Author's Note: FINALLY WRITER"S BLOCK IS GONE!!! Here is part seven. No I am sorry we haven't gotten to the tape, quite yet. I wrote this at the crack of dawn on Saturday and while it is kind of a story within one it was a change of pace and I hope it flows well enough for you to identify it as the same story.
Harm's Apartment
1750 Romeo
That Evening
"Ugh! Harm, go faster!" Mac snapped as she held onto the wall.
"Well it's not my fault that your too…" Mac kicked him in the shin.
"Ow! Hey it's not my problem!"
"Well we've got ten minutes and there is no way I am walking out like this!" Mac shrieked. Harm sighed and grabbed the zipper of her dress again.
"Okay Mac we are making progress, we have like one more inch to zip. Can you suck in just a little more?"
"Are you crazy?" Mac wheezed.
"Just do it Marine!" Mac took another breath and she heard the faint zip and she was about to let out a sigh of relief when Harm stopped her.
"Oh o you don't! Mac you're going to have to take little tiny breaths or else that zipper is going to come undone again." Harm cautioned as Mac turned around to glare at him. The dress she was wearing while it was beautiful and the deep green accented her skin, the top portion did look a little tight but thankfully it just made her waist look smaller and her boobs slightly bigger.
"Remind me never to let Jen buy me another dress."
"Got it but I must say that you do look very good in the strapless. I really like the way that it is tight in I guess what you would call the bodice and then it just kind of flares out and puddles slightly on the floor and they picked a very nice silken fabric to match."
"Ha, ha now stop… before you stop sounding like yourself and well… I can barely breath so I hope you get an eyeful now… because we will only be staying as long as possible then we are coming back." Mac gasped. She sure hoped that the dress might loosen a little over the course of the evening but it was looking like she wasn't going to be able to eat much if anything.
"Okay. Now how do I look?"
"Just fine and Harm… I still don't have my shoes on yet… there over there." Mac pointed weakly. Harm got the shoes from beside the bed and set them down next to her. She slipped into the heels adding at least two maybe two and a half inches to her height. Harm took her hand and then stepped down the short stairs to the floor and looked at Mac.
"Well you can't stand there all night. I can't show up without a girl it wouldn't be proper."
"Shut up! Okay here we go." Mac moved her foot to step down but she missed and fell into Harm's arms.
"You're sure that you don't hve another dress somewhere?" Harm asked concerned.
"Look we don't have time for me to change so your just going to have to help me stand on occasion so that I don't pass out." Mac assured him and then there was the honking of a horn and Harm helped her stand straight and said.
"Well there is our ride let's get on our way." Harm grabbed Mac's purse and gloves and they walked out to take the limo to the world of aristocratic boredom.
Outside the Willard Intercontinental Hotel
1925 Romeo
"We are here sir, ma'am. Here is my number you can give me a ring when you are ready to leave and I will be right out front here waiting. Have a great evening." The chauffeur said to Harm and Mac as they stood on a carpet next to the limo.
"Thank you." Harm said and the man got back into the limo and then Mac turned to Harm. She was still a little short of breath and if it hadn't changed in an hour chances were she was going to let Harm do most of the talking tonight.
"You're wings are crooked… there that's better." Mac said straightening them and then she put on her elbow length matching gloves. They were the one thing that had fit right. Here heels were a little big, but that couldn't be helped.
"We ready now?" Harm asked and extended his arm to Mac who took it. Looking down Harm noted her gloves.
"You probably don't need to wear those and especially over an engagement ring as well." He stated as they walked through the lobby.
"Well, your probably right but let's at least wait until we are in. Then you can take yours off as well."
"Then I would be out of uniform." Harm teased as they made their way through the throng of people to the entrance to the Crystal room. A guard stopped them before they walked in.
"Name?"
"Commander Harmon Rabb Jr." Harm answered immediately.
"Purpose?"
"Representing the Navy's opinions and reputation at this affair. We are also here on the behalf of Admiral AJ Chegwidden." Harm thought this question a little odd. The man nodded to Mac,
"Her name?"
"I am Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie… United States Marine Corps, I am here with Commander Rabb."
