Episode 9 Paris
Harm groaned as his watch went off, alerting them of their need to head to the mat. "So not fair."
"We'll continue this later." She pushed him off her gently before rebuttoning her shirt.
"I'll hold you to that."
"I hope you do." She smiled as he helped her to his feet. They grabbed their bags before walking hand-in-hand to the mat.
Harm couldn't take his eyes off her as she ripped open their clue. "Where to, baby?"
"You've got to be kidding." She sighed.
"What is it?"
She shook her head. "Travel to the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia."
His eyes widened. "Well, look at it this way...we know the area?"
"I guess so." She led him to the cars before driving in silence to the airport. She kept thinking about their talk on the ferry that fateful night. She remembered the pain vividly. Doubts slowly began to creep into her thoughts. Back then, Harm didn't think they'd be able to work them out. What if he began thinking that way again when they returned to DC? She didn't know if she could risk that kind of pain. Maybe they should hold off on the relationship stuff until they were back home.
When they arrived at the airport, Harm tried to take her hand but she pulled away and continued to the ticket counter. "I think we're on the same flight as the rest of the teams." She told him, her tone more professional.
Harm followed her as they joined the rest of the teams at the gate. "At least we caught up."
"Though it may be better if we didn't win this."
"Don't say that. Mac, I know that I screwed up last time we were in Sydney and I regret it every day of my life. Please, just forgive me? Paris was amazing. Don't back away now."
She looked into his pleading eyes. "I just...you didn't think..."
"I was wrong, Mac, and that was a long time ago. So much has happened since then. And maybe going to Sydney will give us a chance to make it right?"
She smiled very faintly. "Maybe it will."
He very tentatively draped his arm around her shoulders, sighing in relief when she leaned into him instead of pulling away. He played gently with the ends of her hair until their flight was called.
Mac took his hand as they boarded the plane. They talked throughout the flight, but made sure to stay on safer topics like the weather and things that they'd seen during the race.
Soon, they touched down in Sydney and the teams rushed off the plane. They all found the waiting SUVs and took off for the bridge.
Harm and Mac led the way since they knew how to get there. Each team was to sign up, first-come-first-serve for flights to Adelaide. They would then parachute down into the Australian Outback where they would find their next clue.
Harm/Mac signed first, followed by Andy/Bev, Pete/David and finally Gerry/Melissa.
"Looks like we're back in this thing, Ninja Girl."
"Just as long as the next leg doesn't throw us off the track again."
"C'mon, Mac, be positive." He kissed her cheek before leading her to the plane.
They boarded and got set up with their parachutes. "So, you think that I should see being Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr as a positive thing?" She joked.
"You think you're cute, don't you?"
"Not necessarily, but I know you think that I am." She tried to hide the smirk.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but I don't think you're cute."
"You don't?" Her smile faded.
"Nah, you're too hot to be cute." He chuckled as her eyes widened. "You can't tell me you're surprised. Have you ever looked in a mirror?"
She blushed. "You're full of it, Harm."
They listened to the safety instructions before leaping from the plane. They'd both made jumps before so neither of them was nervous. Soon, they landed safely in the Australian Outback.
Harm ripped open their clue. "Detour."
In this detour, teams must chose between 'heat up' and 'cool down'. In heat up, teams must play three holes of golf on the driest course in the world. The temperatures on the course can reach up to 130 degrees. In cool down, teams must enter a mine and dig for opal. They must ensure that the opal is real which can take time.
He raised an eyebrow. "I think we should heat things up, don't you?"
"On the golf course, sure." She kissed his cheek before climbing into their Jeep.
Harm chuckled. "We'll see." He drove them to the course. "You any good...at golf that is?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "I knew what you meant. And I've played a couple times, but not many. You?"
"Too slow paced for me." He shrugged, smiling.
"Yeah, no G-forces on the golf course." She picked out a club and approached the tee.
Harm couldn't help but watch her as she swung the club. "Definitely hot out here."
"What was that, Sailor?"
"Um...the ball is in the clear."
"Yeah...sure." She laughed, leading him to the ball.