Chapter 8

AN1: Thanks for all the feedback. Interesting developments are coming but not quite yet. We delve a little into Mac's feelings in this chapter, with Harriet's assistance. We do have a shirtless Harm in this one, but it's not what everyone is probably thinking! LOL!

AN2: I'm afraid I'm running late with the Christmas chapter I had planned (since we're in September in my timeline) but I'll hopefully get a chance to post that next week. I'm using Answered Prayers as the basis of the Christmas chapter and I hope everyone enjoys it. Read on!

September

"He's so cute Harriet," said Mac, as Harriet showed her some new pictures of AJ as the two were sitting in a restaurant catching up over lunch.

"Thank you. He's growing so quickly," said Harriet.

"Scary huh?" asked Mac.

"Very," smiled Harriet.

"So, tell me, how are things with you?" asked Harriet.

"Everything's fine. Work is going well," said Mac.

"I'm not asking about work," said Harriet, raising an eyebrow and giving her a look. Mac knew that look well, Harriet wanted information…specific information.

"There's nothing to really tell in the area you are asking about though, well, nothing definite anyway," said Mac.

"Oh, but something is going on," said Harriet, looking intrigued.

"I'm not in a relationship. It's just friendship right now," said Mac, although she felt her cheeks go pink.

"Okay, I'm dying to find out. I've seen that you and the Commander have gotten very close, it's him you're talking about right?" asked Harriet, her excitement evident.

The look on Mac's face gave Harriet her answer and she beamed.

"Finally!" said Harriet.

"Why do I get the feeling that nobody will be surprised if, and I mean if, Harriet, anything does happen," said Mac, looking amused.

"Nobody will Mac. We've all been expecting the two of you to open your eyes and see what has been right in front of you all along," smiled Harriet. Mac chuckled.

"All right Mac, details!" said Harriet, taking a sip of her wine.

"There really isn't a lot to tell. We decided our friendship was too important to lose after Harm's accident and we worked on it. It's great, we're so close and he really is my best friend. As are you of course," said Mac.

"Do you see him much outside of the office?" asked Harriet.

"A lot actually. We have dinner regularly and we enjoy spending time together. We even go jogging together some days before work," said Mac with a smile.

Harriet grinned. "You sound very happy."

"I am," said Mac, her smile widening as she thought of Harm.

Harriet took note of this and smiled to herself, her friends were finally seeing what had been in front of them for so long. It's a pity it took them an accident to work it out, but what mattered was that they finally did.

"When do you think things might progress?" asked Harriet, already dreaming up the perfect wedding for two of her closest friends.

"I have no idea. I really hope they do but at the moment I'm happy with what we have," said Mac. It was true, she was happy just being his friend, what she wanted most was of course a relationship with him but it somehow felt right between the two of them to take things slowly.

"You must have an unspoken agreement that that's where things are headed," commented Harriet.

"That's pretty much it," agreed Mac.

"I'm guessing your feelings for him haven't changed," said Harriet.

"I didn't think they could, but they have," said Mac, lowering her eyes.

"What do you mean?" asked Harriet, looking surprised.

"Well, I didn't know it was possible but I'm even more in love with him than I was before," said Mac softly.

"How sweet. I'm so happy for you!" said Harriet beaming.

After lunch, Harriet and Mac went to the mall to do some shopping, and they were browsing in a clothing store when Harriet once again brought up Harm.

"Listen, I was wondering, could you and the Commander babysit AJ tomorrow night? Do you have plans?" asked Harriet casually.

"No plans for tomorrow, I'd love to babysit AJ. You and Bud deserve a night out alone," said Mac.

"We'd love a night off. It's been awhile since we've gotten a chance to go out, you know, with an active two year old running around the house," said Harriet with a laugh.

Mac smiled. "It will be great to spend some time with little AJ."

"Will the Commander be able to come? AJ would love to see both his godparents," said Harriet.

"I'm sure Harm would love to, but I'll ask," said Mac, pulling her cell phone out.

"And don't think I don't know what you're trying to do," teased Mac as she pressed Harm's speed dial. Harriet merely looked at her innocently and tried not to smile.

"Hi," said Mac when Harm had answered the phone.

"Hi. I'm glad you called, I was going to call you later. Do you want to see a movie tomorrow night?" asked Harm.

"I'd love to, but can I take a raincheck?" asked Mac.

"You already have plans," said Harm, trying not to sound disappointed.

"Yeah, and you do too if you'll join me," said Mac.

"Uh, okay but what are these plans I have without knowing about them?" said Harm, sounding amused.

"We're going to babysit our godson," said Mac with a smile.

"That's fine with me. It should be fun," said Harm.

Mac nodded at Harriet to indicate Harm had said yes and Harriet smiled.

"Thank you sir!" said Harriet loudly, so she would be heard.

"Is that Harriet?" asked Harm chuckling.

"Yes," said Mac.

