Celia's Notes:  You'd think after almost 500 pages between us, we'd shut up.  No such luck.  Muchas gracias to my crew: Natalie, Jenn, Taryn, Carolina, Bob, and Nicky Poo:  what on earth would I do without you?  This is dedicated to my girls:  Riffey, Kate, Katie and Anj; you guys have made this year so much fun, and I have learned inevitable amounts from you.  Mudslides?  What's a mudslide?  Can I have more?  <G>  I shall miss you all entirely too much, but Schenley, here we come!

Nicole's Notes: What's left to say?  Creating this piece salved a number of personal wounds and writing it helped ease me through a tough time.  Thanks again, to my Muses, and my co-writer.  You're the best, Effie.
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Mac readjusted the cashmere black shawl over her shoulders, taking a few deep calming breaths.  She absentmindedly fiddled with the hem of her black dress and started to pace.  *Dating was never THIS difficult*, she thought to herself as she stopped in front of her mirror to recheck her makeup.  She brought her left hand up to comb her hair behind her ear.  Seeing the newest piece of her jewelry collection, the butterflies in her stomach immediately calmed.  Dating may have been easy before this, but it had never been this *right*.

Harm knocked on the door, a swift rat-tat-tat-tat.  The smile on his face had been plastered there for hours in anticipation of this time alone with Mac.  In fact, the cashier at the grocery store seemed to have a problem selling Harm a bottle of wine, wondering aloud if he'd been in the bourbon already that night. It wasn't until he pointed out that he was of legal drinking age *and* that it was sparkling grape juice that the guy relented.

Mac started just a bit at the sudden noise, but took another deep breath and went to open the door.  She smoothed her short black dress once more and opened the door, smiling.  "Hey," she said softly, moving aside so Harm could enter.

"Hey to you, too."  Harm slipped into the apartment, his hand brushing Mac's hip as he passed.  He shivered slightly at the contact.  With a broad grin, Harm held up the wine bottle.  "Sparkling grape juice," he explained before Mac could ask.

Mac chuckled.  "Thank you."  She took the bottle and put it in the fridge to keep cool.  Turning back to him, she asked, "Oh, did you want to drink that before dinner?"  A nervous twinge edged her voice as the butterflies awakened once again.

"No, after is fine."  Harm smiled an easy smile, one that didn't just grace his lips as it usually did but took its time lazily tracing its way all the way up to his eyes.

Mac fidgeted slightly for a minute, and then realizing what she was doing, stopped.  She smiled somewhat nervously at Harm and asked, "So, where are we going for dinner?"

"Someplace special," Harm said enigmatically.  He paused for a moment, silent.  "Are you okay? You look tense," he finally blurted.

"Fine," Mac said immediately, and then sighed.  Wringing her hands and playing with the ring on her left finger, she finally continued.  "It just kind of hit me when I was in the bath earlier...we've admitted it.  We've admitted our feelings, Harm, and I have no idea where to go from here."

A trace of a twinkle leapt in Harm's eyes and he started to chuckle softly.  "Me neither," he admitted, leaning against the door.  "We've been at a stalemate for so long where our relationship was concerned, I don't think we know how to do anything else."

Mac smiled, not quite sure what to say next, and knowing the subject was one that would be a hot topic later in the evening and for many weeks to come.  Finally, she broke the silence.  "Well, I'm starved.  Shall we?"

"Sure." Harm moved away from the door, turning the knob and swinging it open.  "Ladies first."

Mac smiled, grabbing her shawl and purse and heading out into the hallway.  She locked her door and then turned to Harm before continuing down the hall towards the elevator.  "So where *are* you taking me, sailor?"

"It's a surprise," Harm said, placing his hand on her elbow, guiding Mac down the stairs.  He knew he didn't have to, but he'd been dying for some contact, any little thing, since Mac had sauntered into the office that morning.  *And yes,* he thought, *"saunter" is the word for it.*  There had been a little skip to her step for a week now, and the bounce didn't go unnoticed.

