TITLE: "Phantasm" Chapter 4 [concluding] AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: On assignment to a Naval Station undergoing security breeches, Harm and Mac attempt to adjust to a newly achieved next level in their relationship while keeping their cover personas in tact. NOTE: Story was written before the events of Fortunate Son, Second Acts, Ice Queen etc. Singer, Sergei, Lindsey, NCIS etc are not a factor. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac] PG for language and mild violence. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story, as well as the majority of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please simply click through any notice of adult content you may see-there are no R nor NC17 stories there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Much of our work is also featured at Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com Note regarding this chapter and the next: With the criminal situation at Pascagoula resolved, Harm and Mac find even greater peril in their lives, having nothing to do with man's cruelty to man but of a woman long ago denied in love coming to claim her due. ==================== NOTE: This is the concluding chapter of this saga. The Undercover story is finished. Harm and Mac are back in DC, and dealing with Diane Schonke's spirit. We recognize that not everyone believes in--or wants to read about--this sort of thing. Those of that persuasion should bail now. +++++++++++++++++++++++ From the conclusion of Chapter 3--- Mac swallowed hard and bit her lip. "The time you went after Hobarth and we were talking about how she died, you said you and she were going to talk that weekend. Were you going to propose?" Harm opened and closed his mouth several times before finally answering her. "No. At least I don't think I was. We didn't have that kind of relationship. Not at that point anyway." "But you would have been receptive to having that kind of relationship with her?" "I guess. But we were in different areas and I didn't know if it would work. And mostly what I wanted that weekend was to find out where her feelings lay." "She was in love with you Harm. And she wants you. She thought she was finally getting you back and then somehow fate intervened and she didn't." "She didn't because I wasn't going to leave you. We had too much unfinished business for me to check out just yet." "You and Diane had unfinished business too," Mac said softly. "I can't help that. It wasn't meant to be. But you and I" His voice trailed off and he reached for her hand. "I'm sorry for what I've put you through the last few days. When I first woke up I couldn't get everything straight. And I know I hurt you and I'm sorry." "It's okay. All that matters to me now is that you're okay." "Mac I'm scared she's going to hurt you" Harm said quietly. "When Tracy told me you'd screamed her name before collapsing I knew it was her." "Harm she's dead. She can't hurt me." "Yes she can" he whispered. "She's here Mac. I know it sounds totally crazy but I know she's here. And she's not going to be happy until she gets what she wants. Me." """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "Phantasm" Ch. 4, "She's not going to get you. I'm sorry but I won't let you go. Not without a fight. And I can't believe I'm saying this about a ghost." "Mac this is all too weird" Harm sighed. "I know," she said softly. "And you're still not well enough to be worrying about this. My God Harm I almost lost you. They wouldn't even tell me for sure you would live." "I'm sorry. And it's my own fault for trusting Holly. Hell I could have gotten you killed too." "You didn't know she was going to set us up like that." "No but I should have. I was way too trusting." "Yeah you were," she admitted. "But I think this whole investigation was getting to you." "It was. The only thing I'm thankful for was that you weren't hurt." "Well I'm thankful you're still me with" she sniffled. "Honestly Harm I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to tell you again how much I love you. I've never been so scared." "I'm sorry Sarah" he whispered. "It's okay. You just concentrate on getting better. Right now I'm still thanking God you're awake and talking to me." "You're not going to leave are you?" he asked. "No way. No one is going to get me away from you. Ever." "Mac if you see her again, I want to know." "Harm it may have all been my imagination. You've been talking about her and I've been stressed" "You know it wasn't. And I know because she's been here Mac. That's why I thought you were her at first. She was with me the whole time." "Waiting to take you with her" Mac whispered as she squeezed his hand tightly. "She was just waiting for you to die so she could have you again." "You believe that don't you?" "I don't know what I believe Harm. It's all so weird I don't know what to think." "I don't either" he sighed. "And you should be resting instead of thinking" she fretted. "Close those eyes and go back to sleep." "You'll be here?" "Always" she promised softly. "When I was asleep or unconscious or something I could feel you slipping away from me," he sighed. "Mac this is not good. I'm afraid for you. I'm afraid for us." "Look I don't know what's happening here, but right now it's all looking worse than it really is because we're both tired and stressed. Please sleep. I want to take you home. I want to get out of this hellhole and never come back." "OK, but you're going to have to hold my hand. And god that sounds so whiny and needy and I'm sorry." "I'm here Harm. Here. Not going anywhere. Loving you. Loving you very much." His eyes closed at those words and a small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Love you. Thank you." "You're welcome," she laughed softly, feeling relief flood her. He was going to be all right. He had survived and he loved her. Her hand drifted to his forehead and she stroked gently back into the silky brown strands. "Sleep honey." Three hours later she was still beside his bed, relaxing and reading when Tracy knocked lightly. "You guys OK ma'am?" Mac nodded and rose stiffly from her chair. "He's going to be OK," she said softly. "How's the case? I feel like I've stuck you with it." "Yes ma'am, and that's fine. I don't get much chance to be lead on something and it's been great. They've been assigned counsel and I'm going to prosecute so I'll be back down. You two will be witnesses of course." "Oh right. We have to come back. Thank you for that cheery thought." "Yes