Chapter 4.
1200 ZULU.
FUN FAIR.
"You are soft, you know that?" Sarah Mackenzie told her partner seeing he had driven them to a fun fair he had seen while driving up to the hotel. "you really want to spend the afternoon at a fair?"
"Well I think we're both in need of some comic relief, you in particular so how about it."
Mac smiled. "Sure. You paying or am I?"
"What do you say we split."
"Deal." she answered getting out of the car.
"So Marine, what would you like to do first? go on the bumper cars, go on the big wheel, play some games?"
"How about eat?" Mac replied.
"You and your stomach Marine." he replied. "So you want a hot dog or something?"
"Was there ever a doubt?" she replied following Harm over to the hot dog stand.
While they were waiting Harm took the time to look at Mac who was studying their surroundings. She was wearing some tight shorts and a red lacy vest top showing off her cuves. It felt like electricity was running through him as he looked at her, the strength of his feelings for her increasing every moment they spent together. He knew that he had blown things between them that night on the ferry, pushing her away when he knew he loved her more than anyone but was just scared to act on it. She noticed him looking and instead of shying away like he thought she would she gave him a big grin.
After Mac had gotten her hot dog and Harm had found himself a stand that sold veggie burgers they sat down on Harms jacket watching the young couples heading over to the tunnel of love ride. Mac thought about Mic and her, and how though she cared about the man in a way, they could never be as happy as those couples were heading off to go on that ride. The only man she could imagine being that happy with was Harm, and though she knew she shouldn't be feeling like this especially in light of the wedding it was the truth. Unbeknown to her however Harm felt exactly the same, but after recent months couldn't think of a way to tell the one woman who had held his heart for the last four years.
Harm could hear a child crying, he turned around to see a little girl crying over by the hoop-la game because her big sister hadn't been able to win her a teddy bear. Harm got up, Mac following behind and went over to the little girl.
"Hey there sweetie what's the matter?" Mac asked the youngster, the bond she shared with children shining through her personality.
The young girl was still crying so the older one took up the story.
"I tried to win her a teddy." the older one told Mac "But as you can probably gather I'm not much of a shot, and she really wanted one."
"What's your name baby?" Harm asked.
"Danni." the child said through sobs.
"Well Danni what do you say I have a go and see if I can get you one of these bears." Harm asked handing the owner of the game some money in return for three hoops.
The older girl picked the younger one up so she could see.
Harm threw the first hoop and missed the bottles completely.
"And you call yourself a Naval Officer." Mac quipped behind him. He shot her a smile and turned back to the game. He then threw the second hoop and once again missed. Mac tutted from behind him.
"You know Miss Mackenzie you are a distraction." he replied sweetly making Mac blush. He then turned back to the game and threw the last hoop which landed over a bottle. The little girl cheered.
"Would you like a brown or a white teddy sweetheart?"Harm asked the little girl.
"White please." she answered in her sweet childs voice.
The owner handed Harm a big teddy.
" There you go Danni." he said handing it over to her. The child immediately took it in her arms and cuddled it.
"Say thanks Danni." the girls older sisiter told her.
"Thank you." she replied "Kiss."
The young woman who was carrying her lifted her up to Harms cheek and the little girl gave him a kiss.
Mac couldn't help but watch this scene with adoration. Harm had always been good with children, that was clear when he was with baby A.J and again here. He would be a great father one day.
"So what are you gonna call your teddy?" Mac asked the little girl.
"Mr Bear." she replied with a smile.
"Well then goodbye Mr Bear and it was nice to meet you Danni."
"You too." the little girl answered.
"Thanks again." the older sister told them before carrying Danni over to the Go Karts.
Harm turned around to see Mac smiling at him.
"What?" he asked puzzled.
"You flyboy are going to make a great father one day. Who would've thought." she added jokily.
"You'e gonna be a great mom." he told her.
Harm paid the owner again for three new hoops.
"What are you up to Harmon Rabb Jr." she asked leaning against the side of the stall.
He started throwing the hoops, this time winning a bear with the first shot and missing with the last two.
