TITLE:  “Before It Becomes a Noose”
WRITERS:  Mickey [ninjagrl44@aol.com] and Pat Steiner [ssbpmn@aol.com]
SUMMARY:  Post-episode for Lifeline.  What if Harm and Mac had agreed 
to meet 
after the party, wanting to talk further; and what if they picked 
exactly the wrong 
place and time to do that.  RATED PG-13 for language and violence.
DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount, DPB et al.  No copyright 
infringement is intended with this work of entertainment.
FEEDBACK:  Yes if you’re moved to do so, and wish to express your 
enjoyment 
of the effort.  If this work did not appeal to you, we can respect 
that.  Please 
respect our desire not to have that fact made known to us.

“Before It Becomes a Noose”--

"We're getting too good at saying goodbye" Mac murmured, her hand on 
the 
doorknob.

He stared at her in stunned silence, hearing the word goodbye echo in 
his mind 
and it tore at his heart.  "No," he hissed.  "NO.  Listen I want you to 
meet me later 
after this.  Please.  I know I don't have any right to ask, after how 
I've been, but I'm 
not ready to say goodbye."

She cocked her head and looked at him intently.  "Harm it's not a good. 
. . " she 
began and as his blue-green eyes met hers she felt herself melt.  She 
was not 
ready to say goodbye either.  They had never in the past talked so 
personally and 
so intensely, and she was not actually ready to stop. "Midnight, Route 
Fifty Diner, 
OK?"

"Yes anywhere," Harm nodded, his hand joining hers on the door knob and 
for a 
brief second neither moved.

"There you are," Mic's voice boomed across the gathering.  "I was about 
to send 
out the bloodhounds."

"Sorry, just talking and I got carried away," Mac smiled, letting 
herself be folded 
into his embrace.  

Renee at once claimed her own, wrapping her hands firmly around his 
arm.  "Did 
you forget who your date to this shindig is?"

"Not likely Renee."  He forced a smile to his lips and for appearance 
kissed her 
temple.  He would have been better able to carry it off had he not 
caught Mac's 
eyes boring into his and he gave her an imperceptible nod.  

AJ called the group to the table for a toast before the cake was cut.  
To the 
outward observer it was a casual gathering around, but Harm had 
carefully 
maneuvered himself to stand next to Mac.  His eyes never left AJ's face 
and the 
smile stayed frozen on his lips, but the back of his hand touched the 
back of hers.  
It was just a brush but that's all it took.  The message was there.  
I'm here, I care, 
and, most of all, I have not given up on us yet.  So please don't you 
either.
========================
1130 PM EST

"Harm I don't understand," Renee pouted as he guided her to her car.  
"Why are 
you not going straight home?  What could possibly be so important back 
at JAG 
that can't wait until Monday?"

"Renee I'm due in court Monday that's what.  And I left the case file 
in my safe. 
That's not going to make it.  Not to mention if I hadn't been in such a 
rush to meet 
you--to not disappoint you--I wouldn't have forgotten it."

"Well, I was late because I was working," she whimpered, and then could 
not 
resist adding, "but once I got here you took about as much notice of me 
as a piece 
of lint on your shoulder."

"Don't exaggerate.  I had some things to talk to Mac about.  That's 
it."  He opened 
the car door for her.  "Now I'll call you tomorrow, but don't look for 
me to do 
anything early.  I plan on sleeping and working on this case."

"Yeah I hear you," she growled and started the engine.  "Maybe I should 
put a 
Marine uniform."  With that she took off with a giant squeal of tires.

Meanwhile a short distance down the street, Mac and Mic were walking to 
Bud 
and Harriet's car.  "Mic thanks for understanding," Mac told him with 
false 
cheerfulness.  "I just need a little time that's all.  Call you 
tomorrow?"

"Well, I don't completely," he muttered.  "But I'm trying to understand 
pre-wedding 
jitters and hormones and god knows what else.  Now if Bud and Harriet 
weren't 
driving me home, I'd be hoofin' it I guess."

She shook her head, forcing herself to smile at his joke.  "Good night 
Mic.  I'll call 
you tomorrow."  He took her into one of his large embraces and she 
willed herself 
not to stiffen and arouse his suspicions.
=====================
Route Fifty Diner
1155PM

Harm opened the door and looked around anxiously, afraid that Mac might 
have 
had second thoughts, or been unable to get away from Mic, but no there 
she was, 
at a booth in the back, still in the same dress, her shawl pulled 
tightly around her 
against the chill of the air conditioner.

She had been watching the door, and broke into a broad smile when she 
saw him, 
holding her hand out as he approached.  

"Hi," she breathed.

"Hi yourself," he breathed back, taking her hand and daring to put a 
small kiss into 
the palm.  