ma'am. Unless of course Sgt. Blake confesses and takes the plea. Which actually I hope she doesn't. I'm planning for her to spend most of the rest of her life in the Big House." "Yeah. Well count on me to help put her away," Mac said firmly. "I am. Ma'am let's take a walk and get something quick to eat." "Oh no I don't think so," Mac shook her head, looking back to the sleeping Naval Commander. "Ma'am you said he was fine. Please. If you're going to be taking care of him, you need to take care of yourself. Am I right? There's a little snack shop just at the of the hallway." "I don't think I can leave him." "Yes you can ma'am." Tracy put a firm hand on her arm and urged her from the seat. "Harm I'll be close by and the nurse will know where I am," Mac sighed, leaning down to kiss him softly. "You guys are cute," Tracy smiled, adding "ma'am" hastily. "I love him," Mac shrugged. ============= "Thank you. This was a good idea," Mac sighed as she downed the last few bites of a chicken salad sandwich and coffee. "I thought you'd enjoy it ma'am. I should tell you that if you are OK here, the Admiral has ordered me home tonight, but he did say to let him know if you needed me to stay." "No. I think in fact we'll be heading that way in a few. . ." "Colonel Mackenzie, good there you are." Mac swung around sharply to see who was getting her attention. "Ma'am, Commander Rabb is awake and very agitated. I'm afraid only your presence is going to calm him." Mac leaped from her chair so quickly she knocked it over and ran headlong down the hall. "Harm stop. Now Harm," she yelled as soon as she got to his door and saw him frantically tossing on the bed wrestling with one of the nurses. "Ma'am if you don't calm him I'm going to sedate him." "Get out. I'll take care of him," she snapped, suddenly in Marine mode. "You've got one minute." "Harm please stop. Please," Mac whispered, her voice to his ear and her hand to his forehead. "It's OK. I'm here now and I should not have left you. Were you having a nightmare?" His eyes opened slowly and he drew a ragged breath. "No. Not a nightmare. A visit. From Diane. She was here. She told me to stay away from you. If I didn't, she would take care of you. Mac don't you see. That was a warning. She can't abide you near me. You and I can't be together. She was serious Mac. You need to get as far away from me as you can." "Yeah I'll hop the next Greyhound out of town," she scoffed. "Honestly Flyboy. Listen to yourself. You're all sweaty and the nurse is threatening to sedate you. It's going to take someone with a little more clout than a dead woman's ghost to get me away from you." "You can't be with me," he moaned, trying to push her hand away. "Watch me," she retorted, evading his hand and wiping his face with a cool cloth. "Mac no please" he begged. "I don't want anything to happen to you. I love you. You have to go away." "It's not going to happen so save your breath. We've waited too long for us to be together to let the spirit of Diane Schonke keep us apart Harm. I'm not going to let it happen." "Sarah" he moaned. "Please. You're not listening to reason." "Harm it's going to be okay" she soothed. "I promise. No one is going to hurt me. Or you for that matter. At least not under my watch." "I'm so afraid for you" he whispered as she finished wiping his face. He reached his hand for hers and squeezed it gently. "I don't ever want to lose you." "You won't" Mac said softly. "I promise. Now you get some rest so we can hopefully get out of here soon. I'd like nothing better than to take you home and forget this entire nightmare ever happened." "I wish it was just a nightmare" Harm sighed as his eyes dropped shut again. "But it's not. She's here. I know it." As he spoke Mac's eyes wandered around the hospital room. It was seemingly empty but at the same time she couldn't the feeling that someone was watching them. "You can't have him" Mac whispered to the empty room. "He's mine now. And I won't let him go. Ever." ***************** One Week Later Harm's Apartment "Into bed you go" Mac said as she assisted Harm into his apartment. "You're barely on your feet there sailor." "I'm okay" he sighed. "Just a little tired. But there's no reason for you to worry." With a week's rest Doctor Stegmeyer had finally released Harm, satisfied that Harm had suffered no serious effects from his injury. Mac had been only to happy to leave the area, hoping that once they were back home things would settle. "Tired and in need of a bed" Mac frowned. "And once I do that, then I'll see about getting us some dinner." "You cook?" he said with a just a hint of a smile. "Now I know you're feeling better" she smiled as well. "And yes I can cook but I was just planning on ordering us something. I don't want to leave you alone." "Mac I'm just going to crash anyway. It might be a good idea to get some real food around here." "I don't know" she sighed. "Mac go. I'll be fine. I'm just going to get changed and climb into bed. I'm taking offers if you want to help me on either." "I'd love to. But I'm not sure you're up to that just yet." "We have to try sometime" he smiled devilishly. "Remember how it was before we went to Pascagoula." "Oh yeah" she sighed as he pulled her into his arms. "And I have missed it." "So have I" he whispered before his lips found hers in a long kiss that left them both breathless when they finished. "I think I'd better go now otherwise I'm not going to go anywhere for a while" she sighed. "Then don't. Dinner can wait." "Harm I don't know. You sure you're up to this?" "I'm always up for this" he smiled. "Come on." He took her hand and gently led her to the bedroom and it wasn't but a moment later that they'd shed their clothing and Harm lowered her to the bed. "I have missed this so much" he whispered. "No more than I have," she panted, feeling his hands and his lips arouse feelings she had held in check for many days. "Make love to me Harmon Rabb. Please. And let me love you." Ten minutes later they were more than ready and he rolled them so she was atop him. "See something you like do you?" she whispered when he paused the action to enjoy. "Several things," he smiled. "How about you?" "Well one thing in particular," she whispered. It was at the point where their bodies were about to meld that it happened. The pain was sharp and sudden, as if a noose was tightening around her neck, choking off her air and making black spots swim before her eyes. Her hands went to her neck and she cried out in fear and pain. A