Chapter 6
Sunday 1900 Zulu North of Union Station
Harm spent Saturday flying with Mattie and Sunday talking on the phone to Sheffield's CO and colleagues at work. He was prepping his case when his thought process returned to what Sheffield had told him about Lauren. Something seemed to stick out in his mind though. Sheffield working for Navy Intel and Lauren working for a company that developed crypto software. Sure they met at a conference in California. Convenient or suspicious? Harm couldn't decide. Lauren's file said she worked for CDA software. But there wasn't much history to the company or any connection she had to the Navy. They were just based out of Virginia as Sheffield had said. Sheffield's CO said that he regularly took work home, but couldn't get into detail because a lot of it were classified bids to the Navy and research on front companies for terrorism and so on. He decided he would research more on Lauren in the morning as it was approaching dinnertime and her office was surely closed for the day. Tomorrow he would shoot holes in Mac's case and go from there. She didn't have much, it should only take her a day or so to present the governments case. Only problem is what she did have, hurt his defense badly. His concentration is broken by the phone ringing.
"Rabb"
"Hey Harm its Mac"
(Shocked at her calling him on her day off.) "Hey Mac, what did I do now?"
Somewhat playfully "Nothing smart ass, I ah was wondering if you had plans tonight."
Still confused, but playing along "Did you want to execute me before the trial because I thought it was going to happen during?"
"Funny man mister Rabb how about a pizza? Consider it a piece offering."
(Considers her offer and how it might be nice to share a meal and a civilized conversation, but fear and anger get the better of him.) "Mac, not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but I don't think so...I'm prepping for tomorrow and lord knows what kind of argument the two of us can get into before going at it in court. I better take a rain check..."
(Just then he heard a knock on his door.) "Hold on there is someone at the door."
(Harm opens it to find Mac there on her cell phone with a large pizza in hand.) "Half meat half veggie. You got to eat sometime stick boy."
(Aghast at her forwardness) "Yeah, I guess so...come in."
(Mac walks in and sets the pizza on the table.) "Sorry about the intrusion. I actually tried to call yesterday and then I remembered you had plans."
"How did you know that?"
"I overheard you talking to Sturgis on Friday...sorry didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"No problem (a bit confused), but after our last two or three exchanges I'm surprised you would want to be anywhere near me without your sidearm."
(Sitting down on the couch while Harm is still standing) "Cute Harm, but how do you know I don't have it with me? (He raises her eyebrow at her in question) Actually I had a talk with the Admiral on Friday..."
(Somewhat angered) "Great trying to get me thrown off of this case. Look all I said to him was that if Wednesday morning was any indication of what was to come, be prepare for world war three in there. Nothing negative about you just keeping him up to speed instead of scuttlebutt..."
"Calm down Harm. I know you wouldn't bad mouth me to the Admiral behind my back. Unlike some people, you seem to have a renewed vigor for professional courtesy."
"He didn't chew you out did he?" (Not entirely hoping he didn't as he was still a bit upset with her)
"No he just wanted to talk, I just really listened"
"And"
"And I realized that amidst all this confusion, chasing terrorists and separation between us, there are still things that I need to say to you and we are never going to repair the rift between us if one of us doesn't make the first move."
(Getting huffy) "I didn't realize you wanted to repair this rift. If you don't recall, I made last move Mac, you told me to walk away"
(Getting defensive) "I said we both wanted to be on top and we would never work because of it"
(Ham snaps) "That's a load of bullshit and you know it Mac. We may be ambitious but not at the cost to each other. I know you meant to damn much to me for me to EVER compromise you for my career. I would think you would know that being that I pissed it all away to come get you!"
"I do..."
(Not hearing her) "Well you had six months without me around to challenge you. You are number one, you are on top...tell me Colonel is it as satisfying like you thought it would be?"
