Couples Therapy
Spoilers: Up to and including "Ready or Not".
Rating: PG-13 for occasional language
Classification: Angst, humor and romance (eventually)
Summary: Mac's temporary appointment to the judiciary and Harm's prior severance from a case creates dissension between the two attorneys that requires an intervention.
AN: The characters are property of DPB and Paramount. I'm just playing with them!
Many thanks to CatMom for her wonderful shippershrink knowledge and to Pretz for excellent beta work! Any errors are mine!
* * * *
~~Burying the Hatchet~~
1340 local (Saturday)
Roberts' Housewarming Party
"Is that a ruling or an opinion?"
"Come on, Harm. Can we just bury the hatchet for one day?"
"I'd love to, but I'd have to pull it out of my client's head where you left it."
"We're not having this discussion."
"Well, at least we agree on one thing," Harm said sarcastically, as he strode out of the room, wanting to be anywhere she wasn't at the moment.
Mac felt like she'd been punched. Harm's comments knocked the air right out of her. Things between them had been great lately-then this. She had hoped that the housewarming party Bud and Harriet were having would be a stepping stone to another level in their relationship. But this stone became the ledge he pushed her off. He walked out of the room, smugly; seemingly happy he got the last word in. It was so unlike him, he was becoming someone she didn't know anymore.
Setting her glass down on the dining room table, Mac left the room, seeking refuge in the kitchen. She began straightening things up-anything to keep her mind off what had just occurred between her and Harm.
Harriet followed Mac into the kitchen, watching her friend throw her energy into the dishes.
"Ma'am . . . . Mac . . . . Is there anything I can do? You seem a little, um, upset."
Tossing the towel down on the counter, Mac turned to face Harriet, the remains of a few tears glistening on her cheek.
"Upset?" she gasped, barely able to get the word from her mouth. "I did nothing to warrant Harm's callous comments. I was appointed judge-it's my job; he thinks this is personal." Mac was gesturing wildly, her face flushed with emotion. Harriet walked over and took her hand, leading Mac to the chairs at the kitchen table.
"What's been going on between the two of you lately?" Harriet asked, not sure if she was ready to hear what Mac had to say. She didn't want her fears confirmed. Harriet, being quite perceptive, had noticed the iciness in her friends' relationship. Relationship-it was more like a lack there of. History was beginning to repeat itself. The tension between Harm and Mac was evident, just like it was when he returned from flying, and similarly after Mac returned from her TAD assignment to the Guadalcanal. Now, Mac's temporary appointment to the judiciary was wrecking havoc as well as Harm's inability to deal with it.
"I'm not sure if I want to talk about this Harriet, not here at your house-warming party."
"You might feel better once you get it all out in the open."
Mac took a deep breath, wondering truly if talking about it was going to make her feel better. This friendship/relationship was tying her up in knots. They had been moving towards a change for the better-their closeness was becoming the root of everything yet to come. Lunch together, dinner-even if it was just discussing cases-became relaxing, enjoyable moments. Although they weren't calling it dating, sometimes it felt like it, deep in her heart; or maybe it was just wishful thinking on her part. But all that changed in one fell swoop as the Admiral gave her the assignment of presiding over a case that Harm was defending.
Looking at the concern on Harriet's face, Mac decided that this wasn't the time or the place to discuss the precariousness of whatever was going on with her and Harm.
"Harriet, I really can't do this now-not here. Please understand."
"I do understand, Mac," Harriet said as she gently squeezed Mac's hand. "Just give it time; things will get back to normal."
"Normal. That's hardly the word I'd use to describe this . . . .this . . .THING that's going on between Harm and me," Mac said, the irritation apparent in her voice.
"Have you tried to talk to him?"
"No!" she replied vehemently, "And, I'm not so sure that I want to anymore." Mac said, pausing to regain her composure. "I think it's time I went home, Harriet," she said, rising from the table.
Harriet laid her hand gently on Mac's arm, "Please don't go. The party is just getting started."
