The Neighbor Title: The Neighbor part 1/6 Author: Nancy Classification: PG-13 Category: Drama, Romance Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. No money made here. Spoilers: Mostly season 7. Summary: This is kind of a belated Christmas story. Harm looked at the box that held his gift from Mac. A frame...one that fit the picture of them together in Afghanistan perfectly. He had made a duplicate of the picture for himself and carefully placed it in the frame mesmerized by her image. Damn, she was the only woman in the world who could look that sexy in Marine BDUs. But she looked good to him all the time. Placing the picture by his bedside table he reached for his wallet and slid it into his back pocket of his slacks. He still had some last minute shopping to finish before the stores closed. Glancing at his watch, he groaned. He only had about an hour before the stores closed early for Christmas Eve; in addition, he was to be at the Robert's home for what was becoming a traditional Christmas Eve dinner among selected members of the JAG staff. Picking up his heavy coat and gloves, he headed out his apartment door as large white flakes floated down from the dark evening sky. His warm breath turned into a visible white mist as it connected with the chilling air. Huda Dugally stood uneasily with her husband Amand in the check out line of the Union Station bakery. A large man sneered at them contemptuously as he held his packages. Huda tried to ignor the look and placed her selection of day old Christmas cookies on the counter while Amand carefully counted out the exact change. The man who had stared at them huffed, "Why would you be buying those? You know what those are don't you?" "Yes we do," Huda explained with a small smile hoping to be able to complete their purchase without any further attention. "Those are Christmas cookies. I didn't think *your kind* would want anything to do with our holiday," he spat. Amand grabbed his wife's arm before she could respond and led her out of the warm bakery into the cold evening air. "I do not understand this hate." Huda said irritably. "Do not let one man's insecurities plant a seed of anger and resentment in your heart Huda. Remember this is the night of miracles." Amand gently stroked his wife's light brown cheek. The couple huddled closer and walked briskly with arms linked down the street humming Christmas carols. Harm held the ruby and diamond earrings he was considering buying for Mac. They would look beautiful against her dark hair and olive complexion. However, she would think the gift too extravagant considering they were just friends. She seemed pleased with the photo, but he did notice her eyes became a little bright with a hint of emotion when she opened the gift. "Sir, we would be happy to gift wrap them for you." The sales clerk suggested hoping to hurry his last customer. Harm looked up and smiled hesitantly. "Okay, wrap them up." The clerk sighed happily and turned to box up the jewelry. The tall man had exceptional taste the clerk thought as he watched the customer linger around the display cases eyeing the varied beautiful merchandise lost in his own thoughts. "Here is your package. Will that be check or charge?" The clerk broke his reverie. "I think I've changed my mind." Harm looked up to an obviously disappointed sales clerk. **** "Harm's late as usual." Mac sighed as she helped Harriet carry hot spiced cider into the living room. "It's a tradition." Harriet chuckled. "Wouldn't be Christmas if he wasn't." "I take it you two are talking about one tardy commander." Sturgis interrupted and took one of the steaming mugs from Mac. "You know Harm. He is so easily distracted." Mac smiled half- heartedly. A.J. took the other proffered mug adding his own comments. "That's why you two make such a good team." "Sir?" "You have an uncanny sense of time where as Rabb has no sense...of time." He explained with a smirk. ***** Harm pulled the collar of his coat up around his neck as the snow began to blow harder as he walked towards his vehicle. He wasn't going to be too late. The sound of someone crying out stopped him from entering his SUV. "Help me." A female voice pleaded over the whistling sound of the wind. Harm looked around listening for the direction of the pleas. The voice called out again from a nearby alleyway. He peered through the poorly lit passageway to see what appeared to be a small woman or child lying against several trash bins. He did a quick scan for any sign of trouble. Seeing none he hurried towards the victim and knelt down. A young woman was crying hysterically. "It'll be alright." Harm said gently trying to sooth the woman as he pulled out his cell phone to call for assistance. He didn't hear the approaching footsteps from behind, but he did feel the pain that exploded through his head. Someone yanked the phone from his hand while shoving him roughly to the cold wet ground. Harm blindly stuck back at his attacker, but his balance was askew from the first blow. He was too stunned to realize that there was more than one attacker. Additional blows sent him collapsing to the ground as he fought to hang on to a sliver of consciousness. Hands groped him for his wallet and other valuables. A final strike to his head brought blessed painless unconsciousness. Stripping their victim of his coat and gloves, the gang laughed and emptied a bottle of liquor over Harm's limp form. "Merry Christmas man, you can have this cheap stuff and thank you for sponsoring our party!" One yelled at the unconscious man as they took off towards Harm's SUV. **** Mac held her cell phone to her ear listening to the answering machine for the umpteenth time. "Dammit Harm! You could at least call." She said aloud to herself. "He told me he had some errands to run after work." Bud responded to Mac's comment. "He was planning on going to the Wall. Maybe with the heavy snow, he decided to go there first." Mac replied uneasily, not believing her own excuse as alarm bells rang silently in her head. **** His head felt like it would explode when he moved. The chill prompted him to try to open his eyes. He was so cold he thought as he tried to remember why he would feel this way. Slowly he held up his head and carefully pushed himself up grabbing onto one of the trash bins. Waves of pain nearly sent him back to the cold snow covered ground, but he held tight as everything swirled nauseatingly around. Holding tightly to the metal receptacle, he staggered towards the streetlights at the end of the alleyway. Through blurred vision, Harm saw a couple walking his direction. "Help me." He slurred reaching out as he stumbled and fell to the ground. Senator William Sattermeyer and his wife Evelyn were hurrying towards their