"So marine, brown or white?" he asked sweetly.
"Wait, you've won me a bear?"
"Uh huh, brown or white."
Mac was touched "I think a brown one would be cute. That way if Jingo chooses to use it as a toy it'd be harder to see where he's chewed it." she added.
Harm handed her the big brown teddy.
"So what are you gonna call it?" Harm asked cheekily.
"How about Harm Jr?." she asked.
"I'm touched." he joked. "So what would you like to go on now then ninja girl."
"How about the big wheel?" she asked.
"The big wheel it is." he answered taking her hand.
"This is nice." she told him as they walked towards the big wheel "I've missed this, what with you going off to live your dreams flying, and then me becoming involved with Mic, you with Renee and us all having to adjust to your being back...It just seems like our relationship has kinda headed for the hills and never really got fixed."
"Things have been pretty tough. Who would of thought we would practically lose what we had built, the beautiful friendship that it was, and then find it so hard to get it back."
"Yeah well a lot of stuff's changed Harm."
"Yeah I know." he told her squezzing her hand "But I'd like to work on it, I'd like to get it back." he answered.
"I think we kinda are." she replied smiling, paying the guy running the big wheel for their go.
They both climbed in and put the safety bar down waiting for the ride to start. Harm looked to his right and saw the young girl he had won the teddy for earlier still hugging it tightly as she walked around with her sister. She spotted Harm and Mac on the ride and blew them a kiss, Harm blowing one back.
"You sailor are a charmer. Has anyone ever told you that."
"Not lately." he added "So thank you."
The wheel suddenly started to move around, Mac putting a hand on Harms leg as the sudden movement had made her jump. She looked down at it realising what she had done and pulled it away.
"So you gonna tell me about that bruise on your arm now Mac, you can't exactly run away from my asking because basically we are a few metres off the ground here." he asked seriously.
"Harm don't wreck this please." she pleaded.
"Hey" he said putting a gentle hand on her face "I'm not trying to. I'm worried Mac and I don't want you to feel you have to get angry with me or lie to me about it, I want you to trust me enough to tell me the truth...to let me protect you."
"That's not your job Harm, you have Renee to look after. I'm a Marine I think I can look after myself."
"Are you kidding? Sarah Mackenzie I care about you so much, of course I consider it as my job to protect you. When I was away flying there wasn't a day went by when I didn't think about you, your beautiful smile, the way you cried in my arms when I was about to leave. Somedays you're the only thing that got me through. It's just it was so hard coming back, adjusting to JAG again, and then there was you and Brumby and..."
"He get's mad Harm." she cut in "And he did give me that bruise okay, but please don't go after him for doing it, it'd only make things worse and he only did it the once."
"Mac why are you letting him treat you like this?" Harm asked getting mad, but also feeling incredibly sad that she felt she had to keep this from him.
"He does love me Harm, do you understand that? I came to you...told you how I felt...you pushed me away and he was there." she said starting to cry. Harm took her in his arms.
"Ssshhhh it's okay." he said kissing her forehead "Just know I'm here...always." he replied.
"I think the bears getting jealous." she replied making him laugh, noticing it had fallen in their laps pushing them apart. "Promise me you won't go after him Harm...please."
"Scouts honour." he replied "Now lets enjoy the rest of the afternoon shall we." he told her squeezing her hand.
1900 ZULU
A BEACH
Seven hours after they had arrived at the fair they had been on nearly every ride, eaten a lot of caandy floss and pop corn and even had a paintball fight and a go on the Go Karts, which Mac had won. They had now made their way to a beach just a few miles down the road from the fair and were sitting eating a bag of chips.
"We really should call the Admiral, tell him we've found the venue and that we haven't got lost or anything." Harm told Mac.
"Yeah probably, it's a beautiful hotel isn't it. I'd love to have my wedding there."
Harm flinched. "You really gonna marry him?"
Mac fiddled with her ring. "Lets just forget about this for a while okay?" she asked.
"Sorry." he answered. "You a bit chilly there ninja-girl?" he asked noticing her shivering. He put an arm around her.
