A DECLARATION OF LOVE
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MAC'S APARTMENT Friday Night
All week long Harm went to Mac's to work on the screening system. Each night he brought dinner, and each night Mac just glared at him while they worked. Harm showed up tonight; ready to work with a pizza in hand. They ate and then started to work on the new security check system.
"Mac, are you going to relax?" Harm asked.
"Harm, are we going to discuss what happened?" Mac asked.
"Mac, are you ever going to let me live that down?" Harm asked, throwing the pad down. "Besides you're not totally innocent"
"I haven't decided yet." Mac smiled. "And yes I am."
"What's it going to take?" Harm asked.
"Let's start with why." Mac said.
"Why?" Harm asked.
"Yes, why did you do it?" Mac asked.
"I don't know." Harm said. "I guess I wanted to see what would happen."
"Harm, that's the most honest thing you have said in a while." Mac smiled.
"Do you realize how long we have known each other?" Harm asked.
"Yes, I've been here the whole time." Mac stated. "It's been a long time."
"Well, this game we're playing. Maybe it's time to stop the warm-ups." Harm said.
"Stop the warm-ups?" Mac asked.
Harm got up and walked to the door. He wasn't leaving, but he wanted to be near an exit if needed.
"Mac, how do you feel about me?" Harm asked.
"You're my best friend. A pain at times; but still my best friend." Mac said.
"Just your friend?" Harm asked.
"Harm, what are you getting at?" Mac asked.
"Mac, I'm in love with you." Harm stated and grabbed the door handled.
"You're what?" Mac asked getting up. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know." Harm replied.
"Well, don't leave." Mac said. "We need to talk."
"Why? Are you going to tell me I'm crazy?" Harm asked.
"No, I'm not." Mac said. "Come back here."
Harm walked back to the couch and sat down. Mac took a seat next to him and then took a deep breath.
"Do you know how long I have been waiting?" Mac asked.
"Waiting?" Harm questioned.
"I have been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to get you to say that." Mac stated.
"Well, why didn't you say something?" Harm laughed.
"What? Put myself out there to get shot down?" Mac asked. "You're kidding."
"Why would you get shot down?" Harm asked.
"Harm, if I told you I was in love with you and you didn't feel the same way, how would that work?" Mac asked.
"We'd have to work through it." Harm said. "Wait, did you just say you were in love with me?"
"Yes, I did." Mac said. "When you almost died, I was so scared that you would never know."
"How long?" Harm asked.
"Long enough," Mac replied. "Then when you got your memory back and didn't say anything, part of me thought you were making a joke of any future for us."
"Is that why you were so angry?" Harm asked.
"Partly," Mac stated.
"Mac, I never meant for that to turn out the way it did. I just wanted to see how far we could take it." Harm said.
"By driving me crazy?" Mac laughed.
"Well, that was just a bonus." Harm smiled. "Where do we go from here?"
"I'm not sure. Where do you want to go?" Mac asked.
"I don't think you want me to answer that." Harm laughed.
"Oh," Mac said with a smile. "Let's just talk."
"Mac, honestly I am tired of talking." Harm said. "We have spent the last few years talking about talking."
"Then what?" Mac asked.
"There is something I want to do, without it being for goodbye or because there is a piece of mistletoe around."
Harm leaned in and kissing Mac very softly, slowly his hands moved from her face and as he wrapped his arms around her, he pulled her close. Mac instinctively snaked her arms around him. The gentle kiss was growing more passionate with each minute. When they broke their kiss Mac looked into Harm's eyes. She was searching for a sign and she found it. Harm wasn't kidding; he was in love with her. Neither spoke another word, they continued to kiss and hold each other. After another ten minutes of this teenage ritual, Harm picked Mac up and carried her to the bedroom.
They sensually removed each other's clothes and proceeded to make love. Taking their time and taking it slowly to savor every moment. While they had never been together before, there was a comfort and familiarity between them. There was no awkwardness; each knew exactly how to please the other. Their bodies joined together and both felt the pleasures and thrill of being one. They were right were they should be.
"Harm, we can't tell anyone about this." Mac said after a while.
"Eventually we are going to have to." Harm replied.
"Let's see where it goes." Mac said.
"I know where it's going." Harm smiled.
"Are you always so confident?" Mac laughed.
"Always," Harm smiled and kissed Mac again. They held each other for a bit longer and then made love again. They didn't leave the bed until Monday morning when it was time to go to work.
MEANWHILE AT ASHLYN'S
Gunny, Ashlyn, Sam and Tiner were all hanging out. Sam had other things to do, but Tiner convinced her to come over since he didn't want to feel like the third wheel.
"So, what are we going to do tonight?" Gunny asked.
"A movie?" Tiner suggested.
"No, I am so tired of movies." Ashlyn said.
