Title: "Cupid's Arrows" 1a/?
Rating: PG-13
Classification: (Harm/Mac)
Feedback: Not necessary but always welcome and very much appreciated.
Author: noelle
Summary: A little divine intervention may help bring together what was fated from the start or
tear them apart forever.
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters belong to Paramount and CBS. No copyright infringement
intended, I'm simply borrowing these wonderful characters for the amusement of fellow shippers
everywhere.
Author's Note: Not the fic I'd planned to post but hope you enjoy it nonetheless. A little warning
though, this first little bit is just for plot development purposes, so please forgive me if it seems
to drag on.
"Cupid's Arrows"
"MOTHER!!!" Came the bellow before the being himself appeared, wings a flapping.
Unaffected the woman in pink simply asked, "What is it dear?"
"What is it, what is it, how can you sit there so calmly and ask me that?" He was reaching his
limit with regards to her. It was hard enough doing his job with all the regulations and limitations
that Zeus had decreed with the new age but his mother's constant interferences were making it
near impossible.
Holding up two arrows, one navy blue the other marine green, he stated.
"These are what it is mother deeear." At her look of total innocence he lost it.
"What in Zeus do you think you're doing?! Haven't you learned anything at all from your past
mishaps. How many lives have been destroyed, how many loves forsaken, how many souls
shattered due to your selfish need to insert yourself in these peoples lives!"
He hadn't meant to be harsh but it had been an extremely long day, actually a long couple of
days. The days and weeks leading up to Valentines Day were always hectic but this year the
cosmos seemed to have it in for him. Not one pairing seemed to have worked out right.
Soulmates clashing, life long enemies mating, 'meant to be' loves parting, no one was with
whom they were supposed to be with.
Yet seeing the ripple of pain that crossed his mother's face he relented. It wasn't her fault, at
least not this time, but it still didn't excuse her actions.
Sighing he walked over to her, his wings having calmed some it was safer to be nearer.
"Mother ... why?" He asked as he laid a hand upon one shoulder.
"I just … I just wanted … needed to … had to somehow … arghh!!" She finished off, clearly
frustrated at her inability to express herself. But words were unnecessary when talking with her
son, for he knew her best.
"I know mother, I know. It's hard for you but our time- your time- has passed. We cannot try
to reinsert ourselves in an era where we simply do not belong. The little I can do, that I am
allowed to do is a gift in itself but I find, especially of late, that even that little seems to be for
naught."
At her somewhat disappointed look he gave in a little. Hooking an arm around her shoulders he
pulled her in for a side hug.
"What is it that made you want to interfere in these mortals lives?" He inquired, as much as an
attempt to get her to talk as out of sheer curiosity. She hadn't tried to meddle in the affairs of the
heart in quite some time, nearly two millennia's in fact.
Shrugging his arm off she got up and walked over to the balcony. Staring across the sky she
whispered. "Because they remind me of what I'm truly here for."
"But mother …"
"Don't interrupt, it's ill-mannered." She said turning around.
Leaning on the railing she let her eyes wander before settling on the winged one again.
" Try and understand this my son. I am the Goddess of Love, my purpose upon creation was to
not bring loves together- that's your job- but to watch over those that are meant to be together.
Those destined but the fates haven't decreed it their time yet and to help lessen the blow of
separation until the time* is * right."
Waving her hand in an attempt to convey her frustration she went on. "But that hasn't been the case of late. Zeus has let the rest of our
kin's fears affect his judgment. Banning us from being a presence in mortals lives was too harsh
a punishment, it was uncalled for."
"I've discovered something over the years …" She trailed off.
Seeing that she wasn't going to continue unless prodded he asked, "Well? What have you
discovered?"
Quirking her lips she said, "What I've discovered is …" pausing to plop a grape in to her
mouth, "… is that we aren't as all knowing as we think. They don't need us, it's us who need
them." The look of complete surprise on her son's face did not go unnoticed by her, she just
chose to ignore it.
"Look at them. They've gone on with their lives, finding faith in other places and beings. We,
however, sit here day in and day out for eternity with no purpose but to watch as the universe
evolves. Do you not feel that to be a tad trite?"
Not sure whether his mother actually expected him to answer, his reply was slow in coming.
"Mother, Zeus has decreed us to remain … absent from the lives of mortals, for the most part.
This is not for you nor I to question."
Whirling around she *questioned*, "Then what is the purpose of our existence? Why be Gods if
we have no say in the molding of the lives of those who live on the earth we created? What use
are the powers we possess; the setting of the sun, the incoming tides, control of the weather,
love, hate, fury, envy … what is the point of it all if we are to be mere fairy tales, myths?"
"I … I don't know."
Sighing she turned once again to look towards the vast expanse of sky. "Come here my son."
Slowly and cautiously he walked over to her. With a wave of her hands the clouds
disappeared. To be replaced by images, whose voices filtered up to them.
