Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead and rosa for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
nikki Thanks for your support. I'd planned a different evening for Mac and Harm, but the idea of them returning to the Sea Hawk separately came up and so I went for it. It seems to be working!
jbird7986 Thanks for your support. Still lots of ideas going around in my head, so more storyline to follow, and trouble included.
rosa Thanks for your support. Yes, the incident with Dunstan and his assistant was when he used a satellite phone to call her, and she traced the call and had the location bombed, or something like that! I think it was in Series 7, but I don't remember the episode.
anna7 Thanks for your support. Glad you've joined the fanfic 'family' - it's what keeps me sane! ;o)
jtbwriter Hiya! I am really liking the relationship between Mattie and Mac, and after all it was Mac who worked to get Mattie and Harm together - one of many acts that illustrates the unspoken bond between Harm and Mac. Question for you - do you think the character Blaise works well? Not much else is going to happen between him and Mattie in this story, but if it seems feasible, he could come into another story. I'd appreciate your comments. Thanks as always!
ninjaturtle Thanks for your support. Here's more!
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BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
MANAMA
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
SATURDAY MORNING
Mac was ready to leave for the COD back to the Sea Hawk, and all she had left to do was make sure that Mattie was packed and ready for her trip back to DC with Sturgis later in the afternoon.
"Jen will be at the airport to meet you, and both Sue and Jack would like to come see you when you get back."
"Really? That's great. It seems ages since we saw them."
Mac nodded. "Yes, it does. So, you're all ready, passport and ticket in your backpack, cell phone, card and money in there too."
"All present and correct, ma'am!" Mattie gave a smart salute, and Mac grinned at her.
"Just remember, you're going to be doing that a lot one of these days. It doesn't hurt to practice!"
"Have you heard anything from Harm?" Mattie asked, but Mac shook her head.
"Nothing yet, but that isn't to say there's anything wrong. It could just be the fact that they had to return so quickly. There would have been briefings, de-briefings, and in all honesty it has only been a few hours since he left. I'll call you as soon as I get back on board and find out what's been happening, okay?"
"I guess so," Mattie answered quietly.
"We'll all be back in DC before too long, Mattie. In fact, if the guy in the brig wants to deal, I could be back early next week. Captain Johnson has already approved Harm's request to return as and when we get the court date for you, and that's not too far away either."
"Okay."
"In the meantime, Sturgis and Varese are going to be here for you, and make sure you're okay."
"What time do you have to leave?" Mattie asked.
"Right about now. The car from the embassy should be here in another two minutes."
"Can we say goodbye up here, Mac? I don't think I could face doing it downstairs."
"Sure we can," Mac answered softly, and put her hands on Mattie's shoulders, looking at her. "In fact, I don't really like using that word. It always sounds so final. I'm just going to say 'see ya, kiddo' and leave it at that." As Mac finished speaking she pulled Mattie into a hug.
"Sounds good to me," Mattie agreed, and rested her chin on Mac's shoulder for a moment longer. As she released her hold on Mac she stepped back. "Say 'hello' to everyone on the carrier for me? I'm going to be writing emails from now until Christmas with all the addies I've got recently!"
Mac laughed at that, and turned to pick up her suit bag. Mattie picked up Harm's and carried it out to the terrace for Mac. Sturgis and Varese were waiting for the pair of them. Mac gave both a hug, and spoke to Varese.
"It's been so nice getting to know you, Varese. I look forward to seeing you again, either here or back in the States."
"Same here, Mac. You take care of Baby Rabb there, too."
"I will. I'll probably be huge by the time I see you next!" Mac moaned, and Sturgis grinned at her, putting his arm around her shoulders and looking down at her uniform.
"Have you considered the possibility of twins, Mac?" he asked conversationally, and both Mac and Mattie froze.
"Twins? No! I mean, no I haven't...Harm isn't..."
Sturgis shrugged, tipping his head on one side. "I don't really know much about this stuff, but have you had a scan yet?"
"One, but the technician said it was still early, and she made no comment about twins, so I never asked..."
"Just an idea," noted Sturgis, and smiled to himself. 'Hah, wouldn't this be a shock for Harm if he was getting more than he bargained for!'
Mac shook her head. "I'm sure it's Baby Rabb, singular, Sturgis."
