Title: Chances Lost (Harm) II

Author: Penne

E-mail: pennenew@aol.com

Spoilers: Jagathon

Summary: Alternate outcomes to pre-Jagathon.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to own these characters, please don't sue.

Author's note: Continued from where we left off in Chances Lost (Harm).

Harmon Rabb Jr. lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, trying half-heartedly to fall asleep. God knew he needed the rest for the race tomorrow - actually now today - but he couldn't help his mind from turning over the events of the night. Finally at about 4am he slipped into a fitful slumber.

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Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, on the other hand, had never slept better. The minute her head hit the pillow she was out, with a content smile gracing her features.

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Race day had dawned without a cloud in the sky, crisp and clear, perfect weather for the Jagathon. Harriet smiled happily as she motored around past the water stations, giving a final check that everything was in place. She caught sight of Lt. Singer (who privately Harriet regarded as her arch nemesis) stretching near the start of the race. She experienced an almost irresistible impulse to run her into the flowerbed she was standing by. Instead she smiled sweetly and called out "Beautiful day Lieutenant, good luck in the race."

Singer looked up suspiciously and cocked her head confidently. "Thank you Lieutenant, but keep your luck for those that need it."

"As you wish Ma'am." 'Idiot.' She turned to face Gunny and Tiner who had walked up behind Singer. "Good luck Gunny, Tiner"

Gunny had the sense to swallow the laugh that threatened. "Thank you Ma'am." He rolled his eyes, behind Singer's back. Tiner just nodded, glancing somewhat nervously at Lt. Singer.

The group had swelled so that most of the staff who were racing were present. Bud looked around. "Where is Commander Rabb?" Everyone looked nervously at Mac, unsure of her reaction.

Fortunately her head was down as she touched her toes and she missed their concern. Her reply was nonchalant. "Have you ever known the Commander to be on time?" The group let out a collective sigh of relief.

Sturgis strolled up to the group. "Never in all the years I have known him."

Mac smiled. "Well he has given the field 6 minutes anyhow, maybe he slept in."

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Mac was feeling confident, she had set off at a good pace, and at the moment was at the head of the field. Compared to the day she had yesterday, she felt calm, in control and hopeful. She allowed herself to contemplate the 'talk' she and Harm were going to have after the race, however she didn't let herself become complacent, she knew Sturgis, the Admiral, and possibly Harm (if he ever showed up) would be formidable opponents.

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Harm raced up to the start line feeling he had run a marathon before he even started the race. He had slept in, forgot breakfast, had to stop for petrol and got a somewhat dubious muffin and juice, got caught in traffic, felt sick and couldn't find a space for his car.

"Commander, just in time. Oh, you look awful. Do you really think…"

"Yes Harriet." He puffed. "I do. How long?"

"You have 20 seconds."

His face fell. "OK, fine." Nothing was going to stop him today.

"5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - GO!"

Harm took off, wondering how the hell he was going to catch up with the rest of the group. 'Tell the truth Rabb - there is only one person you want to catch up with'. He smiled and increased his pace.

********************************

Mac felt great, she had almost run the perfect race. Normally she wasn't particularly fond of running, but today nothing could put her off stride. So far there had been no sign of any other contender, for a fleeting moment she wondered whether she had run off track, but not even her paranoia could mar her happiness today.

********************************

After several uneventful miles he started to feel a little more confident about his circumstances. He had passed a few of his work colleagues, and his stomach had stopped rumbling in protest against the muffin. He increased his speed again and took a corner a little over zealously and went over on his ankle.

"Commander!" Harriet raced over in the buggy. "Commander are you OK?"

Harm was still swearing under his breath. "Yes, I am fine Lieutenant." He tried unsuccessfully to stand.

"Respectfully, you are not Sir." She reached out and steadied him. "That's it for you."

He looked wildly at her, his eyes pleading. "I have to Harriet."

"You need to win that badly Sir?" Harriet looked at him with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

He sighed, "I don't care about winning."

"Then why?" Harriet stopped suddenly and a smile slowly crept across her face.

Harm watched as she grinned at him indulgently. Her smile had got so wide Harm wondered idly whether it was causing her pain. "Harriet, no offense, but you are beginning to look a little psychotic."

She laughed. "Sorry Sir - it's just I never thought this day would come - especially, um, after last night."

A look of pain flitted across his face. "Me too." He winced as he tried to put weight on his foot. "But Harriet, it is really important that I am at that finish line. Please let me go."

"Commander, you know I am the worst romantic fool - and I would love you to be able to - but you just won't make it…………Unless……"

Harm frowned, "What?"

"Get in!"

"What?!"

"There is no way you will make it on that ankle, but in the buggy." She smiled mischievously.

"Lieutenant!" Harm looked shocked, but got in.

