A/N: Sorry this one has taken longer to upload… I just don't love it… but I had to add a little plot/drama in the midst of all the smut!


The rest of the day went by quickly, with a light lunch under the pergola and lounging in the air-conditioning away from the afternoon heat.

Mac took her time preparing for their date, enjoying a bubble bath followed by an extended skin routine and meticulous make up application. Her hair had grown in the past few months, and she took time to straighten the brown locks that fell to the nape of her neck.

It was nice… exciting, if she was being honest- to have an official date with Harm. Going to a fancy restaurant where they could touch, and kiss was something she had been dreaming of for longer than she would admit... Not that she was big on PDA. Mac had hated it when past boyfriends kissed her in public, but with Harm it was different.

Not only had they been hesitant to go out, but there was an awkward tension the few times they had tried. Should they act like just friends? If they touched or put an arm around the other, were they risking fraternization charges? Or fanning a flame that would lead them to do something scandalous? Tonight would finally be a real date between two people who could simply be themselves.

She smoothed the waistline of her dress, examining her reflection. Thin straps went from her shoulders to her back where they crisscrossed, threading at the sides before tying to support her ample bosom. The bottom hugged her hips before it flowed to her knees. Mac didn't remember the V in the front being so revealing, but it was the nicest dress she had that was light enough for a summer evening, and it fit in her sea bag.

To be honest, she was a little worried that Harm would want to cover her up. When she had been asked to pose for the (arguably) risqué calendar three months ago, it was Harm's jealous response that finally forced them to talk about their feelings; and while it technically brought them together, she had been avoiding the topic since.

"Hey, Mac, guess who called this after-" Harm stopped in his tracks as he looked up from his cell phone.

Mac turned from the mirror, unsure of the reason for his silence.

His jaw had dropped, lips in the shape of an O as he took in the red dress - the triangle cups that covered her breasts... her bare legs stretching up from those damn stilettos...

"Harm?" She questioned nervously.

"Damn, Mac," he stared, his lips turning up, "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"

Her smile was genuine, her eyes doubtful as he stepped towards her. "It's not... Too much?"

"Uhhh, no," he replied, snaking his arms around to rest his hands on her exposed back.

She raised an eyebrow as she placed her hands on the lapels of his suit, "You weren't too keen about me showing skin three months ago."

"Three months ago," he began, pulling her closer, "We weren't together."

"So since we're together, you don't mind other people seeing more skin." Mac clarified in a simple manner, a twinge of sarcasm invading her tone.

"No, not when I'm with you."

She pulled back to meet his eyes, the sarcasm taking over, "What about when I'm not with you? Am I allowed to wear whatever I want?"

It was his turn to sigh and drop his arms, "Maaaac..."

She crossed her arms, her eyebrows raised as she waited for his response.

"It's just… I… I worry about you when we're not together." When her stance didn't budge, he continued, "I can't stand the idea of guys looking at you like you're some sort of piece of meat."

"Harm," she breathed out, rolling her eyes, "I can-"

"-take care of yourself. I know, Mac." His tone had become sharp.

"Do you have a problem with that? Are you upset that I'm not some damsel in distress?"

"Of course not!" He took a breath, but it didn't have the intended calming effect, "You're my partner, my equal, and I do my damndest to treat you that way!"

"Except when I'm wearing a bathing suit," she pointed out.

"Come on, Mac! It's not about what you're wearing, it's about how guys react, how they look at you."

"And you think you need to be there to mark your territory?" Her eyebrows were raised, eyes glaring, "Is that why you want to move in together?"

"No! I want to do those things because I love you!" Harm's voice became softer, "After everything you've been through... I want..." he took a breath, "will you just let me protect you?"

"From what, Harm?" Her posture relaxed as she gazed up at him.

"From guys like Chris... Coster... " he paused, gesturing with his arm, "deranged poachers!" Realizing how silly he sounded, Harm trailed off.

"Tell you what," she said, stepping closer and placing her hands on his chest. "If someone like Coster comes around, or we run into more poachers, you have my blessing to go all... caveman," they shared a tentative grin, "but otherwise I need you to back off a little. I hate that I'm afraid to mention the calendar or wear certain things when I'm with you."

