TITLE: "Wild Blue Yonder" Chapter 1 [of 3] AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: Bothered by the undercurrent of tension that existed between them during both their stints on the bench, Mac decides to surprise Harm with a weekend away, getting much more than she bargained for. NOTE: Story is set [and was written] before the events of Fortunate Son, Second Acts, Ice Queen etc. Singer, Sergei, Lindsey, NCIS etc are not a factor. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac] PG for language and mild violence. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story, as well as the majority of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please simply click through any notice of adult content you may see-there are no R nor NC17 stories there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Much of our work is also featured at Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com ==================== JAG HQ Friday, March 28, 2003 "That's great Sam" Mac smiled into the phone. "I can't thank you enough for this. And I promise I'll look you up when I'm there. I'll see you then." She hung up and whirled around in her chair, surprised to see Harm standing in her door. "Old boyfriend?" Harm asked as he walked into Mac's office. "You were listening?" she demanded. "Not intentionally. So who's Sam?" "A friend from the Marines. We were stationed together at Okinawa for a while." "Obviously he's not in Okinawa anymore since you promised to look him up when you were wherever he is. And thank him for whatever he did for you." "Sam is at Cherry Point" Mac said with a small smile. There was no reason to tell Harm that Sam was actually Colonel Samantha Watkins. And that she was thanking her for securing her and Harm access to the base this weekend to see the Blue Angels perform. "You going to Cherry Point?" he frowned. "Actually we are. The Admiral had a meeting with the SecNav but before he left he left me the case file. You and I are leaving for Cherry Point in three hours." "On the weekend. You're kidding right?" "Duty calls. Something hot the Admiral wants handled right away." "And before you even tell me you're off making a date with Sam" he growled. "So what's this hot case?" Mac managed to hide her smile as she opened the fake case file. For the past two weeks she'd been plotting a way to take Harm away to see the Blue Angels. She'd felt guilty about the way things had gone when he'd been on the bench a few weeks earlier and she'd wanted to do something to make it up to him. When she managed to catch a glimpse of the Blue Angels schedule, with Sam's help she managed to put together a weekend for them at Cherry Point. "Murdered Marine" Mac said as she looked at the file. "General Conners asked the Admiral to have someone come down right away since it was his XO that was killed." "I guess that can't wait then" he sighed. "So we're leaving in three hours?" "Tiner booked us tickets on a commercial flight from Reagan" she lied. Truth was she'd booked the tickets herself in preparation for the trip. "What airline?" he sighed. "I'll meet you there at the gate." "I figured maybe we could just take one car" she offered. "If you want I can pick you up." "All right. Sounds like a plan." He walked out of her office and she smiled to herself. In a few short hours she could tell him the truth. That there was no case and that they were simply going there to see the Blue Angels. ****************** Reagan National Two Hours Later "You must really be happy to see Sam," he said as they waited for their boarding call. "Why do you say that?" she asked. "Because you haven't stopped smiling since you got here." "Well Sam and I are good friends. And it has been a while since we've seen each other." "I can tell. With any luck this won't take long and you and Sam can spend a nice weekend together." They boarded the flight a short time later and it wasn't long before they touched down in Wilmington, NC. Mac secured their rental car while Harm handled their bags. By the time he had claimed the luggage, she was at the loading zone with the car and popped the trunk, getting out to help only to find Harm had already loaded the bags in. "You do good work," she giggled and put a $5 bill in his hand. "Cute Marine," he groaned and pocketed the bill. "Bet you thought I was going to give this back to you. Am I driving?" "I'll take it. You navigate," she ordered. A four man squadron from the MCAS flew overhead before he could get in, and he stopped and stared. "Go Marines," she laughed and gave him a little shove into the car. "Come on Flyboy, in you go." "It's good to be out of DC but I don't know that a murder is how I wanted that to be accomplished. Still I'm glad to have the time with you," he said slowly as she pulled away from the curb, his eyes scanning the sky for more fighters. She cocked her head and gave him a quizzical look. "That's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me," she smiled, "and especially after the bench thing. Thank you." "You were doing your job. I was doing mine. But more importantly, it's done. Until next time." "I'm not going to be volunteering to sit up there again any time soon. At least not when I have a personal acquaintance with the combating lawyers." "OK just how personal are you and Mr. Turner," Harm laughed. "And more, does Sam know about him?" "Grow up Rabb and watch the directions will you. There's three lanes coming up and I'm sure only one of them is right." "Pick one," he replied, folding the map and giving her a petulant look. "I can do that," she laughed. "Far left." With that she floored the accelerator, making the small rental car shoot across two lanes of traffic to the exit ramp, accompanied by a startled cry of alarm from him. "How's this one? And did I scare you?" "This one is wrong and no you didn't scare me. I always scream and have a bladder accident when