Rewriting Adrift
Disclaimer: I make no profit from my stories nor do I have any affilitiation with JAG or any of the cast and crew. I am simply a fan of the show and write because I enjoy it.
AN: The idea for this story popped into my head while rewatching Adrift 1 and 2 and I thought, since I'm rewriting Lifeline, why not Adrift as well? Hence this story was born! Like all my stories this is a shipper story, but that won't be happening straight away. I always felt that Harm and Mac needed to rebuild their friendship after the events of Adrift, but they didn't so I'm doing it for them. If some of the lines are familiar it's because I'm following the events to a certain extent and using the lines from the episodes or very similar lines. The first chapter begins right after Skates is found.
Chapter 1
Mac was finding it hard to keep her tears in check and excusing herself, almost ran out of the room and entered another small dark room, closing the door behind her.
Mic started out of his seat before Harriet stopped him.
"Let me go check on her sir," she said.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" asked Harriet knocking on the door.
"Come in Harriet, and it's Mac," came Mac's reply.
Inside the room, Mac was pacing, the tears running down her cheeks freely and the guilt bubbling inside her.
"Mac," said Harriet.
Mac simply shook her head and took the hug Harriet offered.
"He's going to be okay, I know he will," said Harriet.
"I hope so. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him," said Mac sadly.
"The Commander is a good man, we'd all miss him," said Harriet.
"I didn't wish him luck Harriet," said Mac.
"What?" asked Harriet.
"I was angry at him for not coming to the rehearsal dinner and going for his quals so close to the wedding. I told him to have fun. When he asked me to wish him luck, I didn't," said Mac.
"Mac, that doesn't mean anything. Besides, the Commander knows that you would always wish him well," said Harriet.
"He doesn't know. What if he doesn't make it? He won't know!" Mac said, more tears making their way down her cheeks.
"The two of you are best friends, of course he knows you care," said Harriet.
"Not that," said Mac distractedly.
"What then?" asked Harriet.
"He won't know that I'm in love with him," replied Mac without thinking.
Harriet's sharp intake of breath let Mac know she'd spoken aloud. She looked at Harriet and saw that while her friend was shocked, she would have been smiling if the situation weren't so serious.
"Oh Mac," said Harriet, hugging her.
"You're in love with Harm?" asked a voice from behind them.
The two women looked up and saw that Chloe had entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Chloe," began Mac.
"I knew it! How come you never told him?" asked Chloe.
"Things have always been complicated between Mac and Harm," said Harriet helpfully.
"I can't say it's something I didn't think would happen though," she added. Mac gave her a warning look and Harriet smiled apologetically.
"Is the wedding off?" asked Chloe.
"I don't want to think about anything but Harm right now," said Mac, shaking her head.
"And what I said doesn't go beyond this room okay?" said Mac.
"Of course Mac," said Harriet.
"Sure," said Chloe.
"Let's pray for the Commander some more," suggested Harriet.
The three of them held hands and bowed their heads, silently praying for Harm.
There was a knock on the door and Renee entered uncertainly.
"Come in Renee. We're just praying for Harm," said Harriet, as Mac seemed unable to speak.
Renee nodded and joined them, sitting down on the sofa beside Chloe.
"We should get back to JAG, it'll be easier to keep tabs on the search from there," said Mac after a few more minutes of silence.
The others nodded their consent and Chloe placed her hand in Mac's supportively as they left the room and joined the rest of the group.
"How are you luv?" asked Mic.
Mac wiped the tears off her cheeks quickly. "I'm okay," she replied.
Mic rubbed her shoulder supportively, and Mac smiled sadly, gazing into space as she thought about Harm.
JAG
Headquarters
Mac's
office
Mac looked at the rain beating down on the window, a few tears escaping down her cheeks.
"Any news?" asked Chloe, standing at the door.
"Come in Chloe, close the door," said Mac, not turning around.
Chloe did as she was told and came to stand beside her, seeing the tears Mac been trying to hide.
"You really do love him," said Chloe.
"Chloe…" said Mac.
"I don't understand why you were going to marry Mic when it's Harm you really love," said Chloe.
"Harm pushed me away in Australia, I was willing to give this thing between us a try. I love Mic, I do. What I feel for Harm though, it's completely different," said Mac.
"He loves you too," said Chloe.
"Who?" asked Mac.
"Harm," replied Chloe as if it was obvious.
"Chloe, we shouldn't be talking about this. It's not the right time," said Mac.
"Okay. So is there any news?" asked Chloe.
"No, I'm afraid it doesn't look good," said Mac.
"I thought you'd already be trying to find him," said Chloe.
"He's in the middle of the ocean," replied Mac.
"No, like the way you found me," said Chloe.
Mac just looked at her, not believing she hadn't thought of using her gift yet.
"When I fell off my horse, in the woods," continued Chloe, apparently trying to remind her.
"I don't know if I can do that Chloe," said Mac.
"Try," pleaded Chloe.
Mac closed her eyes, trying to stay focused on Harm, but found she just couldn't stop all the thoughts racing through her mind.
"I can't do this," said Mac, sighing as she opened her eyes.
"Keep trying," said Chloe.
"I need your help," said Mac.
Chloe took Mac's hands and thought of Harm also while Mac closed her eyes again, willing her mind to relax and focus on Harm.
The wind was howling and the waves were crashing loudly as an empty life raft came into view.
No, thought Mac.
She focused again, searching desperately for Harm in the crashing waves.
"Anything?" asked Chloe's voice, interrupting her thoughts.
"I saw the life raft. It was empty. I need to find Harm," said Mac.
Chloe looked hopeful as Mac closed her eyes and tried again.
Mac saw movement in the black waves and focusing closer, she saw him.
"Harm!" she said, her eyes springing open.
"Did you find him?" asked Chloe.
"Let's go tell them where to look," said Mac. Chloe took her hand and the two of them left the office, stopping in front of the map.
"Look here," said Mac, pointing out the coordinates.
A little while later
Admiral Chegwidden's office
"I don't see anything," came the voice over the speaker phone. "Initiating 1000 meter search."
Mac felt her heart sink, almost forgetting to breathe as she listened to the progress of the search.
"I see muzzle flashes, something's down there. I'm turning back."
Mac's hopes rose as she sat on the edge of her seat, waiting to see if Harm would be found. Chloe leaned over to hug her as they waited.
"There he is," said the voice again and Mac allowed herself to smile. The Admiral and Chloe looked relieved and both looked at her in awe, impressed by the accuracy she'd shown in finding out Harm's location.
After several more minutes, the best words Mac had heard all day came over the speaker. "We got him, Skipper!"
AN: Should I continue? Feedback would be appreciated!