Home Is Where Your Love Is

            Chapter Two

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    Part 6    Part 7    Part 8    Page 2

Hey everyone!

First of all, I want to thank you all for your kind words, well-wishes and mostly for your patience.  It means a lot to me. Please don’t worry, I’m okay – well, at least on my way to it LOL

 Anyway, I decided it's time to go public with the second chapter of HIWYLI.  This chapter is not quite complete.  There are 2 or 3 parts still missing, but we promise to finish up in the very near future.  You should also know that with what is going on at the moment, I will be unable to post on a daily basis.  I hope you will all understand.  There will be a third chapter at some point in time.  I know where I want to go with this story, and with Kathy's help, I'm sure we will be able to forge on.  No promises on how soon or how fast though.  Just know we are doing our best.

Now, on with the second chapter.  I hope you enjoy it.  Take care.

Love,

Michi

Title: Home Is Where Your Love Is – Chapter II

Author: Michaela aka Michi

Co-Author: Kathy aka SpecKay

E-mails: Michi - catherinebellfan@gmx.de or mp111275@yahoo.de

               Kathy - specialkay321@comcast.net

Website: http://www.michisjagheaven.com/

Rating: IM15

Classification: Harm & Mac / Friendship / Romance / Humor

Spoilers: The story ‘Home Is Where Your Love Is – Chapter I’ and everything up to the season six episode ‘Lifeline’ (let’s pretend that the date of the airing was the actual date for the engagement party. Airdate was May 08 2001). The rest of the JAG era never happened in this story…

Disclaimer: JAG and its characters are the property of Bellisario Productions, CBS, and Paramount.

Summary: A tragedy interferes in the lives of Harm and Mac, and it's the beginning of something they thought was long lost...

*

Friday

May 18, 2001

Harm’s Apartment

North of Union Station

7:04 AM

The day had dawned beautiful and bright, and not just because the sun was out. Today was AJ’s second birthday party, and Mac was anxious to spend time with her favorite little man. She also hoped that her favorite sailor had finished his investigation on the USS Patrick Henry and would be able to join them for AJ’s big day.

She was standing in front of Harm’s wardrobe deciding what to wear when the phone rang. Mac jumped in anticipation, hoping it was Harm.

“Hello, Rabb’s residence,” Mac answered into the phone.

“Auntie Mac, Auntie Mac, t’day ‘s my party. You comin’, right?” Little AJ bellowed.

Mac smiled warmly at the obvious enthusiasm in her godson’s voice. “Yes, sweetheart, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the whole, wide world,” she assured him sweetly, making herself comfortable on the bed, knowing exactly what was coming next.

“Unca Harm comin’ too?”

‘I sure hope so,’ Mac sadly thought to herself. She missed him terribly. It was the first time they had been separated for any length of time since her mishap.

Mac took a deep breath before finally answering her godson. “Well, sweetie, Uncle Harm is working. You remember how he told you all about it the other day when we went for beltway burgers, right? But he promises to do everything he can to get home in time because he really wants to see you. Okay?”

It had happened on Monday, shortly after they had left the hospital. They’d just found a place to sit where Mac and Little AJ could eat their burgers and Harm his salad when his cell phone rang. It was the Admiral, informing Harm that he was immediately needed on the USS Patrick Henry to investigate the death of a Petty Officer, and that his flight from Andrews was leaving in less than four hours.

Even though he would be able to recertified for his annual carrier-landing quals while he was aboard the Henry couldn’t cheer Harm up. As much as he loved to fly, he didn’t want to leave Mac behind. She assured him that she would be fine, especially since Grams would still be in Washington for at least a few more days. After that, she was sure Harriet would help her out if necessary.

She knew it was his job and his duty to go, but deep down she had to admit that she hated that he was going. Though she would definitely miss him, the fact that he would be spending part of the time being in the air doing his quals was torturing her.

“’kay, “AJ responded sadly, bringing Mac out of her thoughts.

“Colonel?” Harriet asked into the phone, having taken it back from AJ.

“Harriet, when are you going to start calling me Mac when we are not in the office?” Mac asked laughing.

“I’m sorry, Co…. Mac. Habit, I guess,” Harriet replied chuckling. “I hope AJ didn’t wake you. He woke up so excited and wanted to talk to you. I tried to get him to wait a while, but he insisted.”

“No… no, I was already awake. In fact, I was dressing and then I am going to drive in to the office. Harm left AJ’s present there, so I thought I would run by and pick it up. I have to admit I am getting a little bored just hanging around.”

“Well, don’t overdo it. You are still recovering and you should give your body all the time it needs,” Harriet scolded.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Mac replied laughing before getting serious again. ‘She sounds like Harm,’ Mac thought while she said out loud, “I know, Harriet. I’ll take my time at whatever I decide to do. Thanks for caring and for all you’ve done for me, especially for taking the time to go shopping for me. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like I minded being in Harm’s clothes… using his toiletries… sleeping in his bed..,” Mac admitted, stopping midway. What followed was a short break of silence. “Good Lord, did I just say that out loud?”

“Um… hmm. You did.” Harriet giggled.

“Well, let’s… ah… just pretend I didn’t, okay? Anyway, what I mean is, it is nice to finally be able to wear things that fit me and to finally smell like a woman again. And the sunglasses are perfect. I owe you big time.”

Harriet laughed. “I can imagine. You’re welcome, Ma’am, but you really don’t need to thank me for anything, honestly. Nor do you owe me anything. I’m just glad I could help out. Well, I should get a move on or I am going to be late. I certainly don’t want the Admiral’s wrath on my head. So I’ll see you at JAG in a while then.”

“Will do, Harriet. Bye.”

“Bye-bye, Auntie Mac,” AJ was screaming in the background.

Mac laughed. “Harriet, give that adorable godson of mine a kiss from me and tell him I will see him later on today.”

“I will, Mac.”

“You’re learning, Harriet. I’m impressed,” Mac said chuckling. “Guess there’s still hope.”

Harriet laughed. “I’m trying. See you soon. Bye for now.” With that said, the line was disconnected.

*

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

9:23 AM

Mac strode into the bullpen and was immediately bombarded by all her co-workers who were thrilled to see her. They all had questions for her. Some of which she could answer and some she couldn’t.

If she was asked ‘what happened?’ one more time, she was going to totally loose it. It not only made her feel uncomfortable, it brought all the worrying back. She had tried many times over the course of the week to get more information from the police, but to no avail. All she got was ‘we’re still investigating’ with no answers forthcoming. She couldn’t help but wonder what was taking so long and if they knew what they were doing. After all, something big could be going on and they wouldn’t even know it. That thought in itself made her shiver.

Harriet gave Mac a few minutes with her co-workers before deciding it was time to step in and rescue her.

“Colonel, I have collected your mail in your office for you. Would you like to take a look at it before you leave?”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. Yes, I would,” Mac answered appreciatively.

Harriet quickly took her by the elbow and ushered her away from the crowd and into her office, closing the door behind them. “Phew,” she whistled out.

“Oh, thank you so much, Harriet. I didn’t know how to politely excuse myself. You are a life saver, as usual.”

Harriet laughed. “You just looked like you desperately needed rescuing so I was only to happy to oblige.”

“It feels a little strange to be around so many people again. Once Harm left, it was just Grams and me for most of the week. It was so nice to have her around. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

“Oh, I think you would have managed just fine if you only had Harm around to take care of you. Helping you get your clothes on… and off,” Harriet gloated with a twinkle in her eye.

“Haaarrrriiieeet!” Mac screeched, blushing a bright red. “You didn’t just say that.”

“What? Are you going to stand there and tell me that you would not have enjoyed every minute of it?” Harriet questioned. “Hell, I’m a married woman, but I certainly would have loved every minute of it,” Harriet concluded chuckling.

“You’re bad! Shame on you, Harriet Roberts,” Mac quipped. “What would Bud say?”

Harriet laughed soundly. “He would probably be shocked.”

They looked at each other and broke out laughing as they both pictured the totally stunned look Bud would have on his face.

Their laughter ended abruptly at a knock on her door.

“Enter!” Mac called out.

Mac, even though she was out of uniform, immediately came to attention when she saw the Admiral enter her office.

Harriet came to attention as well and quickly showed herself out. “If you’ll excuse me, Ma’am, Sir.”

“At ease, Colonel. Nice to see you,” Admiral Chegwidden said politely.

“Thank you, Sir. It is nice to be here,” Mac responded, and since her office wasn’t overly bright she decided to take her sunglasses off. She was hoping by Monday she would be able to stop walking around like a member of the Blues Brothers.

“How are you feeling, Mac?” AJ asked softly, using her nickname allowing her to feel more at ease.

“I’m doing pretty well, Sir. Coming along nicely, or so I am told,” Mac explained, grinning.

“Well that is good to hear, and I hope you will be able to get back to work soon. You are sorely missed around here, that’s for sure.”

“Thank you, Sir. I can’t wait to get back, actually.”

“Getting bored already?” the Admiral asked chuckling.

Mac laughed. “You have no idea, Sir.”

“Just don’t rush it, Mac. You don’t want to do any unnecessary damage by pushing yourself. Understood, Colonel?”

“Understood, Sir.”

Admiral Chegwidden nodded his head and for a short moment looked around the office, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he asked his next question. “Oh, by the way, what are your plans as far as your living arrangements go?”

Mac became a little unsettled at the turn in their conversation. “Well, Sir, as you know, I am currently staying with Harm as I was told I could not be alone. But I assure you that I plan on actively looking for someplace to live very, very soon.”

What she didn’t tell him was how hard it was going to be for her to leave Harm.

What she didn’t know was that the Admiral didn’t have to be told how she felt, he was neither stupid, nor blind – he already knew. 

“Very well, Colonel.” With that said, AJ bid his farewell and left.

Mac took a deep breath, feeling like she’d just been interrogated. She stayed in her office for a few minutes before she made her way to Harm’s office to retrieve Little AJ’s present. She bumped into Bud on her way over there.

“Hello, Ma’am. Harriet told me you would be here today. It is really good to see you.”

“Thank you, Bud. It is really nice to be here.”

“Can I help you with anything, Ma’am?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks. I am just on my way to Harm’s office in search of Little AJ’s birthday present. Harm left it here.”

“Okay, then. We will see you later on at the party.”

“Okay, Bud… see you there.” 

Mac walked in to Harm’s office and immediately saw AJ’s present on one of the chairs in the office. Mac picked it up and was about to leave, when the phone rang. Thinking maybe Harm had tracked her down, she decided to pick it up.

“Rabb’s office, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie speaking… No, I’m sorry. Commander Rabb is out of the office. I expect him back within a few days. Can someone else help you? … Okay, I see. Why don’t I take a message for the Commander and he will find it upon his return.” Mac, needing something to write with, opened his desk drawer in search of something. She found a pen and proceeded to write down the message before ending the phone-call.

She had been training herself for the past couple of days to write left-handed, and even though her writing wasn’t the best, it was readable. When she had finished and was satisfied that it was legible, she returned the pen to the drawer.

That is when her eyes landed on something very familiar.

It was the note Harm had written to her.

“I totally forgot about this,” she murmured to herself and picked it up, starting to read it again.

‘Dear Sarah,

There’s so much I have to tell you. So much I want…’

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second when a voice behind her made her jump.

“Colonel, didn’t anyone ever tell you that it is not very polite to snoop,” Lieutenant Loren Singer said accusingly.

Mac was barely able to suppress her groan. “For your information, Lieutenant, I was not snooping. Not that it is any of your business in the first place. And exactly what are you doing here?” Mac bristled.

Lieutenant Singer stammered slightly. “Ah… I heard the phone ringing and knowing the Commander wasn’t here, I thought I would answer it in his absence.”

She was lying through her teeth. She had been spying and Mac knew it. “Very commendable, Lieutenant. But just a piece of advice, next time just let it ring.”

“Aye, aye, Ma’am,” Loren responded icily and turned to leave.

“Bitch,” Mac murmured, making sure that nobody could hear her. In her haste to address Lieutenant Singer, Mac had put the note in her pocket. She spent a minute debating whether or not to put it back where she found it… in the drawer, or keep it. In the end, she opted to leave it exactly where it was… in her pocket. This time she was definitely going to confront Harm about it when she saw him.

Having done everything she needed to do, she retrieved AJ’s present, said her goodbyes, and left telling everyone she would see them later on.

*

After leaving headquarters, Mac steered her beloved ‘vette through the late morning traffic. She was thrilled to be behind the wheel of her cherry red convertible. Driving around in the sports car always made her feel relaxed and alive, and today her freedom definitely had her feeling exhilarated.

Her original plan was to drive straight back to Harm’s, via the direct route, but the minute she turned the radio on, the soft rock music enveloped her. She tapped her fingertips rhythmically on the steering wheel totally engrossed with the melodic sound coming from the radio. Suddenly without a second thought, she found herself leaving Interstate 66 at the Route 29 Exit that would lead her to Georgetown.

