AN:  Here is another chapter for your enjoyment.  Since I can't put a line between my author's notes and story.  I will keep this short.  Enjoy the story.

Harm had been driving around for what seemed like hours.  Before he realized, he was at the Vietnam Memorial.  Somehow he knew this is where he should be.  He got out the car and made his way to his usual spot.  He took his hand and ran his fingers over the familiar name.  Dropping his hand and head, he spoke to the person he lost so many years ago.

"Hey dad.  I didn't know where else to go.  I guess my heart knew where I should go.  You remember Mac, right?  I know I talk about her a lot.  Well, dad, she's been in a car accident tonight.  It's pretty serious.  They don't know if she is going to wake up.  It's all my fault.  I didn't hit her.  Sturgis did.  Kind of ironic, don't you think?  My best friend hit the woman I love.  It's my fault because if I would have gotten my head out of my ass and told her how I felt, she wouldn't have been on the road tonight.  We were discussing having a baby, and I just couldn't tell her how I feel.  Instead, I get tongue-tied, she gets frustrated, which gets me frustrated.  We argue, and she leaves.  I usually leave her alone and either call or go see her later, but it didn't seem right.  I had a feeling something was wrong, but I never expected this.  What am I going to do, dad  I can't lose her.  I love her so much.  When I saw her tonight, I wished it was me that was hurt.  I would do anything to make this right, but I may not get the chance.  I need you dad.  Please help me and Sarah."

Harm stood there, praying for some type of intervention.  Some kind of sign to show he was heard.  He knew it was silly to think the dead can help, but he always had a feeling that his dad was there for him.  That's when he felt it.  Just when he thought he had nothing left, a new strength filled him.  A sense of courage surrounded him.  He felt renewed.  Glancing upward, he whispered.

"Thanks, dad.  I needed that."

With a new determination, Harm made his way back to the hospital.  Back to his marine.  He pulled in just as Bud, Harriet,  and AJ exited the hospital.  Once they spotted him, they rushed towards him.

"Jesus, Rabb!  Where did you go?"

"We've been worried sick, sir."

"I went to visit someone.  I'm sorry I left so abruptly, I just needed to get out of here to clear my head.  Seeing Mac like that tore me up inside."

"That's understandable, son.  Next time, just inform someone when you plan to have an emotional breakdown."

"Yes, sir."

"I thing it's time we call it a night people.  There is nothing we can do here.  If something should happen, the hospital will call."

"Sir, I think I'm going to stay.  I will call the interim JAG tomorrow and request emergency leave."

"Somehow I knew you would say that, Rabb.  I'm no longer you Commanding Officer, so I can't order you home.  Like you would listen to me anyway.  You do what you think is best.  I will be by later to see how she is doing."

"Ok.  Thank you, sir."

"If you need anything, sir, just give us a call."

"Thank you, Harriet.  I will."

After the goodbyes were said, everyone went their separate ways.  Harm made his way back to the hospital.  He left his name with the ICU nurse, and he made himself comfortable in one of the chairs.  Once he was settled, the events of the day flooded him.  This time, it didn't affect him as much.  He was still having trouble dealing with the vision of Mac in her hospital room.  He wanted to be with her so bad.  He made a point to talk to the doctor tomorrow.  Hopefully, the doctor would allow him more time with Mac.  He did have a promise to keep, and this was one he didn't want to break.  The consequences were too great.

Harm tried to get some sleep, but sleep eluded him.  A nurse even brought him a pillow and blanket, but nothing could put his mind at ease.  He wondered what he should to now.  They certainly wouldn't allow him to see Mac.  It's 2:00 in the morning.  He wished he had someone to talk to.  With Harriet pregnant, he didn't want to call Bud.  She looked so tired tonight.  It wouldn't be fair to them.  He thought about AJ, but their relationship was still awkward.  As names kept popping into his head, on refused to go away.  Sturgis.  Harm knew he could go to Sturgis about anything.  Anything except this.  Harm was still mad with Sturgis.  Part of him still blamed him for the situation Mac was in.  After all, he did hit her.  Still, a part of him urged him to go talk to him.  To try to make things right.  That's the only way the forgiving process to begin.  Harm continued to think about.  He weighed the pros and cons.  In the end, he decided that he and Sturgis had been friends for too long for it to end now.  He knew Sturgis didn't hit Mac intentionally.  That's  why they are called accidents.

Harm got up and made his way to Sturgis' room.  He didn't know if Sturgis was sleeping or not, so he quietly opened the door.  Sturgis wasn't asleep, and motioned Harm in.  Harm entered and pulled up a chair.

"How are you doing, Sturgis?"

"No worse for wear.  The painkillers work pretty well.  The nurse was going to give me something to sleep, but I asked her not to.  How are you doing?"