"Mother …?"
"Shhh!! Watch, listen, and you shall see why I have chosen these two." She indicated tapping
the arrows he still held in his hand.
"What the bloody hell was that??!!" The marine whispered angrily.
"I see some of that Australian charm has rubbed off on you Mac." Ribbed the sailor.
Glaring the tall brunette made her way through the bullpen and in to her office, slamming the
door behind her. The closing of it and the loud noise that surely would have followed stopped
only by the hand that reached out to prevent it from hitting the owner of it in the face.
Noting the absence of the resounding slam she'd expected, she whirled around, instinctively
knowing that the cocky, arrogant, pain in the six lawyer had followed her in.
"Get out Harm." She growled menacingly.
"No. Would you stop being so damn stubborn and look at what's best for your client." He
declared a tad more boldly than he felt.
"Stubborn, you think I'M being stubborn?!" She asked incredulously. "You're the one who's refusing to see the facts. What, just because he's your client that
immediately makes him innocent?"
"Now you know that isn't true Mac. You were my client and you sure as hell weren't
completely innocent." He regretted the words as soon as he'd uttered them. He attempted to
back peddle but it was too late, the damage was done.
Coldness crept in to her, dropping her voice a few decibels she calmly said. "You're right
Commander. I do apologize for my erroneous statement. However, I stand by my client and
will do everything within my power to throw the book at yours. Now if you'll please excuse me
I have to prepare for my other cases."
Walking around her desk she sat down and began perusing the files that lay there.
Harm was at a loss. He stood motionless not knowing what to do or say, so surprised was he
not only by his words but Mac's countering ones. He'd expected more shouting, maybe even
some relenting or a sarcastic barb but this detachment, this cool politeness had thrown him for a
loop. Seeing that she'd completely shutdown in regards to him he decided to follow her
instruction and leave. But not before muttering a soft, "I'm sorry Marine."
She'd initially had to gather up all her strength and will power not to blast him and then hold on
tight so that she wouldn't break down in to tears. Hearing his remorseful words she muttered in
reply to the now empty room, "Sorry just doesn't cut it Harm, not this time."
Shaking her head she pushed all thoughts of the tall aviator turned lawyer out of her mind.
Hopefully it would be just as easy pushing him out of her heart.
"Not likely" She whispered, allowing a lone tear to slide down her cheek.
The cloud misted over the woman in green, hiding her grief stricken face from the two deities for
the time being.
Title: "Cupid's Arrows" 1b/?
Rating: PG-13
Classification: (Harm/Mac)
Feedback: Not necessary but always welcome and very much appreciated.
Author: noelle
Summary: A little divine intervention may help bring together what was fated from the start or
tear them apart forever.
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters belong to Paramount and CBS. No copyright infringement
intended, I'm simply borrowing these wonderful characters for the amusement of fellow shippers
everywhere.
Author's Note: Firstly I'd like to apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out, RL has a way
of rudely interrupting my writing time. Secondly I'd like to ask you all to bear w/ me, still in the
"leading up to the plot" stage. There will be a whole lot more of Harm and Mac in the following
chapters, if you want to hang around until then. * g* Special thanks to Belinda, her fic "Once
Upon A Time" was my inspiration.
****************
From Chapter 1a
She'd initially had to gather up all her strength and will power not to blast him and then hold on
tight so that she wouldn't break out in to tears. Hearing his remorseful words she muttered in
reply, "Sorry just doesn't cut it Harm, not this time."
Shaking her head she pushed all thoughts of the tall aviator turned lawyer out of her mind.
Hopefully it would be just as easy pushing him out of her heart.
"Not likely" She whispered, allowing a lone tear to slide down her cheek.
The cloud misted over the woman in green, hiding her grief stricken face from the two deities for
the time being.
*****************
"Cupid's Arrows" Chapter 1b
"Them? You want me to prick them?" The disbelieving question voiced by her son irritated her
to immense proportions.
"Yes them! Don't you see all the unresolved sexual tension? They're in love and for whatever
reason can't or won't admit it. They just need a little push in the right direction …" at his
dubious look she relented, " … okay maybe a big push in the right direction but who better to
do that than you my dear." She wheedled.
"HE's not going to like us, me, meddling like this. They weren't even in the refuse pile of
possible matches." The winged one warned.
"Don't be such a stick in the mud. You my dear are the son of the Goddess of Love, meddling
in peoples love affairs is what you do best."
"And as for that refuse pile comment. Those two my boy are what love stories are made of."
Groaning at her stubbornness he stated. "Even if I were to go along with this it wouldn't work."
Arching a blond eyebrow she inquired. "Oh?"
Having dreaded this moment from the time she'd shown him her intended pair he hesitated.
"Eros …" She warned, not appreciating his delay in answering.
