TITLE: What Happens Here Stays Here
RATING: PG-13
PAIRING: Harm/Mac
DISCLAIMER: I do not own JAG.
Author's Note: A few things to mention; the story does take place after the final episode of the season. It actually takes place after the previous story I just wrote called "Revealing Souls", and in my A/N of those stories I disclose my decisions about the season finale and how I've decided to proceed with my fan fiction writing at the moment. Also my title for those who have questions refers to the Las Vegas slogan. Has everyone liked the story so far? Thank you so much for the reviews! They've encouraged me to keep writing and continue. Thanks for reading!!! Reviews Welcome!!!
Chapter Title: Raining
Passenger Flight from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas
1100 EST
Rain Delays. Harm hated rain delays. Especially when their flight took off after a two-hour delay because of the rainstorms in Washington. Now sitting on the plane, he felt his body wear a little from the long wait and the 4-hour plane ride awaiting them. He secured seats next to the window so they might see the Las Vegas strip while they flew over, but he forgot Mac's dislike of flying. Needless to say, Harm found himself staring out the window, the darkness of the night blanketing them in a sky of unknown territory. Flashing memories of long lost missions in a F14 Tomcat, flying over water, deserts, and through mountains. Rarely did he think of such times, but they never left him completely. Specifically the crash on the carrier, the most difficult time of his life, the event that changed everything for him, he remembered the most. He would never forget that, often keeping such memories deep inside him. Actually, it was a memory he even kept from Mac, speaking of it only in vague terms.
Suddenly hearing his name called, Harm turned to see Mac staring at him. "Do you want something to drink?" she asked quietly.
Harm shifted his gaze to the flight attendant waiting patiently for him to answer. All of the flashing memories began to fade away as he frantically thought of a word that would make sense, not wanting to reveal his daydreaming. Smiling, Harm replied simply, "Water." Good answer, Harm thought, as he folded his hands in his lap, thinking sleep might help him a bit.
"Hey," Mac called subtly, reaching over to clasp his hand in hers, causing him to look up into her dark brown eyes. He saw concern there, for him in particular. Well, considering the last few minutes, no wonder she worried. Though thinking back to flying was something he did quite often, especially lately, with no real explanation. He smiled as she caressed his cheek, asking, "You okay?"
Harm nodded, feeling calm and peaceful in Mac's presence. It didn't take long for her to make him feel better, and she knew how to accomplish this much quicker than before they were together. Just the idea that Mac was his girlfriend tended to be enough, but often spending the night in her arms also did the trick. However, his frequent glimpses to the lost adventures of flying a Tomcat he had yet shared with her. Maybe he should soon. Taking her other hand, Harm smiled with assurance, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking of spending the weekend with my favorite Marine."
Mac matched his smile, reaching over to place a kiss on his nose, and whispered, "As long as I'm the only female Marine you're with."
Harm smiled openly, intending on continuing with this little joke, stating with the most serious face he could muster, "You're the only female Marine. Though there is someone in the Navy ...". Before he could finish, however, Mac kissed him lightly, yet with intensity that made him quickly forget where he was. The fact that Mac knew how to get to him, knew what buttons to push reminded Harm of the power that Mac held. Yet Harm held that same power concerning Mac. As she released, Harm smirked a little and added, "Ok, I'll break it off with the Navy woman."
Mac winked at him, grabbing his hand in hers as she leaned back in her seat. "I thought that would convince you," she joked, squeezing his hand as he, too, leaned back in his own seat, looking away, out the window.
Already Mac thought the trip would be wonderful, being with Harm, sharing this precious time with him. As the relationship progressed during the past few months, Mac's personal need for Harm strengthened with each minute. Mac sensed the same conditions for Harm considering the amount of times he called her, wanted to see her, how many weekends they spent together per Harm's plans and request. They were beginning to become one. Yet the secret they hid became much more difficult, having to keep their feelings at bay every second until they were completely alone. Luckily on this trip, she wouldn't have to hold back. As she turned back to look at Harm, his eyes had drifted close and he was fast asleep. The relaxation began.
