Title: Women in Towels

Rating: pg-13

Genre: Romance

Summary: Mac receives some interesting information from an unlikely source. This takes place after The Killer.

Women in Towels

Harriet was the first to see the woman that stepped off of the elevator. Then Sturgis. And all at once this seeing of her spread from person to person like a trail of falling dominoes around the bullpen. It was then that pencils were laid down, fingers were perched idly over keyboards, and curious eyes peeked surreptitiously over monitors and file folders and from around corners.

It wasn’t because this was a particularly rare occurrence – a pregnant woman making her way through JAG HQ. It was all about the identity of this particular woman, who was very much in the family way.

Whether due to the sudden sense of quiet or just the strange notion that there was something going on that they were missing, the heads of Petty Officers Jason Tiner and Jennifer Coates whipped around the mahogany molding that flanked the Admiral’s outer office.

“Who is that and what’s going on?” Jen asked in a hiss of a whisper, balancing a stack of file folders while arranging herself in the optimum position for maximum viewing potential.

“That’s Renee Peterson-something. Commander Rabb’s ex-girlfriend,” Tiner answered.

“Reea-lly,” Jen slurred, eyebrows raised.

“They split up more than…” Tiner paused briefly, the pages of his mental calendar flipping backwards nine times through the months. Nah, it couldn’t be. “It was more than a year ago. She’s married now.”

“Hmm, interesting. And too bad Commander Rabb’s not here. I’d give anything to see his reaction to…well, let’s just say we can phone the MAC counter at Macys and tell them we’ve located their missing supply of lip gloss,” Jen sputtered, stifling a laugh.

“Well, she always did provide this place with plenty of drama.”

“You mean, more than now? Not possible.”

“Jen, you have no idea.” At the sound of Colonel Mackenzie’s door creaking open, Tiner flew back into his office in a flash, taking Jen with him.

At first Mac thought her eyes were deceiving her. <i>The</i> notorious Renee, here at JAGOps and pregnant as a house wasn’t exactly something she’d expected to encounter when she’d pulled into her parking space at 0800. Once Mac had done the mental math that answered the first of her questions, that only left one other which was currently picking its way into her brain. What in God’s great earth was she doing here?

Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to wait long to find out. The woman in question had just made eye contact.

“Mac,” Renee said with a half-smile and a slight head tilt, closing the distance between Harriet’s desk and the front of Mac’s office. She tried her best to walk gracefully, truly she did. But no matter how she shifted her legs or maneuvered her hips, all that ensued was one very awkward waddle. That’s what you get for carrying 30 extra pounds roughly confined to a 12”X12” expanse of torso.

“Hi Renee. It’s um…it’s good to see you. And I guess congratulations are in order,” Mac offered with a candy-coated smile.

“Yep, twins. And thankfully, just ten more weeks to go,” Renee beamed. She patted her stomach gently. “We’re having a boy and a girl.”

Mac was suddenly stricken with a tinge of envy for this woman, a version of which she’d never really felt before. Maybe it was because of the instant family she was carrying within her, more likely it was because of the obvious transformation marriage and pregnancy had had on Renee. It went far beyond the proverbial pregnant glow.

Parts reminiscent of the old Renee were still there; the overdone makeup and a unique style of dress reflected in the colorful maternity tunic with a fur-trimmed collar. Yet, she appeared softer, more genuine. Renee was wearing a look of pure joy that mixed agreeably with peace and contentment. Mac found it hard to ignore. It was a look that she herself would give anything to try on.

“Well, you seem very happy,” Mac said quietly. “What brings you by?”

“I was visiting some old friends in Alexandria and I thought I’d add another old friend to my call list. It seems I’ve missed him, though. Harriet told me he’s out taking a depo.”

How easy it would’ve been for Mac to succumb to the temptation to just keep her mouth shut. After all, Renee wouldn’t wait around here all day. But almost at once the little voice in her head appeared, armed with an arsenal of protest. Damn, if that voice had been attached to a face she would’ve slapped it already.

