TITLE:  "Distant Hearts VI-Reunited Once More "
        AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
        SUMMARY/SPOILERS:  The sixth chapter of the Distant Hearts series.  The saga 
began 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.  Any JAG 
episode may or may not be referred to in this work.  Neither Sergei nor Afghanistan play a 
role here.
       CLASSIFCATION/RATING:  J/S/R/A       PG for mild violence and language
        DISCLAIMER:  JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al.  No copyright infringement is 
intended with this work of fiction.
      FEEDBACK:  Never expected let alone demanded.  Always appreciated.  We simply ask 
that the work and the effort be respected.  Feedback addy is SSbpMN@aol.com.
           NOTE:  All parts of this story and previous chapters, as well as much of our other 
works, are available at 
         
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Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there.
         
         Other archives containing our stories:
         
              http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag
                       
                       or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at    
http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [sadly, not always up and running]
         
                   or BTL-
                   http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/
                   http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.}
 
**********************
Previously in DH--    After the car bombing which killed Lt. Singer and Stuart Dunston, and 
nearly ended Mac's life as well, Harm left her in the care of Harriet and Bud and returned to 
his duty station in Bahrain.  

****************
 
"Distant Hearts VI-Reunited Once More"

 30 DAYS LATER
 Bahrain
 
 "Taylor I need a word with you," Harm called, spotting the young Lieutenant go flitting past 
his doorway.
 
 "Sir."  She stopped at once and came in.  Harm waved her into a seat and for a long minute 
did not speak, suddenly not sure how he should approach what was on his mind.
 
 "Sir?"  She finally prompted.
 
 "OK.  I'm flying into an area that's not really my business," he began slowly.  "But I'm 
concerned about Bethany.  Is there anything you can share with me--without breaking a 
confidence of course.  Or maybe tell me to butt out that everything is fine?  Which I hope is 
the case.  I'm talking her and Lukens here of course."
 
 "Sir I'm just not sure."  She flushed and squirmed uncomfortably in her chair.  "I mean she 
never says anything bad about him and she seems like she has a good time when she's with 
Justin.  But sometimes when he doesn't call her, she goes into these real down periods."
 
 "Doesn't call her," Harm sighed with realization.  "OK that I can understand, insensitive male 
that I am.  We can be such jerks."
 
 "Yes sir," she smiled.
 
 "Don't be so quick to agree," he growled.  "But you don't think he's really hurting her or 
something that I should be aware of?"
 
 "Not that I know of sir, but she's really. . .OK I'll just tell you that when she first started seeing 
him, like OK the entire time you were in CONUS with your Mac, she talked a lot about him 
and what they did and where they went and now she doesn't volunteer much; and if I ask if 
she had a good time, she just mumbles something.  I did try about a week ago to press her 
and she just bit my head off.  Won't be doing that again."
 
 "Well at least I know my instincts aren't entirely wrong," he sighed.  "There's something there, 
but maybe it's not as bad as my paranoia was suggesting."
 
 "No sir, your big brother-dar wasn't giving you a false echo.  She might appreciate your 
reminding her that she can talk to you."
 
 "I'll do that.  Thanks Taylor."
 
 She rose to go and her gaze fell on the Mackenzie gallery as she and Bethany called the 
picture collection.  "Whoa a new one added.  Cute kid.  How's she doing sir?"
 
 "Our godson.  She's back to work full time as of a week ago, and says she's getting more 
tired but she's otherwise OK.  The doctor told her it would be three months before it would 
seem like it never happened.  In the meantime she wears out easily."  
 
 "And you're still missing her just as much as ever."
 
 "More," he grumped.
    
  "But it's official now right?" Taylor asked. "As soon as you're out of here 
  you two are getting married?"
  
  Harm nodded. "I'll be ready as soon as I step off the plane."
  
  "I'm sorry you're stuck here. But at the same time, we're still glad to have 
  you here."
  
  "Thanks" he said with a small smile. "You and Bethany get the brunt of my 
  grumpiness sometimes I know."
  
  "Just sometimes" Taylor smiled before walking out.
  
  Harm waited until just before lunch to casually walk over to Bethany's desk.
  
  "Hey you have any plans for lunch?" he asked.
  
  "Not really" she said as she looked up at him. "You going anywhere in 
  particular?"
  
  "Just over to the mess for the lunch special" he smiled. "But I wouldn't 
  mind some company."
  
  "Yeah sure" she said after a moment's pause. "I was supposed to have lunch 
  with Justin but he never called. I guess something came up."
  
  "So is this getting serious with you and Justin?" Harm asked once they were 
  settled with lunch.
  
  "Sir" Bethany blushed.
  
  "Sorry. I just know you've been seeing a lot of him and I wondered if it was 
  heading to something serious. Course you can just tell me it's none of my 
  business and to get lost but I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
  
  "You care?"
  
  "Bethany of course I care. You and Taylor are good friends. God knows you've 
  but up with enough of my whining about missing Mac that the least I could do 
  is listen if you need to talk once in a while."
  
  "Thank you for the offer Harm. But everything is okay."
  
  "You sure?" he asked. "I'm pretty good at reading people and I get the idea 
  that something is wrong."
  
  "No it's fine really. I'm just supersensitive about everything that's all. 
  It's not Justin's fault."
  
  "What's not his fault?" Harm asked.
  
  "That he sometimes says he's going to call and doesn't. And" Her voice 
  trailed off and she looked away.
  
  "And what?"
  
  "Nothing" she said quickly. "Honest Harm everything is fine."
  
  He realized at once that she'd retreated again. "Okay I'll let it go for 
  now. But you know if you need to talk about anything, I'm here."
  
  "Thank you" she said in a small voice. "You're so nice to me and you don't 
  have to be."
  
  "I'm nice cause I care. Don't forget that."
  
  ******************
  JAG HQ's
  8:00 AM Local Time
  
  "Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, this is Lt. Commander Emily Rogers" AJ said as he 
  introduced the two women for the first time.
  
  "Nice to meet you" Mac smiled as she extended her hand. "And welcome 
  aboard."
  
  "Thank you Colonel" Emily Rogers smiled as well. Just a tad shorter than 
  Mac, her long dark hair was swept up in the regulation bun. "I'm looking 
  forward to working with you."
  
  "Then call me Mac. And I'm glad you're ready for the challenge cause things 
  are slightly piled up around here."
  
  "Mac I trust you'll get Emily settled" AJ asked and Mac nodded.
  
  "Which office sir?" Mac asked.
  
  "Commander Rabb's" AJ replied and Mac nodded slowly.
  
  "Yes sir" she said quietly. With Singer's death, she'd gotten used to Harm's 
  office being empty again. She'd liked it better that way, the feeling that 
  he would be back stronger than when someone else occupied the space.
  Mac gave Emily the tour of the JAG building, their final stop at the break 
  room for some coffee.
  
  "You okay Mac?" Emily asked as she noticed Mac's paleness after their trip 
  around the building.
  
  "Yeah I'm okay," she said with a weak smile. "Not quite myself yet. I'm not 
  sure how much the Admiral told you about what happened."
  
  "Not much ma'am" Emily smiled. "But I remember reading about the car bomb 
  that killed Lt. Singer. And you were injured right?"
  
  Mac nodded. "Yes and I'm still trying to get myself back in shape. I just 
  get real tired easy. Hence the piles around here. I barely get through the 
  eight hours and with us short staffed things have gotten out of control."
  
  "Well I hope I can help with that. I'm here and I'm ready to work."
  
  "And until Commander Rabb returns we desperately need you.  After that we'll still need you 
but hopefully for your sake it won't be quite as desperate," Mac smiled.  "I'm glad you're ready 
to work.  For the most part this is good duty, and they don't come any better than the Admiral, 
both to work for and as a friend."
 
 "Yes ma'am that's good to know.  My last duty wasn't that great."
 
 "I've been there," Mac smiled, handing her a fresh cup for her coffee.  "I imagine we all have 
at one time or other."
 ===================
 BAHRAIN
 2 Weeks later
  
 "Commander Rabb, Admiral Selby has announced staff call for 1530," Ensign Carter called 
as soon as he saw Harm come in from lunch.  "Full staff call sir."
 
 "OK thank you Ensign," Harm scowled.  Full staff with the enlisted personnel and all civilians 
was normally only a regularly scheduled Friday morning gathering.  He was still shaking his 
head when he passed Taylor's desk.  "You hear about the staff call?  And where's Bethany 
anyway?"
 
 "Yes sir.  The Ensign told me.  Bethany said she was walking over to the dispensary sir.  She 
said she wasn't feeling great."
 
 Harm nodded and retired to his desk.  The afternoon passed quickly as he delved into a case 
and at 1500 he realized he had not seen Bethany.  "Taylor, where the hell is Bethany," he 
bellowed.  If the Admiral said full staff, that's what he meant, and it would be his fault if 
someone from his staff was unaccounted for.
 
 "Sir," Taylor gasped, looking up from her computer.  "Sir I'm sorry.  I didn't know it was 
getting late. . .this research was wonderfully fascinating sir."
 
 "Yeah I'm sure," he groaned.  "And I'm sure you and Aaron are having a nice chat."
 
 Taylor reddened but said only, "I've got the information on the Tomlinson precedent all but 
completed sir."
 
 "Good, but that's not going to satisfy the old man.  I either need Bethany or a good reason 
why I don't have her."
 
 "You want me to walk over there for her sir?"
 
 "No then I'll lose you too," he groused.   "No I'll go.  You keep working.  And get ready to do 
that kissy face goodbye thing you do with Aaron."
 
 Taylor responded with a full blush and furious typing.
=============== 
 "Commander Rabb looking for one of my staff, Bethany Romero.  Is she still here?" he 
inquired of the young Petty Officer at the desk.
 
 With a quick look at his computer screen, Miller nodded.  "Sir yes sir.  Major Hilliard is her 
doctor.  Go on back.  Someone will direct you."
 
 "Time," Harm growled, looking at his watch and stepping through the double doors.  "Looking 
for Major Hilliard," he called to the first person he saw.
 
 "That would be me sir," the 30-ish woman said softly from a nearby counter.  "May I help 
you?"
 
 "Bethany Romero please.  I'm Harm Rabb and she works on my staff."
 
 "Treatment four.  I'm sorry sir, someone should have called your office, but things get a little 
crazy around here."
 
 "She's being kept here?  Is she sick?"
 
 "She's just a little naus. . ." the doctor began and then shook her head.  "You'll have to ask 
her.  But she's not going anywhere for another couple of hours."
 
 He again looked at his watch as he hurried toward the treatment room, concerned about 
making the meeting but wanting to know she was OK.
 
 "Bethany hi," he smiled as he slipped through the curtain and then got a good look at her.  
She had obviously been crying, and was now resting with an IV in her hand.  "Are you sick?  
You didn't say anything earlier?  Come to think of it I didn't see you earlier did I?"
 
 "You were in court and then I was, but I got sick there and almost passed out," she 
whispered.  "Then I went back to the office and told Taylor I needed to come here."
 
 "I'm sorry," he said automatically.  "You've got a bug or what?"
 
 "I wish it was that simple," she sniffled, tears threatening once more.  "I'm pregnant Harm."
  
  "You're what?" he gasped.
  
  "Pregnant" she repeated miserably even though she knew he had heard her loud 
  and clear the first time. "I've made such a mess of my life this time. I 
  don't know what I'm going to do."
  
  She started to sob and he gently reached for her, pulling her up from the 
  gurney and into his arms.
  
  "It's going to be okay," he said softly. "I know it doesn't seem like it 
  right now but it will."
  
  "How can it be okay?" she wailed as she pulled away from him.
  
  "It will. I'm guessing Mr. Lukens is the father?" he said quietly.
  
  She nodded. "Please don't say anything" she begged. "He doesn't know and I 
  don' t want him to know."
  
  "Bethany you need to tell him. It's not like you're going to be able to keep 
  it a secret much longer."
  
  "I'll worry about that then. But you have to promise you won't tell him."
  
  "I won't. But you're going to have to tell him at some point."
  
  "No. I'll figure something else out. He can't find out."
  
  "Why?" Harm frowned. "Bethany is there something about this guy that I 
  should know about?"
  
  "I don't want to talk about it now" she whispered. "Please."
  
  "All right. You don't need to get upset anymore than you are. But you and I 
  are going to have a talk about you and Mr. Lukens. Sooner than later. And I 
  need to get back before Admiral Selby has a fit. But I want you to promise 
  me you're going to go home and rest when they let you go."
  
  "Yes sir" Bethany whispered.
  
  "It's going to be okay" he repeated as he gave her hand a squeeze. "Somehow 
  we'll figure it out."
  
  "Thank you" she sniffled. "I didn't want you to find out. I didn't want 
  anyone to find out."
  
  "How did you plan on doing that?" he frowned.
  
  She didn't say anything and he finally realized what she'd been thinking. 
  "No you wouldn't even consider doing that."
  
  "I don't want to talk about it" she whispered tearfully.
  
  "Okay not now. But I want you to promise me that you're not going to do 
  anything without talking to me. I'm serious Bethany. Don't do anything 
  without talking to me."
  
  "I won't."
  
  ********************
  1 Week Later
  
  "Harm did you hear about the murder?" Taylor asked him as he walked into his 
  office.
  
  "What murder?" he frowned.
  
  "Ensign Holly Martin" Admiral Selby supplied as he was walked in behind her. 
  "Found dead in her apartment. Strangled with her phone cord."
  
  "Oh god" Taylor gasped.
  
  "Pretty gruesome" Selby nodded. "And whatever sicko did this I hope they 
  nail him so we can send him away for life."
  
  "NCIS is handling this?" Harm asked.
  
  "Yes and I know how much you love these kinds of things Commander and I've 
  already given permission for you assist them. Figured you can start digging 
  around here and find out what you can."
  
  "Thank you sir" Harm smiled.
  
  "Just find the lousy bastard" Selby nodded. "So we can put him behind bars 
  where he belongs."
  
  "Bet it was some guy" Taylor said when the Admiral left. "She probably tried 
  to break up with him or something and he killed her."
  
  "Well it might not be an isolated case" Harm sighed. "You and Bethany better 
  keep an eye on each other until they get more of an idea of who might be 
  behind this."
  
  "Speaking of Bethany" Taylor said as she closed his office door. "I think I 
  know what's wrong with her. She's pregnant."
  
  "Did she tell you that?" Harm asked.
  
  "No but I wasn't born yesterday Harm" Taylor sighed. "She's sick in the morning 
  and really tired. She's pregnant and it's because of that jerk Lukens."
  
 "Well I didn't think she did it alone," he sighed.  "It's been a while but I have some memory."
 
 "So you did know about it?"  Her eyes flashed angrily and when he stared at her, she added 
quickly, "sir."
 
 "Of course I did and of course I wouldn't break a confidence," he reminded her.  "Best friend 
or no.  But now that you know, how is she really?"
 
