These first two chapters are going to recount the end of Critical Condition from Mac's, and then Harm's point of view, before we get to the rest of the story. Sort of like an Introduction. anyway i hope you like it!
for those of you waiting my next chapter of adrift part 3, it should be up in a couple of days, its done but im not completely happy with it, as soon as i am i'll post it.
Mac's POV
"He's stable."
I don't think I've every heard words that have brought me more happiness. I don't really hear what else the doctor says, but I smile at her, the relief evident on my face.
"Thank you." I say. Suddenly I'm aware that the warmth that was at my shoulder had disappeared, and I turn to see Harm stumbling backwards to collapse in one of the waiting chairs.
"Harm!" I exclaim, moving quickly over to sit next to him, grabbing his hands in mine. He looks completely broken, the tears that he had refused to let fall now running down his handsome face in relief. He blinks at me, and opens his mouth to say something; words failing him completely, settling for leaning his head forward, his forehead touching mine. For the moment, I resist the temptation to wipe the tears away, laying my head on his shoulder, not caring who could see and I feel him press a soft kiss onto my hair. Our hands cling together, each providing the other with the strength that has all but been sapped by the relief that we are currently feeling.
I don't know how long we sit there, the recent stresses have sent my body clock haywire, but we are interrupted by Coates returning.
"Sir? Ma'am? Has there been any news?" she looks at us, fear written all over her face, and I instantly understand that she has misread the tears on Harm's face.
"He's stable Jen." I say quickly, now was not a time for ranks, military or no military. At the moment we are more like a family, united by mutual worry for one of our own.
The relief on Jen's face mirrors our own,
"Oh thank god." She manages to get out, collapsing in the seat next to me.
"You did well Jen," I say softly, "You probably saved his life."
"Thank you Ma'am." Jen replies, "We should let Lieutenant Sims and everyone at JAG that he's ok." She adds, looking at me with tears of relief in her eyes. I nod at her, and turn to the man sitting next to me, who hasn't said a word since the doctor came out to speak to us.
"Harm?" I say softly, squeezing his hand gently. I feel a small amount of pressure on my hand in response, but other than that Harm gives no appearance of having heard me.
"Sir?" Jen adds, worry returning to her voice at the sight of him like this.
"Harm, come on, we need to phone Harriet and the Admiral." I get up, gently trying to extricate my hands from his. He looks at me, his blue green eyes confused, and wordlessly tightens his grip on my hand, refusing to let go. I can feel Jen's eyes on us, so I turn to her, "Jen, go and get the call set up in Bud's office, the Commander and I will be along in a minute."
"Yes Ma'am" she replies, and I hear her leave. I wait a moment, until I'm sure she is out of earshot.
"Harm," I say softly, "come on flyboy, talk to me. We've got to let everybody know that he's ok."
"Mac," he manages to say softly, using his hold on my hand to pull me closer to him. "Is he really ok?" I smile, unable to stop the tears from spilling from my eyes again, and nod at him,
"He's going to be fine." I promise, "The doctor said he was stable, and that he put up one hell of a fight." He lets out a shaky breath and this time I don't resist; reaching my free hand up to wipe the tears away from his face with my thumb. His eyes flutter closed at my touch, a look of peace flashing across his boyish face.
"Mac?" he whispers again, opening his eyes to look deep into mine, "I'm glad you're here."
"Me too" I whisper back, slightly taken aback by the look in his eyes. Its one I've only seen a couple of times, and now, as then the sheer intensity of those eyes, scares me a little; scares me enough to hope that maybe now, after all that has happened in the last few weeks and years, we might have our shot. I push that thought quickly to the back of my mind, now was not the time for these thoughts; if fate truly meant us to be together, which the little girl inside me believed it did, then although this might be the kick we need, there were more important things that need our attention right now. I manage a small smile, pulling my attention away from my thoughts and back to the man sitting in front of me. "Come on squid," I say, trying to pull him to his feet, "let's go and spread the good news." He nods at me and slowly gets to his feet, steadfastly refusing to let go of my hand. A midshipman running past soon put a stop to that, startling Harm into realising where we were and he dropped my hand quickly, a slight blush colouring his face. Aww that is so cute, I think, resisting the urge to reach up and ruffle his hair; he really does look like a boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and I wonder for what seems like the millionth time what our children would look like. Snap out of it Mackenzie, I tell myself sternly, turning quickly to head off to Bud's office. I barely get three steps away before I feel myself spin around and a pair of arms wrap firmly around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug. This time it is my turn to cry, and I find I cannot stop the tears from falling. We stay there for about thirty seconds until I realise where I am and force myself to stop crying. I pull back and look up at him,
"Better?" he asks quietly, concern written all over his face. I nod,
"Thanks" I manage to whisper, amazed at how comfortable I feel crying in his presence. I'm a Marine, and Marines don't cry; me especially, I hate to cry, and crying in front of someone is something that I never let myself do. I hate to show that kind of weakness in front of anyone. Apart from Harm it seems.
hope you liked it:o)
