A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter! I'm sorry for the fact that I didn't sent any personal responses, as I usual do, but I didn't have the time. So, thanks!

Someone asked me for a timeline... Well, let's say that after Harm's crash in the Atlantic, they got things on track instead of Mac moving to a TAD assigment.

Well, enjoy!

Mansion ''Snowdrop''

Somewhere in Tennessee

0750 hours local

'Harm! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!' Mac stood by the door and checked her outfit in the mirror for the millionth time while waiting for Harm who was, as usual, late. She'd had no idea what to wear today and eventually decided on a pair of dark blue jeans and a green, low-cut top.

'I'm on my way Mac'. Harm stuck his head into the room. 'If you hadn't been so unbelievable long in the bathroom I would've been done already'.

'Yeah, right. Just for your information, Harm, the door wasn't locked. You could've brushed your teeth and shaved while I was in the shower'. She put her silver earrings in and stepped back to look at the result. It was gonna have to do it.

'You look nice'. He grabbed his jacket from the bed. 'And for the record, I didn't know the bathroom door was open or I would've brushed my teeth and shaved'.

Mac raised her hands up as a sign of defeat. 'Whatever you say Harm. Let's go'.

'Afraid that they'll eat all the scrambled eggs before we get there?' Harm teased her.

'No, just hungry. I know they're not going to eat all the scrambled eggs before I get there. And by the way, I know they won't be as good as yours'.

Harm grinned as he opened the door to the corridor and revealed the stairs. 'I'll take that as a compliment'.

'It was meant as one'.

It was still quiet in the dining room. The only two other couples that were sitting at the cute little tables were Vanessa and Roman and Kim and Gary. Mac smiled at herself when she saw the major amount of food that got provided and pocked Harm in his ribs, a little harder then she'd intended.

'Ouch! What the hell was that good for?' Harm rubbed over the sore spot.

'Sorry' Mac apologized. 'Do you see this? This is even more then I can eat for breakfast'.

Harm frowned and was still rubbing the spot. 'Well, that's because this food is meant for eight couples Mac, not just for you'.

'You know what I mean'. Mac took a plate of the pile and started to fill it with eggs, bacon and toast and filled a big cup of coffee.

Harm shook his head as he watched her. She was hungry, even in the mornings when he was glad that he could hold some toast and eggs and a large cup of coffee. 'You might want to bind in a little bit honey'.

She looked up to him, lightly frowning. 'I got promoted to honey? And why would I bind in?'

'Every husband uses terms of endearment for his wife' Harm offered as an explanation. 'You might want to bind in because people might get the idea that I don't feed you properly. And as you and I both know that's not the case here'.

'You're right'. Mac bit her lip. 'I'll leave it at this for now. We wouldn't want people to get the idea that you don't take good care of me, now would we?'

It had gotten busier in the room. All the other couples came walking in and the place was soon filled with eating and chatting people.

'You want some more orange juice?' Harm asked as he rose from his seat. 'I'm gonna get a refill'.

'Sure. Thank you'. Mac handed him her glass. Harm winked at her and went to the buffet.

Her eyes wandered over the room. It was funny to look at other people. Every couple had other habits. So was the blond Barbie they'd spotted the other night, Jessica Rodriguez, sitting at the breakfast table with only a cup of yogurt and some fruits. Her husband Diego wasn't very different.

Gary and Kim Mitchell were normal people, as were Vanessa and Roman McGraw, who'd been through an awful lot in the past two years. They'd chatted last night, causing Harm and Mac to reflect on their relationship and how much they'd been through.

Then there were Audrey and Matthew Bell. They were a cute couple, really living for each other. Also, normal breakfast habits. Coffee, pancakes with syrup. Harm would say that they were the perfect example of an all-American couple.

Cleo and Tom Lawrence were fun to be around. Or at least, so it seemed. Both working for a PR-company, they knew exactly how to play you to make you do what they wanted. Harm had been talking to Tom for a while the other night and that was pretty much what he had gathered.

