TITLE: "My Knight in Shining Armor" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: Fall, 2003. Paraguay is over. And hopefully being put behind them. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language and some violence. SPOILERS: A Tangled Webb and all subsequent episodes especially, but 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 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. 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 BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Our work is also being featured at Lisa's archive: Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com ===================== "My Knight in Shining Armor"— Bud & Harriet's Home Falls Church, VA October, 2003 "Colonel we can't thank you enough for this" Harriet smiled as she reached for her wrap. "This is the first time since Gwen was born that we're getting out alone." "You're very welcome and I am looking forward to spending some time with my favorite godson and his little sister" Mac smiled. "She'll probably sleep most of the time we're gone. I just fed her so usually that means she's good for a few hours. But of course if she wakes up, there's a bottle in the fridge." "Ma'am I thought the Commander was going to come with you" Bud said to Mac as he helped Harriet with the wrap. "AJ was looking forward to seeing Uncle Harm." "He promised he would. Especially since he hasn't seen AJ all summer. I'm sure he'll get here eventually." "I would ask if you'll be all right alone but you might deck me" Bud smiled. "Marine Bud" Mac laughed. "I'll be fine even if Harm doesn't show up. Me and AJ will have a good time tonight." "He likes to be read to before bed" Harriet said as they headed to the door. "I've got a book of fairy tales on the dresser that I've been reading to him." "I'll make sure I do that. You two go on and have some fun. And don't worry about what time you come home." "Thank you again" Harriet smiled before her and Bud hurried out the door. "They are so lucky" Mac sighed when she was alone. Despite the ups and downs of life they were still happy. They had two beautiful children, the perfect home and everything Mac wanted out of life. Her own life had none of the above. And at the rate she was going, never would. Not when she and Harm couldn't seem to get past the imaginary wall that had always kept them apart. The summer had been long without him and since his return to JAG he'd been even more distant with her. When she'd mentioned she was baby-sitting AJ, she'd been surprised by his offer to join her. It was as if he was using the opportunity to start them back. . . . "Too good to be true" she murmured. "Aunt Mac" AJ called as he hurried towards her. "Come play with me." He tugged her arm and she smiled as he led her to the family room that doubled as his play room. Toys were scattered everywhere and Mac laughed as she sat down on the floor with him. "Where's Uncle Harm?" he asked suddenly. "Daddy said he was going to come and play with me tonight." "I don't know where he is sweetie. Maybe he couldn't come after all." "Will you still play with me?" "Of course" she said softly. "You just tell me what we're building over here." "It's a castle. See here's the tower." He squatted down on the floor and took her hand to tug her down with him. "I see. And who's that up there in the top?" "Well that's the princess. See this bad guy stuck her up there. And now the good guy over here has to come get her." He held up first a figure dressed totally in black, and then another astride a raring white stallion. The mounted figure wore mostly white, with touches of royal blue and red. "Looks like the good white knight," Mac smiled. "Yep and he comes to get her and takes her away to live in his castle. First he kills the bad guy here." "Right. Well I wish someone could come take me away sometimes," Mac smiled. "Is he going to waken her with a kiss?" "Huh?" "Well in some old stories the beautiful princess went sound asleep and couldn't be woken up until the handsome prince--the good guy--kissed her." "Ick. Mommy and daddy kiss." "I know. I've seen them," she smiled. "Hey did you and Uncle Harm kiss ever?" "Well. . .yeah a couple of times we have," she smiled, blushing despite the fact her questioner was a four year old boy. "He likes you." "Right. That's why he's here with me tonight," she sighed. "OK let me help you make the wall over there." Two hours passed quickly enough and about the time AJ was snuggling in Mac's arms to hear a book, her cell phone rang. "I'm so sorry" were the first words out of Harm's mouth. "It's OK. Where are you?" she frowned and knew from his voice something was not quite right. "I'm still at JAG. I was just leaving after meeting with Mancini's attorney when Leavenworth called." "Leaven. . .Palmer?" "Yeah. They can't account for his whereabouts." "Since when?" Mac gasped. "That's the even better part. They have no idea. They thought he was in solitary and when they went to get him out, he wasn't there. They're doing a search of the prison but that's going to take hours. And if he did get out, well he'd have a nice head start." "And be on his way to DC." "If he's free, I doubt he'd going to waste his time coming after me" Harm sighed. "Likely he's on his way to some island by now if he is out." "Harm you know that's not true and if you think I'd buy that you're crazier than I think you are." "It was worth a shot. I don't want you worrying about this. I'm more upset that I stood you up tonight." "Liar. You're worried about Palmer." "I'm worried him hurting the people I care about not me," he admitted. "I know how he works. If it were him and me one on one I wouldn't care. But he doesn't work that way and we both know it." "So what are you going to do?" she asked. "I don't know. I'm waiting for someone from Leavenworth to call back but I have no clue when that will be." "Then come over here." "No. You're safer there alone. If he does come after me first, I don't want you anywhere near me." "Harm no. This is crazy. I don't want you handling this alone." "And I don't want you involved. Mac I'm serious. You mean way too much to me. If anything to you because of Palmer" His voice trailed off and he let out a long sigh. "And you mean a lot to me too" she said quietly. "And I know we haven't had this talk yet Harm since you've been back but we need to. We need to very badly." "Yes we do," he said finally after a long pause while he came to grips with his thoughts. "And once I know Palmer is back where he belongs, we will." "Is that a promise?" "Promise." He was gone before she could say anything else and Mac let out a long sigh. "Uncle Harm coming?" AJ asked. "No sweetie he had something else he had to do" Mac said softly. "And I think it's about time for you to go to bed young man." "Story first" he smiled. "Okay. Let's get you into your jammies and into bed and then I'll read you a story." "A Princess story," he begged. "You got it," Mac smiled. Twenty minutes later he was barely awake as she read "and the handsome prince awakened her with a gentle kiss. Then they mounted his white stallion and together rode away out of the forest where they lived happily ever after." She looked down at the half asleep boy and tugged the covers up over him. He turned on his side, his hand involuntarily reaching for a scrap of fabric that once was a blanket and his eyes closed completely. "Good night AJ." Her heart almost hurt as she stared at him and then looked around. A home. Well not one quite the size place this one was, but a home still and what she wanted. Even more, she wanted a little boy asleep under a Spongebob Squarepants blanket and a baby girl in a pink sleeper like was now in the next room. As if on cue Gwenyth Marie Roberts let out a piercing yell. Food time. Only when she was in the rocker with the now contented infant, watching her mouth work the nipple, did her thoughts go to Harm. A crack of thunder outside punctuated her worry and she sent up a silent prayer. Another hour passed and Gwen had just settled back down when the phone rang. "Harm?" "Uh. . .no ma'am it's Bud. Sorry." "No that's OK Bud. I'm just. . .never mind. What can I do for you. Everything's fine here." "Well it's not here." "What?" she gasped in immediate alarm. "You guys OK?" "Oh yeah we're fine. But we're also stuck. The roads between the dinner theater up there in Columbia and the highway are under two feet of water and they don't expect to have them