Sorry it took a couple of days to get this posted, I was away and then I wasn't well.

Thanks for all the reviews, I'm glad that you are all still enjoying it!!!

Hope you like this next instalment!!!!

"Do you think they have gone?" Harriet asked Sturgis, concerned that they hadn't seen their friends for almost forty-five minutes. Sturgis laughed,

"They wouldn't leave without saying goodbye!" he replied, "I think I saw them go outside." He winked at her, "So we probably won't see them for a little while!"

Harriet laughed,

"I'm so glad that they have finally figured it out. So many times over the past couple of years I have wanted to bang their heads together, or lock them in a room for a few hours until they realised what was between them. The whole office could see it!"

"I noticed it on my first day here." Sturgis admitted, "I've known Harm a long time now, and I've never seen him as happy as when he is with Mac. He practically lights up when she walks into a room!" He glanced over at the door, "Oh, here they are now." He added, nodding at the couple who had just entered the room, once again permanently attached by the hand. "And where have you two been?!" he asked with a wink as the pair joined them. They both looked at each other and blushed.

"Just for a walk" Harm replied, "Trying to escape from the prying eyes of our friends!" he added with a laugh. Both Sturgis and Harriet coloured slightly at that,

"Sorry buddy!" Sturgis replied, " We had your best interests at heart!" Harm laughed and stuck out his hand,

"That's ok, I guess I have you to thank in any case." Sturgis gave him a knowing grin, and shook his hand. "Mac, what.." he started.

"It's 11.28" Mac replied looking up at him with a grin. Sturgis and Harriet just stared at them amused beyond belief that they were already completing each other's sentences.

"Ok," Sturgis said after looking down at his watch, "How do you do that? How do you know what time it is without looking at your watch?"

"Good internal clock I guess." Mac shrugged.

"And the knowing what Harm was going to say?!" Sturgis continued, looking surprised.

"Just a good guess I suppose," Mack replied giving Harm's hand a squeeze, "Plus, when have you known this Flyboy to be on time for anything?! It's not like he owns a watch!" she added teasingly.

"Hey!" Harm protested weekly, much to the amusement of the rest of the group. "I think I'll take that as my cue to leave! Are you ready to go Mac?" Sturgis gave him a look.

"What?" he asked innocently, "Mac gave me a ride here!"

"Goodnight guys!" Mac said, giving them both a quick hug before pulling him away with a wink. "See you both on Monday." They circled around the room, looking for the other members of their team so that they could say goodbye.

When they finally made it back to Harm's apartment, Mac killed the engine and turned to look at him.

"So.." she started, unsure of what was going to happen next. She looked a little nervous.

"Sarah," Harm said his voice husky as he reached over and took her hand in his, "I would like nothing more than to take you upstairs, and not let you leave for a good few days." She blushed scarlet at his words, "but I know we have a little way to go until we reach that stage." She smiled at him, and nodded, the relief evident in her eyes. Harm lent over and gave her a gentle kiss, looking into her eyes as he pulled back reluctantly.

"What are you doing tomorrow evening?" he asked.

"Nothing," Mac replied with a shrug, "A night in with a takeaway and a chick flick."

"Could I entice you to go out for dinner with me?" A small smile played across her lips.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" she asked coyly, batting her eyelashes at him. Harm laughed. She looked so cute, it was all he could do to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing her senseless.

"Yes." He replied firmly. "I'll pick you up at about half past 7?"

"I'd like that." She replied sincerely. "Where are we going?" she continued, wondering what she should wear.

"It's a surprise." Harm replied, flashing her his flyboy grin. "It'll be nice, but not overly posh." He added, correctly reading the unspoken question in her eyes. He leaned over, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear and gave her one last kiss before getting out of the car. "See you tomorrow Sarah." He said softly, smiling crookedly at her.

"Good night Harm." She replied, once again shivering slightly at his use of her given name. She waited until he reached the door of his building, and once he had turned and waved, she returned the wave and drove off in the direction of her apartment, singing along softly to the radio, a truly contented smile appearing on her face for the first time since the fiasco with Mic.

She hadn't been in the door 2 minutes when her phone rang.

"I just wanted to make sure you got home ok." Harm's voice came over the line. She smiled,

"Don't you trust my driving Flyboy?" she asked teasingly. He laughed.

