Title  : A Friend in Need

Author : Cathy Summers

Email  : [email protected]

Rating : PG?

Spoilers: Some of the lines are from an episode of Friends.

Summary: Harm is getting married, Webb is dating a blonde woman, and Mac is being watched.

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me…sadly enough.
Author’s note: sorry for the spelling mistakes, didn’t have anyone to beta read it for me. (cut me some slack, I’m from Denmark.)
This one I wrote during two very boring classes.

Archive: Sure, just drop me a note

A Friend in Need

“Clay...” the blonde woman started. She and Clay had been dating for 11 months now, and she still couldn’t quite figure him out. Sometimes he seemed so distant, like he was in a whole other universe. This was one of those times.

 “Clay?” She tried again, and this time she got through.

 “What is it honey?” he said with a worried look on his face. The blonde woman smiled, he always looked so sexy when he was worried.

 “You zoned out on me, third time today...want to tell me what’s brothering you?”

 “This is what I get for listening to my mother....I end up dating a shrink.” Webb mumbled annoyed, but suddenly something caught his eyes. She was coming out of the shop with a brown bag. Webb looked at his watch....1130, right on time.

 The woman looked around to see if anybody was watching her.

 “I have to go to the bathroom,” Webb said and with a quick kiss he was gone, and the blonde woman had a confused look on her face.

 Webb slowly made his way towards the woman with the bag. He came up from behind so she didn’t have time to react as Webb snapped the bag from her. Knowing full well that he could end up dead if he gave her any time to react.

 “Hey!” She exclaimed and quickly turned into her marine mood, but calmed down as she saw the man in front of her.

 “Beltway Burgers Mac? I’m disappointed. I thought you tried to stop,” Webb said with a smile as he fished two burgers out of the brown bag.

 “I am trying.....this is just me doing a friend of mine a favour,” she defended herself.

 2So, it’s...not yours?” Webb asked again holding one of the burgers right under her nose.

 “Ah.....no, a friend of mine got hungry and asked me to pick up some food. Gee, you would think that you and Harm would have some confidence in me!”

 Webb just smiled and continued with his questions. 

 “So, who is this friend?”

 “Erm....Harriet?” Mac tired, but Webb shook his head.

 “Colonel, you disappoint me...we both know that Harriet is on a weekend trip with Bud, now don’t we?”

 Mac knew she had lost and grabbed her burgers, “Okay you win, since when did you become a lawyer?”

 “I’m just good at seeing when somebody is lying,” he said with a playful smile, and took one of the burgers.

 Mac looked horrified. She had never pictured Webb as a beltway burger fan, but there he was, enjoying one of HER burgers.

 Webb on the other hand had a hard time eating the burger, but he was determined to do it. he enjoyed the confused look on  Mac’s face. After Mac recovered from the chock of seeing Webb eating a beltway, she noticed the blonde woman seated at a table not far from them.

 “Who is she?” Mac asked.

 “Who? Oh...she’s just a woman I’ve been dating,” Webb said and wiped some ketchup from his upper lip. The woman noticed Webb and the other woman looking at her, and she waved with a happy expression on her face.

 Mac smiled. She had never pictured Webb as the dating type because of his work, but of course he dated.

 “Funny, I’ve always pictured you with a woman just like her,” Mac said, feeling a bit jealous of the woman. It was not like she wanted Webb for herself, but...she couldn’t explain it.

 “So,” Webb said with a grin, “you’ve pictured me with blonde women?”

Mac saw that Webb was making fun of her, and she suddenly got angry at him.

 “I guess I’ve always picked you as a man dating women with no brains!” and with that she walked away, leaving a puzzled Webb with the beltway bag.

 “Was it something I said? Mac, wait up!”

 Webb ran after her. He didn’t like the look in Mac’s eyes, as he caught up with her.

 “What’s the matter?” he asked concerned.

 “Nothing Webb, just leave me alone,” Mac said, hoping he would back off, but he didn’t.

 “No Mac, tell me...you can trust me.”

 Mac turned and looked at him. Her eyes were blank as if she was crying, but Webb noticed that there were no tears.

 “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  Mac looked up at him, and suddenly she burst into tears. Webb took her in his arms and tried to comfort her. But this was a whole new situation for him. He had never seen Mac really cry, and he had absolutely no idea what to do with a crying woman in his arms.

 “Let’s go home to my place, and then you can tell me all about it, okay?”

 Mac just nodded and Webb got her in his car and drove home, completely forgetting his date.

 “Here you go,” Webb said and handed her a warm cup of coffee.

 “Thanks Clay,” Mac said and took a sip. Webb sat down beside her and let Mac snuggle up to him. He put his arm around her, and for a split second he thought how wonderful it would be to always come home to this.

 “So, want to tell me what’s wrong Mac?”

 But she had already fallen asleep. Webb smiled softly and gently carried her to the bedroom where he tugged her in. He kissed her on her forehead and then he took a pillow and a blanket, and made himself comfortable on the couch.

