NEW YORK

18 DECEMBER 2002

HARMS POV

God, she's beautiful. I am sitting at our hotel bar with Bud and Harriet and of course, Mac on the stool next to me. We have not revealed the nature of our being here with Bud and Harriet, but I know that they are dying to find out. And to be honest, I would be surprised if they weren't somewhat aware of the tension between us and the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. I thought that once I had kissed her, the tension I was feeling would fade away, but the opposite has happened. I seem to be only more attracted to her now that I now how it feels to have her in my arms and feel her soft lips on mine. I think back to our walk to our hotel just now, when I had stopped her in the middle of the sidewalk.

I pull her close and kiss her again. She happily obliges and I just know we could go on like this forever. I am so in love with this woman. When she pulls away to look at me, I drown in her beautiful chocolate-colored eyes and I almost say it.

"Mac, I…" I almost say it, but I don't. God, Harm! It took you so long to take this step with her, is it going to take just as long to tell her how you feel? "I'm glad you're here."

The alternative seems to work too, because she gives me loving look. She doesn't seem to notice that I actually was planning to say something else.

" I am too." I don't get a chance to try again, because she presses her lips against mine again.

NEW YORK

18 DECEMBER 2002

MACS POV

"And where did you eat?" Harriet asks me and it takes me a moment to come back from my thoughts.

"Oh, we eh, we went to a roof top terrace not far from here. The view was stunning and the food delicious!" I glance at Harm and he throws me a shy smile.

"That sounds amazing!" Harriet exclaims. "I would love to go there sometime, wasn't it for Bud being afraid of heights." She pokes Bud in his side who laughs.

"Well, you could always take a table in the middle, away from the edges, I guess." Harm jokes and everyone laughs.

The rest of the night I try to mingle in the conversation with Bud and Harriet and we're having a lot of fun, but I catch myself being rather busy with Harm. I can't help it, but I giggle a lot more than I normally do and every now and then, I glance at him and catch him glancing at me. Whenever he laughs at one of Buds jokes, our hands secretly touch under the table and he even once casually put his hand on my knee. I feel flutters in my stomach, I am so excited about this happening. And having drinks with Bud and Harriet like this feels so good, almost like a double date. At first I noticed Harriet desperately trying to figure this whole situation out, but after a few minutes of casual talk all the awkwardness had disappeared.

"It's so good to be out without little AJ for once, I am dying for a good night of sleep in a comfortable bed." Harriet laughs.

"Speaking of which, I'll take you up on that offer. Let's go to our room. Have a good night and we'll see you guys at breakfast." Bud gets up from his bar stool.

"Late breakfast, that is." Harriet winks.

They all laugh and Bud and Harriet disappear into the elevator, leaving us alone at our table. I look after the couple and sigh. "I am so glad that they could get away together. They have had such a rough year."

I catch Harm looking at me and I smile shyly. My arms are leaning on the table, and he reaches out with his hands so our fingers touch lightly. It sends shivers down my spine. He tries to get rid of a lump in his throat. "So, shall we go up as well?"

I nod. I can't believe we are actually doing this. I come down from my chair and walk with him.

"I've already checked us in and had our luggage brought up." He ushers me to the elevator, his hand lingering on the small of my back when we step inside.

"Which floor?" I ask, standing in front of the panel.

"Uh, eight." He starts reaching for the inside pocket of his jacket and takes out two key cards. Now I'm confused. He was giving me the impression that he wanted me to come up to his room, and now he's going to give me my own key card?

"You still make me wonder about those intentions of yours, you know." I take a step towards him.

"What do you mean?"

"You booked two rooms?"

"I eh, I didn't want you to feel pressured." He looks up from the keycards into my eyes. This man is so sweet when he's nervous. I take one of the cards from him and look at it for a moment, then take a step closer to him and let it slide in his pants pocket. He grins at my gesture and presses me against him. I can feel his excitement grow as he kisses me intensely. The elevator beep to tell us we're on our floor. We break apart and when the doors pop open, he clears his throat and I straighten out my dress. An older couple passes by and we try to look as innocent as possible, politely greeting them.

I follow Harm through the corridor and wait for him to open the door. When we enter the room, I am impressed by its grandeur. The room is really spacious and there is a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Harm takes off his jacket and hangs it over a chair, then walks back to me, looking so sexy in his white dress shirt. He is trying to act casual, like this is not at all freaking him out, but I know him better than that. He takes my coat from me and also places it on one of the chairs, before turning back and placing his hands over my shoulders, slowly sliding them down. "You are so beautiful." He sighs, staring into my eyes.

I feel flattered and don't know what to say. Instead, I decide to act. I take a few steps back, so he has a good view of my whole body and then I search for my zipper at my right side. Fortunately, it zips down in one motion, which is a first with this teeny tiny zipper that normally gets stuck every two inches. I slide the fabric off my shoulders and then the whole dress drops down at my feet.

