Thanks again to all who reviewed!!i told you i wouldnt keep you waiting long so here we are - part 2 of the fundraiser evening.
hope you enjoy it!!!!
While the judges were deliberating and the votes were being cast, the band for the evening set themselves up on the stage and started playing. Once Harm had left the dressing rooms he had been constantly waylaid in his attempt to find Mac, first by Admiral Chegwidden, then by the SecNav, who continued to bend his ear off right up until the point that Harriet appeared on stage and asked them to gather round for the results. Harm kept looking around the room, hoping to spot 'his' Marine, but as much his height was an advantage over a crowd, her diminutive height wasn't. She was, in fact standing in the middle of the crowd talking to Kate Todd, her eyes darting quickly around the room every few seconds trying to find Harm in the crowd.
"Ok, if I could have your attention please!" Harriet said into the microphone, trying to shut the audience up. After a few seconds, the steady hum of chatter faded out, and Harriet found a lot of expectant faces looking at her.
"First of all, I'd like to thank all of those who participated, you all did a wonderful job." She paused as the members of the audience starting clapping. She waited until the applause was dying out before she continued. "It's been a very tough decision, the judges have agreed that the first JAG and NCIS Idol should be….." In the background the drummer of the band did a little drum roll. "Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez for his rendition of 'Y Tu Te Vas' by Chayanne. Gunny looked stunned, but smiled graciously and headed up onto the stage to collect his prize: a bottle of champagne and a little trophy. He bowed to the crowd who were clapping and cheering loudly. "Ok, Ok, quiet down everybody!" Congresswoman Latham said as the stepped forward from her position next to Harriet. "Next we'll be handing out the prizes that you voted for. Voting was very close, and some of the awards have joint winners. Thank you to all of you who voted! The first prize, for the best costume goes jointly to…. Admiral Chegwidden and Dr Mallard for their impressions of Elton John and Frank Sinatra respectively." There were loud cheers and quite a few wolf whistles as the pair went up to collect their bottles of champagne. Agent Gibbs stepped forward, a grin on his face, as he said "The award for 'least likely to get a recording contract, oh it gives me so much pleasure to announce this as he has been talking about nothing else other than winning this contest for the last 2 weeks." A ripple of laughter emanated from the NCIS agents in the crowd, "The award goes to Tony DiNozzo, for his half of version of Tainted Love that we were treated to earlier." Gibbs grinned, and winked at the crowd, "Don't worry Abb's they loved YOU! Its only for Tony!" Abby Sciuto laughed at that, pushing her singing partner in the direction of the stage, whispering "Don't worry Tony, I'm sure Kate still loves you even if you can't sing!" Tony swaggered up to the stage, accepting his prize laughing. He turned and took a bow. "Thank you Tony" Gibbs added as his agent walked of the stage grinning. "Now ladies, here is the one that you've all been waiting for…the prize for most likely to melt someone's heart with their performance goes Harmon Rabb!!" Harm looked slightly stunned, despite his earlier joking with Mac, he had never expected to win anything, and had only chosen that song as a way of baring his heart to Mac. Harriet stepped forward to give him his prize as he came up on stage, embarrassment now evident on his face at the cheers he was getting. "Have you spoken to Mac yet?" she whispered to him as he took the champagne bottle from her. "Not yet," he whispered back quickly, "Do you think she liked it?!" he asked winking at her and stepping back to take a bow. Harriet had to laugh, although the wink he had sent her was meant to show confidence, she could see that underneath he was shaking inside, in case he had just royally screwed things up with his best friend.
"What do you think?!" Harriet replied with a grin. Harm nodded at her, and left the stage, intent on going to find Mac at that moment – he couldn't wait any longer. Unfortunately for him, the SecNav and CIA Director Webb had other ideas, catching his attention almost the second he stepped off the stage. They got so engrossed in their conversation that they barely noticed that Harriet was presenting the final prize.
"OK, now the final award, for best choice of song. This was a close one, but in the end, there was only one winner. Lt Colonel Mackenzie, for her version of 'Complicated'" Mac blushed hard as she went up to receive her prize, as she realised that it had to have been their JAG colleagues, who were obviously not as oblivious to the 'thing' between her and Harm, who had put in the majority of the votes.
After Mac had left the stage and joined Bud in the audience, Harriet carried on speaking for a couple of minutes.