"Thanks for a great afternoon Harm." she told him screwing up the now empty bag and looking into his blue green eyes.
"That is my pleasure." he told her. "So hows Harm Jr." he asked regarding the bear which was sitting on her lap.
"Fine." she replied picking up the bear.
Harm looked at his watch.
"We should probably be heading back. You ready to go?" Harm asked. Mac didn't move. "You really don't want to go home do you?" he asked.
Mac looked at him.
"Look how about you stay at mine tonight? tell Mic you weren't feeling too well and that you stayed at mine as we got there first. I swear I won't try anything on...you can have the bed if you want." he told her.
"I should go home, Jingo will probably need to go out, and he'll probably want a drink."
"We could drop you off, get you sorted out and then you could come round." Harm compromised knowing she hadn't been sleeping that well.
"I'll be fine Harm, besides it'll just make things worse. I don't know what he'd do if..."
"You sure." he asked putting one of his fingers under her chin and pointing her head up so she was looking in his eyes. "You've always got space at my apartment if you need it."
" Yes really." she answered getting up with a small smile. "Just do me a favour and stay until I get to sleep?" she pleaded.
Harm smiled "You betcha Marine." he replied.
2130 ZULU
SARAH MACKENZIES APARTMENT.
Mac took the leash off Jingo and hung it up, him having just been for a much wanted walk. He had been given a fresh bowl of water and some food and so was content for the evening. Mac meanwhile was shattered, it had been a long day and she just wanted to get some much needed sleep so she got changed and crawled into bed.
Harm walked over to her "You get some sleep okay Marine?" he told her as she shut her eyes.
"Promise you'll stay until..." and with that her eyes closed.
Harm looked at the beautiful woman on the bad. She looked so sweet and fragile laying there that he just wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be alright. "Sweet dreams angel." he whispered kissing her forehead not noticing the flutter of her eyelids opening briefly at the feel of the tender kiss.
Harms cell rang he walked to the other end of her apartment not wanting to disturb Mac.
"Hello?...Renee hi...You're at my apartment? sorry I'm at Mac's I'm not gonna be back just yet. She's got some stuff going on I'm just staying until I know she's settled for the night...Renee that's not fair...she's my best friend, maybe you don't understand that concept...Yeah she is important to me...of course you are but I have a commitment to her Renee...Look stop acting like you're so hard done by there are people much worse off than you...well I'm sorry you're sick of this but I'm going to look after her whether you like it or...fine hang up see if I care." he shouted.
"Harm you can go if you want." A sleepy voice said from her bed.
"Don't worry arguments are pretty typical with us lately. I said I'll stay until you sleep so close your eyes and get some rest." he told her going to sit on the bed.
She closed her eyes and pretty soon afterwards was asleep. Her phone rang. At first Harm couldn't decide whether to answer it but as he didn't want her disturbed and she looked like she needed sleep he picked it up.
"Sarah Mackenzie residence?"
"Rabb what are you doing there?" Brumby growled down the other end of the line.
"I just brought Mac home, we've been looking for wedding venues for a friend." he replied tying to sound friendly and stay cool.
"Yeah right that's crap Rabb and you know it. If you've touched her I swear..."
"You'll what Brumby? hit me, or her?"
"You have no right Rabb, she picked me remember, me, not you. I'm the one she loves and don't you forget that."
"I have the feeling you won't let me." Harm answered losing his patience.
"Where's Sarah I want to talk to her."
"She's asleep, hasn't been sleeping very well lately you know, I wonder why...Maybe you can shed some light on that huh Brumby."
"She's happy Harm. We're happy. If you'd stop sticking your nose in we'd be happier still."
"Yeah right? if she was happy you'd be here not in some motel somewhere." Harm snapped.
"I've had enough of you mate." he answered. "You stay away from her."
"I'm not your mate Brumby you remember that and no I will not. She's my friend and my partner remember. Oh and as for your having enough of me I can guarantee I feel exactly the same way about you." he answered as the phone slammed down at the other end, and as he left Harm prayed he hadn't done anything to make that man want to hurt Mac any more.