Mac shot him a look and shook her head.  "You're just full of surprises lately, aren't you?" she asked quietly, semi-rhetorically.  Without another word, she climbed carefully in Harm's SUV (those cars were *so* not made for a woman in heels and a short skirt) and was shocked when the car came to a stop not more than five minutes later in a gravel parking lot right off the Rock Creek Parkway.  Mac leaned her head to look out the windshield and grinned when she saw the white Christmas lights and deck of one of Washington Harbour's many restaurants.  "You're taking me to dinner on the river?" she asked with a smile.

He slid the car into park, and shifted in his seat to smile at Mac.  "Not what you had in mind?" Harm asked, slightly worried.  Other women usually loved it when he picked someplace romantic like the Harbour...but then, Mac wasn't your average woman.

"Oh, no, no, this is wonderful," Mac said quickly, placing a hand on his arm.  "I just find it amusing that you always seem to incorporate either water or flying into whatever you do."  She looked back up at the lights flickering on the river and then back at Harm, a gentle smile on her face.  "So, are we going to Tony & Joe's or Riverside Grille?" she finally asked, indicating the two very relaxed restaurants at the Harbour.

Harm grinned at Mac and took a not-so-discreet glance at her dress.  He forced his eyes back up to meet hers and laughed softly.  "Would I really have told you to wear something nice if I intended to waste it at the Grille?"  He shook his head slowly, grinning from ear to ear.  "We're going to Sequoia."

Mac's jaw dropped open.  "Sequoia?" she echoed.  "Harm, that's really not necessary--"

"No," he said, his voice low and seductively soft.  "It's not."  A slow smile crept across his lips.  "I want to."

Mac smiled back at him and then shrugged.  "Well, it's not too often that you're right, Commander, but I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.  I hear the seafood here is outstanding."

"So I've heard."  Harm's mind was obviously not on the lobster.  He slid out of the car and was around to Mac's side before she had time to respond.  The door swung open and Harm extended an arm to help Mac out.  "Watch that first step," he grinned, referring to the foot and a half drop from the SUV's foothold to the ground.  "It's a doozy."

Mac took his hand and deftly hopped down, giving a nice view of her thigh to Harm.  She readjusted her shawl and hooked her arm through his elbow, genuinely smiling at him, feeling like a princess as they walked from the parking lot to the hostess stand on the first platform of the restaurant.

Harm tried to pick his jaw up off the ground before they arrived at the hostess' little podium.  "We have reservations," he informed the twenty-something girl.  "Rabb, for two."

The girl smiled and looked at her list.  "Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Rabb.  Right this way, please."  She picked up two menus and ushered them onto the upper part of the deck, to a secluded table lit by the twinkling lights and a small candle.  "Is this all right?" she asked politely.

Mac sat down and smiled.  "Wonderful, thank you."

"Yes, thanks," Harm said, not bothering to correct the girl's mistake.  She meant well.  *And besides,* he thought, glancing at Mac over the top of his menu, *she's the best candidate I've seen for the position.*

The girl simply smiled and handed Harm the wine list. "Emma will be your server tonight.  Just let us know if we can do anything for you."

Mac smiled again.  "Thank you."  She grinned at Harm and then looked at the menu.  "Mmm, everything looks amazing."

Harm nodded, laying the wine list beside his menu.  It didn't really matter what he ate, his mind wouldn't be on it.  "Everything," he echoed, trying to cover the fact that he was staring at Mac by glancing out at the river every few seconds.

Mac studied the menu for a few minutes, oblivious to Harm's nervousness, but concentrating on her own.  Her fingers played with the edge of the menu, and she nearly jumped out of her seat when a woman, presumably Emma, came up to the table.

"Good evening," she said cheerily.  "I'm Emma, I'm going to be taking care of you all tonight.  Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"I'll have a Heineken," Harm said, leaning back into his chair.

Emma nodded and then turned to Mac.  "For you, ma'am?"

"Um, I'll just have water, thanks," Mac replied.

"Excellent.  I'll be right back."  Emma turned on her heel, her long brown hair fluttering in the breeze.

Mac closed her menu and looked at Harm for a minute, completely at a loss for words.  *This is HARM,* she admonished herself.  *You've known this man for five years, you've eaten with him a thousand times, tonight's no different.*  Mac looked out to the Potomac River and sighed internally.  Tonight was so very different from anything they'd ever dealt with before...tonight, she was wearing his ring on her finger.

