Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Everything up to and including the fifth season

Summary: The events that occur when a surprise ice storm hits the DC area.

Disclaimer: These characters belong to CBS and Bellisarius Productions. I am simply borrowing them for a little fun.

Notes: Constructive criticism is welcome. I would like to offer special thanks to Sylvie for beta reading this for me. I really do appreciate all your help. Please do not archive anywhere without my permission. 

Francesca had a party at her father’s place. She invited Mac, Harm, Bud and Harriet. Mic wasn’t able to come because he was finishing up his move from Australia. The Robert’s weren’t able to make it because little AJ came down with a cold. Mac helped AJ in the kitchen while Harm started a fire at Francesca’s request. They sat down and enjoyed dinner, not worrying about the rain. Harm and Francesca were flirting all night. Mac and AJ shared a ‘here he goes again’ smile. Suddenly the lights went out. That was when AJ noticed that it was freezing rain and there was a half-inch of ice over everything outside. He picked up the phone to report the electrical outage but the phones were dead also. Without him asking for it, Mac handed him her cellular, and he called in. Then he called the Robert’s to see how they were doing. They were fine. They had oil heat so they would be warm enough. AJ and his guests went through the house trying to get everything squared away for an unexpected overnight stay.

"I’m going to go out to the garage to fire up the generator."

"I’ll join you," said Mac as she reached for Harm’s jacket. Seeing AJ’s curious look, "His is warmer. Besides I want to get some stuff out of his car. Also, I think they want to be alone."

"What?" He was a bit surprised, he knew Rabb like to flirt so he wasn’t too surprised by him flirting with Francesca but dating?

"I guess you weren’t paying any attention at dinner. They’ve been seeing each other for a while."

"Why didn’t they tell me?" He leaned against the edge of the counter.

"I guess they were afraid to mention it because you are his CO and her father."

"Do I always have to be the last to know everything?" He was mad at himself for not noticing. A SeAL is supposed to be observant. She leaned on the counter next to him and smiled.

"I think that was the point of the dinner. To let you know."

"Rabb and my daughter. Well, I guess it could be worse," he said.

"Yeah, it could be Webb." They smiled at each other then she asked, "So what’s under the tarp."

"Nothing. Hand me the keys." She pulled them out of the jacket pocket.

"Do you have any de-icer, sir?"

"Sure, but I’ll go out to the car. You stay here. What do you need?"

"There should be two gym bags in the back. Where is the generator? I’ll start it up."

"Don’t worry about it. It’s real contrary. I’ll get it when I get back in." He walked out the side door into the rain while Mac looked around the garage. She peeked under the tarp in the middle of the garage, then walked to the door and saw him walking carefully to the car.

"You have a Harley?" Unfortunately, this startled him and caused him to lose his balance and he slipped on the ice. He was able to catch himself before he did too much damage. But he did land on his knees and he also hit his head on the railing. "Sir!" she cried as she ran and slid out to his side. She reached out to help him up. He was able to get up with a bit of difficulty. She put her arms around him and led him back into the house. "Harm!" He pulled away from Francesca and was surprised to see the Admiral with his hand to his forehead and Mac’s arms around him. Harm went to AJ’s other side and helped them lead AJ to the couch. Francesca ran to his side as Harm went to get some ice.

"Francesca, can you go get the first aid kit from my bathroom?" After she walked out of the room, AJ turned to Mac, "Did I see them kissing or did I hit my head harder than I thought?"

"They were kissing," she said with a smile. He sighed.

"I can’t believe I was so clumsy."

"That’s okay, sir. I won’t tell anyone." She tried not to smile too much but she didn’t really succeed.

Harm walked back in the room with an ice pack and a towel.

"Here sir." Harm handed him the ice pack. Francesca walked in then and opened the first aid kit and proceeded to minister the bump on his forehead.

Mac stood up and said "I’ll go check on the generator, sir."

"It won’t work, Mac. I told you it was stubborn."

"Don’t worry, sir, so am I." She slipped back into Harm’s jacket and walked back into the garage. He shook his head, he knew she wouldn’t be able to get it started but in a disgustingly short period of time Mac was back with the generator going.

