Title: Three Men and a Marine

Author: Anne Taul

Email: annetaul@insightbb.com

Classification: Story, Romance; Harm/Mac

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Mac and Harm finally get together, but will the men from her 
past tear them apart?

Disclaimer: JAG, its premise and characters are the exclusive property 
of Paramount, CBS and Bellisarius Productions. This is purely a 
recreational endeavor, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Dedication: This one is for Rising Sun, my friend and sometime writing 
partner. She's been a great inspiration and has kept me on track with 
this. Her ideas and input were invaluable. ThanksDawn!







Sarah Mackenzie rolled over in the bed and snuggled up against the back 
of the man lying beside her. He was warm, almost radiating heat. She 
sighed. Now, when it was summer back in the States, the Australian nights 
had cooled for winter. She wasn't really awake, but she pressed against 
Mic's back, seeking his warmth.

When he sensed this, Brumby turned over and wrapped his powerful arms 
around his fiancée. It was good to be with Sarah - to have her here in 
Australia. He hadn't had an easy time convincing her to move halfway 
around the world, but she had finally relented. Mac loved her career in 
the Marine Corps, so he was glad that she hadn't had to resign her 
commission. She wasn't a lawyer anymore, at least not full time, but she was 
still a US marine. Admiral Chegwidden had pulled some strings to have 
her assigned to the US Embassy in Sydney. Besides her regular Embassy 
duties, she also acted as a legal advisor to the Ambassador. It wasn't 
the kind of law she was used to, but it wasn't bad duty. Mic was 
grateful.

As he held Mac tightly against his chest, Mic Brumby's libido kicked 
in. His hands ran over her soft skin and he gently kissed her neck. She 
moaned. This encouraged him. He continued his exploration, intending to 
make love to this incredible woman. Just at a key moment when he might 
have expected her to respond, she did .

Mac kissed his shoulder and softly whispered the name in her head, 
"Harm."

If he hadn't heard it, everything would have been all right, but he 
did.

Mic Brumby virtually exploded with frustration and rage, bringing Mac 
awake to full consciousness.

"What?" she asked, automatically. But she knew what had happened. "Oh, 
Mic, I'm sorry. I don't know why ."

"Yes, Sarah, yes you do. You always say that there's nothing going on 
between you and Rabb, but you think about him all the time, don't you?"

It was true, but she certainly couldn't tell him that.

"No. Mic, there's never been anything between Harm and me. We're just 
friends."

"A friend that you dream about at night and that you think about in the 
throes of passion!"

"No, Mic. No!"

"Go back home to him, Sarah. Leave today. Go home to Harm."

He pulled his clothes on and stormed out of the house, oblivious of the 
fact that it was still dark - the middle of the night.

Mic knew immediately that he didn't mean it. He loved her. They'd work 
it out. He'd call her later.

Mac thought he did mean it though. She really did care for Mic - a 
great deal, but their relationship wasn't nearly as good since they'd been 
in Sydney. She knew that there was a part of herself that she held back 
from Mic, a part of her he'd never have. She didn't mean to, but she 
couldn't help it. It was the part that belonged to Harmon Rabb, a man she 
could never have.

After Mic had left, there was no going back to sleep. She knew that she 
had to go back to DC and face her true feelings, or she'd never be able 
to have a healthy relationship with any man. She hated this, though. 
She had planned to spend the rest of her life with Mic. "Damn you, Harm." 
She mumbled as she packed her suitcase and left. 



As he had planned, Mic called the house. No one answered, so he left a 
message on the machine. "Sarah, Luv, I'm sorry about this morning. I 
shouldn't have lost my temper. We can talk about this. We can work it 
out, okay? I love you so much. See you soon."

The light blinked on the machine but the intended party never got that 
message.



NEXT MORNING

UNITED STATES EMBASSY

SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA

Mac strode purposefully into a palacious office and greeted the young, 
attractive blonde woman behind the desk. "Good morning, Miss Knight. Is 
he in yet?"

"Hi, Colonel Mackenzie. Yes, he's here. Should I announce you?"

"Please."

