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�We haven�t slept together yet, if that�s what you�re asking.�
�Maybe a little,� Harm admitted, though he did recognize Mac�s attempt at changing the subject. Mac looked at him, shocked. �Mac, I think everyone knows by now that I care enough about you to sit back and watch you create a life with someone else if that�s what you really want. Plus� Mattie needs me. Tom�s drinking again and things are still so shaky where her health is concerned� and Mattie is one of the things I�ve always been sure of.�
Not even trying to hide how hurt she was by the fact that she hadn�t always been the most reliable person in Harm�s life�she had always known that but hearing it directly from him was something else entirely�Mac pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs tightly, curling up as tight as she could. Maybe making herself into a smaller physical target would help cut down on the connecting emotional shots.
�You want to know what I want the most?� Mac asked softly.
�We haven�t slept together yet, if that�s what you�re asking.�
Not wanting to admit how completely lost he was on that count, Harm decided for a flippant answer instead of saying nothing at all. �A good man, a good career, and lots of comfortable shoes?� Harm asked, remembering their conversation from the beginning of their partnership.
Mac shook her head. �I�ve got the career, I�ve got the shoes. What I want most is you, Harm.�
It took a lot to shake Harmon Rabb Jr. Mac herself had only been able to do it a handful of times during the nine years they had known each other. But hearing her say, flat out, that she wanted him threw Harm for more loops than a handwritten alphabet contained.
�If it was just about sex Vukovic could be the answer,� Mac continued, seemingly unaware of the fact that Harm�s mind was currently orbiting Pluto. �But what I�m feeling now� what I�ve been feeling for a long time� is� I� I want more than just sex. I want friendship, intimacy� love��
This time it was four letters that conspired to change Harm�s world completely.
Love.
�I know that the same reasons that we�ve never gotten together still stand�work, other people, our own personal histories, yadda, yadda, yadda�but in any relationship there have to be compromises, sacrifices... and I�m willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, Harm. I�ve been trying to find the right time to tell you for months, now, but with everything with Mattie and all our cases and everything�� Mac said, trailing off. She looked up at last, her eyes searching for Harm�s, finding them easily.