October 26, 1997

"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Teagan looked around the small boutique Mac had taken her to.

Mac shrugged. "Something classy and covered but sexy?" She rolled her eyes and sighed. "That sounds impossible when you say it out loud."

"It's not impossible," Teagan said, browsing through the nearest rack. "Just think a 1950's cut. All those ladies were covered and sexy as hell. We'll find you something."

Mac looked doubtful but started searching anyway. "I'm never going to look like a '50's girl."

"We're not here to discuss your insecurity, we're here to make you look even more drop dead gorgeous than you already are." Teagan pulled a dress. "How is this?"

Mac eyed the dress, then shook her head. "No."

After three more dresses that Mac shot down, Teagan decided a different tactic was needed for this shopping excursion. "Okay, we're going to do this differently. You are going to get your pretty behind into a fitting room and I'm going to pull some dresses which you're not going to say anything about until you've got them on. You're not going to see the shape of them hanging on a hanger."

"You're my personal shopper now, too?"

"Hey, whatever shoe fits. Go!"

Ten minutes later, Mac was standing in front of the mirror, pulling on the fabric of the black dress. "Well, it's not hideous…"

Teagan bit back a groan. "It's not hideous, she says. It's beautiful. You're beautiful in it. What's wrong with it?"

Mac bit her lip, shrugging.

"At the risk of berating you like you do Tally: try words, Mac."

The Marine heaved a breath. "Not sold on the neckline."

"So the scoop on the front is too much. Duly noted, try the next one."

Mac glared at her but turned back to the fitting room. "Have you figured out what you're going to get Harm for his birthday?"

Teagan nodded, although Mac wouldn't be able to see. "I'm going to take pictures. Unless you want Jack to pull a prank on him, we're out of talents. Pictures it is."

"That's great, Teag. You don't have to do that."

"Like I said: unless you want Jack to pull a prank on him, we don't have a lot of talents. Or ideas. I just do what I do best."

"Except for calling me on my so-called bullshit and finding dinosaur tracks a million years old."

"Right, I'm good at that, too." Teagan crossed one leg over the other. "And since I'm basically your resident photographer, I expect to be asked for pictures during all other important Rabb/Mackenzie events."

"You just want us in your portfolio."

"I might be persuaded to admit that, too, yes."

Mac pulled the curtain back and stepped back out. "Why?"

"Because the three of you take perfect pictures, and I want to be the only photographer in the district who gets to take them. What is wrong with it, Mac?"

Shaking her head, Mac huffed. "Seriously, when did I become such an open book to everyone?"

"You're not an open book," Teagan countered. "You just had the same look on your face three minutes ago. So?"

"Not sure about the sleeves?"

"Nothing with a butterfly sleeve. Got it. There's one more."

"You drive a hard bargain, you know that?"

"That is why you bring me, Mac. That is why you bring me."

The next six dresses didn't make the cut either. Mac found something wrong with every one of them.

"All right. Explain to me what it is. Is it the color? The cut? Does it make you uncomfortable? All of the above? What is it?"

Mac bit her lower lip, looking anywhere but at Teagan. "What if he doesn't like it?"

"Who? Harm?" Teagan blinked. "Mac, you can wear a garbage bag and the guy will still think you're the most beautiful girl in the room. I'm sure he'd rather you'd be comfortable in your own skin."

"You make it sound so simple."

"It is that simple." Teagan eyed her. "You're the one who wanted to come up with a seduction plan. Are you still absolutely sure you want to do this? Because there is no pressure other than the pressure you put on yourself. You don't have to be his birthday present."

"No, no, I want this. I want him! I'm just… nervous. Does it make sense to be nervous?"

Teagan laughed. "Of course it makes sense to be nervous! You think I wasn't when Jack and I decided to cross that line, however influenced that decision was by alcohol and lust? I'm sure the six cocktails I had loosened me up a bit, but giving yourself to someone is not the same as sharing dessert after dinner. And I don't have your history, so I can't even imagine what you must be feeling, whether you trust the guy or not."

"It's just…" Mac searched for words. "I want it to be perfect. I want him to know that I want him. But a part of me is afraid that I'm going to shut down when we get there and it'll ruin everything." She crossed her arms over her chest, her shoulders slumped. "What if I shut down, Teag?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure that Harm will notice when you freeze, and you two will figure out a way to deal with it. I don't think he'll force you into anything, because he is not that kind of guy, and if you tell him to stop, he'll stop. Nobody's first time is perfect, Mac. Jack and mine was far from it, I'm sure you and Harm will need to find a rhythm. And if you have to readjust, you readjust. It's fine. And if you don't get it right the first time, you try again." She bumped Mac's shoulder. "There are worse things than trying again."

"Is Jack… careful with you?" It felt like a silly question to ask, but it was out there before Mac could stop herself.

Teagan pursed her lips. "Let me put it this way: Jack pays attention. And sometimes he tries things that don't work, and sometimes he nails it and I can't remember my own name, and some other times we're in between. It won't always be mind-blowing, but it will be between the two of us and that is what matters most." Something else occurred to her. "How was it with Chris?"

Mac's eyes grew wide. "You want to have this conversation here?"

"We're the only people here, and worst case scenario is that Miss Alma overhears us. You started it," Teagan persisted. "How was it with Chris?"

"All right, I guess." She waved dismissively. "I have very little to compare it to, because there's only been one other boyfriend since, and it was much of the same."

"More about them than it was about you?"

"I guess."

"You're in for quite the treat, then."

"Am I?"

Teagan grinned. "If Harm is anything like Jack, and I'm confident he is, he'll make sure the whole thing is about you. You might actually believe in magic once the night is over."

Mac looked doubtful. "If you say so, Teagan."

Her friend winked. "But before we even get to that point, you're gonna need a dress to even set your plan in motion, though."

Exasperated, Mac threw her hands in the air. "Fine! Let's find a dress!"