Assignment for Webb
By Bernadeen

Chapter 12

Next morning (Thursday)
Embassy Suites Hotel
Houston

They had both slept well. Apparently with the resolution of several remaining parts of Harm's special assignment, Harm and Mac allowed themselves to relax and rest through the night. Their flight was late morning and they didn't arrive back in Washington until 1625. When Mac reported their flight schedule to the Admiral, he told her that they should both go home and report in the next morning. He told Mac that he was working on how to bring Harm back into the Navy in a way that made it clear that the charges had been untrue.

They didn't talk much during the flight, but when they did, it was to joke and tease. Both felt like they were back at the beginning of their partnership. But now the sexual tension had a deadline. Neither was sure what would happen when Harm's two-week time ended, but the idea of what could happen added potency and double meanings to many of their jokes.

Next morning
JAG HQ
Falls Church, Va

The Admiral had made an announcement to the staff the previous afternoon. They were told that Harm's recent brush with the law had been staged for a special assignment and that he would soon be reinstated in the Navy. Bud at first felt great relief, then anger began gnawing at him. Harm had let Bud think the charges were real. Bud knew the ruse had been necessary to protect Harm's safety if it was some kind of undercover assignment. Still Bud couldn't help feeling that he had been used.

The feeling nagged at him the prior evening, until Harriet asked him what was wrong. When Bud reluctantly confided his feelings, Harriet wisely advised him, "Bud, you carried your role out just as Harm knew you would. I'm sure it was an important part of his cover story. He'll be back safely and he didn't do anything wrong. Let's be happy about that."

"You're right, sweetie. I don't know what's wrong with me." Bud pulled her to him for a quick kiss that turned sweet and lingering. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he told her in a soft voice.

Now Bud and Harriett were in early and awaiting the arrival of Harm and Mac. They assumed that since the colonel had also been out of the office, she was involved in some way in Harm's assignment.

A few minutes before 0800, Mac arrived with Harm just minutes behind her. Since Harm was still officially not in the Navy, he wore a dark suit, looking a bit pale, but was clearly glad to be back in the office. They were told that the Admiral was waiting for them and they disappeared into his office.

Mac came to attention while Harm stood slightly less stiffly beside her. Chegwidden looked carefully at Harm. There were a few lines of fatigue around his eyes and he looked a little pale, but the Admiral decided that he generally looked fit for duty. "Welcome back, Colonel, Mr. Rabb."

"Thank you, sir," was the duet response.

The Admiral looked at Harm. "I understand from the Colonel's report that you're in the clear with the authorities in Houston and that you identified one of the key members of the drug cartel. Will you need to return to Houston for his trial?"

"Very likely, sir, but that could be several months away."

The Admiral picked up a paper from a file on his desk. "I told you when you took this assignment that getting you back in the Navy without broadcasting the fact that your discharge was all a phony cover story and calling retaliation on you from the drug lords might be tricky. The Navy needs to understand that your name is clear, but the civilian world won't be as aware of that for now. I have arranged for you to be assigned directly to the Secretary of Defense's office at the Pentagon for three months. I can't think of a stronger statement of the Navy's confidence in you than a high level post in the Pentagon. Just to work in the building requires a higher security clearance than most other military locations in the world."

Chegwidden handed Harm the paper he had been holding. "I've signed the paperwork for your reinstatement. Take this copy and get yourself checked out at Bethesda. As soon as you're cleared for duty, report to your new duty assignment."

Harm understood the significance of the temporary assignment. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"And Harm, I'm glad you're back safe. Dismissed. Colonel, I have a couple of cases for you."

Harm and Mac exchanged a quick look as Harm turned to leave the office. The look said that they'd talk later about this latest development. Harm was clearly pleased and Mac tried to look just as pleased, though she would miss having him around the office for the next three months.

-o-o-o-o-o-

The doctors at Bethesda carefully examined the healing knife wound in Harm's side. Their prodding was painful and Harm left the hospital with his side once again throbbing. He was told that even though the knife hadn't hit any vital organs, it had cut through quite a lot of muscle and the infection appeared to have been severe enough that it slowed down the healing. He was allowed restricted duty for a few days beginning Monday – half days only – and told to return on Wednesday to have the stitches removed and to be checked again.

