Title – Through The Eye Of A Shipper – S10 E17 JAG: San Diego

Authors' Names - Carol and Michi or Michi and Carol

Rating – GS (More information go to Michi's web page)

Paring – Harm & Mac

Spoilers – Season 10 Episode 17 – JAG: San Diego

Disclaimer – JAG belongs to DPB, CBS, and Paramount.

Summary- How 'JAG: San Diego' should've been continued when you saw it through the eye of a shipper…

Author's Notes-

1. Our plan is it to revisit every episode from season 10. However, this series doesn't have a strict rule. Sometimes it may be a follow-up, sometimes it could be a changed scene, or even a change to the entire episode. And if that doesn't work we could always do a 'missing scene'-story. This means the length of the story is based on the way we want to 'handle' the revisit. But don't worry…we plan to use more then 150 words!

2. A huge thanks goes like always to our dear beta-god Witchy V! However, we can't post a FF without our usual C&M warning. English is not our native language (yup, even Carol wants to use this statement LOL). Take this as a fair warning!

3. Since this series will deal with a just aired episode, it means that we risk having a FF that might seem like someone else's. There's hope that our ideas are unique, but should that not be the case we apologize and swear to our god and the chocolate that we did not know it or do it on purpose.

4. Feedback is always welcome.

5. The rest of the series you can either find at Carol's websiteor at Michi's website.

NAS North Island

San Diego, California

12:03 AM

Mac closed the door behind her with a deep sigh. Wearily she threw her purse on the nearby bed and took off her shoes. As soon they hit the floor she let herself fall down onto the bed. Mac opened her purse and took out the cell phone.

She had spent the last two hours with General Cresswell, Lt. Mayfield, Lt. Graves and Lt. Vukovic having dinner, yearning for the evening to end so she could call Harm.

It felt so good to hear his voice, even if it was just over the phone, and she wanted to have some privacy while talking with him. Therefore, she'd asked him if it was okay for her to call him back later after her dinner with the gang. He'd told her that it was okay, but something in his voice sounded strange and she couldn't put her finger on it. She'd asked him about it but Harm wouldn't come out with the reason behind it and said it would be okay.

Mac pressed speed-dial button one, hoping that it wasn't too late already and that she wouldn't wake him up.

"Rabb."

"Hey, it's me," Mac replied softly. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, you didn't. I'm not at home," Harm told her tiredly and closed his eyes for a moment. He was glad to hear her voice.

Mac sat up when she heard the tone of Harm's voice. Something wasn't right. "Where are you, Harm? What's wrong? You sound so strange, so desperate," she asked him worried.

Harm took a deep breath. "I'm at the hospital in Blacksburg," he told her quietly and got an immediate gasp from Mac as response to the news. "It's Mattie."

"Oh my god. What happened, Harm? Is she okay?"

"She was taking flying lessons," Harm started quietly to explain. "Her instructor was landing their plane when another one taxied onto their runway."

"No," Mac whispered and closed her eyes while the first tears fell down her cheek, fearing the worst had happened.

"The instructor was killed and Mattie is… they don't… she," Harm tried to explain with tears in his eyes. However, he couldn't find the right words.

"Harm?"

"They don't know if she will ever wake up again," Harm explained, letting the words come out in a rush before his voice finally broke. "God, I wish you were here," he continued in a whisper and closed his eyes.

Mac wiped off her tears and took a deep breath. "I wish I could be there, too," she whispered back. "I promise you I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I don't want to lose her, Mac."

"You won't lose her, Harm," Mac told him confidently, praying silently that she would be right.

"I hope you're right," he answered tiredly. "Mac, I'm sorry but I have to hang up now. The nurses are looking at me already. I knew it's not allowed to have a cell phone on in the hospital, but I didn't want to miss your call."

"It's okay, Harm. I understand. I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"

"Okay," he answered quietly. "I miss you."

Mac smiled softly. "I miss you too, Harm. Everything will be alright. See you soon."

"Bye."

"Bye, and give Mattie a kiss for me, okay?"

"Will do, Mac. Good night."

"Good night," Mac replied gently before both hung up.

