Disclaimer: I own none of it and only the first part of the story…

This story was half written before being left in the "In Progress" file…(a euphemism for abandoned, never to see the light of day again file).

Thanks to Brandy and Peggy I was able to bring it to completion…Brandy all but completing the second half….

----------------------------------------JAG-----------------------------------------

"Hold my hand. You'll be fine. I promise…"

"No, I won't be fine. I don't want to do this, I've changed my mind."

"It'll be alright – it won't hurt much."

"Sure that's what they all say."

"I never thought you'd wimp out. I mean all the years I've known you, all the things you've done, and you baulk at this."

"I'm not baulking at anything. I've simply changed my mind. It's not going to happen."

"Fine, be a wuss."

With that, Harm and Mac walked out of the tattoo parlour and into the bright sunlight of another beautiful July day. Nothing was said until they reached Harm's SUV.

"I'm sorry Mac," he said opening her door. "I just couldn't."

"My Flyboy, afraid of needles," Mac said, a huge smile on her face.

"I'm not afraid of needles!" retorted Harm, opening his own door.

"Sure – that's what you say now," Mac replied in a sing-song voice which irritated him more.

"Mac, I'm not. It wasn't that." He got in and started the engine.

"What was it then, Harmon?" she asked, staring at him.

"It just didn't feel right," he said shaking his head before pulling into traffic.

"What, the wrong Feng Shui or something?" she asked, still smiling.

"Yeah, something like that. Anyway, it's not a big deal," Harm said, keeping his eyes firmly planted on the road ahead.

"Oh, yes it is Flyboy," Mac said, the smile disappearing as she turned in the seat to face him. "You promised me last Saturday before we…well, you know, that if I showed you my tattoo then you'd get one. Well, I showed you mine."

"And a nice tattoo is was too and in such a wonderful spot. I mean your…" Harm began, the memory bringing a huge smile to his face and lighting up his eyes.

"Harm! Flattery will get you nowhere." Mac said, lightly punching his arm. "Now you always pride yourself in keeping your promises and today you piked out. That's why it is a big deal."

"But I never promised you it would be today, did I?" Harm said, raising his eyebrow.

"No, but today's as good as any." Mac turned back in her seat.

Harm shook his head, he couldn't win this argument and so he changed the topic. "Anyhow, what time's your hairdresser appointment?"

"Nice tactic but it won't work. I cancelled my appointment," she said, staring ahead.

"Why!? I mean I thought you wanted it cut." Harm's voice had gone up an octave.

"I changed my mind. Long hair is all the rage. I know you like it shorter but I like it longer and I think I'll keep it this way for a while," she smiled to herself.

"But…" Harm began to protest.

"No buts. I think I'll keep growing my hair until you get that tattoo," Mac said smugly.

Harm cringed. He loved her dearly but that hair had to go. So many times he had been tempted to creep up behind her and cut it off. He had actually been excited when she had mentioned the appointment. How he longed to see the short haired Mac he had fallen in love with all those years ago. Nothing else was said.

Mac's Office

Two weeks had passed with barely a word mentioned in the tattoo versus haircut battle. The topic was avoided masterfully, both believing the other one would cave but it wasn't to be. It was Bud who inadvertently reignited the war.

"Harriet has an appointment at the hair salon on Sunday afternoon, Mac. Perhaps you could go with her…if you have no other plans," suggested Bud as he sat with Mac in her office.

"Why?" asked Mac sensing that Harm had put him up to it.

"No particular reason." Bud was a bad liar.

"What is it, Bud? You don't like my hair either," Mac asked directly.

"No Mac, it's not just that…" Bud began hesitantly.

"You mean you don't like my hair?" she questioned, staring at him.

"No ma'am, I mean yes ma'am, I mean…" he stammered, his cheeks colouring.

"Take a breath Bud," Mac said, feeling sorry for him.

"Sorry Mac, I just thought that having a girls' afternoon would do Harriet the world of good. She's been a little down lately and I thought…" Bud's expression softened and Mac could see the concern in his eyes.

"Why has she been down?" she asked quietly.

"I really don't know. She says she's fine but I get the feeling something is wrong. I guess I was hoping that you could talk to her and kind of check in, see how things are." Bud turned to look at her, hoping Mac could get to the bottom of whatever was wrong and put his mind at ease.

"Of course I can," Mac said, patting his arm.

"That's so long as you are free," he added, not wanting to put her out any.

