A/N: Hello everyone! I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for all of your comments, on all of my stories, they mean a great deal to me.

I know I haven't been updating this regularly but I'll try my hardest to do so. However, sometimes real like gets in the way so I can't make any guarantees.

Also, this is un-edited and un-beta'd so all mistakes are courtesy of me.

Harm's Apartment

North of Union Station

1645 (4:45 local)

Harm walked around his apartment making sure his windows were shut and locked before entering his bedroom to finish packing his duffel. While packing his bag his thoughts went to Mac, just like they always did.

Over the course of the week, Harm made it a point to give Mac the space she wanted. It hurt him to do so but he did it anyway. He didn't touch her in anyway, not that he didn't think about it and when their paths crossed in the bullpen or break room he would send her a small, sad smile or he'd sneak a look at her when he thought she wasn't looking in an attempt to gauge her attitude.

As for conversations, those were few and far between also. He didn't call her at nighttime to see how her day went like he used too and the only words spoken between them happened Wednesday morning. After Mac told him to enter at his soft knock on her office door, he poked his head in to say he'd pick her up Thursday night around 1730 and to bring a book because Grams didn't have cable. They would leave a day early because the 'big wigs,' as Harriet called them, were headed to JAG for a conference so all officers had an extended weekend. Her reply was just an 'okay' and that was that.

Now he was finishing his packing and praying to the heavens that the weekend away from JAG would help Mac relax and focus on what she needed to work through so they could be together. After all, time is of the essence, or so they say.

Once he had his socks and an extra set of pajamas packed, Harm zipped up his duffel, grabbed his jacket and bags then headed out the door.

Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment

Georgetown

1723 (5:23 local)

Mac was running on autopilot while she went around the house taking care of things that needed to get done before she left. However, if someone were to ask her what she had accomplished before leaving for the weekend she wouldn't be able to tell you.

While she went around her apartment closing windows and cleaning to pass the time, her mind drifted to this past week. Ever since her dinner with Harm on Sunday night it seemed as if things passed in slow motion. She knew the week was progressing but her mind was still in Sunday night. Harm had pretty much laid everything out for her, stated his intentions and let her in, like she said she wanted, but she turned him away.

Turning him away for what felt like the millionth time in their relationship hurt Mac more than she thought. For this time, she was truly afraid that he would see that he was wasting his time and move on by the time she was ready to start something with him. But Mac knew it was necessary; she had things she needed to work through in order for them to have a healthy relationship.

During the week she noticed the space Harm gave her and for that she was somewhat grateful. The space made it easier for her to work through her insecurities, one in particular. Ever since her break-up with Clay, make began to analyze why all of her relationships ended in disaster. Eddie, Chris, Dalton, Farrow, Mic and Clay, in some way shape or form, whether it was before, during or after the relationship ended, Mac always found something wrong with herself and to her, that added to the cause of the break-up. And she didn't realize she did it until she broke up with Clay.

Besides the fact he was a spook, Clay wasn't right for her and she knew that. Being a CIA agent meant you were full of secrets and secrets weren't healthy in relationships. Being an agent also meant that you were in undisclosed locations for any amount of time, which meant your partner, carried around an extra amount of worry when in some instances there wasn't anything to worry about in the first place.

Mac also had trust issues with Clay and trust is a main component in having a healthy relationship with someone. On the rare occasion when Clay would tell Mac where he was going, Mac took him at his word. She figured that because he didn't tell her his location often, when he did he was telling the truth. But that all changed the day she found out Clay had his assistant ordering gifts for her from magazines, causing Mac to believe the gifts came from the country he claimed to be in.

But deep down in her heart, Mac knew she would never feel like that with Harm. She never once doubted her trust in him and he'd never made her feel as though she wasn't pretty enough for his taste. She was the one who thought he was only interested in blonde, blue-eyed, busty women and that's partially where her insecurities stemmed from. How would she ever be able to compete with these types of woman thinking that was all Harm was interested in? It wasn't until Harm told her she was beautiful before she realized she was wrong.

Once Wednesday came and Mac resolved her insecurities, she felt lighter, like this weight had been lifted and it felt great. She wasn't completely back to her old wisecracking self but she felt she was getting there. When she caught Harm looking at her in the break room that morning, she even cracked the faintest of smiles, but it was a smile nonetheless.

Before her thoughts had the chance to progress she heard a light knock on her door. After looking through the peephole to see Harm's semi-sad face, she opened the door with a slight smile.

"Hey." After Harm gave her his standard greeting he couldn't help but stare. Her beauty never ceased to amaze him, even in jeans, t-shirt and no make-up she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Mac noticed he was staring and smiled a bit brighter at the look on Harm's face. Her heart skipped a beat at the pure excitement on his face at just seeing her.

