Part 4: A Journey of Separate Hearts – A Dinner Invitation or A Way to Make Things Right

Spoiler: "The stalker" There's a tiny reference to a pullover Mac once wore when Detective Frank Coster kidnapped her.

Harm took a deep breath, calming himself, then replied to her in a now calmer voice.

"Hello, Mrs. Ro…uh Martha. Sorry, I…I didn't mean to yell at you."

"That's ok, Harm. Dear, are you very busy or what's bothering you? …I mean, if it's not too personal…" asked the old lady.

"Oh no, it's ok. But there's really nothing bothering me. You just called at a bad time."

Martha knew immediately that Harm wasn't being honest with her. Of course they had only met for a few hours, but shortly after their first 'Hello' she'd taken to both – Harm and Sarah – and they now had a very special place in the old lady's heart. Especially after witnessing the heated argument in front of her house, she realized that there was more between the two young officers than both would admit. But she didn't want to push Harm – nevertheless she would do everything in her power to help them overcome their differences.

"Sorry, dear, I didn't plan on crossing the line. But if there's ever something you want to talk about or you need someone to listen, then please don't hesitate to call me. I'm aware of the fact that we barely know each other, but it's the least I can do for my two heroes," she answered smiling. "And besides that, " she added seriously, "for me it's like we met years and years ago. I think if God had blessed me with grandchildren, they would probably be like you two!"

Harm smiled at these sincere words from Martha. He wasn't the kind of person who opened himself easily to other people. But as he spoke to this nice woman he felt very close to her, as though she were family.

Suddenly, he was brought out of his thoughts, back to the phone call by Martha speaking again.

"Oh jeez, Harm, I'm sorry I started babbling…I guess that doesn't make any sense to you, does it?"

"It makes perfect sense, Martha – I got that feeling, too. Sometimes that happens in life…like it happened between Mac and me…" He stopped, not knowing why that thought had come up at this moment.

"Yes, Harm, it can happen. There's a special bond between you two?" It was more a question than a statement.

"Yeah, maybe there is, or better, there 'was' something special between us…but it's in the past now." He tried to wash away the hurtful memory.

'No, no, it isn't over yet. There's still something special there!' Martha told herself but ignored Harm's statement for the moment.

"Anyway, I wanted to invite you and Sarah to dinner tomorrow evening. You remember, I promised. I know it's on short notice, but I really would appreciate your company."

"Uh, Martha, it's so nice of you, but I really don't know if this is the right time. I'd love to, but I don't think that Mac…uh, the Colonel would. We've had a really hard time lately. So I really don't think, it's…"

"Ah…dear, if you always look for the perfect time and right place, you'll never get what you really want." Martha didn't even know how close she was and how much Mac would agree. "Let me talk to Sarah. I'm sure she won't refuse my invitation. So is there anything you don't eat? I presume not, 'cause you look like someone who doesn't reject good tasting but healthy, plain cooking. Am I right?"

Now a bright smile on his face, he replied "Uh, Martha…to be honest I'm a vegetarian. I hope that's ok with you?"

"Wow, that's a surprise, but of course I have no problem with that. At least I was right on one point – you like healthy food." She chuckled.

"You're absolutely right, and if you need help with it, call me and I'll come over an hour earlier and do it with you."

"No, dear, no – I can handle that. By the way, is Sarah a vegetarian, too?"

"Mac? A vegetarian? Hell no – she loves all the unhealthy high-fat stuff!" Memories of Mac teasing him about his food habits and Harm telling her how unhealthy her stuff was flashed through Harm's mind and he felt a slight pain in his heart, which he couldn't deny.

"Dear, you're quite a couple…that's a challenge I'd love to take. Anyway, how about you and Mac coming over at seven o'clock in the evening?"

"Yeah, sure, seven's fine with me, but I don't know about Mac. You'll have to ask her first. Call me if the schedule changes!"

"Of course, Harm. I'll talk to Sarah." Martha promised him. "Ok, we'll meet on Tuesday. Bye, dear."

"Good bye, Martha. And I'm looking forward to our dinner," Harm said before he heard the dial tone and put down the receiver.