McCarran Airport
Las Vegas, NV
0100 MST
"It's raining here, too," Harm observed with a grimace as he stepped out of the airport, carrying his suitcase, as well as Mac's, and gazing up at the night sky, feeling the misty rain lightly dampening his face. Warmer air than Washington, certainly, but still rain. He pictured sunshine, maybe a few palm trees, walking the streets wearing sunglasses while holding Mac's hand. Now he only saw cab rides and running from building to building. If he wanted the two of them to spend the time indoors because of rain, he would've stayed in Washington, in bed with Mac, succumbing to hiding in one of their apartments for the entire time.
Mac came up beside him, successfully grabbing a cab as it parked next to the entrance. "They say this is the first rain they've had in a year," Mac informed, having talked to a few people within the airport in simple conversation. Harm sighed as he ran swiftly to the trunk as it popped open, throwing the two suitcases inside, and then rushing to the other side of the car to jump in the back seat next to Mac. Now he was tired and wet, though the small canopy-like roof over the entrance to the airport kept him under cover most of the time.
The cab driver looked up into his rearview mirror to catch Harm's attention, asking, "Where to?"
Harm wiped some of the damp rain off of his face with his hand as he uttered, "Caesar's Palace." The driver nodded as he jolted into the line of cars going out of the airport, Harm and Mac shifting backwards slightly because of his quick movements. Already Harm felt horrible they would have to suffer the weekend through a rainstorm, if it lasted the entire weekend. Wanting everything perfect, the time certainly didn't start out that way as he gazed out of his car window, seeing them getting closer to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
"So what do you have planned?" Mac asked, knowing full well that if the night before was any kind of indication, romance awaited in the near future. She wouldn't let Harm sulk for long, determined to have fun, despite the troublesome weather. Harm liked looking at situations pessimistically, though he often revealed an optimistic side when it counted. Yet at the moment, pessimism seemed to be the mood of choice. The weekend with such high expectations, Harm was bound to see the rain as a drawback.
Turning from the window to gaze at her, Harm answered, "I have a decent amount planned. Hopefully the rain holds off." Of course he planned a bunch of different activities, many of them outside, having to walk from casino to casino to reach destinations. Doing this in the hot sun would be no problem, fun, enjoyable, yet doing this in the rain would only make the festivities a hassle. The point of the weekend was to embrace the chance to do such activities as a couple, to not have to worry about hiding in a room or apartment.
Mac clasped his hand in hers, feeling warmth and strength, squeezing it tightly as she countered, "If it doesn't, then we'll get wet." In fact, Mac felt the rain would be romantic, a time, a vacation they would always remember. Sometimes the best vacations were those full of horrible experiences and bad luck. Their relationship needed those experiences, those fun times they could share with their children. Their children.
Harm smiled then, leaning over to give her a small kiss, feeling this vacation, no matter what bad luck or bad instances they might deal with, would accomplish exactly what they hoped. Harm knew he needed to stop thinking about the negatives, realizing that he wasn't trying to impress Mac to win her love. He had that now, finally. Instead this vacation was a time for them to share together, no matter what might come. They would do exactly that.
Caesar's Palace
Hallway
0130 MST
Stepping off of the elevator into the clean, fully carpeted hallway, Mac felt the excitement for this trip reach new heights. Immediately a mirror hung in the small hallway they stepped into that would lead to the more extensive sections of the hotel, and Mac could hardly wait to explore. A vase with beautiful, fresh flowers sat on a table underneath the mirror, the lights dim as they approached the hallway adjacent to the small one they were in.
Taking a glance at the small sign leading them in the correct direction to their room, Mac turned right, Harm following behind as he held onto the suitcases. Feeling the left suitcase much heavier than the right, gazing down to realize the left was Mac's, Harm looked up to the beautiful, walking, determined woman in front of him, and said subtly with a hint of strain in his voice, "I thought Marines were known for being able to survive with little or nothing in the wilderness."
