Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Harm used his leg to make the porch swing move back and forth while he sipped his cold beer. It was hot as hell, and he considered a dive in the pool. Mac was running late anyway so he was stuck waiting. The week had been long and busy, he was looking forward to tonight's party and to kick back at home the rest of the weekend.

"Howdy Cowboy."

He turned and smiled. "You're late woman."

She was already unbuttoning her uniform and letting her hair loose. "Give me a minute, and I'll be ready to go."

Harm stood and followed her into the house, putting his empty beer on the table by the stairs and headed upstairs. "We're already late, so why don't we be even later?" he slumped down on the bed, moving the cowboy hat off his head.

Only wearing her underwear, she put her arms on her hips and offered a dirty look. "I do have a thing for Cowboys."

He chuckled as he studied her. "I could show you a good time you know."

"Oh, I know," she smiled teasingly as she reached for the skirt she had laid out that morning. "But there's time for that later."

"Giddy up, woman," he got off the bed and put his hat in place.

"What's with the Cowboy theme anyway?" she wondered as she put her shirt on and buttoned it low enough to show a little too much cleavage.

"Keeter thought it would be fun with a theme," he smirked. "Sure you want to wear it like that?"

She put her boots and hat on, then moved over to him. "It'll keep you interested until I can get you all alone later," she put her finger in the hem of his jeans and pulled him with her. "With me Sailor?"

Harm took her hand as they walked downstairs.

"You look dangerously sexy, so I might have to fight off the competition all night," she stopped as they reached the bottom of the stairs and drew him in for a kiss. Their kids were at the grandparents for the weekend, and she was going to enjoy every minute of having her man to herself.

"I only have eyes for you, Sweet Thing," he cupped her chin. "Damn woman, you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."

"Save it for later," she wiggled her eyebrows. She loved it when her serious man loosened up a little. "Come on."

They joined hands and left the house.

Later

Keeter had invited everyone he knew, the music was loud, and the alcohol was flowing. It wasn't exactly Harm's idea of a good time, too noisy and crowded, but it was nice with a night out. Harm noticed that he wasn't the only one finding Mac attractive.

"Buddy, any news about Steve?" Keeter was sipping his beer.

Harm tore his eyes away from Mac who had been approached by a tall, handsome man with a killer smile meant just for her. He had picked her out from the crowd of seven women standing together talking. Not surprising, because she looked good. In uniform men found her attractive, in civilian attire, they found her drop-dead gorgeous. He was used to it by now, and proud to be the man who got to take her home, but it didn't mean that he liked it.

"Nothing yet. It's been four weeks," Harm sipped his beer thoughtfully.

"Rumor is that he went to the dark side," Keeter looked doubtful.

"No way, not Steve. He was as by the book as they came," Harm pointed out as he saw the man grab Mac's arm as she tried to walk away from him.

"She'll deck him, won't she?" Keeter said as Harm started moving over there.

The guy was flat on his back the next second. "Something like that."

"That's Markus, a neighbor. He's a little dumb when he's drinking, but usually harmless. A real asshole though. I don't know why I invited him," Keeter chuckled. "He likes to think that he can go home with whomever he wants."

Harm and Keeter walked up to where Mac and the other women stood looking down on poor Markus. "Need some help, babe?" Harm wondered.

"Nah, he's learned his lesson," Mac smirked.

"You bitch," Marcus got to his feet and went after her again. He was rewarded with a palm to the nose.

Keeter took hold of Marcus and dragged him away. "Hey buddy, think twice before you approach a United States Marine," he turned Marcus towards Harm. "This is my buddy Harm. He's the Cowboy who's married to that Marine."

"That's no way to treat a lady," Harm warned.

"Sorry, buddy," Markus raised his hands in surrender, blood streaming down his face.

"I think it's time we sent you home to sleep it off," Keeter dragged Marcus away.

There was a round of applause. Harm wrapped his arms around Mac and kissed her cheek. "That's my girl."

"Now that was impressive. How did you do that?" Cathy asked.

Mac shrugged. "A girl's gotta be able to handle herself."

Harm saw Gina Moretti walk in their direction. "Hey, Gina." She was someone he once knew and Steve Campbell's partner. Steve had been Harm's friend through flight school, and they had ended up in the same squadron. They had been close until Steve had to leave after having brain surgery to remove a tumor. He had been lucky and survived, cancer free, but with his vision degraded he had to find a new career path and ended up a cop.

"Hi, Harm. You have a minute?" Gina wondered.

Harm nodded, sensing that it was a little personal. "Sure, come on," he kissed Mac's cheek again. "Stay out of trouble," he let her go and followed Gina. They found a quiet spot on the porch.

"They found Steve this week," Gina slumped down in a lawn chair. "In the swamp. Wasn't much to identify, but DNA proved that it was him."

"I'm so sorry, Gina," Harm took a moment to remember his old friend back in the day when they served together. "He was a good guy."

"They think he went corrupt, Harm," Tina was obviously frustrated. "I don't believe it. We worked together for twelve years. I would have known."

"I don't believe it either," Harm hesitated. "What was he involved in?"

"Drugs. They found things when they searched his apartment," Gina stood and crossed her arms. "It must have been planted there."

"But why?" Harm wondered.