Now Harm was back in his apartment for the first time in just over a week, feeling more like months had passed instead of just a few days. He checked his uniform for Monday, looked through his accumulated mail, and dropped down on the sofa to rest for few minutes. He lay his head back but while his body relaxed, his mind refused to slow down. He found himself thinking about the times he had been able to hold Mac while pretending to be her boyfriend. He had liked that feeling – a lot. His imagination played out scenes that would be normal if they were dating. He could take her dancing – and hold her close, breathe in her faint, clean scent as he buried his face in her hair. He could kiss her hello or good night. Perhaps if things went well, they would sleep in each other's arms and awake together. He couldn't think of anything more appealing than to be a couple with Mac.

And now they had another deal .. one with a much closer deadline than the baby deal. Less than two weeks. A plan was forming in Harm's mind. A plan to show Mac that he cared, that he wanted to be more than her professional partner. And though he was only temporarily out of the same chain of command, if their circumstances changed in the next three months, perhaps the change could become permanent.

As Harm sat lost in these enjoyable thoughts, he realized that he was hungry and that his fridge was empty because he had been away. Slipping on his jacket, he left his apartment in search of lunch.

-o-o-o-o-o-

As Mac left the office at the end of the day, she pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed dial. Harm answered in two rings.

"Hey, sailor. What did the doctors have to say?"

"Cleared for limited duty on Monday. I have to go back on Wednesday to have the stitches out. They said I'm having the discomfort because it cut a lot of muscle even though it hit nothing vital."

"Good. You up for some company? I thought I'd bring over supper."

"I won't turn down an offer like that." Harm smiled.

They spent a pleasant evening together. Mac told Harm about her latest cases. Harm speculated on what he would be doing in the Secretary of Defense's office. Before it was very late, Mac rose to leave.

Harm followed her to the door, and held her jacket while she slipped it on. Just as she reached for the door handle, Harm slipped his arm around her, turning her toward him. "Thanks for everything this past week, Mac." He said softly. And before he could lose his nerve, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He intended it to be a quick kiss, but when he felt Mac respond, he couldn't resist extending it and deepening it, just a little. Before he overstepped himself, he pulled back.

Mac looked up and saw the warmth in Harm's eyes. She brought her hand up and ran just one finger down his cheek, so lightly he could barely feel it. "You're welcome, Harm." As she stepped back, she added, "You rest this weekend, but if you'd like some company, call me."

He hadn't quite released her yet. With a grin, he dropped a quick kiss on her nose. "Thanks. I'll do that. Good night."

Harm closed the door behind her and then walked to his window, looking down to watch Mac get in her car and drive away. Just before she pulled out of the parking lot, he knew she was looking up toward him. He couldn't quite make her out inside the car, but he sketched a quick wave, knowing she was watching.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Harm and Mac spent part of Saturday and Sunday together. Mac made sure that Harm had food and his meds, that his uniforms were ready for Monday and helped with his laundry, but left him on his own much of the time so he could get plenty of rest. She wanted him to recover quickly and be in top form in two weeks. She grinned at the idea, still expecting Harm would back out at the last minute.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Without much apparent planning on either of their parts, their days fell into a routine. At the end of the day, Mac would call Harm and offer to bring over supper. Harm accepted for the first few days, but after his stitches had been removed and he was cleared for full duty, he insisted on being the one to bring supper to her sometimes.

In fact, both had been doing some planning. Without knowing the intent of the other, each vowed to spend as much time together as the other would allow. Each wanted to show the other that being a couple could be a good thing.

Since Harm no longer saw Mac at the office, he wanted to do something to keep him on her mind during the day. Little did he know that she had more of a problem keeping him out of her mind, so when a colorful, sweet scented bouquet of flowers was delivered to her at the office, it did nothing to help her concentration. The card simply said, "Thinking of you," and wasn't signed. He had purposely remained anonymous so that Mac could be secretive with her co-workers if she wished.

Shortly after the time that Harm estimated that the flowers would be delivered, his cell phone rang. The caller I.D. showed it was Mac. Still he answered it as usual, "Rabb."

"What's the occasion, flyboy?"

"No occasion. Just what the card says. I was thinking about you."

"Well, thank you. They're lovely and you're sweet. See you tonight."

And, in spite of Harriett's rather pointed comments and obvious invitations to share the information, Mac found she wanted to keep the identity of her admirer to herself for awhile, and spent the day with a secret smile on her lips that made her co-workers wonder even more.

TBC