Author: Jubellant
Subject: HBX Challenge May 2008 - Bull's-eye

May Challenge

Why didn’t you tell me?

Need to know?

Well, I guess I needed to know.


Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, just borrowing them for the challenge.



Bull’s-eye!


Mac couldn’t be happier. She and Harm were dating and so far it had been smooth sailing. It made her wonder why they had been so apprehensive about it in the first place. They were like birds of a feather, two peas in a pod, peanut butter and jelly or any of the million other pairings one could come up with. The General was still an unknown entity and rather than rock the boat, they decided to keep their newfound relationship under wraps. Why risk upsetting the apple cart?

Then it happened. Harm started to distance himself from her. They still chatted daily but their occasional sleepovers became a thing of the past. Well, that was not entirely true. The sleepovers with benefits, became a thing of the past. She remembered the discussion well.

They had just finished dinner and Mac was putting on her coat to leave.

“Where are you going Mac,” he asked, his eyebrows arched in surprise.

“Home of course,” she replied with a look that stated wasn’t that obvious?

“I thought it was your turn to be sleeping over?”

“It is as a matter of fact,” she stated.

“So take off your coat and get over here,” he beckoned.

“I can sleep at home Harm.”

“Ah, but it is so much more fun here,” he stated wiggling his eyebrows seductively.

“What’s the point?” She sighed.

“What do you mean what’s the point?” He paused as a look of awareness dawned across his face.

“Oh, I expected so much better of you, Mac.” He looked disappointed.

“What,” she questioned innocently.

“Don’t play innocent with me Mac. I’m not an object.”

“I know that.” At least she had the decency to look ashamed.

“I thought you loved it when we cuddled. You said it made you feel cherished and loved.”

“It does.” She went over and hugged him.

“So what’s the problem then?” he looked genuinely hurt.

“No problem,” she lied. She took off her coat wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

It had been over two weeks since that conversation and the routine had not changed. Was she no longer desirable? That couldn’t be it. From the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t noticing she knew he still found her to be attractive. It wasn’t a male thing either as their close encounters could attest to. So what was it?

After his look of disapproval when she tried to weasel out of their sleeping arrangement she dared not broach the subject again, for the moment. If he had not been so attentive in every other way, she would have really been truly worried.

Last night her tolerance level broke. They had their first big fight since becoming a couple. She could barely remember how it started. Oh yes, she had tried venturing beyond the cuddling stage and she had been gently but firmly shut down. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned aptly fit her description at that moment. She threw her coat on over her nightgown and left for the sanctuary of her own home. She didn’t wish to say anything to him that she would later regret. She assured him she loved him but she just needed her own space right now.

Harm had said something strange before she slammed the door.

“You’ll thank me for this later Mac.”

The guy was delusional if he thought that!

Showering before work the next morning, Mac’s mood still had not recovered. Her fitful night’s sleep had not alleviated matters either.

Arriving at JAG she politely turned down the General’s offer to carpool to the firing range the next day. She stated she had some errands to attend to and would not be directly returning to JAG.

Today was the date of their rematch. At least she had had a better night’s sleep.

The General was doing his version of trash talking during their practise rounds.

“You’d better not hold back because of last time. I want it to be fair and square when I take you down.”

“I would not dream of it Sir. With all due respect, just remember that I did offer to give you a few pointers in the months preceding this event Sir.”

“Aren’t those words a little premature Colonel?”

“I’m highly motivated, Sir.”

“So am I Colonel, so am I. May the best Marine win.”

It was time for the real test. They turned their attention to the task at hand.

Cresswell concentrated on the targets ahead. He was feeling confident and had actually put in a few extra practise sessions in the weeks preceding this test. MacKenzie would have her work cut out for her this time.

Mac had a lot of fury to expend. It was not Harm himself but his attitude and her pent up frustration that found an acceptable outlet in the shape of a target. As each bullet was expelled from the chamber there was a silent chant in her head saying, take that and that and that. She was locked on, like a missile bearing down on its objective.

Targets were changed, distances were increased, and firing stances were altered. Through it all Mac was in the zone. When it was over Mac almost felt like the whole thing had been an out of body experience. She now knew how it felt when an athlete had that perfect game. They anticipated every circumstance and adjusted to every situation. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Roger Federer had nothing on her this day.

