TITLE: “Past Present Future VIII-Muddied Waters” AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: The eighth 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, as well as much of our previous efforts, will be available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories No subbing is required to read from the message archives. Also, previous chapters, as well as our other efforts, should be available at: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at- http://www.shipperarchive.com/fanfic/ Previously in the PPF series: Leaving Mac to be treated for injuries suffered in the train crash, Harm and Clay travel to Beloyka, hearing Pitchta claim Harm Sr. was never in Russia—that it was all a contrivance to make Harm give up his search for his father. Wanting some time alone, Harm steps outside, ordering Clay to leave him alone, and fails to return. After a futile search, Clay delivers the news to Mac. Note: For purposes of this story, the events of any episode after Adrift do not play a part. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Past Present Future VIII-Muddied Waters” "Lost him" Mac shouted. "What do you mean you lost him?" "He took off " Clay sighed. "After we talked to Pitchta, he ran off. Literally. He took off into the woods. I waited to see if he would come back and he didn't. I came back here figuring he'd just needed some time alone and would come back here eventually. But obviously he hasn't." "Oh god Clay, what if Sergei found him?" Mac whispered, immediately fearing the worst. "I don't think that's the case," Clay said quickly. "How do you know that?" Mac snapped. "You don't know where he is. What if Sergei followed you two?" "Mac please calm down" Clay begged. "I don't think that's the case. And there's no reason for you to jump to those conclusions." "Jump to conclusions. Dammit Clay you have no idea where Harm is. He's in a country where he has more enemies than friends. What am I supposed to think?" "Mac I'll find him. I came back here to see if he was here and to talk to you in person but now that I know he's not, I'll go back to Beloyka and find him." "We'll find him" Mac corrected. "I should never have let him go there alone. I knew it was going to upset him to talk to her. " "You are staying here with Alexei" Clay said firmly. "I am not going to explain to Harm why you're out of the hospital before you're supposed to be. I'm already at the top of his list of people he'd like to never see again." "Clay, how are you going to find him?" Mac demanded. "You don't speak the language. There's no way you'll find him unless Alexei and I go with you." "NO" Clay shouted. "You are not leaving this hospital. I will not let you do that." "Try and stop me" Mac shouted back as she flung the covers back from the bed. "What is going on in here?" Alexei asked as he ran into the room. "What is all the shouting about?" "Mr. Webb and I were having a discussion," Mac said irritably. "Something wrong?" Alexei asked. "Where is Commander Rabb?" "He's missing" Mac said as she glared at Clay. "He ran off after we talked to Pitchta" Clay sighed. "I'm sorry Mac. I didn't know he would react that way. Hell I'm sorry for everything. You and Harm wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for me getting in trouble and I wish now that I'd never called you two for help. All I've done is caused you to be hurt and caused Harm more heartache he didn't need." He turned and started to walk out of the room and only stopped when she called his name. "Clay wait" Mac said softly. "I'm sorry. This isn't all your fault. And I know you've been getting it from both sides and that's not fair to you. You came over here to help Harm find the truth. Not cause either of us anymore hurt." He turned back around to face her and let out a long sigh. "You have no idea how bad I feel about what's happened. First you getting hurt. And now Harm disappearing. It's been a nightmare for me too. You and Harm are the closest friends I have. And I would never forgive myself if anything happened to either of you." "I know. And I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm just scared." "I know so am I" he whispered as he walked back over to her bed, sitting down on the edge and gathering her in a hug. "I'm scared that if I let you go with me something will happen to you. I'm even more scared that something has happened to Harm." "Clay you know I can't stay here while he missing" Mac said softly. "I just can't." "You won't trust me to find him?" Clay asked as he gently released her. "I do trust you Clay. But I'll go crazy sitting here not knowing what happened to him. I have to do something." "You know Harm