"I was afraid you wouldn't come."

"I don't make promises I don't keep," he smiled and slid bench opposite 
hers. 

For a long minute there was an awkward silence while the waitress 
brought them 
coffee.

"Well, one of us should say something," he finally said.

"I think you should start.  Your idea," she pointed out.  She slid her 
hand across 
the table to press against his and was surprised to find out that he 
was actually 
shaking slightly.  "I know talking about all this isn't easy for you.  
Take your time.  
But I want to hear what you have to say."
 
 "I'm not good at this."  Harm stated quietly.  He pulled his hand away 
and wiped 
the sweaty palm on his pants. His heart beat savagely in his chest and 
his 
stomach felt like a landing strip for tomcats.  He felt like he was in 
junior high and 
getting ready for his first date.
 
 "You have no problem talking to Renee.  Even with Annie and Jordan, 
you were 
fine.  Why can't you talk to me?  Harm we've been friends for five 
years. We've 
been through so much together.  You can tell me anything, my feelings 
for you 
won't change."
 
 "That's what I'm afraid of."  He mumbled under his breath. 
 
 "What?"  Mac asked, perplexed.  Commander Harmon Rabb was usually so 
cocky, but tonight he seemed nervous and afraid.
  
 "Nothing.  You're right.  I never had any trouble expressing my 
feelings to Renee 
or Jordan or Annie, but its different with you.  It's . . . I . . . I 
care about you."  Harm 
reached out and took her hand again.  "I don't know why this is so hard 
for me."
 
 "I care about you too Harm."  Her thumb gently stroked his hand.
 
 The pert young waitress returned to the table, her mouth moving like a 
cows as 
she chewed a large wad of gum. She looked Harm up and down undressing 
him 
with her eyes and then asked to take his order, ignoring Mac.
 
 "Mac, you want something to eat?"  She shook her head, grinning at the 
teen that 
was so obviously enthralled by Harm. 
 
 "Excuse me.  I will leave you two alone for a few minutes."  Harm 
stared after her 
begging her not to leave with his eyes.  
 
 "Mac?  Uhmm wait . . ."  
 
 Mac walked toward the restroom giggling.  "Be right back, flyboy."
 
 Harm watched his partner disappear around the corner. His attentive 
waitress, 
Molly, her nametag said, glanced around nervously and then headed 
behind the 
counter.  
 
 He heard the bells on the door jingle as another batch of customers 
entered but 
he didn't bother to turn around.  Harm's thoughts kept wandering back 
to 
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.  Why did he have so much trouble 
telling 
her how he felt?  Why couldn't he force those three words out?  
 
 A soft cry brought his attention back to the present.  Harm turned 
around and saw 
the three men.  They were young, late teens to early twenties, each 
wearing a ski 
mask and carrying a handgun.  He reached instinctively for his sidearm.  
Nothing. 
Of course he hadn't armed himself for Mac's engagement party.  The 
redheaded 
boy took the lead and began yelling orders at the other two. 
 
 "J.J. you check the back and bring everyone up here.  Tony make sure 
all the 
doors are locked and shut her up."  He pointed at the young waitress 
who 
continued to sob uncontrollably.  
 
 Harm sat rigidly in the booth, thankful that Mac was safely ensconced 
in the 
ladies room, although for how long he couldn't be sure. 
 
 "Move it!"  The boy they called J.J. pushed the cook out of the back 
and into a 
booth.  "What now, Frank?"  
 
 "Is this everyone?"  Frank asked the group of five hostages.  They all 
stared at 
him, shock and fear evident on their faces.  Nobody answered. 
 
 "I said is this everybody?  Answer me!"  He lifted his weapon and 
fired one shot 
into the ceiling.  The waitress screamed out and began sobbing once 
again.  
 
 Mac was touching up her makeup when she heard the unmistakable sound 
of 
gunfire followed by a scream.  She froze.  Fighting the need to run out 
and check 
to make sure Harm was ok, she quietly walked over to the door, 
listening intently.  
Mac searched for a plan, a way to get Harm and the other hostages out.  
 
 As Mac remembered her cell phone, the door to the bathroom was kicked 
open 
and she stared into a pair of wild blue eyes.  His body was tense and 
he pointed 
the gun straight at her.  
 
 "The men's room is the other way."  Mac said coldly, determined not to 
show this 
kid how scared she was.  
 
 J.J. stalked toward her quickly.  He grabbed her arm and jerked it 
behind her, 
pressing the gun between her ribs.  
 
 "Move it bitch."  He pushed her forward violently, her right side 
colliding with the 
door as they passed through.  She stifled a cry of pain feeling the 
scrape on her 
face and shoulder.
 
