TITLE:  "After the Mistletoe VIII-So Close, So Far"
     AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
     SUMMARY: The kiss of Answered Prayers leads to more.  Rated PG for 
mild 
language. Some chapters will contain mild violence as well.
            The eighth of the After the Mistletoe series in which Harm 
and Mac deal with 
the ramifications of the mistletoe kiss.  Note that the arrival of 
Sergei is not a 
factor in this series.
     DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al.  No copyright 
infringement is intended with this work of fiction.
     FEEDBACK:  Never expected but always appreciated by both of us-- 
to 
[SSbpmn@aol.com].  To those who don't find our work to their liking, we 
can 
respect that.  In that regard we ask you to respect our desire not to 
have that 
shared with us.

       NOTE:  All parts of this chapter plus previous chapters  will be 
available at 
                 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories
          No subbing is required to read from the message archives for 
registered 
Yahoo users.
     
    Other archives containing our work:
    
    http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or 
http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag
    
    or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at    
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [sadly, not always up and 
running]

or BTL-
http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/

Previously in ATM:    Reeling from the tragedy aboard the Bataan that 
cost them 
their baby, Harm flees to his mom's home in California while Mac 
attempts to cope 
alone back in DC.  Events conspire to bring them together but the 
future is still 
much in doubt.

From the close of After the Mistletoe VII: "Yes you should have" she 
said bitterly, 
not able to stop the hurt from 
 coming through in her voice. "I wouldn't have lost the baby if you 
had."
 
 Harriet's eyes widened at her friend's words but she said nothing. On 
the 
 other end of the phone Harm took a deep breath to hold back the tears 
that 
 threatened.
 
 "I'm sorry" he managed finally. "I'm so sorry for hurting you like 
this. I 
 promise it will never happen again."
 
 Before she could say another word he hung up the phone. It was over. 
Not 
 matter what he said or did she would never forgive him for losing the 
baby. 
 The best thing he could do was stay out of her life for good. He'd 
only 
 caused her pain and heartache and that was the last thing he'd ever 
wanted.
 
 "Mr. Rabb are you ready for your treatment now?" the nurse asked.
 
 "Yeah sure" Harm sighed. Not that it mattered anymore. If he couldn't 
find a 
 position in San Diego he'd simply resign. But his mind was made up. He 
 wasn't going back to DC again. 
   
 
****************** 

"After the Mistletoe VIII-So Close, So Far" 

The Burnett Residence
 Two Weeks Later
 
 It had been two long hard weeks for Harm. Two weeks of grueling 
physical 
 therapy to get his back into shape again. But the pain of physical 
therapy 
 was nothing compared to the pain of losing Mac. He hadn't called her 
again 
 and hadn't expected her to call him. As far as he was concerned it was 
over. 
 He'd already started looking into open positions at San Diego NAS and 
with a 
 little help from a few friends he was sure he would get something out 
there. 
 The only question was whether he'd find his own place or stay with 
Trish and 
 Frank. A question that was getting easier to answer as the days wore 
on.
 
 "How was your therapy dear?" Trish asked as he returned from another 
 session.
 
 "Fine Mom" he sighed.
 
 "You had a call from a Captain Sorensen" Trish said as he sank down on 
the 
 lounger chair on the deck. "Something about an open position he has."
 
 He looked around for the cordless phone and she handed it to him. 
"Before 
 you call him would you mind filling me in on what's going on in that 
head of 
 yours?"
 
 "Mom I told you I wasn't going back to DC" Harm said quietly. "I'm 
looking 
 for a position here."
 
 "But you love being at JAG HQ's" Trish countered.
 
 "Loved. Past tense Mom. I'm not going back."
 
 "What if you don't find something?"
 
 "Then I'll resign and I'll join up with a law firm out here" Harm 
sighed. 
 "I'm sure Frank has some friends that would help me out."
 
 "Have you given any thought at all to this?" she asked.
 
 "Yes I have Mom" he snapped as he pushed himself out of the chair and 
 dropped the phone in his place. "I'm not going back to DC and that's 
all 
 there is to it."
 
 "Harm where are you going?" she sighed as he trotted down the stairs 
to the 
 beach.
 
 "For a walk. Am I allowed to do that?"
 
 "Harm I didn't mean to upset you" Trish called. "Can we talk about 
this?"
 
 "I'm tired of talking Mom" he threw over his shoulder before heading 
to the 
 water.
 
 "And I'm tired of seeing you like this" Trish sighed as she sank back 
in her 
 chair. "I have to do something."
 
 "Have to do something about what?" Frank asked as he joined his wife 
on the 
 deck.
 
 "Harm. He's so miserable. And now he's telling me he's not going back 
to 
 DC."
 
 "Trish it's his life" Frank warned. "Don't meddle."
 
 "I'm not meddling. I'm just trying to help him. He loves Mac so much 
and 
 there's no reason they can't be together."
 
 "Honey sometimes it's just not that easy. And I'm not sure that you 
getting 
 involved is the best thing."
 
 "Well I can't let him go on like this" Trish countered. "And I know 
just 
 what I'm going to do."
 
"You're going to meddle."

She sent him a sharp glare. "What ever the term is for a mother who 
sees 
something that needs to be done and does it."  

"Right.  And I'm not going to argue with that logic," Frank sighed.  
"In fact I think I'll 
join your son for a swim.  That water looks great."

"Frank make sure he takes it easy on his back would you."

"Yes dear," he grinned and shook his head.
=========
"Can an old man join his stepson for a swim?"

"Frank.  Yes sir.  Long as you don't turn into Mom."

"Hey she loves you and can't help it.  You'll have kids of your own at 
some point 
and know where she's coming from."  Frank didn't wait for his answer 
and instead 
dove into a wave, coming out on the other side.  It wasn't until he saw 
the stricken 
look on Harm's face that he realized what he had said.  "Harm that was 
an 
incredibly thoughtless remark and if you wanted to deck me right now I 
couldn't 
blame you."

Harm shook his head sadly.  "No, no need.  Somehow I need to put all 
that behind 
me.  It's over.  Me and Mac are over."

"You and her could see someone, talk this whole thing through."

"Marriage counseling?" he yelped.

"Yeah, couple counseling like," Frank nodded.  "Hey there's no shame in 
that.  
Your mother and I have done it a few times when things got rough.  
Sometimes a 
third party can give clarity you can't see yourself."

"Oh I see things real clear," he moaned.  "I see a woman I loved, 
carrying a baby I 
would have adored, and now it's gone.  Both of them.  And I know 
exactly where 
the blame belongs--square on the shoulders of Commander Harmon Rabb."

"When you go back, you and she . . ."

"Don't you get it Frank?  I'm not going back there.  I can't.  I 
won't."  He knew he 
sounded like a six year old refusing peas and at that moment he did not 
care.

"You want to share your plans?"

"I'm going to request immediate transfer to the NAS here.  Or maybe out 
to 
Twenty Nine Palms to work in the JAG office there.  Suddenly staying 
out here is 
real appealing.  I mean I haven't spent a lot of time with Mom these 
past years 
and I think I'd like that.  If I can't find anything out here with JAG, 
I'll sign on with a 
law firm in San Diego and get myself a place.  Those are my plans."

"You'd leave the Navy?"

"Yes sir.  Rather than go back to D.C."

Frank shook his head.  "Look promise me you won't do anything without a 
lot of 
thought OK.  The worst decisions I've ever made were the ones I made 
hastily."
==================
At the same time Trish was sitting on the small balcony off their 
bedroom, looking 
down at the two men in her life, the cordless phone in her hand.  
"Sarah 
Mackenzie?"

"Speaking."

"Mac hi.  It's Trish Burnett, Harm's mom."

"Ma'am," she gasped.  "Harm, he's OK isn't he?"

Trish smiled to herself before she answered.  This woman loved her son.  
"He's 
doing well yes.  His daily therapy treatments concluded today and he's 
in fact 
swimming with my husband now.  He also does not know I'm calling."

"I'm glad he's OK," she breathed.

"And how are you dear?"

"I'm OK," she answered softly.  "You know I've picked up the phone a 
dozen times 
this past week to call and I haven't been able to do it.  I just don't 
know what to 
say to him.  And then of course it's a mood thing.  One minute I'm 
wishing his 
arms were around me and the next I'm throwing darts at his picture.  
Hormones 
the doctor says."

"Sounds to me like a little trip would do you the world of good.  Lying 
on the 
beach, a warm ocean to dip in, hot tub on the deck, good food prepared 
by my 
overpaid housekeeper.  What do you think?"

"Ma'am thank you but I'm not ready.  I'll talk to Harm when he comes 
back.  I know 
I can't avoid that but I'm not ready now."

"Sarah, Harm says he's not coming back to JAG.  Ever."
 
  There was silence on the other end and for a moment Trish thought 
she'd lost 
  the connection. "Mac" she said quietly. "You still there."
  
  "I'm here," Mac said finally. "He's not serious is he?"
  
  "Unfortunately he is. He's already looking into open positions out 
here. Mac 
  he thinks it's over with two."
  
  Again there was silence and Trish prodded on. "But I don't believe 
that's 
  the case. He loves you very much Mac. And if you didn't care you 
wouldn't be 
  talking to me."
  
  "I don't know Trish" Mac said quietly.
  
  "Mac even if it is over, you two owe it to each other to talk at 
least one 
  last time. Even if it is just to confirm that it is over."
  
  "He doesn't really believe it's over does he?" Mac whispered.
  
