TITLE: A Jag Thanksgiving
AUTHOR: Jag_Pixie
EMAIL: Pixie4@charter.net
RATING: G
CLASSIFICATION: Story, R
**** Part 2 ****
Mac dropped her hand from the door handle, suddenly feeling awkward. If she went inside now, it would look like she was avoiding him, but if she stayed, what would they talk about? She turned, and went back to the porch swing, curling her legs under her and hugging herself as she became aware all at once that she felt cold. Noticing, Harm removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders in a manner reminiscent of another time on another porch. She smiled her gratitude at him and he sat down next to her, careful to keep some distance between them. For a long time, they were both quiet, neither wanting to be the first to break the silence.
"I blew it, didn't I," she finally said quietly. Harm looked at her quizzically.
"Blew what?"
"Our friendship."
Harm didn't answer for a long time, and she began to be afraid that he never would.
"I don't know," he said, finally. "I'm not sure I know how to be friends with you anymore." His honesty was painful, and yet Mac knew they needed to talk about this. To keep avoiding it would end any slim chance they might still have to work things out
between them.
"I'm sorry," she said after a minute.
Harm looked at her in surprise.
"I thought you were the one who said never to say you're sorry. I remember you saying something about it being a sign of weakness."
"You're right. I did say that, but I also know that I was wrong to say what I did in Paraguay. I was exhausted, and emotionally drained, and I just reacted." Mac shrugged her shoulders in exasperation. "And now it sounds like I'm making excuses for myself. Look. I was out of line. I know it. I admit it, and I'm trying to apologize for it. Can't we just move on?"
Harm was quiet again, moving the swing gently back and forth with his foot. High overhead, the geese called to each other as they made their way south, and for a brief moment, Mac wished she could go with them. Part of her just wanted to leave this whole painful situation behind her and start fresh someplace warm and sunny, but a bigger part refused to give up on the possibility of what might yet come to be between her and Harm. So she waited quietly, hoping that his answer would not shatter the fragile bond that still existed between them. When his answer finally came, it was so quiet that she almost missed it.
"I'd like that." He said. He paused, considering his next words. "I don't know what this thing is between us. I've tried to define it so many times, but each time I try, I just end up talking myself in circles. I don't know what we have, or what we could have, but I do know that I'm not ready to give up on whatever it is just because we've been going through some tough times. We've both said some pretty terrible things over the past months. Maybe we should try to put all of that behind us. I'd like to start fresh and see if we can get our friendship back. What do you say? Are you willing to give it a try?"
Mac sighed in relief. She knew they had a long road ahead of them, and that they would both have to work hard if they wanted any chance together at all, but she also knew that she wanted that chance desperately, and she was grateful to Harm for giving it to her. She leaned against him, and his arm came around her as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Yes," she said softly. "I'm willing to try." A welcome feeling of peace descended upon the two as they swung gently back and forth and enjoyed the warmth and comfort of renewed companionship. Minutes ticked by, both a little surprised at how easy it had been to put their hurt feelings behind them, neither feeling a need to break the silence. The front door opened then, and Mac straightened quickly away from Harm. She wasn't quick enough though, and a speculative gleam appeared in Mattie's eye as she spied the two of them.
"Hey, you two. Harriet sent me to find you and tell you that dinner is just about ready."
"We'll be right in." Harm answered, deliberately ignoring the questions he knew Mattie was dying to ask. Taking the hint, Mattie ducked back inside, closing the door behind her. Harm stood, holding out a hand to Mac to help her up. Mac marveled at the gentle strength that communicated itself to her through his grip. She stood, smiling at him.
"You know," she said, "Sometime you're going to have to tell me where you found that girl."
He smiled. "It's kind of a long story," he said. "Are you sure you have time?"
"Absolutely," she answered, and together they went into the house. They stopped to wash their hands, moving on to the dining room to find most of the JAG staff already assembled. Mac went to the kitchen to help Harriet bring out the serving platters, and Harm stopped to talk with Sturgis about the game. In short order, the food was served, and she found herself sitting across from Harm at the laden table. Bud cleared his throat, and the conversation quieted, all eyes turning to their host.