open until cocktail time or something. I don't know but it looks like we're stuck for now. Harriet is pretty upset but I told her you'd be fine staying with the kids. You will be won't you?" "Of course. Thank God you had sense enough to not try it. I'm all locked up and we're dry and AJ and Gwen are asleep. I guess I'll do the same then. You tell Harriet not to worry." "Yeah I will. I uh. . .guess the Commander didn't show?" "No he didn't but I know why. So it's OK." It wasn't really, but she didn't feel the need to bother Bud with that. She would simply be sure she had locked the house and then would turn a movie on and fall asleep. "OK yes ma'am. Well we're hanging tight here and we'll call you as soon as we know when we're going to get back. Meanwhile there's bottles for Gwen in the fridge, and AJ can show you were anything else is. " "We'll be fine. You take care of Harriet and tell her not to worry." "Yes ma'am thank you." He hung up and she at once answered a strong urge to check the locks and at the same time did another check of the kids. "Harm be safe please," she sighed as she settled onto the sofa. Sleep came almost immediately, the raindrops providing an almost lulling effect to her. Her eyes closed and suddenly she was in another world. In a land far far away there lived a beautiful princess named Sarah. For years Sarah had yearned for Sir Harm, the gallant knight who'd stole her heart from the first time she'd laid eyes on him. "Sarah he's returned" her younger sister Harriet told her excitedly one afternoon. "Sir Harm has returned from war. Maybe now he will come to take your hand in marriage." "If only I could believe that that may be true" Sarah sighed. "But alas I have waited so long for him and I will be an old maid if I wait any longer." "You mustn't give up yet Sarah. Sir Harm loves you." "If he loves me why hasn't he told me. Now I am afraid that I will grow to be an old maid and disappoint father." Their father, King Albert, was ruler of the land and wanted nothing more than for his lovely princess daughter to marry Sir Harm. "Father will talk to him now that he is back from the war" Harriet told her. "You will not be an old maid." "At least you have done well" Sarah sighed. "Lord Roberts is such a wonderful husband. And father is so pleased that at least one of his daughters has married." "You will be married. I know it. You must not give up on Sir Harm." But as Sarah walked through the woods a short time later, she knew her chances of finding happiness were fading away. If Sir Harm didn't want her, she would be an old maid and spend rest of her life alone. "Princess you should not be out here alone." She froze in midstep, Sir Harm's voice more familiar to her than her own sometimes. Slowly she turned around, his handsome face smiling back at her. "I did not mean to startle you Princess. But you really should not be out here alone." "Why not? I do not need an escort everywhere I go." "No my lady but the Evil Warlord Palmer has returned. He has vowed revenge on all in King Albert's land. Including you my lady." "Thank you for the warning Sir" she said softly. "I shall return at once to the castle." "Allow me to escort you please." Before she could answer a horse came galloping through the woods towards them. Sarah recognized Sir Sturgis at once and smiled to him as he came to a halt beside them. "Princess" he smiled before turning to Sir Harm. "We think we know where Palmer is. We must hurry if we are going to catch him." Sir Harm nodded and looked to Sarah. "Will you be all right in returning to the castle?" "I will be fine. Go on please." "When I get back," he said as he quickly climbed onto the back of Sir Sturgis's horse. "Excuse me m'lord? When you get back?" Lady Sarah frowned in puzzlement. "It will keep," Sir Harmon smiled. "You and I will talk." "I shall look forward to that," she sighed. "Godspeed to you both." She hastened her steps to return to the castle, having it in sight when there stepped from behind a tree the Hag Loren Singer. Many years ago she had been cast out from the village and lived in the forest, subsisting as best she could. "Where are you off to my pretty?" Lady Sarah put her hand over her pounding heart, startled by the hag's sudden appearance. Her years in the forest had not been kind to her. "Home Loren. And I must hurry." "Yes you must," she cackled. "It would not do for the fair maiden to be caught in these woods after dark. Not with the return of Warlord Palmer." "I see you know all about that." "I do indeed. I have nothing to fear from him. And in fact forming an alliance could be mutually beneficial." Sarah shook her head and hurried away, turning her thoughts away from the old crone and back to Sir Harm. Loren stared after her, watching her until she could see her no more, and then at the dark shape that was Castle Mackenzie. Soon it would belong to her. She would help Warlord Palmer and in reward, would have the castle as hers and her pick of the finest young men of the land. She slipped her hand into her pocket. The potion was safely there. Now just to deliver it to him. =========== "Harmon for what reason do you keep looking back over your shoulder?" Sturgis inquired. "I'm concerned about Lady Sarah," he admitted. "Remember Princess Jordan and how Palmer attempted to come at me through her?" "I do indeed but this time we will vanquish him. My information is correct. The man is partaking of ale at McMurphy's roadhouse according to my servant Victor. We must make haste. Tell me something Sir Harmon, what do you intend to do once you have encountered him." "He has sworn vengeance, and vengeance he will not be granted. I will not permit him to bring grief to the family of Albert." "And most especially to the dark and lovely Lady Sarah," Sir Sturgis offered. "Especially not to her." "You need to let her know of your love." "When the time is right." "The time is always right for love" Sir Sturgis countered. "She is the most beautiful princess in all the land. If you do not take her hand one day, you surely will lose her forever. Remember Lord Michael." Sir Harm scowled at the mention of the name. "How could I forget? She almost wed the fool." "You mustn't wait much longer. There will be more Lord Michael's." "I will. But first I must deal with Palmer. I will not let him hurt anyone again." **************** "Sarah there you are" King Albert said as his daughter hurried through the castle. "I was beginning to worry. Have you not heard the news?" "Yes father I have. I ran into Sir Harm and Sir Sturgis while I was walking." "I was pleased to hear that Sir Harm had returned from the war" King Albert smiled. "As I'm sure you were." "Yes father" Lady Sarah blushed. "May I be excused sir?" "You may. But I don't want you leaving this castle without an escort again. Not until the evil Palmer has been put away where he belongs." "But father" Lady Sarah groaned. "No buts. I want you to take my servant Jason with you where ever you go." "Father with all due respect, Jason cannot take care of himself, let alone me. You know I can handle myself." "My beautiful princess is so tough" King Albert sighed. "All right. But I don't want you going anywhere unless absolutely necessary." "Yes father." With her a quick curtsey she headed upstairs to her bedroom. There she sank down on the bed, her mind on Sir Harm. He was the most handsome and gallant knight in all the land. And she loved him. If only he could love her too. "One day" she murmured to herself. "One day." She closed her eyes and smiled softly as the image of Sir Harmon flashed through her mind. He was every woman in the land's dream and all she could do was hope that one day he would be hers. ******************* "I am sorry sir" Victor said to Sturgis. "He has slipped away again. But I believe he has made plans." "What kind of plans?" Sir Harmon demanded. "His plans for revenge sir. On you and everyone else associated with the King. He has vowed to make everyone pay. Especially you sir." "How?" "I do not know sir. I can only guess what his method might be." "Tell me." "Lady Sarah." The exact words Sir Harm did not want to hear. "He will use her as bait sir. To draw you to him. He has anger and revenge in his heart." "That much I understand. I feared that banishing him to the land of Leavenworth was not going to eliminate the problem." "No sir. If anything, it only increased his desire to harm you. But not just to deliver pain, to make you suffer loss