is going to kill me for letting you leave here" Clay sighed. "I'll tell him you had no choice," Mac said with a small smile. "I'll deal with him. Right now all that matters is finding him." "Alexei, I guess the Colonel and I are going back to Beloyka" Clay said as he looked over at him. "No boss, we are all going to Beloyka. I will go with you. If Sgt. Zhukov is still out there, you will need help." "Alexei" Clay started. "I want to go" Alexei assured him. "I will not leave you and Sarah alone to find Harmon. It is much too dangerous on your own." "He's right Clay. We need all the help we can get." "Well one thing's for sure, I'm going to need protection when we find him because he's going to kill me for letting you come along." "I told you I'll take care of Harm," she said defiantly. "I'd rather risk him being upset than stay here and risk my sanity not knowing where he is." Her eyes flashed at Clay as she rose from the bed, only to have her knees buckle as soon as she put weight on her feet. At once Clay grabbed her. "Oh this is going to be perfect. We're going to find Harm and you're going to be half dead." "I'll be just fine," she insisted, nevertheless not forcing Clay to release her. "I just need some help getting dressed." "I will send you a nurse," Alexei offered, starting for the door. "Come Clayton." "Actually I figured I'd stay and watch," Clay grinned, easing Mac down onto the bed. Twenty minutes later she was dressed, and speaking in rapid Russian to the doctor who kept shaking his head. "He doesn't want you to leave does he?" Clay accused. "Of course that's not what he said. He said I'll be just fine," she lied. "I'm just still real sore is all. I swear they poked around inside me with a table knife instead of a scalpel." "I'm a dead man," Clay moaned. ============ A long fourteen hours later they stood on the porch of Pitchta's home, Mac leaning heavily on Clay. The long ride had done nothing to ease her discomfort and though she had not said anything, pain was etched on her face. In fact during the ride she had barely spoken, and not a word about their current situation. "See I left him right here on the lawn." Clay pointed to the spot where Harm had pushed him down into the snow and taken off. "I was sure he'd come right back." "You didn't try to chase him down?" she asked irritably. "No because I was respecting his need for a little air and privacy and space," Clay answered patiently. "Mac seriously now, I don't see him just running. Not from this or from you. I'm not seeing the logic in thinking that." "Then that brings us to Sergei," she reminded him, her misery acute. "Not necessarily." "Clay do I look like I feel like riddles here?" "Look I'm simply pointing out that there's a lot of ground out there. He might simply have gotten lost or stranded or. . ." "Or fell and hurt himself and froze to death lying there," she snapped. "Let's get you inside and some food into you," Clay urged, "and then into a real bed with one of your painkillers. It's not going to be light enough to do anything for a good while. Meanwhile Alexei has people out canvassing. Something will turn up." "I can't eat," she protested. "You want to explain to Harm why you're sick when we do find him? More to the point, you want me to have to? Because you know it's going to be my fault." "OK I'll try," she sighed just as the door was opened and they were ushered inside. "I'm going to speak to Pitchta," Mac decided. "I want to know how she could have deceived us so easily." "Perhaps Harmon simply wanted an answer--any answer," Alexei offered. "Sometimes we are afraid to look further for fear the real truth---the whole truth--- will be harder to bear." "Thanks," Mac smiled, turning to the housekeeper and speaking in fluent Russian, requested to be taken to Pitchta's bedside. She walked slowly into her bedroom not wanting to wake her if she was sleeping. But her eyes opened as Mac walked in and Mac sat down in the chair beside her bed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you" Mac said quietly. "It is okay. You have come to find Harmon haven't you? I am sorry that what I told him upset him so." "This has been very hard for him" Mac explained. "He thought it was all behind him after we left here last time. And now he doesn't know what happened to his father." "I am sorry for that too," Pitchta said softly. "As I told Harmon, I could not tell you the truth then. I would have been killed if I had." "And now?" "Now it does not matter," Pitchta said with a sigh. "I do hope that Harmon is okay. " "I hope so too" Mac whispered. "He means a lot to you. Even then I knew that he meant a lot to you. You were hurting for him