Greetings
AKA: Chapter 3
AN: Hi all - this story is going to continue to have sporadic updates as it is not really planned and more of a spur of the moment thing. Sorry, I know how frustrating that can be to a reader! Anyway this picks up from when they both said hello and is from Mac's point of view. Sorry it's a short one! Enjoy!
{I found a lot of great quotes, but none appropriate for this chapter. Maybe for the next one, of maybe not, I might just stop them altogether.}
"So, Harm, what's up?" I ask, nervous that he knows what I have been thinking about for the past hour; scratch that, since I met him.
"I, uh, well....How are you?" Funny he almost sounds nervous...what could he possibly be afraid of? I mean we have known each other for years and he has always seemed to be so aloof around me. Always in control. (Do those two go together?) The one time I saw something close to nervous when it comes to me was the fear and shock in his eyes that night in Sydney...ugh Sydney.
Oh, he asked me a question, better answer..."pretty good, just sitting here in front of the fireplace thinking...how are you?"
"Oh, uh, good, just sitting here, looking out the window..."
"Oh." Well this is the best conversation I have ever had...NOT. I mean I am so mentally drained from my musings that I'm not contributing much either, but he's the one who called me...that's it! "So, Harm, did you need something?"
"No, why?"
"You called me, hence the whole talking on the phone thing." What is with him tonight?
"Oh, yeah, right. No special reason I guess, just haven't talked to you in a while."
"Harm, we had lunch together today at work." We spent an hour and a half doing nothing but talking at lunch. Granted it was about the Michaelson case, but it was still a long lunch. We seem to be having a lot of lunches together recently, not planned, but it just seems to happen that way. Not that I am complaining. We both go through the line at the cafeteria and grab things and then end up sharing most of it. It's convenient that he likes the crispy fries and I like the soft ones. Oops, he's talking again.
"Yeah, I know, but that was business. I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh, thanks." What is that supposed to mean? Is he going to drop some bombshell like changing his designator again?
"So what were you thinking about?"
Oh shit. Play dumb. "Huh?"
"Well you said we were just sitting in front of the fireplace thinking...and we wrapped up that case today, so what were you thinking about?"
"Oh, well, you know, the usual. Life and stuff." Quick drop chaff. Did I just think that? Ugh, I have been hanging around a certain aviator too long. "So what were you thinking about?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you said you were looking out the window and you only stand in front of that window when you have something on your mind." I have watched him stare out his window or pace in front of it pensively for years now. It's either that or picking at his guitar, either one means deep thinking.
"Oh, well I was thinking about you and how I haven't talked to you, that's why I called right?"
"Yeah." Hmmm, good story Rabb.
"So, c'mon, tell me, what's on your mind about "life and stuff"?" I knew he was too stubborn to drop this. The thing that makes him a good litigator also can make him quite annoying as a friend.
"Harm, I don't think you want to listen to me whine about boy troubles..." I hear a sound that is a cross between a gasp and a sputter. So much for the ever-confident flyboy.
"Mac, are you seeing someone I don't know about?" No, of course not, that would be too easy. For a moment I think I could cook up a story about some date, but I tried the whole make-Harm-jealous thing with Mic, doesn't work.
"No, but the lack of a significant other at my age usually deserves some pondering. Do you have any idea how long it has been since I have been out on a date?!" I can't believe I just admitted that to Harm, but hell, in for a penny in for a pound. Maybe it's finally time to have that conversation with him.
"Well, Mac, are you looking for a boyfriend or a date. I mean I know I may not be perfect, but I well...we could always hang out and stuff." Why do we both sound like teenagers tonight? And wait a minute. Did Harm just, in a round about way, ask me out? And does he want a girlfriend or a one night stand? I suppose it's been a while for him too.
"Mac, I don't want a one night stand, that's not what I was offering." Oh. My. God. Did I say that out loud?!
"Yes, you said that out loud," he chuckles at the other end of the phone.
Great. Can this get any worse? "Well, thanks for the pity offer Harm, but I am not that desperate." So embarassed right now.
"Sorry, I didn't know going on a date with me would be so awful for you," I hear him mumble into the phone. Perfect, all I need now is a moody Harmon Rabb. Wait a minute, is he disappointed? Could he really want to go on a real date with me?
"Harm, that came out wrong. It's not that going on a date would be awful, far from it, I just don't want you to ask me out because I am a little down right now about my lack of a love life. I mean, next thing you know you will be offering to go halves on a kid with me."
As soon as I say it I know I shouldn't have. Something about the tone or delivery or the fact that we always have a hard time talking about this kind of stuff killed it. I know he won't see it as an attempt at levity.
"Maybe I should just go now."
NO! "No! Harm! Wait! I'm sorry, I know you don't make a promise you won't keep." Or at least I am hoping that is still true.
"I meant what I said about the deal Mac. And I meant what I said about the date too."
"Oh, well thank you. I guess I am just not used to dealing with this or something."
OK, now I hear breathing at the other end. He's waiting for an answer and probably terrified to say anything because I have messed up this conversation so bad. Well, I guess breathing is better than a dial tone.
"Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"About the date…"
"Listen, Mac, you can just forget about it, stupid idea…"
"Harm, if the offer still stands and it's not a pity date and you really want to go out with me…yes."
"Did you just say yes?"
Ok, let's lay all the cards on the table, can't get much worse tonight. "Yes, Harmon Rabb, I would love to go on a date with you if you will have me."
"I'll take you any way I can have you." If I am not mistaken, he is flirting with me. Me. Sarah MacKenzie.
Trying to downplay the breathy voice that has seemed to have taken place of my real one, I ask the next logical question, "when?"
After a long pause his voice comes back over the phone line, "Well, it is Friday night, also known as date night, what are you doing in say 45 minutes?"
Frantically I jump up from the couch and look down at my ensemble. Pajama pants and an old tie-dye t-shirt doesn't scream date attire to me. "I could be ready, what did you have in mind?"
"Something casual and fun, it sounds like we both need to escape a little tonight. Jeans or something. As to where, that will have to be a surprise because I don't know yet."
The smile is back in his voice. I can't help but smile myself. "Alright, then come pick me up, I'll be ready."
"Ok, I'll be there soon."
"Hey, Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"See you in a bit." And then I hear the dial tone. This is going to be one interesting night. I stand there pondering for a moment before I realize I only have 39 minutes and 40 seconds to get ready. What am I going to wear?!?!?!
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TBC? Let me know if you want to see this story continue…