Return To Me

by Radiorox

COMPLETE Harm and Mac went to separate ends of the world and never stayed in touch. Four years later, when Harm returns to the States, he and Mac find that you can’t fool destiny. That friendship is the road that leads to the heart.

16. In Other Words

Okay gang, ask and you shall receive, just don't get used to it. ;) NEver have I seen a bunch so willing to kill another character. Sheesh, I might have to stick Kendra in witness protection or something from the rabid shippers. Oo

Down people, trust in Jackie. :)

Next update, don't expect it until next week. I have a final on Friday and will then spend the weekend RESTING. Cos we start Anatomy on Monday. Fun, not. :P

Anyway, here we go. :)

Part 16 – In Other Words

"Who is she?" Harm wouldn't deny that his heart stopped beating the moment he heard his voice. He'd hoped that things were too bad, that Mac didn't hear that phone conversation. But, it was obvious he did. Now, what struck him as strange was the way her body seemed to be bunched up and cold. Flipping over to turn on a light, he found her sitting on the window seat her hand wrapped around the tip of a manila envelope which she held up. "And, you know what I am talking about."

Sighing, Harm crawled to the end of the bed and sat down facing her. "Yea. Yea, I know what you're talking about." He spied the envelope raising his brow in question. "What is that?"

Mac handed him the object and waited patiently for him to open it. His face went from white with shock to red with anger. "Vukovic spotted you at the beach with her. . .Thought I should have them."

"Son of a. . ." Grabbing the pictures, he tore them one by one and then placed the scraps in the envelope. "It's not what it looks like. I'm not cheating on you." He glanced up at Mac to find her patiently waiting for a better explanation and was surprise that she didn't object immediately. In fact, she didn't even look angry, just concerned. "Her name is Kendra Nichols and she's best friends with Manda Patterson."

"The woman we were staking out not too long ago?" Ah, so it was a job, now she was sure of it. "She's a job?"

Harm nodded slowly. "Yes, the idea was for one of us to get close to her and hopefully get close to Patterson. The information we stole from her office wasn't conclusive."

"Where did you meet her?"

"Kendra works at a bar and right after the stakeout, we put that plan into effect. . .Gunny decided I should be the one to try and seduce her." The words sounded horrible coming from him and he could only image how much harder it would be for Mac to hear them. Frowning, he turned away from her. "Look, I. . .you're. . .This. . . thing with Kendra and I means nothing. . .But this. . .thing between us. . .it does."

"Then why couldn't you tell me about her?"

That was a good question and one that he had an answer for which, as usual, wouldn't come out right. "It doesn't matter."

Mac pretended that it didn't hurt the negativity in his voice, nor the way he turned away from her. "It doesn't matter?"

"No it doesn't, because I am not with her. . ." He was sincere but still, he knew Mac and the fact that things needed to be out in the open with her. Standing, he walked over, took a seat and wrapped one of her hands in his.

Her next question hurt him more than words could express. "Have you slept with her?"

"Have I what?" Incredulously, he stared at her, unbelieving that she would ask him such a question, didn't she know him well enough? "I can't believe you just asked me that, Mac." He pulled his hand away from hers almost as if he'd been burnt.

"You don't think I have a right?" She asked in surprise. Annoyed, Mac threw her hands up in the air as Harm stepped away from her. "I am not asking for the meaning of life, I just want to know." That was the one thing that bothered her the most, any sexual intimacy with the other woman. Webb had mentioned, during their year long stint, that various times he had to sacrifice his body for the cause. While that was admirable, she just wasn't too sure she could handle Harm sleeping with another woman and then spending the night with her. "Sex. . .It can be serious."

"Since when does sex have to be serious? I mean, some people sleep with others without having to attach feelings." Open mouth, insert foot. Groaning, he turned towards Mac to find a sad expression which mirrored the one she gave him that night at McMurphy's so long ago. "That didn't come out right."

"Get out." She stated simply. "It's obvious that you don't have any feelings at all for me. . .So, it's time for a clean break. . .Just get out." Mac stepped towards Harm, willing herself not to cry and attempting to move past him. Countering her movements he wrapped a hand around her wrist holding her tightly to him. "Let me go, Rabb."