He gazed into her eyes, "Mac, you never have to be afraid with me."

"I know that," she said, letting out a breath, "I just don't want to worry about getting into a fight every time it gets brought up."

"Was this our first fight?" He asked, a grin pulling at the corners of his lips.

"Harm, we fight all the time, you can hardly count-"

"Our first fight as a couple," he gently cut her off, smiling, "I'm well aware of the many fights we've had at work, but this was our first lover's spat."

"I don't know if it counts, Harm. We barely yelled and it lasted a whole four minutes and fifteen seconds."

"But if we count it as a fight," he leaned in, lowering his voice, "we can make up later."


They were seated comfortably at a table with a beautiful view of the ocean. After placing their orders, Mac thought back to the beginning of their 'lover's spat.' "Did you say someone called this afternoon?"

He remembered as he swallowed the drink at his lips, "Oh, uh, yeah. My mom." He noticed the hitch in Mac's breath but continued, "It was while I was in the shower, so I didn't get a chance to talk to her or listen to the message she left."

Mac let out the breath she had been holding and Harm couldn't keep the disappointment from his face. "You don't want me to tell her, do you?"

"No," He tensed. She could see the walls starting to form and reached for his hand. "No! I mean, I want to tell her, I just…" When he started to pull away, she confessed. "I'm not ready to tell the Admiral."

Harm briefly clenched his jaw, then nodded as he let go of her hand. "Ok."

Her eyes were pleading as she tried to read his expression, "Just, 'ok?'"

"What do you want me to say, Mac?"

"I don't know, but I can tell you're not ok…" she fiddled with her fingers, "I want you to tell me the truth."

He let out a rueful chuckle, "I've been telling you the truth, Mac!" His voice was quiet, but his tone had an edge, "I let go, like you wanted… I told you I loved you; I brought you here… I want to tell our friends, and for some reason you don't want anyone to know we're together."

"I do want to tell our friends! I want to be with you, Harm! But you know as well as I do that as soon as we tell the Admiral, one of us could get sent to another continent!" She took breath in attempt to calm herself, "Are you ready for that? Can you honestly say you're prepared for one of us to leave JAG?"

Harm could see the fear in her eyes. "No, I'm not ready for one of us to leave…" He let out a sigh and reached for her hand once more, "but I want to move forward, Sarah. And how I see it, the only way to do that is to tell Chegwidden."

"I know," she sighed, lacing her fingers in his.

Their entrees arrived, silencing the conversation. Harm spent more time looking at his food than at her for the rest of the meal. Mac tried to get him talking, offering bites of her steamed vegetables and speaking a few words in Farsi in hopes he would ask what she was saying, but it was all for naught. As the waiter cleared their plates and promised to return with a dessert menu, Mac stood and held out her hand. He looked up at her, confused, but took it as he stood.

She pulled him to the side of the restaurant where a small doorway opened to a lounge. A jazz trio played on a small stage as an audience enjoyed drinks at cocktail tables. Mac was thankful that several other couples were dancing as she placed her left hand on his shoulder, and he responded by wrapping his free arm around her waist. She snuggled into the crook of his neck, taking in the cologne he used on special occasions. They moved together, but his body wasn't molding to hers like it usually did. He was tense, and she couldn't help but feel like she had ruined their evening.

Mac knew he was trying to be patient; something that was not easy for him. She wanted to move forward, but every time Harm brought it up, she had to fight the urge to run. She felt pressured, and it reminded her of her past boyfriends. Chris, Dalton, Mic... each had manipulated her and she swore she wouldn't let it happen again. While she knew Harm would never purposely push her to do something she didn't want to do, Mac needed time to prepare for the consequences of telling the Admiral about their relationship. She needed time - without outside influences - to process and accept that she might be reassigned, and that included Harm's gentle persuasions.

When the tune died out and the audience began to applaud, Mac pulled back to meet his eyes. They were soft, but greyer than blue and lacked their normal brightness.

"Give me a deadline," she said as the opening notes of In a Sentimental Mood filled the room.

