Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is just for
entertainment.
Classification: Harm and Mac, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What really happened that night in the desert in 'In
Country".
They had just gotten comfortable in a sweet sort of platonic way. He was just offering to keep her warm with his body heat. The dark desert sky made the stars look unnaturally bright, kind of like those pictures one sees in astronomy books. The silence was so peaceful. He had just commented about it when all hell broke loose. Just in the nick of time they skirted the missile blast before it landed where they had just made their bed for the night.
I guess the gods of romance and love were asleep that night...or were they?
POW! The thunderous sound followed by the earth exploding behind them sent them flying into an inset along the side of the rocky dry hillside of the Afghanistan desert. Rocks flew at them like shrapnel stinging sharply where ever they hit. Harm was lying on top of Mac sheltering her with his longer larger frame as several more missiles landed much to close for comfort. Mac felt like she was smothering from the dust and the inability to breath as his weight pressed her firmly into the sandy soil. She could hear his rapid breath in her ear. He squeezed her more tightly with his arms that were wrapped around her with each succeeding blast.
Just as quickly and unexpectedly as it began...it ended. The silence returned with the same impact as the missile blast. For a moment they didn't move, waiting for a second strike.
"Harm?" She mumbled and tried to move. A sudden frightening thought popped into her mind. 'What if he was hurt?'
Her fear instantaneously squelched when he slowly slid off her and rolled on the ground beside her.
"You okay Mac?" His voice reassured her even more.
"Yea, you?" She rolled over and sat up dusting the dirt and debris from her cammies.
"Just put it this way, I would have much rather been on the giving side of that attack." He chuckled and sat up wiping the dirt from his forehead and clothing.
"That was close." Mac looked to were they had been laying together just minutes before to see a large crater.
"Too close." Harm followed her gaze.
She looked over and noticed his face was bruised and had several small lacerations. She unconsciously reached up and gently wiped a trickle of blood from his forehead. He winced in pain as she palpated the largest of his bruises. "Sorry. Are you sure you're alright?"
The moonlight reflected off her creamy skin exposing several areas where her skin was excoriated. He reached into his pocket and pulled a clean white handkerchief and carefully dabbed her small facial wounds. "Yea, you look like you've been in a bar fight." He smiled and continued his gentle ministrations with a slight frown.
"Do you think there will be anymore missile strikes?" Mac watched his blue eyes now dark with concern as he continued to inspect her face and head for any other injuries.
"I don't think so." He sighed and stood up stiffly offering her a hand and then pulling her up.
"What do you want to do now?" She looked around.
"We still don't need to be wondering around out here in the dark in those mine fields. The bombing probably has stirred up any enemy rebels." Harm commented and looked to Mac for a response.
"I agree, let's try to find a secluded spot." She replied. The darkness hid Harm's raised eyebrows and slight smile.
"Lead the way Jarhead." He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. She picked up her automatic weapon and backpack before making her way through the rocky terrain. He grinned as he watched her confident stride. Mentally he kicked himself as his thoughts began to wonder about what was under that combat attire. 'Get a grip.'
She lead them about fifty or so meters around the same hill they had originally camped before dropping her backpack on a smooth sandy area surrounded on two sides by large boulders. "Home sweet home." She announced.
"We should really consider moving, the neighbors are way too noisy." Harm teased as he dropped his backpack next to hers.
"I'm not worried about the noisy neighbors. I'm worried about the neighbors that crawl." Mac retorted bringing a frown to her handsome campmate.
"Gee, thanks Mac."
"Just getting even for the cremation dig earlier." She smiled wickedly.
"Let's try to get some sleep." Harm lay down and opened his jacket inviting her to cuddle up.
This time it seemed less awkward to snuggle up on his shoulder. She felt his leg and upper arm snake their way over her, and she responded by sliding her arms within his jacket. He was warm. She felt his breath again on her forehead as she moved her face closer to his neck. He responded by pulling her even closer.
He noticed the soft clean scent of her hair. Without thought his hand reached up and stroked her hair. It was so silky. He continued to play with the dark strains combing through them with his fingers. She sighed contentedly enjoying his touch. He had never really touched her so intimately before. More and more she became aware of his scent. The faint spicy smell combined with his own unique scent drew her closer to him. She wanted to touch his skin.
He felt her move closer and felt her lips brush the exposed skin of his neck. She felt so good. Her hand moved under his shirt and stroked his back. He stopped playing with her hair and pulled her chin up. His lips slowly massaged her lips. She responded by mimicking his actions. His hand slid under her shirt until her found the soft creamy skin of her back. The silence of the night was disturbed only by their breathing and occasional whispered moans.
His hand moved down to her buttocks where he pulled her to him. Their clothing was the only barrier. He felt her shiver as he now placed both arms around her under her shirt so that he felt only her warm flesh. His tongue separated her lips and searched for her tongue. He began to gently suck her lips. She moaned in approval and lost herself. He broke away and looked at her so intently that she felt that her soul had been exposed for the first time. He then pushed her gently onto her back and began to slowly remove her jacket kissing her shoulders and neck. Her hands moved automatically unbuttoning his jacket and shirt. The coolness of the desert night brought a shiver and chill bumps to her exposed skin. His felt hot with desire as he leaned into her and placed deep passionate kisses on her lips and neck that at some point where no longer controlled by any rational thought.
'Location doesn't change who we are.' The words floated around in the subconscious parts of their minds as control slipped further and further away from the two lovers. In the background, distant sounds of war could be heard but for this moment the war was millions of miles away as were the roles they played in their everyday lives. Tonight was a magical night in the desert thousands of miles from home.
They snuggled and slept in the warmth of the afterglow of their first love making. Maybe location alone didn't change who they were…but the circumstances of war as history has proven time and time again puts things in perspective…there are never any guarantees about tomorrow… we only have today.
THE END
