TITLE: "Distant Hearts I-Now It Begins" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: The First Chapter of the Distant Hearts series. Set after Head to Toe, Harm and Mac have made their first tentative steps toward coming to grips with the emotions which have swirled around them since their first meeting. In subsequent chapters, events play out that threaten the fragile union. DISCLAIMER: JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al. No copyright infringement is intended with this work of fiction. FEEDBACK: Yes, if you're moved to do so, to [SSbpmn@aol.com] and it would be much appreciated by both of us. However, if your intent is only to tell us you are not liking our work, please don't spend the time. While we realize our work does not please everyone, we do ask that the journey be respected. NOTE: All parts of this story, as well as much of our other work, will be available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories No subbing is required to read from the message archives. Also our other efforts should be available at http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html **************** "Distant Hearts 1--Now it Begins" JAG HQ's Friday, April 5th 4:00 PM "Good job Commander" Sturgis said as he and Harm walked back from the courtroom. "You surprised me again." "When are you going to learn Sturgis" Harm smiled. "You always think you have it in the bag way too soon." "You're just lucky you found that witness. Otherwise your client would be sitting in the brig where he belongs." "If he was so guilty how come you couldn't prove it" Harm countered. "Minor detail" Sturgis grinned. "So you got plans for tonight?" "Why did Bobbi stand you up?" Harm teased. "No. She's out of town. I thought we could hang out for a while at the bar. You know have a few drinks, watch some of the game." "Sorry buddy, I already got plans." "With who?" "Like it's any of your business" Harm smiled. "Must be Mac then" Sturgis grinned. "And don't even tell me it's not because I've seen you two together recently." "Sturgis we're giving this a try" Harm said as they walked into his office. "And we're keeping it low profile for the moment. So just keep any and all thoughts to yourself." "My lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me." As he said the words he remembered Mac's confession to him about Harm and he wondered just how close the two had really gotten. He'd noticed that they'd more relaxed with each other, occasionally sharing lunch and hanging out together. He hadn't realized that they'd been seeing each other outside of JAG and he hoped this time they'd get it right. "Thanks. We just don't want everyone to know what we're doing." "Understood. So what are you two doing tonight?" "We're going to watch the sunset" Harm smiled. "Which is why I need to get out of here." "Harm the sun doesn't set for another two and half hours" Sturgis replied. "I know. But there's some drive time involved. And now I really need to go so I don't leave a certain Marine Colonel waiting." "Have fun" Sturgis said as Harm hurried out. Leesburg, VA 1 Hour Later "I thought maybe you'd ditched me sailor" Mac smiled as Harm pulled his red corvette next to hers. "Sorry. Sturgis wanted to babble. But we've still got plenty of time." "For what?" she asked. "Why did you have me leave Quantico early to meet you here? Fortunately I had everything wrapped up otherwise you'd be standing here alone." "Sorry about the short notice" he smiled. "But the idea didn't hit me until I went outside during the lunch." "I'll forgive you this time" she smiled back. "So what are we doing here?" "We are going to watch the sunset" Harm smiled. "But not from the ground." "Oh my gosh I completely forgot this is where you keep Sarah" Mac gasped. "It's been so long." "Yes it has. And hopefully this trip will not be anything like the last." He managed to suppers a shudder at the thought of their excursion in the mountains that time. "I trust you" she said softly. "Besides you were the one who got us out of that mess anyway." "After I got us into it" he countered. "But enough of that. Are you ready to watch the sunset Colonel?" "Yes I am" she smiled. He sheepishly reached for her hand and hand in hand they walked to the hanger. "Wondered if you were still coming" the older man greeted them. "How you doing Harm?" "Just fine Pops" Harm smiled. "I can see that" Pops grinned as well. "With someone that beautiful beside you I'm sure you are." Mac blushed at the older man's words and Harm squeezed her hand. "Pops, this is my partner, Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." "Nice to meet you Sarah. And the other Sarah is already to go. Double checked everything myself after you called." "You won't mind if I check again myself" Harm grinned. "Figured you'd say that" Pops smiled. "Go on. I'll just talk to this lovely lady if you don't mind." "You be sure and take a double check of that fuel line," she yelled as Harm ducked under the plane. "Yes ma'am but you know if I'm going to teach you to fly you should learn to do pre- flight yourself." "Do I look like. . ." she began and then stopped to digest what he said. She nodded to Pops and holding to one of the struts, dropped down beside him. "Uh excuse me. Did I just hear you say you wanted to teach me to fly?" "Yeah is that such a bad notion? You'd make a good pilot." She gave a short laugh. "Me. Me fly your baby here?" "Well I was more thinking of you learning in something like a Piper where we can share the front." "I didn't think you meant Sarah here." He swung back to an upright position and pulled her up beside him before answering. "Only because a Piper is easier, not because I'm afraid you'd hurt her." "Right." She laughed and tossed her head as she pretended indignation. "Besides who said I wanted to learn?" "I just thought it would be something we might share," he replied quietly, suddenly shy. "No?" She broke into a slow smile. "Yeah I think it bears negotiation." "I'd like that," he smiled, that same shy smile that she suddenly found endearing, and for a second their eyes held their gaze. "So does this crate move?" she demanded, breaking the spell. "Oh yeah," he grinned, taking her arm and guiding her to the wing. "You remember how to mount? You were kind of out of it the last time." "I can handle it," she told him, vaulting onto the wing and then into the seat. "Helmet and goggles," he reminded her, gesturing her under the seat. A few minutes later the small yellow plane was rolling down the runway and after that climbing into the sky. Harm turned west, shielding his eyes from the huge orange ball that was beginning to cause the sky to paint itself shades of yellow and gold that rapidly changed to streaks of all the spectrum that was the color red. "Harm it's beautiful," she gasped after several minutes had elapsed, leaning forward as far as she could to speak into his ear. "Yeah I know. I thought you'd like it. And there's the river. We'll follow it a little ways and then I'm going to set it down in the grass OK?" "Uh. . . .I'm getting a bad flashback to a few years back," she laughed. "We're fifty miles north of there," he promised, bringing the plane in low over the water as the sunset colors reflected back. "See totally different area. And there's a roast beef hoagie down here with your name on it." "Is there anything you didn't think of?" "Yeah how we're going to land when the wheel is locked." "HARM?" "Kidding, KIDDING," he