Disclaimer: If I owned them, I wouldn’t be here writing fanfic for free!
Author Notes: Takes place during season seven, before Tribunal.
Feedback: vakhdar@yahoo.com
Callisto’s
Friday night
2030 Local
Harm stared at the beautiful marine sitting across the table from him, talking animatedly with Bobbi. He had high
hopes for this evening. Allowing his eyes to trail admiringly over her, his mind wandered back to the beginning of
the evening.
He and Mac had run into Bobbi as they were leaving JAG for the weekend, and she had invited them to join Sturgis and
her for dinner. Grateful for the opportunity to spend some time with Mac, he had agreed immediately and cajoled Mac
into it. Callisto’s was the agreed upon meeting place in an hour, after they had changed out of their uniforms.
Their relationship had gone back to friendship since the Jagathon a few months ago. And as relieved as he was for
that, he found that he wanted more. And it was frustrating him no end that Mac didn’t seem to want that kind of
relationship with him anymore. The banter and fun was back, but it was like she always held a small piece of
herself away from him. Had her feelings changed that drastically?
Fortune had again smiled upon him when Mac’s vette had a flat tire, giving him the perfect excuse to pick her up,
and spend some time with her on Saturday.
“Come on Mac, I’ll drop you at home, you can change, and I’ll pick you up.”
“I don’t know Harm; maybe I should just do this now and stay in for the night. I don’t want to have to deal with
this tomorrow and I’m kind of tired anyway. It’s just been one thing after another today…” As much as she enjoyed
spending time with Harm, she wasn’t sure this was the wisest course for her. Finally having faced her feelings for
this man, time spent with him was both a pleasure and a form of torture. The effort of keeping those feelings in
check was exhausting in the best of circumstances, and having a “couple” dinner with Sturgis and Bobbi might just
be more difficult for her.
He jumped in before she could finish her excuses. “Mac, it’ll do you good to get out. Tomorrow we’ll come back here
and change the tire. Problem solved.” He shot her a pleading look; one he knew she had trouble resisting. It was
much more effective than the ‘flyboy grin.’
Indecision hovered momentarily in her eyes as she waged an internal battle before breaking into a smile. “OK Flyboy.
It’s a date.” Realizing the implication of her statement, she flushed and tried to backpedal immediately. “Uh…I mean…
not a date exactly…”
He cut her off again, surprising himself with how smoothly the words flowed from him. “That’s OK Mac. You can say
the word. In fact I like it. It’s a date.” Grinning at her stunned expression, he held out his arm dramatically.
“May I escort you to the car, Madam?”
Laughing, she accepted his arm. The ride to her apartment was comfortable; he was careful to keep the conversation
to various cases and things at the office. He dropped her off, raced to his apartment to shower and change, and was
back in record time at her door.
She opened the door with a smile at his knock. The handsome man in front of her took her breath away. “I can’t
believe you managed to change that fast.” Getting that out in a normal tone of voice was one of the most difficult
things she ever had to do. The dark blue suit and lighter blue shirt brought out his azure eyes, and she could
almost see herself drowning in them. “But you do look nice.”
Accustomed as he was to seeing beautiful women, Harm had a difficult time keeping a level head when he saw the vision
in red in front of him. The silk of the dress clung in all the right places, the neckline dipping low to reveal a
lovely cleavage. “You look gorgeous yourself, Sarah.” The husky sound of his voice surprised him.
Blushing at his tone, and the obvious admiration in his eyes, she stammered a little as she invited him in. “C-Come
in, Harm. I’ll just get my wrap.” Turning, she walked over to the couch where she had put her matching shawl.
His breath caught as she turned. The dress barely had a back, and he admired her sexy curves as she walked away.
Mac was always beautiful, even in uniform, but in civilian dress she could knock his socks off.
He stepped in and waited at the door as she returned to him. He took the shawl from her, smiling at her look
of confusion. “A gentleman always helps a lady with her wrap.” Moving behind her, he draped the shawl over her,
letting his hands rest lightly on her shoulders. Feeling bold, as she made no protest, he leaned in and inhaled
her perfume, then lightly nuzzled her neck where it met her shoulder. “You smell wonderful too.” He let his lips
linger after placing a light kiss there.
