A/N: Thank you so much for all the amazing reviews! Here's part 4... a bit late but... :-)

Adrift No More – Part 4

Disclaimer – See part one for all important information

Mac gently knocked on her bedroom door. "Are you decent in there?" she asked softly. Her thoughts immediately ignited a giggle, but she quickly bit her lower lip in order to stifle it. She closed her eyes and put her palm affectionately on the door, savoring the moment. She couldn't believe she was standing here, feeling like a lovesick teenager while the man of her dreams was behind this very door… in her bedroom no less.

"Yeah… I like to think I'm an upstanding sort of guy." Harm chortled humorously not being able to contain himself. "Come on in. Did you just giggle, Marine?" He asked immediately upon her entry. "Because, it certainly sounded like you did," he continued, flashing his famous flyboy grin.

"I did not giggle. Marines DON'T giggle. I…I had to sneeze," Mac spit out quickly, blushing a little in the process. She knew she had been caught, but right now, she didn't care because her eyes had landed on his battered body and any other thoughts she might be having left her mind as she continued to study him further. It took all her marine training to hold back her tears.

'And I'm the Easter bunny,' he thought to himself. "Right… and that statement happens to be just as ridiculous as your 'Marines don't duck. They just take cover'," he joked openly.

He has aware of her intense stare and felt a little uncomfortable, knowing she was becoming upset at getting a first hand look at his injuries. He knew his battle wounds would heal and only light scars would remain as a reminder, and he didn't want her to fret over them. His concern was for her. He was worried about whether or not she would be able to heal emotionally without the scarring.

He was wearing the navy jersey shorts she had taken out for him, but was still bare-chested. Her gaze had gone first to his bandaged knee, but quickly drifted to his upper body and all the glory it was presenting to her until she spotted the injuries around his rib cage. She cringed at what she saw there and on his back when he turned away from her to retrieve the Washington Capitals hooded zip fleece sweatshirt from the bed.

This time, she was unable to suppress her feelings. "Oh my God, Harm," she gasped and quickly surrendered her cup of hot tea to her nightstand before stepping behind him. She slowly raised her arm and let her fingertips gently circle the bruises on his back. "These must hurt pretty bad."

He flinched immediately upon feeling her touch on his inflamed skin. Mac immediately drew her hand back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," she stammered apologetically.

Harm removed the sweatshirt from the bed and turned so he could look into Mac's eyes. "You didn't, Mac," he replied quietly, pulled the shirt on and zipped it closed. He then reached out, took her hand into his, and sweetly began to rub it. "I jumped because you're hands are freezing cold so you better get those wet clothes off of you immediately before you're the one who ends up with pneumonia."

"Yeah, I think you're right," she readily agreed. She was so totally caught up in his touch, and at the way he was looking at her that it took a few seconds for the silence that had permeated the room to reach her sensory overloaded brain. She quickly disengaged her hand from his and retrieved the steaming cup from its resting place. "Here," she said, extending the cup of hot tea to him. "Why don't you take this out to the other room and get comfortable on the couch? The room probably hasn't warmed up enough yet, but there is a woolen blanket out there that should do for a while."

Harm accepted the cup. "Thanks. I hope you plan on joining me under that blanket," he playfully leered at her. "Now get changed Marine, that's an order!"

"Aye, aye, Commander," she saluted, but not before she gave him a warning stare. She fell back onto the bed with a big sigh as soon as he had closed the door behind him.

Harm had caught the menacing look and shook his head, wondering if it was made as a threat or as a promise. Should he be scared of her kick ass marine side or excited about her extremely sensual side? Didn't matter which woman emerged, because right now even the lean mean marine side of her couldn't dampen the sensations running through him, and he was having all he could do keep his body from betraying him and make those feelings all too obvious.

x

'Gosh, what's wrong with you, Mac,' she scolded herself. 'You need to get a grip already! This is Harm, damn it!' She lay there lost in thought when she suddenly remembered that she needed some answers, and she wanted them now. "What was he doing here? Why wasn't he on that plane with Renee?" She whispered the questions into the silent room.

After turning her gaze from the hurtful scene she had witnessed through Harm's apartment window, she drove around aimlessly, finally parking at Rock Creek Park. Neither the rain nor the impending thunderstorm hindered her from walking and at times running through the deserted park in an attempt to unleash all her pent up emotions.

That was the time Harm picked to call her. He wanted to apologize one more time for not being able to be there for her, and to make sure that she was okay. He was in his car following Renee to the airport, but really needed to make sure that she was alright. Mac lied, telling him that she was fine and that there was no need for him to worry about her. She knew what he was doing was the right thing, even if it meant he was with Renee.