Harm reached across the table, covering Mac's hand with his own.  "What's up?" he asked quietly.  "You look ready to jump out of your skin."

Mac whipped her head around and nearly gave him her age-old reply, but then closed her eyes for a second and shook her head gently.  "This is just so new, and I'm not sure what to do.  I mean," she said, flashing him her ring, "What does this mean?  What does this mean for us, for our jobs?  It's just frustrating not knowing all the answers," Mac admitted sheepishly, looking down at her napkin.

"I don't think we ever know all the answers," Harm began, his soft tone encouraging Mac to raise her head and look at him.  "But we can figure out some of them, *together*," he emphasized the word.  "For starters, what does that mean for us?" Harm asked, gently fiddling with the ring as he caressed Mac's palm.  "It means we finally get to go where we should've *years* ago."

Mac smiled warily.  "On one level, that excites me, Harm," she said as her face became serious.  "But it also scares the living daylights out of me.  You've gotten in here," she said, using her right hand to point to her chest, "like no one else has even come close.  You've seen me at my most vulnerable points, and you've gotten me to open up like never before.  I built up all these walls over the years, and you've broken them down...and it's just hard for me to deal with."  Mac took a deep breath and searched his eyes, while unconsciously rubbing her thumb along his knuckles, soothing the both of them.

Harm nodded slowly, moving his fingers over Mac's to still her nervous hands.  "Mac," he said quietly.  "How do you think I feel?  I never had to put up walls, because no one was ever in my life long enough to see me for who and what I am."  He sighed softly, then started to smile.  "I'm not sure why, but you got to know me, and you stuck around anyway.  I was hardly prepared when you took over my heart."

Mac tilted her head, eyes filling with tears at Harm's words.  "But this is right, isn't it?" she whispered, tightening her grip on Harm's hand.

"I think so," he whispered.  "It feels right."

Mac nodded and then saw Emma approaching quietly.

"Are you ready to order?"  Emma asked softly, not wanting to interrupt.

Mac nodded and smiled, handing the woman her menu.  "I'll have the lobster bisque to start, and then the shrimp and crabmeat salad for dinner."

Emma smiled and nodded, then turned to Harm.  "For you, sir?"

"The conch chowder, please, and the seafood fettuccine." Harm handed over his menu and as soon as Emma had left, turned his attention back to Mac.  "Doesn't it feel right to you?" he asked, his nervousness showing in the slight tremble of his usually solid voice.

Mac nodded quickly.  "It feels incredibly right, Harm...I just," she sighed, looking back out over the water.  "I've rushed into so many things in my life, relationship wise.  Chris, John, even Mic to a certain extent.  And those relationships have messed me up something awful."  She shook her head, and then looked back at him.  "I don't want to screw this up, Harm," she said in a pained whisper.  "I can't."

Harm nodded in agreement.  "I know," he murmured, squeezing her hand.  "I'm not sure how slow we can take it, but I'm willing to go as slow as we possibly can."

Mac nodded, closing her eyes in relief.  "Thanks," she whispered.  Clearing her throat she said, "There's uh, there's something I have to tell you."

Harm took a slow breath.  "Go ahead, Mac."

"You know I sent Mic's ring back to him.  Well, obviously he's hurt and angry, and I feel that I owe him a face-to-face explanation.  I'm going to Sydney end of this week to try and talk to him.  It's the least I can do."

Harm released Mac's hand and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.  His face went through a range of emotions, from angry, to upset, and eventually, to calm acceptance.  He finally nodded, arms still crossed in a stance of defiance.  "I don't like it, Mac," he admitted quietly.  "I don't think you owe him a thing.  But if you feel you need to do it, go ahead."  Harm shrugged.  "You're an adult, I can't stop you."

Mac leaned across the table, still holding out her hand for him.  "Please, Harm, I need you to understand.  Mic genuinely loved me, and I in turn hurt him.  I can't in good conscience start another relationship, even if it's one that I've wanted for a long time now, if he's still hurting.  It doesn't mean I love you any less, or that I want you any less, I'm just trying to explain my feelings so Mic can get on with his own life."

