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.

0103 Zulu (09:03 EST)

Mac's Apartment

Georgetown, Washington, DC

"Harm you should have told me your back has been bothering you!" Mac scolded as they entered the apartment.

"It was *my* idea to skate, Mac," Harm replied as he lowered himself onto the couch.

"Your back was acting up before and then we had that spill on the rink. No wonder you can barely move!" Mac replied as she looked at Harm with her arms crossed.

"Well three ejections and my old age don't help much," Harm said sheepishly.

Mac rolled her eyes, "You aren't driving home tonight, you can stay in the guest room and don't you dare argue with me." Harm consented knowing arguing was hopeless. Mac walked over to Harm and helped him up from the couch. 'His back must be bothering him more then I thought if he's letting me help him,' Mac thought worriedly. She took him to the room and left him on the bed as she went to get a heating pad.

Harm sat there by himself as he thought about what to do. First, he needed to get out of his clothes and second, do it without getting much pain. He stood up and unbuttoned his pants and stripped down to his boxers. Then he started to take his shirt over his head and dropped it on the bed but missed and fell onto the floor. Without thinking, Harm bent over to pick it up but he couldn't get back up! "Mac..." Harm said through clenched teeth. "Mac..." a little louder. "Mac!"

"What-... Oh Harm, what happened?" Mac asked as she ran into the room and took in the sight of Harm in his boxers. 'Nice firm six... Mackenzie, now's not the time for that!' Mac scolded herself silently.

"It's my back. I was bending over to pick up my shirt and I couldn't straighten up," Harm replied. As Mac was about to speak Harm interrupted, "And before you say 'I told you so' maybe you can help my back loosen up?"

"Sure, what can I do?" Mac asked eagerly.

"Well... I need a massage. It'll loosen up after a few minutes," Harm said innocently enough.

Mac was skeptical but her best friend was in trouble. "Okay. Where does it hurt?"

"It might also help if you use some baby oil or something first," Harm tentatively suggested.

Mac nodded and went to get the bottle of baby oil from the bathroom. As she returned she asks, "Where does it hurt?"

Harm took a breath and reached back to a place right above the elastic on his boxer shorts. Mac rubbed her hands to warm the baby oil as Harm braced himself against the bed. Mac moved so that Harm's behind was partnered to her midsection. She reached down to his back and rubbed it as her hands moved smoothly. Her fingers kneaded the tight muscles as she became absorbed in her actions. Harm wasn't shy in expressing his pleasure, "Ooh yeah, right there Mac... that spot right there. Feels good..." The position they were in didn't help the already mounting sexual tension in the room. 'It's getting warm in here...' Mac thought.

"Wow Mac, you have great fingers! They're so strong and firm," Harm sighed.

Mac closed her eyes and she focused all thought on Harm's muscles underneath her fingers. As Harm continued voicing his pleasure, Mac's breathing became labored and her heart was beating faster then normal. Her fingers continued sliding effortlessly over his skin and she wanted nothing more then to ravish his body right then and there. With a sudden jerk, Mac stopped movement. Disappointed Harm asked, "Why'd you stop?"

"I thought you should try standing up now," Mac said as calmly as possible but her flushed faced revealed something else.

Harm decided not to question her about it because he too had wandering thoughts, inch by inch Harm stood up still quite disappointed Mac wasn't massaging him. "Looks like I'm okay now Mac, thanks," Harm whispered as he turned around and stood a mere breaths apart.

Mac willed herself to breathe as she took in the sight of his well-defined muscular chest. "You're welcome Harm, what are friends for?" With that Mac took the risk of looking up into his eyes and to her surprise she found them to be smoldering with passion. They held their gaze for what seemed like eternity but was only a few seconds and it didn't seem possible but the sexual tension seemed to heighten. Slowly, the pair leaned into each other for a kiss but Mac put a stop to it and turned around to leave the room. "You should get some sleep and we'll go to the doctors tomorrow," Mac said. "Goodnight."

"'Night, Mac," Harm said but he was confused. He thought she wanted him as much as she wanted her, didn't he make that clear to her? 'What does she want? An admission of my love?' and it hit him like a ton of bricks that that's what she wanted him to do. With that knowledge Harm climbed into bed.

Hours Later...

Neither Mac nor Harm could fall asleep and both were tossing and turning in bed with the remnants of earlier actions still branded in their minds. Mac got out of bed and headed to the kitchen for a late night snack. As she rooted through her fridge for the leftover fettuccine from their dinner earlier, Harm wandered in. He was surprised to see Mac there but it seemed she didn't notice him so he took the moment to admire her legs in short pink striped shorts. Even though it was dark and the only light was coming from the refrigerator he can tell that they were perfectly tanned and toned. Harm was very spellbound and didn't even notice Mac straightening up and looking at him with a pointed expression on her face. "Want some Harm?" Mac asked startling Harm out of his reverie.

Despite himself, he blushed at being caught staring. "What?"

"Fettuccine?" Mac explained as if he were five years old.

"Oh. No thanks, I was just getting a glass of water," Harm said but that was a lie, he heard Mac's door open and close and he got up to see what she was doing.

