TITLE: "New Beginnings XIV-Love, It Is a River" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: The fourteenth in the New Beginnings series as Harm and Mac endeavor to keep their promise to each other—to make 2002 'their' year. All chapters are rated PG for mild violence and language. DISCLAIMER: JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al. No copyright infringement is intended with this work of fiction. FEEDBACK: Yes, if you're moved to do so, to [SSbpmn@aol.com] and it would be much appreciated by both of us. However, if your intent is only to tell us you are not liking our work, please don't spend the time. While we realize our work does not please everyone, we do ask that the journey be respected. NOTE: All parts of this story 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 the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html [sadly, not always up and running] or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Previously in NB—From their consignment to a world between this life and the next, Harm and Mac help bring down the person who caused the explosion at JAG HQ. From NB XII-- "Brooke my God what happened?" Ryan demanded as he reached the ICU and found her sitting in the chair outside Harm's room, the ice pack still to her head. "Are you okay?" "I'm okay" she sniffled. "It's was Lt. Singer. She tried to kill Harm." "Is he okay?" Ryan asked as he dropped into the chair beside her. "They said he should be. Well as okay as he was. Are you okay?" "I'm a tough jarhead remember" Ryan said softly. "I'm fine." "This nightmare needs to be over" Brooke whispered. "I just want Harm and Mac to be okay and for us to be okay." "I can help with the second one" Ryan said quietly. "I wish I could do something about the first part." He watched as one of the nurses walked past and into Mac's room, before looking back at Brooke. "I'm sorry about a lot of things" he said quietly. "And I want us to try and work this out." "Do you really?" she sniffled. "More than you know" he sighed. "But since Kelly's death everything has been messed up. And I want us to find a way to fix it. I just don't know how." Before she could reply the nurse came running from Mac's room. "Get the Doctor," she called to the nurse at the station. "Right away." "Oh god, Mac" Brooke wailed. "Mac, no." She stood up quickly, only to be overcome by a wave of dizziness. She fell into Ryan's waiting arms as he screamed for help. *************************** "New Beginnings XIV-Love, It Is a River"— "What the hell is going on in here," the attending doctor bellowed as the rooms filled with people in response to the alarms. At the same time a frantic Ryan lowered Brooke to the floor, fighting his own dizziness in his distress over her and cradling her against his chest. For a moment the pandemonium between both beds was overwhelming and Dr. Osburn put two fingers between his teeth and blew an ear piercing whistle. For a moment there was silence except for the alarms. "Dr. Osburn, he's trying to breathe on his own," the amazed nurse gasped, seeing Harm struggling against the tube. A second later another nurse issued a similar report from Mac's bedside. Ryan held tightly to Brooke, rocking her gently amidst all that was spiraling around them, shocked into silence by what he was hearing. The doctor cautiously approached Harm's bed, not sure whether to believe what he was hearing. "You're right nurse. Mr. Rabb, be still now. Be real still and stop fighting that tube before you cause yourself some real lung damage. We'll take it out and see what happens. Nurse, prepare to extubate." "Maa....c" Harm croaked as soon as the tube was cleared from this throat. "Doctor is this one of those one in a million recoveries we hear about in med school?" the young intern asked softly. "Son I have no idea. Go see to our other patient," Dr. Osburn ordered, drawing a distracted hand through his sparse hair. "Mr. Rabb breathe nice and slow, and everyone keep an eye on his levels. I want blood gasses now and every ten minutes. This is not supposed to work this way." "Doctor she needs to be extubated too," the intern called and Osburn hurried to her bedside. "Ryan? I want to open my eyes but I want it to be you that's holding me," Brooke murmured. "Is it?" "Of course it is," he whispered and then raised his voice. "Can I get some help here? I can't lift her." "Ryan you're not OK are you?" she yelped in fright. "Yes I am, just not completely," he grinned. "Just need a little help, and my god what's going on with Harm and Mac?" In his own state of fog, coupled with concern for Brooke, he had not realized the import of what was happening around them until he could more clearly hear the shouted reports. Brooke at once thought the worst and she pulled away from him, only to have another wave of dizziness force her back against him. "Doctors please," Ryan wailed. "Brooke honey no I think it's OK. Doctors?" Another intern knelt beside them, taking Brooke and lifting her from him to the nearest chair. Ryan slowly got to his feet with the aid of a nurse and came to stand beside them, all the while his eyes fixed on Harm. "Sir are you hearing and seeing me?" "Yeah Ryan I am," he croaked. "Sarah?" "Easy Mr. Rabb. She's being well looked after over there," Osburn told him. "And I know what I'm going to be doing tonight---writing a paper for the medical journals. My god son do you realize I was going to start procedures to get permission to make you and Ms. Mackenzie organ donors." "Haaaa---rmmm," Mac's strangled cry reached them before he could reply. "Wonder if McDonald's is hiring," Osburn murmured as he hurried to check on her. ============== VIENNA METRO STATION There as at the hospital the scene was the same pandemonium as under Shelby's direction reports where given and Singer's body collected. Finally AJ put his arm across her shoulders, leading her away from the scene. "Enough for now. I can feel you trembling Ms. Chief Investigator. The rest can't wait can't it? Let's get away from here and get some coffee. Surely you've done all you can for now?" "Yeah I'm all but done, and coffee sounds wonderful," she nodded, taking a long breath before she continued. "AJ I've been in this outfit ten years now, since college, and I've never witnessed death first hand like that. If I hadn't chased her like I did. . ." Her eyes clouded and for a moment her face crumpled. "Hey don't even," AJ said sharply. "You are not responsible for her death. She chose to try and beat the train. And almost got you killed right along with her." "I should have let her go. We could have caught up to her later." "Before or after she hurt someone else I care about" AJ countered. "Look this isn't the way I wanted this to end either. But dammit Shelby, she hurt two people I care very much about. And if this is God's way of making it right, so be it. And there's no reason for you to feel guilty about what happened." She nodded slowly and took another deep breath. "You're right," she said finally. "Why don't we get that cup of coffee at the hospital. I'm sure you're anxious to find out how Harm and Mac are." "You okay now?" AJ asked gently. "I think so. Just don't tell my boss I started to fall apart like that," Shelby said with a small smile. "Your secret is safe is with me" AJ smiled as well. "Come on, let's get out of here." *********** "Mac" Harm wailed at the sound of her cry of his name. "Ryan I need to get to her." As he spoke he was already attempting to push himself up and Ryan quickly gave him a push back down. "Hey hold up there" he ordered. "Five minutes ago you weren't even with us. Just wait for the doctor." "I need to see Mac. Now." "Some days" Doctor Osburn sighed as he hurried back into Harm's room. "Okay Mr. Rabb that young lady in the other room isn't going to settle until you two are together. So what's going to happen is I'm going to get both of you moved into another room." "Is she okay?" Harm demanded hoarsely. "Like you she's fine" Doctor Osburn smiled. "I can't explain it and I won't even begin to try. But the orderly is on the way and you two will be together soon." Harm nodded and leaned back against the pillow; Ryan still somewhat shocked by the turn of events. He turned his attention back to Brooke, resting quietly in the chair. "Honey you okay?" he asked softly. "Harm and Mac are both okay?" she whispered as she opened her eyes to look up at him. He nodded and gently pulled her into his arms. "You're going to get both your wishes" he whispered. "You've got Harm and Mac back and you and I are going to work this out." "Promise" she sniffled. "Promise" he said as he pulled away to drop a quick kiss on her lips. *********** "Do you mind if we check on Harm and Mac first?" AJ asked as they walked into the hospital. "And then we can get that coffee I promised you." "That's fine" she assured him. They took the elevator to the ICU floor and moments later AJ gasped as he walked into the empty room that Harm had been in. "Oh dear God no" AJ whispered, fearing the worst. He swallowed hard before turning back to Shelby, who opened her arms to him. "AJ I'm so sorry" she said softly. He didn't say anything as he let her warm arms wrap around him. He remembered Mac's words about having someone to lean on and he tightened his arms around Shelby. "Excuse me sir" the nurse said as she walked into the room. "I uh, didn't mean to interrupt but I wanted to tell you that Mr. Rabb and Ms. Mackenzie have been moved to another room. We had sort of a miracle here earlier. They both started breathing on their own and they've been moved to another room." "He's not dead" AJ whispered as he let go of Shelby. "Far from it" the nurse smiled. "Right now I do believe he's quite content to stay on this earth with the woman he loves beside him." "She's okay too?" "Both are fine. Like I said it was a miracle." Moment's later he and Shelby walked into the room that Harm and Mac now shared. Two beds had been moved close together so that the two could hold each other's hands, the most Dr. Osburn would budge until he knew for sure they were both okay. Brooke and Ryan had taken chairs beside the two beds, Brooke leaning tiredly against Ryan. "Well it's about time you two got with the program" AJ smiled as he looked at his officers. "Glad to have you back." "Thank you sir" Harm said quietly. "It's good to be back." "Did you get her sir?" Brooke asked as she raised her head from Ryan's shoulder. "She's dead" Shelby offered quietly. "She won't hurt anyone again." "Thank god" Ryan murmured as he wrapped his arms around Brooke tighter. "So it's over." "It's all over" AJ nodded. "Sir, you need to make these two go home" Mac whispered as she looked at Ryan and Brooke. "They both need to get some rest." "I concur Colonel. On your feet you two. Ms. Rogers and I are going to take you home where you'll stay for at least the next 24 hours." "Come on Lt." Ryan said as he helped Brooke to her feet. "You heard the man. Time for some R&R." "You two are going to be okay right?" Brooke asked as she looked over at Harm and Mac. "You're not going to leave us again are you?" "Not anytime soon" Harm assured her. "I think there's a few things we still have left to do in this world." He squeezed Mac's hand and she gave him a weak smile. There