when I told you the story." "Yes he does" Mac admitted. "And it was very hard having to tell him what you told me." "I am sorry," Pitchta said quietly, her eyes beginning to drop shut again. "I should let you rest" Mac said as she started to get up, grimacing as she did so. "You are hurt?" "A little. We were on the train when it wrecked." "You need to rest" Pitchta replied. She pressed a button near the bed and the housekeeper hurried into the room, Pitchta telling her to take Mac to one of the other bedrooms. "No, I'm fine" Mac protested. "No you need to rest" Pitchta said firmly. "Your Harmon needs you." "I guess a few hours sleep wouldn't hurt" Mac sighed. "May I come back later?" "Please do" Pitchta said with a small smile. "I am glad we could talk. I thought I was doing the right thing by telling Harmon the truth. But when he ran away I was not sure." "No, you did the right thing" Mac assured her. "He needs to find the truth. The real truth." "And you and Mr. Webb will help him do that. Now go with Natasha and get some rest." Mac did as directed and a moment later was resting in the large bed. "Now that's better," Clay said as he found her a few minutes later. "How you holding up?" "A little tired but I'm fine. Any word from Alexei's friends?" "Not yet. But with it being this late I'm not surprised. They'll be out first thing in the morning looking for him." "I hope it's not too late" she whispered. "Clay what if he was hurt somewhere?" "Don't even think that. I'm sure there's a reason he hasn’t come back but that isn't it." "How can you be so sure?" Mac sighed tiredly. "Because he has to be okay," Clay said quietly. "Because God wouldn't be cruel enough to take him from you before you two have had a chance to be together." "I hope you're right" she murmured as her eyes dropped shut. "So am I" Clay whispered. For a moment he stood at the side of the bed watching her before walking out. It was hours later that Mac woke, slowly remembering where she was. The rest of the house was quiet and she assumed that Clay and Alexei had gone to bed as well. She pushed herself up, slowly climbing out of bed. She made her way down the hall, stopping outside Pitchta's room. Moments later she was at her bedside. "Sarah" Pitchta said weakly. "Yes. Can I get you anything?" Mac asked softy. "No. It is time." Mac froze at her words and Pitchta reached her hand to Mac's. "It is okay. I am not afraid." "I don't know what to say" Mac whispered. "Take care of Harmon. He needs you. Help him through this." "I will." "Tell him I am sorry" Pitchta whispered. Mac nodded and held Pitchta's hand until she felt it slacken in hers. She looked over at her and knew that she was gone. With a long sigh she stood up, Natasha coming in as she did so. "She's dead," Mac said in Russian to the woman. Natasha nodded and for a moment looked at Pitchta before reaching out a hand to help Mac back to her room. Mac thanked Natasha and lie on the bed, curling into as tight a ball as her soreness would permit. The extra pillow she pulled up to her chest and buried her face into its softness. Only then did she let her tears come. Tears for an old woman who was taken in by the KGB, controlled by fear and bribed with offers of comfort in her old age, tears for a man she loved who was having to face a total revision in the truth about the father for whom he longed, and finally tears for herself as she tried to reconcile herself that she may not again see the man she loved with all her heart. "Mac honey you OK?" Clay's gentle voice from the doorway brought another gush of tears and she endeavored to get herself under control. "Yeah Clay." "You don't sound OK. Can I come in?" She pushed the pillow away from her and wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Yeah Clay come on in. But I'm OK, honest. Pitchta died a little while ago and I feel bad for that, and I'm scared for Harm that's all." "That sounds like plenty to me," he said, coming to sit next to her on the bed. "And for Godsake don't tell Harm I called you honey. He's already going to kill me." "Promise," she sniffled. Awkwardly he patted her shoulder. "You should not be here." "No Clay, on the contrary, this is exactly where I belong. And tomorrow we're going to find that jackass I'm in love with." "Sounds like a plan," he grinned. "Meanwhile you need anything? Anything I can do?" "You're already doing it," she sighed, taking his hand. "I'd like it if you'd just stay with me I think." ============= 8AM Home of the Vladimar Bladstok family "Good morning." At least that's what he assumed she was saying. It was that same two words, that same cheerful voice, he had heard each morning for the past