Title: Subtle Details
Author: Kimberly Knipp
Email: MCK8686@aol.com
Classification: PG Romance/Action - Harm and Mac
Summary: Can't tell you anything or it may spoil it.
Disclaimer: Standard jun… er, stuff, that is. (grin) 
************************************
Today was the first day the ad would run in the magazine. And she knew he 
would come in and sit down and thumb through them. But would he see hers? 
Mac nibbled on the end of her pen, nervous beyond belief. It was too late to 
do anything about it now. He would see it. Maybe he wouldn't even recognize 
it as her. She sighed and threw down the pen in disgust. She had work to do 
and couldn't worry about that stupid flying magazine he read.

"Hey, Mac, good morning."

The object of her thoughts was standing in her doorway. Mac forced a warm 
smile to hide her nerves. "Morning, Harm. How are you?" she asked.

"Fine. You okay?" he questioned gently.

Mac nodded. "Just a little tired."

"You up for lunch today?"

"Sure," she answered. "Noon?"

"Noon," he agreed and went on to his office.

Harm popped the top of his briefcase open and sat down, taking a sip of his 
coffee. The newest addition of his Biplane Monthly was in right on top of 
his folders. He took it out and leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle 
over the other knee. He turned through the glossy pages to the back where 
all the classified ads were. He had a new obsession these days - looking 
through personal ads. He glanced guiltily up at his open door. He wouldn't 
want anyone to catch him looking at them, though. 

Sometimes they were pretty entertaining. He wondered about how desperate 
some of them sounded, too. Placing or answering an ad was something he would 
never do. Talk about lowering one's self…

Single White Female
Looking for that special lover,
To put it in a nutshell, 
A woman man who doesn't want no other,
Oh, you never can tell, I just might be your dream come true,
'Cause there's a Single White Female
Looking for a man like you.

Early 30s, tall, brunette, brown eyes.
I love adventure, junk food, romantic moments 
and dancing under the stars. And you?

Harm read the ad again. This one was different from all the others. This 
woman sounded sure of herself. Like she knew what she wanted. And maybe 
that she was a tad reserved? He grinned at his own description. It sounded 
like she was wary of men. Hurt a time or two maybe. There was an address 
for all letters to be directed to where they would be sent on to their 
recipient. Harm dropped his leg to the floor and turned fully to his desk, 
reaching for a pen. Before he stopped to think about what he was doing, he 
started writing.

A few days later….

Mac frowned when she saw the slip in her post office box from the postmaster. 
She took it to the counter and the young woman smiled. She came back a 
moment later carrying two huge stacks of letters. Mac was dumbfounded.

"This is all mine?" she asked stupidly.

"Yes, ma'am. Quite a bit. Did you take out an ad or something?" The young 
woman teased.

"Or something," Mac answered distractedly, taking the mail.

She drove home as fast as she could and carried all the mail up to her 
apartment. Eagerly, she sat down on the couch with it, not even kicking off 
her shoes. She started flipping through the envelopes. They were from all 
over the country! And… some even had international postmarks. Leaning back 
against the cushions, she continued her search, looking for just one certain 
letter. And there it was… halfway through the second stack. Giddily, she 
held it in her hands for a moment. He really had written! Se would never 
have believed in a million years that he would! Taking a deep breath, she 
tore open the flap and pulled the single sheet of paper out.

Dear Ma'am, (always the polite one, he was, she thought)
I feel pretty silly writing this letter but your ad caught my eye and 
there was just something so different about it. I was sure I'd never do 
anything so inane like answer a personal ad but… what can I say? If you're 
interested in writing for awhile, I'd like to get to know you better. I 
won't ask for anything more than you're ready to volunteer since women 
have to be careful these days.

Mac smiled to herself. She could picture him pondering over this letter, 
hoping to say just the right thing so he wouldn't come off sounding like an 
idiot.

