Author: Lace
Subject: HBX Challenge 2008 Good together

HBX Challenge October 2008

The story is set in season ten.

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

I changed the challenge lines a little...

Good together

She was sitting alone by the bar at McMurphy's Tavern staring at her glass; it was filled with soda and a twist of lime. Not the usual drink for anyone feeling like her, but she hadn't broken down and fallen off the wagon yet and she wasn't going to either no matter how crappy she felt. The last days had been a nightmare; the last year had been a nightmare; actually the last few years had been a nightmare; if you really looked at it most of her life had been a nightmare. And now she had waited to long and it was to late to get what she really wanted.

“Mind if I join you?” A dark voice came from her right side; she looked up and saw into the eyes of a very handsome man. He was tall, light hair and blue eyes; some might jump up and down if he had asked to sit by them, but Mac didn't really care.

“I don't really care where you sit.” She looked away and focused on her glass again. What was she doing here? She really shouldn't have been anywhere public, but she hadn't wanted to go back to her apartment. It was to quiet and depressing; she really was tired of quiet and depressing.

“Can I buy you a drink?” The handsome man had decided to join her, despite her cold welcome.

“No.” She didn't even bother to look at him.

“I'm David.” He offered his hand and Mac ignored it. He held it to her for a little while longer before he let it fall to his side. “What is a beautiful woman like you doing here on her own?”

“Really? That's the best line you cold come up with?” Mac chuckled. “Why don't you go waste someone else's time?”

“I kind of feel like sitting here with you.” He tried his most charming smile, but he got no response.

“Okay then, good luck with that.” Mac looked at him. “You are wasting your time, you know. First of all I'm not interested and second of all you should stay away from me; I'm damaged goods.”

“Who broke you?” David lost all his charm and turned dead serious.

“I did.” Mac looked down at her soda again.

“What did you do?” David turned on the bar stool and focused on the beautiful woman's bowed head.

Mac sighted and looked at him. “I waited to long.”

“What moron didn't wait on you?” David put on his charm smile again.

“I liked it better when you didn't try to charm me.” Mac looked down again.

“Okay, I'll stop. It's not much to smile about anyway.” He turned towards the bar again and stared into the glass of beer in front of him.

Mac looked up and studied him. “What did you do?”

“I came home from work and found my wife in our bed with my best friend.” David took a sip of his beer before putting the glass down a little to hard.

“That sucks.” Mac smiled sympathetically.

“Yeah, it does.” David looked at her. “So you think this guy of yours have found someone else?”

“I went by his place tonight to talk and he had a woman there.” Mac looked away.

“What a jerk.”

“I don't really blame him for moving on, it's easier for him to be with someone who isn't a mess. I want him to be happy.”

“That's very big of you, you must really care about him.”

“He's my best friend.” Her cellphone rang; she found it in her pocket. “Hello.”

“Where are you?” It was Harm.

“I'm at McMurphy's, I can't really talk now. I'll see you tomorrow.” She ended the call and put the phone away. “Sorry.” She apologized to David.

“No problem.” He smiled and looked down at his half empty glass. They were quiet for a long time, until David looked up. “What's your name?”

“Mac.” Mac offered her hand and David took it.

“Mac? What kind of name is that?” David questioned.

“It's my name.” Mac smiled. “At least the only name you'll get to know.”

“If you are using a false name you could at least come up with a believable name.” David shook his head in amusement.

“Mac!” Mac heard her name being called from behind her and she turned and looked into Harm's eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Mac questioned.

“I came to find you. I was at your place when I called you and now I'm here.” He smiled. “You left so quickly?”

“I didn't want to disturb your date. What are you doing here anyway Harm, where's Professor Montes?”

“It wasn't a date. I sent her home and went to your place. You said you needed to talk?”

“You didn't have to.” Mac stood. “I'm going home now.”

“I'll come with you then.” He took her jacket and helped her put it on. “Or we can go to my place? I have food?” He smiled teasingly.

She turned to David, who was looking at her and Harm. “Good luck with your situation David, I hope you figure it out.”

“You too.” He smiled. “I can't believe your name is actually Mac.”

Mac laughed and waved her hand before following Harm outside. “Who was that?” He asked a little to sharply.

Mac chuckled. “Just a guy I met in a bar.”

“You should be more careful, he could be a psychopath.” Harm didn't look to happy.

“Harm, you just had a date with another woman, you have no right to be jealous.” She walked a little faster and found her keys in her jacket pocket. “I'm going home.”

