Author: Henya - who could use some decent sleep herself
Subject: HBX January 06 Challenge - "How to Get Some Decent Sleep in D.C."

A/N – I just threw this down so I could get it out of my head. Forgive any mistakes and please enjoy.

How To Get Some Decent Sleep in D.C.


JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA


Harm was working in his office and didn’t realize that it was so late. He was fully engulfed in a new assignment and didn’t come up for air until it was almost midnight.

“Friday night and still working. What an exciting life you lead Rabb,” he thought to himself.

Assuming that he was the only one in the office, he noisily got up and started gathering his things together to go home. A voice in the distance startled him.

“Hey! Quiet down! Some of us are trying to get some work done around here!”

He walked over to Mac’s office and found her sitting at her desk. She looked up at him and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Even though he was unaware of her presence in the office, she had been well aware of his.

“What are you still doing here? I thought I was the only crazy person who works late on a Friday night,” he asked her.

“Well, I assume I’m doing what you were doing until just a few minutes ago. You know, working?” She gave him a sideways grin.

“Well, I was actually on my way out. I’ve had just about enough of this place. I’m exhausted.”

“Maybe I should drive you home. You may be too tired to drive.” She was half serious and half teasing at the same time.

Harm grinned at her and replied, “I appreciate your concern for my safety, but don't you think you'd be better off going home and getting a good night's sleep? It is rather late you know?”

Mac looked down at her desk before quietly saying, “I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was home. I seldom do.”

Her statement made Harm become lost in thought. When he heard her say things like that, it made him realize just how much he cared for her and just how much he wanted to help her. If she only knew how he felt.

“Well, how about we both head out and go home. I think it’s time, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Mac got up and gathered her things. Together they walked to the parking lot.

“See you later.” Harm stared hard at her and waited for her to respond.

“Yeah, later,” she said.

They both got in their cars and headed for home.


Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station

Harm unlocked the door to his apartment and went in. He grabbed something small to eat and decided to take a quick shower. When he was done, he resisted the urge to call Mac and see how she was doing. He fell into bed and was asleep within minutes.


Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown

Mac walked into her apartment with a sense of dread. She was almost afraid to get into bed. She was sick of simply lying there, starting at the ceiling. She downed some ice cream and decided to take a bath. She filled the tub with her favorite bubble bath and soaked for a while.

Like she predicted, she got into bed and couldn’t sleep despite her exhaustion. It had been a very long week. Work was very busy and she should be sleeping it away. But she couldn’t. Then a thought occurred to her. Should she? She couldn’t believe she had thought about it no less was very tempted to do it. Finally, she decided that she was going to do it. It may be the only way she was finally going to get some sleep.


Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station

Mac drove up to his building and parked next to his car. She sat for a moment, looking up at his dark window, sighed, and got out.

Once she reached his apartment, she gave a soft knock on the door. She knew that he was probably in a deep sleep and wouldn’t hear her. Sure enough, no answer.
Quietly, she took out the spare key he had given her and slid it into the lock. She tiptoed into his apartment and gently closed the door. Peeking into his bedroom, she could see him sleeping soundly in his bed.

Resisting the very strong urge to slide into bed with him, she turned around and headed for the couch. Soundlessly, she slipped her shoes off, lay down on the couch, and covered herself up with a throw blanket. Just as she suspected would happen, she was asleep in no time.


Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station

Harm woke up and looked at the clock. He couldn’t believe he had slept until 9:00 in the morning. The apartment was very dark however. He then noticed the sound of rain pounding on the windows and thunder rumbling in the distance. No wonder it was so dark, he thought.

He rolled onto his back trying to decide whether he should get up or just hang out in bed a bit longer. After a minute, he decided to get up. Getting up out of bed, he went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and slipped on a pair of sweatpants.

Walking into his living room, he stopped short when he saw a figure laying on his couch. He walked slowly closer to the sleeping body and saw it was Mac. She was laying on her side wrapped up in a ball as if to keep warm. The throw blanked she had covered herself with had slipped to the floor hours ago. He stood there for a minute watching her sleep, his head filled with questions.