The secretary picked up the phone and informed the Ambassador that she 
was waiting. He asked that she be sent in. Opening the door to the 
inner office, Mac entered the Ambassador's private sanctum.

The man stood and addressed her, "Mac, you're here awfully early this 
morning."

"Yes, Sir, there's quite a lot going on today. I thought I'd get a jump 
on it."

"Good for you. Now, what can I help you with?"

Well, Sir, I've been working on that research you assigned me. I'm 
gathering data about how the US trains its military personnel about dealing 
sensitively with foreign peoples and different cultures."

The UN is very interested in this issue, Mac, which is why I need that 
data. I do appreciate your help."

"As your legal advisor, Ambassador Duncan, it is my pleasure. But, in 
order to get a complete picture, I'm going to need to look at some 
records and some actual training that I can't do from here."

"You mean, go to the States?"

"Sir, if I could make a visit to the Marine base at Quantico, I could 
get all the information quickly.'

"And stop off in D. C.?"

"I do have some personal business that needs attending to."

"Kill two birds with one stone, as they say?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Things are pretty squared away here. I don't see any problem with 
that. How long do you need to be gone?"

"Just a few days. With travel time and all, say a week?"

"Okay. Should I ask Miss Knight to make your travel arrangements?"

"Thank you, Sir, no. I can take care of that myself."

"See you in a week. Safe trip."

Mac nodded and smiled as she left.

Back in her own office, she called the airline for travel plans. With 
flying time and time difference, if she could get a flight late this 
morning, she'd be in Washington by early tomorrow afternoon.



ON THE PLANE

She needed this quiet time alone for reflection. What on earth was she 
going to say to Harm? A scene flitted through her mind, making her 
smile. In it, she stood before Harm and burst out the long suppressed 
words, " Harm, I'm in love with you. I've tried to deny it and to give you 
your space and freedom, but I can't anymore. I don't think I can live 
without you now." In her fantasy, of course, this was followed by him 
taking her into his arms and kissing her long and hard. But that's not how 
it would go - she knew better. Part of her was afraid of how he might 
react. Oh, he wouldn't laugh at her, but he might just dismiss her.

Mac knew that he certainly didn't have any of the same feelings for 
her. He'd made that very clear. She had to tell him how she felt and try 
to get past it. But she couldn't risk losing his respect - or his 
friendship. By the time she got there, she had to decide what to do.

As the various scenarios played out in her head, Mac's thoughts turned 
inexplicably to a man from her past, who she seldom thought of anymore. 
Why would John Farrow come up right now? It seemed odd. Then, it came 
to her. Of all the men she had ever known, John was the one that she had 
been able to really express her emotions to. She had felt very secure 
with him. She could tell him anything, and he always encouraged her to 
talk about how she felt. He was the only man she'd ever had that kind of 
open relationship with. They hadn't been in love; she couldn't fool 
herself about that, but they had cared deeply for each other. 


It was settled in her mind. She would delay the pain of a confrontation 
with Harm a little longer, and go instead to do her business at 
Quantico first. She could see Colonel Farrow and perhaps, talk to him about 
her quandary about Harm. John always had a good perspective - and he knew 
her so well.

This decided, she was finally able to sleep for part of the flight. Her 
dreams were of a tall, handsome Navy flyboy.





DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Mac had been pleased with her plan on the plane. However, at the 
airport, it fell apart. Her heart tugged at her. How could she be in the same 
city so close to Harm and not see him? Intellectually, though, she knew 
that she needed to broach her discussion with him carefully. It was an 
internal struggle. Her heart won.



It was mid morning (her flight hadn't taken as long as expected) when 
she entered the JAG building. Even before she could get to the elevator, 
she saw him.

Harm was leaving Admiral Morris' chambers on the ground floor of the 
building.

Her heart raced.

Mac called out his name, and he turned.

"Mac, what are you doing here? When did you get here?" he asked.

"Hi, Harm. I'm on a special assignment for the Ambassador. I just got 
in." 

"It's good to see you. Is Mic with you?"

"No, he's not; not this trip."

"Maybe we can get together while you're in town." It was clear that he 
was trying to break away and get upstairs.