"Thanks for inviting me, but I just want to be alone right now."
Harriet followed Mac as she left the kitchen to retrieve her purse and jacket from the foyer closet. Hugging her, Mac whispered, "I'm sorry" and quickly left, unseen by Harm.
*****
15 minutes earlier
Roberts' Den
Harm rarely swore-it was something he just didn't do. Just another one of those self-inflicted rules he abided by. Today he was making an exception. He entered the den muttering a few selected four-letter words like a mad-man. Bud and Sturgis ended their conversation abruptly and regarded their friend carefully. Harm's eyes were glowing like hot coals. Bud excused himself and immediately left the den, knowing that Sturgis was the only man capable of defusing this bomb.
"You look like hell, Harm. What's up?" Sturgis queried.
"Nothing that a transfer won't cure," he mumbled distractedly. Realizing what he had just said, Harm looked up to see a confused Sturgis. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"It must be something to get you this irritated."
Harm sighed, drank the remaining beer from his glass, and set it down on the end table with a thud.
"You want to know what it is. I'll tell you. Mac is letting this judgeship go to her head. It's a power trip for her," Harm said bitterly.
"You don't honestly believe that, do you?"
"Don't you?" Harm was pacing the room in an attempt to cool down.
"No. This is new for her as well as the rest of the JAG team. We're all adjusting to the temporary change."
"Yeah, well you're the prosecution. She's on your side."
"Harm, she's the judge; she's on no one's side."
"Yeah, right. Tell her that."
"Mac is not the power-trip type. You should know that better than anyone."
"I thought I did . . . . . but not anymore." Harm paused, gathering his thoughts, not entirely sure he wanted to continue this conversation.
"If you want to talk about it . . . ." Sturgis offered, tentatively.
Harm laughed, "Talk? Yeah, that's something I want to do right now. Actually, I would like to forget that it ever happened. Know what? I can't," he said, throwing his hands in the air dramatically.
"Harm, you and Mac have been friends for a long time. What makes this different than all the other times the both of you have disagreed?"
"We can't seem to get past this one."
"You mean you can't get past it. I don't even think you know why you're angry. Actually, frustrated would be a more accurate description of you at the moment."
Harm stood there, wondering where Sturgis was taking this conversation he didn't want to have. Deciding he'd had enough, he grabbed his empty glass and headed from the den, saying, "I'm finished discussing this with you."
Sturgis opened his mouth to add something, but Harm cut him off, "What goes on between Mac and me is no one's business, including yours," he continued, as he walked through the foyer and into the kitchen, placing his glass on the counter. He then sought out Bud and Harriet to say his good-byes, finding them in the dining room with the Admiral and Meredith. He hardly noticed Mac wasn't there anymore.
"I'm leaving now, Bud. Thanks for a wonderful party, Harriet," Harm said as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"Stay, at least for a little while," Harriet said knowing Harm, just like Mac, would leave despite her efforts to dissuade him otherwise.
He didn't like to make up excuses, but it was better than rehashing everything that transpired with Mac all over again. Not sure of what to say, Harm opted for a quick good-bye, see-you-on-Monday kind of statement and swiftly left the house. He got into his SUV and slammed the door, sitting there for a brief moment, reliving the bitter words he spewed at Mac. He pounded the steering wheel, "Shit." Harm was too frustrated to think anymore. He turned the key in the ignition and sped off in the direction of his apartment, radio blaring to drown out his thoughts.
Sturgis watched his friend leave, just shaking his head wondering where this was all going. He walked into the dining room where the rest of the guests were gathered.
"Care to fill us in on the situation, Commander?" AJ calmly asked.
"What do you mean, sir?" Sturgis said, feigning ignorance. All eyes were on him, hoping to get some explanation for the swift departure of Harm. Sturgis took a drink from the glass he held, looking thoughtfully toward the door and then back at the gathered friends, waiting with bated breath for his response. He sighed and said, "Nothing to tell. He just needed to leave."
