A/N: So no one caught my boo boo in Chapter 13 & 14 where I put Captain Johnson in charge of the Patrick Henry. Captain Ingalls is the skipper of the Patrick Henry. Captain Johnson is the skipper of the Seahawk. Oops! I have gone back to fix the reference in chapter 13 to change it to the USS Seahawk. Thankfully, I caught it before they will be arriving on the carrier.

Mac shakes her head as they walk out of JAG HQ. She would like nothing more than to take him back to her apartment, and experience every which way she wants it. She doesn't need a cowboy when she has her Sailor. And she really wants to know the answer as to which way he hangs. Unfortunately, she knows that they can't afford to get into this right now. They need to get their heads into the investigation. This is high profile enough as it is, and the last thing they need is to have the press get wind of it.

Harm asks, "We have just enough time to stop by your apartment on the way to Andrews. Do you want to drop off your car there or just leave it here?"

Mac answers immediately, "I'll just leave it here." She knows darn well if she goes anywhere near her apartment, she might just lose her resolve and drag him up to her bed. While she is currently happy with the direction tonight has taken between the two of them, the timing of this investigation couldn't be worse. Why is the universe always conspiring against them to move their relationship beyond that of close friends?

Harm is surprised at her quick response, but as he glances over at her, he can see the wheels spinning inside her head. He stops in front of her, and lifts her chin so that she will look up at him. With understanding eyes, he places his hands on her shoulders, and says, "I know, Mac. I promise we will get back to what we started tonight when we have this investigation taken care of. I know we definitely have some things to talk about, but I'm ready for the next phase, and I hope you are too."

Mac audibly sighs. She glances up at him with a soft smile, "Thanks, Harm. I'm ready too. It would just be nice if we could catch our breath long enough to actually have that discussion."

Harm runs his hands down his arms and gives her hands a gentle squeeze, "Now, let's get your bag and go catch a not so cushy government flight."

Mac chuckles, "Well, when you put it that way, how can a girl resist?"

Once they are in his SUV, on the way to Andrews, Harm casually asks, "So, did you pack the lingerie this time?"

Mac looks at him incredulously, "For a carrier trip, really Harm?"

Harm banters, "But your sea bag was packed before you know we were headed to a carrier, unless I was more prepared than you this time?"

Mac retorts, "As if! A Marine is always more prepared than the Navy is. Alas, I have no lingerie in my sea bag."

Harm continues teasing, "Darn, and here I was hoping to catch you in something cute while we mull over case files late at night."

With a twinkle in her eye, she tells him, "I didn't say I didn't bring anything cute. I just said I didn't bring any lingerie. They are plenty of flattering outfits that don't contain silk and lace you know."

Harm arches his eyebrow, "Oh, now you have my curiosity piqued. And what kind of outfits are those?"

Mac smiles, "You'll just have to wait and see, Sailor. It wouldn't be near as much fun if I tell you ahead of time."

Harm chuckles, "Well you did look rather cute in that tank top and short shorts on the Watertown."

Mac inquires, "Oh, you liked those, did you?"

Harm tries to backpedal slightly, "Not half as much as the Petty Officers you were dressing down. They probably didn't even care that you were yelling at them, as long as they got to look at you partially undressed."

Mac shrieks, "Harm! I was fully clothed."

Harm tells her, "Power down, Marine. I wasn't trying to suggest that you were wearing anything improper. Just that your assets were much more visible than they are when you are in uniform. And definitely not something submariners are used to seeing while underway."

Mac takes a moment to ponder this information. She says, "Well to avoid any appearance of impropriety in the future, I guess that means I should permanently pack my cowboy jammies in my sea bag."

Harm remembers stopping by her apartment one night when she was wearing said attire, "I rather like your cowboy pajamas."

Mac laughs, "Nope, can't do that. You told me I had to leave the cowboys at home, or at least on the farm."

Harm groans, "Real cowboys, Mac, as in men that ride horses, not the ones on those on PJ's."

Mac smiles coyly, "Well, how was I supposed to know the difference?

Harm sighs, "You are impossible!"

Mac questions, "So, you prefer those to the nightie I wore in Russia?"

Harm ponders this for a moment, trying to keep his thoughts from remembering how gorgeous she looked in that white satin number. The last thing he needs is extremely uncomfortable pants on a military transport. He states, "I think they both have equally valid points."

Mac giggles, "Elaborate, Counselor."

Harm smiles, "The white negligee in Russia was beautiful, but something for special occasions. The cowboy jammies show off your softer, more domestic side."

Mac laughs at the thought, "Ha! You are the one with the domestic side, not me. You know how to clean, how to cook, how to handle kids. You will make someone an excellent wife one day."

Harm thinks to himself, 'No, but someday I hope to make a great husband, your husband.' He will have that conversation with her a little further down the road. For now, he simply tells her, "Thanks, I think. But don't sell your self short, I've seen you with our godson enough to know what a great mom you will make. And once I teach you how to cook, you will make a great wife too!"

She'd love to smack him right now, but he is driving. She settles for giving him an incredulous look, as she tells him, "Harm, you'd better run when you park the car at Andrews."