AN: Thanks for the reviews. I promise to get to the reason they haven't kissed soon. Enjoy the chapter.
They slept for hours. Both lost in dreams far better than what they had earlier. For some reason, neither could remember the dreams they have had. Maybe their hearts were protecting them from it, because there weren't ready to deal with it yet.
Mac was first to wake up. She hadn't slept that well when someone else was in bed with her. It's strange. She dated these men, and she never wanted them in her bed at night. At night is when the nightmares came. She always felt so vulnerable at night. That's when her dad use to come home drunk. She didn't always wake up when he got home, but she did when the screaming and beatings would begin. Since then, she never slept very well, if she slept at all. She was always afraid her dad would come in and beat her, too. She banished those memories quickly. This wasn't a time to think about the past. It was time to think about the present. She looked up at the reason for her peaceful slumber. He looked so content, but she could see the worry that etched his face. This must have been a terrible ordeal for him. She couldn't imagine being in his shoes, and she didn't want to. She decided that he had slept long enough. She nuzzled under his head and placed small kisses on his neck. Harm started to move. He loved the sensations coursing through him, but he knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand.
"Mac. Do you realize what you are doing to me?"
"No. What am I doing to you?"
Instead of telling her, Harm decided to show her. He leaned his hips into her side, and she could feel the obvious reason for his discomfort. Blushing, Mac pulled away, but not before looking into Harm's eyes. What she saw there made her weak. She could see the passion and desire emanating from those eyes, and there was something else. Was it love? God, she hoped so. Harm, for once, decided not to mask his emotions. He wanted Mac to see what she did to him. He hoped she got the message. She did.
A knock was heard, and Dr. Morris walked in. He took in the sight before him. He wondered how a man of Harm's height fit in such a small bed with his patient. He guessed one would do anything for love. He knew they loved each other. He had seen them a small amount of time together, and could already see the love in their eyes.
"How are you felling today?" "Not as sore as yesterday."
"That's good to hear. I would like to examine you. I want to see how your lungs are and check your stitches. If I like what I see, you maybe going home sooner than you think."
"That's excellent news."
"Is it ok if Harm stays?"
"I don't have a problem with it if you don't."
"Actually, Mac, I need to call the office to schedule leave for you and me. I will be back in a few minutes."
"Don't be too long."
"I won't."
Harm placed a kiss on Mac's cheek and walked out. They both immediately felt the loss of the other. That was something they both would have to remedy soon. Harm walked out and right into AJ.
"Good morning, sir."
"That it is. Sleep well?"
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"I could tell."
"Sir?"
"I came be to check up on you two earlier, and saw the sleeping arrangements."
"Well...I...uh"
"There's no need to explain, Harm. I'm no longer your Commanding Officer. All I have to say on the matter is that it's about damn time."
"Yes, sir. It is."
"Where are you headed?"
"To call the office to schedule leave for Mac and me."
"Don't worry about that. I took care of that yesterday. You and Mac are on leave until further notice."
"Thank you, sir."
"My pleasure. Since you're free. How about we go get some coffee? Sturgis is already here. He wanted to spend the day with his father. He's already in the cafeteria."
"Sounds like a good idea. The doctor is examining Mac anyway."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. He's making sure everything is ok. She maybe going home sooner than expected."
"That's definitely good news."
Harm and AJ arrived at the cafeteria to find Sturgis already sitting at a table. They grabbed their coffee and joined him.
"How are you doing, Harm? How's Mac?"
"We both are fine, Sturgis. Dr. Morris is examining her now. Hopefully, we'll get some good news."
"I hope so."
"How's your dad?"
"He's doing much better. He maybe going home tomorrow if his tests come back normal."
"That's great, Sturgis. I'll have to go see him today."
"He's been asking for you."
"I figured as much. I have an idea. Let's see what you think. Mac is probably finished with the doctor, so she will be alone. I can go see your dad, and you can go see her."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea, Harm."
"Sure it is, Sturgis. I talked to her last night. She knows the whole story."
"Really? How did she take it?"
"Rather well, actually. Don't underestimate her. She'll surprise you a few times."
"Well, if you're sure."
"Positive. You go see Mac, and I'll go see your dad. Want to come, sir?"
"I would, but I have plans. Francesca is in town, and we're going to have lunch to discuss our adventure."
"I see. Well, I will keep you posted on how Mac is doing."
"You better, Harm."
"I will, sir."
"See you later, Sturgis. Give your father my best."
"I will, AJ, and thank you for all you've done."
"Not a problem, Sturgis."
AJ got up and made his way towards the exit. Before he left he turned and addressed Harm.