"Okay." Sturgis nodded, hugging Mac once more before calling for the elevator. As the doors opened Sturgis lifted the two suit bags inside, and then held the door for Mac. "I'll help you out with the bags, Mac."
"Thanks, Sturgis. I appreciate it."
"Not a problem. Ladies," Sturgis turned to smile at Varese and Mattie, waved and said in a deeper voice 'I'll be back!'
All three women groaned and Mattie voiced their one thought. "That's an awful Arnie, Sturgis!"
Sturgis' face fell in a pained expression. "That was my Alec Baldwin!" he said, with such a straight face they almost believed him!
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
SATURDAY, MID MORNING
The ensign on duty called attention to Mac's entrance on the bridge. Captain Johnson turned as her name was announced.
"Welcome back, Colonel. I hope you enjoyed your break."
"Yes, sir. Thank you. Mattie sends her regards."
"Has she left for DC yet?"
"No, sir. Commander Turner and Mattie are due to leave this afternoon." Mac was dying to know where Harm was. He hadn't met the COD on landing, so she presumed he was up flying. Johnson had a half smile on his lips, and Mac was unsure what he was thinking.
"I'm sorry I had to pull Captain Rabb back early, Colonel. I'm sure he told you why."
It was a statement, indicating that Johnson knew Harm would have briefed Mac as far as he possibly could.
"He mentioned the supply ship, sir. Is he..."
"Flying now? Yes, Colonel, he is. If you'd like to get your bags stowed, your brig resident would like to talk to you. Seems he wants to make a deal with you, as per your chat before you left."
"Really? Good. I'll get right on it, sir."
"If you like what he has to say, does this mean you won't court martial him on board?"
"That's possible, sir. If he tells us that his Bahraini family influenced his decision to go UA, we can negotiate something back at headquarters."
"You're eager to leave us, Colonel?"
Mac smiled. "No, sir. I enjoy my time on the Sea Hawk. But it would be better to get back to DC to pursue this matter further. If we can drop the court martial, I can get in touch with the FBI and NCIS and follow up on any information we are given."
"Sounds good. Carry on, Colonel."
"Aye, sir." Mac snapped to and saluted before turning and leaving the bridge. As she walked away, Johnson turned back to look out at the flight deck, and his smile had just grown wider.
BRIG INTERVIEW ROOM
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Mac had spoken with Lieutenant Commander Joseph Carson as soon as she had left the bridge. The ensign on duty had offered to take the two suit bags to the respective quarters, thus leaving Mac free to get on with her job.
"So, you're telling me that you gave yourself up to get away from your Bahraini relatives?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You were pretty close-mouthed when you we first met, Commander. Why should I believe that you suddenly want to tell me everything?"
"You offered me a deal, ma'am. This is all I have, the Navy, I mean. It's all I've ever wanted, to follow my father into the service. I know how it looks, having dual nationality as I do, but I swear I have only one allegiance, to the US, and her services."
"I can hold off on court martial proceedings for now, and transport you back to the US, providing you tell me what it was that, a) made you go to your family in the first place and b), made you give yourself up."
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll tell you what I know...what I found out while I was visiting. It's hard to explain, ma'am. They are my family, and always will be, and I wanted to spend time with them, being so close to Bahrain as we are. But what they asked...no, what they expected of me, it was like being taken for granted. Being used."
"There are people who are going to be skeptical of your motives, Commander," Mac stated, looking down at her notes for a second.
"I know, ma'am. I need to ask you, though, if you believe me?"
Mac paused and looked up from her notes. "You're not my client, Commander. I was sent to prosecute you, and I may still have to. I reserve judgment at this time, but I certainly feel there is more to your actions, and that's what I will work with."
"You'd make a fair judge, ma'am."
"Thank you, Commander. It just so happens I've already sat on the bench at JAG."
"That makes me feel a whole lot better, Colonel Mackenzie." Carson smiled for the first time since he had given himself up, and Mac looked at him closely.
"Why do you say that, Commander?"
"You see my case from all points; defence, prosecution and judge. I can trust that any decision you make will be with understanding of all aspects. Civil attorneys defend and State attorneys prosecute; most never do both, and even fewer have the necessary skills to make it to the bench."
"Thank you, Commander. That is quite a statement."
"It's what I believe, ma'am. It's also what I based my thesis on when I was going through law school."