first." "If he hurts Lady Sarah he will know pain like none other," Sir Harm vowed. "Sir if I may be so bold, would it be such a problem if you were to tell the young woman how much you care for her?" Victor offered. "Would it be such a problem if you knew your place," Sir Harm snapped and was at once sorry. "Victor please. Let us stick to the problem at hand. I am quite capable of taking care of matters of the heart." Those words were immediately followed by a snort of derision from Sir Sturgis, earning him a glare from Sir Harm. "Leave me be," Sir Harm yelped. "Right now the only help I need is in vanquishing Warlord Palmer once and for all. "Yes sir and I will help" Victor promised. "But I believe he has enlisted his own help." "Who?" Sir Harmon demanded. "Who would dare help him?" "Loren. The hag of the forest. She has nothing to lose and can only gain by helping him. Everyone knows how much she wants Castle Mackenzie." "She has potions Harmon" Sturgis said quietly. "If she has joined forced with Palmer, then we have a greater problem." "I must warn King Albert and Lady Sarah" Sir Harmon said anxiously. "Before it is to late." "We will come with you. You cannot battle Palmer alone." "Palmer is my problem. I will handle him." With that Sir Harmon sped off on his horse, Sir Sturgis shaking his head as he watched him go. "Come Victor, we will not let Sir Harmon handle Palmer alone." *************** "Sarah wake up." Harriet's anxious voice pulled Sarah from her sleep and she looked up at her sister. "What. What is wrong?" "Loren the evil Hag is here. She says she must talk to you about Sir Harmon. That something awful has happened to him." Sarah was instantly awake and at once reached for her long robe. She quickly tied it around her as she hurried down the grand staircase. "What has happened to Sir Harmon?" Sarah demanded as she reached the entrance to the castle where Loren was waiting. "He and Palmer have dueled in the forest. He is hurt and dying. You must come at once." Sarah gasped as Loren's words, her face paling at once. "No. No he cannot die." "You must hurry. I may be able to save him but he is calling for you." "Sarah no" Harriet hissed behind her. "You cannot leave. Father said it was not safe to leave the castle." "I have to go" Sarah whispered. "If he dies" Her hand went to her mouth as she choked back a sob. "No I must go. Tell father." With that she hurried out of the castle with Loren, not once thinking of anything but Sir Harmon. He couldn't die. Not without her ever telling him how much she loved him. It was not until they were a safe distance from the castle that Loren started to slow down. "Come on" Sarah urged. "I must get to him before it is too late." "It is already too late" Loren smiled as the Evil Warlord Palmer suddenly stepped out from the shadows. "Beautiful Sarah" Palmer smiled as he quickly grabbed her arm. "You are now going to be mine. But not before you watch me rid us of Sir Harmon." "You tricked me" Sarah gasped as she looked at Loren. "It was so easy" Loren laughed. "And soon Castle Mackenzie will be mine." "My father will never turn over our home and lands to you. Never." "Once I vanquish Sir Harmon, the loyalty of the other knights in his service will be bought with baubles, and with fear," Palmer sneered. "Your father can stay on as my servant or be exiled at his pleasure. And after you watch me defeat Sir Harmon, you and I will find a bishop to marry us." "You sir are insane," Lady Sarah hissed. "I will never allow you to touch me." "With this potion I will control you." Palmer nodded to Loren who produced the vial. Before Sarah could do more than stare, Palmer had pinned both her arms behind her. "Feed her the liquid you silly goose." Loren stepped forward and pinched Sarah's nostrils, making her open her mouth to breathe. She struggled against Palmer but he had her held in such a way that to do so produced pain that shot through her limbs, leaving her breathless. She gasped for air and as she did so Loren poured the burning liquid into her mouth. Despite immediately coughing and sputtering and spitting, much of the formula went down her throat. "Now what happens?" Palmer hissed. "She will become meek and compliant and will do whatever you order her to," Loren replied, obviously pleased with herself. "Thus if I want her to watch our duel and to cheer for me, she will do so?" "Yes Warlord. She will do whatever you tell her to do." "Lady Sarah you will do as I tell you. You will watch me defeat Sir Harmon and after that you will become my bride." "Never," Sarah hissed and with that, went limp in Palmer's arms. "Loren what is the meaning of this," Palmer raged. "Dead she serves me no purpose." Loren stepped forward and encircled Lady Sarah's wrist. "She is not dead, but she sleeps the sleep of those who are." "This is not the spell I asked you to cast," he growled. "You have failed me. I have no mercy for those whom I employ and then fail me." "I am sorry master," Loren gasped in fear. "I know you are displeased with me." "I am more than displeased," he thundered. "Tell me what will awaken her." "I fear only the kiss from the one man who exists who is fated to be her love." "Be gone from my sight," Palmer ordered. "Be gone before I have Sir Lindsey use your worthless hide for archery practice." Loren quickly ran into the woods, leaving the Evil Palmer with Lady Sarah. "I will get you to wake" Palmer whispered to her. "And then you will be mine for eternity. Along with Castle Mackenzie. But then I must rid the land of Sir Harm once and for all." He looked down at the woman in his arms, trying to decide what he should do. He could find Sir Harm himself. But with Lady Sarah, he could easily bring Sir Harm to him. "Come my lady" Palmer smiled evilly. "My castle awaits." He hoisted Lady Sarah into his arms and headed into the dark woods where his dark castle loomed ahead. No one dared enter the forest of the Evil Warlord but Palmer knew that Sir Harm would come. Once he knew that Lady Sarah was in his possession. "Loren" Palmer called as he walked through the woods. "I need you again Loren. Then we will talk about you gaining Castle Mackenzie." The old hag soon emerged from the trees, smiling once again. "Yes Evil Warlord. What can I do for you?" "I need you to get a message to Sir Harm. That you know where Lady Sarah is and he must hurry if he ever wants to see her alive. Then you will bring him to my castle." "You will not let him live will you?" Loren demanded. "He cannot live." "He will not live" Palmer smiled. "I only need him to wake Lady Sarah. Then he will die. And she will be mine." "And Castle Mackenzie will be mine" Loren smiled. "Only if you get this right this time. Now be gone." Loren hurried back into the woods and Palmer continued on his way to his castle. Once there he tied Lady Sarah's hands to the bed, not trusting Loren's potion. "Soon my love" Palmer whispered. ********************** Castle Mackenzie "Sir Harm" Harriet gasped as the handsome knight entered the caste. "Why are you?" "Lady Sarah is in danger from the Evil Warlord Palmer. I must see her at once." "She is gone," Harriet said tearfully. "That hag Loren was here. She went away with her. I warned her not to leave. I haven't seen her since." "No" Sir Harm moaned. "Which way did she go?" "Into the forest. Do you think he will hurt her?" She sniffled again as King Albert hurried into the room. "Where is Lady Sarah?" "I fear the Evil Warlord Palmer has her" Sir Harm responded. "And it is because of me." "He has vowed revenge" King Albert sighed. "I will not let him hurt her" Sir Harm promised. "I will bring her back to you safely sir." "And when you do I hope that you will make known the fact that you love her." "Yes sir I will" Sir Harm promised. "But I must hurry if I am going to save her." "He will fight you to the death," King Albert cautioned. "You should take knights." "No. I cannot do that sire. I cannot risk her life in that manner. I am quite prepared to fight. Weapons to be chosen by him." "You know he will chose the mace. And he will expect you to respond in anger." "Then I will not disappoint the man. By your leave sire." King Albert nodded and raised his ring laden hand in dismissal. Sir Harm bolted toward his steed and once mounted, spurred the beast to fly through the forest. Soon the dark and foreboding castle of the Warlord loomed before him. Sir Harm halted his mount outside the gate and proceeded the rest of the way on