"I can see that ma'am. Well you're in, enjoy your evening. Your table is there in the front." The man pointed to a rectangular table at the far end of the room where Mac could see two Air Force reps chatting politely. They nodded their thanks and walked into the elegantly furnished Crystal Room. What amazed Mac the most was the beautiful mint green window curtains that looked straight out of Buckingham Palace.
"It certainly is an uppity joint isn't it?" Harm whispered noting Mac's wide eyes. Mac was about to reply when they heard a large booming Russian voice call out,
"The Navy had arrived!" Then a rather short man came over and greeted them both.
"Hello! I am Golokov Ivanof! What a pleasure to finally meet you Commander Rabb!" Harm looked a little surprised. He had no clue who this man was.
"Good evening, I don't believe we have had the privilege of meeting before." Harm replied cordially.
"Of course. I meet your slippery friend Alexi in Moscow about a year ago and you were all that he could speak of. Now that we are past the formalities do tell who is the lovely creature hanging on your arm?" Golokov gestured to Mac and Harm smiled.
"This sir is my partner Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." Mac smiled and added.
"What a pleasure to meet you." Mac extended her hand to shake his and Golokov nodded and kissed it instead.
"Ah yes you would be the beautiful marine Alexi called Mac."
"Yes I am in fact the very same." Mac was a little concerned at the fact he knew so much about them, Alexi however was loyal to whoever could pay the most, it was in the poor Russian's nature.
"He gave me his suspicions on you two. I can see that you are very close." Both Harm and Mac's eyes widened a little. Ivanof laughed and smiled,
"Your secret is safe with me, now Commander I wish to speak with you about your fabulous Navy which is the reason you are here tonight I do believe. Colonel as you are a Marine I believe will find our conversation quite a bore you would probably do better to mingle as you Americans would say." Harm smiled,
"We wouldn't want you to be bored now would you?"
"Of course not Commander, don't you get into trouble now I will be around." Mac said politely. She was having a difficult time trying to keep her words together and not gasp. She as quickly as possible went to 'mingle' she was a little angry at how even though it was very polite the way the diplomat had shoved her off, probably thinking that as a woman she couldn't comprehend it. She was accidentally bumped from behind.
"Oh, I apologize." Mac turned to see an older woman behind her.
"Oh that is quite alright ma'am." Mac smiled sweetly.
"Are you on your own my dear?" The woman Mac could tell was British, probably the one of the British diplomats wives if they were even here.
"No I came with someone but he is busy talking shop."
"Shop? Oh yes another one of your funny American phrases, well we can't have you about by yourself, come join some of the ladies and we will talk something worthwhile." Mac followed the woman to a group of chattering wives who stopped when they arrived.
"Hello," Mac made her presence known. She looked to be the youngest one in the group. One woman smiled and demanded,
"Why don't just stand there do you have a name child?"
"Yes I'm Sarah Mackenzie." Mac said nervously, she had a feeling she was going to have a rather interesting evening.
"Well Sarah I am Margaret and this is Clara and that is Marie and…" The names went on and Mac just smiled and greeted them, if she was doing this all night she was going to kill Harm.
"What do you do Sarah and who are you here with?" One of them asked pointedly.
"I am a marine and I am…" She stopped when they all laughed.
"Oh please Sarah, you're not one of those Marines who crawls through the mud and shoots big guns, no what do you really do here in America?"
"Yes I am one of those Marines but I work at JAG which is a legal office here." She stated seriously, and the women looked a little shocked. Mac continued on pretending not to notice, man these diplomats wives were sheltered. They continued polite talk mostly asking Mac questions about the other women in the military and what they did and what the men thought of it. They had sat at a table and Mac was taking off her gloves she had noted that none of the other women except the French one wore them. Then she heard the little squeak from her. Fleur the French woman grabbed her left hand and laid it out on the middle of the table,
"Ah, is zat what I sink it is?" Her accent was very prominent. All the women looked at it and started to push her to tell them. Fleur then removed it to get a better look.
"Surely it is." Margaret assured them and Mac smiled and looked at the diamond in Fleur's hands.
"Yes it is." She answered politely.
"Who is the lucky man? Is he here tonight?" Clara asked.
"Yes…" Mac nodded
"If I might inquire as to what all the excitement is about over here madams?" Harm asked kindly with his flyboy grin in place as usual. Fleur smiled broadly.
"Zee Colonel's ring." Fleur handed it to Harm who pretended to admire it and nodded.
