Title: Subtle Details

Author: Kimberly Knipp

Classification: PG Romance/Action - Harm and Mac

Summary: Can't tell you anything or it may spoil it.

Disclaimer: Standard jun… er, stuff, that is. (grin)

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Today was the first day the ad would run in the magazine. And she knew he would come in and sit down and thumb through them. But would he see hers?

Mac nibbled on the end of her pen, nervous beyond belief. It was too late to do anything about it now. He would see it. Maybe he wouldn't even recognize it as her. She sighed and threw down the pen in disgust. She had work to do and couldn't worry about that stupid flying magazine he read.

"Hey, Mac, good morning."

The object of her thoughts was standing in her doorway. Mac forced a warm smile to hide her nerves. "Morning, Harm. How are you?" she asked.

"Fine. You okay?" he questioned gently.

Mac nodded. "Just a little tired."

"You up for lunch today?"

"Sure," she answered. "Noon?"

"Noon," he agreed and went on to his office.

Harm popped the top of his briefcase open and sat down, taking a sip of his coffee. The newest addition of his Biplane Monthly was in right on top of his folders. He took it out and leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle over the other knee. He turned through the glossy pages to the back where all the classified ads were. He had a new obsession these days - looking through personal ads. He glanced guiltily up at his open door. He wouldn't want anyone to catch him looking at them, though.

Sometimes they were pretty entertaining. He wondered about how desperate some of them sounded, too. Placing or answering an ad was something he would never do. Talk about lowering one's self…

Single White Female

Looking for that special lover,

To put it in a nutshell,

A woman man who doesn't want no other,

Oh, you never can tell, I just might be your dream come true,

'Cause there's a Single White Female

Looking for a man like you.

Early 30s, tall, brunette, brown eyes.

I love adventure, junk food, romantic moments

and dancing under the stars. And you?

Harm read the ad again. This one was different from all the others. This woman sounded sure of herself. Like she knew what she wanted. And maybe that she was a tad reserved? He grinned at his own description. It sounded like she was wary of men. Hurt a time or two maybe. There was an address for all letters to be directed to where they would be sent on to their recipient.

Harm dropped his leg to the floor and turned fully to his desk, reaching for a pen. Before he stopped to think about what he was doing, he started writing.

A few days later….

Mac frowned when she saw the slip in her post office box from the postmaster. She took it to the counter and the young woman smiled. She came back a moment later carrying two huge stacks of letters. Mac was dumbfounded.

"This is all mine?" she asked stupidly.

"Yes, ma'am. Quite a bit. Did you take out an ad or something?" The young woman teased.

"Or something," Mac answered distractedly, taking the mail.

She drove home as fast as she could and carried all the mail up to her apartment. Eagerly, she sat down on the couch with it, not even kicking off her shoes. She started flipping through the envelopes. They were from all over the country! And… some even had international postmarks. Leaning back against the cushions, she continued her search, looking for just one certain letter. And there it was… halfway through the second stack. Giddily, she held it in her hands for a moment. He really had written! She would never have believed in a million years that he would! Taking a deep breath, she tore open the flap and pulled the single sheet of paper out.

Dear Ma'am, (always the polite one, he was, she thought)

I feel pretty silly writing this letter but your ad caught my eye and there was just something so different about it. I was sure I'd never do anything so inane like answer a personal ad but… what can I say? If you're interested in writing for awhile, I'd like to get to know you better. I won't ask for anything more than you're ready to volunteer since women have to be careful these days.

Mac smiled to herself. She could picture him pondering over this letter, hoping to say just the right thing so he wouldn't come off sounding like an idiot.

Anyway, before I say too much and bore you, I'll wait to see if you're even interested in corresponding.

Hope to hear from you,

H.R.

He didn't sign his name. This brought a grin to her face. Mac felt deliriously happy over this little scrap of paper. She shoved all the other letters aside without even looking at them and went to her desk. She wanted hers to go out in the morning mail.

2 days later…

Eagerly, Harm pulled the mail out of his box and flipped through it. He was waiting for an answer from his mystery woman - if she answered at all. A little absurd part of him was desperately hoping she would. Why, he wasn't sure yet, though. Imagine, him writing to a woman he met through a personal ad whose name he didn't even know. If anyone ever found out he'd never live it down. A plain white envelope was at the bottom of the stack. It had a PO Box address in Bethesda. He went into the loft and dropped his things. Sitting down on the couch, he ripped open the envelope and unfolded her letter.

Dear H.R.,

If you never thought you'd answer a personal ad, then why are you? To be honest, I never thought I'd place one. If you'd asked me even a month ago I would have laughed at the idea. I am definitely interested in writing with you. You sound honest and direct - at least so far. Would you tell me about yourself? What kind of things do you like? What kind of work do you do? And, please, don't worry about boring me. If you do, I'll let you know!