waiting limo after making the rounds to all their obligatory Christmas parties when the senator saw the drunken man approach. Harm's clothing was torn as well as dirty as a result of the attack. His face was bruised and dried blood was mixed with mud on the side of his head where he had lain on the cold muddy ground. The senator pulled his wife away protectively, "Damn winos. Descent folk can't go anywhere without being harassed by lowlifes. GET AWAY BEFORE I CALL THE POLICE!" He threatened and rushed his wife to the warm vehicle. Relieved they had not had to make contact with the man, the senator reached into the limo's bar and poured himself a rather generous portion of Dewer's. He continued to grumble about how the city couldn't control it's crime rate, so how was the Senate supposed to do anything about the problems of the nation. "Now dear, you must calm yourself. Getting so frustrated just raises your blood pressure." Evelyn purred. "Just forget that horrible man and put on that special smile for me. If it would make you feel better we could call the police to go get him off the streets." "No, our men in uniform have enough to do with all the terrorist threats without having to waste their time on the scum of society. It just makes me so damn mad that our boys and girls in the military are out there defending our country while the likes of that is so self absorbed that he hasn't a clue of the sacrifices." He ranted as he sipped on his scotch. "Yes dear." Harm had tried to get the couple's attention again, but they had quickly evaded him leaving him staring into the red taillights of the vehicle as it speed away. Fighting waves of nausea, Harm managed to pull himself upright and began walking. "Watch it Mister!" An angry voice responded when Harm accidentally bumped into another pedestrian. Harm rubbed his eyes trying to focus. He looked at his hand to see it covered with blood. His head throbbed, but he knew he needed help and grabbed hold of the man's arm. "Wa wait. Please." The man responded by pushing Harm away indignantly. "Why don't you sober up and get a job!" Leo W. Patterson was probably one of the successful men in the northern Virginia-Washington area. He glared at the disheveled man who stopped him with disdain. The son of a poor farm family he was a self made man. His parents had survived the depression leaving them with an obsession with money. Leo adopted their values and he started a business making his first million by the time he was thirty. At fifty, he had far surpassed that first fortune and was listed in 'Fortune Magazine' as one of the top 100 most wealthy men in America. Everyday someone or charity asked him for money which he secretly despised. That was the price of being wealthy he decided, so he gave generously as long as he received the publicity and acknowledgement. "Wait, you don't understand." Harm tried to explain, but the pounding in his head made his speech garbled, and he swayed as he reached out and grasped the man's arm again. Through his haze Harm remembered seeing this man before at a reception. Patterson had shaken his hand and insisted that he have his picture made with Harm or more precisely 'one of America's military heroes'. "Patterson? Mr.Leo Patterson...I'm." "I understand alright! You made a mess of your life, and you want me to bail you out because I had enough fortitude to make a success out of myself! I pay enough of my hard-earned money to those bleeding heart politicians and charities for all the good it does. You want help? Get off that drunken ass of yours and get a job!" He pushed Harm away sending him falling on the icy sidewalk. Harm struggled to get up, but the pain in his head was increasing, and he found it more difficult get his arms and legs to cooperate. He dragged himself over to a mailbox, leaned wearily against the cold metal container, and vomited. "Pastor, look there is a man who is hurt. We should help him!" A young voice echoed through Harm's painful head as he gasped trying to recover from overwhelming queasiness that persisted. "Thank god." Harm mumbled and wiped the remnants of his nausea from his mouth. "Come along Jimmy! Muggers could be near." A frantic voice replied. The six-year-old who was standing over Harm disappeared from his limited line of vision. "But Pastor, he looks like he's hurt real bad." The youngster pleaded as he was practically dragged down the sidewalk. Pastor Will Rice led an upstanding congregation in an upscale area outside of Washington D.C. Once he had been idealistic and dreamed of becoming a missionary to the poor of Africa. However, the years as a pastor to a wealthy fold spoiled him to creature comforts and the thought of dealing with disease and danger frightened him. He had agreed to take the grandson of one of his influential parishioners to a specialty shop so the young man could purchase a collector's version of a Lionel train for Christmas at the last minute. He quietly grumbled at the request again feeling controlled by the wishes of his rich members, but was too spineless to stand up for himself for fear of losing his appointment. "He will be alright, Jonathan. A policeman will come along in a minute and help him. I don't think he is so much hurt as he's drunk too much alcohol. You see what happens when you drink that sinful brew! Now come along quickly." The minister insisted while looking nervously around for possible attackers while thinking angry thoughts about his ungrateful congregation. "Oh God." Harm moaned as he realized the street was now deserted and the snow fell even harder. He had no more energy to walk, and he shivered violently from exposure. "God...please help me." **** "I'm worried." Mac whispered to Sturgis as Harriet poured coffee with dessert. Mac had picked at her food throughout the meal. Sturgis looked at his watch and frowned. "I'll call JAG headquarters and see if he checked in with them. He volunteered to take duty this evening, maybe something came up." Mac sent him an appreciative smile. ***** Part two Huda and Amand walked quickly down the deserted street with their meager purchases in tow. The snow was now falling so hard that they could barely see in front of them, but the streetlight outlined a huddled figure next to a mailbox. "Amand, look someone has fallen." Huda moved quickly away from her husband towards the lone figure curled up next to the metal container. "Wait Huda," Amand followed his wife who was now kneeling next to Harm. "His head has been bleeding. He needs a doctor." She spoke with concern. "He must be freezing. He has no coat." Amand began to remove his own woolen coat and placed it on Harm's shoulders. "I will try to find a telephone and call for help." Amand knocked on several shop doors, but no one answered. He finally spotted a cab slowly making its way down another street and waved it down. Jimmy Jordan had just dropped off his final fare for the night and was heading home when he saw a man frantically waving at him. He pulled over and let his window down. "Hey man, where you headed? I can't go too far cause I'm on the way home." "You must assist us. There is a man who has been injured. I believe he has been mugged and must be taken to the hospital," Amand responded excitedly. "I don't know. I don't want to get involved. I don't have time for this." Jimmy frowned. Just his luck he thought to get stuck with some guy who would probably bleed all over his cab. "Please, my wife is with him. He is just around the corner," Amand pleaded. "Okay," Jimmy relented in frustration and gestured for Amand to get into the cab. 