Part Four | When You Say You Love Me
JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG
08:25 EST
Wednesday
JAG
Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
Wednesday
morning found Tiner jumping hastily to his feet and snapping to attention as
the Admiral suddenly breezed past towards his office without warning.
“Good
Morning Admiral!” Tiner exclaimed. There was no greeting in reply, not even a
nod of acknowledgement.
Typically,
just before his sturdy oak door swung shut, the Admiral’s most popular request
shot out.
“Tiner,
Rabb ASAP.”
JAG’s
yeoman consulted his mental chart, which he’d personally compiled over the
years measuring the Admiral’s moods. Right now on the Tiner scale it was not
rating too high for a good day.
08:27
EST
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
AJ
stood in front of his large left-hand side office window, staring out with
unseen eyes. His jaw was set resolutely, lips firmly pursed and his whole body
tense after a restless night. He’d been debating over a particular dilemma with
himself for the past two days now. After dissecting the issue to its very core
with methodical precision, he’d finally been able to come to a decision. The
repercussions could be high; going against SecNav’s orders however indirectly,
was literally assigning himself brig time. But above all else, Admiral
Chegwidden valued his officers, if not admitted ably more so for this valiant Lt.
Colonel in particular. Hearing the sharp knock brought him back to the present
and he called out permission to enter. Turning around with his arms still
folded across his chest, AJ remained silently seizing up one half of his senior
attorneys.
Commander
Rabb’s eyes flickered to gauge the expression on his CO’s face then quickly
darted past to its usual staring point on the wall behind. Not yet given any
commands, his stance remained stiffly awaiting at attention. On the outside, he
projected his usual calm, self confident aura, neutral face in place, whilst
inside his mind scrambled to recollect any recent incidents that might have
resulted in this present scrutiny.
“At
ease Commander” the Admiral eventually motioned for Harm to take a seat and sat
down himself, leaning across the desk hands clasped together.
“As
you are well aware Colonel MacKenzie is currently on assignment with the CIA…”
AJ paused, seeing Rabb’s immediate reaction to the mere mention of the
Colonel’s name.
Harm’s
eyes widened and he unconsciously leaned forward in his seat in anticipation.
“Against
my better judgement I’m going to send you down there,” AJ continued.
“Sir?”
Harm inquired, trying albeit unsuccessfully to contain traces of his impending
excitement.
“Japan”
If
it was physically possible for Harm’s eyes to boggle out of their sockets it
would do so now, as soon as his brain cells had slowly made the
association. Japan…and in Japan they speak…Japanese and
Mac had said in Japanese…!!! For the first time in naval history, it was
witness to one of its finest high-ranking commanders’ loosing his head to soar
off beyond the universe whilst on duty. Figuratively speaking of course. For
once, Harm’s mind had rocketed off happily into the clouds whilst being bodily
grounded.
Irrespective
of where he was and who was sitting in front of him, Harm was lost in
speculations on all the potential possibilities that this latest revelation
entailed. Ok, so he wasn’t a hundred percent positive that Mac had actually said
‘I love you,’ but like all good lawyers he knew the significance of even
the most marginal possibilities. There was a good chance...the largest grin spread
out across his face.
Admiral
Chegwidden narrowed his eyes in suspicion and peered over the top of his
reading glasses. After waiting a few beats he continued, choosing to disregard
his subordinate’s odd behaviour for the moment.
“Here’s
all the info we’ve got,” he said, extending over what was a pathetically ultra
thin file for such an important case. He watched as Rabb’s eyes blink twice in
quick succession, then once again as if to clear his vision.
“A
few select members high up within the Japanese government body are suspected of
illegal dealings linked to international terrorism. All that
Webb’s informed me, is a night club where the negotiations allegedly take
place. You’ll need to catch up on what else Webb and Colonel MacKenzie have,
and then rest is up to the three of you. You’re on your own this time Rabb.
