Day 10 - Fire and Ice.

One day later, Mac still felt awful but, giddy at the same time.

Harm loved her and had told her three times, in her kitchen between kisses and a sneezing fit which left Mac mortified and apologetic.

He had stayed with her, despite her concerns for his own health, Harm stayed and cared for her. "And don't give me your 'I'm a Marine' speech." He warned, blowing any argument out of her sails.

Carefully, she crawled out of bed wondering how she got there considering she'd fallen asleep on her sofa with his arms around her. She figured he'd carried her to the bed and even removed that old robe before pulling the sheets over.

The concept of him, in her room, putting her to bed sent a wave of desire through Mac thar she set aside for further introspection when her head felt better. It was after she showered and walked out in a beeline for the kitchen that she spotted the new flower arrangement.

More roses. Nine, she counted. They were white but with fiery red tips that adorned the upper parts of the petals. The flowers had opened in soft swirls, the center still tightly wrapped.

There was another card but, this time the message was handwritten in Harm's script.

'Fire and Ice for fervor and unconditional love. - H.'

Unconditional love? She knew that's what she felt for him and had for years. Even through the pain, heart ache and the moments when he was downright idiotic, Mac loved him.

And then there was fervor. She grinned wickedly at the thoughts that raced through her mind, the intensely passionate way Mac knew making love with him would be.

She brushed her fingers over the petals and then made her way to the kitchen to find one of the best gifts she'd ever received: a new coffee machine with a big red bow on top and a bag of her favorite coffee.

Nope, Mac didn't need the jewelry. After making some Marine grade coffee, she grabbed her cordless phone and put a call in to Harm's office line thankful that he answered in two rings. "Hey, Harm. I may need to call the police." She said in a serious tone.

"What? Why? Are you…"

"Don Juan broke into my apartment, left me 9 of the most beautiful roses I've ever seen and a coffee machine." She grinned at the audible whooshing of air out of his lungs, his audible relief that she was okay.

Harm laughed, "You already used the machine didn't you?"

"Yep." She raised her USMC mug as if he could see it. "Marine grade and its delicious."

"Enjoy it." He remained silent for a moment guaging how to come about the next part. For some reason words failed him when it came to Mac which was why the roses made sense along with the little messages. "Uh...sooo… think you'll feel better by Saturday night?"

Mac's stomach flipped flopped, was he asking her out? "I suppose so, why?"

"Go out with me." He groaned when the words came out, they sounded more like a command. "No...that came out wrong...It would be an honor if you were to accompany me on a date this Saturday evening."

Yep, Mac was sure the Earth stopped rotating on its axis at that very moment in time. For sure, pigs were flying and more than likely, Hell froze over as well. She pinched herself to make sure it wasn't a dream. "Actually, I have a busy Saturday planned."

"Oh." She could hear the disappointment in his voice and then he began to backpedal. "It's just...I mean, you liked the flowers and you didn't seem to mind me kissing you…" Did he miss something? Ever since they started 'at the beginning' they'd been flirting, a lot.

"Harm." Mac stopped his tirade. "Hair, nails, make up...I know I'm a Marine but, I'm also a girl who likes to get pampered and look good for a date."

"I think you're pretty good looking without all of that stuff." He stated, matter if factly. "So is that a yes?"

"It's a 'hell yes', flyboy. Where you taking me?"