| Subject: Christmas Nigh; Adeste Fi! - Part 10/25 |
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Teacup
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Date Posted: 07:50:54 07/10/07 Tue
In reply to:
Teacup (aka Ever-Xmas)
's message, "Christmas Nigh; Adeste Fi!" on 23:51:19 06/30/07 Sat
Christmas Nigh; Adeste Fi!
Part 10
The stranded ‘misfits’ got settled in for the night at Sturgis’ apartment. After Tiner had used the bathroom he noticed that, even though the bedroom door was closed, the light was still on.
He walked to the door and stood in front of it, summoning the courage to knock. He changed his mind, turned, and walked away. Then he stopped, and came back. Finally, he rapped his knuckles against the door.
A moment later, Jennifer appeared in front of him.
“Hi,” Tiner managed to get out.
“Hi,” Jen responded and looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to tell her why he had knocked. When he did not speak, she finally asked, “… Did you want something?”
“Oh, … um, I … just wanted to thank you for getting my watch out of the car.”
“No big deal,” Jennifer assured him.
“Um … okay. Good night then.”
“Good night, … Jason.”
Tiner smiled, excited that she used his first name. “Good night, Jennifer,” he replied. Realizing that she had not told him to use her name, he quickly checked, “Can I call you that?”
“Yes, Jason, you can.”
“Hey, our names both start with ‘J.’”
“Yeah, they do.” Jennifer smiled at him, thinking he was cute, … in a sort of childlike way. But at the same time, she was also giving him the ‘Is there anything else?’ look.
Tiner concluded he should let her be. “Okay …” He started to step away.
“Jason,” Coates called after him. When he turned back, Jennifer stepped out to him, reached up, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Merry Christmas,” she said.
Tiner was stunned speechless. Jen had stepped back into the bedroom and was about to close the door when she noticed him starting to wander off in the direction of the closet where she had seen Sturgis get the towels from earlier.
“Tiner!” she snapped him out of his daze, and he looked back at her. “… The living room is the other way,” she pointed out.
He smiled shyly. “I knew that.”
*******
“We ready to open presents?” asked Mac, now that she had gotten Harm to agree to stay put.
After she asked the question, she couldn’t help but notice how Harm’s expression suddenly became serious. He looked at her. It was that look. The deep look he gave her when they were sharing an intimate, serious moment, … like when one of them was leaving JAG or when he comforted her about some major disaster in her life.
… It was the look that he had given her on the Admiral’s porch, when he told her that he saw a desirable woman; the look that preceded the kiss that night, and then again before each kiss tonight. … The look that told her something important was going on in his head. She didn’t exactly know what it meant, but it made her feel as if he was examining her, was scared of her, was intrigued by her, and was repressing some kind of longing all at the same time.
“What?” Mac questioned Harm’s expression, feeling somewhat excited, but mostly anxious. Her temperature was rising, and it had nothing to do with the fire she sat by.
“About earlier,” started Harm nervously, “… in the kitchen …”
“Harm, don’t,” Mac interrupted, her eyes begging him to stop.
“Don’t?” he repeated. He was confused by what she was thinking. ‘Don’t what?’ he wondered. It was clear she understood he was referring to the kisses. What did she expect him to say that she didn’t want to hear?
She soon told him. “Don’t apologize, or analyze, or try to make this a serious topic of discussion. … Not tonight.”
“Not tonight?”
Mac was beginning to wonder if there was an echo in there.
“It’s Christmas Eve, … and I’m … really enjoying it, … spending it with you," she told him. "… I don’t want to ruin that. Can’t we just …”
“I won’t pretend it didn’t happen,” Harm interrupted, objecting to what he assumed she was about to suggest. He would never be able to forget about the kisses they shared tonight, … and he would never want to.
“I was going to say ‘open presents.’” Mac clarified, before taking a deep breath and addressing his last statement. “… Harm, I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen. … I just don’t want to get hurt,” she admitted. “… Not tonight.” That was a little more honest than she had intended to be, but it had slipped out.
“You think I’d hurt you?” he asked with surprise, feeling a bit offended that she thought that of him.
“Not intentionally,” she assured him.
Harm was about to reply, but Mac stopped him.
“Harm, this is exactly what I don’t want right now.” She was referring to the sudden tension accompanying this topic. “Let’s just enjoy the moments that tonight has to offer. Please.”
After he thought about it, he did understand what she was doing. She wasn’t making any statements about him or them. She just wanted to have a fun, relaxing Christmas Eve, with no extra stress. She obviously thought it was better to just enjoy each other’s company than to stir up trouble.