foot. The gate had been left open for him as he suspected it would be and he strode inside. "Warlord Palmer you have your wish. I am here. Where is Lady Sarah?" His shout echoed off the cold stone walls and an evil laugh was the only response at first. "Palmer I am not playing games with you," he yelled. "You will show me that Lady Sarah is alive or I will start dismantling this castle stone by stone." "She is here." At first because of the echo, Sir Harm could not place the location of the reply. "She is up here with me. Look up you oaf." He did as ordered and saw Palmer at the narrow tower window. "She is here. She sleeps and awaits my awakening of her. She will be my bride." "Not while there is life left in my body," Sir Harm roared. "You wanted to fight. You wanted revenge. Well you shall have both." "Very well. Await my presence." Sir Harm nervously paced the courtyard, anxious to get the matter of Warlord Palmer dispensed with. He had promised King Albert--and himself--he would tell Lady Sarah of his deep abiding love, and that was one promise he intended to keep. Soon Warlord Palmer appeared. In each hand he held the chain of a mace, the steel spikes of the weapon honed to sharp points, the chain clanking with menace as he walked. "This fight is to the death." "I would not have it any other way," Sir Harm hissed. "I have spent too much of my life on you. Let us get to it." "By all means. I have a bride who awaits deflowering." The thought of this man touching his Lady sent Sir Harm into further rage and he reached for one of the weapons Palmer was holding forth. "This will be the end of you Palmer" Sir Harm thundered. "You will be no more." "So you think" Palmer laughed evilly. "But it is you who will be no more." The battle began with Palmer's first lash of the chain and Sir Harm quickly moved out of the way of the steel spikes as they came flying towards him. As soon as he was clear he struck out at Palmer, barely missing the Evil Warlord. Before he could get himself on the defense, Palmer lashed out again, his weapon striking Sir Harm's arm and tearing a gapping hole that soon gushed red with blood. "You will die this time Sir Harm" Palmer promised. "And then she will be all mine." "Never" Sir Harm managed. "I will never let you touch her. Not as long as I am alive." With renewed strength he once again aimed the weapon for Palmer, this time managing to connect with the Warlord's leg. He screamed in pain and at once dropped to the ground. Sir Harm wasted no time in closing in on the injured man, knowing that if he were to save Lady Sarah he would have to show no mercy to Palmer. "It is you who will die now" Sir Harm said as he stood over him, his weapon poised to strike at Palmer's chest. "And it will be good riddance of you." "Wait" Palmer gasped as Sir Harm raised his arm. "If you kill me, then Lady Sarah will never wake." Sir Harm's arm froze in mid air and he stared down at the evil warlord. "What have you done to her?" he shouted. "It was the hag Singer. She has cast a spell upon her. And only I can reverse the spell. If you kill me then Lady Sarah shall sleep for the rest of her days." "No" Sir Harm shook his head. "You are lying." "Then kill me" Palmer returned. "And when Lady Sarah sleeps forever, you will be to blame." Sir Harm looked down at Palmer as he tried to decide what to do. If Palmer were telling the truth, then Lady Sarah might never wake. A thought he couldn't bear. But he could be lying. "Are you willing to risk the life of Lady Sarah simply for revenge?" Palmer asked. "King Albert would never forgive you if Lady Sarah dies." Sir Harm continued to ponder Palmer's words. He had no choice but to believe him. Risking Lady Sarah's life was just not an option. "Get up" Sir Harm said to him. "And take me to her. Before I decide that you are lying." "She is at the top of the tower" Palmer told him. Sir Harm gave Palmer a rough shove towards the castle entrance and followed the evil warlord into the dark and dreary castle. He wasn't totally sure he trusted Palmer, but at the same time he could not take the chance that he wasn't. "Lady Sarah awaits," Palmer pointed to the narrow winding staircase. "With my injury I will never make the climb. And your arm, it bleeds bright red. I am not sure you will either." "Nothing would keep me from her," Sir Harm swore even as a stab of pain reminded him that he had been wounded. "Tell me how to make her wake." Palmer shot him a look of defiance. "And if I do not?" "If you do not, I will finish you here and now. You will die with your blood staining the floor of this god awful abode." "She can be awakened only by the kiss of the one with whom she is fated to spend her life with." "And that would be me." Sir Harm climbed the first few of the iron steps and looked back at Palmer, lying weak and bleeding. "If I am not successful, I will make your death long and slow." Palmer closed his eyes and Harm took a deep breath for strength, uttering a quick prayer for courage and began his climb. He began to count the steps, reaching 190 before he no longer had the breath to spare. Just when he thought he was almost at his goal, the stairs stopped and a ladder loomed before him. Straight up and down, leading to the tower room. The tower room wherein his love lie. Lie possibly dying. His arm was no longer painful but rather numb, hanging uselessly at his side. He could make the climb one-handed. He would make the climb. His love awaited. As did his future. Spots swam before his eyes as he mounted the ladder. Exhaustion and weakness were his enemy now. Out loud he counted off the steps. ". . . nine, ten, eleven. At long last he stepped from the ladder and staggered to the bed where she lie. For a long moment he could do nothing but take deep breaths and stare. She was so beautiful. But more importantly, he was so in love with her. Too much circumstance had kept them apart. No longer. Carefully he knelt at her bedside and with his dagger slit the bonds that had chafed the delicate skin about her wrists. "Sarah. Sarah I love you," he whispered and slowly lowered her head to hers. It was about to happen. Their lips were but a millimeter apart. They would kiss. She would open her eyes and be his forever. His lips touched hers, two souls finally coming together. Mac's eyes flew open as she felt the gentlest of lips on hers, her eyes widening as she looked into the green eyes of Harmon Rabb. "Harm" she gasped as he quickly leaned back. "I'm sorry" he whispered. "I just saw you laying there and you looked so beautiful that I couldn't stop myself. I shouldn't have done that." "Palmer" she said as she tried to clear her befuddled mind. "He's not at Leavenworth" Harm said quietly. "They've searched the entire prison from top to bottom and he's not there." "He's going to come after you Harm" Mac warned. "I know it. He wants to kill you." "Hey easy Marine. I'm sure if Palmer has gotten out of Leavenworth again he's not going to bother coming after me. If anything he's on his way out of the country." "Harm no. He wants to kill you. He wants his revenge. And when he has then he's going to take me." Her voice trailed off as Harm gave her a peculiar look. "And never mind what I just said. I'm just babbling. And how on earth did you get in here?" His eyes traveled to the corner of the room where little AJ was happily playing with his castle again. "I knocked on the door figuring you were still awake since all the lights were on. Then he opened the door. Which by the way we'll need to have a talk with Bud and Harriet about. He shouldn't be answering the door like that. Even if I did tell him it was me." "I can't believe I was sleeping that deeply" she frowned. "Aunt Mac come and play with me" AJ called. "You are supposed to be in bed mister" Harm said as he went over to the little boy. "And what are you making over here?" "My castle" he said proudly. "Bed time" Mac said as she forced herself from the sofa. "I can't believe you're not sleeping. You were totally out when I read you the story." A wail from Gwenyth's room told her that the baby was now awake as well and Mac let out a sigh. "Would you mind putting him to bed while I take care of her?" "Course not" Harm smiled. "Where's Bud and Harriet anyway?" "They got stuck because of the rain. I told them not to worry that I could handle it. Some baby-sitter I am." "I told him to let me in. Frankly I was worried when you didn't answer." Another wail from Gwen and Mac gave