'He was such a sucker always helping someone out and getting nothing in return.' he thought as he drove slowly down the snow covered street. Harm felt the warmth of the coat and someone holding him. He opened his eyes to see a woman with dark eyes and dark hair. "Mac?" He mumbled. The woman smiled. "You will be alright. Your name is Mac?" Huda responded and tenderly stroked his face. Harm smiled wearily. He was safe with Mac he thought and gave into the overwhelming drowsiness. Jimmy exited his taxi, helped Amand lift the unconscious man, and placed him in the back seat. "I can't believe the things I get myself into." Jimmy muttered. "Perhaps God put you here as an answer to a prayer." Amand replied from the back seat. "I'm sure this man will be as thankful as are we are my good man." "Yea right, I've heard that line before," Jimmy responded begrudgingly. They pulled up into the emergency room bay of Fairfax Hospital as Harm awoke only to throw up on the floor of Jimmy's cab. "Oh man! This is going to cost you double." The cabbie swore. "We have no money to pay you now, but if you give me your name and address I will send you what is due." Amand confessed somewhat embarrassed. "You mean you can't pay!" Jimmy shrieked. Huda looked to her husband sympathetically. She then pulled a simple gold necklace with a small gold cross from her neck and handed it to the irate cab driver. "This should more than cover the cost. If this does not please you, just hold it until we can pay you and it will serve as collateral," she offered. "Huda, that is the necklace your parents gave you," Amand whispered. "It is merely a reminder of what they died for. I will always have that in my heart. I believe they would want me to do this, do you not agree?" she responded gently. Jimmy calmed down as he examined the shining gold cross. "Look, I can't take this," he said contritely. "You must. We have no money, and we did not intend to deceive you. Please keep it. We must not argue for this man needs help." Huda sounded firm. "Amand get some help." The emergency department was a mass of confusion filled with unhappy ill people and overworked medical personnel. Amand was ignored as he repeatedly tried to get assistance. Harm in the meantime regained enough consciousness to allow Jimmy and Huda to lead him into the chaotic department. Amand returned looking frustrated. "I could not get anyone to help. They said we must wait our turn and complete these forms." "Like hell." Jimmy shifted Harm's weight to Amand. He then stormed up to the receptionist. "This man needs help now! My bro's a lawyer, and he will be contacting you if you don't get a doctor to see this man like yesterday!" Jimmy drew up his six foot black frame and gave the young woman at the desk a threatening glare. "Ah just a minute please." The woman looked over her wire-rimmed glasses and backed away. The next thing Jimmy realized was two large gun-toting security guards approached him. Jimmy's eyes grew large as they stood between him and the receptionist. "Look man, I didn't mean to start no trouble, but the man here needs to see the doc. He's in a real bad way." Jimmy held up his hands defensively. Amand and Huda had been holding their unsteady charge watching the interchange. Huda gestured for Jimmy to trade places with her while she approached the guards. "My name is Huda Dugally, and your assistance would be appreciated. I believe this man may have a serious head injury." She pleaded gently. One of the guards looked over at Harm's tittering stance. "He looks drunk to me." "I did not realize you were a doctor at this facility. Are you diagnosing his condition?" Amand challenged surprising the now coy Jimmy. "No, I'm not a doctor." The security guard stammered. Harm tried to understand what was taking place in his scrambled mind. Where was Mac? He searched blearily for her. "Mac?" He called out and pulled away from his would be rescuers only to collapse in an ungraceful heap on the floor. A passing nurse ran to assess the situation and noted the blood on Harm's head. "Get a gurney!" Suddenly Harm was the center of attention as a doctor and several nurses surrounded him in a treatment room. "Get a CAT scan stat and page neurosurgery now!" The young emergency room physician called out. Within a few minutes, Harm was whisked away to surgery to relieve the increasing intracranial pressure caused by a subdural hematoma. A nurse led the trio to receiving to gather information while the medical staff worked hurriedly to get their patient stabilized and sent to surgery. "We do not know his name. He had no identification and was unable to tell us anything when we found him on Union Street. We believe his name is Mac." Amand explained again to the harried police detective notified by the hospital to handle the case. Police Detective Danvers sighed deeply. Christmas was one of their busiest seasons with more robberies, assaults and homicides. "Peace and goodwill, baa humbug," he muttered to himself. At least those people knew the meaning of goodwill he thought about the odd trio that he questioned earlier. He thoroughly examined the clothing of the John Doe or Mac brought into the Fairfax Emergency a little over an hour before. The clothing reeked of alcohol, but according to the doctor the man's blood alcohol level was negative. He was an unfortunate victim of a holiday mugging. Plain and simple. Danvers dug into Harm's pant's pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "This may help." He smiled to himself after examining the form and headed towards the phones. ***** By now the others at the Robert's residence had become as worried about their absent friend and coworker as Mac. They had contacted the police department and hospitals without success. They waited in frustration until the phone finally rang and Bud quickly answered it hoping for good news. Bud returned to the living room full