Title: E-Mail To My Heart Author: Beate (beatex@gmx.at) Summary: Modern technology is needed to get together Disclaimer: JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount and D. P. Bellisario / This piece is just for fun! Feedback: Yes please! This is my first fanfic so my life as a writer is depending on it ;-) Archiving: Tell me where and you can. E-Mail To My Heart JAG HQ Falls Church, Virginia 0900 EST Harm's office Harmon Rabb sat in his office and thought about what had happened the last few weeks. Together with his partner Sarah Mackenzie, he had worked on a high profile case that they had finally finished the day before in court. They had worked together closely and spent a lot of time at each other's apartments to work and have an occasional pizza. The friendship between them had resurfaced and they felt nearly as close as before he had gone back to flying which had been the biggest mistake of his life. They were friends, but that was bothering him in particular. Not that Mac wasn't a good friend, she was the best, but deep inside his heart there was a feeling which he couldn't shake off. Could it be love? It was there - at least for him. Having hurt her very badly a few times over the last few years, he wasn't sure if Mac could ever feel anything more than friendship for him. He prayed to God she did. Same Time Same Place Mac's office Mac sat in her chair, head in her hands and was taking deep breaths. She couldn't get Harm out of her mind. Out of her heart was out of the question. She had tried that for years, without any luck. The last few days had been heaven. Sharing time with Harm in his apartment, eating pizza and going through notes on their current case. They were a great team. Everyone knew that. The time they spent together brought back the friendship they had had before Harm had gone back to flying his damn Tomcats. Not that Mac didn't like the fighter jets. She enjoyed standing on an aircraft carrier and watching them take off, but why did he have to make it permanent and leave her behind? He could assure her as much as he wanted, he DID leave her as well and not only JAG. Then all of a sudden he came back and assumed things between them could be like they had been before he had left her behind. She couldn't pretend to not be hurt about his decision to leave her behind when she was exactly that - hurt very badly, and she wanted him to know it. They had become good friends again after time had passed which meant a lot to her, but something was missing. Sure, Harm was a great and caring friend, but what if there was more? She was scared about his reactions if she once again tried to ask him about it, and also tired about constantly having to ask the same questions. He had feelings for her, she knew that, but he had to make the next step now. JAG HQ Bullpen Harm looked through the half open door into Mac's office and saw her holding her head in her hands. He couldn't help but wonder what was bothering her. Deciding to ask her what was wrong, he knocked gently at her door and waited for her to tell him it was okay to come in. A low "enter" was heard and Harm entered her office and sat down in front of her desk. Mac didn't even look up, which confused Harm even more. He got up and walked around her desk to stand behind her chair. He had just placed one of his hands on her shoulders, when she jerked out of surprise. She sprung up, spun around and stared at him wide eyed. "What do you think you are doing?" "Sorry, I just saw you sitting there and thought I could stop by and see if you have a problem". "Thanks, Harm, but there isn't anything you could help me with. Just leave me alone, okay?" Harm was confused. Whenever she had been down before, he had been able to help her in some way, but now it seemed as if there was nothing he could do. "Ok, I'll go, just promise me if there is anything I can help you with, you'll call me." "Just go, Harm," Mac was on the verge of tears, but she didn't want him to see that. He knew she was miserable but he respected her wishes and left her alone. Mac's sad eyes made his heart ache, but she had made it perfectly clear that he should go and so he did, silently closing the door behind him. Mac waited until he had closed the door behind him, then went to completely close the blinds, giving her the privacy she needed. Thinking about Harm she sank back into her chair. On the one hand he was caring and sweet, but on the other, he sometimes was the most stupid guy she knew. He just couldn't seem to figure out, why she was miserable. In the meantime, Harm was thinking about how he could make Mac feel better, but he failed. She wouldn't talk to him or anyone else, so how could he know what was wrong and think about a way how to fix whatever it was. To cheer her up at least a little, he decided to send her a bouquet of roses. He knew she loved those and she would definitely enjoy them. He called a flower shop and ordered a dozen long stemmed peach colored roses. 