And so Mac nodded graciously; the words that would follow sure to appease her conscience. “Harm is taking a depo, but he shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes out. He just phoned. If you’d like, you’re welcome to wait in my office. I was just going to eat in and organize a few files.”

Renee hesitated for a moment before nodding. “All right then. Thanks, Mac.”

Mac ushered her into her office, pulling out a chair and an empty file box as a makeshift foot stool. She was starting to feel better about asking Renee to stay. The look on Harm’s face would be well worth any inconvenience or awkwardness at having Renee as a temporary office mate.

It was a look she’d seen on him before; one that by now she could paint with remarkable detail on any canvas. Still, the circumstances of this moment might inspire a look that could very well put the previous ones to shame.

She could only imagine how it might appear, his first vision of these two pivotal women, occupying the smallest of spaces; one with whom he’d shared a lively history, who now possessed all of the things that he could never give her.

And the other, whose history with him had yet to be fulfilled; the mysterious bounty of things he had to give, only so far received in dreams.

***

It was 13 minutes later that Mac looked up from her pasta salad, feeling the laser-like beam of Renee’s inquisitive stare. She held her fork poised in mid air and let her eyes do all the asking.

“Sorry, it’s just your hand,” Renee began tentatively. “I guess I expected to see a ring.” She rested the copy of Vogue on what was left of her lap.

Mac held a plain expression that gave no hint of emotion. “Mic and I never did get married. He went back to Australia.”

Renee paused, a knowing smile inching across her face, just feeling the truth of the words she was preparing herself to speak. “I wasn’t talking about Mic.”

Mac sighed audibly, just having witnessed the flight of this conversation into dangerous territory.

“C’mon Mac, it’s been more than a year. I thought for sure Harm would’ve gotten his act together by now. Jeez, with me gone, I figured it was only a matter of time.”

“We’re kind of in a weird place right now. It’s not that simple.”

Renee snorted. “The hell it’s not.” She relaxed her posture, shrugging her shoulders. “Whether you meant it or not, you were always the third person in my relationship with him.” The words were harsh, but they were delivered in a tone made soft with calm resignation, with old memories hanging in remnant.

Mac sat straight up in her chair. “Renee, I never did anything to jeopardize your relationship with Harm. I was never a threat to you.”

Renee drew closer, resting her elbows on Mac’s desk. “I know it wasn’t deliberate. That’s not what I’m saying. You see, you couldn’t help yourself. You just being you was all it took for him to never be able to love me, or probably anyone else, for that matter.”

Mac stared back with incredulous eyes and a heart that wasn’t far behind.

Renee laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. Look, I may have been the recipient of a few of Harm’s…uh…talents and I may have actually captured his attention for a few moments out of the year we spent together. But I never had his heart.” She flinched, smiling with pride as one of the babies kicked. “Mac, I’m not feeling sorry for myself here, I’m happily married now. But, I do feel more than a little stupid sometimes when I think of all that time I spent as a place-holder.”

Mac shook her head rapidly, “Renee you weren’t just a…”

Renee stopped her with a raised hand. “Maybe it’s because of my profession, but I’ve always thought of myself as just a seat-filler with him, you know, like at the Oscars.” She pointed one finger at the woman in front of her. “You. You were the real star in his life, Mac.”

Mac took a moment for these words to sink in; words she’d never expected to hear, from a woman she’d never expected would say them.

Renee twiddled her thumbs, a wry smile forming on her face. “You know…he once called me your name at a very inopportune moment.”

Jolted out of her reverie, Mac’s eyes shot wide open. “He <i>what</i>?”

“Ohhh, yeah. Lemme tell you, even sixty dollars worth of roses couldn’t make up for that one. Look,” she paused, letting out a sigh, “I think it’s time you knew a few things.”

And she told her. Nearly everything she could remember.

Food long since pushed aside, Mac listened, practically chewing a hole into the pencil lodged between her teeth. Renee’s confessions did more than spark her interest. She was virtually drowning in them, in their implications.

Mac was so engrossed that she almost missed Harm’s expression at seeing Renee.

