Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis Naval Academy

October 25, 1982

Harmon Rabb Jr was having a great day. He'd aced his last three exams and was on the fast track to a carrier. His cousin, Katrina, had come by to visit for the weekend and he had thoroughly enjoyed watching her turn down his classmates who seemed to think that Katrina Williams was the hottest woman they had ever seen. Of course, he hadn't enjoyed watching her openly flirt back and forth with his roommate, Luke Pendry, but when Katrina's friend, Annie, came by to pick Katrina up for dinner, Luke had fallen in love and all thoughts of Katrina were forgotten. And, topping off the great day he had been having, he'd received a letter from Sarah—Mac, to him.

Ever since he was twelve and had gone with Katrina to visit Sarah MacKenzie he had kept in touch with the younger girl. They wrote letters to each other constantly and called each other whenever they could. He had sent her a birthday present a few weeks before. Some tapes, a tape player, and a necklace with a rose pendant dangling from the silver chain. She was fifteen, and he knew her parents wouldn't do anything big for her. He'd always made a big deal out of her birthdays, ever since her ninth when he found out that her father had gone on a bender and her mother had forgotten until the next week and had given her a stale cupcake she'd 'liberated' from the staff room at work. When Sarah turned ten Harm had gone all out, having a cake sent to the house and sending her a bunch of gifts and a card and instructions to call him if she ever needed anything, no matter how small. They hadn't seen each other in person since that summer but they sent pictures and in depth letters to each other several times a year. Sarah had turned to him when her first real crush had broken her heart. Harm had turned to her when faced with the decision of what to study in college and whether or not it was really his dream to go to flight school or if he was just doing it beacuse that was what his father had done. She had confessed that her father was getting more and more abusive over the years, though she swore up and down that he had never hit her or her mother, it was all verbal. Harm had told her about the nightmares he still had about his father's disappearance. Sarah had called him when she started feeling depressed the year before because her mother wasn't home much and her father was drinking more than he was working. Harm had told Sarah where he was going when he ran away at sixteen to search for his father in Laos—Sarah was the only one who knew about his first love who had been lost before they could get a chance at happiness.

Wondering what she had to say, Harm sat down by the water where he always felt calmer and opened the letter eagerly. He always looked forward to letters from Sarah.

What he read this time, however, scared Harm.

Dear Harm,

Thank you so much for the tapes and the cassette deck. I did what you suggested and keep them under the floorboards in my closet so dad can't sell them. And the necklace was beautiful. I haven't taken it off since I opened it. I have to keep it tucked under my collar because dad's been on a rampage for the last few months—he even went as far as to accuse me of stealing money from him in front of a bunch of people from school. I know he spent the money at the bar or lost it gambling (maybe a combination of both) but the result was that the few friends I was making at school think I'm a klepto with a crazy father. Unfortunately the second half is all too true.

But that isn't the real reason I'm writing this is to tell you that on my birthday mom left. I came home from school and… there was a note on my pillow. "I had to leave, be a good girl, love mom." She never was one for flowery expressions. We lose the house at the end of the month. Dad found some hole of an apartment over a bar—like that will help the money situation—and I don't want to stay with him but Uncle Matt can't take me in 'cause he's got work and might be transferred soon and I really have no other options. But it's not that much longer 'til college, right?

I wanted to call you that night, but you've just started the Academy and you don't need to listen to the drama of a fifteen-year-old reject. I don't even know why you've kept in touch with me, Harm. Ever since we met I've been leaning on you, depending on you for everything, and I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that I have you in my life, but really, why do you keep writing to me and calling me and sending me thoughtful gifts and everything when all I do is whine at you? On second though, don't answer that. I'm just glad that you're on my side.

If you've got the time I could use your advice on something. If you're too busy with school and all the girls I'm sure are falling at your feet, don't bother, but if you've got some spare time could you set up a call date? Uncle Matt has my new number; he'll be able to connect you like he usually does.

All my love,

Mac

Harm couldn't believe it. Deanna had left her family. She had left her daughter—on her birthday no less—with an abusive drunk who barely even knew he had a daughter let alone cared about what happened to her. He couldn't help but wish he had received the letter the week before so he could have taken the weekend and gotten Mac away from her father, away from the hell of a life she was dealing with.