sharp cry that sent icy fear into Harm's belly as he watched her face contort. She fell back from him onto the bed, her hands at her throat and gasping for air, her lips tinged with blue. He screamed her name and flung himself beside her, at that moment having no idea what he should do. Calling 911 fleeted through his brain and for a few horrible seconds he was sure she was dying--or dead, for suddenly her body went totally slack. Her face relaxed and she took a large gulp of air, gasping with pain but at least she was breathing. "Mac? Sarah honey? Talk to me. What happened baby?" She looked up at him, her eyes wide with confusion and still showing pain. "Harm? Harm what happened?" "Just tell me you're all right," he begged. "You're breathing OK? Where do you hurt?" "I guess I'm OK," she whispered. "I don't know. There was just pain, so much pain and then I couldn't breathe. I don't know. I'm scared Harm. What happened to me?" He shook his head and gathered her now-trembling body onto his lap. "It was the damnedest thing I've ever seen. We were about to. . .and then you just. . .I don't even know how to explain it. Let's get you dressed. Well and me too. You're going to the ER." "I most certainly am not," she yelped, ignoring the pain that action sent careening through her throat. "No way. I don't know what happened but I'm OK now." "Honey you couldn't breathe. You screamed and you were turning blue." "But it's over now. I don't even know why I'm shaking except I'm scared and don't know what happened." "Well something made you have some kind of spasm," he told her, trying to pull the blanket up over them. "How about some water or tea at least?" "No. It will hurt to swallow. Just please hold me. I'm so cold." "Let me get you dressed first," he urged. "No. No please. Just right now don't let me go." "All right, but I'm scared too," he told her, drawing the blanket tightly around them both and settling them back on the pillows. She curled into as tight a ball as she could, and it was in that manner she fell asleep. Sleep was not something he allowed himself, wanting to watch over her. He fought it off, and as his mind began to get blurry from exhaustion, he heard the voice call his name once and then twice. And then it filled his mind. Diane's voice. Faint at first, and then more fully. "I let her live tonight Harm. For you I let her live. Next time, perhaps not. If I take away your will to live Harm will you want to come be with me. She can't have you. You and I. How it's supposed to be." "Diane" he whispered as he tightened his hold on Mac. "No." "Yes Harm. She will die. And then you will be mine." "No please" he moaned. "Please don't hurt her." As quickly as the voice had come it was gone and Harm woke with a start, his body trembling. "I won't let her hurt you" he whispered to a still sleeping Mac. "I'll do anything to keep you safe honey. Anything." ******************** His arms were empty when he woke the next morning and he jumped from the bed, her name screaming off his lips. "Hey easy sailor" Mac said as she hurried to meet him outside the bedroom. "I'm right here. Stay calm." For a moment he could only hug her as Diane's words ran through his mind. She wanted him and she would hurt Mac to make it happen. But he wasn't going to let her. "Are you okay?" he managed finally. "I'm fine. I honestly have no idea what happened last night. It was like someone had their hands around my throat." As she spoke her eyes widened and she let out a small gasp. "Diane." "I want you to go" he whispered. "You have to go." "Harm no. No way is she going to scare me away. I won't let that happen." "I will," he shouted. "I won't let her hurt you again. You have to stay away from me. That's the way it has to be." "Harm will you listen to yourself?" she sighed. "Do you have any clue how ridiculous this sounds?" "I don't care. You're going and that's it." "I can't leave you. You just got out of the hospital." "You can and you will. I'll call Sturgis. Or Bud. Anyone but you. You have to stay away from me." "Harm" she started. "No" he shouted. "She almost killed you last night. I won't let that happen. I love you too much to let that happen. Please go." "I won't leave you." "Mac please" he begged. "If the situation were reversed what would you do?" "I'd do whatever it took not to let anyone or anything hurt you" she whispered. "I love you." "Then you understand why I want you to leave," he said softly. "We can't be together Mac. At least not for now. Maybe one day" "I can't believe you're telling me to leave because of this. It's crazy Harm. She's dead." "And she'll kill you if we're together. I can't and won't let that happen. Even if means giving her what she wants." "She wants you" Mac gasped. "And the only way she gets that is if you're dead." "Then she'll have me" he whispered. "Because it's better than the alternative of living life without you." "No. You don't mean that. Harm this is crazy. You didn't die for a reason. And that reason is because we belong together. You and I. Not you and Diane." He shook his head. "No. That's not the way it's going to be." "You're serious aren't you" she whispered. "Very. Now please go before something else happens to you." "Not until someone else comes to stay with you" she countered. "I'll be fine. Just go. Please." "I'm going," she said finally. "But I hope you come to your senses and realize how crazy this is. Us not being together isn't going to stop whatever is happening." "All I know is Diane doesn't want you with me. You're a threat to her, and she's going to remove that threat if she has to. Last night was more proof of that than I want to experience again. You were dying Mac. You were dying and she let you live as an example to me of what could happen." "And you're a raving lunatic," she replied quietly. "But I'm going so we can maybe get this sorted out when we're both calmer. And saner." With that she slammed her way out the door and Harm dropped back onto the sofa, his head pounding and his heart aching. Mac started for home and instead of turning toward Georgetown she crossed the bridge and drove out to McLean, hoping she would not catch AJ at a bad time. She pulled into his driveway and could not help but smile when she saw him behind the handle of a lawn mower. Its noise kept him from hearing her and it was not until she placed herself in his path did he see her, jumping slightly as he let go of the mower handle. "Colonel obviously I didn't know you were coming," he groaned, gesturing