Head bent he whispered, "Because my arrows don't work … on her."
"And how would you know this?" She asked, her stomach churning at the possibilities running
rampant through her mind.
"I've pricked her before, twice." He could see the storm clouds forming, literally.
Flailing his hands helplessly he began to tell her the tale of his failed attempt at match making.
"His love was genuine, as genuine as most mortals love can be. He pleaded and prayed to all
possible deities. Zeus approved and sent me down to help him along with attaining what he most
desired … Sarah Mackenzie's heart."
"EROS!!!!" Leaping at the force of her bellow he backed away from the balcony and in to her
chamber.
Following him she continued to shout. "How could you?!!! How could you even attempt to
match up those two?!!"
Eyes narrowing she asked, "When, when did you do it? When did you prick her?"
Gulping he recounted the instances while making sure to maintain some distance. "The first time
was at the airport. When he offered her the ring. Her heart was shattered from the others'
earlier rejection making her the most vulnerable for suggestion at that point." He paused
wondering if it was still safe to continue, a wave of his mother's hand indicated it was so, even
though he had a feeling that she knew exactly when the second prick had occurred.
"I didn't want to do it again but I had my orders. They were at her home, he was threatening to
leave, the other was too, and she was once again vulnerable. I thought it'd worked this time
around but as you can see that apparently wasn't the case." He finished somewhat miffed as to
why his arrows hadn't worked, having never been the case before.
Aphrodite's body was shaking with controlled rage. How could her son be so blind to the
reason behind his failing? Tamping down her ire she calmly walked over to the fountain that had
appeared in the center of her chamber, flowing water always managed to calm her frayed
nerves and she willed it to do so now.
Closing her eyes she reminded herself not to loose sight of her goal: to bring two very stubborn
souls together. {What has been done cannot be undone.} Chanting that over and over again she
managed to dissipate the storm clouds.
Her equilibrium regained she turned to face her son. What she saw was not the self-assured God
of Love but instead a distraught son fearing his mother's rage. This somewhat mollified her. No
more was she the impatient goddess of her youth, centuries of being forgotten as anything but a
mere tale and being forced to exist but not to experience life had gone a long way in maturing
her, reminding her that her son still has a long ways yet to go.
Breezing over to Eros she soothed away the frown on his face. Her touch reassuring him he
looked up to stare in to her eyes and plead with her to understand that his deeds were not of his
choosing.
Understand she did but it was his turn to do the same. Turning her back to him she closed her
eyes and breathed in the air. She could feel it … love. "Yes, yes. It is time for change. It is time
they both let go."
"Mother?" Eros was befuddled by his mothers' actions and mutterings.
Not turning she asked. "Why do you suppose that your arrows failed to work?"
It wasn't what he was expecting and so he ended up spurting out the first thought that had come
to him. "I figured she was incapable of love, in the context of husband and wife."
{He's still young he doesn't know what he's talking about stay calm!} She reminded herself.
Back still to him she queried. "It didn't even cross your mind that it might have been him and not
her, or maybe even *you*?"
"Well … no." He answered sheepishly. The idea that it might have been the Australians' fault
had not even occurred to him. {But what does she mean by it being my fault?} He
unintentionally voiced this question out loud.
"Eros, have you not learned nothing after all your years amongst these humans? Surely going
about choosing your pairs, being critical of how lasting and how true their love is for each other
would have taught you the golden rule behind that mere emotion?"
At his completely baffled look she became exasperated. "Do you not know the tale of the
Genie in the lamp?" At the shake of his head in the negative she sighed. Holding up two fingers
she ticked each one off as she spoke.
"There are two things down there that are beyond even our control, that we have never had any
right interfering with, when we have, the ramifications have been deadly: one, resurrecting the
dead and two, creating love where there is none."
"Now do you understand why your arrows held no power?"
"She held no love for him in her heart." He whispered
"Exactly. At least no love in the romantic sense, at the very beginning possibly not in any sense
at all." She watched as complete understanding dawned, with it came a great deal of sadness
and disappointment.
"I helped do this to her. To bring about the shell of the person she became when she was with
him. I did that to her." He mumbled miserably.
With his understanding the remaining anger in her melted away. Laying a hand on his shoulder
she reassured him. "You did nothing to her that she did not allow to be done. That woman is
strong, stronger than many I have seen, your mere arrows would not have gotten her this far if
she had fought it with all her might. Yes, they made a bad situation worse, things possibly would
not have deteriorated to the point that it did had it not been for your interference but what is
done is done. No point in lamenting over spilt milk- I do love these mortals idioms- we must
instead work on correcting the past two years mishaps."
He was nodding his head in the positive up until she laid out her plan, "I've decided you should
deal with the Commander and I will deal with the Colonel." His head shaking in the negative
caused her to refine her plan a little. "Okay fine, you handle the Colonel and I'll handle the
Commander."
