Author: PreppyPrincess5103

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Harm. & Mac begin their life together, while both deal with the reality of Harm's decision to resign his commission. Spoiler alert: Mac doesn't handle it very well. (Continuation of It Started in Russia, and Everything is Going to Be Okay)

Notes: This story does have an M rating (the last story in this series did not), so if sex scenes worry you, don't read all the way to the end.

Part Two

"Hello mother."

"How did you know it was me?"

He could hear the smile in her voice and grinned. "Oh, only because you've called at least ten times this morning.

"Considering that I've been on a plane for the past few hours, that's a lie and you know it."

Harm heard Frank laugh in the background and smiled. He knew they were both so excited that he and Mac were spending the holiday with them. "You obviously have been disregarding the pilots request to turn off all devices." She snorted out a laugh. "To answer the question you haven't asked yet, Mac is still at work. They're getting an early day, she's just not sure how early. But the car is packed, so as soon as she get's home and changes, we'll be on the way."

"Fine. Just please let me know when you're on the road."

He picked up his coffee cup and headed back to the kitchen. "I will. I promise."

"Thank you."

"Is Grams picking you up from the airport?"

Trish smiled at Frank. "She is. Tell Mac not to be at all offended if my husband spends more time with your grandmother than with her this weekend." Harm barked out a laugh. Frank was smitten with Mac, and had been since the moment he met her, and Harm and Trish never tired of teasing him about that. But he and Sarah Rabb had a special relationship, and the two adored one another. "Darling, I better hang up before Frank abandons me in this airport. Please don't forget to call when you two are on the road."

"I won't forget. I'll see you soon, mom."

"Goodbye darling."

He ended the call and was about to finish washing dishes when it rang again. He groaned. If it was his mother again, he would scream. "Hello?"

Mac raised her eyebrows. "You seem like you're in a delightful mood."

He winced. "Sorry, Mac. My mom has been calling all morning. I literally just hung up with her and I thought she was calling back."

"Ah. Well, I'm sure she has her reasons."

He snorted. "The last call was to find out if we've left yet, to remind me to call on the road." He paused and smiled, "and she wanted me to let you that you've got stiff competition for Frank's affections this weekend in the form of my grandmother."

"Harm…"

He knew she was blushing and he smiled. "Any news on when you'll get to head home."

"Yes. He's letting us leave at 2:00."

Harm glanced at his watch and saw that it was nearly noon. "Okay. I've still got a little packing to do. But I'll meet you at your place around 2:30." She was quiet on the other end and he sighed. "What's wrong, Mac?"

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Are you sure you want me to go?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose and slowly counted to ten. "I can't believe we're still having this conversation. Yes, of course I want you to go. Things have started to feel better between us the past few days."

"I know. It's just… Harm, they're going to know things aren't 100% between us. It's going to be awkward."

"And you think they won't know something is off if I show up without you?" He was exasperated and tried to keep it from his voice. "Mac, this is our first holiday together. I want you there. It's important to me that you're there."

"Okay." Her voice was soft and Harm let out a breath.

"Okay."

Mac heard the front door open and looked up from her suitcase. She stepped around the bed and saw Harm walking towards her. "I'm rethinking a few things I packed. Just give me one minute."

"Take your time." He made his way to the bedroom, and took seat on the edge of the bed. He gestured at the suitcase. "What are you rethinking?"

She held up a tall brown leather riding boot. "I had originally packed these, but I want to wear them today. And then I started considering these gray ankle boots. And now I'm thinking the green sweater dress for Thanksgiving Day instead of the maroon wrap dress." She walked over to the dresser and pulled out a few pairs of black tights and a flesh colored bra. "So now I have to reconsider undergarments."

He took the items from her hands and tossed them into the open suitcase. "Mac, obsessing over what you're going to wear and repacking your suitcase isn't going to get you out of going with me." He zipped the suitcase ignoring her protests. "I'm going to take this down to the car. I'll be outside when you're ready."

Mac watched him leave and quickly stripped off her uniform, and changed into dark skinny jeans and a light gray sweater. She sat on the bed and pulled on the boots she had just removed from the suitcase. She took a deep breath and walked over to the window and pulled back the sheer curtain. Harm was standing at the back of the SUV securing their luggage, and the sight made her smile. He was excited for this weekend, and she wished she could feel anything besides the anxiety and worry that had been an almost constant presence over the past few weeks.

A few minutes later she had grabbed her purse, locked the apartment, and was opening the door to his SUV. Harm was on the phone, so she set the purse in the backseat and buckled herself in.