After taking the exit, she contemplated driving by her old apartment so that she could finally see for herself exactly what it looked like, but decided against it. Harm told her that it had been totally destroyed. There was nothing left, so why bother?

‘It’s time to leave the past behind and move on,’ Mac told herself smiling, just as her stomach started to rumble. That was it. She now knew exactly where she was heading… Marcello’s near Rock Creek Park. She had been craving their famous Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, so takeout it would be.

Mac was softly humming to the sound of a rock ballad as she drove through a nearly deserted alley, leading to the restaurant. She suddenly caught something out of the corner of her eye that made her stop humming immediately. “Oh, my God,” Mac whispered awe-stricken, not believing what she was seeing.

She quickly signaled with her blinker and put the brakes on, parking her car at the side of the road. “Please, please tell me that I’m not dreaming,” she murmured.

She closed her eyes for a second and re-opened them slowly. It was still there in all its glory. “Sarah Mackenzie, what’s wrong with you? I think you’re losing it,” Mac stated to the empty car. In one quick motion she had turned off the ignition, grabbed her purse from the passenger seat, jumped out of the vehicle and walked towards the object that had her so enthralled.

She couldn’t believe it. It looked exactly like she’d pictured it. There, right in front of her eyes, stood the little stone house – her dream house.

It was surrounded by a white picket fence with a big old oak tree in front providing shade. Just like in her dream, it was set back off the road with several species of trees surrounding the house, including fruit trees and flowering shrubs. “I really don’t believe this,” Mac said quietly, feeling as though her eyes were playing tricks on her. She had never driven through that alley before. Normally she would have taken another road to the restaurant. It was as though fate intervened and led her here … to this very house… the house in her dream.

“I wonder what the inside looks like?” Mac murmured to herself when someone suddenly approached her from behind, making her jump in surprise.

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to startle you,” the elderly lady in her late sixties apologized. “But you looked a bit confused and shaken. Are you okay, hon?”

Mac was standing there totally astonished; her eyes again glued to the house in front of her, until she realized she was being spoken to. She slowly turned her gaze back to the lovely woman who was now right next to her. “Yeah… yeah, I’m okay,” Mac stammered.

“Are you sure? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something,” the elderly lady replied, reaching out to gently squeeze Mac’s arm.

“Or something,” Mac laughed, nodding her head. “You could definitely say that, Ma’am. It’s… this… this house,” Mac stuttered, almost inaudibly pointing at it with her left hand.

“What about the house, dear?” the woman asked confused.

“It is beautiful,” Mac exclaimed, letting her eyes wander again over the property in front of her.

“Yes, it is, isn’t it? If you like this view, you should see the backyard, dear. It’s…”

“… absolutely breathtaking,” Mac completed her sentence. “It has a rose garden and feeds into the Rock Creek Park with the lake in the center. You can see it from the upstairs bedroom. I love roses,” Mac concluded sheepishly as an after-thought.

The elderly woman looked at Mac questioningly. “That’s right,” she replied perplexed at Mac’s accurate assessment. “How do you know? Have you been here before?”

“Yes, I mean no, Ma’am,” Mac answered smiling. ‘Only in my dreams,’ she thought to herself.

The woman chuckled. “Sorry, dear, but what exactly does that mean? If you haven’t been here before, how could you possibly know?”

“I don’t know, Ma’am. I… God, this sounds crazy even to me. I had a dream a while ago, and I saw this house,” Mac explained, pointing at the stone structure. “It… it was mine,” Mac concluded, still not believing it was true.

“Wow,” the elderly woman breathed out. “I don’t know what to say. What’s your name, dear?”

“MacKenzie. My name is Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Nice to meet you, Sarah,” she said, holding out her hand, which Mac accepted in a warm handshake. “I’m Amalia Curtis. I own this house, but I guess you figured that out already,” Mrs. Curtis finished with a chuckle.

“You really have a beautiful house, Mrs. Curtis.”

“It’s Amalia, please. Yes, I love this house, and it has been wonderful living here.”

Mac’ eyes widened. “You sound like you’re leaving, Amalia,” Mac said.

Mrs. Curtis sighed nodding. “Yes, dear. My husband and I decided to move closer to our children and grandchildren. They live in Florida, and we hope the weather there will be good for our old bones,” Amalia Curtis concluded with a grin. That was when she showed Mac the sign she was holding in her hand. “My husband and children just left with the U-Haul moving truck, and I am still here to post this sign and take care of a few things in the basement.”

Mac took a closer look at the red sign with the white letters. “You want to sell the house?” she asked hopefully.

Mac’s reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Mrs. Curtis. She shrugged. “Sell it, rent it. My husband and I are open to either option. Why, dear, are you interested?” she asked. She didn’t need a verbal answer, as the expression on Mac’s face was answer enough.

Mac took a deep breath. “In a heartbeat.”

Amalia Curtis laughed freely. “Why don’t we take a look inside first? Maybe you won’t feel the same after seeing it.”

“Oh no, I doubt that, Amalia. I doubt that very much. My gut feeling tells me that I have already seen it, and if it looks anything like it did in my dream, well then I’m hooked. Hell, I’m already hooked.”

“Then let’s go inside, child,” Amalia Curtis said and together they made their way to the entrance of the house. “Are you from here, Sarah?”

Mac nodded her head. “Yeah, I live… I mean… I lived in Georgetown.”

Mrs. Curtis picked up on the sad tone in Mac’s voice. “Are you okay, dear? You sound and appear… a little sad.”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for asking. It’s just that I have to get used to the idea that I will be living in a new place, and not really by choice.” Mac saw the question in Amalia’s eyes and continued. “There was an explosion recently that destroyed my apartment building,” Mac explained hesitantly. “Right now I am living with a friend, but I really do need to find something of my own.”

“Oh, dear, that’s horrible. I heard about the explosions on the news. Such an awful tragedy. So tell me, is your friend tired of you and throwing you out?” Amalia asked grinning.

“Yeah, it was terrible, and no, he isn’t kicking me out. He has been wonderful. I am kicking me out. It’s time,” Mac stated, looking down at the ground. “If I could I would stay with him forever,” she concluded forlornly in barely a whisper.

Amalia had heard every word. “Ah, now I see where the sadness is coming from. You are torn between a place of your own and him, but you know dear… I’m sure you can have both.”

“No, no I can’t… he’s taken.” With that being said, Mac looked Amalia in the eye with a new determination. It was time to move on. 

Mrs. Curtis sensed Mac’s pain, but didn’t feel it was her place to press further and ended the conversation. “Let’s go in, shall we?” she stated as she approached the front door.

“Yeah,” Mac agreed while Mrs. Curtis unlocked the front door of the house.

*

Mrs. Curtis opened the door and quickly motioned for Mac to go in. Mac nodded and entered hesitantly. She stopped in her tracks and became rooted to the spot as what she saw in front of her took her breath away. She put her left hand to her mouth. “Oh my goodness,” Mac gushed. “I can’t believe how much this looks like the house in my dream.”

Mrs. Curtis had followed close behind Mac and smiled, watching Mac’s face light up as she continued to look around. “I hope that means you like what you see, dear?” she asked.

“Oh, yes, and then some,” Mac answered in awe. She felt so at home that she wondered if she had actually lived here in another life. Mac knew she was being silly, but she just couldn’t help herself. It was all too perfect. She knew part of it had to do with the fact that it had the same open concept that Harm’s loft boasted, and she always felt at home there. If she were truly honest with herself, she would admit that she felt more at home at Harm’s than she ever did in her own apartment.

The sun was kissing the room with warmth from where it was allowed to filter in through the wall of windows and dance off the shiny wooden floors. On sunless days, Mac was sure the stone fireplace would be a wonderful substitute. It couldn’t be any cozier.

“How long have you lived here, Mrs. Curtis?”

“Oh, dear, Desmond and I have lived here ever since we’ve been married, which will be forty years next month. We love this place, and have an awful lot of wonderful memories tied up in these walls. It is hard to leave it, but we are getting on in years and our children have been pestering us to move closer to them so that they don’t have to worry about us being so far away. Desmond’s health isn’t what it used to be. I have to admit, at our age, it is starting to be a lot of work taking care of the old place. I think it’s high time we move into something smaller and more manageable.”

“Yeah,” Mac answered dreamily as she walked around the room, taking everything in.

Even without furniture, to Mac, it was cozy and very homey. “I can see why you love it so much. You have taken such great care of it. It is magnificent,” Mac continued.

There was a breakfast bar, complete with stools in the kitchen area for quick meals instead of using the more formal dining area. ‘I didn’t see that in my dream,’ Mac mused smiling. ‘But I love it,’ she thought. The kitchen wall was lined with oak cabinetry adorned with etched clear glass doors. It was obvious the counter tops had recently been beautifully re-tiled.

“Well, Sarah, why don’t you take your time and look around as much as you like. I have a few things to take out of the basement before Desmond comes back. If you need me for anything, just give me a shout.”

“Okay, thank you, I will.”

Mac continued her tour wide-eyed. As in her dream, there were two large bedrooms in shades of greens and blues with plenty of windows. There was the quaint, antique bathroom that was actually large enough to house a washer and dryer. She wandered around the rooms, day-dreaming about what it would look like with furniture, and then decided to explore the second story.

She climbed the beautiful oak stairway that led her to the loft, marveling at how much it looked just like the one in her dream. The foyer was large and there was a beautiful braided rug placed in the center of the floor space. She proceeded to the expansive master bedroom and it was exactly how she imagined it would be. It had three large floor-to-ceiling windows that filled the room with light, as well as a skylight. Mac imagined herself lying on a queen-sized bed beneath the skylight, looking up at the night sky and counting the stars.

The fireplace was even more magnificent than her mind had conjured up with its intricately carved oak mantel. She was already planning on filling the mantel with her favorite pictures, until she realized the only pictures she had were the ones that had been in her wallet and they were too small to frame. The thought saddened her until she remembered Harm had some of the same ones. ‘Maybe he will let me take some of them and make copies,’ she thought hopefully.

She proceeded slowly to the adjoining master bath. Just like every other room, it was clad with a hardwood floor, only in this room the planks were wider than in the other rooms, giving it more of an antique feel. There was a beautiful oak vanity with a large oval mirror and two large cabinets – one on each side. Her eyes then settled on the claw foot bathtub. It was bigger than the one in her dream… big enough for two. She stood there leaning against the door. It was easy to imagine being surrounded by warm water,  strawberry scented bubbles, and totally enveloped in the arms of one handsome, naval aviator, as they both settled back to relax and peer out the large arched window that looked out on to the park and surrounding lake area. She closed her eyes and let out a huge sigh. ‘If only,’ she thought before walking back into the bedroom.

She walked over to the windows and rested against the frame, looking out the massive windows. She opened the small-paned glass French doors and stepped out onto the balcony, overlooking the back yard. That’s when she spotted it… the rose garden, just like in her dream.

She smiled and hugged herself, thinking about the first time she had met Harm in the White House Rose Garden. Suddenly, it hit her. She wanted to rent this house that was a given, but it would mean leaving Harm and that thought made her sad. She would miss him terribly. Her heart ached just thinking about it.

Mac stood out there contemplating what to do for a good ten minutes according to her inner clock, but there was nothing to think about really. This was her dream house, and she was not going to give it up. She couldn’t… she was destined to be here - of that she was certain.

She went back inside and sought out Mrs. Curtis to tell her she would rent the house with option to buy if that was okay.

*

Mrs. Curtis was just coming up the basement stairs as Mac approached. “I love this house, Mrs. Curtis. It’s as though it was put here just for me and I was meant to find it. I can’t explain it, and it may sound silly, but I know I belong here. I would love to rent it and hopefully buy it soon. Would this offer be something that you are willing to consider?”

“Sarah, the minute I saw you standing outside and looking at this house, I somehow knew it was meant for you and no one else. I can’t explain it either, but you and this house belong together. I know you will take good care of it. So, yes if you are interested, I think that arrangement will be just fine. I want you to have your dream house, and I want to know that our house will be in good hands and well cared for.”

Mac was so overcome she couldn’t speak as the tears ran down her cheeks. Mrs. Curtis smiled softly, extending her arms to Mac who immediately fell into her warm embrace. “Thank you, so much. You have made me so happy,” Mac stammered through her tears.

“Good, then let’s dry those tears, shall we?” Mrs. Curtis offered.

“Okay.” Mac smiled brightly.

They continued to talk for a few more minutes before agreeing to meet again the following day to sign all the necessary paperwork. They exchanged pleasantries and Mac was on her way again.

She was filled with mixed emotions. She was happy to have found the home of her dreams, and sad because in finding the house… it meant leaving Harm.

