Part 37
Sea Haven Pine Knoll Shores, NC 1955 Local
Marius slowed and turned down a narrow driveway that wasn't much more than crushed shells and hard-packed sand. The live oak trees had managed to meet and form a canopy that turned the fast-fading dusk into dark night. Harm and Mac exchanged looks with each other. It hardly seemed possible that a building as big as Frank had said would be at the end of this two-wheeled track. They rounded a bend and stopped. Mac's mouth dropped open and she didn't have to look at Harm to know he wore the same expression. The house that stood before them was enormous. It sat on pilings that were a typical (and necessary) feature of most of the homes on the island. A double staircase that switched back and forth on itself led up to a covered alcove and a pair of doors. A walkway was attached to either side of the stair so that one could also walk around and enter from the ocean side of the house. Lights were on in the various windows giving the house a warm and welcoming look.
Marius sounded the horn twice and flashed his headlights. Two figures came out of the alcove. From the contrast in size, it wasn't hard to guess their identities. Mac smiled while Harm chuckled, "I see Pick and Tink have made themselves useful."
Zali glanced over his shoulder at them, "I'm not complaining." By the time he'd parked the Suburban under the house, the steps were crowded. The Dzurick kids descended like a cloud around the two JAG officers exchanging hugs and greetings before liberating their luggage and disappearing up the stairs. The adults lingered for only a few more seconds before Gus Montgomery could be heard bellowing for them to come up, did they want to be eaten alive by mosquitos?
Carol gave an apologetic smile and shrug before moving lightly up the stairs. The rest followed a little more sedately. Trish and Frank went first. Emma, Mac and Harm followed. Harm kept a hand under each woman's elbow just in case. Marius maintained his position in the rear of the group. Trish glanced over her shoulder as they made their way up the stairs, "They're an exuberant group, aren't they?"
Mac shook her head, chuckling, "You should see them on their home turf."
Pick and Tink were still there when they gained the alcove. The two young men snapped to attention as soon as they saw Harm and Mac. "As you were, gentlemen, we're not in uniform." Harm directed with a wave of his hand.
"Yes sir," Pick grinned as the two relaxed slightly. They smiled a greeting to the rest of the group.
Frank smiled in return and looked over at Harm and Mac, "We'll meet you inside." Taking Trish's hand, the older couple walked into the house.
Marius came up alongside Emma and offered his elbow with a slight bow, "May I escort you in, Miss Emma?"
"You may," Emma replied formally, although her eyes were twinkling with humor. She turned her attention to Harm, Pick and Tink and her gaze sharpened, "Don't you keep Sarah standing out here too long. Is that clear?"
Mac couldn't help smiling at the alacrity with which the three men uttered their assurances. Emma had a point, of course. If it hadn't been for Harm's support, she was pretty sure she wouldn't have made it up the steps without a break in between. Her smile faltered a little when she realized that for everything she'd been through with these two young men, neither of them had had any idea of what her past was like - until now. 'Stop it,' she told herself firmly. If such things mattered to them, they wouldn't have come. She summoned up a real smile, "How have you two been?"
Pick gave her a wide grin, "Fine, ma'am, just fine." He kept his relief hidden that the Colonel still sounded like the woman he'd come to know and respect. He'd been off-duty, shooting pool at a local bar when ZNN had aired the initial interview. He'd left soon afterwards. The temptation to use his cuestick on some of the other patrons had grown too great. Pick had headed home and put in a call to Tink. Maggie had gotten on the extension and the three of them had discussed the whole thing to death. When Admiral Chegwidden called, he'd leapt at the chance to show his support. Less than 24 hours later, he'd found himself on a Lear jet with the Burnetts and then reunited with the Dzuricks. They'd picked up the last of the group in DC, Tink had driven up from Quantico where he was TAD after his commission. Major Perez had been less than happy with that development.
Enroute to North Carolina, Carol, Gus and Mrs. Fine had filled the others in on the whole story, including the Colonel's past. It had been a lot to digest and from watching the others' expressions, he knew that only he, Tink and the Burnetts hadn't had any inkling of where Sarah MacKenzie had come from. It had bothered the hell out of him. He couldn't help feeling angry... and disappointed. After the meeting had broken up, he'd found a window seat where he could brood privately. That hadn't lasted long. Tink had settled down next to him and hadn't wasted any time. He could still recall the conversation vividly.
"What's wrong?" Bell kept his voice down to a low rumble.
"Guess." Sarcasm wasn't normally the best route to go with a man whose hand was the size of your head, but Pick was too pissed to care.
The rumble became more ominous, "Your pedestal for Colonel MacKenzie broke and now you're having a tantrum?"
