TITLE:  “Past Present Future II--A Journey Commences”
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
SUMMARY:  The second chapter of the PPF series, in which the matters of 
Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr. 
and Sergei Zhukov are re-visited.  All will be Harm-Mac stories of 
course, with Clayton Webb; and 
rated PG for mild language and violence.
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 will be available at 
         http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories
  No subbing is required to read from the message archives.


“Past Present Future II-Journey Commences”

JAG HQ
Fri. 21 Dec. 01
0830 AM

"I just hope he's in a ho ho ho mood," Harm sighed as they approached 
Tiner's desk.

"Well I'm sure he didn't wake up this morning and go--I hope my two 
senior officers bring me 
some plan to take them half way around the world over Christmas," Mac 
smiled.

"Mac he's not going to let us go."  Harm stopped in his tracks and made 
that pronouncement.  
"He's going to send both of us to Bethesda for a psych eval."

"He's wanted to do that for years," she reminded him.  "No, he's just 
going tell us we're both a 
quart low."

"My dad could be alive."  

"Exactly," she frowned, turning to look at where he was inexplicably 
frozen in place.  "He could 
very well be."

"Is that what you think?"

"Harm we've been all over this ground," she whispered.  "What I think 
is that I'm keeping an open 
mind to all possibilities, extreme and otherwise."

"I'm afraid to."  His voice had such a little-boy quality that she was 
moved to his side, wrapping 
her hand around his arm.  

"Of course you're apprehensive.  What do you always tell me, suck it up 
Marine.  Time to practice 
what you preach Squid."

He nodded and allowed her to propel him to Tiner's desk.  "We need to 
speak to the Admiral right 
away.  It's urgent."

"What's on your collective mind?" AJ asked when they were seated.

"We need permission to take a trip sir," Mac spoke up.

"I see. And this would be together?"

"Yes sir," Mac answered and at the same time Harm raised his hand for 
her to be quiet as the 
enormity of what they were thinking of doing began to register.

"No sir."  

"Do you two need a minute to confer and reach a final answer?"

"No sir," she growled.  "I'm not staying behind, and if Mr. Rabb thinks 
I am, he'd best think again."

"Mac it's a long trip, and none of that area is totally secure.  Not to 
mention the dangers from 
snakes and. . ."

"So you two are going to Aspen for the skiing or what?" AJ interrupted.

"Vietnam sir," Mac said with a half smile.

"You know I would have had to go through about eighty percent of the 
countries on his planet 
before I would have guessed that one.  Why in god's name would you go 
there?"  When neither 
answered at once, he rested his gaze on Harm.  "This would be about 
your father?"

"Yes sir," Harm confirmed. "Something I need to check out, and I'd very 
much prefer Mac to stay 
here."

"Yeah well Mac doesn't see it that way," she exploded.  "Mac doesn't 
see herself letting you go 
over there.  What if something happened there?  I'm not going to spend 
the rest of my life 
wondering what happened to you.  No way."

She turned to AJ then, her eyes begging his understanding.  "Sir 
please.  Clay Webb has 
information that provides that Lieutenant Harmon Rabb Sr. may never 
have left Vietnam, and 
more that he could still be alive there.  Seems like reports are 
surfacing of some enclaves of 
Americans back in the hills."

"People it's long been thought that some Americans were left behind 
there," AJ pointed out, "but 
what makes Webb think one of them could be named Rabb?"

"Because nothing that happened in Russia checks," she answered.  

"To include Sergei," Harm sighed.  "So sir, requesting permission to 
travel to Vietnam over the 
holiday week."

"With me," Mac added.

"No."

"Yes."

"I said no.  What part of no didn't you understand?"

"Harm this was settled before," she reminded him, resting a hand on his 
arm.  "I told you that you 
would not be doing this alone and I was serious. Tell him sir.  Uh. . . 
Please."

"I haven't given either of you permission," AJ frowned.  "What if I 
don't?  You'll resign?"

"With all due respect sir, yes," Harm said calmly.  "You know it's that 
important."

"And because it is that important, I'm going with him," Mac maintained.  
"Sir, there could be 
Americans who need to be brought home there--men who for whatever 
reason can't or won't or 
don't know how to get out.  You know Clay.  Roughing it to him means 
the hotel doesn't get 
ESPN.  He would not be traveling to a Third World country if there 
wasn't an urgency."

 "You really expect me to approve this" AJ sighed. "Last time I allowed 
you 
 two to go to Russia and look what happened."
 
 "Exactly why Mac shouldn't be allowed to go" Harm said and Mac shot 
him a 
 long glare.
 
 "Harmon Rabb, you are not going over there alone" Mac said firmly.
 
 "Okay, I've heard enough" AJ said sharply, rubbing his temples at the 
same 
 time. "Harm, I know how much this means to you. And against my better 
 judgment I'm going to grant you leave."
 
 "Thank you sir"."
 
 "On what condition" AJ continued. "Mac goes with you."
 
 "Sir, with all due respect" Harm started.
 
 "I'm sorry Harm, but Mac goes with you or you don't go."
 
 "Sir, I don't need your approval to go" Harm threatened.
 
 "Harm, stop for a minute and think about what you're about to do" AJ 
sighed. 
 "I know you're trying to protect your partner but to be completely 
honest, I 
 think she can handle this trip a lot better than you and Webb will."
 
 "Sir, I've been to Vietnam before" Harm reminded his C.O. "I know what 
I'm 
 getting into."
 
 "Yes but you're running on emotions again" Mac interrupted. "Harm, you 
know 
 he's right. Clay isn't used to being in the jungle. You remember what 
he was 
 like in Columbia. You need me with you."
 
 "I don't want you involved in this again" Harm said quietly. "I almost 
got 
 you killed last time. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened 
to 
 you because of me."
 
 "How do you think I would feel if something happened to you because I 
let 
 you go alone" Mac countered softly.
 
 "Uh, your C.O. is still sitting here" AJ reminded them with a small 
smile. 
 "If this is about to get any more personal, maybe I should leave the 
room."
 
 "That's not necessary sir" Harm spoke up.
 
 "So we're both going right?" Mac prodded.
 
 "Yes" Harm said with a long sigh. "If that's okay with you sir."
 
 "Just try and stay out of trouble this time" AJ said quietly. "But I 
want 
 your promise that if you do need anything, you'll call me. I don't 
care what 
 time of the day or night it is."
 
 "Yes sir" Harm spoke before Mac could.  "Thank you sir."
 
 "Good luck Harm. I know how much this means to you. I hope you find 
your 
 father. But if you don't, I hope you find the real truth this time."
 
 "So do I sir" Harm whispered.
 
 ******************************
 Mac's Apartment
 6:40 PM EST
 
 "Harm, where are you?" Mac said as she checked the clock again. After 
tying 
 up lose ends at JAG, they'd gone their separate ways so they could get 
ready 
 for their trip. Harm had promised he'd be by for dinner, but the pizza 
she'd 
 had delivered was now getting cold. She dialed his home number and his 
cell 
 again, praying he hadn't gotten some notion to ditch her and leave for 
 Vietnam early. As she replaced the phone on the hook, there was a 
knock at 
 her door, and she let out a long sigh of relief when she saw him.
 