Harm had been hoping Mac had somehow gotten out the back.  Now he saw 
her 
being manhandled by this kid and his hands froze into tight fists.  His 
anger 
increased as he saw the gun in her side, afraid she would attempt some 
kind of 
Marine move and end up shot for her trouble.

He shoved her forward once more, giving her arm another twist for good 
measure.

"Don't you hurt her," Harm shouted, getting up from his place, and 
bringing Tony's 
attention to him in the form of a gun to his head.

"Harm no, stop," Mac screamed, terrified he would be hurt on her 
behalf.  "I'm OK 
really."

"Who's that your boyfriend," J.J. sneered.  

Mac shot him a defiant look and he smacked her face hard with his free 
hand, 
leaving an immediate imprint overtop the area that was already scraped.

"Boy I'm going to kill you," Harm screamed with rage, starting for 
them, only to be 
stopped by Tony's vicious jab into his ribs with the barrel of the gun.  
Harm 
coughed and bent double, his eyes glazing over with pain.  Dimly he 
heard her 
scream once more, guessing she was trying to get to him and was being 
stopped.  
"Please don't let her be being hurt any more," he breathed, 
straightening up 
slowly.

The one called Frank looked around the room, glaring intently at his 
two cohorts.  
"Tony, J.J., stop the mucking around and start gathering what we came 
for.  Tony, 
get the old man to open the safe.  J.J. bring that pretty thing over 
here with the 
others and leave your hands off her.  If you like her that much you can 
take her 
with us.  Maybe we'll all have some fun with her later."

Harm was gripping the side of the booth, catching his breath when he 
heard that 
and had no doubt as to the meaning.  The chill of ice went through him.  
No way 
would he allow that.  Immediately his eyes sought hers, meeting her 
anxious gaze 
as she tried to see if he was badly hurt.  "I'm all right," he mouthed, 
trying to 
convey with his eyes that somehow he would not let them hurt her.

For her part, the threat had frightened her, but not so much for 
herself as much as 
her fear that Harm would be hurt or worse.  J.J.'s hand closing roughly 
around her 
arm broke into her thoughts and she was roughly propelled toward Harm 
and the 
other patrons.

When she was nearer to Harm he could more clearly see the side of her 
face was 
scraped and raw, and the handprint from the smack stood out even more 
prominently.  He automatically went to reach for her and J.J. gave her 
a large 
shove in his direction before he and Tony joined Frank at the cash 
register.

"Here you go friend," the boy sneered, "but we have plans for her."

"You'll take her out of here only through me," Harm warned, his tone 
low and 
deadly.  Anyone who knew him would know that was no idle threat.  

Mac stumbled forward and Harm caught her, gentle fingers at once going 
to her 
face.  "Mac I'm so sorry," he gasped, sitting her down and kneeling 
beside her.  "I 
meant what I said, I won't let them touch you."

"You listen to me Superman," she hissed.  "I don't want you hurt trying 
to protect 
me.  I can handle these guys."

"I'm not going to let you try," he insisted as he poured some ice water 
from the 
glass on the table into a wad of napkin and held it against her cheek.  
"How's your 
arm?"  He looked down to where it was hanging limply at her side and 
his alarm 
grew.  "Mac how's your arm?"

"I think he might have broken it," she admitted.  "I can't move it."

His eyes opened to their fullest and he hugged her to him.  "We've got 
to get you 
help."

"Harm I'm all right.  They'll be gone soon," she whispered.

"They intend on taking you with them, not that I'm going to let that 
happen."

"Stop that, I mean it.  I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt on 
my behalf.  I'm a 
Marine, I can take them if I have to."

"With one arm--I don't think so," he scoffed.  "Besides we're partners 
and friends, 
and even though we haven't acted like that for most of the last two 
years, I care 
very much about you.  On the porch. . . . I wasn't just blowing it out 
of my six."

"I didn't think you were," she smiled and covered the hand that rested 
against her 
cheek with hers.  "I know what it had to cost you to admit your 
feelings even that 
much."

"Yeah well I'm planning to admit a whole lot more," he vowed, "just as 
soon as 
we're out of this.  Then if you still want to marry that Australian 
idio. . . uh, Mr. 
Brumby. . . . well at least I've tried.  I just ask that you listen.  I 
promise no backing 
away, if you promise to listen."
  
 "I promise."  Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.  Their hands 
stayed 
clasped together as Harm pulled her as close to him as possible, ready 
to shield 
her from further abuse.  He tightened his grip when he felt her thin 
body begin 
trembling.  
 
 "Mac?  What is it?  You're shaking like a leaf."  He watched her 
struggle to stop 
the shaking.  She was, once again, trying to put on that hard ass 
Marine façade, 
but he wasn't buying it.  
 
