Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I just enjoy
writing about them.
Classification: PG 13
Category: Harm and Mac/ Drama
Summary: All who have ever watched JAG know that Mac and Harm are
connected maybe not openly as most shippers would want, but the fact
that they are soulmates can't be denied.
Written: 1/2002
Part 5
"We need to warn the Admiral!"
"Wait Harm, I don't follow."
"It's Gayle Osborne! Remember when Jason Mageda took you, Bud and the Admiral hostage? Osborne was constantly chewing on those things."
"Harm that's not proof enough."
"Call Webb, find out about Osborne."
"Harm, we need more proof!"
"You promised you would listen to me." His voice was deadly.
I picked up my cell phone and located Clay. "Clay, it's Mac. I need to check on Gayle Osborne for me right away."
"Gayle Osborne is in prison Mac."
"Please, we believe that he is the one who attacked Harm."
"We? The Admiral thinks so too?"
Harm shook his head, "Tell him you don't have time to discuss the evidence, but the Admiral is in danger."
"I found a piece of torn clothing with a blood stain. The blood was AB negative. Check and see if it matches Osborne's blood type. Look the Admiral is in danger. I don't have time for a discussion." I fired away while my partner nodded in approval.
"Okay, I'll get back with you."
"You need to warn the Admiral." Harm sounded agitated.
"He should still be at JAG HQ. I'll call and ask him to wait for me." I dialed HQ and got Tiner. "Damn, do you know if he took his cell phone with him?"
I looked at Harm who was already figured out the cause of my frustration. "Do you think he went home?"
"Tiner said he needed to get away for a few hours and didn't want to be disturbed. I don't think he went home."
"You've been running with the Admiral. Where would he go to chill out?"
"Your brilliant partner. He would go running. He told me that it helped him get rid of all the evil toxins in his body like the SecNav and you." I teased. "And I know exactly where he goes."
"Do you have your service weapon?" Harm ignored my lame attempt at humor.
"No and yours was removed by the NCIS."
"I have one locked in my Corvette. It is in a garage not far from here. We'll stop and get it on the way."
Admiral Chegwidden was pounding his way through the running trail oblivious to his surroundings. It had been one hell of a week and lately he was having difficulty coping. Osborne had followed him to the park and waited on the isolated side.
I whipped my Corvette into the parking lot of Kramer Park and began to search the area for signs of my CO. We met here several times a week to train for the JAGathon. It was Tuesday, and he usually ran north on the trail on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I held Harm's revolver in my jacket pocket to avoid upsetting the other people that were enjoying their afternoon in the park.
"Watch my back." I ordered and led us down a shortcut. "There he is!"
I moved swiftly through the brush and trees to intercept the Admiral as he made his way around the trail. My phone sprang to life, "Mackenzie."
"Mac, it's Webb. Osborne's blood type was AB negative, but he was killed last week in a laundry fire at the prison."
"Are you sure?"
"I didn't see him burn, if that's what you are asking, but I trust the person who filed the report. Sorry about the dead end. I'm still checking a few leads. How is Rabb?" His voice softened with concern.
I look to see Harm watching the Admiral like a hawk. "He's hanging in there. You know Harm."
"Yea, I'll be dropping by the hospital again later today."
Again, I have no doubt that he has been haunting the halls of the hospital at the most ungodly hours checking up on his friend.
"Mac!" The urgency of Harm's voice drew my attention.
"Got to go Clay. Thanks."
He pointed at a stand of bushes, "He's there. He's waiting!"
"I don't see anything!"
"Mac, you got to stop him!" Harm urged but stood immobilized.
"Okay, calm down. Follow me." This was unlike the Harm that would go barreling down not thinking of his own safety.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Just go! Hurry before it's too late!"
I spotted a shining glare from the location Harm spotted. My marine instincts went into high gear. I move stealthily toward the bushes with the revolver safety removed and ready to fire. 'Slowly Marine, make sure your target is not an innocent bystander.' I lectured myself and moved closer. The Admiral continued to make his way nearer to our location. Then I saw him. It was Osborne. 'Dead my ass'. I yelled out, "Drop your weapon!"
