A/N: Here is a boring, filler chapter. I felt like working on this one, but I really had no direction. Hopefully it doesn't sound too stupid. I'm using the episodes as a sort of guide, but I don't want to get too detailed with them-I don't want an actual retelling over every episode because...BORING!

We the People Revisited

Chapter 3: Friends

Harm was irritated. She had called, interrupting his flight with Bud, on a Sunday, no less. She wouldn't leave him alone.

Well, to be fair, she had been ordered to work with him these last few weeks, so he couldn't exactly blame her for being around.

But then again…she could have declined her posting at headquarters, or she could have calmed down and let him talk to the admiral about them.

Harm climbed out of the back seat of his biplane and dropped to the ground as Mac approached. Her expression was serious, but there was something more in her eyes, something like…sympathy. His anger forgotten, he approached her carefully.

Mac felt terrible having to tell Harm about Tess McKee, although truthfully she felt terrible every time she talked to him. Ever since their "breakup" she'd been dealing with feelings of regret, sadness, even anger, at herself and him, though she knew he didn't deserve that. It was just that sometimes she'd catch Harm looking at her with such intensity, such pain, and it was everything she could do not to run to him and tell him she'd made a horrible mistake. His gaze would weaken her resolve, and she resented that. Other times she would catch him glaring at her, and then all she wanted to do was climb into a hole and hide until one of them was transferred. She wondered if it was too late to request she be transferred back to Quantico; maybe then…no, it would never work. She'd broken his heart. He'd never want her again, not that she blamed him. Once he was safely on the ground after climbing out of his plane, she took a deep breath and walked toward him to give him the awful news.

The flight to California was long and a bit rough. Harm sat a few rows ahead of her and Bud, and Mac found herself watching the back of his head, wishing she could sit with him and comfort him. She knew he'd already lost a good friend from the same squadron as Tess McKee,and he had to be in such turmoil. Not for the first time, she wondered why bad things had to happen to good people…and Harm was good people. She, on the other hand…

Stop it. You're not bad. You are more than just Joe MacKenzie's stupid tramp daughter. You are more than just the niece of a felon, she told herself, and then she wondered if she'd ever believe that—if anyone would ever believe that.

Harm sat on the plane back to DC, a smile on his face. It had been nice to catch up with Annie and he prayed she'd take the job in Baltimore. Even though she wasn't quite ready for a "them," he knew he could help her get settled and be the friend he knew she would need being new in town. Then, if he could convince her she was ready for more, he and Mac could take their relationship…wait.

He couldn't believe it. Instead of saying Annie's name in his head, he'd said hers. Harm cursed himself. Kissing Annie had been pleasurable and for a moment he'd thought it was enough to make him forget his beautiful partner. During the nights he'd spent in California, he'd dreamt of Annie, not Mac. He'd spent all his free time with Annie, not Mac. And still…he couldn't stop thinking of Mac. How her body had quivered underneath his as he loved her. How her legs had wrapped high around his waist as he thrusted into her. Harm glanced across the aisle where Mac sat with Bud. She chose that moment to turn her head toward his, and with a glare, Harm got up and headed toward the bathroom. When he finished, he found a young kid to change seats with him, and then spent the remaining four hours of the flight sulking in the back of the plane.

Mac stood up and swayed a little on her feet. She'd never done well with turbulence and this flight was fraught with it. She hoped she'd make it into the terminal before she threw up, but she did take the little bag from the seat pocket in front of her just in case. Getting her carryon bag out of the overhead bin nearly did her in, but with Bud's steadying hand, she was able to get off the plane. She told Bud she'd get her own ride home and sent him on ahead, while she ducked into the bathroom to regain her composure. She had a splitting headache now, and she couldn't believe Harm still felt the need to change seats so he didn't have to be next to her. They weren't even sitting directly together. What a petty asshole, she said to herself, then splashed a last bit of water on her face, before stepping out into the terminal…to run right into Harm. Could the day get any worse?

"Whoa, Mac," Harm said as he caught her. She'd just come out of the bathroom and she still looked a little green. He'd caught up with Bud who'd directed him here when he found out that Mac hadn't continued with the lieutenant.

"Sorry. Um, what, um, are you doing here?"

Harm took the bag she had slung over her shoulder. "Making sure you're okay." Mac's eyes widened, but then she shook her head.

"Harm, I'm fine. I just had to use the bathroom."

"You look like shit, Mac."

"Thanks. I'll be going now. Give me my bag."

"Mac, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

"Right. My bag?"

Harm shook his head. "No can do. Bud said you almost tripped coming off the plane."

"I just got a little dizzy. The turbulence…"

"You still look unsteady."

"Yeah, so I'd like to go home. Give me the bag."

"I'm taking you home."

Mac's eyes snapped up to his, and he was a bit surprised at the rancor he saw in them. "No, you're not, and if you won't give me my bag, I'll just go without it." She turned on her heel and started walking away from him. Harm shook his head.

Stubborn woman.

"Mac, come on."

At that, Mac whipped back around. "Dammit, Harm! Why are you here acting all—all caring after you basically ignored me the entire investigation and then actually changed your seat on the plane to get away from me?"

Harm hung his head. He knew she had every right to feel this way, and truthfully, he didn't really know why he'd suddenly gotten so concerned. He just knew when Bud told him where Mac was she would need him. His anger at her wasn't enough to keep him from making sure she was all right, much to his chagrin. "Mac, I'm sorry about that. We can talk more about that later, but right now, you look like you're about to tip over and I want to make sure you get home. I'm afraid you're really sick."

"I'm not sick."

It was last thing she said before she passed out in his arms.

"Harm, I'm fine. Just call me a cab."