Harm sighed softly, unfolding his arms and entwining his fingers with Mac's.  "I guess I understand.  I'd be more disappointed if you *didn't* care about his sorry Australian six."  He grinned, to show that there were no hard feelings.  "But, new rule.  For the rest of the night, no mention of that name, okay?"

"What name?"  Mac asked teasingly, squeezing his hand once more.  "Thanks for understanding.  I really appreciate it."  They sat in companionable silence until Mac cleared her throat and rose from her seat.  "I'm just gonna go freshen up," she said somewhat dismissively, grinning at her choice of words.

Emma arrived shortly thereafter with their appetizers.  As she set Mac's soup at her place she commented quietly, "I adore your wife's shoes."

Harm blushed slightly and grinned at the waitress.  "She's not my wife," he said, "but I'll tell her you said so."

Emma smiled back, quickly apologizing.  "Heavens, I'm sorry...you guys just looked so...married."  She shook her head and smiled gently again.  "Is there anything else I can get you right now?"

"It's no problem, really," Harm assured her.  "It's actually quite a compliment."  He grinned at the thought...Mrs. Rabb.  "No, we're fine," he finally said, bringing himself back to reality.

Emma nodded and headed back into the main part of the restaurant, passing Mac along the way.

Mac rejoined Harm at the table, smelling the heavenly aromas coming from her bisque.  "Looks great, doesn't it?" she asked conversationally.

"Yeah," Harm said, tasting his chowder carefully.  "Mmm, it's delicious.  How's yours?"  Harm was always amazed at how easily they slipped into comfortable conversation.

"Fabulous," Mac said, wiping the corner of her mouth.  She took another spoonful and, instead of eating it herself, offered it silently to him.

Harm bent his head forward and wrapped his lips around the spoon, tasting the soup.  "Mmmmm," he whispered.  "Good stuff."  He took up a spoonful of his own soup and held it up in return.

Mac smiled and leaned over, forgetting for a minute her black dress had a rather low neckline along her chest.  She swallowed and straightened, commenting, "That's *really* good.  We should come here more often."

"Oh, absolutely," Harm grinned.  "If it gives me a view like that."

Mac opened her mouth and then shut it again, nearly throwing her napkin at him.  "Here I am thinking you're trying to seduce me like a *gentleman*, and you're just trying to cop a feel.  What *am* I going to do with you?"

Harm smiled broadly.  "Whatever you want?" he suggested.

Mac laughed outright, shaking her head.  "You're incorrigible," she admonished.

"I try," he grinned.  "But seriously," Harm lowered his eyes and his smile faded, giving way to sincerity.  "I'm not going to rush you, Mac.  After all we've been through together, I'm sure we can stand a little wait."

Mac nodded.  "I think we deserve a little wait, too," she said, continuing after a minute.  "I have faith in us, Harm.  And as hard as it's going to be, I know this was inevitable and it's forever.  But I appreciate it, nonetheless."

"No problem," Harm lied.  He knew that, in fact, it would be a big problem.  But he also knew that Mac would be worth the wait.  Something told him that as she matched his tenacity in the courtroom and his passion in life she would also match his appetite in the bedroom.

Emma arrived at that moment with their dinners, placing the warm plates in front of them.  "Can I get you anything else?" she asked again.

Mac shook her head.  "No, I think we're great, thanks."

Emma nodded again and then leaned down to Mac, saying, "I have to tell you, I simply adore your shoes."

Mac leaned back and grinned.  "Thanks.  I found them at a little hole in the wall store in Georgetown.  I think they're Sam and Libby shoes."

Emma nodded.  "They're fantastic."  Straightening, she looked at both of them.  "If you need anything at all, let me know."

Mac smiled again and then looked at Harm.  "You didn't even notice my shoes, did you?" she asked, amused.

"Mac, I'm a *guy*," Harm said, hands upturned in surrender.  "When you're wearing a dress like that, it's an insult if a guy notices your shoes."

Mac laughed, spearing a piece of crabmeat with her fork.  "I'll let that one slide, Rabb.  Although, with all the pain these shoes are giving me, you might be in charge of dealing with the aftermath."

