RANDOM BITS OF MARRIED LIFE (although this scene comes from when Harm and Mac were dating, at least in my shipper world)
DOUBTS
"I want to take care of you, not control you! Why won't you let me love you?" Harm asked, almost yelling at her.
Mac was stunned. Most guys she dated wanted to take away her independence, control her. She hated that. Brumby had done it, especially when it came to planning their wedding. Rarely was she able to do what she wanted to do. With Chris, she had always been to drunk to be able to do anything sensibly. Her relationship with Farrow had been overshadowed by fear and guilt. Males always felt the need to dominate in the relationship, didn't they? Could it be that she finally found someone who didn't fit into this category?
Harm sat down on the couch, leaning forward to hold his face in his hands. He was overwhelmed and overcome with heartache and woe.
She sat down beside him, her legs tucked up underneath her, putting a hand on his back. "Explain what you mean, please."
"Which part? The part where I said I want to take care of you because I love you so much? Or the part where I said I would never want to control you because your independence and feisty competitive Marine spirit is what I love best about you and is what challenges me to be a better person? Or did you mean the part where I said that you won't let me love you? I love you Sarah, God help me but I do," he cried, unable to look up at her.
"All my life I've met men who want to dominate in the relationship; men who need to be on top. You defy all that and that knowledge alone leaves me confused," Mac said, running her hand gently around on his back in small circles. "Harm, I'm afraid."
"Why?" He finally looked up at her, his deep blue-green eyes wide and questioning.
"Because I'm afraid of being smothered. I need to be loved but I also need my space, my freedom, my independence. Sometimes, I need to win, to be on top."
"What made you think that I always want to lead in this little dance?"
"You're a pilot, Harm. You're used to being in complete and total control. I just always figured that those characteristics would carry over into any relationship you have. I can't be someone who just sits back and watches you fly this thing," she told him.
"A RIO doesn't just sit back and watch. Good RIO's are always there behind the pilot, watching their six, helping them to stay in the air, making them a better pilot. They're essential in flying just like you're essential in my life. You do the same thing, always there, looking out for me, keeping me from going crazy or losing control. We'll be a team. We can do it, you know. We manage to do it in the courtroom. I think we can handle it in this relationship," he explained.
"Harmon Rabb, I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."
"That's because it's true. You're not the only one who's scared about this."
"So how do we get through this?" asked Mac.
"One day at a time, just one day at a time."