TITLE: "Home is Where the Heart Is-Chapter 2"
       AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
       SUMMARY:  Harm and Mac live together. Platonically.  Roommates.  
Separate 
bedrooms.  For how long?  Set during the spring/summer of 2002 however 
neither 
Sergei nor the events of Afghanistan are a factor.
       CLASSIFICATION/RATING:  S/R/A     PG for language, mild violence
       SPOILERS:  In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred 
to.
       FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  
Addy is 
ssbpmn@aol.com.  Please however, we request you respect the work, and 
the effort 
that goes into writing it.
       NOTE:  All parts of this story and previous chapters, as well as 
much of our other 
works, are available at 
                     
                                  
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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 Home---Harm and Mac take the plunge and buy the old 
house.  Ghostly 
spirits and new people enter their lives.

From Home I, part 7--

   Before either could reply, the Admiral's booming voice echoed down 
to the 
   break room.
   
   "Tiner get me Mackenzie and Rabb now"
   
   "I think he found out," Mac said quietly.
   
   "He must have gotten our change of address paperwork we left on 
Friday" Harm 
   sighed. "Time to face the music."
 *****************************
 Home is Where the Heart Is Chapter 2---
  
   "What in the hell is this about?" AJ demanded as he held up the two 
pieces 
   of paper. "I'm going through paperwork and I find that you two are 
suddenly 
   now living together."
   
   "Sir, I can explain" Mac said quickly as she looked over at Harm who 
looked 
   anything but ready to explain the situation to the Admiral.
   
   "Please do Colonel" AJ snapped.
   
   "Sir, Harm and I purchased a house together. We're roommates. We're 
not 
   living together as anything but roommates. We have separate bedrooms 
and 
   separate bathrooms. The only thing we're sharing is the mortgage 
payment and 
   the work around the house."
   
   "I see" AJ said as he looked at the two. "So this is totally on the 
up and 
   up. There's nothing behind the scenes going on that I should know 
about?"
   
   "No sir" Mac assured him.
   
   "Would you tell me if there was?" he sighed.
   
   "Yes sir" Harm spoke up finally. "But as Mac has said, this is 
simply a 
   business deal among friends."
   
   "So when did you two move in?" AJ asked.
   
   "This weekend sir" Mac replied.
   
   "That explains why the Commander looks like he's about to fall on 
his face."
   
   At AJ's words Mac turned to Harm, seeing at once what AJ meant.
   
   "Harm sit down before you fall down," she said as she reached for 
him.
   
   "I'd rather stand" he sighed. "That chair is way too hard."
  
  "Then come over here to the sofa," she ordered, "and stop giving me 
grief Flyboy or 
you're going to have another pain to worry about."
  
  "What the hell happened anyway?" AJ demanded, watching in further 
amazement as 
Mac took one of the small decorative pillows and tucked it in place 
just before he 
landed on it.
  
  "Tetanus shot sir," she smiled sheepishly.   "It hurt like hell going 
in."
  
  "You got to watch did you?" AJ asked mildly.
  
  "Yes sir.  Leaving the room was optional," she grinned teasingly.
  
  "Someone just put a bullet between my eyes," Harm moaned.
  
  "No Sturgis is just going to beat your butt in court instead," she 
laughed and put a 
hand on his shoulder.  "You should have stayed home."
  
  "No he shouldn't have," AJ said sternly.  "He's just gotten a shot, 
not been shot if you 
get my drift.   Now getting back to these things. . .uh these change of 
address forms.  
Tell me this isn't going to cause me gas.  Like I'm not going to have 
to open staff call 
refereeing about who's turn it was to take out the garbage."
  
  "No sir, we don't do that any more. . . fight I mean. . ."
  
  "Since when?"
  
  "Since we're agreeing to keep our domestic squabbles out of the 
office," she smiled 
again.
  
  "Yeah and that phone is going to ring in the next ten minutes and I'm 
going to be 
offered CNO.  But at least you've got the idea in spirit.  OK get out 
of here both of you.  
Remember I've got my eye on you."
  
  "Yes sir."  Mac turned to go with Harm struggling to get to his feet.
  
  "Uh. . .Colonel get your room mate off my sofa before he takes root."
  ============
  "Harm you're really going to need to ask for a continuance," she 
fretted as she 
walked him to his office.  "You look terrible, you're limping and at 
some point you're 
probably going to give out with a moan and grab your six in court and 
then I'm going to 
have to defend you on contempt charges and I have a full calendar."
  
  "I'm fine.  Not only am I going to get through this day, I'm going to 
work on the steps 
when we get home."
  
  "Maybe I'll tie you to the bed," she warned.
  
  "You wouldn't dare."
  
  "Sure she would," Singer laughed evilly, meeting them from the 
intersecting corridor.  
"Kinky ma'am.  May I come play too?  I could bring a friend."
  
  "I'll bet you could.  Some poor unsuspecting Senator," Harm muttered.  
"Colonel, 
please set the Lieutenant straight.  I have a court date to prepare 
for."
  
  At once Singer looked interestedly in Mac's direction.  
  
  "Lieutenant, despite the Commander's suggestion, I don't feel any 
need to set you 
straight," Mac said evenly.  "Because you were intruding on a 
conversation that didn't 
include you.  Excuse me.  I'm sure you have plenty to do."
  
  "Yes ma'am," she sighed between gritted teeth.  It seemed to her she 
was doing that 
often.
  
  For her part Mac felt slightly guilty.  She did not like the 
ambitious Lieutenant, and 
was at times having a hard time keeping that fact to herself.
  
  The morning passed quickly and quietly as she caught up on work and 
Harm went to 
the courtroom.  It was just afternoon when Tiner knocked at her door, 
holding a small 
piece of note paper.  "Ma'am, I'm sorry.  Commander Turner sent a 
message down 
from the courtroom.  Commander Rabb isn't feeling well and he's 
refusing to ask for a 
delay.  Mr. Turner wanted the Admiral but he's at the Secnav's 
luncheon.  What 
should I do with this?"
  
  "You don't really want me to tell you Tiner," she groaned, 
envisioning the paper and 
a certain Commander's backside.
  
  "I hope I did the right thing by coming to you ma'am.  I mean with 
the Admiral gone 
technically you're in charge and. . ."
  
  "Thanks Tiner.  I'm going right now, and this is one time when Mr. 
Rabb is going to 
be less glad than he normally is to see me."
  
  "Yes ma'am," Tiner grinned, smiling to himself.  He knew they were 
now living 
together, or sharing a place or whatever spin was being put on it.
  
  When she got to the courtroom the Marine guard let her inside, just 
in time to see 
Harm standing at the counsel table, holding onto its edge while asking 
his question.  
She remained at the back of the courtroom, sending him a glare she knew 
was boring 
into his back.  Two more questions and Harm looked more unsteady than 
ever.
  
  She was about to step forward when Harm said quietly, "No further 
questions."
  
  Admiral Morris's eyes met hers and he nodded slightly.  "Witness is 
excused and this 
court stands in recess for the remainder of the day.  Commander Rabb I 
do not want 
to see you again until you've recovered from whatever bug you've got.  
And God help 
you if you've infected us."
   
  He pounded his gavel and Harm slowly turned around, seeing Mac for 
the first 
  time as she hurried to assist him.
  
  "Why don't we take a seat Flyboy?" she said as she directed him to 
the 
  counsel's table and to the nearest chair. "You look worse than 
before. If 
  that's possible."
  
  "I can't sit" he whined. "I nearly died earlier when I had to sit 
during 
  Sturgis's cross."
  
  "Fine, I'm taking you home. You had no business coming in today as it 
was."
  
  "You heard the Admiral" he mumbled. "It was just a shot."
  
  "A shot that you're obviously having a reaction too" Mac sighed. "And 
now 
  that Admiral Morris has recessed court you have no reason to stay. 
I'm 
  taking you home and that's all there is to it."
  
  "Yes Mom" he sighed. "Course it would be easier if you just shot me 
  instead."
  
  "Sorry I like having you around even if you are a major pain in the 
six" she 
  smiled. "Besides I need someone to help pay for the mortgage on the 
  Batesville Motel remember?"
  
  "Mac I see Tiner got you my message" Sturgis said as he joined them. 
"Thanks 
  for coming down. Course Admiral Morris had already figured out that 
Superman 
  shouldn't have been here today and should have requested a 
continuance."
  
  "Well I'm going to take Superman home and I'm not going to let him 
out the 
  door tomorrow until I know he's okay."
  
  "I'm still here" Harm growled. "So stop talking about me like I'm 
not."
  
  "Come on grouchy" Mac smiled as she led him from the courtroom. 
"We'll get 
  you home and into bed and maybe if you're good your little friend 
Mallory 
  will stop by and visit."
  
  "Mac" he whined.
  
  "All right, just kidding. Don't be so sensitive."
  
  "You'd be sensitive if your six hurt like hell and you felt like crap 
like I 
  do."
  
  "I know you do" Mac sighed. "Come on sailor. Let's get you home."
  
  A short time later she led him up the stairs to his bedroom, gently 
leading 
  him to the bed and helping him down on to it. He fell back against 
the 
  pillows with a long groan and Mac took off his shoes and hoisted his 
legs up 
  before unbuttoning his jacket.
  
  "Can you work with me a bit here?" she asked as she attempted to 
slide his 
  jacket off. He leaned forward enough for her to slide the jacket off 
before 
  dropping back against the pillows.
  
  "Kill me now" he moaned.
  
  "Poor thing" she said sympathetically as she started to unbutton the 
top 
  buttons of his shirt. Her eyes caught a glimpse of something red on 
his neck 
  and chest and she unbuttoned the shirt further.
  
  "Red light Colonel" Harm murmured. "I'm not quite up to that today."
  
  "Yeah I know" she sighed. "Harm you have red blotches all over you. 
Were 
  these there this morning?"
  
  "What?" he groaned as he opened his eyes and looked down at his chest 
where 
  red blotches were in fact covering him. "No they weren't" he sighed.
  
  "Maybe I should take you back to the ER" Mac fretted. "You could be 
having a 
  major reaction here."
  
  "No" he said firmly. "No more ER. They're the ones that did this to 
me 
  remember."
  
  "Well I can't just leave you like this without making sure there 
isn't 
  something else we should be doing" Mac sighed. "Admiral Morris isn't 
going 
  to let you into the court room looking like this." She looked 
closely, 
  noticing that the blotches were on his neck as well.
  
