THE LONG RIDE HOME

===============================================================================================================================

MAC'S CAR

Harm and Mac drove in silence, it was a short ride but the mood made it feel like hours.  Harm wanted to say something, but was afraid to open his mouth.  Mac on the other hand was hoping he would say something. Maybe Webb was right, Harm doesn't always say the right thing, but at this point he wasn't even trying.

"Well, here we are." Mac said pulling into the parking area.

"Thanks for the ride," Harm replied and just sat there.

"Are you planning on getting out?" Mac asked.

"Mac, do you want to come in?" Harm asked.

"I don't think so, we might get caught up in the moment," Mac replied.

"Mac, come on." Harm urged. "I didn't mean that the way it came out."

"Harm, you need to decide what you mean and then get back to me," Mac announced.

"Well, come in and let's talk." Harm suggested.

"No, you need to think this out on your own," Mac advised.

"I think we need to figure this out together," Harm said. "Please, pretty please?"

"Don't beg, it's so unbecoming," Mac said hiding a smile.

"I'll make you a burger," Harm smiled, his brightest grin.

"Don't smile at me," Mac said.

"Come on, let's go inside." Harm said.

"Fine, but I want my burger." Mac stated and turned off the engine.

TINER'S CAR

Coates was thumbing through the information packet they were given on the train.  She was reading the cast bios and trying to figure out how Bud and Harriet had put everything together.

"You and Gunny really went all out trying to impress Ms. Moore," Coates commented.

"I guess," Tiner said quietly.

"I didn't think she was all that," Coates replied.

"She was all that and then some," Tiner stated.

"Funny, there isn't really anything about her in the bios." Coates said turning the pages.

"Jen, what are you looking for?" Tiner asked nervously.

"Nothing, it's just interesting. The man who played the doctor used to do Shakespeare in the park, the guy who was Mr. Mathers has done sit-coms," Coates said, "And the actress who played Mrs. Weaver did a play with Steven Culp."

"Who's that?" Tiner asked.

"Beats me, they have the movie Thirteen Days next to his name, I guess he's some Hollywood biggie." Coates shrugged.

"Do I take a right or a left at the light?" Tiner asked.

"Take a right," Coates said. "Hey look at this, Greg Bidden, he was in 'Ladies Revenge'. I saw that movie. He was great.  He played this guy who liked to dress like a wo… oh my god."

"What?" Tiner asked, trying to be casual.

"He was Ms. Moore," Coates laughed. "You and Gunny were chasing a man."

"Ah Jen, which way do I go now?" Tiner asked, trying to change the topic.

"No wonder you guys dropped it," Coates laughed harder. "Ms. Moore is a man."

"Well, the costume and make-up were really good." Tiner said defensively. "Besides, you didn't realize it until just now."

"Yeah, but I wasn't trying to get a date." Coates laughed. "I can't wait to tell everyone."

"Jen, you can't. Please don't tell anyone." Tiner pleaded.

"All this information and nothing to do with it," Coates teased.

HARM'S APARTMENT

"Can I get you something to drink?" Harm offered.

"I'm fine," Mac said taking a seat.

"So what now?" Harm asked.

"You tell me, you invited me up here." Mac shrugged.

"Mac, I wanna try," Harm stated.

"What do you want to try?" Mac asked.

"This, us, together," Harm said. "How about it?"

"How about it?" Mac laughed. "Are we talking a relationship here or ordering a pizza?"

"A relationship, one that has been a long time in the making," Harm smiled.

"Harm, is this in the heat of the moment?" Mac asked. "Are you afraid of losing me if you don't do something?"

"I am afraid of losing you every time you walk out the door." Harm replied.

"What are you talking about?" Mac asked.

"Mac, it's no secret that any man that meets you falls in love with you." Harm began.

"What are you talking about?" Mac asked.

"Think of all the men you have known, name one that wasn't in love with you." Harm stated.

"Harm, you're being crazy," Mac said getting up.

"I am not being crazy, I am being honest here." Harm replied.

"Well, not every man has fallen in love with me." Mac stated.

"Name one who hasn't." Harm asked.

"You," Mac said standing at the door.

"You're not leaving," Harm asked and walked to her.

"I think I better," Mac replied.