"Footrubs lead to backrubs, which lead to other rubs," Harm grinned, twirling pasta around his fork.

Mac rolled her eyes good-naturedly.  "Hornball," she muttered.  They were quiet for a few minutes, eating and enjoying the quiet evening in Georgetown, hearing the rustling leaves and the ships coming up and down the river.  Mac shivered a little bit as the wind kicked up and rubbed her sleeveless arms quickly.

Noticing Mac's shiver, Harm slid his blazer off and stood up, walking around the table.  He draped it over Mac's shoulders, taking the opportunity to lean down and whisper in her ear, "Better?"

Mac smiled up at him, nodding.  "Thanks," she whispered, pulling the lapels over her chest.  Without thinking, she closed the gap between them and kissed him, feather-light and very, very gently.

Harm responded to Mac's kiss, trying not to overwhelm her with all the need he felt inside.  He held back, keeping the kiss gentle and short.  Harm pulled away with a reluctant smile.  "I should go sit," he murmured, not moving.

"Yeah, you should," Mac said softly, looking at him.  She ducked her head, continuing quietly.  "I'm sorry, I just...this is so hard!" she finally said, exasperated.  Looking back up at him and into those depthless blue eyes, Mac sighed.  "Half of me wants nothing more than to drag you to the Watergate hotel and kiss you silly, among other things.  But the other half needs to run screaming for the time being...I'm sorry."

Harm leaned down and kissed Mac's cheek gently.  "Quit apologizing," he said firmly.  "It's no fun unless we're both going to be there."

Mac nodded, cupping his cheek.  "You're amazing, you know that?" she asked earnestly.  "Most guys would run screaming away from me.  But you stay."  She said this as if she had just realized the answer to life's mysteries, and looked back up at him with soulful eyes.  "I do love you, you know that, right?" she asked quietly.

"I was never sure until now, but I'd hoped."  Harm smiled tenderly.  "I love you, too, Mac."

Mac grinned back, exhaling somewhat loudly.  "I'm so glad," was all she could say, which sent her into a small fit of giggles.

Harm grinned.  "What's so funny?"

"I don't know...'I'm glad' seems so inadequate, that's all."  Mac continued to smile.  She motioned across the table.  "Sit down, Harm.  Your food's getting cold."

"It can freeze," Harm said softly, but he relented and sat slowly.  "And as far as I'm concerned, "I'm glad" sounded perfect.  It's better than, "Well, shit, I was kinda hoping you didn't, 'cause there's this cute guy at my gym..."," he grinned.

Mac laughed, shaking her head at him.  Holding up her left hand, she said, "Yeah, right.  And I put rings on my left hand for everyone who comes running around the corner."

Harm laughed.  "You must have quite a collection," he countered.

Once again, Mac refrained from hurling her napkin at her dinner companion.  Shaking her head, she took another bite of her dinner before continuing.  "Well, not really...there's yours, there was Mic's, and oh!  I forgot my plumber.  There's no guy at the gym, but there is my plumber Bubba."

"Bubba, huh?" Harm narrowed his eyes, pretending to be jealous.  "Sounds like a stud.  Are you sure he's not stepping out on you?"

"Positive.  He knows he can tighten my pipes anytime, so that's all he needs."

Harm raised an eyebrow and silently concentrated on his fettuccine.

Mac raised her own eyebrow.  "What's that look for?" she asked, sounding half-amused and half-annoyed, but loving every minute of it.

"I don't know.  You. Bubba. Pipe-tightening," he shrugged.  "It just sounds rather like a bad porno," he said quietly.

Mac laughed and then reached her hand over to caress his arm.  "I'll call Bubba tomorrow and tell him I won't be needing his services any longer, okay?"

"Okay," Harm agreed.  He smiled at Mac, happy that the easy banter between them that had been missing for so long was finally restored.  "And I'll call my pool man.  Poor Roberto's going to be crushed."

Mac laughed out loud again, rolling her eyes.  "What about your harem?  They're going to be absolutely devastated."

"I have a harem?  Why didn't anyone tell me?" Harm looked around the restaurant, as if searching for the door.  He turned back to Mac with a wicked grin.  "Well, since there are no current members of my personal entourage, the former almost-Mrs. Rabbs will survive, I suppose."

