AN: I'm so sorry for the delay in posting this part. I know I repeat myself here but I wanted to edit this part before posting it. It actually took me much longer than I had in mind. Oh well, sure hope I'm not fired and you still enjoy this story :-)

Kathy, this one's for you. Everything will be okay! Just never forget that. I'll always be here for you. Love ya!

Home Is Where Your Love Is Chapter II - Part 21

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

Mac's House

Rock Creek Park

Washington, DC

7:07 PM

Harm parked his car on the road outside of Mac's house. He sighed deeply and turned off the ignition before putting his head back against the headrest. He closed his eyes for a few seconds to reflect on what had taken place. It just wouldn't stop gnawing at him.

A part of him was still frustrated as hell about his meeting with Vice Admiral Williams. It had been a total waste of time as none of his questions had been answered. Harm had him read the forensics report, but his only response was a slight snort when he handed the report back to Harm. "I need to know what this is all about, Sir," Harm had pushed vehemently but to no avail. "I have no comment, as there's nothing else I have to tell you, Commander," the Vice Admiral responded matter-of-factly before calling for the guard to take him back to his cell. Before Williams was led away, Harm promised him that he would be back the next day, and that he intended to get all the answers required to build a strong defense. The Vice Admiral never responded. He merely continued to walk away to the tiny confined space behind the bars, accommodations he needed to get used to because they were about to become his permanent home.

Harm rubbed his hands over his face, letting out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding before placing his hands on the steering wheel and leaning his head against the back of them.

"You okay?" Grams asked Harm after watching him for a while. She could see that he was deep in thought and that whatever he was thinking about was troubling him. It was evident by the worry line she had seen etched across his forehead.

His grandmother's voice brought him out of his reverie. He turned his head to look at her, giving her a warm, heartfelt smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. No need to worry, Grams."

She knew he was appeasing her so that she wouldn't do just that… worry. But she didn't want to push for now. She knew he needed more time to sort through whatever it was. "Well then… let's get the hell out of this car," she answered, smiling brightly. "I'm hungry." With that said, she opened the door and got out of the car.

Harm laughed, flipping his keys as he emerged from the car. "Oh boy… if you don't sound like a certain Marine we know and l... ah… let's get going, shall we," he quickly caught himself.

Grams looked over to Harm smirking. "We girls know how to appreciate and savor good food. Not that you would know anything about good food. With that rabbit food you're so fond of eating."

"Ha, ha. You know Grams, just because I don't like to eat dead animal all the time, doesn't mean that I don't appreciate good food." Harm circled to the back, opening the trunk of his SUV to retrieve his overnight bag and Grams suitcase. "And… about the good food… well, we'll have to see about that. Mac's cooking," he told her chuckling before he closed the trunk with a thud.

"Sshhh, behave yourself, Harmon!" Grams said sternly, slapping him playfully on his arm. She looked up, catching his surprised look. "Hey, what's wrong, dear?"

"I didn't know she was inviting other guests tonight," Harm answered, frowning just a little as he looked at the car parked in Mac's driveway.

"It's not the Roberts' car," Grams concluded as she looked at the Black Metallic car parked in front of Mac's garage. "Do you know whose car that is?"

"No. I have no idea," Harm replied, taking a closer look. All he knew was that it was a 2001 Voyager XL with a DC license plate. The back windows were tinted so he couldn't establish anything by looking inside them. When he got to the drivers side, he was able to discern Ash leather seats. The dashboard was visible and he could see that there were only a few hundred miles on the odometer. But nothing in the car gave him a clue as to who owned it or who the guests inside might be. "Guess we'll find out soon enough," he murmured as he followed Grams to the front door, which Mac had already opened and was currently standing there, giving Grams a warm hug.

"Hey, Grams," Mac welcomed Sarah Rabb warmly before breaking their embrace, inviting her in. "Come on in. Dinner should be ready shortly. I hope you're hungry."

"I am and it smells delicious, Sarah," Grams said as she stepped into the house.

"Thanks. I hope you like grilled chicken with baked potatoes, garlic bread, and spicy veggies."

"Sounds wonderful, dear."

"Hey, Marine," Harm greeted Mac with a smile before bending down to place a soft kiss onto her lips. He then proceeded to follow his grandmother into the house. "You're right, Grams. It does smell delicious."