This time he voiced his objection with an adamant "No!"
"No?" She quizzed.
"No. I've wronged this woman already by attempting to match her up with a man who did not
fit her, who was less deserving I won't repeat that mistake again." He stated determinedly.
"But that's just it HE IS the right one. HE IS the one that fits her, that is deserving of her love."
Still shaking his head he began to pace, something he'd picked up from watching over the
marine for so long.
"How can he possibly be the perfect one for her when all he does is break her heart. You
forget mother that I've been around these people for over a year; I know every word uttered,
every thought considered, every hurt felt. I won't be a party to this. I won't let her be hurt
again."
She watched the firm set of his jaw, the sadness and anger that warred in his eyes for control. It
dawned on her then, her son had fallen prey to his heart.
"You've fallen in love … with her?" Though she ended it off as a question she knew better, or
at least thought she did.
He couldn't look her in the eye, so consumed was he with guilt and shame. He'd forgotten the
very first lesson he'd been taught, never ever get entangled in a human's life to the degree that
their fate affects you in any way. He'd more than gotten entangled; he'd lost his heart.
Shaking his head to clear it some he spoke before his mother had a chance to jump to her own
conclusions. "No mother I'm not IN love with her but I do love her. I care a great deal for this
mortal despite trying very hard not to."
Hearing the sincerity in his words she took them to be the truth. Now to only convince him that
he was wrong in regards to the Commander. Deciding the best defense would be a good
offense she forged ahead.
"Okay then what do you suggest, whom do you have in mind?"
"The Admiral." He offered.
"The tall, bald one, the one who commands them?" She asked wanting there to be no mix-ups
as to whom he was talking about.
"Mmhmm."
She couldn't believe her ears. Had her son completely lost his mind? How could he possibly
see something there?
Seeing the disbelief in her features Eros explained his position. "He won't hurt her, he'd sooner
rip off a limb than do so. He'd ensure her happiness."
"But where's the love, the passion?" She asked unconvinced.
"He cares for her, loves her in his own way and I know she holds a great deal of affection for
him. It would work, we could make it work." He said a tad defensively.
Using his own knowledge of Sarah against him she counter attacked. "You know Sarah, you
know where her heart lays or more precisely with whom. Do you really think, especially after
this past year that she'd settle for mere affection when the one she loves is in the office next to
hers?"
"He doesn't love her!!" He declared hotly.
"Yes he does." She replied just as forcefully.
"Then why hasn't he told her?"
"Why hasn't she?" She rebutted.
"She has." At her dubious look he continued, "Her and a co-worker, Commander Sturgis I
believe is what they call him, were arguing and she let it slip." He finished with a 'so there' look.
"Doesn't mean a thing if it wasn't him who she let it slip to." She retorted unfazed.
"He's never shown her he loves her. She's chased him across the globe: a desert in the middle
of Iran, a dock in Norfolk, and Russia - twice, with the soul purpose of keeping him alive and
out of trouble. What is it they say … actions speak louder than words?" He added glibly.
"Well in that case have you forgotten who defended her uncle, kept her fighting spirit alive after
being shot by those poachers, saved her from her stalker and insured she got out of the pickle
of a mess she got in to with the death of her husband?"
Before he even had a chance to open his mouth to respond she clamped her hand over it.
"We could argue this until sun up and sun down for several days and still disagree, but let me
ask you this. In your heart of hearts you know who she loves, who completes her, so why are
you still so against this pairing?"
Reaching to pull her hands away from his mouth he held them. He could feel the strength in her
smaller ones, the reassurance and comfort that he'd grown up with. They some how centered
everything. He'd finally found the words.
"Because if he left her through death or of his own doing she'd be shattered. There would be
nothing of her left. She loves him so completely that such a rejection, abandonment would
literally tear her apart."
She smiled. Her son got it after all. Though it was frowned upon to get as involved with a
mortal as Eros had she commended him for it. It's easier to accept your failings if you remain
aloof, much harder to do so when you get as attached as he's managed to get but when you get
your 'happily ever after' ending the satisfaction of a job well done is beyond comparable.
Gripping his hands that still held hers she grabbed his attention. "It won't happen. Tut, tut …"
She admonished at his move to object, " …Listen. I understand your fears, but give the lady
more credit. She's stronger than she seems at times. Anyhow, it doesn't matter, he won't leave
her; he can't. To do so would mean loosing his soul. I think, perhaps, it's what's holding them
back-the pure enormity of their love for each other. But don't you see, continuing on the way they
have is tearing them apart inside, it's eroding away at who they are together and individually."
"I know." Was his defeated reply. Not wanting him to see it as a loss-Sarah and her sailor
being together- she decided to show him what she sees, what everyone sees when looking at
these two.
Pulling a hand free she took a hold of his arm, "Come with me."
With those words they disappeared.