 He woke up to the smell of fresh baked coffee and...omelettes? When he got out in the kitchen he saw Mac standing trying to make omelettes. She wore her clothes from yesterday, except for the shirt. It was a long time since he had seen even longer since he had worn it. It was from his college years.

 “’Morning Mac.”

 Mac turned around with a small smile on her face. She had taken a shower as well, her mascara that had been smeared all over yesterday was now gone, and there was a natural beauty about her.

 “’Morning Webb, I’m sorry for occupying your bed....”

 “Don’t worry Mac, I‘ve slept like a baby on the couch.” he gave her a reassuring smile.

 “I’ve made you some coffee and something that looks like omelettes.”

 “Thank you...so, do you want to tell me what happened yesterday?”

 Mac stopped for a second, but then continued.

 “Have you talked to Harm recently?”

 “No, I can’t say that I have. Why? have I missed something?”

 “He’s getting married,” Mac said and continued with her omelettes. Webb, however, was in complete shock. For some odd reason he had always thought that Harm and Mac would eventually hook up.

 “Who is she?”

 “A former partner of his...Lt. Cmdr. Meg Austin. She just came back from Spain. Apparently she has gotten a job at JAG,” she said with a smile, trying to hide her hurt, but Webb saw through it.

 “Aw Mac.. I’m sorry,” his voice was filled with compassion. Suddenly he got an idea.

 “I’ll be right back...just wait here.”

 “Michael, it’s Webb....no....yes, sort of...thanks, I’ll owe you one.” Webb hung up, and went back to the kitchen.

 “Now Mac, this is your plan for today...don’t argue with me on this one. You are going to spend the day with me and completely forget about Rabb and what’s her name.”

 Mac smiled. He was a good friend, but she was sure that the admiral wouldn’t let her take the day off.

 “Don’t worry Mac, I’ve already arranged for you to have a day off,” Webb said as he saw the hesitation in her eyes, and felt relief wash over him as he saw a small smile spread in her face.

 “Well, then that’s a deal.”

 Mac had had a good time with Webb. He had taken her to the cinemas. Something she hadn’t done in a while, and then they had been to some fancy restaurant and now they were back at his apartment. Watching an old movie.

 “Oh god...I completely forgot to call Thea...she must be pretty angry with me...” Webb wanted to shot himself for being so stupid.

 Mac watched him with a bemused smile.

 “Send her some flowers Webb,”

 “Do you think she’ll ever forgive me?” Webb asked as he ordered some flowers through his cell phone.

 “It’s a start,” Mac said with a sad smile as she realized that all the men in her life were getting married or had girlfriends.

 A small tear rolled down her check, but she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. Webb watched her, his heart breaking for her. He gave her a small kiss on the lips, when he tugged her in, like he had done the night before. 

 And watched her for a moment, wondering what a life with Mac would be like. His cell phone rang, tearing him away from his thoughts.

 “Webb.”

 “Webb, it’s Thea. I just wanted to thank you for the flowers...I was wondering if I could stop by tonight...”

 “Ah...Thea, that’s not such a good idea.”

 “Why not?” the voice asked. A bit offended.

 “Mac is here. She’s asleep in my bedroom right now...”

 He didn’t have time to explain, because Thea had slammed her phone down, disconnecting the line.

 Webb just looked at the phone, and with a shrug he lay himself on the couch and fell asleep.

 He woke up and saw a note from Mac:

    Webb,

  Gone to work, thanks for a lovely evening,

  have a nice day,

     Mac

Webb looked at the note and smiled. It was time for him to get to work as well, Michael wouldn’t be able to cover for him anymore.

 At the end of the week, Webb found himself at the front door to Mac’s apartment. Harm and Meg had been married the day before and he wanted to check on her. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

  “Webb?” Mac asked as she saw Webb standing in the doorway. She hoped he wouldn’t be able to see she had been crying. But by the look in his eyes, he had seen it and Mac went to him and buried herself in his arms.

 “Shh.. Mac, it’s going to be okay.”

 Mac looked at him. She could see the concern in his green eyes. His face was actually quite lovable and without thinking she kissed him.

 Webb was surprised but returned the kiss. Feeling the butterflies in his stomach.  

 Mac was the one to pull away from the kiss, and she looked at Webb with wonder. “I’m sorry Clay...I wasn’t thinking..”

 “You regret it?” Webb asked a bit hurt, but he was a master in covering his emotions.

 “Do you?” Mac asked, unsure what she was doing. The only thing she knew was that she was beginning to fall in love with Webb?! 

 “No,” and that was all he had to say before Mac began to kiss him again.

 The next morning Mac woke up in her bed, with Webb beside her. With a smile she looked at him, he was looking at her as well.

 “Good morning,” Webb said and kissed her lips.

 “’Morning,” Mac said with a smile, “I could get used to this.”

 “Me too...do you think the admiral would miss you today?” Webb asked with a broad smile.

 “Clay? Where are you?” Mac asked, lightning the candles at the dinner table. 

 “Sarah, I’m terribly sorry, but something’s come up. I have to stay here and work it out. I’m sorry honey.”

 “No, that’s okay Clay, don’t worry about it.”

