*******************************************
"Harm, stop! You're going to get her killed!" Webb yelled, grabbing at Harm from behind.
"That's what she'd want instead of what they're going to do to her! Can't you see that?"
((BACK TO THE COURTROOM))
The phone on the defense table rang just as Duren ripped open the front of Mac's blouse. The room became deathly still; only the sound of Mac's sobs breaking the hush. Duren picked up the phone as it rang a second time.
"Yes?" he greeted harshly. "Well, Admiral Chegwidden, you have the worst timing."
"It's isn't Admiral Chegwidden, it's Commander Rabb. We need an extension on your deadline."
"No extensions," Duren growled. "I can see you're going to need more motivation than you've been getting." Duren laughed cruelly.
"If you've harmed one hair on Mac's head, I'll rip your heart out," Harm's words stilled the movement of everyone around him. He ignored Admiral's hard look.
"And how do you hope to manage that?" Duren taunted.
"Try me and you'll find out. You leave her alone."
"Tell me, did you know that she's in love with you?"
Duren's words were the very last ones Harm ever expected to hear him say. "I don't know what you're talking about," Harm answered flatly.
"That's exactly what the Colonel said and you don't lie any better than she does. Jealousy is a terrible thing to control, isn't it? Especially when you know someone else can and will appreciate what a gem she is."
"You are sick, Duren."
"That makes it easier to explain, doesn't it? You still have time to get my men out of jail. I suggest you get busy."
A click on Duren's end signaled the end of the conversation. Harm slammed the receiver down, his eyes locked unseeing on the wall in front of him. Webb touched his shoulder.
"What did he say about Mac?" he asked.
"Nothing that made sense. He asked if I knew she was in love with me. They were showing her how to make me sit up and take notice by making me jealous."
Webb gave him a hard look. "We'll get him, Rabb."
Harm looked up with bleak eyes. "Before he kills her?"
In the courtroom, Duren walked over to Mac. Drawing herself up straight and tall, she stared at him, bloodless fingers clutching the edges of her torn shirt together.
"I don't think the Commander believed me. But that doesn't matter now. As long as he meets my deadline."
"Let the rest of us go."
"Why would I want to do that, Colonel?"
"Maybe it will get them moving faster," she returned.
Mac looked at the other hostages, the men who couldn't do anything to help her. She could try to help them, though. She looked back at Duren.
"You'll still have me even if you let them go. They aren't of any use to you. You said so yourself," she stated, summoning up her best courtroom voice.
"True," Duren nodded. He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment. "All right. I'll let them go because you asked me to."
"You're letting them go too easily. You should keep them."
"I'm in charge of things, Sergeant, and as long as I'm in charge, you will not question my decisions. Is that understood?"
Sergeant Lackey nodded curtly.
Mac watched the interplay between them. Carefully, she inched her way to the edge of the table and slid to the floor. Pain vibrated through her body with each step but she forced herself to walk over to the other hostages, one step at a time, expecting to be seized from behind at any moment.
"We can't just leave you here," one of the men whispered when she came close enough.
"You aren't in a position to give me orders," she pointed out, trying to make it sound like a joke. "Odds are that he'll kill us all. If he kills me it is only one life, not twenty-five."
"Giving him the open chance to kill you is a poor option, Sarah." Alex Joseph pointed out.
"What other choice do you see us having?" Mac asked. "He's your client, Counselor. Surely you've had time to figure out what he's really like. For some reason, he's targeted me but if he's willing to let you go, then for God's sake, go," she urged.
"Colonel MacKenzie, if you'll step away from the men, please."
Mac closed her eyes for an instant and drew in a deep breath. Once the other men left the room she would be at Duren's total mercy. She would have to face him absolutely alone and the prospect filled her with dread.
"Admiral Chegwidden, the rest of the hostages are coming out. If you try anything, we'll kill them all," Duren ordered coldly.
Sergeant Lackey waited until the men had formed a single file line before unlatching the padlock and the chains. Guns trained on the door, Duren, and the others watched as they men pushed through the small opening in the door. When the last one was out, the chains were quickly replaced and locked. The sound of the lock was like a death toll to Mac, who was feeling more and more like she would never see Harm again.
((BACK TO THE HALLWAY))
"He's letting the others out," A.J. stated as soon as he hung up the phone.
"All of them?" Harm asked, hope blooming in his chest.
"That's what he said," the Admiral confirmed.
They heard the noise from the chains and the padlock and the attention of everyone gathered was drawn to the double doors. Guns were withdrawn and trained to avoid the possibility of an ambush. As the remaining hostages began filing out, the tension in the outer hallway was almost palpable. Harm waited, his breath short as he counted them one by one, hoping Mac would be the next one out the door. When the door closed behind the last one out, a knife-like pain plunged deep in his chest. Duren had kept Mac. Harm spun and grabbed the arm of Matthew Johnson, Duren's other defense attorney.
