At lunch on Valentine's Day, Sturgis walked over to Mac's office to talk to her. "You got flowers?" He said, indicating the rose on her desk.
"Don't sound so surprised." She teased.
"Sorry." He immediately apologized.
"Actually, I think it's nice. Would have been even nicer if he'd signed them."
"It's a start." He paused. "I don't know about tonight. Are you sure he doesn't have anything planned?"
"If he does, he isn't telling me about it."
"I'm thinking about canceling."
She studied him. "Please don't." She had no problem being alone with Harm, but the flower startled her and it would be nice to have a friend until she eased into the evening.
"I know what Harm's trying to do and, under normal circumstances…" He paused.
"I know it's none of my business…"
"Mac, we can stop that by now. Just ask."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes."
"Do you want her back?"
"Yes. But she doesn't want to be a military wife or even girlfriend. She said she was tired of waiting for the phone call."
Mac nodded. "I can't say I blame her. It's not the easiest thing in the world, just sitting by and waiting. But when they're home…"
"Do you ever think you'll tell Harm how you feel about him?"
"I did, once. My engagement party." He looked confused. "Long story. Anyway, he knows. There's just not really anything we can do about it right now. Maybe someday."
"I hope so." He smiled at her. "You both deserve to be happy."
She smiled, almost shyly. "So are you coming tonight?"
"Yeah. I'll come."
*****
Sturgis and Mac sat at a table
in the restaurant where they'd had a triple date with the Admiral only a year
before. "Where's Harm?"
"I'm not sure. He just said he had to do something before he came."
"Why does that worry me?" Mac smiled slightly.
Harm and Bobbi walked into the restaurant; Bobbi froze as she saw Mac and Sturgis and then whirled around to leave. Harm followed her out and she glared at him. "You lied to me."
"I never told you that he wasn't going to be here."
"You said it was just friends."
"He's my friend. You're my friend."
"Damn it, Harm, cut the crap! You set me up!"
He studied her. "Bobbi, I know about Penelope and all those other lies you tell yourself. Is being independent really worth being miserable?"
"Why don't you ask yourself? You and Mac have been in love for how many years? Have you ever done anything about it?"
"I'm closer than you and Sturgis are. It takes time with us and before you start that, you've had time."
"If he really cares that much, why doesn't he talk to me?"
"He thinks there's nothing he can do. Look, I'm not saying to get married, quit your job, and have ten kids, all I'm asking is for you just to talk to him."
"If I talk to him, will you leave me alone?"
"I promise. Just…don't give up. I hate to see you both so miserable."
"And you're a born romantic and you love butting into places you don't belong." She only half-teased. "All right. You win. Let's go."
Mac looked up as Bobbi and Harm neared the table. "Bobbi, hi." She smiled. "Harm, can I see you for a moment?"
"Is there any chance I can say no?"
"Not a snowball's chance." She turned her attention back to Sturgis and Bobbi. "Excuse us for a second." She left the table, dragging Harm behind her.
Sturgis stood and pulled out Bobbi's chair. "Thank you." She said, smiling slightly. "Can I tell you a story while we're waiting?"
"If you want." He would have listened to anything, just to see her face and hear her talk.
"There was a woman that was independent, strong, and she never really had anyone take care of her, especially not a man. She was used to taking care of everything and everyone else, having everything her own way. Then she fell in love. The only real problem with that was that a friend got hurt when it could have been him instead. She lost control, she got scared, and she did the only thing she could, pulled away."
"Do you think that she could ever try again?"
Bobbi smiled. "Yes. I do. If he did."
He smiled and nodded. "He does." He paused. "Bobbi, I can't say the subject of me going on submarines, maybe even in a war zone, won't be brought up again. I am still a submariner, just like Harm's still a pilot."
"You're trying to prove your point by using Harm?" She laughed.
"Okay, bad example." He smiled again. "Still…I might have to."
"Just call first. It was bad enough, but to happen while I was in Detroit, while I couldn't do anything about it…"
"I know. And I'm sorry."
"I liked the flowers, by the way." He looked confused. "Also Harm?"
"I'd offer to strangle him, but I think Mac can handle it."
"She didn't know?"
"She said she didn't…I believe her."
Mac had her arms crossed in a stance against Harm. "I thought I asked you to butt out."
"You didn't want to be involved and I didn't involve you."
"Remember to tell Sturgis that."
He grinned his flyboy grin at her. "I'll make it up to you." She couldn't help but smile. They looked over at their friends, animatedly discussing something and then laughing. "Wanna cut out early?"
"Always." They walked back to their friends. "Guys, we're going to leave."
"Bye, Mac. Harm…I'll see you tomorrow." Sturgis's words had a strong meaning, but his glance didn't leave Bobbi's eyes.
Mac and Harm slipped outside and then smiled. "Okay, I guess you did good this time, Commander." She told him.
"He really loves her, you know?" He didn't want someone else to have to wait as long as he had for Mac.
"I know. Hey, I liked the rose you sent."
"How did you know it was me?"
"Seven years experience." They grinned at each other. "Harm, that was a really nice thing you did for them."
"They deserve some happiness."
A bell rang in Mac's head; it was the same thing Sturgis had said about her and Harm. She smiled slightly once again. "They do."