"Well it certainly is beautiful, considering I picked it out, but where is my beautiful fiancée who should be wearing it?" All the women present giggled and Mac stood.
"Right here."
"There you are Mac I have been looking everywhere for you these ladies must have hidden you away." Harm continued to charm the women.
"Who is Mac?" Clara asked. Mac stood and took Harm's arm.
"This ladies is Mac or as you know her Sarah, by the way you might want this back sweetheart." Harm slipped the engagement ring back onto Mac's finger at the sighs of the women surrounding them. Harm then kissed Mac's hand and nodded to the women.
"If you will excuse me I believe we need to get to our table to eat. It was certainly wonderful to meet you all."
"Yes is was a pleasure." Mac assured them and then as the ladies whispered furiously Harm and Mac began to walk back toward their table.
"Thank you Harm, I was dying there. Lord they wanted to know everything and I am starting to run short of breath."
"Your welcome, I was starting to get tired of answering questions as well, but we have an evening of dancing and such to do before you can drop the dress I'm sorry, well maybe not the sooner that dress goes…" Mac smacked his arm.
"Ouch! Ah Good evening General sir." Harm came to attention in front an Army General sitting before him.
"At ease Commander, Colonel have a seat you are guests of honor as well." The General said gruffly. The small distaste for Harm was evident in his voice. Harm pulled out Mac's chair for her and after making sure she was settled he sat himself.
"Where is Admiral Chegwidden?" The man asked.
"He couldn't attend this evening the Commander and I are representing him." Mac answered politely.
"Hmm how does that son of a bitch gets out of it all I'll never know. Is this your first diplomatic formal?" He questioned without mercy.
"No, the Colonel and I have attended a NATO ball and a gathering at the Sudanese Embassy there have been a few more but this is one that has gone smoothly."
"Oh the other's haven't?"
"Well," Mac put a hand on Harm's arm and he paused.
"Those really aren't important let's just enjoy the evening shall we sir?" Harm suggested.
"Yes of course. Oh and look here is dinner!" He exclaimed and rubbed his hands together as a large steak was set in front of him. One was laid in front of Mac and a large salmon filet was set in front of Harm. The waiters also set down glasses of champagne in front of them all. Mac looked worried. Harm leaned over and whispered.
"There is a plant directly behind you that has a taste for champagne."
"That isn't my problem it's the steak."
"I took the liberty of ordering it for you if you want you can get something else."
"No. It's just that I can hardly breathe and how am I supposed to eat this whole thing?"
"Just eat as much as you can and napkin some of it."
"Oh gee that's going to be really…" Mac stopped when a man stood and cleared his throat.
"I would like to propose a toast ladies and gentleman." The man had a strange accent that Mac couldn't place, but she continued to listen.
"I would like to thank our American hosts on this evening for allowing us to be in company with such charming officers and sharing their military wisdom and intelligence as well as showing us wonderful hospitality. So I propose we toast the American military and what they may have to teach us in the future."
"Here, here!" Was the resounding of voices, Mac was about to sip and be ready to spit out her champagne when she heard it, the click of a safety on a gun.
"HARM! Get down!" Mac warned.
"Wha…" Harm hit the deck just in time as the first shot rang out around the room. Harm and Mac were under the table along with the other officers.
"What is it with us and snipers!" Mac exclaimed.
"You're telling me! What is the deal?" Harm said. They paused when another shot racked the air and sent up a torrent of screams.
"So what now?" Mac asked.
"Well be thankful you don't have to eat that whole steak." Mac hit him upside the head.
"Stop joking around this is serious!"
"Okay fine! What is your plan of action?" Harm asked. Mac bit her lip then she placed a hand on Harm's back and began to search under his dress jacket.
"MAC! You want to go at it under a table?"
"NO!"
"Well then what are you looking for?"
"Your Beretta didn't you bring it?" Harm looked at her like she was crazy.
"NO! I did however find it a little bizarre that they didn't search us."
"We don't have time for that right now…" Mac then reached up under her dress and pulled her pistol out of her leg holster and showed it to him smiling. Then she put it away once more.
