Rating: GS
Spoilers: I guess anything could be used.
Disclaimer: Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE.
Summary: Harm suddenly gets the love bug.
Note: Sorry if you are tired of my song fics, but I can't help it sometimes. Hope you read it anyway. Sorry for any mistakes.
Archive: Just ask, please.
February 14, 2005
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Washington, D.C.
Harm sat on a stool early morning sipping his coffee as the sun made its way into his apartment. He had to be at work in about an hour an a half so he just sat there reading a newspaper. He was scanning through the sports section of the newspaper trying to see if he could find any more news on the soon to arrive Washington Senators baseball team, when it hit him.
Today was Valentine's Day! He set the newspaper down and rubbed his face. What was he going to get Mac?
`This is great', thought Harm. `I only have a few hours to buy her something.'
He set the newspaper down before he nearly slammed the mug on the counter. Amazed that not one drop of coffee spilled he made his way to his bedroom to retrieve his briefcase. This was going to be a long day.
He had no idea what to get her. They hadn't exchanged gifts on Valentine's since before Bud's accident. It was something he had to fix. Hopefully this time he would get it right and he would be showering Mac with gifts every Valentine's Day.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac sat at her desk with her mind wandering elsewhere. She was supposed to be going through her closing arguments to the dereliction of duty case she was prosecuting, but she couldn't concentrate for too long.
She twirled a pen in her hand as she stared at a particular spot on the floor ahead of her.
Maybe he forgot, again.' She thought. `Or maybe he just feels uncomfortable doing it now.'
Her thoughts were harshly interrupted as Harm came in announcing his win. She nearly jumped out of her chair and knocked down her desk lamp to the floor.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you jarhead." He chuckled as he made his way to a chair.
"Uh?it's ok. You just caught me daydreaming. Try not to make a habit out of it. Ok sailor?" She smiled. "So, what's this I hear about you winning the "toughest case in the world" as you call it?"
"Yup. The Captain had a few tricks up his sleeve, but I got him. He was obviously really guilty. Who else could have ordered the Midshipmen to moon the SecNav? He was the most superior officer there." He sighed heavily.
"That is the most bizarre case you have ever worked on." She laughed.
"Tell me about it." He chuckled. "I can't believe what this world is coming to."
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Mac still fidgeting with her pen and Harm trying to straighten an imaginary crease on his sleeve.
They both smiled and spoke simultaneously.
"So..."
"So..."
They laughed nervously. `Damn it. Why is it always so hard?' They thought.
"You go first." Harm held out his hand.
"Um...I was just going to ask what you were doing later today."
"Why?" He was playing with her.
"Um...you know. Valentine's Day."
"Oh...that." He smiled. "I was actually going to ask you the same thing."
"So...?"
"So...what are you doing later tonight?"
"Harm I asked you first." She gave him an evil look.
"Ok. Ok." He laughed. "I was planning on staying home doing nothing."
"Me, too. Well, maybe eating some ice cream and watching a chick flick."
"Well, since neither of us is doing anything. What do you say we go out somewhere? Maybe a nice dinner somewhere. What do you say?"
"Hmm?alright sailor. Is this like a date?"
"You can like say that." He grinned.
"So...dinner it is."
"Yup. I'll pick you up at 20:00. Wear something nice." He made his way to the door.
"Harm..."
"Yeah?"
"Happy Valentine's Day."
"It is now, Sarah. See you later."
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
She was meticulously finishing the final touches on her make-up when she heard Harm singing outside her door. His strong voice could be heard perfectly even through the front door and her bedroom door.
Mac smiled as she walked over to the door, but not before taking one final look at herself in the mirror.
"My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart, your looks are laughable, unphotographable, yet you are my favorite work of art."
Harm stood rooted to the floor with his hands behind his back.
"Wow. What a way to greet a lady." Mac smiled gratefully. "Come on in. I have to get my shawl." She managed to turn slightly before Harm caught her arm.
"Wait." He smiled as he retrieved a dozen red roses from behind his back. "These are for you."
Mac looked at the roses and then back to him to meet his stare. She couldn't help it, but the way he was acting was causing her knees to go weak. His strong arms could be seen flexing under his gray suit despite the material. And his aftershave was making her mind go into overdrive. But she couldn't allow him to see just how much power he possessed over her heart. Not yet.