Well, actually, I need to talk to you about something."

Harm looked at his watch, and then began to rush. "That's great. Stop 
by and see me sometime later. Sorry, but I've got to rush, now." And he 
was gone.

Back to the original plan.






U. S. MARINE BASE

QUANTICO, VIRGINIA

A young sergeant held the door for Mac as she walked into an office. 
She turned toward him, saying, "Thank you Sergeant Leighton. You've been 
very helpful."

He stood at attention. "My pleasure, Ma'am. Is there anything else 
you'll be needing, Colonel?"

"At ease." She invited him, with a smile. "I would like to get a look 
at those training rosters that we couldn't find earlier."

"I'll continue looking for them, Ma'am. Maybe they were just misfiled."

"Maybe so. Thank you again for all your help."

Dismissed, Sergeant Lighton took his leave. Mac was left in the room 
alone with a young lieutenant sitting behind a desk. "Is Colonel Farrow 
back in his office yet, Lieutenant Russell?"

"Yes, Ma'am, he just returned. May I tell him you're here?"

"Please."

After she had been announced, Mac was welcomed into her former lover's 
office.

"Mac, it's good to see you." He greeted her, warmly.

"You too, John." She replied.

"Last I heard, you had gone to Australia to be married. What brings you 
to Quantico?"

"My engagement broke up."

"I'm sorry, Sarah."

"Thank you, but it was my own fault. I just never faced up to my real 
feelings. It wasn't fair to him."

"What do you mean? Do you want to talk?"

"I should say 'no,' but I really need some comfort. I could use a 
friend right now."

"You've come to the right place. How about getting some dinner?"

"I am a little hungry, I guess."

"Great, I know a place just off base with the juiciest steaks you've 
ever tasted."

"Sounds great."

They made small talk through the salad. When their entrees arrived, 
Colonel Farrow asked, "Do you want to tell me about it?"

She told him that she had discovered that she couldn't marry one man 
while she was in love with another.

"Anybody I know?" he inquired cautiously.

Mac knew that she really shouldn't be telling everything about her 
situation, but she trusted this man; they had a long history together. And 
she did need his wisdom and guidance. 

John smiled at her. "I always suspected there were strong feelings 
between you and Rabb."

"That's just it, I'm the only one with strong feelings. He doesn't have 
them. I've tried to talk to him about it in the past, but he can't 
admit to feeling anything at all."

"But you believe he does have feelings for you?"

"We're just friends, I guess. If I see more, it's probably just wishful 
thinking on my part."

"Sarah, you say you've tried to talk to him, but I know you better. You 
don't address your emotions directly. Have you ever told him in exactly 
as many words that you love him?"

"No, not straight out like that."

"Well, that's what you need to do, if you want to confront this now. 
Maybe you should wait a while."

"John, I've got to take care of this now. I've got to purge him out of 
my system so I can move on."

"With Brumby?"

"Yes. I don't know. Maybe."

Dinner over, they took a walk back toward the base. It felt easy and 
familiar to both of them.

Finally, John Farrow asked the question he'd been holding back, "Do you 
want me to call Rabb and talk to him? At least ask him to meet with 
you?"

"Thank you, John. I really appreciate the offer, but I need to do this 
myself."

They went back into his home for a cup of coffee. While they talked, 
Mac was totally overcome with a flood of emotions. There was love for a 
man who she'd never have, regret for the loss a man who had loved her, 
then there was intense gratitude and tenderness toward this man with her 
now.

She had no idea how it had happened. Maybe she just needed the comfort 
so badly that she couldn't help herself. She did think about it, 
though, as she lay in his arms in his bed, after the renewal of their 
intimacy.

No, Mac certainly hadn't meant for this to happen, but she had needed 
someone to really care about her right now.

In the morning, she thanked him for his help and concern. Farrow made 
arrangement for her to attend some protocol training classes to further 
the research she was doing for Ambassador Duncan. Then, he kissed her 
tenderly and told her to keep him informed about what happened when she 
saw Harm.

By mid afternoon, she had written a preliminary report, organized her 
notes and driven back to D.C.


JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

THAT AFTERNOON

Several JAG staffers exuded their enthusiasm at seeing Colonel 
Mackenzie in the office. She appreciated the warm greeting. 

Harm got off the elevator, said an impersonal hello, and then 
disappeared into his office. She was discouraged that he wasn't even glad to see 
her.

After chatting with the others for a few minutes, she knocked on Harm's 
door. He looked up from his paperwork and motioned her in.

"How's Mic?" he asked.

"We broke up," she informed him. 

Harm's face was totally emotionless. "I'm sorry. What happened?"

"I really need to talk to you, Harm. Have you got some time?"

"Sure," he began, then looking at his calendar, "Come to think of it, 
no. Bud and I have to go downtown to interview a client. Could we have 
dinner later, maybe?"

'Terrific." She agreed. "Just tell me where and when."

"The Hartmann Inn, say 1900?"

"Thanks, Harm. It really is very important that I talk to you."

They made plans to meet and he was off to his meeting.



THE HARTMANN INN RESTAURANT

1900, SAME DAY

Mac swirled her finger in her tonic water for the umpteenth time. Harm 
was late, how like him. Part of her was really nervous and wanted this 
to be over with. But there was also part of her that was excited at the 
prospect of seeing him - being alone with him. She promised herself 
that she would control that part. After all, it had been two months since 
he'd last seen her, but when he saw her earlier today, he didn't seem 
glad at all.

She waited twenty seven more minutes before the maitre'd delivered a 
telephone to her table so that she could take the call. It was Harm. He 
was sorry, but he'd been detained. He wasn't going to make it. Maybe he 
could see her tomorrow.

Somehow, Mac wasn't surprised. He'd just blown her off. He didn't know 
that this was the most important moment of her life. It wasn't his 
fault. 

She went back to the hotel. There was a message waiting for her from 
John Farrow. He wanted to know how it had gone. She felt strengthened by 
his concern. She called him.

After talking for several minutes she had convinced herself that she 
should drive back out to Quantico to see him again tonight.

"No, Sarah," he tried to convince her. "Last night was a mistake. I 
took advantage of your pain and vulnerability. It should never have 
happened."

He was so noble. One of his most admirable qualities. 

He encouraged her to go to Harm's apartment this very night. "Wake him 
up. Talk to him. This is too important to your peace of mind to let it 
wait."

After hanging up, she decided that was exactly what she would do.



HARM'S APARTMENT

2300 HOURS

Outside his door, she hesitated. This could go very badly; did she 
really want to risk that? It was late, so she'd probably be waking him up. 
What would happen if she woke him, then said something like, "I'm madly 
in love with you. It's eating me up inside so badly that I can't 
function anymore. I need you to tell me what to do about it." That would be 
awful. He'd shut the door in her face and go back to bed.

Mac had no idea what she was going to say. Maybe something Harm said 
would help her.

Finally, she knocked on the door. It took him a while to answer. He was 
wearing jeans, no shirt; and he looked rumpled.

"Harm," she began, "It's late. I'm sorry. I hope I didn't wake you."

"No." he replied. "I was already in bed, but not asleep. Come on in."

"Harm, you look tired."

"It's been a really long few days. I'm exhausted. Look, Mac, I'm really 
sorry about dinner. I promise I'll make it up to you next time."

"Oh, that's okay. Really it is. I know it's late, but I really need to 
talk to you - the sooner the better." 

"I need to get some sleep. Can we do it first thing in the morning? 
Unless you want to come to bed with me?"


Her heart almost stopped.

He grinned that broad flyboy smile that always melted her. "I'm sorry. 
That wasn't nice, you've got a problem and I'm making jokes."

All she could do was smile at him.

"Why don't you just spend the night? I'll make up the couch for you."

She agreed. At least it was close to him. As soon as he woke up in the 
morning, she'd be there. 

They said goodnight and she retired to the couch. No rest was 
forthcoming for her this night. It turns out that knowing he was so nearby was 
more disturbing and unsettling than she had thought. Every time he 
turned over or sighed in his sleep, she was aware.