He wasn’t sure he agreed because he thought they just might make some progress. But her eyes were begging again, and Harm could not resist complying.
“Alright,” he conceded. “So,” he double checked, “you are enjoying tonight so far?”
“I am,” she answered, relieved that he was letting things go for now. She so wanted to enjoy this rare treat of spending time with Harm, with no work, and knowing he wouldn’t be having to leave anytime soon.
“Me too.” Harm smiled at her. Honestly, he couldn’t think of a place he’d rather be.
“Good,” said Mac. “Now, … open this present first.” She handed him the package that he’d been shaking earlier.
Harm opened it up and laughed, now understanding Mac’s earlier insistence that he’d have something to wear that would fit him. He pulled out a pair of flannel PJ pants. They were navy blue and complete with a pattern of various kinds of airplanes.
“I didn’t know if you’d ever wear them,” said Mac, “but I couldn’t resist when I saw them for someone your size. … I guess it was fortunate, since now you have something to wear tonight.”
“They’re great, Mac. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Looking through the tissue paper in the box, Harm confirmed that there was nothing else in there. “No top?” he asked.
“Uh, … I had a hard time picturing you in that,” Mac admitted.
For some reason, Harm liked the idea that Mac was ‘picturing’ him. And she had imagined him without the top? Even better.
Instead of commenting on that thought, he kindly challenged, “What, then, am I supposed to use to keep the rest of my body warm on such a cold night?”
Mac’s immediate impulse was to volunteer herself for the job, but she managed to refrain.
“I do have some really big sweatshirts. One of those should fit you.”
“Alright,” he agreed. “Thanks again, Mac. I was getting jealous of your jammies. … They look comfortable.”
Okay, so he was actually envious of the PJs themselves, hugging her body, more than he was jealous of her having pajamas. But she didn’t need to know that.
“You wanted teddy bears?” Mac teased, pretending he meant the pattern she was currently wearing.
“No, … the planes are great,” he clarified, laughing a little at the thought of himself in teddy bears. “… Those PJs suit you though,” he pointed out. “… Marine green … and easy on the eyes.” His own eyes scanned her over again, but as he caught himself, he added, “… The teddy bears, that is.”
“Oh, and I’m not?” Mac took mock offense at his correction.
“You’re more than easy on the eyes, Mac,” he straightforwardly assured her.
Mac was stunned. “I’m not sure, … but I think that was a compliment.”
“It was. You’re a beautiful woman.”
Again, that came out so easily from Harm. Mac was now entirely dumbstruck. But finally she reached out and pinched Harm’s cheek. “Harm?”
“Hey, what are you doing?” he objected.
“Making sure it’s you.” Mac removed her hand now.
Harm’s eyebrows furrowed. “You don’t believe I think you’re beautiful?”
“… I … didn’t think I was your type,” she admitted.
“My type?”
He was echoing again. And she was scared this might become a serious conversation. “Never mind. … Here, open this one.” She handed him another present.
Harm let the topic go because he didn’t want to upset her. But he put the present back down, saying, “No, it’s your turn to open something.”
“I already opened the picture you left for me. … Thank you, by the way.”
“It’s a good photo,” he said.
“It is,” she agreed.
He admitted, “One of my all time favorites, I think. … I wanted you to have it. Figured you might have been looking for something like it.”
Mac knew what he was hinting at, and so she diverted things slightly. Reflecting on the content of the picture of the two of them in Afghanistan, she commented, “We’ve been through quite a lot, haven’t we?”
“That’s an understatement,” said Harm. “Most people don’t go through as much excitement in their lives as we’ve been through the last few years.”
“Yeah, … my life was much calmer before I met you,” she teased. Softening, and looking at him appreciatively, she quietly told him, “… But, it wasn’t nearly as good.”
It was now Harm’s turn to be stunned from shock. “Watch it, Mac. Now you’re starting to sound complimentary. It might go to my head.” The truth was, the fact that she felt her life was better with him in it went straight … to his heart. It became just a little warmer in his chest.
Again avoiding anything serious, Mac decided, “Okay, if you’re not opening, then I will.” She unwrapped a small box, one of traditional size from Harm. It was indeed … her perfume.
Her face expressed her satisfaction. “Tried and true. And very much appreciated. … Thank you, Harm.”
“You’re welcome. But I’m really being kind of selfish. … I like that smell on you.”
Mac smiled shyly, before answering, “Good. I’d hate to think you were supporting something that annoyed you, … considering we spend so much time together.”
Harm happily grinned at her.
“Okay, … now open your next one,” insisted Mac.