  "Mac he's hurting. And I know you're hurting just even more. And 
being apart 
  isn't going to make it any better."
  
  "Trish I'm sorry but I'm not ready to do that yet. I just need more 
time."
  
  "All right dear. But I'm going to call you again and make sure you're 
doing 
  okay and try and convince you to come out here again. Both of you are 
going 
  to be unhappy until you talk."
  
  "I'm just not ready yet" Mac whispered. "I'm sorry Trish."
  
  "Just promise me you're not going through this alone," Trish said 
softly.
  
  "I'm not. I've been talking to a professional about what happened. 
It's 
  helped. And Harriet has been helping me out too."
  
  "Seeing Harm would help more" Trish tried again.
  
  "Not yet" Mac sighed.
  
  "Mac if you wait too long he may just find a position out here. And 
never 
  come back to DC. Is that what you want?"
  
  "It'll take him some time to find something" Mac countered.
  
  "Mac he's talked about resigning from the Navy if he doesn't."
  
  "NO" Mac gasped. "He wouldn't do that."
  
  "He would because he's not thinking rationally right now. All he 
knows is 
  he's lost you and as far as he's concerned his life is over."
  
  "I didn't know he was hurting that much" Mac whispered. "I'm sorry."
  
  "I'm not blaming you dear" Trish sighed. "You've both been through a 
  terrible experience. And I know you've needed some time to work 
through your 
  grief. All I'm asking is you to consider coming out here and talking 
to Harm 
  before he makes a decision he's going to regret."
  
  ******************
  Two Days Later
  The Burnett Residence
  
  "Thank you sir. I'll see you at 13:00." With a long sigh Harm hung up 
the 
  phone and turned around to see Trish watching him.
  
  "Captain Sorensen again?" Trish asked.
  
  "Actually yes it was. I have a lunch appointment with him today."
  
  "Harm you're making a mistake doing this" Trish said quietly. "You 
haven't 
  even given you and Mac a chance."
  
  "Mom" Harm groaned. "Please. I don't want to talk about this again. 
It's 
  done and over with it. I can accept it, why can't you?"
  
  "Because you're throwing in the towel without even trying to talk to 
Mac 
  again."
  
  "Mom she made it perfectly clear the last time I talked to her that 
it was 
  over. And I wish you'd just learn to deal with it."
  
  "Harm you need to talk to Mac again. Before you make this decision."
  
  "Mom stop it please," Harm shouted. "I'm a grown man and I can make 
my own 
  decisions. And Mac no longer figures into those decisions."
  
  He strode from the room and grabbed the keys to the car Frank had 
told him 
  he could use.
  
  "Harm where are you going?" Trish asked as she followed him.
  
  "To find my own place," Harm said irritably before slamming the door 
behind 
  him.
  
  Trish watched him leave and let out a long sigh. Somehow she had to 
convince 
  Mac to come before it was too late. The phone rang and she hurried to 
answer 
  it, hoping it might be Mac.
  
  "Hello"
  
  "Hi dear."
  
  "Hi Frank" she sighed. "I was hoping you might be Mac."
  
  "Why? Did you and Harm get into it again?"
  
  "Frank he's about to make the worst decision of his life" Trish 
sighed. "I'm 
  just trying to get him to think about that."
  
  "Trish he's a grown man. He's old enough to make his own decisions."
  
  "Whose side are you on?" Trish said irritably.
  
  "I'm not on anyone's side" Frank said patiently. "But you pushing 
Harm isn't 
  going to get him to go back to DC and talk to Mac. In case you forgot 
he's 
  pretty stubborn."
  
  "Well I'm just as stubborn" Trish countered. "Will you please try and 
reason 
  with him?"
  
  "I'll talk to him. But it's his life."
   
"And as his mother I want him to not screw it up royally, " she 
snapped.  "Frank 
you can see what's happening.  Come on.  You're a man but try to have 
an ounce 
of romance in your soul would you."
 
 "Hey let's not make it personal," he smiled, and she heard in his 
voice that soft 
gentle smile that never failed to diffuse her anger.
 
 "I'm sorry," she sighed.  "But you haven't talked to Sarah.  You 
haven't heard the 
desperation in her voice, and you're not that in tune with him.  Frank 
I know I'm 
right."
 
 "OK OK.  I'm going to talk to the boy.  Give it a rest now.  Don't you 
have a gallery 
needing you?"
 
 "Yes and I'm on my way.  Promise me."
 
 "Honey I will.  Next time I see him."
 ==============
 "Frank she's going to make me crazy."  Harm's pronouncement came three 
hours 
later when he returned from his errands.  Frank had come home and was 
lounging 
on the deck, looking at the evening paper.
 
 "Your mother?"
 
 "No," he replied sarcastically.  "Yes of course Mom.  Seriously Frank 
I need to get 
her to stop.  I love her to death, and can talk to her about 
anything--anything but 
this.  This is my problem.  It was caused by me and it needs to be 
resolved by 
me."
 
 "OK.  I'm not going to force my opinion on you.  Where did you go this 
afternoon?"
 
 "I talked to Captain Sorenson at the NAS, and I'm going to start the 
paperwork 
rolling.  And I looked at a couple of temporary housing options.  All 
in all it was a 
good afternoon."  Even as he said the words his mind was denying them.  
His 
longing for Mac had grown especially acute and he ached painfully from 
deep 
inside.
 
 "How's your back?"
 
 "Feeling good thanks.  I'm supposed to do some walking, some soaking, 
and stay 
on the muscle relaxers, which is probably more than you want to know."
 
 "Hey I do want to know how you are," Frank told him.  "Your mom is 
worried, on 
all fronts."
 
 "And making me crazy," Harm sighed.  
 
 "You want to get away for the weekend?"
 
 "Serious?"  Harm's eyes opened with eagerness.
 
 "Yeah serious.   Some of the guys and I share a cabin in the mountains 
about 
sixty miles inland.  Sometimes when I just need total quiet I head up 
there and do 
a little fishing, sleep late, watch sports on the satellite TV system."
 
 "We haven't left yet?"
 ====================
 The next morning Trish awoke to an empty bed and a silent master 
bedroom 
suite.  She assumed Frank had simply gone in early until she spotted 
his note 
propped on her night stand.  'Trish honey, your son and I have escaped.  
I thought 
it was about time we got really acquainted and maybe we'll have a 
chance to talk 
like you wanted.  We'll be back Sunday night.  Remember I love you.'
 
 "Wanted to take your new boat out and needed a first mate you mean," 
she 
groaned and dove back into the bed.  A gentle rain outside the window 
made 
sleeping all the more inviting.
 ============
 JAG HQ
 Same time
 
 "Ma'am have some coffee," Harriet urged, slipping into Mac's office 
with a small 
tray.  "Please.  For me.  Especially for me.  Singer is making me crazy 
today. . .or 
more accurately Bud's whining about her is."
 
 "Huh?"  Mac finally became aware of her presence and turned around.  
"Sorry 
Harriet. Totally spacing here.  The uh. . .Rasmussen case."
 
 "Right, Harmon Rasmussen," Harriet smiled mischievously.
 
 "Watch it Lieutenant," Mac groaned, fingering a small piece of paper 
and 
reaching for the coffee with her other hand.
 
 "Sorry Ma'am," she smiled and sat down.  "Just kick me out whenever.  
But 
before you do, I got a glimpse of that paper you're holding.  That 
would be the San 
Diego area code and I'm guessing a certain Commander's mother's house's 
phone number."
 
 Mac glared at her.  "Yes Lieutenant Nosey.  You think I should call 
him don't 
you?"
 
 "I wouldn't presume to suggest that. . .OK the hell I wouldn't," 
Harriet sputtered.  
"Ma'am you can tell me I'm out of line if you have to, but yes I do.  I 
think you and 
him owe it to each other to talk once more at least."
 
 "Now you sound like his mother," she sighed.
 
 "I am a mother," Harriet grinned.
 
 "Something I wanted to be," she whispered, sniffling back a lone 
feeling sorry for 
herself tear and with a quick nod to Harriet, picked up the phone.
 
A sleepy Trish answered and at once Mac apologized.
  
  "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I can call back later."
  
  "No no" Trish said quickly. "I should be awake anyway. How are you 
dear?'
  
  "I'm okay" Mac lied.
  
  "You don't sound okay. Mac have you given any more thought to coming 
out 
  here?"
  
  "I don't know. Part of me wants because I miss him so much. But then 
there's 
  another part of me that's afraid when I see him again I'm just going 
to say 
  something I'll regret and it'll be over for good."
  
  "Mac I want you to come out here. You and Harm need to talk and 
settle this. 
  Before it destroys both of you. And before he makes a decision he's 
going to 
  regret."
  
  "Has he found something out there?" Mac asked.
  
  "I think so" Trish said quietly. "Mac as much as I'd love to have my 
son 
  here with me I know this isn't where he wants to be. He wants to be 
with you 
  at JAG."
  
  "I can't believe he'd leave JAG" Mac whispered. "And his friends."
  
  "And you" Trish added.
  
  "I can't let him do that. JAG is his life."
  
  "So you'll come out here" Trish said hopefully.
  
  "I don't know" Mac sighed. "What if I just make it worse?"
  
  "Dear it can't be any worse than you and Harm apart like this. And 
you know 
  that. Please come out."
  
  "Does Harm know you've talked to me?"
  
  "No" Trish said slowly. "And to be honest, he and Frank have gone 
away for 
  the weekend. I think I was getting on Harm's nerves. But I'd love to 
have 
  you come out and when they come back on Sunday you and Harm can 
talk."
  
