AN: (Crawling out of her corner) Phew! I'm still alive! Not skinned by murderous shippers. For that I'm grateful. So just to show my gratitude, here's a next chapter.

Disclaimer: It's getting too hard to come up with an original disclaimer, so I'm not trying again. They're not mine. Period.

Here we go again...

It took him long to answer, but for the remainder of her years, Mac would never forget the look of plain and open defeat in his features combined with the hurt in his eyes and the bare whisper of his words when he finally spoke.

"We're best friends, Mac. Or used to be anyway. You turned to me for some comfort and human warmth and I provided it willingly and without any hidden agenda. I thought I was doing something nice for you. That this was still the way things worked between us. So I'm sorry if you're embarrassed by it. I'm not. We did nothing wrong."

Now she was really ashamed. She sold their friendship short for the umpteenth time. In her blind panic, she had succeeded in ruining everything they had so carefully rebuild between them in one short sentence. Again. Would she ever learn?

Right now, she just wished the floor would open and swallow her whole. Tears started flowing from out of nowhere as she turned away from him, unable to look him in the eyes. The last thing she expected at that moment were his strong arms once again surrounding her, but as always, Harm threw a curveball at her.

"Mac…Sarah, look at me. Please…?"

His pleading made her look up. The color and depth of his clear blues had changed from the dark of his pain to something she couldn't quite place, until she allowed herself a closer inspection.

Whatever universal aligning it was that made it happen, she would probably never know, nor could she care. All she knew was that at that exact moment in time, his intentions were crystal clear: this was love. Only then did she remember the softly mumbled words both of them had exchanged that night.

As they were both so drowsy at that time, she hadn't considered it to be of true value. But now, fully awake and aware, she knew that it was. She loved this man and he was trying to tell her in his own way he loved her too.

Her tears dried on her cheeks as a smile formed at her lips in silent acknowledgement of his unspoken wide awake confession. That smile apparently was enough to urge him forward. Before she knew it, his lips were gently but firmly placed on hers, with the tip of his tongue begging entrance. With a sigh she gave in, welcoming the warmth spreading through her body. She took all he offered in that kiss, hoping she was returning enough of her own.

Apparently she was, as Harm deepened the kiss, while at the same time pulling her even closer. Mac was reeling and only the realization of their current location made her break it off before it got a little too heated. As much as she would love to take this further, they were still in his office. This was by far not the romantic setting she had always envisioned for when they finally got together. Go figure, her subconscience never allowed her to let go of that particular image, maybe knowing it would happen for them, someday.

Words weren't needed for her (not now anyway), but he obviously had the desire to vent them for once.

"Mac…last night was just…I don't know, it just felt right having you in my arms. Like you belong there. I want to have that same feeling tonight, tomorrow night, all the nights after that…I've loved you for so long, I…"

That was as far as he came before Mac pulled him back against her, claiming his lips with her own. In between, she could only mumble "I love you too," but clearly he figured that one out by himself.

It was close to 10.30 when they finally entered the bullpen. Harm had quickly dressed himself in the tracksuit he found in his carrier bag, before ordering Mac to stay put while he darted over to her office to get her bag for her. Her own change took a bit more time as Harm tried to 'lend her a hand', meaning his hands were practically everywhere and not in an entirely helpful way. She didn't mind though, quite the contrary…

It took all of her Marine resolve not to give in, but somehow in between kisses and, reluctantly, swatting off his groping hands she managed to get proper enough (sweat pants and sweater) to face their coworkers. The bullpen was empty as they, somewhat hesitantly stepped out. Harm's fingers curled around her own and she smiled sweetly. She never figured him to be so tactile, but secretly she loved him even more for it.

At last they found Bud, Harriet, Jennifer and Sturgis in the break room, enjoying coffee. Eagerly Mac pored herself and Harm a cup, which he took from her with a gleam of mischief in his eyes.

"Thanks for giving me some, Ninja."

Mac turned quite a nice shade of pink at the reference of their conversation the day before while trying to glare at him. Didn't work, as Harm knew perfectly well she couldn't possibly be mad at him now, if ever. Still, to be on the safe side, she took a seat on the other side of the table to prevent herself from jumping him, whether in a good or a bad way.

TBC...

AN: Well, what are their friends gonna say about this? Find out with the next update...