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Date Posted: 18:03:48 03/22/13 Fri
Author: fananicfan
Subject: MARCH 2013 CHALLENGE

MARCH 2013 CHALLENGE

AN: This story does not go with canon or is it connect to the series I write in any way.
There is a general timelline identifier in this story, so it would take place sometime while Harriet was pregnant with Jimmmy.
Finally, my beta reader is busy with life and on a editing a story for the series so this one is unchecked by anyone, so please forgive any errors.

I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY
by fananicfan

It was March 3rd and Mac was purusing the front-page headlines of the Monday morning paper while a bowl of cereal sat getting soggy on the dining table in front of her.

Mac had been TAD for the past month on a deployed carrier, filling in for a shipboard JAG who had to take emergency leave to be at his mother's bedside during her final hours.

She felt out of touch with the real world, and hoped to gather some recent current events in her reading that would give her some relovent story to talk about with co-workers when she returned to work later this morning.

Of course, she didn't need an item for idle chit-chat for the person she missed most this past month, Harm, because conversation between the two of them always just seemed to happen...to bloom out of their bond.

A bond that she couldn't explain. It was just there, almost from the moment they met, and it was the reason why she missed him more than anyone else while she away.

At the bottom of the first page in a little box she saw the quote of the day. It was one that she'd heard before from Emerson. Also of in the box she took note of the fun-facts by reading the "holidays" that were to be celebrated today.

If Pets Had Thumbs Day - Really? she thought. Whi in their right mind would give so much to such a thing that a whole day needed to be a whole day devoted to it.

National Anthem Day - She didn't know that one existed, but in this post- 9 - 11 world perhaps this was a good idea. A day dedicated to listening or learning the lyrics to the National Anthem by its citizens.

I Want You to be Happy Day - Its a thought that we wish upon others that we care for or love. Celebrate today by doing something to make others happy. It can start with an Ecard that will put a smile on someone's face. Other ideas include a phone call, making positive compliments, or cooking a special meal. Be creative. There are endless ways to make others happy.

There was something unselfish about the gesture that struck a chord with her, and it caused her to pause to think about those she could show that she truly cared about them by doing some small act of kindness today.
Then, she read the last one listed in the paper.

Peach Blossom Day - A day to celebrate peach blossoms, and for girls to celebrate being girls. Another "holiday" that she didn't see a point to ... celebrating the peach, the harvest...that made sense to her, but just a day to salute the peach blossom....

Did they know that the peach blossom is also the name of a variety of a moth?

It wasn't even worth dwelling on so she flipped the page and folded it back.

She glanced over page two, and found nothing of interest.
Then, she turned the paper over, and there at the top of page, near the middle, she saw something that caused her heart to stop.

It was a photo of Harm and a woman - a young, attractive and blond woman.

After a few long moments, she'd finally recovered from the shock of seeing him with someone that she didn't know about ... apparently a lot had happened in Harm's life in the past month.

Asking him about the photo she'd seen in the newspaper would certainly give them something to talk about today, she wondered if she'd get the chance to talk since it looked like it may be very possibke that Harm would have a lunch plans or be in a hurry to leave for a dinner date leaving them little time while at work to speak to each other.

Her curiousity about his life in her absence caused her to search for the accompanying article.

She felt a little better after just reading the headline: The Military Supports Red Cross Month.

The article was a feel-good piece and was a quick read.
It seems that she missed a Ball where all the attendees were in the military, and the collected tickets sales were to benefit the Red Cross.

After reading the story, Mac looked more objectively at the photo.

The caption under the picture said, Naval Commander Harmon Rabb, Junior with local Red Cross Representative, Gina Getty.

She'd jumped to conclusions and worried herself for no reason. It was a picture taken at a social event and had no meaning.

She was suddenly in the mood to celebrate I Want You to be Happy Day ... to pass on the way that she was feeling now that relief from knowing that Harm hadn't made another major life decision, like getting engaged, without telling her, had washed over her.

