Episode 10 Sydney, Australia
"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out of this stupid country." Harm chuckled as he led Mac to the mat.
"Well, it isn't my favorite place, that's for sure." She ripped open the clue. "Harm, promise me something, okay? Promise me that you won't shut me out. We can get through this together."
He swallowed hard, "Russia?"
She nodded slightly. "We're supposed to fly to St. Petersburg."
"Let's go."
"You okay?"
"You'll be there with me. Just be patient with me, okay?"
She kissed his cheek softly and led him to the car.
They arrived at the airport and were soon joined by the other teams. "It's going to be okay." Mac assured him gently.
"The way I see it is this leg should be cake walk."
"Why's that?"
"I have a gorgeous Russian translator by my side."
She smiled. "The answer's yes."
He looked up quickly. "You lost me, babe. The answer to what is yes?"
"Last time you were this sweet you were doing it for a kiss."
He smiled slowly. "And the answer's yes, huh?" He jokingly pulled her onto his lap before claiming her lips with her lips with his own. By the time he released her, she was breathless and dazed. "I'm going to have to be sweet all the time."
"You don't hear me complaining do you?" She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Who'd have thought?" He smiled a little more, relaxing a bit.
"Who'd have thought what?"
"My Jarhead's a snuggler."
She pulled back to look at him. "One, you pulled me onto you lap and two...'your' Jarhead?" She teased.
"You will be when we win this race."
She playfully rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah...whatever."
"You'll be mine and you'll love it."
"We'll see, Sailor."
He smiled even more, briefly forgetting about their destination. "Yes, we will."
Mac stood when they called for boarding. She took his hand and led him onto the plane. "Just remember that I'm here for you."
He nodded slightly, hoping for the best.
"You know, I've been thinking."
"Uh oh." He smiled faintly.
"We need to go someplace warm for our honeymoon. First Alaska...now Russia...I'm thinking we should go somewhere in the Caribbean."
Harm's smile grew significantly when she brought up their honeymoon. "So, we try to get two weeks off...one in Paris and one in the Caribbean somewhere."
"Why should we need two whole weeks, Flyboy?" She smiled coyly.
"I think you know...female Marines and Energizer bunnies..."
"Ah, but can you keep up with me?"
"I'm sure that I can manage. Don't you worry your pretty little head."
She kissed him lightly. "I'm not worried at all."
Throughout the flight, Harm tried to bring up random things like who she thought would win the Super Bowl and some 'getting to know you' type questions. By the time they touched down in St. Petersburg, Harm knew her favorite color, clothing material, song, movie, TV show, and so much more. "You know, Marine. I think I know almost everything there is about you. There's only one category that's still a blank and I intend to fill in that blank as soon as this race is over." He teased lightly.
She could tell by the slight quiver in his voice that the nerves were beginning to resurface. She knew that this would be hard on him. That's why she had humored him and his constant array of questions during the flight. "We'll see, Sailor." She led him off the plane and ran to the clue box. "Detour."
In this detour, teams must choose between 'Block 5 shots' and 'Drink 1 shot'. In block, teams must drive a short distance to a hockey ring and tend the goal together to stop five slap shots. Even together, it may be difficult as they'll be against professional players. In drink, teams must drive a longer distance to perform a Cossack tradition. They will drink one shot of vodka from a glass that is balanced on a sword. This task is much easier even though it will take slightly longer to get there.
Mac swallowed hard as she read over the clue. The next thing she knew, Harm was pulling her towards the cars. "I've always wanted to try hockey. Just don't laugh at me when I fall on my six, okay? I'm not a very good skater."
"Harm, that may take forever…the other choice is a lot easier."
"Mac, this race isn't worth giving up your sobriety over."
"I'll be okay, Harm. All the other teams went for the drink and it's just one shot and-…"
"And nothing. One shot of vodka is…it's just not worth it, Mac."
"So…it's not worth it me to take one shot so that we can win this race and…" She stopped, staring at the ground. "Look, Harm…if we win this thing, we don't have to…if you don't want to."
"Hey…Mac…" He used his fingertips to gently lift her chin so he could look into her eyes. "I do want to, but I don't want you to get hurt along the way. If we fall behind, we can catch up. But the other teams are gone, so…let's get out of here and play some hockey."
She smiled very faintly. "You're so stubborn." She got in, driving them to the rink.
Ten minutes later, they were suited up and "skating" over to the goal. She was managing fine until Harm began to fall. His instincts kicked in and he grabbed for her hand to keep himself up. However, he only succeeded in pulling her down with him.
"Harm!" She gasped as she hit the ice.
Harm groaned. "That's cold."
"Hon…It's ice. The definition of ice is 'frozen' water." She teased, laughing.
"Ha ha." Harm used the goal to pull himself up and then reached down to pull her up as well. He once again lost his balance and tumbled down onto her. "Uh…hi."
She smiled softly up at him. "Hi."
"Did I hurt you?"
"Nah, but you'll still have to give me a back massage later to make up for it."
"I think I can manage that." He couldn't help himself. His eyes were drawn to her lips and soon his lips followed.
She trembled under him from the stark contrast of the ice under her and the warm lips that were caressing hers. She very reluctantly broke the kiss. "Harm…as much as I'd love to 'fill in the blanks' about me right now…we have a race to win, remember?"
He smiled faintly and nodded. Once more he used the goal to pull himself up, but this time he was successful in helping her up.
Twenty minutes later, they had blocked the five shots, changed and were back in the car. Harm read the clue. "We're supposed to go to um…this place." He smiled shyly, unable to even begin to pronounce the restaurant.
//He's too cute.// Mac kissed his cheek before driving them to the location. Once inside, she ripped open their clue. "Okay, Flyboy…eat 2 lbs of caviar."
"What? Ah, c'mon…you're the one with the huge appetite."
"True, but it's your turn and I hate that crap. Have fun." She smirked. "The clock's ticking…" She pushed him towards the tables where Andy and David were struggling to down their portions.
Harm grumbled and began to eat slowly. He grimaced as the first bite hit his tongue. "If there's another eating one in this race…it's yours."
"Okay, Hon…now shut up and eat." She rubbed his back gently as he forced his bite down. "Just think about what you're doing this for." She smiled when he started eating faster.
Harm finished not long after Andy and they ripped open their clue. "Get to the pit stop at Catherine's Palace. The last team to arrive may be eliminated."
The rushed out of the restaurant as Gerry arrived. Mac drove them quickly and they arrived at the mat two minutes after Andy and Bev.
"Harm and Mac, you're team number two."
Harm bent to kiss her, but Mac turned away. "Mac?"
"Not until you brush your teeth." She kissed his cheek. "You just ate two pounds of caviar, Flyboy."
He groaned playfully. "You don't have to remind me." He led her over to the rest area as David/Pete stepped onto the mat.
Gerry and Melissa arrived twenty minutes later and we relieved to find that it was the last non-elimination leg.
Harm sat quietly, watching the sunset. He felt Mac's fingers run through his hair and relaxed slightly. "I'm sorry. I just…hate this place."
She nodded and she pulled him gently back against her chest, one leg on either side of him. "I know, Harm, and you don't need to apologize for that. But we got through this and we'll be out of this place tomorrow. And I am really proud of you for pushing it aside enough for us to get through the leg. But we have twelve hours now…you can let it all out."
"Thank you." He whispered, silent tears making their way down his cheeks as he relaxed against her completely.
The remained that way for several hours before finally going back to their room for a nap.