"What did he do to Mac?" he demanded.
Matthew Johnson looked at his partner. Alex Joseph only shrugged and looked away. Harm lunged for the first man, grabbing the lapels of his suit jacket and shoving him against the wall.
"You tell me what they did to her!" he demanded furiously.
"Commander Rabb!" Admiral Chegwidden yelled, trying to drag Harm away from the other man.
Matthew Johnson moved away from the wall, straightening his coat. The young Commander was fairly shaking with anger, his eyes cold and hard as they stared into his own. He glanced over at his partner.
"You might as well tell him. Duren will be a dead man before this is all over," Alex sighed, shaking his dark head.
Matthew Johnson looked into Harm's icy countenance. "I think they intended to rape her. Your phone call interrupted Duren."
Harm felt the earth tip when he heard Johnson's words. "Give me your gun," his voice was cold, devoid of any emotion as he turned to look at Webb
"Commander, what are you doing?" A.J. asked suspiciously.
"I'll kill her myself before I'll let them rape her."
"Have you gone completely mad? You're going to get yourself killed!"
A.J. flared angrily. "Stand down, Commander!"
Harm rounded on his boss, coming nose to nose with him. "With all due respect, sir, I will not! You listen to me, Admiral. I will not let them rape her." He said each word slowly and precisely.
"Be reasonable. She wouldn't want you to storm in there and get shot," A.J. tried another tact.
"Oh, yes she would. Even if it means getting myself killed in the process," Harm retorted flatly. "I will not let it happen! Do you understand me? I can't let her go through that!" he yelled, his own pain radiating out in sharp waves. Before anyone could stop him, Harm lunged for Webb's weapon, pulling it from the holster. He turned and beat his fist on the doors. "I'm coming in, Duren! Do you hear me? I won't let you hurt her anymore!" He fired once at the doors of the courtroom, aiming for the padlocks he knew were on the other side.
((SPLIT BETWEEN THE COURTROOM AND THE HALLWAY))
Mac heard the black fury in Harm's voice and felt her blood turn cold. Ignoring Duren, she ran to the doors, hearing a movement behind her. Let them shoot her in the back. She was beyond caring.
"Harm! Stay out there! Don't try to come in! He'll kill you!" Mac fought the sobs clawing at her throat as she felt hands grabbing at her from behind, pulling her back.
"She's right, Rabb! I'll kill Colonel MacKenzie if you break through that door!" Duren called, raising his voice to be heard over the racket Harm was making.
"I don't care, you son of a bitch! I won't let you rape her, Duren! Do you hear me? You'll have to kill us both!"
Mac heard the rage in Harm's voice and knew he meant every word he said. She struggled against Lackey's hold and turned wild eyes to Duren. "Do something!" she cried. "You can't kill him in cold blood! Please!" she begged.
Duren stood for a moment studying her face. He was struck again by her beauty. He hated that he would have to kill her when this was all over. He nodded once to Lackey and she was released instantly. Mac wasted no time in racing to his side and grabbing his arm.
"Damn you, Duren! Stop this!"
Duren shook off her hold and went over to the door. "Colonel MacKenzie is safe for the time being, Commander. Get a hold of yourself!" he called through the wood.
"You let her go!" Harm yelled back.
"Sorry, no can do. She won't come to any further harm as long as you do exactly what I tell you to. Now back off!"
Harm braced his aching arms against the door and dropped his head forward. "Don't hurt her anymore." His voice was anguished. "Let me talk to her, please. Let her call on the phone."
Duren turned and looked at Mac. "Make it fast," he ordered coldly. Mac clutched the phone with shaking hands and dialed the extension to the hall.
The phone rang behind Harm and he sprang on it. "Mac?"
"Oh, Harm--" She struggled to hold back tears. "Please, do what he says. I'll be all right."
"I have to do something. I can't just stand here and wait. I just can't," he whispered, helpless misery bubbling up inside of him.
"Harm, if he--" her voice cracked then dropped to a whisper. "Just wait and see-- if he breaks his word, don't let this happen to me. Do whatever you have to but please don't let them rape me."
Harm heard the rising hysteria in her low voice and felt her terror clear through the phone lines and into his heart. He closed his eyes briefly, gripping the phone until his knuckles were white. He felt himself falling into blackness and sank to his knees next to the table, oblivious to everyone around him. "I won't let it happen, Sarah. I promise."
"Don't start breaking your promises to me now," she whispered.
Duren snatched the phone from Mac's hand and slammed it down before she could say anymore, breaking her connection to Harm. He grabbed her arm and jerked her against him. "Sit down in that chair over there and keep your mouth shut, Colonel."
On trembling legs, Mac did as he said. There was no more she could do now.
The phone dangled uselessly from Harm's hands. Without a word, he stumbled to his feet and dropped the bleating receiver back into its cradle.
