Till Death Does Us Part

Chapter I

An assignment gets a little bit out of control and

To Be Or Not To Be that’s the question here.

 

Rating – GS 

Spoilers – Defiantly takes place in season 9. Harm is with the CIA and Mattie doesn’t exist.

Disclaimer - "The only thing I do own is a JAG mug. But hey, it’s a start. Other than that, nope, don’t own anything at all. Don’t even have one cent in my pocket. How about you, Shoe? Good news?"- Michi "Ummmm…. I had to get my bridesmaid dress taken in, unlike the other bridesmaids who had to lose weight for the wedding. Oh, you meant JAG. Sorry, Gum, still only own it in my dreams. And oh, what glorious dreams they are." - Carol

Authors Notes-

We did use AP (author’s privilege) again. And we enjoyed using it.

This is what happens when a CV meets a MV and they go boom. I had a blast (pardon the pun) writing this. Michi, we need to cut down on the chocolate or have more. I don’t know. You’re awesome to work with. –Carol

Right back to you Carol! It was once again a pleasure to work with you. And I would go with more chocolate. A girl can never have enough. – Michi

We both want to give a huge thanks to CRene for being our beta reader. Thanks bunches and hope you are having good luck at your new job. – Michi and Carol

Feedback is always welcome. Good or bad…..  

 

 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*  

 

Thursday August 28

Little Lost Love Chapel of Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

12:03 AM

 

"I now pronounce you man and wife."

"WHAT??!!" Came from the bride and groom.

The short minister smiled with slight confusion and repeated, "I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

The bride and groom looked at each other with fear and confusion in their eyes. "We need to get out of here," the bride said as she looked towards the door.

"Good idea." The groom agreed.

"Eager to start the honeymoon," A smiling old woman said from her spot next to the minister.

The terrified bride and groom looked at the woman but didn’t say anything. "Well, before you two go. You’ll need this." She handed the groom his Visa card, a receipt, and a marriage license.

The couple looked on the marriage license their eyes moved to the bottom of the page as it read groom and bride. They focused on their signatures above those two little lines, Harmon Rabb Jr. and Sarah MacKenzie.

 

Tuesday September 30 (one month later)

Mac’s Apartment

8:29 PM

Mac sat in her apartment staring at the same paper, which has been sitting on her coffee table since her return from Vegas. The words just jumped out at her, ‘Annulment of Marriage’. She picked up the blue and gold pen next to the paper. Her eyes fell across the words, ‘Fly Navy.’

"How the hell did we do this?" She muttered out loud.

She took a deep breath and moved to sign the papers in the assigned spots. The pen touched the paper and as she started to press down there was a knock at the door. Mac sighed as she set the pen down and stood to answer the door.

She opened the door and was greeted by a bouquet of wild flowers and the smell of a double cheeseburger. "For some reason I was driving and found myself by an all night flower stand and Beltway Burger. You hungry?"

Mac laughed at the absurd question and the man in front of her. "Come on in, Clay."

Clay smiled as he handed her the flowers. "You look radiant, Sarah." He kissed her cheek.

Mac laughed softly. "You must be tired, if you think this makes me look radiant." Mac walked into the living room with Clay behind her. As she approached the couch, she quickly noticed the papers still sitting on the coffee table. She leaned over and picked them up, before Clay had a chance to notice them.

Luckily for Mac, his thoughts were not on what was in front of her, but her behind. "Sarah, you could wear a sack and still look gorgeous. In fact I think you look better in these sweats than you do in anything else."

Mac turned to give Clay a surprised look. "Flattery will get you no where."

"Will begging?" Clay asked as he took a step closer.

Mac quickly noticed his intentions and took a step back. "I’m going to put these in some water."

"Okay." Clay smiled when she turned and walked into the kitchen.

Mac reached the kitchen and placed the flowers on the counter top. She looked at the papers in her hands and sighed. She looked to her left and stuffed them in her bill box. Then she proceeded to place the flowers in some water.

After the flowers were arranged, she walked back into the living room with the flowers. She placed them on an end table and smiled at Clay as he sat on the couch with two Beltway Burger double cheeseburgers, fries, and two super thick chocolate shakes on the coffee table.

They ate their meal in relative silence with only a few words shared. When they finished eating, Clay cleaned up the wrappers and threw them away. Mac leaned against the back of the couch with her eyes closed when he re-entered the room.

Clay’s eyes swept over Mac’s body. He moved to the couch sat down next to her. "Hi."

"Hi," Mac said turning her head to look at him.

Clay placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. His lips gently caressed hers. Mac let herself fall into the sweet feeling of affection. But slowly she remembered whom she was kissing. She placed a hand on Clay’s chest. "Clay."

Clay pulled away from her and looked at her face. "Still not."

"I’m sorry, Clay. But I’m just not willing to jump into anything with anyone right now."

"Sarah, it’s been four months since Paraguay," Clay informed her.

"I know, and I do appreciate how patient you’ve been, but I’m not ready to be with anyone, Clay." Mac gave him a soft smile.

Clay ran his fingers across her skin and gave her a heartfelt gaze. "Just tell me when you’re ready. Okay?"

"Okay," Mac assured him.

Clay turned his attention to the TV. "How about a movie? I think Oceans Eleven is on."

"Sounds like a great idea," Mac cheerfully said.

 

Tuesday October 21 (several weeks later)

JAG Headquarters

3:24 PM

"No thanks Clay. I’ll just try him at home again," Mac said on the phone. "Yeah, thanks. Bye." She hung up her phone and sighed heavily.

"Problem Mac," Sturgis said as he walked into her office.

Mac lifted her gaze to him. "Yeah."

"Maybe I can help."

"Have you seen Harm lately?"

"We had dinner last night," Sturgis nonchalantly said.

Mac stared at Sturgis with irritation. "He’s in town?"

"He’s been in town for the past two weeks." Sturgis noticed Mac’s mood. "Why? Is something up?"

Mac pointed to a large envelope on her desk. "I’ve been trying to call him, to tell him I have some papers, which need his signature. But I haven’t been able to get a hold of him."

"We’re playing ball tonight. I’ll deliver the papers for you," Sturgis offered.

"Thank you." Mac smiled as she handed him the envelope.

"Will he know what it is about?"

"He should, once he looks at them. But in case he can’t remember just tell him, it’s in regard to the Kraussman case."

"Wasn’t that the case you helped Webb with in Vegas?"

"Yeah," Mac groaned, knowing it was not Webb she worked the case with, but Harm.

"So doesn’t Webb need these?" Sturgis asked.

"No, Harm needs them," Mac said as she looked at Sturgis, knowing he was going to ask another question. "Trust me, the less you know about this….the better."

"Okay," Sturgis said before he walked out of the office.

 

Rec Center

10:34 PM

"You’re older than me. How the hell do you keep beating me?" Sturgis said to Harm, as they walked out to their cars.

"Luck," Harm smiled.

"Funny." Sturgis unlocked his car and handed Harm the envelope. "Mac asked me to give this to you. She wasn’t too pleased with the fact that you are in town."

Harm opened the envelope and groaned. "Oh, that."

Sturgis laughed. "She’s a marine and I value my life. What is it anyway?"

"Mac, didn’t tell you?"

"No, she was pretty secretive about it."

Harm glanced over the papers and noticed Mac was nice enough to place ‘sign here’ tags where his signature was needed. "Did she want you to give it back to her tomorrow?"

"She didn’t say anything about that." Sturgis gave Harm a leery look.

Harm grimaced at a Post It Note, which read: ‘Harm- We have 100 days to get annulled. The final date is December 7. - Mac.’

He quickly stuffed the papers back into the envelope and turned to Sturgis. "Just tell her, you gave the papers to me and I want to look them over before I return them."

"Sure."

"Great, I’ll see you later buddy," Harm cheerfully said as he walked over to his car.

"Sure, see you later," Sturgis said with slight worry in his voice.

 

Harm’s Apartment

11:05 PM

 Harm sat down on his couch with the papers in one hand and a beer in the other. He carefully read over the words. He glanced down at the signature lines and set the beer on the floor.

 

His finger traced over the lines of Mac’s signature. Her name so much like her, full of curves and surprises. He gazed at the name and let it take him to old times, when he would pop into her office to get a quick signature. The ways she would quickly and delicately scrawl her name on the spots he pointed to.

 

He set the paper down on the table and picked up a pen lying on the table. He picked the pen up and quickly wrote his name across the lines of the paper, where Mac instructed him to. He placed the papers back into the envelope and returned to his beer.

 

Wednesday October 29

Mac’s Apartment

9:32 PM

 

Harm knocked on the door and waited for Mac to answer it. Half of him was hoping he would be catching her in the shower and she would arrive only wearing raindrops. He grinned at the thought and knocked again. Still there was no response. He tapped the envelope in his hands and slid it under the door.

 

"Must be out with Webb," He muttered as he walked down the hall.

 

He opened the outside door to the apartment building, as a short bulky man walked into the apartment knocking Harm on the side. "Sorry," the man muttered to Harm, before he moved into the building.

 

"No problem." Harm straightened his jacket and moved towards his car.

 

9:45 PM

Mac stepped out of her bathroom with a towel in her hair and her pink cotton robe wrapped around her. She hummed to herself a song she caught on the radio that morning and moved into the living room.

 

When she walked past the door, the envelope on the floor caught her attention. She bent down and picked it up. She took the papers out and looked them over. Her eyes fell upon Harm’s signature and her heart fell a little, as she realized they were over for good.

 

Thursday October 30

JAG

4:15 PM

 

"Heading out." Sturgis noticed Mac packing up her briefcase.

 

Mac glanced at him. "Yeah, I need to stop by the courthouse. I’ll have my cell if anyone needs to get a hold of me, but I doubt the paper work will get upset at me."

 

Sturgis smiled. "Have a good night."

 

"You too," Mac said before she finished packing up.

 

She made her way though the bullpen towards the elevators and down through the lobby. Her thoughts were on the papers, which were in her car. Ending another marriage was not something she saw herself doing again. Especially when it was with the man she wanted to be with.

 

She pulled open the outside door and walked towards her car, as a voice called to her. She stopped and turned to see Harm ten feet away.

 

"Hey," She uncomfortably said.

 

"Hey. I just wanted to make sure you got the papers." Harm shifted his feet as he now stood in front of her.

 

Mac pointed towards her car. "I was just on my way to the courthouse to take care of them."

 

"Oh," Harm softly said.

 

"What are you doing here?" Mac asked.

 

"Sturgis needed to go over something with the Imes cases."

 

"It should take that long."

 

"Well, I better let you go."

 

"Yeah. I’ll see you around, Harm." Mac tried to smile before she turned to her car.

 

"Yeah." Harm watched as she moved towards her car. His eyes never leaving her, until he shook himself of his thoughts. He turned around and moved towards the entranceway of JAG.

 

Mac moved closer to her car, her thoughts on Harm and the papers. She pressed the unlock button on her key-chain. Her eyes filled with terror as she watched in slow motion, as her car suddenly busted into flames. She dropped her briefcase and tried to cover her eyes from the flames, but the force of the explosion threw her a few feet backwards and caused her head to impact with the pavement of the parking lot.