Tbc…
Rating: PG-13
Classification: (Harm/Mac)
Feedback: Not necessary but always welcome and very much appreciated.
Author: noelle
Summary: A little divine intervention may help bring together what was fated from the start or
tear them apart forever.
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters belong to Paramount and CBS. No copyright infringement
intended, I'm simply borrowing these wonderful characters for the amusement of fellow shippers
everywhere.
Author's Note: Not the fic I'd planned to post but hope you enjoy it nonetheless. A little warning
though, this first little bit is just for plot development purposes, so please forgive me if it seems
to drag on.
"Cupid's Arrows"
"MOTHER!!!" Came the bellow before the being himself appeared, wings a flapping.
Unaffected the woman in pink simply asked, "What is it dear?"
"What is it, what is it, how can you sit there so calmly and ask me that?" He was reaching his
limit with regards to her. It was hard enough doing his job with all the regulations and limitations
that Zeus had decreed with the new age but his mother's constant interferences were making it
near impossible.
Holding up two arrows, one navy blue the other marine green, he stated.
"These are what it is mother deeear." At her look of total innocence he lost it.
"What in Zeus do you think you're doing?! Haven't you learned anything at all from your past
mishaps. How many lives have been destroyed, how many loves forsaken, how many souls
shattered due to your selfish need to insert yourself in these peoples lives!"
He hadn't meant to be harsh but it had been an extremely long day, actually a long couple of
days. The days and weeks leading up to Valentines Day were always hectic but this year the
cosmos seemed to have it in for him. Not one pairing seemed to have worked out right.
Soulmates clashing, life long enemies mating, 'meant to be' loves parting, no one was with
whom they were supposed to be with.
Yet seeing the ripple of pain that crossed his mother's face he relented. It wasn't her fault, at
least not this time, but it still didn't excuse her actions.
Sighing he walked over to her, his wings having calmed some it was safer to be nearer.
"Mother ... why?" He asked as he laid a hand upon one shoulder.
"I just … I just wanted … needed to … had to somehow … arghh!!" She finished off, clearly
frustrated at her inability to express herself. But words were unnecessary when talking with her
son, for he knew her best.
"I know mother, I know. It's hard for you but our time- your time- has passed. We cannot try
to reinsert ourselves in an era where we simply do not belong. The little I can do, that I am
allowed to do is a gift in itself but I find, especially of late, that even that little seems to be for
naught."
At her somewhat disappointed look he gave in a little. Hooking an arm around her shoulders he
pulled her in for a side hug.
"What is it that made you want to interfere in these mortals lives?" He inquired, as much as an
attempt to get her to talk as out of sheer curiosity. She hadn't tried to meddle in the affairs of the
heart in quite some time, nearly two millennia's in fact.
Shrugging his arm off she got up and walked over to the balcony. Staring across the sky she
whispered. "Because they remind me of what I'm truly here for."
"But mother …"
"Don't interrupt, it's ill-mannered." She said turning around.
Leaning on the railing she let her eyes wander before settling on the winged one again.
" Try and understand this my son. I am the Goddess of Love, my purpose upon creation was to
not bring loves together- that's your job- but to watch over those that are meant to be together.
Those destined but the fates haven't decreed it their time yet and to help lessen the blow of
separation until the time* is * right."
Waving her hand in an attempt to convey her frustration she went on. "But that hasn't been the case of late. Zeus has let the rest of our
kin's fears affect his judgment. Banning us from being a presence in mortals lives was too harsh
a punishment, it was uncalled for."
"I've discovered something over the years …" She trailed off.
Seeing that she wasn't going to continue unless prodded he asked, "Well? What have you
discovered?"
Quirking her lips she said, "What I've discovered is …" pausing to plop a grape in to her
mouth, "… is that we aren't as all knowing as we think. They don't need us, it's us who need
them." The look of complete surprise on her son's face did not go unnoticed by her, she just
chose to ignore it.
"Look at them. They've gone on with their lives, finding faith in other places and beings. We,
however, sit here day in and day out for eternity with no purpose but to watch as the universe
evolves. Do you not feel that to be a tad trite?"
Not sure whether his mother actually expected him to answer, his reply was slow in coming.
"Mother, Zeus has decreed us to remain … absent from the lives of mortals, for the most part.
This is not for you nor I to question."
Whirling around she *questioned*, "Then what is the purpose of our existence? Why be Gods if
we have no say in the molding of the lives of those who live on the earth we created? What use
are the powers we possess; the setting of the sun, the incoming tides, control of the weather,
love, hate, fury, envy … what is the point of it all if we are to be mere fairy tales, myths?"
"I … I don't know."
Sighing she turned once again to look towards the vast expanse of sky. "Come here my son."
Slowly and cautiously he walked over to her. With a wave of her hands the clouds
disappeared. To be replaced by images, whose voices filtered up to them.
