Song is by John Mayer, from the album "Room for Squares". All copyrighted material used under fair use privilege of USC Title 17. No infringement intended. Rating: PG, maybe PG-13 *********************************************************** ******* "winter/wonderland" ******* Harm's apartment North of Union Station Early December, Saturday late morning Mac breathed a sigh of relief as she finally reached the top of the stairs outside Harm's apartment. Normally, she'd have considered the broken elevator a minor inconvenience, but when hauling a briefcase, another bag loaded with her law books that rivaled a full field pack in weight, yet another bag filled with law books that Harm had forgotten the night before, and a bakery bag filed with fresh pastries (the afternoon's survival rations), the minor inconvenience became a major pain in the posterior. She took a few more steps, then decided that discretion was indeed the better part of valor. She set down the two bags of books to retrieve later, after she got rid of her other burdens and her bulky winter coat. Pausing as she straightened, she finally registered the soft sounds drifting through the door. A slow, lilting, whimsical tune, being played softly but with deliberate care, reached her ears. It was clearly not a recording; still, it had literally been years since she'd heard Harm playing his guitar. He must've found a new song he had to learn. She listened for a moment, eyes drifting slightly closed, head titled to one side. The melody, even with the rare occasional 'hiccup', was hypnotic and sweetly, innocently seductive. Interrupting it seemed like a crime... And Harm was expecting her to show up at any moment... Without a sound, she slowly tried the door handle, which opened under the slight pressure. Like an uncertain child, she poked her head around the door first, before slowly moving in, and was unexpectedly entranced by the sight before her. His dark head was bent over a few pages of handwritten music, studying they with his usual intensity, even as his long, nimble fingers picked out the melody. The toe of his right foot unconsciously tapped out a slow tempo, and his focused concentration made itself evident in the way he occasionally stopped his soft humming of the tune to bite at his lower lip in contemplation. Willingly entranced by the hypnotic music, Mac's thoughts scattered until one made its way to the forefront. "Damn, I wish we didn't have to work on these comments for the revised evidence rules." Instantly, the trance was broken as Harm's fingers drug discordantly across the strings. His head snapped up in surprise, and he lost his balance, the stool and him wobbling as he nearly fell off. "Mac! What-- why didn't you say something?!" he gasped out, before grinning. "You trying to give the old man here a heart attack or something?" She smiled back, sheepish. "Sorry... I didn't mean to-- er, I didn't realize I'd said that out loud," she explained. " I just... Well, I haven't heard you play in ages, and it's such a beautiful song, that it seemed like a shame to disturb you right away..." her voice drifted off, shyly uncertain. "No problem... I understand," he said, smiling, even as he began gathering up the sheets of music. "I kinda hate to stop playing-- it's such a great song. Still, we need to get to work if we want to have any hope of having this done in time for Monday." He moved across the room to put the guitar back in its stand, before tucking the sheet music in a desk drawer. "I know, I know. It's jobs like this that make being a junior clerk look appealing," Mac replied, having returned with the heavy bags of books and hefted them on to the counter. "So what's the song?" "Hunh?" Harm looked up from the legal pads, folders, and such he was retrieving from his desk. "What's the song you were playing?" Leave it to Harm to have his head in clouds even when he wasn't flying, she thought as she unpacked her own briefcase and began setting up to work at the kitchen table. "Oh, just something I heard on the radio," Harm said casually, but he was grateful for her preoccupation. Otherwise she might have noticed the faint but distinct blush creeping up his face. As it was, he was thanking whatever higher power had kept her from recognizing the music. A simple song making the mighty Harmon Rabb blush? Damn straight. He'd first heard it about a week and a half ago, the unusual melody catching his ear while he worked at home. When the whispery, tentative voice filled in with the lyrics, he couldn't help but close his eyes, letting his mind and imagination drift off into their favorite activity: dreaming of Mac. ************* We got the afternoon You got this room for two One thing I've left to do Discover me Discovering you One mile to every inch of Your skin like porcelain One pair of candy lips and Your bubblegum tongue And if want love we'll make it Swimming in a deep sea of blankets take all your big plans and break 'em This is bound to be a while Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland... *************** "Harm? ...Harm... Haaarrrrmmmmm..." Mac sighed. Harm had always been fairly easily distracted, but this was getting ridiculous. Oh well, every now and then it *was* useful to be the only Marine in an office of squids... "CADET RABB, SNAP TO!!" she bellowed in her best drill- instructor voice, and was immediately rewarded with Harm dropping everything he held and snapping to attention, purely out of reflex. The pens were still