 "Hi sailor" she said softly. "You forget we had dinner plans?"
 
 "No, I finished my packing and I just decided I needed some time 
alone" Harm 
 said as he walked in.
 
 "Guess that's why you didn't answer your cell" Mac said with a small 
smile. 
 "I was getting worried about you."
 
 "Sorry. I was going to call and tell you," he said lamely. "And I 
think 
 maybe I should just go home. I'm really not good company tonight and 
I'm not 
 sure I can stomach dinner anyway."
 
 "Harm, if you'd wanted to be alone you would have just called me from 
home 
 and told me you weren't coming. You came here because you didn't want 
to be 
 alone."
 
 "No I don't but I don't want you to be subjected to my bad mood" Harm 
 sighed.
 
 "Come on" Mac said as she tugged his arm. "You can watch me eat then. 
And 
 you can talk if you want and if you don't want to that's fine too. 
I'll 
 babble away for both of us."
 
 He allowed her to lead him into the kitchen and watched her eat a two 
pieces 
 of pizza before finally taking one.
 
 "So what's on your mind sailor?" Mac asked as she dug into the third 
piece.
 
 "You. This trip. Mac, I was serious about what I said earlier in the 
 Admiral's office. I really couldn't stand it if anything happened to 
you 
 because you were off on some wild goose chase with me."
 
 "Yeah well I was serious about worried about never seeing you again" 
Mac 
 said softly. "I know the risks Harm. I knew what they were when we 
went to 
 Russia. I know what they are now. I can handle myself and you know 
it's 
 better that I'm with you."
 
 "That's the part I wrestle with the most," he admitted. "Part of me 
wants 
 you no where near that god forsaken country. That it's crazy to let 
you risk 
 your life like this. But then part of me knows that you can handle it. 
And 
 that there's no way I'll get through this without you."
 
With an amused sigh she pressed her hands over top of his.  Seldom was 
he this forthright with 
what he was feeling.  "For a lot of years we handled things together," 
she said slowly, "and then 
somewhere that seemed to vanish in a haze of flying and promotions and 
other people in our 
lives.  Well that's over now and I'm glad.  And I'm glad we're doing 
this together.  Harm don't try to 
shut me out.  Please.  I won't let you."

"I'll try not to," he promised, dropping the half eaten pizza slice on 
to the table. "I can't handle food 
right now.  I need to go home and pack."

"And then what, pace the apartment until Clay comes for you?"

"You know me pretty well don't you."

"I want you to come back here after you pack, and we'll tell Clay to 
pick up us both here.  And yes 
I know you very well.  I know you need your rest if you're to be any 
good once we get there.  So if 
you come here, maybe we can help each other relax or something."

A shadow of his playful grin passed over his face.  "Or something?  
What sort of something did 
you have in mind?"

"Red light Commander, get out," she laughed.  "Get your stuff and come 
back.  I'll have some 
coffee and a movie waiting."

"OK I guess that does make sense; but you promise to make me go sleep 
in the car if I'm making 
you crazy."

"Have I ever been shy about calling you on that?" she smiled.  "Go on 
now and get your things.  
And drive safe."

She propelled him through the door, breathing a sigh of relief.  He had 
agreed to stay.  Neither of 
them would be alone.

================
The phone rang an hour later as she was putting fresh sheets on the bed 
for him.  "This better not 
be a certain Commander about to tell a Marine he's not coming to stay 
the night because said 
Marine is going to be mighty pissed."

"Colonel Mackenzie?"  

AJ's voice, and upon hearing it she mumbled, "sorry wrong number," and 
hung up the phone but 
did not move, knowing it would ring a moment later.  "Colonel 
Mackenzie," she answered weakly.  
"Sir?"

"That's a little better," AJ growled.  "I just called to see if you two 
were still going.  But it sounds 
like maybe you and Commander have better plans."

"Just doing our best for the operation sir," she sighed.  "But yes sir, 
it's very much a go.  We have 
an 0900 flight with a stop in Honolulu and a change in Tokyo."

"OK well good luck, and let me hear from you."

"Aye sir."

"And Colonel, be careful of the commander.  He has the look of a 
blanket hog."

"Yes sir, good night."

Another hour passed and she was starting to worry, and a half hour 
later her worry turned 
serious.  She decided one more attempt at his cell and then she was 
going to look for him, but he 
answered on the first ring this time.

"Harm? Are you OK?"

"Yeah I'm fine," he sighed.  "I lost track of time.  And in fact I had 
the phone in my hand to call 
you."

"You're OK?" she repeated, hearing something in his tone that disturbed 
her.

"Yeah I am--well about as good as it's going to get," he answered.  
"I'm on the Whitehurst, be 
there in fifteen," and with that he hung up.

She did not fully relax until she saw his car pull up in the back 
parking lot and had the door open 
when he arrived.

"I worried you.  I'm sorry.  Like I said I just lost track of time."

"You did and it's OK long as you're here safe."  She grabbed his arm 
and pulled him inside.  "You 
went to the Wall didn't you."

For a moment he did not reply and she simply stood there, her hands 
resting on his arms.

"Do you know how much it scares me that you know me that well?" he 
finally said, barely audible.

"Yeah I think I do," she nodded slowly, "because you and me we're so 
much alike in that area.  
We don't want anyone in our heads, and when they do get in, the thought 
scares us to death."

"You know that in my whole life, I've never felt closer to anyone than 
I do to you," he told her in a 
rare admission of feelings.

"And I feel the same way about you--but then you knew that," she 
smiled.  "Hey enough deep 
talk.  Come on.  Coffee's hot and John Candy's waiting.  I figured we 
could both use something 
inane."

By the time the movie was over, they were both laughing, leaning 
lightly against each other, 
shoulder to shoulder, on the sofa.

"I needed that, thanks," he grinned, "now get off my bed so I can get 
some sleep."

"Your duty station is in the bedroom mister," she retorted.  "You 
thought the bunk on the 
Watertown was small--it had about six inches on this sofa."

"I'm not taking your bed."

"Harm I sleep out here often.  Sometimes at night when I watch TV to 
make myself sleepy I just 
go with it right here.  Good night."  To emphasize her words she rose 
and tugged him to his feet.  
"Go to bed. This may be the last time in a long time you do that in a 
real bed.  Good night."

"Good night Ninja-girl," he said softly, much to her surprise.  He had 
called her that once, and 
once only before.
=============
4AM

"Maaa-aaccc" The scream reverberated through the small apartment, 
sending her to her feet in a 
half second flat.  

"Harm I'm right here," she shouted, stumbling across the floor and into 
the bedroom.  "What the 
hell?"