‘Oh for heavens sake, suck it up, Marine. Did you think you could stay there forever? Well you can’t… it’s time to move out and move on. You know it and I’m sure Harm knows it too,’ she mused.

She drove back to the loft, thinking all she had to do now was tell him her good news about finding someplace to live. So why wasn’t she feeling happy about it?

Mac snorted. “Now that is a really stupid question, MacKenzie,” she scolded herself. She knew only too well why she wasn’t happy about it. “This house, as beautiful and breathtaking as it is, is missing the main ingredient… the one thing that would make it a home,” she murmured sadly, again remembering her dream and thinking about the children she saw playing happily in the backyard with their dog, and the daddy they ran to. It simply didn’t include… Harm. She rubbed her encased hand distractedly over her flat, empty belly. That’s when it hit her.

Suddenly she remembered a part of her dream that she had forgotten until now. When she was looking out that bedroom window at the children playing and Harm approached them she had been rubbing her belly just like she was now, only then her belly wasn’t flat and empty. It was round and full. “I was pregnant, a baby… Harm’s baby was growing in my womb,” Mac whispered longingly inside the otherwise silent car.

She smiled. Maybe her dream and this house was more than coincidence. Maybe it was an omen… a foretelling of what was to come… a look into her future perhaps.

“Well, Sarah, looks like it’s something you are going to have to figure out for yourself,” she spoke aloud, smile still in place.

*

Rock Creek Park
Washington, DC
2:56 PM

Mac pulled her ‘vette into a parking spot close to where she and the Roberts had agreed to meet. She had already spotted them near a huge oak tree, sitting on a blanket, surrounded by various plates, cups, a birthday cake, as well as other delicacies. The tree served as their protection from the bright sunshine. Little AJ was eagerly watching the parking lot, impatiently waiting for all his party guests to arrive. Mac knew the moment he spotted her and smiled.

She chuckled as she watched Little AJ wriggle out of his father’s arms and run towards her as fast as his little chubby legs would carry him. Mac turned off the ignition, removed the key, and jumped quickly out of the car, anxious to get to her favorite little man who rushed to her like a whirlwind.

“Auntie Mac! Auntie Mac!” Little AJ screamed, holding his arms wide open. “You came!”

Mac laughed as she got down on her knees to welcome him midway. When his body crashed into hers full force, she was pleasantly surprised by how little pain she felt compared to a couple of days ago. “Happy Birthday, AJ,” Mac said softly into his blonde hair, hugging him close to her. She sweetly kissed his forehead before letting go of him.

“Auntie Mac, I’m two now,” he told her excitedly, holding two of his little fingers in front of her face. “I’m biiiiiiiiggggg boy now,” he squealed proudly with a bright grin on his face that reached from ear to ear.

Mac laughed, giving his tummy a little poke before ruffling his hair. “I know, AJ. You sure are. You are really old now,” she told him using a disguised voice that made him giggle. “Why don’t you get your present out of my car while I go over and say ‘hi’ to your parents?”

Little AJ’s eyes got wider and his grin brighter, if that was even possible. “You got me pr’sen?”

“Of course, silly-willy! You don’t think I would forget something as important as a gift for the birthday boy, do you? Look,” Mac exclaimed smiling, pointing her head towards her car.

It was then that Little AJ realized Mac hadn’t come alone. “Woooowww, Granma!” Little AJ screamed, running quickly towards Mac’s ‘vette, where Grams was slowly and carefully getting out of the car, cursing under her breath the entire time. “Granma!”

Grandma Sarah sighed audibly the minute she had peeled herself from the car and was now standing on her own two feet. “This car is ridiculous,” she murmured to herself. 

“Granma, Granma!” Little AJ kept on screaming and as soon as he’d reached her, he wrapped his chubby arms around her legs. “You came to my party, too,” he said delighted.

Grandma Sarah laughed as she lifted Little AJ into her arms. “Of course I came. I wouldn’t dare go back home before my newest little friend celebrated his very important second birthday.” She held him in front of her. “Let me look at you,” she told him as AJ grinned brightly at her. “Wow, you really are a big boy now.”

Little AJ was beaming from ear to ear. “Yes, I am!”

“Phew, and you’re a little too heavy for me.” Grams put AJ back on the ground. He immediately grabbed her by the hand to take her back to the others. “Come, let’s go Granma… see my big birf’day cake ‘n candles. It’s yummy choc’late.”

“Okay, sweetheart. You lead the way,” Grams responded, laughing as they approached Mac who came to meet them.

“Whoa, easy does it, little one. This lady is way too old to be running, especially after riding in that shoebox over there that some people insist on calling a car,” she said, pointing to Mac’s corvette.

“Grams?” Mac questioned, wanting to know what that comment was all about.

“Well, dear. To be honest, I, for the life of me, cannot imagine why anyone would want to fall into a car only to sit so low that your backside is almost on the ground with your legs stretched out in front of you. Good gracious! You have to admit that it is not the most comfortable of positions, at least not to a woman of my age.”

“I’m so sorry, Grams. I never even stopped to realize how uncomfortable you might be riding in my car. You should have said something and we could have taken a cab.

“No, no, dear. Please, don’t fret. I’m fine for now, but you should really consider buying something more comfortable and more family oriented someday.”

Mac smiled. “Well, maybe someday, if it becomes necessary. But I have to admit… I really love my car.”

“Hhhuuummmmm. I remember when Harm had his corvette. He loved it, too. He said it was the power… the freedom… the speed… riding with the top down. I never understood it. What is it with you young people and sports cars?” Grams asked. 

Mac didn’t know how to answer because her reasons were exactly the same as Harm’s had been, so she chose not to say anything. She looked down at her adorable godson and gently ruffled Little AJ’s hair as he watched the two adults intently.

Little AJ took this opportunity to contribute his two cents to the conversation he had just heard. “Vvvvrrrrroooommmmm…,” he screamed as he ran circles around Grams and Mac, pretending to be driving a racing car.

Grams and Mac watched as he zoomed around them. “Me like Auntie Mac’s car, goes vvvvvrrrooommm.”

They laughed whole-heartedly at Little AJ’s performance.

“Out of the mouths of babes,” Mac chortled, looking at Grams.

“Yes, it does,” Grams answered AJ as she looked down at him. “But it is not good for little one’s like you or for her children…,” she said, pointing at Mac, “… my future great grandchildren someday.” Not meaning to say the last comment aloud, she instantly looked over at Mac who was looking the other way towards Harriet and Bud. ‘Good,’ she thought. ‘She didn’t hear me.’ 

Unknown to Grandma Sarah, Mac had heard her and was totally dumbfounded. She didn’t know how to react or what to say, so she pretended not to hear. ‘What had brought that on? Why would she even think that,’ she wondered as she again remembered the part of her dream where she was softly caressing her well-formed womb. Mac wasn’t able to ponder the statement any longer as the Roberts were approaching her and Grams.

“Mrs. Rabb… ah… er Grams,” the Roberts responded in unity, still finding it difficult to drop the Mrs. Rabb. “We thought you had left already.” They had walked over to see what all the commotion was about.

“Well, I was supposed to, but I just couldn’t go before this little guy’s second birthday party,” Grams said, still holding on to AJ’s hand. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited myself.”

“Yahhhhhhhhhh, Granma come my party,” AJ screeched, patting his little chest. 

“Of course we don’t mind,” Harriet replied. “I am very glad you decided to stay and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way,” she concluded smiling, looking down at her son who was looking up adoringly at Grams.

“Well, I hope my grandson will be just as happy that I’m still here as this little guy, otherwise I might find myself on the street and knocking on your door asking for asylum.”

Everyone laughed at Grandma’s comment. “You’re welcome… any time, Grams,” Harriet assured. “But I’m sure your grandson is going to be very happy that you’re still around when he gets back.” Harriet then turned her gaze to Mac. “Guess that means your secret went further than us.”

“Yeah, I promised not to tell Harm, either,” Mac responded glad for the distraction. “Why don’t we go find a place on the bench?”

Once they were seated the adults continued their small talk while AJ and his friends ran around, playing games and asking when it would be time to eat the cake. Harriet patiently explained that they would have cake as soon as everyone arrived.

“Unca Harm, too,” AJ asked, looking over at Mac.

“I certainly hope so, sweetie. Why don’t we wait a little bit longer before we cut the cake and maybe he will be here by then, okay?”

“Okay, Auntie Mac,” AJ responded before running off to rejoin his friends.

“I wish I had a fraction of that energy,” Grams said, looking at the running children.

“You and me both,” Harriet responded, shaking her head.

Mac rummaged through some of the bags that Harriet had brought and found Pin the Tail on the Donkey. “Goody,” she shrieked. “Okay, kids… how about we play a game?”

All the kids ran over excitedly as Mac pinned the donkey poster to a nearby tree. 

“Do we get a p’ize?” one of AJ’s playmates asked enthusiastically. 

Harriet was quick to answer as Mac was still rummaging around the bags. “Yes, you sure do. What would be the point in winning with no price, right?” she replied, pointing Mac in the direction of several grab bags.

“Okay, now, whoever comes closest to pinning the tail where it should be wins,” Mac explained.

“Me first, me first,” Little AJ begged, jumping up and down. 

“Well,” Mac replied, “normally we let our guests go first, but since it is your birthday, I guess you can go first this time.”

Mac blindfolded AJ and handed him the pin with the donkey tail. She then proceeded to spin him around several times before pointing him in the direction of the tree and the target. “Okay, AJ, let’s see what you can do.”

AJ approached the tree and placed the pin on the donkey’s hind leg. He quickly removed the blindfold. “How’d I do?” he asked, looking at the donkey. 

“Not bad, kiddo,” Mac told him sweetly. “Who’s next?” she asked. Just then her cell phone rang. Mac reached for it as Harriet heard it ring and came running to take over the game.

Mac was in such a hurry to answer that she never looked to see who it was. “Hello!”

Mac quickly bristled and was hesitant to say anything in front of everyone, but this call was definitely important, so she quickly walked towards the parking lot before saying anything else. Her sudden change in mood was not wasted on Grams or Harriet. Both of them picked up on it immediately, and in turn looked at each other questioningly.

“What was that about?” Harriet asked confused, her eyes never leaving her friend.

“I’m not sure,” Grandma Sarah replied worriedly, still watching Mac. “But something is definitely wrong. She was already tense and distracted when she got back home around noon. She tried to hide it, but I could see that she had been crying. She brought us something for lunch, but barely ate anything. She kept moving the food around her plate.”

“If Mac is neglecting food then something is definitely wrong,” Harriet concluded, quickly turning to look at the children when she heard screaming. She heaved a sigh of relief when she discovered that the children were still playing and everything was fine. “When she arrived, I sensed she was trying to hide something. Guess I wasn’t wrong after all.”

“No, I don’t think you were wrong,” Grandma Sarah agreed while they both continued to watch Mac pacing around the parking lot.

*

“I’m glad you returned my call, although I have to admit I really am surprised you did it so quickly,” Mac continued. “Exactly what the heck is going on here? What has happened to the money in my account and why are my credit cards maxed out?” Mac knew she was ranting, but she couldn’t stop herself. “And most important… how the hell did it happen?”

Mac was still in shock, to say the least, after discovering that most of her money had completely disappeared. She became aware of it after she’d left Marcello’s restaurant. She stopped at the ATM that was nearby to withdraw some money, hoping to buy a few things for her new home. She tried her bankcard first to no avail. Her account was overdrawn and put on hold.

She was surprised, but not overly concerned at that juncture. Obviously, it was a mistake of some sort that she would address first chance she got. She then tried her credit card. When that came back rejected… she now knew something was definitely wrong and it couldn’t just be a simple mistake.

That was when she had made the call to the bank, only to be informed that her account adviser was at lunch and would have to get back to her.

Mac was now pacing up and down the parking lot, listening to what was being said and getting more irritated with each passing minute. “You’re kidding, right? I certainly didn’t authorize any pay out!” She groaned, answering the next question. “Mr. Thompson, like I already stated quite clearly, I tried to use both my bankcard and my credit cards at the ATM, so I guess that answers your question as to whether my cards were lost or stolen.” ‘Idiot,’ she silently added to herself.

She continued to listen, shaking her head in disbelief. “No, Mr. Thompson. Nobody was…,” Mac started to say as a wave of fear crept along her spine, causing her to shiver while she felt a bout of nausea as her stomach knotted. ‘Oh my God,’ she thought. “…able to get possession of my cards,” she concluded quietly, but she now knew exactly what had transpired.

Mac realized if she spoke now it would be in anger and haste. Though she needed an answer, she recognized that this was not the time or the place to get into it. “I’m sorry but I can’t do this right now. I’m at my godson’s birthday party and I don’t want to spoil it for him. I will have to get back to you. Can I call you back later?” Mac listened to the answer before letting out a breath. “Okay, got it. We’ll talk in a while. Thank you.” She hung up without saying another word and tried to calm herself down.

