5/11
KANDAHAR DESERT - IRAN December 7th, 1998
" Too bad you don't smoke any more, I would have enjoyed a good cigar right now . Hey, you could look at me when I'm speaking to you, Rabb, even if I have to admit she looks cuter than I do . "
Harm turned to Keeter, half smiling.
" Let's work, okay ? I don't have much time to take over all your knowledge, Keeter, so can we focus on the plane ? " " I was under the impression you were the one thinking about something else than this damned plane. " " I was not thinking about something else, I was just staring in the night and trying to get all this in. " " Sure, staring in the night .Just say one particular point in the night, buddy, and not the worst one .. Hey, easy, we still have the whole night and I already explained to you every detail three times. How about you tell me about you and this beautiful partner of yours now ? How did you manage to hide her away from me so long ? You could have explained to me before how gorgeous this major Mackenzie looked when you were speaking about her "qualities". " " Shut up .. " " Why ? Am I touching a sensitive spot ? Harm, how long has it been since you broke off with Annie? " " I did not break off with Annie, she dumped me. " " Yeah, sure, just because you did all your best to have Josh obsessing about following his father's steps in the Navy, she told me . " " She told you ? "
Harm looked incredulously at his friend. He had never really spoken with him before about his relationship with Annie, he just told him once on the phone they could not work it out.
" Rabb, how can you be so dense ? You were not Luke's only friend, remember, and I'm Josh' godfather, I do in fact meet him more often than you ever did, and I totally respect what Annie asks me to do. " " Is the lecture over ? " " No, just beginning .. Shut up, please . Every thing I knew really accurately until this week about Mac was what Annie had told me. She explained to me how much Mac looks like Diane, she told me about the way you were looking at her without even knowing it. And you, you never told me about anything other than her competences . Do you really think I'm going to believe you did not notice ? Or maybe you preferred not to tell me, because you were scared about remembering your dead girlfriend ? " " Diane was not my girlfriend. " " Because you are so damned stupid .. Luke and I, we had made this bet against Sturgis that you would get married right after graduation at Annapolis, and I'm still mad at you because I lost. "
Harm frowned and interrupted Keeter.
" Now, that's enough. I have no intent to comment on my love life with you, be it the actual, future or past one. I never made it and today is not the day I'm going to begin this crap. So you get off my ass now, and we get back to speaking about the plane. " " Slow down, Rabb . I don't want to upset you, I just have this feeling you are hiding something really important from me, for a pretty long time, and I wonder if you don't need a friend to talk about it. You got me out of a lot of problems, today being just one of them, and if I can help you . " " There is nothing to help with, I have no problem . " " Not even with your partner ? "
Harm's dark look, his clenched jaws, were enough of a proof for Keeter, he had really found where it hurt, but he was not one to give up when facing Rabb. He knew him too well, he knew how fast Harm was running away from situations when he did not feel emotionally in control. Hell, this guy was probably one of the Navy's best pilots, after himself of course, Harm's fame as lawyer and investigator were known on every Navy base or carrier he had been on. But as soon he had to face his feelings, he was as helpless and shy as the stupidest teenager.
And Keeter was not afraid of a good fight with Rabb. During their four years together at Annapolis, they had argued more than once, and these fights helped their friendship get stronger.
" Annie is convinced you are in love with Mac. Actually, that is one of the reasons she dumped you. That, and Josh, and Luke . " " Luke ? " " She felt as if she had replaced the man she loved with his double, you were not the one she was being with, she still was with Luke's double, and as soon she understood Josh was using you the same way, as if his dad never died, she knew she was wrong about every thing . And from what I understand, you did not really try to get her back, right ? " " She told me to never call her back ! " " And it stopped you !!! . You are without hesitation the most stupid man I know when it's about women, Rabb. What was the risk ? Maybe she would have hung up, a little bruise for your ego, not much. Damn it, if you had truly loved her, you would not have given up so easily, you would have fought to have her back, you would have accepted all her conditions, whatever they were. " " I cared for her, Keeter, really I cared. " " Were you in love ? " " . "
Keeter watched as his friend's gaze instinctively searched for the petite figure sitting near the campfire. Slowly, he was understanding that the situation was more complicated than he had first imagined.
