Disclaimer: See first chapter.

A/N: This time we start from Mac's POV. Thank you guys so much for the absolutely wonderful reviews! I'm really glad you're enjoying it. I'm having great fun :-)

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(Experiment 2: two days post Exp. 1)

We managed to wrap up the sexual harassment case quickly enough, as was expected, and Harm asked if I felt like going out for a drink. I was tired, but not tired enough to refuse some quality time with my partner. We both decided a shower and a change of clothes was warranted, so we met up a little later at a small bar that was rather closer to his place.

I was definitely right to accept his offer; I needed this easy night out. A nice atmosphere, some background music, and great company.

Although we've been talking about the case nonstop since we got it, somehow the conversation drew back to it and its conclusion.

"And you said we can't both be right." The accusatory note in his voice was mellowed by his smile.

"When did I ever say that?" I don't have to look up to know he's giving me suspicious look. I smile down at my almost empty glass. Our silence is a comfortable one.

Swallowing down the second yawn for the last minute, I decide the day is nearing its end. "I'm completely beat. I'm gonna head home."

"Come on, Mac, night's still young!" His heart isn't in his protest. He is just as tired, if his bloodshot eyes are anything to go by.

"Yeah, you don't look too hot yourself, sailor. Are you ok to drive home?"

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll leave soon." He smiles tiredly. He knows he can't fool me. I'm not worried; he could walk home if he wanted to.

I slip from my seat and he gets up to say goodnight. He stumbles just a bit and ends up standing a bit too close to me, mere inches away. In that split second I made a very conscious decision to stay and not take that expected step back. It felt like a dare and I stepped up to the plate. I will not be intimidated.

I feel the outline of his form as my senses heighten. This is what's called being painfully sober. I am completely clear-headed but wishing I could use being drunk as an excuse to act on what I feel without anything to hold me back.

I tilt my head up, intending to place a kiss on his cheek, but he moves his face and our lips share a brief caress.

I don't know what he's feeling but I'm trembling in all sorts of places on the inside. Is this all it takes to shake me to the core? I've acquired a rather personal rhythm, but lost the ability to move.

I feel his right hand fingers touch my left, and then find their way to my palm, tracing barely-there patterns. Wait a minute; isn't he supposed to be as tired as I am? Where does he get off making exact movements like that?

I know somewhere in the back of my mind that it's been a few seconds but it seems we've been standing like this for a lifetime. Eternity lies in an indiscernible electrified gap. I'm sure the electricity could be used to write it in lights...

He's first to regain his sense of propriety and takes half a step back. Suddenly cold, a chill runs down my back, I'm brought out of fantasy land.

"Bye, Harm." I manage to whisper. As if I could leave right now, his eyes still have me glued to the spot. I wonder what this looks like to an innocent observer.

"Bye, Mac." he blinks and I've been freed. I turn around and walk away without looking back. I have a lot of thinking and longing to do tonight.

The analyzing starts the minute I'm out the door on my way to the car. What the hell was I thinking making such a conscious decision? I knew it wouldn't go beyond tormenting me and yet... I threw myself in the line of fire again. That was a damn stupid move, Marine. Even now I imagine I hear him calling to me to come back, and it's getting stronger. Woha, hold on. I whirl around and almost loose balance at the sight of him approaching.

"Harm?"

He's a bit out of breath when he reaches my side, at my car. "Mac, on second thought, could you drive me home?"

I'm not sure I'm steady enough yet, flyboy. "Sure, no problem." Okay, Marine, breath in, breath out, it's just Harm, you can do this.

He flashes me a smile before ducking into my car. I move around to the driver's side and very slowly let all the air out of my lungs before taking a very deep breath. I'm going in.

He's completely silent during the short ride, and I get the charming opportunity to get back to mulling over what happened earlier. Once again he initiated the moment in a friendly pretense that suddenly got too close for comfort. Is there anyway this man's doing it unconsciously? It wouldn't be a first... But how dense do you have to be not to notice the results of your own actions?

"Mac!" The panic in his voice and the fact that he just grabbed the steering wheel snap me out of my thoughts. I almost drove us straight off the road. Once I'm steady I risk a look to my right and am hard pressed not to laugh out loud. He's staring me down, eyes wide open, mouth slightly slack.

"Are you sure you're okay to drive, Mac? Maybe we should switch?"

"Aren't you the one who was too tired to drive?" I can imagine him rolling his eyes. "I'm fine, Harm, just let my mind wander for a minute, won't happen again." Out of the corner of my eye I see him relax back into his chair and give a small sigh.

"Just keep your eyes and mind on the road, Marine. I have plans for this week I'd like to see through."

"Oh, really?" I risk a glance in his direction, only to find his expression turn panicky again and his hand twitching in his lap, undoubtedly ready to catch the wheel should I lax again. I'm tempted to make it look like I do just to tease him.

A couple of minutes later I'm parked outside his building. And now we have a brand new goodbye scene, less than 10 minutes after the first one for the evening.

Reluctantly I turn to face him. He's grinning. I could just take his face in my hands and kiss him.

"Thanks for the entertaining drive, Mac." He raised a brow.

I roll my eyes at him. "Anytime, sailor."

"Good night, Mac." He still hasn't opened the door, or even moved for that matter.

"Night, Harm."

He leans in, most definitely aiming for my cheek, and I relax slightly. His face next to mine he pauses. We're not touching. Just like before I can feel him. I know the contours of his features next to mine. My breath catches and my heart speeds up. What is he doing?

Just when I'm about to make a move, I'm not even sure which one, Harm presses his lips briefly to my skin, then he's out of the car and walking briskly to his apartment.

I blink once, then again and cover my face with my hands.

Sitting in my car like this just won't do. The car starts itself and starts moving. I drive home, desperately trying to keep focused on driving, periodically shaking my head. No Harm to grab the wheel this time.

Crazy. That man's gonna drive me crazy.

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(Present time)

I'm not stupid. I didn't want Mac questioning my behavior, so I limited it to specific short events she would be able to push from her mind. After all it started out as an investigation into human behavior, nothing more, I wasn't about to risk a friendship that meant the world to me.

No, I'm not stupid; I just have a tendency to underestimate Sarah MacKenzie.

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TBC