Better than Chocolate
Ali Cherry
Harm rolled over in bed and his outstretched hand encountered the soft cold indent of Mac's pillow. Two days, he only had two more days until she came home. Jingo decided to snuffle his hand, her cold nose scratching over his palm.
“I suppose you want breakfast.” He smiled at the dog, whose dark eyes looked back at him. She flopped on her back, paws up. The bed bounced under Harm.
“You're not dead yet, Jingo. Let's go get you something to eat.” Throwing the covers over the dog he pulled on his running shorts, shivering at the dampness that hung in the early morning air. Harm looked back at the bed where Jingo was snuggling under the comforter.
“Bed Hog.” Harm scrubbed his face, wrinkling his nose when he encountered the dried drool on his face. Something about living with Mac made him drool. Maybe it was a reaction of living with the Dog. God knew Jingo drooled enough.
Tripping on the stairs leading to the living room, Harm stubbed his toe catching himself. “Mukluk! <AN: Inside Joke!> Dangnabbit! The coffee pot is being moved upstairs.” Harm moved more slowly down the second set of stairs, rubbing his eyes, picking at the crusties that lingered on his lashes.
“I wish Mac were here.” Harm complained to the empty kitchen as he looked at the mess he had made over the last month. The only safe surface was the coffee pot. He looked at the list on the refrigerator. Cabinets today, Solid surface top tomorrow. Harm admired the flooring he had put in over the weekend. Well at least the kitchen would be done by the time she got back.
The phone rang and Harm lunged to pick it up off the crowded table.
“Rabb.”
“Whaaaaaassssssupppppp!” Shrilled over the line. Harm hung up the phone. Way too early for practical jokers. The phone rang again. He eyed it warily. The machine picked it up.
“Harm? Honey? I'm sorry.” Harm could hear her laughter in the background along with Bud's.
He picked up the phone. “You do realize what time it is here?” He asked.
Then groaned as she said, “Of course, 5:15. You should have been up fifteen minutes ago. The cabinets will be there by 0700.”
“What time is that for us civilians?” Harm joked. Everyone joked about his inability to speak in anytime other than the 24-hour time. His secretary had started to write his schedule with the military designations. It was just easier.
“7:00, so you better be dressed and the floor better be finished.”
“I love you, Mac.”
“And don't forget that you have to take Jingo for a walk and lock her up.”
“I love the way you run your hand through your hair after really good sex, like Sally on When Harry Met Sally.”
“That's nice Harm. Don't forget to shave either.”
“I love the way your leg slips through mine while you're asleep.”
“Harm? Are you alright?”
“I . . . I guess I just miss you.”
“I knew that. I just didn't think you wanted the whole Jag Southern Europe office to know that.”
“What?” Harm slammed into a full upright position.
“Didn't I tell you I was on speaker phone?” Mac asked sweetly.
“Mac? Tell me you're joking.”
“I'm joking, but I got you moving again, didn't I?”
“I may love you, Sarah, but that was close to pushing the line.”
“I love you too, Harm. I'll see you later.”
“I miss you.”
“Yeah you say that too all the girls, civilian.”
“Who's going to christen the new cabinets with me?”
“We'll do it as soon as I get home. I promise. Now, I've got to go. I miss you, fly boy.”
Harm put down the phone and looked at the dog that dragged herself down the stairs.
“Two more days, Jingo. Two days.”
The dog lay down with a sigh. Harm knew exactly how she felt.
~~End Pt 1
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“What do you mean you're going to be late?” Harm looked at where the cabinets should have been sitting. “How late are we talking about here?”
“Tell me you're joking. I have to be at work.” He glared again at the wall. “What do you mean I can leave the door unlocked?”
“No don't you even think about it. Someone will be here to let you in.” Harm turned off the phone and slammed it down. “Who do I know that has nothing better to do then wait for my cabinets. Duh Rabb.” Harm picked up the phone and dialed.
@@
“Rabb.” Harm shouted into the phone that continually rang at his elbow. Two of his clients had been picked up on different charges that morning while he had waited around for the cabinet men who called to say they were late, and then he found out Laura his secretary was out with a cold.
It figured with Mac gone his life would fall complete apart.
“Uh, Sir?” Harriet's voice teetered over the line carefully.
“I'm sorry Harriet. Didn't mean to yell. What can I help you with? Are the cabinet people there yet?”
“Uh, Yes, sir. That's not the problem. Well I guess it is. Do you want me to start at the beginning?”
Harm sighed and closed his eyes, “Please Harriet!”
“Well the people from the Cabinet place got here, only it was time for AJ's nap and well I forgot that Jingo was locked in the bedroom and I tried to catch her, but who knew an old dog could run that fast and then well she started tapping one of the Cabinet men's leg and he tried to shoe her away and she growled so I put her out back but the gate to the running path was open and she went out there and well, she chased this poor old woman into the yard and now Jingo's stuck outside the yard and the lady's stuck inside the yard and did I mention she looks an awful lot like Mr. Webb.” Harriet stopped to take a breath.
Harm groaned and laid his head on the desk, well, on the stack of papers that sat on top of his desk.
