First thank you for all the reviews. Really. And I'm sorry for the wait - it's a personal pet peeve when authors take FOREVER to get the next part out. My only excuse is that I've been busy and in a funk I guess, which I'm hoping to snap out of soon. But in any case, here's the next part! Enjoy :) And again sorry for the wait!

3:00 EST

Harm's Apartment

"Webb, I need information on a Brad Smith. And try to find an address to a beach house in Virginia owned by either Tim or Brad Smith." Harm spoke into the phone.

"I'll get back to you soon."

"Thanks Webb."

Harm hung up the phone and stared out the window listlessly. He knew he should get some sleep given the fact that he'd only slept about two hours last night, but when he did fall asleep, his dreams were consumed with visions of Mac.

Deciding a shower might help wake him up, he headed towards the bathroom and was soon under the warm spray of the shower. Maybe it was the thought of never seeing Mac again, maybe it was the realization he may never be able to hold her or tell her he loved her, or maybe it was the thought of how he had waited too long, missed his chance with her. Whatever it was, it came crashing down on Harm and he made no gesture to stop the flow of tears. He knew he might never see her smiling face again, or hear her musical laugh, or joke with her like they always used to do, anymore. All these thoughts coupled together and Harm felt like he was dying inside, just like he would feel if anything happened to his Sarah.

Fifteen minutes later, Harm wrapped his robe around him and exited the bathroom to put on a pot of coffee. While he was waiting for the coffee, he noticed an envelope that had been slipped under his door. Quickly hurrying over to the door, he picked it up and slit open the envelope.

Inside was a picture of Mac lying on a floor, blood smearing her lip and bruises on her arms. He felt a strong rush of anger overpower his previous state of despair at seeing the picture. If he got his hands on whoever did this, his guess was Brad Smith, he'd . . . His thoughts where interrupted by the ringing of the phone.

"What?" Harm barked.

"Woah, Harm, what's wrong?" He recognized the voice of Clayton Webb.

Harm sighed and threw the picture face down on the counter. If he looked at it again, he'd throw the phone up against the wall, and he didn't want to do that in case Webb had some information for him.

"A picture just arrived, I assume from Brad. It's of Mac."

"Is she ok?" Webb asked, thoroughly concerned.

"I can't tell much from the picture." Harm admitted. He only hoped her only injuries where the ones he could see. A sudden, horrific idea crept into Harm's head. What if Brad had . . . No, the thought made him sick to his stomach. He reverted his mind back to the conversation at hand.

"I found an address for a beach house in Virginia Beach owned by Brad Smith." Clay said quietly.

"What is it?" Harm demanded.

"Harm, if I tell you, do you promise not to go anywhere until I can meet you up somewhere? I assume the Admiral will want to go as well, and once I contact him, we can meet at JAG HQ, prepare a strategy and then go." Webb said.

Harm knew if Clay gave him the address now, he'd probably leave anyway. And if he left without backup, he could end up dead, which wouldn't help Mac any.

"I'll meet you at JAG headquarters now."

"Agreed. I'll call the Admiral on my way over." Clay hung up and quickly contacting the Admiral on his cell phone, told him of their plans. He only hoped they would find Mac soon. 'And alive.' He didn't want to think that thought, but it was a possibility they had all thought of. Because he knew if they didn't find her alive, they'd loose one navy commander. Maybe not physically, but his soul would have gone with Mac's. He sped as fast as he dared towards the JAG headquarters, hoping the plan they would scheme would work. Otherwise . . .

Mac now knew she couldn't escape. Every breath took great effort, and she knew all she could do was let Brad Smith do whatever he wanted to do and kill her. She couldn't get out, the chances of someone finding her were highly unlikely, and she had hours ago just given up. All she could do was wait and pray her death wasn't as slow and painful as her worst dreams imagined.

She heard the front door slam and Brad's heavy boots tromp across the room and open the door to the bedroom.

"I'm back from my little errand now. I'm sorry it took me so long, but I had trouble locating his apartment."

She suddenly had a sinking feeling in her stomach. He was talking about Harm! The voices in her head screamed. "If you hurt him in any way I'll kill you!" Why would Brad want to hurt Harm? He had nothing to do with sending Tim to jail.

"Relax." His cackle sent shivers up her spine. "I made it quick and painless. A little less painful than your death will be, I'm afraid, but then again, you were the one that sent my brother to jail, so you should receive most of the pain."

Mac couldn't stop the tears that forced their way from under her closed eyelids. "Why?" She whispered

Brad laughed. "Do you really need to ask? Because I know it'll make your death more painful, knowing he died because of you. I just killed him to make you die with a guilty conscience."

Mac knew he was right. And now she would never be able to tell him she loved him. Then a sudden idea popped into her head. "How did you know about him?"