"I just picked up Mac, and we're on our way. We should be there around 6:00, maybe a little later." He glanced in her direction and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sure. Hold on one second." He handed Mac the cell phone. "She wants to speak to you." She took the phone from him, and he watched as she talked to his mother. Her smile was genuine, and whatever Trish was saying had made her laugh, something he hadn't managed to do much of lately. After a moment she ended the call and placed the phone in one of his cup holders. He leaned over the console and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I know you're nervous, but it's going to be a really good weekend. I promise." She nodded, and he leaned in to kiss her.

She placed her hand on his cheek and deepened the kiss. Once they parted, she rubbed her thumb over his lower lip to remove the traces of her lipstick. Her finger lingered, and she slowly moved her gaze from it to his eyes. "I know I've been a mess lately. I'm sorry about that."

He shook his head. "You've been challenging, but you don't need to apologize. I'm not going anywhere. Everything is just going to take some getting used to. Not just my career change, but even being back in the same city after six months apart. I was gone and you did your own thing, now I'm in your apartment, in your bed, taking up valuable counter space in your bathroom. It can be a lot for some people. That's why they give us briefings on how to reintegrate into our pre-deployment lives. I can imagine the past three weeks have been a little overwhelming."

"A little bit," she confessed.

He squeezed her knee. "If it gets to be too much, just tell me to go away. I do have my own place to go to if I start driving you crazy."

She smiled softly. "I like having you in my apartment. I like it a lot."

He kissed her again. "Good. There's nowhere I'd rather be. And one of these days when you're less afraid, I'll bring the rest of my stuff over and stop asking you every night if you want me to stay."

She bit her lower lip before hesitantly saying, "Maybe when that day comes, we should look for a place that's ours. Not mine or yours." His face lit up with his most beautiful smile, and she felt a little lighter. No matter what happened in the future, at this moment she knew he loved her more than she ever thought would be possible.

"Absolutely. Just say the word, Mac." She smiled at him, and he leaned in for another kiss. "Ready?"

She nodded. "Ready."

Traffic was heavy, so it took over four hours to reach his grandmother's home in Pennsylvania. He put his hand on her knee and gave a gentle squeeze as he took the turn that led to his family home. The driveway took them behind a large two-story limestone farmhouse. He drove up to a large barn and put the car in park. He squeezed her leg again and grinned. "Just so you know, my grandmother will start making comments about grandchildren within five minutes. Just ignore her – that's what I usually do." She laughed and he took a deep breath. "Shall we?" She nodded and the both opened their car doors.

They weren't even out of the car before the back door swung open and three people hurried out to meet them, an older woman leading the group. She hurried to Harm and flung herself at him. He laughed, and wrapped his arms around her. After a long moment, she pulled back and placed her hands on each side of his face and studied him. "My goodness, you are a handsome man."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I have very good genes. You look absolutely wonderful."

"Good. Because I feel wonderful." Sarah Rabb was in her mid-seventies, but could have easily passed for mid-fifties. She was nearly six-feet tall and svelte. Her silver hair was cut in a bob, her skin was remarkably smooth, and it was obvious instantly who Harm received his piercing eyes & smile from. She finally tore her eyes from Harm and focused on Mac. Her eyes sparkled as she took in Mac. "You must be Sarah MacKenzie. I have heard so much about you."

"It's wonderful to finally meet you, ma'am." She extended a hand. Sarah took her hand and tugged her close for an embrace.

"The pleasure is all mine." Sarah pulled back and reached for her hands. She took a deep breath and struggled to regain her composure. "I am so happy to finally meet you, and to be able to tell you thank you." Mac started to open her mouth, so Sarah quickly continued. "Thank you for helping Harm find out what happened to my son. I will never be able to say thank you enough for that."

"I was glad I could help him, ma'am."

Sarah was still holding Mac's hands, and gave them a gentle squeeze before letting. "Please, call me Sarah." Mac nodded and Sarah beamed, before stepping aside so that Trish and Frank could greet them.

After all of the hugs and hellos were finished, Sarah stepped back and studied Harm and Mac. His arm had instantly wrapped around her and his fingers were tapping against her hip. She glanced at Trish and gave her an impish grin. "Trish, the grandchildren are going to be absolutely gorgeous."

Harm rolled his eyes, while Mac blushed. He glanced at her and grinned. "Was that longer than five minutes?"

She nodded. "Six minutes and twelve seconds."

"Well, I'm going up to bed. Goodnight you two." Harm and Mac stood, and he gave his grandmother a hand getting up. She gave them each a kiss on the cheek and headed up the staircase.

