Tuesday

March 9, 2004

1200 Hrs

12:00 EST

JAG Headquarters

Harm was on the phone when Mac came to his office door. He looked up and waved her in indicating for her to have a seat.

"That would be great, Sir…" He paused as he listened to the caller. "Sorry, Tom, I'll try and remember that. So, I will see you next Friday for dinner?... Okay, Bye."

He replaced the phone in the cradle and was surprised to see Mac smile even if it was a weak one. "So, what do I owe you for the pleasure of your company?"

Mac had been sitting there and staring at him while he talked on the phone, thinking how much she would miss him. "Well, I was hoping that we could go grab some dinner tonight? If you're busy with Mattie, I'll understand." She was hoping to spend some time with Harm before she left maybe work to patch-up their deteriorating friendship.

"No, I don't have any plans with Mattie. She's planning to study at a friend's house. So yes, I would like to have dinner with you. Where did you have in mind? If you want, I could make dinner at my place. It's up to you." He was hoping that they would go to his place so they could talk privately.

She knew Harm would say that so he could get her to talk to him, but she didn't want that. "Well, I was thinking of trying that new restaurant, Giuseppe's. It's supposed to be really good from what I understand."

Expecting that answer, he consented to her suggestion, "Okay, do you want to meet there or can I come and pick you up?" asking, hoping she would agree so they could talk.

"I'll just meet you. I have some errands to do in town so it will be easier to meet there." Getting up, she looked into his eyes which were begging her to talk to him. "I will see you later. Have to get back to work before the Admiral sees us slacking again." Mac was smiling at him so he knew she was joking.

As Harm watched her leave, he thought, 'Well, she seems in better spirits today, maybe talking to that shrink did help. I sure hope so. She is right about not getting caught by the Admiral. He is in a better mood since his break up with Meredith, but he is still a bear to be around.'

He looked back into Mac's office and saw her hard at work on her cases which were light. The Admiral had only given her two cases and they were simple plea bargains. 'Wonder if the doctor had said something to the Admiral about lessening her work load?' Harm thought.

Thinking back to his conversation with Thomas Boone, he had been surprised to hear from him and was more surprised when he asked about Mac. He said that he heard about the whole Paraguay mishap and her shooting Sadik. Tom reminded Harm that even though he was retired he still had friends in high places.

Tom had just come from Paris where he had run into Harm's mom and Frank at an art show. Told Harm they said "hi" and that his mom said to "call and soon." It would be good to see Tom again and talk to him about the past year. Having him to talk to was almost like having his dad there or at least an uncle. Shaking his head, he got back to work.

Tuesday

March 9, 2004

1933 Hrs

7:33 p.m. EST

Giuseppe's Restaurant

Falls Church, Virginia

Harm and Mac had finished their meals and were having dessert and coffee. They had been talking, but it was mainly small talk. Harm asked about Chloe and how high school was going.

Mac told him she was doing well, but that she had started college that past fall. She laughed at the look on his face. He could not believe that she was old enough to be in college. Mac said, "Not old enough, Harm, smart enough." She also told him that Chloe and her grandparents had to put Jingo down. "He was suffering and in constant pain."

She asked how it was going having both Mattie and Jen living together. He said it was going good, but that it was loud with all the giggling and music. "I'm going to have to invest in some sound proofing material for my walls." They both laughed at that.

Harm watched Mac as she played with her napkin and knew she was trying to put her thoughts in order. "So, how is it going with Webb?" He thought he would start with what seemed the easiest to talk about.

'Damn, he would ask me that,' she thought and tried to steer him away from that topic. "Fine, but he's not why I asked to have dinner with you."

"Why did you? Not that I'm unhappy that you did, just curious."

"I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me. You're my best friend and the things that I said in Paraguay, were things said out of confusion." Releasing a deep sigh, she continued, "There was so much going on and I think I was in shock most of the time after watching the two missionaries being killed. I know it's not an excuse, but it is the only one I have." She looked into his eyes hoping he would understand.

Harm saw the trepidation, misery and emptiness that were still lurking there in her eyes. He only hoped she would recover soon and that he could help her. "Mac, you were not the only one in shock that day. Seeing you strapped to that table…" He paused as the memory came to the surface, "All I could see was that my best friend was about to be tortured, most likely to death. We both need to apologize and move now with our lives which I hope you will still be a part of."

"Yes, I will always want that too, but I think we both realize that we should only be friends." Reaching for his hand, she gave it a squeeze.

"Your right about being friends, but we are best friends, now and for eternity." he replied, squeezing her hand back giving her a smile.

Getting up, Mac said, sounding as if she did not really want to leave, "Well, I have to go. I still need to do a few things."

Getting up as well and reaching for the bill, he told her as she was about to protest, "My treat, Mac, and I'll walk you to your car." Putting his hand up to stop her from talking, "I know 'you're a Marine and can take care of yourself,' but humor me just this once."

"Alright. Thanks, Harm, for everything." Giving him a kiss on his cheek, she turned and walked out ahead of him.