Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out.  Between school and no computer (arrghhh I hate gateway.  Shoot the Cow!!) its been hard.  Let me know what you think ^_^.  Special thanks to Alex!

            Harriet had just brought in the last of the paint cans when the rest of the JAG staff began to arrive.  The Admiral and Meredith were first, followed by Sturgis and Bobbie, then Tiner and his girlfriend Melissa, and Gunny and his girlfriend Susan.

            "Hey everyone," Harriet said as she opened the front door.

            "Hello Harriet," AJ said as he brought in some paintbrushes.

            "Hello, Sir.  We should be all set.  Frank and Trish are making sure that Harm and Mac stay away from the house.  Tonight they are going to a show and tomorrow Frank and Trish are taking them out to dinner."

            "Good work lieutenant."

            "Thank you sir."

            "Now where should we start?" Sturgis asked as he set down the ladder he'd brought.

            "Well I think the first room to start on is the living room.  It's the largest."

            "Okay people get to work," AJ barked.

            "Hey Mac you ready?  We're going to be late," Harm said checking his watch again.

            "You're impatient squid.  The show doesn't start till 2000 and its only 1928," Mac said as she made her way into the living room.

            Harm was looking for his keys so at first he didn't notice Mac's presence in the room.  That soon changed.

            "Wow Mac you look great!" Harm said, as he looked her over. 

            She was wearing a simple black dress that stopped mid thigh.  The neckline scooped low enough to be teasing.  And the black stiletto heals did amazing things for her legs.

            "You don't look half bad either," Mac said looking at him in his dress pants and sport jacket.

            "If you keep staring we're never going to make it to the show on time," Mac teased.

            "Hey Harriet can you pass me that paint tray?" Tiner asked as he finished up one section of a rather large wall.

            "Sure," she said as she slid the tray over.

            Sturgis had just come back with more paint and a radio.

            "Thought we could use some music in here," Sturgis said as he turned the radio on.

            AJ got up on the ladder as he got ready to paint the trim at the top of the walls, while Bobbie finished painting the base trim.

            Tiner was so busy swaying to the music that he wasn't watching where his brush was going.

            "Hey!" Gunny yelled as he felt a glob of paint roll down his back.  Tiner who was still so absorbed in the music didn't hear Gunny's cry.  As a result he continued to wave around his brush getting more paint on Gunny, the Admiral, Harriet and Melissa.  It wasn't until the Admiral barked "Tiner!!" That he realized what he was doing.

            "Oh,'" he said embarrassed.  "Sorry, didn't realize what I was doing."

            Harriet couldn't contain her laughter anymore.  Gunny's back was a nice cream color as well as Melissa's face and the Admiral's head.  He had just climbed down the ladder to refill his brush when he was assaulted by the flying paint.  Harriet found it hysterical.

            'Well I guess he won't be needing a toupee,' she thought to herself.

            Soon everyone else in the group joined in Harriet's laughter.  They just couldn't help it.

            "Hey Mac so who do you think is the killer?" Harm asked as they stepped into the lobby during intermission.

            "I don't know.  My hunch is the hairdresser Barbara."

            "Really but I think she has a pretty good alibi.  What about the construction worker?  We don't even know where he was during the murder.  He could have been anywhere."

            Both were enjoying the show.   Sheer Madness happened to be an interactive show that takes place at a hair salon.  All throughout the performance the audience is asked for their input.  In the end the audience votes on which person they think the killer is so each time the ending changes.

            "Well we'll see what everyone else thinks squid," Mac said as she took his hand as they went to get a drink.

            "Hey Mac," Harm said as they sat down.

            "Yea?"

            "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

            Mac blushed.

            "You kinda told me earlier."

            "Well in case I forgot, you look gorgeous tonight.  And not just tonight.  You've always been the most beautiful person I have ever met."

            Mac wasn't used to Harm saying things like that.  Not that he didn't tell her he loved her, but Harm wasn't the type to express his feelings very often.

            "Thank you," Mac said still blushing.

