A/N: This is a long one. Next chapter up soon.
CHAPTER 5
Mac laid back and shut her eyes; the pain medication had been making her a little drowsy lately. Seeing the Admiral had been good and she appreciated him taking the time to come check in, but she was kicking herself for being so weak. She had almost showed she cared too much for Harm.
To Mac, that kind of weakness was intolerable. She was starting to believe that Renee was right about her being poison to him. Certainly, he had heard news of her condition through the grapevine by now, right? So obviously there was a reason he hadn't come to see her. Perhaps it was because he needed to detach himself from her venom.
Sighing, Mac realized that she really had been kind of cold and resentful ever since Renee stepped into the picture. She did not mean to be so detestable; it was like sometimes she just couldn't help herself. Mac was afraid of losing her best friend, her constant, and she hated that feeling. She didn't want some long-legged blonde swooping in and taking her place.
She wondered what type of person that made her. If her own best friend was steering clear of her, did that make her unlovable? After all, every relationship she'd ever had with a man ended badly.
Maybe Mic was her last chance. He loved her enough that he repeatedly asked her to be his wife. He was strong, dependable, and most importantly still there for her. Mac reached for the velvet box Mic had left her on the stand by her bed. Opening the little treasure, she gently placed the sparkling ring on her finger.
She admired its four karats and thought that maybe, it didn't matter if she didn't love him as much as he her. Mac was aging and she was determined not to end up alone like her mother. Mic was a decent man, even if he had a jealous side. That just meant he loved her, right?
As she pondered these thoughts, a hesitant knock sounded at the door. Startled, she removed the engagement ring, but not before Dr. Bryant got a good look at it. He eyed it as she returned it to the velvet box, but didn't comment.
Mark shifted nervously, waiting for Mac to greet him. She did, "Hello, Dr. Bryant."
He smiled in relief at her warmth and Mac observed how adorable his tousled curls were. It reminded her of another brunette bed-head. She pushed down thoughts of Harm.
He insisted, "Mark, please."
"Alright, Mark, why don't you have a seat?" she noticed the large manila envelope he was holding, "Are those for me?"
He looked down at his hands, seeming to just remember what he was holding, "Uh, yeah. I consulted my lawyer about our arrangement and he thought that it would be best to exchange insurance information. I'll pay most of your medical fees through that and, of course, I'll have to file an accident report for my car. If you would just give me some signatures, I'll be out of your hair."
Mark began to slide out the contents of the folder and hand them to Mac. "I'm a lawyer myself, Mark. And no offense, but you know what they say about signing documents you haven't read…"
He nodded emphatically, "Of course, review them for as long as you need," he removed a pen from his shirt pocket and began writing his phone number on one form. "Just give me a call when you're finished with them."
"Sure, thanks for taking care of this, Mark."
He rose from the plastic chair, "No problem, but it's me that should be thanking you, Miss Mackenzie."
"Actually," she corrected, "it's Colonel Mackenzie, but you can call me Mac."
Mark looked pleased with her offer and agreed, "Alright then, Mac, I'll be waiting for your call."
Mac beamed back at the doctor and winked, "I won't make you wait too long."
Dr. Bryant started toward the door, but when he reached it, he stopped to take one last look at her.
Mac took advantage of the opportunity, "Oh, and Mark? I know I haven't said it, but…thank you for saving my life."
He kicked at the floor shyly, "Well, your life wouldn't have needed saving if I had paid closer attention."
Mac would have responded reassuringly had he given her the chance, but he didn't. Instead, he turned and exited guiltily.
As their conversation sunk in, an alarming thought crossed the Marine's mind, 'Were we flirting?'
Harm walked through his front door, groceries in hand. The first thing he noticed was the tasty aroma. He locked the door behind him and entered the kitchen to put the groceries away.
He was surprised to find Renee at the stove, obviously cooking and romantic music playing in the background. Harm stealthily maneuvered the heavy paper bags onto the counter. He noiselessly wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and whispered in her ear, "What have I done to deserve such an honor?"
This elicited a yelp from Renee, who had been concentrating very hard on the noodles she was boiling. After recognizing Harm's voice, she relaxed into his embrace.
"Can't a girlfriend do something special for her boyfriend without an inquiry?"
Kissing her neck, he replied, "You never cook, Renee."
"Alright, you caught me. I have some unsettling news- Shit!"
The pasta began boiling over onto the stove and splashed onto her arm. Harm, with his quick reflexes, yanked her out of danger and turned down the stove.
With that handled, he turned back to Renee. She was cradling her burnt hand and he thought he saw a few tears escaping her eyes.
Harm kissed her forehead, "It's alright, babe. Come on, we better put that under some cold water."To his shock, she started sobbing as he led her to the faucet and turned on the cold water. "I-I just w-wanted to make you a r-romantic dinner and I c-couldn't even do that r-right. I'm sorry, Harm. I-I want to be p-perfect for you."
"Hey," he placed his hands on her shoulders and faced her towards him, "who says I want perfection? I like you just the way you are, Renee. I would never ask you to change for me or anyone else."
She looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and sniffled, "Y-you mean it?"
He hugged her tightly, "Of course I do, babe." He took her burned hand in his and examined it, placing a healing kiss on it. He checked on the pasta and informed her, "This is still salvageable if you want."
Renee nodded and let him take charge. A few minutes later, he put the finished product on the dining room table. She had already lit a candle and set their places. He put out the other dishes she had prepared as well.
After they sat down, Harm dug in and realized that everything was actually very good. "My compliments to the chef."
She played with the food on her fork, "Some chef I am."
"Oh, you did great, honey. Just gotta watch that heat." He winked and was glad to see that bring a smile to her face.
"Well, I'll try anything for you, Harm."
"So, why did you put all of this together? You said something about news?"
She took in a deep breath and worry lines creased Harm's face, "What is it, Renee? Are you okay?"
She met his concerned gaze, "It's not me, Harm. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but Mac-"
Harm feared the worst, "Oh God, she isn't-"
Realizing her mistake, Renee backtracked, "Oh, no, no! She's fine." Harm relaxed, "It's just that…well, Mic called for you yesterday, but you got home so late-"
"Did they find her? Where is she?"
"Harm, calm down. She's been in the hospital for the last week, but she'll be fine. Apparently, she was run over by a car last week-"
He couldn't even wait for Renee to finish a sentence; so many things were running through his mind. She was found; she was going to be alright; his Mac had been hurt and he hadn't been there. "Which hospital? I have to go see her-"
He was already going to put on his jacket when Renee stopped him in a soft voice, "Harm, that's just it. She doesn't want to see you."
Jacket midway on, Harm froze, "What?"
Renee crossed the distance between them and laid her hand against his arm, "I'm so sorry, Harm. I know how painful this is; she's your best friend. But Mic specifically said to tell you that she was okay, but not to visit."
Harm shook his head, trying to clear his mind, "That doesn't sound like Mac."
Her voice was soothing as she rubbed his arm, "I don't understand it, either, but it won't do anyone any good to go against her wishes. Let her rest up and heal and then try to talk to her."
Harm nodded, letting Renee remove his coat. This time, she led him into the bedroom and reassured him that everything would turn out fine.
The lies rolled so easily off of Renee's well-meaning tongue that Harm never suspected his loving girlfriend of deception. Mic had never called to ward Harm off; Renee had simply heard the story when she'd been in the office yesterday. She had forgotten Harm was in court all day, which explained why he had not been privy to these rumors. Renee felt that she had to do something after Mac's call or she would lose him. She hoped the lies would hold or they would be done for sure.
