~~~History Lessons~~~
0850 hours (Thursday)
Arlington, Virginia
For the most part the drive into Arlington was quiet. The only exception being the wipers creating a hypnotic rhythm of gentle shushes as it chased the raindrops from the windshield of the Lexus. Although it was raining, the sky was beginning to brighten as the sun fought for a spot amidst the clouds. What conversation there was between Harm and Mac was kept light; mostly about their babysitting adventure with little AJ earlier in the week or the progress Bud had been making in preparation for his PEB. Frankly, they did their best to dance around the subject of their counseling and their relationship-past and present-before finally settling on a comfortable silence.
Harm turned the radio on and fiddled with the memory buttons distractedly before pressing scan, unhappy with the choices. Actually, it was less about the music and more about them, needing something to fill the silence. He wanted to talk to her about so much; he just didn't know where to begin, but he knew it would eventually center itself on yesterday's session and the one yet to occur. Feeling like he had already played the 'I'm worried about you' card one too many times in the past 12 hours, he decided to let it be.
After allowing the radio to briefly scan for something suitable, the strains of a familiar tune made him quickly hit the button to stop it. Mac watched him as he gently drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and silently mouthed the words to a song she couldn't quite place. She wanted to ask him what it was he was singing, but watching him lose himself in the words and music captivated her. Whenever they were on assignment together, he was rarely relaxed enough to pay attention to anything but the case. This was a new side of Harm she was seeing and she found herself liking it. She glanced over to him again, trying to watch him without letting on what she was doing.
Within moments, they drove up in front of a retro-looking diner, complete with neon emblazoned sign. Harm pulled the SUV into a parking spot near the front of the building. Despite the weather, there was already a steady stream of customers flowing to and from the restaurant. Mac didn't recognize the place. Of course, she never had any reason to venture on this side of the river. Her restaurant jaunts were usually limited to the area immediately surrounding her apartment or the JAG office.
"This is interesting, Harm. Metro 29 Diner-I didn't even know such a place existed. It looks like they dropped it here right out of an old movie."
"Actually it was dropped right here back in the 1940's," Harm said as he slid out of the vehicle. He waited as Mac emerged from the car and then clicked the alarm once she shut the door. They both strode to the steps leading up to the front of the diner, dodging departing customers in the process. As they entered the diner, Mac's eyes grew wide with wonder, intrigued by the building and its nostalgic decor.
Gently resting his hand on her shoulder, Harm moved past Mac and stepped up to the counter to ask if there were any empty seats. The waitress glanced briefly at a seating chart in front of her before scanning the room for an empty booth. After noticing one was being cleaned, she told Harm it would be a minute or two. Before long, another waitress motioned for them to follow her and she seated them in the far end of the diner. She placed two menus in front of them and asked if they wanted coffee. Harm answered, "Yes" while Mac just nodded her head, still trying to absorb the atmosphere of the place.
The hum of conversation intermingled with the sound of clanking dishes and the sizzle of the griddle enveloped the room. It wasn't an overwhelming sound, but combined with the aroma of the food, it was just enough to make you feel warm and welcome. The place wasn't very big; Mac mentally figured it sat about sixty people if you included the counter.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, continuing to take in every inch of the place.
"Bud and I were on our way back to JAG from interviewing a witness a few years ago. He took a wrong turn and we stumbled upon this place. Since Bud was hungry at the time we decided to try it."
"And you remembered where it was all this time?" Mac asked in amazement.
"In fact, I've been coming here on and off for a while. It's a nice change from the usual places I eat at," Harm said, relishing in seeing the awe on her face as she continued to watch the hustle and bustle around them. "It's a nice place to get lost in. Almost feels like . . . "
". . . like it takes you back to another time and place," Mac said, finishing his sentence. Harm smiled at her, enjoying it when their brains were in sync like this. The shy smile on her face told him that she appreciated the moment as much as he did. He watched as she suddenly found the napkin on the table an interesting distraction, folding and unfolding it while they sat in silence.
