Chapter 11
"Frank? It's Harm," said Harm.
"It's good to hear from you, how are things?" asked Frank.
"Good. How are you and Mom doing?" asked Harm.
"We're fine here. Did you want to speak to Trish?" asked Frank.
"Yeah, thanks," said Harm.
"Hang on a moment," said Frank as he called Trish to the phone.
"Hi Harmon. How is everything going?" asked Trish.
"Everything's fine Mom. How are you doing?"
"Fine, things have been busy," replied Trish.
"That's great to hear," said Harm.
"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" teased Trish.
Harm took a steadying breath. "I need you to send something over," he said.
"Sure, what do you need? There's not much here of interest….oh" said Trish, breaking off as a thought entered her mind. Harm smiled to himself.
"Are you asking for what I'm hoping you're asking for?" asked Trish a moment later, taking Harm's silence as assent that the thought that had crossed her mind was indeed correct.
"That depends Mom. What I need is a ring, think you can help out?" said Harm, with a smile and bracing himself for the reaction.
"Oh my goodness! It's finally happened!" said Trish, excitement evident in her voice. Without warning, Harm heard her put the phone down with a clatter.
"Frank! Frank! He asked for the ring!" said Trish, while Harm listened in amusement.
"Oh Harm! I'll send it over first thing in the morning. Express!" said Trish when she picked the phone up again.
"Thank you. Mom, look, there's no real rush. I just want to have it here so when the time comes I won't have to have it sent over," he said.
Trish hardly heard a word her excitement was so great and Frank was standing beside her also. "But that will be soon won't it dear?" she asked.
"Yes it will," confirmed Harm.
"Wait. It is your Sarah isn't it?" asked Trish.
"Yes, I want to ask Sarah Mackenzie to marry me," said Harm, a smile playing on his lips.
"How wonderful! I knew the two of you would work it out one day. Another Sarah Rabb in the family!" said Trish as Frank smiled proudly beside her.
"I haven't asked yet Mom," laughed Harm.
"That's a technicality. You're still going to ask and she's going to accept," said Trish.
"I hope so!" said Harm.
"Be sure to keep us updated," scolded Trish good-naturedly.
"I will," said Harm.
"I don't think I've ever heard you this happy," said Trish.
"I'm very happy. I love Sarah more than anything," said Harm.
"Frank and I are so happy for you," said Trish, becoming emotional.
"Thanks Mom, and thank Frank too," said Harm.
"I will, and honey, it will be on its way tomorrow. I'd send it tonight if I could!" joked Trish.
"I know you would," said Harm.
"I'd better go now but thank you and you'll be hearing from me soon. I love you," he continued.
"I love you too Harm. We'll be waiting. Bye," said Trish.
"Bye," said Harm.
Replacing the receiver Harm, grinned to himself and got up to lock up the apartment and turn the lights off. He showered and fell into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
JAG Headquarters
0830
"Good morning," said Harm, sticking his head in Mac's office.
"Good morning. Come in," replied Mac, smiling warmly at him.
"What's the excuse this time?" she continued as Harm sat down.
"Ah, would you believe Washington traffic was terrible this morning?" asked Harm innocently.
"Well, since it didn't stop me getting here on time I don't know about that," said Mac with a grin.
"Darn. It's still my cover story though," said Harm.
"Okay. Oversleep?" asked Mac.
"Kind of, and then I had a flat," said Harm.
"Good morning," commented Mac jokingly.
"It is now," said Harm looking at her.
Mac smiled. "It is for me too."
"I guess I'd better get to my office, before I decide I just have to stay here," said Harm with a grin.
Mac got up as he stood. "Permission to hug the Commander?"
Harm looked around at the bullpen through the open blinds of Mac's office.
"Do you even need to ask?" he said a moment later as he took her into his arms.
"I love you," he murmured into her hair.
"I love you too," said Mac, nestled against his chest.
They shared a gentle kiss, mindful of protocol but not particularly caring. Mac happened to glance over his shoulder as they pulled apart.
"Harriet alert," she said softly.
"Really? You think she saw?" asked Harm, turning slightly.
"Oh yeah," said Mac.
Harriet was standing wide-eyed, a grin on her face, the papers she held were hanging limply at her side. As she saw Mac's glance, she immediately rushed off.
"Okay Commander. You get to work and I think it's time I had a talk with Harriet," said Mac.
"Yes ma'am," said Harm, saluting with a smile and bent down, stealing one more quick kiss from her. He gave her his flyboy grin and was out the door.
Mac shook her head with a smile and left her office, looking for Harriet. She found her coming out of Bud's office.
"Good morning Lieutenant. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to spare," said Mac.
"Good morning ma'am. Sure, how can I help?" replied Harriet evenly, smiling at her.
"Can we talk in my office?" asked Mac.
"Yes ma'am," said Harriet.
"Sit down," said Mac.
"Thank you ma'am," said Harriet, sitting in the chair Harm had vacated earlier.
"Listen, I wanted to tell you something. It's not work related," said Mac.
"Go ahead ma'am," said Harriet.
"It's about Commander Rabb," began Mac.
Harriet nodded.
"Recently Commander Rabb and I have become more than just friends," said Mac, knowing that Harriet was already aware of the situation.
Harriet grinned. "Permission to speak freely ma'am?"
"Sure," said Mac.
"It's about time ma'am! You and the Commander make a beautiful couple," said Harriet.
"Thanks Harriet. We've only had two dates so far but we're serious," said Mac.
"Ma'am, you love him don't you?" asked Harriet.
Mac smiled. "I do actually. I have for a long time now."
Harriet giggled excitedly. "This is wonderful news ma'am."
"I knew you'd been suspecting it, so I wanted you to hear it from me before it got even more obvious!" said Mac.
"I'm glad that you told me ma'am. I had noticed a few things," said Harriet.
"Harriet, please call me Mac or Sarah. You don't need to call me ma'am in a private conversation or outside of the office," said Mac.
"I'm sorry ma…Mac, it's hard to break the habit," said Harriet.
"That's okay. Can I ask you to keep this under wraps for now?" asked Mac.
"Of course. I won't tell a soul," said Harriet, pausing. "Can I tell Bud?"
"You can tell Bud. You're both our closest friends, we want you and Bud to know," said Mac.
"Yes ma'am," said Harriet.
"Commander, Colonel, in my office!" bellowed the Admiral from across the bullpen.
Mac and Harriet winced and then suppressed grins.
"Better go see what trouble Commander Rabb has gotten us into this time," said Mac.
Harriet laughed. "I hope it's nothing too bad."
"Me too," said Mac, getting up as Harriet headed out the door.
"Mac?" said Harriet.
"Yes," said Mac, stopping.
"I'm so happy for you both," said Harriet beaming.
"Thanks Harriet," said Mac.
She met Harm coming from his own office.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" asked Mac as they walked.
"Not a clue. I've been running through any possible things I could have done to piss off the Admiral though," said Harm.
"And?" prompted Mac.
"I've come up empty," said Harm, shrugging.
"For once," laughed Mac.
Harm shot her a mock stern look as they stopped in front of Tiner's desk and announced their presence.
What does the Admiral want? Find out next chapter!