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Competitive By Nature

Mac reached the picnic blanket first. She flopped down next to Harriet, her face flushed from running. James grinned toothily at Mac and reached his chubby arms out to her. Harm arrived at the blanket just as Mac scooped the laughing baby into her arms. He watched her for a second, taking in the way her hair curtained her face as she leaned down to kiss the baby's bald head, and the way she cuddled James in her arms as he leaned his head against her shoulder. He would have kept watching if A.J. had not broken into his thoughts.

"Uncle Harm, do you want a samwitch?" Harm smiled at the young boy and sat down next to him.

"Sure, what kind do you have?"

"PB and J!"

"I'll take one of those then." The boy beamed up at Harm as he handed him the sandwich. Harm ruffled A.J.'s hair causing it to stick straight up. As Harm started eating the sandwich, A.J. turned his attention to Mac.

"I told Mommy you said I could ride with you after I eat," the words tumbled together as A.J. talked excitedly to Mac. His eyes shone with excitement and his hands clapped together lightly.

"A.J., let Aunt Sarah eat. We aren't going to rush her, remember?" Bud gently reminded his son.

"Ooooookay. I 'member." A.J. mumbled, then turned his attention from the adults to the backpack of toys sitting next to him.

"So, Mac, we actually wanted to ask you something," Harriet said tentatively. Mac looked up, curious about what they wanted to ask her.

"Sure, anything."

"Well, um, we know it is a lot to ask you, but the boys love you so much, and you are so good with them. Well, our anniversary is coming up and we wanted to go away for a weekend. And we were wondering if you would watch the boys for us while we were gone."

"We know it's a lot. And don't feel any pressure to say yes. We would totally understand," Bud interjected quickly.

"Of course I'll watch them!" Mac smiled at the nervous parents, "I would love it. It will be great to spend some time with them."

Bud and Harriet let out the breath they had both been holding. They thanked Mac profusely. Harm cleared his throat.

"Hey, I could have watched the boys," he joked. Harriet misread his tone and her eyes widened in embarrassment.

"Oh, Harm, we didn't think you couldn't watch the boys. They love you too. We just thought that since it is the first time they will be away from me it might help to have Mac because she's a woman." Harriet blushed, "Mac, I don't mean we just chose you because you are a woman."

Harriet dropped her face into her hands. Harm quickly assured Harriet that he was just joking, and Mac reassured her that she wasn't offended. Harriet visibly relaxed. They were all quiet for a second. Harm took another bite of his sandwich, his gaze lingering on Mac as she adjusted the now sleeping James on her shoulder. Watching them, Harriet got an idea.

"Harm, you could help Mac watch the boys. They can be quite the handful." Harriet grinned slyly as the plan formed in her head. She had wanted Mac and Harm to get together for a while, and what better way to do encourage it then by pushing them into playing house together? Harm looked at Mac. She looked surprised by Harriet's suggestion. He hesitated, not wanting to impose on Mac. But before he could stop himself he heard himself answer.

"Ok," Harm blurted out, surprising himself and Mac. Mac looked ready to argue.

"Aunt Sarah, can we go drive now?" A.J. interrupted.

"Uh, sure we can." Mac answered, tearing her gaze from Harm's. She didn't know what to feel about spending a weekend with him. Mac carefully handing the sleeping baby to Harriet and stood up. A.J. was already on his feet, bouncing slightly with excitement. Harm stood up too.

"Rematch?" He grinned at Mac.

"You're on!" Harm helped A.J. with his helmet before buckling him into Mac's go-cart.

"Are you sure you don't want to ride with me, Buddy?"

"I'm sure, Uncle Harm." Mac laughed as she swung herself into the driver's seat. She double checked A.J.'s buckle, then did up her own. By this time, Harm was all ready to go. They both sped forward, neck and neck. Little A.J. giggled with excitement, his grip tight on the seat. Both drivers were skilled and they remained next to each other for the first lap. During the second lap, Mac was able to gain a slight lead. Harm scowled as he saw Mac pulling ahead. He stepped on the accelerator, and his car jumped forward. The added kick threw Harm off and he overshot a turn. His go-cart bumped into the tires lining the track. Mac and A.J. crossed the finish line.

"Yay! We won, Aunt Sarah!" A.J. bounced in his seat, a huge grin spread across his face. Mac smiled back at the enthusiastic boy and gave him a high-five. She removed her helmet and looked back to see where Harm was. He was sheepishly getting out of his go-cart. He removed his helmet, shook his head and walked towards Mac.

"Looks like I got you beat, Flyboy. I should have bet you diaper duty for our babysitting weekend." Mac laughed.

"Good thing you didn't, Marine. I would have kicked it up a notch if you had."

"Haha, let it go! I totally won." Mac's expression suddenly turned serious, "And you better help me with diaper duty. That's the only reason I didn't object to you jumping in on my weekend!"

"I thought it was because A.J. interrupted," Harm teased. Mac made a face at him and lightly hit his shoulder. Harm grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. He gently held both her wrists and held them behind her back, causing her to lean into him. Mac tipped her head back to look up at Harm. He smiled down at her.

"Aunt Saaaaaaaarah!" A voice called, "You left me stuck, I can't get out!"

Harm and Mac shared a wry smile, as Harm let go of her wrists and they slowly stepped away from each other. Together they walked back to the go-cart. As Harm went to help A.J. out of the go-cart, he reminded Mac about the case they had waiting for them on Monday.

"Is your defense ready to go, Mac?"

"Yes, we have it in the bag." Mac winked at Harm. The usual tension that came from being on opposing sides of a trial, rose between them. As always, it was playful and charged. Mac suddenly couldn't wait for the week to come.

Stay tuned for more!

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