TITLE:  ?Past Present Future X-Dangerous Ground?
AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
SUMMARY:  The tenth 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://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html  [not always up and running]


Note:  For purposes of this story, the events of any episode after 
Adrift do not play 
a part.


Previously in the PPF series:  Temporarily sidetracked from the search 
for truth 
concerning his father and the man he once called brother, Harm along 
with Mac 
are sent to a remote area of West Virginia to speak to a witness.  
Narrowly 
surviving a flash flood, they are given shelter in the man?s home where 
the dunking 
in the frgid dirty water has made Mac ill.

The close of PPF Chapter IX-Water Water Everywhere--

The road took him further away from the woman he loved, and he knew the 
truck 
was barely holding its own, feeling the wheels slide, feeling the back 
end fishtailing 
as he went.  "This is beyond insanity," he muttered, and then the pale 
face of his 
partner swam before him.  She was desperately ill, and he wanted to 
believe the 
simple mountain medications Earl had on hand would help her, he was way 
too 
afraid to trust her life to that.  If he stood by and watched her die, 
he would never 
forgive himself, and knew for a fact that he would soon follow her.  
With renewed 
commitment he pushed the accelerator to the floor.  The truck's 
powerful engine 
roared with little effect on his pace as the tires bogged down in the 
slop.

"God I don't ask for much, but I need You," he whispered, feeling his 
throat close 
over in emotion as he realized even that was a lie.  "God I've asked 
You for a 
whole lot lately," he amended.  "Please don't fail me now."

From somewhere behind him there came a low rumble which he was aware of  
over even the roar of the engine.  Looking into the rear view mirror he 
saw nothing 
but blackness.  The rumble grew louder and he risked a look backwards.

It was his last moment of consciousness.
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
?Past Present Future X-Dangerous Ground?

"My God in heaven."  Earl heard the rumble and sat straight up in bed, 
at the same 
time hearing Mac cry out in alarm, calling for Harm.  He fumbled into 
his jeans, still 
groggy from sleep, and still hearing her call.  At once he knew if Harm 
had been 
there, she would have ceased and he stumbled to the door.  "Mac, Mac 
I'm here," 
he called into the dark room, lit only by the dying fire.  "Just stay 
put right where 
you are."

Earl groped his way to the sofa and turned on the light, amazed the 
power had not 
gone out.  

"Harm?  Where's Harm?" she gasped, trying to focus her attention on her 
surroundings despite her fever.

"Mac I don't know," Earl told her, his hand to her shoulder.  "Just be 
still and let's 
see if he's outside.  He may have heard the noise."

"Yeah and what was that," she whispered fearfully.  "Earthquake?  It 
sounded like 
an earthquake."

"I know.  No 'fraid not.  It was a mudslide.  I think we lost part of 
the lower hillside 
from the direction."

"Harm," she whispered, at once associating his absence with the 
disaster.

"Mac he wouldn't have. . ." Earl started and paused, taking a close 
look at her face, 
the only color being too spots of pink high on her cheekbones, and her 
eyes sunk 
in from fever.  With a sinking feeling he opened the shutters to the 
kitchen window, 
seeing only empty space where his truck was normally parked.  "OK he 
would 
have."

"Would have what?  Where's Harm.  Where is he?" she screeched, each 
word 
louder that the previous one.  "Earl you think Harm left here?"

"To get help for you yeah I do," he said softly.  "But listen now, that 
doesn't mean 
he's in trouble.  He may have gotten pretty far down the side before 
the slide hit."

"Or he may have been buried or swept away," she gasped, closing her 
eyes tightly 
against the pictures her mind was painting in rapid succession.  "Earl 
how do we 
find him?"  She started to rise, only to have dizziness and weakness 
overcome her 
before she could manage to get upright and only Earl's quick grasp kept 
her from 
falling forward onto the floor."

"Ain't no we," he said softly, lowering her back to the sofa.  "Soon as 
it's daylight, 
Sheriff Miller and his boys will be up here checking, seeing if it took 
out any homes 
on the mountainside.  I've got a four-wheeler out in the shed.  I'll 
take that down 
and see how far I can get and look for my truck, and your Harm."

"We."

"No chance missy.  In the first place you're not able to stand, let 
alone hug my back 
on one of those things; and second, I'm not answering to that Sailor 
for letting you 
out of this cabin.  So between now and dawn, we're going to sit right 
here and pray 
for Harm, and the rain to stop and for anyone else might have been 
caught."

"We can't just sit here" Mac wailed.
  
  "You and that Sailor of yours sound alike" Earl smiled. "He said the 
same 
  thing to me last night when you were delirious with fever."
  
  "I don't remember that" Mac sighed. "What was I talking about?"
  
  "You were yelling at someone named Clay for losing Harm" Earl 
replied. "I 
  take it Clay is your friend who's been helping you try and locate 
Harm's 
  father."
  
  "Yes. And when we were in Russia he lost Harm for a while. I was a 
little 
  upset with him for that."
  
  Earl nodded. "You were sobbing last night. I reckon that's why Harm 
took 
  off. He was worried sick about you and nothing I said was going to 
make him 
  feel any better. I told him that stuff just needed a chance to take 
hold. 
  But I guess if I were in his position I couldn't stand by and watch 
the 
  person I loved like that either."
  