Anyway, before I say too much and bore you, I'll wait to see if you're 
even interested in corresponding.
Hope to hear from you,
H.R.

He didn't sign his name. This brought a grin to her face. Mac felt 
deliriously happy over this little scrap of paper. She shoved all the other 
letters aside without even looking at them and went to her desk. She wanted 
hers to go out in the morning mail.

2 days later…

Eagerly, Harm pulled the mail out of his box and flipped through it. He was 
waiting for an answer from his mystery woman - if she answered at all. A 
little absurd part of him was desperately hoping she would. Why, he wasn't 
sure yet, though. Imagine, him writing to a woman he met through a personal 
ad whose name he didn't even know. If anyone ever found out he'd never live 
it down. A plain white envelope was at the bottom of the stack. It had a PO 
Box address in Bethesda. He went into the loft and dropped his things. 
Sitting down on the couch, he ripped open the envelope and unfolded her 
letter.

Dear H.R.,
If you never thought you'd answer a personal ad, then why are you? To be 
honest, I never thought I'd place one. If you'd asked me even a month 
ago I would have laughed at the idea. I am definitely interested in 
writing with you. You sound honest and direct - at least so far. Would you 
tell me about yourself? What kind of things do you like? What kind of 
work do you do? And, please, don't worry about boring me. If you do, I'll 
let you know! 
As for myself, I like a lot of different things. I'm open to trying 
anything once and twice if I like it. I've had some bad luck with men in 
the past - maybe that's why I decided to place this ad. There is a man in 
my life but I don't know that things will ever work out between us. We 
work too closely together and I don't think he has even an inkling that I 
have feelings for him beyond friendship. So I know I need to move on with 
my life. I'm looking for… well, that's another story for another time. I 
can't wait to hear back from you, H.R. For the first time in a long time, 
I find that I'm actually looking forward to something.
Take care and write soon,
Ms. X

Harm smiled fully as he stared off into space. Ms. X. So she preferred to 
remain a mystery for now. Funny how her words reminded him of Mac. He 
didn't think his pretty little Jarhead had any clue how he felt about her. 
He was very careful to keep it hidden. There was so much risk in them 
getting involved beyond friendship. There was a lot against them and he 
wasn't willing to take the risk without knowing she felt the same way - 
without a single doubt. So for now, he would write to his mystery lady. He 
found himself looking forward to more letters from her - despite the way they 
were getting to know each other. A part of him was excited - her words - for 
the first time in a long time about something.

Another letter from him showed up two days later.

"Dear Ms. X," Mac read aloud as she dropped her things and sat down. "It was 
great to come home and find your letter. I wasn't certain if I would hear 
from you again. This is so different from meeting someone face to face and 
you have no idea what kind of impression you are making. You sound like such 
a terrific woman that I bet you are overwhelmed with letters."

Mac paused for a moment and thought about all the letters that had indeed 
been sent to her. She felt a bit guilty that she hadn't answered any of them 
at all, even to say thank you for writing but her intent was never to get all 
those letters in the first place - only his. Never mind the fact that she 
didn't exactly have time to sit down and answer them all. She turned her 
attention back to the one she held now.

"I'm not exactly sure what you'd like to know about me. I like a variety of 
things but my greatest love is flying. I have an antique Steerman biplane 
that I restored. It was originally my Dad's but he was unable to finish it 
due to his death when I was young."

Mac paused again as a sad smile touched her mouth. That was a tidy little 
statement to sum up Harm Sr.'s MIA status, all the years Harm spent looking 
for him and his eventual death in Russia.

"I named her Sarah after my Grandmother and I go flying every chance I get. 
I am very competitive. I like sports and I kickbox. I guess I should tell 
you about my work. I am a lawyer for JAG - the Judge Advocate General. It 
is for all military. I love my job. The thrill of investigating and 
building a case and winning in the courtroom, well… Flying Tomcats is the 
only other thing I would want to be doing but that's another life now. I 
have a partner and her name is Sarah, too, but everyone calls her Mac, which 
is short for her last name - MacKenzie. She's a Marine and in the beginning 
I was sure we would never make it as a team but now she's become my best 
friend.

