A Marriage Made by Webb - Part 4

 

     

 

Author: Ava E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com Rating:  PG-13 Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: Webb needs a wife, and he chooses Mac to play the part. Sparks will fly!  Author's comments:  Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

 

 

Tuesday, 5 February 2002
1015 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac left the Admiral's office in a hurry.  She had to try to catch Porter Webb before she left home.  They were scheduled to have lunch together, again, today.  But now Mac was on an assignment that was taking her to Saudi Arabia in just a few hours.  She reached her office and dialed the number.  

When Porter answered, Mac said, "Oh, thank goodness I caught you!  It's Sarah.  Harm and I are off to Saudi Arabia in 3 hours and 48 minutes, so I'm not going to be able to do lunch today."

"Saudi Arabia?  Sarah, you're not!  Saudi Arabia isn't a safe place for you to be right now." Porter said.

"I'm a Marine, remember?  I'll be fine."

"Sarah, please do be careful."

"I will, Mother.  If Clay calls, would you tell him for me?  We just talked last night, so I don't expect him to call me for a few days.  But, I only just found out about this assignment, so he doesn't know that I'm going to be away."

"Dear, who will be taking care of your dog for you this time?"

"Bud and Harriett Roberts usually look after him for me."

"All right.  Well, if you need something, you just call me.  That's what family is for, my dear."

"Thank you, Mother."

Mac hung up the phone and turned to find Harm standing in her doorway.  

"Mother?" he asked.

"Porter, of course," Mac replied.

"Is Webb going to be jealous of our being on assignment together, again?"

"Clay wasn't jealous, Harm.  He was... well... okay, he was jealous.  But not anymore.  He understands our relationship now, and everything is fine."

Harm turned and walked away shaking his head.  "Damn, I sure wish I understood our relationship," he muttered under his breath.

 

 

Sunday, 10 February 2002
1955 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac unlocked the door to her apartment and stumbled inside.  "You okay?" asked Harm, following her.

"Just tired, Harm.  I can't wait to get in bed.  My bed.  My nice, soft bed.  I forget how hard those cots are in the desert BOQs."

"Bugs, Mac.  They can't have the softer ones out there because of the bugs.  You know that," he told her patiently.

"I know, I know.  Doesn't mean I have to like it," she mumbled as she headed for her bedroom.  

Harm followed her and set her bag on the floor.  "You sure you're okay?  You're sure acting funny."

"What do you mean?"

"You're just acting... strange.  I don't know..."

"I'm exhausted, Harm.  Those damned abayas are hot and confining.  They're horrible.  You should try wearing one!"

Harm grinned.  "I don't think they make them that big.  Besides, Mac, you didn't have to wear one that often this trip.  Only a couple of times."

"I know.  I guess I'm just a little antsy..."  Mac decided to pick back up with the Webb story.  No telling if they knew she was back in town.  "Clay's been gone for a while, and I don't know where he is or when he'll back, and I'm just... just..."  She sighed.  "Horny!"

Harm grinned.  "I can take care of that for you if you'd like," he teased, reaching for her.

Mac backed away from him, a look of complete and utter disbelief on her face.  "I can't believe you said that!"

"Mac, I..."

"No!  I can't believe it.  After all these years of our working together, of my practically throwing myself at you on several occasions, it takes my getting married for you to want me?"  Mac shook her head.  "I just don't believe it!  Clay was right about you all along," she added.

"Mac..."

"I think you'd better leave now, Commander," Mac said coldly.

"Mac, please.  I was just..."

"I know exactly what you were "just", Harm.  Now get out."  She walked toward the front door as she spoke.  "Thank you for driving.  Thank you for carrying my bag inside.  I'll see you at the office tomorrow."

"Maa-ac," Harm whined.

"Get out, Commander," Mac held the door open and pointed outside.  "Now!" 