“That no good, low-life, son of a bitch,” she murmured to herself. She couldn’t believe that he would do something like this to her. Mac took several deep breaths before attempting to get back to the others.

Content that she was somewhat back in control, she turned quickly and smacked right into…

“Harm!”

*

She was never happier to see him than she was at that very minute.

Little AJ, who had spotted Harm the minute he arrived, started running towards him. “Unca Harm, Unca Harm. You came!” AJ proclaimed, hurling himself at his godfather.

Before he was able to say anything to Mac, Harm turned his attention to his godson. “Of course, tiger. I promised, didn’t I?” he told AJ, picking him up and swinging him over his head. “Did I miss anything?” Harm asked, putting AJ back down on the ground without taking his eyes off Mac for even one second.

“We was pl’yin with Auntie Mac,” AJ explained to his uncle.

“Oh, I see. And was she playing fair?” Harm teased, still keeping his eyes on Mac who by this time was feeling the scrutiny of his gaze. He desperately needed to talk to her. “AJ, Uncle Harm needs to talk to your Auntie Mac for a few minutes. So why don’t you go back to the game and all your friends. Okay, buddy?”

“Okay. But just for a min’it, we have cake soon,” AJ yelled as he ran back to the others.

Harm smiled and slowly walked back to where Mac was standing, looking down pensively at the ground. Before he could say anything, Mac spoke quietly. “How much did you hear?”

“Most of it… I think. What the hell is going on?”

Tears immediately filled Mac’s eyes and Harm was sorry he had raised his voice. “Hey,” he softly said, opening his arms to her and she immediately fell into his warm embrace. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it now. Whatever it is, we will deal with it together, Mac.” He gently took her sunglasses off to dry her tears with his thumbs. “No more tears now, okay? He doesn’t deserve one single tear drop,” Harm told her, letting her know he had already figured out exactly what happened.

“Thank you, Harm. Not just for this, but for everything.”

Harm smiled lovingly. “What do you say we go have some cake, Marine?”

“Ah gee, Sailor, you say the sweetest things,” Mac snickered. “Come on. Let’s get your gift for AJ out of my car. Since I didn’t know if you could make it, I thought I should wait before giving it to him. By the way… what are you doing here? When we spoke yesterday, you made it sound like the chances of your getting here on time were pretty slim.”

Harm gave her his famous flyboy grin… the one she loved so much. “A plane needed to be transferred to Andrews… I offered… the CAG agreed… et voila, here I am.” He grinned self-satisfactorily.

Mac gave him the wrapped present and smiled at him, a smile that barely reached her eyes. Then she got serious again. “Harm.”

“Yeah?”

She took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. “I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you,” she told him quietly.

Harm immediately took her in his arms. “I missed you too, Sarah,” he echoed softly, kissing her forehead. “Are you okay?”

Mac nodded her head. “Now that you’re here, I will be,” she told him truthfully.

“Good,” Harm responded. “Come on.” Harm grabbed her hand and together they walked back to the party.

They got back just in time to see Little AJ win the Pin the Tail on the Donkey game.

“I win, I win,” he hollered, spinning around in circles.

“Way to go, AJ,” Harm bellowed, giving Little AJ the thumbs up before walking over to his grandmother, giving her a big bear hug. “Hi, Grams. Seeing you here is such a wonderful surprise.”

Grams returned his hug. “Hello, Harm. I hope you don’t mind that I extended my vacation a little bit.”

Harm laughed. “You are kidding, right? I felt so bad that I had to leave town after we barely had time together to enjoy your vacation. I’m so happy to see you stayed and I hope you plan on staying a few more days.”

“I’m planning on it, dear.”

Mac looked on smiling, then turned her attention to her godson. “Great job, sweetie,” she said in turn to Little AJ. Though her heart was heavy and her head was full of so many unpleasant thoughts, she vowed to enjoy herself and not spoil AJ’s big day.

“Can we have cake now?” AJ asked looking up at his mother.

“Well, it looks like everyone is here so, yes… we can have cake now,” Harriet responded already walking over to the cake. She lit the two candles and everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ - much to AJ’s delight.

“Okay, AJ, time to blow out the candles,” Bud instructed, watching his son with a grin from ear to ear.

AJ took a big breath as he leaned over the table and blew as hard as he could. The candles were extinguished as everyone clapped, whistled, and hollered. AJ was beaming as he looked at everyone with his little hands up in the air. “I done good,” he bellowed.

Everyone laughed at the sweet, little guy as he then stuck his finger into the frosting and immediately shoved it in his mouth, getting some of the sweet concoction on his nose in the process. “Yummy.”

Mac got to him before he had time to wipe it off. She delicately kissed his nose, licking off the dab of frosting as AJ threw his little arms lovingly around his aunt’s neck. “You’re right, AJ… it is yummy,” Mac whispered into his little ear. 

“I luv you, Auntie Mac.”

“I love you, too, honey.”

Harm watched dreamily, completely enthralled at the scene in front of him. His thoughts immediately went to what it would be like with his children… her children… their children.

“Harm… HARM... earth to Flyboy!” Mac crooned.

Harm shook his head, clearing his thoughts and came back to the present. “What?” he asked.

“Cake?” Mac responded holding out a dish to him. “Where were you just now, Sailor? Someplace nice, I hope.”

“Yeah… someplace really nice,” he answered smiling, accepting the dish from her.

Their repartee was interrupted at that point as a pair of tiny arms wrapped around Harm’s legs. “T’ank you, Unca Harm,” AJ yelled, holding up the model yellow bi-plane. “Jus’ like Sarah,” he exclaimed smiling sweetly.

“That’s right, buddy. But that is only part of your gift. The other part is a ride in Sarah if it is okay with your mommy and daddy,” Harm stated, looking over at Harriet and Bud for their approval.

AJ’s eyes opened wide in wonder. “Ohhhhhhhhhh… can I, can I? Mommy… Daddy... Can I go with Unca Harm in Sarah? P’ease… p’ease. Me wanna fly.” All eyes were suddenly on Harriet and Bud who had yet to give an answer. 

Mac put her hand on Harm’s arm, thinking that he probably should have talked to Harriet and Bud before mentioning anything to Little AJ. Harm knew it also and started to feel uncomfortable about not being a little more discreet.

Bud and Harriet had conversed with merely a look. “Sir,” Bud responded. “I… we think it would be just fine for you to take AJ up in Sarah. He will have a great time.”

Harm quickly let out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. “Great, thanks. Hear that, AJ? We can go flying.”

   
”Now?” Little AJ asked eagerly.

“Well, we can’t go right now, but we will go very soon. I promise.”

“Okay, I be ready.”

Mac rubbed Harm’s back, thankful that it had all worked out successfully. “What do you say we take a little walk?” she asked him.

“Do you think it’s okay to just take off?” Harm questioned.

“We’re not taking off… just taking a walk. We’ll be back.”

“Okay. Let’s,” Harm said as he grabbed her hand and started walking in the direction of the lake.

Harriet and Grams shared a look as they watched Harm and Mac walked off holding hands. “They look so good together, and they are so right for each other. I really do hope they figure it out and get it right soon. I don’t think I have ever seen two people more dedicated to each other than those two. And the way they take care of each other is really remarkable...,” Harriet said out loud.

“Amen to that,” Grams responded with her hands clasped together and eyes raised to the sky. “But they are two of the most stubbornness people I have ever met.”

Harriet laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a chorus of excited little voices asking for ice cream to go along with their cake.

“Okay, I’m coming, you guys,” Harriet called after them, quickly running off to get the ice cream out of the cooler.

*

They walked along silently for a little while. Harm, knowing Mac as well as he did, sensed a slight tension in her as they neared the lake.

He stopped and looked at her intently. “Mac, what’s on your mind?”

“Can we sit down for a moment, please?”

“Sure,” Harm agreed as they found a place to sit right on the edge of the lake, with a view of the ducks enjoying themselves bathing in the bright sunshine. “Now, you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

The bench was positioned beneath a big, old oak tree that cloaked the area from the sun, enabling Mac to remove her sunglasses. She wanted Harm to see her eyes clearly without being shrouded, enabling them both to see each other’s emotions without hindrance. She sighed, looking down at her hands that were sitting on her lap. “I still don’t have all the details, but I guess in the end I really don’t need them.” She took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. “Mic has cleaned me out.”

“How?” Harm asked questioningly. He wasn’t surprised by her explanation as he had already fit the pieces together after over-hearing the phone conversation earlier.

“Well, when we got engaged, we decided to open a joint checking account and credit card. This way we would both have the ability to make deposits or withdrawals for wedding needs if one of us was out of town.”

“Mac….”

“I know… very stupid, but please don’t rub it in. At least not now,” Mac pleaded.

“I’m sorry, Mac. I didn’t mean to be insensitive, but….”

“Yeah…,” Mac acknowledge, sighing heavily. “Anyway, I went to the ATM today and found out that there was no money in the account and the credit card had been maxed as well.”

“About how much are we talking here?” Harm wanted to know.

“Close to ten thousand,” she replied sadly. “Thank God I kept something in my savings account. At least I’m not completely destitute.” She grinned, trying to lighten the mood a little.

“What about your insurance?”

Mac shrugged. “As long as they don’t have a report from the police, they won’t pay a cent. Only God knows how long that will take.”

Harm rubbed his hands over his head. “That no-good, low-life son of a bitch.”

Mac laughed and put her head on his shoulder for just a second. “My saying exactly.”

“Have you any idea why he did it?”

Mac shook her head. “No, I don’t have a clue. All I do know is that he took most of the money out a day before our engagement party. According to my account adviser, Mr. Thompson, the activity on the credit card shows several withdrawals over the last two weeks before the engagement party.” She looked out over the water and sighed. “I wonder how he was going to explain that one to me. I mean, he had to realize that I would find out sooner or later. It’s certainly a strange way of starting a life together, don’t you think?”

“Sounds like he was obviously in some sort of financial trouble and now he has one angry Marine on his six,” Harm replied, placing his arm softly over her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. “What are you going to do?”

Mac closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she enjoyed Harm’s closeness. “I’m not sure. I am definitely going to try and hunt him down, but my gut feeling is telling me that the money is long gone and I’ll never see it again.”

Harm kissed the top of her head and, for a moment, they sat enjoying the quietness around them. “Well, look at it this way… at least he is out of your life. Everything will be okay, Mac. I know it will,” he promised her. A reply from Mac was unnecessary, she knew he was right… he always was. “If you need money for anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask me. Whatever you need is yours. I mean it, Mac.”

Mac’s eyes filled with tears she fought to keep back. “I know you mean it, Harm. Thank you.” She didn’t say more at the moment for fear of totally breaking down.

Harm knew she needed a little time, so they just sat there enjoying their surroundings and just being together. Harm started to let his eyes wander over the property in front of him. “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is… ummm… and seeing as how you mentioned it,” she started to say. She really hadn’t planned on telling him just yet, but he had a right to know. “There is something else I have to tell you.”

Harm looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. “What is it?”

“You remember when I told you that it was time for me to find somewhere to live?”

“Yeah, you mentioned it when we talked on the phone a few days ago,” Harm answered quietly. The conversation didn’t surprise him and deep down he knew she would be leaving his apartment at some point, but he had hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. He wanted to keep her all to himself for just a little while longer. “Does that mean you found something? I hadn’t realized you already started to look,” he concluded, sounding a little disappointed.

“I wasn’t exactly looking. It sort of found me,” Mac explained quietly. Harm thought he could hear a tinge of disappointment in her voice. One look into her eyes was enough for him to see the truth.

‘Guess I’m not the only one having a problem getting used to the idea,’ Harm thought before asking, “how so?” He was intrigued by her comment.

“I decided to go to Marcello’s this afternoon to get take-out for Grams and me when I saw it. It’s actually right over there,” Mac told him, pointing over to the other side of the lake. “Mrs. Curtis, the owner, is a lovely woman. She and her husband are moving to Florida to be closer to their children. She agreed to let me rent it with the option to buy when I was ready.”

Harm let his eyes wander over to the other side of the lake where Mac pointed and detected a little house that was nestled among the trees. “You mean the one right there?” he asked, pointing to it. When Mac nodded, he added, “it looks beautiful from here.”

“Oh, Harm… it’s incredible… it’s my dream house,” Mac told him wistfully and proceeded to tell him everything about the house, down to the smallest details.

Harm caught the dreamy expression on her face while listening to each and every word she spoke. And as much as he wanted to dissuade her from leaving just yet, he knew he couldn’t. This was something she had to have and he couldn’t refuse her anything - even if it hurt him in the process. One thing was for sure, even though they wouldn’t be living under the same roof anymore, they would remain close. He would make certain of that.