Well, I definitely don't want to bore you this early on so I will close this 
letter and wait to hear from you. H.R."

Mac reread the letter two more times before she folded it up, a smile on her 
face. He called her his best friend! Mac went over to her desk and sat down 
to write him back.

Three days later…

Watching for a letter from her was becoming an obsession. And luckily for 
him, she was responded to his letters without delay. Grinning like a foolish 
teenager, Harm put his briefcase down and pulled out a barstool. Ripping 
open the envelope, he pulled out her letter.

"Dear H.R., 
So how's your week going? Mine is going better now that I've gotten a letter 
from you. I'm not sure where to start so I'll just dive in. I'm in the 
military myself. I had a troubled childhood and when I joined the service I 
felt like I'd found a place where I could finally show just what I could do. 
And I could have something to be proud of for my life. I have no family but 
I have a partner at work who is my very best friend. He drives me crazy 
sometimes but I don't know what I would do without him. He has helped me 
through a couple of very rough times. 

I like many things but work keeps me busy so I don't have much free time. I 
kickbox, too, and I run everyday. It helps me work out my frustrations. I 
cry at old movies but I don't tell anyone that and I'm a sap for small 
children and my partner's smile. And I definitely wouldn't tell him that! I 
love being in the military and I want to stay with it. It has taken me down 
many roads but the one I'm on now has been the best so far. Outside of work, 
I guess I would like to have what all women dream of - a husband who adores 
me, children and a home in the country. I guess I'm fairly citified but I 
would love to move away from the city where the air is clean and raise my 
children where they have room to run and grow. And maybe throw some horses 
into that mix. I haven't ridden in years but I loved it growing up.

Well, like you, I don't want to overload you all at once and lose your 
attention so I will put this back in your hands now. Take care of yourself 
and write soon, Ms. X."

There were little creatures doing funny things in the pit of Harm's stomach. 
How could letters from a woman he'd never met make him feel this way? 
Reading her letter, he thought that she reminded him a little of Mac. She 
sounded tough and independent but with a soft heart inside. The days seemed 
to go by much faster now and he wondered when it would be appropriate to ask 
her to meet. He didn't want to scare her away by moving too fast. He also 
noticed that she didn't mention what branch of the service she was in or what 
kind of work she did.

Harm stood up to go over to his desk and caught a glimpse of himself in a 
picture frame. He still had his cover on! Grinning foolishly, he took it 
off and hung it on the coat rack.

And so it went between them for the next few weeks…

Dear Ms. X,
I find myself looking more and more forward to seeing your letters. I 
came straight in the door and sat to read this latest one and realized 
afterward that I hadn't even taken off my cover! Talk about feeling 
silly. Have you wondered about this relationship developing between us? 
If someone had asked me two weeks ago if I'd be writing to a stranger 
that I met through a magazine I would have laughed. Mac always says I have 
women falling at my feet and that I'm oblivious to it. Actually, that's 
not what she said when I first met her - she said this flyboy smile of mine 
is very charming and probably gets me anything I want but it wasn't going 
to work on her. I don't know if she still feels that way or not. I 
remember the first time I ever got a full smile out of her. It made my knees 
weak. She still doesn't smile a lot but she smiles more than she did 
then. We've come along way together and we're certainly a lot different. 
Better, I think. I've always thought it was interesting what a man and a 
woman can bring to each other even in a friendship two men or two women 
can't. I have a greater understanding of a lot of things, thanks to her.