"By the way, Harm. I want an invitation to the wedding."
"I...uh...well. You see...me and Mac haven't decided on that."
"Yeah, right."
With that, AJ left the room smirking. There was no doubt in his mind that Harm and Mac would get married. They were made for each other. Sturgis couldn't wipe the goofy grin off his face, while he watched Harm squirm. Harm turned and shot a look at him. That didn't even deter him. It just made him laugh. Sighing, Harm just gave up. They started to make their way to the exit when Sturgis spoke up.
"You know he's right."
"I hate to admit it, but he is. Its just Mac and I aren't there yet. Hell, I haven't even told her I love her. There's just so much water under the bridge that we need to get through before I ask her to marry me."
"Is the past really that important?"
"With Mac and I, I would have to say it is."
"Why is that?"
"Mac and I have a very colorful past. You've heard about our exploits, but you haven't heard how close we came to taking our relationship to the next level. Something has always gotten in the way."
"How do you mean?"
"I can count on one hand the number of kisses we've shared, and there was always a reason for it. It was never because of spontaneity."
"Wait a minute. You mean you two kissed, and you didn't tell me?"
"I don't tell you everything, Sturgis."
"Ok. Please continue."
"The first time I kissed her was when I found Diane's killer. She thought I was kissing Diane. I was in a sense, but then I was kissing her. It was like saying goodbye to my past, and hello to my future."
"Makes sense."
"The next time I kissed her was at her engagement party."
"Harm! You kissed her at her engagement party! What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't, actually. It was supposed to be a goodbye kiss. A friendly peck on the lips. We were trying to say goodbye, but it took a life of it's own. We couldn't get enough of each other. I can still feel it, Sturgis. I've never felt that way when kissing someone."
"Well, you both are at fault for that mistake, Harm."
"I don't see it as a mistake. In that brief moment, I knew what it was like to be kissed by the woman I love. There was no smoke and mirrors that time. It was just Harm and Sarah sharing what we couldn't say."
"Ok. I won't argue the point with you."
"You wouldn't win anyway."
"Right. Any other lip locks I should know?"
"Well, I did kiss her a couple years ago at Christmas. We were under a mistletoe. Part of me thinks she planned that. There really wasn't anything to the kiss, but damn did it bring back memories. I almost needed a cold shower that night, but the cold air took care of that for me."
"That was more than I wanted to know. Harm, you say there is always a reason why you two kiss. You maybe right. I think it's because you both are too scared to see what it would really be like to kiss without a reason."
"I was scared, Sturgis."
"What do you have to be scared of?"
"Sturgis, I have never felt this way before. I never let anyone get as close to me as Mac has. She is under my skin. She is in my heart, and if I look hard enough, I would probably find her in my soul. That scared the hell out of me. I did everything I could to push her away. I even pushed her into other men's arms. When she was with someone else, I felt safe. As long as she wasn't marrying them, I knew I would always have her. The funny thing is, I pushed her away and had the balls to be jealous when she was with them. I know Mac can make up her own mind, and she wouldn't be with other men if she wasn't getting something out of it. I know I was with other women, because I couldn't have the one woman I wanted. I don't know if that is the reason she stayed with these men, but that's why I stayed with these women. It was a sick, twisted circle. I would go to these women, because I knew nothing would happen. With them, I wasn't risking the one thing I was terrified to risk. My heart. No other woman could have that, because it was already was taken by Mac."
"But something has changed."
"Yes. She died on me. Not once, but three times. It's a shame it took her dying for me to realize what she means to me. I don't want to hide behind my fears anymore. I want to face them, and I think I can if she is by my side."
"You've definitely changed in the last couple of days."
"I certainly have, and I hope it's for the better."
"I think it is, buddy. I can only tell you this. Don't focus too much on the past. Let the past be what it is. There is nothing you can do to change it. All you can do is learn from it and move on."
"I plan to, Sturgis. I want things to be different this time."
"Well, I guess this is where we part. Tell my dad that I will be by later to see him."
"Will do, Sturgis. Do the same for me."
"No problem."
"And Sturgis?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything. You may not think it, but it's because of you that I've changed."
"You lost me."
"If you haven't hit Mac. She wouldn't have died, and I wouldn't have decided to grow up and be a man."
"You definitely have a funny way of looking at things, buddy. You're welcome. I think."
Both men exchanged a brief hug and went their separate ways. Both thought about the conversation they just had. Harm was right. If Sturgis didn't hit Mac, he wouldn't have decided to face his fears. This was the reason Chaplain Turner spoke about. This was the reason the accident happened. It was meant to draw Harm and Mac together, and it looks like it's working.