She wasn't expected at work until later this morning, if she got started now, she'd have time to think of something for the two people she felt closest to at the office, her friend Harriet and Harm.

She jumped up from her chair and abandoning her cereal she dash towards the bathroom to shower so that she'd have time to get to the store and purchase the item that she already had in mind for Harriet, a woman who always put others before herself.
___________________________

Harm sat behind his desk filling out the blanks in a new form that was to be filled out on each closed case.
He was not the admistrator type and another new form was the last thing that he wanted or needed in his professional life.

He rubbed his hand over her face.

Forms weren't at the center of his disgruntled mood this morning.

It was the fact that Mac had not been at the staff meeting this morning. She was suppose to be back today - after a month TAD.

A soft inquiry after the meeting had rewarded him with the information that because of her late night scheduled late night arrival the admiral had authorized her to come in later than everyone else.

He couldn't concentrate on this form or anything else until he saw Mac. He'd missed her. Even though they had no relationship beyond friendship, the office just wasn't the same without her.

He looked at his watch. She should be arriving soon. In fact, his Mac radar told him that she was near by.
Feeling eyes on him, he looked up with a broad smile on his face.

"Commander Rabb," it was Tiner, not Mac. "The admiral wanted me to make sure that you had the new 450 forms that came in the second shipment and not the first one."
Unahppy to see the petty officer instead of Mac, Harm gruffly asked, "What's the difference in the two?"
"There was an error at the form printing company and they shipped a single copy form instead of the correct triplicate form."

I check the form that still lays blank on my desk.
"I've got a three page form."

"Thank you, Sir. Since Colonel Mackenzie hasn't been here since the new shipment arrived, I know that she has the originally shipped forms, so I know that she'll need the correct forms."

"The colonel is here now?" Harm asked trying to make is sound like her presence was only a passing interest to him, but he was not successful in covering his amount of interest in her return.

"No, Sir, not yet," Tiner replied, concealing his smile. Were those two ever going to admit how they felt about each other, because frankly, everyone else could see it. They were in love.

Knowing that Mac would be arriving shortly, and that giving her the correct forms would be the perfect excuse for him to drop by her office practically the second she arrived in Ops.

From behind Tiner, they heard the unmistakable sound of Harriet gushing about something.

Hoping that the reason for Harriet's excitement was her friend Mac returning, Harm stood and walked toward Tiner to take the offer forms.

Being taller than most had its advantages, one was that he could see over Tiner's shoulder that indeed Mac was the cause of Harriet's outburst.

"Oh, ma'am, you ...." Harriet began, but tears took over and choked out her words.

Tiner knew that he was no longer needed and stepped off to continue his delivery of the new forms.

"Mac, you may have just set a a Marine Corps record...back less than five minutes and you've made someone cry."

"She gave me..." the pregnant for the second third time, Lieutenant Sims, said raising up a peach-colored teddy bear, "...and this," she says through her tears and holding up an envelope in her other hand.

"A spa day that includes a specialized pregnacy message," Mac supplies so that I know the contents of the envelope.
"A Marine bearing gifts, should we be worried?" Harm questions referencing loosely the saying of be wary of Greeks baring gifts.

"...worried that I liked carrier duty better than being here with you?" Mac teased.

"I'm not worried about that," Harm chuckled. "Everone knows that Marines will choose green grass over ocean blue."

The banter was back, and the "off" feeling to the entire office while they were apart was put instantly back into balance.

"I have a gift for you, too." Harm said cheerfully.

"You do?" Mac said with delightful surprise.

"Yes, the new form 450. The first ones that came in weren't a triplicate form."

"Well, gee thanks. I don't know what I'd do without friends like you." Mac said disappointedly.

Harm felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't trying to hurt her feelings. He was just keeping her talking. They were in the middle of the bullpen, and he missed her so much that he just didn't want her to walk away.