"No...it's not. Your right Harm it was an emotional backlash and a lame excuse. I couldn't deal with this dance between us and this animosity toward you and graciousness for saving me that I was feeling at the same time. I completely overlooked the good parts of our history and focused on the bad. I realized as soon as we got on the plane home that if I could take what I said back, I would pick my words a lot more carefully."
"Then why didn't you say something."
"The shit hit the fan with the Admiral, and you left for CIA training pretty shortly afterward. As much as I hated myself and felt incredibly guilty for reacting the way I did, I was still confused; there were complications not to mention..."
"Webb"
"Yeah Webb"
"How did you know?"
"I think after the kiss in the jeep between you, the hospital foreplay and his consistent jibes every time I see him; I got a pretty clear picture. Really though it's none of my business"
(Mac realizing that Harm has had various interactions with Webb due to them both working for the CIA at one point) "Look about that..."
"You don't owe me an explanation Mac "
"Harm, I'm sorry..."
(Turns his back to her) "Don't be. You deserve to be happy, but if that's what you came to say, I really need to get back to work"
"Damn you do not turn away from me! You always infuriate me so much that I can't get out what I want to say to you!"
"Then say it Mac! Gloves off, no one else here but me and you. Right now say what's on your mind..."
(Exasperated) "Why?"
(Emotionally pleading) "Because you're not the only one who's tired of this dance!"
"Fine!" She knows anger is not going to solve anything between them) "I...ah...Oh damn I had all this I was going to say to you and I feel like a twelve year old confessing to her parents that she stole something afraid their going to hate her for it"
(Taking a breath and calming himself) "Mac calm down. No matter the distance between us, we're still friends. Nothing changed that. I will never hate you and you know it."
"Than why did you walk away? Why did you never return my messages...if even to let me know you were alright?"
"You forget Mac, you asked me to"
"Damn Harm I told you I was confused! Even you should have known that! You may think I'm completely to blame for this cluster fuck of a mess between us, but you took the easy way out and didn't fight me too hard to change my mind."
"Whoa! Power down marine! I was too in shock at the time to say anything other than a bunch more of unpleasant things that I wouldn't have meant. I thought you and I had been fighting enough and the last thing I could deal with was more hostility"
"But why did you cut me out of your life?"
"I thought that is what you wanted. And I wasn't ready to see you with another man yet. The truth is I went through such a tailspin when we got back from Paraguay. I lost my job at JAG... "
(Interjecting) "Did you really expect the Admiral to take you back?"
"Not entirely. I didn't expect him to lambaste me in front of you though. And more importantly I didn't expect to loose you. (Mac is a little shocked by his admission). I needed some space between what I used to have and I needed to rebuild my life. Going to work for the CIA wasn't a bad gig. It paid well, I got to fly and see some action..."
"Yeah caught some of that on the five o'clock news."
"Anyway...it took my mind off of things for at least a little while."
(There is silence between them for what seems like hours, but is actually just seconds). "Harm I need to know something. Why did you come after me? I mean they must have told you I was probably dead or dying. Why throw it all away on a gamble. And don't tell me I know why, because I don't!"
(Bluntly) "I came there for one reason and one reason only Mac. To get to you. Nothing else mattered"
(Questioning his anterior motives) "And the cost? Your career and everything you worked for"
(Calmly yet truthfully) "No one was going to do anything Mac. I had to get to you"
(Pleading with him for the whole truth) "Why?"
(Somewhat angered at her interpretation of his words) "Because the thought of you not coming home alive was simply unacceptable!"
(Angered at his response and the truth of it) "And who made you my knight in shining armor!?"
(Defensive) "Hey I didn't exactly charge in on a god damned horse expecting a fairy tale ending in return!"
(Pressing harder wanting the full truth) "And what did you expect in return?"
"You!...I thought maybe once all was said and done we could finally stop running away from each other and start to get on the same page."
(Mac is aghast that he actually said what she hoped he would.) "Harm I..."
(Automatically he stops her and interjects) "I know Mac I know you have someone in your life who can say all the words you want to hear and give you everything you want...But you asked and I'm not going to lie to you. I took a chance going after you. On the personal side I gambled and I lost...but your safe and the price I paid was nothing like it would have been had you not come home."
