For disclaimer and other stuff, see part 1 and thank you for the reviews.

Chapter 3

Three weeks later, after another meeting with her support-group, Harm waited outside the building, intending to surprise Loren and invite her out for a couple of drinks.

"Harm?!"

"How was your meeting?"

"Talking gets easier with each meeting, but it still hurts all the same." She answered truthfully.

Harm had only been there for Loren's first meeting, she had decided to try and deal with the pain on her own. She attended two meetings per week and every other meeting Harm would wait outside for her, driving her home. He never pressed for information, instead he gave her the space she needed.

But on the other hand she knew she could rely on him whenever she needed him or the comfort he offered.

Twice she had called him at night when a nightmare, in which she had relived her miscarriage, had her waking up drenched in sweat.

"Anne told me to find a place to grieve. Somewhere I feel a connection with my baby like you visit the Wall."

"We both have no grave where we can mourn for the loved ones we have lost." Harm said.

"You found your place. You have the Wall, but I have nothing. Nowhere to go."

"You will find your place." He promised her.

Harm took her hand in his and together they walked to his car.

"How about some drinks?" Harm asked.

Loren only nodded.

She needed to get her mind off the events of the last couple of weeks. Loren had confronted her mother about her telling Paul where she was. Her mother had only answered that Paul had been her baby's father and had a right to know that she had never given birth. Her mother still didn't say miscarriage, once she had even said that she had been delighted that Loren's little problem had been solved the natural way. Loren had had to fight back tears at her mother's cruel words.

"Murphy's Tavern?" Loren asked surprised as he stopped his car at a known place.

Murphy's Tavern was the place their co-workers met after work. Now he wanted to go there and have a couple of drinks with Loren. It was like a statement: "Look, we are an item."

Harm could very well now proclaim his undying love for her in the middle of the bullpen. It would have the same effect.

"No one will be here tonight." Harm told her.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

Loren only raised her eyebrow in surprise.

"I don't care. Can't two friends go out for drinks from time to time?" he asked her.

"Friends? Harm, are we friends? Co-workers? Something in between? Tell me." She challenged him.

They had formed a special bond during their time in Boston. They had kissed twice and Harm had been there for her. Everytime she'd needed someone to comfort her Harm had been there. He had been her lifeline in the last couple of weeks and she was thankful for his support. But what he had planned today, having drinks someplace their co-workers always visited was like making a commitment towards her.

And Loren wasn't sure she was ready for that yet.

And Harm? Ever since Diane's murder and the break up with Annie Harm hadn't been able to commit, for several reasons. The pain of losing another woman he loved (the first having been Gym) had made him afraid that this one would die too. And the second reason was that after Annie he had realized he was falling in love with Mac. And because of his love for her and because he hoped for a future with Mac, he hadn't been able to let go of that dream by committing himself to another woman. But during the last year he had reconciled with the truth that there would never be any future for him and Mac and had thus been forced to move on. And because he had moved on from Mac he was now, after so many years, again ready to commit to a woman And this woman was Loren

But he needed her in his life. Her friendship was important to him. He had feelings for her, too. Feelings he couldn't describe right now. Something more than friendship. But was it love? He didn't know, he knew only that he'd gotten the feeling of butterflies in his stomach when he had kissed her for the first time.

"I'm not sure." He answered truthfully.

"We shouldn't go inside until we are sure what we are. Harm, coming to Murphy's Tavern together is like asking me to marry you." She told him.

"It's just a couple of drinks."

But he knew what she meant.

Loren wanted to avoid their co-workers. She knew that everyone would think she had corrupted Harm. Everyone thought of her as an evil witch like the Wicked Witch of the West, Loren's favourite musical-character.

If she went out with Harm in public it would be stating that they were together, that they were an item. And every relationship she had ever had, had ended badly. Loren didn't want to lose her friendship with Harm. Yes, having Harm as a lover would be wonderful, she could imagine him being a gentle lover, someone who cared deeply for her and her needs, but all good things always come to an end. Loren never wanted to lose Harm, never ever. If a possible relationship between the two ended, she would not only lose the lover she had, but also the person who was her friend, the one she'd come to think of as her best friend.

„Maybe another time." She suggested, meaning having drinks at Murphy's Tavern when they were sure about the status of their so-called relationship.

Harm nodded. Part of him wasn't yet ready to be seen with Loren in a public place, a place where everyone knew him and her. But he would take her out, somewhere. He couldn't very well hide with her, hide that he was friends with Loren Singer. After all, people at JAG, mainly Mac and Harriet, were starting to suspect something.

"Do you want me to drive you home or come back to my place, for the drinks?"

"I'm tired, just drive me home, please."

They would have to define their relationship soon. Someday someone would find out. Harm hoped it wouldn't be someday soon. Not that he was afraid of admitting he was friends with Loren Singer, it was just... people had never liked her, they'd always hated her.

And if someone would find out about them, meaning Harm and Loren, Harm would have to listen to people telling him that she was an evil, scheming witch, a cold-hearted woman. He hated when people bad-mouthed his friends.