A gasp and a trail of goosebumps were his reward as she turned towards him; her brandy colored eyes revealing both
desire and fear. “Harm…” Her voice was low and trailed away as she met his gaze.
Standing this close to her, it was all he could do not to crush her to him. “It’s time Sarah. In fact it’s
past time.”
“But…”
He touched a finger to her lips to silence her. “Let’s just enjoy the evening, shall we?” He lifted her hand to
his lips. Turning it over, he placed a kiss in her palm, trailing up to the inside of her wrist. His eyes never
left hers as he nibbled lightly.
Unable to breathe, she managed a nod. He smiled as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her out.
“You gonna stare at her all night, buddy?” Sturgis’s voice broke into his thoughts.
Tearing his eyes away from Mac, he turned to face his grinning friend. “Any reason why I shouldn’t? She’s worth
staring at.”
“Well, I have to agree with you there, Harm. But I thought you didn’t notice her that way.” Sturgis was a little
smug.
“Oh I noticed, I just never did anything about it.” Harm was a little smug himself.
A little concerned at Harm’s seemingly cavalier attitude, Sturgis leaned forward to talk quietly. “Harm, be careful.
Don’t play with her feelings. She’s vulnerable right now…” He had come to like and respect Mac, and remembered her
slip about how she felt about Harm.
Surprised at his friend’s protective attitude towards Mac, Harm turned serious as well. “I’m not playing, Sturgis.
I’m serious about her.”
Sturgis met Harm’s steady gaze, considering his statement. Finally he broke into a smile. “Glad you came to your
senses, buddy. It’s about time.”
Harm’s eyes returned to Mac, still deep in conversation with Bobbi. She looked up to catch him staring, and smiled
at him. Returning her smile, he murmured to Sturgis, “It’s way past time, Sturgis.”
Getting up, he walked over to Mac and held out his hand. “Would you like to dance Sarah?”
Feeling shy and a little nervous, she placed her hand in his as she rose, nodding her acquiescence.
Bobbi stared at Harm, a small smile gracing her features, before shifting her eyes to Sturgis and allowing a
full-fledged grin to take over. Sturgis answered her grin with one of his own.
Oblivious to the by-play of their friends, Harm led Mac to the dance floor and took her in his arms as a song began
to play, a woman’s voice singing a capella at first, then slowly a low bass beat came in.
Touch my skin
And tell me what you’re thinking,
Take my hand
And show me where we’re going.
Lie down next to me, look into my eyes
And tell me, oh tell me what you’re seeing
Harm pulled her close, resting his cheek on Mac’s hair as the music continued, the words aptly fitting their
situation. He felt her tension at first, but she soon relaxed, settling comfortably in his arms as the words
and music washed over them.
So sit on top of the world
And tell me how you’re feeling,
What you feel now is what I feel for you.
Take my hand and if I’m lying to you,
I’ll always be alone, if I’m lying to you.
He so wanted her to know how he felt, but he never could get the words out. His hand caressed the bare skin of her
back, fingertips lightly tracing patterns on her back before traveling up to tangle in her hair.
See my eyes
They carry your reflection,
Watch my lips and hear the words I’m telling you.
Give your trust to me and look into my heart,
And show me, show me you’re doing.
He pulled back a little, and looked down into her questioning eyes. Leaning down, he rested his forehead against hers
as they barely moved to the music.
So sit on top of the world
And tell me how you’re feeling,
What you feel is what I feel for you.
Take my hand, and if I’m lying to you,
I’ll always be alone, if I’m lying to you.
Take your time, if I’m lying to you,
I know you’ll find that you believe me, you believe me
The music swirled around them, encompassing them in its magic. Slowly, softly, he let his lips meet hers in a
feather-light kiss, stopping when he felt her tremble.
Feel the sun on your face and tell me what you’re thinking,
Catch the snow on your tongue and show me how it tastes.
Take my hand, and if I’m lying to you,
I’ll always be alone, if I’m lying to you.
Take your time, and I know you’ll find that you believe me, you believe me
As the song faded, he met her eyes again. “Trust me, Mac. I will never hurt you. Please, let’s give ‘us’ a chance.