(Quietly yet with care she speaks) "Thank you. I owe you my life."
(Harm smiles. She said it...better late than never) "You don't owe me anything Mac. Truthfully I felt like you did owe me for a while. Maybe because all we did was argue, and create rifts between us; but you don't. You would have done the same for me...no matter what you may say; I know you would have without question. Why I don't know, but that's just the way we are with each other."
(Mac looks at Harm and smiles.) "It is amazing sometimes how well you know me."
"And you me."
"I guess time doesn't change who we are does it?"
"What you mean not talking for six months? No it doesn't. (Smiling) I'm still royally pissed off at you, but no nothing could ever make you any less important than you always have been to me."
(She pauses) "Harm, when you were down there, what did you want from me?"
"What do you mean?"
(It's now or never Mackenzie) "What did you want from us? You and I are like oil and water some times..."
"I would think like a powder keg and match"
"Stop making jokes flyboy! What I mean to say is that you give me more mixed messages than anyone ever could. You fight with me tooth and nail, but then you stare at me in a bath tub and tell me how beautiful you think I am. You lay with me in a bed and one second look like your going to kiss me and another minute ready to hit me over the head with a chair."
"Mac, you don't exactly help guiding me sometimes and you tend to push my buttons when I don't have the answer you want."
"I'm not arguing Harm. If anything, I am as much to blame as you for the mess we always get ourselves into, but what I want to know right now is what do you feel for me?"
"What does it matter Mac, you're with Webb and..."
"Leave Clay out of this, just you and me right now, what do you feel?"
(Ok Rabb, it's time) "Just then the phone rings"
"Yours or mine Mac?"
"Yours" (a look of disappointment fills her face)
(Looks at the number at the caller ID) "Hold on...I've got to take this, but do not leave!" (Mac stands there still) "Rabb... Oh hey Mattie... Yeah, we are set for the 12th of next month... Ok yeah, I had a great time yesterday... Ok...alright get some sleep... You too... Bye."
(Mac picks up her purse and is about to leave). "Whoa, wear is the war Marine?"
"I thought I would leave you to take your call...it ah, sounded important." (It now dawns on Harm that all Mac knows about Mattie is that she is female and he is spending time with her).
"Mac sit down, there are a couple of things I need to tell you...please. If you feel you owe me anything here me out."
"Harm I..."
"Damn it Sarah, if I mean anything to you, you will sit down and here me out! "If you don't like what I have to say you can deck me after, ok?"
(Mac does sit on the couch...reluctantly) "Harm opens the pizza and grabs some bottles of water. He comes back and serves her."
"Here this is going to take a while we might as well eat. First to answer you other question..."
"Wait, I don't want an answer...I think I get the picture with Mattie and all."
"You don't have the slightest clue what you are talking about Mac."
"Isn't Mattie your new girlfriend... let me guess another blond!"
"Actually she's a brunette and no she's not my girlfriend"
"Than who is she?"
(Laughs) "What would you say if I told you I was going to become a father?"
"Oh Jesus Harm what did you do now? Wait let me guess you knocked some girl up after one of your missions and now she's having your kid right?"
(Harm keeps laughing and its getting out of control) "What is so god damned funny Harm?"
"Ok truth time Mac. And don't punch me until I'm done..." (At that Harm proceeds to tell Mac about becoming Mattie's guardian).
LATER...
"Well Marine say something even if it's not good."
"Wow...Are you sure you want this?"
"Yeah, as sure as I'll ever be."
"Why?"
"Lots of reasons, but mainly because it's the right thing to do. Because I care about her, because I don't want someone I care about to grow up without a father. You and I know what that is like. I got lucky with Frank, but I can't imagine how she will fare alone."
(Mac pauses unsure of what to say. She is really flabbergasted by all of this growth in Harm's character and his willingness to commit to something other than his job.) "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Mac. If you really feel that way you can do me a huge favor."
