Alliances

Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is for entertainment only.
Classification: R due to violent, sexual, and language content
Category: Harm and Mac plus the others
Summary: This is a drama/romance story. When Harm goes back to Russia for his brother's release from the Chechnyan POW camp, he becomes aware of a sinister alliance that could threaten the world population. Harm and Mac acknowledge their feelings for one another as they race to stop the Alliance from completing their mission. Fortunately, they have more working to help them than just their friends.

---

"We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at the door...It must be the spirit if we are to save the flesh." General Douglas MacArthur, on the deck of the battleship Missouri at the close of World War II.

**************

"Commander, how come you are the only one who didn't get the flu this year?"

Lt. Bud Roberts suddenly changed the subject from the Miller case that he and Commander Harmon Rabb had been working on for the past four hours. "I had it, so did Tiner and Gunny. The Admiral and Colonel are still out with it. Don't you find this strange?"

Harm looked at the younger officer with a confused look, as he diverted his attention away from the file he had been poring over. "Bud, what does that have to do with this case?" He replied as he rubbed his forehead, a little frustrated.

"Sir, I was just thinking. You are the only one who didn't get the flu in this whole office." Bud's eyes were round and excited with his conclusion.

"It is as if you are protected by some higher being." He continued to ponder his revelation.

A slow smile began to spread across Harm's face as he thought about Bud's explanation. "Sooo, Bud, you think that I'm some sort of charmed individual? That if I were to, let us say, jump out of a ten story building, I wouldn't be hurt?" His eyebrows rose as he quizzed Bud.

"Of course not! But I believe that things happen for a reason, and you not getting the flu happened for a reason." Bud's expression was serious as his eyebrows knitted closely together.

"Bud" Harm replied softly, "I probably didn't get the flu because I've been away from the office, besides I take pretty good care of myself." Harm sat back in his chair, laid the file down and studied his friend's thoughtful demeanor.

"Bud, you've been thinking about little Sarah?" Harm's voice reflected the concern and sadness he felt for Bud.

Bud shifted and then looked at Harm, "I guess I just am trying to figure out why it happened to us. I know the medical reason for it, but babies are born everyday under worse circumstances." His voice faded to almost a whisper.

"I wish I had an answer for you, but I've asked myself that same question before, and I never found the answer. " Harm responded honestly.

"I guess I just didn't realize that it would continue to hurt this long." Bud replied softly and nodded his head. Harm did not respond immediately, to allow Bud time to deal with his feelings.

"We need to call it a night. How about a beer at McMurphy's? I'm buying." Harm said as he patted Bud on the shoulder.

"Thanks, but I think I need to get home to Harriet and AJ. Thanks for listening." Bud smiled and gathered the papers he had worked on with Harm.

***********

Bud's words continued to echo in Harm's mind as he drove towards his apartment. "...I believe things happen for a reason...you are protected by a higher being."

'Yea right!' Harm thought sarcastically. 'If I'm so protected, why do I continue to loose people that I care about? Because bad things happen period. As much as you want to stop them, you can't.'

He pulled into his parking spot and noticed Renee's car. 'Well, at least I won't be alone tonight.'

***********

Renee greeted him at the door with a big kiss, took his cover and briefcase and tossed them on the desk before leading him to the sofa. "What was that all about?" Harm smiled and leaned over to kiss her.

With a mischievous smile, Renee stroked his face, "Just missed you today."

Harm looked at her suspiciously and responded, "I know you are up to something."

Renee laid her head against his chest, and he began to stroke her hair. "Harm, I was just thinking...Why don't we move in together?" Renee said softly. Harm stopped stroking her hair, and Renee immediately felt the tension in his body and pulled back and looked at him.

His eyes avoided hers as he shifted uncomfortably before replying. "Renee, I don't know if this is the right time." He looked into her eyes and saw the disappointment.

"I just thought with Mic and Mac becoming engaged that maybe you would be ready to move forward with our relationship." Renee pouted.

"I'm not Mic." Harm replied gently.

"And I'm not Sarah. " Renee's response was cold.

Harm broke away from her look and changed the subject, "Why don't we go out for dinner."

"We're never going to be more than we are now, are we?" Renee pressed, not wanting to evade the issue again.

"What's wrong with our relationship?" Harm frowned and responded by touching her face.

"I want more than this Harm. I want commitment and a future." Renee pulled away as she spoke.

A silent pause that seemed to have lasted for hours passed before Harm replied. "Renee, I can't make you any promises. I would be lying if I did. I'm not ready for anything permanent."

Tears began to fall from her eyes, "I guess I need promises." Harm reached for her hand, but she pulled away and picked up her purse and coat.

"Renee." Harm pleaded.

"It's been fun sailor." She walked to the door and turned around, "Have a good life."

Harm stood looking at the door that had just been closed. The words 'things happen for a reason' echoed in his thoughts.

***********

Harm sat in his empty apartment, nursing a glass of bourbon, when a persistent knocking at his door interrupted his self-imposed solitude.

"Rabb, open up! It's me." The familiar voice brought Harm to his feet.

"Webb, what the hell are you doing here so late."? Harm's voice had a slight slur from the liquor.

"Are you drunk?" Webb voice a mixture of sarcasm and surprise.

"What do you want?" Harm ignored the comment and ambled back to his sofa and collapsed.

"I came to bring you some good news. By the looks of things you could use it." Clayton's voice softened a little with concern.

Harm's mind cleared enough to realize this could be the news he had been waiting for. "Sergei?"

"He is to be released this Friday. I have you a first class ticket to Moscow and then on to Groznyy." Clay tossed the ticket into Harm's lap.

Harm jumped up and threw his arms into to the air, "YES!"

Clay smiled as he watched his friend go from funk to excitement in less than 5 seconds. "You owe me one big time." He added matter-of-factly.

"You bet! I need to call the Admiral and arrange some time off. He and Mac are supposed to be back tomorrow. I guess Bud was right." Harm rambled.

"What was Roberts right about?" Clay asked smugly.

"He said everything happens for a reason! I didn't get the flu. I been covering for nearly everyone in the office, so now the Admiral can't possibly turn down my request for leave." Harm added excitedly.

************ Sometime the next day....

"Great news!" Her voice penetrated his office, and he looked up with a big smile that lit up his entire face.

"When are you leaving?" Mac sniffled and gently wiped her red nose, a residual symptom from the flu.

"Day after tomorrow, so I'm trying to finish some loose ends. The Admiral granted me two weeks of leave time." Harm placed a file into his cabinet and continued to sort through more.

"Do you think you can get him to come back with you?" Mac inquired as she watched her coworker.

"I hope so, that's why I wanted extra time. I'm sure Sergei will want to see his mother, and I thought I would go with him." Harm stopped and looked at Mac, remembering the last time he had met Sergei's mother. Mac had helped him search for his father, only to find that he had been killed saving Sergei's mother.

Reading his thoughts, Mac asked, "Are you ready to go back?" Her voice was soft. She found herself wishing she could go with him.

"Yeah," He paused before continuing, "thanks for going with me before." His eyes held hers communicating feelings he hadn't ever been able to voice.

"You already thanked me." She swallowed before replying; not sure she would be able to speak as she felt her heart flutter.

Harm's eyes dropped to the ring on her left hand before he changed the subject, "Well, I've got a lot to do before I leave. I put some files on your desk. The Admiral suggested you finish the Coker and Maxwell cases for me."

He grinned.

"Ach choo!" Mac wiped her nose. "God bless you," Harm replied. "Gee, thanks. I need to get back to work." Harm's eyes followed her as she left his office.

"Commander, there is someone to see you." Gunny interrupted and stood at the doorway.

"Well, I'll be damned! Hellraiser Yates, my first RIO." Harm extended his hand, and the two men shook hands followed by a quick masculine embrace.

"Harm, it's CHAPLAIN Jimmy Yates." The redheaded officer replied with an expression full of merriment as he burst out in laughter at Harm's expression.

"You're not kidding are you?" Harm responded with amusement and surprise.

"Do you have time for lunch? "The bemused officer asked as he observed Harm.

"Sure, give me ten minutes." Harm returned.

*************

Sam's Deli....

"You think Chaplain Jimmy Yates is an oxymoron don't you. " Jimmy's voice was serious, but the glint in his eye said different.

"Nooo, well -- yes. Hellraiser Yates was the last person I would have imagined becoming a chaplain." Harm grinned as he sipped on his coffee.

"I guess I can understand your feelings. I wouldn't have imagined you becoming a JAG either, Hammer!" He burst into a contagious laugher.

"But you know why I changed careers." Harm added more seriously.

"So you are wondering why someone like me would choose to be in full-time service of the Lord?" Jimmy verbalized Harm's thoughts without embarrassment. "I'm not sure I can even explain it. One day I woke up and found myself alone, with a major hang over. I guess I started feeling a little sorry for myself and decided to go talk with the chaplain on base.

He had this young seaman in his office. The door was cracked open, and I preceded to eavesdrop."

Jimmy shrugged his shoulders before continuing, "The kid had just found out his mother had passed away and was real upset. He asked the chaplain why God would allow his mother to die before she had a chance to see him. He was supposed to go on leave the next day. I sat there waiting to hear some sort of standard religious answer, but instead the chaplain said nothing. My curiosity got the most of me so I peaked through the crack in the door and saw the chaplain holding that kid like he was his son. The boy just cried.

I decided to leave and came back the next day and told the chaplain what I had seen. I asked him why he didn't tell that kid something like 'It was God's will.'" Jimmy 's voice was full of emotion. He paused and took a sip of his coffee.

Harm normally would have found the whole discussion uncomfortable, but for some reason he waited with anticipation for Jimmy to finish his story.

Jimmy looked straight at Harm and continued, "That chaplain said, 'All I can honestly tell you about God's will is that God understands death. He loves you and me so much that he let his own son suffer and experience death so that death would not win. And that is a promise. I don't have the answers to the whys of life, but one day I will. For now, I just have to trust God. That boy needed to experience his grief first then he will be able to accept God's promise. If you want to know more about this God of mysteries read this.'"

Jimmy pulled a small, well-read bible from his pocket.

"And I did, and here I am." Jimmy smiled.

"How are you Harm?" Jimmy probed before Harm could respond.

"Fine...great...I'm going to Russia day after tomorrow. I have a half-brother that has been a POW. He's being released." Harm replied. "Thought I was an only child." He chuckled nervously.

Jimmy's demeanor changed from a comfortable expression to deathly serious.

"You know my dad was MIA. Well, he was held in Russia for years and escaped.

He never thought he would be able to return. While he was there he fathered a child by a woman he later died for." Harm quickly explained.

"Harm, I have to be honest with you. I came here to see you because I have a message for you. Please don't dismiss it as my imagination gone wild, but your going to Russia is part of a plan." Jimmy spoke with urgency.

"What are you talking about?" Harm looked at his friend as if he had sprouted wings.

"Harm, I have been instructed to give you this message. I don't understand it, but it is about you." Jimmy paused taking a deep breath. "When you go to Russia you will meet man, a very evil man who will try to kill you. He is part of an alliance of evil. You have information that this alliance doesn't want shared with anyone. This knowledge you have could save many people's lives. You can stop the death, but you may not escape it yourself. I know it sounds cryptic but, Harm, I am here to warn you."

Harm sat back not knowing how to respond. "Jimmy, there is a war going on in Russia. Maybe you've just been picking up on the news." Harm began before being interrupted.

"Harm this brother of yours will help you, but he will be very sad over a loss." Jimmy looked at Harm who still was confused by the information.

"Jimmy, I'll be careful. I do appreciate your concern." Harm tried to dismiss the conversation. The Washington Post had published an article about his brother, so Harm deduced that Jimmy had read the article, on which he based his belief.

Jimmy looked troubled, as if he sensed Harm's disbelief. He picked up the small testament he had held in his hand and pressed it into Harm's. "Read this, Harm. This is the Truth and the only Truth." Jimmy looked down at his watch. "I've got a flight back home, so I must leave."

"You flew all the way here just for lunch?" Harm stood still doubtful about the message his friend had shared at lunch.

"Yes, I had to see you today... I'll see you again." Jimmy smiled and exited the restaurant and jumped into a waiting cab.

'That was strange.' Harm thought as he looked at the Bible in his hand before placing it in his pocket.

*****

Groznyy, two days later...

The flight to Moscow had been uneventful, as had the long bumpy ride to Grognyy where the prisoner exchange was to take place. Harm wore civilian attire since he was there for personal reasons and not as a representative of the United States. He stood by several Russian military officers when a truck, heavily guarded, drove up. Ten Russian soldiers were to be traded for a colonel in the Chechen Rebel Army.

Colonel Nicoli Ivanovsky had been an officer in the former USSR. Harm watched with acute interest as the man, who would be the price for his brother's freedom, exited the vehicle. Ivanovsky stood up arrogantly and looked around, sneering at the Russian soldier who directed him towards the waiting area. His dark eyes bore a cold steely gaze that could penetrate to the soul.

