A/N: Nope, the contents within have never happened! At least not that I'm admitting to.
Harm has just landed in Pensacola, and per their tradition when either one of them has to go TDY, he contacts Mac to let her know that he arrived safely at his destination. Since he is stateside this time, he opts for a phone call where he can hear her sweet voice vice the usual impersonal method of communication that he is required to use when he is sent to less than desirable locations.
She notices the caller ID, pulls her phone off the counter, and answers with a slightly frazzled "Hello."
He smiles, "Hi Sweetheart, just wanted to let you know I've landed safely at the Cradle of Naval Aviation."
She laughs, "Not even at your old stomping grounds for an hour, and you are already itching to get back in the cockpit."
Picking up on her slightly worn out torn he remarks, "Not this trip, unfortunately. Did I catch you at a bad time?"
Undoing her tie, and walking up the master suite she answers, "Nope, just got home."
Harm groans when she puts the speaker phone on, knowing that she is placing the phone on the bed to undress and he isn't there to partake of the view. He teases, "I swear you do this on purpose!"
She chuckles, "I do not, but I need to change out of my uniform. You just happened to call at the precise moment I need to change. I'm not the one who had to leave on an investigation. I would just like to be a little more comfortable when I go pick up our daughter. I'll make sure that I make it worth your while when you get home."
He can't help the Flyboy grin that emerges. The one nice thing about him going away is that Mac always gives him a fantastic welcome home. When it's a work night, they both end up showing at the office the next day slightly bleary eyed from keeping each other awake all night.
She can imagine the grin he is sporting as she jests, "Down Boy! You have work to do."
He brushes her comment aside, "I have no idea what you are inferring, Marine."
She answers huskily, "Uh huh, how tight are your pants right now?"
Damn! She knows him way too well. He reluctantly admits, "Getting more confined with every word you speak. Stop using that voice, Mac!"
She singsongs, "This voice?
He grumbles, "You are going to be the death of me one of these days!"
Pulling her blouse over her head and slipping on her shoes, she depresses the speakerphone, and puts the phone back to ear. Answering him in her normal tone, "Our lives will never be dull."
Thankful that she has lightened up on her torture for the moment, he replies, "Haven't been since the day we met and I hope that it will never change. One adventure after another keeps me on my toes."
Suddenly, he hears tons of shuffling going on in the background and several curses in Farsi. He inquires, "Mac, what's the matter?"
Frustrated, she replies, "I've torn the kitchen apart and I can't find my damn cell phone anywhere. I swear I had it on the counter right next to my keys."
She hears low laughter on the other end of the phone.
Slightly frustrated, she asks, "You think this is funny?"
His laughter grows exponentially in volume, "Yes, most definitely."
She huffs, "You want to sleep in the shed when you get back instead of having a nice welcome home in our big comfy bed?"
Even though she can't see it, he is vigorously shaking his head in the negative. Choosing his next words carefully he states, "No! I'll behave. But honey, just sit down for a moment and take a break before you drive yourself crazy."
She balks, "Ugh! I can't. I need to find my blasted phone so that I can go pick up Trisha. I don't even want to hear the lecture that I would get from Mr. Overprotective for leaving the house without my phone. 'What if you got into an accident? What if there was another emergency? What if duty called?' and all of the other laundry list items that you would come up with!"
Harm inhales a deep breath, knowing that she is merely baiting him and he doesn't want to have an argument over something this simple. That was the old Harm and Mac, and marriage to this woman has definitely taught him not to fight about the small things. He quietly says, "Mac, check your hand."
Mac holds her free hand outstretched in front of her, "What do you mean, 'check my hand?' There is absolutely nothing in my hand!"
He sighs, "The other hand, Mac. The one holding your cell phone next to your ear."
She sheepishly replies, "Oh!"
Harm laughs again, "Feel better now?"
She fully anticipates and 'I told you so' heading her way, "Not really, but I'm sure you do."
Lovingly he answers, "Nah. That's what I'm here for. I have to go get checked in. Give our daughter a kiss from her Daddy. I love you, Mac."
She smiles, "Love you too, Harm. I'll talk to you later tonight."