TITLE:  "Past Present Future IV---A New Enemy"
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
SUMMARY:  The fourth 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, and the parts of the previous chapters, 
will be 
available at 
         http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories
  
    Additionally all chapters should be available at   
http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag/ 
or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at
 http://www.shipperarchive.com/fanfic/ 

Previously in the PPF series: The search for the truth took Harm, Mac, 
and Clay on 
a futile trip to Vietnam.  Now back in D.C., Mac receives a devastating 
phone call 
that re-starts the quest.

Note:  For purposes of this story, the events of any episode after 
Adrift do not play 
a part.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Past Present Future IV-A New Enemy"

"Next of kin?" Mac stammered and looked to Clay and down at the phone, 
the
line blinking almost evilly.  "No, he's not dead.  I won't. . .I can't. 
. ."

"Thanks Tiner," Clay told the young sailor and swiftly put his arm 
around
Mac's shoulders as he picked up the phone.  "Ma'am, my name is Webb and 
I
have Ms. Mackenzie right here next to me.  You're calling about Mr. 
Rabb?  
Is he OK?"

Mac stood frozen in his embrace as she waited for word, studying Clay's 
face which was a mask of unreadability while he listened.  "OK I 
understand.
We'll be there later today.  If he comes to, please tell him Mac and 
Clay 
are on their way and that she. . .well never mind.  He should know 
that."  He
hung up the phone and looked to her, taking a long deep breath before
speaking.  "He's alive, but in a coma right now."

"Clay no.  Clay. . ." she wailed softly, clinging to him.  "He went to
Vietnam--he went back there didn't he.  He didn't tell us and he went 
back
there

"No, this was San Diego," Clay gasped, trying to control his own 
emotions
lest he upset her even more.  "San Diego General."

"How did he get there?" she whispered, burying her head in his shoulder 
while she attempted to gain some control.

"Mac I don't know.  Right now you know as much as I do.  We can find 
out 
the details when we get there.  Right now it's important that he's 
alive."

"And if he's not when get there?"  A long sob choked off her last word.

"Mac stop," he ordered, gulping hard.  "He's strong and healthy and he 
has
someone he cares for very much in this life.  He's in no way ready for 
the
next one."

"I needed to hear that," she whispered again.  "Thank you.  Come on, 
let's
tell the Admiral and get to Harm please."

Clay locked his arm across her shoulders and turned her toward the 
door,
nearly colliding with AJ coming in.

"Tiner told me," he said softly, looking at Mac's distressed face.  "So 
I
guess it's true.  Harm's in some kind of trouble?  He's sick or hurt?"

Mac's eyes begged Clay to explain.

"AJ we don't know what happened, nor do we know why Harm was there," 
Clay
said quietly, "any more than you do.  It has something to do with his 
dad 
I'm sure.  You know how he gets when he gets stuck on something.  Right 
now we
only know he's in a coma."

Mac shuddered in his grasp and he hugged her even closer.

"I know all too well about the famous Rabb stubbornness," AJ nodded.  
"You
two are going out to see about him then?"

"Soon as we can pack a bag and get a flight," he confirmed.

"Go, and let me know soon as you see him," AJ ordered and reached out 
to
touch Mac's hand.  "He'll be OK.  You need to believe that."

"I'm trying sir," she smiled wanly and looked up at Clay.  "I need the 
ladies room for a second and then I'll be ready."

Clay released her, giving her shoulder a squeeze, and started to follow 
her
out, only to have AJ block the door.

"What the hell is going on here?" the Admiral hissed.  "Webb what the 
hell 
is going on?"

"Hey, AJ, I'm already beating myself up here," he sighed.  "I don't 
need 
you in my face.  I'm not one of your people."

"No but you've got one of my people hurt and the other so upset she's 
not
sure which end is up.  Am I right?"

"Only partly," Clay told him, some defiance returning to his 
countenance.
"Look yes I gave Rabb the idea in the first place, and we had a bad
experience in Vietnam.  But I had no idea where he went this week or 
why; 
and neither did she.  Even if I thought he should back off, that's not 
my call.
It's his father AJ, and if he's determined to find out more about his 
death
or disappearance or if he's still alive, then there's nothing I nor Mac 
can
say that's going to deter him.  You know him as well as well do."

"Unfortunately yes I do."  AJ gestured behind him toward the bathroom.  
"Take care of her Clay.  You know she and Rabb are. . ."

"I know all too well," he assured him.  "They love each other AJ.  If I
didn't know that before Vietnam I certainly found it out there."

"You're damn right they do," he growled.  "Now what are we going to do 
about it?"

"Maybe butt out?" Clay offered.  "I think they're quite capable of 
managing
that part of their lives."

"Well they haven't done a very good job so far," he muttered.  "Look, 
just
take care of her, and call me the minute you know something."

"I will I promise.  But we can't even leave."

"Why the hell not?"

"You're blocking the door."
==================
San Diego Medical Center
6PM Pacific time

Clay kept his hand splayed across her back as they walked down the long
corridor.  She had not said three words from the time they left JAG to 
this
point.  When they reached the door of his room she stopped abruptly and
looked to Clay, her brown eyes begging his understanding.

"You want to go in alone?"

"I think so," she said softly, "but don't go far OK?  In case I need 
you."

"I'll be right here" Clay promised as he gave Mac's hand a quick 
squeeze.
  
  She nodded and slowly walked into Harm's room, somehow managing to 
hold 
back  a sob as she looked at him.
  
