Author's note: As many of you, the events on the ferry in Sydney spoke to my imagination. I must say I love the scene as it is, because it has so many of their emotional complexities in it, but also hate the scene for the obvious reason that I want to see our favorite couple together :) Anyway, I had this idea for this alternate version of events for Boomerang part 2. It's a short story (three chapters I think) but I hope you will like it!

SYNDEY HARBOUR

The dark waves come and go rhythmically beneath them, the rumbling of the ferry is a steady backdrop. The evening lights of Sydney Harbour create a twinkle in their eyes and Harm finds a spot to secure himself against the railing. Mac follows, and for a moment he feels incredibly lucky that she chose to spend this warm Australian evening with him. She looks stunning, and their familiar banter flows effortlessly between them. He can't resist provoking her as he always does. "Even speaking the same language, what man understands a woman?"

"You're referring to me." Her tone is incredulous. How did this conversation become about her? She thought they were discussing Clay and his parade of women, but clearly, Harm wants something from her. She refuses to let him off the hook and puts him on the spot. They need to have this conversation and apparently, they're having it now. "Let me guess, you didn't understand why I went to the beach with Mic."

Harm averts his head and stares at the skyline. "That Opera House is really beautiful isn't it?"

Not surprised at his avoiding tactics, she draws his eyes back to her. "Smashing. So what bothered you? That I went to the beach with him or that you thought I was topless?"

"You weren't?"

The look in Harms eyes is priceless, a mix of shock and amusement. "Harmon Rabb, you are a prude!"

"I am not! Look, I don't care if you wanna go topless."

"You do if it's in front of Mic!"

"You work with the guy Mac! You wouldn't go topless in front of me, would you?"

"Is that a request?" The boldness of her question takes him aback.

He looks at her in awe. Did she really just say that? He wants to redirect his eyes in attempt to avoid her question, but he gets caught in her stare.

"You know they wrote "eternity" on this bridge in lights, on New years Eve."

"Is that how long we're gonna wait?"

Harm realizes he can't escape this conversation, she is persistent in getting an answer. "Mac.." He swallows and opens his mouth to say something, but to no avail. She steps closer and the distance between their faces has become less and less.

"We're not in Washington, we're not even on the same continent…" She lingers before him, daring him to act, their noses just inches apart. And he takes the bait. Before she can finish her sentence, he has his lips pressed against hers. It's a slow, chaste kiss, igniting the tension that's been building between them. When he pulls back, their eyes meet and they're immediately drawn to each other again. This time, the kiss deepens and he pulls her towards his body, but the sharp blast of the ferry horn pulls them apart.

The reality of their surroundings flood back. The boat is docking, people are moving and preparing to get off, so they straighten themselves out. They're both silent and a bit uncomfortable about what just happened, acutely aware of the public setting. When the passengers disembark the ferry, Mac also makes way to the exit, expecting Harm to follow, but he doesn't.

"Mac." He calls out, still standing against the railing. His arm stretched out to her, in a silent plea to stay on the boat with him. She turns slowly, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Let's go back." She reads his intention from his eyes and a shy smile graces her lips.

When they walk through the dimly lit hotel corridor, they don't speak. Mac leads the way, her pace steady. Harm follows closely behind her, his palms a little sweaty, rubbing his fingers against his pant legs as if that could calm the anxious flutter in his chest.

She pulls out her key card from her purse and he stands behind her, fidgeting on his clothes and his gaze darting nervously around the hallway.

Mac pauses at the door, glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes catch the uncertainty in his, her hand hovering above the door handle. "Harm, are you sure?"

His heart is thudding in his chest. He wants to respond with something smooth, but all that comes out is a nervous chuckle.. "Open the door, will you?"

She does as instructed and as soon as she has closed the door behind them, he cups her face and engages in a passionate kiss. He presses her against the wall and she steadies herself by pressing one heel against it. Taking advantage of this motion, his hand glides over her thigh, fingertips teasing the skin as the silk fabric slides indecently upward. His kisses trail down her neck over her bare shoulder all the way to her soft hand, which he presses lovingly against his mouth. They stare at each other one more time, panting for air. Are they really doing this?

The look in her eyes says it all and he grabs the hem of her top and pulls it over her head. She in return slides his jacket off of his shoulders and starts to work on his buttons. They stumble to the bed and when he lays her down on the silk sheets, there is no turning back.