Summary:  Sequel to "What Sarah Wants."  Betcha can't guess who's reading whose thoughts...

Disclaimer:  What do you mean the bank won't accept Monopoly money?  Well, I guess that means I'm not making any real cash off this story, so don't sue unless all you want is one of the little shiny pieces...you can't have the dog, though...I like the dog.

Author's note:  I recommend you read "What Sarah Wants" before reading this.  I don't really know how much sense this will make if you haven't.  You can find that story by clicking on my name and looking at my profile page.  Oh, by the way, I realize these dates have already passed and we know that Harm and Mac are not engaged, but I'm not concerned with what's going on in the TV right now in regards to this story, because if I did, then a sequel wouldn't fit, now would it? 

Okay, I think I've found my off switch!  Now I can just turn mysel... *falls out of chair...switched back on by a reluctant roommate...resumes typing*

Harm's Apartment

Saturday, February 15

0824 est

(Mac's POV)

Mm...I'm so comfortable.  I don't ever want to get up.  Though, judging by the way Harm is holding me, I'm assuming he doesn't want to get moving any time soon, either.  I feel him slightly stirring, and I just keep my eyes shut and snuggle in closer to his warmth.  After he proposed last night, and after I spent a good twenty-one minutes and forty seconds staring alternately between Harm's face, the ring on my left hand, and the embossed rose that he had picked up off the floor from when I had kissed him senseless, we were both too caught up in our emotions to eat the decadent-looking refrigerator cake from Godiva.  So, he put it back in the fridge and we both just went to his room and slept (yes, that's all we did). 

He buries his face in my hair and breathes in deeply, then asks, "What time is it?" 

I respond distractedly, "0824."

"Mm, okay," he replies, then says, "Wait a minute...aren't Bud and Harriet bringing AJ over here in six minutes?"

That gets my attention.  I quickly roll forward, intending on pushing myself up off the bed from my stomach.  That's a mistake.  I roll right off the edge of the bed, whacking my head on Harm's bedside table on the way down.  That hurts.

And the award for most graceful goes to...the woman with the hairline fracture.

I look up, a little dazed, into the concerned face of Harmon Rabb, Jr.  "Mac, are you alright?  I'm sorry, I had no idea we were so close to the edge of the bed.  Can you see alright?  Are you feeling dizzy or anything?  Can you feel your arms and legs?"

"Harm," I interrupt.  His rambling is not helping the headache that's forming...well, actually, it's helping the headache progress quite nicely, but it's not helping me with the...nevermind.  Thinking is giving me a headache.  "I fell off the bed, Harm...I didn't fall out of a tree or the second story window...just the bed.  I'm fine, just a little dazed."  My pride took a harder blow than my head, actually. 

"Okay, I think now would be the time to drop it."  Whoa...that's weird.  I could swear he didn't move his mouth at all.  Maybe I should just let my head clear itself before I try to get up.

"Here, Mac...let's get you up onto the bed again so you can just relax a few minutes.  I don't want you to pass out or anything like that.  I did the same exact thing last week."

"You fell out of bed?" I ask skeptically, half wondering if he's just making that up to make me feel better.

"Yeah.  I rolled over to turn off the alarm clock, and I fell right off the edge of the bed.  Cracked my head on the table the same way you just did.  It hurt like hell."

"That it does," I agree.  Right at that moment, there's a knock at the door, and Harm goes to answer it.  I vaguely hear AJ's ecstatic "Unca Harm" before I get up and go into the bathroom to quickly change into the clothes that are in the overnight bag that Harm had left out on the chair in his room for me. 

I head out into the living room and see Harriet wiping AJ's mouth and hands and...hair.  It seems AJ likes to wear his peanut butter almost as much as he likes to eat it.  She looks up at me as I walk out, and greets me with a "Good morning, Ma'am...uh...I mean, Mac."

"Aunt Mac!"

I'm hit by the three and a half year old tornado, and I almost lose my balance, as I'm still a bit unsteady from my meeting with the bedside stand this morning.

"Oh, AJ, sweetie, please be careful not to hurt Aunt Mac, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy.  Sorry, Aunt Mac."

"It's okay, kiddo.  It's good to see you again."

"Uh-huh!  What are we gonna do today?  Can we get ice cream again?" he asks eagerly, as I pick him up for a hug.

"We'll see," Harm answers him.

Harriet suddenly addresses Harm and me, "So, what did you two do last night?  Did you go out to dinner or anything?"

I set AJ back down and he suddenly blurts out, "Ooh, Aunt Mac, that's a really pretty ring!  Was it a present?" 