"This year seems to have had more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Disney," he said, and there were nods from those assembled. Harm met Mac's eyes with a slight smile. Bud went on, "I thought it might be nice if we took a moment to think about the things that have happened and maybe offer thanks for any event that touched you deeply. For myself, I would like to start by thanking God, and Harriet, for a second wonderful son."
On cue, Jimmy started to howl from his portable cradle, and Harriet stood to get him. Bud stopped her. "I've got him. You relax. You've earned it." Harriet sat back down, looking grateful. The admiral cleared his throat.
"I'll go next," he said, his eyes meeting Meredith's. "I'm thankful that Meredith worked up the nerve to ask me to marry her." At that, the table erupted into laughter, all those present having heard the story of the admiral's aborted attempts to propose.
Meredith raised her glass in a toast.
"To Tiner, and Dammit, and good intentions."
Around the table, cheers erupted, and glasses clinked in celebration. Sturgis rose from his seat, and everybody quieted to hear what he had to say.
"I know I haven't exactly been easy to be around lately." He looked around the table, his eyes meeting Bud's. "I just want to apologize for being such a jerk, and to tell each of you how much your friendship has meant to me as I work through a difficult time." He sat back down, and Bud reached across the table to shake his hand. Sturgis offered a tentative smile, and all present realized that a truce had been struck.
Jen Coates was next, and she grinned at the admiral as she started to speak.
"I'm thankful that the admiral hasn't brought me up on charges of insubordination." She said.
"Yet," said the admiral. Everybody laughed again, and Jen sat down, smiling broadly.
Mattie stood next, and she looked around the table uncertainly before her eyes came to rest on Harm, who smiled at her encouragingly.
"You all seem so much like a family, and even though I've only just met most of you, I feel like I belong somehow." She paused for a drink of water, and then went on. "I've been on my own for a long time, and I'm not sure if I remember how to do this, but here goes. First, I want to thank Harm for coming to work for me." At this, all eyes turned to Harm in surprise.
Mattie went on. "If he hadn't come to Grace Aviation that day, I never would have met all of you, and I would still be struggling along by myself. Harm has shown me that, at fifteen, there are still a lot of dreams out there for me to chase. Thank you for that, Harm. Thank you for giving me back my future." Her eyes filled with grateful tears, and Harm reached to put a gentle hand on her arm. "I also want to thank each of you for welcoming me here tonight and sharing your holiday with me." She sat down quickly then, silently cursing the tears that filled her eyes and hoping nobody had noticed them.
Harriet, ever the alert hostess, was immediately aware of her guest's desire not to be the center of attention, and rose to her feet.
"I'm thankful for my family, and my friends, and the fact that every time my life seems about to settle down to a dull routine, God throws a monkey wrench into things just to see what'll happen." There were chuckles around the table, as everybody thought of the USO project Harriet was organizing. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they also knew that if anybody could pull it off, Harriet would be the one.
Silence settled around the table then, and Harm decided it was his turn. He stood, taking time to meet the eyes of each of his friends around the table, settling at last on Mac's.
"I could probably stand here for an hour and talk about the things that I'm grateful for, but I suspect some of you are getting hungry, and Harriet will probably kill me if I let her dinner get cold, so I'll make it quick."
Laughter greeted his comment, and Harriet's "You'd better believe it" evoked even more hilarity.
Harm paused to let the laugher die down, and then went on. "I'm glad I went to Paraguay, even though it cost me my job. If I hadn't, and something terrible had happened, I never would have been able to forgive myself. I'm also glad I had the opportunity to work for the CIA for a while, if only to realize once and for all that it's not the right life for me. I'm grateful to Mattie for giving me an opportunity to work for her at Grace Aviation. Crop dusting gave me an opportunity to slow down for a while and think about where my life was going and where I want it to go. And finally, I'm grateful that I got the opportunity to return to JAG. This is my home. You people have become my family, and it feels good to be back." At this last, cheers erupted around the table, and Harm sat down with an embarrassed grin.
Mac knew it was her turn, and decided to keep it simple. She stood, looking around the table as Harm had done, careful to meet everybody's eyes. Also as Harm had done, she ended by meeting his eyes. Looking deeply into them and ignoring the questioning glances exchanged by the others, she raised her glass.
"To friendship," she said.
"Hear hear," said the others, and all around her, glasses clinked in another toast. Then, a small voice from the end of the table piped up.