“That’s great, Mac,” he told her, pretending to be happy. “I can’t wait to see it. I’m the first one who gets the grand tour, right?”

“You’re the first person I told about this house and I promise you’ll be the first person who gets the first grand tour,” Mac promised while she looked deeply into his eyes. For a short moment, they merely sat without speaking until she broke the silence with a few whispered words. “So… you are okay with my leaving?”

Harm took a deep breath. “If that is what you want,” he offered.

“That’s not what I asked, counselor,” Mac replied quietly before biting on her lower lip. “I asked if you were okay with it.”

Harm looked into Mac’s eyes. “If this is what you want. If it is what makes you happy, then yes, I am okay with it. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it,” he grinned. Then he got serious again, his eyes never leaving hers. Harm raised his right hand and gently put it against Mac’s left cheek, softly caressing it. “And I guess I’m not the only one feeling like this,” he told her in a whisper as the look in her eyes spoke volumes for him.

Mac was relieved that he opted to let her go as graciously as possible, even though he didn’t like it. In a selfish way, she was glad he had some reservations because it gave her hope… hope for them. 

He was definitely right, though. He wasn’t the only one feeling distressed about her new living arrangements. Mac hesitantly responded with a smile as she placed her left hand above his. Turning her head, she planted a soft, tender kiss on the palm of his hand before she squeezed it gently and let go.

She started to chuckle and Harm looked at her with raised eyebrows. “What? What’s so funny?”

Mac shrugged her shoulders. “I was just thinking about the Admiral. He will definitely be delighted about my news.”

“How come? Has he said something?”

Mac snorted. “He asked me about it this morning when I was in the office to get your present for Little AJ. I think he actually tried to tell me in a roundabout way to find a place of my own as soon as possible.”

Her answer didn’t come as a surprise. He knew it was only a matter of time before they were confronted about their living arrangements and the regulations. ‘Guess the Admiral found a good opportunity to confront her with it,’ Harm thought to himself disappointedly.

Mac, who wanted to change the subject, was about to ask if he wanted to go and see the house when her cell phone rang. Mac groaned. “Excuse me,” she said taking the call. “Hello!”

“Yes, this is she.”

Harm sensed her discomfort and gathered that something had happened. “What?” he asked in a whisper.

Mac held up her encased hand, motioning for him to wait. “Yes, Lieutenant Hoyle, I’ll be right there,” she said and hung up. “That was the police department. They want to talk with me about the explosion.”

*

Harm and Mac quickly made their way back to the party to make their apologies and explain why they had to leave. They found the party winding down as Harriet was in the midst of attempting to line up the children who appeared to have more chocolate cake and ice cream on them rather than in them. “Oh my goodness,” she said. “Your parents are going to kill me. Look at all of you. What a mess,” she concluded smiling. 

Mac felt bad that she couldn’t stay and help Harriet clean up the kids, but Grams had jumped right in to lend a hand.

Harm and Mac didn’t know how long they would be tied up, so they asked Harriet and Bud if they wouldn’t mind driving Grams back to the loft. They were more than happy to oblige. They actually offered to take her home with them, but she preferred to go back to Harm’s so she could put her feet up, relax and maybe even take a little nap.

After their final goodbyes, both got in their own cars and made their way to the police station.

*

Metropolitan Police Department

Second District Station

Washington, DC

5:24 PM

Harm and Mac arrived at the police station together, finding places to park near the front door. They got out of their cars and made their way up the stairs to the entryway. Harm’s hand automatically went to the small of her back as they walked, giving Mac a much needed sense of strength and support. She smiled thinking how even the smallest gesture, when coming from Harm, could be so meaningful.

The officer who had called her earlier hadn’t divulged any information over the phone. His conversation centered around the fact that her presence was required at the station. Harm could feel the tension and apprehension rolling off of Mac as she stiffened the minute they reached the door. He had to admit that he was just as worried and curious over what this meeting was all about.

Ever the gentleman, Harm opened the entrance door, letting Mac precede him in. They walked the short corridor to the ‘office’, where they were immediately accosted by the loud and chaotic sounds of ringing phones, humming computers, whizzing printers, and people screaming in order to be heard over the din.  

Since Harm had been here before, he led Mac through the expansive room, knowing exactly where to find Lieutenant Richard Hoyle. They stopped in front of two desks. The desk on the right was occupied by a young officer named Lieutenant Jennifer Sullivan. She was currently busy questioning an elderly, agitated man, while the desk on the left was home to Lieutenant Hoyle, who was finishing up a phone conversation. The minute he put the phone down he turned his attention to Harm and Mac.

“Commander Rabb,” he said enthusiastically as he got up from his chair, extending his hand first to Harm and then to Mac. “And I assume you must be Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Colonel. I just wish it were under better circumstances,” the lieutenant replied, giving Mac a little smile. “Why don’t we take this someplace a little more private so we can talk without any interruptions,” he offered, taking a file from his desk before leading Harm and Mac to a room at the end of the office.

Mac glanced at the plate that read interrogation room on the door and looked worriedly at Harm. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and entered the room close behind Mac and Lieutenant Hoyle.

*

“Please take a seat,” the lieutenant said, pointing at the two folding chairs in front of a desk in the middle of the room. Harm had closed the door behind him and then took a seat right next to Mac. She immediately reached out to hold his hand, needing the support that the physical connection supplied.

Lieutenant Hoyle took his place on the other side of the desk and opened the folder in front of him. “Okay, first of all, I want to thank you for making it in so soon and I’m terribly sorry that we couldn’t divulge any information before now. But I presume, being lawyers, you know how things work.”

Mac looked at Harm before turning her gaze to the lieutenant. “I guess that means it wasn’t an accident.”

“Yes, Colonel, I’m sorry to say, you’re right, it wasn’t an accident,” Lieutenant Hoyle responded, letting his eyes roam between her and Harm. “Once the entire scene was investigated and scrutinized thoroughly, we have concluded without any doubts that the explosion was definitely planned and not accidental.”

“What exactly did you find?” Harm asked, straightening his posture as his lawyer instincts kicked in after fully digesting the news. “And more importantly, what does this have to do with Mac - I mean, Colonel MacKenzie?”

Lieutenant Hoyle cleared his throat, looking straight at Harm. “That’s why you and Colonel MacKenzie are here, Commander.” He took a picture out of his file to put it down in front of Mac. “Do you know this man, Colonel?”

“No,” Mac answered assuredly shaking her head to substantiate her response, never diverting her gaze from the picture. “I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen this man before.”

Harm leaned over to take a look at the picture. It was of a man in his mid-thirties Harm gathered, Caucasian with short dark brown hair, green eyes and a little scar over his upper lip. The man didn’t look familiar to Harm either. ‘Who is this man, and what does he have to do with Mac?’ Harm asked himself. 

“Are you sure, Colonel? You answered awfully quick. Maybe you’ve seen him briefly or in passing and just don’t remember.”

Mac finally raised her eyes only to meet the intense gaze of the police officer. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant, but as I’ve already stated, I have never seen this man before. Who is he?”

Lieutenant Hoyle picked up the picture from the table and placed it back into his file. “Colonel, have you ever heard of Giuseppe Lombardi?”

Mac gasped feeling a little astonished, looking first at Harm and then at Hoyle.

“Of course, who hasn’t? He is the head of one of the biggest mafia families out there. Aren’t their so-called businesses scattered around the US and Europe, predominantly Italy, Germany and Russia?”

“Yes, this is true. They are also very busy at the moment building up their so-called business in Asia. They also have a few restaurants, and, of course, the meat exporting, gambling, drugs, arms trade, smuggling, and money laundering that all appear to be very high on their list of priorities.”

“This is pretty much common knowledge, but what exactly has any of this to do with the explosion, Lieutenant?” Harm asked, unable to put the pieces together on his own. “Are you telling us that the mafia is behind the explosion?” he asked chuckling, but turned serious and tense when he saw the look in the officer’s eyes. Harm rubbed his hand across his brow as he attempted to comprehend what he was hearing.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, Commander.” Lieutenant Hoyle opened the folder again, retrieving the picture and held it up to Mac and Harm. “This, Commander, Colonel, is Giovanni Lombardi the third. He is a great-nephew of the big boss, Giuseppe Lombardi and definitely the blackest sheep of the family. He worked for his great-uncle until he screwed up a big operation he was in charge of. His punishment was being banned from the ‘family business’ as well as from the family itself. He attempted a try at restitution, working as a lawyer for the company while doing a little money laundering on the side. You might say he started over at the bottom, working his way up, endeavoring to prove his worth and get back into the good grace of the big boss. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as he planned and he panicked, tried to get himself out of trouble before the family and Giuseppe himself found out. He is still under investigation.”

Mac sighed audibly and irritably took off her sunglasses, rubbing her hand over her eyes. “Lieutenant, I still don’t get it. What has this…,” she started to say, pointing to the picture Hoyle was still holding in front of her. “…this Giovanni Lombardi to do with the explosion of my apartment building?” For the life of her, she could not make a connection.

”So you really don’t know him?” the lieutenant asked again, intending to dig deeper.

It was Harm’s turn to speak up and by the tone in his voice and the look in his eye it left no doubt that he was not only annoyed, but also angry at Lieutenant Hoyle’s interrogation tactics in regards to Mac. “Lieutenant Hoyle, the Colonel has stated quite plainly that she does not know this man. And I can’t help but get the feeling that you are treating her as a suspect in the explosion, in which case, as her attorney, I am advising her to say nothing more.”

Mac looked appreciatively at Harm for stepping in and coming to her defense, even though she was quite capable of speaking for herself.

Lieutenant Hoyle shook his head, giving Harm and Mac a smile. “No, don’t worry Commander. Colonel Mackenzie is not a suspect in this case and she definitely doesn’t need a lawyer.”

“Then what the hell is this all about?” Harm asked, his voice getting louder, the hotter under the collar he got.

The officer looked down at the file on the desk and intertwined his hands in front of him, placing them on top of the papers that were scattered around him. “After sifting through every conceivable piece of evidence at the apartment building, it was revealed that the explosion was caused by a good sized self-made bomb armed with a timing fuse.”

“Oh, my God,” Mac breathed out, gripping Harm’s hand firmly. She looked up at him worriedly, only to be greeted by the same fear reflecting in his eyes.

“We were even able to tell exactly where in the apartment building the bomb went off. According to the report, the bomb had been placed on the front side of the building… to be exact… on the second floor.”

“WHAT?” Harm yelped, knowing exactly where this information was leading - Mac’s door. “Lieutenant, are you telling us that the bomb went off in Mac’s apartment?”

Lieutenant Hoyle took a deep breath. “Yes, Commander, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

“And you’re sure it was this… this… Mafioso,” Harm asked pointing at the papers on the desk. After all the information he had just been fed and was in the process of digesting, he couldn’t remember his name, but the picture was definitely branded on his mind. That was a face he would not forget anytime soon. 

“Giovanni Lombardi the third, and yes, we’re sure it was him,” Lieutenant Hoyle explained solemnly, catching the questioning look in Harm’s eyes as Mac went silent. “A couple literally ran into him moments before the bomb went off. He had run out of the building, nervously looking over his shoulder. They were able to give a detailed description to our sketch artist, who in turn provided us with a likeness. The little scar above his upper lip was the identifying factor. When we searched his apartment, we found the incriminating evidence that linked him to the crime scene.”

“I don’t believe this,” Mac whispered shakily, unable to assimilate all the disturbing news. “I mean, what does this Lombardi-guy or the mafia have to do with me, and why would he plant a bomb in my apartment? I don’t know him or anyone else in his family, nor have I had anything to do with a case or investigation that would involve them,” Mac concluded wearily.

“Well, Colonel, I have to admit that Mr. Lombardi isn’t a very talkative man, so getting information out of him was like pulling teeth. It is taking way too much time if you ask me,” Hoyle explained with a rather grim smile. “He remains pretty close-mouthed. Lombardi is in big trouble, and he knows it. Therefore, he is not talking. He’s failed the family yet again and he won’t be getting any support from them. Not only that, but any leaks about the family business and he’s a dead man… no matter what.”

“Does that mean you still don’t know why the bomb was set off in my building or in my apartment?” Mac asked interrupting the lieutenant’s explanation.

“All we know for sure is that his partner in the law firm obviously borrowed a tidy sum of money from him over the past several months, and was unable to pay it back as agreed to. On top of that, three days before the explosion occurred, Lombardi discovered that this partner of his also embezzled a ton of money when he accepted a so-called delivery. Giovanni knew that if any one of the family members, especially Giuseppe, found out about his huge blunder by taking a partner and letting him in on the family business, his life would be a living hell. He attempted to give his untrustworthy partner a last chance… twenty-four hours to pay up. He couldn’t and didn’t…  at least not the entire amount. Then the partner made the biggest mistake of his life by thinking he could alleviate the debt by blackmailing Lombardi with some piquant information he was more than willing to share with the FBI or CIA.”