  "Oh Harm" she whispered, the tears sliding down her face.  Despite 
what 
  she's been told, nothing could have prepared her for the sight of 
him. The 
  part of his head that wasn't covered with bandages was black and blue 
with 
  large bruises from the hits he'd sustained. She sank down in the 
chair 
  beside his bed, gently reaching for his hand, careful of the IV 
tubes.
  
  "I'm here Harm," she said softly, pressing his hand to her lips. 
"You're 
  going to be okay and we're going to figure this out together. You're 
not 
  leaving me behind next time." She choked back a sob and from the 
doorway 
  Clay stood quietly, trying to decide if he should go in or not.
  
  "You must be Mr. Webb," the doctor said quietly as he walked up to 
the door. 
    "I'm Doctor Densmore."
  
  "How is he?" Clay asked as he turned to look at the young man behind 
him.
  
  "As good as can be expected considering what he went through," the 
doctor 
  said quietly. "Whoever did this to him didn't want him to survive."
  
  Clay made a mental note to make sure that he didn't leave Harm's room 
  unguarded as he looked in again at Mac.
  
  "Do you think he's going to be okay?" Clay asked.
  
  "We're optimistic" Doctor Densmore replied. "Course having her here 
probably 
  won't hurt. I take it they're close."
  
  "Very" Clay nodded. "Do you know who was handling the investigation 
into 
  what happened?"
 
  "Sgt. Mark Brimfield, SD Police Department" a tall man said as he 
walked up 
  to the pair.  "You are?"
  
  "Clayton Webb. Very good friend of Harm's."
  
  "You have a few minutes to talk to us about who might have wanted to 
kill 
  your friend?" the Sgt. asked.
  
  "Can you keep any eye on them?" Clay asked the doctor.
  
  "I was just going to go check on him" Doctor Densmore smiled. "I'll 
keep an 
  eye on them."
  
  Clay nodded and he followed Sgt. Brimfield over to a quiet corner.
  
  "Where was Harm found?" Clay asked.
  
  "Under the old roller coaster at Mission Beach" Sgt. Brimfield 
replied. 
  "Some kids found him. Why was Mr. Rabb in San Diego?"
  
  "He was handling some personal business," Clay said evasively.
  
  "When did he arrive in San Diego?"
  
  "He left DC Wednesday evening" Clay replied. "Sgt., what's with all 
the 
  questions?"
  
  "Look, Mr. Webb, the way your friend was attacked doesn't make me 
think this 
  was your average mugging. Someone wanted to hurt Mr. Rabb. And that's 
what 
  they did."
  
  ************
  Harm's Room
  Same Time
  
  "You must be Ms. Mackenzie" Doctor Densmore said softly as he walked 
into 
  the room. "Im Doctor Densmore."
  
  "Is he going to be okay?" Mac asked softly.
  
  "Now that he's got you holding his hand, I think he'll be just fine" 
Doctor 
  Densmore smiled. "It's been proven that having some close to the 
patient 
  talk to them usually helps bring them out of these things."
  
  "I'll talk to him as long as it takes to get him to wake up" Mac said 
  vehemently. "I just want him to be okay."
  
  "I know" Doctor Densmore said sympathetically. "He's been through a 
lot and 
  it's going to take a little time for his body to recover from the 
trauma."
  
  "Well I'll be here with him the whole time" Mac promised. "You hear 
me 
  sailor. I'm not leaving here until you wake up and show me those 
green eyes 
  again."
  
  She was still talking softly to him when Clay wandered into the room 
a short 
  time later.
  
  "How you doing?" he asked as he put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
  
  "I'll be better when he wakes up" Mac sighed. "Where did you go?"
  
  "I talked to the Sgt. handling the investigation" Clay replied as he 
dropped 
  into the other chair beside her.
  
  "You didn't say anything about Harm's father did you?"
  
  "Of course not" Clay said quickly. "Though they're a little 
suspicious. They 
  don't think this was just another mugging."
  
  "And we know it's not" Mac said quietly. "Only we have no idea why 
Harm came 
  out here and who he might have seen."
  
  "I have an idea of who he might have been planning to see" Clay 
replied. 
  "Remember before you went to Russia he flew out here.  He went to see 
Victor 
  Lushov."
  
  "Victor Lushov was the one in the picture with his father right?" Mac 
asked.
  
  "Yep. He was the one who claimed that Harm. Sr. had been taken to 
Beloyka. 
  I'm thinking that Harm came out here to talk to him again."
  
  "Can you go find this Victor Lushov?" Mac asked.
  
  "I'll see what I can. But I don't like the idea of leaving you alone 
here 
  with him. It's possible that whoever did this might want to finish 
the job 
  if they find out he isn't dead."
  
  Mac's hand tightened around Harm's and she felt a wave of fear sweep 
through 
  her. "They'll have to come through me first" she said quietly. "I 
won't let 
  anyone hurt him Clay."
 
 "Nor will I," Clay vowed firmly.  "I feel so responsible.  I should 
have backed off.  I 
should have listened.  I should have. . ."
 
 "You should stop," she smiled gently, reaching with her free hand to 
squeeze his, 
then returning to squiggling her fingers in Harm's hair, now stiff with 
dried blood.  
"Clay you were doing what you thought he would have wanted; and as you 
found 
out, you were right.  You've gotten his determination aroused.  You 
know he's not 
going to let it go.  What is going to happen is that we're not going to 
let him do this 
alone.  If we had been here, we could have prevented this."
 