“Harm.” Celia called from the doorway. “Mr. Richardson called to say he's been picked up for a DUI and needs you to come bail him out and Mr. Charleston called to ask when you were coming to get him out for that rape charge and Mrs. Singer called to say she really didn't murder her husband she was sorry she fired you, could you please come get her. And I think,” Celia paused, “I think Mr. Avanaugh was looking for you to hand over a new case we got today.”
“Sir? What should I do?” Harriet asked over the line.
“Harriet I'll be there in a few. Celia, could you have one of the girls find each of these people's files so that I can bail them out and I'll be back in twenty minutes. Please.”
Harm picked up his keys, praying that his Marine would come home soon. He missed her.
@@
“Jingo Inside, Now!” Harm used his command voice on the dog that sat obediently at his side while he smiled guiltily at Mrs. Webb.
“I'm sorry, Ma'am. It won't happen again.”
“Oh I'm not too upset Commander Rabb. My heart needed a good jump start.”
“Really I don't know what got into her. She's usually well behaved.”
“I suppose she just liked the color of my jumpsuit.”
“Actually Ma'am, she blind. Now if you'll excuse me. I have to get back to work.” Harm showed Mrs. Webb to the gate leading onto the running path. “I really am sorry.”
“Don't worry Commander, no harm done.”
She jogged off around the corner and Harm looked down at the guilty dog. “Two days. She'll be home in two days. You just couldn't wait, could you?” The dog leaned against his leg, shedding on his clean suit. “Inside.” The dog bounded inside where a slightly pregnant Harriet rested against the crowded table.
Jingo went to a particular man and started to bark, her paw hitting the leg of his pants repeatedly. Harm called her off, making sure to close her in one of the bedrooms without AJ napping and headed down to the foreman.
“Could I have a minute with you?”
“Look Buddy I'm sorry we're late, but you can't fix a van with nothing and the parts didn't come in—“
“It's not about the cabinets. The dog used to be a drug sniffer. I won't lie; she was taken out of commission because her nose was less then reliable. But you might want to look into that man's past, he might be using or addicted.”
“Uh Thanks I think.”
“Harriet. I have to get back to work. Thank you so much for doing this, I owe you.”
“It's no problem, sir.”
“Harriet.”
“I mean Harm.”
“See ya later.”
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Harm stood at the gate in the airport behind the long line of people greeting their loved ones. Looking over the balding heads and hair sprayed hair, he saw Mac and Bud exit the plane, their faces weary, their clothing rumpled. God she looked gorgeous.
“Mac.” Harm called to her, waving a bit to get her attention. She smiled and weaved through the crowd bumping old ladies with her garment bag and briefcase.
“Hey there, big boy. See my boyfriend around here?”
“Nope I'll just have to do.” Harm reached out and brought her close, her shoulder drooping so her bags could fall to the floor. With a slow steadiness that weakened her knees he leaned down and kissed her, sealing her lips to his. He felt her heartbeat against her back where he gripped her; felt the heat that lingered on her uniform like a perfume.
“Oh look Harold! Don't they look like that couple on that commercial?” A Bronx accent asked.
“What are you talking about Winifred?”
“You know that kissing commercial. For that thing.”
“You mean the coffee couple?”
“No the gum people. Isn't love sweet.”
“That aint love, Winnie, honey. That's hormones. What we got is love. Now lets go meet our grandson.”
“Oh Harry, you're so sweet.”
Bud watched the couple meander off down the concourse and then turned back to his oblivious superiors. Well the colonel was his superior, what was the Commander?
“Um Ma'am? Sir? I'd really like to see, Harriet.”
Harm pulled back reluctantly, watching as Mac savored the taste of him on her lips. “I'll have you home in record time, Lieutenant. Not to worry. I owe Harriet big.”
“I'm not worried Comman…I mean Harm. I just really miss her and Baby AJ.”
“I know the feeling. Lets go.” Harm picked up Mac's bags and pulled her under his arm. He watched as Bud took off down the concourse. Harm leaned down into Mac and smiled, “It's love too.”
She leaned up to kiss him on the chin. “You bet your Bermuda shorts, Harry.” Bud looked back at them as he reached the escalator to see them laughing as they moved unhurriedly toward him. He sighed. It was going to take forever to get home to Harriet.
~~End Pt 2
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Harm held Mac in his arms, her nose buried in his chest. He felt the connection of their skin, from her nose to her toes, every piece of her as she shifted in her sleep, trying to melt further into him.
He couldn't sleep, too tired, he thought to himself.
Insomnia, too many nights up before she had come home. Too many nights without her. He leaned his head down, filling his head with her scent, the way her hair smell like peaches, the way her skin was dusted with fine light colored hairs.
He started to mess with her soft hair, running his fingers through it gently.
“Cut it out flyboy. Some of us need our sleep.” Mac's voice cut through the darkness.
“Sorry. Go back to bed.” Harm leaned down and kissed her gently.
“You did a good job on the kitchen.” Mac ran her fingers lightly over his hip.
Harm's fingers released their position in her hair and stopped the movement of her hand. “Go to sleep. You aren't going to blame me for not getting enough sleep.”