to his tattered jeans and stained t-shirt. "Yes sir I should have called, but I needed to talk to you. I need to talk to someone. Can you take a break?" "From this beast in this heat, yes please. Some ice tea?" "That would be great," she nodded, following him up the steps to the big house. "I just made a pitcher for my after-mowing collapse," he laughed. "It's on kitchen counter, ice in the freezer, glasses right above. Give me ten minutes to make myself look and smell human again and I'll join you. I'm guessing this is about Mr. Rabb. And you can also tell me why you look like you haven't slept. Uh. . .assuming I want to know that." "Yes sir. I do need to talk to you. Seriously." ================ "Sir this is a great place," Mac enthused when AJ arrived, looking cool and comfortable. "Please stop the sir. When my bare knees are showing it doesn't feel right. Now what's going on Mac?" "Thanks. . .but I can't call you AJ. No sir is one thing, but AJ is not going to work," she sighed. "Very well. First how is Harm?" "Physically he's doing really well. He's got some residual headaches, no surprise there, and he tires easily but he's insisting he's coming back for light duty in a couple days." "And this upsets you? You want me to order him to stand down more?" "No sir. . .uh. . .Admiral---sorry. He's probably ready for that much and staying in the apartment is going to make him as crazy as I know it would me. So that's OK. No he's ordered me to stay away from him." "Uh. . .OK," AJ frowned, groping for understanding. "Should I take it to mean the two of you. . ." "We began a real relationship for the first time yes," she confirmed. "Shortly before we left on the case. We. . .we're in love with all that entails. Do you need a moment to get that picture?" "Mac I'm old, not dead. I was married. I have Meredith. I do understand. That much. What I don't understand is why you're telling me some kind of problem between you. Technically I should not know that the two of you are involved, though I wouldn't put a stop to it--even if I could. But I can't get between you." Her face fell as she thought about his words. "No I don't think you can," she sighed. "A dead woman already has anyway." AJ nearly choked on his tea. "Explain that one please. Slowly in words of one syllable preferably." "Not that easy, but I'll have a go," she sighed, getting up and walking to the deck rail. "You know the story of Diane Schonke right. How she and Harm were involved, how she died, how I look exactly like her." "Scarily so, yes," AJ nodded. "Go ahead." For the next ten minutes, Mac did just that. Starting from the time Harm first saw her in her in the Naval uniform that made her look like Diane Schonke reincarnated and ending with the incident of the night before, to include the circumstances under which she and Harm parted. AJ to his credit, listened intently and without comment until she was finished. "Mac I don't believe in ghosts," he said finally. "As for what happened to you last night. . .well there has to be some kind of explanation." "Explain this," she said softly, pulling the high neck t-shirt away from her neck. "My god," AJ gasped. "It's like the mark of a noose." "Yeah. And of course Harm is totally freaked. I am too, but I'm more afraid of losing him--of ruining what we've waited so long to find than I am of this." AJ left his chair and joined her, putting his hand on her back. "Mac I'm not sure what to tell you. My heart says the two of you belong together. I don't know what else to say. If he's afraid having you with him is going to cause you bodily injury--or worse--no wonder he told you to leave him alone." "She's using me against him," Mac said miserably. "And what terrifies me is that she's going to somehow persuade him to cross over." "Cross over?" he frowned until realization dawned. "You think he would allow himself to die in an effort to protect you?" "Yes. So what I want is for you to let me get away for a while. Is there a TAD I can take. Even thirty days for this to sort out." "That's what you want?" "No. What I want is to fall asleep in Harm's arms every night like we planned, but until we get through this, that's not going to happen." "There may be something I can send you on," AJ said finally. "If you think it's the right thing for you to do." "Sir I don't see any other choice right now. Maybe with a little break this whole thing will go away. She'll go back to wherever she belongs and let us go on with our lives." "You really believe this is her?" "As bizarre as it sounds yes. I do. I just don't know why she's come back for him. The only thing that makes any sense is Harm wasn't supposed to live. That he was supposed to die in that warehouse so he would be with her. But somehow he didn't. But Diane still wants him." "You know even as you talk I still can't believe what I'm hearing," he said as he shook his head. "Yet I can see the marks on your neck. And obviously something happened." "Yes sir it did. And it freaked Harm very much." "And you?" "Well sir I won't deny that this hasn't unnerved me. But honestly I'm just scared for Harm. And what he'd do to protect me." "He's die for you" AJ said quietly. "I know him well enough to have no doubt about that." "I know sir. And that's what worries me most." "I'll make some calls in the morning. I'm pretty sure I have something you can handle." "Thank you sir. I appreciate this. I didn't really plan on dropping this all on you today but I really needed someone sane to talk to about this." ****************** Harm's Apartment Next Afternoon "Mac I told you not to come over here" Harm sighed when he opened his door. "I'm fine and I don't want you here." "I know. And I'm not staying long. I'm just came by to tell you that I'm going away for thirty days. The Admiral found me a TAD at Kings Bay in the LSO office." "You're leaving?" "You said you didn't want me around" she sighed. "And I figured maybe some time away will help us get this straightened out. So I came to say goodbye." "I'm sorry" he whispered. "I didn't want it to be like this. But you know I don't have any choice." "I know you think Diane is controlling our lives. But that's only if we let her Harm. It doesn't have to be like this." "Yes it does. This is the only way it can be." "Well when I come back I hope that's not the case" Mac sighed. "Because I love you and I want very much for us to be together." "I love you too. And that's why we can't be together." "Okay I'm leaving. You're still caught up in this. If you come