1730 EST Mac's office Mac had buried herself in her work to forget about everything that was going on in her mind when there was a knock at the door. "Yes?" she called through the closed door without even looking up from the folder she was reading in. "Ma'am, there is a delivery for you," Harriet replied, carefully pushing the door open. A beautiful bouquet of peach colored roses in her hands, Harriet entered the office. Mac was surprised about the flowers in the Lieutenant's hands, not being able to think about one person who would send her flowers. "They are beautiful, Ma'am. Who are they from?" Harriet asked as she handed the flowers over to Mac. "I really don't know, Harriet, but yes, they are beautiful. There's no card attached!" Harriet kept her thoughts about a certain Commander to herself and left the office silently, leaving Mac to her own thoughts about where these flowers might have come from. "Wow, Mac, roses? Who are these from?" Harm asked as he surprisingly stepped through the open door into Mac's office. "I don't know, Harm, there's no card attached but they're beautiful, don't you think?" "Yes, they are." "Harm, who would send me flowers?" "I don't know, but that's not that uncommon nowadays, you know? Maybe you have a silent admirer?" As Harm got ready to leave Mac's office he called, "What do you say, dinner tonight, my treat?" "I don't know, Harm, I'm not really in the mood to go out for dinner." "Come on, Mac, my treat, a Marine wouldn't pass on such an opportunity, would she?" That forced a smile out of Mac. Grinning, she nodded. "Great, I'll pick you up at say 1930?" "I'll be ready, Squid. Just don't be late," she teased. He flashed her his flyboy grin, left her office and went back to his. While sitting at his desk and finishing the last report, he looked at his monitor from time to time, the email icon on the desktop almost begging him to click on it. Thinking of Mac, he opened the program and began to write an e-mail. Dear Jarhead, I just wanted to let you know that I am really looking forward to tonight. By the way, I've made reservations at Roberto's. See ya later Harm He sent it and waited. When there wasn't a response 15 minutes later, he concluded that Mac hadn't read the email yet and probably wouldn't anymore today, so he started to gather his things and get ready to leave JAG. He had just grabbed his cover and his briefcase and was ready to head out when he heard the familiar "ding" that signaled an incoming e-mail. He turned the monitor back on, clicked on the program, opened the email and smiled. It was from Mac. Flyboy, This Marine is looking forward to a free meal too. Roberto's? Good choice, Flyboy! Mac He turned off the monitor and left the office. 1925 EST Mac's Apartment Mac had just finished her make up when Harm knocked on the door. 'Wow,' she thought, 'he's 4 minutes 25 seconds early.' She opened the door and found Harm waiting outside. He scrutizined her from head to toe without even realizing what he was doing. She looked absolutely fabulous in her dark blue dress. "Wow, Mac, you look stunning!" "Thanks, Harm, you're not looking too bad yourself," she grinned. He looked extremely well in his grey suit with the blue tie that brought out the blue in his eyes perfectly. "Are you ready to head out?" "Yessir," she smiled and together they walked out to Harm's new Vette. They enjoyed a wonderful meal at Roberto's though Mac constantly teased Harm about his quite expensive Rigatoni which looked like plain macaroni and cheese to her. After Harm had driven Mac home, she asked if he wanted to come up for a cup of coffee and he agreed. Sitting on her couch and sipping on the hot liquid in silence, Harm suddenly said, "Thanks, Mac, that was a wonderful evening!" "I have to thank you, you asked me out for dinner tonight." "No thanks needed, it was my pleasure. I have to go now. I have to be in court early tomorrow morning. Thanks for the coffee. Good night, Mac." He gave her a light kiss on her cheek. Before he could notice her blushing and shocked look, he was out the door and on the way to his car. Mac sank back in her couch and sighed. 'What was that about?' Suddenly, the bouquet roses came back to her mind, and she wondered if Harm's odd behaviour had something to do with them. She would try and find that out tomorrow. Harm waited in front of Mac's apartment house until he saw the bedroom lights go on and then drove home to surely pleasant dreams about his beloved marine. The next Morning JAG HQ Harm came into her office to talk after he got himself a cup of coffee. "Harm, sorry, I have to leave in two minutes. Please excuse me, I have to go, bye." With that, she stormed through her door towards the elevators and was out of his sight. Harm just stood there and had no chance to say at least a word. A little bit shocked, he went to his own office and closed the door. She was gone and he had not the slightest idea why and where she went and when she would return. He had enjoyed their dinner immensely and had hoped to go on seducing her slowly but with her gone, there was no chance in doing so. He went to Harriet's desk and cleared his throat. Harriet looked up from her work and got up. "What can I do for you, Sir?" "Harriet, Mac left a few minutes ago and I wondered if you possibly knew where she went?" Before Harriet had a chance to answer, Harm heard the Admiral speak up. "She's on her way to the USS Patrick Henry to investigate a new case. Do you have a problem with that, Commander?" "No, Sir,"Harm nodded at the Admiral, smiled thankfully to Harriet and went to his office. On the USS Patrick Henry Afternoon Mac's quarters Mac thought about all that had happened the last few days, especially how she had left Harm at JAG. She hadn't wanted to waltz out of JAG the way she had done, but she had had no time for a proper goodbye. The case on board would keep her away from home for at least 5 days and she was going to miss Harm. She decided to write him an E-Mail to apologize for earlier behaviour. Dear Harm, I'm sorry I had to run off like that, but I had to meet my transport out here to the Henry. Skates says hi! She's engaged now, did you know that? Hope to hear from you soon. Love, Mac JAG HQ Falls Church, Virginia Next morning Harm's office Harm was lost in thoughts when his computer beeped to let