She opened her eyes and met his gaze unflinchingly. "I want you, too, Harm."

He grinned like he'd won a prize and hugged her tightly. "I expect to finish this conversation when we get home…" he said.

She snuggled closer to him burying her face in his neck. In a muffled voice she asked,

"What do you mean, when we get home?"

He slid down until they were lying on the ground wrapped in each other's arms. "We better get some sleep," he whispered the words into her hair.

"Very funny, sailor." She was smiling when she pulled back to look at him, but her expression changed to one of disbelief as she realized he was serious. She scrambled away from him and wrapped her arms across her body in a protective gesture.

"Mac..." He reached out to draw her back to him but pulled his hand away when he saw her flinch.

"I don't believe it! You're backing away." She laughed without humor. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Again!"

"Mac, listen to me. I'm not backing away." He was kneeling in front of her as he put his fingers beneath her chin. "Look at me, please, Mac." He sounded desperate and a little scared, so against her better judgment she turned to face him.

"This should be good. Only you could find an 'iceberg' to steer us clear of in the middle of the desert." She looked at him expectantly.

He stood up and paced back and forth in front of her. Clearing his throat and swallowing he finally began to speak. "Mac, I value you as a friend…"

He glanced at her and his eyes widened as hers narrowed so he went on quickly, "What I mean is I want more than friendship with you, just not…"

She jumped to her feet and got in his face. "If the words 'not yet' come out of your mouth you will be picking sand out of body cavities that haven't been invented yet."

She was glaring at him in full Marine mode when she noticed the corner of his mouth twitching. He struggled to remain serious but lost the battle. Laughing loudly he snorted, "Body cavities that haven't been invented yet…Oh, Mac, that's a good one."

She backed up to give herself a running start and tackled him while he was still bent over laughing.

They went down together and he landed with a loud Oomph.

Startled, he looked at her as she pummeled his chest with her fists, before he dissolved into laughter once more.

"It's not funny, Harm." She sounded forlorn.

Before she could react he flipped her onto her back. His full weight pinned her down while he held her arms securely above her head.

His voice was deadly serious when he said, "You're right, Mac. It's not funny. I have loved you for so long and I have messed up in so many ways. If I ever earn the privilege of sharing your bed I want it to be clear to both of us why I am there. You deserve more than some adrenaline induced coupling in the middle of the damn desert."

His words hung in the air between them for a long moment then she smiled seductively and asked, "And what if I told you that an adrenaline induced coupling was just what I wanted as long as it's with you? What if I told you that if you back away from me again tonight, then that would be it? No more chances."

Without hesitating he answered in a voice full of male promise, "Then you would be naked in the sand so fast your head would spin."

She studied his face and saw the raw desire that simmered in his eyes. She also saw the love and concern and the need to get things right this time. He was such a Boy Scout, but his need to be honorable was one of the things she loved about him. Finally she relented. "Okay, Harm, we'll do things your way. You can let me up now."

He released her warily and watched as she got up and started arranging their packs on the ground.

"Let's get some sleep," she said patting the ground beside her.

He scooted back to her side and asked hopefully, "You're not mad?"

She cuddled up to his chest and pulled his jacket around her once again. "Why would I be mad? You made your case quite convincingly. Hey, would you throw your leg over me again like you did before? I liked that."

She waited as he arranged his body around hers. She wiggled against him and grinned when he couldn't quite suppress a moan. She was going to enjoy making this night a sweet torture for him.

"Hey, Mac? Did you hear me when I said I loved you?" he asked in a voice that reminded her of a kid that didn't get praised for bringing home a good report card.

"I heard you, Harm." She burrowed her hand beneath his shirts until she found bare skin. Skimming her fingers across his ribs, she yawned and said, "That was very sweet."

Sucking in his breath at her touch he continued, "Cause you were kind of mad then so I thought maybe you didn't hear me."

"I heard you, Harm. It made me very happy," she sighed.

Everything was quiet for a moment then he said, "Was there anything you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry I forgot." She reached up and brushed his lips with a fleeting kiss. "I forgot to say good night."

Before she could retreat completely he captured her mouth in a deep, shattering assault of lips and tongues and sighs. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. "Anything else you wanted to tell me."

Her smile was glorious as she gave him what he wanted. "I love you too, Harm."

His grin lit up the night as he pulled her close again. "That's better! Now get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

"Night, Harm."

She was still smiling when she drifted off to sleep.