you drive. We could have been killed. Now what the hell was that for?" "I had plenty of room," she retorted. "And that was an attention getter." "You always have my attention. You have had my attention since. . ." He stopped mid sentence, suddenly realizing they had veered onto more personal ground than usual. She pulled off the road and looked at him closely. "Since when? For how long have I had your attention Commander?" "Since the moment we met and I thought you were Dianne reincarnated," he admitted, flushing under her gaze. "Except that you weren't. You were so different. You are so different." "Well if it's any comfort you are nothing like anyone I've ever known either," she said after a moment. "And I knew that from our trip to the desert." "How many times have you regretted that you walked into my life?" "Dozens, and that's just since this morning," she teased. "Seriously, I have. But not for the reason you might think." "Are you going to tell me?" "No," she smiled. "Not right now. Another time. If you ask nicely." "I can be really nice," he smiled, "if you give me a chance." "I just might," she smiled back. "Now what would be nice would be you, getting us on the right road for the MCAS." It was dark when they finally arrived at Cherry Point and with a flash of her ID they were admitted onto the base. "Dinner at the O'club?" she asked. "Is that where Sam is waiting for you?" he scowled. "You're cute when you're jealous" she giggled. "And as matter of fact, Sam is going to be there." "I think I'll pass. Give Sam my regards and I'll just meet you in the morning." "Dinner first" she smiled as she pulled into the O'club parking lot. "Besides Sam has some more information for our investigation." "Fine we'll get the information then I'm bumming a ride to the BOQ. You can stay and chat with Sam all night if you want." She smiled as they walked into the O'club and it didn't take her long to locate Sam. The tall dark-headed marine quickly saw Mac and motioned her over. "How long has it been?" Sam smiled as Mac and Harm reached her table. "I didn't think I'd ever meet up with Sarah Mackenzie again." "Too long" Mac smiled. "So how's Cherry Point been treating you?" "Great. You know if I had known you were up at JAG in DC, I would have stopped in when I was in town." "Next time do" Mac nodded. "Oh by the way this is my partner, Commander Harmon Rabb. Harm this is Colonel Samantha Watkins." "Nice to meet you Colonel" Harm nodded as his eyes wandered around the other tables of the O'club. "So where's your friend Sam? I'm sure he's dying to see you." "He didn't get it did he" Sam giggled and finally the light bulb went off in Harm's head. "Samantha. Sam. OK. Real cute Marine" he groaned. "You could have told me Sam was a she not a he." "You were the one who jumped to that conclusion" Mac smiled. "I just never bothered to clarify it." "Now that my humiliation is complete, can I sit down and order a drink" Harm sighed. "Of course" Sam smiled. "And don't feel bad Harm. This happens a lot." "Especially when someone purposely doesn't tell you the truth" Harm said with a long look in Mac's direction. "You're in trouble" Sam laughed as she looked at Mac. "Course maybe the rest of your confession will help soothe that." "Confession?" Harm frowned. "Marine what are you up to?" "Harm we're not here for an investigation" Mac smiled. "We're here for the air show. The Blue Angels are flying this weekend and I thought this would be a good way to make it up to you." "There's no murder?" "No. All bogus. Got you here on a pretense and I made up the case file in case you got too interested before we got here." "You made all that up so you could surprise me?" he said with a small smile. "I'm shocked. You did all this for me?" "Should I leave you two alone?" Sam teased, already sensing there was something between her old friend and her handsome partner. "No" Mac blushed. "And yes I did all this for you. I thought a nice little weekend at the air show would make up for everything." "I wasn't mad at you that much you know." "I know. I just wanted to smooth things over a bit more and well this seemed like a great idea. Especially when I found out Sam was in charge of public affairs and she managed to get me the passes for the whole weekend." "I still can't believe you arranged all this. And the fake case on top of it. I honestly had no clue that we weren't here for an investigation." "I was hoping you wouldn't" she smiled. "So is this okay?" "Yeah it is" he smiled. "Thank you. You didn't have to do this but I'm really glad you did. I was looking forward to spending the weekend with you working and now I'm really looking forward to it." "Me too" she said softly. "So I guess we're ready for dinner and those drinks?" Sam smiled. It was several hours later before they finally left the O'club, Sam having filled Harm in on her and Mac's days at Okinawa. "She's a real nice person" Harm commented as he and Mac made their way to the BOQ. "Yeah she is. I knew you'd like her once you met her." "Well once I found out she wasn't a he I liked her a lot more" he smiled. "You were jealous," Mac said smugly. "I knew it." "Of course I was. I thought we were going to have to spend the whole weekend with some guy who would still be swooning all over you." "And you didn't like that idea?" "Not when I'm still trying to impress you myself," he admitted. "Oh good grief Rabb you did that forever ago," she laughed. "The gold wings and dress whites remember. That pretty much did it for me." "Whoa wait you told me all that was overrated." "Well I thought so when I said that but I revised my opinion pretty fast," she admitted with a wry smile. "You sick of me yet or would you like to buy me a cup of coffee for a nightcap in the lounge?" "If I was going to get sick of you, that would have happened a long time ago so I would love to buy you a nightcap Colonel," he grinned, and