"I honestly don't' know, Sturgis.  This all seems like a bad dream I can't wake up from."

"Yeah, AJ told me about Mac.  Harm, words can't even begin to describe how sorry I am."

"I know you are.  I just don't know how to deal with this."

"You can always try talking about it."

"Yeah, but everything in my head is so jumbled now.  I wouldn't know where to start."

"Well, let's start with what happened after I picked up the Lexus."

"Well, you know Mac and I were getting together to work on a case.  We also planned on discussing aspects of our relationship.  I guess if I want you to understand, you should know about a deal Mac and I made 5 years ago.  We made a deal that if neither of us was in a relationship, we would go halves on a kid."

"So you two were going to discuss this at dinner?"

"Yeah.  Mac went to the doctor and had a procedure done.  The doctor advised that she should start trying soon.  I had already put the deal back on the table, so we were going to discuss the finer details of it."

"Sounds fair enough.  So what went wrong?"

"I did.  I wanted to tell her how I felt.  As usual, I got tongue-tied..  I was going to tell her how is feel about her.  I just couldn't get the words passed my throat."

"I can see you doing that.  What happened next?"

"What always happens.  She gets frustrated because I can't state my intentions.  I get frustrated at her, because she won't let me try to put two coherent words together.  We argue, and one of us leaves.  Since she was at my place, it was her turn."

"You didn't go after her?"

"Have you ever seen Mac when she's pissed?  I wouldn't wish that temper on my worst enemy.  No, I usually leave her be.  I'll try calling her later or going to see her, but something was different"

"What was different about tonight?"

"I'm not sure.  Something just didn't feel right.  You see, Mac and I have this connection.  I can't explain it.  You already know about her visions, and that those visions saved my ass.  I just had this feeling that something was wrong, and it had to do with Mac.  I tried to wait for you before going to see her, but you didn't show.  I left a note, and I went after her.  That's when I saw my car, and I found out about the accident.  I didn't know it was Mac you hit till I got to the hospital."

"Talk about a life altering experience you hand."

"Tell me about it.  I don't know who to be mad with more, you or me."

"Why would you be mad at yourself?  You didn't hit her."

"No, I did something worse.  I hurt her emotionally, again.  Physical pain heals, but emotional pain can last a lifetime.  Believe me.  I know.  I shut her out again.  The funny part is, I didn't realize what was happening till it was all over.  We both threw up our defenses so fast that all we could do was react to one another.  Thinking was out of the window."

"Sounds to me like you both are at fault, buddy."

"Maybe you're right, Sturgis, but I not the one in a coma."

"And you weren't the one that put her there.  I did that."

"Yeah, but if she wasn't pissed at me, she wouldn't have been out on the road."

"Harm, we could argue this for hours and never find a solution.  Why don't we just say that everyone should shoulder some of the blame for what happened tonight.  Me for not being more aware of my surroundings.  You and Mac for being so damn stubborn."

"You're right, Sturgis.  There's nothing I can do to change what's already been done."

"Exactly.  All you can do is learn from it, and pray it never happens again."

"Yeah, but I may never get a chance to make a change."

"Now that doesn't sound like the Harmon Rabb I know.  You have never backed down from anything.  There's more at stake if you give up this fight, Harm.  You need to help Mac fight for her life."

"I'm trying, Sturgis.  It's just so hard to see her looking like that."

"I know buddy, but try to see behind the bruises, bandages and tubes.  See Mac for who she is on the inside.  That's the woman you fell in love with."

"It certainly is, Sturgis.  Oh my God!  I totally forgot.  I was so caught up in everything else that it totally slipped my mind.  How is your father?"

"You had more important things to think about, buddy.  He's going to live.  They gave him some medicine to get rid of the clots.  He's awake now, and he was asking for me.  I spoke to him a few hours ago.  He knows what happened, and he said he will keep you and Mac in his prayers."

"I'll have to try to go see him later."

"We can go together if you want.  I should be released later today.  I would really like to see Mac."

"Sounds like a good idea.  I'm going to talk to the doctor tomorrow to see if I can stay with her.  I guess I will let you get some sleep.  I'll be in the ICU waiting room if you need me."

"Nonsense.  You can sleep on the bed next to me.  I was supposed to have a private room, but none were available.  They gave me this instead.  Just call the ICU and let them know where you are."

"Thanks, Sturgis for everything.  I think I will take you up on that offer."

Harm called the nurses and gave them Sturgis' room number in case there was any change in Mac's condition.  He took his shoes off and climbed into bed, hoping to catch a few hours sleep before trying to see Mac again.  Sleep, thankfully, came to him quick.  The trouble was, he was in for a dream he will never forget.

Well here it is.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Hopefully the quick edit will start to work again.  Now all you have to do it his that little lilac button and review.  You know you want to.  (evil grin)