Thirty-three days – that's how long they had been on the island. It felt like a lifetime. Eventually, Harm and Mac deduced that the landmass they were on must not be along the typical path of tourist boats or flight patterns. Just their luck… They were vigilant in keeping an eye out for any vessels, but their hope eroded day by day when no help arrived. Mac felt like they had been transported to "Survivor: Columbia" and joked with Harm about their ability to outwit and outplay. Of course, because Harm didn't own a television, he didn't know what she was even talking about. It figured. Reality television wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, anyway, especially when you're the one participating and there was no million dollar grand prize at the end. At least they hadn't resorted to eating bugs. The birds looked appetizing, but they couldn't catch any of them. Fish were still their main staple, and they were thankful for what ocean could provide. Yet, images of bountiful food intruded on their daily thoughts and permeated their dreams. Even Harm's meatless meatloaf sounded delectable at this point.
However, Harm and Mac were able to distract themselves from their preoccupation with hunger long enough to appreciate other aspects of tropical life. They enjoyed the serene beauty that surrounded them and were revitalized by daily swims in the sparkling blue water. Sunrise and sunsets marked their days with awe-inspiring displays of color and light. During one hike, they got caught in a sudden passing rain shower and returned to their camp drenched and laughing with abandon. It was so unlike the predictable events in their life back in Washington, D.C. In a strange way, Harm and Mac took pleasure in the elemental level of their existence. They relished the variety of sensory experiences that characterized their world, and savored the unique moments that island life brought.
Harm had taken up the habit of going for long walks in the late afternoons, usually after their dinner meal. He used that time to search for other edible and useful items, and to explore the environment. Before heading out on one occasion, Mac noticed that Harm seemed to dawdle beside her at the beach. He delayed his departure and kept sending pointed glances her way. It was as if he was trying to tell her something, but at the same time, couldn't formulate a coherent sentence. She wondered what his restlessness meant, but she also knew that with Harm, one could only guess at the inner workings of his mind. He was rarely forthcoming when it came to his feelings.
In a short while, daylight would be coming to an end, and Mac thought that perhaps Harm given up on his solitary trek for the day. Mac was understandably caught off guard when Harm dropped the fishing net he was working on and walked straight to her, planting himself less than a foot away and peering into her eyes. He seemed so intent, as if what he was about to say might shatter some kind of universal balance between them. With great thoughtfulness, he asked, "Mac, will you come walking with me? I want to show you something."
"Of course, Harm, but what…"
Wordlessly, Harm took Mac's hand and led her down the shore for about a half an hour, then turned towards a break in the rocks that led up a hill. His movements seemed urgent and focused. Mac followed his guidance and they made their way up the steep slope. It took a while, but eventually, they reached the top of the cliff. Mac wanted to find out what Harm had on his mind, but opted to let things unfold without pressuring him. He brought her over to a cluster of smooth rocks and seemed to encourage her to join him in a selected spot overlooking the water. She sat down and was surprised when he moved in behind her, placing his thighs around either side of her legs. He put his hands gently on her shoulders and leaned her back into his chest. All the while, he was silent.
Mac relaxed after a moment and just took in the spectacular view. Now, she knew…he wanted her to see the sunset up here on the mountain, to share it with him. A feeling of elation swelled up inside Mac. This was significant to Harm, and he was letting her in. The blazing orange sun was within minutes of touching the horizon, and the sky was beginning to fill with gold and pink hues. A gentle wind caressed her cheek and hair. Harm slid his hands down her arms and then seemed to pause for permission. After some kind of internal debate, he tenderly wrapped his arms around the front of her waist. He placed his chin onto the top of her hair. They sat there enjoined for a while and watched the sun become immersed into the ocean. The colors were incredible, with deeper purples and indigos accenting ethereal sky. It was a glimpse of heaven…their paradise for a moment in time. All of the conflicts, struggles, passion, and despair which led up to this point didn't matter. None of that could compare to the awesome beauty of the world around them, the magnificence of nature on their private island. All of their petty human conflicts were diminished by a glimpse of the grand scale of things. Harm and Mac were on this journey as one. They would survive, and they had each other. The ocean spread out before them, endless and timeless.
