Disclaimer: JAG belongs to DPB, Paramount, CBS et al. This is for fun, no copyright infringement is intended.
- Ladies' room, Military-Summer-Ball, Saturday evening
"You think he'll ever ask me?" Harriet sounded somewhat disappointed. Mac dried her hands with a paper towel and smiled.
"Patience, Harriet. I'm sure he will."
Harriet wasn't satisfied. "We've told mother we'll be back between nine and ten. We're running out of time."
Mac threw the paper away and looked into the mirror. Then she moved to the side and immediately the next woman took her place. The Military-Summer- Ball was a success, no doubt about it. Not only the wide ballroom and the smaller rooms connected to it were crowded but the restrooms too now. Well, as long as the speeches were over and the buffet opened she wouldn't mind. And, thank God, due to the event only male officers were ordered to wear uniforms, the women were allowed to attend in much more eye-catching outfits.
"He will, Harriet. Besides, the real dancing has just started." She grinned. "And considering those glares Clayton's shot in his direction whenever the music has changed into a Foxtrot, he's probably getting a huge encouragement at the moment."
Harriet giggled.
- The ballroom, almost the same time
"For heaven's sake, Bud! Ask her!" Webb bent over the empty chair to his left while Chegwidden and his fiancée argued how many musicians they'd need for their wedding.
Bud gulped nervously. He had no look for the colorful mixture of gala uniforms, tuxedos and evening gowns creating the impression of a Cinderella- ball late at night. The bright electrical light intensified this even more because heavy curtains in front of the windows blocked the last evening sunlight.
"And - and if she can't?"
Webb frowned. "Can't what? Wait a minute! You've said she can dance!" His voice rose a little. With a dangerous growl.
"Yes," Bud hissed back, "But what if she can't follow my lead? Maybe she doesn't know the patterns you've shown me?"
Webb was about to give a sharp reply but swallowed it down when he saw Mac and Harriet return from the ladies' room. Just this moment the music changed into a Foxtrot again. Webb glanced at Bud who was literally frozen in his chair, a classical deer-caught-in-headlight look in his eyes, and got up, cursing under his breath.
"Excuse me, Mac. Harriet, would you like to dance with me?" Ignoring the startled Mac he practically dragged Harriet to the dance floor. Not only Bud but also a stunned Chegwidden, Meredith and Sturgis followed them with their eyes.
A not less startled Harriet found herself suddenly in a firm but expert grip and moving across the polished parquet. Despite her surprise she soon enjoyed dancing with such a good partner. It had been a long time since she had had this pleasure. Webb's lead was gentle but clear and unmistakable as he guided her quickly through the main patterns of the Foxtrot.
"You're really as good a dancer as it looked like when you -" She stopped herself the last second. "- danced with the Colonel."
"Thank you, Harriet. You're quite a good dancer yourself."
They moved in silence again. Webb thought about Mac. She had warned him that she wasn't big in ballroom dancing but even if she didn't know that much patterns, it had been wonderful to dance with her. Of course just the act of holding her in his arms was worth anything but she also had a lot of potential to go with. He couldn't help thinking of the fun it would be to teach her more. He sighed absent-mindedly. They were on speaking terms again but the tension of Monday was still hanging between them.
"She deserves to know." Harriet's voice shook him out of his thoughts. He almost missed a step and was surprised enough to give up the correct look- to-the-left position of his head and stare at her profile. She glanced up into his eyes and then looked over his shoulder again. "If you really want this ... don't lock her out."
His hand tightened a bit. It took almost a full circle around the dance floor until she realized that he would never give an answer. But she wasn't ready to drop the topic. Not now. For the sake of both of them.
"She told me about Monday. About her question. And your answer. She deserves better than that." The Foxtrot ended and Webb released her out of his arms. "I haven't said anything. And she deserves better than that too."
Webb held her gaze then looked away. "I know that."
"To know is sometimes not enough."
Webb met her eyes again. And for the second time in her life she saw this small ironic smile directed at himself.
"Yes, Ma'am," he stated in a gently mocking tone. He listened for a moment. "You're up to a Vienna Waltz?"
She smiled and took position, accepting his peace offering in the same silent manner it had been given. "Of course, Mister Webb."
Webb had to admit that not only Harriet was out of breath as they walked back to the table. They had added a Cha-Cha-Cha to the Vienna Waltz and both of them had enjoyed every second of it. He held her chair and took the opportunity to bring his lips to Bud's ear.
"She knows!" His hiss didn't seem to ease Bud's tension.
But Webb was lost too deep in his own thoughts to spend much time or pity on the Lieutenant. Harriet's words had hit a nerve. Unsure of what to do he avoided Mac's eyes and reached for his glass instead, taking his time to sip at the water. His gaze swept through the room ... and his hand stopped in midair.
Mac more felt than saw his body tense. An expression she wasn't able to interpret flickered over his face. The next second he nodded, smiled and lifted the glass in a sort of salute. Frowning she craned her neck and followed his gaze. Her frown deepened when she saw a tall woman in a wonderful shoulder-free dress answer his smile. Short blond hair at the brink of brown framed a nice but not extraordinary beautiful face. Then the blue eyes of the woman met for a second Mac's brown ones and her smile, again addressed to Webb, grew brighter before she continued on her way through the tables.
Looking back at Webb Mac opened her mouth but before she was able to ask he jumped and searched with his free hand in his jacket. Pulling out a vibrating cell phone he glanced at the display and sighed.
"Excuse me. Just a second."