Mac placed her phone on the bed and searched the floor for her shoes. She put them back on, grabbed her purse and keys before leaving the room. She walked down the hall and up the stairs to find the room she was looking for. She knocked on the door, hoping that she wouldn't be disturbing its occupancy.

The door opened and the man stared at her. "Is everything okay, Colonel?"

"No, Sir, and I'm sorry to disturb you," Mac told General Creswell.

The General looked at her. "I was just sending an e-mail to my wife. Please come in." He moved away from the door and Mac walked into the room.

"Sir, I'm sorry to disturbed you, but." Mac started to say.

The General took a step towards her. "You're not disturbing anything, Colonel. Why don't you just tell me what happened?"

Mac took a deep breath. "A close friend of mine was involved in an accident. She was taking flying lessons and there was a mishap on the airstrip. She's in the hospital and the doctors don't know what is going to happen to her. She's lying in a coma now."

The General looked at Mac with remorse. "How close are you and your friend?"

"She's like a daughter to Commander Rabb."

The General nodded his head. "So it's a family member?"

"Sort of, Sir."

"And you want to be there for both of them."

"Yes, Sir." Mac paused. "I just got off the phone with Commander Rabb and Mattie isn't doing too well. I rushed over here to request permission to leave and go back to Washington to help the both of them."

"Have you called about a flight?"

"No, Sir."

The General checked his watch. "It's a little after midnight; you wouldn't be able to get one until morning at the earliest."

"I know, Sir." Mac looked down at her feet.

The General gently touched her hand and Mac looked up at him. "I know someone on base who might be able to help you. But it might involve you flying in an F-16."

"I'll do it, Sir."

"Why don't you sit down while I call Captain Marsh?"

"Yes, Sir." Mac said as she sat down on the desk's chair.

General Creswell picked up his phone and called Captain Marsh. Within a few short sentences and a couple of minutes he hung up the phone. The General looked at Mac. "You're in luck. Captain Marsh has an F-16 that was scheduled to go to Andrews in the morning. He just changed the time schedule. It leaves at the end of the hour. Is that enough time for you?"

"Yes, Sir," Mac said she stood up very quickly.

The General gave her a soft smile. "Captain Marsh will be waiting for you. Before you leave drop your bag off to me and I'll send it on to DC in the morning."

"Thank you, Sir."

Creswell waved off her apparition. "It's no problem, Colonel. Just get to the Commander and his daughter safely."

NAS North Island

San Diego, California

12:53 AM

"Are you ready, Ma'am?" The pilot asked.

"I am Commander. You?" Mac asked the pilot as her thoughts went to Harm in the hospital and only feeling slightly nervous about the upcoming flight.

The pilot chuckled. "I'm always ready to fly."

Mac grinned. "Great, what is it with me and cocky pilots?"

"I guess you're lucky or something, Ma'am."

"Or something," Mac muttered.

The pilot looked in his mirror in the corner of the cockpit that looked into the backseat, and made eye contact with Mac. "I'll get us there safely, Ma'am. Are you ready for takeoff?"

Mac gave him a 'thumbs up' and secured her face mask. The pilot smiled and turned his attention to getting the plane in the air.

Saint Vincent Hospital

Blackburgs, Virginia

10:10 AM

Harm walked away from Mattie's door and down the short hall to a waiting area. There had been no change in her condition and he was tired and scared. He sat down on the old couch and rested his head in his hands. Once again it felt like his world was falling apart around him. He sat like that as the world passed around him. He lifted his head as he heard the elevator ding and the door open.

He looked into the elevator and saw the one thing that could make him feel better right now. He stood up and made it half way to the elevator when he found himself wrapped in Mac's arms.

"I'm here," Mac whispered into his ear and stroked his back. "I'm here."

"I'm so glad you're here," Harm told her as he loosened his grip on her.

Slowly they walked hand in hand back over to the couch. "How's Mattie?" Mac asked when they sat down.

"No change. The doctor is in with her now," Harm told her. "How did you get here so soon?"

