Title: Tell Him Author: Sass Chikamori E-mail: mrs_hchikamori@yahoo.com Rating: G Classification: Harm/Mac R; Lia/Animal (Meddling) Spoilers: Boomerang? Summary: While having lunch at Lia and Animal's, Mac thinks about her true feelings for Harm. Disclaimer: Harm and Mac, Brumby, and Renee belong to Don Bellesario. The song "Tell Him" can be found on Celine's album, 'Let's Talk About Love'. ******************************************************************************* CHIKAMORI RESIDENCE ARLINGTON, VA 1230 EST/1730 ZULU The doorbell rang just as I turned the oven off. I hurried to the front door to open it. "Mac!" I squealed at the sight of my best friend and favorite cousin. "You're just in time for lunch. Come on in," I said as I wrapped an arm around her neck and led her inside the house. Mac sniffed the air appreciatively. "Umm, something smells delicious," she said as two mischievous imps launched themselves at her. "Auntie Mac!" my twin daughters shrieked simultaneously. Laughing, Mac sat down on the couch and pulled her small cousins onto her lap. Harmony and Sarah chattered happily and noisily at Mac, who smiled at them and chattered right back. Satisfied that my daughters would be well taken care of, I headed back to the kitchen to finish preparing lunch. As I walked into the kitchen, I stopped short at the sight of my husband standing at the oven door, peeking inside. He must have snuck in the side door, I thought to myself. Grinning slyly, I silently picked up a dishtowel, twisted it, and let one end fly. SNAP! "YEOWCH!" Animal hollered as the towel found its target in his backside, causing him to jump back away from the oven. I laughed and dropped the towel back into the chair it had been in five minutes before. Walking over to my husband, I slid my arms around his waist, stretched up on my toes and placed my lips next to his ear. "Oh, poor baby," I crooned at him, grinning unrepentantly. Crossly, he muttered, "Very funny, sweetheart," then kissed me softly on my upturned mouth. "What's for lunch?" he asked, raising an eyebrow once the kiss was over. "I don't recall being told anything about a dish called 'Captain's Wife'," an amused female voice called out from the doorway. Animal grinned over my head at his cousin-in-law. "Hiya, Mac." "Hey, Animal," Mac grinned back at my husband as she walked into the kitchen. "Anything I can do to help?" she asked, looking at me. "Well, let's see, the table needs setting, the twins need washing off…" Mac held up a hand, cutting me off. "I'll set the table, thanks," she grimaced then busied herself pulling dishes down from a cabinet and taking them to the dining area. The timer over the oven went off, and I grabbed some potholders and took the casserole dish out of the oven. Setting it down on a thick towel, I picked towel and all and followed Mac out the door. "Hey, Colonel," Animal hollered as he trailed after us. "Are you saying big, strong gung-ho Marine that you are can't handle a couple of squirming, mischievous, hyper and soaking wet three-year-olds?" Mac snickered as she set up the twins' high chairs near mine and Animal's place settings. "I didn't say I couldn't handle them, Captain. Let's just say that I'd rather watch you do it." I giggled at the expression on my husband's face as he led the girls off to the bathroom to wash their faces and hands. A couple of minutes later, the children ran back into the dining room, arms stretched up towards Mac and me, wanting to be placed in their high chairs. My husband walked back in, and headed for the stereo system. Selecting a CD, he inserted it into the player and set it for 'repeat', although with the girls' chattering, I could hardly hear which song he'd set the system to play. As Celine Dion's beautiful voice filled the air, Harmony and Sarah cheered wildly. "Yay, Daddy," Harmony said, smiling at her father. "We like Celine, Auntie Mac," Sarah's namesake chirped at her. "So does Daddy," Harmony added as Animal rubbed his daughters' heads affectionately before sitting down. THIRTY MINUTES LATER After lunch was eaten, and the twins laid down for a nap, I finally got to hear the song Hugo had set for nonstop play. It was a beautiful duet between Celine and Barbara Streisand. As I listened to the song, I realized how much