"You don't want them?" He teased.
"Sorry. I was just thinking." She took them from him.
"Wow, Mac. That's twice today." She hit his arm lightly.
"Watch it sailor. They're beautiful. Thank you." She grabbed his arm to pull him in. "Relax while I put these in water and get my shawl."
"Sure." He stood in place as he watched her walk into the kitchen.
If she only knew what she was doing to him. Watching her in that nice black knee-length dress was making him crazy. Not that she didn't already. But there was something to say about dresses that clung to his marine's every curve. He loved it. And she was his date. He was surely going to be the most envied man alive.
He was caught unaware as Mac came back into the living room. "Hey sailor." He jumped up a bit. "Sorry. I guess that was payback for earlier." He smiled.
"You're ready?"
"Yes I am."
"Lets go." He offered her his arm.
"Lead the way flyboy." She looped her arm with his.
And as they walked to the elevator you could hear Harm's voice serenading his date. "But don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me, stay little valentine stay, each day is Valentine's Day."
Restaurant
Washington, D.C.
They entered the place with Mac holding onto Harm's hand. Neither knew how it happened, but neither cared to break it. It was a great feeling. Other couples turned their heads to see the way these two lit up the place. They were a very handsome couple. Lucky, that was for sure.
They stepped up to the desk and were greeted by a nice lady. They smiled at her.
"Reservations?" She asked.
"Yes. Harmon Rabb."
"Alright Mr. and Mrs. Rabb. Right this way please." She led them to their table as Harm looked over to Mac looking nervous and embarrassed for not having corrected the lady. But he didn't have a clue that Mac actually liked the way it sounded. It made her stomach fill up with butterflies.
They sat as they waited for their food. Mac looked around the nice restaurant. It was not an all that formal place, but it was very nice and had a stage where a jazz band was playing. It was certainly the right atmosphere for couples. But they weren't a couple. Why did it still feel as though they were?
"This is a really nice place, Harm. I had never been here." She took a sip of her water.
Harm gazed around nodding in approval. "It is. I had never been here before. Bud suggested it."
"He knew you were taking me out to dinner?"
"Nope. Not exactly. I told him I was taking a very special someone out to eat. I think he knew who I was talking about though." He grinned.
Their food arrived in a short while and soon they were happily engrossed in a mixture of eating their meals and conversation. It was so easy to fall back into the rhythm they had once possessed, almost as if nothing had ever happened to jeopardize their friendship. The same level of comfort and security was there, only this time it was better, they both somehow had gained courage through all of the hardships they had faced. They both knew what they wanted, but all that remained was for them to admit the truth. When was the right time, though?
After they had finished their food, they resumed their easy talk about nothing at all.
After a while of silence just listening to the music Harm took out a long velvet box from his coat pocket.
"I know it's been a while since we've done this, but it felt right to do it." He handed it to her. "Happy Valentine's Day, Mac."
She opened it carefully almost as if afraid the priced possession would break at any moment. It could. "Oh, Harm. This-this is so beautiful. I can't believe it." She wiped a few tears that were making their way down her face.
She touched the necklace that sat there nestled safely. The crystal heart, with the initials H and S engraved on the surface hung from a gorgeous gold chain.
Harm smiled as he saw the effect it had on Mac. They looked at each other with smiled plastered on their faces. They enjoyed the silence a few seconds. He walked over to her side and took the necklace from her to place it around her neck, close to her heart, where it belonged.
Suddenly a nice slow song began to play in the background as the band did their magic and provided a delightful atmosphere for all the couples present. Mac quickly turned her gaze toward Harm and smiled.
Sensing that Mac wanted to dance and his great need to hold her near him drove him to look at her. He flashed his flyboy grin as his blue eyes sparkled with the candle light that filled the place. Harm extended his hand to her.
"May I have this dance?"
"You certainly may." She intertwined her fingers with his as they made their way to the dance floor where others were already absorbed by the flowing sounds of music.
Harm brought her close to him and wrapped his hands around the small of Mac's back. She tensed at first due to the energy and tension that was flowing from being so near her partner's body, but soon relaxed against him. Her hands went automatically around his neck as she placed her head over his heart.
They danced almost with a floating step that made the moment seem even more special. It was like a Disney movie where the prince and his princess share that one special dance. The one where her dress flows evenly from side to side in sync with their movements.