Inwardly, Harm shuddered and wondered why this man gave him such a foreboding feeling when his eyes met Harm's. The man had experienced agonies of war, as evidenced by the long deep scar that crossed his right cheek from the edge of his eyebrow to his chin. He limped slightly as he walked to the gate where he would be exchanged for Sergei and 9 others. Harm leaned over and was about to ask one of the soldiers, who spoke English, about the officer, when Ivanovsky stopped before going through the gate and turned around and glared at Harm. Ivanovsky then nodded at Harm before disappearing through the gate.

Harm's attention was draw to the activity of the ten Russian POWs being escorted through the gate. As each man shuffled through the gate, family and comrades immediately surrounded him. Harm looked anxiously as each man passed, and with relief he called out to the last POW, "Sergei! Over here!"

Pushing through the crowds, Sergei's expression broke into a large smile, "Brother!"

The two men embraced. "I did not recognize you out of your uniform." Sergei laughed.

"I'm not here on Navy business, this is personal." Harm replied with a smile that covered his face. His expression became serious and he immediately fell into his role of big brother, "You look like you could stand a meal or two."

"I have dreamed of my mother's bear stew." Sergei smiled as Harm grimaced at the thought.

"I have a car. We can drive as far as possible today and then get to your mother's tomorrow." Harm explained and directed Sergei towards his car. "Will you need to be debriefed?"

"No, I was told to go home. I have officially completed my duties in the army. I am what do you call it a...?" Sergei searched for the right word.

"A civilian?" Harm suggested as they slid into the older model car.

"Yes, a civilian." Sergei smiled. "I know Mother is anxiously waiting for me," he added with a frown.

"I know she is. So we better get on our way. You will need to navigate. I don't know the roads here." Harm replied with a grin and cranked up the car.

"How long do you have before you must return to the United States?" Sergei asked as they drove down the rough unkempt roads.

"I have two weeks." Harm replied and looked towards his younger brother noticing the fatigue for the first time. "I was hoping you would want to return with me and spend some time in Washington." Harm added cautiously.

"I must stay and take care of my mother. We have no other relatives, and she is not in good health." Sergei replied.

"Well, then we'll make the most of the next two weeks." Harm said, covering the disappointment he felt with another smile.

"How is your Colonel Sarah MacKenzie?" Sergei grinned at his brother. "I expected her to be with you."

"She's engaged." Harm said quietly.

"Why did you let that happen brother?" Sergei accused.

Exasperated, Harm retorted, "I didn't let anything happen, she made that decision all by herself."

"But you are not happy about it." Sergei continued.

Harm sighed, "No, but that's besides the point. How much farther is it?"

Sergei noticed his brother's frown and how his knuckles became white as he held tightly to the wheel.

"It will take us another day to get there." Sergei responded and slid further down into the seat and closed his eyes. "Stay on this road until the next village and wake me up."

*************

The next day ...

Sergei became more excited as they drew closer to his home village. "My mother may be at work. She takes the train to the larger village and works in a factory. She did not know when to expect me home. Communications are not good in this region. I will be a surprise to her."

Harm felt good that he could bring his brother back home to his mother. Sadly, he wished that their father had been alive to greet them as well. Jimmy's words suddenly echoed in his memory, "Your brother will be able to help you, but he will be sad from a recent loss."

"What is wrong?" Sergei observed Harm's worried expression.

"Nothing, I just remembered something I needed to do." Harm smiled and tried to shake the uneasiness he felt as they approached Sergei's farm.

Sergei quickly exited the car and ran to the door of his home and called out to his mother.

"You said she may not be home from work." Harm suggested and looked around, remembering his first visit to this location had been one of sadness and closure.

Harm turned when he heard someone call out something in Russian, "Sergei, someone is here."

The woman began to cry and talk rapidly in Russian when she saw Sergei. Sergei responded in Russian and grabbed the woman gently shaking her.

"What's wrong...Sergei?" Harm felt lost, not able to understand the language and seeing his brother become so distraught.

The woman patted Sergei and then walked away, leaving him standing speechless.

"Sergei?" Harm walked over to Sergei and touched his arm.

"She is dead." Sergei blurted out as tears began to fall. "There was a flu epidemic. She became ill, and there was not enough medication to help her. She died two days ago."

Harm took in a deep breath. "Sergei, I..." There was nothing he could say. Sergei turned and walked away towards the hills.

'How did Jimmy know?' Harm thought as he observed his brother's pain.

**********

Later that day in the village...

Sergei stood next to his mother's still body and held her hand. He spoke softly in Russian and kissed her hand before he turned away towards Harm. "There is an order to have all who have died to be cremated." Sergei said sadly to Harm. "There is worry about the epidemic spreading."

"You don't get influenza that way. It is spread by airborne droplet." Harm replied, confused by the order. Sergei's grief took priority, so Harm let it go.

Harm turned and glanced again at the woman who had given his father some relief from the years of torture and hopelessness. She had given him a brother. 'Thank you,' he whispered before following Sergei.

*********

At Sergei's farm...

Sergei and Harm had discovered that nearly one hundred people had died in the region and that the majority of the fatalities worked in the same village that Sergei's mother had worked. The officials felt that was how the epidemic spread so quickly.

"What kind of factory did your mother work in?" Harm asked, as he set a plate before his brother.

"Small weapons factory. They made weapons that soldiers carry into war." Sergei replied and stirred the food around on his plate. "The factory has been shut down until the epidemic has passed."

Harm began to make connections between the epidemic and the factory shut down, but decided that Sergei didn't need to hear his theories right now.

"You need to try to eat, or you will become ill." Harm attempted, again, to persuade Sergei to eat.

"I'm not hungry!" Sergei snapped, before walking out of the house.

Harm remembered Jimmy's story of the young seaman's grief and followed Sergei. He found Sergei standing gazing out over the mountains of the Taiga. Harm stood silently next to the younger man and allowed his mind to reflect on their father who was buried somewhere in the mountains. Sergei slowly sat on the ground, his eyes never leaving the Taiga.

"I'm glad he found your mother." Harm said quietly.

Sergei's gaze remained on the mountains. "She gave him some happiness. God, he needed it." Harm continued, finding his voice cracking with emotion. "She gave me you."

Tears poured from Sergei's eyes, as he nodded, "Why didn't I get to see her

... One more day...I could have told her good-bye... I could have told her I love her."

Harm sat slowly on the side of the hill and put his arm around his brother's shoulder.

They sat for hours watching the sun slowly descend, sending rays of pinks and grays across the horizon of the Taiga.

**********

The next day in the village...

Harm had carefully begun to ask questions, when he could find someone who could speak English. Everyone who experienced the symptoms of this strange flu had died. Harm found this hard to believe, considering the numbers who had the flu in his own work place who recovered.

The people all became ill within a six-day period. Symptoms had included fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches. All of the victims died of respiratory failure. It surprised him that everyone must have been exposed at the same time.

Harm had read about the stockpiles of biological agents found when the USSR fell. Most were supposedly destroyed, but there were rumors of some renegade military officers and scientists who still continued to produce the bio-weaponry for sale to the highest bidder.

"Sergei, what do you know about the Kirov facility?" Harm had been busy helping Sergei pack up the house and secure it. Sergei had decided to return with Harm for a visit and would then decide what he wanted to do.

"I understand it was shut down. Why do you ask?" Sergei asked, as Harm lifted one of the boxes and started towards the car.

"Weren't biological agents, used for war, produced there? Harm asked.

Sergei sat the box down and faced his brother. "It was rumored that it produced Plague. Why do you ask, brother?" Sergei grabbed Harm's shoulder.

"Did you hear of any other places producing bio-weapons?" Harm looked at Sergei, deciding he had to share his suspicions.

"There are always rumors." Sergei looked suspiciously at his brother.

"This epidemic may not have been the flu." Harm looked at his brother.

"You think that my mother died of the Plague?" Sergei expressed in horror.

"Your mother worked at a weapons plant. All the people that became ill were from that one plant except for family members and other close contacts. Everyone became ill and died at practically the same time. That meant they had to be exposed at the same time. Young or old, they all became extremely ill. This just seems like too much of a coincidence. That Colonel Ivanovsky was exchanged for you and the others. What were his responsibilities when he was a part of the USSR military?" Harm continued to quiz.

"I can find out. I have a friend in Groznyy who would know." Sergei' answered while his eyes burned in anger.

"Do you want to go back to Chechnya?" Harm looked questioningly.

"I have no reason to stay here. I want to find my mother's murderers."

Sergei responded with passion.

"Sergei, I don't know for sure that this was all due to some sort of biological attack." Harm warned his brother.

"We must find out." Sergei replied with conviction.

***********

Somewhere in Groznyy, two days later...

Sergei's friend was able to locate records where Ivanovsky had served under General Logarkof, the former Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Directorate for the Minister of Defense during the cold war.

The Russian government had been hiding information on the resent outbreaks of disease throughout the country, calling it influenza. There were rumors that the military of Chechnya had been using bio-weaponry for several years now.

"We need to get this information back to Washington." Harm thought out loud. "Bio-weaponry is the perfect panic weapon for terrorist. It's available, it kills, and it spreads."

"They could hurt their own people with this. I do not understand." Sergei sounded frustrated.

"A terrorist wants to wreak havoc for his or her own political or religious purposes or just because he or she is mentally unstable. Their goal is to kill. With death as their outcome, biological agents will do just that, with a bit of a bonus. They add panic and fear to the population."

Sergei listened and picked up the keys to the car. "We better leave. There are many ears that will know what we suspect."

They cautiously crossed the street from the building where they had met with Sergei's friend, when the first shots were fired. Taking cover near the car, Sergei pulled a pistol from his jacket and returned fire. "Where did you get that?" Harm yelled over the gunfire.

"I always keep pistol. You want one?" He tossed another to Harm.

"You carry two?" Harm spat, in dismay, between shots.

Sergei looked towards his big brother; "I was imprisoned here. I don't intend to go to prison again." Then he added very seriously, "I always try to be prepared."

"With two pistols?" Harm said incredulously and fired another shot at a movement across the street.

"One must always be prepared. What does it take to be prepared in the United States?" Sergei continued their discussion, as shots pinged nearby.

"They come in foil wrappers." Harm snapped back, as he dodged another near miss shot.

Sergei looked confused.

"I'll explain it later." Harm shook his head and laughed, before feeling a sharp pain explode in his arm, causing him to drop his weapon. "Damn!"

"Harm!" Sergei shouted as he saw his brother drop grab his shoulder.

"I'm okay, we need to get out of here." Harm reached for his gun with his left hand and looked around. "I'll cover. On the count of three, run into that building. One, two, three." Harm began to fire consecutively while Sergei ran to the nearby building.

He then began to fire rapidly while Harm darted towards him. "Does your friend have a car?" Harm asked breathlessly.

"He parks it behind this building." Sergei responded.

"Let's go." Harm directed.

After hot-wiring the car, they drove away on the roads heading south. No one would expect them to head towards the Caucasus Mountains. Their only escape would be through Turkey.

************

That evening....

Seven men sat at a round table in a room somewhere in an unknown location including

Representatives from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, China and Chechnya.

The leader of the group, who called themselves the Alliance, was from Chechnya, Colonel Nicoli Ivanovsky.

The discussion revolved around a strategic attack of seven large cities using Biological agents.

A soldier quietly whispered a message to the leader. Ivanovsky excused himself and exited the room where he could talk in private with the messenger; "You failed! I should have you all shot. The American and Russian soldiers must be found!"

*************

Meanwhile back at JAG....

"No, I haven't heard a word from Commander Rabb, and you need to get your six up to my office and tell we what you know, or I'll be making your life so miserable that you'll wish Rabb could give you what you thought was a hard time. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Admiral Chegwidden barked over the phone to Clayton Webb and then slammed the phone down.

Colonel Mac Mackenzie was not surprised by her commanding officer's remarks.

Harm was supposed to have returned three days ago from Russia, and no one had heard anything from him since he called informing them of Sergei's release.

"Damn, I should know better than to let Harm wander around the globe without an escort." AJ muttered to himself.

Mac lowered her eyes, feeling pangs of guilt because she had not gone with Harm to Russia. Whenever it came to his family, Harm tended to lose perspective and his decisions were not always the best. She was the one who could be dispassionate when he could not and, now, she was not with him.

"Webb claims he knows nothing about Harm's whereabouts." The Admiral paced in his office, clearly agitated about the recent turn of events.

"Harm always manages to get himself out of trouble." Mac said, more to reassure herself than the Admiral.

"Dammit, I know, but where the hell is he? He's been gone for over two weeks. If he just forgot to call, I'll hang his hide on the flagpole." AJ ranted. Mac smiled at his reaction. The man clearly cared about the people under his command.

'Harm, where are you?' She thought as they waited for Clayton Webb to make his appearance.

****

Later that evening in Mac's apartment...

Mac collapsed on her sofa, thinking things just seemed to become more complicated. She and Webb would leave in the morning for Moscow. Webb received information, through his contacts, that Harm and Sergei were last seen in Chechnya. They all feared that Harm had run into trouble with the men who had attempted to assassinate President Putin.

Mic was not going to be happy with this assignment. He wasn't happy lately anyway. He had been unable to find an acceptable law firm to work with and was trying to start his own practice, with a few cases that were not challenging. She knew that it would be only a matter of time before he brought up returning to Australia to resume his commission.