  "And I can't stand by when I know he could be out there buried in the 
mud 
  somewhere" she wailed. "Earl, we have to do something."
  
  "Right now the best thing you can do is rest so that when we find 
your 
  stubborn sailor you're okay. I promise once it's light I'll go down 
and see 
  if there's any sign of him."
  
  "By then it could be too late" she sniffled.
  
  "Stop that kind of thinking right now" Earl ordered. "For all we know 
Harm 
  wasn't even around when the slide happened. He could have been way 
over 
  before that happened. Now just tuck yourself back under those covers 
and 
  I'll bring you some more of those pills and some juice."
  
  Reluctantly she did as he said and when he returned with the juice 
and pills 
  she quickly downed them.
  
  "Now get some rest. We've got a couple hours before it's light and I 
can go 
  check on things."
  
  Despite her intention to stay awake, she fell asleep again. When she 
woke 
  again she could see the rain was still falling but that it was 
finally 
  daylight.
  
  "Earl" she called as she looked around the small cabin for him. 
"Earl."
  
  There was no answer and with a long sigh she forced herself up to a 
sitting 
  position. If he'd left without her, she was going to be one unhappy 
Marine. 
  She pushed herself off the sofa, holding onto the table for support 
while 
  until the dizziness passed. She found her shoes and one of Earls 
coats and 
  minutes later stepped outside.
  
  "Earl" she called as she looked around, finally spotting him 
tinkering in 
  the shed with the ATV.
  
  "Earl" she called again as she neared the shed and this time he heard 
her, 
  whirling around at the sound of her voice.
  
  "What in God's name are you doing out here?" he shrieked. "You want 
to catch 
  your death of cold."
  
  "I wanted to make sure you hadn't left without me," she said as he 
took her 
  arm and started to lead her back to the house. "I'm going with you."
  
  "No way, no how" Earl said firmly. "You're going to stay in that bed 
and I 
  will bring your sailor back to you. The last thing you need is to be 
out in 
  this stuff again."
  
  She was about to protest when the sound of a vehicle made both of 
them stop.
  
  "Please Lord let it be Harm" she murmured under her breath as they 
waited. 
  Seconds later a white SUV marked Sheriff pulled up in front of Earl's 
house.
  
  "Wondering when you was going to make it up here" Earl said to the 
tall 
  lanky young man as he stepped out of the SUV. "How's it look down 
there 
  Frank?"
  
  "Not good" Frank replied. "Lost a good part of the side of the hill. 
Not 
  even sure how I managed to get up here to you. But I wanted to make 
sure you 
  were okay and then ask you about who might have been driving your 
truck last 
  night."
  
  "You found it?" Earl asked as he reached for Mac's hand as she let 
out a 
  small gasp.
  
  "So you were aware someone had it? I wasn't sure you had anyone up 
here 
  visiting."
  
  "This is Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, from JAG" Earl replied. "Her 
partner, 
  Commander Harmon Rabb went out last night with my truck. Where is he? 
Is he 
  okay?"
  
  "I wish I could tell you that. Right now we're still trying to get to 
him. 
  Your truck with him in it is sitting at the bottom of the ravine. 
I've got 
  crews on the way to get it out but it might be a while since it's 
such a 
  slow go right now."
  
  "NO" Mac whispered. "You have to get to him. He could be hurt bad. Or 
  worse." She swallowed a small sob and Earl draped a comforting arm 
around 
  her.
  
  "Ma'am, we're doing the best we can" Frank replied. "It's not easy to 
move 
  on these roads like this. I'm on my way back to see how they're 
doing."
  
  "I want to go with you," she said determinedly. "Just give me a few 
minutes 
  to change."
 
 "Mac that's not a good idea," Earl said firmly.  "You're swaying on 
your feet here.  
Please stay here and keep warm and dry and let me go with Frank to see 
what's 
going on."
 
 "Not a chance in hell," she answered fiercely, "I'm going to get some 
warm clothes 
on and be right with you Frank.  Please."
 
 One look into those earnest brown eyes and the young man puddled.  
"Yes 
ma'am.  Just be quick."
 
 "Frank she doesn't belong out there," Earl hissed as soon as she was 
out of 
earshot.
 
 "No sir, but if you could see this.  What if we pull him up barely 
alive.  She should 
be allowed to say good bye.  Obviously she cares for him.  A lot."
 
 "She loves him, and maybe she should not have to remember him that 
way," Earl 
maintained.
 
 "Earl, you loved Lucy. Would you have not wanted to be with her when 
she died?  
Were not the last words she ever heard from you I love you honey?"
 
 "Were you there?" Earl demanded with a short smile, new admiration for 
the kid 
he'd seen grow up and the come back to the mountain community.  "OK, 
but we 
need to take good care of her.  Harm is pretty frantic about her.  Pull 
the truck 
around.  I'll make sure she's OK."
 
 Mac was inside, pulling her jeans on, and fighting off the dizziness 
that threatened 
to incapacitate her.  The room was spinning and she was desperately 
holding onto 
the edge of the sofa when she heard Earl coming in.  
 
 "Mac you decent?"
 
 "Yeah I'm coming," she gasped, making one more attempt and this time 
succeeding in getting the jeans up and buttoned.  "Let's go find that 
bull headed 
Sailor I'm in love with."
 
