This is the ep where Mic leaves. Also the ep where Mic and Mac are on a date and then Harm walks in to the restaurant as Renee's date. Ugh.

Life Or Death

The party was dying down, dwindling to the last few patrons involved in various conversations and others finishing their beverages. Sarah MacKenzie sat alone, nursing her tonic with a twist and wishing she could add something stronger.

No! She wasn't going to think like that, alcohol only ever got her into trouble and made her hurt the ones she loved. With a sigh, she glanced to the door once the bell above signaled someone had entered. And not just any someone. It was Harm.

His eyes sparked to life once he noticed her, his mouth curving in a soft smile. "Left my credit card." He offered by way of explanation. As he stepped to her he motioned towards her drink and cooly leaned against an open spot by the bar. "Just tonic and lime, I hope?" Harm's joyful expression turned to one of concern knowing how badly her capital punishment case had affected her. It'd hadn't been a picnic for him either.

"Yes, dad. And if it wasn't, that's none of your damned business, anyway."

Her tone was downright hostile and it would have made even the strongest of men back away but, not Harm. He was well aware of her tactics, the misplaced anger a show of strength to hide some sort of pain. So he stood there, watching her fight some sort of battle. "I'm sorry. This was one case I would have prefered not to win."

"I'm for capital punishment under the right circumstances, but with him…" She heaved a sigh and glanced up at the bar spotting her reflection in the mirror. Make up couldn't mask the forlorn expression, the sadness. Through the reflection, she caught and held Harm's gaze filled with such concern it made the tears she held back finally spill. She brushed them away angrily and then downed the rest of her drink as if it were shot.

"Let's go for a walk, Mac. Get some fresh air."

"Okay."

Harm was surprised she calmed so quickly but then, that had been Mac since his return, running hot and then cold. As she not-so-subtly put it, he'd been gone for too long to assume that they would just fall into stride like nothing happened, like he never left.

After settling their bar tabs, Harm helped Mac into her coat and held the door open as she stepped out to the cold night. They fell in step, quietly walking down two blocks until he noticed she was shivering. "Mac, you're cold."

"I'm fine." There was still a little hostility, the need to assert that she didn't need anything or anyone. He stopped but, she kept walking it was only Harm's voice that made her turn to him when she realized he wasn't following. "What did you say?" He had spoken to her but, being several steps away the low tone of his voice was muffled.

"I said, I didn't think you and Mic were that close." He shook his head from the torrid mental images, specifically one of her kissing the other man or more. It had churned his insides, made him want to stake his claim on her, but Sarah MacKenzie wasn't his to claim. "You were dating him, weren't you?"

"A few dinners does not constitute as dating, Commander. If they did, you and me, we're practically married." She snorted and pushed past him, hoping to head to her vehicle and out of his presence. Mac didn't need or want his jealousy, especially when it only served to confuse her. "Thanks for this, but I need to head home. I'll see you on Monday."

Only Harm wrapped a hand around her arm as she passed forcing Mac to stop and face him. "Did you sleep with him?" There was no mistaking the hurt in his voice, the trepidation in his words or the way his eyes pleaded for an answer. Stepping into a minefield seemed less harrowing. When she didn't immediately answer, he released his hold and buried his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I know I don't have the right to ask but… did you sleep with Mic?"

Why did he do this to her? Why did she let him play with her feelings in such a way? It had always been a part of their relationship, the incessant jealousy over any man that seemed interested in her. No one was ever worthy enough and Harm had taken to voicing his displeasure in different forms. Mac never could understand why it mattered so much, if he was so much of the 'brother' he claimed to be, he should have been happy for her not the opposite.

She recalled another night at McMurphy's when both of them were nursing the wounds from impending breakups. He seemed relieved that she'd broken it off with Dalton while Mac was impassive about the status of his relationship with Annie. Honestly? She just wanted him to be safe and happy although it killed her inside to see him in the arms of another woman.

Mac would offer a shoulder to cry on when things fell apart. She would be his best friend and nothing else because he didn't want her any other way - a fact that was evident on the way he always seemed to brush her aside. Eventually her heart would heal, wouldn't it? It had to.

"Does it matter if I did?" She finally answered his question, only to see the displeasure increase in his eyes. Or was it disappointment? She couldn't tell.

"It does."

Mac threw her hands up, anger once again rising within her. The man was infuriating. "Why? You're seeing someone. Am I not allowed to date? Have a little fun? Or is that just a guy thing?"

"You could do better than him is all."

"You throwing your name into the running, Rabb?" Her words made him stiffen and Mac couldn't help but laugh at the look he gave her. The laughter masked the pain she felt - good old Mac, the friend. His friend and nothing more. "I'm kidding Harm, you're like a brother to me, right? So go to your video princess, I'm sure she's waiting on you." Mac couldn't keep the hurt or sarcasm from her voice as she made her way back to her Vette.

She knew he would follow, knew he wouldn't leave it alone but, Mac couldn't expect what he said next.

"I didn't sleep with her."

"You didn't?"

"No. I wanted to but, kept thinking of you and him." Did Mac take Mic home? Did he stay over? His evening and any future with Renee dissipated the moment he dropped her off at home without so much as a kiss goodnight.

"Harm, I don't need to know about your love life. It's really none of my business."

"In the past we talked about relationships, we talked about everything... I left we grew apart, I get it but.."

"You had to figure some things out, I understand." But, it still hurt. She felt left behind, abandoned.

"It's just...you can do better than that arrogant bastard." Harm had begun closing in on her, slowly stepping forward until there was little space left between them. "Sarah, you're smart, funny, charming and absolutely beautiful." He brought a hand up and slowly ran his fingers down the side of her face. "So beautiful."

Mac swallowed hard, suddenly at loss for words when his skin met hers. His caress was gentle and her body leaned into it, craving more contact. "There is someone special in my life. No one can hold a candle to him."

"Oh…" Her words made him drop his hand and his eyes glazed kvee in disappointment that Mac caught. "Do I know him?"

Mac nodded. "He's tall, dark, handsome, has these amazing blue eyes. Flies a plane named Sarah."

He wasn't able to bite back the smug grin nor was Harm able to stop his body from backing her against her Corvette. He brought his head down to hers, stopping a breath sway from kissing. "What does he do for a living?"

"Flies tomcats, moonlights as a lawyer."

"Navy man?"

"Yes but, there's just one problem"

At her words, Harm backed off, suddenly self conscious. "What problem?"

Mac could hear her heartbeat hammering, her body craving his touch so badly. She held back for a moment hoping he knew; he had to know what she felt. "I'm hopelessly in love with him and I don't believe he feels the same."

"Oh, Mac." Harm pressed his lips against hers, claiming Mac with a gentle kiss that was threatening to build into something more. "He feels the same." And then he kissed her again.