“Mac! I wasn't on a date!” He walked after her.

“Sure you were and I don't blame you. I'm not worth your love anymore, you should go to her.” Mac kept on walking.

“Are you trying to throw me into her arms Mac? Is that really what you want?” Harm yelled after her.

Mac stopped and turned towards him. “If you love her, it doesn't really matter what I want. Just forget about me Harm, I'm not worth it.”

Harm reached her. “Let me be there for you.” He reached for her and cupped her face in his hand. “Please.”

Mac suddenly felt her eyes water and she lost all control. The tears flowed freely and Harm pulled her into his arms. “Just let it out Mac.”

Fifteen minutes later she was calming down, but still in his arms feeling the strength leave her body. He kissed her head. “Give me the keys to your car.” He took them out of her hand and led her to the passenger side. “Let's go home.”






Mac felt consciousness come to her, but she still hadn't opened her eyes. She felt warm and safe; she wanted to go back to sleep, but the smell of food made her realize how long it was since her last meal. She opened her eyes and looked around; she did remember falling asleep in Harm's bed the previous night. She had been quiet the whole drive from McMurphy's, struggling to stay awake. He had driven to his place and parked the car; she had followed him inside.

“Why don't I warm the food, you sit down.” He had waved his hand in the direction of his couch.

She shook her head. “I don't think I can, I need to sleep.” She had walked to his bedroom without as much as asking him. One of his T-shirts lay on the bed and she had stripped off her clothes and taken it on, before crawling under the covers and closed her eyes.

That was...at eleven thirty last night, which meant that she had slept for...nineteen hours if her watch was correct. She saw the time on the clock on his bedside table. It was six thirty in the afternoon.

She pulled away the sheet covering her and stood; she felt a little light headed, probably do to lack of food. She used the bathroom quickly before descending the stairs from Harm's bedroom.

Harm was seated on one of his bar stools, he looked up when he heard her. “Hey, sleep well?”

“Did I just sleep for nineteen hours?” Mac walked over to him and sat down on the bar stool beside him.

“You were up to use the bathroom around nine this morning, but you went right to sleep again afterwards. I couldn't get any contact with you, so I guess you were really in the need of some sleep.”

“I don't remember being up.” Mac looked around in wonder.

“You want some coffee?” Harm stood.

“Coffee?”

“You know that black stuff that we drink to wake up properly...” Harm smiled as he said it and studied her.

“Okay, yeah I probably need that.” She shook her head to clear it some, but it didn't help any.

Harm put down a mug in front of her. “I made food.”

Mac took a sip of the warm liquid. “Food?”

“The thing we put in our mouths to kill the hunger...” Harm laughed. “You're really out of it.”

“I'll wake up in a while. Sorry about stealing your bed.” She looked away.

“That's okay, you needed it. When did you last have a good nights sleep anyway?” Harm sat down again and looked at her.

Mac had to think. “I haven't slept in four days I think... the last time I had a good nights sleep...I don't really remember.”

“Why haven't you been sleeping?” Harm took her hand.

“I haven't been able to sleep.” She took another sip of her coffee, slowly she felt like she was waking up.

“To much on your mind?”

She nodded.

“The crying helped?”

She nodded again.

“Do you need to talk?”

“I wanted you to help me sleep... I guess you did.” She gave him a thankful smile. “Thank you.”

“I wish I could have helped you sooner.” He stood and kissed her head before walking around the counter to look at something in the oven.

“I haven't been able to ask you for help before... I'm sorry.”

“That's okay, you needed time.” He took something out of the oven, the smell making Mac's mouth water. “I made some lasagna.”

“I'm starving.” She stood and walked around the counter.

“Let's eat then.”


Twenty minutes later Mac sat back in the chair putting a hand on her stomach. “That was great Harm, thank you.”

“Any time Mac.” He smiled and stood to clear the table.

Mac suddenly realized that she was still wearing his shirt and no pants. “I didn't realize that I wasn't wearing any pants until now.” She smiled sheepishly.

“Fine by me, you've got nice legs.” He smiled flirtingly.

Mac smiled back. “Thanks.” She stood and started helping him clear the table.

He studied her face. “How about we get married?”

She put the plate she was holding down and looked at him. “Harm?”

“I'm serious Mac, let's get married.” He took the plate he had in his hands and put it on the counter. “I'm tired of living a separate life from you, I want our lives to be together.”