Mac slapped his arm gently. "Don't sound so surprised, Navy. Like I already said, I can cook. I could probably even manage a meatless meatloaf for you, if that's what you really wanted."

"Really, we'll just have to see about that. Meatless meatloaf is not to be tinkered with. It is an immeasurable work of art."

"Oh, brother, come on, Harm. How difficult can something that tastes so horrible be for heaven's sake?" Mac teased.

Harm simply nodded his head in acquiescence, shaking his index finger at her. "I think I'll just try the chicken, thank you very much," Harm bantered back as he looked around the living room. "So, where are your other guests?" he asked, putting his bag and the suitcase down near the door.

Grams had gone into the kitchen and placed her purse on the counter. She was enjoying the teasing going on between Harm and Mac. 'If these two aren't totally perfect for each other,' she mused, 'I don't know who is.'

Mac reached over and closed the door. Harm's question surprised her. "What other guests? You and Grams are the only people I invited."

Harm turned around and gave her a puzzled look. "Then whose car is that out in your driveway?"

Mac smirked before walking into her kitchen to get them something cold to drink. "It's mine," she stated proudly as she opened the fridge and grabbed the sparkling cider out of it.

"Huh?" Harm could have sworn she just said that the car was hers. "Come again."

Mac chuckled at Harm's reaction. She thought this would most likely be his reaction, but the look on his face was absolutely priceless. "I said that it is my car," she repeated before closing the fridge with her hip and a thud.

"Hallelujah, Lord!" Grams screeched, raising her arms upward in victory.

Mac winked while Harm totally ignored his grandmother. "What happened to your 'vette?"

Mac shrugged, handing him and Grams a glass of cider. "I sold it," she answered dryly. She was enjoying this immensely. Mac had to admit if only to herself that when she first thought about selling her beloved 'vette, it wasn't easy for her to see how advantageous it would be - even when she started to add up the pros and cons. Even after she had made the appointment to make the deal final, she still wasn't one hundred percent convinced it was what she wanted to do. But as soon as she'd handed over the keys and title to the vette and the new keys and paperwork were placed into her hands, something clicked and she became confident in her decision and right then and there she knew it was the right one. The Voyager had definitely exceeded the price limit she'd set for herself, but the moment she saw it, something clicked and she knew it was the right thing to do regardless of the cost.

"Okay, let me repeat myself, Marine. Come again. I swear you just said you sold your pride and joy… aka… your 'vette."

Mac nodded. "Yes, Flyboy, that's exactly what I said," she replied as Harm quickly turned around to sneeze. "Bless you. Are you sure you're okay, Harm? You've been sneezing since this morning." She reached her hand toward him in an attempt to feel his forehead when he caught it in mid motion, and kissed her palm before letting it go.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Don't worry, Mac. It's just a little cold."

She looked at him incredulously. "If you say so," she answered, not believing him for a minute.

"I do. So… do tell. Why did you sell your 'vette? I mean, you loved that car. I remember the time you got a good offer from someone interested in buying it and you said no way, no how… it wasn't for sale period… end of story. So what gives now?"

Mac wasn't really sure that she wanted to have this conversation right now, but she really didn't have much of a choice because she knew Harm well enough to know he wouldn't give up until he got an answer. She shrugged as she tended to the chicken. "Things change I guess. Marcello, you know the guy who owns the Italian restaurant down the street." Harm gave her a knowing nod and Mac continued. "Anyway, he's made several offers over the past few months. Something about it being previously owned by his wife and he would love to be able to give it back to her for their upcoming anniversary. He also went on to say that their son was conceived in it, which I proceeded to tell him was way too much information," Mac added chuckling as she crinkled her face. "I can't for the life of me figure out how that was even possible given his particular height and weight for crying out loud."

"Oh, come now, even I can think of a few ways to…."

"Grrrrraaaaammmmmmmmms!" Harm shouted wide-eyed and bright red.

Grams smiled devilishly. "I wasn't born in this old body you know, Harmon. I was young once, and…."

"Okay, okay… I get it." Harm stopped her with his hands held out in front of him. "I don't need all the details," he continued, fending off the embarrassment that had caused even his ears to turn red at having this conversation with his grandmother. Even though he did have to admit that he knew exactly what Mac meant, seeing as how he always felt like a pretzel getting into one.

Both Grams and Mac laughed hysterically at Harm's reaction. After he had calmed down,

Mac continued to stare at Harm with a glint in her eye and a smirk on her face.