  "I'm not going to the ER" Harm whined. "Just leave me and I'll be 
fine."
  
  "Hey didn't you say Mallory's brother was a doctor" Mac said 
thoughtfully. 
  "Maybe I can call Mallory and see if he'd stop by."
  
  "NO"
  
  "ER or I call Mallory. Those are your two options mister."
  
  "I don't like either" he complained. "Why can't you just leave it? 
I'm sure 
  it will be fine tomorrow."
  
  "Yeah and I'm the Pope" Mac groaned. "Harm those little blotches are 
a rash 
  of some kind and they're only going to get worse before they get 
better. Now 
  which is it going to be?"
  
  "Call Mallory" he said finally.
  
  "See I knew we could reach an understanding" Mac smiled. "Can I get 
you 
  anything in the meantime?"
  
  "No just leave me alone in my misery."
  
  "Harm you didn't eat breakfast and I'm sure you didn't have lunch 
either. 
  You need to eat something."
  
  "When my stomach stops churning I'll be happy to do that" he sighed. 
"Until 
  then its better empty."
  
  "All right. I'm calling Mallory. Is her number handy?"
  
  "In the kitchen on the fridge. Call her work number. It will ring to 
her 
  cell phone if she's not at the office."
  
  Mac nodded and with one last look at her pathetic partner headed down 
to the 
  kitchen to call Mallory.  
 ============
 "Thanks Mallory.  I really appreciate it.  And I'm looking forward to 
meeting Wes too."  
Mac hung up the phone and trudged up the stairs once more.  The door to 
his room 
was open and when she walked in he was just coming out of his bathroom, 
one hand 
beneath the elastic of his sweat pants while he scratched and the other 
clawing his 
chest.  His hair hung down over his forehead, and he looked less like a 
Naval officer 
than she had ever seen him.
 
 "Excuse me while I get my camera," she laughed lightly.  "If the 
people who wanted 
you for that recruiting film could see you now."
 
 "I itch everywhere," he groused.  "Whatever these things are, they're 
now itching.  I'm 
about to crawl out of my skin.  And it wouldn't hurt for you to be a 
little sympathetic."
 
 "Harm you've got an allergic reaction, not a sucking chest wound, but 
OK wait one," 
she told him, hurrying to her bathroom.  She started the tub filling 
and added the 
colloidal oatmeal powder she knew she had saved.   A soak would be 
soothing.   "OK 
Flyboy, let's go," she ordered taking his arm when she returned.
 
 "Is this where you kill me?"
 
 "No this is where I put you in the tub," she retorted.  "And Mallory 
will bring Wes over 
in about an hour.  She called him on the other phone while I waited and 
explained the 
problem and he's about finished for the day.  They're bringing some 
Chinese food 
too."
 
 By this time they had reached her bathroom and she helped him off with 
his tee shirt.  
"You'll have to do the rest yourself.  Now get in there.  You want a 
magazine.  Maybe 
your Playboy?"
 
 "Thanks but I'm more a Penthouse kind of a guy."
 
 "No surprise there," she muttered.  "OK undressed and in with you."
 
 "You could join me.  It's big enough."
 
 For a long few seconds she did not answer as the possibilities ran 
through her mind, 
not that she was seriously considering it, but that she could picture 
it.
 
 "Mac?"
 
 "Huh. . .what?  Nothing never mind just get into that water while it's 
warm, and holler 
if you need anything."
 
 "Does a different life count?"
 
 "Not until I get mine.  Six into the tub mister."
 
 She went downstairs and tackled another box, working in the kitchen.  
Almost an hour 
and a half passed before she realized it as her mind occupied itself 
with the changes 
both she and Harm were undergoing with the move.
 
 The doorbell disturbed her from her thoughts and she ran to let in 
Mallory and Wes.
 
 "Wes this is. . .
 
 "Yeah I didn't figure her to be Harm," he grinned, pushing an unruly 
lock of hair, 
blonde like Mallory's, off his forehead before taking her outstretched 
hand.  "Hi Sarah."
 
 "Wes," she smiled.  "Most people call me Mac."
 
 "But Sarah suits you better."
 
 "OK."  She did not want to tell him it was a name that Harm used when 
he was in one 
of his softer moments and that she preferred Mac otherwise.
 
 "So where's the patient?"
 
 "Upstairs soaking in an oatmeal bath," she sighed.  "In fact I haven't 
heard from him. . 
.haven't heard from him in ninety-four minutes."   A swift look of 
alarm came over her 
face and she took the steps two at a time, calling his name anxiously.
 
 "Mallory, hey I'm glad to help," Wes said quietly, "but you said they 
were only friends."
 
  "That's what he told me" Mallory sighed. "Trust me, I wouldn't get 
involved 
  with anyone who wasn't free. And he assured me they had no 
commitments to 
  each other."
  
  "Does she know that?"
  
  "Yes. They're a little close that’s all."
  
  "How close is close Mal?" Wes asked. "I mean they're living 
together."
  
  "It's a business deal Wes. Neither of them could afford a place on 
their own 
  so they pitched in together and bought it."
  
  "You're sure?"
  
  "Yes. And I think we can go upstairs and see what's going on."
  
  *********
  "Harm" Mac called as she hurried down the hall to the bathroom that 
she 
  normally used. "Harm"
  
  He awoke just as the door to the bathroom flew open and Mac burst in.
  
  "Are you okay?" she demanded, doing her best to keep her eyes on his 
face 
  and not other parts of his anatomy.
  
  "Yeah I guess I fell asleep" he murmured. "Did you want to join me or 
  something?"
  
  "No I wanted to make sure you're still alive" she groaned as her 
cheeks 
  turned red.  "Mallory and Wes are here and I'd suddenly realized I 
hadn't 
  heard from you in a while and for a minute I was afraid you'd drowned 
in the 
  tub or something. But I can see you're fine and I'm going to leave 
you to 
  get dressed so Wes can look at you."
  
  She quickly exited the bathroom, running into Mallory and Wes as she 
did.
  
  "Is he okay?" Wes asked.
  
  "Yeah he's fine. He fell asleep in the tub. He'll be out in a 
minute."
  
  Harm emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, Mallory waiting 
to help 
  him back to his bed.
  
  "You're quite a sight," Mallory said sympathetically. "Does it itch 
bad?"
  
  "The oatmeal helped" he sighed as he crawled into bed. "Where's Mac?"
  
  "Downstairs with Wes. They're bringing you up some food. Mac said you 
  haven't eaten all day."
  
  "Haven't felt like it. And now I look as bad as I feel."
  
  "I'm sure Wes will have something he can give you to help clear up 
the 
  reaction," Mallory said softly.
  
  "Please. There's too much stuff to be done around here and me lying 
in bed 
  isn't going to get it done. And I don't want Mac doing all the work 
  herself."
  
  "I'd be happy to help her out" Mallory offered. "And Wes is pretty 
handy 
  too. We could probably make quick work of those steps if you want."
  
  "That might be a good idea" Harm sighed. "Before someone falls and 
sues us 
  for not keeping up our property."
  
  "I'll mention it to Wes. I'm sure he'd be glad to help out."
  
  Footsteps on the stairs signaled Mac and Wes coming and a moment 
later Mac 
  walked into the room with a tray of food.
  
  "Some lunch sailor" she smiled.  "After Dr. Wes makes sure you're 
going to 
  live."
  
  "You did get the life insurance policy to pay for his half of the 
house 
  didn't you Sarah?" Wes teased. "Just in case."
  
  "Of course" Mac smiled back, ignoring Harm's long glare at the use of 
her 
  given name by Wes.
  
  "Of course" Harm smirked sarcastically. "Maybe you'll be lucky and 
I'll be 
  dead by morning."
  
  "Sarah, why don't you and Mal wait downstairs while I take a look at 
Harm's 
  rash."
  
  "Sure. If you need anything holler" Mac smiled.
  
  "Mac, Harm said you might need some help around here for a few days 
until he 
  gets back on his feet" Mallory said as they walked down the stairs. 
"I'd be 
  happy to help out with whatever I could."
  
  "Thanks but I think I can handle it. At least the inside stuff 
anyway. The 
  steps are just going to have to wait for Harm."
  
  "Wes might be able to help. He's pretty handy with a saw and hammer."
  
  "I don't want to ask" Mac started.
  
  "No really. We're glad to help out. And I know Wes will too. He's a 
great 
  guy."
  
  "He seems nice" Mac murmured.
  
  "When Harm is better we'll all have to go on that double date" 
Mallory 
  smiled. "I'm sure we'll all have a blast."
   
 Mac opened her mouth to object and then thought about Wes.  A nice 
guy--doctor no 
less, that shock of blonde hair making him screen star handsome.  It 
might be fun.  It 
had been a long time since she had been out just for fun.
 
 "Let's plan on it."
 ==============
 "Harm you've got yourself a case of the hives from the tetanus shot," 
Wes said 
sympathetically.  "And despite how miserable you are you're not going 
to die."
 
 "The itching alone is going to make me crazy," he gasped.
 
 "Yes and you're going to scratch yourself and get an infection and 
then you'll be even 
more miserable."
 
 "So just euthanize me," he muttered.
 
 "Well why don't we try something a little more conservative first.  
Like a shot of 
antihistamine and some topical ointment."
 
 "Another shot?  Are you insane?  Letting you needle pushers near me in 
the first 
place is how I got like this."
 
 "I promise this shot will have you feeling better by morning.  
Allergic reactions to the 
medication are very rare.  The worst that can happen is that you'll be 
a little out of it 
the rest of the day, you'll sleep well, and you'll feel better in the 
morning."
 
 "Well enough to work?"
 
 "Now that I'm not going to promise.  Your roommate seems like she 
worries over you.  
You think she'd let you go."
 
 "Well I wouldn't mind spending a day here at the house getting a few 
things done if I 
didn't think I'd be court martialed.  OK, do it."
 
 "Sure."  He readied the shot and reached for Harm's arm.  "This one 
can go topside."
 
 "Bless you."
 
 "Say uh. . .Harm. . .speaking of your roommate.  Sarah.  You and she 
don't have any 
kind of arrangement or understanding or. . .OK, man to man.  Are you 
going to break 
my nose if I ask her out?"  As he was asking the question, he injected 
the needle and 
Harm was glad of the excuse to grimace.
 
 "No Mac--I call her Mac--can certainly go out with you if she 
pleases," Harm nodded 
with a sigh of relief when the needle was out.
 
