See chapter one for the disclaimer.
A/N Thank you to those who continue to follow the story.
December,6,2003
Blacksburg, VA 0:930
Mac left the office more determined than she had ever been. The letter from Harm confirmed her greatest hope and worse fear. He loved her, but the tone of defeat scared the hell out of her. She was losing him. Worst of all, he was giving up and she was the one to force the last break in the stubborn wall of control and honor she both admires as much as anything she's ever known and yet hates with a nearly equal passion. The man who risked both life and a career first for her uncle and then gave up that career to save her needed saving now. She could not save his life, that task belonged to Captain Hollis, she would save something more valuable to Harm his honor.
Mac called Bud and asked him to find Mattie and Mrs. LaMoine as soon as she left the building, she needed information fast and no one was faster than Bud. She was disappointed but not surprised to find that Bud knew of Harm's efforts to foster a child and he and Harriet had written letters on his behalf. That they would do this for Harm was not what shocked her. These are two of the best people she knows and Harm is both the big brother they never had and godfather of their children, what bothered her was they kept it from her. Mac wondered not for the first time; how can I help a girl she has not met? Harriet who could never keep a secret especially about Harm didn't even talk to me. The events of the past year and her reaction to them damaged more than her relationship with Harm. She had fallen into the same failed habits and inflicted more damage than she could have imagined. If she wanted to help Mattie and perhaps redeem herself, she needed to do what good Marines do change and adapt.
Mattie paced her living room with a feeling of trepidation. Mrs. LaMoine had called to tell her she and an LT. Colonel Mackenzie wanted to speak to her about Commander Rabb she was not given details only that there had been an accident and they would know more when the Colonel arrived. The words sent chills down the teenager's spine. The same phrase had been used by the police officer who told her about her mother. He rode in like a guardian angel on a motorcycle and gave her more than the pilot her business needed, he gave her the friendship and father figure she wanted desperately despite her strong denials. Mattie gave Harm a purpose a place to help and be the man the Navy and CIA punished him for and his best friend seemed to resent. The need to live up to others' expectations didn't matter only the ones he set for himself. Simply put they allowed each other to be themselves. Mattie feared that this was another in a series of events beginning with her mother's death abandoned by her father and alone until Harm. What happens now? The answer would come from a woman she had never met but whose story was much like her own,
A/N Sorry it's short.
Beta help would be welcomed.