These suspicions are so sensitive in the state of affairs that the SecNav has
only assigned Webb and MacKenzie to investigate…and now you.” AJ didn’t
disclose the fact that he was sending Rabb without the SecNav’s knowledge let
along permission.
“I’ve
personally arranged for a commercial flight plus a room in a hotel situated mid
city for you. The address is written in there. You leave in two days time,
until then you have the next forty-eight hours off to prepare. Of course I
don’t need to remind you, due to the upmost confidential nature of this case, no-one
else is to know where you’re headed.”
“Do
we know how long this investigation may pan out Sir?” Harm spoke for the first
time since returning to the situation at hand.
The
Admiral gave a small shake of his head, “No deadline’s been given by the
SecNav.” His shoulders hunched over a little and rubbing his temples, he
expelled a troubled sigh. “I suggest you do as much research as you can before
departing. Pack the minimal and don’t take anything personally identifiable. Be
on the highest alert, we really don’t know the full extent of what we could be
dealing with here.” There was no need to stress the prospective danger involved
if their real identities were simply to be discovered.
“Yes
Sir,” after a lengthy silence when nothing furthermore was offered from his
commanding officer, Harm stood.
“That’ll
be all, dismissed.”
As
if on second thoughts, the Admiral called out just before Harm stepped through
the door, “Harm, don’t make me regret this, watch each others six and be extra
careful out there.”
There
was a solemn nod of the head and a staunch “aye aye sir” before the door was
swiftly closed.
AJ
leaned back heavily in his chair, pondering the wiseness of his decision. Yes,
it was always better for MacKenzie and Rabb to work together, rather than apart
in any risky circumstance. They could take care of each other and deal with any
situations better than a whole squad team. Remembering Harm’s reaction, he was
seriously at a loss at the sudden transformation that had just occurred. What
the hell had gotten into him? One minute Rabb had been his usual serious,
poker-faced self, then the next…it was as if he’d inhaled deep breaths of
helium and suddenly gone off on a high to some unknown destination. A suspicion floated
across the perceptive ex-Seal’s mind. If Rabb just had the audacity,
to have his head in the gutter over a marine right in front of my face, I swear
I’ll have his ass diced and skewered on a spit roast!
17:05 Local Time
Friday
Room
101, Tokyo Prince Hotel
Tokyo
Japan
Harm
smiled at the young bell-boy and handed over a few yen notes for a generous
tip. Taking the money in a shy manner, he bowed low for what seemed like the
hundredth time and finally left Harm alone. Not that he wasn’t a gentleman, but
these Japanese locals took the meaning of politeness to a whole other level. He’d
only been here for less than two hours and already he’d caught on to the gist
of things. There were people bowing continuously left right and centre, whether
it was to say hello, goodbye or excuse me. It was quite disconcerting to say
the least.
Taking
a quick tour around his suite, Harm whistled low in appreciation. Why the Admiral
had booked such a high class room for him, he had no idea but he certainly
wasn’t complaining. He didn’t bother unpacking, having brought only the mere
essentials all together in a total of two small meagre bags, one being his
laptop. Despite this, getting through customs had taken quite some time with
the tight security. Hailing a taxi had been relatively easy and checking in had
been no problems either with the concierge’s limited english.
Taking
out the small reference booklet he’d purchased yesterday, Harm settled on the
bed to make a quick revision of the necessary directions. He was relying solely
on a good memory and pot luck to get him to where he needed to be. It had been
a real bummer not being able to acquire Bud’s research services. He’d spent the
last two days intently going over the details of the case and trying to learn
the fundamentals of the city he now found himself in. He was bordering on
desperation in his wait to see Mac again. Glancing at his watch, Harm decided
to take a short break to shake off the jet lag before he would head out and
attempt to find his way.