The sound of a key opening her door broke her reverie. She stood up to greet Mic, as he dropped his briefcase and coat on a chair. He had long ago stopped trying to hide his frustration.

She put her arms around his neck and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "How did it go?"

"Blimey, Sarah, I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm sick of the scum that comes through my door. I haven't had a decent case in months." He walked over to the refrigerator, searching for something stronger than a soda. "Damn, I need a beer."

"We could go to McMurphy's and then go out for dinner somewhere." Mac offered gently.

He stood up from digging in the refrigerator and snapped, "I already told you that I'm not having you pay for everything, and I can't afford to take us to dinner." He slammed the refrigerator door closed.

Mac took a deep breath, "I didn't mean to insult you, Mic."

"I'm sorry, Sarah, it's just nothing seems to be going right." Mic pulled her close and held her to him.

"Mic, I'm going on an assignment for a while overseas." Mac said cautiously.

"Again? You just got back from Japan last week." Mic replied, disheartened. "Where to and for what? Some sailor got himself in trouble in a foreign country?"

"Yeah," Mac replied apologetically. "Harm never returned from Russia.

Webb and I are going to Moscow." Mac waited for everything to hit the fan.

Mic struggled with the anger that was rising within. "He can't go to Russia without you chasing after him."

"I'm going under the Admiral's orders, but I would have wanted to go if I wasn't." Mac responded firmly and backed towards the sofa to sit down. "We've been through this before Mic. How many more times do I have to tell you that I'm wearing your ring not Harm's?" Her patience was stretched to the limit.

"Well, while you go gallivanting around the world looking for Harm, I'm going home." Mic replied, angrily.

"Will you come by before I leave?" Mac asked softly.

"The question is, will you return before I'm gone?" Mic responded.

Mac's look of confusion led Mic to clarify, "Sarah, I'm going back to Australia. I've decided to resume my commission. If you want a life with me, then you know where to find me. I seem to be the only one in this relationship who is willing to make a sacrifice, maybe it's your turn." He added as an ultimatum.

Mac's eyes met his will equal determination. She then slid the ring off her finger and pressed it into his. "Good luck Mic."

Mic squeezed the ring in his fist and tossed it back at her, "I told you to keep it, no matter what happens. I meant what I said." He then walked out the door, slamming it as he left.

Tears fell freely as she stood staring at the door. "Oh Mic."

****************

Somewhere south of Groznyy outside Sovetskoye, Chechnya...

Sergei looked anxiously at his brother, noting his pale color. "We must stop and let me take care of your shoulder. You are not in very good shape."

"I'm in real good shape. I run 5 to 10 miles everyday." Harm added with a little humor in his voice, before he grunted in pain.

Sergei slowed the car down, "I did not mean that, for your age you do well."

"My age!" Harm spouted with indignation.

Sergei looked even more frustrated. Communicating with his brother seemed to be more complicated than he thought it would be.

Harm began to smile, "I know what you mean, but we need to get you out of Chechnya. You don't want to spend more time imprisoned do you?" The throbbing in his shoulder was becoming more difficult to ignore.

Sergei began to slow the vehicle down and pulled down a small dirt drive. "I thought I saw a farm house. We will stay here tonight and take care of your shoulder. Do not argue." He ordered and stopped the car behind a barn.

Sergei exited the car and approached the farmhouse where an older man met him. They exchanged words in Russian, and Sergei returned to the car, opening the door to help Harm out.

"They will let us stay tonight." Sergei explained as he helped Harm stand.

Harm felt light headed and almost toppled forward before Sergei pulled him back, "I'm okay." Harm said as he gritted his teeth against the pain that tore through his wounded shoulder.

Slowly they made it into the modest house and to a room with a bed. "I don't want to get these people in trouble." Harm said, somewhat breathlessly, as he noticed the older man and a young woman, who apparently was his daughter.

Sergei said something in Russian to the man and began to remove Harm's jacket and shirt. The young woman immediately brought some water in a pan, along with some fabric to make bandages.

Harm could not restrain the gasp that escaped, in response to the pain from Sergei gently wiping away the blood that had accumulated around the small bullet wound, which appeared to be red and swollen. "Sorry, Brother, the bullet is still there. It needs to come out, or you will continue to bleed."

"You don't know a doctor around here?" Harm said between painful breaths.

Sergei spoke again to the man in Russian, before responding, "The nearest doctor is in Groznyy."

"We can't go back there." Harm replied. "Can you remove it?"

Sergei nodded and pushed Harm back into the bed and spoke to the man and his daughter, giving them directions. Sergei then walked over to Harm and poured some Vodka into a cup. "Drink all of this."

Harm sipped the potent liquid and coughed, "This must be 100 proof!"

Sergei smiled, "It is Russian Vodka."

Harm downed the remainder only to have Sergei pour a refill, "I don't know if I can drink anymore." Harm began to feel the effects of the liquid.

"Drink!" Sergei ordered and watched Harm down the second cup. Sergei then pressed against Harm's wound eliciting a yelp. He then poured another larger cup and held it to Harm's lips for him to drink. The third cup worked like a charm.

"Slergay, have you ever thought about medical school?" Harm slurred and then hiccoughed. "You already know how to put somebody out of pain, you know what

I mean?" Harm said with a chuckle.

The young woman giggled as she listened to Harm ramble. She asked Sergei something, which brought a smile to his face. He then replied in Russian.

"I object! I can't understand Russian." Harm said, bringing about another sly smile from Sergei. "She said you are cute." Sergei replied and poured Harm another glass of Vodka. He handed it to the young woman, with directions to give him more when Sergei instructed.

The farmer brought over a pan of water and a thin knife that he had boiled, along with some fresh bandages. Sergei instructed the farmer to hold Harm's shoulder still, as he lifted the knife and contemplated its use.

Harm watched his brother through blurred vision, "I trust you...go ahead."

He said, before drifting into a drunken slumber. The next thing he felt was an intense pain that jerked him awake.

"Be still brother, I can feel the bullet!" Sergei ordered firmly, as drops of sweat formed on his brow. The young woman looked anxiously at Sergei as he continued to probe into the bleeding tissue. She placed a piece of rolled fabric into Harm's mouth for him to bite down on, while Sergei avoided looking into Harm's face, which was covered with sweat and pain lines.

Finally, the bullet was retrieved and tossed into the pan. Sergei nodded at the woman, who removed the fabric from Harm's mouth and held the cup of Vodka to his mouth, until he finished drinking the contents and fell into a deep slumber. Sergei wiped his hands and gently covered the wound with a fresh dry bandage. He then took the cup and poured himself a large helping of the Vodka and drank it in one swallow.

Harm groaned in his sleep, as his shoulder throbbed. He heard someone calling his name, but he didn't want to open his eyes. "Harm, it's Jimmy. I need to tell you something."

Harm opened his eyes to see his ex RIO, now chaplain, and friend standing over him. "How did you get here, Jimmy?" Harm looked drowsily at his friend.

"That doesn't matter, I told you that you would see me again. Listen carefully. The evil man is near. You will be taken captive, but don't worry. You have friends who will be coming to help you. But first, you must find out his plan." Harm tried to respond, but drifted back into a fretful sleep filled with nightmares and pain.

Sergei sat next to Harm through the night, changing the dressing and offering sips of water to his dry lips. Sergei talked soothingly to Harm, to calm the nightmares.

Early in the morning, Sergei drifted to sleep. When he awoke, Harm was still in a deep peaceful sleep.

In return for their help, Sergei had agreed to help on the farm while Harm recovered.

The young woman, whose name was Sasha, offered Sergei some hot rolls and cheese for breakfast. She then had him go outside to wash up and offered to care for Harm while Sergei helped her father. She gathered a pan of warm water and soap and began to gently bathe the sleeping man, removing the remainder of his clothing. She then took his clothing to wash and hang on an outside line to dry.

Sergei returned, several hours later, to find Harm beginning to stir. A big grin formed on his face when he noticed that Sasha was humming and that Harm's clothing was hanging outside. "So, Brother, did you have good dreams now?" He commented to himself.

Harm awoke early in the afternoon and lay very still, trying to decide what hurt the most, his shoulder or his head. One thing he knew he had to do was to find the bathroom. Slowly he sat up, groaning in pain, but determined to get moving. He then realized he was buck naked in the bed. Sasha walked in as Harm pulled up the covers to insure his modesty. She walked over, handed him a cup with some sort of soup and smiled.

"Where are my clothes?" Harm tried to communicate, only to have her continue to smile at him. He set the soup down and gestured for her to approach. "My clothes." He pointed at her clothes and then to himself. Her smile grew even bigger as she started to remove her blouse.

"No, nyet, don't, wait, that's not what I meant." Harm stuttered and pulled her blouse down. She looked hurt and confused. Harm tried again and went through the motions of pretending to put on a shirt, bringing about fits of giggles from the young woman.

Between his pain, frustration and a real need to pee, he thought he was just going to have to go outside wrapped in his covers, when Sergei walked in.

"So, you are finally awake!" He greeted with a big smile.

"I need my clothes, and I need to find the bathroom, now!" Harm looked totally frustrated.

Sergei spoke to the woman in Russian. She turned to Harm and gave him a pout look before going to retrieve his clothing from the line outside.

Sergei then handed Harm a large jar. "Bathroom."

Harm grabbed the jar and gave Sergei a 'just wait, you'll get yours' look.

After assisting Harm put on his clothes, Sergei explained that he was going to help the farmer repair his tractor before they left. "Sasha will look after you." He added, with a twinkle in his eye.

"What did you tell her anyway?" Harm interrogated.

"She asked if you or I had a wife. I told her I was promised, but the woman you loved was promised to another." He replied matter-of-factly.

"You what! You're not engaged, and where did you come up with that bull about me?!" Harm snapped irritably.

"I did make up the part about me, but in your dreams last night you talked about your Mac." He said with a bemused look on his face.

"You're making this up." Harm shook his head.

"She is engaged to someone named Bugme?" Sergei replied with one eyebrow raised, bringing a dirty look from Harm.

"Just think, I always wanted a little brother." Harm grumbled and rubbed his shoulder.

The banter was interrupted when the door to the farmhouse flew open and soldiers stood there, pointing guns at them....

****

Moscow...

Mac and Clay met with Sokol at the US embassy in Moscow and discovered that Harm and Sergei had returned to Chechnya, after Sergei discovered his mother had died from an epidemic of influenza in the region.

"Why would they return to Chechnya? They knew it would be dangerous especially for Sergei." Mac interrogated the two agents standing before her.

She then looked at both men. "What are you not telling me?" She demanded, with her arms crossed tightly in front of her.

Webb drew in a slow deep breath; "This is purely speculative. The colonel that was traded for Sergei and the others was a Colonel Nicoli Ivanovsky. He has been linked with a terrorist group who refer to themselves as the Alliance. I think that maybe Harm and Sergei stumbled onto something."

Mac looked at both men, clearly enraged, "You set them up, didn't you!"

"The US State Department's pressure to have Sergei released was instrumental in the release of Ivanovsky. We wanted Ivanovsky released, so we could track this Alliance. Sergei was the perfect excuse to release Ivanovsky, without arousing suspicion." Sokol explained.

"You sonofabitches." She spat, "Webb, I promise you, if so much as a hair on Harm's or Sergei's head is hurt because of this, I swear there won't be a place deep and dark enough for you to hide from me."

"Mac, this is something bigger than us." Webb defended.

"Oh yeah, in the spy world your activities are always more important than everyone else's." Mac replied in anger.

"Mac, biological agents may be involved." Webb added earnestly. "The outcome of this mission could mean the life or death of millions."

Mac stared in disbelief, until she realized the he was being truthful. "Why couldn't you have warned Harm?" She asked with a sigh.

"How was I supposed to know he would go back to Chechnya?" Webb defended.

"Besides, he would have killed me if he thought I had put his brother in danger."

"So, you would rather the Admiral and I torture you to a slow death, than Harm?" Mac replied coolly, with an eyebrow raised.

Webb frowned as he considered his options. "We need to find Harm and Sergei so no one gets hurt." He straightened his tie and picked up the phone.

"You got that damn straight!" Mac spat.

************

Chechen camp outside Sovetskoye...

Harm and Sergei were pushed into a room and instructed to stay seated while three armed soldiers stood guard.

Harm felt a sense of deja vu when he remembered his dream where Jimmy had told him that they would be captured. This was just too strange.

He unconsciously rubbed his shoulder, bringing a response from Sergei, "Are you all right?" He whispered. A guard immediately barked something in Russian and backhanded Sergei across the face, sending him to the floor. Harm stood up to intervene, but guns were directed at him and Sergei. "I'm okay, sit down Brother." Sergei warned.

The door to the room flew open and in walked two more soldiers and Colonel Nicoli Ivanovsky. "Ahh, Commander Harmon Rabb and Sergeant Sergei Zhukov. So nice to see you again." He laughed evilly and looked at Harm in the same cold steely manner as the day of his release.

"I came to see the ones responsible for my freedom. I must thank you." He spoke with sarcasm as he stood, towering over the two captives.