out of it, I'll be in Kings Bay." "Mac I love you," he said softly as she turned to leave. "I will do anything to protect you. Including giving up my life so she can't hurt you." "She can't hurt me Harm. You're letting her hurt us." "Oh and what about the other night. None of that happened?" "I don't know what happened" Mac admitted. "But I do know that I love you and you love me and that should be enough to overcome anything this world or the next has for us." With that she turned and walked out of his place and with a long sigh he closed the door behind her. "You got what you wanted," Harm said to the empty apartment. "Are you happy now?" "I'll be happy when you're mine for good" came the faint reply. A reply so faint that for a moment he wasn't sure it wasn't just his imagination. But then he felt it. A chill down his spine and he knew she was still there. Waiting for him to join her. ******************** JAG HQ's Two Days Later "You sure you should be back?" Sturgis frowned as he followed Harm into his office. "I'm going crazy sitting at home and I'm sure stuff is piling up around here with Mac gone" Harm sighed. "So yes I'm sure I should be back." "Well for the record you look like hell. And whoever said you were cleared for duty was crazy." "Thanks for the compliment. I've just been having a hard time sleeping since I got back home." "Tracy told me about all the weird Diane stuff that was going on down there" Sturgis said quietly. "You know if you need to talk, I'm here." "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you" Harm sighed. "Maybe not but believing isn't the same as listening," he reminded his friend. "I uh. . .you know I've seen God do some strange things growing up a PK. I don't believe in ghosts or spirits I guess, but I do believe the dead can sometimes commune with the living. But threaten them? I'm not sure I'm willing to go that far." "No normally I wouldn't be either," Harm returned. "Except that I want Mac alive at any cost. Including my life if it ever came to that." Sturgis nodded solemnly and walked halfway out the door before imparting his final thought. "Without you, she's not really alive, and neither are you. Together you can fight this thing. Whatever it is, you can fight it." Harm simply shook his head and opened the first case folder. ============== LSO Kings Bay, Ga. Wednesday afternoon Two Weeks Later "Hey Sarah you look awful." "Brad thank you. You have no idea how much better that makes me feel." Bradley Carswell gave her a big grin. "How would you like to get out of the guest house for the weekend." "You've got my attention," she smiled at her civilian equivalent in the LSO hierarchy. "I rented a place, no refunds, at Tybee for me and Lucy. Who swore she would not have duty this weekend. God bless where was my head when I fell in love with an SP. Anyway, long story short--I can't use it. It's just a little one room cottage on the beach and you can take it off my hands for a hundred less than I paid for it." "Oh Brad I don't know," she frowned. "I mean I can stay at the guest house and be alone and miserable for free." "Well of course you can, but can you play music as loud as you want and walk along the beach and dig shells and did I mention there's use of a boat, which OK not that much fun alone but you never know." "Well nice as it sounds, no thanks I. . ." she began, and then flashed back on last weekend. Bored to death at the guest quarters she forced herself to see a movie on base that she despised, and ended up working more than relaxing. "How much do I owe you?" As she heard herself saying the words, she pictured Harm at JAG. Maybe she could persuade him to come. Maybe he was as lonely and missing her as much as she. ========== JAG HQ Same Time "Dammit all," Harm swore, walking into his office and slamming down a stack of folders. "Hi." "Sturgis. Sorry. You're here because?" "Because we were going to talk Marshburg." "Hang the bastard." "Uh perhaps I'll come back when you're in less of an executioner mood. You want to tell me what's wrong." "I just had two cases overturned on appeal that's all. The Admiral is not happy, which actually that's OK because neither am I." "I know what you need and who you need it with." "Stop. It's not. . " The phone rang and he sent it a long glare as if he could silence it. With that not working, he picked it up. "Rabb." "You don't sound real happy," Mac said softly on the other end. "I. . .Mac," he managed before looking at Sturgis. "Could I talk to you later?" "Me?" Mac asked with bemusement. "No this cretin Sturgis who's in here bothering me about his client." "By all means," Sturgis grinned. "Maybe later you'll be in a better mood." "OK he's gone," Harm sighed. "Now Hi. And how are you?" "I've been better" she said softly. "How are you?" "Missing you" he admitted. "How's Kings Bay?" "Not quite the same as HQ's. Especially since you're not here. I miss you horribly Harm. I need to see you." "Mac you know" he started. "Harm please" she begged. "Just a weekend. I've got a cottage on Tybee Island for the weekend. One of the guys here was going to take his girlfriend but she's got duty so he gave it to me pretty cheap." "Have you. . .uh. . .seen or heard her?" he asked quietly. "No. There's been nobody in my room but me. Harm she's gone. It was something weird that night but it's not going to happen again." "She was happy you were gone." "But she's gone now isn't she?" "I don't know. Just because I haven't seen her doesn't mean she's not still here. She could just be waiting for you to come back." "I'm not coming back there. You'd be coming down here for the weekend." "I want to see you" he whispered. "I just don't want anything to happen to you. So far you've been safe." "But very lonely. Harm please. I need to see you this weekend. I'm going crazy without you." For a moment there was silence on his end of the phone and she waited for his answer. "I'll come down" he said finally. "Thank you" she whispered. "There's one condition. If I think for one second she's going to do something, I'm leaving." "I can live with that. But it's not going to happen Harm. It's over. She's gone back to wherever she was. And she's not going to hurt either of us again." "I hope you're right" he sighed. "And thanks for calling. You have no idea how bad I wanted to call you." "As bad as I wanted to call you I'm sure. Being apart isn't easy." "But if it has to be this way.." "It won't Harm. Listen to me. You need to stop thinking about Diane. She's gone. She