yelped and broke into laughter at her panic. "You wait until we're on the ground," she muttered. "I can't strangle you in mid air. I don't know how to land this thing." "Right over there." He pointed to a long grassy meadow along the riverbank and guided the biplane to a slightly bumpy landing. "We're in." "And we're going to get out easily right?" "No worries," he grinned teasingly, as he climbed from the cockpit and vaulted from the wing. ""Well come on." He held up his hands to her, offering assistance as she levered herself out. He caught her as she jumped down, swinging her around once before setting her on her feet. "You know you're a different guy when you're away from JAG," she laughed and gave him a quick push, taking off at a dead run for the river. It didn't take him long to catch up to her. His long arms stretched for her, finally grasping her. They tumbled to the ground laughing hard, Harm managing to grab her arms and pin her down. "You know I could tickle you silly" he threatened. "Is that the best you can come up with Rabb?" she grinned. "Well I could do this," he said as he leaned closer to her. She held her breath as his lips slowly moved closer, connecting with hers in a gentle kiss. "That would work too" she smiled. "But this would be more fun" he said as he started to tickle her. "Harm stop" she giggled. "Give me one good reason" he grinned as he continued to tickle her. "Harm" she begged between laughs. "All right" he said as finally stopped. "I'll let you off this time. But what was that comment about me being different when I'm not at JAG." "I was just saying how much more fun you are" she smiled. "I happen to like this Harmon Rabb." "Well good cause he happens to like you" Harm smiled. "You hungry now that we've run a marathon. Course the picnic basket is back at the plane." "And because you're such a gentleman you're going to go back and get it while I sit here by the river and watch the rest of the sunset. Which by the way is spectacular." "I thought you'd like it. I'll be right back. Don't move." She was still staring up at the last traces of the sunset when he returned with the picnic basket and blanket as well as a battery powered lantern. "I'm impressed. You thought of everything." "Well I didn't think we'd want to hurry back right away," he said as he spread out the blanket. "At least I hoped we wouldn't." "No this is perfect up here" she sighed. "Now all I need is one of those sandwiches you promised me." "Always thinking about food" he laughed as he opened the picnic basket. "One roast beef for you, one tuna for me." "Thank you. For everything. This is wonderful tonight." "Your welcome. I wanted to do something nice. And since you've been stuck down at Quantico all week I figured this was just what you needed. Plus I've missed you." "You missed me?" she smiled. "Did I hear that right?" "Well there's only so much of Sturgis I can handle" Harm grinned. "Besides you're much prettier to look at in court than him." "I think that's a compliment" she laughed. "Yes it is." "Well I've missed you too. Having to work with Lt. Singer is not my idea of a good time." "Better you than me" Harm grinned. "So how is Lieutenant Witch this week?" "Harm you are so bad" Mac smiled. "You know if she finds out you call her that she's going to file charges against you." "I'm not worried. Oh I should warn you that Sturgis is on to us." "You told him we were going out?" "He guessed. But he promised to keep it secret. So our secret is safe." "Good" she said softly, thinking of the secret she'd let slip to Sturgis a few months earlier. So far he hadn't said anything and she hadn't brought up the subject again. "So were you serious about teaching me how to fly?" "Sure. If you wanted to." "I may take you up on that offer." They fell into silence as they ate, enjoying the last traces of the sunset. "You know at times like this it seems like those two years never happened" Harm said quietly. "You mean the ones where it seemed like I lost my best friend" she said softly. He nodded slowly. "You know we've never really talked about all that." "Should we?" she asked. "Or is it better left in the past?" "Maybe it is. But for the record, you never lost your best friend. I was always there. But as they say, three's a crowd." "Yeah I know" she sighed. "But I only turned to him because you were gone." "Guilty" he said with a long sigh. "If I'd known that that one decision would cause two years of upheaval I would never have left you and JAG." "Serious. Even though flying is still in your blood." "Flying will always be in my blood" he smiled. "Which is why I have Sarah. Cause one day the Navy is going to tell this old guy he has to hang it up for good. And this will be all I'll have." "You'll have me," she said softly. "I hope I can be that lucky," he said just as softly. She had been stretching out while they were talking and with those words she immediately rolled over to look intently at him. "See this is exactly what I mean. You are a different Rabb away from JAG." She reached out to press the back of her hand against his cheek. "And I'm not going anywhere. We've stumbled and stuttered Harm, but I meant what I said. You'll have me." She held his gaze for a few seconds more and then rolled back the other way, deliberately looking away. "If that's what you think you really want," she added, almost inaudibly. "You know it is," he growled, bringing her back to him. "Mac. . .Sarah. . .I want so much to put the past behind us. So much to finally see what we have--what we've always had and been too blind and stupid to allow." She nodded slowly, again locking her eyes to his face. "All the months between the time you left. . .Sydney--Mic--Renee--the wedding--your mishap. . .it's all jumbled up. You know sometimes I think I'm on a runaway freight train that I can neither stop nor get off." "Maybe this will help to stop that train," he smiled and kissed her again. Still gentle, but more than before. "It's slowing way down," she panted, her eyes shining with tears unshed. "Good. Come on, let's walk that dinner off. There's enough light with the moon and lantern so we won't fall in the river." "You're not running from what you just did are you Squid?" "No way in hell," he grinned and then turned sober. "Yeah OK guilty. Sometimes emotion is hard for me. I couldn't do it hardly at all with Renee, which of course just made her crazy. But god I have a hard time with it when it's real. To pretend. . ." He shrugged helplessly. "Anyway, all I know is I want to be different with you. I want to show you what you mean to me, because that's not a lie--it's not pretend. You'll just have to be a little patient with me OK?" She smiled one of her soft gentle smiles and pushed a lock of hair away that had fallen onto his forehead. "I think this Marine is up to that. You ready to walk?" Before he could answer she scrambled to her feet and grabbed his hand, pulling him up and threading their fingers together. "Now I'm ready," he laughed, pressing his fingers tightly against hers as he scooped up the lantern with the other hand. He led her to the rocks along the bank and grasped her even more firmly. "Don't want you falling in." Then he laughed lightly and shook his head. "What? What was that dirty laugh Flyboy?" "I was just having a flash of you in a wet t-shirt," he admitted, having the good grace to blush slightly. "You know you're lucky you're not in the drink right now yourself," she