Next to Cleo and Tom were sitting Megan and Ethan Turner, if Mac wasn't mistaken. They were quite the sticky couple. Very touchy. And still very much in love. Mac smiled. Maybe she and Harm were the same. She couldn't stand next to Harm and feel his hand on the small of her back or around her shoulder. Not that that indicated that Harm was in love with her. She might have feelings for him but she was never sure about what exactly it was that Harm felt for her.

And last but not least, there were Tess and Zack Harrison. Tess was the businesswoman with the big company and Zack helped her wherever he could. Not that he hadn't anything to say in their marriage, it was just that Tess was in charge.

'What you're looking at?' Harm set her glass next to her plate.

Mac shrugged. 'Nothing. Just trying to see how the other couples would let me describe them'.

'Ah. And?'

'All normal people. With normal professions, normal fights, normal appetite'.

'And we don't fit into that description?' Harm wanted to know.

Mac bit her lip, as if thinking. 'I don't know. I know you think I don't fit into the description of having a normal appetite. We don't have normal fights...'

'We don't?' Harm arched an eyebrow. 'And what do you think are normal fights, my darling?'

'Well, I'm sure they don't get sent to a submarine to sort things out'.

'Maybe that's just because they don't have the opportunity to go there. Ever wondered what the Admiral would've done if the Navy didn't have a submarine?'

She leaned back in her seat and sipped her juice. 'I don't know what he would've done. Lock us in a courtroom until we got on terms?'

Harm laughed. 'I don't think a courtroom would've done it Mac'.

'Why not?'

'Because we would've found a way to get out of there. Besides, AJ wouldn't be so cruel to lock us in a room without any water or food'.

Mac thought about that. 'Or he would, knowing that hunger would drive me crazy and force me to come to terms with you'.

'Really? You think it would've worked?'

Before Mac could answer, Brent and Ronnie walked in. 'Good morning everyone'.

Everybody greeted them back. They made their way to the front, stopping at every table to chat for a while. Ronnie literally hovered over Mac, while Brent was joking with Harm.

'Are you ready for your first assignment?'

Harm and Mac exchanged glances. They probably were, but neither of them were sure about that.

'All right. Here's the thing'. Brent smiled around the room. 'Today all you have to do is go to the town, buy lunch in the grocery shop and get your butts to the park, where you'll have a picnic. With each other. No other couples involved. Clear?'

'Clear'.

Ronnie let her eyes wonder over the crowd and smiled at the tall, handsome guy. Harm. Mac, who saw it, reached unconsciously for his hand to mark her territory. Harm gave it a soft squeeze and smiled at her.

Ronnie's expression changed when she saw the exchange of affection. She knew they were the non-couple. Why was she marking territory? She wasn't involved with the guy whatsoever right? They were only pretending to be together. He wasn't taken.

Brent had seen Mac and smiled at her. Why was she holding hands with her so-called spouse? It wasn't like they were together. She was the most beautiful woman in the contest and he wanted a fair change of being with her. The guy just needed to back off.

'Let's go!'

Harm and Mac rose from their seats and Mac, who almost lost her balance, felt Harms arm protectively around her.

'You okay?' The concern was audible in his voice.

'I guess'. She smiled up to him. 'Just a bit dizzy'. She tried to set a step but lost her balance again.

'All right. Come here'. Harm picked her up in his arms. 'I've got you Mac'.

'Harm!' Mac protested. 'You don't...'

'Yes I do Ninja-girl. Don't tell me not to. You're going to lay down a bit and we'll go to the village when you're feeling better. Not any sooner then that'. He carried her up the stairs, ignoring the stares they got from the others.

'Harm, I feel fine, I'm just...'

Harm shot her a glare. 'We're not discussing this. If you don't feel better by lunch, we'll have you checked out. Understood?'

Mac stopped fighting him. He was too damn stubborn and she was not in the mood. She had a nauseous feeling in her stomach. She didn't even eat that much this morning. She'd had eggs, some bacon and two slices of toast. And coffee and orange juice of course. Nothing to upset her stomach.

Harm opened the door to their room and laid her on the bed. 'You go take a little nap. I'll be right back'.

'Where are you going?' Mac asked.

