Author: Lace
Subject: Walking down that road HBX Challenge December 2008

I finally had time to write again. I wrote this in a hurry and all mistakes are my own.

They don't belong to me and all that...


HBX Challenge December 2008

Walking down that road


Mac walked into the JAG bullpen with Jimmy on her hip and little A.J holding her hand. Mac had been on leave since her accident on Christmas eve, she had spent her free time relaxing. Today she had picked up Jimmy and little A.J and they had spent the morning together. Now they were at JAG to take Bud to lunch.

Mac turned around to see that her other little friend kept up with them. “Come on Backup.” She said to the cute little puppy, who had parked himself on the floor.

“I don't think Backup wants to be here.” Little A.J pointed out.

Mac laughed softly. “He's just shy.” She put Jimmy on the ground and went to pick up the little puppy. “You can't play dead in the middle of JAG.” Mac ruffled Backup's ears.

“Uncle Harm!” Little A.J noticed his uncle heading their way.

“Hi buddy. What are you doing here?” Harm picked up his godson and threw him into the air.

“I'm with aunty Mac, Jimmy and Backup.” Little A.J responded as soon as he was safely back in his uncle's arms.

“Backup?” Harm noticed Mac. “Hi Mac, what's that?” He pointed to the puppy.

“It's my dog.” Mac stepped closer to him. “I got him a few days ago.”

Harm smiled and ruffled the puppy's head. “He's cute.”

“He thinks so too.” Mac agreed.

“Hi Jimmy.” Harm put A.J on the ground and picked up Jimmy.

“Where's daddy?” Little A.J asked and looked around to see if he could spot his dad.

“I think he's in his office, buddy.” Harm put Jimmy down. “Why don't you take Jimmy with you and go see if you can find him.”

A.J nodded. “Okay.” Then he took hold of his brother's hand and went to find his dad.

Harm studied Mac, she looked really rested and happy.

Mac noticed his searching eyes. “What?”

Harm touched her face. “Your face is back to normal.”

“Finally.” Mac put the puppy down. “I was tired of looking multicoloured.”

“The last time I saw you, you were yellow.” Harm chuckled, but then he turned serious. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Mac smiled shyly. “Thanks for Christmas and New Years Harm, I had a great time.”

“Me too.” He smiled sweetly. “How about you let me cook you dinner tonight?”

“I have Jimmy and little A.J, we're having burgers and fries, but how about tomorrow?” Mac suggested.

Harm nodded. “Absolutely. Come by my place around 1900.”

“That sounds great.” Mac smiled.

Bud and the boys came to join them. “I can't go to lunch Ma'am. I need to interview a witness.”

“Maybe we can take uncle Harm then?” Little A.J suggested.

“I can't buddy, I have to prepare a witness for my case.” Harm looked at his watch. “I'm actually late.” He said his goodbyes and left them.

Looks like it's just us then boys.” Mac lifted Jimmy into her arms. “I'll bring the boys home after we've had dinner Bud. I promised A.J we'd rent a movie and have burgers and fries.”

“That sounds great Ma'am, thanks for helping out. I know Harriet was thrilled to have a day to herself.” Bud ruffled A.J's hair. “Be a good boy.”

“Don't worry Bud, everyone is very well behaved.” Mac chuckled. “Even Backup.”

“That's good.” Bud said goodbye and left them.

“Are we going to lunch now aunty Mac? I'm really hungry.” A.J whined.

“Yes, I'm starving too. Let's go.” Mac took A.J's hand. “Come on Backup.”



The next night
Harm's apartment

Dinner and desert had been eaten and they were now enjoying coffee on Harm's couch. Mac was busy cuddling with her puppy and Harm had to smile by the sight in front of him.

“Why did you decide to get a new dog?”

“I've been thinking about it for well over a year now, but I never got around to it. It was actually my neighbor who talked me into it; he had six puppy's he wanted to get rid of and he knew that I had a dog before. I took one look at this little guy and I just had to have him.” Mac laughed by her own silliness. “I must be getting soft.”

“You getting soft? I don't believe it.” Harm teased.

Mac ignored him. “Nick, that's my neighbor, promised to take care of Backup whenever I'm out of town. And Harriet promised A.J that he could look after Backup sometimes if he would stop asking for a puppy. Either way, I'll always have someone to take care of this little guy when I'm away on assignment.” She smiled sadly. “It's nice to have a dog again, I was never lonely when I had Jingo.”

“Maybe I should get a dog.” Harm scratched Backup's ear. “It would be nice to have some company now that Mattie is back with her father.”

Mac didn't respond and they were both quiet for a long while.

“I really thought I'd have a family by now.” Mac mumbled so low that Harm almost missed it.

He turned his head to look at her. “What did we do wrong?”

Mac looked away from him. “A lot of things.”

“Is it too late?” He moved on the couch so that his whole body was turned towards her. “When I look at you I see this beautiful woman who is my best friend and I know I can't move on without you, but at the same time we're not moving on together either. Did we mess up too badly?”

She turned her head to look at him. “I hope not.”

“What do we do?” He whispered.

Mac shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know.”

