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Date Posted: 18:19:08 06/08/08 Sun
Author: .
Subject: Truth-Telling

Word Count: 2144

Prompt: From the Hunter episode titled "Waiting for Mr. Wrong." Prompt submitted by Mandy.

Angie: I know you're not married and it's not just because you said you aren't. But I do get this feeling that you have a girlfriend, somebody that you care for a lot.
Hunter: Well, I do have a friend, a woman, but we're not boyfriend and girlfriend. We're just very close.
Angie: But you don't care for her?
Hunter: I care for her very much. Sometimes I wonder... what it would be like to uh....
Angie: Make love to her?...So, why don't you?
Hunter: We are very good friends, like I say. And she looks out for me and I look out for her. I like that....I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that.

Category: Romance

Rating: Tame

Disclaimer:The author does not own or profit from the characters used in this story.

Summary:Before Harm left JAG to return to flying, he and Mac were able to "find the words".


********************


The following scenes begin on the eve of Harm's departure:

Mac's Apartment

Once again, I sit cozy on my sofa, with a soothing cup of tea in hand and my thoughts on him. What a day . . . what a week! It's really happening, he's leaving me. Well, not me really but, . . . oh God, why couldn't I find the words? It's not as if I don't know what I want to say. At least, I think I know what I want to say. I mean, I've known for a while how I feel. But could I actually do it - actually say the words to Harm, and be able to deal with the consequences? Why not? I'm a grown woman. A competent woman. A marine for goodness sakes.

The truth is, I adore him. As a friend, and more. And I'm happy for him. Proud of him. It's incredibly gutsy of him to make this change. He knows that I understand his decision, but senses that I'm struggling with it. I am struggling, but does he understand why? It's just that I can't help feeling abandoned. I'm going to miss him so damn much. I'll hate myself if I let him go without explaining how I really feel about him. Well, for now he's still number one on my speed dial, so, time to act like a marine and take action. Here we go:

He answers after the first ring: "Hey Mac, what's up?"

"Any chance you can get together sometime this evening?" I ask.

"Yes," he says, chuckling, "in fact I was just about to call you and ask you the same thing."

"Really? OK, well what time's good for you?"

"Well, I'm all packed so I have the evening free. Do you want to meet somewhere for dinner?"

"I've gotten comfortable here at home, and I've got a nice fire going in the fireplace."

"Sounds cozy. I pick something up and be right over."

Thirty minutes later, I let him in, and despite the butterflies in my stomach, can't help but reach up and hug him, tightly. When he asks what he did to deserve such a nice welcome, I tell him it's just because he's here, and I can. He starts to hug me back, and then, finding it hard with dinner in his hands, smiles, places the bags on my coffee table and gathers me in a tight hug of his own.

"Let's eat," he says, "I'm starving."

"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" I say as I lead him to the table.

I set the table while waiting for him to arrive, so once dinner is unpacked, we dig in.

"Harm, where is this from? This steak is perfectly done, and your fish looks amazing! This isn't our usual fare."

"It's a new place not far from here called La Buca. Bud mentioned that he and Harriet ate there and loved it. If you hadn't already been settled in at home, I would've asked you to meet me there. You'd like it - it's intimate and cozy. Luckily, the dinner crowd hadn't arrived yet, so they had time to make this up for us."

Without thinking I blurted: "You mean I said no to an intimate and cozy dinner out?"

"Out, yes. But we're having a cozy dinner in aren't we? And there's no one I'd rather be with tonight," he says, smiling.

Wondering if he could possibly mean that in the way I'd like him to mean it, I hesitantly ask, "Harm, um, where's Jordan tonight?"

"Mac, you know we broke up."

"Yes, I know. But I kind of thought she'd reconsider once she got over the initial shock of your news. This is your last night in town, after all."

"Well, she might have actually, but truthfully, I didn't encourage her."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess I realized that even if I were staying at JAG, I wouldn't be as serious about our relationship as she was. And that's just not fair to her. It's best that we move on."

"But the way you've been talking lately, well, I just assumed you were starting to think about settling down and starting a family."

