There was nothing like the sticky, dusty desert to make you appreciate the little things, like showers.

The makeshift shower for the troops was not much, but Mac would have showered under a cold garden hose by this point. She'd been on duty for three weeks, and she had another three weeks to go. She missed Harm, and she hadn't been feeling one hundred per cent in the last few days, but she'd be okay. This was what she had done all her life.

The Marines were mostly on a peacekeeping mission this time, but a rebel leader had gone underground nearby, and that was where Mac came in. She could negotiate with him in Farsi and try and get him to release his hostages. As far as they knew, it was two women and their two young children in his hideaway with him, as well as the Marine who had gone in to try and rescue them.

It didn't seem like he was treating them badly. But he was hoping that he could use them as bargaining chips.

She ducked out of the tepid shower. As she dressed, she studied her rings, hanging around her neck with her dog tags. Harm had bought her a simple, but stunning solitaire ring.

That night after their impromptu coin toss, they'd walked out of McMurphy's and back to Harm's car. He'd opened the door for her, and she'd turned to see him on one knee. They'd already more or less agreed on marriage, but his eyes were full of all the nervousness and hope of a real proposal. She'd said yes and taken the ring and it had made her smile ever since.

'Colonel Mackenzie!' The call jerked her back to the present. 'Movement in the hideout. We're moving out.'

It was a long, dusty drive, and everyone was on edge. They'd heard there were snipers, and what had started as a relatively small hostage situation was escalating.

Mac was soon on the loudspeaker, attempting to negotiate in Farsi. She could feel the tension rising. She kept her voice calm and measured.

Until the world exploded and she got thrown off her feet.

She must have blacked out, because the next time she opened her eyes, there was grit stuck to them. She gasped at the pain in her leg. It was bad.

The air was dark with smoke and dirt. She tried to work out where the Humvee was and if she could get to it. She saw a shape and started dragging herself towards it, gritting her teeth against the pain.

Then the world went black again.

—_—

Harm was at the office late.

Since Mac had returned, he'd been making sure he was out on time. He loved being able to go home to her. He worried she would be unhappy without the Marines, but she was keeping herself busy with their little home and looking for jobs in law and consulting. He'd always loved the Marine, and since their engagement he had been allowed to get to know the woman behind the uniform, and fallen all over again.

The phone rang as he turned off the lights. He groaned to himself. But then, Mac was halfway around the world, and it must be important to be ringing at this hour. 'Captain Rabb.'

'Captain Rabb, I'm sorry to be calling this late. This is General Rutledge, US Marine Corps.'

Mac's CO? 'Good evening, General. How can I help you?'

'Captain Rabb, I'm sorry to tell you this over the phone, but I thought you would want to know as soon as possible.' He cleared his throat. 'Your wife has been injured in action.'

Harm couldn't breathe.

'She was travelling with a negotiation team when they were ambushed. Two of the unit were killed. Your wife was seriously injured, but she has been airlifted to the Guadalcanal and she is stable.'

'Will she be all right?'

'As I understand it her injuries were not life-threatening, but her surgeons will have a better idea for prognosis. If you wish, we can arrange a transport for you first thing in the morning.'

'With all due respect, General, I need to go now.'

'I understand how you feel, Captain, but I'm afraid it's just not possible until daylight.'

Harm cursed the London weather. 'Is she conscious? Can I put in a shore to ship call?'

'I'll contact the XO and request that and get back to you.'

It was only seven minutes, but it felt like a lifetime before Harm's call was patched through to the Guadalcanal. A petty officer answered and then said she'd hand over the phone. 'Mac?'

'Hi, Harm.' Her voice was croaky and exhausted, but it was the best sound he'd ever heard. Relief washed over him. 'I'm okay, just a badly broken leg and a concussion. They've run all sorts of tests but they won't come back tonight. But I'm fine.'

'Are you sure? I am trying to get there tonight, but it doesn't look like I can.'

'Don't do anything reckless. I'm fine. Sore, but fine. I just need a decent night's sleep and I'll see you tomorrow.'

Harm clutched the phone as if it was a lifeline. 'It's good to hear your voice.'

'Yours too. Promise me you'll go home and get a good night's sleep.'

'I'll try.' He wanted to keep talking but she sounded absolutely exhausted. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the last of his fears. He couldn't have lost her, not so soon. 'I'll let you rest. I love you, Mac. More than you will ever know.'

'I love you, too, sweetheart.' He could hear the tender smile in her voice - the one reserved just for him. His heart finally started to relax. 'Goodnight, Harm.'