17:23
Room
405, Shakura Hotel
Tokyo
Mac
threw the third piece of clothing she’d picked out of her ‘selection’ onto the
bed in disgust. If it wasn’t for the SecNav’s direct involvement, she would’ve
strangled Webb for this humiliation. Even during her wildest times as a
teenager she’d never worn things this…revealing, bold and in your face. At
least her hotel room was above decent. These types of rooms’ right in the heart
of the country’s capital city costed a fortune. Although she suspected, it wasn’t
for her personally as the JAG officer but rather for the persona she’d become. Flopping
down onto the bed, she laid back to make another updated run through of the progress,
or lack of, that she and Webb had made since their arrival.
She
was under no illusions as to how dangerous this mission really was. In a
ground-breaking first, Webb had been honest and to the point in his briefing. No
doubt though, it was only because he truly didn’t know much else to be able to
conceal any details, Mac thought mockingly. In spite of her basic knowledge of
the language there was only Webb for backup, and when that failed it was all up
to her to save her own butt and what was left of Webb’s if it came to that. Right
before boarding the plane, he’d had given her an
unexpected opportunity to backout. But like everything she’d dealt with in her
life, she going to tackle head on unwilling to give an inch. After all, she was
a marine trained to serve and protect her country, personal safety
notwithstanding the sacrifices to be made.
Mac
knew this assignment would rank right up at the top of all the most precarious
cases she’d undertaken. It was a game of
seduction, intrigue and innocence. Basically, she was playing the role of the
Japanese equivalent of the stereotypical dumb blonde. Webb had gotten her
working at the night club that was regularly visited by the various officials
suspected of treason. The CIA had first picked up on suspicious activities
almost two months ago. About four members of the Japanese parliament were
suspected of dealing with their own triads, exchanging weapons for highly
classified information. Although the Japanese Prime Minister had shown public
displays of support for the US in the war against
terrorism, they could not afford to take any more chances. And so here she was
now, apparently the best operative the United States of America had to carry out the job.
To
the men who hung out and conducted business at the night club, Mac was just another
pretty face. Beautiful and harmless for their entertainment, but clueless with
just enough communication skills to satisfy the powerfully rich men involved. No,
this wasn’t just some seedy night club; she was getting paid way too much for such
a place. So far, she’d only heard talk of a deal in progress, but any action
had yet to take place.
Rolling
over Mac buried her face in the pillow, reluctant to face another night of
leers and groping hands.
18:05
Downtown
Shibuya
Tokyo
Harm
sat approximately two metres from the night club in question. He could see the
word ‘Vuenos’ emblazoned in neon green
amidst the smorgasbordic blend of foreign characters. The whole city was
enveloped in a clutter of colourful signs advertising everything and anything,
anywhere he looked. Thank god the club was named in English, otherwise he
didn’t know how in the world he would’ve been able to find the place. Upon
first discovering the venue, he’d gone in to give it a thorough scout out.
There had been no more than a dozen patrons, but in the half hour since, it was
really starting to fill up. There’d also been no Mac or Webb. He knew he
couldn’t risk jeopardising their covers by simply strolling up and saying hi,
without knowing whether or not right at this very moment, if they were under
surveillance themselves.
He’d
been sitting here as inconspicuously as possible for about twenty minutes, keeping
watch and waiting in hope of spotting one of two familiar faces. From his
vintage point to the right, he could see clearly anyone who entered or left the
entrance of the club. To his left on the opposite side, was an enclosed
parkland of some sort. It was an extremely hectic area with countless shops
adorning both sides of the street. There was also an incredible steady stream
of people bustling rapidly about to and fro in all directions. Despite being a large
6’4” foreigner, no-one paid him much attention.
I've been watching you from afar
And the way you make your way around the bar
You laugh like you're really entertained
And you smile like it's your favourite game
Same
Time
Downtown
Shibuya
Tokyo
Mac
took a furtive glance up and down the alley before turning into the park. It
was a strange atmosphere, almost like stepping into a twilight zone. Here,
there was an uncanny tranquillity. The wide stretch of grassland mostly
deserted saved for a few stragglers enjoying the last of the fading sunset. In
contrast, she could hear the dimmed noisiness of the lively city on the other
side of the hedged walls. Webb sat on a bench beneath a lamp-post, partly
concealed within the darkness. As she approached, she heard his phone ring.
