Chapter 7

AN: Thanks for the reviews to the last chapter everyone and I'm sorry for the delay in posting this. This chapter ended up pretty long so I hope that makes up for the delay.

"I'm so glad to be back on dry land," said Mac as she and Harm waited for a cab to take them home after returning to Washington. The investigation had been wrapped up and they were ready to give their report to the Admiral the next day.

"Ah, but dry land isn't half as interesting as life on a carrier," said Harm, grabbing her bag as the cab pulled up and opening the back door for her. Mac stepped in with a quiet thanks as Harm went around to the other side and got in beside her, greeting the driver and giving him their destination.

"I think Marines and Squids differ on what kind of life is interesting," said Mac, glancing over at him.

"They do but I think I can convince you that carriers aren't so bad," said Harm.

"I doubt that. I've been on carriers enough to know I don't like them. They are much better than submarines though. I really don't like those!" said Mac.

"That's where we agree. Subs aren't built for someone with my height," said Harm, grimacing as he remembered his various stints on a sub.

"Well hopefully neither of us will have to go on one for quite awhile," said Mac with a smile.

"Hey, I'm planning on going for a jog tomorrow before work. Do you want to come?" asked Mac.

"Sure. I'll bring my uniform and we can go straight to work afterwards," said Harm.

"I'll see you at 0600," said Mac.

"Right…uh, can I back out now?" teased Harm.

"You know that thing called an alarm clock Harm? When it buzzes you need to actually get up," said Mac playfully.

"Very funny Marine," said Harm laughing.

Mac's apartment
0117

The wind was howling and waves crashed over Harm repeatedly as he desperately tried to stay afloat. The raft floated by him and he grabbed wildly for it, but it was tossed away from him in the choppy waters. A large wave crashed over him and he went under. Try as she might Mac couldn't see him resurface and a feeling of dread descended on her, making her break out in a cold sweat. Mac woke from the dream, shaking, and looked around her, relieved to see she was in her apartment. The next moment she had grabbed for the phone, dialling his number quickly.

"Hello?" answered Harm groggily.

"Hi…uh, I didn't mean to wake you," said Mac apologetically, the effects of the nightmare starting to wear off and her internal clock kicking in.

"What is it? Are you okay?" asked Harm, sitting up, wide awake as he focussed on the note of panic in her voice.

"I just had a nightmare that's all," said Mac, trying to keep her voice steady, but failing.

"Take a deep breath for me Marine," said Harm.

He heard her do it and instructed her further. "Now let it out slowly."

Mac exhaled.

"Feel better?" asked Harm.

"Yeah, a bit," said Mac.

"Good. Do you want to tell me about the dream?" asked Harm.

"I've had it before," said Mac.

"Have you told me about it before?" asked Harm.

"No. It's a dream I had for the first time about 3 months ago. I haven't had it again until now," admitted Mac.

"Three months ago…about the time I punched out?" asked Harm, as he began to understand what had scared her.

"Yeah," said Mac softly.

"Tell me about it," said Harm.

His voice was soothing to her and Mac began to relax.

"You were out in the ocean, there were waves crashing everywhere and I couldn't help you. A huge wave drove you under and then…" said Mac, stopping as she again tried to get her emotions under control.

"And then?" prompted Harm gently.

"You didn't…you didn't resurface," said Mac, glad Harm couldn't see her as a tear made its way down her cheek.

"Oh Mac, I'm sorry. I'm coming over," said Harm, reaching for a pair of jeans.

"No, you don't need to do that. I'm fine, it's over now and I know you're okay," said Mac.

"Are you sure?" asked Harm, having gotten into his jeans one handed and now busy pulling on a shirt.

"I'm fine really. Thanks for the talk," said Mac, going back into Marine mode.

"No problem. Listen, why don't you get up for a little bit, have a cup of tea," suggested Harm, cradling the phone on his shoulder as he pulled on a pair of shoes, having no intention of listening to her and not going over to her apartment.

"That's a good idea. You should get back to sleep. Good night Harm," said Mac.