 "Physically she's hanging together," she replied.  "Good days and bad.  But sir, she's really 
troubled over Lukens. . .I mean Commander Lukens."  
 
 "They've broken up?"
 
 She shrugged helplessly.  "I can't tell.  I think so, and then I answer the phone and it's him.  
He was over a couple nights ago even.  She's made me swear not to tell him about the baby, 
and of course I haven't.  I can't stand to be near the man, and yes I know that's disrespectful 
of a senior officer, but it's the truth.  When she first started seeing him I was glad for her, but 
now. . .well frankly sir he creeps me out."
 
 "Explain."
 
 "Is that an order?"
 
 "Does it need to be?"  His intense gaze leveled directly on her.
 
 She shrugged helplessly.  "OK a few weeks ago he was over and she had to run an errand.  I 
was in the kitchen and he grabbed me from behind around my waist and kissed my neck."
 
 "You're kidding.  Can I ask you if you perhaps somehow brought it on--don't hurt me please."
 
 "I'm no flirt sir," she responded, with just a trace of anger.  "I have Aaron, and I would never.  
I mean if I was tempted it would be with you."
 
 Harm smiled slowly, waiting for her to have heard herself.  Realization came a few seconds 
later.
 
 "Sir I'm sorry.  I mean I just suggested an inappropriate relationship with a superior officer.  I 
am so sorry."
 
 "Relax Lieutenant," Harm smiled after letting her squirm.  "I knew what you meant."
 
 "Thank you sir," she sighed.
 
 "Commander Rabb excuse me?"
 
 Before Harm could reply to Taylor a new voice entered the arena, its owner knocking on his 
open door.  
 
 "Yes it is.  Come in."  He got to his feet to greet his visitor, dressed in Marine green.  
 
 "Ma'am," Taylor acknowledged the presence of the Lieutenant Colonel at the same time.
 
 "Commander Rabb, I'm Brianna Kopeckne.   I understand you're going to be assisting NCIS 
with the murder investigation.  I'm the SAIC."
 
 "Pleased to met you Colonel," he said at once, holding out his hand and studying her face at 
the same time.  "I hope I'm not stepping on any toes by joining your people."
 
 "No not at all," she smiled winningly, adding with another smile.  "Long as we understand that 
the 'IC' is in charge.  And now that I've gotten that out of the way, welcome aboard.  My 
people as you put it consist of two civilians to do leg-work and research and my partner, an 
overworked, overwhelmed Navy Commander named Dylan Brewster."
 
  "Sounds like you'll be happy to have me around then" Harm smiled.
  
  "Of course.  And we'd like to get started as soon as possible on this. You 
  free?"
  
  "Sure" Harm nodded. "Taylor can finish up the Reed case for me."
  
  "Got it sir" Taylor answered. "I hope you find whoever did this real quick."
  
  "That's our intention Lt." Brianna replied. "I'm hoping it's just a random 
  case and not the beginning of something else. Commander if you're ready, we 
  were going to go to the crime scene first."
  
  ***************
  "Well it looks like he didn't force himself in" Harm commented. "The doors 
  and windows are intact."
  
  "She either knew her murderer or somehow they talked their way in" Brianna 
  nodded. "But she obviously put up a struggle."

  Harm nodded as he looked around the bedroom of the apartment. The lamp on 
  the nightstand lay in pieces on the floor; the bedding scattered over the 
  bed.
  
  "Your people are doing the research on the victim right?" Harm asked.
  
  "Yeah. By the time we meet up with them again they'll have everything about 
  Holly Martin."
  
  "Including any guys she'd been seeing?"
  
  "You're thinking the same thing I am aren't you? Relationship gone bad. She 
  wanted out and he didn't want to let her."
  
  "That's what this looks like" Harm replied.
  
  "We'll see" Brianna sighed. "Sometimes things aren't always what they seem."
  
  For the next hour they made notes at the scene before heading back to Harm's 
  office.
  
  "So where's your partner?" Harm asked.
  
  "Hopefully on the next flight here" Brianna smiled. "He had to handle some 
  loose ends first."
  
  "I see. Now I know why you didn't mind having me along to help."
  
  "Well I did a little research on you when they told me a JAG lawyer was 
  going to be assisting. I figured that was the last thing I needed on this. 
  But you're not just a lawyer are you?"
  
  "Not quite" Harm smiled. "And I promise I won't hinder your investigation at 
  all."
  
  "Oh I know that" she smiled. "Because if I thought for a moment you would 
  have, I wouldn't have agreed to let you aboard to help."
  
  "Do you always get things the way you want them?" Harm asked.
  
  "Usually" Brianna nodded, her gaze going to the many pictures of Mac on 
  Harm's desk. "Who's the Marine?"
  
  "Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie" Harm smiled. "My partner at JAG and now my 
  fiancée."
  
  "You're doing the long distance thing?"
  
  "For now. And counting the days till I'm out of here."
  
  "Lucky lady" Brianna murmured.
  
  "No I'm the lucky one" Harm said proudly.
  
  "Mackenzie" Brianna said thoughtfully. "I know I've heard that name 
  recently. Was she involved in some big case?"
  
  "She was working on the Cregan case before she was injured in the car 
  bombing that killed Stuart Dunston and another JAG officer, Loren Singer" 
  Harm said quietly.
  
  "Oh yeah that's it. She was hurt pretty badly wasn't she?"
  
  "I almost lost her," Harm said softly. "And that's when I decided as soon as 
  I was out of here I was going to marry her."
  
  "Is she okay now?" Brianna asked.
  
  "Yeah she's back to work" Harm nodded. "But far from a hundred percent I'm 
  sure."
  
   "It takes a long time to recover from something like that.  I've been there," Brianna sighed.  
"Lost almost a year out of my career, and almost my life, two years ago."
 
 "Sounds like a story there," Harm smiled, glad for something to take his mind from Mac.
 
 "Not a good one I'm afraid," Brianna sighed about to speak again when her cell phone rang.  
"Colonel Kopeckne.  Hi Todd.  What have you got for me?"  She listened intently with Harm 
watching.  "OK that's perfect.  We're going to head over there now.  If you hear from 
Commander Brewster, please tell him I need him on this.  Thanks."
 
 "Brewster bail on you?" Harm asked when she had disconnected.
 
 "His ex wife was killed in a car accident last week, and he flew home on emergency leave to 
see to his daughter," she sighed.  "They'd been divorced for like three years, just after Andrea 
was born and he and Maggie shared custody when he wasn't deployed.  Now of course he's 
a single dad and he's thinking about getting out.  And you know what, you must be easy to 
talk to or I wouldn't be prattling on like this.  Anyway, Dylan should be here in about twelve 
hours."
 
 "I'm very easy to talk to," he grinned, ignoring the many times women like Jordan and Renee 
had told him he was a clam.  "So any good case news?"
 
 "Huh?. . oh sorry.  I had Dylan on my mind for a second.  Don't mind me.  He's just feeling. . 
.and there I go again.  Permission to smack me if I don't stop.  Meanwhile we can see Ensign 
Martin's room mate, Ensign Emma Powell.  She was the one who found her and she had to 
be sedated she was so hysterical."
 
 "Let's do it," Harm nodded.  "And when Commander Brewster gets back I'll help you get him 
up to speed.  It's not fun to play catch-up."
 
 "He's got a good number of cases pending as it is," she sighed.  "We are just spread too thin 
here.  Hey your partner wouldn't like to transfer to NCIS and join me would she?"
 
 "No and I'll break her leg if she tries," he yelped.  "Like I don't worry about her enough now."
 
 "Well you'd be together.  Sort of.  When one or both weren't chasing around the countryside."
 
 "Exactly."
 
 Ens. Emma Powell was sitting up in bed, listlessly watching the TV when they arrived in her 
room and she shut it off at once when she saw them.  "Colonel, Commander," she ventured 
guardedly.
 
 "Ensign I'm Colonel Kopeckne, this is Commander Rabb, and we're of course investigating 
the murder.  Dr. Hall said you were up to talking."
 
 "Yes ma'am.  His name is Lt. Col. Gregory Stern."
 
 "Excuse me?"
 
 "The murderer ma'am.  The bastard who killed her."
 
 Brianna was so startled that she neglected at first to write down the name until Harm took out 
his own notebook.  
 
 "Now if you've got motive and opportunity, oh and a DNA sample would be good, I'll pop over 
to his place and arrest him," Brianna finally managed.
 
 "Why don't we start with who this Colonel Stern is, and where does he work on base," Harm 
interjected.
 He works in Adm. Wakefield's shop," she sighed.  "They met in town and were seeing each 
other, but she was afraid of him.  They argued all the time.  Not just little bickering, loud 
throwing things arguments.  No matter if I was in my room, if something came up they went at 
it.  He had a temper and so did she, but he was also a foot taller and a hundred pounds 
heavier.  She could scream with the best of them but she couldn't---or wouldn't---hit back."
 
 There was silence in the room for a minute while Harm and Brianna digested this 
information.  "OK does this gentleman have an address you can give us?" he finally asked.  
"In case we want to maybe invite him to dinner or something."
 
 "I can write down where it is," she nodded, wiping a sudden tear from her cheek.  "He was at 
our place earlier that evening, but he doesn't know I know it.  I had told Holly I was going out 
but my guy got duty at the last minute and I was in my room sleeping when they came in.  
Their arguing woke me up but I stayed out of it.  Holly told me never to interfere.  I wish I had 
of now.  Anyway, it lasted like maybe twenty minutes and then it got real quiet.  I figured they 
were making up--like they did sometimes--and I fell back to sleep.  I'm getting over the flu 
see.  When Brandon called--that's Ensign Melville to you--I got dressed and left.  I didn't know 
she was in her bedroom dead."  
 
 She burst into a small sob and Harm handed her a kleenex.  "Take your time Ensign you're 
doing just fine.  Now didn't the fact that things were messed up in the living room alert you to 
something?"
 
 She shook her head sadly, "In the first place the room was dark.  I was in a hurry anyway, 
and besides, when they fought there was always stuff moved around.  Bottom line I ran 
through there so fast I didn't stop to notice it if was worse than usual."
  
 She sniffled loudly and Brianna motioned to Harm that they were through.
 
 "Ensign we'll be back to talk to you more if we need to," Harm said gently. 
 "Thank you for your help."
 
 "I hope you lock him away for what he did" she wailed. "Holly didn't deserve 
 this."
 
 "No she didn't" Brianna nodded before her and Harm exited the room.
 
 ***************
 JAG HQ's
 
 "Harm where are you?" Mac mused as she checked her email again. He hadn't 
 made it for their morning chat before work and there was still no word from 
 him. Images of bombings flashed through her head and she hurried to AJ's 
 office.
 
 "Sir, do you have a minute?" she asked as she walked in.
 
 "I was just coming to find you."
 
 "Did something happen to Harm?" she gasped. "I haven't heard from at all 
 today and of course I'm about to go deep end here."
 
 "He's fine. I was going to tell you that he's working on a murder 
 investigation with NCIS."
 
 "Murder?" Mac frowned.
 
 "Young woman from the base" AJ said as he glanced at his notes. "I guess 
 Harm managed to persuade Admiral Selby to let him help out."
 
 "What happened?" Mac asked as she sat down.
 
 "Apparently she was strangled to death. That's all I know so far."
 
 "And he's assisting NCIS?"
 
 "You know your partner. I'm sure the daily legal proceedings weren't enough 
 to keep him occupied."
 
 "Of course not" she sighed. "Thank you for telling me sir."
 
 She headed back to her office, passing Emily along the way.
 
 "Everything okay?" Emily asked. "You look a little out of it."
 
 "Just worrying about the man I love whose half way across the world" Mac 
 said with a small smile.
 
 "Something happen?"
 
 "No just a murder and of course Harm's gotten himself involved in it."
 
 "Mac I'm sure he'll be fine" Emily said gently.
 
 "I know. I'm being silly. And instead of listening to me babble we should be 
 talking about the Hernandez case."
 
 "I'm always happy to listen" Emily smiled. "Don't worry about it. Let me 
 grab some coffee and I'll join you in five."
 
BAHRAIN

 "You know I really appreciate having you around on this since Dylan is still 
 MIA" Brianna sighed as she and Harm made their way over to Admiral 
 Wakefield's office to talk to Lt. Colonel Stern.
 
 "No problem. Glad to get out of the office for a bit" Harm smiled.
 
 "Well I'm glad to have you working with me. I'll get Todd to start digging 
 into Stern's past as soon as we talk to him."
 
 "You think he's our man?"
 
 "Would it be that simple?" Brianna smiled.
 
 Minutes later they stood face to face with Gregory Stern, his obvious size 
 advantage over the victim noted at once by both Harm and Mac.
 
 "Colonel we'd like to talk to you for a few minutes about the murder of 
 Ensign Holly Martin" Brianna started.
 
 "I have nothing to say" Stern replied.
 
 "You want to try that again?" Harm asked. "We're in the middle of a criminal 
 investigation and we need to talk to you about your whereabouts the other 
 night."
 
 "Is there a problem out here?" an older man that Harm recognized at once 
 as Admiral Wakefield walked out of another office.
 
 "No sir" Harm snapped at once. "We just need to talk to the Colonel here 
 regarding the murder of Ensign Holly Martin."
 
 "Sir, I used to date Holly" Stern said he looked at his superior officer. 
 "But I don't have anything to do with her murder. And I don't have time for 
 this right now. I'm right in the middle of balancing out the cash here and 
 I've got more pressing matters than who killed Holly."

Admiral Wakefield frowned at the people who were intruding on the good order of his 
operation.  "You know folks some of the offices around here do turn out a day's work."

Brianna at once opened her mouth to protest, silencing herself when she felt Harm's hand on 
her arm.  "Yes sir and you have the reputation of running one of the best shops on base.  We 
have no problem talking with Colonel Stern at a more convenient time.  How about your 
quarters tonight?"

"I have plans for tonight," Stern growled.  

"Oh yeah?  What's her name.  I'd like to warn her." The words slipped out before Harm could 
catch himself and instead caught the sharp look of Adm. Wakefield.  "Sir forgive me.  That 
was unprofessional and uncalled for.  The Colonel has not been found guilty nor even 
charged."

"But he is a suspect?"

"Yes sir," Brianna spoke up.  "Sir, Colonel Stern, we know you dated Holly, and we know you 
and she had a stormy relationship.  It's been alleged that you are an abuser."

"That's a damn lie."  Stern got up from his desk so fast he knocked over his coffee cup.  
"Dammit all to hell."

"Colonel calm down.  Now," Wakefield ordered.  "I want you to name a time and place where 
you can talk to these people.  The sooner you do that and satisfy them, the sooner they can 
cross you off their list and move on to the next innocent person who happened to know the 
deceased."

"I can see you tonight.  My quarters, about 1900."

"OK that's fine," Brianna said firmly.  "We have several other people who knew Ensign Martin 
who I'm sure would be happy to share with us anything she told them about you we can talk 
to in the meantime."

