Mac's tattoo has Harm a little obsessed. This would be two scenes, one right after Harm learns of her tattoo... the second half once the assignment is over.

Vanished...

Well, I do have a tattoo.

"Ankle. And you use some of that face spackle to cover it up." Harm was waving a carrot stick at her, using it to get his point across as they sat in the officer's mess having dinner. He nibbled thoughtfully on the carrot and expectantly waited for her response.

Mac raised one characteristic eyebrow. "Face spackle? Do you mean foundation?"

"Yeah, that. Soooo... ankle."

For the last half hour, ever since she'd let it slip that she'd been inked, Mac could literally feel Harm's eyes on her. Out on vulture's row he'd heedily traced her body with his gaze, unabashed and followed by a grin that was far too sexy. She retreated with him hot on her heels, his flirting ceasing only when they stepped back into the ship. His gaze did not abate although Harm had toned it down somewhat.

"That's where one of them is." Mac's voice was low, sexy and she coyly waggled her eyebrows at him.

Admittedly, her youth had been much rebellious than most calming only when her brush with death (and Uncle Matt) lead her to the Corps. She abhorred the military before then with their rules and regulations, the confining way they dictated how to live.

Her father warned against branding her skin, so Mac did anyway. Not once but, twice. The first was a black heart with the word 'love' etched in red. Indeed, it was drawn onto her ankle and concealed daily with 'face spackle.' The second...she wondered if Harm could guess correctly and if it would prompt him to search for it.

She nearly choked on the water she was drinking when Harm's eyes went wide - that Rabb-in-the-headlights look overpowering his previous flirtation. "You have more than one?"

"Yep. I have two. You guessed one, care to locate the other?" Mac was enjoying this break in protocol. Hell, she was living for any attention from Harm that stated an interest other than friendship.

There was just something about him that made her want to fall in love and believe in everlasting kismet. Harm had opened something inside of her that had been closed off for years. She felt good around him, safe. If only love was a part of the equation. For now, she would flirt with him, red light some of his advances. It was a game to play until one of them figured it out.

It really didn't help that, of late, she had caught him staring a time or two. No longer was he seeing that other mystery woman with her supposed likeness. No. Harm was looking at her and quickly looked away when caught.

Mac sighed. "If only."

If only he wasn't seeing Annie. If only she weren't involved with Dalton. If only they weren't in the same chain of command, she was sure they would have been an item by now. From the moment they met there was a fire burning chose embers never died, waiting to be ignited.

"If only what, Mac?" He was staring expectantly at her with that smug flyboy grin. When she didn't reply he leaned in and used a voice so low only she would hear. "Soooo? It's on your six then?"

Mac leaned forward as well, her eyes drifting to his lips. "Sooo... It's on my..."

"Commander! Major!" Bud's excited voice cut their conversation short as he regarded his mentors with new evidence.

Two Days LaterKey West, Florida"No. No, I don't believe I'll change my mind." Mac was on the phone when Harm arrived at her doorstep, out of uniform and ready to head to dinner. With the investigation wrapped up and flights delayed due to a winter storm, they were stuck in the Keys for a day or two.

Harm openly looked at Mac admiring her feminine curves that were accentuated by the flowy light blue sundress she wore. His eyes focused on her left ankle where her tattoo was only half visible through the straps that were attached to her heels.

"I don't like being manipulated, Dalton and that is exactly what this feels like." Her voice cut through the fog in his mind as did her tone of voice. "Yeah, well, it's over!" She slammed her cellphone shut with finality and then heaved it onto the bed.

Apologetically, she glanced up at Harm, shrugging at the questioning look in his eyes. "Dalton... We're through."

"Oh. I'm ah... I'm sorry." He wasn't. The slight smirk on his face said otherwise. "If you wanna stay in, I get it. We can order room service..."

"No, no. I'm not gonna wallow. Let's go, flyboy." Mac grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him out of the room.

They had dinner at the hotel's tiki bar and despite her desire not to wallow, Mac did just that. It wasn't that Dalton was a bad guy, perse, she just didn't like the manipulative types. She sure has hell wasn't leaving JAG to become his trophy girlfriend. "Penny for your thoughts, Major?"

"Just musing about my new failed relationship." She shrugged. "Turns out I'm not much company after all."

Harm reached across the table taking her hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze. "You're a smart lady. If you broke it off with him, there's a reason." His thumb was stroking the back of her hand, a touch so gentle.

"Dance with me." He urged her, pulling Mac to her feet when a live band began playing. She didn't protest merely let herself be led by him, the one man she'd ever trusted.

Mac enjoyed herself, moving with him in time to the Caribbean music. When a slow song began he pulled her to him, one arm circling her waist, the other holding her hand. They moved in a slow circle around the dance floor, keeping somewhat of a regulation distance.

And then her eyes locked onto his. The hungry look Harm gave her nearly made Mac's legs go weak. If his arm hadn't tightened around her waist she would have fallen then and there. The hand at his shoulder came up behind his neck raking through his short hair as Mac pulled his head down to hers.

She kissed him gently only to feel his arms wrap completely around her waist molding her to him. Harm kissed her back with fervor and a desire that he hid from her. It was maddening the way he wanted her, the fantasies that kept him up at night. "I want you." He said in a husky voice.

"Yes." And then she was pulling him off the dance floor and into the hotel.

Once inside the room, Harm had her pinned against the closed door. His mouth trailed a path of fire from her neck down. "I think I'm falling for you, Sarah." He said between kisses to her lips and cheeks, stopping only to press his forehead against hers.

"I'm already there." She admitted. Mac was pretty sure she fell for him from the beginning.

"Now. Any more guesses as to the location of my other tattoo?" She pushed past him with a mischievous grin, her hips swaying seductively as she stopped at the foot of the bed.

Harm shook his head, "No, but I think I'm going to enjoy the search." He planned on kissing every inch of her body, not leaving an inch of skin untouched.

"By the way, I have my navel pierced as well." And then the dress fell off her body, pooling to the floor.