muttered, giving him a playful push. They fell silent as they concentrated on negotiating the rocks as the terrain rose slightly, until finally two miles later he climbed onto a large boulder and pulled her up beside him, wrapping his arms around her from behind as the sat. "How you doing Marine, you happy?" he whispered, his mouth to her ear. "Very" Mac sighed. "Which scares me." "Why?" "Because every time you think you have life figured out, someone throws you a curve ball" she smiled as she turned her head to look at him. "Mac you're entitled to some happiness too" he said softly. "You think so," she said softly. "Yes and I think I know the person who's going to make sure you stay happy" he whispered. "That's an awful big task sailor. You think you can handle it?" "I'd like a shot at it." "Well so far you're doing pretty good" she smiled. "And right now I'm just happy that we're at least back to this point." "Me too. And we don't have to hurry into anything if you don't want to." "I just don't want us to ruin what we've gotten back," she said softly. "It's taken a long time Harm." "Yes it has. And I don't want to lose this either. So we'll just take this one step at a time." "I think I can handle that." They sat there enjoying the quiet and each other before finally heading back to the plane. The night air had begun to chill and Harm draped his arm over Mac's shoulder as they walked. "Thanks for tonight" she said softly. "This was perfect." "My pleasure. Now all I have to do is get you back home safely and maybe I won't have to wait five years to get you to come up with me again." "I haven't seen any poachers" she teased. "And as long as you checked that fuel line we should be fine." "Triple checked it" he smiled. He helped her climb back in and moments later the yellow bi plane was once again airborne. He landed smoothly at the airstrip in Leesburg and hurried out to help her out. "Little cold?" he asked. "Nothing a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate won't fix" she assured him. "Can I join you for that?" he grinned. "Warm shower no. Cup of hot chocolate yes. You want to follow me back to my place?" "I can do that. Unless you'd rather have some time to yourself. I'd understand." "No that's fine. I'm enjoying tonight too much to say goodnight already," she said softly. "Me too" Harm smiled. "Just give me a minute to get Sarah put away and then we can head home." ************* "Perfect end to a perfect evening" Mac said sleepily a few hours later as she sat snuggled against Harm. He'd stopped and rented a movie, which they'd watched while drinking their hot chocolate. "Yes it was" Harm agreed. "And before you fall asleep I'm out of here." "You have plans for the rest of the weekend?" she asked casually. "Not really. Sturgis was all bummed because Bobbi's out of town so I might hang out with him tomorrow night. Unless I get a better offer." "You think I was going to offer?" she teased. "Well you know it's your turn to impress me" he grinned. "I think I did pretty good tonight." "Um, so you want me to impress you this time" she said thoughtfully. "That's a tough act to follow sailor." "I'm just kidding. I did tonight because I want to do something special. For you. For us. But if you invited me just to come here and watch a movie with you tomorrow I'd ditch Sturgis in a minute." "I'm glad I rate above him" she smiled. "You rate way above him" Harm whispered as he leaned closer for another kiss. "I'll give you about five more years to stop doing that before I get upset," she whispered, snaking her arm around his neck for yet another. "And if I do this much longer you're never going to get rid of me tonight," he told her. "And that would be bad?" "For our one step at a time it would be," he reminded her solemnly. "You know we've been given yet another chance here to get it right between us. But it's going to take both of us being real careful and watching each other to make it work. I guess I have this feeling that we won't get another after this one." "Fair enough," she nodded. "But there's going to be a time when we're not going end the evening at one of our doors right?" "Oh yeah and that's a promise," he vowed. "Good night. Let me call you tomorrow and we'll see what we can do." "I'll be here. Newnan case remember and about eight others I need to work on. Speaking of Newnan, tell that moron you're representing not to get too attached to those captain's bars." "Being a moron isn't grounds for Leavenworth," Harm grinned. "No but being a wife beater is," she returned. "Good night." =================== 2PM Saturday "Colonel Mackenzie," she said automatically into the phone. "Hello. Plan B Colonel. I'll be there in thirty. Jeans and sweatshirt please." And with that Harm hung up. "Plan B huh?" she demanded when she opened the door for him thirty-four minutes later, accepting the quick kiss he leaned down to give her. "No dinner and a movie?" "Of course. I have the movie in the car and dinner will be ordered in from Dum Fucs down the street." "Harm that's Dim Fungs and you know it," she groaned, taking a moment to appreciate the sight of him in his black jeans and gray Annapolis sweatshirt, even as he was doing the same with her in her Marine Corps green over dark blue. "You want to share where we're going?" "No I don't," he grinned, "but you're dressed perfectly." His hand went to her back as he guided her down the steps and out to the SUV. "I gather this destination is an outdoor thing?" "Of course it is. The day is too perfect to waste sitting inside." Indeed the Almighty had blessed DC with a beautiful warm Saturday for early spring and people were out in droves to see the Cherry Blossoms. Skillfully he threaded his way through the DC traffic until they were pulling into Rock Creek Park. "Harm. . .uh. . .I'm not dressed for running and truly I haven't been back here since the . . .well since the murder." "Good I'm glad," he said firmly. "I hope you never come here again to run after that. But that's not what we'll be doing." From the main road he turned down a long driveway and a few minutes later he was parking in front of the stables. "Horses? You're not serious." "Of course I am. You do ride don't you?" "Merry go round horses," she yelped. "Harm do I look like some rich kid who took riding lessons every summer." "Then I guess I'm going to teach you," he grinned. "Come on Marine, show me what you're made of here." "Since when do you ride anyway Roy Rogers?" "Summers at Grams of course," he laughed. "Dusty. A palomino that was my dad's. I rode him every summer until he died the summer I was thirteen. You know I don't think I cried that hard since I was six and my dad. . . " At once she reached for his hand. "Hey dark thoughts on a beautiful day. So Cowboy we going to mount up or what here?" "Maybe we shouldn't do this," he said suddenly. "You haven't done this before and I don’t want you to get hurt." "Harm I think I handle a horse" Mac laughed. "Besides, the worst I can get is a sore six." "No you could fall off," he said seriously. "I didn't realize you'd never done this before." "Harm I want to try. Now quit being such a worry wart and let's go find some horses to ride." "All right, but I'm sticking real close and we're going real slow." Minutes later they were slowly making their way down the trail, Harm keeping a close eye on her as they went. "You know this is the last thing I would have pictured you doing," she said as he guided