Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters do not belong to me so this effort
is not for monetary gain, just
for my own pleasure and perhaps a few who like to read about my
favorite show.
Classification: Harm and Mac Romance/Drama
Rating: PG
Summary: How many times can Mac deal with saying goodbye to Harm?
Will this be their last goodbye? This contains some of the current
events of the times. This was written October 2001.
PART 6
The next day Colonel Sarah Mackenzie strolled into JAG headquarters with a large smile on her face humming a tune she had heard on the radio that morning.
"Morning Colonel!" Tiner greeted with a smile.
"You look like you had a good time last night!" Harriet grinned mischievously.
"Fabulous time!" Mac lied and winked.
Harriet followed her into her office. "Now just who was this mystery date or do I know already?"
Mac's expression failed her just enough for Harriet to detect something was not right. She turned around and shut the door, "What happened Ma'am?"
"Nothing happened." Mac answered honestly with tears gathering in her eyes.
"You were stood up?" Harriet said sympathetically.
"Yep. I should have seen it coming." Mac turned away.
"Guys can be such jerks!" Harriet proclaimed bringing a smile to Mac's face.
"Not all of them. Bud seems to do alright most of the time." Mac responded.
"Sometimes..." Harriet decided not to get into her relationship and redirected the conversation. "It was Harm wasn't it."
Mac sighed, "Yep. I guess he got caught up with his flyboys."
"Maybe something important did come up." Harriet sounded hopeful.
"Maybe I'll make General next week." Mac responded tersely.
"I'll get Bud to find out." Harriet offered.
"No, Harmon Rabb can dig himself out of this one. That is if he really cares." Mac picked up a file, "I have too many things to do to worry about him."
Harm stood tentatively placing weight on the new limb. He held tightly to the parallel bars and slowly pulled his right leg forward. He leaned on the new limb grimacing at the pain from the freshly healed wound and took a quick step with his left leg. "Looking good Captain! One step for Captain Rabb another for... to hell with mankind do it for the 'Slave driver'!" Anthony roused.
Harm looked up at the mirror strategically placed at the end of the parallel bars so patients could observe their posture and gate. His pants covered both legs showing only his shoes. Except for his unsteady stride no one would ever suspect he only had one natural leg. He picked up his affected limb and repeated the process all the way to the end to the bars. "Way to go Captain!"
Mac walked away from the courtroom beaming. She had won her fifth case in a row! "Congratulations Colonel. Great strategy." Sturgis's deep voice caught up with her.
He was not as much fun to beat as Harm. She shook those thoughts of Harm away, "Thanks Commander. Going up against you is always a challenge."
"You flatter me Colonel. By the way Mac." Whenever he used her nickname, she knew he was going to address something personal. "Have you heard from Harm?"
"No, have you?" She acted nonchalant.
"No, but I ran into a buddy of mine who serves on the Patrick Henry. He mentioned that Harm was injured by a ground fire when he flew over Afghanistan a couple of months ago."
The color visibly drained from Mac's face, "Harm was promoted to CAG. He wouldn't have been flying that much. Are you sure your friend had his facts right?"
"I'm sure. It must not have been too serious or someone around here would know. Right?" He shrugged.
"Yea, the Admiral would know." Mac dismissed her worries.
Harm was now able to navigate steps. He continued to use crutches, but climbing steps was a huge hurtle. He could go home now. "Grandma, it's Harm I'm coming up to Bealsville."
"Admiral you haven't heard from Captain Rabb recently?" Mac asked nonchalantly after reviewing a report with him.
"No, I figured he would have come by when the Patrick Henry was in port." The Admiral frowned. "I guess he's been pretty busy with all the activity. How is he doing?" The Admiral looked over his glasses.
"Oh, I'm sure he's in pilot's heaven. You know Harm and flying." Mac replied awkwardly.
"He doesn't need to forget his friends." The Admiral snorted.
Trish held the door open as Harm entered the old white farmhouse whileFrank followed with Harm's suitcase. Sarah Rabb opened her arms to embrace her grandson. "I'm so glad you decided to come to the farm. You look too thin Harm. I'll have to put some meat back on those bones." Sarah whispered into his ear as she held him tightly. Harm had too many near misses, and she had loss too many Rabb men in her life.
"Thanks for letting me stay." Harm held her not sure he could deal with his fluctuating feelings. "Something smells great." He pulled away and looked around the room that had not changed as far back as he could remember. He suddenly felt secure for the first time in two months.
"I prepared the room just off the kitchen for you. I thought you would find it more convenient." She added carefully.
Harm looked at the steep staircase that lead to the bedroom he always used whenever he visited. I guess somethings have changed he thought and quickly pushed away his feelings of despair.
Trish, Frank and Sarah all noticed his sad look as he gazed up the stairs. Before anyone could say something, he responded, "I always wanted to be near the kitchen. I can smell the coffee and rolls in the morning." He smiled and moved carefully towards the room. "I think I'll lay down for a little while before dinner."
Frank followed him giving Trish and unspoken message to give Harm some space.
Sarah Rabb unconsciously placed her hand on her chest in response to the occasional chest pain she experienced. "Sarah? Are you alright?" Trish noted the older woman's gesture.
"I'm fine. I need to go finish dinner. I cooked some of Harm's favorites." She smiled and headed to the kitchen where she picked up the dark colored prescription bottle, removed a small tablet and placed it under her tongue.
Mac touched up her make up before answering the door. "Hi." She greeted the handsome man standing before her.
"Ready to go? The tickets are for 9 o'clock, but I thought we could have drinks before the concert." The tall blonde man said as he offered his arm to escort her to his Porsche.
"Let me warn you. I don't drink." Mac took his arm.
"Coffee?" He smiled warmly.
"Sounds great! I'm really looking forward to the concert." Mac relaxed and started some small talk.
The concert was wonderful. It had been too long since she had been on a real date. Phillip was a physician at one of the large Washington DC private hospitals. He was also a naval reserve officer. That was how Mac met him. She had interviewed him as a possible expert witness. After the trial, he called her up. She looked around the restaurant where she had waited alone in a couple of months ago. She was finally getting her dinner date at the Parker House. After the concert, Phillip told her he made reservations at a place he had heard about but never tried.
"So you've been here before?" He inquired.
"I've been here, but I didn't eat here." She said cryptically.
He gave her a confused look, "I waited for someone who never showed up." She explained.
"Would you like to go somewhere else?"
"No actually I'd like to try the food this time." She took his arm and smiled.
"They offer dancing here. Do you like to dance?" He offered after they settled at their table and ordered.
"I love to dance." She allowed him to lead her across the dance floor as the small orchestra played an old Glen Miller tune. She closed her eyes and placed her head on his shoulder and for a brief moment she let herself imagine he was Harm.
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