An Unexpected Vacation

1407 ZULU

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

Harm and Mac had just gotten back from lunch and they were greeted by Harriet.  "Ma'am, Sir, the Admiral would like to see both of you in his office."

"Okay, Harriet.  Tell him we'll be right in."  Mac turned to Harm, "what do you think is wrong now?"

"Mac, I have no idea and I'm not even going to begin to speculate.  Let's go before we get in more trouble than we're already in."  They headed off to go face the Admiral, but at least it was together.

When they rapped on the door, they heard AJ's gruff 'Enter' and they both looked at each other, squared their shoulders, and prepared for the worst.

"Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered sir."

"Have a seat Commander, Colonel.  The two of you are on vacation as of now."

"But sir…"

"Save it Colonel."

"Where are we going sir?"

"It's up to you two, as long as it's out of the D.C. area.  I'll expect the two of you back here in two weeks.  Dismissed."

"Aye, Aye sir."  They both stood to attention, and went to Harm's office.

"So Harm, where are we going?"

"What if we go to my Grams?  She's always asking me about you and she would love to meet you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm positive.  We can leave in the morning.  It's only about a four hour drive."

"Okay."

"Great.  We can go to my place first so I can pack, then we can go back to your place, order dinner, or go out."

"Either's fine.  You can stay at my place since it's closer to the Beltway."

"Alright, well whenever you're ready to get out of here we can go."

"I'm ready to go when you are." 

"Hey Mac, let me call Grams before we leave."

"Sure."

"Hello?"

"Hi Grams."

"Harmon?  It's nice to hear from you.  Is anything wrong?"

"Of course not, Grams.  I was calling to let you know that I'm going to be coming to see you tomorrow.  Mac's going to come with me too."

"Really?  Are you two finally dating?"

"Not in so many words.  I'll explain it later.  We have to go and pack, Grams.  I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright Harmon, tell Sarah I said hello and I love you."

"I love you too Grams."

"So are we ready?"

"You bet, Marine."  They headed out of the office to Harm's SUV.

1857 ZULU

MAC'S APARTMENT

GEORGETOWN

"Hey Mac, I'll cook."

"You don't want take out?"

"Not really.  Mine will be better, I won't cook any rabbit food either."

"As long as it's edible."

"Trust me."

"Okay, I'll go pack while you're making dinner."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

30 minutes later…

"Marine are you done yet?"

"Yeah, I've been done.  I was just cleaning up."

"Oh, well dinner's ready."

"Wow Harm, this looks great."

"Thank you, if you're lucky it'll taste as great as it looks."

"So what are we going to do for two weeks at your Gram's."

"We don't have to stay there for two weeks, maybe just one.  Since I decided what we would do one week, you can decide on the other week.  It's all up to you, Ninja Girl."

"What if we go to a beach?  My friend has a house on the beach that she doesn't use, we can go there."

"Sure, sounds great."  They finished the rest of dinner in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company.

"Harm, you don't have to do the dishes you made dinner."

"What if we do them together?"

"Okay.  I'll wash, you can rinse."

"That's fine."

They had been washing dishes for about fifteen minutes and were getting ready to dry them when Harm broke the silence.  "Hey Mac?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever think about our deal?"

She already knew which one he was talking about, she didn't need to ask to be sure.  "Yeah, what about it?"

"I was just thinking, I mean I don't want to back out of it.  I just want you to know that if we go through with it, I won't be doing it just because I promised.  I don't want you just for a baby, I want you and love you because of who you are."

"I know Harm."

"You weren't considering backing out were you?"

"No, not unless you didn't want me…because I don't think I could do that just because you wanted a baby."

"I know Harm.  Even at the time, I didn't just want a baby, I wanted you too, and then you left."

"I'm sorry.  I knew I hurt you, I just didn't think it was that bad, at least not until I got back."

"That was the biggest mistake of my life."

"What?  I was the one that left."

"Letting you go.  I could've at least told you how I felt."

"That's all behind us now, Mac.  I don't regret leaving, I just regret not telling you how I felt.  But I had to leave, it was my last chance."

"My head understood why you left, my heart just didn't accept it.  Does that make any sense?"

"Of course, I've been fighting battles within ever since I met you.  I always tried to deny my feelings that way I wouldn't have to face the consequences of you not feeling the same for me."

"But I did, Harm."

"At the time I didn't know it, I mean we didn't exactly get off to a good start."

"But you trusted me."

"I had to Mac, you were my partner, and whatever we do, we do it together.  You know, I protect your six, you protect mine."

"True.  I just think there's a lot to explain before we start a relationship."

"Well, we can talk more about it over these next two weeks.  I just need you to remember that I love you and I'll do anything for you."

"I know you will Harm, because I feel the same way."

"I'm going to call it night.  I'm kinda tired and we've got about a four hour drive tomorrow.  Goodnight Ninja Girl."  He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"Goodnight Harm."

"Mac?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I hold you tonight?"

"No problem flyboy.  I'll be in, in a little while."

"Okay."  Harm went into Mac's bedroom and got into bed.  About thirty minutes later, Mac came in.  "Hi."

"Hey yourself, flyboy.  You're not asleep yet?"

"No I couldn't sleep."

"You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine.  I just have a lot on my mind?"

"Care to share with the rest of us?"

"Get in and I'll tell you."

"Okay, give me a sec."  Mac went into the bathroom to change into some boxers and a tank top and came out in about five minutes.  "So what's on your mind sailor?"

"I was just thinking, why do you think the Admiral made us take a vacation?"

"Because he wanted us to get away from D.C. and it's his own way of making sure that I'm alright."

"So the thought already crossed your mind?"

"Yeah."

"And you're okay with it?"

"Yes, as long as I'm with you.  Harm?"

"Hmm…"

"Do you think Mic will come after us?"

"No, after we leave I think the Admiral's making Webb set up a trap so they can catch Mic."

"And no one told me about this?"

"I thought you knew, that's why I asked you if you were okay with it."

"I guess so, I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of my poor judgment."

"Mac, if you had poor judgment you wouldn't be the brilliant lawyer that you are."

"If you say so, but that's like what the third compliment from you within two days.  Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine.  Trust me."

"You know I do."

"Goodnight Mac."

"Goodnight Harm."

0500 ZULU

MAC'S APARTMENT

GEORGETOWN

Mac awoke to Harm's body spooned tightly against hers.  His arm was across her waist.  As much as she hated to leave this position, she knew they had to get up.  "Harm, wake up."

"Come on Mac, give me five more minutes," Harm moaned with his eyes still shut.

"You said you wanted to leave early to beat the traffic."

He rolled onto his back and slowly opened each eye.  "Okay.  I'll get up."

"I'm going to go put some coffee on.  Sailor your six better be out of that bed and getting dressed by the time I get back in here."

"Aye, Aye ma'am."