Stern's only answer was a long glare as Harm followed Brianna out. 

"Greg one of these times you're going to put your foot into it too deep to come out clean," 
Wakefield growled.  "Get back to work."
===============
  
  Person after person told Harm and Brianna about the stormy relationship 
  between Ensign Holly Martin and Colonel Gregory Stern. Most weren't surprised 
  that it had finally come down to murder, and most of Holly's friends were 
  sure that Stern had killed her.
  
  "So what do we have here?" Brianna sighed as she and Harm headed back to his 
  office.
  
  "A lot of people who think Stern murdered her" Harm replied. "But until we 
  get the word from the coroner on a time of death we won't know for sure if 
  he's our man."
  
  "What's your gut say?" Brianna asked.
  
  "I'm not sure. He has a temper that's for sure. Whether he murdered her or 
  not is another question. We need to talk to him."
  
  "Yes we do. But for the record I think he's our guy."
  
  They returned to the office to find Bethany talking to a weary looking Navy 
  Commander.
  
  "You made it" Brianna smiled as she looked at him.
  
  "You must be Commander Brewster" Harm said as he extended his hand. "I'm 
  Commander Rabb."
  
  "Nice to meet you" Dylan Brewster said with a small smile. "Thanks for 
  helping Brianna out on this."
  
  "No problem. I get a little bored handling all the legal stuff" Harm smiled. 
  "You look like you could use some coffee and dinner."
  
  "And a bed" Dylan said tiredly.
  
  "That too" Harm laughed. "Why don't we head over to the mess and we can 
  bring you up to speed on things."
  
  "Sure" Dylan nodded. "I was hoping you'd tell me you have it solved."
  
  "I don't think it will be long" Brianna spoke up. "We've got a very likely 
  suspect."
  
  "See I knew you'd be able to handle it" Dylan smiled.
  
  "We'll I'm glad you made it" she said softly. "And after dinner you can tell 
  me how things are going."
  
  Harm didn't miss the interaction between the two and for a moment he felt a 
  pang of jealousy as he wished Mac were here with him. That lasted for only a 
  moment as he realized that Bahrain was the last place he wanted her to be.
  
  "Can I catch up to you guys in a minute?" he said as an overwhelming desire 
  to talk to Mac came over him. "I need to make a call first."
  
  "Sure. Shall we just meet you over at the mess?"
  
  "Sounds good" Harm smiled. "Thanks."
  
  He waited until they were gone before retreating to his office, quietly 
  closing the door behind him. He reached for the phone as he sat down and 
  moments later the voice he longed to hear answered the phone.
  
  "Colonel Mackenzie."
  
  "It's so good to hear your voice," he said softly.
  
  "Harm" she whispered.
  
  "Yeah it's me. I'm sorry I've missed our last few chats. I've been busy 
  handling a murder investigation with NCIS."
  
  "The Admiral told me. How's it going?"
  
  "We may have our man. Too early to tell yet. But I don't want to talk about 
  that. I want to talk about you. How are you?"
  
  "Tired. And I miss you."
  
  "I wish I was there" he sighed. "Promise me you're not overdoing it."
  
  "I'm not. Emily is here now and she's a big help."
  
  "Good. At least there's someone else to take some of the workload off of 
  you."
  
  "I wish it was you," she said quietly.
  
  "Yeah so do I. But that's not going to happen for a while. And trust me I 
  hate that fact. And it's not like we can even get together for a weekend so 
  I can see you."
  
  "I know. But we'll get through this sailor. It's only for a few more 
  months."
  
  "That's a few months too long" he sighed. "I miss you Mac."
  
  "Yeah and I miss you too" she said softly. "Maybe something will work out 
  and we can get together."
  
  "You keep thinking that Marine. Maybe it will happen."
  
  ******************
  "So you two haven't talked to this Stern yet?" Dylan asked after Brianna 
  brought him up to speed on the case."
  
  "He hasn't made himself available yet" Brianna replied. "Though I'm sure 
  that after dinner might be a good time to talk. He's not likely to be on 
  duty then."
  
  "We'll go over and talk to him" Harm nodded. "See what he has to say about 
  what happened."
  
  "I'll come with you" Dylan sighed. "And then if you can point me in the 
  direction of a bed I'd be very appreciative."
  
  "Dylan you don't have to come" Brianna fretted. "I know you're exhausted."
  
  "I'll manage. You know I like to talk to people myself to get a read on 
  them."
  
  "I know. But then you'd better get some sleep before you collapse."
  
 "You worried about me?" Dylan smiled.
 
 "Yeah, excuse me for caring, god knows why I do," she laughed lightly and took his arm.  
"Seriously now, you're not going to do the investigation, or yourself, any good if you're dead 
on your feet."
 
 "I'll need to be tucked in," he returned.
 
 "In your dreams mister."
 
 A sharp wrench went through Harm as he listened to  them.  They could be him and his 
partner, now his lover and fiancee.  It was not fair.
 
 "Harm you OK?"  Brianna looked from Dylan in time to catch the pained expression on 
Harm's face.
 
 "Yeah just thinking of Mac.  Pay me no mind."
 
 "Yeah pay him no mind," Dylan laughed.  "You're supposed to be feeling sorry for me."
 
 "You're doing a good enough job of that yourself.  How's Andrea doing?"
 
 "I got her settled OK and promised I'd be back soon.  I just hope she doesn't realize how long 
there is in a 'soon'," he sighed, shaking his head and Brianna lay a gentle hand on his arm.  
"You're a great dad, and as soon as you get back to CONUS you'll have her."
 
 "Thanks," Dylan gave her a warm smile despite his exhaustion.  "Harm who's Mac?  And do I 
want to know?"
 
 "Mac is Sarah, and she's my fiancee.  I have a picture of her in the office."
 
 "Actually several," Brianna corrected.
 ============
LT. COL. STERN's QUARTERS
 
 "I did not kill Holly Martin," Stern greeted them as soon as he opened the door.  "We were 
not getting along, and I broke it off, but I did not kill her."
 
 "Were you abusive towards her at any time?" Harm asked keeping his voice neutral.
 
 "I can be a little hot tempered yeah but without a lawyer that's all I'm going to say there."
 
 "And you were there the night she died?"
 
 Stern glared and shook his head.  "Yeah.  We broke it off for good.  We argued in the living 
room and she ran to her bedroom in tears of course--typical woman--and I stormed out.  I 
went to the O Club, got quietly drunk, and caught a ride back here.  Slept it off and the next 
thing I know everyone is buzzing about this murder.  You may as well know something else 
too.  We had. . .well you know. . .relations, sex, whatever.  I'm sure you'll test for that."
 
 "And that was consensual?" Dylan asked.
 
 "Of course.  I'm ill-tempered, but I'm no rapist 
   
  "What time did you leave her place?" Harm asked.
  
  "I don't know" Stern snapped. "Sometime around seven or eight. I was paying 
  much attention."
  
  "So if we check with the people at this bar they'll remember seeing you right after 
  that?" Dylan asked.
  
  "Of course. You know you people make it sound like I'm guilty. I'm telling 
  you I didn't kill her."
  
  "Why did you break up?" Brianna asked.
  
  "She wanted a commitment. I didn't."
  
  "And that's what you argued about?" Harm asked.
  
  "Yes. And then I left. She was alive when I left. I'm not lying."
  
  "We'll see" Brianna said quietly.
  
  *****************
  Twenty Four Hours Later
  
  "Medical examiner puts the time of the death in the time frame of when Stern 
  was there" Brianna said as she read the report. "We have witnesses who saw 
  him there at that time. He's our man."
  
  "All right, I'll talk to Admiral Selby" Harm nodded. "We've got enough on 
  him to charge him."
  
  "Good one less wacko on the street" she sighed. "Dylan what's wrong?"
  
  "Nothing. Something just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's jet lag but I'm not 
  getting that comfy cozy feeling about this."
  
  "It's jet lag" Brianna smiled. "Stern is our man. He was there, they fought, 
  he killed her and left. Simple."
  
  "Simple until Wakefield finds out you're charging his top guy" Dylan sighed. 
  "Then it's not going to be so simple."
  
  *************
  JAG HQ's
  2 Days Later
  
  "Colonel got a minute," AJ said as he stuck his head in her office.
  
  "Sure but I would have come to you if you'd asked" Mac smiled. "Honestly sir 
  I can walk across the bullpen to your office now."
  
  "I know" he smiled as well. "But I needed to walk anyway. How's your 
  schedule looking around here?"
  
  "Well now that Emily's aboard it's getting better. We're still a little 
  behind but we're catching up. Why?"
  
  "Do you feel up to some traveling?"
  
  "Where to sir?" she asked.
  
  "Bahrain" he smiled.
  
  "You're serious" she gasped. "I can see Harm?"
  
  "Across the court room anyway" AJ replied. "You'd be prosecuting and Harm 
  will be defending."
  
  "Prosecuting who?"
  
  "The man accused of the murdering the young ensign there last week" AJ 
  continued.
  
  "Why would you send me to prosecute?" Mac frowned.
  
  "Because the defendant works for Admiral Wakefield, who thinks his top man 
  is being used as a scapegoat and he wants someone who's impartial to 
  prosecute.  And of course when I got the call I figured you might want to 
  take the trip over there."
  
  "Of course sir. When I can I leave?"
  
  "As soon as you bring me up to speed on who's doing what around here" AJ 
  smiled.
 ==========
 BAHRAIN
 
 "Taylor where's Bethany?  I really wanted to talk to her about Stern.  I want to start making 
some headway on defense.  I do not believe this man asked me to defend him.  After I helped 
to gather evidence on him."
 
 "Sir he wanted the best," Taylor replied seriously.  "He heard about your reputation as a pit 
bull when it comes to your job."
 
 "Goodie.  Now where is my partner?"
 
 "She's not having a good day sir.  She met Lukens last night to talk."
 
 Harm frowned at that news even more than he already had been.  "I'm not having a good day 
either.  Is she OK?"
 
 "She wouldn't talk to me at all about it when she came back," Taylor sighed.  "I don't know if 
she told the jerk. . .excuse me, the nice Commander, about the baby or what.  Anyway, she 
wouldn't go to lunch and now I finally made her take a cup of yogurt and get some air.  I think 
she's just walking in the quad sir.  Normally she doesn't go far."
 
 "I wonder if I should go talk to her, not that I'm any good with that sort of thing."
 
 "Actually sir both of us think you're a great listener," Taylor laughed.  "Mac is very lucky."
 
 "Well I haven't had much chance to practice on her.  OK look, call the lab and nag them 
about the test results on Stern and I'll walk outside to see if I see Bethany."
 
 "Sir be real careful."
 
 "Excuse me?  Are we expecting a terrorist attack?"
 
 "No sir," Taylor giggled. "No it's just that. . .well sir she's very vulnerable right now.  And she 
could easily misinterpret anything you might say or do as an indicator of something being 
there that isn't.  And I'm sorry if I overstepped.  I do worry about her.  She's like a big sister to 
me."
 
 "Lieutenant it's OK," Harm assured her.  "I think she and I have a pretty good understanding 
of where I stand on the matter.  I'm not looking for any kind of anything on the side while I'm 
away from Mac.  And Bethany deserves way more than a fling anyway.  And she more than 
deserves better than Lukens."
 
 "Yes sir.  Thing is, she'd take you in a heartbeat."
 
 "Well long as she knows that's not going to happen.  I'll go check on her."
 
 Harm found Bethany easily enough.  By the time he had gotten outside, she was trudging 
along the walk path back toward the building.  And when she was within ten feet, he knew 
she had been crying.
 
 "You were probably wondering where I was," she said softly, dabbing her eyes with a totally 
shredded kleenex.   "I'm sorry.  I know I bailed when we had work to do, but I didn't take a 
lunch while you were in court and I needed some air and privacy."
 
 "Yeah we need to work on Stern this afternoon," he nodded, "but you are entitled to your 
lunch period.  Feeling better?  Anything you want to talk about?"
 
 She gave a last sniffle and shook her head.  "No sir.  And yeah it helped some.  Just 
everything hit me at once.  I actually went to talk to Family Planning yesterday."
 
 "Bethany," Harm whispered in surprise.  "I thought you were going to talk to me before you 
did anything like that."
 
 "I didn't do anything at all except look at options," she defended herself.  "Made no decision 
or even another appointment.  No I figure God sent me this baby, and then left it up to me.  
But right now I have no plans to end the pregnancy."
 
 "Good," Harm sighed in relief and put his arm across the top of her shoulders.  "Should we 
go back? We've got a pile of Stern stuff to go through."
 
 "Oh yeah and that reminds me.  Admiral Selby got a call that the prosecutor is arriving 
sometime this afternoon.  He was going to tell me more but he got a call and I didn't see him 
after that."
   
  "Great" Harm groaned. "I guess we'd better get to work then. You going to be 
  okay?"
  
  "Yeah I'm fine," she said with a small smile. "Thanks for caring."
  
  "You know I do," he said softly. "You don't have to go through this alone. 
  I'm here to help."
  
  "Why do you have to be so nice" she sniffled, tears sliding down her face.
  
  "Hey don't cry," he said as he gently pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry. 
  I didn't mean to make you cry."
  
  "Mac is so lucky" Bethany sniffled again as she buried her head against his 
  shoulder.
  
  He was still holding her when he heard footsteps behind him and at once 
  Bethany released herself from him as she realized who was there.
  
  "Colonel Mackenzie" she said quietly.
  
  Harm whirled around at Bethany's words, coming face to face with his 
  fiancée.
  
  "Mac what are you doing here?" he gasped, verbalizing his first thought.
  
  "I'm here to prosecute your client" Mac said quietly. "And I thought we 
  could talk but I can come back at another time since you're obviously busy." 
  She turned and started to walk way.
  
  "Mac it's not what you think" Bethany spoke up and Mac stopped.
  
  "I wasn't thinking anything," Mac said as she turned to the young woman.
  
  "Yes you were. And it's the farthest thing from the truth. Harm has been 
  helping me out with a personal problem. He's been a good friend but that's 
  all. And I hope you believe that." She paused and looked over at Harm. "We 
  can talk later about our client."
  
  He nodded and watched her walk into the building before turning to Mac.
  
  "This isn't exactly how I thought this would work," Mac said quietly.
  
  "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
  
  "I wanted to surprise you" she whispered.  "I guess I should have told you."
  
  "Mac you have to believe me when I tell you that Bethany is just a friend. 
  She's very mixed up right now and she just needs someone to talk to."
  
  "Is that the truth?"
  
  "I swear to God Mac it's the truth. There is no one I want in my life but 
  you. You have to believe that. I love you. No one else."
 
  "I love you too" she sniffled. "Permission to hug the Commander?"
  
  His answer was to take her in his arms and for several minutes they simply 
  clung to each other.
  
  "God I have missed you" he whispered as he held her tightly. "You have no 
  idea how glad I am to see you."
  