him know that he had a message waiting for answering. He opened the program and noticed Mac's e-mail. She had been in a hurry this morning, he had noticed that. He should answer her but he didn't know what to write. Maybe he would think of something later. He was called away for a client meeting shortly after. So he forwarded Mac's mail it to his private e-mail address and hoped he would find the time to write at home. Harm's Apartment North of Union Station 2000 EST Dear Mac, Apology accepted. I was just a little bit dumbfounded by the way you stormed out of your office without telling me where you were going. The Admiral told me later that you were going to the Henry. I am sorry for leaving you like that the other night. I don't know what got into me, I just felt the urge that I had to leave. Maybe it was because I began to feel too comfortable being with you. Friends don't feel like that. Harm Before he hit the send-button he attached a picture of a peach colored rose he had found on the internet and then hit send. He would have to wait for Mac's reaction to the picture. Surely she would know then that the flowers were from him. He didn't have to wait long for an answer because Mac worked late in her quarters to finish the case as soon as she could and sat in front of her laptop as Harm's message came into her inbox. YOU SENT THE ROSES!?! Why? I mean, thank you, they were beautiful, but why did you buy me flowers? I have to stay here at least 4 more days. Have to run, miss you too M. JAG HQ Falls Church, Virginia Next morning Harm's office Harm had a smile on his face when he read the message. He was glad she wasn't mad at him for not saying a word and leaving her like that. He would write an answer but he had an appointment in court in a few minutes, so he had to leave. The rest of the day went by in a hurry. Harm sped home to fix himself some dinner and then to write the next mail to Mac. The next morning USS Patrick Henry 0730 EST Mac booted up her laptop to check her emails because she was awaiting Harm's answer. And here it was, a happy chime-tone, and Mac opened the electronical letter. Hi there Marine, how's the case coming along? Need help? I've just made a deal with my client, so I'm free if you need me. I miss you terribly. There's nothing going on here without you. The Admiral just left for Italy to visit Francesca and left Sturgis in command. Can you guess how frustrating this is for me? I miss the teasing between you and me. Harriet just doesn't cut it ;-) Why flowers? I saw you sitting in your office and thought about something to make you feel better and obviously it worked. Also, I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. You're the most important person in my life, Sarah Mackenzie, I hope you know that. If not, I'm willing to show you until you realize that I'm serious about that. Three more days? This is insane. I miss you so much and it's only three days to go. What's happening with me? This wasn't a problem when we were apart before, was it? All my love Harm Mac had tears in her eyes when she finished reading his e-mail over and over again. He had feelings for her, strong feelings. She would have jumped up and down with joy but on a carrier this was not the best idea, because the walls were thin and people would think she's crazy. She had a case to finish, but she would hurry to get home, to Harm. It was time to explore whatever it was that was between them - finally. But before she went back to finish her case, she just had to mail him back. JAG HQ's Falls Church, Virginia 0900 EST Harm had just come in to work and started his computer to write a report he had to finish when Mac's mail came in. Dearest Harm, Wow, the great Harmon Rabb is letting go? Are you sure? I mean, you mean so much to me it hurts sometimes. And now I want to be sure you feel the same. > 4 more days? This is insane. I miss you so much and it's only 4 days to go. What's > happening with me? This wasn't a problem some time ago when we were apart, was it? Well let me put it this way: it was always hard to be apart from you and now it's unbearable for me. I will hurry, I promise! Love, Mac He was speechless after reading her message. She obviously had the same feelings for him he had for her. He was a happy man! Before he began to work on his report, he sent her a short message: Sarah, can't wait to see you again. Love, Harm Then he buried himself in his work. If he thought about her the whole day, the Admiral would kick his six if he didn't do something after all. Mac really hurried to finish her case on the Partrick Henry and she managed to hop on the last flight to Washington two days later, one day before Harm was expecting her home. Before she boarded the plane, she sent Harm a short message . Harm, coming in today at 2045 EST, if you have time, pick me up at Dulles! Love, Mac Dulles International Airport 2045 EST Harm waited patiently until Mac emerged from the plane. When he saw her coming his way, he couldn't help but run to her, take her in his arms and hold her tight. Hand in hand they smilingly went to get her luggage and strolled to his car. Once inside his Vette, Harm couldn't control himself any longer and pulled Mac into his arms once again, this time descending his lips onto hers into a passionate, loving kiss. After breaking the kiss for air, he looked deep into her brown eyes and saw the same feelings being reflected that were showing in his blue ones - love. "I love you, Sarah!" "I love you, Sailor, so much!" With that, they kissed again. Together they drove to her apartment to begin their life as a couple. God bless the internet technology! The End