 

Harm’s feet froze as he heard the terrible sound. He quickly turned around to watch the flames and smoke enter the sky and Mac’s body fall to the ground. "Sarah!!!"

 

Harm ran towards her as people started to exit the building. "Call 911!" He yelled to one of the officers running out of the building.

 

Harm reached Mac’s body and knelt down towards her. "Mac." He gently touched her shoulder.

 

Mac opened her eyes and tried to focus on Harm as he swayed in front of her eyes. He carefully touched her face and moved some hair out of her eyes.

"I knew I shouldn’t have gotten that new alarm system," Mac muttered before she fell into unconscious.

 

Harm held her head in his lap as people gawked outside the building. After a few minutes the ambulance sirens could be heard and quickly the scene changed from one of utter confusion to organized chaos.

 

The paramedics questioned Harm about Mac and he gave the answers, her name, age, allergies, and other important facts. They strapped her down onto the back brace board and moved her into the ambulance. Harm moved towards the back to get in.

 

"Sorry, Sir", the paramedic said, placing a hand on Harm’s arm.

 

"I’m going with you," Harm stated.

 

The paramedic and the driver exchanged looks at each other. Harm stated at the driver. "I’m her husband and I will be damned if I have to follow you."

 

The paramedic stepped back and let Harm get into the truck. He then turned to Sturgis, AJ, and Harriet who were standing close by with petrified looks on their faces. "We’re going to Bethesda."

 

AJ looked at Sturgis and Harriet as the doors of the ambulance closed and the siren started to wale again. "Get down there and keep me updated. Lieutenant, go with the commander and remind Rabb that he does not have clusters, so he will have to follow their orders."

 

"Yes, Sir," They both said before they moved towards Sturgis’ car.

 

AJ surveyed the scene around him. His staff was slowly entering the building as the fire department put out the remaining flames from what was Mac’s corvette. He took a deep breath as he turned and watched a black car pull into the parking lot with a certain CIA agent in the front seat. "Damn it."

 

 

Bethesda Hospital

4:35 PM

 

The ambulance arrived at the hospital and a fury of activity started as soon as Mac was wheeled into the Emergency Room. Harm moved towards the door of where Mac went. A nurse stood in front of him. "I’m sorry, sir, you can’t go in there."

 

"I’m her husband."

 

The nurse shook her head. "The doctors are working on her and it’s best if you stay out here. As soon as the doctors are done they will talk to you. The admin desk is down the hall and to your right; they are going to need you to fill out some forms." Then she moved into the room and assisted the doctors.

 

He watched the door swing close giving him a glimpse of Mac. He sent out a prayer hoping she wasn’t hurt too bad.

 

6:21 PM

 

Harriet and Sturgis watched as Harm once again approached the admin desk. "Sarah MacKenzie," Harm repeated to the desk clerk.

 

"Sir, the doctor will be out to see you in a few minutes. She was sent up for CAT scan. You’re going to have to wait until they have the results of the scan," The desk clerk said finding herself getting upset with the man.

 

"Harm, just let them do their jobs," Sturgis said getting Harm’s attention. Harm’s head snapped around and he walked over to his two friends.

 

"What did the admiral say?" Harm asked as he sat down.

 

Sturgis gave Harm a grin look. "There were traces of explosives."

 

"Gee, Sturgis! And here I thought Mac put the wrong gas in the ‘vette," Harm snapped.

 

Harriet and Sturgis exchanged worried expressions as Harm exhaled a heavy breath. Harm looked at his two friends. "I’m sorry. They haven’t told me anything and it’s really starting to get to me."

 

"It’s alright, sir. Is there anything I can do?" Harriet offered.

 

"I don’t think so, Harriet. But thanks for the offer," Harm polity said to her. "You two don’t need to be here."

 

"Admirals orders," Sturgis told Harm. "Remember you’re at a military facility and they are more likely to tell us something than you."

 

Harm gave off a dry chuckle. "I keep forgetting I’m not in the Navy anymore."

 

A doctor walked out of the double doors and approached the small group. "Are you the group waiting for Colonel MacKenzie?"

 

Harm quickly turned around and looked at the doctor. "Yes."

 

"I was told her husband was here?" The doctor questioned as he looked from Sturgis to Harm.

 

"That would be me." Harm took a step towards the doctor as Harriet and Sturgis stood close by. Harriet and Sturgis exchanged a knowing glance both wondering, why Harm would lie to the doctor about being Mac’s husband.

 

"She’s being moved right now, but we would like to keep her overnight. She has a concussion, several bruises and cuts, and her left ankle is sprained. It probably happened from the force of that fall," the doctor explained. "She’s resting right now."

 

"She’s going to be okay?"

 

The doctor gave Harm a smile and a small laugh. "She’ll be fine after a few days. Since the two of you are married, we don’t need to worry about her being alone for the next few days."

 

"When can I see her?" Harm asked.

 

"In a few minutes. One of our nurses will give you her room number once she’s settled," the doctor informed Harm as a nurse walked over and gave the doctor something to sign. "If you have any questions, your wife’s physician upstairs should be able to help you."

 

"Thank you," Harm said before the doctor walked away.

 

"See sir, I told you she would be fine." Harriet smiled in relief.

 

"Yes, you did, Harriet."

 

A nurse then walked over to Harm. "Mr. MacKenzie, your wife is in room 326."

 

"Thank you." Harm smiled to her.

 

"Come on, Harm. We’ll make sure you don’t case any trouble up there," Sturgis said as the group moved down towards the elevators.

 

"You two don’t need to come," Harm told them.

 

"The admiral will want a first hand account of her, sir," Harriet explained.

 

Sturgis glanced at Harm. "Plus, he called and said that Webb is on his way here."

 

"So you’re here to make sure I don’t hit the jerk," Harm muttered when they stepped onto the elevator.

 

"Something like that," Sturgis commented as the doors closed.

Once they reached the floor Harm moved quickly to the door of Mac’s room leaving Harriet and Sturgis in the waiting room.

Harriet turned to Sturgis. "Sir, don’t you think it’s odd how Commander Rabb hasn’t corrected the doctor on his relationship with Colonel MacKenzie?"

Sturgis looked at Harriet for a second and considered her question. "If he told them they were just friends they wouldn’t let him be with her."

Harriet knew what Sturgis was telling her but she still had a nagging feeling that something was still odd about the situation. "Then why did he tell the ambulance driver they were married?"

They moved towards the doorway of Mac’s room just in time to watch Harm kiss her forehead. Sturgis grinned softly at his two friends in the room. "Sometimes we don’t need to have all the answers, Harriet."

 

7:45 PM

 

Harm sat in Mac’s room holding her hand, waiting for her to wake up. When he first walked into the room she was completely out of it, but she opened her eyes for a brief second and smiled softly at him. Since that split second Harm has been at her side waiting for her eyes to open again.

 

Webb had shown up with another CIA agent and they were talking outside the room. Harm tried to ignore the annoying twerp and was succeeding until Clay walked back into the room.

 

"You can go home, Harm," Clay told him.

 

"I’m not leaving her, Clay," Harm informed him as he moved a piece of hair from Mac’s forehead.

 

Clay knew he couldn’t argue with Harm on this matter, so he tried a different angle. "Chegwidden will be here soon, I’m sure you don’t want to see him."

 

Harm turned his attention from Mac. "I don’t care if Roger Rabbit walks though that door. I’m not leaving her."

 

Clay opened his mouth when the other CIA agent called his name. Clay turned his attention to the other man and left the room.

 

Harm sighed heavily, as he looked at Mac. He gently touched her face. "You are so beautiful." He continued to gaze at her as memories of her voice and face passed though his head. The expression, ‘I saw my life pass before my eyes’ took on a new meaning as he saw the past eight years with Mac pass before him. The tough times and the good ones, all went before him. His hopes, dreams, and even some nightmares.

 

He lifted her hand and gave it a kiss. "Come on and wake up. I want to see your eyes."

 

After a few minutes Mac moved her head and Harm smiled. "Come on, marine, follow my orders and open your eyes."

 

A few more tries and Mac opened her eyes and looked into Harm’s. His smile grew softer as did his voice. "Hi."

 

"Hi," Mac mimicked. "Hospital?"

 

"Yeah," Harm told her. "How do you feel?"

 

"Hurt."

 

"You’re going to be okay. Just rest now. Okay?"

 

"Okay." Mac softly compiled as she closed her eyes again.

 

Harm leaned over and kissed her forehead as she feel back to sleep.

 

9:12 PM

 

Harm stood up and stretched in Mac’s room as she slept off the concussion. He paced the room and stopped when he approached the door. He could barley hear a conversation between Webb and the other agent. Harm opened the door and looked at the two men. "Do you have a lead?"

 

Webb looked at Harm like he was nuisance. "We don’t need to tell you anything."

 

"Professional courtesy. We do work for the same people." Harm reminded Webb.

 

"I think you ought to tell me," AJ said as he approached the three men. "My car does have soot on it."

 

"We think it might deal with the Kraussman case," Webb told the men.

 

AJ squinted his eyes. "The Kraussman case. Mac worked on that with you a few months ago?"

 

"Actually sir, she worked on that case with me," Harm told AJ.

 

"Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Kraussman has a long reach. We think he has one of his locals keeping tabs on Mac. I want to put her in protective custody."

 

"She’ll never go for it," Harm told Webb.

 

"She doesn’t have a choice," Webb said as the other agent shook his head.

 

"We can have her moved and safe within the hour," the other agent piped in.

 

AJ took a step closer to Webb. "You’re not taking her anywhere without doctors orders. Besides, knowing Mac, she won’t go anywhere. She doesn’t hide from her problems."

 

"She is also in no condition to be moved anywhere," Harm stated.

 

AJ glanced into the open room. "How is she?"

 

"Sleeping, but I figure she’ll be awake after a while." Harm looked at her sleeping form, noticing her hand moving across the sheet. "Excuse me."

 

Harm walked back into the room and sat down next to Mac. He took her hand into his and gently brushed her cheek. AJ and Clay stood by the doorway watching.

 

Mac’s eyes opened and she rolled her head to look at Harm. "You back with us?"

 

"Maybe," Mac softly muttered.

 

"The admiral and Clay are here," Harm told her, as the two men entered the room.

 

Mac moved her head and watched as they approached her with concerned looks on their faces. "Do I look that bad?" She joked.

 

AJ and Clay gave her half smiles. "Just banged up, Colonel," AJ told her.

 

"How are you feeling, Sarah?" Clay asked knowing using her first name would sting Harm.

 

"My head feels fuzzy and the rest of me is sore," Mac reported to them, before she looked at Harm. "Are you okay?"

 

"Fine." Harm rubbed his thumb across her hand and stared sweetly into her eyes.

 

"Sarah," Clay said breaking the stare between the pair. "I want to put you under protective custody."

 

Mac looked at Clay and tried not to glare. "No!"

 

"It’s not a choice," Clay warned her.

 

Mac glanced at AJ. "Sir, I do not want to go into custody."

 

"Mac, you’re recovering from a concussion and someone blew up your car. I’d hate to say it, but Clay might have a good idea," AJ said receiving an odd look from Harm.

 

"No," Mac repeated. "I hate being watched, and the CIA does not have a good track record. Especially, when I’m a part of the game."