"Help yourself," Mac said as she walked out of the kitchen eating the fettuccine without heating it up.

In the living room, Mac settled into one end of the couch after turning on the lamp. She was still eating as Harm walked in and Mac noticed Harm was still wearing only boxers. She quickly averted her eyes back to the noodles before the sight of him would make her thoughts stray again. Harm sat down slowly on the opposite end of the couch. They both sat in silent contemplation when Mac couldn't stand it anymore, "Do you mind if I turn on the radio?"

Harm shook his head, "Not at all." In fact he'd welcome it, the silence was deafening. Mac set the radio to a station and sat back down and Why Don't You And I? came on. The partners recognized the song and neither said a word as the first verse played and then the chorus...

Every time I try to talk to you
I get tongue tied
Seems like everything I say to you
Comes out wrong and never comes out right

Mac avoided Harm's eyes but she could feel them staring intently at her.


So I'll say 'Why don't you and I get together? Take on the world and be together forever'
Heads we will and tails we'll try again
So I say 'Why don't you and I hold each other? Fly to the moon and straight on to heaven'
Cause without you they're never going to let me in

Mac relented and looked at Harm and was surprised to see him singing the song softly to her.

When's this fever going to break?
I think I've handled more than any man can take
I'm like a love-sick puppy chasing you around
And it's alright
Bouncing around from cloud to cloud
I've got this felling like
I'm never gonna come down
If I said I didn't like it
Then you know I've lied

Mac took in a breath as she looked deep into his eyes and she saw... the shield covering his emotions fall away.

Every time I try to talk to you
I get tongue tied
Seems like everything I say to you
Comes out wrong and never comes out right

As the song continued, Harm stopped singing and said, "Before you say anything, I'm not tongue-tied anymore. Why don't you and I get together? Because... I love you."

Mac's jaw dropped and she couldn't believe her ears. 'He said it!' Her mouth opened and closed but nothing came out.

"Mac? Now would be nice for you to say something. Anything," Harm pleaded with a lot of fear in his voice.

"You said it! Harm, do you know how long I've waited for you to say that? I almost gave up hope on you. You do know I love you too right? If you don't you can just ask Sturgis," Mac let out in a breath, her mind finally catching up to her mouth and couldn't stop that last part from coming out.

"Sturgis?" Harm asked confused again.

"Long story," Mac replied as she kissed him. Their kiss turned into something more and Mac ended up laying on top of Harm.

Harm pulled away suddenly, "You think we can take this somewhere more comfortable?"

Mac completely forgot about his back pain. "Oh my God, Harm! I totally forgot, are you okay? Can you move?"

Harm chuckled, "I can move enough," and winked at Mac.

Mac smiled, "You're terrible. Let's go to my room." Mac got up and held her hand out to Harm and he took it as she led the way to her bedroom.

Morning...

Mac was the first to wake and she found she was spooned into Harm with his arms wrapped around her. As the memory of the previous night came to mind, she smiled. 'Finally, we did it!' Mac thought. As she turned around to look at Harm she was surprised to see he was already awake and looking at her with a look of adoration. "Morning Harm," she said.

Harm grinned, "Morning, honey." Mac laughed at the term of endearment. "What?" Harm asked.

"We did it Harm, we're together," Mac said.

"Together forever," Harm said and as he tried to lean in to kiss her he couldn't.

Mac was puzzled when Harm didn't kiss her. "What's wrong Harm?" Mac asked.

"I think the knot is back," Harm replied.

"You overdid it Harm!" Mac scolded.

"I know my limits," Harm teased. "But not with you. Would you massage my back again Mac?" Harm asked sweetly.

Mac couldn't say no, "Alright, you turn over I'll grab the baby oil." Harm did as he was told as Mac got up to put on a shirt then she warmed up the baby oil in her hands.

~*~*~*~*~

As Harm laid on the bed, Mac moved up and Harm took one arm to hold her and kiss her as they continue cuddling.

Mac settled into his arms when her body reminded her of the time and bolted out of bed. "What's wrong Mac?" Harm was quite confused.

Mac looked at Harm, "Harm! Today is Thursday! We still have to go to work!"

Mac's statement registered in his post-lovemaking mind and a look of panic crossed his face. Then an idea came to his head. "Mac, relax," Harm said.

Bewildered, "What?"

"I'll just call the Admiral and tell him that I can't come in today because I can barely move due to back problems and that I have to go to the doctor, which isn't a total lie. After all, I *can* move now that you massaged my back. Then I'll tell him I need you with me because I can barely move much less drive," Harm grinned.

Mac was slightly embarrassed at overreacting that much, "Good idea Harm. You give him a call while I take a shower."

Harm agreed and as he was about to dial, Mac stuck her head back in the room, "You know since you can move, maybe after the call you can join me in the shower." And she laughed at the sight of Harm's face, mouth slightly open and eyes wide, "Harm. Call the Admiral."

Harm let out a chuckle, he didn't know how he was ever going to concentrate at work ever again and set out to call the Admiral.

To Be Continued...