Title : The Old Fashioned Way
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Summary : Sometimes the 'old fashioned way' is the best way to go!
Spoilers : None, pure fluff, but imagine it to be shortly after the time of the Admiral's Dining Out, where Mac told Harm the truth about her condition. Sturgis is acting JAG – don't know why I want it to be him in charge, but I'm sure all will become clear in time!
Rating : Racy!
Thanks to : Peggy – VeraBell – BrittanyLS – aserene – bluejay65 – TV Angel 711 – pryrmtns – T. Roesch – McRose – BrookeUT – shron – Odakota – KJFlygirl87 – jtbwriter – kchs123 – Jeanaz8 – daisymh – froggy0319 – ams – charming-kayleigh – starryeyes10 – CAZ-TX – Lynnp – Niout-FrenchFanficAddict – judy52sa – SmileyMare1810 – michelle UK – Lori – Staz – Lu78 – ColieMacKenzie – AllAboutMe123 – cbw – katydid13 – Cheryl – the blur – rockrgirl777 – Cathy F. – Radiorox – SEAL2 – SamBrace – sandrajagfan – Syrae – JulieM – Nikki – zats – Acer
To old friends and new, for all your good wishes and wonderful reviews.
(I missed a name earlier - so if I do it again, be sure I'll catch up and add it asap!)
Dance in the old fashioned way
Won't you stay in my arms
Just melt against my skin
And let me feel your heart
Don't let the music win
By dancing far apart
Come close where you belong
Let's hear our secret song
JAG HEADQUARTERS – FALLS CHURCH – VIRGINIA
Three days later…
Harm walked into the bullpen just as Sturgis came out of the JAG's office. Both men acknowledged each other but as Harm turned toward Mac's office, Sturgis called out to him.
"I've just heard from Mike Roberts. I need you to go out to the Patrick Henry."
"What's the problem?" Harm's first thought was that something had happened to Bud, and his second was the image of Mac telling him that morning that they had an appointment to see her gynecologist regarding the start of IVF treatment. "Is Bud okay?"
"He's fine. It's Harriet. She was admitted to hospital last night. Her doctor wants to keep her in and under the circumstances it's my decision to bring Bud back. He's aware of the situation. Harriet's under observation for twenty four hours."
"What happened?" Harm showed genuine concern. Harriet and Bud were as close to him as family, and there was nothing he would not do for them.
"As far as I know it's severe stomach cramps, but as she's not long given birth to the twins it was thought precautionary to take her in. Mike is over on liberty, and he rang the paramedics last night. He's due back at Annapolis today, but I've secured leave for him to stay at the house until Bud gets back onshore. He's on his way back to Norfolk now; you will go back on the helo."
Harm nodded at Sturgis and turned once again to head for Mac's office. He stopped as Sturgis spoke.
"Sorry if I've nixed any plans for you and Mac. It's the only solution for Bud and Harriet."
"I know. I'll tell Mac; I'm sure she'll want to call and see Harriet."
"Sounds good. I'll get Jen to give Mac the hospital details."
"Thanks. I'll let Mac know." Harm walked away then and Sturgis watched him enter Mac's office before heading back to talk to Jennifer.
Mac's Office
Mac looked up as Harm knocked on the glass pane and entered her office.
"Hey," she welcomed, grinning, still cloaked in the euphoria that had been with her since earlier that morning, when they had showered together. None of her previous relationships had included inventive locations for making love; in fact, if she were honest, most of them had baulked when she'd suggested being a little more adventurous, and they had resorted to the usual – bed, and the standard format. Mac felt the blush rise as she pictured herself and Harm. For all the years she had known the layout of his apartment, she had been given a whole new appreciation for the furniture it housed.
"I wish I could act on whatever's going through your mind right now, Sarah, but I don't think Sturgis would approve of two of the senior litigators 'getting it on' in the office. Besides, right now I don't have the time – unfortunately." Mac's face fell at the look in Harm's eyes, and the euphoric cloak dropped away. "Harriet's in hospital, and Sturgis has called Bud home. I have to take the helo back." Harm explained quickly, hoping to ease the disappointment. Mac stood up and came around her desk, stopping just in front of Harm, but not touching.
"Is Harriet okay? What happened?"
"Mike was staying over. Harriet had stomach cramps, bad ones apparently, and he rang the paramedics. As she's not long given birth to the twins, her doctor thought it would be safer to keep her in for observation."
"Do you know which hospital? I'll go visit." Harm smiled at Mac's immediate response, and she looked at him with a quizzical expression.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just told Sturgis that you'd want to go visit. He's asking Jen to give you the details as we speak," Harm murmured. Mac nodded her head, and then sighed.