Mac turned around then, seeing Harm's very amused expression as he waited anxiously for her answer. They tended to do this often, one making fun of the other. It was the game they played, the bantering they enjoyed. Neither of them took it seriously, yet both knew of its importance in their relationship. Being opposite concerning court cases and lawyer styles tended to bring out such arguments, their new closeness only making such arguing more enjoyable. "This coming from the man who spends a half hour in front of the mirror to make sure his hair looks good," Mac shot back, immediately seem Harm's face turn to protest.
Catching up with her as she turned back around, walking a bit faster, Harm argued lightly, "I do not spend a half hour." Thinking quickly for something to catch her with, he grinned widely and added, "By the way, how many clothes do you own?"
Mac huffed a little as they reached the door to their room, pulling out the keycard to unlock the door as she stated in return, "How much money have you invested into your car?" Glancing to Harm, she saw him suddenly become somewhat serious, her previous comment hitting the right buttons. She loved showing Harm how much she really knew about him, reminding him that he can never keep too much from her attention. Mac paid close attention to almost everything he did, knowing full well of his weaknesses, his strengths, what words caused him insanity, down to what position he usually slept in at night. Such knowledge was wonderful.
As Mac began to enter the room, Harm sighed and informed with mock regret, "Ah, Mac, you know better than to bring my car into this.
Stepping backwards into the room, a single lamp already turned on, Harm following close behind, Mac smirked mischievously, challenging, "At least I'm not all talk and no action."
In that moment Harm dropped the suitcases in a flash, running with amazing quickness towards Mac, so quick that instead of fighting, Mac decided to let him catch her, laughing the entire time as Harm pinned her against the nearby wall, holding her fast, Mac's hands instinctively landing on his shoulders. If Mac really wanted to escape, she could do so, especially knowing Harm as well as she did. However, she wanted to play the game a little, seeing the man in front of her attempting to catch his breath slightly as he replied confidently, "I'll show you action, Colonel." He then kissed her, his intentions for the rest of the night apparent in his lips. As the kiss ended, Harm added with a whisper, "Now you have no way out."
Mac smiled openly, feeling him tighten his hold on her, Harm daring her to try and escape his grip. However, Harm of all people knew not to challenge a Marine with such a dare, knowing full well a Marine's capability to escape such a trap in normal circumstances. Yet Harm seemed to like when Mac took control in these moments, which may be the reasoning for his words. "I don't, huh?" Mac asked, instantly taking no more time in finding that way out.
Before Harm knew it, he found himself lying on his back on the bed, Mac sitting on top of him. Harm also knew which buttons to push to get Mac to react in certain ways. She leaned over him, stretched her arms out on either side of him to keep her balance as she looked down into his handsome face. The face she could stare into for days on end, ever finding a new feature, tracing a new contour with her eyes, her fingers, exploring new sections of him. Harm would always have some mystery to him, though Mac intended on searching and exploring the unknown territories in Harm's soul. In fact, she wanted to start her adventure this weekend. "Now you have no way out," Mac replied with a grin, using his own words, enjoying the position she currently was in.
Yet it didn't last long as Mac felt Harm flip to her back quickly as he assumed the upper position, staring down with her with a huge smile, placing his arms around her. Mac giggled a little, enjoying this moment, loving how comfortable they were with each other. "You are strong, Marine." Harm bent down to kiss her lightly, and added, "And beautiful." Harm kissed her again, this time much more passionately, their lips opening slightly, Harm feeling the command and urgency in Mac's kisses. He felt his breathing becoming a little ragged, the passion, the heat of the moment, their bodies melding together, causing him to lose his sense of orientation
Mac then broke the kiss slightly, seeing Harm release with reluctance, unsure of what just happened. This weekend, to some degree, needed to be perfect. Finally finding time to be alone with Harm, Mac wanted the time together to be somewhat perfect, maybe even magical. Certainly not quick without much thinking involved, when she just spent 4 hours on a plane. Smiling, Mac caressed Harm's cheek and whispered, "I still have the plane ride on me. Let me wash up a little before we continue." Not only did she want to wash up, but she also wanted to take it slow, hoping the break would help them to do just that.