"Is this the way you thank people, Colonel?" Harm responded flatly.

"For someone who has a gun pointed to his head, you are either very brave or very stupid." Ivanovsky sneered and took the gun from the soldier and placed it to Sergei's forehead.

"Do you talk so bravely now, Commander?" He threatened. "You should have left

Russia when you could, Commander. You let your feelings for others get in your way." He continued.

"Only sociopath don't have feelings, you wouldn't know about feelings would you, Colonel." Harm answered evenly, never breaking eye contact with the Colonel.

The Colonel replied blandly, while rubbing the scar on his face, "I have no use for feelings, Commander."

"That would get in the way of your Alliance's plan for mass murder with biological agents wouldn't it." Harm volleyed, wondering just how much information the man would be willing to share.

"Very good logic, Commander, but you will not be around to see the outcome."

The Colonel enjoyed the challenge of this Navy Commander.

"What cities do you intend to attack? ... New York, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Jerusalem, Moscow?" Harm continued, while observing the Colonel's demeanor.

"You are a very smart man. But there will be seven cities." With that he turned and left the room.

The guards then yelled at them in Russian. Sergei stood up and gestured for Harm to follow. They were taken to another building where their arms and legs were tied behind them.

The floor was cold, and Harm shoulder gave him fits as he tried to move to a more comfortable position.

"Brother, I'm sorry I got you in this trouble." Sergei's voice sounded small and hopeless.

"You didn't get me into to this. Just ask Mac, I get myself into plenty of trouble all by myself." Harm said with a small laugh and then groaned as the pain in his shoulder grew in intensity.

Sergei frowned as he watched his brother shift, unsuccessfully, to ease the pain. "You are hurting very much?"

"I would complain to my surgeon, but he's all tied up." Harm laughed and took in a slow deep breath in an attempt to control the pain.

"You make a joke when you feel out of control." Sergei observed.

Harm had closed his eyes trying to relax and clear his mind, so he could figure out what to do. "I've never thought about it." He replied. "I guess I do, but don't tell anyone. It would ruin my poker game."

Several hours passed before Sergei spoke. "If you knew you were going to die, what would you do differently?" He asked somberly.

Harm opened his eyes to look at Sergei. His words were stated with conviction. "We are not going to die."

"We all die sometime." Sergei responded with a half smile.

"You're right." Harm sighed, then answered softly, "If I thought there was a real possibility that I was going to die, I would try to tell the people that matter most to me that I love them."

"Would you tell Sarah Mackenzie that you love her?" Sergei asked. The quiet stillness of the dark room added to the intensity of his question.

Harm paused before responding, "Yeah, I would tell her. And then I would tell her that I want her to be my wife, for however long that may be, and that living my life with her could only complete it."

"Then you should tell her before that time comes." Sergei said with resolve.

"I've noticed you bring up Mac whenever we talk." Harm said skeptically.

"I like Sarah Mackenzie." Sergei replied innocently. "Have you thought of a plan to get us out, Brother?" He changed the subject, while the smile on his lips lingered.

In the meantime somewhere north of Groznyy...

Mac and Clay headed to south to Groznyy, in a Russian vehicle that was similar to a humvee, accompanied by men that worked with Sokol. The trip had been uncomfortably silent, as Clay avoided Mac's anger. Unable to stand the silence any longer, Clay asked, "Mac, have you and Mic set a date?"

Mac sighed deeply and looked at Clay, before responding, "Mic's going back to Australia. He'll probably be gone by the time I get back to DC."

Clay half smiled, "Sorry."

Seeing his smile, she responded sarcastically, "Yeah, you look sorry."

"Mac, I am sorry that you are obviously hurt, but I didn't think that he was the right guy for you." Clay's tone was sincere.

"Thanks Clay and just who is the right guy for me?" Mac replied, halfheartedly, as she looked at the passing scenery.

"How many times do you have to go to Russia after him to figure it out?" Clay asked quietly.

"Clay, what is the old saying, 'it take two to tango.'" She laughed, sarcastically.

"Yes, it does, and how well you tango depends on who leads." Clay replied.

"Clay, I tried to lead once. He doesn't want to tango, so let's just drop it." Mac was obviously uncomfortable with the discussion.

"You must not have tried very hard because the Marine Colonel I know has the ability to lead anytime she sets her mind to it." Clay persisted in his humorless bland tone.

"You can't force relationships." Mac defended.

"Oh, but you can threaten, demand and order everyone else around." Clay said and let out a single, 'ha.'

"So you think I'm some sort of bossy bitch?" Mac retorted.

"Yeah, when you put it like that." Clay replied flatly, with an affirmative nod.

A few seconds of angry silence had passed between them when Mac burst into laughter, "Clay, you don't want me telling you what I think of you."

"I know the compliments would embarrass me." He added with a smile.

"You are too much." Mac said, still chuckling. 'He may have helped get Harm into this mess, but at least he was around to help clean it up,' she thought as the vehicle bumped its way down the road.

************

South of Groznyy, later that night...

Clay and Mac discovered, with the help of Sokol's contacts, that Harm and Sergei were being held in a camp near Sovetskoye by Colonel Ivanovsky's men, they planned to sneak in after dark to rescue them.

They waited on the outskirts of the Chechen camp until the darkness began to descend. Sokol had promised to send Russian air support, to help create a diversion after dark. The helicopters would attack the eastern side of the camp so that Mac and Webb could safely enter the building where Harm and Sergei were held.

As promised, the air strike occurred on time causing immediate confusion in the camp. Sergei woke first "Harm, do you hear that? My comrades are attacking the camp!"

Harm heard another noise, between the sounds of explosions and gunfire. Someone was breaking down the door to their room. A final cracking, followed by the door swinging open revealed two intruders wearing camouflage. "Mac? Webb?" Harm looked in disbelief.

Mac ran over to Harm and cut the ropes that bound him, while Webb did the same with Sergei. "You guys ready to get out of here?" Mac said breathlessly.

Harm stumbled as he tried to stand, with Sergei quickly responding. "He was shot in the shoulder."

"I'm okay, and I don't want to hear anything about me being out of shape or old." He replied, grimacing as his sore shoulder muscles protested any movement. Sergei supported Harm from his uninjured side, as the foursome moved out of the building and across the yard towards cover.

Soon they made their way back to the vehicles as gunfire continued behind them. One of the men who had accompanied them informed them that the Chechens were moving north, blocking their escape.

"We're going to have to escape through the Caucasus Mountains into Turkey."

Webb explained as they entered the vehicle.

Webb and Sokol's two men were in the front seat of the vehicle, while Mac and Sergei assisted Harm to the back. The driver floored the gas pedal, and the vehicle bounced down the war torn road south.

Mac immediately began to fuss at Harm, "What do you think you and Sergei were doing, going back to Chechnya? You both were nearly killed!"

Harm listened without interrupting until the vehicle hit a rather large hole in the road and bounced, roughly bringing a painful groan from Harm. Mac's fussing turned to concern as she began to unbutton his shirt to get a better look at his shoulder. "It's all right, I'm just a little sore." Harm grimaced and pushed her hand away.

"Have you received any medical care for this?" She deflected his hand and continued to unbutton his shirt and pull it away from his shoulder.

Sergei leaned over to examine his handy work as Mac lifted the bloody bandage to view the wound. "I had to remove the bullet, there is no medical help here."

Mac gently palpated around the wound eliciting a loud response from Harm,

"Would you two just leave it alone!"

Mac looked at Sergei and ignored Harm. "It needs a fresh bandage."

"Yes, it was not bleeding earlier, but there are no signs of infection." Sergei commented, while Mac dug through a first aid kit to find a bandage and antiseptic. She carefully applied the antiseptic and fresh bandage.

"Okay, if everyone is finished playing doctor and nurse, I think my shoulder will stop hurting." He added irritably.

"Hey that sounds rather kinky back there." Clay jumped in, to further irritate Harm's unhappy disposition. Harm gave him a drop-dead look and then closed his eyes.

"He always gets grouchy when he's hurt." Mac whispered to Sergei, so Harm could hear.

"Oh great, now I have two comedians, plus Webb, to deal with." Harm mumbled, before succumbing to his exhaustion.

Mac gently pulled his head over so that it rested on her shoulder and slid her arm around his neck and shoulder to support him as he slept. Sergei caught Clay looking into the rearview window and shared a conspiratorial smile.

They made it safely deep into the Caucasus Mountains before stopping to rest and eat. Mac carefully woke Harm by stroking his face. "Wake up sailor, we are going to camp for a few hours and get some rest and food."

Harm looked around confused, "Where did you come from Mac?"

"Where do you think? Who else would come when your six's in trouble?" She said, gently, and kissed his forehead. He looked so innocent when he was sleepy.

He followed her lead towards an area that Sokol's men had spread some sleeping bags. He lay down and pulled her next to him, before drifting back to sleep.

The others took turns standing watch, while they slept away the exhaustion from the past few days.

Harm woke up, hearing the activity of a meal being prepared on a small fire. The day before seemed so confusing as he began to remember their escape. Noticing that Harm had sat up, Mac brought him a cup of coffee and asked, "Feeling better?"

"Yeah, thanks for the coffee. I guess I passed out on you last night." He smiled wearily and sipped the hot brew.

"We are going into Turkey today and then to Athens." Mac explained.

The coffee worked its magic, and Harm began to think more clearly. He suddenly remembered Ivanovsky's threats, "Webb! Where is Webb?"

Clay heard his name and walked over, "What's up?"

"Ivanovsky, he and the Alliance plan to release biologic agents into seven major cities. We've got to stop him." Harm urgently explained.

"Do you know what cities, when is this supposed to happen?" Webb quizzed with equal intensity.

"New York, Tokyo, Jerusalem, London, Berlin and Moscow. Soon they were planning it soon." Harm replied.

"That was only six cities, Harm. What was the other one?" Mac asked.

"He didn't say. But we have got to stop this." Harm started to stand slowly.

"How do you know?" Mac helped him steady himself.

"Because he had already been using it." Sergei answered with a cold voice tone.

"When Sergei and I returned to his home village, we found that his mother and nearly one hundred others had died of an epidemic. The officials called it influenza, but it wasn't. The outbreak of symptoms was inconsistent with an influenza epidemic, and the mortality rate was 100 percent." Harm explained.

Serge walked away to deal with his sudden rising anger. Harm continued,

"They must have been exposed at the weapons plant where they worked. The Chechens have been using bio-weaponry against the Russians. The Russians are trying to cover it up because these weapons probably came from their own stockpiles. We discovered Ivanovsky had served with a general who was in command over the biological weaponry, when the USSR was still stockpiling weapons."

"Oh Harm, that's why you went back to Groznyy," Mac said. She looked, sadly, towards Sergei. "I'm sorry. How is he handling it?"

"We've been so busy dodging bullets that he hasn't really had the time." Harm looked towards his brother with concern. "He going to come back to Washington with me, if this bio-terrorist attack doesn't wipe us all out first."

"As soon as we get to Turkey, I will be able to contact the agency and get some action, so we better start moving." Webb interrupted.

*********

Later that morning just over the Turkish border...

They arrived in Kars, Turkey were Webb immediately contacted his agency.

They then drove to Izmir on the western coast of Turkey, and caught a flight to Athens, Greece. Webb returned to the group to announce that they were officially off duty. There was nothing else for them to do, but wait and see.

Harm and Mac reported back to the Admiral, whose anger dissipated when they explained the circumstances. He suggested they take a few more days before returning to Washington.

***********

Harm, Mac and Sergei stood on their hotel patio facing the Aegean Sea, as the stars filled the sky over Athens. Mac excused herself and promised to return, leaving Sergei and Harm alone. "Are you going to tell her?" Sergei asked as soon as Mac was out of earshot.

"She is engaged to someone else!" Harm replied irritably.

"She does not wear his ring." Sergei announced.

Harm began to try to remember seeing the ring on her hand. He had been so preoccupied with Ivanovsky that he did not look. "She probably was afraid she would loose it." Harm rationalized.

"You know that is not true. I cannot believe you! What do you have to lose, but your Sarah Mackenzie." Sergei argued, so agitated that he wanted to shake his stubborn older brother. "Why do you not tell her your feelings and ask her to be your wife?"

Harm took a slow deep breath and started to explain. He stopped and looked out into the sea, "Because she may say no."

"What! Of course she may say no. But I think she will say yes!" Sergei responded in frustration and began to talk rapidly in Russian. Harm decided he really didn't want to know what his brother was saying and ignored him.

Mac walked up and looked at the two brothers, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes, there is a problem. My brother is stubborn!" Sergei replied throwing his hands up in the air. He stood up and walked away mumbling in Russian.

"You two have a disagreement?" Mac smiled at Harm, who looked more uncomfortable than she had ever seen him before.

"Not really. I think we both agree on some things." Harm smiled and looked hastily back at the sea. Mac sat in the chair next to Harm with a confused look on her face. They sat silently for about a half an hour before Harm drew in a deep breath and asked, "What would you do differently if you knew you were going to die?"

"You're worried about this bio-terrorist attack aren't you?" Mac turned and looked at him with real concern.

