Chapter 17: Confessions

Mac is almost afraid to inquire, "So did Jack tell you about the terms of the bet also?"

Harm says, "Yes, he did. Jack also said to let you know that in all of his various travels, some in beautiful locations, and others in rather undesirable ones, he has not yet been able to complete his task. He has located many bottles over the years, some of which contained messages, but none of which contained a genie."

Harm decides to take another risk, as he asks his next question, hoping she won't shut him out, "Sarah, what wish did you want to come true?"

Mac exhales, deeply. She shakes her head, "Harm, it's nothing. It was a foolish girl's fantasy. With the way that I grew up, I never expected anything extraordinary to happen to me. Fairy tales were merely that, myths and legends passed down of things that would never occur in real life. No white knight in shining armor was going to rescue me hiding in the closet. Nor were they going to slay my father, the beast. There wasn't a magic carpet I could jump on, and fly away to unseen lands. The years nearing adulthood, and after, special things did happen in my life. I was strong enough to dry out, I was able see the world, I was lucky enough to be admitted to law school, and I was fortunate to meet you. However, even with all the great accomplishments that I was able to achieve, that last piece of the puzzle always eluded me."

Harm timidly asks, "What was the last piece?"

Mac whispers, "I wanted to marry a man that I love, and have children, and give them the life of happiness, joy, unconditional love, and fulfillment that I never had."

Harm, trying to move Mac away from some of the darkest moments in her life, teases, "I don't remember children being part of the essential package."

Mac furrows her brow, "What?"

Harm chuckles, "I seem to remember someone telling me, once upon a time, that what every woman wants is 'A great career, a good man and comfortable shoes, lots and lots of them.' I'm sure your closet is full of both comfortable, and cramped shoes. The military definitely didn't have comfort in mind when it designed footwear, especially if you have to wear a size thirteen. I'm sure heels were worse. You've had a fantastic career. But, no mention of kids….." Harm trails off almost afraid to ask his next question. He gulps, then quietly asks, "Did you ever find the good man that you wanted to share those things with?"

She just as quietly answers, "I did, but I let him slip away." She looks at him with watery eyes, "That was the wish I wanted to come true. I figured that the only way that would ever happen was if I had a genie to grant it to me. Now, I'm hoping that fate is giving me one final chance to get it right. I'm praying that YOU will give me one more chance to share the life I have wanted for more years than I can remember."

He gathers her in his arms, and holds on as tightly as he can, knowing he will hold onto this moment forever. As a single tear falls from his eye, he states, "Oh, Sarah, honey. I love you, too! I always have, and I always will. And the minute we can get out of here, I am going to show you just how much."

Mac lets her tears fall freely against his shoulder, savoring the warmth of both his words, and his embrace. After several minutes, once the waterworks have dissipated, she smiles against his shoulder, teasing, "Umm, Harm, I don't think I am in any shape for acrobatic maneuvers right now, not that I wouldn't like to take you up on that offer, soon."

He waggles his eyebrows, "Me too, but that wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I would like you to be fully healed before we cross that divide. The last thing I would want to do is hurt you. I've done that enough over the years. Maybe not physically, lord knows I would never willingly do that, but I think emotionally that I have probably done plenty of damage."

Mac replies, "We both have, but that stops right now!" She lightly pushes him away. and starts unhooking herself from the various sensors attached to her.

Harm looks at her quizzically, "What do you think you are doing?"

Mac states, "Getting out of here, we have wasted enough time."

Harm reaches over, and gently places her back on the bed. He tells her, quite forcefully, "No, Mac. You are not checking out of here against doctor's orders. I'm not going anywhere, I promise. You are going to just stay put until you are officially released."

She raises an eyebrow in challenge.

Harm shakes his head, "Nope, not going to work. I can be just as stubborn as you! Besides, you were always better at following orders than I was."

Mac replies, "True, but I'm no longer a Marine. I don't have to follow orders anymore. Especially from a newly minted two-star that I rarely listen to anyway!"

Harm gets a devilish grin, and puts his hands on his hips, "Well, you might not pay that much attention to this recently pinned two-star, but I bet I could call a retired one that you would listen to. You always respected him, well almost always."

Mac ignores his remark about calling the Admiral. She is infinitely more concerned about Harm's perception that she doesn't respect him. She supplies, "Harm, I've always respected you too. And the number of stars that are, or aren't, on your shoulders won't change that. Don't even doubt that I hold you in the highest regard, even when I'm mad at you. The man you are makes the officer, not the other way around. I may not always listen to you, but you earned my respect AND my trust the very first case we worked together. It's not often that I can aim a gun at a man and have him agree to stand up for me, especially at the risk to his own career."

Harm is ecstatic that even after all these years, and the mess that separated them, that he still has her respect. He has always had the same level of regard for her, in fact sometimes so much that he put her up on a pedestal. He banters, "Do you make it a habit of pulling guns out on unsuspecting men often?"

Mac replies, "Well, you are fully aware that I had to brandish a weapon more times than I care to count over the course of my tenure with the Marines. Especially when I have to bail some sorry squid's six out of trouble, usually yours!" She gets a twinkle in her eye, and replies, "Outside of that…Meh, if the situation warrants it."

Harm raises both his eyebrows, and laughs, "Oh! So now it's a sorry six is it? And here I thought earlier that you said it was cute. I seem to recall other Navy men you had to bail out of trouble, literally. You are lucky you are a sitting in a hospital bed right now, or I would be tickling you mercilessly!"

Mac sits up, and in dramatic form, so Harm knows precisely what she is doing, shifts her body around for a closer inspection of said evidence. The jeans Harm is wearing definitely fit him like a glove, and his glutes are still probably one of the best sets in the Navy. Time has definitely filled him out a little, but he still keeps his physique in very top form. She ensures that she gives him a thorough look over before she leans her head back against the pillow, smiling appreciatively, but not uttering another word.