Title: Tumainisha
Rating: T
Author: Bellafiamma
Pairing: H/M Romance…of course….
AN: Hope you enjoy the story! Please send all feedback to Oh, and curious as to what Tumainisha means? It means . . . wait, I can't tell you now, what's the fun in that? VBEG)
PART I
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The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt.
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January 22, 2001 Monday
1:00 EST
JAG HQ
Mac heaved a huge sigh as she sat down behind her desk. This week couldn't get any worse and the fact that tomorrow was her birthday. She gave a sardonic chuckle at that thought. Maybe it could get worse.
She was getting older and in her thirties, not any younger. She had broken up with Mic not more than three weeks ago, and while still dealing with that, a part of her was relieved. And when Harm and broken up with Renee, it was as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance with the man she did truly love . . . She shook her head at that and snapped open her briefcase. No, like the usual luck in her life, she would die the loneliest death of all . . . with her heart already being owned by someone else but no one to love her in return.
Mac glanced up at a knock on her door and forced a calm smile on her face even though her heart melted a little at his.
"Hey." Harm stepped into the office.
"Hey yourself."
Harm glanced around her office, glancing at the pictures, folders stacked in a haphazard fashion, and finally, back at Mac. He was debating on whether asking Mac or thinking of something else to do tomorrow. She might feel . . . uncomfortable with his idea. But he wanted to show her how much fun it was . . . minus all unexpected accidents.
"Yes?" Mac laughed.
"Tomorrow's your birthday, right?"
Mac rolled her eyes and groaned. "Must we rub it in?"
Harm followed suit and rolled his eyes. "Are you doing anything? I mean . . ." He stopped himself but his mind continued. 'I know Mic is gone, so you might not have any other plans.'
"No . . . I really don't want to celebrate how old I am." Mac half-grinned.
"But you want to celebrate how young you are." Harm flashed her a grin that made her give a full-fledged smile.
"Yeah, something like that."
"Well, I was thinking . . ." Harm began.
"Commander, the Admiral is having a fit about the Hunter Court Martial. He wants to review it . . . now." Lieutenant Bud Roberts interrupted them, looking a little flustered.
Harm nodded, knowing the Lieutenant probably sugarcoated what the Admiral had really said. "Thanks Lieutenant. I'll be right there."
Bud nodded before hurrying towards the Admiral's office, the phrase "please hurry" drifting after him.
Harm turned back to Mac. "I was thinking we could go flying. We're both caught up on all our work, we won't be missed for a day."
Mac's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Harm, I don't think . . ."
"Do, for awhile and if and when I get out of the Admiral's office, I'll get your answer."
"Harm . . ."
"Mac, I know last time wasn't a great experience, but it won't happen this time . . . I promise."
Mac gave him a withering glance, but something inside of her wanted desperately to take his invitation.
"If you go, I might get you a nice birthday present." With that, Harm hurried towards the Admiral's office, knowing he had already gotten her a great birthday present.
Mac shot his back a slightly disbelieving look while her heart was grinning a grin that would put the sun to shame.
§§§
5:30 EST
JAG HQ
"I see you survived the Admiral." Mac knocked on Harm's door later that evening as she was preparing to leave.
Harm looked up and chuckled wryly. They had been so busy that day they hadn't had a chance to talk. "Yeah, I'm still in one piece." He noticed she was carrying her coat and cover with her. "Are you leaving now?"
Mac nodded.
"Wait a sec and I'll come with you." Harm stuffed a few folders into his briefcase before following Mac out and shutting the door. They chatted as they headed towards the elevator and as they headed towards their cars, parked next to each other.
"So . . .?" Harm grinned wickedly.
Mac had confusion etched on her brows until it dawned on her. She unlocked her door and was about to get in when his strong hand rested on her arm, stopping her. She felt the warm, tingly sensation began at the spot of which his hand rested and then with the speed of light raced through the rest of her body.
"Uh . . ." She was racking her brain for what he was asking, her brain suddenly not working, when Harm helped her to it.
"Flying . . ."
"Yes, flying . . ."
"Good, you'll go! Call in sick tomorrow and meet me at the airfield tomorrow at 9:30. If you forget how to get there, just give me a call." Harm dashed off to his car before she could correct him.
Mac, still recovering from his simple touch, stared after him. "Sure . . ." She slowly got into her vet before pulling out of the parking lot.
§§§
8:01 EST
MAC'S APARTMENT
Mac had just sat down at her kitchen table, preparing to eat her dinner when the phone rang. She set the fork down and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey Mac!"
"Chloe! How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine . . . how about you? Have you and Harm gotten together yet?" Chloe's youthful and enthusiastic voice greeted her. 'Well,' Mac thought, 'maybe there would be good in this week. Hearing from Chloe seems like an auspicious omen.'
"No, Chloe . . . I told you before . . ."
"I know, I know 'it's against the regs . . . besides, Harm and I are just friends.'" Chloe did a mocking impression Mac.
"I'm glad to see you heard me when I was talking to you. Now if you could just fully retain that little bit of information." Mac smiled.
"Well, you guys will realize you love each other one day . . . I know it."
'I already do . . . I already do.' Her heart whispered so loud that she was afraid Chloe could hear it.
"It's your birthday tomorrow right?" Chloe asked.
"Yes . . . but don't spread the word." Mac kidded.
"Aw, Mac, don't be like those old people that get depressed on their birthdays. It's just another ordinary day, but you get presents and stuff!"
Mac laughed. "Easy for you to say. You're hardly thirteen."
"Well, I'm sure that handsome Harmon Rabb has a few gifts for you that I know you'll love . . ." Chloe's voice trailed off suggestively.
"Chloe Madison!" Mac screeched and was thankful Chloe couldn't see her blushing cheeks. She heard Chloe talking to Martha in the background for a second before Chloe returned.
"I'm sorry, I have to go, but I wanted to wish you happy birthday. Martha wishes you happy birthday, too."
"Thank you Chloe. You brightened up my week." Mac replied.
"I'm glad I did! Oh, and I sent you a little present. I'm not sure if you'll like it or not . . . I hope so! I'll talk to you later. Bye!"
"Bye Chloe. And thanks ahead of time for the present. You didn't have to do that."
"Yes I did. Because tomorrow is a special birthday. And this is a special present." With that Mac heard a click and she hung up. Shaking her head she headed back to finish her dinner, wondering what this present could be.