Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters don't belong to me. This is purely for
entertainment
Classification: PG- 13 some violent content and mild language
Category: Harm/ Mac
Summary: Harm continues grow in his new role as Dad (from the
fanfic "In Another's Shoes") to Anna and Gabe as Mac plays a more
important role in their lives. Gabe's and Anna's adoption was
finalized, and Harm traded in his DC
apartment for a home in Falls Church.
Thanks to Carolyn and Anne for beta reading!
PART 3
The young woman with sparkling brown eyes entered the bullpen wearing a tasteful soft blue sweater and black skirt. She carried a leather book bag that matched her shoes. Tiner dropped the folders he was carrying when he saw her. "Can I help you Ma'am?"
"I'm looking for Colonel Mackenzie." Alicia smiled at the attention she received form the young Naval petty officer.
"Alicia!" Harm said, his voice sounding more surprised than he intended.
"Coach Harm." Alicia smiled, a little embarrassed. Tiner looked confused, "I guess Commander Rabb will show you to the Colonel's office." He walked away, bumping into a chair as he continued to look at the attractive young woman.
"You look ... great!" Harm said with a big smile. "Mac will be out of court shortly. Come on in and have a seat." He directed her into Mac's office.
"Thanks, I guess I should call you Commander." She smiled sheepishly.
"Harm is fine. How are classes?" Harm inquired, still smiling at the appearance of the young lady who sat before him.
"Terrific, I'm in a creative writing class. My teacher says I have real talent." She beamed. "Sorry, I'm late." Mac entered the office and gave Harm a wink.
"That's okay, I'm a little early. Do you still have time for lunch?" Alicia replied.
"How 'bout I treat." Harm jumped in.
"Sounds good, " Mac looked to Alicia, who smiled in approval.
*************
Harm sat in Mac's office at the end of the day. "Mac, she's incredible. You are incredible. I couldn't believe the change in her."
"She's so proud of herself, " Mac said with a smile.
"Will has done nothing but talk about his mom. I think he's doing better in school from what Gabe has told me. Maybe we will get to see a happy ending to all of this." Harm added.
"I hope so." Mac replied thoughtfully.
***************
The phone woke Mac from her sleep. "Hello," she said groggily.
"Coach Mac...can you come. I'm scared," the frightened voice whispered, barely loud enough for Mac to hear.
"Will?" Mac sat up checking her internal clock and validating it with the alarm clock by her bed that indicated it was 3 am. "What's wrong? Where is your mom?"
"He's here, and I'm scared. He hit Momma," Will began to cry.
"I'll be over in a few minutes. I'm going to call the police, all right?" Mac hung up the phone and placed a call to the police and then another to Harm.
*************
Harm had a neighbor come over to stay with the kids after insisting Mac not go to the apartment alone. Two police cars, with lights flashing, were parked along the street of the Terrace Apartments when they arrived.
Harm and Mac quickly exited the car and headed to the apartment. A policeman immediately intercepted them," I'm sorry we can't allow anyone through."
"We're friends." Mac replied as Harm showed his identification, "I called the police. There is a little boy named Will and his mother Alicia Morris that we need to check on."
The policeman looked at the two anxious people standing before him. "The woman's been beaten pretty badly. The little boy is mostly frightened, but we have the guy in custody." He explained and lead them to Will, who sat alone wrapped in a blanket, crying.
"Will?" Mac reached out and took the shivering little boy in her arms.
"He came in and started yelling at Momma. He started hitting her and wouldn't stop." Will sobbed into Mac's shoulder.
As the ambulance attendants brought a stretcher out of the building, Harm and Mac both gasped as they saw the Alicia's battered face. "You go with her. I'll follow with Will." Harm suggested and reached down to take Will's hand.
Mac turned and stroked Will's face and then ran to catch up with the ambulance crew.
**************
Mac and Harm sat in the waiting room with Will clinging to Harm as he gently rocked the little boy in his arms. Mac jumped up whenever a doctor approached. "Are you here for Alicia Morris?" Mac nodded.
The doctor looked sorrowfully at the little boy who looked up with pleading eyes. "I want to see my Momma."
"Why don't you wait here, and you can see her in a few minutes." The doctor bent down and explained. He looked at Harm and shook his head and frowned. Harm squeezed Will's shoulder gently.
"Will, let Mac go first, and I'll take you in as soon as the doctor says we can see her." Harm responded gently and held him closer.
Mac drew in a deep breath and followed the doctor. Outside the room, the doctor stopped her, "We are preparing Miss Morris for surgery, but it doesn't look good."
Mac pushed the door open to see Alicia's pale still form connected to IVs and monitors softly beeping. "Alicia?" Mac touched her bruised face. Alicia's eyes slowly fluttered open and a small smile formed on her lips.
"Mac," she responded weakly.
"It's going to be all right, baby." Mac felt warm tears in her eyes as she continued to stroke Alicia's face.
"Will was proud of me, wasn't he?" she said with difficulty.
"Yes, he is. You are terrific, you know that." Mac took Alicia's hand and squeezed it.
"My old boyfriend showed up ... he was high on...something.... I didn't want to let him in..." Alicia paused and grimaced in pain, "...but he broke in...and began to hit me..." Tears streamed down her face. "He used to hit Will."
"He won't hurt you or Will anymore." Mac looked sadly at the young woman who had been through so much.
A light tapping at the door distracted Mac. Harm brought Will inside. "The doctor said they were about to take her to surgery."
Will ran to the bed, "Momma, are you gonna be okay?" He took her hand and held it tightly.
Alicia smiled, "Baby, Momma's hurt real bad...You know I love you very much." Tears streamed down her face as Will's lip began to quiver and tears fell from his large brown eyes.
"I love you Momma," The little voice spoke, as he lay his head on the bed next to hers.
Alicia looked to Harm pleadingly. He gently picked up Will and walked out of the room.
"Mac...promise me.... Promise me...if I don't make it...you will take care of him.... You and Harm.... Please." She grimaced and struggled to breathe.
"You're going to be just fine." Mac tried to smile.
"Promise me. I want Will to have something more than what.... I had ... promise me." She pleaded and squeezed Mac's hand with what little strength she had left.
"I promise." Mac said with tears flowing freely. Alicia let out a breath and relaxed.
"I'm sorry, but we need to take her to surgery. There is a waiting room on the second floor outside of surgery." A nurse interrupted and began to move the bed.
************
Will fell asleep on the couch, with his head in Mac's lap, as they waited. Seeing a doctor approach, Mac gently slid Will's head to the couch while she and Harm met the doctor.
Cold chills moved through Mac as she observed the doctor avoid making eye contact as he began to speak. "I'm sorry, but Miss Morris didn't make it. She was very badly injured, and we did all we could do to stop the bleeding."
Mac felt Harm wrap his arms around her and hold her as she began to sob.
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