Harm's Apartment

"I want to see that movie." Mac said, when a preview came on.

"Well, maybe we could see it together another day." Harm said.

"That will be great." Mac responded turning her head to look at him. "You know you really are comfortable, I should use you as a pillow all the time. Mac added sounding a little bit more flirtatious than she intended to.

"We can arrange that." Harm responded laughing, making the moment less tense. The movie began and they were soon paying close attention.

Two hours later

By the time the credits were rolling Mac was already fast asleep. When Harm realized that she was he couldn't help but look at her. she looked beautiful, peaceful,...perfect. He was in love with her, he couldn't deny it, but her breakup with Brumby was to recent. He couldn't confess his feelings in such a rough time, or maybe he should. No, he decided, he would tell her when the time was right. Whenever that would be. He started to pass his hand through her hair and he felt her stir.

"Harm?" she softly whispered.

"Yeah." Harm said.

"Did the movie finish? I'm tired."

"Yes you fell asleep and I didn't want to wake you." He said, this time not really sure she was paying attention, noticing her eyes were still closed.

"Mac?" There was no answer. "Great." He said to himself. How an I supposed to move her without waking her up, he thought. He decided to stay in the couch and fall asleep himself. Sooner or later Mac would have to wake up.

For the next few days the routine was pretty much the same. Harm continued to care for Mac, not letting her be alone for more than a couple of minutes. They went to a doctor's appointment making sure that everything was alright. But most of all they used this time to be together, care for each other, and have fun. They spent the nights watching movies and talking, later falling asleep in each others arms.

"Can I have another toast?" Mac asked Harm one morning during breakfast.

"Are you sure?" Harm asked, surprised Mac actually felt like eating. During the last couple of days Mac had eaten very little and Harm had even noticed that she had lost a couple of pounds.

"Yeah. Why?" Mac responded.

"No reason, just glad to know you got your appetite back." Harm said, placing a piece of toast on Mac's plate.

"Thank you."

"You are very welcome."

Mac smiled, something she had done more and more often lately.

"What do you feel like doing today? And I hope it's not watching movies." Harm asked, smiling.

"Actually, I feel like going out. Maybe to the park or something. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a good idea. At what time do you want to leave?"

"I guess in about an hour. We need to get ready. I will go bath and when I'm done I'll help you with the dishes."

"Don't worry about it. Don't forgot I'm still taking care of you."

Mac smiled, stood from the table, and walked into the bedroom. When she was ready she walked into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling like a completely different person. Her bruises had almost disappeared but she still felt sore and Harm still had to change her bandages once in a while. But it was still hard for her to forget about her miscarriage. She had woken up in the middle of the night the other day because of a nightmare. And she found herself crying in Harm's arms a few minutes later. From that day on Mac couldn't go to bed without having Harm by her side, something Harm began to worry about. Not that it bothered him but he felt like Mac wouldn't be able to fully recover. After about 50 minutes both Harm and Mac were ready to go to the park.

"You ready?"

"Yes." Mac answered sounding like a little girl.

"Glad to see you smiling so much." Harm said as he placed his arm across her waist leading her to the stairs and later to the car. During the car ride they didn't talk much, mostly listening to the radio. Mac wanted to talk to Harm but she thought in the park it would be a lot better. When they arrived to the park they decided to take a walk before doing anything else. At the beginning of their walk Mac reached for Harm's hand, feeling a lot safer being closer to him. About a year ago he would have been surprised but during this week they had become a lot closer.

"When do you think you would like to return to JAG?" Harm asked.

"I don't know, but probably on Monday. I want to get updated on everything. Plus, I kind of miss working."

"Good. That way I won't worry about you bee alone in the apartment."

"What do you mean?"

"The Admiral told me I had to be back to the office on Monday."

"I guess I have no choice. I'm not staying in the apartment by myself." Harm just smiled. "Harm, I want to talk to you, you think we can sit down?"

"Sure is something wrong?" He asked, as they walked towards an isolated bench.

"No." Mac said. " I just want to tell you something."

"Oh, ok."

Once they were seated on the bench, Mac tuned towards Harm, placing her hand on top of his.

"What's wrong, Mac? You're worrying me."

"Just listen. I just want to thank you for everything you have done. You don't know how much I appreciate it. You've always been there for me and I will never know how to repay you. Right now I'm going through a lot and you've been by my side since the beginning. Not judging me or asking questions." Mac stopped and looked down as if to get some strength. "I just wanted to tell you this." Mac said still looking down feeling the tears begin to spill.

"Oh, Mac. You don't need to thank me for anything. You are my best friend and much more, and I would do anything for you. If I could I would take all your pain and all your sorrows away." He placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head seeing the tears for the first time.

"Oh, Mac." He said as he felt his heart break. At that moment Mac leaned forward and buried her face on his chest. And began to cry.

"Its okay Mac." Harm said as he rubbed her back.

"I don't deserve you."

"Don't say that, it is the farthest thing from the truth. You deserve all the good things in life, and I should say that I don't deserve you. I love you and I haven't had the strength to tell you for the past eight years. Mac you are everything to me and without you there would be no point in my life." Harm said, beginning to cry himself.

Mac looked up shocked by his words but at the same time relieved and content.

"I love you too, Harm." Mac said smiling. "And always will."

Now it was Harm's turn to be shocked. He wasn't aware of the fact that he had confessed to Mac his feelings but he didn't regret it.

"I love you too. I love you so much." Harm told Mac.

Mac hugged Harm now crying tears of joy. She broke the hug and looked straight into Harm's blue eyes, leaned forward and kissed him. Although it was not a passionate kiss it expressed everything she needed to say. When they broke the kiss Harm then took the initiative and kissed Mac was once again. This time the kiss was more passionate, but each one of them could feel the same love once again. For the next minutes Harm and Mac just held on to each other, not caring about the rest of the world. They sat there just thinking about the best and most important things in their life's. About what had just happened. About their future, and they both concluded with the same things.

A new beginning.

Their love.

Each other.