Harm looked at her and began to notice the soft red highlights in her dark hair. The wind gently blew strands across her face, and Harm automatically reached up and moved the hair away from her lips brushing his fingers lightly across them. Her eyes closed when he his finger lingered at her mouth, slowly caressing the softness. She opened her eyes when he moved his hand away to find him staring into her eyes. She held her breath as he leaned closer closing the distance between their lips.

The kiss was soft and quick, but was immediately followed by a deeper passionate kiss. She felt his arms encircle her waist and his hands pull her closer as their bodies melted together. Her arms found their way around his neck while her hands made slow circles in his hair.

When they finally broke the kiss, he asked with a voice that was low and husky, "You never answered my question."

Their faces remained inches from each other so that the warmth of each breath could be felt. She looked into his deep green eyes and saw anticipation, "I would tell you that...I love you." She felt him let out a breath in relief that almost made her laugh. He smiled sheepishly and pulled her into another passionate kiss that promised more would come.

He guided her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her inhaling her sweet scent of her hair. "Sergei asked me the same question...I told him... I would ask you to marry me... because I love you... I want you to complete my life for however long that may be." Harm confessed softly.

A large smile crossed her face, and she turned to face him. "So, that was what you two were discussing when I walked up?"

Harm looked down like he had just been caught stealing a cookie out of the cookie jar.

She pulled his chin up so he would look at her. "Yes."

Harm's look of surprise brought another smile to her face, "Yes?" he echoed.

She nodded affirmatively, "Yes, I will marry you."

He began to trail kisses all over her face and neck as she laughed at his response.

She then became serious and looked him directly in the eyes, "Harm, why did it take so long for you to admit your feelings?"

"I wasn't ready. I had too many ghosts, too many self-doubts, and too many losses. I haven't had the best success rate with relationships...I couldn't handle loosing you, too." He spoke softly. "But I almost did lose you."

"You never lost me, Harm. I've loved you from the moment I pulled you into my uncle's helicopter." Mac's voice was slow and sweet as she caressed his face.

"I want to marry you, Sarah." Harm suddenly said, emphatically.

"I want to marry you too, Harm." Sarah nodded, not sure why he was saying this.

"I mean, I want to marry you now!" He said with conviction.

"Harm, the Admiral, regulations...we have to work some things out." She stuttered, but at the same time her heart leapt at the idea.

"It's easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. Sarah, I don't know what the outcome of this terrorist act will be, but I do know that good or bad, I want you to be my wife, my partner for what ever time is left." His voice left no room for argument.

She studied his expression before responding, "When you decide to let go, you really let go. Where can we get married tonight?" Sarah said with a rush of excitement.

"Webb! He'd know. Let's go get him and Sergei." Harm said as he pulled Sarah to her feet and planted another kiss on her lips that left her head reeling.

*************

Clay's hotel room in Athens...

Clayton had decided to call it an early night and was almost asleep, when the persistent pounding at his door made him drag himself from his bed. "This had better be important," he said, as he tightened the belt on his robe and opened the door.

Harm and Mac walked into his room, looking as if they had both had one two many at the bar. "Clay, we need some help!" Harm said excitedly.

"Tonight!" Mac added, with a giggle.

Clay frowned and looked at his watch. "What do you need that can't wait until tomorrow!"

"We want to get married tonight!" Harm explained with a big smile across his face.

"We need you to help us arrange it." Mac added, excitement blazing from her eyes.

"Did you two take some mind altering drugs or something?" Clay replied, in disbelief.

"No, we just don't want to wait." Harm explained.

Clay started to say something sarcastic, but looking at his two friends, changed his mind. "Give me 20 minutes. Why don't you two go get Sergei and get dressed up, or something?"

"Good idea, Clay." Harm patted Clay heartily on the back. He turned around and kissed Mac, who responded immediately with the fire that had been building between the two of them from the moment they admitted their feelings.

"Umm, excuse me, but if you want this to happen tonight, I need some privacy to get dressed. You two may also want some privacy." Clay responded, finding the whole situation becoming more amusing by the moment. He suddenly imagined the Admiral's face when he found out and a large satisfied grin appeared on the CIA agent's face.

They found Sergei in his room. By looks on their faces, Sergei knew something had finally broken loose. "So you told her, Brother! I am so happy for you both."

"We are going to be married." Mac said, as she smiled from ear to ear.

"Tonight!" Harm added with more enthusiasm than Sergei had ever seen from his brother.

"I will have a new sister tonight! That is wonderful!" Sergei voice boomed loudly.

"Clay is making the arrangements. You will be my best man?" Harm asked, as his brother hugged both Mac and him.

"Of course!" Sergei replied.

"I guess Clay will be the Spy of Honor." Mac giggled, intoxicated with excitement.

Clay knocked on the door and smiled as he saw the two intertwined again. "We need to get this wedding underway or they'll never make it out of the hotel." He thought.

"Okay, I called the US embassy in Athens. They pulled all the necessary documentation up on their computer. Since you are both military that was the easy part." Clay explained. "We are to meet the chaplain at the embassy in 45 minutes, so you two need to get changed.

********

The ambassador and his wife met them, warmly. "We love romance." The ambassador's wife said and ushered the group to the gardens outside of the embassy. The chaplain who is from a US destroyer that is in port, waited in the garden of the embassy. The garden was softly lit, so that even at night one could wander about. The ceremony would take place under the stars, near a fountain, which was located in the center of the garden.

Harm and Sarah stood in front of the chaplain, with Sergei standing next to Harm and Webb next to Sarah. The soft lighting enhanced the cream color of Sarah's cotton gauze dress, and the soft sea breeze caught the fullness of its skirt, creating an illusion that she was an angel. Harm's eyes were bright with adoration, as she stood by him. Harm stood tall and handsome in a loose-fitting white cotton long-sleeve shirt, with the top two buttons left open, and a pair of dark trousers. The sound of the sea created a natural musical background, as the chaplain began the ceremony.

"Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of Harmon Rabb to Sarah Mackenzie. Marriage is more than a ceremony, it represents the commitment two people have to each other...."

The chaplain then asked for the rings. Harm looked to Sarah, about to apologize, when Clay handed Harm a ring. Harm looked as if to ask, 'how did you do this?' Clay smiled and raised an eyebrow that said, 'I'm a spy remember.'

" ... you may kiss your bride." Harm looked at Sarah and said softly, "I have always loved you," and placed a gentle, tender kiss on her lips. Tears slowly escaped her eyes and she replied, "And I will always love you."

Sergei patted Harm on the back; "It is my time to kiss your new bride." Harm stepped away as Sergei kissed Sarah on the cheek and whispered, "Take care of my big brother."

Sarah hugged him tightly, "Only with your help, Little Brother."

Clay walked up after Sergei stepped back, "Does the 'Spy of Honor' get to kiss the bride?"

Sarah continued to wipe away tears of happiness as she hugged him. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you, Clay, you will always be one of our best friends."

Clay kissed her on her cheek. His voice cracked uncharacteristically, "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Sergei hugged his brother before saying, in typical little brother fashion, "I told you she would say yes." Harm burst out laughing.

Clay looked at the two brothers and said, "I can't wait to see the Admiral's expression when he finds out about this."

"I'll be sure and tell him you made all the arrangements." Harm added with a smile. Clay's smile slowly evaporated into to frown, as he imagined the Admiral's response, and thought 'He likes Mac and Harm. He'll forgive them, but he's never liked me.'

"There is a car waiting to take you to your hotel. I'll baby-sit Sergei until we meet up to leave for DC, Wednesday." Clay added, in his more characteristic bored manner, and handed a key to Harm.

"Thanks, Clay." Harm said and pulled his new bride close, as they walked out the embassy gates.

***********

Later that night...

It was late when they arrived at the luxurious hotel Webb had arranged for them on their wedding night. The bellman's eye twinkled in acknowledgment that this was to be a special night. He adjusted the room temperature of the room and placed their luggage in the closet, before exiting the room. A dozen red roses graced the room, with a card that read, 'May we greet each first of our lives together with roses. Love always, Harm'

Harm could think of nothing, but that he wanted to be alone with his wife. 'His wife, how strange and comforting that sounded' he thought to himself. The sound of the door losing brought his mouth crushing down on hers. His lips slowly worked their way down her neck and as he unzipped the back of her dress and pulled it away from her shoulders, allowing its soft gauze layers to drop to the floor, he continued to kiss her shoulders.

For Sarah, it was a sweet realization that she had such an effect on her new husband. So long had she dreamed of capturing his attention in this way. She groaned as his mouth gently rubbed against hers, stroking the fullness of her lips until she shivered. Her whole body was tense with suppressed emotions. Slowly he removed the remainder of her clothing.

"Oh God, you are so beautiful," he spoke softly, his husky voice sending shivers through her.

She reached up and began to unbutton his shirt, dropping it to the floor, and began to place a trail of light kisses along his mouth, face, neck and chest. His hands massaged her shoulders as she slowly undressed him.

He reached to the covers on the bed and with one sweeping motion, threw them back and gently lay her onto the bed. Lying naked next to her husband, she could only marvel at how odd and wonderful it felt.

Her hand slid over his smooth, warm, taut skin. She frowned, as she touched the bandage that reminded her that this night might have never been.

He pulled away, leaving her feeling suddenly cold and lonely, as he reached to turn off the lamp. She smiled to herself as she realized how quiet they both had been, allowing themselves to communicate with all of their other senses.

She reached for him, to pull him close again, and he immediately responded by placing his lips on hers. Harm felt her mouth invade his, stroking, testing, commanding. He felt her touch dancing over his skin, eliciting groans of pleasure from him. Harm felt her pulling him even closer; while his heart beat so hard within his chest he was sure that she could feel it against her. They were lost in the sudden, compelling desire for fulfillment.

Coming together at last, they were now one emotionally, physically, spiritually in all ways as husband and wife.

"Sarah," he whispered achingly.

"Yes," she sighed in pleasure.

He finally turned gently on his side and pulled her with him. He examined every contour of her face in the dim light of their room. She felt oddly self-conscious and ran her fingers along his cheek, dropping a soft kiss on his lips. His words were soft and sensual; "I love you, Mrs. Rabb."

She nuzzled closer to him, reveling in the warmth of his smooth skin. She stoked and kissed his face and then rubbed her nose playfully against his before she responded, "I love you, Mr. Rabb."

This first night together was spent caressing, touching, and repeating their lovemaking, which brought sweet pleasure throughout the night. Sometime in the early morning they fell asleep in each other's arms with no regrets or second thoughts.

Harm woke first, not moving but choosing to watch Sarah sleep, amazed at how his life felt more complete. Knowing she would be famished when she awoke, he carefully eased away from the bed and quietly ordered breakfast. Deciding to shower, he eased into the large tiled bathroom, turned on the water and stepped into the warm stream. A pair of hands began to make large soapy circles on his back. He turned to be greeted with a deep passionate wet kiss as water from the shower rained down their faces. "I thought I would let you sleep awhile longer." He said, between wet kisses.

"It's cold without you in the bed." She replied, her voice husky with growing want.

"Well, I can't have you getting cold on me." Harm said as he kissed her again until the passion gave way to their union

"I never knew that making love could be this good." He said softly.

"Better than flying a tomcat?" she touted.

"Most definitely." He moaned.

She smiled in the knowledge that he was as completely satisfied as she.

Deciding that their skin would shrivel if they remained in the shower much longer, they dressed and ate the breakfast room service had delivered. Sarah complimented Harm on his choice of breakfast for her, only to receive a teasing, "That was easy, I just ordered dead animal with syrup on it."

"You are bad, Sailor."

The remainder of the day was spent holding hands and walking the ancient streets of Athens. It didn't take long for them to decide to order room service and go to bed early, rather than go out for some nightlife. Five years of sexual tension was not going to be relieved in a couple of days, and tomorrow they would meet Clay and Sergei at the airport for their flight home.

***********

Early the next morning...

Harm tossed restlessly in his sleep ... someone was talking to him. He opened his eyes, still feeling the effects of a deep sleep.

"Wake up, Harm! I have something important to tell you." His former RIO, turned chaplain, was standing over him, "Jimmy, what are you doing here?" Harm mumbled.

"I warned you of the evil one. You must stop him, or he will kill many," Jimmy's voice was urgent.

"I don't know where he is." Harm argued.

"Think, Harm. The other cities ... what do they all have in common? The evil one will go to the seventh city. He craves power and resents those who have it. You must stop him." Jimmy's voice began to fade as Harm felt someone shaking him again.

"Harm, wake up, you're having a nightmare." Sarah's voice finally woke him. He looked around the hotel room, disoriented from his dream. "Are you all right?" She whispered and stroked away the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Yeah." Harm slowed his breathing down and relaxed into the bed. Sarah cuddled up next to him, listening to his heart as the rapid rate gradually slowed. Pulling her close, he stroked her hair until he heard the even rhythm of her breathing. He laid awake and ruminated over the meaning of his dream.

*************

Athens International Airport...