his horse next to hers. "Why is that?" "Because you fly an F-14 at mach 1 and drive a corvette at about 100 mph" she laughed. "This is way too slow for you." "Every once in a while I like to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life" he smiled. "Like a warm spring afternoon at the park with you." "Rabb you are getting so sappy in your old age" Mac smiled. "Honestly don't these things go any faster." "We're taking it slow" he reminded her. "You think being on the horse for five minutes makes you Dale Evans." "I just think I could handle going a little faster than this snail pace." "Just humor the old guy and keep it slow" Harm smiled. "Please." "All right. But wake me up when we get to wherever we're going" she laughed. "Cute Marine. Try and take you out for a nice quiet day at the park and this is the thanks I get." "I'm kidding. This is fun. I just really would never have pictured you doing this." "There's a lot of things you don't know about me," Harm said with a small smile. "You still sleep with your teddy bear" Mac teased and he couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah I do" he grinned. "You know I was trying to be serious here." "Sorry. I'm just not used to this yet. You being so serious and open I mean." "Mac I told you I was serious about making this work for us this time. And the only way that's going to happen is if we're both honest and open about how we feel." "Well I'd like to know these things about you that I don't know" she said softly. "Things like this." "And I'm sure there's things I don't know about you." "I don’t have many secrets" Mac sighed. "You've pretty much seen my life as it was. All the good and bad that it's been." "Well maybe its time for the good times to start again" Harm smiled. "With you?" she smiled. "I hope so." She was about to reply when a stray dog suddenly came running out of the woods in front of them, barking ferociously at the horses. Before Harm could warn her, Mac's horse took off galloping. "Harm" she screamed as she held on desperately to the reigns. "Mac hang on," he yelled, spurring his horse into action. He could see her clinging to the horse and he prayed she wouldn't fall off. "Harm I'm slipping" she cried as she felt herself losing her grip. "Hold on" he yelled. "Please just hold on." To his relief the frightened horse finally started to slow, finally coming to a rest when Mac managed to pull back on the reigns. "Are you okay?" he asked as he quickly helped her down and brought her trembling body against him. "I think so," she said with a deep breath. "But don't let go anytime soon." "I won't" he promised as he held her tighter. "I'm just glad you managed to hang on." "Me too" she whispered as she buried her head against him. For several minutes he simply held her, her body finally relaxing against his. "You okay?" he asked again as she raised her head to look at him. "I'm fine now. And that's what I get for saying he was going to slow. I think I liked the slower pace better." "I'm sorry. I guess this wasn't such a good idea." "No it was. I had fun. Up till the part where Trigger over there decided he was doing the run for the roses. I wasn't quite expecting that." "I'm just glad you're okay," he said softly, his green eyes staring into hers. "I'm getting way too attached to you to have anything happen to you." "You are?" she whispered. "I am," he said before his lips meet hers in a long kiss that left them both breathless. "WOH sailor" she panted when they parted. "Sorry" he grinned sheepishly. "I think I'm pushing ahead too much aren't I?" "I'm not complaining" she smiled back. "I just don't want to mess this up." "We won't" he promised. "Nothing will mess this up. It's finally our turn." "I want to think that too," she breathed, resting her head on his chest for a minute and then pulling away from him to walk a few feet off the trail. She leaned her back against a tree and looked at him intently. "What? What's going through that pretty head of yours?" She gave him a sheepish smile. "I'm just happy. . .and worried." "About us?" "A little bit. I'm afraid to be hopeful." The words came from her in a rush and she looked as if she wanted to take them back." "That doesn't sound real trusting of me." "Do you remember what I told you the night of my engagement party?" He smiled helplessly. "We said an awful lot that night. Could you narrow it a bit." "I told you that two years before Jordan had told me that you were with her only until I decided I wanted you. Getting familiar." He nodded slowly. "And it was that theory which you put into practice in Sydney. And I stood there like I had the IQ of a grape and just let you tell me that we could have something and I ignored that and babbled about how we're still the same people." "Yeah," she said quietly. "Harm what we've had since Saudi has been great and I've just been real caught up in it. Now I know we said we'd be slow and careful and I love. . .uh thank you for that." "But. I hear that coming up." "See for a long time I lived on Jordan's words. And then I acted on them." "And I let you down." "Yeah you did," she smiled sheepishly. "But I got over it." "In Mic Brumby's arms." "I got over it," she repeated. "But it's not quite that simple." "So what you're saying is that you're afraid I'll let you down now." "Not afraid exactly. Concerned yeah. Harm you have to understand, I'm not sure I can take another failed relationship. More than that, I can't take failure between us. I feel like it's so close and yet. . ." She stopped and let her eyes convey the rest. A slow smile spread over his face and he reached his arms out toward her. "I'm scared too." For a long moment she did not move or speak and he held his breath. "Thank you. We can be scared together," she said finally and stepped forward into the circle of his embrace. "Thank you," she repeated, her voice tearful. He cupped the back of her head and pressed her forehead into the softness of his sweatshirt. "We're going to make this work honey," he said, his own voice choked with emotion. "We're going to do our damnedest to make this work. And that's a promise." He rocked with her for several minutes, his cheek resting on the top of her head. "We're going to be all right you and me," he said finally. "We've started something wonderful here. Something that can be for the rest of our lives if we're careful with it." "I like the sound of that," she sighed, lifting her head and smiling when he thumbed away the dampness from her cheeks. "I'm ready to start back." "Shall we walk?" "Hell no," she yelped. "We've got two good horses here. I was just getting the hang of it. No way I'm walking. Boost me up there Sailor. "You sure?" he asked. "We can easily walk back." "I'm sure. As long as there's no more wild dogs running around we'll be fine" she said with a smile. He finally relented and helped her up on the horse again. The ride back was slow and calm, Harm keeping as close to her horse as he could. "See we're back safe and sound" she said when they reached the stables. "Did you have fun?" he asked. "And be honest." "I was with you" she smiled. "That made it fun. And with the exception of the little incident, yes I had fun. But I think for the evening I'll be happy with the movie at my place." "Me too" he smiled. Hours later they lay snuggled in each other's arms as the credits to the movie rolled on the screen. "Tired?" Harm asked softly as Mac attempted to stifle a yawn. "Content" she