Title: Daylight Daze.
By Jaye Reid.
Commenced: 16.10.2000
Completed: 18.10.2000
Category: S/R - Shipper Alert!
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not owned by me. The play things of DPB and CBS. If they ever get tired of owning them, how about we pool our money and buy them?
Summary: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Authors note: Honestly, believe me... if you are wondering what this story is doing labeled as a shipper fic... keep reading! Trust me!
Sincere thanks to Bridget for beta reading!
~*~*~
"Come on Harm," cooed Renee inching herself closer. "Let's go to bed."
Harm gave her a quick sideways glance, before turning his eyes back to the report he was reading. "I have to finish reading this okay." He replied distractedly.
"Come on... enough with the work," she continued unperturbed by his disinterest. She started unbuttoning his shirt.
Harm was getting annoyed. He had read the same paragraph three times now, and with her distractions, it still didn't make any sense. He had relented when she had rung, wanting to come over. He told her he had work to do, but like a fool, believed her story of not disturbing him.
By the time her hand slid across his chest, he'd had enough.
"Renee!" he said firmly as he placed his hand over hers to stop her.
"Yes?" she smiled hopefully.
"Quit it could you! I only said you could come over if you didn't interfere with my work this evening."
"But you didn't *really* mean that?" she asked.
"I meant it Renee! So please will you..."
A loud knock at the door interrupted his lecture. He grumbled under his breath. Just what he needed, another intrusion.
He sighed and threw the paperwork aside to go and put a stop to the knocking.
"Harmon!"
"Grandma Sarah? What the... how the..." Harm babbled as he peered into the hallway to see who else was there. He looked back to her. "You're here alone?"
"Well... this is a lovely greeting! I would have preferred a '...it's lovely to see you, give me a hug, come on in...'," she chastised.
Harm broke into a broad grin. It hid his confusion for awhile.
"Of course it's good to see you," he replied with a grin as he drew her into a hug. "It's such a surprise that's all. Everything's okay isn't it? You should have called me."
"Well I wanted it to *be* a surprise," she replied. "Now, are you going to let me in or am I going to stand in the hallway all night?"
Harm stepped aside to let her in. This of course, brought Renee into her view.
"Oh Harmon dear... I'm sorry. Now I see *why* you would have preferred I call," she replied.
"Renee was actually leaving," said Harm, still annoyed with Renee being there in the first place.
"Oh does she have to?" asked Grandma Sarah.
"Yes she does," he replied giving Renee the hint to vacate - and quickly.
Renee reached for her coat over the back of the couch. "I guess I should go," she replied, obviously unhappy.
"Harmon! You should at least introduce me to your lovely friend properly. Where are your manners young man?" scolded Grandma Sarah.
"Sorry," he replied, hanging his head like a naughty child who had been caught out. "Grandma Sarah this is Renee Peterson, Renee - Grandma Sarah Rabb."
"Lovely to meet you," said Grandma Sarah warmly. "I'm only here until tomorrow evening, but I am hoping we might get to know each other? Perhaps we should go shopping or something together? Are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
Renee shook her head sadly, lamenting the fact that this would have been perfect. The way to the sailor through his much loved Grandmother. "Unfortunately my schedule tomorrow is unbreakable at such short notice. I'd even have to turn Harm down if he wanted to see me," she smiled sweetly.
"Perhaps next time?" Grandma Sarah asked.
"Love to," Renee replied. "Anyway, I'd best be going." She walked past Grandma Sarah and kissed Harm goodnight. "Call me - okay?" she cooed seductively as she left.
"Goodnight," he replied as she closed the door. He was totally puzzled by the exchange between the two women. "Grandma Sarah are you okay?"
"Of course I am dear. She's lovely your Renee. I must say I approve of her."
"You... do?" he stammered.
"Yes darling. It's about time you settled down," she continued.
Harm eyed his Grandmother cautiously. "Well really, it's not that serious..."
"Oh Harmon, why not? I'm not getting any younger and I want to see you with a family of your own. Stop wasting time!"
This was a subject that Harm didn't feel like discussing. Honestly when he allowed himself to picture his future - the whole catastrophe - wife, kids, it wasn't Renee he envisaged playing Mom.
"Harmon?... Harmon?"
"Sorry Grandma Sarah, what was that?"
"Perhaps it should be *me* asking *you* if you are okay? How about I make us a pot of tea? I can see you have work everywhere here," she said waving her hand towards the sofa. "I won't stay too long."
"Sure. Thanks Grandma... everything is on the bench," he replied, as he gave her a hug. "I'll just pack all of this away."
Harm filed all the reports back in their respective folders while she made the tea.
"There's should be some cake in a container in the cupboard up there," he called. "left over from last night. It's a wonder Mac didn't eat it all."