 Without waiting to see if she needed it, Earl wrapped his arm around 
her slender 
shoulders and took her to Frank's vehicle, squeezing the three of them 
onto the 
front seat.  His arm went around her once more and he urged her to rest 
against 
him.
 
 "I'm so scared Earl," she managed to get out, her tears holding back 
for the 
moment.
 
 Earl nodded and looked up to Frank, hoping to give her a little 
encouragement.  
"Was he moving or making any sound?"
 
 Frank shook his head.  "I wish I could say he was, but you know when 
one of 
those airbags slams into you, you don't for a bit.  Remember when the 
drunk hit me 
out on County Six.  Airbag saved my life but for a week I wasn't sure I 
was that 
grateful."
 
 Mac shuddered hard in his grasp and he patted her shoulder.  "Your 
sailor is a 
tough nut.  He'll be fine."
 
 For a few minutes only the sound of the wipers broke the silence, and 
then the 
road grew even muddier. "Drive easy," Earl breathed as they made their 
way 
closer.  "Mac that's Sheriff Miller and looks like he's sending one of 
his deputies 
down. . .yeah that's TJ.  I suppose it would be a waste of breath to 
ask you to stay 
in the truck."
 
 "Totally," she murmured.
 
 Frank pulled the truck up and stopped.  Earl alighted and reached up 
to catch her, 
feeling her land weakly in his grasp.  He held tightly to her as they 
waded to the 
Sheriff, who was supervising the lowering of TJ on a long rope toward 
the truck.  
"We're going to find out if there's any rush," Miller said casually and 
it was that 
remark that made Mac sob softly.
 
 "Rich didn't your mama teach you anything about tact," Earl scolded.  
"This is 
Sarah Mackenzie and that's her guy down there."
 
 Richard Miller had the good grace to look chastised.  "Ma'am I'm so 
sorry.  TJ is 
going to check on him and see what we need to do.  The good news is I 
have a 
chopper on standby from Charleston.  If he needs it, we can haul him 
out of there 
in a basket--long as the weather holds."
  
  "Let's hope we don't need it" Earl murmured as he wrapped his arm 
tighter 
  around Mac.
  
  For several anxious minutes they waited, Mac growing more and more 
worried 
  with each passing second.
  
  "Earl" she wailed softly. "What's taking so long?"
  
  "Just hang on dear" Earl said gently. "We'll know something soon."
  
  As he spoke TJ emerged from the side of the hill and Mac let out a 
small 
  cry, fearing the worst.
  
  "How is he?" Earl demanded as he led Mac over to TJ.
  
  "You must be Mac" TJ said with a small smile as he looked over at 
Mac. "He's 
  still pretty out of it but he was moaning your name."
  
  "How bad is he hurt?" Mac whispered.
  
  "Nothing a few days in bed won't take care of" TJ assured her. "Got a 
nice 
  sized lump on the side of his head and I think he's busted a few ribs 
but 
  there doesn't seem to be any serious injuries."
  
  "Are you sure?" Mac asked.
  
  "Trained medic as well ma'am. He won't be doing a whole lot for a few 
days 
  but he'll be fine. I'll have him back up here in a few minutes."
  
  "Thank you God" Mac murmured, clutching onto Earl's arm tighter as a 
wave of 
  dizziness washed over her.
  
  "Okay, back in the truck" Earl ordered. "You know he's okay and 
there's no 
  sense in you standing out here in the cold and rain getting sicker. 
They'll 
  have him up here in a few minutes and we'll get both of you looked 
at."
  
  She put up a minor protest but allowed Earl to lead her back to 
Frank's SUV 
  where he quickly turned up the heat to keep her warm. She stayed in 
the 
  vehicle until she saw Harm being lifted over the side and at once she 
tried 
  to push past Earl to get out.
  
  "Hang on, let me help you" he said as he climbed out and then turned 
to help 
  her out, keeping a firm arm around her as he led her to the vehicle 
where TJ 
  and the others had taken Harm.
  
  "Harm" she cried as she broke free of Earl's arm and pushed past the 
men, 
  needing to see for herself that he was okay.
  
  "Ma'am he's going to be okay" TJ said again gently.
  
  On cue, Harm moaned and at once Mac knelt tried to get closer to him.
  
  "Harm, I'm right here" she said as she reached for his hand.
  
  Seconds later he opened his eyes, giving her a long look. "Mac, what 
are you 
  doing here?" he demanded as he tried to sit up. He didn't get far, 
the pain 
  in his head coupled with very painful ribs forced him back down.
  
  "Worrying about you" she said softly. "And you just sit tight. You've 
got a 
  nice lump on that thick head of yours and you're pretty banged up."
  
  "I was trying to get help for you" he murmured as his eyes closed 
again. 
  "You were sick. Needed doctor."
  
  "Well I'm doing a lot better than you" she sighed as she looked at 
TJ. "Are 
  you sure he's going to be okay? You should at least take him to the 
hospital 
  to be checked"
  
  "Can't ma'am" Sheriff Miller spoke up. "Just got the call that they 
couldn't 
  send the chopper anyway. Weather's too rough."
  
  "Mac, TJ will take care of him" Earl assured her. "Next to Doctor 
Brickner 
  he's the best."
  
  "You sure?" Mac asked.
  