“Sexy
beast,” Webb answered brusquely.
Sexy
beast?!...Mac
stared in open mouthed astonishment. Oh man, this was going to be good. As soon
as he hung up, she couldn’t retain the teasing taunt any longer.
“You
must be speaking in another language cause I swear I just
heard you say…”
“What
better code name than a reflection of the true self,” Webb was quick to reply,
shrugging nonchalantly at the same time.
“Oh
yea, the beast part I can definitely attest to, but sexy?!”
She
couldn’t keep a straight face any longer and a sound halfway crossed between a scoffed
choke and a giggle escaped past her lips. She continued to laugh in mirth
whilst he merely looked back unabashed. His expression remained deadpanned, but
his eyes glinted with a light of delighted mischievousness that Mac had only
ever seen once before from Clayton Webb. Her laughter, then her grin gradually
faded off and left them looking intently at each other. Clay stood up slowly,
bringing him in close proximity to Mac. They were both of about equal heights
and stood face to face aligned. At an even slower peace, his mouth inched hesitantly
nearer and Mac’s eyelids drifted close.
Like
their first kiss, this was just as short but chaste and gentle, a testing of
new territory. This time it was Mac who was the first to step back in startled.
Webb’s eyes flew wide open and he started to apologise.
“I
-”
Mac
shook her head, cutting him off. Now wasn’t the time to discuss their ever changing…friendship?
Or whatever the hec you wanted to call it. She had exactly 6 minutes and 50
seconds left to get to work.
“Mac,
I—“ she placed a finger on his lips before he could protest any further.
“Don’t,
not now.” She turned quickly to leave, forgetting her original objective of
meeting with him to discuss the investigation.
Unbeknownst
to the marine or spy, a naval officer had also stood witness to the latest strange
twist of events.
Now you're moving closer to me
And our eyes have connected emotionally
Not looking for a one night stand
Or a place where a broken heart can mend
18:43
Vuenos Night Club
Tokyo
As if like a negative and a
positive in a magnetic force field, they were drawn to each other. Both pairs
of eyes widened in shock. For a moment in time, all thoughts of undercover flew
out the window as Mac saw the least likely person she’d expect to come across right
here in Japan. She blinked to clear her vision and took the chance to surreptitiously
take another look for certainty before replacing her mask of sweet, innocent
ignorance. Batting her eyelashes, she sashayed her way full power, to the
counter to deposit the wine glasses in her hands.
For Harm, he was
instantaneously mesmerised
and the renewed anger and confusion that had resurfaced earlier, momentarily forgotten. He wouldn’t believe the sight if he wasn’t
sure that he was physically standing here himself. Mac
had changed into another outfit and for the first time, he saw her in reality
just like she’d stepped out from one of his many fantasies. She was dressed in
what could only be compared to black hotpants. Her upper chest was encased
tightly in a small scrape of red material that barely covered the essentials,
accentuating her full figure. Her shoulders were bared and as Harm would soon
see, so too was most of her back. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the sway
of her slim hips.
I know everybody here wants to hold you
I know what it's like 'cause I feel the same
When you look in my eyes there's a part of me that's
still afraid
Mac could almost feel the heat
of his intense stare if they’d been laser beams. She thanked the dim lighting
for providing the perfect atmosphere to act in such a blatantly seductive way
in front of the man she desired, but had only kissed a handful of times. God
how she wished she could always flirt openly like this with Harm. It would sure
get her real intentions through that thick skull of his much easier. Spotting
Clay at his usual spot in the far right hand corner amidst the shadows, she
headed over and dropped down onto his lap. To Webb’s credit, he showed no
outward reaction, although a small startled intake of breath could be heard as
she began to caress his face with her hands. Oblivious to a change in game
plans, her lips glided from his chin upwards to his ear whispering, “13:00”. When Webb looked in the given direction he saw the unmistakable
back of a retreating Commander dressed in civvies.