four. The first morning his head ached so badly that all he wanted to do was shut out the language of which he understood not a single word. Now there was another voice he longed to hear. A soft and gentle voice that belonged to a woman. A woman he. . .yes, he loved. That much was making its way through the fog that seemed to swirl in his mind when he was able to stay awake. This gentle older woman who spoke in the foreign tongue seemed to know what he needed. When the pain would get bad, she would bring him a warm drink, full of strange tasting herbs, and it would make him pleasantly sleepy. Gradually as the hours passed, his periods of painlessness and lucidity were lengthening. And with that was coming increasing awareness of what had happened to him. He had been running, running in the clear cold air. Running to clear his head, to digest the news he had been given. And with less clarity, he remembered a fall, something sharp striking his forehead and then blackness. Carefully he reached up and touched the bandage there, wincing in pain as he did so. Very slowly he swung his legs over the side of the bed, and as he did so, the woman put her hand on his arm to help him. At the same time from somewhere distant came other voices, male voices, speaking that same strange language. Russian. They were in Russia. There were people who could be looking for him. Sergei. Sergei and his men had come for him. And he was afraid. ================= SAME TIME Pitchta's Home Urgent knocking on the bedroom door awoke Clay at once and he reached for his sidearm instinctively as Mac stirred more slowly, trying to shake off fuzziness exhaustion had given her. "Boss it's me. Are you in there Clayton?" "Just Alexei," Clay breathed, smiling slightly as he realized he was in bed with Mac. "Come in Alexei. We're decent. . .now." "Am I interrupting?" the Russian asked slyly. "Yes," Clay returned, "but now that you have, what is it?" "Good news," he smiled broadly. "My people have located Harmon Rabb." "Is he okay?" Mac demanded, awake at once. "I do not know. I just know they have found him a couple farms over and he should be here soon." "Thank god" Mac sighed and Clay echoed her sentiment. "I guess I'd better get out of your bed before he gets here" Clay grinned. "Otherwise he's going to kill me." "Good idea" Mac said with a small smile. "And I'm going to get a bath before Harm gets here." "Need any help?" Clay teased. "You're pushing it Mr. Webb. But I probably will need Natasha's help." "I'll send her in," Clay said as he stood up. "And hopefully by the time you're dressed and ready Harm will be here." "Please" Mac murmured as Clay and Alexei walked out. An hour later and there was still no sign of Alexei's men and Harm. "Where are they?" Mac demanded. Before Alexei could reply a car pulled up, his men piling out without Harm. Mac followed Clay and Alexei out to meet the men who immediately starting talking in Russian to Alexei. Clay stood by helplessly as Mac listened to the men, watching her face fall as they did. "What happened?" Clay asked. "Mac, what did they say?" "They found him but he wouldn't come with them" Mac said quietly. "And he was hurt. He fell and hit his head and Mr. Bladstok found him out in the field three days ago. He thought they worked for Sergei and when they tried to get him to leave he got real upset." "Didn't they explain they were with Alexei?" Clay asked. "He didn't seem to remember Alexei. God, Clay he must have hurt his head so bad he doesn't remember everything." "Maybe that's not so bad" Clay sighed. "Maybe he won't remember you were hurt and then he won't kill me for letting you come with me." "We have to go get him," Mac said determinedly. "He'll know us." "I hope so" Clay whispered under his breath. They headed to the Bladstok family farm and a short time later pulled up in front of the small farmhouse. Clay helped Mac to the front door and moments later they walked inside. "Harm" Mac cried as she was lead into the bedroom where he was sitting. There was no mistaking the soft voice and at once he knew who it was. "Mac." "Thank god, you didn’t forget me" she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. "How could I forget you" he whispered, holding her tightly until she let out a small gasp of pain and he immediately released her. "Mac, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" As he said the words, visions of holding her lifeless body in his arms ran through his head. "Oh god, yes you were hurt. You were dead." "I'm okay now," she said quickly. "It's you I've been worried about. When Clay came back without you I was so scared something had happened to you." "I was running from