 “I’m really sorry…” Mac could hear a voice on the other end of the phone, “Sarah, I’m sorry but I got to go,” and with that the line went dead.

 Mac looked back at the table with all the food and with a sigh she blew out the candles. She should have known, something always seemed to come up. That was the price you had to pay when you dated a spy. Porter had warned her. But Mac had thought that Webb would actually be there this time…after all it was their one year anniversary.

 She was almost asleep when Webb got home. His face had changed during the last three months. He had let a moustache grow. Right now he looked tired and fell asleep almost immediately. Mac was awake for a while, there was a smell that kept her awake. It was the smell of perfume from Clay’s jacket.

 “Clay?” Mac asked, her voice trembling.

 “Yes?”

 “Do you...are you....are you seeing other women?”

 Webb only laughed and gave her a small kiss, before going back to sleep, leaving Mac to debate whether or not he loved her. Lately she had seen him with a lot of different women. He didn’t know of course, and she didn’t want him to. But the voice inside her head kept screaming that he didn’t love her. That she wasn’t worthy to be loved by him, and this time tears slid down her cheeks.

The day after Mac went back to her apartment to walk Jingo, when there was a knock on the door.

 “I married the wrong woman...” Harm admitted as soon as Mac had opened the door.

 Mac was surprised, to say the least.

 “What?”

 “I’m in love with you.”

 Mac was horrified. Finally her life was getting back on track, and now here he was. Declaring his love. This was not fair. He looked at her with a desperate look.

 “No...oh no, Harm! You can’t just show up here and expect me to throw myself in your arms! It’s not fair!”

 “I know Mac, but I truly love you. I want to marry you.. have kids with you.” Harm looked at her with all the love he had in him, and Mac felt the old feelings for him resurface. But then she thought about Webb, she still loved him.

 “No, I can’t...I need some time to think. Harm please...just go.” Mac pleaded. Harm just nodded.

 “Take all the time you need Mac. I’ll still be here.”

 “Mac? Are you here?”

 Webb searched all over the house, but there was no trace of her. Her suitcase was gone and a bunch of clothes. Suddenly panic struck him and he frantically searched the house, for at least some clue as to where she had gone.

 The only thing he found was a note from Mac, telling him everything and asking him to give her time.

 Webb felt all blood leave his body and stormed out of the house.

 “RABB?!”

 Harm opened the door and saw Webb standing in the doorway, out of breath.

 “Is Mac here? Mac?”

 Harm looked puzzled at Webb, “is there something I should know?”

 “You told Mac that you wanted to marry her?!” Webb said as he had searched every inch of Harm’s apartment.

 “Yes, I love her..”

 “No, Harm. You’ve had your chance with her and you blew it!” Webb said. He wasn’t angry at Harm, more disappointed that Harm would actually do this. Harm hadn’t expected this outburst from Webb.

 “What do you mean Webb? Mac said that she would think things over...she needed some time alone...”

 “My point exactly! One year ago I wouldn’t have given a rat’s ass....but now...you’ve made my girlfriend think Rabb!”

 Harm looked shocked. It had never occurred to him that Mac might have moved on during the one year he and Meg had been married.

 “Then why did she want to think things over?” Harm asked, still in shock.

 “Because....I’ve been very busy lately, trying to arrange a secret proposal, but instead she thought I was having an affair...must have been the day where you came to her house.”

 Harm just sat there. He knew he had blown it this time.

 “Oh...”

 Webb was still pretty upset, when Harm recovered.

 “I.. er.. I think you’ll be able to find her at Red Rock Mesa...she likes to go there to think.....”

 Harm looked at a picture of him and Mac, and then a sad smile appeared on his face,  “let me give you a good advice Webb, when you get her...don’t ever let her go.”

 Webb returned the sad smile, “I won’t.”

 An hour after Webb had left Harm’s apartment Mac showed up.

 “Harm?” Mac looked about ready to cry, “I can’t to this...I mean.. before you got married and before you announced your engagement, I would have been the happiest woman in the world to hear you saying that you love me....but this is wrong...you’re married and I’m....”

 “You’re in love with Webb.” Harm finished with a heartbroken smile.

 Mac could only nod.

 “Well you must better hurry, because right now he’s on his way to Red Rock Mesa to look for you. He really loves you.”

 Mac smiled, “still friends?”

 Harm got up from his chair and gave her a big hug. “Always.”

 “Remember to invite me to the wedding,” Harm said remembering Webb’s words, “when that day arrives.”

  Mac smiled and hurried back to her car and drove to Red Rock, where Webb was waiting for her with a beautiful ring.

“As the best man, I would like to propose a toast. As you all know I’m a close friend of them both and I could tell you stories that would make both of them blush, but then Webb would probably cut of my pension. So...what I really wanted to say, was that they are the best friends a man could ever want. And I wish them all the happiness in the world. And Webb, you better take care of my marine or else you’re going to be in trouble,” Harm looked seriously at Webb, who understood that Harm wasn’t joking, and he gave a small nod.” So, now I ask you all to raise your glasses for Mr. and Mrs. Webb. May they live happily ever after!”

THE END

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