Looking at the pages of my life
Faded memories of me and you
Mistakes you know I've made a few
I took some shots and fell from time to time
Baby, you were there to pull me through
We've been around the block a time or two
I'm gonna lay it on the line
Ask me how we've come this far
The answer's written in my eyes

7:22pm Local Time
L'hotel Meurice
228 rue de Rivoli
Paris

Mac paused once again on her way through the hotel lobby. The whole place was absolutely amazing. The lobby itself was massive with extremely high ceilings decorated with vaults and alcoves. Great big intricate gold-leaves adorned the walls and bouquets of colourful roses lined the entranceway. Everything gleamed of money and richness. She was really tempted to take up the Admiral's offer for the week off.

Stepping into the awaiting elevator, Mac smiled at the bellboy and motioned for the tenth floor. First she was planning on taking another long soak in the Jacuzzi compliments of her four star room that the Admiral had booked. No doubt another subtle gesture for sending her all the way out here to work during the holidays. Her stomach rumbled softly, reminding her it was about time for her own personal feast – from the hotel menu.  

Pulling out her card key, she gave a small sigh of relief now that the case with Major McHammond had been settled. Dealing with the French had been one hec of a tough case. Pushing open the door, Mac immediately dumped her briefcase and laptop onto the floor – and jumped, physically startled at the sight that greeted her.

"Harm, what are you doing here?!"

Harm grinned, wanting to ask, you didn't think I'd let you spend Christmas and New years alone did ya? But said instead with an elaborate shrug of his shoulders, "Well … I didn't have anything else to do and it was getting pretty boring in DC, sooo … I thought HEY a few days in France wouldn't hurt."

 "How?" Mac asked, not needing to elaborate on her question.

"It's classified" Harm quoted with amusement, both hands in the air with two fingers wiggling, making mock quotation marks.

Mac rolled her eyes. Should've known Webb would play his usual part in such schemes.

"You flew half-way around the world so that I wouldn't be alone didn't you?" she said with a hint of accusation and reproach.

"That's what best-friends do Mac" Harm stated as if it was the number one most logical rule in the book of friendships.

"Fly over 5600 miles and spend a few grand for nothing?" Mac retorted, folding her arms across her chest and crooking an eyebrow high.

Harm thought she might as well have completed the comical image and started tapping her heels expectantly. "You did"

Good point. She had, hadn't she? Twice. Darn, she'd walked right into her own trap. Mac offered him a considerably embarrassed and appreciative smile. They both knew she was only too happy at his appearance, her reproving countenance hiding the delighted warmth she really felt spreading inside.

"Now come on, you need to get changed out of that uniform Marine" Harm said glancing at his watch.

"Yea ok, give me a minute." She moved towards the mini-bar, intending to find some chocolate bars and a drink.

Harm strode over in a few quick steps and pushed the fridge door close before she could reach in. "Don't even think about it Mac and hurry up, we've got to get going soon" he urged with a gentle shove on her back towards the bathroom.

"Where're we going?" she asked bewildered.

"The sooner you get dressed, the sooner you'll find out. And make sure you put on something warm." Harm instructed.

Mac decided to acquiesce to his wishes for moment and continued on to the bathroom after sending him a dirty look.   

Almost exactly fifteen minutes later, Mac emerged after a quick shower, dressed elegantly and light make-up applied.

Harm jumped up off the couch and gave a quick approving look over her matching maroon sweater and pants. Holding the door open for her, he bowed low in exaggeration and said, "Shall we, Mademoiselle?"

Mac laughed at his bad French accent and shook her head at his jovial mood. Whatever he was up to, she would soon find out. She moved to grab her long overcoat and scarf.

7:56pm Local Time

Harm led the way, taking them straight down the broad walkway from where the hotel was situated.

Seven minutes later, Mac noted they were approaching Hôtel de Ville, the Town Hall of Paris. A few metres later, Harm stopped at a long line of --  

"We're going ice skating?!" Mac exclaimed. Definitely not what she'd expected. She'd seen the large outdoor skating rink days earlier but had no initiative to try it out.

"Uh huh" Harm confirmed enthusiastically.

"Uh, I haven't had dinner yet" Mac hinted, hoping he'd forego the idea.  

"You will be fed soon, I promise, but this'll be fun." he assured her.  

"Harm I can't skate" Mac admitted, looking away self-consciously.

Harm nudged her side to regain her attention. "Then it's about time you learned. What happens if we get sent on some crazy mission of Webb's somewhere on the Antarctic? We can't have a Marine skidding around like some crazed lunatic can we?" He smiled down teasingly into her eyes.

Mac rolled her eyes for the second time that night at the absurdity of his warped mind, but the thought made her laugh. "Right. The closest we'll come to such circumstances is if Singer's actually one of Santa's elves and we're sent on a visit at the North Pole."

"Exactly!" Harm agreed with exaggerated exuberance.

Fifteen minutes later, Harm finished tying up Mac's laces and tapped her skate with two fingers. "Come on Marine, get these land legs moving." Standing up, he stretched out both arms and offered her his hands. Mac took them unsteadily and he led her slowly on shaky legs onto the slick ice surface.

There was a significantly large amount of skaters and Mac gripped nervously at the edge of the wooden gate. "Harmmm I don't think this is such a good idea" she said uncertainly, unconsciously backing away an inch towards the safety of firm ground.

Harm captured both her hands firmly within his own. "Mac, you'll be fine. Trust me."

Damn those wilful sea green eyes.

Every time I look at you, baby, I see something new
That takes me higher than before and makes me want you more
I don't wanna sleep tonight, dreamin's just a waste of time
When I look at what my life's been comin' to
I'm all about lovin' you

Within an hour Mac was having the time of her life - after three relatively hard falls onto her presently frozen six. Harm's reaction to her first fall had been apologetic and full of sympathy. The second time round he'd been encouraging and faintly amused. Just now on her third fall, he'd laugh outright, loud and long. He must've caught her murderous glare, taking off seconds later after seeing her get back onto her feet with the aid of two helpful kids.

Mac established herself gradually, grasping the concept of mastering wobbly legs on the skittery ice surface. She had just proudly completed an entire round single-handedly, albeit slowly at a snail's pace. Spotting Harm ahead grinning smugly at her, Mac looked down in concentration, intent on reaching him at a faster rate. Looking back up mere seconds later with a wide smile on her face. she scarcely had time to absorb the sight of Harm's large build skating at high-speed towards her, before being caught and twirled around precariously. Harm skated them both around a few more rapid turns, before bringing them to a skidding halt, carving up a small pile of ice in the process at their feet.

Mac found herself engulfed in the solid wall of his chest. "Harm!" She yelled, laughing breathlessly and somewhat giddy.

Harm was also laughing vigorously, just as out of breath. Tufts of his short hair astray in the wind. He gazed down at Mac's upturned face, still holding onto her in his arms. His breath hitched in his throat, suddenly mesmerised at her large, luminous brown eyes sparkling with laughter, her whole face rosy and aglow with happiness. This was their perfect hallmark moment. He felt the ridiculously strong desire to stop time and cherish this moment forever.