Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update! I had writer's block but it has left me and I have now delivered this part to you. Please enjoy it and I would appreciate feedback of all kinds!

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The Royal Tahitian

Out in the Pacific Ocean

0800 Romeo

Day 3

Harm and Mac both awoke to the sound of a sharp knock at the door.

"Ugh, that had better not be the Roberts." Mac groaned and climbed out of the bed. She walked over to the door in her pjs and tousle haired opened the door. Harm eased up behind her and stood next to her and they looked expectantly at the young steward standing before them. It was a minute before the young woman spoke in a slightly shaky voice,

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Rabb. I just wanted to inform you that we will be docking in Papeete in about an hour."

"Thank you umm…" Harm paused.

"Oh sorry sir, I'm Mary Carson and I will be serving as yours and the Roberts steward for the remainder of this cruise."

"Well then Ms. Carson thank you for letting us know." Harm gave her a soft smile and she seemed to relax a bit before she said,

"Well sir I need to attend to other passengers so if you will excuse me." Mary turned on her heel and quickly left Harm and Mac standing in the doorway.

"Well she certainly is a bag of nerves isn't she?" Mac said as she shut the door.

"Yea, but we can't try to figure her out we have to get ready remember. Do you want to shower first or should I?" Harm asked. Mac stepped over to the bathroom and just before she shut the door she commented,

"I'll go first so see if you can round up some coffee Sweetheart." Harm stared at the door for a minute confused.

"Sweetheart? Where did that come from?" He said to himself as he dialed room service. In minutes there was a man at the door holding a coffeepot and two cups. Harm took them and tipping the man closed the door again. Sitting down on the loveseat he poured himself a cup and sipping it waited on Mac.

In 20 minutes Mac emerged from the bathroom in a robe that was tied loosely and bending over she picked up the pot off the table and poured a cup of coffee carefully. Harm watched her over the rim of his cup admiring her precision.

"Are you going to shower or not Flyboy?"

"Uh yes just thinking. I'll see you in a bit."

"Don't get lost!" Mac called to him from the love seat.

By the time Harm had finished in the shower Mac was already dressed and waiting to do her makeup.

"Hey you done yet?" She asked knocking softly.

"Yes, it's all yours." Harm opened the door. He was wearing the other robe, which was a little small. He rubbed a towel over his hair and stepped aside to let her in. Mac set all her makeup out and was applying mascara when Harm returned pulling a shirt over his head.

"Mac what is the point of putting that stuff on? You're beautiful enough already."

"Why thank you Harm but I guess it's just a habit and it makes me feel feminine."

"Are you doubting that you're a woman, Mac? Because from what I see there is no reason to doubt you are one." Harm's eyes gave her the once over. What he said was true she looked very feminine to him with her heeled sandals and knee length beige skirt and rose colored v-neck blouse.

"Well Harm I do believe that is the nicest thing you have ever…Ouch! Stupid mascara!" Mac had just poked herself in the eye with the mascara brush. Harm laughed and turning away said,

"See what I mean? Way too much trouble now come on let's go be tourists."

Mac finished her mascara and screwing the cap back on sighed,

"Whatever you say…Baby." Harm stopped dead.

"Excuse me? What did you say?"

"I said 'whatever you say Baby.' Didn't you hear me?"

"Oh I heard you alright. It's just you've been doing that all morning and last night too."

"Doing what?"

"Calling me Darling, Sweetheart and now Baby. What gives?"

"Well here's the short version. First last night when you were sleeping on the balcony and I woke you up you said 'Alright Sweetheart I'll be up in a minute.' And then this morning we were a married couple. So it's only fitting, I suppose."

"Since when have we been married?"

"Like I said since this morning." Mac shrugged, picking up her purse. Harm then put two and two together and laughed at not seeing it before.

"Okay I get it, but if you're going to be doing that let me in on it first. Now that we're on the subject of tricks what about the Robert's?"