 

Harm took a chance. "How about if Mac goes into the custody of one agent?"

 

"One agent?" Webb asked.

 

Before Harm could respond AJ shook his head. "Would you agree to that, Mac?"

 

"I’m not going to a safe house," she stated.

 

"But you would agree to that?" Webb asked not believing Mac would go with this plan.

 

"Yes." Mac complied.

 

"Good the problem is settled." Harm smiled.

 

AJ suppressed a grin as he asked. "Who’s the agent?"

 

"Me," Harm and Clay said at the same time. Both men then glared at each other as Mac sighed and closed her eyes. AJ bit the inside of his lip to prevent the laughter from escaping.

 

"I think it’s best if I watch Mac," Clay stated before Harm cut him off.

 

"Clay, you’re running the investigation. If you’re phone rings, you’re going to have to leave Mac alone. And if Kraussman does have anyone after her, she’ll then be vulnerable," Harm explained to the group.

 

Mac looked at Webb. "Harm does have a point."

 

Webb glared at Harm and cursed him in his head, but outwardly agreed. "You better take good care of her."

 

Harm glanced at Mac. "I’ll protect her as if she were my wife."

 

Mac would have hit Harm for that comment, but her arm hurt too much. AJ let a smile cross his face as he watched Webb resist the urge to hurt Harm.

 

Webb was about to say something when the agent outside called to him. "Sarah, if he does anything stupid just let me know."

 

"No problem, Clay." Mac told him, as Webb approached the bed and gave her a kiss on the corner of her lips. It would have been on the lips, but Mac moved her head to avoid his lips. As he pulled away, he looked into her eyes and saw that same look from the past few times he kissed her. "I’ll talk to you later."

 

Clay left the room leaving AJ to guess about what was going on. He had a feeling something happened, that he should know about. "Is there anything I need to know about the Kraussman case, which was not in the file?"

 

"No, sir. Everything important to the case is in the file. I take it the CIA thinks my car bombing has to do with the case?" Mac asked.

 

"Webb thinks so," Harm told her.

 

"Great," Mac muttered.

 

AJ felt sorry for his chief of staff. "I’m sure everything will work out, Mac. You just focus on getting better."

 

"I’ll be back in the office tomorrow," Mac informed him and Harm.

 

"Like hell," Harm told her.

 

"Excuse me?" Mac stared at Harm.

 

"You heard me. The doctor is keeping you overnight and then you’re being released to me. Where you will be at home for at least two days, then I might let you get back to work," Harm defensively stated to Mac.

 

"I don’t take orders from you!" Mac snapped at Harm as she felt her headache grow.

 

Harm opened his mouth, but was cut off by AJ. "No, but you do take orders from me, Colonel. You will follow the doctor’s orders and listen to Harm’s instructions."

 

Mac wanted to retaliate, but didn’t. "Yes, Sir."

 

"Good. Harm, keep me updated on her. Colonel, you’ll report back once you’re cleared," AJ told her again, hoping the second time it would sink through her jarheaded mind.

 

"Yes, Sir," Mac grumbled as Harm smiled at her.

 

AJ shook his head from side to side then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

 

Mac closed her eyes and muttered to herself in Russian about the situation. After a few choice words Harm started to laugh and Mac stopped talking to herself. "What?" She grumbled to him.

 

"Sergei was right, I would remember the swear words."

  

Mac sighed and tried not to laugh at him. "You can leave now."

 

"I’m not going anywhere."

 

"Harm, just leave. I want to go to sleep."

 

"Then go to sleep."

 

"Leave," Mac ordered.

 

Harm grinned at her. "I’m not in the Navy, you can’t order me around. Plus you’re too sore to kick me out. But I would love to see you try it in this hospital gown. Besides, I’m sure your doctor would be worried about your husband leaving, after he’s been given permission to stay."

 

Mac groaned again. "Damn it."

 

"What?" Harm asked worried, thinking she was in pain.

 

"The papers were in my car."

 

"Could be someone telling us to stay married?"

 

Mac glanced at him before she closed her eyes. "Or someone is telling us, that if we do, we’ll just go up in a flame of terror. Goodbye, Harm."

 

Harm stood up and leaned over the bed. He placed a hand on her cheek causing her eyes to open. He grinned and kissed her on the lips. Mac tried to resist the tantalizing feeling of him, but failed. Harm broke the kiss much to his and Mac’s disappointment. "Goodnight, Sarah. I’ll see you in the morning."

 

Mac grumbled and turned her head to face the wall opposite of Harm’s chair and she pulled her hand from his.

 

Harm watched as she slowly fell asleep. An hour later he was still staring at her sleeping body and he realized exactly how close he came to losing her. A shock of terror ran though his body as his worst nightmare almost came true. He leaned over and ran a hand through her short dark locks. "Sorry to tell you this sweetheart, but we’re staying married."

 

Tuesday November 4

Mac’s Apartment

4:32 PM

"Harm, I think it’s safe for you to leave. It’s been four days, if these guys were going to get me, they would have done it already," Mac stated as she stood in the living room.

"I don’t think I should leave," Harm told her.

Mac gave him a mean smile. "Honestly, I don’t care what you think. I want you to leave."

"You really don’t like me here?" Harm felt slightly hurt from her words.

"No, I don’t mind you here. I just mind you trying to run my life."

Harm stood toe to toe to her. "It’s my job."

"No, it’s not," Mac told him.

"I’m your husband," Harm informed her, knowing it wouldn’t make much of a defense in his argument.

"Not for long."

Harm crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Unless you can get that sweet six of yours to Vegas to get a copy of the marriage license."

"You are a royal pain, sometimes. Could you leave now?"

"I should probably call Clay, he could get the secret service to protect you," Harm mutter loud enough for Mac to hear him.

"The doctor did say after four days I would be fine. And he does out rank you. Plus, I’m going to work tomorrow," Mac told him ignoring his comments.

Harm sighed. "Fine, I’ll leave. But I’m calling you every day to make sure you’re fine."

"Sure. Fine. Whatever," Mac stated in a monotone voice.

Harm walked into the bedroom and grabbed his bag. Upon walking back into the living room, he watched Mac hold the door open for him. "Mac, honey, you know you don’t need to show me out."

"I’m not. I’m locking the door when you leave."

Harm dropped the sarcasm from his voice. "Sarah, I worry about you. Promise me you’ll be okay."

Mac looked into his eyes and knew he was serious. "I promise, Harm."

"I’ll call you later." Harm commented before he kissed her on the cheek.

"Bye, Harm," Mac said watching him walk of the apartment.

Mac started to walk into the kitchen when the phone rang. "Hello."

{"Hello. My name is Cindy from the Little Lost Love Chapel of Las Vegas. I’m trying to reach a Mr. Rabb."}

"He just left. Can I take a message?"

{"Is this Mrs. Rabb?" Cindy asked.}

Mac took a deep breath. "Yes, it is."

{Cindy sighed. "Oh, good. Mr. Rabb called yesterday and asked about getting a copy of the marriage license. I just wanted to confirm the fax number."}

"Fax number?" Mac asked.

{"Yes, I told him we could fax it to him. But you see I was in a rush when I wrote the numbers, that now I can’t read my handwriting." Cindy laughed in her own embarrassment.}

Mac suppressed her rage for a certain husband. "Tell you what Cindy; I have a fax machine here. Why don’t you just fax it to me?"

{"Oh, that would be great." Cindy stated with a smile.}

Mac gave Cindy the number to her fax machine and politely ended the conversation. Within two minutes the marriage license was sitting on Mac’s desk. She placed a call to the Clerk of Courts and requested a fax of annulment papers. The clerk told her they usually don’t fax them, but Mac pleaded with him and she won.

Mac sat at her desk with a copy of the marriage license, the clerk at the courthouse assured her was fine to use with the annulment papers. She filled out the annulment papers and put them in an envelope. She placed the envelope next to her briefcase, determined to give them to Harm tomorrow night.

 

Sunday November 9

Harm’s Apartment

2:45 PM

 

As with Mac’s luck she was unable to make it to Harm’s till Sunday afternoon where Sturgis assured her he would be there. Since they were going to be watching Tampa Bay beat the pants off of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Now that is why the Bucs won the Super Bowl." Sturgis smiled as Tampa Bay made another touch down.

 

Harm took a drink of his beer. "Well, anyone can beat the Steelers. Sapp could beat their whole team."

 

Sturgis glanced at the stats on the TV. "He’s good, but he’s not that good."

 

Harm opened his mouth to say something, as there was a knock at the door. "Are you expecting someone?"

 

"No. You?" Sturgis said as Harm walked to the door.

 

"No one." Harm opened the door to reveal Mac standing there. "Hi."

 

"Hi," Mac responded back to him.

 

"Come on in. Sturgis and I are just enjoying the Steelers getting their sixes kicked." Harm said as Mac walked into the apartment.

 

"Hey Mac," Sturgis said from the couch.

 

"Hey Sturgis," She said before she turned to Harm. "I have something for you to sign."

 

Harm got a semi-nervous look on his face. "To sign?"

 

"Yeah. I was able to get those papers without getting on a plane," Mac explained waiting for Harm to catch on.

 

The only problem was, Harm had caught on and quickly realized his life was in danger by one very upset marine. He opened his mouth but Mac handed him the envelope. Harm opened the envelope and pulled the papers out. He glanced at them. "They told me, you couldn’t get them without being in person."

 

"Funny, all you needed was a fax machine." Mac glared at him with dislike in her eyes.

 

Harm looked at the papers then glanced over at Sturgis and back to Mac. "I wanted to talk to you about these."

 

Mac exhaled a deep breath. "It’s what we agreed on."

 

"I know. I read them over…. the first time," Harm reluctantly said as he picked up a pen from the kitchen island bar.

 

"Do you want a third set of eyes to look them over?" Sturgis offered knowing he probably shouldn’t be putting his nose in their business.

 

"No thanks, Sturgis," Mac quickly said to him. "Harm knows what’s best here."

 

"Yeah, I do." Harm quickly filled out the lines on the papers. When he was done he placed the papers into the same envelope Mac handed him. "All done."

 

"Thank you," Mac politely said to him as she took the envelope.

 

Harm smiled. "No problem. Why don’t you stay and watch the game with us?"

 

"You’re more than welcome, Mac," Sturgis offered.

 

Mac looked at both of the men and the envelope in her hands. "No, I’m okay. I finally got what I came here for."

 

"You sure did," Harm commented.

 

Mac gave him an odd look before she walked towards the door. "I’ll see you tomorrow at work, Sturgis."

 

"See ya then, Mac," Sturgis said before turning his attention back to the game.

 

Harm moved to the door with Mac. "So when will I see you again?"

 

She glanced up into his blue-green eyes and tried not to flatter as she said, "When we both can agree on things." Before Harm could say anything, she left the apartment.

 

Harm slowly closed the door and shook his head side to side as he thought about her words. "What was that all about?" Sturgis asked as he lowered the volume on the TV.

 

"You would never believe me, if I told you?" Harm moved back to the couch.

 

"Try me," Sturgis insisted.