  "You know it's not right for the prosecution to be seen hugging the defense 
  counsel" she whispered.
  
  "Yeah I know," he said as he reluctantly let go of her. "But I want you to 
  promise me we'll have some time later."
  
  "I'll see what I can do," she said with a weak smile. "In the meantime do 
  you think we can talk about this case."
  
  "No" he said as he studied her face. "You're exhausted and I want you to 
  rest first. And don't even argue with me cause I know you're still not one 
  hundred percent."
  
  "Harm I'm fine"
  
  "Yeah that's why you look like you're as white as a sheet" he scoffed. "I'm 
  taking you inside and getting you something to drink and then I'm going to 
  have Taylor take you to your room."
  
  "I don't have a room here" she sighed. "They said I should get a room at one 
  of the hotels in town."
  
  "No. It's way too dangerous. You'll stay with me."
  
  "I can't stay with you. You're the defense and I'm the prosecution."
  
  "Fine you'll stay with Taylor and Bethany" he countered. "But you're not 
  staying alone at some hotel in town."
  
  "Harm I don't even know Taylor and Bethany" she sighed. "I can't stay with 
  them. Especially not after what I did earlier."
  
  "Let's talk to them. I'm sure they won't mind."
  
  "Harm" she started only to be silenced with a long kiss.
  
  "You were saying" he smiled when they parted.
  
  "I have no idea what I was saying" she sighed.
  
  "Good. Now let's find Taylor and Bethany and see if they can spare their 
  sofa for you."
  
  She was too tired to argue with him and she allowed him to lead her back 
  inside the building.
  
  "Taylor got a minute" Harm called and the young woman smiled when she 
  realized why Harm wanted to talk to her.
  
  "Ma'am" she smiled. "I feel like I already know you. Harm talks about you all 
  the time. Welcome to Bahrain."
  
  "Thanks" Mac said softly.
  
  "Taylor can I ask a favor?" Harm spoke up. "Can Mac stay with you and 
  Bethany?"
  
   "Not with you?" Taylor frowned.  "OK I guess that wouldn't be right.  Ma'am of course you're 
welcome.  You can have my room and I'll take the sofa."
 
 "Lieutenant I don't want to put you out," she objected.  "I could also stay at a hotel since 
there's no guest quarters on base right now."
 
 "Out of the question," Harm hissed.  "In fact if I had known they were going to send you I 
would have been screaming from here to the Secnav's office."
 
 "Is there some reason you don't want me here," she whispered, her eyes traveling to where 
Bethany was talking to one of the Ensigns.
 
 "Yeah there is," he yelped.  "We live in the shadow of terrorism every day here, and having 
you here scares me to death OK."
 
 "Marine here.  I'll be fine," she told him.
 
 "Well you don't look real fine right now," he sighed, sidestepping his concern for the moment.  
 
 "I'm just more tired than I think I've ever been," she admitted.
 
 "And that's another thing," he raged.  "You are not well enough to be traveling half way 
around the world.  Is the Admiral out of his mind?"
 
 "Well I wouldn't suggest that to him in his present frame of mind.  I jumped at the chance to 
come see you.  Nothing would have stopped me.  Plus I read the case file.  Looks like it's 
going to be an easy case.  I hope you and I can spend some time together.  If you have time 
that is."
 
 He leveled a stern look in her direction and put a strong guiding hand on her back.  "Taylor 
can we run home?"
 
 "No sir.  Well I can't.  The Admiral has me doing some research he needs right now, but you 
should go before he thinks of something you need to do."
 
 "Amen," Harm nodded.  "Move it Colonel."  Before he took her out of the building he stopped 
at Bethany's side.  "Are you going to be OK for a while?"
 
 "Yeah I'm good," she nodded.  "And Mac, welcome to Bahrain.  I didn't get to say that 
before."
 
 Mac gave her a wan smile and fell into step with Harm as they walked outside.  "You did say 
you and she had gotten close," she sighed.   "I guess I just wasn't so prepared to see it for 
myself.  And being this tired I'm not coping good with anything.  I even yelled at the cab 
driver."
 
 "Well right now I'm taking you to my apartment so I know you'll get some rest," he told her 
firmly.  "The old man won't miss me--he's used to me coming and going as I tend to things.  
As for Bethany, there is nothing there but friendship."
 
 Mac sighed and nodded, leaning slightly on him as they walked, and even more heavily as 
they climbed the steps to his apartment.  Once inside he locked the door and turned to her, 
taking in the full sight of her.  Even tired and pale she looked beautiful.  "I have missed you 
beyond belief.  Tell me first that you're all right," he whispered, reaching up a gentle hand to 
her face and surprised when it came away with the dampness of a tear.  "Talk to me Marine," 
he whispered again.  "Is this about Bethany?"
 
 "Yes and I'm sorry," she sighed, leaning forward to fall into his embrace.  "The absolute last 
thing I expected was to see you comforting another woman and of course I understand--at 
least I think I do, but it just hit me.  I haven't slept in like twenty-four hours because I was 
excited about coming, then I was reading the case file, and then the plane was in turbulence 
for the last seven hours of the flight.  Everytime the guy said he was going to look for a 
different altitude he hit an air pocket and I thought we were all going to die."
 
 "Whoa breathe there please," he whispered.  "How does a hot bath sound?"
 
 She opened her mouth to speak and then smiled.  "Wonderful, thank you.  As long as you 
come in and we talk."
 
 "Deal.  As long as we talk honestly and you understand about Bethany.  And you believe me 
when I tell you how much I love you and how glad I am that you're here."
 
 "Well another kiss would go a long way toward helping me feel like that."   
 
 "I can do that" he whispered before pressing his lips to hers again. 
 "Better"
 
 "Much" she said softly. "I'm sorry I'm being like this. I'm just tired and 
 jet lagged."
 
 "And in serious need of some rest" he said softly. "As glad as I am to see 
 you I know you weren't up to this."
 
 "I'm fine" she said with a weak smile "Now why don’t you join me while I 
 take that long bath."
 
 He led her to the bathroom a few minutes later she lay soaking in the warm 
 water, Harm next to her.
 
 "So tell me about Bethany" she said softly. "And why you and her are so 
 close."
 
 "She needs a friend right now. Her life is slightly messed up and I'm trying 
 to help her get it straightened out."
 
 "She likes you" Mac said softly.
 
 "She knows I'm in love with you" Harm countered. "I've had that discussion 
 with her already."
 
 "I can't blame her for falling for you. It didn't take me long either."
 
 "Yeah it just took me six years to get it right" Harm sighed. "And then I 
 get sent over here."
 
 "Hey we'll be together again soon. So tell me more about Bethany."
 
 "She's pregnant," Harm said quietly. "And I know I don't have to tell you 
 not to say anything to anyone. And the father is this total jerk she's been 
 seeing."
 
 "And he's a jerk because?"
 
 "Because I think he's abused her" Harm sighed. "Taylor was trying to find 
 out exactly what was going on but I'm not sure Bethany even told her. And 
 then she got pregnant on top of it."
 
 "I take it he doesn't know?"
 
 "No. Only Taylor and I do. And you.  I have no idea how she plans on keeping 
 it a secret from him when she gets further along. Even if she breaks it off 
 she's bound to see him around."
 
 "Harm if he is hurting her you need to get her away from him" Mac said 
 softly.
 
 "I know. I'm trying. Since she found out she was pregnant she hasn't been 
 spending as much time with him."
 
 "Well that's good. And I'm sorry I thought anything was going on with you 
 and Bethany."
 
 "It's okay," he said as he leaned forward and dropped a quick kiss on her 
 forehead. "As long as you believe me now. That's all that matters."
 
 "I do. And thanks for bringing me back here. I do have a lot of work to do 
 though."
 
 "And you'll do it tomorrow. First you soak and then you're taking a nap and 
 then we'll go get dinner. And then I'm leaving you in Taylor and Bethany's 
 care."
 
 "I wish I could stay with you" she smiled.
 
 "So do I" he sighed. "Maybe when this is over we can have a night together 
 before you leave."
 
 "I'd like that" she sighed.
 
 She soaked for a bit longer before Harm guided her to his bedroom and down 
 on the bed.
 
 "I don't need a nap," she said tiredly.
 
 "Yes you do. You're worn out and I don't want you over doing it. Now just 
 lay down for a while and relax."
 
 "Are you joining me?"
 
 Moments later she was asleep in his arms and he gently ran his hand through 
 her hair as he kissed her forehead.
 
 "I love you Sarah" he whispered.
 
 ***********
 "Thanks for letting me stay here," Mac said as Taylor helped her get settled 
 on the sofa that evening.  "I really appreciate it."
 
 "No problem" Taylor smiled. "Can I get you anything else?"
 
 "No I'm fine. I hope I didn't scare Bethany away."
 
 "No she had a date with that jerk Lukens" Taylor muttered. "I'm not sure how 
 much Harm told you about him."
 
 "Just that he thought he might be abusing her" Mac said quietly. "But she 
 still goes out with him."
 
 "Yes she does. But she's so mixed up right now she doesn't know what she's 
 doing. She got hurt real bad by a guy back in the states so she came here. 
 And of course she's been miserable here. And I think she was falling for 
 Harm until I told her he was very taken. And that's when she met up with 
 Lukens."

"So she kind of took up with Lukens when she could not have Harm," she sighed.  "I have so 
been there."

"You have?  You care to share?"

"It's a long story that I come off badly in, but short version Harm and I were in Australia 
traveling on a ferry.  I got totally caught up in the night, the lights, the stars, the moon and he 
kind of caught the mood I thought so I asked him how long we were going to wait.  Meaning 
how long we were going to wait to reach for what was right there for the grabbing.  Well I 
totally frightened him.  It was a really bad idea to hit him with that and he backed off at once.  
I figured what the hell, there was another charming man who claimed to love me right at the 
ready so I took a ring from him, engaged to be engaged, and then finally the real thing."

"Wow," Taylor breathed.  "So what happened to Mr. Wonderful?"

"Harm nearly died punching out over the Atlantic the night before I was to be married," Mac 
sighed.  "And in one horrible night I realized how much I needed him in my life, no matter how 
much I was still trying to deny it out of the other side of my mouth.  Mr. Brumby bless him for 
being more able to assess the situation, left town.  He knew--knew what I couldn't admit to 
myself hardly."

"So how did you and Mr. Rabb happen?" Taylor asked, suddenly totally enthralled.  "Did he 
suddenly show up at your door professing his love."

Mac nearly choked on her ice tea.  "Harm?  You don't know him do you," she laughed.  "No 
not hardly.  Shortly after his accident it didn't seem like he was going to end it with the woman 
he was involved with, and me, well I couldn't handle the questions I was getting about the 
abandoned wedding so I jumped at the chance to take a TAD.  Ninety days and I came back 
and things were pretty awkward for a while.  He did break up with Renee, rather she dumped 
him for a funeral director of all people, and then we simply gradually opened back up to each 
other.  We were almost there too when the Secnav was killed and all these changes started."

"Well now he tells everyone you're his fiancee and that you're going to be married soonest," 
Taylor smiled.  "And he was one devastated man when you were hurt.  Honestly if you had 
not recovered, I don't think he would have been any good for anything any more."

Mac shuddered slightly and yawned, making Taylor get to her feet.  "I'm sorry.  You should be 
resting not babbling in response to my fool questions."

"No it's nice to talk.  But yeah if I don't get some sleep I'm not going to be able to cope.  At 
home I was excited about seeing Harm, and I don't sleep well anyway, the plane ride was 
from Hell, and. . .now I'm going on.  Thanks Taylor.  I think you and I can be friends."

"How about Bethany?  She mentioned you and she had a less than wonderful meeting."

"Well that was my fault.  I leaped off the conclusion bridge the second I saw them together.  In 
my defense this exhaustion is making me not able to cope.  Anyway I apologized and I'm glad 
she's not upset.  I can understand her attraction to Harm."

Taylor smiled broadly.  "Yes ma'am.  If my heart was not totally consumed by a man named 
Aaron I might be there myself.  Mr. Rabb has told her, as have I, there's not going to be 
anything there, but sadly I'm afraid that did push her toward Lukens."

  "Is he really this bad?" Mac asked.
  
  "Yes he is" Taylor sighed. "But I know you're tired and Harm will kill me 
  for keeping you up."
  
  "Yeah I am" Mac admitted. "And I do want to know more about this Lukens guy. 
  Only because I was there myself one time and if I can help Bethany I'd like 
  to."
  
  "We'll worry about Bethany tomorrow. You need to rest."
  
  Mac nodded and with a long sigh she closed her eyes as she leaned back 
  against the sofa pillow She fell asleep almost immediately, only to wake a 
  few hours later when she heard a noise.
  
  "Bethany is that you?" she whispered.
  
  "I'm sorry" a tearful voice replied. "I didn't mean to wake you."
  
  "Are you okay?" Mac asked as she pushed herself to a sitting position and 
  reached to turn on the light. She knew at once that something was wrong as 
  Bethany quickly turned away as she did so. "Bethany?"
  
  "Mac please just go back to sleep. It's nothing."
  
  "Bethany look at me" Mac ordered.
  
  Something in Mac's tone made the young woman comply and Mac let out a gasp 
  when she saw the large welt on her cheek.
  
  "Bethany what happened?" she whispered.
  
  "It's nothing" she sniffled, the tears slowly running down her red cheek.
  
  "Bethany that doesn't look like nothing. Did your boyfriend do that to you?"
  
  "Mac please just forget about this."
  
  "Bethany your boyfriend is hurting you" Mac said quietly. "You dont have to 
  put up with this."
  
  "Yes I do. I have no one but Justin."
  
  "Bethany you have friends. Taylor and Harm are two that I can think of and 
  I've only been here a few hours. I'm sure there's more. People who honestly 
  care about you."
  
  "Justin cares about me" she countered.
  
  "No he doesn't. Bethany you need to get away from him. Before he really 
  hurts you."
  
  "I appreciate your concern but I'm fine" Bethany said quietly. "And I'm 
  sorry I woke you." She turned and hurried to her bedroom before Mac could 
  say anything else and with a sigh Mac leaned back and turned off the light.
  
  *****************
  "Harm he hurt her. Her face was all red when she came in. Like he'd slapped 
  her."
  
  "I knew that guy was trouble" Harm sighed. "So help me God if I see him 
  around here he's going to be one sorry son of a bitch."
  
  "You need to talk to her. Maybe she'll listen to you."
  
  "I'll try. I'm not sure she will though. She can be pretty stubborn."
  
  "Try Harm. She's going to get hurt really bad one of these days if she 
  doesn't get away from him."
  
  "I know" he groaned. "I'll see what I can do."
  
  "Good. Now I have to go prepare for tomorrow."
  
  "Dinner tonight?" he said hopefully.
  
  "I'm not sure that's such a good idea with the trial starting tomorrow" Mac 
  sighed.
  
