Disclaimer: They are not mine…just playing.
This story was started two and a half years ago and sat unfinished, unread in my 'in progress' file, a euphemism for abandoned without hope of finishing it. But THANKS to the support and help from JagNat it is now complete. So Nat, this one's for you – all the way to the epilogue…. I wouldn't have finished it without you.
-------------------------Blind Justice----------------------------
This story picks up from the final episode. The spinning coin is about to land.
Seven sets of eager eyes watched the coin hit the floor and spin on its edge. It spun and spun, reducing in speed and stability. Finally, when the group thought their wait was over, the silver disk rolled away from them, wobbling as it went.
"I can't believe it!" said Harriet, echoing the thought of all present.
The coin had become wedged in a broken tile and was stuck in an upright position.
"What are the odds of that?" asked Bud, almost rhetorically.
Mac and Harm looked at each other, wondering whether this was an omen.
"So, what was the scenario for the coin landing on its side?" asked Sturgis.
"We didn't have one," answered Mac.
"Are you going to toss it again?" asked Major General Cresswell.
"Um…" Harm started but didn't answer.
"I think we might just take a minute to discuss this. Please excuse us," said Mac, taking Harm's hand and leading him to a table at the back of McMurphy's.
They sat on the same side of the table and Harm took Mac's hands in his.
"Do you think this is a sign, Mac?"
"A sign we should leave things as they are?"
"Yeah."
"No, I think it's just a fluke."
"You reckon? Because, Mac, I mean the odds of that happening…"
"Have you changed your mind, Flyboy?"
'No, not at all. I just…"
"Are you still going to marry me?"
"Yes!"
"Then, I'll tell you what, let's set a date."
"A wedding date?"
"No, a date for the movies." Mac rolled her eyes. "Of course a wedding date."
"When?"
"Six months. We'll get married here in DC in six months and Bud can toss that damn coin again."
"And the same outcomes stand?"
"Yep. Unless in the intervening six months something else comes up."
"Sounds good to me!" Harm kissed his bride to be and then they went to inform their anxious friends.
Four Months Later
Roberts Residence
Thursday 2005
"Surprise!" Harm exclaimed as AJ opened the front door of the Roberts' house.
"Uncle Harm!" screamed the excited child as he threw himself into his godfather's open arms. "I've missed you sooooo much."
"I've missed you too, kiddo. Look how much you've grown! You must be a foot taller."
"Not that much. Mom and Dad didn't say you were coming."
"They don't know. Where are they?" asked Harm, making his way into the living room.
"Dad's in the kitchen and mom's upstairs with…"
"Captain Harmon Rabb, is that you?" called Harriet from the top of the stairs.
"Indeed it is, ma'am."
Harriet ran down the stairs and gave Harm a warm and welcoming hug. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"It was a last minute thing. The SecNav called an emergency meeting for tomorrow and I just flew in. How have you been?"
Over coffee, around the kitchen table, Harm, Bud and Harriet caught up with all the latest news and it wasn't long before the conversation turned to Mac.
"So have you heard from Mac lately?" ventured Bud, when there was a lull in the conversation.
"No," replied Harm. "I've tried calling her a few times in the last two weeks but I just get her machine. I was hoping to swing by San Diego on my way home and catch up."
"You don't need…" began AJ before his father cut him off.
"AJ, time for bed, go and get ready please."
"Oh, but dad, I just want…"
"Uncle Harm will be here for another few days. You can spend sometime with him on the weekend. That's if it's alright with you, Harm?"
"That's more than alright with me. I have the SecNav's meeting tomorrow but I'm not due back in London until Monday at the earliest.
"Great!" called AJ as he ran up the stairs.
When Harriet had gone upstairs to check on the children, Harm returned the talk to Mac. "So Bud, what was AJ going to say about Mac."
"I'm not sure."
"Yes you are. You cut him off pretty quickly. He was about to say I didn't need to go to San Diego, wasn't he?"
"Well, yes, I guess so."
"So if Mac's not is San Diego, where is she?"
Bud collected his thoughts and wondered how best to phrase it.
"Bud?"
