Author: lisa
Subject: "Ready to Play" - June 2007 HBX challenge - a day late and a dollar short. Part 2 of "Play Ball!" above.
In reply to: lisa 's message, "Play Ball! (Repost from last winter - but prequel to June HBX Challenge story below.)" on 20:37:23 07/01/07 Sun

Continuation of “Play Ball” which I posted here last winter. This story will make more sense if you read that one first.

Title: Ready to Play (continuation of Play Ball!)
June 2007 HBX Challenge
Author: lisa
Rating: R
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters aren’t mine – if they were, this is what you would have seen.


Ready to Play
~ by lisa

Who ever coined the phrase “clear as mud” must have had Harmon Rabb in mind at the time, Sturgis decided as he drove home. Twenty years of friendship had given him little insight into the reasoning for what Harm does – or in this case what he doesn’t do. Why in the world wouldn’t he pursue a relationship with Mac? She’s beautiful, smart, challenging. And Lord knows Harm likes a challenge. And then there’s the sparks between the two. Actually, he was surprised they haven’t spontaneously combusted long before now. When he first came on board at JAG, the sexual tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. You’d have to be an idiot not to see it.

Sturgis shook his head in frustration, he had tried everything he could think of tonight to push Harm towards Mac, but Harm was an immovable force. Since Mac had confessed of her feelings for Harm, Sturgis had felt compelled to give love a helping hand, but so far he’d found that as matchmakers go, he was no Dolly Levi.

On the way to his apartment, he decided to call Bobbi and brief her on his failed mission. She was a willing accomplice in the goal of uniting Harm and Mac. However, they were both nearly ready to concede defeat. Bobbi, always the pragmatist, already had a Plan B in the works – setting Mac up with Sam, a very handsome and very single congressional aide. Bobbi asserted that her plan could either make Harm jealous enough to make a move, or if Harm continued to drag his feet, perhaps this might actually be someone Mac would be interested in - if she could just let go of her feelings for Harm.

Searching his gym bag for his cell phone, he came up empty. Muttering a few choice words, Sturgis realized he must have left his phone at Mac’s. Although he was nearly home, he turned around to head back to Georgetown. He’d be leaving early in the morning for Norfolk and he’d need his cell.

He rejoiced at the providence of finding a parking space directly in front of Mac’s building. Earlier he and Harm had to park around the corner and down the block. Wondering if he’d find Harm still here working on the Murphy case, Sturgis made his way to Mac’s door. If Harm was here, he’d take another stab at matchmaking. The more he thought about it, perhaps setting up Mac with Bobbi’s friend just might work to kick start Harm into action. When it came to love, Sturgis decided, Harm couldn’t seem to make a move.


Wow! When it came to making love, Harm made all the right moves, was the fleeting thought that passed through Mac’s mind as he loved her in ways no man had before. They had been lovers for a matter of months, and each time they were together the passion and tenderness and intensity only increased. And now, as the tension built as they approached the peak, she heard Harm murmur words of love he now said so easily as she shouted out her own imminent climax.

Reaching Mac’s apartment Sturgis knocked on the door. Thinking he heard a muffled shout of “I’m coming!” Sturgis waited for Mac to greet him. When a few moments passed without Mac coming to the door, Sturgis decided that perhaps she had actually called for him to come in. Trying the knob, he found the door unlocked and entered her apartment, calling out for Mac.

As his heart rate and breathing slowly returned to normal, Harm rolled over, taking Mac with him as he cradled her against his chest. It may not fit his fighter jock persona, but he loved cuddling with Mac after they made love. Renewing their earlier banter, Harm teased, “Wow, I’d definitely choose playing one-on-one with you over Sturgis any day, Mac.”

“Cute, Harm. It’s a good thing I love you.”

“And you know I love you, … Sturgis?”

“Wow, It’s one thing to get mistaken for another woman, but …”

“Shhh. I think I just heard Sturgis!”

As if on cue, Sturgis called Mac’s name once again.

Mac quickly recovered from her surprise. “Uh, I’ll be right there, Sturgis.”

Throwing on a robe, Mac warned before opening her bedroom door, “Stay here and be quiet.”

“Mac, maybe we should just let him find us here.”

“Buck naked in bed together isn’t really the way to announce our relationship, Harm. We don’t want to give poor Sturgis a coronary!”

Entering the living room, Mac questioned, “Sturgis, what are you doing here?”

“I left my cell phone. I’m sorry, did I interrupt your bath?”

“Uh, something like that. But are you in the habit of just barging into apartments unannounced?”

“Hey, I knocked and I was sure I heard you yell something about coming – I thought you said to come in. And since the door was unlocked … By the way, you really should keep that locked.”

“Well, I see you found your phone so I guess I should get back to my, uh, bath.”

“Actually, Mac, do you have a minute?”

“Now?” Mac glanced furtively towards her bedroom door. “I guess so.”

“Are you free Saturday night?”

Mac teased, “Don’t tell me you’re asking me out. What would Bobbi say?”

Sturgis grinned. “It was actually Bobbi’s suggestion. She and I are going to the NSO concert and have a couple of extra tickets and wondered if you’d like to come with …”

“And, let me guess, you want me to ask Harm. Sturgis, I know what I told you, but you don’t have to take it upon yourself to fix my relationship with Harm.”

“The other ticket isn’t for Harm, Mac. Bobbi has a friend she’s inviting that she thought you’d hit it off with.”

“A male friend?”

“Uh, yeah. He’s a great catch. Good-looking, or so I’ve been told, works in Congress …”

“What about Harm?”

“Mac, you’ve given Harm enough chances at bat and all he does is strike out. Actually, he doesn’t even make it out of the dugout. You need someone that will step up to the plate.”