"What's that?"
"I need a character witness on the 12th of next month to establish my competency for guardianship. No one knows me better than you and to be honest, it would mean a lot to me if you were just there with me."
"You got it."
"No argument?"
"None whatsoever. Although I would like to meet this young lady and see who finally tied the great Harmon Rabb down"
"Hah. Funny Marine."
"Ok It's getting late." (She gets up to leave). "You never answered my question though."
"I know. I will, but not tonight. We go to war tomorrow and I don't wan to compromise this trial; or us any more than we already have."
"Are you sure you want to answer it? What makes you think it won't just be more fuel to add to our "powder keg".
(Harm is walking Mac to the door and she opens it and turns around) "Yes"
"Why"
"Because Mac 'it's' still there"
"What's there?"
"It...us...whatever that has been growing between us for the past seven years. And some things can't be killed no matter how much two stubborn people try to burry it"
"Good night Sarah thank you" (gives her a flyboy grin that makes her knees weak)
"For dinner?" (she asks questioningly)
"For everything" (With that Harm gives Mac a light kiss on the cheek. He pulls away and looks her in the eye awaiting her response)
(She chokes out shocked) "G...good night Harm" (She turns and leaves so she can hide the look of shock and delight on her face from Harm)
(Harm closes the door and surprisingly just turns around and quietly sinks down with his back against the door. Mac just stands there outside his door for minutes stunned. Who was this man and what happened to the Harm she knew and loved? Loved, yeah loved, she can't help it. She would beat him to a pulp in court tomorrow, but he was right "it" was still there and not going to go away. She smiles and left. Everything was even more tangled and twisted now between them, but somehow, some way, tonight they took some giant steps forward and no matter the complications or people between them, they would always find there way back; it's just who they were)
TO BE CONTINUED...
Authors Note: chapter 7 is almost finished. I had planned on posting it yesterday, but life got in the way. I should have it up by weeks end. Thanks for all the feedback. Please keep it coming!
Sunday 1900 Zulu North of Union Station
Harm spent Saturday flying with Mattie and Sunday talking on the phone to Sheffield's CO and colleagues at work. He was prepping his case when his thought process returned to what Sheffield had told him about Lauren. Something seemed to stick out in his mind though. Sheffield working for Navy Intel and Lauren working for a company that developed crypto software. Sure they met at a conference in California. Convenient or suspicious? Harm couldn't decide. Lauren's file said she worked for CDA software. But there wasn't much history to the company or any connection she had to the Navy. They were just based out of Virginia as Sheffield had said. Sheffield's CO said that he regularly took work home, but couldn't get into detail because a lot of it were classified bids to the Navy and research on front companies for terrorism and so on. He decided he would research more on Lauren in the morning as it was approaching dinnertime and her office was surely closed for the day. Tomorrow he would shoot holes in Mac's case and go from there. She didn't have much, it should only take her a day or so to present the governments case. Only problem is what she did have, hurt his defense badly. His concentration is broken by the phone ringing.
"Rabb"
"Hey Harm its Mac"
(Shocked at her calling him on her day off.) "Hey Mac, what did I do now?"
Somewhat playfully "Nothing smart ass, I ah was wondering if you had plans tonight."
Still confused, but playing along "Did you want to execute me before the trial because I thought it was going to happen during?"
"Funny man mister Rabb how about a pizza? Consider it a piece offering."
(Considers her offer and how it might be nice to share a meal and a civilized conversation, but fear and anger get the better of him.) "Mac, not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but I don't think so...I'm prepping for tomorrow and lord knows what kind of argument the two of us can get into before going at it in court. I better take a rain check..."
(Just then he heard a knock on his door.) "Hold on there is someone at the door."
(Harm opens it to find Mac there on her cell phone with a large pizza in hand.) "Half meat half veggie. You got to eat sometime stick boy."
(Aghast at her forwardness) "Yeah, I guess so...come in."
