Rating: PG

Spoilers: Everything

Summary: Authors notes at end

Disclaimer: These characters belong to CBS and Bellisarius Productions. I am simply borrowing them for a little fun.

Notes: Feedback is more than welcome. Please don’t archive this without my permission.

Nerves.

Jitters.

Cold feet.

Butterflies in the stomach.

Butterflies, hell. More like elephants.

Sigh

Are brides supposed to be this nervous? I look over at Harriet and thought back to her wedding. She was so very nervous but it turned out so great for her. I can't help but think that it won't be that case for me. Maybe this is a mistake, maybe I could just sneak out and no on will notice.

No. I'm a Marine. I will not run and hide like a coward. I told him yes and I will go through with it. I love Mic and he loves me. Just look at all he gave up for me. That should prove to me how much he loves me.

But do I love him?

Am I this nervous because I think I'm making a mistake, or because it's natural to be this nervous? I hope this isn't a mistake. I've never had good luck with men, why do I think that Mic would be any different? Because he loves me, I keep telling myself this. Maybe if I say it enough, I'll believe it myself.

Maybe if I had more time. More time. Who am I kidding? I wasted enough time leading Mic on. I know I will always feel bad about that. That was another point though, did I not give him a response for a reason?

Oh, God. There's the music.

Harriet smiles at me as she walks to the door. I finally have a few minutes to myself. A few years ago I expected that I would be walking up the aisle to Harm. Now someone else will meet me at the altar than I planned on years ago. I think a little part of me will never give up on Harm though. Or at least have regrets about noting happening between us.

Just like part of me will always have regrets for stopping that kiss. For a long time I had thought that stopping the kiss was a bigger mistake than the kiss itself. I wonder if he ever thought the same. Hold that thought, Marine. Don't even go there. You are marrying a great man, and neither man that you are thinking about is the man who is waiting to say 'I do.'

Now I feel guilty.

And more nervous.

I take a deep breath and walk out into the foyer of the church. I see the small church filled with our friends and there is Mic smiling at me. I smile back at him and walk down the aisle alone. Once I get to the altar Mic takes my hand and my stomach clenches. I listen to the preacher as he begins the ceremony. My nerves tightening a bit more as he keeps talking. Finally, he asks if there and any objections and much to my surprise, I open my mouth to object myself.

"I do," I whisper. I see the stunned looks on Mic's and the preacher's faces. "I'm sorry, Mic. I can't," I whisper, hopefully no one else could hear me. I guess someone does because as Mic stands there stunned, I actually hear someone as they stand up. Time seems to stand still and I know exactly who it is.

Harm.

It has to be. My God. I can't believe this. Imagine the nerve of him! Waiting until my wedding to finally speak up. I have given him plenty of time to speak up, plenty. And now he wants to ruin my wedding! Granted I have already objected myself, but he didn't know that! I will never forgive him for this. I can't believe this. I can't bring myself to turn around and look at him so I look over at Mic and see the look of surprise on his face. I don't blame him. It's bad enough that I ended it but now someone else has objected. He has to be embarrassed and angry.

Thinking to myself, I guess I honestly gave up on Harm on the ferry in Australia. I can't believe he finally spoke up now, I thought that he finally gave up on me too. I know I will always wonder what could have happened between us but there is no chance for that now. I stopped the wedding for myself not for him. I understand that, too bad he probably won't.

I finally got the nerve to turn around to look at the man who objects to my marriage to Mic. Suddenly, I am no longer nervous.

I am completely calm.

It isn't Harm.

The end

Author's Notes: People keep talking about how the season is going to end with a surprise that no one will expect. Well this is my take on it. One can always hope!

Nerves         Regrets        No More 

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