 "Then she's a free woman?"
 
 He took a long breath, recalling a similar line of questioning from 
another man a long 
while back.  A certain Australian asking him if a young pretty Major 
was available.  At 
that time he had been sure Mac would not want to date the cocky 
newcomer so he 
merely dismissed his question with assurance that he could ask.   
Despite the fact that 
he had started them on a long road to hell by giving Brumby a clear 
field, he could not 
in this present moment insinuate that there was anything more than 
friendship with 
Mac and him.
 
 "I told you yes.  Go for it."  There, it was said.  He could only hope 
for the best.
 
 "Shall we go eat something then.  Mal said you weren't a red meat 
eater much so we 
brought an assortment of Chinese food."
 
 "Yeah OK thanks."  Harm smiled and got to his feet.  He could not 
really dislike this 
man so far, and since he and Mallory came as almost a package deal, he 
would make 
the effort.
 
 "Good there you are," Mac called.  "I was just coming up to check on 
you.  What's the 
verdict doctor?  He's going to survive the night?"
 
 "He'll be fine.  Just keep an eye on him.  I've given him a shot 
that's going to make 
him pretty spacey."
 
 "How will I know the difference," she teased, coming forward to take 
his arm.  "Can I 
rub the sore spot?" she added reaching for his backside.
 
 "It was in the arm," he glared.
 
 "Poor dear," she laughed and reached up intending to kiss his cheek, a 
move not 
successful as he was just turning his head toward her and her kiss 
landed at the 
corner of his mouth.  Both froze, staring at each other in surprise.
 
 Mallory and Wes exchanged looks as well, waiting to see what would 
happen.
 
 "Did someone say we had Chinese?" Harm finally got out.
 
   "Yes we do" Mallory smiled. "Here let me help you Harm." She gently 
reached 
  for his arm and led him to one of the chairs, hurrying to the living 
room 
  for a pillow, which she quickly set down for him.
  
  "Thanks" he sighed.
  
  "So how did you two manage to find this place?" Wes asked as they all 
  gathered around the table. "We figured no one would ever buy this 
place 
  again."
  
  "Why not?" Mac asked.
  
  "You didn't tell them?" Wes asked as he looked over at Mallory.
  
  "No" she said slowly. "I didn't know if they wanted to hear the 
neighborhood 
  rumor or not."
  
  "Let me guess someone was murdered here" Harm said sarcastically. 
"And the 
  place is haunted and everyone who's ever lived here has moved out 
within a 
  few months."
  
  "I thought you hadn't told them the story," Wes said to Mallory.
  
  "You're not serious" Harm groaned. "I was just kidding."
  
  "Tell me the story" Mac spoke up. "Because I have noticed some weird 
things 
  around here. All of which Harm says is my imagination but I know it 
isn't."
  
  "Everyone who's ever lived here has said the same thing" Wes nodded. 
"But 
  I'll tell you the story as we knew it growing up."
  
  "Fine and when she has nightmares tonight, I'll call you" Harm 
sighed.
  
  "That's fine" Wes smiled. "I'd be happy to stay with Sarah if she 
wanted."
  
  "Just tell us the story" Harm snapped. "Who was murdered and why 
they're 
  haunting the place."
  
  "Well we don't actually know for sure someone was murdered. Just that 
the 
  original owner's brother disappeared. This place was built by Nate 
and Russ 
  Weathers way back in the 30's. They were both older fellows who'd 
never met 
  the right women so they decided to build this place together.  Well 
right 
  after they did, Nate met Marion, a younger lady who'd recently been 
widowed. 
  Nate and Marion fell in love and eventually married and she moved 
in."
  
  "Is there a point to this anytime soon" Harm grumbled, his eyes 
already 
  starting to feel heavy from the antihistamine shot. But he was 
determined to 
  stay awake long enough to hear this ridiculous story.
  
  "I'm getting there. The legend has it that Russ stayed there with 
Nate and 
  Marion and that eventually they started an affair. Nate found out 
about and 
  in a fit of rage killed Marion."
  
  "Oh god" Mac gasped and Harm shot Wes a long glare.
  
  "Thank you very much " Harm snapped.
  
  "It's okay Harm" Mac said quickly. "I just was surprised that's all. 
What 
  happened to Russ and Nate."
  
  "Nate took off after he killed Marion. But Russ was never found. I'm 
not 
  sure I should tell you the rest or not."
  
  "Go on" Mac urged. "I want to know what we're dealing with here."
  
  "They never found Russ. The rumor was that Nate buried him somewhere 
in the 
  house. That he killed Russ first and Marion before he took off."
  
  "Okay I've heard enough" Harm sighed. "Thank you for the lovely ghost 
  story."
  
  "Is this true?" Mac asked Wes. "Did this happen?"
  
  "Marion was killed here. That is fact. As for what happened to Russ, 
well 
  that's purely speculation."
  
  "Wow" Mac whispered. "I knew this place had a weird feel to it but I 
never 
  thought anything like that had happened."
  
  "Just because someone was murdered here doesn't mean the place is 
haunted" 
  Harm sighed. "And I'm sure there's logical explanations for 
everything 
  that's happened."
  
  "Harm why don't you believe this place could be haunted. You're the 
one who 
  saw the ghost of Lt. Tate when we were on the Hornet."
  
  "Yeah and you didn't believe me. You thought I was hallucinating."
  
  "You saw a ghost?" Mallory spoke up. "For real?"
  
  "I guess it was a ghost" Harm sighed. "We were investigating a murder 
that 
  had happened on the Hornet during Vietnam. Two salvage guys found a 
skeleton 
  in the bulkhead. Long story short, the dead guy led me to his 
quarters to 
  find something, which is a whole other story I don't want to get into 
and 
  then he helped us find the way out when the salvage guys set the ship 
on 
  fire."
  
  "Did you see the ghost?" Wes asked Mac.
  
  "No but somehow Harm got us out of there" Mac said softly. "So 
someone had 
  to show him the way."
  
  "You know you might find a skeleton in here," Wes said quietly. "Russ 
could 
  be buried in here somewhere."
  
Mac shuddered visibly and instinctively looked around the room.  "You 
know this place 
has obviously been remodeled more than once, not to mention there's 
that old 
fireplace that's been bricked up and the basement that's got a 
blackened window 
where there's no corresponding room and. . ."
 
 "Whoa Ninja-girl you're freaking yourself," Harm cautioned.
 
 "I guess I am," she sighed.  "I have a small problem with death.   I 
don't like it. . .I 
mean I don't handle it well.  It's part of being a Marine, but I've 
seen too much of it---
way more than I thought I would outside combat and. . .and I'm shutting 
up now.  More 
moo shu please."
 
 Harm gave her a long look and passed the container.  "Mac this place 
is not haunted.  
A lot of families have lived in this house since Frick and Frack 
there."
 
 "Of course."  Her tone indicated she was not convinced.
 
 "Look Mallory, Wes, you guys grew up here right.  Who lived here when 
then--that 
would be in the late seventies or early eighties right?  Did you know 
any of the 
families?"
 
 "Oh yeah," Wes nodded.  "Let's see there was the Dallenbacks, the 
Spencers, the 
Whitmans, the Krugers."
 
 "Don't forget the Logans and that strange old man what was his name?" 
Mallory 
added.
 
 "Oh good grief how could I forget Mr. Marstettler," he laughed.  "That 
man terrified 
me."  He laughed again and looked at Harm and Mac.  "He was about a 
hundred and 
ten, and all stoop shouldered, poor guy.  His hair stuck out on all 
sides, and he had a 
hook nose and long bony fingers.  Our mother felt sorry for him and 
used to make us 
bring him care packages--casseroles and cookies and stuff.  He wheezed 
when he 
talked and walked with a crooked cane.  Doesn't seem like much now but 
for kids this 
is the stuff nightmares are made of."
 
 "For adults too," Mac sighed.  "But now I want to know.  What happened 
to the guy?"
 
 "One day in the Fall after he'd been here about a year I came with a 
basket of bread 
and an apple pie," Wes said softly.  "The door pushed open when I 
knocked and he 
was lying just inside.  Dead."
 
 "Oh my god," Mac gasped involuntarily, her hand going to her mouth.  
"Tell me he 
wasn't murdered too."
 
 "Actually the cause of death was cardiac arrest," Wes said quietly, 
"thing is, I saw the 
look on his face.  He died of fright, pure and simple."
 
 Mac swallowed and shuddered at the same time, her eyes wide as she 
looked around 
the room once more, her gaze fastening to the front door as if she 
could see the old 
man lying there.
 
 "And I would swear I heard. . ." Wes began almost gleefully seeing 
Mac's face and 
Harm's fist came down hard on the table.  "Knock it off."
 
 Wes looked startled.  "Harm I was just. . ."
 
 "You were just scaring her to death and loving every second of it.  
Quit.  Now."
    
  "Harm it's okay" Mac said quietly. "I'm fine."
  
  "Wes I think we've done enough of the ghost stories for tonight" 
Mallory 
  spoke up.
  
  "Sorry. I get carried away sometimes" Wes smiled. "You okay Sarah?"
  
  "Yeah I'm fine" she smiled as well. "Harm you should get back up to 
bed. I'm 
  sure that shot is making you tired."
  
  "A little" Harm admitted with a long sigh.
  
  "Mallory why don’t you help the patient up stairs and I'll help Sarah 
clean 
  up and then maybe we can get those stairs finished off tonight."
  
  "This sucks" Harm whined as Mallory helped him into bed. "I have too 
much to 
  do."
  
  "There will be plenty of time for that" Mallory soothed. "And Wes is 
more 
  than willing to help out. I think him and Mac are going to hit it off 
pretty 
  good. We'll have to plan our double date for this weekend."
  
  "Sounds wonderful" Harm sighed as he closed his eyes.
  
  "Get some rest" Mallory said softly as she leaned forward to drop a 
quick 
  kiss on his forehead.
  
  ******************
  Three Hours Later
  
  "Thanks for everything" Mac smiled as she walked Wes and Mallory to 
the 
  door. "I really appreciate it. And so will Harm I'm sure."
  
  "Couldn't have anyone falling on those steps" Wes smiled. "And see it 
only 
  took us a few hours to get them taken care of."
  
  "Well I do appreciate it."
  
  "Mac what do you think about all of us getting together this weekend 
for 
  that dinner and a movie?" Mallory asked.
  