Well there it is. I hope you enjoyed it. Now all you have to do is hit the lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)
They slept for hours. Both lost in dreams far better than what they had earlier. For some reason, neither could remember the dreams they have had. Maybe their hearts were protecting them from it, because there weren't ready to deal with it yet.
Mac was first to wake up. She hadn't slept that well when someone else was in bed with her. It's strange. She dated these men, and she never wanted them in her bed at night. At night is when the nightmares came. She always felt so vulnerable at night. That's when her dad use to come home drunk. She didn't always wake up when he got home, but she did when the screaming and beatings would begin. Since then, she never slept very well, if she slept at all. She was always afraid her dad would come in and beat her, too. She banished those memories quickly. This wasn't a time to think about the past. It was time to think about the present. She looked up at the reason for her peaceful slumber. He looked so content, but she could see the worry that etched his face. This must have been a terrible ordeal for him. She couldn't imagine being in his shoes, and she didn't want to. She decided that he had slept long enough. She nuzzled under his head and placed small kisses on his neck. Harm started to move. He loved the sensations coursing through him, but he knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand.
"Mac. Do you realize what you are doing to me?"
"No. What am I doing to you?"
Instead of telling her, Harm decided to show her. He leaned his hips into her side, and she could feel the obvious reason for his discomfort. Blushing, Mac pulled away, but not before looking into Harm's eyes. What she saw there made her weak. She could see the passion and desire emanating from those eyes, and there was something else. Was it love? God, she hoped so. Harm, for once, decided not to mask his emotions. He wanted Mac to see what she did to him. He hoped she got the message. She did.
A knock was heard, and Dr. Morris walked in. He took in the sight before him. He wondered how a man of Harm's height fit in such a small bed with his patient. He guessed one would do anything for love. He knew they loved each other. He had seen them a small amount of time together, and could already see the love in their eyes.
"How are you felling today?" "Not as sore as yesterday."
"That's good to hear. I would like to examine you. I want to see how your lungs are and check your stitches. If I like what I see, you maybe going home sooner than you think."
"That's excellent news."
"Is it ok if Harm stays?"
"I don't have a problem with it if you don't."
"Actually, Mac, I need to call the office to schedule leave for you and me. I will be back in a few minutes."
"Don't be too long."
"I won't."
Harm placed a kiss on Mac's cheek and walked out. They both immediately felt the loss of the other. That was something they both would have to remedy soon. Harm walked out and right into AJ.
"Good morning, sir."
"That it is. Sleep well?"
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"I could tell."
"Sir?"
"I came be to check up on you two earlier, and saw the sleeping arrangements."
"Well...I...uh"
"There's no need to explain, Harm. I'm no longer your Commanding Officer. All I have to say on the matter is that it's about damn time."
"Yes, sir. It is."
"Where are you headed?"
"To call the office to schedule leave for Mac and me."
"Don't worry about that. I took care of that yesterday. You and Mac are on leave until further notice."
"Thank you, sir."
"My pleasure. Since you're free. How about we go get some coffee? Sturgis is already here. He wanted to spend the day with his father. He's already in the cafeteria."
"Sounds like a good idea. The doctor is examining Mac anyway."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. He's making sure everything is ok. She maybe going home sooner than expected."
"That's definitely good news."
Harm and AJ arrived at the cafeteria to find Sturgis already sitting at a table. They grabbed their coffee and joined him.
"How are you doing, Harm? How's Mac?"
"We both are fine, Sturgis. Dr. Morris is examining her now. Hopefully, we'll get some good news."
"I hope so."
"How's your dad?"
"He's doing much better. He maybe going home tomorrow if his tests come back normal."
"That's great, Sturgis. I'll have to go see him today."
"He's been asking for you."
"I figured as much. I have an idea. Let's see what you think. Mac is probably finished with the doctor, so she will be alone. I can go see your dad, and you can go see her."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea, Harm."
"Sure it is, Sturgis. I talked to her last night. She knows the whole story."
"Really? How did she take it?"
"Rather well, actually. Don't underestimate her. She'll surprise you a few times."
"Well, if you're sure."
"Positive. You go see Mac, and I'll go see your dad. Want to come, sir?"
"I would, but I have plans. Francesca is in town, and we're going to have lunch to discuss our adventure."
"I see. Well, I will keep you posted on how Mac is doing."
"You better, Harm."
"I will, sir."
"See you later, Sturgis. Give your father my best."
"I will, AJ, and thank you for all you've done."
"Not a problem, Sturgis."
AJ got up and made his way towards the exit. Before he left he turned and addressed Harm.
"By the way, Harm. I want an invitation to the wedding."
