AN: My new story, as promised. Fluffy as a pillow…came to me on a whim as the weather outside my own apartment got ever so depressing this weekend. And for the record: I don't care one silly little bit if they're both OOC, or else I wouldn't write this piece of fluff in the first place!
AN II: For the sake of the story, there's no Mattie, Machas not beeninvolved with Webb and Harm is back at JAG after his resignation.
Disclaimer: Don't own them…but if you sue me, can Harm represent me? No? Than don't sue.
Let's start this story...
This didn't look good. She turned away from the window, shivering despite herself. The first snow of the season had started to fall early this afternoon and the streets outside were already coated with thick layers of slippery liquid goo. Add the fierce gushes of icy wind to the scene and you had all the ingredients of one mean snowstorm. This didn't look good at all.
Never a winter person, Mac dreaded going outside. Driving certainly didn't look very appealing. At this speed the traffic would be jammed for stretches of over a hundred miles, nobody daring or even able to move faster than 5 to 10 miles an hour. Even if she would leave now, at about 4 pm, she would possibly not even make it home before midnight.
A knock on her door made her jump a little. She turned to acknowledge Petty Officer Coates's presence.
"Ma'am, the Admiral wants to see you in his office ASAP!"
"Thank you, Petty Officer. I'll be right there."
The door closed again. Mac took a last sip from her coffee, meanwhile trying to think of a reason her CO would want to speak to her so urgently. Coming up with nothing she shrugged, put her now empty mug down on her desk and headed into the bullpen, only to collide headfirst with the solid tall frame of a certain Commander. Steadying her, he gave her his trademark grin that could make her knees go wobbly if she'd let them.
"Whoa there, hold on. Where are you rushing to?"
"The Admiral asked to see me. How about you?"
"The same…have we been up to something lately that I don't want to be reminded of?"
Again the flyboy smirk. Mac fought the urge to laugh, but sadly lost it. She and Harm had somehow found an easy way to communicate again after the Paraguay debacle. To both of their relief, tension had receded and they were back to bantering, teasing and sometimes even a little flirting. Knowing she wasn't seeing a spooky figure in private seemed to help a great deal too. Overall, whatever it was they had, it felt comfortable and simply good. She couldn't do without that friendship.
"If we did, than I don't recall it either, Sailor, but if it involves you, we'd better be preparing ourselves for the worst!"
"Jeez, just trample all over my heart, why don't you?"
He mock gestured to his ribcage while working his puppy look on her. Her insides turned to mush at the sight of it, but she was way too much a Marine to go all girly on him.
"Suck it up, Flyboy. We're late already."
With that, she dragged him into their CO's office.
To both their surprise, the room was already cluttered with staff when they entered. Sturgis looked less than comfortable, Bud appeared pale, with a nervously fidgeting, civilian clad Harriet next to him, clutching his hand. Jennifer tried to look composed, but Harm registered a nervous tremble going through her.
Well, at least they weren't about to be chewed down for something they did, unless it had been so offensive that the punishment was public humiliation, but what was going on? The Admiral at last came in himself and immediately the entire room came to attention. After his hastily "as you were", they all stood uneasily awaiting his news. Which he unceremoniously dropped on them like a five hundred-pound cannon ball.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that all roads heading in and out of D.C. have been closed off. So those of you who don't live somewhere within walking distance from headquarters are ordered to stay inside till further notice."
He continued on a less formal tone. "I had anticipated a situation like this, so I ordered bunk-beds, pillows, blankets and some toiletries for all of you. If you have an overnight bag somewhere, I suggest you get it."
He sighed. "Sorry folks, but it looks like we're gonna have to make ourselves comfortable around here. We might be stuck here during the night. Set your bed up wherever, as long as it doesn't turn into a pajama party. Dismissed."
They all fled into the bullpen, whispers and silent curses running through the air. Both Harm and Mac always had some bare necessities packed in their car, but Mac was very reluctant to get her bag out. In comes Super-Harm.
"Give me your car keys, Mac, I'll get your stuff out."
She grinned. "And they say chivalry's dead."
"Be careful, it's not too late to change my mind. You're a Marine after all. You could get both our stuff."
"Scared of a little snow, Squid?"
"Don't challenge me, Ninja!"
"Take a dare for once!"
It was plenty of comment to make him grab the keys from her hand, dart out of the bullpen and into the elevator. Feeling a bit guilty for sending him out into the cold, she headed to the break room to fix him some coffee, reminding herself not to make it as strong as she usually drank it. Harm was not a Marine after all.
She was just about done when she jumped at the touch of a very cold hand snaking around her waist from behind. One strong arm fully encircled her and pulled her snuggly against a snow covered uniform jacket, producing goose bumps for more than one reason.
"Gotcha!"
His voice, purring and seductive didn't aid her failing brain. Was she supposed to fight back? Yes, yes she was. This was just teasing and she should resist. Even if her heart wasn't in it. Her senses back in form, she squirmed to get free.
"Let go of me stupid Squid, you're cold!"
"Payback's a bitch, Marine!"
"Well, now you're not getting any!"
She had wanted to point at the coffee which she had already pored into huge mugs, but when the assumption of her words hit her, she quickly reddened in utter humiliation. The fact that Harm was laughing outrageously didn't make her feel any better.
"Too bad for you then."
He gently turned her around so she was facing him, noticing the glint of humor in his eyes right before he leaned down to give her the smallest peck on the lips, so fast she couldn't even be sure it had happened in the first place.
"You don't know what you're missing."
With that, he let go of her, grabbed his mug and left the break room whistling, leaving a very flustered Marine standing frozen in her place.
So, what do you think so far? Reviews are welcome.