  "Maybe I should wait until another time."
  
  "Mac, please. If you wait Harm will take the position here and leave 
you and 
  JAG for good. You don't want that."
  
  "No I don't. All right, I'll call and see if I can find a flight out 
there 
  tomorrow and then I'll call you back."
  
  "Thank you dear" Trish said quietly. "You're doing the right thing."
  
  "I hope so" Mac sighed.
  
  ***********************
  "Does Mom know about this place?" Harm asked as Frank let them into 
the 
  small cabin tucked up in the woods.
  
  "Hell no" Frank smiled. "A man has to have a place to go once in a 
while for 
  peace and quiet. She probably thinks we went out on my new boat."
  
  "You got a new boat?"
  
  "Yeah and if we'd been looking at better weather I would have taken 
you out 
  on it. Maybe when we get back I can take you out before you go back 
home."
  
  "Frank I'm not going back to DC" Harm said quietly as he dropped his 
bag on 
  the floor. "I'm staying here in San Diego. I'm working on getting a 
transfer 
  out here and I've already looked into housing on the base."
  
  "Harm is that what you really want to do?" Frank asked.
  
  "I don't have a choice Frank" Harm sighed. "It's over with Mac and I 
can't 
  go back and face her again. Not after what happened. She hates me and 
I hate 
  myself."
  
  "You sure she hates you?"'
  
  "Yes sir, she's made that pretty clear. I hurt her badly and now the 
best 
  thing I can do is leave her alone."
  
  "I doubt that" Frank scoffed.
  
  "Frank promise me you didn't bring me up here to lecture" Harm 
sighed. "Mom 
  has done enough of that the last two weeks."
  
  "All right no lectures. But if you want to talk, I'm willing to 
listen. Mac 
  wasn't the only one who lost a child. And I haven't heard you talk to 
anyone 
  about how what happened."
  
  "I haven't wanted to think about it" Harm admitted quietly. "I never 
knew I 
  could hurt that much. And I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it 
yet."
  
  "Understood" Frank said as he patted Harm's arm. "We don't have to 
talk 
  unless you want to. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here if 
you want 
  someone to talk to."
  
  "Thanks Frank. I appreciate you bringing me up here. And for the 
offer to 
  talk."
  
  "No problem. I know what you're mother can be like when she gets 
something 
  into her head. She stubborn and she doesn't let it go."
  
  "No she doesn't" Harm said with a small smile. "So you got a hiking 
trail 
  around here?"
  
  "Sure do" Frank nodded. "And it looks like the rain is letting up out 
there. 
  I'm game for a hike if you are."
  
  "As long as we don't talk about me or Mac."
  
  "Deal. I'll bore you with my latest business venture instead" Frank 
smiled. 
  "Come on let's go."
 ===============
 JAG HQ
 
 "Mac you OK?"  Sturgis stopped at her half-open door and posed his 
question.
 
 "Other than being sick of being asked that I'm fine," she snapped and 
was at 
once contrite.  "Hey you didn't deserve that.  Maribeth says to blame 
hormones 
when I do that, but that's not fair.  Anyway I am sorry.  And I'm fine.  
And thanks 
for asking."
 
 "OK and you're welcome," he smiled and started to walk off when she 
called his 
name.  
 
 "Can I bend your ear?"
 
 "You've got exactly ten minutes before I'm due in client meeting," he 
smiled and 
walked in, sitting at her desk.  "What's on your pretty mind Colonel.  
And before 
you answer that I bet the initials are H-R."
 
 "Oh you know me so well," she groaned.  "You know he's in San Diego 
with his 
mom."
 
 "Doing some rehab and resting I understand from the Admiral."
 
 "Not to mention looking at slots at the NAS and any place else that 
will have him," 
she muttered.
 
 "Now that I didn't know," he sighed.  "What an idiot.  He belongs back 
here.  With 
JAG.  And with you."
 
 "Yeah well one of those two things drove him away remember."
 
 "His own guilt didn't help."
 
 "Well there's plenty of that to go around.  Guilt and blame."  She 
took a long 
breath and looked at Sturgis intently, watching his face for reaction 
to her next 
words.  "His mom wants me to come out there.  To have it out with him 
and see if 
we have anything left."
 
 "Smart woman," he nodded at once.  "But then she's a mother."
 
 The look of distress that crossed Mac's face made him at once sorry 
for that 
comment and he squeezed her hand.  "I. . ."
 
 "No don't apologize.  That's going to come up.  Just like when I see a 
baby in the 
grocery store I've got to stop bursting into tears," she sighed.  "This 
is why I'm 
seeing Maribeth--she's a counselor, but you don't need to know all 
that.  Anyway, I 
told her I would, but now I'm having second thoughts and I've picked up 
this 
phone ten times to tell her no thanks, and then something keeps 
stopping me.  
You obviously think I should go.  But play devil's advocate here and 
tell me if 
there's  reason I shouldn't.  Please.  Before I make a huge mistake, 
added to the 
dozens on my chart already."
 
 He shrugged helplessly.  "Well there's always the chance you could 
make things 
worse--destroy any chance you have of getting back where you were.  Hey 
I'm not 
much on these relationship things.  I'm still feeling my way with Lucy.  
We didn't 
make it work before, and it's not that sure a deal right now.  But I 
will say this--ask 
you this question, which I don't want you to answer to me but to 
yourself.  Do you 
love him?  And if the answer's yes, you'll know what to do.  I'm outta 
here."  He 
rose and bent down to kiss her forehead.
 
 "Thanks Sturgis," she called to his departing back.  Another couple of 
minutes 
thought and she walked out to Tiner's desk.  "You think you could get 
me a flight 
to San Diego Tiner?"
 
 "I heard that," AJ called having been just coming out.  "Colonel you 
taking a trip?"

  "Yes sir" Mac replied. "If that's okay."
  
  "More than okay" AJ smiled. "You're going to go talk to Harm I 
presume?"
  
  "I'm going to try. I talked to his mom and she said he's looking for 
a 
  position at the Naval Station in San Diego."
  
  "He's running away again" AJ sighed.
  
  "Yes sir and it's my fault" Mac said quietly. "He doesn't belong out 
there. 
  He belongs here at JAG."
  
  "With you" AJ added. "Mac I hope you give this an honest effort. You 
two 
  have way too much between you to let it go. You've both been hurt 
badly by 
  this experience but that shouldn't keep you apart."
  
  "I know sir. And I hope we can work something out."
  
  "So do I" AJ said quietly. "So do I."
  
  Minutes later Mac returned to her office with the flight information 
from 
  Tiner. She picked up the phone and dialed Trish's number again.
  
  "Hi Trish" she said softly. "I've got my flight info."
  
  *******************
  
  "You okay?" Frank asked Harm as they stopped for a break. "Your back 
okay?"
  
  "Yeah I'm fine" Harm panted. "This is exactly what I needed. I see 
why you 
  and the guys have this place and you didn't tell Mom about it."
  
  "So you'll keep my secret" Frank laughed.
  
  "Your secret is safe with me" Harm smiled. "How long have you guys 
had this 
  place?"
  
  "Few years. We all chipped in on it and try and get our use out of it 
as 
  much as possible."
  
  "Let me guess you tell Mom you're going out of town on business and 
you come 
  up here" Harm laughed.
  
  "Sometimes. I haven't been up here for a while though. But it's a 
nice place 
  to come to when you need to get away from everything for a while."
  
  "Yeah well maybe I should buy it from you and your friends and live 
up here" 
  Harm sighed. "I need to get away for a long time."
  
  "You know running up here doesn't make them go away" Frank said 
quietly. 
  "And I'm not going to lecture but I think you and Mac still have some 
  unresolved issues."
  
  "I hurt her Frank and she's not going to forgive me. It's as simple 
as 
  that."
  
  "Have you talked to her again to see if she still feels that way?" 
Frank 
  prodded. "Now that she's had a chance to let everything sink in she 
might be 
  willing to talk."
  
  "She knows where I am" Harm snapped.
  
  "Sorry" Frank said automatically. "I didn't mean to bring that all up 
again. 
  You said you didn't want to talk about it and I promised I'd respect 
that."
  
  "No I'm sorry" Harm said with a long sigh. "You didn't deserve that. 
You 
  were nice enough to arrange this weekend for me and the least I could 
do is 
  not snap at you like I do Mom."
  
  "And you really shouldn't snap at her either" Frank said gently. 
"Harm she's 
  only trying to help. Now granted your mother's idea of helping may 
seem like 
  meddling to you but her heart is in the right place. She's worried 
about you 
  and she doesn't like to see you like this."
  
  "I know she's trying to help. But there's nothing she can do to help. 
It's 
  my fault Mac hates me and there's nothing she can do about it."
  
  **********
  San Diego Airport
  Next Day
  11:00 AM PST
  
  It was a nervous Sarah Mackenzie that stepped off the plane in San 
Diego. 
  She'd spent a sleepless night thinking about Harm and on several 
occasions 
  had picked up the phone to call Trish and tell her she'd changed her 
mind. 
  But in the end she knew that she needed to talk to Harm. Even if they 
  decided that it wasn't going to work, they still needed that closure.
  
  "Mac" a voice called once she on the other side of the security check 
point. 
  She looked around and spotted the petite older woman and knew from 
the 
  pictures she'd seen at Harm's that it was Trish.
  
  "Hi Trish" she said quietly.
  
  "How was your flight dear?" Trish asked.
  
  "Fine."
  
