DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...
A/N: What, a second chapter? It's short, but I couldn't leave it for next week. You guys deserve it.
CHAPTER 14: A TEAR AND A DOUBT
Twenty minutes never passed by so slowly.
Mac's private agony was put to an end only by the loud knock on the wooden door. Harm. The wait, though, replaced as it was by the terrible apprehension. Of finding out what she already dreaded. Without thinking, she jumped to her feet and raced to the door. AJ refrained from commenting.
Door opened, Harmon Rabb coming into view.
"Harm!"
"Colonel, hello."
It didn't take a genius to notice the dazed look Harm wore. Freshly dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, clean faced and unsure stance, he looked nothing like he had the night before. In fact, his eyes gave him away. He wasn't the same man as the night before.
Sarah Mackenzie deflated.
Not again…
She stilled herself against the horrible pain blundering her heart, squared her shoulders and stepped aside, allowing the man entrance. Harm stepped inside, offering his CO a nod.
"So, Commander, explain to me what happened yesterday." AJ was done beating about the bush.
Harm shuffled his feet – actually shuffled his feet! -, giving off the image of lost little boy. The Admiral tried to remember if he had ever seen him do it before. The former SEAL felt his worry grow at the sight of such uncharacteristic behavior from his two most brave officers.
"Sir, I… I don't remember."
"What do you mean, you can't remember?" The officers snapped to attention; the strict voice demanding respect. To them, a natural reaction when a senior officer grew angry.
"I left the office, sir, and got into my car. Can't remember anything after that, Admiral."
Made sense.
Mac reasoned that Harm - her Harm – had somehow replaced this version of Harm. She shouldn't have dared speculate as to how, or even why. The thought presented itself, however, and she could not ignore it. What would happen to this Harm if her dear Captain stayed for good? In fact, what had happened to him while Harm had been with her the night before?
Oh!
And, what about the other Mac?
"Colonel?"
The young woman wore a stricken mask over her worn face. Her eyes seemed to be focused in the distance. Three times, the Admiral called her. First by name, then by rank, his voice raising in volume at each try.
"Colonel!"
Mac snapped back to earth.
"Sorry, sir."
"Now is your chance, Colonel, to offer me some answers."
What to say without sounding absolutely, raving mad?