"Marines always come prepared." Mac then listened for a minute and got up from underneath the table. Harm followed and saw the many shocked faces and heard the panicked voices. Mac tried to speak over them softly and then she rolled her eyes. The other Brass at the table looked like they were going to pee their pants. Mac let out a loud whistle that echoed through the room and silenced everyone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Do not worry I'm sure that everything is just fine, please remain calm and I need to know whether there are any injuries." Mac announced taking hold of the group. Harm then tapped her on the shoulder.
"Mac our friend is on the move at eleven o'clock." Mac nodded as she spotted the sniper and she continued.
"So have a seat and continue to enjoy your meal. Whoever is responsible the security will take care of." Mac then sat down, trying not gasp it took a lot of effort to speak loudly at the group, she began to cut her steak and took one small bite as an example. Harm and the Brass sat down and began to eat as well. The other guests followed suit rather quickly and peace was reinstated. Mac watched the perimeters and nudged Harm under the table.
"There's three of them at least. I'm thinking that they may be reforming and are going to try later. Oh and by the way watch your feet under the table."
"Why?" Harm asked puzzled.
"Because… I put a side plate down there so I can napkin this steak even though it is wonderful I can hardly eat it." Mac took another bite and napkined that one. Harm just ate and conversed politely with the other members, Mac however kept a watchful eye out.
All the plates had been cleared by now and several couples were already on the dance floor moving to a graceful waltz. Harm and Mac were the only two still sitting, but that was soon remedied. Mac turned at the tap on her shoulder.
"Greetings Colonel Mackenzie do you mind if I share this dance?" Mac heard the voice of Ivanof and she stood.
"You don't mind Harm?" Harm smiled.
"Uh no just save one for me." Mac took Golokov's hand and they walked to the floor where Mac let him lead all the while not really paying attention that was until Ivanof pulled her closer and she tensed.
"Do not be alarmed my pet. Just listen and all will be taken care of."
"Please sir I would much appreciate it if you would let me…" Mac pleaded but he silenced her.
"You try to get away and my men will shoot Rabb we originally wanted Chegwidden but he will do. I ought to kill the one in that damn plant he forgot his silencer, the bastard, now your beloved Commander Rabb as well has made some nasty friends out my way and if you decide to warn him, my men are all trained on him and can shoot with ease." Mac gulped.
"Sir do you believe this necessary?"
"Why of course. By the end of the evening if he isn't dead already he will be." Mac kept a strong shell and replied back.
"Tell me how many do you have?"
"Well I have three men who you saw and I have two other ladies about as well so tread lightly. I do sort of favor your fiancée not too much though but I may spare him for a bit. Long enough for you to share your last dance."
Harm watched intently at the exchange between Mac and Golokov and he noted her change in body language and how she kept giving him fleeting glances like she was in trouble. He could see now the three snipers but he couldn't tell who they were trained in on, he decided to cut in on the pair.
"So Colonel do watch out and…"
"Do you mind if I cut in?" Harm tapped Ivanof on the shoulder and he stepped back.
"Well she is your fiancée Harmon, enjoy." Harm immediately took up Golokov's position and held Mac about as close as he could and Mac leaned against him.
"He's the one." Mac whispered and Harm whispered back puzzled.
"You fallen in love again?"
"No he is the one who's got the snipers." Harm pulled back a little and Mac pulled him back.
"No! Don't! Harm they aren't after him he has hired them and all five of them are trained on you."
"Why?" Harm asked slightly alarmed. That really trashed his evening.
"Harm you didn't make many friends out in Russia and such. Apparently neither did the Admiral."
"I know that." Harm sighed and Mac whimpered.
"Harm what are we going to do?" She couldn't stay relaxed and levelheaded not when there were people who wanted to hurt Harm. She was for the first time in a while scared.
"Shh I don't know, but I need to get you out of here." Harm said softly and he slowly moved them towards the entrance where they had come in.
"Harm there is no way I am going and leaving you. You might do something stupid!" Mac hissed as they stepped off the floor and made a swerved line towards the door stopping to briefly speak with several people. The reached the door and were once again stopped.
"Where are you two off to?" The same guard asked. Harm was fast on his feet.
"My partner here needs a little air all of the excitement has got her sensitive stomach doing flips." Mac looked like she was about to throw up the man apparently not wanting to have any problems let them out and Harm and Mac walked through the lobby away from the room and the snipers. Mac sat in a comfy armchair to breathe for a minute.
"Nice one Rabb but did it have to be my stomach?"