"For some reason Duren seems to be listening to what she says. Maybe she can make further headway with him," Webb suggested.
Harm looked up at them and sighed, his eyes clouded. "I doubt it. I believe he means to kill her. I have to get her out of there," he stated heavily.
"There's too much gun power in there to try anything. Duren would kill her before we could get to him," Webb pointed out again.
Harm looked at the Admiral. "We can't let them get away. Can an air squad bring them down once they leave here?" he asked.
"We're in civilian air space," A.J. began slowly.
"A Tomcat squadron can track them until they clear our air space and then shoot them down," Harm stated.
"Let me see what I can find out," A.J. promised and reached for the phone.
1715 ZULU
COURTROOM 2
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
"Commander Rabb."
The Admiral's voice cut into Harm's wandering thoughts.
"Sir?" he called, turning to look at A.J.
"The helicopters and the six men Duren wants released will be here within two hours."
((BACK TO THE COURTROOM))
"I really wish you'd relax, Colonel. As long as we get out of here you'll be just fine."
Mac eyed James Duren with all the loathing and hatred she could muster. "I'm glad you think this is such a walk in the park. I'm sorry if I can't muster up my enthusiasm."
"You know, Colonel, you look really good with this rough and wild look. Has Commander Rabb ever seen you like this? I wish I could be here to see the look on his face."
Mac met his gaze with a hard stare and didn't respond.
"I don't want the Commander or anyone else out there getting any ideas about 'taking care' of us once we get out of here. In order to insure that, you're going to accompany us. Once we're safely out of the country, the location of your whereabouts will be relayed to Commander Rabb and he can come retrieve you."
"How can you guarantee him you won't kill me the first chance you get?" she demanded.
"He'll have to take my word for it just like you will," Duren answered.
((BACK TO THE HALLWAY))
"Duren, Rabb here."
"Commander Rabb, got a good answer for me?"
"They'll be here within the next two hours," Harm answered calmly.
"I knew you would figure out a way to make it work. Colonel MacKenzie is going to be escorting us once the helos arrive."
"What?" Harm exploded. "Why are you taking her?"
"Because, Commander Rabb, if I take her then you won't get any weird ideas about trying to stop us from getting away. I know you won't risk your precious partner."
"So help me, Duren?"
"Talk to you in two hours, Commander."
Harm heard the dial tone sound in his ear and slammed the phone down. "Damn it."
"What is it?" Admiral Chegwidden asked sharply.
"He's taking Mac with him. We can't let him get her out of US air space, Admiral. He could hide her in a thousand different places where I'll never be able to find her."
"I think I know why he's spared Mac," Webb spoke up before A.J. could answer. Harm looked over at him. "I think he's using Mac as a tool to get what he wants from Harm. It's no secret that Mac and Harm are best friends so it wouldn't have been hard for Duren to find that out. By holding Mac, he's been able to bend Harm to his will," he explained matter-of-factly.
"That doesn't make any sense," Harm scoffed.
"Doesn't it?" Webb inquired, lifting one brow.
"Regardless of why he's doing it, I agree with the Commander that we can't let him take her out of US air space," Admiral Chegwidden spoke up.
"I want to go up with the squad," Harm stated.
"Commander Rabb," A.J. began, "I don't really think it's necessary for you to?"
"Admiral, please. I know you'd rather I didn't but I can't just stand around here and do nothing. This is Mac we're talking about. I don't trust Duren, no matter why any of us believe he's keeping her alive. I believe once he gets her away from here, he'll kill her. Especially if he's carrying any notions of revenge toward me," Harm reasoned.
"Have them patch you through to Captain Ingles. His squad is the closest. Discuss it with him and get a plan together. Then we'll talk about it," A.J. ordered.
"Aye, sir."
1845 ZULU
COURTROOM 2
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac jumped slightly when the phone rang, interrupting the stillness in the room. Her eyes swung to the clock on the wall. It was almost time.
"Duren here," he barked in greeting.
"ETA five minutes," Harm stated coldly.
"We will be out in ten and there better not be any sign of you or SRT."
"Let me talk to Colonel MacKenzie," Harm ordered.
Duren was silent for a long moment. "Fine," he consented. "Make it quick."
"Harm?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Okay"
"You wouldn't tell me otherwise, would you?"
"No." If he could see the pain that tightened her mouth into a flat line, he would know the real truth. Tears threatened on her lashes but she resolutely pushed them away, knowing they would only make her feel worse.
Her candid answer brought a small chuckle from his lips. "We have a plan. I'm not going to let him get far with you, Mac."
"I want you to stay back, Harm. If I ever meant anything at all, you'll stay out of this."
"No way," he stated flatly. "There's no way I'm staying here."
She was silent for a moment. "Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you remember when your plane went down? The night of the rehearsal dinner?"
