Chapter 7
A month later – Mac's first day back to work.
"Stop fidgeting Mac," Harm scolded her as they rode in the elevator. "You've done this every day for the past three years."
"Today just feels different," she replied pulling at the sleeve of her uniform again. She glanced over at him and sighed. "You didn't have to come with me today, you know. Don't you have some mission to fly?"
"Contrary to popular belief, I'm not here just to hold your hand," Harm replied matter-o-factly. "I'm TAD to JAG for the next seventy two hours per Admiral Chedwiggen." He glanced over at her and winked. "Official business. It's classified." The Admiral had requested him to work on a special project for him, which, coincidently, put him back in the JAG office at the same time Mac came back to work. Harm was suspicious of the Admiral's request, but ultimately he wanted to be with Mac today. It gave him closure to the whole saga of the past month.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever," Mac replied with a smirk. It wasn't like she could challenge him on it. Mac didn't dare question the Admiral's reasons, but secretly she was glad Harm was with her today. He had supported her through all of treatment, sending her cards, calling and visiting when she needed a boost. He listened to her when she just needed to vent and never once did he judge her for her mistakes, never once did he get upset with her, even when she was ugly and mean to him. He was the constant in her life, her partner through it all.
Her other friends had been there for her during her treatment as well. She had used Stafford as a punching bag a couple of times. She had her share of good old-fashioned cries with Harriet and Kate and in turn, they made sure her room was always filled with flowers. The cheering section, the Admiral, Stafford, Bud, Tiner, Harm and even Admiral Morris, had repaired her apartment …fixed her door, the bathroom wall, replaced the tub, and even gave the space a much needed fresh coat of pain.
The elevator doors opened and the two officers stepped out. They walked down the hallway in silence until they reached the corner by the bullpen. Mac stopped and took a deep breath. She looked down, noticed her hands shaking, and silently berated herself for it.
Harm turned and looked at his friend. "You okay Mac?" he asked her out of concern.
She looked him dead in the eye and tried to blink away a tear. "I don't want to be treated with kid gloves," she whispered to him. She reached up and caught the tear before it ran down her face.
Harm carefully chose his response from the thousands that came to mind. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry Marine; remember a SEAL runs this operation." He gave her a second to compose herself. "Are you with me?" he prodded when he thought it was time to go.
"To hell and back, fly boy," she answered. She let go of his hand and walked into the bullpen to face her future on her own.
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