Chapter 5
JAG OFFICES
Once again Harm arrived early to work. No one had arrived and he went straight to Mac's office. He placed the yellow rose on her desk. After he left the rose he snuck back out of the offices and down the stairs. A while later he returned.
"Good morning Harriet. How are you this fine morning?" Harm asked.
"Fine Commander, you are in awfully good spirits today." Harriet said.
"Why shouldn't I be? It's Friday. Tomorrow I get to see my Godson, it's an all around good day." Harm smiled.
"Oh about tomorrow." Harriet started.
"Yes?" Harm asked.
"Well somehow we ended up inviting the Colonel and Cole." Harriet said quickly.
"Ah, so they'll be there." Harm said.
"I hope you don't mind Sir." Harriet said.
"No not at all. Sturgis said I should get to know him better." Harm commented as he walked away. Just then Mac walked in.
"Good morning Ma'am." Harriet said. "The Commander beat you in today."
"Morning Harriet, I've noticed he has been on time lately." Mac said.
"I guess he's changing." Harriet said.
"No it's something else. I'm sure of it." Mac laughed. "I'll be in my office if anyone needs me."
"Yes Ma'am" Harriet said.
Mac went to her office to drop off her things; she was dying for a cup of coffee. As she put her bag down she noticed the yellow rose sitting there. She lifted and sniffed it.
"Harriet, has anyone been in my office?" Mac asked.
"No Ma'am. Why?" Harriet replied.
"Well yesterday someone left a white rose and today there is a yellow one." Mac stated.
"I don't know. I was one of the first to arrive. I didn't see anything." Harriet said.
"Well someone's being a romantic." Mac said and she went to get some coffee. Harm didn't talk to Mac at all that day. He just stayed to himself. Mac wondered where he was; but she was not about to ask anyone.
The day ended and everyone went home.
THE ROBERTS HOME- A FEW DAYS LATER
Harm was the first to arrive. He walked in to the house and was tackled by Little AJ. "Uncle Harm come play in my room."
"Ok sport, but let me say hi to mommy and daddy first." Harm replied.
"Hey Harm." Harriet said.
"Hi Harriet. Can I help?" Harm asked seeing her arms full.
"No I got it. Thanks. Bud is outside." Harriet said. Harm walked outside with Little AJ in tow.
"Hey Bud. What's going on?" Harm called out.
"Good to see you Commander." Bud said.
"Bud, it's Harm. I'm at your house." Harm said rolling his eyes.
"Sorry Harm. Glad you still decided to come." Bud said. "I hope it won't be too awkward for you."
"Now why would it be awkward?" Harm asked.
"No reason." Bud said innocently. Mac and Cole arrived and joined them outside with Harriet.
"Hi Bud." Mac said. "Harm."
"Hi Mac, nice to see you again Cole." Bud said.
"Thanks for having us." Cole said putting his arm around
Mac. "Rabb good to see you."
"How are you?" Harm asked trying to sound sincere and failing.
"So what's on the menu?" Mac asked. "I'm starved."
"What else is new?" Harm laughed.
"What does that mean?" Cole asked.
"You don't know?" Harm said. "Mac he doesn't know?"
"Know what?" Cole asked.
"Mac can eat a platoon under the table." Harm laughed.
"Harm!" Mac said.
"Mac can you help me?" Harriet asked and they went inside.
"Really? Never saw that." Cole replied.
"Cole you're dealing with a true blue marine here." Harm said.
"Well not totally true blue. It's not like she has a tattoo." Cole joked.
"Sure she does." Harm said, very happy inside that Cole did not know about Mac's tattoo.
"Where? I was on the beach with her and I didn't see a tattoo." Cole remarked.
"Ahh, well it's classified." Harm said smugly.
"And you have seen this tattoo?" Cole asked.
"I never said that." Harm smiled.
"So Cole can I get you something to drink." Bud interrupted.
"Yeah thanks Bud." Cole said staring at Harm. Mac and Harriet returned carrying platters.
"Ok we have hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers." Harriet announced.
"Sounds wonderful Harriet." Harm said smiling.
"Mac, you never told me you had a tattoo?" Cole laughed.
"Who told you?" Mac asked.
"Your best friend." Cole replied.
"Oh did he?" Mac said.
"Where is it?" Cole asked.
"Ahh, that's classified." Mac laughed.
"Rabb said the same thing." Cole replied and went to get a soda.
Mac walked over to Harm. "You have a big mouth."
"What did I do?" Harm asked innocently.
"Nothing." Mac said rolling her eyes.
"Ok, I am going to get a soda. Want one?" Harm asked smiling at Mac. She followed him over to the cooler where Cole was.
"Excuse me, just getting a soda." Harm said reaching past him.
"Me too." Mac said.
"Here you go." Cole said reaching for and giving Mac a Coke.
"She prefers Pepsi." Harm said handing one to Mac.
"Thanks." Mac said standing there with two cans of soda.
"So Mac, I was thinking. Next weekend how about you come to Jersey and we go for a ride in my Cessna." Cole suggested.
"Cessna? Good plane. Nothing like a Steerman, but it will do." Harm nodded.
"That's a two-seater." Cole stated. "What if you have 2 passengers?"
"That's the point, you arrange it so you only have one." Harm said with a devilish grin.
"Everything is ready." Bud announced.
"Shall we?" Cole asked extending his arm to Mac.
"Yes shall we?" Harm said in a mocking tone. Which got him a glare from Mac. Harm walked a few paces ahead of them and when he reached the door he held it open for Mac and gave a little bow. Mac walked through the door and Harm followed letting the door close on Cole.
"Harm." Mac said in a fierce whisper. "That wasn't nice."