Spoilers: Up to and including "Ready or Not".
Rating: PG-13 for occasional language
Classification: Angst, humor and romance (eventually)
Summary: Mac's temporary appointment to the judiciary and Harm's prior severance from a case creates dissension between the two attorneys that requires an intervention.
AN: The characters are property of DPB and Paramount. I'm just playing with them!
Many thanks to CatMom for her wonderful shippershrink knowledge and to Pretz for excellent beta work! Any errors are mine!
* * * *
~~Burying the Hatchet~~
1340 local (Saturday)
Roberts' Housewarming Party
"Is that a ruling or an opinion?"
"Come on, Harm. Can we just bury the hatchet for one day?"
"I'd love to, but I'd have to pull it out of my client's head where you left it."
"We're not having this discussion."
"Well, at least we agree on one thing," Harm said sarcastically, as he strode out of the room, wanting to be anywhere she wasn't at the moment.
Mac felt like she'd been punched. Harm's comments knocked the air right out of her. Things between them had been great lately-then this. She had hoped that the housewarming party Bud and Harriet were having would be a stepping stone to another level in their relationship. But this stone became the ledge he pushed her off. He walked out of the room, smugly; seemingly happy he got the last word in. It was so unlike him, he was becoming someone she didn't know anymore.
Setting her glass down on the dining room table, Mac left the room, seeking refuge in the kitchen. She began straightening things up-anything to keep her mind off what had just occurred between her and Harm.
Harriet followed Mac into the kitchen, watching her friend throw her energy into the dishes.
"Ma'am . . . . Mac . . . . Is there anything I can do? You seem a little, um, upset."
Tossing the towel down on the counter, Mac turned to face Harriet, the remains of a few tears glistening on her cheek.
"Upset?" she gasped, barely able to get the word from her mouth. "I did nothing to warrant Harm's callous comments. I was appointed judge-it's my job; he thinks this is personal." Mac was gesturing wildly, her face flushed with emotion. Harriet walked over and took her hand, leading Mac to the chairs at the kitchen table.
"What's been going on between the two of you lately?" Harriet asked, not sure if she was ready to hear what Mac had to say. She didn't want her fears confirmed. Harriet, being quite perceptive, had noticed the iciness in her friends' relationship. Relationship-it was more like a lack there of. History was beginning to repeat itself. The tension between Harm and Mac was evident, just like it was when he returned from flying, and similarly after Mac returned from her TAD assignment to the Guadalcanal. Now, Mac's temporary appointment to the judiciary was wrecking havoc as well as Harm's inability to deal with it.
"I'm not sure if I want to talk about this Harriet, not here at your house-warming party."
"You might feel better once you get it all out in the open."
Mac took a deep breath, wondering truly if talking about it was going to make her feel better. This friendship/relationship was tying her up in knots. They had been moving towards a change for the better-their closeness was becoming the root of everything yet to come. Lunch together, dinner-even if it was just discussing cases-became relaxing, enjoyable moments. Although they weren't calling it dating, sometimes it felt like it, deep in her heart; or maybe it was just wishful thinking on her part. But all that changed in one fell swoop as the Admiral gave her the assignment of presiding over a case that Harm was defending.
Looking at the concern on Harriet's face, Mac decided that this wasn't the time or the place to discuss the precariousness of whatever was going on with her and Harm.
"Harriet, I really can't do this now-not here. Please understand."
"I do understand, Mac," Harriet said as she gently squeezed Mac's hand. "Just give it time; things will get back to normal."
"Normal. That's hardly the word I'd use to describe this . . . .this . . .THING that's going on between Harm and me," Mac said, the irritation apparent in her voice.
"Have you tried to talk to him?"
"No!" she replied vehemently, "And, I'm not so sure that I want to anymore." Mac said, pausing to regain her composure. "I think it's time I went home, Harriet," she said, rising from the table.
Harriet laid her hand gently on Mac's arm, "Please don't go. The party is just getting started."
