This chapter is totally new- it was not at all in the old story. It changes a lot of things so from here on out the story line will be significantly different. More HM romance this time through. Read and review!

Chapter 5

Harm and Mac ran through the airport, trying desperately not to miss their flight. Turning a corner, they suddenly found themselves in a sea of people.

"Great," Harm muttered. Together they proceeded through the crowd trying not to lose each other along the way. A plane had just landed and passengers and their family members crowded the hall. "I think we're almost there," Harm said, glancing back towards Mac, only to find that she wasn't there. "Mac!" he yelled into the crowd.

Faintly he heard Mac calling his name. He stopped where he was and strained to look over the people's heads. Finally, he spotted her. She was caught between a family of Indians and a rather seedy looking bunch of men in leather vests. "Harm!" she yelled again, seeing him turn around and force his way through the 'sea' towards her.

"No tarrying, Colonel," he said, finally reaching her and, taking her hand in his, led them through the crowd.

"Harm, we've got to hurry!" Mac said as the hall finally began to clear.

"I know," he replied and began to run to the gate. "WAIT!" he yelled as he saw out the window a plane beginning to taxi.

"Is that flight ATA42?" he asked the stewardess as he approached the desk.

She looked up at him and gave an apologetic smile. "Yes it is sir, I'm sorry."

Harm sighed and set his bag down.

Mac walked up behind him. "Too late?" she questioned.

He nodded.

She rubbed her face with her hand. "Could anything else go wrong this weekend?"

"Well, I suppose we're stuck here till tomorrow."

"We can't be!" Mac said loudly. "I planned the funeral for tomorrow. 1100!"

Harm raised his eyebrows.

Mac sighed and muttered a curse under her breath.

"Why the hell did you plan the funeral so soon?" Harm questioned.

She sighed again. "It was the only day the mortuary and the minister were available."

Harm ran his hand nervously through his hair. "Well," he said, picking up his bag again. "Let's go find a rental car."

1457 EST

SOMEWHERE IN PA

Mac stirred in the passenger seat as the car hit a bump. Miles of road and trees were whizzing past outside the car. "Where are we?" she asked, yawning.

"Pennsylvania." Harm replied, glancing at his watch. "About four more hours to go."

Mac nodded and straightened her shirt. "You want me to drive for a while?"

Harm leaned back farther in his seat. "Nah, if you don't mind…. I'm really fine to go for a while more."

She nodded again. "Harm, can I ask you something?" Mac asked several moments later.

He nodded.

"What were you going to say about yesterday?" She bit her lower lip anxiously. She had been able to keep herself from asking him this question through nearly three states and couldn't stand it any longer.

Harm smiled nervously, then cleared his throat. "Well, honestly, I was going to apologize for that ….. ahem….. moment yesterday at the hospital. I shouldn't have… we shouldn't have…" he was stumbling. "Aw, hell, Mac. What am I saying?" he looked over at her, keeping both hands on the wheel. "I'm glad it happened. It probably should have happened a long time ago and I wish we wouldn't have been in a hospital so it could have gone farther." He stared at her for a second longer before turning his attention back to the road.

Mac sat in her seat completely blown away. Was this Harmon Rabb that had just said these things to her?

After what seemed like an eternity, Harm heard Mac whisper. "Me too."

She looked over at him, eyes filled with both desire and unshed tears.

"Oh Mac," Harm said, scooting over closer to her and pressing his lips to hers.

Mac, also caught up in the moment, moved her body closer and closer to Harm's, until her seatbelt yanked at her waist and she realized they were still in a moving vehicle. "Harm!" she yelled, her voice muffled by his lips.

Quickly, he pulled back and turned the steering wheel so they were back in the correct lane. He blew out a deep breath as Mac adjusted herself back into her seat. "Mac, I think we'd better table this till we get home." He looked over at her and grinned. "I don't think it's safe to hold conversations of this kind while driving."

Mac laughed nervously. "Good idea," she replied confidently, although wondering whether she could keep her hands off of Harm for four more hours.

After an hour of Harm glancing at her every two minutes, Mac decided the best way to calm the situation was to go back to sleep, or at least try to.

1921 EST

OUTSIDE MAC'S APARTMENT

GEORGETOWN

"Mac….. Maaaccc." Harm brushed his finger across her cheek, but she wouldn't wake up. He took a deep breath and smiled. She had been in a deep sleep since their last rest stop about two hours ago.

After taking her bag up to her apartment, Harm returned to the car to retrieve Mac. He quietly opened the passenger side door and unlocked her seatbelt. Grasping her firmly about the waist, he slowly pulled her out of the car seat and gathered her in his arms.

Mac stirred and opened her eyes halfway. "Wwwhat…?" she began.

"Shhh," Harm whispered. "It's okay."

Mac realized that he was carrying her and closed her eyes and laid her head back on his shoulder. "Are we home?"
Harm nodded as he opened the door for the elevator. "Almost," he replied. Slowly the door slid open on the second floor. "Where's your key?" he asked. She motioned for him to put her down.

Fumbling around in her purse, Mac finally found her clump of keys and thrust the appropriate one into the lock. The door swung open and Harm followed her into the apartment, carrying her bag.

Mac rubbed the fog from her eyes. "You must be exhausted," she stated, rubbing Harm's forearm softly.

He nodded and yawned suddenly.

"Come on," Mac said quietly, putting her arm around his waist and leading him into her bedroom. "There's an extra toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet if you don't wanna bring your suitcase up," she said, motioning to the open bathroom door. "I'll be right back."

Harm smiled sleepily and yawned again before pulling off his shoes and making his way to the bathroom.

Mac returned to the bedroom a while later to find Harm sprawled out on her bed, his shoes and NAVY sweatshirt lying on the floor. She smiled and set down the cup of tea she was carrying. After throwing on some pajamas and brushing her teeth, she returned to bed, quietly sipping on her tea. Since she had forced herself to sleep in the car, she now felt pretty awake. She sighed and crawled under the covers, pulling the spread up over Harm as she did so.

After she had finished her tea, sleep still was not coming, so she flipped off the light and scooted closer to Harm. In his slumber, he sensed her movement and rolled over to face her.

"Hey," he mumbled.

"Hey yourself," Mac replied. She reached up to play with his hair, then rested her hand on his cheek. "Sorry, go back to sleep."

"Mmmm," Harm murmered, closing his eyes, but wrapping his arms tightly around Mac.

Just as he began to fall asleep, Mac leaned up and planted a kiss on his closed lips. "G'night Sailor," she whispered.

0715 EST

MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN

The next morning Mac awoke to the smell of freshly brewing coffee. She sat up in bed and threw the covers off her. "Harm?" she called. Following her nose to the kitchen, she found a fresh pot of coffee sitting on the counter for her. She took a deep breath. No Harm.

As she reached into the fridge for the cream, a paper taped on the fridge door caught her eye. She slammed the door shut and plucked the note from its place.

Mac-

Ran to my place to change into my suit. Be back soon. XOX -H

She smiled. He would be back soon. 'Good,' she thought and proceeded to the shower.