“Yes I am. So you better make it worth it.”
“I'm certain I can—” The phone rang beside the bed. His cellular phone with a batman sticker on the back. His Bat Phone.
“Shoot them.” Mac rolled away from Harm, sending Jingo flying from the side of the bed. Mac got up and headed out of the bedroom down the hall. Damn Bat Phone. One night she was going to hide it under the Mattress in the other room.
“I intend to.” Harm yanked the phone from the bedside table and fumbled with the buttons turning it on. “Rabb.” There was a brief pause. “It isn't my night. In fact I don't have room anywhere for that kind of—” Another pause as Harm wiped his eyes. Beside him the normal house phone rang. “One sec. Mac, could you get the phone.” The phone stopped ringing. “Fine twenty Minutes, but whoever was on call is going to find themselves out for the count in the morning.” Harm's face glinted red as his features tightened themselves in anger. “God damn Willstern is going to find himself more than flattened, lousy drunken idiot. Yes, I'm leaving now.” Harm tossed down the phone in disgust. And looked up as Mac came in subdued and started to reach into the closet and pull out her recently emptied garment bag.
“What's happened?”
“Our suspect was killed while in custody.”
“Oh Mac.” Harm walked up and pulled her close to him. She held on to the clothes in her hands, her body stiff and unyielding against his.
“This isn't working, Harm.” She said in a dead tone that didn't echo in the large room.
“Mac.”
“Don't Mac me. This worked for a while and now, we're just occasionally sharing the same bed. Four months of happiness doesn't make for forever.”
Harm walked around in front of her and looked into her eyes. “Two months of hectic schedules doesn't mean that we don't belong either. I love you, and I wish to god neither of the phones had rung tonight, but just because they did doesn't mean that I'm willing to let you go.”
“Harm, it isn't just the phones and tonight. I think I liked it better when I knew exactly what was home waiting for me.” She paused. “Nothing.”
“God dammit. You are the one who said Forever, remember.” Harm stood there with his hands on his hips, looking like an upset Clayton Webb.
“I never said forever, and if you don't stop shouting at me I'm going to miss my flight.”
“Yeah Well I'm already late, so who gives a shit. Mac…” His tone turned to pleading and she looked up into his green eyes and sighed.
“Why don't we worry about this when we're both have more time and more sleep?”
“Fine.” Harm finished dressing and walked into the shower to brush his teeth. As he came out of the bathroom, he tossed something into her bag. “Think about that while your gone.” And then she heard the hard echo of his feet on the stairs and the throaty purr of his SUV as the garage door rolled open. Then he was gone.
Mac looked at the jewelry box, eyeing it cautiously. She slowly picked it up and opened it. Nestled on a bed of light gray velvet sat a simple but gorgeous ring. The medium size band was platinum and had a row of diamonds channel set it the band on either side of the oval bluish-green stone. A stone that glinted rosy red in the pinkish light of the bedroom. <AN: Brownie points for anyone who can name that stone>
Sliding the ring on her left finger, she watched as it snuggly fitted over her knuckle and perched itself in position, fitting perfectly. She left the ring on and slid the box on to the nightstand and finished packing, her eye falling to the ring, every so often.
He had asked for forever, but she hadn't realized how much he meant it until that moment. She shut off all the lights in the room, and picked up her bag and started down the hall. They could always talk about this when she got back.
Mac locked up the house and Jingo and left, the ring still warm on her finger.
@@
Harm came home after the long and stressful day to a very antsy dog and an empty house. After letting Jingo out into the backyard and listening to the messages, none of which were from Mac, Harm dumped his briefcase, put down some dog food and head up to their bedroom. Well Maybe, just his bedroom now.
He looked into the closet as he passed, noticing many of Mac's clothes were gone, had she packed as much as she could? Was Harriet going to come and take the rest away while he wasn't looking? He tossed his jacket on the chair and loosened his tie, falling back on the bed with exhaustion. Where would Mac be about now? He thought, and then realized she would be starting her investigation into the death of her suspect.
He rolled over on his side to face her, or her scent, really and saw the closed jewelry box on the nightstand. He closed his eyes against the pain. She didn't want forever. He pulled a pillow over his head and buried his face into it. The pain was like an electric shock that turned his stomach and sent neurons scattering along his spine. The phone shrilly rang from around him, but he ignored it. He felt the bump of Jingo as she jumped on the bed and lay against his body. He kept the pillow over his head and let it soak up the water that stained his cheeks. He fell asleep, soon afterwards.
~~End pt 3
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The next morning shone bright and crisp through the bedroom windows, blanketing the suit-clad body in warm light, Harm ignored it, and the whimpering of Jingo as she waited for breakfast. The phone rang again and Harm fumbled with his hand enough to fling it to the other side of the room. The handset cracked and began to warble down to nothing. In the distance, Harm heard the other phones ringing. And then came the knock, really pounding on the door.
“Day, what day is it?” Harm mumbled incoherently to himself, he pulled his watch arm under the pillow and activated the indiglo. “Fucking Seven o'clock on a Saturday. No way.” Harm left the pillow on his head and continued to ignore the knocking, pretending it was the resonant sound of his heartbeat.