Defiantly, he held on. "Not until you listen to me." When she tried to fight him, he pulled her close and kissed her as if his life depended on it. And it did, without Mac, he wasn't too sure he could survive anymore. At first, she fought his kisses, trying desperately to separate herself and not let him sway her. But, something carnal came alive as his tongue swept past her lips which she opened in acceptance. When the kiss broke a very flushed Sarah MacKenzie stared back at him. Her lips parted and swollen, a confused expression in her eyes. "I haven't slept with her." He said softly, then added, "Nor do I intend to. . . I didn't tell you because. . .well, to be honest, I didn't think we'd. . .that we'd. . uh, figure it out."

"Have we figured it out?" She breathed out, despising that her voice sounded too compliant for this conversation. Mac wanted to be angry at him, but the moment his lips crashed down on hers, that anger was slowly dissipating.

He smiled slightly. "I think we're getting there." There was a sincerity in his eyes so intense that it nearly choked her. "I want to figure this out, Mac. . .I want you. . .only you." Sadly, he let her go, taking a couple of steps backwards as he raised his hands in a sign of peace. "But, you don't trust me." Bending down, he picked up the manila envelope that had fallen from his hand when they kissed. "Maybe I should go."

But, as he tried to move past her, it was Mac's turn, "I don't want you to go." This was the first time she was actually doing something about the things she felt for him. Instead of letting him walk away, she stepped up, taking what, in her heart, she knew was already hers. "I'm scared to death of losing you, Harm. . .I'm scared to death that. . .that what we did. . .that it was a mistake."

"It wasn't a mistake to me." He whispered, his voice low and desperate. "And I don't have regrets."

Smiling, she stepped towards him, placing a hand on his cheek which she caressed slightly. There was a charge there, an electrical current that she felt every time they touched. Now, as their bodies neared each others, that current was moving at a hyperactive speed. Had being intimate actually made them closer? "The only regret I have is not being able to spend the weekend with you."

Gently, he raised his hand, placing it over her own which was cupping his cheek. "You're not the only one regretting that. . .I know this might sound twisted, but the only reason why I could play the part with that woman was because I was thinking of you."

Mac's breathing was suddenly ragged. It wasn't the words she really needed to hear from him, but, at least it was some sort of admission on his part. "I'm sorry for overreacting. . .I just. ."

"Hey, don't." A finger on her lips interrupted any plea of forgiveness that she was trying to formulate. "I think I'd have flown off of the deep end myself." Actually, she didn't want to point out, that he had already done that one afternoon in Paraguay when he mistakenly read a kiss from Clayton Webb as something more than a thanks. "To tell you the truth, I was. . .scared to face you."

"Scared? Harm, since when have you been afraid of a little 'ol Marine?" She teased.

Chuckling, he wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Yea, well. . .It's different when it's a little 'ol Marine that you're in lov. . ."

Now, timing has never been a friend of theirs and probably never would be period. But, he was on a tangent where words and feelings were free flowing. He figured he could slip in what she wanted to hear and not feel completely embarrassed by it. But, no, as luck would have it, that damned cell phone of his would interrupt them again. Annoyed, he fished through his jean pants then noted that the sound was coming from Mac's night table. Releasing her, he took a peak at the caller ID. "Rabb." It was Gunny.

("There's a major problem. . .The cocaine is gone.")

Harm removed the phone from his ear and stared at it with dumb confusion. "I'm sorry, say that again?"

("The. Cocaine. Is. Gone!") Gunny said, pausing after each word as if he were describing things to a five year old. (" I had to return to the office to pick up the house keys, which I left there. And, you know how we have that sixth sense? I walk into your office and decide to check under your desk and it's gone. . .If we don't get that back, we're screwed you and I. . .For sure the cops will arrest are sorry asses.")

Defeated, Harm slumped down onto the bed. "Wait, Gunny. . .Have you checked everywhere? I mean, maybe I moved it. . or maybe even you moved it?" Hoping to ease a sudden incoming headache, he pinched the bridge of his nose. They were screwed, he knew that. Worse of all, what would happen if that junk got out into the streets again?

("No. . .it's gone.")

"I'll be right down." He glanced up at Mac, his eyes pleading with her to understand that he wasn't looking for another interruption.

To his surprise, she pulled him to his feet and said, "I'm coming with you."

