AN – Thank you to all those that provided feedback. I've chosen a slightly different direction for this fic than originally planned. This will NOT be H/M. Sorry shippers. I'm just not motivated to go that way after watching current episodes. If you don't want to read it, so be it. Please don't bother sending me e-mails about the way I'm going to portray Mac's character. I will try to be fair while still conveying the story line I choose. As always, all other feedback is welcomed.

Special thanks to Vid for being a Beta and providing a sounding board and feed back.

Distribution: Yahoo group: Article78

To clear up some confusion, Harm did leave JAG after Paraguay, but later returned. He did not meet Mattie in the interim.

Hospital

Washington D.C.

Maggie's hospital room

Three hours and five cups of coffee later, he sat next to Maggie's bed, listening to the sound of monitors beeping. The doctors had confirmed what Maria told him earlier. Maggie had slipped into a coma and probably would not wake up again. The doctors claimed she would only last a day or two as her body had already begun to shut down. Harm had helped draw up a DNR for Maggie weeks ago while filing her will and custody papers. A list began to float through his mind. There were so many things to do.

A small whimper caught his attention. Once they had arrived at the hospital, Aly had crawled into the bed with her mother and refused to move. He didn't have the heart to deprive her of any time with her mother. The time would come soon enough when she would no longer see her. A sound from the door interrupted his thoughts. He was surprised to find Bud and Harriet waiting patiently.

"Sir, we hope you don't mind. We spoke to Ms. Lucen and she told us where to find you." Bud kept his voice low to prevent from waking the small girl.

"It's okay. I never intentionally meant to keep Maggie and Aly a secret." At the mention of her name, his little girl shifted her position briefly before returning to sleep. Harm stood and quickly ushered Bud and Harriet outside. "She's been sleeping for the past hour. I don't have the heart to tell her the doctors believe she won't wake-up again."

"Sir, the love a mother has for her child can defy anything, including doctor's orders." Harriet knew if she were in the same situation, she would do anything to say good-bye to Bud and AJ one last time. "Sir, we stopped by your apartment and grabbed you something to change into. We figured you may be more comfortable out of your uniform."

Harm gratefully accepted the bag. "Please, call me Harm and thank you. I didn't want to waste the time to drive over to my place earlier."

"Did the doctors have any good news?" Bud had heard some scuttlebutt and caught part of the Commander's conversation with the Admiral, but there were still many questions.

Harm shook his head and found a seat in the sterile, white hallway. "No, Maggie's been on borrowed time for a while. There is nothing left they can do, but make sure it's painless. The doctors say it should be over by tomorrow. We had told Aly everything, but I don't think there was any way to prepare her for this." It hurt to see his daughter dealing with such grief and anguish. He felt his own pain over loosing Maggie too. She had become such an important part of his life lately. She was a friend, taught him how to be a parent, and showed him how to enjoy life to the fullest even under dire circumstances. The three of them had started to become a family. He loved her. It may not have worked out between the two of them, but he would have been willing to try.

"Harm, why don't I stay with her for a few minutes and you can get changed. Then go with Bud down to the cafeteria to eat something. I'm sure you haven't had anything but coffee. You'll need all your strength." Harriet pushed the two men away from the room.

Harm was uncertain about leaving Alyssa. He felt better knowing she wouldn't be alone. "Okay, I guess you're right. Besides, I can grab some juice and a snack for Aly. If she wakes up, will you get us? I don't want her to think I left too." Harm allowed himself to be ushered into the nearest men's room. He felt more comfortable and relaxed in jeans and a shirt. It seemed like days ago since he put the uniform on.

The cafeteria was mostly deserted. Only a few people lingered around. Grabbing a salad and another coffee, Harm sat down with Bud. "You've been awfully quiet Bud."

"Sorry Sir. I was just thinking. Aly's about the same age as AJ."

"My life has completely changed and I wouldn't give it up for all the world. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just wish I could save her this pain."

"Welcome to parenthood Commander."

As Harm and Bud walked back to the room, Harm spotted the doctor outside Maggie's room. From the expression on the older man's face, Harm could tell there was little good news. "Doctor, any news on Maggie?"

"I'm afraid it's not good. Her vital signs are still dropping. There is just nothing we can do, but make her comfortable."

"How long?"

"A few hours at most. It will be over tonight. I'm sorry. If you need anything, please page me."