He really looked forward to the dinner. Maybe it would clear the air between Mac and him again. He hoped so. With that, he turned back to his paper work.

Same day

1930 Zulu (14:30 hrs EST)

Mac's office

Since the recent fight between Harm and her and her hurried escape, nearly two hours had gone by. She had to flee from Harm, although that was the last thing she wanted to do. What she really wanted was the friendship – the strong bond – between him and her back. More than anything in the world it was Harm she wanted, but it would be enough to have him only as friend and partner and not as a lover. Anything would be better than what was now between them: anger, fear and denial. Deep inside her heart there was only room for Harm, but it tore her apart when she reflected on the last weeks or months. She missed her best friend so much and she couldn't understand what had happened between them. Perhaps they had too long avoided the urgently needed talk. So much had happened between them – too many things, which effected or even polluted their relationship. And for that reason, the connection between them threatened to break. They had too long denied the deeper issues, tried not to touch them. So much so, that they had stopped talking about really important topics. Now they were even arguing about a silly lottery ticket.

'Oh how I wish, we could start again and make things right! … Oh how I wish, he would come to me…'

The ringing of the phone rudely awakened Mac from her thoughts.

"Lt. Colonel MacKenzie."

"Oh, Sarah – finally! I thought I'd never get you on the phone!"

"Ah…uh, who's speaking?" Mac asked confused.

"Oh, sorry, Mac, I'm so impolite. Where are my manners? It's Martha. Martha Robin…you know, the old lady, who's forever thankful that you caught the thief and brought back her handbag?" Martha replied half smiling half asking.

"Martha! Of course I remember – I didn't recognize your voice. Sorry about that! … Uhm, what can I do for you?" Mac said happily.

"It's ok, dear. But it would be better to ask what I can do for 'you'?"

"Martha, I don't understand. Why would you want to do something for me? I'm fine. I don't need anything…" 'Besides my stubborn sailor.' Mac added in her mind.

"Sure, darling… When was the last time you had something to eat?" was Martha's surprising answer.

"Uh…I guess a piece of toast this morning." After her fight with Harm, she wasn't able to eat, not only because she was too angry, but also because she didn't want to have lunch without her partner. She missed him so much.

"What? Sarah, what's on your mind? You can't do that to yourself! Take care of yourself, your body needs something to eat! …So, I'm sure a dinner would be the best thing for you, huh?"

"What do you mean? I have dinner every evening." 'Nearly every evening.' The truth was that she hadn't been really hungry the last few weeks – too much was on her mind and the last thing she wanted to do was eat.

"Sarah, I promised Harm and you I'd cook dinner! Do you remember? And I thought to myself that tomorrow evening would be perfect. What about seven o'clock at my place?"

"Wait, wait a moment. You've thought a lot about this, haven't you?"

"Oh, do you have plans for tomorrow? I'm so sorry, Sarah, I didn't mean to take you by surprise with my plan!"

"It's ok, Martha. I was only a little bit surprised. In fact, I don't have any plans tomorrow and I would love to come."

"Oh, that's wonderful – I'm so happy and I really look forward to having you both at my house. I really like your company even though we've known each other a short time."

"Me, too, Martha, me, too. Uh…Martha…have you…have you asked Harm, too?" Mac was afraid to hear the answer. Her biggest wish at the moment was that he would attend, too - but she feared that he wouldn't want to see her, especially after she had nearly told him to stay out of her life, better: out of her business.

"You two sound very much alike. He wasn't sure either…if you would come or not. Why is that?" Martha asked, but was sure Sarah would react like Harm some hours ago and she wasn't disappointed.

"Uh… We've had a really hard time lately. That's all," Mac repeated Harm's statement.

"I see. Then I guess a dinner is the best thing that could happen to you both. So you'll have the chance to clear things up."

"Yeah … maybe … hopefully…"

"I'm sure, dear. Ok, I have to go now and do some grocery shopping. So we'll see you tomorrow at seven, right?"

"Absolutely! Bye, Martha, and thank you!"

"You're welcome, dear, and you know you can call me whenever you'd like to!" said the older woman seriously.

"Now I know it! See you! Good bye!"