"I'll make the time besides it's only plans with him," Mac smiled as Harm entered her office.

"With him, huh?" Harm feigned hurt.

"Sorry Harm, a change of plans for Sunday, I have another engagement," she said matter-of-factly.

"And with whom would that be?" Harm asked curious.

"With Harriet," answered Bud. "At the …"

"Mall," Mac cut in.

"The mall," echoed Bud.

"Right," said Harm believing neither of them. "And Bud what will you be doing while the ladies are at the …mall?"

"Babysitting."

"Good, I'll help you."

All three exchanged curious glances. Harm knew Mac and Bud had not told him the truth but he also knew Bud would be easier to crack alone.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sunday

Mac picked Harriet up at 1200. Harm wanted to be there but as usual he had arrived late and missed them by ten minutes.

"So Bud," Harm asked when they had fed the boys lunch. "Where did they really go?"

"To the mall," Bud answered moving to the sink.

"Now look at me and say that," Harm said, coming up next to him.

"Harm, they went to the mall," Bud said looking up at the taller man.

"You're lying," Harm replied,

"No I'm not," Bud protested.

"Yes you are. Spill." Bud would never be good at poker.

Realising he had lost, Bud caved. "They've gone out for lunch and then to the salon."

"Really? Why lie about it?" Harm asked, leaning against the counter.

"Mac said something about you wanting her to cut her hair but she wasn't giving in until you got a tattoo. She didn't want you to think you'd won." Bud turned his attention back to the dishes.

"That's Mac!" Harm couldn't help but smile.

"So I heard you chickened out at the tattoo parlour," Bud bravely ventured.

"No I didn't!" retorted Harm.

"Not the story I heard," said Bud, his eyes fixed on the sink before him.

"Well, it's the truth."

"Sure, whatever you say."

Meanwhile, Harriet and Mac sat down in a restaurant a block from the mall. Both had ordered their meals and drinks and Mac kept the conversation going with trivial matters.

"So, what do you think, Harriet?" she asked.

"It's nice," Harriet replied absently.

"What's nice?" Mac questioned.

"What you just said," Harriet replied looking up from her drink.

"Harriet, you didn't hear a word of it," Mac said, studying her friend's face.

"I'm sorry Mac, no I didn't." she dropped her head again.

"What's wrong?" Mac reached out and patted Harriet's arm.

Harriet swirled the ice around in her glass. "Not a lot."

"Sure," Mac said, not buying Harriet's performance.

"It's nothing really."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then tell me about it," Mac said, leaning back in her chair.

"Just the baby blues. I've been couped up at home with AJ and Jimmy for months now and being pregnant with twins and with Bud working such long hours, I sometimes feel like I'm a single parent. I miss the office, I miss adult conversation, I miss seeing you and Harm everyday and I miss the gossip," Harriet said sadly. She loved her growing family tremendously and wouldn't swap it for anything – it just got to her some days.

"So you're feeling disconnected?" Mac asked, a small smile on her lips.

"Yeah, as I said, not the end of the world stuff, just something to deal with," Harriet said, a small smile on her lips which didn't make it to her eyes.

"Can I tell you some news that might reconnect you?" Mac asked, moving forward.

"Sure."

"Harm and I are together," Mac said simply.

"Together together?" Harriet asked incredulously.

"Yep."

"Wow! How? When?" Harriet's eyes lit up.

"Two weeks ago after the Saturday lunch at your place," Mac said quietly.

"But you two just argued all day," Harriet said, barely believing the conversation they were having.

"But we made up all night." Mac's cheeks blushed with the memory of that night.

"Wow!" Harriet said again. "Was it…"

The waiter interrupted with the food.

When he left Harriet continued. "Was it everything you imagined?"

"It was. In fact it was better," Mac said, her smile threatening to split her face in two.

"I am so happy for you!" Harriet clapped her hands with glee.

"I'm happy for me too!" Mac smiled broadly.

"So does anyone else know?" Harriet was desperate for the details, she'd prayed for this day forever.

"We haven't actually made it official. We wanted to work a few things out first." Mac said, swirling the ice cubes in her glass.

"Like?"

"Like careers, residences and such," she said, smiling at her friend.

"Are you going to get married?" Harriet asked with unbridled enthusiasm.

"Whoa, slow down Harriet!" Mac threw her hands up.

"Sorry but this is big news and I'm so excited."

Over lunch Mac divulged all but the very intimate details of thatweekend and the ensuing tattoo versus haircut standoff that had followed.