"You ready?" Mac nodded her head in response and left Harm at the door long enough for her to grab her coat, bag and purse from the coffee table in the living room. After she locked the door to her apartment they headed down the hall to the stair well.

Harm placed his hand at the small of her back in guidance while they made their way down the stairs and was surprised that she tensed up momentarily before relaxing at his touch.

When they reached Harm's SUV he opened the back door so Mac could put her bags in. She noticed that Harm had two bags and thought he might have over packed for a weekend trip but didn't say anything.

After her bag was in the back, Harm put his hand on her back once more, just needing to touch her if only for a moment, while they walked around the front of the SUV to the passengers side. Once they got there Harm opened the door for Mac and stood waiting for her to get in. But instead she turned around and faced him. Mac was hoping her nerves wouldn't cause her to chicken out so before they had the chance to do so, she place one hand on his cheek then reached up to plant a soft, lingering kiss on Harm's cheek.

Mac looked away quickly missing the shock on Harm's face then got into the car. Once she was seated Harm shut her door before hurrying into to the drivers side and getting in himself.

Once they were buckled and the car was warmed up, Harm pulled onto the street before heading for the highway…

Part 6

Grandma Sarah's Farm

Bellevue

1916 (7:16 local)

Harm pulled up the long dirt road leading to his Grandmother's Farm, breathing in the air that filtered in through his slightly cracked window. The ride up to the farm had been a quite one; both Harm and Mac were too wrapped up in their thoughts to worry about making small talk.

Mac started analyzing her kiss to Harm's cheek. She didn't know what came over her. Having feeling a bit lighter after working through some of her insecurities, Mac chose to live in the moment. She thought about kissing him in a more passionate manor but she opted for the safer kiss, a kiss on the cheek. Even the slightest touch of her lips to his cheek sent shivers down her spine. The feelings she had for this one man were stronger than ever before and she was beginning to wonder why she fought them in the first place.

Mac decided it was time for a change; it was time for her to live in the moment, just like Harm had been recently. She vowed to listen to her heart instead of her head this weekend by deciding to act out her emotions. If she felt like touching Harm, she would, if she felt like kissing him, she would do that too. She had a new attitude, turned over a new leaf, just by taking a drive on the high way.

As for Harm, his thoughts revolved around the impending weekend. He knew how his grandmother got when it came to Harm with a woman and he knew that she might make an attempt to get him and Mac together. Harm knew his grandmother just wanted him to be happy, but his relationship with Mac was far from normal. They went through things no other woman could even imagine and he didn't want his grandmother trying to play cupid with their already fragile relationship.

His mother, well that's a different story. She too wants Harm to be happy, just like every mother wants for her child. But she was a little tougher when it came to Harm's girlfriends; she wasn't as passive as his grandmother was. She wanted to know the women inside and out, she wanted to make sure they had Harm's best interest at heart. Yes, she may come off a little on the mean and aggressive side, but if she thinks the woman would be good for her son, it's all smooth sailing from there.

All Harm knew was that he would have to have a serious talk with his mother and grandmother. Asking Mac to go away with him for the weekend was harder than he thought it would be. He had always thought about asking her to go with him when he visited his grandmother but every time he made the trip, his relationship with Mac always seemed to be in a rocky place. So instead of risking the friendship, he would just leave for the weekend and come back on time for work on Monday.

But this time it was different. Yes, his relationship with Mac hit a bump in the road due to Sunday night, but Harm was in a different place, emotionally, than he had been before. He had finally decided to take action and show Mac how he felt about her. The coffee, the smiles, the talks, the touches, they were all part of his attempt to show Mac how much he cared about her.

And Harm also thought the weekend trip would help ease Mac's mind. He knew she needed some space so he gave it too her. She had insecurities to work through, like she had mentioned to him before, and he only hoped that their weekend getaway would help her get over them.

But she also needed a break from real life, although she would never admit it. Her workload had increased tremendously over the past few weeks and Marine or not, it was a lot to handle.

And now here they were, pulling onto the dirt road leading to Harm's grandmother's farm, where they would spend the next three days relaxing and just enjoying each other's company…hopefully. Harm pulled up next to the station wagon parked off to the left of the farm and shut off the car. He glanced over at Mac to find her looking at him, so he gave her a small smile.

"Where here." Mac smiled at him briefly then looked away in nervousness. She may be a Marine and even though she's supposed to be ready for anything, she was always shy when it came to meeting someone new. But when she was in uniform she never let it show, she personified the strong Marine with the squared shoulders and determined look. Out of uniform, that was totally different. Out of uniform she was still a shy girl in a thirty-year-old woman's body.