his hand went to the small of her back to guide her toward the officer's lounge. He urged her to sit and busied himself fixing the coffee, adding without turning around, "You may not have actually gotten sick of me but there have been times when I've gotten on your nerves." "Oh hey I never said you didn't do that," she giggled. "Seriously we've had our ups and downs there's no doubt about that. Times when we were speaking only when we had to." "Like when I came back from the Henry," he admitted. "My head wasn't in a very good place then, and about the time I thought I was getting back to where I should be Mic happened to you, Renee came into my life and it all went to hell." "Yes it did," she replied solemnly, "and it almost ended for good one stormy night in May. When I thought I had lost you forever." "No. You'll never lose me Sarah," he whispered and when he turned around he was surprised she was standing behind him. "Don't sneak up on me like that," he gasped, unnerved by their talk having wandered into personal territory. She smiled at his consternation and ran her hand down his back, her fingers against his spine. "I don't want to ever lose you." "May I kiss you?" His eyes bored into hers as he spoke, emboldened by her words. "I don't think you have to ask." He leaned down to let his lips brush hers and she pressed her hand to his cheek. "You can do better than that can't you?" "That was my touch-and-go," he replied. "You ready for the real thing?" "Let's see it Flyboy." Another kiss, this time leaving no doubt as to the seriousness of what was transpiring between them. "OK I'll admit it, you do that well," she smiled when they broke apart. "You probably don't want to see what else I do equally well do you?" "I'm not touching that one. Coffee Sailor, and then you can walk me to my room." They stretched the cup of coffee but it wasn't long before Mac was yawning. "Come on Marine. Time for bed. We have a busy day tomorrow." "No we don't" she smiled. "Oh yeah that's right. No case. Just a day of fun watching the air show." "Exactly. And maybe if you're lucky, afterwards you can take a certain Marine to dinner." "You think Sam is available?" he teased. "Do you think she's pretty?" "She's nice looking" he shrugged. "But she doesn't hold a candle to you. And with that I'm going to say goodnight." He stopped at her door and dropped one final kiss on her lips before heading to his own room. "Night Harm" she called softly. "Night Mac" he smiled as he opened the door to his own room. ****************** Next Morning "Mac you awake?" Harm asked as he knocked on her door. "You had to ask?" she smiled as she opened the door a moment later. "Of course I'm awake. And hungry." "Okay I'll feed you first" he smiled. "Only cause I know how cranky a starving Marine can be." "Good. We're supposed to meet Sam the O'club again for breakfast." "I still can't believe you arranged all this," he said as they walked to the O'club. "You're pretty sneaky sometimes you know." "I know" she grinned. Sam was waiting inside and they quickly joined her at the table. "Hi there" Sam smiled. "You two have a good night last night after I left?" "Yes we did" Mac said with a slight blush, remembering their shared kisses. "I'm glad. And if you want me to get lost today I will" she grinned. "We can catch up another time." "No this is fine" Mac assured her. "Harm is going to be staring up the sky most of the time anyway. He'll probably forget I even exist." "I doubt that" Sam murmured. "She's right," Harm added. "And I don't want to keep you two from catching up with each other. Besides I'm always willing to hear more stories about Mac." "I can tell you a lot more. And thanks for letting me hang out with you guys. But honestly if you just want to be alone, just tell me to take a hike." After breakfast they headed out to the tarmac where the air show was about to get under way. "I've always wondered what it would be like to ride in one of those" Sam said as the Tomcat Demonstration team started their part of the show. "Not fun" Mac groaned. "At least not with this guy at the stick." "You went up in one of those? When? And don't tell me you got sick." "She got sick" Harm smiled. "And it was not cause of the pilot. She's just got a weak stomach." "Mac" Sam laughed. "He's joking right?" "No he's not. He took me up twice. Once in a Tomcat and once in a Russian MIG. Both times I lost my breakfast." "Okay how'd you get in a Russian MIG?" Sam asked. "Or is that classified." "Classified" Mac said with a small smile as she looked over at Harm. "God I never thought being a lawyer would be that much fun. If I'd known that I would have gone to law school too." "It helps having a Flyboy for a partner. He tends to make things more interesting." "I do keep you on your toes" Harm smiled. Before she could reply someone called his name and a moment later she and Sam were alone as he ran over to talk to an old shipmate from the Henry. "Okay spill it" Sam whispered. "What exactly is your relationship with Commander Tall Dark and Handsome?" "What makes you think I'm going to tell you that?" Mac giggled. "Because if he's available, I want to know about it. Now what's the score? You two together or what?" "Or what" Mac smiled. "Mac" Sam groaned. "Okay I'll just assume. Cause I know if I were partnered with anyone that gorgeous I'd be all over him." "The one time I tried to be all over him--which I don't mean literally, I mean I put my heart out there for him, he wasn't ready," she said slowly wrinkling her nose at the too vivid and too painful memory of Sydney. "Then a couple years later he was but I wasn't because I was just coming off an aborted wedding which is a very long story that I come off badly in." "The Australian," Sam smiled in rememberance. "You just emailed me that the wedding was canceled and you were taking a TAD in the Indian Ocean." "Well that's all part of