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Date Posted: 16:40:20 03/27/09 Fri
Author: .
Subject: Reconciliation

Prompt: From To Have and Have Not, submitted by mkim)

Steve: What�d you do that for?
Slim: Been wondering whether I�d like it.
Steve: What�s the decision?
Slim: I don�t know yet.
(After a brief pause, she kisses him again.)
Slim: It�s even better when you help.

Title: Reconciliation
Wordcount: About 2350 words
Category: Romance
Rating: about PG�nothing very bad
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, and I am making no profit from their use in this story.

Timeline: This story starts just at the end of the season 2 episode of Heroes.

Summary: They were friends, but they had a falling out. Can they be friends again, or maybe even more?

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

I thought it was a good omen when I found a parking place almost across from Harm�s building. There hadn�t been one there twenty minutes ago, when I had driven by to make sure he was home. I wanted to take over some lunch and try to smooth over the rough spots left from our most recent court confrontation. I had been furious about the way he misled me about ricocheting bullets, but I had to admit to myself that I should have checked the idea better before I trotted it out in court. I�d made some nasty remarks to him after that session, but since I have to work with the guy, I figured I�d better try to make amends for some of it anyway.

I still wasn�t quite sure what to make of Harm. My first impression of him had been of a bold, confident, even arrogant guy who knew he looked great in a uniform and took advantage of that fact. His practiced smile, given as if he knew its devastating effect, made me think he was shallow and insincere, just another handsome ladykiller. He certainly was handsome, there was no denying that. I imagine he looks good in dress whites, and if you add in those gold wings, I expect he could get into bed anywhere, as the saying goes.

Some men are like that, unfortunately. The heads they think with aren�t necessarily on their shoulders. Women are just toys, not to be taken seriously. The very first meeting, just after he got his award from the president, led me to think Harm was one of them. He stared at me for several seconds, almost not meeting my offered hand. I know I�m attractive, and I do catch men�s eyes, but most of them aren�t so blatant about it. That didn�t exactly get us off to a good start. I did learn later that I looked very much like an old friend of his, so maybe that explained some of it, but it seemed as if it was going to be a long, tough assignment.

Things did improve in the course of the case. He had plenty of guts, but was he just a glory hound? A rescuer of a damsel in distress? Then he put himself on the line for Uncle Matt, at considerable risk to his own career, and I began to feel a little more positive toward him. That hostage incident in the Admiral�s office was another glimpse of his character. Harm took the time to find out about the gunman, and to realize that he had a reason for his actions. We got out of that with no casualties, which I never thought would be possible at the time from how it was all unfolding.

The playboy image popped up again when we went out to Miramar to investigate a Tomcat crash. He lost no time putting the moves on a recent widow, under the guise of finding out information about the pilot who had flown with her late husband. It turned out that the late husband had been a close friend of Harm�s. I don�t know if that made his advances more acceptable, or � well, strange. It seemed to me to be stepping in rather quickly, since it had been less than a year since that crash.

This most recent case was a sad one all around. A Navy SEAL had shot and killed his buddy during a raid. Was it a tragic accident, or was it murder? Harm had prosecuted, and I was defending. Harm had taken the extra time to find out the secrets people were keeping, and put the facts together. Even though it blew his case out of the water, he insisted on doing what he thought was the right thing, and he dropped the charges. I went from being steamingly angry with him, from the misleading suggestion he�d given me, to being grudgingly admiring of his pursuit of the truth and the right thing to do.

So, which person was he? Was he mainly a loud, overbearing Lothario, casting women in the role of playthings rather than professional colleagues? That kind of person would be hard for me to work with over any extended period of time. Or was he a complicated, caring man who was deeply concerned about doing the right thing? Would he accept me as a competent lawyer and case partner, able to do my job right along with him? At any rate, I did have to work with him, at least for the immediate future, and it would be a whole lot easier to do if the atmosphere was cordial.

When I got to Harm�s door, I could hear lively, upbeat jazz coming from inside. I knocked a couple of times, but got no answer. That wasn�t surprising, since I could barely hear the knock myself, over the pulse and beat of the music. I tried the door, and was relieved to find it open. I�d come this far; I�d hate to have to turn around and go home without accomplishing my mission. I walked in and saw Harm sitting cross-legged on the floor, poking at some floor finishing machine he�d apparently just been working with. Everything I could see in the place, including Harm, was covered with a layer of dust. I got all the way to him and leaned over before he saw me. He looked startled, but I was glad to see that he also looked to be in a good mood.

�Peace offering?� I asked, holding up the two bags.

