A/N: Well, here it is. Chapter 11. I apologize for leaving off so suddenly for a month, but to be bluntly honest real life sucks when it gets in the way of the lives other people live out in my head. First visits with family out of town suddenly, then Christmas (have I mentioned that as much as I like Christmas, I hate the holiday season hustle?), and then work. The good news is that things are back "normal" now, and you can look forward to not one, but two posts tomorrow.

Chapter 11

The quiet beeping of the alarm on Harm's cell phone penetrated his sleeping mind. Even though he wasn't on active duty he had some things to attend to and was supposed to report at 0800. Without opening his eyes he reached out to where his phone sat on the night table and silenced the alarm. Why hadn't his alarm clock gone off, he wondered sleepily. His phone was set to 0730, so he'd still have time to grab a shower and a quick bite in the commissary before he had to report for duty. It wasn't until he heard a decidedly feminine happy little moan beside him that he opened his eyes and realized he wasn't back in his quarters at the Mountain.

Slowly turning his head to the right, he saw a hauntingly familiar profile bathed in the soft sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains. Closing his eyes again all the memories of the night before came rushing back. Somehow, some way, he'd allowed himself to do something with a stranger that he'd never been able to do with the woman he loved.

"Morning," he heard right beside his head and turned to look at the woman from the bar the night before. Sensuously, she sat up and stretched, letting the single sheet fall about her waist.

"Allison, good morning," Harm said, sitting up and trying his best to smile. He wasn't all that surprised to find that his body was unconsciously responding to the woman beside him. After all, it wasn't that he hadn't enjoyed the night before.

"You know what I'd like to do this morning?" Allison asked while she reached over to run a finger over Harm's chest.

Making an effort not to gulp Harm forced himself to keep the smile on his face even while his traitorous body continued to make his response known. "What would you like to do?"

With what Harm could have sworn was a purr, Allison leaned close enough to place her lips on his. After a few moments she pulled back slightly and whispered "Breakfast in bed, just you and me."

"I…ahh…it's actually pretty late, I'm not sure there's time to make something for breakfast," Harm's eyes began to dart around the room, taking in the soft pastel colours and fabrics used to tastefully decorate the room.

"Who said anything about food?" Allison asked, her lips descending on his again.

After only a moment Harm forced himself to break the contact, placing his right hand gently on the side of Allison's face. "Allison, please understand, as much as I'm enjoying this, it is late and I really need to get back to the base if I'm going to report on time. I probably should have left," Harm checked his watch out of the corner of his eye. "Crap! Twenty minutes ago. I'm sorry."

Giving a last little stroke of his thumb across her cheek, he stood up and began to search for his various articles of clothing. Finding his shirt and pants in a small pile across the room, he began to pull the items on while looking for his shoes. Finally, he saw one peeking out from under the bed, only to find that the mate was not anywhere near it.

"Ahhhh," the woman on the bed pouted as she crossed her arms under her breasts. "Well, seeing as I drove last night, I guess I'll have to take you back to your base."

"I can…ah call a cab, it's alright," Harm protested.

"Have you ever tried to call a cab in this town first thing in the morning? You'd be lucky if it got here by eight fifteen," Allison laughed as she sat up and stretched, unmindful of the sheet that had fallen revealing her naked form. Luxuriously she slid off the bed and began to pull on a set of sweats she had grabbed from a chair in the corner. "I guess I'll be able to get a run in this morning after all. Too bad, I had other activities in mind."

Blushing furiously, Harm intensified the search for his remaining shoe to no avail. Sweeping the room one last time, he finally spotted the missing rascal. Apparently the shoe had escaped the confines of the bedroom and was resting just outside the door in the hallway.

"Ready to go?" Allison asked, pulling her hair into a little pony tail, she slipped on a red ball cap.

"Uhh…yeah," Harm said, sliding on his shoe and straightening up with a sheepish smile.

Only ten minutes later Harm was getting out of Allison's GMC Envoy at the check point located outside the road leading into the mountain. Before he could close the door he felt a light touch on his hand and looked in to see Allison leaning across the seat. "Look, I'm not sure what's going on here, but I had fun last night," Allison began with a smile. She held out a business card until Harm took it. "I'd like to hear from you."

Looking down at the card which read, 'Allison Donovan, Attorney at Law', Harm had to consciously stop himself from shaking his head. What was with him and lawyers? Looking the woman in the eyes Harm spoke gently and sincerely. "Allison, I don't want to lead you on. Honestly, I had fun last night as well, but I have to tell you I don't think I'm ready for…anything…yet."

Fighting to keep the disappointment from her eyes Allison gamely kept the smile in place. "Well you have my number. And if you find yourself ready for something, I would like to hear from you."

"Good bye, Allison," Harm said gently, as he closed the door to the SUV and watched her drive off. With a sigh he turned towards the guard shack and presented his ID to the sentry who stepped out to meet him.

By the time Harm had reached the commissary after changing in his quarters he was thoroughly confused. What the hell had he done? How could he let go with a perfect stranger who simply looked right, but for years had been unable to do so with the right woman. Dropping his tray on the table, Harm plopped into the hard plastic seat and looked over his chosen meal with distaste. Fruit loops and a plate of fruit slices was all he'd felt like eating, and now he wasn't sure he could stomach even that. He was so absorbed in his food that he failed to see Sam wander into the room and sit down at his table.

"You were late this morning," Sam said with a smile when she finally got tired of waiting for Harm to notice her.

"Hmm? Oh hey Sam," Harm nodded.

"Those look like some pretty heavy thoughts. But getting back to my previous statement begs the question why were you late?"

"I ah, slept off base."

"I know."

"You know?"

"I know," Sam said smugly.

"How do you know?"

"I picked the lock to your room when Jacobs and Black said they hadn't seen you yet today. Your bed hadn't been slept in."

"I'm touched by your concern," Harm responded with mild sarcasm.

"Oh, it wasn't concern. Curiosity might be a better description, but not concern. You're a big boy after all." It only took a moment for the blush to start when Sam realized what she'd said.

"Don't take this the wrong way Sam, but I'm not in the mood right now," Harm tossed the spoon into the bowl of fruit loops and pushed his tray away.

"To business then," Sam picked a wedge of grapefruit from Harm's tray. "Given any thought to a replacement for Patterson yet?"

"Not really," Harm admitted. He'd been putting the task off, but knew he couldn't keep it at bay. "I suppose I should go over those files the General set aside for me."

"Trust me," Sam said popping the fruit into her mouth. "I know what it's like. Too bad you're leading your own team, you'd make a good fourth for SG-1."

"I'm honoured," Harm managed a slight smile. "But that doesn't help me find a fourth for 13."

"Excuse me, sir, ma'am," Walter said coming to attention beside their table.

"Yes Walter?" Sam smiled at the tech sergeant she'd worked with for so many years.

"General O'Neill would like to see both of you in his office right away."