Mac took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Somehow it didn't lessen the ache in her chest. She was oblivious to the scattered applause that peppered the room. Her eyes were still trained on the door in the back. Slowly she came to her senses and left the stage, intending to grab her purse and make a hasty exit. AJ headed her off at the pass, the look that Harm flashed him before he left, told him he had something in mind. It would be a shame if Mac wasn't around to see it.
"Going somewhere Mac?"
Mac jumped. "Sir?"
"I asked if you were going somewhere."
"Yes, I…I'm not feeling well, I'd like to go home."
AJ put a hand on her shoulder. "Mac," he said gently. "Why don't you catch your breath, sit and enjoy the show, you can leave after a while."
"Admiral, please…"
AJ sighed. "Mac, do I need to make it an order?"
Mac pursed her lips in resignation. "No sir," she muttered, and took the closest empty seat.
AJ returned to his table, and prayed that he had bought Harm enough time to do whatever he was planning. He knew Mac would stay for a total of ten minutes tops, then he wouldn't be able to stop her from leaving. As luck would have it, they only had to wait a few minutes before Harm made his appearance.
Mac sat staring at the tabletop, wishing away the pain in her heart, and trying her best to shut out the people around her. She wondered why the Admiral was so set on keeping her there, but it was too much effort to question him about it. She only raised her head when Harriet made a special announcement from the stage.
"Commander Rabb has requested that we change the order of things around a bit tonight. Instead of performing last, as has become tradition, he would, understandably, like to do his number now."
Mac's eyes were riveted to the stage, as were everyone else's in the room. She saw him come through the door behind the small stage and search her out. She instinctively sat up straighter. When he found her, he smiled a small, awkward smile, and then spoke into the microphone.
"I was originally going to do what Mac so eloquently calls the "Rabb version" of Alberta, but I think this one is a little more important."
He made eye contact with Mac once more, and then closed his eyes and began to play his guitar. After a short intro, he began to sing.
Sorry
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry, like sorry
Forgive Me
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like forgive me, forgive me
Harm opened his eyes and looked directly at her as he began to sing the chorus.
So I say baby
Baby can I hold you tonight.
Maybe if I told you the right words
At the right time
You'd be mine.
Mac's eyes shimmered with a fresh batch of unshed tears. Tears that promptly fell when he began to sing the last verse.
I love you
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily.
Like I love you, I love you
So I say baby
Baby can I hold you tonight
Maybe if I told you the right words
At the right time
You'd be mine.
Baby can I hold you tonight
Maybe if I told you the right words
Ooh at the right time.
You'd be mine.
You'd be mine.
Harm set his guitar on the stand next to the microphone and made his way down to where Mac was sitting. The whole room watched with wide eyes as he moved to stand in front of her. After a long moment, he reached out his hand to her, and simply said, "Walk with me."
Mac nodded and took his hand. Together they walked out of McMurphy's pub oblivious to the cheers of their friends and family.
TBC...