corrected. "Totally content." "Well you look pretty sleepy" he smiled. "I should get out of here and let you get some sleep." "There's no hurry," she said softly. "I'm not kicking you out yet." He was about to reply when her phone rang and with a long sigh she pushed herself up and hurried to answer it. "Colonel Mackenzie" "Good one of you is home" AJ replied. "You haven't seen your partner today have you?" "Actually he's here," Mac said with a small smile. "Did you need to talk to him?" "No you can convey the message. You two need to be at Andrews tomorrow at 18:00." "Why sir?" "I wish I could tell you that. I just got word from the SecNav's office that he's requested you two for an assignment and that you're to meet him and Commander Lindsay tomorrow evening. That's all the information I received." "I guess we'll be there then" Mac sighed. "Did he say how long?" "No but he did tell me I may want to reassign anything you two were working on" AJ replied. "I've already called Lt. Roberts and he's available tomorrow afternoon so he can take over the McPherson case Harm was handling. I've also asked Commander Turner to come in so you can bring him up to speed on your investigation at Quantico. Can you and Harm be here at 14:00 hours?" "Doesn't sound like we have much choice sir" Mac said as she looked over at Harm who was now watching her curiously. "We'll be there." "We'll be where?" Harm asked when she hung up. "That was the Admiral. The SecNav has requested us for an assignment. We're to meet him and Commander Lindsay at Andrews at 18:00 tomorrow." "Did the Admiral say why?" "He doesn't know why either" Mac sighed. "But the SecNav told him to reassign our cases to someone else so you and I are meeting Sturgis and Bud at JAG tomorrow at 14:00 so you can go over the McPherson case with Bud and I can go over my investigation at Quantico with Sturgis." "Wonder what's so top secret that the SecNav didn't even tell the Admiral why he wanted us" Harm sighed. "No idea. But I don't think we have much choice." "Well at least you'll be stuck with me instead of Lt. Witch" Harm grinned. "I know you weren't looking forward to another week with her." "You and Commander Lindsay and the SecNav" Mac groaned. "Somehow this doesn't sound like fun." "No it doesn't" Harm agreed. "I just wish they'd told us what they was about. No clue where we're going." "Not unless the Admiral neglected to tell me. But it didn't sound like he knew too much about what was going on." "I guess I'd better get going then" Harm sighed as he stood up. "You want me to pick you up tomorrow? We can go straight to Andrews after we have dinner and that way you won't have to leave your car there?" "Thanks that sounds good," Mac said as she led him to the door. "And thanks for today. It was fun. Well most of it was." "I had fun today too," he said before leaning down for a kiss. "Good night Sarah." "Good night Harm" she whispered. **************************************** JAG HQ's 4 PM EST "Bud you'll be fine" Harm assured him. "McPherson is guilty and you'll have no problem proving it. And don't let his civilian attorney scare you." "I won't sir" Bud sighed. "But I know if you were the one handling this there would be no question about the outcome." "Lt., you're a damn good attorney" Harm said seriously. "And I'm sure you'll have no problem getting a guilty verdict." "Thanks for the vote of confidence" Bud said with a small smile. "You sure you can't tell me where you'll be in case I need to call you." "Bud I don't know where we're going. If I did, I'd be happy to tell you. But you'll be fine." "You two finished?" Mac asked as she walked into Harm's office. "Hungry Marine who'd like to eat before we leave for wherever we're going." "We're done" Harm said as he stood up. "Bud you'll do fine." "Harm they still haven't told you where you're going?" Turner had followed Mac in to say goodbye. "No they haven't," he groaned and shot a long look at Mac, his brow furrowed. Though he had not given the assignment a great deal of thought while they were getting their desks in order for the trip, at the same time there was something about it that was nagging at him, not the least of which was the fact that Mac was accompanying him. Somewhere deep inside a little alarm warning light was blinking. "Harm? HARM." Mac's raised voice and her urgent shake of his arm finally got his attention. "Hey you spaced out on me Sailor. You OK?" "Yeah of course," he told her irritably. "Something just got on my mind and I couldn't let it go." "Something you want to share?" "You want to talk or go eat before we have to spend a fun filled flight with the Secnav," he snapped and shook his head as soon as he heard himself. "Sorry. Just ignore me. I'm just getting a really strange vibe that's all." "I'm very good at that--ignoring you I mean," she laughed and took his arm. "Come on Squid. You're probably not all packed and I know I'm not. Plus starving." "You too take care and behave yourselves," Turner grinned. "Mac look after this guy will you." "Yeah I can handle that," she smiled and patted his arm as they walked out. "Sir, you think the Colonel and Commander. . ." Bud began only to be cut off by Turner's wave of his hand. "Son when I first got here I meddled a little bit in that and learned my lesson. What I think is that God knows what He's got in store for them. And that they're feeling their way together and need to be left to do that." "Yes sir." ========== OLIVE GARDEN Camp Springs MD "Harm you're picking," Mac laughed, having polished off her chicken alfredo and reaching over to spear one of his cheese ravioli patties. "Sorry." "Harm for godsake tell me what's on your mind, before it eats you up," she begged. "I'm fine really." As if to prove his point he popped a large chunk of the ravioli into his mouth, only to choke almost at once. "Sailor you're incredible," she laughed, reaching over to pound his back. To her surprise his eyes widened and his mouth opened but no sound came out. "Harm can you breathe? Are you choking?" Her words poured forth in her alarm. His hand went to his throat and he nodded, his lips already tingeing with blue. "OK mister I'm going to help you and you're going to be fine," she yelped, looking around as she spoke for assistance. The two tables on either side of them were empty and she knew her time was running out. She wrapped her arms around him under his arms and pulled him to his feet, then as she had been taught gave him a sharp upper thrust just under his sternum. Nothing. "Harm work with me here," she hissed. "That's an order. Let go of that pasta." Another thrust, this one with strength born of fear, and a second later the chunk of food shot forth, landing with a decided plop on the table. He took in a long huge gasp of air to match her own gasp of relief and she lowered him to the chair, her eyes never leaving his face as she watched his color return and his breathing ease. "You do know how to show a girl a good time," she laughed finally, brushing the back of her hand against his face. "Tell me you're OK." "Yeah I think so," he panted. "I think I owe you my life." "Oh please it was a piece of pasta, not a bullet," she groaned, using sarcasm to help her own fear dissipate. "But if you want to show your gratitude later, I won't object." "I'm serious" he whispered. "I would have died." "Okay don't get dramatic on me sailor" she said as she sniffled back the tears she suddenly felt stinging. "Don't