.

Sturgis stood, then walked to the witness stand. "Mr. Rabb, did you take an oath when you were certified to try courts-martial under Article 27 B?"

"I did."

"What was that oath?"

"To faithfully perform the duties of counsel in any court-martial to which I was detailed as counsel. So help me, God."

"So Commander Imes lied to her God, as well."

"Well, I'm not really qualified to answer that question, Counselor. Neither are you qualified to ask it."

"Did you take that oath seriously?"

"I did."

"And did Commander Imes take a similar oath?"

"I presume so."

"Do you believe that the violation of such an oath is Conduct Unbecoming?"

"Well, that's for Judge Morris to determine, isn't it?"

"Answer the question, please."

This time he hesitated. He didn't want to say it, but he had to tell the truth. "Yes."

Harm hurriedly left the courtroom. He wanted to get away from JAG as soon as possible. He'd already had one awkward encounter with the admiral, and he didn't want another one.

He was almost to the elevator when his cell phone rang. "Rabb… Yes… He is?…What?… No, I don't have a problem doing that… I understand, but I've never shied away from danger… No, I won't allow my personal feelings to interfere… I agree, he would screw this up like everything else… 1100? I'll be there." He ended the call, then pressed the down button when he heard a familiar voice.

"Mr. Rabb. Got a few minutes?"

Chegwidden.

Harm glanced at his watch. "I have an appointment in an hour."

"This won't take long. I have a matter I need to discuss with you."

"Can't think of a single thing we have to say to one another, A. J."

"Humor me. I think you'll be interested."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then, I'll just keep asking."

Harm rubbed his forehead. "Okay, might as well get this over with. That way, I won't have someone else from JAG calling me all the time."

If Chegwidden was surprised at Harm's words, he didn't show it. "Let's step into my office."

Harm followed the admiral and sat in the familiar chair.

"All right. Here it is. As you know, the, uh, Imes debacle has forced us to review over 200 cases, many of which you were involved. And you did some fine lawyering. I might consider asking SECNAV to reinstate your commission and take you back at JAG under the right circumstances."

"Well, I must say I never expected to hear those words."

"Harm, it's time to stop being, uh, Peter Pan. The little boy who likes to fly and never grew up."

"Flying is what I do for a living these days."

"With the CIA. And you're happy with that?"

"It's my job."

"Come back to JAG. We'll start fresh. Let me know in a day or two what you decide."

"I won't need that long."

"Then, you'll come back?"

"Respectfully, Sir. No."

"No? Why the hell not?"

"I can't say, but coming back to JAG at this time is impossible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment." Harm rose, then left the admiral's office.

Chegwidden's offer to reinstate his commission came as a complete surprise. And if he'd spoken with the Admiral thirty minutes earlier, he would have accepted the offer.

He didn't make it to the elevator before Mac stopped him.

"Harm, wait. We need to talk."

"You too, huh? I already told the admiral no."

"What are you talking about?"

"He offered me my old job. I turned him down."

"He did? You did? Why?"

"Personal reasons."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He processed my resignation once. Didn't want to go through that a second time."

"Harm, what is going on with you? I've left you seventeen messages in the last five months. You haven't returned any of my calls."

"That's right."

"So, uh, what, you decided to move on, leave the rest of us behind?"

"Just trying to get on with my life, you know?"

"I know you're upset."

"You don't know anything about what I'm feeling."

"Well, I would know what you were feeling if you would talk to me."

"Hey, I thought we'd done our talking. You made that pretty clear."

"But, I—"

"Sorry, Mac, but I have to go." He walked away, deciding to take the stairs rather than wait for the elevator. It hurt to leave her standing there, but it was something he had to do.

Outside, he hurried to his car. He had just unlocked the 'Vette when he heard someone call his name.

"Harm?"

He looked to see Mac standing on the steps—the same place they stood almost five years earlier as they watched the ambulance pick up Harriet and a newborn A. J. Roberts. This was not the kick-ass jarhead marine he once knew. She was not the same woman who had told him "never" in Paraguay. Her shoulders slumped, and she chewed her lower lip. Harm wasn't close enough to be sure, but she appeared to have tears in her eyes. It was all he could do not to run to her and take her in his arms.

But he couldn't. Not here. Not now. He had a mission, and he was damn sure to do it right. He nodded at her briefly, then got into his car. As he drove away, he took one last glance at Mac, fighting his emotions.

He'd read her lips.

I'm sorry, Harm.

The End

A/N: Okay, don't shoot me. I intended to end this story on a more hopeful note, but the muse had other ideas. As for you non-shippers, don't gloat. Eventually, there will be a sequel. I AM a shipper at heart and can't see Harm and Mac with other partners. But they have a lot of things to overcome before they enter into a relationship.

The titles of each chapter are songs by my all-time favorite group, The Beatles. They aren't necessarily the ones I like best (Chapter One is my all-time favorite written by my fav Beatle, George). I chose each song either for the name or because of something contained within the lyrics. Bonus points for anyone who figures out the significance of "Yes It Is." I'm not sure what you'll win since I don't own Harm and Mac, I'm just borrowing them for a while.

Once again, a big thanks to Radiorox and Minimindbender for their encouragement and for allowing me to bounce ideas off them.