(Guideline Number Three: The wrong approach can be very dangerous and may result in the loss of valuable body parts.)

Harm watched as she walked away and was lost in thought until Webb returned to the table and sat down in the chair next to him.

"Here ya go, Rabb. I thought you could use this."

Harm took the offered glass of champagne and set it on the table in front of him. He continued to watch Mac from across the room until Webb followed his gaze and finally asked, "So, do you plan to just sit here and stare at her all night?"

"Maybe," Harm said stubbornly.

"Well, in that case, I was just saying hello to the Carson twins after I spoke to Mother, and when I pointed you out they seemed pretty open to the idea of joining us."

Harm was busy watching how closely Ian was holding Mac while they danced and barely listened to Webb. "What did you say?" he asked distractedly.

"The Carson twins." Webb pointed and waved at two blonde, identical beauties across the way. "I went to school with them-and believe me, besides their obvious charms, they have many hidden talents." They waved and blew kisses in return.

"I'm not interested, Clay, and I can't believe you are either." Harm turned to look at him and said with exasperation, "I don't get it. Back at Mac's apartment you were ready to tear my head off when you thought she was going out with me, and now you're ready to pick up women. Doesn't it bother you at all that she's out with another man?"

Webb took a moment to watch Mac as she laughed at something Ian said as they returned to their table and shrugged. "I don't think he stands a chance with her."

"You sound awfully sure of yourself, Webb." Harm was disgusted by his cavalier attitude.

"I'm sure of what Sarah wants, and it has nothing to do with him." Clayton smirked and took a sip of champagne. "Now about those twins-"

"Forget it. I told you I'm not interested in other women." Harm was fuming. "Let me ask you something else, pal. You knew all along how I felt about Mac. Did our friendship ever cross your mind when you were making a move on her down in South America?"

Webb had the good grace to look a little embarrassed but said in his own defense, "The exact nature of your feelings for Mac has always been one of the unsolved mysteries of the universe-and I have to say that nothing that happened in Paraguay made things any clearer."

"I gave up everything to find her. How much clearer could I be?"

"Let's put it this way-you rode into town and did the heroic rescue thing. She shared your bed instead of mine and the next thing I know you disappeared from her life without a word and went to work for the CIA."

"I think that version leaves out a few important details."

"You're right, Harm. I forgot about the six months she worried herself sick about where you were and what you were doing. Who do you think held her hand while you were gone? And now just because you're back at JAG don't think I'm going to stand by and let you hurt her again."

Before Harm could set Webb straight on half a dozen things the Carson twins approached the table and asked in unison. "Did you forget about us, Clayton?"

Clay stood up and greeted them with a huge smile. "That would be impossible. Harmon Rabb, may I present the Carson sisters. This is Honey." Webb wrapped his arm around the one closest to him.

Harm stood out of habit and plastered a fake smile on his face as the other one giggled and sidled up beside him. She grabbed his arm and said, "You can call me Sugar, Harmon."

"It's nice to meet you, Sugar, but if you could excuse me for just a minute I see someone at another table that I really must speak to." He didn't want to get sidetracked by having to be polite to Clay's friends. He needed to talk to Mac, and he needed to talk to her now.

Webb grabbed both women by the hand and declared, "Oh this should be good. We'll go with you."

He wove his way through the tables and the other three giggled and trailed behind him like a parade. When he reached the one where Mac was sitting with Ian he stopped a few feet away and just stood there for an awkward moment before she noticed him. She just raised her eyebrows questioningly as she took in Webb and the two women hovering in the background and finally said, "Hello, Harm. Would you and your friends like to join us?"

"Thanks. That would be great!" He jumped into action pulling out chairs for the women and making sure that he got the empty one on the other side of Mac. Introductions were made, and Mac explained to Ian that Harm was a colleague of hers at JAG. They exchanged pleasantries and then an uncomfortable silence settled over the group.

Ian finally broke the ice by asking, "So the two of you work together?" All eyes at the table turned to look at the pair.

Harm didn't answer. He had turned his chair sideways and was staring at Mac. For the life of him he couldn't figure out how the picture Webb had painted of her while he'd been gone fit into the one of her he'd carried around in his poor, broken heart since she had uttered those fateful words down in Paraguay. Mac didn't seem to hear Ian's question either and shifted uncomfortably under Harm's intense scrutiny.

When neither responded Webb spoke up helpfully, "They've worked together for what is it? Eight years now?"

Another brief silence followed until Harm blurted out, "Dance with me, Mac." He then stood up and almost dragged her from the table before she had a chance to refuse.

"Harm-" she protested as she yanked her arm from his grasp.

He cut her off before she could say anymore. "Please, it's important."