When Annie had explained to him about Major Mackenzie, Keeter had thought her comments were the consequences of her disappointment. Harm was often partnered with women in his job, and never with ugly ones, one lucky guy ! Keeter remembered Lieutenant Austin, he had wanted to meet her again after Cuba, but she had sent him packing . He thought first that Mac was one of these gifted partners, always so attractive, Harm was used to, and that Annie was imagining things, once again.
But while he observed Harm tonight, he felt there was something more between these two people than just what the eye could see. And his friend was hurt.
Mac was making herself comfortable near the humvee, or trying to do so, while the men were around the campfire. She wanted to have her space.
She felt someone near her and looked up.
" May I sit down with you ? " " Of course Harm," she answered with a warm smile, but immediately controlled herself and looked away from him. " Did Keeter explain everything to you ? Are you sure you'll be able to do that? " " No worries, Mac, you know me, I'm born to fly planes . "
His voice was warm, he was making fun of himself and she could not help but smile and turn to him.
" You should not spend so much time with Keeter, I don't know which one is the cockiest, Harm . Is it a game between the two of you? " " An old way of life with an old friend, Mac. It's just a joke, nothing more, it helps us forget about the stress. You should hear how pilots speak when they come back from a mission . " " I know, Harm, I was around once . "
She smiled more warmly at him.
" Harm, I could tell you before, but . Thanks again for helping me, thanks for believing in me . "
He did not answer, his eyes were touching her face, her mouth, and finally went back to Mac's eyes.
Keeter was right, he had to fight for the woman he was in love with, he had to fight to get her back.
They had not found time to have a discussion after the trial, this spyplane case had crashed on them just at the same time they got out of court. Sure he could wait to be back in Washington, but so many things could happen before then. He was not even sure how this mission was going to end. He was not ready to lose Mac this way. If he was not able to make it back to the Seahawk, he wanted to make sure she knew he was not scared of her past. She had to get over Chris, to go on with her life, she had to get past this guilt she felt, this impression she was worthy of nothing. If fate was playing them down, if she had to fly back alone to DC, he wanted to make sure she knew he loved her and would always love her, whatever her past had been, whatever lies she had told him. He wanted her to build her life back, even he was not around anymore. He wanted her to be happy.
" Sarah, I could never let you down, I will always believe in you . " " No, Harm, please .. " " Sarah, I said I wanted us to discuss once you were out of this mess and I think right now is exactly the right moment to do it . " " Harm, listen . " " No, you listen to me. Sarah, your past has made you the one you are now, this wonderful woman I'm in love with. I admire you because you were able to face it alone and then be the one you are. I'm not sure I would have been able to do the same, you are strong, Sarah, and I need your strength. If you had told me about your husband, I would just have changed the order of my acts : I would have helped you find Chris, helped you solve this chapter of your life , and then I would have proposed to you. And yes, I would have proposed to you whatever your past was. I don't want to consider my future without you in my life from now on. During these last three weeks away from you, I almost went crazy, Sarah, I tried to forget you with other women to get out of these feelings. I'm so ashamed of myself, you have no idea. Don't punish yourself by turning me away. I'm ready to grant you all the time you'll need, but I don't want to lose you, never. "
Mac remained silent, she was studying him with no expression.
He could not read anything on her face, anything in her eyes. He looked at the fire.
Keeter and the Iranian were getting ready to sleep and did not pay attention to them. They were half hidden behind the car, and yet Harm knew Keeter would never say anything about tonight. And the Iranian . never mind . even if Webb was going to hear about this, the risk was not that big in comparison of what he could be losing if he did not try again.
Hesitantly he reached towards Mac and touched her cheek slowly.
" Sarah ? " " . " " Sarah, I'm not going to give up, I just want you to trust me and come back to me whenever you'll be ready. I'll wait for you, as long as it takes. " " Harm ? " " Yes . " " What makes you think I could come back to you ? Did you ever think I could not feel this way ? " " Sarah, don't say anything now, please . We'll speak about it again when we'll get back home, don't say anything permanent now, think about all this first . "
He was about to leave and go back to the fire but hesitated. He leaned towards Mac, and added :
" It's going to be cold tonight, you should not sleep here alone. "
She looked up at him, waiting for him to go on, always totally impassible.
" Mac, may I sleep near you, you know, share body heat, as in the Appalachians ? "
She had a shy smile.