Mac felt so moved that Harm had desired to share this with her. In all of her life, she couldn't remember a more perfect moment. She felt the hard muscles of Harm's chest surrounding her, and could almost detect his steady heartbeat through her back. He squeezed her tight and then rocked her gently. She felt completely safe and content, fully appreciating this rare pleasure.
Finally, Harm spoke, his deep, relaxed voice projecting near her ear. "I wanted you to be here with me." He paused, then said thoughtfully, "We are together in this, Mac."
A flutter traveled across Mac's heart. She let his words linger in the air, and reveled in the joy that she felt. If she never had another intimate moment with Harm, if he never unveiled his deepest thoughts or feelings in her lifetime, she would always have this precious memory of him. It was a moment of truth and honesty, with little talk. Right then, it was enough. Harm held her until dusk came, and then they quietly made their way back down to the beach holding hands. Neither wanted to speak, for fear that the spell of closeness might be broken.
Without overt acknowledgment, Harm and Mac passed effortlessly into a new phase in their relationship. While avoiding any obvious romantic gestures, they moved beyond the boundaries of friendship that had been formerly maintained. They were openly loving and affectionate with each other. They didn't hesitate to hold hands on occasion and touched one another without thinking. They cuddled near the fire at night when the impulse hit them, and wound up spooning together in their sleep more often than not. It seemed completely natural, almost automatic, that they would seek physical contact with each other throughout the day.
Harm couldn't help but notice the attraction he felt towards Mac. Even when she was irritated at him for some oversight, Harm smiled inwardly at her strong will and courage. Waking up in the morning with her brought him unprecedented happiness, even if she was grumpy without her military grade coffee. Mac was his loyal and trustworthy Marine, who never gave up a fight and called him on all his bluffs. She met him half-way – knew him through and through. Amazingly, she still accepted him, despite all of the mistakes he'd made over the years. She was also extraordinarily sexy and fun. It was never far from Harm's awareness that Mac was a gorgeous and desirable woman. He almost wanted to ask her to cover up more often, so he wouldn't always have to be bombarded with her arresting figure or feminine wiles, but then he'd miss out on all the gratifying stimulation that just fed his fantasy life. The steamy weather didn't help the situation. It only made him more languid and prone to sexual thoughts. It astonished him that his unchecked psyche could eroticize even the way Mac traced fingers through her hair or ate food. Being alone with Mac everyday only reminded Harm of the long-term deprivation he felt of a different sort.
Mac felt the sexual tension between them as well. Harm could be covered in sand, sweaty from exertion, and smelling like fish; Mac still found him inordinately attractive. All he had to do was give her that winning smile or call to her in his rich, warm voice, and she would go weak in the knees. Mac knew she was falling in love with Harm all over again. Yet, she felt helpless to resist his charm. There was just this raw sexual energy that drew her in and gripped her to the core. When he was engrossed in fishing, she took notice of his six. While pulling himself up into a tree, Mac couldn't resist a glance at his well-formed chest. Even when Harm was sleeping, on occasion Mac would give in to temptation and trail her eyes slowly over his body. He was exceptionally handsome to look at. She especially loved to watch Harm asleep because he looked so peaceful. She would trace all of his features with her mind's eye as she lay next to him, enraptured by the clandestine intimacy she felt. His often stubble-lined face was strong and comely, but he wasn't perfect. She observed his scars and lines of age, and she loved him all the more for them. It gave him character and made him more human. She would sometimes allow herself to look a bit lower on Harm's male form and wonder what he looked like naked. He would probably be beautiful, Mac imagined. She'd likely never know. Yet, it wasn't just his physical appearance that captured Mac. Without effort, Harm continually seduced her mind and heart, and left her reeling in his wake. It's who Harm was – his personality and spirit – that had been imprinted on her being. She would always love him. She could admit that truth, and accept that it may never be returned.