Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I don't make any
money from this.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Harm/Mac Drama/Humor
Summary: Harm has the opportunity to trade places in more ways than
one.
PART 3
Captain Nelson wandered into the officer's club and eased down into the first available table. He scanned his surroundings noting that the club was packed with many of the officers he had met earlier. Mac was sitting at a table with several officers drinking her club soda with a lime twist. Mac and Harm had spoken very little since their confrontation in the conference room. He had seen her when he first arrived with Gunny, but did not acknowledge her in keeping with his cover. Tonight she wore black slacks and a red cowl neck sweater. She was attracting more than a few appreciative looks from the men in the club. Harm shifted the thick glasses on his nose and ordered a 'Bud special'. Several of the officers from administration seated themselves at his table. "Evening Nelson. Mind if we join you." With a heavy southern drawl, Captain Toby Strahan addressed Harm.
"Sure" Harm moved his crutches so the others could sit. The waiter then placed a large frozen fruit drink with an umbrella perched on the side in front of Harm. The others were served 'men's drinks' of beer or liquor straight.
"Don't believe I've ever ordered one of those Nelson. What do you call that?" His sarcasm rolled off Strahan's tongue.
"Call me Joey. It's a pina colada. They're really good. How about I order everyone a round?" Harm offered nonplused by the sarcastic remark.
"I'll stick to my brew." Toby grunted. "Besides I have a twenty mile hike tomorrow don't need the extra calories."
"You like to hike?" Harm responded innocently.
"We have field exercises tomorrow." 'You dork', he replied flatly. "How do you stay in shape, Joe."
"Tai bo. It's great you should try it." Harm took a long draw of his drink.
The officers around him burst out in laughter. "You're kidding." A Lieutenant named Kyle Frazier asked.
"I'm allergic to a lot of grasses, so I stick to the inside workouts." Harm explained finding himself enjoying jerking the macho Marine types around. "Do they have karaoke here?"
"No, but the Naval base up the way has one." The guys chuckled not noticing Harm's reflexive sneer.
"I could have sworn that this base was known for the karaoke at the OC. I heard show tunes where really popular." Harm added nonchalantly. One of the officers stood up ready to punch Harm out when Harm leaned over pretending to be unaware, picked up his crutches, and shoved them upward catching the angry Marine under the chin. The Marine fell back into his chair while grabbing his painful jaw.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I have to go to the little boy's room." Harm smiled to himself as he watched the man rub his jaw in pain.
Mac was watching the scenario play out from a few tables over and stood up whenever the angry Marine stood in response to Harm's comment. She eased back when she saw Harm's counter move. He was doing a great job of jerking everyone's chain. She excused herself and followed Harm to the back of the bar.
"Do you have a death wish?" She whispered tersely as she pretended to pick up a payphone and talk.
"They're jerks, and you thought naval aviators had egos. It's so damn easy to push Marine buttons." Harm scoffed and continued out the back door.
Mac crossed her arms and glared at him, "You've had a lot of practice." She countered, as he left not even bothering to say goodnight. Why did she have an urge to choke him and kiss the life out of him at the same time? He was driving her crazy again.
Harm made it to his quarters and collapsed on the bed. His ankle was demanding to be elevated to relieve the throbbing from being dependent for too long. He opened his bottle of Tylenol #3 and swallowed two after chasing them with the bottled water on his bedside. When the effects of the painkillers began to kick in he worked to remove his clothing and slid under the covers carefully protecting his damaged extremity from the covers. His last thought before drifting to sleep was about one mean female Marine who made him crazy.
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