"I...uh...well. You see...me and Mac haven't decided on that."
"Yeah, right."
With that, AJ left the room smirking. There was no doubt in his mind that Harm and Mac would get married. They were made for each other. Sturgis couldn't wipe the goofy grin off his face, while he watched Harm squirm. Harm turned and shot a look at him. That didn't even deter him. It just made him laugh. Sighing, Harm just gave up. They started to make their way to the exit when Sturgis spoke up.
"You know he's right."
"I hate to admit it, but he is. Its just Mac and I aren't there yet. Hell, I haven't even told her I love her. There's just so much water under the bridge that we need to get through before I ask her to marry me."
"Is the past really that important?"
"With Mac and I, I would have to say it is."
"Why is that?"
"Mac and I have a very colorful past. You've heard about our exploits, but you haven't heard how close we came to taking our relationship to the next level. Something has always gotten in the way."
"How do you mean?"
"I can count on one hand the number of kisses we've shared, and there was always a reason for it. It was never because of spontaneity."
"Wait a minute. You mean you two kissed, and you didn't tell me?"
"I don't tell you everything, Sturgis."
"Ok. Please continue."
"The first time I kissed her was when I found Diane's killer. She thought I was kissing Diane. I was in a sense, but then I was kissing her. It was like saying goodbye to my past, and hello to my future."
"Makes sense."
"The next time I kissed her was at her engagement party."
"Harm! You kissed her at her engagement party! What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't, actually. It was supposed to be a goodbye kiss. A friendly peck on the lips. We were trying to say goodbye, but it took a life of it's own. We couldn't get enough of each other. I can still feel it, Sturgis. I've never felt that way when kissing someone."
"Well, you both are at fault for that mistake, Harm."
"I don't see it as a mistake. In that brief moment, I knew what it was like to be kissed by the woman I love. There was no smoke and mirrors that time. It was just Harm and Sarah sharing what we couldn't say."
"Ok. I won't argue the point with you."
"You wouldn't win anyway."
"Right. Any other lip locks I should know?"
"Well, I did kiss her a couple years ago at Christmas. We were under a mistletoe. Part of me thinks she planned that. There really wasn't anything to the kiss, but damn did it bring back memories. I almost needed a cold shower that night, but the cold air took care of that for me."
"That was more than I wanted to know. Harm, you say there is always a reason why you two kiss. You maybe right. I think it's because you both are too scared to see what it would really be like to kiss without a reason."
"I was scared, Sturgis."
"What do you have to be scared of?"
"Sturgis, I have never felt this way before. I never let anyone get as close to me as Mac has. She is under my skin. She is in my heart, and if I look hard enough, I would probably find her in my soul. That scared the hell out of me. I did everything I could to push her away. I even pushed her into other men's arms. When she was with someone else, I felt safe. As long as she wasn't marrying them, I knew I would always have her. The funny thing is, I pushed her away and had the balls to be jealous when she was with them. I know Mac can make up her own mind, and she wouldn't be with other men if she wasn't getting something out of it. I know I was with other women, because I couldn't have the one woman I wanted. I don't know if that is the reason she stayed with these men, but that's why I stayed with these women. It was a sick, twisted circle. I would go to these women, because I knew nothing would happen. With them, I wasn't risking the one thing I was terrified to risk. My heart. No other woman could have that, because it was already was taken by Mac."
"But something has changed."
"Yes. She died on me. Not once, but three times. It's a shame it took her dying for me to realize what she means to me. I don't want to hide behind my fears anymore. I want to face them, and I think I can if she is by my side."
"You've definitely changed in the last couple of days."
"I certainly have, and I hope it's for the better."
"I think it is, buddy. I can only tell you this. Don't focus too much on the past. Let the past be what it is. There is nothing you can do to change it. All you can do is learn from it and move on."
"I plan to, Sturgis. I want things to be different this time."
"Well, I guess this is where we part. Tell my dad that I will be by later to see him."
"Will do, Sturgis. Do the same for me."
"No problem."
"And Sturgis?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything. You may not think it, but it's because of you that I've changed."
"You lost me."
"If you haven't hit Mac. She wouldn't have died, and I wouldn't have decided to grow up and be a man."
"You definitely have a funny way of looking at things, buddy. You're welcome. I think."
Both men exchanged a brief hug and went their separate ways. Both thought about the conversation they just had. Harm was right. If Sturgis didn't hit Mac, he wouldn't have decided to face his fears. This was the reason Chaplain Turner spoke about. This was the reason the accident happened. It was meant to draw Harm and Mac together, and it looks like it's working.
Well there it is. I hope you enjoyed it. Now all you have to do is hit the lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)