Author's Note: I know that I am in the middle of another story right now, but this came to me as soon as I heard this song. I've owned the CD for awhile but I never actually listened to the entire thing until today and then I decided I had to write about it. Since my other story isn't ready for this yet, I couldn't put it in there, so I decided to write a short 1 chapter deal to get it out of my system so here it goes, I enjoy and review! Also this takes place before the Paraguay/Singer mess, and any prior episodes are fair game.

I put in a sound byte so that you can all listen to this perfect song. I hope it works, its from Windows Media player 10 so it might not if you don't have it, but I put in the lyrics anyways so no worries if you can't hear it.

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA
1345 ZULU

"Petty Officer Coates?"

"Yes, sir."

"Please send the Colonel and Commander to my office ASAP as soon as they get out of court."

"Aye, Aye Sir. Will that be all?"

"Yes, dismissed."

Later that day

"Mac, c'mon you know you better take my deal, because there is no way you're going to win on that current straedgy of yours."

"Harm, do you think I'm really that naïve that I'll fall for that. You wouldn't be trying to deal at all if you didn't have a case, which you don't and it is just a matter of time that I'll get the case dismissed."

"Dream on, Mac...." Harm was about to continue brading her when Petty Officer Coates approached them both.

"Sir, ma'am. The Admiral sent me to have you sent to his office ASAP as soon as you were out of court."

"Thanks Coates, just let us put down our briefcases and we'll be there in just a minute." Harm explained

"Yes, sir." With that PO Coates walked back to her desk to inform the Admiral on the Colonel and Commander's impending arrival.

As Harm and Mac began walking from their offices to the Admiral's office, Mac asked "What did you do now, Harm? I know it wasn't more bullets in the ceiling because I've been in court with you all week. So why does the Admiral want to see us so urgently?"

"How should I know, Mac? Why do you always blame his moods on me?"

"Because 99 of the time its your fault, that's why."

"Well what about the other 1, you only put him in a mood 1, I don't think so."

"No, Harm I never put the Admiral in a mood the other 1 is still related to you, it's the category for when the Admiral is angry at us for doing something with you that you've wrecked havoc upon." Mac said with a huge smile on her face, knowing just how to hit his buttons just right.

"Fine, Mac whatever you say. I'd like to think of it as taking the heat off the rest of you and sacrificing myself." Harm declared throwing one of his famous flyboy smiles her way.

He could see the way she blushed and went weak in the knees just for a brief moment, but quickly recovered.

"Sir, ma'am. You may go in the Admiral is expecting you." Coates informed them, hating to break up their moment. She loved to see them like that, so full of unbeknownst love.

Coming to attention when they entered the Commander bravely asked, "You wanted to see us sir?"

"Uh, yes Commander, Colonel. Please take a seat." AJ said calmly.

Mac and Harm shared a sighed glance, grateful that he wasn't in a bad mood, so it must not be bad news.

"Well I don't know if you are aware about this but there is another impending NATO ball this Friday night. The SECNAV has asked me to send to of my JAG's as representatives to the function. Now I know that you are both sitting there remembering the last NATO ball you went to, but I think that that might be a good reason to send the two of you. You're both familiar on the protocol and know what to do if something goes wrong...again. You two always seem to gravitate towards danger, don't you."

Mac was about to interject, but the Admiral put his hand up and stopped her before she could get anything out.

"Now Colonel I realize that you only have a day to go and find a suitable dress and shoes and whatever else women need for these things, so I am allowing you to leave early tomorrow to go and take care of this. Commander, you have your dress whites already to go, don't you?"

"Yes, sir I do."

"Good, then its settled. The limo will pick the two of you up from....wait whose apartment do you want me to send the limo too?"

"Um, make it Mac's apartment it's closer to the ball."

"Only if you show up on time sailor." Mac said grinningly knowing that Harm has never showed up early for anything in his life.

"Yes, Marine I'll be there on time."

"Well then the limo will pick you both up at the Colonel's apartment at 1900 Friday night, dismissed." He said quickly seeing how the two had found there groove again made the Admiral smile inside Someday they'll figure it out, hopefully this ball will help them realize those feelings.

"Aye, Aye Sir" they said in unison.

The next two days went by without a hitch, Thursday afternoon Harriet and Mac left early to go dress shopping. After 30 some odd stores they finally found the perfect gown and wonderful matching shoes.


Harm's Apartment

Union Station


Harm was determined to make it to Mac's on time or even early if possible. He left the JAG office at 1600 and just arrived home. Hopped in the shower, shaved, and began getting dressed. He had to leave before 1830 because that's when the florist closes and he has to pick up the arrangement and corsage he had made for Mac. I know that they don't really need corsages to this ball, but I couldn't resist. Besides it took me an hour trying to bribe Harriet to tell me about the dress. In the end she only gave up the color...a stunning burgundy wine is what Harriet said. Man, Mac is really going to look good in that color! With that he got up looked at the clock and left to head off to the florist and head over to Mac's for the perfect evening with the perfect woman.

Meanwhile at Mac's apartment...

I can't help but wonder if Harm will actually be on time...Mac said to herself drying her hair off after just getting out of the shower. She had just finished doing up her hair and was about to start the make-up when she heard her doorbell ring. I wonder who that could be. Surely it isn't Harm he'd be an hour early...She wrapped her fluffy terry cloth bath towel around her and walked towards the door in her big monkey slippers and looked in the peephole. Oh my god it is Harm! The doorbell rang again shocking her back into reality. She opened up the door to a just as stunned Harm. "Uh, Mac you don't always open your door in just a bath towel do you?"