"What did Renee' think of this place? It doesn't seem like her style," Mac's thoughts escaped her lips, causing her to regret the question the instant she asked it. The expression on her face abruptly changed from lighthearted to serious as she hoped he wasn't offended by the question. It's none of my business to begin with, she thought, searching for a way out of the question that lingered in the air.
Harm answered her in a quiet voice, "I never brought her here."
He couldn't quite grasp why Mac suddenly brought Renee' into the conversation, especially since it had been over a year since they had gone their separate ways. The two women were hardly friends, especially considering that Renee' made it her mission to let Mac know Harm was her territory. He was grateful he never pushed them into trying to be friends. Having your girlfriend and your best friend form an alliance would be like trying to mix oil and water-it was chemically impossible. And in this case it would have surely been more like gasoline and a match. At least I was using my head that time, he thought.
Mac looked away from the napkin in her hands right into the placid blue eyes of her best friend across the table. To her relief, he didn't seem ruffled by her question. Think before you talk next time Mackenzie, she thought to herself with a sigh. The clank of the coffee mugs on the table as the waitress set them down snapped them back to the present.
"Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked, pulling out a pad and pencil from the pocket on her uniform.
Mac had never really looked at her menu, having been lost in her thoughts. Hurriedly she scanned the pages, trying to decide what to order.
"Mac, what are you going to have?" Harm asked, noticing her indecisiveness.
"Um, I'm not sure yet," she stammered, "Why don't you go first?"
"Western omelet with a side of salsa, please," he said handing the menu back to the waitress.
Contemplating his selection for a moment, "I'll have the same except with a side of bacon."
The waitress swiftly turned and headed off to place their orders, leaving the two sitting quietly in their booth, suddenly at a loss for words, both feeling like kids on a first date. Noticing the mini-jukebox that adorned the booth next to the window, Mac ran her fingers over its smooth chrome exterior.
"I didn't think these existed anymore."
"I often wondered how many couples planned their lives here while listening to its music," Harm said, watching her gently turn the wheel to flip through the pages of songs.
"Just imagine the stories this jukebox could tell," Mac added wistfully.
Harm reached into his pocket and slid two quarters across the table to her. Mac looked at him quizzically before a smile formed on her lips. She dropped the money in the slot and pushed the random select button. Soon the strains of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" were coming over the jukebox's speakers. Harm and Mac at first looked at each other uncomfortably. Then almost instantaneously, they both said, "Top Gun," before bursting out laughing at their timing.
As they awaited their food, Harm filled her in on the history of the diner dating back to post-World War II Washington. Intrigued by his knowledge of the diner, Mac sat there completely engrossed in the history lesson. Once their breakfast arrived, they ate silently, content to enjoy the meal and each others company, pushing any thoughts of their impending session far from their minds.
1055 hours
Old Town Alexandria
Harm and Mac pulled up in front of Maddie's building. After the initial tension over the Renee' question, their breakfast had turned into a leisurely, enjoyable meal. Getting caught up in the nostalgic feel of the diner, they had managed to put all things past and present behind them. Mac sighed as Harm parked the SUV and turned off the ignition.
Glancing over in her direction he asked, "You alright?"
"Yeah, I guess," she said, pausing. "You'd think I'd be used to coming here by now. But every time I come here, I get butterflies in my stomach."
"If you'd rather not do this today, I'm sure Maddie will understand," Harm said, turning his whole body in the seat of his Lexus to look at her. He could see just a hint of tension in the muscles of her neck, radiating down her arms to the hands that were playing with the strap from her purse. Seeing how the emotion of it all was taking a toll her body and spirit, he wished he could just take her away from it all. But, if wishes were dimes, I'd be a rich man, he thought. Instead, he placed his hand over hers to calm them, backing the gesture up with a smile he hoped would put her at ease.
Mac glanced down at the warm hand covering hers. Instead of pulling away, she moved her hand to squeeze his, acknowledging his concern without any encumbered words. Unwillingly breaking the spell that was momentarily cast over them, she quietly said, "Let's go," before exiting the vehicle.
