Part 22: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Keep her safe

AN to part 22: A really big THANK YOU to my two wonderful beta-readers Carrie and Lee Ann. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't learn so much by writing in a foreign language and of course would make many many mistakes, because of usually writing my parts at a very late hour. I'm so honored to know you two and I can't say anything, completely fitting, to thank you enough for all your support and patience.

February 13th 2003, Thursday

1930 Zulu (20:30 hrs West EDT)

Hilton Paris Hotel

Room A03

Floor - A

Paris, France

For what seemed like hours, but was in actuality only a few moments, Harm couldn't move. He still heard the shot of the gun in his mind. Scared of what he might find, he couldn't turn his head or even open his eyes. If he could deny what had happened just a few minutes ago, he might be able to pretend everything was all right.

Suddenly he heard someone murmur and gasp.

"Harm…please…you're a bit heavy…I…can't breathe…"

Within milliseconds life returned into Harm's body and he rolled away from Mac.

"Sarah…oh my god…did I hurt you? … Are you okay? … Please, say something…" Harm stammered without a pause.

Mac had to smile. Harm looked so troubled, so concerned. She was sure that he didn't realize, what he'd just done for her. He had not only found her, but had also risked his own life to keep her safe. Again Harm was her lifesaver.

"Harm, calm down. I'm just a little bit out of breath, but I'm truly okay. Thanks to you…"

Mac moved to Harm, who leaned against the headboard. She took his face in both hands and looked him deeply into his eyes.

"… Thanks to you, Harm, I'm still alive and I'm with you. I'm forever thankful, you know? I don't know what I would do without you. Knowing that you would do anything to find me…that was what kept me going."

Mac's voice was barely a whisper, but Harm understood everything and it filled his heart. He looked into her dark brown eyes filled with unshed tears and knew everything would be all right now.

A single tear made its way down her cheek. Harm raised his hand to thumb the tear away, wash away all signs of the awful moments she had had to go through the last couple of days.

"You would have done the same for me, Mac. Remember, we're best friends…" He could see an uncertain flicker in her beautiful orbs, then he continued. "…And even so much more, I hope?"

It was more a question than a statement. And as if she knew that Harm longed for a sign confirming his wish, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had, showing him exactly what she wanted them to be.

Harm on the one hand was totally surprised by her action, but on the other hand, pleased to feel her warm, soft lips on his. His hands, tangled in her hair, steadied her and brought her even closer to him.

When she finally broke the kiss, he grinned at her sheepishly, but Harm's eyes conveyed that he didn't want them to stop.

Mac smiled back at him and they probably would have been lost forever in that moment, if someone behind them hadn't cleared his throat.

Abruptly, Harm and Mac became aware of where they were. Both turned their heads only to look at two officers from the hotel's security service and Louis.

The two officers slowly lowered their guns and Mac and Harm turned to look at the still body of Luke Wilson.

"Is…he… dead?" asked Mac; not knowing if she would be relieved or shocked to know that Luke would pay for his sins in another world.

One of the security men kneeled beside Wilson and felt his pulse. He shook his head and answered in broken English "No, he's alive."

It was then that Louis spoke for the first time. "I already called the police and paramedics when I saw over the security cameras that Luke Wilson had entered the room before you two could escape. My gut told me that this man was unstable…crazy, so I sent the security officers of our hotel to help you. And I'm glad it was the right decision."

The relief was visible on Louis' face. It could have ended completely differently, but fortunately that wasn't the case.

"Thank you so much, Louis." Harm spoke. "I don't know how to express how grateful I am for everything that you've done for us. Thank you!"

"You're welcome, but if it wasn't for me, Mr. Wilson would never have worked here and been in a position to kidnap and hold Mademoiselle MacKenzie hostage," Louis replied.

"You couldn't have known. Even I didn't remember Luke right away, so there was no chance you could have known," Harm stated firmly.

Mac tried to stand up, but was a little shaky on her feet. Harm immediately was at her side to steady her. A grateful smile of hers greeted him when he looked down at her.

Then Mac turned her head to look at Louis. She left Harm's safe embrace and walked to Louis. When Mac hugged him warmly, Louis was taken by surprise. This young mademoiselle was the strongest and at the same time most wonderful woman he had known in his life and he could understand why Commander Rabb had risked his own life to make sure that she would live...no matter what the cost.

"Thank you!" was all that Mac could say. But all her emotions were expressed in her eyes and there didn't need to be any more words spoken to show Louis how grateful Sarah MacKenzie was.

Shortly after that, the police and paramedics arrived. Both Mac and Harm gave the police their statements while the paramedics took care of Luke Wilson and Mac's injuries, caused by the handcuffs on her wrists and ankles.

A police officer joined the paramedics when they took Wilson away. Luke would survive and Harm and Mac would make sure that he would get what he deserved, but in a legal way.

Afterwards, Harm called Logan and Admiral Chegwidden to inform them of the previous events. Both were relieved to hear of Mac's safety and they made Harm promise to take good care of her.

"I will, Logan. And thank you for everything! Remember the drink Admiral Chegwidden promised you when you're in Washington again. Make it two. I owe you a hell of a lot."

"I'll get back to you on that. I'll call you when I'm in Washington. I guess it's time for this long needed vacation." Logan laughed and said his goodbye.

Harm walked back to the couch in the hall where he had left Mac before the two phone calls. Mac wasn't pale, but she looked exhausted and shaky.

Harm still had to fight off the feeling that this time, losing Mac was deathly close. He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and prayed that Mac would still be sitting on the couch when he reopened his eyes.

He was relieved: Mac was there – in person not only in his dreams. That wasn't a hallucination, she was real. A weight of a thousand pounds fell off his shoulders and a smile began to form around his mouth. Finally she was safe and he would keep it that way – no matter what.

