Author: Lace
Subject: HBX Challenge September 2008 Life is good


HBX Challenge September 2008

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

This story is set about six months after Adrift part two.



Life is good


Harm was finished in court and was on his way back to his office when he came to a sudden stop passing Mac's office. She was there with a man and it didn't look like it was business they were discussing, Mac was smiling and the man was a little too close to her for Harm's liking. Harm noticed Harriet by the fax machine and walked over to her.

“Hey Harriet. How's it going?” Harm tried to come off as cool, when what he really wanted to do was to chew his nails off.

Harriet was in her usually good mood. “I'm fine Commander. How did court go?”

Harm tore his eyes away from Mac's office. “It went well.”

Harriet noticed where Harm's eyes were falling. “Is there something I can help you with Sir?”

“Who is that guy in Mac's office?” Harm tried not to sound whiny.

Harriet smiled. “He's with the law firm Kensington and Cornwell, he's here on a case.”

Harm was relieved. “So it's business?”

Harriet shook her head. “Well, it was business, but the case ended this morning. Now I think he's trying to get a date.”

Harm whipped his head from the direction of Mac's office again and focused on Harriet. “Is Mac dating? It hasn't been that long since Brumby left, has it?”

“It's been six months. He's quite the hunk that man.” Harriet said.

“Brumby?” Harm questioned.

Harriet smiled. “Well, him too, but I was referring to Mr Kensington. He's handsome and partner in a firm. Can you picture their kids, they will be beautiful.”

Harm was starting to sweat. “He doesn't seem like her type and he's probably slimy, most lawyers are.”

Harriet chuckled. “You are a lawyer Sir?”

“But I'm a JAG lawyer, totally different territory.” Harm argued.

Harriet sobered up. “I wasn't implying that you are slimy Sir, I would never...”

Harm cut her off. “I know Harriet. I better go drink some water, I'm thirsty.”


Later in the break room Harm was standing by the counter waiting for the coffee to be done when Mac came walking in, a big smile on her face.

“Hey Harm. How was court?”

Harm mumbled something about it being fine.

Mac studied him. “Everything okay?”

Harm shrugged his shoulders. “Sure.”

Mac pointed to the pot of coffee. “It's done Harm.”

Harm looked confused. “What?”

“The coffee is done, I assume that's what you're waiting for.” She reached for the pot and filled her own mug before placing it back. “Are you sure everything is fine?”

Harm pored himself a cup of coffee. “Just great Mac, everything is just great.” He walked briskly passed her and disappeared from the room.

Mac shook her head in confusion before walking after him. She met up with Harriet, who was on the way into the break room. “Hey Harriet, how's it going?”

Harriet smiled widely. “I'm great. Was that Mr Kensington I saw in your office earlier? He's quite good looking, don't you think?”

Mac shrugged her shoulders. “I guess he is Harriet.”

“Did he ask you on a date?” Harriet was on a roll now, wanting to find out if her friend had a new man in her life.

Mac nodded. “He did, but I said no.”

Harriet looked like she had lost her best friend. “Why? He's perfect for you.”

Mac shook her head. “No he's not, he's a man and at the moment men and I are having a break.”

Harriet was disappointed. “But he's perfect and you haven't dated since Mic.

“He probably is perfect for someone, but I'm not that someone. Don't worry Harriet, I'm happy.” Mac assured. “Actually, I'm great.” She smiled widely before walking to her office whistling a happy tune.


Over the next days Mac continued to be in a good mood, Harm on the other hand walked around looking like someone had just told him that he would never be able to fly again. He was short with everyone and he even barked at a Petty Officer for bringing him the wrong file.

Mac knocked on Harm's door. “Is it safe to enter?”

Harm looked confused. “Safe? Why wouldn't it be safe?”

“Because you are barking at everyone and Petty Officer Hendricks looked like she was about to cry when you yelled at her.” Mac sat down in one of his visitors chairs. “Talk to me Harm.”

Harm gave her an impatient look. “I don't want to talk.”

Mac stood. “Want to join me at the gym later, blow off some steam?”

Harm shook his head. “I'm busy.”

Mac gave up. “Okay, let me know when you want to talk, I'm here.”

