Author: lisa
Subject: "Red Light, Green Light" - HBX February '07 Challenge

A HBX February 2007 challenge response.

Red Light, Green Light
~ by lisa

AN 1: My use of the challenge lines is a bit like “Where’s Waldo”, so I listed them again below to jog your memory when you come across them. (There are slight variations in my use of the lines.)

Kinky.
Yellow light, Major.
Oh, come on, Harm. Haven't we reached the point where we can drop the traffic signals?
Absolutely.
Did I tell you why a female Marine is like the Energizer Bunny?
On second thought, let's not.

AN 2: This is what I would have done with this situation if I were TPTB. Sadly, I’m not. You might be able to pick up on the fact that there’s one character I don’t particularly like. (Actually I think I hit you over the head with it!) I hope no one is offended by my representation of him. Also, in addition to the challenge lines, I use a few other lines from a different episode. I’m quoting them from memory - I was too lazy to check my tape - so they might not be exactly right.



Red Light, Green Light

Mac didn’t know if she was ready for this. She had led with her heart and not her head. And while she was happy at the idea of this new relationship, the thought of changes to her well-structured life made her somewhat apprehensive. While some made such decisions lightly, without weighing the consequences, it was a commitment she took seriously. Hopefully she wouldn’t live to regret it. However, the benefits certainly did outweigh any inconvenience! She welcomed the thought of sharing her life and love with another. To not come home to an empty apartment night after night.

Although his attention could be cloying, she appreciated Mic’s support. He had been a good sport while she dragged him from store to store – getting everything needed for this transition. And now here she was, walking out of the animal shelter - the proud owner of an aging, retired, drug-sniffing dog. She hadn’t had a dog since she was 15, when her mother had left taking her beloved dog Ruggles with her - the only source of unconditional love Mac had known at home. When she’d lain in bed listening to the shouting and the fighting, Ruggles would nuzzle close, offering comfort with his presence.

"Thanks again for your help tonight, Mic. I owe you one. I just couldn’t stand the thought of poor old Jingo being put down – especially after all his years of service. He doesn’t deserve that."

Mic replied with a leering glance and a tone filled with unwelcome innuendo, "No worries, Sarah. I know how you can make it up to me later."

Trying to let him down easy, after all he had been helpful tonight, nonetheless Mac attempted to once again let him know where things stood between them. "Mic, don’t get any ideas. I appreciate your help – as a friend. But that’s all we are and all we’ll ever be – friends and colleagues."

Acting as if he hadn’t even heard her, Mic smugly retorted, "We’ll see, Sarah. In the meantime, would you like to go out for a “friendly” dinner with me tomorrow?”

Mac heaved a sigh of annoyance. "I don't know, Mic. I'll have to let you know. Now, I’d like to get Jingo home."

Later that evening, after exploring his new home, Jingo was happily entrenched on his new dog bed, while Mic was happily entrenched on Mac’s sofa. With no sign that he was preparing to leave anytime soon, Mac decided to give him a subtle hint. Mic was nice enough, but she just wasn’t interested in him as more than a friend. Truth be told, her heart pined for another certain Navy commander – a flyboy, turned lawyer, turned flyboy, turned lawyer. Sadly, she was beginning to believe her feelings would never be returned – that Harm truly did see himself as nothing more than her "brother". That comment still stung, shaking her belief that someday their close friendship would grow into something more – something permanent. Just six months ago he suggested going halves on a baby in five years. What was that about? Was it just pity for poor, pathetic Mac? Yet, there were times when their eyes met or they touched that she could feel sparks fly between them – sparks she believed he felt too. Sparks that kept hope alive.

One thing was certain, she didn’t feel those sparks with Mic. Cutting him off before he could continue droning on with another long-winded tale about Australia, she tried that not-so-subtle hint. "Well Mic, you’ve been a great help tonight, but I should call it a night…."

"Oh, Sarah, you don’t know how great I can be." Fighting the urge to roll her eyes at his obvious double entendre, the word ‘smarmy’ came to mind.

Before she knew what was happening he had leaned forward, planting his lips on hers. Immediately she stood up from the sofa. "Mic! I told you I’m not interested in a relationship right now."

Mic was not giving up so easily. He wanted Sarah MacKenzie and he would eventually wear down her resistance. However, this might call for a momentary tactical retreat to regroup and attack from another angle. "I’m sorry, Sarah, you’re just so hard to resist! I’ll take off soon, but how about one more cup of coffee for the road?"

Smiling with relief at his acquiescence, Mac quipped, "Would you accept a plea bargain of half a cup?"

"You’re a tough opponent, Sarah."