Almost. She’d been in perfect view of his emergence from the corridor; the stately, determined walk due his rank and position had been immediately reduced to a stupefied shuffle when he’d first peered into her office. She fought to bury her laughter at the stark shade of white his face had taken on, at the enormous “O” formed by his lips. He nearly dropped his briefcase and cover. It was priceless.

“Renee?” he gasped in disbelief, thrusting his body into the half-open open door of Mac’s office.

Renee turned her head, smiling. “Hey, Harm. I’d get up but, um, I think I’m stuck.”

Harm quickly discarded his things into a vacant chair, offering Renee a hand. He shook his head in wonder. “Well, this sure is a surprise! And, uh…wow! Congratulations!”

Renee found her balance. She reached for her purse and pulled out a pair of Gucci sunglasses to use as a makeshift headband “Thanks. I was in the area and thought I’d say a quick hello. Mac was kind enough to let me hang out in here until you got back.”

Harm stole a pointed glance at Renee’s apparent benefactress, who was sitting behind her desk, arms crossed, an entirely-too-innocent look plastered on her face. “Oh was she? How nice,” Harm smirked, eyebrows inching up his forehead. It was a look that stated further debriefing and explanation would be needed in the near future. One that was not at all optional.

Renee turned back her cuff and checked her watch. “Well, I really should be going. Harm, why don’t you walk me out?” She looked back at Mac, smiling a gentle smile. “Thank you and…good luck.”

Mac returned the smile. “Same to you, Renee.”

Just like that, Renee was gone, leaving an awesome whirlwind behind her. And Mac sat right in the middle of it, trying to make some sense out of these newly discovered revelations. To say she’d been surprised would’ve been an understatement like no other.

But Mac’s feelings didn’t end at surprise. And for the first time in a long while she felt inspired to do something different. She felt incited into doing something extraordinary. She was suddenly overflowing with ideas and possibilities and plain old gumption.

She curled her lips impishly. It was fitting that Renee had wished her luck. She was sure as hell going to need it.

***

Harm closed his apartment door with a heavy sigh. He removed his overcoat first, scattering the rest of his belongings in a haphazard trail that led from his living room to his bedroom. He was glad to be home.

This was a work day that he was ready to put behind him; one more to be tossed in the already-bulging “another reason to have called in sick” file. Renee Peterson-Fortney had thrown him for quite a loop, showing up out of the blue like that, and hugely pregnant besides. In truth, once the initial shock had worn off, their little reunion really hadn’t been all that bad. She truly seemed happy and that eased a bit of his conscience for not exactly being the model boyfriend during their last few months together.

With a reminiscent chuckle, Harm exchanged his dress blues for jeans and a blue Annapolis sweatshirt. But by the time he’d burrowed his arms into the sleeves, he wasn’t thinking about Renee anymore.

It was Mac who invaded the deep spaces of his brain, providing his captive thoughts with no retreat. She’d been tight-lipped and stubborn all afternoon, not even giving him a hint at what she and Renee had talked about. She said it was nothing, but he knew better. Something had been said in that office that made her denials a little too quick, her exits a little too hasty. Sarah Mackenzie was a walking enigma. With hair that smelled like vanilla.

The soft sound of knocking brought him from bedroom to doorknob in ten smooth strides. He opened the door to find Mac standing there, bundled in a long black coat, an apologetic gaze on her face.

“Hey, sorry for not calling,” she said, moving into his apartment.

“No biggie, it’s been a day full of surprises, as you’re well aware of.” He turned to close the door, flashing a genuine smile. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

Mac let out a slow breath, risking a direct look into his eyes. “Hold that thought,” she said pointedly before scooting into his bedroom.

With a puzzled gaze, Harm followed like a lap dog, more out of curiosity than anything. By the time he reached the bedroom, Mac had already disappeared into the bathroom, trench coat and all. “Mac, you okay in there?”

“Um, yeah…uh, just a sec,” she called, her voice wavering.

He stood back, testing out various reasons why Sarah Mackenzie was acting so darn peculiar. As it turned out, he hadn’t even come close.