And when you say you love me do you mean it?
Baby when you hold me do you feel it
Should I believe the magic in your eyes
I will wait until the end of time
To hear you say you love me like you mean it
Baby when you hold me make me feel it
All I wanna do is make you mine
I've been hurt way too many times
Harm however, had snapped out
of his stupor and his mood once again turned an abrupt 360 as soon as he’d
recognised the face of the man Mac had just dropped onto the laps of.
19:33
Room
101, Tokyo Prince Hotel
Tokyo
Harm eventually found his way
back to the hotel, after having spent the most part of the last hour wondering
around aimlessly, trying in vain to vent off his anger and the predominating
feeling of betrayal. The rational ten percent of his attorney-self argued that
he had no right to feel betrayed. He was the fool after all, that had rejected
Mac’s open invitation to move onto a personal relationship. But the remaining ninety
percent of him wasn’t listening.
As he fumbled around for his
key, Harm in his present atypical state of unawareness, finally felt the constant
presence behind him. Spinning around he was startled to see none other than
Clayton Webb scrutinising him in silence.
“What the hell do you want
Webb” Harm growled, not even bothering to ask how the hec he’d known where to
find him.
Whoa, Clay took a physical step
back in surprise at the forceful glare and animosity radiating from Harm’s entire
demeanour. Seconds later when Harm remained motionlessly glaring, Clay gestured
for him to open the door. Harm scowled harder and turned back to do so.
Flinging the door open he left it for Webb to come in without an invitation; who
closed it quietly behind him.
Harm strode to the coffee table
and threw down his keys and wallet. Whirling back around he was at present in
such a mess emotionally, that he forgot the standard undercover procedures and
was about to rip into Webb for some explanations,
when he saw the spy take out the bug detection device. Unfolding the antenna,
Webb held the instrument in front of himself and took
a sweep of the rooms. Confirming a negative, he restored the device and returned
to face Harm, puzzled at the man’s odd behaviour.
“Guess I shouldn’t be
surprised, no doubt your Admiral sent you after us. It was only a matter of
time before the admirable two-star’s patience ran out” Webb stated with his
usual hint of cynicism as a way of greeting. Harm was in no mood to make chit
chat. He wasn’t up to dealing with Webb now that he knew Webb and Mac obviously
had more of a partnership than he’d ever suspected. Barely containing his
disgust and frustration, he grounded out through clinched teeth, “What the – hell
- do you want Webb.” Harm repeated hisss words earlier in an even more aggravated
tone. It was more of a demand than a question. “If you’re not here to give me
info, then you can just walk back out that door and stay outta
my way.”
Webb was starting to get
annoyed himself. “Hey look Rabb, whatever’s up your ass don’t take it out on
me. If you don’t want to meet MacKenzie, all the
better. I’m sure she won’t be too disappointed to avoid your foul mood right
now.” As Webb retorted with irritation, his hand slipped inside the jacket
lining to retrieve a small slip of paper. Flipping this in Harm’s general
vicinity, he did indeed turn right around and leave without another word.
Harm remained in the same spot,
glaring down for a long while before bending to pick up the piece of paper from
the floor. An address was all it contained.
They say if you wanna make God laugh
Then all you gotta do is tell him your plan
And I know that the timings not right
Didn't know I would meet you tonight
It's not that I don't really like the attention
I feel luckier than other men in the room
Are you really sincere
Is this just something that you do
01:15
It was already the early
morning hours of a new day, but Harm had yet to fall asleep. He laid sprawled
out awkwardly on the luxurious sofa feeling anything but self indulgence. Having
first picked out an unidentified drink from the mini-bar with foreign
scribbling on the label, he was now finishing up his third bottle and feeling
slightly hazy. What had first appeared, and he’d presumed to be water, Harm was
now discovering that it was definitely of alcoholic content. Thus, the first
soft knock on the door went by un-noticed and the third series of more
persistent knocking only just managed to permeate his brain. The thought to
speculate as to who could possibly be visiting him here fleetingly passed his
mind. Pushing himself off the sofa took some effort and he stumbled whilst
straightening up as the drinks started to take effect. Swinging the door open,
he was instantly at a loss. Unable to form neither coherent thought nor words,
he could only stare at his surprise visitor.
