Six Weeks Later

It wasn't the alarm clock or her personal internal buzzer that woke Mac from the most blissful sleep she had in months. It was the enticing smell of bacon, the heavenly scent of hash browns, and the aromatic, freshly squeezed orange juice. It was also the promise of another new day. Another day she hoped would be just like the day before, and many more to come.

"Happy Thanksgiving," Harm grinned widely, joyously interrupting her reverie as he entered her field of vision, pushing a serving cart.

"Our first together," Mac replied, smiling contently.

"I arranged for breakfast in bed. What will it be -- coffee or hot cocoa?"

"I'd rather have Harmon Rabb."

"Mac, we have to eat sometime."

"Oh alright," she frowned with fake annoyance.

Harm pointed to the smorgasbord. "Well?"

Mac closed her eyes and savored the smells. The sweet, rich smell of smooth, milk chocolate competed with the freshly brewed coffee; the latter's aroma exuding a honey fragrance with the slightest hint of almonds. She wouldn't have thought anything could surpass yesterday's Nutcracker variety, a blend of vanilla, hazelnut, and maple syrup. But today's options did just that. Making a choice proved too difficult, so she finally answered, "I'll have whatever you're having."

"Coffee," Harm replied, bringing the cart nearer to their canopied bed before pouring them each a cup.

Taking a generous sip, Mac groaned in delight before turning to her husband. "How early did you get up to pull this off?"

"Just long enough to get a fire started. I placed the food order with the hotel staff when we got back from sightseeing yesterday."

Mac didn't think it possible for a single nose to register so many scents at once. The woody, pine smell from the fire wafted behind the buttery smell of chestnuts already roasting in its coals. Both scents complemented the heady blend of spice and musk that tantalized her nostrils as Harm moved in closer.

The swirling smells were enough to drive her mad and ignite her desire. But if she was going to have enough stamina to get through the day, taking care of the more pragmatic need of eating was probably important. Still, it took everything she had to quell the impulse to take him here and now. A glance in Harm's direction told her he was struggling with the same dilemma.

Reading each others thoughts, they laughed together. It was enough to break the immediate spell and let them both enjoy the feast in relative leisure.

"Tell me Harm, in your wildest dreams, did you ever think we'd be spending Thanksgiving, or any holiday for that matter, in Paris as husband and wife."

Harm blushed. "My dreams are pretty wild, Mac. I take it you had fun yesterday?"

Mac giggled. "I think we personally set Parisian-American relations back another notch," she answered, letting her mind drift to the day before.

flashback

"One piece each, Mac. And not before I say 'go'," Harm warned.

"What's the matter, Flyboy? Afraid I'm going to win?"

"No, I'm afraid you're going to cheat."

"Oooh, that was mean."

"I call it like I see it," Harm grinned, wrestling the concealed, extra piece of bubblegum from Mac's hand. "One piece," he reiterated for affect.

The two American tourists stood on the uppermost platform of the Eiffel Tower. It was one hour before sunset; the best time to appreciate the superb, panoramic view the tall structure afforded. But somewhere between entering the Tower and stepping onto the highest level, the competitive challenge had been made. Now each of them set their sights on being the first to blow a bubble at least six inches in diameter.

"I'll still win," Mac stated confidently.

"We'll see. Okay … Ready … Set … Go!"

Their two mouths chomped frantically up and down, working the pink, rectangular pads of gum into the right consistency. Their eyes squinted in determination as their tongues poked forth simultaneously, stretching the wad into the thin layer needed for maximum size. Expelling breath from their lungs, each bubble grew bigger as their faces drew closer to gauge the size of the others result. Consequently the sticky orbs eventually touched and unexpectedly exploded on contact.

"I win!" each shouted, oblivious to the clingy shrapnel covering their faces.

"You did not!"

They chuckled embarrassedly after their on-going bantering drove the other tourists from the area. Taking advantage of the solitude, they enjoyed cleaning up the contest's aftermath with a series of kisses. Eventually they stood side by side, their arms encircling the others waist as they finally took in the view.