Harm sensed her nervousness and reached over to take hold of her hand. He squeezed it gently to get her attention then replied, "There's nothing to be nervous about, Mac. You're family." Mac smiled softly at him and looked away so he wouldn't her glossy eyes.

After Harm released Mac's hand he took the keys from the ignition and opened his door. Mac got out of the car and met Harm on the opposite side of the vehicle to help him retrieve their bags. By the time she made it over to his side he already one bag over his shoulder and the other two in his hand. He shut the door with his free hand.

"Do you want me to take a bag, Harm?" Mac asked while reaching for a bag. Harm just shook his head and said "No thanks" before placing his free hand at the small of her back, leading her up the porch steps to the front door. Mac could hear music coming through the open windows and the sound of two voices singing along with the king. She couldn't help but smile at her surroundings; just the loud music and Harm at her side was making her very happy.

Raising a hand, Harm knocked on the door and waited for a response. After a few seconds he knocked again before walking through the front door and into the living room. The sight in front of him warmed his heart, his mother and grandmother bounced around the living room like two teenage girls at a sleep over singing 'Blue Swede Shoes' without a care in the world.

"Are we interrupting something girls?" Harm raised his voice over them so he would be heard. Once recognition dawned on them, his grandmother turned of the radio before hurrying over towards him and Mac who still stood at the door.

"Why hello, Harmon! So good to see you! Come over here and give your Grams a hug!" Harm stepped forward and hugged his grandmother.

"Good to see you too, Grams."

"Make sure you save some of the lovin' for your mother!" Before Harm had the chance to move, his mother, locking him in a death-grip embrace, tackled him.

After a few seconds of embracing his mother, Harm pulled away and stepped over so he was at Mac's side.

"Mom, Grams, I'd like for you to meet Sarah MacKenzie. Mac, Patricia Burnett and Grandma Sarah." Mac put out her hand anticipating a friendly handshake at the introduction but was momentarily offended when neither of the two women took her hand. Instead both Trish and Grams looked at each other before pulling Mac into a warm embrace. Mac hesitated for a moment, overcome with so many emotions, joy, happiness, and love. But Mac promised herself that this weekend was about living in the moment, and in that moment she felt like responding. So Mac wrapped her arms around both women and held on gently.

Harm watched from the sidelines with a grin from ear to ear. The sight in front of him made him feel like the happiest man in the world, to his the three most important people in his life having an all out hug-fest.

After a few short moments Grams and Trish released Mac from their embrace and Mac returned to Harm's side almost immediately, seeking out his warmth; an action that didn't go unnoticed by the other women.

"Please Sarah, call me Grams. I'm not into formalities and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable calling me Sarah, seeing as how it is your name." Mac nodded her head in agreement. She couldn't help but notice some of the qualities she had that Harm had also, height, clear skin with the exception of the wrinkles that came with age, ocean blue eyes, and that smile, the one she knew Harm reserved for just her.

"The same goes for me too, Sarah, I don't do formalities unless it's business related. Please, call me Trish." Trish, however, didn't seem to possess any of the qualities that Harm had. She was a tiny woman, only about five foot six, if Mac were to guess. She had high cheekbones, flawless complexion, and deep, green eyes.

"Well it's very nice to meet you, Grams and Trish. You don't have to call me Sarah, Mac is fine." Mac's shyness was starting to appear and she wasn't sure what she should do about it. She folded her hands and started to play with her thumbs in nervousness. She couldn't remember a time when she had felt like this, like the new girl on the play ground, not knowing where to go and who to play with.

Harm placed his hand at the small of her back and started to rub small, soothing circles with .his thumb in an attempt to put her at ease.

"Nonsense, dear. Mac isn't the name for such a beautiful woman. 'Mac' is the name of a truck; 'Sarah' is the name of a woman." Grams smiled a small smile at Mac in an attempt to make her feel more welcomed.

Mac smiled in return then looked at her surroundings while Harm left her side momentarily to place their bags by the stairs. The brown leather furniture accented the rustic vibe to the living room. There was a soft brown throw rug in the middle of the living room floor which matched the throw blanket on the back of the sofa. There were two recliners across the room from the sofa with their backs to the stairs, facing the fireplace. And pictures all over the walls; pictures of Grams and who Mac assumed was Harm's grandfather, Harm Sr. and Trish, Trish and Frank, and a few of Harm as a child.

When Harm returned to Mac's side, the pair sat down on the sofa while Trish and Grams sat on the two recliners.

"So Sarah, what made you finally decide to come this weekend? I've been after Harm to bring you up here for years." Grams didn't think anything of asking what she thought was an innocent question. Little did she know it wasn't all that innocent to Harm and Mac. You see, for Harm never once mentioned Grams' offer to Mac; she never knew Harm's grandmother was even interested in wanting to meet her.

