2:00 p.m. local time.

Mac headed into the bathroom with her robe. She emerged 20 minutes later with wet hair, bundled in a fluffy, alabaster white terry cloth robe with the initials of the B&B in embroidered script on the chest.

"Gee, thanks for warning me you were taking a bath!"

"Sorry. It looked inviting and I didn't take long."

"No, you didn't. I am just giving you a hard time. My turn…I hope you left me some hot water!" He disappeared into the bathroom, and emerged 20 minutes later in a cloud of steam. He walked out to find her curled up on the couch that was directly in front of the fireplace with her book, yawning. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all. Grab the quilt off the bed, though. I was getting chilled over here." He did as she asked and grabbed the handmade quit and spread it on the both of them after he positioned himself in the opposite corner of the couch. He moved her feet so that they were resting on his hip, and arranged himself so that his long legs were totally on the couch, but out of her way. The room had gained a chill in the last 45 minutes, and he did not want anything dangling out and getting cold. Looking up from his own book, a Sherlock Holmes mystery, he watched as her eyes became heavy, before she finally succumbed to her drowsiness and allowed her head to slowly tilt backwards until it rested on the arm of the couch.

He watched her for a few moments, as she dozed. She looked so peaceful, in contrast to the many times her face was lit up with rage and drive, usually at something he had said or done. "Foreplay."

Startled at his own admission, Harm shook his head and returned to his book. Soon, his head became heavy too, so he closed his book, placed it on the floor, and laid his head back for a few minutes. The Victorian-style couch was beautiful, but not as plush as one would like for a nap. Trying not to wake Mac, Harm silently extricated himself from Mac's legs and the blanket and went to stretch his 6 foot, 4 inch frame in the bed made more for his size.

Feeling Harm shift on the couch, Mac startled awake. There was still a chill in the air, thanks to the lack of a real working heater, and the fire was not going full force. Seeing him climb into bed, she followed suit and snuggled under the covers next to him. Wordlessly, he raised his arm so she could get closer and put her head on his shoulder. She found herself wondering how in the world they had come this far and this close so easily. She did not want to question too much-that is what got her into trouble before: dissecting and analyzing her relationship with him until it was dead.

4:30 p.m. Slowly coming back to consciousness, Mac lifted her head to see the clock on the wall. She realized she was still in the same position she was before she drifted off to sleep: her arm was draped across his chest, while her head was resting in his shoulder. Putting her head back on his shoulder, she laid there, absently smoothing the fabric on his robe. Harm's eyes fluttered open, and seeing Mac awake, he squeezed her shoulder in a hug. "Mmm…did you sleep well?"

"mmm-hmm. I did, thank you. I am getting spoiled. I have slept better here than I have in awhile." Smiling, she stared absently across the room, not daring to look into his eyes, for fear that he was uncomfortable at her response. Instead, he surprised her by leaning down and kissing her forehead.

"Yes, I would have to agree." I know we're here on business, but getting snowed in has been great for us. I feel like we have become closer and stronger here. I guess a forced vacation will do that for a couple."

"A couple?" She asked, tentatively. He put his index finger below her chin and raised her head so that he could look her in the eyes.

"Well, yes, I suppose. Mac, I have told you before, but it is still true: I want to be a part of your life. I want to be in it, not looking in on it from the outside." Raising up on her elbow, she smiled with a smile that made her chocolate brown eyes sparkle.

"Does this have anything to do with the fact that that Jimmy was watching me earlier? He really is jailbait, you know."

Blushing, Harm could not deny that his feelings for her were made more obvious to him when he felt more protective of her when another man showed an interest. "It didn't hurt, but Mac, you and I have been moving towards something meaningful for awhile now. Sarah, I would like to date you and 'court ' you if that would meet with your approval." Harm exhaled a sigh of relief. There. He had said it, and there was no way of "unsaying" it now.

She was looking down, and smiled because she couldn't believe he was finally saying this to her. All of these years, performing their dance of interest and disinterest, love and sheer anger had only served to deepen their relationship.

"Mac, are you going to say anything?" Harm asked, a noticeable strain in his voice. Mac peered up at him, her eyes glistening with tears of joy and relief.

"I would love to be courted by you. It will complicate things in the office, but I think we can handle it." She smiled broadly, and his expression mirrored hers. Cupping her face, he shook his head in relief that she hadn't shut him down as she had after Paraguay. Leaning in, his lips met hers in a gentle whisper of a kiss.

"You know, it's getting late. I wonder if Vonda has dinner ready yet." Mac said, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of sunset. Just then, a knock on the door was followed by Vonda's voice, as if on cue.

"Hey Y'all. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes."