SINGLE BED DOUBLE BED
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ZOYA'S APARTMENT – 8pm
"Home sweet home," Zoya said as she reached her door.
"Remember you have to turn off the alarm," Webb reminded her.
"Thanks pop," Zoya smirked. "The blaring siren would have never tipped me off."
"I'm just trying to help." Webb replied.
"If you want to help, get my bag from the car." Zoya smiled.
"Do I look like your butler?" Webb asked.
"No, he was better looking," Zoya laughed. "Please get my bag."
Webb went back to the car to get her bag. Zoya walked into her apartment and deactivated the alarm. She then punched in the code to enter in a new pass code. She stood in the entryway and true to form kicked her shoes off and watched them sail across the room. Clay would freak if I did this at his place. Zoya laughed as she entered her living room.
"Oh my god!" Zoya screamed.
"What's wrong," Webb said running in.
"Look what they did!" Zoya yelled.
"Calm down," Webb said.
"Oh sure, it's not your place." Zoya said.
"Zoy, a couple coats of paint and this place will be as good as new." Webb smiled. "I'll help."
"When was the last time you painted anything?" Zoya asked.
"I haven't," Webb stated.
"What do you want in return?" Zoya asked.
"I'm just helping out my partner," Webb smiled.
"I guess I should inspect the kitchen," Zoya said.
"Can I do anything?" Webb asked.
"No, make yourself at home," Zoya replied.
Zoya was in the kitchen rummaging through the cabinets and the refrigerator trying to find something. She hadn't been there in about two months so it was slim pickings.
"There isn't much to eat," Zoya said walking into the living room with two beers and a bag of chips.
"You drink beer?" Webb laughed.
"It's a secret, it's my one vice." Zoya smiled.
"I can think of another vice," Webb teased.
"I can think of a few you have too," Zoya shot back.
They talked for a few hours about work, cases and anything else that was not personal. Webb called the security team to ensure they were in place. Zoya yawned and got up to go to bed.
"I guess I should give you the pass code, before you leave." Zoya said walking to the key pad.
"That might be a good idea." Webb said. "However I'm not leaving."
"Clay, please." Zoya said. "I'll be fine. There is security outside and the alarm system in here."
"I'm not going to win this am I?" Webb asked.
"No, now to set the parameter, you press pound 3." Zoya explained. "If you want to set the parameter and the interior sensors press pound 2. In order to turn the alarms off, you enter 1105 and then 1. You also do that when you enter if the alarm is set. There is one key pad here and another in my bedroom. There is also a panic button by the bed."
"Why 1105?" Webb asked.
"It's the day you got transferred to Suriname, I figured you would remember." Zoya smiled and handed him a spare key.
"You're a riot," Webb stated. He gave Zoya a hug and a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Lock up behind me."
"I will," Zoya replied.
"I'll be back first thing in the morning," Webb said.
"I know and I'll have the coffee waiting." Zoya said. "Good night."
"Good night Countess," Webb said and left.
It was around 9pm and Zoya was exhausted. She checked the door and walked to her bedroom. She changed into a t-shirt, set the alarm and got into bed. She tossed for a bit before she found a comfortable position. However that only lasted for a minute. She realized the problem, she had gotten used to Webb. He was the first man she ever allowed herself to lose control with. It surprised her when she woke up and found herself cuddled up against him. She felt secure with him and she felt safe but mostly, for the first time since she was a child, she felt like there was someone she could lean on. That scared her more than the idea of someone trying to kill her. She was not about to rely on anyone.
MAC'S APARTMENT
Mac and Harm went back to her place after dinner. They had planned to go back to his place. However, Mac had two briefs at her apartment that they needed to go over. When they got there, Mac went to the kitchen to make some coffee and Harm puttered around her living room.
"You have messages," Harm said looking at her machine. "Should I hit play?"
"Go ahead." Mac called from the kitchen. "Do you want some coffee?"
"Yes, thanks." Harm said and hit the play button.
Hi Mac, it's me. Career Day was cancelled because three of the guest speakers couldn't make it. Hope everything is going good. Say hi to Harm for me. He's such a babe.
Hello Sarah, this is Dottie. Please give me a call tomorrow. I need a favor and I think you are just the woman to help.
"Was that Mrs. Nelson?" Mac groaned.
"Yes, she needs a favor. The other call was Chloe, she thinks I'm a babe." Harm laughed.
"She's right," Mac smiled.
"You think I'm a babe?" Harm asked.