She had absolutely no idea how long she had spent out in the rain, but common sense finally kicked in and told her it was time to go home. Had she not, she most likely would have missed Harm. That thought broke her out of her reverie and to the question she needed to have answered. What happened?

"I really need to know what happened," Mac uttered. She quickly got up from the now dampened bed to get out of her wet clothes and into something dry.

x

Harm quietly closed the door behind him and fell back against it. He put his hands over his face and closed his eyes with a sigh. He knew something was wrong. 'But what?' He wondered. He could always see beyond her bravado. She was hurting and he was worried about her.

He was still wondering as he pushed himself from the door and slowly made his way to the window without the use of his cane. Once there, he gazed out at the eerie darkness illuminated occasionally by a flash of brilliant lightning and let his musing continue. "Maybe she misses him more than she wants to admit to herself let alone to me. Or did he do something to cause this reaction in her?" He only hoped he was wrong on both assumptions. "Is Bugme the reason for all of this… this mess?"

He stood there for a few minutes just watching the storm rage outside, occasionally taking a gulp or two of his hot tea. He was mulling his thoughts around in his head. Suddenly something grabbed his attention, making him shiver and brought him back to the present. "What the hell?" He yelped, jumping back in surprise. His injuries were totally forgotten in the process. His eyes wandered again to the darkened streets, realizing that he was standing in the same spot Mac had been in when he'd watched her from down in the street as she cried.

Though he was still unsteady on his feet and a bit disoriented, he managed to bend down and let his fingertips run over the carpet, and as he already suspected, it was soaking wet. "Oh my God, Mac," he whispered in shock. "What happened before I got here? Why was she crying so uncontrollably? And why the hell is this carpet soaking wet?" He mumbled so that only his ears could hear.

"Hey, you. Anything interesting going on out there, Flyboy?" Her soft voice startled him, shaking him out of his reverie and once again, he jerked in surprise nearly knocking her over with his quick move. He had never heard her enter the room so he had no idea that she was standing directly behind him when he turned around.

Harm didn't answer her and simply watched as she pensively looked out the window as though she was searching for something or someone in the darkness. 'So beautiful,' was the only lucid thought that ran through his mind. Even in the plain white flannel PJ pants and red Washington Redskins long sleeve t-shirt that she was wearing, she was absolutely the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

When Harm didn't answer her she became worried. He appeared to be a million miles away. "Earth to Harm… you okay?" Mac asked. "Hey, Harm, time for all good flyboys to reduce altitude and get back on the ground."

Harm gave her his best flyboy grin. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.

Mac chuckled. "Did you have a nice flight?"

"Not exactly," he said, his grin now gone and immediately Mac knew something was bothering him.

"We need to talk," both said at the same time and chuckled awkwardly upon hearing themselves.

Mac took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "Why don't you give me a few minutes to make a nice comfortable place for us in front of the fireplace and then I will treat that cut. After that we can talk, if that's okay with you."

"It's more than okay with me, Mac," Harm answered sincerely as he watched her walk away.

"Good, I'll be right back."

"Mac!" Harm called after her, making her stop suddenly.

She had made it to her bedroom doorway and turned her gaze back to him. "Yeah?"

"You really want me to stay?" He asked insecurely.

Mac gave him a little smile. "Of course I want you to stay. Do you really think I would kick you out in this kind of weather?"

"But do you WANT me to stay, Mac?" Harm asked again, trying to make her understand that he wanted to know that her decision was coming from her heart and not from the fact that there was a storm raging outside.

Mac nibbled on her bottom lip, contemplating her next words before smiling again. "Yes, Harm. I would very much love for you to stay," she said warmly.

Harm merely returned her smile with his infamous flyboy grin. "That's good, because I would very much like to stay… here… with you."

His heart soared, and he was elated that she wanted him to stay. Unfortunately, his happiness was short lived as a sense of guilt rattled his pleasant thoughts as he remembered what had transpired earlier because of the crisis with Renee. Mac had come to him as he had asked her to… well maybe a little more like pleaded with her to do, and he had sent her away… sent her out… out into the cold, hard rain.

"I'm glad to hear that. Why don't you get yourself another cup of tea. I'll be right back."

"Sure," Harm said meekly as he hobbled to her kitchen. "What's your plan anyway?" He hollered after her.

"Well, thanks to my own stupidity… I forgot to close the windows before I left the apartment this afternoon," she admitted contritely, walking back into the room, carrying one of her mattresses. "That's why it is exceptionally cold in here and since there is no power, I don't anticipate it getting any warmer soon. Hence, I think we should take up residence in front of that nice warm fire," Mac stated, tilting her head towards the living room and the fireplace.

