Disclaimer: I own no characters or anything that has to do with JAG for that matter...

A/N: A bit short, but you get some shippery stuff, so there shouldn't be any complaints. I hope you like it. If you see any mistakes, I blame it on the stupid cold that won't leave me alone, so please let me know, I'll fix, I promise. Thank you guys for the great reviews, I love them! (Naturally...)

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With a sigh, Harm closed the door behind himself and leaned against it. His eyes shut involuntarily as he breathed in deeply, then slowly let the breath out.

He'd had quite a night. First at Mac's and then Mattie... he tried to refrain from making a list of other important things in his life that could go wrong.

Without realizing he'd moved from the door, he found himself staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The cool feel of the water on his skin was an anchor to real life. He touched wet fingers to unkempt cheeks, trying to pull himself completely back to steady familiar ground.

A few more minutes staring at the glass and suddenly his brain kicked into place. Wasn't Mac supposed to be there? Could he have just walked past her without noticing? Maybe she left?

He peeked back to the bedroom, half expecting to find her asleep in his bed, and saw nothing but spotless sheets. Maybe she decided to go home after all. He strode out of the bedroom, and had to stop for a moment so his eyes could adjust to the darkness.

He found her curled in a fetal position on his couch. Of course she didn't leave. For one she had no car, but even if she did, she would never leave like that. He knew it deep in his heart but that never stopped the doubtful insecure thoughts.

Ever so slowly, he lowered himself to sit across from her on the coffee table. Once again he found that watching her peaceful sleeping face brought him a little peace as well. Another sigh escaped unnoticed.

"Staring at me sleeping again?"

He almost fell off the table and choked on his heart in the process. Her lips were spread in a small smile but her eyes were still closed. He felt like joking but couldn't find it in his heart to bring out the words. Suddenly disgusted with himself he covered his face with his hands. He couldn't even leave this time – it was his apartment and kicking her out wasn't really an option.

Mac on her part was expecting some sort of reply, witty or other, and opened an eye when she didn't get one. What she saw tied her gut in a knot, she could tell when he was withdrawing from her, from the world. 'Oh no you don't, not this time.' went through her mind.

In one fluid motion she was off the couch and on her knees before him. Her hands reached up to wrap around his wrists, fingers just caressing his palm.

"Harm?" she ventured a whisper.

A shuddered sigh was all she got in response.

"I'm here, please let me in." she was pleading with him. She was practically begging him to stay in the rational realm rather than delve into the sometimes twisted world of his logic as she knew he was on the verge of doing.

Without any warning Harm stood up, leaving her stunned on the floor with hands half in the air, and walked away towards the kitchen.

After a few counseling words to herself, Mac stood up and followed him. She was going to make good on her promise to herself. No more walking away, even if it was the easy way out. This time she didn't utter a word. She just stood close enough for him to acknowledge her presence, yet far enough so that he wouldn't feel cornered.

"I've screwed things up royally, Mac..." He was still with his back to her, but she didn't move to face him.

"What are you talking about, Harm?"

"You... Mattie..."

Try as she might, she couldn't stay serious. "Are you kidding me? Harm! You did the best thing possible for Mattie, she's extremely lucky to have you. Believe me, I know and she knows, hell, even Tom probably knows how lucky that girl is. Would you please, for once, take the weight of the world off your shoulders! Your Superman act, though even I admit does come in handy at times, is really not necessary here!"

Now she walked over and stood almost nose to nose with him. His eyes had a somewhat dejected look and she couldn't decide if she wanted to slap him or kiss him to get it out.

"As for me, I think I know you well enough by now not to be scared off by fleeting out-of-character stints. And you should know me well enough to realize that this Marine doesn't back away from any challenge – official or not."

Harm still said nothing. She could practically see the thoughts running through his brain, branching out to several light switches, one of which, she dearly hoped, would shed light on his currently foggy mind. Sadly, no light bulb flashed over his head, but as he took a deep breath she held hers.

"I'm sorry, Mac."

She stared at him incredulously. "You still don't get it." She breathed and got a confused look in return.

She walked away and shot a glance upwards, praying for divine intervention or enlightenment. Turning back to her partner, Mac reached one very important decision.

"Okay, flyboy, I'm gonna spell it out for you, so listen up." One deep breath and she dived in.

"I need you." His eyebrows shot up but she forged on without waiting for a response. "Not just when things come crashing down or when there's a difficult case or a bad day. I need you everyday. I need you as my best friend. I need you as my partner." Her calm and steady voice bellowed the emotions that raged inside her and made her stomach light and her head a little dizzy. Taking another breath she crossed the point of no return.

"And I want you... as more than that..."

Letting that last sentence linger and fade into the air between them, she breathlessly awaited his response.

There were so many things he wanted to say, but as he started to say each it sounded lame or unfitting or just plain stupid. So many expressions to express but his facial muscles didn't know which way to contract first. Finally, releasing something between a moan and a sigh, he took the couple of steps it took to close the endless gap. Cupping her face in his hands he brought his lips to hers in a sweet answer.

Still not completely at ease, she took the kiss slowly, taking the time to feel the contour of his lips against hers as she moved her body up against his.

Opening his mouth to hers, he took away the last vestiges of doubt and brought relief and contentment it their place.

Just as she was starting to deepen the kiss and really drown in him there was knocking at his door.

They broke apart, arms still holding each other close, wondering who it could be. Then the knocking became pounding along with muffled speech.

Harm's confused look quickly turned to an angered one. With long determined strides he headed for the door, with Mac not far behind. He hoped to god it wasn't who he thought it was.

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TBC