  "No one will know if we have dinner at my place" Harm smiled. "Mac please. 
  We don't get to see each other often and while you're here I'd like to see 
  you more than just across the court room."
  
  "All right. But let's keep this to ourselves shall we? And you have to 
  promise to talk to Bethany about what's going on."
  
  "I will" he nodded.
  
  The rest of the day was spent apart and he worked on his defense for Colonel 
  Stern while Mac prepared her case against the man. The evidence against him 
  was overwhelming and she was confident it wouldn't be hard to get a 
  conviction.
  
  At the end of the day she made her way to his place, happy to find him 
  waiting for her.
  
  "God I've missed you" he whispered as he took her into his arms. "How was 
  your day?"
  
  "Good. Getting ready to kick your six tomorrow" she smiled.
  
  "You wish" he smiled back. "But tonight lets forget about that. Tonight it's 
  just you and me."
  
  "Something I've dreamed of since you left the last time" she whispered.
  
  "You know this doesn't get any easier. I keep thinking one day I'm going to 
  wake up and not miss you so bad but it's not going to happen. I'm never 
  going to be happy until I'm back with you."
  
  "And I won't be happy until you are with me" she sniffled, suddenly teary at 
  his words. "I hate this just as much as you do."
  
  "I'm sorry," he said as he gently wiped away a stray tear from her cheek. 
  "Let's not talk about that. We've got a few hours to ourselves and I want to 
  savor every moment of it."
 
 "I want that too.  And just what kind of savoring did you have in mind?" she smiled, 
determined to make the best of their time together.  She backed away from him, walking 
backwards to the door and threw the deadbolt with a decided click.  "You think we'd be in 
trouble if it was known that the prosecution slept with the defense counsel?"
 
 "Well now Colonel being the regs expert you are, I'd say you're asking a question you know 
the answer to."  He quickly strode to her, effectively pinning her against the door.  "On the 
other hand I'm also about to say who gives a rat's rump because I'm going to make love to my 
fiancee.  That is provided she feels up to it."
 
 "She'd be upset if you didn't," she returned.  "And I don't think you want to experience a PO'd 
Marine who's still suffering jet lag now would you."
 
 "No I most certainly do not," he replied, just ahead of a crushing kiss while he lifted her into 
his arms, taking her to his bed.  "The hell with dinner," he gasped.
 
 Dinner as it turned out was a midnight supper they shared on his floor while music played the 
and the desert moon shown through the balcony doors.
 
 "No matter what happens, we will have had tonight," she sighed, sinking into his arms when 
the food was finished.  "Did you talk to Bethany?"
 
 "Bethany who?" he teased, nibbling at her ear.
 
 "Harm please," she yelped.  "I'm worn out.  Three times after weeks of nothing.  And you 
were amazing yourself Sailor.  For your age."
 
 "OK let's not go there," he laughed.  "I'm not out of the game yet.  Bethany--yes I did.  I took 
her aside this afternoon and told her I knew Lukens was being abusive to her and I wanted 
her to file charges."
 
 "And?"
 
 "Well that's where the good news stops.  She's afraid of him.  Not just of harm to herself 
either.  I think the bastard has threatened her friends."
 
 "Like you and Taylor?"
 
 "Yeah most likely.  I swear I'm at a loss here.  I mean I can arrest the man,  but if Bethany 
refuses to be the complainant, then I look like eight kinds of fool.  Some father he's going to 
make.  Not that he'll even be around most likely.  Guys like that simply PCS when it's their 
turn and leave destruction in their wake."
 
 "Maybe I could. . ." she began only to have his hand clamp down on her mouth.
 
 "You stay clean out of it.  Away from him.  He could direct his anger at you and I won't have 
that.  I'd have to kill him and I'll never get off this rock that way."
 
 She smiled at his vehemence and relaxed.  "Well just remember that I'm going back to JAG 
when this is cleared up and I'm leaving you to be sure she's not hurt further.  Abuse doesn't 
go away Harm.  You know that.  It only escalates."
 
 A blast of siren below stopped him before he could respond and Harm scrambled to his feet 
as another and another joined it.  He motioned her to stay and walked out onto the balcony.  
"What the hell is going on?  Look at this.  It's like I'm back home and the druggie house down 
the block is being raided again."
 
 "Let's go find out," she said quietly.  "I'll go, and then you follow me a minute later.  No one 
will know we were together, if anyone even cares."
 
 "OK, but you be careful," he warned.  "And I'll be right behind you."
 
 She hurried down the back steps of his building and once outside found herself being swept 
into the growing crowd of Americans and Bahrainians alike who lived in the surrounding 
buildings.  Unable to see Harm, she allowed herself to absorbed, listening intently.  Murder.  
Another murder came the whisper from several people.  Her hand went to her mouth in alarm 
and she shrank away from the milling throng, seeking the quiet of a nearby area between 
buildings.
  
  As she backed away, she collided with something hard and whirled around to 
  find herself face to face with a man.
  
  "Sorry" he muttered before taking off down the alley. She watched him for 
  several moments until he disappeared out of sight. Moments later she felt a 
  hand to her shoulder and she jumped as she turned around.
  
  "Harm thank god" she whispered as she nearly fell into his arms.
  
  "Hey what's going on?" he asked as he held her.
  
  "People are saying someone was murdered" she murmured, her head still buried against 
  his chest. "And then I ran into this guy in the alley and I nearly freaked."
  
  "Let's get you out of here. Come on."
  
  They managed to pass through the crowd unnoticed and moments later were on 
  their way to Taylor and Bethany's.
  
  "You okay?" he asked as he looked over at her.
  
  "Yeah now I am" she whispered. "I'm so glad you came when you did. I was 
  about to freak."
  
  "I shouldn't have let you go alone."
  
  "You had no idea there'd been another murder" she shivered.
  
  "We don't know it was murder yet" Harm countered. "You know how rumors spread. It might 
have been something else."
  
  Minutes later they were at Taylor and Bethany's place and he quickly guided 
  her inside, his arm staying around her as he led her up.
  
  "Hey there you are" Taylor smiled as she opened the door, the smile quickly 
  fading when she saw Mac's face. "Is something wrong?"
  
  "There was a murder in the building next to Harm's" Mac whispered.
  
  "Oh my god" Taylor gasped. "Another one."
  
  "What's going on?" Bethany asked as she wandered out. "You two okay?"
  
  "Yeah we're fine" Harm said as he led Mac in. "There may have been another 
  murder in the building next to mine. At least that's what Mac overheard."
  
  Bethany's eyes widened, her hand going to her mouth. "Murder? Again?"
  
  "Okay you three need to calm" Harm said gently. "There's no reason to think 
  there's a murderer running around. This could be something else and until we 
  know all the facts there's no sense getting upset."
  
  "He's right," Taylor said finally.
  
  Mac nodded but Bethany said nothing, the fear still very apparent on her 
  face.
  
  "You going to be okay?" Harm asked as he led Mac to the sofa and sat down 
  beside her.
  
  "Yeah I'm sorry for freaking like that" she sighed as he wrapped his arms 
  around her. "I'm guess I'm still a bit jet lagged and out of it."
  
  "It's okay. But I do need to get out of here."
  
  "Harm please be careful," she said suddenly, her arms wrapping around him 
  again. "Someone may have been murdered in the building right next to you."
  
  "I'll be fine" he whispered as he gently kissed her hair. "I'm more worried 
  about you three being alone here." As he spoke he looked up at Taylor. "Make 
  sure this door is locked when I leave. And if you hear anything during the 
  night, call me."
  
  "I will" she nodded.
  
  "All right I have to leave" he sighed as he stood up. Mac rose as well and 
  he gave her one last hug. "I love you" he whispered. "Try and get some 
  sleep. You've got a big day tomorrow."
  
  "Love you too" she whispered. "And be careful."
  
  He left before it got any harder to leave and with a sigh she sank down on 
  the sofa, Bethany sitting down beside her.
  
  "You are so lucky," Bethany said quietly. "He loves you so much."
  
  "And I love him just as much" Mac sighed. "And I'm more scared about him 
  being over there alone than I am about us being here."
  
  "Mac he'll be fine" Taylor spoke up. "And so will we."
  
  *************
  The base was abuzz with news of the latest murder as Mac began her opening 
  arguments in the case against Colonel Gregory Stern. Ensign Molly Malloy was 
  the latest victim and word of serial killer was already running rampant.
  
  "Sir, I'm not guilty. You should believe that after last night" Colonel 
  Stern told Harm during the recess. "You know I wasn't there since I was in 
  the brig."
  
  "This is in our favor but until we find out more it doesn't get you off the 
  hook for Holly Martin's murder" Harm sighed.
  
  "Sir I'm not the murderer. And the real guy is just going to keep murdering 
  people until you find him."
  
  Harm nodded soberly.  He wanted in fact to move for dismissal and knew there was no 
point.  Mac would be on her feet before he got out the last syllable, arguing exactly what 
Harm and told Stern.  He could not have murdered Malloy, but that did not preclude his 
murder of Holly Martin, with whom he shared a connection.
 
 "At least it helps that I didn't do this one last night," Stern persisted.  "Come on Commander.  
Make them see that I'm no murderer.
 
 "Calm yourself.  I will try to get the fact that you didn't murder Ensign Malloy into record, but 
the prosecution isn't going to let it easily slide in there."
 
 Harm was right.  About Mac and also about what the judge would rule.  Never was he so 
glad to see a lunch break.  Two hours where he would not have Stern coaching him, hissing 
into his ear.  Two hours where he would not have to look across the aisle and see Mac, and 
know that she would soon be leaving, leaving him to face the remainder of his duty alone.
 
 "We can eat in the office," he told her when the courtroom began to clear out.  "No reason 
that two attorneys can't eat with the office staff."
 
 "Well OK but I was thinking more along the lines of disappearing back to your place," she 
whispered.
 
 He smiled and reached for the legal pad he had not yet packed.  'Actually that's the plan for 
tonight' he wrote and then crumpled the paper into his pocket.
 
 "You got it," she smiled and with two hours to relax, happily followed him back across the 
maze of buildings to his office.
 
 Taylor and Bethany were already there, remains of a pizza spread out on the table.  "There's 
another one keeping warm Harm," Bethany pointed.  "Veggie of course.  Mac I've got three 
slices of beef here you're welcome to."
 
 "You read my mind," she smiled.  "And guys, no case talk OK.  I don't want anything to 
happen to this case on a mistrial."
 
 "Oh yeah that would be a real shame, you'd have to stay longer," Harm growled.
 
 "Or I would have been recalled and Bud been sent," she giggled as she began to hungrily 
devour the first piece.  Talk turned to the murder the night before and Mac grew quiet, finally 
excusing herself after the second piece to the ladies room.
 
 "You OK?" Harm asked her at once.
 
 "Yeah of course I'm fine," she returned.  "I just need to leave the room.  May I?"
 
 "Of course," he grinned sheepishly, duly chastised.
 
 "Harm lighten up there sir," Taylor told him when she has gone.  "If she needs help or 
attention she'll let you know."
 
 "No that's just the point.  She won't," he grimaced.
 
 A few minutes passed when Petty Officer Detwiler put her head through the door.  "Bethany, 
sorry to interrupt your lunch but I was ordered to come for you."
 
 "Admiral Selby?"
 
 "No ma'am.  Commander Lukens.  He's waiting in the lounge area for you."
 
 She gave a long sigh, not getting up.
 
 "Petty Officer kindly tell the Commander that Bethany does not desire to see him," Harm 
spoke up, giving Bethany an intense glare.
 
 "No Pam that's OK," Bethany insisted.  "I'll see what he wants.  Not like he can do anything 
here."
 
 Harm threw down his last piece of pizza in disgust and Taylor gave him a quick nudge of 
comfort.  
 
 "At least you tried sir," she said when Bethany had left them.
 ===============
 When Mac came from the bathroom through the lounge she heard heated but hushed voices 
from the far corner.  She could see Bethany, her back to Mac, talking to someone whom she 
could not see, and Mac paused for a moment, wanting to make sure she was OK.  
 
 The conversation ended a half-minute later and Mac quickly started on her way, not wanting 
to appear to have been eavesdropping, only to have the man Bethany had been speaking 
with stride directly in front of her, his eye on the door in his agitation.  Mac attempted to stop 
but not in time as he barreled into her, knocking her to the floor.  She landed sharply on her 
back, making Bethany cry out in alarm.  
 
 "Ma'am I'm so sorry," Lt. Cdr. Justin Lukens gasped and bent over to help her up.  It was 
then that their eyes met and the dawn of recognition hit both of them.  The night before.  
When chaos was reigning.
 
 For a long minute neither moved nor spoke and Bethany watched in fear as to what would 
happen next, a second later raising her voice in a long and loud shout of Harm's name.
     
  
  At once Lukens turned and ran, disappearing before Harm and Taylor arrived 
  on the scene.
  
  "Mac what happened?" he demanded as Bethany helped her to her feet. "Are you 
  okay?"
  
  She nodded, wanting very much to tell Harm what she'd seen but not wanting 
  to do so in front of Bethany.
  
  "Justin ran into her and knocked her down" Bethany sniffled. "We were 
  fighting and he got mad and ran into her when he turned to leave."
  
  "And he didn't stick around to make sure she was okay?" Harm snapped as he 
  put his arm around Mac.
  
  "No" Bethany whispered as the tears slid down her face. "I'm sorry Mac. This 
  is my fault."
  
  "Bethany this is not your fault" Mac said quietly. "Do not blame yourself 
  for this."
  
  "Okay I'm going to ask for a continuance this afternoon" Harm sighed. "And 
  then I'm taking you back to rest."
  
  "Harm no I'm fine" Mac protested. "Honest he just surprised me more than 
  anything. We've only got a few more hours today and I can make it."
  
  "Are you sure you're not hurt?" he asked as his eyes traveled up and down 
  her.
  
  "Sore but not hurt. Nothing a soak in the tub won't take care of tonight" 
  she assured him.
  
  "I'm sorry" Bethany whispered again.
  
  "Bethany I'm fine. Please stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault."
  
  "Thank you for being so kind. Harm really is lucky to have you."
  
  "No I'm lucky to have him" Mac sighed as she leaned against him.
  
  "You sure you're okay?"
  
  "Fine. Stop worrying."
  
  "I think we should give them a little time alone" Taylor said softly. "Come 
  on Bethany. You can tell me what happened with Justin."
  
  It was only when they were alone that Mac let out a long sigh. "Harm you 
  have to get her away from that guy."
  
  "I know Mac. He's trouble."
  
  "No Harm he's huge big trouble. Commander Lukens is the man I ran into in the 
  alley the other night. The night of the murder."
  
  "So?" Harm frowned before he finally realized what she was thinking. "You 
  think he's involved in the murders?"
  
  "He was there. And he was running from the scene."
  
  "Mac lots of people ran from the scene."
  
  "Yeah but he didn't want anyone to see him," Mac said quietly. "I think we 
  need to dig a little more into Commander Lukens past and see what we find 
  out. We already know he has a temper and that he's hit Bethany."
  
