Title: Fun on the Slopes
Author: Ninjagurl354
PG-13
Romance/Drama
Summary: The JAG staff needs a break…they go to have some fun on the slopes, or is fun not all it's cracked up to be…
Disclaimers: I don't own JAG or the characters they belong to DPB!
Spoilers:
Laconia Hospital
Laconia, New Hampshire
ZULU 0900
Sunlight streamed through the windows in room 216, the rays falling onto the hospital bed where Harm and Mac lay. Harm awoke by a small knock on the door. He looked down at the sleeping marine cuddled against his chest. "Come on in," he called out just loud enough. Harriet opened the door quietly and smiled as she and Bud stepped into the room. Harriet's smile widened when she saw the two of them on the bed, Mac cuddled against his side. "Hey," Harm said softly flashing a grin. "Hey, how's she doing?" "Good, she was pretty tired."
"Well, we thought we would come by early, so that when she's all set to leave, we can join the others for breakfast." Harm smiled and was about to say something when Mac started to stir against him. Mac opened her eyes, blinking several times to clear the sleep from them. She moved her head to look up at him and smiled. Harm smiled down at her, "Good morning sleepyhead." "Good morning." She smiled at Bud and Harriet who grinned back, "How are you feeling ma'am?" Mac gave both of them a stern look, and Harriet grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, Mac." "I feel a little better. My head doesn't hurt anymore, but my ankle hurts a lot."
Just then Dr. Cowan opened the door, "Well good morning. How are you feeling?" "My head feels better, I'm pretty sore and my ankle hurts." "Well, why don't I just examine you real quick, and then we'll take care of that ankle," she smiled warmly. Harriet, Bud, and Harm vacated the room so the doctor could examine Mac real quick.
Her ankle was slightly swollen, and she had a few minor bruises on her back. The doctor made several notes on her chart and said, "Well, you are doing just fine although you will have to stay off your ankle for a few days." "I'm going to go bring your friends in and then we'll fix up that ankle."
Harriet, Bud, and Harm walked back into the room. "So, what's the verdict?" "Well, I have a few minor bruises on my back, and I have to stay off my ankle for the next few days." Five minutes later Dr. Cowan and a nurse walked into the room. First, they set her ankle into an air-filled brace, to give her ankle support. The doctor explained to them that she needed to keep it on at all times, except if she were in the shower. They also gave her an ace bandage to keep for her ankle for later on. Then came the fun part…crutches. They adjusted a set of crutches for Mac's height.
"Now she will have to use these for the next couple of days. Her foot should be elevated when she is sitting down. If she has any pain Advil will work. And when she takes a shower she might need some help. Right now, why don't you practice with the crutches?" Mac sat up and swung the uninjured leg off the bed. Harriet handed her a sock and her sneaker and Mac quickly put them on. She gingerly moved her other leg over the side of the bed and Harm wrapped his arm around her back as she slowly stood up. Mac wrapped her arm around his neck and winced slightly when her feet touched the floor. Even though one foot was planted firmly on the ground, the slight jolt sent pain through her foot. Bud handed her the crutches and Mac set them under her arms, letting go of Harm. Mac got the hang of the crutches pretty quickly.
She thanked Dr. Cowan, and signed her discharge papers. A nurse wheeled in a wheelchair. "I don't need one of those, I have the crutches." "It's a long way out, humor her," Harm said referring to the nurse. Mac relented and handed Harm her crutches. Harm and Bud picked up all the flowers and cards as Harriet pushed Mac's wheelchair out to the car.
Black Bear Lodge
Laconia, New Hampshire
ZULU 0940
Bud pulled the van into a parking space. Sturgis, the Admiral, Tiner, and Loren met them outside. Harriet, Bud, and Harm got out of the van first before Harm reached back inside and scooped Mac up into his arms. Everyone smiled as Mac wrapped her arms around Harm's neck. "How you doing Marine?" "Better, sir." The Admiral smiled as he grabbed the crutches from the van. Harm carried Mac across the parking lot and into the building. Harm gently lowered her to her feet and the Admiral handed her the crutches. ""Can we eat now?" Mac asked and everyone laughed.
They made their way to one of the hotel restaurants and they were seated at a table. A waitress came and took their orders. While they were waiting, Mac sipped her coffee. Harm noticed that she was rather quiet and squeezed her arm gently. She smiled softly at him. There meals came a little while later and everyone dug in.
Everyone thought that they would rest a little bit before they hit the slopes. Mac stood up and Harm handed her the crutches and she made her way to the stairs. Sturgis took the crutches from her, as Harm lifted her into his arms. He handed Mac the key and she opened the door, Harm walked in and gently sat her on the bed. Sturgis placed the crutches inside the room and shut the door.
Harm knelt down in front of her placing his hands on her knees, "How you doing?" Mac smiled, "I'd like a shower." Harm chuckled, "I think that can be arranged." He brushed his lips across her forehead. Mac looked up at him a question in her eyes Harm got the hint. "I love you," he said softly brushing his lips against hers. Mac smiled, "I love you too." She kissed him again. "I think I'm going to ask Harriet to help you out with your shower." Mac nodded her understanding and Harm kissed her one more time before leaving to get Harriet next door.