 

Harm chuckled slightly and proceeded to tell his old friend the whole story. "You know, Mac helped Webb with the Kraussman case. Well, he wasn’t working the case….I was. We had finally gotten the evidence on Kraussman. We were on our way to the airport when four of his goons spotted us. We thought we lost them on the Strip but two of them were still on our six. We ducked into a building, which happened to be at the Little Lost Love Chapel of Las Vegas." Harm explained. "We walked in and somehow we got married."

Sturgis laughed. "Somehow?"

"Yeah somehow. We were a little preoccupied with keeping our sixes safe that we didn’t notice it was a marriage chapel. The lady who greeted us at the door asked something and somehow I gave her my Visa. She handed us a paper and told us to sign it. We didn’t look at it."

"You’re a lawyer! You signed something without reading it?"

"Can I just mention again, there were goons after us and we had incriminating evidence on a man on the CIA’s most wanted list?"

"Okay, you can mention it, but I want the rest of the story," Sturgis complied.

"So, as we’re in the chapel, one of the goons walked in just as the little old lady is ushering us into the altar. She puts a veil on Mac’s head and a top hat on mine. Mac and I are discreetly watching the goon and not listening to the minister as he starts the service."

Harm took a breath. "Well, we must have said something like hurry up because he skipped straight to the end. He asked me if I wanted to marry Mac, just as she asked me a question about a back door and I said ‘okay.’ The minister took that as being my answer. I asked Mac if the goon was still in the chapel as the minister asked her if she would marry me. She responded by saying ‘affirmative’ and the minister took that as a yes. The next words spoken were ‘I now pronounce you man and wife.’"

By the end of the story Sturgis was staring at Harm thinking his friend was insane. "So you and Mac are married?"

 

"Yep."

 

"And the two of you are getting an annulment, which you don’t want?"

 

"Yep."

Sturgis thought for a minute. "Why does she want the annulment?"

 

Harm sighed heavily. "At the time neither one of us wanted the marriage. It was an accident and we were slightly mad at each other."

 

"Slightly mad at each other?" Sturgis questioned.

 

Harm grimaced. "We said some things that were not going … easily forgiven."

 

"What did you say?"

 

"At the start of the case I sort of told her, that if she was able to pretend to be married to Clay, pretending to be my girlfriend would be a walk in the park." Harm explained.

 

Sturgis gave Harm a confused look. "That doesn’t sound too bad."

 

"Well of course later we really got into it. I blamed her for letting the goons onto us, left her out of the loop, and insulated her intelligence," Harm shamefully admitted.

 

"So why is she still mad at you?"

 

Harm stood up and walked into the kitchen. Sturgis followed. "I think it’s a mix of everything."

"Everything as in what?"

 

Harm rested against the counter top. "Keeping stuff from her, Paraguay, joining the CIA, and not letting her in my life for the past few months. And now we can add lying about the papers to the list."

 

"What did she mean by ‘when we both can agree on things’?" Sturgis asked.

 

"When we were looking for Kraussman, she had a pretty good idea on how to get onto his compound. Of course I told her I had a better one. To make a long story short, she was right and I was wrong. But I still blamed her and when Clay wanted a rundown of the case I demeaned Mac."

 

"You’re an idiot," Sturgis examined.

 

"I know. She just crawled under my skin and for once I wanted the last word."

 

"Well, it sounds like you got it," Sturgis admitted.

 

"I know. But the truth is, since her car blew up I’ve thought about the idea of being married to her. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time," Harm explained.

 

"Did you tell her that?"

"You saw her. Do you think she would have liked to hear that?"

 

"Probably not. But what are you going to do? She forced you to sign the papers."

 

Harm slowly smiled at his friend. "Well, I think she’s going to have a problem tomorrow."

 

Sturgis gave Harm an odd look as he wondered what his friend had done now.

 

Falls Church Court House

Monday November 10

12:34 PM

 

"Next," The clerk called from his chair behind his desk.

 

Mac stood up and walked over to the man. "Hi."

 

The man smiled at her. "What can I help you with today, ma’am?"

 

Mac handed him the envelope, which Harm finally gave her last night. "I need to get these papers submitted."

 

The man took the envelope and pulled papers out. He looked over the papers. "Annulment of marriage."

 

"Yes," Mac commented with mild nervousness.

 

The man glanced up at her and proceeded to flip though the papers. "Ms. MacKenzie or is it Mrs. Rabb, I’m sorry but these are not filled out correctly."

 

"What?" Mac quickly asked.

 

He handed her the papers and pointed to the grooms’ signature. "According to the papers the grooms name is Harmon Rabb Jr. not XOXOXOXO."

 

Mac snatched the papers out of his hand and glared at the row of X’s and O’s. "I’m going to kill him," Mac warned thought his teeth.

Mac looked at the man behind the counter and smiled sweetly. "Unfortunately he thinks he’s funny. Can I have another set of papers?"

The man gave her an odd look, but handed Mac the papers. "Have a nice day, ma’am."

"You too." Mac said before she turned on her heel and walked briskly out of the office.

The man turned to his co-worker. "Man, am I glad I didn’t marry her. She’s going to kill him."

Mac reached her rental car in record time. She pulled out her cell phone and hit one for her speed dial. She counted the four rings then Harm’s voice mail picked up. "I don’t think you understand the importance of this, Harmon. I am going to be at you’re apartment at 1900 tonight and you are going to sign these papers or you will be finding yourself in a world of hurt."

She then hit the end button and resisted the urge of throwing the phone out the window. Mac sat for a few minutes attempting to get her emotions under control before she started to drive back to JAG to face Bud in court. She almost felt bad for Bud, because she was going to take out her frustrations on him.

 

JAG

1:06 PM

Mac walked into the bullpen just on time for Jen to catch her. "Ma’am, you have a message."

"Thank you, Coates." Mac proceeded to walk into her office and read her message.

"Going to be out of town. I’ll talk to you later. Harm," Mac read the message aloud to herself. She threw the paper in the trashcan. "I’m going to kill him."

 

Thursday November 13

Mac’s Apartment

9:45 PM

Mac sat on her couch losing herself in a book. She did have a date with Webb, but cancelled it due to a headache. It wasn’t a headache as much as it was that she wanted to be home in case Harm called.

She tore away from her book, as there was a knock at the door. She stood up and walked to the door. When she looked though the peephole, she flung open the door. "Decided to come on your own free will?"

 

"Just can it Mac. I’ve had a bad day." Harm limped into the apartment as Mac closed the door.

Mac looked carefully at him and noticed the limp and his appearance. He was wearing his running clothes, but his pants were tore and there was blood on the sleeve of his shirt. "Did you fall or something?" Mac asked with concern.

"Or something." Harm moaned.

"What happened?" Mac asked when they both moved into the living room. Harm sat down in the wicker chair and Mac stood next to him.

Harm took a breath. "I just got back and decided to take a run. I was in Rock Creek Park when three guys jumped me. At first I thought it was just a mugging, but they didn’t have any weapons."

"Do you think it’s related to Kraussman and my car?" Mac asked as she sat on the coffee table in front of him.

"Might be." Harm pulled the sleeve of his shirt and Mac’s eyes fell upon a very angry bruise.

"Come on, let’s get you cleaned up." Mac stood up and gently lead him into her bedroom.

Harm stood in the room and watched as Mac opened a drawer in her dresser, pulling out some clothing. "Here, change into these while I get the first aid kit and some towels," Mac instructed.

She left the room before he could protest. Harm slowly peeled his shirt off his sore body. He looked into Mac’s mirror and grimaced at the angry red marks, the forming bruises, and the scrapes that were bleeding. He took off his running pants and caught sight of several marks on his legs. He slid on the blue US Navy shorts that Mac laid out for him. "I wondered where these went," He muttered.

 

Mac walked back into the bedroom after a few minutes, with the first aid kit, a few towels, some water, and various medical aids. "I called Clay."

 

"Why did you do that?" Harm whined.

 

Mac rolled his eyes. "Excuse me. My car gets blown up and you want me under secret service protection. You get assaulted in the park, probably by the same people, I think he has a right to know."

 

Harm stood in front of her and crossed his arms across his chest. He opened his mouth to say something. "Sit," Mac commanded directly shutting him up, before he could start.

 

He eyed her, but followed directions. He sat on the edge of the bed and Mac sat down next to him. Mac examined the welts and scratches on his back. "Jesus Harm. What did they hit you with?"

 

"Several things," Harm told her, as she touched one of the marks with a wet washcloth. "Be careful there"

 

"This from the bleeding man," Mac remarked.

 

Mac continued her work on his back and arms, as he informed her of the assault. Once she had the marks properly covered she had him move to rest against the head of her bed. Harm leaned against the headboard with several pillows cushioning his back. Mac worked on some of the bruises on his arms and legs.

 

Harm watched as she carefully touched his injured skin. Her face would contort as she cleaned and banged wound after wound, several times she apologized for adding pain to him as she worked. But Harm barely felt anything as her finger caressed his skin. Her fingers burnt his skin in the same way they always have, but it was different this time. He wanted her to touch him more and more. She did, but he wanted her hands on other parts of him.

 

Mac moved on the bed to sit closer to him. She looked at his sculpted chest and forgot about the marks across it. She glanced down at the well-formed abs, even though they were showing his age with the slight amount of body fat. He was still the sexist thing she had ever seen, and the only thing she wanted to see more of.

 

She composed herself and returned to her task of caring for him in the only way she would allow herself to. She smoothed the wet washcloth across him. Her hands fought against the deep desire to pull him towards her; instead they covered the bruises with ointment and bandages.

 

"Almost done," Mac told him as she moved to look at his face. "At least they didn’t hit you in the face."

 

"I’m thinking they were looking to do physical damage to all of me." Harm put on a brave front. "This way I could see what they did."

 

Mac cleaned a cut under his chin. "It could have been worse."

 

"True."

 

Mac lifted her head and found herself directly in front of his lips. The air sparked with desire and a moment was formed. Harm’s eyes shifted to her and they locked gazes with each other.

 

He leaned forward, but Mac skirted away. "I think you should stay here tonight. They would be expecting you to go back to your place."

 

"Yeah." Harm pulled his head back as Mac stood up from the bed and took everything into the bathroom.

 

She returned to the bedroom after a few minutes and walked over to the bed. "You okay?"

 

"They just beat me up, Mac. Nothing to worry about."

 

Mac sat on the edge of the bed. "Is there anything I can do before I let you get some sleep?"

 

Harm smirked as several ideas popped into his mind, all which included her naked beneath or above him. "You know my mom always kissed my bruises to make them feel better?"

 

"Your mother is not here."

 

"But you are," Harm softly said in the bedroom voice, which haunted Mac’s dreams.

 

Mac felt ready to give him a comment, but instead she picked up his hand and lightly kissed a bandage. "Better?"

 

"That one is," Harm stated. "How about if I tell you which ones hurt the most?"

 

"I take it this one didn’t hurt much."

 

"No." Harm pointed to a mark on his upper arm. "This ones pretty bad."

 

Mac leaned in and kissed the mark, this time her lips lingered a little longer. Her upper body was pressed against his side.

 

"Here," Harm softly said pointed to his other arm.

 

Mac leaned across him and placed a hand on his chest to steady herself. Her lips kissed his bruise and instead of pulling back, her lips moved to another close to it. She looked into his dazzling eyes. "That one looked like it hurt, too."

