Part 7: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Cosas de la Vida
Disclaimers: I don't own the song "Cosas de la Vida (Can't Stop Thinking of You)" – performed by Eros Ramazotti and Tina Turner.
February 8th 2003, Saturday
1400 Zulu (09:00 hrs EST)
On a street
Somewhere in Washington, D.C.
Harm was sitting in his SUV and driving to the big mall for the grocery shopping he needed to do, fixing everything up for the coming dinner with Mac. He woke up unusually early not quite knowing what exactly had caused that. But it wasn't that bad, because he still didn't know what he wanted to cook for Mac. This dinner – the whole evening – should be something special for her, but he hadn't figured out how to do that yet. He didn't have the slightest idea – his brain was totally blank. But Harm was certain that when he entered the mall it would make 'click' and he would simply know.
Although Saturday had awakened just some hours ago, the streets were totally crowed as if nearly everybody was on their feet doing their grocery shopping as well. It seemed people feared that tomorrow might be the day of the world's end. He shook his head – slightly amused by all the angry and annoyed car drivers around him.
Harm was in such a good mood that even the morning traffic jam and the terrible behavior of some drivers couldn't change that.
So he switched on the car radio, softly whistling an unknown melody, hoping he could catch up some good songs, which reflected his good mood.
After trying to find a good radio station, he suddenly was caught in a song, which seemed to be foreign but at the same time so well known.
He listened to a pop duet: the female voice was unmistakably Tina Turner, but he didn't recognize the male voice. Nevertheless, these two voices built a perfect match and he loved the song from the beginning. He only could understand the half of the song because it was sung half in English half in a language he figured out as Italian. But though he couldn't completely understand it, he had the certain feeling that it was a lovely song.
Harm pulled into a parking lot in front of the mall, when the track started to slow down and got quieter. Just when the song totally was finished, the radio DJ told Harm and all the other listeners:
"Hey, hey, hey, people out there. This was the fabulous Tina Turner and her singing partner Eros Ramazotti!! In the US he isn't as popular as in his home country Italy – there he is a real superstar. And the song is called 'Cosas de la Vida' or 'Can't Stop Thinking of You'! It is not a brand new hit – in fact it was produced in the nineties – to be exact: 27th of January 1998 – but to me it's still a lovely summer song."
Suddenly Harm's face lit up and he knew exactly how he would arrange the dinner. He walked straight to the mall entrance deep in thought, figuring out what he would need to create the wonderful evening he had in mind. Before entering the mall, one thought crossed Harm's mind: 'I have to call Mac!'
February 8th 2003, Saturday
1800 Zulu (13:00 hrs EST)
Apartment "The Washington 2812"Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Mac had woken up early as well and had gone for her daily run in the park next to her apartment. She had to smile during the whole time she was jogging. Nearly everything reminded her of the Saturday exactly one week ago. It seemed that everything had changed since that day – changed in a positive way of course. She would never ever jog or walk through this park as before Harm and her suddenly had crashed into each other.
It was a wonderful morning and a wonderful afternoon as well. Nothing could dampen her momentary mood, even the usually not so beloved housework – especially cleaning up her apartment or washing the dishes – could change that.
Her stereo was on and rhythmic summer melodies filled the whole living room. Mac softly hummed the melodies while she was in the kitchen.
First she didn't hear the insistent ringing tone, but then she recognized that some tones didn't fit with the rest of the song. It took her another few seconds before realizing that the phone was ringing stubbornly in the living room. She hurried into the living room while drying her hands on a dishtowel. She reached for the receiver the second her answering machine started with "Hi, this is Sarah McK…"
"Hello? MacKenzie here." She spoke breathless into the receiver.
"Hi, Mac – why are you so out of breath? Did you catch a thief again or something like that?" Harm greeted her on the other line.
"Funny, sailor! No, I caught every single thief around Georgetown just this morning, so there's nothing left for the afternoon…" she retorted, taking up his teasing tone but then explained, "I didn't hear the ringing first because of the music on the stereo and then I hurried to get your call."
"Oh, is that why you nearly shout out everything?"
Mac hadn't realized that the stereo was still loudly playing music. Finally, when Harm mentioned it, she got the remote and turned off the music.
"Sorry about that." She answered now quieter, "Anyway, what can I do for you, Harm?"
"Oh, yeah…Um, Mac, I have to give you an order."
