Disclaimer and other important information in Chapter 1

Chapter 4

Harm didn't say anything, just held her hand as he drove. After a while her eyes dried but she remained silent. They were half way home when she broke the silence,

"Harm?" Mac asked.

"Mmhm," He replied.

"Can you not take me home?" she asked, "at least not yet."

"Sure," he replied, "where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere," she said with a sigh, "just not back to my apartment. There are too many memories there."

"Are you going to be ok to stay there tonight?" he asked her, concern evident in his voice.

"Honestly Harm I don't know," was her reply.

"Why don't we make a quick stop there so you can pick up some things. You can stay at my place tonight. I'll sleep on the couch." He offered.

Mac was touched by his offer but was a little reluctant to accept.

"Are you sure Harm?" she asked, "I don't want to impose on you and Mattie."

"You wouldn't be imposing," he said, "She cares a lot about you. You know she wanted to come today?"

"Why?" Mac asked confused, "she's never even met Clay."

"She wanted to be there for you, Sarah," Harm explained, "I promised her she could come to the funeral tomorrow."

"That's one great kid you got there Harm," Mac said.

"She probably won't be mine for much longer," Harm said with a sigh.

"You don't know that for sure," Mac said, putting a hand on his arm, "Mattie loves you. She wouldn't have let you help if she didn't."

"But the whole reason she needed me is the first place was because she thought her Dad was drunk when he had the accident that killed her Mom. Now she knows that isn't true."

"He still abandoned her Harm, he is still an alcoholic." Mac said, trying to give Harm a ray of hope.

"Alcoholics can dry out Mac," Harm argued, "you're proof enough of that."

"I know Harm, I'm just saying don't give up until it's really over. And even if you do lose custody you'll still see her. She's only out in Blacksburg."

"I know I just got so used to having her... and Jen too...across the hall." He said.

"Well you'll still have Jen and I have a feeling I'll be over a lot more." Mac replied, "That is if you're willing to put up with a sick marine?"

"You won't be able to get rid of me," Harm said throwing her a smile.

Mac smiled back and then they lapsed back into a comfortable silence.

When they arrived at Mac's Harm waited in the car while she went up to get her things. While he waited he called Mattie, or Jen rather since Mattie was out with her father.

Bring, bring... the phone rang.

"Hello?" Jen answered the phone.

"Hi Jen it's Harm," he said.

"What can I do for you commander?" Jen asked.

"I was wondering if you could do me a small favor?" Harm asked.

"Of course sir. What is it?" Jen replied.

"Go over to my apartment and in the fridge there are a couple of beers. Dump them down the sink." Harm instructed.

"Excuse me, sir?" Jen asked thinking she had not heard him correctly.

"The colonel is coming over, she's had a rough week and as much as I trust her I don't want to tempt her. Dump the beers down the sink."

"Yes sir!" Jen answered, now understanding his reasons, "The colonel's coming over sir? Is she...?"

"Staying the night? Yes. She doesn't want to be alone right now." Harm replied, hoping that Jen wouldn't get the wrong idea.

"I understand sir. Will do. Bye sir." Jen said.

"Good bye Jen."

Although Mattie had told her that Harm and Mac had confessed their feelings for each other she knew the commander would never take advantage of the colonel's grief.

Mac returned just has Harm was hanging up his phone.

"Who were you talking to?" she asked as she got in the car.

"Jen," Harm replied, "I was just letting them in on what was going on."

"And..." Mac prompted.

"And nothing." Harm said but he knew Mac was onto him.

"Harm I know you and there's something you're not telling me." Mac said a bit irked that he wouldn't tell her.

"Ok, ok. I asked Jen to dump my beers down the sink." Harm said, fully expecting Mac to be furious. She didn't like feeling as if people thought she couldn't be trusted around alcohol.

"Harm I've been at your place before when there's been beer in the fridge." She said, it was slight annoyance instead of anger in her voice.

"I know but you've had a tough week," Harm replied, "Clay, the admiral retiring and what the doctor said. I just didn't want to tempt you."

"I would have been fine Harm, but thanks any ways." She said. She was actually a bit relieved that the alcohol wouldn't be there. She couldn't honestly say that the bottle wasn't calling to her more this week.

Harm was surprised; he thought she would have bitten his head of. He sat in stunned silence for a few moments. He was about to make a retort but them thought better of it. He noticed Mac shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"Your back bothering you?" he asked.

"Ya, I've been sitting in this car to long." She replied.

"Did the doctor give you something for the pain?" Harm asked.

"It's in my bag, but I don't want to take it, it makes me sleepy." She said.

"Mac, if you're back's hurting that much you should at least take something." Harm said. "When's your next doctor's appointment?"

"Monday," Mac replied, "to discuss my post surgical options. Why?"

"I told you last night that I want to be there," Harm answered, "I meant it when I said you weren't going through this alone."

"What if the new JAG won't let you off?" Mac asked, "Remember it's not like Chegwidden who knows our history and has been here for the last 8 years."

"Well when on Monday is it?" Harm asked.

"1545 at Bethesda" Mac replied. "The doctor said it should take an hour or so."

"Then I'll be there when you get back," Harm said with confidence, "and I'll make you dinner and we'll talk about what the doctor said. But I'm going to try my best to be in that room with you."

Mac was anxious to change the subject away from her medical situation.

"Any ideas about the new JAG?" she asked.

"This'll probably jinx it but I'll be happy with anyone except Krennick." He replied.

"I wonder when they'll get around to getting us a new junior lawyer." She said, "we've been short one since...well you know."

"Since Lauren was killed," Harm said with a little emotion, "it's ok to say her name Mac, I'm not going to break. I don't know when we'll get a new one. Personally I think the admiral was holding out for Tiner to graduate Naval Justice School."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Mac responded, "He won't be done for about few months, but we might still get him."

"I guess it all depends on the new JAG," Harm said with a shrug.

Mac nodded.

TBC