Harm was barely in the hall when Mac slammed the door behind him.  She walked back into her bedroom, fell across the bed, and cried herself to sleep.

 

 

Monday, 11 February 2002
0905 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The JAG officers were seated around the conference room table for the weekly staff meeting, with Admiral Chegwidden sitting at the head of the table, as always.

"Colonel, Commander, well done," he praised them after briefly reviewing the results of the Saudi case with the others.  "Now, before we get down to brass tacks..."  He turned his attention to Harriett.  "Lieutenant Sims, do you have any more information for us about the Valentine's dinner on Thursday?"

Harriett beamed.  "Yes, Sir, I do.  We're confirmed on The Julliard leaving out of the Yacht Club on Chesapeake Beach at 1830.  If anyone will not be joining us, please be sure to let me know by the end of business today.  I have to call with an exact number at 2100 tonight.  And please remember, no cell phones are permitted on the ship, and once we leave the dock, we don't return until 0900 the next morning.  So be sure the person you bring along understands that and is okay with it.  There aren't enough rooms for individuals, only couples."

'Hmm, I guess Thursday will be the night I've been waiting for with Karen,' thought AJ.

'Hot dog! A whole night to ourselves with no little AJ walking in on us. God, this is gonna be great!' thought Bud excitedly. 'I'd better confirm with the babysitter, again. I sure don't want her to cancel on us!'

'I guess I'd better call someone.  Mac certainly isn't interested.  And I sure don't want to go on a Valentine's cruise alone. God, that would be embarrassing,' thought Harm.

'I wonder if Bobbie realizes I meant we'd be gone all night. I'd best call her and make sure she's okay with this,' thought Sturgis.

'If that little twerp of a Congressional aide backs out on me, again, that's it. He's toast,' thought Lauren.

Harriett continued with her instructions for the evening, telling them the proper attire for the event, and giving directions to the Yacht Club.  

When the meeting concluded, Harriett stopped Mac in the bullpen and asked, "You are coming, aren't you, Colonel?"

Mac sighed and shook her head.  "Sorry, Harriett.  Sounds like a lovely night, but no.  I won't be there."

"But Ma'am, you really should come.  It's going to be such a lovely..."

"Harriett,  Clay isn't home," Mac interrupted.  "I wouldn't enjoy it without him."

"Who says I'm not home?" a male voice sounded from Mac's office.

She turned to look, and saw Webb standing in her doorway.  "Clay!!" she screamed in delight and ran to him, throwing herself in his arms and kissing him hard.

Webb kissed her back, thoroughly, before he finally pulled away.  "Damn, that's quite a welcome home, Mac."

"Oh, Clay!  I've missed you so much..." Mac purred, trailing kisses along his jaw line and backing him into her office.  

Harriett called, "I take it I can count the two of you in for Thursday?"

"Damn right you can, Harriett!" Mac said, closing the door behind them.  She glanced quickly at the windows.  'Good!  He already closed the blinds.  Must be he's thinking the same thing I am...'  She ran her hands over Webb's chest and eased his jacket off his shoulders.  

"Mac..." he started.  "There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh, Clay..." she purred as she began working on his vest buttons and then his tie.  "Tell me later.  Make love to me now."

Webb's head was spinning.  He'd waited years to hear Sarah MacKenzie say those words to him.  And now she had.  Could he do it?  No, it would be under false pretenses.  He couldn't.  But Mac's assault was raging.  As she kissed him, she pulled his shirt out of his trousers and unbuckled his belt.  "Mac, Honey... Please.  I need to tell you something."

"Tell me later, Clay."  She made fast work of pulling her stockings down to her knees. "I've missed you so much, Darling. Now, take me now!"

Clay couldn't help it.  He wanted her so badly.  And for her to be doing this here, now... 'She must want me, too.  For real,' he decided.  He leaned Mac back against the desk. He tried to talk to her.  "Mac, I have to tell you something."

"Tell me you love me."