  "If Harm's up to it," Mac said slowly.
  
  "Oh he'll be fine by then" Wes assured her. "I'm sure he'll be back 
to his 
  normal self tomorrow."
  
  "Well then I don't see why not" Mac smiled. "You have something in 
mind that 
  you'd want to see."
  
  "Something that won't bore them or gross us out" Mallory smiled. "I'm 
sure 
  we can come up with something. Saturday night good for you?"
  
  "Works for me. Do you want us to meet you or what?"
  
  "No we'll come get you two" Wes replied. "Mal will call with the time 
later 
  in the week."
  
  "All right. Thanks again for everything."
  
  "Good night Sarah" Wes smiled. "Don't forget to lock up behind us."
  
  She watched them pull away before closing the front door and locking 
it. She 
  was suddenly tired from everything and decided that a long soak in 
the tub 
  would be a good idea. She turned off everything downstairs and 
checked the 
  doors again before heading upstairs. Her first stop was Harm's room 
to check 
  on him and she was happy to see him still sound asleep. The red 
blotches 
  seemed to be fading and she was glad she'd called Wes to come check 
on him.
  
  An hour later she pulled herself from the bathtub and crawled into 
her bed. 
  Exhaustion over took her almost as soon as she closed her eyes.  
  ************
  It was loud screaming that startled Harm out of his drug induced 
sleep. It 
  took a moment for his mind to register that the screaming was coming 
from 
  Mac's room and he quickly threw back the covers as he stumbled from 
his bed.
  
  "Mac" he yelled as he burst into her room.
  
  Her screaming continued and he hurried to her bed, sitting down on 
the edge 
  and quickly pulling her into his arms.
  
  "Mac it's okay," he said gently. "I'm here. No one is going to hurt 
you. 
  Come on Mac, wake up."
  
  Her screams finally subsided as he held on tightly to her trembling 
body. 
  Finally her eyes opened and she looked up at him with a frightened 
look.
  
  "It's okay" he soothed. "You're okay. It was just a nightmare. I'm 
here and 
  you're okay."
  
  "Harm" she whispered before burying her head against his chest.
  
  "Shh it was just a nightmare," he said softly. "It's over now. No one 
is 
  going to hurt you."
  
  He held her tightly until she gently pulled away a few minutes later.
  
  "I'm sorry" she whispered.
  
  "It's not your fault" Harm said gently. "I'm betting your nightmare 
was 
  about what Wes told you tonight."
  
  "It was not," she objected and received a tolerant smile from him in 
reply.  "OK so I'm 
a damn liar.  Harm you probably should know that I'm prone to 
nightmares.  And I 
scream enough to wake the dead, no pun intended.  I had a neighbor to 
call the police 
one night and report I was being raped.  I'm sorry.  I should have told 
you."
 
 "Never mind that but have you always been?"
 
 "No.  It started after I came to JAG."
 
 "Something specific that caused them?" he questioned gently.
 
 She was about to shake her head when he caught her cheek in his cupped 
hand.  
"Truth please."
 
 "The poachers in the mountains," she admitted under his intense gaze.  
"I had my 
first one in the hospital the first night there.  It was so real.  I 
kept stabbing and 
stabbing and the blood kept pouring out all over me but that's not the 
worst part.  The 
worst part is that he. . .he. . .ra. . .ra. . ."  She could not get the 
word out and Harm 
pulled her against him once more, disregarding the fact that he was 
bare chested and 
she clad only in a skimpy tank shirt and sleep boxers.
 
 She allowed herself to be held for a few minutes more and pushed away 
from him 
once again.  "OK I need to stop this.  I'm fine.  I have the nightmare 
and I wake up 
screaming and trembling and soaked, but it's done.  And it never 
happens more than 
once a night."
 
 "Is it always the same one?" he frowned, distressed that something he 
inadvertently 
had caused had done that to her.
 
 "Oh hell no," she laughed to ease some of the tension.  "That's the 
first in the 
repertoire, and an old favorite that comes around pretty often.  But 
there's lots of them.  
There's you crashing the Stealth for example, and you not being found 
in time last 
May.  Then there's a real favorite--I marry Mic.  There's also a 
corresponding one--I 
don't marry Mic but you marry Renee."
 
 "Now I'm going to have nightmares," he groaned.  "OK, let's get you 
back to bed if 
you're sure you're OK."  
 
 "Actually you're the one who needs a little more sleep I think," she 
said softly, seeing 
his eyes were half closed.
 
 "Yeah that shot is still messing with me, but on the other hand I no 
longer look like a 
cartoon and I don't itch.  Going now if you're OK."  He wavered 
slightly as he spoke 
and when he started to rise his legs did not cooperate.
 
 "Wait I'll help you," she murmured.  
 
 "No it's OK just give me a minute to. . ." he began and to her 
surprise he fell 
backwards onto his side, his head scoring a direct hit on her pillow.
 
 "Harm no wait wrong," she objected, giving him a firm shake.  Even as 
she did so she 
knew he was down for the count.  "OK Sailor we'll trade spaces but 
there had better 
not be anything disgusting in your bed."
 ===========
 It was to the sound of shower water that he awoke the next morning and 
he sat up 
slowly, wondering why he could hear the shower so clearly from his end 
of the long 
hallway.  Since when did his room have light blue drapes and where was 
the worn 
comforter he had slept under since. . . "Mac?  Maaa-aaac?"
 
 That second scream was enough to be heard over the water and she shut 
it off, 
quickly donning her big terry robe before stepping out of the bathroom.
 
 "Where's the fire Flyboy," she demanded.  
  
  "What am I doing in your bed?" he asked with such bewilderment that 
she 
  couldn't help but smile as a thought crossed her mind.
  
  "You don't remember?" she teased.
  
  "Remember what?" he demanded. "I remember going to bed and then you 
woke up 
  screaming in the middle of the night. The last thing I remember was 
holding 
  you" He stopped and she continued to smile devilishly at him. "Did 
  something happen after that?"
  
  "You really don't remember?" she said in a pretend hurt voice.
  
  "Mac please just tell me what we did" he whispered. "I really don't 
remember 
  which surprises me because I would think making love to you was 
something I 
  wouldn't forget."
  
  "I guess it wasn't as good for you" she continued with the charade.
  
  "No" he said quickly. "I'm sure it was. It's just that with that 
stupid shot 
  I don't remember most of what happened after dinner. Except that you 
woke up 
  screaming and I came in here. If anything happened after that, I 
don't 
  remember. I'm sorry. All the times I've dreamed of making love to you 
and I 
  don't even remember our first time."
  
  "You've dreamed of making love to me?" Mac whispered.
  
  "Well there's been several fantasies where you're concerned" Harm 
admitted. 
  "The one of you walking out of the shower in a towel is the one that 
sticks 
  in my mind the most. You're like you are now, with your hair dripping 
wet, 
  only instead of the robe, you're in a towel."
  
  "Tell me the rest of your fantasy" Mac said softly as she sat down on 
the 
  side of the bed next to him.
  
  "You come over to the bed like you just did" he whispered. "And then 
you 
  lean forward and just as we start to kiss I wake up."
  
  "You mean like this" Mac whispered as she leaned forward, stopping 
just shy 
  of his lips.
  
  "Yes" he murmured before closing the gap between them, his lips 
touching 
  hers in the gentlest of kisses.
 
  "Harm I have to confess something" Mac whispered. "We didn't do 
anything 
  last night. I was just pulling your leg."
  
  "We didn't?" he said quietly.
  
  "No. You fell asleep in my bed and I slept in your bed last night. 
Which by 
  the way is actually much more comfortable than mine."
  
  "So nothing happened? I told you all my fantasies about you and 
nothing 
  happened?"
  
  "You're mad aren't you?" she said slowly and he nodded. "Harm I was 
just 
  teasing. You know room mates do those kinds of things."
  
  "You are dead meat Marine" he said as he pushed himself from the bed.
  
  "Harm revenge is a bad thing" Mac smiled as she stood up as well.
  
  "Oh not in this case" he said so seriously she wasn't sure he was 
teasing or 
  not. "When you least expect it Mackenzie, I'm going to get you back."
  
  "Okay I guess I deserve that" she sighed. "I'm sorry. I was just 
having a 
  little fun. I didn't mean to make you mad."
  
  She turned to leave the room, only to have him suddenly grab her and 
pull 
  her back down on the bed, holding her arms back as he started to 
tickle her.
  
  "Harm" she laughed. "Stop it."
  
  "After what you did" he grinned. "No way. And this is not even close 
to 
  being your payback."
  
  "Harm I'm sorry" she managed between laughs. "Please stop."
  
  He finally let go of her and she lay panting on the bed as he looked 
down at 
  her.
  
  "Paybacks are hell Marine" he laughed. "Just remember that." With 
that he 
  stood up and headed out of the room.
  
  "Harm was that really your fantasy?" she said softly.
  
  "What do you think?" he smiled before heading to the shower.
  
  "God Mackenzie you are crazy" she muttered to herself once he was 
gone. 
  Living with him wasn't going to be quite as easy as she thought it 
would be. 
  But then again there was always plenty of cold water in the shower.
JAG HQ
Following Day
  "Ma'am do you have a moment" Harriet asked as she followed Mac into 
her 
  office.
  
  "Sure what is it Harriet?"
  
  "I think it would be nice to have a housewarming party for you and 
the 
  Commander. I'll take care of all of the arrangements, we just need 
your 
  house to use."
  
  "Harriet you don't have to do that" Mac smiled.
  
  "Well it is the first house for both of you. And it would be a good 
excuse 
  to get everyone together again."
   
  "Well I'd have to check with Harm of course, but I'd love to have you 
guys all out for a 
cookout again and to see the place once it gets a little more fixed up.  
We just got the 
front steps in order so that we won't be sued.  And I want to call 
someone in to help 
with the painting and to order some paper."
 
 "You sound so domestic," Harriet smiled and closed the door behind 
her, keeping that 
mischievous look.  "Sarah can I ask how living with that gorgeous man 
is," she 
giggled, sounding far more like she was a junior high school student 
between classes 
than a US Navy Lieutenant.
 
 "Lieutenant don't you have work to do?" Mac groaned.  "And living with 
him isn't all 
fun and games.  As I'm sure he feels the same about me.  Dismissed."
 
 "Yes ma'am."  Harriet turned to go, freezing in place at Mac's next 
words.
 