"Well what did you want me to say? Feminine Emergency? "
"Ugh never… oh no there's one!" Mac hissed as a woman came out into the lobby and looking around. She had on a pale blue dress with large belle sleeves and Mac noted that the right sleeve didn't flow like the other one.
"What do you mean?"
"Golokov said he had five people, three men, two women, and she is one of them. See how her sleeves don't move evenly. It is a breezy fabric and should flow but it doesn't. She's got something up her sleeve."
"Oh come on Mac she can't have a rifle up her sleeves."
"Rifle no but pistol for close range with a silencer, yes." Harm hissed back.
"Well if we keep walking maybe she won't…"
"Yes let's just take a stroll down the hall and get to where we're alone and can be easily cornered." Mac snapped sarcastically.
"Well do you…" Harm stopped as the woman came and sat on one of the chairs across from them. Mac jumped to action.
"Harm why don't we take a walk around for a bit before we go back in I'm still a little queasy." Harm looked at her puzzled for a second and then he offered her his arm.
"Whatever you want, just as long as you don't lose your steak on my whites." He joked, trying to seem natural. They began to walk down the hall towards Peacock Alley and Harm whispered after a minute when the woman got up as well and stayed while a ways back but on their tails.
"She is right behind us. Here you said it was a bad idea to do this and here we are."
"Look just be calm. How many bad ideas have turned for the best for us?"
"Well not necessarily bad ideas just my stupid ones." Mac couldn't help but let out a little laugh. They kept walking and as they were approaching the end Mac whispered.
"Okay left or right?"
"Let's go left."
"Alright." Harm and Mac turned left and were met by three fully armed men. One stepped forward and sneered his Russian accent very distinguishable.
"Well looks like you turned the wrong way Commander. I hope you enjoyed your walk." Mac turned when a female voice was added.
"I would say so. They seemed to be two little lovebirds and guessing by the Colonel's ring I would say they are." The blue dressed woman smiled evilly.
"Oh the right little assumption maker aren't you." Mac snapped and the woman ordered.
"Boris, take her and do what you will but the Commander is mine." The man called Boris grabbed Mac around the waist and Mac deciding it would be better not to struggle, so she angrily went with him.
"Boris I will be upstairs you come when you are finished." Boris ran a finger down the side of Mac's face and down her neck towards her collarbone.
"HEY! Hands off the goods you jerk!" Mac batted his hand away.
"Yes ma'am. I love a good fighter." Boris took Mac off and Harm was left standing there fuming.
"What are you going to do to her?" He demanded turning around.
"I don't know."
"If they so much as give her a…."
"Ah, ah, ah watch it Rabb or you will be in trouble." The woman pulled out the handgun that Mac said was concealed in her sleeves and Harm immediately settled.
"Now let's be going I have some very interesting things in store for you Commander." The woman followed Harm closely with her weapon concealed and she directed him in the opposite direction.
Hotel Room 143
10 minutes later
"You stay away! All three of you! I mean it!" Mac protested not that she had much choice she was backed up against the wall with no way out.
"Why is that?" Asked Pavel one of Boris' cronies.
"Because… because well I'm not exactly prepared for three men." Mac even though the men were armed they were stupid and she could try to seduce them to at least get them distracted.
"Tell you what boys why don't you just get comfy and be prepared to…" All the men set down there weapons and took a seat. Mac bent over and pulled her dress up to her thigh just before her leg holster with a wink. Oh the things she would do for Harm. The men looked impressed. Mac gave them a sickening sweet smile.
"Well I'm very, very…" Mac pulled her skirt up the remainder of the way and grabbed her Beretta.
"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm very much taken." Mac held her gun up and Boris reached for his and Mac cocked the gun.
"You had better not touch it Boris or you'll get a round full of American military lead!" Mac snapped and Boris returned. Mac headed to the door and she opened it and as she stepped out she remarked.
"You will be good little Russians and you won't move or say a word? It would break my heart you know."
"As soon as you leave we will chase after you."
"Wrong answer boys." Mac then walked back over to them and hit Boris and then Pavel and the third man upside the head with the butt of her gun before they could say a word they were on the ground unconscious. Mac gave each of them a peck on the cheek and rushed out to find Harm she had heard the boys complaining on the way up about the woman and her getting the room called the Jenny Lind suite and them with the regular hotel room. They may have been speaking Russian but she understood it perfectly.