NEW YORK

18 DECEMBER 2002

HARMS POV

I can't believe it. Sarah MacKenzie is in my room. No, I'll rephrase: Sarah MacKenzie is in my room, dressed in nothing but her undergarment. I have to say, not in my dreams could I have imagined her so beautiful. And those dreams have been there, believe me. Earlier this evening, I had been too afraid to assume she wanted to go up to my room with me, even when she kissed me in the elevator I was careful not to get my hopes up. But then she stood and dropped her dress on the floor, just like that. I cannot think of a sight that would turn me on more. I want to take her into my arms and carry her to the bed, but instead, I freeze in awe. But maybe this is a good thing. Because now, she steps out of her dress and comes at me slowly. She stops when she's just inches away from me and I swallow hard. She smiles nervously and reaches for the buttons of my shirt, undoing them piece by piece. Meanwhile I lean in a bit, brushing my lips over hers and breathing harder with every button she unties. When she has loosened my last button, she slips her hands around my waist. Her fingers on my bare skin send shivers through my entire body. I pull her towards me and cover my mouth with hers. This kiss is the most intense one we have ever shared. I explore her body with my hands, tongues struggling and pants tightening. We only break apart to catch our breaths and I pause for a moment, locking eyes with hers. "Mac, I.." She doesn't let me speak and cuts me off by pressing her finger on my lips. I instantly forget what I wanted to say and indulge back into kissing her.

Then she turns her back towards me, suggesting I open her bra closure. Thank god it pops open in one smooth gesture and I slide the bra straps off her shoulders. I slide my hands over her belly from behind and slowly move them up to cup her recently exposed, gorgeous breasts. As I softly massage them, she leans back into me and lifts up her arms around my neck, giving me the perfect opportunity to trail kisses over her neck and jawline. I feel her buttocks pushing against my groin and one of my hands trail down to her panties. I just tease, but it seems to have its effect as her breathing gradually intensifies. Together we stumble to the bed and I softly lay her on her back. I rapidly take off my shirt only to bow over her perfect body laying in front of me.

NEW YORK

18 DECEMBER 2002

MACS POV

He is just killing me over here. This Harmon Rabb is such a tease. He hovers over me, but instead of letting me undo his belt, he pulls his hips back and starts to explore my body with his mouth, trailing kisses down my neck, in between my breasts, with an occasional nibble on my hardened nipples, further down low. He slowly rolls my panties down and kneels in front of the bed, so he has full acces to where I'm dying for him to place his tongue. And oh, is he good at it. I squirm on the satin sheets as pleasure is building up real fast, but I don't want to come just yet. Just before I reach my climax, I call out his name and softly tug on his head, begging him to come up. When he does, I head straight for his belt and finally let him take off his pants and boxers. He doesn't disappoint me and although I don't seem to have to work hard to get him ready, I softly lick the top of his member. I can tell he's losing it and I pull him towards me, begging him to enter me. When we finally join, all tension falls away and I can't believe I am finally making love to my flyboy.

NEW YORK

19 DECEMBER 2002

HARMS POV

The empty spot next to me is startling me. Has this been a dream after all? Or has she left? I open my eyes and I see her standing staring out of the window frame. She's still naked, only wrapped in a sheet to protect her from being cold, looking marvelous with the morning light emphasizing her figure. She notices me waking up.

"Morning, sleepy head." She chuckles, but she keeps standing there.

"Good morning. Did I do something to wake you?"

"I'm an insomniac, remember?"

I chuckle. "Well I was hoping you would sleep better in my arms." I'm hoping not to sound too concerned, but I can't help but wonder what's the matter.

"I did."

I crawl out of bed and wrap my arms behind her from behind, kissing her neck.

" Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing, never mind." She rubs my arms surrounding her and leans back into my embrace.

"Then come back into bed with me." I kiss the back of her head while saying that and then tug her along to the bed. She sighs and sits back against my chest.

"Why did you decide to ask me to come this weekend, Harm?"

Aha, so that's what's been bothering her. Now it's time to put that word magic of mine to the test. Please, let me not screw this up. I am just going to keep it short and simple.

"You know, around the time we went to Afghanistan, and everything that happened with Bud, I realized life is too short…" I pause and trace lazy circles over her arms. "Life is too short to deny my feelings for you."

She turns a little so she can face me. Finally, I feel the courage to let it out. "I love you, Mac. I'm very much in love with you since..oh who am I kidding, I fell In love with you the moment we met."

She stares into my eyes and presses a chaste kiss to my lips. " I love you too, Harm."

I can tell something is still bothering her and I put a strand of hair behind her ear. " Do you…do you regret last night?"

"No, last night was..incredible." She traces her finger over my nose and cheekbone with a mischievous smile. "I am just afraid of what will happen when we tell people about us. In particular the Admiral."

"Then let's not. Let's just enjoy where we are now and we'll see. We can tell everyone when we're ready."

"I would like that." I can see a weight lifting off her shoulders as her lips meet mine again and she pushes me down, covering her still naked body with mine. Lord, how could I be this lucky?