Chapter 2 :
The Dawn of a New Day December 31 2004
When Friday rolled around everyone was looking forward to ringing in the New Year at the Roberts' home. Harriet had, once again, amazed everybody by insisting on hosting a small gathering for what was, at one time, considered the JAG family.
Mac had been doing the closest thing to running around her body would allow. Harm was supposed to be picking her up in an hour and she was still battling with her pantyhose. What had been a major struggle yesterday when trying to dress for work, hadn't improved any in twenty four hours. Bending over was still somewhat difficult and lifting her legs into the opening of the hose was bordering on excruciating. It reminded every single muscle that she was most definitely not Wonder Woman.
Finally winning the battle of the hose, Mac paused by her closet door debating which of two dresses she wanted to wear. She would have preferred to purchase something new for the night, sort of a complete fresh start for the year, but she really hadn't been up to shopping. Her favorite dress was the dark green one with the drop back, unfortunately, her back still had several dark bruises, and she really didn't want them turned into the evening's topic of conversation. The problem was, she still had several bruises scattered around her body. Hiding them left her only two dresses to choose from. Both were floor length, so they covered her legs, and with long sleeves covering her arms. The question she had to decide now, was which one of the two would appeal more to Harm. She wanted a dress that would take his breath away.
She'd already spent way too many hours alone thinking about Harm, the accident, her visit with Dr. McCool, and every other trivial and non trivial incident that had ever transpired between her and just about everyone she ever knew.
The bottom line was, she finally saw what Dr. McCool and Harm had both been trying to tell her. Depending on how you look at it, four percent isn't necessarily bad odds. At least they were odds. She was ready to turn the new leaf, together with Harm. She just had to find a way to tell him.
With the decision of which dress to wear finally settled, she had one problem left to resolve; how to zip the darn thing up. She had chosen a chocolate brown sleeveless dress with a scoop neck, covered in a layer of lace with long sleeves and a high neckline. This way her skin underneath was somewhat visible, but her fading bruises wouldn't be a vivid reminder of her recent accident.
Slipping on her high heels, she decided to put on her jewelry and accept the fact that she had no choice but to wait for Harm to zip the dress. As much as she wanted to, the contortions required to zip the dress just weren't worth the pain simply to avoid asking Harm for help.
Before she had managed to put on her second earring, Harm was knocking at the door.
"Perfect timing, sailor…" Swinging the door open wide, Mac's words trailed off at the sight of one Harmon Rabb, Jr. standing handsomely at her door. In his dark suit, he looked as though he belonged on the cover of GQ. She had been so flabbergasted by the way his beautiful green eyes turned a deep blue with the reflection of his shirt, she hadn't even noticed that he was standing open mouthed holding a bouquet of flowers.
Finding his voice, Harm reached forward to hand Mac the flowers. "You look stunning, Miss MacKenzie."
"You look pretty snazzy yourself, Mr. Rabb." Mac accepted the proffered flowers, and quickly kissed him thank you on the cheek. "Let me put these in water, and we can be on our way." She stepped back to let Harm into the apartment.
"Uh, Mac," Harm couldn't help but notice her back as she walked away from him to put the flowers in the kitchen. "You may want to consider, uhmm…"
"Consider what?" Mac turned around smiling.
"Zipping your dress." He raised his hand to his mouth, clearing his throat.
"OH, yes! I forgot. Would you please zip my dress for me?" Mac stepped up close to him, then quickly turned her back so he could zip her up.
Taking hold of the small metal tab, Harm paused partway up at the sight of one particularly large, still dark, bruise on her lower back. Breathing deeply, he resisted the temptation to run his fingers over the ugly blotch in hopes of somehow making it go away and finished with the task at hand.
"There you are." Smiling to her back, Harm stepped back and grabbed her coat. "Ready to go?"
"Ready." Mac smiled and slid into the coat. Locking the door behind her, the two friends were on their way to a new year.
Roberts Home"Harriet, will you PLEASE sit down a little while?" Bud begged.
"Will you please stop fussing at me. You know as well as I do, this is the tail end of my good period. Any day now I'm bound to run out of energy and spend the rest of this pregnancy on the couch like a beached whale. Did you put the cheese and crackers in the family room?" Harriet carried some shrimp and sauce to the dining room.
"Yes, Harriet." Bud followed her carrying a bowl of Guacamole and chips.
"What about the non alcohol Champagne, did you remember to pick up an extra bottle?" Harriet placed the shrimp on the table, and had begun rearranging a few things when the doorbell rang.
"Would you get that, please? I have a few more things to do here, and we'll be all set." Harriet smiled, her hands resting momentarily on her protruding belly.
Most of the guests arrived over the next hour or so. Harm pulled the Lexus up behind the Admiral's car and walked around to get the door for Mac. Extending his hand to help her down, he slid it around her back, then quickly pulled away.
"You don't have to keep doing that, you know?" Mac turned partway to look at him with one raised eye.
"Do what?"
"Pulling away. It doesn't hurt."
Harm feigned ignorance.
"The bruises. I know you had to see them when you zipped me up. They may look ugly but touching me lightly doesn't hurt. I won't break, Harm." If she was going to turn over a new leaf with Harm, having him afraid to touch her was not going to help any.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so obvious. I just, I just don't want to ever hurt you." Quietly under his breath he added, 'again.'
Harriet noticed Harm and Mac coming up the walkway. She did the best she could in her condition to rush to the door. She had been so worried about Mac after hearing about the accident. Taking time to give each other several sound hugs, the group slowly began mingling.
