"What about Pretty Woman?"
Mac scrunched her face, "I don't know, a suit for him and something slutty or an evening dress for you?"
"Unless you go superhero, are there any other options when you're dressing up as a couple?" Harriet joked.
Mac shook her head and smiled, turning pensive as she took a sip from her coffee mug. "What about the classics? Roman Holiday? Or Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca?"
Harriet shook her head gently, "We're not really into old movies, and I don't think I could pull off an Audrey Hepburn... but I would love to dress up from the 40's or something."
"Pearl Harbor?" Mac responded, eyebrows raised, "Bud could even wear his uniform."
Harm breezed into the break room, reaching into the cupboard behind Mac.
"Maybe... but he likes to dress up for Halloween. I don't think he would be excited to wear his uniform." She sighed, "All I know is I have to think of something, or I will be dressing up as a Star Trek character again." Harriet finished by scrunching her nose.
"Oh, you make a great nurse Chapel, Harriet," Harm smiled her way as he filled his mug.
She smiled softly, "Thanks, Commander. Are either of you planning to dress up?"
Harm took a drink, deferring to Mac. "Maybe, " she shrugged, "but I don't have anything in mind, "you?" She looked at Harm who had taken residence in front of the coffee maker.
"No, "he shook his head, "I've never been big on dressing up."
"Oh, well I hope you'll still come to McMurphy's," Harriet's expression matched her hopeful tone, "It's been ages since Bud and I have gone out just the two of us."
"I'll be there," he called as she exited the room.
"...and so will I," Mac purred into his ear as she reached around Harm to grab the creamer. He had to resist the urge to pull her against him with his free hand; to nuzzle her neck and take in her intoxicating scent.
He wondered, not for the first time, if she put on the tiniest but of perfume to drive him crazy. To tease him with a hint of it every time she was near, leaving him wanting more. It was a constant reminder that in the office she was forbidden fruit.
Tiner's abrupt entrance saw Harm stand up from where he leaned against the counter, his head facing Mac. The men exchanged nods, then stood in awkward silence as she put down the creamer and turned to leave.
"Sir, um, can I?" Tiner gestured to the coffee that the much taller officer was blocking.
"Oh, yeah," he almost blushed in embarrassment. Sliding over, he managed to catch the saucy grin she shot him as she passed.
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"I've got it!" Mac exclaimed, bursting into Harm's office.
"You've figured out an angle for the Hopkins defense?" His eyebrows raised.
"Not quite," she shut the door and approached his desk with a twinkle in her eye. "Bonnie and Clyde."
"Halloween." She clarified, crossing her arms when Harm continued to stare in confusion.
"Oh...Oh!" He smiled. "I like it."
"Yeah?" She smiled back, "When Harriet mentioned dressing up as someone from the 40s, I thought something like that would be fun, and it just sort of came to me."
"So... what? I wear a suit with a tie and a fedora?" His eyes brightened, "Do I get to smoke a cigar?"
Mac fixed him with a quick 'hell no' stare, "Are you about ready to go? I thought we could stop by that antique shop by my place on the way home; see if they have any clothes we could use."
"Yes," he said, closing a file, "but I can't go shopping with you, I have plans tonight."
"Plans?" Her eyebrows scrunched, "what kind of plans?"
The couple had been spending every night together for the past month, and Mac found it odd that he would have plans she wasn't privy to.
"Keeter called last night," Harm stood and reached for his jacket, "He's back in town until the end of the month and wants to get drinks."
"Oh," she tried to keep the disappointment from her tone. "Are you still going to stay over tonight?" She looked up at him as he stopped in front of her.
"I don't know, Mac. We'll probably be out late, and you shouldn't have to be around me after I've been drinking."
"Harm, I can handle it. You shouldn't feel like you can't have a drink around me, you know that."
He rested his hands on her forearms, "Things can get pretty crazy with Keeter, I don't want you to end up having to take care of me."
"What if I like taking care of you?" She grinned at him sweetly, "Unless you turn into a whiny baby when you're hungover."
He smiled back, "No, I'm more of a groaning leave-me-alone type."
Mac pouted a little, "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, though?" She looked up at him.
"Yeah, I'll call you when I'm awake and caffeinated," he grinned.
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"You really think that was luck?" Keeter tossed at Harm. "You don't believe that I've improved my skills since the last time I saw you?"
"Your pool skills, no. Hustling?" He shrugged, "maybe."
"Alright, Hammer, you want to make it interesting?"
He raised his eyebrow, "Like loser streaks outside around the bar? I don't think so. We're not at the academy anymore, Keeter." Harm took a drink, shaking his head.
"No, I'm talking about a good, old-fashioned Goose and Maverick. Loser plays RIO; winner chooses the night."
It was a bet he had made a hundred times in college. The loser had to help the winner pick up girls and paid the bar tab at the end of the night.
Harm rarely needed help in the female department, but found it never hurt to have a friend vouch for you. Plus, the Goose/Maverick dynamic meant there was no fighting over a girl. Maverick got first dibs, and though it was a bit misogynistic, it had prevented several fights among their group of friends.
Harm shook his head, "I'm seeing someone, I don't need a RIO."
"Really?!" He smiled, "Ok," Keeter thought for a moment, "If you win, I get you a suite at the Plaza, you pick the night." When Harm's eyebrows rose and the edges of his mouth dipped in thought, his friend continued. "A jacuzzi tub, champagne? Sound like something your lady would like?"
Visions of his hands moving over Mac's body, his mouth sucking water droplets from her skin invaded Harm's thoughts before reality caught up to him. "Can you even afford it? How is that an equal bet?"
Keeter shrugged, replying, "I know a guy," and casually took another drink.
"Alright," Harm he leaned his head sideways, "I'm in."
He was still skeptical of his friend's connections, but figured it was worth it. Worst case scenario he would spend another night hanging out with his friend and have to foot the bill.