We're working on a really big case right now involving a Navy sailor 
suspected of smuggling. It's taking a lot of time and our CO has 
reassigned some of our other cases so we can concentrate on this one. 
There are a lot of charges against him. We have another case pending - our 
other big one - about child and spousal abuse. Those are always the 
toughest. I dealt with a case last year and a child was beaten to death. 
We found her twin sister and got her placed with a foster family. She's 
been adopted now and is doing much better. We spent months trying to track 
down the stepfather. He kidnapped Darlyn - that was her name - and I 
ended up… well, he was killed in the end.

Anyway, enough about my work. I'm sure you don't want to hear all those 
details. I took Sarah up over the weekend and it was just great. The 
weather was perfect. I tried to get Mac to go but she had other plans. 
She's into fossils and dinosaurs and she had a chance to go on some nature 
thingy Saturday to look for their remains or something. I don't know much 
about it but it seems interesting and she loves it so I listen to her 
ramble about it. After all, she puts up with my obsession for flying. 
Well, I guess I'll go scrounge up something for dinner and get this ready 
for the morning mail. Take care of yourself. H.R.


Dear H.R.,

I, too, am looking more and more forward to your letters. They brighten 
up my days. I'm very overloaded at work, too, right now. We're involved 
in a very serious project that is taking all of our focus. Please don't 
shy away from telling me about your work. I want to hear anything you want 
to tell me. I was touched by your story about Darlyn. Child abuse makes me 
very angry. There is a history of it in my family and it is very hard to 
live with and overcome.

You seem to be very close to your partner, H.R. I am very close to mine, 
as well. Maybe you and I have more in common than we first believed. So 
tell me about your family? Do they live where you are? I don't have any 
family at all. It gets a little lonely sometimes but outside of my partner, 
I'm very close to a few people I work with and that suits me fine. 

I have thought about this unorthodox friendship of ours but I guess it 
really isn't all that unusual in this day and age, is it? So many people 
meet over the Internet these days and even end up married. Isn't that 
wild? Do you believe in love at first sight? I'm not sure that I ever 
have but I think I'm changing my mind as I get older. I believe two people 
will just know when they meet the right one. I guess it would all hinge 
on whether or not you recognize it and don't let it slip away.

Well, H.R., I haven't eaten dinner yet myself - I'm always in too much a 
hurry to write to you! Be good and write when you can. Ms. X.


Good morning, Ms. X. I wasn't able to write my letter last night so I'm 
doing it this morning before I go to work. I'm half asleep so if 
something looks odd, forgive me! My Mom and Stepfather live in 
California. I'm pretty close to my Mom and getting closer to Frank. I 
guess I never gave him much of a chance over the years. For most of my 
life until just very recently, I never gave up hope that my Dad was still 
alive and would someday come back. I thought my Mom was betraying him by 
remarrying but we've come to terms with all that now. I see that she was 
lonely and she couldn't put her life on hold. She did that for several 
years after Dad was first MIA. I'm discovering as I get older that I get 
lonely sometimes, even though I enjoy a lot of activities. Having a wife and 
a family is looking better all the time. I guess that's why I spend so 
much time with Mac. She makes me feel good about myself and she 
understands me. She also doesn't hesitate to jump my six if I'm being a 
jerk. She hides a more tender side from everyone around, even me 
sometimes. On the flip side, she sees a lot of me that I keep from the 
rest of the world. I look at her sometimes and wonder what it would be 
like if we'd met under different circumstances and in a different place. 
She has a lot of wonderful qualities that I'm drawn to and I admire her 
for all she's accomplished in her life. When I'm at my lowest and feeling 
like I've failed, she always finds a way to pick me up.

Well, ma'am, I'm outta here. Can't be late for work. We have our first 
day of trial this morning on the smuggling case. Wish me luck! Harm.


Dear Harm,

Is that your name? I don't think I've ever heard anyone with a name like 
that before. Is it short for something else? That's the first time 
you've used your first name so you must be feeling at least a little 
comfortable with me. I am feeling more and more comfortable with you, too. 
I am hoping we can meet someday soon. I was afraid for this to move too 
fast so that we don't spoil it. How did the first day of trial go? From 
all I've learned of you in these letters, I believe once you set your mind 
to something you can accomplish it. You just seem like that type.

