2000 Local
Christmas Ball
London, England
They had entered as they had entered the opera the night before, Mac on Admiral Grant's arm, and Harm following behind them with Lynn. And, just like last night, the press lined the red carpet entrance, but tonight there seemed to be many more. As they walked up the carpet and then the marble staircase, Mac began to see the large crowd that had already gathered inside. The building itself was dressed in pine boughs and red ribbons. In every window a single candle glowed brightly. Despite the events of the day and the press taking pictures all around her, Mac began to feel the Christmas spirit. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled at Harm. He smiled broadly back at her, knowing that they were feeling the same thing.
When they entered the building they were escorted into the ballroom. After they had given their coat and wraps to the coat check attendants, the Admiral led them to an empty table. Their group was already drawing a lot of attention. The Admiral and Harm both cut dashing figures in their dress blues. Both men looked tall, strong, and handsome, and Mac shot dangerously sharp looks at any woman who looked at Harm too long. But it was she, herself, who was drawing the most attention.
Harm found himself scaring away eager young suitors who showed too much interest in his Sarah. She looked like she had just stepped out of a painting. She was exquisite, and everyone around her could feel her radiance. She smiled brightly and the warmth of the room flushed her cheeks, giving her a beauty that none of the other women in the room could match, at least not in Harm's eyes.
Mac was obliged to give the first dance to Admiral Grant as a matter of formality, but she mentally frowned through the whole thing and kept an eye out for Harm. She thought for a moment that he would be dancing with some young blonde in typical Harm fashion, which made her smile to herself. But soon she saw him sitting, at the table the Admiral had led them to. After the dance was over, she gave a small nod to the Admiral and walked to the refreshment table. Harm joined her a moment later.
"If you ever need to find a marine, just look for food," he quipped.
"And if you ever have to find a sailor, look for the nearest bar," she jibed in return. They both smiled.
"Have you seen Lynn since we got here?" Mac asked.
"No, some guy asked her dance as soon as she put her things down."
"Can you see her?" Mac asked him. Harm, who could easily see over most of the people in ballroom, scanned the dance floor. Lynn's mint dress and contrasting, long wavy hair was clearly visible through the many partners.
"She fell prey to the Admiral," Harm told her.
"Oh, no," Mac said, genuinely commiserating with her friend, "Harm, go rescue her."
Harm nodded and walked out onto the dance floor. "May I cut in, sir?"
The Admiral's eyes narrowed more than usual, but through his thin lips he said, "Of course, Commander. Miss O'Connor, please excuse me." He seemed to emphasize Harm's rank, but Harm replied smoothly, "Thank you, sir."
Lynn danced into Harm's open arm and looking very grateful, "Thank you very much."
"Not a problem," Harm replied smiling, "Once around and we'll get something to drink. I think Mac wants to talk to you."
"Yes, of course," Lynn said, understanding that Harm's ribs probably weren't up to the dancing.
"Thank you for being so helpful through all of this," Harm said awkwardly, "And thank you, for forgiving Mac."
Lynn looked him straight into his eyes, and said as lightly as she could, "I forgive you too, Harm. I understand why you would suspect me."
Harm look a little uncomfortable, and he said, "I really am sorry. I should have trusted Mac about you."
"She was acting on her trust in you. You two must be one hell of a team."
At that Harm smiled, "It's been great working with you."
"The pleasure has been all mi." but Lynn didn't finish. Her face contorted in confusion, and she leaned around Harm's shoulder to look at something behind him. Then, she turned her eyes back to Harm, and said distractedly, "I'm sorry, Commander, I thought I saw someone I haven't seen in a long time."
He smiled. "Must have been someone important."
"Thank you for the dance, sir, but will you please excuse me?" Lynn said as she made a small curtsy. Harm bowed out politely, and returned to the table, where he found Mac sitting.
"Sorry," he shrugged when he had reached the table.
"Where did she run off to?" Mac, who had been watching them, said.
"She thought she saw someone she knew," Harm replied. "So, how's the food?"
"Not too bad."
"Hey, anything beats ship's chow," Harm returned. "You were right about her."
Mac smiled and nodded smugly.
"Thanks for not saying 'I told you so'."
