I'm back :) I've been living without internet for the last week so you can imagine the struggle hehe so chapters 10 and 11 were actually one whole chapter but ff was having a hard time processing the whole file so I had to split it in two. So hope you enjoy the next (accidental) two chapters! All your comments are so deeply apprenticed! :)

Well…he certainly didn't need that.

He'd seen the shimmer silver two-door Porsche parked in Mac's driveway as he'd walked out the door. It had taken him a few seconds though to put two and two together and understand the meaning behind it; there was someone else there.

Moving down his driveway he examined the car from a distance with a little suspicion and as surreptitiously as possible. Turning his head as the sound of voices caught his attention he was stumped as he watched the rather tight looking hug between Mac and…'who the hell was that?' he wondered as he stiffly but quickly jumped into his car avoiding being seen. Turning the engine on he cursed the tree that was now in his way. Then driving out he stole one last look out the window…

Boy…this was going to be a long day.

It was nearly a week now since the incident with the girls and things had essentially gone back to the old normal. Taking Mac and Chloe out of the equation meant Harm and Mattie went about their lives as before…

…except of course that Mattie was grounded and Harm…well he was just feeling miserable.

There was an uneasiness he was living with now. He felt uncomfortable about the way things had ended with Mac. It was a thorn that pricked at his side daily now and one he desperately wanted to do something about. Many times he'd been tempted to walk himself over to her house and put things back in order. Explain his outburst and reason with her. Apologize even. But then he'd remember the fear and anger he'd felt that day, and the coolness with which she had handled it…and all his goodwill was clouded yet again. Moments like those convinced him that it was in fact her who should be apologizing.

It was a vicious cycle.

Truth was, in the calm after the storm, Harm did recognize Mattie's own responsibility in what had happened and was not about to let it slide. As such he had grounded her. Problem was…he had never actually 'grounded' Mattie before and therefore didn't know how much of a pointless exercise it would be. Mattie was a homebody by nature therefore grounding her made absolutely no difference to their daily routine!

But that's what he wanted wasn't it? For life to go back to what it used to be? Nothing was out of order and everything happened in predictable patterns. That is what he wanted…

Slowly coming to a stop at a red light he let out a long and heavy sigh.

It was nice though…that feeling of being needed…maybe even wanted…

That Saturday alone had been the happiest he'd been in…years. He wasn't an unhappy man. Not by any means. He loved his family and loved his job. But…there was just something about…having a woman by his side. No. Not just any woman. No. He'd done enough of that in his youth to know the difference. No. It was a particular woman. It was…a connection. A pull. But as life would have it, Mattie came along and his change in careers along with her…so he had made a conscious decision to put that particular need aside and let it sit dormant for…years now.

But as fate would have it…out of all the available properties in Middleton…she just had to move in next door. And that feeling that had been asleep for so long was suddenly awake and wanting more. Just a little bit more. Maybe one more conversation…or another coffee…just…anything…but just…a little bit more…

So what was stopping him? His pride? No. He could certainly get past that. Was it fear? Had he caused enough damage that there was no turning back now? No. He didn't think he had. And surely she could understand where he was coming from that day? He'd been terrified. No. It wasn't that. So why didn't he just walk over to her house and make it right! He would! He would put his words together and bring his case before her…

Wait. No…he couldn't.

There was that guy…who was he? The one from this morning who was holding her with so much familiarity and confidence.

Oh great. He was angry again!

Gripping the steering wheel a little too tight he jolted at the gentle sound of a beep behind him…reminding him of the green light ahead.

Mac pulled herself away from an all too strong hug; "What are you doing here? We weren't expecting you…yet." Her voice was strained as she looked at him confused.

"I know," he shrugged carelessly with that wide smile he always carried. "Thought I'd surprise you. I arrived last night and figured I'd come and take you out for breakfast! Like the good old days!"

Mac shook her head but did her best to offer him a smile; "I'm on my way to work Mic."

"You're working now?" Mic asked surprised. "You didn't tell me."

"Forgot to mention it," she justified. "I'm working down at the police station."

Mic was unimpressed if his face was anything to go by. As he raised an eyebrow and flattened his lips Mac could only think to herself; 'Yes Mic. It's a far cry from where I used to be. No need to mention it.'

Nodding; "Ok. Well. How about we go for that breakfast and you can tell me all about it?"

She smiled a little awkwardly; "Um…Mic I was just heading to work now," pointing to her car. "I can't go for breakfast."

Looking as if taken aback he joked; "Since when do lawyers punch in? Besides, they're lucky to have such a top lawyer working for them. They should be begging you to come to work."

Wow. There it was. The arrogance she disliked so much but tended to let slide for some reason. Taking a calming breath; "I have to get work Mic. Chloe has to get to school."