"Mommy? Can we eat now? I'm starving!"
"Good idea, son," answered Bud, standing to carve the turkey. The others passed dishes laden with potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. As Mac passed Harm a basket of dinner rolls, their fingers brushed, and she looked up to see him smiling at her warmly. Separate conversations started up around the table, and the friends broke bread together in the manner of friends and families around the country.
It was a long time later when, the meal over, everybody leaned back in their chairs, satisfied and sleepy. Meredith offered to serve her home-made pumpkin pie, but the others were quick to assure her that they were stuffed and couldn't possibly eat another bite for at least a few hours. Besides, another football game was about to start. Hadn't they better get the dishes cleaned up so they could all enjoy the game together? Everybody stood and began clearing the table. With the help of so many hands, the job was quickly done, and most of the group adjourned to the den to watch the football game.
Mac stayed with Harriet to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in the sparkling kitchen. While they waited for it to brew, Harriet took Jimmy to the nursery, where she changed him and gave him a bottle before laying him down in his crib to sleep. Mac got out some coloring books for A.J. to work on at the kitchen table. When Harriet came back from putting the baby to bed, she poured them each a mug of fresh coffee and they sat down to talk.
"So, tell me," Harriet said, her tone dripping with curiosity.
"Tell you what?"
"What's going on with you and the Commander?" Harriet wasn't about to let Mac dodge this one.
"There's nothing going on."
"The last I heard, you two were at each other's throats. Tonight at dinner, all that had changed. What happened?" Harriet was determined to hear the story. She only wanted the best for her friends. Mac knew that, but sometimes she wished Harriet didn't want it quite so desperately.
"We just talked. I think we worked some things out. We'll have to see." Mac changed the subject then, asking about the kids. Like most mothers, Harriet was happy to talk about her children, and the two women chatted for a long time. Finally, Harriet noticed that A.J. was rubbing his eyes, and she took him off to give him his bath and get him ready for bed.
Mac wandered back to the den. The game was almost over, and it looked like the Dolphins were going to win this one. Mac settled down on the floor to watch the rest, leaning her head back against the couch. Harm was sitting behind her, and she was surprised to feel his hand gently caress the back of her head. She turned to look at him, but his attention was on the TV and he appeared unaware of what he was doing.
She decided not to question it, and settled in to watch the rest of the game, enjoying the new closeness between them and wondering where it might lead. She knew that Harm was too much of a gentleman to offer anything other than friendship as long as he thought she was involved with Webb. She would tell him, when the time was right, that she hadn't seen Webb in months, and wasn't really interested in pursuing a relationship with him.
Eventually, the game ended, and Mac realized it was time to say her goodbyes to her hosts. It had been a wonderful day, and she had much to be thankful for. She began to make the rounds, saying her goodbyes and thanking Bud and Harriet for a delightful afternoon and evening. Soon she found herself standing at the door, laden with leftovers, ready to head out into the cold night. She was reaching for the doorknob, when Harm stopped her.
"Wait just a minute, and I'll walk out with you," he said. He shrugged into his coat and took his package of leftovers from Harriet. They both thanked Harriet and Bud one more time, and then they were out the door and walking to their cars. They reached hers first, and Harm held her package of leftovers for her while she unlocked her doors. She took the package back and set it carefully on the passenger seat, turning in time to catch a thoughtful expression on his face.
"What?"
"How do you feel about stopping someplace for a cup of coffee before going home?"
"What about Mattie? Didn't she come with you?"
Harm laughed. "She came with me, but apparently she wants to go with Jen. I think they're going have some kind of slumber party. Jen promised me she'd bring Mattie over to my place first thing in the morning."
Mac hesitated for only a moment before making her decision.
"Sure," she said. "I'll follow you."
Twenty minutes later, they were settled in a cozy diner midway between their two apartments. Mac warmed her hands over her mug, smiling when she noticed Harm doing the same thing.
"It's cold out there tonight," she said.
"Yes. It's nice in here, though."
Mac took a sip of her coffee, waiting for Harm to speak next. Coming here had been his idea, and she was curious to hear what was on his mind.
"Can I ask you a question without you dumping your coffee in my lap?" he finally asked.
She smiled and crossed her heart playfully, earning a grin in response.
"I promise not to throw anything... or dump anything, either."