 "Or you might have been hurt. . .or worse," Clay reminded her.  "And 
in that case 
he would never have forgiven himself and you know that."
 
 She sniffled hard.  "Well what I'm seeing here isn't any better."  
 
 "Have a little faith and patience," he counseled.  "This man has 
something--
someone--to come back to.  He's on his way."
 
 She gave a long sigh and shuddered slightly, her hand tightening 
around Harms 
even more.
 
 Three hours passed with neither moving or speaking until Mac began to 
shift 
uncomfortably, finally stirring Clay from his doze.
 
 "Mac You OK?"
 
 "Yeah fine," she sighed, leaning further over Harm.  "Flyboy my body 
is objecting 
to this chair.  So why don't you wake up and prove to me you're OK, and 
then we 
can both move on with our lives."






 
 "Mac you need to. . ." He began, only to be cut off by an angry wave 
of her hand.
 
 "Don't even," she warned.  "Don't even suggest I leave him.  I'm going 
to be right 
here when he wakes up.  So that I can hug him and then throttle him for 
ditching 
me."
 
 "OK," he sighed.  "Listen I'm going to go make some calls.  The more I 
think about 
this the more it reeks like tuna salad left in the sun.  I think Harm 
started asking 
questions, and hit too close for comfort.  Just like in Vietnam."
 
 "Clay at this point I'm not sure I care about his dad," she wailed.  
"It's not worth 
Harm's life.  Not to me."  
 
 He smiled softly and waited, and just as he suspected she hung her 
head, having 
listened to her own words.  
 
 "OK I don't mean that first part, but I do the second.  If I had to 
chose between the 
truth and Harm's life. . .Never mind.  I'm so tired and worried I don't 
know what I'm 
saying.  And that is not to be construed as permission to try to get me 
to leave.  It's 
to be your hint that we've got to find out what's going on and stop 
it."
 
 "Working on it, promise," he vowed.  "Calls remember.  I'm going to 
get this room 
watched to start with.  I don't trust the police to do the job.  
Brimfield came across 
as sympathetic, but he's also overworked and underpaid and it wouldn't 
take much 
urging for him to put it all up to a mugging got carried away."
 
 "I don't give a damn," she exploded.
 
 "Mac?"
 
 "I'm sorry.  I just want him to awake up.  To wake up and let me take 
him home.."
 
 "Yeah I know."  Clay gave her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze.  "I'll 
be back."
 
 An hour passed and when Clay did return there was a guard at the door.  
Mac was 
leaning on Harm's bed, her eyes and head both drooping.  At his urging, 
a nurse 
rolled in a cot and Clay firmly parted her hand from Harm's.  "OK 
Colonel, you are 
now off duty."
 
 "I won't leave him," she murmured.
 
 "No one said leave.  Just remove yourself two feet to the left and lay 
down.  If he 
wakes up you won't be far away," he insisted.   "And I'll be in and out 
all night.  I 
have an appointment in a little bit.  Someone might shed some light on 
this."
 
 "Who Clay?"
 
 "Nothing I want to share right now," Clay assured her, guiding her to 
her feet.  "Go 
rest.  I'll be back soon and don't worry.  The man at the door I've 
known of a long 
time.  He can be trusted."  Clay dropped a quick kiss on the top of her 
head and 
hurried out.
 
 Mac slept fitfully, up and down, throughout the night, never allowing 
herself more 
than an hour's rest before she would be back up to stroke Harm's 
forehead and 
remind him she was there.  She was dimly aware of Clay checking on her, 
and by 
the time he returned with some breakfast for her she was back sitting 
beside the 
bed.
 
 "OK you're relieved," he told her.  
 
 "I don't think so," she replied, looking up at him, fresh tears 
staining her face.
 
 "Mac what is it?" he demanded, looking at Harm, who had not changed as 
far as 
he could tell.  "Did they tell you something?"
 
 "No they're saying he's not any worse, but he's not any better 
either," she 
whispered, trying to keep back tears.
 
 "OK," Clay nodded his understanding.  "Here's what's going to happen.  
You are 
going to take a walk.  It's a beautiful morning.  You're going to eat 
this breakfast 
and get a shower.  The nurse said you could use their lounge.  And then 
you're 
going to take a walk in the fresh air."
 
 "No."
 
 "Yes, because if you don't I'm afraid you're going to make yourself 
sick from 
exhaustion and worry and when he wakes up and finds that out, you know 
that's 
going to be my fault," he continued.  "Now get out.  At least an hour 
break.  If 
nothing else go have a good cry under the shower."
 
 "That's starting to sound like a good idea," she sighed and stood up, 
bending down 
to kiss Harm's forehead.  "You won't leave him will you?"
 
 "Promise."
 
 "OK Sailor, I'm leaving you in Clay's hands.  You'd better be here 
when I get 
back."  With that she fled the room.
 
 Clay gave a long sigh and stationed himself by Harm's bed, resting his 
hands on 
his arm.  "OK Rabb it's just you and me now.  And enough is enough.  
You're 
scaring her pretty bad.  And you're adding a lot to my guilt load.  I 
want you to open 
those eyes, and to do it PDQ or I'm going to have your ass.  You 
hearing me 
Rabb?  Open those eyes now."

   There was no response from the man who lay in the bed and with a 
sigh Clay 
  sank back in the chair.
  
  "This is not how this is supposed to work Harm" Clay said as he 
looked over 
  at his friend. "You're supposed to get better before that woman who 
loves 
  you has a stroke."
  