It sounds like you've had difficulties in your life, too. I can't 
imagine what it must have been like losing your Dad that way. I don't 
know what it's like to have family at all. That's why I want something 
different for myself. I want my children to always know they are loved 
and wanted. I admire my partner in every sense of the word. He has worked 
very hard for everything he has even though many people we come in contact 
with think things have been too easy for him. I know differently. I know 
how hard he's struggled. Some things have fallen in his lap but he's more 
than earned the rest and with it he's earned the respect of our 
superiors. He has a lot of the qualities I think I would like to find in the 
man I marry. He's honest almost to a fault and his integrity is everything 
to him. I think…oh, my, I'm just rambling on. Enough of that now.

Can you tell me about the trial? I'll understand if it's classified and 
you can't. I can't wait to hear from you again, Harm, so please write as 
soon as you can. Take care of you, Ms. X.


Ms. X, 
Is it safe for me to know your name yet? I'm using my best flyboy grin 
here! You're partner sounds like a fine man and I envy him your company on 
a daily basis. Your talk about raising children struck a chord with me. 
I find myself more and more thinking of having my own family. I guess it's 
hard to plan for something like that when there isn't anyone special in 
your life, huh? I think sometimes about what kind of mother Mac would 
make. She's got a very loving, passionate nature. In the blink of an 
eye I've seen her go from a fiery, bristling bit of anger to a withdrawn, 
silent shadow. And every range in between. But she would be the best 
mother. She has patience and courage, tenderness and grit. She's gone to 
bat for me when no one else would.

Now, about the trial. The first day was spent on opening arguments. 
We've started the process of calling witnesses in but this is a pretty cut 
and dried case. We've got irrefutable evidence of the smuggling. What 
makes this case so big is that Midshipman Wesley is the son of Senator 
William Wesley. If you watch the news at all then I'm sure you've heard 
about the case. And even if you don't watch the news you probably know from 
being in the military. Most people would have shied away from such a 
case because of the players but this is just the kind of case I thrive on. 
It gives us a challenge because this punky little kid thinks he can get 
away with anything he wants because of who his Daddy is. He's about to 
find out how the real world works.

As much as I hate to go, I'm so tired I can't make sense of what I'm 
saying anymore and I don't want this to look like hieroglyphics to you. 
Take care, pretty lady, and hurry up with your letter. I'm an impatient 
man. Harm.


Harm, I feel closer to you with every letter we exchange. I never would 
have believed I could be in a position like this. I know we can't 
possibly form a solid opinion of each other at this point but I so hope we 
are headed for something good.

Harm, please forgive me if I overstep my bounds with this next part but 
do you realize how much you talk about Mac? I have to say I envy her 
because she is your partner. Listening to the way you feel about her… well, 
it almost sounds like you're in love with her. Have you ever thought 
about asking her out? Are you the same rank? I know the military has very 
strict rules on dating. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to 
talk myself right out a chance with you but if nothing else ever came out of 
this, then I believe we at least have a wonderful friendship blooming here. 
And for that I'm very grateful. I'm afraid this note is going to be short 
because I need to take care of some things. Again, please know that I don't 
mean to pry. It just seems so obvious and it moves me to hear the way you 
talk about her. Write soon, Ms. X.


Ms. X, what you said in your letter hit me like a ton of bricks. Me? In 
love with Mac? Two days ago I would have denied it emphatically. Not only 
do we work together but… well, I suppose we could date if we wanted to. 
We're in different branches and we're of equal rank. But that's neither 
here nor there. I don't know that Mac and I could be with each other that 
way. And hearing you bring the words to light made me think of all you 
say about your partner, too. It seems to me that you and I are two peas in 
a pod. It sounds like you're a little bit in love yourself. So maybe love 
isn't what we're meant for with each other, but then again, who knows? 
Maybe what we each feel for our respective partners isn't the real thing 
we're supposed to have. I think we should meet. You and I, together 
somewhere quiet and get to know each other. Like you, I feel that we have a 
solid friendship at hand and I will be forever grateful for it even if it 
never goes any further. So what do you say? Harm.