Jenny Lind Suite
Ten minutes later
"Well Harmon you certainly are what Ivanof spoke of. Tall, muscular, handsome, and very, very feisty."
"Well I hate to break it to you but I am already taken." Harm snapped. There wasn't much he could do tied to a chair except throw insults at her.
"Oh your brunette friend, Mac did you say her name was? I am certainly much better then she must be but I will let you be the judge."
"I don't like fast women."
"Maybe not fast ones but you should love armed ones." At that moment there was a loud slam against the door and she turned away.
"Hmm I wonder who that is? Never mind…" She leaned over him and gave him a kiss when three shots were fired and in burst Mac mad as a tiger.
"You get your slimy lips off him wench! He's mine!" Mac snarled and the woman turned to look at her.
"Oh and what makes you so sure?"
"The fact that I have a gun and yours is all the way across the room."
"Well that is a slight inconvenience isn't it but you wouldn't dare shoot at me if I was behind your beloved Harmon, would you?" The woman moved around behind Harm and ran her hands down his chest, which Mac was infuriated to find the top few buttons undone.
"Get your hands off him!"
"No I don't think I will. You the jealous type Mac?" The woman began to kiss Harm's cheekbone.
"Not usually but I said get your hands off him! Or I will shoot!" Mac threatened. This just made the woman carry on she placed one hand on his upper thigh.
"Are you jealous now? Is this a little too close to your 'territory' for your approval?" Mac was at the end of her line. She came over and stood right next to the woman with the gun at her temple.
"I told you once and I won't tell you again! You get your filthy hands off him or I will be forced to shoot you." The woman smiled and grabbed Harm's face and kissed him heatedly.
"THAT'S IT! Now you have pissed me off!" Mac yelled and tossing her gun she grabbed the woman by the scalp and threw her against the wall where she began to beat the living crap out of her. All the while uttering curses with every punch and kick which were increasingly difficult. After a minute or so, the woman slumped to the floor and Mac spit on her. She then rushed over to Harm and untied him. When he stood Mac immediately pulled him into a fiery kiss. When she pulled away, she looked down disgustingly at the woman and then grabbing her up by the collar she snapped.
"Only I kiss him like that so you stay off! And by the way, I'm not jealous I just protect what's mine." Mac picked up her gun and placed it back in its holster, then she and Harm walked out of the room.
"Harm remind me… to pay the Willard for a new door and …to have their carpet … cleaned." She gasped as she held onto her abdomen.
"Will do Mac, now let's get out of here and get you home. That dress is killing you."
"Thank you. I really have to get back so I can finish a few things."
"Oh no you're not. You will get out of that dress and not do anymore work tonight."
"Yes I will. I still have to finish the Admiral's final embarrassment."
"Oh Mac! Can't it wait?"
"Nope! Now you said you were… hello boys." Mac nodded to several men in black suits.
"Good Evening ma'am where are they?" One of them asked.
"One in the Jenny Lind Suite, three in room 143 and I'm not sure about the last one."
"Oh, Commander could you please stop making enemies especially in Russia." The man pleaded and Harm nodded.
"I'll try not to. Thanks." Harm and Mac then continued down the hall and towards the elevator.
"Harm could we stop?"
"Yes sure." Mac leaned against the wall to breathe and then Harm heard a feminine laugh.
"You should have just kept walking." Another Russian woman appeared magically behind them and Harm rolled his eyes.
"Not another one!"
"Hello Commander, I am Sonia and what my sister failed to do I will."
"What seduce him beyond reason?" Mac snapped and took a step closer to Sonia. Sonia got close to Mac and backhanded her across the face.
"No you wench! I am going to kill him. Men are worthless to me and you are as well." Sonia pulled out a handgun and pointed it to Mac.
"Sit!" Mac sat on the floor holding the side of her face.
"Look I don't know what you think I did, but don't hurt her. I'm sure this can all be resolved."
"Save it for judgement day Rabb. Now Sarah you will get to see your precious Harmon pay for what he has done."
"Harm!" Mac pleaded.