“Harm?” At first Mac simply
gazed back up at him amused, but after forty-two seconds of his impassive blank
stare from her normally articulate partner, she invited herself in. She had to
physically nudge him aside from the doorway before she could close it. What was
the matter with him? Webb had came back spewing sarcastic comments about Harm
being strung tight as a – well a comparison Harm sure wouldn’t have appreciated
if he’d heard the colourful words coming out of the pissed off CIA agent.
Whilst she was still ‘at work’ at the club, she’d sent Webb to meet up with Harm
first, but the meet up had unquestionably not gone too well. She’d waited for
exactly an hour for Harm to turn up after returning to her room at midnight, but she’d gotten impatient to see her flyboy. So regardless of
the time, she’d come aknocking. Idealistically, all
she wanted to do was throw her arms around Harm and tell him honestly how glad
she was that he was here with her, but reality persisted and she resorted to
asking again, “Harm, what’s wrong?” There was still no response.
Wrong … wrong? YES something’s
wrong. Everything’s wrong. You and Webb are wrong! Harm was feeling rapidly light-headed. Suddenly confronted with
Mac’s unexpected appearance threw him amidst the deep abyss of clouds without
the controls. He hadn’t had the time to fully regroup and re-evaluate his feelings
or next course of action.
Looking away, he shifted his
gaze to the carpet to hide all the confusing fusion of thoughts and feelings
that he was experiencing right then, from her view. His head still bowed, he closed
his eyes and ran a hand wearily through his hair. “Mac, can you come back
tomorrow? I –“
“Harm, has something happened?
Did the Admiral send you?” Mac was starting to panic. Something was undeniably
amiss if he was telling her to go. Walking up to him to inspect his face at
closer range, she opened her mouth to start another litany of questions only to
be interrupted.
“Mac! I … I’m just not feeling
too well ok. –Please-, it’s late” he finished off lamely. The note of
desperation that had crept into his plea for her to leave clinched Mac’s concern
to full measure. It was time to change tactics. Laying her right hand lightly
on his chest she said softly, “Sailor, talk to me. Don’t you miss me? Geez, I
can’t wait to get back home. I’m missing everyone like crazy … especially you flyboy.”
Mac offered a small smile and waited, hoping her admission would draw him out
with whatever was bothering him. But her smile quickly faded at his reply.
“Oh ho, I’m sure you missed me”
Harm muttered mockingly under his breath. “You sure seemed to be enjoying
yourself for someone who’s _missing everyone like crazy_” he quoted her
words back at her with heavy sarcasm, gazing directly into her eyes accusingly.
“What are you talking about?!”
Mac asked bewildered.
Harm jabbed a pointed finger in
her direction. “With Webb keeping you good company I doubt you’d have the time
to be missing anyone.” Missing ME, his mind shouted silently.
“What’s that suppose to mean.
If – “ suddenly the realisation as to
what Harm could be referring to struck her midway through her sentence. “Wait a
minute, are you talking about my … mini lap dance for Clay at the club? Harmon Rabb!
You’re jealous!” she declared teasingly, unaware as yet at this point in time, the
seriousness of their conversation in which Harm was headed.
“I _am_ not!” Harm
defended with defiant stubbornness. Of course he knew he was and insanely so,
but there was no way he was going to admit it right now when his ego was already
at its lowest levels.
“This is Clayton Webb we’re
talking about for christ’s sake, Mac! What the hell are you doing?”
“What bothers you more, the
fact that you think I was coming onto Clay or that it wasn’t _you_?
Shit, this was fast beginning
to take an eerie turn, parallel to the disaster in Sydney. Even in his current state of mind, Harm knew he had to stop
before he added Japan to the list of attempted, then crashed and burned locations.