"Well now that you mention it….!" He started, "I just wanted to say good night."

"Good night Harm!" Mac said grinning stupidly at the receiver.

"Sweet dreams Sarah," he replied huskily, "I love you."

"Love you too!" she replied, blushing again as she hung up the phone.

Mac woke up early as usual. She'd never been one to lie around in bed. Sit around in her pyjamas maybe, but she didn't like to waste the day. And in any case, she had to go shopping! She'd had a look through her wardrobe the previous night, and couldn't find anything to wear for her date with Harm. I can't believe it, she though as she lay there with a goofy smile on her face, He loves me! He actually loves me. She knew Harm so well that she knew he wouldn't lie about a thing like that. I can't believe he sang that song…to me! Her mind drifted back to the previous night. He had looked gorgeous up there on the stage singing. She smiled as her she wandered through her memories to the walk in the rose garden, and their first proper kiss. The phone rang, interrupting her from her reverie.

"Mackenzie." She said into the handset.

"Good morning Ma'am!" Harriet's cheerful voice came over the line. "How are you today?"

"I'm good thanks Harriet, you? How's little AJ?"

"He's fine. I was wondering if you would like to come shopping with AJ and me? Bud is working with Sturgis this afternoon, so I was thinking we could have a girly afternoon."

"That would be great." Mac replied, "I have to buy something for tonight anyway." Damn, she thought as soon as the words were out of her mouth. It wasn't like the thing between her and Harm was a secret, but blabbing about their date to the biggest gossip in the office was never a good idea, even if said gossip happened to be one of your best friends.

"Tonight?!" Harriet asked immediately, "Tonight? What's happening tonight?"

"I have a date." Mac said with a grin. Harriet squealed down the phone at her.

"With the Commander? Where's he taking you?"

"I don't know." She replied, laughing at her friend's excitement. "But you can help me find the perfect outfit this afternoon!"

"That's so exciting!" Harriet said, bouncing up and down a little in her seat, "And you can tell me all about last night! I'll pick you up at about half past 11 and we can grab some lunch ok?"

"Ok, see you then." Mac replied, hanging up the phone.

"He told you he loves you?" Mac looked away, embarrassed.

"Yes. But you can't tell anyone anything yet." She replied, "It's too new. I want to be able to explore this and work everything out without the office scuttlebutt following me around."

"Don't worry Mac, I think most people will just be relieved that you two have sorted yourselves out." Mac looked amused.

"I don't know what you mean"

"It was so obvious that there was something between you. The whole office saw it. I think the Admiral has been making contingency plans since the day you started working together." Harriet laughed at the expression on Mac's face, "Or at least that's what he said last night! I honestly think that the only person who was surprised was Loren, but you know how self-absorbed she is."

"Well you could have told me! I spent most of last night a nervous quivering wreck, wondering what he was going to say about the song, or even if he would understand that the song was about him." Harriet laughed at that.

"Honestly Ma'am, you really didn't need to worry, you should have seen his face when he saw you in that dress. Sturgis said he had to restrain himself from offering to help Harm pick his jaw up from off the floor!"

Mac and Harriet were wondering round a mall near Pentagon City, looking for clothes for Mac's date that evening. Mac was carrying her godson in her arms, while Harriet pushed the pram which was already stuffed full with a few new toys for little AJ and a couple of tops that Harriet had bought for herself.

"How about a dress like this?" Harriet pointed to a top hanging in the window of a shop. Mac looked where she was pointing. The dress in question was a kimono style dress, with slightly flared three-quarter length sleeves, dark maroon/red in colour, with white flowers and black ribbon at the seams and fell to just below the knee.

"That's lovely" Mac replied, walking into the shop, "and it would go great with those black boots I bought last week." She found the top on the rack, pulled out the last one that was in her size and went to the changing rooms to try it on. It looked great, making her feel girly and feminine, but at the same time not overdressed.

"It looks great!" Harriet said when she went out to show her friend, "Harm's not going to know what has hit him!" Mac looked suddenly nervous.

"I hope so." She said, turning to look at her reflection in the mirror again.

"Trust me, all you need now are some accessories."

