AUGUST 18, 2001
2102 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
Mac looked out the window into the pouring rain. She heard the thunder in the distance. 'The weather fits my mood perfectly.' Mac thought. She heard a knock on the door, she knew it was Harm. She walked toward the door with the intent of letting him in when she heard a loud BOOM! And a bolt of lightning illuminated the room. She quickly ran to the window, and saw that a building a few blocks down had been struck by lightning and was now on fire. She grabbed her coat and her cell phone and ran quickly out the door, almost running into Harm in the process. She had nearly forgotten that he was outside her apartment.
"There's a building on fire down the street," she said as she tried to put her coat on and call 911 at the same time. Harm took her phone out of her hands as she finished putting her coat on. Harm gave the fire station the information as he and Mac walked toward his car. Harm drove toward the fire as fast as he could without killing anyone. They stopped the car and saw the roof collapse on the second story. The building looked like a small convenient store with an apartment on the second story. They watched as the firefighters used all their might to get the fire out. By the time they were done, the building was nothing more than a pile of ashes. Harm walked toward them giving them his name and rank and asked if there were any casualties.
While as Mac heard a noise down the side alley and walked toward it. She searched the dark alley not noticing anything strange, until she heard a slight whimper. She turned to the direction it came from and saw a small girl huddling in a corner holding an even smaller boy protectively beside her. Mac's heart saddened at the site and she walked toward them. The girl tensed at the site of her.
"It's OK, I'm not going to hurt you." She said calmly, extending her hand. "Harm could you come over here a minute.and bring a blanket!" Harm came into the alley seconds later, a blanket in hand. "What is it Mac." he started until he saw the two children. He handed Mac the blanket who immediately wrapped it around the cold, wet children. "My name is Mac and this is my friend Harm. What are your names?" she asked sweetly. "I'm Sam and this is my brother, Ryan." The little girl replied. Harm smiled at them. "What are you doing out here in the rain?"
The girl's lip quivered, "We live there," she said, pointing to the now pile of rubble, "but when the fire started, Gamma and Pappy told us to get outside. So I took Ryan and ran, but I never saw them come out." Sam started to whimper again and Harm and Mac walked toward them, each picking up a child. Mac with Sam and Harm with Ryan. They walked toward the fire truck, Ryan wrapped in Harm's jacket, his eye's slightly closed, consumed by sleep
"Officer Dodson." Harm said referring to the officer he had talked to earlier, "This is Sam and Ryan. They said that they lived here."
"Well why don't you take them over to the paramedics over there to make sure they're OK. Then come back and we can talk." Harm nodded and he and Mac walked over to the ambulance. After making sure they were Ok by themselves, they walked back over to Officer Dodson. "The owner was a Captain William Lucas-retired and his wife Murielle. There were 2 bodies found in the rumble." He paused, "They bought this store 11 years ago after he retired. They have custody of their 2 grandchildren, Samantha Marie Sheridan-five- and Ryan Jacob Sheridan-almost two.
"What happened to their parents?" Mac asked concerned. "What we know is that their daughter, Nicole, died two days after Ryan was born from birth complications, and her husband, David, died two months before that." Harm and Mac looked at each other, he intertwined his fingers with hers for support. Mac smiled. "What is going to happen to Sam and Ryan?" Mac asked curiously.
"Well we'll take them to social services tonight and they'll stay there until we can find them a foster home. As far as we know, both Nicole and David were only children and David's father died when he was a child and his mother died four years ago of cancer. There are no relatives that we know of." Mac's heart saddened at the thought of Sam and Ryan spending the night with social services. " Is there anyway they could stay with me at least 'til tomorrow? I mean they're comfortable with me and I think they would like to stay with someone they're familiar with, and it's only one night..." Harm stared at her, mouth open, he was shocked that she would even suggest something like that. Even though it did make sense.