  The woman that loved him was at that moment letting the tears flow as 
she 
  stood under the shower. All she wanted was Harm to be okay. Nothing 
else 
  mattered except that.
  
  A long ten minutes later she turned off the water and climbed out of 
the 
  shower. She felt more refreshed than she had and she was glad Clay 
had 
  talked her into taking a break. Once dressed she headed outside to 
enjoy 
  some fresh air, a long walk around the hospital grounds providing 
enough 
  exercise to clear her mind for a bit.
  
  She headed back inside and was on her way to Harm's room when she 
heard a 
  frantic voice at the nurses station.
  
  "Harmon Rabb. I know he's here. I read it in the paper this morning. 
Why 
  won't you tell me where he is? I'm his mother for godsake."
  
  "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but we're not allowed to give any information on 
Mr. 
  Rabb" the nurse replied.
  
  "He's my son"
  
  "Mrs. Burnett" Mac called as she hurried to the nurse's station. The 
woman 
  turned and at once Mac knew it was Harm's mother. "I'm Sarah 
Mackenzie, 
  Harm's partner."
  
  "Mac, thank god" Trish said anxiously, recognizing Mac from the 
pictures 
  she'd seen of her and Harm. "Where's Harm? What happened to him? Is 
he 
okay?   And why won't these people tell me anything?"
  
  "Mrs. Burnett, please calm down" Mac said gently. "I'll explain 
everything. 
  Let's just go somewhere more private."
  
  Trish nodded and Mac led her down the hall to Harm's room, stopping 
outside 
  the door. Trish looked at the guard and back at Mac, her eye's 
widening with 
  alarm.
  
  "Mac, what is going on?" she asked worriedly. "Why is there a guard 
outside 
  the room?"
  
  "Because Clay is afraid the person who did this may come back" Mac 
  explained. "And that's all I can tell you right now. It's up to Harm 
to tell 
  you the rest when he wakes up."
  
  "What do you mean when?" Trish gasped. "He's going to be okay isn't 
he?"
  
  "I hope so," Mac said softly as she felt the sting of tears again. 
"I'm 
  sorry you had to find out this way. I didn't even think to call you. 
Since I 
  got the call I've been a little out of sorts myself. I'm so sorry."
  
  "Well I can tell you reading about your son being mugged in the 
newspaper 
  does nothing for a mother's heart that's for sure" Trish said with a 
forced 
  smile.
  
  "Let's go see if that son of yours is cooperating at all," Mac said 
softly 
  as she led Trish into Harm's room.
  
  "Mac, you're not supposed to be back yet" Clay started and then 
stopped as 
  he saw Trish with her.
  
  "Clayton Webb this is Mrs. Burnett, Harm's mom" Mac said quietly. 
"She read 
  about Harm in the newspaper."
  
  "Newspaper" Clay sighed, his mind realizing that if Harm's mother had 
seen 
  the story, so might have the men who'd hurt Harm. "Mrs. Burnett, I'm 
sorry 
  about this."
  
  "Clay, I think we should give Mrs. Burnett a few minutes alone" Mac 
said 
  softly, noticing that Trish hadn't taken her eyes off her son she'd 
entered 
  the room. "Mrs. Burnett, are you going to be okay?"
  
  "Why would someone do this to him?" Trish whispered as Clay quickly 
offered 
  her the chair. She shook her head and she took a deep breath to calm 
  herself.
  
  "Mrs. Burnett" Mac started only to stop as Harm started to moan Mac's 
name 
  softly.
  
  "Harm" Mac said softly as she leaned over him, reaching for his hand.  
  "Harm, I'm right here."
  
  To her utter relief he opened his eyes a few seconds later, looking 
up at 
  her and Trish with obvious confusion.
  
  "What. . .what happened?" he asked. "Where am I? Why is Mom here?"
  
  "Harm, you're at the hospital in San Diego" Mac said gently. "Someone 
  assaulted you. Do you remember what happened?"
  
  For a moment he looked at her blankly before everything came rushing 
back. 
  He looked at Trish, knowing there was no way he wanted her to be part 
of 
  this any more than he wanted Mac to be.
  
  "No" he said finally his gaze shifting to Clay, who immediately 
caught the 
  look in his eyes. "How long have I been here?"
  
  "Long enough to scare me and your mother to death" Mac said with a 
small 
  smile, her hand still locked around his. "Course she had to read it 
in the 
  newspaper. I just got the phone call."
  
  "Mom, I'm so sorry" Harm said quietly.
  
  "We'll worry about that later" Trish smiled as she looked at where 
Mac's 
  hand was still holding Harm's. There was obviously something going on 
  between the two. Something more than just being partners. "Right now 
the 
  important thing is making sure you're okay."
  
  "I see we've got a crowd in here" Doctor Densmore said as he walked 
into the 
  room. "And our patient is back with us. How do you feel Mr. Rabb?"
  
  "I'll survive" Harm said with a forced smile. "How soon do I get out 
of 
  here?"
  
  "Not that quick" Doctor Densmore laughed. "Now if I can get these 
nice 
  people to clear out of here for a few minutes I'd like to check you 
over."
  
  "Harm, we'll be right outside" Mac promised and Trish nodded. He gave 
Clay a 
  long look, which Mac didn't miss. She knew Harm wasn't being honest 
about 
  what he remembered and she knew why. He was trying to protect her. 
But that 
  wasn't going to work this time.
 
 "Mac would you keep Mrs. Burnett company," Clay requested.  "I need to 
check on 
something."
 
