Chapter 16: The Things We Keep

Mac chuckles at this man's absurdity. Even though he can charm most women with his captivating smile, including herself when she admits it, it is the moments that he lets go and acts like a little boy that she adores the most. She laughs, "Ah, so I see Jack told you about the bet."

Harm smiles, "Yes, he did. One of these days I will have to ask you what your secret is, I've seen many a man fall victim to his skills. I've never been silly enough to challenge him myself."

Mac arches her eyebrow, "Oh you think I am silly, do you?"

Harm lightly taps the tip of her nose, glad that her demeanor has lightened up considerably. He chuckles, "Why yes, I do, but you agreeing to a bet with him isn't why I think you are silly. I know darn well that you don't usually back down from a challenge, of any sort. And I've seen you put several men to shame over the years, myself included."

She inquires, "Ok, then what is your rationale, counselor?"

Harm gets a sly grin, "Hmm, let's see. Several of the ways I have seen you attired in the past come to mind. You once answered your door with these foam comb like things between your toes. Another time, you had on these adorable flannel cowboy pajamas. And I swear I saw a pair or two of fluffy slippers along the way. I would definitely describe those things at the very least whimsical. And I'm pretty sure there has been more than one occasion where you have stuck your tongue out at me behind my back."

Mac smacks him on the arm. She chuckles, "Those combs were toe separators used to keep my polish from going in the wrong place while my nails were drying. And Chloe was sporting them too. In fact, if my recollection is correct, you referred to both my toes and the cowboy pajamas as 'cute'. Therefore, one can only assume that you liked both of them. I do not have fluffy slippers, at least not ones that I have worn where anyone could see! At least I never dressed up like an elf, Harriet looked completely ridiculous when she did that, even if it was for a good cause."

Not to be deterred from his mission, Harm adds, "Then of course are all the silly stunts you pulled over the years. Getting back up in a plane with me, after our first disastrous trip. Climbing into a Russian MIG with me when you knew they planned to shoot us down. And let's not forget the craziest one of all, where you pushed an ammo box onto the mine I had stepped on because you saw it worked in a movie!"

Mac drops her jaw, "I saved your life with that maneuver, you jackass! And contrary to popular belief, I actually enjoy flying with you. At least when I'm not puking in the back of the plane, being chased by crazy poachers, being shot at, or suffering from 'hard landings.' You are in your element, and completely carefree when you are flying. It's one of the only times I see you really loosen up, you are usually a very intense man."

Harm relents, "Ok. So, I guess this means I am a little goofy too, at least when I am flying."

Mac shakes her head, "Oh no, Sailor, you are not getting off the hook that easy. I'm just getting started here. Let's discuss your stunts over the years, shall we? You've used your fingers as guns making a shooting noise, kept golf clubs in your trunk instead of a packed sea bag, let a Romanian princess kiss you in front of her father's trusted officials, dressed up as a Recon Marine with Navy Wings, shot a weapon in a courtroom, allowed your Commanding Officer's daughter to openly flirt with you in front of him, tore my books in half to get them to fit in my suitcase after offering to help me dress, tried to play matchmaker for the Admiral, sparred with both a Navy Seal and a former boxer just to prove a point, and made a baby deal with your best friend whom you never had a romantic relationship with, and those are just some of the funny ones."

She gets quieter, "And then there are the antics that I will forever be grateful for. They were foolhardy on your part, but you always put your life on the line for someone else. Searching for your father in Russia, pushing another Tomcat with your tail hook so that they could safely eject, resigning to go back to Russia when Sergei was missing, defying orders and staying on board a ship when Bud was hurt, letting a missile chase you to get it away from the carrier group, walking through fire to keep Skates from going overboard, and traveling to South America to find me when you didn't even know where to look, just to name a few."

Harm takes all of this in, not wanting to diminish the emotions she is expressing, but also not wanting to dwell too much on the past. For once, they are finally being open and honest with each other. The last time they came even remotely close to expressing all their buried feelings was on the Admiral's porch the night of her engagement party. But, even then, so many things were held back, and only lightly touched upon in cryptic messages.

He chuckles, "I guess that makes us both equally certifiable. So, what size should I order your straight jacket in? Are you still a 36-24-36?"

Mac buries her head in her hands, and mutters, "I'm going to kill Webb if he is still alive, and if he isn't, I'll unbury him and kill him again anyway." She looks up at Harm, shocked, "I can't believe you remember that!"

Harm smiles, "Of course I remember that. With all the trips we took together, who knew when I might have to make an emergency shopping trip to buy you clothes, lingerie, or any other personal items. It does help if you know the right size!"

Mac lets the lingerie comment slide. She exclaims, "As if! A Marine is always prepared. Even if I was incapacitated, I wouldn't have sent you shopping for me. You never send a man to do a woman's job! I would have borrowed your clothes first!"

Harm smiles, "Speaking of, you wouldn't happen to know where my blue United States Naval Academy sweatshirt is? It's been missing for years."

Mac's features blush from her neck all the way to her forehead.

Harm laughs, "I thought so." Hoping that she kept at least a small piece of him with her over the years they have been separated, he timidly asks, "Still have it?"

Mac gently nods in the affirmative.

Harm lets out the breath he was holding, and quietly says, "Good."