Gunny, who was home on leave, was in the kitchen. He and Jennifer Coates hadn't stopped chatting since they were introduced. Mike was spending the New Year with friends from the academy, but Big Bud was once again being kept in line by the subtle hand of the Admiral.
Now, the Admiral was probably the surprise of the night. Everyone was caught completely off guard when he showed up with Meredith. No one had any idea what had happened between them, but the two had never looked happier.
"It looks like you've done it again." Harm raised his glass at Bud.
"I'll agree to that." Sturgis chimed in.
"Again?" Varese questioned.
Sighing heavily, "For many years the Roberts home, whether this house or elsewhere, has always been like coming home for everyone at JAG." Harm volunteered.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Sturgis agreed.
"To coming home." Varese toasted. Raising all their glasses, "To coming home." The friends echoed.
"What are they talking about?" General Cresswell inquired, overhearing Varese's toast.
"I'm sure by now you've noticed that relationships among personnel at Ops run somewhat stronger than at your usual military post." AJ tried to withhold the smirk that was threatening to appear. He was so glad he'd finally retired.
The sound of Jennifer Coates' voice ran through the General's head: 'You'll never find two more impassioned people.'
"Yes, I see what you mean." Cresswell responded, looking intently over at Turner and Rabb. Apparently Turner's attempt at mending fences had worked.
Just then, Meredith, Mac and Mrs. Cresswell walked up next to the two men.
"Comparing notes?" Meredith smiled knowingly.
AJ coughed lightly, "I see you've gotten a chance to meet Dora." Diversion was always the best tactic with Meredith.
Adding to the admiral's attempt at distracting Meredith's train of thought, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go see how Varese is doing." Mac nodded to her superiors, and walked in the direction of Harm and the others.
"Mac," Varese smiled broadly, "We were just discussing New Year's resolutions. Have you got your list ready for Father Time?"
"Father Time?" Mac looked questioningly at Harm, and then Sturgis.
"Well, Father Time, Ghost of Christmas Past, who ever it is that you vow the resolutions to that you probably won't keep." Varese laughed, then took another sip of wine.
"Ah, now I see. No I haven't gotten my resolutions together yet."
"You'd better hurry up ma'am. There's only an hour to go before midnight." Bud grinned.
"One hour and twelve minutes." Mac corrected, chuckling to herself.
"Is she ever going to tell anyone how she does that?" Sturgis smiled noticing the odd look on Varese's face as she looked at her watch, obviously astounded by Mac's accuracy.
"I think I'll go check if Harriet needs help with anything." Mac chose to ignore Sturgis, and pretended to search for Harriet in the distance before walking to the other side of the room.
"I guess that means no." Sturgis laughed heartily, taking another sip of his drink.
Following Mac with his eyes, Harm was a little surprised to see her go out the front door. "Excuse, me." Harm nodded to his friends, and followed in Mac's path.
Taking a detour into the study to pick up Mac' coat, Harm quietly made his way out the front door. "Here, I thought you might need this." Softly, he placed the coat over Mac's shoulders.
"Thanks," Mac glanced briefly at Harm, then immediately returned her gaze off to the distance.
"It's a nice house to come home to, isn't it?"
"Mm." Mac continued to focus on some unknown spot in the darkness.
"Care to share?" Harm didn't want to push too hard, but he hoped she had meant it when she said she was sorry she'd pushed him away. He so wanted her to let him in.
"Just thinking."
"About anything in particular?" Harm tried to sound casual.
"Resolutions."
"I see. Trying to come up with a last minute list?" Harm moved next to Mac, placing his hand on the railing, beside hers.
"Not exactly."
"Not exactly coming up with a list, or not at the last minute?" Harm inched his hand a little closer to Mac's.
Mac chuckled softly, "Not last minute. You might say I've had more than enough time this last week to make plenty of resolutions."
"Ah, just planning on keeping them a secret." Harm turned his head slightly to sneak a peek at her.
"Not from everyone." Mac was searching for her courage.
"I see." Harm's heart was beginning to beat more rapidly. "Would I be one of those allowed in on the secret?"
"The only one." Mac still hadn't dared to look at him for fear she'd lose her nerve, but she couldn't help looking down when his hand descended softly on hers.
"I hoped you'd say something like that." Harm turned to face Mac.
"Since you're obviously still, 'still here'." Mac tried to smile. "And assuming you still want to be a part of my life." Mac swallowed hard and took a deep breath before turning to face Harm. "I'd very much like that too. I mean, I would like to have you in my life, not just on the outside looking in." Mac was sure her heart had stopped beating, waiting for Harm to say something.
"Are you sure it doesn't hurt to touch you?" Harm spoke softly, so softly, Mac wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly.
"I'm sure." Her brow slowly began curling in, confused at his question.
"Good." Carefully wrapping his arm around her waist, Harm let his lips fall softly on hers.
Their lips were tangling together, exploring the feel of every corner, and the delicious taste of previously denied territory. His hands rested still against her hips, creating a slow simmering heat that was gradually spreading through every millimeter of her body. Her fingers were swirling delicately through his hair and across the back of his neck, leaving a trail of desire burning in their wake.
Even Mac had no idea how long they had been kissing when the sound of 'Happy New Year' was repeated loudly through the house. Echoing onto the porch, it rudely invaded what had become their private haven.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Harm dropped his forehead against hers, and whispered, "Happy New Year." At least, it certainly was starting to look that way.
"Happy New Year." Mac repeated, despite her racing heart and ragged breathing. Maybe this time it really would be. For the first time in a very long time, she finally had something to look forward to.