They sat on the porch holding hands for a while, before slipping quietly back among their friends. Things would never be the same, but in time, they would be better. A soft understanding had emerged between them that would not again be broken. There would be future trials to be sure, but they would face them together, and they would win as always when they worked as a team.
They shared a dance or two, but it wasn’t long before Mac showed signs of fatigue. Impatient with herself for a weakness she was reluctant to accept, she fought the feeling, but Harm was soon aware of the change in her energy level. It was the most natural next step to take her home.
They spoke casually on the drive from Annapolis, mostly about insignificant things that had passed through their lives, touching only lightly on the events that brought them to this place with each other. Longer, heavier conversations would come in time, but tonight they bathed in a new understanding of where their futures lie.
The only disappointment either felt was the absence of the flame that had always burned between them. Constantly shining, its sustaining beacon had relentlessly provided a path through whatever personal darkness caused them to stumble.
As they arrived at her apartment it was nearing midnight. Early by the standards of this social occasion, it was late for her level of exhaustion. She sat quietly as he walked around to help her from the car, holding the door for her then offering his arm. An indication to both of them of her weakness, she nearly rebelled against the support until she looked into his eyes. There she found the genuine love she had always desired. In the strength of that love, was a new willingness to relax and accept his help.
He took her key to open the door, pushing it slightly ajar then stood his ground. Someday he knew she would invite him in, but tonight was not the night. Tonight was a thought he wouldn’t even consider. She needed time to heal.
His fingers strayed to her back as he bent gently to kiss the top of her head. Intending a tender gesture, at the exact moment of contact she looked up and their lips met. Startled he almost pulled back but she didn’t resist, she moved slightly nearer. Slowly his hand slid up her back to cradle her head, his other hand went to her waist as hers wrapped lightly around his middle. Passionate in its soft absence of passion, the kiss told of many things that had long been left unspoken.
Pulling back, their eyes locked in a silent conversation that belied the words they would speak.
“That was unintentional,” he explained.
“I know, but it was nice,” she replied.
“It’s too soon Mac.”
“It is,” she nodded in agreement.
“I’d better go now,” reluctantly his hands released her.
Again she nodded, “Come back?” Their eyes continued the conversation.
“Always,” he answered, the remembered flame sparking in his eyes. “You’ll be here?”
“Forever,” she answered. The spark caught the dry tinder of her soul and flared to life.
He moved so slightly toward her and she succumbed to the pull of his body mass. Her eyes flared in response to his magnetic draw, fearful that her light would once more be trapped in the black hole of another personality. As their lips touched, speaking to the passion that awaited the right time, their bodies molded in an unbidden connection. She sank into his warmth, stunned to realize that instead of smothering, their luminance shone in concert like twin suns, locked together by the force of an unspoken love, connected by the flaming shaft of matter that arced between them.
Fighting hard for the essential control, this time their eyes held more answers than questions.
“See you in the morning?” his voice trembled, barely able to breathe. “I’ll bring breakfast.”
“I can’t wait,” she answered with the same unsteady breathlessness.
“Inside now, lock the door,” he ordered gently, waiting until he heard the locks fall into place. He was unaware she leaned against the wall, tears of joy and release bathing the happiest smile she had ever known.
His spirit soared and he swelled with pride, filled with the fire of winning the woman of his dreams. Savoring the uncomfortable tightness of his body’s reaction, he strutted the hallway, literally dancing down the stairs and out to his car.
‘Someday soon,’ he thought to himself, ‘but not until she’s ready’.