Harm closed his eyes against the memories. "I remember. Why?"
"I knew you weren't dead. I could feel it in my heart. If you had been, I would have known it."
Harm pressed his lips into a flat line. "We need to talk as soon as we get past this," he murmured.
"You've been saying that forever, sailor."
Harm almost smiled at her attempt at humor. "I mean it this time. No more waiting."
"Do you promise? Because if you do then I'll know you're serious this time."
"I promise, Sarah. I?"
"This is all very touching, Commander, but we have to go. It's been fun."
"Duren?" Harm began but the dial tone was already in his ear.
He threw the phone down and looked at A.J. and Webb.
"You make contact as soon as you can," Admiral Chegwidden ordered.
"Yes, sir."
1915 ZULU
ANDREWS AFB
"Good luck, sir."
"Thanks," Harm called over his shoulder to the pilot of the helo that picked him up at JAG. He ran across the tarmac to a waiting Tomcat and was immediately cleared for takeoff.
"Commander Rabb, we're a go for launch. They should be with you in two," Captain Ingles stated, his voice tinny over the radio.
"Aye, sir, and thank you for your assistance," Harm answered. "Flight 1, flight 1, do you have radar?"
"Redeye, this is Flight 1. That's a negative. Radar has not been established. They must be flying under.
"Damn," Harm muttered under his breath. "Keep watch, Flight 1."
"Yes, sir."
"Commander Rabb, I wish I could say this was a surprise but I figured you for something like this."
"Duren, I'm only here to make sure Colonel MacKenzie is released."
"Sure," Duren laughed mockingly. "In a Tomcat? That's the trouble with our military, Commander Rabb. Always underestimating the opponent. It's a wonder some other country hasn't taken us over already. Blind luck on our part, I guess. I distinctly remember telling you not to try anything once we left JAG, didn't I?"
Harm was frantically searching his radar screen for some sign of the helicopters but there was no sign of Duren and his men. "We're not trying anything," he tried. "Think of me more as your escort."
"You're only digging yourself in deeper so I suggest you shut up," Duren stated coldly. "No matter now anyway. I found that I was no longer in need of Colonel MacKenzie's services so we dropped her off."
"What? Where is she, Duren?!" Harm yelled into his mike.
"One clue to a customer, Commander. Get out your little Squid Scout manual and find the point one hundred miles due East as the crow flies."
Harm's fist tightened on the stick. "There's nothing East but the Atlantic, Duren."
"Well, well, well, so you are a smart man after all, Commander Rabb. I was beginning to wonder. With all due respect, sir, tell the Navy I said they could stick it up their ass."
"Duren!" Harm yelled. "Damn it, Duren, answer me! Flight 1, Flight 1, mayday, mayday, mayday, requesting immediate SAR to an Atlantic area due East of Falls Church, VA. Man overboard, man overboard. Repeat, mayday, mayday, mayday, requesting assistance to the Atlantic due East of Falls Church, VA immediately off the coast. Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie is overboard."
"Rabb, it's Captain Ingles. We're about an hour from that point. I'll send a Seahawk out immediately to look for the Colonel."
Harm turned the Tomcat. "Captain, I want to be in on the search. I'm headed your way now, can someone take me out?"
"Affirmative. We'll be waiting for you."
1930 ZULU
USS PATRICK HENRY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
The Seahawk was waiting as soon as Harm left the Tomcat. They were airborne in minutes, headed for the area of the Atlantic Duren claimed to have dumped Mac. Binoculars in hand, Harm and the young Lieutenant riding in the back with him began searching.
1930 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
"Captain Ingles, this is Admiral Chegwidden, what the hell is going on out there?"
"Admiral, Commander Rabb just went up in a Seahawk. Apparently the man you're after dumped Colonel MacKenzie."
Webb sucked in a sharp breath and his eyes met A.J.'s. "Any sign of her yet?" he asked.
"They've just went up. My men are still after Duren. He'll have to come up in radar sooner or later," his voice was scratchy over the intercom.
"You'll notify me immediately when Colonel MacKenzie is found?" A.J. asked.
"Yes, sir."
((BACK TO THE SEAHAWK))
"Red Eagle, Red Eagle, this is Flight 1, any sign of the Colonel yet? Over."
"Flight 1, we have not established a visual yet. Conducting a zigzag now."
Harm blinked furiously as sweat stung his eyes. He moved the binoculars slowly, his knuckles white on the grips.
"Sir, I think I found something!"
Harm turned to Lieutenant Sharp. "Where?"
"Look ten degrees to the left. You can barely see it but it looks like it could be a body."