Harm reached for her hand. “I meant what I said at the hospital. I'm still here for you.”

Mac nodded. “I know. And I want you to be there for me.”

“How?” Harm wondered.

“At the moment I need my best friend, but later I want us to be more than friends.” Mac pulled her hand away from him. “The problem is that you deserve more than I can give you.”

“Children.” Harm stated. “I told you before that it doesn't matter how it happens as long as it happens between us.”

“Why doesn't it matter? Why would you want to risk it when you can meet the women of your life and have children of your own?” Mac put Backup on the floor and stood. “It doesn't make sense.”

“Because you're my girl.” Harm said it as though it was the answer to everything.

“Is it really that easy?” Mac wondered.

“You can't decide who you fall in love with.” Harm crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on the couch.. “I will never feel about anyone the way I feel about you and I never have. I'm done dancing around you, let's just dance together.” He closed his eyes. “You just take as much time as you need to figure it out, I'll still be around when you're ready.”

Mac stared at his relaxed form. “Since when did you decide this?” She ran a hand through her hair. “And why are your eyes closed?”

He yawned widely. “I'm just relaxed.”

“You look tired.” Mac pointed out. “Maybe I should go.”

“Or maybe you should stay?” Harm opened his eyes and looked at her. “I think you should stay.”

“What?” Mac was confused.

“It's Friday and I think you should stay with me this weekend.” Harm smiled. “I'll make you pancakes for breakfast.” He looked her up and down. “You look like you could use some food, you're skinny.”

“I'm not.” Mac argued.

“You are very stubborn.” Harm pointed out.

“Well, so are you.” Mac threw back.

“And you always argue with me.” Harm continued.

Mac rolled her eyes. “So do you. Argue wit me I mean.” She shrugged her shoulders and studied him. “Why do you want me to stay the weekend?”

“If I'm going to make you realise that I'm here for you, I need to spend time with you.” He smiled sweetly. “Come on Mac, let me show you that I'm here for you. I'll feed you, I'll walk the puppy with you and I'll keep you warm at night.”

“It won't change anything. I'll still feel like I'm keeping you from having a family.” Mac sat down and reached for his hand. “It would be unfair.”

Harm ignored her. “So you'll stay then?” He smiled widely. “You and Backup.”

Mac chuckled. “You are impossible.”

Harm nodded. “But by being impossible you'll realise that I'm also consistent and invested. I'm all in.”

Mac nodded. “Fine, I'll stay.”


A week later
Harm's apartment

Mac stretched in bed and felt strong arms pull her closer. She laughed softly. “I can't believe I've been here for a week.”

Harm laughed too. “Do you still feel like you're robbing me of something?”

Mac nodded.

“Then you need to stay longer.” Harm mumbled.

“We need to get up.” She pushed Harm away and got out of bed. “Backup needs to have his morning walk.”

Harm got out of bed too. “Aren't we just the perfect little family?” He lifted the puppy into his arms. “Right Backup?”

Mac studied Harm's happy face. “Can you really be happy like this?”

“I have everything I need right here.” Harm stated. “But you know what Mac?”

“What?”

“We can't be sure that we won't have a baby until we try.” He gave her a wicked smile. “One of these days I'll get you out of that pyjama and I'll show you how fun it can really be to share a bed with me.”

Mac smiled. “I'm surprised you haven't tried it already.”

“I'm a gentleman.” Harm put Backup down on the floor. “And soon you'll realise how happy we can be.” He walked past her while whistling.

Mac shook her head. “I wish I could.” She mumbled.



A week later
Mac's apartment


Mac closed the door behind her and Harm. “I've had a lot of fun today.”

“Me too.” Harm sat down on the couch. “But those boys are exhausting.”

Mac laughed softly. “They really are, but I'm glad we took the time to babysit tonight. Harriet and Bud really deserved a night out.”

“Absolutely.” Harm agreed.

Mac yawned. “I'm going to bed.”

Harm stood. “Me too.” He reached for her hand. “We've been living together for two weeks now, don't you think it's time you admit that we can make it work?” He pulled her close.

Mac relaxed against him. “I wish it was that simple.”

“It is.” Harm kissed her head. “I'm not going anywhere.”

“I could kick you out.” Mac hugged him closer.

“Your words say one thing, but your actions say something else. You don't want me to go.”

“I really don't.”

“I won't leave you even though we can't have children.”

“I know, but will you be happy?”

“Yes.”

Mac released him. “Let's go to bed.”

Harm nodded. “Let's.” He reached out for her and lifted her into his arms. “But I'm done being a gentleman, now I'll show you a good time.”

Mac laughed. “Harm...” She tried to wiggle out of his arms while Backup barked at them.

“Come on Mac, admit it; you want me.” Harm walked to her bedroom and dropped her on the bed.

Mac looked up at Harm from her place in bed. “I really do.” She sat up. “But if we go down that road I can't go back again.”

Harm sat down on the bed. “I know you can't, and neither can I.” He smiled and reached for her hand. “That's why I want to go down that road. We won't turn and go back, we'll just keep going together.”

Mac nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Harm kissed her. “Let's keep going.”

“Let's.” Mac agreed.

And together they walked down that road...