Mac raised and eyebrow and gave him a slight smile. "You didn't get much sleep, did you?" Harm shook his head and gave her a questioning look. "You didn't even notice my attire."

Harm looked at her clothing and chuckled. "You flew," he said amazed as his hand ran over the flight suit material on her arm.

"Yeah, General Creswell made a call and got me a flight on an F-16. We got into Andrews and he had also arranged to have a car waiting for me. I literally stepped off the plane, grabbed my flight bag, handed the pilot my helmet, and drove here," Mac explained. "When was the last time you got some sleep?"

Harm stared at her with a haggard expression. "I don't know."

"Something to eat?"

"I had some coffee from the machine and I think I might have had a cookie or something from one of the nurses," Harm told her.

Mac squeezed his hand which was in hers. "We need to take care of you for Mattie's sake."

"I'll be okay."

Mac cut him off. "Only if you eat and sleep. Now stay here," Mac said before she stood up from the couch. Her hand slowly fell out of Harm's and she walked over to the nurse's station.

The nurse smiled at her. "We were wondering when someone would come to help him."

Mac gave her a soft smile. "I was in San Diego. Has he left the hospital at all?"

"Not that I know of. At least never for a long time. He really loves that little girl," the nurse told Mac.

"I know. Is there a hotel close by?"

The nurse nodded her head. "There's a Holiday Inn two blocks north. We can call the both of you if there are any changes."

Mac quickly wrote down her and Harm's cell phone numbers before giving the piece of paper to the nurse. "Thank you," Mac said before walking back to the lost and lonely man, which was her best friend. "Harm?"

Harm looked up at Mac with a lost and confused expression on his face. "Is there a change?"

"No," Mac told him gently. "The nurse told me that there is a Holiday Inn two blocks away. You really need to get some sleep."

"I need to stay here," Harm said as he stood up and swayed a little.

Mac quickly grabbed him and eased him back down onto the couch. "If you stay here any longer without taking care of yourself you're going to get a bed of your own. Then the doctors will not let you see Mattie."

Harm nodded his head. "I've already got a room at the hotel."

"Do you have to be so stubborn?" Mac asked with a smile.

"Let me at least tell Mattie that I'll only be gone for a few hours," Harm told Mac.

"Sure," Mac said as Harm slowly stood up once more.

Harm stood in front of Mac and extended his hand. "Come with me."

Mac took his hand and they slowly walked into Mattie's room. Mac quickly knew why Harm was so lost. Mattie was lying there with machines beeping around her. Harm leaned over and whispered to Mattie before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Mac walked over to Mattie. "I'll take care of him, you just get better, Honey." Then she kissed Mattie's forehead as well.

The two slowly left the room and walked to the elevator as they held hands for support. The doors opened and they walked inside. "Thanks for being here, Mac," Harm said softly as the door closed.

Mac squeezed his hand. "Where else would I be?"

Holiday Inn Hotel

Blacksburg, Virginia

12:25 PM

After a short stop for some food at the hospital cafeteria they made their way to Harm's hotel room. The longer Harm was on his feet the more Mac could see just how beat he was.

Mac took the key out of Harm's hand and opened the door to his room. "Here ya go. I think these beds are calling our names," she said quietly as she saw two single beds in Harm's room. Mac felt herself more and more tired which wasn't a surprise at all. "Why don't you take the first turn in the bathroom?"

"Sure. Be right back," Harm said and walked into the bathroom.

Mac sat down on one of the beds with a deep sigh before letting herself fall backwards. Looking up at the ceiling she thought about the past few hours and the fear she felt for Mattie and for her best friend. "Why are you doing this to them?" She quietly asked the higher power above, never getting an answer. She shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment.

A few minutes later Harm came out of the bathroom again. He took a short shower and was now wearing his boxer shorts and a white tank top. "The bathroom is all yours," he said softly and followed Mac with his eyes as she made her way into the bathroom.

"I won't take long," she told him and gave his arm a gentle squeeze before quietly closing the bathroom door behind her.

Harm stood in front of the window and was lost in his thoughts when Mac came out of the bathroom again. Throwing her flight suit over one of the chairs she made her way over to Harm and stood right next to him.