" Share body heat, Harm ?Why not ? "
He laid down near her and tried to make himself comfortable on the ground, then took her in his arms, in his heat, and wrapped her tight in a protective gesture. Mac had her head on his chest, she could listen to his heart beating so peacefully, she could breathe in his scent and slowly silent tears began to run on her cheeks. They told stories of lost days, of this lost future she would never enjoy.
She knew she had to forget what he just told her, she should not come back to him, they would just hurt each other if she did. Love could not be everything's solution in this case, they had still hurt the other too many times until now. They had no option anymore, if they failed again, it would be the end of their friendship too. She was wrong to let go in Moscow, even if she had not been still married back then, it would have been a mistake. She had to find a way to convince Harm to forget her. He would not give up easily, she knew him, he was able to be stubborn until it turned into obsession.
She would not be his obsession, he deserved better than her.
MILITARY PLANE TO ANDREWS AFB SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE ATLANTIC December, 10th 1998
Mac was sitting near Mic and laughing at each of his jokes. Her eyes sparkled, sometimes she nibbled at her bottom lip, making this so private gesture Harm knew and could even summon, when his hands .
No, it was a bad idea to think about their nights together, to watch her, it was only making him feel anxious. Keeter near him was slowly snoring, unaware of his friend's tension. Harm felt totally helpless.
And yet, she was the one who had hugged him just before he let her run away through the Iran desert to the Turkey coast. And he remembered how this hug had felt so desperate.
After he had successfully landed on the Seahawk, he waited for two days with Bud and Mic for Mac and Keeter to be back. He had spent these two days trying to forget his fears through hours long debriefing with Webb, or testing the plane. He had to listen to Mic's bragging about his past as a boxer, his double citizenship and the sunny beaches of this homeland. Harm's patience had greatly suffered when Mic began to explain to Bud how he had invited Mac to go skiing with him for New Year's holidays. He had no shame, after the way he had tried to give her total responsibility about Raggle's death, he had taken her out for dinner, and now he was just bragging around, telling everyone how lucky he should be pretty soon.
" This is totally inappropriate, Commander, may I remind you that you are talking about another officer, moderate your language now. " " Slow down, buddy, don't get upset, I thought you were not involved with her. Are you jealous ? " " No, it's not about jealousy, just the rules we are taught to respect being officers in the Navy. If you go on talking this way about a fellow officer, I promise you the Admiral himself will take you to Dulles and make sure you are on the next plane to Sydney with an appropriate report on your unbecoming conduct. " " Okay, Rabb, I get it, but it does not really change anything about the facts. But okay, I'm going to be discreet. "
Harm's look almost killed Mic, and he promised himself to do whatever he could to keep him away from Sarah. Sure, he was jealous, but he knew also that Major Mackenzie's reputation was nothing but steady, and Mac did not need this sort of advertising at the moment.
And finally she was there, coming directly into the simulation room, Keeter following her, and she went immediately to Harm. He opened his arms for her, feeling so relieved, and hugged her warmly, trying to make sure in this friendly embrace that she understand all the love he felt for her. She smelled of wind, sun, desert, he wanted to be alone with her, put his lips on her hair and whisper in her ear these words of fear and happiness to finally have her back.
But they were not alone, Bud, Keeter and Mic were there, Mic especially who was scrutinizing them just a little too much.
So he let her go off his embrace and watched as she went to Mic, smiled wide at him and let him hug her too. How could she ? . She had known him for not even two weeks .
He closed his eyes to stop watching Sarah with another man and waited for the plane to land.
RESIDENCE OF SARAH MACKENZIE - GEORGETOWN December 10th, 1998 - 2030 local time.
Harm listened to the music playing in the apartment, behind the closed door, this music Sarah loved to play when they were together, before, such a long time away . At the same moment he knocked on the door, he heard a man laughing, and he immediately knew whose voice it was. He froze.
Why was Mic in her apartment tonight ?
He almost turned on his heels to run away, but before he could, Mic opened the door, beaming, an apron around the waist and a spoon in the hand.
" Rabb ! What a surprise ! . Sarah, you did not tell me you were waiting for a guest . except for me .. "
And he called her Sarah !!!
Mac went out of the kitchen and came to the door, smiling. She stopped near Harm and frowned.
