Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is for
entertainment only.
Classification: PG-13
Category: Harm and Mac angst/romance
Summary: How much do Harm and Mac need each other?
You may want to read "Speechless" but it is not necessary. This could
stand on its own. This occurs during season 6 and Mic and Renee have
departed.
Thanks to Marianne, who beta read and made numerous tedious corrections.
PART 6
The next day
Bethesda Naval Hospital
1400
Harm was finally free of the ventilator, but his throat remained sore, and he still had difficulty remaining awake for more than just a few minutes. Moving in bed required so much energy and left him exhausted and in pain. Although his chest throbbed unmercifully whenever the pain medication wore off, his heart ached even more as he tried to understand why Sarah had not come by.
Sergei and his mother took turns visiting him every hour. Trish grew more concerned as her son seemed more depressed than sedated.
Sharing a late lunch in the hospital cafeteria, Frank, Trish and Sergei shared polite small talk. Finally Sergei asked, "Why is Harm so sad? I thought he just felt so bad, but I don't think so."
Trish smiled at the younger Rabb. The more she was around him, the more she couldn't help but like him. He cared so much for his brother, something they both had in common. "I was thinking the same thing, Sergei."
"I think he needs Colonel McKenzie." He shared rather bluntly. Frank and Trish smiled at the frankness of the young man.
"You may be right. I don't know what's going on between them."
"Clayton Webb said he would find out." Sergei replied confidently.
**********
JAG Headquarters
Courtroom
Several days later
Mac fumbled with the files as she tried to locate evidence she wanted to present in court.
She had missed several important issues requiring her response as the opposing council interviewed a witness. Luckily Bud Roberts reacted and responded saving her six. She was off balance, and Bud couldn't understand her behavior. The Commander was better. Why was she getting worse by the day?
During the break, Mac walked out to her car under the pretense of obtaining a file. In the glove compartment she retrieved a flask and took a quick drink following it with a mint. She just needed something to calm her down, that's all.
The Admiral slipped into the back of the courtroom and observed. After about thirty minutes he knew...Finally, Admiral Morris dismissed court for the day.
"Colonel McKenzie in my office now!"
Mac was shaken when she heard Admiral Chegwidden's stern voice.
************
"Colonel just what do you think you were doing in there. Do you know I could have you disbarred and thrown out of the Corp."?
"Sir?"
"Don't give me that!!"
"I asked you if you were alright. I have suggested you stay home. Instead you insisted on returning to work...drunk!"
She closed her eyes and felt the hot tears flow.
"I have no choice but to put you on suspension. Get some help or else.
Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Sir."
**************
No one could find her. The Admiral though furious with her, called Webb to check on her. He didn't want to get any of his people involved. If she would just get some help, he could work with her...if she would.
************
Bethesda
Room 4037
2300
Harm was finally moved to a private room. He was tired but found himself wide-awake trying to find a comfortable position moving around in bed. He resisted calling the nurse for medication to help him sleep. The medication made him have bad dreams and left him feeling lethargic. He wanted his mind to clear.
The noise at his door startled him, before him staggered Sarah McKenzie....
"Mac?" he whispered.
"Shhhhh?" she giggled. "There are sick people here trying to sleep." She slurred.
"Oh Sarah" Harm said sadly realizing she was more than just a little drunk. "Where have you been?"
"I've been looking for you...I couldn't find you." She began to cry and sway.
"Come here." Harm said softly. What happened to her? Why hadn't anyone told him?
She poked out her bottom lip in a pout. "I can't.."
"Why not" He said gently.
"Cause I'm no good. I hurt people...I hurt you...you almost died."
"Sarah, you didn't hurt me. A gun hurt me. A gun held by a man who lost control."
"I pushed him, if I wouldn't have pushed him. You wouldn't have gotten hurt...There was so much blood.. You looked so pale...I thought I lost you." Tears flowed down her face.
"He shouldn't have tried to shoot anyone...I'm going to be alright."
"I'm sorry...so.. Sorry."
"I know. Come here." He encouraged softly.
She walked over to his bed. He moved to one side of the bed slowly so that his injured side was near the side rail. He patted his hand on the empty side of the bed, and she climbed in after kicking her shoes off on the floor.
She snuggled up to him as he rubbed her back. "Sarah?"
"Yea?"
"Promise me you'll get help this time."
"OK, Harm?"
"Yea, promise me you won't leave me."
"OK."
They both drifted to sleep, this time neither was not haunted by dreams.
Webb retreated quietly down the hospital corridor. His mission complete he had helped them find each other...
***********
Two weeks later
Meeting room St. Paul's Catholic church
The room was full of people. This meeting was designated non-smoking, but lots of coffee was consumed.
When it was her turn, she stood up at the speaker's stand, "Hello, my name is Sarah, and I'm an alcoholic."
"Hi, Sarah" came the joint response........
Outside two men stood waiting and talking.
"I can't believe I missed the cease fire in Chechnya."
"You were too busy sleeping."
"So you're going to stay?"
"I talk with my mother. She says I have much more opportunity here. I also need to watch after my big brother's six." Sergei laughed.
"You will be too busy with college!"
"I have plans."
"Are you going to share them?"
"I think the meeting is over.."
Sarah approached the two handsome guys standing by the SUV. "Could you give a girl a lift?"
Sergei bowed and offered his arm to escort her to the parked vehicle. She slid her arm around his and allowed him to walk her to the SUV.
"Your brother is such a gentleman. Perhaps you should take lessons."
Harm shook his head "I bet you two would like to get something to eat." Sergei's eyes lit up. "We could go to Beltway Burger."
Harm looked at Mac in disgust. "What have you been teaching my brother while I was in the hospital?"
"Just the finer things in life."
"Yea, he also tells me he is making plans other than college."
"I wanted to wait to tell you. I plan to join the military reserve while I go to school." Sergei smiled as he announced his plans.
"You're joining the Navy? That's great! Webb cleared all the paperwork?"
"Well yes, Mr. Webb arrange the paperwork, but I'm not joining the Navy." Sergei avoided making eye contact with his brother.
"He's joining the Marines." Sarah added excitedly.
Harm's mouth dropped open.
"I can fly helicopters for the Marines. Sarah helped me sign up."
"I guess this means I'm going to have two jarheads in my family." Harm smiled.
Sarah let go of Sergei's arm and turned facing Harm. "Is that a proposal flyboy?"
Harm replied sarcastically but with a smile and a wink "No, I was planning on asking Gunny to join the family."
Sarah smiled the biggest smile he had ever seen as he leaned down to kiss her. She held his face close to hers "I hope this means you accept." He whispered. "What do you think?" she kissed him passionately stopping only to breath.
"I love you Marine."
"I love you Sailor."
Harm tossed his keys to Sergei, "How about you drop Sarah and I off at her place. You can find your way back to my place.
There's a pizza in the freezer."
Sergei stood looking a little confused at the couple as they entered the vehicle. He drove silently until they almost reached Mac's apartment, "I have one question, big brother... Why would you ask Gunny to join our family?"
Harm rolled his eyes, "Yep, I guess you would make a great Marine... ouch.. Remember, I'm still healing." He smiled as Sarah gave him a gentle poke in the ribs.
The end
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