would be time to talk about what had happened later. "Okay then I'll go" Brooke said finally. She leaned down and dropped a kiss on Harm's cheek and gave Mac's hand a quick squeeze before allowing Ryan to lead her to the door. "What was that for?" Harm smiled. "A thank you for looking out for us" Brooke said softly. "And for being there for me." Harm smiled again and gave her hand a quick squeeze. "You and Ryan have become a large part of our lives, Mac's and mine. You're very welcome." "People less sap and more movement," AJ urged. "Commander, Colonel, behave yourselves. Don't let me get a call that I have to come down here and straighten you two out." "Yes sir. Right now I don't think either of us could give a kitten trouble," she sighed, her eyes almost closed. "OK we're good to go. Major, Lieutenant, you two going to make it OK?" "We're leaning on each other sir," Brooke spoke up. "As it should be Lieutenant," AJ smiled and looked to Shelby who gave him a small smile in return. They waited for Brooke and Ryan to precede them, following them out. "Harm, Brooke and Ryan, they still need some help," Mac murmured softly, fighting to keep awake. "And we'll give them as much as they'll allow us," he assured her. "Just rest now. You and me have got to get back on our own feet before we can worry about our friends." "I do worry," she protested. "Harm they are our friends. They're in love, and they need each other. I wish we'd have had someone to guide us all those years ago." "Me too, but fretting now isn't going to change anything. Please honey, just rest. I want out of this place, and I want to take you with me when I go. I love you." "Love you," she sighed. "Very much." She gave a long pause and added dreamily, "Grandchildren." And dreaming of being large with Harm's child inside her, she dropped off to sleep, her free hand resting on her belly. ========= In the parking lot, AJ guided Ryan into the back seat, then Brooke following him, gladly settling into Ryan's arms. Unspoken between them was the knowledge that there were still issues, concerns to be worked out, but for the time being that they were together was enough. "OK people where to?" AJ asked as he hit the beltway. "I don't think either of you should be alone." "We can go to my place," Brooke spoke up. "You got it," AJ nodded, looking over at Shelby who had fallen into silence, staring out the car window. Just before he needed to pay full time and attention with the beltway traffic he reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. "Thanks," she whispered, barely audible. The image of Singer being struck and thrown by the subway was playing over and over in her mind and she was unable to shut it down. They rode to Brooke's apartment in Falls Church in silence and AJ and Shelby helped them both from the car. "You two going to be OK?" AJ asked. "Should we come up?" "No thanks. We're fine, really," Ryan said after a confirming nod from Brooke. "All right Major. You have my cell phone number if you need anything. We're going to my place so we won't be but fifteen minutes away if something comes up. Both of you get some rest, and try not to think of the paperwork ahead of you." "Yes sir," they answered in unison, and slipped their arms around each other to walk inside. "AJ you better watch how much you care for these people," Shelby said softly, the first words she had spoken. "Someone might mistake you for an old softie." "Never," he growled, helping her back into the car. Her silence returned and AJ did not press her further, simply driving her to his place and installing her on the sofa in the den, lighting the fire place logs before going to the kitchen to fix their long awaited coffee. "Thanks. This is tasting really good right now," she sighed, curling further under the afghan he had given her. "AJ I'm not usually like this. But I'm still going over and over if there was some other way. And you know I'll be the subject of an inquiry about it. I'll have to stand a board." "Then put me on your witness list," he said firmly. "Testimony from the Judge Advocate General should count for something." "Thanks. And I seem to be saying that a lot." He nodded and studied her soft features, liking the way the firelight played off her delicate skin. "Why don't you tell me about Shelby Rogers," he said softly. "Like how you got into this business." "Recruited on campus," she smiled. "I was majoring in criminology at the University of Pennsylvania and there was a law enforcement job fair. Somehow all the other offerings paled in comparison to NCIS so I signed on. Worked some small field offices for a while and eventually ended up here in D.C. Worked my way up and now I'm one of six Chief Investigators. And I love my job. Until today at least." "It wasn't fun," AJ agreed. "And what of your life outside? No ring I see." "Not any more." He cocked his head quizzically. "There was once?" "Fiancé," she smiled that same soft smile. "Three years ago. His name was Kyle Morgan and he was with my office in Philadelphia. Navy guy like you. We were working a drug case at the Navy Yard, and one day he simply didn't come to work. I left his apartment that morning. He said he had a few things to do and would be in in time to take me to lunch. It was the anniversary of our meeting, six months see. He vanished AJ, like aliens swooped down and took him. His place was just the same as we left it that morning, no signs of any disturbance. His car eventually turned up at the airport. But his credit cards, bank account and so forth--never touched. I spent the next year of my life there searching all leads but nothing." "How about your drug suspects?" He asked gently. "Involvement?" "It was a meth lab, and they attempted to destroy the evidence the night we closed in," she sighed unhappily. "But it was in the basement of an old abandoned building. The place went up like the finale at the Harbor Fourth of July fireworks. The case died that night." "I'm so sorry," AJ whispered, taking her hand and tugging her to him, suddenly wanting to hold her and to his surprise, she burst into tears. He quickly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly as he gently stroked her back. "I'm sorry" she sniffled a few minutes later. "I'm sitting here wailing like a baby." "It's been a rough day," AJ said gently. "I think you're entitled." "Well I'm sorry for dumping like this on you" she said as she dried her eyes. "You've had just as rough of a day." "Yeah but I'm a big tough Navy seal," AJ said with a small smile. "I can handle it. Just don’t tell the SecNav I was about to cry when I thought Harm was dead." "I won't tell if you don’t tell the Chief of NCIS I've been sitting here crying on your shoulder" she smiled back. "God it has been two hellish days hasn't it" he sighed as they leaned back in the sofa, her head resting gently against him. "It hasn't all been bad," Shelby said as she looked up at him. "I got to meet Albert Jethro Chegwidden. Who by the way is a great guy." "Don't let that get around" AJ smiled. "I have a reputation to uphold here." "I'm sure" she grinned. "Thank you. For listening and for not letting me wallow in this. I haven't told too many people about Kyle." "Do you still love him?" "No. I just want to know what happened to him. If he's alive or dead. And if he's alive, why he walked away and never contacted me again." "Maybe he couldn't" AJ said quietly. "Yes I know. But I just needed closure and I've never gotten it." "I'm sorry. I have some friends that might be able to help. You want me to see if I can find anything?" "No it's okay. Thanks for the offer though. Kyle is in the past and I just need to move on." "Do you want to move on?" AJ asked quietly. "I think it might be time" Shelby whispered. **************************** "Morning beautiful" The sound of Harm's soft voice greeted Mac as she pushed her eyes open, looking over at the other bed to see him smiling at her. "Hi" she said softly. "How are you?" "I'm okay. How about you?" Her hand reached for his and he gave it a gentle squeeze. "Better" she smiled. "I need to know you're still with me." "Didn't I promise you we were going to be together forever?" "Harm did we dream all that?" she asked quietly. "Us being wherever we were?" "It wasn't a dream. I don't know what it was but I guess someone decided it wasn't our time yet. That you and I still have lots to do." "That reminds me. Wasn’t there something about a wedding in all that?" Mac smiled. "I love you Sarah Catherine Mackenzie. And have no doubt that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And when we get out of this hospital and we're on our feet again, you are going to get the proper proposal." "I can't wait" she whispered. "You know that's what I've always wanted." "It's what I've always wanted. And now it's going to happen." "Is that a promise Mr. Rabb?" "Yes it is. And I know exactly where I want to take you for that special moment. There's someone you need to meet." "Does this someone have a name?" "The other Sarah in my life" Harm smiled. "Grams. She's wanted to meet you for a while. Once we're out of here we'll go up there for a long weekend away." "Harm what about Ryan and Brooke?" Mac sighed. "They can come with us to Grams'" "That wasn't what I meant but that's a good idea sailor" she smiled. "A weekend away from all this might be just what they need. Do you think Grams would mind?" "Of course not. She loves having people around. We just won't tell Ryan and Brooke what we're planning." "You planning on kidnapping them" Mac laughed. "Because right now you and I don’t have the strength to kidnap a flea and they might not agree to going." "We'll figure something out" Harm assured her. "But you're right. They need help and we're going to make sure they don't do what we did. We wasted so much time Sarah. When I was trapped in the library and I didn't know if I was going to get out or not, all I could think was how I wished I hadn't wasted so much time with you." "I was so scared I'd lost you" she whispered as the tears brimmed. "When I lost you in the explosion, I nearly died. That's why I ran in to find you. I would rather have died then been without you." Her voice ended with a choked sob and he longed to hold her. "Sarah it's over" Harm whispered as he squeezed her hand. "Honey we're both okay and it's over now." "I know" she sniffled. "And that's all that matters." "I'm never going to leave you Sarah" he promised. "We're going to be together for this life and for eternity." "Yeah," she sniffled once more. "And Sailor somewhere in all that, I believe--- correct me if I'm wrong---there was a marriage proposal? Just for the record here counselor." He did not answer her at once and she held her breath, squeezing her eyes tightly shut, wondering if she had scared him. "Harm I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pressure you." There was silence in the room and she kept her eyes shut, hardly breathing, until a few seconds later she felt gentle lips on hers. Her eyes flew open and she at once instinctively returned his kiss before she realized he was out of bed. "What the hell are you doing up? Get your six back into bed Mr. Rabb. Now." "I'm up so that I can make sure you understand," he said firmly, gripping the edge of her mattress. "I