Disclaimer: Not mine
A couple of weeks later Mac opened her door and a wide smile formed in her face.
"Harm? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised, but yet, glad that it wasn't anyone but him.
He smiled a much known flyboy grin to the birthday girl.
"Here to take you out!" he said.
"Me?" she asked with a little hesitation in her voice. "Oh! I completely forgot!"
"You've made other planes…?" Harm asked a bit panicky.
"No, no, but I'm not dressed to go anywhere right now." She said opening the door a bit further for him to come in.
"Well, you're a marine aren't you; it should only take you about, what? Approximately 10 minutes to change and get ready?" he turned and looked at a woman who had just been out jogging.
"But since it's you, I'll give you 30… Consider it a birthday gift." he added.
She giggled. "Make yourself at home!" she said mockingly as she headed for the shower.
Harm sat down on her couch, called the restaurant he was taking her too to confirm they would be later than planned and flipped through a magazine lying on her coffee table. He was a bit tired from work, being acting JAG was more stressful then it looked like. Since today had been his last day he was whacked and the judges decision about where Mattie should live was still bothering him, even though she had reassured him she was fine. He tried to ignore the tiredness and his worrying, it was Mac's birthday and he would do just about anything to make her happy these days.
10 minutes later Mac came into the living room with a towel rapped around her body, her hair damp and her cheeks glowing from the hot water.
"What am I supposed to wear?" she asked, looking at Harm who was wearing a black suit and a white shirt with blue pinstripes in different shades. She went to her fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.
He gazed at her for a moment, he'd seen her like this before, but he still had problems taking his eyes of her.
"Um… Something ca-casual formal!" he stuttered, looking down blushing as he had been caught looking when she turned around.
"Right… I'll go get into something casual formal then!" Mac winked.
He had the same problem when she walked against him after she finished dressing and putting her make-up on. She was wearing a simple, yet elegant black dress that went to her mid-knee and high heels.
"You look beautiful!" he said, his eyes wandering over her.
"Thanks, you look good too sailor!" she smiled at his compliment. "Think its okay for the occasion?"
"Yeah… I like it!" he said, meeting her eyes.
She blushed slightly. "So where exactly are you taking me?"
"Well, I have to make up for that pizza the other night, so I thought I might take you to an Italian restaurant." He said putting the magazine down and following her to the door.
"Sounds great!" she said as she put on her coat and went through the door Harm had already opened for her. She smiled at him and locked it.
They got into his Lexus and talked about work until they parked at a parking lot a block away from the restaurant.
He offered her his arm as she stepped out of his car and she gladly accepted.
"Thank you for doing this" she said glazing up at the tall man walking beside her.
"You're welcome… Besides, it is your birthday!" he smiled down at her.
"Don't remind me!" she giggled. "It's just good to get out!" she said as they entered the restaurant.
"Do you have reservations?" the clerk asked them.
"Rabb" Harm said firmly.
"Right, I'll take you to your table. Follow me!" he said as he walked towards some
very familiar people.
"Happy birthday!" PO Coates, Bud, Harriet, Sturgis and the Admiral stood up at their table.
"Thank you guys!" a surprised Mac got out.
"Oh, don't thank us! This was all the Commanders idea!" Harriet said, smiling to both of them.
"Really?" Mac looked at Harm with a bright smile.
"Happy birthday Mac…" He lent over and said barley audible in her ear.
"Thank you" she whispered. He smiled at her, and then guided her to her seat.
"Would you two care for anything to drink?" a waiter said.
"Lemon soda please?" Mac said.
"Ice water for me thanks" Harm said as he seated himself next to Mac. The waiter scribbled the orders down.
"I'll be right back!" she smiled, and left to get the drinks.
"So, how are the kids?" Mac asked looking at Bud and Harriet.
"They're fine ma'am! But missing their godparents though…" Harriet smiled.
"Why don't we baby-sit some time, and you guys can go out and have some fun just
the two of you?" she said smiling at them.
"Oh, they would love that ma'am! Bud said excited.
"Please - Bud, Harriet - it's Mac!" she laughed.
"Oh, sorry ma'am… But that would be great, if it's okay with the Commander…" he got cut of by Harm.
"Of course it's okay! I love spending time with AJ and Jimmy!" Harm said, his eyes sparkling from thinking of his godson and his brother.
"Just give us a call or something next time you guys need babysitters!" Mac said, Harm nodding.
"Yeah, sure! The kids would absolutely love it!" Harriet said smiling warmly.
"A lemon soda and an ice water!" The waiter gave Harm and Mac their drinks as they thanked her before she went to serve the rest of the now, full restaurant.
"So, Mac, how's your birthday been so far?" Sturgis asked.
"Well, there's not much to brag about! I'm older!" The others laughed at her comment.
"Hey, I'm offended!" Sturgis said laughing. "Half of us here are older than you!"
"Sorry Sturgis, I didn't notice your grey hairs until now!" Mac said, sipping from her drink which prevented her from laughing with the others.