"Sure, you're stubborn and impatient. You have to have your own way. You whine and you have been known to throw a tantrum." Mac smiled.
"I don't think that's what she meant." Harm pouted.
"Oh and you pout!" Mac teased.
"You know, I don't need to stay here and take this abuse." Harm said. "I could just go home."
"Did I mention that you also huff off?" Mac smiled.
"Are you finished?" Harm asked.
"I guess so," Mac laughed.
"Mac I was thinking," Harm said.
"That's always a good thing," Mac joked.
"I need to ask you something." Harm said.
"This sounds serious," Mac said sitting down.
"In a way it is," Harm said. "I have spent the last 4 of the past 7 nights here. Having to go home to get ready in the morning doesn't help my punctuality any. Do you understand?"
"You want a drawer," Mac smiled.
"No I want to leave some clothes here," Harm replied.
"That's what I meant," Mac laughed. "I think that's a good idea."
"I figure you can leave some things at my place too," Harm said.
"So you'll give me a drawer?" Mac asked.
"I'll give you the entire bureau." Harm smiled and settled next to her on the couch.
"Harm what are we going to do about Mrs. Nelson?" Mac asked.
"I don't know, running into her today only added fuel to her fire." Harm said.
"What I can't figure out is why she is picking on us," Mac stated.
"I don't have an answer for that," Harm said. "Maybe we should tell the Admiral."
"Tell him what?" Mac asked. "That we are testing the waters or that two of his senior officers are having sex?"
"Well not when you put it like that," Harm said. "That was a bit harsh."
"I'm sorry," Mac sighed. "It just took so long to get here and that woman is going to ruin it."
"Mac, she's not going to ruin anything." Harm said. "What's the worst that can happen? She convinces the SecNav and the Admiral that we should be allowed to work together and explore a relationship."
"Is that what we are doing?" Mac asked. "Exploring?"
"You called it testing the waters," Harm shot back.
"What exactly are we doing?" Mac asked.
"I thought we were falling in love," Harm said quietly.
"Excuse me?" Mac asked. "What did you say?"
"Forget it," Harm replied.
"No, I don't want to forget it." Mac said.
"I think we better table this for now," Harm said getting up.
"What just happened?" Mac asked.
"I don't know," Harm said and walked to the door. "I better get going."
"Don't touch that door," Mac ordered. "You're not running this time."
"What do you mean?" Harm asked.
"Harm, do you love me?" Mac asked.
"Of course, you're my best friend." Harm said stumbling over his words.
"That's not what I meant," Mac sighed. "You know what I mean."
"I do, but I can't answer." Harm said.
"Why?" Mac asked. "It's either three or four words."
"Three or four?" Harm asked.
"Yes, it's either I love you or I don't love you." Mac said.
"Well it's not the latter," Harm said.
"Is it the former?" Mac asked and Harm slowly nodded. "Why can't you just say it?"
"I don't hear you saying it either," Harm stated.
"Fine, I'll say it." Mac said. "Harm, I…"
"Mac stop," Harm cut her off.
"Why?" Mac asked.
"Because you are not going to say it first, I don't ever want you to think that I only said it because you did." Harm said.
"Do you really believe that would happen?" Mac asked.
"I can't take the chance," Harm said.
"That seems to be your problem," Mac said. "You can't take a chance!"
"I take chances all the time," Harm protested.
"Yes you do in an F-14. But this is not an F-14 Harm, this is life!" Mac said.
"I know," Harm said. "I don't want to argue with you."
"I give up," Mac said.
"What are you giving up?" Harm asked.
"I am resigning myself to that fact that this is all it's ever going to be." Mac stated. "Stolen moments and hiding from everyone."
"That is not all it's going to be," Harm said.
"Oh really. How do you know that?" Mac asked.
"I know, because I love you." Harm said.
"Really," Mac asked biting her lip.
"Really, I love you." Harm smiled. "I said it and I didn't combust. I love you."
"I love you." Mac said.
"I mean it Mac, I love you." Harm said. "I don't want stolen moments and secrets."
"I think we can have one more stolen moment." Mac smiled.
"Lead the way." Harm replied.
They made their way to the bedroom and got into bed. As they made love they realized what they had experienced over the past several weeks was nothing compared to what they were sharing now. There was something incredible and exhilarating about making love with someone you know loves you. Mac and Harm had found that, now they all had to worry about was how to deal with the Admiral and Mrs. Nelson. They would worry about that tomorrow. Tonight they were the only two people on earth.