Harm noticed as she slipped off his jacket, "Hey that’s my jacket."

"Yeah, I know. It’s warmer than mine." She smiled her ‘I’m innocent’ smile at him. He smiled back.

"Harm help me in the kitchen."

"What’s up?"

"Just come here." He smiled back at Francesca as he walked into kitchen. "I told the Admiral about you and Francesca."

"Why?"

"You certainly didn’t look like you were going to bother to tell him. I’m glad I said something before we came back in here and saw you two kissing."

"Sorry. But we were both a bit nervous about telling him."

Francesca noticed the exchange between Harm and Mac and she smiled at Harm. "Mac told me, Francesca," AJ said quietly.

"And?"

"It’s okay, Francesca. He’s a good man. I just wish you had told me."

"I’m sorry, Papa," she said as she gave him a hug and accidentally bumped his knee.

He drew in a sharp breath as Mac and Harm came out of the kitchen.

"Sir, you okay?" asked Harm.

"I guess I landed on my knees harder than I thought. Let me go check." He stood up and went into his bedroom and grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt. He would have put on shorts but it was too cold. He changed out of his clothes and he noticed scrapes and some bruises but that was about it. Before dressing he cracked open the door and asked for someone to bring him the first aid kit. Since Harm and Francesca were busy with each other, Mac picked it up and knocked on his door. Guessing that it would be Harm he yelled enter before he realized that he still wasn’t wearing his pants or a shirt. When he saw Mac he quickly sat down on the bed and pulled a blanket over his lap. She turned away in embarrassment. She tried to focus her mind on anything but him standing there in his shorts. ‘His knees. He hurt his knees,’ she thought. ‘Focus on that.’ "Sorry sir," she said out loud.

"It’s okay. Hand me some of the antibiotic cream," He said trying to ignore the fact that he was in his darkened bedroom wearing nothing but his shorts with a beautiful woman. A beautiful woman who happened to be Mac. His mind flitted back to the last time they were alone in his bedroom and how they almost kissed. ‘It was wrong then Chegwidden, it’s still wrong,’ he thought to himself. ‘It’s just a shame that it is.’

"You should probably put some ice on that too," Mac said, interrupting his thoughts.

"I will."

"Well I’ll let you take care of it. Where do you keep any more candles and flashlights?"

"In the kitchen pantry. Thanks, Mac."

"Not a problem, sir."

She slipped out of the room and let AJ get dressed. She couldn’t believe she walked in on him wearing only his boxers. ‘But he said ‘enter’ so I can’t get in any trouble at least. I hope.’ She had gotten a good look at his body before she turned away and he covered it and she enjoyed what she saw. She always liked to watch him when they played softball, he wore shorts and she liked looking at his legs when no one was looking. But she had never seen him without a shirt. She knew he was muscular but even in her wildest dreams she didn’t expect him to look that good. ‘Not that I’ve dreamt about him,’ she thought to herself. ‘Much. Recently,’ she knew she couldn’t lie to herself. She had been attracted to him, she thought she was over it though. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if the situation had been different. What would he have done if she weren’t in his chain of command? What would she have done if he wasn’t the Admiral? Her thoughts were interrupted by a noise behind her, it was the Admiral, without meaning to she flushed. ‘I’m glad he can’t read my mind,’ she thought.

AJ sat on the side of his bed for a while thinking about Mac. ‘I should have known she would have brought me the first-aid kit. I never would have said enter if I thought it was Mac. Or would I have?’ He knew that his feelings for Mac were inappropriate but he couldn’t help it. She was a wonderful person and she really deserved happiness. He wished that it could be him to give it to her, but he knew it was impossible. Both of their careers stood between them, but even then he couldn’t help but wonder how it might be if he weren’t in the service. Since he was offered the judgeship he had thought about leaving the Navy. He had even talked to the SecNav about it. He was disappointed that it hadn’t worked out. The reason that he would tell anyone was that he had thought that the job would be a good challenge. The reason he didn’t admit to anyone was Mac. That would have been an added perk to the new job since now it was one of the worst things about his current job. He would give it all up for her though, if he just thought he had a chance. But he knew he didn’t, she was practically engaged to Brumby. ‘That man better realize how lucky he is to have her.’