"Well, it certainly gives me hope, Commander," Mac admitted, and as she gathered up her notepaper and pens she shook hands with Carson.
"Colonel? Can I ask one favor?"
"Ask me first, and I'll let you know," Mac countered.
"As and when I go back to DC, could it be done through military transport? I don't want to travel civilian."
"May I ask why not?" Mac was curious.
"I'm afraid, ma'am. Afraid that I might be killed before I ever touched ground in the States."
Mac paused at the door to the interview room. "I'll see what can be done, Commander. I'll be back later with Captain Rabb. I want him to hear what you have to say also."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm not sure when the next interview will be. Captain Rabb is airborne right now."
"I'll be here, ma'am."
Mac nodded, and smiled slightly at the humor in the man's statement.
OFFICER'S MESS
USS SEA HAWK
SATURDAY, LUNCHTIME
Mac was seated at a table, a plate of pasta and salad in front of her, along with a glass of water and a glass of iced tea. Harm grinned as he looked at the contents of the plate, and waited for her eyes to meet his as he took the chair opposite hers.
"I see my good habits are wearing off on you after all these years, Colonel." As Harm spoke, Mac's head shot up. He had taken her by surprise; usually she was aware of him, from the raising of the hairs on the back of her neck to the shiver of anticipation that ran through her whenever she saw him.
"Captain Rabb. How long have you been in here?"
"Not long. Just got back, actually, and I'm starving. Skipped breakfast this morning." Harm spoke conversationally, but Mac was suddenly mute, unable to do anything but watch his mouth and his hands move as he took a piece of her French bread and dipped it in the pasta sauce before popping it in his mouth.
"Harm!" Mac managed a squeak at the intimate gesture of taking her food, but Harm shook his head at her.
"There's no one in here to see, and besides, if I can't get my hands on you for another few hours, I'm going to make the most of this break. How was Mattie when you left?" Harm's sudden change of topic threw Mac.
"What...what are you doing?" Mac questioned, finding her voice again.
"Right now? I'm sharing your lunch until mine arrives," Harm spoke as he made a grab for another piece of bread. "Later, well, that's classified!"
Mac felt herself drowning in the sea-colored eyes that looked into hers, and she had to mentally shake herself as she heard Captain Johnson's voice behind her. Moving to get her feet, she was waved back down by Johnson.
"Mind if I join you, Colonel? Captain Rabb? As you've spent some time with Carson now, and you need to fill Harm in on the matter, I thought you might kill two birds with one stone and tell me too."
"Of course...sir," Mac recovered her equilibrium slowly, and Harm was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire Cat as he watched her.
While Mac relayed the details of her meeting with Carson in the brig, she was aware of Harm's presence, his attentiveness to her words, and the way his eyes were already undressing her.
'Classified! Hah!' Mac stifled a sly grin. 'I'll give you 'classified', flyboy.' With that thought in mind, Mac finished, adding at the end, "Mattie's fine, by the way. I told her you would call when you could."
"I'll do that," Harm acknowledged, and Mac nodded.
"Well, I shall leave you to finish your lunch in peace. Keep me posted on what you decide to do about Carson." Captain Johnson got to his feet, and again waved the two of them back into their seats. As he walked away from the table Harm sat back in his seat and stretched his legs out under the table. Mac jumped in her seat as his legs brushed against hers, and her eyes darkened as she looked at him in response to his movement.
"If Carson wants to return to the States via military transport, we're going to have to arrange it soon," Harm advised, and Mac nodded. Harm grinned, knowing that she wasn't aware of the idea that had suddenly come to mind. His mind at least! He continued talking.
"That would require a change of your orders from the Admiral," Harm informed Mac, and she nodded in silence. Words were definitely not lining up to be used right at that moment.
"Which means you may want to go and advise the Admiral, using the IM service on your laptop. Or mine. Either. Doesn't matter which," Harm murmured softly, and he smiled when he saw the dawning of understanding in Mac's expression.
"Mine...would be better," Mac responded huskily. "What if he's busy?"
"Not a problem. We can wait, to use the IM. He isn't going anywhere for a while, at least."
"Oh," Mac almost whispered, as she rose to her feet "That's good." Harm followed suit. As they left the Wardroom together they were the image of decorum, a correct distance between them - leaving no chance for imposing on personal space.
