AN: Well here is the next installment in my saga. It has gotten so long. I never expected this to go as long as it did. I still have a few more chapters in me. I think. Anyway, enjoy.
Sturgis slowly made his way to Mac's room. He still wondered if this was a good idea. Harm would have told him if it wasn't ok. He reached her door, and with a small hesitation, knocked. Mac called him in.

"Uh...Hi...Mac. How are you doing?"

"A lot better thank you. How are you?"

"Same here."

There was an awkward tension in the room. Neither knew how to break it. They did, however, know the reason. They didn't know how to talk to one another anymore. How do you talk to someone after something like this? Mac had grown tired of the silence, and she decided to break it.

"Sturgis, please come and have a seat. I promise I won't bite."

"You sure about that?"

They both smiled, and the tension was broken.

"Mac, about the accident. I'm so sorry it happened. I would never try to hurt you intentionally."

"I know that, Sturgis. Harm explained it all to me. By the way, how is your dad?"

"He's doing much better. He maybe going home is a couple of days."

"That's good news."

"That it is."

"Sturgis, I know this is going to be difficult for the both of us. I mean, we work together. I'm sure we can find a way to get past this."

"I know, Mac. I just don't know if I can forgive myself."

"What's stopping you?"

"Me mostly. I hit you, Mac! You! The person my best friend lo...cares about. It's not like I hit some stranger."

"And that would make it better?"

"No. It would make it easier to deal with. I wouldn't have all the personal issues to deal with. I wouldn't have to deal with the ramifications of hurting someone I know."

"Sturgis. That's why they are called accidents. No one plans to have them. Besides, it's a blessing in disguise."

"You know, someone said something similar to me."

"Really? Who?"

"Harm."

"What did he say?"

"That is a conversation for you two to have, but suffice to say, he thanked me."

A smiled graced her face. She could picture her flyboy thanking Sturgis. She wanted to thank him, too. She didn't know where she and Harm would be if this didn't happen. Actually, if she thought about it hard enough, she knew exactly where they would be. They would be dancing to the same song. A song she had grown very tired of. Sturgis watched the varying expressions on Mac's face. He wondered what she was thinking. He decided that he'd never know unless he asked.

"Penny for your thoughts, Mac."

"Oh. I was just thinking about everything that's happened, and the changes it caused."

"You think something has changed?"

"Yes. I know I have, and I can see a change in Harm as well."

Sturgis knew where this conversation was headed. He just had it with Harm. He had always been curious about the relationship between these two. It couldn't hurt to hear her assessment.

"What kind of changes have you noticed?"

"I don't know how much Harm told you, but the night of the accident wasn't a good one. Things were going well, but then we started fighting. I had left upset, and you know the rest. I was ready to tell Harm how I felt about him that night. I was ready to take it to the next level, but I was too afraid to go through with it. I was scared to risk the one thing I didn't even have anymore. My heart. Harm has had that for such a long time. The accident helped me to realize that. It also helped me to realize how fragile life is. It can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye. I learned that I need to take life by the horns and go after what I want. What I want is Harm, and I'm tired of waiting."

"Sounds like you've done some soul searching. How does Harm fit into the changes you see?"

"He's more tender and affectionate. He has let his walls down more. I can actually see what he is feeling in his eyes. You know Harm probably better than I do. He doesn't talk about personal things."

"You're right about that, Mac. Harm has never been very open about his personal life. I have noticed those same changes in him. We just had a very interesting conversation about how he's changed."

"And you won't tell me anything about it, right?"

"It's not my place to. What I can tell you is you both are in for a very interesting conversation when it happens."

"Yeah. We probably are."

"Well, Mac. As much as I would like to stay, I would really like to go see my dad. I'm glad we had a chance to talk things out."

"Me too, Sturgis. I'm confident we'll get past this. Just give it time."

"That I will, Mac. Take care."

"You too."

Sturgis left Mac's room in better spirits. He didn't expect the conversation to go that well. He honestly thought he was in for a serious dressing down. Mac was also surprised how well the conversation went. She was still angry with Sturgis, but she did understand what happened. They both thought that this was something they would get past.

On his was to see his dad, Sturgis ran into Harm.

"So how did it go?"

"Remarkably well. We had a very nice talk."

"That's good to hear. You're on your way to see your dad?"

"Yeah, and I guess you're going to see Mac."

"You got it."

"Well, I'll let you get back to your marine. Take care, Harm."

"You too, Sturgis."

Harm arrived at Mac's door and knocked before entering.

"Hey, marine. How did it go with Dr. Morris?"

Mac decided to have a little fun with Harm.

"You really want to know?"

"Why wouldn't I? Is something wrong?"

Mac couldn't hide the smirk that was forming. Harm picked up on it immediately.

"You're playing with me, aren't you?"

"Maybe a little."

"OOO...If you weren't injured, why I ..."

"You would what, Harm? What would you do to me?"

Suddenly there was a change in the atmosphere of the room. There was a charge that flowed between them. Mac watched Harm's eyes turn a smoky gray. She waited for what he would say next. Harm stepped up to the side of the bed, and he leaned in till he was an inch from her face. His voice was but a whisper.

"What I would love to do to you would be dangerous to your health right now."