"Thanks for inviting me, but I just want to be alone right now."
Harriet followed Mac as she left the kitchen to retrieve her purse and jacket from the foyer closet. Hugging her, Mac whispered, "I'm sorry" and quickly left, unseen by Harm.
*****
15 minutes earlier
Roberts' Den
Harm rarely swore-it was something he just didn't do. Just another one of those self-inflicted rules he abided by. Today he was making an exception. He entered the den muttering a few selected four-letter words like a mad-man. Bud and Sturgis ended their conversation abruptly and regarded their friend carefully. Harm's eyes were glowing like hot coals. Bud excused himself and immediately left the den, knowing that Sturgis was the only man capable of defusing this bomb.
"You look like hell, Harm. What's up?" Sturgis queried.
"Nothing that a transfer won't cure," he mumbled distractedly. Realizing what he had just said, Harm looked up to see a confused Sturgis. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"It must be something to get you this irritated."
Harm sighed, drank the remaining beer from his glass, and set it down on the end table with a thud.
"You want to know what it is. I'll tell you. Mac is letting this judgeship go to her head. It's a power trip for her," Harm said bitterly.
"You don't honestly believe that, do you?"
"Don't you?" Harm was pacing the room in an attempt to cool down.
"No. This is new for her as well as the rest of the JAG team. We're all adjusting to the temporary change."
"Yeah, well you're the prosecution. She's on your side."
"Harm, she's the judge; she's on no one's side."
"Yeah, right. Tell her that."
"Mac is not the power-trip type. You should know that better than anyone."
"I thought I did . . . . . but not anymore." Harm paused, gathering his thoughts, not entirely sure he wanted to continue this conversation.
"If you want to talk about it . . . ." Sturgis offered, tentatively.
Harm laughed, "Talk? Yeah, that's something I want to do right now. Actually, I would like to forget that it ever happened. Know what? I can't," he said, throwing his hands in the air dramatically.
"Harm, you and Mac have been friends for a long time. What makes this different than all the other times the both of you have disagreed?"
"We can't seem to get past this one."
"You mean you can't get past it. I don't even think you know why you're angry. Actually, frustrated would be a more accurate description of you at the moment."
Harm stood there, wondering where Sturgis was taking this conversation he didn't want to have. Deciding he'd had enough, he grabbed his empty glass and headed from the den, saying, "I'm finished discussing this with you."
Sturgis opened his mouth to add something, but Harm cut him off, "What goes on between Mac and me is no one's business, including yours," he continued, as he walked through the foyer and into the kitchen, placing his glass on the counter. He then sought out Bud and Harriet to say his good-byes, finding them in the dining room with the Admiral and Meredith. He hardly noticed Mac wasn't there anymore.
"I'm leaving now, Bud. Thanks for a wonderful party, Harriet," Harm said as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"Stay, at least for a little while," Harriet said knowing Harm, just like Mac, would leave despite her efforts to dissuade him otherwise.
He didn't like to make up excuses, but it was better than rehashing everything that transpired with Mac all over again. Not sure of what to say, Harm opted for a quick good-bye, see-you-on-Monday kind of statement and swiftly left the house. He got into his SUV and slammed the door, sitting there for a brief moment, reliving the bitter words he spewed at Mac. He pounded the steering wheel, "Shit." Harm was too frustrated to think anymore. He turned the key in the ignition and sped off in the direction of his apartment, radio blaring to drown out his thoughts.
Sturgis watched his friend leave, just shaking his head wondering where this was all going. He walked into the dining room where the rest of the guests were gathered.
"Care to fill us in on the situation, Commander?" AJ calmly asked.
"What do you mean, sir?" Sturgis said, feigning ignorance. All eyes were on him, hoping to get some explanation for the swift departure of Harm. Sturgis took a drink from the glass he held, looking thoughtfully toward the door and then back at the gathered friends, waiting with bated breath for his response. He sighed and said, "Nothing to tell. He just needed to leave."