"Mother …?"
"Shhh!! Watch, listen, and you shall see why I have chosen these two." She indicated tapping
the arrows he still held in his hand.
"What the bloody hell was that??!!" The marine whispered angrily.
"I see some of that Australian charm has rubbed off on you Mac." Ribbed the sailor.
Glaring the tall brunette made her way through the bullpen and in to her office, slamming the
door behind her. The closing of it and the loud noise that surely would have followed stopped
only by the hand that reached out to prevent it from hitting the owner of it in the face.
Noting the absence of the resounding slam she'd expected, she whirled around, instinctively
knowing that the cocky, arrogant, pain in the six lawyer had followed her in.
"Get out Harm." She growled menacingly.
"No. Would you stop being so damn stubborn and look at what's best for your client." He
declared a tad more boldly than he felt.
"Stubborn, you think I'M being stubborn?!" She asked incredulously. "You're the one who's refusing to see the facts. What, just because he's your client that
immediately makes him innocent?"
"Now you know that isn't true Mac. You were my client and you sure as hell weren't
completely innocent." He regretted the words as soon as he'd uttered them. He attempted to
back peddle but it was too late, the damage was done.
Coldness crept in to her, dropping her voice a few decibels she calmly said. "You're right
Commander. I do apologize for my erroneous statement. However, I stand by my client and
will do everything within my power to throw the book at yours. Now if you'll please excuse me
I have to prepare for my other cases."
Walking around her desk she sat down and began perusing the files that lay there.
Harm was at a loss. He stood motionless not knowing what to do or say, so surprised was he
not only by his words but Mac's countering ones. He'd expected more shouting, maybe even
some relenting or a sarcastic barb but this detachment, this cool politeness had thrown him for a
loop. Seeing that she'd completely shutdown in regards to him he decided to follow her
instruction and leave. But not before muttering a soft, "I'm sorry Marine."
She'd initially had to gather up all her strength and will power not to blast him and then hold on
tight so that she wouldn't break down in to tears. Hearing his remorseful words she muttered in
reply to the now empty room, "Sorry just doesn't cut it Harm, not this time."
Shaking her head she pushed all thoughts of the tall aviator turned lawyer out of her mind.
Hopefully it would be just as easy pushing him out of her heart.
"Not likely" She whispered, allowing a lone tear to slide down her cheek.
The cloud misted over the woman in green, hiding her grief stricken face from the two deities for
the time being.
Title: "Cupid's Arrows" 1b/?
Rating: PG-13
Classification: (Harm/Mac)
Feedback: Not necessary but always welcome and very much appreciated.
Author: noelle
Summary: A little divine intervention may help bring together what was fated from the start or
tear them apart forever.
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters belong to Paramount and CBS. No copyright infringement
intended, I'm simply borrowing these wonderful characters for the amusement of fellow shippers
everywhere.
Author's Note: Firstly I'd like to apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out, RL has a way
of rudely interrupting my writing time. Secondly I'd like to ask you all to bear w/ me, still in the
"leading up to the plot" stage. There will be a whole lot more of Harm and Mac in the following
chapters, if you want to hang around until then. * g* Special thanks to Belinda, her fic "Once
Upon A Time" was my inspiration.
****************
From Chapter 1a
She'd initially had to gather up all her strength and will power not to blast him and then hold on
tight so that she wouldn't break out in to tears. Hearing his remorseful words she muttered in
reply, "Sorry just doesn't cut it Harm, not this time."
Shaking her head she pushed all thoughts of the tall aviator turned lawyer out of her mind.
Hopefully it would be just as easy pushing him out of her heart.
"Not likely" She whispered, allowing a lone tear to slide down her cheek.
The cloud misted over the woman in green, hiding her grief stricken face from the two deities for
the time being.
*****************
"Cupid's Arrows" Chapter 1b
"Them? You want me to prick them?" The disbelieving question voiced by her son irritated her
to immense proportions.
"Yes them! Don't you see all the unresolved sexual tension? They're in love and for whatever
reason can't or won't admit it. They just need a little push in the right direction …" at his
dubious look she relented, " … okay maybe a big push in the right direction but who better to
do that than you my dear." She wheedled.
"HE's not going to like us, me, meddling like this. They weren't even in the refuse pile of
possible matches." The winged one warned.
"Don't be such a stick in the mud. You my dear are the son of the Goddess of Love, meddling
in peoples love affairs is what you do best."
"And as for that refuse pile comment. Those two my boy are what love stories are made of."
Groaning at her stubbornness he stated. "Even if I were to go along with this it wouldn't work."
Arching a blond eyebrow she inquired. "Oh?"
Having dreaded this moment from the time she'd shown him her intended pair he hesitated.
"Eros …" She warned, not appreciating his delay in answering.