Even years later, he’d remember every detail of this subsequent moment, like a moving picture that replayed itself over and over. It was a moment that pushed the capacities of his mind, of his emotions. Shock, passion, wonder, lust, love – all these things had rushed into him so forcibly, as she crept slowly out of the bathroom. And he hadn’t even touched her yet.

She’d emerged clad in only his bath towel, wrapped around the center of her body; the ends tucked neatly underneath the top fold. She met his gaze, tentatively at first. Yet her confidence grew as she saw his eyes, brimming with admiration, raw with questions.

He stood, completely frozen in his spot. With hunger, he consumed this vision of her; her bronzed shoulders, her toned legs, long and lean, her bare feet with toenails painted a deep shade of red.

“My God, Mac,” he whispered fiercely. It was all he could do.

Mac exhaled a solitary breath. She reached deep inside herself and found it - she found the confidence, the worthiness that the demons of her past had declared she did not warrant. And she held it all out to him, in a devilish grin, in eyes that offered a challenge but surely guaranteed a prize.

She tilted her head coyly. “Well, Harm,” she purred, “you seem to have this…history with women in towels.”

Now he understood. He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. “That I do.”

“But, you see, it’s come to my knowledge that those other instances would be better off, you know…forgotten.”

“That is the case, Mac.”

“Ahh,” she murmured, her head rising and falling in a slow nod. “Well, then here’s something hopefully worth remembering.”

Harm couldn’t believe what she was about to do.

She wouldn’t.

She couldn’t.

Lord Almighty, she was.

He watched with bated breath, with eyes growing wider and wider as her hand inched up the towel; her fingers playing with the hem at the very spot where she’d tucked it under. She made him aware of every movement of her hand, freeing the edge and drawing it away from her body. Without warning she released it from her fingers, allowing the towel to fall in a soft puddle at her feet.

Laughing was the last thing he’d expected to do. Yet, after realizing what she’d done that’s exactly what his first reaction had been. It was another surprise to add to the pile, as Sarah Mackenzie stood in front of him wearing the bright blue strapless bikini she’d once worn during a fated trip to Australia.

“Tease,” he muttered, in mock contempt. He took a small step forward.

“Slowpoke,” she countered, taking her own step.

“Devious,”

“Daft,”

“Breathtaking,”

“Divine,”

“Irresistible,” he said, an arm’s length away.

“Finally,” she sighed, her eyes dancing.

“Mine?” he asked softly, now inches from her lips, his breath intertwining with hers.

“Hell-yeah,” she declared against his mouth, sinking into the warmth of him.

The kiss was his final comeback. And it was explosive, burning with suppressed longing that had begged relentlessly for release. It became a moving symbol of the words, the declarations that they couldn’t seem to break apart to speak.

He praised her with his hands; this glorious temple of her skin, smooth like satin. He caressed her shoulders, inching under the strap fastened at her back, fulfilling dreams and fantasies that had withstood countless trials, countless years.

He pulled away, tunneling his lips down the graceful line of her neck, a low groan escaping from the back of his throat.

Mac fell into oblivion, employing the very last morsel of the control she’d long since surrendered. Hands around his neck, she jerked his head upward. God, she wanted his mouth. And she took it for the simple reason, that after all this time, she was finally free to do so.

It was minutes later that he reluctantly broke this kiss, leaving both of them gasping for breath. He kept his arms encircled around her, not wanting to let even a second go by without touching her. She acted in kind, resting her head on his shoulder, her hands tracing circles onto his back.

“Even though you happen to be standing here, in my bedroom, in a bikini,” he waited, sweeping his grin across her forehead, “would you believe me if I told you that I love you?”

She disguised a joy-filled smile with a sultry laugh. “Harm,” she whispered into his ear, taking delight in the shudder that rippled down his body. “I’m afraid that if I say yes, you won’t feel the need to persuade me.”

He chuckled softly, deploying one finger that crept in a straight line up and down her backbone. “You know all the guts it took for you to come here and do this?”

“Uh-huh.”

He snapped the bathing suit strap playfully against her skin as his voice dropped to a low octave. “Well, I’ve got at least double that amount in persuasion.”

And Sarah Mackenzie would very soon discover – the man hadn’t been kidding.

The End