Title – Through The Eye Of A Shipper – S10 E05 This Just In From Baghdad
Authors' Names - Carol and Michi or Michi and Carol
E-mail – Carol at writestories315 'at' yahoo com and
Michi at catherinebellfan 'at' gmx de or mp111275 'at' yahoo de
Rating – PG
Paring – Harm & Mac
Spoilers – Season 10 Episode 05 - 'This Just In From Baghdad'
Disclaimer – JAG belongs to DPB, CBS, and Paramount.
Summary- How 'This Just In From Baghdad' should've been continued when you saw it through the eye of a shipper...
Author's Notes-
Our plan is it to revisit every episode from season 10. However, this series doesn't have a strict rule. Sometimes it may be a follow-up, sometimes it could be a changed scene, or even a change to the entire episode. And if that doesn't work we could always do a 'missing scene'-story. This means the length of the story is based on the way we want to 'handle' the revisit. But don't worry...we plan to use more than 150 words!!!
Our beta readers were the Treasure Seekers Island – Thank you!!!
Since this series will deal with a just aired episode, it means that we risk having a FF that might seem like someone else's. There's hope that our ideas are unique, but should that not be the case we apologize and swear to our god and the chocolate that we did not know it or do it on purpose.
Feedback is always welcome.
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
6:07 PM
'It's good to be home,' was Mac's first thought when she stepped into her apartment.
She and Harm just returned from their assignment in Iraq and the only thing she wanted to do right now was to enjoy a long hot bubble bath before getting some quiet sleep in her own comfortable bed.
The flashing red light of the answering machine caught Mac's attention; she placed her briefcase next to her desk and pressed the 'Play'-button before making her way to the bedroom.
"You have two new messages... Message one... 'Hi, Sarah, it's me. I'm back in town and thought we could meet. I would like to see you. Please give me a call. I miss you.'"
As soon as Mac had heard his voice she stopped dead in her tracks before turning around and walking back to the answering machine. "In your dreams, Clay," Mac muttered and pressed the 'Delete'-button. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's over before you finally get it?"
Ever since Manderlee, Webb had called her several times saying that he wanted to see and talk with her. At first, she talked with him and tried to make it clear that they were over, but after the seventh call she didn't even bother to answer. She hoped sooner or later he would get it.
"Message deleted... Message two... 'Hi, Colonel. This is Bud Roberts. I just wanted to let you know that Commander Turner, Coates, Harriet and I will be at McMurphy's tonight. Since I've heard you and the Commander will be back tonight around six o'clock I thought you would like to come too. We'll be there around eight o'clock. Hope to see you there, bye.'"
'That gives me one hour fifty one minutes to decide what to do.' Mac thought after she heard Bud's message. Right now, the only place she wanted to be was in her bathtub and bed, and anything past that was not a valid option.
'Let's wait and see.' With that last thought Mac walked into her bathroom.
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
7:27 PM
Mac had finished her bath and was drying her hair. She walked out of her bedroom to get some juice from the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. As she looked through the peephole she could see Harm standing on the other side.
"Hey, Harm," Mac welcomed him with a smile. "This is a surprise. Come in."
"Hi, Mac. Thank you," Harm responded with a flyboy grin and walked into her apartment. "I hope it's okay that I came over unannounced. I got this message from Bud and I thought we could go together to McMurphy's. I wanted to pick you up, but it looks like you were not planning to go. Bud did call you, right?" Harm asked unsure as he noticed Mac was in her pajamas. He thought back to Bud's message and hoped that he was correct in the assumption that Bud invited Mac.
"Yes, I got Bud's message. I just didn't really felt like going out tonight."
"Oh, is it possible to change your mind?" Harm asked hopefully. "I would really like to go with you. Together. Please?" Harm tried to make her come and knew that his famous puppy look worked like a charm most of the time.
"Harm, you're worse than our godson." Mac giggled when she saw his look, which was followed by him sticking out his lower lip. He looked simply adorable and she just couldn't resist.
"Hey, when it works – it works. So, are you going with me, Mac?"
"Yes, I would love to. Just give me five minutes to get changed. If you want something to drink there is some juice in the fridge. Make yourself at home," Mac told him softly and walked back to her bedroom to get dressed quickly.
"Great. Thank you, Mac."
"Are you sure we shouldn't use both our cars? There's no need for you to drive all the way back here just to get me home again," Mac said five minutes later as she walked out of her bedroom dressed.
"Don't worry. I wanted to pick you up and I'll get you home again," Harm answered.
"Hmmm, that nearly sounds like a date. Will I get a peck on my cheek at the end as well?" Mac asked softly and only lightly joking while she put on her coat.
"Oh, who knows? You might even get a real goodnight kiss," Harm answered with a raised eyebrow. "Come on, let's get going."