He was sitting ramrod straight, the sheets in a damp mass around him, 
his eyes wide open with 
terror, but with no recognition in them.  He opened his mouth to scream 
once more and before he 
could she launched herself onto him, wrapping him in a one armed hug 
while she covered his 
mouth with the other hand.  "Harm I'm here, and you're OK," she 
whispered into his ear.  "You're 
OK."

"Bad bad dream," he murmured as awareness returned.  "Bad dream.  No 
way I'm letting you go.  
That was an omen."

Her eyes opened wide with surprise.  "An omen?  What're you--some kind 
of medicine man?  You 
had a bad dream, big deal.  I do it often.  You want to talk about it. 
. .while we change the linen."

"I'm so sorry," he gasped, realizing how covered with sweat he was and 
how badly the bed was 
messed.  "I can't even guarantee this is just sweat."

 "On that note, shower squid" Mac ordered as she stood up. "I'll take 
care of 
 the mess."
 
 "Mac, I'm sorry" Harm moaned as she helped him up. "I should have 
stayed at 
 my place."
 
 "Yeah but then you would have woke up alone and you know that's not 
what you 
 want" Mac said with a small smile. "Go get a shower and by the time 
you're 
 done I'll have this cleaned up."
 
 He stumbled to the bathroom and she quickly changed the sheets while 
he 
 showered. He emerged minutes later with a towel wrapped around his 
torso.
 
 "Feel better?" she asked.
 
 "Yeah but there's no way I'm going to fall back asleep" he sighed. "So 
I'm 
 just going to get dressed. I'm sorry for waking you up so early."
 
 "Hey, that’s okay. You know I don't sleep much. I'll make us some 
coffee and 
 then we can just sit and talk if you want and if you don't we'll just 
sit 
 and stare at each other."
 
 "Cute Marine" he said with a forced smile. "But I'll take the coffee. 
 Thanks."
 
 "So what was the nightmare about?" Mac asked as they sat at the 
kitchen 
 table drinking coffee.
 
 "Mac, I don't want you going with me on this one. That wasn't just a 
 nightmare. It was a warning."
 
 "Harm, you are not going to Vietnam without me" Mac said firmly. 
"There is 
 no way I'm going to let that happen. No matter what kind of nightmare 
you 
 had."
 
 "Mac" Harm groaned.
 
 "Harm, save your breath. I'm going with you. End of discussion."
 
 "Anyone ever tell you you're one stubborn Marine" Harm sighed.
 
 "Coming from the King of Stubborn that's a compliment" Mac smiled. 
"Harm, 
 It's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."
 
 "And hopefully without anything happening to you" he said quietly. 
"After 
 Russia, I would have understood you not wanting to come with me this 
time."
 
 "Oh come one" Mac teased. "It wasn't that bad."
 
 "Mac I almost got you killed" Harm exclaimed. "Did you forget about 
the 
 missile that almost blew us out of the sky?"
 
 "No. And yes I'll admit that's not a moment I'd like to repeat.  But 
if I 
 had to do it again, I wouldn't do anything different."
 
 "You are demented" Harm sighed.
 
 "Harm, I'm your friend" Mac said as she reached for his hand. "And as 
your 
 friend I would never let you go through something like this alone. I 
know 
 this hard for you and that's why I'm going with you again."
 
 "Thank you. For everything."
 
 Hours later Clay knocked on Mac's door.
 
 "You guys ready?" Clay asked.
 
 "One last time, Mac are you sure you want to do this?" Harm asked as 
he 
 reached for their bags.
 
 "One last time, yes" Mac said firmly. "Come on sailor, we've got a 
plane to 
 catch."
=============== 
 They were over the Midwest when Harm dropped off to sleep, his head 
leaning 
 comfortably against Mac's shoulder.
 
 "I'm guessing he didn't sleep much last night?" Clay said quietly.
 
 "No, he woke up around 4:00 with another nightmare" Mac sighed as she 
 glanced down at Harm. "I really hope we're not putting him through 
this for 
 nothing."
 
 "So do I" Clay sighed. "But I'm glad you're going to be with us. If 
this 
 does end badly, he's going to need you."
 
 "That's why I'm here'" Mac said softly. "And because the picture of 
you 
 trudging your way through a jungle was something I didn't want to 
miss."
 
 "Hey, I've roughed it before" Clay protested.
 
 "You mean, a hotel without cable" Mac smiled. "Come on Clay. We were 
with 
 you in Columbia. You are not exactly in your element in a jungle."
 
 "Okay, maybe I'm a fish out of water" Clay admitted. "But that's why 
I'm 
 glad you're with us."

"I'll have you eating bugs to survive soon enough," Mac grinned.

"You'll see me dead first," he swore.

"Well whatever," Mac teased, soberly quickly.  "Clay tell me we 
actually have a plan here please.  
That we're not just stumbling in to a strange country where Americans 
are not that welcome."

"Well Americans with money are," he smiled.  "I took the liberty of 
appropriating some."

"Clay do not tell an officer of the courts that sort of thing," she 
admonished him.

"Hey it's all a matter of paperwork," he told her airily.  "It's fine.  
But we did need some to in case.  
Those how are apt to be bribed don't take American Express."

"Plan?" she prompted.

"To stay alive first and foremost," he answered softly.  "Nguyen has 
promised me he's paved the 
way for us in-country. I've worked with him before."

"And you trust him with our lives?"

"I've worked with him before," he repeated.

"OK I'll take that as a no," she sighed.

"He's OK," Clay smiled.  "You can't go by me anyway because there are 
few people I trust.  
Myself first of course, and you and Harm--mostly, and after that the 
list gets pretty short.  Before 
this is over we may have to trust each other a lot more than we might 
want to."

She smiled at his 'mostly' and nodded.  "I trust Harm with my life.  I 
always have."

"I know.  And we may have that proven out again.  Iran comes to mind 
really quickly.  I wasn't 
sure we could pull that off.  And if you hadn't come back, I was 
changing my name and leaving 
the country to escape the wrath of Rabb."

She shook her head and looked down at him, sleeping soundly, absently 
brushing a stray piece 
of hair from his forehead.

"You and him are good together," Clay observed.

"Clay don't go there," she responded at once.  "We're trying real hard 
just to be what we were to 
each other before his flight duty, and then Mic and Renee and. . ."

He interrupted her with a squeeze to her hand.  "Yeah."

"Thanks," she smiled, "now if you don't care, I'm going to join Harm in 
this nap thing."  She settled 
back, resting her head lightly against his, and warmed by the contact 
felt herself relax almost at 
once.

"He kept you up did he?" Clay laughed and she pinched him in 
retaliation.
=============
"Honolulu people," Clay announced just before the plane touched down; 
and when it did so the 
bump startled Harm so much he sat straight up, throwing Mac into Clay.

"Welcome to Honolulu," Clay laughed.  

"Already?" he frowned.  "When did I fall asleep?"

"Somewhere over Missouri I think," she smiled and gave his hand a hard 
squeeze.  "You needed 
it Sailor.  Feeling better?"

"Yeah I think so," he sighed.  "Hawaii huh?  I don't suppose your 
brought the blue bikini from 
Sydney?"