"Well, at least you still got your hair!" The Admiral said, letting his hand run over his bald head. They all laughed a little harder.
"So, how was Italy, Sir?" Jen asked when they all clamed down, a little insecure about asking her CO about his personal life.
"It was great, and please, call me AJ!" he said smiling to his yeoman. "Francesca and Meredith found out they had a lot in common, and Francesca is considering celebrating Christmas with us!" He smiled.
Everyone knew how little time he got to spend with his daughter and how much he missed her. He was practically glowing now as he had spent two whole weeks with her in Europe.
"That's great!" Harriet said, everyone agreeing with her.
"Oh, and besides, you've done a great job while I was gone, Rabb!" he said to Harm.
"Thank you, Sir!" Harm responded, pleased to hear those words from his CO.
They ate and laughed throughout the whole evening. Mac hadn't had this fun in a long time. It was starting to get late and the Admiral, Jen and Sturgis had already left.
"Honey, we should really get going. We promised my brother we wouldn't be too late, and it's practically beyond late already." Bud said hugging his wife's hand.
Harriet smiled at him.
"Yeah, you're right, but I have had so much fun tonight, I hope you have too Ma'am!" she said smiling towards Mac.
"Harriet…" Mac sighted, she had given up correcting her to call her Mac. "This is probably the best birthday present anyone has ever given to me!" she said, smiling up at Harm who was smiling back.
"Glad you liked it…" He said barley audible as their eyes locked.
Harriet got up and dragged her husband with her as she noticed the eye contact between them. Bud got out his wallet to pay but Harm said, for the fourth time that night that it was on him.
After they said their goodbyes Harm and Mac also got ready to leave. Harm paid the bill and got their coats. He helped Mac on with hers and they started to walk towards the parking lot carrying several bags containing all the birthday gifts she had received.
"You know, I really meant what I said in there, this really been has the best gift ever!" Mac said.
"So, I guess you don't want the other one I got for you? Harm grinned back.
"There's more?" she responded, surprised.
"Of course!" he said, still smiling.
"You just keep amazing me, Flyboy!" Mac raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I'm really not that amazing, you're just very easy to please, Ninja-girl!" he said as he stopped and put down the bags.
"Don't be too sure about that!" she said teasingly as he pulled something out from his pocket. Seconds later she was looking at a small black velvet box resting in her hand.
"What is it?" she asked curiously, wondering what was inside.
"Why don't you open it and see for yourself?" he laughed.
She held her breath as she opened it, amazed by what met her eyes, a golden necklace with a small diamond charm.
"Harm, you wouldn't?" She gasped mesmerized.
"You like it?" he asked, a bit unsure.
"I love it! It's absolutely beautiful!" she said as she took the necklace out from the box. "Could you?" she gave him the necklace and turned around.
Harm opened the clasp and put it on her resting his hands at the beginning of her back a little longer than necessary.
"Thank you" she said as she turned around and kissed his lips softly.
Harm was now the mesmerized one. She giggled at the awkward expression in his face and started to walk towards the car. When Harm decided to come back to the real world shortly after, he picked up the bags and took some really long steps until he was besides Mac again.
"Sorry about that" she said teasingly.
"Don't be…" he said, still a little put out.
Harm spent the drive to Mac's place in total silence, he nodded, smiled and agreed a couple of times when Mac commented how much she loved all the gift she'd gotten as she went trough the bags a couple of times. She smiled to herself when she noticed how gone he was. She had asked herself if the kiss was a good idea since they just got their friendship back on track, but the same old feeling was still there. He was still as attractive as he was the day she met him in the rose garden, that day in Australia on the ferry ride and the day they kissed on the Admiral's porch. The feeling just wouldn't go away. Still, it was a kiss they could both make a hundred excuses for, so she didn't worry too much. Besides she had enjoyed it.
Harm on the other hand was clearly confused. He hadn't realized what was happening until her lips met his, not that he would have stopped her or anything. He wanted so much to pull her close and deepen the kiss but it ended as soon as it started.
They parked outside her apartment building and got out. He helped her carry some of the bags up and she followed him back down again.
"So, how is Mattie doing?" Mac asked as they went in the elevator.
Harm was touched by her concern. "She's doing fine. You were right, I should be happy for her, they're doing great progress!"
"That's good!" she smiled.
"Yeah, I guess. As long as she's happy!" he smiled back.
She played with the charm on her necklace as they walked to his car while she told him about the gift Chloe had sent her.
"You like it, huh?" he said smiling.
"Yeah, I do…" she smiled back.
"Well, you know what they say, diamonds last forever!" he chuckled as their eyes met.
"And you?" she whispered holding her breathe. They had stopped and stood only inches apart.
"I…" he was interrupted by his cell phone. He hesitated, looking at Mac.
"You should get that." she said. She was irritated about the timing, but not as much as Harm, who was now cursing under his breath.
"Rabb!" he spat into the phone angrily.
"Harm! Hi, it's Catherine!" Mac could hear her voice even though Harm had stepped away.