Head bent he whispered, "Because my arrows don't work … on her."
"And how would you know this?" She asked, her stomach churning at the possibilities running
rampant through her mind.
"I've pricked her before, twice." He could see the storm clouds forming, literally.
Flailing his hands helplessly he began to tell her the tale of his failed attempt at match making.
"His love was genuine, as genuine as most mortals love can be. He pleaded and prayed to all
possible deities. Zeus approved and sent me down to help him along with attaining what he most
desired … Sarah Mackenzie's heart."
"EROS!!!!" Leaping at the force of her bellow he backed away from the balcony and in to her
chamber.
Following him she continued to shout. "How could you?!!! How could you even attempt to
match up those two?!!"
Eyes narrowing she asked, "When, when did you do it? When did you prick her?"
Gulping he recounted the instances while making sure to maintain some distance. "The first time
was at the airport. When he offered her the ring. Her heart was shattered from the others'
earlier rejection making her the most vulnerable for suggestion at that point." He paused
wondering if it was still safe to continue, a wave of his mother's hand indicated it was so, even
though he had a feeling that she knew exactly when the second prick had occurred.
"I didn't want to do it again but I had my orders. They were at her home, he was threatening to
leave, the other was too, and she was once again vulnerable. I thought it'd worked this time
around but as you can see that apparently wasn't the case." He finished somewhat miffed as to
why his arrows hadn't worked, having never been the case before.
Aphrodite's body was shaking with controlled rage. How could her son be so blind to the
reason behind his failing? Tamping down her ire she calmly walked over to the fountain that had
appeared in the center of her chamber, flowing water always managed to calm her frayed
nerves and she willed it to do so now.
Closing her eyes she reminded herself not to loose sight of her goal: to bring two very stubborn
souls together. {What has been done cannot be undone.} Chanting that over and over again she
managed to dissipate the storm clouds.
Her equilibrium regained she turned to face her son. What she saw was not the self-assured God
of Love but instead a distraught son fearing his mother's rage. This somewhat mollified her. No
more was she the impatient goddess of her youth, centuries of being forgotten as anything but a
mere tale and being forced to exist but not to experience life had gone a long way in maturing
her, reminding her that her son still has a long ways yet to go.
Breezing over to Eros she soothed away the frown on his face. Her touch reassuring him he
looked up to stare in to her eyes and plead with her to understand that his deeds were not of his
choosing.
Understand she did but it was his turn to do the same. Turning her back to him she closed her
eyes and breathed in the air. She could feel it … love. "Yes, yes. It is time for change. It is time
they both let go."
"Mother?" Eros was befuddled by his mothers' actions and mutterings.
Not turning she asked. "Why do you suppose that your arrows failed to work?"
It wasn't what he was expecting and so he ended up spurting out the first thought that had come
to him. "I figured she was incapable of love, in the context of husband and wife."
{He's still young he doesn't know what he's talking about stay calm!} She reminded herself.
Back still to him she queried. "It didn't even cross your mind that it might have been him and not
her, or maybe even *you*?"
"Well … no." He answered sheepishly. The idea that it might have been the Australians' fault
had not even occurred to him. {But what does she mean by it being my fault?} He
unintentionally voiced this question out loud.
"Eros, have you not learned nothing after all your years amongst these humans? Surely going
about choosing your pairs, being critical of how lasting and how true their love is for each other
would have taught you the golden rule behind that mere emotion?"
At his completely baffled look she became exasperated. "Do you not know the tale of the
Genie in the lamp?" At the shake of his head in the negative she sighed. Holding up two fingers
she ticked each one off as she spoke.
"There are two things down there that are beyond even our control, that we have never had any
right interfering with, when we have, the ramifications have been deadly: one, resurrecting the
dead and two, creating love where there is none."
"Now do you understand why your arrows held no power?"
"She held no love for him in her heart." He whispered
"Exactly. At least no love in the romantic sense, at the very beginning possibly not in any sense
at all." She watched as complete understanding dawned, with it came a great deal of sadness
and disappointment.
"I helped do this to her. To bring about the shell of the person she became when she was with
him. I did that to her." He mumbled miserably.
With his understanding the remaining anger in her melted away. Laying a hand on his shoulder
she reassured him. "You did nothing to her that she did not allow to be done. That woman is
strong, stronger than many I have seen, your mere arrows would not have gotten her this far if
she had fought it with all her might. Yes, they made a bad situation worse, things possibly would
not have deteriorated to the point that it did had it not been for your interference but what is
done is done. No point in lamenting over spilt milk- I do love these mortals idioms- we must
instead work on correcting the past two years mishaps."
He was nodding his head in the positive up until she laid out her plan, "I've decided you should
deal with the Commander and I will deal with the Colonel." His head shaking in the negative
caused her to refine her plan a little. "Okay fine, you handle the Colonel and I'll handle the
Commander."