"Are you...?" he hesitated.
"Am I what?"
"Are you still involved with Webb?" he finally asked.
"Harm..." She said, exasperated. "I thought you knew me."
"Once, I thought I did. I'm not so sure anymore."
That saddened Mac, and she was quiet for a few minutes, stirring her coffee absently while she thought once again about how badly they had managed to damage their relationship during the past year.
"No," she finally said. "I never really was involved with him. I just...I don't know. In that situation, and those circumstances, I guess it was just nice to have somebody who was able to tell me what he wanted and do something about it." She paused, considering a moment and then continued. "I don't think I could ever really fall for Webb. There's just something about him that I don't quite trust."
She watched Harm visibly relax and knew that he had been jealous. Now was not the time to address that issue though, and she changed the subject.
They talked for a long time about anything and everything. He told her about some of what he had done with the CIA, and about Mattie and Grace Aviation. They talked about Sturgis and his odd behavior of late and she told him about the admiral's grim moods. They shared a chuckle over Jen Coates' struggles to adapt to the Admiral's strict disciplinary code and laughed about Bud's sneaky approach to naming his new son over the captain of a fictitious starship.
Before they knew it, the waitress was standing by their table telling them it was closing time, and they realized they were the only ones still in the small shop. Harm paid the bill, and they left, Harm holding the door for her on the way out. Mac knew that it was old fashioned, but she loved the considerate treatment, and she smiled at him as she passed. All too soon, they stood by her car, and Mac searched for a way to keep the evening from being over. It had been a perfect day. She finally felt that she and Harm were going to be ok, and she was so happy and relieved she felt like dancing. She didn't, though, settling instead for placing a light hand on his arm and looking up into his eyes.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For...everything."
Harm seemed to understand, and leaning down he kissed her gently before pulling her into a hug.
"You're welcome," he whispered, close to her ear. He waited until she was in the car with the doors locked and the engine running before he went back to his Lexus. As the two cars pulled out of the deserted parking lot, his turning to the left, and hers to the right, both occupants were smiling. Their friendship was finally back on track, and maybe, if they were very very careful and very very lucky, they would be able to nurture it until it grew into something wonderful.
AUTHOR: Jag_Pixie
EMAIL: Pixie4@charter.net
RATING: G
CLASSIFICATION: Story, R
**** Part 2 ****
Mac dropped her hand from the door handle, suddenly feeling awkward. If she went inside now, it would look like she was avoiding him, but if she stayed, what would they talk about? She turned, and went back to the porch swing, curling her legs under her and hugging herself as she became aware all at once that she felt cold. Noticing, Harm removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders in a manner reminiscent of another time on another porch. She smiled her gratitude at him and he sat down next to her, careful to keep some distance between them. For a long time, they were both quiet, neither wanting to be the first to break the silence.
"I blew it, didn't I," she finally said quietly. Harm looked at her quizzically.
"Blew what?"
"Our friendship."
Harm didn't answer for a long time, and she began to be afraid that he never would.
"I don't know," he said, finally. "I'm not sure I know how to be friends with you anymore." His honesty was painful, and yet Mac knew they needed to talk about this. To keep avoiding it would end any slim chance they might still have to work things out
between them.
"I'm sorry," she said after a minute.
Harm looked at her in surprise.
"I thought you were the one who said never to say you're sorry. I remember you saying something about it being a sign of weakness."
"You're right. I did say that, but I also know that I was wrong to say what I did in Paraguay. I was exhausted, and emotionally drained, and I just reacted." Mac shrugged her shoulders in exasperation. "And now it sounds like I'm making excuses for myself. Look. I was out of line. I know it. I admit it, and I'm trying to apologize for it. Can't we just move on?"
Harm was quiet again, moving the swing gently back and forth with his foot. High overhead, the geese called to each other as they made their way south, and for a brief moment, Mac wished she could go with them. Part of her just wanted to leave this whole painful situation behind her and start fresh someplace warm and sunny, but a bigger part refused to give up on the possibility of what might yet come to be between her and Harm. So she waited quietly, hoping that his answer would not shatter the fragile bond that still existed between them. When his answer finally came, it was so quiet that she almost missed it.