"Night Mac," said Harm. Hanging up the phone, he grabbed his keys and headed over to Mac's.

Mac was sitting on her couch with a mug of tea in her hand when there was a knock on the door. Somehow she knew exactly who it was and shook her head as she put the mug down on the coffee table and went to the door. Her suspicions were confirmed when she looked out of the peep-hole and saw her partner and best friend standing on the other side. She unlocked the door and opened it.

"You clearly don't listen to me," she said, as he stepped inside.

"Sorry Mac, I listen to you I swear. Just not this time," said Harm with a smile. He took a moment to take in the sight of her tousled hair and Mickey Mouse pyjamas.

"Cute look Colonel," he teased.

Mac looked down at her pyjama shorts and t-shirt.

"Mickey isn't cute?" she asked with a laugh.

"I said the person wearing him was cute," said Harm.

Mac blushed and flashed him a mock glare. "Done?" she asked.

"For now," replied Harm with a smile.

"How are you?" he asked seriously as they sat down.

"Fine," said Mac.

"I was thinking on the way over, you don't suppose you had the dream again because I flew again on this case?" asked Harm carefully.

"I don't know," said Mac.

"I thought I was okay with it. Maybe subconsciously though," said Mac, shrugging.

"I'm sorry Mac. I know my accident was hard on everyone," said Harm hugging her.

"I don't even want to remember that night," said Mac, shuddering at the thought.

"Do you want to tell me more about it?" asked Harm, carefully watching for her reaction to his words. They had avoided the topic in the months following the accident, neither wanting to bring up bad memories for the other.

"You know everything," said Mac, avoiding his gaze.

"I know the basics, I want to know what you're feeling though," said Harm.

"That night is something I never want to go through again. The sheer terror I felt when the Admiral told us what had happened. I was so scared for you…" said Mac, trailing off.

"It can't have been easy," said Harm, squeezing her shoulder supportively.

"No, definitely not. I didn't take the news very well. Harriet and Chloe were a great comfort to me," said Mac.

"I'm glad they were there for you. There were certain things that kept me going before I was rescued, a big one was you. I didn't want to disappoint you by not being back for the ceremony and I wanted to be able to apologise for the way I left," said Harm, omitting some details of what else he'd wanted to be able to tell her.

"It wasn't your fault, besides as it turned out, you didn't miss anything," said Mac.

"Would you have forgiven me if I had?" asked Harm.

"I might have been angry, but I can't stay mad at you for long Harm," said Mac with a smile.

"Not quite the way your rehearsal dinner was supposed to go huh," said Harm, trying to lighten the mood.

"Not quite. You were supposed to be there," said Mac.

"I know. If it makes you feel any better, if I was there, I probably would have spent the night being a bit of a jerk," said Harm with a smile.

Mac chuckled. "Hey, at least you wouldn't have been out there flying in a storm," she said.

"Everything worked out okay though, didn't it?" asked Harm.

"It did, thank God," said Mac.

"What can I do to make it easier for you next time I fly?" asked Harm.

"Don't tell me," joked Mac.

"I don't want to be there the next time anyway," she continued.

"That can probably be arranged," smiled Harm.

"Thanks Harm," said Mac.

"What for?" asked Harm.

"For being you," replied Mac.

"Well, thanks. I'm just glad you're feeling better," said Harm smiling at her.

"Much better," agreed Mac.

"You think you can get back to sleep?" asked Harm.

"I think so," said Mac.

"Good. I'd better let you get some sleep then and I'll see you at 0600 if you still want to go for that jog," said Harm.

"Okay, I'll see you then," said Mac.

Mac's apartment
0600

"Morning, you ready to go?" asked Harm, when Mac had opened the door dressed in running shorts and a USMC t-shirt. He was also dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and carried two bottles of water.

"Morning, I'm ready. Come in while I put my shoes on," said Mac, smiling at him.

Harm stepped inside, handing her one of the water bottles.

"Thanks," said Mac, sitting down on the couch to put on her running shoes.