"No! I... man, she lied!"
"When?"
"It was a lie of omission."
"Like hell. It was none of your damn business." Bell poked Tyler on the shoulder with a finger and watched the smaller man flinch. "Who died and made you saint? Knowing the Colonel's human doesn't change how she's always treated us or are you that big of a snob?"
Pick bristled, "You know I'm not!"
"Can't tell from where I'm sitting. Grow up, Tyler, and if you want brood about something, think about how you'd feel if someone broadcast a skewed version of your life on national TV." Bell got up after that and went to join El and Nicky. Pick had stewed a little while longer although his focus was different. Tink had been right on two major points: the Colonel's personal life was none of his business and it hadn't made the slightest difference in how she had treated them. She was still the same officer that she'd always been. Now he just felt stupid for reacting the way he did. Not knowing exactly what to do, he'd continued staring out the window. He'd been startled when Mo Dzurick dropped into the seat Bell had vacated.
"You okay?" When he'd nodded wordlessly, she'd continued on, "It's kind of a shock, isn't it? I mean, you look at Colonel Mac and you'd never guess, would you? Grandpa says it proves that what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Mom says she's a survivor. I'M just glad she's alive. I can't imagine not having her around, can you?" She stood up and tugged at his arm, "C'mon, let's get something to eat."
Pick returned abruptly to the present and blinked as he realized the two JAG officers were staring at him curiously. He glanced at Tink and thumped him with an elbow. "Well, what are you waiting for? Ask."
Tink rolled an eye down at his friend and Mac was reminded of an elephant staring at a mouse. The big man was distinctly uncomfortable. Pick, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. Whatever was going on couldn't be that serious. She glanced at Harm who shrugged and looked back at Tink, "Ask what?" She stared a bit harder, was Tinker blushing?
Bell ducked his head a little and took a deep breath, "IaskedMaggietomarryme.WouldyouandCommanderRabbliketocometothewedding?"
"What?" Mac frowned in confusion. She'd caught Harm's name and 'wedding'. Coming from Bell, that just sounded wrong. She had been right about Tinker blushing though, he was turning an even deeper red. Mac looked over at Pick to see if he could clear this up.
Tyler shook his head, still smiling, "What 2nd Lt. Smooth-Talker is trying to say is that Maggie has taken full leave of her senses and agreed to marry him." He staggered to the side a few steps when Bell's elbow caught him on his shoulder.
"Oh," Mac shared a smile with Harm as it became clear what Tink had been asking. "That's wonderful, congratulations. Of course we'd like to come to the wedding."
Harm reached forward and thumped Bell on the shoulder, "Way to go, Lieutenant." He gestured towards the door, while his other hand went to Mac's lower back, "Let's take this inside, gentlemen, before Emma comes looking."
Three hours later, Harm walked out on the deck to find Mac leaning on the railing, staring out at the ocean. She turned when she heard his footsteps coming up behind her, "Hey," she said softly, turning back to her contemplation of the sea. She shifted over a little in silent invitation.
Harm settled in next to her, "Taking a break from the chaos?"
Mac sighed and gave him a rueful look, "Thought it would better for my blood pressure if I didn't listen to what Mike had to say today."
He echoed her sigh, "I hear that." They continued to lean on the deck railing for a little while in companionable silence. "Gheorghe is looking pretty good," Harm offered quietly, still watching the waves breaking.
She glanced over at him, "Yeah, he does. Mo says he's still planning to abdicate on the eve of their 21st birthday. The coronation for Cat will happen on their birthday. We're supposed to keep two weeks open in April if possible." Mac grinned dryly, "Apparently Bacovia intends to party Gheorghe out and Cat in. It sounds like the whole country is going to be hung over for a week."
"That should be interesting." The quiet resumed as the two listened to the dull boom of the surf.
"Moon's waning," Mac remarked finally.
"Still pretty bright." Harm watched her out of the corner of his eye, wondering if this was leading somewhere. While Mac had told him what had happened out there, they hadn't really talked about it. He was willing to be patient, realizing from his own experience that she had to come to grips with it herself before she could share with him. At least she wasn't facing some ridiculous inquiry where the investigating officer sounded annoyed because you had survived despite not following the rules.
"It was beautiful out there." She sounded almost distant.
"Moonlight on the water," he said by way of agreement, not wanting to push.
"Yeah." Mac was silent again for a few moments before turning towards him slightly, "I knew you were going to find us."
Harm grunted softly, remembering how hard it had been to keep his despair and desperation under control as the Coast Guard went about their methodical search. Minutes had seemed like hours, each one stretching his nerves ever tighter. Mallard had been a steadying influence, exuding a quiet confidence that both women would be found. Afterwards, when he was feeling a little more rational, Harm had decided that the Doctor was a man he would never play poker against.