something. Something I didn’t want to hear. Do you know what that was?" "I do" she nodded. "And I'll tell you about that later. Right now I'm more worried about that bump on your head." She gently touched the spot and he winced again. "We need to get you to a doctor to get that looked at." "They've taken good care of me," Harm said with a small smile. "I need to thank them," Mac said softly. "If they hadn't found you, I would have lost you sailor. You would have frozen to death out there." "I guess I was lucky. I'm sorry if I worried you." Clay stuck his head into the room and gave them a smile. "Everything okay in here. You remember this beautiful lady." Harm looked at Clay for a moment, more memories running through his head. "Harm, you okay?" Clay asked. "Pitchta" Harm whispered, suddenly remembering the reason he'd been running. "It was a lie. Everything about my father was a lie." "You remember" Clay said quietly and Harm nodded slowly. "Okay, I think we should get you both back to the hospital" Clay continued and Mac gave him a long glare. "Wait, that's right--you were in the hospital," Harm said as he looked over at Mac. "What on earth are you doing here? You shouldn't be here. Clay how could you let her come here? Are you crazy?" "Harm it's okay" Mac said quickly. "No it's not," he shouted, upset that she would risk her life to come out to find him. "You're not well. You shouldn't have left the hospital." His agitation sent a sharp pain through his head and his hands went to his head at once. "And you're not well either" Mac said as she gently helped him to lie down again. "And getting upset isn't helping." "I don't want anything to happen to you" he moaned. "Nothing is" she assured him. "Now, just calm down. Clay will make arrangements to get us back and everything is going to be okay." Harm swallowed hard, keeping his hand firmly around Mac's wrist. "Clay you will?" "Already in motion," Clay assured him. "Our 'Colonel Vashkov' is going to get right on it. In the meantime I suggest you stay flat. When you're up you're none too steady." "I can handle that, with a little company," he signed, gently pulling Mac down with him. "Clay are we safe enough here?" "Oh yeah", Clay nodded, knowing that Alexei had spoken to Mr. Bladstok. "Why don't I leave you two alone until we see how we're going to get the hell out of here." "That would be nice," Mac sighed, already making herself comfortable in Harm's careful embrace. "Do you have any clue how scared I've been?" she asked him gently when they were alone. "I swear if you weren't in pain and I wasn't hurting, I'd take your six out in that yard and play soccer with it. What the hell was the matter with you? I know what Pitchta said must have bothered you a lot, but why would you run off like that? Harm, were you trying to get away from everything? Even me?" His eyes widened at that and he shook his head so hard in denial that pain washed over him in sharp rebuke. "Oh God no Sarah," he gasped, gritting his teeth as the pain made him wince and he cupped her cheek with his palm. "Please don't think that. I just was suddenly needing a little space. I'm like that you know. I heard Pitchta's news and I couldn't breathe suddenly. I was coming back. I intended only to go a mile or so and come back. And apologize to Clay for knocking him on his six again. Anyway, I guess I fell. All I really remember is a sharp pain going through my head and falling into the snow. Pain and cold. That was all." "Oh God Harm," she whispered, hating that he had to go through that. A small sob escaped her and she buried her head in the crook of his neck. "It's all right now," he soothed. "I'm taking you home--home to the U.S. just as soon as we can manage it." For several minutes she reveled in being safe in his arms. "Harm it's not done," she said softly. "The truth is still out there." "No more, no more now," he begged, stroking the back of her head. "Right now I just want to be glad I'm holding you. Later I'll have a few more words with Clay for taking you from the hospital. He must have been out of his mind." "Harm you know I made him," she murmured. "You know there was no way I could stay back there knowing you were missing." "I know that you're going to stick with me to the point of getting yourself killed," he murmured miserably. "And do you know why that is?" she challenged, making him look directly into her eyes. "Do you know why?" He licked his lips and swallowed before he answered. "Yeah I do, and it's the same reason that it would kill me if you were to die." "Then I think we understand each other," she whispered, and as if in slow motion she lowered her lips to his. "Sarah," he