Suddenly, Mac heaved a big sigh and started to unroll her body. She stretched her legs out and turned over, facing out into the room. Slowly, she opened her eyes and found Harm starting intently at her while sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch.

She smiled at him. “I told you I don’t sleep well in my apartment. Yours is much better.”

Harm smiled back. “Well, I’m glad that I can help you out with that. Although I can’t imagine that this couch is all that comfortable.”

“I’m always more comfortable when I’m here. For some reason, your apartment relaxes me. I guess I feel very safe here. Almost like home should feel.” Mac fought back tears as she said this. It was true. And in her heart, she knew it had nothing to do with the physical space of his apartment. It had everything to do with him and his presence in that space. His very being was her comfort.

“So, what exactly happened while I was sleeping last night?”

“Well, like I said, I don’t sleep very well at my place. I tried, but to no avail and I had a feeling that I would sleep better here. So, I got in my car, used my key and went to sleep.” She paused and then continued. “I hope you’re not angry. I mean, it’s not normal to find someone sleeping on your couch.”

The sound of thunder was now louder. They both stopped talking until it passed. Harm looked deeply in her eyes. “Of course I’m not mad. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to do what you did. To me, that’s a good sign.”

They continued starting at each other. Finally, Harm broke the silence. “How about something to eat? I bet you didn’t even eat anything last night did you?”

“Of course I did! It may not have been the gourmet meal like you probably had, but I ate.”

“Ok, so what exactly did you eat?” Harm was enjoying this and she knew it.

“Double Dutch Delight. And it was the best ever. My compliments to that chef whomever he or she may be.” She gave him her best Cheshire cat grin and he couldn’t help grinning back.

“What am I ever going to do with you?”

“Feed me. That sounds like a good plan to me.”

“Ok. I’ll feed you.”

After breakfast, they both sat listening to the ever continuing storm outside.

“Maybe I should go.”

“You don’t have to go. The weather is terrible. Stay put. Unless of course, you have plans or something.”

“No, no plans.”

They ended up spending the day together. Since the weather never really cleared, they lounged the day away inside. They watched old movies, they talked about work, they talked about everything but what they really should talk about. Neither one of them had the nerve to start any kind of deep discussion and they found themselves dancing around the reality of their situation. Finally, they found it to be quite late.

“Harm?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you mind if I spent the night here again? On the couch, of course.”
“You know I don’t mind. Do you want me to take the couch? I mean, I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“Harm, if you slept on this couch, I would be visiting you in traction tomorrow and you know it.”

“I just want you to sleep well.”

“I know. You’re good to me.”

Silence ensued for a moment. Harm decided to break it first. “You know, you can always share the bed with me. It’s not like we haven’t done that before. Just as friends. You know what I mean.”

“I know. But what if I don’t want to share your bed ‘just as friends’ as you say.”

Harm looked at her a bit stunned for a moment. Mac’s eyes became moist as she looked at him. She placed her hand on his and said, “You know, you mean more to me than any other single person in this entire world has ever meant to me. I don’t know anyone who has been as true to me as you’ve been. Thank you for that.” She leaned over to him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

“Mac, I don’t think you realize just how much you mean to me. When I found you here this morning, I couldn’t have been happier. Just the fact that you would do something like that speaks volumes of words that neither one of us has had the courage to speak to each other.” With that, Harm kissed her back just as gently as she had kissed him.

“You know, I love you, don’t you?” Harm whispered in her ear.

“I know. And you know that I love you too, don’t you?” she whispered back.

“I know.”

“I don’t ever want to spend another night without you near me. You are my reason for being.” Mac nuzzled her face into the side of his neck, soaking up his warmth.

“You never have to spend another night alone. Not if I have anything to say about it. Mac, look at me.” Mac looked up and Harm continued. “I’ve been waiting for this day to come for a long time.”

With that, their gentle kisses became more passionate and before they knew it, they found themselves in Harm’s bed doing anything and everything but sleep.

The next morning, they awoke with their bodies wrapped up in each other. They had both slept better than they had in years. They smiled at each other and began the first day of the rest of their lives together.