Harm, I say lets go for it. Tell me when and where and you've got 
yourself a date, Sailor. Ms. X.


Ms. X, how familiar are you with D.C.? There's a little Italian 
restaurant about two miles from the White House called Carrabas. Why 
don't we meet there on Saturday at 1900? Harm.


Harm, Saturday it is. How will I know you in the crowd? Ms. X.


Ms. X, this picture was taken just a few months ago at the christening of 
my Godson, A.J. The others in the picture are my little 'family'. My C.O., 
Admiral Chegwidden is the farthest on the left. Next to him are the 
parents and my best friends outside of Mac, Bud Roberts and Harriett 
Sims-Roberts. They both work with Mac and I. Mac is the woman standing 
beside me in the blue suit. I'll let you find me at the restaurant - I'll 
wait in the bar - and I'll volunteer to be the one who is surprised when we 
meet. But no matter what - I know I'll never be disappointed. Harm.



Mac was the biggest mess of raw nerves when Saturday night rolled around 
she'd ever been in her whole life. She was about to take the biggest gamble 
ever with no idea how the story was going to end. The last letters had yet 
to be written. She parked outside of Carrabas and got out of the corvette. 
Hands shaking, she smoothed her damp palms against the skirt of her red 
dress. Red was her favorite color and Harm's favorite color on her. This 
dress was new - a short little clinging number with long sleeves that were 
off the shoulders. Taking a deep breath, she went inside.

The restaurant was a classy little place she and Harm had been to before 
together. They came for special occasions mostly because it was a bit 
expensive. But the food was sinful - not that she expected to be getting 
that far tonight. Slowly, she made her way around the corner to the entrance 
of the bar. She saw him there in the dim light, sitting on a barstool 
fiddling with his watch. He turned at that exact moment and his eyes met 
her. The whole world came to a screeching halt around them. Mac felt 
herself moving forward even as he was rising from the barstool. They came to 
a stop mere inches from each other.

"Mac, what a surprise to see you here! Are you with a date? I'm supposed to 
meet someone…" he began.

"…here at 1900 in the bar," she spit out in a quick rush and then her heart 
seemed to stop beating as his gaze zeroed in on her.

For several long minutes they stood frozen. Harm's gaze narrowed on her face 
and then his eyes widened with disbelief as it finally sank in. "You're the 
one I'm meeting?" he whispered hoarsely.

Mac nodded miserably, knowing immediately by the look on his face that she'd 
made a terrible mistake. "Please, Harm, let me explain about the letters," 
she rushed in, grasping his arm.

"Explain what? That you've been jerking me around like a fool? How could 
you, Mac? How could you betray me like this? You let me think… never mind, 
I have to get out of here."

He brushed past her and started for the door. Mac stood rooted to her spot 
for a moment before she turned and headed after him. He was already out the 
front door.

"Harm, wait!" she called. She hurried on, cursing the heels she was wearing. 
Catching up to him, she grabbed his arm. "Listen to me, damn it!" she cried.

He stopped abruptly and whipped around, dislodging her hold. "Listen to 
what? I don't want to listen to anything more from you, Ms. X," he stated 
icily. "I think you've said just about enough and now that you've had your 
fun, I hope it was worth it to you."

And then he was gone, leaving Mac standing there in the middle of the parking 
lot, her heart in pieces at her feet.

She didn't know how long she stood there in the warm night air but she 
finally roused herself enough to get in the car. She couldn't let things end 
like this. There had to be some way to make him understand and she would 
keep trying until she found it. Starting right now.