Please.”
He held his breath as he awaited her answer.
Mac tried to control her racing pulse as she regarded him solemnly. In her heart, she had always known that if Harm
ever really expressed desire for her, she would have given him anything he wanted in an instant, even in the
beginning. Now that she had admitted to herself that she loved him, she found him impossible to resist. In spite
of the pain they had inflicted on each other over the years, she trusted him implicitly. All this flashed through
her mind in an instant, although it seemed like hours to Harm.
Her answer was not in words.
Reaching up, she placed her hands on either side of his face and gently pulled him down to her, letting the warm
sensuous kiss be her answer. The music of the next song began, but neither heard it over the thundering of their
hearts. The kiss deepened as Harm put his arms around her and pulled her closer.
Belatedly realizing where they were, he broke the kiss off reluctantly. Unwilling to let her go, he kept her close
as he whispered to her, “Let’s get out of here.”
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she replied, “Yes, let’s. I want you, Harm.”
The passion burning in his eyes increased, and he began to kiss her again, heedless of their location. Her hand on
his chest stopped him, but her eyes answered him in kind. “Let’s go, Harm.”
His arm around her, he guided her back to the table where they made their farewells to Sturgis and Bobbi. Knowing
smiles followed them out, which they ignored.
As they made their way out to his SUV, he kept her close. Unlocking the door for her, he couldn’t stop himself from
stealing another kiss. Her mouth opened under his, and a low groan emanated from him as his hands glided over the
soft skin of her back. Her arms went around his neck, drawing him even closer as she molded her body to his. As
his hand gently cupped her breast, he heard her whisper his name with a gasp. “Oh Harm, please…”
Realizing that they were still in a public place, he again broke the kiss and helped her into the car, stealing
another kiss as he fastened her seat belt for her. As the fire between them flamed higher, he tore himself away
with a laugh. “Mac! Behave yourself, or we’ll never make it home.”
‘Don’t blame me, Commander. It’s not my fault you can’t keep your hands to yourself.” Her tone was teasing, if a
little breathless.
He closed the door with a laugh, leaning against it for a moment to get himself under control. He didn’t notice
Bobbi and Sturgis a few cars away getting into their own vehicle, laughing at him.
“I guess they finally figured it out.” Bobbi was still smiling as she got into the car.
Not unaware of Bobbi’s history with Harm, Sturgis had to ask. “Does it bother you?”
Recognizing the emotion behind that question, Bobbi gave it the serious consideration it deserved, and then
answered. “No. Harm and I would never have worked; I realized that a long time ago. I’m just happy to see him
happy. Like I’m happy.”
A smile lit up his face at her reply. “I’m glad to know that.” He leaned in for a kiss, and she obliged.
Harm’s SUV
On the way home
Harm admired the hand he held for a moment, before raising it for a kiss. It was strong, yet delicate at the same
time. The soft skin felt wonderful beneath his lips. He risked a glance at the marine beside him. Her head was
resting against the seat, her eyes shining at him. He caught his breath at the love he saw there.
He turned his gaze reluctantly back to the road, the silence comfortable between them. Finally, they both knew where
they were headed, and there were no more fears.
The click of her safety belt unfastening caught his attention. A slim arm snaked around the back of his neck as her
body pressed close to his side. He almost veered off the road when her lips met his ear, her tongue flicking it
lightly. Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine, all the way to his toes. The rest of his body came to instant
attention.
Pulling her other hand out of his, she snuck it over his chest, loosening the tie and unbuttoning the first few buttons
of his shirt before slipping inside. Her fingers played with the hair on his chest; her gentle touch sending what
little blood he had left above the waist all the way south. “Oh God…Sarah.” He held on to the steering wheel,
white-knuckled; determined to make it home in record time.
Her hand continued to tease him, and he could stand it no longer. He slammed the brakes on. With a curse he dragged
her into his lap, unable to control the flames she had ignited. As his mouth plundered hers ruthlessly, his hand
slipped up her leg until it reached bare thigh. Thanking god she wore thigh high stockings, he stroked the delicate
skin he found there, eliciting low moans from her.