"You have to give me what?? Harm, is everything ok? Or did you fall out of your bed this morning and bump your head pretty hard?"
"No, Mac, seriously. You have to follow my dress code for this evening!" Harm replied seriously.
"A dress code? Harm, it's only a dinner, isn't it?" asked Mac now very surprised by his request.
"Yes, Ma'am! You can wear any piece of clothes, but it 'has' to be either in the color red, white or green. The best case would be, if you'd pick something, which contains each of these colors. But that isn't necessary. Please, Mac, do me the favor!"
"First it's an order and now it's a favor? Hmm, I have to think about it…"
"Oh, Colonel, I can make it an order!" Harm answered in his best Admiral Chegwidden imitation.
Mac had to laugh and finally gave up. "Aye, aye, Sir! Ok, I'll try to find something in red, white ore green. But, Harm, would you be so kind to give me a hint, what's this all about?"
"No, not yet! I'm totally sure that you'll find it out once you enter my apartment." He smiles, "Thank you, Mac, see ya in a few hours!"
With that he disconnected the line and Mac could only look at the receiver in disbelief. 'What was all this about? I'm not really convinced, that everything is ok with Harm. But even 'he' had his strange moments and this call was definitely one of them!' thought Mac shaking her head.
February 8th 2003, Saturday
2345 Zulu (18:45 hrs EST)
Next to Harm's apartment
North of Union Station
Washington D.C.
The last few hours Mac had pampered herself with a hot bubble bath. She had taken her time getting ready for the dinner. Nearly an hour she had stood in front of the dresser or the big full size mirror choosing the perfect outfit and respecting Harm's color wish. But now she was sure she had found the right one! She was anxious to see Harm and to find out, what he had planed with all the color stuff. She couldn't figure out what he was up to. But Mac was sure she wouldn't have to wait long for the answers.
She pulled into the parking lot next to Harm's SUV. She couldn't see his red corvette, so it had to be in the garage.
She went straight to the elevators without recognizing Harm watching her early arrival.
Inside the elevator, everything worked too slowly for her – she was too excited and couldn't stand still. Finally – for her it nearly seemed to be a whole lifetime – the elevator reached Harm's floor and she stepped out of it.
Before knocking on Harm's loft door Mac looked a final time up and down her body to make sure her outfit was perfect. She didn't know why looking perfect was so important for her tonight.
'It is only a normal dinner with Harm! So behave yourself, marine.' Honestly it was not a 'normal' dinner with Harm. They wouldn't work on cases or watch a movie as they normally do – no this dinner was special. Special because of the dress code he requested and especially because of the reason for this dinner. They were going to enjoy this evening and they would really talk to each other – for the first time in years. At least they would try to do so.
Shaking her head slightly and taking a deep breath to calm herself down, she started to knock on the door. First nervously but then self-confidently.
With a vigorous motion the door was opened by an awesome looking and bright smiling Harmon Rabb Jr.
Mac was shocked – in a totally positive way. She had expected nearly everything according to the fact that this handsome man could wear everything – for example a potato sack. Even then he would look great. But here he stood in front of her! As Mac, he had chosen his clothes corresponding to his own dress code: His outfit consisted of a black pair of linen trousers, a deep dark red long sleeved shirt with a white handkerchief in the front pocket of his shirt and an ankle-length deep green apron. His dark hair shimmered and Mac could smell her favorite male Eau de toilette on him mixed with his own special male scent. With the white dishtowel on his left shoulder he looked like one of these handsome smart waiters from her favorite café. Her gaze went along his whole appearance and stopped at his face. She couldn't look away even if she tried doing it.
But it didn't go well with Harm either. When Mac had left her car to head for the elevator, she had completely forgotten to put on her black winter coat. So he could now enjoy Mac's outfit as well. She wore a tight red cotton three-quarter sleeved polo-neck shirt, a knee-length white skirt with a soft green pattern on it and black boots. The soft light from the apartment reflected in her hair and emphasized her new soft red-colored strands.
She was breathtaking – as always. She looked good in all her uniforms, but she was even more beautiful in clothes that emphasized the woman she was and not the marine. His heart jumped a little when he positively took in every little part of her like the essential air – her clothes, her hairstyle, her make-up and the perfect shape of her beautiful body. Harm didn't realize that he was holding his breath. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
For the second time, neither of them could say anything. For the second time aquamarine eyes locked with deep brown eyes. Everything around them was forgotten and again they were caught in the moment…