love you, and yes you damn right there was a marriage proposal in there. But I was just reserving the right to ask you formally. This is not the time and place. But it will come, and soon." "And when it does, you know what the answer will be," she whispered, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. "I love you Harmon David Rabb, now get back into bed." He swayed on his feet as he opened his mouth to speak and she reached for him as best she could, not prepared to take his weight. He staggered backwards and she grappled for him, about to scream for help when AJ appeared in the door way, seeing at once what was happening. "What the hell is going on here?" he thundered. "Commander you're about to end up flat on your six on the floor aren't you." "Yes sir, it would appear so," Harm sighed miserably as he attempted to hold himself upright with Mac's assistance. "Sir thank god. Please get this jackass back to bed before he hurts himself." AJ crossed the floor to them, Shelby close behind. "Commander have you taken total leave of your senses?" "I guess. But what I had to say was important," he protested, offering no resistance as AJ wrapped a strong arm around his back. "Just what was so all fired important that you risked collapse?" AJ chided him. "I had to confirm a marriage proposal sir." AJ froze in place for a moment and then continued guiding him back to bed. "Then I guess congratulations are in order to both of you?" "Thank you sir," Harm spoke first, "but please, I'd rather it waited until it was official. Like she's wearing my ring." "You got it," AJ smiled and kissed Mac's blushing cheek. ============ BROOKE's APARTMENT "Hey sleepy," Ryan called softly, "I come bearing coffee and toast." Wearily she opened her eyes, sitting up slowly and groaning with the effort. "Good morning and what are you doing up and working? We're on stand down today remember?" "Hey I know, but I can stand long enough to bring you coffee. How are you feeling?" "I hurt everywhere," she confessed. "And as soon as I can pull it off, I'm going to go drown myself in a long hot shower. How about you?" "Well there's only one guy pounding in my head with that little hammer now and it's down to two of you so I must be improving." "Ryan," she yelped. "Tell me you're exaggerating because if not I'm calling 911." "Hey I'm just yanking your leash," he grinned. "I brought the pain killer bottle for both of us, but I'm OK. Hard-headed Jarhead remember. You've told me that often enough." "OK but you know I'm so far from kidding it's not funny," she returned. "Get in here and rest yourself before you collapse on my floor. And thank you for the breakfast too." ============== JAG HQ's 10 Days Later "Are you sure you two should be here?" Brooke fretted as she followed Harm and Mac across the bullpen. It was their first day back at JAG, finally having been cleared by the doctor to return to work. They'd spent the ten days resting at Harm's place, Mac still there following the fire that had destroyed her place. "She's going to make a great mother one day" Harm smiled. "She's got that fretting part down pat." At his words, her face crumbled and she hurried to her office, closing the door just before the tears started. "Okay what did I say wrong?" Harm asked as he looked at Mac. "I think her and Ryan are having problems again" Mac sighed. "You did notice that they weren't together the last few times they stopped by to check on us." "Again. I thought everything was okay between them. These two are worse than we were." "I doubt that" Mac laughed. "We were just as up and down remember. Which is why we have to make sure they don't end up like us." "Operation Grams" Harm smiled. "I'll work on Ryan, you work on Brooke. We'll get them together and they'll have no choice but to work it out." "I'll start right now," Mac said as she headed towards Brooke's office. "Brooke, its Mac. Can I come in?" "Sorry Mac" Brooke said as she opened the door, wiping away the traces of tears a second later. "I didn't mean to run off like that." "Okay spill it. What's going on with you and Ryan again?" "We got in a fight over the Glassman case. He had one idea of how we should defend him and I had another. So I finally relented and let him handle it the way he wanted. We lost and of course I told him it was his fault. We got into a big fight and haven't spoken since." "When was this?" "Three days ago. I didn't want to bother you with my problems so I didn't say anything when I was over the other night." "Brooke first off, as I learned real quick, what happens in the court room, stays in the court room. When Harm and I first started working together we had the same problems. He used to make me so mad when he'd get me in the courtroom and then come out and want to be my friend. But what happens in there shouldn't affect you and Ryan personally." "I know" Brooke sighed. "And I guess maybe we're just using this as an excuse. We still haven't really talked about Kelly and all that. Maybe that's the real problem. Maybe we just don't belong together." "Yes you do" Mac said gently. "But there's going to be bumps in the road. Trust me, Harm and I hit our share of potholes along the way. Lots of them. But you love Ryan and he loves you." "I wish I believed that. And I appreciate the pep talk." "I think I'm being dismissed and I'll leave you alone but only if you promise you'll come with me and Harm to his grandmother's place in Pennsylvania this weekend." "Sounds like you're going to meet his family and I'd just be a third wheel" Brooke sighed. "Yes I am meeting his grandmother for the first time but that doesn't mean you can't come. It will be good for you to get away for a weekend." "Just me? You're not going to ask Ryan?" "No I'm not" Mac smiled, knowing she wouldn't, but Harm would. "So what do you say?" "I don't know. You and Harm deserve a weekend alone." "We've had ten days alone" Mac reminded her. "And we'd really love to have you come along." "All right" Brooke said finally. "I'll come." *********** "How'd it go?" Harm whispered as he stuck his head in Mac's office a short time later. "My side is taken care of" Mac smiled. "Your turn sailor." "He's in court this morning. I'll work on him later" Harm assured her. "I was just going to go find the breakroom. You want to join me." Mac nodded and together they made their way through the bullpen and down the hall. The explosion and fire had completely gutted the library and damaged a large portion of the back half of the building. Crews had worked round the clock to make the front part workable for the staff while reconstruction continued on the back. He could feel her hand tense in his as they walked down the hall to the break room; the walls at the end of the hall still black from the smoke. "You okay?" he asked softly. "Yeah" she whispered unconvincingly, a small shudder escaped her as she looked at the blackened wall, memories of that night resurfacing. "No you're not" he whispered as he pulled her into his arms. "Far from it." "Just hold me for a minute" she whispered as she clung to him. "Just so I know you're still with me." "I'm here Sarah," he said as he held her tightly. "And we're both fine now remember." She closed her eyes as she leaned against him, trying to block out the horrible images that were flashing through her mind again. He was okay. He was holding her and they were both fine. She took a deep breath for calm and finally looked up at him. "You okay?" he asked again. "Do you want me to take you home?" "No I'm okay now," she said quietly. "Just don't leave me alone while we're here." "Not ever," he grinned. "It was an awful time for both of us, but we survived it; though frankly that whole time seems totally unreal to me. I could see you and feel you and talk to you and yet I couldn't move from the bed and. . ." "That's not something we're ever going to explain, at least not in this life," she sighed, taking his hand as they walked further and sidling away from the burned area. "Sorry," she whispered when they reached the break room. "It just really got to me. Face it, your Marine is a big blithering baby." "My Marine went through a helluva an ordeal," he reminded her firmly. "My Marine is entitled to not be John Wayne once in a while". The room was empty and he closed the door behind them, leaning on it while he opened his arms to her. She was enfolded in his embrace at once and a second later his lips found hers. "That's to remind you how much I love you," he told her once they broke apart. "I know you do, but those tangible reminders never hurt," she whispered. "I don't know how I got so lucky to have you." "Or so foolish," he chortled. ============ "Ryan I need a minute." Harm hailed him as he was coming out of the courtroom for lunch. "On second thought it could wait," he added, seeing the scowl his friend wore. "How much time can you get for killing a civilian attorney," he muttered. "Never mind. I'm in a mood and you'd be better off leaving me be." "I'll take my chances. In fact let me buy you a burger and we'll talk," Harm urged. "Mac has a client meeting for her lunch so I'm hanging loose anyway, and a chicken sandwich beats a cup of yogurt at my desk." "No." Harm stared at him for a moment. "Sir," he added lamely. "No thank you sir." "It wasn't actually a request," Harm told him. "I want a word with you, seriously, and not here." "Yes sir." ========== "For a man with a bad mood you managed to put away two double meat sandwiches and a bag of fries, that's pretty good," Harm grinned. "Now that your stomach is full, I want you to do something for me." "Of course. . .sir." "Cut the sir, this is Harm talking to Ryan now. My Grams has been wanting me to come up there for the weekend forever and I've been putting it off and now of course she knows I was hurt and she's not going to stop until I do, and bring Mac. You look like a man who needs to get out of town. Look, it's a great place. A river, fields, a mountain right on the property--we can eat some good food, drink a few beers, watch the basketball playoffs, maybe take out a couple of 22s and target shoot, fish--did I mention drink? In other words, join me." "Sir . . .uh Harm, that sounds like a romantic weekend that you and Mac could be having. At least someone should be enjoying themselves." "Mac and I will be having our time. But Grams is going to want her to spend time with her. Please join us." "Brooke? I mean is Brooke coming?" "I'm not going to be asking her," he replied. "Yeah OK. It would be good to get away--you're right. Thank you." "Now, what's your problem with this attorney, who by the way does have nice legs. Is she distracting you son?" ============ "Sir, there's a problem with the Colonel. At least I think something's wrong." It was two hours after lunch--time that Harm had not realized had passed, and he looked up from his computer screen to see Harriet in the doorway. He was on his feet at once. "Harriet, talk to me." "She went into the library sir. I passed her in the corridor and she had this real odd look on her face and then she walked into the burned area. The construction people must be on the other side or they would have stopped her. She just ducked under the tape and walked in. I asked her what she was doing but she didn't answer me. Sir, it