"Well let's start here and we can think of it as we go along." Mac took Harm's hand and entwined her fingers in his and they walked out the door and down the hall to the Roberts suite. Harm knocked softly and immediately Harriet appeared as happy and as bubbly as ever.

"Good morning sir, ma'am. We're almost ready. Come on Bud let's go!" Harriet directed her attention to Bud who was rummaging around his suitcase.

"Okay, just a minute! I can't find my other shoe!" Bud called. Harriet rolled her eyes and turning around and doing a quick scan of the room located it right next to the door. Bud smiled and said thankfully giving her a kiss on the cheek,

"Thank you what would I do without you?"

"Not much." Harriet joked. Harm and Mac smiled and the Roberts joined them in the hall. They walked to the main deck and stood conversing quietly waiting to get off the ship.

"Ladies and gentlemen may I briefly have your attention. We will shortly allowing you get off the ship but before we do there are just a couple rules. First that you need to beck back on the ship by 9:00 p.m. Second have fun!" Everyone then formed a line and within minutes the foursome was blinking in the bright tropical sunlight. They descended the gangway were greeted by beautiful Tahitian women who placed brightly colored leis around their necks and welcomed them to Tahiti. When that was done locals showing off their wares suddenly bombarded them. They gave in and spent a good half hour just browsing though the mass of booths and carts not buying much but doing a lot of looking. Mac and Harriet looked and looked and Harm and Bud just stood beside them just watching them chatter about various items.

"When you ladies finish up we need to go get the… well Harriet how are we getting around the island?" Harm asked looking at his watch.

"Oh sir stop worrying, we're on vacation and besides we don't have to pick up the motorcycles for another half hour." Harriet stated matter of factly.

"Harriet? Motorcycles? Why not a car?" Harm asked. Mac answered him instead.

"Harm motorcycles are much cooler and besides haven't you always wanted to ride one?" Harm nodded. He did and he had ridden them before and would gladly do it again. He didn't voice this because he didn't want to disappoint Mac.

Twenty five minutes later, they left the dockside bazaar and headed across the crowed street to a small rental shop that had row after row of motorcycles and mopeds and other motorized vehicles. Harriet approached the man standing in the shade of a palm tree.

"Hello we reserved two bikes for today."

"Name?"

"Roberts"

"Ah yes I have them right here." The man spoke with a light French accent. They followed him to two shiny red bikes on the front row. He explained the basic operation of the bikes and ten after running inside returned juggling four helmets. He handed one to each of them and they fastened them on snuggly.

"So when do we need these back?" Harriet inquired.

"Whenever ma'am we are very laid back here. Oh and for the best tour of the island just follow this road for a mile or two and then turn left and that road circles all the way around the island" Harriet nodded her thanks and climbed on one of the bikes behind Bud who started it up slowly. Harm straddled the bike and did the same, before saying loudly to Mac,

"Hey you gonna' get on or not."

"Yes Harm. I knew there was a reason I wasn't going to wear a skirt today." She muttered as she with a little more difficulty climbed on.

"Ready Bud?" Harm called.

"Yes sir, let's go!" Bud revved the engine and pulled out onto the street Harm revved the engine and stepped on the accelerator which caused Mac to wrap her arms tightly around his waist. She was a little nervous, motorcycles were a new thing to her and she had a death grip on Harm's waist. Harm smiled, it was nice to know that Mac was nervous and maybe even afraid and relying on him for a change. They sped down the road behind Bud and Harriet and just like the man said the turn off was a couple miles down the road. Bud made the turn slowly whereas Harm made it sharp and fast. Mac's manicured nails dug into his skin, but slowly relaxed as he eased his foot off the accelerator. Mac snuggled into Harm's back as they drove down the smooth road, she didn't loosen her grip though. She looked out at the ocean on one side and the small houses and villas that lined the road.