him a small smile. "I better go get her before she wakes the neighbors." "I hope you don't mind me stopping by like this," he said quietly. "I know I kind of stood you up earlier and I'm sorry." "Can we talk after we get them to bed?" she asked. "Of course. Go on." Mac was rocking Gwen back to sleep when Harm walked into the room, his eyes going at once to Mac. "You look beautiful." "That's twice you've said that to me tonight" she whispered. "You are. Especially when you're hold her." He watched her for several more minutes, neither of them saying anything until Mac put the sleeping baby in the crib and they headed back downstairs. "Harm what are you going to do about Palmer?" she asked quietly. "I'm not going to sit here worrying about him that's for sure." "No problem. I'm worrying enough for both of us," she sighed. Her dream had been so real. Every bit of it like it was playing out before her eyes. She could still recall every action, every detail, up to and including the kiss. Except the kiss was not part of. . . . "Mac?" "Huh?" She did not quite come back to reality even with his hand giving her arm a firm shake. "Sarah." Now that did get her attention. Her given name from his lips. "Yeah. I. . .you kissed me." "Yeah. You want me to take it back?" "NO. No don't you dare," she giggled before she remembered her very real fear of Clark Palmer. "Harm--Palmer." "Mac--breakfast," he grinned. "Please. I'm tired, hungry and badly in need of a shower. Give it a rest." "If you weren't worried about Palmer you would have gone back to your place," she returned. He had her there. Palmer knew about Sarah Mackenzie. Knew of her place in his life. He tried to come at Harm through Jordan once upon a time. If he thought he could get at Harm through Mac, he would not hesitate to try. Thus as soon as Harm knew he could do no more at JAG, the first place he headed was Mac's side. "You gonna feed me or nag?" he grinned and pulled her into a quick teasing hug. "Harm I'm worried," she yelped, pushing him away from her. "And not without good reason." "Look so am I," he relented. "I just know there's nothing else I can do tonight. Personally I think the bastard left the country. And right now I'm too tired and hungry to care. You're OK and that's where my concern stops and my hunger starts. Now come on. We can make omelets or something." "Are you always this calm when a psycho killer is hunting for you?" "Long as he's not after you." He shot her one of his quick grins, which did not quite reach to his eyes. "Seriously, the man is well on his way to Mexico and maybe they'll know better how to deal with him down there." "Well you'll pardon me if I don't share you confidence," she sighed. "But before we're murdered in our beds, I guess we can eat. You said you were making omelets?" They prepared the food and ate mostly in silence until Harm set down his coffee cup and gave her a quirky smile. "You and that baby looked beautiful together." "OK that's three," she giggled. "Are you sure you're not Palmer in disguise." "Not hardly. Mac give it a rest. The man is gone." "Well excuse me for being concerned." What she meant to come off as flippant instead came across as almost tearful, and she bit her lip and turned away. "Sorry. I must be tired too." At once he was out of his chair and kneeling at her side. "No I'm sorry. I'm making light of your fears and I shouldn't be. Excuse me for being an ass can you?" "Okay now I know you're not Harm" she sighed. "Mac things are different now. With me. And hopefully they will be with us." The sound of keys in the door interrupted the moment and they both looked up as Bud and Harriet walked in. "Commander you made it" Harriet smiled. "I'm so glad the Colonel didn't have to spend the night alone." Mac blushed at Harriet's words and Harm smiled slightly. "I just got here a short time ago myself" Harm told her. "I thought you guys were stuck?" "We left as soon as the water went down because Harriet was worried about the kids" Bud answered. "I just didn't feel right leaving the Colonel all alone with them" Harriet countered. "Course if I'd known she wasn't all alone, we could have stopped and had breakfast." "Why don't I make up a few more omelet's" Harm offered. "The kids are still sleeping and you can tell us about your evening." "Why don't you tell them about your friend?" Mac spoke up. "What friend?" Bud frowned. "Palmer" Harm sighed. "They've lost track of him at Leavenworth and they're pretty sure he's escaped. Mac's concerned but I'm not. This time I'm sure he was smart enough to get out of the country while he could." "Palmer" Bud frowned more. "Sir he hates you. You really don't believe he wouldn't take this opportunity do you?" "If he's smart, yes. Now what kind of omelet do you want?" Harm managed to turn the conversation away from talk of Palmer and it was only when he and Mac were cleaning up the kitchen that the topic once again came up. "Harm Bud was right," she said quietly. "Mac I don't want to think about" Harm sighed. "Because we both know there's only one way to hurt me." "And how is that?" He was silent for a moment before turning to her. "Sarah you know." "Tell me." "You know" he sighed. "And you know I need to make some calls and see if they've come up with anything." He walked out of the kitchen and Mac shook her head. Some things would only happen in dreams. And Harm telling her loved her was one of them. "Why is it so hard Harm" Mac murmured. "It's just three words." "Ma'am?" Harriet questioned, coming in on the heels of Harm's departure. "Nothing. Just pissing and moaning. I do that a lot. Even got the tee shirt. Present from Mic." "OK it was a private thought," Harriet nodded and then giggled. "Good grief I haven't heard that name in so long. Do you hear from him?" "Mic? Yeah we exchange emails all the time. He's happily at sea. XO of the HMS Nottingham." "Since when?" This from Harm, having walked back in to pick up his forgotten coffee. "Since shortly after he went back to Sydney," Mac answered. Harm made a noise of exasperation. "I mean, since when are the two of you so chummy you email back and forth. Doing what, talking about old times in bed?" Harriet gasped and managed a stuttered 'excuse me' before fleeing the kitchen. Mac simply looked at him. "Uncalled for and withdrawn," he whispered, taking a step toward her. "Sorry. I'm tired and cross and being reminded of one of the biggest pains in my butt and then to hear. . .never mind. I am sorry. Second time in an hour I've acted like an ass. Why don't you just shoot me." "That's Plan B," Mac replied, keeping her voice even. "Harm if you had ever asked, once he got back to Sydney and we kind of let the dust settle I made the first move. I emailed him and basically told him I was sorry that I hadn't been straight with him. He emailed back and said he had some apologizing of his own to do, and from that point on we just kept in touch. Anything further counselor?" "Pass the sugar," he answered. "Humble pie goes down better that way." Harriet was feeding Gwen when Mac emerged, Harm having retreated to the den to make his calls. "You guys OK?" she asked at once. "Men can be so infuriating. Would you believe I dumped a bowl of cereal in Bud's lap the other morning. Childish I know but it was either that or reach for the butcher knife." "Yeah we're fine," she sighed. "I need a thicker skin, but that he's quick to apologize helps." Before Harriet could answer, Bud's voice reached them clearly from the living room. "Harriet AJ and I are going to the store now. Yes I've got the list. Yes AJ has a jacket on. Love you." "Don't forget the cornmeal if you want cornbread tonight. Love you." Mac listened to the exchange and shook her head. "You guys say that so easily to each other." "The first one is the hardest. I mean like with Mic, wasn't it?" "Well he said it so often and so glibly that by the time I said it back, it was like a mynah bird," she sighed. "And you wish the Commander would?" "Oh yeah," she sighed again. "And in Paraguay he sort of did. No wait, he did. In his own inimitable way." "Ma'am he gave up the Navy and risked his life for you," Harriet whispered, suddenly totally serious. "That says love to me a whole lot more than Bud yelling it at me from the doorway." "Then why can't he say it?" Mac moaned. "He's a man" Harriet laughed. "No one ever said they made sense. Especially men like the Commander." Before Mac could answer, Harm walked into the room, the look