Harm did as he was told and became extremely surprised … and confused. It was a picture frame. But it wasn’t just any frame. It was a piece of artwork, … carved wood with an intricate design featuring symbols of the Marines and the Navy.
It included detailed depictions of military vehicles: a tank, a ship, a jet. Pieces of uniforms, helmets, rifles. Words hidden throughout: camaraderie, duty, USA, honor, fidelity, patriotism, courage, unity. More prominently, at the bottom, it stated, “Together, We Make a Difference. In Mind. In Heart. In Country.”
Harm had seen it before. Mac bought one just like it for herself on a trip to San Antonio, Texas from a small shop selling military related items. The frame had been crafted by a retired Navy man, who had since passed away. The senior chief petty officer had served with many marines and dedicated his time after service to carving tributes to the two branches of military. He had become quite an artist over the years.
Harm looked at Mac in disbelief. “You … found another one?”
He knew that these were rare. Mac had told him about the quaint little shop and how few of this man’s works were left. And since the artist was dead, she could not exactly have custom ordered another one.
“… No,” Mac answered hesitantly.
“This is yours?”
“Not anymore. … You can put a copy of the picture you gave me in there. It’s a perfect fit.” Mac suddenly realized that Harm might have another picture he would rather display in the frame. He had, after all, served with a lot of people in many capacities. Or maybe he had something of his father he’d want to see in there.
“… Or whatever photo you want,” she amended.
“No, that picture is perfect,” said Harm. That was why he had given it to Mac in the first place. He had known she was looking for something appropriate to put inside the frame.
“… But I don’t have a copy of it,” Harm admitted. “The lieutenant who sent me the photo … He was using old technology, … and the negatives got destroyed. He only had the one copy printed.”
“And you gave it to me?” asked Mac, suddenly even more touched by the gift.
“It was perfect for your frame.”
“But now it’s your frame,” she pointed out.
“And your picture,” he countered.
Mac thought for a moment. “Maybe … we can scan the photo?”
Harm made a face and shrugged his shoulders. “I doubt that the quality would be as good. … You have the picture here?”
“Yeah.” Mac jumped up, ran to her bedroom with the flashlight, and returned with the photograph.
“Is it okay if I see what they look like together?” Harm asked.
“Go ahead.”
He carefully opened the frame by the firelight and inserted the print. Turning the finished product over, both Harm and Mac were impressed by how well they went together. It seemed that each part complimented the other perfectly.
“That’s really nice, Harm,” Mac quietly observed. “… It would be a shame to take it apart.”
“So, let’s not,” decided Harm. He placed the frame on the coffee table, displaying the photo with pride.
“It’s your frame,” said Mac, objecting to his making a home for it on her coffee table.
“It’s your picture,” countered Harm. “…. One isn’t good without the other.”
“Yeah,” said Mac, picking up the framed photo, “… so you should keep the picture too.”
She tried to hand it back to him, but he refused to take it. “I’m not an Indian giver,” he said with his hands up in a ‘not gonna touch it’ gesture.
“Me either,” argued Mac. “… But I can re-give the picture to you so you’ll have both parts.” She again tried to get him to take it.
This time he put his hand out, but didn’t completely grasp the frame. “We obviously aren’t going to solve anything this way. There’s only one logical solution for us both to be happy.”
“There is?”
“We share it,” said Harm.
“How do you expect to do that when we live in two different places? Even if we were to take it to work, we have different offices.”
“Joint custody.”
“Of a picture?” Mac asked, as if it was a ridiculous idea.
“And frame.”
“What does that mean? We trade? I have it for six months, you have it for six?” She still thought this was kind of silly.
“Yeah,” said Harm. “… Or shorter time periods if you like. I think any judge would agree that it’s in the best interest of this photo and frame if we share legal custody and take turns with the physical custody.”
Mac was thoroughly amused at how he was treating this like custody of a child. It was such a classic Harm solution.
“Now,” he continued, “you can have physical custody first, since it is already getting comfortable in this environment.”
He placed the frame back on the coffee table, before stating as an expert negotiator, “So, … you’ve got Christmas. I’ll get Easter. I’m insisting on visitation rights in the meantime. So, I’ll probably come over here more often …” with a glint in his eye, he added, “… to spend time with the picture.”
“And frame,” added Mac, knowing she was going to agree to this nonsense.
Harm grinned at her in agreement. “Deal?” He offered his hand.
Mac hesitated for a moment. “Do I get visitation when it’s at your place?”
“Of course.”
“Deal.”
They shook hands. Another pact was made.
-------
TBC ...
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