* See previous chapters for disclaimer

A/N Ok, I'm attempting the next chapter, thank you to everyone for the reviews. It really does help to get some feedback………now, what direction would you'all like to see this go?

A friend in need           

Chapter 5

Mac looked briefly around her apartment, Harm walked up beside her and grabbed her overnight bag out of her hand. She looked over at him " I guess I'm ready then,….oh one more thing." Mac walked over to the end table by the couch and grabbed the bag of M&M's off the table. Harm just smiled at her, " Hey…..I know you, there probably isn't anything but rabbit food at your place. Since Mac had agreed to leave her apartment Detective Reynolds had been busy on the phone getting everything set for her undercover agent. Harm and Mac would leave in their own cars, Harm following Mac to give her car to the undercover agent at the precinct. Harm wasn't thrilled with Mac putting a face to the person that would be trying to bait the guy that attacked her……but at far as plans went , it was a pretty solid one.

The agent would go back to the apartment with Mac's car, knowing that the car was the only way Montgomery could really trace Mac it was important that her car be visible. They were taking a chance on the fact that he had memorized or written down her license plate number and would try to track her that way, but it was a chance that Detective Reynolds was willing to take to the bank. While in rout to drop off Mac's car Harm called the Admiral to fill him in on what was going on and where they would be.  The Admiral felt a lot better knowing that both his officers would be out of the line of fire so to speak and he didn't hesitate in letting Harm know that. Harm was a little surprised at his C.O.'s comment but took it as it was meant, the genuine concern of a friend.

After they dropped off Mac's car the two headed straight for his place. He'd suggested they pick up something to eat but Mac hadn't heard him. She sat stonily, starring out at the wet streets of D.C., it wasn't really raining…..it was more of a light mist that just settled over everything. Harm tried again to get her attention. " Hey Mac…..how about we pick up some burgers before we get to my place?" Mac turned her head finally, blinking her eyes a few times. " If you're hungry we can pick up something Harm……that's fine with me." It wasn't really the response he wanted but at least it was a response. Waiting for a light to change he picked her hand up in his, she met his gaze, seeing the worry in his eyes she squeezed gently. " I'm alright Harm……really. It just doesn't sit well, thinking about the undercover agent just lying in wait for this guy."

Harm nodded, " Mac their trained for this…..besides, it's a long shot that he'll find you're car anyway." Mac pointed to the green light and dropped his hand. " It's not that long of a shot Harm……Maggie decided to change my phone listing, my name and number are now listed." Harm did a double take….. " When the hell did she do that?" Mac just gave him a look. " You know it's necessary Harm, we can't wait for him to just drive by and spot my car." Harm knew she was right. "Mac if anything, this could throw him off. I mean come on, you were unlisted……don't you think he might become suspicious if all of a sudden he has no problem getting his hands on your number and address?" They pulled up to Harm's building and got out. Getting her stuff from behind the seat, they headed to the building. Mac stood in the parking lot for a moment, the mist had turned to rain. Looking up into the window of his apartment a slight chill ran through her……the memory of another night not far off in her mind when she had stood in the exact same spot and watched as Harm had comforted Renee,…… instead of her.

Mac sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her and a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Harm was in the kitchen, trying to figure out what he could cook for dinner.

He looked around the sparse cabinets and bare fridge, " How about some scrambled eggs Mac?…..Oohh, I have cheese, how about an egg and cheese omelet?" Mac stood up and went to the kitchen, amusement lighting her eyes. " That would be good with a side of bacon or sausage…." Harm turned, eyeing her. Mac settled herself on the bar stool to watch him. " Do you have any idea how many grams of fat are in one piece of bacon?" He teased her. Mac just shook her head at him and smiled. Turning to start the omelet she heard him mutter " and don't even get me started on the saturated fat…"

Mac wandered around the apartment, she had just been here last week…..nothing had changed, and yet it felt like everything had changed. Harm was taking a quick shower, she had cleaned up the few dishes and now walked around looking at the different pictures he had here and there. Harm watched her from his room while he changed into his sweats. Somewhere between the car ride and eating dinner he had noticed her relax. He couldn't pin point it, but she looked like a weight had been lifted.

