The Love of a Lifetime - Chapter 1

Beginning of April 2005

Harm is having a nice cold beer at Murphy's with Turner after work when she enters. Tall and curvy, with long golden hair and a lovely face, she sits in a booth and orders a glass of white wine. Harm turns his head long enough to take a good look at her, but she never looks at him. Tuner also checks her out and gives Harm a knowing smile. Smiling back, Harm goes back to their conversation.

After a few minutes, Turner gets up to leave, shakes Harm's hand and passes by the woman's table. Harm sees him bend over, ask her something, and get a smile and a shake of the head in response. Harm smiles and keeps drinking his beer. After a few minutes, he hears a ringtone. The blonde answers and the big smile she had on her face slowly dissolves. She hangs up looking terribly sad.

After hesitating for a second, Harm takes his half empty glass and gets up. He approaches the woman with a concerned look.

« Everything's okay ? »

The woman looks up to Harm with a sad smile.

« Not really, but I'll get there eventually. »

Harm sits in front of her.

« Getting drunk is not a good answer to bad news. »

The woman looks appalled.

« I'm not planning on getting drunk, thank you very much. I merely implied I would be okay eventually. »
« Sorry. A friend of mine is an alcoholic and I've learned never to let someone drink too much. »
« Thank you for your concern. »

He extends his hand across the table and they shake.

« I'm Harm. »
« Like in... pain ? »
« No ! Harmon, Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. »
« Oh ! I'm Julie Barbarin. »
« Nice to meet you, Julie. »
« Nice to meet you too. »
« I hope the news you got aren't too bad. »

Julie has a sigh.

« I've been stood up. It's not the first time, but it never gets easier. »
« I can't believe a man would not come to a date with you. »
« Apparently they can. »
« Then can I take his place ? Or her place ? »
« His place, and why not. I really don't want to have dinner alone tonight. »
« Great. Do you want to stay here ? The food is basic but good. Or we can finish our drinks and go somewhere else. »
« You seem to know the place. »
« I work just round the corner. I'm at JAG. »
« And that means absolutely nothing to me. I can recognize a Navy uniform, but that's about it. »
« I'm a lawyer for the Navy. »
« Cute and smart. You must kill in the courtrooms. Is there no one waiting at home for you ? »
« No. »
« Are the women of Washington blind ? »

Harm has a small laugh. He signals the waitress and she brings menus.

« The fish and chips is pretty good. »
« I'll have a salad. »

She pauses for a second.

« F*** the salad, I'll have the fish and chips. I'm so tired of watching my figure at all time ! »
« You're a model ? »

She laughs and smiles at Harm.

« That's nice of you to say. But no, I'm not a model. I'm a flight attendant. »
« On what airline ? »
« A private company, chartering jets. It's based in Paris. »
« You don't sound Texan. »

Julie laughs.

« I sound French, it's Paris, France ! »

She looks at Harm's wings.

« And how does a pilot become a lawyer ? »

And Harm tells his story. The conversation rolls easily, she shares anecdotes of her travels, Harm some of his numerous adventures. Once they're finished, the waitress comes back.

« Dessert ? »
« I'm off my diet. I'll have the chocolate mousse, please. »
« I'll have the apple pie. »
« A la mode ? »
« Yes, please. »
« Coffee ? »
« None for me, thanks. »
« For me neither. Thank you. »

Julie looks at Harm with a small smile.

« I'm having a great time. I'm glad Tom didn't show up. »
« Me too. »

Once they're finished, they keep talking for a while. Julie checks her watch.

« It's getting late. Unfortunately. »
« You're working tomorrow ? »
« No, day off. I'm leaving the day after. But I'm guessing you are. »
« Yes. »

He takes his wallet out and see that she has done the same with hers.

« It's on me, Julie. »
« Really ? I don't mind paying my share. »
« I insist. »
« Very well. Thank you. »

Harm pays and they leave the pub.

« Can I drive you back to your hotel ? »
« You're a real gentleman. It's nice. Thanks. Again ! »
« Not a problem. Car is that way. »

When she sees the Corvette, Julie whistles softly.

« What a beauty ! I've never been in a Corvette. »

Harm opens the door and she sits down.

« That turned out to be one of the best evening I've had in a long time. »
« For me too. Thanks for let me join you. »

Harm parks in front of her hotel and cuts the power. They look at each other for a moment. Julie hesitates and speaks.

« I've been single for two years, and I'm tired of lonely hotel rooms. If you're in the mood, I'm on the third flood, room 321. »

She leans over and kisses Harm on the mouth. He answers and lets it deepen. When she pulls back, his breath is a bit short. She exits without another word.

Harm stays put for a moment. And he leaves.

A moment later, he's in front of room 321. He hesitates for a second, and knocks. Julie opens the door, in her bathrobe, her hair bundled up. She has a huge grin when she sees Harm. She lets him in and closes the door behind her.

