A/N: I know it's been a while since I updated, but the document manager had a problem uploading the story. I apologize and hope that this new chapter is totally worth the waiting.

Enjoy!

Mansion ''Snowdrop''

Somewhere in Tennessee

1430 hours local

Harm and Mac had just arrived at their new quarters and were unpacking their suitcases. Mac had to admit that she was looking down at her ''wedding ring'' every time she got the chance. Even though the view out of the room was breathtaking she thought her ring was more beautiful.

'Mac, if you keep looking down at that ring, people are going to ask you when we got married. And according to the story that has been three years. Why would you want to look at your wedding ring after three years?'

'Because it's a beautiful ring' Mac threw back on him. 'Aren't you happy with yours?'

'Of course. I was there when we picked it remember?' Harm shook his head. 'Get unpacked Marine, we have to meet the others in thirty minutes and I would like to take a shower before that'.

'I think that the least they could've done was bring the clothes to the mansion and unpack. I mean, they were the ones who picked them out aren't they?'

'Feeling spoiled already Tiger?' Harm tapped her nose. 'Just relax all right? Everything is going to be fine'. He disappeared into the bathroom.

Mac sighed. She was a bit nervous. That Shirley and the other personal assistants fell for their performance didn't mean that the others would. The seven other couples were maybe harder to impress or fool for that matter. It depended on how couplish they were.

Mac put the last pair of clothes away and went out to the balcony. With the wind breezing through her shoulder long hair, she didn't hear anything. She jumped up when she felt a pair of strong arms around her.

'Just me' she heard Harms voice.

'You scared me for a minute there Flyboy'.

'Sorry Ninja-girl' he apologized.

'It's all right'. She leaned back in his embrace. 'How's the shower?'

'Shower's not bad. We have a boiler unfortunately so we either have to take short showers or shower together'.

'Really? Do they have a bath?' Mac turned around in his arms to face him.

'They do'.

'Then we won't have to take showers together'. Her finger trailed his jaw line.

Harm arched an eyebrow. 'We don't?' His voice sounded a bit disappointed.

'Don't have to be so disappointed sailor. We'll take baths together. They last longer'. She winked and went back inside.

By the time Mac was done showering and getting dressed it was time to meet the others. She grabbed her little purse, checked if she hadn't forgotten anything and went with Harm to the garden.

Most of the couples were already there and it was pretty crowded. People were chatting with each other and getting to know each other.

'We're late' Mac said.

'It's not my fault this time Marine' Harm answered.

'I know'. Mac looked around. 'Everybody here has a glass of champagne in their hands. Do I run into the kitchen and demand something else?'

Harm shook his head. 'No Tiger. You find someone from the catering and ask for water with lime'.

'What are you going to drink?'

Harm squeezed her hand. 'Same as you'.

It still amazed Mac that this man was so understanding and considerate. He barely drank in front of her and if he did, he'd either switch to a non-alcoholic drink or asked her if she mind.

'You guys just arrived?' they heard behind them.

Harm and Mac turned around. 'Kind of yes. Harm and Mac'.

'Gary and Kim'. They shook hands. 'Wow, you have a beautiful wedding ring'. Kim stared at the ring around Macs finger. 'Very creative'.

'Thank you'. Mac glanced up to Harm who gave her a shake of his head. 'We wanted something simple and yet something personal and different. I think we did a pretty good job'.

'That you did. So, where you guys from?' Kim sipped from her champagne.

'DC. We work in the area. You?'

Gary gave Harm a surprised look when he saw they were both drinking water with lime. 'LA. I'm a dentist and Kim here is a manicurist'. He frowned. 'You guys don't drink champagne?'

'Not our favorite drink in the world, thanks'. Harm smiled. Mac was grateful that he saved her from explaining her past to a pair of total strangers.

'Did you hear that there is a non-couple this time around?' Kim excitedly asked. 'I have pretty much been talking to every couple here already and I think I have a pretty good idea who they are'.

Harm felt Mac tense and he pulled her a little closer. 'It's not us' he whispered in her hair. 'Who do you think it is?'

Kim pointed in another direction. 'You see that Barbie over there? The blond one with the tall handsome guy?'

'Guy has dark hair? Olive skin?' Mac spotted them too. 'She's a bit fake don't you think?'

'Just a bit? If there is something real about her it's a miracle'. Kim shrugged. 'I think they'll be the first ones out'.

Mac relaxed and leaned against Harm. 'You know what we forgot to do sailor?'

Harm frowned. 'What's that Ninja-girl?'

'Chloe is going to kill us when she sees us on TV and we didn't tell her'.

'She's on campus Mac, she won't kill us. Trust me'.

'Your mom will when Chloe doesn't'. Mac knew she had a point. 'We got so wrapped up in preparations that we completely forgot to tell the most important persons in our lives'.

'We'll call tonight. Now relax and try to enjoy this okay?'

Mac nodded. 'Deal. Sorry. I totally forgot about it and I need to tell him before it slips my mind and we come home to a not so happy teenager'.

'You have a teenage daughter?' Gary informed.

'Oh, no. Chloe is my little sister. We don't have any kids' Mac replied.

'Yet' Harm added. 'I'm trying to talk her into it though'.

'Wouldn't you just love a son to carry on the Rabb name?' Mac kissed the tip of his chin.

Kim gave them a great smile. 'You two are so cute together. No, seriously, you are. Everything seems to go... automatic almost. You two really have something I haven't seen for a long, long time'.

Harm and Mac locked eyes. 'Thanks Kim'.

'Anytime'. Kim winked and then they turned to the little stage in the back of the yard.

They were introduced to the rest of the couples and were briefed about what was expected from them and when what was going to happen in the coming two months. It came to the point that they had to be themselves and convince the people in the village that they were married.

The host and hostess, Brent and Ronnie, also told the rest that there was a fake-couple in the show. That cost a lot of comments and whispers around the group. Harm and Mac smiled and looked at each other.

'You'll have the rest of the night off to relax and to get to know each other and we'll start with the first assignment tomorrow morning'. Brent and Ronnie disappeared into the crowd.

'That sounds interesting' Kim said. She reached for another glass of champagne. 'I have no clue what they'll be doing tomorrow?'

Kim wasn't the only one who wanted to find that out.

Small question here; in the first chapter I said something about a quiz about how good the couples really know each other... What do you guys want to know? The piece is a bit short and I would like to make it longer, so if you got any ideas...