"No Mac!" Harm snapped and motioned for her to stay seated. Sonia cocked the gun and aimed bracing herself for the shot. Mac closed her eyes she couldn't do anything this was it. Sonia squeezed the trigger and Mac waited for the ear splitting noise, but it never came. Mac opened her eyes to see Sonia cursing in Russian and she stood carefully and gave a reassuring look to Harm who lunged for Sonia and grabbed her wrist. He snatched the gun and tossed it down the hall as he pinned her to the wall then he snapped.
"That is so I can get out of here and this…" Harm twisted her right wrist until there was a sickening crack and he smirked.
"That was for backhanding my fiancée!" He let her go and she immediately rushed down the hall and Harm grabbed Mac.
"Come on! That gun won't stay on the safety forever!"
"She didn't take the safety off?" Mac asked.
"Yes now…" a single shot rang out and Harm and Mac jumped.
"See I told you! Run!" Harm chided and dragging Mac along they sprinted down the hall to the stairway. They didn't want to wait for the elevator. Harm immediately rushed down the first flight while Mac on the other hand was having a rough time.
"Let's go Marine!"
"Easy for you to say! The woman shot off the heel of my shoe!"
"How did she?"
"I don't know. Let's just keep moving." Mac kicked off her shoes and sighed.
"Another eighty bucks down the drain and they weren't even all that comfortable."
"So I'll buy you another pair. Now come on you can slide down the railing it will probably go faster." Harm chided and Mac shook her head.
"Nope now let's go!" Mac continued down the stairs and they reached the lobby and ran across it Mac sliding in her bare feet. They quickly went outside and found the limo waiting right where the driver said. Harm and Mac jumped in and the man drove off.
"You calling it quits early?"
"Yes, it's been a rather interesting evening." Mac gasped and Harm nodded.
"Take us back to my apartment." Harm instructed.
"Yes sir." The driver nodded and made a turn to take them in the appropriate direction.
Harm's Apartment
45 minutes later
"Are life never gets boring does it? I mean this is like the third time we have had to stop either snipers or terrorists from a formal event." Mac complained.
"I think it has been a few more times then that." Harm countered.
"Ah, home sweet home." Harm greeted the dark, cool apartment. The first thing he did was turn on the stereo and Mac motioned to him.
"Get this damn thing off now!" She commanded and Harm smiled.
"That bad huh?"
"Well… no duh! You think it's easy to gossip, dance, eat, run and beat up snipers when you can't breathe!"
"No now hold still, so I can get it…." Harm grabbed the zipper and yanked it down hard, but it wouldn't budge.
"HARM! Are you trying to kill me?" Mac gasped and Harm tried again and thankfully this time it unzipped smoothly.
"Oh, thank you!" Mac took a very deep breath and holding her dress up she went and quickly put distance between her and the fowl garment. When she had on a pair of sweats and a Navy shirt, she flopped down on the couch next to Harm who had taken his jacket, and shoes.
"Okay I feel much better now. Thank you once again, now if you don't mind I still have some work to do." Mac ushered Harm off the couch and she opened her laptop on the coffee table.
"You still aren't going to let me see what you are doing?" Harm asked and Mac gave him a look.
"Now what do you think?"
"No, but if it helps I love you." Harm bargained and Mac threw a pillow at him.
"I hope you do now move that Sailor butt of yours and you just might be lucky enough to see it later." Mac ordered and Harm padded off to change. Mac worked furiously she still had a lot to do and then she was going to have to get to work early to set it all up.
Harm joined her out in the living room twenty minutes later and stood over her shoulder and smiled at the picture she was cropping.
"You never did tell me how you got these photos." Harm whispered and Mac jumped.
"Harm, you remember that little camera I had?"
"Yes the one you kept in your shirt."
"Well it was actually something I was given from a case I did awhile back. It was a gift. I kept it in my blouse and the little lens would fit in a buttonhole so that's where I put it. There is a wire that I don't have on it now that ran down the inside of my shirt and into my uniform skirt pocket with the button that will cause the camera to take a picture." Mac explained very simply.
"It was actually very difficult to carry it around all day but I managed." Mac added and Harm smiled then let out a yawn.
"Well then marine I think I will leave you and go to bed, I for one am very tired. Goodnight and you come to bed at a reasonable hour too okay?"
"Yes Dad." Mac teased. Harm pointed a finger at her.
"I mean it you hear. I have no intention of sleeping alone."
"Okay but you are going to give me a kiss aren't you?" Mac stuck out her bottom lip and Harm kissed her soundly.