Mic was just tilting his head to continue his plead when…

"Did I just…Mic!" Chloe ran down the stairs in nothing but a bathrobe. As she wrapped her arms around Mic who pulled her into a tight hug, Mac couldn't help wonder and hope that Chloe was wearing something, anything, underneath that.

"I thought I'd heard you! I didn't think you'd really come!" Chloe exclaimed.

Putting her down Mic looked her in the eyes; "Of course I would love!"

Chloe was beaming…possibly the happiest Mac had seen her…in weeks.

Letting out a long breath Mac intervened; "Mic. Chloe needs to go to school and I really have to go," taking a look at her watch. "Why don't you come by for dinner?"

"He just got here! You can't just send him away!" Chloe demanded

"You have to get to school," Mac reminded her.

"I'll drive her," Mic offered innocently enough and giving Chloe a quick wink.

Mac considered the offer and quickly accepted; "Fine. Thanks." Turning to Chloe she asked; "Please go upstairs and get dressed."

Unhappy but obliging Chloe looked to Mic; "I'll be right back!" before running back upstairs.

There was something about Chloe's attachment to Mic that made Mac just a little bit uncomfortable…but then she seemed happy around him and maybe that was the good she needed to see in it.

"Where are you staying?" Mac asked him.

"There's really not that many places worth it around here. The best I could find was a little bed and breakfast about 20 minutes out."

Could he just not help himself? Condescending as always. She'd be angry if she weren't used to it already. Mac nodded in patience; "I think I know the one. How about we meet you for dinner?"

"Perfect!"

Nodding; "Ok. I'll see you later. I really have to go."

Aiming for just a hug, Mac leaned in but instead received a kiss on the cheek as Mic whispered in her ear; "Bye beautiful."

Smiling, Mac pulled away; "Bye." And made quick steps to her car.

Mattie watched from a distance as the last few students made their way through the school gates. Those gates would close in exactly 10 minutes and still no sign of Chloe.

"Mattie!" shouted Nick getting her attention from a few meters away. "Come on!"

Mattie took one last look towards the gate and with a frown turned and hurried towards Nick.

"I don't think Chloe is here," she informed Nick.

He didn't really care and made it clear; "Why do you still care? It was no thanks to her you both nearly died."

"Oh my God!" Mattie came to a stop abruptly and angrily. "Could everyone just stop talking about that!" She was frustrated and well aware that every one around her blamed Chloe for the incident. But the fact was she had made the choice to go up there and as such she had just as much blame. She was almost grateful her dad saw it that way and had grounded her for her actions…despite the little difference it really made.

Problem was (if you could call it a problem) she had built herself a reputation for being the exceptional and obedient child. So no matter which way she tried to turn this, in everyone's eyes it always ended up being Chloe's fault. Which is probably Chloe had her at arms length. Several times through out the week Mattie had tried to talk to her during their lunch breaks. Even waited for her at the gates at the start of the day as she had been doing just then. But it was no use. Chloe was just as distant as before…perhaps even worse because now rather than angry she was simply indifferent and Mattie wasn't sure which one bothered her more.

"Sorry," Nick looked mildly apologetic but continued anyway. "But just look at what she did on Tuesday! I'm surprised she wasn't expelled for that little stunt with the mascot!"

Well wasn't that another issue altogether! The more she had thought about it, the more she was convinced Chloe had been motivated by the boys from Trinity that she'd been spending so much time with. The private boys school was actually in Blairsville, the next town up from Middleton and had a history of raising spoiled brats with a tendency to stir up trouble. It really wouldn't surprise her if they'd been egging Chloe on to steal the mascot for their own entertainment.

Rolling her eyes Mattie and Nick continued on towards class; "She wouldn't get expelled for trying to steal a wooden eagle!"

Taking one last look behind her, the gates to the school now closed and still no sign of Chloe.

Feeling someone approach her desk, she raised her eyes just as a large cup of coffee was placed on the desk in front of her.

"Clay!" she smiled as she looked down at the coffee. "Thank you."

"That's alright. When we picked up the orders from the Bistro this morning, Harriett mentioned you hadn't been by today to get your morning coffee." Shrugging he continued; "Thought I'd bring it in for you."

She'd been so distracted this morning, she'd driven right past the Bistro, forgetting all about her coffee and heading straight to the station.

Flattered and grateful she smiled openly; "Thank you. Really. You didn't have to."

"It's no problem."

Clay couldn't believe his luck when he'd found out this gorgeous woman was going to work in this very place. He had offered himself to help in anything and everything she might need. He had taken over from Bud when her desk area being cleared and prepared for her. In one word, he was smitten.