That would come soon enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
A/N:
1. 'Addies' - email addresses
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead and rosa for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
nikki Thanks for your support. I'd planned a different evening for Mac and Harm, but the idea of them returning to the Sea Hawk separately came up and so I went for it. It seems to be working!
jbird7986 Thanks for your support. Still lots of ideas going around in my head, so more storyline to follow, and trouble included.
rosa Thanks for your support. Yes, the incident with Dunstan and his assistant was when he used a satellite phone to call her, and she traced the call and had the location bombed, or something like that! I think it was in Series 7, but I don't remember the episode.
anna7 Thanks for your support. Glad you've joined the fanfic 'family' - it's what keeps me sane! ;o)
jtbwriter Hiya! I am really liking the relationship between Mattie and Mac, and after all it was Mac who worked to get Mattie and Harm together - one of many acts that illustrates the unspoken bond between Harm and Mac. Question for you - do you think the character Blaise works well? Not much else is going to happen between him and Mattie in this story, but if it seems feasible, he could come into another story. I'd appreciate your comments. Thanks as always!
ninjaturtle Thanks for your support. Here's more!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
MANAMA
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
SATURDAY MORNING
Mac was ready to leave for the COD back to the Sea Hawk, and all she had left to do was make sure that Mattie was packed and ready for her trip back to DC with Sturgis later in the afternoon.
"Jen will be at the airport to meet you, and both Sue and Jack would like to come see you when you get back."
"Really? That's great. It seems ages since we saw them."
Mac nodded. "Yes, it does. So, you're all ready, passport and ticket in your backpack, cell phone, card and money in there too."
"All present and correct, ma'am!" Mattie gave a smart salute, and Mac grinned at her.
"Just remember, you're going to be doing that a lot one of these days. It doesn't hurt to practice!"
"Have you heard anything from Harm?" Mattie asked, but Mac shook her head.
"Nothing yet, but that isn't to say there's anything wrong. It could just be the fact that they had to return so quickly. There would have been briefings, de-briefings, and in all honesty it has only been a few hours since he left. I'll call you as soon as I get back on board and find out what's been happening, okay?"
"I guess so," Mattie answered quietly.
"We'll all be back in DC before too long, Mattie. In fact, if the guy in the brig wants to deal, I could be back early next week. Captain Johnson has already approved Harm's request to return as and when we get the court date for you, and that's not too far away either."
"Okay."
"In the meantime, Sturgis and Varese are going to be here for you, and make sure you're okay."
"What time do you have to leave?" Mattie asked.
"Right about now. The car from the embassy should be here in another two minutes."
"Can we say goodbye up here, Mac? I don't think I could face doing it downstairs."
"Sure we can," Mac answered softly, and put her hands on Mattie's shoulders, looking at her. "In fact, I don't really like using that word. It always sounds so final. I'm just going to say 'see ya, kiddo' and leave it at that." As Mac finished speaking she pulled Mattie into a hug.
"Sounds good to me," Mattie agreed, and rested her chin on Mac's shoulder for a moment longer. As she released her hold on Mac she stepped back. "Say 'hello' to everyone on the carrier for me? I'm going to be writing emails from now until Christmas with all the addies I've got recently!"
Mac laughed at that, and turned to pick up her suit bag. Mattie picked up Harm's and carried it out to the terrace for Mac. Sturgis and Varese were waiting for the pair of them. Mac gave both a hug, and spoke to Varese.
"It's been so nice getting to know you, Varese. I look forward to seeing you again, either here or back in the States."
"Same here, Mac. You take care of Baby Rabb there, too."
"I will. I'll probably be huge by the time I see you next!" Mac moaned, and Sturgis grinned at her, putting his arm around her shoulders and looking down at her uniform.
"Have you considered the possibility of twins, Mac?" he asked conversationally, and both Mac and Mattie froze.
"Twins? No! I mean, no I haven't...Harm isn't..."
Sturgis shrugged, tipping his head on one side. "I don't really know much about this stuff, but have you had a scan yet?"
"One, but the technician said it was still early, and she made no comment about twins, so I never asked..."
"Just an idea," noted Sturgis, and smiled to himself. 'Hah, wouldn't this be a shock for Harm if he was getting more than he bargained for!'
Mac shook her head. "I'm sure it's Baby Rabb, singular, Sturgis."