The next day, the newlyweds met Sergei and Clay at the airport. As the Couple approached, Clay still found it hard to believe that they finally got it together. He had been a catalyst in bringing them together in the first place, when he was tracking Mac's uncle when he stole the Declaration of Independence, and now he had made the arrangements for their marriage. A small smile appeared on his face as he watched them, holding hands, as they walked in his direction, laughing and obviously enjoying each other's company. 'I just bet that was some wedding night.' He thought and chuckled inwardly.

Sergei on the other hand, was more open with his thoughts, "Married life agrees with you!" He greeted, "You look beautiful Sarah. She is so much more beautiful than Sasha. Is she not, Brother?"

"Who is Sasha?" Mac said while pinching Harm's arm.

Harm stumbled over his words, " Ouch! Mac, Sasha was the farmer's daughter who helped us out when I was shot. Nothing happened...really!"

Clay raised his eyebrows and added with a bemused expression, "Farmer's daughter?"

"Sergei, tell Mac that nothing happened at the farm." Harm said, while giving him a dirty look.

"Nothing happened, she just gave him a bath." Sergei explained, innocently.

"She did what!" Harm and Sarah said simultaneously.

Sarah's lips formed a tight line as her temper began to rise. Harm's look of panic and helplessness turned her anger into amusement, but she enjoyed watching him squirm and fought the urge to break down in laughter. "I drank so much vodka that I don't remember anything." He explained.

Clay added to the trouble by commenting, "Vodka? Rabb, I thought you preferred bourbon."

"Yeah, Sergei poured almost a half of a bottle down me before he played surgeon. If Sasha did give me a bath, it must not have been that great if I can't remember it. Besides Mac, you and I weren't even engaged then." He added with a smile and planted a deep passionate kiss on her lips. When they broke apart, she wore a mischievous grin on her face. Harm swatted her on the butt and whispered, "You will pay, Marine."

"You and I, Little Brother, will continue this conversation at a later time because we have a flight to catch." Harm warned as he wrapped his arm around Mac's shoulder and headed down the concourse toward their departure gate.

**********

TWA flight 276 to Dulles International Airport...

Harm continued to ponder his dream on the flight home, as Sarah slept on his uninjured shoulder. All of the cities were capitals of finance, religion or of countries. Power...the only city that he could think of was Washington, DC This evil one was jealous of power, the evil one being Ivanovsky.

The flight attendant interrupted his thoughts when she announced they would be landing shortly. Harm leaned over and kissed Sarah on the head and said softly, "Wake up sleeping beauty, we're landing."

She stretched and leaned over to return a light kiss on the lips. Seeing the fatigue in his eyes, "You didn't sleep, did you?" she said with concern. "Are you worried about how the Admiral is going to respond to our news?"

Harm laughed and rolled his eyes, "The Admiral's always chewing my six about something. At least this time it will be worth it." He reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Then, what's bothering you?" Sarah persisted. After his nightmare, he had been a little subdued. "Does it have to do with your dream last night?" She noticed him tense.

"I guess I'm still worried about Ivanovsky. Webb said that his people were able to pick up six of the terrorists, but Ivanovsky wasn't one of them. Ivanovsky said that there would be seven cities affected." Harm said with anxiety. "I think Washington is the other city."

"What makes you think that?" She replied. She had worked with Harm enough to know that his instincts were usually correct.

Harm decided she would think he was crazy if he told her about the dreams, "Just a hunch. Clay said that all the major cities were taking special precautions, and Ivanovsky's picture has been circulated to all major air and seaports. I'm sure they will catch up with him. "Harm rationalized.

**********

Meanwhile...

Ivanovsky navigated through the busy airport without any difficulty. He had become a master of disguise, and the writing pen containing the deadly bacteria was transported successfully through all the airport checkpoints. All he had to do was take a cab to the location and set the device on a timer before leaving it to wreak its havoc.

The nation would be paralyzed when all of its leaders fell to the effects of the bacteria.

**********

Dulles International Airport...

Passing a television in one of the waiting areas, Harm overheard the beginning of the President's State of the Nation speech to both the House and Senate. He stopped abruptly to stare at the screen showing the members of congress stand to applaud the President as he entered the room.

"Oh no, I know where the seventh city and location is!" Harm said with alarm evident in his voice and demeanor.

Clay followed Harm's gaze and his face paled. "We need to get to the Capitol."

Harm pushed his bags into Sergei's arms, "Take Sarah home. Clay, we'll take my SUV. Come on."

Mac looked at Harm and Clay, "You're not leaving me behind."

"Yes, I am! Sergei did you hear me." Harm's tone left no room for argument.

He and Clay ran out of the airport towards the parking lot. Mac looked at Sergei, "Are you coming?"

"Harm does not want you to come. He is afraid for you." Sergei pleaded.

"Too bad." Mac ran towards where the government car she used with Sergei at her heals.

*************

Harm sped towards the Capitol, dodging cars at a break neck speed while Clay called ahead to security, notifying them of the potential threat.

*********

US Capitol...

Ivanovsky was not stopped as he made his way into the building. His identification cleared without difficulty and he pushed the janitor's cart into the men's room on the second floor. He began to mop the floor as several occupants left the room. Placing an 'out of use' sign on the door, he then climbed on a sink and removed the cover of a heating and air-conditioning vent. Pulling the pen from his pocket, he twisted it until it separated, revealing a small digital display. Turning the pen several times, the timer began to count down. He then placed the pen in the duct and replaced the cover. He jumped down, wiped his footprints from the sink, gathered his supplies and exited the room, unnoticed.

Harm and Clay ran up the steps to the entrance of the Capitol, checking in with security to see if Ivanovsky had been spotted.

"I know he's here." Harm said with conviction. "He must be wearing a disguise!" Security followed the two men as they walked the halls, looking desperately for anything suspicious. When they reached the second floor, they passed a janitor pushing his cart towards an elevator. As the elevator door began to close, Harm spotted him.

"That's him, in the elevator! The janitor!" Clay and the security guards darted towards the stairwell to try and intercept him.

Harm stopped and looked around, realizing that Ivanovsky had probably already planted the bio-weapon somewhere on this floor. He walked towards the restrooms, slowly opening the men's room door and noticed the floors were wet from being mopped. Scanning the room, he hurriedly emptied the waste can and looked in each stall. He loosened the soap dispenser, finding nothing. Suddenly he felt a warm draft and looked up to see the vent. He repeated Ivanovsky's steps and reached into the vent to retrieve the device he had been seeking. The digital display blinked, indicating the timer was still counting down.

Harm jumped down, ran out of the room and down the stairwell. He held tightly to the device as he hurried out of the building. Clay, seeing him, ran behind him, trying to catch up. Harm looked around, seeing the heavily populated mall, and headed to his vehicle. Clay yelled for him to stop, but Harm held up the device for Webb to see, as he gunned the engine of his SUV and sped away from the building.

Mac and Sergei arrived in time to see Harm drive away, leaving Clay standing on the street. "Where is he going?" Mac rolled down the window of the vehicle and yelled at Clay.

Clay jumped into the back seat of the Government Issue car that Mac was driving; "He has the device. Follow him, he's trying to get it away from all of these people."

Mac floored the gas pedal, sending pedestrians scrambling out of the way, as she tried to catch up with Harm's SUV.

Harm could only think of getting the device out of the city before it released its poison on the population. Clay had notified the police so that Harm would not be stopped as he drove, at a reckless speed, through the city.

Harm reached the outskirts of the city and began to try to think where he could put the container so it would not release its deadly aerosol into the air. 'A freezer,' he thought; if it had a good seal, it would be airtight and would suffice until the gas could be properly handled, but time was running out. Rocks and dirt flew up as his SUV suddenly stopped in the yard of a house that sat back away from the highway. He ran to the door and pounded on it. Getting no answer, he kicked it open and entered the vacated structure and spotted a chest freezer on an enclosed back porch. Praying it wasn't locked; he pulled it open and threw the device into the cold storage container.

He heard a hissing sound as he slammed shut the door to freezer. "Damn!" He laid his upper torso across the freezer in exhaustion.

Before long, he heard the sound of car coming to a screeching halt outside the house. He walked quickly to the entrance where he saw several police cars, as well as Clay, Mac and Sergei exiting their car.

"Don't come over here. I think some of the gas escaped before I could get it contained in a freezer." Harm warned. Seeing the fear in their eyes for him, he reluctantly turned and sat down, waiting for the biohazard team that would quarantine the area and take him away to an isolation area, to prevent the spread of whatever virulent agent that escaped from the device. 'At least Ivanovsky failed this time.' Harm thought, as he began to hope that perhaps he had not been exposed.

***********

Bethesda Naval Hospital...

The isolation room was designed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Everyone who came in contact with Harm wore masks, gowns, gloves, shoe and hair covers. His clothes had been taken and incinerated leaving him to wear hospital scrubs. The sterile room of white tile and chrome had a large glass window that looked out to an anteroom where everyone geared up before entering. Communication to the outside was via an intercom system. He felt like a fish in a fishbowl.

The physicians assigned to his case were Captain Welch an infectious disease specialist and Captain English an epidemiologist. They had drawn blood samples and cultured his throat. Little was said as they examined him, which only added to his anxiety. Harm watched their eyes, trying to read them, but the taller man, Dr. Welch, revealed no emotion and nodded when he finished, telling Harm he would talk with him after he consulted with Dr. English.

***********

An hour later...

Finally, Dr. Welch returned to stand at the window and turned on the intercom. "Commander, Dr. English and I have decided to give you some drugs that will boost your immune system. We are waiting on the lab results to tell us what we are up against. Samples were taken from the container and should be back within an hour." His voice had a hint of a southern drawl, "That was a good idea to place it in a freezer. I don't think I would have had the clarity of mind to think of that." His mustached smile eased some of Harm's anxiety. Captain Welch was in his late fifties with disheveled salt and pepper hair. The glasses that sat precariously on the end of his nose made him look somewhat scholarly.

"Is there a possibility that I will not come down with this?" Harm asked the physician on the other side of the window.

"We should know within two to six days. That's the usual incubation period for these infectious agents." He said evenly. "Once we identify the agent, we will start you on antibiotics to try to head off the infection." Dr. Welch paused and removed his glasses, "Look son, I'm not going to sugar coat the possibilities. The problem with these agents is that they have been genetically altered to resist most of the antibiotics that are available."

Harm appreciated his candor and replied, "Thanks for your honesty, Doc."

Dr. Welch nodded, "I believe you have some people waiting to see you. I'll go get them."

Harm gave himself a quick pep talk, 'Okay, you need to relax so Mac and Sergei won't be upset.'

He smiled when they entered the anteroom and stood at the window. Harm walked over and felt his resolve slowly melt away as tears glistened in Mac's eyes. Sergei looked pale and stoic. Harm placed his hands on the glass that separated them, and Mac placed her hand opposite one of his while Sergei did the same.

He wanted to tell them that everything would be all right, but they would know he was lying. He wanted so badly to hold his Sarah and make her tears go away. Sergei's eyes looked shiny, and he began to fidget with some keys he held in his hand.

"Are you guys going to bring me something to read, or do I get to be bored out of my mind watching daytime TV?" Harm said, not sure he would be able to handle the intensity of the emotions that were shared.

Mac wiped her eyes and smiled, "How about some smutty romance novels?"

Harm retorted with a raised eyebrow, "Are you trying to torture me or something. And just what would you be doing reading smutty romance novels?"

"Oh, they were strictly for research purposes." She continued the banter, trying to cover her anxiety.

"So that's where you learned all your moves." He added seductively, bringing a blush to her face.

"The moves I have aren't allowed in those books." She added without missing a beat. Sergei coughed, trying to cover a chuckle.

"I better stick to something less exciting, like Tom Clancy." Harm laughed. "Just don't bring me anything that Bud would read." His smile faded as he saw her expression become somber.

"Bud and the Admiral are coming over." She said after drawing a deep breath to regain her composure.

"Did you tell the Admiral?" Harm asked as his eyes once more twinkled.

"I thought that you could tell him. You're protected by this glass." Her laughter turned to tears when she could no longer restrain her fear. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to be this way." She sobbed.

She put her left hand back on the glass with Harm's left hand joining hers against the cool surface. Their gold wedding bands sparkled in the light. "I love you Marine, just don't forget that." Harm whispered and leaned his forehead against the glass.

She leaned her head against the glass opposite his "I love you too, Sailor, and when you get out of there I'll show you how much." She added, unable to stop her tears.

Harm leaned back and looked pleadingly to Sergei who pulled Sarah gently away, "Come, my sister. Let us go find something to eat." Harm mouthed 'thanks' as Sergei led her away.

************

Mac and Sergei met the Admiral, Bud and Clay in the hallway outside of Harm's room. They gave a sympathetic look as she took the handkerchief offered by Clay and wiped her eyes. "Admiral Chegwidden, Lt. Bud Roberts, this is Harm's brother Sergei." Mac introduced the men who exchanged handshakes.

"Webb explained what happened, Mac. Harm's resilient. He can fight this." The Admiral offered. "The SecNav has instructed me to tell you that all of this is to remain classified. I've been ordered not to call Harm's parents. Apparently there is fear that if this information is leaked to the press there will be a wide spread panic. Needless to say, I'm not too happy about this."

