Hey all: sorry for the big, huge, GI-NORMOUS delay in posting. I didn't proof read this for grammar and such so I could get it posted as soon as I finished… so I apologize for any errors. Hope you like it! I will try and make the next post sooner!
Chapter 6
0740 EST
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
The hot water poured over Mac as the cool rain pounded outside on the windows of the apartment. Just as she finished rinsing the shampoo out of her hair, she heard a bang in her bedroom. She quickly shut off the water and dried herself off, wrapping the towel around her. She quietly tiptoed to the bathroom door and swung it open. She smiled. Harm was bending over her bed pulling up the bedspread with one hand, the other hand pressed against his head.
"Jeez, Harm, you scared me."
He turned as she spoke, offering a lopsided smile. "Sorry."
"What was that bang?"
"My head making contact with the nightstand. Bent down to get a pillow and smacked my head on the way back up."
She laughed.
"It hurt like hell Mac."
"I'm sorry," she cooed, still smiling and sauntered over to him and kissed his forehead.
Harm reached down and captured her lips with his. Mac let out a quiet moan and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer. He ran his fingers along the crease of the towel wrapped around Mac and he started pulling her down toward the bed. She pulled at his tie, trying to release it as she began unbuttoning his blue dress shirt. "Oh, Sarah," Harm gasped as she fumbled with the clasp of his belt, running his lips along her collarbone.
Just then someone knocked on the door. Harm let a grunt, the sound muffled by Mac's lips. "Who the hell is that?" he asked, still kissing her neck.
Mac sighed. "I… dunno. Should…. probably get it though…." She said, not really trying to get Harm off of her. Another knock at the door, this time louder.
A smile spread across Harm's lips. "It would figure," he grumbled as he raised himself off the bed and re- buckled his belt.
Mac stood up as well, pulling the towel tighter around her. "Uhhh," she said, looking down at her 'attire'.
Harm smirked and grabbed her once more, planting a hard and sloppy kiss on her lips. "I'll get it," he said. "You'd better get dressed." He chuckled to himself as he made his way to the front door of Mac's apartment.
"Rabb?" Admiral Chegwidden stood on the other side of the door.
"Sir!"
The Admiral looked down at Harm's half unbuttoned shirt and loose tie. He raised his eyebrows, trying to plaster a stern expression on his face.
Harm cleared his throat. "I was just… uh, here to go with Mac… uh the Colonel… to the funeral." He tightened the knot on his tie.
A.J. offered a slight smile. "Can I come in?" he asked holding up a large floral arrangement.
"Uh, sure Admiral."
"Harm, who was it?" Mac called from the bedroom as the Admiral closed the door. She emerged clad in a knee length black dress, stocking feet, fastening her earrings. "Admiral!?"
A.J. looked from Mac to Harm then back to Mac. He held up the flowers. "I wanted to drop these by and offer my condolences. I have to be in court at the time of the funeral."
Mac smiled and took the flowers from him. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it. She proceeded to the kitchen to get some water for the flowers. "I'm not really sure how many people will be there besides Harm and myself… your support is greatly appreciated."
A.J. smiled. "Understood. Well, I need to get to the office." He placed his cover back on his head. "Colonel. Commander, I'll see you in the office next week." He cleared his throat. "Enjoy the time off."
Harm's face turned red and he grinned. "I will sir, thank you."
"Thank you, sir!" Mac called as A.J. made his way out the door. "That was nice of him to drop by," she said to Harm.
"Yeah it was. I wish I would've had my shirt buttoned." He paused then laughed. "You should've seen the look on his face."
Mac smirked. "You took the week off?"
Harm rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, thought you might like some company this week while you're off." He looked up at her. "If you want some company….?"
"Only if it's you, flyboy." Mac grabbed Harm by the shoulders and pulled his lips onto hers.
Harm kissed her back with just as much passion. "I'm sorry Mac…." He breathed into her ear. "But we're gonna have to…." He bit her ear lobe. "Wait on this." He returned to her mouth and kissed her gently.
She nodded as he pulled back. "Yeah, I guess we have to get going."
He nodded and hugged her tightly. "Go finish dressing. Oh and wear a jacket… it looks like it's going to rain," he added smacking her six.
Mac sighed as she climbed out of the car. Harm was right, it was beginning to rain… again. She heard Harm's voice behind her as he spoke quietly to Mattie. The girl had wished to come to the funeral to support Mac and Harm had willingly obliged her request. Mac started across the hill to the grave site. There was a small tent that had been set up over the casket. A preacher stood next to the casket surrounded by a small gathering of people. As he saw Mac approaching, he smiled.