Mac studied him quietly before looking out at the ocean again, "I was so tired... " She paused and Harm could almost see her drawing in on herself. Without conscious thought, he moved to wrap his arms around her. She twisted around in his embrace so that she could burrow into his chest, "... and so scared."
Harm tightened his hold on her, "Me, too."
She closed her eyes, soaking in his warmth while listening to the steady beat of his heart. "I knew you were going to find us," Mac repeated softly. "I just didn't know if I would be there when you came. It was worse after Kate lost consciousness." She couldn't quite contain the shiver as she remembered those last few hours.
"Shhh, it's okay." Harm rubbed her back soothingly, "You and Kate are alive. You hung on."
Mac leaned back to look up at him, "I didn't want to anymore. I knew once the sun came up it would get so much worse and I didn't want to go through it. Kate was dying. I kept thinking it would be better... easier to just let go."
"But you didn't," Harm kept his voice steady with an effort. Of the myriad scenarios that he'd scared himself with, Mac simply giving up hadn't been one of them.
"No, I didn't," Mac agreed quietly and sighed, resting her head once again on his chest. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Harm gently maneuvered them around so that he could brace himself against the railing. It was then that he realized his mother was standing in the shadows. From the look on her face, she'd heard the last part of their conversation. When she saw she had his attention, she pointed towards her watch and tilted her head towards the house.
Harm raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment and watched as she made her way silently back. He gave Mac a light squeeze, "It's getting late. Feel like turning in? You've had a long day... unless you'd rather talk," he added quickly, not wanting her to think he was trying to avoid anything.
Mac pulled back and gave him a tired smile, "Actually, bed does sound pretty good." Now that he'd brought it up, she realized that she was exhausted. It had been a long day. A good day, all things considered, but a long one. Harm escorted her inside and she was mildly surprised when everyone in the living room merely wished her goodnight.
Trish watched as her son and hopefully future daughter-in-law made their way up the stairs. Frank divided his attention between those two and his wife. Trish had been preoccupied when she came back in although he supposed that only he and possibly Harm would have noticed. Trish glanced back at him and saw his scrutiny. She gave him a look that told Frank that he'd find out later when they were in the privacy of their own room.
Carol waited until the two officers had disappeared before looking around at the group, "Tomorrow we will start our own media show. Liz will set up a TV interview for Gheorghe and I and then we'll go from there." Elbert's bail hearing wouldn't take place until the next morning so she would send the night in custody. The Congresswoman and her lawyers had played the Joan of Arc angle for all it was worth. Although they were loathe to admit it, everyone was in agreement that it had been an effective strategy considering the circumstances.
Emma spoke up, "I'm going to wait for the Congresswoman after her bail hearing." She scowled, "I have a few words to say to that woman."
"Don't go alone." Heads turned to see Harm standing on the stairs. He walked down the remaining few steps, "That woman is capable of anything. We don't need any more casualties."
"Harm, dear... " Trish started and then stopped.
He smiled at his mother, "She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. I'll go back and check on her in a few minutes."
Gheorghe cleared his throat and stood up, holding out a hand to help Carol up as well, "I think bed sounds like a good idea." He turned to his wife, "Shall we, my dear?"
"Yes, I think we shall," Carol's smile seemed entirely too happy to be about sleeping. The kids were up and scattering next with Tyler, Bell and Daniel Rica following in their wake. Then Emma excused herself while Marius preceded the King and Queen up the stairs. Liz followed along and within minutes the only ones left in the living room were Trish, Frank and Harm.
Frank looked at his step-son and wife, "You two sure know how to clear a room." He leaned forward, "Care to tell me what's going on?"
Trish looked over at Harm, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just didn't want to interrupt."
Harm gave his mother a tired smile, "I know, it's okay." He lowered himself into a chair and looked over at Frank, "We were talking about what happened to her and Kate." He hunched forward to rest his elbows on his knees, "This was the first chance we've had to discuss it." He paused to run his hands through his hair, "I came so close to losing her this time."
"But you didn't. Sarah's a fighter." Frank spoke comfortingly.
"She was getting ready to quit." Trish said quietly, her eyes on Harm.
Frank looked surprised and then stared at Harm, "But she didn't."
"No she didn't," Harm agreed and leaned back with a sigh, "I can't keep doing this."
Trish was looking really alarmed now. She shot a look at Frank before staring at her son, "What are you planning to do, Harm?"
Harm eyed his parents for a long moment, "I'm planning on marrying her, if she'll have me."