clattering across the floor when he realized the trick. "That was rotten, Marine," he chided, grinning, before moving to pick up the scattered office supplies. "If you wanted my attention, all you had to do was ask, not resurrect my Academy nightmares." She gave him a dirty look. "I did, Harm. Three times." "Oh." Whoops. Score another one for the Marines. "Sorry. I guess my mind's been wandering a bit today," he said sheepishly. "Must've been somewhere good. The look on your face was absolutely blissful," she commented, taking a seat at the table. Once again, he felt the blush creep up his cheeks, even worse than before, but blessedly, she was busy looking at her notes, not his face. Whew... close one. As he joined her at the table, some imp of the perverse asked him why he didn't just come out with it. Oh yeah, that'll go over well. 'Actually, Mac, I was daydreaming about making slow, sweet love to you in a heavenly soft and warm bed. So, let's see, where were we? Section 24-3-6, subsection (c)?' This could only get two possible reactions from her, and both of them ended with him in some sort of pain. Thanks, but no thanks. The dreams will have to do for now; he wasn't about to screw things up again by moving too fast. Shoving the music and the dreams to the back of his mind, he dismissed her comment. "It's nothing. So, where were we? Section 24-3-6, subsection (c)?" ************************************* Hours later... well after midnight, but before dawn His first thought was an odd one: why on earth was his nose hurting? He cracked open an eye, only to see a page of printing *really* close. Oh... that's why. He'd fallen asleep face down in his old evidence textbook, looking for an obscure case reference. His second thought was simple. Mac's gonna kill me for nodding off on her. Hell, she probably already had most of the comments done for the current hearsay exception chapter. Crap. With an inward groan, he slowly straightened up in the chair, his back protesting the movement after hours of inactivity, and looked up, trying to come up with a passable excuse/apology for Mac for drifting off... And found himself looking at a deeply asleep Sarah Mackenzie, curled up in chair, her head resting on her arm. Looking at her, he noted the empty coffee cup near her elbow, and the pen that had fallen from her grasp. Damn, this stupid project was really wearing them out... The hell with it. He'd take full responsibility for this if they didn't get done. Right now, they were both so exhausted it was doubtful they were getting anything useful done anyway. Now, if he could only pull this off without getting his clock cleaned for it at some point... He made a quick trip to the bedroom, trading his slacks and shirt for black flannel pajama pants and an old t-shirt, worn soft with age. It was too cold for either of them to take the couch; besides, the thing was downright uncomfortable to sleep on anymore. Hopefully she wouldn't be too mad at sharing... He turned back the blankets, then returned to the kitchen. He bent down next to her, speaking quietly. "Mac...?" a soft murmur was his response. Good enough. "Hey Marine, it's late, and we've getting nowhere. We need some sleep, okay?" Another soft murmur and a drowsy nod, and Harm grinned. God, he loved her like this. "Okay, ninja-girl, I'm just gonna move you somewhere more comfortable, so don't kill me here, okay?" he said, carefully sliding an arm beneath her thighs and another around her back and gently pulling her close. Her head lolled against his chest, a sleepy smile gracing her lips as Harm carried her to the bedroom. With infinite care, he set her on the bed, letting her head gently fall on to the pillow. He removed her shoes and socks, and after a discreet check, gently pulling off her sweater, leaving her in her jeans and a plain white t- shirt. He pulled the covers up over her lithe frame, then crawled in himself on the other side of the bed. Pulling up the covers all the way, he saw she'd rolled on to her side, facing him. He smiled, and settled down into the bed. "Good night, Mac," he whispered, softly brushing his lips against hers before drifting off, a smile on his lips. ******************************************** The next day... afternoon Something was making a very annoying shrill beeping noise. Damn, the phone. Forcing himself awake, he grabbed the handset and rolled out of bed, moving into the living room. "Rabb," he mumbled, still tired. "Late night, Commander?" Oh, crap... the Admiral. Or, to be more precise, the Admiral, their boss, who knew damn well that they, or at least he, wasn't working on the massive project due the next morning. "Sir... uh... actually, yes, sir, it was." The hell with it. He'd just explain the situation to Chegwidden, and take the blame like he'd planned. "Sir, I... I'm afraid me might be a little behind on the project, sir. We tried sir, but... we were up until o-dark-hundred last night working on this, sir. I guess our short naps ran a bit long. It's entirely my fault, sir... I'm sorry." "Relax, Commander." Wait... it sounded like Chegwidden was still in a good mood...? "Sir?" "Even I hadn't convinced the printing office there was no way those notes could be ready Monday, you got a reprieve. Look outside." He glanced toward the window, and saw white... and nothing else. "A storm?" he said, half to himself. Chegwidden had heard. "That's putting it lightly," he snorted. "Looks like D.C. was overdue for a blizzard, and now it's