it fit Mac…and Harm. I'm scared So afraid to show I care Will he think me weak If I tremble when I speak I looked over at my husband, sitting comfortably in his comfy recliner. Was he thinking what I was? I couldn't help but wonder if he realized how true this song was about our best friends. Maybe he's in love 'With that twit Renee? Don't be absurd, Mac!' I'd feel like a fool 'Yeah, if you end up losing him.' Life can be so cruel I don't know what to do 'Well, if you'd listen to Animal and me…' I've been there With my heart out in my hand Hugo held his hand out to me, and I walked over and curled up next to him in the recliner, vividly remembering our courtship's ups and downs. But what you must understand You can't let the chance To love him pass you by 'Trust me, Mac…you could blow it…I know…I almost did.' Should I 'Yes!!!' Tell him Tell him that the sun and moon Rise in his eyes 'On second thought, Sarah, Harm is an aviator, and you and I both know how those aviator's egos can swell…' Reach out to him and whisper Tender words so soft and sweet Hold him close to feel his heart beat Love will be the gift you give yourself I curled closer to my husband, and felt his arms tighten around me. I snuggled deeper in his embrace, one ear against his chest, and listened to his heartbeat throb beneath his ribs. Touch him With the gentleness you feel inside My husband's hands pressed against my side, and at his silent signal, I glanced over at Mac. Her face was a mixture of varying emotions, her eyes unreadable. Was the song having any effect on her? Your love can't be denied The truth will set you free You'll have what's meant to be All in time you'll see I love him Of that much I can be sure I don't think I could endure If I let him walk away When I have so much to say I peeked back over at Mac. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she was fiddling with the so- called "friendship" ring Brumby had given her. A-ha, my husband's plan was working. I think. I'll Tell him Tell him Tell him that the sun and moon Rise in his eyes Reach out to him and whisper Tender words so soft and sweet Hold him close to feel his heart beat Love will be the gift you give yourself I couldn't help but reflect on my own relationship with my husband as I watched the conflicting emotions flicker across Sarah's face as the song played over the stereo. She and Harm weren't the only ones this song applied to. Love is the light that surely grows In the hearts of those who know 'It sure does, Mac.' It's a steady flame that grows Feed the fire with all the passion you can show My husband's breath was warm on my ear as he whispered. "I love you, Liandra." Smiling, I turned my face towards his, kissed him softly and whispered back, "I love you, too, Hugo." Tonight love will assume its place This memory time cannot erase Blind faith will lead love where it has to go 'Oh, Mac, listen…to me and to this song.' Tell him Tell him Tell him that the sun and moon Rise in his eyes Reach out to him and whisper Tender words so soft and sweet Hold him close to feel his heart beat Love will be the gift you give yourself Mac was crying, silent tears flowing down her face as she walked into the kitchen. Animal started to say something, and I shushed him with a hand to his mouth. As he busied himself with nibbling on my fingers, I tried to ignore him and eavesdrop on Mac's phone call. She was sniffling and I heard her say Harm's name and then ask, "Can I come over? I need to talk to you." More sniffling and then she said, "Okay, I'll be there in thirty minutes." She was wiping her eyes with a paper towel as she came out to the living room and picked up her purse. "Lia, Animal, thanks so much for lunch, it was terrific. I've got to go. I have…an appointment." She wouldn't look either one of us in the eyes as she murmured that last statement, and Animal unobtrusively squeezed my hand. I squeezed back. Hugging my cousin warmly, I said, "That's fine, Mac. You take care of whatever it is, and let me know how it turns out, okay?" Nodding, she walked out the door as the final line of the song played softly in the living room, and my husband and I returned to the recliner to curl up contentedly in one another's arms. Never let him go 'Don't let him go, Sarah. Don't let him go.'