A/N: Well here we are again! I gotta say...I hate writing fight scenes.
Letters to Harm
Chapter 36: Scream
My Dear Harm,
I don't think I can do this anymore. He spent all weekend hitting me, choking me, raping me. I don't know why he was so angry. He kept yelling at me and I thought he was going to rupture my other eardrum. My head already hurt from before and now it's pounding. I hate this. I hate being so weak. I hate that I wasn't prepared for him when he surprised me in my apartment. I hate that I didn't realize who he really was before it was too late.
Harm, ever since I joined the marines, I've felt strong…almost invincible. It only took one moment to break me. Yes, yes, I know he had the element of surprise…but…it shouldn't have happened that way.
I have no hope, Harm. None. The only thing I 'hope' for now is that he'll leave me alone tonight. Everything hurts. I'm so scared that I'll lose your baby, but how is it fair to her to be born into this? It would probably be better if I lost her and if I do, I hope I die with her.
I want to be strong for her, for you, but I just can't.
I have to go. He'll expect supper and I can only stand so long before I need to sit and rest—so it takes me forever to make a meal. Or maybe I'll just forget about it. What more can he do to me?
I'm so, so sorry about this, Harm.
I miss you.
I love you.
Mac
May 27th, 2004
0004 Local
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Harm!
Harm heard Mac's call in his head and hastened his climb up the rather rickety fire escape. When he reached Mac's bedroom window the lights were off, but he could see the soft glow from the hall through the curtains. Using a few tricks he'd learned over the years and from when he was checking for potential security risks after Mac's stalking incident, he managed to get the window open. Silently, he slid into the room, then heard a sound he hoped he'd never hear again.
Mac held her breath; each time she inhaled the knife would press more deeply into her neck. The hand that Mic had slid under her shirt now clutched viciously at her breast, and Mic's pupils dilated with desire as his growing erection pressed into her. That more than anything mobilized her. First she let her body grow limp and the hands that had come up to push Mic away fell to her sides. Mic grinned as he pulled the knife away from her throat. Mac took in a deep breath, letting the oxygen fill her lungs as Mic set the knife on the floor. He leaned down ever so slightly and took his hand off her breast before pulling it from under her top, and then Mac felt him tearing her shirt away. Buttons popped and flew, and while Mic took in the sight of her, Mac struck.
Using her legs, Mac shoved Mic off of her. He fell to the side as she rolled away from him and scrambled away. She felt him grasp at her heel but she managed to break free and get to her feet, immediately sprinting for the door. Mic moved faster than she would have thought possible, but she was still prepared. As soon as he made contact with her, she dropped her shoulder and flipped him over, and he landed with a curse and a thud that shook the apartment. Mac once again ran for the door, undoing the locks with fleet fingers as soon as she reached it.
Freedom was a mere step away, but she should have known Mic wouldn't let her slip away that easily.
She felt the sharp blade of her knife sink into her shoulder; only the fact that she'd turned at just at the right moment saving her from having the knife plunge into her back. Mac let out a scream of pain as the knife was twisted in the wound, falling to the ground as Mic withdrew the blade. Her hand grew numb although she found she could still move it, but it didn't have the strength to push Mic off of her, nor could she stop him from flipping her over.
It was a moment like so many she'd had before with Mic. She heard Mic's zipper going down before her pants were yanked down with her panties, felt his hand press her face into the carpet, and then Mic's member started that familiar push…
Mac's scream cut through the apartment as Harm landed in her old bedroom. It was full of agony and without any further contemplation, Harm took off at a run down the hall. The sight that greeted him caused his heart to lurch and filled him with fury.
Mic was on top of Mac, blood staining the carpet around them. His pants were loose and it was obvious what he was about to do. With an animalistic cry of rage, Harm propelled himself forward and tore Mic off of Mac. He threw the shorter man halfway across the room, then dove for him again. His fists struck Mic once, twice, and the other man's blood spurted from his broken nose. Harm's fist met Mic's nose again with another satisfying crunch before he grabbed the bastard by his shirt and flung him against the wall.
