A/N: Didn't realize it had been so long since I updated this one. Sorry about that! Mind is a little frazzled these days.


Mac calls after the Admiral, "Sir, can you stay with him for just a couple more minutes so that I can give Harriet a call and let her know that we are alright."

The Admiral smiles, "I've got you covered, Mac. I'll let her know. I know how much mothers tend to worry about their children."

Harm scoffs, "I am not a child!"

The Admiral challenges, "Ok, then do what we talked about!"

Harm nods his head as Mac inquires, "What is that about?"

Harm replies cryptically, "The Admiral was just trying to talk some sense into me,"

Mac laughs, "Is that possible?"

Harm stays deep in thought until the Admiral has left the room. He looks at Mac, "He wouldn't really kill me, would he?"

Mac chuckles, "Well, I have never known a former Navy Seal to make empty threats before. But, even if he wouldn't, I will if you scare the hell out of me like that again!"

Harm takes her hand in his, and starts tracing patterns along the small bones. Her hand seems so tiny in comparison to his extra-large ones. "I'm really sorry, Mac. That definitely wasn't my intention. Although I didn't plan on being in the hospital in the first place tonight either. Remind me the next time that Harriet needs assistance to let her call a repairman."

Mac laughs, "I think I might have mentioned something along those lines this morning when you first volunteered to help. Not that you ever listen to me anyway. You just can't resist a damsel in distress, even happily married ones that you wouldn't stand a chance with."

Harm drops his jaw wide open, "Are you saying that Harriet doesn't find me attractive?"

Mac smiles thinking about her conversation with Harriet earlier this evening when Mac was teasing her about just that thing. Poor Harriet didn't know how to answer her. She rolls her eyes, knowing that the next words out of her mouth will stroke his already enlarged ego, "Flyboy, I don't think there is a heterosexual woman on the planet that doesn't find you attractive. However, if you do anything more than lightly flirt with his wife, I think Bud might pay you back for breaking his jaw in Australia!"

Harm gasps, "That was a complete accident!"

Mac gives him a pointed stare, "The recipient was the only part that was an accident. I fully believe you intended to break someone's jaw, just not Bud's."

Harm gives her a sheepish grin, "Ok, I will concede that point because you are probably right. What can I say, Mac? I couldn't stand that pompous Aussie bastard!"

Mac deadpans, "Really? And here I thought you were just showing off for my benefit."

Harm gives her a wide grin, "Well I did earn a few broken ribs and a black eye on account of you, but I wore my war wounds with pride."

Mac squints her eyes at his inadvertent admission, "So Bud was right.."

Harm asks, "What?"

Mac states, "You two were fighting over me."

Harm stammers, "I never said that."

Mac pulls her hand away from him, not sure that she wants to feel his caress right now. She argues, "No, in fact if memory serves, on that same trip you had outright refused any of my advances." She asks him pointedly, "Did you want me back then?"

Harm doesn't hesitate with his response, "Yes."

She gasps, as she jumps away from his bed, turning her back to him and trying to keep her tears at bay, "Then why?"

Harm runs his fingers through his hair, he really didn't want to rehash Australia tonight. He liked it much better when they were playfully flirting. He leans over on the bed, and stretches to place his palm on her back, "Sarah, please come back over here."

She acquiesces, and sits back down next to him.

He looks into her beautiful chocolate orbs and settles for the plain and simple truth, "Sarah, we would have self-destructed if we tried to start anything then. I had just come back to JAG and I felt like an outsider. It seemed that while I was off flying in the great blue yonder that Brumby had slipped right in and taken my place, with everyone, but especially with you. I didn't even know if I was even your best friend anymore. I also wasn't quite sure what you were asking me for that night. I didn't want just a simple roll in the hay with you. I wanted a little time to get my life back on its correct path so that we could build a permanent future together. I didn't say 'no', I said 'not yet.' I just needed a little time to get rid of my sea legs."

She chokes back a sob as she leans her head down, whispering the one word that he said that flashed like a neon sign in her mind, "Permanent?"

Harm lifts her chin up so he can look her directly in the eyes, "Yes, Sarah. I told you then that I was only this way with you, and I meant it. Not because you were the best buddy on the outside looking in on any relationship that I had, but because you were the only woman that would ever own my heart. And I'm pretty sure that every single one of my past girlfriends would tell you that. They were all jealous of the closeness that you and I share. I've never had the connection that we have with anyone else, including Diane. And I'm pretty sure all of them figured that when I finally settled down and asked a woman to marry me that it would be you."

Mac is quite astonished at his declaration. She isn't sure if this is really how he feels, or if it is the medication talking. She replies, "Well, I told you before that Jordan had already said something to me in that respect."

Harm, thinking he isn't getting the depth of his feelings across to her, sighs, "Jordie wasn't the only one Mac. Annie knew it. Bobbie flat out asked me if I was in love with you. Kate said she didn't want to be a third woman in my life, and Renee asked me if you were my dream girl. The baby deal that I proposed before I left for the Patrick Henry was never just about us having a gorgeous, brilliant child together. I wanted to be tied to you for life with a house, a bunch of kids, a dog. I want us connected forever in the eyes of the law and the heavens above. I just couldn't say that when there was a chance that I could go down like my father did, and leave you a widower like my mother and grandmother.

Mac replies cautiously, "Wow! I'm not sure what to say about all that."

Harm stares at her with such an intensity that she swears he can see straight into her soul as he whispers, "Well, you could tell me that you love me too."