******************

Sturgis had counted off everyone but the Colonel. She was proving to be a more formidable opponent than Harm had suggested. However this didn't bother him, he preferred a challenge.

He looked over his shoulder as he had done all race, expecting to see Harm desperately trying to catch up. He knew his friend would do everything in his power to get close to Mac, even if it meant killing himself in the effort to do so. It surprised Sturgis that he had not yet seen him. 'You are leaving your run a little late buddy.' He picked up his pace.

*********************

Harriet chattered away happily, perfectly aware that the Commander was paying no attention whatsoever to her. He was presently in another world. She stole a surreptitious glance at him. She returned her concentration to the road just as a dog ran out. She slammed on the brakes - hard.

'Oh thank God.' The dog barked happily and ran off. She turned to the Commander, "Oh Sir - Oh no!"

"I'm OK Harriet." He sat looking a little dazed, there was a small cut on his lip, and his right eye looked red.

"No you are definitely not OK this time Sir."

He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to remember what had happened. One minute he was thinking about Mac and the next minute his head was playing bongo drums on the dashboard.

Harriet ignored his protests and drove towards the medical corpsman.

"But Harriet I need to get to the finish line." He whined petulantly.

"I know Sir." She rolled her eyes 'the man puts off saying it for 7 years and then he can't wait 10 extra minutes?' "But you have a lifetime for that." She used the smile she used for little AJ. It seemed to work.

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"Hi Sturgis." She greeted as he came up alongside her. "I have been waiting for you."

"Ma-ac." He drew out her name. "Why would you have done that?"

She grinned, "So I could be sure someone was here to see me win!" She raced off suddenly.

He let out a laugh and sped after her.

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By the time the corpsman had gotten through with Harm the race had been long finished. The Admiral was congratulating everyone on their performance, and extending an invitation for everyone to meet at McMurphy's that night, for an impromptu celebration.

The admiral walked over, his eyes swept over Harm taking in the bandaged foot, cut lip and what appeared to be a nasty black eye developing. "What exactly have you been doing Commander?"

Harriet launched into an explanation and Harm scanned frantically for Mac.

The Admiral and Harriet exchanged knowing glances. "I sent her home Harm."

His eyes suddenly snapped into focus on the Admiral. "Why Sir, is she alright?" His voiced was laced with concern.

"Mmmm, just a little wet." He chuckled. "She and Sturgis tied for first. And some of the other participants decided the winners needed a little drenching down after the race. As it is getting a little cooler now, well I told them they should get out of their wet clothes. Commander, I should tell you she didn't want go. I had to make it an order."

Harm didn't respond. The Admiral looked at Harriet for help, only to receive a shrug. Gunny saved them from having to work out what to say next by calling out to Harm and jogging over.

"Sir." He addressed Harm. "The Colonel asked me to tell you she was sorry, and she hoped to see you at McMurphy's tonight."

"Thank you Gunny."

"Why don't I drive you home Commander?" The Admiral steered Harm towards his car.

**************************

Harm stood outside the door of McMurphy's. This was it, at this stage he was a bundle of raw nervous energy. He reached out and grasped the door handle, took several deep breaths and ventured in. He immediately saw her; a crowd of well wishers surrounded her and Sturgis. She looked over and smiled warmly at him. His nerves settled a little.

An hour and a half later, however, he had a pounding headache and had barely spoken two words to her. She had made her way over to him, only to be whisked away. He finally extricated himself from a painful conversation with Lt. Singer. He started to feel dizzy now too, he had to get out. He went to find everyone to say goodbye.

He finally located Mac with her back to him talking to a small group of women. He approached them through the crowd. They all seemed very intent. Mac was talking.

"Harm is not in love with me."

"He certainly is." This from Harriet.

"We are very close, and he may love me as a friend, we have a lot of history, but he is not in love with me."

"Your w-w-wrong." Her eyes fell on the Commander in question now standing right behind Mac. She smiled uncertainly. Everyone else just stared.

"Ladies, I was just coming up to say goodnight. I am not feeling all that well so I thought I would take off." He smiled charmingly. He turned to Mac who was facing him with a look of shock frozen on her face. "You are wrong. I am in love with you." He gave her a lingering kiss. "Completely." He turned back to the group of women watching with interest. "Goodnight." He turned and made his way out.

Mac blinked slowly. "Oh my God." She spun and dashed after him, seven smiling women in tow.

She caught up with him as he passed though the door. "Harm don't go!"

He gradually turned toward her and came closer "Why Mac?", and closer.

She watched him, unable to speak.

"I need to hear why." His voice was soft, closer still.

"Because I…" He was now almost touching her. "Because I love you." She stood on her tiptoes and touched her lips softly to his. "Completely."

"OK ladies, give them some space." The Admiral ushered the crowd away, and allowed himself a smile.

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