  "But why would he be murdering other women?"
  
  "Bizarre as it sounds maybe he's a serial killer or some kind of psychopath who managed to 
fool the battery of fitness for duty exams we all take." Mac sighed. "I don't know. 
  I just know that man is trouble. And we need to find out more about him 
  before he hurts Bethany."
  
  "I'll see what I can find out" Harm frowned. "He just transferred here a matter of weeks ago. I 
can see if there were any incidents at his prior duty stations."
  
  "And I'm going to try talking to Bethany more. Maybe I can get her to tell 
  me a little more about him. And if he told her where he was the night of the 
  murders."
  
  "Mac if he is the murderer than he knows you can identify him."
  
  "I didn't think about that," she said quietly. "And he knows where I am 
  because of Bethany."
  
  "I don't like this. I want you to stay with me."
  
  "Harm you know I can't do that."
  
  "Mac I don't want anything to happen to you" he whispered. "I almost lost 
  you a few weeks ago. I can't go through that again. If anything happened to 
  you I wouldn't go on."
  
  "Harm I'll be fine. It's not like I'm there alone. Taylor and Bethany are 
  there. And we don't even know for sure that Lukens has anything to do with 
  the murders."
  
  "Well he sounds like a good suspect to me" Harm countered.
  
  "Yeah cause you want to get your client off" Mac said with a small smile.
  
   Harm scowled at that.  "You know I thought he was guilty at first.  Just giving him my best 
anyway of course because he asked for me and because I didn't feel like doing this all again 
while an accusation of inadequate defense went into my already thick jacket.  Now where 
were we?"
 
 "I think finishing lunch and then we have court," she smiled, taking his arm.
 
 "Mac I can still feel you trembling," he fretted.
 
 "I'm fine.  He just kind of knocked the breath out of me, and then just seeing that face again.  
I knew right the second I did who it was--well where I had seen him before.  And Harm if you 
could have seen him last night.  He was--OK it was dark but there was the street light at the 
end of the alley--enough for me to see his face.  And his eyes Harm were wild.  The 
expression on his face just now was almost the same."
 
 He slipped his arm around her, pulling her close to his side.  "A couple deep breaths here 
honey," he whispered.  "Just in case I don't want him feeling like you're a threat.  Come on 
let's find Bethany and Taylor, and we don't have that long before we reconvene."
 
 Taylor had installed Bethany in a chair, the pizza now ignored and she was holding a glass of 
water and a box of tissues within easy reach.  Bethany was crying softly, and as soon as she 
saw Harm and Mac she made a large effort to control herself.  "Mac you're OK aren't you?"
 
 "I am, please don't trouble yourself," she smiled, pulling a chair up to the other side of her.  
"How about you?  He didn't hurt you did he?"
 
 When she did not answer, Taylor grabbed her arm and pushed up her short sleeve slightly, 
revealing two round red marks.  "Thumb and forefinger thank you."
 
 "He was just making sure I was paying attention to him."
 
 "There are better ways," Harm scowled sharply.  "Bethany how far are you going to let him 
go--until he hurts the baby?"
 
 That made her sob again and Mac glared at him.  "Could you be any more insensitive 
Commander?"
 
 "Sorry," he smiled sheepishly, duly chastised.  "But not sorry for being concerned for a 
friend."
 
 "Leave it for now please," Bethany begged.  "He's leaving anyway, taking a week's leave and 
that's what we were arguing about.  He wanted me to come with him.  To make up some 
excuse that I had to have the time off and come with him."
 
 "Does he know about the baby?" Mac asked gently.
 
 "No and I don't want him to," she replied sharply.  "I don't know what he'd do, but the idea 
scares me."
 
 "And well it should," Harm growled, leaning over her closely, his hand cupping her cheek.
 
 Mac swallowed hard, finding it difficult to witness his tenderness with the younger woman, 
but adding, "and you need to let us help you, but we can't if you're going to go back and forth 
on the matter.  You either want him out of your life or you don't."
 
  "I do want him out of my life" she whispered. "But I'm scared. You don't 
  know what he's like."
  
  "Yes we do" Mac said quietly, remembering the look on his face when she'd 
  ran into him in the alley. "But you can get away from him."
  
  "Right now I'll just be glad he'll be gone for the next week" Bethany 
  sighed. "When he comes back then I'll tell him its over."
  
  "And we'll make sure he gets the message" Taylor said firmly. "That creep 
  isn't going to hurt you anymore."
  
  *****************
  Two Days Later
  
  "Nice job counselor" Mac sighed after another long day in court.
  
  "Thanks. How you holding up? You okay?"
  
  "Yeah just tired" she said with a small smile. "But I wanted to stop back at 
  your office with you and see if the information on Lukens came in yet."
  
  He nodded and they made their way to his office, Taylor leaping to her feet 
  when they walked in.
  
  "Its here sir. The information about Lukens."
  
  "Anything important?" Harm asked.
  
  "Oh yeah" Taylor nodded. "He's had problems at every duty station he's been 
  at."
  
  "Such as?" Harm prodded.
  
  "Accusations of rape and assault by women at every place he's been" Taylor 
  replied. "But each time the women suddenly rescinded their stories and said 
  nothing happened."
  
  "Because they were afraid" Mac sighed.
  
  "Where there any murders?" Harm asked.
  
  "No sir. Just the rapes and assaults."
  
  "Maybe he's moved on to murder," Mac said quietly. "Harm you need to let 
  whoever's investigating the latest murder know this."
  
  "I'll call Brianna. I think she's handling this one as well."
  
  "Brianna?" Mac questioned.
  
  "Colonel Kopeckne" Harm said sheepishly. "And before you think anything, 
  she's got a partner and they're close."
  
  "I wasn't thinking anything" Mac lied, hating herself for being so obviously 
  jealous.
  
  "Of course not" he said with a small smile. "But just in case you forgot, I 
  love you Colonel and no one else." He dropped a quick kiss for effect and 
  Taylor smiled as she watched them.
  
  "Do you want me to contact Colonel Kopeckne and tell her what we've found 
  out?" Taylor asked.
  
  "Yeah. See if she can meet us tomorrow for lunch. And if that's all I'm 
  taking my fiancée to dinner and then I'll be bringing her to your place 
  later."
  
  "Yes sir" Taylor nodded. "Mac I guess I'll see you later. Harm don't keep 
  her up too late."
  
  "I won't Mom" Harm laughed. "We'll see you later."
  
  Dinner was accomplished at Harm's apartment with a trip to the bedroom 
  afterwards.
  
  "You know it's going to be hard to leave you now that I'm getting used to 
  this everyday," Mac said softly as she lay in his arms.
  
  "I'm trying to forget that's going to happen" he sighed. "Right now it's 
  like we're together and I don't want to think about when you have to go 
  back."
  
  "Harm the trial is wrapping up. It's not going to be much longer before I 
  have to go back."
  
  "I know. And I'm going to hate saying goodbye to you again."
  
  "Would it have been easier if I hadn't come here?" she asked softly as she 
  looked up at him.
  
  "No. I'm glad you came. I need this. We needed this."
  
  "Yes we did" she sighed as she snuggled closer to him.
  
  "I know it's going to be hell for you to leave, but it's going to be the same for me watching 
you go," Harm sighed.  "What would really help would be to have a PCS time frame.  I could 
better stand it if it wasn't so open ended.  I could hang together if I knew I was coming back at 
a given time.  But remember I only promised to give it so many months.  There is no way in 
hell I'm staying here three years.  Not when I know I could be home with you, and we could 
be married and I could have a good civilian or government job in a week's time.
 
 "Sailor calm down," she smiled.  "Making love does get you all head up doesn't it.  Let's not 
talk of resignations and changes now.  We're not there yet OK.  And if we do get to that point, 
remember I love you and I'll support whatever decision you make in that area."
 
 "Thanks.  That means a lot.  Or I could just hold you and never let you go," he laughed, his 
mood easing up some.
 
 "Yeah that will work until the SPs come and drag us off for being UA," she smiled.  "And as 
much as I don't want to go, I've got some stuff to do for the trial and then I need sleep.  I 
swear I don't know what's wrong with me.  I just can't seem to get rested after. . ."
 
 "Mac give yourself time," he chided her.  "You did in fact almost die you know.  I wouldn't 
think you'd snap right back from that.  And you know I don't think you were ready for this 
anyway."
 
 "Well I just tucker easily," she laughed.  "Of course what we were doing in the bedroom 
couldn't have had anything to do with that."
 
 "Not a thing," he grinned.  "OK I'll walk you back.  Don't forget we're going to talk to Brianna 
and Dylan tomorrow at lunch."
 
 "They're married?" she asked hopefully, even knowing they could not be.
 
 "Honey, you're cute when you're jealous," he laughed and locked his arm around her neck, 
drawing her to him for a long kiss.
 ==================
 Bethany was at her computer and Taylor curled up on the sofa with her laptop when Harm 
returned Mac to them.  
 
 "Anything going on I should know about?" he asked, looking from his partner to his legal 
aide.  
 
 "Aaron and I are arguing about where to live when I get out of this place," Taylor grumped.  
"Men are so infuriating.  See this--he's replying in red all caps.  I'm going to kill  him."
 
 "Thank you for that informative update," Harm sighed.  "Bethany?"
 
 "I'm compiling and consolidating some of this information on Justin," she said softly.  "All of it  
hearsay or circumstantial.  Or people who came forward and then backed off.  I just don't 
know what to think.  I mean maybe he was just aggressive.  Some of you men don't know 
what no means."
 
 "Or maybe he's violent and dangerous," Harm said quietly.  "Someone testifying against him-
-someone totally credible--and at the very least he'd be busted.  Of course his career would 
be in the toilet at that point and he'd resign anyway."
 
 "Harm if you're asking for a volunteer, I don't think so," she replied, feeling tears threaten.  "I 
don't think I can do that to him.  With me at least, he could be sweet and gentle."
 
 "And he could be a raging maniac as well," Taylor reminded her sharply.  "You've got marks 
to prove it."
 
 "Well some," she yelped in his defense, "but he never honest to god hit me."
 
 Mac walked over and stood next to her.  "Bethany, abuse takes many forms, including verbal 
and emotional.  You know once I was with a guy who--despite me begging to the contrary--
would make these life-altering decisions and not consult me.  I didn't realize it then, but that's 
a form of abuse.  Abuse of my feelings and my rights in the relationship."
 
 "And this guy doesn't do that huh?" Taylor laughed, jerking her thumb in Harm's direction.  
 
 "No he's pretty wonderful," Mac admitted with a wry smile.  "And before he gets a swelled 
head, I'm going to say good night and take a soak and then work on the case some."
 
 "You're OK right, promise me?" Harm begged, walking over to take her in his arms.
 
 "Just tired.  Just don't have the stamina I did before," she assured him.  "Like I'm suffering 
permanent jet lag, but don't you worry--I'll be bushy eyed and bright tailed--or something--
tomorrow in court."
 
 "Bethany, Taylor--keep an eye on her please," Harm pleaded.  "Make her get some sleep."
 
 "Yes sir, but she doesn't much," Taylor said offhandedly, engrossed in her conversation with 
Aaron, and not noting Mac's glare.
 
 "Belay that Lieutenant," she ordered sharply and Taylor actually jumped.
 
 "Aye ma'am."
 
 "OK that's a subject we're going to re-visit but right now I'm getting out of here.  See you in 
the morning," Harm sighed, shaking his head and with a final kiss to her left the three women 
alone.
 
 "Sorry Mac," Taylor gasped.  "It just came out.  I know you don't want  him to worry."
 
 "Exactly," she sighed.  "He does that far too much.  He can't fix everything, but god knows he 
tries."
 =================
 
  Officer's Mess
  Next Afternoon
  
  "Okay Harm" Brianna sighed as she and Dylan sat down next to him and Mac. 
  "What do you got?"
  
  "Commander Justin Lukens" Harm said as he pulled out the file. "He's been 
  seeing Bethany and I have reason to believe he might be behind the 
  killings."
  
  "You really don't think Stern killed the first one?" Dylan asked.
  
  "No. And I'm not just saying that because he's my client. This Lukens guy 
  has bugged since the moment I met him and for good reason."
  
  "Do you have anything that ties him to the murders?"
  
  "I saw him in the alley following the second murder" Mac spoke up. "He was 
  really agitated and then he took off running. When he saw me again the other 
  day he did the same thing. He knows I saw him there."
  
  "Does he have a history of violence?" Brianna asked.
  
  "We can't get anyone willing to testify against him" Harm sighed. "Every 
  time someone brought charges the victims all backed off."
  
  "What about Bethany?" she asked. "What does she say about him?"
  
  "She's afraid of him" Mac said quietly. "And for good reason. Apparently 
  he's abused her a few times in the short time they've been together."
  
  "Does she know where he was the nights of the murders?" Dylan asked.
  
  "I didn't ask her that" Harm replied. "But we can see what she says."
  
  "I'm willing to look into him" Brianna nodded. "We don't have anything on 
  the second murder yet anyway so Lukens is as good of a starting point as 
  anyone. Can you arrange for us to talk to Bethany?"
  
  "I can try. I'm not sure she will though. She's going through a difficult 
  time right now."
=================  
  Four hours later they all gathered in Taylor and Bethany's apartment, 
  Bethany agreeing to tell Brianna and Dylan everything she knew about Justin 
  Lukens.
  
  "He was very nice and sweet at first" she said tearfully. "I was flattered 
  he even noticed me. But then I found out what he was really like on our 
  second date."
  
  "What happened?" Brianna asked gently.
  
  "Harm would you and Dylan mind leaving for a few minutes" Bethany sniffled. 
  "I'm not sure I can talk about this in front of you."
  
  Dylan nodded and started towards the kitchen but Harm remained in his spot, 
  his face sobering even more at her words.
  
  "Bethany" he started.
  
  "Harm please" she begged.
  
  "Harm go" Mac ordered.
  
  "I swear I'll make sure he pays for what he did to you" Harm muttered before 
  walking out of the room.
  
  "Bethany did he rape you?" Mac asked gently as she sat down next to the 
  young woman.
  
  "Not exactly" Bethany whispered, the tears flowing down her face. "He wanted 
  me to make love to him on the second date. I told him I thought we should 
  wait. He got really mad and he slapped me hard. He took me home and I 
  figured I wouldn't see him again. But then the next night he came by and 
  apologized for being a jerk. And like a fool I believed him."
  
  "And so you went out with him again?" Brianna asked.
  
  "Yes I did. And he took me back to his place again." Her voice trembled and 
  she reached for a Kleenex as the tears flowed even more. "But it was just 
  like the first time. When I said no again he got even madder than the first 
  time."
  
  "What happened?" Mac asked.
  
  "He said I wasn't getting away this time" Bethany whispered. "That he was 
  getting what he wanted."
 
  "Bethany did he rape you?" Mac asked again softly.
  
