Chapter 13

Harm closed the door and turned to face Mac before hesitating and turning to close the blinds also. Mac was looking at him curiously, despite having a good idea of what it was Harm wanted to talk to her about. Harm sighed and sat down on the edge of her desk while Mac waited for him to speak.

"You know I love you don't you?" asked Harm.

Mac looked at him in surprise. "Of course. And I love you too," she replied.

"Good. So tell me why Sarah," said Harm.

Mac shook her head slightly. "Why what?"

Harm gave her a look. "You know what. Why did my helping that woman bother you, because it obviously did," he said.

"I don't know," said Mac softly.

"Well, I do know but I don't know why it bothered me like that. She was flirting with you Harm and it didn't look like you set her straight," she continued.

"Mac, I'm a happily married man. My wedding ring is there for all to see," said Harm.

"She was still flirting with you and she's a blonde…" said Mac, breaking off.

"Even if she was flirting, I wasn't flirting back. I just helped her with her stuff," said Harm.

"Besides, I didn't marry a blonde, I married a beautiful brunette named Sarah. Know her?" added Harm.

Mac smiled. "I think so. She's being a bit silly at the moment though."

"I love you Sarah, with every fiber of my being. I don't want you thinking I'd want someone else. You're the only one for me. I found you, finally got my head out of my six and married you and I'm never letting you go sweetheart," said Harm, looking into her eyes.

Mac's eyes were moist and she held back tears as she got up from her seat.

"I'm sorry. I love you so much Harm," she managed to get out, before bursting into tears and burying her face against his chest.

"It's me who should be sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," murmured Harm into her hair as he held her close.

"It wasn't you. I don't know what's the matter with me today," said Mac, pulling back to look at him.

"It's okay. I just always want you to know how much I love you," said Harm, wiping her tears away tenderly.

"I do know. I love you with everything I have too honey. I'm sorry for being silly," said Mac.

"It's okay," said Harm soothingly, kissing her lips softly.

"Harm?" said Mac.

"Yeah?" replied Harm.

"Can I blame pregnancy hormones?" she asked with a small smile.

"You bet. We do have to remember that there are pregnancy hormones floating around," he said with a grin.

"Floating around?" asked Mac, raising her eyebrows at him with a smile.

"Well, whatever it is that pregnancy hormones do," said Harm, chuckling.

Mac smiled. "You're the best husband any woman could ask for, you know that?" she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I do now that you've told me," replied Harm, pulling her closer.

"Good," said Mac leaning her forehead against his.

Harm smiled before capturing her lips with his in a loving embrace.

Someone cleared their throat at the door and they sprang apart, coming at attention as they saw their CO.

"Sir!" they said together.

"I'm going to pretend that I found each of you in your respective offices working," said AJ sternly, pacing in front of them as they stood at attention.

Neither of them dared to speak and remained staring straight ahead. Chloe's head appeared at the open door and she watched in amusement.

"I also don't need to repeat that this is a work environment and you are senior military officers," continued AJ.

"Do I?" asked AJ, pausing to wait for a response.

"No sir!" said Harm and Mac in unison.

Chloe watched, eyes wide, not knowing whether to laugh or disappear before the Admiral saw her.

"Good. Now back to work! And I need to see you both in my office at 1630," said AJ gruffly.

"Aye aye sir!" said Harm.

"Yes sir!" said Mac.

Chloe's head disappeared quickly and AJ walked out off the office, allowing a small smile to cross his lips. Harm and Mac looked at each other.

"That could have been worse," said Mac.

"Good point. Remind me of this next time I decide to break the rules though," said Harm with a grin.

"Sure. But I'll probably need reminding too," said Mac smiling.

"Shouldn't be a problem," said Harm.

"We got away with a mild chewing out really," said Mac.

"Uh huh. Even a worse one would have been worth it though," said Harm winking as he headed out the door.

Mac smiled. "I agree."

"Sarah?" said Harm a few seconds later.

Mac looked up.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," said Mac.

With a loving glance he left her office, striding over to his own.

"That went well," said Chloe's voice a moment later.

Mac laughed. "Don't think we didn't see you Miss Madison."

"Yeah, but since you had to stand there at attention you couldn't do anything even if I was sitting there eating popcorn," replied Chloe cheekily.

Mac gave her a mock stern look.

"Popcorn would have been a good idea. I wonder if I could make some for next time you guys get in trouble," added Chloe with a grin.

"Okay, okay. You've had your fun," laughed Mac.

"True," agreed Chloe.

"So I guess I don't need to ask whether you guys made up?" she continued.

"We didn't have a fight sweetie, but yeah we made up," said Mac.

"Good. Was it that lady that bothered you?" asked Chloe.

"A bit. I think these pregnancy hormones have been a bit of a shock to the system," said Mac.

"That's normal though, I think," said Chloe reassuringly.

"Yeah, it is," said Mac.

"Oh, I had a file for you," said Chloe, going through a stack she'd left on the floor and handing a file to Mac.

"Thank you. You're a good helper you know," said Mac.

"Thanks. I'm in training," said Chloe.

"What are you in training for?" asked Mac, raising her eyebrows.

"Being a Marine of course," said Chloe seriously.

"You're going to be a Marine lawyer?" asked Mac with a smile.

"Yup. I like the Navy uniform better though," said Chloe.

Mac laughed. "Don't let Harm hear you say that. He'll try to convince you to join the Navy!"

"I'm not deciding which I'm joining yet but being a Marine would be cool," said Chloe.

"That's right. You still have years before you have to make that decision," agreed Mac.

"Maybe you and Harm can tell me how you decided some time. Dad too. Better go deliver some more files though," said Chloe.

"All right. And I'd better get back to work," said Mac.

"Hey Chloe," said Mac as Chloe headed out the door.

Chloe turned around.

"Semper Fi," grinned Mac.

Chloe grinned back. "Semper Fi," she replied saluting, before heading over to Harm's office.

Chapter 14 is next.