He moved his hand up a little farther, unable to stop himself from further exploration. When his hand met no panties,
only the smooth curve of her hip, he drew back from her a little and gave her a surprised look. “Panty lines,” she
explained in an embarrassed voice. “Oh, I’m not complaining, believe me.” He continued his exploration, her low
moans and gasps against his lips making him crazy.
There was a tap on the window of the SUV. Mac gave a startled yelp and jumped back over to her seat. Struggling to
gain control of himself, Harm turned and faced the Police Officer who had rapped on the window with his nightstick.
Flushing red with embarrassment, Harm rolled the window down.
“Is there a problem here?” The Officer was mightily amused, knowing the reason for their stop. “It’s no t wise to
stop in the middle of the road, Sir.”
“Uh…sorry Officer. I…uh… was just looking for…” Harm’s voice trailed off, he couldn’t think of a logical excuse other
than the real one.
“A map. He was looking for the map, Officer.” Mac’s voice broke in, saving him from complete humiliation. She was
sitting demurely in her seat, her skirt pulled down, and her seatbelt buckled. He had no idea how she did that
so quickly.
The Officer laughed out loud. “Yes, I’m sure he was. In the future, I would suggest you pull out of the street
before looking for the…map.” His tone was sarcastic. “In fact, I would suggest you look for it at home.”
“Yes Officer, we’ll be sure to be more careful. Thank you for checking on us.” Harm finally found his voice again.
“Just keep moving, please.” The Officer waved and walked off, still laughing.
There was a short silence as Harm stepped on the gas, getting the SUV moving again. He looked over at Mac and found
her struggling to control a giggle. When their eyes met they both burst out laughing. “Marine, stay on your side of
the vehicle, please. I refuse to be responsible for the consequences if you don’t.”
The hilarity of the moment struck her again. “I thought you were very smooth, Harm. Really. I was looking for
the …uh…” She mimicked his earlier performance before going off in another gale of laughter.
“Yeah, thanks for the help, map lady. Looking for the map? I’m sure he bought that story.” His sarcastic tone sent
her off again.
As he pulled into a parking place outside his apartment the silence settled over them, almost awkward. The past
started washing over them as they sat quietly in the SUV, neither one making a move to get out.
The longer the silence went, the more Mac began to panic. All she could think about were the times he backed away.
He always backs away. Oh God, he’s starting to regret this already. But he started it; I didn’t force him into it.
Oh my God, this is going to be bad.
Somehow Harm had lost the spontaneity that had carried him through the evening. It wasn’t that he had changed his
mind; it was just that euphoric feeling had been interrupted and reality had intruded. This was Mac, for God’s
sake, the woman he had spent years both avoiding and yearning for. He turned to her, not sure what he wanted to
say, but the silence was deafening. “Mac…” His voice was a little shaky.
Abruptly she turned her head to look out the window as she cut him off. “It’s OK, Harm. I understand. Please just
take me home.” Her voice held its normal firm tone, but her hands were clenched together in her lap.
His eyes took in the clenched hands and the tension revealed in her posture. Suddenly the awkwardness was gone, and
nothing was more important than reaching out to her, than showing her what she meant to him. Reaching out to her face,
he gently turned her around to face him. Her eyes were full of tears that she refused to let fall.
Still holding her face, he asked her, “Is that really what you want?”
She looked down, refusing to meet his eyes even as he gently caressed her cheek. “It doesn’t matter, Harm. I
understand, really. Just take me home and we’ll forget all about this…”
It was his turn to cut her off. “I don’t want to forget about it, Sarah. I want you. But if you’re not ready, or
you really want to go home, it’s all right. I’ll wait till you are ready.”
She looked up at him sharply. “But I thought…I mean…” Her voice trailed away as the full import of his words hit
her. “Harm?” Her hand came up to cover his.
“Sarah, the past is done. We can talk about it any time you want too, any time you need too, but I want us to be
together tonight. I thought you wanted that too. Do you?”
She nodded slowly, a smile breaking through the tears. He leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss, tasting the salt of
her tears. He vowed to himself that he would never again to be the cause of those. “Wait here. I’ll come around
and get you.” He whispered against her lips.