Lieutenant Hoyle stopped for a second to catch his breath and take a good look at the Commander and Colonel, who were engrossed in his lengthy tail and appeared to be following along.

“Please, Lieutenant, go on,” Mac offered.

“Well, at this point, Mr. Lombardi was already in deep trouble with his family and the company. The last thing he needed was to have the FBI, CIA or any authority for that matter approach the family. He had to eliminate the threat… his partner and all the evidence. Unfortunately for him, it was his first attempt at bomb making and he’d underestimated its power, killing many more people than he’d planned to. Also, he obviously didn’t know how to give himself more time to retreat from the crime-scene before the bomb would go off.”

“Wow, your information is very thorough, considering the fact that Mr. Lombardi hasn’t been forthcoming in offering you any information, Lieutenant,” Harm threw in with a raised eyebrow.

Lieutenant Hoyle chuckled. “Yeah, we may have a lot of information already, but it did not come from Mr. Lombardi, Commander. As much as he is stoic and unresponsive, his partner is extremely talkative.”

“So the incident was intentional, but choosing my apartment for the bomb was accidental because one of my neighbors worked with the mafia?” Mac was feeling as though she was a character in a movie, a really bad movie, worst than any nightmare could possibly be. Right now, all she wanted to do was leave this impersonal, cold, bare room and go home… to Harm’s, crawl into his bed under the covers and right into his warm supporting arms- and stay there ‘till this whole nightmare was over.

The sound of Lieutenant Hoyle’s voice brought her back to the present. “No, choosing your apartment was not accidental, Colonel MacKenzie,” he quickly corrected her misconception of what had taken place. He looked at her and then at Harm before looking into the mirror on the left side of the room.

They followed the lieutenant’s gaze. ‘We’re being watched,’ Harm and Mac thought simultaneously, but before they could say or ask anything, the lieutenant spoke again.

“Colonel, I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but…,” Lieutenant Hoyle started to explain, taking a deep breath before continuing, “… your fiancé, Michael Brumby, was Giovanni Lombardi’s partner. The bomb was aimed at him.”

*

For a moment, the room became so eerily silent you could hear a pin drop.

From the minute Lieutenant Hoyle dropped the bombshell that Mic Brumby was apparently the target of the bomb that went off in Mac’s apartment, Harm had his eyes trained on Mac. He was unable to gauge her reaction as she sat their stoically, her eyes riveted on the lieutenant’s gaze. Harm was still perplexed over the shocking news. ‘This can’t be true,’ he thought.

Harm was about to ask the officer if he’d heard right when Mac gave him a quick look. She shook her head smiling, moving several of the papers in front of her around the desk. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant, but I think you have made a mistake. My fiancé… I mean my ex-fiancé… Mic never worked for this Lombardi’s law firm. He had his firm called Brumby & Brumby,” she explained. “I don’t know who this guy is that came up with this implausible story, but it sure wasn’t Mic.”

She turned to look at Harm, who was still watching her intently and pacing nervously around the small room. His concern for her was evident and Mac couldn’t help but notice. She became alarmed that he was even considering what the lieutenant said to be true. It couldn’t be, could it? “Mic is back in Australia,” she concluded, as she again looked at the lieutenant.

Lieutenant Hoyle inhaled deeply. He returned his gaze to the mirror on the left side of the room, letting it linger there for a few seconds. He looked at Mac and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Colonel,” he uttered and that’s when it finally dawned on her.

She quickly looked to her left, starring intensely at the mirror. “Tell me this is a joke,” she retorted and stood up to move towards the mirror. Harm, who had come to the same conclusion, wasn’t sure exactly whom she was speaking to… the lieutenant or the person that was obviously standing behind the mirror.

“That bloody son of a bitch,” Harm swore to himself, but the look in the lieutenant’s eyes told him he’d heard him loud and clear. Harm always knew Mic was a jerk, a jack-ass, a cretin that needed to be put in his place. But this? No, this was lower than low. He would not have thought him capable of doing something this despicable to Mac. ‘How much lower can this guy possibly sink?’ Harm wondered, still not wanting to believe it. He looked back at the mirror before sitting back down. ‘This guy is worse than bubble gum stuck to your shoe.’

Mac was still looking straight into the mirror, seeing her angry, glaring eyes staring back at her. “Lieutenant, is there more? Or am I free to go?” she asked suddenly without turning around, clenching her fist by her side. The walls were starting to close in on her and she needed to get out of there quickly before she did something stupid.

Her question surprised Hoyle who immediately looked at Harm, who simply shrugged as an answer. Harm was a little taken aback at Mac’s response as well. Lieutenant Hoyle cleared his throat. “Of course, Colonel, if there is nothing more you would like to know…,” he started to say, looking at the mirror before he continued, “… or to clear up, then you’re free to go.”

Mac turned her head to look at the two men still sitting at the table in the middle of the room. “Lieutenant, if you don’t want to process more paperwork for murder, you better hope that there is nothing I want to… clear up.” Her anger was quite evident to both Harm and Hoyle - and also to the person behind the mirror… the subject of her anger.

Lieutenant Hoyle nodded in affirmation. “Understandable, Colonel,” he said sympathetically, closing the file in front of him. “If you have any more questions, or if there is something you want to talk about, don’t hesitate to call me. Here’s my card,” he replied, handing her his business card.

Mac took the card giving him a little smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Then she turned her gaze to Harm who got up from his chair. “Let’s go home,” she said softly. Harm clearly detected the tiredness in her voice.

He nodded. “Okay, Mac. Why don’t you go to the car? There’s something I would like to talk with Lieutenant Hoyle about.”

“Harm…,” Mac started to protest, but Harm held his hands up in front of him to stop her.

“It’s okay, Mac. Don’t worry. I just need a couple of minutes… honest.”

Mac shrugged doubtfully. “Okay, I’ll see you out front,” she replied, holding her left hand out for Lieutenant Hoyle to take. “Thanks for everything, Lieutenant.”

“You’re quite welcome, Colonel.”

“Bye.” With that said, Mac quietly left the room without looking back.

*

Harm waited until the door shut behind her. He looked at Lieutenant Hoyle with fierce determination. “Get him in here,” he said, and even before the officer could reply, the door opened again and there he was, the object of Harm’s anger, standing just a few feet away from him in the company of another police officer.

“Rabb,” Mic stated glumly. Harm was surprised to see just how shattered and broken the once robust Aussie looked.

Harm didn’t care what Mic looked like. He did what his instincts told him to do; he grabbed Mic by his shirt collar and shoved him roughly against the closed door, his forearm pressing into Mic’s neck. “You bloody son of a bitch!” Harm spit out angrily. “How the hell could you do this to her?”

Lieutenant Hoyle thought Harm should have some privacy. “That will be all, Jeffrey,” he said, dismissing his young colleague before he could jump in to separate Harm and Mic.

“Yes, Sir,” the young officer said and quickly left the room.

Mic’s windpipe was being compromised by Harm’s forearm and he was struggling to breath. Harm was so angry; he was relentless and wouldn’t let up until he looked Mic in the eye and realized he had no fight left. Harm slowly eased up and took his arm from under Mic’s chin. Mic staggered and took a deep breath. “Answer me, damn it!” Harm yelled. “How could you do this to the woman that you supposedly are in love with?”

Mic’s head was lowered and he was completely subdued. “I don’t know, mate. I got in too deep and didn’t know what else to do. I panicked,” Mic supplied remorsefully.

Harm stood there, hands on his hips, shaking his head. “Why didn’t you talk to her, explain what was going on with you instead of completely draining the bank account and her credit card?”

“What was I supposed to say, Rabb? ‘Sarah, luv, you know that law firm I started and that supposedly worked great? Well guess what?… I failed… again… and then I started to use it all as a fabrication. In the last few months I was actually working for the mob and I gambled away a large sum of their money and I can’t pay it back’. That would have gone over real big, mate.”

Harm was agitated. “Well… mate, it would have been better than deceiving her, stealing her money and getting her into debt. Do you have any idea what she is feeling right now? How did you end up like this?”

Mic had taken a seat on one of the chairs and had his hands clasped together in front of him on the table. “I know damn well how she feels right now. I was watching her.

If looks could kill, I would be dead. She couldn’t possibly hate me any more than she does right now.” He put his hands over his head. “How it happened, you ask? I don’t know.” He shrugged. “My own law firm was a bust. I couldn’t get it off the ground. I had pretty much moved in with Mac and she was almost completely paying my way. I felt like a heel and I knew I had to find something. I tried to increase the little money I did have by going to a casino. Well, we all know how that worked out. I lost it all, so I asked for a line of credit, which they granted and I immediately exceeded it. That is when the owner, Lombardi, made me the offer to work for him and his law firm... to pay off my debt so to speak. I was in too deep to back out at that point, so I did it. I couldn’t tell Mac, not then anyway, so I lied to her for months, and got myself in deeper and deeper.”

“Didn’t you have any idea who the hell you working for?” Harm asked.

“No, I honestly had never heard of him before. I had been working for him for a few weeks when I found out exactly who he was and what his specialty was, but by then it was too late. I was totally indebted to this guy… I couldn’t quit. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I wasn’t thinking. They were going to kill me so I panicked. Believe me, no one feels worse about it than I do. If I had it all to do over again… well let’s just say things would be different. I never meant to hurt Sarah. You have to believe that. She didn’t deserve it. I’m so sorry,” Mic concluded.

Harm was surprised at Mic’s despair. Though he was still furious, he couldn’t push any more. Mic had admitted his wrong-doing and was completely despondent over it. “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to, Brumby. You should be telling this to Mac.”  

“Tell her for me, Rabb, I can’t face her. I am so ashamed of what I’ve done, and for what I’ve done to her. Tell her that, please. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll pay her back every cent.”

“Tell me one thing. Is that the reason why you snapped and physically hurt her that night? She swore to me that you had never hit or hurt her in any way before then.”

Mic looked down at his feet sighing heavily, giving Harm a little nod. “I am so ashamed of myself and what I did. I totally and completely lost it… I couldn’t control myself. My situation was so bleak, and I had no idea what to do about it. When she told me that she was breaking our engagement… I snapped. My worst fear had finally come true. I lost her and there was nothing, absolutely nothing I could do about it.”     

Harm was skeptical and the next words he heard really threw him. 

“Rabb, I always thought she was too good for you, that you didn’t appreciate her and took her for granted. You thought that she would always be there waiting… waiting until you got your head out of your six. I felt you were just stringing her along because you couldn’t commit to her or to anyone for that matter. I have to admit that I was wrong. Well, wrong about some things. I still don’t think you can commit, but I do believe you love her in ways I could never even dream of. You two have a connection that cannot be explained or denied. It exists and I’ve seen it. What I’m saying is…,” Mic stopped to clear his throat and take a deep breath. “… what I’m saying is she belongs with you and you belong with her. I knew it when I asked Sarah to marry me and I know it now. I was a fool to think that she could ever love me the way that she loves you. I guess I thought my loving her would be enough for both of us, but it wasn’t. And to add insult to injury, I stole from her. I hurt and degraded her.” Mic looked at Harm pleadingly. “Take care of her, Rabb, and please try to express to her how truly sorry I am. I know I have no right to ask this of you after all I’ve done and all the hurt I’ve caused, but I am hoping that you will have pity on this poor fool and convey my message.”

Harm was dumbfounded and left speechless at Mic’s contriteness. The arrogant Aussie had been humbled. This confrontation held no smugness or cockiness. He took a few minutes to digest everything Mic had said. He opened his mouth to speak and found that it had gone completely dry. He swallowed hard several times before trying again. “I’m not making any promises, Brumby, because she may not listen – but I will try. God help me I don’t know why because you really don’t deserve it, but I will try.”

“Thank you, mate. It appears that the better man won. You are a good man, Rabb.”

With all that said, Brumby looked at Lieutenant Hoyle who nodded back saying, “I think we are done here.” He got up and called for Jeffrey.

Jeffrey entered the room and escorted Mic out. Before leaving the room, Mic turned back to Harm. “Tell Sarah I really did love her.” He turned his back before adding in a whisper, “goodbye, mate.”

Harm and Lieutenant Hoyle exchanged a few words before Harm left the room and then the building. He found Mac leaning against his car waiting for him. He could tell by her demeanor that all was not well with his Marine. ‘Understandable,’ he thought. He sighed gently. Now all he had to do was figure out when and how to tell her what Mic wanted her to know.

Mac pushed herself away from the car, walking to meet Harm midway; her eyes never leaving his face. Wordlessly, she took first his right hand and then his left in her uninjured one, inspecting his knuckles for blood and bruises.

Harm let out a great, big belly-laugh, raising her hand to his mouth and kissing it.  “Don’t worry, Mac,” he said smiling. “I didn’t do anything stupid.”