"Okay." Sturgis nodded, hugging Mac once more before calling for the elevator. As the doors opened Sturgis lifted the two suit bags inside, and then held the door for Mac. "I'll help you out with the bags, Mac."
"Thanks, Sturgis. I appreciate it."
"Not a problem. Ladies," Sturgis turned to smile at Varese and Mattie, waved and said in a deeper voice 'I'll be back!'
All three women groaned and Mattie voiced their one thought. "That's an awful Arnie, Sturgis!"
Sturgis' face fell in a pained expression. "That was my Alec Baldwin!" he said, with such a straight face they almost believed him!
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
SATURDAY, MID MORNING
The ensign on duty called attention to Mac's entrance on the bridge. Captain Johnson turned as her name was announced.
"Welcome back, Colonel. I hope you enjoyed your break."
"Yes, sir. Thank you. Mattie sends her regards."
"Has she left for DC yet?"
"No, sir. Commander Turner and Mattie are due to leave this afternoon." Mac was dying to know where Harm was. He hadn't met the COD on landing, so she presumed he was up flying. Johnson had a half smile on his lips, and Mac was unsure what he was thinking.
"I'm sorry I had to pull Captain Rabb back early, Colonel. I'm sure he told you why."
It was a statement, indicating that Johnson knew Harm would have briefed Mac as far as he possibly could.
"He mentioned the supply ship, sir. Is he..."
"Flying now? Yes, Colonel, he is. If you'd like to get your bags stowed, your brig resident would like to talk to you. Seems he wants to make a deal with you, as per your chat before you left."
"Really? Good. I'll get right on it, sir."
"If you like what he has to say, does this mean you won't court martial him on board?"
"That's possible, sir. If he tells us that his Bahraini family influenced his decision to go UA, we can negotiate something back at headquarters."
"You're eager to leave us, Colonel?"
Mac smiled. "No, sir. I enjoy my time on the Sea Hawk. But it would be better to get back to DC to pursue this matter further. If we can drop the court martial, I can get in touch with the FBI and NCIS and follow up on any information we are given."
"Sounds good. Carry on, Colonel."
"Aye, sir." Mac snapped to and saluted before turning and leaving the bridge. As she walked away, Johnson turned back to look out at the flight deck, and his smile had just grown wider.
BRIG INTERVIEW ROOM
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Mac had spoken with Lieutenant Commander Joseph Carson as soon as she had left the bridge. The ensign on duty had offered to take the two suit bags to the respective quarters, thus leaving Mac free to get on with her job.
"So, you're telling me that you gave yourself up to get away from your Bahraini relatives?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You were pretty close-mouthed when you we first met, Commander. Why should I believe that you suddenly want to tell me everything?"
"You offered me a deal, ma'am. This is all I have, the Navy, I mean. It's all I've ever wanted, to follow my father into the service. I know how it looks, having dual nationality as I do, but I swear I have only one allegiance, to the US, and her services."
"I can hold off on court martial proceedings for now, and transport you back to the US, providing you tell me what it was that, a) made you go to your family in the first place and b), made you give yourself up."
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll tell you what I know...what I found out while I was visiting. It's hard to explain, ma'am. They are my family, and always will be, and I wanted to spend time with them, being so close to Bahrain as we are. But what they asked...no, what they expected of me, it was like being taken for granted. Being used."
"There are people who are going to be skeptical of your motives, Commander," Mac stated, looking down at her notes for a second.
"I know, ma'am. I need to ask you, though, if you believe me?"
Mac paused and looked up from her notes. "You're not my client, Commander. I was sent to prosecute you, and I may still have to. I reserve judgment at this time, but I certainly feel there is more to your actions, and that's what I will work with."
"You'd make a fair judge, ma'am."
"Thank you, Commander. It just so happens I've already sat on the bench at JAG."
"That makes me feel a whole lot better, Colonel Mackenzie." Carson smiled for the first time since he had given himself up, and Mac looked at him closely.
"Why do you say that, Commander?"
"You see my case from all points; defence, prosecution and judge. I can trust that any decision you make will be with understanding of all aspects. Civil attorneys defend and State attorneys prosecute; most never do both, and even fewer have the necessary skills to make it to the bench."
"Thank you, Commander. That is quite a statement."
"It's what I believe, ma'am. It's also what I based my thesis on when I was going through law school."