Mac nodded with a halfhearted smile. "Admiral, there is something else you need to know," she said, drawing herself up in marine mode.

"Harm and I got married, two days ago in Athens." She announced with a smile, and then not waiting for a response, she turned to Sergei, "You are buying my dinner, Little Brother?"

Sergei put his arm around her and said, "But of course, my sister." She held tightly to his arm, afraid that she would break down again, as they walked away.

"Webb, why do I think you had something to do with this?" The Admiral bit back a smile as he quizzed the CIA agent, who tried to look innocent.

Bud, in the meantime, ran after the pair and caught them at the elevator, "Permission to hug the colonel and congratulate her." He asked with a big smile.

"Of course, Bud." Mac replied and hugged his neck, feeling new tears forming in her eyes.

Bud looked at her distress and added, "Harriet's going to be beside herself when I tell her."

Mac just nodded, unable to say anything. Sergei directed her into the elevator; "We'll talk later."

***********

The Admiral didn't know whether to congratulate, offer support or dress down the officer who had more than once turned the entire JAG office upside down. This situation beat everything he had done thus far. As he entered the anteroom and noticed Harm sitting on the bed his hands covering his face, AJ knew exactly what he needed to do.

"Commander, I understand you finally did something right." AJ spoke up, "Congratulations to you and Mac. When you get the hell out of this fish tank, we'll talk with the SecNav. I think that you will definitely have some favors that need to be returned." His voice was confident and slightly humorous.

Harm walked over to the window and smiled, "Just do me a favor, Sir, and give Clay a hard time. He helped arrange the marriage."

"I knew he had something to do with it," the Admiral said, almost as an afterthought. His voice grew more somber, "Damn it, Harm, I wish there were something I could do."

"Thank you, Sir, but right now I just have to wait it out. Dr. Welch said that if I were going to get sick, the symptoms would show up in two to five days." Harm replied, trying to sound in control.

Drs. Welch and English walked in and stood next to the Admiral. Introductions were exchanged before Dr. Welch gave his report. "Harm, it looks like Bubonic Plague. It has a 2 to 6 day incubation period. The pneumonic form causes a severe respiratory illness with high fever, chills, cough and breathing difficulty. We are going to start you on tetracycline and a sulfonamide, prophylactically. You are healthy and strong, which is in your favor. The down side is that this strain may not respond to the antibiotics. Is there anything we can get you?"

Harm shook his head and avoided eye contact with the Admiral, who looked a little shaken but quickly put up his emotional shield. It was going to be a long few days....

*****

Day five...

Mac had returned to work over the past few days, at Harm's insistence, while Sergei adamantly maintained that he should stay at the hospital to keep Harm company. Although the walls seem to close around Harm with each passing day, he felt relieved that the symptoms had yet to appear. They all began to believe that, perhaps, Harm had not been exposed.

Mac would come by each morning and immediately after work, and only then would Sergei leave, allowing them private moments.

"Tomorrow will be day six, do you think Dr. Welch will let you out after that?" Mac sat opposite Harm, drawing imaginary circles on the glass, wishing that she were able to run her fingers across his face.

"I hope so." Harm sighed, "I am about to go crazy in here. Going to bed every night without you is pure torture." He placed his fingers against the glass, imagining the softness of her lips. Unconsciously, Sarah leaned forward to meet his touch, only to be disappointed as her cheek felt the cold smooth surface of the window.

"You know, Sergei and I are staying at your place. He takes the sofa while I get your bed. I sleep in your shirts and hold your pillow close." She inhaled deeply, "I can close my eyes and pretend you are next to me. I smell your aftershave on your pillow as I fall asleep."

Her words husky and filled with longing, "I brought you one of my pillows." She added with a smile.

"Yeah? It may not be you, but I know I'll sleep better. Tonight when you close your eyes, Ninja girl, mine will be closed too, and I will be holding you in my dreams." His voice was low and gentle.

"And I will be holding you, Flyboy." She replied tenderly.

They sat in silence, sharing unspoken feelings, until the time came for her to leave. "Goodnight, Mrs. Rabb... I love you... I always have." He kissed his palm and placed it against the glass.

Sarah responded in almost a whisper, "I love you Mr. Rabb...I always will." She then kissed her palm and placed it against the glass so that it met his.

That night when they retired to bed, although separated physically by distance, they embraced each other with closed eyes, while hugging a pillow that held their lover's sweet lingering scent.

**********

Day six...

Harm awoke earlier than usual, feeling achy and stiff. Sitting around for the past few days was taking its toll, so he decided to take a hot shower before Mac and Sergei arrived. The room felt unusually cool.

The steamy shower didn't seem to warm him, as he felt chills sweep through his body. His chest felt tight, and the bed looked more appealing as fatigue enveloped him. 'Maybe I should have tried to sleep a little longer,' he thought as he crawled back in his bed and began to shiver.

His nurse, wearing isolation attire, brought in a breakfast tray, "I think we finally got you something you will like this morning," she said cheerily and proceeded to take his vital signs. Noting a flush in his cheeks, she took his temperature. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Try to eat something, Commander, I was able to persuade dietary to get you some fresh strawberries." She said as she left and hurriedly paged Dr. Welch.

When Mac and Sergei arrived later that morning, they found Drs. Welch and English, as well as a nurse, surrounding Harm's bed. The nurse pointed to the window, Dr. Welch turned around and pulled Harm's hospital gown down after listening to his chest with his stethoscope.

"Something's wrong." Mac said, fear evident in her voice.

"Maybe they are just giving him a final exam before they release him."

Sergei replied, trying to sound confident but not quite achieving the affect.

Dr. Welch met them in the hallway outside of Harm's room. "He began to run a fever this morning, and I heard some wheezing in his chest." He reported, with obvious disappointment.

"Maybe he just has the flu," Mac rationalized.

Dr. Welch sighed before continuing, "We've taken some blood and sputum cultures. When we get the results back, we'll know what we are dealing with. I pray your right, Colonel...Mac." He reached over and patted her on the shoulder.

***********

Harm's fever had shot up quickly, to nearly 103 degrees. His body and head ached. The nurse had given him ibuprofen for relief, but it didn't seem to be helping. What started as a nagging little cough was becoming more harsh and painful. Harm longed to be warm, as chills added to his discomfort.

The light in the room stimulated painful sensations in his head, forcing him to keep his eyes shut. "Harm?" At sound of Mac's voice, his eyes opened to find her.

"Sarah, I'm sorry," his whispered voice shaky and hoarse.

Sergei stood next to Mac, his arm finding its way around her shoulder for support. The silence only reinforced their deep sense of anxiety, as they looked through the observation window.

**********

Day seven...

Harm's symptoms continued to worsen throughout the day and into the next. The Admiral, Bud and Clay arrived that evening, after Mac notified them of Harm's symptoms. They took turns maintaining a watchful vigil with Mac and Sergei. The results of the cultures verified what they feared. The plague proved to be resistant to all antibiotics.

They watched, in frustration, as the medical treatments continued to fail to control Harm's fever and congested cough. The doctors had increased the rate of IV fluids to prevent dehydration, as well as ordering humidified oxygen to ease his labored breathing.

Harm slept on and off, awakening for short period whenever spasms of coughing painfully jarred his aching body.

Mac and Sergei refused to leave, even after the Admiral ordered Mac home to get some rest. Realizing that Mac would face a court martial before she left Harm, he gave up and talked her into resting on a couch in the waiting area. Sergei continuously paced and would only sit for short periods before he restlessly returned to his anxious pacing. 'It must be a Rabb thing,' the Admiral mused.

********

Day eight...

The next day proved only to challenge what hope they held on to, as Harm became delirious, with his fever peaking to almost 105 degrees. He fought with the covers and talked incoherently about crashing his Tomcat and looking for his father. Mac finally had to leave the small observation room, when he began to call for her, over and over. She begged to be allowed to go in with him, but was prohibited. Tears of frustration and anger poured from her face, as she argued with Dr. Welch and the Admiral, "He needs me. You can't keep me from him. Pleeeaassee, let me in to be with him." The Admiral ordered her to stand down, using his stern commanding tone. The Marine in her responded, as she drew herself up and wiped away her tears before leaving the room, almost knocking Clayton down as she pushed her way though the door.

Sergei's frustration peaked after watching Mac plead to be allowed to be with his brother. His own grief, fresh from the loss of his mother, added to his feelings of helplessness. He kicked a table with supplies across the room, sending its contents scattering across the floor, as he stormed out.

Clay looked to the Admiral and realized what must have transpired. "I'll go with Sergei if you keep an eye on Mac." He said before chasing after the irritated young man.

The Admiral knew Mac would be back shortly after she regained her composure. She would not leave Harm for more than a few minutes, and the Admiral would be waiting when she returned.

Clay caught up with Sergei outside in the hospital parking lot. "Let's take a ride." His normally cool voice was tempered with compassion. Sergei reluctantly complied, and Clay drove them to a location that he knew might help.

The last few rays of sunlight sparkled in the pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Sergei looked up at the giant columns before speaking, "Why do we come here?"

"This is the Lincoln Memorial, but I have something else to show you." Clay directed him to a sidewalk. They followed it into the trees, as the last bit of light from the sun disappeared. Clay stopped in front of the long black wall. "Harm comes here when he needs to think. It's the Vietnam War Memorial." Clay led him to a section and pointed to a name.

Sergei reached out slowly and touched the letters, Harmon Rabb, Sr. Clay quietly backed away; "I'll be over by those benches."

Memories of his mother telling him about his father filled Sergei's thoughts. "I never knew you." His words were spoken softly in Russian. "If my brother is like you, then I wish that I could have known you." He picked up a candle whose flame had burned out and lit it. Holding the flickering light, he continued to talk to the name that represented the man who bonded Harm and he together as brothers. "I cannot lose my brother, too."

He knelt down on his knees, placing the candle down. Tears began to flow as he prayed, "If there is a God, please hear me." He looked skyward and pleaded, "Please heal my brother. If you must take someone, take me and let my brother live. He has finally found happiness." His words cracked with emotion. "My mother and father are with you, is that not enough!" After saying the words in anger, he placed his hands over his face and sobbed.

A Naval officer-wearing chaplain's insignias walked up and stood next to the distraught young man kneeling before the black stonewall. "Son, can I help you?"

Sergei wiped away the moisture from his face, not looking to the face that belonged with voice, "My brother is very ill. You can only help him if you can perform a miracle."

The officer spoke gently, "Sergei, 'Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!'" (Psalm 27:14)

Sergei turned to face the man. The glare of the streetlight made it difficult for Sergei to see his face, but he could see the man's red hair reflecting the light. "How do you know my name? Why do you say this?" Sergei asked confused by the message.

"Know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) the man answered, before walking away.

Sergei stood and tried to follow, but could not find the Naval officer who had disappeared into the shadows. Thinking he was searching for him, Clay called out, "Sergei, I'm over here!"

"Did you see a Naval officer walk this way?" Sergei continued to scan the area.

"No, I haven't seen anybody in a uniform since we've been here, why?" Clay quizzed.

"Never mind, I need to go back." Sergei tried to dismiss the episode as they headed back to Clay's car, but the chaplain's words echoed in his thoughts.

Clay noticed Sergei seemed more at peace as they drove back to the hospital.

His hope had been renewed.

**********

Bethesda Naval Hospital...

Just as the Admiral predicted, Mac returned. She had no more tears, but lines of fatigue darkened her pretty face.

"I'm sorry, Admiral." She mumbled as she gazed through the window at her husband who seemed to be sleeping more peacefully for the moment.

"Mac, do you remember when Harm was trapped below deck on that frigate?" The Admiral asked as he stood, with his hands behind his back, next to Mac.

"Yes, sir." Her voice was stronger.

"I told you the Commander was too pigheaded to die. Do you remember what you said?" He chuckled softly.

"I believe I said something like, 'what if he was offered a pair of wings?'" She smiled in remembrance.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, I believe Harm would not choose to trade his life with you for a pair of wings, in this life or the next. He won't give up." The Admiral said firmly, as he maintained his gaze on Harm.

Surprised and touched by his remark, Mac looked up and studied his confident expression. "Thank you, Sir."

Harm fought to try to wake up and escape his disturbing dreams. With great effort, he forced his eyes open and, with hazy vision, looked towards the window, hoping to see his Sarah.

Her eyes perked up as she saw his eyes open and look in her direction, "Harm, I'm here. Don't you think you've slept enough? You need to get your six up and get home. That bed of yours gets really cold at night." She coaxed, hoping he would stay awake.

He responded with a weak raspy cough that brought with it a grimace of pain. Mac bit her lip to prevent a cry from escaping. His eyes sought hers again, and he held up a trembling hand, as he had done against the glass. Mac placed her hand against the glass, as if to meet his. Unable to fight the exhaustion, his eyes slowly closed, and his hand dropped limply to his side.

**********

Day nine...

Dr. English approached the group in the waiting area in search of Mac. Mac sat up groggily from a much-needed rest. The doctor's face looked grave as he sat next to her. The others gathered around more closely to hear the latest update on Harm's condition.

