Part 6: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Somebody should call it a Date

February 4th 2003, Tuesday

0400 Zulu (23:00 hrs EST)

Apartment "The Washington 2812"

Georgetown, Washington D.C.

After Mac had left Harm's car, she went straight to her apartment.

Now, after a short, hot shower she lay in her bed warmly covered by her blankets and remembered every single detail from the evening. She hadn't felt so happy and relieved for weeks. The evening had finally opened a door for Harm and her. She – 'they' would go through it. They would start again – maybe with an unknown end but they definitely would step further. Sure – they would have to discuss so many things, have to go back to a difficult past, back to hurtful moments. They would have to talk about all the misunderstandings they had had, but there was no possibility that she wouldn't want to use this new offered chance – maybe it would be their last chance, so they had to make things right this time.

"We have to! This time we won't repeat the mistakes we made over the years!" Mac said out loud to emphasize her thoughts, although her only listeners were her plants and Jingo. The good old dog lowered his head lightly when hearing Mac's voice. He waited one second before he let out an agreeing "Wuf, wuf." to show his owner, that she was right!

Mac's thoughts went back to the moment she'd been leaning against Harm's chest, feeling his warmth, strength and gentleness when he had softly touched her skin. Mac might not have believed it when Harm had kissed her the second time and had nearly allowed her to get lost in these feelings – his lips against her skin – but now she knew it was absolutely right to stop him. And the best thing was, that he had understood her. He showed her his respect when he had stopped for her, not wanting her to get hurt ever again.

"Harm called me Sarah…'twice'! Him calling me by my given name always sounds special, and he did it twice during one evening!" He had rarely used Sarah in addressing her – and this time he used it twice, one shortly after another.

"Wow" was the last word on her smiling lips when she drifted relaxed into a deep, wonderful sleep.

Same time

Harm's apartment

North of Union Station

Washington D.C.

Because of nearly free streets, Harm had quickly reached his loft and had a hot shower, too

After settling in his bed, his thought went back to the evening and Mac as well. He had truly never expected that the dinner would turn out so wonderful. Least of all he had seen himself holding Mac in a close, breathtaking embrace – but that was exactly what had happened. He remembered how he was surrounded by her scent. Even when he had taken off his clothes heading for the shower, he could smell her perfume on his shirt. He loved her lavender perfume – it fit her absolutely right.

When he closed his eyes he even could feel her leaning against him, could feel her hair against his chin and her oh so warm and soft skin against is longing lips. He smiled, drowning in these wonderful memories.

Even though it scared the hell out of him, there was not a single doubt about the fact that they needed this soon coming talk – not even a little tiny one!! They had refused talking – really honestly talking – for so long, although they had seen each other in their worst and best times.

"We'll make things right – this time we won't screw it up. This – Mac – is too important to me that I would let that happen. Not in a thousand years."

He remembered her words on the terrace after brushing her skin with his lips for the second time.

"Please, we can't do this now!" she had said. 'Can't do this 'now'!' he thought grinning. 'She didn't say 'never' – only 'now'!' From somewhere he knew he would get the opportunity and the permission to touch her again. And this time he was sure she would return it in one way or another.

Grinning, he drifted happily to a deep, relaxing sleep.

February 7th 2003, Friday

2300 Zulu (18:00 hrs EST)

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

The last two working days had passed quickly for Harm and Mac and now the third day after the dinner at Martha's house was nearly over as well.

Neither had seen or talked to each other very often during the days, but when they had, they got along very well. The long missed teasing tone and their laughing was back and it seemed that the bullpen with all its 'inhabitants' let out a huge sigh of relief.

Everyone from the staff recognized the change between the two superior officers, especially Harriet and Bud, who looked at it with delightful but watching eyes. It was as if everyone could fulfill their duties easier and in a more relaxed way. And even the Admiral was in a better mood since Harm and Mac had 'suddenly' decided to come back to their old status quo called deep, honest friendship.

Nearly everybody had already left the JAG HQ for the weekend and also Admiral AJ Chegwidden was on his way home for dinner with Meredith when Harm knocked softly on Mac's slightly opened office door. She looked up wondering who it was and smiled when she recognized it was Harm.

"Come on in!" she invited him.

His head appeared in the opening and he grinned his famous flyboy smile at her.

'I really have missed this smile, rather – grin of his! We haven't had much to laugh at in the recent past! Fortunately something has changed since Tuesday!' Mac summarized her thoughts when looking at his smile.

"Hey marine, I'm heading home now. But I wanted to check up our 'coming together' on Saturday evening." He spoke still smiling.

"What do you mean you wanted to 'check up'?" she asked confused. 'Does he want to cancel our date tomorrow? Wait a moment, that is not a 'date', is it?'

"Mac, I…I only want to make sure that dinner and … that …uh … talk afterwards are still on both of our schedules." stuttered Harm.

"Mmh, what time is that big event supposed to take place?" teased Mac Harm, smiling about his little uneasiness.

"Didn't I mention that?" And as Mac asking raised one of her brows, he continued quickly, "Oh, I'm sorry about that, I completely forgot it. I thought seven thirty should be perfect. Are you ok with that?"

"Oh, no, Harm, I have to disappoint you. I already have a date," she answered seriously and had to fight back the urge to laugh when she saw Harm totally shocked.

"WHAT?" he nearly shouted and after a few seconds spoke up calmer, "Oh … do I know him?"

Mac couldn't hold on any longer and answered laughing, "Maybe. It's a good-looking Navy Commander used-to-be-aviator-and-now-JAG-lawyer."

"Cute, Colonel, really cute!" smiling as well although he got caught in Mac's teasing.

"So, what do you think, about seven thirty at my place?" Harm asked again.

"Sure, I'll be there! … Harm, shall I get something on my way to your loft?"

"No, it's all right. I'll take care about everything! Bring yourself with a good appetite – that's enough!" he joked.

"That's fine. See you tomorrow," Mac said.

"Bye, Mac, and don't work too long tonight!" He already was turning and leaving, when Mac called for him again.

"Harm!" He turned back, directly gazing her. "I'm really looking forward to our date tomorrow!" There was it. 'Date'. She didn't plan to use this word and he wasn't prepared to hear it. But she was right. Somebody should call their dinner a date. And he loved calling it that.

Mac could see how the look on Harm's face was first shocked and unsure, but then turned immediately to a relaxed maybe happy one. She wasn't sure about the last.

"Me too, Mac. I am certain about us having a really nice evening tomorrow. Ok, Mac. Have to go now. Be careful and don't leave too late, will ya?" he added seriously.

"Always. Bye, Harm. See ya tomorrow!" promised Mac.

With that, their conversation ended and Harm left the bullpen for the elevator.

Mac finally grabbed her briefcase, cover and coat and headed home, too.

Not knowing that both – Harm and Mac – were totally anxious about seeing each other tomorrow…