PART 18 – Warm Again

There you stood

You stood and smiled

So wonderful

It was like I were in a dream

And I believe

That you understood

When I said

That I always want to remain here forever

That I always want to stay here forever

English translation of "Varmt Igen" (Warm Again) By: Per Gessle.
Tackar till Thomas. :)

August 27th, 2004
1745 Local
Harm's Apartment

North of Union Station

Leaning against the wall of the elevator, Harm let out a deep breath. The day had ended up being quite an exhausting one. Review boards, appointments with a shrink and something else he had to pick up. At least, he would get home with news that he was eager to share with Mac. Thinking back into the last month left his mind reeling, especially when you consider that he survived with his life intact and the love of a woman that he needed more than the air that he breathed. On top of that, he had a daughter that he loved as his own and would be missing this weekend, as she was spending it with her father.

It would make an exact three weeks since everything came to a dead stop for the CIA's 'Mindcrime' plans. Three weeks since he was admitted into the hospital after Catherine's attempt to control his mind failed. He spent a few days at a local hospital and then was transferred to Bethesda where he remained as he properly detoxed of the chemicals that threatened to destroy his mind. The CIA had helped, sent some sort of an antidote to allow his body to recover. The agency also suggested that he see their shrink, which, at first, Harm wasn't too thrilled about. As the days passed, he realized he needed to talk to someone so that he could control the nightmares and daymares before they consumed him.

Stepping into his apartment, he smiled as he took in the familiar scent of Mac's perfume. He knew she was there, as he saw her Corvette parked outside, but still, he tended to get a warm feeling from finding her in his apartment and so at home within his domain. True to her promises, she stayed with him, even used some of her time on the books to help him get through the worst. She held him when he cried, told jokes to cheer him up and even tried to protect him from the imaginary demons that were after him. The fact that he'd attacked her still registered in his mind. Finally though, he understood that she wasn't afraid of him because of it. It wasn't him, rather something that took his body and controlled it.

Under hypnosis by the CIA psychologist, Harm 'remembered' all of the crimes he'd committed because of the mind control. Some benefited the Agency itself, most benefited the Gayle's in some twisted plan to rule supremely. There was one murder that wasn't factored into anything that the CIA was trying to do, that was the death of Petty Officer Larson. If anything, the best way to label it was: wrong place, wrong time. The Petty Officer had arrived to Harm's apartment with evidence that would help his case. Harm, controlled by 'Mindcrime' was in a rush, needing to head out and take care of a mark for the CIA. Rather than listen to his client's information, he dismissed Larson who became upset with his attorney's lack of interest. Harm's mind told him to attack and subdue the Petty Officer which he did with a punch to the stomach. Larson fell to the ground angrily yelling that he would tell the proper authorities about the attack and would have Harm disbarred. That was when Harm pulled out a gun and shot him four times in the chest. He still needed to head out and finish his task for the CIA, so he pulled Larson's body into the dumpster right by his building and left. When he arrived back, he called the CIA's 'cleanup' division and began to try and take the blood stains from Larson's murder out of his uniform. That was when Mattie walked in and, effectively, turned his brain back on.

Speaking with Mattie had proven to be a difficult feat as well. She was angry with him, frightened that she could lose a person she'd come to love so much. On top of it all, it was suggested that she and Coates stay at the Admiral's home until everything was settled again. Though she was a good houseguest and AJ was a good host, she never felt quite at home there. She missed her place with Jen, she missed her guardian. Thankfully, Mac helped out and things were back to some normalcy.

Taking the few steps up to his room, he heard the shower running. With a grin, he began to take his uniform off, tossing it along with Mac's on the floor. Traipsing slowly into the bathroom, a naked Harmon Rabb leaned up against the bathroom wall and took in Mac's figure as she showered. She had her eyes closed, as the water ran through her hair and over her body. His grin widened. 'Damn she is gorgeous.' He thought with a satisfied smirk. He was fine now, given a clean bill of health after his check up at Bethesda. A little fun would be in order.

When she turned around, Harm got a good look at her six just as the bar of soap she was holding slid between her fingers and to the floor. He bent down to grab it and as he did Mac moved to the side and Harm's head came in contact with the wall. "Ooof . . ."

Mac watched him in amusement as he rubbed his head with one hand and held out the soap with the other. It really wasn't a hard hit and she was trying to laugh at the typical male way of blowing things out of proportion. "You okay?" If he thought he was being smooth just standing there watching, he had another thing coming. She felt him there, the heat of his gaze as it traveled down her body. Snatching the soap from him, she proceeded on lathering herself up.