just gave me a real eerie feeling. Her eyes had the oddest look. I hope I did the right thing tattling like this, but it did scare me." "Thanks Harriet. You did." He was out of his office, sprinting across the floor a second later. *********** Mac moved slowly through the blackened room, visions of the inferno as it had been running through her mind over and over again. She didn't know what had drawn her to go in there, just that she had to see it. See the place where she and Harm had technically died together. "Sarah" The soft sound of his voice reached her and she stopped, turning slowly to see him coming towards her. "Honey what are you doing here?" he whispered. "I don't know" she admitted. "I had to come in here. I didn't want to but I had to. Does that make any sense?" "I think so. It's like the wreck on the highway you don't want to look at but you can't stop yourself from turning your head to see." She nodded and allowed him to draw her into his arms, savoring the feel of his arms around her. "You know we both died here" she whispered. "That was only temporary" he said quietly. "We got our lives back Sarah. You and I have the chance to make everything right this time." "Yes we do" she said as she buried her head against his chest, the beating of his heart a comforting sound. He was alive and so was she. And the happiness they'd wanted for so long was just around the corner now. He held her for several minutes before finally pulling back to look at her. "You ready to go now?" he asked. For a moment she said nothing as she looked around the room. "Sarah?" he prodded. "Honey, are you okay? You're scaring me here and I'm not sure what I should do." "I'm okay" she said as she finally turned back to meet his gaze. "Honest." "Can we go then? Because to be honest being in here doesn't conjure up the greatest memories for me either." "I'm sorry. I didn't even think about how you'd feel here" she whispered as she reached for his hand. "Sarah it's over now" he said softly. "You need to let go of all this. It was a horrible ordeal but it's over now. We're together and we always will be. There's no reason for you to keep reliving this." "I know" she said with a deep breath. "I just had to come in here one time. Just to see it again. Course I can just close my eyes and see it all again. It's there all the time." "Maybe we should both talk to someone about what happened" he said quietly. "Cause to be honest, I do too." "And when you sleep?" she prodded and he nodded. "The nightmares the other night were this" he admitted. "And losing you in the flames. " "Shelby has a friend at Bethesda" AJ said quietly, startling them enough that both jumped at the sound of his voice. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Harriet told me you two were down here." "Just trying to exorcise a few ghosts sir" Mac said quietly as Harm pulled her back into his arms. "I think you both should consider that counseling" AJ continued. "You both went through a pretty traumatic experience and sometimes it takes a professional to help you through it all." "If you could get Shelby's friend's name, we'd appreciate it" Harm smiled. "Mac, you ready to get out of here?" "I think so" she nodded and together the trio walked out of the library and back down the hall to the bullpen. "Commander, you have a minute?" AJ asked suddenly as Harm and Mac started towards their offices. "Sure sir" Harm nodded. "Mac, you okay now?" "I'm fine" she assured him. "Honest. I promise I'll be right here in my office when you get back." He gave her hand a quick squeeze before following AJ into his office. "Have a seat" AJ motioned. "I uh, was wondering if you might have some suggestions on where to take Shelby this weekend. After everything that happened, she's wanting to get away for a while." "Can't say I blame her" Harm smiled. "Mac and I are going up to my Grandmother's place in Pennsylvania for the weekend. We're taking Ryan and Brooke but don't tell them." "You're taking them but they don't know they're going?" "No they don't know the other is going" Harm explained. "They're sort of at odds again. So Mac and I arranged for them both to come with us, they just don't know the other is coming as well." "I noticed the at odds part" AJ sighed. "They're almost as bad as you two were a few years ago. Not quite but close." "Were going to fix that" Harm smiled. "You know you could bring Shelby up to Grams." "I don't think your grandmother wants all those guests" AJ scoffed. "She loves having company. And there's plenty of room for everyone. I told Ryan we'd do some fishing and hiking." "You know they're going to hate you two when they find out what you've plotted" AJ smiled. "Might be worth it just to see the looks on their faces when they find out. Course my being there would just make them more nervous." "Might be to our advantage sir" Harm grinned. "I don't know. Let me think about it." "You're more than welcome. I know Grams wouldn't mind and neither would the others." AJ gave him a quirky smile. "You don't think having your cranky CO around is going to put a damper on the weekend?" "Are you going to drink a beer and watch the game with us?" "You damn right." "So what's the problem," Harm grinned. "Please do come. It would be good to get to know Shelby too." He paused and went on hesitantly. "Sir you and her seem to have. . .well really hit it off? And please stop me before I totally cross the out of line barrier." AJ smiled again. "She and I are spending some quiet evenings together yes Commander. It's been a long time since I've met someone I enjoy quite this much. I thought I'd found that in Sydney and then I just couldn't reconcile myself with her loyalty to her son when what the kid really needed was a razor strap to his six and you know what I'm standing here going on to you like we're two Sailors in a bar." Harm shrugged. "Well sir you have no idea how many times I wanted someone to talk to. And much as I love. . .I mean like. . .Bud, he didn't quite fit that bill. Now Ryan and I can talk some and I'm liking that." AJ nodded thoughtfully. "Then let me as a friend ask you something. Shelby is not old." "I'm sorry?" Harm's look of puzzlement was genuine. "Commander you must have noticed the age difference in us," AJ groaned. "My 52 to her 35." "No sir honestly I didn't," he replied seriously. "If she was fifteen and you were 32, then yeah. Two words there--jail bait." "So it doesn't look funny?" "Sir it looks like two people who could use each other in their lives," he smiled. "OK Rabb when did you turn into a wise romantic soul?" "Since I got my head out of my six and let myself realize how much in love I was with a certain beautiful Marine." "And about damn time," AJ snorted. ================= FRIDAY AFTERNOON "Commander that was fast thinking getting the Admiral to bring Ryan up with him and Shelby," Mac approved as they loaded the SUV behind Harm's apartment, now of course their apartment since the fire at her place. "Just a dangling detail," he smiled. "I didn't think how we were going to get them up there, but having AJ delay him and then bring him worked perfectly. Let's get Brooke and get on the road." "Harm you don't think this is a bad idea?" "Marine you need to stop changing your mind set that fast. I'm going to get whiplash," he exploded. "A bad idea to have them spend a weekend in each other's proximity?" "Yeah, I mean what if they hate each other worse, or hate us?" "Well they do not hate each other," Harm reminded her, guiding her firmly to the SUV seat. "They're a little confused just now. Ryan's head is kind of going into a dark place and he needs some help getting it out is all. I only wish I had someone to guide me back when." "Yeah me too," she smiled and kissed him as he backed out of the vehicle. Four hours later they pulled into yard of the old farmhouse. "Harm this is beautiful," she gasped as she took it all in, from the white clapboard house to the red barn behind it and the fields that surrounded it all, along with the mountains that seemed to stand guard over the little valley. "Rabbs have farmed central Pennsylvania since about 1700," he said softly, opening her door and catching her as she slid down from the seat. "Now only me and Grams and Mom are left. Three Rabbs out of what was once a huge lot of them." "Maybe it's time to start a new generation?" She had deliberately kept her eyes averted from his as she spoke and as soon as he heard the words, he tilted her face up to meet his gaze. "You think that's something you might want to think about for the future?" Again she started to look away and again he would not let her. "Yeah OK, yeah I do," she replied boldly, seeing the challenge in his face. "Yeah I do Sailor." "This is real nice Harm" Brooke said quietly from behind them and they whirled around, both forgetting she was with them. "Sorry we got caught up there for a moment" Harm said sheepishly. "Maybe I shouldn't have come" she sighed. "Yes you should have" Harm said firmly as he reached for her arm and Macs. "And it's time to have both of you meet Grams." The front door to the house opened and an older woman stepped out onto the porch. "Harmon there you are. I was getting worried." "We're fine Grams" Harm said as he led the two women to her. "And there's two people I'd like you to meet. This young lady is Brooke Hastings, a very good friend." "Nice to meet you ma'am" Brooke said softly. "Grams please" she smiled. "No ma'am's around here. And it's very nice to meet you." "And this lovely woman is Sarah Mackenzie" Harm said proudly. "The woman I love and plan to spend the rest of my life with." "God help you Sarah" Grams smiled and Mac couldn't help but laugh as well. "It's very nice to meet you Grams" Mac smiled. "And yes I think I'm going to need all the help I can get with this sailor." "I'll teach how to keep him in line" Grams said with a wink. "But first I'm sure you'd all like to get inside and get some lemonade and rest for a bit." "Grams we're both okay now" Harm assured her. "Well I can still fuss over you" Grams said as she reached to give her grandson a hug. "Especially after what happened to you and Sarah. I almost lost my favorite grandson so I'm entitled to a little fussing." "I'm your only grandson" Harm smiled as he finally pulled away. "And I know you'll fuss so I guess I'll just have to get used to it." "Yes you will" Grams declared. "Now come along inside." They spend the next hour talking to Grams over glasses of lemonade before Harm stood up. "Okay who's ready for a short walk" he asked. "Harm why don't you and Mac go ahead" Brooke spoke up. "I'll just hang out here with Grams." "You sure. You're more than welcome to come with us?" "That's okay. You and Mac need some alone time. I'll be fine." He nodded and minutes later he and Mac took off out the back door to the woods. "That was nice of you to give them some time alone" Grams said to Brooke. "They deserve it after everything they've been through. Course I've still just been thanking God every night that they're still alive." "You're very close to them aren't you?" "They're the big brother and sister I never had" Brooke smiled. "They've helped me out a lot." "I see. So tell me why someone who's got her friends still with her looks so glum" Grams prodded. "Sorry. I