the long story. Anyway, I came back and Harm and I agreed to start over, which is where we are right now, in a long starting over process, and I really don't know where it's going to end. I will admit we made a sudden little jump ahead last night but that may or may not be a permanent advance." "You're in love with him though." It was a statement, not a question and Mac blushed even more brightly than she had with the remembrance of the kisses. "Well if I let myself put a label on it, which I did once, yeah. Honestly though what I don't want to risk is our friendship. He means so much to me in that regard and for a long time we had both totally lost sight of that." "Well he looks like a typical Flyboy to me," Sam smiled. "I swear they're all cut from the same cloth, or maybe it's just that the ones who don't fit that profile are weeded out before they get their wings. Anyway it's really good to see you again. Listen, Lt. Cdr. Marshall wants to meet Harm. The hero of the missile attack on the fleet." "And he would be. . .?" Mac began before a slow smile came over her. "The Blue Angels squadron leader?" "One in the same. He and I go back a ways," she smiled. "He called me to ask me to dinner while he was here and I told him you guys were coming and as soon as I said Rabb, he was all over that. You don't think Harm will mind do you?" "Are you kidding, he's going to be insane," Mac smiled. "Thank you. But I should warn you, he doesn't make a big deal out of that whole incident. He just did what he saw would get the job done." "Where were you when this was going on?" Sam asked softly. "Biting my lip and praying," Mac admitted with a wry grin. "The only thing that was keeping my sanity was the knowledge that if Harm didn't succeed, at least I wouldn't be around to mourn him. I was going up with him." "Well I'm glad that didn't happen," Sam smiled and gestured around the tarmac. "This crowd is amazing. Trust the Blue Angels to bring out the aviation buffs." "And security," Mac nodded to armed men and women circulating through the throngs. "Signs of the times. Mac excuse me a minute, I need to speak to someone before the next demonstration." "Sure. I need the Little Marine's Room anyway." She glanced over to Harm, seeing him laughing and talking now with three instead of just the one original target and decided not to interrupt him. A quick consult with one of the guards directed her toward a more distant building and she started off. "Okay Rabb who you checking out?" Lt. Commander Gary Moody smiled as he watched Harm's gaze follow Mac. "My partner actually" Harm smiled as well. "That's your partner" Lt. Commander Jake Wells gasped. "Damn no wonder you went back to JAG. She's hot." Harm gave the man a long glare and Gary laughed. "I think she's taken Wells." "That true Harm?" Lt. Jimmy Franks asked. "We're good friends," Harm said slowly. "Good friends. Come on Harm. You're telling us you're just friends with that woman?" "Okay so maybe it's more than that sometimes. And before either of you start asking, no we haven't slept together." "Harm I'm disappointed" Jake laughed. "You've must be losing the touch in your old age. Usually women are falling all over you." "Well this one knows me better" Harm said with a small smile. "Not for once have I ever had her falling all over me." "Just makes the challenge more fun" Gary grinned. "So you're friends but obviously you're here together for the weekend." "Her doing. She planned this whole thing and then tricked me into thinking we were coming down here for a case. And on top of it, had me thinking her friend Sam was a guy when it's actually that red head over there." "Hot damn" Jimmy smiled as he looked at Sam. "She's pretty hot herself. You going to introduce us or what?" "Later. I was thinking I need to get back at Mac for her little tricks" Harm smiled. "You guys might just be able to help me out. You up for a little fun?" "Always" Jake nodded. "What you got in mind?" "I need a corpse" Harm grinned. "Anyone want to volunteer to play a dead guy for a while?" "Corpse?" Gary frowned. "For what?" "I'm going to give Mac the murder she made up for me. Just to get her back." "This sounds like fun" Jake smiled. "I'll be the corpse." "Good now all we have to is figure out how Mac is going to find you. And of course by the time she comes back with help, the dead body will be gone." "Rabb that's pretty mean" Jimmy smiled. "But I like it." "So you guys in?" Harm asked. "Sure. Just let us know when and where?" "I will" Harm nodded. They were all still chatting when Mac returned a short time later and this time Mac made her way over to the group of men. "Mind if I interrupt?" she smiled. "Course not" Harm smiled back. "Mac this is Jimmy, Jake and Gary. Friends of mine from the Henry. Guys this is Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." "You guys been catching up over here?" Mac asked. "Yeah now we all know why Harm went back to JAG" Jake grinned and Mac blushed at his words. "We're going to go take a walk," Harm said as he reached for Mac's arm. "I'll catch up with you guys later." "Sorry about that" he said once they were alone. "It's okay. I'm glad you're having fun here." "I am," he said honestly. "Thank you for arranging all this." "Sam has someone who wants to meet you later" Mac smiled. "If you don't mind that is." "Someone wants to meet me?" he frowned. "Who?" "The Squadron Commander." "Of which?" "Harm, the Blue Angels. Who did we come to see here? Lt. Cdr. Marshall is his name. He's heard of you." "You're kidding. This guy wants to meet me?" Harm was in awe. "Pay attention Sailor," she laughed. "You know much as you'd probably prefer to deny it, you're pretty well known, at least amongst your fellow Flyboys." "How about with my fellow lawyers?" "Not hardly. The ones I know, the subject of Rabb doesn't usually come up." "Thanks. When do I get to meet this guy?" "Sam wants