Mac clucked her tongue and focused her attention back on her food.  "You're beyond terrible," she finally said.  "But if that means I won't have to worry about Jordan or Bobbie or Annie, then hallelujah!"

"Honey," Harm said confidently, "you don't have to worry about any of them."  He neglected to add, *Because not one of them would have a damn thing to do with my commitment-shy six ever again.*

Mac nodded once.  "Good."  She finished off her salad and then leaned back in her chair.  "God, that was good," she half-moaned, wiping her mouth with her napkin.

"It was great," Harm agreed, leaning back in his chair.  "What do you want to do next?"

"Actually, I'm kinda tired.  Do you mind if we just call it a night?"

"Nope," Harm said, keeping his voice steady.  To be truthful, he was a little disappointed that the evening was ending so soon, but he couldn't force her to stay.  He waved his hand slightly, catching Emma's attention.

Emma came up to them, asking, "How's everything?"

"Just great, thank you," Harm enthused.  "But we're about done, so if we could have the check?"

"Of course, one second."  Emma turned and left, returning only about a minute later with the leather folder and handed it to Harm.  "Thanks for coming to Sequoia.  Have a great evening."

"Thanks, Emma, you too."  In just over an hour, they'd gotten to be on a first-name basis with a stranger.  *How odd,* Harm thought.  He slid a hundred dollar bill into the leather folder and stood, reaching out to Mac.  "Ready?"

Mac nodded, gathering her shawl and purse and lacing her fingers with his.  "These shoes are killing me.  I can't wait to get out of them."

They drove home in comfortable silence and Harm pulled up in front of Mac's building.  He walked her up the steps even though he knew he didn't have to, his hand on the small of her back the entire way.

When they reached the door, Mac fitted her key in the lock and then turned to look at him.  "I don't suppose you want to come up for coffee or something?" she said, half-hopeful and half-defeated, for she already knew the answer.

Harm had to stifle the ear-splitting yell of joy that welled up in him.  "Uhm, sure," he said nonchalantly.

Surprised, Mac fought her own grin and pulled the heavy oak door to her apartment building open. She fiddled with her keys as they waited for the elevator.  "You want decaf or regular?" she finally asked, trying not to see how absolutely delicious he was at that very moment, but failing miserably.

"Probably decaf," Harm said reasonably.  "It's late, and I'll be going to bed soon."  He looked at Mac with what his grandma Sarah called "the Rabb bedroom eyes".  She said they weren't just any "bedroom eyes", but had something truly special that only the Rabb men had: the ability to make a woman melt.  And he didn't even realize he was doing it until it was too late.

Mac nodded, grateful that the elevator arrived just then.  Stepping in front of Harm, she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself; as hard as it was to keep her hands of Harm when he looked at her that way, she knew deep down that they had to be patient, that this had the potential to blow up in their faces if they made one wrong move.

Harm smiled genuinely, leaning against the elevator wall.  "So how's Chloe?" he asked randomly.

Mac nodded, leaning against the opposite wall.  "She's great.  Having the time of her life with her grandmother and father...apparently there's a *boy* who likes her..."  Mac trailed off, smiling at the memory of Chloe's well-known antics.

"Oooh, teenage romance," Harm teased.  "I'm glad I don't have to watch that, I'd probably take aim at any boy who tried to touch her," he laughed.  "I don't trust teenage boys."

Mac laughed with him.  "I know, and she does too.  She knows that if any boy gives her any trouble at all, I'll be on the first plane to teach him respect."

Harm nodded with a smile.  "Buy two tickets."

Mac smiled back, nodding.  The elevator doors dinged open upon their arrival on her floor.  She walked slowly up the hallway, waiting for Harm to join her.  She opened her door and turned on the lamp in her entrance, bending down to greet Jingo as he made his way to the front door.  Waving Harm in, she said, "Make yourself at home.  I'll go put the coffee on."

"Thanks," Harm said, crouching down.  "C'mere, Jingo," he said softly.

The dog obeyed, moving over to Harm, tail wagging.