 "Nothing.  I . . . I'm just a little cold.  I'll be alright Harm."  
Mac felt the tremors race 
through her body and knew she wasn't fooling him.  'Suck it up, Marine.  
Just hang 
on till they leave and then you can give in to the pain and fear.'  
Taking a deep 
breath, Mac forced her body to be still and tried to smile up at her 
worried partner.  
 
 "Mac, you are not okay.  You're probably going into shock.  I'm going 
to get us out 
of this, I promise.  Here, put this around you."  He took off his coat 
and wrapped 
around her delicate shoulders, careful not to move her arm.  Mac pulled 
in a 
tremulous breath and lay her head against Harm's chest.  
 
 "Thank you.  Harm I . . ."  Her words were interrupted as the largest 
of the boys 
pushed passed her, jostling her injured arm in the process.  Mac's 
breath caught 
and she suppressed the cry of pain that wanted to escape her bruised 
lips.   
 
 "Come on, old man."  J.J. grabbed the cook and dragged him to the back 
of the 
building, presumably to the safe.  Frank continued to hold the hostages 
at 
gunpoint, leering at Colonel Sarah Mackenzie the whole time.  Behind 
them, Tony 
pounded on the antique cash register until the drawer opened.  He 
pulled out the 
meager amount of money and quickly counted it.  
 
 "Seventy-eight bucks?  Frank there better be more in the back.  We 
didn't go 
through all of this for this."  Tony complained loudly.
 
 "Shut up Tony.  The rest will be in the safe idiot.  Quit your 
whining.  Okay all of 
you put your watches, jewelry and wallets in this bag.  Now!"   
 
 He threw the bag at the young waitress.  They slowly passed the bag 
around, 
each dropping his or her valuables inside.  Mac took a mental inventory 
of 
everything in her purse.  Before entering the diner that night she had 
removed her 
engagement ring and dropped it in the bottom, along with her makeup 
bag, cell 
phone, and wallet.  She reached for her bag and then remembered that it 
was still 
in the restroom.  Mac slipped off her class ring and dropped it in the 
bag then 
handed it to Harm.  Her mind began racing, formulating a plan.  If she 
could just 
get to the bathroom she could try and make a call, try and get some 
back up for 
them.  Mac stared intently at her partner, trying to let him know of 
her plan without 
speaking. As she disentangled herself from Harm, J.J. burst through the 
swinging 
door to the kitchen screaming in a panicked voice. 
 
 "Two hundred forty-one!  I told you Frank, I told you!  You said, you 
said we 
would get at least a couple thousand.  Two hundred!!!  I didn't do this 
for no Two 
hundred bucks."
 
 J.J. pushed the old fry cook to the floor and began pacing back and 
forth like a 
caged tiger.  He held the gun tightly, cocking and un-cocking it as he 
walked.  
 
 "What the hell are we gonna do?  Well Frank!  Well this was your 
stupid plan.  Fix 
it!  You said a couple thousand.  Where the hell is the money!!"  His 
voice rose 
with each new question.  
 
 Frank watched J.J., his face tense, teeth clenched.  Harm and Mac 
watched the 
scene with growing alarm.  The robber tenuous control was unraveling 
before their 
eyes.  Both officers knew that the situation could easily turn violent. 
 
 "Where's the money old man?"  Frank stood over the terrified cook, his 
jaw 
muscles bunching.  He pointed the gun at the man's head and slowly 
cocked it.
 
 "Where the hells the money?  I know you made more than two hundred 
bucks 
today. Now where is it?"  Franks hand wavered as he continued to aim 
the gun at 
the cowering man.
 
 "Ain't no money.  That's all we got.  The manager took the rest of it 
to the bank 
earlier.  He always does that."  
 
 "Wrong answer."  The man never knew what hit him.  As the bullet 
sliced his 
chest, the other hostages screamed in horror.  Harm lifted Mac to the 
other side of 
him, ignoring her cry of pain as her arm was moved.  He held onto her 
and 
pushed her as close to the wall as possible.
 
 Mac felt the sting of tears as pain coursed through her arm.  She 
gasped and 
held onto her partner, trying to pull him away from the gunfire. 
 
 "Harm!"  To her astonishment, his name came out with a sob. She stared 
up into 
his face and saw her own terror reflected in his eyes.  Mac struggled 
to crush her 
rising panic. 
 
 "Shh.  It's okay."  He cupped her face with his hands.  "Mac, we are 
going to be 
all right."  Then he pulled her head to his chest, stroking her hair. 
 