"Yikes!"  My head snaps up to meet Harriet's instantly curious expression, resisting the urge to look over at Harm with my finely honed Marine death stare for his outburst.  Harriet doesn't appear to have taken note of it, though, as she quickly walks over to get a closer look at the beautiful diamond ring that could not be taken to symbolize anything other than a proposal of marriage.

She stares at the ring for a full one minute and forty-nine seconds, looking at it from every angle.  Luckily, she doesn't ask to see the inside, because there would be little doubt left in her mind as to whom this ring was from.  On the inside is engraved a linked S and H, followed by the word Eternity. 

"Please don't ask to see the inside, yet."  I stare in disbelief at Harm.  He just talked without moving his mouth, and nobody heard him but me.  He's not looking at me, but staring apprehensively at Harriet.  "Oh, Mac, please don't tell yet.  Let it go for a little bit."  He did it again.  I just heard what he was thinking.  That's impossible.  I'm hallucinating...it must have been the blow to the head.  I think I should probably have that checked out.

Harriet finally looks back up at me, silently asking for an explanation.  Maybe we should let it go for a little...make her sweat.

This could be fun.

Instead of addressing the ring, I completely change the subject, "Harriet, shouldn't you be getting back to Bud?  He must be wondering where you are."  I try to make it sound nonchalant, but I don't know how well I did.

"Good job changing the subject, Mac.  Unfortunately, you picked the wrong person to try and divert when it comes to anyone's personal life."  The man's got a point, even if I am just imagining it.  I can't believe I'm actually listening to Harm's voice in my head...that's when you know you need a vacation.

Harriet has a quick response, "Bud said that he would be back in about forty minutes.  He forgot something at home.  He told me that should give us enough time to talk about how our Friday nights went." 

The last part is very pointed.  I sigh and roll my eyes.

"Okay, okay...I'll tell you," I say in mock resignation.  "There's this guy whom I've been seeing pretty steadily for awhile now."  Well, it's not a lie.  I see Harm almost every day.

Harriet interrupts, "Is it anyone I know?"  She looks deliberately over at Harm, then back to me.

"Hmm...come to think of it, I've never introduced you to him."  Another brilliant misleading truth, if I do say so myself.  Harriet's face instantly transforms.  She looks like a child who has just been informed that Christmas would be cancelled this year.

"Damn!  Now I know why she's such a good lawyer."  Yeah, well, he'd better not forget it, either.

"Anyway, we went out to this really nice restaurant for dinner last night, then we went to a cozy Italian place over where he lives, for dessert, and...that's where he proposed to me."  I can't believe how good that was. 

What?  Harm is Italian.

"I'm in love.  Again."  I can't help the slight blush that creeps up my cheeks, and the tiny smile that pulls at the corners of my mouth.  Okay, so I know my subconscious is playing a really mean trick on me, but for now, I'll just pretend he's thinking those things.

Harriet is just standing in front of me, a look of despair evident in her eyes.  "So...do you think that this...guy...is really the one?  You're really in love with him?"

"Harriet, I have one word for you...soulmate." 

"Soulmate...I love that."

She attempts a small smile, but all she's able to pull off is a sort of grimace, like she has a stomachache or something.  "Wow...that is something.  Well, what's his name?"

"Oh...didn't see that one coming."  Yeah, neither did I.  Damn, I'm talking to myself!

I put on a secretive smile and say, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Harriet's shoulders slump, if possible, even lower than before.  She turns to Harm and says weakly, "I'm assuming you already were aware of the Colonel's...good...news?"

"God, this is so mean...but so much fun."  "Of course!  I knew it first thing this morning."  "It was morning...technically."  "Isn't it amazing that both of us got engaged?"

This is getting kind of freaky.  I could swear that it's really Harm's thoughts I'm hearing, but that's impossible.  Although...I did hit my head pretty hard this morning...

I wonder...

Harriet just stares, open-mouthed.  "You...what, sir?  Both of you?  You mean...you're engaged, too?"

"Yeah.  Oh, Harriet, you have no idea how happy I am.  I took her out to CafĂ© Milano, we had a great time, we came back here after awhile, and then I asked her to marry me, and she said yes!  Can you believe it?  She said yes!"  "She said yes!  She said yes!"  Geez, I can almost see him dancing around inside his head...my head...our heads?  Whatever.

"Unbelievable..." Harriet says dreamily.  She's not really focusing on anything anymore.  She sits down in an armchair and glances over at AJ, who is playing with the action figures that he has brought from home. 

There's a knock on the door, and I, being the closest, walk over and open it.  Bud is on the other side, and he grins jovially at me as I invite him inside.  "Hello, Ma'am, Sir," he says, acknowledging Harm and me. 

"Bud, it's Mac and Harm," I tell him.  He just nods his head and walks over to where Harriet is still sitting watching their son play.