  "If it makes you feel any better TJ was a Medic in the Corps" Earl 
smiled. 
  "He'll take good care of Harm. There's nothing for you to be worried 
about. 
  And once he's looked at Harm he can take a quick look at you."
  
  "All right" Mac sighed, suddenly feeling the effects of being up for 
too 
  long. She waved unsteadily and Earl quickly reached for her.
  
  "Let's get them back to my place" Earl ordered. "TJ you can treat 
them 
  there."
  
  He started to lead her to the front seat before realizing she wasn't 
going 
  to leave Harm. He helped her into the back with Harm, arranging her 
so she 
  was cradling Harm's head in her lap.
  
  "Mac" he murmured again as her gentle hands stroked his forehead.
  
  "Yeah it's me" she said softly. "You just relax and take it easy. 
We're 
  going to get you back to Earl's and TJ's going to take care of you."
  
  "Sorry" he murmured. "I was worried about you."
  
  "Shh, we'll talk about that later."
  
 "We need to talk about me owing Earl a truck too," he murmured and 
then called 
to Earl in the front, "you'll need to send me the bill sir."
 
 "Oh for corn sake you had an accident in a truck of mine that you 
borrowed, a 
truck that's fully insured," he snorted.  "And we'll worry about the 
details of that 
later.  Mac you OK?"
 
 "Perfect," she smiled as she looked down on Harm.
 
 "Earl she's still sick," Harm moaned.  "And with all respect to TJ 
there, she needs a 
real doctor and that's what I was trying to do.  I would have made it 
too except for 
the slide."
 
 "No you wouldn't have," TJ told him quietly.  "Not without a boat that 
can fight the 
current on Willow.  She's three feet over the bridge, and the bridge 
old as it is may 
not be structurally sound any more."
 
 "So you're telling me that these people on this mountain can't get off 
even in a life 
threatening emergency?" Harm demanded, trying to sit up despite his 
pain.  "That 
doesn't make any sense.  What if someone was badly hurt or deathly 
ill."
 
 "The state police would send a Lifeflight chopper," TJ explained, "but 
that's not an 
option in this weather."
 
 "Harm please, try to calm down.  I'm not any worse I don't think and 
you're hurting 
and you need to be still before you do worse damage to yourself."
 
 "Good advice," TJ said firmly.  "Harm if you've got a real broken rib 
you could 
puncture a lung real easy, so until I can get you wrapped just be 
still."
 
 "I'm. . ."  was all he got out before she clamped a damp hand to his 
mouth.  "Listen 
to the man Rabb.  For once in your pig headed existence listen to 
someone."
 
 He closed his eyes and dropped back against her, letting her envelop 
him in a 
gentle embrace.  "I'm sorry," he whispered and was still. 
 
 A momentary jolt of alarm shot through her until she realized he was 
simply 
exhausted and hurting. 
 
 "He'll be OK," TJ smiled, catching a glimpse of her in the rear view.  
"Try to relax 
yourself."
 
 Once back at the cabin, Earl helped Harm from the backseat with the 
assistance 
of TJ, who then reached for Mac.  
 
 "I'm OK, just take care of Harm," she urged.
 
 "Funny that's what he just told Earl about you," TJ grinned.   "Come 
on, we'll get 
you both inside."
 
 A short time later with Earl's help they were both stretched out on 
the sofa, Harm 
stripped from the waist up and TJ running gentle practiced hands over 
his chest 
and head, and checking his eyes with a pen light.  
 
 "Is he OK?" she asked anxiously.
 
 "Two cracked ribs and a probable mild concussion, not serious," TJ 
assured her.  
"Nothing that can't wait a couple days for a real checkup I don't 
think.  We'll wrap 
the ribs and for the head, just rest."
 
 "Mac lay back please.  I'm OK," Harm fretted, nevertheless groaning as 
TJ 
manipulated his ribs while he wrapped his chest.
 
 Mac watched quietly, becoming more and more aware of something 
changing with 
her own condition. She was suddenly cold all over and began to shiver 
violently, 
feeling her skin turn to ice.
 
 "Harm, something's wrong," she whispered, clawing frantically for 
blankets.  "I'm 
all cold and wet."
  
 "TJ" Harm demanded as he looked up at the man. "What's wrong with 
her?"
 
 "Both of you calm" TJ smiled. "Most likely she's finally breaking that 
fever 
 is all.  Earl you have a thermometer handy?"
 
 "Yes sir" Earl said as he handed him the thermometer.
 
 "She's going to be okay right?" Harm asked as he held onto Mac tightly 
while 
 TJ checked her temperature.
 
 "Not perfect but I'm betting 100 is a lot better than she was last 
night" TJ 
 replied. "And yes she's going to be fine. Both of you need to spend a 
few 
 days in bed resting. Earl, whatever you were giving her, keep it up. I 
know 
 that stuff Anna had always worked wonders."
 
 "Thank you for everything TJ" Earl said as he led the young man to the 
door.
 
 "We'll see about your truck. But I'm pretty sure it's a loss."
 
 "Sorry" Harm groaned from the sofa.
 
 "Nonsense, that's why I pay all that money for insurance" Earl assured 
him. 
 "Nothing to be sorry about."
 
 "I'll stop back up tomorrow afternoon" TJ said as he headed out. "If 
you 
 need anything, just give me a holler. But with a few days rest they 
should 
 both be fine."
 
