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Chapter 3
"Can I see Sarah?" Mic was asking the doctor.
"I don't see a reason why not. Just remember that she needs to rest," was the reply.
Mic didn't need anymore of an invitation and went into Mac's room. He stopped short at the door as he saw Harm sitting beside Mac's bedside, tenderly holding her hand in his own. Bloody déjà vu, thought Mic to himself before he stepped over to the bed.
"You still here Rabb?" he asked.
Harm looked up. "Mic," he acknowledged. "I wanted to stay with Mac for awhile."
"Well she's got me now, you can go," said Mic.
"I told her I'd stay and I'm going to," said Harm, not backing down.
"I'm her fiancé, if you don't remember," said Mic.
"Fine, but I'm her best friend and I have just as much a right to be here with her as you," stated Harm firmly.
"Would the two of you stop acting like children?" asked AJ coming into the room.
"Sorry sir," replied Harm.
"Sorry Admiral," echoed Mic.
"You'd better be, and if I see any more childishness between the two of you, I won't hesitate to order you both to leave," said AJ authoritatively.
"Yes sir," Harm and Mic replied.
Mac had stirred at the arguing but slept on. AJ stayed for a bit, and then went back outside to allow Bud and Harriet a chance to see Mac.
"Sir, how is she?" asked Harriet anxiously as Harm met her and Bud at the door.
"She's doing well, she's asleep right now," said Harm.
Mic vacated the seat at Mac's bedside for Harriet. He'd taken the chance to take the seat when Harm had seen the Admiral out.
Harriet took Mac's hand as she sat down.
"Harriet?" said Mac, waking.
"Yes ma'am, I didn't mean to wake you," said Harriet apologetically.
"It's okay Harriet, and please, it's Mac," said Mac.
"I'll try," said Harriet.
"How are you feeling Colonel?" asked Bud, standing beside his wife and looking at Mac with concern.
"I'm feeling fine Bud, really," said Mac.
"Good to hear ma'am, you need to take care of yourself though," said Bud.
Mac smiled warmly at him. "Thanks."
"You scared us ma…Mac," said Harriet.
"I didn't mean to scare you all," said Mac, looking around and noticing Mic in the room for the first time. Harm stood close by, arms crossed, obviously not liking Mic's presence one bit.
At least he has the sense to let Bud and Harriet visit with her without interrupting, thought Harm.
When Bud and Harriet left promising to come back the next day, Mic took his seat beside Mac's bedside.
"How are you feeling luv?"
"I'm fine Mic," said Mac.
"We've got some talking to do," said Mic.
"I agree, but not now. Once I get out of here we'll talk," said Mac.
"But it's important," said Mic stubbornly.
"It can wait, I'm not in the mood to discuss this with you," replied Mac firmly.
Harm uncrossed his arms, ready to tell Mic not to bother Mac.
"Fine, I can see our relationship isn't a high priority to you," said Mic.
"And I can see my health or my feelings are not a high priority to you," Mac shot back.
Harm had had enough.
"Brumby, I think you should go. Mac needs to rest. That's much more important than any talk you two need to have," said Harm.
Mic looked at him incredulously. "You're ordering me to leave? You weren't the Admiral last time I checked mate," he said.
"I'm not ordering anything, just suggesting," said Harm calmly, though he balled his fist up by his side.
"And you're staying?" asked Mic.
"I want to stay, yes. But only if Mac wants me to," said Harm carefully.
Mac nodded her head slightly in assent.
"So you want him to stay and me to go?" asked Mic, turning back to Mac.
"I didn't say that," replied Mac, avoiding his question.
"I'm staying, if your bodyguard here doesn't mind that is," said Mic, indicating to Harm sarcastically.
Mac rolled her eyes, and Harm kept silent. He didn't want to upset Mac by arguing with Mic. It was taking all his strength not to wipe that smug look off the Australian's face.
"Harm is my best friend, that's something any man who gets involved with me needs to accept," said Mac.
"Sure, any man will put up with you gallivanting around the world with him, sleeping in the same room or kissing him at your own engagement party," said Mic, the sarcasm dripping in his voice.
"That's enough Brumby," said Harm, before Mac had a chance to reply.
"Stay out of this Rabb," said Mic.
"Harm, it's okay, really. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," said Mac.
"I know you can, but you need to rest. How's your head?" asked Harm, moving to stand beside her.
"Better, still hurts a bit though," said Mac.
"I'll be right outside if you need me," said Harm, bending to kiss her forehead.
"Let's give Mac some time to heal Mic, we're not helping her," said Harm straightening.
Surprisingly Brumby didn't argue. "I'll be outside Sarah," he said, giving her a peck on the cheek before following Harm out of the room.
"Commander, may I have a word with you?" asked AJ when Harm joined him in the waiting area.
"Yes sir," said Harm.
Mic had moved to the other side of the room so Harm took the seat beside AJ.
"All right, can we drop the sir's for this conversation?" asked AJ.
"Sir?" asked Harm, not being able to stop himself.
"That's exactly what I mean. Please, call me AJ," said AJ.
"Sorry, it's hard to break the habit," said Harm.
"Understood," came the reply.
"Do you love her son?" asked AJ.
"Love who?" asked Harm, knowing where the conversation was going.
"Come on Harm, I wasn't born yesterday. I can see you and Mac are more than friends. Why you waited so long though is a mystery," said AJ.
"What about regs?" asked Harm.
"Don't worry about regs right now. I just want to know whether you're in love with the Colonel," said AJ.
Harm took a deep breath. "Yes," he said.
"Why don't you tell her? She doesn't love Brumby. She might think she does, but anyone can tell it's really you she loves," said AJ.
Harm could only look at him. He could tell that his CO was completely serious.
"Don't look so surprised, you and Mac have always been very close. You have your arguments but it's clear to most that you love each other," said AJ.
"She's engaged to Mic," said Harm.
"She's not married to him yet," said AJ. "She might if you don't tell her how you feel though."
"You're right, I should. If I did and she felt the same way, what would happen? Neither of us wants to leave JAG," said Harm.
"You leave that to me, there are ways I could keep you both," said AJ.
"Thanks AJ. That means a lot," said Harm.
"Anytime son. Now are you going to tell her or do I have to make that an order?" asked AJ.
"Now sir?" asked Harm.
"Well, I guess it isn't the best time but you shouldn't put it off either. She needs to know," said AJ.
"Yes sir," said Harm.
"Good luck Commander, but I don't think you'll need it," said AJ with a wink, getting up and crossing the room to the water cooler, leaving Harm to his thoughts.
Chapter 4 will be up soon!