"Come on, Honey, we're going to be late," he says to her.  She gets up in a daze and follows him out the door after kissing AJ goodbye and telling him to be good for his godparents.

Harm closes the door and then turns around with the biggest grin on his face.  "Score."

I return his smile with one of my own, then turn my attention to AJ.  "Hey, sweetheart, do you want something to eat?"

"I already had breffist."

Harm speaks up, "Okay, well Mac and I are going to eat breakfast and then we'll decide what we're going to do today, alright?"

"Okay."

"Breffist..."  "Mac, you were brilliant.  There is no way she suspects a thing now.  You certainly know how to twist the truth."

"You weren't so bad yourself, Harm."

"Yeah, but...a 'cozy Italian place'?  Genius!"

"Why, thank you."  I have to agree...that was a good one.

"Oh, and way to completely throw out the question, 'Do I know him?' and give her a totally irrelevant bit about not introducing us.  Priceless.  I wish I'd had a camera when she heard that."  That was my favorite.

"Yeah, no kidding."  Harm starts cracking open eggs while I begin brewing a pot of coffee.

"Oh, uh...Mac, if you look in the fridge on the bottom shelf, you'll find a package of bacon.  Could you get that out for me, please?"

Did he just say bacon?  "Did you just say bacon?"

He looks over his shoulder at me and grins.  "Yes, I said bacon.  Is that a problem?  Because I don't have to make it if you don't want any.  God knows I wouln't touch it."

"No, no... I like bacon.  I just didn't think that I would ever catch you with anything remotely resembling dead animal in your kitchen."

"Unca Harm, I'm hungry."  I jump at the sound of AJ's voice.  I didn't even hear him come up behind me.

"I thought you just ate breakfast," Harm answers.

"I did, but I'm hungry again."

"Alright.  You like scrambled eggs, right?  And bacon?"

"Yeah!  Mm...bacon.  Yummy!"  He jumps up and down to emphasize his love of bacon.

Harm laughs, "Okay, okay... I get it.  You like bacon.  I'll make you some, and it should be done in about ten or fifteen minutes," he pauses and looks up at me, "that is, if Mac would get it out of the refrigerator some time today..."

I roll my eyes at him and move over to the fridge to get the bacon.  AJ retreats from the kitchen, no doubt going back to his toys.  I pull the package from the bottom shelf and walk over to Harm and wave it in front of his face.

"Keep doing it, Marine, and you'll find yourself in trouble."  Ooh, what kind of trouble, I wonder?  I think I'll test the boundaries.  I continue to wave it in his face, and he grabs my wrist...not forcefully, just enough so that I can't wriggle free.  He takes the bacon out of my hand and turns around to face me, one eyebrow raised challengingly.  He then gently pushes me to walk backwards, until I'm trapped between the kitchen counter and him...and I can't think of a single place I'd rather be.  Well, maybe if it was between him and the bed...or maybe I should stop thinking things like that with the young Master Roberts around.

Instead of voicing that last thought, I say, "Uh-oh, Harm...what are you gonna do?"  I try to make it sound as seductive as possible...let him squirm a little.

"Mac, if we didn't have our godson here right now..."  "I don't know...maybe I should teach you a lesson or something.  It's bad manners to wave meat in front of a vegetarian like that.  It's in the rules."

I laugh, "What rules?  Who wrote them and where can I get a copy?"

"They're unspoken rules, Mac," he takes the same tone one would use when explaining something to a child, "it's kind of like values and morals...it's a matter of principle..."

"What's a matter with the principal, Unca Harm?  Did my school call you?  Why are you holding Aunt Mac like that?  Is she in trouble?"  He takes a breath, "Are you gonna send her to the principal?"

Caught again by the prying AJ Roberts.  He definitely takes after his mother in that regard.

"Oh, no, sweetie...Harm wasn't talking about your principal.  He was talking about when you believe in something and you stand up for it...that's principle.  Oh, I don't really know how to explain it."

"It's okay, Aunt Mac...I think I know."  I smile down at him.  He really is a smart kid.

"So, buddy, what d'you need?" Harm asks.

"Oh, uhmm...I was just wondering if I could have some juice.  Pleeeeeeaaaaase?"

"I'll get it, Harm," I say before he can make a move towards the fridge, "you just keep working on those eggs."

He grins wickedly.  "I would, but we still have another year and three months before that's supposed to happen."  Actually, that's not true...we only have until I add a lovely platinum band to go with the lovely platinum engagement ring that already resides on my left ring finger.  Hopefully, that will not take more than a year to happen...although I wouldn't put it past us, considering our track record.

"What are you grinning at, Flyboy?  Did I say something funny?"