  "You're thinking you shouldn't have come aren't you?" Trish said 
quietly, 
  sensing Mac's uneasiness. "But I'm glad you are. For your sake and 
Harm's 
  you need to resolve this."
  
  "I'm afraid of what that resolution might be" Mac admitted.
  
  "He loves you so much dear. I know you two can work it out."
  
  "Sometimes it's not enough. But you're right. We do need to resolve 
it even 
  if it means finding out its over."
  
  "I doubt that will be the case" Trish said softly. "But I'm sure 
you're 
  tired and hungry. I know a great place for lunch and then you can get 
some 
  rest if you'd like."
  
  "Thank you" Mac said with a small smile. "I appreciate this. And I'm 
  actually glad that I don't have to see Harm right away. I'm really 
not sure 
  how I'm going to react when I do see him."
  
  "I know. And that's why I wanted you to come out now since they're 
gone 
  until tomorrow night. This way you'll have a chance to rest and 
prepare 
  yourself for seeing him again."
  
  "Where did they go anyway?" Mac asked as they started to walk.
  
  "Frank didn't say. He left me a note that he and Harm were going away 
but he 
  didn't say to where. I'm sure they took Frank's new boat out. He's 
been 
  wanting to do that for a few weeks now and this was the perfect 
  opportunity."
  
  "And Harm of course would love that" Mac smiled. "But was he ready 
for that? 
  With his back and all?"
  
  "He finished the therapy and he's doing a lot better than when he got 
here."
  
  "I just hope he takes it easy" Mac fretted. "I know how he is and he 
keeps 
  forgetting that his back will never be the way it was."
 
 "And I'm sorry for that, but God sends us these things to deal with," 
Trish said 
softly, guiding Mac to the luggage carousel.  
 
 "I tried that tact with the baby, but it didn't work real well," she 
sighed as she sank 
onto the nearest bench.  "I feel like God sent us a baby to take care 
of and we let 
Him down."
 
 "And it must have been a real shock for Harm, since he didn't even 
know about it.  
Something he never really had taken away."
 
 "Honest Trish I tried several times to tell him, but it never seemed 
the right time.  
And even though we said we loved each other, well getting pregnant 
wasn't 
something we talked about."
 
 "Sounds to me like not talking about it, you invited it," Trish 
observed gently.  "If 
you weren't. . ."
 
 "Yeah I get you," Mac sighed.  "Maybe in a way I was just leaving it 
to God.  And 
then He sent the baby, and I let it die."
 
 Trish squeezed her hand and Mac shook her head at the same time, 
adding, "and 
I don't mean to belabor this with you.  Maribeth says it's good to talk 
but then I 
know people have their own problems."
 
 "Just remember you're not the only one grieving," Trish told her in 
that same 
gentle tone.  "Harm lost a child and I lost a grandchild."
 
 "Trish I. . . I know," she sniffled as her words sunk in.  "I know."  
They sat in 
silence for a few minutes until Mac retrieved her bag, which Trish 
insisted on 
shouldering.  
 
 "I brought the rag top.  It's such a beautiful day I thought we'd take 
the coast 
highway and you could see the ocean.  Some of that sea breeze might put 
some 
color into your cheeks."
 
 "I do look bad," Mac sighed.
 
 "You  look like you haven't been taking care of yourself properly," 
Trish corrected 
her, "but the mother in me isn't going to let that continue."  She 
hooked her arm 
through Mac's as she spoke and Mac felt herself relax.  It felt good to 
be 
mothered.
 
 "Yes ma'am."
 
 They were half way to LaJolla when Trish stopped for a light and Mac 
spoke for 
the first time, having been mesmerized by the scenery.  "OK you know 
what, I'm 
having second thoughts.  No wonder Harm is considering staying out 
here.  I 
could see myself living here on the beach."
 
 Trish just smiled and started again, stealing a side long glance at 
the young 
woman as the wind precluded further conversation.    She had liked her 
at once 
and knew exactly why Harm had fallen in love with her, an emotion she 
also knew 
was not recent with him.
 
 Mac had grown so relaxed with the sun warming her and the wind blowing 
her 
hair that she was almost asleep when Trish touched her arm.  "Turning 
in  now."
 
 "You're not serious," she gasped, getting her first glimpse of the 
stone house that 
sat behind a wrought iron gate.
 
 "More than we need," Trish laughed.  "But we do entertain a good bit 
between 
Frank's business contacts and my gallery people.  Plus it's nice for me 
because I 
can have an area to escape to.  But what's even nicer is that when 
family comes, 
like you, there's no question of them not staying with us."
 
 "Harm never told me."  
 
 "Harm doesn't live here," she laughed.  "Hell he barely visits here."
 
 A short time later Mac had been shown to a room overlooking the blue 
Pacific, 
and at Trish's urging, joined her on the back deck for ice tea.
 
 "Like I said, no wonder Harm is talking about staying here," she 
sighed.  "I've 
never seen a more beautiful area.  You must love it here."
 
 "Frank and I built the place by hand," she smiled and added hastily, 
"not literally.  
I mean we picked out every detail from the railings to the carpet to 
the door knobs.  
And lived in a camper in the sand down there while they were building 
it."
 
 "It's fantastic.  I would love to have just a house someday."  Mac 
took a long 
breath and shuddered slightly.
 
 "You love my son don't you honey?" Trish asked gently, seeing the 
longing that 
had come over her.
  
  "I do" Mac admitted. "But I'm not sure that's enough anymore."
  
  "Wait until you've talked to Harm to make those kinds of decisions. 
You may 
  find that once you two have talked again that you still want to work 
this 
  out."
  
  "There's that chance" Mac sighed.
  
  They spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the deck, Trish 
taking Mac 
  down to the ocean for a quick swim before they both showered and 
changed for 
  dinner.
  
  "If I didn't say thank you yet, thank you for this" Mac said as they 
sat at 
  the window side of a local restaurant overlooking the seen. "I really 
could 
  get used to this."
  
  "Well you and Harm could always both transfer out here" Trish smiled. 
"I 
  would love to have family close by."
  
  "Trish you're assuming Harm and I are going to work this out."
  
  "Okay I'm pushing again. And I'm sorry. You know this is why Harm 
coerced 
  Frank into taking him away for the weekend."
  
  "You tried to tell Harm what to do" Mac smiled. "Let me guess, he 
didn't 
  like that."
  
  "No he didn't. And we've gone round and round a few times since he 
got here. 
  I know he's making a mistake by looking for a permanent position 
here. He 
  doesn't belong here Mac. As much as I'd love to have my son here, I 
know he 
  belong with you at JAG."
  
  "What if that's not the case Trish?" Mac sighed. "I hope that if Harm 
and I 
  can't work this out you'll be there for him."
  
  "Of course I will. But I'm praying that's not going to be the case. 
He loves 
  you so much Mac. If it really is over I'm not sure how he'll handle 
it."
  
  "Neither am I" Mac admitted softly.
  
  **************
  Sunday Morning
  Frank's Cabin
  
  "What do you say we get some fishing in this morning before we head 
back?" 
  Frank asked as they finished cleaning up the breakfast dishes.
  
  "I think that would work" Harm nodded. "I can't believe the weekend 
is over 
  already."
  
  "Didn't miss your mother's nagging did you?" Frank smiled.
  
  "I love Mom to death but sometimes she just doesn't know when to 
stop" Harm 
  sighed. "But this weekend has told me something. I need to find my 
own place 
  out here."
  
  "Harm you know you're welcome to stay with us as long as you want."
  
  "I know. And I appreciate the offer. But I think the best thing I can 
do is 
  get my own place.  I'm sure Mom will understand."
  
  "She doesn't understand why you want to stay out here" Frank laughed. 
"And 
  when you tell her you're going to get your own place she's going to 
be 
  hurt."
  
  "Frank you understand don't you?" Harm groaned. "Why I can't stay 
with you 
  and Mom?"
  
  "Of course I do. And if staying here is what you're going to do, I 
think 
  it's the best move."
  
  "I am staying here. I'm not going back to DC."
  
  "You're not going to give you and Mac one last chance?" Frank 
prodded.
  
  "Too many questions Frank" Harm said with a small smile. "I think 
it's time 
  to find that fishing hole."
  
  "All right" Frank nodded. "Let's go see if the fish are biting before 
we 
  head back. Maybe we'll be lucky enough and we'll be able to bring 
home 
  dinner to your mother."
  
  They grabbed their poles and followed the trail to the small river a 
few 
  miles from the cabin. Harm took a spot on one of the large rocks, 
Frank 
  grabbing the one beside him.
  
  "You sure you can't talk the guys into selling me this place" Harm 
sighed a 
  short time later.
  
  "It'd be a bit of a drive to work" Frank laughed. "Unless you're 
planning on 
  flying in everyday."
  
  "Yeah I guess so" Harm said with a small smile. "And I'm sorry I cut 
you off 
  earlier. I'm just not ready to talk about Mac yet."
  
  "I know. And I understand. I didn't bring you up here to pull 
information 
  out of you. If you wanted to talk I was here. If not, I understood."
  
  "Thanks. It's just that Mac is still a really painful subject."
  
  "You love her a lot don't you?" Frank prodded gently.
  
  "More than anything else in this world Frank" Harm said with a long 
sigh. 
  "And to be honest, I have no clue how I'm going to get through the 
rest of 
  my life without her. When we finally got together this year, I 
thought it 
  was going to be forever."
  
  "Harm it's not over yet. You and Mac could still make it work."
  
