Chapter 5
Mac smiled as the doctor gave her a clean bill of health, allowing her to leave the hospital.
"Thank you, I appreciate it," said Mac.
"Make sure you rest up at home Colonel and take it easy on those ribs," replied the doctor.
"Yes, I will. I daresay the Admiral won't let me go straight back to work," said Mac.
"I think your CO would be right there. Some extra rest never hurt anyone," said the doctor.
"I guess that's true," said Mac with a laugh.
The doctor left her to finish getting ready to leave and Mic walked in shortly after.
"G'day Sarah. Ready to go home?"
"Hi Mic. Yes, I'm ready," replied Mac.
"Good, let's get going then," said Mic, grabbing her bag.
Mac allowed him to lead her out of the hospital and drive her home. As he parked his car, Mic turned to her.
"Look Sarah, I've been thinking. We wouldn't work. I know you love me but your heart belongs to Rabb. I turned a blind eye at first but that doesn't mean it isn't there. And I don't even like the guy," said Mic, stopping for Mac's response.
Mac sighed. "I know, you're right," she said, lowering her eyes.
"I don't even know why I let it get this far. I never meant to hurt you," she continued.
"Yeah well, it's better to end it now than wait for you and Rabb to work it out years later. That wouldn't be fair on me and frankly, I don't want to play second fiddle," said Mic.
"I really am sorry. It wasn't meant to turn out like this," said Mac.
"I can't make you love me more than Rabb, and I don't want to. Things will be better for both of us this way," said Mic rather stiffly.
"I hope we can remain friends," said Mac tentatively. She removed her engagement ring from a pocket inside her bag and held it out to him. She was glad she hadn't bothered to put any of her jewelry back on before she had left the hospital. Mic looked at her for a moment.
"Yeah, we could be. It'll take some time though Sarah. You understand," said Mic.
"Yeah, I understand," said Mac.
"You can keep this," said Mic, taking the ring but leaving it held out to her.
"Thanks. I don't think I should though. I know you probably don't want it but I think it's best you take it," said Mac carefully. Mic nodded and pocketed the ring.
"I'll be going back to Australia," said Mic, obviously wanting to end the conversation.
"Stay in touch. Thanks for driving me home," said Mac.
"No worries," said Mic.
Mac waited a moment, unsure what to do before Mic decided for her and leaned over to place a peck on her cheek.
"Bye," he said.
"Bye," echoed Mac, as she exited the car, holding her bag.
She walked into her building and Mic's car drove away behind her.
That went surprisingly well, she thought to herself as she unlocked her door. Grasping the handle she pushed the door inwards and was confused momentarily that her door seemingly remained locked. That's strange, thought Mac. She tried the door once more before reinserting her key and turning the lock. This time the door opened and Mac peered warily into her apartment, knowing that she had not left her door unlocked. She heard the clink of a glass in the kitchen and stiffened, going immediately into Marine mode. Moving silently, she moved across to see who the intruder was. She relaxed when she recognized her partner's tall frame, his head bent over something on the stove.
"Harm," began Mac.
"Hi Ninja Girl. I didn't hear you come in. I let myself in, I hope you don't mind," said Harm, turning to greet her.
"No, I don't mind. I wondered why my door was unlocked though," said Mac.
"Yeah, I didn't lock it behind me. I'm sorry I wasn't there to bring you home," said Harm, striding across the space separating them to envelop her in a hug.
"It's okay. Mic and I needed the chance to talk anyway," said Mac, as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"And?" prompted Harm, moving slightly so he could look at her.
"And we worked things out as they should be. We both knew it wouldn't work, Mic even said that to me before I could tell him," said Mac.
"I hope he didn't give you any trouble," said Harm, his eyes flashing protectively.
"No, it was all quite amicable," said Mac.
Harm looked briefly toward her left ring finger.
"I gave him back the ring. I thought it would be best," explained Mac.
Harm nodded. "I was just making us some dinner. You rest and leave me to do the cooking," he said.
"I'm not bedridden, Harm," said Mac.
"I know, but even kick ass Marines need some down time," said Harm with a grin.
"Point taken," said Mac, grinning back. She sniffed the air. "What are we having?"
"You're having a little something I didn't get a chance to bring you at lunch since I got tied up in court," said Harm, pointing to a Beltway burger bag. "And we're also having pasta with Harm's special vegetarian sauce and salad."
"Sounds good. Thanks for the burger," said Mac.
"Hey, I said I'd get it for you. It's just later than I'd thought," said Harm smiling at her.
"I don't mind," said Mac. She walked into the living room.
"I hope Harm's special pasta sauce isn't anything like Harm's special meatless meatloaf," Mac threw over her shoulder, grinning at him playfully when he stuck his head out of the kitchen and gave her a mock glare.
"You just wait until you taste it," said Harm good-naturedly.
"Oh I will," said Mac as she lay down on the couch.