"Good bye, Sarah!" with that, it was quiet at the other end of the line.

Mac hung up the phone and smiled slightly. She really looked forward to tomorrow. Maybe they could really make things right like Martha said. She hoped so.

February 4th 2003, Tuesday

2345 Zulu (18:45 hrs EST)

Apartment "The Washington 2812"

Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Her inner clock told Mac that she had still 15 minutes left till seven and she knew that she would need only five to seven minutes to get to Martha's house.

The remaining Monday and the whole Tuesday at work were uneventful. She had tried not to cross Harm's path and he had done the same. Mac had thought about asking Harm if he could give her a ride to Martha's house, but she figured it would be better if they arrived in separate ways. Separate ways – that was a perfect description for their current situation. Hopefully this dinner would lead them back to one way – or at least a step in the right direction.

She was a little bit afraid of talking to Harm again. "Oh come on, Marine! You can handle this!" Mac told herself out loud. She took her purse and coat and closed the door behind her.

The night was clear and fresh and in this part of Georgetown you could see the stars in the cloudless sky. Mac was glad for the chance to relax a little bit. She took in deep breaths to try to control her nervousness.

She arrived on Martha's street and was nearly at her house when Mac suddenly caught sight of a man she would probably always recognize ten miles away. She gazed at him and their eyes locked…

Same evening

Some minutes ago

On a street next to Martha's House

Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Harm looked at his watch, telling him that he had five minutes left. 'I won't be late this time. Mac will sure be surprised…' he thought grinning.

They hadn't seen each other since the terrible talk on Monday and he had really missed her. Besides that, he had put so much hope on this dinner. Somehow he knew that this could be the last chance for them and he would try to do everything he could to make this evening an evening which neither of them would regret. Harm knew they needed to talk – seriously and in an honest but friendly way. They needed to discuss some of the hurtful events from the past that had come between them and take a step further – maybe in the same direction! He was scared about that, but he knew for sure that he had to open himself up to her.

He had nearly offered Mac a ride to Martha's house, but she had avoided him and so he had thought it would be better to meet there separately. Hopefully they'd find the way back to each other.

By then he'd turned onto Martha's street, parked next to the house and turned off the engine. When he opened the driver's door and had one foot on the ground, he saw the outlines of the one woman he knew so well. He tried to look away but their eyes locked and never lost contact as he closed the driver's door and stepped closer to her.

0000 Zulu (19:00 hrs EST)

In front of Martha's house

Georgetown, Washington D.C.

At 1900 sharp, both closed the distance completely and looked deep into each other's eyes. Neither of them could say anything – they were lost in each other. Harm and Mac could feel that it wasn't too late for them to overcome their difficulties and misunderstandings. So many emotions could be seen in both of their eyes – his deep blue ones met her chocolate brown ones and he was lost.

Mac was the first to break the close, overwhelming contact, but her eyes never left him completely. Her gaze traveled over his whole body and took in everything. He looked so natural and breathtaking in his blue jeans, boots and leather jacket. She could see he wore his – and her – favorite tight, black shirt under his jacket. With this shirt it was easy to imagine his strong, muscular chest. He looked amazing in his uniform – especially in his Dress Whites and Summer Whites, but she couldn't get enough of Harm in civvies. A light smile curled around her lips.

Harm, as well, took the opportunity to look at her. Slowly his gaze traveled all over her body. 'She is so beautiful!' an inner voice told him. It didn't matter what she wore, she always was the most beautiful woman in the world to him. Her long black winter coat was open and he could see that the knee-length, black skirt fit perfectly around her curves. She wore the beautiful knit pullover that he loved so much on her, although it sometimes brought back bad memories. He'd nearly lost her to Coster that night, but the bastard hadn't succeeded. She still wore this sweater as a sign that she had survived and he respected her even more for her bravery.

When he saw her smiling, he couldn't help but flash a small version of his favorite flyboy grin at her.

They remained as there where until a laughing voice asked amusingly, "Do you want to stay out there looking at each other and freeze to death, or do you want to come in and have a nice dinner with an old lady?"

Martha's voice brought Harm and Mac back from their private thoughts.