-------------------

When he comes back from the bathroom, she has pulled the covers back on her and it looks like she's drifting into sleep. No sure of what to do, Harm hesitates.

And Julie opens her eyes with a smile. She pulls back the covers to invite him back in bed. Harm smiles back and slides in right next to her. Without moving, she puts a foot over his and closes her eyes with a smile. He extends his arm above her head and she puts her cheek on his shoulder. It takes a while for Harm to fall asleep.

When he opens his eyes, the sky is getting brighter, but the sun is not up yet. He checks his watch, time to get up. Julie has rolled on the other side of the bed, so he doesn't disturb her when he gets out. He picks up his clothes scattered on the floor and goes to the bathroom, closing the door behind him silently. What a night... He hasn't had such a pleasant time for quite some time.

Once dressed, he steps into the room without making a noise, but Julie is already up, in her robe. She's drinking from a smoking cup, standing by the window, looking outside. She turns her head when she hears him.

« Hello, sailor ! »
« Hi Julie ! »
« Coffee ? »
« You ordered breakfast ? »
« You take long showers. »

Harm smiles, kisses Julie softly and takes the cup intended for him. The coffee hits the right points and he feels like himself again. They sit down at the table and dig into the food.

« Do you want to get together tonight ? Dinner and a movie ? »
« Actually I had something else in mind. Do you like jazz ? »
« Sorry, not really. I'm more of a pop rock kind of girl. And what kind of movies do you like ? »
« Action, war. »

Julie laughs.

« We don't have much tastes in common ! I like romantic comedies. So, what shall we do ? »
« We could take a walk around. The monuments are open at night. Have you ever visited them ? »
« I haven't. That sounds nice. When do you get off work ? »
« I can make it early tonight. Around 1800 ?
« I'll meet you at JAG ? »
« I'll swing by my place to put on my civvies. I can pick you up here. »
« All right. »

Harm gets up and turns to get his cap. Julie remains seated.

« Have a nice day. »
« You too. »

Harm opens the door.

« And Harm... »
« Yes ? »
« Pack an overnight bag. »

They share a smile.

« Aye Aye, ma'am. »

*******************

The night has fallen on the city, and Harm and Julie are walking towards Lincoln Monument, eating ice cream.

« My first time in Washington, I did the usual tour with my friend Nell, we took a bus. But I've never visited them at night. It's a lovely sight. »
« Glad you like it. »

Harm turns to her and puts his hands on her waist. She wraps her arms around his neck and they share a deep kiss. Harm takes her hand and they go back to the car. After a few minutes, they enter the lobby of the hotel and Harm is carrying a small bag.

-------------------

Julie strokes gently his back and he feels himself drifting. After a moment, he rises and goes to wash up. When he comes back, like the previous night she's about to fall asleep. But unlike the previous night, he doesn't hesitate and goes straight back in bed with her.

This time, her back is turned away, so he spoons her and hears her sigh softly. He closes his eyes and falls asleep almost immediately.

Early in the morning, Harm feels her turning towards him, searching for his warmth. He barely has the time to protect himself before making love. The heat is still there, but it's shrouded in tenderness.

After lying in each other's arms for a moment, Harm goes up to the bathroom. But when he takes the condom off, his heart stops. He drops it in the bin and goes back to the bedroom in a hurry.

« Julie. »

She’s stretching lazily on the bed and sits down at Harm's worried tone.

« What ? »
« The condom broke up. »
« What ? Oh ! I'll take a shower right away. It should be fine. »

She jumps out of the bed and into the shower. Harm drops on the bed and takes his head in his hands. What next ?

After a few minutes, she comes back in her robe. Harm has had time to dress up.

« Listen... »
« Julie... »

They spoke at the same time. Julie insists.

« Harm. It should be fine. »
« Okay. Will you... will you tell me if there are... consequences ? »
« Sure. »

Harm pulls a card out of his wallet, scribbles on the back and gives it to Julie.

« I mean it. I want to know. »
« I promise. »
« When does your plane leave ? »

Julie checks her watch.

« Six hours. But with preflight, checks and all, I'll be gone in an hour. Want to share breakfast ? »
« All right. »

While she goes in the bathroom to dress up, he calls room service. They have time to pack their belongings before a waiter arrives pushing a cart. They sit at the table, still silent. They share looks of worry and concern.

Their time together ends when Julie's cab stops in front of them. She turns one last time towards Harm.

« Whatever happens next, I had a wonderful time with you. »
« Same for me. Call me. »
« I will. Bye Harm. »
« Bye Julie. »

She puts her hand on his cheek and leans in to kiss him one last time. She smiles and leaves. Harm looks at the cab leaving, wondering if he will ever hear about her again.