"I'll have to check with my Captain but I don't see why not, you two seem like a responsible couple." Mac blushed at that response and Officer Dodson turned and walked away. Harm and Mac went back to the ambulance. Sam was sitting on a stretcher Ryan's head resting in her lap, sucking his thumb. Mac looked at them more closely, she realized that they both had brown eyes and light brown hair only Ryan's was a lighter shade, almost blond. "How would you guys like to stay with me tonight? I don't live that far away, and I think I got some hot chocolate somewhere. What do you think?" Sam gave her a genuine kid smile and nodded. She stretched out her small hands implying that she wanted to be picked up. Harm gathered up a sleeping Ryan in his arms and Mac picked Sam up and she rested her head on Mac's shoulder.
As they walked to the SUV, they passed Officer Dodson and gave her Mac's address, phone number, work number etc. They put Sam and Ryan in the backseat and drove back to Mac's apartment. "Ya know we have to stop and get diapers or something, and I'll have to go shopping tomorrow to get them some more stuff." Harm interrupted, "Mac, you're only keeping them 'til tomorrow." Mac looked at him, remembering that they were only going to be with her for the night. Her maternal instincts had just kicked in, she had formed a bond with the two children whom she had only known for a few hours. "Harm, I know this is going to sound strange, but I feel like I have to protect them. They are so innocent they don't deserve to be put through this." Harm gave her his most sentimental flyboy grin. 'She's so kindhearted, it's one of the reasons I love her so much.' They rode the rest of the way in silence, not knowing that this would change their lives forever.
0013 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
After stopping at a 24-hour drugstore to get diapers and a sippy cup for Ryan, they returned to Mac's apartment. They put Sam in one of Chloe's old shirts and Ryan in one of little AJ's sleepers that was let there. Harm sat comfortably on the couch with Ryan in his arms while he drank his milk. After she had put Sam in the spare bedroom, Mac returned to the living room.
She saw Ryan cuddled in Harm's lap and her heart melted. She visualized Harm with their child. If only he knew. She sat down in the chair next to the couch. Harm looked up when he saw Mac sit down and smiled at her. Mac smiled back, "Why don't you spend the night. It's late and the storm's still pretty bad. Besides I don't think he's going to let you leave." Mac said with a chuckle as she motioned toward Ryan. Harm looked down at a sleeping Ryan, the sippy cup still in his mouth and his small hand holding Harm's shirt for dear life.
"I guess I don't have a choice." Mac turned on a late night talk show and she watched it until a commercial. "Harm." she started as she turned her head. He had fallen asleep with Ryan still in his lap. She went to her room and grabbed two blankets, one she draped over Harm and Ryan and the other she wrapped around herself. She continued to watch television until she fell asleep.
0721 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
Mac awoke to the sound of giggles. She looked up and saw a wide-awake Ryan sitting in front of her. She smiled as he climbed into her lap. She looked toward Harm and saw that Sam had come out and fell asleep beside Harm. She just stared at them intently. "Bekf'st." Ryan broke her trance and she threw him up as they walked toward to the kitchen. She received a series of giggles from Ryan. She gave him a bowl of cereal and he dug in. She went to get his clothes that she washed last night. After Ryan was done eating, she sat him in front of some cartoons. Making sure that they weren't too loud since Harm and Sam were still asleep.
A half-hour later Harm awoke and felt the presence of a small body next to him. He slowly opened his eyes and realized he was not in his apartment. Then he remembered that he had spent the night at Mac's. He slowly got up and Sam stirred. She turned around and gave Harm a tired smile, and Harm returned the favor. Harm got up and Sam followed him. He found Mac in the kitchen drinking tea, 'When did she start drinking tea?' and Ryan sitting on the floor playing with some of little AJ's toys.
"Hey sleepyhead, I was wondering when you were going to get up. Sam, your clothes are on the bed in my room, through that door." She pointed to a door down the hall. Sam started skipping and disappeared down the hall.
"I talked to social services and they said Sam and Ryan can stay here until they can find a permanent foster home. I'm going to see if that can be here." Harm stared at her speechless. "I know it's a big step, she continued, "and it might be difficult with my job and everything, but I think it's the right thing to do." Harm stared at her, "Mac I hope you know what you're doing, but it is your decision and I'll support you." Mac walked over to him and gave him a hug, he didn't know what to do. "Thank you, Harm." He wrapped his arms around her back. 'I wish it could always be like this.' They both thought. They released from their hug when Sam re- entered the room. "You hungry, Sam?" Mac asked. "Yes, could I have toast please." Mac placed two pieces of bread in the toaster. When they were done, Sam and Ryan went to watch cartoons.
