A/N: As of the time this chapter was edited and published the story had approximately 95 pages to go. Also as promised I will have the timeline from the Christmas before Harm and Mac divorced to the time where we are now at the beginning of the next update. I am going over the chapters to pick out all of the important events and make sure I time them accurately for you. As always I expect the flames especially for this chapter...once again I ask that any and all suspicions and guesses at what I am doing or why I am doing it are placed at the forum and not on the review board. I will address them at the forum and only in that setting. My reviewers that are using the review board to rate the content and quality of the work should not have to compete with baseless and inaccurate suppositions and should absolutely not feel they have to defend my work against them. To those that do, thank you and I am deeply sorry for those who do not care to criticize the work on its own merit but feel they must make a vain attempt at omniscience. Enjoy!

While Mac and Analise sat and talked, Harm found Mic across the room speaking with some officers from Germany.

"Brumby," he said. "Come with me. Now."

"I'm a bit busy here, Mate," Mic replied.

"This can't wait," said Harm. "Excuse us, gentlemen."

Mic rolled his eyes but went with Harm to a secluded area of the ballroom, "What?"

"Why is Mac here?" he spat. "She's sick!"

"She's pregnant. It comes with the territory, "Mic replied. "Surely you know that."

Harm moved to within an inch of Mic's face. "She needs to be home in bed, not here for you to show off! Take her home, or I'll take her for you. Is that clear?"

"She can't be in bed for the rest of the pregnancy, she has to suck it up," Mic snapped. "You go play with your new plaything. Leave Sarah to me."

He'd had enough. He backed Mic against the wall and got even closer to him. "Take...Mac...home," he said through gritted teeth.

"Not until I'm finished," Mic replied. "A meal, a dance, and then I'll take her home."

It was all Harm could do not to haul off and clobber Brumby then and there. He glared at him, blue eyes dark with anger. "You make me sick."

"Mutual, Mate. Very much so," Mic replied.

Harm backed off and Mic deftly moved away from him heading for the food table.

Harm followed not far behind, focusing on calming her anger for the sake of having a nice evening out with Analise. He took his seat next to her. "How about we have a shrimp cocktail?"

"I can't," she replied. "I'm allergic to shrimp."

"Oh, okay," said Harm, feeling bad for not knowing this little fact. "How about some chicken pot stickers?"

"Its okay, Harm," Analise smiled. "Its not something I often think to tell people. Those would be nice, Honey."

Mac looked over at the sound of another woman calling Harm "honey." She couldn't help it.

Harm nodded to Analise. "Be right back."

Harm returned a moment later with 2 plates of pot stickers, one for he and Analise and another for Mac. He didn't much care if Mic ate any or not, though part of him would've loved to see the man choke. Fifteen minutes later, a lovely dance song filled the room, "I Have Dreamed" from The King and I, and Harm offered his hand to his date. "Shall we?"

Analise smiled and took Harm's arm, "I'm not much of a dancer."

"That's okay," he said. "Neither am I. We'll just go out here and act like one of us knows what we're doing." He winked and smiled at her.

She smiled and took Harm's arm and let him lead her onto the floor.

"Come on, Sarah," said Mic, rising from his seat and offering her his hand. "Let's dance."

Mac looked up at him, eyes pleading, "Mic...no."

"Sarah," he whispered harshly. "We have to dance; everyone else is."

"My legs hurt me so much," she whispered.

"Come on now," he said. "Just for a few minutes, okay? Then we'll eat and leave."

Mac sighed and levered herself from the chair. It was all she could do to walk, let alone dance, still she made the effort.

"She looks miserable," said Harm to Analise. "I hate that guy, really hate him."

"I told her to come in and see me in the morning so I can set her up with some help," Analise replied. "She needs to have that fluid circulated. I hope she comes."

"Me too," said Harm. "Me too."

"You're worried about her," Analise observed.

He nodded. "She's Lucy and DJ's mother. I have to worry."

"It's okay to still care about her, Honey. You two shared a lot together," she said leaning her head onto his shoulder. "Let's go home. You need to not be in this environment. Want to leave?"