"So, you're on your way to Norfolk now?" At Harm's brief nod Mac lifted her hand, checking over his shoulder for anyone in the vicinity of her office. Seeing no-one, she ran a finger down the front of his uniform jacket. "I'll go along for our appointment, get all the details, and then call and see Harriet."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Of course not, Harm," Mac answered softly, and then gave him a look from under her thick lashes. Harm groaned. He knew that look, even in the short time they had been lovers. "You didn't plan this trip, did you?" Harm shook his head, his voice lost for a moment. "So, there's no problem. You can make up for lost time when you get back."
"Yes, ma'am," Harm answered, only a slight huskiness in his voice betraying his heightened emotions. Mac grinned, knowing full well the effect she was having on him, and Harm pointed a finger at her, laughter in his voice. "No fair, Mackenzie. We're supposed to be behaving ourselves in the office."
"I had my fingers crossed," she said playfully, referring to their pact to behave at work and in public, at least until they were officially 'together'.
"I didn't," Harm answered, and Mac knew the importance of that statement as she nodded.
"I know," Mac murmured, adding "and that's what I'm counting on to keep me sane for the time being," Mac added, giving Harm an apologetic look.
"Is there anyone nearby?" Harm asked, and as Mac shook her head he lifted his finger first to his lips and then to hers. "I don't know how long I'm going to be on the Henry, but I'll email you when I get there."
"I'll be waiting," Mac answered, and then a movement caught her eye. "Petty Officer incoming."
Harm stepped away slightly, and turned as Jennifer appeared in the doorway.
"Ma'am, I have the information from Commander Turner."
"Thanks," murmured Mac, taking the slip of paper from Jennifer. Harm watched the exchange and then addressed Mac, his voice as near normal as possible.
"Tell Harriet 'hi', and I'll let Bud know you're going to visit."
"Thanks…Harm. See you when you get back. Good luck."
Jennifer watched the two senior officers as they spoke, and she was perplexed. While their voices reeked of stilted formality, their bodies revealed something else entirely.
Harm walked toward the glass doors as Jennifer made her way back to her own office. The psychology class she was taking right now involved the study of body language, and boy did she have the perfect specimens to observe!
MAC'S APARTMENT – GEORGETOWN
After eating a TV dinner, Mac had got undressed and settled on her bed to IM Harm on board the Patrick Henry. He had sent her a message earlier that he had arrived on board safely. It hadn't taken him long to pick up on Bud's investigation so far, and there was very little he could do then until the next day. He had met up with those on board whom he knew as friends, and had fielded questions from others who viewed him as a living legend. Once he had eaten, he excused himself as soon as possible, feigning tiredness – 'old bones', he had said, to a round of laughter.
Hey, Sailor…how's things?
Mac typed the words on the keyboard as she sat on the bed in her apartment.
I miss you…
I miss you too, Harm. I didn't realize quite how much until I got home and you weren't with me. We've spent all our free time together the last few days, and now I'm lost…it's like you've always been there, and now you're gone.
I know. I feel the same. I keep thinking you're going to come knocking on the hatch, you know?
The words blurred on the screen and Mac realized there were tears in her eyes. For no reason other than she was missing Harm, she surmised, but nonetheless they were there in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks, and in danger of wetting the keys of her laptop. Sniffling loudly she set the laptop aside and reached for a tissue from the box on her bedside. With a watery laugh she picked up the computer and settled her fingers on the keys. Harm had written again.
Sarah?
I'm here. Had to grab a tissue.
Are you okay? What did the doctor say to you? About the IVF.
I'm fine, really. The doctor wants us to go see him together, when you get back, but he doesn't see any reason why we can't get on a program.
Is there a problem?
No. It's just his way. He likes to meet both parties in an IVF case. It can be a long process, and he needs to know the commitment from both of us.
Mac watched as Harm typed words on the screen, and she smiled, and typed back.
Harm, I know how committed you are to me, and to having a baby; it's just…it can take time, and be disappointing even after all the treatment…
I wish I could be there to hold you right now…
Harm…
I know…
Mac swiped at her face with the tissue again and then laughed, typing a few more words, telling Harm she could imagine the look on his face right then , and felt heat rise at his response.
I can imagine you sat up in bed, typing this to me, wearing nothing but a smile…am I right?
Not quite nothing, Sailor…remember Russia, the first time round?
That nightgown? You still have it?
I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. It reminded me of…too much; of our good times in all the bad we've shared…
Do me a favor, Sarah…
Yes?
Wear it for me again…
To be continued
AN :
- Picture the scene on the ferry in Australia; or the one in Afghanistan where Harm is standing on a mine. Yeah – now, which one do you think fits this moment? I think the scene on the ferry. (I tried to put an asterisk at this point, to indicate the 'look', but it isn't working! Is anyone else experiencing problems with uploading and changing documents? I've tried to report to the Admins, but can't get 'authority' to post a query. It could be my meager system timing out.)