us to have dinner with them at the O Club," she smiled. ================== "Hey when you get a stiff neck don't expect me to rub it," she chided him an hour later as he stared skyward, focusing on the squadron as they screamed across the bright blue sky, the fighters seemingly but inches apart. "It's awesome," he gasped. "I've seen them before but this is totally awesome." "I got that impression." They came over once more and his head followed right with them. He did not release his gaze until they were beyond the horizon and a collective gasp and hush fell over the crowd. "They're pretty good," she nodded. "Pretty? They're the best," he screeched before he realized she was baiting him. "Yeah they are," she soothed, wrapping her hand around his arm. "Now I'm hot and dirty and I'm ready to go back to the room and clean up for dinner if I'm going to eat with a bunch of hot Flyboys." Harm's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure this is such a good idea. If it was anyone but the Blue Angels I'm not sure I'd want to share you." She gave him a quirky smile. "So it would bother you if I left with one of these guys?" "You damn right it would," he returned in total seriousness. "I'll keep that in mind if I entertain any offers," she laughed. "Seriously Harm. Marine desperate for a shower." =============== O CLUB 2 Hours Later "Commander Rabb sir, this is an honor," Tad Marshall greeted him as soon as introductions were made. "My pleasure totally," he returned. "Call me Harm please off duty like this." "And what can I call your lovely partner?" "She's a Marine so probably Colonel." "Whoa ma'am I'm sorry," Tad gasped. "Mac will be fine," she smiled. "And I'm in awe of what you guys did today. Totally incredible." "Thank you," Tad smiled. "Hey when was the last time you were in awe of me," Harm demanded playfully. "I'll let you know when that happens," she returned. "Always a first time for everything." "Thanks," he growled. Two hours passed quickly while they ate and talked. Finally Tad rose and put his hand on the back of Mac's chair. "Would the lady care to go into the lounge for a drink?" "The lady doesn't drink, but I'd love to go listen to some music and I wouldn't turn down a dance," Mac smiled. "I move we all adjourn there," Sam offered. "Sounds good to me," Harm agreed at once, keeping his eyes fixed on Mac, who replied with an amused smile. "We'll meet you there," she laughed, accepting Tad's hand to rise. The other three Angels wandered off as well, leaving a frustrated Harm and an amused Samantha at the table. "Harm there's little wisps of steam coming out of your ears," Sam told him, her eyes showing her amusement. "I don't think she's going to elope with the guy." "No but I almost lost her once to an idiot Australian because I didn't assert myself," he groaned. "So if I'm super sensitive since then, well excuse me." "Hey I think you should be in her face if you want her," Sam giggled. "But while she and Tad are enjoying each other's company, I wouldn't mind a dance with you Commander." "Uh. . . .yeah by all means," he nodded, his hand to her elbow as they walked into the Officer Club lounge. Despite his best effort to the contrary, Harm froze mid-step as soon as he saw Mac with Tad, both of them laughing as they walked to the dance floor. "Harm?" "Sorry. Just a little sensitive I guess. I know it's not meaning anything." "Well I don't see her wearing your ring," Sam reminded him. "No you certainly don't see her doing that," he sighed. "And why isn't she?" Sam pressed. "Because I'm an idiot. Plain and simple." "You love her don't you? And for some reason, you've never told her. Which I don't understand because from what I've seen the feeling is pretty mutual." "Oh yeah that's why she's been with him all night" Harm countered. "No one said you couldn't interrupt" Sam smiled. "Or would you like me to do that for you?" "Would you?" "I think it might mean a little more if you came and swept her away. But I'd be happy to cut in if you want." For a moment he said nothing before finally nodding. "You're right. Excuse me while I go get Mac back." Sam smiled as she watched Harm break in on where Mac and Tad were dancing. A moment later the dejected young man walked over to the table where she'd sat down at. "Something wrong Tad?" Sam asked. "They're together aren't they?" he sighed. "Very" Sam smiled. "Sorry." "That's okay" Tad shrugged his shoulders. "She's not the only good looking Marine around here. Care for a dance?" "Love to" Sam said as she took his hand. "So what was that all about?" Mac smiled as she looked up at Harm. "Do I have to say?" Harm sighed. "Only if you want to. I'm not going to force you to say anything you don't want to." "Okay it was bugging me that you were getting so chummy with him. I mean this is supposed to be our weekend isn't it?" "Yes it is" she smiled. "And I'm sorry for ignoring you. It wasn't totally intentional. Just being polite and got caught up." "Do you find him attractive?" Harm asked. "What woman doesn't find a flyboy attractive?" Mac teased. "Mac" he groaned. "Harm he's cute. But he's not you. And he'll never be you. And while I found his attention flattering, I'm much happier to be here in your arms right now." "You are?" he smiled. "Yes I am. But as long as you were going to gloat over there I wasn't going to stop having fun." "So it was a good thing I came and interrupted?" "I was wondering if you were or not" she smiled. "And actually I was surprised that you did." "Well here's another surprise" he whispered before leaning down to kiss her. She responded at once and for a moment it was if they were the only two people in the room. "I like those kinds of surprises" she panted when they parted. "Can we try that again?" "How about without the audience?" he smiled. "Unless of course you'd rather spend some more time with Tad." "Let's find Sam and say goodnight" she