At almost dawn, he became restless and she knew that he was beginning 
to wake up. She walked to his bedroom and stood at the door, watching 
him.

When he noticed, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just trying to gauge how long til you're awake."

He patted the side of his bed. "Come on over, and we'll talk now."

She sat down on the bed beside where he lay.

He reached to touch her arm, "This must be important if you can't even 
sleep."

She swallowed hard. Now was the moment of truth, and she had no idea 
what she was going to say. "It is," she began. "but, Harm, I don't know 
how to start."

"Are you kidding?" he chuckled. "You and I can talk about anything."

"Well, you see, Mic and I broke up."

"You did?" he tried not to sound too happy, but it seemed like good 
news to him.

"Yeah, we did."

"You wanna tell me what happened?"

She sighed, and then she felt him pulling on her arm. She couldn't 
resist, but he was pulling her closer to the bed.

"What?" she asked softly.

"I'm sorry." He answered. "I don't mean anything. It's just that I 
can't see your face while you're talking to me from down here. If you would 
just lie down beside me, we could talk face to face.'

That's how Mac ended up in Harm's bed, lying next to him.

Once she was settled, he continued, "Tell me about Brumby."

"It was very simple, really. A couple of nights ago, we were, well ... 
being intimate and I called out another man's name."

Harm closed his eyes and made a face. "Ouch."

"Yeah, it really upset Mic and it surprised me."

"Maybe it's better for something like this to happen now instead of 
after the wedding. Anybody I know?"

Okay, here it comes.

"Actually, yes, but does that matter?"

"Sure it does. Who were you thinking of instead of your fiancée?"

"No matter who it was, my relationship with Mic is over. I've got to 
figure out how to go on. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I don't know. I might." He replied.

Mac could just kick herself. It had been the perfect opportunity to 
tell him how she felt, but she'd let it pass. How stupid! 

Harm looked directly into her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked tenderly.

She didn't want him to know that she had flown half way around the 
world to see him, so she impulsively decided to tell him about her tryst 
from last night.

"I went to Quantico yesterday to see John Farrow. Sometimes it does 
help to talk to a friend."

"Well, I'm glad you talked to somebody, but, Mac, you could've come to 
me."

"I did come to you, Harm. You were too busy, remember?"

"Oh." He did remember having seen her briefly. "So did Colonel Farrow 
help you work through it? What did you guys do, go to dinner? Just 
talk?"

Okay here it comes. She wished she didn't want to tell him this. But 
something in her wondered if he'd be even a little bit jealous. "Yeah, we 
went to dinner, and we talked, and I spent the night."

"Well, I'm glad Colonel Farrow had a guest room available for you."

"I didn't stay in the guest room. I spent the night ... with John."

"Oh, I see." That was about all he could manage at this point. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Harm lay still for a few minutes before he was ready to speak again. 
"So, John Farrow was who you were thinking of while you were with Brumby. 
I guess that's a step up...."

"Harm, don't." She warned. "It wasn't John."

"You went running to him, to his bed as soon as you got here. He 
must've been on your mind."

"Staying with him last night just sort of happened. I didn't plan it. 
It was a mistake."

"Why did you do it then?"

"I just needed a friend, somebody to care about me, that's all."

Harm reached up to gently touched her cheek. "Mac, if you wanted a 
friend, why didn't you just come to me?"

"Harm, I did come to you first. You were the one I wanted to talk to."


"You did?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Mac."

"Harm, you're the one I was thinking about. You're the one I wanted to 
see."

It wasn't dawning on him exactly what she was saying. "Are you trying 
to tell me something?"

"Harm, I need for us to be close again. I need a friend I can depend on 
and talk to."

Harmon Rabb was touched. He had regretted growing apart from Mac. He 
wanted them to be close too. 

He put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. His other hand 
gently caressed her cheek.

Something deep inside Mac quivered like it never had before.

When Harm finally spoke, he said, "I want to be your friend, Mac. I 
want you to be able to depend on me."

His hand massaged her shoulder, and he slowly moved closer. His lips 
grazed across her forehead. Then he placed a tentative trail of kisses 
down the side of her face, ending at her lips.