"Not until I'm finished," Harm said and moved between Mac and the door.

"Then finish," Mac said.

"I don't know where this is going, I don't know if it will last or not, but I think we should try." Harm said.

"I don't know anymore," Mac sighed.

"You kissed me on the train and now you don't know?" Harm asked.

"It's not that easy," Mac said. "Last night you were talking about concluding now you are talking about losing me."

"Last night I was an idiot," Harm said.

"No matter what, you'll never lose me, so remove that from the equation." Mac said.

"Fine, it's removed." Harm smiled.

"What do you want?" Mac asked.

"I want to, I would like," Harm sighed. "Mac, I want you."

"Harm," Mac smiled. "You realize what you are saying?"

"I think I do," Harm replied.

"I am right here, there is no one else in my life or yours, and I'm not about to leave town." Mac said. "You can't get out of this."

"I don't want to," Harm said.

"Well then, I think we have some more talking to do." Mac smiled and went back to the couch and sat down.

WEBB'S APARTMENT

Webb entered his apartment with some caution.  He wasn't sure why, there was no way Zoya would have gotten there and done anything.  He wasn't even sure she knew where he lived.

He went to the bedroom and unpacked his bag.  After changing into a pair of slacks and a polo, he went back to the living room to review the mail.  Junk, junk, bills, junk and a few catalogs, how his name got on these lists was beyond him.  He finished reviewing the mail and went to get a cup of coffee.  As he waiting for the coffee to brew, he heard a noise in the living room.  Carefully looking toward the door, he realized Zoya had made him paranoid.  He went back to his coffee and picked up the paper. 

Ten minutes passed and he swore he heard another noise coming from the front. That crazy woman has me jumping in my skin. Webb thought as he returned to the Op-Ed section.  He was engrossed in a piece written by some opinionated woman with an Irish name, when a dart whizzed past his head.

"What the hell?" Webb shouted.

He got up from the table and pulled the dart out of the wall, and pulled a note that was wrapped around it.

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN! ZOYA."

Quickly he went to the door to try and catch her.  Zoya was gone, but it was obvious she had been there.  She left the shirt she had borrowed hanging on his door.  Webb shook his head, went back inside and double locked the door.

HARM'S APARTMENT

Mac and Harm had been sitting for several hours talking.  They talked about the past and all they had been through.  They left out the most recent past, the train ride and avoided the future.  It was an odd conversation, since they really needed to discuss the future, be it one week or a year.  It was a topic they needed to get to.

"Harm, we've been sitting here for seven hours and twenty minutes." Mac announced. "I'm hungry."

"I have some leftovers, if you're willing." Harm stated.

"Sounds good to me," Mac replied.

"I'll be right back," Harm said and disappeared into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, Harm returned with two plates of leftovers and beverages.

"This looks interesting," Mac said.

"Mac, I think we need to figure out where we are going." Harm stated.

"And the conversation turns," Mac smiled.

"It had to turn.  We've talked about everything from the day we met to your appointment to the bench." Harm replied.

"I've been thinking about that kiss," Mac began. "I was surprised to give it as you were to get it."

"I was surprised," Harm laughed. "But what surprised me even more was how natural it felt to share the bunk with you."

"We've shared before," Mac said.

"I know but there was something about those two nights that felt so right.  I didn't sleep well last night.  I was a little disappointed when you said you slept like a baby." Harm stated.

"I lied," Mac remarked. "I didn't sleep at all last night."

"I'm glad," Harm laughed.

"Thanks," Mac said and playfully smacked him. "Harm why did you ask how I wanted to conclude this?"

"I was trying to tell you that I understood if you wanted to leave it on the train.  That I would push anything on you," Harm stated.

"The kiss was unexpected, but I am glad it happened.  There was nothing pushing it.  No farewell, no Mistletoe, just you and I."

"Just us and the Admiral watching," Harm joked.

"Harm look, I can't tell you what is going to happen in the future but I want to go as far as we can." Mac said, "If you're willing."

"I'm willing," Harm smiled.

"Then let's go to bed," Mac yawned.

They made their way to the bedroom where they slept soundly in each other's arms.  The next morning, Mac went home to get ready for work.  Don't blow this MacKenzie. You finally have what you want. She warned as she got ready.