As Mac headed toward the kitchen, Mic decided to try one more volley to break down Sarah MacKenzie’s defenses. He had had plenty of women respond to his advances. Mac couldn't be that hard of a nut to crack. Besides, now that Rabb was back he needed to stake his claim. He couldn’t risk taking it slow any longer. Maybe he just needed to turn up the heat, then she'd melt in his arms. He had started the evening with plans for how this night would end, and going home with nothing more than a cup of coffee to keep him warm wasn't it. Following her into the kitchen, he wrapped her in his arms from behind while placing wet kisses upon her neck.

Mac whipped around and pulled out of his grasp. "Red Light, Commander!" This man was so dense! What did she have to do to get the message across? Did he really think she would respond to his slobbering all over her?

Mic whined in frustration. "Oh, come on, Sarah. Haven't we reached the point where we can drop the traffic signals?" As he spoke he pressed close, trapping her against the refrigerator, his hand moving up toward her breast.

Mac took his hand from her breast, bending it backwards as Mic howled in pain. "Absolutely! I do think we are past the point of using traffic signals. You obviously need a stronger signal!"

Trying to ignore his wounded pride as well as his throbbing hand, he resorted to an air of false bravado. "Wow, Sarah, that's quite the foreplay technique. Are you ready to move things to the main event?"

Mac couldn't believe his arrogance! "Do you need a traffic light to fall on his head?" With her words her fist made contact with a quick punch to his solar plexis.

Mic doubled over, gasping for air. From his years in the ring, he was no stranger to sucker punches, but this jab rivaled any he had received in the past. Only his ego kept him from falling to his knees.

"Did you receive the signal now, Commander?"

Still trying to catch his breath, Mic muttered, "Loud and clear."

"Good, because next time the “signal” will be delivered a little lower."

"Well, Colonel, I think I’ll head home now.”

Still fuming, Mac retorted, “Good idea, Mic.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, Sarah. Uh, do you still want to get together for dinner tomorrow night?" At Mac's incredulous glare, Mic answered his own question. "On second thought, let's not."

With Mic finally out the door, Mac turned her attention back to her new roommate. Calling him up on the sofa with her, she absently stroked his fur. "What a night! Oh, Jingo, the men in my life are so frustrating! I think they both must be colorblind. One can't read a red light if his life depended on it, and the other can't seem to get his foot off the brake with the signal's a clear green." Jingo's only response was an empathetic lick to her face.

Chuckling, "Well, I'm glad I have you. Come on let's go to bed. At least you'll keep me warm at night."

Miles away, north of Union Station, someone else was lying in bed brooding. Harm couldn't get Mac off his mind. He had seen her leave the office with Bugme, smiling and laughing. He had caught bits of their conversation about some plans she had in mind for the evening. He tried to tell himself that it was her own business, she knew her own mind, but … someone needs to look out for her!

Tossing and turning, he muttered to himself. "Brumby isn't right for her. He's a weasel. And besides that, they really don't have any chemistry! There’s no connection between them. Not like the connection and chemistry she and I have ... Wait a minute, Rabb. Don't go there. She’s your partner and best friend. Yes you care for her – but like a brother."

Groaning, Harm sunk lower under the bedding. His words from earlier in the week came back to haunt him. 'No man wants to be friends with a woman who looks like you, Mac.' And then realizing what he admitted, his quick backpedal, 'Except for me, of course, because I'm like a brother.' Once again he found himself carrying on a one-sided conversation. "Quit lying to yourself, Rabb. You know your feelings for Sarah MacKenzie are nothing like a brother and you have way more than friendship on your mind when it comes to her."

Without consciously thinking about it, Harm reached for the phone. He had to hear her voice - just to reconnect. As the phone was ringing, he had a horrible thought: ‘What if Bugme’s there?’ Before he could hang up, she answered.

Mac lay in bed trying to take her mind off men by getting lost in the novel she was reading. Jingo, meanwhile, was doing his best to divert her attention from the book by periodically licking her face. "Jingo, stop it," she laughed as his tongue licked her nose. She was still chuckling when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

Unsure at the laughter he heard in her voice, he hesitated. "Uh, hi Mac. It's me, Harm."

"I know who you are, Harm. What's up?"

"Well, I just wanted to talk ..."

"Wait, can you hang on just a second, Harm? I have to take care of something."

"Sure Mac," he replied as he heard her set the phone down on a table. And then he heard something he wished to god he could block out of his brain. Giggling. Mac giggling? Followed by her voice in the distance. "Now stop it! I need a minute to talk to Harm. Get your tongue off me now, or you’ll have to leave the bed." And then more laughter. "Don't lick me there, that tickles!"

Ugh, he wanted to be sick! Obviously she was with Brumby. Brumby!! He had to get off the phone before he overheard anything else. His head was already filled with revolting images of Bugme touching his Mac. He needed a stiff drink. No, what he needed was to wash his brain out with soap. A moment later Mac was back on the phone.