He hurried around to open her door, taking her into his arms as she stepped out. Holding her close against him, he
laid his cheek against her hair as her arms went around him. “You never have to be afraid again Sarah, I promise
you that. Not of me.”
A watery laugh was his answer as she hid her face against his shoulder. “I know that, Harm. I’m sorry. I don’t
mean to be like this, really.”
“Hey, I kinda like you all weak and female.” He tried to make her laugh.
“Oh shut up, Squid.” She hit him on the arm as she drew away, smiling. “Don’t make me hurt you.” She started
walking towards the building.
“Woman, you don’t know you’re place.” His voice took on a more “caveman” tone as he followed her.
“And you’re not going to teach it to me, either.” The challenge was teasing, but definitely a challenge.
Not giving her a chance to get in a defensive position, he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, rather liking
the cave man approach.
“Harm! Put me down!” Giggles followed this demand, so he didn’t take it seriously. Instead, he slapped her on the
derriere.
“I’m putting you in your place, woman. Be quiet!”
She didn’t seem intimidated by this at all as giggles continued to ring out as he strode up the stairs and down
the hall. He dug his keys out of his pocket, unlocked the door and entered the apartment, all actions accompanied
by her musical laughter.
Setting her down by the door, he regarded her sternly as he locked it. “Now do you know your place?”
A saucy look was what he got in return. “I know my place; I just have to teach it to you. You seem to have a
mistaken impression as to where that is.”
“And where do you think it is?” His words were teasing, but the tone had shifted to his low ‘come to me’ voice.
She took the lapels of his jacket in her hands and pulled him close to her, pressing her body up against him.
“I think it’s right here.” And she reached up to pull his head down for another kiss.
The ardor that had waned after the policeman interrupted them blazed hot in an instant. Her mouth opened under his,
and their tongues tangled. He crushed her to him, desperate for the feel of her against him. He had waited so long
for this, and nothing was going to get in his way.
Before he could begin exploring her body again, she was pushing his suit jacket of his shoulders. In an effort
to cooperate with her, he allowed the jacket to drop without interrupting their kiss. He still couldn’t get close
to her, her hands were between them, pulling off his tie and fumbling with the buttons of his shirt.
In frustration he pulled away for a moment. “God damn it!” The frenzied desire he felt caused frustration when
his shirt wouldn’t cooperate. He ripped at it, buttons flying everywhere, and threw it on the floor. A little
startled at his curse, she had stepped back, but a heated smile was on her face when she realized his intent.
When he grabbed her back to kiss her almost savagely, she came willingly into his arms.
“Oh God…Harm…” Her head fell back, and again he trailed hot kisses across her neck. Her knees buckled at the
onslaught of sensations, and he swept her up in his arms. He made his way to the bedroom, laying her gently on
the bed. And the two lovers became one.
Later…
The world slowly came back into focus for him. Realizing he was collapsed on top of her and probably crushing her,
he started to roll off. She held him tightly to her. “Stay…please. I just want to feel you.”
“It’s my pleasure Sarah, believe me.” Kissing her gently, he reveled in the feeling of being surrounded by her.
“I never want to leave.”
They fell asleep in each other’s arms.
JAG Headquarters
Saturday
1114 Local
Harm was attempting to change the tire on Mac’s vette, not an easy task when a certain Marine Lieutenant Colonel
could not resist tickling him. After several sneak attacks, he had finally ordered her to the other side of the
car to wait, and she had subsided meekly. Too meekly, he thought suspiciously.
He had had good intentions of an early start this morning, but a shower with the aforementioned Lieutenant Colonel
had taken a little longer than anticipated. Not that he minded the delay. His thoughts drifted to the feeling of
a wet, soapy Sarah under his hands. Yes, the shower took a lot longer than anticipated. He smiled to himself as
he remembered it.
And somehow breakfast had taken longer as well. The eggs he had fixed had gotten knocked off the table, and he
had been too distracted to clean them up immediately. Making love to Mac on the table had seemed much more
important at the time. Chuckling, he realized that simple tasks like washing and eating were going to take
much more time than they used to. Not that he was complaining, not at all.