((IN THE ATLANTIC))
Mac felt the current pulling her farther and farther out to sea and tried not to struggle against it. Duren hadn't even given her a life vest so she was floating precariously on the waves. The water was frigid and sapping what little strength she had left. Something brushed against her leg just then, bringing a sharp pain with it and she cried out. Then she went under, seawater filling her mouth and choking her. Arms flailing, she kicked herself free and gasped for air. For a moment, she struggled wildly before she managed to get herself calmed down enough to tread water. A noise caught her attention then and she strained to hear it. It was a helicopter! Panicked, she searched the sky overhead, looking for the craft. What if Duren was coming back? Exhausted tears spilled over as she pushed her wet hair out of her face, struggling to stay afloat.
"What does it matter if it is him," she whispered. "If I'm in this water much longer I'll die anyway."
((BACK TO THE SEAHAWK))
Harm scanned the horizon where Lieutenant Sharp indicated. Back and forth he moved the binoculars, trying to see?
"There! I see it, too! Turn ten degrees right and slow down!" he called to the pilot.
"Roger that, Commander."
Harm moved to the edge of the open door and looked down at the water as the Seahawk turned and moved in that direction. His eyes picked up the slight movement of something dark. Snatching up the binoculars, he tried to get a closer look.
"It's Colonel MacKenzie!" he called, his relief evident.
"Flight 1, Flight 1, this is Red Eagle. We have found Colonel MacKenzie. I repeat, we have located the Colonel."
"Roger, Red Eagle. Do you have her onboard?"
"Negative. We'll radio when we do."
Mac couldn't stop from crying when the Seahawk came into view. She saw two men hunched in the side opening and one of them waved his arm to her. She tried to raise her arm to wave back when she recognized Harm. As the helo drew overhead, the wind from the rotors buffeted her body, making her even colder. Teeth chattering, she watched as they began lowering a harness to her.
Harm watched as she struggled to get into the harness. Even though it was late summer the water was still frigid and she could be in a slight state of shock. Every time she tried to get the harness over her head it slipped from her fingers and landed back in the water.
"Come on," he whispered to himself. "You can do it."
Then finally she got the harness over her head and under her arms and gave them a weak thumbs-up. With a nod from Harm, Lieutenant Sharp flipped the switch to raise her to the helo. Ever so slowly, she came closer and closer. Seconds later Harm reached out and grasped her cold hands, pulling her in beside him. He got her out of the harness and took the blanket Lieutenant Sharp handed him. He wrapped it around her tightly then pulled her against him, his big hands rubbing her back and arms. The young Lieutenant wrapped another blanket around her legs and feet to help warm her up.
"Get us back to the carrier now," he ordered sharply to the pilot. He curved his body around her to provide some warmth. "Hang on, Sarah, hang on," he whispered, his lips against her ear.
Mac's icy fingers clutched the front of his flight suit. "I'm so? cold," she gasped. "I thought? you wouldn't? find me," she gasped, her body shaking violently from the cold.
Harm pressed her even closer, smoothing one broad hand over her wet hair. "I wouldn't have stopped until I did."
"Flight 1, Flight 1, this is Red Eagle. We have Colonel MacKenzie and we're coming home. Over."
"Affirmative, Red Eagle. We'll notify Admiral Chegwidden."
((BACK TO JAG))
"Admiral? They found her."
A.J. closed his eyes for an instant when he heart Captain Ingles' voice. "Thank God," he murmured. "Are they onboard?" he asked.
"They're on the way now. I'll have Commander Rabb call you as soon as they have Colonel MacKenzie stabilized."
"Thank you," A.J. answered.
He and Webb exchanged a relieved look. "I better go tell the others they found her."
((BACK TO THE PATRICK HENRY))
The ride to the Henry was tense and as soon as they landed, Mac was put on a stretcher and whisked away. Harm followed behind, pulling off his flight gear as he went. Down in sick bay, he was forced to wait outside while the ship's doctor examined her.
"Commander?"
Harm's head snapped up and he pushed away from the wall where he was leaning. "How is she?"
"Thanks to your quick efforts she'll be fine. She'll need a few days' rest but won't have any lasting effects. Any longer in the water and she'd be dead. She was stung several times by Jellyfish so I've got her on an antidote. Typical symptoms beyond that; dehydration, exhaustion; nothing time won't heal. I'll let you go in and see her but don't tire her out. She needs to rest," Captain Court stated firmly.
"Aye, sir, and thank you," Harm murmured, already pushing the door open.
It was dark in the room except for one light over her bed. Harm moved slowly toward the bed, lowering himself into a nearby chair. Carefully, he slid his fingers under hers and lifted her hand, pressing it to his cheek. The way she looked drove home the seriousness of all that had happened since that morning. Two IVs dripped next to the bed and she'd been washed clean of the seawater and blood. One eye was black and swollen and her bottom lip was split from Duren's earlier blows.
"Mac?" he called softly.
It took a minute but very slowly, her lashed lifted and she looked at him. For several long seconds they just stared at each other.