(Mac walks in and sets the pizza on the table.) "Sorry about the intrusion. I actually tried to call yesterday and then I remembered you had plans."
"How did you know that?"
"I overheard you talking to Sturgis on Friday...sorry didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"No problem (a bit confused), but after our last two or three exchanges I'm surprised you would want to be anywhere near me without your sidearm."
(Sitting down on the couch while Harm is still standing) "Cute Harm, but how do you know I don't have it with me? (He raises her eyebrow at her in question) Actually I had a talk with the Admiral on Friday..."
(Somewhat angered) "Great trying to get me thrown off of this case. Look all I said to him was that if Wednesday morning was any indication of what was to come, be prepare for world war three in there. Nothing negative about you just keeping him up to speed instead of scuttlebutt..."
"Calm down Harm. I know you wouldn't bad mouth me to the Admiral behind my back. Unlike some people, you seem to have a renewed vigor for professional courtesy."
"He didn't chew you out did he?" (Not entirely hoping he didn't as he was still a bit upset with her)
"No he just wanted to talk, I just really listened"
"And"
"And I realized that amidst all this confusion, chasing terrorists and separation between us, there are still things that I need to say to you and we are never going to repair the rift between us if one of us doesn't make the first move."
(Getting huffy) "I didn't realize you wanted to repair this rift. If you don't recall, I made last move Mac, you told me to walk away"
(Getting defensive) "I said we both wanted to be on top and we would never work because of it"
(Ham snaps) "That's a load of bullshit and you know it Mac. We may be ambitious but not at the cost to each other. I know you meant to damn much to me for me to EVER compromise you for my career. I would think you would know that being that I pissed it all away to come get you!"
"I do..."
(Not hearing her) "Well you had six months without me around to challenge you. You are number one, you are on top...tell me Colonel is it as satisfying like you thought it would be?"
"No...it's not. Your right Harm it was an emotional backlash and a lame excuse. I couldn't deal with this dance between us and this animosity toward you and graciousness for saving me that I was feeling at the same time. I completely overlooked the good parts of our history and focused on the bad. I realized as soon as we got on the plane home that if I could take what I said back, I would pick my words a lot more carefully."
"Then why didn't you say something."
"The shit hit the fan with the Admiral, and you left for CIA training pretty shortly afterward. As much as I hated myself and felt incredibly guilty for reacting the way I did, I was still confused; there were complications not to mention..."
"Webb"
"Yeah Webb"
"How did you know?"
"I think after the kiss in the jeep between you, the hospital foreplay and his consistent jibes every time I see him; I got a pretty clear picture. Really though it's none of my business"
(Mac realizing that Harm has had various interactions with Webb due to them both working for the CIA at one point) "Look about that..."
"You don't owe me an explanation Mac "
"Harm, I'm sorry..."
(Turns his back to her) "Don't be. You deserve to be happy, but if that's what you came to say, I really need to get back to work"
"Damn you do not turn away from me! You always infuriate me so much that I can't get out what I want to say to you!"
"Then say it Mac! Gloves off, no one else here but me and you. Right now say what's on your mind..."
(Exasperated) "Why?"
(Emotionally pleading) "Because you're not the only one who's tired of this dance!"
"Fine!" She knows anger is not going to solve anything between them) "I...ah...Oh damn I had all this I was going to say to you and I feel like a twelve year old confessing to her parents that she stole something afraid their going to hate her for it"
(Taking a breath and calming himself) "Mac calm down. No matter the distance between us, we're still friends. Nothing changed that. I will never hate you and you know it."
"Than why did you walk away? Why did you never return my messages...if even to let me know you were alright?"
"You forget Mac, you asked me to"
"Damn Harm I told you I was confused! Even you should have known that! You may think I'm completely to blame for this cluster fuck of a mess between us, but you took the easy way out and didn't fight me too hard to change my mind."
"Whoa! Power down marine! I was too in shock at the time to say anything other than a bunch more of unpleasant things that I wouldn't have meant. I thought you and I had been fighting enough and the last thing I could deal with was more hostility"
"But why did you cut me out of your life?"