"Oh yeah, I have to pick up Chloe from the airport at three. She's going to stay with me for a week before she goes back to school. She could watch the kids when we're at work and I'll have to get a sitter for Ryan once Sam- I'm guessing-goes back school." Harm agreed with a nod and they went to join the children in the living room.
AUGUST 20, 2001
1020 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac had told the Admiral about her situation with Sam and Ryan, and he seemed to understand and respect her decision. Mac was carrying a rather large pile of case files to her office involving her most recent case. She fell when she felt a stabbing pain in her lower abdominal area. She cried out in response. She looked down and saw a small pile of blood on the floor below her. 'This can't be happening!' she thought.
Harm had heard a cry that sounded like Mac, he ran out of his office and saw Mac sitting on the floor beside her office. Bud and Harriet were also rushing toward her. He got to her first and put his hand on the back of her neck to support her when he saw the blood. "Someone get an ambulance over here!" A handful of people began to dial frantically. Harm turned his attention to Mac. Her eyes fluttered and she slipped out of consciousness. "Mac! Mac!" Harm cried, trying to bring her back. He was interrupted when the paramedics came and placed her fragile body on a gurney. He began to follow them when he turned around, "Harriet, take my SUV and go to Mac's apartment and pick up the kids." He said as he threw her his keys. She ran to the elevator and followed the paramedics into the ambulance.
1137 ZULU
BETHSADA HOSPITAL
BETHSADA, MARYLAND
Harm had been waiting in the ER waiting room for over an hour for news about Mac. The doctor that had taken Mac into an examination room was now walking toward Harm. Harm stood up in anticipation. "Is she alright? What happened?" Harm asked impatiently. "She's going to be fine." Harm let out a sigh of relief, "She did suffer a miscarriage but she wasn't hurt at least not physically." Harm stood there in major shock. 'Mac had a miscarriage? How is that possible?!' A second doctor approached the first doctor and the first one left. "Hello, I'm Dr. Michaels, Colonel Mackenzie's OB, you must be Harm. The Colonel has told me a lot about you."
"Mac was pregnant?" Harm interrupted. "Yes, about thirteen weeks." That hit him like a brick. "You can go see her now, I'll be back in about ten minutes for the Colonel's ultrasound. We have to make sure her uterus is all right. The room is 231." With that Dr. Michaels left.
Harm walked down the hall toward Mac's room. When he got there he stood in the doorway. She was facing the other wall and didn't see him there. He softly knocked and Mac hesitantly turned toward him. He noticed her tear stained weeks. "I'm guessing you already know." She replied without emotion. "Mac, why didn't you tell me?" He asked with all the sincerity in his heart. "I don't know, I was scared, I didn't know how you would react. If you would resent me or not. It has been so tense with us recently and I didn't want this to make the end of us. I didn't know what to do." She began to cry again, cry for her relationship with Harm and for her deceased unborn child. Harm walked over to her and gathered her into his arms. "Mac I could never resent you for anything. You are so important to me." He paused not knowing if he should continue. "Does Brumby know?" I asked. After a moment of silent Mac spoke up, "It would be pointless. He's not the father." For the second time in less than five minutes, Harm was in disbelief.
"Harm, there is something I have to ask you." He nodded in approval but was interrupted by Dr. Michaels and a nurse walked into the room with an ultrasound. "It's time for your ultrasound, Colonel MacKenzie." Dr. Michaels replied high-spirited. She put gel on Mac's stomach and started the ultrasound. Harm picked up Mac's hand and held it gently. After a few minutes, the nurse spoke up, "Dr. Michaels, you better take a look at this." Dr. Michaels looked closely at the ultrasound and smiled. She placed another instrument on Mac's stomach. Then a soft steady heartbeat was heard throughout the room. "It looks like your baby had a twin. I don't see how we could have missed it at your last appointment but there is definitely a healthy, kicking baby in there." Dr. Michaels moved so that Harm and Mac could see the monitor of the ultrasound. There was a clear picture of a miniature baby on the monitor. Mac's cheeks became moist again, only this time with tears of joy. Harm stood there also extremely happy but partially saddened by the thought that Mac's child was not also his.