A few minutes later Harriet walked through the door, "Let's get you showered." In about 30 minutes, Mac was showered and dressed once again. "Thanks, Harriet." "Anytime Mac." Harriet left and went back into her room where Bud and Harm were sitting watching a game on TV. Harm came back a few minutes later; he smiled and shut the door. "Feel better, Marine?" "Very much so." He continued to talk to her as he very carefully slid a sock onto her foot and wrapped the brace around her ankle. Then he brought both her legs up to lie on the bed, propping a few pillows under her injured ankle. He settled himself against the headboard and pulled her head to rest on his chest. She sighed and cuddled closer to him.
They rested quietly for 20 minutes. The Admiral knocked on the door and stuck his head in, "We're getting ready to hit the slopes. "You want to join us Harm?" Harm looked down at Mac and shook his head, "You know, I think I'm going to decline. I'll stay in here and keep Mac company." Mac started to object, "No, Harm. You don't have to sit with me, I can easily sit in the lobby and watch you guys or read." "Well, then I'll sit with you and watch them or read." Mac sighed and relented.
Making sure that Mac was dressed warmly, Harm carried her down the stairs and set her on one of the couches by the fire and windows. He propped her leg up and then got both of them a mug of hot chocolate. Mac sat cuddled against Harm, sipping hot chocolate watching their friends ski down the slopes. "Sarah…" Mac lifted her head and looked up at Harm. "Yes."
"I love you and I want to be with you. I don't want to live without you anymore. We can take things as slow as you want, but I don't want to wait an eternity for you to be mine, and me to be yours. I want to spend eternity with you." Several tears slipped down her cheeks, "I love you too Harm and I want to be with you. I want the whole thing Harm, I want everything, and I don't want any less. But mostly I want to be with you. And as soon as we get back to D.C. and my leg is heeled, I want to be with you. Heart, soul, mind, and body." Harm smiled and thumbed away her tears, "I want it all Sarah. When we're ready I'm going to put a ring on that finger, I want to marry you and father our child. And I won't take any less. I want to be with you so much, and once that ankle of yours is all heeled, we will be." Mac smiled happily and leaned forward capturing his lips in a kiss full of love and passion. At the need for oxygen they broke their lip-lock. Harm kissed her forehead and entwined their hands.
An hour later the group trudged in from outside. Bringing with them, the cold and the snow. Harm and Mac were sitting on the couch in front of the fire playing gin. Harm was losing terribly to Mac. Mac looked up and saw the group walk in. The group exchanged knowing smiles and they walked upstairs to change.
When they came back down they walked toward Harm and Mac. Harm looked up, "Hey we didn't see you guys come down." "Yea, we know, Mac was too busy whipping your six at gin," the Admiral retorted. "What am I supposed to do, she's a whiz at the game," Harm defended himself. "Oh yea, we'll just see about that. Harm why don't you partner with me, and we'll see if we can beat her," the Admiral said. "Hey, wait a minute that's not fair!" Mac complained. Everyone laughed. "I'll be your partner Mac," Sturgis said. "Well thank you Sturgis. How good are you?" "I'm pretty good." And the games began.
Tiner and Loren just sat and watched while Harriet and Bud called home to check on Little AJ. Fifteen minutes later Harriet and Bud returned to find the Admiral, Harm, Sturgis, and Mac consumed by the game. Although the Admiral was good, and Harm helped, there was no matching Sturgis and Mac. Sturgis was indeed very good at the game, and they won 550 to 435 to Harm and the Admiral. "Well, you won this time, but next time…" Everyone laughed. Mac yawned and Harm noticed. "You're tired," It was a statement not a question. Mac nodded, "You know falling down a ski slope and spending the night in the hospital kind of has a tendency to that to a person." They all laughed. Harm stood up and helped Mac stand and Mac hopped over to the stairs where Harm scooped her up and brought her upstairs.
Mac unlocked the door and Harm walked in shutting the door with his foot. He gently laid Mac down on the bed, and propped her foot up on a pillow. Harm sat behind her and Mac cuddled closer to him. He kissed the top of her head, and gently trailed his hand up and down her back soothingly, mindful of the bruises that were there. Mac's even breathing some time later told Harm that she was asleep.
The group decided to do their own thing that night. Harriet and Bud went out for a romantic dinner. Sturgis, Tiner, and the Admiral went to a bar and played pool. Loren sat in her room with her nose in a book. Harm and Mac ordered room service and watched movies in their room.
That night after Mac had gotten herself ready for bed, Harm helped her crawl between the sheets. Harm locked the door, got himself ready for bed and then joined Mac. He turned out the light and Mac curled up as best she could next to him, her head on his chest.
Monday
Black Bear Lodge
Laconia, New Hampshire
ZULU 0900
Harm and Mac and the rest of the crew slept late the following morning. Harm woke up and looked down to his Marine cuddled against him he thought, 'A guy could definitely get used to this.' Mac slowly drifted to wakefulness. "Morning beautiful," Harm said softly. "Morning," Mac said her voice still soft with sleep.