Harm's gaze had a far away look to it when he brought the small, waxy, Bazooka Joe cartoon to his nose. It still held the bubble gum's fragrant scent. Mac followed suit and inhaled the sugary sweetness.

"I always loved this smell," Harm said quietly.

"Even after everything that happened?" Mac asked cautiously, drawing upon the knowledge Connie McCoy had recently imparted.

Their friend had explained that, of all the senses, smell was best at bringing back memories. It was the same for everyone. Certain scents leave a footprint in our minds because of how they made us feel when we came across them. It was because of smells that Harm was able to eventually rebuild the missing links to his Staszow and Leeds ordeals. It just took him longer because of McPherson's meddling.

The woman's smoking habit and spearmint Tic Tacs, Gregor's gum, Spencer's chemical-laden fingers, the ammonia capsules, and blood -- all were keys to the mystery. But it was finally the smell of decaying flesh that unlocked them all for good.

Harm withdrew the paper from his nose. He pulled Mac closer. Gazing down upon her upturned face, he answered, "Yeah, even after everything."

Mac returned his hug. She had known it weeks ago, but today had reinforced the belief. Her flyboy was okay. Withdrawing her own cartoon, she read the fortune at the bottom of the comic.

"What does it say?" Harm asked, seeing her smile.

"You read yours first."

Harm focused in on the tiny print. "It says – It's time to make an important change." He paused for dramatic affect and then finished. "Start with your socks."

After they both laughed, Harm said, "It's your turn."

Mac cleared her throat and with a twinkling in her eyes read, "Today is tomorrow's yesterday. Make it count."

Harm smirked. "I like the sound of that."

"Well, the day isn't over, and we have a hotel room waiting. What do you say?" Mac needlessly asked.

"I say let's go."

And that's what they did. They returned to the hotel where Mac found Harm had already arranged for all the makings of a new round of memories to be saved and cherished. A dozen fragrant, red roses were waiting for her. The bathroom too was filled with the equally romantic smell of lavender blossoms. And there were scented candles everywhere she looked.

But the surprises didn't end there. Harm placed the delicately wrapped box in her hands. After she opened the present and withdrew the bottle of Chanel perfume, Mac did the impossible. She loved Harmon Rabb Junior more than ever before; and continued doing so into the wee hours of the morning.

end flashback

"Mac … Mac, you still with me?" Harm asked worriedly.

"Oh, sorry Harm. My mind was elsewhere."

"Someplace good?"

"Oh yeah," she answered, taking pleasure in watching him sink his teeth into the cinnamon roll he had selected. The rich, spicy aroma warmed her insides.

"You know, Harm," she continued, "It's reputed that cinnamon is an aphrodisiac."

"You mean more so than your fingers plying my chest?" Harm grinned, setting his breakfast aside to pull her on top of him.

Mac giggled. "Do you remember where we left off last night?"

"Umm, let's see … M.A.C. -- Mechanical Artificial Construct," he answered.

"Harm!"

"Oops sorry; wrong setting. I think I shared that one with Bud once," he chuckled. "How about M.A.C. – Marvelous Adorable Cutie?"

"It's okay. But you can do better."

"You think?" Harm asked, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Yep."

"Let's try S.A.R.A.H – Seductress Administering Rapturous Arousing Hugs."

"Now you're talking."

"What have you got for me?" Harm asked drinking in her scent.

"H.A.R.M. – Handsome Adonis Rendering Massage."

"That'll do for a start. But you can do better."

"Well there's H.A.R.M.O.N. – Handsome Amorous Romeo Made for Orgasms and Necking."

"Now we're getting somewhere."

There would be no sightseeing beyond the hotel room this Thanksgiving day.

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The End

Author's Note:

I borrowed the Cyborg and Sexy Name decoders from 'http/cyborg. and 'http/sexy. I also borrowed the Bazooka fortunes and some dialog from JAG episodes.