promised myself I'd leave my bad mood at home." "Must be a man" Grams smiled. "What's his name and what did he do?" "Ryan. And I'm not sure what happened. Everything was wonderful until his ex-wife showed up. And after she was killed he pulled away from me. And we had a few moments together during Harm and Mac's ordeal but then when we got to work it all fell apart again. And we haven't talked for a week except when we had to." "What do you think is the problem?" "I don't know. I just think that maybe he's still upset about his ex-wife's death and that's why he's distanced himself. I don't know. He's shut me out and I don't know what he's thinking anymore." "Sounds like a young Harm" Grams smiled. "Harm was the same way. Never let anyone get close to him. When he finally told me he and Sarah had gotten together I was surprised. For years I'd heard him talk about her but never thought they'd get it to work." "They love each other very much" Brooke said softly. "I've never seen two people that much in love. You know that she went into the fire to be with him. She was so afraid he wasn't going to get out that she simply went in to be with him." "He didn't tell me all the details" Grams said quietly. "I'm just glad it's all over and they're okay." "Me too" Brooke sighed. "It was awful. I was so afraid they were going to die. Even after they told me everything was going to be okay." "You talked to them?" "We haven't quite figured it out" Brooke said with a small smile. "But the whole time they were on life support, they were there with me and Ryan. Saved our lives twice actually." "Sounds like something you won't ever figure out" Grams said softly. "It's just God's mysterious ways." =========== "Flyboy where are you taking me," Mac panted after they had walked for a good twenty minutes, following a meandering path along the river. "If I'd known we were doing a forced march I would have brought my full pack and counted it toward my PT time." "Almost there," he promised and a minute later pulled up short. "There." Before them in a small clearing stood a log cabin, obviously old, but still well kept. "This is the original cabin that Peter Rabb built for his bride Sarah," he grinned. "Uh. . .Sarah the name looms large in my family. Anyway, she was from a Boston ship building family and he was a newly arrived immigrant from Germany and they met and married and raised a family in this little one room cabin. The first summer I spent here I found it and fixed it back up, repaired the roof and re-chinked the walls and when I wanted time to myself, this is where I'd come." She stood back in wonderment as he unlocked the padlock on the door. "Things I don't know about you would fill an encyclopedia," she breathed and when she peered inside it took her breath for a moment. "It's all authentic from the eighteenth century," he grinned, taking her hand and leading her to the bed. "I bet you've never made love on a bed that's nearly three hundred years old." "You got that right," she gasped and anything else she might have said was taken by his mouth on hers. =============== "Ma'am this place is so nice," Brooke sighed, having taken Grams up on her offer to see the house. "Have you lived here all your life?" "I married Peter Harmon Rabb when I was sixteen," she said softly. It was December 1940 and the world was about to go to war. He turned eighteen that summer and enlisted in the Navy, and was aboard the Arizona December 7th. I'm sure you know that story." "Yes ma'am," Brooke sighed. "I'm so sorry. Harm's dad was a baby?" "Born three months later," she smiled softly. "Harm Senior was Peter's gift to me when he came home on leave between basic and sea duty in September." "You were just a child yourself." "No not in those days," Grams sighed and patted her hand. "Enough sad talk. And in fact I hear Riley barking. That would be our other guests." "Admiral Chegwidden and Shelby," Brooke smiled. "I don't think I've ever actually socialized with my C.O. before. Always a first for everything." AJ was just helping Shelby from the van when Grams and Brooke reached the porch. "Well I thought Harm and Mac would be here," Grams smiled, "but no matter. Admiral Chegwidden?" "Yes ma'am, you must be Mrs. Rabb. This is Shelby Rogers." "Welcome Shelby. You too Admiral." "AJ please. That's the last Admiral I want to hear please ma'am." "And I'm Grams," she said firmly. "The only ma'am on this place was my late husband's mother and she's been gone thirty years now." Brooke had been hanging back on the porch, and with the introductions done she started to step forward, only to stop in her tracks when the back door of the van opened and Ryan stepped out. Her gasp of surprise was audible, and she stared for a long moment before she turned and ran from the front of the house, around to the side and then out towards the barn. Common sense told her to stop and yet she could not. Her long legged stride carried her further away from the house and barn into the field beyond, soon swallowed by the dusky light. "Nichols you have a marvelous effect on women," AJ moaned. "What the hell was she doing here?" He gasped, his surprise at seeing her exceeded only by his surprise at her reaction. "Uh, Grams maybe you can explain?" AJ sighed. "Seeing as how Harm and Mac have left us holding the bag." "You knew she was going to be here?" Ryan demanded. "Mr. Nichols, we may be away from JAG, but I'm still your CO" AJ reminded him. "And yes I knew. Your friends thought it was about time you and Ms. Hastings worked out whatever problem it is you're having. I went along with it because I'm getting tired of my office being an episode of The Young and the Restless." "Sorry sir. So this was Harm and Mac's idea?" "Ryan dear, why don't you come inside?" Grams urged. "I should probably see about Brooke," he said quietly. "Why don't you give her some time. She'll come back when she's ready. She was just as surprised to see you as you were to see her." "She didn't know about this then?" "Oh no" Grams assured him. "Harm and Mac didn't tell her either." Ryan looked off to where Brooke had disappeared and Grams gently reached for his arm. "She'll be okay. Come on inside. I'm sure Harm and Mac will be back any moment." "Where did they go?" AJ asked as he and Shelby followed behind them. "Went for a walk. Course that was a while ago." "Grams maybe we should go look for them" AJ frowned. "It's okay AJ" Grams laughed. "I think I know where Harm took Mac. There's a cabin near the river. I'm sure that's where they are." "I see" AJ nodded. "Then I guess we'll just sit here and wait for everyone else to return." ***************** "Harm we should get back" Mac sighed as she lay in his arms. "The others are coming and you know Brooke and Ryan are going to freak when they see what we did." "Good point" he said as he pushed himself to a sitting position. "As tempting as it is to stay here and make love to you all night, I guess we'd better head back." "We can come back here again can't we?" Mac smiled as they dressed. "Oh you can count on it. Grams is a bit old fashioned so don't be surprised if she has you and Brooke in one room and me and Ryan in another." "I'm not sure I can sleep without your arms around me," Mac said softly. "We'll figure something out," he said before reaching for her for one last kiss. "All right, let's go." Hand in hand they maneuvered their way back along the river, Harm guiding them through despite the fact it was almost dark. "How do you know where you're going?" Mac asked. "I know this place with my eyes closed" he smiled. "I've been coming here since I was a kid. Why you don't know where we're going Marine?" "Now that I see the lights of the house I do" she laughed. ***************** "Grams I should go look for Brooke" Ryan sighed as he paced the kitchen. "She's not going to be able to find her way back." "And you think you could?" Grams scoffed. "And she's probably on her way back." Footsteps at the back door stopped him from replying and he hurried to the door, throwing it open as Harm reached for the knob. "Ryan" Harm said as he looked at Mac. "Did you see Brooke out there?" Ryan demanded. "No why?" Harm asked. "She took off when she found out Ryan was here" Grams said quietly. "That was about forty five minutes ago." "I'm going out to find her," Ryan said determinedly. "She could be lying somewhere hurt or worse." "Okay, stay calm Major" Harm ordered. "First off, you'd have no clue where you're going out there. So I'll be the one going out to find her. I'm sure she's fine. She's probably just lost her way but I'm sure nothing happened to her." "I'm going with you then," Ryan said quietly. "It's my fault she ran off." "No it's our fault for not telling you two what we were planning" Harm sighed. "Well blaming each other isn't going to find Brooke" Grams spoke up. "Harm you know where the lanterns are out in the barn right." "Yes ma'am" Harm nodded. "Ryan, come on." "I'll go with you two" AJ said as he stepped forward. "We messed up this time didn't we?" Mac whispered to Harm. "I didn't think she'd be that upset." "I'm sure she's okay" Harm said as he squeezed her hand. "I'll find her. Try not to worry." "Please be careful," she said softly. "I love you." "Love you too" he said quickly before looking over at AJ and Ryan. "You two ready?" From the kitchen, Mac and Shelby watched them walk to the barn for the lanterns before disappearing into the darkness. "Is this like Brooke to just run off like that?" Grams questioned. "I feel bad for her. She seems like such a sweet child." "Grams she's not in any danger around here is she?" Mac frowned, feeling concern welling within her. "This is our fault--Harm's and mine. We should have been here. We were. . .well never mind." "Too much blame," Grams groaned. "She's a little upset is all and she won't go far. Let's give her credit for a little common sense. Come make some coffee with me and introduce me to our other guest." "Oh Grams I'm sorry. My manners," she gasped. "Shelby I'm sorry." "Not a problem. I'm just enjoying being away from here. Mrs. Rabb this is a wonderful old place. So totally cozy and I love it already. My grandmother had a place something like this in New Hampshire and I spent every summer there and I'm sorry I'm babbling." The only thing you have to be sorry for is calling me Mrs. Rabb," Grams laughed. "Please, I've been Grams so long now I don't like to be called anything else. Only people call me Mrs. Rabb are the ones on the phone trying to sell me something. So stop it." Mac meanwhile walked to the back door and stared into the darkness. "Sarah, they'll be fine and they'll find her," Grams went on. "I just feel so responsible," she sighed. "This seemed like such a good idea at the time." ============== "OK she ran off this way," AJ pointed to the large field behind the barn. "Now the question is what direction and how far would she go before her common sense kicked in and she stopped to get her bearings." "We may not find her until daylight," Harm said softly. "No. NO," Ryan screeched. "That's not acceptable. I won't leave her out here all night. It's getting cold, it's pitch dark and there's probably mountain lions." "Not for about a hundred years," Harm chortled and Ryan glared at him before opening his mouth