What A Difference A Year Makes – Chapter 2
Author: Barb
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Rating: PG
Summary: Harm and Mac look back on the year of their lives following Hail and Farewell.
CHAPTER 2
1100
21 May 2005
JAG Headquarters
Annual Picnic
"Hi Mac, I'm glad you came. I wasn't expecting to see you today." Sturgis said.
"Hmmm, I was thinking about staying home, but it's such a nice day, I didn't want to waste it."
"Harm coming?"
"You know how that is. He said he'd try."
"So while you're waiting, why don't you come play a game with me?"
"Oh come on Sturgis, you feel like getting your butt kicked today?" She laughed. "What's your poison?"
"I seem to recall that I beat you at the Jagathon by over four minutes."
"Uh huh, pure luck." She laughed easily. "So how about I beat you at a game of chess?"
"You're on. But I hope you're better at chess than you are at running." They laughed together. They walked over to the chess table and started playing.
FLASHBACK
Harm was nearing Mac's apartment when she stirred. "Harm, would you mind terribly if I stay at your place tonight? I'd really rather not be alone."
"Okay. I don't have anything for you to wear though. You can't sleep in that uniform. Let's swing by your place and pick up some clothes for you."
"No, really, I don't have the energy to run up the stairs and pack a bag. Can't I just borrow a sweatshirt or something?"
"Sure, we'll think of something." He said as he rubbed her arm.
They pulled up to Harm's apartment and he helped Mac out of the car and up the elevator, then unlocked the door and helped her inside. She really looked out of it. Against her protests, Harm led her up to his bedroom and sat her down on his bed. He turned around and grabbed a sweatshirt and some cut-off sweatpants with a drawstring, and handed them to her. "Here, this should do. Let me know if they're too uncomfortable."
"Thanks," she said, and stood up to unbutton her jacket and shirt. Harm made sure she was going to stay on her feet and then walked back downstairs and into the kitchen to make some tea.
Mac put on the clothes, they were pretty loose, but loose was just what she needed right now, what a relief. She sat on the bed and felt a slight chill; she hugged herself, then brought her arm up to smell the fabric. She closed her eyes and took comfort in the fact that it smelled like him, God she loved that smell, the combination of soap and detergent and his aftershave.
A few minutes later, Harm went to check on her, it was too quiet up there. He found her clothes on the floor and Mac was lying on her side with her legs dangling over the side. Her arms were clasped together for dear life; she looked so uncomfortable.....but adorable. He tried to rouse her to no avail. So he lifted her legs up gently and swung them onto the bed, then moved his other hand under her back and shifted her weight more evenly over the bed. There, that was better. Harm picked her clothes up and hung them over a chair, then grabbed the blankets and covered Mac up and gave her a kiss on her forehead. Sleep tight.
END FLASHBACK
Mac beat Sturgis once and won once. They were even. Sturgis squeezed her arm and bid her goodbye, some of the guys were starting a football game. Mac surveyed the crowd and smiled, this was such a good day.
The smell of the barbeque was enveloping her senses and she checked her internal clock. She salivated - definitely chow time. Hmmmm, what to eat, the possibilities were endless. She grabbed a plate and helped herself to a hot dog, a hamburger, and not to be outdone, a couple of baby back ribs and some corn slathered in butter – and that was just the appetizer. It's times like this, she mused, she was grateful she could eat whatever she wanted and not gain a pound. Well, except for this time, and smiled at the thought. She negotiated all the hazards successfully as she sat back down on her blanket to eat. Mac knew this wasn't a good position for her, but it gave her the best view of all the activities, so she'll have to grin and bear it. She was having fun.
FLASHBACK
Mac woke up the next morning a bit confused and in pain. Then she remembered where she was, at Harm's. It was quiet in here and she saw that it was early, only 6 am. She sat up and stretched at little, wincing from the tightness in her stomach, but that was to be expected for a few more days. She got up to use the bathroom and took one of her pills. She peered around the divider and saw that Harm was still asleep, she didn't want to wake him. She quietly crawled back into bed and promptly fell back to sleep.
Harm woke up at around 6:30 and tried to stretch some the kinks out of his neck. He reminded himself for the hundredth time that he had to get a bigger couch. He got up to check on Mac. She was still sleeping, looks like she slept through the night. Good, she needed the rest. God knows these last couple of weeks must have been unbearable for her. He quietly puttered around the apartment, but became restless rather quickly, he was afraid to make noise and wake her up. So he decided to take a chance and went out to get some coffee and doughnuts, thinking she was probably going to be hungry when she woke up.
Harm got back from a trip to Starbucks and the local pastry shop. Mac was still asleep. So he sat back down on the couch with his latte and picked up the day's paper and started to read. When he finished that, he went and paid some bills. Then he checked on Mac again – she was still sleeping. He checked his watch....wow, it was almost 10 am. And he was starting to get worried. He went and checked on Mac again, checking to see if he could see her chest rising and falling - It was, what a relief.
So he sat back on the couch. And waited. Now it's almost Noon. Harm went back to check on Mac again, this time he checked for a pulse....just to be safe. Whew, she had one. He rolled his eyes thinking Mac would kill him if she knew he had done that. She wouldn't think it was funny, but then, neither did he. So he waited, and paced, waited, and waited some more. And finally, at 5 pm, she opened her eyes to find him sitting there in a chair by the side of the bed.
"Harm, what are you doing?"
"Watching over you. I told you I would." She smiled at that. It was nice to see her smile.
"What's for breakfast?" she asked as she pulled herself deeper under the covers. She never wanted to get up.
"Breakfast? Are you kidding? It's 5 pm, Mac. You've been sleeping all day."
"What? Mmmmm, wow, I feel like I could sleep forever. Have I ever mentioned how comfortable your bed is?"
"Not recently, no." He smiled ruefully.
"Well, I don't think I've gotten this much sleep in a long time. I guess I was due. But your back must be killing you." She commented.
"I'll be fine. How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad right now. I got up and took a pill around 6 I guess."
"Then you're probably overdue for another one, but you should eat first, those things can give you a stomach ache without food. So what do you say to breakfast/dinner in bed?"
"No, I can't Harm. You've been so good to me, I can't take advantage of you. I'll eat, but I've got to get up and start moving. The doctor told me it was important."
"What can I get for you? Do you want me to make something or should I order in?" he asked, remembering that she hadn't told him yet what the doctor said – not that he hadn't been thinking that for the last several hours.
"Well, I can't go out looking like this, so I guess ordering in. I could go for some Chinese."
He held out a duffel bag and handed it to Mac, "While you were sleeping I went to your place and picked up some clothes for you, I hope you don't mind."
"Harm, don't tell me you went through my underwear drawers" and pulled the covers over her head.
"Not to worry Mac, I picked some clothes out of a laundry basket that was on your bed." He smirked. "Not that I didn't want to though, but the thought of you lopping my hand off deterred me."
She smiled at the thought. "You're funny."
END FLASHBACK