Undercover - Chapter 7

0831 local

Wednesday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Harm and Jamie arrive at JAG. Jamie settles in her office. Harm goes to his and passes by Mac. She nods her head and walk in her office. Harm watches her pass by, looking as if he was seeing her for the first time. He thinks about what Jamie had told him about her. He starts toward his office, then changes his mind and walks into Mac's.

Harm - Good morning, Mac.
Mac, without looking at him - `Morning, Harm.
Harm - Would you be avoiding me, Colonel?
Mac - What makes you think that, Commander?
Harm - The fact you're not talking to me anymore.
Mac - It's because I have nothing to say to you. We're not working on the same cases, so why would we be talking? And about what?
Harm - I thought we were friends...

Mac remains speechless for a moment. Then she raises her head, her gaze softens and she smiles to Harm.

Mac - I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise, Harm. Jamie's arrival... hurt me a bit. I thought we were telling each other everything, and there you come, with her. It's a bit hard.
Harm - Jealous ?
Mac - Jealous? Why would I be jealous?
Harm - Nothing. So we're still friends?
Mac - Of course!

They smile to each other and Harm turns and walks to his office. Mac's smile fades slowly, revealing the sadness underneath.

Mac - Friends... only friends...

She leans back on her chair and stays lost in her thoughts.

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

1533 local
Sunday
Harm's apartment

Jamie, wearing her robe is working on some files. There is a knock at the door.

Jamie - Just a second!

She closes her laptop, the files and cleans vaguely, then goes up and opens the door.

Jamie - Mac! Come in!
Mac – Thanks.

She sees the mess in the apartment, files lying on every surface. Hopefully, there is no proof someone is sleeping on the couch.

Mac - Isn't Harm here?
Jamie - No. he went to see Sarah with Bud.
Mac - And you didn't go with him?
Jamie - No, I have a little cold. With my Hummingbird, it wouldn't have been a problem, but with Sarah, I was heading for a sinus infection, and a week in bed!
Mac - Your hummingbird?
Jamie - I own a 1971 Bonanza. She is in Seattle for the moment.
Mac - That's pretty far!
Jamie - I'm taking her back from Alaska. It's a long journey!
Mac - You took her with you there?
Jamie - We don't stay long apart. I couldn't have spent three years without her. It's another reason why I did not choose the Aleutians. Wanna drink something?
Mac - Water will be perfect. Do you know when Harm will be back?

Jamie hands a glass of water to Mac.

Jamie - No idea. He went early this morning, so it must not be very long until he's back. Do you want me to page him?
Mac - It won't be necessary.

They remain silent for a while. Mac drinks.

Mac - How did you meet?
Jamie - It's a pretty funny story. I just had received my assignment to JAG headquarters. And as I had a few days to take I decided I would take them under the sun. I began with flying to Seattle with the Hummingbird and I went right to Barbados. I met Harm the following morning. The top of my bathing suit had slip away and he picked it up. To thanks him, I bought him a cup of coffee, and one thing led to another...
Mac - That's a strange coincidence.
Jamie - It made us laugh when we found out we were going to work together! Tell me, Harm seems to be still flying. Maybe I could help you?
Mac - I wanted to ask him something.
Jamie - You can ask me!
Mac - I'm leaving town for a few days. Some inquiry to make, and I need someone to keep Jingo.
Jamie – Jingo?
Mac - My dog.
Jamie - A dog, that will be fun! I've always dreamed of having a dog, but it has never been possible. Just bring him here, I'm sure it's not the first time he's taken care of him.
Mac – Yeah!
Jamie - When are you leaving?
Mac - My plane is leaving tomorrow 0800.
Jamie - So why don't you have dinner with us tonight? But it will make you drive and back.
Mac - You're sure it will not bother you?
Jamie - Not at all! Unless you don't like Harm's cooking!
Mac - I like it, but he doesn't put enough meat.
Jamie - So I'll do it!

Just then Harm enters the apartment, jeans, leather bomber and ball cap.

Harm - What will you do? Oh, hi Mac!
Mac - Hi Harm.
Jamie - The cooking.
Harm - And why that? Don't you like what I cook?

Jamie has got up and she kisses Harm who is a little reluctant. Jamie gives him a warning look then turns to Mac. Harm and Mac face each other, a little embarrassed. Harm takes off his jacket.

Harm - What are you doing here, Mac?
Mac - I'm leaving town for a few days and I was wondering if you could take Jingo.
Harm - No problem! Unless Jamie...
Jamie - I already said yes. And as Mac's flight is early tomorrow morning, I told her to share our dinner.
Harm - And that's why you're cooking.
Jamie – Right!
Mac - Well, I'm going. What time should I come?
Jamie turns to Harm – 1930?
Harm – Perfect.
Mac - Okay. So I see you in a while.
Harm - Bye Mac.
Jamie – Bye!

Harm closes the door behind Mac, and Jamie reopens her laptop.

Jamie - So, how is Sarah?
Harm - She just went out...
Jamie - Your plane!
Harm - Oh, very good. We had a lot of fun!
Jamie - I'm angry I was not feeling well enough to go with you! To punish myself, I went down in the files.
Harm - Is that why you're not dressed?
Jamie - Yeah, but it's also because it's Sunday. I never get dressed on Sundays. And I spend my day zoning in front of the TV, watching soaps, or flying with my Hummingbird.
Harm - Don't you get bored, doing nothing?
Jamie - No! and when you have worked sixty hours in the week, you deserve some rest!
Harm - Sounds depressing to me.
Jamie - I promise you next Sunday to teach you how to do nothing of your day. It'll be fun, you'll see!

Harm smiles and goes to the fridge.

Harm - By the way, why do you want to cook tonight?
Jamie - Mac finds your cooking a bit meatless. And I'm with her!
Harm - That's because I put no meat in it!
Jamie – I know. So, I'm cooking tonight.
Harm - You know I don't like meat.
Jamie - I know. But don't worry, you won't taste it!

Harm comes back with a bier and drops himself in an armchair. They stay silent for a while, then Harm put his bottle on the little table and takes a file.