Project Pursuit

Author: CBjagfan1010

Rating: PG 13

Summary: A training exercise in night ops and field readiness intertwines with the trials and tribulations of our favorite JAG duo. Mac is too busy with her duties to deal with Harm and his continual flirtatious behavior, with every woman except her. Has she finally had enough? Dive in and enjoy the kick ass, no nonsense marine in this story of humor and action. Not exactly Harm and Mac shipper friendly to begin with but we will see if Harm can turn the tables throughout the story.

Disclaimer: Most of these characters are owned by CBS and DB. I don't pretend to own them.

Chapter 1

Great Falls National Park

1645 hours

"Alright, Mac, get everything organized! I want set up complete, and dinner started within the hour." Barked the Admiral.

"Yes, Sir. Ok, listen up. Gunny, grab the security detail and get started with setup of the sleeping tents and cots. Everyone else works on the mess hall set up. Harm you're on meal prep so grab a partner and get things going as soon as everything is set up. You take point on dinner prep. Once the mess hall is set up then everyone meets back here with the exception of our chefs so we can all work together on the latrine…any questions?"

"Ma'am?" Singer raised her hand.

"Yes, Lt."

"I would like to volunteer to help with the activity set up If I may?" Everyone seemed to smirk as they looked around at each other.

"Thank you Lt. but you will assist with set up along with your colleagues. The Admiral and I will be working with our event hosts. Rabb, Galindez…Let me know when we are ready to move to the latrine set up."

"Yes Ma'am" They said together.

"Dismissed" Harm made a beeline for Harriet to see if she would help him with Dinner while everyone made their way to the mobile units packed into the truck. Equipment was limited due to the length of the exercise so the team made quick work of setting up. Over the course of the next two hours all three tents were erected, duffels delivered to the sleeping quarters and Harm and Harriet had begun meal prep. Dinner was simple…BBQ chicken with a veggie medley and pre-made rolls. Cobbler and coffee for dessert. Harm and Harriet had everything prepared and ready for dinner service at 1800 hours.

"Gunny," Harm called out.

"Sir,"

"Can you check the truck to see if there are covers for these tables? Maybe make cleaning up a bit easier and then let the Admiral know everything is ready."

"I'm on it Sir, and by the way it smells great!" Gunny jogged off yelling at one of his men to check the truck. "Admiral?"

"What is it Gunny?"

"Commander Rabb reports that dinner is ready whenever you are."

"Very well, tell him we will be there shortly."

"Aye, Aye, Sir." Gunny began to make his way back to the mess tent.

Mess Tent

Great Falls Park

1900 Hours

"Excellent job on dinner you two. Now, all hands on deck for clean up. After Colonel Mackenzie is satisfied with everything you have a few hours to get your gear stowed and rest. Feel free to explore the grounds of the park but be back for your briefing of the evening's activity at 2200 hours. Dismissed."

"What do you think the activity is?" Sturgis asked harm as they were storing the food away.

"I have no clue but you can't beat this location. I mean look at those views." They looked out towards the western ridge of their location watching as the colors of the sunset slowly changed to night. "All I know is that it involves a night op. I saw Mac and the Admiral checking the gear."

"Night op…what on earth do lawyers need with night op training?" Sturgis said as he and Harm made their way back towards the front of the tent.

"Come on Sturg…it's called having some team time mixed in with a little fun. You do remember what fun is, right?"

"Haha, very funny Rabb." Harm slapped him on the back as he flashed his patented flyboy grin

"Hey Mac, are we good?" The group gathered around in the hopes of being dismissed.

"Things look squared away. Remember to report back at 2200 hours, you do not want to be late."

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, Bud?"

"Any chance we could get a heads up on what to expect?" The others in the group all nodded while murmuring.

"Sorry Bud, I'm not at liberty to say at this time, however, I will say that grabbing as much rest is in your best interest. Dismissed." The group began to slowly move towards the sleeping quarters as the security detail led by Gunny made their way towards command central. Sturgis followed Harm towards the boulders overlooking the valley.

"Hey Harm, wait up." Harm turned to see Sturgis jogging towards him.

"What's up my friend?"

"Why don't you throw that good ole' Rabb charm at a certain marine and see if you can grab a little more intel for us?" Harm gave Sturgis a look of uncertainty.