At this moment, Chloe, Sam, Ryan, Harriet, and Bud walked in. They stopped in there footsteps when they saw the ultrasound of Mac's baby. "You're pregnant, ma'am?!" "Mac, why didn't you tell me?!" "Are you alright , ma'am?!" Questions all targeted at Mac at the same time. "Whoa! One at a time. Yes, I'm going to have a baby, and yes I'm going to be fine." They all ran toward her with hugs and congratulations. "Yes! I'm going to be an aunt!" Chloe replied and everyone laughed.
"Well, everything looks just fine. I'm going to get your discharge papers, but I want you to take the next few days off." Mac nodded in approval. Dr. Michaels exited and Harm asked, "Could you guys give us a minute?" They all walked toward the door not wanting to question Harm. Harm closed the door when they had left. "We have to finish our talk. What did you mean that Mic's not the father? Who else could it be?" Mac sat there in silence. "Mac, please tell me!" Harm said raising his voice. Mac looked down and replied extremely softly, "It's.you." Harm hadn't heard her right, "Excuse me?" He was confused.
Mac looked up, "Do you remember what you did after my engagement party?" "Mac don't try and change the subject." Mac interrupted, "I'm not changing the subject! Would you just answer the damn question!" She yelled. Harm reluctantly continued, "I remember you taking me home and then I had this really vivid dream." He stopped not wanting to go on. "It wasn't a dream, Harm." "Excuse me?" "It wasn't a dream, Harm, it was real." If Mac was telling the truth then that could mean. "Are you trying to imply that this is my child.our child?" Harm asked, his voice cracking. "That's pretty much what I've been trying to tell you for the past two months." She said, her gaze again at her lap. 'This is just a morning full of surprises.' Harm thought. He walked over to the window, this not really sinking in. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was going to the night Mic left and I went to your apartment, and Renee was there. I couldn't do it. Then when I found out you broke up with Renee I thought it was too late. Plus we're not even in a relationship." Harm turned around and saw her eyes, those big brown liquid eyes. The eyes he got lost in more than once a day. Now all he saw in them was pain. He hated to see the woman he loved in pain. It was too much for him. "And you never mentioned the fact that we made lo.slept together so I figured with your amnesia and stuff you just didn't remember and I thought it was best to leave it that way."
Harm didn't want to hurt her anymore than she already was but he had to know. "Are you absolutely sure that this child is mine? I mean don't get me wrong but you were sleeping with another man at this time." "I know it's yours. Its hard to explain so you'll have to take my word for it." "I don't really know if I can take your word so would you care to elaborate?" Mac lip slightly quivered, that had stung but she understood why he felt that way. "A few weeks before our wedding Mic and I made a pact of celibacy until our wedding night.and my child was conceived after that, and Mic and I never had a wedding night so you do the math."
The room was silent. "I thought that after all that we talked about at the engagement party we had finally put our pasts behind us and start a future.together. But you never mentioned anything so I thought that that was your answer and I left it at that. Then I found out I was pregnant and everything got so damn complicated." Harm stood there awe struck, "Mac, I never wanted to hurt you like that, I didn't even think that night was real. I just thought it was another dream." He walked over to Mac and cupped her face in his hands and leaned his forehead against hers, "I promise you I will do everything in my power to make you and our child happy." Mac hands held onto Harm's wrists. He gently brushed his lips against hers. The kiss that was meant to be innocent became more deep and passionate. All the feelings these two people had had for each other for the past six years was put into this one heart-stopping kiss. Eventually their lips parted and they just stared at each other. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for something like that." Mac said. "I think I have a pretty good idea." Harm replied with a flyboy grin. The smile disappeared. "I have been in love with you for so long, Sarah MacKenzie." "Same to you sailor. But would you mind getting out so I could change, flyboy?" He gave her another quick kiss and released her face before he exited the room and closed the door on his way out. He had the biggest grin on his face. He was the happiest he had been in a long time.