(END OF PART FOUR)
1200 ZULU.
FUN FAIR.
"You are soft, you know that?" Sarah Mackenzie told her partner seeing he had driven them to a fun fair he had seen while driving up to the hotel. "you really want to spend the afternoon at a fair?"
"Well I think we're both in need of some comic relief, you in particular so how about it."
Mac smiled. "Sure. You paying or am I?"
"What do you say we split."
"Deal." she answered getting out of the car.
"So Marine, what would you like to do first? go on the bumper cars, go on the big wheel, play some games?"
"How about eat?" Mac replied.
"You and your stomach Marine." he replied. "So you want a hot dog or something?"
"Was there ever a doubt?" she replied following Harm over to the hot dog stand.
While they were waiting Harm took the time to look at Mac who was studying their surroundings. She was wearing some tight shorts and a red lacy vest top showing off her cuves. It felt like electricity was running through him as he looked at her, the strength of his feelings for her increasing every moment they spent together. He knew that he had blown things between them that night on the ferry, pushing her away when he knew he loved her more than anyone but was just scared to act on it. She noticed him looking and instead of shying away like he thought she would she gave him a big grin.
After Mac had gotten her hot dog and Harm had found himself a stand that sold veggie burgers they sat down on Harms jacket watching the young couples heading over to the tunnel of love ride. Mac thought about Mic and her, and how though she cared about the man in a way, they could never be as happy as those couples were heading off to go on that ride. The only man she could imagine being that happy with was Harm, and though she knew she shouldn't be feeling like this especially in light of the wedding it was the truth. Unbeknown to her however Harm felt exactly the same, but after recent months couldn't think of a way to tell the one woman who had held his heart for the last four years.
Harm could hear a child crying, he turned around to see a little girl crying over by the hoop-la game because her big sister hadn't been able to win her a teddy bear. Harm got up, Mac following behind and went over to the little girl.
"Hey there sweetie what's the matter?" Mac asked the youngster, the bond she shared with children shining through her personality.
The young girl was still crying so the older one took up the story.
"I tried to win her a teddy." the older one told Mac "But as you can probably gather I'm not much of a shot, and she really wanted one."
"What's your name baby?" Harm asked.
"Danni." the child said through sobs.
"Well Danni what do you say I have a go and see if I can get you one of these bears." Harm asked handing the owner of the game some money in return for three hoops.
The older girl picked the younger one up so she could see.
Harm threw the first hoop and missed the bottles completely.
"And you call yourself a Naval Officer." Mac quipped behind him. He shot her a smile and turned back to the game. He then threw the second hoop and once again missed. Mac tutted from behind him.
"You know Miss Mackenzie you are a distraction." he replied sweetly making Mac blush. He then turned back to the game and threw the last hoop which landed over a bottle. The little girl cheered.
"Would you like a brown or a white teddy sweetheart?"Harm asked the little girl.
"White please." she answered in her sweet childs voice.
The owner handed Harm a big teddy.
" There you go Danni." he said handing it over to her. The child immediately took it in her arms and cuddled it.
"Say thanks Danni." the girls older sisiter told her.
"Thank you." she replied "Kiss."
The young woman who was carrying her lifted her up to Harms cheek and the little girl gave him a kiss.
Mac couldn't help but watch this scene with adoration. Harm had always been good with children, that was clear when he was with baby A.J and again here. He would be a great father one day.
"So what are you gonna call your teddy?" Mac asked the little girl.
"Mr Bear." she replied with a smile.
"Well then goodbye Mr Bear and it was nice to meet you Danni."
"You too." the little girl answered.
"Thanks again." the older sister told them before carrying Danni over to the Go Karts.
Harm turned around to see Mac smiling at him.
"What?" he asked puzzled.
"You flyboy are going to make a great father one day. Who would've thought." she added jokily.
"You'e gonna be a great mom." he told her.
Harm paid the owner again for three new hoops.
"What are you up to Harmon Rabb Jr." she asked leaning against the side of the stall.
He started throwing the hoops, this time winning a bear with the first shot and missing with the last two.
"So marine, brown or white?" he asked sweetly.
