Title: Burned Bridges

Author: Bernadeen

Rated: M

Written: Spring 2003

Disclaimers: I don't own and claim no rights to any of these wonderful characters. This story is only for entertainment purposes.

Spoilers: Measure of Men, When the Bough Breaks, Complications, The Mission, Full Engagement, Adrift I & II, and almost anything through mid-season 8.

A/N: I always thought that if TPTB had let H&M get together, there could be lots of great interaction between them and between them and the other characters that would be different from their past and very entertaining. Since that didn't happen, we have to use our own imaginations.

Chapter 6

Monday

0800 EST

JAG HQ

Mac and Harm had both arrived separately within a few minutes of each other. They had laughed, talked, played and made love most of the afternoon and night before. Mac had gotten up early to return to her apartment to get ready for work. In spite of having only a few hours of sleep, Mac knew there was a bounce in her step and she couldn't quite keep the secret smile off her face.

She was opening her briefcase to get ready for the day when Harm appeared at her door. "Good morning, Colonel," In spite of his formal words, his smile held a message just for her. "You ready to see if the Admiral is available?"

"Good morning, Commander." Mac answered but couldn't let her smile be quite as revealing because she was facing the bullpen. She unconsciously squared her shoulders. "Yes, let's go."

Minutes later they were standing at attention in front of their CO's desk. The Admiral glanced up at them, then looked more closely. Something was different today, but he couldn't identify what it was. "At ease. What did you want to see me about?"

Both officers appeared uncomfortable and didn't seem to know how to begin. Finally, Mac explained tentatively. "Admiral, this weekend a situation developed that we believe you should know about. The Commander and I .. well, we resolved the problems we've been having… And we did such a good job of resolving those problems that now we're .. ah .. we're now much more than friends."

The Admiral sat back in his chair and studied the two officers, hiding a smile. He'd always thought this could happen, but it had been seven years. He'd almost believed it was a situation he wouldn't have to deal with.

"Well, I'm a bit surprised. Last Friday you were giving everyone near you hypothermia and now you're telling me that you're .. a couple? Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical. Is this serious?"

Harm answered decisively, "Absolutely, sir. Very serious." He glanced sideways and for an instant their eyes met. The look that passed between the officers told AJ everything he needed to know. They had finally worked things out. There were bound to be bumps along the way, but he now had to deal with the situation.

Mac spoke up. "Sir, we believe we can be objective and continue to carry out our duties here at JAG. We thought you should know when making case assignments, that's all."

"And you don't have a problem opposing each other in court?"

"No, sir." Both answered.

AJ sighed. "All right, you're senior officers. I don't have to tell you that I expect appropriate conduct on duty. We'll see how it goes with case assignments." In a more personal tone, he added, "I'm happy for you both. Dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," Harm and Mac answered together, then turned smartly and left the office.

Outside the Admiral's office, Harm turned to Mac and said softly, "I've got a court appearance I have to prepare for. Lunch?"

Mac smiled and nodded. "See you then, Sailor."

Mac sat in her chair staring across her office, not realizing that she was smiling happily as she thought about her sailor. A soft knocking brought her attention back to Harriett, standing in the doorway. Harriett hadn't seen the Colonel look this happy since .. well, maybe never. "Good morning, ma'am. Did you have a good weekend?" she asked innocently.

"Yes, a very good weekend, Harriett."

Harriett stepped further into the office and asked, "Permission to speak freely?"

"Always, Harriett. Close the door."

"Ma'am, I'm guessing it's a man that's put that smile on your face? Someone new?" Harriett bubbled.

Mac met her gaze and smiled softly. "No, Harriett, someone I've known a long time," she answered and unconsciously glanced toward Harm's office.

Harriett's eyes widen and her mouth dropped open. "The Commander?" she could hardly believe it after all these years.

Mac nodded. "Ma'am, I'm so happy for you," Harriett said excitedly. "But .. but last Friday you were …?"

"We had a little help from a friend who knew how I felt about Harm. He talked to Harm and then Harm called me to go running yesterday morning. Later we talked, really talked. I have my best friend back, Harriett, and so much more."

"Will you both be here .. I mean you are opposing counsel in cases. Will that still work?"

"We talked with the Admiral this morning. He'll consider our relationship when making case assignments, but I believe we can be objective in court. We used to do it when we were friends. We'd battle in court, practically shouting, and still walk out of the court room as best friends."

Harriett turned to open the door. "We'd like to have you and the Commander over for dinner one evening soon," she said before opening the door.

"We'll look forward to it, Harriett."

Meanwhile, Harm was in his office, trying his best to concentrate on preparing for the up coming court appearance. It wasn't easy because a certain beautiful dark-haired Marine and their fun-filled Sunday kept invading his thoughts. Just as Harm finally forced himself to focus on the file in front of him, Sturgis appeared in his doorway. "Hey, buddy," Sturgis greeted him cheerily. "Have a good Sunday?"

"Outstanding, Sturgis. I owe you a debt I can never repay." Harm smiled at his friend.

"Just invite me to the wedding and the christenings."

"Whoa, whoa .. we didn't get that far in one day .. but if things continue like yesterday, those events are a distinct possibility."

