Pasta & Roller Skates

By: Kathryn Rabb

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Can a trip back to childhood bring a man and a woman together?

Disclaimers: I do not own the JAG characters, they belong to someone else. I am just borrowing them for a little bit and promise to return them as soon as possible. Also the song 'Why Don't You and I?' is by Carlos Santana f/ Chad Kroeger and 'Could Not Ask For More' is by Edwin McCain. I don't own either song.

August 20, 2003

2302 Zulu (05:02 EST)

Mac's Office

Falls Church, Virginia

The pair had returned from Paraguay with a new understanding of life and their friendship. They were closer than ever after what they had both endured and the talk they had while wandering through the South American rainforest was the cause of that. With the workday ending, Harm dropped by his partner's office to see if she was up for dinner with him. Leaning against the doorframe, he took in the sight of his partner deep in thought. He stood there for a few minutes and she still hadn't noticed his presence. "Knock, knock," Harm said. Still nothing from Mac, not even a twitch. "Mac?" again Harm asked. "Earth to Mac, Earth to Mac, do you copy?" Harm asks still in the doorframe. With his inquiries not being responded to Harm enters and sits down in the chair in front of her desk.

Mac looks up in confusion and surprise, "How long have you been sitting there?"

"Well I've been sitting here less then a minute, been trying to get your attention for more," Harm replied with a smile. "What has you so entranced that you don't even notice my being here?"

"Nothing really," Mac replied. "It's just... well... I feel old!"

Harm laughed, "You? Old? Never, you want old? You're looking at it. I'm over the hill!"

Mac teased, "Harm, you're not over the hill. Well not until October."

"Oh that hurts! Here I am, asking you what got you so distracted and you poke fun," Harm replied with mock-hurt.

Mac laughed, "It's just too fun. But really, I feel old Harm. My career is great but there's something missing..." Mac trailed off, both knew what Mac was referring to but neither acknowledged it.

As the silence stretched on, Harm started, "Enough of this, let's go to dinner. I'll buy and you pick the place."

"Sure, you think I have time to change clothes first?" Mac asked.

"Yeah, I think I might change too," Harm replied as they left the offices.

2349 Zulu (05:49 EST)

Tony's House of Pasta & Roller Rink

Washington, DC

"I can't believe you chose this place to eat Mac!" Harm exclaimed.

"What? You can't go wrong with Tony's House of Pasta and Roller Rink," Mac replied with a grin.

"But it's a restaurant... with a roller rink!"

Mac laughed, "Yes, but you have to ignore that to eat the best fettuccine this side of the Potomac."

Harm shook his head in amusement as their food arrived. As they dined on their meal, they had a view of the roller rink and the kids and adults on roller skates. Harm asked, "When was the last time you went roller skating Mac?"

"I think I was twelve and it was Tiffany Conner's birthday party," Mac replied. "What about you?"

"I was twenty and chaperoning Keeter's little brother's birthday party," Harm replied with a chuckle.

"Twenty?!" Mac laughed.

"Hey, it isn't that funny," but Harm still laughed along with Mac. They finished their food with light conversation about other memories and as they were about to leave Harm suggested, "Mac? You want to go roller skating?"

Mac wasn't quite sure she heard him right, "You want to roller skate? Are you sure flyboy? You aren't that graceful." Mac laughed as she said that.

"I bet you'll be on your six before I do," Harm replied.

"And I bet you'll fall flat on your face in the first five minutes on the rink," Mac said with a smirk.

Harm grinned, "You're on. What will I win once you fall on your six first?"

Mac rolled her eyes, "How about winner gets a home cooked dinner?"

"Deal," with that they shook on it and went to rent some roller skates.

Five Minutes Later...

With their skates rented and on their feet Harm and Mac made their way to the entrance of the rink. The rink was round with a shiny hardwood floor and disco ball in the center. It was "Flashback Oldies" night with hits from the 60's, 70's, and 80's playing. Mac got onto the rink first and started to skate a little bit waiting for Harm. He wasn't quite sure if his idea was still a good one because it had been years since he last skated, 'It's just like riding a bike, right?'

"Come on Harm," Mac said as she started to skate away. Harm stepped onto the rink and skated after her. They both skated around the rink and both were doing well, the rink wasn't too crowded so they didn't have to worry about skating into anyone. Despite the years separating the present from the last time they had been on roller skates both were doing relatively well.

The partners skated around the rink laughing and enjoying each other's company. As time went on both got bolder, twirling and backwards skating and nearly wiping out once or twice.

"Better be careful Mac or you might lose the bet," Harm teased.

"You just watch me stay upright while you're flat on your face," Mac laughed

They skated together for a bit when Harm asked, "So Mac, do you still feel old?"

Mac looked at him slightly confused when she remembered their earlier conversation. "Oh yeah, definitely, I haven't done this in years!"

"But doesn't this just make you feel like a kid again?" Harm argued.

"Yes, but I still feel old," Mac laughed and Harm joined in as the lights started to flicker and the DJ came on.

"Well ladies and gents, it's time for couples only, so grab your guy or gal and let's skate..." Harm and Mac looked at each other unsure of what to do. Harm took a deep breath and held out his hand in a silent invitation to skate together. Mac accepted with a smile and off they went hand in hand. As they skated around the rink with their hands intertwined, Harm looked at Mac and smiled at her. 'She is so beautiful, I should tell her how I really feel,' Harm thought.

'What a perfect moment, if only...' Mac thought at the same time. With the duo deep in thought and skating to the slow song neither noticed another couple right in front of them having trouble staying up. The other couple got tangled up and fell down; Harm and Mac didn't have time to skate around them. Mac fell backwards onto her behind as Harm fell forward.

As the two couples straightened themselves out and apologies were said, Harm and Mac moved off the rink. When both were seated, Mac started laughing, Harm was confused for a split second but joined in her laughter. "Looks like... neither of us... won the... bet," Mac said in between laughs.

"Yeah, I was looking forward to your cooking too," Harm chuckled.

Mac laughed, "Still think you would have won, huh? Well how about we go halves on the dinner?" Harm looked at Mac at her choice of words but Mac ignored her slip and continued, "We make dinner together tomorrow night?"

Harm smiled, "Sure."

'That was a close one, I wonder if he'll forget about it if I ignore it,' Mac said to herself silently. "Let's get back onto the rink Harm!" Mac grinned. Harm followed Mac and they spent the next few hours skating together.

To Be Continued...