The problem is that I'm stupid

Mac came into work a little later than usual because she'd been stuck in traffic. There had been a big accident, with six cars involved, which had created a traffic chaos.

General Cresswell was the first person she saw when she walked into the bullpen. "Good morning, Colonel. Everything alright?" he looked at her with worry.

"Good morning. I'm fine," she said with a slight confusion. "Why wouldn't I be, sir?"

"You're late. I don't think I've ever seen you walk in here after 0600, actually," The General pointed out.

"There was an accident, six cars involved. Complete chaos. I had to prepare my closing argument for the Lieberman Court Martial in the car," she explained.

"At least you weren't involved in the accident," The General said.

"I've had one big car accident this winter, sir, hopefully that's enough," she made a move to go. "I have court in fifteen minutes."

"Carry on," Cresswell said.

Mac saw Harm in his office as she stepped into her own. He was by his desk, looking at the computer screen with intensity. She considered stopping by his office to say good morning, but he'd been short with her for days now, and she suspected that he was angry about something, so she decided to wait until he came to her. He had to talk to her eventually.

After court Mac met Adam Jackson for lunch. He was a lawyer at the firm Jackson, Jackson and Jackson, a name that Mac teased him endlessly about. He was currently defending a Captain in the Navy, and since he wasn't familiar with the Military Court system, or the Military in general, Mac helped him prepare his defense.

"I really appreciate this, Colonel. My wife already thinks I'm putting too much energy into this case, and not enough on her or the kids, so you're really helping me. I can't imagine how much work it would be to prepare without you sharing your knowledge," Adam said.

"No problem, I'm glad to help," Mac reassured. "Can I ask why this case is so important to you?"

"Captain Kurt Jackson is my Uncle, he's always been there for me, so I'd like to give something in return," Adam explained.

"I see," Mac said, before she went in on the case details, and suggested what Adam's focus should be on.

What Mac didn't notice was that Harm had come into the cafeteria, but turned around as soon as he'd seen her.

At the end of the day Harm walked into Mac's office.

"The Gresham deposition," he handed her a file.

"Thanks," she offered a sweet smile. "How are you?"

"Fine," he responded quickly, before turning to leave.

"Harm, why are you like this," she questioned.

"Like what?"

"Short, and angry," she stood. "Did I do something to anger you?"

"Did you... That's so...," he shook his head in frustration. "The problem is that I'm stupid." Then he stormed out of her office.

Mac was confused. He was angry at her, she understood that much, but what she had done to get him that way she had no idea about.

Later that night there was a knock on Mac's door just as she had showered after her run. She wouldn't have heard the knock, if it hadn't been so loud, and she wrapped her hair in a towel and wrapped one around her body.

Before she'd reached the door, the knocking was so loud the door had to feel abused. She checked the peep hole and saw Harm's face.

"Harm, what's going on?" she asked in a worried tone as he barged into her apartment.

"You are unbelievable," he said loudly.

She shut the door, wondering if the neighbors would come knocking to see who the crazy man in her apartment was. "Harm, will you calm down."

"Calm down?" he snorted. "No, I will not. You know what? I'm through!"

"With what?" she wondered if he'd ever start making sense,

"What does he have that I don't, huh? I mean, I've been showing interest, right? I said I'd always be there, that I wanted to have a baby with you... I've done everything I can to make you understand that I'm ready for us to be more than friends. I even spent Christmas Eve by your side in the hospital," he started pacing back and forth. "But I'm too late right? That's it, I'm just too freaking late, and you're just freaking tired of waiting."

Mac was so shocked she just stood there staring without knowing what to say.

He stared at her. "Mac, you're towel is falling."

She looked down and saw that the towel was slipping, and grabbed a hold of it.

"Aren't you going to say something?" he questioned.

"I.. I...I," she stopped. "...don't know what to say."

"Can't you just be honest? Tell me that it's over, that you're moving on."

"Is that what you want to hear?" she asked quietly. "Because if you want to move on, I understand. I'm still dealing with everything, and I can't be in a relationship right now. Not yet."

"What? What about that guy?" he questioned.

"What guy?"

"The lunch date guy. You've been having lunch with him all week,"

It dawned on Mac what was bothering him, and she laughed. She laughed so hard tears started falling from her eyes.

Now Harm was the one who just stood there staring.

"You think..." she wiped away tears, and took a deep calming breath. "Adam Jackson, of Jackson, Jackson and Jackson. He's the guy. You thought I was dating. That's so cute."

"Cute?"

"You're jealous, Harm. It's just adorable," she chuckled. "And then you come barging in here, yelling at me."

"It's not adorable," he argued.

She sobered up. "Harm, I haven't moved on. I won't move on."

He nodded. "But you're still not ready. That's okay, I can wait," he stepped closer to her. "You better get dressed," he kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'm sorry about barging in here like this."

"I was going to get a pizza. Have you eaten? You can join me," she suggested.

"You sure?," he asked.

She nodded. "You order while I change. There's no reason why we can't spend time together, right? I mean, we're still friends."

"Yeah, of course we are," he reassured. "I'll make that order, and you should get dressed before the towel falls off. Not that I'd mind..." he added with a smile.

She chuckled. "I'll be right back."

End Part 1