She groaned in response and felt Clay's eyes staring.  "Hey I'm waiting 
to hear the answer."

"I feel like I'm on my senior trip," she muttered.  "Can we please go 
stretch our legs and eat some 
real food."

"They don't have Beltway Burgers here," Harm reminded her, standing in 
the aisle and helping 
her to her feet, a gentle hand to her elbow.  

"Do you know how long it's been since I've touched one of them?" she 
demanded as she started 
down the aisle.  "Does the news story 'Beltway Burgers ordered 
investigated by the Board of 
Health' ring a bell.  After that rumor about what they were putting in 
their meat, I never went 
back."

 "You gave up Beltway Burgers" Harm said with mock shock. "Will wonders 
ever 
 cease?"
 
 "You actually ate at that place'" Clay cringed. "Course you did say 
you'd 
 eat bugs so I guess I'm not that surprised."
 
 "Okay, I must have missed that conversation" Harm said as he started 
down 
 the aisle. "And I think I just lost what little appetite I had."
 
 "You're eating something sailor" Mac said as she followed behind him. 
"You 
 didn't eat last night and you barely touched breakfast."
 
 "Yes mom" he sighed as he led them off.
 
 He poked at his food and Mac gave him a long look when he pushed his 
plate 
 away a short time later.  She said nothing, allowing Clay to continue 
to 
 babble on about one of his recent cases. They boarded another plane 
for 
 Tokyo an hour later, Clay closing his eyes for a nap. Harm had taken 
the 
 window seat and sat staring out of it until Mac gently tapped his 
shoulder.
 
 "I didn't know the view was that good" she teased.
 
 "Sorry, I’m being rude aren't I?" he sighed. "Sorry."
 
 "It's okay, I just like looking at your face instead of the back of 
your 
 head" Mac smiled. "And I thought you might want to talk."
 
 "Not really" he shook his head. "I still can't believe we're actually 
on our 
 way to Vietnam. I never thought I'd go back there."
 
 "I'm sorry you have to go through this" Mac said softly. "I just hope 
that 
 this time we have better luck than in Russia."
 
 "Mac, I'm afraid to even let myself think he might be alive" Harm 
whispered. 
 "I keep telling myself I'm doing this to find out the truth. But I 
don't let 
 myself believe he might be alive. Because if he's not…." His voice 
trailed 
 off and he turned towards the window again.
 
 "I know" she whispered, her hand gently rubbing his back. "I know 
sailor."
 
 There was little conversation on the flight; Mac deciding it was best 
not to 
 push Harm to talk. She closed her eyes, surprised to find they were 
landing 
 in Tokyo when she opened them again.
 
 "You finally got some sleep," Harm said with a small smile. "I knew 
I'd kept 
 you up last night."
 
 "Okay, so I was a little tired" Mac admitted. "How you doing?"
 
 "I'm okay. Really."
 
 "We've got some time to kill here," Clay said as they walked through 
the 
 airport. "Anyone want to see the sights of Tokyo?"
 
 "How about some food and then a bed and a bath" Mac countered. "I 
don't know 
 about you two but I'm starving."
 
 "When isn't she?" Clay grinned. "That works for me. Harm?"
 
 "Yeah that's fine," he said quietly.
 
 They headed to the hotel next to the airport, securing rooms for the 
night 
 before going down to the hotel restaurant.
 
 "Harm, what's wrong?" Mac asked as she noticed him staring off again. 
 "Harm?"
 
 "That guy over there was at the airport earlier" Harm said quietly.
 
 "He's probably a tourist" Mac sighed as she turned around to look. "It 
 wouldn't be so odd to see someone at the airport and then again at the 
 nearby hotel."
 
 "Yeah sure of course" he sighed, trying to ignore the feeling that 
something 
 wasn't right. But he chalked it up to jet lag and the emotional roller 
 coaster he'd been on for the past few days and forced himself to pay 
 attention to the conversation and not the guy who seemed to have 
vanished. 
 Maybe it was just his imagination.
 
 "I'm going to find that tub and do some soaking" Mac said as they 
walked 
 back to their rooms. "Harm, if you need anything, you know where I 
am." She 
 reached for his hand, giving it a quick squeeze.
 
 "Thanks" he sighed. "Enjoy your soak and I'll see you in the morning."
 
 "Harm, you want some company for a bit?" Clay asked as Mac slipped 
into her 
 room.
 
 "I'm not real good company Clay" Harm said with a forced smile.
 
 "I know. But you don't have to be. You want to head down to the lounge 
for a 
 bit? Maybe have a beer or two."
 
 "I don't know Clay" Harm sighed with a glance at Mac's door. The guy 
from 
 earlier was still on his mind and he didn't like leaving her.
 
 "Come on" Clay urged. "She'll be fine."
 
 "Clay, I think that guy was following us" Harm said quietly. "I know 
Mac 
 blew it off as nothing but I just have this feeling."
 
 "Harm, no one knows we're here" Clay assured him. "I never told anyone 
where 
 I was going. And you only told AJ."
 
 "You're right," Harm said finally. "One beer."

He took another long look at the connecting door, still not moving.  

"Harm she's fine.  She's locked in there remember.  No one knows--or 
cares--who we are or what 
we're doing."  Clay put a hand to his shoulder.  "You need that beer."

"You know you're right," Harm sighed.  "Before this trip is over I may 
need more than that."
============
Mac lay back in the large tub, letting the steaming water come up as 
high as she could and still 
breathe.  Slowly the tension in her muscles began to ease.  The hours 
on the plane had taken 
their toll, and there was another flight yet to come.  The music she 
had put on drifted toward her 
and she closed her eyes, willing a calmness, and saying a prayer for 
Harm and their quest.

An hour passed as the water cooled and was replenished, and finally, 
feeling sufficiently 
waterlogged, she was ready for bed. The noise was faint at first, 
coming as she was settling into 
the bed, just a slight bump and she ignored it.  Two more a few seconds 
later and she flipped off 
the music, and then she knew--it was coming from Harm and Clay's room.  
"Back from the bar," 
she muttered and flung open the connecting door.

"You drunks wanna keep it down in here--decent people trying to sleep," 
she laughed before she 
got the door open fully, and when she did, her gasp was audible 
throughout the room.  She took 
three strides forward and shouted, "What the hell's going on in here?  
Who are you?"

Two men, in dark pants and black hooded sweatshirts had begun to search 
the room, dumping 
out the suitcases and opening drawers.  They froze in place at her 
voice and when one turned 
around he had a knife drawn.

Instinctively she crouched in a self defense posture, her training 
kicking in.  One of them began to 
edge to one side, and she knew they were intending to outflank her.  
"Harm I need you," she 
gasped and flung herself at the one with the knife.
==============
TIKI BAR 
Hotel Lobby
Same time

"I need to get back upstairs," Harm spoke up suddenly.

"OK almost done here," Clay told him.