0025 Local
Rabb and Galindez Investigative Service
Pacific Beach, California

"Don't touch anything." Harm warned Mac as he inserted his key into the lock and turned the tumblers. The first thing he noted was that the alarm was not on. "Gunny, you here?" Fixing his eyes down the hallway, he could see a single thing, not even lights. "Gunny?" No response. Reaching under his leather jacket, Harm pulled out a 45mm. "Mac, stay here."

"Not on your life." He was slightly surprised to find her pulling out a weapon of her own. Marines. He snorted slightly, shaking his head in disbelief. "What?"

"Oh, nothing, Rambo."

Slowly, the two walked down the hallway of the offices. He motioned for her to check inside the conference room while he would continue through the offices. Stepping inside, she found the room to be rather dark save for the sliver of light that came from the streets outside. The air was still in there, the only noise that of a low hum which emanated from the water cooler. Fishing inside of her jeans, Mac brought out a key chain with a small HID flashlight attached to its end. It was a type used by SWAT teams, which she'd picked up at a home show she and Harriet had attended earlier in the year. Being an HID, the term: 'Damned bright' made a good adjective.

Squatting down, she checked under the conference table, then stood up and continued to walk the length of the room occasionally checking under the table once again. Satisfied that there was no one lurking in the conference room, she slowly crept out and headed down the hall. Her gut feeling screamed that something wasn't right, that there was a danger in that office and they were walking right into it. Nevertheless, she continued, quickly, but thoroughly searching through two offices all the while wondering where the hell Harm went.

Not more than two seconds later, that answer came in the form of a gun shot and a thud. "Harm." She breathed out and quickened her pace as she raced down the hall towards his office. Just in case, she kept looking behind her, hoping that whatever it was didn't bring a friend along. As she reached his door, Mac pressed herself against the wall, took a deep breath and then turned inside, instinctively squatting down. She pointed the HID light inside, finding both Harm and Gunny spread out on the floor, a pool of blood between them. "Oh God."

Lowering her weapon, she stood keeping the light trained on the two men as she moved closer. From the corner of her eye, something caught her attention, but it came up too unexpectedly for Mac to prepare for the attack. A cable of sorts came around her throat, thankfully, she'd managed to slip a hand between her neck and the cable to prevent the attack, this also caused her to lose the gun which hit the ground. Using leverage, she threw herself backwards, crashing through the glass 'walls' of Gunny's office and landing on her assailant. "Ooof." Temporarily winded, it took her a moment too long to disentangle herself.

The body she had landed on, managed to push her off and literally run out of the space. "Damnit." She breathed out, angry that the assailant had gotten away. Carefully, she came to her feet, wobbling slightly from the lack of oxygen as one of her hands came to touch the sensitive skin on her neck. Crossing the hallway, she stepped into Harm's office once again and dropped to her knees. Picking up both her gun and the HID flashlight, she crawled forward, pressing her fingers to Gunny's pulse point and then Harm's.

"Damnit. No." Fishing through the back pockets of her jeans, she dug out her cell phone, flipped it open and dialed emergency. "Yes, this is Colonel Sarah MacKenzie US Marine Corps. I need an ambulance at 1200 Pacific Avenue, Pacific Beach."

0336 Local
Mercy Hospital
San Diego, California

"What is it about hospital coffee? It always tastes and feels like sludge?" Harm asked as he sat in the waiting room with Mac.

Shifting slightly, Mac pinned him with a glare. "And yet, you're drinking it?"

He shrugged, "Nothing else to do." Scrubbing his hand over his face, Harm settled into the uncomfortable chair, wincing slightly when the back of his head came in contact with the wall.

Whatever he was expecting to find at the office it had never occurred to him that the three of them would be hurt. Somehow, he knew whatever they were looking for was inside his office, which is why he had sent Mac to search the conference room and the surrounding offices. It would be easier that way and he hoped she would not get hurt. The moment he stepped into his office and found his lights not to be working, he knew something was definitely wrong. As he made his way towards his desk, something, more like SOMEONE had tripped him up and that is when he found Gunny sprawled out on the floor with a deep laceration to the side of his head. If he were a betting man, he'd have sworn it seemed as if someone had taken a shot at the former Marine.