 "Of course this morning he woke up in my bed and then we had a tickle 
match."
 
 "Right ma'am.  Very funny.  Excuse me."
 ===============
 "Hey thank god it's the weekend," Harm sighed as he pulled up to the 
house.   "And 
what the hell is that on our porch."   A large brown box sat by the 
door and Mac was 
out of the car at once, heading for it.
 
 "Mac don't touch that you don't know what it is for godsake" he 
screamed after her.
 
 "Harm it's wallpaper," she called over her shoulder.  "Nothing more 
ominous than the 
wallpaper I ordered for the living room from the Internet.  Remember 
the other night I 
was showing you examples and what did you say?"
 
 He gave her a blank look.  
 
 "You said Mac the game is starting, they all look good, you have 
excellent taste, pick 
one and it will be fine."
 
 "I said all that?"
 
 "And then you stumbled to the TV and yelled at me for hiding the 
remote."
 
 "That part is familiar.  Only because you always do hide it.  So what 
kind is it?  Am I 
going to hate it?"
 
 "You don't get an opinion remember.  You waived your right to that in 
favor of the 
game."  She shook her head and started to pick up the box, only to have 
him grab her 
arm. 
 
 "Hey this is heavy.  Ask for help."  
 
 "I'm sorry.  Harm dear would you mind bringing the box in for lil ole 
me.  Never mind 
that I can bench press your weight."
 =============
 At 11PM Harm shut down his computer in his room and wandered toward 
the kitchen, 
thinking turkey sandwich before bed.  
 
 "I thought you had gone to bed," he gasped, spotting Mac in the living 
room, on a step 
ladder with her arm full of wall paper strips.
 
 "I worked on the Safflour case.  That got me so pissed that I needed 
to do something 
to calm down so I'm starting on this."
 
 "Well it's better than putting your fist through a wall I guess," he 
murmured, walking 
over to the front door to check its lock on his way to the kitchen.
 
 When he emerged with a glass of milk in one hand and a sandwich in the 
other he 
stopped and looked at her efforts.  "OK it's not too bad," he conceded.  
"But you need 
to go up to bed."
 
 "I'm busy imagining Corporal Jimmy Safflour's face being smashed under 
my roller," 
she muttered.  "I'll be up later.  Good night."
 
 "Good night Marine."
 
 It was barely an hour later.  He had almost fallen asleep, ZNN playing 
softly in the 
background and Time magazine across his chest.  At first he thought he 
might have 
been dreaming.  There was a rattling noise from below as if a shutter 
could be loose 
on a downstairs window.  He turned over and was about to attempt sleep 
once again 
when Mac's voice shouted "no stay away from me".  A second later there 
came 
simultaneously a scream of pain and surprise along with the 
unmistakable sound of a 
ladder hitting the bare wood floor.
  
 He leapt from his bed and took the stairs two at a time as he hurried 
to the 
 living room, shouting her name as he did.
 
 "Mac" he screamed as he reached the living room.
 
 "Harm" she whimpered as she attempted to sit up, his arms quickly 
coming 
 around her to steady her.
 
 "Easy Marine" he said gently as he cradled her against him. "Tell me 
what 
 hurts?"
 
 "Everything" she managed before giving into a sudden burst of tears.
 
 "Mac you're scaring me. Are you okay? Did you hit your head? Do I need 
to 
 call 911?"
 
 "No" she managed between sobs.
 
 "Mac what happened? Please tell me or I'm picking you up and taking 
you to 
 the ER."
 
 "I was hanging wallpaper. And I thought I saw him."
 
 "Him?"
 
 "You know, the old guy who died of fright" Mac sniffled. "I saw a 
shadow on 
 the wall and I turned and I swear he was there. And I freaked and 
tried to 
 get off the ladder so quick that it fell over."
 
 "Did you hurt anything?" he asked again.
 
 "I don't think so" she sighed. "I'm sorry. You probably think I'm a 
head 
 case now."
 
 "No I think that when I see Wes I'm going to punch his lights out for 
 telling you those stories. It's his fault."
 
 "Harm I really thought I saw him" Mac whispered. "Like he was coming 
after 
 me or something."
 
 "Well if he wants to come after you he has to get through me first. 
Now 
 let's get you upstairs and into bed and make sure nothing is hurt."
 
 "I need to clean up this mess" Mac sighed as she looked around the 
living 
 room. "Wes and Mallory are coming tomorrow and this place is a 
disaster."
 
 "I will clean this up tomorrow. It's bedtime. Now let's get you on 
your feet 
 and make sure you're okay."
 
 He gently lifted her to her feet and she gasped in pain as his arm 
went 
 around her.
 
 "What's wrong? What hurts?"
 
 "I bruised my side," she said as she lifted her shirt enough to see 
the 
 rapidly forming bruise. "That's all."
 
 "You are so lucky you didn't seriously hurt yourself," he said as he 
led her 
 upstairs and towards her bedroom.
 
 "Harm I need a shower first" she sighed. "I'm all yucky from hanging 
 wallpaper."
 
 "Okay but I'm waiting outside for you and if you're not out in ten 
minutes 
 I'm coming in to get you" he declared as he followed her to the 
bathroom.
 
 "Harm this place doesn't have ten minutes of hot water" she said with 
a 
 small smile when she reached the bathroom. "And you don't have to wait 
here 
 for me. I'll be fine. Go to bed."
 
 "I'll go back to bed when I know you're safely tucked in."
 
 She shook her head and headed to the shower, Harm heading back 
downstairs 
 while she did. He picked up the ladder and wallpaper and looked around 
the 
 living room. For a moment he felt a chill and his eyes quickly darted 
around 
 the room.
 
 "Whoever or whatever you are, stay away from her" he murmured before 
heading 
 back upstairs to check on Mac.
 
 "Mac your leg" Harm gasped at the large bruise on her leg.
 
 "It's okay. There's a few of those. At least it wasn't anything 
major."
 
 "Do you need anything? You should take some aspirin. You have to be 
 hurting."
 
 "A little" she admitted as he led her back to her room. "And yeah some 
 aspirin would be nice."
 
 "You get into bed and I'll get some aspirin."
 
 He returned with the aspirin and water and a few seconds later she lay 
back 
 against the pillows and closed her eyes.
 
 "You okay?" Harm asked.
 
 "Yeah I'm okay. Thanks. Sorry if I scared you tonight."
 
 "Just don’t let it happen again," he said softly. "You going to be 
able to 
 sleep after that or should I stay here and stand guard."
 
 "Always the knight in shining armor aren't you?" Mac sighed as she 
opened 
 her eyes and looked up at him. "But I don't think you can protect me 
from my 
 nightmares."
 
 "I could" he smiled.
 
 "Red light Commander" Mac groaned.
 
 "Mac there isn't anything I wouldn't do to help you---or protect you," 
he told her firmly.

"OK same here," she smiled and squeezed his hand.  "Go to bed 
Commander.  I'm 
OK.  And yes I know you're just down the hall if I need anything."

"And don't you forget it," he admonished her,   "I'm leaving your door 
open a little bit 
so I can hear you if you have a problem."

"Harm thanks, honest I'm just sore."

"I know.  Good night."  And to her infinite surprise he leaned down and 
dropped a 
gentle kiss to the top of her head.
==============
"Is there coffee?"

Harm spun around at the sound of her voice.  "Mac I would have brought 
you a tray. 
Are you OK?  And don't answer that I can tell you're not."  He had seen 
her take a 
couple of stiff steps and at once crossed the floor to take her arm and 
guide her to the 
kitchen table, not missing her grimace as she sat.

"Yeah I hurt everywhere.  Don't make a big deal out of it OK.  Coffee, 
some more 
Advil, and a hot shower, with whatever hot water I can wring out of 
that wheezing 
water heater and I'll be fine."

"I should call Mallory and cancel."

"Don't you dare.  Look we're going out with a doctor.  If I collapse 
he'll be right there."

"Not funny," he growled, putting a cup of coffee in front of her.  "And 
I don't want you 
near that ladder today."  

She was silent while he finished breakfast preparation, not speaking 
until she had 
downed several forkfuls of egg.  "Harm I know you think I'm looney 
tunes here, but I 
did see something last night.  I wasn't even thinking about Wes or 
Marstettler.  I was 
thinking about Safflour and wallpaper and Mallory."

"What does Mallory have to do with anything?"

"Huh?'  Too late she realized she had given away one of the things 
which had been 
occupying her thoughts for that hour.  Harm and Mallory.  "Oh you know, 
just thinking 
about all that was happening right now," she stammered.

"Yeah.  Go on."

"So I reached down for one of the strips and there was a shadow on the 
wall.  Harm 
I'm a Marine and I'm not the kind to jump at shadows you know that.  At 
the same time 
I'm trained to react to a threat and that's what I did.  Now, I see you 
cleaned up some 
of the mess and for that I thank you.  I don't suppose you saw 
anything?"

"No.  Sorry."  He held his breath as he answered, not wanting to share 
with her that 
when he walked past the area he had felt a definite chill.  She was 
disturbed enough.  
"And later when I kill Wes. . ."

  "You will not because you will not mention any of this to anyone" she 
  countered.
  
  "Mac" he groaned.
  
  "I mean it Harm. You are not going to tell Wes that I'm having 
nightmares 
  because of what he said and that I thought I saw the dead guy last 
night."
  
  "Fine I'll just come up with another reason to wring his neck."
  
  "You don't like him do you?" Mac said with a small smile.
  
  "I don't like him because he's scared my room mate to death. I think 
that's 
  reason enough not to like him."
  
  "Whatever you say Commander" Mac sighed. She finished her breakfast 
and with 
  a groan pushed herself to her feet to help clean up.
  
  "I've got it," he said as he took the plate from her. "I want you to 
take it 
  easy today. No work. Just rest. In fact you can park yourself outside 
on a 
  lounger if you want."
  
  "What are you going to do?" she asked.
  
  "Finish the job you started last night. I think I can figure out 
hanging 
  wallpaper."
  
  "Let me help" she sighed.
  
  "No. Upstairs in bed or outside on the lounger. Those are your 
choices."
  
  "I guess I'll be outside then. Holler if you need anything."
  
  She found a warm spot in the sun for the lounger and gently lowered 
her 
  aching body onto it. It wasn't long before she fell back asleep, the 
gentle 
  breeze keeping her cool in the sun.
  