2102 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
Mac looked out the window into the pouring rain. She heard the thunder in the distance. 'The weather fits my mood perfectly.' Mac thought. She heard a knock on the door, she knew it was Harm. She walked toward the door with the intent of letting him in when she heard a loud BOOM! And a bolt of lightning illuminated the room. She quickly ran to the window, and saw that a building a few blocks down had been struck by lightning and was now on fire. She grabbed her coat and her cell phone and ran quickly out the door, almost running into Harm in the process. She had nearly forgotten that he was outside her apartment.
"There's a building on fire down the street," she said as she tried to put her coat on and call 911 at the same time. Harm took her phone out of her hands as she finished putting her coat on. Harm gave the fire station the information as he and Mac walked toward his car. Harm drove toward the fire as fast as he could without killing anyone. They stopped the car and saw the roof collapse on the second story. The building looked like a small convenient store with an apartment on the second story. They watched as the firefighters used all their might to get the fire out. By the time they were done, the building was nothing more than a pile of ashes. Harm walked toward them giving them his name and rank and asked if there were any casualties.
While as Mac heard a noise down the side alley and walked toward it. She searched the dark alley not noticing anything strange, until she heard a slight whimper. She turned to the direction it came from and saw a small girl huddling in a corner holding an even smaller boy protectively beside her. Mac's heart saddened at the site and she walked toward them. The girl tensed at the site of her.
"It's OK, I'm not going to hurt you." She said calmly, extending her hand. "Harm could you come over here a minute.and bring a blanket!" Harm came into the alley seconds later, a blanket in hand. "What is it Mac." he started until he saw the two children. He handed Mac the blanket who immediately wrapped it around the cold, wet children. "My name is Mac and this is my friend Harm. What are your names?" she asked sweetly. "I'm Sam and this is my brother, Ryan." The little girl replied. Harm smiled at them. "What are you doing out here in the rain?"
The girl's lip quivered, "We live there," she said, pointing to the now pile of rubble, "but when the fire started, Gamma and Pappy told us to get outside. So I took Ryan and ran, but I never saw them come out." Sam started to whimper again and Harm and Mac walked toward them, each picking up a child. Mac with Sam and Harm with Ryan. They walked toward the fire truck, Ryan wrapped in Harm's jacket, his eye's slightly closed, consumed by sleep
"Officer Dodson." Harm said referring to the officer he had talked to earlier, "This is Sam and Ryan. They said that they lived here."
"Well why don't you take them over to the paramedics over there to make sure they're OK. Then come back and we can talk." Harm nodded and he and Mac walked over to the ambulance. After making sure they were Ok by themselves, they walked back over to Officer Dodson. "The owner was a Captain William Lucas-retired and his wife Murielle. There were 2 bodies found in the rumble." He paused, "They bought this store 11 years ago after he retired. They have custody of their 2 grandchildren, Samantha Marie Sheridan-five- and Ryan Jacob Sheridan-almost two.
"What happened to their parents?" Mac asked concerned. "What we know is that their daughter, Nicole, died two days after Ryan was born from birth complications, and her husband, David, died two months before that." Harm and Mac looked at each other, he intertwined his fingers with hers for support. Mac smiled. "What is going to happen to Sam and Ryan?" Mac asked curiously.
"Well we'll take them to social services tonight and they'll stay there until we can find them a foster home. As far as we know, both Nicole and David were only children and David's father died when he was a child and his mother died four years ago of cancer. There are no relatives that we know of." Mac's heart saddened at the thought of Sam and Ryan spending the night with social services. " Is there anyway they could stay with me at least 'til tomorrow? I mean they're comfortable with me and I think they would like to stay with someone they're familiar with, and it's only one night..." Harm stared at her, mouth open, he was shocked that she would even suggest something like that. Even though it did make sense.