The two girls, and little AJ of course, spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and laughing and joking like teenagers. Harriet was possible more excited than Mac about her date, who as the day got older became increasingly more nervous. Don't be stupid, she berated herself silently, its only Harm. He's been your best friend for years. You've been out for countless dinners. Yes, a little nagging voice inside her said, but this is different, this time it's a date and your track record with anyone, let alone Harm isn't exactly great in that area. Mac jumped slightly when she felt Harriet's hand on her arm.

"Mac, are you ok? You kind of spaced out there." Mac offered her friend a smile,

"Sorry Harriet, I guess I'm just a little nervous." Harriet gave her an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry, you are going to have a great time."

It was 19.27 when Mac heard a knock at her door. She brushed her hands down her dress nervously, before opening the door to find Harm standing on the other side, a bunch of lilies with a single red rose in the middle in his hands. He smiled at her, a slightly nervous version of his flyboy grin as he handed her the flowers and lent forward to press a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"Evening" he said stepping into her apartment, "You look beautiful Sarah." He added, taking in her appearance. She almost took his breath away: the beautiful dress revealing a perfect amount of cleavage as well as showing off to her perfection her long, toned legs her dark eyes sparkling in delight as he handed her the flowers. She blushed, for what felt like the millionth time in the last two days.

"Thanks Squid, you don't look to bad yourself." She replied with a wink.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Sure, let me just put those in some water and grab my jacket." She headed to the kitchen in search of a vase, throwing a cheeky grin over her shoulder as she asked, "So are you going to tell me where we are going yet?!"

"Nope!" Harm replied, "It's a surprise! Come on, we don't want to miss our reservations." He ushered her out of the door, his hand pressed gently against the small of her back as he guided her to his car.

He pulled the car up near a restaurant in central D.C, hopping out quickly and helping Mac out of the car before handing his key to the parking attendant. Mac's eyes brightened as she realised where they were headed.

"Legal Seafoods?" she asked, "I love this place, it's amazing. I can't believe you brought me somewhere that serves so much meat!" she added teasingly, poking him in the ribs.

"Now then Jarhead, just because I don't feel the need to stuff myself silly in Beltway Burgers everytime I drive passed the place doesn't mean I don't like meat from time to time." Harm retorted good-naturedly, "Besides, as the name says Ninja Girl, this is mostly seafood anyway!" They both laughed and were soon sat at their table, chatting happily. The waiter had just cleared away their main courses, and was bringing them the dessert menu when Harm reached over and took Mac's hands in his.

"Thank you for letting me take you out this evening." He said, smiling at her.

"Thank you for taking me" she murmured softly, lowering her eyes from the intensity of his gaze.

"Sarah," she looked up again at his use of her Christian name, "I wanted to say I'm really sorry about what happened after Mic left. I really wanted to be there for you." She looked down at their joined hands, unable to stop a couple of tears from running down her face at his words. "Hey Marine," he continued, reaching across with his other hands to lift her chin so that her eyes could meet his. Mac took a deep breath,

"That's ok." She replied hesitantly, "I understand why you had to go. I mean she was your girlfriend."

"I guess we really got screwed up along the way didn't we?" he said softly, "I wish I could have managed to say how I felt in Sydney."

"You did." Mac replied ruefully, "I just didn't listen to what you said. I know now that you didn't mean never, just not at the moment."

"I guess we're getting our second chance." Harm said smiling at her hopefully.

"Second?!" Mac replied a slightly amused but incredulous look on her face, "More like fourth or fifth!" she hesitated again, "I'm sorry too. About the whole Mic thing. I was so mad at you in Sydney, I didn't understand." A few more tears started to work their way down her face. Harm reached over and wiped them away with his thumb.

"What says we just start over. We've been getting back to the way things were so well recently. How about we just make a clean break, as if Renee and Mic and all that happened in between didn't happen? Do you think you can do that?" Mac leaned over the table, pressing her lips to his.

"I think I could be convinced to give it a go." She replied, her voice a little shaky from the plethora of emotions that had been coursing through her mind.

They continued to enjoy the rest of their meal, both a lot more relaxed now that that conversation was out of the way. They fell into their usual banter, teasing each other mercilessly, arguing about cases and chatting about their friends. They left the restaurant hand in hand, completely comfortable in each other's company, Harm steering her in the opposite direction to the car. Mac paused slightly as she realised they were heading in the wrong direction.

