-1Harmoniousmatch DotCom

Chapter 2

Disclaimers: As previously stated.

Wednesday

November 19, 2003

1848

Harm's apartment

North of Union Station

Harm was just finishing up on the last of the Imes case files he'd been assigned, when he heard a familiar chime on his laptop. Glancing up, he saw that he had another e mail from Harmoniousmatch.

He was still feeing embarrassed by his impulsive foray into online dating, but even so, he'd taken the time to choose someone he thought he'd like to get to know better. He set his work aside for a moment and opened the email. It was the woman that he'd chosen, she was contacting him through the online service. Her user name was Paris. She was asking him if he'd like to IM a conversation, in the near future. Meaning they wouldn't be communicating thru the dating service, it would be on their own.

He hadn't intended, even in his weak moments, to get even this personal, this quickly. Communicating by IM was almost like talking on the phone. The last thing he needed was someone chiming in while he was trying to get something done, online. Then he thought, it might not be too bad. He could access another IP address, so that the IM wouldn't be the same as the one he used for work. That would make it even more anonymous, another plus.

Harm considered it for a moment longer then decided to go ahead and begin a conversation with her. He'd been a bit intrigued by the woman's profile, athletic, military, like him. Her vital statistics sounded made her sound like someone he'd like to get to know. What was the problem with taking the next step? They were probably on opposite sides of the country. Besides, he was tired of being alone in this, too quiet, apartment. With the exception of Mattie, he hadn't been any phone calls at home, that weren't work related, in months. If he didn't get something going soon, he was sure he was going to start talking to himself.

He sent back an e mail, shortly receiving hers, giving her a private e mail address saying, IM was fine with him, that he'd be available in about an hour.

Mac's apartment, at that same moment….

Mac was surprised about how quickly Bachelor #4 had responded. He'd chosen the name Guardian. She liked the name. It made him sound strong, as though he were someone who knew who he was and where he was going. She was definitely ready for someone like that, considering her choices of late. She decided to shower, get things set up for work the next morning and then give IM and Guardian, a try.

Harm's apartment

Harm was making himself a cup of tea when he heard the IM's distinctive chime from across the room. He found himself rushing back to his computer, looking forward to hearing from his new 'potential' girlfriend.

He sat down at his computer…

Paris: Hi

Guardian: Hello

At the same time they both typed…

Paris: I cant believe I'm doing this

Guardian: I cant believe I'm doing this.

Paris: Great minds think alike?

Guardian: I'll go along with that.

Paris: I'm just interested in talking, at the moment. That's why I thought IM might be the best route, for now. I hope that's okay.

Guardian: I feel the same way, things have gotten a lot busier for me since I sent in my information.

Paris: I know what you mean.

Guardian: Why Paris?

Paris: It's represents a special place and time to me. A place that I did a lot of growing up and….it was also one that told the least about me :)

Harm did smile. He knew just how she felt.

Guardian: I understand completely. Have you done a lot of traveling?

He was assuming that she meant Paris, the city of lights…that was fine with her. Mac didn't want to reveal too much, too soon.

Paris: Yes, I have. Why the name Guardian?

Guardian: I'm currently trying to gain guardianship of a girl who has basically been abandoned by her father and has lost her mom in a auto mobile accident, over the past year.

Paris: Wow, that's a huge undertaking.

Guardian: It is, but this kid needs help, I couldn't stand by while she went down the tubes.

Paris: Nothing wrong with that.

Mac had only wanted to touch base, open the dialogue between them without getting too personal. She was definitely interested in getting to know him better. He seemed to be a nice guy, but it was time to wind this conversation up.

Paris: Hey, sorry to cut this short, I have some work I need to finish.

Guardian: That's fine.

Harm was still concerned about this getting out of hand, he wanted to know that he didn't have to worry about her 'popping in' on a daily basis. If that was what she expected, he was going to put a stop to it, right now.

Guardian: How often do you want to do this?

Paris: It seems we're both busy people.

Guardian: True enough, why don't we just talk when we can and see how it goes.

Paris: Sounds great.

Guardian: Nice talking to you.

Paris: Thanks, you too.

Then 'Paris' signed off.

Harm sat looking at the small IM box, feeling relieved. She didn't seem to be invested in this anymore than he was. It would be no strings, but he have a connection, someone to talk to. He might never meet this woman, if he didn't want to.

Perfect.

Back at Mac's apartment, she closed her laptop feeling very satisfied with the conversation she'd just had. She was intrigued, but just enough to look forward to their next conversation, but not enough to worry about how soon it would be.

Perfect.