Mac kicked off her shoes and sighed in happiness.  Moving into the kitchen, she checked her machine for messages.  Thankfully, the machine's light wasn't blinking, so she continued with her normal coffee routine, starting the pot to brew.  Moving back out into the living room she said, "Would you mind if I went and changed into something more comfortable?"  Realizing what she had just said, Mac burst out laughing.  "I, uh, I meant sweats..." she trailed off, embarrassed.

Harm grinned broadly.  "I wouldn't mind a bit," he said, loosening his tie with one hand.  With the other, he reached down and scratched behind Jingo's ears.

"Great.  Have a seat."  Mac hurried into her bedroom, closing the door behind her, not realizing it wasn't completely closed.  She hummed to herself as she unzipped her dress and let it pool at her feet.  She undid her bra and threw on an oversized sweatshirt and found a pair of comfy jeans to finish her new "ensemble".  She picked up her dress and laid it on the bed, then moved into the bathroom to wash off her makeup.

While Mac was in the bedroom doing whatever it was women did after a man left their apartment after a date, Harm sat down on the floor.

Jingo stepped closer, licking his hand, and Harm grinned.  "Hey, Jingo, we're buddies, right?"  The dog sniffed Harm's crotch in response and Harm chuckled softly.  "I'll take that as a yes.  Now can you do me a favor?"  Harm didn't notice that the door to Mac's bedroom wasn't fully closed, either, or he might've been more careful about his words.  Might've.

Jingo simply sat in front of Harm, tail wagging on the floor, head cocked, as if he was saying, "Well, get on with it, buddy."

"Can you talk to your mom for me?  I don't want her to think I don't know what I'm doing.  I'd just appreciate it if you put in a good word for me, okay?" he grinned as Jingo licked his cheek.  "Thanks."  He glanced up, embarrassed, as Mac came into the living room.  "Hey," he said, fairly blushing.  "Nice jeans."

Mac looked down at her attire and grinned.  "Uh, thanks."  She moved around the pair and padded into the kitchen, getting two mugs down from the cabinet.  "So, what are you and Jingo conspiring about?"

Harm shrugged and winked at the dog.  "He was just telling me that he thinks you're cute."

"Right."  Mac shook her head at him and handed him a steaming mug, coming to sit on the edge of the couch.  "We need to talk about how we're going to handle work," she said quietly, taking a sip of her hot coffee.

Harm crossed his legs and sipped his coffee.  With a sigh, he nodded slowly.  "You're right. Any ideas?"

Mac shrugged.  "I don't know...maybe we could talk to the Admiral, try and keep the Navy's knowledge unofficial..."

Harm shook his head.  "Somehow, I don't think he'd go for it, Mac.  He had a hard enough time with Bud and Harriet, and they're still junior officers.  If two of his senior staff became lovers..." he trailed off, blushing slightly as he realized what he'd said.

Mac set her cup on the coffee table and joined him on the floor, knees touching.  "You know I want nothing in the whole world more than I want you, Harmon Rabb," she said with a smile.  "It's just not the right time, but I tell you what, when it is..." she trailed off dramatically, a smile playing the edges of her face.  "As for the Admiral, something tells me he's known we had a unique relationship all along; perhaps he can do something."

Harm grinned slightly.  He leaned in to kiss Mac, his entire body aching for nothing more than to touch her.

Mac leaned in as well, cupping his chin with one hand and running a hand through his hair with the other.  Without really realizing it, she scooted herself closer to him, spreading his legs open with her own and cradling herself between his thighs, deepening their kiss.

Tightening his arms around Mac, Harm pulled her close.  His tongue slid tenderly between her lips, parting them.  Harm's breath caught in his throat at the intensity of their kiss.

Mac scooted closer on Harm's lap, wrapping her legs around his back, groaning as she felt his tongue begging entrance.  Obliging, she dueled and teased his tongue, running her tongue along his teeth and smiling against his mouth.

Harm moaned softly, sliding his hands underneath the edge of Mac's sweatshirt, trailing his fingers along her soft skin.  He convinced himself that simply touching her would be enough, but he was quickly realizing it could never be.  "Mac," he whispered against her mouth. Harm trailed tiny kisses slowly down the line of her jaw, dipping his head to run his lips along the side of her neck.  *She tastes like strawberries.*

"Mm, Harm," Mac replied, tilting her head back to gain better access.  She pulled his shirt from his pants and started to run her nails up and down his back and moving to his chest, teasing the fine hairs there.

