AN: This will probably be the last update for this week, sorry going on a no internet holiday. Arrg, lots of time for writing though so maybe this story will be finished. Thanks for all the amazing reviews, especailly VisualIDentificationZeta, Liz, byrhthelm, Michi uk and gunsbuster. Love feedback :) Ok read and enjoy!
xxx
Meg bit her lip. She felt irrationally nervous, Harm's door was a like a brick wall that stopped her from moving forward. What if despite what he said, Skates and Harm's relationship wasn't purely plutonic?
That brought up the other problem, if Skates wasn't romantically interested in Harm, how was Meg going to tell Harm her feelings? What if Harm didn't return those feelings? Their friendship could lie in shatters along with her dreams.
Timidly Meg knocked on the door. It swung open with force, "Meg! Finally a female to agree with me, do you like anchovies?"
Startled Meg was dragged into the room by hurricane Skates. Harm looked up from over the frying pan. "Hey Meg. Skates I already know she doesn't. But for the fifth time I will repeat, the anchovies will only be added to my pasta." It looked like they had, had this argument a few times already.
"Hiya Harm. What's cooking?" Meg got a word in edgeways.
Harm gestured for her to come and see. Meg stepped around the counter grabbing a Dr Pepper as she went. She leaned over the pan. "This isn't going to turn out like Harm's famous meatless meatloaf is it? Meg grinned cheekily at Harm.
"You actually made that Harm? That's like a violation of some cooking law isn't it Meg?" Skates looked horrified. Meg agreed with her sentiment completely.
"It was pretty toxic." Meg told Skates. She bit her lip. Harm leaned in closer. His presence was addling her brain. Meg struggled to think.
Really? You thought that? I'm hurt, I'm wounded Meg" He faked a dramatic death.
Skates and Meg looked at each other, then turned to face Harm with the same unamused expression. Skates turned to Meg "Any good takeout's close by?"
Harm stopped acting. "Really? You haven't even tried my food yet?" He tried to look wounded.
Skates grinned at him. "Just scoping out my options, sir." Meg grinned at Harm. It was fun, her and Skates ganging up on Harm. Harm was still standing very close to her. Meg was constantly aware of his presence. She was definitely falling in love with Harm, her partner and friend. Meg's dilemma was whether or not to keep quiet about these new found feelings or speak up.
"Meg?" She looked up startled. Harm and Skates were staring at her confused. "You zoned out for a minute Meg." Harm looked at her slightly concerned.
"Sorry. What were you saying?" Meg was blushing. She really had to stop daydreaming about Harm. It was going to get her in a lot of trouble someday. The worst option was that someone would notice. Suddenly she realised she was daydreaming again.
Harm and Skates were sharing anxious looks. "You ok there Lieutenant? Meg tried not to blush. She had been caught twice thinking about Harm. And he looked so cute when he was worried.
"Just thinking." Skates grinned like she was struck by inspiration. It worried Meg, she looked too happy. Suddenly Meg smelled burning. "Harm, dinner!"
Harm, Skates and Meg raced over to the pan that held their evening meal. It was so burnt, you couldn't even tell what it had once been. "How did we no notice that burning, it smells putrid." Skates complained.
Harm looked mournful. "My dinner. Now I have nothing to feed you guys."
Meg grinned. "I guess it is takeout's after all." Harm looked up as the girls grinned at each other.
"Yeah you both think this is funny don't you? We'll just see you laughing when you get food poisoning from the Chinese place.
Meg tried to look wide eyed and innocent. "Who said we were going for Chinese. There is a new pizza place around the corner." Skates laughed.
"Pizza it is then."
xxx
Harm went off to search for a menu he had somewhere. Meg and Skates made themselves comfortable on his couch. "So, you have a guy?"
Meg looked at Skates. "A guy?" Skates smiled like she thought that Meg was cute. "Oh, um no." Meg blustered her way through. Skates studied her.
"Someone you like then?" Harm could be heard shuffling around. "A crush?" Meg fiddled.
Her phone started to ring shrilly. Meg almost sighed aloud in relief, almost. She already had been close to giving herself away. "Lt Austin. Yes…On my way. Meg stood up.
Harm poked his head around the corner. "Leaving us?" Meg tried to look apologetic, inside she was relieved, things were slowly getting awkward.
"Yes, I'm sorry Harm. It's the Verity case. NCIS has turned up some new evidence. I need to go meet my client before thing get messy. " Harms face feel slightly. "When do you leave?"
Harm looked saddened. "0600. We won't see each other before I leave." Harm reminded Meg of a kicked puppy.
"Look after him Skates." Meg told his partner. "Sorry Harm. I'll write as usual" She gave him a hug, sending her emotions into a whirlwind. "Bye"
With that she was out the door and dialling her client, leaving Harm behind. He didn't see her pained face as she thought about the months ahead of her. Months without him, only to see him for a few hours in one evening. She didn't cry though, Meg could credit herself that.