 "Earl, we're real sorry about this" Harm said quietly when he returned 
to 
 the living room. "When we came up here we didn't plan on taking up 
this much 
 of your time."
 
 "Would you stop apologizing" Earl smiled. "You know how long it's been 
since 
 I've had company like this. Too long. And if you was being a bother, 
I'd let 
 you know. As it is, I'm just glad you're both going to be okay. 
Remember you 
 wouldn't be up here if it wasn't for me. I suppose I could have just 
shut my 
 big trap about McNamara?"
 
 "No way" Harm said quickly. "You did the right thing coming forth. If 
he 
 doesn't deserve the position, we should know about it."
 
 "I wonder what kind of song and dance he'll try and give you" Earl 
smirked. 
 "And why am I going on about this when you two should be resting."
 
 "It's okay" Mac assured him.
 
 "No it's not" Earl said as he stood up. "You two rest. I'll go see 
what I 
 can put together in the kitchen for lunch"
 
 "He's such a nice man" Mac murmured tiredly.
 
 "Yes he is" Harm agreed as he draped his arm over her. "And he's right 
about 
 you needing some rest. You shouldn't have come out with them this 
morning."
 
 "Like I was going to lay here when I didn't know how you were" Mac 
scoffed. 
 "Speaking of which we still need to talk about why you decided to take 
off 
 in the middle of the night like that."
 
 "Can we save that discussion for later" he begged. "Man with major 
headache 
 here."
 
 "You should have gone to the hospital" she fretted. "That could be 
more than 
 a mild concussion."
 
 "It's not so stop worrying" he sighed. "I just need some rest. Like 
you do."
 
 "We're quite a pair aren't we" she murmured as her eyes closed.
 
 "Yes you are" Earl smiled from above them.
 
 **********************
 Three Days Later
 
 "Earl, thank you for everything" Mac said as she gave the man a long 
hug.
 
 "My pleasure. Good to see you two both on your feet again. Well at 
least one 
 of you."
 
 "I'm okay" Harm assured him. "Just a little sore still."
 
 "Yeah I bet" Earl nodded. "Well the important thing is your both okay 
and 
 can finally get out of here."
 
 "Well you may see us again" Harm said with a small smile. "You know 
once we 
 talk to McNamara we'll likely be back to let you know when you'll have 
to 
 testify."
 
 "Not a problem. I'll be there. And it looks like your ride back to DC 
is 
 here."
 
 "You two ready to head back to the big city?" TJ asked as he climbed 
out of 
 the truck.
 
 "I guess so" Mac smiled. "Thanks for the ride. We really do appreciate 
it."
 
 "My pleasure" TJ said as he opened the back door for them.
 
 "Bye Earl" Harm said as he shook the older man's hand. "We'll see you 
soon."
 
 "Take care of each other" Earl said softly. "You've got something 
special 
 there. Don't let it get away."
 
 "We won't" Harm assured him as he reached for Mac's hand. "You ready 
to go 
 home Marine?"
 
 "Yes sir" she smiled. "Bye Earl."
 
 *********************
One week later

"I'm perfectly capable of driving."

"And I'm not?"  She shot him a long glare as she helped him into his 
jacket, not 
missing his grimace as his arms slid into the sleeves.

"Mac you know I didn't mean that.  It's just that you've been nursing 
me for a week 
since we came back.  I'm back to limited duty and driving. . . "

"Is not part of that," she interrupted sharply.  "You want those ribs 
to hurt the rest of 
your life?  And I didn't notice you objecting to the nursing last night 
when I was 
rubbing your back when you couldn't sleep."

"I was high on baby oil fumes," he pouted.  "OK, but I'm navigating.  
You get us 
lost."

"I'm not even going there," she sighed, thrusting the map into his 
chest.

"And I thought Earl lived in the boonies," she signed forty five 
minutes later, 
watching Harm out of the corner of his eye as he fidgeted in the 
confines of the 
seatbelt.  They had been back from West Virginia for a week and his 
ribs were 
healing-albeit slowly--from the pounding they took when the truck was 
washed over 
the side of the road.

"Hey it's a beautiful Sunday for a drive, and the man promised he'd be 
there to talk 
to us," he reminded her.  I just hope we can make some headway here.   
Much as I 
like Bobbi, I don't need her breathing down my neck every other day 
about this."

"Well there was a time she did more than that," Mac teased.

"Like you've never had a one-nighter," he scoffed.  

"I don't kiss and tell Flyboy," she laughed.  "And since she's chairing 
the committee 
I guess she has a right to. . ."  Her voice trailed off and she stared 
straight ahead 
for a full minute.

Harm read her thoughts instantly.  "Mac there's nothing there.  Wasn't 
even that 
night except I wanted some companionship.  And in the process I allowed 
my best 
friend to get charged with murder."

"Sorry," she sighed.  "Sometimes I think we have so much baggage that 
we're 
going to sink under the load before we can even. . ."

"No, don't you dare say that," he yelped.  "Even this thing with my 
father---we're 
better, stronger, than that.  As for Bobbi, I can promise you I have 
all I want with 
the beautiful woman who managed to put up with my whining for a week 
and didn't 
kick me out of her place."

"Oh you know what they say about payback," she laughed and reached over 
to 
squeeze his hand, sobering suddenly.  "I don't want you to go back."