"Tell her hi for me, and please tell her for the thousandth time, it's Harm, not sir!" said Harm with a laugh.

"I'll do that," laughed Mac.

"Good. What time?" asked Harm.

"I'll work out a time with Harriet and let you know," said Mac.

"Okay, have a good day Ninja girl," said Harm.

"Thanks, you too flyboy. Bye," said Mac.

"Bye," said Harm.

"You didn't turn down a date with the Commander?" admonished Harriet, as soon as Mac hung up.

"It wasn't a date," said Mac, looking amused.

"Well you took a raincheck on something," said Harriet.

"Harm asked if I wanted to go to the movies. It's fine, we can do it another day," said Mac.

"Movies huh. Does he pull the arm around your shoulders move when you go?" teased Harriet.

"Harriet! We're not teenagers," said Mac, laughing. Harriet just gave her a pointed look

"But since you asked, from the couple of times we've been, yes he does," said Mac, laughing at Harriet's expression.

"So there is a teenage boy hidden in the Commander," said Harriet with a smile.

"Maybe there is. Anyway, we'll both be at your place watching AJ so your grand plan is working," said Mac with a teasing smile.

"You're both happier together and I just want to see that happen," said Harriet, beaming at her.

The following afternoon
Bud and Harriet's house

"What do you want to do now big guy?" asked Harm, picking up AJ as Mac put away the building blocks now scattered all over the living room floor.

"Planes!" said AJ excitedly.

Mac put the last block back in the toy chest and watched Harm play airplanes with AJ with a smile on her face. AJ was squealing with laughter and Harm grinned, clearly having fun playing with his godson.

"Is anyone hungry?" asked Mac, noting the time.

"Me, me!" said AJ, bobbing his blonde head up and down.

"Me too!" said Harm with a smile.

"Let's go have some spaghetti then," said Mac, smiling at them both. Harm moved AJ so that he was holding him properly again and moved towards the kitchen, shooting Mac a smile.

"Did both of you wash your hands?" asked Mac.

"Uh uh," replied AJ, shaking his head.

"Wash your hands first and then come eat," said Mac, ruffling AJ's hair affectionately, and then quickly ruffling Harm's. Harm gave her a mock glare to which she merely smiled. Harm then took AJ to the bathroom so they could wash their hands before joining Mac again in the kitchen.

"Did he actually eat any of that?" asked Mac, as she surveyed their godson with an amused smile after AJ had eaten. He had spaghetti sauce all over his face, some in his hair, all over his fingers and some spaghetti noodles were clinging to the sauce on his shirt.

"I think most of it went on him," said Harm with a grin as he started clearing up the dishes.

"I think it's time for his bath," said Mac as she pulled AJ's t-shirt off and then used a cloth to wipe off his face and hands, to which the toddler protested loudly.

"Shh, it's okay. We need to get you cleaned up," said Mac soothingly.

"Come on AJ, it's bath time," said Harm. AJ perked up and Mac grinned, Harriet often told them how much AJ loved bath time.

Mac laughed as AJ splashed in the water, wetting them both. Harm couldn't help but smile too, even though he'd gotten the brunt of their godson's attack. They soaped him up and then rinsed it off, letting him play a little once he was clean.

"Come on, let's get you out," said Mac, grabbing a towel while Harm picked AJ up out of the tub and put him into the towel Mac held in her arms. The little boy protested at being taken out of the water but calmed as Mac dried him off.

"Stowy?" asked AJ, his little eyes already drooping sleepily as he stood in his crib after they'd gotten him into his pyjamas.

"Sure," said Harm. He scanned the titles on the bookshelf and picking one, started to read. Mac lay him down while he listened to the story and soon AJ was fast asleep, so Harm and Mac tiptoed out of the room, leaving the door ajar and taking the baby monitor with them.

"Come on, let's get your shirt into the dryer," said Mac, as they walked down the hall.

"It's fine Mac," said Harm. Mac reached out to briefly touch the fabric.

"It's starting to dry, but it's not dry enough. You'll catch a cold," said Mac.

"Okay," said Harm taking the shirt off and handing it to her. He was a little surprised he wasn't more uncomfortable standing in front of Mac with his shirt off, and smiled inwardly at the quick look she gave him. Mac had tried not to look, but allowed herself a quick glance before finding a towel for him to put around his shoulders. Then she headed to the laundry room to put his shirt in the dryer.

"You got wet too," pointed out Harm when she rejoined him.

"Yeah but not as much as you did. Little AJ drenched you," smiled Mac.

"Maybe we should have worn raincoats?" teased Harm.

"We'll remember to next time we give our godson a bath," said Mac with a smile.

"Was this better than going to a movie?" asked Mac as they sat down on the couch.

"Yeah, it was," said Harm.

"We can still a watch a movie now though," said Mac.

Harm flipped on the television and they settled on a movie to watch until Bud and Harriet got home, the baby monitor sitting on the coffee table beside them so they could hear their godson if he woke.