of expectant faces and announced reluctantly that Harm's SUV had been found wrecked and deserted north of town. "Please not again," Mac murmured as memories of Harm's night in the cold Atlantic filled her mind. Harriet moved immediately to Mac's side and placed a comforting arm around her. "He'll be alright. He's Harm after all." She assured receiving a dubious expression from Mac. "Excuse me Harriet." Mac left the group, went into the bathroom, turned on the sink water and cried. She stared into the mirror, and a vision of a cold empty street with a mailbox passed through her mind. She quickly wiped her face and almost ran back into the room with the others. "I think I know where he is." **** Danvers stretched as he put the receiver down on the phone after finally discovering the information he needed. "Harmon Rabb Jr." He said aloud. "Now I need to call the US Navy and let them find out who is missing you." **** Sturgis, Mac and AJ drove down the snow covered Union Street for the third time. "I don't see him Mac. Are you sure this is where you...saw him?" AJ asked. "I thought I did Sir," Mac replied somewhat uncertain. "What exactly did you think you saw in your vision?" Sturgis quizzed. "I didn't see him...it was more like I was looking through his eyes and everything was blurry except for the mailbox with the Union Street address. That was it." "We looked all around the mailbox and there was no sign that he had been here. The Maryland Highway Patrol found his vehicle north of the city." AJ said doubtfully. "I know that Sir, but I believe he is still in the city." Mac said with more conviction. "Mac, he could be anywhere." AJ's cell phone interrupted them when it rang. "Yes this is Admiral Chegwidden...yes he is...where?...We're on our way, thank you Sergeant." AJ turned to the hopeful faces of Mac and Sturgis. "He's at Fairfax Hospital not a mile from here. He apparently was mugged somewhere on Union Street. The thieves apparently took all of his identification." "Is he okay?" Mac responded worriedly. "The Sergeant didn't say, but we're almost there. And Colonel." AJ added. "Sir?" "I'm sorry for doubting you." "That's okay. I doubt myself much more than you ever have." Mac smiled briefly before retreating into her own worried thoughts about Harm. "I wonder how they figured out who he was if all his identification was missing?" Sturgis wondered aloud. "Fingerprints?" AJ speculated. "Maybe, all military personnel are fingerprinted," Sturgis replied. The trio entered Fairfax Hospital, escorted to the surgical waiting room, and was almost immediately met by the neurosurgeon who had operated on Harm. None of them noticed the other trio who sat huddled together at the far end of the room. "Looks like they found Mac's family and friends," Jimmy said as they watched the concerned group follow the doctor out of the waiting area towards the ICU. "Our prayers have been answered," Amand announced with a broad smile. "We must go Amand, I'm sure everyone is waiting for us," Huda added. "You guys need a ride somewhere?" Jimmy offered gingerly. "We have nothing to offer you, but some slightly stale cookies and some hot cocoa when we get home." Amand smiled. "You did not have to stay with us Jimmy, but you did. Under that rough exterior you are a very kind man." Huda leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Now, don't go making me into some sort of 'do gooder'. I was wanting to find out the end of this story that's all." Jimmy blushed. "Besides, cookies and cocoa are the best offer I've had all day. And Huda, this necklace is real pretty and all, but I don't think it would fit this thick neck of mine." Jimmy dangled the golden necklace before the olive skinned woman. "Jimmy, you earned it." Huda started to object. "Think of it as a Christmas present." Jimmy dropped the simple chain and charm into her hand. "We have no Christmas present for you Jimmy." "You are wrong. When I was a little guy, my grandmother used to read me the Christmas story...the real one. I think I sorta forgot what it was all about until tonight, and you two sort of reminded me. I guess we all got the real Christmas present over two thousand years ago." He smiled. "Yes we did." Amand agreed as the three headed into the cold snowy night. **** Part three Mac stood quietly watching Harm's rhythmic breathing as he slept peacefully. His head wrapped in a turban of thick white gauze making the dark circles and bruises on his face stand out. "The doctor assures us that he should be fine, but he doesn't expect him to awaken until sometimes tomorrow. Why don't you let us drive you home and I'll pick you up tomorrow." Sturgis offered. "Thanks Sturgis, but I would rather wait here. He may wake up, and I would feel better if I were here." Mac smiled gratefully. "Okay, well the Admiral is calling his mother and the Roberts. I'll be back first thing in the morning. Call me if something changes." Sturgis gave her a quick hug and patted his sleeping friend's arm as he left. When he left Mac, Sturgis found AJ talking with Sergeant Detective Danvers. "Mac coming?" "No, I don't think wild horses could drag her away Sir." Sturgis grinned. "Sergeant Danvers was just explaining that Harm was brought in by an Middle Eastern couple and a black cab driver. Names are Amand and Huda Dugally and Jimmy Jordan. I plan to look them up and thank them personally, and I'm sure there are others who would like to do the same." AJ smiled. "Namely Mac." Sturgis added. "Mac's the woman that was with you?" Danvers asked. "Yes, Colonel Sara Mackenzie." "That explains something." Danvers nodded. "What would that be Sergeant?" Sturgis asked. "The couple that brought him in thought his name was Mac because that was the only word he said that they could understand." AJ and Sturgis shared a bemused look. "They must be tight." Danvers smiled. "You know since he bought her an engagement ring and everything." "Wait a minute. What engagement ring?" Sturgis said incredulously. "It must have been stolen when Mr. Rabb was mugged. Sorry." Danvers replied. "How do you know he bought an engagement ring?" AJ's interest was piqued. "That's how we identified him. The only piece of identification he had on him was a receipt from Reed's Jewelry. No name was on the receipt, but it was timed and dated for this evening, so I called the owner at home. Lucky for the Commander, the owner's nephew was the salesperson who waited on him and was at Mr. Reed's house for Christmas Eve dinner. He remembered the Commander because he was the last customer before closing, and he charged his purchase. He said Commander Rabb initially bought a pair of ruby earrings." Danvers explained receiving confused looks form the two Naval officers. "That doesn't explain