  Inside the house Harm fought with the wallpaper strips, wondering how 
he'd 
  let Mac talk him into wallpaper instead of just painting. It took a 
while 
  but he finally got the hang of it and two hours later stepped back to 
admire 
  his work.
  
  "Wow" Mac smiled from the kitchen. "I'm impressed. You got it all 
done."
  
  "You had a nice little nap" he smiled. "You feeling any better?"
  
  "Little. I'm going to go use what little hot water there is if you 
don't 
  mind."
  
  "Go ahead. I'm going to do a little more around here first. I want to 
get 
  everything cleaned up so that when Mallory and Wes show up the place 
looks 
  semi decent."
  
  "We're getting there" Mac sighed. "My bedroom is next. I've already 
got the 
  border I want picked out. And the paint. And since next week is 
payday, I 
  think I can afford it."
  
  "I guess I know what we're doing next weekend" Harm smiled. "Another 
weekend 
  of work."
  
  "This was your idea Flyboy" she reminded him.
  
  "I know. And so far I love it here. What about you?"
  
  "I like it" she admitted. "Except for times like last night. 
Otherwise it's 
  not to bad being your roomy."
  
  "You just like the cooking" he grinned.
  
  "True. But I'm going to need to start working out more if I'm going 
to be 
  eating like this all the time."
  
  "Like you have to worry" Harm scoffed, his eyes admiring her figure. 
"You're 
  not the one pushing 40."
  
  "You can stay in shape with me" she smiled. "We could start working 
out 
  every morning. If you can get your six out of bed in time."
  
  "I can get my six out of bed. And that might not be a bad idea."
  
  "We'll start Monday. As long as I can move by then."
  
  The rest of the afternoon passed quietly with Harm working around the 
house 
  while Mac rested her aching body. Around 6:00 she headed upstairs to 
get 
  ready, emerging a short time later in a pair of snug jeans and a knit 
  sweater.
  
  "Something wrong?" she asked as Harm stared at her.
  
  "Nothing" he gulped. "You look really nice."
  
  "Thanks. You going to go get ready? Mallory and Wes will be here 
soon."
  
  "Yeah I guess I should," he said as he looked at his watch.
  
  When he emerged from the shower he could hear voices downstairs and 
he knew 
  Mallory and Wes had arrived. He quickly dressed and a few minutes 
later made 
  his way downstairs.
  
  "Hi Harm" Mallory smiled as he walked in, admiring him in the dark 
jeans and 
  dark shirt. Mac did the same until her eyes meet Harm's and she 
blushed as 
  she quickly looked away.
  
  "Harm how are you?" Wes asked.
  
  "Fine" Harm assured him. "Are we ready to go?"
  
  "Sure. I'll drive if you don't mind" Wes smiled.
  
  "Sure why not" Harm said with a forced smile.
  
  "He wants to show off his new BMW to Mac" Mallory whispered as Wes 
took 
  Mac's hand and led her outside.
  
  "Great another one of those kind" Harm sighed, his mind thinking back 
to 
  Dalton and his Porsche.
   
 "What?" Mallory frowned, realizing he was suddenly miles away, if not 
months into 
the past.
 
 "Thinking about another fast guy with a fast car is all," he sighed 
again.
 
 She stopped short to keep them out of earshot.  "Harm Wes is a really 
nice guy.  He 
was in a long term relationship for a while, and engaged while he was 
in med school 
and neither of those worked out.  The last couple years he's just kind 
of been drifting 
more than seeing anyone.  He told me Mac was the first person he's met 
that he really 
felt he could connect with in a long time."
 
 He did not respond and she tugged at his arm.  "Why do I get the 
feeling that bothers 
you.  You need to let go of that big brother thing you've got going 
with her.  Take it 
from one who is in fact a little sister.  It's not really appreciated."
 
 "I will never stop caring or worrying about her," he told her firmly, 
taking her arm to 
guide her to the car.
 
 "So where are we going?" Mac asked when Harm and Mallory were settled.
 
 "IL Cigne on the lake in Reston," Wes grinned, "and then to The Rookie 
if that's OK.  
Most everything else was dumb or scary or violent."
 
 "Perfect," Mac sighed, leaning back into the seat and feeling herself 
relax.  Harm in 
the back-seat was comforting, and she was warming to the good looking 
doctor beside 
her.
 ================
 "Sarah what do you want from the bar?" Wes asked as soon as they were 
seated.  "I 
love a good before dinner martini."
 
 Harm's eyes instinctively sent her a quick, if unnecessary, message of 
support. 
 
 "Wes I don't drink," she replied easily, "but you go ahead.  I'll have 
tonic and lime and 
then coffee with the meal."
 
 "OK," Wes nodded.  "Harm you a martini guy?"
 
 "Not on my best day," he groaned.  "Bourbon and water, ice.  Mallory?"
 
 "Sex on the beach please."
 
 "Mallory we're talking about drinks, not plans for later," Harm 
bantered to her, and 
Mac felt a sudden cold chill pass through her, which she was grateful 
Harm did not 
notice. 
 
 In the interval between the salads and the main course, Mac and 
Mallory left to use 
the ladies room and Harm took the opportunity to lean across the table 
toward Wes.
 
 "In case you haven't noticed, your date is suffering from some major 
soreness."
 
 "Actually I did but I figured she'd simply overdone working around 
that house."
 
 "Not quite, which brings me to my point," Harm went on, his face 
darkening as he 
recalled the scare Mac had given him, and at the same time thought how 
much worse 
it could have been.  "Mac fell off a stepladder last night.  Lost her 
balance and the 
whole thing toppled over with her."
 
 "My god I'm sorry," Wes gasped.  "She didn't say anything.  Is she OK?  
Should I take 
a look at her?"
 
 "NO," Harm yelped, louder than he intended as his mind painted an 
instant picture of 
Mac in a skimpy exam gown with Wes's hands all over her.  "No she's 
OK," he said in 
a much softer tone.  "My point is, she's prone to nightmares, thanks to 
me but we 
won't go into that.  And she's apparently taking much too seriously all 
that bullshit you 
were spreading on the other night about the house and the old man.  She 
thought she 
saw him--or more accurately his shadow--and when she tried to get off 
the ladder too 
quickly she fell.  You're a doctor, you know she could have hit her 
head and been 
seriously hurt."
 
 "All too well.  I'm sure glad that wasn't the case."
 
 "Which brings me to my point.  Lay off the scary stories."
 
 "Harm I'm not sure I appreciate your tone."
 
 "Hey this is my nice guy giving you a piece of friendly advice tone," 
he warned.  "I'm 
serious here.  And if there's a next time you really won't like my tone 
then.  I care a lot 
for her.  A whole helluva lot Doctor, and I'd do anything to keep her 
from being hurt.  
Anything."
 
 "You're. . .I don't know what.  It's almost like you're threatening 
me."
 
 "Oh not at all," Harm told him, giving him a slow smile as he saw the 
women emerge.  
"I'm putting you on notice.  Do not hurt her."
  
  "Everything okay?" Mac asked as she and Mallory sat down.
  
  "Just fine" Wes said with a smile. "Harm was telling me you had a 
tumble on 
  the ladder last night."
  
  "It was nothing," Mac said with a long glare in Harm's direction. 
"I'm fine. 
  Just a little sore."
  
  "What happened?" Mallory asked.
  
  "I uh slipped coming down off the ladder and fell" Mac lied. "Really 
it's 
  nothing. I wish Harm hadn't mentioned it."
  
  He was saved by the arrival of their meals and over dinner Harm was 
forced 
  to listen to Wes's stories of med. school. Mac barely acknowledged 
his 
  presence; all her attention now focused on Wes.
  
  "I think they're hitting it off pretty good" Mallory whispered as 
they 
  walked to the car following dinner. "But you've been awfully quiet 
tonight."
  
  "Sorry" he said with a forced smile. "This double date thing is 
always a 
  little awkward at first."
  
  "Just ignore them and concentrate on us" she smiled as she looped her 
arm 
  around his.
  
  "I can do that" he smiled.
  
  A short time later they arrived at the movie theater and Mac pulled 
Harm 
  aside when Wes and Mallory went to get snacks.
  
  "You told him" Mac snapped. "I asked you not to say anything. Why did 
you do 
  that?"
  
  "Because I was making my point to him about telling you those 
stories."
  
  "What did you say to him?" Mac demanded.
  
  "Nothing. I just told him to stop scaring you like that."
  
  "What else?'
  
  "Nothing. Excuse me for caring about you."
  
  He walked away and she took a deep breath as Mallory and Wes 
returned.
  
  "What's wrong with Harm?" Mallory asked.
  
  "Nothing" Mac smiled. "He's just in one of those moods tonight I 
guess. 
  Maybe you can talk to him. Wes shall we?"
  
  Wes nodded and while he and Mac went inside Mallory walked over to 
Harm.
  
  "You okay?" she asked.
  
  "Yeah and I'm sorry I'm being such a jerk tonight" he sighed. "I 
promise 
  I'll make it up to you another time."
  
  "Is that a promise?" Mallory smiled.
  
  "I'm much better one on one" Harm grinned.
  
  "I'm sure you are" Mallory said seductively as she ran her hand down 
his 
  arm. "And I'll be looking forward to that."
  
  "Do we have to go to the movie?"
  
  "Come on" she said as she reached for his arm. "We can sit in the 
back and 
  get to know each other better."
  
  "What about Wes and Mac?" he asked.
  
  "They'll be okay on their own" Mallory smiled. "Shall we?"
  
  She found them two seats in the back corner of the theater and once 
the 
  lights had dimmed and the movie had started she reached for his hand.
  
  "So tell me about Harmon Rabb?" she smiled.
 ================== 
  "Where's Harm and Mallory?" Mac whispered to Wes once the movie had 
started.
  
  "Probably in the back making out" Wes grinned. "Mallory never watches 
a 
  movie while she's at the theater."
  
  Mac forced herself not to turn around and look for the pair, instead 
  allowing Wes to drape his arm over her shoulder.
  
  "I hope that's okay" Wes whispered.
  
  "More than okay" Mac smiled. If Harm was going to stay in the back 
and kissy 
  face with Mallory all night, she was going to make the most of her 
evening 
  with Wes.
  
  Two long hours later the lights came on again and Mac grimaced as she 
stood 
  up.
  
  "You okay?" Wes asked.
  
  "Yeah just sore" Mac smiled.
  
  "I'm really good at massages," Wes said softly. "I'd be happy to help 
get 
  some of the kinks out."
  