breathed just before their lips touched. A soft loving kiss, a kiss that promised a future yet to come. "Uh, sorry to interrupt" Clay smiled from the doorway. "You two ready? Alexei and Boris are ready to take us back to the hospital and then once you're both able to we'll head home." "Home" Harm sighed. "It seems like forever since we've been there." "Yes it has" Mac agreed as they gently helped each other up. "Clay, how about a hand with the big guy?" With Clay's assistance they made their way from the bedroom, stopping long enough for Mac to thank the Bladstok's for taking care of Harm before heading out to the waiting car. "I want to stop at Pitchta's" Harm announced once they were in the car. "I want to talk to her again. I think I should apologize for how I acted." Mac looked at Clay and took a deep breath before looking at Harm. "I'm sorry Harm," she said softly. "Pitchta died last night." "She's dead?" he whispered and Mac nodded. "Then it really is over. I'm just going to have to let this go." "Let's not worry about that right now," Mac said as she brought his head against her shoulder. "Just rest. We've got a long drive back." **************** It was a weary group that arrived back at the hospital fourteen hours later, Alexei quickly making sure that both Mac and Harm were attended to. "Alexei you have been a godsend" Clay sighed as he waited for the doctor to return. "I cannot thank you enough for all you have done." "Glad to help boss. Of course it is going to cost you." "Of course" Clay sighed. "But for you, the bargain rate" Alexei grinned as the doctor reappeared. Clay stood by while Alexei spoke with him, waiting for the translation from Alexei. "How are they?" Clay demanded. "They will be fine. Would you like to see them?" "Please" Clay said quickly. "Which rooms?" "Room" Alexei corrected with a smile. "They think the Colonel and Commander are engaged to be married. So I arranged for them to be together." "Alexei you are a hopeless romantic" Clay grinned. "Boss they belong together. Everyone can see that." "Yes they do. And they're getting there. These things take time." "Time" Alexei scoffed. "When they were here three years ago, I knew they belonged together." "Well so did I, but no one was going to convince them of that" Clay smiled. "But thank you for arranging for them to be together." Alexei showed him to the room and Clay quietly looked in on the pair, asleep in their separate beds. He was about to step out when Mac stirred, looking up at him tiredly. "Where's Harm?" she murmured, her eyes barely open. "Right next to you" Clay said softly and she turned her head enough to see him in the bed beside her. "Is he okay?" "He'll be fine. And so will you. Thank goodness otherwise I'd be in some serious trouble with Mr. Rabb." "I told him it wasn’t your fault" Mac sighed as she gingerly pushed herself up. "I don't think that would have mattered to him" Clay smiled. "You know he loves you a lot." "And I him" Mac said softly. "Clay, can you help me over to his bed?" "You think that's a good idea?" "I'll handle the doctor. Besides, I'll rest a lot better and so will Harm if we're together" she said as she pushed the covers back. With Clay's assistance she made her way to Harm's bed, gently lowering herself beside him. "If I'm dreaming, please don’t wake me" he murmured as his arm went around her. "You're not" she smiled as her head dropped against his shoulder. "I'm right here Harm and not going anywhere else." **************** Three days later they bid farewell to Alexei as they waited for their flight back to the US. "Take care of each other" Alexei said as he joined Mac and Harm's hands together. "We will Alexei" Mac smiled. "And thank you for everything." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek and Alexei kissed both of hers. "I'll settle for a handshake," Harm said as he held out his hand. "Thank you Alexei. I can't thank you enough for all your help." "I am just sorry that you are no closer to finding the truth" Alexei replied. "It's okay," Harm said with a small smile. "Sometimes finding the truth isn't the most important thing. And I'm learning everyday what is really important to me." With final good-byes they boarded the plane and minutes later the Moscow skyline disappeared below them as the plane took off. She remained silent for the first hour of the flight, letting him be alone with his thoughts, their only contact being their threaded fingers. Finally she gave his hand a little shake. "OK Sailor, the brooding lamp is no longer lit. Talk to me." He turned around to her from the window and she was surprised to see tears in his eyes. "Harm? I say again, talk to me. Please." "I'm