"I'm sorry," she breathed, not lifting her head.  "This is not how you 
would expect a 
Marine to act."  Her mind again went to her cell phone, in her bag in 
the bathroom 
still.  If she could get away from them it would only take a matter of 
seconds to call 
911 and report a robbery in progress.  Her gaze fell to the body on the 
floor and 
she shuddered slightly, imagining it might have been Harm, and she kept 
her 
head against his chest, drawing comfort from the feel of his heart 
beating.

"Frank what do we do?" J.J. insisted.  "We got next to nothin' for our 
trouble here."

"I think you guys should clear out of here while the going's good," 
Harm spoke up.  
"You've got all you're going to get and it's only going to be a matter 
of time before 
new customers show up.  This is an all night diner you know.  And 
someone is 
bound to see what's going on here and make a little phone call to the 
police."

"Shut up," Tony snapped.  "Frank he's probably right.  We need to move 
on.  
We're not getting any more out of here tonight and we've got enough to 
get us 
started."

"Yeah except a little fun with the pretty one there.  I don't think 
she's too badly 
damaged yet to make us a good time," J.J. sneered.

Harm's arm automatically tightened around her and Mac shot him what she 
hoped 
was a definite glare.

"We ain't been fortunate enough to have any of them so-called conjugal 
visits," 
J.J. went on.  "So I think we're entitled."

"You're not entitled to shit mister," Harm growled, starting forward 
only to have 
Mac restrain him, afraid he would be hurt further.

"I told you I can handle them," she hissed.

"Good, put up a fight when we get to it," J.J. hooted.  "That makes it 
all the more 
fun."

"OK little lady, you'll be coming with us," Frank announced.  "And 
where's your 
purse anyway?  I don't recall getting anything but that worthless ring 
from you.  
We'll be taking you and your ATM card and if your account pays off well 
and 
you're good in the sack we might even let you live."

Mac, still afraid for Harm, stepped away from him before he could stop 
her.  "My 
purse is in the ladies room.  I'll get it."

"I'll just be going with you," Tony spoke up.

Harm could only stare after her, his eyes dark with determination that 
he would 
not allow her to be taken by these animals.

"You can come if you want," Mac shrugged casually.  "What's the matter, 
you 
can't wait to have me?"

Harm's eyes opened wide, marveling at her bravado.

"Go on," Tony growled.

She walked slowly and deliberately to the ladies room, finding her 
purse behind 
the stall door where she had left it.  She reached inside and her hand 
closed over 
her cell phone.  It took but a half second more to dial 911.  "I need 
police here at 
once," she hissed, "Route 50 Diner in Fairfax.  Three men, all armed. . 
. . what?  
No I don't have time. . ."  She was put on hold and could hear the 
connection 
being made to the proper police dispatcher.  No sooner had she gotten 
out her 
message when Tony burst through the door.

"You little bitch," he swore, starting over to her, his gun leveled at 
her head.  
"Don't say another word."  

With a deep breath she leaped for him, attempting to grab the gun, 
figuring that 
here one on one might be her chance.  With a move that would have made 
any 
Marine proud, he sidestepped at the last second and with the same 
motion, 
brought his hand down to the back of her neck in vicious chop.  She 
fell to the 
dirty bathroom floor and he drew back his foot to add a kick for good 
measure, 
stopping himself at the last second.  "Get up," he ordered, hauling her 
by her shirt 
to her feet.  

Her eyes were glazed with pain now, between her neck and her arm where 
she 
had fallen heavily on it, and she was still trembling badly.  Tony 
snatched her 
purse and threw her cell phone against the wall.  "You won't be making 
any more 
calls with that, that's for goddam sure.  Now get out of here."  

The will to fight gone out of her at the moment from the pain, she did 
not resist 
him pulling her from the bathroom.

"Frank, J.J., she called the police.  Let's move," he screeched, 
locking his arm 
across her chest to bring her with him.

Her arm was painfully pressed against her side and she gave a small 
yelp of pain, 
her eyes growing more glassy from the hurting and the shock.  Tony 
began to 
back through the door with her, Frank and J.J. hurrying to join him. 

She looked to Harm, knowing she was conveying her fear, but praying 
also that 
her eyes were telling him something else---something of her deepest 
feelings for 
him.

"Guys it's been real," Frank grinned.  "And we're off to the bank and 
then to have 
some fun with this beautiful woman."

That was all Harm needed to hear.  With a sharp scream of "NO", and his 
fear for 
the woman he loved blotting out all thoughts of his own safety, he 
flung himself at 
the closest robber, his intent to knock the gun from the man's hand.

Frank saw him coming and as if he was pinging rats in a swamp, simply 
lifted his 
gun and fired.  The bullet grazed the side of Harm's head, leaving a 
scarlet trail 
across his temple and he fell to the floor lifeless.