" Harm, don't tell me we were supposed to work tonight and I forgot ? Which case is it about ? I'm really sorry . " " I did not . No .. That is . I just wanted to know if everything was ok, Mac, and take you out for dinner, but I believe you are not . " " . available ? Right, Harm, I'm not available, you should have called, you would have not driven through DC for nothing. And I can't even tell you to share our dinner, we have nothing vegetarian for you. But if you don't care, maybe a good rare steak . " " Sarah, I thought we would spend the evening just the two of us," interrupted Mic.
Harm tensed, his fists in balls, trying to keep his self-control.
" Don't worry, Brumby, I'm leaving . I know when I'm not welcome," he added looking at Mac, his eyes speaking volumes.
How could she act this way with him ? He had told her he wanted to have a discussion as soon they would be back in DC, they just landed today, she had to know he would be there tonight. What game was she playing ?
" As you wish, Harm," answered Mac lightly,"we'll see you tomorrow at Jag HQ. Good night ."
Harm had no time to turn before Mac closed the door on him and went to Mic, speaking to him loud enough
" So, Mic, about this steak ? I'm really anxious to learn what you are up to . "
RESIDENCE OF SARAH MACKENZIE - GEORGETOWN December 10th, 1998 - 2230 local time.
" You are sure I can't stay a little longer, Sarah? " asked Mic again. " Listen, Mic, I'm tired and we have to be early in the office tomorrow. The admiral is not one to accept people to be late because of jetlag, you better get some sleep too. " " Do I see you tomorrow again, then? " " Sure, at the office. " " No, I meant, can I take you out for dinner ? " " Not tomorrow, Mic, we'll see, later . next week, okay ? Now, you should leave, please, I'm ready to drop . "
Mic leaned to kiss her, and she turned her face just in time for his lips to find her cheek. She pushed him slowly towards the door.
" Good night, Mic. "
Mac closed the door and went into her bedroom, feeling terribly tired and depressed. She was not even able to cry, she knew she had to do all this, and she had to do this long enough for Harm to decide to give up. She knew it would need a lot of time.
A lot of time, and even more will power.
TBC
KANDAHAR DESERT - IRAN December 7th, 1998
" Too bad you don't smoke any more, I would have enjoyed a good cigar right now . Hey, you could look at me when I'm speaking to you, Rabb, even if I have to admit she looks cuter than I do . "
Harm turned to Keeter, half smiling.
" Let's work, okay ? I don't have much time to take over all your knowledge, Keeter, so can we focus on the plane ? " " I was under the impression you were the one thinking about something else than this damned plane. " " I was not thinking about something else, I was just staring in the night and trying to get all this in. " " Sure, staring in the night .Just say one particular point in the night, buddy, and not the worst one .. Hey, easy, we still have the whole night and I already explained to you every detail three times. How about you tell me about you and this beautiful partner of yours now ? How did you manage to hide her away from me so long ? You could have explained to me before how gorgeous this major Mackenzie looked when you were speaking about her "qualities". " " Shut up .. " " Why ? Am I touching a sensitive spot ? Harm, how long has it been since you broke off with Annie? " " I did not break off with Annie, she dumped me. " " Yeah, sure, just because you did all your best to have Josh obsessing about following his father's steps in the Navy, she told me . " " She told you ? "
Harm looked incredulously at his friend. He had never really spoken with him before about his relationship with Annie, he just told him once on the phone they could not work it out.
" Rabb, how can you be so dense ? You were not Luke's only friend, remember, and I'm Josh' godfather, I do in fact meet him more often than you ever did, and I totally respect what Annie asks me to do. " " Is the lecture over ? " " No, just beginning .. Shut up, please . Every thing I knew really accurately until this week about Mac was what Annie had told me. She explained to me how much Mac looks like Diane, she told me about the way you were looking at her without even knowing it. And you, you never told me about anything other than her competences . Do you really think I'm going to believe you did not notice ? Or maybe you preferred not to tell me, because you were scared about remembering your dead girlfriend ? " " Diane was not my girlfriend. " " Because you are so damned stupid .. Luke and I, we had made this bet against Sturgis that you would get married right after graduation at Annapolis, and I'm still mad at you because I lost. "
Harm frowned and interrupted Keeter.