But now was not the time for Harm and Mac to get into that. So instead, Mac just answered the question the best way she could. "Well, my work schedule has been pretty grueling lately so when Harm asked me to come, I was excited about the break I would be getting." Okay, so that was only partially true. But it was true none-the-less.

"What about you dear, how has work been?" Trish looked at her son before leaning back in the recliner.

"It's been pretty crazy. We've been short staffed lately so our case loads have been pretty full. But lately, with the exception of one case, most of the work has kept me in the office."

While Trish continued to talk to Harm and Mac about work and life in DC, Grams studied her grandson and his friend. The pair sat with their backs to the sofa, enough space between them for each to be comfortable but Grams noticed something. She noticed the twitch in Harm's hand whenever he looked at Mac, like he wanted to take her hand but fought it so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. And Mac, when she spoke to Trish she kept her hand palm side up, almost as if she were waiting for Harm's hand to take a hold of hers and put her at ease but it never happened.

There was definitely something going on between her grandson and his 'friend' and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

After an hour or so of catching up with his mother and Grandmother, Harm stood up from the sofa. "I don't know about you Marine, but I'm beat so I'm heading to bed. I can show you to your room if you'd like." Mac nodded in response then took Harm's hand as she stood up from the sofa.

"Grams, Trish, I'm sorry to cut our conversation short but I am a bit tired myself so I think I'll be going to bed."

"Don't be sorry, dear. I'm sure the drive had something to do with it. We'll have to give you the full tour tomorrow morning." Grams smiled before reaching up to give Harm a kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Harmon. Good night, Sarah." Grams gave Mac a kiss on the cheek also before moving to make sure the door was locked.

Harm made his way over to his mother so he good give her a kiss goodnight. "Night mom."

"Good night, Harm. Good night, Sarah." Mac smiled in response then followed Harm up the stairs with their bags. Once they reached the top of the stair Harm started to point out the rooms to Mac.

"That's the master bedroom where Grams sleeps. The room next to hers is the guest bedroom where mom will be sleeping. Next to that is the bathroom, and across from the bathroom is your room." When they reached the entrance to Mac's bedroom, Harm walked in and placed her bag on the bed while Mac left Harm's bag at the door.

"The room isn't really that big but you should have enough room in here." Mac looked around at her surroundings. The full size bed was set in the middle of the room with two nightstands on either side of the bed, one with a lamp and the other with a book. To the right of the room was a bureau and to the left of the room was a small desk with some pens and paper.

"This used to be an office but Grams turned it into a bedroom, she just didn't know where to put the desk so she left it in here." Harm paused for a moment to allow Mac to take in everything then continued. "You can have the bathroom first, just let me know when you're through so I can brush my teeth. My room is right next door if you need anything."

Mac nodded her head in response before Harm left her room and headed into his. She wasn't trying to give him the silent treatment, but her nerves were getting the better of her and that was something she was trying to get a hold of.

Once Mac unpacked her bag and put everything in the bureau, she hurried to change so Harm could use the bathroom. She knocked on his door to let him know the bathroom was open before returning to her room.

After Harm finished in the bathroom, he went into Mac's room to say good night. He found her with her arms wrapped around herself, standing next to the window and looking out at the dark sky. He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder to turn her around.

"You okay?" His voice was laced with emotion and concern.

Mac turned to him with glossy eyes before placing her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist. She'd wanted to do that ever since he'd shown up at her apartment but she chose not too. Harm wrapped his arms around her body holding her to him securely. He ran one hand up and down her back in a soothing manner while the other arm stayed firmly wrapped around her waist.

Mac wasn't sure if hugging him was the best idea, but she promised herself she'd live in the moment and in that current moment she craved him. She wanted to feel something other than scared and nervous and she knew she would get it by hugging him.

After a few short moments, Harm placed a soft kiss on the top of her head before whispering, "If you ever feel scared or nervous or…insecure about anything, just come to me and I'll try to make those feelings go away. You're safe with me, Mac, remember that." She nodded into the crook of his neck, not wanting to release him but knowing they couldn't stand there all night.

"Thank you, Harm." With her whispered words, Mac pulled away and looked into Harm's eyes. She seen the love he had for her and knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that they would be okay. It was just getting there that seemed to be a bit difficult.

"Better?" Mac nodded again before reaching up to plant a soft kiss on his Harm's cheek.

"I am now." She smiled at him then playfully pushed him. "Go on Sailor, let a girl get some sleep."

Harm smiled back, happy to see her joking around again. "Good night, Mac."

"Night, Harm."

Once Harm left her bedroom, Mac climbed into bed and thought about the upcoming weekend. As long she continued to live in the moment, she was sure she would be able to fully get past her issues and move forward with Harm…