  "No" Harm said as he shook his head sadly. "It's over. And I'll just 
have to 
  figure out how to deal with that."
  
  "I'm sorry" Frank said as he reached a hand over, gently patting 
Harm's 
  shoulder. "I wish there was something I could do."
  
  Harm nodded but said nothing as he looked out at the water. There was 
  nothing anyone could do.
  
  Moments later a gunshot cut through the quiet and Harm looked over at 
Frank.
  
  "I thought this was all private property."
  
  "It is" Frank replied. "But occasionally there's trespassers up here. 
They 
  come up to shoot off their guns cause there's no one around for 
miles. Last 
  time Bill and I were up here we talked to the local sheriff about 
it."
  
  Another gunshot, this time closer, and Harm set his pole down and 
stood up.
  
  "They're getting pretty close" he said as he started to walk.
 =============
 "Sleep well?"  Trish heard Mac approach and turned to her.  "Never 
mind--dumb 
question.  I'm sorry Sarah.  You should have woken me.  I would have 
sat with 
you."
 
 "Fed my neurosis you mean," she sighed, lowering herself to the chair 
next to 
table on the deck where breakfast was laid out.  "Thanks but I can stay 
awake 
pretty well myself.  I'm used to it."
 
 "Baby thoughts?" she asked gently.
 
 Mac opened her mouth to speak and stopped, her face showing the 
puzzlement 
she felt.  "No not really.  Not baby so much as. . .honest Trish I 
don't know what it 
was.  Maybe I'm just nervous about being here when Harm arrives.  How 
he'll 
react--how I'll react.  I just don't know."  
 
 She made a noise of frustration and gratefully accepted a steaming cup 
of coffee 
from Trish.  
 
 "He's going to be glad to see you," Trish assured her.  "Honey he's 
worried about 
you.  He does love you, and he wants nothing more than for you to love 
him."
 
 "I know, and God knows that's what I want to do," she sighed, taking a 
drink and 
then getting up to walk to the edge of the deck, staring out over the 
water.  "But at 
the same time, I'm not real trusting of myself right now that being 
with me isn't just 
going to create misery."
 
 "You owe it to both of you to try," Trish told her softly, "and lest I 
be accused of 
pushing, that's my last word on the subject for now.  Unless you want 
to talk of 
course."
 
 "Thanks.  I'm glad to have you," she smiled, "but anyway Trish that's 
not. . ."  
Words failed her and she looked out to the water again.  "Something is 
wrong 
Trish.  I don't know what, but it is.  I can just feel it."
 
 "We're about to have a tidal wave?" Trish ventured.
 
 "No no," Mac sighed.  "It's got to do with Harm.  I just have this 
most awful 
feeling. . .and before you think that seems really strange or stupid, 
well once in a 
while I get these really strange feelings.  Look pay no attention to 
me. Hormones 
in overdrive here."
 ===========
 "Harm where are you going?" Frank called, hurrying after him.
 
 "I think I see the shooters through the trees there.  I'm going to 
tell them to knock 
it off before I kick their asses," he flung back over his shoulder.
 
 Frank caught up to him before he had gone much further, slowed by his 
back, 
and stared where Harm had gestured.  "Yeah OK I see them.  They're kids 
for 
godsake, kids with twenty-two's plinking at birds and squirrels."
 
 "I used to do that at Gram's," Harm grinned, "but not on private 
property where 
there could be other people around."
 
 "Real delinquent you were," Frank chided him.  "Let's go talk to these 
jerks.  I'm 
going to have a word with the sheriff, again, too."
 
 They walked a few yards and Harm grabbed his arm.  "Frank I'm not 
seeing them 
any more.  Where did they. . ."
 
 The answer came a half-second later as a bullet tore through the tree 
leaves.  
Harm gave a small cry of pain and surprise and his hand clawed at his 
shoulder 
where his shirt was rapidly staining red.
 
 "Harm what. . ."  was all Frank managed before he was hit, the bullet 
entering his 
neck just above his collar.  
 
 Frank collapsed into Harm and he caught him the best he could, 
lowering him to 
the ground. 
 
 "Easy you'll be OK," he gasped, not knowing what else to say, the pain 
from his 
shoulder making his mind spin.  Frantically he looked around for help 
of any kind, 
remembering the boys.  "Hey you kids.  We need some help over here," he 
shouted as loud as he could.  "We're hurt.  Please."
 
 There were no more shots, and a few moments later they could hear the 
sounds 
of feet crashing through the underbrush.  
 
 "Holy shit Bobby, did we do that?"  The smallish blonde kid in the 
lead looked at 
Frank and Harm in shock.
 
 "Shut up Moron," the older one ordered roughly.  "Dad's going to kill 
us.  You 
remember what he said he'd do if we took the guns up here again after 
the last 
time.  And that's after the sheriff gets done with us."  
 
 "Bobby what are we going to do?"
 
 "We're going to clean these guns, put them away and not let anyone 
know we 
were anywheres near this place," Bobby ordered sharply, grabbing a 
handful of 
his brother's shirt.
 
 "Guys please, don't," Harm begged, not believing what he was hearing.  
"We 
need help here.  This man is hurt badly.  He's bleeding.  I'm hurt.  
Don't leave us 
up here please."
 
 "Look I'm sorry about what happened," Bobby growled, "but we can't 
afford to get 
in no more trouble.  Not with Dad and not with the sheriff.  Tony come 
on."  
 
 The younger boy looked back at the two wounded men, only to be shoved 
roughly ahead by his brother, leaving a disbelieving Harm cradling his 
step father, 
trying to stop the blood flow.
   
  He ripped a piece of his shirt and held it against the wound, praying 
that 
  the kids would come back. He couldn't carry Frank on his own and 
there was 
  no way he would leave him out there alone.
  
  "Harm" Frank managed weakly as his eyes opened a few seconds later.
  
  "Easy Frank" Harm ordered. "You're going to be okay. Somehow we'll 
get back 
  to the cabin and we'll get help." As soon as he said the words he 
remembered 
  that he'd left the cell phone behind, not wanting Trish to try and 
call them 
  while they were gone. "Dammit" he muttered. "We don't have a phone. 
I'll 
  have to drive us down."
  
  Frank managed a small nod of understanding and Harm took a deep 
breath.
  
  "Frank I need your help. There's no way I can carry you, not with my 
back."
  
  "Understand" Frank nodded. "I'll do what I can. But if I get to be 
too much, 
  you'll have to leave me. And before we go anywhere you need to take 
care of 
  yourself. "
  
  "No way in hell" Harm said vehemently. "I will not leave you alone up 
here. 
  We'll get back to the cabin together and then I'm going to get us 
down to 
  the nearest hospital."
  
  "After you take care of that shoulder" Frank countered weakly. 
"You're 
  bleeding just as much over there."
  
  "I'll keep. You on the other hand will not. And it's not a short walk 
back 
  to the cabin." As he spoke he helped Frank to a sitting position 
first, 
  keeping pressure on the wound as he did so.
  
  "Okay I think I can make it up," Frank said weakly and with Harm 
bearing 
  most of his weight, Frank pushed himself to his feet.
  
  "Step one, on our feet" Harm managed with a grimace as he looped his 
arm 
  around Frank's waist. "Step two, back to the cabin."
  
  "Harm your back. You can't do this."
  
  "I can't leave you out here either" Harm countered. "I'll be okay. 
Let's 
  just concentrate on getting back to the cabin."
  
  Frank nodded and with slow steps they started back to the cabin. 
Their 
  movement was slow, and they stopped frequently for both to rest and 
catch 
  their breath. Harm could feel Frank leaning on him more and with his 
own 
  strength dwindling, he prayed they could make it back to the cabin.
  Halfway there they stopped, Frank's weight more than Harm could 
manage.
  
  "Harm let me down" Frank gasped.
  
  Harm gently eased him to the ground; dropping to the ground beside 
him 
  seconds later.
  
  "I just need a quick break" Harm panted. "Soon as I catch my breath 
we'll 
  keep moving."
  
  "Harm you can't do this. Leave me and go on."
  
  "No" Harm shouted. "I will not. We're going to get to the cabin. We 
have 
  too."
  
  "Thank god for Rabb stubbornness" Frank managed.
  
  "I'll get you out of this Frank" Harm promised. "Somehow I will."
  
  "I know you will" Frank whispered. "No one else I'd have faith in 
like I do 
  you."
  
  "And I won't let you down" Harm said vehemently.
  
  *********************
  Burnett Residence
  
  "Trish did they say what time they were coming back" Mac sighed as 
she 
  looked at the clock again.
  
  "Sorry dear. They just said they'd be back on Sunday. But Frank has 
an early 
  morning appointment so I don't think they'll be too late. You're not 
still 
  having that feeling are you."
  
  "Something's wrong" Mac wailed. "I can feel it."
  
  "Mac honey, I think you're just nervous about talking to Harm" Trish 
said 
  gently. "I'm sure they're fine. You know they're probably hanging out 
at the 
  yacht club having a few drinks before they come home."
  
  "You think?" Mac whispered.
  
  "Why don't you and I take a drive down there" Trish suggested. "It's 
a 
  beautiful day and we can take a walk along the ocean if they're not 
back 
  yet."
  
  "Maybe that will help. I don't know what it is but I just can't shake 
this 
  feeling this time."
  
  "Once you and Harm talk you'll be fine. But in the meantime, you're 
going to 
  make yourself sick worrying about him. And for no reason."
  
  "I hope that's the case" Mac murmured. But when it came to Harm she 
had a 
  sixth sense. They were too well connected for her not to know when 
something 
  was wrong.
  