" Now, that's enough. I have no intent to comment on my love life with you, be it the actual, future or past one. I never made it and today is not the day I'm going to begin this crap. So you get off my ass now, and we get back to speaking about the plane. " " Slow down, Rabb . I don't want to upset you, I just have this feeling you are hiding something really important from me, for a pretty long time, and I wonder if you don't need a friend to talk about it. You got me out of a lot of problems, today being just one of them, and if I can help you . " " There is nothing to help with, I have no problem . " " Not even with your partner ? "
Harm's dark look, his clenched jaws, were enough of a proof for Keeter, he had really found where it hurt, but he was not one to give up when facing Rabb. He knew him too well, he knew how fast Harm was running away from situations when he did not feel emotionally in control. Hell, this guy was probably one of the Navy's best pilots, after himself of course, Harm's fame as lawyer and investigator were known on every Navy base or carrier he had been on. But as soon he had to face his feelings, he was as helpless and shy as the stupidest teenager.
And Keeter was not afraid of a good fight with Rabb. During their four years together at Annapolis, they had argued more than once, and these fights helped their friendship get stronger.
" Annie is convinced you are in love with Mac. Actually, that is one of the reasons she dumped you. That, and Josh, and Luke . " " Luke ? " " She felt as if she had replaced the man she loved with his double, you were not the one she was being with, she still was with Luke's double, and as soon she understood Josh was using you the same way, as if his dad never died, she knew she was wrong about every thing . And from what I understand, you did not really try to get her back, right ? " " She told me to never call her back ! " " And it stopped you !!! . You are without hesitation the most stupid man I know when it's about women, Rabb. What was the risk ? Maybe she would have hung up, a little bruise for your ego, not much. Damn it, if you had truly loved her, you would not have given up so easily, you would have fought to have her back, you would have accepted all her conditions, whatever they were. " " I cared for her, Keeter, really I cared. " " Were you in love ? " " . "
Keeter watched as his friend's gaze instinctively searched for the petite figure sitting near the campfire. Slowly, he was understanding that the situation was more complicated than he had first imagined.
When Annie had explained to him about Major Mackenzie, Keeter had thought her comments were the consequences of her disappointment. Harm was often partnered with women in his job, and never with ugly ones, one lucky guy ! Keeter remembered Lieutenant Austin, he had wanted to meet her again after Cuba, but she had sent him packing . He thought first that Mac was one of these gifted partners, always so attractive, Harm was used to, and that Annie was imagining things, once again.
But while he observed Harm tonight, he felt there was something more between these two people than just what the eye could see. And his friend was hurt.
Mac was making herself comfortable near the humvee, or trying to do so, while the men were around the campfire. She wanted to have her space.
She felt someone near her and looked up.
" May I sit down with you ? " " Of course Harm," she answered with a warm smile, but immediately controlled herself and looked away from him. " Did Keeter explain everything to you ? Are you sure you'll be able to do that? " " No worries, Mac, you know me, I'm born to fly planes . "
His voice was warm, he was making fun of himself and she could not help but smile and turn to him.
" You should not spend so much time with Keeter, I don't know which one is the cockiest, Harm . Is it a game between the two of you? " " An old way of life with an old friend, Mac. It's just a joke, nothing more, it helps us forget about the stress. You should hear how pilots speak when they come back from a mission . " " I know, Harm, I was around once . "
She smiled more warmly at him.
" Harm, I could tell you before, but . Thanks again for helping me, thanks for believing in me . "
He did not answer, his eyes were touching her face, her mouth, and finally went back to Mac's eyes.
Keeter was right, he had to fight for the woman he was in love with, he had to fight to get her back.
They had not found time to have a discussion after the trial, this spyplane case had crashed on them just at the same time they got out of court. Sure he could wait to be back in Washington, but so many things could happen before then. He was not even sure how this mission was going to end. He was not ready to lose Mac this way. If he was not able to make it back to the Seahawk, he wanted to make sure she knew he was not scared of her past. She had to get over Chris, to go on with her life, she had to get past this guilt she felt, this impression she was worthy of nothing. If fate was playing them down, if she had to fly back alone to DC, he wanted to make sure she knew he loved her and would always love her, whatever her past had been, whatever lies she had told him. He wanted her to build her life back, even he was not around anymore. He wanted her to be happy.