Harm left Mac's soft, warm body and went into the bathroom to shower. When he was dressed he went over to Harriet and Bud's room to see if Harriet was ready and if she would be able to help Mac out again. Harriet walked into the room, "How are you this morning ma'am?" "I'm fine Harriet and when we're out of the office you can call me Mac." "Right, sorry. Well, why don't we get you showered and dressed hmmm." While Harriet was helping Mac put the brace around her ankle Harriet spoke up, "Mac, you and the Commander seem to be getting along real well this trip." "Yea, we have," Mac's eyes sparkled. Harriet knew instantly, "He finally did it." Mac nodded and Harriet hugged her friend. "That's so great Mac." "Thanks Harriet." When Mac was ready the two women met Harm and Bud at the stairs.
Harm smiled as Mac walked over to him using the crutches. He bent his head and brushed his lips against her cheek. Bud stood there gaping at them, "You…you…sir, ma'am." Harriet rolled her eyes, and gently closed her husband's mouth. Harm and Mac chuckled and Harm swung Mac up into his arms and carried her down the stairs to meet the others for breakfast.
During breakfast Harriet suggested that they go shopping. Harm looked over at Mac a little reluctant, "I don't know Mac, with you on crutches and all." "Oh come on, Harm. I've gotten the hang of these things," she said patting the crutches, "It's not like there's going to be any ice. I'll be fine." Harm still looked a little reluctant, it was then Mac pulled her puppy dog eyes and Harm knew he was dead. "Alright." Mac smiled and leaned over and kissed his cheek. No one else was quite as surprised as Bud, when they found out about Harm and Mac's relationship.
After putting on their jackets they all got into the Roberts' van. Bud drove down to the shopping center and parked the car. Harm kept a close eye on Mac as she walked across the pavement talking and laughing with Harriet.
For the next several hours, everyone shopped and they had an awesome time. Harriet and Mac had gone into a baby clothes store to look for something for little AJ and they had a blast in the store. Finally they walked into a coffee shop and Harm and Sturgis went up to the counter. They came back with eight hot chocolates. After their break they hit the other end of the shopping center and finally by 2:00 everyone was shopped out. They got back to the car and the Admiral commented, "How are we going to get all of us and our shopping bags back in there." "Very carefully," Bud returned. In the end they all fit into the car, they were just a little cramped. Good thing the hotel wasn't that far.
Back at the hotel, everyone decided to rest before they went to dinner that evening. It was their last night in New Hampshire.
ZULU 1735
Harm straightened his tie and looked at his watch. The Admiral had made reservations at the Williamtelle Restaurant for 1800. Mac was next door; Harriet was helping her get ready. Harm locked the door and headed next door to the Roberts' room and knocked. Bud opened the door, "Their almost ready sir." "Bud." "Sorry si..Harm." Just then Harriet emerged from the bathroom carrying a pair of crutches, she looked amazing in a black sleeveless low cut dress that ended just above her knees that flounced when she walked. Mac then came around the corner in a deep red sleeveless dress, with a low cut neckline, the dress ended just above her knees, it curled up at the bottom. Harm's eyes widened and he walked forward toward her, "You look beautiful." Mac smiled, "Thank you. You're not so bad yourself." Harm bent his head and brushed his lips against hers.
Harriet handed Mac the crutches and Mac inwardly groaned but took them anyway, cursing her sprained ankle. After making it down the stairs safely they joined the rest of their group.
Williamtelle Restaurant
ZULU 1800
Harm pulled a chair out for Mac and she sat down smiling a silent 'thank you' at Harm. After everyone was seated they began looking at the menus. A few minutes later the waiter came and jotted down their orders. The Admiral raised his glass, "I propose a toast," Everyone raised their glasses, "To good friends and family." They clinked their glasses together, repeating the phrase, although several people weren't sure about Singer as a good friend or family.
Conversation started up around the table as they food arrived. All were slightly sad to see this trip come to an end. They all needed a vacation although Mac didn't need a sprained ankle, but she did get the macn of her dreams, what could be better.
Blackbear Lodge
Laconia, New Hampshire
ZULU 0800
Everyone was up early the next day. Packing was done the previous night but they wanted to get an early start. After breakfast they loaded up the cars and checked out of their rooms. Harm carried Mac across the parking lot and set her in the warm car. They all got into the cars and started the drive back to Washington D.C. and their daily lives.
A few lives were changed during this vacation. Harm leaned toward Mac and caught her lips in a quick kiss before he followed the Admiral's car out onto the main road. As the drive continued, Harm grasped Mac's hand knowing that only happiness and plenty of love lay in their near future. They had each other, what could be better.
This was definitely a vacation none of them would ever forget!!!
The End
I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it! Thanks to all who reviewed, you guys kept me motivated. Special thanks to my beta reader Danielle! I am currently working on ideas for my next story besides E-love!! Please R&R so I know what you thought of the JAG staff's adventure on the slopes!!