Mac's scream of his name was still on her lips as they dragged her to 
their car, 
pulling out of the driveway just as the police sirens could be heard in 
the 
background.  

"Did you see that?  Did you?  I got that guy square in the head."  
Frank laughed 
gleefully from the front seat of the car.  
 
 "You got him good, Frankie," J.J. agreed as the car skidded around a 
corner, the 
tires screeching in protest.  He jerked the wheel hard to the left and 
Macs body 
was thrown into Tony.  Her arm was crushed between them and she cried 
out.  
 
 "Damn it bitch!  Watch it!  You're boyfriend ain't around to protect 
you anymore.  
He's dead and gone."  Crazed laughter filled the car as the three young 
men 
gloated about their first kill. 
 
 He's not dead!  Her voice was eerily quiet but filled with conviction.  
Mac sat stiffly 
next to Tony, trying to convince herself that her words were indeed 
true.
 
"Yeah right."  Tony continued laughing.  
 
"I shot him in the head.  What you think your boyfriend is bullet 
proof?  Listen lady, 
you may not know about guns, but I do, and that guy was as dead as a 
doornail.  
Trust me, I've been hunting since I was three, I know a dead body when 
I see it."
 
 A deep keening wail began from the back seat.  The agonizing pain that 
filled the 
cry continued, as the boys screamed at her.
 
"Shit Tony, shut the bitch up."  Frank yelled from the front seat, 
turning around 
and aiming the gun at Mac.  Tony's hand shielded her from the gun.
 
 "No not yet, I didn't get to have any fun yet.  You said I could have 
her. I’ll shut 
her up. "
 
 Frank lowered the gun but continued to glare at the occupants of the 
back-seat.
 
 Tony grabbed Mac, holding her shoulders and shaking her.  She 
continued to 
scream, each piercing wail becoming more desperate than the last. 
Tony's fist 
swung out quickly and landed with a sickening thud against Mac’s 
temple.   
 
 She gratefully slipped into the darkness.  Colonel Sarah Mackenzie's 
will to fight 
was gone.  Knowing that her partners heart was no longer beating, left 
her with an 
unbearable emptiness and the quiet oblivion of unconsciousness was a 
welcome 
relief. 
 
 Unfortunately her respite was brief, nightmarish pictures filled her 
mind.  The 
image of Harm, falling to the ground, as a red stain spread around his 
head.  His 
need to protect her so strong that he rushed toward an armed man.  In 
her dream, 
she watched the bullet move in slow motion toward her best friend.  Mac 
tried to 
move, tried to push him out of the path the bullet was taking, but she 
couldn't 
move.  Her mouth opened in and unending silent scream.  She watched as 
the 
bullet cut through the flesh, bone and brain of the most important 
person in her 
life. The scene replayed over and over in her mind, like a movie, until 
Mac thought 
her soul would explode from the pain.
  
 Emergency personnel, police, emergency medical technicians, and 
firemen 
swarmed through the diner.  The diner’s cook and night manager lay in 
the same 
position on the floor, a white sheet covering his bloodied form.   
 
 The young waitress, who had been so enthralled with Harm, now sat pale 
and 
shaking as one of the paramedics began an IV.  Harm paced.  He had 
refused 
medical treatment except for allowing the medics to clean and bandage 
the gash 
left by the bullet, dismissing all suggestions of Ray and hospital in 
his panicked 
worry over Mac.

Finally one of the newly arrived detectives cornered him and guided him 
to a 
chair.  "Mr. Rabb, my name's Austin Wilson, Detective Sergeant, Fairfax 
Police.  I 
know you're upset about your friend and we're going to find her, and 
these people.  
And I hope before they kill any one else.  Including the hostage."

Harm squeezed his eyes shut for a moment against the pain and 
dizziness, 
coupled with his overriding fear for her.  "What. . .what are you doing 
to locate 
her?  She's hurt too.  At the very least she's got a broken arm and a 
lot of bruises 
where the bastards manhandled her."

"Her ATM network will notify us the second her card is used," Wilson 
assured him.  
"My hunch is they won't go far before they try it.  I just hope she has 
sense 
enough to give them the password and doesn't try to fight them.  Look I 
know this 
is a nightmare for you. . ."

"You got that right," Harm sighed.  "Unfortunately it didn't even begin 
tonight.  It 
goes back for months.  Back to when a man named Brumby. . .why am I 
telling 
you this.  Please just get her back."

"Doing our damnedest Mr. Rabb.  But I would like you to go on to the 
hospital and 
get yourself checked out.  You look like hell."

"Thanks--you have no idea how much better that made me feel.  I am not 
going 
anywhere except with you when you find out where she is."

