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Date Posted: 11:11:23 11/13/13 Wed
Author: keru
Subject: Awakening 3 (Part 2)
In reply to: keru 's message, "Awakening 3 (Part 1)" on 11:01:33 11/13/13 Wed

(cont'd from previous msg in this thread...Sorry for all the bold in the last one! Eeks!)

“So, we let the pasta boil for seven minutes, stirring every so often” Harm instructed. “Stirring can be your job.”

“Really?” Jules looked at Harm sceptically.

“Sure, you’ll be great at it.” He handed her the wooden spoon, and watched as she stirred. “See, already a pro.”

“I’ve never had freshly made pasta before,” Jules told him. “We always ate the boxed stuff. And it’s what Mac makes, too.”

“You’ll love it,” he assured her. “Now, while the pasta boils, we can check on the chicken.”

Mac watched in amusement as he opened the oven and showed Jules how to check the chicken for doneness. He was a natural with her, and Mac could see Jules slowly loosening up and lightening up around Harm. It was very endearing to watch unfold.

“So,” Harm said to Jules once they’d established the chicken needed another five minutes. “Mac tells me you’re a starter on your school’s volleyball team. That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Jules shrugged.

“Yes, it is,” Mac said. “Fifty girls showed up to tryouts,” she told Harm. She couldn’t help but boast. “Jules’ coach said he’d never seen so much talent in someone who’d never played before.”

Mac watched the tips of Jules’ ears turn red. The teen concentrated on stirring the pasta, while Harm and Mac exchanged a smile, both equally endeared by her.

“I tried out for the volleyball team when I was in high school,” Harm confided. “First time I made contact with the ball, I wanted to show off so I spiked it. Right into the coach’s face.”

Jules let out a startled giggle. “No way,” she said, staring at Harm to try and gauge his sincerity.

“Scout’s honour,” Harm said. “I didn’t make the team.”

Mac grinned at seeing Jules’ delight with the story. She glanced at Harm, to find he was watching her, his gaze warm and pleased and focused solely on her. She didn’t look away.

Later that night, once Jules was tucked away in bed, Harm and Mac sat on her couch, sipping on hot cups of coffee.

“Dinner was amazing,” Mac told him. “Jules really eats well when you cook. Thank you, Harm.”

“I enjoy cooking for you guys,” Harm answered easily. “Beats making dinner for one.”

They sat in a comfortable quiet. She enjoyed the softness and warmth cast by his presence here with her.

“She’s doing well, isn’t she?” Harm asked her.

“She is,” Mac agreed. “She’s really gotten comfortable around you,” she gave him a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“What is it?” he asked her gently.

“She still hasn’t spoken about her father. Or about her mother, even, since I told her they’d found him.”

“It’s a lot to take in.”

“I know,” she agreed. “I know it is. But I worry she’s bottling it all up.”

“She’ll talk when she’s ready, Mac. The way she looks at you,” he told her, “she trusts you.”

Mac hoped that was true.

“Hey,” he cupped her chin. “You’re doing great.”

With those words, he did what he’d always been able to do with her: cut right to the heart of her worries, of her insecurities. And in putting words to her restless feelings, he made her feel better; made her feel like her worries could be vanquished because he had faith in her.

“Thank you,” she covered his hand with hers.

His eyes roamed her face and looked deep into her eyes. She felt her pulse quicken and her blood rush. His gaze dropped to her lips. He leaned forward.

The floor creaked, from the direction of Jules’ room. It was enough to pull Mac from the spell he’d cast. His hand dropped away, and he moved away from her on the couch.

“Harm,” she said. “I…” She thought of Juliette, of all the changes in the girl’s life. “There’s a lot going on right now,” she began. But Jules liked Harm; more importantly, Mac liked Harm. A lot. Maybe--

He scoffed, a sound of impatience. She looked up at him startled, her thoughts cut off and lost.

“You’re pulling away,” he accused. “Again.”

“I’m not,” she defended. Any further defence was cut short by the ringing of her phone. She moved to answer it quickly, before it woke Jules up.

“MacKenzie,” she said into the receiver. Harm was watching her from his spot on the couch, still supremely annoyed with her.

“Sarah, it’s Clay.”

She hadn’t heard from him in so long. She had forgotten his abrupt departure and their unfinished meal.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him.

“Nothing,” he said. His voice did sound like there was happiness there. “I just got cleared to return to the field, full-time. I wanted to share the news with you.”

“Clay,” she began. She caught the way Harm’s expression hardened.

“No,” he cut her off. “It’s fine. I haven’t heard from you in long enough, Sarah. I’m not calling to convince you that we’re worth a shot. I just wanted you to know. I wouldn’t be here if not for you.”

She softened at hearing that, and allowed herself to share in his success. “I’m glad to hear it, Clay. I didn’t do much of anything.”

“You did more than you know, Sarah. Take care of yourself.”

“You, too,” she told him. Slowly she hung up the phone. She didn’t even register the smile on her face until she saw Harm’s stoney expression.

“That was Clay,” she said.

“I heard,” he cut her off before she could finish.

“Harm,” she said, before he could get ahead of himself. “There’s nothing between me and Clay.”

“Of course not.” He scoffed again. “You just pulled him around on your leash. He was a good distraction, wasn’t he. Following your lead, too afraid to ask for more from the great Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Stop it,” she said, realizing what this was about. “I wasn’t pulling away from you.”

“Have you ever let any man in, Mac?” The anger was back, hot and sharp.

“Don’t you dare,” she warned. “Don’t you dare,” she repeated. “And keep your voice down.”

“You push people away.” He stood up, his voice getting louder despite her warning.

“You’re the one who kept throwing roadblocks between us,” she accused. The sheer hypocrisy of his words caused her to see red.

“I am not the one who slapped you in the face after you dropped everything to save me from an impossible situation!” All semblance of control was gone. He stepped up to her, towered over her.

“Is that what this is about?” she glared at him. “What do you want from me?”

“More than what you’re giving me!” he shot back.

“I tried calling you!”

“You turned me away and went to him!” He pointed an angry finger towards the phone. “After everything! How could you?”

“He told me what he wanted in plain English, Harm! I’m not a mind reader!”

“No, Mac. You only see what you want to.” He shook his head in disgust. “I could’ve told you in every language you speak, and you still wouldn’t get it! You don’t want to be happy!”

She took a step away from him.

“Get out,” she told him, her tone now cold.

“Fine,” he ground out. “That’s always your answer.” He turned on his heel and left.

The door slammed shut violently behind him, the sound echoing obtrusively in her apartment. Mac let out a frustrated breath. She supposed they were due. She’d been deluding herself to think that things could be smoothed over so easily with the man. She’d been living a fantasy. She rubbed her hand over her face, and turned to clean up their half-empty coffee cups. It was then that she saw Jules. The girl was hiding in the hallway, peeking out towards the living room. She looked terrified.

“Jules,” Mac said quietly, moving towards the girl. “I’m sorry.”

The young girl pursed her lips. Shook her head.

“Jules--”

Jules ran to her room. She slammed the door closed behind her.

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[> [> Really great addition to your other stories you have written. -- Roz, 15:27:19 11/13/13 Wed [1]


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