"I don't need to," she said, her smile widening. He smiled back. Anyone looking at them at that moment would have thought they looked like two giddy teenagers. Their faces mellowed and they looked at each other for moment, just soaking up the night, and all its beauty.
"This is amazing," Harm said, never taking his gaze off Mac. She sat there before him in the most remarkable dress he had ever seen, her hair done up and eyes shining with mirth. "Sarah, you look. well, gorgeous."
"Trying to make up for yesterday at Phillipe's?" she teased, but her smile said she was genuinely grateful for the compliment.
"You're welcome," he said reading her expression. "Would you like dance?
"Only if you're up to it" Mac answered, suddenly concerned about Harm's bruised ribs.
"These ribs won't keep me from dancing with you tonight."
Mac held out her hand and Harm led her out onto the dance floor. They spun around a few times before Harm said, "How come you never danced this well at the NATO Ball, Marine?"
She smiled sweetly back at him. "You've just never noticed."
Harm shook his head, "I've been watching you for six years and I would have noticed."
Mac didn't know what to say so she just smiled. She was keenly aware of Harm's hand on the small of her back, and the pulse in his neck that she felt under her hand. She gazed into his eyes, two deep oceans. She broke the stare and looked away frowning.
"What's wrong Mac?" Harm asked worried that he might have done something wrong, again.
"I can't believe I almost lost you," she answered looking back at him.
"You'll never lose me, Sarah." Harm pulled her closer to him, and they continued to dance. After two songs, they finally returned to the table.
At that moment, the Admiral reappeared at the table, looking sourer than ever. "Where is Miss O'Connor?" he snapped.
"She's looking for an old friend, sir," Harm answered.
"When she gets back, make sure she stays here."
"Yes, sir," they both replied and the Admiral strode off angrily.
When he was far enough away not to hear him, Harm turned to Mac, "Was he like that while you were dancing?"
"Yeah. He's been like that since we got here, though. You know Lynn has been gone for a long time."
"She's probably catching up with her friend or circulating," Harm assured her, "Care to dance again?"
"I think I could handle that."
They danced the next three dances together, talking happily about Christmas. "What are your plans?" Mac asked.
"My mother and Frank are going to meet me at my Grandmother's farm," he replied. "We haven't seen each other in a long time, so we decided to get together. And you, what are your plans?"
"Dinner with Chloe and her dad, and then Christmas service."
"What about your Uncle Matt?"
"He's deployed in Afghanistan," Mac said sadly, "I'll get a call from him on Christmas morning and we'll talk for a few minutes."
"Sarah, if you'd like to, I'd like you to come to my Grandmother's with me," Harm said.
Mac wasn't sure what to say. "Harm, I."
"You can only refuse if it interferes with having dinner with Chloe," Harm smilingly informed her, "Dinner is on the 24th, then there's the Midnight Mass, and Christmas brunch."
"My dinner with Chloe is on the 23rd," Mac said softly.
"Then you'll come?" Harm questioned.
Mac smiled and nodded, "Yes, and thank you for asking me."
"You're more than welcome. Grandma Sarah has three extra bedrooms, so you can stay there with us. And, you'll get to try Grams' Christmas Quiche," he grinned at the memory.
"That good, huh?"
"Mmm, you have no idea."
Mac laughed, and the music ended. Everyone on the dance floor turned and applauded the string ensemble. Harm put Mac's hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her back to the table. As she sat down, she pulled a white handkerchief, which was hemmed in red thread and bore her initials 'SM', out of her little handbag. She dabbed lightly at her face and then replaced the handkerchief.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Harm asked nodding toward the bar.
"Yeah, could you get me a sparkling cider?"
"I'll be right back," Harm said and he winked at her before heading over to the bar.
Mac watched him go, smiling. He was probably the most handsome person at the ball, and in his uniform he appeared to be superior to everyone else. Over the last few days, he had admitted his love for her, and, now, he had asked her to spend Christmas with him and his family. It all seemed to happen too quickly, but then again, it had only taken them six years to get to this point. Mac smiled as some of the memories of how she and Harm had fought, made up, and grown as friends flashed in her mind. But suddenly, they faded away as a familiar feeling of dread washed over her and she knew something was wrong.