Leaning towards me, and looking at me intently, he softly replied, "Mac, I do want all that, but not with her."

Bowled over, all I could come up with was, "oh."

And just as I was thinking that this was my opening, my chance to tell him that I wanted more with him, that I dreamed about settling down and having a family - with him, my phone rings. I check the caller ID.

"Ugh, it's Brumby. We're awaiting a break on a case, which might have to be dealt with tonight. I have to answer it."

"Mackenzie. Uh huh. When? Fine, I'll meet you there in twenty."

Harm gives me a half smile, saying "I guess we're saying good-bye now."

"Wait. Hold that thought. Give me a sec while I get back into uniform and gather what I need."

I dash into my bedroom in disbelief. How can this be happening now? Of all times! We've been having a lovely, relaxed evening together. Oh God - I have to say something to him before I leave!

He's putting our dishes in the kitchen when I come out. I tell him not to worry about that. I'll do it when I get home. He, ever thoughtful, quickly finishes up and returns to the living room to grab his coat and keys.

"Mac", he says, his expression intent. "It's really important to me that we stay in touch. Close touch."

"Me too Harm."

"Good. OK. Time to say good-bye, I guess, and he reaches to hug me."

I stop him mid-reach, "No. Harm wait. Before, when we were saying good-bye at headquarters, I told you that I had so much to say, but couldn't find the words."

"It's OK, Mac, I understand."

"No, just listen. I still can't sort out all the words, but here's the thing. I just", I take a deep breath, "I just need to tell you, before you go, that it's no longer enough for me to have you just as my best friend. My feelings for you go way beyond friendship."

I hardly have the words out before he has engulfed me in a hug different from any we've shared previously. I don't know how to categorize it . . . it's not a hug of greeting, departing, or of comfort. It's warm, loving, and his breath in my ear both calms and arouses me as he whispers:

"Me too, Mac, me too."

We stare at each other, smiling and awe-struck, until I remember that I have to meet Brumby.

"Harm . . ."

"I know, you have to run. I'm so glad we talked."

He pulls me gently toward him, this time for a kiss. A kiss that starts off sweet and tentative, and then, after I reach up and place my hands behind his head, becomes passionate and demanding. I feel a tingling throughout my body, and know that if circumstances were different, I would give myself to him tonight without hesitation.

As I drift off in my dream of taking him to the bedroom, and consummating our evening of truth telling, he begins to gently withdraw. I'm still in a daze as he takes my coat off the hook, helps me put it on, buttoning the buttons, tying the belt. He places my briefcase in my hands, and walks me to the door, saying:

"I'll contact you as soon as I can, and we'll figure out a way to see each other before too long. Drive carefully."

Then, with a bemused grin, he opens the door, kisses me on the cheek, and says:

"Don't worry, dear, I'll lock up when I leave."


Sometime Later
Aboard the Patrick Henry:

"Good job, Skates. Your quick thinking really made the difference up there."

"Thanks Pappy, I guess your creativity is beginning to rub off on me."

"Pappy! I'm having trouble getting used to that moniker. I'm not that old, am I?"

"Well, I don't know Harm. Talk is that you seem pretty straight-laced."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you know, nobody wants to get in trouble for inappropriate behaviour with the opposite sex but uh, well, how should I put this . . . you've been pretty stand-offish with the women, Harm."

"Skates!"

"No really Harm, don't you have a reputation for being flirtatious? Haven't you noticed that there are women interested in you? I mean, take Carla for instance."

"Oh, I think that's been resolved."

- flashback -

I was standing alone on Vultures Row daydreaming about Mac when I sensed someone near.

"Harm, why am I not surprised to find you here?"

"Hi Carla, what brings you to this part of town?"

"Actually I was hoping to find you. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee? Maybe we can get to know each other a little better."

"Carla, that's a tempting offer, but I'm going to have to say no. It's nothing personal."

"Well Harm, I know you're not married and it's not just because you said you aren't. But I do get this feeling that you have a girlfriend, somebody that you care for a lot."

"Well, I do have a friend, a woman, but were not exactly boyfriend and girlfriend. We're just very close."

