Author: Hollyjp
Subject: February HBX Challenge - "Hell Yes!"

February Challenge Lines for HBX from Touch and Go:

“I’m not involved with Mac.”

Title: Hell Yes!
Author: Hollyjp

Harm tugged the hem of his uniform down one more time, took a deep breath and pulled open the door of her office, determined that today he would tell her once and for all how he felt about her. Once she knew where he stood, they would either move forward or self combust and it wouldn’t matter anymore. This limbo they had been in for so many years would be over.

One foot in front of the other Harm. You can do this. He may be in his forties, but at times like this he felt like the adolescent kid of his youth at his first dance trying to get up the nerve to ask the prettiest girl at the ball for a dance.

Well Mac was certainly pretty but it wasn’t his first dance nor the first time he had crashed and burned either. He had lived through those other times. He would live through this as well.

At least that what he thought until he saw none other than Clayton Webb back out the door of Mac’s office, lean in and kiss Sarah Mackenzie!

Harm’s insides clenched just as Mac’s secretary returned from her break.

“You must be Mac’s boyfriend. She said he was gorgeous.”

“I’m not involved with Mac,” Harm said automatically like he had so many times in the past.

Watching Webb whisper something to the love of his life that he couldn’t hear, sent Harm’s mind reeling back in time to all the other times he had utter those same stupid words - I’m not involved with Mac..

There was the time that they were in the Arizona desert and her uncle Matt had asked him if he was more than friends with his niece. Back then, those words were true. They had just met. They didn’t trust one another and she looked like Diane who had died only a few months before they met. He had still been reeling from the fact that he may have actually been in love with Diane, only he hadn’t realized it until she was gone.

Then there had been all those times Harm had denied any involvement with Mac to Bud, his friend. Bud saw too much, yet he still looked up to Harm. Little did Bud realize that Harm would love to have with Sarah Mackenzie, what Bud Roberts had with Harriet...although maybe a few less children he grinned to himself in spite of the turmoil he was feeling at the sight of Webb being cozy with the woman he wanted.

And how many times had Annie asked Harm that same question in so many different ways. “What about Mac?”
“Are you falling for Mac?”
“Are you in love with Mac?”
“Why don’t you ask Mac?”

And each time he would respond the same. “I’m not involved with Mac.”

Even his mother had gotten into the act. Every time they talked she would bring up Mac’s name if he didn’t himself when he would tell her about something from his life - work, friends, socializing, or just pondering life in general. His mother and even Frank would pounce if they could see a chance to connect him with Sarah Mackenzie. And Harm would calmly reminded them, “I’m not involved with Mac.”

Even though Harm had been bowled over by Lt. Commander Parker that Christmas eve, he had still endured those frequent queries from her about his involvement with Mac. And just as steadfastly he would assure her each and every time that he wasn’t involved with Mac.

He had lived his life under that assumption. He had denied anything more between his partner and himself to Bobbie Latham, Sturgis Turner, the admiral, the General, Harriet, Renee, and stupidly the very man now pressing his lips to hers - Clayton Webb! Each and every time he had assured the other party that he, Harmon Rabb Junior, Commander in the United States Navy, with those same words, “I’m not involved with Mac.”

Now he wanted to kick himself as much as he wanted to kick Webb. With his new determination he marched to the door, tapped Webb on the shoulder and smiled at the shocked look on the face of his one time friend. Clearing his voice and with the commanding tone he was known for on the flight line he changed his tune.

“Excuse me Webb, but there will be no more of that. I lied before. I’m very much involved with Mac. Sorry for not clearing that up sooner,” he added as he stepped between Webb and Mac as he made eye contact with the love of his life and pulled her into his own arms. “You okay with that Mac?”

“Yeah...I’m okay with that. Thanks Clay...we’ll talk to you later.” Harm shut the door as Clay’s laugh echoed in the outer office and Mac studied the face of the man who held her close.

“I came here today to tell you how I feel Mac, but I hadn’t planned on doing it quite this way.”

“Really? I thought this way was quite charming. May I asked what prompted your decisions to change your mind?”

“That’s the funny thing Mac. I decided last night that until I face you and tell you what I feel, I can’t expect you to tell me how you feel. I was going to asked to see you so we could talk and then over dinner let you know that I wanted something more from our relationship. I wanted you to know that no matter what you decided, I would always be here if you needed me, but that I hoped you needed and wanted me in your life, as much as I needed and wanted you in mine.”

“Wow! It would have worked, Harm. That’s nice to know. So what change things?”

“I realized that somewhere along the way I had fallen into a bad habit. I had said, “I’m not involved with Mac,” so many times that it had become a bad habit. I said it without thinking. I never intended to lie, but the words came out like a script with no thought or emotion in them at all.”

“I’m glad. I wonder why now, though.”

“That’s easy Mac. Seeing Webb lean in to kiss you was as effective as a bump on the head for opening my eyes to the new perspective. I don’t know if you ever realized that I almost had a wake-up call a few years ago.”

“When you fell out of the Admiral’s chair and hit your head?” Mac asked with a grin.

“Yeah...how did you know?”

“You called me ‘Sweet thing’ and reached out to touch my breast. Bud was so sure you should go for an MRI.”

“You’re right. I tried to ask Bud if he had ever had a life changing moment but he thought I was talking aliens.”

Mac laughed as she snuggled against his warm, broad chest. “Does this mean that we don’t get to talk over dinner now?”

“Actually, I think it means we’re going to have years of talking over dinner, lunches and breakfasts. I have so much more I want to say Mac, but I want to make it something special to remember.”

“Oh this has been pretty special. And just so you know, Clay was kissing me good-bye. He’s been a good friend and I told him that I thought it was just a matter of time before we worked things out. He wanted me to know that he wished us well and that he’d send some men to punish you if you were ever hurtful to me. Then he told me he was going to do that, because he heard you out there .”

“So that kiss was staged?” Harm asked as he looked down at the woman he still held close to his body.

“You could say that.” Mac laughed. “Am I forgiven?”

“Always, Mac. Always. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

They kissed and agreed on a time for him to pick her up. They would go celebrate the breaking of a bad habit and plan their future together.

That evening as they enjoyed dinner in the romantic atmosphere of the restaurant, Harm groaned when he looked over Mac’s shoulder and saw Keeter coming their way.

“What is it?” Mac asked turning to see what had Harm groaning and grinning at the same time.

“Keeter,” Harm said. “Here goes.”

He stood to greet his old friend, stepping between Mac and Jack. The two men shared a back slap and man hug.

“Harmon Rabb. Going for culture tonight?” Jack laughed.

“Something like that. What brings you here?” Harm countered.

“Meeting some people...twins,” Keeter grinned. “So you involved with anyone?”

Harm had promised to practice a new one liner for the future when their names were linked. This was working up to the perfect opportunity to try it out. It might take a little work to get Keeter to ask the right question, but knowing Keeter, not much.

Mac, as if sensing what Harm was going for, slid her leg out and up Harm’s leg, so that Keeter couldn’t miss it when he looked to see what made Harm flinch.

“Oh yes, I can see there is someone...wait a minute...I’ve seen that leg.” Keeter looked past Harm and into Mac’s grinning face. “You’re involved with Mac?”

Harm grinned and pulled Mac into his arms, “Hell yes!”

The End