"Mac was here last night?" she queried, opening the cupboard door that Harm had pointed to. "You should be spending all your spare time with Renee, not someone like Mac."
"Grandma? What do you mean 'someone like Mac'? You've never met her? She's my closest friend and partner. Besides we were going over the court case we had today."
"I thought you said that Mac was engaged these days?" continued Grandma Sarah.
"Yes she is - sort of," he mumbled. "Bugme is still hanging around like a bad smell on a hot summers day. But you should meet Mac. I know you'd like her. Why don't you come down and have lunch with us tomorrow? I'd like you to see where I work."
"Yes, I guess so. I'd prefer to have you to myself rather than share you with Mac," she smiled as she placed the tea and cake on the table. "Lunch would be lovely."
~*~
Harm lay in bed, trying to figure out exactly what had taken place in his apartment that night. Grandma Sarah had left half an hour earlier, back to her hotel. He had phoned his mother straight after she left. Trish professed knowledge of the impending visit, but as Grandma Sarah requested, she wanted it to be a surprise.
It worked.
He was surprised!
But he was surprised more by her instant liking to Renee and seemingly disinterest in meeting Mac. He had always dreaded the thought of *any* of his family meeting Renee. For some reason he doubted the outcome would have been favorable. He had wondered whether the relationship would actually last long enough for *any* such meeting to take place. And he had spoken so much about Mac to Grandma Sarah. Perhaps it was Grandma Sarah's way of telling him to move on now that Mac was with that obnoxious Australian?
~*~
Grandma Sarah arrived on time at JAG the next day. Harm gave her the guided tour, proudly introducing her to everyone along the way. Mac was busy in her office, Harm making it his last port of call before they went to lunch.
Mac had been excited by the prospect of finally meeting Grandma Sarah. She felt like she already knew her after all the years of Harm talking about her.
"Mac? Mac... this is Grandma Sarah," introduced Harm as he led Grandma Sarah into Mac's office.
Mac stood and smiled. "Hello... it's lovely to finally meet you."
Grandma Sarah scrutinized her before turning to Harm. "This is Mac?" she asked.
"Yes... this is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie of the United States Marine Corps," he said almost as proudly as he had voiced his grandmothers name to his colleagues. He grinned his famous Flyboy smile. "Or 'Mac' as I call her."
"Hello then," Grandma Sarah replied abruptly. "Perhaps we should get some lunch. Your friend 'Mac' looks like she could do with a good feed. She's virtually skin and bone."
Mac gave Harm a worried glance whilst still trying to smile. Grandma Sarah had turned on her heels and departed the office, leaving the two officers standing there dumbfounded.
"Harm... did I do something wrong?" Mac asked feeling confused.
He sighed. "I don't know what's wrong Mac. I don't think she's well. I mean she met Renee last night and took an instant liking to her!"
"Ooh... lucky you!" replied Mac.
"Let's just say it wasn't what I expected," he replied as they headed out.
Harm drove them to a casual little restaurant not far from the office. Grandma Sarah spoke only to Harm along the way, leaving Mac to wonder if perhaps she *had* inadvertently done something wrong. Or possibly she *was* unwell as Harm had suspected? She only hoped it was nothing serious.
They ordered their meal and sat silently.
"May I ask you a question Lieutenant Colonel?" asked Grandma Sarah.
"Please call me Mac, everyone else does."
Grandma Sarah seemed to ignore her comment. "I thought it was traditional when a woman was engaged, to wear her engagement ring on the other hand? Unless of course things have changed since my day?"
Mac shifted nervously in her chair. "Well it's a bit complicated... that is to say..."
"You're not a very decisive woman then are you?" interrupted Grandma Sarah in a chastising tone. "You shouldn't make someone you love wait around. They don't you know... wait around that is."
"Grandma Sarah..."
"Don't interrupt darling. At least *you* have finally got your life together. You've got Renee and I am looking forward to hearing that you have made your relationship with her official. I told you last night Harmon, I'm looking forward to some great grandchildren. Renee is such a beautiful woman, I am sure any children you have with her will be gorgeous."
"Grandma Sarah, I don't think this is the time or the..."
"Mac!"
Sarah didn't need to look to see who was calling her. Mic's accent was unmistakable.
Her heart sank. She was already feeling deflated with the tirade from Grandma Sarah. Along with the talk of Renee, Harm and their proposed off-spring.
"Hello there love," said Mic giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "I called by to see you and Bud told me I'd find you here."
"Did he? Oh, I'll have to remember to thank him," she replied, trying to smile.
"You must be Mr. Bugme?" greeted Grandma Sarah.
Mic beamed his usual moronic grin, "It's *Brumby* ma'am... Brumby. Bud mentioned *my* Sarah here, was having lunch with you and Harm. I hope you will excuse the intrusion," he added turning on the charm.