Side by side they strode across the street and entered the building, beginning their ascent to Maddie's office. Mac was a step or two ahead of Harm as she reached the second floor landing. Opening the door, she hesitated slightly before walking past the spot in the hallway where Harm had held her as she cried last night. Recalling her anguish, Mac steeled herself, resolving to be stronger and needing to put the past where it belonged. Harm saw Mac's steps waver slightly and knew what was going through her mind. As difficult as it seemed for Mac, Harm had found it twice as arduous. Unable to physically help her made him feel powerless. I guess even Superman had his weaknesses, he thought.
Reaching the office door, Harm stepped slightly in front of Mac and opened it for her. Wordlessly she looked at him, acknowledging his presence with a slight smile before stepping inside. Each of them prepared to deal with the unknown in their own way.
Five minutes earlier
Maddie's Office
Checking the time, Maddie hurriedly took a gulp of her diet soda and ate the last spoonful of the yogurt she had brought with her from home. The yogurt was the quickest thing she could grab before heading out the door since breakfast wasn't what she had anticipated. Making what she thought were a few phone calls to rearrange appointments had become a game of telephone tag with her clients, leaving little time for anything else. Only a few took the advantage of changing their appointments to today; the rest were only too willing to reschedule for next week, thus making the day a light one for her after all.
The fire in the hearth crackled and snapped in the silence of the office. When Maddie had arrived earlier, a damp chill had greeted her. Even though her first client had already arrived, she made starting the fire her first order of business, delighting Zolly. Once the warmth was radiating from the fireplace, he quickly moved to his spot on the rug, snuggling in for a mid-day nap.
Without even checking her appointment book Maddie knew that Harm and Mac were her next clients. She tidied up her desk, before pulling the 'Mackenzie/Rabb' file out of the drawer. Briefly scanning her notes from their previous sessions, she knew they still had a lot of old baggage to sort through. It was a necessary evil, but one that would have to be handled with a painstaking yet gentle touch.
Maddie had been looking forward to this session since she hung up with Mac earlier this morning. Just knowing that they were at least spending some time together was enough to make her happy. Besides, I'd like to hear the story behind their breakfast date too, she thought, before quickly dispelling her curiosity. It was getting increasingly difficult for her to walk the fine line of 'counselor'-wanting to keep it professional without getting personal, yet being personal enough without seeming apathetic. Maddie sighed and rubbed her temples. She couldn't remember the last time she got so attached to a client before. At any rate, it was time to put her personal feelings aside and be the counselor they needed her to be.
Hearing the click of the outer office door, Maddie knew that her next "couple" had arrived. She listened for muffled conversation but didn't hear any. Worry creased her forehead as she wondered for a moment if it were Harm and Mac who arrived or if it was just the mailman. Of course, she realized, she could end all this mystery by just opening the door to check. But, this would also put them "on the clock" so to speak, and Maddie truly didn't want to rush them today. Before getting up from her desk, she checked the time for her next appointment-12:15pm-just enough time, she thought. That is if things are kept on track.
Maddie walked over to the door connecting the two rooms, gingerly cracking it open a bit to peer inside. Harm was seated on the leather chair next to the bookshelf, leaning forward resting his elbows on parted knees-watching Mac who sat quietly on the loveseat, thumbing through the latest issue of Southern Living magazine that Maddie had left there this morning. Both seemed to be reacting differently to today's session. Harm seemed relaxed, yet concerned about Mac. Mac appeared to be distracted as she turned the pages of the magazine without really looking at its contents.
Maddie felt a twinge of guilt about delving so deeply into Mac's relationship with her father yesterday. It obviously had taken some toll on her, seeing the tension in her posture and mannerisms. She watched her close the magazine and toss it on the coffee table, breaking the trance that Harm had fallen into. Time to get this show on the road, Maddie thought. She straightened herself and opened the door, propelling them into yet another chapter of their lives.