Stepping down into the living area she turned to greet him. " Feel better now?" she asked. Harm patted his stomach, " it's amazing what a little food, a hot shower, and the company of your best friend can do." He smiled at her. " Yeah, I know what you mean……about the company. Harm, I really want to thank you for being here for me." Pausing a little she looked up at him her eyes trying to convey so much more than she could really say. " Really I,…..I don't know how well I'd be handling all of this without you." Her voice was shaky with emotion and he walked over to her. Gently he cupped her cheek in his hand, " I wish I had been there every time you needed me Sarah. I know it's taken some time, and not that this is the right time to have this discussion…….but, I want to always be there for you Sarah." Mac wasn't sure if he was hinting at when he hadn't been there for her when Mic had left or if he was just talking in general, but her heart couldn't help but skip a beat when he pulled her into his arms and simply held her. Mac simply returned his hug and whispered " soon……soon we'll have that discussion."

Harm sat up in bed, after lying there trying to sleep for the last hour he decided it was no use. Wearily he glanced at the clock, 12:43. He had tried to convince Mac to take his bed…..as usual she fought him on every point. Her biggest argument being that he was too long to sleep on the couch, saying that his legs would cramp up from having to stay bent up all night. Quietly he made his way to the kitchen….reaching into the fridge he grabbed some bottled water. Standing in the middle of the kitchen he ran a hand over his bare chest, he knew that he should leave her alone….go back to his bed. He reasoned that he would just take a peak at her to make sure she looked warm enough. He had cranked the heat all the way up earlier.

Walking around the front of the couch a slight lump formed in his throat at the sight of her curled up on his couch. He wanted nothing more than to hold her again. Having her sleep in his arms last night helped him to feel like he had actually helping her. If she had had anymore bad dreams last night he didn't know about it. She had peacefully stayed curled up next to him, her breathing steady and even. Kneeling down in front of her he had a flash of there night in the mountains of Afghanistan. After dodging the bombs and bullets they had found a relatively safe little cave to burrow down in.  Neither had slept very much, he had found comfort in just holding her. If the circumstances had been different…….if they weren't in such a dangerous position, he could easily have lost himself in the feel of her curled up against him.

Unknowingly his fingers reached out and trailed a small path down her cheek. It always amazed him, times like this when her guard was down how small she looked to him. Awake, her presence was almost larger than life. They way she carried herself, her demeanor……everything about her exuded power and strength. And yet, when she was sleeping he could see just how small she really was. She was tall, that was true. But not overly so, a little taller than the average he imagined. Sleeping, with the shadow of bruises still marring her features she almost looked fragile. Harm couldn't help but smile….. 'man would she kick my ass for even associating her with the world fragile' Suddenly a vision of Mac in her boxers, t-shirt and sox threatening three midshipmen(a/n can't really remember their rank) with putting them in the compacter and feeding their asses to the sharks rose in his mind and he allowed a small chuckle to escape.

Mac turned her head at Harm's chuckle……quickly he pulled his hand back. He wasn't sure if he should talk his way out of this one or simply admit that he just wanted to be near her…….just in case she should need him. Mac opened her eyes sleepily, slowly she focused on Harm. "What's a matter?" she questioned, her voice thick with sleep.

Turning to her side she opened her eyes fully and starred at him. He opened his mouth to speak but didn't know what to say. Reaching her hand out, she cupped his cheek. Her fingers were cool to the touch. Closing his eyes from her intent stare he covered her fingers with his, pressing her hand more firmly against his face. He turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss in the center of her palm. Without the question being spoken, she knew instinctively what he was asking. It was what she had wanted as well but didn't have the nerve to ask.

Mac sat up on the couch, holding onto his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at her. He knew he didn't need to ask, her eyes gave him the answer. Raising from the couch they walked hand in hand to the bedroom. Mac slid under the covers and scooted to the middle. Again, Harm lay on top of the covers and lay down behind her, placing his arm around her waist, pulling her tightly to him and lacing his fingers through hers they both settled in and went to sleep. 