" Sarah, I could never let you down, I will always believe in you . " " No, Harm, please .. " " Sarah, I said I wanted us to discuss once you were out of this mess and I think right now is exactly the right moment to do it . " " Harm, listen . " " No, you listen to me. Sarah, your past has made you the one you are now, this wonderful woman I'm in love with. I admire you because you were able to face it alone and then be the one you are. I'm not sure I would have been able to do the same, you are strong, Sarah, and I need your strength. If you had told me about your husband, I would just have changed the order of my acts : I would have helped you find Chris, helped you solve this chapter of your life , and then I would have proposed to you. And yes, I would have proposed to you whatever your past was. I don't want to consider my future without you in my life from now on. During these last three weeks away from you, I almost went crazy, Sarah, I tried to forget you with other women to get out of these feelings. I'm so ashamed of myself, you have no idea. Don't punish yourself by turning me away. I'm ready to grant you all the time you'll need, but I don't want to lose you, never. "
Mac remained silent, she was studying him with no expression.
He could not read anything on her face, anything in her eyes. He looked at the fire.
Keeter and the Iranian were getting ready to sleep and did not pay attention to them. They were half hidden behind the car, and yet Harm knew Keeter would never say anything about tonight. And the Iranian . never mind . even if Webb was going to hear about this, the risk was not that big in comparison of what he could be losing if he did not try again.
Hesitantly he reached towards Mac and touched her cheek slowly.
" Sarah ? " " . " " Sarah, I'm not going to give up, I just want you to trust me and come back to me whenever you'll be ready. I'll wait for you, as long as it takes. " " Harm ? " " Yes . " " What makes you think I could come back to you ? Did you ever think I could not feel this way ? " " Sarah, don't say anything now, please . We'll speak about it again when we'll get back home, don't say anything permanent now, think about all this first . "
He was about to leave and go back to the fire but hesitated. He leaned towards Mac, and added :
" It's going to be cold tonight, you should not sleep here alone. "
She looked up at him, waiting for him to go on, always totally impassible.
" Mac, may I sleep near you, you know, share body heat, as in the Appalachians ? "
She had a shy smile.
" Share body heat, Harm ?Why not ? "
He laid down near her and tried to make himself comfortable on the ground, then took her in his arms, in his heat, and wrapped her tight in a protective gesture. Mac had her head on his chest, she could listen to his heart beating so peacefully, she could breathe in his scent and slowly silent tears began to run on her cheeks. They told stories of lost days, of this lost future she would never enjoy.
She knew she had to forget what he just told her, she should not come back to him, they would just hurt each other if she did. Love could not be everything's solution in this case, they had still hurt the other too many times until now. They had no option anymore, if they failed again, it would be the end of their friendship too. She was wrong to let go in Moscow, even if she had not been still married back then, it would have been a mistake. She had to find a way to convince Harm to forget her. He would not give up easily, she knew him, he was able to be stubborn until it turned into obsession.
She would not be his obsession, he deserved better than her.
MILITARY PLANE TO ANDREWS AFB SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE ATLANTIC December, 10th 1998
Mac was sitting near Mic and laughing at each of his jokes. Her eyes sparkled, sometimes she nibbled at her bottom lip, making this so private gesture Harm knew and could even summon, when his hands .
No, it was a bad idea to think about their nights together, to watch her, it was only making him feel anxious. Keeter near him was slowly snoring, unaware of his friend's tension. Harm felt totally helpless.
And yet, she was the one who had hugged him just before he let her run away through the Iran desert to the Turkey coast. And he remembered how this hug had felt so desperate.
After he had successfully landed on the Seahawk, he waited for two days with Bud and Mic for Mac and Keeter to be back. He had spent these two days trying to forget his fears through hours long debriefing with Webb, or testing the plane. He had to listen to Mic's bragging about his past as a boxer, his double citizenship and the sunny beaches of this homeland. Harm's patience had greatly suffered when Mic began to explain to Bud how he had invited Mac to go skiing with him for New Year's holidays. He had no shame, after the way he had tried to give her total responsibility about Raggle's death, he had taken her out for dinner, and now he was just bragging around, telling everyone how lucky he should be pretty soon.