"Back to . . .?"

"Your apartment.  At least not to. . .I want you to. . .I wish you 
would. . .OK never 
mind.  Let's just say I've gotten pretty accustomed to you being beside 
me moaning 
and whining."

"I think we should talk about that," Harm told her.  "But maybe over 
dinner 
someplace, not when we're about to interview a man who may be up on 
charges of 
treason."

"I. . .we . . .yeah OK we can do that," she stammered.

With a long sigh of anticipation, he leaned back into the seat, willing 
his ribs to stop 
hurting.  "Hang a right, there's number six," he called a few minutes 
later, 
acknowledging the exit coming up and he squirmed again in the seat.

"We'll be out of this car soon," she said soothingly.

"Damn ribs."

Following the directions McNamara's secretary had provided, they turned 
down a 
narrow dirt road and then onto a gravel driveway.  Up ahead loomed an 
old 
clapboard farm house with several outbuildings surrounding it.  

"Look at all these cars," he gasped.  "And don't tell me their 
neighbors.  We haven't 
seen another house since we left the highway and that was five miles 
back."

"It's an old tobacco plantation," she sighed, "nothing around for 
miles.  Hey maybe 
he sells used cars on the side."  She guided the car into a spot next 
to one other 
and hurried around to help Harm out.

"Have I mentioned I hate this," he groused, tugging at the wrap beneath 
his shirt.

"In the last ten minutes, no," she smiled and patted his cheek.  "Let's 
go ring a 
doorbell shall we."

She kept her hand around his arm as they mounted the steep steps to the 
porch.

A solidly middle aged woman, her gray hair falling in strings from a 
bun, answered 
their ring. "You the JAG people whatever the hell that is?"

"Yes ma'am," Mac smiled as pleasantly as she could.  "We're looking for 
the 
general.  Are you Mrs. McNamara?"  She frowned as she asked, sure she 
had read 
in the case file the general was a widower.

"Good god no.  No woman could stand twenty four hours with that man," 
she 
snorted.  "Lorna Dailey his housekeeper.  Anyways he's out back playing 
with the 
other boys.  Walk around the house and start across the field to your 
right.  You 
can't miss him and his little friends."

"Thanks. . .I think," Harm frowned, looking back down the long flight, 
grateful for 
Mac's supporting arm as they started down.  "What the hell is she 
talking about, 
little friends?" he demanded when they were out of hearing.  

"Do I know," she laughed.  "But I didn't plan on interviewing him in 
front of an 
audience.  "OK here's the field she meant and I do see people back in 
the trees.  
Maybe it's a catered orgy."

"Think they've got room for one more?"

Ignoring that, she walked slightly ahead of them as they started across 
the field, 
following a narrow path between wilted corn stalks.  The shouts from 
the men grew 
louder and the air was filled with a popping sound.

"What the hell is that noise," she muttered, turning to look back at 
Harm.

Before he could answer it came again, followed a second later by her 
sharp cry of 
pain and surprise.   She took a step toward him, falling forward into 
his grasp, and 
his eyes widened in horror when he saw her back and side covered in 
bright red.  
"Shot," she managed to get out before her eyes closed.

  
  "Mac" he screamed, as several men came towards them.
  
  "Who the hell are you two?" one of the men yelled. "Don't you know 
you're in 
  the middle of a game here mister."
  
  "Game?" Harm managed, his gaze going back and forth from Mac to the 
man.
  
  "For heaven's sake you didn't think that she'd actually been shot did 
you?" 
  the man laughed.
  
  Harm looked again at Mac's back, finally comprehending what was going 
on. He 
  and Mac had walked into the middle of a paint ball game and she'd 
been the 
  victim of one of the shots.
  
  "Then why isn't she moving?" Harm demanded as he managed to lower her 
to the 
ground, his ribs protesting the entire time.
  
  "Probably knocked the breath out of her," the man said as he walked 
up to 
  him. "Those things tend to hurt a bit if you're not wearing the 
proper 
  protection."
  
  "No really" Harm said sarcastically as he bent over Mac, who was 
coming 
  around, her breath coming in short gasps. "Easy" Harm said softly as 
he 
  helped her to a sitting position, gently rubbing her back as he did 
so.
  
  "So who are you two anyway?" the man asked again as Harm held Mac.
  
  "Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie from JAG" Harm glared at the 
man. 
  "We're here to see General McNamara."
  
  "Hey Pete" the man called. "Tell the General those lawyers are here 
to see 
  him."
  
  "Mac, you okay?" Harm asked as she finally caught her breath.
  
  "Yeah I think so," she said slowly. "What hit me?"
  
  "Paint ball" the man laughed. "Damn good shot I had. Course I thought 
you 
  were one of McNamara's team."
  
  "I won't ask" Mac sighed and groaned at the same time.
  
  "You think you can stand?" Harm asked. She nodded and with his 
assistance 
  she made her way to her feet.
  
  "Rabb, Mackenzie you're early" a voice yelled and they turned to see 
General 
  McNamara coming towards them.  "Interrupting a good game here."
  
  "Your secretary did arrange this time" Harm retorted.
  
  "Yeah I'm sure she did. And I was about to kill the last of Holmes 
men 
  anyway so I guess we'll just call it a day. Holmes, next week we'll 
finish 
  this for real. Can you take care of stuff while I talk to my friends 
here 
  from DC."
  