"Hey, Sailor," she whispered.
"Hey, yourself," he answered.
"Did you catch Duren?" she asked, sounding breathless.
"Not yet, but we will. You don't worry about him right now, okay? You need to sleep. Tomorrow morning a transport will take us back to shore."
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
Harm lifted one brow in surprise. "For what?"
"For everything that happened."
He leaned very close to her, his warm breath fanning her face and touched a finger to her lips. "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. Duren is sick and if it hadn't been you, it would have been someone else. I'm just glad he had the foresight not to take you any farther or I might not have gotten to you in time," he stated softly.
Her eyes slowly roamed his tired features, taking in the new lines of strain and worry.
"I was more scared thank I ever remember being," she whispered. "Would you? Harm, would you just hold me for a minute?" she asked, her voice raspy from all the water she swallowed.
Without a word, he moved to sit on the bed and gathered her into his arms, mindful of her battered body. Tenderly, he rocked her, splaying his hands across her back, relishing the feel of her slender form. His buried one hand in her hair, pressing her head to his chest.
"I would have kept looking for you," he murmured. "No matter what."
2215 ZULU
SOMEWHERE IN THE MOUNTAINS
NORTH OF MCLEAN, VIRGINIA
"You look lovely," he murmured as she came into the kitchen.
Looking at the beautifully set table, she said, "I feel like I should have dressed up."
"Not on my account," he winked as he looked over her flowing white sundress.
He pulled out her chair for her and waited until she was comfortable before moving away. Mac watched him move around the kitchen, bringing dishes to the table. Soft music played in the background; there was a bouquet of delicate blush roses from the garden, linen napkins and fine china gracing the table. Harm was dressed in a pair of soft, worn jeans and a white button down shirt.
"Are you hungry?" he questioned, breaking into her thoughts.
"Starving," Mac confessed, laughing warmly, the husky sound filling Harm. "Thank you, Harm."
"You're welcome."
He finally joined her and they began to eat, not talking just content with each other's company.
"This feels different from the dates we've had," she admitted.
"Maybe because things are looking a lot different now," he answered.
She nodded slowly but didn't answer.
"Would you dance with me?" she asked a moment later, laying down her fork.
Something sparked in his eyes. "I would love to."
Standing, Harm tugged her from her chair and led her into the darkened living room where the stereo played. Mac's slid one hand up his arm to his shoulder, moving closer even as he was drawing her in. Eyes locked, they began to move. He tucked the hand he was holding against his chest and drew her a little closer, their bodies brushing just enough to tantalize them both. Mac lowered her head and let her eyes drift shut. She felt Harm shift and then his cheek was resting against her temple. One big hand splayed across her bare back, his callused fingers just a little rough against her smooth, silky skin. Mac shivered slightly.
"Cold?" he murmured, his breath stirring her hair.
"No."
Mac lifted her head and met Harm's eyes. He studied her intently, his gaze steady. "What's happening to us, Mac?" he asked, his husky voice calling her nerves to attention.
"Something that started happening a long time ago," she admitted softly.
Instead of denying it, Harm smiled tenderly at her. "It has, hasn't it?" he mused. "You've been hiding you're feelings from me for a long time," he stated gently.
"I was trying to keep them hidden," she said.
"Why?"
"Because you seemed so bent on us never being more than friends and partners. I was trying to follow your lead."
"I've wasted a lot of time and almost lost you to someone else in the process. To tell you the truth I was scared to death."
"Scared?" she moved back slightly in surprise. "Of what?"
"Of losing you. Of losing us. We've been so close for so long and as time went on, I was scared of losing that. Then we had such a hard time after I came back for flying and I knew that not only did I have to let go of that dream, but I'd pushed you away in the process of chasing it. Then Brumby was always there in the way and I couldn't seem to get around him. When I left JAG you couldn't even stand being around him then suddenly it was like he'd taken over my place in your life."
Mac stared at him incredulously. "Mic never took your place and he never took the time to build a friendship with me like you had. He was after me the minute you left and I think deep down I knew it was because you were gone. He felt he finally had a chance. Harm, even Mic knew how I felt for you. I believe he just thought he could overcome it in time," she explained, burying her face against his chest. "After awhile I was so flattered by his constant attention and you were so far away?" she let her voice trail off.
"I was confused," he sighed, stroking her back. "It seemed that every time we made a step forward, we took two more back. He was in my way and you seemed so happy that I didn't know what to do. I was torn between telling you that I wanted my chance and wanting you to be happy ? which you seemed with Brumby. I spent so much time pushing you away and denying how I felt that I wasn't sure there was room in your life for me anymore. It wasn't until the night of your engagement party at JAG that I thought there might still be time. Do you remember the way you looked at me across the room?" he asked.
"I remember. I looked up and you were staring," she answered.