"What it slipped." Harm shrugged.
They sat down and enjoyed the meal. There were casual conversations going on.
"So Cole, Mac said you go running." Harm said.
"Yeah, a good run in the morning really wakes me up." Cole replied.
"How much to you cover?" Harm asked.
"Usually 10. You?" Cole answered.
"Before I started running with Mac, I did 10. Now I do 15." Harm said. Point for me.
"I was planning on going for a run tomorrow. Care to join me?" Cole challenged.
"Love to." Harm replied. "Name the place?"
"The park by the White House?" Cole suggested. "8ish?"
"Sure but let's make it 7." Harm replied.
"Done." Cole said.
"Looking forward to it." Harm replied.
"How about some dessert?" Harriet interjected.
"Sounds good Harriet." Mac said relieved that Harriet changed the topic.
"Ok, I have chocolate cake and a white cake with vanilla pudding." Harriet announced.
"None for me." Cole said.
"Harm?" Harriet offered.
"Of course." Harm said pointing to the chocolate cake.
"Mac? Chocolate?" Harriet said.
"No thanks Harriet." Mac replied.
"You don't want chocolate?" Harm said. "You feeling ok?"
"Fine Harm." Mac said.
"I never thought I would see the day." Bud laughed.
Harriet served the dessert and they had some coffee as well. After the dishes were cleared Harm went with Little AJ. He had after all promised to go to his room when he first got there.
"This was a nice day." Mac said to Cole as they were standing on the porch.
"Most of your friends are very nice." Cole replied.
"Most?" Mac questioned.
"Never mind." Cole replied. "Just a bit tired."
"Are you ok?" Mac asked.
"Yeah I'm fine." Cole said. "Long day that's all."
"Do you want to go?" Mac said.
"Yeah, I think so." Cole said. "You don't mind?"
"No let's go say good bye." Mac replied with a smile. They walked back inside.
"Harriet Bud thanks for everything we're going to get going." Mac said.
"Leaving so soon?" Harm asked coming down the stairs with Little AJ on his shoulders.
"Yeah." Cole said. "Everything was wonderful."
"Oh I wish you didn't have to leave already." Harriet said.
"Cole's had a long day." Mac replied.
"Well I can always drive you home later Mac." Harm offered.
"That's ok Harm. Thanks." Mac said giving him a dirty look.
"I'll see you guys Monday." Mac said.
"Thanks again it was nice see you both." Cole said. "Harm I'll see you in the morning."
"I'll be there." Harm said.
"Bye Auntie Mac." Little AJ said. "Bye Mr. Ridico."
Harm bit his lip to stifle his laugh. Never in a million years could he have scripted a better moment. His Godson calling Cole, "Radicchio."
PARK BY THE WHITE HOUSE
At 6:55 Harm pulled into the park. He got out of his car and stretched. A few minutes later Mac pulled up.
"What are you doing here?" Harm asked.
"Going running. There is no way you are going running alone with Cole." Mac announced.
"What gives?" Harm asked.
"I don't want you pushing him down a hill." Mac said.
"Would I do that? Come on Mac. He's your friend." Harm said with a smile.
"Yes Harm he is, remember that please." Mac said.
"So where is Cole?" Harm asked. "Running late?"
"Look who's talking?" Mac said.
"What? Me?" Harm said with a laugh.
"Yeah you." Mac said. Before she could say anything else Cole pulled up.
"Thought you were backing out." Harm laughed.
"Not at all." Cole replied. "Give me a second to warm up and we're on our way."
They started their run both men allowing Mac to set the pace and keeping with her. After the fifth mile Harm and Cole both started pushing it. First Harm took the lead but Cole matched his pace after a few strides. After another 3 miles Cole took the lead and Harm matched him. As they went into mile 9 both men began sprinting. Mac just watched them. They were racing, both trying to outdo the other. They went into mile 10 and the pace slowed a bit.
"Can you handle 5 more?" Harm asked.
"Bring it on." Cole replied.
At this point Mac was disgusted with both of them. Children. Mac finished 10 miles and went back to her car to wait for them.
Mile 12
"How you doing there?" Harm asked.
"Just fine, you seem to be breathing heavy." Cole remarked.
"Not me, I could keep going." Harm said. "You wanna quit?"
"Not at all." Cole replied.
Mile 14
"One more mile." Harm announced sucking in as much air as he could.
"Yeah." Cole said breathing just as heavy. "Care to make this interesting?"
"What did you have in mind?" Harm asked.
"I win you back off." Cole said.
"Back off?" Harm asked.
"Yeah, I see what you're doing with Mac." Cole said.
"What's that?" Harm asked.
"You had your chance." Cole said.
"What makes you think that?" Harm asked.
"I just know." Cole said. "Is it a deal?"
"Sure and if I win?" Harm asked.
"Take your best shot." Cole said.
"My best shot?" Harm asked.
"You win and you can take your best shot with her, either way I still win." Cole said.
"Deal!" Harm said and he took off like a bullet.
Mile 15
Harm's heart was pounding in his ears. Cole was at least 8 paces behind him; but Harm was not about to ease up. Take my best shot? Who is he kidding? Harm thought. Harm saw Mac standing by her car shaking her head. He put everything he had into each step and reached Mac before Cole. Victory. Bending over trying to get his breath, Harm looked up at Mac. She was not amused, but she wasn't angry either. Who knew what she was thinking. A minute later Cole arrived.
"Good run." Harm said.
"Yeah it was." Cole replied.
Harm walked over to his car and started to get in. He turned to back Cole, "Hey Romaine NEVER MESS WITH THE NAVY!" Harm jumped in his car and drove away, very pleased with himself.