" This is totally inappropriate, Commander, may I remind you that you are talking about another officer, moderate your language now. " " Slow down, buddy, don't get upset, I thought you were not involved with her. Are you jealous ? " " No, it's not about jealousy, just the rules we are taught to respect being officers in the Navy. If you go on talking this way about a fellow officer, I promise you the Admiral himself will take you to Dulles and make sure you are on the next plane to Sydney with an appropriate report on your unbecoming conduct. " " Okay, Rabb, I get it, but it does not really change anything about the facts. But okay, I'm going to be discreet. "
Harm's look almost killed Mic, and he promised himself to do whatever he could to keep him away from Sarah. Sure, he was jealous, but he knew also that Major Mackenzie's reputation was nothing but steady, and Mac did not need this sort of advertising at the moment.
And finally she was there, coming directly into the simulation room, Keeter following her, and she went immediately to Harm. He opened his arms for her, feeling so relieved, and hugged her warmly, trying to make sure in this friendly embrace that she understand all the love he felt for her. She smelled of wind, sun, desert, he wanted to be alone with her, put his lips on her hair and whisper in her ear these words of fear and happiness to finally have her back.
But they were not alone, Bud, Keeter and Mic were there, Mic especially who was scrutinizing them just a little too much.
So he let her go off his embrace and watched as she went to Mic, smiled wide at him and let him hug her too. How could she ? . She had known him for not even two weeks .
He closed his eyes to stop watching Sarah with another man and waited for the plane to land.
RESIDENCE OF SARAH MACKENZIE - GEORGETOWN December 10th, 1998 - 2030 local time.
Harm listened to the music playing in the apartment, behind the closed door, this music Sarah loved to play when they were together, before, such a long time away . At the same moment he knocked on the door, he heard a man laughing, and he immediately knew whose voice it was. He froze.
Why was Mic in her apartment tonight ?
He almost turned on his heels to run away, but before he could, Mic opened the door, beaming, an apron around the waist and a spoon in the hand.
" Rabb ! What a surprise ! . Sarah, you did not tell me you were waiting for a guest . except for me .. "
And he called her Sarah !!!
Mac went out of the kitchen and came to the door, smiling. She stopped near Harm and frowned.
" Harm, don't tell me we were supposed to work tonight and I forgot ? Which case is it about ? I'm really sorry . " " I did not . No .. That is . I just wanted to know if everything was ok, Mac, and take you out for dinner, but I believe you are not . " " . available ? Right, Harm, I'm not available, you should have called, you would have not driven through DC for nothing. And I can't even tell you to share our dinner, we have nothing vegetarian for you. But if you don't care, maybe a good rare steak . " " Sarah, I thought we would spend the evening just the two of us," interrupted Mic.
Harm tensed, his fists in balls, trying to keep his self-control.
" Don't worry, Brumby, I'm leaving . I know when I'm not welcome," he added looking at Mac, his eyes speaking volumes.
How could she act this way with him ? He had told her he wanted to have a discussion as soon they would be back in DC, they just landed today, she had to know he would be there tonight. What game was she playing ?
" As you wish, Harm," answered Mac lightly,"we'll see you tomorrow at Jag HQ. Good night ."
Harm had no time to turn before Mac closed the door on him and went to Mic, speaking to him loud enough
" So, Mic, about this steak ? I'm really anxious to learn what you are up to . "
RESIDENCE OF SARAH MACKENZIE - GEORGETOWN December 10th, 1998 - 2230 local time.
" You are sure I can't stay a little longer, Sarah? " asked Mic again. " Listen, Mic, I'm tired and we have to be early in the office tomorrow. The admiral is not one to accept people to be late because of jetlag, you better get some sleep too. " " Do I see you tomorrow again, then? " " Sure, at the office. " " No, I meant, can I take you out for dinner ? " " Not tomorrow, Mic, we'll see, later . next week, okay ? Now, you should leave, please, I'm ready to drop . "
Mic leaned to kiss her, and she turned her face just in time for his lips to find her cheek. She pushed him slowly towards the door.
" Good night, Mic. "
Mac closed the door and went into her bedroom, feeling terribly tired and depressed. She was not even able to cry, she knew she had to do all this, and she had to do this long enough for Harm to decide to give up. She knew it would need a lot of time.
A lot of time, and even more will power.
TBC