even say that. You would not have died. I would never have let you." Her words ended with a long sniffle and he reached for her. They clung to each other for several minutes before finally letting go. "You're really okay?" she asked as he thumbed away a stray tear that had escaped. "I'm okay. Thanks to you. You saved my life." "Let's not talk about it anymore" she whispered. "And if you ever scare me again like that I'm going to hurt you." "I'll try not to " he said with a small smile. "I guess we'd better get going. Don't want to be late." "You know you never told me what's bothering you," she said as they walked to the car, ominous looking clouds looming just to the west. "You'll laugh if I tell you" he sighed as they climbed into the car. "I will not. Now tell me what's wrong?" "I have this feeling that something is going to happen," he said quietly. "Something bad." "I think we've covered that already" Mac reminded him. "Mac I'm serious. I just have a bad feeling about this assignment. Maybe it's just because we haven't been told where we're going but I can't shake this feeling that something is wrong." A crack of thunder and flash of lightening made him jump and she looked over at him curiously. "Okay calm down sailor" Mac said as she put a gentle hand to his arm. "I'm sure we'll be fine. And you're probably just uneasy cause you don't know what's going on." "I hope that's all it is" Harm sighed. They arrived at Andrews at the appointed time, Commander Lindsay and the SecNav already waiting for them. "Commander, Colonel" the SecNav nodded as they walked up to him. "Glad to see you're on time. We'll be taking off here shortly." "Taking off to where sir?" Harm asked. "You'll find out once we've taken off." A half-hour later they were still waiting when a red faced young man hurried over to the SecNav. "Sir, I'm sorry but there's some mechanical problems with your jet" he stammered. "We need a part but it's going to be several hours before we can get it." "Lieutenant, we need to leave now," the SecNav said firmly. "I need to be in Rota for a meeting tomorrow. Now you find a way to get us there." "I'm getting that feeling again" Harm murmured to Mac. "Stop it. We'll be fine. They'll get another plane and we'll be fine. We're traveling with the SecNav for goodness sake." Five minutes later they were led to a large transport plane, the storm that had been threatening now upon them. "Sir maybe we should wait for your jet" Commander Lindsay said as they boarded the plane and looked around at the cargo already on the plane. "We don't have time to wait" the SecNav snapped. "This will do fine." "Sirs, ma'am, I'm going to suggest you put on the life vests" the young copilot said as they climbed aboard. "The weather's a bit rough out there." "Just get us up in the air" the SecNav growled. "First class all the way" Mac whispered as she dropped into two empty seats on the left side of the plane, Harm dropping down next to her. "Here" he said as he handed her the vest from above. She quickly donned the vest, Harm doing the same. Next to them, Commander Lindsay looked around nervously but didn't put on the vest. "Remind me to ask the Admiral what we did to deserve this" Harm hissed as he sat down. Moments later the large plane slowly lifted into the air, Harm holding his breath as the thunder crashed around them. "You okay?" Mac whispered a few minutes later when they were finally airborne. "Yeah fine" he said with a forced smiled as he let out a long sigh. The SecNav and Commander Lindsay were talking in whispers beside them and Harm waited impatiently for them to tell them what this assignment was about. "So are we going to find out where this is about?" Harm demanded finally. "Sir do you want me to tell them?" Commander Lindsay asked as he turned to the SecNav. "Go ahead" the SecNav growled. "But only what they need to know." "Yes sir" Commander Lindsay said as he opened up his briefcase and pulled out a large file. Before he could open it, a loud noise rocked the plane and Mac grabbed onto Harm's hand as the plane lurched back and forth. "What the hell's going on?" the SecNav demanded. The plane suddenly began to descend and Mac clutched Harm's hand. "We're going to crash" she whispered. "They'll likely try and set it down in the water" Harm said as calmly as he could. Water. The Atlantic Ocean. Where he'd spend a long cold night less than a year ago. Moments later there was a loud crash as the plane hit the water, Mac thrown from her seat before Harm could stop her. She landed on the floor and Harm frantically attempted to reach for her while grabbing on to whatever he could until the plane stopped its forward movement, shouting her name all the while. The impact had split the craft apart at the tail section and almost at once it started to fill with the icy sea water. "Inflate your vests and get out. I've got the door open up here. Come this way" the pilot was shouting from the cockpit door back to the cargo area. "I've sent a Mayday but with the storm I'm not sure how soon help will get here." Not far from Harm, Secnav and Lindsay were treading water and Harm turned his attention toward where he had last seen Mac. He was horrified to see that her head had disappeared from view and he screamed her name, flinging himself into the dark water. His first dive yielded nothing and he broke the surface, gasping for air. "Rabb we need to get out of here," Lindsay shouted, his arms flailing wildly. "You both go," he shouted back. "I'm not leaving without her." Another long breath and he dove once more, feeling the suction force of the sinking craft. This time he was rewarded with the feel of her pliant body, weakening with the effort to pull herself free of the crate that was pinning her between it and the floor. With strength born of desperation, he shoved the crate from her and she practically floated into his arms. With the water all but filling the aircraft he pulled her with him, not knowing if she was even breathing, and praying as fervently as he ever had, he brought her up with him. His own lungs burned and his eyes were stinging badly from the salt water, but nothing would make him let go of his precious cargo. There was just enough space in the aircraft for him to get in one long breath before he plunged them both toward the cockpit and out the door. The sea swallowed him almost at once and he fought back with one arm, pulling them both to the surface and then yanking the cords of their life vests. He could hear the shouts of the three crewmen and the captain asking for the survivors to identify themselves. "Rabb and Mackenzie," he hollered. "I don't know about the Secnav and Lindsay. I had to get her out and when I came up I didn't see them." "We'll check for them." Hardly daring to breathe, he knew his next duty was to determine Mac's condition. "Mac talk me," he begged. "Mac stay with me please." Her head lolled in the neck padding of the life jacket and he barely made his hand move, reaching in to check for a pulse. At first his hand shook so bad and was so numb from the cold water he felt nothing. The ice on the outside of his body was warm compared to the cold that seeped from his belly as he contemplated that he might be holding her body. "Mac. MAC." His scream was heard even above the storm and he pressed his fingertips more firmly against her neck. There. Yes it was there. Pulse. Weak but there. Breathing was the next thing. Carefully, treading water by