"Sounds good to me."
McMurphy's Bar & Tavern
Falls Church, Virginia
8:02 PM
"Commander, over here," Bud hollered as he saw Harm and Mac walking into the bar. Bud, Harriet, Sturgis, and Coates were already seated at a booth in the backside of the bar.
"Hello, Bud," Harm and Mac greeted him at the same time.
"Ma'am, Sir, it's good to see you," Harriet told her friends and got two warmly hugs in response.
"It's good to see you too, Harriet. How are you and the babies doing?" Mac asked her friend softly and touched Harriet's slightly visible womb.
"We're doing great, Ma'am," Harriet answered and got a stern look from Harm and Mac at the same time. "I mean Mac," she corrected herself and laughed.
"How are Little AJ and Jimmy?" Harm asked out of interest.
"They're getting along much better now, Harm. Mikey is taking care of them tonight. That means that right about now they should have a blast," Bud answered with a chuckle.
"Hello Jen, Sturgis," Mac greeted her coworkers and Harm followed suit.
"Hello Colonel, Commander. I just wanted to get us something to drink. Can I bring you anything?" Coates asked while she got up from her seat.
"Soda would be great, thanks Jen," Harm answered and took a place next to Harriet. "Mac?"
"Sounds good to me," Mac responded. "Thank you, Jen."
"You're welcome. I'll be right back."
"So, what happened at JAG while Mac and I were in Iraq?" Harm asked while Mac sat down next to him. "How's the new boss doing?"
"Let's just say some of us had our moments with him and walked on eggshells for a while," Bud chuckled.
"Did something happen while we were gone?" Mac asked worried.
"Nah, nothing to worry about, Mac. I think we'll be doing just fine with the General," Sturgis answered.
"What about you, Coates? How are you getting along with the General?" Harm asked Jen, who returned to the table with their drinks.
"It's okay, Sir. Once you get used to the General and the difference between him and the Admiral everything is fine," Jen replied with a smile and allotted the drinks. "So, Sir, what do you think about getting your old office back?"
"What are you talking about? I know nothing about getting my old office back," Harm stated bewildered and looked around the table before his eyes settled on Mac's, who only shrugged in return. "When did that happen?"
"I've requested to switch the offices while you and Mac were in Iraq," Sturgis responded soberly.
"You requested it? Why would you do that? And moreover, how comes the General approved the request?" Harm asked slightly irritated.
"Cresswell wanted to know more about you two and while we were talking I asked him if you and I could switch the offices again."
"And he simply said 'yes' and accepted the request?"
"No, he asked me for the reason and I told him why we had to switch the offices in the first place," Sturgis explained.
While Sturgis told his friends about the talk he had with Cresswell, Mac could feel that Harm wasn't pleased at all with what his friend had done. She felt he was getting slightly angry about what he heard and wanted to step in before the situation could get out of control. She placed her left hand on Harm's thigh and gave him a light squeeze. Harm in return moved his head and looked at her unerringly.
Mac moved her head and whispered in his ear. "Don't worry, Harm. Just let it go."
"Mac, didn't you hear what Sturgis just said? He told Cresswell about you going to Paraguay and me going after you," Harm whispered back to her.
"Sturgis thought he was doing the right thing," Mac said patting Harm's leg.
"He had no right," Harm stated a little louder than he thought, causing Harriet to turn and face the two officers.
Mac smiled softly at Harriet and grabbed Harm's hand. "Come on, Flyboy. You owe me a dance."
Harm followed Mac's lead and soon they were on the dance floor talking away from their friends. "Why are you making such a big deal about this? Cresswell asked and Sturgis told him. Cresswell could have looked into our files and find the information," Mac informed Harm.
"All it says is that you were assigned to the CIA for the case. I'm listed as being on leave. There is nothing in our records about it."
Mac sighed and could feel the tension in Harm's back. "Why are you bothered about it? And don't say it's because Sturgis told him."
Harm looked down into Mac's eyes and saw that she was concerned. He took a deep breath. "I just hate having that hanging over our heads."
Mac chuckled. "You're worried about a small stint with the CIA and not about your history for shooting up courtrooms."
Harm's eyes laughed as he tried to look sternly at Mac. "Courtroom. It was only one ceiling." He then joined Mac in a bit of laughter and found himself relaxing. He pulled her a little closer. "It will be nice to be back where my office belongs."
"And where is that?" Mac asked, resting her cheek on his shoulder.
"Next door to you. We're neighbors again."
"Love thy neighbor," Mac softly said into his shoulder.
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter and friends enjoying each other's company. Harm and Sturgis did have a minor conversation about what to say and what not to say to their new boss. Sturgis promised he would try harder next time and Harm said he would try not to mention the basketball incident from a few months ago. They laughed and parted as better friends then what they had been in the previous months.