 "You do a lot of that," Mac muttered. "And Clay I swear if you're 
conspiring with 
Harm to keep me out of the loop I'll break your arm in three places."
 
 "And she could do it with one hand," Clay smiled to Mrs. Burnett 
before he put a 
calming hand on her arm.  "No I have no intention of doing that.  Not 
after this. 
Promise."
 
 "You're damn right not after this," Mac told him.  "We'll be right 
over there in the 
lounge."
 
 A very confused Trish followed Mac and sat down at her gesture.  
"Could you 
possibly help me here?  I guess I'm in shock or something but none of 
this is 
making sense.  I thought Harm was mugged.  That's what the police 
blotter was 
saying.  Good thing it's Frank's favorite reading room material or I 
might night even 
know that.  But there's a lot more going on here.  Starting with why 
Harm would be 
in San Diego and not call me to what Mr. Webb seems to have to do with 
this to 
what you and my son mean to each other."
 
 "Harm was here on a case, which Clay was in on to some degree," Mac 
said 
slowly, wanting to allay her concerns without giving her information 
that was 
Harm's place to impart.  "He was doing some investigating on his own.  
Clay didn't 
know he had come here, and neither did I.  Though soon as he's better 
I'm going to 
kick his rear up and down the corridor for ditching me."
 
 "Well that helps some," Trish smiled when Mac stopped to breathe, "but 
that 
doesn't tell me how long you and him have been in love."
 
 Mac looked up in amazement, startled to hear it put into words.  
"Ma'am that's not 
something we're prepared to deal with right now," she stammered after a 
few hard 
swallows.  
 
 Now it was Trish's turn to look startled.  "OK. . .I guess.  But 
you're not going to 
deny it at least.  Give me that much credit please."
 
 "No ma'am.  Uh yes ma'am," Mac smiled, still flustered, as Trish fixed 
her gaze 
onto her.  
 
 She was saved from having to speak further by the doctor's 
interruption.  "Mrs. 
Burnett, Ms. Mackenzie."
 
 "He's OK isn't he?" Mac gasped, leaping to her feet at once.
 
 "He's amazingly all right considering what happened," Dr. Densmore 
assured 
them.  "His vitals look good, and he's yelling about being released.  
Which is not 
going to happen for about twenty-four hours at the earliest; and then 
only if I'm 
assured he's going somewhere that he can get bed rest."
 
 "Oh he's going to be doing that all right," Trish said firmly.  "I'm 
taking all of them 
home to LaJolla with me."
 
 "Mrs. Burnett. . .no that's too much," Mac objected at once.   "We can 
get a room 
here and you. . ."
 
 Trish's stern look subdued her at once.  "On the other hand, maybe 
Harm would 
get more rest at home with you."
 
 "Better," Trish smiled and patted her hand.  "Now as soon as you stop 
with ma'am 
and Mrs. Burnett you and I can be friends."
 
 "Thanks. . .Trish," she smiled at once, wanting Harm's mother as an 
ally when she 
would inform him that he was not in this alone any more.  "I'd like 
that."
 
 "Then lets go see that son of mine."
 
 "Where did you go?" Harm groused when they returned to his room and 
struggled 
to raise himself more upright.  "And where the hell is Clay?  I need a 
word--or 
several hundred--with him."
 
 "You mister are supposed to be resting.  You've already had enough 
this morning.  
An hour ago you were unconscious remember," Mac scolded, resting one 
hand on 
his forehead and the other on his chest to make him lay back. "Clay is 
checking on 
something--the usual stuff he says, and you are going to let him do 
just that and to 
let him and me take care of things right now.  You've got more than you 
can handle 
just to get well right now."
 
 Her last words came out as a soft sob and she swallowed it quickly, 
but not before 
he looked at her in surprise.  "I think you're getting some clue as to 
how I felt in 
Vietnam."
 
 "Who was in Vietnam, and when?" Trish demanded.
 
 "Harm do you not share anything with your mother?" Mac sighed.  "Trish 
it's all 
involved with the case we were working on."
 
 "She almost died Mom," Harm gasped, shuddering with the memory.  "They 
told 
me they couldn't promise she would be OK."
 
 "Then it sounds like you're even," Trish smiled.  "Harm the doctor 
says you've got 
twenty-four hours here and then I'm moving all of you out to the house 
to recover.  
Mr. Webb included since he's obviously got something to do with you and 
all this---
even if you won't tell me."

"I will Mom, much as I can," Harm promised, "but we can just as well 
get a room 
here."

"Harm I think we should take your mom up on her kind offer," Clay 
called as he 
entered the room.  "It may be that San Diego is not the safest place 
for us to be 
right now."

"If there is something to worry about I sure as hell don't want her 
involved, any 
more than I want Mac," he snapped.

"Mac is already involved and she's staying that way," the Marine spoke 
up, giving 
Harm a long glare.  "Your solo days are over Flyboy."

"And his mother feels the same way.  Now you lay back there and rest."  
She 
turned from Harm to Clay, "and will you be having the place watched?"

"Yes ma'am.  In and out," he nodded.  "Including by me."

"Now I'm real comforted," Harm muttered.


 24 Hours Later
 
 "Mac, why don't you and Mom go see where the nurse is with the release 
 papers" Harm sighed. "I'm ready to get out of here."
 
 "Yeah sure" Mac said as she glanced over at Clay. She knew Harm wanted 
to 
 talk to Clay alone and she figured it was about why he'd come out 
there. 
 She'd corner Clay later and find out what was going on.  "We'll be 
right 
 back."
 