"Well, it certainly gives me hope, Commander," Mac admitted, and as she gathered up her notepaper and pens she shook hands with Carson.
"Colonel? Can I ask one favor?"
"Ask me first, and I'll let you know," Mac countered.
"As and when I go back to DC, could it be done through military transport? I don't want to travel civilian."
"May I ask why not?" Mac was curious.
"I'm afraid, ma'am. Afraid that I might be killed before I ever touched ground in the States."
Mac paused at the door to the interview room. "I'll see what can be done, Commander. I'll be back later with Captain Rabb. I want him to hear what you have to say also."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm not sure when the next interview will be. Captain Rabb is airborne right now."
"I'll be here, ma'am."
Mac nodded, and smiled slightly at the humor in the man's statement.
OFFICER'S MESS
USS SEA HAWK
SATURDAY, LUNCHTIME
Mac was seated at a table, a plate of pasta and salad in front of her, along with a glass of water and a glass of iced tea. Harm grinned as he looked at the contents of the plate, and waited for her eyes to meet his as he took the chair opposite hers.
"I see my good habits are wearing off on you after all these years, Colonel." As Harm spoke, Mac's head shot up. He had taken her by surprise; usually she was aware of him, from the raising of the hairs on the back of her neck to the shiver of anticipation that ran through her whenever she saw him.
"Captain Rabb. How long have you been in here?"
"Not long. Just got back, actually, and I'm starving. Skipped breakfast this morning." Harm spoke conversationally, but Mac was suddenly mute, unable to do anything but watch his mouth and his hands move as he took a piece of her French bread and dipped it in the pasta sauce before popping it in his mouth.
"Harm!" Mac managed a squeak at the intimate gesture of taking her food, but Harm shook his head at her.
"There's no one in here to see, and besides, if I can't get my hands on you for another few hours, I'm going to make the most of this break. How was Mattie when you left?" Harm's sudden change of topic threw Mac.
"What...what are you doing?" Mac questioned, finding her voice again.
"Right now? I'm sharing your lunch until mine arrives," Harm spoke as he made a grab for another piece of bread. "Later, well, that's classified!"
Mac felt herself drowning in the sea-colored eyes that looked into hers, and she had to mentally shake herself as she heard Captain Johnson's voice behind her. Moving to get her feet, she was waved back down by Johnson.
"Mind if I join you, Colonel? Captain Rabb? As you've spent some time with Carson now, and you need to fill Harm in on the matter, I thought you might kill two birds with one stone and tell me too."
"Of course...sir," Mac recovered her equilibrium slowly, and Harm was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire Cat as he watched her.
While Mac relayed the details of her meeting with Carson in the brig, she was aware of Harm's presence, his attentiveness to her words, and the way his eyes were already undressing her.
'Classified! Hah!' Mac stifled a sly grin. 'I'll give you 'classified', flyboy.' With that thought in mind, Mac finished, adding at the end, "Mattie's fine, by the way. I told her you would call when you could."
"I'll do that," Harm acknowledged, and Mac nodded.
"Well, I shall leave you to finish your lunch in peace. Keep me posted on what you decide to do about Carson." Captain Johnson got to his feet, and again waved the two of them back into their seats. As he walked away from the table Harm sat back in his seat and stretched his legs out under the table. Mac jumped in her seat as his legs brushed against hers, and her eyes darkened as she looked at him in response to his movement.
"If Carson wants to return to the States via military transport, we're going to have to arrange it soon," Harm advised, and Mac nodded. Harm grinned, knowing that she wasn't aware of the idea that had suddenly come to mind. His mind at least! He continued talking.
"That would require a change of your orders from the Admiral," Harm informed Mac, and she nodded in silence. Words were definitely not lining up to be used right at that moment.
"Which means you may want to go and advise the Admiral, using the IM service on your laptop. Or mine. Either. Doesn't matter which," Harm murmured softly, and he smiled when he saw the dawning of understanding in Mac's expression.
"Mine...would be better," Mac responded huskily. "What if he's busy?"
"Not a problem. We can wait, to use the IM. He isn't going anywhere for a while, at least."
"Oh," Mac almost whispered, as she rose to her feet "That's good." Harm followed suit. As they left the Wardroom together they were the image of decorum, a correct distance between them - leaving no chance for imposing on personal space.
That would come soon enough.
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To be continued
A/N:
1. 'Addies' - email addresses