“I’m not sure I would have called it stupid,” Mac embellished dryly, making Harm laugh even louder. “I think I would have called it justice.”

Harm walked past her to the passenger side of his car, opening the door. “Come on, let’s go,” he said looking at Mac who was still rooted to the spot where he’d left her.

Mac looked at him puzzled. “I have my own car,” she retorted, pointing at her ‘vette parked right next to his.

“I know. We’ll get it tomorrow. Right now I feel like a drive and I want to have you right next to me. Come on. Get in the car, Jarhead.”

“But my caaarrrrrr,” Mac countered with a playful whine.

Harm barely held back his snicker. “Mac, your car is parked in front of a police station. I’m sure it will still be here when we get back tomorrow. And to make you feel better, I asked Lieutenant Hoyle if it would be okay to leave it over night. He said not to worry – he would take good care of it. So, come on. Let’s go. Stop worrying.”

Mac inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. She murmured something indecipherable, moved to the passenger side of the car where Harm was standing with the door open waiting for her and got in. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” Harm said before making sure she was settled and shut the door. It was time to put some distance between them and this place. Harm knew just where to go for them to recuperate. With a smile on his face, he quickly rounded the car to get in. He turned on the ignition and without bothering to look back, he drove out of the parking lot and joined the steady stream of traffic.

*

Mac had her head back against the headrest. Her eyes were closed and she was trying her best to remain calm and enjoy the ride when Harm stopped the car and turned off the engine. She slowly opened her eyes and looked out the windshield. Her eyes opened wide. “How… how did you know…”

“The way?” Harm asked smiling.

“Yeah?” Mac answered totally surprised that Harm had found her new home without even asking her for directions. Sure, he had seen it from the other side of the lake, but to be able to actually drive to it was a whole other matter. “Harm?”

“Mac, I’m a pilot, remember? And a pretty damn good navigator.”

“Well, maybe when you’re not crashing into things,” Mac goaded with a chuckle.

“What do you mean when I’m not crashing into things?” Harm responded sighing slightly, placing his hand over his heart dejectedly.

“Come on Harm… I mean really. Have you forgotten? I can remember one in particular. Does the word ‘poachers’ bring back any poignant memories?”

Harm grimaced. “First of all, I didn’t crash that time. I landed the plane safely. Secondly, are you ever going to let me forget that particular nightmare?”

Mac reached over and ran her hand over his thigh lightly, then squeezed gently for emphasis. “I’m sorry, Harm. I was just teasing you. I didn’t mean to upset you, and as a matter of fact I forgave you for that one a long time ago.” When he didn’t answer her right away, she looked at him with a little pout on her lips and he nearly came unglued.

Harm quickly put his hand on top of hers, stopping her ministrations. Not that he wasn’t enjoying the sensations she was stirring in him… he was afraid he was enjoying it a little too much under the current circumstances. He picked up her hand, putting it to his lips and kissed her palm softly. “It’s okay, Mac, I’m not upset,” he told her smiling.

She reluctantly removed her hand from his grasp. Not that she wanted to break the connection, she just didn’t want him to see what that little gesture was doing to her. She dug around in her pocket and removed a key, which she dangled in front of him. “Shall we take the grand tour?”

Harm looked at her questioningly.

“I got the key from Mrs. Curtis already,” she told him sweetly. “Come on, let’s go,” she said eagerly.

Harm quickly got out of the car and went around to open the door for Mac, helping her out of the car. They both stood there for a minute looking at the house in front of them. Mac sighed rather loudly.

“You okay, Mac?”

“Ummm… yeah, yeah I am.” She turned to look at him just as he turned to look at her. They stared into each other’s eyes before Mac spoke again. “Thank you, Harm.”

“For what?” he wanted to know.

“For always knowing the right thing to do… for bringing me here… for being you.”

Harm shrugged. “No thanks necessary. I just wanted you to feel a sense of peace and security, and I thought coming here might do it for you right about now.”

Mac smiled at him warmly. “It is making me feel good, but then again I always feel good when I’m with you,” she added under her breath as she looked the other way, not wanting him to hear.

Unbeknownst to her, he had heard her and was glad because he felt the exact same way. “Come on, Marine. Show me your new place.”

Mac grabbed him by the hand and together they started up the walkway. After a few steps, Harm stopped suddenly, jerking on Mac’s arm. “Harm?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Wow… talk about déjà-vu,” Harm said shaking his head.

Mac turned back, giving Harm an odd look. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Nothing’s wrong, Mac. It’s just that every time I’ve had a dream about my future, it looked like this. This house, this fence, this tree,” he concluded pointing at everything he mentioned. “There’s a dog playing in the backyard with…”

Mac looked at him intently then whispered, “the children, your children… a little boy and a little girl,” Mac finished his sentence in the uncanny way she’s always able to. What she had really wanted to say was she had seen their children. The little girl skipping around harassing her brother while in marine mode was a mini-Mac, and the boy who was running around in circles with his arms outstretched in the air making airplane sounds with the big, old family dog chasing close behind him was definitely a Flyboy Jr.

“How did you know what I was seeing?” he asked her incredulously.

She looked at him sheepishly. “I knew because it’s the same dream I had.”

“I don’t believe it.” Harm looked at her shaking his head in confusion.

“Believe it, Sailor, because it’s true.” Mac laughed. “Come on, Flyboy… you really need to see the inside,” Mac told him over her shoulder as she unlocked the front door and walked in with Harm close on her heels.

*

“This is incredible, Mac,” Harm told her, walking around amazed at how great the house was. “How did you say you found it?”

“I already told you, Harm, I didn’t. It found me. I know how silly that sounds, but it’s true. I found myself on a road I’d never taken before, and don’t even know why I took it. It was like an unseen force brought me here.”

“Well it’s certainly beautiful. The architecture is incredible, and the workmanship is flawless. When did you say you wanted to move in?”

Mac took a deep breath. “As soon as possible. It should really be tomorrow. Especially after the conversation I had with the Admiral. What do you say to helping me throw a fresh coat of paint on some of these walls?”

“Sure. Have you decided on colors yet?”

“Yeah, I have actually. I was thinking about it while I was standing by the car at the police station waiting for you. I needed a distraction. I had to think about something pleasant quick or I was going to hurt someone. So I escaped to this place in my mind and imagined I was already living here. Surrounded by my own things.”

“Uummm, Mac.”

“Yeah,” she says turning to look at him.

“I don’t know if you realize it, but you don’t have any things… you don’t even have any furniture.”

Mac laughed and was surprised about her reaction. After all that happened she was still able to laugh about it. “This is true, but I am very optimistic and I can envision quite nicely, thank you. It may take some time, seeing as how financially impaired I am, but it will be furnished some day. I will start with the necessities and work my way from there.”

“Such as?” Harm asked.

“A coffee maker...”

Harm gave out a belly-laugh and immediately bantered back. “Of course it’s first on the list. What would a Marine do without her daily dose of sludge?”

Mac swatted him on the arm. “You didn’t let me finish, Squid. I also will need some plates and silverware.”

“Figures you would think of your stomach first. What about the pots and pans?”

“Smartass. I don’t cook, remember? Well… alright… I guess I could buy a couple of pots and pans so you can cook for me,” she added smirking widely.

“Oh really… and what makes you think I will be doing that, Jarhead?”

“Because you love to cook and I love to eat,” she answered matter-of-factly.
 

He looked at her wide-eyed. “Well, what can I say? When you’re right… you’re right.” He laughed.

Mac continued to walk around the living room becoming serious again. “I will also need to get a laptop, and a desk and chair to set up some sort of office so I can work at home. I was actually thinking of talking the Admiral into letting me come back to work in some sort of clerical capacity. I can file, run errands… you know, do odds and ends that someone has to do.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Hey, who knows, maybe you can still work cases. You could defend or prosecute and just have some sort of assistant to help you out with the things you can’t do. It’s worth a shot, Mac.”

“Yeah, it definitely is. I will take whatever I can get at this point. Oh, and I will need a lamp for the desk.” Mac was back to filling in the necessities.

“What… no bed?”

“Of course I’m gonna get a bed, silly, but it will just have to be a mattress on the bedroom floor for now. I have to stretch what little funds I have as far as they will go. Thank goodness there is a huge walk in closet up there so I won’t need a wardrobe. Come on, I’ll show you,” Mac said as she pushed him up the stairs to the second floor.

They walked around the huge bedroom. Harm was baffled. “Wow… this looks exactly the way I pictured it. I would lie on my bed and watch the stars.” He then proceeded to the master bath with its huge tub. Harm lingered in the bathroom a little while after Mac had walked out. ‘Hmmm… that tub is definitely big enough for two and even big enough to....’ Harm’s musing was cut off abruptly by Mac’s voice. ‘Phew, just in the nick of time,’ he thought.

“Harm? What the heck are you doing in there?”

Harm shuffled his feet nervously, ‘if she knew the thoughts running through my mind right now, she would definitely smack me of the side of the head,’ he mused.

“Nothing, nothing at all,” he stammered, still a little embarrassed at what he had been thinking as he walked back into the bedroom. “I still have a new mattress stored away in the basement if you would like to have it. I certainly don’t need it and you are more than welcome to have it. At least it will be one less thing you’ll have to get for the time being.”

“Thanks, Harm. That would be great.”

Harm had just noticed the French doors that led to the balcony. He opened them, walked out and caught the spectacular view of the park and the lake with the rose garden below. Now that was something he had not seen in his dream. “Come on,” he said, taking Mac by the hand and leading her down the stairs and into the backyard.

*

They sat on the stone wall, enjoying the peacefulness around them in the early evening air. “Want to talk about it?” Harm finally asked.

Mac chuckled, shaking her head. “There’s really not much to talk about. The funny part is that I really don’t feel sad or disappointed about what I found out today, even though I am close to penniless. The only thing I feel is anger,” she replied, grinding her teeth just a little.

“That’s certainly understandable, Mac.”

 “Is it? I was going to marry this man, for Pete’s sake. I SHOULD feel angry, yes, but I should also feel so much more. I should be disappointed that he couldn’t tell me what was going on. I should feel betrayed that he supposedly loved me and yet could steal from me. I should feel hurt because he lied to me about what he was doing with his life, and sad because I had no idea any of it was going on. If I did, maybe I could have helped in some way. Shouldn’t I have known that something wasn’t okay with him, that something was bothering him? I should have felt it. Hell, I always know when there is something bothering y…” Mac stopped suddenly, realizing what she almost let slip.

Harm’s eyes widened as she stopped mid-sentence. He didn’t acknowledge what she’d said.  Instead, he just sat there listening to her and thinking about how, or even if, he should answer her.

Before he had a chance, Mac continued. “It worries me that all I am feeling is anger.”

“It shouldn’t,” Harm answered sympathetically.

“Shouldn’t it?”

“No, because you did love him in your own way, just not in the way a woman should love the man that she is about to marry… her one true love. And I really do think that deep down you are sad, disappointed and hurt about what happened. But at this moment, in light of just finding out, your anger out weighs all the other emotions. They’re there, just deeply buried. You know, Mac, sometimes we find ourselves with someone we like a lot, maybe even think we love. But we come to realize that they are not the person who completes us, not the person we want to wake up with each day and go to sleep with every night for the rest of our lives, not the person we want to make a home with and have a family with. In other words… not the right person.” Harm stopped and took a deep breath.

Mac watched Harm intently as he poured out his heart. She wondered where it was all coming from. ‘Was he talking about Renee?’ she wondered, but didn’t dare ask.

“Mac, he wanted me to tell you how sorry he is, and I really do think he means it.”

She was just about to protest, but Harm didn’t let her get a word in. “When I saw him, he was a totally broken man, not the cocky Aussie I knew and hated. I can’t even believe I am going to say this, but I actually felt sorry for him, Mac. He was totally despondent.”

“Why? How could you possibly feel sorry for him?”

“Because he lost everything. He lost control over himself, over his life, and the most important thing… he lost you. The one thing he loved most.” Harm looked at her with raised eyebrows, waiting for some sort of a response.

Mac did not want to get into it any deeper and made light of it by joking. “Well, maybe you should tell Renee this whole bizarre story. It certainly sounds like it would make for a good Hollywood movie.”

Harm saw his opportunity and jumped in with both feet. “I will if I ever get to talk to her again,” he said looking directly into Mac’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me she is still mad at you? I thought you were able to explain everything to her and she understood.”

“Yeah, I did… she did,” he stuttered.  “Look, Mac, there’s something I need to tell you. I wanted to do it sooner, but it never seemed like the right time and then I had to leave town for the investigation.”

Mac tensed, fearing what she was about to hear. “What?” she all but whispered.

“Renee and I broke up that night, Mac,” Harm said quietly, looking at Mac and waiting for a response. Would she be mad at him for not telling her sooner? Just one look in to her chocolate brown eyes told him what she felt was definitely not anger. 