Coming to his feet, Harm pointed his gun towards a scuffling noise that he'd heard behind him. That's when the butt of a gun connected with the side of his head, knocking him out. The process, his finger had squeezed the trigger of his own pistol. The next thing he remembered was waking up with his head on Mac's lap as they waited for the ambulance. She had removed his shirt and used it to bandage the Marine's head, helping stop the bleeding and probably saving Gunny's life.

The cut on Harm's forehead had opened up again and the back of his head felt like someone was pelting him continuously. He also had a headache that wouldn't quit. Sighing, he stood up, walked towards the water cooler and decided to take the pills the hospital had given him. "Pain?"

"Headache." He responded, popping two pills in his mouth. "Feels like I have a jackhammer in there." Giving her a wry smile, he sat back down, stretching his long legs out. "How's your throat?" Reaching out, his fingers gingerly ran over the marks which the cable had left. This wasn't supposed to happen, as far as he was concerned, she was protected from his cases. They'd done so well trying to hide their involvement with specific people and yet, this had happened.

"It's fine. . .I'm fine." Mac's own fingers gingerly pressed the spot above his brow. She leaned forward, her lips replacing the spot where her fingers had been. "Gunny's going to be fine too."

"How can you be so sure?"

"He's a Marine, Harm. . .We tend to overcome." She was sure of that, knowing how much Gunny loved life much as she did. When she made sure that Harm was alright, she'd taken off his shirt and used it to wrap Gunny's head. The EMTs had immediately praised her, stating that it was possible that she had saved his life. Now, they waited for word on his condition. The doctors had said the first two hours were the most critical as they tried to patch up the wound. He'd lost a sufficient amount of blood that needed to be infused promptly.

"I can't help but feel that this is my fault."

Mac had been waiting for that comment since the moment they'd stepped into the waiting room. As much as things had changed, Harm still had that nasty tendency of blaming himself. For that matter, so did she. "This isn't your fault, Harm. . .It's no ones fault."

"I'm trying to figure out who did this and it's. . .it's making my headache worse." Groaning, he scrubbed a hand over his face again. Sitting at the edge of the seat he placed his elbows on his knees and cradled his face in his hands. "Like I told the cops, this had to be an inside job. . .The alarm was off, the doors were locked."

Thinking through their past investigative experiences, she would have to agree with him. "Do you have any idea if someone knew about the drugs?"

"Oh, yes." At least he felt he had an idea, based on the personnel who worked with him. It wasn't conclusive, but a little bit of finger pointing might flush the person out. "I have an idea or two."

"Ahem." Both of them turned towards the doorway to find Dr. Shawn Troy, the surgeon who had worked on Gunny, standing nearby. "Mr. Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie? You're here for Mr. Galindez?"

Harm and Mac both came to their feet. "Yes, how is he?"

The wave of relief that washed over the nearly empty room was not missed by any of its inhabitants as Dr. Troy broke out a smile. "He gave us quite a scare and still has to come out of post-op, but, I believe he'll be just fine the bullet missed his brain completely, didn't even shatter the skull. . .I suggest the two of you head home and get some sleep. It's past visiting hours anyway." With that, he turned and disappeared out of the ER.

0415 Local
Mac's House
San Diego, California

They were both exhausted. Wiped out would be a better term for how bad both Harm and Mac felt. "I think I am skipping work tomorrow." She said with a yawn as she laid down on her bed. Lifting a brow, she noticed him shifting slightly, almost as if he didn't know where to go or what to do. "Are you coming to bed?"

Harm was removing his jeans then neatly draping them over a chair in the room. He hesitated, furling his brow in confusion. "Do you want me in your bed, Mac?"

Coyly, she turned to the side, angling her body in a sexy pose. "Yes, I do. . .However." She said, her voice changing from a sexy tone to that of one very exhausted woman. "The only thing I plan on doing is sleeping." Mac sat up, then crawled to the edge of the bed, took his hand and pulled him down with her. "You need to sleep too, you know."

Even if he wanted to object, he wouldn't have been able to the moment her eyes locked on his. "Yes, I know." Harm settled himself on her bed, then pulled Mac to him, smiling fondly as she placed her head on his chest. "I could get used to this."

"That makes two of us." Boldly, she placed a kiss on his chin. There was still some sort of invisible barrier between them, one that she desperately wanted to break.

Harm had felt that same desperation, he wanted to be with her. If he really thought about it, he'd always wanted to be with her, from the moment they met. "So, are we. . .well, is there an 'us'?"