Mac rolled her eyes but said nothing as he got up and walked to a quiet corner. Then it was her turn to sigh. Seeing him and Harriet dance together had had ... a strange effect on her. She couldn't be jealous, now could she? No. Impossible. But there was this disturbing feeling that Harriet was a much better dancing partner for him than she was. And what was more, seeing them dance together had reminded her of the talk she had had with Harriet in the car... And the secret she and Webb seemed to share.
Again she looked at him. He was talking quickly, nodding from time to time and once or twice shaking his head. Suddenly he looked up and made subtle pushing gestures with his hand and head. Mac was a little confused until she realized he wasn't looking at her. And that the music had changed into a Foxtrot again. She suppressed a giggle while her gaze shot back to Bud.
Bud gulped hard as Webb narrowed his eyes at him. What was more, the man had obviously finished his call and shoved the cell phone back into his pocket. No more excuses. Taking a deep breath Bud faced his wife.
"Harriet?"
"Yes, Bud?" Harriet tried to hold the excitement out of her voice.
"Harriet, w-would you..." Bud could feel his determination waver. Suddenly he was sweating.
"Yes?"
"Would you..." His gaze fell onto her nearly empty glass. "... like another drink?"
He didn't wait for an answer. Jumping up he grabbed her glass together with his own and practically fled. Harriet sighed disappointed and exchanged a look with Mac. Mac shrugged.
Behind their backs Bud breathed in relieve - and stopped dead in his tracks after just a few steps. Almost nose to nose with Clayton Webb who had crossed the room in a flash and was now very effectively blocking his way. With a dangerous expression on his face. Bud gulped once more.
Without ever taking his eyes of Bud Webb reached out, picked the glassed out of his hands, handed them a startled Mantoni who was just about to pass them, grabbed Bud's shoulders, spun him around and pushed him rather violently back into Harriet's direction.
Bud stumbled forward then regained his balance. Harriet and Mac looked up as he cleared his throat.
"Ah - uh - hello, Harriet."
"Hello, Bud." Harriet tried to smile as encouragingly as possible.
"H-Harriet, w-would you..." Bud could feel Webb's glare burning a hole in the back of his uniform. "W-would you like to ... dancewithme?" he finished in a rush.
Harriet nodded, she was fighting against tears. "Yes, Bud. I'd be delighted."
Bud smiled nervously and offered his arm. Webb followed them to the dance floor, leaving behind a speechless Mantoni who glanced back and forth between the glasses in his hands and Webb's retreating back.
Reaching the dance floor destroyed the last remains of Bud's self- confidence. With shaking hands he managed to take Harriet into his arms but then his eyes searched for Webb, panic clearly visible on his face. Webb shook his head, rested the right elbow on his other arm and tapped the beat against his chin. Bud stared like hypnotized at his finger, started nodding together with it, counted ... and stormed into the first step.
Webb grimaced and squeezed his eyes shut. When there was no scream he blinked carefully. Harriet had somehow avoided Bud's foot - at least he had started with the left one - and the couple was moving stiffly over the dance floor. Groaning Webb covered his face with his hand.
Meanwhile Bud counted desperately his steps. All he could think of was to make no mistakes. And not to step on Harriet's foot. Occupied like that he needed quite some time to realize how good it felt to hold her in his arms. It was definitely different than dancing with Webb or Karen. And it felt good. Very good. Harriet was following his lead so easy and natural... and she was smiling so proudly. His heart jumped as did the level of his self-confidence. In fact it jumped so high that he decided to try a right- hand-turn.
From the side Webb watched the turn - not by the book but nicely corrected - and allowed himself a satisfied nod. To his relief the Lieutenant was relaxing more and more and was finally going with the music instead of mechanically putting one foot in front of the other. Maybe these past two evenings hadn't been a waste of time after all.
He suddenly felt a peck on his cheek. Turning his head he found Mac smiling at him.
"That was very, very kind of you," she whispered. "They're such a wonderful couple. But your poor foot."
It dawned on him. "You've known?"
She nodded, biting her lip.
He raised his brows. "And she's known too?"
"You don't really think Bud can keep a secret from Harriet?" Mac's inner laughter sparkled in her eyes and voice. "He acted so suspiciously that we followed him yesterday."
Webb snorted then chuckled. "Just don't think too highly of me. It has been blackmail, pure and simple."
Mac slipped an arm around his waist. "It doesn't matter. You've done it." She glanced at the dance floor. "Are we going to join them?"
She was so close to him he could smell her perfume. And suddenly he grew serious. No more excuses. Mac felt the change in his mood and looked at him in a silent question.
"Sarah ... I want to show you something." Webb looked around. "I know it's not the best timing but ... I really want to show you something. We can come back afterwards if you want to."
Mac saw the pleading in his eyes. She nodded slowly, not sure what he was up to. "Sure, no problem."
Webb led her to the entrance. In the doorway he turned back one last time and across the room and the people Harriet caught his eye. She mouthed a 'thank you' over Bud's shoulder. Webb's lips curled up into a smile. He bowed his head and tapped the brim of an imaginary hat. Then her view was blocked by other dancers and when she was able to see the entrance again he and the Colonel were gone.
Harriet sighed and glanced up to Bud.
"You know, it may sound like a cliché but ... you really are my favorite dancer, Bud."
Bud beamed. "Yes, it sounds like a cliché - but I love it nevertheless."
"I love you, Bud," Harriet whispered back.
Bud said nothing - with that broad grin on his face it wasn't necessary anyway. So he pulled her just a little bit closer and swung her into a right-hand-turn.