Harm caught the look on her face. "What?"

Mac shook her head. "Nothing. No need to repeat myself. I've already said it before and I know, you know, exactly what I'm talking about because it's written all over your face, Squid." She laughed.

"Well then I guess I don't have to bother answering because you know exactly what I am going to say, Jarhead," he replied. "But it is my grandmother." Mac heard him utter under his breath. She smiled, loving the part of him that still acted like a little boy.

Grams immediately walked over to her grandson and tugged on his catawampus ear. "I'm sorry, dear," she said chuckling. "I didn't realize you would feel this uncomfortable."

Harm put his hand over hers. "It's okay, Grams. Can we just forget about it?"

Grams winked at Mac as she walked away. Mac in turn kissed Harm on the cheek before letting her mouth wander up to his ear. "Did I ever tell you that you look so damn sexy when you blush?" She gently licked his ear and walked away without waiting for his answer.

Harm was intoxicated by the scent of her perfume, and had all but stopped breathing when her breath fanned his flushed skin, but he outright shuddered the minute her tongue touched his ear. Harm thought it best to keep any further comments to himself and just shook his head, letting her have the upper hand for now.

He grabbed her around the waist with one hand to stop her from getting away, bending down to her ear, and whispered haughtily, "we will just see who makes who blush later."

She looked up at him sweetly. "Bring it on, Squid."

"You have to admit, it sure sounds like the car holds lots of memories for them," Grams threw in. "And it's so romantic," she added smiling while Harm groaned.

Mac couldn't help herself and continued to play along. "Yeah, it certainly is romantic, isn't it?" she replied dreamily as she started to put the food onto the breakfast bar. "They probably had to sell it because they needed the money to get the restaurant up and running. I remember the day he approached me after I had parked it on the street in front of the restaurant. He walked around my car, looking it over carefully, and told me his wife had owned it once. I was skeptical of course, and asked how he knew it was that particular one. He smiled knowingly and showed me a little knick under the bumper that had been made when they had driven over a rather large curb. From then on every time he saw me, he increased his offer."

"So, what made you finally accept his last offer?" Harm asked as the three of them sat at the breakfast bar to eat dinner. A small part of him still couldn't believe she actually did it.

"Like I already said, things have changed," Mac explained quietly. "I first started to think about selling when I found this house. The fact that all my money was gone was a pretty good reason. Don't get me wrong, I knew that the insurance would come through sooner or later so I wouldn't be in a financial bind for long, but I still needed to think about my future. I would still like to eventually buy this place, and it costs much more to keep a 'vette than it does a van. I can definitely save some money to apply towards my ultimate goal. I mean really, it's only a car. For the short term, the money has gone towards buying furniture and in the long term, it will be going towards calling this house mine," Mac concluded by softly rubbing her hands together signifying end of story.

Grams piped in immediately. "I think you made the right decision, Sarah. Let's face it, that car out there IS a car," she said, winking as she remembered the comment she had made in the park a few days ago. Mac laughed as that particular conversation instantly came to her mind as well. Grams took a bite of the chicken and hummed. "This is delicious, honey. You will have to give me the recipe before I go back home."

"Thanks, Grams. I'm glad you like it that much."

Harm looked at this grandmother with a raised eyebrow before taking his first bite of the grilled chicken. "Wow," he said. "I'm impressed, Marine. This really is good."

Mac rolled her eyes. "Don't sound so surprised, Navy. I told you…," she looked lovingly into Harm's blue-green eyes.

"Yeah, I know," he interrupted looking back. "You can cook," he finished for her. He had to admit it. She could. "Guess I will have to make you cook more often, or even better," he continued, moving forward to kiss her cheek gently. "We can cook together. I'm sure we can have a lot of fun."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," Mac answered chuckling.

"Now… getting back to your 'vette. I hope you don't mind me asking, but exactly how much did you get for it? I mean, you did say that you even used the money you made to get some furniture, and if I'm not mistaken the car outside appears to be new."

Mac smirked before taking a bite of the spicy veggies. "Boy, that brain of yours never stops does it, Squid? Let's just say I made more than enough to do what I needed to do," she replied, swallowing the veggies. "And maybe even a little more. I already ordered what I want for my living room."

"Wow, is that guy crazy or what?"