"I'll have to check with my Captain but I don't see why not, you two seem like a responsible couple." Mac blushed at that response and Officer Dodson turned and walked away. Harm and Mac went back to the ambulance. Sam was sitting on a stretcher Ryan's head resting in her lap, sucking his thumb. Mac looked at them more closely, she realized that they both had brown eyes and light brown hair only Ryan's was a lighter shade, almost blond. "How would you guys like to stay with me tonight? I don't live that far away, and I think I got some hot chocolate somewhere. What do you think?" Sam gave her a genuine kid smile and nodded. She stretched out her small hands implying that she wanted to be picked up. Harm gathered up a sleeping Ryan in his arms and Mac picked Sam up and she rested her head on Mac's shoulder.
As they walked to the SUV, they passed Officer Dodson and gave her Mac's address, phone number, work number etc. They put Sam and Ryan in the backseat and drove back to Mac's apartment. "Ya know we have to stop and get diapers or something, and I'll have to go shopping tomorrow to get them some more stuff." Harm interrupted, "Mac, you're only keeping them 'til tomorrow." Mac looked at him, remembering that they were only going to be with her for the night. Her maternal instincts had just kicked in, she had formed a bond with the two children whom she had only known for a few hours. "Harm, I know this is going to sound strange, but I feel like I have to protect them. They are so innocent they don't deserve to be put through this." Harm gave her his most sentimental flyboy grin. 'She's so kindhearted, it's one of the reasons I love her so much.' They rode the rest of the way in silence, not knowing that this would change their lives forever.
0013 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
After stopping at a 24-hour drugstore to get diapers and a sippy cup for Ryan, they returned to Mac's apartment. They put Sam in one of Chloe's old shirts and Ryan in one of little AJ's sleepers that was let there. Harm sat comfortably on the couch with Ryan in his arms while he drank his milk. After she had put Sam in the spare bedroom, Mac returned to the living room.
She saw Ryan cuddled in Harm's lap and her heart melted. She visualized Harm with their child. If only he knew. She sat down in the chair next to the couch. Harm looked up when he saw Mac sit down and smiled at her. Mac smiled back, "Why don't you spend the night. It's late and the storm's still pretty bad. Besides I don't think he's going to let you leave." Mac said with a chuckle as she motioned toward Ryan. Harm looked down at a sleeping Ryan, the sippy cup still in his mouth and his small hand holding Harm's shirt for dear life.
"I guess I don't have a choice." Mac turned on a late night talk show and she watched it until a commercial. "Harm." she started as she turned her head. He had fallen asleep with Ryan still in his lap. She went to her room and grabbed two blankets, one she draped over Harm and Ryan and the other she wrapped around herself. She continued to watch television until she fell asleep.
0721 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
Mac awoke to the sound of giggles. She looked up and saw a wide-awake Ryan sitting in front of her. She smiled as he climbed into her lap. She looked toward Harm and saw that Sam had come out and fell asleep beside Harm. She just stared at them intently. "Bekf'st." Ryan broke her trance and she threw him up as they walked toward to the kitchen. She received a series of giggles from Ryan. She gave him a bowl of cereal and he dug in. She went to get his clothes that she washed last night. After Ryan was done eating, she sat him in front of some cartoons. Making sure that they weren't too loud since Harm and Sam were still asleep.
A half-hour later Harm awoke and felt the presence of a small body next to him. He slowly opened his eyes and realized he was not in his apartment. Then he remembered that he had spent the night at Mac's. He slowly got up and Sam stirred. She turned around and gave Harm a tired smile, and Harm returned the favor. Harm got up and Sam followed him. He found Mac in the kitchen drinking tea, 'When did she start drinking tea?' and Ryan sitting on the floor playing with some of little AJ's toys.
"Hey sleepyhead, I was wondering when you were going to get up. Sam, your clothes are on the bed in my room, through that door." She pointed to a door down the hall. Sam started skipping and disappeared down the hall.
"I talked to social services and they said Sam and Ryan can stay here until they can find a permanent foster home. I'm going to see if that can be here." Harm stared at her speechless. "I know it's a big step, she continued, "and it might be difficult with my job and everything, but I think it's the right thing to do." Harm stared at her, "Mac I hope you know what you're doing, but it is your decision and I'll support you." Mac walked over to him and gave him a hug, he didn't know what to do. "Thank you, Harm." He wrapped his arms around her back. 'I wish it could always be like this.' They both thought. They released from their hug when Sam re- entered the room. "You hungry, Sam?" Mac asked. "Yes, could I have toast please." Mac placed two pieces of bread in the toaster. When they were done, Sam and Ryan went to watch cartoons.