Half of him wanted to call his mother and explain the situation, knowing she would eagerly take Sarah in and treat her like the princess her name defined for as long as Sarah was willing to stay, but he knew how Sarah felt about charity and he knew that would be what she would see the offer as.

The other half of him wanted to say 'screw school' and catch the first flight to Arizona and get her to safety himself. He knew that if he timed it right and everything went well he would be able to be back at school, only missing one day of lessons.

Deciding that he needed to talk to Sarah—in hopes that things might have changed since she sent the letter—before taking any action, Harm headed for the gates. There was a café not far from the campus that had the kind of pay phone with a bench and darkened doors for privacy. He'd discovered it with Luke not long after they'd started school.

Technically he was supposed to be on campus during his hour break before dinner but over half the population of the school left because, honestly, there wasn't much else to do other than run laps around the field, watch Bill the ageless goat chew on everything in sight, or work out in the gym. But, even though everyone did it and everyone knew that everyone did it, if you were caught there were severe punishments issued. You could talk about what you had done later with the dean and no one could do anything, but if any teachers or administration saw you leaving the campus you were screwed. And, because of this, Harm was glad he'd opted to take a course in evasive manoeuvres and stealth escapes his first term.

He made it to the café without incident and got the proprietor, a pleasant woman named Ida, to change a twenty into quarters for him. He didn't know how long the call would take, and he didn't want to run out half way through.

Dialling Matt O'Hara's phone number, Harm prayed that he would be able to reach Sarah. The Marine picked up almost immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hello, sir, this is Harmon Rabb. I need you to connect me to Sarah," Harm said.

"She told you 'bout Deanna?" Matt asked.

"Yes, sir," Harm said, nodding even though he knew he couldn't be seen. "I need to make sure she's alright. I need to talk to her."

Matt coughed. "I understand, son. I'll patch you through right now."

He could hear the three-way-calling feature Matt had dialling another number and a minute later Joe MacKenzie answered the phone angrily. Matt was pleasant and asked to speak to his niece and Joe hollered for Sarah to get the phone.

As soon as Harm heard Sarah's voice he felt like screaming. Even though she had just said 'hello?' she sounded like hell.

Matt hung up and Harm took a slow breath. "Mac, I got your letter," Harm said gently.

"Harm," Sarah said, her voice filled with relief. "I'm so glad you called. I really need to talk to you."

"I'm listening," Harm said. "Tell me what happened with your mom."

Sarah started telling him the story, going into more detail that she had in her letter. Within moments he could hear tears in her voice, and he was fighting his own emotional outburst in response to her palpable pain.

"Last night… was the worst," Mac said in summation. "Dad got kicked out of the bar downstairs because he couldn't pay the tab and… he got angry…" she trailed off.

"Did he touch you?" Harm asked, his hands balling into fists, the many deaths of Joe MacKenzie flashing before his eyes.

"He tried to hit me. I sidestepped and he ended up passing out on the couch," Sarah said. "He didn't remember anything when he woke up. He just asked for the Aspirin."

Harm summoned his courage and said, "I want you to leave. Get on a bus to San Diego and stay with my mom and Frank. Or get on a plane and come here. There are good schools out here and there'll be a whole country between you and your father."

"Harm, I can't afford that," Sarah said.

"I'll wire you the money," Harm said without giving it a second thought. "Please, Mac," he said.

"I can't, Harm. How long do you think he'll survive if I leave? The tips I make at the diner barely cover his bar tab as it is. And besides, I'm only fifteen, I'd have to have a legal guardian or I'd just end up back with dear old dad. And where would I live? You live on campus in a room with several other nineteen-year-old males, so don't say I could stay with you. And you're the only person I know outside of this burg."

"Then go to San Diego, stay with mom and Frank at the beach house. Mom's always wanted a daughter and she loves you like one already. You'll get to go to a good school and have a real life, away from your family and your past," Harm said plaintively. "Please, Mac. You mean too much to me. I can't let you stay with your father. You've been lucky so far; he hasn't actually hurt you. But how long before he gets a lucky shot in? How long before he pisses someone off and they take it out on you? I can't let you stay there, Sarah," he said, using her first name for the first time since that day in the hospital when she was eight and he was twelve.