Mac turned away from the annoying noise that was breaking into her sleep. Cuddling up to the warmth next to her she began to deft off again when the noise started again. Aware of Harm sitting up slightly and leaning over her she listened as he answered the phone. He didn't do much talking, just a lot of uh huh and nodding, and listening. Whoever it was they had his attention because suddenly he sat up a little straighter, "Really,…..you're serious. Wow…..ok, yeah….not a problem. Uh huh, we can do that. Thank you,…..' bye." Harm leaned over her again to hang the phone up and then lay back down curling up next to Mac.

Last night he was afraid that this morning might be a little awkward, he was surprised when she simply curled up to him tighter. Although, nothing had actually happened between them…….he couldn't count how many times they had shared sleeping quarters in one way or another……he couldn't help but feel as though something intimate had passed between them. Placing his forehead against hers he whispered " good morning" . Mac smiled at him a small blush gracing her features. " good morning to you too sailor…..sleep good?" Harm didn't even attempt to hide. " One of the best nights of sleep I've ever had."

Mac smiled back at him " So who was on the phone at 8:24 on a Saturday morning." Harm's expression stilled causing Mac to scoot back a little so she could get a better look at him. Harm took a deep breath, " Well,…..apparently sometime early this morning Montgomery was brought in." Mac sat straight up in bed, her eyes wide. " You're kidding……he couldn't have moved that quickly. I mean how…" Harm cut her off. "Take a breath and power down marine. I'll tell you what they told me." Mac shook her head and closed her mouth that had been gaping open like a carp. Harm looked at her and continued. " They did not catch him at you're apartment. After the officers went by JAG and took statements the Admiral had them stop off at the security gates and give copies of the drawing to the M.P.'s along with all the info on what happened. One of them remembered seeing a man that matched the description and that of his vehicle entering out at the south gate earlier last night. They staked out all the major parking lots and…….found him basically lying in wait over in the parking lot by the public affairs office. Same situation, there was one other car in the parking lot. They went in on foot and got him." Mac released her breath……..it was over. They had him and now she just had to wait for the trial.

Rising from the bed Mac made her way to the bathroom, talking a mile a minute the entire time. Who would be prosecuting, what would all the charges entail, how much time would he serve……she went on and on. Harm tried to stop her, to interrupt her,…..until he realized she was in there taking care of morning business. He was blown away…….he couldn't believe she was peeing and talking to him at the same time! Harm backed himself up and sat down on the bed again, looking down at the floor he wasn't really sure if she was done or not……until all of a sudden he was starring at her bare toes. He looked up at her then……embarrassment still lighting his eyes. She looked down at him still talking a mile a minute about statements and trial dates, DNA  evidence , the testimony of the other victim, whether he had a past arrest record….. " Harm reached out and grabbed her hands. " Mac, slow down a little…….I never said anything about charges or a trial or anything like that." Mac stopped dead in her tracks, her face deadpan. Somewhat confused, her eyes a little wide, "why" she asked him as understanding dawned.

Harm took a breath for a moment. "It seems that he wasn't going to go peacefully. He surprised then by pulling a weapon. Maybe he decided that he wasn't going to be beat again. He managed to run……cut through the hedges there, and into the other parking area. They lost him for a few minutes. He tried to car jack someone in the parking lot three buildings over," Mac was mentally following the picture and stopped him. " Harm that's the JAG parking area." Harm had a satisfied smirk on his face " yeah,……what he didn't take into account was that the man he tried to car jack is an ex-seal……probably figured the ole' guy would be an easy get away." Harm looked up at her. He knew she knew the outcome but needed confirmation……needed to hear it said out loud. " The Admiral stopped him Mac……for good."

A/N ok……please review, thank you to everyone that did on the other chapters. I know I kind of skipped around more here and I cut some stuff out that I was going to go with, and I just kind of ended abrubtly….I felt like it was going on to long though. Just one question, would you like an epilogue? Say a couple months down the road…Mac's healed up mentally and physically…things take the next natural turn……