They had entered as they had entered the opera the night before, Mac on Admiral Grant's arm, and Harm following behind them with Lynn. And, just like last night, the press lined the red carpet entrance, but tonight there seemed to be many more. As they walked up the carpet and then the marble staircase, Mac began to see the large crowd that had already gathered inside. The building itself was dressed in pine boughs and red ribbons. In every window a single candle glowed brightly. Despite the events of the day and the press taking pictures all around her, Mac began to feel the Christmas spirit. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled at Harm. He smiled broadly back at her, knowing that they were feeling the same thing.
When they entered the building they were escorted into the ballroom. After they had given their coat and wraps to the coat check attendants, the Admiral led them to an empty table. Their group was already drawing a lot of attention. The Admiral and Harm both cut dashing figures in their dress blues. Both men looked tall, strong, and handsome, and Mac shot dangerously sharp looks at any woman who looked at Harm too long. But it was she, herself, who was drawing the most attention.
Harm found himself scaring away eager young suitors who showed too much interest in his Sarah. She looked like she had just stepped out of a painting. She was exquisite, and everyone around her could feel her radiance. She smiled brightly and the warmth of the room flushed her cheeks, giving her a beauty that none of the other women in the room could match, at least not in Harm's eyes.
Mac was obliged to give the first dance to Admiral Grant as a matter of formality, but she mentally frowned through the whole thing and kept an eye out for Harm. She thought for a moment that he would be dancing with some young blonde in typical Harm fashion, which made her smile to herself. But soon she saw him sitting, at the table the Admiral had led them to. After the dance was over, she gave a small nod to the Admiral and walked to the refreshment table. Harm joined her a moment later.
"If you ever need to find a marine, just look for food," he quipped.
"And if you ever have to find a sailor, look for the nearest bar," she jibed in return. They both smiled.
"Have you seen Lynn since we got here?" Mac asked.
"No, some guy asked her dance as soon as she put her things down."
"Can you see her?" Mac asked him. Harm, who could easily see over most of the people in ballroom, scanned the dance floor. Lynn's mint dress and contrasting, long wavy hair was clearly visible through the many partners.
"She fell prey to the Admiral," Harm told her.
"Oh, no," Mac said, genuinely commiserating with her friend, "Harm, go rescue her."
Harm nodded and walked out onto the dance floor. "May I cut in, sir?"
The Admiral's eyes narrowed more than usual, but through his thin lips he said, "Of course, Commander. Miss O'Connor, please excuse me." He seemed to emphasize Harm's rank, but Harm replied smoothly, "Thank you, sir."
Lynn danced into Harm's open arm and looking very grateful, "Thank you very much."
"Not a problem," Harm replied smiling, "Once around and we'll get something to drink. I think Mac wants to talk to you."
"Yes, of course," Lynn said, understanding that Harm's ribs probably weren't up to the dancing.
"Thank you for being so helpful through all of this," Harm said awkwardly, "And thank you, for forgiving Mac."
Lynn looked him straight into his eyes, and said as lightly as she could, "I forgive you too, Harm. I understand why you would suspect me."
Harm look a little uncomfortable, and he said, "I really am sorry. I should have trusted Mac about you."
"She was acting on her trust in you. You two must be one hell of a team."
At that Harm smiled, "It's been great working with you."
"The pleasure has been all mi." but Lynn didn't finish. Her face contorted in confusion, and she leaned around Harm's shoulder to look at something behind him. Then, she turned her eyes back to Harm, and said distractedly, "I'm sorry, Commander, I thought I saw someone I haven't seen in a long time."
He smiled. "Must have been someone important."
"Thank you for the dance, sir, but will you please excuse me?" Lynn said as she made a small curtsy. Harm bowed out politely, and returned to the table, where he found Mac sitting.
"Sorry," he shrugged when he had reached the table.
"Where did she run off to?" Mac, who had been watching them, said.
"She thought she saw someone she knew," Harm replied. "So, how's the food?"
"Not too bad."
"Hey, anything beats ship's chow," Harm returned. "You were right about her."
Mac smiled and nodded smugly.
"Thanks for not saying 'I told you so'."