"Hey…"

"Hey yourself…" answered Mac tiredly.

"How are you doing?"

"Okay, I think. But I'm tired and my energy is gone. I don't think I can make it to your room."

A mischievous smile curled around her lips. "Hey squid, are you up to a challenge?"

Not knowing what she was up to, but happy to see his feisty teasing marine again, he raised one brow and replied in pretend shock "Are you really asking that, marine? You should know by now, that 'we' Navy pilots turned to be top JAG lawyers are up to 'every' challenge!!"

Mac rolled her eyes and spoke up again. "Ok, in that case I guess you'll be willing to carry me up to your room? Right?"

Harm recognized for the second time, that Mac only spoke of 'his' room, not hers…and this time he wouldn't simply let it drop.

"What do you mean, to 'my' room?" All the teasing tone was replaced by a seriousness that was also reflected in his eyes.

Mac was shocked. She hadn't been aware, that she had really said 'your' instead of 'my' room. It was her wish to be near him, never let him go, at least for a while. She needed him right now and that was the reason why she didn't plan to run away this time.

"Harm, I… Well, I…I don't want to be alone tonight. Please, just for tonight!"

Harm knew how hard it was for Mac to admit that she needed someone, needed him. Mac always tried so hard to hide her weak moments. And asking him for help had surely been the hardest thing ever and he felt honored, that Mac trusted him that much.

Softly he answered, "Of course, Sarah. Whatever you need!"

With that, he helped her up to her feet and when Mac stood next to him, Harm placed one arm around her waist and the other under her knees. With one swift move he lifted her up. A cheerful giggle escaped Mac's mouth, but immediately she begged Harm to put her down again.

"Hey marine, be still! You asked if I was up for the challenge. Remember, Mac, Navy officers don't back away from challenges." A typical macho grin replaced the smile on his face.

Mac looked up for a moment, thinking about the possibilities, but relaxed shortly afterwards. She leaned her head on his strong shoulder and enjoyed the warmth and strength of Harm's embrace. Then she closed her eyes and inhaled the typical male scent of Harmon Rabb, Jr.

February 13th 2003, Thursday

2100 Zulu (22:00 hrs West EDT)

Hilton Paris Hotel

Harm's room, number 306

Paris, France

Harm managed to open the door with one hand and without waking Mac. On their way up, she had fallen asleep and hadn't awakened again. He planned to leave it exactly like that. Harm smiled when he remembered a similar situation in London.

When he placed her on his bed, she stirred.

"Hey…Harm, are we already in your room?" Mac asked with a sleepy voice.

"Yes, Mac, just go back to sleep. I'll take the couch."

"Silly, don't be stupid, Harm. We've already slept in one bed and I think we're grown up enough to do it again. I'll just go into the bathroom and get ready. Ok?"

Harm hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't think of one good reason why they couldn't share a bed – besides that: Mac was the most beautiful and breathtaking woman on this planet and he was in love with her. But he couldn't say that to her – at least not yet.

"All right, Mac, we can do that."

Mac walked to the bathroom and stooped abruptly.

"Uh, Harm, I don't have anything to change into… Would you mind giving me a shirt or something of yours?" she looked towards the floor.

She looks like a shy schoolgirl now. So sweet…wake up, Rabb. Mac is waiting for an answer.

Smiling he answered, "Here you go, Mac. Hope it'll fit."

He tossed a long, white shirt to her. Mac caught it and held it up to take a closer look at it.

The shirt was long enough and the inscription 'Property of the US Navy' caused her to giggle again.

"I'm sure it'll fit." And Mac thought If you knew how I would like to be your property, sailor…

With a smile on her face she walked into the bathroom.

Only five minutes later the bathroom door opened again and Mac, dressed in Harm's oversized t-shirt, stepped out.

Harm had already unmade the bed and had stripped down to his boxers. He stood in front of the window, now really enjoying the view of the Eiffel Tower at night.

Wow! This man looks sexy…Calm down, relax. It's just Harm – no one else.

"I'm ready, Harm. The bathroom is all yours."

Startled by her voice, Harm turned around and couldn't hide his smile. To his mind, Mac could wear whatever she wanted. She would always look gorgeous.

"All right, Mac. Make yourself at home. I'll be right back."

When Harm re-entered the bedroom, Mac was already curled up under the sheets, her eyes closed. He tiptoed softly to the bed, not wanting to wake her, then lay down beside her and switched off the light. But he couldn't relax or close his eyes. Mac's closeness, her scent and warmth wouldn't let it happen. He shifted around but couldn't find a comfortable position.

"Hey, flyboy, can't sleep?" a sleepy voice next to him asked.

"Uh…Mac, I'd better get up and take the couch."

Harm started to get up from the bed, but an arm around his waist stopped him.

"No…Harm. Don't leave. C'mon, just lay down. You promised I wouldn't be alone tonight. Harm, I need you to hold me. Please, don't go."

He couldn't resist her begging eyes and so he laid his head back on the pillow.

Mac waited until Harm had found a comfortable position, then she curled up closely next to him, her head on his bare chest and one arm placed around his waist.

"Hold me, Harm!"

Harm couldn't say anything, but he enfolded her in his arms. She snuggled closer to him and was sound asleep within seconds. Harm lay there awake, but finally relaxed. He just enjoyed holding her close. Mac's warmth and nearness lulled him to sleep. But before he drifted completely into his needed slumber, Harm kissed the top of her head.

"Good night, ninja girl. Sleep tight."

Information about posting part 23: Part 23 would have been to high rated – which isn't allowed on this board. But the story will also fit without reading part 23 I took care of it. Part 23 will only contain the title and will continue with part 24, which is normal PG-13 or PG rated.