in a long shout of her name. From the distance she could hear the cry, and she sat up slowly. It was time to go back. Self pity was gone, and had been replaced by embarrassment over running off. Fight or flight and she had chosen to run rather than face Ryan and the myriad of emotions he provoked within her. She held her breath, listening for the direction, and slowly got to her feet, remembering how she had come. She had ran from the house to the river, and then turned into the woods where she followed a narrow creek. "OK Hastings, survival training here. Back along the creek," she counseled herself. The terrain was different in the dark, and her steps slow and hesitant. The shout came again and this time she shouted back, "Ryan I'm coming." With no way to know if she had been heard she took a few more steps forward. With a sound like a gunshot it happened--a steel jaw leg hold trap snapped closed around her foot. The sudden pain brought stars to her eyes and she dropped to the ground with a sharp cry of anguish, not knowing what she had done, but that the pain was blinding. "Brooke is that you?" Ryan thought he had faintly heard her call and then the cry that followed it. "Brooke I'm here. I'm coming," he shouted, starting to run. "Ryan no stop," Harm ordered. "Major, freeze now." Ryan automatically obeyed, stopping in place. "Harm no. I have to go to her." "Slow and easy," Harm cautioned. "You go running through here and step in a hole you could break a leg. Now shout for her again--she'll be listening for your voice." With her hands Brooke felt her foot and as soon as she touched the cold steel she knew what had happened. Gingerly she felt further, realizing how thankful she needed to be for the thick boot she wore having absorbed much of the impact. Ryan's voice again, and closer this time. "Ryan I'm here," she called again. "I'm at the side of a creek and I can't move. I'm caught in a trap." "Harm what's she talking about. What kind of trap?" Ryan demanded, his anxiety rising. "She might have stepped in. . ." Harm gasped, equally alarmed. "What?" "A steel leg hold trap, like for wild mink or muskrat," he explained hastily, unconsciously quickening his pace. "And whoever put them on Rabb land better hope I never find out who it is." Moments later they reached her and suddenly all hostilities were forgotten. "Brooke" Ryan wailed when he finally saw her, her hand still clutching her leg. "How bad is it?" "Ryan thank god" she said tearfully. "I don't think it's too bad. The boot took the brunt of it." "Okay we'll get you out and you'll be fine" Ryan assured her as he looked up at Harm. "We can get this open right?" It took the three men but they were finally able to pry open the jaws of the trap and Brooke quickly pulled her foot out. "Let me see it" Ryan said as he reached for her foot and she gasped in pain at his touch. "Sorry" he said gently. "That's probably pretty bruised." "It's my own fault for running off" she sighed. "I just overreacted when I saw you." "No, it would be my fault for not telling you two what was going on" Harm sighed. "Mac and I were trying to be helpful and I think we blew it." "Before we start the blame game, why don't we get the Lt. back to the house so we can take a good look at that foot" AJ spoke up. "Then you four can spend the rest of the evening deciding whose fault it is." "Good point" Harm said with a small smile. "Brooke you think you can walk?" "I can try" she said as Ryan gently helped her up. She let out a gasp of pain when she tried to put weight on her foot and at once Ryan lifted her into his arms. "Ryan put me down" she demanded. "You can't carry me all the way back to the house." "Yes I can and I will" he said firmly. "It's not that far and there's no way you're going to make it back with that foot like that. So just sit back and enjoy the ride." "Don't bother arguing with a Jarhead who's got their mind set on something" Harm smiled as Brooke opened her mouth to protest. "Trust me, you won't win." She promptly closed her mouth and laid her head against Ryan's shoulder, allowing herself the comfort of his arms for the moment. Harm led them back to the house, the welcoming committee waiting on the back porch. "Brooke what happened?" Mac demanded as Ryan carried her into the house. "I stepped in the wrong place" she said with a small smile. "Someone set some traps near the creek" Harm told Grams. "Fortunately the boot took most of the force of the jaws." "Take her into the living room" Grams ordered Ryan. "I'll get some ice and then we'll take a good look at it." "Please don't fuss" Brooke sighed as Ryan gently placed her on the sofa. "It'll be fine tomorrow." "Would you just let us be the judge of that?" Ryan said as he gently removed her boot. "Well that's one way to get them on speaking terms" Mac sighed as she and Harm stood in the kitchen. "I guess we're lucky it worked out." "Next time when we meddle we have to be more careful" he said with a small smile. "But I think we did the right thing. A few days here and I think everything will be fine." "I hope so" she said as she walked into his arms, dropping her head against his chest. "We can do without the excitement for a while." "Agreed" he said softly as he stroked her hair while he held her. "You okay? I know you were worried about Brooke but she's fine now." "Yeah I'm okay" she sighed as she lifted her head to look at him. "Just tired. It's been a long day." "Yes it has. And Grams is fussing over Brooke so why don't you let me take you upstairs." "You going to tuck me in" she smiled. "I'd like to do more than that" he smiled. "But I don't think with everyone around that's going to happen." "When are we going back to the cabin?" "As soon as we can arrange it" he said before dropping a kiss on her forehead. "But for now let's get you up to bed. Let me just check with Grams on the sleeping arrangements." After a quick check with Grams he led her up the stairs to the bedrooms. "I like when you fuss over me" she said tiredly as he led her into the bedroom. "Get used to it cause it's going to be happening for a long long time" he said softly as he helped her into the double bed. "Harm I thought I was sharing a room with Brooke?" she asked. "Wouldn't you rather share with me?" he smiled as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "How'd you arrange that Flyboy?" "Well Shelby and the Admiral aren't exactly ready to share and since Ryan and Brooke weren't on speaking terms, Grams put Brooke and Shelby together and Ryan and the Admiral in the other room. Leaving you and me together." "I like Grams" Mac said sleepily. "Me too" Harm smiled. "Good night Sarah. I'll be back later to join you." Brooke looked up as soon as Harm returned. "Harm where's Mac? Is she OK?" "She's just tired. I took her up to bed," he replied, leaning over her as Grams tenderly checked her foot. Ryan was sitting behind her now, holding her to his chest, small beads of perspiration on his forehead as he fretted silently. "She needs a doctor, no offense Grams," he whispered finally. "Ryan, I'd have this woman treat me ahead of any doctor for anything less than a sucking chest wound," Harm grinned. "Relax now." "It's not broken Grams?" Ryan asked after a moment, suitably chastised. "No, and the skin isn't even broken, which means we don't have to worry about tetanus. It is however by morning going to be a spectacular shade of purple I'm sure. But with a good wrap and a crutch to use so you can keep your weight off it, you'll be fine." "OK thanks," she said softly, willing back her tears. "I need to apologize. I do really dumb things sometimes, but running like that was one of the dumbest. I'm really sorry, not to mention mortified." Her last words were punctuated by a small sob and she looked away in embarrassment, burying her head against the back of the sofa. "Listen compared to some bonehead things I've done this doesn't even blip the radar," Ryan told her, pressing his cheek to hers. "OK honey you're good to go." Grams patted her handiwork on Brooke's foot. "But that doesn't mean you're getting up and running. That good looking young man who obviously cares a lot about you will wait on you if needed." "Yes he will," Ryan whispered. Grams gathered up her supplies and retreated to the kitchen, leaving Shelby and AJ, but not for long. Shelby wrapped her hand around his arm. "I'd like to take in a little of that fresh air and moonlight please. And we could give these two a few minutes besides." "Well Nichols looks like the more than few minutes type but we can do that," AJ said, walking out with her. Harm followed Grams to the kitchen. "I wanted to thank you Grams," he said softly. "For?" "Everything," he grinned, wrapping a quick arm around the elderly woman's shoulders and giving her temple a light kiss. Not an easy task as he easily had a foot in height on her. "But mostly for understanding that Mac and I need to be together. You should maybe know that. . .well that she's living with me right now." "Well I'm not going to say that I approve of that, being an old fuddy-duddy and all," she laughed, that light tinkling laugh that Harm had known all his life. "On the other hand, you two need each other. I sensed it even before you came, and it's even stronger now." "We do, thank you, and if you don't mind I'm going to say good night and join her." "Harm, this does come with a condition." "Ma'am?" "That you and she come up here much more often, and that you bring your friends whenever you can." He grinned broadly at that. "Yes ma'am. Good night." Quietly he slipped up the backstairs and into the room where he had spent countless summers, first as a small boy missing his dad, and then as a growing teenager, alternately plotting to find his dad with dreaming of a stint in the Academy and a career in Naval Aviation. Nowhere in those dreams did a beautiful warm loving Marine fit. . .until now. The moonlight through the blinds fell softly on her face and she was all things beautiful. "Harm?" She stirred just slightly as he stripped to his boxers and slid into the small bed. A bed that had seemed so large when he was but a skinny kid, now was filled with their frames. His arm went across her and pulled her back to his chest. "Yeah baby I'm right here," he crooned. "Sleep now." ************** Saturday Morning "You sure are up early" Grams smiled as Shelby made her way into the kitchen. "Didn't expect to see anyone for a while. Can I get you some coffee or tea?" "I'm one of those early risers" Shelby replied. "And coffee would be great." "So I take it you and AJ are just starting to get to know each other" Grams said as she handed Shelby a cup of coffee. "How did you two meet?" "Actually on the investigation into the explosion that Harm and Mac were hurt in. I work for NCIS and I was one of the first agents assigned to the case." "So you're in the Navy as well?" "No ma'am. Civilian worker." "NCIS. That's dangerous work isn't it?" "It has it's moments" Shelby admitted. "Fortunately I haven't found myself in too many of those kinds of situations. And most of the time I love what I do. And this time I even managed to meet someone wonderful like AJ." "Hey I heard that" AJ smiled as he walked into the kitchen. "Morning Grams." "Morning AJ. Sleep okay?" "Despite Mr. Nichols