2130

November 30, 2003

Harm's apartment

North of Union Station

Harm was cleaning up after dinner when he was startled by the chime of his IM. He looked up to see Paris' greeting.

Paris: Hi, are you busy?

Guardian: Just finishing up, how are you?

Paris: Good, did you have a nice Thanksgiving?

Guardian: Yeah, it was great. It was the first one that I didn't spend working in I cant remember how long. What did you do?

Paris: I didn't work this one either, for a change. I was a guest at the home of a…

What would she call Porter Webb? Clay's mother certainly wasn't a friend…an acquaintance…. maybe.

Paris: friend of a friend.

Guardian: Sounds awkward.

Mac laughed out loud. Awkward was a nice way of putting it.

Paris: It was a bit uncomfortable. The 'friend' didn't show up, so I spent the holiday with someone I didn't really know.

Guardian: Doesn't sound fun,

Paris: It wasn't. Painful…excruciating.

Guardian: Ouch. Is the 'friend' still your friend?

Paris: I haven't decided yet. So what did you do for the holiday?

Guardian: I spent the holiday with the little girl I told you about.

Paris: How's the guardianship thing going?

Guardian: It's slow going, I'm kind of feeling my way through this. I have some things in place for her, meals, an adult to look in on her, etc. But, its no substitute for a person in your life that consistently takes care of you.

Paris: No family support at all? Aunts, uncles, etc.

Guardian: No, none that I'm aware of. Her father's alcohol problem seems to have isolated them from friends and any distant relatives she might have.

Paris: Sounds tough, but its more common than you think.

Guardian: I'm finding that out more and more.

Paris: Changing the subject, if you don't mind. I have a question for you.

Guardian: Shoot.

Paris: What do you do for the DOD?

Guardian: I've recently settled into the Department of the Navy. I've been moving around a lot lately. How about you? Your profile says you are military, what branch?

Mac was thoughtful before she answered.

Paris: I'd like to wait a bit longer before I give you anymore details.

Guardian: Oh, I see. I can tell you, but I get my information about you on a need to know basis? I'm sure my clearance is high enough, so your secrets are safe with me.

Paris: That may be true, but I'll keep that info, need to know until I decide to clear you. ;) It's different for women, we have to be more cautious.

Harm really didn't mind, but he still wanted to continue, he felt a connection with this person, how ever loosely held, it felt good to him.

Guardian: That's fair, I guess I don't need to know(smile) For all you know, I could be a serial killer or something.

Paris: Exactly.

Guardian: Hey, thanks a lot.

He made her laugh out loud, again, getting to know this guy was going to be fun.

Paris: Just remember, this is just a precaution, until we have a chance to know each other better. That's all I'm thinking about…..Killer.

Guardian: I'll pass comment on that last. So, lets talk about you, how have you been?

As Mac read his post, he chimed in again.

Guardian: In general….nothing personal.;)

Harm's eyes were gleaming with mischief. He was enjoying this, surprisingly, unbelievably.

Mac couldn't help smiling as she answered him.

Paris: Busy, REALLY busy. My days are averaging 16 hours.

Guardian: I'm busy too. When I submitted my profile, I wasn't as busy as I am now, btw, I still cant believe I'm doing this.

Paris: Doing what?

Guardian: Talking to a complete stranger….and really having a good time.

Mac studied his answer for a moment, reading the compliment right there in black and white.

Paris: Its been nice talking to you tonight too. About 'this', I never thought I'd do this either, but it is nice. And I'm not such a stranger now, am I?

Guardian: No, not quite.

Mac rubbed her eyes sleepily, and began to yawn, 0430 this morning suddenly seemed a long time ago.

Paris: Hey, its getting pretty late for me.

Harm was tired too, it had been a long day, all of JAG ops had begun at 0600, and had been for some time. They were still short-handed and they were backlogged from clearing up the Imes mess, and covering their regular case loads. He stretched and yawned before he returned her message.

Guardian: Me too.

Paris: Have a good night.

Guardian: Thanks, you too.

With that, they ended their communication and Mac signed off.

Harm sat back in his chair looking at Paris post 'Its getting pretty late for me.' It occurred to him that she had the impression that he was out on the west coast somewhere. That was fine, for now. Taking care of Mattie was all he needed now, along with a new friend to talk to. She hadn't IM'd him in almost 2 weeks, but she was making it a point to stay in touch.

This was going to work.

Mac slipped beneath her comforter, tired, but not weary and a lot less lonely than she'd felt in months. Before she fell into a deep sleep, she smiled as she thought of Guardian and 'need to know.'

Oh, the stories she could tell.

TBC