She sighed and turned back to the table. "Ian, do you mind?"

He forced a smile not sure of what he'd found himself in the middle of and said graciously, "Not at all, Mac."

Webb clapped Ian on the shoulder and said reassuringly, "Don't mind them. They're sort of like an old married couple with unresolved issues. Sugar, why don't you tell Ian about the belly dancing class you teach at the homeless shelter? I'm sure he would be fascinated."

Mac turned and followed Harm to the dance floor and waited until they were a distance from the table before she let him have it with both barrels. "What has gotten into you tonight, Harm? First you show up at my apartment uninvited, then you and Webb follow me here, and what was that back at the table? You're lucky I didn't drop you on your six when you pulled me away from the table."

"You told me to come find you later." He held his arms open, not touching her until she gave in reluctantly and stepped into his embrace. He pulled her close and started moving around the floor.

"This isn't later," she grumbled.

"So I lost track of time. It feels like I've been watching you dance with Ian for hours."

"First you're jealous of Clay and now you're jealous of Ian?" She stiffened and tried to pull away. "I won't do this with you again, Harm, because it never leads anywhere."

"Maybe envious is a better word for what I feel." He sounded wistful.

She looked startled by his admission, and relaxed back into his embrace a bit when she asked curiously. "Meaning what?"

"Meaning that sometimes I wish I didn't know you, and you didn't know me." He watched her eyes flash dangerously at his words and tried not to smile when her defenses slammed firmly back into place.

"Is that so?" she asked tightly.

He nodded solemnly and continued, "If I didn't know you I'd see you across a crowded room and think, 'My God, who is that beautiful woman?'"

"Sure you would." She rolled her eyes and tried to act annoyed with him.

"I'd walk over and introduce myself." He smiled boldly.

"You've always been able to think on your feet."

"And then I'd ask you to dance. It would be simple." He stood with her in the middle of the dance floor, and they barely moved. "I'd get your number so I could see you again. Take you out on a date. Try to get you into bed." Her eyes widened and he grinned and whispered, "Admit it. You'd be disappointed if I didn't try to seduce you."

"Maybe a little," she conceded.

He tightened his hold on her and said, "We'd fall in love and be happily married before the year was over."

"Wow. That was simple. It's a real shame we already know each other."

"I know," he agreed and then shrugged. "But what are you gonna do?"

They started moving to the music again and for a few minutes neither of them spoke.

"You know, Harm, you've been acting a lot like a stranger lately." Mac smiled and reached up to toy with the collar on his shirt.

He studied her face and said nonchalantly, "You haven't really seemed like yourself either."

"You already have my number." Her fingers traced the pattern in his tie.

"You're number one on my speed dial," he admitted huskily.

"Maybe you should call me up and ask me out then." Her eyes were sending all kinds of invitations.

"Maybe I should."

The music ended breaking the intimate spell that surrounded them. Mac took a deep breath and pulled herself from his arms. "Thanks for the dance, Harm."

He started leading her back to her table and said, "You're welcome, and I hope I didn't mess things up with Ian." They both looked over to see that Ian seemed quite happy as he explained something to Sugar who was hanging on every word. Clayton and Honey were deep in conversation, too. Harm stopped before they got too close to the table and said, "Listen, I think I'm going to head home, Mac."

"But it's still two hours until midnight. Sugar will be disappointed if you leave."

"I doubt it and she's Webb's problem anyway. I guess I should have believed you when you said there was nothing between you two."

"You should always believe me, Harm."

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. "Happy New Year, Mac."

"Happy New Year, Harm."

"I'm beginning to think it might be after all."

He might be going home alone, but he had hope for the first time in a long time. He was almost to the doorway of the ballroom when he stopped and looked back for a one last glimpse of Mac. My God, she was beautiful. Just seeing her across the room was like a punch in the gut. And that's when he knew he couldn't walk out of that room without her. He didn't want to settle for hope. He didn't want to be noble and do the polite thing. He started storming back toward the table and with every step his determination grew.

All conversation stopped at his approach and Mac's eyes grew wide when she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong, Harm."

"Stand up, Mac. You're coming with me."

Ian stood up and tried to block his way. "Look, Rabb, I've been patient with you all night, but enough's enough, so why don't you just leave?"

Clay stood up and grabbed Ian's arm. "I don't think you want to get in the middle of this."

Mac stood up and got in his face. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm on a date with another man."

"I don't want to argue with you, Mac." And before anyone could stop him Harm threw her over his shoulder and started marching toward the entrance.

Honey and Sugar giggled and clapped. Ian was outraged and started to chase after them but Clay stopped him and said a little sadly, "Let them go. She can take care of herself, and I think Sarah is exactly where she wants to be."

To be continued-