This is my first attempt at a JAG fic.

I have written a few stories before, about the fox show "Standoff" (please check them out, even if you don't know the show ;) )

I hope you'll like this story, and I hope it isn't too OOC.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my writing, anything you can tell me positive or negative will be a huge help!

Don't forget to review, pleeeease!


Distance: Chapter 1

Reaching her apartment Mac pulled into her parking space and killed the engine. She didn't get out, didn't move at all. Her body was frozen to the spot, but her mind was going 100 miles an hour.

'He is gone. He left me. I can't believe it's true. What have I done?' She asked herself.

23 minutes later she forced herself to get out of the car. The night sky was clear and the air frosty. A full moon lit up the road. None of this was noticed by Mac, who locked the car and walked towards her apartment in a daze.

She walked up the stairs slowly, unlocked her front door and went inside. She didn't turn on any lights, the darkness suited her mood.

Still wearing her coat and boots she walked to her bedroom and fell on the bed. Several minutes went by in silence, 4 minutes and 23 seconds to be exact. Even in this state of mind her inner clock worked perfectly.

Then suddenly she couldn't hold back any longer. A single tear rolled down her cheek. More soon followed. She started sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't stop it, had no power over her body. All she could do was let her tears dry out, get through it somehow.

When her eyes had no more tears to shed, she felt empty. It was like her tears had been the last thing filling her up, and now it was all gone. She curled into a ball, pulling her knees up and hugging them tight to her chest resembling very much a foetal position. She lay like this for hours, not being able to sleep.

Her thoughts went back to that same afternoon. Back to the reason she was now heartbroken.

She had dreaded this day for months. At first she had put it out of her mind, pushed it aside and tried to forget all about it. When the day had come closer and she was unable to avoid it any longer, she had closed down. She had put up a front, pretending everything was fine. She was good at that, she had plenty of practice.

She had even pushed him away, distancing herself from the pain. At first he had ignored it. He had joked with her, spent time with her and acted nothing out of the ordinary. Then two weeks ago he had obviously had enough. Their relationship became awkward and strained. She saw the pain in his eyes when he realised her intentions. She hated herself for causing him pain, but she had no choice. She had to protect her own feelings.

The day had come nevertheless. She had woken up and gotten ready for work like any other day. She had won her case in court and everyone had congratulated her. She had returned their smiles and pretended to be happy, but on the inside she was devastated.

At 16:00 hours a knock on her office door had forced her to face reality.

Earlier the same day:

"Mac" a deep voice said.

She looked up and saw Harm leaning against the doorframe. Her door had been open, but she hadn't noticed him standing there, forcing him to knock to get her attention. She didn't know how long he'd been standing there, but the look in his eyes told her that it had been a while. Normally she never minded being admired by Harm, but today it only broke her heart even more.

'How could he look at her that way knowing he was about to leave? How could he give her that charm smile, only meant for her, when he was about to leave her in pieces?' Thinking these thoughts Mac had to use all her strength to keep back the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Mac? Are you ready to go?" Harm asked her.

'Go? Go where? I'm not the one leaving!' She thought, now confused.

"You said you'd drive me to the airport, Mac." Harm continued, noticing her bewildered expression, "I guess I can take a taxi if you're busy…but…"

'But what?' Mac though, 'but you thought you'd torture me just one more time?'

Inside Mac's mind a battle began. Should she do the decent thing and see him off while risking a total break down? Or should she let him down…again…but spare her own feelings?

Looking up at Harm, she saw him looking intensely at her, his eyes begging her to say yes.

She had never been able to say no to him when he looked at her like that.

She gave him a weak smile and answered his request in barely more than a whisper:

"Ok"

EDIT: How come no-one is reviewing??? Is the story really that bad:( Come on! you know you want to hit that "go" button! It will only take 5 seconds!