"I thought that is what you wanted. And I wasn't ready to see you with another man yet. The truth is I went through such a tailspin when we got back from Paraguay. I lost my job at JAG... "
(Interjecting) "Did you really expect the Admiral to take you back?"
"Not entirely. I didn't expect him to lambaste me in front of you though. And more importantly I didn't expect to loose you. (Mac is a little shocked by his admission). I needed some space between what I used to have and I needed to rebuild my life. Going to work for the CIA wasn't a bad gig. It paid well, I got to fly and see some action..."
"Yeah caught some of that on the five o'clock news."
"Anyway...it took my mind off of things for at least a little while."
(There is silence between them for what seems like hours, but is actually just seconds). "Harm I need to know something. Why did you come after me? I mean they must have told you I was probably dead or dying. Why throw it all away on a gamble. And don't tell me I know why, because I don't!"
(Bluntly) "I came there for one reason and one reason only Mac. To get to you. Nothing else mattered"
(Questioning his anterior motives) "And the cost? Your career and everything you worked for"
(Calmly yet truthfully) "No one was going to do anything Mac. I had to get to you"
(Pleading with him for the whole truth) "Why?"
(Somewhat angered at her interpretation of his words) "Because the thought of you not coming home alive was simply unacceptable!"
(Angered at his response and the truth of it) "And who made you my knight in shining armor!?"
(Defensive) "Hey I didn't exactly charge in on a god damned horse expecting a fairy tale ending in return!"
(Pressing harder wanting the full truth) "And what did you expect in return?"
"You!...I thought maybe once all was said and done we could finally stop running away from each other and start to get on the same page."
(Mac is aghast that he actually said what she hoped he would.) "Harm I..."
(Automatically he stops her and interjects) "I know Mac I know you have someone in your life who can say all the words you want to hear and give you everything you want...But you asked and I'm not going to lie to you. I took a chance going after you. On the personal side I gambled and I lost...but your safe and the price I paid was nothing like it would have been had you not come home."
(Quietly yet with care she speaks) "Thank you. I owe you my life."
(Harm smiles. She said it...better late than never) "You don't owe me anything Mac. Truthfully I felt like you did owe me for a while. Maybe because all we did was argue, and create rifts between us; but you don't. You would have done the same for me...no matter what you may say; I know you would have without question. Why I don't know, but that's just the way we are with each other."
(Mac looks at Harm and smiles.) "It is amazing sometimes how well you know me."
"And you me."
"I guess time doesn't change who we are does it?"
"What you mean not talking for six months? No it doesn't. (Smiling) I'm still royally pissed off at you, but no nothing could ever make you any less important than you always have been to me."
(She pauses) "Harm, when you were down there, what did you want from me?"
"What do you mean?"
(It's now or never Mackenzie) "What did you want from us? You and I are like oil and water some times..."
"I would think like a powder keg and match"
"Stop making jokes flyboy! What I mean to say is that you give me more mixed messages than anyone ever could. You fight with me tooth and nail, but then you stare at me in a bath tub and tell me how beautiful you think I am. You lay with me in a bed and one second look like your going to kiss me and another minute ready to hit me over the head with a chair."
"Mac, you don't exactly help guiding me sometimes and you tend to push my buttons when I don't have the answer you want."
"I'm not arguing Harm. If anything, I am as much to blame as you for the mess we always get ourselves into, but what I want to know right now is what do you feel for me?"
"What does it matter Mac, you're with Webb and..."
"Leave Clay out of this, just you and me right now, what do you feel?"
(Ok Rabb, it's time) "Just then the phone rings"
"Yours or mine Mac?"
"Yours" (a look of disappointment fills her face)
(Looks at the number at the caller ID) "Hold on...I've got to take this, but do not leave!" (Mac stands there still) "Rabb... Oh hey Mattie... Yeah, we are set for the 12th of next month... Ok yeah, I had a great time yesterday... Ok...alright get some sleep... You too... Bye."