"Not only can you fly planes, kick butt in a courtroom, and TP government offices you are one fine kisser Harmon Rabb. Now go get that beauty sleep that you so dearly need." Mac teased and Harm accused.
"Are you saying I'm ugly?"
"No I'm just saying that you look a little worn out. Sleep tight sweetheart." Mac kissed him and Harm went off to bed.
Harm's Apartment
0500 Zulu
The Next Morning
"Hey you wake up. You've got to get ready so we can go in early." Mac poked Harm gently and he groaned.
"Why the hell do we want to do that?"
"I don't know maybe because I need your help to set up the network for today's prank." Harm sat up.
"Oh that, right. Give me a half hour." Harm got up and went immediately to the bathroom. Mac shook her head and finished getting ready for the day.
Mac was pouring coffee when Harm came out in his uniform but looking very sleepy and not very happy about being up this early.
"Your 25 minutes and 45 seconds late."
"Yeah, yeah I know, you don't have to tease me about it." Harm said taking a cup from her just before she took a sip.
"Your welcome." Mac joked. Harm took a drink and immediately spit it into the sink.
"Ow! That's hot!"
"Well that's what you get for stealing my coffee. Now finish up and lets go!" Mac grabbed her laptop off the counter and slipping into her jacket and a cup of coffee grabbed the keys to his corvette. Harm came and grabbed the keys from her.
"I don't think so sweetie. If you drink that coffee while you are driving not only will you spill it most likely, you will have to re-do that lipstick as well." Harm gave her a light push and they were out the door.
JAG HQ
0715 Romeo
Mac's Office
"Alright Harm here is the deal. In this laptop there is a very embarrassing DVD of our Admiral and we are going to hook it up to the network and to the TV's and from there at a specific time it will start to play. All I have to do is add the other up-link to the SECNAV's office and we will be ready to go."
"Yeah whatever, damn it I hate that turn! Mac you are sure you can do all that from here?" He commented and with a damp paper towel tried desperately to get the coffee off his slacks. Mac laughed and typed on her computer a little bit and then reaching under her desk plugged something in before standing.
"Okay we are ready to go. Now we wait. Harm I think you got it all off." Mac grabbed the upper inseam of his slacks and examined them, before Harm pushed her hand away and took a deep breath.
"Thank you Mac!" Mac smiled at Harm.
"For what? Or am I too close to your 'territory'?"
"Well yes it is mine… but more importantly that is uncharted and off limits to you right now! Cameras, need I say more?" Mac straightened up laughing.
"Oh so it's uncharted? You make it sound like a map!"
"Well you don't fully know what you're doing to…" Mac gave him a wink.
"Oh I know full and well what I'm doing and frankly I am getting a kick out of it."
"Ha ha I am thoroughly amused. I have to ask you, how good are you with computers?"
"Better then quite a few probably, but not as good as I am elsewhere." Harm couldn't help but smile.
"I think I'll be the judge of that."
"Judge of what sir?" Harriet's voice interrupted the silence of the office and bullpen. Harm whipped around and stammered.
"Uh um…well the Colonel and I were just discussing…" Harriet giggled.
"I'm just kidding sir. Now I don't know personally but I wouldn't doubt her sir, she is a marine sir."
"That will be enough lieutenant." Harm stated through gritted teeth. Harriet then changed the subject.
"So what are you two doing here so early? You must have had a late night last night, what with that formal." Harriet finished quickly. Mac smiled.
"Oh very late Harriet in fact I didn't get to sleep until four am."
"Oh, well I have to get ready so I will see you later. Sir, ma'am." Harriet bustled off and went about getting the office ready for the rush of personnel at eight.
"Well then Mac we should be getting the day started then shouldn't we?" Harm suggested.
"I do believe that is the next step for the day, remember about nine thirty, lunch and have a good day sweetheart." Mac gave Harm his briefcase and standing on her tiptoes gave him a light kiss. Harm gave her a peck on the cheek.
"I can could get used to this. Well you have a good day too, marine." Harm then turned and headed to his office. Mac sat at her desk and with a sigh began her daily paperwork. She had a long wait until nine thirty.
Off beat? Yes. Bad? I hope not. Your review will let me know do I stop or do I go? Or do I just plain REWRITE!