 "No thanks. . .well yeah OK maybe just a little at the shoulders," she 
conceded, 
leaning in to his touch as she scanned the back of the theater for 
Mallory and Harm.  
"I think we've been deserted."
 
 "Well they can't have gotten far on foot," he grinned, jingling the 
car keys.  "Probably 
just in the lobby."
 
 "Unless they were arrested on a morals charge."
 
 He gave her an odd look but said nothing.  "There they are," he 
pointed out after 
another minute of searching the faces as they walked out into the outer 
lobby.
 
 "We missed you during the movie," Wes told them when they had caught 
up with 
them.  

Harm's arm rested on Mallory's shoulders and he smiled sheepishly.  "We 
found better 
seats is all.  Now what?"
 
 "Now I think I'm ready to call it a night," Mac spoke up.  "Wes if 
Mallory and Harm 
want to do something further that's OK but could you run me by the 
house please?"
 
 "Mac are you OK?"  Harm at once reached out his hand for her arm.
 
 "I'm tired and achy," she admitted, adding hastily to Wes, "but I had 
a great time.  
Really.  The dinner was great and the movie cute and funny."
 
 "I have hospital rounds at seven myself so an early night wouldn't 
kill me either," he 
nodded.  "Long as you promise we'll do it again soon."
 
 "Count on it," she said firmly, keeping her eyes averted from Harm's.  
 
 Wes slipped his arm around her waist, his gaze resting on Harm's hand 
on her arm 
and he quickly released her, taking Mallory's hand instead.
 
 They discussed the movie for the fifteen minutes it took to get out to 
the house, and 
Harm and Mallory decided to go for ice cream.   "We didn't leave the 
porch light on," 
Mac said when they pulled up and Wes and he both jumped out to assist 
Mac.
 
 "Actually we did," Harm frowned.  "And I could have sworn the lamp in 
the window 
was on, and not the chandelier in the hall."
 
 "And I'm too tired to care," Mac said softly, accepting each of the 
proffered hands to 
rise from the car.  "Harm see you in the morning, and Wes, thank you 
for everything.  I 
had a wonderful time."  Wes smiled broadly and took her by the arm, 
leading her up to 
the front door and waiting while she unlocked it, then before she could 
step inside he 
had her in his arms, his mouth seeking hers.  "Good night Sarah."
 
 Mac responded to the kiss and then had to swallow hard before she 
could speak, 
having not been expecting such a display.  "Good night and thanks."  
With that she 
slipped through the door, thankful she did not have to see Harm's face 
at that 
moment.
 
 "So where should we go for ice cream after we drop off Doctor Sleepy," 
Mallory 
mused.  "Harm?  Hey Harm you still with us?"
 
 "Yeah I am," he answered, shaking himself from his thoughts.  Wes had 
kissed Mac, 
it had not been her idea.  She had not initiated it.  She had not 
kissed him.  Except to 
return the kiss.  His face darkened at that remembrance and he slipped 
his arm 
around Mallory as soon as he got back in the car.  "You said something 
about ice 
cream?" he whispered before his lips touched hers.
 
 "Oh yeah," she sighed, accepting his kiss gladly.
=================   
  For the next two hours Mac tossed and turned in bed, waiting for the 
sound 
  of Harm to return. She finally gave up and headed downstairs to the 
kitchen 
  to get a cup of tea, hoping it would relax her. She'd just poured the 
water 
  into the teacup when she saw headlights in the living room window.
  
  "Hey I didn't think you'd still be up" Harm smiled as he walked in a 
few 
  minutes later. "I thought you were tired."
  
  "I was but I couldn't sleep" Mac muttered. "How was the rest of your 
date 
  with Mallory?"
  
  "Good actually thank you. What about you? You seemed nice and chummy 
with 
  Wes at the end."
  
  "I like Wes."
  
  "So you'll be going out with him again?" Harm inquired.
  
  "Yeah I don't see why not" Mac shrugged. "He's nice and he's cute and 
he's 
  doctor and he drives a BMW. What more could I want?"
  
  "Gee I don't know" Harm muttered. "Does he have a trust fund too?"
  
  "I don't know I'll ask next time" Mac smiled. "Is there a problem 
Harm?"
  
  "No of course not. Do I look like I care who you go out with?"
  
  "Of course not" she smiled as she sipped her tea.
  
  ****************
  JAG HQ's
  Three Days Later
  
  "Harm I'm a big girl" Mac assured him. "It's not like I haven't lived 
on my 
  own before."
  
  "Yeah but that was in an apartment building full of people" Harm 
countered. 
  "Not in a big house all by itself on a big lot."
  
  "Harm I'll be fine. You have your orders. Now go."
  
  "I'll call you tonight to make sure you're okay," he said as he 
reached for 
  his briefcase. "And you have my cell phone if you need anything."
  
  "Rabb get a grip. If I need anything I'll call Wes" she teased.
  
  "That's what I'm afraid of" he muttered.
  
  "I'm just kidding. Honest I'll be fine all alone in the big house. 
Now go 
  before the Admiral has a fit."
  
  "You sure you're going to be okay?" he sighed. "I'm only asking 
because of 
  what happened last weekend with the shadow you thought you saw."
  
  "I'll be fine" she assured him. "That hasn't happened since that 
night. It 
  was probably just my imagination."
  
  "It didn't happen cause I was there with you every night and you fell 
asleep 
  before I did and the TV and lights were still on" he countered.
  
  "So I sleep with the lights on for a few nights" she shrugged. "No 
biggie."
  
  "All right. But I'm calling tonight to make sure you're okay."
  
  "Rabb go" she said giving him a gentle shove. "You've got three hours 
to 
  Norfolk in rush hour traffic and this lovely rain which means if 
you're 
  lucky you'll get there in four hours."
  
  He finally left and with a sigh she picked up her own briefcase and 
headed 
  out a few minutes later. It was a long slow ride in the rain and she 
was 
  happy when she finally pulled into the driveway at home.
  
  She puttered around the house most of the evening, not motivated 
enough to 
  work on anything and finally flopping on the sofa with the remote. 
She 
  flipped channels before finally settling on an old movie. She was 
nearly 
  asleep when the phone rang and she quickly reached for it, expecting 
it to 
  be Harm.
  
  "Hello" she said tiredly.
  
  "Hi Sarah. I hope I didn't wake you."
  
  "Hi Wes" she smiled. "No I was just zoning in front of the TV. What's 
up?"
  
  "I wanted to see if you wanted to go out this weekend. Just you and 
me this 
  time."
  
  "I'd like that. What night works for you?"
  
  "Actually Friday is better" Wes replied. "I'm on call Saturday night. 
Is 
  that okay with you? We can do dinner and then maybe go back to your 
place 
  and watch a movie."
  
  "That's perfect. Harm's out of town the rest of the week and he 
probably 
  won't be back until Saturday."
  
  "So we have the whole place to ourselves?" Wes smiled. "Sounds great. 
I'll 
  be looking forward to it."
  
  "Me too" Mac said softly. "I'll see you then."
  
  She hung up the phone and frowned as she realized that Harm should 
have been 
  in Norfolk by now. He'd made such a big deal about calling her and 
she was 
  sure he wouldn’t have forgotten. A look outside at the rain did 
nothing to 
  calm her worry that he might have gotten involved in an accident and 
she 
  paced the living room waiting for his call.
  
  "Harm where are you?" she murmured to the empty room.
  
  She dropped on the sofa again and hugged the pillow close to her, the 
  creaking of the floorboards above making her freeze.
  
  "It's just your imagination Mackenzie" she whispered. "No one is up 
there."
  
  But the noise continued and when the phone rang ten minutes later she 
nearly 
  jumped off the sofa.
  
  "Harm" she gasped.
  
  "Mac what's wrong?" Harm demanded.
  
  "I'm worried about you" she lied. "Where have you been? Do you 
realize what 
  time it is? You said you were going to call when you got to Norfolk."
  
  "Traffic was a nightmare and I had a small accident" he sighed. "But 
that's 
  not important. Are you okay?"
  
  She had to grab for her bedside glass of water before she could 
answer.  "Harm you 
had an accident?  My god.  Where?  Where were you hurt?  Never mind me, 
are you 
OK?  And when was this and why am I just now hearing about it.  Tell me 
where you 
are and I'll be there as soon as I can."  She was panting hard by the 
time she finished, 
and the pictures her mind was painting were not pleasant to her.
 
 Harm on his end was holding the phone slightly away from his ear 
waiting for her to 
finish her outburst.  "OK ninja-girl, take a breath honey.  The 
accident was in that 
horrible merge point for I64.  I felt bad for the woman who hit me.  It 
was raining and 
she hit her brakes--god only knows why, and slammed into the side of 
the government 
car, which I had to leave and get a rental which of course took 
forever.  Then the 
hospital took forever too but they finally. . ."
 
 "Harm no.  You were hospitalized?  Tell me where you are," she 
shrieked.
 
 "I'm in my hotel room having a very well deserved beer thank you," he 
smiled into the 
phone.  "Before you screamed, the hospital took an xray of my arm.  You 
can sign my 
cast when I get back.  And before you scream again please--when the car 
hit my door 
my hand was somehow in such a way and I broke a small bone.  My left 
hand 
fortunately.  Nothing vital."
 
 "Where are you?" she repeated, now with exaggerated calmness.
 
 "The guest house was full so I grabbed a room at the Holiday Inn.  But 
you can get 
me on my cell any time you need me--you know that."
 
 "That's not the point.  I need to know where you are.  I'm coming down 
there."
 
 "You most certainly are not," he sputtered.  "Are you out of your mind 
Mackenzie? It's 
dark, it's still storming and I wouldn't let you drive that death trap 
if it was sunshine if I 
could help it."
 
 "Harm if you're hurt. . ." she whispered, willing away sudden 
tearfulness.
 
 "I'm fine.  And in fact I'm sorry I told you.  I didn't want you to 
worry and I've managed 
to make you do just that."
 
 She was about to answer when the creaking noise came again, this time 
accompanied by the sound of rushing wind through the house.
 
 "I am worried yes," she finally got out, and to him her voice sounded 
suddenly 
strangely distant.
 
 "Mac?  Mac what's wrong?"  His concern for her took his mind off his 
throbbing wrist 
for the moment and he rolled from the bed to pace as much as the phone 
cord would 
allow.  "Mac answer me."
 