This time he voiced his objection with an adamant "No!"
"No?" She quizzed.
"No. I've wronged this woman already by attempting to match her up with a man who did not
fit her, who was less deserving I won't repeat that mistake again." He stated determinedly.
"But that's just it HE IS the right one. HE IS the one that fits her, that is deserving of her love."
Still shaking his head he began to pace, something he'd picked up from watching over the
marine for so long.
"How can he possibly be the perfect one for her when all he does is break her heart. You
forget mother that I've been around these people for over a year; I know every word uttered,
every thought considered, every hurt felt. I won't be a party to this. I won't let her be hurt
again."
She watched the firm set of his jaw, the sadness and anger that warred in his eyes for control. It
dawned on her then, her son had fallen prey to his heart.
"You've fallen in love … with her?" Though she ended it off as a question she knew better, or
at least thought she did.
He couldn't look her in the eye, so consumed was he with guilt and shame. He'd forgotten the
very first lesson he'd been taught, never ever get entangled in a human's life to the degree that
their fate affects you in any way. He'd more than gotten entangled; he'd lost his heart.
Shaking his head to clear it some he spoke before his mother had a chance to jump to her own
conclusions. "No mother I'm not IN love with her but I do love her. I care a great deal for this
mortal despite trying very hard not to."
Hearing the sincerity in his words she took them to be the truth. Now to only convince him that
he was wrong in regards to the Commander. Deciding the best defense would be a good
offense she forged ahead.
"Okay then what do you suggest, whom do you have in mind?"
"The Admiral." He offered.
"The tall, bald one, the one who commands them?" She asked wanting there to be no mix-ups
as to whom he was talking about.
"Mmhmm."
She couldn't believe her ears. Had her son completely lost his mind? How could he possibly
see something there?
Seeing the disbelief in her features Eros explained his position. "He won't hurt her, he'd sooner
rip off a limb than do so. He'd ensure her happiness."
"But where's the love, the passion?" She asked unconvinced.
"He cares for her, loves her in his own way and I know she holds a great deal of affection for
him. It would work, we could make it work." He said a tad defensively.
Using his own knowledge of Sarah against him she counter attacked. "You know Sarah, you
know where her heart lays or more precisely with whom. Do you really think, especially after
this past year that she'd settle for mere affection when the one she loves is in the office next to
hers?"
"He doesn't love her!!" He declared hotly.
"Yes he does." She replied just as forcefully.
"Then why hasn't he told her?"
"Why hasn't she?" She rebutted.
"She has." At her dubious look he continued, "Her and a co-worker, Commander Sturgis I
believe is what they call him, were arguing and she let it slip." He finished with a 'so there' look.
"Doesn't mean a thing if it wasn't him who she let it slip to." She retorted unfazed.
"He's never shown her he loves her. She's chased him across the globe: a desert in the middle
of Iran, a dock in Norfolk, and Russia - twice, with the soul purpose of keeping him alive and
out of trouble. What is it they say … actions speak louder than words?" He added glibly.
"Well in that case have you forgotten who defended her uncle, kept her fighting spirit alive after
being shot by those poachers, saved her from her stalker and insured she got out of the pickle
of a mess she got in to with the death of her husband?"
Before he even had a chance to open his mouth to respond she clamped her hand over it.
"We could argue this until sun up and sun down for several days and still disagree, but let me
ask you this. In your heart of hearts you know who she loves, who completes her, so why are
you still so against this pairing?"
Reaching to pull her hands away from his mouth he held them. He could feel the strength in her
smaller ones, the reassurance and comfort that he'd grown up with. They some how centered
everything. He'd finally found the words.
"Because if he left her through death or of his own doing she'd be shattered. There would be
nothing of her left. She loves him so completely that such a rejection, abandonment would
literally tear her apart."
She smiled. Her son got it after all. Though it was frowned upon to get as involved with a
mortal as Eros had she commended him for it. It's easier to accept your failings if you remain
aloof, much harder to do so when you get as attached as he's managed to get but when you get
your 'happily ever after' ending the satisfaction of a job well done is beyond comparable.
Gripping his hands that still held hers she grabbed his attention. "It won't happen. Tut, tut …"
She admonished at his move to object, " …Listen. I understand your fears, but give the lady
more credit. She's stronger than she seems at times. Anyhow, it doesn't matter, he won't leave
her; he can't. To do so would mean loosing his soul. I think, perhaps, it's what's holding them
back-the pure enormity of their love for each other. But don't you see, continuing on the way they
have is tearing them apart inside, it's eroding away at who they are together and individually."
"I know." Was his defeated reply. Not wanting him to see it as a loss-Sarah and her sailor
being together- she decided to show him what she sees, what everyone sees when looking at
these two.
Pulling a hand free she took a hold of his arm, "Come with me."
With those words they disappeared.
Tbc…