OK," he assured her quickly. "Just it's all sinking in. Knowing my dad. . .that it was a lie. That I risked your life 3 years ago for a lie, and again 2 years ago in Chechnya. Not to mention the little matter of a train wreck and a dead Marine in my arms." "Try to forget that," she said softly. "It's over. I'm fine." "Yeah that's why you groaned when you got into the seat," he muttered. "No I don't want to forget it. I don't want to forget a single second of that because it's a perfect reminder to me to not risk your life again on this foolish quest." His voice was increasing in agitation and she but a calming palm to his face. "Easy honey," she whispered tenderly. "Let it go please. Let's go home and rest and regroup. We'll know what the next step is when the time comes." "Yeah OK." Harm turned to face her, stowing the armrest so that he could hold her for the duration of the flight. "Just know this Marine. You, and you alone, occupy the number one spot on my priority list. And with God's help, I'm never going to forget that." ================ 14 Feb 02 9AM Yew Mountains, W.Va. "This is nuts. This is more than nuts. This is insanity in technicolor," Mac muttered, staring past the steering wheel through the windshield into the driving rain. "At this point they can appoint McNamara Pope for all I care. And are we lost again?" "I'm a pilot, not a navigator," he retorted, frowning at the map and the directions they had scribbled down. They were enroute to a remote area in West Virginia, assigned to interview a former soldier who claimed information relating to an upcoming appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff for General McNamara, a decorated Vietnam veteran. "How do you not get lost when you fly?" "A million dollar navigation system thank you," he sighed. "OK look, hang a right at the next road. That takes us to a bridge across Willow Creek and then it's only about a quarter inch." "What?" "I mean about five miles into Slatyfork." "Yeah OK, but this guy's information better be the stuff of which movies are made." "And speaking of information, why the hell haven't we heard from Clay," he groused. "Possibly because he has other things to attend to," she reminded him gently. "You know he's committed to finding out about your dad. But I imagine he's hit a dead end--between that and other duties. We're not his only problem." He frowned at her use of 'we're' but said nothing. His determination to keep her from being intimately involved in the search for the truth about his father was as strong as ever. "Here's the road," she called a few moments later, easing the SUV into a gentle turn in the conditions. An unusual warm spell, coupled with the sort of rain that normally occurred in spring had combined to turn the roads treacherous as the snow from the mountains was rapidly melting and running off. "And there's the bridge. . .but what's wrong with it? You can't see where the bridge begins and the ends." "Slow down," he told her urgently, trying to peer ahead. "OK it's OK. The water is just up to the bridge and washing over it is all." He opened the window and leaned out, gasping as the cold rain hit him. "Yeah we should be able to get through. You want me to take it?" "No. . .uh yes," she decided, feeling unnerved by the rushing water. Rapidly they switched places, getting soaked in the process, and once behind the wheel he set the SUV moving forward, going slowly so as to let the big wheels hold the road. They were just past the half way point when she became aware of a new sound. When she looked out the side window up the mountain a low scream escaped her, for coming at them was an angry wall of water, filled with debris collected from its destructive path. "Harm go," she yelled, punching his shoulder for emphasis. Harm floored the gas sending the SUV lurching forward, only to have the engine drown out as the rising water engulfed it. "Mac get out," he ordered, fearing that they would be trapped if they remained inside and the water washed over the SUV. "Out now." As he spoke he was reaching over to her, unlatching her seat belt and opening her door. She took one look at him and then jumped from her seat, only to have her footing give way almost at once. She had just enough time to scream his name before the water wall hit her, sweeping her beneath the surface. The cold was at once numbing as she tried to claw her way back to the surface, up to life giving air. When she felt her lungs about to burst she opened her mouth for air. Icy water flooded her lungs. There was a brief moment of warmth and light, and then blackness. THE END. Watch for the next Chapter of Past Present Future coming soon.