Mac put her hand over her mouth before responding. “Oh, Harm. I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. We never had a future together. I knew it and she knew it, too. Like I said, sometimes you find yourself with someone you like and have fun with, but it’s just not love the way it should be. It’s not true love. We both knew it was just a matter of time.”

“Regardless, I’m still sorry, Harm,” Mac told him smiling, reaching up to cup his cheek as they sat there looking longingly into each other’s eyes. “Well, looks like we both struck out, Sailor.”

‘Or maybe we hit a home run,’ both thought without saying the words out loud.

*

Saturday

May 19, 2001

Harm’s Apartment

North of Union Station, DC

2:34 AM

Harm came awake slowly, sensing something was wrong. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know the problem. He ran his hand over the empty space next to him and it was cold… he was cold. That’s what woke him.

He was in his bed… alone.

He leaned up on his elbow and opened his eyes. The darkness immediately assaulted him, so he ran his hand over his eyes, allowing them time to adjust and focus without turning the light on. He was about to call out for Mac, when he saw her silhouette across the room.

She was standing in front of the bedroom window. She was facing away from him, her shoulder leaning against the window frame. The moon was not only full but big and bright, hanging low in the sky. Its beams filtered through the half open blinds, bathing Mac’s athletic form in a soft, yellow glow. To Harm, she was absolutely breathtaking standing there in the moonlight, and more beautiful than words could possibly describe. Her beauty was mesmerizing, and his heart melted as he continued to watch her for several minutes.

Since the moment he laid eyes on Sarah MacKenzie in the rose garden, he thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.  But right here, right now, standing in the dark room with the moonlight bouncing off her lithe form, she was captivating. He couldn’t help but think that even the moon appreciated her over-whelming beauty and was happily sitting outside his window flirting with her. She was intoxicating clad in nothing but one of his long-sleeve, white dress shirts. His eyes roamed freely over her, enticed at how the shirt covered her only to mid-thigh and how she had managed to roll the sleeves up several times so that they wouldn’t be in her way. He knew he would never wear that particular shirt again without seeing her the way she looks right now. Like an angel… his angel. She took his breath away and made him tingle in places that shouldn’t be tingling.

Even though he knew he should look away, he couldn’t stop his eyes from feasting on her. He started at her short, silky brown hair and slowly wandering down to her slender shoulders, to her back, over her well rounded six, and down her long, tanned, muscular legs. Then his eyes made the return trip back up. ‘God she is so beautiful,’ was his only coherent thought. The moon’s illumination against the dark interior turned the gauze-like shirt transparent, giving him an ample view of her curvaceous attributes and leaving nothing to his already over-active imagination.

He sat up and reached down to loosen the sheets that were now constricting him and swallowed hard, feeling as though all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. What he didn’t realize was that he had been holding his breath. The need for air caused him to let out a ragged, little gasp that Mac never even heard.

Harm could only imagine what was going on in that pretty head of hers to have her awake at this hour, and he was also concerned that her normally well-honed Marine skills did not tell her that he was wide awake and watching her. He kicked the bedding from his body and got out of bed. Thinking that something could be wrong, he didn’t care that he was only wearing his black boxer shorts when he quickly made his way to where Mac was standing.

He approached her from behind and as if it were the most natural thing to do, he embraced her. Mac welcomed his warmth and responded by leaning back into his chest with a sigh. Harm was a little surprised that he hadn’t startled her. He immediately intensified his hold on her, placing his chin on her shoulder.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, simply enjoying the peaceful silence because they didn’t need words to communicate.

Harm was the first to finally speak. “Are you okay?” he whispered so close to her ear that she felt his lips brush against her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.

His hands were gently caressing her tummy. Mac placed her unhurt hand above his hands and tenderly started to play with the tiny hairs she found there. “Yeah, I just couldn’t sleep. I’m sorry I woke you.”

Harm held her tighter and gathered her closer. “You didn’t. I just missed you, I guess I got used to you sleeping in my bed with me,” he said quietly, placing a little kiss onto her earlobe. “Why couldn’t you sleep? Are you moonstruck?” Harm asked looking up at the moon. Deep down he knew that her insomnia had absolutely nothing to do with the orb in the sky.

“Do you really think it’s over?” Mac asked, still looking out the window. It was as though they were the only two people awake while everyone else in their busy, crazy world slept.

Harm knew she was talking about the entire Mic fiasco, and it was obvious by the tone in her voice that she was worried and having the same thoughts he had while they were at the police station. Harm took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. “Yes, Mac, I think it’s over. I asked Lieutenant Hoyle if you were in any danger and he told me not to worry because there is nothing to fear from the mob.”

Mac turned defensive. “Are you sure? Because if there is even a little hint of danger, then I need to get away as far as I can from here and the faster the better. The last thing I want is to get you guys involved, and if anything were to happen to Grams or to you, I would never forgive myself,” Mac concluded with a catch in her voice.

Harm placed a kiss on the back of her neck. He let his lips linger, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. “Turn around, Mac,” he finally whispered.

Slowly she turned around, but didn’t look up at him. Harm placed his index finger under her chin. “Please, Sarah, look at me,” he said. At the use of her given name, she met his gaze. “Do you really think that if there was any danger – be it small or large – that I would let you go through it alone? Because if you do, then you better think again.”

“No,” Mac breathed out. “You never would do that.”

“You’re damn right I wouldn’t, and the same goes for Grams. We don’t leave the people we love behind. So like it or not, we are in this together.”

Mac took his right hand into hers, opened his palm and placed a soft kiss there. “Thank you.”

Harm smiled, taking her into his arms hugging her tightly. “You’re not alone, and you never will be. That’s a promise,” he whispered. “And you already know about me and my promises.”

“Yeah,” Mac replied sincerely. “You never make a promise you don’t intend to keep.”

They held on to each other a little longer, before he drew back enough to look deeply into her eyes. “But you really don’t have to worry. Lieutenant Hoyle assured me that you don’t have anything to fear.”

“But how can you be so sure? I mean, if Mic was in that deep with the mafia, why wouldn’t they seek revenge by going after people Mic lov… knows.”

The fact that she couldn’t use the L-word did not go unnoticed by Harm. ‘You really did a good job, Bugme,’ he thought angrily.

“Mac, that was the same question I put to Hoyle,” Harm answered amused at how much they really thought alike. “He said even the mafia live by a code of honor, so to speak. You know… don’t hurt me and I won’t hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, Harm, but that sounds way to easy and pretty hard to believe. Isn’t it standard operating procedure to go after family members in order to shut someone up? It is the ultimate form of revenge.”

Harm grinned. “Touché, great minds think alike, Jarhead. I came to the same conclusion, and when I mentioned it to Lieutenant Hoyle, he agreed that is what usually happens.” 

“Sorry, but am I missing something here? He tells you that I’m not in danger, but he can’t rule out the Lombardi’s wanting to seek revenge against Mic and his family? Where’s the logic?” Mac dropped her gaze, turning in his embrace to stare out the window again. “To me… this isn’t over… not by a long shot.”

Harm placed his arms around her shoulders to keep her close to him. Her unhurt arm wrapped around his as she accepted the comfort he was offering and she again leaned heavily against him. “Mac, please listen to what I’m about to say. I promise you that you do not have to worry about the Lombardi’s because they don’t think hurting you would ultimately hurt Mic.”

Mac had been listening intently and tensed at his last words. “Huh?” Mac said glancing over her shoulder just a little puzzled. “What?” she asked meeting Harm’s intense gaze.

“Lieutenant Hoyle told me that Mic made sure to leave you out of the picture since he feared retaliation. He told Lombardi that you and he were done because you were in love with someone else. He called you a cheat and a liar, plus a few more horrible degrading things that I won’t mention, and then you moved out of the apartment.”

Mac sighed, remaining silent for a moment. “What about Mic?” she finally asked.

Harm was glad to hear those particular words, because even though it was a slow, step by step process, her anger against her ex-fiancé seemed to be dissipating and being replaced by worry. He knew her well enough to know that she was a decent and very loving woman who couldn’t stay mad forever. It was not in her nature. She always worried about her friends and it was only natural for her to worry about Mic as well.

Harm took a deep breath, knowing that the news he was about to tell her would hit her hard. “I’m sorry, Mac, but that’s a whole other story. It would appear that Mic is in extreme danger.” Mac stiffened immediately at his words. “He obviously has some very incriminating evidence against the Lombardi family, information that the police can use against them. Mic wants to the right thing, Mac. He promised to fully cooperate with them.”

“You mean he wants to testify against them?”

“Yes, that’s what Lieutenant Hoyle told me, and believe it or not, I have to admit that I admire Mic for that,” Harm confessed.

Mac gave Harm a questioning look, and Harm continued. “Mic is a free man, Mac. When you decided not to press charges against him for taking your money, the police couldn’t hold him. He can leave Washington and go back to Australia, but that’s not what he wants to do. He is repentant, Mac. He wants to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.”

“Does that mean?”

“Yes, it means that from this moment on, there’s no longer a Michael Brumby. He’ll testify and find shelter in the witness protection program.”

“Oh, my God.”

Harm’s voice become sincere. “Yeah, I have to admit I never gave him enough credit. I guess I always saw him through cynical eyes. He knew what he wanted and went after it… and that was you. I can’t imagine leaving everything you know, everyone you love behind, change your name and take on a whole new identity. Not to mention living everyday of your life wondering if this will be the day they will find you.”

“I know,” Mac replied quietly, rubbing her hand over Harm’s arm. “I just hope the information he has is worth it and that some good will come out of this mess.”

“Obviously, Lieutenant Hoyle couldn’t compromise the case by telling me anything, but I would have to assume that it is enough to get Giovanni Lombardi convicted.” 

Mac turned to face Harm, searching his eyes. “Does that mean that Mic may not have to fear anything from the Lombardi family? I mean, if Giovanni is the black sheep and getting no help from ‘the family,’ then maybe Mic can just disappear without worrying about being found some day.”

“Nobody can say for sure, but they won’t risk anything.”

“I still don’t believe all this,” Mac said contritely, resting her forehead against Harm’s chest.

“I know. It all sounds like a bad movie, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay?”

Mac looked into his eyes, nodding her head. “Yes, I’m okay here with you. Right now there’s just one thing I would very much like to do.”

“And what’s that? Eat a nice, big bowl of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Mint ice cream?” Harm joked, knowing from prior experience that a bowl of ice cream always helped to comfort Mac and get her to sleep.

Mac shook her head smiling. “No. What I really would like to do is…,” she started to say in a whisper, letting her fingertips run over his bare chest, stopping right above his heart. “… lie in your arms and fall asleep listening to your heart beat against my ear.”

Harm took Mac’ face into his hands and leaned in, slowly letting his lips meet hers for a short, sweet kiss. “It would be my pleasure,” he replied, taking her unhurt hand into his, leading them back to the bed. He lay down on his back as Mac moved over to his right side, lying down next to him. She cuddled close, gently pillowing her head on his chest, right above his heart. The steady rhythm of his heart soothed her better than any ice cream ever could and allowed her to let go of the unpleasant thoughts running through her head.

She sighed, totally relaxing in his comforting embrace. His fingertips were running softly over her back, caressing her in a soothing manner and Mac was lost in the relaxing sensation. Mac needed to get closer, if it were even possible. Gently, she maneuvered her leg so that it was now placed between his.

Tenderly, she ran her fingertips over his chest, infatuated with the tiny hairs she found there. “Harm?” she murmured against his bare skin. Her warm breath was tickling him in a manner that made his entire body quiver.

“Hmmm?” He moved his head a little, burying his nose into her hair, inhaling her sweet, unmistakable scent.

“I want to thank you for what you did tonight.” Her voice was barely audible as she was drowsy and ready to drift off to sleep. “I know that not telling Grams everything that happened at the police station wasn’t easy for you, nor was it for me. She was already so worried, and I just didn’t want to upset her further,” she explained sighing.  

Grams had a litany of questions when Harm and Mac walked through the door a few hours ago, and with just a look between them, the decision was made to just tell her what she needed to know, namely that the explosion wasn’t an accident and that Mac wasn’t in any danger.

“Don’t worry about it tonight, Mac. We can think about it some more tomorrow.”

Mac could barely keep her eyes open. “’kay. Good night, Harm,” Mac whispered, kissing his chest right above his heart. “Love you.”

Harm’s heart beat wildly and he thought it would burst into a million pieces at her last two words. ‘Funny how those two particular little words suddenly became simple,’ he thought. He knew they were spoken in a semi-sleep state, but it didn’t matter to him if she said them half asleep or screaming from the rooftop - the effect was the same. He was elated. Harm tightened his hold on her, placing a kiss on her head. “I love you too, Sarah,” he whispered back, closing his eyes and quickly followed her into a peaceful sleep.

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