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, and to conclude. I hope you have all enjoyed the story - as I have enjoyed sharing it with you all.


Interview Room - The Brig

"That's where you're wrong, Mic. I heard you, remember? I heard you say that you were taking me back to Australia, away from Harm, and that Renee could then have him. When I tell her what you said, what you did…"

"Renee's just an airhead; Rabb's welcome to her! I told her that we'd be together, yeah, but I didn't mean it! Sarah, it was to get her off my back, so that I could get you as far away from him as possible." Mic's voice dropped slightly, and Mac pulled back, unsure of the change in him. The gaze he gave her was piercing, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "You're mine, Sarah! I will always be watching you, and when it's the right time, you'll come with me again."

Mac glanced at Larry Kaplinsky, and although she didn't like the man, nor his methods of practicing law, she saw in his face the acknowledgement that his client was not going to avoid court martial, nor was he going to be found innocent. Kaplinsky got to his feet, and spoke up.

"I'll take the report of this meeting back to the Embassy and recommend that he…that my client be held in custody. I will also recommend that he be tried here, instead of putting you through the unnecessary travel to Australia."

Mac looked at the man in surprise, and then at Mic, who was still half out of his seat, leaning across the table, as though frozen. The expression on his face had not changed, and even Chegwidden looked surprised at the total lack of movement in the man. Mac found her voice enough to thank Kaplinsky, and then she pushed back her chair and made to leave the interview room. Behind the glass screen Renee had slumped down into a nearby chair, confused and upset.

"I'll sign a statement," she murmured, her voice hoarse with unshed tears. Harm nodded in silence, and then dropped into a crouch beside the chair, bringing his gaze level with hers. Renee gave a shaky smile, and then shook her head. "Don't say anything, Harm. Please? I'll do what I have to do, and then I'll be gone. I'm…I'm sorry Mac had to go through all this…really, I am. I didn't know Mic could be…like this…so unhinged!"

Harm got to his feet again, and extended his hand to help Renee stand up. With a small sigh, she accepted the gesture, and then released him as soon as she was standing. Without looking back at Harm, she left the room. Harm watched her leave, and then turned his attention back to the tableau in the other room.

Mac was making her way to the door, with the Admiral behind her. Kaplinsky was leaning over to talk to Mic, who still hadn't moved.

The next second was a complete blur, and Harm was torn between watching the the sudden lurch across the table of Mic after Mac, and going into the room himself to attempt to rescue Mac. Knowing his own limitations still, Harm did make a move to the room next door, but by the time he reached the handle the door was opened from the inside, and he couldn't help but smile at the scene that met him.

Kaplinsky was in his seat again, shaking his head at the latest stunt pulled by his client. All he could do for Mic now would be to recommend a very good psychiatrist, and an unspecified stay in a secure facility! The need for a court martial was now a moot point.

The Admiral was standing, feet apart, arms crossed, smiling at Mac.

Mac was crouched low, her knee pinning Mic's neck to the floor, her hands holding his hands behind his back, while the Marine guard in the room was calling for an armed escort to take Mic back to the brig. As Mac noticed Harm outside the room she grinned up at him.

"Hi," she murmured conversationally, and Harm's smile grew wider.

"Hi, yourself," he returned. "I'd offer to help, but I'm still out of commission, besides which, you seem to be doing pretty well by yourself."

"Yeah, I am…" Mac didn't look down at Mic, but instead up at Chegwidden. "Sir, when we're done here, does the offer of taking us home still stand?"

"Absolutely, Colonel. Be my pleasure."

"Thank you, sir."

Harm's Apartment – later

Harm lay back on the couch, Mac settled between his long legs, resting back against his chest, her head turned to the left, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek. Her right hand was caught up in his, and his left hand was gently stroking her hair. Since the Admiral had dropped them at Harm's apartment, they had simply climbed on the couch and stayed there, content to sit in silence, each contemplating what had happened over the last few hours, and the last few days even!

Eventually Mac broke the silence.

"Harm?"

"Hm?"

"What…what did Renee say? After Mic…" Mac halted, unable to actually voice her question of whether Renee had tried to claim Harm again.

"She said she would sign a statement, and that she was sorry you had been put through so much by Mic. Renee never realized how crazed he was."

"Neither did I…" Mac admitted, turning her face to look up at Harm. Without a wordshe turned in his arms and settled her chin on her crossed arms, looking at him, looking into him, to his very soul. The gaze he returned was just as intense.

"This is really happening, isn't it?" Mac's voice was husky, and Harm brushed her hair back from her face before he found words enough to answer.

"It's been a very strange few days for us, Sarah. I do know one certain thing in all of this, though…I do love you." Harm's declaration was made quietly, but was nonetheless sincere, and Mac smiled at him before bringing her lips close to his.

"I love you too, Harm." The kiss they shared first was gentle, and comforting. As Mac pulled back slightly Harm tilted his head in question. Smiling as she shook her head to dispel any worry he was having, she glanced around the room and then brought her gaze back to Harm. "I've always loved this place."

"Really?" Harm grinned, in his mind he went back to the very first time she had entered his apartment and asked him what he called his 'décor'. As Harm had been refurbishing the place from a storage facility to an apartment at the time, he called it his 'priority decorating', working on it as and when he could, around being at JAG. Mac recalled the moment too, and smiled.

"Yes, really," she echoed, recalling also the cooler in his refrigerator that held soda cans, and bottled water. Where most people had electricity, Harm was making do with ice bags until he actually installed the sockets to access the electricity.

"I've often pictured you here, like this…" Harm admitted suddenly, and Mac could only look at the expression on his face, and see the sincerity there in his gaze. Nodding her head, she gave an admission also.

"I've always wondered what it would be like to be in your arms, in your apartment."

"Now you know," Harm answered, and then continued. "How does it feel?"

"Like I'm home," Mac sighed, and then leaned in to kiss Harm again, and there was very little said for quite a while.

It was Harm's turn to break the silence next, and he was a little bit reluctant, unsure as to how Mac would react to his words.

"Sarah…I…we…" he began, and Mac waited patiently, somehow knowing that this was something that she had thought about for a very long time, but never really believed would ever happen. Having waited this long, she could wait a little longer. Not much! But a little… Harm rounded up his thoughts and spoke again.

"All I want right now is to take you to bed, and make love with you, but I'm not sure…if I…if we…oh, hell!" Harm gave in to frustration, but Mac put her hand over his mouth gently and murmured soothingly.

"Let's go to bed, Harm, and get comfortable. We both know what we want, and when we're ready to take the step further…"

Harm shook his head, and grinned ruefully.

"Harm?"

"I only meant, I don't know if I'm up to this…physically…yet," he told her, "I want to make love to you right here, right now…but I don't want to disappoint you if we can't go…any further…" Harm tried to find the words, and Mac's smile was radiant.

"Oh, Harm! Come on, let's get comfortable, like I said, and let nature take over. When it's the right time, we'll know."

Harm leaned in to kiss Mac, and then grinned at her.

"How did we get so lucky?" he murmured, and Mac's answer was quick, and simple.

"We met in a Rose Garden."

After that there was no further need of words. Mac got to her feet and helped Harm up from the couch, and then they made their way to the bed hidden behind the glass screen. Settling down beneath the comforter, the world drifted away until there was just the two of them.

And nature did take over…

THE END

I'll leave the rest to your overactive imaginations!