Author: manette
Subject: Commander Handsome- December HBX challenge

Title: Commander Handsome
Author: manette
Rating: PG 13
AN: It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten to do a challenge, but these lines just called to me and it was such fun!

Takes place sometime after they’ve gone to Russia but before he goes flying. For the purposes of this story, Harriet isn’t pregnant yet and Harm isn’t seeing Jordan.

December 07 Challenge HBX:

You’re a good looking woman, Mac. You're smart. Of course you do have a tattoo.

Every once and a while I catch you being nice.

Keep it to yourself, okay? I have a reputation to protect.


Commander Handsome


This stuff should be easy….this man/woman stuff. Once you were past puberty it should be easy, right? Mac looked at herself in the bathroom mirror and added another coat of mascara to eyelashes that didn’t really need it. She added some lipstick and declared herself done.

She was going out tonight. On a blind date with some guy she didn’t know, just because Harriet asked her to. Harriet had been raving about her good looking dentist for months, and Mac finally gave in and agreed to go out with him. Why would a good looking dentist need to go out on a blind date? There must be something wrong with him. But then again, she was going out on a blind date, too. Not because she was desperate when it came to men. Heaven’s no. She was just desperate to get Harriet off her case. So what if she hadn’t had many offers lately. She definitely wasn’t desperate.

Mac opened her mouth and gave her teeth a cursory examination. Then she smiled—a fake smile to show off her pearly whites. They suddenly felt too big in her mouth. Maybe this was why the guy had to go on blind dates. Women got cold teeth, instead of cold feet at the idea of spending an entire evening with their choppers on display.

They were supposed to meet at Bud and Harriet’s house and all go to a play from there. She liked the idea of having her own car in case she needed to make an early exit. She would go and try to have a good time. Who knows? Maybe the man would be everything Harriet said he would be. They’d fall in love, get married, have seven children who would never be allowed to eat sugar and the unfortunate deprived things would have to brush and floss endlessly, and use a water pik day and night. The children would all need therapy before they reached adulthood, and they would blame their mother for marrying a dentist in the first place. Her poor scarred children. Maybe she should call Harriet and tell her she couldn’t make it.

No, she was a Marine. She could handle one night with a dentist. She’d just grabbed her purse and a light jacket when her doorbell rang. Frowning, she wondered who it could be. Surely Harriet hadn’t given the guy her address. They’d agreed just that afternoon that she would drive herself.

She peeped through the peep hole and let out a sigh of relief. “Harm.” His name was out of her mouth even before she had her door opened all the way. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to pick you up and take you to Harriet and Bud’s.” He looked all spiffy in a nice dark gray suit with a blue tie.

Mac tilted her head to one side. “You’re delivering me for my blind date?”

He blinked. “You have a blind date?”

She nodded. “With a dentist. Do you think my teeth are too big?”

Harm looked at her like she was crazy, but merely said, “I’m confused.”

“You’re confused. I was just on my way out the door. I told Harriet I’d drive myself.”

“Change of plans. Bud told me I was to pick you up and bring you to their house before the play.”

“You’re going to the play, too.”

“Yes, they invited me. Is that all right with you?”

Mac hesitated before answering. Of course, she didn’t care if Harm went to the play. But the idea that Harm would be along while she was out with a guy who was judging her by her molars made her feel uncomfortable. A sudden even more uncomfortable thought hit her.

Maybe Harriet had set Harm up on a blind date, too. She felt a little queasy at the idea of watching some curvy, no-doubt bosomy, blonde woman light up like Christmas tree when she got a look at Harm. Harm was exactly the kind of man women dreamed of ending up with on blind dates—and never did—except tonight. Damn it, some floozy was going to hit the jackpot while she would be stuck in some scintillating conversation about tarter build up.

He was still waiting for some response, so she waved her hand around in a dismissive manner. “Don’t be silly, Harm. The more the merrier. So, who’s your date, and why aren’t you picking her up instead of me.”

“I didn’t invite anyone, Mac. Bud just called late this afternoon to see if I was free.” He looked at his watch and said, “We better go, or we’ll be late.”

“You’re right. Harriet won’t be happy if we mess up her plans.” Harm waited while Mac locked her door and then led her down to his car. He opened the passenger door for her and asked, “So, what’s this about a blind date?”

She waited for him to jog around the car and climb behind the steering wheel before explaining, “Harriet set me up with her dentist. She has been bugging me for over two months, and she finally wore me down.”