"Reverend Hart," he said, extending his hand to Mac.
"Sarah MacKenzie."
"Oh, yes, we spoke on the phone." He glanced over her shoulder.
Mac turned to see Harm standing behind her; Mattie was standing feet away with the other people. "This is my uh…. Harmon Rabb." She said, and Harm shook the Reverend's hand.
"Thank you for performing the service, Reverend," Harm said.
The Reverend offered a small smile. "When would you like me to begin the service?"
Mac looked around before answering. "Anytime, Reverend."
"Very well."
She followed Harm back to where Mattie was standing. The few other people there gathered a little closer around the casket, and under the tent, as the rain began to fall harder.
"We have gathered here today to remember the life of Deanna MacKenzie," the Reverend began.
As he was speaking, Mac looked around at the circle of people who had come. She wondered what relationship they had had with her mother. 'Most of them look like they had too little sleep.' She thought. The sound of a car door slamming interrupted her thoughts and she lifted her head to see Bud and Harriett Roberts walking across the hill, a large black umbrella sheltering them. They joined the small group just as the Reverend began a prayer.
"Father, we thank you for Deanna and the life she led. We thank you that she is now at peace and no longer in pain. We ask that you comfort her family in their time of grief. Amen."
Mumbles of 'amen' echoed through the group as the prayer ended. The Reverend handed Mac a rose and gestured for her to place it on the casket. As she did so, he opened his Bible and began reading Psalm 23. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul."
Mac felt Harm's hand on her waist as he bent over to place a rose on the casket as well. She grasped his hand and they walked back to their spot as some others began to file past the casket, leaving flowers as they did so. Mattie patted Mac on the arm as she stood next to her.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me…." The Reverend continued.
Tears formed in Mac's eyes. Harm looked down at her then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She gratefully accepted his comfort and leaned into his embrace.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The Reverend closed his Bible. Two men came forward from the group and stood in front of the casket. Reverend Hart stooped down, picked up a handful of dirt, and slowly let it fall from his hand onto the casket. "Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust."
As the two men lowered the casket into the ground, Mac began to sob quietly. "Goodbye, Mom," she whispered. Harm began drawing small circles on Mac's waist with his thumb and Mac reached across and grasped his arm, squeezing tightly. Mattie reached over and put her hand on Mac's back and leaned against her shoulder.
As the tears were beginning to clear, Harriet and Bud walked over, Harriet grabbing Mac and hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Mac offered a smile. "Thank you for coming guys," she said as she reached out and gave Bud a hug as well.
"You're welcome ma'am."
"We'll see you at JAG next week. Call us if you need anything, okay?" added Harriet.
Mac nodded. "Thanks."
With a last quick hug, Harriet and Bud made their way back down the hill. The Reverend came forward next and extended his hand once again. "If you'll excuse me, I must get going," he said. "I have a wedding ceremony to perform in an hour."
Mac nodded. "Thank you."
"I truly am sorry for your loss."
"Are you ready to go?" Harm asked.
Mac nodded and wrapped her arm around Mattie's waist as Mattie did the same. "Yeah, let's go home," she said.
Mac started to turn, but stopped when she realized there was one person still at the gravesite. The woman had been watching Mac and Mattie. As Mac studied the woman more closely, her eyes widened. The woman looked almost identical to herself. The stranger's eyes met hers for a moment before she turned and began to walk quickly down the hill.
"Wait!" Mac called after her.
The woman whirled around quickly, then turned once again and began to run toward her car. Mac pulled away from Mattie and ran after the stranger, leaving her high heels in the grass behind her. She heard harm call her name, but she didn't stop. She nearly fell several times in the wet grass, but kept on until she caught up with the woman near the bottom of the hill. She grabbed her shoulder and spun her around to look at her face again.
As she did so, Mac realized that the stranger was just a girl in her early twenties. Tears streaks stained her face and her long, dark hair blew in the wind as the two stared at each other.
Mac finally found her voice. "Who are you?" she asked, not releasing her hold on the girl's arm. "My name is Samantha Parker," she said. "And you're Sarah MacKenzie," she added quietly, looking into Mac's eyes.
Mac gave her a puzzled look. "How do you know who I am?"
"My mother told me about you. She wanted me to know who my sister was."