Mac lay on a gurney in a curtained off area in the ER. She'd been given fluids and migraine medication and was feeling much better; she just wished it wasn't so hard to talk. That particular cocktail of medicine always did that to her and she hated it, but she supposed it was still better than feeling dizzy and achy and sick. It had been a while since she'd fainted during one of her episodes; it was just dumb luck it had happened around Harm.

"I'm not putting you in a cab. I'll drive you, Mac. Besides…I've still got your bag." He grinned at her, and she fought the urge to smack him. She didn't understand his behavior. He'd been so cold before, and now he was being downright solicitous.

"Look, it's just a migraine. I've had them for years. It's just this time, I was dehydrated and airsick."

"Well, just humor me then."

"Fine." She wanted to get out of here and clearly, he wasn't going to let up. Dutifully, she let him escort her from the ER.

Harm drew the blanket up around Mac's shoulders. She was nearly asleep, and he'd promised her he'd leave as soon as she was. He was reticent to do so, however; she'd stumbled a bit as they'd gone down the hall to her apartment, and before that, he'd needed to help her up the stairs to her floor. She'd been fairly adamant that he leave, however, so he supposed he'd better at least make it look like he was going. He was halfway to the door when he heard her call his name.

"Harm?" Her voice was a bit slurred.

"Yeah, Mac?"

"Are you being nice to me because of Annie?"

What? "Mac, I'm not sure what you mean."

"I saw you two kissing. Does that mean you're not mad at me anymore…since you've found…found somebody…somebody…else?" Mac was fading fast.

"Mac, I'm not mad at you."

"Yeah, you are. I'm mad at me too."

"Oh? Why?"

"You know…know…why…" And then Mac was completely out. The doctor told Harm she'd probably sleep long and hard with the medications she'd been given, and he had planned to stay longer to make sure she didn't need anything. Now, however…he was confused. Could she be having regrets about their lack of relationship? Did it bother her that he'd kissed Annie? Did he want it to bother her? And most of all…

Why had he felt the overwhelming need to go check on her before he left the airport? He'd been agitated, so agitated he'd felt the need to change seats, but when he didn't see her with Bud, he'd immediately been overcome with worry, and he'd turned back into his normal caring self.

What the hell?

Suddenly, he had to leave. Everything was just too confusing. He needed a good night's sleep, and later in the morning, when he knew Annie would be awake and getting her and Josh ready for the day, he'd give her a call and remind himself of the crush he'd always had on Annie nee Martin Pendry. He'd remember the feel of her soft lips on his, remember how the Luke's son Josh looked up to him, and then move on. It was the only thing to do.

Harm hightailed it out of Mac's apartment, locking the door with the key she'd given him shortly after returning from Red Rock Mesa, and practically ran for his car.

It was starting to get light again when Mac woke up from her drug and migraine induced sleep. She had a vague recollection of Harm tucking her in, and a far more vivid recollection of Harm kissing Annie Pendry. The sight of it caused her heart to plummet into her feet, and she thanked the good lord she'd showed up there purely for business purposes. She had been able to fall on her stoic marine persona, giving Harm the facts, while inside her mind was reeling. Could he have really moved on that quickly? But, she supposed, he'd known Annie for years. He'd probably always had a thing for her; his time with Mac was just to scratch an itch while he waited for Annie to be ready to let go of her husband.

Mac felt the tears welling up. The image of another woman in Harm's embrace, his lips on hers, tore at her. She remembered asking Harm last night if he was being nice to her because of Annie, but he hadn't given her an answer. He didn't have to give her one, really; it wasn't as if he was nice to her because he still wanted her, so no other reason really mattered. She should just be content to have a more friendly Harm to deal with.

Later that afternoon, Mac was lounging on her couch when she heard a knock at her door. She was surprised to see it was Harm carrying a bag from one of her favorite restaurants. "Hey, Mac. Can we talk?"

Harm watched Mac devour the double bacon cheeseburger from Beltway Burger he brought her. He wasn't sure what her favorite food from that horrible place was, but something told him she wouldn't turn this sandwich down. He had been a little afraid she wouldn't let him in, but she had, and now he sat waiting for her to finish so they could talk. He didn't have to wait long; Mac ate with speed and gusto, and soon enough, she sat there looking expectantly at him.

"You wanted to talk, Harm?"

Mac crumpled up the wrapper that her burger had come in and threw it into the Beltway Burger sack. Harm still hadn't divulged what he wanted to say, and it was making her a little agitated. She was just about to say something when he finally opened his mouth.

"Mac? I came by to apologize."

What? "You did?" She hadn't meant to sound so incredulous.

"Yeah."

"Oh, well, thank you."

"And I wanted to tell you you were right. About everything. The job, keeping things professional…and you were right about me and Annie too."

"I-I was?" She was sure she didn't want to hear his answer to that. Unfortunately, he gave it anyway.

"Yeah…Annie is great and she's moving to Baltimore in a month for her job. I-I've always admired her, maybe had a little crush on her…and I want to see where it goes with us. She's getting ready to move on, and when we were in San Diego…"

"I know…I saw you kiss."

Harm blushed a little. "Yeah…well…I, um, I'm sorry that I've been so irritable around you. I shouldn't have been that way; I like you, I respect you, and I'm glad you're my colleague. You had valid reasons for not being with me, and I only wish it hadn't taken me realizing what I felt for Annie to get my head out of my six about you. Friends?"

Mac felt sick again as Harm held out his hand to her. He'd just fully admitted he wanted Annie and was only nice to her, Mac, because he wanted somebody else more. She'd suspected that, but it still hurt to hear it. He did, however, sound sincerely sorry about his behavior, so at the very least, she should accept his apology. She took his proffered hand, praying he wouldn't be able to hear the hurt in her voice when she smiled and nodded. "Friends."

End Chapter 3

Next Episode: Heroes