AN: She's Baaaaaack! She's haaaappy! She's hit the big THREE-ZERO this week! I want you to share in this birthday cheer, with TWO new chapters of this story AND with a new one-parter, all on the same day. Now how do you like that?
Disclaimer: I got DJE for my birthday...oh, wait, that was my dream birthday...oh well...
On with it...
CHAPTER EIGHT
Finishing his last piece of cardboard sandwich, gulping it down with some water, he leaned back against the tree trunk.
"Come here."
Tenderly he folded her in his arms, with her back leaning comfortably against his chest, like the night before…
"Ouch!"
The gold wings were poking at her again.
He relented with a small chuckle, letting go of her to discard the upper part of his uniform, though careful not to crease the delicate fabric even more. It had barely survived the reckless tossing on the bedroom floor and while Mac had taken a shower, he'd even taken out the ironing board. So he liked his shirts neat and crisp. Sue him. He wouldn't ever tell her though, he would never hear the end of it.
He shed the undershirt too, might as well give her all she wanted (or so he hoped). And get a little tan in the process.
His chuckle turned into a warm laugh as he caught her unabashedly ogling him.
"You enjoying the view, Ninja Girl?"
"You have no idea."
"Anything to get me stripping, huh?"
"Well, I've had my share of that, now it's your turn."
She snuggled back against his bare broad chest, enjoying being held by him. And the fact he seemed to have forgotten, again, about the 'subject'.
"Now, spill."
Or not.
"Thought you'd get away with it?"
She had, obviously, but she didn't dignify him with an answer. Instead, she relented, knowing Harm was like a pit bull when it came to interrogating. So she said the first thing that came to mind.
"What if I can't do it…"
He nuzzled her neck, which made her shiver.
"I'm not sure they've invented Viagra for women yet…"
"Get your head out of the gutter, Squid. That's not what I meant."
She poked him in the ribs until he managed to get serious again. But at last he was, serious and focused, intensely focused.
"What do you mean, Sarah…please tell me, please trust me."
"What if I can't be a Marine again? I mean…what if I get reinstated and just…blow it all to pieces? What if I let you down, after all you've done for me?"
She shivered again, this time from the panic she'd managed to talk herself into.
Harm ran his hands along her bare arms in an attempt to both comfort and warm her, allowing himself some time to compose his answer. To collaborate with her fear might kill her, break her teetering spirit. To deny her fear would probably accomplish the same thing. He had to be diplomatic, walk on eggshells.
"You know what Derek told me?"
She half turned to him, an incredulous look on her face.
"You talked to the bouncer?"
"Of course I did. I had to convince him to let me into you dressing room."
"Of course. But…what did he tell you?"
"He told me how you handled yourself when guys tried to pick you up after work."
"So? What does that prove?"
"It proves that you can still take care of yourself. That you still stand strong. Mac, whether you believe me or not, you ARE a Marine, every inch a Marine. There's no way you could ever let me down."
He remembered something else.
"When we were in your dressing room, you knew how to get me out of my stupor. You were still in your robe, barefoot, but your tone of voice almost made me believe we were in combat somewhere. Remember: you even outrank me."
"I did, didn't I?"
She smiled at the memory. Maybe he was right. Maybe she could do it…
"You certainly did. I mean it, Sarah…you could never ever let me down."
She turned fully around now, kissing him with every power and every inch of love she felt coursing through her.
They parted, both gasping, after a few minutes.
"Now, no more talking in circles, Marine. Stop upsetting yourself. There's no need. Got that?"
She snapped off a mock salute, but her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. She just loved him so much for standing by her.
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Good. Wanna give me a hand cleaning up? We'd better get back on the road. We'll be home before dinner."
"Oh good, dinner!"
"Mac…we just had lunch!"
"And your point is…"
"Never mind."
She playfully stuck her tongue out at him, astonishing him. How did she manage to go from the depths of hell to the brightest sunshine in a mere matter of seconds? He shrugged, laughing with her. Whatever the reason, he was glad he'd gotten her out of her dark mood.
The drive up his mother's and stepfather's La Jolla house didn't take them long after that, and even though he was tired after a day at the wheel, he was still very glad to see both of them again. He didn't even have to honk his horn. Frank was already at the porch.
"Harm."
"Frank, good to see you."
Harm shook the other man's hand. He was glad he and Frank were starting to get a bit closer together. The wound that was left after learning about his dad's fate hadn't totally faded, but at least now he was mature enough to value his stepfather for the kind and gentle man he was. A good man for his mom too; their marriage a happy one.
"Same here."
He passed Harm to help a dark haired woman who was struggling with lots of bags. If he remembered his stepson's late friend Diane and saw the remarkable resemblance, he didn't let on. He just put a smile on his face and extended his hand.
"You must be Mac."
Awkwardly, she struggled one hand free to answer his greeting.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Burnett."
"Please, call me Frank. Let me give you a hand with this stuff here. Harm, your mom is on the patio with some refreshments."
"Thanks, Frank. Can you handle Mac's things?"
"No problem, I'll go put everything in the guestroom, show her around. Go see your mom."
Harm thanked the other man again, than took off to the patio to find Trish, who was already pouring iced tea into tall glasses.
"Hi mom."
"Harm!"
God, the boy looked more like his father every time she saw him. It didn't disturb her though. She had loved Harmon Rabb sr. and was proud of their son. Even though she couldn't quite reach him to give him a proper hug.
Before she knew it, he'd picked her up and swooped her in his arms.
"Harmon Rabb junior, let me go!"
He laughed and gave her another spin before setting her down.
"And here I thought you were happy to see me."
"I am, and you know it…where's our guest?"
"Upstairs with Frank. He's showing her the guestroom, so she can settle in."
Next chapter coming right up...