 "So what the hell's going on," Harm asked once Mac and Trish were gone 
from 
 the room.
 
 "Why don't you tell me" Clay retorted. "You're the one who took off 
out here 
 without telling me or Mac."
 
 "I came to find Victor" Harm sighed. "Only someone knew I was coming 
and was 
 waiting for me when I got there."
 
 "I figured that. You came out here to see Victor Lushov."
 
 "And I still plan on talking to him. As soon as I can lose Mac and Mom 
long 
 enough to get away without them knowing where I'm going."
 
 "You can't Harm" Clay said quietly. "Victor Lushov is dead. I just got 
the 
 confirmation last night."
 
 "Dammit. They're really covering their tracks" Harm sighed. "You 
didn't tell 
 Mac about this did you?"
 
 "Hell no. She's already worried enough about you. I wasn't about to 
tell her 
 the person you were coming to see was killed."

 "Thanks. I owe you."
 
 "Harm, do you know where they left you?" Clay asked suddenly.
 
 "Clay, everything from the moment I stepped off the airplane is gone" 
Harm 
 said with a small smile. "Why?"
 
 "Sgt. Brimfield said you were found under the old roller coaster at 
Mission 
 Beach. Does that mean anything to you?"
 
 "My dad took me there the day before he went to Vietnam" Harm said 
quietly.
 
 "How would they know that?" Clay asked.
 
 "It was one of the things Sergei told me that made me believe him" 
Harm 
 sighed. "He knew the story of how Dad and I had carved our initials in 
the 
 car."
 
 "It has to be them. They're coming back to tie up all the loose ends 
before 
 you can find out the truth. First they killed Victor Lushov and then 
tried 
 to kill you."
 
 "Exactly why we shouldn't be going to Mom's" Harm retorted. "But you 
and Mac 
 wouldn't listen to me."
 
 "Harm, I've got friends watching the place already. You'll be safe and 
so 
 will your Mom and Mac."
 
 "I don't care about me" Harm sighed. "I just wish Mom and Mac weren't 
 involved in this. And I don't want you telling Mom this about Dad 
either. 
 She's been through enough already. She doesn't need to know that this 
is 
 about him."
 
 "My lips are sealed" Clay smiled as Mac and Trish returned, release 
papers 
 in hand.
 
 With Clay handling the driving, they headed home to LaJolla; Mac 
raising an 
 eyebrow as Clay pulled up in front of the seaside home.
 
 "I made up the two guests rooms and of course your old room Harm" 
Trish 
 smiled as she led them inside. "Which is where you're going."
 
 "Mom" Harm complained. "I just got out of bed."
 
 "Yes but the doctor said you're supposed to take it easy" Trish 
fretted.
 
 "Can't I at least relax on one of the loungers on the deck?" Harm 
countered.
 
 "I'll keep an eye on him" Mac assured Trish as she helped Harm to the 
back 
 deck. "Wow" Mac said as she and Harm stepped out. "And I thought the 
front 
 was gorgeous."
 
 "Nice view isn't it?" Harm said as he sank down in the lounger, Mac 
not 
 missing the grimace as he did so.
 
 "You okay sailor?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
 
 "Yeah, just wishing we hadn't dragged Mom into all this" he sighed. 
"And 
 you."
 
 ***********
 "Can I get you anything Clay?" Trish asked.
 
 "A strong cup of coffee" Clay sighed as he looked out at Harm and Mac 
on the 
 deck. His people had assured him the place was being watched but he 
still 
 didn't like them out in the open.
 
 "This case Harm is working on" Trish started. "This isn't JAG related 
is 
 it?"
 
 "What makes you think that?" Clay said quickly.
 
 "Because you're working on it with him" Trish smiled as she handed him 
the 
 coffee. "And I know you don't work for JAG. And I don't believe the 
line 
 about working for State either."
 
 "Look, I really can't talk about this" Clay started.
 
 "Clay, someone tried to kill my son" Trish said quietly. "I want to 
know 
 why."
 
 "Mrs. Burnett" Clay started again.
 
 "Trish, please. And let me finish. Harm is my only son. If anything 
happened 
 to him, I don't know what I'd do. If someone is trying to hurt him, I 
want 
 to know why."

"You're going to nag me until I tell you aren't you?" Clay smiled.

"As only a mother can."

"Tell me about it.  I have one of my own," he muttered.  "Look Mrs. 
Burnett. . .sorry, 
Trish.  Harm should really be the one telling you this."

"Yes but from you I'll get total honesty won't I Mr. Webb."  She hooked 
a finger 
under his chin and lifted his face so that she could meet his eyes.  
"Won't I Mr. 
Webb?"

"As much as I can give you," he answered, feeling like he was ten and 
in his 
mother's kitchen, sitting on the counter stool.  "There's not even much 
to tell.  But 
there's good reason to question that the information about your 
husband. . .uh 
Harm's father. . .was not completely correct."

"Not. . .correct?" she stammered.  "Which part?"

"That's where it gets fuzzy," Clay hedged, determined he was not going 
to tell her 
he could even be still alive.  "Harm told me you know about Sergei?"

"Yes?"  Her hands gripped the edge of the table so hard her knuckles 
turned white 
and Clay patted her hand quickly.

"Ma'am, please.  I should not be telling you this if it's upsetting 
you."

"Go on."

"Ma'am. . ."

"Go on, and cut that ma'am crap while you're at it."