"I'd like that." He said. He paused, considering his next words. "I don't know what this thing is between us. I've tried to define it so many times, but each time I try, I just end up talking myself in circles. I don't know what we have, or what we could have, but I do know that I'm not ready to give up on whatever it is just because we've been going through some tough times. We've both said some pretty terrible things over the past months. Maybe we should try to put all of that behind us. I'd like to start fresh and see if we can get our friendship back. What do you say? Are you willing to give it a try?"
Mac sighed in relief. She knew they had a long road ahead of them, and that they would both have to work hard if they wanted any chance together at all, but she also knew that she wanted that chance desperately, and she was grateful to Harm for giving it to her. She leaned against him, and his arm came around her as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Yes," she said softly. "I'm willing to try." A welcome feeling of peace descended upon the two as they swung gently back and forth and enjoyed the warmth and comfort of renewed companionship. Minutes ticked by, both a little surprised at how easy it had been to put their hurt feelings behind them, neither feeling a need to break the silence. The front door opened then, and Mac straightened quickly away from Harm. She wasn't quick enough though, and a speculative gleam appeared in Mattie's eye as she spied the two of them.
"Hey, you two. Harriet sent me to find you and tell you that dinner is just about ready."
"We'll be right in." Harm answered, deliberately ignoring the questions he knew Mattie was dying to ask. Taking the hint, Mattie ducked back inside, closing the door behind her. Harm stood, holding out a hand to Mac to help her up. Mac marveled at the gentle strength that communicated itself to her through his grip. She stood, smiling at him.
"You know," she said, "Sometime you're going to have to tell me where you found that girl."
He smiled. "It's kind of a long story," he said. "Are you sure you have time?"
"Absolutely," she answered, and together they went into the house. They stopped to wash their hands, moving on to the dining room to find most of the JAG staff already assembled. Mac went to the kitchen to help Harriet bring out the serving platters, and Harm stopped to talk with Sturgis about the game. In short order, the food was served, and she found herself sitting across from Harm at the laden table. Bud cleared his throat, and the conversation quieted, all eyes turning to their host.
"This year seems to have had more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Disney," he said, and there were nods from those assembled. Harm met Mac's eyes with a slight smile. Bud went on, "I thought it might be nice if we took a moment to think about the things that have happened and maybe offer thanks for any event that touched you deeply. For myself, I would like to start by thanking God, and Harriet, for a second wonderful son."
On cue, Jimmy started to howl from his portable cradle, and Harriet stood to get him. Bud stopped her. "I've got him. You relax. You've earned it." Harriet sat back down, looking grateful. The admiral cleared his throat.
"I'll go next," he said, his eyes meeting Meredith's. "I'm thankful that Meredith worked up the nerve to ask me to marry her." At that, the table erupted into laughter, all those present having heard the story of the admiral's aborted attempts to propose.
Meredith raised her glass in a toast.
"To Tiner, and Dammit, and good intentions."
Around the table, cheers erupted, and glasses clinked in celebration. Sturgis rose from his seat, and everybody quieted to hear what he had to say.
"I know I haven't exactly been easy to be around lately." He looked around the table, his eyes meeting Bud's. "I just want to apologize for being such a jerk, and to tell each of you how much your friendship has meant to me as I work through a difficult time." He sat back down, and Bud reached across the table to shake his hand. Sturgis offered a tentative smile, and all present realized that a truce had been struck.
Jen Coates was next, and she grinned at the admiral as she started to speak.
"I'm thankful that the admiral hasn't brought me up on charges of insubordination." She said.
"Yet," said the admiral. Everybody laughed again, and Jen sat down, smiling broadly.
Mattie stood next, and she looked around the table uncertainly before her eyes came to rest on Harm, who smiled at her encouragingly.
"You all seem so much like a family, and even though I've only just met most of you, I feel like I belong somehow." She paused for a drink of water, and then went on. "I've been on my own for a long time, and I'm not sure if I remember how to do this, but here goes. First, I want to thank Harm for coming to work for me." At this, all eyes turned to Harm in surprise.
Mattie went on. "If he hadn't come to Grace Aviation that day, I never would have met all of you, and I would still be struggling along by myself. Harm has shown me that, at fifteen, there are still a lot of dreams out there for me to chase. Thank you for that, Harm. Thank you for giving me back my future." Her eyes filled with grateful tears, and Harm reached to put a gentle hand on her arm. "I also want to thank each of you for welcoming me here tonight and sharing your holiday with me." She sat down quickly then, silently cursing the tears that filled her eyes and hoping nobody had noticed them.
