A/N: I am SO sorry! I went on vacation and thought that I had already posted this. Please forgive me if I still have any readers lol...Thank you all for reading and reviewing!

CHAPTER 4

As sunlight peeked in through her hospital blinds the next morning, Mac was anxious. Her conversation with Renee last night was replaying through her head.

'Have I really hurt him? Is she right to keep me away?'

Mic's proposal had also troubled her.

'Am I ready to get married, or am I just freaking out because of the accident? Am I really sure that Mic is the right man? What if I hurt him, too?'

The Admiral had approved her medical leave and Mac bleakly thought that she would have a lot more time to think about her actions.

She absently ran a thumb over her bare ring finger. The clock on the wall ticked by seven o'clock and Mac looked across the room at her potential husband. Unlike Dr. Bryant, Mic had foregone resting his head on her bed and instead sprawled out on the hospital's recliner.

She hated to have to wake him up; they both had been up late comparing stories. After everything had been sorted out, Mic still had not wanted to sleep for fear of her disappearing again while he dreamt. While Mac thought this was very caring of him, it also meant that she couldn't sleep either because he was staring at her.

Mac felt extremely fortunate to have someone like Brumby to care for her in her life. But did that mean she loved him? She wasn't sure. This was her ultimate dilemma when it came to Michael Brumby. 'Do I love him? Am I in love with him?'

Deciding to get out of this line of thought, Mac softly whispered, "Mic, seven a.m. Time to get up."

When this didn't awaken Sleeping Beauty, Mac chucked her pillow at him, "Wakey wakey, eggs and baky, Mic."

The Australian turned over and smiled at her. "Never were very subtle, huh darling?"

By way of explanation, she told him, "I'm a Marine, dear."

His smile widened and then he pouted, "I'm sorry I have to go in to work today."

Mac assured him with a teasing smile, "It's okay. I'll be fine for a few hours."

"I'm just wrapping a few things up and then I'll be right back."

"I understand, really," Mac knew why he was really hesitant to leave. "I'm not going anywhere, Mic."

He leaned over and gently brushed her lips, "I know, darling, I just hate to be away from you. But don't worry, the Admiral has already granted me a few days off to be with you."

Mac wasn't sure how much of a help Mic would be, but instead of voicing her concerns she just smiled and waved goodbye. She needed time to think about everything and make some decisions. She couldn't do that if -God love him- Mic was being a mother hen to her.

Sighing, Mac laid back and attempted more sleep. It was too early to be this awake, she decided.

Mac yawned loudly and stretched her lazy muscles. Sluggishly opening one eye, she was surprised to meet a familiar face staring back at her.

Immediately straightening up, Mc greeted her guest, "Hello, Admiral."

A warm smile spread across his face, "Glad to see you're awake, Colonel. I just stopped by to see how you were doing. I met with Mic yesterday and he informed me of the situation. We were all very worried about you."

"My apologies, Admiral. Thank you for your concern, sir."

Admiral Chegwidden snorted, "Mac, we're in your hospital room for goodness sakes. You don't have to be so damn formal."

Mac smiled easily, "Sorry, sir."

He spoke seriously, "We, everyone at JAG, are very glad that you are okay, Mac."

She was touched by his evident caring, "Me, too, sir."

The conversation decidedly too intense, Chegwidden turned on a lighter note, "How's the hospital food treating you?"

"Well, they're certainly not winning any awards."

They both smiled, "You'll get through it, Marine," he glanced at his watch. "I better get going. Have a meeting at one with the SecNav. God knows what he wants now."

Mac nodded in understanding, "Thanks for stopping by, sir."

He moved across the room to the door and stopped, "Oh yeah, Harriet was asking about putting together a meal schedule for anyone interested at the office for you and Mic when they release you…Any thoughts?"

Mac affectionately rolled her eyes at typical Harriet behavior, "Please tell her thank you for the thought, but that won't be necessary."

"And how about visitors?"

"Harriet and Bud are welcome to stop by any time, but I'd really like to just keep it at close friends…"

The admiral winked, "I understand." He started out the door.

Mac suddenly felt panicked, "Uh, sir, wait!"

He poked his head back in the room, "Yes, Mac?"

She finally asked the question that had been on her mind all morning, "How is he, sir?"

AJ's brow wrinkled, "He who, Mac?"

Mac changed her mind, "Uh, nothing, sir. Have a good day."

"You too, Mac. Rest up." Thinking nothing of the strange ending to their exchange, Admiral Chegwidden passed an unfamiliar visitor approaching Mac's room on his way out.