“But your not going to be forever.” Harm said.

Mac looked confused. “Off course I will always be there for you.”

Harm opened the file in front of him. “I need to work.”

Mac left him alone and went to find something unhealthy to eat. Life was good, no reason to let Harm's bad mood ruin her good mood.


Later that night Mac had finished her workout, she was walking from her car and to her building when she noticed Harm's car by the pavement. She couldn't see him in the car, she entered her building and walked upstairs to her apartment. He was standing outside her door.

Mac smiled. “Hey Harm.”

He turned towards her, but didn't return the smile. “Hey.”

Mac opened the door. “Come in.”

Harm entered her apartment and turned towards her. “You are in a good mood lately.”

Mac smiled widely. “Life is good.”

“Really?” Harm questioned.

Mac dropped her bag on the floor. “You are in a crappy mood. What's up?”

“I just thought...” He stopped talking. “I just...” He stopped again. “Are you...” He ran a frustrated hand over his head.

Mac chuckled. “Wow Harm, how about you finished one trail of thoughts before starting a new one?”

“I thought you weren't ready to date yet. Stupid me right? And now it's to late again.” Harm walked passed her and reached for the doorknob.

Mac hurried to put her hand on the door and slipped between him and the door. “What are you talking about?”

Harm removed his hand from the doorknob and stepped back. “That lawyer guy, he's the reason why you are so happy?”

Mac put her hand out and touched his arm. “Harm, I'm not dating anyone.”

“But Harriet said that he was there to ask you on a date and she talked about how beautiful your kids would be and you have been in such a good mood lately...” He rambled on and on.

Harm!” Mac put her hand over his mouth. “I'm not dating, I'm in a good mood because I'm happy. I've finally accepted that what happened with Mic was a good thing and I'm happy that I'm alone and not in a marriage that was all wrong. I'm ready to move on and it feels good.”

Harm removed Mac's hand from his mouth. “Oh.” He said, feeling stupid. “I feel stupid.”

Mac chuckled. “You were jealous? That's sweet.”

Harm looked away. “I'm not jealous.” He mumbled.

Mac touched his face. “What do you want Harm?”

He turned his head towards her. “I don't want you to date.”

Mac nodded. “I'm not dating.”

“And if you want to date I want you to date me.” He added weakly.

Mac put her hand around his neck and hugged him. “I can do that.”

He pulled her close. “Don't make a promise you can't keep.”

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I never have yet.”

He cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her. Mac pulled him closer and deepened the kiss.



The next morning Harm arrived a little late for work, he swung by the break room and filled a mug of coffee before walking to his office. On the way there he walked passed Petty Officer Hendricks. “Good morning Petty Officer, I'm sorry for barking at you yesterday.” Harm gave her an apologetic smile. “I was in a bad mood and you just happened to be in the line of fire.”

“That's okay Sir.” Hendricks looked pleased with the apology.

Harm walked passed Harriet's desk. “Good morning Harriet, it's a great morning isn't it?”

Harriet smiled back. “It is Sir. You seem to be in a good mood.”

“It's a good day and a good life, no reason not to be in a good mood.” Harm said before he walked to his office, whistling on a happy tune.


Mac walked into his office with a big smile on her face. “You are late this morning.”

Harm smiled back. “I woke up in someone else's apartment this morning, took me some time to get home this morning.”

Mac laughed softly. “Really? Was she any good?”

Harm put his hands behind his head and leaned back in the chair. “I'm pretty sure I saw stars for a moment.”

“Wow, that's something.” Mac teased.

“Yeah.” Harm stood and walked around his desk. “How about you come to dinner tonight, I'll show you a good time.” He stood really close to her.

Mac stepped away from him. “You better keep some distance there Harm, I don't seem to be able to concentrate with you so close. What did you say? Dinner?” She pretended to think about it. “Okay, but it better be something good for dessert.”

“I'm pretty sure dessert will be excellent.” He looked her up and down. “I'll enjoy it at least.

Mac walked to the door. “See you later then.” She gave him a sexy smile and walked away.

“Later it is.” He said to the empty room. Life was good, absolutely fantastic.