Harm rested his chin on the top of Mac's head and inhaled her scent. `Today is the night'. He thought. He would do something he had never before done and would win over the beautiful marine he held securely in his arms.
The song ended all too soon for both of them as they separated reluctantly. Immediately they missed each other's warmth and satisfied the only way they knew how. They immediately walked over to their table with their fingers laced. Harm moved his chair right beside Mac's. They sat next to each other, Harm with his arm around Mac's shoulder and her hand resting on Harm's thigh. They listened absentmindedly to the musical rhythm that seemed to sweep them away to a perfect place.
They sat like that for several minutes until one of the band members made his way to the microphone.
"Happy Valentine's Day ladies and gentlemen. Since tonight is a very special day, the guys and I thought we should have an open mic hour where you get up here and sing. Now who will be the bravest man in here?"
Harm contemplated his choices. `This should be good.' He told himself silently. He waited a while as they heard a man sing to his wife. After a few songs he leaned his head slowly toward Mac's ear and whispered into it.
"I'll be back." She obviously had no idea where he was going, but she would soon find out.
The place was a little dark except near and on the stage so she couldn't tell who was walking up there?until he got on stage and it was too late too hide.
"This one is for Sarah MacKenzie. Happy Valentine's Day." The man from the band announced.
Soon, Mac turned red, her body grew still, and Harm began to sing.
"I've got you under my skin, I have got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me. I've got you under my skin. I've tried so not to give in. And I said to myself: this affair it never will go so well. But why should I try to resist when baby I know so well, that I've got you under my skin." He smiled toward Mac's direction and her heart fluttered at the sight. This man, how she loved him! "I'd sacrifice anything come what might, for the sake of havin' you near in spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night and repeats, repeats in my ear: don't you know, you fool, you never can win. Use your mentality, wake up to reality. And each time I do, just the thought you makes me stop before I begin. `Cause I've got you under my skin." Harm paused as he let the band take over the instrumental interlude. He once again smiled at Mac and he saw her smile back the most beautiful of smiles. Other couples had begun to dance along with his voice. A thought soon crossed his head and he got off stage to walk over to where Mac was seated. He stopped right in front of her and kneeled with the microphone still in his hands he began to sing again. "I would sacrifice anything come what might for the sake of havin' you near in spite of the warning voice that comes in the night and repeats-how it yells in my ear: don't you know, you fool, there ain't no chance to win. Why not use your mentality-wake up, step up to reality? And each time I do just the thought of you, makes me stop just before I begin, `Because I've got you under my skin. Yeah you grab me under my skin."
Claps echoed around the restaurant as Harm finished singing along with the instruments. He never thought he would be embarrassed to sing in front of a large crowd, but apparently he was because as soon as he finished and heard people clapping, he felt his face redden.
He placed the microphone down on the table, but before he could stand, Mac took his face in her hands and kissed his lips. As soon as their lips connected, the other people erupted in cheers. But despite the fact that they were attracting much attention, they seemed to become oblivious of the noise around them.
Finally, after the need for air forced them apart, they looked into each other's eyes and smiled. Everyone continued their roaring cheers. Harm and Mac looked around for the first time, slightly embarrassed at how much attention they were attracting to themselves.
Mac got Harm's hand and helped him to his feet. He sat back in his chair next to hers. Suddenly Mac turned slightly to face the stage as another person went up there to sing for their significant other. Harm then chose the opportunity to face his whole body towards the stage, his legs slightly apart to accommodate his holding Mac in his arms. He rested his chin on her right shoulder with his arms around her midsection. Mac placed her hands over his.
"What go into you, Harm? Have you ever done that before?" She practically yelled over the roar of the music.
He angled his head toward her ear so she could hear him. "I don't know. This is the first time I have ever tried it. And the weird thing is that I was a little nervous, but it felt great."
"What do you attribute that to?" She turned her head toward his face.
"I don't know. I guess cupid paid me a special visit." He grinned.
They leaned into each other and their lips met in a fiery, yet gentle caress of lips. Finally, everything was the way it should be. They still had their demons to face, battles to choose from, but they would do so together. The way they should have done it long ago.
~THE END~
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone. Don't eat too much chocolate...aww what the heck, go for it! :)