smiled. They finally spotted her and Tad back at the table and made their way over to them. "We're going to call it a night," Mac said to Sam and Tad. "It's been real fun. I guess we'll see you around tomorrow." "Count on it" Sam nodded. ""Tad thank you for a great evening," Mac smiled. "Good luck with your tour and be safe." "It was great to meet you. Next time I'm up DC way I'll give you a call." "Yeah you do that," Harm interrupted, giving her arm a firm tug. "Good night." "Harm what is with you. I'm seeing a whole new side of you," she asked gently as they walked to the car. He gave her a sheepish shrug. "I actually didn't mean to turn into Mr. Cave Man, possessive and territorial and all that." "Well as long as we're being honest, I didn't mind. I especially didn't mind the kiss that went with the possessive. Like I said, I'm seeing a new side of you, and it's one I like." "Then if I was to help you into the car and do it again, you wouldn't deck me?" "I guess that's a chance you'll have to take," she laughed. He leveled a sharp gaze at her and guided her to the car, opening the door and once she was inside, he leaned in and kissed her once more. "Shall we call it a night?" "Yes we should," she breathed, still marveling at the direction the evening had taken. Amazing what another man showing a little interest could do. "So was meeting the Blue Angels what you expected?" she asked casually when they were driving back. "Pretty much," he nodded. "Of course all us Flyboys are cut from the same mold. Deadly attractive to women being one of our main attributes." "Oh yeah of course. Right up there with modesty." "Well I tried out for them once." "For the Angels? You're kidding. I never knew that about you. Pretty impressive." "Funny, all the other times you've seen me fly you weren't that impressed," he scoffed. "Of course not. You weren't a Blue Angel," she giggled. "You really tried out for them?" "And didn't even make the understudy squadron", he laughed and shook his head. "See that was God's way telling me that there was better things coming. You." She laughed and blushed. "You know I'm going to have to get you away from JAG more often. You're different when we're out of DC." "He gave a sheepish shrug. "Maybe it's just easier to be honest without all the BS that comes with JAG and DC." "Well I like this Harmon Rabb." "Me too" he laughed. A short time later he guided her inside the BOQ and to her room. "I had a really good time tonight" he smiled. "With the exception of watching you with Tad." "He doesn't hold a candle to you" Mac said softly. "And never will." This time it was she that moved forward for the kiss, taking him by surprise. But only for a moment and then his arms moved around her and the kiss deepened. "I'm not sure I can say goodnight now" he whispered when they parted. "But the BOQ is not where I imagined our first time to be." "Me neither" she smiled. "And before you ask, yes I have imagined us. I'm just surprised you have." "More often than you know" he grinned sheepishly. "And on that note, I'd better leave before I can't." "Good idea" she nodded. "Hey I'm going to go running with the guys from the Henry tomorrow morning. You want to join us?" "Me and a bunch of Flyboys?" she grinned. "Do you have to ask. Of course I'll be there. What time?" "Around 0700. I'll come and get you when we're ready." "Sounds good. Goodnight Harm." "Goodnight Mac" he said softly. "Thanks for doing all this. I'm having a wonderful weekend." "Me too" she smiled before heading into her room. ***************** Next Morning "Jake's all set" Gary informed Harm the next morning as he and Gary stood inside Harm's room. "You sure this is going to work?" "You don't know Mac" Harm smiled. "She's totally competitive. Once we make it a contest to see who will win, she'll be right there in front. And we'll just drop back and then she'll find Jake and by the time she gets back with us, the body will be gone." "Sounds good to me" Jimmy laughed. "But how do you know she isn't going to be pissed at you for this." "She won't. Well I hope not anyway." "Well don't come crying to us when she takes off with one of the Angels" Jimmy smiled. "I won't. And she won't." "Just how close are you and the Colonel?" Gary pressed. "That's classified" Harm smiled. "And on a need to know basis and you two do not need to know. And we'd better get going or Mac's going to think we forgot about her." A few minutes later the two men were admiring Mac in her shorts and tank top. "Okay so how many miles we doing today?" Mac asked as she ignored their looks. Harm gave both of them long looks and they finally stopped staring. "As many as you can handle Colonel" Jimmy smiled. "Course we could make a friendly wager about who will finish the fastest." "I don't think Mac wants to make it a race" Harm spoke up. "We're just going to do a leisurely few miles." "Leisurely few miles" Mac scoffed. "That's all you can do sailor?" "You up for the challenge?" Harm smiled. "Of course. And there doesn't even have to be a wager. Just my pleasure at showing you three Flyboys what a Marine is made of." "Sounds like she's taking our bet" Gary grinned. "Ten miles. There's a course that goes into the woods." "Deal" Mac nodded. "And I promise I'll be back here before either of you three." "With respect, not on your best day," Gary hooted. "You need a bit of a head start?" "I think you know better than that," she returned, "but if you're offering I'll lead off. You guys come right behind me. It's ten miles right?" "Yes, see the trail's marked with the yellow slashes on the trees," Jimmy pointed feeling his eyes drift once more to Mac's legs and Harm's immediate glare land on him. "Got it. OK Gentlemen, time for your PT lesson," she bellowed and started off, her long legs eating up the ground. Harm held his hand up to the others, waiting until she was around the first bend of the