0850 hours (Thursday)
Arlington, Virginia
For the most part the drive into Arlington was quiet. The only exception being the wipers creating a hypnotic rhythm of gentle shushes as it chased the raindrops from the windshield of the Lexus. Although it was raining, the sky was beginning to brighten as the sun fought for a spot amidst the clouds. What conversation there was between Harm and Mac was kept light; mostly about their babysitting adventure with little AJ earlier in the week or the progress Bud had been making in preparation for his PEB. Frankly, they did their best to dance around the subject of their counseling and their relationship-past and present-before finally settling on a comfortable silence.
Harm turned the radio on and fiddled with the memory buttons distractedly before pressing scan, unhappy with the choices. Actually, it was less about the music and more about them, needing something to fill the silence. He wanted to talk to her about so much; he just didn't know where to begin, but he knew it would eventually center itself on yesterday's session and the one yet to occur. Feeling like he had already played the 'I'm worried about you' card one too many times in the past 12 hours, he decided to let it be.
After allowing the radio to briefly scan for something suitable, the strains of a familiar tune made him quickly hit the button to stop it. Mac watched him as he gently drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and silently mouthed the words to a song she couldn't quite place. She wanted to ask him what it was he was singing, but watching him lose himself in the words and music captivated her. Whenever they were on assignment together, he was rarely relaxed enough to pay attention to anything but the case. This was a new side of Harm she was seeing and she found herself liking it. She glanced over to him again, trying to watch him without letting on what she was doing.
Within moments, they drove up in front of a retro-looking diner, complete with neon emblazoned sign. Harm pulled the SUV into a parking spot near the front of the building. Despite the weather, there was already a steady stream of customers flowing to and from the restaurant. Mac didn't recognize the place. Of course, she never had any reason to venture on this side of the river. Her restaurant jaunts were usually limited to the area immediately surrounding her apartment or the JAG office.
"This is interesting, Harm. Metro 29 Diner-I didn't even know such a place existed. It looks like they dropped it here right out of an old movie."
"Actually it was dropped right here back in the 1940's," Harm said as he slid out of the vehicle. He waited as Mac emerged from the car and then clicked the alarm once she shut the door. They both strode to the steps leading up to the front of the diner, dodging departing customers in the process. As they entered the diner, Mac's eyes grew wide with wonder, intrigued by the building and its nostalgic decor.
Gently resting his hand on her shoulder, Harm moved past Mac and stepped up to the counter to ask if there were any empty seats. The waitress glanced briefly at a seating chart in front of her before scanning the room for an empty booth. After noticing one was being cleaned, she told Harm it would be a minute or two. Before long, another waitress motioned for them to follow her and she seated them in the far end of the diner. She placed two menus in front of them and asked if they wanted coffee. Harm answered, "Yes" while Mac just nodded her head, still trying to absorb the atmosphere of the place.
The hum of conversation intermingled with the sound of clanking dishes and the sizzle of the griddle enveloped the room. It wasn't an overwhelming sound, but combined with the aroma of the food, it was just enough to make you feel warm and welcome. The place wasn't very big; Mac mentally figured it sat about sixty people if you included the counter.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, continuing to take in every inch of the place.
"Bud and I were on our way back to JAG from interviewing a witness a few years ago. He took a wrong turn and we stumbled upon this place. Since Bud was hungry at the time we decided to try it."
"And you remembered where it was all this time?" Mac asked in amazement.
"In fact, I've been coming here on and off for a while. It's a nice change from the usual places I eat at," Harm said, relishing in seeing the awe on her face as she continued to watch the hustle and bustle around them. "It's a nice place to get lost in. Almost feels like . . . "
". . . like it takes you back to another time and place," Mac said, finishing his sentence. Harm smiled at her, enjoying it when their brains were in sync like this. The shy smile on her face told him that she appreciated the moment as much as he did. He watched as she suddenly found the napkin on the table an interesting distraction, folding and unfolding it while they sat in silence.