Harm felt the wooziness that came from imminent sleep. He followed the feeling, which stopped abruptly when a hand came down on his shoulder. Soft gentle and definitely female but not Mac, he concluded. Thinking down the list of people who might have bothered he came up with four names: Harriet, Celia, Laura, and Sydney, the Admiral's new love. He discounted Laura because she was sick, and Sydney because he didn't think she'd touch him quite like that. She would have had a distinct impersonal feel to the touch; something he imagined went with being a doctor. He was almost back to sleep again, not caring who was in the room.
“Harm.” It was Celia, dammit.
“Leave me alone, go away, feed the dog on your way out.” He mumbled.
“Shit Rabb, what the hell's wrong with you? Party too hardy?”
“Go away Webb, or I'll tell the Gunny that you really are sleeping with his sister.” Harm didn't move, hoping to fall back into dreams. He hated dreams. Dreams lied to you, told you things that weren't true, made you lie to yourself. Dreams were, “Such bullshit.”
Harm felt the dip on the bed, but ignored it. He should have known better than to expect anything else then what he got. He wasn't cut out for a long-term emotional commitment, no matter what others said. He should have packed his bags and handed his balls to Krennick with a certificate of authenticity. He should have provided her with a lousy experience in bed. And he should have never tried to be more than he was, “Brainless Poster Boy for Dress whites.”
“Harm do you remember what day today is?” Celia asked gently, her hand on his shoulder. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She was used to a happy, focused Harmon Rabb, not the sleepy cranky man lying in the suit he had worn the day before.
“It's Saturday, so get out of my house, take the damn dog, and while you're at it, take my letter of resignation cause I'm moving to Belleville.”
“Harm, get your head out from under the pillow, and out of your ass.” Webb was getting tired of listening to the silence and the grousing. Harm was going to wake up and behave like the normal jerk he was. Celia hit him.
“Behave Webb.” She turned her attention back to Harm. “Remember we have the UCMJ conferences today and tomorrow? You asked me to pick you up?”
“I know the UCMJ, would you like me to repeat it to you?”
“Harm, you're giving one of the speeches.”
“Notes are on the desk, have Webb give it.”
“Harm.” Celia was getting impatient. “You're the one that suggested we do this.”
“That was before I decided to chuck my career as a brilliant civilian attorney and take up the job description of Gigolo in Italy. Or better yet, right here in DC. Think I could find some generous Senators' wives?”
“I think Mac might be a bit pissed about it.” Webb leaned against the wall; sure he had scored some points. He didn't even see the pillow move, before it hit him.
“Get the hell out of my house, Webb. Now. It's Saturday, I didn't sleep well and I want you out. Now!” Harm was up and out of the bed, hands curled into fists, with one finger pointing directly at the door. Jingo coward on the other side of the room from Harm's voice, commanding with an edge of anger.
Celia waited til they were out in the car to say anything to Webb. “I guess we'll just have to call in the big guns.”
“Yeah, The Admiral.” Webb grimaced and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I want you to tell him, so I don't get hit.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of Harriet and AJ.”
“Harriet?” Webb screeched. “She all soft and round and pregnant. And those eyes. All she has to do is quiver her lip and—Oh. I like the way you think.”
Celia rolled her eyes. Men could be so slow. Her brother was the same way. It had taken him three weeks to realize the Webb was just a friend, a partner in crime, and that she was actually dating a man from the corporate law firm on the floor above Avanaugh Babcock and Cordova. Course it had really helped that he moved into Harm's old place. Celia looked over at Webb. “Are you going to start this car or just sit in it all day?”
“Yes, Ma'am.” Webb shook his head. Celia was a mystery to him, and her decisions and actions always drove him nuts, but hell it was nice having a partner once in a while. Rabb had taught him that.
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Harm sat on the side of the bed disgusted with himself. Having fed Jingo and taken a shower, he felt mildly better, but that didn't excuse his lack of control earlier. Now they were going to go to Jag, tell the Admiral and Walter Avanaugh, and he was going to have to do some 'splaining.
He didn't want to explain. He wanted to crawl under the covers, or even fly Sarah to his Grandmother's and never come back.
Harm turned his head to look at Jingo. She stood in the doorway of the room, her cloudy eyes, sad and sympathetic. With a snap of his fingers she joined him on the bed, leaning her bulk against him.
“I'm pathetic. You know that Jingo?” With a ruffle of her ears, Harm got up and dressed, preparing for the day he wished he didn't have to face. And he wondered what Mac was doing.
~~End pt 4~ Mac redemption coming up. End of Whiny Harm
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Mac leaned back in the office chair; her hands flat on the top of the papers stacked there, the glitter of the unusual stone catching her eye.
“That's a very nice ring, Colonel.” Krennick breezed close by and sat across from her at the table. “Perhaps you'd like to take it off so that you can complete your work.”
