Title: There is No Tomorrow – 2/

Author: Nan

Rating: PG

Notes – No promises here. At first I just wanted to write a little episode reaction fic. Now it's turning into a speculation fic. Just to warn you – guessing not my strong suit. But having said that, my imagination has been running wild after the great previews after 'Dream Team.'

Thanks for all of the support, BTW. I love the feedback. It feeds the need.

At first awareness, all Harm could feel was the warmth. Like being wrapped in a blanket. No, not a blanket. it was too scented and silky. Although his sleep muddled brain told him that a blanket was involved; twisted around his waist. A sweet-smelling fragrance lingered in the air. A thousand images flitted in his thoughts and out again. Why was it so familiar?

One side of his face was buried in this fragrance. He realized he was cheek to bare skin. And it was a woman's skin. No doubt about that. He shifted slightly, feeling a collarbone just below the soft surface against his face.

His arms were wrapped around a womanly form. A woman's naked form. How long had it been since he held someone? Too long, judging by the immediate physical reaction from other parts of his body.

It was then that his sluggish mind finally processed the scent.

Mac! Harm jumped slightly and opened his eyes with a jerk. Memories of making love to his ex-partner in his soon to be ex bedroom came flooding back.

He raised his eyes to meet hers. Mere inches away, she was watching him with a solemn expression on her face.

He groaned inwardly. Coupled with all his conflicted feelings about this woman - he now had fallen asleep right after their first and most amazing session of sex. How had he let this happen? How had he ended up in the sack with Mac anyway? The last couple of hours were somewhat of a blur.

Using her free hand, she started to train an index finger lightly along his chin line. He heard her soft voice say, "You don't seem exactly… happy."

"No." he started but stopped when he realized the index finger was now drawing light circles behind his earlobe.

He closed his eyes and concentrated on the feel of her against his skin. Finally he said, "I feel like hell."

"Tired?" she asked softly.

"A bit, I guess." He hesitated, closing his eyes and trying not to get distracted by that wandering finger. "I just wish it hadn't happen like this."

"Like what?"

"You, me, in bed…," he started.

The finger stopped. "This is about regrets?"

"No! Well, yes. I wanted better for you."

She narrowed her eyes as she searched his face. The finger resumed, this time trailing around the back of his shoulder. "Thank you. I think," she said.

"You're half way out the door again," he pointed out; remembering a conversation from a couple of years ago.

Silence. Then, "So are you. Let's call it even this time."

I've always been interested in you; he wanted to say to her. And now, when you are truly going for good, I regret all my lost opportunities.

Out loud he said, "Can I ask you a favor?"

She smiled suggestively and continued to work the finger. This time it was making circles on the flat plane of his chest. "Sure," she said. "Name it."

"I have to go to a formal reception at the British Embassy tomorrow night. Would you come with me?" he asked.

Mac considered this. "Only if you'll do me a favor in return," she said.

"What?" It was his turn to smile suggestively.

"Talk to me about Mattie," she said quietly.

If he had been standing in the doorway of her office; he would have turned and walked out. He felt that strongly. But lying in his bed, limbs intertwined with hers; gave him the courage to trust her.

He sighed and said, "What do you want to know?"

"How is she?"

"The prognosis is much better, now that she is awake and aware," he said quietly. Unconsciously, his arms tightened around her.

"How is she? I mean, what can she do?" Mac's eyes were averted, studying his chin line.

"Talk, breathe, move her head. And there is some returning sensation to other parts."

"Are they optimistic for a full recovery?" she asked.

"Too soon to tell," he said. "But it hasn't been ruled out."

"Is she adjusting?"

Images of a teenage girl lying in a hospital hooked up to God knows what, crashed over him. He released himself from Mac's embrace and sat up in the bed. Resting against the headboard, he ran his fingers through his hair. "Sure she is adjusting. What other choice does she have?" he said, trying not to sound bitter.

Mac sat up and leaned on the headboard next to him. A sheet swirled around her hips. "Harm, are you blaming yourself for this?"

"That would be silly," he said.

"Of course it would. But that doesn't stop you for feeling responsible for her, does it now?"

"I thought had it all planned out so perfectly. Flawless logic. I had it all planned down to a T. Right down to the point where I paid for her private lessons to learn how to fly. Why? Cause I fly and I like it. And I wanted her to like it too. Now she's in a bed. Maybe forever. But you had that all figured out, right?"

He hadn't meant to say that last sentence. Mac had been nothing but supportive through this whole thing. Even though he had been nothing but miserable to her. But emotions were boiling inside him.

Harm couldn't sit still any longer. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up. He put on the first T-shirt and sweats he could find and walked to the kitchen. He picked up a glass and started to wrap it in packing paper.

A few minutes went by and then he heard her padding up behind him. She had dressed into her clothes. He felt her soft arms being inserted around his waist. She leaned up against his back. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the feeling of her touching him.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said.

"What's next for Mattie? Considering…" Mac's voice trailed off.

"Considering I'm just about to move one continent and one ocean away?" He finished her sentence.

"Yes."

"Well, Tom's off the wagon and completely AWOL. Even if we found him today, it would take a couple of months before I could trust him to be responsible for Mattie. The stakes are too high and he just seems incapable of facing that. So I'm going for custody."

"What does Mattie's doctor think about moving her to England at this stage?"

"No problem." He lied again. Mac was moving on to bigger and better things. It would serve no purpose for her to know that Mattie's care providers had been skeptical about the entire idea – to say the least. Truth be told, he was in a bind. He had a meeting with the specialists responsible for her care tomorrow morning. He would hear the verdict then.

"So…," he said turning around to face her. "Are you coming to that reception with me?"

It was the one last thing they could do together. He needed to nail this at least.

She looked up at him, arms still around his waist. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said.

"One more favor," he said.

She smiled, "What now? I really should get back to my place, you know."

"Don't dress military. I have to but you don't."

"What are you suggesting, Captain Rabb?" She was grinning now. "You still think whites and gold wings will get you anything you want?"

He smiled at that. "Hasn't it always?"

She turned and walked over to her purse by the door. Mac reached for the handle and paused. "Harm?" she said.

"Hmmm?" he said, turning his attention back to packing.

"No regrets, okay? This was as much my idea as yours."

"No regrets," he echoed as she closed the door behind her.