AN: Yes, it's a little short and I apologize for that but it's flowing and I'm posting the chapters at a little faster pace so hopefully, that makes up for it.

I'm sorry I didn't warn people that tissues would be needed in the last chapter, or the whole story for that matter. I'm just glad to know that I'm touching your hearts one way or another.

Chapter 7: Drawing Strength From One Another

An hour later, Harm reluctantly left the hospital. AJ had listened to him spill his story and then ordered him to go home and shower and get some sleep. Harm hadn't have wanted to leave at first but the final argument had been that Mac would have enough to worry about without needing to fret about Harm's health. So Harm had left with the promise to be back in the morning, only as long as AJ would stay with her.

Harm had driven home, his thoughts elsewhere. Somehow he managed to safely make it home. He had almost fallen asleep in the shower and after accidentally hitting his head against the wall nodding off, he had decided that AJ was right and he needed to get some sleep. He was already asleep before his head hit the pillow.

The next morning, Harm slowly fought his way awake. His body was fighting against him to still sleep. But a quick glance at the clock on his nightstand quickly forced him awake. It was almost seven o'clock! He had slept for nearly 20 hours. He felt a pang of guilt for leaving his wife's side for so long as he quickly dressed, ate a small breakfast and headed off to the hospital once again. He was glad that it was Saturday; no work to go off to.

When he arrived back at the hospital, he found AJ gone and Sturgis there.

"Has she woken up yet?" Harm asked hopefully.

Sturgis forgave the lack of greeting from his Academy friend and shook his head. "The doctor was in about an hour ago and he said that everything's fine and she should be waking up soon."

"When did you get here?"

"AJ called me late last night. Francesca's flight was due to arrive at one and he needed to go pick her up. How are you holding up?" Truth be told, Sturgis already knew about Harm's little break-down from AJ.

"I've been better." Harm wasn't focusing on his friend at all. His attention was, as it always had been, on Mac.

Sturgis sighed. He knew where Harm's mind was. Where it had always been. Sarah Mackenzie had managed to capture Harm's heart in a way that no other woman had done before. Not even Diane had such a tight hold over him.

"You two are married?" Sturgis asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Harm held up his hand, showing the gold wedding band in response. His other hand held Mac's tightly.

"When?"

"A couple weeks ago."

"She's good for you, buddy."

"She keeps me grounded in life."

Seeing that he wasn't going to get much more out of Harm, Sturgis patted him on the back and said, "Anytime you need to talk or need help, let me know."

Harm finally tore his gaze away from his wife and looked up into the worried eyes of his good friend. "Thanks."

"I'll be by later." With that, Sturgis left, shutting the door shut behind him.

Back in Mac's hospital room

Harm took her small right hand in both of his, gently caressing it. "Sarah, honey, please wake up soon. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I need to know that you're all right. I need you. My life is pointless and meaningless without you. Everyone's so worried about you. Little AJ keeps asking Bud and Harriet when he gets to see you. Sarah, I need you," he pleaded desperately. His tears threatened to spill over and he buried his head on her bed, trying to keep his emotions in check.

The minutes just seemed to pass and all of the sudden he felt a hand on his head, fingers feebly running through his dark hair. He heard his name whispered and he lifted his head up to look at Mac, her chocolate brown eyes holding him captive.

"Harm," she said softly, finally getting his attention. She gave him a weak and tired smile.

"Oh, Sarah."

She held her arms out to him and he quickly but carefully gathered her up in his arms and held her close against him.

"I love you so much," he murmured over and over again, his face buried in her soft dark hair.

Mac let him draw strength off of her. She sensed that he was vulnerable and weak, these past weeks must have taken their toll on him. They needed each other, they were addicted to each other, they were each other's lifeline. Whatever the one was feeling, the other one often felt the same pain. They were inextricably bound together, their hearts beating as one. They were soul mates, there was no other way to describe it.

Nurse Bell slowly opened the door and peered in. There had been a beeping from the Colonel's room, letting the nurses desk know that she was awake. When she saw the Commander and Colonel locked in a tight embrace, she smiled and quietly shut the door. She could check on the Colonel in a few minutes.