“I'm waiting for the autopsy report to come in, Ma'am.” Mac bit back the sneer. She couldn't hate the woman, the way Bud did. If it weren't for her balls to the walls attitude, Mac probably wouldn't have Harm waiting for her at 'their' home. The woman had no idea of what she had lost. More than a good lay. That was for sure.
“I'm certain Colonel, that you can find something more interesting to occupy your time.” Krennick got up from her chair and stalked a few feet away. “By the way, Colonel. Anyone I know?” Her ice blue eyes drifted down to Mac's left hand.
“Yes, Ma'am. I believe you worked with him for a time. Harmon Rabb, Jr.”
“Commander Rabb. He could have gone a long way in the Navy.”
“He isn't a Commander now, Ma'am. And I'm certain you know that there are always those trying to block promising careers.” Mac smiled semi-sweetly at her superior officer. Krennick nodded her head in agreement and walked away, her step sure and feminine.
Mac nodded her head and mentally stuck her tongue out at the woman. With Krennick out of her sight, there was nothing to do. With a sigh she picked up the phone and hoped Harm was running late, like usual and that he was still home. She really had to talk to him.
Four rings later the phone was picked up by their answering machine. Mac hung up with a curse.
“Still can't reach him, ma'am?” Bud asked curiously, report in his hand.
“No, but I really didn't expect to get him, he had that conference on the UCMJ, the Admiral was giving.”
“He's a speaker right?”
“Yeah.” Mac sighed again and looked at Bud clearer. “So what does the Coroner say?”
“Bloody mess. I think, ma'am, that he's been stationed in Europe too long.” Bud smiled nervously at her.
“Well other then a bloody mess, what else does it say?” Mac took the report out of Bud's hands and opened it up before her. She perused the cause of death and the coroner's findings and then smiled at his conclusions. “Did you read this?”
“Yes, ma'am.” Bud smiled back at her. “We're going home.”
“Pack up, Bud.”
“Yes, ma'am.” Bud scuttled around the office picking up files and then opening his laptop to finish their report into the investigation of their suspect's suicide. Harriet here I come.
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Harriet stood before the door of her friend's house, a little wary. Mac and the Admiral did this emotional bonding with the Commander much better than she did. The man at times terrified her.
She squared her shoulders and knocked on the door, and then remembering the largeness of the house, she hit the bell. She sent a quick prayer to God. Wishing again that she had brought AJ.
She had seen the Commander tear apart enough witnesses to know it would take little to tear apart her. Celia and Webb didn't want to come back. The terrible duo didn't want to try to reason with the Commander. They thought she could? Yeah right, she was just a lowly Lieutenant Junior Grade. And a mom to boot.
The door opened. Harriet took a deep breath and her hands started to tremble. He was nice most of the time, but what if everything had gotten to him again. What if this was his mental break down. What if he—
“Hi Harriet, what are you doing here?” Harm answered the door in a Navy suit, a white shirt and a tie with multi-colored checks. He looked like. . . Harm.
“I um. . . You see, they, I mean the Admiral thought that. Well he gave me an order. I'm here—“
“To pick me up?” Harm asked as Jingo came around the corner of the door to roll her tongue out at her. She smiled at the normality of the situation.
“Yes, sir.”
Harm rolled his eyes and invited her into the house. “Let me just get my notes and I'll be ready. Do you want something to drink?”
“Some water would be nice, Sir.” Harriet followed Harm down the stairs to the kitchen.
Everything looked perfect and clean, and Harm handed her a water bottle, then headed for the room towards the back of the lower part of the house. Within seconds he was back, briefcase in hand, smile in place.
With a pat to Jingo's head they were out the door and in the car. Harriet started the engine to her minivan, smiling with pride as it started with a purr. She looked over with a smile at Harm and felt the smile dim. He wasn't smiling; he was just staring outside the window with sadness.
“Is there something wrong, sir?” Harriet looked back to the road and concentrated on giving him space in the small area.
“Nothing to worry about, Harriet. Mac and I had a fight before she left is all.”
“Was it about where to hold the ceremony? Cause I could recommend a few places. They were gorgeous, but Bud and I kind of really wanted the church we had our wedding at.”
Harm just looked at her peculiarly.
“I'm sorry, were we not suppose to know yet? Bud mentioned last night that Colonel Mackenzie was wearing a ring on her left hand—“
“Harriet, turn the car around.” Harm's voice was somewhat panicked.
“What?”
“Please Harriet, just turn the car around. Go back to the house for me?”
In the end it was the tone of his voice, hopeful and pleading that made Harriet pull into the turn lane and turn around despite the no U-turn sign.
By the time Harriet had the car into the driveway, Harm was out and at a run for the door. She made it to the door in time to see his trembling hands finally slide the key into the lock and slam the door open with a bang. His feet thundered up the steps towards the master bedroom and Harriet followed a bit afraid that she would see the Commander again on his knees before a toilet. She had seen enough of that the last time he was sick.
When she found him again Harm was staring at a Jewelry box in his hand, opened but empty. He looked up to her, with relief in his eyes.
“I thought, she left it, that she didn't want Forever.”
“She loves you, Sir.” Harriet sat beside him, one hand resting on her belly the other on his shoulder.