All the anger, fear, pain of the last eight months, really the last three years, poured out of Harm as he pummeled his wife's tormentor. Michael Terrence Brumby was going to pay for what he had done to Mac, to Tricia, to him. He was going to die.
With one final blow, Brumby's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he went entirely limp. Harm, his chest heaving, his knuckles bloodied, dropped Mic's body to the floor, watching him for a few moments until he was satisfied Brumby was out. The man had only taken in a few agonal breaths, which told Harm he was nearly dead.
Good.
But now he needed to get to Mac. Harm rushed to her side, his hands running over her to determine where her injuries were. She was shaking, blood was oozing down her arm, and he spotted several bruises over her face and chest. Harm felt renewed rage as he gathered Mac in his arms.
"Mac, honey…I'm here. You're safe." He pressed kisses to her hair and stroked her back, whispered words of comfort into her ear, until she finally acknowledged him.
"H-Harm?"
"It's me, honey," He pulled her into his lap, his arms tightening around her.
"M-Mic?" Her trembling increased at the mere mention of his name.
"Done."
At that, Mac buried her face in Harm's neck and held on for dear life. Harm held her for several moments, then, having noted her state of undress, eased her away from him. "Mac, baby, lets get you dressed, okay?" She was reluctant to move away from Harm any further, but with gentle words and reassurances, they managed to get her pants and underwear up and the few buttons still left on her shirt buttoned as well. He then turned his attention to the wound on her arm, pressing his handkerchief to it as she winced and then tying a strip of fabric torn from his own shirt. Once both she and her wound were dressed, he wrapped her in his jacket and pulled her back into his lap.
Harm knew he needed to call home and the authorities, but he couldn't make himself let go of her enough to pull out his phone. She still trembled, and he had to admit he was a bit overwhelmed at finding her relatively unharmed. They'd have to get her checked out at the hospital, of course, but for now he wanted to hold her.
One thing he couldn't ignore was how he found her—Mic had obviously been about to…or maybe…
Harm's whole body tensed and he found himself gripping Mac more tightly.
"Harm?" she whispered, sensing his increased distress.
Harm didn't want to, but he had to ask…after all, she'd already been here for several hours.
"Mac…did he…did Mic…r-rape you?" Harm closed his eyes and held his breath as he waited for her answer.
"N-No…he—he didn't. He was about to, but then you…you…how did you find me?"
Harm chuckled a bit. "Don't you remember, sweetheart? I always know where you are." And then he kissed her.
I always know where you are…
Mac smiled inwardly at her husband's words and relaxed into his kiss. She couldn't help a little shudder as she remembered how close Mic had come to raping her. She'd felt her mind going blank as he'd pressed closer, using the coping mechanism she'd developed during her years of captivity. But then Mic was abruptly pulled off of her, and wonder of wonders, Harm had found her! She was safe!
As Harm broke the kiss and pressed her head into his shoulder, she knew she couldn't deny that she still didn't feel safe; she supposed, however, that it would take awhile to let go of all the fear again.
After a few more moments in each other's arms, Mac felt Harm pull away a little. She lifted her head, her eyes questioning. Harm smiled softly at her as he reached into his pocket for his cellphone.
"I'd better call in. They don't, ah, know that I'm here."
Mac's eyes widened. "You didn't tell anyone? You're here alone?" Of course, he came alone; have you seen anyone else?
Harm grinned his cocky flyboy grin and nodded, and she would have smacked him if she hadn't been so relieved that he'd found her.
"Oh, Harm…"
"You know me, ba—"
Suddenly there was a flicker of movement in front of them, Mac's gasp interrupting Harm as they both turned their gaze to it. Mac didn't even have the chance to scream as Harm pushed her down and away before moving to cover her.
The sound of a gun firing filled the apartment and Harm collapsed on top of her.
And then Mac screamed.
End Chapter 36
