Title - The Ring Part 1/2
Author name - Carol
E-mail - writestories315@yahoo.com
Rating - G
Classification
- S, R
Spoilers - who knows
Disclaimer - If I owned them do you think I'd be a history teacher?
Summary - Good idea, bad helper.
Author's Notes - Thanks to Dae for Beta-reading.
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Wednesday February 14
11:34 AM
"Why are we here?" Harm asked Sturgis as they walked through the mall on Valentine's Day.
"I need to pick up Bobbie's Valentine's Day gift," Sturgis said.
"You told me you were taking me to lunch," Harm paused as he and Sturgis passed by two young women, who checked the two officers out. "Only morons go shopping for their girlfriends on Valentine's Day."
"I promise you lunch after I pick up Bobbies gift." Sturgis looked at Harm. "Besides you've been seeing someone and I figured that you probably haven't done your shopping yet."
"What would give you the impression that I'm seeing someone?" Harm asked as they walked into a jewelry store.
"The fact that you've been busy most nights and a certain look on your face lately," Sturgis said as a sales clerk approached them.
"I don't know where you get your delusions, Sturgis."
Sturgis chuckled at Harm as the sales clerk started to help him. Harm watched as Sturgis looked at a very nice gold necklace and heart pendant. Harm then started to look around at the different displays. After a few minutes he found himself standing in front of a display of engagement rings. One ring in particular grabbed his attention. It was a gold band that had a princess cut diamond in its center and on both sides were dark colored rubies.
A saleswoman was watching Harm and noticed he was staring at the ring. "Can I help you, Sir?" she asked.
Harm looked at the saleswoman and found himself slightly embarrassed. "Yes, I'd like to see that ring."
"Certainly, Sir." She unlocked the display case and took it out. "It's a very beautiful ring, Sir."
Harm looked at the ring as he held it in his hands. "It is."
"It's handmade. The diamond is one and half carats and the rubies are one carat altogether."
Sturgis walked over to Harm and let out a low whistle when he saw the ring in Harm's hand. "Nice ring, Harm."
"You don't think it's too much?" Harm asked as he looked briefly at Sturgis.
"Not for the right girl," Sturgis said, thinking Harm would let him in on the secret.
Harm looked at the saleswoman. "What size is it?"
"It's a five. We can size it for you," she told him with a smile, knowing that from the cost of this ring she was going to make a good commission.
Harm smiled, "No, it's." He looked at the small price tag that was hanging off the ring. "A little more then I wanted to spend today."
"We have lay-a-way," the saleswoman stated.
"I won't be needing it. I'll take it."
"Wonderful, Sir, let me just ring you up," she said with a smile that went from ear to ear.
Sturgis looked at Harm with a face of complete shock. "You're buying an engagement ring."
"Yeah."
"For whom?"
"The woman I'm going to marry," Harm said as he handed the saleswoman his credit card.
Sturgis just stood there and watched as Harm paid for the ring. Once Harm had finished paying he took the small bag from the saleswoman and looked at Sturgis. "You still owe me lunch."
"You still have to tell me who this woman is," Sturgis said as they walked out of the store.
"Lunch and I might tell you," Harm said.
"Okay," Sturgis said as they walked out of the mall.
JAG
6:12 PM
"I need you to do me a favor," Harm said as he walked into Sturgis' office.
"What is it?" Sturgis asked as he put his coat on. "And it better be legal because I have a date with Bobbie tonight."
"I need you to hold onto the ring for me."
"Why?"
"I'm nervous that she'll find it."
Sturgis gave him an odd look. "When are you going to ask her?"
"This weekend."
"And when are you going to tell me her name?"
Harm smiled as he handed Sturgis the bag with the ring in it. "When she says yes."
"Fine," Sturgis said taking the bag.
"Thanks. Have fun with Bobbie tonight."
"See you tomorrow," Sturgis said then he left the office.
Sturgis' Apartment
10:23 PM
"I had a wonderful time," Bobbie said as she and Sturgis walked into his apartment.
"I thought you might like the restaurant." Sturgis helped Bobbie out of her coat. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"
Bobbie smiled at him and dropped the level of her voice slightly. "If I didn't know any better I would say you were flirting with me, Commander."
"Maybe I am." Sturgis gave her a kiss on the cheek. Then they walked into the living room. "I got something for you," Sturgis said as they sat down on the couch. He then handed her the small bag from the jewelry store.