“She said that we wouldn't make it. We were both tired and I threw it at her. I had to leave; she had to leave. And when I got home I saw the box.” Harm got up and slammed the small box shut. “I have to call her. Phone, Dammit! Where's the phone when you need it.” Harm started to look around the bed.
“Is this it, sir?” Harriet held up a smashed piece of white plastic that rested against the opposite wall.
Harm looked slightly ashamed. Harriet started to say something as her cell phone rang.
“Hello?” She asked. Harm left her to her call as he went searching for another phone.
“Lt. Simms? This is Petty Officer Tiner. Ma'am the Admiral is wondering whether or not you were bring Comman—I mean Mr. Rabb into today.”
“We have some things—“
Harriet heard a scuffle. “Lt Simms.” Harriet flinched at the steel underlying the warm timber of the Admiral.
“We are on our way, Sir. I had a bought of Morning sickness, sir.” Harriet began shakily.
“I'm pretty sure, Lt. That morning sickness doesn't last until you fifth month. We'll talk when you get in.” The phone clicked in her ear. This wasn't what the doctor meant when she said to get my heart rate up once a day.
Harm came into the room. “Mac and Bud are on their way home.” Harriet smiled, at least something good had come of today.
~~End pt 5
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Harm smiled at his godson as he mushed his ice cream. Beside baby AJ, Harriet sat with a cone in one hand another hand on her belly. She seemed to do that often, he thought to himself
“Thank you, sir.” Harriet said with a sigh. “There isn't much that's better than chocolate ice cream.”
“Mmmm. If you say so Harriet.” Harm smiled again as he dipped his spoon into the berry sorbet.
“Trust me, there's only one or two things better. Here try this.” Harriet offered him her ice cream.
Harm pulled his head back away from her cone. “No really, Harriet. I'll take your word for it.”
“You're missing something, sir.”
“Harriet, please. You've called me sir all day. I know you know my name.”
Harriet took another big lick of her cone. “Sorry, sir.” She stopped licking her ice cream and looked at him thoughtfully.
“What? There purple on my nose?” Harm looked down at his suit front. His jacket was in the car and his tie was loosened, the top button undone. All he needed was ice cream on his front to complete the picture of sloppy executive.
“No. Just wondering why I was scared this morning.”
“Scared?” Harm looked at her intently. He scared Harriet?
“Must have been the hormones. I know you'd never hurt me, you've never been anything but nice.”
“You were scared of me?” Harm wouldn't – couldn't let it go.
“Not like I'm afraid of the Admiral, cause that's like how you feel when you've smashed your dad's car and are about to tell him. But more like. . . Well to be honest sir, I think I was scared that you were going to be mentally unstable.”
Harm's eyes widened. “Scuse me?”
“Well you know. I mean Bud and the Colonel have all have had moments when they've felt the need to let loose, and well I guess I was a little scared of yours. I don't know why. The Colonel's more likely to kill me than you. Sure you don't want some of this?”
Harm took a lick, just to get her to stop hounding and then savored the cool flavor in his mouth. He forgot that Chocolate was a vice he had abandoned with youth. Actually since he had spent that summer in Laos.
Harriet grinned evilly, well as evilly as Harriet got. “Would you like another taste, sir?”
Harm looked down at his flavorful sorbet. Then his eyes stuck on the warm brown mocha color of Harriet's ice cream and the white blobs in AJ's Rocky Road.
“No thanks, Harriet.”
“You sure.” She waved the cone in front of him. Harm could picture his mouth opening wide and devouring the whole cone and licking Harriet's fingers, course in his head, she became Mac, and she was covered in nothing more than Chocolate syrup.
“I'm sure.” Harm looked back at the Ice cream in Harriet's hand. Dammit, he hadn't thought about Chocolate since he had come back from Russia. Since that Chocolate cigar that Cmd. Coulter had given him.
He hadn't really needed the substitute since Mac.
@@
Harm smiled at Jingo as he opened the door from the garage. She barked excitedly her tail spinning in a circular motion.
“I know, I'm late, but I got dog food.” Harm juggled the bags in his hands as he headed for the kitchen, trying not to step on the overly eager dog. Dumping the bags on the new counters, he opened the door to the backyard and noticed that the pool man had come, the half full pool testament to the work paid for by his mom as a house-warming gift.
Watching Jingo snuffle her way around the bushes planted against the fence, he turned to unload the groceries. According to the petty officer he had talked to, Mac would be coming in about 8:30. Maybe he could convince her to try out the new cabinets and counter with him. He smiled tossing lettuce into the keeper, followed by tomatoes, carrots and celery. The whole wheat bread went to breadbox.
Harm started to hum, as he unloaded the frozen foods and can goods. Jingo came in and sat silently, watching his hips wiggle as he moved around the counter. He pulled out a bottle of water, using it for a microphone.
“It's been one week since ya looked at me, cock your head to one side and said I'm angry. Five days since you laughed at me, saying get back together come back see me, three days since the afternoon I realized I was to blame but couldn't tell you, yesterday you'd forgiven me but it'll still be two days til I say I'm sorry.”