A whispered, "Yes," but him at ease and at that moment, even with the chaos going on in their lives, Harm and Mac had some sort of peace.

0835 Local
Rabb and Galindez Investigative Service
Pacific Beach, California

Though their statements had been given to the police the night before it was crucial for both Mac and Harm to return to his office. Detective Jack Sawyer, who was called onto the case, wanted to discuss the matters of their assault as well as weed out assailants by sitting in during an impromptu, early morning conference. "Harm, I need to call the office."

He stared towards his office, which Sawyer had quarantined until he was sure that all evidence had been picked from the scene. "Use Jarvis' office, it's the one to the right." He said loudly, pointing at Ted Jarvis, who wasn't too keen at the idea. "Ted, please let the Colonel use your office for a minute."

Jarvis smiled charmingly at Mac, bowing as she passed by. "Colonel, mi officina es su officina." He said in a bad Hispanic accent that made her cringe slightly. Leaning against the doorframe, he kept his eyes on her as she made a beeline for the phone. "So, you and Harm, huh?"

"Excuse me?" She gave him a pointed glare.

Shrugging, he stepped inside, slowly walking towards her as if he were a cat stalking its prey. "Well, you two look. . . chummy."

"I really don't think that's any of your business, now if you don't mind, close your door on the way out." Her voice left no room for argument and despite the fact that he wasn't a subordinate of hers, Mac was going to make him listen, even if it meant kicking him out of his own office.

"Fine. . .excuse me!" Jarvis rose his hands up in surrender, then did as told.

With a sigh, Mac quickly dialed the familiar numbers to JLSS and waited to be patched through. "Hello, Jen, it's Colonel MacKenzie. . .Is everyone in the conference room? Good, put me on intercom."

Back at JLSS, all of her officers and required enlisted personnel sat around the large conference table, wondering why their CO wasn't available. "You're on, ma'am."

"Thank you, Petty Officer. . .I'm going to make this brief. . .Due to a, personal situation, I can not be in the office today and have decided to make Lt. Commander Roberts as highest ranking officer for the time being."

True to form, there was one person sitting in the room that didn't think that idea should fly. "Ma'am. If I may, Commander Roberts already has a full plate. . .Including a high profile case. I think someone else should be considered for the job."

Mac bit back a sigh over the line. Why couldn't life be a little more simpler? Someone in the Heavens was definitely toying with her patience when it came to a certain junior officer. "Vukovic, I know I am making the right choice."

Vukovic placed his arms across his chest and smiled at Bud who's eyes were as big as saucers in shock. "Oh, I am not doubting that, ma'am. . .But, Commander Roberts. . ."

He didn't get another word in. "Do you believe I have problems doing my job, Vukovic?"

"No, ma'am, I don't think that."

"Good. Now, Mr. Roberts, please make sure that our staff stays in line and if they don't, write them up. Actions will be taken. . .All junior officers are to treat Commander Roberts as the boss. This isn't free day, people and I expect that you behave with the decorum that you normally use. . .Now, I would like everyone save for Lt. Simms, Commander Roberts and Petty Officer Coates to step out. Dismissed."

A chorus of "Aye. Aye. Ma'am." Reverberated on the line back to her. She waited patiently for the team to sift out of the office. "Ma'am, we're alone."

Mac had weighed the decision of whether or not to let her friends know about the situation with Harm and Gunny. In the end, it seemed like the right thing to do. "Good, I'm going to try and make this quick. Gunny was shot last night."

"Gunny?" Bud asked, glancing at Jen who shrugged. "Victor, ma'am?"

"Yes, Bud. . .To make a long story short, he and Harm have been working on a high profile case and, they had some narcotics in the office which was taken From what we understand, Gunny was trying to stop the thief and ended up getting shot. He is stable. Unfortunately, both Harm and I were attacked as well and I am at his office now, waiting to speak to a Detective."

Jen, Harriet and Bud remained deathly silent, each digesting the information which seemed insane. "It should be alright, at least, we're hoping it is. You can expect me in tomorrow morning, bright and early. . Bud, keep an eye on Vukovic."

"Understood, ma'am. . .Say hello to the Captain for us."

"Will do. Harm and I are going to visit Gunny later, I'll call with the details."