kicking his feet as hard as he could to keep them afloat, he took her face between his hands and to his utter horror, could detect no sign she was breathing. "No Marine, this is not going to make it," he roared, his mouth closing over hers an instant later and he began rescue breaths, forcing himself to be outwardly calm, knowing it was the best way to help her, though inside he felt anything but. "God please, please don't take her from me," he whispered when his first set was finished. A low moan escaped her just as he was about to begin anew and with that moan came the spewing of what seemed like gallons of seawater from her nose and mouth. As best he could with the cumbersome lifevest, he rubbed her back and murmured soothingly until the heaving finally stopped, leaving her gasping for air and moaning softly. "Shhhh OK. You're OK," he soothed. "I've got you." "We crashed. Harm we went down." Her eyes were wide with terror as she looked around, seeing nothing other than Harm and the dark rolling ocean. "Yeah we did. The pilot did a helluva job getting the plane down like he did. Remind me to buy him a drink. But none of that's important now. I want to know if you're OK. You breathing OK?" "Yeah I think so," she answered, not sounding certain at all. "Not good enough," Harm scolded sharply. "Slow deep breaths now and we're going to get you help. They sent a mayday. It won't be long." "Yeah that's what I thought that night you bailed," she whispered, trying to hold back tears and not succeeding. "Where are you hurt?" he demanded, reading the look of pain on her face at once, and pulling her as close to him as the bulky vests would allow. "Are you in pain?" "My chest hurts," she gasped, his question making her assess how she was and new fear appearing on her face "But I can't feel anything else. Harm, I don't think I can move my legs." He swallowed hard as he tried to keep down his panic. "You're going to be okay" he managed finally. "I promise. Search and rescue will find us real soon and you're going to be fine." "Harm I'm scared" she whispered. "I know honey but everything is going to be okay" he soothed, at the same time praying that was in fact going to be the case. "Just relax. I won't let anything happen." She nodded and closed her eyes against the pain and Harm pulled her as close as he could. "Harm the others" she gasped as her eyes flew open again. "The SecNav and Commander Lindsay." "The crew is looking for them" Harm said as he looked around for them. He'd been so concerned with Mac he hadn't even thought about them. "Commander" a voice yelled and Harm turned to see the four men swimming towards them. "Did you find the SecNav and Commander Lindsay?" Harm asked when the men reached them. "They're dead" the Captain replied somberly. "They never made it out of wreckage. How's the Colonel?" "Not good" Harm said as he looked at Mac. "She was pinned under some of the cargo. Are you guys okay?" "For the moment. Matt took a hit when we landed and he's likely got a concussion. But other than that we're okay. Hopefully it shouldn't be long before they find us." "Yeah that's what I thought last time" Harm said with a shudder, from both the cold and the memories of that night. "Harm" Mac murmured as she forced her eyes open again at the sound of his anxious voice. "Hey how you doing?" he asked softly as he leaned closer to her. "Cold" she managed. "Are you okay?" "I'll be a lot better when I know you're going to be okay. But I'm fine. Just having a few flashbacks here." "You're not the one that crashed the tomcat out here about a year ago are you?" the Captain asked. "Yes sir" Harm sighed. "That would be me." "Well they should have the search and rescue out here soon. We were able to get a mayday off before we crashed. The only thing that will hinder them is the storm." "I hope so" Harm said with a shiver. "Cause it's a hell of a lot colder now than it was then." He pulled Mac closer in an attempt to keep them both warmer, all the while uttering silent prayers heavenward. His prayers were soon as answered as the sound of chopper could be heard over the storm a few minutes later. "Thank god" Harm whispered. "Mac they're here. You'll be out of here and back home nice and warm real soon." "With your arms around me" she managed. "You got it" he said as the Coast Guard chopper appeared overhead. Seconds later one of search and rescue crew dropped down on the line and swam to them. "We've got a second chopper on the way" the man yelled. "We can only take four of you so we'll take the injured first." "Mac" Harm said as he gently shook her. "Honey you're first." "Only if you're coming with me" she countered, not wanting to leave him out there. "I will. But you first. I want to make sure they get you out of here first okay. I'll be right behind you." Too exhausted to fight him she nodded. "I'll take her sir." "Be careful with her" Harm said as he hovered close by. "She said her chest hurt. And she couldn't feel her legs." "We'll take good care of her sir" the man assured Harm. "I'll see you soon" Harm promised. "They'll take good care of you and you'll be fine." She nodded and moments later he watched as she was hoisted up into the chopper. She was finally safe. The injured crew member was taken up next and Harm looked around for the second chopper that was supposed to be coming. "Commander go on" the Captain motioned. "Lower rank first sir" Harm countered. "I'll wait for the second chopper." The two other crewman gave him a grateful look and moments later Harm and the Captain watched the chopper head off into the dark night sky. "You didn't have to do that Commander." "Yes I did," he said quietly. "The one thing that was important to me is on her way. And those two crew are just kids and scared. The other helo will be along directly." "I appreciate it all the same," he sighed and then smiled. "OK you and me are alone now. Tell Uncle Captain Wallace what's between you and that beautiful Marine. And don't tell me nothing. You called her honey, and even if you hadn't, everything about the two of you says you're close." "We're working on it," he sighed. "We've had a lot of stumbles and false starts but this time we may have figured it out. Or at least what not to do. And right now I'm scared to death." Wallace shook his head. "She looks like one tough lady. I wouldn't be surprised is she's pacing back and forth at the helo pad waiting for us." "God I hope so." Another crack of thunder echoed his words and just as quickly a new torrent of rain whipped them. "This is pretty familiar to you after your last mishap?" "Way too much," Harm shouted back. "It was a long time after that night that I still felt chill in my bones." "The boys will be back for us." =========== "Colonel Mackenzie we're coming in to Bethesda. And there's some good people waiting to take real good care of you," the medic assured her. "Cold. Just cold," she murmured, not opening her eyes. Her hand snaked out from under the blanket. "Harm you OK? Did you hear that? They said we're about there." The medic who had been in the water with them leaned over her closely. "Harm would be the Commander ma'am?" "Yeah of course." She struggled to focus, getting her eyes open. "Harm. Harmon Rabb. Harm? HARM?" "Ma'am please," the medic begged. "Listen now. Please." Mac took a deep breath, a look of pain crossing her face as she did so. "He's not here is he?" "No ma'am. He offered to stay behind, being senior in rank. I