As for myself, I like a lot of different things. I'm open to trying anything once and twice if I like it. I've had some bad luck with men in the past - maybe that's why I decided to place this ad. There is a man in my life but I don't know that things will ever work out between us. We work too closely together and I don't think he has even an inkling that I have feelings for him beyond friendship. So I know I need to move on with my life. I'm looking for… well, that's another story for another time. I can't wait to hear back from you, H.R. For the first time in a long time, I find that I'm actually looking forward to something.

Take care and write soon,

Ms. X

Harm smiled fully as he stared off into space. Ms. X. So she preferred to remain a mystery for now. Funny how her words reminded him of Mac. He didn't think his pretty little Jarhead had any clue how he felt about her.

He was very careful to keep it hidden. There was so much risk in them getting involved beyond friendship. There was a lot against them and he wasn't willing to take the risk without knowing she felt the same way - without a single doubt. So for now, he would write to his mystery lady. He found himself looking forward to more letters from her - despite the way they were getting to know each other. A part of him was excited - her words - for the first time in a long time about something.

Another letter from him showed up two days later.

"Dear Ms. X," Mac read aloud as she dropped her things and sat down. "It was great to come home and find your letter. I wasn't certain if I would hear from you again. This is so different from meeting someone face to face and you have no idea what kind of impression you are making. You sound like such a terrific woman that I bet you are overwhelmed with letters."

Mac paused for a moment and thought about all the letters that had indeed been sent to her. She felt a bit guilty that she hadn't answered any of them at all, even to say thank you for writing but her intent was never to get all those letters in the first place - only his. Never mind the fact that she didn't exactly have time to sit down and answer them all. She turned her attention back to the one she held now.

"I'm not exactly sure what you'd like to know about me. I like a variety of things but my greatest love is flying. I have an antique Steerman biplane that I restored. It was originally my Dad's but he was unable to finish it due to his death when I was young."

Mac paused again as a sad smile touched her mouth. That was a tidy little statement to sum up Harm Sr.'s MIA status, all the years Harm spent looking for him and his eventual death in Russia.

"I named her Sarah after my Grandmother and I go flying every chance I get. I am very competitive. I like sports and I kickbox. I guess I should tell you about my work. I am a lawyer for JAG - the Judge Advocate General. It is for all military. I love my job. The thrill of investigating and building a case and winning in the courtroom, well… Flying Tomcats is the only other thing I would want to be doing but that's another life now. I have a partner and her name is Sarah, too, but everyone calls her Mac, which is short for her last name - MacKenzie. She's a Marine and in the beginning I was sure we would never make it as a team but now she's become my best friend.

Well, I definitely don't want to bore you this early on so I will close this letter and wait to hear from you. H.R."

Mac reread the letter two more times before she folded it up, a smile on her face. He called her his best friend! Mac went over to her desk and sat down to write him back.

Three days later…

Watching for a letter from her was becoming an obsession. And luckily for him, she was responded to his letters without delay. Grinning like a foolish teenager, Harm put his briefcase down and pulled out a barstool. Ripping open the envelope, he pulled out her letter.

"Dear H.R.,

So how's your week going? Mine is going better now that I've gotten a letter from you. I'm not sure where to start so I'll just dive in. I'm in the military myself. I had a troubled childhood and when I joined the service I felt like I'd found a place where I could finally show just what I could do. And I could have something to be proud of for my life. I have no family but I have a partner at work who is my very best friend. He drives me crazy sometimes but I don't know what I would do without him. He has helped me through a couple of very rough times.

I like many things but work keeps me busy so I don't have much free time. I kickbox, too, and I run everyday. It helps me work out my frustrations. I cry at old movies but I don't tell anyone that and I'm a sap for small children and my partner's smile. And I definitely wouldn't tell him that! I love being in the military and I want to stay with it. It has taken me down many roads but the one I'm on now has been the best so far. Outside of work, I guess I would like to have what all women dream of - a husband who adores me, children and a home in the country. I gueess I'm fairly citified but I would love to move away from the city where the air is clean and raise my children where they have room to run and grow. And maybe throw some horses into that mix. I haven't ridden in years but I loved it growing up.

Well, like you, I don't want to overload you all at once and lose your attention so I will put this back in your hands now. Take care of yourself and write soon, Ms. X."

There were little creatures doing funny things in the pit of Harm's stomach. How could letters from a woman he'd never met make him feel this way? Reading her letter, he thought that she reminded him a little of Mac. She sounded tough and independent but with a soft heart inside. The days seemed to go by much faster now and he wondered when it would be appropriate to ask her to meet. He didn't want to scare her away by moving too fast. He also noticed that she didn't mention what branch of the service she was in or what kind of work she did.

Harm stood up to go over to his desk and caught a glimpse of himself in a picture frame. He still had his cover on! Grinning foolishly, he took it off and hung it on the coat rack.

End 1/2