Title : The Return

Author : Jaggie 107

Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.

Rating : G to PG-13 (Just in case!)

Summary : An alternative start to Adrift II when Harm is brought to the hospital.

Comments : I have had numerous encouraging reviews, thank you all. You are my inspiration to continue.


Hospital Corridor – days later

"Hey, Harm…" Skates came up behind Harm as he made his way around the hospital corridors, not quite his usual 'jog' but exercise nonetheless. Dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt, he turned to find his RIO walking up to him. Bending down a little he gave her a hug.

"You look good, Skates."

"Feel good, sir." Skates was in uniform, a fact that didn't escape Harm's notice. He raised an eyebrow at her, and she grinned.

"I've just been cleared for full duty. Came in this morning for the check up, and so I'm officially back at work."

"So, what will you do now you're feet dry?"

"Actually, Harm, I'm going back out to the carrier." Skates smiled up at Harm, and tipped her head. "Going through what we did, it kinda made me realize what I'd be giving up, and I'm not ready yet."

"What about your fiancé?"

"He understands. It hasn't split us, sir. If I didn't go back I'd always wonder, you know…?"

"Yeah, I know." Harm nodded, remembering his decision to return to the fleet when he had successful eye surgery. "Well, good luck, and keep in touch."

"Always." Skates smiled up at Harm. "Permission to hug the Commander?"

"Granted, but be careful!"

"No problem, sir." The pair hugged affectionately, and then Skates turned to leave. "Oh, one thing, sir…Colonel Mackenzie said something, when we first came back to Bethesda."

"Oh? Such as?"

"Well, I only told you about getting engaged, and then we had the ditch, but she congratulated me. How did she know, sir?"

"I'm…not sure, Skates, but the Colonel has talents even I don't know about…maybe she's psychic?" This was said with definite 'tongue in cheek', and Harm managed not to grin as he spoke.

"I guess…thanks. See ya!"

"Take care, Skates, and good luck."

As the younger woman walked away, Renee Peterson caught up with Harm.

"Hey, sailor!" Somehow, from Renee, the words seemed almost like an insult. Harm cringed, but turned around to face her.

"Renee. Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I've come to take you home, remember?"

Harm looked blank. Renee had hoped that this would be his reaction. With his amnesia it was possible that she could blindside him enough so that she could work her way back into his life, and edge out Mac altogether.

"Harm! Honey, I said I'd be by to pick you up."

"I don't understand," began Harm, but Renee interrupted him.

"Of course, you don't remember. Well, don't worry about it. We'll get you home, and then a little TLC, and you'll be back to yourself in no time."

While Harm may have forgotten his past with Renee, he was very much aware of the present, and the fact that he and Mac had declared their love for each other, and told both their respective partners much the same. It was clear that Renee hadn't got the message, or chose not to get it! Harm wondered if Mac was having the same problem with Mic. More than likely.

JAG Headquarters

Mac looked at her watch, even though she instinctively knew it was almost lunchtime, and she was due at the hospital to pick up Harm and take him back to his apartment. When the telephone rang in her office she jumped a little, unsure why she was so tense. It wasn't like she and Harm weren't secure enough in their new relationship. They had talked as much as possible over the past week or so, and both were ready to take their physical needs one step further too, once Harm was released. However, saying and doing were two different things, and Mac actually felt like a gawky teenager about to go on her first date. Giving herself a mental shake, Mac grinned and picked up the telephone handset.

"Mackenzie."

"It's Mic."

"Mic…I…" Mac began, but Mic cut her off.

"Please, Sarah. We need to talk. I need to see you."

"We've been over this already, Mic!" Mac protested, recalling how many times in the past week that she had arrived home from JAG to find Mic seated on the steps outside her apartment building. The doorman had been given instructions not to let him into the building itself, following the first occasion when Mic had barged past the unfortunate man to come and bang on Mac's door. Mic had arrived on the pretext of collecting his belongings, and had taken the opportunity to push past the much-older man and confront Mac in person.

"I'm leaving. Going back to Australia, Sarah. Please, just have lunch with me?"

"I can't make it today. Harm is due to be released from Bethesda later, and I'm going to pick him up. Call me tomorrow."

"Sarah…?" It was Mic's turn to protest, but then he thought better of it, and he gave in. "Okay. I will call you, Sarah."