He looked over at Mac and Brumby, who were headed back to the table. "Yeah," he sighed. "I hate seeing them together like that."

"I know," Analise replied. "Part of you still loves her. I know." She seemed to understand, but there was hurt in her voice.

He looked her in the eye. "She's the mother of my children, but she and I are over. Okay?"

"Let's just go," Analise replied. "Let's just go."

Harm nodded, and the pair headed for the exit.

They arrived at Analise's home shortly before 2130. They hadn't said much on the drive home, Harm because he was upset about the way Mac was being treated by her new-found love, and Analise over...the same thing, but in a different way. She felt badly for Mac, and she wished the man in her life would treat her better, the way she knew Harm had treated her in days gone by. Still, a part of Analise couldn't help but be afraid that the worry Harm was feeling for Mac meant more than it appeared on the surface.

Analise took off her shoes and placed her purse on the sofa. She was still being quiet, fighting an inner pain. Harm had told her he was falling in love with her, but she was still scared she'd lose him back to Mac. "Well, maybe I'll see you soon."

He looked at her, slightly puzzled. "You okay?"

"Fine," she replied as she began to remove pins from her hair.

"Somehow I don't really think you are," he said gently.

"Well what do you think?" she asked. "You asked how I was, I told you."

He walked up behind her and reached out to touch her shoulder. "I think you're upset at me, and if I had to guess why, I'd guess it has to do with what happened at the ball."

"I'm not upset at you, not at all," she replied truthfully.

"Then talk to me," he said softly. "Something has you down, I know it does. Please tell me."

Shining blue eyes met his eyes, "Did you mean it?" she asked.

"Did I mean it when I said I'm falling in love with you?" he asked in reply, his voice low and soft.

Two tears spilled out of her eyes as she nodded her head.

He stepped in closer to her and raised her chin up with a gentle touch of his fingers. "Yes."

"Do you still love Mac?" she asked.

"A part of me does, yes," he admitted. "The part of me that loves the mother of my children and the life I once had with her, yes. The rest of me, though...is in love with you."

She sobbed then and fought with him for control of her face. She wanted to look down, to hide her tears, tears of happiness mixed with fear.

"It's okay," he whispered. "You can cry to me. I want you to."

And she did. With those soft whispered words Analise let down the walls she'd erected to protect her heart. The force of her emotion was so fierce she started to slip to the floor.

He caught her and pulled her close, holding her in silence for a few moments. He wasn't sure of what to think, just that he was falling for this beautiful woman...falling fast.

"Analise, please talk to me," he whispered. "Let me in. Tell me what you're feeling right now."

"I'm..." she hiccupped. "I'm scared."

He tightened his arms around her just a bit more. "Scared of what?"

"Scared of..."she sobbed. The next part was whispered very softly, "Of losing you."

Harm sighed. "Like you lost Michael?"

She sobbed as she nodded, "I watched him die. I watched it."

"That had to be so hard," he said. "I'm so sorry."

"And...I'm scared now because..."she struggled for breath, a losing battle.

"Shh..." he soothed. "Calm down and try to tell me. Are you afraid I'll leave you...like he did?"

She nodded again, "I'm afraid to love you," she managed. "But..."

He looked deep into her eyes. "But...you do."

Again a small nod, "Don't...let go."

"I won't" he whispered. "I won't." He gazed into her eyes then, unsure of what the next seconds held for them. Analise met his gaze, pretty eyes puffy from her emotional storm, "I can only be like this with you," she told him, letting herself open completely to the man who held her in his arms.

He moved in for a sweet, gentle kiss, holding her in his arms and walking her backwards ever-so-carefully to the edge of the bed before breaking the kiss and staring once more into her eyes. "Is this what you want?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"Is what?" she asked softly.

"Us," answered Harm. "Here. Tonight."

Analise blushed, "It's been a long time, I might not..."

"It's okay," he said with a gentle smile. "We don't have to do this...I just...If you want to..."

"What do you want?" she asked him running small hands up his chest and over his broad shoulders.

"I want to," he answered gently. "I do."