He turned and took aim at me as I squeezed the trigger and fired three shots into his chest. He dropped his weapon and looked in my direction with an expression clearly shocked. "You should have been dead." He mumbled and fell to the ground.
I turned to see Harm standing behind me staring at the fallen man. He then gave me a half smile, "Thanks Sarah."
"Mac?" The Admiral had made his way up to where I stood.
"Sir, are you alright?"
"What happened? What was Osborne doing here?"
"He was the one who attacked Harm. He was coming after you next, but we stopped him."
"We? Who helped you Mac?"
"Harm." I turned around to look for my partner, but he had disappeared.
"I thought you said Harm. Is Webb here?" The Admiral was still breathing heavily from his run.
"No sir."
"I owe you Colonel." The Admiral smiled.
"No sir, you owe Harm." I continued to scan the park and walked with the Admiral back to our vehicles while the Admiral used my cell phone to notify the authorities.
"Mac, you have a message on your phone." The Admiral handed the phone to me. It was from the hospital. I needed to return right away. Oh no. The last time Harm disappeared his heart had stopped.
"I need to go to the hospital now." I fumbled with my keys because my hands were trembling.
"I'll join you as soon as the authorities arrive." The Admiral added. "Just go."
This was the third time this week that I traveled barely breathing the entire trip to the hospital. Harm, where are you? I tried to concentrate on his face, his voice and even the scent of his cologne that seemed to have lingered in my car.
My deepest fear was that he had completed some mystical purpose and was now free to leave. His business finished, what reason did he have to stay. My tears flowed unchecked. I didn't give a damn. Harm managed to be the reason for most of my tears in my adult life. That's the way of love I deducted. You always hurt the ones you love. I would gladly cry an ocean full of tears if it would bring Harm back to me.
Please God. I know it seems the only time I turn to you is when I'm praying for that hard headed, pain in the butt, epitome of the typical male partner of mine. The truth is that I love him, but I guess you've known that. I promise I want ask for anything for myself if you will just make him well. He's got a good heart. He just needs someone to watch out for him. I'll take the job if you'll just do your part. I won't complain when he's being condescending, arrogant, or obstinate. I just need to see his smile and those beautiful large blue eyes of his.
I practically ran through the parking lot and up the stairs to the waiting room. I didn't see anyone in the waiting room. I felt panicked until I saw the nurse from the other day pass by. "Nurse, I'm here to check on Harmon Rabb. I don't see any of his family." I was breathless.
She appraised my distress and guided me towards Harm's room. Trish, Frank, Sergei, Sturgis, Bud and Harriet stood surrounding the bed. I was in such a frenzy that I did not even address them as I pushed between Sturgis and Bud to reach the bed.
The life support equipment was removed, and Harm lay still against the white sheets. My heart skipped a beat. Then his eyes slowly opened and shut again as he struggled to awaken.
"He is much better!" Sergei announced with a large Rabb smile.
"Are you alright Ma'am?" Harriet had moved next to me. "You look a little pale."
Thank you God. "I'm just fine Harriet." I replied through a watery smile.
Harm drowsily looked in my direction and smiled. He was still weak and the doctor had removed the tube in his throat just moments before I arrived, so talking was not an option for the moment.
"Hey flyboy. Hope you're all rested because the rest of us are tired of doing all of your work." I had found his hand and interlaced my fingers with his.
He tried to talk, but his voice wasn't cooperating so I leaned closer. "Just add it to my list."
"Don't worry, as soon as you are able. We will have a nice long talk." This time I wasn't joking around, and he knew it. I felt him squeeze my hand, and I leaned close to his ear. "I love you."
"Love you." His words were barely audible, but they were the sweetest words I'd ever heard. He held on to my hand as his energy waned surrendering to his body's need to sleep.
I was so focused on Harm that I wasn't aware that everyone had eased out of the room while I held his hand and watched him sleep. I don't know if I just imagined his presence for the past few days or if he was really with me. I chose to believe that we are truly intertwined in ways no one could understand.
He once told me he always knew where I was, and you know I believe him.
The End
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