trail before they started. Mac took a deep breath of the fresh air and felt her lungs expand. It was good to be outdoors, good to be running and good to be with Harm. Things were different this weekend, a different she prayed would last for even after their return to D.C. Dimly she heard the footfalls behind her and she increased her pace slightly, feeling her lungs begin to tingle. Another mile passed and as she often did when she ran for distance, she began to close her eyes for ten step-offs. Concentrating on that rhythm made it easier to push away the tiredness that always came early on. It was during one of the periods of her eyes being closed that it happened. One second her legs were hitting the paved trail smoothly and the next she was sprawling forward, her knees and hands painfully hitting the ground. Instinctively she rolled into a tight ball, her breath coming in harsh gasps, a condition that did not improve as she saw what she had fallen over. An arm. A very still arm lying across the trail. An arm attached to a very still body. Dazed and hurting from her fall, she did not think to check for a pulse but instead scrambled unsteadily to her feet, feeling the ground sway beneath her as she raised her voice in as loud a scream as she could muster of Harm's name before she started off toward him, back the way she had come. "That would be the sound of our mouse taking the cheese," Harm grinned, holding up his hand for them to slow to give her time to come back toward them. Time in which Jake would pull his vanishing act. Mac herself looked the victim of a mugging with her knees and arms scraped and she was panting hard by the time she had retraced the quarter mile that separated her from the men. "Harm was having her messed up part of the plan?" Jimmy gasped. "Body" she managed between gasps. "There's a body up there. Not far from here. I didn't get a good look at it. But I'm pretty sure he's dead." "Okay but what happened to you?" he asked, shaking his head in puzzlement. "I tripped over the arm and fell." "Mac I'm so sorry" Harm groaned. "This is all my fault." "Your fault?" she frowned as she looked up at him. "What are you talking about?" "Mac the body you saw is Jake, one of my buddies. I wanted to get back at you for tricking me into thinking Sam was a guy. So I came up with this little idea that you'd stumble across Jake and think he was dead." "You set this whole thing up" she gasped. "I did. And it seemed like a good idea at the time but I guess it probably wasn't. I sure as heck didn't want you to get hurt because of it." "I don't believe you" she snapped as she pulled away from his grasp. "How could you be so mean?" "Mac I'm sorry. It was just a joke. Kind of like you letting me think Sam was a guy was a joke." "That's a lot different from this" she retorted. "Mac" he groaned as she started to walk away from him. "Come back please. Look I'm sorry. Please don't be mad." She didn't acknowledge his words and continued to walk. She gave Gary and Jimmy long looks as she passed them before taking off in a run in the direction she'd come from. She was going to find Jake and give him a piece of her mind as well. "Nice going Harm" Jimmy smiled. "I thought you said she wouldn't be mad at you." "Okay so I messed up this time" he sighed. "Big time. She's totally pissed and if she takes off with Tad I won't have anyone to blame but myself." "Maybe you should go after her" Gary suggested. "I don't know" Harm sighed. "It might be best to let her go for now. Let's go find Jake and head back." The trio continued on down the trail, meeting up with Jake a few minutes later. "Man is she pissed at you" Jake laughed. "She read me the riot act before taking off but she's really mad at you." "I really messed this one up big time" Harm moaned. "We were having a great time until I had to be stupid." "It was your idea" Jimmy reminded him. "I told you she might not find it as funny as you did." "Yeah I know. And I didn't listen and now she hates my guts." "Rabb you've really got a thing for her don't you" Jake sighed. "And if that's the case, you best go after her and fix things up." "I'm the last person she wants to see" Harm sighed. "I'll catch up with her later. Maybe by then she won't be so mad. You guys ready to head back. I'm not in the mood to run now?" Before any of them could answer a loud scream cut through the woods. "Mac" Harm gasped. "Oh my God that's her. Something's wrong." This time Mac stood over a real corpse, the eyes of the Marine looking up hauntingly at her. He was dead, that was for sure. The knife in his chest was very real and the red that covered his Marine green tee shirt was real blood. Her hand was still to her mouth when she heard rustling in the woods nearby. She instantly froze, her gaze looking carefully around her. She caught but a glimpse of someone, knowing at once it was another Marine. He was gone before she could even get a second look, but she had an eerie feeling that he had gotten a better look at her. "Mac" Harm called as he hurried down the trail. "Mac where are you?" At the sound of Harm's voice she turned around, running and meeting him like she had a short time earlier. "Harm he's dead" she gasped. "He's really dead. And I saw someone. Another Marine was here." Harm's gaze left her long enough to see the dead Marine lying on the ground and he pulled Mac into his arms as he realized she might possibly have witnessed the murderer dropping the body. "It's okay" he soothed. "I'm here and no one is going to hurt you." "Harm I saw him" she whispered. "I didn't get a good look at him and I don't even know if I could pick him out if I saw him but I might." "Did he see you?" Harm asked quickly. "I think so" she whispered. "I didn't realize he was there at first till I heard him move away." "This must have just happened," Harm murmured, shuddering slightly at the thought that she might be