A/N: I've had this story in mind for a while but put it on the back burner. But the muse mandated that I focus my attention on it this morning. For those of you who haven't read "Finding Harm," you might want to read it first as this is a sequel. It will follow much of Season Four but with a few noticeable differences. And yes, I'm still working on "Missing" and plan to post an update soon.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, if so, there would have never been the need for the NCIS crap.
Back in Falls Church
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
September 30, 1998
Major Sarah (Mac) Mackenzie looked up from her desk to see a familiar figure striding toward her office. She couldn't help but smile upon seeing the tall naval commander, and when he flashed his flyboy grin in return, familiar feelings of desire began to course through her body.
Even though they had been a couple for less than two weeks, the sensation she felt was unlike anything she'd ever experienced with any other man. Harm was a consummate lover who enjoyed giving pleasure as much as receiving it. Mac knew from the moment they first made love she was ruined for life. No one else would ever be able to satisfy her in the way he had.
Today was their first day back at JAG since returning from Russia. The few days they spent in La Jolla with Harm's parents was bittersweet. Mac spent time getting to know Trish. Despite her initial reservations about being "good enough," the two of them hit it off right away. Trish Burnett was caring, compassionate, and staunchly supportive of her son.
Harm was able to spend a lot of time with Frank. The once bitter teenager who resented his stepfather now respected him. One night, as Mac and Harm lay in bed together, he told her he was finally beginning to accept Frank as a father figure.
On the other hand, there was a degree of sadness in that both Harm and Trish grieved for the man who would never return from the taiga of Siberia. After nearly twenty-nine years of not knowing Harm Sr.'s fate, the two of them could finally move on with their lives without a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them.
"Good morning, Major," Harm said as he entered her office. "You're here early your first day back."
Although the two of them hadn't spent a night apart since the trip to Russia, they decided not to tell everyone about their new relationship. There was probably enough gossip about the two of them going out of town on a non-work-related trip. No need to add fuel to the fire. Mac suspected several staff members also knew she'd accompanied him to La Jolla.
"Lots of work to catch up on." Since she was an early riser, Mac was awake, showered, dressed, and out the door before Harm opened his eyes.
"You know you could have—"
Mac flashed him a warning look. Harriet is watching. Be careful what you say.
The young ensign was looking toward Mac's office with a speculative gleam in her eye. Since her own wedding, Harriet seemed to think everyone should be in love and had made subtle attempts at matchmaking.
"Speaking of work, I need to talk to you about the Barnett case," Harm said as he closed the door.
After he was sure no one could hear, he said, "What's the idea of not waking me up before you left this morning?"
"I wanted to get to work on time."
"Well, you left early enough. No danger of being late."
"Harm, do you honestly think you wouldn't have tried to delay me if you'd been awake?"
"Tried? No question about it, I would have found a way to keep you in bed longer."
"That's exactly why I didn't wake you up. We would have both been late."
"So how am I supposed to work all day knowing you're sitting less than ten feet away from my office and not being able to touch you?"
"Better get used to it, Flyboy." The last thing we need to is to get off on the wrong foot with the admiral."
"Speaking of which, when did you want to talk to him about us?"
Mac hesitated. "I don't know. Guess we should, but—"
"You want to wait."
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
Harm shook his head. "I've been thinking the same thing. Outside of Mom and Frank, I'd like to keep our relationship private. At least until we've been back for a few weeks."
"My thoughts exactly. I think it's better this way."
"So, about our original conversation, how are you going to make it up to me for leaving before I was awake."
"You'll just have to wait and see. But I'm sure you'll enjoy what I have in mind."
Harm grinned. "I like the sound of that. Your place or mine tonight."
"Your's. I—" The intercom interrupted Mac's words, and she pressed the button to answer. "Major Mackenzie."
Tiner was on the other end. "The Admiral wants to see you and Commander Rabb right away."
"We'll be right there, Tiner."
The two of them made their way toward Chegwidden's office. Tiner stood as they entered. "He said to go right in."
Without knocking, Harm opened the door, then stood aside to let Mac enter first. Both were surprised to see none other than Clayton Webb sitting in front of the admiral's desk. His presence could only mean one thing. He needed them for another mission.