"I do love you, Mac.  More than anything.  But..."

"But what?" she asked as she ran her leg up and down his. Mac didn't even hear the Admiral's bellow from his closed office.  But Webb did.  So did everyone else on the floor.

"It's over, Mac," Webb said.

His words didn't register in Mac's brain at first.  She continued her loving assault on him, begging him to take her.  She ran her fingers through his hair and nibbled on his neck.

"Mac... The cover.  We don't have to pretend anymore."  Webb put his hand on Mac's chin and gently lifted her face to his.  "It's over, Mac."

"Over?" she asked, her voice ragged.

"Over," Webb affirmed.  He pulled her back into his arms.  "Oh, Mac.  You're so good, so hot, so sweet. This has been like a dream come..."

"Colonel!" called Tiner through the closed door as he knocked.  "Ma'am, the Admiral wants to see you and Mr. Webb in his office ASAP."

Mac looked up at Webb.  "It's over?"  He nodded.  She put her hands on his chest and pushed him away.

Then as she quickly pulled her clothes back together, Webb said, "Let him wait, Mac.  I need to talk to you first.  I need to explain something."  Webb tried to pull her back into his arms.

"It'll have to wait, Clay.  I can't keep the Admiral waiting; you know that."  She turned to open the door just as Tiner was knocking, again.  "Coming, Tiner," she said as calmly as she could.  

Webb quickly righted his pants and buckled his belt.  He grabbed his tie and followed her, tucking his shirt back in his trousers.  He flipped the tie around his neck and was tying it as they walked into the Admiral's office.  Mac came to attention stance in front of the desk and said, "Reporting as ordered, Sir."

"As you were, Colonel," AJ said, noting her flushed face.  He looked over at Webb and scowled, noticing his disheveled appearance.

AJ turned to Mac.  "I believe you said you've never met Leo Smythe, Mac.  Well, let me introduce you."  He motioned toward the far corner behind Mac.  "Mr. Smythe, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.  Colonel; Smythe.  Otherwise known as Webb's boss," AJ spat.

Leo approached Mac and extended his hand in greeting.  "A pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mac.  I've heard a lot about you."  And he muttered under his breath, "Not to mention heard and seen you in action.  Damn, you're one hot mama."

Mac nodded.  "Mr. Smythe," she said, shaking his hand, wondering what he had muttered.

Mac turned back to the Admiral.  "Cla..."  She corrected herself.  "Webb tells me the assignment is over, Admiral," Mac informed him.  "I take it that's why Mr. Smythe is here?"

AJ's frown deepened.  "Yes, Mac, it is.  And Webb has something to tell you."

"Sir?"

AJ walked over to Mac and put his hands on her shoulders.  "Mac, you're not going to like this," he whispered.  "And anything you say or do in this office for the next 10 minutes will stay in this office.  Understood?"

Mac looked at him, surprised.  Was he telling her that this assignment was so sensitive that nothing could be discussed?  That wasn't anything unusual.  Or was he giving her an 'out'... that he knew she would react badly...  'No,' she decided.  'It must be the sensitivity issue.'  Mac nodded.

"Spill it, Webb," AJ ordered.

"Mac," Webb started.  "It's like this..."  He paused.  Mac cocked her head to one side, waiting.  He tried, again.  "Mac, I... Well, I...  We... that is, Leo and I, we..."  He exhaled a deep breath. "Damn, this is hard.  Mac, can I see you alone?  In your office..."

"Not a chance, Webb!" barked the Admiral.  "Here.  Now.  Tell her."

"It would be a lot easier... privately..." Webb explained.

"Tell her now, Webb.  Or I will," growled the Admiral.

Webb turned away from Mac and looked out the window.  That was the only way he'd be able to do this in front of the others.  He had really wanted to tell her this privately.  He knew she'd be angry with him.  But if he could just explain how he really felt about her before he told her about the bet...