"Sorry about the wait, Harm. What did you want to talk about?"

"Um, I just wanted to pick your brain for this case I'm working on, Mac. But I’m getting a call on my cell," he lied. "I'll just talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay Harm. See ya. Sleep well."

"Uh, yeah. Bye Mac." Sleep well? Not likely. Not with images of Bugme and Mac dancing around his head.

The next morning found a tired and dejected Harm on his way to the break room with only two things on his mind – caffeine and Mac, not necessarily in that order. Make that three things. Entering, he bumped into the third distraction that was plaguing him – Bugme. What a crappy start to his day.

Still licking his wounded ego, Mic was not ready to play nice with ‘Righteous Rabb’. He could tell Harm and Mac had feelings for each other and it burned him that Harm would be free to swoop in and take what Mic wanted. He was not going to just step aside. He may not be a pilot, but he knew something about diversionary tactics, and the first thing he needed to do was keep him from the pursuit. Rabb was too honorable for his own good. If he could make it seem like Mac belonged to him, Harm would back off.

With a slap on the back, Mic greeted Harm. “Morning, mate! How was your night?” Without waiting for a reply, Mic went on, gloating, “Blimey, what a night Mac and I had! First, I helped her fulfill one of her desires, if you know what I mean, and then wow! What a wildcat! Let’s just say I can now tell you why a female Marine is like the Energizer bunny.”

Harm fixed Mic with a menacing glare. Great. Just freakin’ great! He did not need this. He didn’t want to hear about their night together. He so wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk right off his obnoxious face. Clinching his fists trying to avoid doing just that, Harm lowered his voice and threatened, “Brumby, that is a fellow officer you are talking about. I’ll remind you to show some respect. And if I ever hear you speak so crudely about Colonel MacKenzie again, you will regret it.”

As Harm turned to leave sans coffee, Mic threw a parting retort. “Still a little bit in love with her, aren’t you Rabb.”

Without acknowledging him, Harm continued to his office. Slumping in his chair, Harm prayed for this day to pass quickly. Fortunately, Mac was in Norfolk for the day so he wouldn’t have to face her.

Harm stayed holed up in his office for most of the day. Fortunately he had plenty of paper work to keep him occupied. Finishing his last report, he sighed rubbing his eyes. Checking his watch he realized it was long past quitting time and the bullpen was now empty. Packing his briefcase, he was startled by the sudden appearance of his commanding officer in the doorway.

“Commander, you’re working late.”

“Yes sir, just catching up on some reports.”

“I’ve actually been doing the same. And unfortunately I just came across this file Colonel MacKenzie asked me to review, which I’ve neglected to return. I’m afraid she may need this tonight in preparation for the Jackson article 32 tomorrow.”

“Uh, that’s a shame, sir.”

“Commander, I realize this request is an imposition, but since it appears you are on your way out, could you drop it off at the Colonel’s apartment? I know it’s out of your way, and I would deliver it myself, but I’m afraid I’ll be working quite awhile yet.”

“Certainly, admiral, I’d be happy to take care of that for you.” Well, maybe not ‘happy’ to do it. More like dreading it. Going to the scene of the crime, facing Mac with images of she and Brumby together.

Oblivious to Harm’s inner turmoil the admiral went on. “I hope it won’t be too inconvenient.”

“Not at all, sir. I’ll head over there now.” No, not inconvenient. Painful. Nauseating. Gut-wrenching. But not inconvenient.

Actually, maybe it would be good to talk to Mac. Perhaps this relationship with Brumby isn’t all he imagined. Finding he was actually looking forward to seeing her, Harm arrived at Mac’s door a short time later.

His anticipation was short-lived. Preparing to knock on Mac’s door he was hit with feelings of déjà vu. “Oh not again.” Unfortunately, he’d never realized Mac’s door was so thin.

Inside he heard the sounds of movement and giggling. Again with the giggling! And then the sounds of Mac’s soft, sultry voice. “Lie down now. I know you don’t like lying on the floor, but if you want a treat, you have to do it my way. Here you go, baby. I know, that isn’t enough, you want more, don’t you? Well, you can have more, but do you know how to beg for it? Oh you’re so good!”

‘Geez, Mac, making the guy beg for it?’ Harm couldn’t believe what he was hearing!

Like someone stopping to gawk at a car accident, Harm couldn’t seem to tear himself away. And then he wished he had. Mac’s cooing, feminine voice invaded his brain once again. “I know what you want now, big boy, and we’ll do it, but you know what you need first. Let’s get this collar and leash on you.”

Feeling quite repulsed, actually, Harm muttered disgustingly, “Good grief! A collar and leash? How kinky, Mac! I never would have expected you to be into that kind of stuff. I know you Marines are control-freaks, but that’s taking domination a little too far.”