"I better get to work," Mac announced.

"Thank you again, Ma'am" Harriet said sounding more like her usually cheerful self.

"You're welcome, Harriet." Mac replied. Then, she eyed Harm curiously and turned to walk to her office.

Harm followed.

She stepped inside her office, and Harm stood in the doorway.

"Is today Harriet's birthday?" Harm asked crossing his arms, his hand clutching the forms.

"No," Mac answered.

"Then, why the gift?" Harm asked crossing his arms. There was something different about her today and he wasn't going to leave her office without finding out why she had changed.

"I have no sinister reason, no agenda. I just wanted to let my dear friend know that I want her to be happy, and that I appreciate her friendship."

"Did you buy me something in appreciation of our friendship?"

Mac felt that the real question was, 'am I a your best friend or is Harriet?'

"I thought about buying you something, but you were harder to buy for so I have something for you, but I can't give it to you here."

"What is it?" Harm asked sounding like an impatient child.

"I'm not going to tell you, but I'll give you a hint." She said moving close to him, and then she whispered seductively, "It comes in only one color - Marine green."

Harm swallowed down the first idea that popped into his mind. She couldn't mean...could she?

It was definitelly not a gift she could go to a store and buy.

"Then, do you want to give it to me tonight?"

"If you don't have other plans with your Red Cross girl, tonight is fine with me."

"You saw the picture in the paper."

"Yes," Mac replied.

"I didn't come or leave with her. We're not dating. The photo was just the one that was used for the article. It was just a photo taken at the event this weekend, an event I would've taken you to if you'd have been here, I might add."

Getting conformation that it was merely a publicity shot, Mac asked, "I guess if we have that cleared up, the only question left is do you want me to give you your gift at my place or yours?"

"You've been out of town for a month, so if you come to my place, I'll make you a home cooked meal."

"Your place at 1900 then?" Mac asked.

"Sounds good to me," Harm responded, hoping that she meant what she thought she meant.

He'd always wanted her to be happy, but he'd also always dreamed that one day she'd decide that she'd be happiest with him.

He had a feeling that if tonight went well, his dream would be coming true tonight, and nothing would make him happier.

THE END


I left it so that shippers and non-shippers alike could enjoy the story. If you're a shipper, then Harm and Mac get together. If you're not, then, nothing happened after dinner.

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Replies:

[> I 'm definitely a shipper and love the possibilities. Waiting patiently for more stories from you. -- Beth, 20:15:55 03/22/13 Fri [1]


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[> [> Welcome home Fananicfan, so refreshing to read your 'happy' story--the shipper in me says, Semper Harm and Mac! Forever! -- JoyZ, 20:54:15 03/22/13 Fri [1]


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[> Oh I am thrilled to have fananicfan back with a great story and being a shipper they will get together forever and ever. So happy to know that your series will be returning to us soon. Love your storytelling and glad your muise is back, you have been missed!!! -- Can Sheshe, 20:30:30 03/22/13 Fri [1]


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[> I think this story has legs. -- achaon, 20:30:56 03/22/13 Fri [1]


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[> Very fun. Maybe you could write another chapter and label it for us shippers! -- Shazam, 23:38:39 03/22/13 Fri [1]


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[> Great story - really enjoyed it. -- Dee, 00:44:44 03/23/13 Sat [1]


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[> lol loved it -- Bev uk, 15:57:43 03/23/13 Sat [1]


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[> fananicfan, am overjoyed at seeing another of your delightful stories. Now, maybe we should tie up that muse of yours so s/he doesn't wander off. The board has been too quiet of late and your Rabb family has been missed. Carry on! -- carramor, 16:39:21 03/23/13 Sat [1]


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[> another gem from your pen! -- Christa, 19:15:00 03/23/13 Sat [1]


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[> Very clever fanaicfan. good to see ur back too. -- marye904, 15:10:01 04/25/13 Thu [1]


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