 

"Right here." Harm pointed to his chest.

 

Mac kissed the center of his chest as Harm placed a hand on her back. Her hand on his chest started to touch his skin in a different way than before. The light stroke brought about another change in both of them.

 

Mac’s lips moved across the bandages up to his shoulder. She took it upon herself to kiss one of the marks there, before she turned her attention to his face. He touched the mark below his chin. Mac leaned closer and kissed it. As she pulled back she let her tongue slip out of her mouth and gently licked a spot on his neck. Her reward was a low groan from Harm.

 

Mac lifted her head and looked directly into Harm’s passion filled eyes. Harm found himself gazing into a pair, which directed the same feeling. He lifted a finger to his lips. "Here too."

 

Mac leaned in and kissed his lips gently. The gentle idea was hers, but Harm had another idea as his tongue took it upon itself to scorch across her lips.

 

Mac’s mouth opened and accepted the visitor. Hers tangled with his as the kiss grew and grew. Her hands gripped at his chest and shoulder. Harm’s hands found their way under the back of Mac’s shirt.

 

As the kiss grew and they stroked each other boldly with their hands Harm maneuvered Mac so she was lying on the bed under him. Harm tore his mouth from hers and started to kiss down her neck to the exposed skin of her chest. One of his hands moved to her waist to hold her position under him. The other hand worked its way over her shirt to the annoying buttons, which were aching to be undone.

 

Mac moaned as Harm spent several moments on her sensitive spot, where her shoulder and neck meet. "Harm."

 

At his name, Harm lifted his head from the feast before him and returned to her lips. There was nothing kind and sweet about the mating of their mouths. They passionately clashed with each other as their hands moved about each other.

 

Mac’s hands moved down to his six and gave him a not so subtle squeeze. Harm pressed his arousal towards where he wanted to be most. "Sarah." He breathed out as his one hand finished unbuttoning her shirt.

 

He pulled back and looked down at her. Her head was thrown back and her chest was aching for his attention. Harm’s hand moved the cotton material away from her breast. He leaned back over her and proceeded to kiss her neck and worked himself towards her aching breast.

 

His lips trailed across her skin. He lost himself in her feel and the smell of her skin. But it was her taste he desired more of. He opened his mouth and let his tongue lick its way over the lace covering her delectable anatomy. His hand moved from the side of the bed where it found itself to gently caress the soft yet firm skin under the lace.

 

"Harm," Mac moaned as she pressed herself into his hand.

 

Harm pulled his head from her place of worship and moved back to her lips at her command of her hands, which were now holding his head. "You’re so beautiful."

 

Their lips meet again in the same ritual as before, yet this time the only difference was Harm’s hands were now where his mouth was. He molded the flesh to fit into the palm of his hands. The hard peak under the lace covered breast burned into his flesh. His thoughts were distracted on Mac as she gained the upper hand.

 

Mac rolled on the bed so she was now on top of him. Her body pressed him into the mattress. Harm felt a moment of pain from his bruises, but Mac’s body made up for the pain tenfold. Mac lifted up and gazed down at Harm’s face. She quickly moved her head and kissed down his neck. She worked her lips across his collarbone and stopped. Her body grew stiff and she stopped all movement.

 

Harm froze also. "Mac?"

 

"We have to stop," Mac said as she pulled herself away from Harm.

 

Harm sat up in the bed as Mac sat at the edge of her bed with her back to him. "Mac?"

 

"We can’t do this, Harm."

 

"Yes, we can." Harm told her as he touched her back.

 

Mac jumped off the bed as if his touch burned her skin. "I’ll sleep in the living room. Have a good night."

 

Before Harm could say anything Mac shot out of the room and closed the bedroom door behind her. Harm stared at the open door. "Damn it, Mac. When are you going to accept the fact that I will not let you go? "

 

Friday November 14

1:34 AM

Mac tossed on the couch once again. She moved her head to look at the closed door of her bedroom. "How do you get yourself into these situations, MacKenzie?"

She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the voice in her head that was once again demanding for her to tell Harm how she felt.

"Why can’t I just say ‘Harm, I love you.’?" She asked the cold night air around her.

"No, I have to play the big bad marine. I have to be the strong one. This sucks, I love him and I want to be married to him, but not with the words classified swirling around us. I can’t do this, not with him and especially not with my curse."

"Besides if I take that step, I’m just going to get hurt. I am the one who said never and he’s the one who didn’t fight. He’s decided to fight now, but I can’t have secrets in a marriage. It’s not good. I’ve learned my lesson. Harmon Rabb will only hurt me and I’m tired of being hurt."

4:55 AM

Harm stepped out of Mac’s bedroom, wearing the shirt and shorts Mac gave him last night. In his hands were his tattered clothing. He looked down at the sleeping figure on the couch. He carefully looked upon Mac’s face and grimaced as he saw the tension in her face and the bags under her eyes. He knew, he caused them.

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Sarah."

Mac muttered something in her sleep, but Harm couldn’t figure out what she said. He then walked towards the door to meet the cab he called to pick him up at 5 am.

 

Saturday November 22

Harm’s Apartment

10:44 PM

Harm sat on his couch reading the latest Intel on another aircraft the CIA say’s doesn’t exist when his phone rang. "Rabb."

{"We’ve got a lead." Webb said.}

"Where are you?" Harm sat up and placed the file on his coffee table.

{"Warehouse district off of 27^th street. Get here in fifteen minutes." Clay told Harm before he hung up the phone.}

Harm walked into his bedroom and grabbed his weapon, jacket, and car keys and left the apartment.

 

Warehouse District off of 27^th St.

11:03 PM

Harm crept to the scene keeping an eye out for anyone. He spotted Webb singling him to the closest side of the warehouse. Harm carefully and quickly moved towards him.

"So what do we have, Webb?" Harm asked.

Clay looked at Harm. "Kraussman may be sitting in jail, but three of his cohorts are working for him. We’ve been tracking them for a few days and finally something broke."

"What broke?" Harm asked.

"They had a minor slip up," Clay vaguely informed Harm.

"A little more information would be nice, Webb."

"They had to get a new rental car. They sent someone and he forgot to use a cover name. For some reason, Kraussman’s guys aren’t that bright."

"Funny, the ones in Vegas were," Harm muttered under his breath.

"We’re just waiting for the right moment to get in."

Harm looked around the area and noticed it lacked a certain hint of agents. "Clay, do we have back-up?"

"You and me."

"We have no back-up?" Harm stared at Clay in disbelief.

Clay glanced at him. "I called them after I called you. I was told to wait, but in case you haven’t noticed, it looks like they are going to leave soon. I think they know we’re on to them."

Harm shook his head wondering if he would get out of this. Clay noticed the look. "I haven’t gone rouge, if that’s what you’re thinking. I followed a lead and ended up here. I called for back-up, but they demanded more proof."

"How much more do you need?" Harm asked.

Clay pointed to the doorway of the warehouse. "We need to get inside and record anything we can. These are the guys, Harm."

"Back-up is on the way?"

"Ten minutes." Clay moved towards the door with a semi-reluctant Harm behind him.

Clay slowly opened the solid door and the two men slid inside and crept towards a group of boxes. The voice of men could be heard but no words could be made out. Clay looked over the boxes and noticed another pile closer to the men. He motioned to Harm, before he moved.

Harm looked to the right and counted the men. Three stood near a table engrossed in their conversation. He then looked towards Clay and watched as the man pulled a small tape recorder out of his pocket and turned it on. Harm decided to move to another pile of boxes on the other side of the warehouse, where he would be able to see Clay and the men.

Clay froze as Harm moved and turned on the recorder as the men started to talk again. From Harm’s new angle he could see what the men were looking at.

"This one ought to work," A tall man with red hair said.

"That’s what you said the last time," A shorter man replied.

The redhead looked at the shorter man. "It would have, if someone didn’t program the sensor correctly. I remember telling you for ignition, not key lock."

The shorter man was about to respond, when the third man cut him off. "Quit it both of you, let’s just get her. After she’s gone it will be easier to get the man. Do we have enough to get both of them?"

"Yeah, but we just need to get them together again," The short man sighed.

"Why didn’t you do it while he was staying with her?" The third man asked.

The red haired man ran his hand though his hair. "We didn’t have enough of the supplies till a few days ago when you brought in the rest."

The third man took a deep breath feeling like he was the only one with brains in the bunch. "Let’s create a situation. Do we know anyone, who owes us a few favors?"

"A few but," the redhead began but he was cut off by the ringing of a cell phone.

Harm’s eyes shot to Clay who was quickly searching through his pockets looking for the ringing device. He found it and turned it off, and cussed at himself for accidentally turning it on.

The three men quickly grabbed their guns off of the table and two moved towards where the ringing was. Clay looked towards Harm, but was spotted by the redheaded man.

"I wouldn’t try it."

Clay looked at him and the aimed gun. "I got lost. Can you give me directions to the nearest gas station?"

 

The man chuckled and pointed towards Clay’s jacket as the shorter man stood behind Clay. He reached to Clay’s side and pulled out his gun. "You always have a gun, when you get lost?"

"It is Washington. I would hate to run into anyone," Clay explained poorly.

"Well, you ran into us," The shorter man said as they moved to the table where the third man was.

The third man smiled as Clay walked over. "Well, well, well, if it isn’t Clayton Webb. I thought you were dead."

Clay grinned at the man. "The stories of my death have been highly exaggerated. How are you doing, Jay?"

"Good." Jay smiled. "I see you met my associates Chester and Robert. Chester is the one with your gun."

Chester smiled as he placed the gun on the table near Jay. "Not too smart for the CIA."

"No they’re not," Jay commented. "That’s why they were so upset when we stole their shipment of explosives."

"We did get them back," Clay stated.

"Not all of them. Kraussman only had three hundred pounds of the shipment. You’re missing two hundred pounds still," Jay informed Clay.

"How much did it take to take care of MacKenzie’s car?" Clay asked.

Jay grinned. "A little less then it will to take out her apartment and her friend’s."

Clay’s and Harm’s eyes grew in shock. "When are you going to do that?"

"Soon," Jay gloating said before his expression turned cold and he looked at Chester and Robert. "Kill him."

Robert walked away from Clay, as did Chester. They both aimed their guns and were ready to fire, as Clay stood motionless. Clay looked up and saw Harm was no longer in the spot he was in earlier.

"Jay, lets talk about this. I could be helpful to you," Clay pleaded as he looked around.

"You know, Clayton. I’ve never liked you much. I’ve always found you too annoying for your own good." Jay picked up the papers around him. "Do it now. I’m tired of hearing his voice."

Jay started to walk away and heard a shot. Before a smile of satisfaction could cross his face another shot was fired and a thud could be heard.

Clay heard the shot, but didn’t feel anything. He looked across and watched as Chester slowly dropped his gun as the blood started to spill across his chest.

Robert looked at Chester and went to raise his gun to shot Clay, but Clay grabbed his arm and Robert fired a shot in the air. The sound of the bullet hitting the wall caught Jay’s attention. He turned around and fired near Clay and Robert. Clay jumped away from Robert and took cover behind some crates.

"Who’s helping you, Clay," Jay asked as he helped Robert off the floor.