  "Come on dear" Trish said gently. "We'll grab lunch and then we'll go 
by the 
  Marina."
  
  "Can we go by the Marina first?"
  
  "You really are worried aren't you?" Trish asked as she stopped and 
looked 
  at Mac. "You really think they could be in trouble."
  
  "I don't know" Mac admitted. "Sometimes these feelings don't mean 
anything. 
  But this time it's just real strong."
  
 "Honey they've got a radio aboard, cell phones, and this part of the 
ocean is well 
patrolled by coast guard not to mention they're hardly alone out there.  
That's 
crowded waters.  If something had happened, it wouldn't stay a secret 
long," Trish 
sighed, nevertheless hurrying out the door. Mac's concern was spreading 
to her.
 
 "Here we are," she announced a long fifteen minutes later.  "Slip 
fifty is ours.  
Frank just got this boat a couple months ago.  His latest toy.  Turned 
our twenty-
five footer in for this forty so we could do some overnight 
entertaining and take her 
to Catalina and . . .oh my god.  She's still there."
 
 Mac looked where Trish was pointing.   "Slip fifty.  It's got a boat," 
she whispered 
lamely.
 
 "Our boat," Trish nodded.  "Now don't go off the deep end yet.  Maybe 
they've 
just come in and we'll find them at the yacht club like I said before."  
She pulled 
into a parking spot and with Mac following, hurried to a small office.  
"Tommy hi.  
I'm looking for Frank and my son.  They had the boat out?"
 
 "Mrs. Burnett hi.  No ma'am.  I've been here all day and so has your 
new baby."
 
 Mac gasped and said nothing.
 
 "Check the log please Tommy," Trish requested.  "I need to know if 
they've gone 
out at all this weekend."
 
 It took but a few seconds for him to punch the computer keys and shake 
his 
head.  "No ma'am.  She's not moved since the last weekend when you took 
her 
out."
 
 "Trish," Mac wailed softly.
 
 "Hey now that doesn't mean there's trouble," Trish reminded her, 
moving her 
away from the office.  "It just means they did something else.  Maybe 
drove down 
into the Baja."
 
 "Yeah that makes me feel a helluva lot better," she snapped.  
"Something is 
wrong.  Bad wrong."
 
 "Well you've now succeeded in scaring me," Trish told her.  "But 
they're not even 
overdue yet.  You know sometimes Frank is out of touch for a couple 
days and he 
always comes home.  He's leaving at 530AM in fact for Seattle.  That 
means he'll 
be in early, whining he's exhausted and how he's not a young man any 
more."
 
 Mac smiled wanly.  "I just hope Harm is there to whine with him."
 
 "You and me are going to the Club and have a glass of wine," Trish 
told her 
firmly.  
 
 "You have no idea how good that sounds to me right now," she sighed.  
"Trish I 
don't drink.  I'm an alcoholic."
 
 Trish's mouth opened and closed several times.  "You know, of all the 
things I 
thought you might respond, that wasn't close.  Recovering obviously."
 
 "Sober for a lot of years. . .with one slip up."  Mac smiled, 
remembering that time.  
Remembering despite his disgust with her that Harm had stood by her 
through a 
frightening time.  Realizing he would be there now if she had not sent 
him away 
again.  A small sob escaped her and she angrily brushed at a sudden 
tear.
 
 "Hey you just went up another notch in my book, and you were pretty 
high 
already," Trish told her.  "Wine for me, and something cool and tall 
and non-
alcoholic for you."  She put her arm through Mac's, leading her along 
the water to 
the Club.
 ==============
 IN THE MOUNTAINS
 
 "Frank work with me here," Harm begged.  "Try to take a little of your 
own weight.  
It can't be much further."
 
 With a deep breath and maximum effort, Frank managed to get some 
strength 
into his legs and pushed himself ahead.
 
 "OK good thank god there it is," Harm breathed in relief a few minutes 
later.  With 
some difficulty, he got Frank inside and onto one of the beds.  "Frank 
listen now, 
those rifles were only twenty-twos.  Thank god they don't have much 
stopping 
power, especially at that distance.  I can almost see the bullet, and 
once it's out 
and packed off the bleeding should stop.  First aid kit?"
 
 "Cabinet above the stove," he panted.  "Harm that's not kool aid 
you're losing 
there either boy."
 
 "I know.  I'll take care of myself too.  And then we've got to get out 
of here, down 
the mountain and get help."
 
 Frank shook his head, leaning back on the pillow.  "Not a good idea.  
Didn't you 
pay attention when we drove up here.  The roads are narrow and drop off 
a 
hundred feet.  If one of us was driving and got woozy. . .we'd get down 
all right.  In 
pieces."
 
 The first aid kit in hand, Harm proceeded to wipe down the wound with 
disinfectant, all the while considering his words.  "We'll see," was 
all he said.  
Once the area was cleaned, he could see the bullet, lodged just inside 
and with 
gentle fingers removed it, quickly packing off the hole with pads and 
tape.
 
 Frank closed his eyes against the pain and shock, forcing himself to 
focus when 
Harm was done.  "OK your turn Doc."

  Reluctantly Harm removed his shirt and started to work on his own 
wound, 
  cleaning and disinfecting it first.
  
  "You going to be able to get that out?" Frank asked as he looked over 
at 
  Harm.
  
  "Probably not" Harm sighed. "It's just in an awkward enough spot that 
I 
  can't grasp it. But it's cleaned and it will be fine until we get 
down and 
  get help."
  
  "Harm you're not serious about trying to get us out of here are you?"
  
  "I have to do something. And sitting here isn't going to help. I'll 
just 
  take it slow down the mountain."
  
  "All right" Frank agreed.
  
  Harm finished tending to his wound before gathering their stuff and 
placing 
  it in the car. Once he'd loaded the stuff, he went back in for Frank, 
  helping him to the passenger side of the car.
  
  "Harm you sure you want to do this?" Frank asked again. "You know 
your Mom 
  will call someone when we don't show up today."
  
  "Yeah but she doesn't even know about this place" Harm sighed. "Did 
you tell 
  anyone else you were coming up here?"
  
  "I called Bill and told him but he was heading out of town."
  
  "Then we have no choice," Harm said quietly. "I'll just take it real 
slow. 
  You just sit back and relax."
  
  Frank nodded and leaned his head back against the seat, closing his 
eyes 
  against the pain.
  
  Harm pulled the car out and slowly started down the windy mountain 
road, 
  trying to ignore the lightheaded feeling that was starting to come 
over him. 
  He glanced over at Frank again and knew he needed to get his 
stepfather to 
  the hospital. And the only way that would happen was if he could stay 
awake 
  long enough to get them there.
  
  "Hang on Frank" he murmured. "Please hang on."
  
  He was maneuvering around a corner when a sudden wave of dizziness 
washed 
  over him. He fought to keep the car on the road, but the tires slid 
off the 
  road just enough that he couldn't control it. The car tumbled down 
the side 
  of the mountain and Harm managed a loud cry as a tall tree loomed 
ahead and 
  he gave the wheel a hard jerk to the right as he attempted to steer 
away 
  from it. The last thing he remembered was Frank's yell as the driver 
side of 
  the car slammed into the tree.
  
  ******************
  Marina Club
  Same Time
  
  The glass in Mac's hand suddenly fell to the table, water cascading 
  everywhere.
  
  "Mac" Trish said anxiously. "Dear what is it?"
  
  "Harm" she whispered. "Oh god, something is really wrong. I can feel 
it." 
  Her whole body trembled with fear and Trish quickly moved around the 
table 
  to her, wrapping her arms around Mac.
  
  "My goodness you're like ice" Trish exclaimed. "And you're shaking 
like a 
  leaf."
  
  "Harm's in trouble" Mac whispered. "Trish I just know it."
  
  "Okay calm down dear" Trish soothed as the waitress appeared with a 
rag to 
  clean up the water. "Why don't we go back home? Chances are they're 
already 
  there."
  
  "I hope so" Mac murmured as she allowed Trish to lead her from the 
Club and 
  to the car.
  
  The ride back to the house was made in silence, Mac staring out the 
side 
  window of the car. She knew something was wrong and she just prayed 
that 
  Harm was going to be okay.
  
  "I'm going to call some of Frank's friends" Trish said once they were 
home. 
  "Maybe he told one of them where he was going."
  
  Mac nodded and numbly sat down on the sofa. He was somewhere and he 
was 
  hurt. That she knew for sure. The only question was where and how 
bad.
  
  "Harm where are you?" she whispered. "Come on sailor. You helped me 
find you 
  last time."
  
  But the only thing that came this time was the awful feeling that he 
was 
  hurt. She couldn't picture him anywhere like she had Chloe and the 
  coordinates didn't just appear like they had before. This time there 
was 
  nothing. And that scared her even more.
  
  **************
  "I don't believe those Lasko boys" Sheriff Thomas Rollins sighed as 
he and 
  his deputy Richard Silvers made their way up the mountain. "I warned 
them 
  twice about shooting on private property. I just hope Burnett and his 
step 
  son aren't hurt as bad as Tony thought they were."
  
  "Well at least they finally confessed" Silvers replied. "I guess the 
guilt 
  must have got the best of them."
  
  "Well they'll be feeling real guilty if those two aren't okay."
  
  Silvers nodded and Rollins kept his attention on the winding road. He 
knew 
  it like the back of his hand and as they passed a winding curve he 
saw the 
  marks from where a car had obviously gone off the road on the other 
side.
  