"Yes ma'. . . Trish.  It's just that the facts have never really been 
checked out 
before.  Harm took the man's word that they were brothers, and then two 
years 
before, the word of an old woman.  Now that's a much longer story in 
which I come 
off badly, but suffice it to say that when I went back and tried to 
verify, nothing 
would click into place."

"And now Harm is hitting too close to the truth for someone," she 
ventured.  "OK 
how do we make him stop?"

He burst into laughter at that.  "I'm not sure an order from the 
Commander In Chief 
could make him stop.  Trish if you know anything at all about your son, 
you know 
when he sets his mind to something, he can't be dissuaded from it."

"Yeah," she nodded, her eyes drifting to the pair on the deck, their 
lounge chairs 
touching side to side, their arms entwined, fingers knit together. 
"They're in love 
aren't they Clay."

"Nothing gets by you Mrs. Burnett," Clay teased.  "Yes they are.  
They're just not 
sure what to do about it; and now this mess is. . .well distracting I 
guess.  Right 
now Harm's biggest fear is that she'll be hurt in his cause.  And she 
did in fact, as 
he told you, have a real close call in Vietnam."

Trish took a long drink of her coffee, smiling now as she saw Harm and 
Mac 
sleeping, their heads resting together.  "They deserve their chance," 
she said 
softly.  "Harm has mentioned her so often over the years.  I see why 
now.  You 
know I was in D.C. last year and met up with Renee.  Nice enough girl I 
guess, but 
I swear she and my son had nothing in common.  No basis in which to 
form a 
relationship."

Clay smiled sheepishly.  "No comment thank you.  And on that note I'm 
going to go 
have a word with my people."

"Thanks Clay. Thanks for being honest with me.  That's all I ask, and 
Harm has that 
protective thing going so I can't be sure of getting the whole truth 
from him."

Clay patted her hand once more and began a walk around the property.

Trish walked onto the deck and sat down, taking another look at her son 
and the 
woman he so obviously cared for so deeply.  "Let them have their time 
Lord," she 
breathed.

It was an hour later when Harm stirred and woke, instinctively looking 
to Mac first 
thing.

"Hey," Trish smiled.  "Nice rest?"

"Yes ma'am," he smiled, "because I had her to hold on to."

"Don't waste this Harm," she advised quietly.  "A blind man could see 
what you and 
her have.  Don't waste it."

"No ma'am," he sighed.  "We've been given so many chances.  Six months 
ago, I 
almost lost her to a man she didn't love."

"While you were with a woman you didn't love," Trish pointed out 
gently.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Son, your face when you were with Renee was nothing like it is when 
you're with 
her," she laughed. "Even though I've only seen you with Renee for a few 
minutes, 
well, I know the difference.  There's love in your eyes when you look 
at her.  You 
have honest eyes--like your father's."

  "Yes I do love her," Harm admitted. "But neither of us is ready for 
that 
  yet. Right now we're both happy to just be best friends again."
  
  "As long as you don't let her get away" Trish smiled. "She's the one. 
  Mothers know these things."
  
  "And what else do you know?" Harm smiled as well.
  
  "I'll tell you what I don't know. I don't know what case you're 
involved in 
  that's so dangerous."
  
  "Mom" Harm started.
  
  "I want the truth Harm. I got a tidbit from Clayton in there because 
I 
  pulled it out of him. But I want to hear it from you."
  
  "Mom, it's best that you don't know everything. You'll be a lot safer 
that 
  way."
  
  "And what about you? I'm not supposed to worry about the fact that 
someone 
  tried to kill you."
  
  "No you're not. I don't want you involved in this."
  
  "Harm, what's wrong?" Mac murmured as she stirred, opening her eyes 
and 
  looking up at him.
  
  "Nothing" he said as he gently extracted himself from her and stood 
up.
  
  "Harm where are you going?" Trish demanded. "You know you're supposed 
to be 
  resting."
  
  "I just need some time alone" he sighed as he slowly made his way 
down the 
  deck stairs to the beach below.
  
  "Okay that went well" Trish sighed. "I'm sorry we woke you dear."
  
  "It's okay," Mac said as she pushed herself to a sitting position. 
"Can I 
  ask what that was all about?"
  
  "I made the mistake of asking him what was going on," Trish said with 
a 
  forced smile. "And of course got the standard he doesn't want me 
involved."
  
  "He's just trying to protect you" Mac said quietly.
  
  "From what?" Trish prodded. "All I got out of Clayton was that this 
involves 
  Harm's father."
  
  "Yes it does" Mac nodded. "And Harm should tell you the rest."
  
  "That's what Clayton said. Did you two rehearse this?"
  
  "No ma'am. It's just that Harm really should be the one to tell you 
what's 
  going on."
  
  "Do you know how to get him to do that?" Trish smiled.
  
  "No" Mac smiled as well. "Your son is probably one of the most 
stubborn 
  people I know on this earth. It's not easy to get him to do something 
he 
  doesn't want to do."
  
  "Yes I know. He's just like his father that way. Stubborn and proud. 
Course 
  Harm is so much like his father it's scary. Sometimes I look at him 
and it's 
  like looking at his father."
  
  "It must have been hard for you to raise Harm on your own" Mac said 
quietly. 
  "And you did a wonderful job considering how much of a terror he must 
have 
  been."
  
  "He was" Trish smiled. "But it wasn't easy for him either."
  
  "I know. And it still isn't. And I think I should go down and make 
sure he's 
  okay. He really shouldn't be up wandering around like that."
  
