21

September 1, 1997

Keeter decided it was the little things that made the difference. He'd been watching Harm and Mac together for the better part of the evening. For as long as he could tear his eyes away from Teagan, anyway.

Something had shifted. He'd arrived with Teagan at Molly's just as Mac was brushing some imaginary lint off Harm's shoulder while they were talking. Tally was sitting somewhere in the sandbox located two yards away from the terrace and she was still the first to see him. "Uncle Jack!"

"Miss T!" There were going to be perks to being stationed in Washington DC, Jack had decided. Being closer to his goddaughter and his best friend was absolutely going to be one of them.

He introduced Teagan and the night unfolded like every other get together they normally had. Although, not completely. Keeter couldn't pinpoint it at first. Maybe it was him, being slightly nervous to introduce Teagan. For the first time in his life he thought this could go somewhere. This relationship had potential to grow. To last.

But as he leaned back in his chair, making easy conversation with Mac about this and that, it wasn't him, per se, that had changed. It was the two people in front of him. He had teased Mac about the size of the piece of chocolate cake she was being served, but it soon became apparent there was a reason why Molly had served her an extra-large slice. As soon as the cake was on the table, Tally showed up next to it, almost salivating at the sight.

Handing her a spoon, Tally dug in for a bite. Then she all but ran back to the sandbox, while Harm admonished her that running was not allowed with her mouth full. Eating was done at the table, not in the sandbox. Tally's eyes pleadingly flickered to Mac, who backed Harm up and told her they'd discussed this earlier. Vigorously chewing, Tally settled against Harm's leg for the time being.

Tally went back and forth between cake and sandbox for as long as there was cake. Mac would eat two-thirds, Tally the rest, with the exception of the two bites Harm scooped away with the spoon he stirred his coffee with.

Later, Mac laughingly swatted Harm's arm away as she was recalling a case they had worked on before he was sent TAD, and he was trying to get her to omit a few facts. Her laugh was clear in Keeter's ears and he understood how Harm had said that she hadn't completely been herself at Tally's birthday party. In all honesty, he liked this Mac even more, with her easy laugh, dancing eyes and the fact that she, too, would relentlessly tease Harm.

She and Teagan hit it off over a shared love for paleontology and shoes. At least it meant he could catch up with Harm more easily. As he was telling Harm about his new duty station, he saw Mac look up and scan the playground out of the corner of her eye. Tally was playing tag with some other kids, and as of yet, nobody had been hurt, so Keeter wasn't sure what she was looking for. She excused herself from Teagan, and stepped over Harm's stretched legs, using his offered hand for balance. Before Mac was completely clear of the table, the sharp wail that sounded caused Harm to look up in alarm, too. He was out of his seat before Keeter had time to blink.

Teagan looked over as Mac picked a crying Tally up and hugged her to her, undoubtedly whispering soothing things into her ear. "Good maternal instincts," Teagan murmured.

Keeter couldn't agree more. He didn't miss the look of silent communication between the two adults, either. Could there be a chance that Harm was actually already after her? Without needing a nudge in the right direction? Frank would be proud.

The three of them returned to the table. As Mac settled Tally in her lap, Harm carefully inspected the scrapes on her knee and elbow and went inside to find some antiseptic and bandages. Ten minutes later, Tally was patched up, still sitting in Mac's lap and quietly eating the ice cream Molly had given her as consolation.

Harm had pulled his chair closer to Mac's, draped his arm over the back and was absentmindedly tracing patterns on Tally's back. Jack wondered if Harm was aware of the picture they painted. Molly came with more drinks, and Harm shook his head at Mac's iced coffee with extra whipped cream. "I don't know where you keep it."

She stuck her tongue out at him and took a long, blissful gulp through the straw. "You don't know what you're missing."

Before long, Mac and Teagan were talking about fossils again, and Jack and Harm were quietly observing the two women animatedly talking about a subject they couldn't grasp. "This must be how they feel when we discuss aerodynamics," Jack said.

"Probably," Harm agreed. "I'm just glad she's having fun."

There was something in the tone of Harm's voice that made Jack study his friend. "What do you mean?"

"Long week. New officer at JAG. He's making her feel agitated. Won't take 'no' for an answer."

Keeter's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, he's making her feel agitated?" In the short time he'd known her, Jack hadn't gotten the impression that Mac was one to worry about guys coming on to her.

"As I'm saying, Keet. He's standing too close, saying the wrong things, calling her by her given name without permission… It's good to see her so relaxed."

"You want me to deck him?" He unclenched his fists.

Harm chuckled. "I'm calling dibs. But no, she's all right for now. Laying low. Biding her time. If I need an extra set of muscle, you're my first call."

"Good." Keeter liked Mac; more so every time he met her. If only because she was so good for Harm and Tally. "You think she'll press charges?"

"Only as a last resort." Harm sipped his one and only beer of the night. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

An hour later, Harm carefully lifted Tally out of Mac's arms, into his own. They agreed to meet for lunch soon, and after saying goodbye to a drowsy Tally, Keeter draped his arm over Teagan's shoulder as they watched the three of them saunter back in the direction of Mac's apartment.

"They're really great," Teagan whispered. "I'm really glad I got to meet them."

"Yeah? They're pretty awesome, aren't they?"

"You think they're going to figure out they're in love soon?"

He smirked. "You see it too, huh?"

"Hard to miss."

Jack pressed a kiss to her temple. "For all our sakes, let's hope so."