"I know you will, Mic." Mac hung up on her now ex-fiance (she had returned the ring) and wondered whether she should let Harm know about their conversation. The thought was pushed to the back of her mind minutes later when she was called into the Admiral's office. It didn't surface until she was on her way to Bethesda to collect Harm, driving his SUV to make it easier for him to get into and out of, rather than her car. Harm would be able to accompany her to a lunch with Mic. If it was as innocent as he claimed, he couldn't honestly object to Harm's presence. If it wasn't, and Mic had plans to protest their break-up yet again, Harm would provide much-needed support. Mac parked the SUV and climbed out. Whereas Harm's car used a remote locking facility, Mac's didn't, and as she turned to lock the SUV's door with a key, by mistake, she was blindsided. The blow caused her to stagger, and disorientated as she was, she didn't recognize her attacker. Maybe someone after the SUV? It was going dark, and Mac slid into unconsciousness, still unaware of who had attacked her, and why.

Room 1509

"Mac is meant to be coming by to pick me up, Renee."

"Excuse me?" Renee put her hands on her hips and stared at Harm. The man was just so stubborn! "Well, she isn't here now, and you're ready to be released. How about you call her, and tell her that you're going home, and she can meet you there? If she's on her way already, it won't be too difficult to change route, will it? Seems a little silly for her to come all the way out here now, when I'm here."

"But…" Harm began, and then thought better of it, turning to pick up the telephone at the side of his bed. Renee bit her lip nervously as Harm dialed JAG's number. Bud answered Mac's telephone on the third ring.

"Colonel Mackenzie's office."

"Bud? It's Harm. Is Mac there?"

"Hello, sir. No, she isn't. I believe she left already, your SUV has gone."

"I guess she's on her way here then. Thanks, Bud. I'll call her cell phone."

"Alright, sir. Harriet and I will be by to see you in a couple of days."

"Thanks, Bud. We look forward to it." Harm replaced the handset, and looked up to find Renee glaring at him.

"We do? Harm, you know they don't really like me…" she began, but Harm cut her off, raising his hand in protest.

"Renee, I don't know what's going on here, but I do know that you and I are no longer together."

"What? Harm, what on earth has Mac been telling you? Of course we're together, just like she and Mic are."

"No!" It was a fast retort, and it was vehement. Harm put his hand to his head, closing his eyes. He was warned that stress could still give him sudden headaches for a while longer, and he knew that having Renee around was stressful. Whatever was going on, Harm was sure of three things. He loved Mac, she loved him, and Renee was no longer in their lives. Nor was Mic.

"Harm? Are you in pain?"

"Nothing I can't deal with. I'm going to call Mac's cell phone."

"Okay." The tone of Renee's voice should have been indication enough that something was definitely not right. The speed with which she gave in was a definite marker. Harm stared at her. Really stared, and Renee blanched under his gaze.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know what…" began Renee, only to falter at his dark look.

"Don't give me that, Renee! What's going on? Why isn't Mac here? Has Brumby done something?" Oh, no! Harm picked up the receiver and pressed redial. Bud was still in Mac's office and he answered the call again.

"Colonel Ma…" he began, but Harm cut him off.

"It's Mac! Something's happened to her, Bud. I don't know what, but I need you to come get me from Bethesda. If the Admiral queries you, tell him what's going on."

JAG Headquarters

"Of course, sir." Bud replaced the receiver and looked up just as Harriet came to the door of the office.

"What's going on?" she asked, and Bud shook his head.

"I'm not sure. Commander Rabb wants me to pick him up from Bethesda. He said something's happened to the Colonel."

Harriet followed Bud across the bullpen and into the Admiral's outer office. Tiner was at his desk and looked up as the two officers spoke together.

"We need to speak to the Admiral."

Admiral Chegwidden was in his office, and heard the request.

"Enter."

Bud pushed open the door, followed by Harriet, and Tiner.

"Sir, I've just had a call from the Commander. He wants me to pick him up from Bethesda."

"I thought Colonel Mackenzie was meeting him?"

"So did the Commander, sir. Apparently she hasn't turned up yet. The Commander's worried, and thinks something has happened to her."

"Alright, Lieutenant. Take my SUV, and bring the Commander back here. In the meantime, Lieutenant Sims, find out the name of the Commander's SUV dealer. I believe his vehicle has a tracking system, like my own, and it should be easy to trace its whereabouts that way."

"Yes, sir. That's a brilliant idea, Admiral, sir!" Harriet turned and almost bumped into Tiner, who grinned and nodded his head.

"I'm on it, ma'am."

"Thank you, Tiner."

"Dismissed," said Chegwidden, not able to quite hide the smile at the attentiveness of his staff when one, or two, of their number were threatened.

Airport Motel – Washington DC

Mac stirred on the bed, aware of three things when she finally opened her eyes. Her hands and feet were bound tight, her mouth was gagged, and her attacker was standing over her.

Mic!


TBC