AN: Ok, this chapter turned out really short compared to the others –I think…- but I wanted a cliffe. ::grin:: Tomorrow you get the next two and probably last chapters of the fic! Unless yall want a conclusion/sequelish thing…::shakes head:: I dunno. Yall get two chappies tomorry let's leave it at that. Alright, on with this show so we can get to the cliffhanger!! ::ebil grin::

Daybreak
Somewhere in France's Massif Central

Slowly Mac became aware of a muffled rhythm that echoed in her fuzzy mind as dreams dimmed and gave way to a fairly harsh reality. Almost awake she felt a sense of security from the strong arms that circled her and she snuggled deeper into the warmth, drifting back into a light doze. Her movements had woken Harm out of his light sleep and his eyes opened slowly, a yawn stretching his mouth. When he saw the sleeping beauty in his arms he smiled and took care not to jostle her out of her slumber. He noted that more snow had fallen overnight and that the temperature was not warming as much as yesterday.

/Crap, / he thought. /We're sore tired and hungry. Mac's twisted her ankle, the terrorists are probably going to be searching for us soon and we haven't seen a glimpse of that river Webb was talking about. / As Harm continued to mull over their rather dire situation, Mac felt herself being roused by her mind to consciousness. She sent a quick prayer to a higher being that everything she'd just been through could be one very long, vividly detailed dream, but alas, she woke with stiff limbs in Harm's tight embrace. A weary sigh passed her lips after brown eyes took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Harm released her from his close hug and Mac sat up after Harm stood to stretch his aching arms and legs. His back prickled with pain and he concentrated on it for a few moments. That, mixed with his low grunts of pain kept him from realizing that Mac was crying again. She stared off into space, her cheeks wet with tears, speaking before he could ask.

"Marines always know what to do, they don't leave men behind and they sure as hell don't cry." She sniffed and put her head down on folded arms that rested on her knees. Her next words were muffled, but audible. "I've screwed up those three things. How could I do that?" She kept asking that question, and it was obvious that she was really torn up inside, suddenly vulnerable to the sailor. He kneeled next to her.

"You're only human. You're not just a hard-ass Marine but a damn fine woman who only wants a good career, a great man and comfortable shoes. Right?" Mac raised her head to see Harm grinning softly at her and her usually sexy smile was subdued to a modest smile. The Flyboy grin peeked through and he slipped his hands in hers before pulling her up. He used a bit more force than intended and compounded with Mac's weak ankle she almost fell, but dependable Harm caught her in his strong arms and held her close. For a moment Mac felt incredibly safe, and in the next her cheeks flushed slightly before she stepped away.

"Thanks." She wobbled and he put a hand on her elbow to steady her.

"No problem. Besides, it's my fault you're in this mess anyway." She dropped her arm slowly and watched him erase the signs of their stay before picking up the duffel. "Let's find that river. I'm guessing we'll get a little head start considering we're up with the sun, but I don't want to delay." Mac nodded and hobbled behind Harm as they made slow progress through the fresh snow, which melted slightly under the sun's rays. She pulled out the wrinkled map, smoothing out a dog-eared corner before scanning the unfurled page quickly.

"Harm?"

"Yeah?" He called back.

"We should hit the Loire soon. We've crossed over the small mountains here and it's in the valley below."

"I see it! It's down there. We should reach that within a couple hours." The trek was long and strenuous, with a break for a brunch-like meal of water, fruit and rapidly staling (stale-ing…dunno if that's right) bread. In reality the hike ended up on the latter side of three and a half hours, by then both of them tired with complaining body parts. The town they entered was called Roanne, and they changed clothes in a restroom before venturing to the riverside in search of transportation.

"Alright, so we've reached the river. How the hell do we travel it?"

"By boat, of course."

"Well I mean how by boat. If we flash too much cash it's bound to attract attention." They meandered along the boardwalk through a middling to large crowd.

"I think we can pass as tourists," Harm said, circling an arm around Mac's waist after she caught a few men's eyes. She leaned on him, partly to alleviate her ankle pain, and partly because he just felt so good to be near. "Won't the river be frozen, though? It's probably below freezing at night."

"Well during the day the sun warms it, and with heavy traffic and swift currents it's probably cold as hell, but not solid."

"Hm. Do you wanna go ahead and find a boat now?" He asked.

"Yes, please. The sooner we get to a real bed to sleep on the better. Besides, it's probably best to keep moving." Harm nodded agreement and they went to the docks soon after. It just so happened that a few large tour boats were running up the river. They secured two tickets and a cabin, and then headed onboard to pass out on the queen mattress in their small room. They woke to the sound of a steadily chugging engine.

"Do you wanna go on deck?" Mac asked sleepily, yawning softly after.

"Sure. A walk'll probably help our muscles. Don't hurt your ankle, though."

"Ok, let's take the bag with us; we can't take any chances." They left the room and headed to the back of the boat. Both sunk gratefully into a chair, looking at the beautiful scenery. Harm checked their supplies and decided to take inventory. His gloved fingers found the cash they'd been given, a lot of which had just been spent on the boat trip. Harm counted the money and seemed displeased with his total.

"We're running out of money."

"What?"

"We've spent almost all of it. We'll need more soon."

"Weren't we supposed to get help? I mean wasn't that the whole point of this?" She showed a corner of the now well used and worn map that constantly rode in her jacket pocket.

"Yes, the highlighted routes were to show helpers."

"Then why are we out of money?"

"Because we haven't had time to go to any of the safe houses since we jumped off that damn train, that's why," Harm growled, extracting two apples from the bag, munching on one and tossing her the other. He decided not to mention that their food supply was running low too as Mac seemed to be in a bad mood. But hey, who could blame her? She was stuck running for her life in a foreign country with a man who could both piss her off to no end and melt her heart like butter with romantic actions. Sighing, Mac rose from her seat and stood at the back balcony. If she closed her eyes it was a bit like being on Vulture's Row of a carrier. Harm joined her shortly, hanging his head.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"I'm sorry for making you. We're even." Their special look was shared, but now it held love in it too, for both parties. The moment of joy was short-lived, however. Harm's brows furrowed as Mac gazed at his face.

"Crap," He said, staring past her.

"What?" She asked. He pointed at a speck on the river.

"We've got company." It was Pierre LeBlanc, with reinforcements. Unfortunately for them, he didn't seem happy in the least.

AN: Ok, it might've gotten a little boring in this chapter, but it was unavoidable. I don't like this chapter or the next one very much so the creativity might suffer slightly. Eh, I can't wait until we get to the shipperness of chapter 10! Woo! Leave a review if you want some FLUFF!