"No, Harm only for you" she said seductively without realizing she had even said it.

"You're really early, I'm not done getting ready yet. And what is behind your back?"

"Well you told me to be here early so I thought I better make sure I was after all I've learned not to mess with Marines. And I'll show you what's behind my back when you're finished getting ready. Now hurry up you only have an hour left."

"Correction 57 minutes and 12 seconds..."

"Yeah sure, my clock go get ready!"

"Alright." And with that Mac stubbornly walked back to her bedroom to finish getting ready.

About 40 minutes later...

"Hey Mac would you mind if I put some music on?"

"No go ahead, I'll be out in just one minute."

"Take your time..."

Harm walked over towards the CD rack and browsed her collection of CD's when his eyes fell onto a new Bon Jovi CD of hers. Bounce? I wonder if it has any good songs on it? He opened the jewel case and started reading the lyrics when he suddenly froze while reading track 10. Oh my God this is the perfect song this is how I feel about Mac! With that he turned out the CD player opened the drive and put in the CD and jumped to track 10 and turned up the volume. His back was turned to Mac's bedroom concentrating on the lyrics to the song and didn't hear Mac turn off the water that had been on while brushing her teeth, she was almost ready to go. The song came on and Mac immediately looked up from her bed where she was putting on her heels, He picked this song....I love this song!

At the mirror you fix your hair and put your makeup on
You're insecure about what clothes to wear
I can't see nothing wrong

It's half past eight, it's getting late
It's OK, take your time

Standing here my hands in my pockets
Like I have a thousand times
Thinking back it took one breath
One word to change my life

The first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

When we walk into a crowded room it's like we're all alone
Everybody tries to kidnap your attention
You just smile and steal the show

You come to me and take my hand
We start dancin' slow

From the first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

And when you're laying down beside me
I feel your heartbeat to remind me...

The first time I saw you it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello

From hello
From hello

(Author's Note: isn't this the perfect song!)

Mac just walked up to the doorframe and stood there staring at Harm while listening to the song and wondering if he was thinking what she was thinking right then. How much I'm in love with him, ever since he said hello that day in the rose garden... Harm was also lost in thought not aware that Mac was just a few yards behind him. This song says almost everything I've always wanted to say to Mac, except those three words that she's longed to hear come out of my mouth. Tonight, Tonight I will tell her. This song has inspired me! And with that the song was over and Harm turned down the volume and turned around to see the love of his life standing there staring intently at him.

"So you like that song, too?" she asked simply.

"Yeah, I really enjoy Bon Jovi. I never realized you did too?" he said with hesitation not knowing how long she had been standing there.

"Well the limo will be here any minute..."Mac said not knowing what else to say.

"Here Mac these are for you." He said handing her a stunning bouquet of deep red roses tied in a white ribbion.

"These are absolutely gorgeous Harm! I love them, I've always loved roses, they have always held a special place in my heart ever since...Opps, god catch Marine you almost let it slip...'since you said hello in a ROSE garden'...but you didn't need to do this. They must have cost a fortune!" Mac said practically glowing.

She was going to say 'ever since that day in the rose garden I just know it! Maybe she really does love me!

"Nothing is too expensive for you Mac. You deserve wonderful things, like roses. However that's not all." He said reaching out for her hand and placing a beautiful simple rose corsage.

"It's beautiful Harm , it looks like a minature version of my bouquet. Thank you very much." And she leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek.

With that the limo driver knocked on the door to pick the military couple up and drive them to the NATO ball. It went off with no terroists, snipers, or problems of the nature whatsoever. The two just danced and laughed and enjoyed the other's company afraid to let the night end. They secretly wanted to stay in each others arms all night and for the next infinite nights.

The ball concluded and the limo driver took them both to Mac's apartment. Harm insisted on walking Mac to her door. "I know you are a Marine and are quite capable of protecting yourself. But tonight stop being the Colonel and be the beautiful, wonderful, vivacious woman I love and let me walk you to your door like the gentleman I am."

"You love me, Harm? Did you just say that?" She said quickly turning back towards him.

"Yes Mac I did and I do. I am 100 head over heels in love with you and I because 'You had me from hello'..." he started singing her the lyrics to the song. He had memorized them while listening to it knowing that this was his song to her. "I love you with all that I am and all that I will be Mac." Harm closed the space between them by grabbing her up into his arms and embracing her in a deep hug.


"Yes" he said looking deeply into her eyes.

"I love you, too. I have since the day we met in the rose garden."

"I know Mac, part of me has always known, my brain just didn't believe my heart until it heard that song tonight in your apartment."

With that they shared a deep heart-felt passion frenzied kiss at the entrance to her apartment complex. When they finally broke apart, breathless, he walked her up to her apartment. He kissed her goodnight, and turned around to go home as the gentleman she deserves when she said, "Harm.." "Yeah" as he turned around.

"Come stay with me tonight. I love you and I don't want to let you out of my sight. Like you said tonight I am only a woman, not a military officer."

"Are you sure that this is what you want, I mean I don't want to pressure you or anything..."

"Yes Harm I want you, I want you now!" she said interrupting him.

With that he walked back to her apartment, closed the door and took their love to new bounds.