~*3*~
Harm's flashy Corvette glided to a stop in front of Mac's apartment building. He looked up and saw her window then checked his watch: 1650. Damn. I'm gonna get that smug little grin. Why couldn't I be on time for once in my life. Shaking his head he bounded up the stairs bracing for her I-told-you-so smirk. And boy oh boy did he ever get it. Along with their tickets, each couple had been given a invitation to a VIP reception after the show. Harm wore dress whites and Mac had opted for a brief royal blue dress that sparkled from the tiny straps to the hem resting just above her knee. She and Harriet had had a field day shopping for the event. Mac quirked her lips just as Harm had expected when she answered the door. Sliding her feet into matching shoes, and grabbing a light matching jacket, Mac looked Harm right in the eye. "Ten minutes early, Sailor, that's not at all like you."
Harm metally reeled his lolling tongue back into his mouth and cleared his throat. "Yeah, well, we aim to please." He rolled his eyes. "What do you want for dinner?"
Mac Looked at him and raised a brow. "What'd you think?"
Harm skimmed a skeptical eye over her dress and his whites. "Come on, Mac. You're not serious."
"I can keep ketchup off my dress, but then I'm a Marine, and you're just--"
"All right. Let's go." Harm ground out through clenched teeth, and fifteen minutes later the elegantly dressed couple was sitting in a booth at Beltway Burgers.
Mac smiled as Harm looked dejectedly at the menu. "Thanks, Stickboy."
"You're welcome, Ninjagirl." He replied still shaking his head.
An hour later, the two handed their tickets to a Marine who directed them to the floor section very close to the stage. "Good seats." Harm commented.
Mac chuckled. "You expected less?"
"No I guess not. Harm responded as Mac thread her arm through his. Walking past the staging area Mac spotted Bobbie Latham who waved them over.
"Commander Rabb," she nodded, "Colonel McKenzie." Bobbie's eye sparkled with either anticipation or triumph, Mac couldn't read which.
"Congresswoman Latham, Commander Turner." She smiled back, and added, "Admiral," as AJ Chegwidden appraoched the entire group turned and the 3 men in uniform snapped to attention.
"Colonel MacKenzie, Congresswoman Latham." He nodded. "As you were, Commander Tuner, Rabb, Petty Officer."
"Everyone this is Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Staggs, an Electricians Mate on the Seahawk and one of my young constituents." Shaking hands with the crew Petty Officer looked at Mac a little too long for Harm's comfort. Placing a hand on her fingers where they rested lightly on his inner elbow, Harm had everyone looking at them. Mac saw the change in expressions and decided to excuse herself. "Harm," she said turning to face him. "I'm going to find the h--"she looked at Bobbie's guest. "Lady's Room. I'll meet you back here in a few minutes."
"Right." He said as she walked off. Turning his gaze back to the young Petty Officer Harm's face went a fraction more tense. Sturgis noticed and thought it best to distract him.
"Umm, Harm, Bobbie wrangled some back stage passes—you wanna come with?"
"No."
"Harm." Turner's tone had Harm tearing his eyes from PO2 Staggs. "He's a 20 year old kid who's just gotten back from a four month cruise. Relax." Sturgis nodded toward Bobbie. "Now come on."
Harm considered and still shook his head. "Take the kid."
"All right I guess that works too." Sturgis slapped his friend on the shoulder and shook his head. "You two." Sturgis mumbled as he walked away.
"Commander, sir." Harm heard the familiar voice and turned to find Bud in his immaculate dress whites and smiled.
"Bud. Where's Hariet?"
"Head." The shorter man looked in the direction Mac had disappeared.
"You here alone, sir?"
"No." Harm replied still searching faces for Mac.
"Where's you date then, sir?"
"Head."
"Ah."
Bud looked up and caught a glimpse of Harriet in her new dress and nodded. "Here's Harriet." Rabb looked up and smiled when he saw that Harriet was closely followed by Mac.
"And there's my date."
Bud's borw furrowed as he saw Harriet followed by Colonel McKenzie. "Ma'am." he said in greeting as he took his wife's hand. Bud's brow smoothed and shot in as he watched Harm hold an arm out for the Colonel. Seeing his surprise, Harriet shook her head. "Bud, I love you." She said and as they walked she leaned in to place a sweet and familiar kiss on his cheek.
Mac looked back at Bud and Harriet in time to see the sweetness that passed from wife to husband. A sad smile covered her features as she ran a thumb over the ring finger of her left hand. Will I ever have that? She questioned silently as she looked up at the man who'd been here partenar, friend, and sometimes the very bane of her existence.
Harm turned to Bud. "Where're your seats?"
"Middle tier. With Tiner and Lt. Singer."
"Singer?" Harm and Mac asked in chorus.
"Said he felt bad for her, and his date cancelled kinda last minute."
Mac shivered visibly. "Maybe she'll be better outside the office." Mac offered looking directly at Harriet.
"I hope so, Ma'am." Harriet sighed.
"Good luck." Mac said as the Roberts climbed the stairs to their seats.
"Shall we, Colonel?"
"Absolutely, Commander." She answered with a smile.
~*4*~
Backstage a few minutes before the first act was to take the stage, Bobbie Latham was talking quietly in a corner with none other than Billy Joel. Sturgis looked past the Admiral at his girlfirend and the pop superstar and wondered just what she was up to.
"A Navy Commander and a Marine Colonel?" The rough voice of the Piano Man asked. "Isn't that frowned upon?"
"It's a long" Bobbie raised her brows and gestured elaborately. "long story."
"Hmm. If I do this I'll need to hear it some time."
"You got it." she smiled at looked up meeting Sturgis' gaze. "My date seems to be getting suspicious." She put out a hand which the singer took and kissed. Blushing she turned her head to see Sturgis frown at her. "You might want to come meet him before he introduces himself.
Following her gaze to the tall, lean Commander in dress whites, he agreed. Within a few minutes Bobbie, Sutrgis and AJ were sitting four rows behind Mac and Harm. Bobbie smiled. But they don't know that. She sat back a tried to enjoy the seemingly endless stream of talent that proceeded headliner Billy Joel.