Harm's apartment
February was almost over and Harm had spent most of it away on assignment. He was finally back home after two weeks in California. He hadn't minded the climate-change, but he had missed his fiancee so much by the time he was flying home he was lovesick and unhappy.
He put the coffee down on the table and joined Mac on the couch. They had gone to bed early the previous night and slept in late that morning.
He noticed wedding magazines on the table and reached for one. They had set a date in June, now they only had to agree on the size of the wedding.
He looked over to what had her so occupied. She was reading an article about an archeological dig. His little geek, he thought and smiled.
"Have you thought some more about the wedding?" he wondered. "Because my mom was asking about it and she and Frank want to contribute financially."
Mac turned her focus on him. "We can manage."
"That's what I said, but mom has decided so…" he let it hang.
Mac nodded. "I'm not crazy about the idea of a Navy wedding. The whole tradition with the sword is just not me."
"Okay, we'll go another way," he reached out and started playing with her hair. "We can do the small intimate wedding."
She smiled sheepishly. "You want that?"
"I'm open to anything," he smiled. "We can have a small wedding, put a just married banner on Sarah and fly away to a remote location and spend two weeks locked away."
Mac chuckled. "That does sound kinda nice."
"Yeah?" he caressed her cheek. "You and me in a cabin somewhere…"
"What would we do with all that time?" she wondered.
"Well," he leaned in and kissed her. "I'm sure we'd come up with something."
One week later
Harm carefully opened the door and peeked inside. No Mac to be seen. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. They had agreed to stay at his place but after that day he wasn't sure she would show up. It really hadn't been his fault. He decided that they were probably due to having an argument. Everything had been all love and flowers with them since they'd gotten together. She probably wasn't as angry as he thought either. After all, it was just a big misunderstanding.
He was about to head further into the apartment when he stopped abruptly and found her staring at him from the steps leading to his bedroom.
"Hey," he offered a sweet smile. "I'm glad you came."
"You didn't think I would?" she questioned.
She did not look happy he decided. "It's just that at JAG you seemed a bit…" he couldn't find the right word.
"Want to tell me about Commander Moore?" she questioned.
"There's nothing to tell," he said with a shrug.
"Really? Because she seemed really surprised that you were engaged," Mac pointed out as she stepped off the stairs. "From your little reunion in the bullpen, I take it your status as engaged didn't come up while you worked with her two weeks ago?"
"First of all, we were on opposite sides of a case," he reminded her. "Second, I don't understand why you are so angry."
"I'm angry because you always have to flash that smile around in front of every female who suggests interest, and that's pretty much anyone you've ever met," she accused.
"Woah," he held his arms up. "I don't flirt with other women."
"You know, this reminds me why it took us this long to get to this place," she accused. "Because you jump at every opportunity to flirt."
"I do not," he snorted. "This is silly."
"You know, I shouldn't have come here," she brushed past him.
"Mac," he walked after her. "You realize that you're angry because some woman I worked with suggested that we have dinner to catch up?"
She turned with her hand on the doorknob. "No, Harm, I'm angry because you acted the same way you'd do if you were single."
He was about to reply but she opened the door and walked out of there, leaving him staring at the closed door. He shook his head. "That did not go well," he said to the empty room.
Later
"So you need advice on women?" Bud looked hesitantly at Harm. "And you come to me?"
"Well, yeah, you've done well in that department," Harm suggested.
Bud smiled. "I have," he agreed.
"Today at the office did it seem like I was flirting with Commander Moore?" Harm asked.
Bud hesitated. "Well, sir, it wasn't that you were flirting but you were just being yourself."
Harm was confused. "Meaning?"
"When a good looking guy, such as yourself, smile and talk to a woman, the woman might get the wrong idea," Bud stuttered.
Harm shook his head with confusion. "So I shouldn't be nice?"
"Well, yeah, but maybe at some point in the conversation, you should have introduced the Colonel, not just as our Chief of Staff. Especially when the Commander was suggesting dinner," Bud suggested.