"The shot came from over there," Robert pointed to the far end of the warehouse.

"Who’s your friend, Clayton," Jay called as he checked Chester pulse. He didn’t find one, before Jay left the body he grabbed Chester’s gun. "You didn’t have to kill Chester, he was a good man."

Harm looked around the area and noticed Jay and Robert moving towards his location. He also noticed Clay was still unarmed. "A good man with a gun," Harm called out before he moved.

Robert saw a movement and shot at it then he ran to the end of the warehouse. Harm ducked behind a row of crates and found Clay sitting there with his cell phone on. "Just get down here." Clay shut the phone off and looked at Harm. "They’re coming." He wished.

"So are the bad guys." Harm hissed as he heard Robert or Jay step on something. His head jerked around and watched as the two men approached the crates. Harm placed his finger to his lips and motioned for Clay to move behind him.

Clay moved behind Harm just in time for Robert to stand in front of Harm and fire a shot, but before Robert got the shot off, Harm shot towards him. The bullet hit the crate and wood splinters flew everywhere. "Damn it," Robert cursed as he moved to a safe position.

"He got you?" Jay called as he tried to maneuver around some of the crates to get a better location of Clay and Harm.

"Just some splinters from a crate," Robert called back.

"Amateurs." He spotted Clay and shot towards him.

Clay ducked behind a stairwell and picked up a wooden post. It wasn’t a gun but it was going to have to work. He watched as Harm carefully tried to move around the area without being noticed by Jay. He noticed Robert was standing near him and he slowly approached the man from behind. As he stood a foot way his shoe squeaked. Robert turned around and Clay swung the post at him. Robert fell back from the shock of being hit with a wooden post. He swayed as he stood in front of Clay then hit the floor with a damaging thud.

Jay heard the thud. "Robert?"

"He’s not awake right now, but could I take a message." Clay called with a grin in his voice and a gun in his hands.

"I’ll kill you before you get me, Clay," Jay called.

"I wouldn’t bet on that." Harm stepped out of the shadows and stood in front of Jay with his gun pointing at the man.

Jay gave Harm a smirk. "You think you’re going to kill me?"

"If I have to," Harm remarked. "Drop the gun and move."

Jay glanced to his left and watched at Clay approached. "Clay, I still need to kill you."

"It’s not going to happen, Jay. Agents are on their way now," Clay told the man.

Jay looked at Harm and Clay. He knew there was no way he was going to make it out alive, but he thought, he might as well do something to take one of them with him. He laughed and Harm and Clay exchanged a wondering look.

Harm caught the look and direction of Jay’s look. "Clay!" Harm warned.

Jay pulled the trigger at Clay, but Harm had stepped in the way and shoved Clay out of the way. As if in slow motion Harm fired at Jay and his body fell, but not before the shots intended for Clay hit Harm with full force.

Clay watched from the floor as Jay’s body slump to the floor. The gun fell from his hands, as did the blood. Clay stood up and kicked the gun away from Jay as sirens could be heard and flashing lights could be seen from the windows. Clay opened his mouth to Harm, but his words froze as he watched blood seep from Harm’s chest as he lost his balance and started towards the floor.

"Damn it," Clay cussed moving to Harm to break his fall to the ground.

"Oh, that hurts," Harm muttered as he felt Clay help him to the ground.

Clay laid Harm down and pulled on his friends’ jacket. There were two wounds, one was in his upper chest and the other looked like it deeply grazed his side. Clay took off his jacket and placed it over Harm’s wounds to alleviate or stop the bleeding.

"Come on Harm. Stay with me," Clay ordered as Harm’s eyes glossed over.

Harm glanced at Clay. "Got him?"

"Yeah we got him," Clay said as voice filled the warehouse. "Over here, I need an ambulance!"

Harm groaned getting Clay’s attention. "You’re going to be fine Harm. Help’s here."

"Two minutes too late," Harm croaked out. Clay looked down at his friend with panic and worry. "Call my wife." Harms’ eyes shut and his head rolled to one side.

Clay was about to ask Harm something, but two agents approached them with two EMT’s directly behind him. They moved Clay out of the way as they got Harm ready to move.

After a few minutes Harm was placed on a gurney and wheeled out of the warehouse, which was now crawling with agents and officials. Clay looked at one EMT, "Where are you going?"

"GW is closest. Are you following?" The man asked as he closed the ambulance doors.

"I’m right behind you; I’ve got to call someone," Clay said. The man looked at him and took off to the front of the ambulance.

As the ambulance moved through the swarm of federal cars, Clay picked his cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number. "Mac."

 

George Washington Hospital

11:46 PM

Mac rushed into the hospital. She ran to the admit desk. "I’m looking for my husband." She told the clerk in one breath.

The clerk noticed her panic-stricken expression. "His name?"

"Harmon Rabb," Mac told him as she looked around the busy room hoping to see someone who might be able to help her.

The man looked at her. "We don’t have anyone here by that name."

"What," Mac was about to say something, when she heard her name called. She looked behind her and saw Clay standing there with blood on his shirt.

"What happened," she asked as she moved towards Clay.

"I can’t tell you," Clay informed her.

Mac didn’t hold back as she yelled. "Don’t give me that shit, Clayton. What the hell happened to my husband?"

"Husband?" Clay absently questioned.

Mac stared at Clay thinking he misheard her. "Harm. What happened to him? And where is he, Clay?"

Clay decided to let the word ‘husband’ slide knowing Mac was acting out of fear of loosing Harm. Besides she was dating him. She would be reacting the same way if he were the one laying in the hospital bed.

"Clay!" Mac snapped him out of his thoughts.

Clay grabbed her hand and pulled her aside to avoid more of a scene. He took a breath and whispered. "We found out who was trying to kill the two of you. We went into the warehouse and were spotted. I got taken and Harm rescued me."

Mac glared at him. "Where’s Harm?"

"Surgery. He was hit twice in the chest."

Mac put her hand across her mouth as a muffled sob left her. "Is he okay?"

"He’s got the best men working on him, Sarah." Clay took her hand and led her towards the elevator. "There’s a waiting area outside of surgery. We can wait there."

Mac couldn’t say anything, as she let Clay lead her into the elevator.

 

Sunday November 23

2:06 AM

Mac paced the small waiting area, praying the door would open and the doctor would tell her that Harm was okay. Or even better she hoped, she would wake up from this nightmare.

"Mac, sit down," Clay pleaded from the couch. He was wearing a set of hospital scrubs as his clothes were in the trashcan from Harm’s blood.

"I can’t, I’m too worried," Mac said as her hands trembled.

Clay walked over to her and took her hands. "I’m worried, too."

Mac glanced towards the door. "What if he doesn’t make it?"

Clay placed his hand on her cheek. "This is Rabb. The man’s got more lives then a video game character."

Mac gave a small chuckle as a tear fell down her cheek. Clay wiped the tear away and smiled sweetly at her. "He’s going to be fine."

Mac shook her head. "Yeah. I know."

"Do you want some coffee," Clay asked.

"That would be great," Mac gave him a soft smile.

Clay took a chance and kissed her cheek. "I’ll be back in a minute."

She shook her head and Clay moved towards the elevator. He hit the button and turned around to look at Mac. He watched as she stood looking out the window of the sixth floor. He grinned, as he had to admit to himself she looked very good in those jeans and that sweatshirt, even though it said US Navy across the front. The elevator dinged and he stepped into it.

Mac tried to lose herself in the lights of the city like a thousand fireflies stuck in the blackness of DC. Every now and then red taillights could be seen going down the streets or sirens could be heard. She sighed as she thought about Harm as he watched her while she was in the hospital. She crossed her arms in front of her wishing they were Harm’s arms holding her tight.

She stepped away from the window as the elevator doors opened. She watched as a man walked into the waiting area with Admiral Chegwidden directly behind him. Mac snapped to attention as AJ walked over to her and waved off her stance. She carefully noticed his expression was one of rage and fear even though he was wearing jeans and a jacket he looked more imposing then usual. "What do we know, Mac?"

"Harm has two chest wounds and is still in surgery, Sir," Mac reported.

"Have they said anything," AJ asked.

"No, Sir," Mac sadly said.

"How long has he been in surgery," the man asked.

Mac looked at the man then AJ. AJ understood her silent question. "Dewayne Kershaw, Harm and Clay’s supervisor."

"Two hours and twenty-three minutes, Sir," Mac politely said.

Kershaw shook his head. "Where’s Webb?"

"He went to get some coffee," Mac told him.

Kershaw glanced at the elevator door. "I swear this time I’m going to bury his ass so deep, he’ll never see sunlight again."

"Sir?" Mac asked slightly confused about who Kershaw was speaking about.

Kershaw looked at her confusion. "Webb, not Rabb. The man has gone too far this time."

"This time. Webb tends to go too far too much of the time," AJ commented.

Mac felt her skin crawl. "I have a feeling you two know more about this, then I do."

AJ and Kershaw watched Mac carefully. "Why don’t you have a seat, Mac? We’ll tell the condensed version."

Kershaw retold the facts to Mac just as he had told AJ when he spoke with him an hour ago. Before Clay left the scene of the crime he gave the tape recorder to another agent who played the tape for Kershaw. Mac’s face paled as the CIA director retold the whole story.

"They didn’t have back-up?" Mac asked.

Kershaw carefully answered, "Webb called for back-up after he spoke with Harm."

"He wanted to play Lone Ranger." AJ ran his hand over his head.

"We will handle Webb, Colonel," Kershaw said as he watched rage fill Mac as she realized all of this could have been prevented.

The elevator dinged open and Clay walked into the waiting room with two cups of coffee. He looked at the couch and saw his supervisor sitting with AJ and Mac. He tried to read Mac’s expression, but knew it wasn’t a good one.

Mac looked up and quickly stood up as she saw Clay standing ten feet away from her. She moved towards him like a woman on a mission, her eyes shot fire at him as she approached him. She stood in front of him like an immovable face.

Clay gulped as he realized he was in trouble. "Sarah."

 

"You knew, they wouldn’t make it in time," Mac hissed out.

"Sarah."

"You knew!"

Clay looked at his feet. "Yes."

"You bastard," Mac said before she pulled her right arm back delivered a punch to make the Navy SEAL behind her proud to see.

Clay fell to the ground as the coffee cups dropped from his hands, spilling all over the place. When he hit the ground the force of the punch he scooted across the floor a good three feet. Once he stopped both hands flew to the bloody mess on his face. He didn’t utter a word as Mac, AJ, and Kershaw stood above him.

Mac’s jaw clenched as she watched Clay stare at her. Clay moved his gaze from the woman, who showed her hatred for him. He looked at AJ who was hiding a smirk. "You might want to get that looked at, Clay. I think it’s broken."

"You should really be more careful there’s a coffee spill on the floor," Kershaw commented.

Mac turned around and walked towards the window again. Kershaw walked toward the couch and AJ remained towered over Clay. Clay slowly stood up one hand on his nose. He moved like he was going to try to talk to Mac.

"I wouldn’t try it, Webb," AJ warned. "Get your nose looked at, and then pray Harm makes it out of this. Because if he doesn’t, there isn’t a cover secretive enough to save your sorry ass."