Harriet, ever the alert hostess, was immediately aware of her guest's desire not to be the center of attention, and rose to her feet.
"I'm thankful for my family, and my friends, and the fact that every time my life seems about to settle down to a dull routine, God throws a monkey wrench into things just to see what'll happen." There were chuckles around the table, as everybody thought of the USO project Harriet was organizing. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they also knew that if anybody could pull it off, Harriet would be the one.
Silence settled around the table then, and Harm decided it was his turn. He stood, taking time to meet the eyes of each of his friends around the table, settling at last on Mac's.
"I could probably stand here for an hour and talk about the things that I'm grateful for, but I suspect some of you are getting hungry, and Harriet will probably kill me if I let her dinner get cold, so I'll make it quick."
Laughter greeted his comment, and Harriet's "You'd better believe it" evoked even more hilarity.
Harm paused to let the laugher die down, and then went on. "I'm glad I went to Paraguay, even though it cost me my job. If I hadn't, and something terrible had happened, I never would have been able to forgive myself. I'm also glad I had the opportunity to work for the CIA for a while, if only to realize once and for all that it's not the right life for me. I'm grateful to Mattie for giving me an opportunity to work for her at Grace Aviation. Crop dusting gave me an opportunity to slow down for a while and think about where my life was going and where I want it to go. And finally, I'm grateful that I got the opportunity to return to JAG. This is my home. You people have become my family, and it feels good to be back." At this last, cheers erupted around the table, and Harm sat down with an embarrassed grin.
Mac knew it was her turn, and decided to keep it simple. She stood, looking around the table as Harm had done, careful to meet everybody's eyes. Also as Harm had done, she ended by meeting his eyes. Looking deeply into them and ignoring the questioning glances exchanged by the others, she raised her glass.
"To friendship," she said.
"Hear hear," said the others, and all around her, glasses clinked in another toast. Then, a small voice from the end of the table piped up.
"Mommy? Can we eat now? I'm starving!"
"Good idea, son," answered Bud, standing to carve the turkey. The others passed dishes laden with potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. As Mac passed Harm a basket of dinner rolls, their fingers brushed, and she looked up to see him smiling at her warmly. Separate conversations started up around the table, and the friends broke bread together in the manner of friends and families around the country.
It was a long time later when, the meal over, everybody leaned back in their chairs, satisfied and sleepy. Meredith offered to serve her home-made pumpkin pie, but the others were quick to assure her that they were stuffed and couldn't possibly eat another bite for at least a few hours. Besides, another football game was about to start. Hadn't they better get the dishes cleaned up so they could all enjoy the game together? Everybody stood and began clearing the table. With the help of so many hands, the job was quickly done, and most of the group adjourned to the den to watch the football game.
Mac stayed with Harriet to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in the sparkling kitchen. While they waited for it to brew, Harriet took Jimmy to the nursery, where she changed him and gave him a bottle before laying him down in his crib to sleep. Mac got out some coloring books for A.J. to work on at the kitchen table. When Harriet came back from putting the baby to bed, she poured them each a mug of fresh coffee and they sat down to talk.
"So, tell me," Harriet said, her tone dripping with curiosity.
"Tell you what?"
"What's going on with you and the Commander?" Harriet wasn't about to let Mac dodge this one.
"There's nothing going on."
"The last I heard, you two were at each other's throats. Tonight at dinner, all that had changed. What happened?" Harriet was determined to hear the story. She only wanted the best for her friends. Mac knew that, but sometimes she wished Harriet didn't want it quite so desperately.
"We just talked. I think we worked some things out. We'll have to see." Mac changed the subject then, asking about the kids. Like most mothers, Harriet was happy to talk about her children, and the two women chatted for a long time. Finally, Harriet noticed that A.J. was rubbing his eyes, and she took him off to give him his bath and get him ready for bed.
Mac wandered back to the den. The game was almost over, and it looked like the Dolphins were going to win this one. Mac settled down on the floor to watch the rest, leaning her head back against the couch. Harm was sitting behind her, and she was surprised to feel his hand gently caress the back of her head. She turned to look at him, but his attention was on the TV and he appeared unaware of what he was doing.