"No now."  And with that Harm sprinted across the marble floor toward 
the elevators.
=====================
Mac knocked the knife-wielder onto his back, clamping her hand around 
his wrist, only to have his 
partner grab her from behind.  Her attempt to force him off of her was 
only partly successful and 
his arm locked around her throat, all but cutting off her oxygen and 
thus her will to fight.  "I want 
the file," he whispered in heavily accented English.  

"I don't. . ." she coughed, seeing dark spots swim before her eyes when 
she tried to take in more 
air.  

"Try again," he ordered, tightening his hand while his partner 
scrambled to his feet and at the 
same time came the sound of running feet in the hallway.

"I don't know about any. . ." she started, and as his hand further 
tightened, the room began to 
spin until the swirling blackness swallowed her.

Harm burst into the room, hitting the light switch as he did so.  
"What. . ." he shouted, his mind 
taking in the sight of Mac limp in the man's arms and his cohort still 
holding the knife.  

Before Harm could move, the one with the knife grabbed Mac, holding it 
to her throat.  "Back off  
Commander.  I am but a millimeter away from ending her life."

Harm swallowed hard and raised his hands to show he would not threaten 
them.  "Let her go.  
Please don't hurt her," he whispered.

"What does she mean to you Commander?"

"Everything," he admitted.  "Please don't."

"Then go home, back to America, while you still have her to care for."  
He motioned Harm aside 
and his partner to the door, then he followed, dragging Mac with him 
until he reached the hallway.

"You get her back---this time," he hissed and roughly threw her to the 
floor, sure that Harm would 
see to her rather than pursue them.
 
 He did that just that, her name coming out in a strangled cry.
 
 "Mac, oh god, please you have to be okay" he cried as he hurried to 
her limp 
 body.  Like the time so many years ago on the Watertown she wasn't 
 breathing, and he quickly tipped her head back and started to breathe 
 precious air into her lungs. Seconds later she coughed and he quickly 
lifted 
 her to a sitting position.
 
 "Thank you God" he whispered under his breath as he held onto her 
while she 
 took in large gulps of air.
 
 "Harm" she gasped before starting to sob.
 
 "Shh, it's okay" he soothed. "I've got you and no one's going to hurt 
you."
 
 At his words she fell against him, allowing his arms to comfort her as 
she 
 sobbed against his chest.
 
 "What the hell" Clay started as he walked into the room.  "Harm, what 
 happened? Is Mac okay?"
 
 "No thanks to me" Harm said quietly, the threats of the men who'd hurt 
her 
 still fresh in his mind. "And in the morning, she's on the first 
flight back 
 to the US."
 
 "Not without you" Mac sniffled, lifting her head from his chest to 
look at 
 him.  "Harm, these men were serious."
 
 "Which is exactly why you're going home before anything happens to 
you" Harm 
 said firmly. "I will not let something happen to you because of me and 
my 
 obsessions."
 
 "What did they say to you?" Clay asked as he sank down on the end of 
the 
 bed.
 
 "They told me to go back home before something happened to her" Harm 
 whispered, his arms involuntarily pulling her closer to him.
 
 "Well whoever it was they were looking for something," Clay said as he 
 looked around.
 
 "They said something about a file" Mac said quietly. "They wanted to 
know 
 where it was."
 
 "I thought you said no one knew we were here" Harm sighed. "Obviously 
 someone knows we're here. Do you have any idea what file they were 
looking 
 for?"
 
 "No. They obviously think we know something we don't" Clay replied. 
"But I 
 have no idea what file they were talking about."
 
 "You're being straight with me right Clay?" Harm demanded. "Because if 
you 
 knew we would have trouble over here you should have spoken up before 
we 
 left DC."
 
 "Do you think I would have let you and Mac come over here if I had? 
Come on 
 Harm, we're friends. I would never have arranged this if I had thought 
 something like this would happen."
 
 "I guess not" Harm sighed. "Clay, I'm sorry."
 
 "Hey, it's okay. I know I've gotten you guys into trouble before. But 
 honest, I had no idea anything like this would happen."
 
 "Harm, I'm okay now," Mac said softly.
 
 "You weren't a few minutes ago" Harm whispered, unable to suppress the 
 shudder at the vision of her limp body. "Mac, you're going home in the 
 morning before these people come back."
 
 "Only if you come with me," Mac said firmly. "I'm not leaving here 
without 
 you Harm."
 
 "Mac, you are not going to Vietnam with me" Harm said stubbornly. "I 
will 
 not allow it. You are going back home and Clay and I are going to 
Vietnam 
 alone."
 
 "Okay, time out" Clay interrupted. "You're both stubborn and neither 
of you 
 is going to budge. So this discussion is pointless."
 
 "Clay, I'm not letting her go to Vietnam with us. Hell, I don't even 
know if 
 you should come with me."
 
 "Harm, this isn't something you can handle alone," Clay said quietly. 
"I 
 understand you not wanting Mac to go with you but you're not losing 
me."
 
 "And he's not losing me either" Mac said firmly as she slipped out of 
his 
 arms.
 
 "Mac, no" Harm shouted as he stood up. "Don't you get it. I won't let 
 anything happen to you because of me."  He darted from the room before 
Mac 
 could stop him.
 
 "Harm, wait" she called as she pushed herself to her feet, swaying 
dizzily.
 
 "Mac, sit" Clay ordered as he gently propelled her to the bed.
 
 "I need to go after him Clay" Mac sighed. "He shouldn't be alone. If 
you 
 won't let me go, you should at least go."
 
 "Yeah and neither should you" Clay countered. "Mac, he'll be okay. 
Just give 
 him a little time."

"Clay I'm worried about him," she murmured.  "Worried about his state 
of mind here."

"Mac he came very close just now to losing the one thing in this world 
that means the most to 
him--you," he told her gently.  "He's going to need a few minutes to 
deal with that.  Let me take 
you to bed, and if he's not back in a little bit I'll go make sure he's 
OK."

"No I'm OK," she protested, trying to push him away from her, only to 
find the room spinning once 
more.

"You are going nowhere but to lie down," he ordered.  "In fact you can 
do it right here I don't 
care."

She made no more protest while he helped her to lean back on the 
pillows and put a bottle of 
water from the room's fridge to her lips.  "Couple sips," he urged as 
she swallowed and closed 
her eyes, willing back tears.  "Rest easy now.  Harm will be right back 
I'm sure of it."

"You'll go after him if he isn't, please."

"Promise, now rest.  You're still breathing kind of strange."

She turned over onto her side, away from Clay, hiding the tears she was 
not quite successful in 
stopping.  

"This is going to be OK," Clay promised sitting on the edge of the bed 
and resting a light hand on 
her side as she closed her eyes, only to stir restlessly several times.

"Mac what's wrong?" he finally asked, returning his focus from the 
mission and what happened to 
her.

"I can't get comfortable," she murmured.  "Guess I bumped my side or 
something.  Move and let 
me turn or something. . ."  