Bud and Harriett remained as long as they could before returning home to little AJ. Eventually Harm sent them home with a promise he would call if he needed anything. Aly had woken up shortly after they left. She was still attached to her mother's side as Harm read to her. A nurse had given him a book on guardian angels in hope it would be a comfort to the young child.

Harm knew he was still suffering from the shock. Nothing entered his thoughts except Maggie and Alyssa. The nurses entered occasionally and left fresh coffee and juice. They still sat untouched on a table nearby. Despite the evening sun shinning in, the room screamed darkness and death.

A small movement caught his eye. Harm leaned closer to make sure he wasn't imagining things. Seeing Maggie was struggling to open her eyes, he stepped into her view and grabbed her hand. "Hi." Pain was etched across her face. Her eyes conveyed what her mouth could no longer say. It was time for her to go. Only her love for Alyssa was keeping her on this plane. "Aly, baby. It's time to say good-bye to mommy." His little girl lifted her head as the tears streamed down her face.

"Mommy, I love you." Aly could barely choke the words out in between her sobs.

"I love you too. We'll miss you like crazy, but we'll be okay. I promise." Harm could no longer prevent his own tears. He sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned down toward Maggie's ear. "I'll make sure she never forgets. She'll always know who much you love her."

He watched her eyes turn from gratitude to sadness as she looked on her child one last time. "Love you both." She could barely manage the words as she struggled to breathe.

Harm grabbed Aly and spoke to her quietly. "Give mommy a kiss and a hug, okay." Aly complied with a sloppy kiss to the cheek as she lay back down next to her mother. Maggie's eyes showed her hesitancy to leave, but she could no longer keep them open. Moving down to her side, he kissed her good-bye one more time. "It's okay to go. We'll be alright."

Five minutes later, the doctor and nurse entered the room. Tears and sobs confirmed what the monitors showed them. Maggie had finally succumbed to her illness. Harm watched the doctor check Maggie one last time as the nurse looked on sympathetically. He turned off all the equipment and proceeded to make a notation on Maggie's chart. The crisp clanking sound of the chart closing spurred Harm into action. Carefully, he lifted Aly into his arms. Not sure how to console her, he held her tightly. "Okay baby. It's time to go home. Mommy's in heaven now." He watched her take one last look at the mother before burying her head in Harm's shoulder.

"Will you be okay to drive home? Is there someone I can call for you?" The nurse saw death every day, but her compassion was sincere.

"No thank you. We'll be okay." Quickly he scanned the room for his bag and jacket. Harm tried to make the stop at the administration desk brief while making arrangements to have the body transferred to the funeral home. After, he carried Aly out to the car and headed home. Home would no longer be his apartment north of Union Station, but Maggie's house. It had all of Aly's things and would hopefully be some comfort.

It took half an hour to reach the house. As soon as he picked up a sleeping Aly, he felt her grip almost painfully tighten. It took a gentle persuading before she would release him long enough to change into her pjs. Knowing she would not remain in her room alone, he grabbed her favorite stuffed bear and headed out to the couch. Stretching his legs out, he settled Aly on top of him. "Sleep baby."

"Love you Daddy."

"I love you too baby." As the quiet surrounded him, his thoughts raced. A quick decision was made and he grabbed the cell phone next to him. Pressing the speed dial on his phone, he waited for an answer.

"Hello?"

"Mom, I need you." The tears fell down his face again and mingled with Aly's hair.

"Harm, is that you? What's wrong?"

Suppressing a sob, he answered quietly. "She's gone mom. She couldn't hang on any longer."

Trish finally understood. She had been ecstatic to learn she finally had a granddaughter and troubled to hear about her mother's failing health. "Oh sweetie. I'm so sorry. Where are you? How is Aly?"

"I'm at the house. She's sleeping right now. I don't know what to do. It's so quiet."

Trish understood better than most. After loosing Harm Sr., she felt the same way. At night when Harm would go to sleep, the house became painfully quiet. "I know. Frank and I will fly out first thing in the morning. We'll help you take care of everything. Just make it through tonight. I know you probably won't, but try to get some sleep. I'll call you as soon as we get into D.C., okay?"

"Thanks mom. I love you."

"I love you too. Give my love to Aly. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye." As he hung up, the quiet returned.

TBC… Hopefully this week-end I'll have an update.