It was so pleasant and peaceful and the warm wind blowing around her made it even better. Harm was just happy to be out in the fresh tropical air without anything to worry about with the ocean all around him and DC hundreds of miles away. He pulled up alongside Bud and Harriet and they drove next to the other for twenty minutes before Mac tapped his helmet.

"Yes?" He shouted over his shoulder.

Mac shouted back and pointed to the left.

"A beach! Let's stop!" Harm nodded in agreement and motioned to Bud with one hand who acknowledged him with a nod. They slowed down and parking the bikes on the side of the road and removing their sandals and helmets walked onto the warm sand. It felt good under Mac's feet. She hadn't felt sand since she was in Australia and liked the feel of it. She watched Bud and Harriet walk hand in hand and strongly wished to do the same with Harm. Harm was faster on the draw and a little more daring too. He put an arm around her waist and started to pull her along.

"Hey Harm is this part of the plan?" She asked him.

"Yes, I suppose."

"What do you mean you 'suppose' is it or isn't it?"

"Fine it is then okay, now can we just enjoy this?" What Harm said wasn't even close to the truth. He just needed her near him but if she wanted to believe that it was part of their plan to get back at the Roberts then she could he wouldn't object. He was pulled out of his reverie as they walked along by Mac slipping her hand in his back pocket. He tried to ignore it but decided that two could play that game. He slowly slid his hand down so it was on her hips and than taking the plunge his stuck his hand into her back pocket. Mac jumped slightly at his touch and couldn't bite back a teasing comment and looking at him over the rim of her sunglasses she said,

"You trying to fondle me Sailor? Because if you are I will report you and I happen to know a very good lawyer."

"No just playing along." Harm replied looking into her brown eyes over his sunglasses. They stopped and held their gaze for a minute trying to read what the other was thinking.

A few paces ahead of them Harriet stopped and looked over her shoulder at them and she whispered to Bud,

"Look it's only been three days and their already clinging to each other like newly weds."

Bud took a quick look and replied,

"Wow your right. They are clingy but really I never thought them the mushy types, but go figure." They shrugged and continued walking, the surf softly hitting their ankles.

Harm and Mac were standing there staring at each other ankle deep in the surf. Harm realizing what this must look like, then shook his head and sighed,

"Let's keep walking shall we. We don't want them to think we ditched them."

"Okay." Mac nodded and they walked on in the early afternoon sun. They still kept their arms around each other neither wanting to lose the contact.

The walked the length of the beach and once again met up with Harriet and Bud and they climbed back on the bikes and continued down the road. The road curved away from the ocean and trailed through deep jungle. There was green everywhere and there seemed to be a strange yet peaceful silence hanging over it. Mac now was relaxed and casually leaning her head against his back. They continued down the road for a few hours stopping occasionally to take in the sights and the waterfalls and the exotic flowers.

By four o'clock they decided to turn back and after the couple hours or so drive they were pulling back into the rental place. Climbing off their motorcycle Harriet smiled and said pulling off her helmet,

"Well that was a ton of fun! What did you think ma'am?"

"I thought it was wonderful, I enjoyed it so much. I'm sure that the boys enjoyed it too." Mac stated undoing her helmet and joining Harriet. They ran their fingers through their matted hair and Mac pulled at her skirt which had been riding up all afternoon.

"Yep we sure did." Harm and Bud chorused. They then quickly walked inside and paid the man and returned the helmets. Then joining the ladies debated what to do next.

"I say let's get something to eat. I'm starved!" Mac chided.

"Your always hungry aren't you Mac?" She nodded.

"That sounds good to me, I could really go for some food considering we skipped lunch." Harriet piped up.

"Well Bud we can't argue with that can we?" Harm said as the walked across the empty street and onto the sidewalk. Bud shrugged and looking around saw a small restaurant that looked good so he pointed it out and the walked in.

Immediately a hostess greeted them.

"Good day, table for four?"