the engagement ring," Sturgis concluded. "The nephew said Rabb was about to walk out of the place when he changed his mind and bought a carat and a half diamond engagement ring instead. You remember customers like that he said. Rabb showed his military id as one of his identifications. To bad, those thugs took it." Danvers grunted. "Well anyway the rest is history." "What's history?" Mac approached the group receiving a look from the Admiral and Sturgis that resembled two boys getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar. "This case. That is until they catch the gang that did this." AJ quickly explained. "Did you get in touch with Harm's mother?" Mac asked tiredly as she dismissed the odd behavior. "Yes, she and Mr. Burnett will be flying in late tomorrow. Harriet and Bud send their prayers. Bud will be here in the morning after little AJ opens his gifts from Santa." AJ reported. "So you plan to stay the night Mac?" "Yes Sir." "Well try to get some rest. I'll check in tomorrow." "Good night Mac." "Night Sturgis." The three men walked away together. "Sergeant, when Harm's SUV was discovered, his credit cards weren't in the vehicle were they?" Sturgis asked. "No, I'm sure someone's having a merry time of it with Commander's cards. Until we know which cards were stolen, we can't do a lot about it. Most cards have theft protection built in." "Harm has a MasterCard and a Texaco card that I know of. Do you think we could possibly track these guys tonight?" "Commander, you don't have anything better to do?" "I can't think of anything I rather do, but would this keep you from your family Sergeant?" "Naw, I'm on duty all night, might as well stay busy." "Could you use some help?" AJ offered. "The more the merrier." Danvers smirked. "Meet me at the station. I have some ideas." **** Once the nurses ignored the rules when they found out that their patient was not Mac, but the woman who maintained a lonely vigil in the ICU waiting area. Allowed to stay in the small cubicle with Harm, she sat quietly talking with him and tenderly stroking his hand. "Here's some fresh coffee." One of the nurses who had been monitoring Harm offered. "Thanks." Mac smiled and returned her gaze to the man who seemed to take her emotions on a never-ending roller coaster ride. The nurse checked Harm's vitals and made notes on his chart. "His vital signs are good. Dr. Petro is the best." She reassured and commented. "He seems really special to you. When they brought him in, he called out for you." The nurse looked up from her charting noting a slightly surprised look on Mac's face. "This surprises you?" "A little I guess." Mac sighed. "Harm's the kind of guy that you never really know what he feels." "Aren't they all. Guys, I mean. Life would be less complicated if they would communicate more like women, but then that's what makes them guys and maybe that's why we're so crazy about them... I think." The nurse chuckled at her own logic. "Yea, actually I think I do understand." Mac chuckled. She gazed back to his peaceful continence and sighed. "Christmas hasn't been his favorite holiday for a long time. I guess this just made it worse." "Oh?" The nurse sat the chart down giving Mac her full attention. "Harm's father was shot down over Vietnam on Christmas Eve in 1969. He was just a child." "That's so sad. How did this happen? I know he was attacked." "He was doing some last minute shopping and was mugged. Harm's usually more vigilant, but I guess he was distracted because of the season, his father, who knows." Mac stared at Harm's still features as she spoke. "I guess he was at the wrong place at the wrong time." The nurse concluded. "Like his dad." "But someone came along and got him here in time." "I wonder how many near misses you get in a lifetime because if there's a limit, Harm is close to reaching his." "Maybe he has some unfinished business?" "Unfinished business?" "I've worked in the ICU for nearly five years, and I've seen some pretty seriously ill people come through this place. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for why some people survive and some people don't. So, I've concluded that when it's your time...it's your time. It wasn't his time. He has something left undone," the nurse explained thoughtfully. "I guess that's as good an explanation as anything else." Mac replied. "I better go check on my other patients. If you need anything." "Thanks." Mac took Harm's hand and held it to her face. "What unfinished business do you have Flyboy?" **** Part four Mac woke to the sound of soft moaning. "Harm?" He moved slightly and groaned. The doctor walked in and pulled a penlight from his pocket. He pulled open Harm's eyelid examining his pupils. "Looks like he may be waking sooner than we anticipated. Would you mind stepping out a minute." Mac squeezed Harm's hand before stepping out. She anxiously paced in the waiting room until two tired looking JAG officers caught her attention as they entered the room. "I thought you two went home to get some sleep," Mac frowned then smiled. "Harm's waking up." "Good!" AJ replied. "No kidding, you two didn't get any sleep. What have you been up to?" Mac quizzed noting the two men wore the same clothing that they had on the evening before. "We decided to assist the District's finest in rounding up the preps who attacked Harm," Sturgis replied. "You caught them so soon?" Mac sounded surprised. "Don't look so surprised Colonel. Batman and Robin aren't the only two who can round up the bad guys in record time. Plus we were able to get the Commander's wallet and other valuables back," AJ announced proudly bringing a raised eyebrow from Mac about the Batman and Robin comment. "Of course the police are holding most of it as evidence," Sturgis added. "It seems that there has been a gang of three men and a woman who have been setting victims up. The woman pretends to be a victim calling for help, when someone comes to assist the men attack. Harm's hero tendency apparently got him in trouble," AJ concluded. "And you wouldn't have come to a damsel in distress Sir?" Mac challenged. "I plead the fifth," AJ replied dryly. "Sir, why don't you take Mac down for a cup of coffee, and I'll wait for the doctor," Sturgis suggested. "Harm is waking up. I think I should stay," Mac quickly retorted. "Coffee Colonel. That's an order!" AJ directed her towards the elevators while giving Sturgis a knowing nod. The doctor came into the waiting room within a few minutes pleased that his patient was responding so well. Sturgis followed him into the cubicle where Harm drowsily looked up at his friend and spoke softly, "Merry Christmas, Sturgis." A broad grin formed on the former bubblehead's face. "Merry Christmas to you too Harm. We missed you at