"I was jealous," he stated heavily. "More jealous than I can ever remember being in my life. I hated Brumby for having what I suddenly realized I wanted and I hated you for seeming so happy with him."
Mac sighed, her eyes troubled. "It was an act to convince everyone, including myself. I thought if I pretended hard enough, I would believe I really would be happy with Mic. I was determined to see it through, no matter what. And the closer the wedding came, the harder I hard to try to keep up the act. I was so close. Once we were married, I'd be safe. Mic wanted to move back to Australia and that would firmly remove me from your path," she said. "And then your plane went down and the decision was out of my hands. I did us all an injustice by letting that farce of an engagement go on as long as it did. I hurt Mic terribly when it was the last thing I wanted to do but I hurt us more. I rubbed it in your face all those months because I was angry. I wanted to get back at you for not wanting me enough to fight for me. And then for getting involved with Renee so quickly and staying with her when it was so obvious she wasn't your type."
Harm searched her face, taking in the flush high on her cheeks.
"I'm not proud of what I did, Harm. I was just as wrong as you for being so stubborn and spiteful," she whispered.
"That's why I don't want to wait any longer. Before I forget, I have something for you."
She looked surprised that he changed the subject.
"Don't worry," he smiled. "We aren't done talking by a long shot. I was going to give this to you later but I think this is a good time. Come with me."
Taking her by the hand, Harm led her down the hall to his room. Perching herself on the edge of the bed, she watched as he withdrew a large, flat box from the closet. Sitting down beside her, he laid the package across her lap. Mac looked at him questioningly.
"Go ahead," he urged, nodding toward the box.
Mac pulled off the bright red ribbon binding and slowly lifted the lid. Folding back layers of tissue paper, she gasped when she saw what was inside. At a loss for words, she stared at the silver-framed eight by ten of her and Harm. Ham slipped one arm around her shoulders and tugged her against him.
The shot was from the charity ball they attended the night before Duren's trial started. They were dancing and the look on both of their faces stunned Mac. Gently, she traced the image with her fingers. The camera caught the feelings both of them had been desperately trying to hide for so long.
"Oh, my, God," she whispered, lifting her eyes to his.
"There isn't going to be anymore hiding," he told her. "Whatever you want to call it?fate, divine intervention or God, things have changed for us. The night my plane went down I was trying to get back because I was determined to stop the wedding. All I could think about was our talk on the Admiral's porch and kissing you. That was the biggest change and there was no going back from there. Now this mess with Duren. If you and I have learned nothing in the last year it's that life only takes a split second. One second to lose everything we have. I'm not willing to face that again Mac. I think you and I have run out of chances to figure it out. The next time something happens to one of us, it may be the last chance. Seeing you with Duren?I can't begin to tell you what that did to me. I know this isn't the first time we've been in danger or gotten hurt but something about this time was different. Maybe it was seeing him hurt you or hearing your screams. The terror went straight to my heart because I couldn't be sure the next gunshot I heard wouldn't be the one ending your life."
She studied his face for a long moment. Without a word she curled her hand around the back of his neck and tugged his head down. Mac started slightly at the first tender touch of his mouth. As the pressure increased, warmth flooded her and she realized kissing Harm was everything she'd ever hoped it could be. Harm moved his hands up to the middle of her back and pressed her against him. She put the picture aside and moved her other hand to his jaw, holding him as if she were afraid he would move away. Angling his head a little more to the side, he deepened the kiss, touching his tongue to the seam of her lips. When his tongue slipped in to investigate the dark cavern of her mouth, a low moan slipped from her throat. Harm fed on the tiny sound and increased his pressure, drinking from her sweet mouth.
((PICTURE FLASHES OF OLD SCENES BETWEEN THEM--SILENT SERVICE, WEBB OF LIES AND GOODBYES))
[[[[With a cry of rage, Harm hit Hodge from behind with a hypodermic
needle, plunging it into the younger man's back. Howling anger, he
reared back, stumbling against the wall. It took only a second for the
drugs to work and he slumped to the floor. Harm turned and grabbed Mac,
lowering her to the floor. Tipping her head back, he cupped one hand
around her chin and the pinched her nose with the other. Fitting his
mouth to hers, he blew in one quick breath. He turned to look at her
chest. Nothing. He blew another breath and looked again. Still
nothing. He started to blow once more when she gasped, immediately
coughing as air filled her lungs. Harm got her by the neck and shoulder
and lifted her up, moving behind her. He held her close, his own heart
beating frantically as he pressed his rough cheek to her soft one,
closing his eyes on a prayer of relief. Mac drew in several shallow
gasps, lifting her hand to her burning eyes. Harm pressed his hand to
her forehead, sliding it back over her damp hair as Mac lifted her arm
and pressed her hand to his cheek. Harm turned his head into her caress,
closing his eyes for just an instant.]]]]