Sarah sniffled. "I… I don't know," she said softly.

"Either you agree to get your stuff packed up and get on a bus to La Jolla, or I'm coming out there myself," Harm threatened.

"You can't miss school, Harm. Becoming a pilot means everything to you," Sarah said.

"I will throw it all away if it means you get away from the life," Harm said. He never thought anyone or anything could be more important than becoming a pilot like his father and grandfather. Sarah MacKenzie was.

Sniffling again, Sarah said, "I'll pay your mom and step-dad back every cent they spend on me."

"They'll never agree to that, but you can offer if you want," Harm said, unbelievably relieved that his sweet Mac would be getting the life she deserved. Finally.

After mentally figuring out how long it would take to get from La Jolla to Sarah, Harm spoke again. "Start packing your stuff now. I know your dad'll go down to the bar for a few dozen drinks. Once he's out leave. I'll get mom or Frank to pick you up at the park by your old house. Can you make it there?"

"Yeah. I don't have a lot of stuff," Sarah said. "Not stuff I want to keep, anyway."

"Okay. I'm going to call mom now. And I'll call tomorrow at this time at the beach house. I expect you to be there," Harm said seriously.

"Okay," Mac said softly. "Thank you, Harm. I love you for caring so much."

"I love you because you're you, Mac," Harm replied gently. "Be careful. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."

"I'll be okay," she responded. "Hey, does this mean I'll get to see you for Christmas?"

Harm chuckled. "Yeah, you will," he said. He had actually planned on just going up to Gran's farm in Bellville for the holiday but, if Mac was going to be in San Diego, there was no place he'd rather be.

"Good. I haven't seen you in too long, Harm," Mac said.

"Same here," Harm said. "I should make my call. Be careful, okay?"

"Always," Mac whispered before hanging up.

Harm hung up as well and then picked up the handset and inserted another bunch of quarters. After dialling the number for his mom and stepfather's house he took a deep breath. What he was going to ask of them was huge and, though he knew they would willingly do it, it was still a major thing to ask of them.

"Hello?" Frank said.

"Hey, Frank," Harm said. He still couldn't stand the man, though he was much less vocal about it since his return from Vietnam. "Is mom around? I need to ask her a favour."

"One second," Frank said. A second later Harm heard his mother's voice.

"Harm, it's good to hear your voice," Trish said happily. "How's school?"

"Great," Harm said honestly. "And I'll tell you all about it later, but right now I need to ask your something that's… pretty big."

Trish sighed. "What's her name and how pregnant is she?"

Harm laughed. "It's not like that, mom, I promise. It's Mac. Sarah, I mean," he said. "Her mom left and her dad is getting violent. It's scaring me, mom. And I was wondering if you would mind taking her in."

"Deanna left? I knew she and Joe would never work out, but I can't believe she left Sarah behind," Trish said. Harm could picture her sinking down into a chair, her head shaking in disbelief. "Of course she can come stay with us."

"Thank you so much, mom," Harm said, relief washing over him. He had known that his mother would say yes, but actually hearing the words made it much easier to accept. "She'll be waiting at the park by her old house. She would have taken a bus but she doesn't have the money and I don't want her to have to spend another night around her father."

"Frank is already warming up the car," Trish said. Harm gave her directions to the park, which she dutifully wrote down and repeated back to him so that she was sure she got it right. "Okay. I'm off now. We should be able to get to the park before dark, assuming we don't hit traffic."

"Good. Mac said she'd leave as soon as her dad goes to the bar," Harm said. "And mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Give her a hug for me," Harm said softly.

"The moment I see her," Trish promised. They said a quick goodbye and then hung up.

