Moms, Guns, and Diapers Part 13/17
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information
CIA Headquarters
8:25 PM
Harm, Mac, Webb, and Kersh were sitting in the conference room. The same room they had been in since two when they arrived at Langley. Kersh was asking Mac a question when Harm's cell-phone rang.
"Turn that thing off," Webb said.
Harm glanced at the face of the phone then glared at Webb. "It's my mother. I'm taking the call." He stood up before Webb or Kersh would complain and walked out the door. "Hello."
{"Harmon, it's me," Trish said over the line.}
"I figured that out, Mom," Harm softly said as he felt some of the day's stress roll off his shoulders.
{"I just wanted you and Mac to know I'm at my hotel with Jimmy. He's just such a darling."}
"I know, Mom."
{Trish laughed slightly. "I left dinner for the two of you in the fridge. She does like London Broil, right?"}
"Mac loves red meet."
{"Well, it's in there along with some side dishes and dessert. I also had a small fire going, it was simmering out as I left."}
"Okay, Mom," Harm said as the conference room door opened and Webb, Kersh, and Mac walked out. Mac was holding his coat and cover. "I'll call you tomorrow."
{"Okay, dear. Give Mac my love and I love you, too. Bye."}
"I love you, too, bye." Harm hit the 'end' button and placed the phone back in his pocket. "Are we done?" He smiled a thank-you to Mac as he put his coat on.
Kersh took a deep breath. "For now. I'd like to talk more with both of you in the morning."
Mac closed her eyes for a few seconds, wishing this day was over. Harm noticed her body language and how tired she looked. He walked over to her and ran his hand down the center of her back to let her know he was there for her. "Just call us and we'll be here," Harm told Kersh and Webb.
Webb shook his head. "Good. I'll call AJ and tell him you won't be in."
"Thanks, Clay," Mac softly said as she relaxed into Harm's side.
Kersh looked at Mac. "It's you whom we owe the thanks, Colonel. You just rid the world of another terrorist."
"I only did what I had to do, sir," Mac told him as Harm rested his hand on her shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze. "We'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Harm said as he maneuvered himself and Mac down the hall.
Kersh looked over at Webb. "She's one hell of a woman."
"That she is, sir. That she is," Clay said as he watched Mac place her arm around Harm's waist.
Mac's Apartment
9:45 PM
"I think Mom cooked away her emotions," Harm said as he washed the last plate.
"Why do you say that?" Mac placed another Tupperware container into the fridge.
"You have enough food in there for a week," Harm laughed,
Mac chuckled as she closed the fridge door. "Well, it was delicious."
"It was," Harm looked at Mac as she just stood there in jeans and a sweatshirt. He, too, had changed once they got to her place. Harm smiled and recalled in his head when Mac told him he had a set of clothes at her place.
Mac walked over to him and took one of his hands into hers. "Can we just sit in front of the fire for a few minutes?"
Harm lightly touched her cheek with his free hand. "Anything you want to do is fine with me."
Mac smiled and they walked into the living room. Harm sat down on the couch and sighed when Mac sat next to him. His heart warmed as she rested her head on his shoulder. He brought his arms around her, so they cuddled together on the couch just watching the fire.
The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire. Harm rubbed his hand down Mac's back and held on to the precious life in his arms. He closed his eyes and thanked the powers that be for giving her to him. He stilled his hand as he noticed Mac's shoulders were shaking slightly. He looked down at the top of her head and nudged her slightly. She moved, but she held herself closer to him. This was when he felt it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, but she didn't respond. "Mac."
He gently lifted her chin and felt his heart break as he looked into her tear-filled eyes and saw the trail of tears steaming down her face. "Hey, it's okay."
Harm moved them and pulled her into a tight hug. Mac wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as if her life depended on him being there, which it did. "I'm sorry," she sobbed.
"Why?" Harm asked with his concern on his sleeve.
"I was fine, but then I heard it and I lost it."
Harm pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Heard what?"
"Your heartbeat."
"Why did it make you cry?"
Mac sniffled and Harm brushed away a few tears. "I heard it and it reminded me of how strong you are…and…and." Her voice broke.
"And what, Mac?"
"And how close I came to losing you today."
Harm smiled at her. "You didn't lose me. I'm right here." He picked up one of her hands and kissed the palm of it and rested it on his cheek.
"I know and I'm thanking whoever I need to because of that fact. I don't know what I would do without you," Mac said as another set of tears fell from her eyes.
Harm pulled her back into his arms. "I don't know what I would do without you, too."
They stayed that way for a while. Each secure in the other's arms, both crying for once. As the tears stopped falling for both of them, Mac lifted her head and looked at his face. Harm smiled at what he saw. This one look at her reminded him of why Mac is his favorite thing to look at in the world. Her eyes were red and blood shot and she was sniffling. He slowly did the only thing that felt right at this moment. He closed his eyes, leaned forward and kissed Mac. Mac's eyes shut as he softly touched her.
This kiss wasn't one of goodbye or hello, it was a kiss of love. His lips were softer then anything on hers. Her mouth responded in a kiss Harm felt all the way though his body. As he pulled back from the kiss, he opened his eyes and gazed at Mac with all the love he had for her.
She opened her eyes and smiled at the new level they had found. Harm gently gathered her in his arms. Her head rested on his shoulder and his leaned against hers. "I love you," he softly said into her ear.
Mac bit back a sob as she heard the words. "I love you," her voice was finally able to respond as it was filled with emotion.
This time as they held onto each other they both knew everything was right with them and they were in the one place they wanted to be forever. Harm gently leaned against the back of the couch and Mac snuggled into his chest. They both closed their eyes and let the day's events slip past them them as they drifted off to sleep.
End of Part 13