[[[["I expected there to be death when I joined the Marines. Not when I joined JAG. Not like this. It's like everyone around me keeps dying." She dropped her head and a small sob slipped out.
Harm came closer still. "Hey, you had nothing to do with this."
"No, Dalton would still be alive if he hadn't been involved with me. My ex-husband wouldn't have died if he hadn't come back to see me."
"You don't know that, okay? And you certainly had nothing to do with Clayton's death," Harm continued, trying to reassure her.
"Look at me, I'm crying like a big baby," she wiped ineffectually at her tears. "No wonder they don't want women in combat."
"Hey, men cry in combat all the time. They just don't admit it," he grinned, stepping right up next to her. He reached out and tenderly cupped the side of her face, leaning closer.
Mac curved both of her hands around his wrist, rubbing her fingers against his skin. She managed a small smile. "Hey, go on, go back to bed. I'm supposed to be here watching out for you remember?"
"Oh, yeah, I forgot," he gave her that little half-grin of his. "Goodnight, ninja girl."]]]]
[[[[She was sitting in his chair when he came back, arms crossed over her chest.
"Did you think you'd sneak away without saying goodbye?" she asked.
He paused and lifted one hand to brace his weight against the doorjamb. "Why goodbye and not good luck?" he asked, almost playfully. He walked the rest of the way into the office and shut the door behind him.
Mac rose from his chair and met him halfway between the desk and the door. He stopped in front of her and looked into her eyes.
"Mmm, didn't I say that to you once when I was stupid enough to leave JAG?" she asked.
"Yes, you did."
"You said you were happy for me," she countered.
"I was? but that was different. You were in love," he murmured.
"And you're not?" she asked just as softly, looking at him with her heart in her eyes.
Harm's gaze rested on hers for a tense moment before he looked away, almost as if he were uncomfortable by her question. "What does love have to do with anything?" he answered flippantly.
She tried to smile and drew in a shuddering breath as tears began to fall and he looked back up to her face.
He raised his hand to her face, his thumb sweeping the tears from her cheek. "Hey," he murmured, still looking into her eyes.
She tried to cover what was happening with a forced laugh and looked around for an instant. "Hey, you want me to water your plants while you're gone?" she offered.
"I don't have any plants," he tried to smile, too, but somehow it didn't look like the flyboy grin that usually knocked her knees out.
She was trying hard not to cry but she met his gaze head on. "Damn it. I have so much I want to say to you..." she began. "But I can't find the words."
"I know," he murmured gently, his eyes locked hard on her.
She was crying now and then they went into each other's arms, holding on tight.
"Damn you, why am I the only one crying?" she demanded as several fat tears rolled down her smooth cheeks.
He had her in his arms now and she clung to him tightly, holding her close and feeling her tremble with tears. Mac slid her hands across his shoulders and bit her lip. Drawing in a slow, steadying breath that wouldn't alert her, he pulled back and stepped away - instantly feeling the loss of her warmth and the feel of her slender form. She looked at him with her heart in her eyes and Harm knew for sure at that very second that she loved him with every fiber of her being and that was when he picked up the box full of his personal stuff, spun on his heel and walked away from her and every part of their life together.
Mac dried her cheeks, squared her shoulders and walked into the bullpen to join the rest of her office mates. Admiral Chegwidden, Mic and Bud gathered at her sides and they all looked to the elevator when Harm was stepping inside. He met the eyes of each of them and then the doors slid shut and he was gone.]]]]
((BACK TO HARM AND MAC))
The years between them fell away. All the hiding, the pretense, fell away into nothing. All that remained now was the intense feelings they shared for each other. Harm shifted and delved his hands into Mac's hair, turning her head as his mouth devoured hers. Time disappeared and Mac was only aware of the man holding her so tightly. Her best friend. Suddenly, Harm tore his mouth away and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. Mac's eyes were closed, her own breath coming in rapid spurts. Her hands curled around his forearms, holding onto him even though his fingers were still tangled in her hair.
"This could get out of hand very fast," he muttered gruffly.
"We've waited a long time," Mac agreed.
"Too long to rush it now." Harm lifted his head and pinned her with a hard look. "We have a lot to talk about, Mac. Let's take this one day at a time."
Mac smiled lovingly at him. "I thought women were supposed to put the brakes on."
"We can't hurry this up, Mac. I couldn't take it if you changed your mind and decided you didn't want this after all."
Mac nodded, agreeing with the wisdom of his words. "I understand what drove you for so long. It's terrifying to think of crossing a line we can never uncross. And we would lose everything if we tried."
"Do you think that's going to happen to us?" he asked softly. "No matter where we've been or what we've been through, we've come through it stronger. Don't you think we can do that this time, too?"
She smiled almost shyly at him. "You tell me, flyboy, you're the one who's been running the fastest," she teased gently.
"Then I guess it's time we stopped running from and started running to."
The End--