For information see Pt 1
***
1339 Zulu
Somewhere Off The Beltway
Coffman's Delicatessen
Sarah and Harm were still sitting at that same corner in the deli. They had gone over the times to meet and where, they had even reviewed some case details. Suddenly, Harm looked at his watch and saw that they had spent over an hour together.
He popped out of his chair and started talking quickly.
"Oh my...it's already 1340. Are you gonna be late for anything? Cause I can give you a ride if you need. My 'vette's pretty fast."
Sarah laughed at Harm's rambling.
"Calm down, Harm. Breathe. Sit back down. My day's completely clear, one of the perks of being a partner. How 'bout you?"
"All I had today was this and court right before this."
"Good, then let's enjoy a lazy a day."
Harm sat back down and a pensive look came over his face.
"Penny for your thoughts, Commander."
"You can have them for free, Counselor."
Sarah and Harm laughed.
Then Harm became quiet and cleared his throat.
"Sarah, who's Ryan Dylan?"
A look of sadness graced her beautiful features and Harm was immediately contrite.
"Sarah, if you don't want to answer, I completely understand. I mean, I barely even know you, so I really have no right to ask this of yo-"
"Harm, stop babbling. It's all right. Call me crazy, but there's something about you I trust."
She took a deep breath.
"My parents died in a car crash when I was only four. I lived with my uncle in Arizona. He loved me a lot, like I was his own daughter, but he was a Marine. He was gone a lot of my childhood. I did well in school and I got a scholarship to Duke University. There, the competition was bitter and fierce, but I was determined and tough. I graduated in the top one percent of my class. I moved to DC and I met an economist named Ryan in a street side cafe. Ryan wasn't the first guy to ever ask me out, but he seemed to really want to take care of me, and after a lifetime of people never being there for me that type of devotion was really nice."
Harm saw the debate of whether or not to continue in her eyes. He covered her hand with his.
"You can stop now if you want."
"I'm OK."
She took another deep breath.
"That was years ago and things were going great between us. He was always a little over protective of me and sometimes a little jealous, but it was never really a problem. Then last year, I made partner, and that's when it really started. Ryan was trying to keep tabs on me constantly. He was overbearing. He was insanely jealous and would threaten any guy I met. He kept encouraging me to quit my job, telling me that he would take care of me. I loved being independent and my own self though. The day you called, I went out to lunch to break up with him, but he followed me back to the office. He kept demanding reasons. Then you called, right after I called for security. Ryan picked it up before me, though. Just the fact that you're male and calling me was enough to set him off. Luckily security came, and I told him to go. He left."
"Did he threaten you, Sarah?"
Harm knew that he would do anything to protect her.
"No, and he wouldn't hurt me. I don't need some big, strong, handsome naval commander to be my knight in shining armor. I'm not a damsel in distress, you know."
"I know. You can take care of yourself."
Then Harm paused. He finally heard what she had said.
"Did you just call me handsome?"
***
(AN: This is going to be a long story. Review if you want me to continue.)
***
1339 Zulu
Somewhere Off The Beltway
Coffman's Delicatessen
Sarah and Harm were still sitting at that same corner in the deli. They had gone over the times to meet and where, they had even reviewed some case details. Suddenly, Harm looked at his watch and saw that they had spent over an hour together.
He popped out of his chair and started talking quickly.
"Oh my...it's already 1340. Are you gonna be late for anything? Cause I can give you a ride if you need. My 'vette's pretty fast."
Sarah laughed at Harm's rambling.
"Calm down, Harm. Breathe. Sit back down. My day's completely clear, one of the perks of being a partner. How 'bout you?"
"All I had today was this and court right before this."
"Good, then let's enjoy a lazy a day."
Harm sat back down and a pensive look came over his face.
"Penny for your thoughts, Commander."
"You can have them for free, Counselor."
Sarah and Harm laughed.
Then Harm became quiet and cleared his throat.
"Sarah, who's Ryan Dylan?"
A look of sadness graced her beautiful features and Harm was immediately contrite.
"Sarah, if you don't want to answer, I completely understand. I mean, I barely even know you, so I really have no right to ask this of yo-"
"Harm, stop babbling. It's all right. Call me crazy, but there's something about you I trust."
She took a deep breath.
"My parents died in a car crash when I was only four. I lived with my uncle in Arizona. He loved me a lot, like I was his own daughter, but he was a Marine. He was gone a lot of my childhood. I did well in school and I got a scholarship to Duke University. There, the competition was bitter and fierce, but I was determined and tough. I graduated in the top one percent of my class. I moved to DC and I met an economist named Ryan in a street side cafe. Ryan wasn't the first guy to ever ask me out, but he seemed to really want to take care of me, and after a lifetime of people never being there for me that type of devotion was really nice."
Harm saw the debate of whether or not to continue in her eyes. He covered her hand with his.
"You can stop now if you want."
"I'm OK."
She took another deep breath.
"That was years ago and things were going great between us. He was always a little over protective of me and sometimes a little jealous, but it was never really a problem. Then last year, I made partner, and that's when it really started. Ryan was trying to keep tabs on me constantly. He was overbearing. He was insanely jealous and would threaten any guy I met. He kept encouraging me to quit my job, telling me that he would take care of me. I loved being independent and my own self though. The day you called, I went out to lunch to break up with him, but he followed me back to the office. He kept demanding reasons. Then you called, right after I called for security. Ryan picked it up before me, though. Just the fact that you're male and calling me was enough to set him off. Luckily security came, and I told him to go. He left."
"Did he threaten you, Sarah?"
Harm knew that he would do anything to protect her.
"No, and he wouldn't hurt me. I don't need some big, strong, handsome naval commander to be my knight in shining armor. I'm not a damsel in distress, you know."
"I know. You can take care of yourself."
Then Harm paused. He finally heard what she had said.
"Did you just call me handsome?"
***
(AN: This is going to be a long story. Review if you want me to continue.)