"She's a little closer to home, actually."
"She's in DC?"
"She's upstairs."
Harm was out of his chair and half way up the stairs before Harriet stopped him.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, Harm?"
"Bud, just told me Mac was here. Why on earth didn't you tell me an hour ago when I got here?"
Harriet firmly clasped his arm and led him back to the table. "Let's talk first."
"Harm, Mac has been here for nearly two weeks now and …" began Harriet.
"Two weeks, why? What's wrong?" Harm interrupted.
"There was an accident and Mac needed treatment at Bethesda. She's doing well now and …"
"What sort of accident?"
"The details aren't important but…"
"Can I see her?"
"Of course, Harm, but just take it easy. She's still recovering and needs her rest."
Harm quietly opened the door of the guestroom and, with the soft illumination of the street light, could make out Mac's sleeping form. His love for her was as strong as ever and geographical distance had done nothing to diminish it.
Their parting, the day after their engagement party at McMurphy's, had been bittersweet. Both knew they had made the right decision to take up their separate posts but neither wanted to be alone. The promise of a wedding in six months was the light at the end of their tunnel. Harm had found the intervening four months the longest and loneliest of his life. Mac had managed two visits which extended to eight days in total and amounted to less than four hours spent outside Harm's flat.
Harm took off his jacket and shoes and eased himself into the bed beside her. He gently brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead. The light showed a few small wounds which Harm attributed to her accident and he instantly regretted not asking more about it. Mac stirred briefly but only enough to reposition herself into his arms. Harm held her gently and, amid his flood of thoughts and concerns, drifted off to sleep as well.
Just before dawn, Mac awoke and was instantly aware of his presence. She ran her fingers down his face and reached up gently to kiss his lips.
"Harm," she whispered.
He stirred but his eyes stayed shut. "Harm," she said, kissing him again.
This time he awoke and kissed her back. "Hey Mac, how are you?"
"Wonderful, now you're here. What are you doing here, Flyboy?"
"I've got a meeting with the SecNav, it's a last minute thing. Why didn't you tell me about the accident?"
"Not much to tell actually. I got hurt, needed to see a specialist at Bethesda and Harriet insisted I stay here."
"That's not telling me much. What sort of accident did you have? What did you hurt?" He ran his hand through her hair and kissed her cheek.
Mac's response was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.
"Come in,' Mac called.
"Good morning, did you both sleep well?" Harriet asked.
"Yes, very well," answered Harm.
"Glad to hear it," said Harriet. "Now, I apologise for the intrusion but Harm you fell asleep here and I didn't want to wake you last night. I know you have a big day with the SecNav but I didn't know what time you needed to be up."
"Well, so long as I'm gone by 0700 I think I'll be right."
"It's 0640 now."
Harm sprang out of bed. "God, I can't afford to be late. You'll be here when I get back tonight, won't you Mac?"
"Yep, got no plans."
"Great! Oh, that's if it's alright with you, Harriet."
"It's more than fine by me. Now hurry, we don't want you being kept back late."
With that Harm went into the bathroom.
"Now, Mac, do you want to get up now or later?"
"Later I think Harriet."
"Harm seems to be taking the news well."
"He didn't notice and I didn't tell him."
"Don't you think you should?"
"I will but not before his meeting. He needs to keep his mind on the job."
"But..."
"I'll let him know tonight."
"Ok, now I'm going downstairs to organise my motley lot. I will drop AJ off at school and then Jimmy and the twins at my parents. They've offered to have them until Sunday, which means we won't have to amuse them all afternoon tomorrow at AJ's game."
"I'm looking forward to that."
"AJ's so excited, especially now Harm's here and said he'd come. So, I'll be back by about 0945. That will give us plenty of time to get ready before we leave at 1100 for your specialist appointment. Is there anything you need before I go, Mac?"
"No, I'm fine and Harriet, thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. Now remember not to go downstairs until I get back."
"Yes, ma'am." Mac smiled, throwing Harriet a mock salute.
Harriet left and Mac snuggled back down into bed happily. She felt Harm kiss her and heard him whisper his love for her before he departed.