Mac's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe he just said that. Harm, however, was very proud of himself. It's not everyday he makes Mac speechless. Mac decided to fight fire with fire. Harm could tell exactly when he lost the advantage. Mac's eyes turned the color of coal, and she inched just a little closer to him.

"Well, I guess I better get better so WE both can do what we want to each other."

That said, Mac pulled back and gazed into Harm's eyes. She didn't think his eyes could get any darker, but they did. They were as black as midnight. She also noticed that his breathing had increased. She knew what he wanted, because she wanted it too. But, not here. It took every once of control for Harm to not take Mac right there. He could see the wanting in her eyes, and he knew it was reflected in his own. God, the things she did to him. They were just talking, and his pants were already getting uncomfortable. He could just imagine what would happen when they both could act on their feelings. With a sigh, Harm pulled away. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke.

"You definitely need to get better soon, Sarah. I don't know how much longer I can wait for you. We have so much to talk about and put to rest. I can be a very patient person, but you looking at me like that could try the patience of a saint.

Mac blushed as she listened to his words. She knew he was telling the truth, because it was in his eyes. He also called her Sarah. He never calls her by her first name unless he's serious. Harm did mean every word he said. He wanted to be with Mac so bad. Not just physically, but emotionally too. They both knew they needed to finish this. They both needed to lay their cards on the table. When that happened, there would be no turning back, and neither wanted to. Harm pulled up the chair and grabbed Mac's hand.

"So what did the doctor say?"

"You want the good news or the good news?"

"Gee. Let me think. I'll take the good news."

"Good choice. The doctor said the chest tube will come out today."

"That's excellent, Mac. That's sooner that expected."

"Yeah. He said everything sounds great on my left side, so he wants to try it. I told him I was a quick healer."

"That you are. So what's the other good news?"

"I get to go home at the end of the week. They will be running tests on me the next couple of days, and if all is well, I go home Friday."

"Really! Oh, Mac. That's so great!" "I thought you would be pleased."

"Of course I am. I told you that I can't wait to get you home."

"Yes, you did. Just remember I have to get better first."

"I know, but I do get you all to myself at least."

"Yes, you do."

Just then, the doctor came in. When Harm saw him, he got up and moved out of the doctor's way.

"So let's see about getting that chest tube out."

"Whatever you say. One less thing attached to me, the better."

"This may feel uncomfortable, but it'll be over quick."

"Well, let's do it."

The doctor explained the procedure to both Mac and Harm. As the doctor prepared to take the tube out, Mac reached out for Harm. He moved next to her and took her hand. He smiled at her, and he never broke eye contact with her. Just looking at him took all her fears away. Next thing she knew, the tube was out. She was so lost in Harm's eyes that she didn't even know he took it out.

"There. All done. I'll just put a couple of stitches in, and we'll be done. How do you feel?"

"I feel fine."

"I'm going to listen to your lungs and make sure they're ok."

The doctor listened to her lungs and found they were indeed ok. He ordered all necessary test, and said if all goes well, she will be released Friday. Mac and Harm were so excited. They both prayed that week would fly by. Throughout the week, Bud, Harriet, and AJ stopped by. Sturgis and his father also stopped by on occasion. Harm was finally able to get in touch with Coates and Mattie, who were on a camping trip. After being scolded by a teenager for not trying harder to find them, they said they would come home as soon as possible.

The only person that was always with Mac was Harm. He never left her side. Everyone tried to send him home to at least freshen up, but he refused to leave. He was not leaving his marine alone anymore. Giving up, Bud went to Harm's apartment and packed his seabag. Everyone was anxious for Friday to come, especially Harm and Mac. They continued to talk, but they made sure it was just casual conversation. They didn't want to test the waters again with a intense conversation again. Neither was sure they would be able to get through another one of those without ripping the other's clothes off.

Friday finally came, and the doctor had the results of all of Mac's tests. They all came back normal, and the doctor released her. Harm was given all her release papers, prescriptions and instructions for cleaning her wounds. He was lucky about not having to clean of dress the wounds so far. A nurse came in everyday to help Mac bathe and cleaned and dressed her wounds. Now the real test would come. Harm had to do it all by himself. Harm decided to give it a dry run of sorts. He had already sent the crew down to his rental car to put all of Mac's things up. This left them alone, and she needed to change into her clothes. The nurse offered to help, but Harm said he needed the practice, and there was no time like the present to start. They both decided that it would be best if Mac's back was facing Harm as he dressed her top. Once her shirt was on, she turned to him and sat on the bed. Harm then put on her pants and slippers. Once they were finished, they decided that this was something they would be able to handle, or so they thought. This was only the first time they did this. They would have to do this everyday for the next five to seven weeks. Harm still had to help her bathe, and that was a very different ball of wax.

Harm helped Mac into her wheelchair, and began wheeler her to the car. They had discussed where she would stay earlier in the week. It was decided that it would be easier for Mac to stay at her apartment, since there were no stairs to climb. Neither really cared where they stayed. Just as long as they were together. Harm helped Mac into the car. With goodbyes said and done, Harm and Mac left for home. Now the fun was about to start.
Well there is it. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Much shipperness in it. I know most want a kiss, and believe me, it's coming. It will be one neither will ever forget. Now all you have to do is hit that lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)