"Mrs. Rabb, your husband's condition is deteriorating. The antibiotics are not working." Dr. English nervously rubbed his prematurely baldhead. He had not been as vocal as Dr. Welch had up until now. He sucked in a deep breath and continued, "But...I think he may have a chance if he could receive a new antibiotic that has been developed to fight the new resistance stains of bacteria that we are now seeing."

Mac's expression went from devastation to hopeful, "Well then give it to him. What are you waiting for?" The Admiral, Bud, Sergei and Clay stood waiting for his reply.

"It hasn't been approved by the FDA. I've contacted the CDC, the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, to see if they can pull some strings and let us use it with your husband. So far I haven't been able to get them to budge. I thought maybe if you had any connections..." Dr. English explained.

The Admiral and Clay exchanged a look before Clay spoke up; "I'll make some calls." He then darted down the hall towards the phones.

"Hell, if Harm doesn't have enough connections after this most recent stunt he pulled off, then I don't know who would." The Admiral replied haughtily.

Dr. English looked baffled by the Admiral's remark. Sergei jumped in to explain, "My brother saved the whole United States congress, the Vice President and the President himself."

Bud added, "That was how Commander Rabb became exposed to the bacteria. A terrorist had planted a container of the plague in the ventilation system of the Capitol building. It was supposed to release its contents during the President's State of the Union message."

"Roberts that was supposed to be classified!" Webb snapped.

A great big smile came across Dr. English's usually stoic face. "That is very good news in deed. I'll go inform Dr. Welch. That is very, very good news indeed." He turned and left the room.

Twenty minutes later, Clay and Dr. Welch joined the group, "Roche laboratories is flying out the antibiotic, Alphafloxin as we speak. It should arrive within the hour. The President himself arranged it." Clay added with a smile.

Dr. Welch's expression remained serious as he spoke, "Now folks, there is no guarantee that the drug will work. Harm is very ill. He has to keep fighting, and he's pretty exhausted. I'm going to put him on a ventilator to help, but its going to take more than a drug to pull him through."

"Harm's a fighter." Mac said forcefully, "He won't quit." She then stood up to follow Dr. Welch back to Harm's room, leaving the four men worrying about their friend.

Bud asked quietly, "Does anyone know where the chapel is?"

"I don't know, but let's go find it." The Admiral responded and began to walk down the hall with Bud, while Clay and Sergei followed.

**********

In chapel of the hospital...

Located near the intensive care waiting room, the small room held several pews that centered on a beautiful stained glass window. Bud seemed the most comfortable in the room and bowed his head and silently began to pray, 'Hey God, it's Bud again, I know that I've been pretty angry with you lately because of little Sarah. And I know you understand my anger. I don't understand why she left us, but one day I will understand maybe... Tonight, I'm here to ask you to help a friend of mine get well. He's really,

Really sick, and I get the impression that the doctors don't think he'll make it. He's a good friend...'

Clayton Webb shifted uncomfortably in the pew, searching for the right words, 'I know you haven't heard from me in a while. Okay, a long while, but I'm back. I'm not good at this, but I guess you know that. I have this friend, but I would never tell him that he's my friend...I don't have that many people I call that...but anyway, he needs your help. We've done everything we can do, and its not enough...I'll try to stay in touch better from now on...Thanks...'

Sergei placed his hands together as he had been instructed as a child and bent his head, 'I talk with you earlier, and you send me a messenger. I do not understand all of the message, but I know I feel better. Thank you...I'm sorry I was so angry. My mother always told me to keep you in my heart, but my heart is hurting... Please, tell my mother that I am all right. She told me once that when two or more gathered in your name, that you would hear their prayers. There are four of us. Please hear our prayer to heal my brother...'

The Admiral held his head down trying to formulate his thoughts, 'You already know why we are here ... thank you, Sir.'

********

Meanwhile, in Harm's hospital room before Dr. Welch arrived to insert the artificial airway so that Harm could be put on ventilator assistance...

A man garbed in an isolation suit walked over to where Harm lay sleeping.

"Harm, wake up!" the familiar voice ordered.

Through his fever clouded vision, Harm half opened his eyes to see someone standing by his bed. "Jimmy?" He mumbled.

"That's right, Hammer." His eyes sparkled above the mask he wore.

"It must be pretty bad if they let you in to see me." Harm whispered.

"I'm just watching your six like a good RIO. I came to tell you that you have to keep fighting." Jimmy encouraged.

"I'm sooo tired." Harm said with great effort.

Jimmy bent down closer so Harm could hear. "But you must not give up. You are going to be a father. You will have a son, and he and Sarah will need you."

"A father...a son?" Harm smiled weakly.

"Remember, we'll always be in your back seat, Hammer." Jimmy whispered.

"We?" Harm mumbled.

"My boss and I." Jimmy said as he left the room.

********

Day ten
Outside Harm's room...

For the next twelve hours, they watched and waited for the results of the new antibiotic, as Harm's condition remained the same. The ventilator maintained his respirations, but the fever continued to rage. Sometime around midmorning, his fever began to slowly subside. A smiling Dr. Welch shared the news. Sergei picked Mac up and as they hugged in relief, while the rest said silent prayers of thanks. By the late afternoon, the ventilator was discontinued.

********

Day eleven...

The next morning, Mac persuaded Dr. Welch to allow her in to see Harm for ten minutes. She was assisted into the protective isolation gear that left only her large brown eyes showing. He remained asleep, as she stood next to his bed, thankful to be able to see the steady rise and fall of his chest. Picking up his hand with her gloved ones, she squeezed it and called out to him.

He could hear her call his name, and she sounded so close. He opened his eyes, slowly focusing on the gowned figure standing next to him. His vision cleared enough for him to recognized two beautiful brown eyes. "Sarah?" He whispered.

"Hey sleepy head. It's about time you decided to wake up." She reached up to touch his face.

"We're going to have a baby." He said softly with a little chuckle.

Mac's eyes twinkled, "You've been dreaming, Flyboy?"

"No, it wasn't a dream." Harm responded wearily. "I love you." He added before drifting back to sleep.

"Keep up those sweet dreams, Flyboy." Mac said, with a smile. She stood watching him sleep peacefully, while she said her own prayers of thanks.

*************

Day sixteen...

Mac rushed down the hall. She was running late and almost collided with Gunny Galindez. "Watch out, Ma'am." He said and picked up the bag she dropped.

"I'm sorry, Gunny, I promised Harm I would be here at 1800 sharp, and it's 1805." She replied, almost breathless.

"I just checked on the Commander. He sent me to go look for you." Victor added sheepishly.

Mac rolled her eyes and laughed, "He called me almost every hour since he was moved to a regular room."

"It must be hard, Ma'am. You know, to be separated." Victor said awkwardly.

Unconsciously, Mac shook her head and replied, "You don't know how hard." She smiled and blushed as she thought about what she had just admitted. "Gunny, do you have anywhere you need to be for the next hour?"

**********

Harm's room a few minutes later...

Mac's appearance brought a large flyboy smile to his face. Harm was sitting on the side of the bed and he opened his arms, waiting to embrace her. Instead, she held her distance and began to unbutton the blouse she wore.

Harm's eyes became round, and he licked his lips before, nervously, responding, "Mac, what are you doing? Somebody could walk in."

"I have had this little fantasy. You are a patient in a hospital, and I'm your nurse." She continued removing her blouse and then her slacks, letting them drop to the floor, leaving her covered with only her bra and thong panties.

Harm was speechless, as his eyes hungrily scanned her body.

"Don't worry," she whispered seductively, as she walked over to his bed and pushed him back into it, "Gunny is guarding the door."

He pulled her under the sheet and caressed her smooth body. "You are sooo bad, Marine." He replied huskily.

"I've missed you," she whispered, as she placed feather kisses all over his face and neck.

"Sarah." He pulled her up, so he could see her eyes, "Don't ever let anyone separate us again." His eyes looked shiny and filled with desire. He moved his lips to hers and consumed them hungrily.

He pulled her up so he could see her eyes, "Don't ever let anyone separate us again." His eyes looked shiny and filled with desire. He moved his lips to hers and consumed them hungrily.

"I haven't had any nurses like you before, Mrs. Rabb," Harm said, as she resumed her trail of kisses.

"You better not, Flyboy," Mac replied, before planted a deep passionate kiss on his lips.

**********

Later...

Mac leaned on her elbow, cuddled up next to Harm, watching him sleep, "I guess I wore you out, Flyboy," She said softly and kissed his forehead before slipping out from under the sheets.

The Admiral and Bud walked down the hall, the Admiral explaining to Bud his news; "The SecNav approved the transfer, if you could call it that. Commander Rabb has already been serving as liaison to the Congressional Armed Forces committee. He will continue that role, but will report directly to the SecNav. He will continue his duties at JAG, when he's not needed by the SecNav."

Bud made a distasteful expression and commented, "The commander will be serving directly under the SecNav...poor Commander. Oh, I didn't mean that, Sir." He caught himself.

"Actually, I was beginning to feel sorry for the SecNav...On second thought ... he deserves the Commander." The Admiral added with a quirky smile.

They reached their destination to find Gunny blocking the entrance.

Standing at attention, the Gunny explained, "Sirs, I can't let you go in. I'm under orders."

"Just whose orders Gunny," the Admiral's temper evident in his bark.

"Colonel Mackenzie err Rabb, Sir. She ordered me not to allow anyone in the room, just before she entered the room...alone, Sir." Gunny explained, as he attempted to suppress a smile.

Bud's face broke into a large smile and the Admiral cleared his throat, "Well, carry on, Gunny. I see I'm going to have to have a talk with those two about conduct in the office." He muttered, as he and Bud retreated towards the cafeteria.

Missing her warmth, Harm awoke and looked around to see Mac dressing. "You're leaving?" He sounded like a lost little boy.

"You need your rest. I'll come back by in the morning." She responded by sitting on the edge of his bed and stroking his face. "Did you enjoy our little fantasy?"

"Do you have any more...fantasies?" Harm lay back into his pillow and smiled seductively.

"Well, let's see...you and I are in the courtroom, and I'm dressed in a judge's robe with nothing on underneath, and I have to reprimand you for misconduct." Mac teases, with a sexy smile on her face.

"Sounds like I need to hurry and get back to work. I really, REALLY miss the courtroom." Harm said with a grin.

************

Two weeks later JAG headquarters...

"How's the Commander?" Asked Harriet Sims, as she peeked into Mac's office.

Mac looked up from her computer and replied, "Still weak as a kitten and grouchy as a bear. The doctor wants him to stay home until his immune system has a chance to recover from the infection. Harm thinks he is supposed to just bounce back, overnight."

"The Admiral asked me to give you these contracts to take to the Commander. The Admiral said something about the Commander didn't need to get bored." Harriet said with a chuckle.

"Just put it on the stack with the case folder Bud is sending for Harm to review and the envelope that Gunny gave me. Gunny said Harm called wanting some information." Mac responded and patted the growing pile.

"I thought that the Commander's brother was staying with him, during the day while you worked?" Harriet inquired.

"Harm persuaded Sergei to go over to Georgetown University and put in an application. Sergei was supposed to take some college entrance examinations today, so Harm was all by his lonesome." Mac replied. "I better get home before he starts to worry." Mac smiled and picked up the stack to take home.

**********

Harm and Mac's apartment, a little later...

"Honey, I'm home! " Mac opened the door and called out, thinking; 'I've always wanted to be able to say that.'

Harm met her at the door and took the large stack of folders, "Is this all yours?" He asked, thinking that she would be too busy to spend some time with him tonight.

"No, actually it's yours. The Admiral and Bud sent something to keep you from getting bored." Mac responded and placed a soft quick kiss on his lips.

"Oh, all right." He answered agreeably and flipped through the folders, "I will go through these tomorrow."

"You are bored! You hate doing those contracts." Mac retorted. "Oh and there is an envelope with the information you requested from Gunny."

Harm put the folders down on his desk and opened the envelope. He scanned the contents before responding, "This can't be true."

"What?" Mac looked to him with concern in her voice.

"This says Jimmy Yates was killed six years ago. It states that he did change his designator to the Chaplain corps, but was killed in an automobile accident while traveling to his first assignment. Mac, I saw him. You saw him." Harm said with frustration and collapsed on the sofa.

"Harm, I never met Jimmy." Mac said gently and sat next to Harm who continued to stare at the paper in disbelief.

"Sure you did. He came by JAG before I left for Russia this last time. He came to the hospital to see me when I was in that isolation room. I thought you called him because I wasn't going to make it." Harm rambled.

Mac turned his face so he would look at her and spoke soothingly, "Harm, I didn't see him before you went to Russia. I didn't have him come to the hospital. The doctors would not let even me go into to see you when you were so ill...Harm, you've been through so much. Maybe you just let yourself think he came to see you because you nearly..." She stopped and swallowed.

He looked despondently at the paper in his hand, "He said we were going to have a baby."

"Look, I bought one of those home pregnancy tests. The only way I can prove to you that this was all some sort of dream is to show you," she said and picked up a bag containing the kit.

"I'll be right back." She said and kissed him on the cheek before heading to the bathroom. She had missed a period, but she had done that before when she was under a lo