can't control our lives. We're going to be together. Like we belong." "I want to believe that" he sighed. "Because there is nothing I want more than to be with you. For the rest of my life." "That's an awful long time sailor" she whispered. "You sure you can handle that?" "If I knew for sure this whole Diane mess wasn't real, I'd be on my knees asking you to marry me. I love you Sarah and I want to be with you. But I can't do that until I know nothing is going to happen to you." "I'll be waiting for that moment" she sniffled. "Because I want to be with you just as much Harm." "I'd better let you go" he said quietly. "I'll call you with my flight details later on." "Thank you for coming. You have no idea how much this means to me." "I just hope I don't regret this" he sighed before hanging up. ******************** Savannah International Airport Friday Evening Mac anxiously waited outside the security gate for Harm, praying he was still coming. When she finally spotted his head above the crowd of travelers that had just arrived from DC she let out a long sigh of relief. He was here. And the weekend was theirs. "Hi" she said softly when he reached her. "How was the flight?" "Good" he nodded. "How are you?" "Nervous" she admitted. "I wasn't sure you were going to come or not." "I almost didn't. But I needed to see you." "I'm glad you did. I have missed you so much." With those words she reached her arms around him and with a long sigh he wrapped his arms around her as well. "I've missed you too" he whispered. "This feels so good. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to let you go." "That works for me" she murmured. "Me too. And I never would have before if it hadn't been for. . .well you know. No point in rehashing all that" "No there's not, but I'm going to believe that's all behind us now." "Mac. . ." he began and she quickly shushed him with a finger to his lips. "No need to bring her up at all. She's dead Harm. She's dead and I'm alive and so are you." To emphasize her words she pressed herself against him and he shuddered in response. "I've so missed you." He brought her even closer and she looked up into those blue-green eyes she knew so well. "Why don't we take this to the cabin so we're not giving a free floor show." =========== 'You know where you're going Marine?" Harm frowned as he eyed the dark road ahead. "You want the map, or stop and ask?" "Wow a man talking about asking for directions," Mac laughed. "Chill please. We're fine. Tell me what I've missed at JAG." He shrugged and shook his head. "Couple of tantrums. Oh you meant with everyone else." She giggled at that and gave a long sigh. It was good to have him with her. "And this would be the place," she announced a half hour later, smiling to see him sleeping in the seat. "Good thing I didn't need a navigator." "What? Oh sorry. I haven't been getting a lot of sleep," he murmured, stretching his six foot- plus length in the confines of the small car "Something you want to share?" "Just been lonely I guess," he admitted quietly. "Don't say that like it's on me," she told him gently but her words were serious. "I would not have left your side had you not ordered me away. And once you did, I felt the TAD was the best thing for both of us. And as it turns out---well if I was still in DC I doubt we'd be doing this." "You're probably right," he admitted, accepting the cottage key from her. "Hey this is all right," he pronounced a few seconds later after he had gotten the lights on. Just a large room, with a hot tub on the porch and a small Jacuzzi in the corner, tiny kitchen area, big overstuffed velveteen sofa in front of the fire place and then a queen-size bed in the far corner. The soft quilt on the bed made it look that much more inviting and he looked questioningly to her. "You want me to take the sofa?" "You want a black eye? Of course not. I've got hot chocolate and cookies and if you'll get the fire started we can change and enjoy them. And maybe some music." "Let's do it," he smiled, still afraid but determined to make it work. A half hour later they were in sweat clothes, the fire crackling cheerfully, and the smell of hot cocoa permeating the cabin. He sat down first, resting his back against the sofa and when she joined him at first he made no move to reach for her. "Harm," she prompted. "Harm I need to be held by you." "I need to hold you too honey but I'm. . .OK no. Let's try it." He lifted his arms and she eagerly crawled to him, wrapping herself around his chest as if she had been molded to do just that. "There much better," she approved. "Relax Flyboy. You're all stiff. It's fine. And you're much better to hold to than the pillow I use at home." "You too?" he grinned. "You're right--pillows are poor substitutes." He finally began to relax and she snuggled closer to him, his arms going around her in a warm embrace. "God I have missed you so much" he sighed. "Especially this." "Well there's more than just this that I've missed" she whispered. "Mac no. We can't." "Yes we can" she smiled. "Harm nothing is going to happen. It's just you and me here." "I'm afraid," he admitted. "What if something happens like before? We're miles from a hospital." "Harm let it go. Please. This is about us now. Not Diane. Let it go." As she spoke she moved closer, her lips just inches from his. "Don't tell me you don't want this," she said softly. "Yes I want you" he managed before pulling her closer, a long and passionate kiss ensuing. It was only when the need for air forced them to part that they did. "Shall we take this to the bed?" she panted. "Mac I don't know" he whispered. Her only answer was another kiss and this time he knew there was no way he could stop himself. Without a word he lifted her to his arms and carried her to the bed, gently laying her down before sliding next to her. As he did so he issued a silent prayer heavenward that Diane would not her. When it was over she lay sleeping in his arms and he watched her, still afraid something would happen to her. But they'd made love and there had been no Diane. No voices telling him he was going to lose the woman he loved. Maybe it was going to be okay. **************** "Mac" His voice echoed through the cottage as he woke up and found the bed empty. "Mac where are you? Mac?" There was no response and he grabbed his sweats and bolted outside, a wave of relief washing over him when he found her outside on a chair, enjoying the morning sun. "Morning sailor" she smiled. "Everything okay?" "It's fine