Mac didn't say anything, she just stared at him.

“Mac?” He stepped close to her and took her hands in his. “Did you hear me?”

She focused on his eyes. “Yeah.”

“What do you say?” He dropped one of her hands and touched her cheek.

“Yes.” She whispered.

“Okay then.” He smiled. “I love you Mac.”

“I love you too.” She whispered.

He leaned in and gave her a short, sweet kiss before he released her and walked away. He went to his desk, opened the drawer and found a small box. “I've had this ring for a while, my mom gave it to me after she married Frank. It's the ring my dad gave her when they got engaged. I've had it hidden away since then. I had it fit for you a while ago; I've just waited for you to come to me.” While he spoke he had walked back to her. He lifted her hand and put the ring on her finger. “A perfect match.” He kissed her hand. “I only plan to get married once and it's going to be forever. I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you and I never will.”

Mac looked at the ring then back to him. “I don't have much to offer.”

“I only want this.” He put a hand over her heart. “And I promise you I'll give you mine.”

“It's yours.” She put a hand over his hand resting over her heart.

He leaned in and kissed her, this time a deep kiss that lasted until they both needed air. “We'll be good together, I promise.”

“I know we will.” She leaned in and kissed him.




Three years later


Harm was sitting in the kitchen with his almost two year old daughter Rebeca, trying to get her to eat dinner.

“Come on sweetie, eat.” He held the spoon up to her mouth. “It's your favorite food.”

“No.” Rebeca shook her head and put her lips tight together. The girl was to stubborn for her own good and no was her favorite word these days. Rebeca had been their four percent miracle; the impossible had happened and Mac became pregnant almost right away. A real life miracle according to Mac's doctor.

“One bite Becca, come on.” Harm tried again.

The little girl shook her head again and reached for the spoon. “Mine.”

“Yes, it is your spoon, but you need to eat what's on it.” Harm held the spoon close to Becca's mouth again.

“Mine.” She was getting angry now and reached for the spoon again.

Harm heard laughter from the door. “Problems?” Mac entered the kitchen and kissed her daughter's head. “You want to eat by yourself?” She took the spoon from Harm and gave it to Becca, before she sat down in Harm's lap.

“Mine.” Becca put the spoon in her mouth with excitement. .

“She's going to make a mess.” Harm wrapped his arms around Mac.

“Yeah, but at least she'll eat.” Mac smiled and kissed him.

“How was work?” Harm asked.

“It was busy, but at least it's the weekend and I can relax with you two.” Mac kissed him again. “How was your day?”

“We mowed the lawn.” Harm smiled. “It took hours because someone kept running in my way.”

Mac laughed. “Have you been a brat today Becca?”

The little girl laughed as well and clapped her hands that were full of food. “Yummy.”

“Yeah, you look really yummy right now.” Harm said as the dirty hands found it's way into her hair. “I told you she'd make a mess.” He pushed Mac away and stood. “Come on Becca, let's get you cleaned up.” He lifted her out of the chair and kissed her cheek, Becca put her hands on his shirt, leaving hand prints with the food.


Half an hour later, Harm came out of their bathroom with a freshly cleaned Becca in her pyjama. Mac had changed out of her uniform and into a shorts and a T-shirt. Harm put Becca down on their bed and went back into the bathroom. Mac could hear him turning on the shower and five minutes later he came back to the bedroom wearing a towel. Mac and Becca were snuggled together on the bed looking through a book about farm animals. Harm quickly put on pyjama pants and a T-shirt before joining them on the bed. He put his arms around Mac, pulled her against his chest and kissed her hair. Becca decided that she was finished with the book and started jumping on the bed instead.

Harm hugged Mac closer. “Your daughter is exhausting.”

“I know, but she's so cute.” Mac smiled and sat up. “Come here Becca.” She grabbed her daughter. “It's time to say good night.”

Becca tried to wiggle out of her mother's grasp. “No.”

“Come on sweetie.” Mac pulled Becca into her arms and lay back down against Harm's chest. Becca finally calmed down and yawned, before she relaxed against her mother. Soon the girl's eyes were closed.

“Finally she's asleep. She's really getting good at talking. My smart, beautiful daughter.” Harm stroke his daughter's head. “I just wish she could use more words than just no.”

Mac looked at him and smiled. “This is the best part of the day; right here with the two of you.”

Harm kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I told you we'd be good together.”

“Yeah, you did.” Mac smiled and snuggled closer to him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He whispered and smiled.