Disclaimer: JAG belongs to DPB and CBS and All About Loving You by Bon Jovi. No infringement intended.
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I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've paid some dues, baby
We've been to hell and back again
Through it all you're always my best friend
For all the words I didn't say and all the things I didn't do
Tonight I'm gonna find a way
Dinner was
the most enjoyable and leisurely affair both Harm and Mac had had in a very,
very long time. Harm had ordered for Mac well, dishes with unimaginably long
French names. Their waiter, Pierre had taken great pleasure in translating and
describing to the best of his ability in broken English, each dish he served
them. But basically, Mac had veal roast with caramelized shallots and port sauce
with a warm salad of duck confit.
For his vegetarian self, Harm had chosen sweet bread with Sole Meunière or as Harm liked to pronounce it – me_mini_ear.
To top it all off, for dessert they shared a Camembert cheese and broccolis Quiche, chocolate profiteroles and orange soufflé. Ok, so he went a little overboard, Harm had thought, but mannn! Mac had eagerly devoured everything like some three hundred pound sumo wrestler. Not that he dared to voice his thoughts out loud. The image comparison was too damning and if Mac ever heard, she really would crush him like a three hundred pound sumo wrestler.
Mac couldn't remember the last time, if ever, she'd tasted such fine French cuisine. There was nothing like genuine, authentic local cooking. And she felt positively stuffed like a bloated frog. She couldn't believe only a few hours ago, she'd been dreading New Year's Eve, facing a discouraging night alone. Now she was having a blast. She reached over the table impulsively, akin to Harm's earlier gesture and covered his hand with a light squeeze. He smiled back with unspoken, mutual understanding.
Withdrawing her hand, Mac looked out at the latest picturesque scenery. All throughout their long dinner, she'd marvelled in fascination at the famed sights that glided by slowly. Places which she'd only ever previously read about. Now she was seeing them for the first time in all their magnificence and at their best presentations.
It was a
good forty-three minute rest after dinner before Harm and Mac were able to take
to the dance floor.
Many dances afterwards, they inevitably made their way to the outer deck of the ship. 'Le Cristal II' had anchored next to the arched, Pont Neuf Bridge. The furthest it was allowed to travel on the Seine tonight, the closest to the site of the impending fireworks. The Bridge, like the rest of Paris was illuminated in the colour a field full of lavenders.
Harm felt himself shiver almost imperceptibly, more from a blend of trepidation and anticipation than from the chilly night air.
As usual, attune closely to his every movement, Mac sensed his tiny shiver.
"Here," and before he could protest, she was taking off her scarf and stepping up close in front of him. She wrapped the long soft fabric carefully once, twice around Harm's neck and then looped a loose hole through the ends.
Harm felt his heart leap at her simple actions. Sometimes it was as clear as crystal to imagine Mac as his girlfriend … wife …
Smoothing down the woollen material, Mac admired her handiwork and then glanced up at Harm with a teasing comment on the tip of her tongue. The tender look she met on his face created a strong wave of warmth to sweep over her body from head to toe. Perhaps it was city or the festive atmosphere embracing them all, but this whole night had been too magical and she'd been instantaneously swept away the minute Harm had appeared. It was all actually … quite romantic. If only they were truly here for romance, as a couple, rather than two, too closely bonded best-friends.
Now in the tranquil ambience under the evening sky and alone with Harm out from the crowds, reality resumed it's role. She could still feel Harm's contemplative gaze on her and the first wisps of sadness wound it's way back to her heart. Moving away to distance herself physically and emotionally, she turned to gaze up at the bright moon.