"But you don't care for her?"

"I care for her very much."

- end flashback -

A couple weeks later
Patrick Henry
Harm's Quarters

Well, it seems that Mac and I are having our first face to face since confessing our mutual feelings for each other right here on the Henry. She was sent here to work on a case. We've stayed in touch surprisingly well, considering how busy our lives are. Thank God we had that talk before I left. Oddly, perhaps, even though we've barely started anything, I feel very ‘settled' - in a good way. I can't wait to see her alone, although I'll have to restrain myself. It'll take all my concentration to be strictly professional with her, and her new rank doesn't help. I've given her enough time to settle in. I can't wait another second to see her.

Barely a minute later
Mac's quarters:

"Enter" was barely out of my mouth when Harm burst in, closed the hatch, and pulled me into his arms.

"I couldn't go another minute without touching you!"

"Mmmm" being in his arms has rendered me speechless for the moment.

We pull back, remembering where we are and I take the opportunity to catch him up on JAG news and hand over some care packages. Then he gets an intent look on his face, takes my hands in his and says softly,

"I want to go back and continue from where we left off before. Before, as in, the night before I left Washington."

"OK"

"Do you still feel the same way about me . . . us?"

"Yes."

"Mac, I don't want to push you, but since you're here, in person, I'd like to see if we're on the same page."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for now we have to deal with a long-distance relationship, and it's not easy. So I just want you to know, in case you ever find yourself questioning or second-guessing my feelings for you, that I don't take what we have lightly. In fact I'm hoping you'll agree to marry me, soon, and . . ."

"Are you asking me now?" I whispered.

"Would you like me to be?"

"I think I would, yes."

"Will you marry me Mac?"

"Yes!" We fell into a giddy hug, and stayed that way until something struck me funny, and I couldn't help giggling.

"What's so funny?" asked Harm, with a smile.

"I can't believe we ended up having such an old-fashioned courtship. I mean, we haven't even slept together. Are you sure you wouldn't like to make sure we're, um, compatible?"

"Very funny Mac. However, sometimes, well actually a lot of the time, I wonder . . . what it would be like to, uh . . . ".

"Make love to me? . . . So, why don't you?"

"Well, we'd be breaking a lot of rules if we made love here, as you know. And besides Mac, you're not some one-night stand. We are very good friends, and you're my future wife. And you look out for me, and I look out for you. I like that . . . I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that, or our future."

"Harm . . . wow . . . I'm speechless. So, we're waiting 'til we're married?"

"What?!" sputtered Harm, "That's not at all what I meant . . . oh, very funny." As he pulled a laughing Mac in for a quick hug he whispered in her ear, "I want you the second we're alone and out of uniform."

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Replies:

[> I haven't seen many fanfics that have them getting together while Harm is flying. This one to me seems to be the perfect way to tie in the actual storyline till then and the shipper resolution we want. Thank you so much. -- Debbi, 18:58:15 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Re: FF: Truth-telling -- Marianne, 19:09:02 06/08/08 Sun [1]

"I dash into my bedroom in disbelief. How can this be happening now? Of all times!" - My thoughts exactly!
Question, though: Who the blazes is this Carla Harm had to practically beat off with a stick?


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[> [> Carla represents one of the many women on board the Henry whom I assume were interested in getting "close" to Harm. -- author, 22:49:33 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Great story....another if only, sigh :) -- Katiegirl, 19:19:31 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> I agree with Debbi. This was beautiful. I, too, wish they had found the words. -- Mandy, 19:31:03 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Well done! Too bad we didn't actually see something like this. -- Achillea, 19:47:45 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Very nice job! I enjoyed this! -- JAG Junkie (Ronda), 21:05:24 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Great job! -- cd, 21:21:04 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> Such a nice shipper story! -- Teacup, 21:55:45 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> This was great, what a super idea - and so well thought out, too! -- millport17, 22:23:39 06/08/08 Sun [1]


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[> If only....a great story of "should have beens". -- tamk3, 00:24:13 06/09/08 Mon [1]


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[> Nicely done. -- Bev uk, 14:46:24 06/09/08 Mon [1]


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