"Yes, that would be great." Bud agreed and followed the woman to a table in the back that looked out over the ocean. The restaurant was open air and small birds pecked the ground looking for food scraps. Harm pulled out Mac's chair for her and once she was sitting down he did the same. Bud followed suit and they picked up their menus.

"I don't know what half of this stuff is. What the heck is Ahi and I'm not even going to try and pronounce that one." Harm stated after a few minutes. Mac rolled her eyes and said,

"Well Harm Ahi is a kind of tuna and that there… well is duck."

"Oh, well aren't we Miss Information." Harm teased lightly. He continued to look at the menu and figured out what most everything was. By then the waitress arrived and asked for their order.

"Let's see I think I'll have the smoked herring with lemon sauce and a glass of water." Mac ordered first.

"That sounds good to me how about you Bud." Harriet stated and when Bud nodded they placed theirs and then looked at Harm.

"I'll have the grilled Ahi and a Coke." Harm closed the menu and handed it to the woman who walked off with their order.

"Sir I thought you were a vegetarian?"

"I am Bud but why not splurge once in awhile. I'm not one of those extremists I'll eat white meat occasionally." Harm explained. Bud seemed satisfied with that answer and sat back and watched the ocean.

"So Harriet, how do you think little AJ is surviving with the Admiral?" Mac asked.

"I don't know ma'am but considering that I haven't gotten any calls or messages I would assume that everything is going well. I just don't want to come home to a little Navy Seal when I get back."

"Harriet I don't think the Admiral would ever do that. He really is a huge softie. Him and AJ are probably getting along just fine. The Admiral is probably having a blast." Harm snorted at this comment. Thinking of the Admiral, as a 'softie' was a little outrageous.

"Mac I don't think the Admiral is as soft as you think. Need I remind you of the countless times he has yelled at us?"

"No Harm you don't but that is beside the point." Mac sighed. They all sat in silence for another ten minutes watching the sun sink lower in the sky, when their food arrived. They continued eating in silence. Mac occasionally sliding wistful glances at Harm while he ate, Harm pretended not to notice. Bud and Harriet did note this and smiled. They finished dinner and dessert almost two hours later.

Getting up from the table they headed back towards the ship. Harm and Mac walked close together their hands occasionally brushed and they couldn't help but feel the electricity that shot through them. They slowly climbed the gangway all of them not wanting the day to end. Bud and Harriet once on board decided that they would make a quick trip to the computer lounge and send an email for little AJ via the Admiral. Harm and Mac were left standing in the hall alone.

"So Mac what do you want to do?" Harm asked softly.

"I don't know Harm…" she yawned, "maybe we should go back to the suite I'm a little sleepy."

"Okay whatever you say Marine, but I have to ask isn't it a little early for bed."

"No Harm it's 2059 and we had a long day. That ride wiped me out and now that I have a full stomach, well it's bedtime." Mac yawned again and leaned her head on Harm's shoulder as they walked. When they reached the suite Harm was practically carrying her.

"Hey Ninja-Girl we're here let's get you in."

"Okay." Mac walked drowsily in and flopped down on the bed.

"Not so fast Mac you still have to change into your pjs."

"You do it for me like you always do." She moaned rolling over.

"Okay whatever you say Mac now let's get your sandals off."

"The prosecutions go in one pile and the defenses go in that one." Mac babbled half asleep. Harms stopped taking off her sandals and smiled she thought about work all the time or almost all the time. Leaving her on the bed still dressed he striped down to his boxers and then brushed his teeth when he finished Mac was in a deep sleep. She was curled up on top of the sheets. Harm pulled back the sheets on one side of the bed and gently lifted her and set her down again underneath the sheets. She moaned softly and then rolling over fell back to sleep. Harm climbed in beside her and turned off the lamp. He stared at her in the moonlight. He was amazed at how peaceful she looked. There was no trace of the gung-ho marine that he saw during the day, just the wonderful woman that needed care and protection sometimes. She was his Sarah or so he liked to hope.

"Goodnight Sarah." Harm whispered softly, he then closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.