"I don't need to," she said, her smile widening. He smiled back. Anyone looking at them at that moment would have thought they looked like two giddy teenagers. Their faces mellowed and they looked at each other for moment, just soaking up the night, and all its beauty.
"This is amazing," Harm said, never taking his gaze off Mac. She sat there before him in the most remarkable dress he had ever seen, her hair done up and eyes shining with mirth. "Sarah, you look. well, gorgeous."
"Trying to make up for yesterday at Phillipe's?" she teased, but her smile said she was genuinely grateful for the compliment.
"You're welcome," he said reading her expression. "Would you like dance?
"Only if you're up to it" Mac answered, suddenly concerned about Harm's bruised ribs.
"These ribs won't keep me from dancing with you tonight."
Mac held out her hand and Harm led her out onto the dance floor. They spun around a few times before Harm said, "How come you never danced this well at the NATO Ball, Marine?"
She smiled sweetly back at him. "You've just never noticed."
Harm shook his head, "I've been watching you for six years and I would have noticed."
Mac didn't know what to say so she just smiled. She was keenly aware of Harm's hand on the small of her back, and the pulse in his neck that she felt under her hand. She gazed into his eyes, two deep oceans. She broke the stare and looked away frowning.
"What's wrong Mac?" Harm asked worried that he might have done something wrong, again.
"I can't believe I almost lost you," she answered looking back at him.
"You'll never lose me, Sarah." Harm pulled her closer to him, and they continued to dance. After two songs, they finally returned to the table.
At that moment, the Admiral reappeared at the table, looking sourer than ever. "Where is Miss O'Connor?" he snapped.
"She's looking for an old friend, sir," Harm answered.
"When she gets back, make sure she stays here."
"Yes, sir," they both replied and the Admiral strode off angrily.
When he was far enough away not to hear him, Harm turned to Mac, "Was he like that while you were dancing?"
"Yeah. He's been like that since we got here, though. You know Lynn has been gone for a long time."
"She's probably catching up with her friend or circulating," Harm assured her, "Care to dance again?"
"I think I could handle that."
They danced the next three dances together, talking happily about Christmas. "What are your plans?" Mac asked.
"My mother and Frank are going to meet me at my Grandmother's farm," he replied. "We haven't seen each other in a long time, so we decided to get together. And you, what are your plans?"
"Dinner with Chloe and her dad, and then Christmas service."
"What about your Uncle Matt?"
"He's deployed in Afghanistan," Mac said sadly, "I'll get a call from him on Christmas morning and we'll talk for a few minutes."
"Sarah, if you'd like to, I'd like you to come to my Grandmother's with me," Harm said.
Mac wasn't sure what to say. "Harm, I."
"You can only refuse if it interferes with having dinner with Chloe," Harm smilingly informed her, "Dinner is on the 24th, then there's the Midnight Mass, and Christmas brunch."
"My dinner with Chloe is on the 23rd," Mac said softly.
"Then you'll come?" Harm questioned.
Mac smiled and nodded, "Yes, and thank you for asking me."
"You're more than welcome. Grandma Sarah has three extra bedrooms, so you can stay there with us. And, you'll get to try Grams' Christmas Quiche," he grinned at the memory.
"That good, huh?"
"Mmm, you have no idea."
Mac laughed, and the music ended. Everyone on the dance floor turned and applauded the string ensemble. Harm put Mac's hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her back to the table. As she sat down, she pulled a white handkerchief, which was hemmed in red thread and bore her initials 'SM', out of her little handbag. She dabbed lightly at her face and then replaced the handkerchief.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Harm asked nodding toward the bar.
"Yeah, could you get me a sparkling cider?"
"I'll be right back," Harm said and he winked at her before heading over to the bar.
Mac watched him go, smiling. He was probably the most handsome person at the ball, and in his uniform he appeared to be superior to everyone else. Over the last few days, he had admitted his love for her, and, now, he had asked her to spend Christmas with him and his family. It all seemed to happen too quickly, but then again, it had only taken them six years to get to this point. Mac smiled as some of the memories of how she and Harm had fought, made up, and grown as friends flashed in her mind. But suddenly, they faded away as a familiar feeling of dread washed over her and she knew something was wrong.