an eyewitness to a murderer's retreat. "Like the guy was chasing him down and ambushed him maybe. My god Mac if you'd been a few seconds further along--if you hadn't fell over Jake, you might have. . ." He swallowed hard and tightened his embrace as he heard pounding feet from the trail behind them. His three friends arrived and stared in muted horror at death. For a moment no one moved or spoke until Jimmy turned away and lost the contents of his stomach. "How. . .what happened?" Gary gasped. "Murder, pure and simple," Harm replied grimly, "and Mac may have seen the guy. More importantly, the guy probably thinks she did, and that makes her a threat to him." "A threat he could want to remove," Jake sighed, giving them a sympathetic look. "Yeah," Harm said quietly, looking down at the top of Mac's dark hair and stroking her head gently. "Harm I'm OK to let go of," she assured him, pushing back slightly until another glimpse of the body sent another tremble through her. "Uh. . .maybe in a minute." "No hurry. Listen you guys, I want you to get back to civilization and call security. Mac and I will stay here and protect the crime scene." "Yeah we can do that," Gary nodded, "but Harm what if he does come back. Maybe one should stay with you." Harm thought that over with another glance down to Mac. "No I'll be fine but you guys can take Mac back with you." "Yeah that's going to happen about the time donkeys fly," she told him, lifting her head to stare intently into his eyes. "No way. I'm pissed at what you did but we can talk about that later. Right now no way I'm leaving you here alone." Harm bit his lower lip in thought, realizing he would sooner have Mac with him, under his protection. "Yeah OK. You guys go. Now. Double time." They heard his words for the order it was and took off, leaving Harm to lead Mac several feet away, his eyes constantly sweeping his surroundings. "I am so sorry about all this," he said softly. "It was a gag pure and simple. Like you had me going with Sam I was going to have some fun with you. Figured you'd find Jake, come back to get us and by the time we got there, he'd have gone and we would have been like--Mac you're delusional. You know, a big ha-ha. But it stopped being funny when you got hurt; and it's even less so now." "I guess I understand," she sighed. "And I admit I was playing you with Sam and loving your discomfort." She took a deep breath and looked back at the body. "Wonder who that is. Marine of course in the PT uniform." "How about the guy you saw?" he asked gently. "PT clothes too?" "No. No he was in cammies," she replied thoughtfully. "I know he was a Marine. But I'm not sure how. Maybe once my mind comes out of shock and starts functioning I'll remember more." He wrapped his arms around her at once and she gratefully leaned against him as she closed her eyes. "It's okay" he whispered. "Don't even think about it right now. You've had a rough morning. We'll figure all this out later." She nodded and relaxed slightly with his arms around her. Harm on the other hand, didn't relax for a moment as he kept scanning the area for any sign of the person responsible for the murder. His gut told him the guy was likely long gone but at the same time he wasn't about to let his guard down for a moment. Not when it came to the life of the woman in his arms. "I'm okay," she said a few minutes later. "Still shaky but okay." "You don't mind if I keep my arms around you do you?" "I sure won't complain," she said with a small smile. "Even though I am still mad at you." "Mac I'm sorry. It was stupid and now with this I realize just how stupid. Forgive me for being a jerk please." "It's a little easier now" she sighed. "When I screamed I was hoping you hadn't gone back to the base." "I'm glad you did scream. It probably kept whoever was watching you from doing anything. Likely he thought I was closer by and that's why he took off." "I don't want to think about it," she said with a shudder. "Neither do I" he said softly as his arms wrapped tighter around her. It wasn't long before the security team emerged on the scene, a frantic Sam along with them. "Mac are you okay?" Sam asked as she hurried to her friend. "I saw Harm's friends and they told me what happened." "I'm okay," Mac said with a weak smile as Harm helped her to her feet. "I've seen worse unfortunately." "My God it's Colonel Fletcher" Major Ryan Malone of the security team members gasped as he got a look at the corpse. "General Conner's XO. Dillon get on the horn right away so someone can let the General know." "General Conner's XO" Mac managed as she suddenly felt the world whirl around her. The cover story she had handed Harm was suddenly coming true. In a totally eerie and bizarre way. "Mac" Harm said anxiously as he watched the color drain from her face. She turned to him and a moment later fell into his waiting arms. "Dillon get a medic up here too" Malone yelled. "Harm lay her down over here," Sam said as she motioned for him to follow her to an area away from where the security team was converging over the body. "Mac honey" Harm said gently as he set her down. "Come on Marine. Come back to me." "Harm" she murmured at the sound of his soft voice. "Right here. You just passed out on me and I'm a little worried right now. Did you hit your head earlier when you fell?" "No" she whispered as she finally opened her eyes again and looked up at him. There was nothing but concern in his green eyes and she took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. "That's not it." "What then?" he asked. "Remember the reason I told you we were coming down here" she said finally. "The murder." It finally dawned on him what she was saying and he felt a cold wave go down his spine. "The murder of the General's XO" he whispered. "My God Mac. It's exactly as your story was. The story you made up." THE END Chapter 2 will post beginning Wed. June 4.