"Oh yeah, I have to pick up Chloe from the airport at three. She's going to stay with me for a week before she goes back to school. She could watch the kids when we're at work and I'll have to get a sitter for Ryan once Sam- I'm guessing-goes back school." Harm agreed with a nod and they went to join the children in the living room.
AUGUST 20, 2001
1020 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Mac had told the Admiral about her situation with Sam and Ryan, and he seemed to understand and respect her decision. Mac was carrying a rather large pile of case files to her office involving her most recent case. She fell when she felt a stabbing pain in her lower abdominal area. She cried out in response. She looked down and saw a small pile of blood on the floor below her. 'This can't be happening!' she thought.
Harm had heard a cry that sounded like Mac, he ran out of his office and saw Mac sitting on the floor beside her office. Bud and Harriet were also rushing toward her. He got to her first and put his hand on the back of her neck to support her when he saw the blood. "Someone get an ambulance over here!" A handful of people began to dial frantically. Harm turned his attention to Mac. Her eyes fluttered and she slipped out of consciousness. "Mac! Mac!" Harm cried, trying to bring her back. He was interrupted when the paramedics came and placed her fragile body on a gurney. He began to follow them when he turned around, "Harriet, take my SUV and go to Mac's apartment and pick up the kids." He said as he threw her his keys. She ran to the elevator and followed the paramedics into the ambulance.
1137 ZULU
BETHSADA HOSPITAL
BETHSADA, MARYLAND
Harm had been waiting in the ER waiting room for over an hour for news about Mac. The doctor that had taken Mac into an examination room was now walking toward Harm. Harm stood up in anticipation. "Is she alright? What happened?" Harm asked impatiently. "She's going to be fine." Harm let out a sigh of relief, "She did suffer a miscarriage but she wasn't hurt at least not physically." Harm stood there in major shock. 'Mac had a miscarriage? How is that possible?!' A second doctor approached the first doctor and the first one left. "Hello, I'm Dr. Michaels, Colonel Mackenzie's OB, you must be Harm. The Colonel has told me a lot about you."
"Mac was pregnant?" Harm interrupted. "Yes, about thirteen weeks." That hit him like a brick. "You can go see her now, I'll be back in about ten minutes for the Colonel's ultrasound. We have to make sure her uterus is all right. The room is 231." With that Dr. Michaels left.
Harm walked down the hall toward Mac's room. When he got there he stood in the doorway. She was facing the other wall and didn't see him there. He softly knocked and Mac hesitantly turned toward him. He noticed her tear stained weeks. "I'm guessing you already know." She replied without emotion. "Mac, why didn't you tell me?" He asked with all the sincerity in his heart. "I don't know, I was scared, I didn't know how you would react. If you would resent me or not. It has been so tense with us recently and I didn't want this to make the end of us. I didn't know what to do." She began to cry again, cry for her relationship with Harm and for her deceased unborn child. Harm walked over to her and gathered her into his arms. "Mac I could never resent you for anything. You are so important to me." He paused not knowing if he should continue. "Does Brumby know?" I asked. After a moment of silent Mac spoke up, "It would be pointless. He's not the father." For the second time in less than five minutes, Harm was in disbelief.
"Harm, there is something I have to ask you." He nodded in approval but was interrupted by Dr. Michaels and a nurse walked into the room with an ultrasound. "It's time for your ultrasound, Colonel MacKenzie." Dr. Michaels replied high-spirited. She put gel on Mac's stomach and started the ultrasound. Harm picked up Mac's hand and held it gently. After a few minutes, the nurse spoke up, "Dr. Michaels, you better take a look at this." Dr. Michaels looked closely at the ultrasound and smiled. She placed another instrument on Mac's stomach. Then a soft steady heartbeat was heard throughout the room. "It looks like your baby had a twin. I don't see how we could have missed it at your last appointment but there is definitely a healthy, kicking baby in there." Dr. Michaels moved so that Harm and Mac could see the monitor of the ultrasound. There was a clear picture of a miniature baby on the monitor. Mac's cheeks became moist again, only this time with tears of joy. Harm stood there also extremely happy but partially saddened by the thought that Mac's child was not also his.