Bobbie looked at the bag. "Jewelry, good choice." She opened the bag and pulled out a small box.
Sturgis looked at the box and quickly realized that he gave the wrong bag. He gave her Harm's bag. He was about to say something but it was too late. Bobbie had opened the ring box. "Sturgis," She softly said. "It's… it's… gorgeous."
"Umm… Bobbie, there's something I have to tell you." Sturgis said, surprised he found his voice while his heart was rapidly pounding in his chest.
"You don't need to tell me," Bobbie said as she took the ring out of the box. She looked Sturgis in the eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you." Bobbie then grabbed Sturgis and hugged him tightly as tears fell down her face. Sturgis just sat there stunned, thinking 'Harm's going to kill me.'
Bobbie released him and Sturgis watched as she put the ring on her finger. "It's a little tight. But we can get that fixed later."
"Bobbie."
"Yes." She smiled and her eyes filled with love.
"About the ring..." he started but stopped when Bobbie started to run her hand down the front of his chest and started to unbutton his shirt.
"It's beautiful, Sturgis." She moved closer to him. "And I want to show you how much I love it and you." Then she kissed him passionately on the lips.
Sturgis kissed her back and quickly forgot what he was going to tell her.
Harm's Apartment
Same time
"You are amazing." Harm said as he sat down on the couch.
"I know." A voice replied from the kitchen.
"I think this is possibly the best Valentine's Day I've ever had." He watched her move about in the kitchen.
"You mean this isn't the best?" She teased him.
"It's working up there on being the best."
She smiled at him and walked into the living room holding a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. "Your favorite."
Harm looked at the plate then at her. "You're my favorite." He then took the plate from her hands and set it on the end table and pulled her into his arms. "I love you, Sarah."
"I love you, too," Mac settled into Harm's arms. "What would it take for this to be your best Valentine's ever?"
Harm smiled at her and kissed her temple. "For you stay here tonight."
"I would like that very much," Mac said as Harm picked up a strawberry and handed it to her.
"Good, I sleep better with you here," Harm said as he watched her bite into the strawberry. "Can I have a taste?"
"Sure." Then she leaned closer to him and lightly kissed him on lips.
"Tastes good." Harm contentedly smile as he reached for a strawberry.
Thursday February 15
JAG
8:03 AM
Sturgis walked into the bullpen with the full intention of finding Harm and telling him about the ring and Bobbie. He looked towards Harm's office and noticed the light was on but Harm was not there. "Lieutenant," Sturgis said getting Harriet's attention.
"Yes Sir," Harriet said to him in her usual cheerful voice.
"Do you know where Commander Rabb is?" Sturgis asked.
Harriet thought for a second, "I believe he had to go to the records office this morning. Why Sir?"
"What kind of mood was he in?" Sturgis asked.
"He was humming and smiling. I think he had a good Valentine's last night."
"Probably did," Sturgis said, trying not to sound nervous.
Harriet noticed Sturgis nervousness. "Sir, are you all right?"
"Fine. Just if you see Harm tell him I need to see him ASAP."
"Yes, Sir," Harriet said, then Sturgis walked into his office.
11:45 AM
Sturgis was walking out of his office when Bobbie walked into the bullpen, "Hello," she smiled at him.
"What brings you around these parts?" Sturgis asked.
"I thought I would take you out to lunch." Bobbie then touched his arm lightly and the light reflected off of the ring.
Sturgis looked towards Harm's office and saw the office was empty still. He then found himself very thankful that the bullpen was partly empty, glad that no one could see the ring. He looked back at Bobbie and smiled. "How about I treat?"
"Sure. You can drive also."
12:55 PM
Harm and Mac were walking out of the building and towards Harm's car. "Harriet said that Sturgis needed to see me. Do you know why?"
"No, I haven't seen him all morning. He and Bobbie were right there, ask him now," Mac pointed out to Harm.
Bobbie and Sturgis got out of the car and saw Harm and Mac. "Harm, Mac. How are you two?" Bobbie asked.
"Good. How are you?" Harm said with a smile.
"Fine." Bobbie brushed back a piece of hair from her face and the sun caught the diamond in the ring. As she pulled back her hand Harm and Mac looked at the ring. Harm noticed that it looked vaguely familiar, almost too familiar.
"That is a gorgeous ring," Mac said to Bobbie.
Bobbie gave Mac a full smile. "Sturgis asked me last night to marry him."