"You may be disappointed," she frowned but leaned in a bit closer to his warmth. "I was only ever with Michael."

"I don't think it matters," he said. "What matters is I'm in love with you."

"I love you," she whispered and lifted her tear stained face to his.

Harm leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Analise's lips before he let his large hands drift down to unzip the back of her dress.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly.

Analise nodded, "Go on."

Harm unzipped her dress and moved his large hands to slide it off her shoulders. He paused to drop an angel kiss on her shoulder just to the left of her bra strap.

She shuddered at the feel of his kiss.

He continued his assault on her body, his slow exploration until he's lowered her dress to a pool around her feet. He moved to lower her to the bed so she was lying beneath him. "Okay?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied with a whisper.

Harm moved to lie on top of her still fully clothed. "Tell me what you'd like, Baby."

"I want to see you," she said, reaching up for the top button of his shirt.

Analise's small fingers worked to unbutton the buttons on Harm's dress uniform until the top fell opened. He shrugged out of it and assisted her in removing his undershirt. "Well?" he asked a bit shy.

She smiled. "You're very handsome."

He blushed, "Oh yeah?"

"Mmhmm," she answered, running her hands slowly up and down his bare chest.

"May I?" he asked, running too long fingers beneath the delicate straps of her black bra.

"Please do," she answered quietly, her fear melting away a tiny bit.

Harm slipped his hands behind her back and opened her bras clasp. He gently maneuvered her to allow her breasts to fall open. They were large, well formed, and..."You...there aren't words for what you are," he whispered reverently.

She shivered at the sound of his voice, the tenderness of his words. "Thank you," she said, almost too softly to be heard.

"I want to taste you," he whispered. "Is that..."

She replied with a silent nod.

Harm leaned down and placed his soft warm lips on her breast. Slowly, reverently he explored every inch of sensitive pale skin before taking her nipple into his mouth and gently sucking on it. His other hand played with her left breast, teasing it to arousal.

"Mmmmm, God," she moaned.

"Is that nice, Honey?" he asked. "Do you like that?"

"Uh huh," she said, thinking for sure her body was melting into the sheets.

Harm continued his gentle touches of Analise's soft body. She was different than Mac, than anyone, shy, not very responsive. He removed her stockings one by one trailing kisses along her legs as he did so. He removed his own pants and socks as she lay against the sheets panting before he returned to her legs, beginning at the ankle bone and kissing up her leg until his lips came close to her private place.

"What're you doing?" she asked, her heart beating fast.

"Making love to you," he replied softly moving a bit closer with his lips.

"Okay," she said, trusting his every move.

"I want to...is...can I?" he asked not knowing what her experiences with Michael had been like.

"I've never..." she said.

"I won't if..." he gasped. "Just tell me, Baby. You're the leader. Nothing you don't want, anything you do."

"Okay," she said, closing her eyes and relaxing even more than she was. "It's okay."

Harm moved his lips over so he could kiss her sex. She was small all over, he was sure he'd hurt her when he took her body. He rubbed her legs as he kissed the soft satin folds of her womanhood making her gasp for breath until the pain of his own arousal was too much and he let forth a groan.

"Harm?" she asked. "Is..?"

He groaned again at the building pressure. "What?" He gasped, his voice sounding almost pained.

"You okay?" she panted.

He panted, "No."

"Why?" she inquired, writhing beneath his affections.

"I want you so bad..."he gasped. "So bad it hurts."

"What's stopping you?" she asked, not at all ready for the pleasure to end, but instead making sensual conversation.

"I need you..." he gasped. "To be ready. I don't'...want it to hurt."

"Me either," she whispered. "Do whatever you think I need."

He moved up to meet her eyes, and leaned over to kiss her letting his bulging sex press against her entrance. When he lifted his mouth from her he whispered, "Analise, I love you. I love you so much, Baby."

She felt the tears building again. "I love you, too," she managed to gasp out.

Harm pressed his weight against her and lowered himself into her warmth. She was tight, like a glove a size to small.

She drew in a sharp breath, but didn't say anything.