Mac's Apartment
10:35 PM
Harm pulled the SUV to a stop and shut off the engine in front of Mac's apartment. Mac unbuckled herself and looked over at the man next to her. Ever since they left the bar, he seemed to be lost in thought. She gently placed her hand on his knee. "Harm?"
Harm looked at her and gave her a soft smile. "Sorry, guess I was just lost in thought."
"Anything you want to share?" Mac asked.
Harm took one hand off the steering wheel and placed it on top of hers. "Yeah. Do you feel like taking a walk in the park?"
Mac gave him a soft smile and squeezed his hand. "Sure."
They got out of the car and slowly made their way to the park which was just a block down from Mac's apartment. They silently made their way down the streetlight lighted path. Somehow unbeknown to either one of them their hands found themselves being held by each others.
Ten minutes passed without a word, until a biker breezed past the two of them and they stumbled into each other.
"Sorry," Mac said with a chuckle.
"Are you okay?" Harm quickly asked.
"Yeah, he should have gone right, not left."
Harm looked at the path the biker was already down. "He shouldn't be riding that fast this late."
Mac squeezed his hand and pulled him a bit closer while Harm took a step her way. "What's wrong, Harm?"
"I think I'm just tired."
"Do you want to go home? I don't mind."
"No, I asked you for this walk for a reason."
"What reason?" Mac asked as they stopped by a park bench.
Harm motioned to the bench and they sat down. They faced each other and Mac waited for Harm to start talking. Harm took a few breaths and carefully looked at the woman next to him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Harm. The doctor...," Mac started, but Harm interrupted her.
"No. I mean about everything. How are you?"
Mac sighed. "I'm getting better; every now and then everything feels like it is getting better. But then something happens and it feels like I'm taking a step backwards."
"Has anything happened recently?"
Mac looked over Harm's shoulder at the streetlight behind him. "Not too recently. Clay called me while we were away. I deleted the message; he knows I don't want anything to do with him. At least he should know it by now."
"Good," Harm quickly said.
Mac raised an eyebrow at him. "Don't speak your feelings too quickly, Harm. You might actually tell a girl how you feel."
Before Harm could stop himself the words left his mouth, "Maybe that's what I want to do."
Mac stared at him in confusion. "What?"
Harm opened his mouth to talk, but Mother Nature had something else in mind as a cold breeze shot across them, followed by the rumble of thunder. Harm looked up at the dark sky and smelled the scent of a fall thunderstorm. He then moved his eyes onto Mac and saw the anticipation in her eyes. "We better head back before the sky falls."
"Sure," Mac said fearing that this was probably another way of Harm's to avoid a conversation.
They walked back to her apartment building, this time not holding hands. Harm felt a mile apart from Mac and didn't know which was colder... the wind or her feelings towards him. 'Damn it. Why did the sky have to break?' Harm thought in his head as the rain started to fall on them.
Their steps quickened as they reached the steps to Mac's building. They stood under the awning of the doorway. Mac looked up at Harm, the rain ran off of their heads and they both shivered from the cold. "You should come up. I think I have something dry for you."
"Thanks," Harm said as Mac unlocked the door and they made their way into her apartment building.
The ride in the elevator was quiet and Mac unlocked the door to the apartment. Harm stood in the living room while Mac walked into the bedroom. She stopped at the doorway when she noticed Harm wasn't behind her. "We better dry off, before we catch a cold."
Harm took the hint and followed her into the bedroom. "Yeah. I would hate having to tell our new boss we're out sick because we got caught in the rain."
Mac laughed and handed him a towel from the bathroom. "That would be funny to explain." She laughed and their hands brushed against each other as Harm took the towel.
Harm looked into Mac's eyes and felt the temperature rise. "I want to answer your question."
"What question?" Mac softly asked.
"About my comment of what I want to do." Harm told her.
Mac closed her eyes. "You don't need to."
"I know. I want to." Harm gently touched Mac's cheek. "I don't know if this is the right time or not, but Mac... you... I..." Harm closed his eyes before looking back into her eyes. "I care for you deeply."
"I care for you, too, Harm. That's what best friends do."
"I care for you as more than my best friend. I care for you like I should for the woman I love," Harm said letting the word 'love' linger in the room.
Before Mac could respond, Harm gently leaned down and captured her lips with his. Quickly Harm's wet body was surrounding Mac's, their arms wrapped around each other and they just held on as their kiss grew. Once the kiss broke, Mac slowly opened her eyes and so did Harm.
"I know timing isn't one of our strong suits and I didn't want you to think I was avoiding the question. I just had to tell you. When you're ready, come to me."
Mac shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm ready," she softly said before their lips met again. Their arms and souls united around each other, bringing them both a step closer to what they really wanted in life. Each other.
THE END