"Please, Colonel, don't you think after a week of spying on you, I would realize who you were closest to and whose death would affect you more?"

Mac knew she didn't care about escaping anymore, but still tried not to let her sickness and weak condition show. However, was obvious to even Brad.

"You don't look like you're feeling to well, Sarah Mackenzie. I'll make you feel a little better soon, but I have one more thing to take care of first. I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I know how you are looking forward to our fun time, but I'll try to be back soon." Brad stood up and walked out the door.

Mac let the first tear fall from beneath her closed eyelid. What did someone do when they knew they were going to die and there was nothing they could do to stop it? 'That's the million dollar question.' She thought with bitter remorse.

4:00 EST

JAG HQ

Harm, Webb and the Admiral had met up at JAG HQ and had just finished planning a strategy. Harm checked his sidearm and the other two men did the same.

Webb slipped his back into the holster and turned to Harm and AJ. "We're going to park a few houses down from Brad's beach house and go on foot from there. And don't do anything stupid, Harm. We'll get him together, but don't endanger yourself."

Harm nodded, but knew he wouldn't be able to control himself if he got his hands on Brad Smith, no matter what his intentions were now.

They pulled out of the parking lot and were soon on their way to Virginia Beach.

8:30 EST

VA Beach

The beach was deserted, the seagulls the only evidence of existence. Dusk had long ago set, and dark clouds where rolling in. A cold breeze swept past them and Harm hoped they found Mac soon. If she had been in weather like this for this long, her cold would easily worsen. He had no idea at the time that Mac's cold was the least of her worries. They crept forward slowly and after what felt like an eternity, reached the beach house. They couldn't hear anything coming from inside, and Harm prayed Mac was there. If she wasn't . . . he didn't want to finish the thought.

AJ motioned for them to get closer, and they were soon on the porch, crouched at the door, ears pressed against it, hoping to hear something.

Brad entered the room again and slipped off his coat. "I'm so sorry, Colonel, but I had a few important things to take care of. Preparing the boat . . ." His voice trailed off. "You get the picture. But now I'm ready for some fun." He reached down and picked Mac up, ignoring her cry of pain.

"It's alright. Once I get started, you'll forget about your pain." He laid her on the bed and smiled down at her.

Mac turned her head away and tried to ignore the hand that was coursing up her back. How she wished she could fight, but she was so weak and tired. She just didn't care anymore. Not with Harm gone.

Harm's whole body froze with fear, anger and a thousand other emotions when he heard Mac's cry. He wanted to break down the door and find her, now.

As if sensing his thoughts, Webb placed a hand on Harm's shoulder. Quietly he tried the doorknob and was relieved to find it unlocked. They slipped inside and headed towards a back room where a soft light glowed from beneath the door.

AJ nodded and Harm slammed open the door, the sight in front of him making him seethe with a rage he had never known.

Brad Smith was on top of Mac, who was still tied at the hands and feet and looked only semi conscious, and had his hand up her shirt. In a flash, Harm had his gun raised and aimed at Brad's head. "Get off of her." He said in a low growl.

Brad rolled off of Mac and with a fast reflex, reached for his gun on the nightstand. Before he knew what had hit him, Brad had a bullet in his chest. Gasping in pain, he dropped the gun and Harm quickly reached for it. Webb and AJ restrained Brad, although they weren't sure if that was necessary. Brad Smith didn't look like he'd make it to the hospital. Not that either cared.

Harm turned to Mac and his eyes widened at seeing her in this condition. The picture had been one thing, but seeing her like this with his very eyes was almost unbearable.

"Mac, it's Harm. Can you hear me?"

Mac knew she was getting ready to step across the threshold of death, because she thought she heard an angle's voice, one that sounded much like Harm. Was that a hand she felt on her face? It wasn't of the same rough coarseness of Brad's. She moaned and turned her head slightly, but she couldn't see anything except blackness.

Harm, worried at her lack of responsiveness, yelled at Webb and AJ.

"Get an ambulance, now!"

"Already did. They'll be here soon." Webb said.

Harm turned back to Mac and placed a cool hand on the side of her face. "Hang in there, Mac. We're going to get you help."

Mac thought she heard Harm's voice, and it wasn't that of an angel. Was he there? Had he found her? It was too good to believe. Still, even if she was dreaming, she wanted to remember this moment and make it last a little longer. She rested her head against the cool hand and sighed. She was so tired, all she wanted to do was sleep. As she felt strong hands grab her and move her, she suddenly didn't feel the excruciating pain anymore, but she did feel a hand wrapped tightly around hers. "Harm." She whispered. With that last word, she allowed herself to succumb to the darkness wrapping itself around her.