Jingo laid her head down and covered her ears. She whined softly. She looked at her master who was now humming with occasional words. Harm finished unloading the bags and went to fold them for recycling when he found something he didn't remembering putting in his cart. Jingo shook her head and headed back outside to lounge by the pool.
A Hershey Bar. Without Almonds. His favorite. Harm set it on the counter and looked at it. Mac had no clue he was a chocoholic. It was as bad as her alcoholism. Some nights he could taste the feel of chocolate rolling on his tongue, remembered the smell as he gorged himself on miniature Hershey bars.
“Jingo! Baby! You want some chocolate?”
@@
Mac opened the door to the house; glad to be home and thankful she could finally talk to Harm about their fight Thursday night. She heard the music first and then Harm's moan and curse.
“Dammit, Jingo. Please baby. Take the pink stuff. I know it tastes bad.”
Mac continued down the steps to the kitchen and sunken living room. There sprawled on the floor facing a struggling Jingo was Harm. A bottle of Pink stuff in his hand and generously covering his hand, face and body. Jingo opened her mouth and Harm tried to get another spoonful down but the dog merely shook her head, flinging the goo out of her mouth.
Mac bit back a giggle and set down her briefcase and suitcase. Harm sighed loudly. “It'll help, I promise.”
“Need help?” Mac offered walking carefully toward the pair.
Harm's face flashed guiltily. “You're home.” Harm looked at a nearby clock.
“Right on time, Flyboy.” Mac leaned down and patted Jingo's back. “What's wrong, baby. Tummy feeling bad?”
Jingo answered by leaning against her legs and whining. Mac petted her coat gently, staying clear of the pink blobs that caught in Jingo's fur.
“Why are you feeding her Pepto Bismol?”
“It's what my mom used to give our dogs when they weren't feeling good.” Harm took his time putting the cap on the bottle and getting to his feet. Mac gave a last pet to the dog and stood with him.
“Why don't you take a shower, while I clean up this mess.” Harm offered, rather generously, Mac thought. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Why don't you tell me what made her sick?” Mac crossed her arms and shifted her weight.
Harm refused to look her in the eye as he moved to the refrigerator. “It could have been any thing. It might be that new weed killer.”
“It wasn't the new weed killer, was it?” Mac asked with a growl.
“Mac. I—it could have been anything.”
“What did you feed my dog, when you got home?”
“Her food.” Harm turned towards the fridge again. “And achocolatebar.” He mumbled to the shelf in front of him.
Mac looked at his slumped shoulders and decided that she'd get the truth later. “So are you going to help me with my shower, or are you going to hide your face in the fridge.”
“Shower?” Harm's ears perked up as he looked at her in surprise.
“Yeah Shower.”
~~End pt 6
@@
Mac stood under the spray of the showerhead, alone. A particular nasty sound from Jingo and Harm had stopped his climb up the stairs behind her and turned back to the sick dog.
He felt guilty, Mac thought. Probably feed her his Meatless Meat loaf. His mother even hates it. Poor dog.
Mac felt the heat of the steam escape the room, the quick shadow of the door being opened and she knew she was alone in the room. She heard the turning of the faucet on the sink. Mac stuck her head out from behind the curtain. Harm stood facing the sink, rinsing the pink off his hands. There was something in the set of his shoulders that she hadn't seen before.
“Harm?”
“Yeah?” He turned to look toward her.
“Aren't you going to join me?”
“I'd like to, but I…” He looked back at the sink. “I think we need to talk.”
Mac closed the curtain, letting the water slip higher on her skin like a caress. She closed her eyes, willing her stubborn man to throw caution to the wind and just enjoy what she was offering for once. She could imagine the way his hands would shake a little as the reached for her. The way his eyes would darken in the steamed filled shower. The feel of the cold tile against her back and neck. The tickle as water ran down his head and dripped onto her chest.
“Mac?” Harm's voice intruded on the dream she was having. He was still fully clothed behind the shower curtain.
“I'm taking a shower, Harm. If you're not going to join me, then I'll talk to you when I get out.”
His hand reached in and turned off the water. Mac felt the chill of the room intrude into the steamy shower. “We really need to talk, Mac.”
Mac looked away from the closed shower curtain. He hadn't even pulled it back yet. “Harm. I know that. But I'm not in the mood to talk in circles. We had a fight. We got engaged, lets not talk it into the ground.” Mac sighed; he wanted to analyze everything. It was something she blamed on Jordan, Miss-let's-think-about-this-calmly-and-detachedly. Mac saw a towel enter the shower.
“I want to talk to you, please, Mac.”
Mac let the towel hang from his hand. She reached up and threw back the curtain. “Then talk.”
Harm's eyes widened in alarm and appreciation. The blue traveled down her body and back up looking slightly over her shoulder to the hand painted tiles behind her. With a quick hand she reached up and grabbed his chin, bring his focus back to her.
“What's wrong, Harm? Rethinking forever?” Mac calmly stood there waiting for him to break her heart. And then she realized, she had broken his too. The fight, the night they almost walked away from everything.