Clay looked at AJ, turned around and hit the elevator button. The door opened and he walked into it. He tried to look at Mac, but her back was to him.

 

2:33 AM

Mac remained at the window as AJ and Kershaw watched her and door to the operating room. The door to the room opened and a doctor walked out with his hands together. He looked out into the room. "Mrs. Rabb."

Mac caught the name and moved towards him as AJ and Kershaw stood next to her. "Yes. How is he?"

The doctor gave her a brief smile. "He put up a good fight. The one bullet grazed the side of his chest and he has a few stitches there. The one we were most concerned with was in his upper chest. It hit approximately one inch above his heart. With both shots he was very lucky. An inch lower or an inch higher and we would have had a different discussion."

Mac paled slightly at those last words. "He’s okay?"

"He’s in recovery and then we’re going to move him to an observation room," the doctor told her.

"When can we see him?" Kershaw asked.

"Mrs. Rabb will be able to see him tonight, once he’s moved into observation. Later tonight or tomorrow morning he will be moved into a regular room. Once there he can have the regular amount of visitors." The doctor informed Kershaw, before he turned back to Mac. "You’re husband’s going to be out of it for a while, but everything will be fine tomorrow."

Mac sighed in relief. "I’ll feel better once I see him."

"When will that be?" AJ asked.

"Within the next twenty minutes." The doctor told them. "If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the nurse. If you’ll excuse me."

"Thank you, Doctor," Mac said giving his hand a shake.

He smiled at her, then the other two men and left the waiting room.

AJ smiled at Mac as he thought about the words Mrs. Rabb and husband, but now was not the time to ask about those words. "I’m presuming you won’t be in on Monday, Colonel."

Mac looked at AJ and tried to stream together a thought. "I don’t think I will be, Sir."

Kershaw looked at AJ. "I think Colonel MacKenzie has everything covered now. I’m going to check on Webb. Care to join me, AJ?"

AJ looked at Mac and noticed the tension in her shoulders had left. "I think I will, Dewayne. I mean someone has to tell the hospital staff about the mess on the floor."

Kershaw didn’t hide his smirk. "Colonel, tell Mr. Rabb I will speak with him tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, Sir," Mac said before the two men walked to the elevators.

 

4:01 AM

Mac sat with Harm in the observation room and was with him, as they moved his sleeping body to a room on the seventh floor. She now watched him as he slept. She closed her eyes and thought about everything they had been through. The last few months stood out in her mind, especially the marriage. It was almost a dream come true. She wanted to be married to him, but not under these circumstances.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a moan from the bed. She leaned over the bed and smoothed a hand across his face. "Shhh. It’s okay, Harm."

Harm’s eyes fluttered open and he looked at Mac. "Hi," he whispered.

"Hi,"Mac smiled back with a few tears in her eyes.

"Hospital?" Harm asked as he glanced around the room.

"Yeah, you got shot."

"Clay?"

"Fine," Mac muttered with an angry look passing though her face.

Harm gave her a confused look. "He’s okay?"

Mac resisted the urge to tell him about Clay’s broken nose. She ran her hand over his forehead and through his hair. She let her finger play with his short locks as she softly and sweetly instructed him. "You need to rest now, so close your eyes."

"Stay."

Mac smiled before she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I’ll stay right here, in case you need me."

Harm softly smiled as he watched Mac move back to the chair next to the bed. He reached his hand to her and she took it in hers. He remained looking at her until she was settled in the chair. "Sleep now, Fly-boy," Mac instructed.

"You too, Ninja-girl," Harm softly told her as his eyes shut.

Mac kissed his hand as he fell back to sleep. Once she was sure he was asleep she gazed up at the ceiling. "Thank you."

 

9:03 AM

A couple in their sixties walked into the seventh floor reception area.

"I’m looking for Harmon Rabb?" the woman asked.

The young nurse smiled at the woman, "He’s in room 714. I believe his wife is still with him."

The woman and the man looked at the nurse. "Wife?"

"Yes, down the hall and to the left." The nurse pointed down the hall.

The couple said thank you and left for the room.

"Wife? I’m going to kill him, if he got married and didn’t tell me," the woman told her husband.

"Trish, he’s in a hospital….kill him later." Frank smiled.

Trish laughed at Frank’s humor. "You can help."

"Later. Right now we just need to find out what happened," Frank told her as they stood outside the closed door.

Trish put her hand on the door handle and Frank gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze. Trish opened the door expecting the worst, but she was surprised. Harm was asleep in the bed with only a few tubes sticking out of him. And the woman, who she could only guess was his ‘wife’ was sleeping in the chair. She was hunched over in the chair as her head rested on the bed.

Frank and Trish walked closer to the bed and noticed the woman was clutching Harms hand. Or was it the other way around?

"Should we wake her?" Frank asked in a whisper.

Trish was about to respond but Mac woke up and began to sit up. She looked towards where she heard a noise and blinked sleepily a few times at Trish and Frank.

They smiled back at her. "Hello," Trish politely said.

"Hello," Mac echoed back in a very confused voice.

Frank took a step towards Mac, "Frank Burnett and my wife Trish. We’re Harm’s parents."

A look of realization showed on Mac’s face. "I knew you looked familiar." She let go of Harm’s hand and stood up. "Sarah MacKenzie."

"It’s great to meet you, Mac," Trish said as they exchanged handshakes.

"I wish it was under better circumstances." Frank shook Mac’s hand.

"Me too," Mac agreed.

Trish glanced down at Mac’s hands and then to Harm’s, which was on the bed vacant for the first time in five hours. "The nurse said his wife was in here."

Mac opened her mouth to say something but Harm choose this moment to wake up. "Sarah," he rasped.

Mac turned around and leaned against the bed as she took his hand back into hers.

"Welcome back." she smiled.

Harm blinked as he took in her beautiful face. "Missed you."

"I was here all night," Mac told him, as she wondered what he was talking about.

"I know. I missed you when you were gone," Harm informed her.

Mac was about to question him when Trish and Frank stepped into Harm’s vision.

"Mom, Frank. What are you two doing here?"

Mac moved from her perch so Trish could fuss over her son. "We got a call from a Mr. Kershaw about you being in the hospital. How are you?"

"I don’t know," Harm admitted as he looked at Mac to tell them about his condition.

"The doctor should be stopping by." Mac glanced at the door suddenly having the urge to runaway. "I’m going to get the doctor."

Before anyone could protest Mac was out of the room, leaving a nervous Harm and his confused parents.

 

9:36 AM

Mac was about to walk into the room as she overheard Trish and Frank talk to Harm about his condition. Instead of walking in, she decided to listen to the conversation.

Trish took a deep breath. "Harmon, I don’t care. The doctor said you will be going home soon. I know he thinks you and Mac are married, but she was just in here to make sure you were okay. Unless you two finally came to your senses?"

Harm rolled his eyes at her. "Mom."

Frank tried not to chuckle. "Trish, let the boy recover then you can start harassing him again."

"Fine," Trish conceded. "But you need to have someone watch you."

"Mom, both you and Frank have work." Harm informed them.

Frank took this chance to chime in. "Actually, son, we have the week off. We were planning on going to Sarah’s farm for Thanksgiving. I’m sure your grandmother would love to fuss over you for a few days."

"It would be the perfect place for you to recuperate." Trish smiled.

"I have work to worry about," Harm tried to plead.

"You’re not going to work in this condition. Didn’t you hear a word the doctor said?" Trish crossed her arms and stared at her son like he was oblivious to reason.

Harm sighed, "I can take care of myself."

Trish took her cell phone out of her purse. "I’ll call Grandma. She can out stubborn you on a good day. What makes you think she won’t do it while you’re in the hospital?"

"Put the phone away, Mom," Harm nearly grumbled. "I’ll go. When do I get out of this place?"

Trish looked at the door. "I think Sarah was talking to the doctor about that."

Mac took this chance to walk into the room.

Frank smiled at her. "Your ears must have been burning we were just talking about you."

"Really, I just finished talking to the doctor." Mac approached the foot of the bed.

Harm’s head perked up, "When are they letting me out of here?"

"They want to keep you overnight and if everything checks out sometime tomorrow," Mac told him as she glanced at Trish and Frank.

Trish smiled sweetly. "Good I’ll call Grandma Sarah so she knows when to expect us."

Frank chuckled at the look on Harm’s face as Trish walked out of the room. "I think I’m going to get some coffee. Sarah, would you like some?"

"No, thank you Mr. Burnett." Mac smiled.

"Okay and Mac, please call me Frank," Frank said before he walked out of the room.

Mac and Harm exchanged nervous looks at each other.

"How are you feeling?" Mac asked as she moved towards the head of the bed.

"Better. The doctor said I’m doing fine."

"I know he told me." Mac touched the edge of the blanket on the bed.

Harm reached and gently touched her hand. "Thanks for being here last night."

"No problem," Mac said seriously then she smiled. "Besides you’ve done the same for me."

"True," Harm said before they fell silent.

"So you’re going to your Grandmother’s place?"

"Yeah. Mom thought it would be a good idea. I told her I’d be fine, but she pulled the trump card."

"Your Grandmother is the trump card?"

Harm chuckled softly. "She’s more stubborn than I am."

Mac laughed. "Now that is something I would like to see."

"You can."

"Can what?" Mac asked.

"See it. Come with us," Harm invited. Mac stared at Harm’s suggestion in shock. "She would love to meet you."

Mac finally found her voice. "I can’t."

"Why not? I’m sure my family would love to meet my wife?"

"I’m not your wife," Mac stated to him.

"According to the great state of Nevada and the nurses you are."

"Harm, I really don’t think we should be having this conversation now."

"Why not, Mac?"

"You’re recovering from surgery. You should be resting."

Harm chuckled. "So you’re saying that this conversation would hamper my recovery?"

"Yes," Mac informed him.

"Weak argument," Harm muttered.

"I don’t want to argue."

"Then don’t. Just come with me. I need someone to keep me sane around my family," Harm pleaded.

Mac almost crumbled at his pathetic look. "I can’t."

Harm shook his head in defeat. "Okay."

Mac looked out the window and had the urge to escape. "I need to get going."

"Sure." Harm knew she was lying.

"I’ll talk to you later about the annulment papers," Mac said before she moved from her place next to the bed.

"I’ll stop by when I return from the farm," Harm told her as he gave her hand a squeeze.

"Okay," Mac softly said before she let her emotions take over. Before she could think about it she quickly leaned down and brushed her lips across his. As she pulled away from him she whispered. "Get better."

Harm tried to respond but she quickly left the room. He stared at the door she walked out of, his thoughts on what she was thinking.

Mac quickly walked out of the room and down the hall never seeing Frank as he stood on the outside of Harm’s door. Having overheard the end of the couple’s conversation Frank wondered if he should tell Trish about their son getting an annulment.

 

Friday November 28

7:34 PM

Harm sat on the back porch of his Grandmother’s farm and watched the darkness in the sky pass over him. His thoughts were on the woman who was four hours away with his heart.

The door swung open and Frank walked out. "If your mother sees you, she’ll kill you because you don’t have a jacket on."

Harm chuckled. "Yeah." He glanced at his stepfather. "And Grandma will yell at you for not bringing me one."

"Hell, Son, I don’t even have a coat. You’re mother gets cold too easily."