Harm nodded, rolling away from her to allow her to stand. Watching her, Harm felt his entire being drowning in her existence. She will always astound him, has always done so. Now watching her as she turned towards him, Harm knew he would forever love this woman, wanting at this moment to give his life to her. He wanted to make her happy, give her anything she wanted, and be there for her. "Okay," he whispered, agreeing that the time should be perfect, taken slow.
Mac smiled as she left, leaving Harm lying on the bed alone, looking up at the ceiling as he heard the door to the bathroom close. He could do this, he could wait. That would not be a problem. Shifting a bit, Harm moved to lie out on the bed, grabbed the remote on the small table next to him, and turned on the TV. He could wait.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help
Falling in love with you
Mac took one last view of herself in the mirror, happy that she felt ten times better than before. She wanted to remember this moment with Harm, the entire vacation with Harm. Washing up only took her a few minutes, moving to the bathroom door to open it, the anticipation of this night rising inside of her heart and soul. Harm and Mac experienced many romantic moments and a dozen romantic weekends since they started their relationship, yet this felt different, free, not having to worry about being caught by something or someone.
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin?
If I can't help
Falling in love with you
Exiting the bathroom and walking into the room, dressed for bed in shorts and a tank top, she saw Harm lying on his side under the covers only partly, wearing shorts but no T-shirt, the TV flashing lights and sounds quietly throughout the room. Before one, now two lamps shined brightly throughout the room. "Harm?" Mac called, walking to the television to turn it off, seeing him still and quiet. Gazing at him, immediately she realized he was fast asleep. Sighing, she found herself highly amused, realizing the amount of sleep the previous week took from both of them. If anything, this weekend, at the very least, would be a chance for them to relax and enjoy each other. Many times that merely meant sleeping in each other's arms all night, enjoying the company, enjoying the quiet moments together.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Turning off the lamp next to the TV, and then moving to the bed to turn off the lamp on the nightstand, the darkness of the room quickly engulfed them, only the bright lights of Las Vegas dimly illuminating the room. The rain draped over the windows blurred those bright images of the huge strip, in a strange way blanketing the room in warmth. Sighing with slight disappointment, but realizing this was a good start, Mac climbed under the covers next to Harm's sleeping form, his back to her. Leaning over him slightly, propping herself on her elbow, to ensure his sleeping state, Mac bent down and kissed him gently on the cheek, Harm still unmoving. Staring at him for hours while he slept was easy, Mac having done so before on nights just like this one. She knew, as well, his own tendency to do the same with her, often feeling his eyes studying her while she slept. A few times she awoke in those instances, but did not open her eyes, intent on allowing Harm to observe her.
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help
Falling in love with you
Lying back down behind him, Mac wrapped her right arm around his waist, tightening her hold on him. She wanted him to feel her presence even if he wasn't awake, to know she was there and always would be. She wanted to take care of him for the rest of her life, show him her commitment to him, to who he was. In moments like these were such promises made, in dark nights of exhaustion and sleep, when all the worries of the world melted away, and all they had was each other. Sharing did not always mean the exchange of words, yet often the exchange of souls, of hearts, of flashes in life they would never forget. Mac saw their life together, and saw her holding him like this for the rest of her life. She saw herself loving him like this.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Mac smiled slightly, happy with the place she was in, happy with the man she held in her arms. The softness of the sheets, the pillows, of Harm's skin, along with the pitter-patter of rain on the window gave her the needed atmosphere for sleep.
Take my hand
Before she completely fell away, however, she hugged him to her a little tighter, giving him a kiss on his shoulder, the back of his neck.
Take my whole life, too
The heat from his body emanated to her, the calm, and the silence.
For I can't help
Falling in love with you
As she buried her face into the pillow, into his neck, she felt his hand lightly grasp hers, entwining their fingers, settling them against his stomach. Instantly sleep came. Morning brought the weekend.
For I can't help
Falling in love with you
... More to Come ...
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