  "Yes sir" the man who'd shot Mac grinned. "Be happy too."
  
  "Why don't we go into the house?" McNamara suggested. "Less of an 
audience 
  that way."
  
  "Good idea" Harm replied.
  
  "What happened to you Colonel?" McNamara chuckled as Mac started to 
walk. 
  "You didn't get shot did you? Course I don't know why you two walked 
back 
  out here anyway."
  
  Harm opened his mouth and Mac shot him a warning glare. "Your 
housekeeper 
  said we should come back here" Harm said calmly. "She didn't mention 
you 
  were in the middle of a paint ball game."
  
  "Lorna's nice but not always there" McNamara laughed. "You okay 
Colonel? 
  Didn't hurt you did it?"
  
  "No I'm fine" Mac assured him.
  
  "Good, lets get back to the house so we can get this little interview 
over 
  with it."
  
  "Liar" Harm whispered as McNamara walked ahead of him. "You can't 
tell me 
  that doesn't hurt."
  
  "You think he really cares" Mac whispered back. "Besides it can't 
hurt any 
  worse than your ribs do. And this walking isn't helping you any 
either."
  
  "I'm fine" he maintained.
  
  "Well so am I" she hissed.
  
  They arrived back at the house a few minutes later, Harm and Mac 
exchanging 
  concerned glances with each other.
  
  "Lorna" McNamara called as they walked in. "Lorna you still here?"
  
  Silence greeted them and McNamara led them to his office. "Just give 
me a 
  few minutes to clean up and I'll be right with you. In the meantime, 
can I 
  get you something to drink while you're waiting? I thought Lorna 
would be 
  around but I think I can manage some tea if you'd like."
  
  "Thank you" Mac replied. "I think we both would like some."
  
  McNamara nodded as he walked out and Mac and Harm both sank into the 
chairs 
  in front of his large desk.
  
  "You okay?" the both asked at the same time.
  
  "I'm fine," Mac said first. "Honest, it's just a little sore there. 
Nothing 
  a good hot bath and some aspirin can't fix. How about you?"
  
  "I'm okay. Just a little sore from all the walking and moving."
  
  "You should be home in bed resting" she fretted. "You're never going 
to get 
  better if you don't."
  
  "You think I was letting you come out here alone?" Harm hissed. "No 
way. I 
  didn't like this guy before I met him and now I like him even less."
  
  "Well we're supposed to maintain objectivity here counselor" she 
reminded him. 
  "I know Earl had some strong accusations but we need to get his side 
of the 
  story."
  
  "I can't wait to hear it" Harm sighed.
  
  "Okay, here's some tea for you two" McNamara said a few minutes later 
as he 
  returned, now dressed in a clean pair of fatigues and a Marine 
sweatshirt. 
  "And I guess we're ready to get down to business."
 
 "You people are here to discredit me I take it," McNamara smiled 
disarmingly.
 
 "Sir we're here for the truth," Mac smiled as well, hoping to put him 
at ease.  "Our 
job is to present our findings to the Latham committee and to testify 
as to our 
impressions and what we were told as we interview."
 
 "That jerk Hardley's spreading lies about me."
 
 "And how do you know this?" Harm frowned at once.  
 
 "Hey I didn't get where I am without sources," McNamara told him.  
"I've got 
people watching out for me.  I want this appointment.  And I didn't 
need a bunch of 
crap coming up about an incident that happened more than thirty years 
ago 
interfering with it."
 
 "You took your discharge pretty quickly after you got home," Mac 
observed.  "This 
so called 'incident' didn't bother you much."
 
 To Harm's alarm, the man leaned over to invade Mac's space.  "How old 
were you 
Colonel during Vietnam.  Were you even out of diapers?"
 
 "That it was a long time ago is not in dispute," Harm reminded him, 
putting a firm 
hand on his arm to make him back away from her.  "That we're still 
paying the price 
for things done there is also not in dispute.  You in fact did have a 
break in service.  
Could we hear why please sir."
 
 "I came home and I was disillusioned with it all," he replied.  "And I 
got caught up 
in the anti war movement, not just the kids but the politicians too and 
I started 
questioning a lot of things, so when my two was up, I got out.  Went to 
college on 
the GI bill, taught high school a couple of years and then I realized 
what was 
lacking in my life--the order and discipline of the military so I went 
back.  It's just 
that simple.  Now I've got four years left to thirty and I feel like I 
can make a real 
contribution to the Intel branch."  He paused and when he spoke again 
his eyes 
were narrowed.  "I want that position Colonel, Commander."
 
 "And I want a silver Corvette to go with my red one," Harm growled, 
stopping at 
her hand touching his arm.  "Sorry sir.  No disrespect intended.  But 
your desires 
do not enter into the equation here.  That you want the position is 
well known.  It's 
whether you deserve it or not that's in question."
 
 "A lot of guys got separated from their units," McNamara sighed.  "If 
you penalized 
all of them. . ."
 
 "Sir with all due respect, the allegation is not that you simply got 
separated," Mac 
interrupted.  "There have been serious suggestions that you actually 
cooperated 
with the North before you were reunited with our troops."
 
 "I have no recollection of that."
 