Mac rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “What is it with sports analogies tonight?”

“Sturgis, love isn’t baseball.”

“I beg to differ - in some ways it is, Mac. And I think it’s time for you to throw to a new batter. Someone who’ll swing at your pitches.”

“Wow, Sturgis, you’ve put love and romance in a entirely new light.”

“Look, Mac. I’ve been watching this game between you to from the grandstands. And you definitely have a no-hitter going with Harm.”

“Isn’t a no-hitter good?”

“Only in baseball, not in love.”

“I thought you said they were the same thing?”

“Hey, I’m just saying that you need someone who’ll hit the ball out of the park. Harm is batting zero.”

Harm had pulled on his clothes and now was pacing behind the door, listening. It was all he could do to keep from storming out to defend his own honor. First his “friend” tries to set up Mac with another guy, and now he’s basically calling him a loser in the romance department! To hell with secrecy, it was time to stake his claim.

“Listen, Sturgis, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine ..”

Mac’s voice trailed off as they both turned with surprise to see Harm sauntering out of her bedroom.

Sturgis didn’t seem all that shocked to see him exiting Mac’s bedroom. “Hey, Harm. I didn’t know you were still here. Whatcha up to?”

Mac shot Harm a warning glare. “Uh, he was just helping me with my, um, pipes - for my bathtub. Right, Harm?”

Mac noted with dread that there was nothing about the sexy, heated look Harm fixed upon her that reminded her of a friendly plumber. He was not going to go along with her plan to keep their relationship quiet.

His low, gravelly tone oozed with implications of things best not mentioned in front of a preacher’s son, she thought. “Yeah - cleaning out your - pipes, Mac. If that’s what you want to call it.”

Sturgis, somehow oblivious to Harm’s innuendo, observed, “Where are your tools?”

Harm reluctantly broke eye contact with Mac to focus on Sturgis. “Tools? I only needed one tool, right Mac?”

Now here was a topic that could get Sturgis’ juices flowing – tools and repairs. “Really? What did you use, a 3/8th wrench?”

Harm eyes gleamed with wicked humor as he glanced at Mac. “Actually, I’d call it a large screwdriver. Didn’t you tell me it was the biggest one you’ve ever encountered, Mac?”

Mac felt a blush creeping up her face. Ignoring Harm’s provocative comment she tried desperately to change the subject, mentioning to Harm, “Sturgis just offered me tickets to the NSO this weekend.”

Harm stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest and his eyes narrowed as he glared at Sturgis. “Really. And just hours ago you were offering those tickets to me, buddy.”

“Well, Harm, you didn’t seem interested in my suggestion.”

Sturgis took advantage of the perfect opportunity to implement his and Bobbi’s plan to make Harm jealous. “So I thought Mac might be interested in going with a friend of Bobbi’s. Bobbi and I thought the four of us could go out to a club after the concert, Mac. Do a little dancing. You should have a great time. How about it?”

Harm interrupted before she could answer. “Mac’s not interested, Sturgis.”

“How would you know, Harm? Let the lady answer for herself.”

“Because she’s going with me to the concert.”

In unison Sturgis and Mac replied.

“She is?”

“I am?”

Turning to address Mac, Harm’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement, challenge, and love. “Sturgis suggested earlier that I try romancing you, Mac. So come with me to the concert.”

Playing along she replied, “Well, I guess I could do that Harm.”

As he spoke he moved closer and closer. But we’re not going dancing afterwards.”

Mesmerized by his erotic gaze, she murmured, “We’re not?”

”No. Instead I’m going to take you home to my place and make love to you all night long. But first, you’ll let me watch as you slip out of the sexy dress you’ll be wearing.” His smooth, sexy voice sent shivers down her spine. “And then I’ll lie you down and kiss every inch of your incredible body.”

Mac had to struggle to not burst out laughing at Sturgis’ dumbfounded, shocked expression. After a moment he found his voice along with his chivalry. “Harm!” Sturgis chastised, “That is not an appropriate way for you to speak to Mac!”

Glancing at Sturgis, Harm replied, “Hey, I’m just stating my intentions. In fact, why don’t we start right now with that making love all night long thing.” Pulling Mac tightly against his body he kissed her with all he had.

Sturgis couldn’t believe the audacity of his friend. “Harm! What’s got into you? Did you hit your head tonight?” Turning to Mac he asked, “Do you want to me to get rid of him for you, Mac?”

Pulling back slightly from Harm’s embrace she replied, “That’s okay, Sturgis, I’m just fine. And I don’t think I’ll want a different batter, either.”

Sturgis, feeling dazed and confused by Harm’s 180 degree change, decided to leave while he was ahead. “Well, I guess I’ll be going then. Uh, see you both later.”

Harm replied without taking his eyes off Mac. “Bye, Sturg. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I’ve got to see how many bases I can round with Mac”

She shook her head at his cocky statement, but grinning she declared, “You just might hit a grand slam, Harm.”

Stepping out of Harm’s arms to offer a proper good-bye, Mac turned to Sturgis, “See you tomorrow. And thanks for the advice, coach.”

As the door closed, Harm reached again for Mac. Laughing, she avoided his grasp and taunted, “Hey, batter, batter.”

Mac squealed as Harm swept her over his shoulder to carry her back to bed. “Come on, Mac. I’ve got a home run to hit.”

And as Sturgis got in his car, he tried not to think about what Harm and Mac might be doing right now. But patting himself on the back for his supposed success at matchmaking, he reached for his phone. “Hey Bobbi, I don’t quite know how it happened, but your plan to make Harm jealous worked like a charm…”

The End