CHAPTER 3 – A Decisive Move? ************ Sarah Mackenzie's Apartment Georgetown Saturday, March 13th 1829 EDT

Mac sat on the couch of her apartment and idley looked around. The late afternoon sunshine was streaming in the open, west-facing window. It was almost like a summer day outside, and unusually warm for March. The cherry blossoms were blooming and the air had a soft, sweet scent to it. In the backround the stereo was playing some soft swing jazz.

Her journal sat open on her lap. Her pen poised in mid air to write, when the CD switched over to 'Sing, Sing, Sing', a Benny Goodman hit. For some reason jazz music makes her think of Harm. Perhaps it was because in her dreams they always danced to the soft jazz- swing was her favorite. Most of it was upbeat, but there were some that were slow and seductive. She smiled at the memory of the other night and the way he had gently held her in his arms. Why was it that the Harmon Rabb Jr. she wanted seemed to only lived in her dreams.

He surprised me with an elegant dinner at Le Saveur. It was certainly a decisive move on his part. Where had that come from? Dare I hope that it become more?

Though nothing had been said, the lack of words spoke volumes.

I wonder if he really wants a relationship, but after Paraguay is too afraid to be decisive about that? Our relationship had been easy lately. More like before he left for the Patrick Henry and I was to marry Mic. We're the closest we've been in a long while. It's been nice, the stuff my dreams area made of really.

Her silent reverie is broken by a light knock on the door. So light in fact she almost didn't hear it.

"Hmmmm. I'm not expecting anyone." A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked through the peephole and opened the door. His ears must be burning she thought.

"Hey there Flyboy. What brings you here on a Saturday? We're not supposed to be working on a case are we?"

Harm inhales at the sight of her. God she's beautiful. Everything about her is perfect. How could any woman look so wonderful in jeans and a shirt? That shade of green compliments her eyes perfectly. Her feet are bare and he notices that her toenails are painted a bright shade of red. He stops and realizes that she's staring at him. It must have been quite some time since she stopped talking.

"Uh no. umm...." he trails off lamely. Clearing his throat he says, " I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner."

Mac looks taken aback. The second time in three days. So quick. So spontaneous. So decisive. She smiles.

"Sure. Let me get my jacket."

************ George's Thai Bistro Near Mac's Apartment Same Day 1857 EDT

After dinner was ordered and on it's way Harm let out a deep breath.

"Mac, thanks for having dinner with me." he said.

"Twice in one week. A girl can't complain." she says lightly and smiles at him.

"Since Paraguay and the CIA, I've hated to eat alone."

Mac sighs gently, almost imperceptably understanding the depth of what he just said. So this isn't going anywhere. I'm filling the "just for now void" I am really getting tired of playing this game with him. To think that after Thursday night this could be more. When I wake up the next morning it's always the same thing....

Harm cuts into her thought line. "No. I'm sorry. That came out wrong. I miss not eating with you. Since I'm not eating with you, more often that means that I'm eating alone" He stopped himself before he could say what he really meant. I want her. All of her and her insecurities and her idiosyncrises. I don't want to eat alone forever.

Dinner went on with pleasant conversation. Each avoided the mundane topic of work. Outside of work and the weather what was there to talk about? Come to think of it, outside of work did they even have much in common?

"Why don't we complete this night and rent a movie as well? There's a Blockbuster not far from your apartment. We can rent one and take it back to your place." He didn't want this night to end. Things had gone so well, and he dared to dream what could be next. All he had to do was summon the courage to bring up "the subject," and initiate, "the talk." The one that they had successfully, and not so successfully danced around for years. It seemed that they occasionally crashed into one another. This time, he was determined to make it different.