snoring yes" AJ grinned as he looked at Shelby. "How about you? Sleep okay?" "Great. It's so nice and quiet out here. Nothing like all the noise back in the city." "We have none of that here" Grams assured her. "Just peace and quiet." "So how long do you think before the others will be up?" AJ asked as Grams handed him some coffee. "Think there's time for Shelby and I to sneak off for a walk." "Probably. Harm usually sleeps late when he's here and with Sarah with him I don't think they'll be moving any time soon." "Good. You up for another walk with the old guy?" AJ asked Shelby. "I think I can handle that" she smiled. ****************** "Brooke" Ryan whispered as he gently slid into her bedroom. He'd heard the others go down stairs and decided it was time to check on Brooke. "Ryan" she murmured, forcing her eyes open to look at him. "What are you doing?" "Checking on you," he said softly as he knelt beside the bed. "How you feeling? Your foot hurting a lot?" "Not too much" she assured him. "Can I get you anything?" he asked "You can join me," she said softly, sliding over and making room for him on the twin bed. "We need to talk." "Yes we do" he agreed as he carefully slid in beside her. "And I want to start because I'm the one who needs to apologize." "For what?" she prodded. "For shutting you out after Kelly's death. For not telling you I was trying to find Reynolds myself. And then for being a jerk after everything with Harm and Mac happened. And for letting the Glassman case come between us. But mostly for acting like such a dufus yesterday when I saw you." "Dufus" she giggled. "That's one way of putting it." "Yes and I'm sorry. I don't know what happened after Kelly died. I just got caught up in getting revenge for her death that I lost track of what was important." "And what's important?" she said softly. "You Brooke Hastings" he whispered as his finger gently stroked her cheek. "You are what is most important to me." "I am?" "Yes you are. And I didn't realize how much you meant until that night I came to see you and Clay was at your apartment." "You were there that night?" "I came by. Drunk as a skunk. And when I saw Clay there I nearly lost it. I was so afraid of losing you to him." "As intriguing as Clayton Webb is, there's a certain jarhead that already stole my heart." "You mean I still have a chance despite what a jerk I've been?" he smiled. "You still have a chance" Brooke whispered. "Good. Then you won't deck me if I do this," he said softly before their lips met in a long kiss. "Hey cool it in there" Harm teased as he and Mac walked by the room. "Or I'll tell Grams on you two." "Uh Harm could you do us a favor and close the door" Ryan smiled. "We're still making up here." "About time" Harm grinned as he closed the door. "I think it worked" Mac smiled. "We do good work Mr. Rabb." "Yes we do. Let's go see how the other couple is doing." ========== AJ and Shelby started down one of the well-worn paths away from the house and she reached for his hand after a few steps. "Sorry I should have done that," he smiled, squeezing her fingers against his. "Hey it's been a while for you I know," she laughed. "I don't expect you to be up on all this relationship stuff." "You know me too well," he laughed as well. "But you know what, it somehow seems really simple here. Feelings I mean." "Careful AJ you're getting dangerously close to a Hallmark moment," she whispered. "I plan to get even closer," he said suddenly, tugging her hand to stop their progress and before she could react further, he had taken her into his arms, cupping the back of her head to bring her forward to him for a long kiss. "Does that make for a Hallmark moment in your eyes?" he asked, pulling back only enough so he could speak. "It'll do." Her eyes sparkled and she rested her head on his shoulder for a few moments before looking back up to him. "AJ I wanted to ask if you're still worried about the age thing? If you're having any hesitancy over just that?" "Well I'd be less than honest if I said I don't sometimes look at the picture of you on my desk and go-- Chegwidden have you lost your mind. What would a beautiful woman like that want with a broken down Admiral like yourself." That brought a long laugh from her. "Give this so called beautiful woman some credit will you please. Seriously AJ I meet a lot of guys all the time. And yeah, some of them hit on me. Most of them married. Not to mention, there are thousands of thirty-something single women in the D.C. area and not that many good men. I happen to have found one of the best, and that he's actually interested in me is a real plus. That he's single is even more amazing." "You want this don't you?" he whispered again, in awe this time. "You want us to see if. . .well if there is an us." She let her actions be her answer, her lips seeking his once more. "I think we're on the same page," he breathed when they parted, taking a long breath for calm and reaching once more for her hand. The path led down toward the river and they walked in silence until he stopped short and pointed. "I have not seen one of those up close since I was a kid, and I don't believe what I'm seeing in the first place." "That's not a tree fort, that's a castle," she laughed. "That is incredible. It fills out that old oak tree. Is that a second story for crying out loud?" AJ nodded and led her to the base of the tree where they looked up at the massive structure. "Shall we?" "You mean go up in there?" she giggled. "Yes of course I want to. You think the steps are still OK?" AJ studied the boards that were nailed to the trunk. "Yeah they seem good. I suspect he mostly climbed the rope through the trap door though." She stepped ahead of him to mount the first step and he thought better, holding her back. "I'll go first." "Why you?" she demanded. "Two reasons. First if I fall, you can run faster to get help. Second, if you fall, I won't survive the stroke I'll have watching you." She giggled and stepped aside. Gingerly he stepped on the first step and found it holding him, then climbed the ten feet up, hoisting himself onto the platform. "Wow the view of the river is spectacular," he called before leaning back down to her. "OK come on, just be real careful, watch your step, go slow." "AJ please," she laughed. "I've had a lot of training remember." She started to climb, slowly making her way up the side of the tree. She'd gotten most of the way up and had just grabbed onto the last step when it started to crack. "AJ" she cried as she felt the board start to break. Quick arms reached over the side of the tree house, grabbing her and hoisting her the rest of the way up. They fell together in a heap on the floor, both panting hard. "Are you okay?" he demanded. "I'm fine thanks to you," she said with a deep breath. "You move pretty quick for an old guy." "Yeah well the old guy is about to have a heart attack" he sighed as he pulled her into his arms. "I'm fine so stop your fretting. Besides there's nothing like a little excitement to get the old heart pumping. Course I can think of other ways to do that too." "You want to share?" AJ smiled. "It goes something like this" she whispered before their lips met in a long, deep kiss. "Works for me" AJ whispered when they parted. "You know I feel like a kid up here making out with you." She giggled at his words and leaned against him, for the moment enjoying being with him. "This is a spectacular view" she sighed. "Course I guess we're going to have to jump to get out of here." "Like hell" AJ yelped. "I'm not going to watch you break your neck getting down from here." "And what do you propose we do Admiral?" Shelby smiled. "We sit back and wait for my officers to find us" he grinned. "In the meantime, I know a good way to pass time." ********************* "Grams when did AJ and Shelby leave?" Harm frowned as he helped her clean up the breakfast dishes. "Must have been at least an hour or so ago" Grams said as she looked at the clock. "I thought for sure they'd be back for breakfast. You don't think they got into trouble do you?" "I would hope not" Harm sighed. "But I should go look for them just in case. They may have gotten lost or something." "I won't tell the Admiral you said that" Mac smiled. "And I'm sure they're fine. They just wanted to be alone for a while." "Maybe they found our place" Harm grinned and Grams shook her head. "I never knew that cabin would get this much use" she laughed. "Morning everyone" Brooke smiled as she and Ryan finally made their way downstairs. "You two want some breakfast?" Grams asked. "Harm cleaned up but I can make some more eggs if you want." "Just coffee Grams" Ryan replied. "Brooke what about you?" "Just coffee" she smiled. "You two need to stay for about a week so I can fatten you both up" Grams scoffed. "Just coffee is no way to start the day." "So where's the Admiral and Shelby?" Brooke asked. "I heard her leave pretty early this morning." "They went for a walk a while ago" Harm answered. "And I'm about to go out and make sure they're okay. Especially after what happened to you last night." "I'll go with you" Ryan offered. "Good idea" Harm nodded as he turned to Mac. "We'll be back soon." "Promise me we're going to have some of our time soon" she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. "Promise" he said softly as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "I love you. I'll see you soon." The two men headed out and Mac dropped into the chair next to Brooke. "So did you and Mr. Nichols make up?" she prodded with a smile. "Yeah we did" Brooke smiled. "I think we're going to be okay from here on out. Of course we owe that to you and Harm." "Glad we could help. You two belong together and we just wanted to make sure that happened." "I love him so much it scares me," she confessed in a whisper, yet not so quiet that Grams's sharp ears did not pick up. "Love shouldn't scare you child," she smiled. "Though it's been a long time for this old lady." "Grams why not?" Mac spoke up. "Why didn't you ever re-marry. You were so young. Surely there were guys who. . ." "Who wanted into my bed maybe," she shrugged. "Back then a widow with a baby wasn't really considered marriage material. But there was a guy whom I thought might have wanted the husband-father job. Harmon was ten that winter and Benjamin's folks owned a place on the other side of Belleville. I didn't know him real well before. He was three years older and of course I didn't finish school, pregnant with Harmon and all. Ben went on to college and then med school, and he came back in the fall of 1950 to practice." Brooke cocked her head, enraptured by the story. "So what happened. I mean you and him. . .?" "Korea happened dear. Doctors were being drafted right and left. He was with a MASH unit and one day his mother came to the door. To tell me she'd had the same visit I had gotten ten years before. It was the same one I'd receive again almost twenty years later." "Grams I'm so sorry," Brooke gasped. "I should never have. . ." She looked at Mac for help, and found that she was wiping her own tears. "No stop. It's all part of my history. You live to be my age and things like that happen," Grams smiled and gave her shoulders a quick squeeze. "I have had so much good in my life, that I can't