 She had taken the phone from her ear and was straining to listen.  The 
wind noise 
had died down, to be replaced by the sound of footfalls.  "Who the hell 
is out there," 
she muttered.  "Harm it sounds like someone's walking in the hall.  Let 
me check."  
She set the phone down and withdrew her weapon from it's spot in her 
nightstand 
drawer before venturing into the hallway.
 
 If she had said Jack the Ripper was standing over her bed he could not 
have been 
more alarmed.  His pacing in the four foot circle he could manage grew 
more frantic 
and it was as if he didn't breathe while he was doing so.
 
 It took her more than four minutes to check the upstairs, and finding 
nothing she 
returned to a more than distraught best friend on the other end of the 
phone 
connection.  She could hear his shout of her name as soon as she 
re-entered the 
room and she grabbed up the phone.  "Harm sorry.  I'm back."

  "Are you okay?" he demanded. "Is there someone there?"
  
  "No I don't think so" she sighed. "I've checked around and it's just 
me."
  
  "I want you to call the police and have them come look around."
  
  "Harm did you hit your head too? There's no way I'm going to call the 
  police. What am I going to tell them? My house is making strange 
noises? I'm 
  fine. It's just the usual house noises."
  
  "I knew I shouldn't have left you alone" he sighed.
  
  "I could call Wes and I wouldn't be alone" she teased.
  
  "I think I'd rather have you alone with the ghost."
  
  "You really don't like Wes do you?" she said with a small smile.
  
  "No but you're changing the subject. Are you sure there's no one in 
the 
  house with you?"
  
  "Harm I'm alone. There's no burglar or prowler in here. So calm 
before you 
  have a stroke over there."
  
  "What do you expect after you tell me there's a noise and you don’t 
come 
  back for ten minutes. I was about ready to call the police on my cell 
phone 
  and have them come out there."
  
  "I'm fine so chill sailor. I’m actually a lot more worried about you 
and 
  this allegedly minor accident you had."
  
  "I'm fine. And I'm more worried about you all alone there. You have 
all the 
  doors locked right?"
  
  "Yes and my trusty weapon right next to me. So stop worrying."
  
  "We need to get that dog" he sighed. "That way you wouldn't be alone 
out 
  there."
  
  "Harm I'm fine. I was just getting worked up because you hadn't 
called and 
  obviously I had good reason to be worried. And shouldn't you be 
resting 
  after what happened to you?"
 
  "Yeah the doctor gave me some pain pills but I haven't taken them 
yet" he 
  sighed as he sank down on the bed.
  
  "What are you waiting for sailor?" she said gently.
  
  "I was waiting to call you and make sure you were okay."
  
  "I'm okay. So there's no reason for you not to get some rest. I want 
you to 
  take the mediation they gave you and crawl into bed mister."
  
  "Be more fun if you were here to tuck me in" he pouted.
  
  "Next time. Now get some rest."
  
  "Mac are you sure you're okay?" he asked again. "I mean I don't want 
to hang 
  up unless I know you're not going to spend the whole night awake 
because 
  you're too scared to sleep."
  
  "I'm a Marine Harm" she reminded him. "I'm not going to be too scared 
to 
  sleep."
  
  "All right point taken. I guess I'll let you go then."
  
  "Take care of yourself sailor" she said softly. "If you need 
anything, call 
  me."
  
  "Only if you promise me if you need anything you'll call me," Harm 
said 
  softly.
  
  "Deal. Get some rest. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
  
  "Good night Mac."
  
  "Good night Harm."
  
  *****************
  Friday Evening
  Harm and Mac's home
  
  Mac groaned as she checked her appearance in the mirror again. All 
the 
  makeup in the world couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes. 
Three 
  nights without Harm had translated into three sleepless nights. She'd 
barely 
  gotten a few hours each night, either woken by nightmares or the 
noises of 
  the house.
  
  "You look real attractive Mackenzie" she sighed.
  
  A knock at the door signaled Wes's arrival and a few seconds later 
she let 
  him in.
  
  "Hi" she smiled.
  
  "Hi yourself" he smiled. "How was your week?"
  
  "Long. Glad it's the weekend."
  
  "Me too. I've been looking forward to tonight all week. We finally 
get a 
  chance for our own date."
  
  "You got it," she smiled and let him help her into her wrap.
 
 "Mal said Harm is away this week?"
 
 "Yeah Norfolk.  He was hoping to wrap today but since he's not back I 
assume he 
didn't."  She took a few steps toward the door and asked with elaborate 
casualness.   
"Mallory knew he was away?"
 
 "Yeah he called her a couple nights ago she told me.  Said they talked 
a good long 
time and they made tentative plans for Saturday night."
 
 "Oh.  I see."  She was glad the entryway was dark so that he could not 
see her face.  
Harm's calls to her each night had been simply to ascertain that she 
was OK.  The 
only real substantive discussion they had was about paying for trash 
collection.
 
 "Sarah?  Hey Sarah you zoned out on me.  You OK?"
 
 "Of course I'm fine, let's go."
 ==================
 Four hours later, back from a dinner and movie and when he pulled up 
out front she 
put a hand on his arm.  "Unless you have to get up early why don't you 
come in for 
some coffee and we can put on one of the Dish movies.  Harm rigged that 
thing to get 
in every sporting event from here to China but I found out how to 
switch it over to 
movies."
 
 "I was hoping you'd ask me," he grinned.
 
 They were soon settled on the sofa in front of the large TV and Mac 
leaned back into 
his arm that was across the back of the sofa.  "You know I guess a room 
mate thing is 
OK," he said softly, "if nothing else it makes you appreciate having 
the house to 
yourself.  I mean don't get me wrong, I think Harm is a nice guy, but 
he does tend to 
be overbearing where you're concerned."
 
 "Wes we take care of each other," she replied with just a note of 
sharpness.  "In our 
line of work, we run into situations once in a while where doing that 
keeps each other 
alive for one thing.  And for another. . .well you know I really don't 
know how to explain 
the relationship we have.  It's not brother-sister, friendship doesn't 
begin to cover it. . .I 
just don't know."
 
 "Yeah but has he ever done this?"  Before she could react, his mouth 
came down on 
hers, gently at first and then with more insistence.  "Well?" he asked 
when they broke 
the kiss.
 
 She blushed and smiled at the same time.  "Yeah we've kissed a couple 
times."
 
 "Did it mean anything?"
 
 "Of course it did," she yelped in indignation, adding to herself, 
'more than I want to 
admit to him, to you or to myself for that matter'.
 
 "Well maybe we can make our own meaning then," he smiled, and when he 
kissed 
her this time he trapped her with in his embrace, pushing her down onto 
the sofa.
 =============
 "Could this day get any better," Harm groaned when he pulled into the 
driveway and 
spotted Wes's BMW.  He had been looking forward to coming home, 
deciding to make 
the drive even though he knew Friday night traffic would be hell on 
wheels since he 
did not get out of Norfolk until after 6PM.  And he was right.  Six 
hours to make a drive 
that would take three in no traffic.  He knew also that Mac was seeing 
Wes tonight, but 
he had figured it would be all over with by the time he arrived given 
his lateness.
 
 Avoiding the temptation to take out the BMW as he passed, he pulled 
around to the 
back of the house.  The soft glow of the TV at the front window told 
him they were 
there, and with any luck he might simply slip up the back stairs and 
not have to make 
small talk, or more accurately see her with Dr. Wes.
 
 Blessing that he had oiled the hinges, he was able to get the backdoor 
open and 
closed silently, and was half way up the steps when her voice carried 
clearly to him.  
"Wes no.  Please."
 
 He paused to listen, a sharp frown across his features.
 
 "Wes what part of no is not reaching you," she shrieked.
   
  He didn't wait to hear the rest, hurrying back down the stairs and 
into the 
  living room in time to see Wes attempting to pin Mac on the sofa, her 
blouse 
  half way open.
  
  "What the hell is going on?" he exploded.
  
  Wes turned around at the sound of Harm's voice but made no attempt to 
remove 
  himself from Mac.
  
  "Excuse me this is private" Wes growled.
  
  "It stopped being private when she told you no and you didn't listen" 
Harm 
  snapped as he strode over to the sofa.
  
  "Harm please I can handle this" Mac sighed.
  
  "Look Harm I don't know what's the deal with you two but right now 
you're 
  being told to get lost" Wes retorted.
  
  "No you're the one being told to get lost," Harm said as he reached 
to pull 
  him off the sofa and off of Mac.
  
  Before his arm could reach Wes, the younger man leapt from the sofa, 
  barreling into Harm and knocking them both to the floor.
  
  "Stop it both of you" Mac yelled as she attempted to pull the two men 
apart 
  as they traded punches.
  
  "Sarah this is between me and Harm" Wes shouted as he gave her a hard 
shove 
  when she attempted to pull him off Harm. She landed hard on her back 
against 
  the floor, a small cry of pain escaping her.
  
  "You bastard" Harm screeched.
  
  They rolled on the floor trading punches and hits while Mac attempted 
to 
  catch her breath again. When she finally did she leapt to her feet 
again to 
  break up the two men.
  
  "Stop it" Mac yelled again, this time grabbing Wes hard enough that 
she was 
  able to pull him from Harm and onto his feet.  He turned to her and 
this 
  time she leveled a blow to his midsection, causing him to double over 
in 
  pain.
  
  "Get out" she yelled as she grabbed his arm and led him to the door. 
He was 
  still doubled over in pain and she gave him one last shove out the 
door and 
  onto the porch. "Do not call me or come by here again" she said 
coldly 
  before slamming the door.
  
  "Mac are you okay?" Harm asked as he pushed himself up.
  
  She didn't look at him or answer him, instead running up the stairs 
and to 
  her bedroom, the door slamming a few seconds later.
  
  "And you're welcome," he groaned. He put a gentle hand to his face 
and let out a 
  long sigh as he felt the warm blood from the cut on his lip. He 
grimaced 
  more when he touched his cheek, the large bruise already forming. His 
hand 
  was aching from when he'd hit it on the floor when Wes had knocked 
him down 
  and with a groan he realized he didn't have any more of the pain 
medication 
  from the hospital.
  
  Slowly he made his way up the stairs, his body aching from the many 
hits Wes 
  had managed to land. He'd been at a disadvantage because of his arm 
and hand 
  otherwise Wes Filopovich would have been a dead man.
  
  "Mac" Harm said softly as he knocked on her door. "Mac I want to 
talk."