Shaking his head in disbelief, Harm turned to walk away, but was stopped when Mrs. Murphy, Mac’s elderly neighbor from across the hall, opened her door. “Well hello, Commander. How nice to see you again! You must be coming to visit Sarah.”

“Well, actually Mrs. Murphy. I believe the Colonel has company. I don’t want to intrude so I’ll just come back later.”

“Oh, I don’t think so Commander. I saw her return just a short while ago, and I haven’t seen anyone else enter. I keep a close eye on that one! Pretty young thing like Sarah. You can’t be too careful in this world, now-a-days. One hears of such terrible things! But I guess I won’t have to watch her quite so much, now that she has her new housemate. He should protect her.”

“Uh, housemate?” Could Brumby be living with her?

Ignoring his comment, Mrs. Murphy stepped over and knocked on Mac’s door. “Sarah, you have company.” Not waiting for a response, Mrs. Murphy turned, “Oh, I almost forgot. I’m missing Wheel of Fortune! Good-bye, Commander.”

Before Harm could flee, Mac’s door opened. Harm closed his eyes, bracing himself for an incredibly awkward situation and a sight he really didn’t want to see. Harm’s eyes shot open as a large furry beast jumped against him, nearly knocking him to the ground.

Mac grabbed Jingo’s leash, pulling him off Harm. “I’m so sorry, Harm. Jingo’s excited because we were just on our way out for a walk. Are you all right? Harm??”

Standing in the doorway dazed and confused, Harm stammered, “Uh, where’s Bugme, I mean Brumby? And whose dog is this?”

“Brumby? He won’t show his face here if he knows what’s good for him! Why would you think he would be here?”

“Well, he uh, led me to believe you two are … together.”

Mac was fuming, “That self-serving bastard! He might need a refresher course in traffic school!”

Harm was filled with hope, “Do you mean you’re not with him?”

“No! He was, as you crassly said, on my scent. But I made sure he lost the trail.”

Harm grinned. “Sent him to the dog house, Marine?”

“In a manner of speaking. Let’s just say if he tries anything again, he’s be singing at a higher pitch.”

Chuckling, “Hoorah, Marine. I wish I could have seen you put him in his place. But you still haven’t answered by other question. Whose dog is this?”

“Mine. This is Jingo.”

“When did you get a dog? Wait a minute. Is this your oregano-sniffing dog?”

“Drug sniffing! But after his failure in court, they were retiring him. With no one to take him in, he was going to be put down. I couldn’t let that happen!”

Harm hand cupped her cheek, gently stroking the soft skin. “Sarah MacKenzie, under that kick-ass, jarhead exterior, you are just a big softie! You have a good heart, Marine.”

Meeting his heated gaze, Mac tried to read the swirl of emotions she saw in his eyes. What she saw filled her with equal parts of hope, love, and confusion. Breaking eye contact and the intensity of the moment, Mac brought the conversation back to a safer topic. “So, Jingo’s mine now. That’s what Mic was helping me with last night – picking up Jingo.”

Harm now thought he must have leapt to an erroneous conclusion last night, but he had to be sure. Reaching down to pet Jingo, he asked, “Uh, speaking of last night, I kind of got the impression that you had company when I called.”

“Company? No one was here, but Jingo. Why do you ask?”

Harm grinned in relief. “Oh, no reason.” Giving Jingo one last pat, he quickly changed the subject, “Hey, I stopped by to drop off this file for the admiral. You and Jingo were just on your way out for a walk, so I’ll let you go.”

Mac halted him with a hand to his arm. Once again she felt that spark between them. And from the smile on his face and the warm way he was looking at her, she was sure he felt it, too. “Why don’t you join us? It’s a beautiful night for a walk in the park. And you can get to know Jingo!”

Smiling down at her, he took her hand and led her and Jingo out the door.

Later, as they strolled under the stars, Mac’s voice ended the comfortable silence. “So Harm, you really thought I had a thing for Brumby?”

“Mac, let’s just say there have been some misunderstandings. Actually, there is one misunderstanding I would like to clear up.” Stopping to look in her eyes, Harm shyly continued. “You know when I said I think of you as just a friend because I’m like your brother?”

Hesitantly, “Yeah?”

“Well, I don’t Mac.”

Recognizing the vulnerability in his eyes, Mac softly questioned, “Don’t what, Harm?”

“I don’t think of you as just a friend and I certainly don’t feel like your brother. I want more than that with you, Mac. I’m not sure if I’m ready yet, but someday soon, I want so much more.”

Mac whispered, “So do I, Harm. I want more - with you.”

Grinning, Harm reverted to his cocky flyboy persona. Arching his eyebrows he leaned in close. “So, Marine, if I were to kiss you, would you give me a yellow light?”

Smiling back at him, Mac laced her fingers through his. “Only green lights, Sailor. Green lights all the way!”


The End