dwell on the bad. My family, my church, my friends here. Please don't feel sorry for me." Mac gave a long sigh and stood up, walking to the window to look out over the farmland. "No wonder you love this place so Grams. The beauty and peace here is amazing." "Someday you'll have it," she smiled. "Huh? Me?" "Of course. This place is willed to Harm. Well by the time I go, you and him will be long since married. He'll retire here, and you two will raise your kids here." "Grams Harm and I. . ." she gasped, trying to grasp what the older woman was telling her. "You and Harm may not have talked that far into the future," Grams told her. "But I know my grandson. I see it when you two look at each other. See it in your faces--the future of the Rabb name. Twenty years from now there will be a Sarah Rabb on this land, but it will be you my dear." She paused and patted Mac's shoulder. "If that's what you want of course." "Oh yeah it's what I want," she breathed and glared at Brooke at the same time. "Don't you mention a syllable of that to Ryan or Harm, Lieutenant." "Yes ma'am," Brooke smiled and winked at Grams. "I saw that." ============ "This way," Harm motioned. "Most likely they started down toward the river, and most likely they're fine, but if you get out of sight of the house, it's pretty easy to get turned around. The trees and fields look alike to a stranger." "The old man and Shelby are doing OK aren't they," Ryan grinned. "I'm happy for him. She's a little young but they're happy." "She's good for him I think," Harm nodded. "Funny I never thought about such things before. Now I'm in love, and I'm aware." "You are in love. You've got it bad," Ryan chortled. "And you're not? How are you and Brooke anyway? Making up is fun huh?" "Oh yeah," he grinned. "I think we're going to be fine. I've vowed I'm going to open up a little more to her. I just didn't handle that whole Kelly thing well." "No you didn't," Harm agreed. "In fact you. . .whoa look. My tree castle." He pointed up ahead to the structure in the old oak tree. "Come on I'll give you a quick tour and we might even see some sign of them. It's got a great view of the river." They started toward the tree, only to stop at the sound of Shelby's "Oh AJ" in the tree above. "Harm isn't that the Shelby's voice?" Ryan laughed. "Maybe we should leave them alone" Harm grinned. "I'll show you the tree castle another time." Up in the tree house, AJ suddenly pulled away from Shelby and stuck his head over the side, his keen ear hearing noise below them. "Rabb, Nichols, get back here" AJ called as the two men started to disappear into the woods. "Are you sure sir?" Harm couldn't help but laugh. "It sounded like uh. . .like you and Shelby wanted to be alone." "Never mind what you heard" AJ said as Shelby straightened her blouse. "We need your help here." "With what sir?" Ryan laughed. "Nichols" AJ said sharply and Ryan did his best to control himself. "Sir, what's the problem?" Harm asked as he and Ryan reached the tree. "The problem is the boards are broken on the upper part of your ladder. It's too big of drop for Shelby to jump. I'll lower her to you instead." Harm nodded and moved forward as a slightly red faced Shelby was lowered by AJ into Harm's waiting arms. "Thank you" she blushed. "No problem ma'am" Harm said with a wide smile. "Sir, you want help as well?" "I think I can manage" AJ said his long legs allowed him to lower himself past the broken steps to the next step before jumping down. At once he reached for Shelby's hand and Harm and Ryan grinned even more. "Okay you two" AJ said sharply. "Let's keep this between us please." "Sure no problem" Harm smiled. "Our lips are sealed." "Why do I get the feeling that's not the case" AJ groaned as Harm and Ryan started to walk away. "So your staff knows you have a life" Shelby said quietly. "What's so bad about that? Unless of course you're uncomfortable with us being together." "Hell no" AJ said quickly. "I don't care what anyone else thinks." "You sure?" "Very" AJ whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I care a lot about you Shelby Rogers. Don't ever think otherwise." *********************** "Ryan do you have any idea where you're going?" Brooke asked as she hobbled along beside him, his arm protectively around her waist. "Yes I do. Just trust me. Please." Minutes later the small cabin emerged from the trees and Ryan suddenly lifted her into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way into the cabin. He gently deposited her on the bed before sliding in beside her. "How did you find out about this place?" Brooke asked as she looked around the cabin. "Harm" Ryan smiled. "I told him we wanted some alone time so he told me to come here." "Is this where he and Mac went the other day?" Brooke giggled. "I'm sure it is. And now it's our turn to be alone. If that's okay with you." "More than okay Mr. Nichols" she whispered before their lips met in a long and passionate kiss. ************* "Harm where's Brooke and Ryan?" Grams asked, finally noticing the youngest couple hadn't been around for a while. "They uh went for a long walk" Harm smiled. "I'm sure they'll be back in a few hours." "Never mind I know where they are" Grams smiled. "That cabin hasn't gotten that much use in years." "You sent them to our cabin?" Mac pouted. "We'll have our time tomorrow" Harm whispered as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "Promise?" she smiled. "Big promise," he assured her. "You and I are going to spend tonight--all night-- there." "OK I can live with that," she smiled. "Harm Grams says this place is going to be yours someday. You never told me that." "Guess not," he shrugged. "Yeah I've known for a long time she was leaving it all to me. OK, what's funny?" "I'm picturing you in overalls and a straw hat," she giggled. "Seriously, this is a great place." "To raise a family it is," he said slowly, looking her up and down as if seeing her for the first time. "For a man to just live here alone, no. I'd have to sell it. But then Grams is going to live to be 100 anyway." "Oh of that I have no doubt," she smiled, looking into the kitchen where Grams was starting on a roast for dinner. "I'm going to go help her." Harm nodded and caught her hand, giving her a strong kiss before she could get away. "Harm are you OK? Suddenly you're distracted or distant or something. Something wrong?" "Hey no not at all," he yelped. "Go peel some carrots. There's something I want to see to anyway." "OK but you're making that face you make when half your mind is elsewhere." "It is. Go on. I just need to tend to something," he said distractedly, rising from the chair and walking toward the barn. Mac watched him for a moment and then wandered into the kitchen, still frowning. "Sarah something wrong?" Grams's kind voice cut into her thoughts and she smiled and shook her head. "Just trying to figure out your grandson." "I wouldn't. You'll give yourself a migraine. Care to peel?" "Sure." She accepted the potato peeler and the bowl of potatoes from her, her mind still on Harm. The object of her concern had climbed into the barn's loft, opening an old chest that he kept up there. A treasure trove of things too private to share. That did not seem to belong in his apartment nor in his old room there on the farm. It was there in the blue velvet box just as he recalled it. When his mother had accepted Frank's ring all those years before, she had taken off her wedding set and given it to him. "Someday you'll find the woman of your dreams son. Somewhere out there right now is a girl growing up into that woman. Maybe you'll want to give her this." His eyes misted as he stared at the rings. Forty years before his father had given them to the woman of his dreams. In token and pledge of their love. The woman of Harmon Rabb Junior's dreams was a dark haired Marine who at that moment sat in the kitchen peeling vegetables with his grandmother. Tonight, at the cabin he would ask her formally to become his wife. Carefully, almost reverently, he slipped the ring into his pocket, and then as if he was a small boy, wiped his eyes on his sleeve before starting back to the house. "That anyone you know?" Grams teased when she spotted his approach. Mac looked up and smiled. "I think he's mine. Thanks." "Hey, how's my two favorite ladies," Harm grinned, dropping a kiss on the top of Mac's head and helping himself to a chunk of raw carrot. "Harm?" "Yeah?" "OK I give up. Grams you're right. I'm getting a migraine." ************ It was shortly after dinner that they slipped away, Harm leading Mac to the cabin under a moonlit sky. "You've been awful quiet tonight sailor" Mac commented as they settled onto the bed. "Something on your mind?" "A big something" he said quietly. "Something very important." He was so serious that for a moment she felt like she couldn't breathe, afraid of what he was about to say. "You going to share or are you going to wait until I have a stroke of here wondering what's wrong?" she whispered. He finally looked over at her and realized she was thinking the worst. "Oh honey no it's not bad" he said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think that." "Okay so if it's not bad what going on in that flyboy mind?" she asked. Without a word he slid from the bed and walked over to the overnight bag they'd packed and pulled out the small velvet box. He walked back to the bed, stopping beside and lowering himself to one knee. "Harm what are you doing?" she said softly. "I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago" he smiled. "And it took us almost dying to make me realize that the only person I'll ever want or need is right beside me." She gasped as he opened the small box, tears glistening as he pulled the ring out and reached for her hand. "Harm" she sniffled. "I love you with all my heart Sarah Mackenzie. And it will make me the happiest man on earth if you'll say you'll marry me." "I will" she whispered as he slid the ring into place. "I love you Harm. I never expected this." "It's been long over due" he smiled as he kissed her hand. "You and I belong together Sarah. And we will be for the rest of our lives now." He raised himself up and gathered into his arms as he lowered them both against the pillows. "Thank you Harm" she whispered. "Thank you for loving me and making me feel like the most special person in the world." "You are Sarah" he said softly. "And I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to you just how special you are." His lips found hers and nothing else in the world mattered except that they would be together forever. ************* Sunday Afternoon "Grams thanks for this weekend" Harm said as he gave his grandmother a long hug. "I think I can safely speak for everyone and say we had a wonderful time." "You're all welcome back anytime you want" Grams smiled. "And I expect it not to be a long time between visits either young man. Sarah and I have a wedding to plan." Mac smiled at the words and her gaze fell to the ring on her hand. She'd never felt comfortable wearing Mic's ring, but this one seemed to be made just for her. "Yes you do" Harm smiled as he reached for Mac, pulling her against him before dropping a quick kiss on her lips. The End Watch for the next chapter of New Beginnings coming soon.