on his face telling her something was wrong. "Harm what is it?" "The authorities have reason to believe that Palmer is on his way here," he said quietly. "Apparently they found some stuff in his cell to indicate that he hasn't quite forgotten about me." Mac's face paled and even Harriet looked distraught. "Sir what are you going to do?" "I'm going to go find him before he hurts anyone I care about" Harm answered. "And once and for all I'm going to end this." "Harm no, not alone" Mac whispered. "I have to get to him before he gets to us. To you. I want you to promise me you won't go anywhere alone. Please." "Harm I'm not concerned about me. I'm scared to death for you." "Don't be. I'm going to take care of Palmer right now." He reached for his coat and Mac followed him to the door. "Harm this is crazy. You don't have to go after him like this. Let someone else handle it." "No. I have to do this." "Promise me you'll keep in touch" she whispered. "So I know you're okay." "I will. Now please stay here. I've asked Sturgis and the Admiral to come and stay until we find Palmer. Just in case." "Do you think that's necessary?" she asked softly as she looked back to Harriet and Gwen. "I'm not taking any chances. Not with the people I care about." "Harm" she started. Her words were cut off as he suddenly pulled her into his arms, their lips meeting in a long kiss before Harm let go of her. "I have to go" he whispered before hurrying out the door. "Harm" she moaned as she watched his car tear out of the driveway. "Why are you doing this?" "Ma'am is everything okay?" Harriet asked as she came up behind Mac. "No it's not Harriet. He's going after Palmer and he's going to get himself killed." "Because he'd rather die protecting you then let anything happen to you," Harriet said softly. "He loves you very much ma'am. It's so evident if you just step back and see it." "Right now all I care about is him not getting hurt." "Ma'am he'll be okay." "I can't just sit here and wait" Mac groaned. "I'll go crazy." For the next hour she paced the house and when the phone rang she jumped, reaching for it while Harriet attended to Gwen. "Harm." "I bet you'd like to know where he is" the voice on the other end laughed. "Oh god no" she whispered. "Where is he? What have you done with him?" Evil laughter on the other end sent a chill down her spine and for a moment it was as if she were in the middle of her nightmare. Only it could be a trap. "Sarah how long do you think your sailor can live with a bullet in his side?" Palmer laughed. All sense of reason went away at his words and Mac gripped the phone tighter. "Where is he? Tell me now." "He's waiting for you at his place Sarah. Waiting to say goodbye." The line clicked off and Mac stared at the phone before quickly hanging up. Without a word she reached for her stuff, scribbling a note to Harriet before hurrying out the door before she could stop her. The drive from the Roberts's to Southeast DC never seemed so long. She resisted any tendency to floor the accelerator, knowing a traffic stop would delay her more. 'Bullet in his side'. 'Waiting for you'. 'Waiting to say good bye'. The words tumbled over and over in her mind. "Hang on Harm. Please hang on. I'm on the way. We'll deal with this bastard and then you and I. . .well we'll deal with each other." Finally the old apartment building was before her and she barely parked before she was running up the steps, stopping only to tuck the weapon from her glove box into the back waistband of her jeans. Harm's door was cracked an inch and she drew the gun, taking a step inside. "Mackenzie I thought you were brighter than this," Palmer hissed from along side her. The cold steel of a 9mm barrel touched her temple and she froze as he took off the safety and put a round in the chamber. His hand closed over the weapon she carried. "On the other hand at least you're smart enough not to fight me." "Dammit," she swore, realizing her anxiety for Harm had made her less cautious than she should have been. "All right Palmer, where is Harm? Let me see him. Is he all right?" "Dammed if I know. I guess," Palmer muttered. "I haven't had the pleasure yet." "You. . .you told me," she gasped, letting relief wash over her. Harm was not hurt. Not lying somewhere in the dark apartment bleeding to death. "I know what I told you. I know how to manipulate both of you. Each of you would deflect a head on attack and not think twice. But let one realize the other is in need, and you're right there." "Yeah OK guilty," she sighed. "Of course I came running. Now I'm here. Now what? As if I didn't know. You're going to tell Harm you've got me. Or have you already? Is he on his way too?" "I told you I haven't had the pleasure of talking to the man," Palmer replied, giving her temple a sharp jab. At the same time from his back pocket he produced a set of handcuffs. "Hands behind your back." She stood steadfast, not moving and with his free hand he grabbed her arm and wrenched it behind her. "Listen up woman. People say I'm crazy. Well whatever. You know better than most what I'm capable of after witnessing my little game with the late Commander Parker. You need to do as I say. There are a thousand ways to die and I know how to make all of them happen. If you mess with me, I'll put a bullet into you right here." For a long moment she weighed her options. Dead she was no good to anyone. Alive she might have a chance to overpower this lunatic. Slowly she put her other hand behind her and he snapped the cuffs on painfully tight. "OK we're out of here." "I don't understand. Harm. . .you?" she stammered, trying to fight off the fear for herself and for Harm, and to understand. "Oh me and Rabb absolutely," he replied. "But not here. Not in this little apartment. I know a much better place. And with you on the scene, he'll come alone like I'll tell him. No SWAT teams." He gave out a haunting laugh and at once Mac was taken back several hours to her dream. Evil Warlord Palmer. "Why are you doing this? Why not just get away while you could?" "And miss the fun of taking down Rabb once and for all. No way. And now that I have you, there's no way he'll turn me down. And this time one of us isn't going to walk away." He laughed again and Mac felt a chill go down her spine. This man was truly a lunatic. A lunatic who would stop at nothing to kill Harm. "Come on Sarah" he smiled. "We have a small drive a head of us." ********************** "One day Palmer" Harm muttered as he made his way back to Bud and Harriet's home. "One day this is going to come to an end once and for all." He'd gone on a hunch and that hunch had done him no good. He'd figured Palmer would head for Mac's first, knowing the best way to get to him was through her. But he'd been wrong and dejectedly he headed back to Bud and Harriet's, wanting to make sure Mac was still there and okay. He noticed her missing car as soon as he pulled into the driveway and he hurried inside the house. "Where is she? Where's Mac?" "She's gone sir" Harriet told him. "The phone rang while I was taking care of Gwen and when I came back down she was gone. She left this note and that was all." Harm's eyes hurried over the note, the sinking feeling going to the bottom of his stomach. Palmer. He'd gotten to her. "Sir you don't think?" Harriet whispered. "I'm going to find her and she's going to be okay" Harm vowed. "I will not let him hurt her. It's me he wants. And that's what he's going to get." He was on his way out when Sturgis and the Admiral pulled up. "Harm what's going on?" AJ asked. "He's got her. And I'm going to get her back." "Palmer?" Sturgis gasped. "He has Mac?" "I underestimated him. He called her and told her he had me. And of course she went running. Right into his trap." "Because she loves you." This from AJ and Harm let out a long sigh. "Commander before you deny it, you know I'm right. And I think you love her. Otherwise you wouldn't have gone to Paraguay for her." "Yes sir I do love her" Harm said finally. "Why don't you let her in on that secret when you find her?" AJ said quietly. "It's the first thing I'm going to tell her. Provided I get the chance." "Harm we'll go with you" Sturgis offered. "No. This is my battle. Not yours. I don't want anyone else getting hurt. I'll take care of Palmer." "You don't even know where she is." "He'll call me. He knew the only way to get me to meet him was to take Mac. I'm sure I'll be hearing from him real soon." "Be careful