  She made her way down the steps and across the sandy beach to where 
Harm 
sat  in the sand.
  
  "I didn't know you were that enamored with the ocean" Mac said softly 
as she 
  sat down beside him. "I seem to remember you in this same position 
not to 
  long ago."
  
  "You didn't tell Mom anything did you?" he asked without looking over 
at 
  her.
  
  "No way sailor. You're the one that needs to do that. She knows this 
is 
  about your father but that's it. You need to tell her the rest."
  
  "What do I tell her Mac?" he whispered. "That maybe he's alive. That 
maybe 
  he's somewhere in Vietnam. Or that maybe he's not. Maybe he died 
thirty-two 
  years ago and we just don't know it."
  
  "You tell her exactly what you know. I think she can handle it Harm."
  
  "First, I told her he might be alive in Russia. And then I came back 
empty 
  handed. Then I had to tell her he'd been unfaithful to her while he 
was 
  there. I don't know what I'm going to find out this time."
  
  "No, but she has the right to know what you're doing."
  
  "I don't want her hurt" Harm shouted. " Just like I don't want you 
hurt. 
  Don't either of you understand that?"
  
  "And we don't want you hurt either. We happen to care about you very 
much. 
  And it's not setting well with either of us that you're wanting to 
shoulder 
  this all by yourself."
 
 "I don't ask for help very well."
 
 "Gee I hadn't noticed that," she teased, sliding herself across the 
sand to sit 
behind him,  straddling her legs to either side so she could rub his 
shoulders and 
neck.  "Look I don't know what the future is going to hold for us--us 
as in you and 
me together--I just know that I've got you in my life now and I'm not 
willing to let you 
go."  She was silent for a long minute before going on.  "Mic and Renee 
are gone.  
You and I are here.  We could be looking at a future together, but we 
have to get 
past this first.  And you have to let me help you.  As much as Macho 
Rabb would 
like to, you can't do this alone.  It's too overwhelming."
 
 His chin sank to his chest as her words registered fully with him.  
"You're right.  Of 
course you're right.  But if anything happened to you, it would destroy 
me."
 
 She sucked her breath in sharply at that, startled by his admission of 
the depth of 
his feelings.  "And if something happened to you, you think I'd just 
laugh it off?  
Please, please let's agree that we're going to see this thing through 
together."  She 
rested her chin on his shoulder and he could feel her breath on his 
ear.  
 
 A small shudder passed through him as his body reacted to her 
nearness.  "Yeah 
OK.  Partners."
 
 "And best friends," she smiled.
 
 "Always."  With that he reached up and cupped the back of her head 
with his hand.  
For a long time neither moved as the surf pounded around them.
 ================
 Next Morning
 8 AM
 
 "Trish you didn't have to go to all this," Mac murmured, coming into 
the kitchen 
and seeing her knee-deep in breakfast fixings.
 
 "I know but I wanted to," she smiled.  "Frank is always like--just 
coffee, I'll get a 
danish at the office--and so it's usually just my big breakfast and the 
paper.  This is 
a real treat.  By the way, my son is back out on the beach.  Said you 
were asleep 
and needed your rest."
 
 "He's supposed to be resting too, but I heard him pacing most of the 
night," Mac 
sighed.  "Maybe he'll sleep on the plane.  Have you seen Clay?"
 
 "Not at all," Trish shook her head.  "He did sleep I think, once he 
said good night I 
don't recall hearing him."
 
 "Probably," she nodded, looking out the window at the solitary figure 
walking on 
the beach.  Even though he was in sight of the house, she still felt 
uneasy.  "I think 
I'll haul him in for breakfast."
 
 By the time she walked out to the beach Harm had waded out to above 
his knees, 
standing in the surf to stare out to the vast Pacific.
 
 "Hey you Flyboy," Mac called, shouting to make her self heard above 
the roar of 
the surf.
 
 He turned around slowly, happy to see her.  "Bring your Marine butt 
out here and 
get wet," he challenged.
 
 "Breakfast first," she yelled.
 
 "Sounds good to me," he yelled back, starting to come in toward her.  
Just as he 
had about reached her, the air was filled with a low droning noise, 
unheeded by 
her.  He looked around sharply, recognizing the sound as an ATV engine 
and 
frowned, knowing they were prohibited on this stretch of private beach.
 
 The noise was coming from behind her off to one side where the dunes 
were high 
and as he watched, the ATV crested the top dune.  His eyes went wide 
with fright 
as the rider leveled what could only be a semiautomatic assault rifle 
at the two of 
them.  
 
 Harm's scream of her name was lost in the roar of the engine and the 
surf and 
even as he screamed again, "Mac get down," he knew she wouldn't realize 
the 
danger.  He felt like he was in one of those dreams where his feet were 
stuck in 
clay as he tried to reach her, desperately afraid he was about to 
witness her death.
 
 The first bullets sprayed the sand behind her at the same time as he 
reached her, 
covering the last five feet in an enormous leap, tackling her straight 
on and rolling 
them together in a tight ball onto the sand.  More bullets hit nearby 
as they clung 
together, with him trying to cover her as much as possible.  
 
 The ATV roared closer but the shooting stopped as it pulled up beside 
them.  
Harm lifted his head, keeping her firmly pinned down beside him.  His 
first vision 
was of the rider's black boots and as his eyes traveled upward the man 
took off his 
full-visored helmet to stare down at Harm.
 
 Harm had to swallow hard before he could speak.  "Sergei?"
 
 The End