A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews guys! As far as length of the chapters, sorry but the ones I've written are pretty much the same length. As far as how long the story is, well, this might be bad, but I haven't written all of it yet lol!
CHAPTER 3
That same flush began creeping up Mark's neck. He stuttered for a moment before formulating a satisfactory answer.
"Well, you see, I rode with you to the hospital and then they took you off to surgery right away. A nurse asked me my relation to you, because some decisions concerning your care would have to be made. And I know it was wrong, but being a doctor myself, I knew someone needed to decide things quickly or it would be too late. So I told them we were getting married." Mark hung his head, waiting for Mac's reply.
The Marine thought this over, "And did you ever think that your choices might have been different from the ones my family would have chosen?"
"Well, no I guess not. I didn't see a ring on your finger or any pictures in your wallet, so I just assumed that my answers would be right."
Mac asked, slightly angry at the privacy invasion, "You went through my purse?"
Mark was quick to clarify, "Just to see about family, your name, if you were a donor…that kind of stuff."
Now came a loaded question, "What happened with the accident?"
Mark took a deep breath, "I've been over and over it in my head for a week and I just don't know how to properly explain it…"
THe Marine took over, "Try."
"Okay…I was driving home from the hospital and noticed you jogging, so I thought I would go around you. I signaled into the other lane, but a car turned onto the road and was coming right at me. I tried to get back into the right lane without getting too close to you. My cell phone rang and for just a second I took my eyes off the road to answer it. By the time I looked back up, you had turned around and I couldn't stop the car in time…" Mark sniffled a little and Mac wondered if he was tearing up.
"And then what happened?"
He composed himself, "I jumped out of the car and tried to talk to you, but you became unconscious. I called 911, stopped the visible bleeding, and gave you CPR until the ambulance arrived."
Mac knew that she should be furious with this man, but his compassion for not leaving her and his sincere guilt prevented her from wanting him prosecuted.
"Alright, Dr. Bryant. So it truly was an innocent accident?" He nodded, "And what's this about you being here day and night?"
His sea green eyes met hers again and she felt something not altogether unpleasant, "I couldn't leave you…not after what I did, not after putting you here. I know I should have contacted your real family after I knew it would be okay, but-" Mark stopped himelf.
Intrigued with this honest man, Mac urged him to continue, "Yes?"
"I…I just couldn't leave you. I know it's crazy, but I feel like I know you."
"That is crazy," Mac smiled at him to soften her statement. Suddenly, she realized that Mark Bryant could be anybody. He could be a serial killer for all she knew, but Mac trusted her gut and her gut was telling her that this was a man to trust.
"I will, of course, pay all of your medical bills and whatever else you require."
Mac made up her mind, "That's fair. In case you were worried, I won't be pressing charges."
Mark looked shocked, relieved, and even guiltier all at the same time. "Please…you don't have to do that."
"You don't strike me as the kind of man, Dr. Bryant, to make a habit of hitting people."
He assured, "No, no, this is the only time…"
"But you will pay all medical expenses."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Mac nodded, satisfied with the arrangement, "Alright then, why don't you let me get some rest and make some calls. Everyone must be very worried about me by now."
Mark got up to leave, "Ms. Mackenzie, again, I'm so sorry."
"Come back tomorrow and we'll work out details." Mac waved and strangely, she felt like she would miss Dr. Bryant.
--
Having called the Admiral and Mic, Mac was now debating whether or not to call Harm. They hadn't been on the best terms lately and while she knew he cared, she wasn't sure she was ready to face him. He was still her only best friend, though. Throwing caution to the wind, Mac decided she needed to call him.
She dialed the number and heard the phone ring twice. Renee answered, "Hello?"
'Great,' thought Mac, 'just what I wanted to deal with.'
"May I speak with Harm, please?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line and then Renee guessed, "Mac?"
Rolling her eyes, Mac replied, "Yes, this is she. Is he around?"
Renee harrumphed, "After the crap you put him through this week, I don't think so."
Mac's indignant anger flared. After all, what right did this lady have to keep her from her best friend. "Excuse me, but I think that should be his decision."
"Listen, he's put up with a lot of crap from you lately, but I'm not going to let you hurt him anymore-"
"You're not going to 'let' me? Harm's a big boy, Renee. I'm sure he doesn't need you to fight his battles." In the back of Mac's mind played, 'You have no idea what I've been through this week.'
Renee gave a resentful snort, and then in a voice that made it clear she was going to do anything but, she replied, "Whatever, Mac. Listen, he's not here but I can tell him you called."
Mac gritted her teeth restrained herself, "You do that. Goodbye."
When she placed the phone back on its receiver, Mac sighed. She didn't have the energy to fight with Renee right now.
A few minutes later, Mic rushed in to reunite with Sarah. She explained the circumstances and he called her insane for not pressing charges, but she made it clear that she felt this was the right thing to do and it was ultimately her decision.
Mic, as he had many times before, begged her to marry him right then and there. This time, after her near-death experience, Mac thought about it seriously. He stayed with her through the night.
