This is a little different than some of my usual pieces and I just want you all to know that I wrote it in one day so it isn't the greatest. I hope you enjoy!


Title: Puzzle Pieces
Author: Carrie
Pairing/Classification: Harm/Mac Romance
Rating: GS
Summary: This is a response to the April HBX Challenge. It’s a little different, but…bear with me.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Mistakes are.
Author’s Note: Just FYI this takes place exactly one year from FWFS and Harm and Mac have been married for six months.



2130 Zulu
Mac’s Bungalow
San Diego, California

“What am I doing here?”

“You moved here today.”

“But why?”

“Because your ex-husband got the house.”

Mac looked over at her friend, her eyes slightly glazed, her hair mussed, and her clothes hanging off of her thin frame. The past month had not gone well. Today was not her favorite day.

One year ago today she got engaged to the man of her dreams. It should have been a wonderful day for the two of them; dinner, dancing, maybe a movie and naturally they’d spend all night celebrating their relationship.

Instead, she was currently moving into the small, comfortable little yellow and white bungalow on a secluded beach in San Diego, California while her husband hung out in their remodeled Victorian home on another secluded beach several miles away.

She was also ‘celebrating’ her official divorce from Captain Harmon Rabb Junior.

It had been heartbreaking for the both of them, but amicable. Even though she still loved him and he her, they just couldn’t work things out between the two of them.

“He got the house because I gave it to him,” Mac sighed, resting her head against the cool window pane. “Harriet you should go. I don’t want to drag you into my problems.”

“No. You need someone with you tonight. Besides, Bud is will Harm. According to him Harm has just been sitting in the empty living room drinking his sorrows away.”

Mac smiled slightly. At least she wasn’t the only one who was still a little upset at the way things had turned out. The two of them knew they’d still be friends, but their marriage was just too fast, too difficult, and too tempestuous.

“My life is one big puzzle,” Mac whispered, trailing a finger down the cool beads on condensation on her water glass. “Puzzles are meant to be complete, but mine has always been missing a few pieces. Once I find the pieces and put them together…” She took a deep breath and continued. “Every time I put the pieces of my life together, someone comes along and jumbles them up…” she trailed off, almost forgetting that Harriet was watching her intently. “I feel I’ve got a big hole where my heart used to be.”

How sad, Harriet thought, watching her friend stare outside at the storm raging over the ocean. Her two friends had both had fairly difficult if not downright crazy lives. Harm’s was slightly more normal than Mac’s, yet he still was shaped by a rather unusual circumstance.

All they both needed was a good life together free from problems. But problems just followed them everywhere, even into their marriage.

“I want my puzzle to be complete, but it never will be complete…” Mac breathed. “Because the one piece where my heart is, that hole, that puzzle piece is him.”

Standing, Harriet helped Mac off the picture seat. “Let’s get you to bed. You need rest.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re tired, sad, and miserable. You need to sleep.”

Mac smiled slightly. “I guess I could get some sleep.”

“Not could, you will sleep.”

“Yes Mother.”

Same Time
Harm’s House
San Diego, California

“Captain I’m cutting you off.”

“One more.”
“Sir you’re acting pathetic.”

“Come on I’m a divorced bachelor who is married to his career instead of the woman he loves.”

“Then why did you get divorced sir?”

“Because she wanted it.”

“You didn’t fight it.”

Harm peered blearily through the amber glass of his beer bottle. He really had had too much. His vision was going blurry. Bud had lots of fuzziness around him. Or was that the wall?

“I didn’t fight it because…” he trailed off, squinting into the distance, searching for a reason. “Because I don’t know why.”

Bud sighed and sat down in the chair next to Harm. His friend was stretched across the entire length of the couch, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans and a paint splattered t-shirt. His hair appeared as though it hadn’t seen a comb in two weeks. His face had apparently spent that long away from a razor as well.

“Our hearts are like puzzles,” he whispered, not sure if he was talking to himself or to Bud. “Every time we put the puzzle together, some nasty little kid knocks them apart. Right now the puzzle pieces are on the other side of the room from each other. The only way we can be together is if something finds them and puts them back.”