  "No. I let him because I was so scared" Bethany sobbed. "I was afraid of 
  what he would do if I didn't." Her voice broke and she sobbed even harder. 
  Mac wrapped her arm around the young woman, her heart aching for her.
  
  "Where can we find this Lukens?" Brianna asked with a long sigh.
  
  "He's out of town" Taylor offered for her friend. "He said he needed to get 
  away and asked Bethany to come with him. Fortunately she didn't go with 
  him."
  
 "Chalk one up for me," Bethany muttered.  "Brianna, you should also know I guess that I'm 
pregnant."
 
 Her mouth opened in surprise as she sought something to say.  "OK.  Lukens' baby right?"
 
 "Yeah, and he doesn't know.  And you now he would use it against me if he did."
 
 "Well I'm not going there that's for sure," Brianna said quietly.  "But you're. . . never mind."
 
 "Yeah I am. . .keeping the baby," she sniffled, swallowing the last of her tears.  "At least 
that's how I feel this week.  I've wavered between termination, adoption and raising.  This 
week I'm stuck on raising.  I'll be a single mom big deal.  Not like there aren't a million of us."
 
 "I do envy you," Mac sighed, not realizing she had spoke aloud until three pairs of eyes 
turned to her.
 
 "Yeah OK I want a baby," she blushed.  "Only it would be nice if the father of said baby and I 
lived on the same continent."
 
 "Thinking of replacing Harm?" Taylor teased.
 
 "Interviewing candidates as soon as I get back."  She looked down at Bethany, still sniffling 
softly.  "You OK?  You know--and don't take this wrong--it wouldn't hurt for you to see 
someone in psych services just to talk to."
 
 "Thanks.  I may do that.  Just to help me sort through everything but first I want this to be 
over with."
 
 "Bethany, a man who would rape a woman, regardless of whether it's date rape or random 
rape, is probably capable of murder don't you think?  How about the rest of you?" Brianna 
looked from one to the other, wanting their opinions.
 
 "Amen," Mac said quietly.  "And that's a professional opinion too.  Plus my gut is screaming 
at me that the man I encountered in the alley was. . .well maniacal in appearance.  And he 
knows I know about him.  We saw each other and I may as well have screamed at him I know 
what you did."
 
 "You'll testify to the encounter?"
 
 "Oh of course," Mac nodded and smiled slyly.  "Besides it gets me an extension to stay on."
 
 Brianna turned back to Bethany and Taylor.  "You think he could kill?"
 
 "Yes ma'am," Taylor spoke up at once.  "He's mean and violent, and that's when he's 
controlling himself.
 
 All eyes rested on Bethany who sobbed once more.  "Yeah.  He could.  I've seen it in his 
eyes.  If I hadn't done what he wanted when he. . . attacked me.  And other times too.  But of 
course he had his charming public persona too."
 
 "Brianna, enough for tonight," Mac urged, just as there was a light tapping at the door and 
Harm's head appeared.  
 
 "Dylan and I are going crazy out here," he confessed.  "Everything OK?"
 
 "Dylan worries too much," Brianna smiled.  "Yeah come in.  We're wrapping.  Bethany 
doesn't need any more of this right now, except for one more thing.  Mac has already 
promised she'll testify.  Bethany, if I pick up Lukens, I'm going to need you to give me 
everything you've got or we'll never get past the thirty-two.  You of all people know that."
 
 "Yeah I do.  I don't want him doing this to anyone else.  I'll do what it takes."
 
 "Good girl," Harm nodded to her, sitting down beside Mac.  "Marine you holding up OK?"
 
 "Please do not tell me I don't look well," she begged.  "I know all about it."
 
 "You just look tired that's all," he smiled.  "But I can't say I'm sorry this is all up in the air.  
You're not leaving any time soon."
 
 "Not at this rate," she grinned.  "Look, on Stern.  I think I want us to talk to Admiral 
Hawthorne in chambers.  We need to slow down on this."
 
 "You don't think he's guilty do you?"
 
 "No, but you know I don't have enough to move for dismissal.  I just want an informal 
postponement in the best interests of the people."
 
  ====================
  Three Days Later
  Taylor and Bethany's Apartment
  
  "Night guys" Taylor said with a long yawn as she stood up. "I'm going to 
  bed. Fighting with Aaron is wearing me out."
  
  "Night Taylor" Mac smiled.
  
  "Night" Bethany said softly as her friend headed to the bedroom. "I should 
  be doing the same. I swear all I want to do is sleep."
  
  "Have you gone to see the doctor yet?" Mac asked gently.
  
  "No. I haven't want to do that if I'm not keeping the baby."
  
  "But I thought you had decided you were going to have it?" Mac asked.
  
  "I'm so torn" Bethany sighed. "I don't want to have an abortion or give it 
  away. But what if it's like Justin."
  
  "It's only half Justin. And you are a wonderful person."
  
  "Thank you for saying that. But right now I just feel like my whole life is 
  one big mess. I came here to escape what happened with Greg and now I've 
  just made things worse."
  
  "You'll get through this" Mac said gently. "You've got people who care about 
  you. Taylor, Harm and myself to name a few."
  
  "You three are all I got" she sniffled.
  
  "No family?" Mac asked.
  
  "No" Bethany said without further elaboration. "And I shouldn't be keeping 
  you up. I'm sure you're tired and want to sleep too."
  
  Before Mac could reply there was a knock at the door and with a frown 
  Bethany headed to it.
  
  "Justin" she gasped when she opened the door.
  
  "What in the hell did you tell them" he shrieked as he grabbed her and 
  pushed her against the wall.
  
  "Let go of her" Mac yelled as she climbed from the sofa. "Right now mister."
  
  "You" Lukens hissed as he looked up at Mac. "What are you doing here?"
  
  "I said let go of her now" Mac ordered. "You've got one second to let go of 
  her."
  
  "And you'll do what if I don't?" he sneered, his arm still holding Bethany 
  against the wall.
 
  "Don't push it Lukens" Taylor yelled from the bedroom, her gun aimed at him. 
  "Let her go now. Or else."
  
  "This isn't over Bethany" Justin snapped as he yanked her forward, giving 
  her a rough shove towards Mac. "You're going to be real sorry when I get 
  through with you."
  
  He jetted from the apartment and Mac reached for Bethany as the young woman 
  collapsed against her in tears. She led her to the sofa while Taylor quickly 
  closed and locked the door.
  
  "Bethany it's okay he's gone" Mac soothed as she continued to sob.
  
  "He's going to kill me" Bethany wailed.
  
  "Not unless he plans on getting through me," Taylor said firmly. "If he 
  comes near you again he's going to be the sorry one."
  
  "We need to call Harm and tell him what happened" Mac said quietly. "And 
  then call Brianna and see what she said to him. Obviously he found out he's 
  being investigated."
  
  "Harm is going to flip" Taylor sighed. "You'd better tell him what happened 
  Mac."
  
  Mac nodded and reached for the phone. Seconds later he answered and she took 
  a deep breath for calm before talking.
  
  "Harm it's Mac" she said softly.
  
  "Mac what's wrong?" he demanded. "And don't tell me nothing because you 
  wouldn't be calling me at this time unless something happened. Are you 
  okay?"
  
  "Lukens is back in town," she said quietly. "He came here tonight and 
  threatened Bethany."
  
  "Are you guys okay? He didn't hurt anyone did he?"
  
  "No he just threatened and then Taylor and her weapon persuaded him to 
  leave. But he told Bethany he would be back."
  
  "I'm on my way over" he said quickly. "Don't open the door for anyone but 
  me. And if he comes back, don't hesitate to use her weapon."
  
  "I'm going to call Brianna too. I want to get a warrant for his arrest. If 
  nothing else for what he did tonight."
  
  "Are you sure you're okay?" he whispered.
  
  "I'm fine. It's Bethany that I'm worried about" she said softly, her hand 
  gently stroking the back of the still sobbing woman. "This isn't what she 
  needs right now."
  
  "I'll be there as soon as I can" he promised. "Remember, don't open the door 
  for anyone but me."
  
   Harm arrived panting and disheveled shortly there after, Taylor opening the door to him, 
weapon still in hand.  "Well done Lieutenant, and thank you for taking care of business."
 
 "Yes sir.  It was my pleasure.  Frankly sir I wish he'd actually been a little more aggressive.  I 
had my finger on the trigger and a lot of problems would have been solved.  But there will be 
another time."
 
 "That's what I'm afraid of," Harm sighed, striding across to there Mac and Bethany were still 
on the sofa.  Bethany had calmed some, only an occasional quiet sob wracked her body now 
as Mac continued to rub her back.  
 
 Harm leaned over both of them, putting his hand on Bethany's shoulder.  "Brianna's people 
are looking for this bastard now.  He's going to be charged for what he did here and held for 
questioning in the other deaths. How are you doing?  You and the baby OK?"
 
 "Yeah better I guess," she nodded.  "And I know you want some time with Mac so I'm going 
to bed, and maybe when I wake up it will be in someone else's life."
 
 "Bethany we're right out here if you need us.  Taylor. . ."
 
 "Of course I'll take her.  And we'll try to get some sleep.  We have to get up and work in a few 
hours."  With Harm's assistance, she helped her friend to her feet and took her into the back, 
closing the door that separated the bedrooms from the living room.
 
 Harm opened his mouth to speak and Mac put a finger to his lips with an amused smile.  
"Harm I'm fine.  A little shook up, but fine.  It just made me more resolved than ever to get this 
guy.  He's. . .well, evil.  And I'm worried for Bethany's baby.  This kind of stress and upset 
can't be good for either of them."
 
 "We're going to get this guy.  And that's a promise," he vowed as he sat down beside her and 
she at once went into his arms.
 
 "You're staying aren't you," she whispered as she settled against him.
 
 "It would take the Commander In Chief to order me out," he assured her.  "Yes I'm staying."
 ===============
 TWO DAYS LATER
 9AM local
 
 "Dammit I don't understand," Harm shouted into the phone, bringing Mac to his doorway.  
 
 "Flyboy you might want to yell a little louder.  There's a couple Admirals down in Command 
that probably didn't catch all of that."
 
 "You don't do cute that well," Harm glared at her.  "No Brianna not you.  OK yes of course I 
know it's not your fault.  Big base, short handed, I know all about that too.  I also know 
Lukens' ugly face is plastered up all over."
 
 He listened for a few moments and when he spoke again his tone was much mollified.  "Yes I 
do understand and I'm sorry I yelled.  I'll buy you coffee later to make up.  Double cappuccino, 
extra syrup OK.  Bye."
 
 "Bad news?" Mac asked mildly.
 
 "Oh hell no," he returned, his voice heavy with sarcasm.   "I swear these people couldn't find 
an elephant if it walked across the parade grounds.  And I don't mean to take this out on you."
 
 "Maybe he's paying off a local to hide him," she said thoughtfully.  "But he'll surface again.  
He has to come up for air sometime."
 
 "Yeah well how long can a snake live underwater," Harm groaned.  "On the other hand I'm 
not sorry you're stuck here.  I hope JAG is surviving without you."
 
 "I had a hugely funny email from Bud earlier," she laughed.  "He incorporated some of the 
daily journal stuff he keeps.  Best laugh I've had in forever."
 
  "Well I'm glad you got some humor" Harm sighed. "There's not much around 
  here."
  
  "I know. This whole situation with Lukens is getting to everyone."
  
  "He's here" Harm said soberly. "We just have to find him before he comes 
  after Bethany again."
  
  His phone rang before Mac could answer and he quickly picked it up.
  
  "Rabb"
  
  "Harm it's Brianna. We got a tip on where Lukens is hiding out. I thought 
  you might want to come with us."
  
  "Damn right I do. Where are you?"
  
  "We'll pick you up in five. And then hopefully we'll nail this bastard once 
  and for all."
  
  "They got a lead on Lukens. I'm going to go with Brianna and Dylan."
  
  "I want to come with you" Mac said seriously.
  
  "Absolutely not. You are not going anywhere near that wacko. I want you to 
  stay here with Bethany and Taylor. With any amount of luck he'll either be 
  in custody or dead in a few hours."
  
  "Harm I should be with you" she tried again.
  
  "No. Please Mac. You're barely recovered from the bombing as it is. I don't 
  want you in the middle of this in case Lukens puts up a fight."
  
  "And you think I want you in the middle of that?" she demanded.
  
  "No but I'm going anyway. And you are staying here with Bethany and Taylor."
  
  "Please be careful" she whispered.
  
  "I will" he promised as he gathered into his arms. "I love you. I'll be back 
  soon."
  
  He held her for several minutes before the sound of footsteps made him let 
  go of her.
  
  "Sorry" Bethany said softly. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
  
  "It's okay" Harm smiled. "I have to get going anyway. Brianna and Dylan are 
  going to be waiting for me anyway. We got a lead on Lukens. Hopefully this 
  will all be over real soon."
  
  "Except I'm going to have to testify against him" she whispered.
  
  "We'll be with you through that" Harm said gently. "And I really do have to 
  go. I'll call you as soon as we get him."
  
  He was gone before either could say anything and Mac let out a long sigh.
  
  "I'm sorry" Bethany said quietly. "You're worried about him aren't you? And 
  if it weren't for me, none of this would be happening."
  
  "Bethany this is not your fault. You didn't cause this."
  
  "I wish I'd never met him. I wish I'd never come here."
  
  "Hey don't do this to yourself" Mac said gently. "It's not good for you or 
  the baby. Let's just try and relax while we wait for Harm."
  
  An hour later Mac was pacing the JAG office waiting for Harm to call. There 
  had been no word since he'd left and her mind was already thinking the 
  worst.
  
  "Colonel you're making me nervous out here" Admiral Selby smiled as he 
  walked out of his office.
  
  "Sorry sir" Mac sighed. "I just wish we'd heard something by now."
  
  "These things take time. Just try and relax. I'm sure we'll hear something 
  soon." He wandered out of the office and Mac continued to pace until her 
  cell phone rang a few minutes later.
  
  "Harm" she said quickly.
  
  "Hello Colonel. Expecting your partner?"
  
  "Who is this?" she demanded.
  
  "Lukens. And if you ever want to see your partner alive again you'll do as I 
  say."
  
  "What did you do to him?" Mac whispered. "So help me god if you've hurt him 
  I'm swear I'll kill you myself."
  
  "Big words Colonel. Now listen up. I want to talk to Bethany. I want you and 
  her to come to her apartment. Alone. If you try anything your partner is 
  dead. I'm giving you a half hour to get there."
  
  The line clicked off and Mac stood there for several seconds before Taylor 
  wandered over to her.
  
  "Mac everything okay?" she asked. "Was that Harm?"
  
  "No it was Lukens" Mac whispered. "And he says he has Harm. And he's going 
  to kill him if Bethany and I don't meet him at your apartment."
  
  "Oh my god" Taylor gasped.
  
  "What's wrong?" Bethany asked. "Did they get Justin?"
  