Harm froze, "Ana, Ana, did I...?" The fear and remorse in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Just hurts a little," she answered, her eyes still closed. "Just give it a minute."

He heard the words hurts and immediately began to pull out.

"No, no no," she said, holding his shoulders in an effort to stop him. "I'm okay, just stay still for a moment."

"But I'm hurting you," he said it with such a mournful sound it broke her heart.

"It's better now," she said softly. "It is. Just move slowly, okay?"

"Are you sure? We can stop..." His blue eyes were wet with unshed tears.

"No, I don't want to stop" she said. "Please? It's okay."

Harm nodded and began to move. He did it just as she asked, slowly up and down until she was on the edge. He whispered to her, told her she was his, that she was special, precious to him until finally climax came to both of them. When they were finished Harm collapsed against Analise's chest and let the tears come.

At first, he wasn't sure why he was crying, but after only a moment, it hit him. He was falling for this beautiful, amazing woman with part of his heart...a big part...while still loving Mac with the other.

"Harm?" Analise asked softly stroking his hair. "Are you all right, Baby?"

He nodded a little, but continued to cry. "I didn't know it'd be like this," he whispered.

"Be like what?" she asked. "Did I disappoint you? I did, didn't I?"

"Oh, no, no," he said softly. "I mean I...to love you and then to..."

"To?" she pressed fingers stroking the hairs on the back of his neck.

He looked her in the eye. "To miss her like I still do."

Analise smiled softly, "I know. I miss Michael too, even like this. The difference is we have to realize what is past and what is the future."

With another small nod, he rested his head against her shoulder.

Analise held him close to her, stroking his sweaty back. "Harm, I'm going to have to get up soon, Honey."

"Okay," he whispered. "I'm...I'm sorry for crying..."

"Don't apologize. Its one of the things I love most about you, you don't hide your feelings," she replied. "You can lie here as long as you want to, but I have to be dressed when Mary brings Maggie home. Then we can hold each other all night if you'd like."

"That sounds nice," he said, wiping away a tiny tear.

Analise leaned down and softly kissed Harm's lips. "You stay warm, I'll be back soon."

Harm lay in the bed and settled his mind after Analise had risen and gone to dress. He felt strange, almost guilty in a way, for feeling the way he did about her, knowing so much of his heart was still with Mac. The more thought he gave it, though, the more he began to wonder if perhaps he could be happy with this new person, this new life he'd stumbled upon. As he lost himself in his thoughts, the cries of a cranky Maggie shook him back to reality.

Feeling his heart break at the sound, he threw back the covers and got out of the bed. "What's wrong with her?" he asked Analise as he met her in the hallway.

"I don't know," she sighed. "She's been fussy all night for Mary."

"Is she teething?" he asked, remembering the countless nights he walked the halls with Lucy as she cut teeth.

Analise thought, "A molar maybe?"

"Possible, sure," said Harm, reaching his hands out to the baby. "Will you come see me, sweetie?"

For a moment Maggie's cries dwindled and she let Harm take her into his arms and cuddle her close. She put her finger in her mouth and laid her head on his shoulder.

"She seems sleepy," he said as he began to rub her back. "Got any baby Tylenol?"

"In the bathroom," Analise replied. "She likes you."

Harm smiled. "Yeah, she seems to, huh?"

"It's easy to do," Analise smiled and brought him the Tylenol. "Here you go. You are such a great Dad. Lucy and DJ are very lucky."

He blushed a little. "Could you measure it out for me, please?" he asked. "Then I'll give it to her and see if a little walk around the house combined with the meds won't help her calm down."

Analise quickly measured out the baby's medicine and helped Harm get the liquid into her. He held the small body against his chest and cuddled her until his warmth finally lulled her to sleep.

Sure enough Harm's little walk did the trick and Maggie fell asleep in his arms. He laid her in her crib after placing a tiny kiss on her forehead then returned for Analise. He held her in his arms and took her to bed. "Harm?"

"Mmhmm?" he replied, turning to face her.

"I've fallen in love with you," she told him. "And I'm so happy."

Harm leaned over to kiss her gently on the lips, "So am I. For the first time in a long time, so am I."