“Never, Mac. I just…I wanted to do this the right way.” Harm got down on his knee, dropping the towel on the edge of the freestanding bathtub. “Sarah Mackenzie, will you marry me?”
Mac looked down at her scratch and dented sailor, with dry and cracking Pepto Bismol on his cheek and then down at her less than clothed body. “This was the right way?”
“Well you didn't want to talk with clothing, so it was the only way.” Harm smiled up at her from his position on his knee, then she saw her ring, clutched in his hand, outstretched toward her. She held out her left hand, still dripping with water and suds from her shower.
“Do you know what kind of stone this is?”
Mac shook her head.
“Is called an Alexandrite stone. It changes colors in the different light. My mom had one and every time I looked, it seemed a different color. That's how I think of you. Every time I look at you I see something new, something unexpected. You are never the same shade as the day before.” Harm looked up at her. “I was going to wait until your Uncle got out of Leavenworth, but…”
“Forever, Flyboy.”
“Forever, Ninja Girl.”
Mac leaned down and kissed him, never breaking contact, as he stood upright with her. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?” She asked looking into his dazed eyes.
“Ummm . . . Yeah I think so, why?”
“Why don't you join me in the shower.”
~~End Part 7
I haven't really written real smut so the Smutketteers have generously
agreed to supply me with smut. So this piece is written By Sharon<one of
the best writers.>
Better than Chocolate~ Written By Alison
Pt 7a ~ Written by the Talented Sharon Clinton
@@
Without another word, Harm kicked off his shoes and stepped fully clothed
into the shower. Mac, not missing a beat shut the curtain back to close them
in, then turned away from him only long enough to turn the water back on.
Facing each other once more he gathered her in his arms and kissed her like
there was no time left, like there would be no tomorrow, no wedding, no
forever. He wanted them both to feel it all here and now.
At first Mac was caught off guard by the urgency that she felt in his kiss,
but as his hands moved over her back and finally took firm hold of her
derriere all thought of objecting fled. She met his urgency with her own
and in record time had his shirt torn open and several buttons zinging in
the confined space as they bounced off the curtain and ended up on the floor
of the tub.
A groan of assent passed his lips as she moved across his body. The shirt
was drenched and at his feet, his jeans were pooled at his ankles along with
his boxers and because they were also soaked they hindered his movements.
He struggled for only a few seconds to free his feet before he forgot what
he had been trying to do. Mac's hot mouth had closed over his erect penis
and already she was pumping him in a fast rhythm that demanded all his
thoughts. Who was he kidding, he wasn't supposed to be thinking only
reacting and he did. He bucked and thought that he felt himself hit the
back of her throat just as she
gagged and pulled away from him.
"Oh Mac, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Harm, but let me pace this, okay?!"
"Yeah, oh geez, I can't believe..."
"Harm!"
"I know, shut up."
"Exactly."
He was immediately rewarded for his silence by her hot tongue licking him
like a popsicle. Bit by bit she worked him until she had slipped him back
into her mouth and then she began to suck. She sucked him dry and when he
felt himself sliding weak kneed to the tub floor she let him go.
What a sight he must have made was his first thought as his head rested on
the rim of the tub. He looked up to Mac still on her knees, now working his
pants off completely and he knew that he didn't care one bit. He had Mac.
She wanted forever too with him, no less.
Harm's shirt was either someplace beneath him or behind, but she tossed the
wet bundle in her hands out of the tub from under the curtain. She made a
mental not to mop up the water later, if the mood struck her. Twisting she
lay between his legs and watched as his arms came around her and one began
to caress her breast while the other moved toward the apex of her thighs.
She smiled as she remembered the argument they had had about getting rid of
this old huge free standing tub and getting a Jacuzzi put in instead. She
was pretty sure after this that this tub would remain a permanent fixture in
their bathroom. No amount of maneuvering in one of those new contraptions,
she had to admit, would have allowed for them both to lie here like this and
still let Harm be comfortable.
Seeing her smile Harm slipped two fingers inside of her and smiled himself
when she threw her head back against his shoulder and moaned in release. He
was nearly ready to replace his fingers with his rapidly throbbing manhood,
but he could tell by her short whimpers that she needed a fast release
before they climaxed together. He wondered if the water could still
possibly be as hot as it felt after the amount of time it had been running,
but honestly didn't care really. Slowly the tremors that had shot through
Mac began to subside.
He reached down and lifted her hips to position her opening and trust up as
he brought her down on him. Together they both let their pleasure be heard
and rocked against one another in a near perfect cadence. It took only a
few well-placed strokes around Mac's clitoris and she was spiraling again
and Harm was right there with her in three hard thrusts. She fell back
against him and sighed, then shivered. At last the water had run cold.
Mac rose and then turned and reached down to help Harm up. “Come on,
sailor, let's get out from under this before we both get sick and
there is no one left to care for Jingo.”
“No problem. By the way, the tub stays, Mrs. Rabb.”
“Consider it an early wedding present, Mr. Rabb.”
“No, Sarah, that will always be you.”
TBC in part eight of BTC...
@@
Mac opened her eyes to the gray dawn shining through the windows. The pale light muted the colors between
TBC....Eventually
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