Harm started the car and pulled out into traffic. “Well, I’m going to feel like a fifth wheel. A dentist, huh?” He didn’t sound happy.

“I wouldn’t put it past Harriet to have someone waiting for you, too?”

“You think? I’m going to have to have a few words with Bud if that’s the case. I’m not in the mood to make small talk with some woman I don’t know.”

“Oh, Harm, I’m sure she’ll be cute, maybe beautiful, probably gorgeous, and you’ll be charming the birds right out of her trees before you’ve finished introducing yourself. It’s automatic with you.”

“Automatic? I’ll have you know it’s a lot of work. And I was looking forward to spending an evening being completely un-charming with you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You know what I mean. I can relax and be myself with you.”

“I get it. Good looking women get you’re A-game. I’m just good old Mac.”

Harm cut his eyes from the road and gave her the once over. “You’re a good looking woman, Mac. You're smart. Of course you do have a tattoo.”

The heat in his gaze unsettled her, and she had to remind herself that flirting was like breathing where Harm was concerned. He was usually unaware of the effect he had on women, so for the sake of her own survival she’d taught herself to remain immune. “There you go with that sweet talk again. Just promise me that no matter how good looking your date is—even if she’s Brigitte Bardot hot, if I give you the high sign you’ll rescue me from the dentist. You have to promise since I don’t have my own car.”

“Brigitte Bardot? How old are you, Mac?”

“You know what I mean—even if she is every fantasy you’ve ever had rolled up into one, you can’t abandon me to Harriet’s dentist.”

“What if Harriet’s dentist turns out to be Cary Grant? Or is Cary Grant too young for you?”

“Are you being cute or funny? With you it’s so hard to tell.”

“He could be the man of your dreams, Mac.” There was a serious note in Harm’s voice that had her turning to look at him more closely.

The man of her dreams was sitting right beside her. Harmon Rabb was the man of her dreams. But dreams were the only place she’d ever have him. She’d resigned herself to that after Russia. From the moment she’d decided to follow him on his quest to find his father she’d worn her heart on her sleeve. She’d been the one to flirt shamelessly and he never responded in kind. At first she’d chalked it up to bad timing, but when they returned home he still kept her at arm’s length. She’d finally retreated back to their neutral friendship zone, realizing that’s all they’d ever be.

She fought for a carefree tone when she declared, “Who knows? This could be my lucky night.”

“Here we are,” Harm announced unnecessarily as they parked in front of Harriet and Bud’s apartment. “Let’s go see what torture’s in store for us tonight.”

The front door opened almost as soon as they rang the doorbell and Bud waved them inside. “Commander, Colonel—come on in. Harriet’s almost ready.” He pointed them toward the couch and said, “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Harm spoke up bluntly, “Where’s Mac’s dentist?”

Bud looked confused and then said, “Oh, you mean Dr. Hanson. Harriet calls him Dr. Handsome, but I don’t think he’s that good looking. I mean, Commander, I think you are much better looking than he is. “

Harm grinned. “Why thank you, Bud. That means a lot coming from you. Mac, maybe after you meet this guy, you can break the tie.”

“Are you campaigning for my vote, Commander Handsome?” Mac sat down on the couch, not disappointed in the least that her date had yet to arrive. Maybe he’d had a root canal come up that he couldn’t refuse.

“I always like it better when you’re on my side, Mac.” He settled down on the other end of the sofa and they both looked at Bud waiting for more of an explanation. Harriet came rushing into the room just then. “Oh, you’re here! Good. I’m ready. We better go if we don’t want to be late. Help me with my coat, Bud.”

Harm and Mac stood up caught in Harriet’s whirling energy and headed toward the front door. “Harriet, what about Mac’s date?” Apparently Harm wasn’t going to let the subject drop.

Harriet stopped with one arm in her coat and looked from one to the other. “I’m afraid you’re a last minute replacement, Commander. Dr. Hanson had an emergency, so I called in the B team. I’m sorry, Mac.”

“Wait a minute. I’m the B team?” Harm was frowning.

Mac felt a flood of relief at not having to face an evening with a strange man, and her teeth seemed to shrink back to normal unhorse-like proportions that fit normally inside her mouth once more. “Don’t be sorry, Harriet. The B team suits me fine.” She smiled unselfconsciously and linked her arm through Harm’s, pulling him out the door. “Harm, it looks like you won’t have to worry about being charming, after all.”

