Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever owned JAG,the characters, etc. I'm just playing with them for a while. If you sue me, you will gain nothing save an ugly tortoise-shell cat and some pocket lint.

AN: This is my first attempt at submitting fanfiction. I welcome any and all feedback; however, I realize I have a long way to go in becoming a good writer, so please be constructive in your critcisms. Other than that, enjoy! Hopefully you'll find this less depressing than the show itself. (Especially my fellow shippers)

Harm watched helplessly as Colonel MacKensie delivered the final nail in the coffin that would secure his client a life sentence. 'Damn her,' he thought angrily. 'Where the hell did that evidence come from? Why hadn't I interrogated the grandmother?' Mac was like a tiger, ever watchful for an elusive discrepancy, ready to strike at the right moment. Even though he was enraged by her prowess and by her grace and efficiency in incriminating a man, he could not help but to be floored by her beauty.

"Commander Rabb," Admiral Morris sternly bellowed from his perch on the bench, "Do you wish to proceed with cross examination?"

Startled from his grim reverie, Harm rose from his chair, his impressive height doing little to mask his defeat. "Your Honor, the defense requests a recess to interrogate this new witness, as we were given no word of Mrs. Stammon's testimony before hand." Harm ground out the last of his sentence with an accusing edge and shot a furious glare at Mac, who met his eyes with a confidence and an intensity rival to his own.

"Your Honor," Mac calmly stated, "the Commander was given a list of possible witnesses and detailed summaries of their testimonies prior to the trial. He had ample time to evaluate Mrs. Stammon as well as the other prospective witnesses. To prolong this trial any further would not only be a waste of valuable Navy resources, but a cruel and unfair disservice to the victim's family. Please let us put this matter to bed before it causes more adversity"

Harm could see that Mac had succeeded in swaying Admiral Morris and became angrier. 'Damn that Bitch! Who the hell does she think she is? Put it to bed...hmph... I'll put it to bed... put her to bed.'

"Commander, I'll have to side with the Colonel on this one. I refuse to let your

incompetence as an attorney have any bearing in this courtroom. And furthermore, based on the evidence presented, I have no choice but to rule in favor of the people and recommend that this matter be taken to Court Martial. Court is adjourned."

Harm felt his life shatter as if the slamming of that gavel somehow sentenced him to death. His world spun as he vaguely became aware of the gun shoved into his stomach by his irate client. Maybe the finality in that one blow of justice's hand affected him with a magnitude not even he could fathom. The bang of the gavel resounded in his head, spinning endlessly throughout his mind, tormenting him with the fire of passion and the ice of revenge. Harm felt deep, burning pain rip through his body and felt as if he was being torn apart. He could feel warmth gush from his abdomen and was dimly aware of the struggle surrounding him as the bailiff battled to subdue the criminal.

In the haze and uncertainty of his semi-conscious state, Harm heard sobbing pleas, but they seemed to be echoes from another place and time, a voice miles and years away from him. "Harm," the voice cried in fear and anguish, "Please come back to me." It was Mac, he realized as he battled to overcome the fog of his existence. "Please Harm," the voice whispered desperately. "I need you." Suddenly he had something to fight for, something to drive him onward through the haze stretching out around him.

"Sarah," Harm mumbled as he forced his eyes open. Kneeling above him with tears streaming from her chocolate eyes, Mac smiled. "Stay with me sailor. Don't you dare leave me." The effort to stay conscious overwhelmed him and he let his heavy lids flutter shut. 'Just a little nap,' he thought. As Harm drifted into unconsciousness, the spinning and the pain stopped.

Shall I proceed or give it up?