"Once again, I just want to thank everyone for participating and making it such a fun event. The band will be here til midnight, and half of the proceeds made at the bar will be donated to Cancer Relief, as well as the proceeds from the voting, the raffle tickets, which are available behind the bar, and any other donations which will be gratefully received. Now, eat, drink, be merry and have some fun!!" She nodded to the other two judges and the band, who at once started on a song, and left the stage with Gibbs and Congresswoman Latham.
After the awards had been given out, the band started up again, waiters appeared to start setting out a buffet, and people started dancing. Mac still hadn't found Harm or vice versa, and she was starting to get a little bit paranoid that he had got scared and run off. She was standing talking to Harriet and Bud, but not really paying attention to the conversation as she was to busy scanning the room for Harm. Harriet looked at her knowingly, "I'm sure the Commander has just got waylaid Mac," she said with a satisfied smile. Mac looked at her and blushed, "Am I that transparent?!" she asked weakly, looking from Bud to Harriet. In a moment of bravado Bud replied, "Yes Ma'am you are… and so is he!" The two women looked at him in amazement. "Sorry Ma'am" he said, meekly looking away, the tips of his ears turning pink in embarrassment. Both Harriet and Mac laughed merrily. At that moment the group were interrupted by Harm's deep voice behind them.
"May I have this dance Colonel?" he asked shyly. Mac turned around and looked at him, her eyes dropping to the floor as shyness suddenly overcame her at the sight of Harm standing in front of her in his tux, holding a single red rose out to her. She took a deep breath and took the rose from his hand, looking up at him, a small smile playing across her lips.
"You may Commander," she replied, placing the rose and her evening bag on the chair next to her, allowing her to take her hand and pull her in the direction of the small dance floor as the band started playing 'The Way You Look Tonight.'
Harm pulled her into his arms when they reached the dance floor, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. Mac in turn placed her arms around his neck, looking up at him with a shy smile. For the moment, there were no need for words; they just looked at each other, swaying gently to the music, their eyes saying volumes.
Across the room, Bud and Harriet had been joined by Sturgis and Admiral Chegwidden, all of whom were standing watching the couple.
"You know I don't think I've ever seen the those two dance in silence!" AJ Chegwidden remarked with a grin, "Anyone would think they've just come to their senses!" he added with a wry grin.
"Is this going to cause many problems sir?" Bus asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer.
"In the office?" AJ asked, "We'll work something out. We managed to for you and Harriet Bud, we'll find away for these two." The others looked relieved, although they all knew that the Admiral was just as happy as they were that Harm and Mac had finally started down the right path, they were all worried about the implications for the office. They were a good team, and no one wanted to have to lose one of the most integral members of that group, be it Harm or Mac.
As the music changed to another slow song, 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls, Harm laughed suddenly. Mac looked up at him, startled as he broke the spell between them,
"What's so funny Squid?" she asked,
"I've just realised, I don't think I've ever danced a song with you in silence!" Harm replied, his blue-green eyes sparkling in amusement. Mac laughed at that, as she realised he was right.
"Maybe on this occasion words aren't really necessary?" she asked with a smile. In response, Harm pulled her closer, so that her head was against his chest, and dropped a kiss on her hair.
"You look so beautiful tonight!" he whispered softly. Mac looked up at him again, the shyness returning to her eyes, along with the look of a hopeful child,
"Do you really mean that?" she asked, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. Mic had always called her beautiful, but she had never quite believed it. Hearing Harm say it made her feel warm inside, and she couldn't stop a bashful smile from appearing on her face as he replied huskily,
"I've meant every word I've said tonight!" he paused, a look of mischief appearing in his eyes, "Apart from telling Webb it was nice to see him again!" Mac, who at his first words had felt tears of happiness spring to her eyes, giggled at that. Harm laughed too, and seeing the couple of tears that had spilled over onto her cheeks, lifted on hand up and gently wiped them away with his thumb. "Those are tears of happiness I hope ninja girl?" he quirked an eyebrow at her, letting his thumb linger on her face for just a second. Mac nodded, once again not quite trusting her voice to speak. The sing was drawing to a close, and she pulled away from him slightly, suddenly aware that they were being watched, albeit by their closest friends.
"Come on Flyboy, you can buy me a drink!" she said, smiling up at him. He nodded and followed her off the dance floor. They strolled over to their friends, noticing with amusement the way that everybody's eyes seemed to be drawn to their still joined hands.