now that I know you're okay" he sighed as he dropped down in the sand beside her. "I woke up and you were gone and for a moment I freaked." "Just catching some morning sun" she sighed contentedly. "I didn't want to disturb you since I knew you needed some sleep. You ready for breakfast?" "Can I get a hug first?" "Of course" she smiled as she stood up and gave him a long hug. "It feels so good to have you in my arms again" he murmured. "And last night was wonderful." "Yes it was. Absence does make the heart grow fonder." He finally let go of her and she gave him a warm smile. "So what would you like to do today?" "Besides make love to you all day?" he grinned. "Well we can work that in throughout the day. But I was thinking we could take the boat out for a bit. It's a beautiful day." "Sounds good" he nodded. "But first breakfast" she smiled. "You hungry?" "Not for breakfast" he teased. "I think I can be persuaded to wait for food" she whispered as he pulled her into his arms again. "But you're going to have to be real persuasive." "I can do that," he said before beginning to kiss her neck, his lips making their way up. "I'm liking this so far" she murmured. "Maybe we need to take this inside?" "Do we?" "Well I. . ." he paused and looked around. "No. Why should we. I mean I can perform in front of that flock of seagulls." "Put your. . .uh. . .money. . .where your mouth is Sailor," she challenged, dropping the back of the lounge chair flat. "You got it," he grinned, and while she watched slowly stripped off his undershirt and boxers. "Impressed yet?" "Getting there," she grinned and held up a finger to signal him to wait while she similarly disrobed. "How about you?" "Way beyond impressed I can assure you," he laughed and her mouth found his. It was an hour later when breakfast hunger forced them apart. "I'm spent," he panted, "except to remind you how much I love you." "I love you Harm. I do love you so very much," she whispered, feeling a sudden rush to tearfulness. "Tell me we're together now. For now and for always." "For now and for always," he echoed, emphasizing his words with a long kiss. In the back of his mind, the little cautioning voice added, 'for as long as Diane lets us'. "So what are you cooking for me?" she giggled. "Nothing until we wash off this sweat and sand and. . .sticky," he laughed, pulling her to her feet. "I'll make breakfast after our shower. Wash my back?" "Is that all I get to do?" "Mac old man here. Old man much in love with you though I might add." Another session in the shower and soon they were both clean, dry, and sated. "So who owns this place and is he taking offers?" Harm demanded, watching the giant omelet cook while the coffee maker filled the cottage with amazing aroma. "Not sure, but I think the Admiral might have certain objections," she laughed. "Hey JAG is not going to last forever. You and I are," he pointed out. She was about to make a sarcastic comeback and bit it back. "Harm--forever. That's the second time that's come up. You're coming awfully close to talking about. . ." She chewed her lip as she stopped, unsure whether to continue. With a small smile he turned off the burner under the omelet and walked over to her, taking her into his embrace. "What am I talking about? Let me hear you say it." She nodded and took a long breath. "Marriage. You're talking about marriage Flyboy." "And so are you. And you're on a roll. Go with it." "Oh. . .kay," she said slowly, stepping out of his arms to take both of his hand in hers. Her voice trembled slightly when she continued. "Harmon David Rabb I am in love with you. Would you marry me." He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. His heart knew he had made the right choice. He just prayed that Diane wasn't going to make him pay for it. "You mean that? Should I take that as a yes?" she sniffled. "You want to marry me?" "I'd be a fool not to. You are the best thing that ever happened to me Sarah. My life is complete with you." "As is mine with you." "Shall we see if that boat out there works?" he smiled softly. "Lead the way sailor" she grinned. She packed them a picnic lunch to take out on the boat and a short time later they boarded the small cruiser and after Harm did a quick check they started away. "Perfect day isn't it" Mac smiled as she stood next to him. "Yeah it is. And I'm so glad you called me. Otherwise I'd been sitting at home doing nothing." "This is much better than that," she said as she wrapped her arms around his middle. "You want to stop and swim?" he asked when they'd cruised for a bit. "Maybe cool off a bit." "Great idea. I could use a quick swim." He cut the engines to the boat and they came to a stop and a moment later they both dove into the water. "This feels so good" Mac sighed as they surfaced together. Almost at once he pulled her into his arms and their lips met in a long kiss. "And this is even better" he murmured when they finally parted. "I could make love to you right here." "So what's stopping you?" she grinned. His answer never came as he suddenly felt a chill go down his spine. Diane. She was there. She had found them. "Harm?" Mac frowned. "Harm what's wrong?" "No" he whispered. "No. It's not going to happen. No." He pulled Mac closer to him and a moment later she was there as promised. "I warned you Harm" Diane said as she stood before them in the water. "No. You can't take her away. I won't let you. I'll go wherever you want but you can't take her away." "Harm no" Mac screamed as she clung to him. "No. You love me. You can't leave me." Suddenly Mac was ripped from his arms, a force below the surface pulling her beneath the water. "No. Let her go. I said I'd go with you." "I can't Harm. She has to die." "No" he shouted as he dove below the surface of water. He could see Mac still being pulled under and he swam to her, reaching for her arms in an attempt to bring her back to the surface. She motioned him to let go but he continued to fight to get her back. He wouldn't let her die. "You don't have to die Harm" Diane's voice rang though his head. "Let her go. She'll die and you won't. Then you will belong to me because she'll be gone." Harm continued to fight to the unknown force that was pulling Mac down. He would rather die with her than spend the rest of his life without her. He felt her go limp and he knew he was losing her. She was going to die. And he would simply die with her. He held her pliant body against him wrapping his arms and legs tightly around her. "I won't let her die