here. Best information I've got is that it's going to take at least a full day to get the roads cleared. Add to that the power is out at JAG, and... Well, consider this your official notice. The office is closed tomorrow, and likely the day after, due to the power outage." Harm said the only thing that came to mind. "Thank you, sir." "Don't thank me, Commander, thank the weatherman," AJ said wryly. "By the way, I haven't been able to reach the Colonel..." "She's here... asleep, sir. She was here working last night, and was too tired to drive home." "Imagine that. See you in a day or so, Commander." Harm returned the farewell, then hung up the phone. Thankfully, it looked like all the utilities were still working, although his alarm clock provided blinking proof that the power had gone out at some point. Silently moving to the bed, he checked on Mac, only to find her still sound asleep. He studied her a moment, reaching down to gently brush away the stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face. Like this-- her face relaxed in deep slumber, her body curled slightly as she slept-- she was the most wonderful thing he'd ever seen. She was so beautiful to him it was almost painful. Finally awake, he left he to sleep. Despite his fatigue, he felt restless. He was at loss for what to do, until he spotted the guitar in the corner. Surely, if he was quiet, it wouldn't disturb her... She came awake slowly, the soft music gently teasing her from sleep. Harm was playing the song again, very softly, but this time he was singing as well. Silently, she crept from the bed, too intrigued by the music and person playing it to spare a thought for being embarrassed at waking up in her partner/best friend's bed. Moving slightly around the glass louvers that separated the bedroom, she could only watch and listen, entranced, as Harm, eyes half-closed, played and sang, the words now clearly reaching her... *********************** Something 'bout the way Your hair falls in your face I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase You tell me where to go and Though I might leave to find it I'll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it You want love? We'll make it Swimming a deep sea of blankets Take all your big plans And break 'em This is bound to be a while Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland... ***************************** His voice trailed off, the guitar carrying the tune. And that was when he looked up and saw her. His hands froze on the strings, knowing his face and voice had given him away. Mac took a tentative step forward. She knew she shouldn't ask, that there really was no way, but maybe, just maybe... "It's beautiful... and you sing it so..." Just ask, dammit. "Who is she?" "What?" She smiled, a slight touch of sadness. "It's obvious you're singing it with someone in mind. Who is she?" Harm could only stare at her. She didn't really think... How could she not realize...? "You don't know?" "No, Harm. I don't." He took a deep breath. "You, Mac." Her eyes went wide, frozen in shock. Oh, hell, this was going to go downhill fast unless he did something quick.... Almost without conscious thought, his fingers resumed playing, picking up the melody. A moment later, his voice picked up the bridge of the song, changing one critical word.... **************** Damn baby You frustrate me I wish you're mine all mine But you look so good it hurts sometimes *********************************** A deep breath, and he plunged forward into the chorus... ********************************** Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland *************************** He played the chorus twice, before letting the melody drift off and daring to look at her once more. Her expression was a mix of amazement, hope, and joy. She took the few steps needed to stand next to him. An uncertain hand touched his cheek with featherlight fingertips. "Would you... play it again? For me? The whole song," she asked, stumbling slightly over the words. He could only nod, and she took a step back, leaning against the couch as he began playing. This time, as he began to sing, he looked into her eyes, trying to touch the soul inside, begging, pleading, cajoling, calmly desperate for her to understand everything he was putting into the words and music. He finished, the music trailing off. It was several long moments before either of them moved or spoke, with Mac being the one to break the silence. "How long have you been working on this?" He nodded towards the stereo. "I picked up the cd about 2 weeks ago. It took me about half that just to figure it out." She nodded. "The cd over there?" Hunh? "Yeah. It's in the stereo already." She moved over to the stereo, and a moment later the same lilting melody began playing as she walked back over to him. "I saw the snow outside," she commented. "Any word from the Admiral?" "Uh.... yeah. There's no power at the office, so it's closed tomorrow, probably Tuesday as well." What the...? She stopped in front of him, face to face. "Good," she said, gently drawing the guitar out of his hands and laying it aside carefully. "I've got other plans." What little rational thought Harm had been managing promptly fled as her lips sought his. The kiss was long, sweet, and intoxicating as the most potent drug. Long moments later, they finally broke apart. "Mac?" he asked, breathless. "Come on, Harm... we've got the afternoon," she said, smiling as she led him towards the bedroom. END