Harm was confused. "I didn't agree to have dinner, was I?"
Bud hesitated. "You didn't say no."
"Okay, now I'm more confused," Harm admitted.
"Sir, you're finally marrying the woman of your dreams," Bud reminded him. "You should broadcast it."
"Huh?" Harm wrinkled his forehead.
"You're acting no different than you did before you and the Colonel became a couple," Bud explained. "When you're at the office, she's just Mac to you. Do you know how many times the Admiral has walked in on Harriet and me embracing or kissing? Or when Harriet has been feeling down, I've reached out in a way I wouldn't if it was anyone else at the office."
Harm thought about it. "I guess you never have to explain to anyone that Harriet is more than a colleague. It's obvious."
Bud nodded. "Exactly."
Harm chuckled. "I guess I have a lot to learn, Bud."
"Believe me, I've done a lot of mistakes," Bud admitted.
Later
Harm locked himself into his apartment. He had left Mac a message telling her that he was sorry and for her to call him when she could. He figured when she didn't answer she needed more time.
"Hey."
He turned towards the couch and found her staring at him. "Hi," he said carefully.
"Where have you been?" she wondered as she put her book down and stood.
"I was with Bud," he shrugged. "I left you a message."
"I never went home. I drove around and came back here," she admitted sheepishly. "I'm sorry."
"No," he smiled. "I'm sorry. Apparently, I'm a jerk."
She was amused. "What?"
"That wasn't exactly what Bud said, but I think it was what he meant," he offered a sheepish smile. "I should have introduced you as more than our Chief of Staff."
She shrugged. "It's okay, I was overreacting."
"No, you weren't," he hesitated. "I treat you like any other co-worker when we're at work, or we're in uniform."
"That was the agreement," Mac was confused.
"The point is that I should have gotten across the fact that I was engaged to you," he studied her. "And don't be all understanding when I've come to a realization."
Mac looked confused. "I thought I was the one saying sorry because I overreacted to the situation."
"I'm saying I'm sorry because I didn't treat you like the woman I'm going to marry," he hesitated and then he smiled.
"Harm, you're you," she stepped closer to him. "You're not the touchy-feely type, and I don't expect you to be."
"But what if I'd like to do better with you?" he reached for her hand. "I don't want you to feel like I'm not fully committed."
She leaned in and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too," he kissed her again.
"Have you considered the fact that you treat me like a co-worker at work because we're both professionals?" she suggested. "I would feel uncomfortable with you being all over me at work."
"I'll try to save that for when we're alone," he joked.
"Have we made up?" she wondered.
"We have," he kissed her again, pulling her closer.
"Can we eat now? I'm starving," she smiled.
The next day
"I believe that was it," the Admiral said and was about to stand.
"Actually, sir," Harm looked at Mac.
"Yes, Commander," the Admiral looked at him.
"Mac and I have set a date," Harm announced. "Keep June 7th free."
Everyone burst out with congratulations. "That's great," Bud smiled widely.
"I wouldn't miss that," the Admiral said.
"Sir, it would mean a lot to me if you'd consider giving me away?" Mac looked hopeful at their commanding officer.
"Colonel, that would be an honor," the Admiral looked moved.
"Thank you, sir," Mac offered a sincere smile.
The Admiral nodded. "Dismissed."
They all snapped to attention.
Harm and Mac shared sweet smiles.
"Where's the wedding going to be?" Harriet wondered.
"I'm not sure," Mac looked at her future husband. "We'll figure it out."
"We will, and soon so that we can send out invitations," Harm added.
"Let me know if you want help looking at dresses," Harriet offered.
"That would be great, Harriet," Mac followed Harriet out of the conference room.
"Congratulations, Commander," Commander Moore smiled politely.
"Thank you, Commander. It's finally happening," Harm couldn't hide how happy he felt.
"It's about time," Sturgis slapped his shoulder. "Congratulations buddy."
"Thanks, Sturgis," Harm followed him out the door.