alone," his mind screamed. "Diane I won't let her die alone. And I can't live without her. I won't. Take both of us or leave her go. I love her. I didn't love you. I know we were supposed to talk the weekend you died. But not about us marrying like you thought. I was going to tell you I didn't feel that way. That I would always want for us to be close but that I wasn't in love with you." The water swirled even harder around them and Harm slid his hand up her back to press her head into his chest. "Diane, don't let her die. Please. And if you do, you may possess my spirit after I follow her in death but you will never have my heart." "Harm you and I. We can live for all eternity together." "Life without Sarah Mackenzie is not life," his mind screamed once more. "Turn her loose Harmon Rabb." "NOoooooo. You'll have to take her from me." "Then I will." "Not without a fight," he swore. The water swirled more and more, sending them spinning into the vortex. He held on to Mac more tightly than he ever had to anything in his life. Dark spots appeared before his eyes as the spinning grew more violent. He could see less and less as he felt himself losing conscious. "I love you Sarah Mackenzie," he shouted from deep inside just before letting the overwhelming blackness take him. =============== Warmth. Warm sun on his face. Harm struggled to get an eye open and then another. Tentatively he lifted his arm, which felt like it had a twenty pound weight tied to it. He managed to get his hand to his face and he seemed normal. The sand beneath him was warm as well and he felt the cold wetness being baked out of him. Slowly he rose to prop himself on his elbows, trying to make sense of what had happened. The water. The swirling funnel of water sucking him down. Diane screaming for him to belong to her. Mac. "MAC". The word tore from his mouth in a tortured shout. And then he saw her, five feet away, curled into a ball, her back to him. Not moving. Not moving at all. "Mac." It was not a scream this time, but a barely audible prayer. He rolled to one side and his entire body protested him doing so. The angry water had taken a toll on him, leaving him with aching muscles. Finally he was able to move and he crawled to her side, coming up to her back and rolling her to him. "I love you Sarah. Please God let her be OK," he breathed rolling her to him to cradle on his lap. "Sarah?" "She's alive Harm. I didn't take her. There would have been no point. I wanted you. And you refused me. I know you meant it when you said I would never have your heart. Goodbye my love." With Diane's last words, Mac's eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Harm. "What happened?" she whispered. "It's over. She's gone. For good." "We're still here?" Mac peered around, her mind still not comprehending what had transpired. "She let me go" Harm said softly. "She was going to take you away and when I wouldn't let you go, she realized she would never have me. That my heart would only belong to you." "I don't understand Harm. How did we get from under the water to here on the beach?" "I don't know," he said as he pressed her closer to him. "All I know is Diane is gone for good. She's never going to bother us again." They clung to each other in the sand, neither willing to let go of the other just yet. Finally Mac took a long breath and pulled away to look at him. "You were willing to die with me" she whispered. "Why?" "Because without you I have no life" Harm said softly as he stroked her cheek. "I would rather have died with you than spend the rest of my life alone. I'll never love anyone like I love you Sarah." "And I'll never love anyone but you" Mac sniffled. For a while longer they held each other under the warm sun before Harm finally pushed himself to his feet, bringing Mac up with him. "About that proposal from earlier" he said softly. "You want to back out?" Mac whispered. "No. I'd like to do something about it right now. Do you think there's anyone on the island who could marry us this weekend?" "Are you serious?" "Of course" he smiled. "Unless of course you're regretting that acceptance." "How long do I have to get ready?" she laughed. ****************** "By the power vested in me by the State of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Harm smiled as he looked at his wife. In a matter of hours they'd managed to get all the necessary paperwork and a chaplain from King's Bay for the wedding and now Sarah Mackenzie was his wife. A simple ceremony outside the cottage which Mac had rented was all they had needed. "Well are you going to kiss me or what?" Mac laughed. "Or do I have to make that an order." "Patience Mrs. Rabb" Harm smiled before taking her into his arms for a long kiss. "Okay I can see I'm done here" the Chaplain smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the rest of your lives together." Afterwards they made love for the first time as husband and wife, the ghost of Diane Schonke finally gone for good from their lives. "This has been the most bizarre and most wonderful day" Mac sighed contently when she lay in his arms later. "I still can't believe I'm Mrs. Harmon Rabb." "I still can't believe I have to go back to DC without you" he pouted. "How long was this TAD?" "Thirty days. Suck up sailor. I'm only half way through it." "I don't suppose you could ask the Admiral to recall you and send someone else in your place?" "No but you could come and visit again next weekend" she smiled. "I'll be here" Harm promised. "And I guess we'll keep this a secret until you get back?" "You really think it's a secret?" she giggled. "You and me I mean?" "No" he laughed. "But no one knows we're married. And I'd rather wait until my bride was with me to tell everyone." **************** JAG HQ's Two Weeks Later "Colonel thank God you're back" AJ sighed when he saw Mac and Harm walking through the bullpen. "I'm going to think twice before I send you away again." "Why is that sir?" Mac smiled. "Your partner can be one big grump when you're not around" AJ said as he looked at Harm. "Am I being fair Commander?" "Yes sir" Harm nodded. "I was a big grump. But that's what happens when I'm missing my wife." "Wife?" "Yes sir. Mac is my wife. We got married two weeks ago when we were at Tybee Island." As Harm spoke his arm went around his wife and Mac gave him a smile. "Tiner get me the extra strength Tums" AJ ordered as the young petty officer walked past. "And then tell Harriet to see me right away. We've got a wedding reception to plan." The End.