Somehow Harm knew it was Mac when he heard the knock. He wasn't expecting 
anyone - not even her - but he knew it was her anyway. He ignored her 
knocking and went to the bedroom. Finally all was quiet again,

"It's not very nice to ignore someone at your door."

Harm never even turned around. "You're not welcome here, Mac. Please 
leave," he stated flatly.

"No," she answered just as solidly. "Not until you hear me out and then if 
you still want me to go then I will." She waited, almost holding her breath. 
He remained silent and never turned around to look at her. She took this as 
a good sign and plunged on. "I never, never meant this to be a betrayal to 
you. When I first placed the ad, my intent was exactly what it said - to 
find a good man. The man I wanted to find was you. I don't know whatever 
possessed me to go about it in such a way but it seemed like you and I would 
never see each other in that light under normal circumstances.

So I did something I thought might work. I was grasping at straws because I 
wanted so desperately for you to know how much I've fallen for you. But I 
was afraid to come right out and tell you, Harm. You said it yourself in 
your letters - you can't be sure that things will work out so you don't take 
the risk. That's how I've felt for months, years even. I've stood by and 
kept my feelings to myself because I was deathly afraid you wouldn't feel the 
same way or that we would never be able to find a way to make it work. 
Mostly that you wouldn't feel the same for me. But then I decided that it 
didn't matter anymore. Taking a chance meant more to me than keeping quiet - 
except I still couldn't bring myself to just come right out and say it." He 
hadn't moved one single muscle but she saw his shoulders tense and knew her 
words were at least getting through.

"You know me better than anyone else in this world, Harm. You know I would 
never, never hurt you deliberately. Not ever. If you believe nothing else 
I'm saying believe that. If you don't then it's you who's lying. I put 
myself on the line with those letters, too. I opened myself up to rejection 
from you. The least you can do now is think about this. And think about it 
hard. I know how you feel about me and I will not apologize for the way I 
found out. I'm not sorry, Harm. Not sorry at all because I love you. I 
will always love you and if you let your pride get in the way of us being 
together then you deserve to be alone."

The quiet click of his front door echoed louder in the still apartment than a 
slam ever could have. The breath he'd been holding came out in a whoosh and 
his shoulders slumped. Shoving both hands through his short hair, Harm 
dropped down on the edge of the bed, his movements slow like that of an old 
man. How could they have ended up like this? She'd let him believe she was 
someone else. {But weren't you hoping in your heart the whole time that it 
could be her? A little voice in his head whispered.} 

While he talked about all his deepest feelings she kept her secret. But the 
bottom line under all that was that he did love her. She was so right about 
that. He loved her very much and he was afraid he always would. 

"But can I get past this?" he muttered to the silent room. "I exposed myself 
to her thinking it was safe - that I was talking to a woman who didn't know 
Mac. A woman I may have a chance for at least a little happiness with. When 
I still wanted Mac the whole time," he stated to himself in disgust.

Two days later…

He hadn't come back to work after the weekend was over. Admiral Chegwidden 
told her Harm asked for a couple of personal days to regroup while the trial 
was in a recess period. But she knew the real reason why he wasn't at work. 
It was because of her. Mac spent a miserable day at home on Sunday, crying 
mostly over how such a simple idea had cost her everything she held most dear 
- and the man she loved more than her own life. She didn't know what else to 
do to make him understand - or to make him forgive her. In his shoes, she 
would be furious, too. But hindsight was 20/20 and being sorry now didn't 
erase what was already done.

"Ma'am? Here's your mail."

Mac smiled halfheartedly at Harriet as the younger woman placed the small 
stack on the desk in front of her. Mac picked up the mail and started 
sorting through it, hoping to distract herself. On the very bottom of the 
pile was a plain white envelope. And it had Ms. X written on the front of 
it. Almost afraid of what she was going to find inside, Mac pulled the 
letter out and unfolded it.