  "No" Mac said quietly. "We need to go to your place and meet him there. If 
  we don't he's going to kill Harm."
  
  "Oh god" Bethany whispered. "We have to get over there before he hurts him. 
  I'll do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't hurt Harm."
  
  "I won't let you and Harm wouldn't either" Mac said softly. "But I am going 
  to find out what's going on."
  
  "I'm going with you" Bethany said firmly. "I can talk to Justin."
  
  "Bethany no" Mac started.
  
  "This is my fault" Bethany wailed. "And I'm going to make it right."
  
  "All right" Mac said finally. "We'd better go. He gave us a half hour 
  deadline."
 
 "Whoa wait just a damn minute," Taylor declared.  "No one is going anywhere without me 
along.  And we should be calling in security and as much firepower as we could manage."
 
 "You should be a Marine," Mac told her.  "And that would be fine except for the fact that you 
know Lukens is watching, and probably has people doing the same. A frontal attack could get 
Harm killed outright. I think we can play it real easy though.  Bethany are you willing to do 
what it takes to bring him down?"
 
 "Just tell me what to do."
 
 "All right, we do what he wants.  You and me.  Meanwhile Taylor you get hold of Brianna and 
Dylan.  If you can.  I only pray they've simply been drawn off and not killed by that bastard."
 
 "You don't think he's killed Harm do you?" Bethany whispered.
 
 "No, no I don't," Mac said vehemently.  "In the first place I can't let myself even consider that 
possibility and the second, he won't have any leverage if he has.  Thirdly. . ."  She paused 
and gave a casual shrug.  "If he has he won't live to face a jury and I think he knows that.  
Shall we?"
 
 "I need to be with you guys," Taylor wailed.
 
 "Lieutenant you need to follow your orders."  Mac put a sharp tone in her words, indicating 
she expected no disobedience."
 
 "Aye ma'am," Taylor answered at once.  "I'll see you soon."
 
 Mac drew two service weapons and pushed one towards Bethany.  

"Ma'am I don't think I could use it."
 
 "I think you can," she replied quietly.  "When the chips are down, I think you'll know what to 
do.  Even if it means using that."
 
 "I'll try."
 
 "Good man. . uh girl.  Let's go get that Sailor I'm in love with."
 ==============
 In the deserted hallway of their apartment, Bethany followed Mac, doing as she did--keeping 
close to the wall.  Mac knocked on the door with the barrel of her weapon, only to have it 
swing open.  She kept a restraining arm back against Bethany, not wanting her to rush 
ahead.
 
 "Colonel I assume that's you."  Lukens' voice.
 
 "Yes it is."  Mac remained flattened against the wall, barely breathing.
 
 "And my little Bethany is with you?"
 
 "I'm here Justin," she called with as firm a voice as she could muster given her fright.
 
 "Where's my partner?  Where's Harm?" Mac demanded.
 
 "Come in, and close the door firmly behind you," Lukens ordered.  
 
 "Stay behind me.  Keep your eyes open and remember you're holding a weapon," she hissed 
to Bethany. The room was dark save a small lamp in the corner and it took a moment for her 
to adjust her eyes.  What she saw made her gasp in horror, for she had found Harm.  
 
 He was sitting on a high backed straight wooden chair in the center of the room.   His chest 
was bound to the back, his arms to his sides, and his legs to the chairlegs, so completely that 
movement of even a millimeter was impossible.  A small ball was in his mouth, lashed there 
with duct tape that also fastened his head to the back of the chair and thoroughly covered his 
eyes as well.
 
 "Come in Colonel," Lukens urged.  "And check on your friend. . .or should I say lover.  You 
two have spent some real quality time together while you've been here."
 
 "You sick bastard," Mac breathed, keeping her weapon leveled at the man while she walked 
inside, motioning Beth to follow and stay close.
 
 "You haven't even seen half yet," he grinned, "and by the way, you can go ahead and shoot 
if you feel the need, but do you know what I'm holding?  Come take a closer look if you need 
to."
 
 When she was within five feet he held up his empty hand for her to stop.  "You should be 
able to tell now.  And being a Marine, you probably know about these things, but just in case. 
. .it's a pressure detonator.  Reverse pressure.  Long as I'm alive and holding in tightly in my 
fist, nothing happens to Commander Lover there.  But if you shoot, as I'm dying, my muscles 
relax and. . .uh a picture is always better.  Go see what's in the bag hanging from the back of 
his chair."
 
 Mac swallowed hard and took a couple of steps toward Harm, finally getting up nerve to ask 
the one question most on her mind.  "How do I knew he's even alive?"
 
 "Well now that's my hole card.  Go look in the bag and then we'll talk.  Just look.  Don't touch.  
Some of that stuff can be a little unstable."
 
 Mac did as she was told, and Bethany's eyes never left her.  "What is it Mac?"
 
 "Enough plastique to blow out the backside of this building, us included," she whispered, 
trying to check on Harm at the same time.
 
 "OK Colonel, stop your fretting.  He's quite alive.  Just touch the pulse point in his neck."
 
 Her sigh of relief was audible as she touched the warm skin on Harm's neck and she leaned 
down to put her mouth to his ear.  "I'm going to get you out of here.  Promise."
  
   "Why are you doing this Justin?" Bethany whispered.
   
   "You were going to ruin me. And I couldn't let that happen. Once they 
   started digging they would have found out."
   
   "Found out that you killed them" she said quietly.
   
   "They deserved it" he snapped. "Both of them. But you were the only one I 
   really want."
   
   "I'm here now. You need to let Harm and Mac go."
   
   "NO" Lukens and Mac both shouted at the same time.
   
   "I'm sorry Bethany but I can't do that. They know. She saw me that night. I 
   can't let anyone live."
   
   "Yes you can. We can go away. You and me. No one will find us. "
   
   "You'll go away with me?" Lukens whispered. "You mean that."
   
   "Yes" Bethany nodded. "All you have to do is let them live. You don't have 
   to kill them. They'll never find us."
   
   "How will we get away?" he asked. "They're looking everywhere for me."
   
   "Mac can tell them to stop looking. That there's word you killed yourself 
   and its over. We'll be able to escape."
   
   "But why should I let them live?"
   
   "Why do you need to kill them?" Bethany said as she slowly crept closer to 
   him. "You have what you want. Me."
   
   "You'll do whatever I want?" Lukens asked and she nodded.
   
   "I'll love you forever Justin" Bethany whispered. "That's what you always 
   wanted wasn't it? Someone to love you forever?"
   
   "You won't leave?" he said in a small childlike voice. "Like Mom always 
   did."
   
   "No Justin" she said softly. "I'll stay with you forever. But only if you 
   let them live."
   
   "You'll never leave me?"
   
   "Never" she said as she held out her hand for the detonator.
   
   Mac had remained quiet during the conversation, seeing that Bethany had 
   taken his attention away from the fact that Mac was still in the room. If he 
   handed her the detonator, it would be over. Her finger slowly moved to the 
   trigger, waiting for the precise moment to shoot.
   
   "You love me Bethany?" he asked softly as he started to transfer the detonator to 
   her hand then stopped and held it slightly away.  One by one his fingers slowly began to 
release it as Bethany watched him in transfixed horror.  "You want this honey?  Come take it."
   
   He never heard her answer as she lunged for his hand and a shot rang out in the room. 
With a stunned look he turned to Mac   He opened his mouth to speak before falling to the 
ground as Bethany's hand closed over his, preventing detonation.
   
   "Bethany" Mac started.
   
   "Call the bomb squad" Bethany whispered. "And I promise I won't let go."
   
   Mac nodded and pulled out her phone just as the sound of footsteps outside 
   in the hall reached them. She hurried to the door, yanking it open to see 
   Brianna and Dylan as well as several security personnel.
   
   "Mac thank god" Brianna breathed as she lowered her weapon. "What's going 
   on?"
   
   "Lukens is dead. But we need someone who can dismantle a bomb ASAP."
   
   "Ma'am I used to do that" one of the security personnel stepped forward. 
   "What do we got?"
   
   "Plastique attached to the chair my partner is tied to" Mac whispered. "And 
   a pressure detonator in the hands of his assistant right now."
   
   "Okay I can handle that. By the way, name's Roy."
   
   "Mac. And the man that I love sitting over there is Harm."
   
   She followed him inside, holding her breath as he approached the chair Harm 
   was strapped to.
   
   "I know you want to get him out of there but I need to get rid of this stuff 
   first" he said quietly as he looked at the bag of explosives. "Too much 
   movement and this will all go."
   
   "Whatever it takes" Mac whispered. "Just don't let him die."
   
   "No way ma'am" he said with a small smile. "Because we'd all go with him and 
   I'm not ready to meet my maker just yet. So we're going to take this real 
   slow and make sure no one has a bad day."
   
   "Bethany how are you doing?" Mac asked.
   
   "I won't let go" she whispered. "I won't let anything happen to Harm. Or 
   you. I don't care about me but you and Harm deserve your life together. And 
   you're going to have it."
   
   "Roy can you handle this?" Dylan asked.
   
   "Yeah but you may want to clear the place just in case" Roy said quietly. 
   "Sometimes these things can be tricky."
    
    "OK that's all I needed to hear," Dylan groaned and looked in to Brianna's eyes.  "Get out."
  
  "What have you been sniffing?" she scoffed at once.  "I'm not going anywhere."
  
  "Ma'am with all due respect, this stuff is not good here.  The bastard only knew enough of 
what he was doing to be dangerous," Ray spoke up.  "And Harm I know you're pretty 
miserable right now, but I don't want to do anything to you or the stuff that's holding you in.  
I'm thinking he may have run another wire from you."
  
  Dylan shot Brianna a look that would befall a maggot and turned to the team leader.  
"Ensign Koskey, I want this building cleared.  
  
  "Aye sir," the young man said at once.  "OK people you heard the man."
  
  "Brianna, go," Dylan begged quietly.  "Please.  I've got it, and you can do just as much good. 
. ."
  
  "Are you leaving?" she demanded.  "If I asked you nicely would you go?"
  
  "And leave you here?  If you think that, you're a bigger wack than the guy.  I've got it.  Go 
please."
  
  "No."
  
  "Dammit Brianna I love you and I want you safe," he raged.
  
  "Dylan I love you and I won't leave you here," she screeched and both of them looked at 
each other in the same moment.
  
  "OK now that we've established that beyond a reasonable doubt, I'm going to issue the final 
word," Mac announced.  "Both of you go.  Now.  We've got all the help we need here with Roy 
and myself."
  
  At those words a harsh cry came from Harm's throat despite his gag and she leaned down 
to touch what little exposed facial skin there was.  "Quiet your six down mister.  I'm not 
leaving you."
  
  Another attempt to object and she leaned down to speak into his ear.  "You keep still and 
quiet or I swear I'm going to have one of the paramedics sedate you.  With the biggest needle 
imaginable.  I know you want me to go, but that's not going to happen.  I won't leave you.  I'm 
not afraid to die with you.  To live without you terrifies me beyond all words."
  
  She felt his body shudder and relax and she gave a long sigh.  "Good man.  Brianna, Dylan 
you're still here.  I told you to go, and I'm making it an order if that helps.  Make sure this 
building is evacuated on your way down."
  
  Still staring at Brianna, Dylan took her arm.  "Uh. . .yeah OK. . .I mean aye aye ma'am.  
We're out of here."
  
  "I thought they'd never leave," Mac smiled, kneeling in front of Harm and taking both his 
hands the best she could.  "OK Roy, you've got two people here who've just put their lives in 
your hands.  Let's have your best."
  
  "Yes ma'am.  Nothing but.  Of course if you get anything less, we'll have to discuss it on the 
other side of the Pearly Gates."  

 "Let's hope that's not the case" Mac said softly. "And I promise to keep 
 quiet and let you do your work."
 
 "Thank you. Bethany just hold onto that detonator until I say it's okay to 
 let go."
 
 She nodded and for the next half hour Roy worked quickly but carefully to 
 disconnect the explosives Lukens had set.
 
 "Okay so far so good" he said as he wiped his brow. "One last wire and we're 
 home free. Let's hope he didn't do anything stupid."
 
 Mac held her breath and moments later Roy looked at Bethany.
 
 "You can let go now."
 
 "Are you sure?" Bethany whispered.
 
 "Yes. Now let go."
 
 It took several seconds but finally Bethany did as he said. All in the room 
 held their breath and Roy let out a long sigh of relief.
 
 "It's over Colonel. Let's get your sailor out of here."
 
 "Thank god" Mac said as she let out the breath she'd been holding. At once 
 she worked to free Harm, starting first with removing the duct tape that 
 held the gag in place and covered his eyes.
 
 "I'll let the others know it's safe now" Roy said to Mac as she gently 
 removed the duct tape. "And we'll get the paramedics up here."
 
 "Thank you" she said without taking her eyes from Harm.
 
 "Mac" he gasped as soon as she'd removed the gag.
 
 "Trying to scare me to death aren't you" she whispered, tears suddenly 
 forming as she realized how easily he could have been killed. How they all 
 could have been killed.
 
 "Sorry" he whispered. "I love you."
 
 "I love you too" she sniffled. "And we'll talk about what happened after I 
 get you out of there and they tell me you're really okay. Did he hurt you?"
 
 "No. I'm fine. Just a little sore from being stuck on this chair for hours."
 
 "Well you'll have to humor me and let them look at you anyway. I want them 
 to tell me you're okay."
 
 He nodded and looked over to where Bethany stood looking down at the body of 
 Justin Lukens.
 
 "Bethany" he said softly.
 
 "He would have killed all of us" she whispered.
 
 "But he didn't because of you" Mac reminded her. "You saved our lives. And 
 now it's over. He can't hurt you anymore. He can't hurt anyone again."
 
 *******************
 Forty Eight Hours Later
 
 "I can't do this" Harm whispered as he held Mac in his arms. "I can't let 
 you go."
 
 "Harm you have to" she whispered. "We knew we would have to do this."
 
 He simply nodded and held her tighter, not wanting to let go of her until he 
 had to. He had no idea when he would see her again and he wanted to treasure 
 every second he had left.
 
 "Colonel it's time" a young Lt. informed them a few moments later. "We'll be 
 taking off shortly."
 
 "That's my cue" she sniffled as she gently pulled away from Harm.
 
 "I love you so much" he said softly. "And as soon as this is over I'm going 
 to make you my wife."
 
 "I love you too. And the thought of our wedding is what will get me through 
 until this is over."
 
 "Me too."
 
 He gave her one last hug, unable to resist holding her for one more precious 
 moment.
 
 "Bye sailor" she whispered when he finally let go. "I'll see you soon."
 
 "I love you Sarah. Please dont ever forget that."
 
 "I won't" she sniffled before turning and hurrying to the plane that waited 
 for her.
 
 
 The End.

Watch for the next chapter of Distant Hearts, as Mac and Harm begin to build their life 
together, facing a new challenge.