AN: Two chapters in one go...can life get any better?

Disclaimer: Jeez, just look at the other chapters for some humor. I don't own them.

Storytime again...

Tuesday…

The next day was spend in a very relaxing way. Even if she was only helping Harriet out with various chores around the house, it was almost peaceful, allowing her heart to take a rest. Her friend seemed to know exactly what she needed.

She either remained quiet except for a gentle humming along with the radio or just talked about safe subjects like her children, never giving Mac the idea she had to talk about Harm, or whatever happened or never happened between them.

But somehow, during those simple tasks, Mac felt increasingly more at ease with herself. Before she knew it, in between folding laundry, she started talking anyway. About everything. Her alcoholism, her husband, her engagement to Mic, but mostly Harm. Even the things she left out at counseling now found a way to the trusted ears of her best female friend.

It felt cathartic to get it all off her chest, even if it meant damaging her gung-ho Semper-fi kick-ass Marine attitude. She never needed that around Harriet anyway. She could be all woman around her. A love-sick one at that.

Not once was she interrupted, not once did she feel judged or pressured. Only tired, but even that was okay. Mac liked this kind of tiredness, for it seemed to be the healthy kind. The kind that allowed you to fall asleep with a sense of peace, a sense that everything would be okay.

When Bud came home from a day at the office he looked slightly harassed. Maybe because he was, as a matter of fact, being harassed. By a worried and hyper sensitive Naval Commander. Who wouldn't take 'no' or 'I-don't-know' for answers to questions like 'do you know where the Colonel is?' or 'Has she told you anything?'.

Mac honestly started to feel a bit guilty for putting Bud on the spot. She knew how close he and Harm were as friends and the idea that she'd made him choose between herself and Harm didn't make her feel good at all.

When asked though, Bud quickly shook his head.

"I promised you you'd be safe here and I wouldn't tell him."

Satisfied with that answer, Mac turned to help Harriet with dinner preparations, but she was stopped by Bud's afterthought.

"Don't let him linger much longer, Mac. He seems to be even more upset than you are. And he's our friend too."

"I know he is Bud. And I'll talk to him soon. I know I have to."

If only she could find enough courage…

She didn't find it that evening and even though her confessions to Harriet had eased her mind a little, she still couldn't summon up the right thing to say to Harm when she saw him again, nor the energy it might take to say them.

Wednesday…

Whereas Mac had at least gotten some rest, another commanding officer certainly hadn't, by the look of things. His face was clean-shaven as ever, his uniform spotless and crisp, his shoes polished. In short, he appeared every inch the Commander.

Upon closer inspection though (and you didn't even have to come that close), with his usual suave step now dragging and his broad shoulders slumped, he oozed out defeat instead of confidence. The swollen dark circles around his red bleary eyes made him resemble a raccoon rather than a man. Still, he somehow managed to greet them in perfect manner before getting into his office

Not that his work seemed to suffer. In court, he was firing arguments at his opponent at top speed, rattling out word after word like a semi-automatic gun. Which was how he felt. He could function perfectly well in the courtroom, where his skills were called upon and he could feel useful. He knew he was exhausting himself, but he didn't have much choice. Either he worked till he dropped dead or all other thoughts would take over.

Thoughts of a Marine on extended personal leave. A Marine who, for the first time in their partnership, had not left a note to inform him of her whereabouts. A beautiful female Marine who didn't trust him enough any more to come to him. To talk to him. He was ready for that talk, finally ready and now… where was she?

Bud knew, he was sure of it. Why else would the younger officer go to this length to avoid him? Because Bud was his friend as much as he was hers and he would never betray either one of them. Still, if he knew something…at this desperate point, Harm had no moral objections against a little further probing for the better cause. Bud would just have to forgive him. He would drive to their home tonight. He would find out, no matter what the costs.

That same morning, after a night of tossing and turning and fitful sleeping, Mac decided to give Harriet a quiet day to herself by taking the children to the zoo. The easy companion from the two boys lulled her back into a safe world for just the moment.

So maybe it was because she was intently listening to little AJ babbling about the lions, the penguins, the monkeys, clutching the stuffed elephant Mac bought for him, that she didn't notice the car parked haphazardly in front of the Roberts's door when they came back. AJ noticed though. Immediately recognizing the car, he pulled his hand free from his godmother's and yelled:

"Uncle Harm's here!"

Upon hearing his godson's cry, Harm came out and scooped the giggling boy in his strong arms, tickling him.

"Hey big guy, how've you been?"

"Great, we went to the zoo today. Look what auntie Mac got me." Proudly he showed Harm the elephant.

"Wow, that's nice."

"Auntie Mac is sweet."

"Yeah…I know she is."

Looking at her directly over the top of AJ's head, she suddenly felt jealous of the little boy. What she would give if only she could be the one in his arms. Even though he called her sweet, that didn't have to mean anything.

Damn him for showing up like that! She wasn't prepared, wasn't ready to talk yet. But with AJ still wriggling in his hold, Harm had no choice but to follow her and Jimmy back in.

She was met with a positively petrified looking Bud.

"I'm sorry Mac, but I didn't tell him anything. He just…"

"It's okay Bud. I know it wasn't a brilliant idea coming here to hide."

"So you have been hiding."

Damn him again. She'd forgotten he was right behind her, listening in. His voice sounded so small though, like he was scared, or hurt. Maybe he was, though.

Harriet came to the rescue once more. With one look, she directed Bud upstairs. Then, taking the kids to the bathroom to get them cleaned up before dinner, she left the two of them alone in the living room to talk. The talk she definitely wasn't ready to have yet. The talk they had to have if anything was ever going to change between them.

Ooooh...cliffhanger...don't fall off in the meantime. The more you review, the sooner I'll update.