"Let me see."  He stood up and leaned down to help her roll back the 
other way, and when she 
did so, there was a dark blotch of blood on the blue satin robe.  "Mac 
you've been cut or 
stabbed," he said quietly, not wanting to alarm her.  "How could you 
not. . .never mind, just let me 
see."

He pulled the robe aside just as Harm came back into the room.  "Webb 
what the hell?" he 
gasped, only able to discern that Clay was seemingly disrobing her.  
"Have I interrupted 
something?" he demanded.

"Rabb get a grip," Clay retorted, "yeah you interrupted me seeing why 
she's hurt and bleeding 
here."

"My God what happened," he gasped as cold fear washed through him. 
Closing the distance in 
three strides, he pushed Clay out of the way to kneel by the bed.  His 
hand went to her forehead, 
stroking hair back from her face as he looked in horror at the blood.  
"Why didn't you tell me you 
were hurt like this?" he asked gently.  

"I didn't know.  It just was hurting but I just thought maybe I'd 
bumped it."  

"We're going to take a look Mac," Clay said quietly.  "This is not a 
time for modesty OK?  If we're 
lucky we can clean and bandage it without having to explain it to the 
authorities."

"Clay she needs a hospital," Harm gasped.

"Harm he's right," she murmured.  "A knife wound is just going to bring 
on a hundred questions."

"I'm not going to watch you bleed to death," he screeched, pressing his 
hand to her forehead in 
his distress.

"Just let's take a look," Clay told him, pushing back the robe and then 
lifting her pajama top.

"God it's bad," Harm gasped again.

"Harm go get a wet towel and try to calm down," Clay ordered.  "I think 
it's just a deep scratch 
that we can clean up and close."

Wordlessly he did as Clay asked and insisted to doing the job himself.  
"OK maybe so," he 
breathed, holding her hand tightly.  "Mac it's like he says, not real 
deep and the bleeding is 
slowing down a lot."

"Then both of you quit staring at my naked belly and fix it," she 
moaned.  

Harm moved so that he could cradle her upper body, gladly leaving Clay 
to tend to her.  "This is 
almost as bad as seeing you not breathing," he whispered.

"She's OK," Clay told him, deftly applying the bandage.  "I minored in 
medicine in spy school."

"You did not," Harm scoffed, hugging her to him.

"No but I have had a lot this training," he insisted.  "And now I 
suggest we call it a night."

 
 "I think we should all stick together," Harm said quietly. "Clay, you 
take 
 the other bed and I'll stay here with Mac."
 
 "I knew just wanted to get into bed with me" Mac teased weakly.
 
 "Yeah that's it exactly" Harm said as he rolled his eyes. "Rest 
Marine. Clay 
 and I will take turns watching out in case our friends decide to 
return."
 
 "Good idea" Clay said as he sank into the other bed. "You want first 
watch."
 
 "Sure. I'm too wired to sleep anyway now" Harm sighed as he cradled 
Mac 
 closer to him. She easily dropped off to sleep in his arms and for a 
moment 
 all he could do was stare at her.
 
 "Harm, she'll be okay," Clay said gently.
 
 "Clay, she shouldn't be here. This is too dangerous. Someone doesn't 
want me 
 to find out the truth about my father."
 
 "She won't leave you. You know that."
 
 "I know" Harm sighed. "And all I can do is pray that nothing else 
happens to 
 her."
 
 He stayed awake through the night, Clay finally waking in the early 
hours of 
 the morning.
 
 "Hey you were supposed to wake me" Clay chided him.
 
 "I wasn't tired and you needed the sleep" Harm countered.
 
 "Harm, you're not going to be able to stay awake to watch over here 
the 
 whole time we're here" Clay said quietly. "And I promise I won't let 
 anything happen to her on my watch."
 
 "Holding you to that Clay" Harm sighed as he closed his eyes.
 
 "And I'll keep that promise" Clay whispered when Harm had dropped off 
to 
 sleep. "Cause I know how much you love her. And one day you'll both 
realize 
 that."
 
 Mac stirred first the next morning, groaning as she gently extracted 
herself 
 from Harm.
 
 "Morning Mac" Clay smiled. "How you feeling?"
 
 "Okay" she said unconvincingly as she looked down at Harm. "When did 
he go 
 to sleep?"
 
 "Few hours ago" Clay informed her. "He's worried about you you know."
 
 "And I'm worried bout him" Mac sighed as she gently pushed a piece of 
hair 
 from his forehead.
 
 "Mac" he murmured, hearing her voice and not feeling her next to him. 
"Mac 
 how are you?"
 
 "I'm okay. Really. Stop worrying."
 
 "Harm, if we're going to make the flight to Vietnam we need to get 
going" 
 Clay said as he checked the time.
 
 "There isn't anyway I can convince you not to go is there?" Harm asked 
as he 
 looked at Mac.
 
 "No way sailor" Mac said softy. "We go together or we don’t go."
 
 A short time late they boarded the plane that would take them from 
Tokyo to 
 Ho Chi Minh.  Harm settled into the window seat again, Mac dropping 
into the 
 seat next to him.  He said little during the flight, and it wasn't 
until 
 they were about to land that Mac realized he'd hadn't turned around to 
look 
 at her in a while.
 
 "You okay sailor?" she said softly as she tapped his shoulder.
 
 He didn't answer her and she reached a gentle hand to turn him around 
to 
 face her, her heart aching for him as she looked at his tear stained 
face.
 
 "Harm" she said softly. "Hey, talk to me sailor."
 
 "It's Christmas Eve Mac" he whispered. "Thirty two years ago he was 
here. 
 Right where we are. In the Tonkin Gulf on the Ticonderoga. About to 
fly 
 his last mission."
 
 "Oh Harm" she whispered as she wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so 
sorry."

"How do you know that's where we are?" Clay demanded.  "We're just over 
water and spots of 
land."

Wordlessly he brought his hand up and showed the papers in it.  
"Navigational charts," he got 
out.  "Off the net.  When the pilot said he was taking a north south 
route into Ho Chi Minh,  I 
knew."

"We understand," Mac told him quietly, handing him a napkin from the 
last food service.

"Sorry.  Your big brave Naval aviator can't handle some things real 
well," he sighed.  "It didn't hit 
me so hard until I just now looked at it up close and personal you 
know.  Hey I'm OK, let me just 
wallow a minute."

"You can wallow with me holding you," she chided him.  "I told you and 
Clay's told you, we're in 
this together.  We're seeing it through and if that means putting up 
with your emotions, so be it.  
I'd far rather you were that way than cold and unfeeling."


"What she said," Clay grinned and gave his arm a quick tap.  
============
HO CHI MINH City
40 Minutes later

"I don't think we're going to see snow," Clay grumbled as they stepped 
outside and took their first 
breath of Southeast Asia air, remembering the frosty air from D.C.

"Clay now. . " Mac started to speak only to stop and grimace as she 
adjusted the shoulder strap 
of her duffel bag.  