Harm grinned to himself as he continued to drop butterfly kisses on Mac's neck and shoulders, his hands slipping around to her front.  Slowly, giving Mac time to stop him if she wanted, he slid his hands upwards, reveling in the delicacy of her skin.

Mac leaned back and looked him straight in the eye, not removing her hands from under his shirt.  "Are you sure?"

Harm nodded quickly.  "Are you?"

Mac pressed her forehead to his, closing her eyes and sighing.  She opened her mouth to protest, to say they weren't ready, she still had issues...but then she realized that she'd been waiting her whole life for this one person, this one man who was sitting on her living room floor with her at this very moment.  She leaned back, brown eyes sparkling.  "I've never been more scared in my life," she said with a shaky smile, "but I've also never been so sure."

Harm smiled broadly and without a word, leaned in, pressing his lips to Mac's again.  His hands gently slid away from her, tugging her sweatshirt over her head.

Mac quickly unbuttoned Harm's shirt, discarding it in the general area of her sweatshirt.  She crushed her mouth to his, wrapping her arms around his neck, trying to get him ever closer to her.  "Harm," she said around their kisses, "Do you want to move somewhere more comfortable and without the audience?"

Harm nodded, opening an eye to glance at Jingo, who sat staring at them.  "Yes, please," he murmured.  He stood quickly, pulling Mac with him.

Mac rose with him, but the mess in her living room caught her eye.  With a sorrowful smile she leaned down and gathered their shirts, tucking them under her arms and covering her breasts with the sleeve of her sweatshirt--there were some things that Jingo just shouldn't see.  Deftly, she picked up the mugs and went to put them in the sink, saying quietly, "Can you bolt the door for me and turn off those lamps?"

"Sure."  Harm hurried over to the door, locking the handle and sliding the bolt and chain into place.  He turned off the light and the living room was left to the shafts of moonlight coming through the windows.

Mac rinsed out the mugs and left them in the sink, hurrying to Harm.  She leaned down to pet Jingo, giving him a kiss goodnight, and then took Harm's hand.  "Feel free to turn back, Harm.  I'd understand."

Harm laughed softly.  Turning Mac so that she was facing him, he held her shoulders gently as he kissed her, hard and thoroughly, leaving no doubt in her mind as to where he wanted to be right that moment.

Mac's eyelids fluttered closed, her mouth turning up slightly in a smile.  "Well, okay then," she said, separating from him as her smile widened.  She squeezed his hand, leading him the final few steps to her bedroom.

Harm followed Mac with a smile.  "So I'll finally get to see your bedroom," he commented.

Mac turned to him, tossing their shirts on a chair and once again baring herself to him, minus the apprehension.  "Well, all you had to do was ask."

"If I'd know it was that easy," he teased, advancing slowly on her, "I'd've asked that day in the rose garden."

Mac lowered her head sheepishly, smiling.  "I wouldn't have said yes then--I thought you were so arrogant I could have hit you.  After you saved me from the crazy lieutenant in the Admiral's office, possibly."  She raised her head again, grinning.

Harm laughed softly.  "I probably wouldn't have asked you in the rose garden, come to think of it," he said, stepping forward so that he was barely a breath away.  "I was thinking about Diane.  But in Russia, when you wore that nightgown..." he whistled softly, appreciatively.  "Definitely then."

Mac rolled her eyes.  "Well, obviously in Russia--do you think that nightgown was for sleeping?  *Hello*!  It's *Russia*!"  She grinned up at him, cupping his cheek again.  "The past doesn't matter now...it's just you and me, right here."

Harm laughed again, happy that they could finally be honest with each other.  "Amen to that," he whispered, turning his head to kiss Mac's palm.

Mac closed her eyes at Harm's butterfly kiss on her hand and couldn't resist cupping his cheek once more and bringing her mouth to meet his.  Almost immediately, Mac felt herself relax completely, focusing her energy not on the consequences of what they were doing, but focusing on herself, him, and the love she could now finally admit she felt for him.

THE END