She decided not to question it, and settled in to watch the rest of the game, enjoying the new closeness between them and wondering where it might lead. She knew that Harm was too much of a gentleman to offer anything other than friendship as long as he thought she was involved with Webb. She would tell him, when the time was right, that she hadn't seen Webb in months, and wasn't really interested in pursuing a relationship with him.
Eventually, the game ended, and Mac realized it was time to say her goodbyes to her hosts. It had been a wonderful day, and she had much to be thankful for. She began to make the rounds, saying her goodbyes and thanking Bud and Harriet for a delightful afternoon and evening. Soon she found herself standing at the door, laden with leftovers, ready to head out into the cold night. She was reaching for the doorknob, when Harm stopped her.
"Wait just a minute, and I'll walk out with you," he said. He shrugged into his coat and took his package of leftovers from Harriet. They both thanked Harriet and Bud one more time, and then they were out the door and walking to their cars. They reached hers first, and Harm held her package of leftovers for her while she unlocked her doors. She took the package back and set it carefully on the passenger seat, turning in time to catch a thoughtful expression on his face.
"What?"
"How do you feel about stopping someplace for a cup of coffee before going home?"
"What about Mattie? Didn't she come with you?"
Harm laughed. "She came with me, but apparently she wants to go with Jen. I think they're going have some kind of slumber party. Jen promised me she'd bring Mattie over to my place first thing in the morning."
Mac hesitated for only a moment before making her decision.
"Sure," she said. "I'll follow you."
Twenty minutes later, they were settled in a cozy diner midway between their two apartments. Mac warmed her hands over her mug, smiling when she noticed Harm doing the same thing.
"It's cold out there tonight," she said.
"Yes. It's nice in here, though."
Mac took a sip of her coffee, waiting for Harm to speak next. Coming here had been his idea, and she was curious to hear what was on his mind.
"Can I ask you a question without you dumping your coffee in my lap?" he finally asked.
She smiled and crossed her heart playfully, earning a grin in response.
"I promise not to throw anything... or dump anything, either."
"Are you...?" he hesitated.
"Am I what?"
"Are you still involved with Webb?" he finally asked.
"Harm..." She said, exasperated. "I thought you knew me."
"Once, I thought I did. I'm not so sure anymore."
That saddened Mac, and she was quiet for a few minutes, stirring her coffee absently while she thought once again about how badly they had managed to damage their relationship during the past year.
"No," she finally said. "I never really was involved with him. I just...I don't know. In that situation, and those circumstances, I guess it was just nice to have somebody who was able to tell me what he wanted and do something about it." She paused, considering a moment and then continued. "I don't think I could ever really fall for Webb. There's just something about him that I don't quite trust."
She watched Harm visibly relax and knew that he had been jealous. Now was not the time to address that issue though, and she changed the subject.
They talked for a long time about anything and everything. He told her about some of what he had done with the CIA, and about Mattie and Grace Aviation. They talked about Sturgis and his odd behavior of late and she told him about the admiral's grim moods. They shared a chuckle over Jen Coates' struggles to adapt to the Admiral's strict disciplinary code and laughed about Bud's sneaky approach to naming his new son over the captain of a fictitious starship.
Before they knew it, the waitress was standing by their table telling them it was closing time, and they realized they were the only ones still in the small shop. Harm paid the bill, and they left, Harm holding the door for her on the way out. Mac knew that it was old fashioned, but she loved the considerate treatment, and she smiled at him as she passed. All too soon, they stood by her car, and Mac searched for a way to keep the evening from being over. It had been a perfect day. She finally felt that she and Harm were going to be ok, and she was so happy and relieved she felt like dancing. She didn't, though, settling instead for placing a light hand on his arm and looking up into his eyes.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For...everything."
Harm seemed to understand, and leaning down he kissed her gently before pulling her into a hug.
"You're welcome," he whispered, close to her ear. He waited until she was in the car with the doors locked and the engine running before he went back to his Lexus. As the two cars pulled out of the deserted parking lot, his turning to the left, and hers to the right, both occupants were smiling. Their friendship was finally back on track, and maybe, if they were very very careful and very very lucky, they would be able to nurture it until it grew into something wonderful.