At this moment, Chloe, Sam, Ryan, Harriet, and Bud walked in. They stopped in there footsteps when they saw the ultrasound of Mac's baby. "You're pregnant, ma'am?!" "Mac, why didn't you tell me?!" "Are you alright , ma'am?!" Questions all targeted at Mac at the same time. "Whoa! One at a time. Yes, I'm going to have a baby, and yes I'm going to be fine." They all ran toward her with hugs and congratulations. "Yes! I'm going to be an aunt!" Chloe replied and everyone laughed.
"Well, everything looks just fine. I'm going to get your discharge papers, but I want you to take the next few days off." Mac nodded in approval. Dr. Michaels exited and Harm asked, "Could you guys give us a minute?" They all walked toward the door not wanting to question Harm. Harm closed the door when they had left. "We have to finish our talk. What did you mean that Mic's not the father? Who else could it be?" Mac sat there in silence. "Mac, please tell me!" Harm said raising his voice. Mac looked down and replied extremely softly, "It's.you." Harm hadn't heard her right, "Excuse me?" He was confused.
Mac looked up, "Do you remember what you did after my engagement party?" "Mac don't try and change the subject." Mac interrupted, "I'm not changing the subject! Would you just answer the damn question!" She yelled. Harm reluctantly continued, "I remember you taking me home and then I had this really vivid dream." He stopped not wanting to go on. "It wasn't a dream, Harm." "Excuse me?" "It wasn't a dream, Harm, it was real." If Mac was telling the truth then that could mean. "Are you trying to imply that this is my child.our child?" Harm asked, his voice cracking. "That's pretty much what I've been trying to tell you for the past two months." She said, her gaze again at her lap. 'This is just a morning full of surprises.' Harm thought. He walked over to the window, this not really sinking in. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was going to the night Mic left and I went to your apartment, and Renee was there. I couldn't do it. Then when I found out you broke up with Renee I thought it was too late. Plus we're not even in a relationship." Harm turned around and saw her eyes, those big brown liquid eyes. The eyes he got lost in more than once a day. Now all he saw in them was pain. He hated to see the woman he loved in pain. It was too much for him. "And you never mentioned the fact that we made lo.slept together so I figured with your amnesia and stuff you just didn't remember and I thought it was best to leave it that way."
Harm didn't want to hurt her anymore than she already was but he had to know. "Are you absolutely sure that this child is mine? I mean don't get me wrong but you were sleeping with another man at this time." "I know it's yours. Its hard to explain so you'll have to take my word for it." "I don't really know if I can take your word so would you care to elaborate?" Mac lip slightly quivered, that had stung but she understood why he felt that way. "A few weeks before our wedding Mic and I made a pact of celibacy until our wedding night.and my child was conceived after that, and Mic and I never had a wedding night so you do the math."
The room was silent. "I thought that after all that we talked about at the engagement party we had finally put our pasts behind us and start a future.together. But you never mentioned anything so I thought that that was your answer and I left it at that. Then I found out I was pregnant and everything got so damn complicated." Harm stood there awe struck, "Mac, I never wanted to hurt you like that, I didn't even think that night was real. I just thought it was another dream." He walked over to Mac and cupped her face in his hands and leaned his forehead against hers, "I promise you I will do everything in my power to make you and our child happy." Mac hands held onto Harm's wrists. He gently brushed his lips against hers. The kiss that was meant to be innocent became more deep and passionate. All the feelings these two people had had for each other for the past six years was put into this one heart-stopping kiss. Eventually their lips parted and they just stared at each other. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for something like that." Mac said. "I think I have a pretty good idea." Harm replied with a flyboy grin. The smile disappeared. "I have been in love with you for so long, Sarah MacKenzie." "Same to you sailor. But would you mind getting out so I could change, flyboy?" He gave her another quick kiss and released her face before he exited the room and closed the door on his way out. He had the biggest grin on his face. He was the happiest he had been in a long time.