"So how are you finding it?" Clay asked. "You settled in?"

"Yeah. Well, it's certainly a different side of the law to what I'm used to."

"You're probably bored," he giggled.

"No! Not at all! To be honest with you this is probably the first time in my career I don't feel like I haven't got enough hours in the day and enough days in the week!" both getting a laugh out of her comment. "What about you? How long have you been here?"

"Oh since I left high school!" he announced proudly. "My father was chief deputy. My mother was a detective. Natural progression I guess."

"Wow. Do you want to be detective?"

Looking around as if he was about to share a deep secret, he leaned towards her and whispered; "I want to work for the CIA."

Raising her eyebrows, Mac had to admit she was…surprised. "Really?" she whispered back.

Biting down on his lower lip Clay suddenly looked a little shy and self-conscious; "Yeah. I know. It's a long shot."

She realized her reaction had probably put him off and that was certainly not her intention; "Oh! No. No. Actually, I know a guy who works for the CIA. Back in New York we had to deal with him a few times. Don't ask why," she explained and then gently added. "It's hard work." She didn't feel the need to add just how much everyone hated that guy…and just about everyone else in the CIA.

"Hmm. Maybe it's too late for me," Clay simply shrugged looking a little deflated. "I don't know. We'll see what happens."

"I'm sure you'll do fine!" she tried to reassure him.

She knew Clay had been flirting with her since her first day here. Would she go there? No. Not at all. He'd been sweet and extremely kind…but no. There was someone else right now that was keeping her awake at night.

Without a word, Victor walked into the office and put down a large cup of coffee on the desk in front of Harm.

Looking up Harm let out a short breath. He thanked the heavens for a friend like Victor. He knew when to speak and when to simply act…and right now he couldn't bear words…he just needed a coffee!

He'd been so distracted this morning, he'd driven right past the Bistro, forgetting all about his coffee and heading straight to the hangar.

To be honest he couldn't even recall if he'd greeted anyone on his way in. All he knew is he'd closed the door to the office and hadn't been out in what must have been hours now. He'd certainly gotten a lot of work done…but goodness he had a headache. On the plus side he had focused so much on his work he hadn't spared a thought for what was really eating away at him.

'Maybe she didn't go to work? Maybe she's spending the day with him? Showing him around town?' Reaching for the coffee, Harm shook away the thoughts and looked up at Victor; "Thank you."

"You sounded like you needed it?"

Harm frowned wondering what he meant.

"Some of those filing cabinets were getting a little more than they deserved."

Harm looked over at them suddenly realizing he'd probably been slamming them with a little more force than necessary. Slumping his shoulders he apologized; "I'm sorry."

Victor simply shrugged accepting whatever explanation Harm was willing to give. "It's alright. Though I could use your help on something."

Pressing his fingers against his temples he took a deep breath; "Ok." He let his arms drop on the desk and gathered strength; "Sure."

Watching him a little longer Victor stepped back out, only to be shortly followed by Harm who carried his coffee with him.

He hadn't gone very far before coming to a stop.

"Wow."

How had he not seen it?

Slowly approaching it as if scared to touch it, Harm was completely taken by its beauty. Putting his hands on it he felt like he was looking through time.

"A 75, 1935-1936 stearman," he was amazed.

"1936," Victor confirmed and standing back as he watched his friend with a smile.

Rounding the biplane Harm tried to take in as much as he could. Its gorgeous yellow color. Its features and curves. Its history clearly spelled out in its markings and scratches.

"Where did it come from?" he asked still hypnotized by what he was touching.

"You remember a few months back we went over to Finnegan Riley's farm up north?"

Harm nodded as he looked to Victor.

"Well his grandfather passed away a few weeks back."

Harm grimaced.

"Anyway. I got a call from Finnegan who said they'd found a plane on his grandfather's property. They didn't need it and didn't know what to do with it. He asked if I wouldn't mind coming over and having a look. Imagine my surprise when I saw it!"

Harm could only shake his head unable to rub his smile away. "She's stunning."

"It's a she is it?" Victor asked humorously.

"Of course she is! Look at her! She's gorgeous!"

Victor nodded with a smile; "Fair enough. Well, she, needs a lot of work."

"I can imagine."

"I'm sure you'll manage."

Harm looked at Victor who explained; "She's all yours!"

"No. You found her and brought her here. She's yours."

"Harm. What am I gonna do with a plane huh? I'm happy to tweak and tinker with them but I certainly don't need one. Besides…she's got your name all over her."

Watching Victor to make sure he was being serious, Harm's smile widened; "You have no idea…how happy you've just made me."

Shrugging Victor smiled; "Thought you might like her."

Of course Harm liked her! She was just…perfect.