buddy," Sturgis said quietly. "You know this guy is a raving lunatic. He's not going to stop until he's gotten what he wants." "Well neither am I this time?" Harm said before hurrying out. Minutes later his cell phone rang and he knew without looking who it was. Palmer. "Commander we meet again" Palmer said when Harm answered. "Just tell me where and when and I'll be there." "Oh come on Harm. No time to find out how my life in prison is." "Palmer cut the crap. Just tell me where and when." "Don't you even want to know if your little Marine is still alive?" Palmer taunted. "I know she is" Harm said quietly. "Because if she were already dead, you wouldn't have bothered to call me." "Any messages for her before you get here?" "What I have to say will wait until you're dead." "In that case you sure you don't want to tell her now?" Palmer sneered. "If you guys play your cards right, I might let you have a little reunion before our battle. Now I don't have to tell you, come alone, and unarmed." "Unarmed? You said we were going to fight. Palmer don't jerk me around here. I want her back. I'll do what it takes. Just don't screw with me." "Harm you sound a little whiny. You must love her a lot." "Yeah, a helluva lot," he admitted, even as he did so hating to sound like he was begging and yet truth be told, he would do a lot more than just beg if it meant Mac's life. "Say it again." "Excuse me?" "How much you love this woman," Palmer prompted. "I love her a helluva lot," Harm answered without hesitation. Several miles away, the dark haired Marine in question was made to listen. Palmer had put the phone to her ear. Her eyes widened and when Palmer didn't remove the phone right away she yelled out, "Harm I love you, and stay away from this lunatic. I don't want you. . .mfff" "Maaac." Harm knew exactly what the muffled noise he heard was. Her being silenced in some way and he screamed Palmer's name. At the same time his mind was reeling from her words. 'Harm I love you'. "Hey easy Sailor boy I'm right here," the fugitive laughed. "And your little Marine isn't damaged. Not permanently. Not yet." "You're a dead man Palmer." 'You're a dead man Moshak'. His mind went back almost five years earlier before he could stop it. The Sudanese Embassy. They had been so close with each other then. . .before Chris Ragle and. . . "Why don't you stop with the idiotic threats and come put your money where your mouth is." "I'm on my way. Be there in about forty," Harm hissed. "For your sake she had better be OK." "Whoa hold up on that stampede cowboy," Palmer yelled. "You get into your car and start driving yes, but not to your place. You start out I-66 and I'll let you know later where to get off. But if I see any evidence you're being followed or there's cops hidden where we're going I'll slit her throat. And you know I mean it." "I don't want her hurt," Harm told him, not caring how he came across at that point. "I know you don't Sailor-boy so I'm sure you're going to be careful. You're heading for an old forest service property in the mountains by the way. I'll call you in thirty minutes with more details." The call disconnected and it took every ounce of Harm's self control not to heave the phone into the wall in anger. "What can we do?" Sturgis asked quietly, putting a hand heavily on Harm's shoulder. "Nothing. Not an F-ing thing," he retorted, much more sharply than he intended. "Sturgis promise me you won't try to follow or locate me. He said he'd kill her. That he'd slit her throat. He means it. If you know anything about this bastard, you know he means it." "Harm you can't do this alone." "I can and I will. Because if anything happens to her, well it won't matter what he does to me anyway." His own words ran through his head a short time later as he drove down I-66. Without Mac his life was nothing. Hadn't he found that out in the months he'd spend without her? "Hang on Mac" he murmured. "I'm coming honey. And this time I'm going to make it right." His cell phone rang an hour later and Harm quickly grabbed it. "Palmer." "You're so smart Rabb" Palmer laughed. "Tell me where to go Palmer. I'm out here in the middle of nowhere. Where are you?" "Get off at the Front Royal exit and make a left. Go about five miles and you'll see a dirt road. Turn onto it. I'll be waiting when you get to the top." "Where's Mac?" he demanded. "Waiting right here for her knight in shining armor" Palmer laughed. "Too bad this fairy tale is going to have an unhappy ending." "I want to know she's okay. Let me talk to her." "Say something to you partner Colonel" Palmer said as he shoved the phone up to her. "Harm please don't come" she whispered. "Please." "Aww isn't that sweet" Palmer laughed. "She's all concerned about you Harm. Too bad there won't be a thing she can do about it when you get here." "You're a dead man this time Palmer" Harm promised before the line disconnected. Harm followed the directions he'd been given, the dirt road winding up the mountainside towards the old forest service property. He could see the old cottage at the top and he floored the SUV onward. "Don't do this please" Mac begged as she heard Harm's SUV coming up the path. "You don't need to kill him." "Of course I do. After everything he's done to me. Oh yeah, I need to kill him. And its going to feel real good watching him die. I just can't decide if you should go before him or not. Course you are very attractive Colonel. I could just keep you for myself." As he spoke he moved closer to her, his hand gently caressing her cheeks. She could do nothing but turn away, her hands tied behind her. "But then watching Rabb cry over your dead body would be pretty good too" he grinned evilly. "He so loves you Sarah. Too bad the only time you two will get together will be in heaven. Or should I say hell." She didn't answer, the scenario he'd just painted running through her mind. He had no intention of letting either of them live. It was just a matter of who he killed first. The SUV stopped outside the cottage and at once Palmer moved towards the door, his gun in his hand. He knew Harm would come unarmed, and he didnt care that it wasn't a fair fight. "You're going to kill him" Mac gasped when she saw what he was doing. "Just like that. You know he's unarmed." "Did I say this was going to be fair" Palmer laughed as they heard footsteps nearing the cottage. "Harm he's got a gun" Mac screamed as loudly as she could. "Get away from the door." Harm froze the second he heard her voice, one foot poised in the air mid-step. "Sarah." The word came from his lips as a hoarse plea. He heard her scream his name once more and then there was silence. Not even Palmer's threats came from the old ramshackle building. Cautiously he moved forward, hardly daring to breathe. "God don't let him hurt her. Please don't let him hurt her," he mouthed over and over again, the words helping him to keep his focus. What he could not see was Palmer's cloth wrapped hand over Mac's mouth, nor smell the sickly ether odor as she gasped for air. All the fight left her in a few moments as the crude anesthesia did its job. She fell heavily against Palmer who wasted no time in taking her out through the back door, her limp body slung over his shoulders in a rough fireman's carry. By the time Harm crept up to the cottage and made a cautious entry, Palmer and Mac were no longer there. "Palmer what the hell kind of game are you playing," he demanded loudly, not expecting an answer and not receiving one. Spotting the back door he pushed his way through, staying ever-alert. What he had not seen when he drove up was in plain view now. Forest service property Palmer had said. Now it made sense. The small cottage, and the tall fire tower behind. From the days when forest rangers were stationed there on fire duty during the hot dry Virginia summers . "Palmer?" Harm raised his voice. "Rabb. I'll be right with you. I see you. Stand right where you are," came the answering shout. "Mac? Where is she?" Harm demanded loudly. There was silence in reply, lasting only until the creaky steps at the bottom of the tower gave out with a loud groan. "Your lady love is perfectly safe, though she's going to have one powerful headache when she awakens," Palmer chortled. "On the other hand maybe you can awaken her with a kiss. She sleeps at the top of the tower. Safe for the moment. But not for long. See I've taken the liberty of planting some dynamite sticks and blasting caps in sequence along