AJ soon joined her and helped her find the batteries. When they walked out to the living room they saw Harm and Francesca kissing, again. "You two going to do that till we get out of here?" They at least had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed while Mac laughed. AJ sat in his favorite chair while Mac took the end of the couch farther from him. She was still embarrassed about catching him in his shorts. Harm and Francesca cuddled up on the other end. Well not really cuddled, Harm simply had his arm around Francesca’s shoulders. Harm, Francesca, and AJ talked for a while about her job.

None of them noticed that Mac was very quiet. She had picked up a book that was beside the couch and was flipping through it. Every time she looked up she noticed that AJ was watching her. He noticed that she seemed to be a bit down for some reason. Her eyes looked so incredibly sad in the firelight. He wished that he could ask her, but he didn’t want to in front of Harm and his daughter. Mac began to stare at the fire as they continued to talk then fell silent. Mac didn’t know that AJ watched her as intently as she watched that fire. Francesca had fallen asleep. Harm gently shook her awake then she mumbled, "I think I’m going to go ahead to bed," said Francesca.

"I think I will too," said AJ.

"Mac, will you need a nightgown? Let me grab you a something," commented Francesca.

She soon came back with a sexy little silk teddy thing. Harm started to laugh; Mac glared at him and threw a pillow at him.

"Sorry Francesca. I’m used to a plain old T-shirt. But thanks for offering."

"That’s okay. I brought you a T-shirt too," she smiled and tossed the T-shirt to her. She looked at AJ and said, "Hope you don’t mind, Papa."

"That’s okay. See you all in the morning. There are extra blankets in the hall closet." AJ left the room first, he really didn’t want to know the sleeping arrangements.

"Good night, sir." Mac sat down on the couch and pulled the blankets over herself and picked up the book again. "I can’t sleep so I think I will just sit here and read for a while."

"Good night, Mac," Harm commented as he and Francesca walked into the guest bedroom.

"Good night you two," said Mac. She sighed as she opened the book. About an hour later she got up to change into her T-shirt. It still smelled like the Admiral. She took a deep breath and went back to the couch. She folded her clothes and set them by the couch. She was enjoying the book but soon her mind began to wander to Harm and Francesca. She was very happy for him but she was a bit jealous. She still wished that she could find someone too. She was lonely and she was really hoping that some day she would find the right guy for her. She thought of Mic and his proposal. She really did care for him, but she thought that she cared for the idea of marriage more. She knew that accepting his proposal would be unfair to Mic. He deserved someone who could fall in love with him. Knowing that he would probably be awake now she thought that it would be best for her to call him and let him know. She picked up her phone and dialed his number. He picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Mic?"

"Sarah. What’s up? I tried to call earlier."

"I’m at the Admiral’s. We got snowed in. Surprise ice and snow storm."

"You’re there with him alone?"

"No, Mic. Harm and Francesca are here too. I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" He didn’t like the way this was sounding.

"Us. I know I should wait until you get back but I feel that’s unfair to you."

"Doesn’t sound good Sarah."

"I’m sorry, Mic. I can’t."

"Why not?" He didn’t even pretend to not understand what she was talking about. He was just surprised that it took her this long to tell him.

"I really do like you but I just don’t love you." She heard him take a deep breath and let it out. "I’m so sorry, Mic."

"So I guess Harm won."

"No Mic. It isn’t Harm. There isn’t anyone else. I think I was just in love with the idea of what you could offer. That’s not fair to you, Mic. You deserve a woman who will love you for you not for what you can give them."

"Sarah."

"I’m sorry, Mic. Goodbye," she didn’t wait to hear his response, she just hung up then turned off her phone. She pulled off his ring and slipped it in her pocket of her jeans and knowing that she was alone she let her emotions out. She cried herself to sleep.

To Part 2

Feedback: astridz55@earthlink.net

Back to the ST3 Page