"Wait, you've won me a bear?"
"Uh huh, brown or white."
Mac was touched "I think a brown one would be cute. That way if Jingo chooses to use it as a toy it'd be harder to see where he's chewed it." she added.
Harm handed her the big brown teddy.
"So what are you gonna call it?" Harm asked cheekily.
"How about Harm Jr?." she asked.
"I'm touched." he joked. "So what would you like to go on now then ninja girl."
"How about the big wheel?" she asked.
"The big wheel it is." he answered taking her hand.
"This is nice." she told him as they walked towards the big wheel "I've missed this, what with you going off to live your dreams flying, and then me becoming involved with Mic, you with Renee and us all having to adjust to your being back...It just seems like our relationship has kinda headed for the hills and never really got fixed."
"Things have been pretty tough. Who would of thought we would practically lose what we had built, the beautiful friendship that it was, and then find it so hard to get it back."
"Yeah well a lot of stuff's changed Harm."
"Yeah I know." he told her squezzing her hand "But I'd like to work on it, I'd like to get it back." he answered.
"I think we kinda are." she replied smiling, paying the guy running the big wheel for their go.
They both climbed in and put the safety bar down waiting for the ride to start. Harm looked to his right and saw the young girl he had won the teddy for earlier still hugging it tightly as she walked around with her sister. She spotted Harm and Mac on the ride and blew them a kiss, Harm blowing one back.
"You sailor are a charmer. Has anyone ever told you that."
"Not lately." he added "So thank you."
The wheel suddenly started to move around, Mac putting a hand on Harms leg as the sudden movement had made her jump. She looked down at it realising what she had done and pulled it away.
"So you gonna tell me about that bruise on your arm now Mac, you can't exactly run away from my asking because basically we are a few metres off the ground here." he asked seriously.
"Harm don't wreck this please." she pleaded.
"Hey" he said putting a gentle hand on her face "I'm not trying to. I'm worried Mac and I don't want you to feel you have to get angry with me or lie to me about it, I want you to trust me enough to tell me the truth...to let me protect you."
"That's not your job Harm, you have Renee to look after. I'm a Marine I think I can look after myself."
"Are you kidding? Sarah Mackenzie I care about you so much, of course I consider it as my job to protect you. When I was away flying there wasn't a day went by when I didn't think about you, your beautiful smile, the way you cried in my arms when I was about to leave. Somedays you're the only thing that got me through. It's just it was so hard coming back, adjusting to JAG again, and then there was you and Brumby and..."
"He get's mad Harm." she cut in "And he did give me that bruise okay, but please don't go after him for doing it, it'd only make things worse and he only did it the once."
"Mac why are you letting him treat you like this?" Harm asked getting mad, but also feeling incredibly sad that she felt she had to keep this from him.
"He does love me Harm, do you understand that? I came to you...told you how I felt...you pushed me away and he was there." she said starting to cry. Harm took her in his arms.
"Ssshhhh it's okay." he said kissing her forehead "Just know I'm here...always." he replied.
"I think the bears getting jealous." she replied making him laugh, noticing it had fallen in their laps pushing them apart. "Promise me you won't go after him Harm...please."
"Scouts honour." he replied "Now lets enjoy the rest of the afternoon shall we." he told her squeezing her hand.
1900 ZULU
A BEACH
Seven hours after they had arrived at the fair they had been on nearly every ride, eaten a lot of caandy floss and pop corn and even had a paintball fight and a go on the Go Karts, which Mac had won. They had now made their way to a beach just a few miles down the road from the fair and were sitting eating a bag of chips.
"We really should call the Admiral, tell him we've found the venue and that we haven't got lost or anything." Harm told Mac.
"Yeah probably, it's a beautiful hotel isn't it. I'd love to have my wedding there."
Harm flinched. "You really gonna marry him?"
Mac fiddled with her ring. "Lets just forget about this for a while okay?" she asked.
"Sorry." he answered. "You a bit chilly there ninja-girl?" he asked noticing her shivering. He put an arm around her.