“You can do that you know,” Bud said quietly, not sure if he was stepping the line between friend and superior officer. “You can find the puzzle pieces.”

Harm snorted. “Yeah right. It took us nine years and then what? Something still split them apart.”

“You two are meant to be together. Why did you just step aside and let her file for divorce?”

“Because she wanted to. Besides, it seemed like a good idea. We were fighting and we couldn’t decide on the baby…”

“You two went too fast in this.”

“We went too fast in the marriage,” Harm retorted, standing up. He managed to make his way towards the window, watching the waves beat the sand. The sand might as well be his heart. “I just wish I could take back what I said a year ago. Maybe we should have started a relationship. Not a marriage.”

“You two have dated for nine years!”
“So?”

“SO? You didn’t need to date, you two needed to get married. You have a hole in your heart and the puzzle pieces are all mixed up because you did that to yourself. Call her, go over there. Tell her you won’t take no for answer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a divorced man still so in love with his wife. I also don’t think I’ve ever seen a divorced woman so in love with her husband.” Bud stood in the center of the room, helpless. He didn’t know if what he said would help his friend, but he sure wished it would.

Harm hit his head against the window, his palms pressed against the freezing glass. “You really think I can fix this?”

“I think you can. It might be a month too late and you both might have to get married again, but at least you’ll be together,” Bud whispered. “Just try it Harm. Put the puzzle pieces together. Fill your heart once more.”

“I’m doing it.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m going over there right now.”

“You’re still drunk!”

“Then drive me!” Harm shouted back, grabbing his coat as he rushed through the front door into the rain.

Twenty Minutes Later
Mac’s Bungalow
San Diego, California

“Tell whoever it is I don’t want to talk to them,” Mac said weakly. She waved her hand aimlessly, continuing to stare out the window.

Harriet opened the door, prepared to send whoever it was away. Her eyes widened when she saw her husband standing at the doorstep. “What are you doing here sweetie?”

“Come with me. Harm wants to talk to her alone,” Bud whispered. He tugged on Harriet’s arm, pulling her towards the car.

She watched open mouth as Harm darted up the steps, disappearing through the front door. He slammed it shut and looked over in the cozy living room where Mac was meekly looking out the window.

“I need to talk to you.”
She looked up instantly, her eyes wide. “Harm what are you doing here?”

“We have to talk,” he whispered, standing in front of her, his eyes pleading with hers. “I was stupid. I should never have listened to you when you said you wanted a divorce. I love you so much. I lost you so many times before. I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

Mac stood, staring at him. “But we fought.”

“So? So we fight. We’ll have more fun making up this time.”

Even though she really didn’t want to smile, she did. “But we couldn’t decide on anything. We were selfish, childish, and irrational.”

“When are we not?” Harm laughed, stepping closer to her. “Mac my life is like a puzzle with a missing piece. I found the piece and I was whole. Then something came in and jumbled them up.”

“Every time I think I’ve put the pieces of my life together…” Mac whispered, remembering her words from before. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at him. “I have a hole where my heart was. You took it from me a long time ago and I guess now that you’re gone…my heart is gone too.”

“So the puzzle pieces are finally in place?” Harm asked, inching even closer to her.

Mac wrapped her arms around his neck and nodded. “Yes. Our puzzle pieces have finally connected. We’re finally whole.”

“I love you so much Mac.”

“I love you too Harm,” Mac laughed, kissing him deeply. Several minutes later she pulled away, fighting with his jacket and shirt. “What are we going to do?”

“Learn to love each other like a married couple does,” Harm laughed, pushing her back onto the couch. “And just fighting like any married couple does.”

Mac ran her fingers over his cheek, almost checking to make sure he was real. “I’m sorry Harm.”

“Me too,” he whispered, resting his lips over hers. “But we finally finished the puzzle.”

“Thank God,” she responded, tightening her grip around his neck. “I love you Harm.”

“I love you too Mac.”

THE END