"Wondering – 3"
Author: Stephjag aka Steph
Email Stephrabbhotmail.com
Disclaimer: I do not own the JAG characters; they are the property of CBS, Paramount Studios and they belong to Donald P. Bellisario.
Classification: Vignette / Drama
Rating: PG-13 (just to be on the safe side)
Spoilers: "What if" just for the big lines
Summary: Mac's wondering about the road not taken.
Part Three
2057 ZULU Still in Harm's apartment North of Union Station Washington, D.C.
Harm and Mac were sitting silently looking at each other for awhile when Mac finally spoke up.
"Harm, didn't you say something about some tea?"
"Sure, I did," he said with a smile and stood up. He was heading for the kitchen when Mac called him back.
"Harm..."
Harm stepped back and turned his head. "Yes?"
"...Thanks for still being my friend. I know things haven't been easy for you lately. And I'm sorry for what Sadik did to you," she said with a little voice.
"It's okay, Mac, you don't have to be sorry for what he did. We knew he would do something, and you had a rough time. He wanted to get you. Sadik was playing a game with us. And he almost succeeded..."
"I know, but still, I'm sorry for what happened. You shouldn't have been involved in this mess. It all happened because of some bad choices I made. I've been wrong, and I'm sorry it took me such a long time to find it out."
Harm looked at her, his gaze puzzled. He wasn't sure what she was trying to say. He waited a few seconds before he went he the kitchen to get two cups, took two lime green tea bags, placed them into the cups, and poured hot water on them. Coming back to Mac, he handed her one of the steaming cups. "Careful, it's hot."
"Thanks," she said in a low voice.
Mac was holding the cup of tea in her two hands, like she was trying to warm herself up a little bit. Harm sat down on the couch in front of her and took a sip of his hot tea. Looking up at her, his gaze saddened again. Sarah was staring at the cup Harm had given her. He was sure that there was something wrong. But what? Was she really happy or was it only something she wanted everyone to believe?
New questions. No answers. He was about to say something, but Mac's soft voice stopped him from doing so.
"Harm..." she began softly.
Harm's heart missed a beat. She had said his name so softly that he'd felt himself melt inside. Even now, after all had happened between them, Sarah Mackenzie still had this power over him. His heart tore when he saw a single tear rolling down her cheek. "... Could you hold me, please?" she murmured.
Harm leaned forward to put his cup of tea on the table before standing up and stepping in Mac's direction. He came to sit next to her and hold her tight in his arms. Mac cuddled herself closer to him and closed her eyes, silent tears tracing their ways down her cheeks. Harm just tightened his embrace and let her cry without saying anything. Slowly he placed his chin on her hair and rocked her a little, like a father would've consoled his daughter.
To be continued...