PART 7

Two Days Later

1400 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

The weekend had been horrible. He'd tried calling to explain, but she didn't want to talk. She couldn't, not after what happened. She loved him so much that it hurt. It broke her in two to know that they'd finally made love, only to be pushed away from him again. If she ever found the cosmic power that always seemed to rip them apart, she was determined to choke it to death. That weekend she realized that there was only one way to put things between her and Harm to rest, she'd leave JAG.

"Mac, we need to talk." Harm said, standing under the frame of the kitchen entry.

Taking her mug of coffee, she poured herself a cup and shook her head fiercely. "No more talking. . .I am tired Harm, I really am. . .just when I think I've gotten over you. . . or started to get over you. . . Never mind. . . it's not worth talking about it only shows that I am a typical, naive female that always is duped by the lying lips of men." She stood in front of him. "Move, Commander."

Hot on her heels, Harm walked after her. "Wow, that was a bit harsh. . ."

She turned and eyed him. "Wasn't it? . . . It was much better than taking another blow from you. . . cos honestly, I can't take it. . ."

"Mac you are blowing this out of proportion!" He said, as they entered the bullpen. Suddenly everything around them came to a screeching halt.

"Our of prop. . . OUT of proportion? . . ." She said, a bit louder than she should have. "Commander Rabb, do you even think before you speak? You seduced me! What is worse, I allowed you to. . . and then, after a few conversations you decide to call it quits and blame it on a dream you had. . . Harm, get real, not even a psychic would believe you." She turned to try and enter her office, but he managed to step in front of her.

"And what if my theory is true Mac?"

"Well, we're going to find out eventually aren't we?" Walking around him, Mac made it into her office.

"I don't want to lose you. . . I need you." He moved forward and tried to bring her into his arms.

Stepping away from him, she walked over to her window and looked out. "Well, you have a funny way of showing it. . . sleep with a girl, give her a lame excuse and then push her away. . . At least you didn't leave me in my bed alone."

"I wouldn't have been able to do something like that to you. . ."

"Harm. . . just go. . Please. . . this is painful enough and I need to prepare for a meeting with my client."

Nodding, he slowly made it out of her office. "I care for you more than you know. . . more than I can tell you. . . That is why I am doing things. . . Because I can't let us end up like we did before."

When she turned around, he was gone.

1801 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

By Friday, things had gone completely out of control. Both Harm and Mac were taking cheap shots at each other both in court and even when speaking in front of their friends. It came down to a near-brawl when Mac had gone out alone to interview a client. Harm had needed to head to Blacksburg and she figured it would be a favor for him so that he could spend time taking care of Mattie.

"How the hell could you?" Harm said walking fully into Mac's office, not even bothering to close the door.

Mac looked up at him and raised her eyebrows in confusion. "What's your problem?"

"You interviewed him without me! Just because you think the Admiral made you first chair does not give you the damned right to go off without me, Colonel." Harm yelled at her, ignoring for the moment that everyone in the bullpen had been watching their latest feud.

"Harm I was only trying to help. You had to go see Mattie. . ."

Harm moved farther into the office. "You keep sticking your nose in things that aren't your damned business, Mac!"

"Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Rabb, my office NOW." The Admiral yelled standing outside of Mac's door. Scuttlebutt about Harm and Mac's actions in the bullpen earlier in the week, had finally made its way to AJ Chegwidden. He tried to brush them off, but, by now, was tired of having his staff disrupted.

Both nodded and made their way into his office standing at attention before their CO's desk. "What the HELL is going on out there?"

"Nothing sir." Harm said, and Mac repeated the same thing less than a second later.

"SOMETHING is going on. . and I am FED UP with the two of you." AJ said, closing in on both of their personal spaces. "There is a reason why I told you two not to get too close. . . didn't I make myself clear?"

Harm and Mac looked at each other and then back at their CO. "Sir. . . the Colonel and I. . ."

"Are going to therapy together." AJ finished for him and watched his two senior officers exchange looks.

"Therapy, sir?" Mac finally said, a bewildered expression on his face.

AJ leaned against his desk and brought his arms across his chest. "Meredith pointed out some time ago that the moment you two realize what is going on things for me would be calmer."

"Sir, I don't . . ."

"I know something is going on between the two of you. . . however, I don't divulge into my people's personal lives until it starts to affect the lives of everyone here. . ." Walking around his desk, he took a folder and handed it to Mac. "You two are to report to Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez's office within the hour."

"Sir, but work. . . " Mac began to protest.

"Can wait until Monday. . . dismissed." The Admiral said, happy to get the number of a couple's therapy counselor from Meredith.

"Permission to stay behind and speak privately to the Admiral." Mac said, still standing at attention.

Harm looked at them and made his way out of the office.

"What's on your mind, Colonel?" AJ said, sitting on the top of his desk.

Mac sighed. "I need you to change my designator, reassign me, do what you have to do to get me out of DC, sir."

AJ sat there for a moment, bewildered with her request. He really didn't think that things had gotten that far. "Is that really necessary?"

Mac nodded. "Yes, sir. . . I believe it is. . . Things between the Commander and I have gone out of control. . . I believe it is in my and your best interest to split us up. . . permanently."

"I respect your wishes, Colonel and I certainly do not want you to be at a place that isn't going to make you happy. . ." AJ looked at her and frowned. "Wait until after the session to see if that is what you really want."

Mac sighed. "With all due respect, sir. . . that session isn't going to change a damned thing."

AJ nodded and held back the need to get them both in there and make them get along. They'd made him feel like a kindergarten teacher trying to get two kids to kiss and make up. "I'll start writing the papers up as soon as I find a place that is worthy of your talents, Colonel. . .now if that is all. . .Dismissed."

"Aye sir. . . thank you sir." She said, before executing a perfect about-face and leaving his office.

Taking a deep breath, AJ watched her leave feeling hopeless about their situation. For years he'd seen the looks the two had given each other. He'd witnessed how they both selflessly protected the other even in the face of death. For years he'd been waiting and watching the two senior officers dance around each other but never together. "God help them." He said, wishing he could do something more.