"Give me that," Harm ordered.  "Your side is hurting isn't it?  Why 
didn't you say something?  
Never mind I'm sure it would have something to do with a Marine 
carrying their own bags and I 
don't want to hear it."  Before she could object he took the bag from 
her and handed it off to Clay.  
"Now are you OK?"

"I am.  Just sore," she told him and smiled softly.  "Hey it's nice to 
be worried over though."

"I am worried--about you being here at all," he groused.  "But let's 
not go there again right now.  
Clay where are you dragging us?"

"Nguyen is sending someone to meet us to take us to him in Da Nang and 
we'll go from there," 
the agent explained.   

"Clay that's a long drive up there," Harm objected.  "Mac needs to 
rest."

"Harm I'm fine.  I'd much rather we be accomplishing something toward 
our goal than sit in a 
hotel room.  Really I'm fine."

He looked from Clay to Mac, his emotions torn.

"Harm there really is no choice," Clay told him.  "This is all been 
worked out and if it's going to go 
as we planned we can't be mucking around with it.  Plus we're being 
flown."

"See," Mac said.  "I'm fine.  I'm sore is all."

"Well I can't imagine why.  Your side was opened like you were a fish 
being gutted," he growled.

"Give it a rest Flyboy."

Five minutes later a small red car stopped and Clay leaned into the 
window to speak to the driver.  
"OK this is us," he said, opening the back door for Harm and Mac.  Harm 
took her arm and 
helped her inside.  Mac sank onto the seat, turning her head from Harm 
so he could not see what 
she knew was another pain filled grimace.

The car whipped through the streets of the city and then into the 
countryside, and an hour later 
pulled up to an airstrip where there sat an old Cessna, paint peeling 
and one side looking like it 
had once been riddled with bullets.

"You are not serious," Harm spoke up.  "We're flying up to Da Nang in 
that rust bucket?  I've seen 
safer looking planes on carnival rides.  I'd rather drive up there with 
Hotrod Harry here."

"Plane good."  The pilot jumped from the wing to greet the arriving 
Americans.  "I am Minh.  Plane 
take you good."

"See you heard the man," Clay grinned.  "Look I've known Nguyen 
forever.  My dad and his dad 
worked together."

"Somehow that does not inspire a lot of confidence," Harm sighed, 
watching Clay mount the wing 
and handing up the bags to him, then helping Mac as Clay caught her 
hands.  

"Mac are you really OK?" Clay whispered before Harm could get aboard.  
"It's not to late to abort 
here."

"No."  She shook her head to emphasize her decision and sat in back 
seat.  Clay shrugged and 
stood aside to let Harm have the place next to hers while he climbed 
into the second front seat.

"I hope this guy can fly, and I hope this thing holds together," Harm 
fretted as Minh revved the 
engines and the plane started down the strip.  That the engine coughed 
twice attaining altitude 
did not help Harm's confidence.  

"About four hours flight," Clay told them when they leveled off.  "Try 
to get some rest, both of 
you."

 "Need a shoulder?" Harm asked as Mac fidgeted in the seat next to him.
 
 "Thanks" she sighed as she dropped her head against him.
 
 "You shouldn't be here" Harm fretted as he stroked the back of her 
hair.
 
 "I'm fine," she said as she raised her head to look up at him. 
"Honest. I'm 
 just a little sore and tired."
 
 "You'll let me know if it's any more than just that right?" Harm said 
 seriously.
 
 "Of course" she said as she dropped her head back down.
 
 "Get some rest" he urged.
 
 "Same for you" Mac said with a long sigh. "I know you didn't sleep 
much last 
 night sailor."
 
 "Yeah well I was a little worried about someone coming and hurting 
you" Harm 
 sighed as well. "Tends to make it hard to sleep."
 
 "I know but you need to rest and now is a good time" she said tiredly. 
 "We've got several hours before we get there."
 
 It took him a while, but Harm finally managed to drop into an uneasy 
sleep. 
 Mac had done the same, tossing and turning before finally finding a 
 comfortable spot.
 Clay turned around to check on them, glad to see they'd both finally 
fallen 
 asleep.
 
 Harm had managed a few hours sleep when his sleep was invaded by the 
 nightmares, the warning from the night before repeated again. This 
time it 
 was more clear, the source of warnings a familiar voice.
 
 "Harm go home" the voice he knew better than his own whispered as he 
slept. 
 "Before you lose her."
 
 "No I have to find you" Harm moaned.
 
 "You're in danger, Harm. Go home now before it's too late."
 
 He awoke with a start, somehow managing not to cry out this time but 
waking 
 Mac all the same.
 
 "Harm" she murmured. "What's wrong?"
 
 "Nothing, sorry I woke you," he said as he shifted in his seat. "How 
you 
 doing?"
 
 "Okay" she said with a long sigh that told him she was anything but. 
He 
 gently lifted her head from his shoulder, noticing at once how pale 
she 
 looked. A quick hand to her forehead confirmed his fears.
 
 "Marine, you're are anything but okay" Harm said anxiously. "You're 
running 
 a fever."
 
 "Harm, what's wrong?" Clay demanded. "Is she sick?"
 
 "Yes and I knew she shouldn’t have come with us" Harm fretted. "She's 
got a 
 temperature and most likely that cut is infected."
 
 "Harm, you're getting all worked up over nothing," Mac said as she 
looked up 
 at him.
 
 "Running a fever and being sick is not nothing" Harm countered. "Clay, 
tell 
 him to turn this plane around and take us back to Ho Chi Minh."
 
 "Harm, you know he can't do that without stopping and refueling" Clay 
said 
 calmly.
 
 "Fine. When we land, tell him to refuel and then take us back" Harm 
ordered.
 
 "Harm, we're this far" Mac protested. "I'll be fine."
 
 He was about to reply when he realized the plane was starting to 
descend. 
 Seconds later the small plane came to a stop on the dirt strip and 
Harm 
 looked around uneasily.
 
 "This is not Da Nang," he said quietly.
 
 "Very good Mr. Rabb" the pilot said as he turned around, a gun in his 
hand. 
 "I was hoping you weren't paying any attention to the fact I wasn't 
flying 
 towards Da Nang when we took off. I know you are a pilot and 
fortunately you 
 were preoccupied with Ms. Mackenzie so you didn't notice."
 
 "Why did you bring us here?" Harm demanded, his arm tightening around 
Mac. 
 "What do you want?"
 
 "You'll see soon enough" Minh smiled. "But in the meantime, if any of 
you 
 moves, you're dead. For now, just sit tight." He climbed from the 
plane and 
 Harm leaned closer to Clay.
 
 "Clay, what the hell is going on?" Harm hissed. "I thought you said 
you 
 trusted these people."
 
 "Harm, I do trust Nguyen. I'm sure he's not behind this."
 
 "Well someone is" Harm sighed, his eyes following Minh. "We need a 
plan. We 
 need to get this plane and get out of here. Before Mac gets any worse 
and 
 they do god knows what else."
 
 "Agreed" Clay nodded.
 
"We need to get this bucket fueled," Harm went on.  "I can get us out 
of here but we won't get far 
on what fuel is left."  