His voice softened a bit. "Hi, um, can I call you back later?" he asked taking a quick glace at Mac.
"Oh, that's not necessary! I was just calling about that dinner we didn't oblige last time. What do you think about tomorrow for instance?" Harm looked at Mac again.
"I'll call you later, okay? I'm sort of… in the middle of something here!" he said.
Mac's heart sunk. Why did this always happen? She thought everything was going so well, and here he was, saying yes to dinner with another woman. Well, not exactly yes, but it was defiantly not a no to her ears.
"Okay, don't let it be too long though!" she said in an obvious flirting voice.
Jealousy rose in her like lightning from a clear sky.
"Right, bye!" Harm closed his phone and turned to face Mac. "Sorry about that…" he sighted. He already knew Catherine's call had ruined the moment.
"I should really be heading up…" Mac said. Not knowing what to think, she assumed the worst. It never worked out for them, so why should it this time? She just wanted to get up to her apartment, away from him, although all she really wanted was to be with him. "Again, Harm, thanks for everything. Tonight was great," she said, avoiding meeting his eyes. "Goodnight!" And with that she headed up.
Harm stood in total silence, puzzled. What the hell just happened? One moment everything was looking so good, the next, she almost didn't talk to him! The only thing he could think of that caused her mood swing was the call from Catherine. Why hadn't he just turned that damn phone off? Right now he hated modern technology more than ever. The last thing he wanted to do at the moment was to have dinner with Catherine Gale. All he wanted to do was to be close to Mac. Be able to hold her, touch her. Hell, just be with her. He loved everything about her, the way she smelled, the way she moved, her laughter, her voice… He got into his SUV and buried his face in his head. This had to stop. It obviously wasn't meant to be. Not eight years ago, not now, probably never… He swore out aloud as he drove away from her apartment and towards his own.
She watched him drive away with tears threatening to fall. When she no longer could see him, she sat down on her couch staring out in the room. She thought things went great between them, and then this slapped her right in the face. Okay, she knew she was probably overreacting, but it just never seemed to work out between them, why should it now?
A tear fell as the phone rang. Hoping it was Harm, she jumped up and grabbed it.
"Hello?" she said drying her eyes.
"Mac? Happy birthday!" a young voice in the other end squeaked.
"Chloe?" she smiled. "Thank you! How are you?"
"I'm doing great! What about you?" she said.
"I'm okay," she didn't know if it was the truth or a lie. "Hey, thanks for the flowers and candy!" she winked. She really missed her.
"You're welcome! Sorry, I didn't know what else to get you, I'll make for it next year though!" she chuckled.
"Chloe, it was great. Besides, both the flowers and chocolate is my favourite! You got it just right!" she smiled to herself.
"Well, glad you like it! Did I catch you in a bad time? I know it's late and everything. I tried to call you earlier…"
"No, no! I just got in…" Mac interrupted her.
"Good! So, you went out?" Chloe wondered.
"Well, Harm arranged an evening out with some of my closest friends at an Italian restaurant. It was really great!" she said, walking to the window, gazing out.
"Get anything?" the young girl asked.
"Yeah!" Mac smiled.
"Tell me!" Chloe said excited.
"Mac laughed at her. "Well, the Roberts got me…"
"No, no, what did Harm get you!" Chloe interrupted.
"Besides from arranging the evening?" Mac said, having a bit fun.
"Yeah?" Mac could feel that Chloe was even more excited than herself about everything.
"Now what makes you think he got me more?" she chuckled.
"Mac! I've met Harm, remember? He wouldn't settle for just an 'evening out', not when it comes to you!" Chloe teased.
"All right, all right… He got me a necklace with a diamond charm…" she said, lifting her hand to touch it.
"Wow, it was about time you two got involved!" Chloe said. Mac could hear from the tone in her voice that she was smiling.
"I hate to disappoint you Chloe, but Harm and I aren't involved. We're just friends…" she hoped she hadn't noticed the disappointment in her voice.
"Come on, Mac! Would he really give you a necklace with a diamond if you guys were only friends?" Chloe asked in disbelief.
"Obviously!" Mac answered, playing with the charm. "Look Chloe, there's nothing going on between Harm and me…" Tears started to form again. "It's not meant to be, besides, it's against regulations and he… He's not the one for me…" She didn't know if she was trying to convince Chloe or herself, but she was defiantly lying to the both of them. She bit her lower lip as a tear fell from her eyes. "Chloe, I should really get some sleep… I appreciate you calling though!" she said, trying to keep her mood up.
"Don't even think about it Mac! I miss you, you know!" she said.
"I miss you too honey… Bye!" she hung up and went to the bathroom, tears running down her cheeks. She looked in the mirror. "Suck it up, MacKenzie! It's not meant to be…" she told herself.
She got ready for bed and lay down. As she was drifting into sleep a picture on her nightstand caught her eye. It was taken the day of baby AJ's christening. They looked so happy; she was holding little AJ and Harm had a hand wrapped around her. Sighting, tears started to form again. No! she thought. I am not going to cry over this!