STRESS FACTOR

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MAC'S APARTMENT – A week later

Harm woke up around 2am, all week long he had been restless and wasn't sure why.  He got up and went to the living room.  He began pacing around the room.  Why are there no wedding pictures? Why can't I remember the honeymoon? I remember our wedding so clearly.  Harm sat down on the couch and rubbed his eyes.  He threw his head back and thought some more.  Mac and Brumby's engagement party; the kiss on the porch. Mac's rehearsal dinner.  Skates and I crashing in the Atlantic. I have to get back, I promised Mac I would be at her wedding.  I promised Mac I would be at her wedding. Renee's father died, the funeral.  I left Mac alone, and then she left for the Indian Ocean.  We never got a chance to talk. I wanted to talk.  Harm bolted up out of the chair, it suddenly hit him; they weren't married.  His mind had played tricks on him.  Why was Mac going along with this?  Harm was tempted to wake Mac and ask her, but he decided to just go back to bed. 

Each day Mac went to work, Harm tried to figure out what was going on.  While Mac was out, Harm made himself more and more at home, if Mac wasn't going to tell him the truth; he would go along.  It was kind of nice being together, even if they were in separate rooms.

Harm decided to have some fun; he was going to find out what Mac was up to.  Harm started changing things around in the apartment.  Some things were subtle, like moving the salt and peppershakers.  Other things were more obvious, like changing locations of toiletries and moving furniture. 

"Harm would you stop moving stuff." Mac said. "I can't find anything."

"Sorry, honey.  I was just trying to make things more efficient." Harm replied.

"Well, everything was perfect before." Mac snapped. "Why is the chair over here?"

"Mac you seemed stressed.  Come sit and let me rub your shoulders." Harm said.

"I'm fine." Mac said walking into the bedroom.

"Mac, before you go in there…" Harm began.

"HAAAAAAAARM? Where are my workout clothes?" Mac asked coming back into the living room.

"I was just about to tell you. I moved them to the lower drawers." Harm said. "Mac how come I only have two bureau drawers?"

"Because you don't have as many clothes," Mac stated.

"It just seems weird." Harm shrugged.

"Well, that's just how it is." Mac replied. "I'm going for a run."

"Want me to come with you?" Harm asked.

"NO!" Mac snapped. "I need to clear my head."

"Ok, I'll be here." Harm smiled.

Mac left and went for a run.  I'm going to kill him.  I am going to beat him to death and no one would convict me.  Mac kept running until she saw a pay phone.  She placed a desperate call.

"Galindez," Gunny answered.

"Gunny, this is Mac, is Ashlyn with you by any chance?" Mac asked.

"She's right here, Ma'am. Is everything ok?" Gunny asked.

"It's fine, may I please speak with her." Mac said.

"Hold on." Gunny replied.

"Hi Mac, how are you?" Ashlyn asked.

"I can't take this anymore. He's driving me crazy." Mac said. "When is he going to come to his senses?"

"Mac, I wish I had an answer for you.  I've been researching this and there is nothing out there on this sort of problem." Ashlyn said.

"Can't it be considered a delusion?" Mac asked. "He is delusional."

"Mac, take it easy." Ashlyn tried to soothe her. "Maybe you could try talking about the past."

"Yeah, I can discuss our alleged honeymoon." Mac said sarcastically.

"Mac, talk about things like when you first met.  Get him to talk about it." Ashlyn said.

"Ok, I hope this works because I don't know what I am going to do." Mac said.

"Gunny, please get me some more tea." Ashlyn said. "Mac, you care about this man.  You know that and so do I.  If you were actually married would these things bother you?"

"No." Mac said. "But we're not married."

"Mac, it will get better." Ashlyn said. "I promise."

Mac hung up and continued her run, she returned home to find Harm watching a movie.

"Did your run help?" Harm asked.

"Yeah, work has just been piling up." Mac said. "I can't wait until you are back."

"That's the nicest thing you've said to me all week." Harm stated.

"I'm sorry I've been out of sorts this week." Mac said.

"It's ok. Come here." Harm said patting the cushion next to him.

"Harm, I'm really beat, I think I am just going to go to bed." Mac said.

"I'll tuck you in." Harm said, following her.

"Oh I forgot, what did the doctor say?" Mac asked.

"Everything is perfect; must be the love of a good woman." Harm smiled.

"Yeah, that's it." Mac said, walking into the bathroom. She came out of the bathroom and walked towards the guest room.

"Mac, come on.  Cuddle with me tonight, I miss you." Harm said.

"I'm too tired to argue the point." Mac said walking to the master bedroom.

They both got into bed and Harm hugged Mac.  Mac felt like she was suffocating.  She finally settled and started to doze off. 

FRIDAY NIGHT 

Mac returned home from work that night and Harm had set a beautiful table and wonderful dinner.

"What's all this?" Mac asked.

"I'm feeling really good today." Harm smiled. "I go back to work Monday and thought we should celebrate."

"This is very nice." Mac stated. "I can't believe you did all this."

"It's the least I could do; you have taken such good care of me." Harm said.

"Well, of course." Mac stumbled.

"Mac, I'm a bit fuzzy on the details of our wedding." Harm began.

"What's to be fuzzy about? We got married." Mac said, unsure of how to answer.

"Where's your gown? Why aren't there any pictures?" Harm asked.

"Harm why all the questions?" Mac asked.

"I am trying to piece all my memories together." Harm replied.

"It will all come back to you." Mac said.

"I remember the wedding for the most part, but I don't remember how I proposed." Harm said.

"How you proposed?" Mac choked.

"Well, I know there were some rough times, Renee's dad's death, you leaving for sea duty, I just don't recall when I asked." Harm said.

"It was after all that," Mac replied nervously.  "Harm don't push it, it will all come back to you soon. I hope."

"Well, it just seems strange." Harm said. "There really isn't a lot of my stuff here."

"Sure there is." Mac replied.

"Yeah, my clothes are here, what about personal stuff?" Harm asked, "Like pictures of my parents?"

"We never really moved anything," Mac said searching for words.

"Things just seem so strange." Harm stated.

"Harm, what are you getting at?" Mac asked, not knowing what else to say.

"Nothing," Harm said. He was tempted to ask about their wedding rings but opted against it. 

"What are you thinking about?" Mac asked.

"This is nice." Harm said. "Beautiful home, beautiful wife, what more could a man want?"

"Beats me," Mac said.

"Kids," Harm replied.

"What?" Mac said choking on her dinner.

"The only thing missing is kids." Harm said with a smile. "But that will come in time."

"Right," Mac said.  This was not going to be easy.

Mac just shook her head and ate.  When dinner was over, they sat on the couch and Harm continued to question Mac.  Mac continued to avoid giving any concrete answers.  She wasn't sure how to respond and there was no way to get in touch with Ashlyn at this moment.  Mac was relieved when Harm announced he wanted to go to bed.  They got into bed and Mac turned over and immediately went to sleep.