"Yep." He stared at her for a moment, slightly disappointed that she didn't gush all over his 'injury.' Harm leaned up against the shower wall again and just watched her. "Have I told you how incredibly sexy you are?"

Mac continued to lather herself up, not paying much attention at him at all. "Hmmm. . . Yes you have."

"Cos, you really are, Sarah." He tried using her first name, something that always brought some reaction from her, but it did nothing. With a frown he took two paces and stood behind her. He brought his arms around her waist as his head came down to her shoulder. His mouth sought out a spot. As usual, his kisses brought out that quiver from her body and he grinned that he could have that effect on her. He missed her body, the way it felt under his own. The feeling of skin on skin.

Mac bit back the urge to moan, instead she smirked. Playing hard to get seemed to work on Harm. 'Good,' She thought, filing that away for another moment. They had made love since their first time, twice to be exact. But, neither time was too long as the exertion seemed to wreak havoc on Harm's recovering body. But now, if his erection pressing against her was any indication, he was ready. Her body finally let out the moan she was suppressing as she felt his mouth on her neck, sucking lightly. She snaked her arm around him, holding his head down to her.

"So sexy, Sarah." Harm rasped against her ear before continuing his assault on her neck. He left a mark, which was his intent, a way to brand her. Chuckling, he placed a kiss over the area and turned his head to look at Mac who was chuckling as well.

Mac admonished him. "You left a hickey didn't you?"

"I prefer the term 'love bite' and yes I did." His arms tightened around her midsection, holding her body captive against his larger frame.

"I bet the Admiral will just LOVE that." She said with a giggle and a playful smack on his arm.

Harm grinned. "Oh, I left it where you could cover it up. . . I am not stupid you know."

"Uh huh, I'll let you know when I have to wear my uniform come Monday morning." Turning around, she locked gazed with him. He looked positively delighted, something she had missed within the past weeks. "Something on your mind, Sailor?"

Something on his mind? Yep, he had a lot on his mind, all of it good, for once. "I had a medical eval today, got back the results from the final round of tests. . ." His smile radiated, causing Mac to smile as well. "Everything's going to be fine, I've been cleared AND I still have my flight status."

"Harm! That's great to hear!" Mac threw her hands around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. She kissed him passionately, it certainly was good news. Despite her dislike of his 'other' profession, she understood it was something that made Harm who he was. Besides, she didn't want t do anything that would get rid of that patented flyboy smile. Waggling his eyebrows suggestively, Harm backed her against the wall of the shower and resumed kissing her. His raised her leg up and placed it around his waist. Mac stopped and looked up at Harm. "Are you sure you're okay?"

As his response, Harm raised her up and wrapped her other leg around him as he fumbled to turn the water off. He kissed her then, deeply, soundly before breaking away. "I just want to make love to you, Mac." Mac held on to Harm's shoulders, as he walked them out of the shower and to his bedroom. He dropped her gently on the bed and brought is body over hers. They moved together slowly, not so much for pleasure but more as a home coming for Harm. When it was over, she lay in his arms sated, content and completely in love.

"Thank you, Sarah." He whispered softly as his fingers trailed down her arm. Harm took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. "Thank you for staying."

Turning over on her side she looked at him, placing her hand on his cheek. "No way I was going to leave you alone, flyboy."

"Stay forever?" He asked timidly, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Mac nodded and leaned in to kiss him, when she broke away, she looked down at his hand which was holding something that was gleaming in the bit of light in his room. Catching her breath she looked up at him.

Harm swallowed hard, he'd thought up of a million and one ways to ask her. But, that evening he had the willpower, courage and the ring that he needed. "Marry me?" He asked in a confident voice. Sure, they'd talked about taking it slow, but seeing as they went through the strangest and longest courtship in history, slow was a bit more than overrated.

The shocked look on Mac's face was replaced by a dazzling smile. "Yes." Tears of happiness fell from her eyes as Harm slipped the ring onto her finger and then pulled her into his embrace. They kissed slowly and passionately before Mac broke off and took a good look at Harm. She'd never see him so happy, for that matter, she'd never felt so happy. Signs of their recent troubles seemed to have vanished. His eyes that once had a look of a stranger, now only shone with the look of a man in love.

THE END!