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…And even as I
wander, I'm keeping you in sight "Can't Fight This Feeling" performed by REO Speedwagon, copyright 1984.
MONDAY, 29 MAY After spending a few more emotional moments in silence at the
Vietnam Memorial, Harm had suggested a walk around the Mall and
Mac had readily agreed. She
knew Harm had taken a big step emotionally today and she was
perfectly willing to let him set the pace in their relationship.
She had waited too long for this – they both had – to
make him uncomfortable by pushing him too far too fast.
Now that she knew for sure how he felt about her, she knew
she could afford to be patient, to let him find his way. "Hey, you're very quiet over there," Harm commented
as they walked close together, their hands occasionally brushing,
up Constitution Avenue towards the Capitol building.
Harm wanted to take her hand, but they were still in
uniform, so a certain amount of decorum did need to be maintained. Mac smiled as she looked up at him, a brilliant smile that lit
up Harm's heart and soul. "Just
thinking," she replied. "Good thoughts I hope," he teased as his hand brushed
against hers, sending a spark of electricity through them both.
Mac wrapped her fingers around his for an all too brief moment,
not quite ready to let go of the heat of his touch, then dropped
her hand. "Hmmm.
The best," she answered dreamily.
"About this incredibly handsome Navy Commander who
finally got his head out of his six and decided that he loves
me." How could one man be so lucky? Harm thought.
After nearly 37 years of wandering alone through life, he
had found everything he could ever have hoped and dreamed for
right in front of him. "I
hope this Commander realizes what a special thing he has and takes
care of you and loves you the way you deserve." "Well," Mac answered, a seductive grin on her face,
"I think he did a pretty good job of that last night." Harm's face lit up in a sexy grin that made Mac go weak in the
knees as he remembered the incredible night of love they had
shared. "It was
his pleasure," he said softly.
"And he plans on taking care of you and loving you
like that for a long time to come." What had she been so worried about? Mac asked herself.
Harm did not appear to be having any problems moving full
speed ahead with their relationship.
"A girl could get spoiled with all this care and
loving," she replied, a gleam in her eyes as she considered
the possibility of many more nights like the one they had just
experienced. "I
just hope he's up to the challenge." Harm laughed. She
was a bold one, his feisty jarhead.
This was definitely a challenge he would enjoy taking on.
"I think he can handle it," was his reply as he
looked into her eyes and saw all the love he had denied himself
for all these years. Mac laughed as she hooked her arm in his.
"Good, because now you can meet the challenge of
feeding your hungry Marine, flyboy," she teased as she pulled
him towards an ice cream cart just up the sidewalk. Harm shook his head. "You
and your stomach," he commented as he followed her lead.
She punched him playfully as she retorted, "Hey, I didn't
get any dinner last night. Or
did you forget that?" "I don't recall hearing you complain at the time," he
joked, ducking slightly as she threatened to punch him again.
"And you want ice cream at nine in the morning?" "I want food," she pouted.
"Are you going to feed me or not?" Laughing, Harm waited patiently while she looked at the poster
on the side of the cart, pondering her choice.
After a moment, she told the vendor, "I'll take two
ice cream sandwiches." Harm shook his head as he fished some money out of his pocket.
She has the strangest eating habits, he thought.
"I'll take one, too," he said, holding out his
money. The vendor handed over the three sandwiches as he took Harm's
money. Mac grabbed a
few napkins before they walked off, Harm handing her two of the
sandwiches. Mac
unwrapped one and took a bite.
"Mmmm, good," she said, licking a dollop of ice
cream off her lips. Harm felt his breath catch in his throat as he watched her,
wishing they weren't in such a public place so that he could taste
the ice cream on her lips. He
tried to force the thought from his mind as he unwrapped his own
sandwich and took a bite. Not
bad, even if it was a little early in the day for ice cream. They continued their walk up Constitution Avenue, stealing
glances at each other as they ate, both of their minds wandering
down highly erotic roads as they imagined licking the ice cream
off each other. "Hot today," Mac commented idly.
God, she wanted to get him out of here.
His place, her place, she didn't care at this point.
She just wanted. "Very," he replied, both of them aware that they were
not discussing the weather. Harm
finished his sandwich and tossed the wrapper in a nearby waste bin
as Mac tossed the wrapper to her first sandwich away and began on
her second. "We
need to get out of here," he added, causing Mac's heart to
leap into her throat. "Yes," she breathed as they did an about face and
headed back towards the Washington Monument, where they had parked
earlier. They forced
themselves to keep a calm, steady pace, not drawing attention to
themselves, even as their hearts were racing in anticipation of
what was to come.