"So you had the 'talk'?

"I called her Saturday when I got back. Made a date to go running Sunday morning like we used to do. You were right, we were both ready to talk about a lot of things. If not for you, I would never have called her."

"I'm happy for you both. Talk to you later." And with that Sturgis left Harm to his work.

Mac had had a productive morning after she finally was able to concentrate on her work. Somehow it was easier after Harm left for court. Knowing he was in his office just across the bullpen and imaging what she'd like to do to him if there were any privacy in this office had distracted her earlier. Now it was 1158 and he hadn't returned from court. She decided to see whether Sturgis was in his office while she waited for Harm.

When she stopped at his doorway, he was just finishing up a phone call and waved her in. Replacing the receiver, he said, "I understand that you and Harm made some progress this weekend?"

"You could say that. Sturgis, I really want to thank you. Harm and I are both stubborn. No telling how long we would have frozen each other out if you hadn't come to our aid."

"It was partly selfish. Harm and I are friends and it's harder keeping up that friendship if he's half way around the world."

Mac looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"On Saturday, Harm was so bummed out by your split up that he was going to see the Admiral this morning to start the ball rolling for a transfer to Pearl or somewhere equally far away from Washington."

"He didn't tell me that, but we had a lot to talk about. Then I'm doubly glad of your help. It would have been almost impossible to ever get things straight between us if he transferred half way around the world."

As she finished speaking, she felt a light hand on the small of her back and heard a deep husky voice just above her ear saying, "Hey, Marine."

Mac turned to find Harm standing close behind her but only his hand touched her. The military decorum expected by the Admiral allowed nothing more. She wanted to kiss him but knew she couldn't. This might be harder than she thought. Instead she gave him a brilliant smile and said, "Hey, Sailor. You taking me to lunch?"

"If taking you to lunch means buying you lunch, the answer is no. The Navy doesn't pay any more than the Marines. Lunch is still Dutch." Harm said in an attempt at a stern voice.

Mac pretended to pout. "I think you should buy me lunch. You owe me."

"What do I owe you for?"

"Yesterday."

"What exactly?"

"If I told you exactly, I'd make Sturgis blush."

"Mac, behave yourself. You're always feisty when you're hungry. All right, it'll be worth buying you lunch to save us from being court martialed. Care to join us, Sturgis?"

Sturgis had been observing the banter between the two officers with an amused expression. "No, no, I don't want to get in the line of fire. Besides, I'm sure you two want to be alone. Go on now."

The early spring weather continued to be unusually warm so Mac and Harm took their food to a table in the court yard. "How'd it go in court this morning?" Mac decided she better keep with safe subjects.

"Satisfactorily. How was your morning?"

"Productive. More so after you left for court."

When Harm raised his eyebrows inquiringly, Mac lowered her voice and continued. "You're a distraction when you're in your office. I kept thinking about what I'd like to do with you if there was any hope of privacy."

Harm leaned forward across the table and pointed his finger toward Mac's face. "You .. are going to get us written up," but he couldn't hold his serious expression and ended with a laugh.

"I can't help it, Harm. I just feel so .. I don't know .. happy, I guess. But so much more than that. You're better than booze, and that's quite a compliment coming from an alcoholic."

Harm was startled. "I've never heard you joke about your addiction before," he said in surprise.

"It always felt like this black cloud hanging over me .. not something to joke about. But now, with you, it doesn't matter any more. I can't explain it, exactly."

"You're giving me a lot of credit, Mac. But I understand because I feel the same way.

They finished their lunch and went back into the building to return to work. They were alone in the elevator and Harm took Mac's hand and silently brought it to his lips. No words were necessary .. the gesture and the intense look in his eyes said it all. Then, her hand still on his lips, he asked, "Are you doing anything after work?"

Mac sparkled up at him. "Well, there's this hot sailor I just started dating who I'd planned to get into bed at the earliest opportunity. You have something else in mind?"

Harm laughed, "Mac, I'm seeing a whole new side of you." He released her hand as the elevator chimed for their floor. "Your place. 1800. I'll bring dinner." He lowered his voice even more as the doors began to open. "Something that won't spoil if it's not eaten right away."

They exited the elevator smiling and crossed the bullpen toward their offices. Lt. Singer met Harm in the bullpen and asked, "Sir, we've got the Madison hearing tomorrow. I've done quite a bit of work on it. Would you like to review it this afternoon?"

"Yes, Loren. Bring what you've got to my office in 15 minutes."

"Yes, sir." As she turned away, she nodded to Mac but didn't address her directly.

"Have an enjoyable afternoon," Mac said sarcastically as she turned toward her office. The tone was harsher than she intended. Though she knew better, she wasn't yet secure enough with Harm's love to prevent just a twinge of jealousy that it would be Singer and not her working with him this afternoon.

Harm shook his head slightly and let the remark go. He knew Mac really disliked Singer and that wouldn't change just because Harm was working more with Loren. In fact, put like that, Mac would probably dislike Loren even more. Oh, well. This is one of the reasons office relationships are discouraged. Still, he wasn't going to push Loren aside because Mac was jealous. He would just have to prove to Mac that she had no reason to be jealous .. and that could be a lot of fun …

End