After hanging up, Mac took a moment to compose herself. Vukovic was really starting to get tiring, if anything, it seemed like he was getting worse. And she still needed to figure out what his point was in the SECNAV's scheme of things and only hoped that she wasn't in the line of fire. Stepping out of Jarvis' office, she found that Detective Sawyer as well as Harm's whole staff was already in the conference room. She slipped in quietly, choosing to stand against the wall and not interrupt.

Harm was standing at the other end of the room, his cool and profession demeanor in place. "I'm going to shoot straight from the hip. . .A bag of narcotics was stolen last night. . . Apparently Victor was trying to prevent the robbery and, for his efforts was shot in the head." He waved off the shock and questions, waiting for the room to quiet. "Colonel MacKenzie and I were at the hospital with him and he pulled through. Right now, we're just waiting for him to wake up. . . Sad to note was that the Colonel and I were also attacked."

Nelson Delgado glanced towards Mac and then back towards Harm. "Boss, are we endangerous?" He said in a rich Cuban accent, as he looked around at the rest of the group. "Coño, cos, joo know. . .I come here to escape Castro and den dis?"

"We aren't in danger, I believe this to be an inside job." The preciously rambunctious group became quite silent knowing what they were being accused of. "Detective Sawyer here is going to check out the office and see what he could find. . ."

"Boss, you sure this has nothing to do with any of the cases?" Mike Benson, the former San Diego police officer and primary investigator asked, his mind already working overtime. Problems like this hadn't happened with the former owners and though he liked Rabb and Galindez, their unorthodox methods were, sometimes unnerving. "Sometimes, you know, you can attract trouble."

Mac, who was trying to blend in with the scenery, bit back a chuckle. Harm, attract trouble? Naw, never. Glancing up she found him giving her a hard stare, which she quickly looked away from. "This is going to be fine."

Ted Jarvis had had enough. "Fine for how long, Rabb? I mean, you keep taking risks with this business, unnecessary ones."

"Yes, risks which I have taken. . ."

"And money which you have taken from the company for your own little endeavors." Standing, he pressed his palms onto the table. "Just how much have you burnt, Rabb?"

"Jarvis, settle down." Mike tried to pull the younger man down, but was nearly thrown onto his six as a result.

"No, hell no, I won't settle down. . .This SOB says that we'll be fine. .. until when?" Angrily, he pointed at Harm.

"Considering I believe it's you that took the cocaine, you're a fine one to talk about money, Jarvis." He hadn't wanted to openly accuses the man hoping that evidence would speak for itself. But, he'd had enough of this pompous younger man. Now he knew what Mac had to deal with in regards to Vukovic. The insolence was infuriating.

"What! That's an all out lie, you bastard. . I never took a thing."

"Calm down." Mike warned once again.

"I will not calm down! Rabb here lives in that mansion with mommy and daddy while the rest of us are the grunts of the office. . .He spends company money and personnel perusing some Superman cause. .. that's not right Mike! Rich boy needs to figure where his priorities are!"

"SHUT UP, Mr. Jarvis!" Mac had heard enough. Ever since she stepped into Harm's office, she felt nothing but contempt for the younger man. He was a civilian form of Vukovic, but with a hint more of an annoying quality which she could no longer stomach. "I might not be part of your team, but I know Harmon Rabb very well. . .He knows where his priorities are. From the few times I've dealt with you, Jarvis, I wonder where are yours."

Spinning around, Jarvis pinned Mac with a hard glare. The only thing stopping him from charging on her was Mike's hand on his arm. "I didn't know you needed a skirt to talk for you, Rabb." Shrugging Mike off, he stepped close to Mac who didn't even seem slightly phased. This enraged him a bit more. "I am curious what you did to Rabb? He was more business oriented until you came around. . .You must be a great lay."

Harm had double-timed it across the conference room and was nearing Mac's side. "Jarvis, BACK OFF."

"Some, stupid, pathetic, skirt has a Navy man wrapped around his finger."

Unfortunately for him, Jarvis had decided to touch Mac. It wasn't inappropriate, but it still set her off. With a quick movement, she grabbed his arm, pinning it behind his back as her other hand struck the side of his face. "I'm not a skirt." She said, letting go of him as Mike and Nelson, while laughing, attempted to pick Jarvis up. "I'm a MARINE."