the party last night. Guess you had more important things to do." "Don't remember a whole lot about yesterday evening," Harm groaned. Sturgis frowned, "What was the last thing you remember?" "I went home to my apartment," Harm's words were slow and painful. "You don't remember going shopping?" Sturgis hinted. "I needed to go shopping. I wanted to pick out a gift for Mac. I was thinking about getting her some earrings," Harm replied sleepily. "Where is Mac?" he asked and tried to sit up only to experience an intense headache. "Ohh." "Easy buddy, Mac's here. In fact, she stayed all night. The Admiral and I couldn't get her to leave. She's getting a cup of coffee with the Admiral." Sturgis assured. He reached into his pocket and twirled the ring in between his fingers debating whether to give it to Harm. "Hey!" Sturgis froze at the sound of Mac's voice. "About time you decided to wake up. I thought you were totally going to miss Santa this year," she teased and bent over to kiss his cheek lightly. "Wasn't expecting much anyway except maybe a lump of coal in my stocking," Harm retorted slowly with a smile and reached for her hand. "Commander, you look a hell of a lot better this morning," AJ's distinctive voice interupted as he entered the room giving Sturgis a quick questioning look. Sturgis shook his head negatively without Mac or Harm noticing. "The Robert's are here. I agreed to watch my namesake while Harriet and Bud came in to check on you," AJ added. "I don't have little AJ's gift," Harm looked distressed. "Don't worry, I think he's just glad his Uncle Harm is feeling better." Mac squeezed his hand. "Like we all are." AJ and Sturgis met Bud and Harriet in the waiting room after their quick visit. "Did you give him the ring?" AJ asked Sturgis drawing surprised looks from Bud and Harriet. "What ring Sir?" Harriet questioned. AJ and Sturgis silently debated whether to explain the comment when AJ spoke up, "Before Harm was attacked last night he apparently had purchased *a ring*. His attackers of course took it along with everything else of monetary value. Fortunately, they hadn't hocked it before the District's police were able to locate them using Harm's credit cards. Sergeant Danvers was kind enough to release the ring from the evidence locker for us to give back to Harm." Harriet's mouth dropped open soon followed by a large smile. "Why is this ring so important?" Bud asked naively. He received three simultaneous incredulous looks. "Oh! He bought that kind of ring! Really?" "There's one problem. He doesn't remember buying the ring. The last thing he remembers is going home from work. Apparently it was a spontaneous decision." Sturgis explained. The excited expressions of the two lieutenants fell like a lead balloon. "That's terrible!" Harriet's words reflected the consensus of the group. ****** Mac withdrew the spoon that held ice chips and adjusted his pillow. "Better?" Harm watched her fussy movements and reached for her arm. "Sit." "Are you going to ask me to roll over next?" Mac retorted playfully as she eased back into her chair. "Only if you take up too much of the bed," he replied slowly with mischievous smirk. "I don't think you are up to such thoughts Flyboy," Mac warned with an equally impish smile. "Besides what makes you think you and I would end up in the same bed. You snore." "I do not, but you, Jarhead, talk in your sleep." "I do not, Squid." "We sound like an old married couple," Harm grinned enjoying their repartee but was obviously tiring. He held her hand and his grin faded. "It's gone." "Harm? What's gone?" Mac gave him an anxious glance. "I was leaving the shop and heard a girl crying, but she wasn't really hurt. It was a trap, and they took it." Harm became agitated and tried to get up. "They need to find it." "Harm, you're not ready to get up. NURSE!" Mac called as she continued to try to soothe him. "I need to get it back." Harm argued irritably but was not strong enough to resist her gentle restraint and fell back into the bed. "Harm, whatever it is it can wait." Mac stroked his shoulder tenderly. "No Mac. I've waited long enough! This would made Christmas good again." He looked and sounded confused. The nurse slowly injected an IV medication causing almost instantaneous sedation. Harm grasped Mac's hand. "Mac don't leave," he whimpered softly and drifted to sleep. "Never." ****** Part five "YOU are NOT supposed to be doing that!" Harm eased away from the ladder he had pulled from his closet ready to change a light bulb. "Yes Ma'am. Did anyone ever tell you that you would make a great Marine drill sergeant?" "Yes, but I decided that I could better use my powers of persuasion as a JAG instead," Mac quipped and sat down the bag of groceries on Harm's counter. He had been home less than a week and was rapidly becoming a challenge. "I'm bored," Harm whined as he sat on a barstool with his chin propped on his hands. He was still wearing a cap to cover his almost hairless head and small dressing. The dark rings under his eyes were finally fading, but his appearance reminded her of how close again she had come to losing him. She shivered involuntarily. "Are you cold?" "No, but how about I make us some hot cocoa and a fire," she pulled out a box of instant cocoa with marshmallows. "You got the kind with marshmallows. Way to go Julia Childs!" he teased and walked over to the fireplace. "I'll do that, and you can make the cocoa, Emeril." "I can do the fire." "No you can't." She insisted. "Just watch." He sounded like a petulant child. "Harm." "Mac." "You're being juvenile." "You're smothering me." "That's my job." "To smother me?" "To make sure you follow orders." "What orders?" "Doctor's." "He didn't say I couldn't build a fire." "He said no lifting, straining or bending." "He also said no sex." "Harm." "Mac." "We aren't having sex." "We aren't doing a lot of things." "Do we need to talk?" "No." "Yes we do." "No we don't just forget that I said that." "Harm, we are not going to take your road most traveled." "What do you mean by that?" "You know exactly what I mean." "I'm supposed to read your mind?" "What I mean is that you tend to avoid talking about anything that is bothering you, hence, the road you tend to take most frequently is non communication." "I've got a headache." "That evasive move will not work." "I have good reason to have a headache. You don't care." "Harm you are regressing here. Sit!" Mac walked into the living area and stood nose to nose with Harm. He complied with a pouty look on his face that almost made Mac laugh. "I guess the next thing you'll command me to do is roll over." Mac closed her eyes trying to suppress the giggles that were erupting. Unable to control herself, a series of snorts escaped mimicking the