When their lips met, the kiss was intense and passionate. 

She responded to the sensation of his hands moving over her body. 
Things heated up pretty quickly. 

It was difficult, but she managed to push him away.

"I'm sorry," he panted, breathlessly, "I should never have let that 
happen."

"No, it was my fault." She countered. To punctuate her own involvement, 
she landed a light kiss on his cheek.

Harm was still holding her in his arms. "If this makes you 
uncomfortable, we need to stop now."

"It's not that. I just need to tell you something. And after you hear 
it, you may not want to go ahead with this."


"What? What on earth could you possibly say that you think would change 
this?"

"Harm, when I was with Mic, the name I called out was yours." There it 
was said. She could only pray that he didn't take it too badly.

"Really?" He looked into her eyes for some sign of what that meant.

He didn't have to wait long. She nodded in affirmation. Then she 
dropped her eyes away from his. "You see; I'm in love with you." That was 
direct, but it was what John Farrow had recommended. She felt the need to 
explain before he had the chance to respond, "I didn't mean for it to 
happen. I know you probably don't want to hear that, but I just can't 
help it. I came to tell you, because I need to get it out in the open. If 
I don't, I'll never be able to really be with another man." Finally she 
stopped to take a breath.

Harm put a finger up to her lips to signify that she should listen now.

She looked up at him and he smiled. "Good, because I don't want you to 
be with another man." His expression changed to amusement. "You thought 
that hearing this would make me not want to be with you like this?"

She whispered, "I don't want you to feel trapped or obligated. I know 
that you don't want any long term, commitments in your life."

"Whoa!" he interjected. "You seem to think you know me pretty well?"

Mac nodded.

"Well, did you know that I just happen to be in love with you?"

"What?"

"It's true. That's why all those other relationships never went 
anywhere. I love you, Mac."

Her eyes teared up and she stretched to kiss him. 

He responded, and then asked, "You flew half way around the world to 
tell me this?"

"Yeah, I hope it hasn't upset you too much?"

"Well, let's see.... the most beautiful woman I've ever seen has just 
told me that she loves me. I feel ... a lot of things, but, no, upset 
isn't one of them."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Oh. Yeah. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Mac's arms found their way around Harm's neck. "You're beautiful too." 
She whispered.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you yesterday when you came to talk to 
me."

"You're here now." She rationalized.

He held her close. Moving his hands over her lithe frame, he asked, "Do 
you want to go back and pick up where we left off?"

She ran her hands up and down his chest, nodding.

They fell back onto the bed and soon their passion consumed them. It 
wasn't lusty or needy. Their love was beautiful and comfortable.

Afterward, they lay in each other's arms talking softly.


"Sarah, I can't believe I almost lost you."

"I can't believe I ever thought another man could replace you."

"Well. We're together now, and I won't ever let anything come between 
us again."

Their eyes met and they gazed into each other's souls for a long 
moment. Both were lost in the magic of the experience, until she looked away. 

When she turned back toward him, there was a tear in her eye.

Harm quickly wiped it away and inquired about what was wrong.

Her voice quivered. "I'm no good. I'm a slut. That's what my father 
always said about me - and he was right."

"Wait a minute. What on earth are you talking about?"

"I've been with three different men in the past three days. That should 
certainly put my virtue in question."

"No, I don't think so. Sarah, what we just did was so natural, so 
wonderful, so right."

"Yeah, I know, but I did it with other guys last night and the night 
before."

"So? Last night with Farrow - that was my fault. If I'd been there for 
you, you wouldn't have had to turn to him. As for Brumby.... he had 
what you thought you needed too. We can just chalk that up to a temporary 
lapse in judgment. Maybe that's my fault too."

"No, none of it's your fault. I'm just sorry that I can't be better for 
you."

"I'm happy that you are exactly the way that you are. I love you, 
Sarah." With that, he kissed her again.

Eventually, they fell to sleep snuggling and happy.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Mac drifted slowly awake, sure that all of last night must have been a 
dream. She had loved Harmon Rabb for so long, but had resigned herself 
to the fact that nothing would ever happen between them. Yes, it was a 
dream, but, oh.... what a dream!