"No, Harmon, that guy is in love. Plain and simple," Grams corrected her grandson and winked at Mac. "I love your new car, Sarah. It has plenty of room and one can sit in it without feeling as though your rear end is sitting on the pavement. I wish you good luck with it."

Mac laughed and as odd as it seemed, she knew Harm's grandmother was right. She had a real car now. 'Wow,' she thought happily. 'To finally admit it really wasn't so bad.'

Harm shook his head and sighed. "I don't know, Mac. Somehow I never pictured you in a van. I mean, it's a 'mommy'-car," he inadvertently blurted out. His head immediately shot up to glance at Mac. He gulped audibly when he saw her expression. It wasn't that she thought he was insulting her choice of transportation. No, he knew she too was thinking about the day AJ was born and their 'baby deal.' Grams had been listening keenly to every word, but pretended to be preoccupied with serving herself more veggies.

Seeing that Grams wasn't watching, Harm leaned over and whispered, "Do I hear your biological clock ticking, Marine?"

Mac smiled coyly in response, and before she could say anything Grams broke the emotional moment. "She's just thinking ahead, Harm. Sarah will be a great mother one day. Don't you think so, Harmon?" she asked softly, giving Mac a sweet smile.

Mac knew it wasn't the right time to go there and that Grams had no idea that she'd just opened a can of worms. Therefore, she decided to jump in quickly and changed the conversation. "The car will work out perfectly. I mean, it will be so much easier to get Jingo to the vet and to transport his economy sized dog food. Now I can even pick up Little AJ more often."

She realized then that they had all finished eating and quickly rose to clear away the dishes from the bar. "Everyone ready for dessert? I made a great Citrus Mousse."

"You even made dessert? Geez, Marine, you've been holding out on me all these years, I wonder why?"

Mac winked at him grinning. "Well, every girl needs her little secrets after all," she quipped as she got their dessert out of the fridge. "And besides, why should I have cooked when you always offered to. I'm no fool." They all appreciated the comment and laughed light-heartedly.

Mac served the dessert to everyone's delight. Harm and Mac kept exchanging glances while they delicately ate the Citrus Mousse, both their thoughts going back to the previous night and the delectable dessert they had shared in oh so many wonderful ways.

"Thanks, Mac. That was really a great dinner," Harm told her cheerfully once they were done.

"Yes, dear, it was wonderful. Thank you for having me," Grams added.

"Don't mention it, Grams. You are always welcome here. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love having you here. I love having you both here," Mac said, smiling warmly at them before starting to load the dishwasher.

"Hold on, Mac, let me give you a hand," Harm jumped in.

Grams was about to offer as well when she was stopped in her tracks before she was even able to move off the stool. "Grams, if you don't mind, do you think you could let Jingo out back for me. It's been a while since he's been out," Mac asked.

"Of course, if that's what you prefer I do."

"Yes, please. That would be great. Thanks. Harm and I can finish this up."

Grams nodded smiling. "Jingo!" she bellowed. "What do you say? You and me take a little walk out to the back yard, okay, boy? This way you can take care of your business and I can walk off some of this food."

Jingo didn't have to be asked twice. He barked his approval eagerly, wagged his tail and ran for the door.

"Good boy," Grams responded as they made their way out back. Harm and Mac quietly worked together to clean up the kitchen and get everything squared away for the night.

*

Grams was sleeping comfortably on the new bed Mac had bought and placed in the spare bedroom downstairs. Jingo had stayed with her for a while until he decided it was time to move to one of his usual spots upstairs, outside Mac's door.

Inside Mac's room, she and Harm were getting ready for bed. "Thanks, Mac."

"For what?"

"For cooking dinner, for thinking about Grams and getting the new bedroom set delivered in time for her to sleep on tonight, for just about everything and anything," he concluded with his infamous flyboy grin.

"No thanks necessary, Harm. It was my pleasure, really. I meant it you know. Grams is always welcome here no matter what. I really do love her."

"I know," Harm responded sheepishly. "She loves you, too."

Mac crawled onto the bed and under the covers, lifting them for Harm to join her, which he did enthusiastically. They kissed sweetly as their hands roamed tenderly. They were both content to just enjoy the feeling of being in each other's arms.

