The Deal
By Bernadeen
Rated: M
Spoilers: Goodbyes, Standards of Conduct, and almost any other episodes before the end of season 8.
Disclaimers: I don't own and claim no rights to any of these wonderful characters. This story is only for entertainment purposes.
Summary: Of course it's about "The Baby Deal."
Chapter 4
Harm's apartment
Tuesday
2100 EST
Harm had brought two files home with him and had just finished the work that needed to be done in preparation for interviews tomorrow. Now he returned them to his briefcase and sat back with a sigh. Unbidden, the day's encounters with Mac replayed in his mind. What was she playing at, anyway? He had been looking for a sign from her .. perhaps this was it. Though it was very subtle, she had definitely been provocative. He remembered catching her special scent when she leaned close to him .. a slightly spicy blend of soap, herbal shampoo and something uniquely Mac that he had never been able to identify. It brought back memories of times they had been close .. the night spent in each other's arms in the Virginia hills hiding from deadly poachers .. and another night in Afghanistan trying to stay warm and avoid missile fire. The times they had danced together or stood shoulder to shoulder defending each other during a dangerous mission.
He had never had any success at moving his relationship with Mac to anything beyond friendship. In fact, he had probably been the one who undermined it. He would follow Mac's lead this time and see what happened. Suddenly he realized he was looking forward to work tomorrow more than he had for a long time.
JAG HQ
Wednesday
0800 EST
Mac had been in her office for several hours. She never slept much but last night her mind just wouldn't shut down. It continually replayed the scene with Harm in the coffee room, and then took it on to new heights of fantasy. She glanced up from her desk a few minutes later to see Harm walk briskly toward his office. She watched him hungrily. He looked less tired today .. his handsome features more relaxed and there was a confidence in his bearing that had been missing recently. Could that win in court against Sturgis be the reason? He always did like to win .. needed to win to reinforce his confidence. Yet when he had had less successful times in court, his basic belief in himself never really faltered. She envied him that. She had to hold onto her hard-won confidence in herself with both hands most of the time to keep it from slipping away.
With a sigh, she decided she needed more coffee and headed for the kitchen. She had made a pot when she arrived, but it had lost its flavor so she set about making a fresh pot. Just as it was brewing, Harm walked in. With a cheerful smile, he greeted her, "Good morning, Colonel." Glancing toward the coffee pot, he continued, "first coffee in the morning always smells good."
"Actually, this is my second pot," Mac answered without thinking.
Harm raised his eyebrows questioningly. "You were here early. Tough case?"
"Just couldn't sleep, as usual. Thought I'd come in and be productive."
"You ever tried to do anything about your insomnia?"
"No. I seem to get the sleep I need."
Harm's voice softened. "You know, they say sleeping alone increases insomnia."
Mac could feel her heart begin to beat heavily in her chest. "I never noticed an improvement when I wasn't sleeping alone." She could feel a slight flush rise up her cheeks.
Harm's voice softened even more .. became seductive. "Maybe you just haven't had the right person in your bed."
She couldn't stop herself from meeting his eyes in surprise. The desire she saw there made her heart pound harder and her breath quicken. With an effort she looked away and stammered, "The coffee .. I think the coffee is ready."
As quickly as it started, it was over. Harm calmly reached for the coffee pot, filled her cup, then his own, and walked out of the room with a casual, "Later."
Back in her office, Mac sat trying to decide if that exchange really happened or whether her lack of sleep and her fantasies were playing tricks on her mind. No, it was real, she decided. Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., was sending her a message and she had better listen up. As that thought went through her mind, she smiled happily. Maybe things would work out yet.
JAG HQ
Wednesday
1215 EST
Mac had worked steadily throughout the morning. Finally, her empty stomach forced her to close the file and go in search of food. As she walked across the bullpen, she noticed that Harm was in his office. On impulse, she stopped in his doorway and asked, "Hey, sailor. Do you have time for lunch? I've got a case I need to bounce off someone."
Harm looked up regretfully. "Sorry, Mac. I'm just on my way to the Pentagon for a meeting and I was going to grab something on the way." As she started to turn away, he quickly continued, "If it's something that can wait until this evening, why don't you come over for dinner? I'll cook and you can tell me about the case."
Before she had time to let herself consider refusing, she accepted the invitation. They agreed on a time, and Mac continued on her way to lunch with a pleased smile on her lips.
End Chapter 4