"I'm fortunate that the wind was blowing in the other direction so that the rain didn't come in. Otherwise, I probably would have had a small lake in my living room by now," she added jokingly as she shivered uncontrollably at the thought of the cold rain outside.

"Need some help?" He asked from the kitchen doorway when he spotted her. He had been standing there, enjoying the hot tea and the warmth it was spreading throughout his chilled body as the living room continued to be daunted by the howl of the raging wind outside. However, the once dark room was now filled with an amber hue thanks to the array of lit candles and the glow from the now fully engulfed, crackling fireplace. The shimmering flames flickered and danced, casting muted shadows on the wall while bathing Mac in a yellow-red light as she stood there.

Harm stood there speechless as he took in her radiant appearance. The ambience of the room had completely enveloped her and she never looked more beautiful standing there surrounded by the subdued colors infusing the room. He was completely awed by her appearance.

"Nah, I just need to find some fresh blankets and sheets and we're done."

"Okay, then I'll get some of this nice hot tea for you."

"That would be great, thanks," Mac replied and again disappeared into her bedroom, returning with two pillows, a huge blanket, and the sheets. "I hope you don't mind sharing," she said, holding up the large blanket.

The blanket was pre-Mic and one of her favorite comfort zones. She would love to just curl up in it and read, watch television or daydream. For Mac, it was her protection, a way to shelter herself from the rest of the world and feel invisible. Ironically, she could never share its comforts with Mic and decided to have two other blankets for them. Because, at times, he was a part of that outside world she wanted to escape from. And maybe because the fantasies she had while being wrapped up in its warmth never include him.

The blanket was hers, her safety net. It gave her space, her own space. It was not incomprehensible that she should have something that was strictly hers to use as she wanted, when she wanted. Now, things were starting to change. She felt ready to share her cloak of comfort with Harm and make wonderful, new memories. Yes, things were becoming much clearer to her. Her former memories of time spent with Mic had already been discarded when she'd prepared everything to throw out the bedding they had shared together. She wanted a fresh, clean start.

Feeling a little self-conscience at her remark, she continued to stammer. "It's the only extra blanket I have that hasn't gotten wet and…," but her hemming and hawing was cut off mid sentence.

Harm knew exactly what she meant. He may not be a rocket scientist, but he wasn't dumb and decided to spare her any further embarrassment. "I most definitely like the sharing idea," he said with his boyish grin firmly in place. "If I remember correctly, I already mentioned we could share body heat once today."

"Yeah, and I distinctly remember saying 'NICE TRY BUSTER'," Mac countered back, throwing the sheet towards him once she realized that he had put their cups down on the

coffee table. "Here, Sailor, you can make yourself useful and help me with this."

"Sure," he said and together they managed to get the sheet around the mattress.

They had worked on positioning the sheet in complete silence as both were caught up in so many of their own vivid thoughts, imaginations, and their anticipation on how the night would progress. Would their relationship be forever changed in the morning? And if it did change, would it be for the better?

"Well, I guess it's time to get that cut cleaned up," Mac concluded as she expectantly looked down, eyeing their sleeping arrangements for the night and mused Que sera, sera. "And I am really anxious to hear the story behind it. I never imagined you to be clumsy, so I don't think you walked into a door as the old adage goes." Mac couldn't help her taunting.

"You enjoying yourself there, Marine?" Harm teased back.

"Oh yeah…," Mac kidded back. "Can't wait for this story."

"Okay, okay… I know when I've been licked," Harm agreed grimacing. He decided he would play along if the banter would help to relieve the tension.

"Guess that means you pissed someone off. But whom?" Mac asked sadly. "Harm, did you miss the plane that you wanted to be on so badly and get in trouble with security for not being able to contain yourself?" She somberly asked, wondering if he really did want to follow Renee. This again raised all of her questions from earlier.

Harm gave a great big belly laugh. "You couldn't be more wrong, Mac."

"Then who…?" Mac started to question before the light dawned and her big brown eyes opened wide. "Oh my God, don't tell me…"

"Yup, looks like you figured it out, Marine." Harm stated, taking the two cups from the coffee table. "And I think we should drink to it, don't you?" He added with a hint of sarcasm.

He wasn't proud of his behavior or of what had transpired, nor was he pleased that he could even find it the least bit amusing that he had, for the second time, taken a blow because of Mac. However, there was no doubt that he would do it again and again if it meant protecting her and her honor.

"I so don't believe this," Mac breathed in disbelief and took the steaming cup of tea from Harm.

"You should, Mac. Because it's true," was the only thing Harm said before taking a huge gulp of tea.