"Certainly," Grandma Sarah replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We were just saying how with my dear grandson here with Renee and you and Mac, its just *wonderful* to see two young couples in love. Oh... I just had a marvelous thought. You could have a double military wedding. Wouldn't that be delightful!"
"You and Renee are getting married?" quizzed Mic with an expression of shock.
"No," Harm replied firmly.
"Oh but I'm sure it won't be long before he sees he should hurry up before the woman he loves, falls into the arms of someone else," Grandma Sarah added.
"Well I'd better bugger off," stated Mic, kissing Mac again on the cheek. "I just wanted to let you know I won't be calling around tonight. I have some people to see, so I will catch you tomorrow?"
"Sure Mic... see you tomorrow," she replied.
"Ma'am... Harm."
"Goodbye," Grandma Sarah waved. Harm nodded silently.
"He's lovely," said Grandma Sarah after Mic had left the restaurant.
Mac smiled weakly.
Now Harm *definitely* knew she wasn't well!
"I'm slightly confused," said Grandma Sarah turned to Harm.
Finally he thought, there *was* something wrong with her. "What's wrong Grandma Sarah?"
"I was sure you told me his name was Bugme, not Brumby?" she asked.
Harms tried to hide his embarrassment.
Mac muttered under her breath, "Trust you to say that."
"Excuse me?" queried Grandma Sarah, shooting her attention back to Mac. Obviously the comment was louder than Mac had realized. "Were you talking to me?"
"Err... no ma'am."
"What do you mean by such a remark?" Grandma Sarah continued in an accusing tone.
Mac shot a look at Harm. Her eyes pleading for his help. His grandmother was beginning to sound agitated.
"Grandma Sarah," interrupted Harm also picking up on her mood change, "I don't really think Mac meant..."
"No! I want the Lieutenant Colonel to tell me what she meant!" interjected Grandma Sarah, her eyes steadily focussed on Mac.
"I'm sorry... my comments weren't directed at you Mrs. Rabb. They were directed at your grandson." Mac's eyes lowered to the empty place-setting in front of her. This was turning into a nightmare, and she wished someone would wake her up.
"Are your comments usually so harsh towards Harmon? Really, I don't know how you two have remained friends for all these years!"
"Ma'am I..."
Mac was interrupted, or saved it seemed, by the waiter with their meals. She was glad of the distraction as the conversation was beginning to distress her.
She'd held a great deal of affection - by proxy - for Harm's grandmother. He had spoken so lovingly about her. And now Grandma Sarah was making it quite obvious she didn't approve of her. She couldn't believe that this woman liked Renee to start with, and thought Mic was lovely? Mac had trouble liking him on his *good* days and she was virtually *engaged* to the man! She was starting to wonder why she ever accepted his ring in the first place.
Mac was uncharacteristically picky with her food, which brought another comment or three from Grandma Sarah about her being too fussy.
Harm was at a loss to know what to do or say. He was disappointed to think that Mac would believe this was the way Grandma Sarah always behaved. It certainly wasn't. Her attitude worried him.
And Mac. He could see she was upset. And it took a lot to upset his marine. Oops... she wasn't his marine was she. She was Mic's marine. And he had Renee.
Hell... when did life become such a mess.
~*~
After their meal, Harm dropped Grandma Sarah at the Mall. She still planned her shopping expedition. She gave Harm a hug and barely said goodbye to Mac, which hurt Mac even more.
Harm was apprehensive in letting Grandma Sarah shop alone. Something wasn't right. But she promised to phone him when she returned to her hotel room.
~*~
"Mac... I'm sorry. I don't know why... I don't understand... honestly Mac, I've never seen her like that before," Harm apologized as they drove back to the JAG office.
Mac sighed. "Oh well... I guess it's..." She stopped and gazed out the side window.
"You guess what Mac?"
She took a deep breath and exhaled. "No, nothing."
"Come on Mac," prompted Harm, "we're best friends. You *know* you don't have to hold back. You can say anything to me."
"I used to be able to," she returned sadly.
"Hey Mac! You *know* you can."
"Well... I was *going* to say... that I guess it's lucky for you that you're going to marry someone like Renee rather than someone like me. Because Grandma Sarah obviously can't stand the sight of me!"
"I am not going to marry Renee, Mac," he replied earnestly. "And that's a promise. It's never been on my agenda, nor will it be. And... well, I'm sure Grandma Sarah likes you. I've told her enough about you over the years. Honestly, I don't think she is well and I'm worried."
~*~
They arrived back at JAG and headed straight for Mac's office to prepare their next case. It was rare these days, but they were actually working on another case together.
It was mid afternoon before the phone interrupted them.
"I thought I told Gunny to take messages," she said as she picked up the phone. "Yes? Yes... okay... hang on. Harm - it's for you apparently."