            Harm leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

            "I promise that as long as I'm living I'll never forget to remind you just how beautiful you really are."

            "Aww, squid you don't have to say that."

            "I know I don't have to.  But I want to," Harm said with a smile.

            "Okay good job on the living room guys.  Besides some people getting a paint bath I think we did a great job," Harriet said.  Tiner smiled sheepishly he was still embarrassed about what happened earlier.

            "Don't worry son.  I was thinking about getting myself a hair transplant anyway.  This just saves me the trouble," The Admiral said smiling.

            "So we'll meet again tomorrow.  Same time same place," Harriet said smiling.

            "That was a great show," Mac said as the walked of the theatre.

            "Yea it was.  I'm glad we got to go.  Hey how about we go get some ice cream?  I'm in a ice creamy kinda mood," Harm said as he opened the car door for Mac.

            "Sure squid, that sounds great," Mac said smiling.

            "Let me guess, two scoops of chocolate with hot fudge and sprinkles?"

            "You got it!"

            Harriet finished cleaning up the living room and locked up the house.  She was glad they were able to do this for their friends.  They deserved it.  Whenever anyone at JAG had needed something Harm and Mac were always the first ones to jump and help.

            They had just left the Ice Cream parlor when Mac decided to turn on the radio.  No Doubt's "Underneath it All," filled the car.

There's times where I want something more

Someone more like me

There's times when this dress rehearsal

Seems incomplete

But, you see the colors in me like no one else

And behind your dark glasses you're...

You're something else

            Mac's mind drifted as she listened to the lyrics.

You're really lovely

Underneath it all

You want to love me

Underneath it all

I'm really lucky

Underneath it all

You're really lovely

            Mac knew she was lucky.  Despite all her faults and shortcomings, Harm stilled loved her.  He knew about her past and all that she had done and underneath it all he still loved her.

But, lately you've been trying real hard

And giving me your best

And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep

That I've ever had

And when it's really bad

I guess it's not that bad

            Mac smiled.  It was true, he did give her the most gorgeous sleep she'd ever had.  Ever since childhood, isomnia, was always a part of her.  When she was young fear of her father had kept her awake.  If she fell asleep something might to happen to her or her mother.  When she got older it never really left her.  That is until now.  Falling asleep in Harm's arms was better then any sleeping pill.  It guaranteed her a night of peaceful bliss filled with only the most beautiful dreams.

            "What you smiling at ninja girl?" Harm asked.

            "Oh nothing," she said still smiling.

            Harm was smiling too as he listened to the lyrics of the song.  Mac knew him inside and out.  And despite everything he had put her through over the years she still loved him.

So many moons that we have seen

Stumbling back next to me

I've seen right through and underneath

And you make me better

I've seen right through and underneath

And you make me better

Better... better...

            It was true, Harm did make her better and better.  Besides her Uncle Matt, Mac had never met a person that truly excepted her for who she was and continually encouraged her to be that person no matter what others said.  Mac could remember something that had bothered her the first time she was going to meet Harm's mother.  They had been working on a case out at Parris Island and Harm had suggested she meet his mother.  Mac had been reluctant and Harm had noticed.

            "Mac what's wrong?" he had asked her.

            "It's nothing," she had told him, hoping he would drop it.  Of course, he didn't.

            "Come on Mac.  I know something's bothering you," he had prodded.

            Mac had finally told Harm what was bothering her.  She was embarrassed to meet his mother.  After all she was a Rich classy well-established woman and she was a recovering alcoholic.

            "Mac, you're a brilliant beautiful woman who has worked hard to overcome so many obstacles to get you where you are today.  I don't think my mother sees you any other way.  I know I don't," Harm had said sincerely.

            Mac had been touched.  Harm had told his mother all about her past, and just like Harm she never held it against her.

Like the heat from the fire

You were always burnin'

And each time you're around

My body keeps callin'

For your touch

Your kisses and your sweet romancin'

I Know you're good for me, baby

For that, I'm sure

            Harm took Mac's hand brought it to his lips and kissed it.

            "You're definitely good for me baby," Harm said smiling.