�Beltway Burger? I don�t think so,� Harm replied with a snort.

�That�s for me. I got you a couscous, grilled shrimp, and arugula salad.�

Harm�s face brightened. �I accept.� He turned back to the machine with a bit of a smirk. �The only place that isn�t torn up is the bedroom.� He glanced up at me with raised eyebrows, awaiting my reaction.

�Works for me.� I ignored the look, but I was less than pleased at the line. It wasn�t even very original. Was he going to try to turn lunch in a dusty apartment into a seduction scene?

�I take it we�re friends again,� Harm said, getting up and dusting off his jeans.

�Until we face off in a courtroom.�

I walked up the few steps to his bedroom, turning off the CD player on the way by. Harm opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine, then reconsidered, put it back, and pulled out two bottles of juice. He did grab two fancy stemmed glasses, though. Wine and burgers? That seemed to be really stretching the seductive meal scenario. It was nice, though, to see that he�d remembered I didn�t drink. I took off my jacket and laid it on the bed, then sat down and spread out the lunch bags.

�What made you change your mind?� he asked as he sat down on the opposite side of the bed from where I was perched.

�What made you?�

�I didn�t stop being your friend. You stopped being mine.�

�Well, what did you expect me to do after the way you sandbagged me in court?�

He grinned at me. �You mean, out-lawyered you?�

�Out-lawyered me?� Oh-oh, I thought. Here we go again. I wanted to get past this. �I fell for it because I thought you were a friend, and friends don�t sandbag friends.�

�Where were YOU raised?�

�Where friends don�t sandbag friends.�

�Oh, that�s somewhere in Ohio, isn�t it?�

�Cute doesn�t work with me, Harm.� Actually, it did, and I was relieved that the tone of the argument, if such it was, was lightening up. Maybe we could get back on friendlier footing.

�I wasn�t being cute, I was being funny.�

�Yeah, like the way you fired that gun in court?� Two could play this game.

�Well, I thought it was pretty funny when you ducked under the table.�

This was too much. �I�m a Marine, Harm. Marines don�t duck.�

�What do Marines do?�

�They take cover, but they never duck.�

Harm raised his eyebrows, but had no comeback for that one. He dug into his salad as I took a big, appreciative bite of my burger. I did hold it carefully over the wrapper so it wouldn�t drip. I debated going back to the gun in the courtroom incident, but I decided to leave it alone. He�d had to eat a good bit of public crow on that, and it had to have hurt. Things were more relaxed now, and I didn�t want to slow the progress.

�So, how is the work coming along on this place?� I asked. �I notice you finally have the refrigerator plugged in.�

�Yeah, I did get that done. It�s slow work, and there�s a lot still to do, but I�m in no hurry. It�ll get done when it gets done.�

�Have you done carpentry and stuff before?�

�Not much. I�m learning as I go, but it�s fun.�

�What else are you planning to do in here?�

�I�m putting in an island across from the sink. It�s there, under the tarp. The cooktop will be there, and I think I�ll get bar stools for around the edges.�

�What�s the countertop going to be?�

�I haven�t decided yet. I have quite a bit to do before I get to that.�

I looked around at his sleeping area. �Are you continuing those louvers as a wall into the kitchen?�

�Probably, but I might have to angle them more, so it will give the bedroom more privacy.� Harm glanced at me, apparently waiting for a comment. �Otherwise, I�ll have to keep the bed made all the time.�

I laughed. �What a dreadful chore!� I was feeling warmer and happier. I liked this Harm, a friendly and chatty guy. The last line had had a slight shade of naughty meaning, but he had turned it another direction completely. I stole a look at him as he reached for his glass of juice. What would it be like to kiss him, I found myself wondering. Whew! Where had that come from? I�d better put that thought out of my head. And here I�d been annoyed by what I thought HE was thinking!

I finished the last juicy bite of my burger, and licked catsup off my fingers. I smiled in enjoyment of the treat, then caught Harm�s look of amused disgust.

�Good all-American beef, with all the fixin�s,� I answered his look.

�Dead animal and grease,� he replied, making a face.

�Yours is dead, too, and they�re little critters with tails. Oh, and grain of some sort that came from another country.�

�Mine is much healthier,� Harm answered loftily.

�Mine is tastier, and so are these fries,� I said as I popped one in my mouth.

Harm rolled his eyes, but just kept eating his salad. We ate in silence for a few minutes.