Webb sighed, again.  "Leo and I had a bet, Mac:  that I was so good at my job, I could do anything under his nose and he'd never know whether it was truth or fiction."  Webb heard Mac's quick intake of breath. He hurried on, still staring out the window.  "So I set several things in motion, and Leo had to try to determine which were real and which weren't."

Mac waited silently.  She knew Webb wasn't finished explaining.  And she was right.  He spoke, again.

"I made up the story of our being married and keeping it a secret.  That way Leo would be more apt to buy it.  And then I went to Palestine.  The way I handled everything out there, Leo was convinced that was the ruse, and that you and I were really married.  He knew there was no way I'd have risked a mission by calling home just to have phone sex.  Of course, it helped a lot when you had that run-in with Rabb last night when you got home, too."

He didn't dare turn around.  She was going to be so angry.  What he didn't realize was that if he had turned around, if Mac had seen his face... his eyes... as he explained, she would have known the truth... that he really loved her.  But he didn't turn around.  So she didn't know.  All she did know was that she had just begged this man to make love to her.  Not 10 minutes ago. 'Oh God!'  She moaned audibly.  When Webb heard her, he finally did turn to face her, but by then, he had his emotions under control, and his face was a mask.  Mac stared at him.  "A bet?  This was all about a bet?" she spat.

He nodded.  "I'm afraid so, Mac.  And you did a great job for me, as always.  I won the bet," he said flippantly, walking toward her.

Mac took a deep breath and exhaled.  She was trying to remain calm, but she was losing the battle.  'How could he have done that to me?  I've helped him so many times in the past.  And he... he humiliates me in front of his boss... my boss... my colleagues...  How dare he!?  How DARE he!?!'  

Before anyone knew what was coming, Mac drew her right hand back and slapped Webb across the face for all she was worth.  Then she brought her hand back and backslapped him.  "How DARE you!!!" she screamed as she slapped him, again, as hard as she could.  

This time, Webb lost his balance, her strike was so hard.  He began to fall backwards and tried to right himself.  She grabbed his arm and pulled him up, and just as quickly, she thrust her knee up as hard as she could, catching him in the groin... his still very sensitive groin.  "You bastard!!!" she yelled at him as he grabbed his privates and fell to his knees in pain.  "BASTARD!!!" she cried as her tears welled up in her eyes.  She turned to the door and flung it open, storming out of the office.  She went directly to her office and slammed the door so hard, it shattered one of the windows joining her office and the bullpen. 

She had no control of her tears now.  They flowed freely down her face and her body convulsed in sobs.  She collapsed in her chair and leaned over her desk, burying her face in her arms.  Her hand grasped the soft fabric under it, and she used it almost like a lifeline.  "How could he?  How could he have done that to me?" she wailed.  Then she realized what she was holding.  Webb's vest.  She buried her face in it, breathing in his scent.  "Oh God!  How could I have let him do this to me?"  She lifted her head when she heard the door open.  "Get out!" she yelled.

"Mac, it's me.  Harm.  What happened?"

"GET OUT!!!" she yelled, throwing the vest at him.  

Harm bent to pick up the article she threw at him.  "Mac, let me help.  Please, Honey."

When Harm said "Honey," Mac jumped up out of her seat and ran toward him.  "Don't you ever call me that!  No one had better EVER call me that, again!!" she screamed, pushing against his chest to make him leave.  But Harm was stronger than Mac.  He stood his ground, and Mac beat her fists against his chest.  He didn't budge.  Mac finally gave up and sank to the floor at his feet in tears.  "Get out," she pleaded.  "Go away.  Leave me alone!"

Harm dropped the vest and reached down to pull Mac back up to her feet.  He pulled her inside and closed the door behind them.  "Shhh, it's okay now, Mac.  It's going to be okay.  Hush now," he cooed to her.  He sat down in her chair and pulled her into his lap, cradling her in his arms.  He rocked her gently and pressed her head against his shoulder.  "Shhh, Baby, it's okay, Mac.  I'm here for you...  Harm's here..."