"This woman means that much to you?"

One look at Harm's tortured face gave Wilson his answer.

For the next hour the police and paramedics were busy with statements 
and clean 
up while Harm paced, or when his strength gave out, collapsed into a 
nearby chair 
to catch his breath.  His head throbbed, but as bad as he felt, he knew 
she was in 
worse pain.

The call he was waiting for came a long eighty-nine minutes into the 
ordeal, and 
as Wilson listened and made notes, he shuddered with apprehension and 
anxiousness.

Wilson disconnected and motioned to his deputy and to Harm.  "OK, the 
ATM was 
used over on 29-211 and we have an unmarked car now keeping them in 
sight.  
Far as the officer can tell, Ms. Mackenzie is with them.  We're going 
to catch up, 
but we're not going to make it like all Hell is breaking loose.  
Otherwise they might. 
. ."  He left his thought unfinished and Harm sighed.  He knew exactly 
what they 
might do.  

"OK Rabb you can ride with me," Wilson went on.  "Only because I know 
if I don't 
let you you're going to follow anyway and really mess things up."

"Thank you," Harm breathed.  "I won't slow you down."

"No vigilante bullshit now," Wilson cautioned.

"No sir," Harm nodded.  "I only want my friend back."  What he did not 
add was 
that if they had hurt her--really hurt her--he would take them apart.

The headlights and taillights swam in front of his blurred vision as 
Harm stared 
straight ahead, refraining from urging Wilson do drive any faster.  He 
was on 
civilian territory now, and this was a civilian police matter.  Unless 
she was hurt--or 
worse--and then it would become personal really fast.

Wilson's cell rang again and Harm could hear snatches, and he fidgeted 
in the 
seat.  "Block them in.  Our ETA is three minutes."  Wilson dropped the 
phone and 
pressed the gas pedal to the floor.

"Wilson please tell me," Harm begged.

"They stopped for gas at the Shell station just before the Beltway.  
We're not 
going to let them get on 495.  Too easily to lose, and too much traffic 
for a chase.  
It's going down now.  I just hope it waits for us to get there."

Harm clenched his hands into tight fists, his nails cutting into the 
flesh of his palm.  
"Please Jesus please.  Please let her be OK."
   
 Detective Wilson glanced over at his passenger.  The desperation on 
the man's 
face was overwhelming.  This hostage meant more to him than just a 
friend and 
Wilson had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.  If the hostage 
was 
seriously hurt, or God forbid, dead, the man next to him may become a 
dangerous 
liability.  Wilson pushed his foot down on the accelerator, saying a 
silent prayer 
himself that they would get there in time.  
   
 Sirens and the screeching of tires invaded the Marines self-imposed 
catatonia.  
She fought to keep herself in that safe numb place, a place where 
visions of 
Harm's death couldn't torment her.  Mac closed her eyes and willed 
herself to 
escape back into the safety of her own mind.  
 
 "Shit man, there here.  The cops are here already. What do we do?"  
J.J.'s 
panicked voice rose an octave.
 
 Frank jumped out of the car, dragging Mac with him.  She felt the air 
being 
squeezed from her lungs as his arm clenched around her throat.  J.J. 
and Tony 
followed their leader, all of them trying to use Mac as a human shield.
 
 The officers poured from their cars taking cover behind the doors, 
weapons 
drawn.  Harm could see her, as they pushed her limp body in front of 
their own. 
'Something's wrong', he thought to himself, as panic knotted his 
stomach.  
Clenching his teeth he crouched next to the car, trying to get a better 
view.
 
 "Mac's not fighting.  Why isn't she fighting them?"  
 
 His voice came out in a strangled cry, quickly getting lost in the sea 
of voices 
yelling around him.  Policemen were ordering the armed thieves to lay 
down their 
weapons and give up, while the robbers themselves yelled obscenities 
into the 
night.  Harm looked around, quickly assessing the danger, then jumped 
away 
before the detective could stoop him.  He screamed her name, hoping to 
break 
through the wall she had built up around herself.
  
 She could feel herself slipping into the darkness, when she heard his 
voice.  Mac 
looked around as best she could, searching for him.  She caught sight 
of the tall 
sailor staring back at her.  She fought to take another breath, her 
will to survive 
becoming stronger by the second.
  
 All three men were distracted by Harm's scream, making a quick, 
although life-
threatening decision, Detective Wilson fired two shots in quick 
succession. The 
man to the right of Frank and Mac fell straight back without time for a 
reaction.  
The detective aimed and fired once again as Frank returned fire. Mac 
went into 
Marine mode.  She elbowed Frank in the ribs and he let go of her for 
the moment 
she needed to jump out of the line of fire.  Shots ricocheted around 
her, seeming 
to come from all sides.  When the noise finally ceased and the quiet 
surrounded 
her, she gave into the terror and pain and shock and her tears silently 
fell to the 
hard cement.