Harm watched her leave and then turned to Mac. "Are you tired?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I'd like to stay in front of the fire a little longer."

"Good." He smiled and headed to the kitchen. "Want anything while I'm in here?"

"No, I'm good." She moved closer to the fire and sat on the floor. She crossed her legs and leaned back on her arms. It had been a wonderful evening. Sarah Rabb was just as wonderful as Harm had said. She heard him coming back into the living room and looked up at him. He had a bottle of water in one hand, and was balancing a back of marshmallows, chocolate bars, and a box of graham crackers in the other. She raised an eyebrow and he grinned sheepishly.

"This particular fireplace always makes me crave s'mores." He handed her the bottle of water, and pulled a couple of metal skewers from his back pocket before sitting down. "Want one?"

"Absolutely." She watched as he pushed a marshmallow onto one skewer and then handed her the bag. She did the same and scooted a little closer to the fire. She patiently rotated the skewer, just out of the reach of the flames, and looked over to see his marshmallow on fire. She winced and looked back at her own. When it was the perfect shade of light brown, she pulled it back and smashed it between layers of graham cracker and chocolate.

When they both had finished, he moved behind her, and propped himself up against the ottoman. He watched her for a moment and reached for her. "Come here." She glanced at him over her shoulder before scooting back. She nestled herself in between his legs, and leaned against his chest. He pushed her hair to the side and placed a kiss on her neck. "I'm so glad you're here."

"I'm glad I am too." She placed her hands on his legs. "Your family is wonderful."

He traced one finger over her arm and grinned when she shivered. "They can be yours too, if you want that."

Mac moved her fingers over his thighs. "Of course, I want that. I want a future with you more than absolutely anything. This anxiety hasn't changed that."

"You're just scared it won't last?" After a moment she nodded, and he sighed. "I love you. I'm not going anywhere. You'll talk to someone and we'll work through this. Okay?" He placed a kiss on the top of her head and then continued lightly running his fingers up and down her arm. After a few minutes of this, she pulled away and then turned to face him. He brought a hand up to her face and smiled. "You're gorgeous."

She usually blushed when he complimented her, but this time she leaned in to kiss him. His mouth instantly opened and welcomed her tongue, while one of his hands moved to cup the back of her head and the other disappeared beneath her sweater. He ran his fingers over a lace covered breast and moaned into the kiss. She broke the kiss and nipped at his lower lip before pulling back. "We can't do this down here."

"Let's go upstairs." He stood up and held out a hand to her. She grabbed it, and let him pull her up. She took care of the fire, while he put the food away, and then she let him lead her upstairs. She shut the door behind her, and smiled as he handed her the blanket from the foot of the bed. "Put it at the bottom of the door." She raised an eyebrow, but did as he asked, and then bent at the waist to unzip and remove her boots.

Harm placed his hands on her hips and walked her to the bed. His hands went to the hem of her sweater and tugged it over her head. He placed his hands on her collarbone and moved them slowly over her full breasts, and stopped at the waist of her jeans. He undid the closure and slid them down. She stepped out of them and moved her own fingers to her bras front closure, and watched his eyes darken as it fell to the floor. He cupped her breasts and stroked her nipples with his thumbs. Her eyes closed, and she took her lower lip in between her teeth.

"Lay down."

She did as he asked and propped herself up against the pillows. He tugged down her sheer navy-blue panties and tossed them aside before settling between her thighs. He nuzzled her inner thigh before introducing his tongue to her. She gasped and arched off the bed. She closed her eyes and his hands tightened on her thighs. He stopped for a moment and looked up at her. "Look at me, Mac." Her eyes opened and locked on his, and he continued to lick.

She pushed her hands into his dark hair and tugged gently. "Harm, I need you inside me. Please." He ignored her and continued to lick. "God, Harm. Please." He stood and quickly stripped off his clothes and joined her on the bed. He hovered over her for a long moment before sliding into her. She bit back a moan and dug her nails into his shoulders. "You feel so damned good," she whispered.

"God, so do you." He covered her mouth with his to stifle her moans, and thrust harder. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him deeper. He could tell by the whimpering noises she was making that she was getting closer, and he slid a hand between their bodies to rub his thumb over her clit. The orgasm hit hard and he kissed her again to silence her. He felt his own orgasm building and twisted his hips as he continued to thrust. He finally stiffened and emptied into her. He lay still for a moment before finally rolling off of her. He kissed her shoulder, her neck, and finally her lips. "Well I can't say I've ever done that in this bed before."

End Part 2