Australian Sun
Author: Rorie Classification: V Author's notes: I've never written a post-ep fic before... that's only because I write so slowly. However, I woke up on Sunday morning with this in my head and I had to write it down. Dedicated to my little sister, Alicia. I love you, Ali. Smile.... Thanks to my fabulous betas: Mandy, Susan, Tom, and Mac. MANLY
BEACH Harm stared out over the ocean at the surfers and the glittering waves. He had to admit that it was beautiful, but it wasn't accompanied by the sense of peace that he normally felt while watching the crashing waves of the ocean. He hadn't experienced that sense of peace since the day two months earlier in the airport when he noticed the ring sparkling on Mac's right hand and knew it had come from Brumby. The loss of peace was intensified two days earlier when he had gotten a call. GRANDMA
SARAH'S FARM Harm was sitting on the porch, watching the setting sun. He had a week's leave and wanted to forget about work and all of its problems. Unfortunately, the biggest problem was the one he couldn't forget. He knew that Mac would have to make a decision concerning Mic's proposal soon, and he didn't know how he was going to handle it when she did. "Harm... telephone." Sarah Rabb called out to her grandson. He stood up. "Coming, Gram." he called back. He wondered who would be calling him there... it had to be important if they were disturbing him on leave. Taking the receiver from his grandmother, Harm answered. "Hello?" "Sir, it's Bud." the voice on the other end responded hesitantly. "Bud, what is it? Is something wrong with baby AJ or Harriet?" Harm asked anxiously. "No, Sir... it's the Colonel...." Harm's heart leapt into his throat, he was picturing the worst. "Mac?! Is she all right?" "Yes, Sir. She's fine.... She's made a decision." Harm drew a deep breath, "Yes?" "Sir, she'll probably kill me for telling you this... but I couldn't stand by and let both of you make such a huge mistake. She's flying to Sydney tomorrow to tell the Commander. Sir, if you love her as much as I think you do, don't let her make this mistake." Bud paused. "You'll regret it for the rest of your life... Sir." THE PRESENT Watching the pounding surf, Harm thought about his situation. He had flown halfway around the world to stop his partner, the woman he loved, from accepting a marriage proposal from the wrong man. However, he hadn't been able to do it in the end. He had gone to her hotel, but couldn't bring himself to leave her a message... he couldn't ruin her chance for a normal life... her chance for happiness. Staring at the activity around him, he silently cursed his cowardice. He loved her... he wanted her... he couldn't bear the thought of losing her, but he couldn't tell her. "Coward!" he whispered to the wind. "What are you afraid of? That she'll reject you?... Or that she'll say yes?" Neither of them had stellar track records in the relationship area. He was terrified that if she accepted him, it would end badly. Not to mention the consequences on their careers. On the other hand, he was terrified that she'd reject him and marry Brumby, and he'd lose her forever. Of course, this was all a moot point, since he had decided not to even talk to her. He was taking a flight home first thing in the morning. He had already booked it. Maybe he could get a transfer to another office.... "Excuse me? Is this spot taken?" a soft voice asked, snapping Harm out of his thoughts. Harm looked up into the chocolate eyes of his partner. "No." he answered as she lowered herself to the blanket on the sand next to him. She was wearing a skirt and the electric blue bikini top that he remembered from the last time they were in Australia. "Were you going to sit here until tomorrow and leave without even talking to me?" Mac asked, no hint of reproach in her voice. Harm lowered his eyes to the sand, "I was considering it." he answered seriously. "The sitting here until tomorrow part, I had already decided not to talk to you." he finished quietly. "Why?" she asked. "Because," he began, raising his blue eyes back to her brown ones. "You deserve a chance at happiness..." "And your not talking to me is gonna guarantee that?" Mac interrupted. "I... I don't know. But when I saw you and Brumby at the airport, I knew that he loved you." Harm paused. "He wants to make you happy... give you a normal life... you deserve it, Mac... Sarah." "And you don't, Harm?" she asked seriously. "I don't know. I told you that I couldn't let go on the ferry that night... I meant it then." "And now? Do you still mean it?" "I'm not sure... I'm really trying... but... but I'm not sure I know how." Mac frowned, "What do you mean?" "The regulations... your career... my career...." "Harm, you know very well that there really are no regulations against a relationship between two officers of equal rank. It may be discouraged, but not forbidden." "I know... but someone would have to transfer out of Falls Church." "Yes..." Mac encouraged him to go on. He was opening up to her again... he hadn't done that since the ferry to Luna Park. "It's just that we both have a history there... a family." "Harm, if one of us left, do you think they'd stop being our friends?" "No." Harm sighed, "I guess I don't know what I'm saying, Mac. I'm confused about all of this." "And you think I'm not?" she asked. "Harm, I practically threw myself at you... twice. And both times you brushed me off. Then Mic came along and said all of the right things.... The things I wanted you to say to me. He offered me what I've always wanted...." "I know..." "Mic said he loves me... he wants to marry me. Harm, do you know how long I've wanted a man to say those things to me... for you to say them to me?" she asked, staring out over the ocean, not wanting to meet his gaze. Harm didn't answer her. He just stared at the ocean. Mac stood up. "Goodbye, Harm. I've got to meet Mic for dinner. I'll see you back in DC later this week." She started to walk away, hoping that he'd stop her. He didn't... until she'd just about reached the sidewalk. "Sarah, wait!" Harm said, catching up to her and putting his hand on her arm. "Don't do this. Don't marry him." "Why, Harm? Why don't you want me to marry Mic?" Mac demanded. "Because, Sarah, I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time. I think ever since you pulled me into the chopper over the desert on our first case. Sarah, I don't want to lose you...." Mac raised her eyes, brimming with tears, to his. "Harm..." "Shh, don't say anything." He slowly lowered his lips to hers. She leaned into his kiss and returned it with equal passion. They separated and each stood trying to catch their breath. Mac lowered her head to Harm's chest. Harm finally put his hand under her chin and raised her face so that he could look into her eyes. "Sarah, I love you... I want to marry you... I want to have children with you... I want to grow old with you. Sarah, I want you." he whispered. Harm led her back to the blanket they had been sitting on, and they both sat down. "Sarah, say something." he whispered. Mac reached behind her neck and started fiddling with her bikini straps. "I suddenly feel over dressed on this beach." she said with a smile, her top dropping into her lap. Harm stared at her, his mouth dropping open. "So that's where that tattoo is...." he said as he lowered his mouth to hers again. Mac sighed against his lips, her dinner with Mic forgotten, along with the ring which Harm slipped off of her right hand and dropped onto the blanket with the bikini top. When they broke the kiss, Mac smiled at him, "Yes." ~~Finis~~ |
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