'Just going to find a map. I'll be back before you know it'. He brushed his lips over her forehead.

Mac nodded and felt her eyes fall close. She was so exhausted. Harm closed the door and ran down the stairs. Why was she so sleepy? There must've been something in her juice. Or her coffee. Or her eggs. Or the bacon. Harm couldn't find anything. He was worried. What if Mac wouldn't feel better by lunchtime?

Mansion ''Snowdrop''

Somewhere in Tennessee

0852 hours local

'Sorry'. Harm offered an apologizing smile when he bumped into someone after running down the corridor.

'That's all right'. Ronnie smiled back at him. 'What's with the rush?'

He ran a hand through his hair. 'Nothing. Just looking for a map'.

'A map huh?' She eyed him suspiciously. 'Follow me'. She started to walk in the direction of the mansion entrance. 'So, what do you think of the show this far... Harm, is it right?'

'Yeah. It's pretty nice. The other couples are nice. That's all I can say about it for now'.

Ronnie opened a door and went in. Harm followed her reluctantly. Her honey colored hair was dancing up and down and she was swaying with her hips -he wasn't blind- but it didn't do anything to him. Now if it had been Mac...

'Didn't you get a map when you arrived last night?' Ronnie asked as she ducked into a desk drawer.

'Nope. We checked everything. Didn't find a map. I do think that my GPS would've found it but I know Mac likes to read a map just in case she can prove me wrong. With my sense of direction and her sense of timing we make it everywhere'. He winked.

'Mac? You call your wife Mac?'

Harm nodded. 'We were best friends at first. She's a Marine and Mac came in handy as some kind of nickname. It just stuck'.

'Where is she anyway?' Ronnie moved over to another drawer.

'Who? Mac? Upstairs, taking a little nap. She suddenly felt nauseous. Must've been her breakfast'.

Ronnie handed him the map. 'How long are you guys married?'

'Three years'. Harm knew that Ronnie was aware of the fact that he and Mac were the fake couple. Two can play that game.

'You ever regretted your decision?' Her eyelashes were blinking and she opened her big brown eyes even more.

Harm couldn't believe she was flirting with him. He wasn't attracted to her. And he would let her know that. Rising from his seat he said: 'Nope. It's been the best three years of my life. Thanks for the map'.

The expression on Ronnie's face was one of regret and hurt. He'd just turned her down? Why would he turn her down to be with a woman he could never have? They were only here because they made a good impression of being a couple but that was it.

'Hey Ron?' Brent trotted into the office. 'Did I just see Harm walk out of here?'

Ronnie, who'd been leaning against the desk, pushed herself up. 'Yup'.

'What was he doing here?'

'Defending the feelings he has for his ''wife'' '.

Brent laughed. 'You made a move on him?'

'Asked him if he regretted the decision of marrying her. He told me that it'd been the best three years of his life. And besides that, he sounded very concerned about her when he told me that she'd been dizzy and nauseous'.

'So? Didn't Evan tell us that they work together? They've known each other for what? Nine years?'

'Yeah, but the feeling about this is different. I mean, everybody would be concerned about their partner but this...' She shrugged. 'It just sounded different'.

Brent raised an eyebrow. 'You're not going to back off are you?'

'Come on Brent. I'm not stupid'. Ronnie shook her head in disbelieve. 'I'm not backing off'.

'Good. 'Cause neither am I'.

Teddy Roosevelt Park

Somewhere in Tennessee

1340 hours local

'Ma'am?' Emma Murphy walked up to a bench in the park. The lady looked up.

'Yes?'

'May I ask you something?'

The older lady and her friend nodded. 'Of course. What's on your mind?'

Emma smiled and pointed to a tree. 'Do you see those two people over there? By the apple tree?'

'You mean that lovely couple? We spotted them almost an hour ago'. The other woman had a dreamy look in her eyes. 'My Rafe and I used to be so in love too you know. A long time ago, we were just like they are now'.

'Please Evelyn. Don't do this'. She looked up to Emma. 'She can go on hours about her and her Rafe. She only married him after she had another man's child'.