The silence was eerie and Harm leaped from the car despite Wilson's 
order to the 
contrary.  At that moment getting to Mac was all that mattered to him.  
He sprinted 
to her side, stepping over Frank's lifeless body, and a second later 
had dropped 
beside her, rolling her onto his lap and cradling her to his chest.  

"Breathe Marine," he whispered, bending over her tightly, holding her 
cheek with a 
gentle palm.

"Harm?"

"Yeah.  I've got you.  All over and no one is going to hurt you again."  
He looked 
up to Wilson, his tone changing from tender to demanding.  "Wilson 
where's that 
ambulance?"

"ETA is four," Wilson called.  

"You need that arm set," Harm told her, gently stroking her cheek now.

"And you probably have a concussion."

"Nah, hardheaded."  He rocked her gently and they were silent for 
another minute.  
"You know back at the restaurant I told you after it was over I was 
going to tell you 
exactly how I felt.  You're still going to give me that chance I hope.  
Remember I 
said if you then still wanted to marry him, I'd step aside quietly."

"I know and you bet I'm going to give you the chance," she sighed, 
feeling the 
world begin to slip away from her.  "Harm I. . ." she tried only to 
have the darkness 
take her.

"Jesus God please help her," he moaned, looking around to the police 
gathered in 
the area.

"Mr. Rabb I hear the ambulance," Wilson assured him.  "This time 
tomorrow night 
she'll be whining about hospital food and wanting to go home."
================
Fairfax Hospital
2 Hours later

"For Godsake quit poking at me and let me find my friend," Harm 
demanded.  
"Sarah Mackenzie.  M-A-C-K-E. . ."

"Mr. Rabb we know," Dr. Dugan chided him.  "Please, just let me get you 
wrapped 
up here.  That's a nasty gash and it took a bunch of stitches.  You 
were about a 
half inch from being a dead man you know that don't you?"

"God was paying attention tonight," he sighed.  "For my friend too.  
Please I need 
to see her."

"Macy any word on Ms. Mackenzie?"

The young nurse picked up the phone and when she hung up she was 
smiling.  
"Mr. Rabb, they're keeping her for twenty-four upstairs.  She's just a 
little too rocky 
to send home they've decided with the medication they used to set her 
arm.  And 
she's as desperate to see you as you are her."

"OK go, but I'm sending up word that if you start to get dizzy you're 
to be put to 
bed," Dugan sighed.

"Long as it's with her. . .uh next to hers," Harm grinned.
=============
"Hey."  

Mac's eyes flew open at the familiar voice and the soft word.

"Harm, Harm thank God," she managed to get out before the first sob.  
"They said 
you were OK, but I needed to see."

"Hard headed remember," he whispered, touching his bandage.  "Take more 
than 
this to keep me away from you."

"Something’s been doing a good job for a long while," she sighed, her 
eyes 
pleading his understanding.

"Yeah well there is something about you that did keep me away.  It was 
round and 
gold and you wore it on this hand," he sighed, picking up her left 
hand. 

"Yeah I know.  Harm I don't know what to say.  Or what to do," she 
wailed softly.

"Maybe this will help," he answered at once, leaning down and placing 
the 
gentlest of kisses on her lips.  "Or did that maybe just confuse the 
issue?" he 
asked when he pulled back, though only a small way.  "I love you Sarah.  
And 
that's all I need to say--well that and that I want you to be part of 
my life.  Hell, you 
are my life.  You have been for a very long time.  I was just too 
stupid and too 
blind to acknowledge that."  He took a long breath and let it out 
slowly.  "And that's 
what I wanted to tell you.  I wanted you to know how I felt.  Now if 
you want to go 
ahead with. . ."  He held his breath, waiting for her answer.  Praying 
he would not 
be told she was going ahead with her plans to marry Brumby.

The fingers of her good hand came to rest on his lips.  "I'm not going 
ahead with 
anything except this," she whispered, tears now starting to trail down 
her cheeks.  
"I love you, you stubborn Sailor.  I love you.  It's just that simple."  
Before he could 
reply she moved her hand to the back of his head and brought him back 
to her.  
This kiss was long and loving, and it had shades of the future written 
all over it.

From the doorway, having been summoned by AJ, Mic and Renee stood 
together 
in silent commiseration as they watched that kiss unfold.  Finally she 
started 
forward, only to have him grasp her wrist.  "Don't," he advised softly.  
"It's over for 
us.  We've been beaten by fate. . .and by love."

THE END