Webb opened the door and heard Harm's words.  'Damn.  I pushed her right into his waiting arms.  Figures.'  Webb bent down and picked up his vest.  He stepped in the office two more feet and grabbed his jacket from the chair, turned and left.

Mac heard the office door close, and she looked up.  "Clay?" she said, almost hopefully. 

Webb heard his name.  He stopped in his tracks.  'Did she just call me?'  He turned back to her office and saw the broken glass on the floor for the first time.  

"Was that Clay?" Mac asked.

'She did call for me!' Webb realized, hearing her voice.  He turned to go back in her office but stopped when he heard Harm's words.

"He's gone now, Mac.  It's okay.  I won't let him hurt you, again."

"Self-righteous bastard," mumbled Webb.

"I love him, Harm.  What am I going to do?  I fell in love with him.  And he was just... just using me.  Oh God..." her tears started, again.

"I suggest you leave now, Mr. Webb," AJ said, hearing Mac's words and knowing Webb would try to see her now.  "She needs time."

"But she loves me," Webb argued.

"And you betrayed her.  You used her in the worst possible way."  AJ scowled.  "Get out of my building."  AJ motioned for the Marine guard at the entrance.  "See that Mr. Webb leaves the building.  Now."

"Aye, Sir.  Mr. Webb?  This way."  When Webb didn't move, the guard reached out to take his arm.  

"I'm coming," Webb snapped, jerking his arm away.  He turned back to AJ.  "She isn't the only one, you know," Webb said cryptically.  

As the doors closed behind Webb and the guard, Bud walked up to the Admiral.  "I wonder what he meant by that?"

"She wasn't the only one who got hurt in this, I would assume," AJ replied.

Harriett shook her head, walking up beside the two men.  "No, Sir." They looked at her questioningly. She explained, "She isn't the only one who fell in love."

 

 

Wednesday, 13 February 2002
1135 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Porter Webb walked into the bullpen and smiled at the guard.  She'd been in the office several times now, and he recognized her.  "Colonel MacKenzie is still in court right now, Ma'am.  If you'd like to wait in her office?" he offered.

"That would be just fine, thank you," Porter replied.

Mac and Harm entered her office 10 minutes later, still arguing over the case they were trying.  "Harm, I am not going to plea bargain this case.  It's open and shut.  Forget it!"

Just as Harm was about to speak, they both saw Porter standing at the window.  She nodded at Harm.  "Commander."  Then she focused on Mac.  She smiled and her face became much more gentle.  "Hello, Sarah," she said softly.

"Mrs. Webb, I don't think..." Harm began.

"I'm here to speak with Sarah, Commander.  Not you.  So at this point in time, I don't care what you think," she interrupted him.

"Mrs. Webb..." he tried, again.  This time, Mac interrupted.

"It's okay, Harm.  I'll talk to her."  Harm folded his arms across his chest as though saying he was planning to stay for the conversation.  "Alone, Harm," Mac added.  He raised an eyebrow at her, and she nodded.  "Alone.  Please.  I'm fine."

"You sure?" he asked quietly.  She nodded.  "Okay.  But if you need me, I'm right next door.  Just call me.  I'll be here in a flash."

Mac smiled.  "Thank you, Harm."  Harm walked out the door.  "Close it, please?" Mac asked him.  He frowned, but he closed the door.  Mac motioned to the chairs in front of her desk.  "Please, have a seat, Mrs. Webb."  Mac took the chair behind her desk.  She wanted a physical barrier between them.

"I liked it when you called me 'Mother'," Porter said wistfully.  "I don't suppose now anyone ever will... other than Clayton, of course."

"Why do you say that?  Cla... Webb will eventually want to settle down.  Of course by then, you may be in a rest home," Mac quipped.

