The Right Reasons 13: Playing House
Rating: IM15
Summary: Males and females, in close quarters. What happens?
Disclaimer: See Part 1 for disclaimers.
Spoilers: All the way through the Season 9 finale, but none of Season 10.
Lynnea and Irene’s House
Two weeks had gone by since Webb and Gunny had made the deal with Lynnea and
Irene to become temporary housemates. Aside from some minor conflicts over
bathroom time, things were going smoothly.
They had spent the time putting together the case against Abdul Mohammed,
reviewing testimony, photos, and reports. Webb wanted nothing out of place that
would give Mohammed a chance to get out of this one.
Webb was in the study, rereading some reports while Gunny went to interview
Anders and Williams, the two former CIA employees who had become government
witnesses after being arrested. He hated having Gunny handle this, but as yet,
no one besides Kershaw and the four people inside this house knew he was alive.
Webb’s mind drifted and he wondered how Mac was doing. He knew letting her think
he was dead was cruel, but it was not too far from the truth. The Webb that had
been around for the past year, the one who had shared her bed, was dead.
He heard a knock at the door, interrupting his thoughts. “Who is it?” It was
early for Gunny to be back already.
“Lynnea.”
“Just a minute,” he replied, quickly putting the files back in a briefcase and
locking it. He opened the door. “Yes?”
“I got off work early, and decided to celebrate by treating myself to some ice
cream and a mindless movie. Want to join me?”
Webb shook his head and smiled. “No, but thanks for the offer.”
“Really?” She waved a spoon in front of his face. “It’s chocolate chip cookie
dough. You know, all work and no play makes Clay a very, very dull boy.” She
stuck her tongue out at him. “I guess I’ll have to enjoy this lovely ice cream
all by my lonely self …”
“Chocolate chip cookie dough, huh? What does that taste like?” Webb was curious.
“You mean, you’ve never had it before? What kind of rock have you been living
under?”
“A very sheltered one, apparently. So will you give me a taste?”
Lynnea scooped up a large spoonful and brought it towards him. He opened his
mouth, but just before he could taste it, she pulled the spoon away, and put it
in her mouth. “Mmmm. Sorry, but no ice cream unless you watch a movie. You’ve
been spending too much time locked up in that room.” She walked towards the rec
room, and flopped down on the sofa.
Webb thought for a minute. I have been working a lot lately. Maybe a mental
break is just what I need. He joined her on the sofa, careful not to jar his
still tender arm. “So what’s the movie?”
“A real classic. Blazing Saddles.” She looked over at him. “Let me guess.
You’ve never seen it.”
“I haven’t seen a lot of movies,” Webb defended himself. “My job doesn’t leave
much time for that.”
“Well, you’re about to have your horizons broadened.” The opening credits
started. “Sit back and enjoy the show.” She handed him a spoon and set the ice
cream container between them.
Meanwhile …
Mac rolled over in bed. She felt strong arms wrap around her and squeeze. She
opened her eyes to see Harm, his elbow propped against a pillow, watching her.
His hair was damp, so he’d been up and taken a shower already.
He smiled. “Good morning, sweetheart.” They had spent last night at her
apartment, the first since they had consummated their relationship. Harm didn’t
want Mac to feel that their lovemaking had been a one-time fling, but outside
factors had conspired to keep them busy and apart. First it was the Admiral’s
retirement and the transition of Sturgis to acting JAG. Then it was out-of-town
assignments to distant locations. So last night, they were both making up for
lost time.
“Mmmm.” Mac stretched her arms above her head. “So what’s for breakfast?”
“That’s my Marine, Always ready. To eat.” Harm leapt out of bed and neatly
dodged the pillow tossed at him. “Watch it, Colonel, or I won’t make you
breakfast.”
“You wouldn’t do that. You know how cranky I can be when my stomach’s empty.”
Harm went on to the kitchen and Mac jumped in for a quick shower. She came out
to the smells of bacon and eggs cooking.
“Your meal is ready, ma’am.” Harm made a flourish with his arm.
They ate together leisurely. “I’ll be glad when the weekend gets here,” Mac
commented. “I’ve been so tired this past week. Sturgis certainly is keeping us
on our toes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. All of us have put in a few late nights, Sturgis included. I’ll give that
to him. He’s not asking us to do anything that he isn’t pushing himself to do.”
“I think he wants to prove the Admiral was right to put him in charge. You and I
have both done that job.” Harm chuckled. “I don’t know about you, but I’m happy
to let Sturgis run the show.”
“I’m with you there. Especially with it being time to submit fiscal budgets.
That is no picnic.” She yawned. “I know I slept eight, okay maybe six hours,
thanks to a late night visitor,” and she grinned at Harm, “but I am still
pooped. Good thing it’s Friday. I can sleep as late as I want tomorrow.” She
looked at the clock. “Oops! Time to get dressed. Do you need to stop by your
apartment and change clothes, Harm?”
He grinned at her. “Nope.” He pointed to the closet in her living room, where
his uniform hung. “As the Boy Scouts say, ‘be prepared.’”
Mac laughed with him. “You? A Boy Scout.” She paused. “Actually, I can
picture that.”
“Harmon Rabb, Eagle Scout, at your service.” He saluted her, and then drew her
into a kiss. Then he twirled her around and lightly smacked her behind. “Now go
get dressed, before you make us late,” he joked.