A finger delicately traced his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. He looked up from trying to get the jack
under the car to see Mac sprawled across the hood of the car, smiling down at him. She looked adorable in his
shorts and T-shirt, barefoot. Her silk dress was not really appropriate for changing a tire, and her red high
heels had not matched his clothes. He had convinced her to just run with him to JAG to take care of the car,
enjoying seeing her in his clothes. He guessed it was a guy thing, but she looked damn sexy in them.
“I thought I told you to stay on your side of the car.” He attempted to be stern with her, but it was a wasted
effort. His eyes betrayed him.
She grinned at him, unrepentant. “I thought I taught you last night that you couldn’t put me in my place.” Reaching
out, she smudged his nose with a little grease from the tire.
“That’s it. Now I’m really gonna teach you your place.” He leaped to his feet and grabbed for her.
Giving a little scream, she evaded his hands and slid back onto the other side of the car. Feeling totally carefree
and immature, she stuck her tongue out at him. “Na na na na na.”
Laughing, he accepted the challenge and started around the car after her.
She ran around to the rear of the car, laughing all the way. Unfortunately for her, she was barefoot and couldn’t
run as fast as he could. Catching up with her, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up.
“Harm!” She could barely speak she was laughing so hard. He waved his hand, dirty from the tire changing,
threateningly in front of her face while keeping a firm grip around her with the other arm.
“No, I’ll be good! I swear! Harm!” At her words he loosened his grip and dropped his guard. His mistake.
She turned and hooked her foot around him, hitting him in the back of the knees. He grabbed her again as he
went down, careful to land with her on top of him. After all, he had jeans on; he didn’t want her to get
scratched up from the pavement.
The fight degenerated into tickling and more laughter. They didn’t hear the car pull up and park near them, or
the footsteps that closed in on them. Their first inkling that they had an audience was the sound of a throat
clearing.
Harm was half lying on top of a squirming, giggling Mac. She had managed to cover his face with dirt and grease,
and he was returning the favor when he heard the loud “Ahem.” Glancing over towards the sound, his eyes took in
an immaculate pair of uniform shoes and pants. As his look traveled upward, he realized with growing horror that
it was Admiral AJ Chegwidden.
Scrambling to his feet, he helped Mac up and both of them came to attention automatically.
Highly amused, AJ looked the disheveled, dirty pair over. Harm was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, along with a
pair of tennis shoes. His Chief of Staff was in shorts that were obviously too big for her, barefoot, and a GO
NAVY T-shirt that was also way too big. They were both covered with grease and dirt.
“I wasn’t aware that you had duty this weekend Commander, Colonel, or that the dress codes had changed this
drastically.”
Seeing that Mac seemed to have lost her voice completely, Harm volunteered the explanation. “Well…Sir…We…I
mean, I was helping the Colonel change a flat tire on her car.”
The Admiral looked at the two tires visible to him. Neither was flat. He shifted his gaze back to Harm
questioningly.
Harm felt his face go red. “It’s uh…on the other side Sir.”
Not saying anything, AJ walked around and saw the flat tire and the jack lying next to the car. “It’s a little
difficult to change the tire from the other side of the car, isn’t it, Commander?” AJ was enjoying himself hugely.
It was obvious to him that these two had finally gotten together. He was glad for it, but he planned to enjoy himself
some more at their expense.
Both of his officers were brick red by this time. Neither volunteered anything.
Noticing Mac’s attire, he zeroed in on her for a moment. “Colonel, planning on switching branches?”
She glanced down at the GO NAVY emblazoned on the T-shirt she wore. “No Sir. Commander Rabb offered me a shirt
so that I wouldn’t get mine dirty.” Amazingly, she didn’t stutter, although she was still blushing.
“I see. How gallant of you Commander.” AJ’s tone was sarcastic.
Neither officer replied, correctly surmising this was rhetorical. Finally having a little pity on them,
AJ relented. “OK. I needed to talk to you both, so I’m glad you’re here. Finish this job up quickly and meet
me in my office. And I mean quickly.” AJ gave them both another stern look for good measure before turning on
his heel and walking away, smiling once they couldn’t see his face.
When he reached the step he turned just in time to see Mac slap Harm on the arm and then wipe her hands on his shirt.
Laughing to himself, he continued on to his office.