Disclaimers: standard I'm sorry the Pace of the story isn't moving along too well, but I should have one more chapter after this to wrap things up. BTW.I wanted to but just couldn't bring myself to kill off Clay.sorry.

Mac came awake suddenly, her senses on full alert. She held her breath listened for what may have woken her. Nothing made a sound. Not even the usual of the nocturnal creatures in the jungle. Perhaps it meant nothing, but she learned to trust her instincts long ago. Harm tightened his grip on her waist to let her know he was alert as well.
Four minutes and thirty-nine seconds later there was no indication of an intruder. She shifted to her side to get a better view out and around them. Nothing. Was it possible that she and Harm's imagination was working in tandem? She doubted it.
Harm inched up into a sitting position beside her. "I'm going to look around." He whispered.
"No!" She reached to pull him back, but it was too late. Lights blinded her and she was aware of the distinct sound of a round being chambered into an automatic weapon.
She was surprised by her inner calm. The terror that had gripped her during her captivity with Clay was replaced by the peace of knowing she would die beside the man she loved, the only man she had ever loved so completely. Her only regret, other than knowing she would be responsible for his death, was that she would never know his love in completion. A distant memory haunted her 'anyone who's ever been involved with Mac is either dead or feels like they are.' The Mackenzie Curse lives.
Casting aside regret she made an intrepid decision; if she were going to die she would do it like a Marine and go down fighting. She took a deep breath, and then casting a yearning glance at Harm she launched herself at the nearest gunman. The sound of gunfire tore through the night.

Harm sensed what she was going to do and instant before she acted. Without though he called her name and grabbed her pulling her to the ground. He shielded her body with his own.
The sound of gunfire was deafening as it assaulted the air around him. Then just as abruptly as it began it was over and the night was still again. The acrid smell of gun smoke was heavy around him as he realized he had come through it all unscathed. He rolled off Mac and found she was the same, but the surrounding area was littered with dead bodies. They stood up slowly amazed at the sight. They were equally amazed at the assemblage of dark clad figures that dissociated from the landscape. A figure, smaller than the rest but identically clad, approached them. Harm assumed a protective stance in front of Mac. At a distance of about two meters the mask came off and Harm stared, stunned at the sight of the blonde dynamo before him.
Catherine Gayle smiled, "Hi Honey. Don't you have a kiss for your wife?"

Harm stood tongue-tied. His moment of indecision cost him as Mac's fist impacted with his jaw. "You Son-of-a.." she started as someone grabbed her from behind.
"I told you this was a bad idea, Ms Gayle." Gunny stood behind Mac holding her arms.
Harm stood rubbing his chin. "Mac it isn't what you think." He looked over at Catherine who was agape. "Catherine, tell her!"
"Harm, you didn't tell her?"
"Let me go, Gunny" Mac commanded. Victor looked from Mac to Harm then figured since Harm wasn't in the service anymore he would have to take his chances.
As Mac took a step toward Harm he took two steps back. "Now Mac, listen for a minute. It was a fake marriage, her mother was dying. Bud performed the ceremony."
Mac stopped and looked over at Catherine. "Really? I'm sorry about your mother, Catherine."
"Thanks, Colonel. Mom's fine. After the ceremony she recovered quite nicely." She turned to Harm again. "She'll be expecting Grandkids soon."
Mac started laughing and soon she was laughing so hard that Harm became concerned. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"You.." She said trying to recover. "Mr. Afraid-to-Commit got staged a marriage to a CIA operative."
Harm feigned offense. "Hey, I was trying to find you."
"And you decided the best way to do it was to get married?"
Catherine jumped to Harm's defense. "He really was trying to find you Colonel. While he was trying to get information from me, my mother fell ill and he drove me to the hospital. My mothers dying wish was for me to get married, so I told her I was engaged. When Harm showed up with me she assumed..and insisted we get married that evening. She made a miraculous recover that night."
Harm was shaking his head. "Well, it looks like you came all this way for a divorce then." He walked over to Mac and put him arm around her. He was relieved when she didn't break it. "I'm not ungrateful but how did you get here? I didn't think you were much into fieldwork, especially rescues."
"Well, Clay had Gunny Galindez contact me ad after checking around at the company I discovered they were going to write you off so, I rounded up some help and here I am. I guess I owed you. Especially after Mom called Admiral Chegwidden." She smiled.
"How is Clay?" Mac asked.
Gunny spoke up, "He's a tough man, Colonel. I almost lost him on the way to the hospital. They'll probably be airlifting him home soon."
Harm and Mac shared a look. "That's good. He always said he had amazing recuperative powers."
Catherine checked her watch. She handed Mac a pack "A change of clothes and an MRE, Colonel. We will head out in 10 minutes."
After Mac had walked off to find a place to change a soldier walked ups to Catherine. "Did we get him?" She asked him. He shook his head.
Harm, who had been devouring his MRE, looked up. "Saddiq?" Catherine nodded. "I figure he is well on his way out of the country by now."
"That's what scares me." She said as she walked off to check the troops

Mercy Hospital Asuncion

Clayton Webb wanted to crawl under a rock and forget everything. He dragged Sarah Mackenzie into a stupid ill planned mission and almost got her killed. The fact that he had been a breath away from the reaper didn't bother him so much but he loved Sarah and had even convinced himself that she could love him back. That line of thinking almost ruined everything. Had it not been for Rabb and his cowboy tactics they would be dead and the stingers would be on their way to American targets. What was it with Rabb? He had incredible luck and enviable talents, but most of all he had Sarah. No matter what he did he would always have Sarah. The only thing he didn't have was the sense to do something about it.
Clay sighed. It had been quite an illusion. He had himself convinced that he, super spook, could save the world and win Sarah's heart. What a miserable failure.
He looked over the note he still held:

Dearest Sarah,
I hope by now you are safe and sound. You are an incredible and brave
lady and I am sorry I ever got you involved with this mission. I
will be forever in your debt. I know we said some things to each other
that I can only blame on the heat of the moment. I know your heart
truly belongs to Rabb. It always has. I hope this time he comes around
and gives you all the happiness you deserve. If he doesn't, you know
where I am. Be happy.
Yours,
Clay

It was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He had actually envisioned himself retiring from the company and settling down with her. He quickly placed the note in an envelope and addressed it to her at JAG.
As he picked up his bag and started out the door he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number from memory. "Anya? It's Clay. Look, I'm going to be in Washington this week end and I was wondering..."