“So which do you mean Harm?”
Mac persisted.
“Nothing” he said, choosing to shut
down completely. Mac could almost see the physical veil of shield rise up
around him as he turned his back on her and walked two steps away.
In two quick strides she closed
the distance between them once again and pulled him force-ably around by the
arm to face her. “Damn it Harm, I can’t play these games with you anymore!”
At that one moment in time, the
accumulation of all the things that had happened, ultimately reached the
boiling point. Harm felt beyond sick and tired of holding onto all his
suppressed feelings, of hurting and being hurt and he simply let go by an
unconscious choice. He let go of all the emotions he’d held in check, as
precaution for himself and for Mac. He could no longer control his emotions, thoughts
or actions. All rationality and self-discipline which created the basis of
Harm’s foundation, and that had for so long dictated the life of the Naval
officer, no longer mattered. Leaving an emotionally raw and exposed Harmon
Rabb. His jealousy that had been building progressively over the years exploded
in a blinding fury and like a volcano erupting, was soon to wreck havoc with
devastating after-effects.
“Who’s playing games Mac?!” he
blurted out in a yell.
“If _anyone’s_
playing, YOU’RE obviously leading and we’re all going by YOUR rules. How many
players have you got involved anyway huh?”
Mac was still unclear on what
exactly Harm was ranting on about, but she knew he was attacking her integrity
not only as a Marine but also as a woman. In all the years of their friendship,
he’d never once crossed that boundary and she wasn’t about to let him do so
now.
“I don’t know what’s gotten
into you Harm or why you’re so bloody pissed off over a bit of fun, but if you
can’t take things into perspective don’t go knocking me about.”
“A
bit of FUN?!” Harm exclaimed incredulously. “What’s it like to be able to go so
easily from man to man?” he asked in a dangerously low voice.
“Watch
what you’re saying Commander” Mac replied, in an equally quiet tone tinged with
warning and a steely glint in her eyes.
“Why,
do you want me to watch what you’re doing as well?” Harm whispered bitterly. He
continued his attack before she had a chance to reply. He was on a roll, the
dam had burst and there was no way of stopping. Wanting her to see and feel his
pain, Harm practically sneered in her face.
“Come
on Mac, what happened, you couldn’t be bothered to wait for me any longer is
that it? So tell me then, Mac, what was it like stringing Webb into your bed?”
Again and again and again I've been hurt
my friend till the end
You know I've been high I've been low
I got no place left to go
Again and again and again will this search ever end
Mac’s
first reflexive instinct upon hearing his harsh accusations was to strike back.
Before either of knew it, her hand had struck out and slapped him on his right
cheek. The sound of her hand connecting with his skin resounded in the
following silence like it had been projected by a thousand watts amplifier. For
a spilt second, Harm and Mac stood shocked in mutual stunned disbelief at the
sudden twist of events. Time stood still, and then their vortex whirled into a frenzy as the impact of his words hit them both.
“You
arrogant, self-centred son of a bitch!” Mac shouted in fury and indignation. She could feel the
suspicious burning sensation of tears rising and to save what was left of her
dignity, she spun on her heels and was out of the room in the shortest time humanly
achievable.
Harm
stood rooted to the spot, unable to fully comprehend the actions that had just taken
place. The banging of the door eventually brought him down from the adrenaline
rush that he’d experienced whilst arguing with Mac, slamming him back to earth
with full force, leaving him physically shaken. “Mac - MAC! Oh god, what’ve I done?!”
he cried out remorsefully. The blood drained from his face and he felt grossly
nauseous.
And when you say you love me do you mean it
Baby when you hold me do you feel it
Should I believe the magic in your eyes
I will wait until the end of time
To hear you say you love me, do you mean it
(Oh baby when you hold me)
When you hold me make me feel it
Should I believe the magic in your eyes
I will wait until the end of time
To hear you say you love me
Come on baby say you love me….