�Well, I�d better be going, and let you get back to your project,� I said as I ate the last of my fries. He forked the last bits of his salad and gave me a huge grin. I hated to admit it, but that grin made my toes curl. I had thought that was just a clich�, but I couldn�t deny the thrill. I stared again at his lips. I wondered�.No. At least not here. That would have been way too suggestive, as if I were looking for a one-night stand. I had decided that I wouldn�t mind a bit getting to know him better, but after all, I would still have to face him every day at the office. I would have to step carefully here.

I picked up the wrappers of my meal, and brushed a few crumbs into my cupped hand. There were no catsup splotches, fortunately. I scooped up my jacket, and Harm grabbed his bowl and fork, then gestured for me to precede him down the steps into the kitchen area. I tossed my trash and dusted off my hands, then turned to study his face. Should I? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Would he think I was looking for what I had been assuming he was looking for? Would he think I just wanted to jump into bed? Before I could overthink my action, I stepped forward and put a firm kiss on his lips.

Harm looked startled. �What�d you do that for?�

�Been wondering whether I�d like it.�

I did like it. I liked it a whole lot, but I didn�t want to come on too strong.

�What�s the decision?� He looked very confident, as if asking was only a formality. He also looked pleased, and interested in pursuing the�well, conversation?

�I don�t know yet.� That took the smile from his face for a moment. After a brief pause, I leaned forward and did it again. �It�s even better when you help.�

The huge smile broke out again, and Harm reached for me. That time he did help, and my toes really curled. Oh, yes, it was better when he helped. Much better. He held me solidly against him. I think I could feel every muscle in his chest and arms, and there were plenty of them. His lips were firm, but when in a few seconds they began to soften and explore, I decided I�d better slow things down while I still could.

I pulled back and smiled at him. �Yes, much better when you help,� I said, trying not to sound breathless and dazed. He leaned in as if to resume the kiss, but I gave him a quick peck and backed out of his arms. �Well, I have errands to run, and you have a project you�re in the middle of. Thanks for having lunch with me.�

Harm looked like I felt�dazed, and not sure of where he was. �Thank you for bringing the lunch,� he replied, �and I�m glad we�re friends again.� He grinned. �Yes, definitely friends.�

I shrugged into my coat, and headed out the door. �See you at work on Monday.� I smiled as I left his apartment. Oh, yes, this was going to be a grand posting after all.

Last edited by author: Fri March 27, 2009 16:43:37 Edited 1 time.

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Replies:

[> Lol this was a good and different take on that pisode. -- Bev uk, 17:16:04 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> Well I enjoyed that almost as much as Mac. Very well done. -- usmgrad, 19:11:58 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> What a way to start the day. -- ... --- ..., 19:29:46 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> Great story - that scenario would have changed the rest of the series for the better. -- Nettie, 19:46:20 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> Getting things right from the beginning - great idea! -- kate, 20:19:49 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> That was a good idea! You don't see many FF from right at the start! Great job! -- someotherauthor, 20:49:32 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> This was great...the series would have been all the better if things had started out this way!! NEXT!! -- JagfanNat, 22:19:26 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> The whole series could have been so different ...very nice use of the prompt lines - they really blend seamlessly into the story. -- a fellow admiring writer, 23:35:09 03/27/09 Fri [1]

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[> Now I really wish this had actually happened! -- anamika, 11:31:19 03/28/09 Sat [1]

I think it fits really well with the surface-level brashness Mac sometimes showed in earlier seasons, when she couldn't quite figure out what Harm was all about. It kind of got tone-downed, sweeter even, when they became good friends. But this would have been so much fun to watch happen on-screen. Good choice of time setting. I say ... Staz?

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[> I would have liked to see it at the show. Wonderful and original idea. -- GRa waving from Argentina, 12:19:07 03/28/09 Sat [1]

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[> So cute! This scene has always been one of my favorite Harm and Mac moments and you made it so much better! If only we could've seen this. You nailed Harm and Mac's personalities at this stage in their relationship. Great job! -- ..., 23:25:56 03/28/09 Sat [1]

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[> A fun early fic. -- SP, 09:42:19 03/29/09 Sun [1]

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[> Funny and sweet. -- CAZ, 11:55:14 03/29/09 Sun [1]

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[> Oh, how nice to see a fic from early in the show. Not too many of those still being written. This was fun! Imagine how things could have changed if this had really happened! -- JAG Junkie (Ronda), 20:16:50 03/29/09 Sun [1]

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[> Was hoping somebody got these lines. Thanks for an enjoyable read. -- AnonAuthor, 10:17:09 03/30/09 Mon [1]

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[> Me likes! (Thumbs up) -- BZB, 10:10:06 04/01/09 Wed [1]

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