"Thanks for a great afternoon Harm." she told him screwing up the now empty bag and looking into his blue green eyes.
"That is my pleasure." he told her. "So hows Harm Jr." he asked regarding the bear which was sitting on her lap.
"Fine." she replied picking up the bear.
Harm looked at his watch.
"We should probably be heading back. You ready to go?" Harm asked. Mac didn't move. "You really don't want to go home do you?" he asked.
Mac looked at him.
"Look how about you stay at mine tonight? tell Mic you weren't feeling too well and that you stayed at mine as we got there first. I swear I won't try anything on...you can have the bed if you want." he told her.
"I should go home, Jingo will probably need to go out, and he'll probably want a drink."
"We could drop you off, get you sorted out and then you could come round." Harm compromised knowing she hadn't been sleeping that well.
"I'll be fine Harm, besides it'll just make things worse. I don't know what he'd do if..."
"You sure." he asked putting one of his fingers under her chin and pointing her head up so she was looking in his eyes. "You've always got space at my apartment if you need it."
" Yes really." she answered getting up with a small smile. "Just do me a favour and stay until I get to sleep?" she pleaded.
Harm smiled "You betcha Marine." he replied.
2130 ZULU
SARAH MACKENZIES APARTMENT.
Mac took the leash off Jingo and hung it up, him having just been for a much wanted walk. He had been given a fresh bowl of water and some food and so was content for the evening. Mac meanwhile was shattered, it had been a long day and she just wanted to get some much needed sleep so she got changed and crawled into bed.
Harm walked over to her "You get some sleep okay Marine?" he told her as she shut her eyes.
"Promise you'll stay until..." and with that her eyes closed.
Harm looked at the beautiful woman on the bad. She looked so sweet and fragile laying there that he just wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be alright. "Sweet dreams angel." he whispered kissing her forehead not noticing the flutter of her eyelids opening briefly at the feel of the tender kiss.
Harms cell rang he walked to the other end of her apartment not wanting to disturb Mac.
"Hello?...Renee hi...You're at my apartment? sorry I'm at Mac's I'm not gonna be back just yet. She's got some stuff going on I'm just staying until I know she's settled for the night...Renee that's not fair...she's my best friend, maybe you don't understand that concept...Yeah she is important to me...of course you are but I have a commitment to her Renee...Look stop acting like you're so hard done by there are people much worse off than you...well I'm sorry you're sick of this but I'm going to look after her whether you like it or...fine hang up see if I care." he shouted.
"Harm you can go if you want." A sleepy voice said from her bed.
"Don't worry arguments are pretty typical with us lately. I said I'll stay until you sleep so close your eyes and get some rest." he told her going to sit on the bed.
She closed her eyes and pretty soon afterwards was asleep. Her phone rang. At first Harm couldn't decide whether to answer it but as he didn't want her disturbed and she looked like she needed sleep he picked it up.
"Sarah Mackenzie residence?"
"Rabb what are you doing there?" Brumby growled down the other end of the line.
"I just brought Mac home, we've been looking for wedding venues for a friend." he replied tying to sound friendly and stay cool.
"Yeah right that's crap Rabb and you know it. If you've touched her I swear..."
"You'll what Brumby? hit me, or her?"
"You have no right Rabb, she picked me remember, me, not you. I'm the one she loves and don't you forget that."
"I have the feeling you won't let me." Harm answered losing his patience.
"Where's Sarah I want to talk to her."
"She's asleep, hasn't been sleeping very well lately you know, I wonder why...Maybe you can shed some light on that huh Brumby."
"She's happy Harm. We're happy. If you'd stop sticking your nose in we'd be happier still."
"Yeah right? if she was happy you'd be here not in some motel somewhere." Harm snapped.
"I've had enough of you mate." he answered. "You stay away from her."
"I'm not your mate Brumby you remember that and no I will not. She's my friend and my partner remember. Oh and as for your having enough of me I can guarantee I feel exactly the same way about you." he answered as the phone slammed down at the other end, and as he left Harm prayed he hadn't done anything to make that man want to hurt Mac any more.
(END OF PART FOUR)