"A deadline?" His eyebrows scrunched as he repeated her words.

"A deadline." She stated, holding his gaze. "Let's say… August first. If it doesn't happen before then, we tell the Admiral about us whether I think I'm ready or not."

His eyebrow raised, "A deadline."

"Yes," her lips turned up in a hopeful grin, "I love you, and I want to move forward… and you're right, we need to tell him." She took a breath, "But I need a week or two to think about it, and we need to figure out the best way to approach him. If it doesn't happen by the end of the month, we go all in August first."

"Thank you," he whispered, leaning down for a sweet, lingering kiss, which Mac returned with a hint of desperation.


A comfortable silence surrounded the pair as they returned to the house. Harm's hand slid against hers in the cab, interlacing their fingers. There was no make out session on the front steps, but a single kiss as he opened the door. Upon entering, Mac began to pull Harm down the open hallway and along the kitchen island, toward the patio doors.

"Where are you going?" Harm asked, arm outstretched as he resisted her pull.

She gave him a coy smile. "I think a swim sounds nice," she explained, releasing his hand to tug the tie at the back of her dress. The short zipper at the top of her six was next; the garment sliding over her curves and to the ground as she stepped toward the doors.

His eyebrow raised, a Flyboy smile breaking out as he tossed his suit jacket aside. Shoes and socks were kicked off as he watched her backside move to the patio. Harm's pants were the next to go, already tight and uncomfortable, they landed on the floor just inside the door.

A sliver of moonlight hit her just right; illuminating Mac's legs as though they went on forever. She caught him staring when, glancing over her shoulder, she stepped out of her shoes. Mac sashayed to the deep end of the pool, the heat from his gaze moving from her legs to her six as he traced the edges of lace disappearing between her cheeks.

She turned at the edge of the pool, watching him unbutton his shirt; eyes never leaving hers as a grin pulled at the edges of his lips. "Your panties are gonna get wet," he teased, tossing his shirt to the side before removing his boxers.

"Oh, they're already wet," she grinned before diving in.

Harm watched from across the pool as she emerged, hair slicked back; the water droplets on her breasts shimmering under the moon. All he could think about was licking every last one of them off of her.

"You coming in?" her dark eyes skimmed his body, coming to rest on his proud member.

He shrugged, pretending to think about it as he sat at the edge of the shallow end.

The water receded to her waistline as she approached, "Don't you want to join me?" she cocked her head with the hint of a pout. Deep down, Mac worried he was still upset.

"No."

Her face scrunched with concern until he reached for her, urging her to stand between his legs as he leaned towards her, "I like the view from here."

She grinned back, her hands sliding up from his knees, "So do I."

The ledge put him at just the right height, and as she leaned forward to meet him, her breasts brushed over his cock. He hummed against her lips; her tongue peeking out to tease while her hand wrapped around his length.

Mac kissed down his neck and chest. She slowly brushed her fingernails from the base to the tip of his member and back again while nipping her way down his abdomen.

He let out a groan when her lips finally met her fingers, sucking the mushroom head into her mouth, then releasing it with a pop. Harm leaned back on his elbows to watch as his cock disappeared into her mouth, moving lower with each motion until she couldn't take any more of him.

It was all he could do to keep from bucking upwards as her tongue swirled in time with her hand. "Oh, Mac…" her name on his lips was an aphrodisiac like no other. She slid a finger between her folds before moving to cup him and he gasped when the cool moisture of her hand met the heat of his body.

Harm's breaths turned ragged; his fingers tangled in her hair. "Mac, I… oh, God!" he tried to warn, but it only drew her deeper, and soon he was throbbing in her mouth with an orgasm that made his mind blank and his sight blur.

She ran her tongue over the tip before releasing him. "Khoshmazas," the word was drawn out as her eyes moved to his.

"You said that at the restaurant earlier, what does it mean?" He grinned back, sliding into the pool to wrap his arms around her.

"Delicious," she replied as she pressed her body to his.

"Hmmm," he hummed, trailing kisses over her neck and shoulders, whispering, "khoshmazas," as he moved over her body.