When she felt his strong arms around her, she snuggled in closer. Her 
eyes finally opened when she felt his lips against her forehead.

"Good morning, Beautiful." He greeted her.

"Good morning. I didn't think it was real."

"Oh, it's real, Darling." After a pause, he added, "How do you feel?"

"Wonderful. You?"

"I believe I'm getting sick."

"Oh no! Harm! What's wrong? Should I take you to the doctor?"

"No, Sweetheart. I'm not sick like I need to go to the doctor. I'm just 
sick like maybe I should stay home from work."

"Oh." She nodded. "You're probably right." Her arms wound their way 
around his neck. "I think it might be best if you stayed in bed all day." 
She laughed. "To rest, of course."

"You may have a point, there, Counselor."

They hared a deep, passionate kiss.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

About noon, they managed to get up and make it to the kitchen to look 
for breakfast. They were sharing some coffee and toast when the doorbell 
interrupted them.

They exchanged a frantic glance. 

"Does anyone know you're here?" he asked.

"No, and maybe it's best if we keep it that way for now,"

"I agree."


Mac disappeared toward the bedroom, pulling Harm's bathrobe tighter 
around her. She turned and warned him, "Remember, you're sick."

"Oh yeah." He cleared his throat, and then opened the door to reveal 
Clayton Webb.

Harm relaxed visibly against the doorframe. "Webb, what are you doing 
here?"

"Your office said I could find you here. Something about your being 
sick."

"Yeah."

"You look alright to me."

"I'm beginning to feel better. I think it must just be one of those 
viral things. What do you want?"

Without waiting to be asked, the CIA agent entered the apartment. 
"Actually, I'm looking for Mac."

"Mac? Why would you look for her here?"

"Cut the crap, Rabb. I know she's here. One of our operatives followed 
her here last night, and she hasn't left."

"That doesn't mean anything." Harm tried to defend.

"Hell, Harm, I don't care what the two of you have got going on. I just 
need to talk to her. It'll save a lot of time if she just talks to me 
now instead of waiting until the European and Australian intelligence 
officers get here."

"What are you talking about?" Harm finally queried.

Mac stepped out from behind the wall, which separated the bedroom from 
the living area. "You had me followed?" she asked, in disbelief.

"Good, there you are." Clay greeted her.


"You didn't answer my question." Mac countered.

Webb swallowed hard. "Mac, there are people out there who are very 
interested in you right now. So, yeah, my associates have been keeping tabs 
on you."

Noticing the attire of these two military officers - Harm wore 
carelessly donned sweat pants with no shirt, while Mac anxiously clutched at on 
oversize bathrobe-he smiled. "Does this mean that the two of you have 
finally 'found' each other?"

Mac blushed. She started to speak but was cut off by Harm. "You said 
you had business here, Webb?"

His demeanor changed back to his "all business" persona. "Colonel 
Mackenzie, you may well have information that could lead to the 
neutralization of the largest terrorist group in history. I need to ask you a few 
questions."

"What are you talking about?' she sounded bewildered.

Harm moved behind her and dropped a protective arm around her waist.

Clayton opened his briefcase and began asking questions. He was 
interested in Mic Brumby and his activities and friends.

Mac tried to answer his questions, but this wasn't making a lot of 
sense. "What does this have to do with terrorists?" she wanted to know."

"Your fiancée...."

"Ex-fiancée." Harm supplied rather firmly.

"Whatever." Webb responded.

"International agents in Australia have been watching Brumby for months 
now. He's suspected of involvement with terrorism. He seems to be one 
of the contacts that helps pinpoint targets and traffic in equipment."

"That's ridiculous." Mac concluded. "I've been living with the man; I'd 
have known if he was involved in something like that."

"There's no hard proof yet, but you may have the information we need to 
either confirm or deny his activities. Did you ever meet any of his 
friends?"

"Of course I did. We were going to get married."

"Who do you remember? Maybe somebody who came by the house frequently - 
anything like that."