It was Harm who broke the silence after kissing her forehead, not quite sure how to start this particular conversation or even if he should, but decided to go for it. "Mac, about the baby deal. Do you… ah… um… I mean… would you… ah like to maybe move up the time table? I mean, I know we said five years, but I'm not in a relationship and you're not in a relationship. No… wait… we are in a relationship. Well, at least I think we are, with each other that is. So, what do you think?"

Mac ran her hand affectionately through his chest hair, curling it lightly. "You know, Harm, for someone who is so articulate in the courtroom, you can certainly be tongue-tied sometimes." She laughed.

"Are you making fun of me, Mac? I'm trying to be serious here," he said, sounding a little offended.

"I'm sorry, Harm. I'm not making fun of you. I think your awkwardness is very endearing… sweet actually."

"Well then… are you going to give me an answer?" he asked hopefully.

Mac lifted enough so that she could look into his eyes. She placed her left hand onto his chest and pillowed her head on top of it. She let the fingertips of her casted hand run over his brow, down his cheek, and over his bottom lip. "Yes, Harm. I love you and I think moving up the time table is a very good idea. Neither one of us is getting any younger after all."

"And, do you think we're ready for this?" Harm wanted to know as he let his fingers run through her short hair before he softly caressed her neck.

Mac moved up a little to place a short but sweet kiss on his lips. "Well, this is all… our relationship… is still new for us and something we're working on, but yeah, in the near future, I think I'm… we're ready for this. But I think I would like to have a little more time with just you and me first. Plus, think of all the practicing we can do in the meantime," she leered.

Harm laughed. "I would like that… very much, Sarah," Harm whispered before he kissed her with all the love he felt for her. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She then lowered her mouth to his and kissed him with all she had. She ran her tongue across his lip and he opened his mouth so that she could delve in and enjoy the feel of his tongue clashing with her own. Mac hooked her leg around his and started to turn around, taking Harm with her in the process so that he lay above her.

The passion between them was building, but Harm had to put the brakes on. He hadn't finished saying what he wanted to say. He gently pried his lips from hers. He was breathless, and they were both panting with need. "Hang on a minute, Mac," he gasped trying to put some space between them.

"Harm?" she asked out of breath, wondering if something was wrong.

"There's something I have to tell you."

"Now?" she asked with a playful pout, but saw that there was something on his mind.

"Yes, now… there is no time like the present as the saying goes," he replied smirking.

"Well, if you must."

Harm looked longingly down at her, but said nothing. He raised his hand and started to let his thumb run over her cheekbone, over her cheek to the curve of her bottom lip. "Sarah," he just said and pulled her bottom lip down to let his thumb run over the soft, moistness he found inside. "There is so much more I have to tell you. So much I want…." He sighed in frustration. "I just wish I knew…"

"What?" Mac whispered, watching as he tried to sort out his words and seeing his frustration. Suddenly it dawned on her. What he'd just said made her heart beat wildly. She remembered. "Wait, stop. Don't say another word," she said quickly.

Harm froze and gave her a bewildered look, not quite sure what to make of it all.

She quickly disentangled herself from Harm and got out of the bed and went to her briefcase that was beside the dresser.

"Mac?" Harm called after her, frowning as his eyes followed her every step.

"Come on, where is it?" Mac murmured to herself as she opened her briefcase. She had remembered the letter he had started a long time ago. "Ah ha, there it is," she concluded in triumph as she retrieved the unfinished letter. She went back to the bed and sat down, handing the letter to Harm. "Maybe you can finish this," she told him softly and quickly added, "I hope you're not mad, but I found it in your desk when I was looking for the keys to your car. It had my name on it so I read it. I would really like for you to finish it… that is if you don't mind. I'd really like to know what you were going to say."

Harm was looking for answers so he looked down at the letter while Mac was still talking. He shook his head and smiled. "I had forgotten all about this, Mac. Is that what you really want me to do… finish this?"

She looked at him sincerely. "Yes, please."

He looked at her lovingly before shaking his head and laughing. "You know, I can't refuse you anything, don't you?"

"Yeah… I guess I do, and I love you for it. Thanks, Harm."

She leaned down and kissed him sweetly, before crawling back under the covers where Harm immediately took her back into his loving arms. She eagerly laid her head on his chest right above his heart. Its steady rhythmic beat gently and quickly lulled her to sleep.

Sleep however did not come so easily for Harm. He lay there enjoying the feel of having Mac in his arms, but most of all he was thinking about the unfinished letter she had given him. A letter he had started in what now seemed like a life-time ago.