"Hello, Commander Harmon Rabb Junior... Grandma Sarah hello... sorry?... but that's in just over an hour," he said looking at his watch... "Yes I understand. I'll meet you there... but I want to... I'm coming anyway... yes, bye."
Harm handed the receiver back across the desk to Mac.
"So?" she asked as she returned it to the phone.
"She arrived back at the hotel and decided to reschedule her flight. She's on her way to the airport now. I'm going to meet her there."
"I'm coming with you," replied Mac as she closed the file in front of her.
"Do you think that's wise, Mac?" he asked raising an eyebrow in her direction.
"I want to apologize to her for whatever it is that I've done," she replied reaching for her cover.
"Mac, you've been your usual wonderful self and you have nothing at all to apologize for."
"Thank you for your vote of confidence Commander, but I'm coming with you anyway."
They fronted the Admiral who allowed them to leave early on the proviso they took the files and finished them in their own time that evening. Harm and Mac were happy to oblige, as it was something they were accustomed to anyway.
~*~
They arrived at the airport with 15 minutes to spare before Grandma Sarah flight was due for boarding.
"There she is," said Mac pointing across the lounge.
Harm unconsciously took her hand and began to lead her across the room.
"Harm?" she queried, pulling him to a stop. She glanced down to the hand he was holding. "We're in uniform Harm."
"I'm sorry... I don't know what I was thinking. I..." he stumbled as he let go of her hand.
"It's okay, really," she replied.
"Grandma Sarah!" he called. She turned and gave him a smile.
Then she saw Mac.
The smile disappeared.
Mac took a deep breath, bracing herself as they approached.
"Harmon darling... I thought you'd come alone?"
"Sarah wanted to come too," he replied.
"Sarah? I thought you always called her 'Mac'?"
"Most of the time he does Ma'am," Mac offered giving Harm a curious look. "But I wanted to come and talk to you again."
"I really don't see what we have to talk about," Grandma Sarah stated abruptly. "I've seen nothing that has impressed me at all Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie."
"Okay... this is going to stop! Grandma Sarah, I'm sorry," stated Harm, "but I can't stand by any longer and listen to you continue to belittle Sarah."
"Harm it's..." started Mac with a panicked look. The last thing she wanted was to be the cause of a family rift.
"No Mac! It's not alright," he interrupted as he turned to his grandmother. "Grandma Sarah, you know that I love you. I'd do anything for you, but this has really gone too far. I don't understand what's wrong, but you can't honestly say that *nothing* about Sarah impresses you. You've barely given her the time of day since you've met her! She is a beautiful, competent woman, who has worked so hard to get where she is today. She has my absolute respect as a fellow officer and friend. And what's more, she has my love. Now, I can't let you continue..."
"Grandson... did you just say you loved her?" interrupted Grandma Sarah.
Harm stopped and thought for a moment. The words had tumbled out of his mouth like a spring unwinding.
"Yes he did," said Mac softly. Her eyes were misty and she could feel a lump in her throat. It was threatening to choke her after the way Harm had risked speaking up to his grandmother on her behalf.
Harm straightened. "Yes Ma'am, I did." He turned towards her. "Mac... Sarah... I love you. I will love you for eternity."
The mist in her eyes had turned to tears, and they rolled gently down her cheeks. "I love you to Harmon Rabb Junior."
"What about Renee?" queried Grandma Sarah coldly, looking on with interest.
"Forget Renee," he replied, not deviating his eyes from Mac. "I never loved her."
"And... what about Bugme?" continued Grandma Sarah.
"*BRUMBY*!" Harm and Mac said in unison, both turning to her.
Grandma Sarah smiled. "Brumby... Bugme. All the same - Bugme suits him better!"
Harm and Mac just starred at Grandma Sarah.
"DITCH HIM GIRL!" she added with a laugh.
Harm raised an eyebrow at his grandmother before breaking into a grin and putting an arm around Mac. He no longer cared who saw them.
"Mac, I hate to admit this, but I don't think as lawyers, we're as good as we've led ourselves to believe. I think we have been officially *conned*."
"And it was much easier than I thought it would be too," added Grandma Sarah with a mischievous smile.
She pulled Harm and Mac into a hug before stepping back. "Take care you two. Harmon, I expect you to bring Sarah to visit soon. I promise I will be my usual self from now on. Sarah, you are as lovely and beautiful as my dear grandson has always said you were. I hope you will forgive my terrible comments, but as you can see I was working towards a greater good!"
"Thank you," Mac replied with a smile through the tears. She was still trying to get over the shock about face.
"Now... I'd better go," said Grandma Sarah, picking up her hand luggage.
As she headed for the departure gate, a thought crossed Harm's mind.
"Grandma Sarah?"
She stopped and turned to look at him. "Yes dear?"
"How did you know we'd both come here?"
She smiled broadly. "I just knew."
She turned back to the departure gate.
"My mission is complete!" she laughed.
The End.