Harm knew he wouldn't be sleeping that night, and that he wouldn't be able to focus on anything until he had heard Mac's voice again, until he knew she was safe in a home where she would be protected and loved, so he paused for a cup of coffee before returning to the campus. Ida gave free coffee to the Academy 'folk', using her 'special' pot to make the extra-strong brew. She also made an amazing veggie omelette that Harm had been craving for days, but he knew he didn't have time before he had to be back for dinner. He was just heading out the door after the caffeine kicked in when he realized he was supposed to have met Luke in the library to help him prep for his 'rules of engagement' test; that meant that he would have a lot of questions to answer. Questions he wasn't sure he was prepared to answer.

Miami, Arizona

Miller Park

October 25, 1982

Sarah MacKenzie was sitting on the top of the slide with all her worldly possessions around her. She was depressed by the knowledge that her entire life could be stuffed hastily into one canvas duffel and her book bag. She was also energized by the knowledge that she was only a matter of miles from her new life, one that, hopefully, would have Harmon Rabb Jr playing a more active and in-person role.

Getting out of the house had been easy. Like Harm said, her father had gone down to get a drink and the moment he left she grabbed her bags and left. Sarah usually hated moving and, being the child of the military, she had moved several times before they came to Arizona, but this time she was giddy with excitement. A real home. She couldn't even picture what it would be like, but she knew that it would be better than what she had always known.

Not knowing how long it would be before Trish and Frank got there, Sarah pulled out one of the books she was reading and a flashlight and she let herself get lost in the world the author had painted so artfully.

The sun had set and it was starting to cool off when she saw a car pull up to the curb. Trish Burnett, a woman she only knew from pictures, got out of the passenger side. "Sarah?" she called, heading toward the playground equipment.

"Mrs. Burnett," Sarah said, hopping down from the platform and going over to Harm's mother. "I can't begin to thank you for doing this."

"Nonsense, dear. You're important to Harm, and that makes you important to me. I just wish we could have met under better circumstances," Trish said, pulling Sarah into a hug. "That was from Harm," she explained. She hugged her again. "And that was from me," she smiled.

Sarah smiled. Already she felt better.

"This is my husband, Frank," Trish said as he joined them. "Where are your things? We've got a bit of a drive ahead of us and I'm sure you'll want to sleep in a bed rather than the car."

"I'll get them," Sarah said, climbing up the slide without hesitation and gathering up her bags. Trish was shocked by how little the girl had in her possession. She made a mental note to take the girl shopping first thing in the morning.

They got in the car and Frank pulled back out onto the street, heading back toward San Diego.

"What did you tell your father?" Trish asked.

"I left a note in his room. Like mother, like daughter, I guess. I also paid his rent for the next two months with my last paycheque," Sarah said.

"That was nice of you. Overly generous considering how he's treated you all your life, but still nice," Trish said.

"My Uncle Matt is a Marine, my dad too, and I hope to be one some day. One of the most important things I've been taught is that Marines take care of their own," Sarah said.

"I see many Navy-versus-Marines battles when Harm comes home," Frank smirked. Sarah laughed at that. The teasing battle had been going on since the day they met.

"So, Sarah, you said you worked. Where?" Trish said.

"A diner by the high school," she replied. "One of those places that's stuck in the fifties. Pink and black poodle skirts, roller skates, bowling shirts, bad music, the whole nine yards. Decent pay, good tips. I got a lot of hours, especially over the summer when everyone was taking vacation time, so I have some money saved up. It's not much, but I plan on getting a job once I get settled and I'll pay you back for everything."

"No way, Sarah. You can get a job if you want, but you will keep every cent for yourself," Trish said. "This is not up for debate," she added before Sarah could argue.

"Yes, ma'am," Sarah said, accepting defeat.

"And no more of this ma'am nonsense. Call us Trish and Frank," Trish said. "It's good that you respect your elders, but I'll go insane if you go around ma'am-ing me all the time." Sarah giggled at that.

They got to the house around two in the morning and Frank carried the slumbering Sarah to the guest bedroom—her bedroom—and lay her down on the mattress. He eased her shoes off her feet and tucked her in under the covers. "Sleep well, princess," he whispered before leaving the room. Trish put Sarah's things down by the bed and brushed the girl's hair off her face before going to bed herself.

Sarah slept through the night without a single nightmare.

So far no big problems, right? Right. But the next chapter introduces Eddie... anyone remember him?

M