Chapter 14

AN: I'm not engaged or anything and I'm a girl obviously so don't know what would go through a man's mind when he's planning to propose, but I did enjoy making Harm sweat in this chapter! Hope you like it!

"You look beautiful Sarah," said Harm, taking in Mac's simple make-up and burgundy dress.

"Thank you," said Mac smiling at him.

"I think I'm a bit over-dressed though," she added.

"Nope, you're perfect," said Harm. Mac blushed slightly and met him halfway for a kiss hello.

"Sit down. I'll just go change back into civvies," said Harm, indicating to his uniform, as they pulled apart.

"Okay, even though you're cute either way," teased Mac.

Harm merely smiled. "Right back at you Colonel," he said over his shoulder.

Mac shook her head with a smile and sat down before looking around and noticing the absence of food.

"Hey flyboy, I thought you were making me dinner?" she called out.

"Change of plans," called Harm. A few moments later he emerged from his bedroom dressed in a suit, with one arm behind his back.

"What kind of change? Now I'm not as over-dressed as I thought," said Mac.

"We're going out to dinner," said Harm.

"Really? That's fine with me. Lead the way, I'm starved," said Mac.

"What else is new?" muttered Harm jokingly for which he earned a playful jab in the ribs from Mac.

"Keep that up and you won't get your surprise," said Harm.

"What, you mean the roses behind your back?" asked Mac with a smile.

"Yes those," replied Harm, extending the lavish bouquet of assorted red, white, pink and yellow roses to her.

"Harm, they're absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much," said Mac, inhaling the scent of the roses.

"I was hoping you'd like them," said Harm, touching her cheek.

"I love them. They must have cost a fortune though," said Mac, placing a kiss on his palm and hugging him close.

"Don't you worry about that," said Harm with a smile.

"I'll put them in water for you," he added.

Mac kissed him. "You're sweet."

"I might be, but it's a secret. Wouldn't want to ruin my reputation," said Harm.

Mac laughed. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"Wow, this is really nice. What's the occasion?" asked Mac as they were seated at a table of the restaurant Harm had chosen for the evening, not far from the White House itself. Mac thought she saw the same unreadable expression cross Harm's face as she'd seen earlier but it disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"No reason. Just thought you'd enjoy it," said Harm simply, taking her hand and kissing it gently.

"I am," said Mac smiling at him.

"Good," replied Harm, picking up the menu.

"I can't put my finger on it but there's something different about you tonight," commented Mac.

"Uh, is there? I hadn't noticed," said Harm, unconsciously pulling at his collar, which seemed unnaturally tight.

Calm down Rabb, he thought, fighting to get his nervousness down about what was planned for after dinner.

Mac reached over and loosened his tie. "The roses?" she asked.

"I get you roses or flowers pretty often," said Harm.

"I'm not saying you don't. The ones this evening though weren't just a simple bouquet," said Mac.

"I can't spoil you?" asked Harm giving her his flyboy grin.

"Okay, okay, you've made your point," laughed Mac.

"But I've got all evening to work you out, right now I'm hungry," she continued, letting him off the hook for awhile.

"Let's eat then," said Harm, wiping his sweating palms on his pants under the table.

They placed their orders and chatted while waiting for the food to arrive and it didn't seem long at all before dessert had been served and Mac was gathering her purse.

"I'm just going to the bathroom," she said.

"Okay," said Harm, signalling for the bill. Harm paid and took some deep breaths, readying himself and trying to keep the nervousness at bay. Mac left the bathroom and watched Harm as she returned to their table.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked looking at him with concern.

She put a hand on his forehead. "Hmm, you don't feel warm."

"I'm fine Mac," said Harm, attempting to look calm.

"Really," he added, taking in her disbelieving look.

"I'd say I believe you but I'd be lying," said Mac.

"How about a walk?" asked Harm, changing the subject, which didn't go unnoticed by Mac.

"Sounds good," said Mac, deciding to drop the subject but keep an eye on him.

Putting an arm around her waist, which Mac reciprocated they left the restaurant and got into the SUV that had been brought out for them by the valet. Mac watched Harm out of the corner of her eye as they left the restaurant and found a spot to park by the curb, still trying to work out why he'd been acting strangely all evening.

"Ready?" asked Harm, turning to smile at her.

"Yeah, let's go," said Mac as she got out.

"So, where to?" she asked as Harm joined her on the pavement and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Um, let's just walk this way," said Harm, gesturing forwards.

"Fine with me. You planning on visiting the President?" joked Mac, as she noticed how close they were to the White House.

Harm chuckled. "Not quite."

They strolled in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Mac spoke.

"Harm, we might want to try a different route. Those guards behind the gate are looking at us suspiciously," she said.

"Are they?" asked Harm absently, before looking up.

Let's get this show on the road, he thought.

Moving away from Mac's side he purposely stopped in front of the gate.

"Harm! What are you doing?" whispered Mac, following.

"What business do you have here sir?" asked one of the guards.

Harm didn't reply but pulled out his military ID, Mac by his side in confusion.

The guard checked the ID then to Mac's great surprise, the guards opened the gate.

"Come in Commander," they said, smiling.

"Thank you," said Harm.

"Coming Sarah?" he asked.

Mac nodded, still too surprised to speak.

Harm took her hand and walked resolutely towards the Rose Garden.

"So, does this look familiar to you?" asked Harm.

"Of course, it's where we first met," said Mac.

Harm gave her that unreadable look again before clearing his throat nervously.

"I love you so much Sarah," he said, looking into her eyes.

Mac smiled. "I love you so much too."

Harm tried to speak but couldn't find his voice and merely cleared his throat again.

"Harm? What are we doing here?" asked Mac.

"You'll find out soon," replied Harm evasively, his voice working again to his relief.

"Sarah, I…" he started, before once again stopping.

Mac looked at him questioningly.

Just do it Rabb, if you take much longer she'll really be wondering what you're up to, he thought.

"I want to ask you something," said Harm.

"You can ask me anything," said Mac.

Before she could process what was happening, Harm had gone down on bended knee in front of her. Mac gasped, looking around at the Rose Garden, and back at Harm, understanding showing on her face.

"I love you Sarah so I wanted to ask…Sarah Mackenzie, will you marry me?" asked Harm, a smile on his face despite being nervous about her reply.

Mac smiled happily, tears making their way down her cheeks. "Yes Harm, I will. I will marry you!"

Harm grinned widely. "Then you'll be needing this," he said, pulling the ring box out of his pocket and opening it to show her.

"It's beautiful," said Mac, as he took her left hand in his and slid it onto her ring finger, before standing up beside her. Mac hugged him tightly, burying her face against him as happy tears ran down her cheeks.

"Hey, Marines don't cry," he said to her softly, kissing her hair tenderly.

"I can't help it, the man that I love just asked me to marry him," said Mac.

She looked up at him and saw that his eyes were moist too. "I love you," said Mac.

"I love you too," said Harm.

Their lips met in a loving kiss and then, arms tightly around each other, they continued walking around the Rose Garden.

Chapter 15 follows! I considered leaving it just before they got to the Garden but couldn't be that mean. I hope you liked it! I had fun writing it, that's for sure.