sound of a pig. Harm looked at her in amusement as the more she tried to stop the louder and sillier the sounds became. He couldn't restrain his own snickers as she failed to stop the snorting sounds and finally released her laughter complete with tears. They would stop giggling, then look at each other, and burst out in waves of uncontrolled laughter again. Finally Mac got up and left the room. She returned with two hot mugs of cocoa a few minutes later in front of a blazing fire that he decided to light despite her earlier protests. "Nice fire," she commented flatly. "I didn't strain or bend. These logs are so small that I wouldn't classify that as lifting," Harm responded defensively. "Maybe I have been a little overprotective," Mac confessed with a weary sigh. "A little?" "Maybe a tad more than a little." "A tad?" "Is there an echo in your apartment?" "The cocoa is terrific. You must give me your recipe." "Wise ass." "Oh so you really do believe I'm smart or at least part of me is." "Well that's one more part than you give me credit for being smart." "I think you are one of the smartest people I know." "Yea right." "I'm serious." "Thank you. I think you are wiser in places north of your derrière." "Thank you, and I think you have a cute derrière." "I didn't think you noticed." "I notice." "You do? I'm flattered." "I'm a man. I would have to be blind not to notice." "I thought you only see me as a coworker, fellow officer, good friend." "Those aren't the only ways I see you." "Harm are we having a Hallmark moment here?" "No we already had that when we had the derriere discussion." "Well what exactly are we doing now?" "We're having a discussion on how to change what we think of each other without losing those previously mentioned thoughts." "Oh. Explain please." Pause "As a talented gifted JAG coworker, I count on your expertise...as a fellow officer, I respect your rank and what you've done to earn it...as a good friend, I count on your honesty and acceptance...and I don't want to lose any of that." "Why would you lose any of that?" "Because I want to give you something that will change our relationship." "Nothing will change our relationship Harm." "Not even this?" He reached into his pocket and held up the ring. She was speechless but a small gasp escaped her lips. "I bought it on Christmas Eve, but I lost it for awhile. To tell you the truth I walked into that shop intending on buying you some earrings, but I walked out with this." He paused and drew in a deep breath. "You know how depressed I get around Christmas. Well, I decided the only way I could change those feelings was to replace the sad ones with happy feelings. It occurred to me that the only thing that could make me that happy would be to marry you." Afraid to see the expression on her face, his gaze drifted to his hands, which were nervously fidgeting with the ring. He glanced up to see her tear filled eyes. "I would get down on my knee, but the doctor said no bending." He chuckled anxiously awaiting her response. Much to his dismay she jumped up and ran into his bedroom. "Good move now you've ruined it," he said aloud to himself. Reluctantly he approached his bedroom where she lay on her stomach sobbing. "Mac? I'm sorry. I would rather have you as friend than not at all. Please don't reject me." He shifted from one leg to the other unsure what to say. Mac looked up with mascara running down her face. "I almost got you killed again!" She wept miserably. Harm raised his eyebrows clearly bewildered by her response. "Mac, I don't understand." He eased down beside her on the bed. "You almost got yourself killed because I pressured you to come back for my wedding to Mic. Now you were nearly killed because you were out shopping for a ring for me," she whimpered having difficulty saying the words between sobs. "I'm no good for you." "Sarah listen to me. I didn't particularly enjoy that dip in the ocean, but you had nothing to do with the malfunction of that F-14. On the other hand, as badly as I felt that you were hurt because I messed up your wedding plans, I would take another dip to keep you from marrying anybody but me," he said softly while stoking her hair. "About this latest incident, I could have gotten mugged anywhere. I was going to stop by the liquor store next to get Bud and Harriet a bottle of rum for the eggnog." This time he tilted her chin, so she would look at him as he wiped the streaks of mascara from her face with his handkerchief. "Besides if I wouldn't have bought that ring, the police wouldn't have been able to identify me, and I would still be in the hospital waiting for someone to figure out who I was." He added with an amused smile. Mac chuckled at his logic. "You think the nurses in that hospital would allow you to stay? They would have gone door to door with your picture until someone claimed you. Trust me." "About that trust issue. I trust you more than anybody. I've been afraid to move our relationship further because it could kill what we have. I couldn't gamble with losing you in my life Mac." His voice almost choked on the last words. "What is so different now?" She sniffed. "I'm not strong enough to hold back any longer. I find myself needing more of you because what I have isn't enough." His eyes looked sad as he struggled with the words. "I want to be able to tell you to roll over when you take too much of our bed. I want to have many passionate discussions over trivial things. I want to hold your hand when we walk down the street. I want a little boy or little girl or both who has your smile." His smile reflected hers and then he grew almost angry as he continued forcefully. "I want to tell the next guy who hits on you to buzz off because you're my wife dammit!" His anger quickly melted and he sounded almost contrite. "I want you to tell me that I shouldn't climb ladders because you care about me." He paused searching her eyes for her thoughts. "Those are just the first few reasons Sara, there are too many to name them all." He added softly. "You still wow me with you closing statements." Mac drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Let me see that ring." Her eyes twinkled as he slid it on her finger. "If you don't like it, they have some really nice ruby earrings," he said with a smirk as Mac admired it on her finger amazed at its perfect fit. "Don't start backpedaling on me now Squid!" "I was just giving you all the options." "How did you know the size?" "I know all your sizes." "Oh? Sizing me up?" An eyebrow shot up. "Sounds like you've been having some libidinous thoughts Flyboy." "You have no idea." "Remember the doctor said no sex." "I'm getting a second opinion." "What do you think the Admiral and everyone a JAG will say about our