didn't want to take the time to argue." "Behind? You left him? You left him out there?" Her shriek echoed through the small area. The thump of touch-down precluded the need for the medic to say more as a few seconds later the door was flung open. Now silenced by shock and fear, Mac was removed and placed on a stretcher with the aid of the medic. "Ma'am let them take care of you now. Another helo was on it's way. Chances are it's just a few minutes behind us." "Please God," she breathed, now giving in to her tears. ============= A hundred nautical miles away in the Atlantic, the storm worsened rapidly. "Looks like a storm cell that stalled out," Wallace groaned above the noise. "I think it's going to be a while before the next bus passes by. We should grab some coffee." "I was thinking of something stronger," Harm yelled back, letting his head loll back against the neck padding of the vest. "At least she's safe." =============== BETHESDA NAVAL Midnight "Colonel Mackenzie, you're looking better than when I saw you in the ER." Dr. Owen Magruder looked at her chart and her monitors in the muted light of her room. "Now tell me why you refused the sleep medication?" "Thank God someone to help me," she yelped. "I need my partner. My friend. Harmon Rabb. Commander. He was on the plane with me. He was supposed to be on the helo with me but he wasn't. I need to see him. Now." At the same time she attempted to push back her bedcovers. "Whoa hold up on that car wash there," Owen smiled, restraining her gently. "You're not going anywhere." "Then bring him to me," she insisted, trying to ignore the cold feeling of dread that was washing over her. "Or at least tell me how he is. Are you treating him too?" "We're still waiting for the remaining survivors," Owen explained as gently as he could. "What? No that's not right. They said there was another chopper coming in behind us." Her eyes frantically searched the young doctor's face. "Another chopper?" "Sshh, OK. What they told me was that there was going to be a delay in bringing in the other survivors because the storm worsened. I'm sure as soon as the weather clears they'll be along; and we'll get word to you as soon as we know something about your friend. In the meantime, you're going to remain quiet and let the medication we're dripping into you do some good." As he spoke he lifted the cover from her feet and scraped a sharp implement along the bottom of one foot. "Feel that?" "No and I don't care. Leave me alone," she snapped stubbornly, turning her face from his. "I need my. . .my Sailor. Please." ********************* In the Atlantic "Commander you still with me?" Captain Wallace called, the storm cell finally past them. "Here sir" Harm managed between chattering teeth. He couldn't remember if he'd been this cold last May and he was so thankful that Mac wasn't with him. "Just checking. I'm sure our ride should be here soon now that the storm has passed over." "I hope so" Harm said tiredly. All he wanted was to be somewhere warm with Mac in his arms again. It was only that thought that kept him from giving into the exhaustion. "That partner of yours is probably fretting up a storm" Wallace sighed. "As is my Amy I'm sure." "Your wife sir?" "Yep. And the glue that holds this Captain together. She's a hell of a woman and she's put up with a lot through the years." "Ever do this to her before?" Harm asked. "You mean crash" Wallace said with a small laugh. "Once. Scared her to death. I take it your partner was around for your adventure last year." "It was the night of her rehearsal dinner" Harm replied. "I uh sort of ruined the party. I just hope wherever she is she's not worrying too much tonight." "I doubt that" Wallace smiled. The sound of a chopper above stopped Harm's reply and he let out a long sigh. "I think our ride has finally arrived. " Minutes later he was being lifted through the air and up to the chopper. "What took you so long?" Harm managed between shivers as the crew man quickly wrapped him in blankets. "Sorry sir. We came out as soon as we could." Harm nodded and watched as Captain Wallace was brought up to the chopper seconds later. Only then did he close his eyes and give into the exhaustion. ***************** Bethesda Naval Hospital "Mac" AJ said softly as he walked into her room. Despite the late hour he'd been allowed into her room, the Doctor hoping the Marine's CO would be able to calm her with the news that her partner was on the way in. "Sir" Mac wailed. "Is there any word on Harm?" "They just picked him and Captain Wallace up" AJ said gently. "Should be here any minute." "Is he okay?" Mac whispered. "He's been out there so long." "I don't have any specifics just that they've got him and they're on their way in." "He has to be okay" Mac whispered. "He saved my life. I was trapped inside and he got me out." "Sounds like something your partner would do" AJ said quietly. "So I guess you don't know what happened to the SecNav and Commander Lindsay. Why they didn't get out?" "No sir" she replied. "They're both dead aren't they?" AJ nodded grimly. "From what the crew said, yes. The bodies are still inside the wreckage." "Sir, I'm sorry" Mac said quietly. "I do know that neither of them put on the life vests when we got aboard." "Sir, the chopper with the Captain and the Commander is here" the nurse said as she walked into the room. "I need to see Harm" Mac said as she pushed back the covers. "I need to know he's okay." "Colonel what the hell do you think you're doing?" AJ thundered. "Making sure my partner is okay" Mac informed him. "Sir, I need to see him. You don't understand." "I think I'm getting the picture" AJ said with a small smile. He'd noticed that his two officers seemed to be spending a lot of time together recently. "And as soon as they've had a chance to treat him, I'll make sure you can see him." "Sir I need to see him now" Mac wailed. "Please. What if he's not okay? I need to be with him." "Mac they won't even know how he is for a little bit," AJ reminded her, pushing her shoulders back onto the pillow. "Sir he's been in the water for hours. Longer than before," she wailed again. "I'm glad he's back but I'm still so scared." "Colonel you need to relax here," AJ admonished her. "If you promise that you'll stay still and in bed I'll try to find out." "Please sir. Please." She swallowed a sob and reached for AJ's arm. "Sir please tell him I. . ." "You what Colonel?" he smiled gently when she stopped speaking. "Sir, I guess that wouldn't be appropriate." "No it wouldn't. I'm not Western Union. You got a message for the man you deliver that in person." His eyes crinkled with bemusement and she had the good grace to blush. "Sir we're just seeing if. . .well in Saudi we. . ." she stammered and another sob took her words from her. AJ squeezed her hand. "I'm old, not stupid Colonel. I'll be right back." Mac sank back on her pillow, her eyes squeezing shut and each oozing a tear. Harm was just being hooked into monitors, having been stripped and covered with warming blankets, when AJ arrived and he hurried to his side. "Admiral Chegwidden, Commander Rabb's C.O." he introduced himself, his gaze falling on Harm's pale face. "He's not good is he?" "I haven't written him off, but no he's not. Admiral, I'm Dr. Ted Storey, and no he's not. His blood pressure and body temperature are at the moment not what I want to see. And he's totally exhausted. In other words his body is wanting to shut down." The End