AJ laughs out loud at this.  "Aunt Mac, did you just call Unca Harm a fly boy?  He's not a fly, he's a pilot!  You guys are funny."

Harm and I look at our godson in amusement, then Harm steps back and goes to the fridge and grabs another egg, as well as the fruit punch that he bought in anticipation of AJ's visit.  He passes me the juice, then turns back to his previous task of making breakfast.  I grab the kiddie cup that Harriet brought over with AJ and pour juice into it.  Although, if he spills it this time, Harm's hardwood floor is much easier to clean.  My beige rug still has a noticeable pink spot from last weekend.

I hand AJ the cup after making sure the lid is on tight.  "Thank you, Aunt Mac.  When will breffist be ready?"

I smile at him and say, "You'll have to ask Harm, I'm not the one cooking."

"Unca Harm, when will breffist be ready?"

"Uhh...it should be done in about ten minutes if Mac stops distracting me."

"Aunt Mac, stop 'stracting Unca Harm.  I'm hungry."

"Alright, I'll just go into the living room, then, if you don't need my help."  I start to walk out of the kitchen, but Harm cuts me off at the archway.

"I'm...sure you staying won't be a problem," he says with a small smile playing at his lips, flashing just enough of his beautiful pearly whites to make me forget for a moment what I'm doing.

I do manage to remember where I am and who is watching both of us with the immense curiosity.  We both glance down at our audience of one, and he rolls his eyes at us and says, "You guys are so weird," then walks away to the living room.

I look back at Harm, and the both of us just start to laugh.  He again goes back to scrambling the eggs and I just perch myself on top of the counter opposite him, watching him work...or what I can see of it from behind.  I semi-consciously play with the newest addition to my left hand as I stare at his back. 

He turns around once everything's started cooking.  We just stare at each other for a minute, neither saying anything, and nothing to be heard from his mind.  I guess guys really don't think about much.  Finally, though, he says, "So, what do you think we could do today?  I've never taken AJ for an entire weekend."

"Neither have I.  What do you think?"

He just shakes his head and stares down at my bare feet.  My toes are painted the same color as my fingernails...a nice wine color that matches the dress that I wore last night perfectly.  Harm's eyes travel back up to my face...albeit slowly, as they take a pit stop at my hips, then another at my...well, right below my face, anyway.  I've gotten over those looks...he's a guy.  'Nuff said.

I jump down off the counter as he reaches around me to wash his hands.  I lean back with my elbows supporting me, and I know that my shirt is creeping up and exposing my stomach, but I don't really care.  In fact, I almost hope Harm notices. 

He finishes washing his hands and looks for a hand towel.  I grab it off the counter behind me and hand it to him, and only when I resume my prior position of propped elbows does he notice.

It's kind of cute, actually.  He turns his head, like an innocent little puppy, and glances at my exposed skin, then looks up at me, one eyebrow raised, looking anything but innocent.  He kneels down in front of me and lifts my shirt up a little more and pretends to scrutinize.

"Wonder how long it'll take her to say something."  Well, I think I'll just make him wait for it.  "Okay, maybe she's just waiting for me to say something."  Very good, Harm.  "Alright, she had her chance..."

"So, Mac...when it comes time...do you honestly think you can get a baby to fit in there?  I mean...there's not much room.  It's a wonder how you can fit all that food you eat," he pauses and looks up at me, my mouth gaping in astonishment.  That is something I was not prepared to hear come out of his mouth.  I kind of like it, though.  He continues, "and then on top of that, you think you're gonna fit a baby in there?"

"Aunt Mac, you're having a baby?" 

"Oh, God." 

"Does that mean I'm gonna have a cousin?" 

Please stop. 

"Is it a boy or a girl?" 

"She's gonna kill me." 

"Are you gonna get married?"

 Well, funny story... 

"You have to marry someone, 'cause you want your baby to have a mommy and a daddy." 

"Is there an off switch?"

"Unca Harm, I think the breffist is burning." 

"What?"  Huh?

Oh, look at that, it is.  Harm jumps up and scrambles to turn off the stove, then grabs the pans from the burners and dumps them into the sink.  He opens the window right above the sink so that the smoke can clear out. 

AJ just stands there watching, not really showing any sign that he's worried.  In fact, he almost seems as though he's quite familiar with this kind of situation.  His next words confirm it, "Don't feel bad, Unca Harm...Daddy burns stuff all the time.  It's not your fault.  It was an accident."

"Oh, well, thank you, Mr. Roberts.  That makes me feel better," he replies good humoredly.

Harm looks up at me, then we both look down at AJ.  He looks between the both of us and I look back at Harm.

"Guess we're going out to eat."

My thoughts exactly.