engagement?" "So we ARE engaged?" "Just try to take this ring back!" "You can keep it as long as you keep it on the LEFT hand." "You've got to work on that sense of humor. I know it appealed to blondes, but you've got a brunette here." "Touché. I think they everyone at JAG may already know. The Admiral and Sturgis were the ones who got the ring back for me." "I wondered why everyone has been commenting on the length of my nails, the hand lotion I use, strength of my grip." "Who wanted to know the strength of your grip? Let me guess, Loren?" "No actually is was Tiner. He said something about an arm wrestling match instead of a JAG-A-THON." "Lame." "At the time I thought he was trying to impress Petty Officer Coates." "I could think of better ways to get Coates attention." "Yea he could steal her watch." Part six ***** Weeks later "I'm looking for Amand or Huda Dugally." The tall Naval officer asked the first person he met at the Good Neighbor Mission in north Washington DC. Amand smiled and extended his hand. "I am Amand. How can I be of assistance to you?" Harm smiled, "Oh you have already been of assistance. I'm Commander Harmon Rabb. You took me to the hospital this past Christmas Eve." "Mac!" he exclaimed excitedly and called for his wife. "Huda, it is Mac!" The pretty Marine Colonel standing with Harm grinned. "Actually I'm Mac." "Forgive me, of course. We called the Commander Mac because he kept repeating your name. This is my wife Huda." The short olive skinned man introduced his dark eyed wife. Both wore beaming smiles. "We are so glad to see you well! You had us so worried," Huda spoke. "This is your wife?" "Soon to be. This is Lt. Colonel Sarah 'Mac' Mackenzie," Harm introduced the two women. "I want to thank you for watching after Harm. You are both angels." Mac's tone reflected her sincerity. "I vaguely remember several other people who passed me by. I guess they were frightened, but you took a chance on me, and I wouldn't be here if you hadn't," Harm's voice grew soft with a hint of emotion. "We were not usually out so late but we had to pick up some cookies for the mission's Christmas party. Normally don't use the bakery on Union, but all the others had closed early. It just goes to show "you that all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose"." Amand quoted his favorite Bible verse. "Hey Amand! Where do you want me to set up these chairs?" Jimmy Jordan's voice penetrated the room. "Jimmy, come here. I need you to meet someone." Amand called. Jimmy impatiently sat down an arm load of folding chairs, "Amand, if you want to have everything ready for tonight, you have to stay on schedule." "Jimmy, this is Mac." Amand pointed proudly to Harm. "Mac, man look at you!" Jimmy slapped Harm's hand in a welcoming gesture. "His name is Harmon Rabb. Mac is his fiancée." Huda explained. "You were the cab driver who took me to the hospital." Harm acknowledged. "Thank you. I owe all of you my life." "It was nothing. Once you get involved with these two, things happen, besides they seem to always need me for something. So I'm stuck like gum on your shoe." Jimmy laughed. "I didn't realize you were all friends," Harm chuckled. "We were strangers Christmas Eve night, but Amand and Huda reminded me about something I had hidden away, and we've been friends ever since," Jimmy said seriously. "How long have you been managing this mission. I don't live that far from here." Harm looked around and watched as several homeless people busily mopped and dusted as others set up chairs. "We have been here for only a few years. We were originally from an area in Iran where persecution became so bad that we had to leave all of our belongings and leave. Huda's parents were killed. We were able to obtain American citizenship two years ago. God has been good to us and provided us with an opportunity to continue to serve Him. We provide shelter for the homeless and hope through God's Word," Amand explained. "This isn't one of those force it down your throat phony religious joints. These people practice what they preach," Jimmy testified. "Jimmy gets a little carried away. Enough about us, tell us Commander and Colonel about your upcoming wedding," Huda asked. "It's Harm and Mac," Harm corrected. "We both work in the same chain of command, the JAG Corp, the Navy's legal branch, so that being engaged creates a complication with our working relationship. We have planned to marry this summer." "I see you have faith that everything will work out," Amand pointed out. "This relationship will be strong." "We believe it will, we just don't know how." Mac added with a quick squeeze to Harm's hand. "Remember to trust in the Lord and honor Him in all ways, and he will make straight your path. Keep your faith strong and everything will work out." Huda smiled and gave them both a hug. "I guess we need to get back to work. We brought some blankets for the shelter if you could use them." Harm added. "Blankets are always in short supply here. Thank you!" Amand exclaimed. "See I told you Jimmy that the Lord would supply. We are expecting a large crowd with the approaching cold front and were pitifully low on blankets. Your timing is perfect." Harm grinned and nudged Mac as they left. "Be sure and tell the Admiral that my timing has improved." "I must be rubbing off on you." "You are giving me unsaintly thoughts, Mac." "Harm, no one would ever accuse you of being a saint." "Did I tell you the doctor said I was cleared to resume sexual activity." "The key word is resume. We haven't started." "That could be easily remedied." "I want to wait until we're married." "You're kidding...right?" "I'm as serious as a heartbeat." "What do you think about eloping?" "Sounds romantic to me." "This weekend sound romantic?" "You've dragged your feet for years, now you suddenly can't wait. I think you want to marry me just for the sex." "Mac you know I love you, besides I'm a guy. That's just the way we think. But at least I'm an honest guy." "Honest guy? That's an oxymoron." "Okay, I can wait. We'll do the whole big white dress, march down the aisle, large reception with lots of people thing if you want this summer, or we could do the elope to a great ski lodge in Vermont and do the hot cocoa and fireplace thing with just the two of us this weekend. You pick." "Will the cocoa have marshmallows?" "Absolutely... Mac, do you want to marry me just for the sex?" "Absolutely... among other things." "Okay, I was just checking." The End The handsome military couple strolled down the wintry street outside the Good Neighbor Mission and if you looked closely you could see them breaking military protocol by lacing their fingers together. "So which of these do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37.