the main supports. One touch of the detonator and ten minutes later, no more tower." Harm looked at the small box in Palmer's hand and then upward. Mac was on the observation deck a hundred feet above, drugged and alone and he repeated his vow aloud. "You are a dead man." "Then you'd better kill me good because if you happen to get that lucky, I'm going to hit this detonator. You think you can make the top and get her down in ten? You'd better be double- timing commander. Or maybe you'll not even try." "I think you know better," Harm said quietly. "Let's do what we came for. I'm going to watch you die, and then I'm taking her out of here." "Or so you think" Palmer smiled as he reached for his weapon. Harm saw him make the move and at once dove behind a tree as Palmer fired. "You didn't expect a fair fight did you Rabb?" Palmer laughed. "You know me better than that don't you?" "Yes I do" Harm murmured as he reached for his own weapon. He hadn't dared use it when Mac was near Palmer but now that he knew she was in the tower, he wouldn't hesitate to use it. It was finally time to make this man pay for everything he'd done. "Come on Harm" Palmer yelled. "You can't hide there all day. Cause right now my finger is on the button. If you don't show your ugly head in ten seconds, I'm going to press the button. Either way you're going to die. But do you really want your Marine blown to smithereens." For a moment he didn't move. This was it. He had to make his move before Palmer set the detonator. With a murmured prayer upwards, he took a deep breath before jumping out from behind the tree, firing as he did so. Palmer had fired at the first sign movement, but Harm's shot was better, tearing through Palmer's chest and sending the man to the ground. But not before his shot tore past Harm's arm, leaving a trail of blood as it grazed it. Harm ignored it for the moment as he hurried over to Palmer. "Too late Rabb" he gasped, an evil smile on his face and at once Harm looked at the clock that was now counting down. Less than ten minutes to get to Mac. "Bastard" he murmured as he aimed once more at Palmer and pulled the trigger before hurrying to the tower. "Mac" Harm screamed as he hurried up the steps, his arm already beginning to ache. "Mac wake up. Honey we don't have much time. I need your help Mac. Wake up." There was no answer and he continued his climb upwards, mentally counting the seconds down in his head. He was almost there but the clock would almost be half way through as well. He needed to move faster if he were going to save Mac. The observation deck finally loomed ahead of him and a moment later he was at her side, for a moment afraid that she was already dead. She was still and pale and he wasn't even sure she was breathing. And despite the fact that precious seconds were fading away, he knew there was something he had to say. In case they didn't make it to the bottom in time. "Sarah I love you" he whispered as he leaned down and dropped a kiss on her lips. At once her eyes opened and she looked up at him with a soft smile. "I love you too." That smile soon faded when she saw the blood on his arm. "Harm, oh my god you're bleeding." "It won't matter if we don't get moving," he said as he quickly helped her up, his good arm staying around her to help steady her. "This thing is rigged to blow. We've only got a few minutes." "Palmer?" "Not important. Come on" Harm urged as he pulled her towards the stairs. As quickly as he dared, he moved down the steps, keeping her with him as she did so. "Harm I can't do this" she wailed, her head throbbing so badly she could barely see straight. "Go on." "Not without you. And you know I can't carry you with this arm. Come on Marine. We can do this." He tightened his grip around her as he continued down, holding more and more of her weight as they neared the bottom. He'd lost track of time and he could only pray that they would get to the bottom before the blast. The green earth was soon but a few steps away and it was just as their feet hit it that the first blast hit. It was on the other side of the tower, but the force sent them flying towards the ground. As they hit, another explosion and Harm positioned himself over Mac as one by one the explosions went off. Debris rained down. Jagged pieces of wood and splintered metal supports crashed around them. Harm knew the worst was yet to come. Palmer's plan had been to blow out the first twenty or so feet of the support structure, crashing the observation platform to the ground. The old tower seemed to groan as for a millisecond the upper structure was suspended in mid air. He kept Mac's head to the ground as he dared look, realizing that if it fell on them they would both be killed. "I love you Sarah," he managed as an unearthly roar filled the woods. More debris and choking dust and Harm held on to her. If they were to leave this world on this day, they would do so together. The noise died away, left their ears, and still they were breathing. At least Harm was. Mac had not moved nor uttered a sound beneath him. His arm was bleeding badly and yet he hardly noticed in his haste to check on her. Rolling his weight from her, he made her come with him, getting her onto her back. At once he checked for her pulse, breathing a long sigh of relief when he found it. She was breathing, but shallowly. Much too shallowly, he knew at once. And her pulse was slower than it should be. Forcing down what threatened to be numbing panic, he grabbed his cell phone. "911, thank god. I need help. I need the police and an ambulance. I've been shot and my friend is. . .my god she could be dying." "Sir OK. Sir I need you to calm down now. Take two deep breaths and tell me where you are. I know you're on a cell and that's not helping me." The operator's soft voice got through to him and he relayed the information. "All right sir. I have a sheriff's car rolling. ETA is four minutes. Ambulance is started. Stay calm and try to wrap your wound if you can." "Yeah thanks." Harm dropped the phone, paying no attention to the blood dripping down his arm as he lifted Mac on to his lap, patting her cheeks as he held and rocked her. As the scream of sirens cut through the trees, she opened her eyes and took a long breath. "Harm?" "Right here honey. Right here holding you." "Good. Don't let go. Please," she whispered. "Never. Not for the rest of our lives." As he was saying the words he realized he was making that vow to her. "Not ever," he added for effect. "Good. I love you too." She gave a small smile and when her eyes closed her body went limp in his arms. "No. No this is not happening," he screamed, realizing there was no pulse or breathing this time. At once he set her down on the ground and began CPR. He barely heard the tires of the sheriff's vehicle squeal, not realizing help arrived until two deputies were at his side. "What the hell happened here," Davy Ledbetter screeched, looking at Palmer, a very dead Palmer, and the destruction of the tower. "Sir you've been shot? Let us take over." "No" Harm managed between rescue breaths. "I won't let her die." He continued his work, concentrating on only one thing. Mac. She couldn't die. She had to live. She just had to. "Sir please let us do that" Vicky Tally said as she tried to move Harm out of the way. "We can help her more than you can." "No" he said as he forced her back. "I have to do this. I have to save her." Vicky looked to her partner for help and just as Davy was going to forcefully pull Harm back, Mac coughed slightly, her eyes opening a second later. "Sarah thank God" Harm managed. "I thought I'd lost you." "My knight in shining armor" Mac murmured as she looked up at him, her hand weakly reaching up to touch his cheek. "You saved my life. Just like in the fairy tale." "Our lives have been anything but a fairy tale" Harm whispered. "But I love you with all my heart Sarah and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" "Yes" she smiled softly before her eyes dropped shut once again. For a moment Harm froze, afraid he'd lost her again. But the steady rise and fall of her chest told him she was still breathing. Relief washed over him and it was only Davy's quick hands that saved him from falling on her as he to gave into the darkness. "What just happened here?" Vicky said as she looked at her partner. "It's just like the fairy tale Vick" he smiled. "The good guy saves the princess and they live happily ever after." The End….. ___________