'Oh now Beth, you don't have to be so harsh on me. You know what Jeff said to Rafe...' Evelyn protested.

Beth raised her hand. 'I know Eve. I know. Now let the young girl ask us what she wanted to ask us?'

Emma nodded. 'You pretty much answered my question already ma'am. You thought they were a couple'.

'Shouldn't I have thought they were then? I mean, they are so cute together. Look at them'.

The two other heads turned towards the couple. The man was lying on his side, next to the woman who was on her back. He slowly stroke his finger over her belly and talked to her. The woman laughed and pushed him on his back.

Emma had to agree with Beth. 'They are cute together. I bet they've been a couple for a long time now'.

Evelyn looked up to her. 'You think so dear? What makes you say that?'

'I don't know. I mean, with the TV-show coming here and all, I'm sure they don't take newly-weds. Although newly-weds can be so convincing in being a couple'. She shrugged. 'It doesn't matter anyway'.

Beth tapped her hand. 'It doesn't dear. If that were my son and daughter-in-law, I couldn't be a happier mother'.

The woman's laugh interrupted their soft conversation. 'Harm!' She pushed him of her again. 'Don't!'

Harm gave her innocent eyes. 'Why not? I have to convince all those people here that we're a couple. I can't do that when I'm not allowed to kiss you'.

Mac laughed. 'You're already on top of me. How much closer do you want to get?'

Harm leaned on his hands, looking down on her. 'Jeez Mac, I don't know? I can't possibly get inside you so on top of you is about as close as I can get now'.

'Really?'

'Really'.

'Mmm…' Mac fed him a grape while thinking. 'And you thought that there was going to be a time when you could get inside me?'

He grinned. 'Sure hoped so'.

She trailed his lips with her finger. Then leaned in to kiss him. 'Maybe there will be a time when you'll be allowed to do that'. She pushed him over. 'But until that time, you are going to have to do it with the only-kisses-in-public policy'.

Harm grunted. 'The only-kisses-in-public policy? Where the hell did you think of that one?'

'Came across it during our flight down here'. She kissed the tip of his chin again and moved up to his lips. 'Another grape?'

'You're killing me Mac' he complained.

'That's exactly what I'm supposed to do'.

'Really?' he echoed her.

'Really'.

'Mmm…' His hands went around her waist. 'You're making it very hard to resist you Sarah Rabb'.

'I like the thought of that Harmon Rabb jr.' She brushed over his lips and when he wanted to deepen the kiss, she pulled away and fed him another grape. Her laugh sounded clear in his ears.

'You are so mean. You're gonna have to make it up to me tonight'.

She shook her head. 'Nope'.

'You don't even know what I had in mind for you and you're already torpedoing the whole idea of payback?'

'You know what they say Harm. Payback is hell'. She played with his soft hair.

'You don't know how my payback is going to be'. His hands went down under her shirt. God, her skin was so soft...

'Knowing you... hell. But on the other hand, it might not be as bad as I think it will be'. She grinned. 'What did you have in mind?'

Now he was the one who shook his head. 'You just made it classified Mac. I'll tell you when we get back to our all private room'.

'You're scaring me Flyboy'.

He kissed her neck. 'I'm sure you'll love it Mac. Trust me'.

Mac softly moaned when he found her weak spot. 'You're irresistible. Especially when you're all over me'.

He returned her on her back and went to his original position on his side. 'I can be just as much a pain in the ass as you can be Marine. But you'll love me for it'.

'You have no idea' Mac whispered before she kissed him again.

Emma, Beth and Evelyn had watched them, but weren't close enough to hear what they'd been saying. All three sighed. Beth and Evelyn of what had been, Emma about what might come.

Evelyn patted Emma's arm. 'Darling, let me tell you something. If you get only a tiniest little part of what they have, you may consider yourself a very lucky girl'.

Emma wasn't the only one who'd heard it. Ronnie clenched her teeth. Why the hell were they so good at pretending? They almost convinced her that they were a couple. The pill in Mac's juice this morning hadn't been enough to get Harm's attention while he was away from his ''wife''. Then what was she supposed to do about it?

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