"Let's play a game." Sam stated.
"Oh no, the last time I played a game with you, I had to shave my tongue." Tiner laughed.
"Come on." Sam said.
"Tiner, you got drunk playing a game?" Gunny laughed.
"Gunny, you don't know Sam." Ashlyn replied in Tiner's defense.
"It will be fun," Sam asked, getting up.
"Is she always like this?" Gunny laughed.
"Yes!" Tiner and Ashlyn replied at the same time.
"Ok, here are the rules." Sam said walking back in with a bottle, four glasses and a deck of card. "We're going to play 5-card stud; loser drinks and has to answer a question. Sort of like truth or dare poker."
"This could be dangerous." Gunny said.
"It could be fun." Sam smiled as she dealt.
They played and asked each other silly questions. What age did you lose your virginity, what's the most daring thing you've ever done, and so on. After two hours, they were all beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol. Tiner had just lost the hand and Sam asked him a question.
"So, how are things with the pretty Petty Officer?" Sam smiled.
"What petty officer'?" Gunny asked.
"That's two questions." Tiner replied.
"Answer both." Ashlyn said.
"She's fine." Tiner replied turning red.
"And who is the Pretty Officer?" Gunny asked.
"It's Coates." Tiner mumbled.
"Coates?" Gunny asked. "Do you have a crush?"
"I'm interested." Tiner said. "Deal the cards."
Another hand was dealt and Sam lost this hand.
"Sam, what's Clinton really like?" Tiner asked immediately.
"How the hell should I know?" Sam asked, downing her shot.
"You said you and he were in the Oval Office." Tiner said, remembering that night.
"That wasn't Clinton; that was Clayton Webb." Sam said, not realizing what she had said.
"You had sex with Clayton Webb in the oval office?" Tiner asked.
"You what?" Ashlyn asked. "Why am I just hearing about this now?"
"Whose turn is it to deal?" Sam asked, changing the subject.
"I think we need to back up." Gunny said. "This is getting interesting."
"There is nothing interesting, deal." Sam said.
"Nothing doing," Ashlyn said. "What is this about Clayton Webb?"
"And sex?" Gunny added.
"Nothing, it was the first name that came to mind." Sam said.
"I know you Sam, now dish." Ashlyn replied.
"Why would his name come to mind?" Gunny asked.
"I ran into him in Saudi Arabia." Sam replied, wondering how she was going to get out of it.
"And his name stayed on your mind?" Ashlyn asked.
"I said it for shock value." Sam replied.
"There is a picture of them together by the bed." Tiner said, getting up. "Hey where is it?"
"Jason, we're at my place not Sam's." Ashlyn laughed, as they followed him into the bedroom.
"What picture?" Gunny asked.
"The one that was on her nightstand," Tiner replied. "I saw it."
"Tiner what were you doing in Sam's bedroom?" Gunny laughed.
"Never mind that," Ashlyn said, "I want to know what Sam was doing with Clayton Webb."
"Let's go to Sam's, you can see the picture." Tiner said.
"Jason, you were drunk that night. There was no picture." Sam said.
"But, I saw a picture." Tiner stated.
"There was no picture." Sam said.
"Are you sure?" Tiner asked.
"Positive." Sam said.
"But you tackled me in the bedroom." Tiner said, "When I tried to look at the picture."
"You tackled Jason?" Ashlyn laughed. "Was this before or after you had sex with Clayton Webb?"
"I am very confused." Gunny said. "Tiner saw a picture of you and Webb, you told him it was Clinton but there was no picture."
"I told Jason, as a joke, that I had been in the oval office." Sam said in defense.
"What about the picture?" Gunny asked.
"What about the sex?" Ashlyn demanded.
"There was no picture and there was no sex." Sam said and walked out of the bedroom.
"Then why did you say you had sex in the oval office?" Gunny asked. They followed her out of the room.
"It was a joke." Sam shrugged.
"And you used Clayton Webb as the punch line?" Ashlyn asked.
"Oh give it a rest." Sam said and picked up the cards.
That marked the end of the inquisition and the game. Ashlyn was looking at Sam, she was hiding something. Gunny was looking at Tiner; he knew something even if he didn't realize it. Sam was looking at the ceiling; I can't believe what I just said.
Ashlyn got up and put in a movie, before long they were all dozing off. The next morning they went out for breakfast. Tiner left them afterwards; he needed to get some studying done. Ashlyn and Gunny went back to her place and Sam went home.
SAM'S APARTMENT
"Webb," Sam said.
"Danaher, why are you calling?" Webb asked.
"I want my interview and tour." Sam stated.
"I'll give you a call early next week with the details." Webb replied.
"Thanks." Sam said and hung up.
She went to her study to pull some information on Colin Powell; she wanted to be prepared for this interview.