"Did you bring your uniform?" she asked.

"It's in the car," said Harm.

"Okay, let's go then," said Mac, standing up.

They stretched a little on reaching the park and then set off at a slow jog to warm up.

"Did you get back to sleep last night?" asked Harm as they jogged along the path.

"Yes. How about you?" asked Mac.

"I did too," said Harm.

"Good. By the way, I'm glad you didn't listen to me last night," said Mac with a smile.

"I didn't even consider listening to you," said Harm with a grin.

"Thanks," said Mac laughing.

"You're welcome," replied Harm, giving her his flyboy grin.

"So how is the Williams case going?" asked Mac.

"It's not. I seem to have hit a brick wall," said Harm.

"Let me have a look through with you, maybe we can come up with something," said Mac.

"Thanks Mac, I'll take you up on that," said Harm smiling at her.

"No problem," said Mac smiling back.

"What are the odds we, or at least one of us, gets saddled with another difficult case the moment we get into work," said Harm.

"Very high," teased Mac.

"We could always play hooky," suggested Harm.

"No thanks, I still remember what happened last time," said Mac chuckling.

"We had fun otherwise though didn't we?" asked Harm.

"We did," agreed Mac.

"Race you to the top of that hill," said Mac picking up her pace.

"You're on Marine," said Harm, speeding up also. They raced to the top of the hill, neck and neck the whole way before Mac beat him with a final burst of speed.

"Yes!" said Mac, lifting her hands above her head and smiling victoriously.

"I want a rematch," protested Harm.

"I won fair and square flyboy," said Mac.

"Hmm, well my ego doesn't appreciate that," said Harm.

"Your ego could fill a room Harmon. I'm sure it won't suffer much," teased Mac.

"Gee thanks!" chuckled Harm.

"What are friends for!" said Mac playfully, reaching up to ruffle his hair and taking off again before he could get her back.

"Hey!" said Harm, running after her. He caught up to her and gently tackled her, sending them both down onto the grass. He moved off of Mac hurriedly, hoping he hadn't hurt her but Mac started laughing.

"Okay, I guess you got me," she said, still chuckling.

"I didn't mean to make us fall though, you're not hurt are you?" asked Harm.

"Of course not, I'm fine, don't worry," said Mac, moving onto her side to face him and supporting her head on her arm.

Harm noticed there was a piece of grass in her hair and plucked it out, showing it to her before throwing it away.

"Thanks," said Mac, smiling.

Harm smiled back, standing up and offering her a hand. Mac took it and got up too, brushing herself off. They continued their jog and then returned to Mac's apartment.

"Do you want the shower first?" asked Mac as they entered.

"No, you go," said Harm.

"Okay, I won't be long," said Mac, disappearing into the bathroom.

"That smells good," said Mac, as she reappeared dressed in her uniform.

"Hey, I was just making us some breakfast," said Harm.

"I can keep an eye on it while you go take a shower if you like," said Mac.

"Okay, I'll be out soon," said Harm, heading to her bathroom.

A short time later he had showered and dressed and they sat down for breakfast.

"Harm, what did you do to your shirt?" asked Mac as she put down her glass of orange juice.

"The button got caught on something yesterday," said Harm swallowing, and looking down at the spot where one of the buttons was missing on his shirt.

"Do you have the button?" asked Mac.

"Yeah," said Harm, reaching into his pocket and showing her.

"I'll fix it for you after breakfast," said Mac.

"You don't need to do that Mac," said Harm.

"I want to. Besides, it has to be fixed before the Admiral sees it," said Mac.

"Thank you," said Harm.

"Wait until I manage to fix it first," teased Mac.

"I'm sure it will be fine," said Harm with a smile.

Mac put the last stitch into his shirt, the button firmly back in place. Harm was wearing his white singlet, watching her with an amused expression on his face.

"What?" asked Mac, looking up at him.

"Nothing, it's just that seeing the big bad Marine going all Martha Stewart is a little funny," said Harm.

"Haha, very funny," said Mac, rolling her eyes with a smile.