Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
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Beginnings
Chapter Three: No More Tears
By Ann Parker
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1400 EST
21 March 2003
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
"I'll see if I can get the rest of the day off after this meeting so we can catch up," said Harm. He and Lisa were in the elevator heading to the bullpen. He looked over at his little 'sister' and noticed her roll her eyes at his statement.
"Yippee," she said sarcastically. He simply shook his head. He knew exactly why she wasn't very excited. She expected him to question her about Dan, which he would. He knew she was battling her emotions inside and needed to let them out.
"Don't sound so excited," he replied as they heard the elevator doors open. She stuck out her tongue at him and laughed, causing him to smile. At least she still had some of her humor left.
Her smile faded and she looked in his blue-green eyes. "It will be good to sit down and talk Harm. I'm sure there are quite a few topics we could discuss." Even if she didn't think she could talk about Dan without crying, she knew she should. Her smile grew slightly to show her sincerity and Harm grinned back.
They reached the chaos that is the bullpen and headed to his office. He opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off. "Yes, I know. The Admiral and SecNav are waiting for you. Just go Harm, I promise not to get into any trouble," she stated. Harm laughed and shook his head.
"You cause trouble? When have you possibly done that?" he teased as he grabbed the paperwork he needed. Both laughed as he headed out the door, knowing she liked to cause mischief as much as possible.
After he left, Lisa leaned against his doorframe and looked around. Mac and Sturgis were no where to be found. Tiner was busy with someone Lisa didn't recognize. Finally, after a minute Lisa located Harriet and Bud. They were talking to a man in a Marine uniform.
"He's kind of cute," she said to herself and then paused. How could she be thinking of another guy after breaking up with Dan less than 12 hours ago? She shook her head, riding the thought, and headed over to the three, picking up part of their conversation.
"So you don't mind if your welcome back party is at our house? Our baby-sitter canceled on us," asked Harriet, directing her question to the Marine.
"Anywhere is fine, Ma'am. I don't even need a party," he replied.
"Gunny, trust me, just let her throw a party," said Bud, earning a glare from his wife. "I mean, we really want to have party to show how glad we are to have you back." Lisa noticed Harriet roll her eyes as she approached, unnoticed by the three.
"Does that mean I get a party too?" she said from behind, causing Harriet and Bud to jump from recognizing the voice. Gunny simply turned to look at the visitor. Lisa began to laugh as the Roberts starred at her in shock.
"Lisa!" exclaimed Harriet as she hugged her. Gunny blinked. He had thought it was her at first, but didn't think it could be possible.
"Hello Harriet," replied Lisa as they pulled apart. Lisa patted Harriet's stomach. "You're beginning to show," she smiled. Harriet smiled and nodded.
Lisa turned to Bud, "And how is my patient doing?"
Bud smiled and pulled her into a hug. "I'm doing great. There are only a few things I haven't mastered yet." Lisa smiled as she studied her favorite success story.
"Well, I'll fix that now that I'll be here all the time," she stated.
"All the time?" asked Harriet, speaking for the three military officers. Gunny just stood there and took in the sight before him. Was she really moving to DC?
"Yep, I'm moving here," Lisa replied, earning three smiles. Briefly, she looked at the Jarhead before her, and his eyes captivated her. Afraid of being pulled in, she quickly looked away. What was with this man? She didn't even know his name…well maybe she did, Galindez, right? But she hadn't been formally introduced yet. How could he send a shiver down her spine after only a glance in his eyes?
"That's fantastic!" exclaimed Harriet, hugging Lisa again and snapping her out of her daze. Pulling away, Harriet asked, "Is Dan coming too?" All three noticed Lisa's face sadden and her eyes slightly cloud over.
"Dan and I broke up," she replied with a frown. "He was just promoted and I wanted to move here…our priorities just clashed," she shrugged, lying slightly. She didn't want to make a big deal out of it, even if it was tearing her up inside. He was the first person outside of her family that she had ever allowed herself to open up to besides Harm, and he really didn't count. He WAS family.
She shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts and changed the subject of the benefit for all around her. "So, you need a baby-sitter tonight? I'd be more than happy to watch AJ."
"Oh, we couldn't ask you to do that. You just got in town," said Bud.
"Well, this isn't my party and it's not like I'm not going to see you guys after this weekend. Why not?" Lisa continued. Truth be told, she really just wanted to be alone and watching AJ was probably the closest she was going to get.
"Because I want you there," Gunny quickly replied. Harriet and Bud looked at their friend oddly as Lisa raised an eyebrow. Was he feeling the same thing?
"I mean, I think you should be there. Everyone would like to see you again, and I wouldn't mind getting to know the woman that helped Bud here recuperate," he recovered quickly. Lisa smiled as she swore she saw a slight hint of pink on this Marine's cheeks. A marine blushing, where was her camera when she needed it?
"Well, thank you, but I believe my reputation precedes me. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves," she commented before sticking out her hand, "Lisa Marshall." Gunny smiled and shook her hand. Electricity shot through both of them at the touch and they quickly released their grip.
"Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez, but most just call me Gunny. It's a pleasure to meet you," he replied. Lisa smiled and opened her mouth to reply when a voice boomed over the office.
"All right people, why are you all just standing around? This is an work place, not a social gathering," commanded the Admiral as he exited his office with Harm and the SecNav in tow. All stood at attention as the Secretary of the Navy nodded and left the office. "At ease and back to work." Everyone except Harm headed back to their desks and got busy.