"What did Renee' think of this place? It doesn't seem like her style," Mac's thoughts escaped her lips, causing her to regret the question the instant she asked it. The expression on her face abruptly changed from lighthearted to serious as she hoped he wasn't offended by the question. It's none of my business to begin with, she thought, searching for a way out of the question that lingered in the air.
Harm answered her in a quiet voice, "I never brought her here."
He couldn't quite grasp why Mac suddenly brought Renee' into the conversation, especially since it had been over a year since they had gone their separate ways. The two women were hardly friends, especially considering that Renee' made it her mission to let Mac know Harm was her territory. He was grateful he never pushed them into trying to be friends. Having your girlfriend and your best friend form an alliance would be like trying to mix oil and water-it was chemically impossible. And in this case it would have surely been more like gasoline and a match. At least I was using my head that time, he thought.
Mac looked away from the napkin in her hands right into the placid blue eyes of her best friend across the table. To her relief, he didn't seem ruffled by her question. Think before you talk next time Mackenzie, she thought to herself with a sigh. The clank of the coffee mugs on the table as the waitress set them down snapped them back to the present.
"Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked, pulling out a pad and pencil from the pocket on her uniform.
Mac had never really looked at her menu, having been lost in her thoughts. Hurriedly she scanned the pages, trying to decide what to order.
"Mac, what are you going to have?" Harm asked, noticing her indecisiveness.
"Um, I'm not sure yet," she stammered, "Why don't you go first?"
"Western omelet with a side of salsa, please," he said handing the menu back to the waitress.
Contemplating his selection for a moment, "I'll have the same except with a side of bacon."
The waitress swiftly turned and headed off to place their orders, leaving the two sitting quietly in their booth, suddenly at a loss for words, both feeling like kids on a first date. Noticing the mini-jukebox that adorned the booth next to the window, Mac ran her fingers over its smooth chrome exterior.
"I didn't think these existed anymore."
"I often wondered how many couples planned their lives here while listening to its music," Harm said, watching her gently turn the wheel to flip through the pages of songs.
"Just imagine the stories this jukebox could tell," Mac added wistfully.
Harm reached into his pocket and slid two quarters across the table to her. Mac looked at him quizzically before a smile formed on her lips. She dropped the money in the slot and pushed the random select button. Soon the strains of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" were coming over the jukebox's speakers. Harm and Mac at first looked at each other uncomfortably. Then almost instantaneously, they both said, "Top Gun," before bursting out laughing at their timing.
As they awaited their food, Harm filled her in on the history of the diner dating back to post-World War II Washington. Intrigued by his knowledge of the diner, Mac sat there completely engrossed in the history lesson. Once their breakfast arrived, they ate silently, content to enjoy the meal and each others company, pushing any thoughts of their impending session far from their minds.
1055 hours
Old Town Alexandria
Harm and Mac pulled up in front of Maddie's building. After the initial tension over the Renee' question, their breakfast had turned into a leisurely, enjoyable meal. Getting caught up in the nostalgic feel of the diner, they had managed to put all things past and present behind them. Mac sighed as Harm parked the SUV and turned off the ignition.
Glancing over in her direction he asked, "You alright?"
"Yeah, I guess," she said, pausing. "You'd think I'd be used to coming here by now. But every time I come here, I get butterflies in my stomach."
"If you'd rather not do this today, I'm sure Maddie will understand," Harm said, turning his whole body in the seat of his Lexus to look at her. He could see just a hint of tension in the muscles of her neck, radiating down her arms to the hands that were playing with the strap from her purse. Seeing how the emotion of it all was taking a toll her body and spirit, he wished he could just take her away from it all. But, if wishes were dimes, I'd be a rich man, he thought. Instead, he placed his hand over hers to calm them, backing the gesture up with a smile he hoped would put her at ease.
Mac glanced down at the warm hand covering hers. Instead of pulling away, she moved her hand to squeeze his, acknowledging his concern without any encumbered words. Unwillingly breaking the spell that was momentarily cast over them, she quietly said, "Let's go," before exiting the vehicle.