Porter shook her head.  "No.  No, Clayton will never marry now.  Not after this."

Mac looked at her disbelievingly.  "Mrs. Webb, your son..."

Porter interrupted her.  "My son is in love with you, Sarah."  Mac gasped.  "He has been for years."

Mac shook her head.  "Webb doesn't love anybody.  Not even himself."

Porter smiled.  "He's very good at hiding his feelings, Sarah.  So was his father.  But he has them.  Very deep and very strong.  And they're directed at you."  Mac stood and turned away from Porter, looking out the window.  "I don't know the extent of what happened between you two during all this, but if I had to guess, I'd say you'd been intimate.  How you can be intimate over the phone line, I'll never understand, but if it can be done, I'm sure Clayton knows how."  

Mac smiled and nodded.  "He certainly does," she breathed aloud.

"Sarah, I know you're hurting right now.  I know that my son is the cause of that hurt.  And for that, I apologize.  But please know... Clayton is hurting, also.  He is in love you.  I've never seen him in the state he is.  He's been this way since he left your office on Monday morning.  Please, Sarah.  Talk to him when he calls you.  Don't hang up on him."

"He won't call, Mrs. Webb."

"I believe he will."

"If he really wanted to talk to me, he'd have called me before now.  It's been 49 hours, 12 minutes, and 7 seconds.  No.  He was just playing a game.  Winning a bet," she spat.

"He told me about that.  Sarah, I can't..."

"Mrs. Webb, I really do have work to do.  If you don't mind, I'd like you to leave now?" Mac said brusquely.

Porter sighed.  "Very well."  She stood and walked to the door.  "Please talk to him when he calls, Sarah.  If not for him, do it for me.  I would so love to hear you call me 'Mother', again."

 

 

Wednesday, 13 February 2002
1615 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Clayton Webb sat in his car in the JAG parking lot.  He'd been sitting there for almost an hour, debating on whether to go inside.  "Just do it!" he scolded himself.  He opened the car door and stepped onto the pavement.

"Mr. Webb!" a bubbly voice sounded.

Webb looked over the top of his car and saw Harriett Sims.  "Hello, Lieutenant," he said quietly.

"I was just leaving to go get little AJ.  Looks like you're just going inside?"

"Hmm?  What?" Webb hadn't really paid attention.  "No... I, uh..."

"She's not available right now, anyway," Harriett told him.  "She's in court until 1700."

"She?"

"The Colonel," Harriett replied.  "She is who you were coming to see, right?"

Webb bowed his head and nodded.  "More like trying to work up the courage to see," he mumbled.

"Mr. Webb, correct me if I'm wrong.  What you said as you walked out of the bullpen on Monday...  You meant that the Colonel wasn't the only one who fell in love.  That you fell in love with her, too.  Didn't you?" she asked softly, but firmly.

Webb nodded, again.  "Yes, Harriett."

Harriett smiled.  "Then you'll need this for tomorrow evening, Sir."  Harriett walked around his car and handed him a ticket.  "You'll need that to get on the ship, Sir."

Webb looked at her strangely.  "Ship?"

Harriett smiled.  "Call me at home later, and I'll explain the night to you.  But don't lose that ticket.  I'll make sure she's on the ship, too.  I don't quite know how, but I'll make sure she's there.  Then it will be up to you."

 

 

Thursday, 14 February 2002
1035 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

The florist arrived with still another bouquet of flowers.  Mac watched him enter the bullpen.  So far, Harriett received flowers.  Lauren received flowers.  Even the Admiral received a plant from his new girlfriend.

Mac had lowered her head back to her papers, so she was surprised when she looked up at the knocking on her door to see the florist.  "Sarah MacKenzie?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered flatly.  She'd told Harm in no uncertain terms that she did not want any flowers today.  'He'd better not have sent some anyway...' she thought.  

"These are for you, Ma'am," the young man said, setting the vase on her desk.  "Happy Valentine's Day."