  "Looks like someone had trouble," he said as he brought the SUV to a 
stop 
  before making a U-turn and heading to the area, spotting at once the 
car in 
  the tree.
  
  "Jesus" he gasped as he hurried out, his deputy hurrying after him. 
"It's 
  Burnett and his step son" he said when he looked into the car. "Get 
on the 
  radio and get a chopper over here ASAP."
 
 Rich ran to do what he was ordered, and Tom leaned into the car, 
relieved to 
ascertain that both were breathing, though neither was more than partly 
conscious.  "You guys hang on, I've got help coming," he ordered, 
backing out 
and turning to Rich.  "What's that ETA?"
 
 "Ten."
 
 "I hope they've got that much," he groaned.  
 
 Harm managed to get his eyes open at that.  "See to Frank please.  
He's hurt 
bad."
 
 "Chopper inbound for both of you."  Tom heard him and leaned back into 
the 
vehicle.  "Just keep still and try to stay with me.  We'll have you to 
St. Lucia's real 
quick.  That's the closest trauma center and they're awfully good at 
what they do."
 ===================
 Restlessly Mac paced the living room, listening to the low murmur of 
Trish's voice 
from the kitchen as one by one she talked to people Frank knew.  A long 
half hour 
crawled by until movement in the long driveway caught her eye.  It was 
an 
approaching car and for a moment her heart soared.  "Trish there's a 
car coming 
up the driveway," she called, squinting against the sun's reflection to 
see it.
 
 "See they're home," Trish smiled, coming to stand with her.  "In about 
one. . .oh 
my god that's not them.  That's a Chippie car."
 
 "A what?" Mac had no idea what she was talking about but could tell 
from her 
reaction it was not good. 
 
 "C-H-P.  Highway patrol," Trish gasped and reached for Mac's arm.  
"There's 
been some kind of accident."  She fell silent as she watched the two 
officers exit 
the vehicle.  "Sarah it's 1969 all over," she whispered.  "They're 
coming to tell me 
it's happened again.  That I'm going to lose the man I love."
 
 It took Mac a few seconds to fathom what she was saying.  "No.  No 
way.  Trish 
don't even think that," she shrieked, running to open the door for the 
two officers, 
intending to scream at them to go away, that Harmon Rabb was not dead, 
but 
could only stand in the door way, her hand to her mouth in muted fear.
 
 "Mrs. Burnett?"
 
 "I am," Trish said softly, coming forward, now strangely calm.  
"You're here about 
my husband and my son aren't you?"
 
 "Yes ma'am," the woman nodded.  "I'm sorry.  Would you like to sit 
down?"
 
 "They're not dead."  Mac finally found her voice and when she did the 
words 
echoed from the high ceiling.
 
 "No they're not," she nodded.  "At least not as of the time I got the 
order to come 
for you.  There was come kind of shooting incident and then a car 
accident, but 
they're both alive, and being sent by chopper to St. Lucia's.  Do you 
know where 
that is?"
 
 Trish nodded in response to Mac's blank look.  "But shooting?  Where 
were they 
for godsake?"
 
 "Up in the hills ma'am is all I know.  We get a lot of reports of kids 
shooting off 
rifles up there.  I think they got the ones responsible.  You can be 
thankful he 
confessed, else they might have bled to death before anyone found 
them."
 
 "We have to get to them," Mac breathed, looking from the police to 
Trish.
 
 "Yes of course.  We'll drive you," the officer assured her.
 ==============
 Mac and Trish sat silently in the back seat for the trip, their hands 
joined in mutual 
fear for the twenty minutes it took to reach the hospital and the ten 
more to find 
someone inside who could help them.   Satisfied they were in good 
hands, the 
CHP officers left them.
 
 "Ladies," the older doctor greeted them, holding his hands up to 
request they be 
calm.  "I've seen both of them.  Mr. Burnett is resting comfortably 
after we cleaned 
up a gunshot wound to his neck.  He had a large blood loss however and 
he's 
being transfused so he's not going anywhere any time soon."
 
 "But he's in no danger?"
 
 "No he's not," Dr. Pace assured her, patting her arm and then turning 
to Mac.  
"You're Mrs. Rabb?"
 
 "Yes," Mac sighed, not wanting to explain.  "Harm is OK isn't he?"
 
 "Mr. Rabb is having a minor surgical procedure to remove the bullet 
that lodged in 
his shoulder," he nodded.  "It's a twenty-two and that's fortunate 
because anything 
of a higher caliber would have torn him up.  It's lodged in the 
shoulder muscle 
there.  Once it's out and repaired, and he's transfused for the blood 
he's lost, he'll 
be good to go in a couple days.  But he's going to have a pretty sore 
shoulder for 
a week or so and he'll need some care at home for a few days before he 
gets all 
his strength back.  Same for Mr. Burnett.  But then you two look like 
pretty 
nurses."
 
 "We need to be with them," Trish spoke up, seeing the anxious look on 
Mac's 
face and giving her hand a quick squeeze.
 
 "Harm doesn't know I'm here," she whispered hesitantly.
 
 "Then it's about time he found out," Trish smiled.

   "Trish what if he doesn't want to see me," Mac said quietly. "We 
didn't 
  exactly part on good terms."
  
  "Of course he'll want to see you" Trish scoffed. "He loves you Mac."
  
  "Mrs. Burnett I'll take you to see your husband and Mrs. Rabb I'll 
let you 
  know when we're finished with your husband."
  
  "It's going to be okay" Trish assured Mac. "I'm going to go sit with 
Frank 
  for a while and then I'll stop by later to see Harm."
  
  Mac nodded and took a seat while she waited. She was just about to 
ask the 
  nurse if there was word when the doctor reappeared.
  
  "Mrs. Rabb your husband has moved to his room now. If you'll follow 
me you 
  can sit with him."
  
  Moments later he ushered her into the room and she for a moment she 
froze. 
  It had been two weeks since she'd seen him and she wasn't sure how 
she was 
  going to react when she saw him. But the anger that had filled her 
was now 
  all gone, replaced with a sadness that things had come this far 
between 
  them. That she loved him she didn't doubt. But sometimes love wasn't 
enough.
  
  "I'm here Harm" she whispered as she sat down and took his hand in 
hers. 
  "And when you're better you and I have a lot to talk about."
  
  ***********
  A warm soft hand wrapped around his again. The last thing Harm 
remembered 
  was Frank's scream as they'd plowed into the tree. His shoulder hurt 
where 
  the bullet had been lodged but otherwise he seemed to be all in one 
piece. 
  The hand holding his seemed to sense he was waking, squeezing his 
softly. He 
  wished it was Mac but he knew better than to think that. Mac didn't 
love him 
  anymore. It was over and there was nothing he could do about it.
  
  "Harm"
  
  A soft voice to go with the warm hand and for a moment he thought it 
was 
  Mac's voice. But no, Mac wouldn't be there. She was in DC. Going on 
with her 
  life without him. He was just imagining it. He was going to open his 
eyes 
  and it was going to be Mom sitting beside him.
  
  "Harm, it's me."
  
  Again the voice was eerily like Mac's and he finally forced his eyes 
open.
  
  "You sure know how to get into trouble don't you?" Mac said softly.
  
  "Mac?" He wasn't totally sure that it was really her or just his mind 
  imagining her there with him.
  
  "Yeah it's me" she whispered. "Who else were you expecting?"
  
  "Mom" he said quietly. "I didn't think you ever wanted to see me 
again."
  
  "She's with Frank right now" Mac explained and a look of panic 
crossed over 
  his face at the mention of his stepfather.
  
  "Frank he's okay right?" he demanded, trying to push himself up only 
to be 
  meet with her firm hand.
  
  "He's going to be fine. I promise. Trish is with him and she'll be 
over 
  later to check on you."
  
  "Thank god" Harm sighed as he dropped back against the pillows. For a 
moment 
  he regarded her carefully before finally asking the question that had 
been 
  on his tongue since he'd opened his eyes and seen her there. "Why are 
you 
  here?" he asked quietly. "I was pretty sure you didn't ever want to 
see me 
  again."
  
  "Harm a lot has happened between us" she said slowly. "But that 
doesn't mean 
  I don't still care about you."
  
  "So you came cause Mom called you?" he asked with a look of 
confusion. "How 
  did you get out here so quick?"
  
  "I was already here Harm. Somehow Trish convinced me to come out for 
the 
  weekend."
  
  "I'm sorry. I told her not to meddle."
  
  "She called me because she was worried about you" Mac said quietly. 
"And to 
  tell me you weren't planning on coming back. You never told me that 
Harm."
  
  "After the last time we talked I figured it was the best thing I 
could," he 
  said quietly. "I'd hurt you enough and I didn't want to hurt you 
anymore. 
  I'm sorry for everything that happened. You have no idea how sorry."
  
  "I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault."
  
  "Yes it was," he said miserably. "No matter what anyone says it's my 
fault 
  you lost the baby. I should never have been on that assignment with 
you. If 
  Sturgis or Bud would have been with you, everything would have been 
fine. 
  But it's my fault and nothing will ever change that. And I'm sorry 
Mom 
  dragged you out here and if you want to go home I'll understand."
  
  "Harm she didn't force me to come out here" Mac said softly. "I made 
up my 
  own mind to come out here."
  
  "Why did you come?"
  
  "Because I wanted us to talk again. To see if there was anything left 
or if 
  it was really over."
  
  Before he could reply Trish walked into the room and Mac moved away 
to give 
  her room to give her son a warm hug.
  