"He was working on something. Before he disappeared. It was someone on the squad. He suspected that one of our own was involved in bad things," Gina looked around. "There was some evidence missing on a drug case. It disappeared from the evidence locker. The bad guys got away. Happened more than once just as we were about to get one of the big guys."

"No one else suspected anything?" Harm questioned.

"A bunch of us, but we didn't get the resources to investigate. Captain Hoch told us to let it go," Gina hesitated. "Steve didn't listen."

"You helped?" Harm wondered.

"Yeah, but there were a lot of things he wouldn't share. To keep me safe," Gina let out a sigh. "I told him to let it go, but he was determined. I think it had something to do with his sister dying. It was drug related you know."

Harm nodded. "I remember." It was during Harm's time flying for the Agency. He had been to Jacksonville for the funeral and spent a long weekend. That's when he'd gotten to know Gina better than intended. It had been one drunken night; both agreed to leave it at that."

Harm noticed that Mac was looking at him from her place talking with Keeter, Cathy, and a few more people. Others had left as it was winding down. He caught her eyes and smiled. "Why are you telling me this?" Harm focused on Gina again.

"I just needed to unwind. You knew Steve and the kind of man he was. I don't know what to do," she admitted.

"Well," Harm stood. "I don't have jurisdiction. I can ask around a little. Steve was in the reserves. It's a stretch, but maybe I could open up an investigation into his death. Get NCIS involved. At the very least Internal Affairs needs to look into what's going on with your squad. If evidence was disappearing," he chewed his lip thoughtfully. "Someone is corrupt."

"You'd try to get it looked into?" she raised her eyebrows.

Harm hesitated. "If your guys are corrupt, maybe someone else needs to get into it. I'm not making any promises here, but I'll try."

"Thanks, Harm," Gina smiled and looked behind him. "Your Colonel seems to want to take you home."

Harm turned and saw Mac approaching. "Hey babe, ready to go?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm all partied out," she offered a nod in Gina's direction. "Gina."

"Colonel," Gina walked past them. "Let me know what you find out," she said to Harm, then walked over to Keeter.

"What's going on?" Mac took Harm's hand, and he pulled her into his arms, kissing her softly.

"It's about Steve. I'll fill you in on the way home," he put his forehead close to hers. "You're crazy beautiful."

"Always the charmer, Rabb," she kissed him again.

"I'll charm that skirt right off of you, once we get home," he promised and released her. "Let's say goodnight to the Jack and Cathy and get out of here."

Later

Harm could sense that Mac was apprehensive when he told her about what he was up to regarding the death of his friend Steve. She warned him about getting involved which made Harm a little frustrated; sure she'd be supportive.

"At least be sure before you start something that will ruin your career," she said as they exited the car.

"I figured you'd be the first to understand," he glanced at her as they walked towards the house.

"I understand that an old friend is dead and an old flame came to you for help, and you want to be the hero coming to her aid," Mac war so busy rambling that she didn't notice the warning look from her husband.

"Damn it, Mac," he closed the door shut behind them with a little more force than necessary and made sure the alarm was set. "Is that what you think of me?"

She was surprised by his angry outburst. "Harm, what is up with you?"

"Nothing," he walked past her. "Just forget about it."

"You're angry," she walked after him. "I thought we were having a nice night."

"Until my wife and long-term partner accuse me of wanting to play hero," he moved upstairs without even looking at her.

She followed him. "Okay, so explain it to me," she said calmly.

He threw his hat on the bed. "First of all, Steve was as good a guy as they come. He saved my six more than once up there. When he couldn't fly anymore he took it really nice, just left it all behind and found a new career. No grudge, no crazy obsession to get back up. He excelled quickly and became Detective. Always working to do right by people. He was a good cop and to think that someone is setting him up, I want to figure out what was going on. Clear his name."

"Okay," she didn't look convinced. "It feels like another obsession. We have the kids to think about, Harm. You have a family."

He looked hurt. "You think I'd play it stupid and put you or our kids in danger. Have a little faith, Mac."

"What's your plan?" she wondered, still unsure if he had thought this through.

"I want to talk to some people, make sure the evidence adds up. Steve was in the reserves, so maybe I could use that to start an investigation. There are ways to play this out without putting me at risk. It's not like I'll go to war against the force myself, but if this Captain Hoch is covering it demands for Internal Affairs to get involved," Harm studied her. "I'm not going on a suicide mission, Mac."

Mac smiled. "Just looking out for you, babe."

Harm eased up and chuckled. "So, we're not arguing then?"

"I'm not," she smirked.

Harm hesitated. "I guess this thing with Steve has been on my mind. I finally feel like I can do something to help."

"Your sense of right is one of the things I love the most about you, Harm. It's also the thing that scares me the most," she admitted. "Over the years I've seen what you're willing to do to get to the truth. I don't want to be the one to put on the breaks, but there's a bigger picture here."

"You and the kids," he smiled. "I like that picture."

"Me too, and I'd like to keep you around," she moved into his embrace.

His mouth found hers in a deep kiss, nothing was keeping them apart, and for each passing year, he just loved her even more. She felt the same way and now and then she wondered what had really kept them apart those nine years before they finally took a chance and changed their lives forever.

Afterward, they lay entwined in bed. The clock had past three in the morning as they drifted off to sleep.