"I'm just going to the bar," Harm announced as the joined the group, "Can I get anyone anything?" The Admiral and Sturgis promptly put in orders for a beer each, Harriet for a glass of white wine, and Mac an orange juice. Harm grinned good-naturedly, "That'll teach me to offer!" he said, "Sturgis, do you want to give me a hand?" Sturgis nodded and the pair left to go to that bar, but not before Harm placed a swift kiss on Mac's cheek and gave her hand a slight squeeze.
"Nice song!" Sturgis said with a grin as they stood at the bar waiting to be served. "Well…?" he added, hoping to get some details out of his friend.
"What?" Harm asked innocently.
"Has anything happened yet?" Harm gave him a look.
"Sturgis, we've been in this room the whole evening, don't you think you would have noticed?!"
"Well you were dancing very closely!" Sturgis replied with a cheeky grin. Harm rolled his eyes.
"We've taken a big step forward" he admitted, "But we haven't had a chance to talk yet."
"I'm happy for you buddy, you look great together, and you both look very happy." Harm smiled at him,
"Thanks. Now let's get these drinks to everyone." He said, picking up his, Harriet's and Mac's drinks and turning away, threading his way through the crowd back to the group. Sturgis shook his head in amazement, leave it to Harm to 'take a big step forward' as he had put it, without having to say a thing.
The pair rejoined the group and distributed the drinks quickly. Harm then took up his place next to Mac, casually wrapping his arm around her waist. A gesture that did not go un-noticed by the rest of the group, who could barely contain their excitement.
"Commander, Colonel," the Admiral started sternly, "I trust that any new developments from this evening won't interfere with your work while we come to an arrangement." The fear on both their faces made him want to laugh out loud.
"No sir, absolutely not sir!" they chorused nervously. AJ smiled.
"I'm joking with you both, I know you'll both keep it professional," he paused, "well as professional as it ever was in the office!" Everyone laughed at that. Harm and Mac's relationship had been a source of speculation for so long now that most people had presumed that there was something going on. Harm nodded to their commanding officer, and tightened his grip around Mac's waist, pulling her closer to him.
For the rest of the evening, they were almost inseparable, Harm could hardly bear to let go of her, and clung to her hand or wrapped his arm around her waist at every opportunity. About an hour after they had started talking to Bud, Harriet, Sturgis and AJ Harm politely excused himself, and Mac, from the group, giving some excuse about wanting to dance again. In fact, all he wanted was to be alone with her. He had noticed that the doors to the hotel gardens were open, and he steered them in that direction, hoping to slip out unnoticed. Mac didn't question him, just walked along side him contentedly.
They walked silently through the gardens, once again neither one of them wanting to break the spell, admiring the beauty that autumn had brought to the trees and the plants. Mac walked along happily, so lost in her memories of the evening that she barely noticed that they had come to a stop in an area of the gardens that were full of rose bushes, a few hardy flowers still holding their own against the weather.
"Sarah," Harm said softly, bringing her out of her reverie. She smiled, shivering slightly at his use of her Christian name and looked into his eyes. "Did you mean it?" he continued, "the song I mean?"
"I meant every word," Mac said softly, echoing his words from earlier. Harm pulled her close, and lent down reaching out a hand to lift her chin up, allowing her lips to gently meet his. Mac returned the kiss, her hands moving up to run through his hair. She let out a slight moan as he deepened the kiss, pulling her even closer to him. Eventually they pulled back, slightly out of breath, but both grinning widely.
"So," Harm said his voice husky, "Is it still complicated?!" Mac giggled, and pulled his head down for another kiss.
"Not even a little bit." She murmured just before their lips met.
"Good!" he whispered back between kisses. After a few minutes of trading gentle kisses, Harm pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. "Sarah," he started, "I know we have a lot to talk about, and issues to work through, but just for record, I uh, want you to know," he hesitated, not wanting to push her too fast, "You'll always have someone who loves you." He could tell by the look in her eyes that she too was thinking back about the time on the Admiral's porch. "Me!" he added, just in case she needed clarification. "I love you Sarah."
Mac smiled radiantly at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness,
"I love you too Harm." She said quietly, feeling quite weak at the knees at the force of the flyboy grin that appeared on his face at her words.
Well there we go, I've finally got them together!! Don't worry (!) tho as I've still got at least a couple more chapters in my mind, which I'll get up as soon as I can. – Probably won't be before Monday evening now tho I'm afraid as I'm going away for the weekend!
If you have a second and any comments, please press the little blue button and let me know how u think I'm doing with this idea!!!