"I don't know, she'll see that coming from a mile away. We haven't exactly been on solid footing as of late."

"What did you do now? I thought you were going to stop with all the games!"

"I did and I have. No more 'distractions' as you like to call them. I honestly don't know what I did to warrant the current cold front I'm receiving."

"When did said cold front begin?"

"Now that I'm thinking about it I would say it's been about a week. Last Friday she was supposed to swing by for dinner but she never showed. I called her but she never answered."

"That doesn't sound like something Mac would do. What aren't you telling me?" Harm just looked at Sturgis. "Tell me everything that happened once you got home."

"I showered then started cooking. Mac was supposed to come straight over and change at my place because she had a late interview with a client. After I started I decided to put on some music, then I went back to working on dinner. That's it."

"That's it? Nothing else happened?" Sturgis looked at him with a look of confusion.

"Well, my downstairs neighbor came by to return a book she had borrowed and asked if she could borrow the next one in the series so when she came in I went to my bedroom to get it because I had just finished it the night before."

"Are we talking downstairs neighbor 'Ms. I can't do anything by myself and always need Harm's help' neighbor?"

"Yes, but her name is Babs, you don't have to always refer to her that way. She is very nice."

"Sure she is…tell me this, how was she dressed this time?"

"What do you mean, this time?"

"Well, last time I was there she swung by in a bikini top and a pair of cut-offs, then you told me the time before that she came by in a wrap around dress that left nothing to the imagination. So, I ask again…what was she wearing?" Harm lowered his eyes and said.

"A silk robe, and I honestly don't think there was anything underneath. She had just got out of the bath and she had her hair slicked. She told me she was reading while she bathed and that's why she was ready for the next book."

"And nothing happened while she was there?" Harm looked at him while trying to look offended.

"Look Sturgis, I told you I am really trying to get Mac to understand that I am ready to give up my current dating lifestyle. I really want to give us a chance."

"Well, what it sounds like to me is that little Ms. Silkrobe with the slicked back hair answered the door when Mac arrived, giving her the impression that you were otherwise indisposed in your bedroom." Harm's eyes opened wide and his mouth slacked open.

"No way, why would she do that?"

"Are you seriously asking me that question?" Sturgis just shook his head. "Sometimes it surprises me how moronic your behavior is when it comes to the opposite sex. That barracuda has been attempting to seduce you since she moved in, but your flirting is so ingrained in your behavior that you don't even recognize it. I will bet you money she not only did what I just said but that she also made Mac feel like she was interrupting much more than just a simple book exchange. You really are an idiot. You need to stop being so flirtatious with every set of boobs attached to a pair of long legs. You're right though, you should stay away…far, far away from Mac. Maybe you should sit here and really think about your life because the way you treat Mac…stringing her along expecting her to just wait around for you to be 'so called ready' gives the impression that you are settling, and frankly Mac deserves so much more than someone who doesn't even realize the vibe he sends out to every set of ovaries he comes into contact with."

"Damn Sturgis, you don't have to be so harsh. I don't do it on purpose."

"And that my friend is the attitude that Mac continues to pick up on. Man up already…using that excuse only reinforces your playboy ways and you will never have a mature relationship with a woman of substance that you can actually build a future with until you realize that." Sturgis got up to leave and started heading in the direction of command central. Harm hollered…

"Where are you headed?" Sturgis turned and said,

"I am going to go check in with my friend who just happens to have the misfortune of being in love with the most inconsiderate naval officer that is in my circle of friends." Sturgis panicked knowing he had just let slip a very sensitive piece of information.

"What do you mean in love, Mac doesn't love me. Not like that."

"Everyone who spends any time with the two of you can see it from a mile away and that elevates your stupidity to an even higher level. Go ahead…ask anyone around here and you'll get the same answer. I'll see you around." With that said, Sturgis continued on with his original objective. Harm however decided he needed to get to the bottom of this and fast. He grabbed his cell phone and pulled out his little black book filled with his list of 'distractions' as Sturgis puts it. 'Geez, I guess I do really give off that vibe if I'm still carrying around something as socially antiquated as a booty book.' With that thought filed away he proceeded to call Babs to get to the bottom of things.