Thanks so much for the reviews everybody! I'm glad you guys like the story. This chapter has the usual disclaimer attached and I used part of a Harm quote from an episode after Lifeline in my story (I think it may have been the one directly after that episode).
Chapter 2
Harm made his way home and sat staring into space for awhile. He tried hard not to think of how good it had felt to hold Mac in his arms and to be kissing her.
I really need to stop thinking about that, he thought. Boy, I definitely overstepped the bounds of a well-wisher though.
The phone ringing brought him out of his thoughts.
"Rabb," he answered.
"Are you Commander Harmon Rabb?" asked the unfamiliar voice on the other end.
"Yes," replied Harm, wondering what this was about.
"We have you down as next of kin for a Colonel Sarah Mackenzie."
"I am, what's this about?" asked Harm, a sudden fear descending upon him.
"Colonel Mackenzie has been in an accident, a five car pile-up to be precise."
"Oh my God, is she all right?" asked Harm, resisting the urge to drop the phone and rush out to be with Mac.
"She's doing quite well Commander, she doesn't have any serious injuries and the ambulance officers told us she insisted on being brought here to Bethesda rather than to a civilian hospital."
"I'll be there as soon as I can," said Harm.
He quickly grabbed his keys and jacket and headed to Bethesda.
Once there he found the Admiral, Mic, Harriet and Bud there also. They had received the call while still at the party so had come altogether.
"Sir, how is she?" asked Harm.
"We've been waiting for you Commander, you're down as her next of kin so they won't tell us anything other than that her injuries are not serious," said AJ.
"Yes sir," said Harm, going over to the nurse's desk and asking for information.
After a few anxious minutes of waiting, a doctor came out to speak to Harm.
"Commander Rabb?" asked the doctor.
"Yes, how is Colonel Mackenzie doctor?" asked Harm.
Brumby hovered at his side, anxious for information.
"Are you family?" asked the doctor addressing Brumby.
"I'm Colonel Mackenzie's fiancé," said Mic.
"Is your name Harm?" asked the doctor.
"No, I'm Mic," said Brumby shooting a glare in Harm's direction.
"She's been asking for Harm," said the doctor.
"I'm Harm," said Harm, trying to avoid Mic's angry gaze but happy that Mac had been asking for him.
"Colonel Mackenzie is doing well. She has a concussion and two broken ribs with a few scrapes and bruises but otherwise, she's fine. She even insisted we let her go," said the doctor, shaking his head.
"That sounds like Mac. Can I see her?" asked Harm.
"She's resting right now, but you can see her. I'll let just you see her now and then her fiancé and the rest of your group can go in two at a time," said the doctor, indicating towards Admiral Chegwidden, Harriet and Bud.
"Thank you doctor," said Harm, following him down the hall and to Mac's room.
Mac was asleep when Harm walked into the room, so he quietly sat down in the chair beside her bed, taking her hand as he did so.
"You really scared me Mac, I'm so glad that you're not hurt badly," he began softly.
"I wish I hadn't let you leave, then this wouldn't have happened."
"I won't apologise for what happened at the party though, not unless you tell me it was wrong," he continued.
He reached out with his other hand and pushed a lock of hair away from her face.
"I love you Sarah," he whispered.
"I know I'm too late, but I do love you," he continued.
Half an hour later, he still sat by her bedside, holding onto her hand.
He saw Mac stir slightly and a moment later she opened her eyes.
"Hey Sailor," said Mac, giving him a small smile.
"Hey, you gave us quite a scare," said Harm.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine," replied Mac.
Harm gave her a disbelieving look. "Marines don't always need to be so brave you know."
"Really, I'm fine. My head hurts and my ribs hurt, but other than that, I'm okay," said Mac.
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" asked Harm.
"No, I guess not," said Mac with a small laugh, followed by a wince as her broken ribs protested to the laughter.
She looked up into Harm's concerned eyes, and squeezed his hand gently, telling him that she'd be fine.
"I heard you wanted them to let you go already," said Harm teasingly.
"Yeah, I wish they'd let me out of here," said Mac.
"Not happening until you're all better. I'll get the Admiral to order you to stay if necessary," said Harm.
"Yes sir," said Mac, smiling.
"Good answer, Colonel," said Harm smiling.
"So my mind is a bit foggy, what exactly happened?" asked Mac.
"I don't know all the details myself but from what I do know, you had an accident, there was a pile-up," said Harm.
"Oh," said Mac, trying hard to remember for herself what had happened.
"Was anyone badly hurt? It wasn't my fault was it?" asked Mac worriedly.
"I don't know if anyone was hurt, you're the only one they brought here, the others went to a civilian hospital. And don't worry, it wasn't your fault. It was someone else's and I for one hope they find him and charge him with reckless driving, negligence and anything else the police can come up with," said Harm.
"The driver in question is in custody," spoke up a voice from behind them.
Officer Baker strode forward, and stood beside the chair Harm sat in.
"Commander Rabb," said Harm, standing to shake hands with the officer.
"Officer Baker," replied the Officer.
"I'm sorry for the interruption, but I need to get a statement from you, Colonel Mackenzie," said Officer Baker.
"That's fine, the details are a bit hazy right now though," said Mac.
"Anything you can remember will be fine," said Officer Baker.
Mac gave her statement, and Officer Baker thanked them and left the room.
"Are you okay?" asked Harm, noticing that Mac was looking tired.
"Yeah, I'm just feeling tired, not to mention my head is still pounding," said Mac.
"I'll let you rest. Go to sleep, Ninja Girl," said Harm, stroking her cheek.
"Will you stay with me?" asked Mac, yawning.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily," said Harm, giving her his flyboy grin.
Mac smiled back and closing her eyes, fell fast asleep.
Chapter 3 is coming soon!