"Harm?" She called his name softly, not wanting to startle him and placed her hand on his arm.

Slowly he turned his head and looked deeply into her eyes with the sadness visible in his own before they made a little detour over the rest of Mac's body.

"Umm, you wouldn't, by chance, have a pair of boxer shorts and a T-shirt I could wear for the night?" Mac asked sheepishly while holding the towel in front of her together. "I only have the clothes I wore yesterday and my uniform is not too comfortable to wear."

Harm smiled at her and nodded his head. Walking over to his bag he took out a shirt and a pair of boxers. "I guess they'll be a little too big for you, but it should work."

"Thank you," she said and took the clothes out of his grasp before disappearing once more in the bathroom.

As soon as the bathroom door was closed Harm couldn't hold back a chuckle and shook his head while laying down on the bed. He couldn't believe she was here. And even more he couldn't believe that she took a flight in an F-16 to get here in the first place.

Harm had asked her about the flight while they were sitting in the hospital cafeteria and he was surprised when Mac told him that she actually didn't get sick during the entire flight. He'd wanted to know why and Mac only could shrug her shoulders and said that maybe she was thinking about Mattie and him so much that she never really took notice of the flight itself. It was either that or the pilot was better than Harm. Harm's prompt answer was a 'no way' and for the first time in four days he laughed. A laugh he shared with Mac.

When Mac came out of the bathroom again she saw Harm already lying in the bed right next to the bathroom door. He was lying on his side with closed eyes and seemed to be asleep.

Quietly, so she wouldn't disturb Harm in his sleep, she walked around the bed and started to lie down in the other bed. But she decided otherwise and slowly slid under Harm's blanket next to him.

As soon as her head hit the pillow she could feel Harm moving around. She looked at him with questioning eyes. "I thought you were already asleep," she explained in a whisper.

Harm only shook his head and looked deeply into Mac's eyes.

When Mac looked closer at him she could see that Harm had tears in his eyes. She quickly wrapped her arms around him and held him to her. She soothed his back again and let her fingers trail over his body as he cried in her arms. His tears spread and collected into the shirt she was wearing. It was the safest place Harm had ever felt.

After a few minutes of crying Mac moved and looked into Harm's tearstained face. She gently kissed his cheek. "I'm here for you," she told him. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

She moved her lips to kiss another tear as it rolled down his cheek. Mac stared sweetly into his blue eyes and kissed away a tear from his lower cheek. She continued doing this tasting the saltiness of the tears on her lips. Her lips soon met up with the sweetness of his lips. Their kiss started as a simple way of comforting each other, but it quickly changed into a way to express their hidden passion for each other.

Their lips trailed over each other's and Mac felt Harm's hands start to slip under her shirt. They trailed onto her back and he pressed Mac's warm body to his where she could feel his arousal for her. She moved into him, wanting to feel more of him. Her hands moved under his shirt as well and felt the skin of his back.

They were starting to get lost in the emotions of desire as their bodies started to wrap around each other. Harm's hand moved from Mac's back to her chest, where it gently grazed Mac's breast. This action caused not only a desire to build up inside Mac, but it also set off a warning bell in her head.

Mac slowly tried to put some space between herself and Harm. He noticed her kisses were slowing down and her body was stiffening. They stopped kissing and looked at each other. "This isn't the time for this, Harm," Mac told him gently while looking into his eyes.

Harm took a deep breath. "I know." He paused. "I don't want to lose you."

Mac gave him a smile and gently kissed his lips. "You're not going to lose me. I'm right here."

Harm took a minute and looked at the beauty in her eyes. She was here for him and she wasn't going anywhere. "I love you," he whispered.

This time it was Mac who had the tears in her eyes as those words echoed in her ears. "I love you, Harm."

Harm met her lips in a kiss of love and pulled her body close to his. "Promise me you'll never leave me."

"I promise," Mac said sealing her vow with another soft kiss before laying her head next to his and watching as her love slowly fell asleep with their arms wrapped around each other. She slowly closed her eyes and joined him in the peace of dreamland.

THE END