"That's wonderful, congratulations." Mac smiled happily at her friends.
"Thanks, he really surprised me with it." Bobbie held out her hand so Mac could get a better look at the ring.
Harm looked at Sturgis with his eyes nearly popping out of his head. Sturgis glanced at Bobbie and Mac to remind Harm that they were not alone. Harm quickly replaced the confused and shocked look on his face with a happily surprised look. "It's very nice, Bobbie. I knew Sturgis had good taste."
"I know he does. He asked me to marry him," Bobbie laughed and wrapped an arm around Sturgis.
"Harriet said you needed to talk to me. Mac and I are going to lunch. Can we deal with it after lunch?" Harm asked Sturgis having a good idea about what they where going to talk about.
"Sure," Sturgis said. "In fact we better let the two of you get to lunch."
"Congratulations, Bobbie." Harm said giving her a kiss on the cheek. Then he and Mac walked toward his car.
Harm and Mac got into his car and Mac watched as Sturgis walked Bobbie to her car. Mac then turned to Harm who was pulling past the guards' gate to leave. "You okay?"
"Fine," Harm said taking Mac's hand into his.
"Did you know?" Mac asked.
"No, I'm probably as surprised as you are." Harm picked Mac's hand up and kissed her hand. "I'm happy for them."
"Me too." Harm then fell silent as he drove through the lunch time traffic.
Harm finally reached the café were they were going to eat lunch. Mac touched his cheek and Harm turned to face her. She gently kissed his lips.
"I thought we were trying not kiss each other in public." Harm smiled softly at her.
"I know, you just looked like you needed it," Mac said before she got out of the car.
JAG
2:06 PM
Harm walked into Sturgis' office and closed the door behind him. Sturgis looked up knowing that there was a very high chance that Harm would kill him. "There is a very good explanation."
"There damn well better be!" Harm yelled, then he took a breath and tried to calm down.
"Last night I went to give Bobbie her gift and I accidentally gave her the wrong bag. She opened it, saw the ring, and jumped to the idea that I was proposing." Sturgis said as he moved his hand in front of himself in a nervous manner. Harm stared at his friend. "Harm, Bobbie is coming over for dinner tonight I'll tell her the truth."
Harm crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Why didn't you tell her the truth last night?"
"She was very happy when she saw the ring." Harm ran a hand over his eyes not wanting to know what Sturgis did last night. "I'll get the ring from her tonight."
"Get it to me before Bud and Harriet party tomorrow," Harm instructed.
"No problem. But I can give it to you at the party?"
"No, I need it before then."
"Why?" Sturgis asked getting a strange feeling suddenly.
"So I can return it."
"Why do you want to do that?" Sturgis questioned Harm.
Harm looked at Sturgis and tried to explain it the best way possible. "I can't give the girl who I'm going to marry a ring that one of my best friends gave accidentally to his girlfriend, who happens to be one my ex's."
"She won't know."
"Yes, she will."
Sturgis looked at Harm and tried to think about the women who had seen the ring. "Harm, the only women who have seen the ring and who know about it are Bobbie's intern, the waitress at lunch, and Mac."
"Just get me the ring." Harm then started to move towards the door.
"Oh my God! You're dating Mac!" Sturgis realized with a shocked expression on his face.
Harm turned around and looked at Sturgis who was still in shock at his realization. "Can you keep it down? I don't think the President heard you."
"When did that start?" Sturgis said calming himself down.
"Does it matter?"
"Yeah, I've got days in the dating pool." Sturgis shook his head.
Harm laughed slightly. "New Year Eve."
Sturgis just smiled. "I knew there was someone."
"Well, I want her to be more than a someone. But I need the ring in order to do that."
"You'll get the ring first thing in the morning. I promise," Sturgis reassured his friend.
"Good, just do me a favor."
"Don't tell anyone about you and Mac," Sturgis said for him.
"Thanks." Harm opened the door and walked out of Sturgis' office.
Sturgis' Apartment
7:32 PM
"I was thinking about when we should get married," Bobbie said as she sat across from Sturgis at his dining room table.
Sturgis knew it was now or never. "Bobbie, I need to tell you something."
"What?"
Sturgis knew that she wasn't going to be happy. "I didn't mean to give you that ring."
"What?" Bobbie asked as she stared at Sturgis with complete and utter shock and disbelief.
End of Part 1