Grocery Store Somewhere in D.C.

"So, Mac, how are things?" Harm asked, as they strolled down the bread aisle.

"What things?"

"Just things I haven't talked to you about something that wasn't work related in I don't know how long."

"Things are good, Harm." She said, looking at him.

They walked companionably down the aisles, occasionally tossing things in the basket.

"Do you think I can do it, Mac?" Harm asked, breaking the silence.

Man knew what he was talking about, but she didn't truly know how to answer. So she went with what she thought he wanted to hear. "Of course I think you can do it, Harm. Mattie already loves you, that much is clear."

"Thanks. But now how about telling me what you really think instead of what you think I want to hear."

Mac smiled. She'd forgotten that he knew her and could read her like nobody else could. "Harm, I meant what I said in that courtroom. You're going to make a great father; not just to Mattie, but to your future children as well. Do I think it's going to be a challenge? Yes, only because you're not used to taking care of anybody other than yourself. But I know you will do your best."

Harm quietly absorbed her words. It struck him that, even though she didn't say it, she trusted him. And that spoke volumes for him. It meant they were getting back on the right track. They had spent so long on the wrong track, he had started thinking they'd never be more than professional colleagues. But that looked like it was changing now. After she'd come to the courthouse and said what she did to the judge he'd begun thinking about his behavior towards her in the previous months. When he reflected back, he was horrified at the way he'd treated her. He had made a vow to himself that no matter what happens in the future he would never treat her like that again. And while he was reflecting, he had realized that he never actually thanked her for helping with Mattie. He wasn't exactly sure how to go about thanking her. Simply saying thank you didn't seem like enough. But, he thought it might be a good place to start.

When they finally decided they had enough food, they headed to the check- out line.

"Thank you, Mac." Harm said quietly, interrupting the silence that hung between them.

Mac turned to him and asked, "For what?"

"I was thinking, and I realized that I never really, truly thanked you for helping me with Mattie's case. And I realize that simply saying thank-you isn't enough. But I figured it was a good place to start." Harm said, looking directly into her eyes.

"You're welcome, Harm. Regardless of what you might think it makes me happy to see you happy."

"I know. And the same goes for me."

Mac seemed to consider this for a minute, before asking, "Is that why you've done the things you've done in the past?"

They reached the register before Harm could answer so Mac figured he was using this opportunity to back out of the conversation because it was getting too personal. They were silent the entire time the person was ringing up their food and they were silent the entire ride home. It wasn't an awkward silence; it was more of a still silence. They were both lost in their own thoughts and didn't realize they were home until Harm shut off the engine.

"Thanks for coming with me, Mac."

"No problem, Harm. It's what friends do." Mac said, grabbing some of the bags.

"Friends, right." Harm mumbled under his breath before grabbing the remaining bags and following her up the stairs.

When they reached the apartment Harm decided that he would have his own private dinner with Mac. They'd gotten some TV dinners, so he wouldn't have to worry about Mattie and Jen. When they entered the apartment they found Mattie and Jen both asleep on the couch in front of the TV.

"Well, guess I won't be having to cook for four tonight." Harm whispered.

Mac laughed lightly and said, "How about we put the food away and go back to your place and eat. They look like they had a big day."

"You read my mind." Harm stated simply.