(Mac picks up her purse and is about to leave). "Whoa, wear is the war Marine?"
"I thought I would leave you to take your call...it ah, sounded important." (It now dawns on Harm that all Mac knows about Mattie is that she is female and he is spending time with her).
"Mac sit down, there are a couple of things I need to tell you...please. If you feel you owe me anything here me out."
"Harm I..."
"Damn it Sarah, if I mean anything to you, you will sit down and here me out! "If you don't like what I have to say you can deck me after, ok?"
(Mac does sit on the couch...reluctantly) "Harm opens the pizza and grabs some bottles of water. He comes back and serves her."
"Here this is going to take a while we might as well eat. First to answer you other question..."
"Wait, I don't want an answer...I think I get the picture with Mattie and all."
"You don't have the slightest clue what you are talking about Mac."
"Isn't Mattie your new girlfriend... let me guess another blond!"
"Actually she's a brunette and no she's not my girlfriend"
"Than who is she?"
(Laughs) "What would you say if I told you I was going to become a father?"
"Oh Jesus Harm what did you do now? Wait let me guess you knocked some girl up after one of your missions and now she's having your kid right?"
(Harm keeps laughing and its getting out of control) "What is so god damned funny Harm?"
"Ok truth time Mac. And don't punch me until I'm done..." (At that Harm proceeds to tell Mac about becoming Mattie's guardian).
LATER...
"Well Marine say something even if it's not good."
"Wow...Are you sure you want this?"
"Yeah, as sure as I'll ever be."
"Why?"
"Lots of reasons, but mainly because it's the right thing to do. Because I care about her, because I don't want someone I care about to grow up without a father. You and I know what that is like. I got lucky with Frank, but I can't imagine how she will fare alone."
(Mac pauses unsure of what to say. She is really flabbergasted by all of this growth in Harm's character and his willingness to commit to something other than his job.) "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Mac. If you really feel that way you can do me a huge favor."
"What's that?"
"I need a character witness on the 12th of next month to establish my competency for guardianship. No one knows me better than you and to be honest, it would mean a lot to me if you were just there with me."
"You got it."
"No argument?"
"None whatsoever. Although I would like to meet this young lady and see who finally tied the great Harmon Rabb down"
"Hah. Funny Marine."
"Ok It's getting late." (She gets up to leave). "You never answered my question though."
"I know. I will, but not tonight. We go to war tomorrow and I don't wan to compromise this trial; or us any more than we already have."
"Are you sure you want to answer it? What makes you think it won't just be more fuel to add to our "powder keg".
(Harm is walking Mac to the door and she opens it and turns around) "Yes"
"Why"
"Because Mac 'it's' still there"
"What's there?"
"It...us...whatever that has been growing between us for the past seven years. And some things can't be killed no matter how much two stubborn people try to burry it"
"Good night Sarah thank you" (gives her a flyboy grin that makes her knees weak)
"For dinner?" (she asks questioningly)
"For everything" (With that Harm gives Mac a light kiss on the cheek. He pulls away and looks her in the eye awaiting her response)
(She chokes out shocked) "G...good night Harm" (She turns and leaves so she can hide the look of shock and delight on her face from Harm)
(Harm closes the door and surprisingly just turns around and quietly sinks down with his back against the door. Mac just stands there outside his door for minutes stunned. Who was this man and what happened to the Harm she knew and loved? Loved, yeah loved, she can't help it. She would beat him to a pulp in court tomorrow, but he was right "it" was still there and not going to go away. She smiles and left. Everything was even more tangled and twisted now between them, but somehow, some way, tonight they took some giant steps forward and no matter the complications or people between them, they would always find there way back; it's just who they were)
TO BE CONTINUED...
Authors Note: chapter 7 is almost finished. I had planned on posting it yesterday, but life got in the way. I should have it up by weeks end. Thanks for all the feedback. Please keep it coming!