"Harm, Mac," a familiar voice called out to them.
Startled out of their seductive thoughts, they saw
Congresswoman Bobbi Latham heading in their direction, another
woman at her side. "Good morning, Bobbi," Harm greeted her as she
reached them. "It's
been a while." "You know how it is up on the Hill," Bobbi answered.
"Harm, Mac, this is my colleague on the House Armed
Services Committee, Congresswoman Beth Jamison.
Beth, this is Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel
Sarah Mackenzie from the Navy's Judge Advocate General
Corps." Beth held out her hand and first Mac then Harm shook it.
"Bobbi has spoken very highly of both of you,"
she told them. "Especially
you, Commander. She
said you were really the driving force behind uncovering the truth
a few years back behind that saran gas incident during the Gulf
War." Mac tried to remain calm.
She knew Bobbi had once been attracted to Harm.
Hell, she probably still was.
After all, a woman would have to be dead not to be
attracted to the tall, handsome Navy Commander.
Despite the rationalization, Mac couldn't help the slight
twinge of jealousy in her heart. "It was important for the Marines involved that the truth
come to light," Harm replied, surreptitiously squeezing Mac's
hand, sensing the direction her thoughts were headed.
"I was just happy to play a part in making that
happen." "From what Bobbi has told me, Commander," Beth
commented, "you're not really the modest type.
You surprise me." "I was just doing my job, Congresswoman," he replied
shrugging, trying to resist the urge to be rude and cut the
conversation short and take off with Mac.
Why did they have to run into someone they knew?
Why right now, of all times? "Actually," Mac interjected, teasing.
"He is being more modest than usual.
He's usually quite arrogant." "She knows you too well, Harm," Bobbi joked, watching
the undercurrents flowing between the two officers.
She had always thought there was something between those
two. Maybe she was
right after all. Harm laughed, glad that Mac seemed to have tempered her initial
reaction. "Much
too well, I think sometimes," he replied.
"As well as I know her.
And on that note, we probably should get going before I
have an angry, hungry Marine on my hands." Bobbi and Beth laughed at the joke.
"Have a good Memorial Day, you two," Bobbi said
as Harm and Mac continued their walk towards Harm's SUV. "What's up with those two?" Beth asked, watching the
two officers leave. "I don't think anyone's ever figured that one out,"
Bobbie replied, "least of all them."
If only she knew how untrue that statement now was.
1900 ZULU Somehow, although both would swear that they didn't know how,
they managed to make their way to the bedroom, collapsing into
each others' arms for a short nap before awakening to make love
again, the second time slow and tender. Still shuddering from their second go around, Mac snuggled into
his arms, resting her head above his rapidly beating heart.
"A girl could definitely get used to this," she
commented idly as her fingers traced circles over the firm muscles
of his chest and stomach. "You're not the only one," he chuckled as he wrapped
his arms tighter around her.
If truth be told, he would be content to lay here with her
in his arms forever. But
there was still so much they had to work out, together. Mac took a deep breath and echoed his thoughts.
"There's so much for us to discuss, though," she
remarked. "So
many issues that we need to work out." "Brumby," Harm stated.
"Yeah," Mac replied.
"I never wanted to hurt him, but I'm afraid it will,
no matter how much I try to soften the blow.
Of course, there's also Renee." Harm laughed, "Who actually is a non-issue."
At Mac's confused look, he added, "We broke up
Saturday, quite amicably. I'll
fill you in on the details later.
I think you'll find it quite amusing." Mac didn't think so, but she let the comment slid.
"And work," she added.
"This could have a huge impact on our careers." "I can't imagine having to face you in court, especially
if I keep coming back in my mind to where that tattoo of yours
is," he teased as his hand moved down her body to caress the
spot. Mac playfully swatted him.
"Cute, squid," she retorted, then sobered.
"All kidding aside, there are some real issues there,
which is why," she paused, taking a deep breath, "I
think we should keep this quiet for the time being.
As much as I want to shout it from the rooftops that I am
in love with Harmon Rabb, Jr., I think we need to make sure we are
fully prepared to face the consequences before we go public with
our relationship." "You're reading my mind, Sarah," he replied, sending
a shiver through her at the use of her first name.
"I want to shout it too, but I agree that it is best
to wait, at the very least until after we have carefully
considered all the issues involved.
I do think one of the first things we should think about is
how to inform the Admiral." Mac agreed, "He's done so much for us, for our careers.
It's only fair that he be informed so that he can be
prepared to deal with any fallout.
But we can think about that later." "As I said last night," Harm replied, "we've got
all the time in the world."
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