"I remember the temperature would drop below 80 and she wanted to turn the heat on in the house."

"Yeah, but we love her anyways."

"Yeah, we do." Harm smiled.

Frank sat down in the wicker chair and looked at his stepson as his view was still in the sky. "You miss her."

"Who?" Harm asked.

"Mac."

"I asked her to come."

"I know."

"You know," Harm asked.

Frank decided to let his son know. "I was outside the hospital room when you asked."

Harm moved to the other whicker chair. "What else did you hear?"

"I know enough to know you two are married," Frank paused. "You want to talk about it?"

"Grandma already tried."

"Really what did Sarah ask?" Frank wondered.

Harm sighed. "She’s with Mom that Mac and I belong together. She just told me to get my head out of my six, but not so nicely."

Frank chuckled. "Sarah does have a way with words."

"Yeah, but she didn’t help much. I think that is the first time ever she couldn’t solve one of my problems."

"Well, I don’t admit to knowing everything, but I do know a thing or two about women," Frank informed the younger man.

"Really?"

"I did land your mother." Frank gave Harm a playful grin.

Harm took a deep breath. "It was an accidental marriage, but I’ve always loved her. She wants an annulment and I’ve decided that I don’t want one."

"Have you told her this?"

"Not in so many words."

Frank took a second or two. "I’m going to let you in on something. The things in life, that we want and need the most, are not always the easiest things to get. There are times, when you need to fight to get what you want. If you truly want to have Mac, you need to fight for her. Tell her what you want and that you will have her. Don’t let her decide what your future is going to hold. Just take her and don’t let her go."

Harm thought about Frank’s words and realized the man had just given him a plan.

"How do you know it will work?"

"A long time ago, I meet a wonderful woman and there was something standing in my way of getting her. I fought and got her."

"What was standing in the way?"

"A stubborn ten year old boy," Frank informed Harm.

Harm chuckled at his words. "Me."

"You."

"I was pretty mean to you."

Frank let out a good old fashion belly laugh. "You were a pain in the ass, Son."

Harm joined him in the laugh. "But she was worth it."

"She is worth it," Frank corrected him and then turned serious. "And so is Mac."

"Thanks, Frank," Harm said to the man who he had a new understanding with.

"No thanks needed, Harm. That’s why I’m here," Frank fatherly said to his son.

 

Saturday November 29

Mac’s Apartment

10:56 PM

Mac sat on her couch wearing her favorite blue jeans and white shirt. She watched some romantic movie on TV and wishing her life was like that of the woman on the screen. Girl meets boy, boy does something stupid, apologizes, they get back together, and happily ever after.

As the credits started to roll she turned the TV off, "Never works out the way you want it to."

Mac picked up her glass and the bowl of popcorn and took them into the kitchen. She straightened the kitchen up and moved her attention to the kitchen table. The month’s bill-log sat in the middle with items checked off. She moved it to the bill-pile and continued straightening. She stopped once her hands moved onto the newest set of annulment papers. Her signature already graced the lines. The blank lines for the groom’s name caused her to stare at the paper, part of her wishing it away.

Her thoughts were interrupted, as there was knock at the door. She moved into the living room and looked though the peephole. She unlocked the door and slowly opened it. "Hi."

"Hi," Harm said as he stuffed his hands into his leather jacket. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure." Mac moved out of the way and Harm walked in and took off his coat. "Let me take that."

"Thanks." Harm smiled as she placed his coat on the chair it always laid on when he visited.

"So what brings you by?"

"I just got back from my Grandmothers," he told her as he sat down on the couch.

Mac moved to the chair next to the couch. "How was it?"

"Nice. She invited you up for next year."

Mac smiled. "I’ll have to check my schedule."

"I did a lot of thinking while I was up there."

"About what?" Mac asked even though she had a good feeling.

"Us."

"There isn’t an ‘us’," Mac reminded him.

"There should be."

"There isn’t."

Harm sighed. "I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition?"

"Yes. I want one week to convince you to stay married to me."

"What?" Mac said with a dry chuckle.

"One week to prove to you that we should be married."

"You’re insane," Mac stated as she stood up.

Harm stood up, knowing he could try to use his height as an advantage in an argument. "No, I’m not."

"I’m not going to give you a week."

"Why not? We’ve already been married three months," Harm told her as his anger rose.

"This is not a marriage. This is a mistake," Mac told him as they now stood toe to toe.

"No! Letting go of you was a mistake. Telling you we’re just friends was a mistake. Agreeing to get a damn annulment was a mistake."

"A mistake was not checking the papers the last time you signed them," Mac moved to go into the kitchen.

Harm grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. "Not fighting for you is a mistake and I’m fixing that right now."

Mac stared up at him but didn’t have time to respond as his lips came crashing down on her. She tried to resist but couldn’t. His mouth opened and his tongue forced hers open. He kissed her with all he was worth. Then he pulled away from her.

Mac slowly opened her eyes, but didn’t say anything. She surprised both of them and leaned up and kissed him with a mildly passionate kiss. Harm didn’t stop her he let her lead for now.

Their one kiss soon led to more. As the kisses grew in amount they also grew in intensity. Harm’s hands ran down her back and rested on her bottom, squeezing her closer to him. Mac momentarily lost her balance as she pressed herself to him feeling his desire for her against her abdomen.

Her hands grasped at the sleeves of his shirt, before they slowly worked their way to the base of his neck and across his broad shoulder. Harm daringly moved a hand between them pressed his hand to her aching breast. He felt her moan as she tore her mouth from him. His lips attached the smooth column of her throat as he palmed her through her shirt and bra.

Mac moved her hand onto his chest and started to unbutton the blue shirt. Harm’s hand brushed against hers and returned the favor. Gasps of pleasure escaped from both of them as fingers started to brush against their exposed skin. Their feet and legs started to move from the living room into Mac’s bedroom.

 

Much later

Harm collapsed onto her and his head fell to the pillow. The only sound in the room was the rapid breaths they took trying to get air into their spent bodies. After a few minutes Harm lifted his head from the spot next to Mac’s head. He moved his head above her and looked at her. Mac gazed into his eyes and saw what love was. No words were needed as their eyes talked and expressed everything they couldn’t say, yet.

She traced her fingers down his back and held him to her. Harm felt her fingers on his skin. He smiled sweetly at her and traced her lips to his. The soft kisses didn’t reignite the fire of their lovemaking, they drew it out. Mac’s inter walls gave Harm one last caresses and he gave her one last weak thrust before he pulled himself out of her.

They rolled out on to their sides. Harm’s feet kicked a warm blanket from the foot of the bed to them. Their hands worked together as they snuggled under it. They mimicked each other as one of Harm’s hands rested on her neck caressing her face. She did the same and their other hand tucked under their heads.

Harm looked into her eyes, which just stared at him with love. He smiled as a content sigh escaped her lips. He knew the feeling, everything was right with the world. They were together and there was nothing that could ruin them. He watched as her eyes slowly started to drop shut. He moved closer to hold her tighter and gave her a good night kiss. She retuned it, before they both fell into a world of sleep.

 

Sunday

4:13 AM

Harm slowly woke up as he lay in bed. He was securely wrapped around Mac as they spooned together. The night passed through his thoughts. The way her body moved with him, the way it felt, and tasted. Her voice urging him on and asking for more, the moans of ecstasy which passed through those luscious lips of hers as he hovered over her and when he moved beneath her.

As much as he wanted to wake her and have another round of love making his body needed to take care of something else. He carefully slid out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. Once he had taken care of his business he moved back towards the bed.

He stopped in mid stride as the vision in the bed awed him. Mac has rolled onto her back and the moonlight was kissing her skin, giving it a glow. It illuminated her and made her seem like a heaven sent angel to guide him to a place he had never been before.

He took a step towards the bed with all intention to replace the moonlight with his lips and hands. He wanted to bring her to a place where’s she had never been, knowingly. He needed to bring her in his heart and let her know. He had the lustful desire to tell his secrets to caress her love and make both of them whole, by being with each other.

Harm smiled as he made his way to the bed, but like any great romantic moment the setting was spoiled. As he walked towards the bed his foot tripped over his jeans. He looked down at the discarded clothing and quickly moved it off his foot. In doing so his cell phone fell out of the pocket and it started flashing at him. He picked up the offensive device and noticed his voice mail box was blinking along with the words, ‘One Call Missed – Blaisdell.’

"Damn," Harm muttered softly.

He took his phone and walked into the kitchen. He dialed the number and waited.

{"About time you called back," the gruff voice answered him.}

"Sorry, I had my phone off." Harm sort-of-lied.

{"You need to get to Langley. We’ve got a situation."}

Harm ran his hand over his head, "I’m in the middle of something. Can I come in a few hours?"

{Blaisdell got annoyed at Harm’s comment. "Yeah, sure let me tell that to my supervisors. Get your ass down here now, Rabb." Blaisdell hung up the phone before Harm could respond.}

"Damn," Harm muttered again as he hung up his phone. He stared at the ceiling of the kitchen and wondered what to do.

He noticed the annulment papers sitting on the kitchen table as he walked out of the room. He stopped and looked them over then he looked at his cell phone. His thoughts ran to the woman in the other room. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve him. Harm picked up a pen next to the papers and signed his name.

Before he could change his mind he snuck back into the bedroom and located his clothing. He quickly dressed, trying not to think about how much this would hurt Mac. It already hurt him too much.

Once he was dressed he walked into the living room. He eyes fell upon the fireplace, where their evening had started. He couldn’t leave her like this; he had to do something else. He walked back into the kitchen and quickly sprawled a note and left it about the annulment papers.

On his way to the door he picked up his car keys, shoes, and jacket. He left the apartment and locked the door. Trying to keep Mac from the pain of his life and locking her out of his heart. "I hope she’ll understand," he muttered as he got into his car.

 

7:03 AM

Mac tried to savor every minute of her sleep, but there was a nagging feeling in her head, which told her it was time to awake. She opened her eyes and her attention fell to the window that was dark and dismal. It didn’t match her mood. She felt relaxed and happy. She and Harm had shared a wonderful part of each other last night and she wanted to reenact certain parts or try some new things with him, whichever one happened first she knew she wouldn’t be disappointed.

She rolled over and found the other side of the bed empty and the pillows cold. The cold from the pillow and sheet permeated her and sent a shiver down her spine.

She stood up from the bed and grabbed her robe off of the chair near the door. She put it on and noticed Harm’s clothing was gone. Confusion started to replace the happiness in her. When she moved into the living room the confusion changed to anger when she noticed Harm’s jacket and keys were gone.

She took several deep breaths trying to calm herself down. It wasn’t working. Her feet moved her towards the kitchen, her eyes feel onto the table…. the annulment papers. She lifted them up and looked as Harmon Rabb Jr. was written along the lines in his usual handwriting.

Her eyes closed as they filled with tears. A small slip of paper off the side caught her attention. She picked it up and read it. ‘Sarah- I want it to be real. –Harm.’

The annulment papers fell to the floor as her hand constricted around the note. Soon she backed up against the counter and slide down to the floor, like the tears down her face, and the rain outside.

"It was real to me," Mac said between sobs finding that in fact the weather did meet her mood.

The End, at least for now

 

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