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The Right Reasons 20: Not Too Much to Ask

Rating: IM15
Summary: Harm and Mac have it out.  The title of this chapter comes from a Mary Chapin Carpenter song that I love, and it fits perfectly.
Disclaimer: See Part 1 for disclaimers.
Spoilers: All the way through the Season 9 finale, but none of Season 10.

Not Too Much To Ask
(Mary Chapin Carpenter/Don Schlitz)

To hear you say my name, to see you search my eyes
To feel you touch my hand, it more than satisfies.
If I was not the first, just say I'll be the last
It's too much to expect, but it's not too much to ask.

Now I can only dream of being all you need
And I can only try to be the reason why
You think about today and forget about the past
It's too much to expect, but it's not too much to ask.

Now I can only dream of being all you need
And I can only try to be the reason why
You think about today 'cause the past is just the past
It's too much to expect, but it doesn't hurt to ask
It's too much to expect, but it's not too much to ask.

Parking Lot at Mac's Apartment

Harm started the car and put it in gear.  He got ready to pull out of the parking lot and head to JAG Headquarters.  There was nothing left for him here.  Or was there?

He saw Webb leave the building and drive away.  Harm decided he needed to talk to Mac before walking away, so to speak.  Before he knew it, he was in front of her apartment, pressing the doorbell.

"Harm! Why didn't you just come in?  You have a key." Mac opened the door and pulled him in.

"I didn't want to interrupt anything," he said dully. "I just came by to tell you, well, I won't stand in the way."

"In the way of what?" Mac was puzzled.

"You and Webb."

Mac began laughing.  "Clay and me?  Why would you think that?"

"Well, you left the hospital with him," Harm was growing confused, "and then I saw you.  In the window."

"Oh no," and realization dawned on Mac, "you didn't see what you think you saw.  I mean, you saw it, but it didn't mean what you think it did."

"Explain."

"Clay came by the hospital to talk to me.  I was ready to check out, and wanted to talk to him myself.  To get a few answers.  So I left you a voicemail on your cell phone ..." Mac's voice trailed off. "You did check your voice mail, didn't you?"

Harm looked down at his cell phone. "I never even turned it on this morning."

Mac spoke, "Well, I did call.  Anyhow, Clay and I talked.  About why he left.  And about moving on with our lives.  Separately."

Harm looked at her, asking the question he couldn't ask aloud.

"Clay is part of the past.  Now, my life is with you." She grinned. "And if I read things correctly, he's moving on as well.  Not that he'd admit it to anyone."

"So you .. and he ... aren't ..." Harm didn't finish his sentence.  He couldn't - Mac had wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

"Is this answer enough for you?" she asked when they broke for air.

"No." He pulled her back against him and resumed the kiss, sliding his tongue along her lips.  She yielded to him and allowed him into her mouth, her tongue twining with his. "Now that was answer enough."

"God, Mac, you are amazingly beautiful," Harm whispered.

"Harm ... I want to make love," Mac murmured.

"Not until the doctor says it's okay." He smiled at her frown of disappointment and continued, "But that doesn't mean we can't cuddle ..."

Harm pulled Mac next to him and smiled as she nestled against him. He knew he couldn't stay much longer, but he wanted to savor the moment as long as he could.

To Part 21