Mac pushed against him, trying to sit up and look out.  "You have any 
idea where we are?"

"West of Da Nang," Clay told her.  "But that's not hard to figure.  
Somewhere in the highlands."

"Clay I don't think our presence here is a secret," Harm growled.

"You think?" Mac tried to laugh.

"Out of there," Minh ordered, sticking his head back through the door.

"You noticed his English has improved drastically didn't you," Harm 
muttered.

Minh cocked the weapon and aimed it at Mac's head.  "Out of the plane."

Clay wasted no time in levering himself from the plane, reaching back 
for Mac as Harm helped 
her to her feet.

"You are warm," Clay fretted as he wrapped his hands around her arms to 
hold her steady.

"I'm OK," she insisted, her grimace of pain belying her words when her 
feet touched the ground.  

Harm followed her down, keeping his hands in sight so as not to provoke 
Minh.  "What do you 
want with us," he demanded harshly.  "This woman needs medical 
attention."

"Perhaps she will receive it when the people who are paying me to 
deliver you come to collect."  
Minh motioned them ahead and Mac took a hesitant stop forward, only to 
stumble as the pain in 
her side traveled down her leg.  

"You will walk," Minh ordered, giving her a shove that sent her to the 
ground.  

"Touch her again and I'll rip your heart out with my bare hands," Harm 
roared as he dropped next 
to her, ignoring the weapon that was now pointed at the back of his 
head.

"Mac come on," he whispered, his voice changing from threatening to 
tender in a heart beat as 
his arms went around her.  "It's OK, I'm going to get you out of here.  
I promise."

She nodded and struggled to get her feet under her.  For a second Harm 
watched her and then 
simply scooped her into his arms.  "Put your head on my shoulder and 
rest," he urged.  

Clay helped him steady her as he lifted and Harm's eyes bored into his, 
his unspoken message of 
help me to get her out of here clearly received.

Clay barely nodded and gestured to their captors, shaking his head.  It 
was not the right time.

"Harm I can walk," she murmured after she had gotten her breath.

"No," he replied, his tone indicating it was not a negotiable subject.

They were lead to a small clearing and a group of Quonset huts and 
directed into one.  About six 
feet square, it was windowless with only a low opening for the door.  
Clay went through first and 
on his knees reached for Mac.  Harm reluctantly released her to his 
friend's arms and when he 
ducked through himself, Clay was placing her on a dirty blanket.  

"Let me sit up please," she begged and Harm relented, helping her to 
rest her back against the 
wall.  He sat down next to her and dropped a light arm across her 
shoulders.

"I am so so sorry," he whispered.

"Well so am I," Clay added.  "And I aim to make it my mission to find 
out who betrayed me.  I 
don't want to blame Nguyen, but I don't know what other explanation to 
offer."

Harm rested his hand on her forehead as he nodded, only to pull it away 
almost at once.  Her 
fever was climbing.  "I should have made you see a doctor the moment 
you were hurt," he 
muttered.

Clay peered out of the doorway to observe the man standing guard and 
shook his head in 
response to Harm's raised eyebrow.  No chance to get past him, 
especially not with Mac not able 
to move of her own power.

"Clay make them bring us some water and see if they don't have 
something we can give her," 
Harm urged after a few minutes.

Once again Clay lowered himself to the opening.  "Hey we need some 
water in here.  Cool water 
and a towel, and something for this woman's fever.  Please."

The guard shouted in Vietnamese and Clay as about to come back in when 
the air was filled with 
aircraft noise.

"Whoa we may have arrived in that old tub but we're not leaving that 
way I don't think," he hissed.

"I hear it," Harm nodded.  "Leer or Gulfstream isn't it."

"You know it," Clay nodded.  "The kind that could travel a long ways on 
full fuel.  If it's our ride out 
of here they may mean to take us out of the country."
   
 
 "And god only knows where they're planning on taking us" Harm said 
quietly. 
 "Clay we have to make our move. If we get on that plane with them, 
we're 
 history."
 
 "What's your plan?"
 
 "We wait until we get to the plane and get Mac in safely and then we 
make 
 our move" Harm said quietly. "I don't want anything to happen to her."
 
 "Harm, that's not going to be easy to ensure" Clay sighed.
 
 "Just let me handle them and you take care of Mac. And then I'm 
getting her 
 out of this country and to somewhere safe."
 
 "Harm, I don't want you doing anything crazy" Mac spoke up weakly. 
"I'll be 
 fine."
 
 "You are not fine and I'm going to do what it takes to get you out of 
here" 
 he said quietly.  "Clay, when he come back with the water, we'll make 
our 
 move."
 
 "Harm, please" Mac begged. "These people won't hesitate to kill you."
 
 "And they'll do that if we get on that plane with them" Harm said 
grimly. 
 "Mac, I have to do this."
 
 When the guard returned with the water, Harm was waiting. In one quick 
move 
 the guard was subdued, Harm grabbing his weapon.
 
 "One down" Harm said quietly as Clay helped Mac to her feet. "Clay, 
can you 
 manage?"
 
 "I've got her" Clay assured Harm. "You're probably a better shot than 
me."
 
 Harm nodded and seconds later he slowly made his way out of the hut. 
With a 
 quick glance around he reached down to help Clay with Mac.
 
 "Harm, you know they're probably waiting at the plane," Clay said 
quietly.
 
 "I'll handle them. Just keep Mac covered."
 
 They slowly made their way back to the airstrip, hiding in the brush 
as they 
 watched Minh talking to two other men. Seconds later the men started 
towards 
 them and they held their breaths as the men went past.
 
 "Let's go" Harm ordered as soon as the men were far enough away.
 
 Harm looked around cautiously, leading the way to the plane. They'd 
almost 
 reached the plane when there was a shout and Harm turned around just 
in time 
 to see Minh raise his gun.
 
 "Clay, get in her side" Harm ordered, as the first shots were fired. 
Clay 
 dragged Mac up the stairs to the door, while Harm turned and fired 
shots 
 back. He hurried up the stairs, the gunfire continuing. He was almost 
 through the door when he felt the white-hot pain as one of the bullets 
tore 
 through his arm. He managed to fire again, this time his shot hitting 
its 
 target, and Minh fell to the ground. He quickly closed the door and 
the 
 hurried to the cockpit.
 
 "Harm, you need any help?" Clay called.
 
 "No, just take care of Mac" Harm ordered as he started the engines. He 
 managed to maneuver the plane down the runway, away from the men still 
 shooting at them. He finally let out the breath he was holding when he 
got 
 the plane airborne. All he needed to do was get them to safety. And in 
this 
 case, safely meant an American military site. He looked down at his 
arm and 
 prayed he could hold out until he got them there.
 
 "Clay how is she?" Harm called, ignoring his own injury for the 
moment.
 
 "Not good" Clay called grimly. "She needs medical attention ASAP."
 
 "Hang on Mac" Harm whispered under his breath. "I'm going to get you 
out of 
 this mess. I promise."

THE END