Cresswell had glanced over at Mac once or twice. She certainly was taking this challenge seriously. There was no doubt that she was not holding back she did not even seem aware of his presence. Whomever she was aiming at on those targets, he certainly would not want to be in their shoes.

Mac made her excuses to the General and left. Harm would not be around today as he was out investigating one of his cases. She had decided to pamper herself and was off for a body massage and sauna.

The next afternoon the General summoned her to his office. Last time he had gone to her office to concede her superiority. This time she was on her way to see him. He must have done really well. Mac had not even glanced his way yesterday. She had wanted no distractions that might hinder her from achieving her goal. She honestly had no idea how the General had done.

“At ease Colonel. Who’s in the doghouse with you?”

“Sir?” Mac was apprehensive. He did not know about Harm and herself, did he?

“You set a new test record yesterday. Your scores were off the chart!! That was some motivation you had going there. I’d hate to be the one you were firing at!”

“I just felt I hit the zone yesterday Sir!”

“Some zone Colonel. Congratulations! There is no need to even ask, if you held back.”

“Thank you Sir. With all due respect, next time double or nothing, Sir?”

“Count on it Colonel. You are dismissed.”

“Aye aye Sir.” Mac exited the office smartly.

Mac’s spirits were lifted. There was nothing like a natural high after excelling at a sport, especially if it was against a fellow Marine and a General to boot!

Arriving home she put her keys in the door and threw her coat on the chair. She couldn’t wait to tell Harm. What was that delightful aroma floating her way? Looking around there were balloons with the word CONGRATULATIONS on them, candles, and flowers on the table.

What was going on here?

Harm jumped out from behind the coach.

“Congratulations on cleaning the General’s clock Mac.”

“How did you know?” She was certain this was not the type of information the General would be spreading around.

“I just knew,” he stated smugly.

Harm hugged her and was about to give her a congratulatory kiss but she turned her head to avert him from hitting his target.

“What’s wrong?” He looked hurt by her rejection.

“You can’t just turn affection on and off like a bilge switch, Harmon.”

He was certainly in trouble when she addressed him like that.

“I don’t,” he denied earnestly.

“Don’t you lie to me. That’s one thing we said we would never do to each other.”

“I’m not lying Mac. Just let me ask you one question.”

“What,” she asked suspiciously.

“Whose face were you aiming at yesterday on the shooting range?”

“No one in particular, Harm?”’

“I thought we were not supposed to lie? Wasn’t a certain sexually starved woman taking her frustrations with a certain sailor, out on the range yesterday?”

Dawning took shape as she realized the true source of her motivation yesterday.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She admonished him.

“Need to know? Anyways it would have defeated the purpose, Mac.”

“Did you actually think I was that bad of a shot that I needed that type of motivation?” She was highly insulted.

“Well the General’s loss last time gave him powerful motivation not to be beaten twice in a row. I just wanted you to have the same advantage.”

Mac couldn’t stay angry with him as convoluted as his sense of logic was. He really should save his creativity for the courtroom! He had obviously gone to a lot of trouble decorating the place, dinner smelled fabulous and she was ravenous.

After clearing and washing up. They sat on the couch cuddling.

“I think it’s your night to stay over isn’t it?” She nibbled on his ear.

“Yah,” he croaked out. He had really missed their intimacy.

“I’ll be right back. I just want to slip into something more comfortable. I’ll meet you in front of the fireplace, okay?” She kissed him long and hard.

Harm changed into something a bit more comfortable too and sprawled out on the floor. He tossed a few cushions around and relaxed as he waited. Mac was sure taking a long time he thought.

“Mac?”

Getting no answer, he got up to check on her. Turning the bedroom doorknob he found it locked!

“Mac, what’s going on?”

“There is spare linen for the couch in the closet Harm.”

“Why would I be needing those? You aced your test because of me!”

“Goodnight, Sweetheart.” She had added that last word reluctantly because they had said they weren’t supposed to go to bed angry at each other.

“Sleep well Harm,” she cooed.

Well, I guess she just needed to know!


The End