Just a short story which was on my mind. I published once in a different forum. Just enjoy.

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Ask again when you are sober

Mac and Harm were stationed in Fresno for 2 weeks in the middle of nowhere and had a terrible investigation to deal with. A Hercules went down due to a manipulation and they were ordered to deal with judicial aftermath.

Dealing with the surviving dependants was close to home. Both Mac and Harm were at a stage of their relationship where they would not come first to each other to find comfort. Each of them was trying to comfort the sore soul in different ways.

Mac e.g. went running till her lungs were burning each night. She would have liked to welcome her "long lost friend" to smooth her brain, like in old times when the thoughts were unbearable, but that would mean she would be falling off the wagon, which would proberbly end in a tailspin and ruin her life for good.

Harm chose the bar. Each night after work you could find him chatting with one of the bartenders about life and its whole purpose. He was having first one, but during the week each night more drinks. After one week he had each morning to deal with the hangover, but refused to give in.

The next night came and it was definetly too much. He got that drunk that the bartender Jim searched for an address to take him, or a person who could take care of him and guide him save home.
Finally Jim found a mobile number and called. He explained the situation and half an hour later ... .

Harm looked up and prattled.

„ ohh, what a pleasure to my sore eyes my one and only Sarah."

Mac said nothing to Harm, just „thanks" to the bartender and took care of Harm. She just walked him to their quarters.

Harm was finally sitting on his bunk and watched Mac as she took care of his shoes and placed them beneath the bunk. He was watching her as she helped him with his clothes like a mum would help her little boy 'cause he is too clumsy. As he was laying cozy in his bunk and Mac was tucking him in he could not help himself.

„Sarah, would you do me the honor and become my wife?"

Mac was amazed but did not show it, she just answered casually,

„Ask again when you are sober, the traditional way with a rose and a ring." With that said she left.

Weeks later

Mac and Harm were back in DC and life was as always. They did not really talk to each other like the time being before Fresno, and if then only work related.

Mac had already put Harms attempt in the drawer of lark and was trying to get over it.

A slight tumult in the bullpen was attracting her interest. As she looked up she saw Harm in his dress whites standing in her office. Harm walked to the side of her desk and went down in front of her on one knee. He held one crimson rose in one hand and a breathtaking diamond solitaire in the other.

„Sarah, ... down in Fresno you said 'ask again when you are sober'."

Harm became flustered like the time of his first carrier landing.

„ ... today I am sober like a newborn ... and ... and ... I am on sound mind."

A whiff of his flyboy smile was shown on his face. He laid the rose on her lap and took her left hand in his. Mac was still sitting calm and watching, she thought *this must be a dream, yes, it is a daydream.* Harm swallowed the lump in his throat.

„Sarah, ... would you do me the honor and become my wife?"

Mac did not believe she could trust her voice, therefore she just nodded.

The end