"Well? Am I going to have to make it an order to come give me a hug, Lisa?" AJ asked. The young woman laughed and walked over to the Seal, embracing him in a warm hug. "It's good to see you again. The Commander informs me that you are moving into town?" he asked as they parted. Lisa nodded with a small smile.
"Damn glad to hear it, not only were you able to keep Lieutenant Roberts motivated, but Commanders Rabb and Turner were better behaved when you were here. Maybe that will become a permanent thing now." Lisa laughed at AJ's comment as they headed to the elevator, Harm just behind them.
"I'll see what I can do AJ. But I make no guarantees. Harm here, is quite a handful on his own," she replied. AJ chuckled.
"Don't I know it."
"Well, thank you Sir," commented Harm sarcastically as he came to Lisa's side. AJ just shook his head. Sometimes his best lawyer was a little too much.
"Don't mention it Rabb. Now, why don't you take your sister here to get some paint for her new place? I'll see you tonight," AJ said.
"Yes Sir, thank you," replied Harm. AJ nodded at the two and walked away as Harm and Lisa waited for the elevator.
As they boarded a pair of brown eyes watched. Gunny didn't know what it was about this woman that caused him to stutter on his words. One thing he knew for sure, though, he was going to find out.
~~~~~
1700 EST
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
"Yep, this burgundy color is going to look perfect in my new bedroom," commented Lisa, holding up a paint chip in Harm's bedroom. "With the bedding I currently have and a few new pieces of furniture, it will look like a room from Trading Spaces."
Harm laughed as he hung up his phone. "Your moving truck is rented," he informed her from the kitchen.
"Thanks!" she replied as she made her way into the bathroom with her paint samples.
"You're welcome," he replied as he cleaned his kitchen, preparing for the move. She came into the kitchen after a minute, flipping through the colors for the living room and taking a seat on the kitchen counter.
"Look at you, you haven't even moved in yet and you are already settled in," Harm teased. She smiled at him and put the samples down. "You are really looking forward to this move, aren't you?" He set down his rag and hopped up on the counter next to her.
"You better believe it, Top Gun. I'm looking at this move as a fresh start. A new place, new city, and new people…well, sort of. This is just what I needed, Harm." She smiled for a second and then hopped off the counter.
She looked into his cabinets that were full of his pots, pans, and other dishes. "Hey, what are you going to do with all the dishes anyway? Mac has a full set and I don't think you need two." Harm stood up and looked with her.
"I'm not sure. Why, you want them?" he asked.
"Actually yeah. It would be a heck of a lot easier than bringing mine along. Do you mind?" She looked up at him with her puppy dog eyes and Harm sighed. He hadn't been able to resist that look since she first used in on him when she was five.
"Not at all, they're yours," he replied. Lisa giggled slightly and hugged him.
"Thanks so much," she said. Harm smiled to himself as he felt her pull him tighter. Maybe she would open up a little right now. "Thanks for everything, Harm. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Lead a much more boring life, that's for sure," he joked and they both laughed.
When they pulled apart Harm noticed a few tears in her eyes, brushed them away with his thumb, and pulled her into another hug. "It's okay, Lisa." Slowly, he led her to the couch so they could sit down. He could feel his shirt getting damper every second and let her cry for a while before speaking.
"Why don't you talk about it? It will help you feel better, trust me. Bottling it up only makes it worse," he advised. Between a few sobs she nodded.
"I just didn't think Dan and I would end the way we did," she mumbled against his chest. She pulled away and wiped her eyes with her hand. "I knew that we were having some problems because of the long distance, I guess it was just too much." Harm handed her a Kleenex and nodded.
"It must have been, L, but listen to me. You are a fantastic person with an amazing spirit. If Dan wasn't smart enough to see that then it's his loss. I don't want you to beat yourself up over this. Besides, you know I hate seeing you cry. DC is your fresh start, remember? You can meet someone new here, and this time I will be here to beat him up if he hurts you," he said with a smile. Lisa laughed slightly and hugged him again.
"Thanks," she stated. She wiped her tears away once more. "No more tears wasted on him, I promise."
They separated and she stood up, walking over to her purse. She needed to change the subject. When she returned, she opened the bag and handed him a small red velvet box. "I thought I better give you the package before both of us forgot," she said as he opened the box. In the middle of the fabric sat a simple, yet stunning diamond engagement ring.
"You think Mac will like it?" he asked, starring down at the ring his mother wore for years until Frank came along. When he looked up at Lisa she was glaring at him.
"Harm, of course she will like it. Why would you think otherwise?" Harm closed the box and rose to put it in a desk drawer.
"I don't know, I guess sometimes I'm still scared that one day I'll wake up and everything will be back to the way it was before you came in December," he replied. Lisa smiled at his insecurities. Mac was the only woman she'd seen make him act like this, so she knew she was the one.
"Relax Harm. Of all the women I've seen you with, she is the one meant for you. She'll love the ring because she loves you, trust me. Now, the real question is, how are you going to ask?"
Harm shook his head. "Oh no you don't, I know how well you can keep your mouth shut. You are just going to have to wait until it happens." He headed to his bedroom to change, waiting for her whining to start.
"Come on Harm! Tell me!" she pleaded.
"Sorry, your begging isn't going to work. Now, get into the shower so we can get to Gunny's party as a reasonable time," he commanded.
"Yes Sir," she groaned, defeated. After about 20 minutes she was ready and met Harm at the door.
"Let's go party."
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