Side by side they strode across the street and entered the building, beginning their ascent to Maddie's office. Mac was a step or two ahead of Harm as she reached the second floor landing. Opening the door, she hesitated slightly before walking past the spot in the hallway where Harm had held her as she cried last night. Recalling her anguish, Mac steeled herself, resolving to be stronger and needing to put the past where it belonged. Harm saw Mac's steps waver slightly and knew what was going through her mind. As difficult as it seemed for Mac, Harm had found it twice as arduous. Unable to physically help her made him feel powerless. I guess even Superman had his weaknesses, he thought.
Reaching the office door, Harm stepped slightly in front of Mac and opened it for her. Wordlessly she looked at him, acknowledging his presence with a slight smile before stepping inside. Each of them prepared to deal with the unknown in their own way.
Five minutes earlier
Maddie's Office
Checking the time, Maddie hurriedly took a gulp of her diet soda and ate the last spoonful of the yogurt she had brought with her from home. The yogurt was the quickest thing she could grab before heading out the door since breakfast wasn't what she had anticipated. Making what she thought were a few phone calls to rearrange appointments had become a game of telephone tag with her clients, leaving little time for anything else. Only a few took the advantage of changing their appointments to today; the rest were only too willing to reschedule for next week, thus making the day a light one for her after all.
The fire in the hearth crackled and snapped in the silence of the office. When Maddie had arrived earlier, a damp chill had greeted her. Even though her first client had already arrived, she made starting the fire her first order of business, delighting Zolly. Once the warmth was radiating from the fireplace, he quickly moved to his spot on the rug, snuggling in for a mid-day nap.
Without even checking her appointment book Maddie knew that Harm and Mac were her next clients. She tidied up her desk, before pulling the 'Mackenzie/Rabb' file out of the drawer. Briefly scanning her notes from their previous sessions, she knew they still had a lot of old baggage to sort through. It was a necessary evil, but one that would have to be handled with a painstaking yet gentle touch.
Maddie had been looking forward to this session since she hung up with Mac earlier this morning. Just knowing that they were at least spending some time together was enough to make her happy. Besides, I'd like to hear the story behind their breakfast date too, she thought, before quickly dispelling her curiosity. It was getting increasingly difficult for her to walk the fine line of 'counselor'-wanting to keep it professional without getting personal, yet being personal enough without seeming apathetic. Maddie sighed and rubbed her temples. She couldn't remember the last time she got so attached to a client before. At any rate, it was time to put her personal feelings aside and be the counselor they needed her to be.
Hearing the click of the outer office door, Maddie knew that her next "couple" had arrived. She listened for muffled conversation but didn't hear any. Worry creased her forehead as she wondered for a moment if it were Harm and Mac who arrived or if it was just the mailman. Of course, she realized, she could end all this mystery by just opening the door to check. But, this would also put them "on the clock" so to speak, and Maddie truly didn't want to rush them today. Before getting up from her desk, she checked the time for her next appointment-12:15pm-just enough time, she thought. That is if things are kept on track.
Maddie walked over to the door connecting the two rooms, gingerly cracking it open a bit to peer inside. Harm was seated on the leather chair next to the bookshelf, leaning forward resting his elbows on parted knees-watching Mac who sat quietly on the loveseat, thumbing through the latest issue of Southern Living magazine that Maddie had left there this morning. Both seemed to be reacting differently to today's session. Harm seemed relaxed, yet concerned about Mac. Mac appeared to be distracted as she turned the pages of the magazine without really looking at its contents.
Maddie felt a twinge of guilt about delving so deeply into Mac's relationship with her father yesterday. It obviously had taken some toll on her, seeing the tension in her posture and mannerisms. She watched her close the magazine and toss it on the coffee table, breaking the trance that Harm had fallen into. Time to get this show on the road, Maddie thought. She straightened herself and opened the door, propelling them into yet another chapter of their lives.