  "How are you dear?" she asked as she motioned for Mac to come forward 
again.
  
  "Mom I'm sorry about everything" Harm said quietly. "If Frank hadn't 
taken 
  me away for the weekend none of this would have happened."
  
  "Harm I know what happened and it is not your fault. If anything you 
saved 
  Frank's life."
  
   "Well thank you for that," he sighed, moving uncomfortably with the 
pain, from 
his shoulder as well as his back. "Hurts," he added unnecessarily and 
Trish kissed 
his forehead.  
 
 "I know honey, but you're going to have to be a brave boy until you 
get well," 
Trish smiled, giving a long sigh of relief.  "Both my men are going to 
be OK.  And 
Mac I'm turning this one over to you.  I've got one of my own I can 
listen to whine."
 
 "Thanks Trish," she smiled, waiting until she and Harm were alone 
before she 
cleared her throat and looked down at him.
 
 "I was liking having my hand in yours," he ventured.  "Or was that for 
only when I 
wasn't really awake."
 
 "I don't know," she admitted and at once was sorry.  "Hey no I didn't 
mean that 
like it sounded.  I care about you Harm.  I care about you so much.  I 
just don't 
know how to do it any more.  I am so confused.  I do know that I care 
about you 
and that I was terrified when I thought something bad had happened.  
But I don't 
know if you and me. . ."  She looked at him helplessly.  "I'm sorry."
 
 "I know.  So am I," he said, his voice barely audible and he squirmed 
again on the 
pillow.  
 
 "You need something for your pain," she realized.  "I'll be right 
back.  Let me go 
tell the nurse."
 
 "Mac no please," he gasped.  "That stuff makes me very out of it and I 
want to 
talk to you.  Please.  We have so much to talk about."
 
 "Where was this when you were deciding to not come back to D.C.?" she 
demanded.
 
 "I was keeping it inside when I thought you wanted nothing more to do 
with me," 
he replied, the pain making his tone more sharp than he intended and he 
grimaced noticeably as he tried to continue.
 
 "OK no this is not the time or place for this," she said firmly.  "So 
this is what's 
going to happen.  I'm going to make sure you get something for your 
pain, and 
then when the doctor releases you, you're going to your mom's which is 
where I'm 
staying too.  From there we'll figure out what's next."
 
 "I'm hurting too much to argue," he sighed, "but you need to know 
this.  I'm not 
going back to D.C. if it's not what's best for both of us.  I won't 
come back there 
just to bring more misery to you--or to myself."
 
 "Then I guess that's what we need to determine," she said quietly.  
"Rest easy.  
I'm getting the nurse."
 
 A few minutes later, his pain relieved, he relaxed back onto his 
pillow.  "I'm glad 
you're here," he murmured, reaching for her hand.  And when she was 
hesitant he 
smiled softly.  "Hey I can hold your hand can't I?  I mean there's no 
commitment 
there."
 
 "No our commitment has pretty much evaporated," she agreed, taking his 
hand.  
"But I'm glad I'm here.  We need to find out where we are--what we have 
left, or 
the rest of our lives we'll wonder if we gave up on something that was 
still viable."
 
 His eyes were closing as she spoke and his mind barely grasped what 
she was 
saying, though he was aware enough to whisper, "I still love you."
 
 His words touched her heart and she not only took his hand, but 
pressed her free 
hand to his forehead.  "I love you too.  But we both know love is not 
always 
enough."
 
 She was still sitting like that an hour later when Trish returned to 
her.  "How's he 
doing?"
 
 "Sleeping," Mac sighed without looking up.  "Frank?"
 
 "Same.  And you and I are going for coffee," she answered.  "Now.  No 
argument.  
Harm will still be here when we get back."  To signify she was not 
taking No for an 
answer she tugged at Mac's arm, pulling her from the chair.  "Come on 
dear, 
they're OK."
 
 "We haven't really talked," Mac whispered.  "I want to."
 
 "You will," Trish assured her confidently.  "Soon as he can think 
without pain 
clouding his mind and away from this place.  Back at the house, on the 
beach 
maybe, you'll get some clarity."
 "I don't know Trish" Mac said quietly.
 
 "Do you love him?"
 
 "Of course I love him. That never stopped. But I'm not sure that us is 
such 
 a good idea after all that's happened."
 
 "If you love him and he loves you, you can be together" Trish said 
 confidently.
 
 ************
 Three Days Later
 The Burnett Residence
 
 "Where's Harm?" Mac asked as she walked into the kitchen. It was her 
last 
 day in San Diego and she and Harm still hadn't talked like she'd 
wanted. 
 He'd spent the better part of the time trying to avoid her and she 
wasn't 
 sure they were going to make it work.
 
 "Out on the beach" Trish said as she looked out the large patio window 
that 
 lead out to the deck and down to the beach. "Do you want to go down 
and talk 
 to him?"
 
 "Maybe it would better if I didn't" Mac sighed. "Maybe he'd rather I 
just 
 left him alone. Maybe he was right when he said sometimes love wasn't 
 enough."
 
 "Please don't leave without talking to him" Trish begged. "I know he's 
been 
 difficult the past few days but you can't leave without trying again."
 
 "All right. I'll see what if he's willing to talk. But I'm not going 
to push 
 him Trish. If he doesn't want to work it out then there's nothing I 
can do."
 
 With a long sigh she walked out on to the deck and down to the beach 
where 
 Harm was stood looking out at the ocean.
 
 "Hi" she said quietly as she approached him.
 
 "Hi" he murmured without looking at her.
 
 "Harm I'm leaving in a few hours. I don't want to go until we've 
talked. You 
 said we would but since you got home you've avoided me. If you want me 
to 
 leave you alone I will. Just say the words and I'll be out of your 
life for 
 good."
 
 "Is that what you want?"
 
 "I'm asking you if that's what you want?" she said with a long sigh.
 
 "I don't know what I want," he said quietly. "Except that I don't ever 
want 
 to hurt you again. I've done enough of that already."
 
 "Losing the baby wasn't your fault," she said quietly. "I don't blame 
you 
 for that."
 
 "You may not but I do." He let out a long sigh and finally turned to 
face 
 her. "I'm sorry Mac. I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I 
thought 
 this was going to be our year. But I've ruined everything since New 
Years 
 Eve."
 
 "No you haven't" Mac said softly. "Harm we share equally in the blame 
here. 
 We were both willing participants in what happened."
 
 "But I should never have let it" Harm whispered. "It was always 
different 
 with you Sarah. I always told myself I would never treat you like the 
 others. That you were special and you deserved to be treated better 
than 
 that. And in the end I did just that. And I hurt you worse than I hurt 
 anyone else."
 
 "Harm I let you. You didn't just do this on your own."
 
 He didn't reply, looking away again. It was so hard to look at her, to 
see 
 still the hurt in her eyes. The hurt that he'd caused her.
 
 "Harm" she said softly. "Talk to me. I don't want to go back to DC 
like 
 this."
 
 "I don't want you to go" he whispered as he looked at her. "But I 
don't want 
 to hurt you anymore Sarah. I love you so much and I hate what's 
happened 
 between us."
 
 "It wasn't all bad" Mac sniffled. "There were some good moments Harm. 
Some 
 really good moments."
 
 "Yes there were," he said quietly. "But there's been a lot of bad 
moments 
 too."
 
 "So where does that leave us?" she whispered. "Did we hurt each other 
too 
 much to salvage anything?"
 
 "Did we?"
 
 "I don't know," she admitted. "I really don't know Harm."
 
 "Are you willing to try again?" he asked quietly. "You know, start at 
the 
 beginning again."
 
 "Which beginning is that?"
 
 "Before the mistletoe" he whispered. "Before we skipped getting to 
know each 
 other again and headed straight to the bedroom."
 
 "So we'd go back to our own places and try that foreign concept known 
as 
 dating?"
 
 "If that's what you want" he said quietly. "I don't want to make you 
do 
 anything you don't want."
 
 "I don't know if it will work but I know that if we don't try, we'll 
both 
 spend the rest of our lives wondering about what could have been."
 
 He nodded and looked away, knowing her words were true.
 
 "So you'll come back to DC?" she asked quietly. "And we'll try this 
again?"
 
 "Yes"
 
 "Will you take me to the airport?" she whispered. "My flight leaves in 
a few 
 hours."
 
 "I think I can manage that," he said softly.
 
 San Diego Airport
 3 hours later
 
 "I guess this is goodbye" Harm whispered as they reached the security 
 checkpoint. Trish had driven to the airport but had given them the 
privacy 
 they needed to say goodbye.
 
 "Just temporarily right?" Mac asked quietly and he nodded.
 
 "I'll be back next week."
 
 They stood there for a moment, neither sure what to say.
 
 "Take care of yourself sailor" she whispered. "I'll see you next 
week."
 
 She started to walk away and he reached for her.
 
 "You can't leave without this" he whispered as he drew her into his 
arms, 
 holding her tightly. "I love you Sarah. More than you'll ever know."
 
 "I love you too" she sniffled before stepping from his arms and 
hurrying 
 through the metal detector.
 
 He stood and watched her hurry down the concourse to her gate, not 
able to 
 take his eyes off of her until she was out of sight.
 
 "Harm" Trish said softly as she tapped his arm.
 
 "I love her Mom" he whispered as she held out her arms to him. "I love 
her 
 so much."
 
 "I know you do. And when you go back you'll make it work. I know you 
will."
 
 "I hope so Mom" he whispered. "I hope so."
 
 The End................