Dear Ms. X,

I have to say you threw me for quite a loop at the restaurant Saturday. I 
know our evening ended badly and I'd like another chance if you're willing. 
If it's a go, meet me at the White House Rose Garden tonight at 2200 and 
we'll try again. Where the red dress so I'll be able to recognize you. Harm.

Stunned, Mac stared at his words for several seconds. This was almost too 
much to hope for.

2200 ZULU
THE ROSE GARDEN

She was wearing the red dress and she was a bundle of nerves again. But for 
entirely different reasons this time. She walked through the maze of rose 
bushes until she got to the center courtyard. It was dark and there was no 
one else around at this time of night. Mac stopped and let herself adjust to 
the surroundings. Then she looked around for some sign of him. A movement 
caught the corner of her eye and she turned toward the trees bordering the 
garden. A tall figure in dress whites pushed away from one of the trees and 
came forward. Mac's breath caught as he stepped into the moonlight. He was 
in full uniform, cover and all, and he took her breath away.

"Glad you could make it," he greeted softly, his voice even and warm.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Thank you for inviting me," she 
returned gently.

Harm walked forward until he stood almost toe-to-toe with her. He lifted one 
hand then and she realized he was holding something. A closer look revealed 
her letters to him. Giving him a tiny, shy smile, she brought up her own 
hand - the one that held his letters.

"I've read every one of these so many times the ink is wearing off," he 
murmured. 

"And I see the same thing every time. My mystery woman is in love with her 
partner. And her partner is a stupid, blind man to have her close by to him 
day in and day out and not realize that he feels the same way about her. It 
seems to me that we've wasted more than enough time already. I was angry 
before, Mac, and I know in the same situation you would have been, too. But 
that's over and done with. If I'm going to be mad at you then I have to be 
mad at myself, too, for not seeing what's been right under my nose the whole 
time," he stated calmly, his eyes never leaving hers.

He lifted one hand to her face, his fingertips tracing her lower lip. 
Sliding his hand around to cup her cheek, he pressed the pad of his thumb 
against the tiny pout and leaned forward to fit his mouth to hers. Mac was 
afraid to move, fearing this was all a lovely dream that would shatter in 
millions of pieces if she so much as breathed. But Harm didn't leave her 
with the decision. Their lips clung for just a moment before he pulled away. 
Gazing down at her, she could see all the love she ever wanted in his green 
eyes.

Slowly, Harm got down on one knee in front of her. Still holding her 
letters, he grasped her small hand in his and brought it to his lips, 
pressing a tender kiss to her palm.

"I've waited my entire life to find a woman like you. Everything I didn't 
realize for myself is in those letters you're holding. They're in my heart, 
Mac. You're in my heart. I will love you forever. Forever and ever until I 
take my last breath. It would be my greatest honor if you would be my wife, 
Sarah."

Dumbfounded, Mac watched as he lifted his other hand and slid a beautiful 
platinum band on her finger. There were three diamonds - one large one in 
the center and two smaller ones on either side of it. She felt the weight 
instantly where the warm metal rested against her cold skin. Harm looked at 
her expectantly.

"Oh my God," she whispered.

The white of his teeth flashed in the darkness. "I hope that's not all 
you're going to say."

"I just…I'm…" she stuttered. She shook her head slightly and took a deep 
breath. "I love you, Harm. More than I ever dreamed possible it was to love 
anyone. I was so afraid I'd lost you for good over…" her voice trailed off 
and she set her shoulders resolutely. "You're right - that's in the past 
now. You are my whole world, flyboy. I can't imagine ever being without 
you. Being your wife would be the sweetest way to spend every day of the 
rest of my life."

He smiled so tenderly that it brought tears to her eyes. He rose to his 
feet, towering over her. Still holding her hand, he bent his head and kissed 
her very softly. Then he lifted his free hand and touched the hollow of her 
throat.

"I love you from the very bottom of my heart, Sarah."

And she said yes….

The End