"Harm," she said, "The car's this way."

"I know," he replied tugging on her hand to keep her moving, "I thought we could go for a little walk first!" Mac was amazed at the sweet and romantic side of Harm that he kept showing: He was acting like the perfect gentleman that she knew he was, but had never truly expected to have the chance to be on the receiving end of his behaviour.

Their walk took them down to the White House were they both paused, each flashing back to the evening that they had first met in the Rose Garden.

"I thought I had seen a ghost" Harm said softly, "It took me about thirty seconds of conversation with you to realise that you were completely different to Diane. I think I fell for you in that moment." This time it was Mac's turn to reach up and wipe away that stray tear that had made its way down his face. He reached up as she did so, trapping her hand against his face with his own, looking down into her eyes. She could see that he meant every word, and the sincerity blew her away.

"My uncle Matt still asks after you, you know" she said "He got so excited when I told him I was getting married. He thought it was to you!" she laughed, "He was so disappointed that it wasn't." She looked away for a second, before looking him straight in the eye. "I guess things have their own way of working themselves out." Harm smiled,

"I guess they do" he affirmed softly, leaning down to kiss her with an intensity that surprised even himself.

"Come on Marine, we're going to miss the start!" he said as he pulled away, tugging on her hand again in a manner reminiscent of a small child.

"The start of what?" Mac asked, bewildered following him down toward the Mall, the Washington Monument clearly in view. Then she saw it. At the base of the Monument was a giant screen with speakers set up around the sides. All around she saw couples and groups dotted around on picnic blankets. "Old Movie Season on the Mall!" she exclaimed, "Of course!" She followed him to a quietly secluded spot with a perfect view of the screen where a blanket was all laid out ready, along with a basket of drinks and popcorn. Mac's eyes widened when she saw it. "Is this for us? Harm….how did you do this?" At her words a member of the Park Police appeared out of the shadows.

"Everything's set Harm." He said, nodding at Mac and reaching out to shake Harm's hand.

"Thanks Tony." Harm replied, "Send my love to Izzy and the kids won't you?"

"Sure thing. We'll see you on Tuesday right?"

"Wouldn't miss it." Harm replied, guiding Mac to sit on the blanket.

"Have a good evening." Tony said as he shuffled off.

"Harm…" Mac started, slightly speechless. "I can't believe you did this. And who was that guy?"

"Basketball buddy," Harm replied, grinning, "From back home. He and his wife have been living here as long as I've been at JAG. We meet up most weeks to play some ball. Sturgis comes too nowadays." Harm lent casually against the tree they were sitting under, pulling Mac towards him as the movie started. The film was 'It's a Wonderful Life' and they both loved it, discussing it cheerfully as they headed back to the car.

When they got back to Mac's apartment, she hesitated again,

"Would you like to come in for some coffee?" It was already gone 2am and Harm smiled ruefully,

"I'd love to. But I've got to be up early tomorrow, I'm driving out to Blacksburg to take Sarah for a spin, and then I'm driving back to D.C to work with Sturgis on the'Vette." He paused. "Would you like to come flying with me tomorrow?" He laughed at the dubious look on her face.

"I promise we won't come across any crazy hunters this time!" She smiled.

"I'd love to." He leaned in to give her a kiss.

"That's great," he murmured between kisses that left her legs feeling like jelly. "I'll pick you up at 0800?"

"I'll be waiting!" Mac managed to reply, a little breathlessly.

"Good night beautiful" he said, still not showing any signs of stopping with the mind-blowing kisses. Mac pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"Goodnight Flyboy. I love you."

"Love you too Jarhead," he responded with a lazy smile, leaning down to give her another quick kiss before pulling away and heading back to his car. Mac smiled dreamily and opened the door to her apartment, waving at him as he drove off. It truly had been a spectacular first date.

Done for now!! I'll have another chapter up in the next couple of days….for now I'm off to make pancakes – I love pancake day!!!!

I wasn't going to include their date in this chapter, but it just ended up writing itself!!! I know its very sappy, but I guess I was in that kind of mood, plus I absolutely adore D.C and got completely lost in memories of being there as I was writing!!

Hope you enjoyed it!!!