The play was entertaining and Mac loved sitting in the dark with Harm by her side. She stole glances at his profile as he laughed at the actors on stage. The grayish green shadows played across his familiar features, and a wave of longing hit her so suddenly that she had to grab the armrest to keep from touching him.

After they left the theatre they stopped for coffee and dessert at a nearby diner. Even before they sat down in the booth, Harriet was apologizing.

“Mac, I’m so sorry about the date. Dr. Hanson felt bad, too, and said he’d love to reschedule.”

Mac wanted to discourage this conversation, but stopping Harriet was like trying to stop the price of gasoline from going up around holidays. “That’s okay, Harriet. It’s not your fault. Please don’t give it another thought.” Please.

“I know. But I talked him up so much, and then you finally agreed, and then—”

Harm interrupted. “She got stuck with me instead.”

Harriet patted him on the arm. “It was very nice of you to fill in, Commander.”

“What are B teams for?” Harm’s sarcasm seemed lost on Harriet.

Bud looked worried and spoke up, “I don’t think you’re the B team, sir. I’d much rather go out on a date with you than I would Dr. Hanson.”

“Are you asking me out, Bud?”

“No, sir. Sorry, sir.”

Harm laughed, and Harriet managed to get a few more good words in about Dr. Handsome before they called it a night and headed home.

Harm was quiet on the drive back to Mac’s place. She was okay with that. It was a comfortable silence—like a deep sigh at the end of a busy day—an easy calm that she only ever experienced with Harm. Finally he said, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to spend the evening with Cary Grant.”

“You didn’t get your Brigitte Bardot, either.”

“I’d rather spend an evening with you anytime, MacKenzie.”

“Every once in a while I catch you being nice.”

“Keep it to yourself, okay? I’ve got a reputation to protect.”

She smiled at his easy deflection. They were parked in front of her apartment building now, but she didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to walk upstairs alone to her empty apartment, and let him drive away. He hadn’t made any move to get out of the car, either.

“We should do this more often,” he said, surprising her.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Her heart sped up just a bit. She didn’t want to misinterpret an offer for a simple night on the town.

“I thought I’d get a bid in before the dashing dentist gets a chance to monopolize all your time.”

He was always so competitive, Mac thought, even when there was no contest. “I think Dr. Handsome is out of luck.”

“Oh yeah?” He seemed to have moved closer.

“Bud made a pretty convincing argument that you are better looking and better dating material, so why should I waste my time?” She leaned toward him, drawing closer to the heat of him.

“I wouldn’t want you to waste your time.” His words were a murmur that slipped across her cheek. He buried his hands in her hair, tilting her face to his, finding her mouth with a tenderness that pierced her heart. He drew away, resting his forehead against hers. “Have dinner with me tomorrow night. Just you and me. No Bud and Harriet. We’ll take things nice and slow if you like, but you have to know I’m crazy about you, Mac.”

His lips were doing some hot and heavy dance down her throat and she found it hard to focus. Dinner, he wanted to have dinner. She’d loved Harm for years, but his feelings for her had always been a mystery. And now he’d announced, pretty as you please, that he was crazy about her. He was crazy if he thought she wanted to take things slow. She wanted to dive into this man head first and never come up for air.

She found his mouth and tried to tell him everything she wanted in that kiss. Between kisses she said, “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you come upstairs, and we’ll take it hard and fast, and then you can have breakfast with me in the morning.”

She watched his eyes grow smoky and his jaw tighten at her words. She could feel his barely maintained control as if it was a live thing sitting with them, and she moaned at the image of him letting it all go. With one more searing kiss he followed her out of the car. She grabbed him by the tie and hauled him up the stairs. He stopped at the first landing searching her face for any doubts. “Are you sure, Mac?”

She stood one step below him, so he was even taller than usual. “Remember when you said that old what’s-his-name could be the man of my dreams?”

“I remember.” His large hands spanned her waist, holding her close.

“Well, I knew that wasn’t possible.”

“Why’s that?” She could see that he already knew the answer, but she was willing to spell it out for him.

“Because you are the man of my dreams, Harm. You always will be.” She kissed the tip of his chin because that was all she could reach.

He grinned and picked her up, bringing her mouth even with his. “Does that move me up to the A team?”

“I’m willing to let you try out.” She kissed him, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Commander Handsome carried her to her front door and walked inside, shutting out the rest of the world.

The End