This takes place around Four Percent Solution. In my world things happen a little differently. Mattie is in Harm's custody permanently. Harm and Mac had just started to deal and figure things out for once.

Title – Blink of an Eye

By - Red

Summary – In the Blink of an Eye everything changes.

Disclaimer – I don't own them and make no attempts at claiming that I do. Enjoy!

Part One

0400 Local RABB APARTMENT Christmas Day

Harm unlocked the apartment door ushering Mattie in out of the snow. The ride home had been silent. Actually Mattie had been silent since Harm found her in the hospital chapel.

"Why don't you get a shower while I make us some cocoa then try to get some sleep." Harm suggested taking her wet coat.

"I don't think I can sleep." Mattie mumbled before trudging towards the shower.

Harm watched her go with a sinking heart. He didn't know how we was going to help Mattie. Mac was his strong support during times like these and she wasn't here to help him.

No she was in a hospital clinging to life. He shook his head violently trying to rid himself of those thoughts.

"If you shake your head any harder it will fall off." Harm opened one eye. Mattie was looking at him smugly over her hot chocolate. "You've been standing there for awhile."

Mattie emptied and rinsed her mug. "I'm heading to bed Harm." Mattie paused at the bottom of the steps. "Oh and Harm… try and get some sleep."

Harm chuckled at Mattie tossing his words back at him. "Will do Matts."

"Harm?"

Harm glanced up at Mattie, she was starring at the steps as if they were foreign objects.

"What is it Mattie?" He started to move towards her but her words stopped him short.

"Will Mac…" Mattie cleared her throat. "Will Mac ever walk up these steps again?"

"I don't know Mattie, maybe. It's too early to tell."

"So that means no?" Mattie looked at him through tears that threatened to fall. He looked as scared as she felt.

"It means that I don't know honey."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"Mattie you can ask questions. I just don't have the answers."

"Okay." Mattie nodded before disappearing up the stairs.

Mattie had sounded ashamed which puzzled Harm but he was too tired to try to figure it all out tonight. With a sigh he headed to the shower.

0500 Local ROBERT'S HOUSE Christmas Day

"Bud are you awake?" Harriet whispered.

"Yes honey." Bud answered for the tenth time since they'd wearily climbed into bed an hour beforehand.

"Okay." That had been her normal response every time.

"Bud?"

"Yes honey."

"Nothing. I'm sorry. Go to sleep."

Bud rolled over gently pulling her to him. He could see the tears on her face.

"It's okay Harriet. We'll get through this."

"What are we going to tell the kids?" She whispered. The tears were really falling now.

"I don't know honey and you need to calm down for the twins sake." He rubbed her slightly swollen stomach.

"Mommy?" Bud looked up at AJ in the doorway with a sigh.

"Yes honey."

"Can we open presents now?"

"No honey it's too early."

"But last year we opened them at this time." AJ whined.

"I know but not this year AJ. Go back to bed."

"Why are you crying mommy?" AJ climbed up on the bed and settled in between them. Harriet gave Bud a look over AJ's head.

"Auntie Mac was hurt last night honey."

"Hurt like daddy?" AJ pointed at Bud's leg. He cuddled closer to Harriet at the thought.

"Not exactly. She was in a car accident. And the doctors have to run a lot of test before we know how badly she was hurt."

"Oh." Bud nearly drifted to sleep when AJ spoke again. This time he truly sounded upset. "Is she going to help me with the relay games like she promised?" It was an event at school that Mac had promised him she would participate in with him since neither Bud nor Harriet could.

"Probably not squirt." AJ's lip started to quiver at that but Bud's words stopped him. "We have to be strong for Auntie Mac. Like you were for me. Can you do that?"

AJ nodded. He'd do anything for his Aunt Mac.

Beside him Harriet breathed a sigh of relief glad for the millionth time that Bud was here.

TBC