"Thank you," she said absently, looking for the card.  The man left just as she found the card and opened it.  She read it to herself, 'Sarah, I love you, and I'm begging your forgiveness.  Until tonight.  Clayton'.  "Tonight?  What is he, kidding?  Valentine's Day with him?  He's gone mad!"  Mac could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.  "I will not cry.  Clayton Webb, you will not make me cry, again!"

"Colonel?" Harriett spoke quietly from behind her.  "Are you okay?"

Mac turned to face Harriett.  "I'm fine, Harriett.  Perfectly."

"Beautiful flowers.  From Mr. Webb?"

Mac nodded.  "He actually thinks I'm going to sit at home and wait for him tonight.  Can you believe it?" she asked, shaking her head.

Harriett grinned inwardly.  "Amazing," she said.  "Are you going to be there?"

"Hell, no!" Mac said emphatically.  She looked at Harriett.  "You think anyone would mind my tagging along on the ship tonight?  I'd be alone, but I wouldn't bother anyone.  I'd just like to get away..."

"Bother anyone!?  Colonel, you're never a bother!  Of course, you're welcome to come.  Please do.  It just wouldn't be the same without you there," Harriett gushed.

Harriett walked back to her desk, grinning like the proverbial cat that swallowed the canary.  She hadn't had to do any convincing at all!  Webb had done it all just by his note with the flowers.  'Now if she'll only listen to him tonight.'

 

 

Thursday, 14 February 2002
1845 EST
Julliard Yacht
Off the Coast of Chesapeake Bay

The yacht was just clearing the bay and heading for the ocean with everyone... almost everyone... standing at the railing watching their departure. "This was such a wonderful idea, Harriett," said Sturgis, his arm around his girlfriend.

Bobbie leaned against him and purred her agreement. "When do we eat?" she asked.

Harm laughed, his arm around his latest blonde.  "You sound just like Mac!"

"Speaking of Mac, where is she? Harriett, she did make the ship, didn't she?" asked Sturgis.

"She's over on the other side. She wanted to be alone for a while, I think," Harriett said.

"She's been alone long enough," said Harm, letting his arm slip from around Candy. "I'll be right back," he kissed her cheek, then made his way across the deck.

"She certainly has," mumbled AJ. "Far too long."

As Harm rounded the corner, he saw Mac standing at the railing looking out to sea. Just as he was about to call out to her, he noticed the figure standing just inside the doorway of the cabin. 'Webb??'

Webb quietly stepped out on deck and walked up behind Mac. He was surprised that she hadn't sensed his presence before he put one hand on the railing to her right. He saw her body tense as he did so. But he went ahead and moved his other hand to her left, trapping her in the circle. She looked down to her right and then to her left... obviously examining the hands.

Harm watched the scene unfold. He was ready to grab Webb away from Mac and beat him to a pulp if he so much as made her sigh.

Mac recognized the ring on Webb's hand. "Why are you here?" she whispered.

"Because I love you," he said softly, leaning his body closer to hers. She didn't answer; she didn't even breathe. "Mac, I'm sorry for deceiving you. I'm sorry about the bet. God, I wish I'd never... But Sarah, I'm not sorry for..." he hesitated.

Mac waited and still he said nothing. She turned around to face him, his arms still trapping her against the railing. When she looked up into his face, she saw exactly what she hoped to see. She saw his feelings plainly etched in his expression. "You're not sorry for what, Clay?" she asked softly.

"I'm not sorry for what we did together... on the phone... in the tanning booth. Those times with you meant more to me than I can ever express."

"Did you mean it?"

"Yes," he answered, nodding his head and instinctively knowing what she was asking. "I meant it. I do love you, Mac. More than anything." He lowered his face to hers and kissed her forehead. Then her nose, her cheeks, and moved finally to her lips.