 Harm snorted loudly, then quickly covered his mouth.  "Sir that 
defense didn't work 
for Oliver North or Ronald Reagan.  Did you show the enemy some Allied 
troop 
movements or positions?"
 
 "You don't honestly think I'm going to answer that do you?" the 
general scoffed.  
"And if you're going to rely on just hearsay testimony and memories 
from back then 
from men under incredible stress you're going to be blown out of the 
water son.  
That was in another time, another place. Hell it was another lifetime.  
My service 
has been exemplary since then.  Spotless record of career achievements, 
and a 
battlefield decoration in the gulf."
 
 "No denial there sir," Mac agreed.  "But you know that everything that 
happens in 
one's career stays with them permanently.  Founded or unfounded."
 
 "Let's lay our cards on the table shall we?" McNamara asked after a 
long moment 
of thought.  "You plan to announce before congress and the world that I 
collaborated with the enemy?"

 "If that's the case sir, yes we do" Harm replied.
 
 "Based on what Hardley told you?"
 
 "Yes sir. And he's willing to testify as well."

 "I see" McNamara said as he stood up. "Sounds like you two have this 
all 
 figured out."
 
 "We're willing to hear your side of it" Harm reminded him. "That's why 
we 
 came out here."
 
 McNamara paced the office for a few seconds before turning back to 
them. 
 "All right. I'll tell you what happened. But it's not the way Hardley 
says 
 it was. And before I do that I'm going to get myself some of that tea. 
Can I 
 interest either of you in another cup?"
 
 They both handed him back their cups and Harm waited until he was gone 
 before leaning closer to Mac.
 
 "You really think he's going to tell us the truth?" he sighed. "Or 
just 
 another song and dance story."
 
 "Harm, we're supposed to be objective here. Try and keep it all in 
 prospective sailor. I know you believed Earl but we have to hear both 
sides 
 of the story."
 
 "There's something about him I don't like" Harm muttered.
 
 "Like the fact that one of his buddies shot me with a paint ball" Mac 
said 
 with a small grimace as she shifted in the chair.
 
 "You're hurting aren't you?" he demanded. "Why didn't you say 
something 
 sooner? You've probably got a nasty bruise there and at least we could 
be 
 putting ice on it."
 
 "It'll keep until we're finished with this. It just hurts a little."
 
 "I'm going to ask him for some ice" Harm said as he started out of his 
 chair, only to have Mac reach out an arm to stop him.
 
 "Harm it's fine" she sighed. "Please. I'll be okay until we get back."
 
 "You don't have to put up the tough Marine act. That had to hurt and 
there's 
 no reason for you to sit there in pain. Let me go get some ice and see 
if he 
 has some aspirin."
 
 "No" she said firmly, grabbing his arm again. "Harm, just let it go."
 
 He gave her a long look as McNamara returned to the office with three 
 steaming cups of tea.
 
 "Everything okay?" he asked, sensing the tension between the two 
officers.
 
 "Yes sir" Mac said quickly before Harm could speak.
 
 "For a moment there I thought I'd interrupted a lovers quarrel or 
something" 
 McNamara laughed as he handed Harm his cup and then Mac hers.
 
 "Just a difference of opinion" Harm sighed as he took a long sip of 
the tea.
 
 "You two seem like you've been together for a while" McNamara said as 
he sat 
 down in the large chair behind the desk.
 
 "Six years" Mac smiled. "And no we don't always agree. But we're not 
here to 
 talk about us. You were going to tell us what really happened in 
Vietnam."
 
 "Yes I was" McNamara said slowly. "But before I do, I just want it on 
the 
 record that Earl Hardley is a liar who's had it in for me for thirty 
years. 
 And he's using this as his way to get revenge."

"You'll be able to state your side under oath sir," Harm told him.  
"Now why
don't you tell us what happened.  In your own words and just take your 
time."

McNamara needed no further encouragement and launched into his story, 
his
account differing from Earl's as they suspected it would.

"Right about now it would be nice to hear some indication that you 
believe me,
or at least that you might understand the situation better," he 
concluded several
minutes later.
 
 Before either of them could reply, McNamara's phone rang and he gave 
them a 
 quick smile before reaching for the cordless phone.
 
 "Excuse me please" he said as he stood up a second later. "I need to 
take 
 this. Shouldn't be but a few minutes."
 
 "No problem" Mac murmured as he walked out.
 
 "Hope this doesn?t take long" Harm sighed, suddenly feeling tired. He 
 chalked it up to too much in one day when he still wasn't back to 
normal and 
 he took another sip of tea hoping the caffeine would help.
 
 "You okay?" Mac asked as she looked over at him.
 
 "Yeah, just suddenly real tired" he admitted, an overwhelming urge to 
want 
 to sleep taking over him.
 
 "Me too" she said vaguely, noticing the same feeling. "Harm, you don't 
 think?" Her voice trailed off as she realized that he was no longer 
awake. 
 She pushed herself from the chair, someone how managing to stumble 
over to 
 him. "Harm" she said as she shook his arm. "Harm, wake up."
 
 Her attempts to rouse him failed and she forced herself to her feet, 
 determined to find out what was going on. She got only as far as the 
door, 
 the last conscious memory being McNamara's grin as she fell into his 
waiting 
 arms.
 
 
 
 The End 
	Watch for the next chapter of Past Present Future coming soon