Mac returned his kiss tentatively at first, but soon her passion grew, and she let it rage. She slipped her arms up around his neck and moved her fingers through his hair. She opened her lips to him, and he immediately invaded her mouth. Mac moaned, "Oh, Clay..." And then the tears began to well up in her eyes. "Did I hurt you?" she asked suddenly.

Webb chuckled. "Yeah, you did. I even went by the doctor the next day to be sure everything checked out okay. Man, when you lift that knee, you *really* lift, Honey!" Mac blanched. "It's okay, Mac. Everything is fine." He misunderstood her reaction.

"Don't call me that," she said.

Harm was immediately on the alert. 'What's wrong? They were just fine, and now she's upset. What did he do? I'll kill him.'

Harm felt a light touch on his arm. He looked back to see Candy at his side, along with the others coming quietly behind her. "We were concerned when you didn't come right back," she whispered. Harm shook his head and put his finger to his lips. He nodded toward Webb and Mac.

"Don't call you what?" Webb asked Mac.

"'Honey'. Don't call me 'Honey'."

Webb understood only too well. He had used the endearment during the charade when he wanted her to know they were being listened to... watched. To her, it meant he was playing a role. It wasn't real. "Is 'Sarah" okay?" he asked. She nodded. "Okay. I'll just have to come up with another endearment for you other than 'Honey'. I'm sorry I ruined that one for us, though. It's what my father always called Mother. I had hoped to call you that..."

"Why me, Clay? Why did you choose me to play out your bet?"

Webb knew she was bound to ask the question sometime. "Because you're a beautiful woman, Mac. Leo would expect me to marry a beautiful woman." Mac knew there was more to it, so she waited, looking expectantly at him. "And because I trust you. Other than my mother, you're the only woman I do trust." He cocked his head to one side and grinned. "Well, you were."

"I was? Meaning you trust someone else now?"

Webb nodded. "Harriett Sims."

"Harriett?" Mac queried. "I don't understand. You hardly know Harriett."

"But I trust her. At least, I trust her as far as you're concerned."

"You lost me," Mac said bewildered.

"Silly Sarah," said Webb as he brushed a kiss on her nose. "How do you think I got aboard this ship tonight? Who do you think gave me your second ticket and arranged for me to board early and hide below until we were well on our way?"

Harm looked back at Harriett. So did the Admiral. Bud just put his arm around his wife and kissed her.

"Harriett?" Mac asked, amazed.

He nodded. "Smart woman, that little Harriett."

"That she is," Mac said.

"Roberts know what a gem he has?" Webb asked.

Bud looked into the blue eyes of his lovely young wife and nodded. He mouthed the words, "I certainly do."

"I think he has a pretty good idea," Mac replied just as Webb lowered his lips to hers, again.

Webb finally moved his hands from the railing and encircled Mac with them. He pulled her close and held her tightly, while devouring her mouth. His hands cupped her butt, and she pressed herself into him. He groaned his pleasure and moved one hand around to Mac's breast. 

Just as he was about to unbutton her blouse, they heard the Admiral's deep voice, "You might want to take that down to your cabin. Unless you're planning a show for us all to watch, that is."

Webb turned startled eyes to the group watching them. But Mac surprised them all by saying, "That's completely up to Clayton. I'll do anything he asks." She ran her hands up his chest and purred slowly, "Anytime. Anywhere. Any way." Webb looked back at Mac and saw that she meant every word. "I love you, too, Clay," she whispered. "More than anything."

"I suggest you people go back up front. That is, unless you care to watch," said Webb.

The women turned their men around and practically dragged them away from the sight of the loving couple.

"Clay, what did you win?" Mac asked as he began to unbutton her blouse.

"The bet?"

Mac nodded, "Uh huh."

"A 2-week cruise to Hawaii.  Penthouse Suite. I thought we'd use it as our honeymoon trip. Would you like that?" he asked, lowering her to the deck of the ship.

"Mmmm..."

 

The End.