"Wait a minute," Harm interjected, "she doesn't need to be dragged into 
this." He tightened the arm around her waist.

She assured him that she was okay, even if she didn't believe that Mic 
could be involved in this.

Actually, it didn't take her long to realize that she really didn't 
know much about Mic's business activities or the people that he associated 
with. She did remember one man that had been to the house several 
times. His name was Danny and he and Mic were always talking about some kind 
of business deal. She had never been included in the conversations and 
she didn't know anything else about him - not even his last name.

"Would you recognize a photo?" Webb asked.

"I think so." She said.

Harm began getting impatient. "Webb, she's getting tired. Can't we talk 
about all this tomorrow? 

He hesitated, but finally agreed. He would meet them both at JAG 
headquarters first thing in the morning.

After he left, Mac literally collapsed into Harm's arms. "Harm, I'm 
sorry about that."

"Not your fault, Sarah. Hey, it's almost dinnertime. How about we get 
dressed up and I'll take you someplace nice to eat?"

"That sounds wonderful."

Getting dressed took longer than they had thought. It was the first 
time they'd done it together, so it seemed strangely erotic, and they 
enjoyed it.

As Harm zipped her dress, he planted light kisses on the back of her 
neck. "You are so beautiful." He told her.


She turned in his arms and kissed him passionately. "How did we ever 
stand to not be like this?"

"I don't know." He supplied. "It seems so perfect and natural."

"I don't think Mic's a terrorist, but I'm glad I'm here with you 
instead."

"Yeah, me too. Are you going to help them in their investigation 
against him?"

"I guess I have to, if I can."

Dinner was lovely, then they returned home for a very physical dessert.



NEXT MORNING

JAG HEADQUARTERS

"There have been new developments in our investigation." Clayton Webb 
informed them, standing to walk around the table.

"Like what?" Harm demanded. He had decided he wasn't going to leave 
Mac's side during this ordeal. He had explained it to Admiral Chegwidden 
as Mac needing an attorney with her during questioning. For now, his 
C.O. was in agreement.

Webb handed Mac a photograph. "Recognize him?"

Her face brightened. "Yeah, that's Allan. Staff Sergeant Allan Casey. 
He works at the American Embassy in Sydney."

"What do you know about him?" Webb continued.

"He's conscientious, bright, easy to talk to - he's a good marine."

"Ever seen him with Brumby?"

"No. I doubt they even know each other, unless they met at a reception 
the Ambassador threw for the Embassy staff or something."

Next Webb handed her a photo of Casey and Brumby together. They 
appeared to be engaged in deep conversation. "So?" she asked.

"They obviously know each other." Webb concluded. "That may get you off 
the hook, Mac."

"I didn't know I was on a hook, Clay."

"There's been some speculation in the intelligence community that you 
were involved in Brumby's spy activities - his informant within the 
Embassy, maybe."

She just looked down. It was Harm who spoke up on this. "That's 
ludicrous! So, you're really investigating Mac here?"

"I'm just gathering information." Webb stated.

"You said there were new developments?" Mac tried to get back on track.

"Staff Sergeant Casey was arrested last night in Sydney for passing 
classified documents to a known Arab terrorist."

"Oh no!" Mac exclaimed.

"What's that have to do with Brumby?" Harm asked. 

"Well, he was in the bar at the time. We don't know whether he was 
actually involved or not."

AJ Chegwidden entered the conference room at about that time. "But the 
two of you can find that out when you go to Sydney to represent Casey 
during his questioning."

"Mac looked at him blankly. "Sir, I don't work for JAG anymore."

"Yes, Colonel, you do, at least for now. I've requested that you be 
temporarily assigned to this office again. I'm short staffed and 
Ambassador Duncan has a full complement of marines in his Embassy. Do you have a 
problem with that?"

"No, Sir." She answered. She gave Harm a smile. It had been a long time 
since they 'd worked together.

"Good. Do you have any objection, Mr. Rabb?"

"No Sir."

"Good, then the two of you leave for Sydney at 1000 tomorrow. Colonel, 
I was sorry to hear that your engagement broke up."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Will you're past relationship with Mr. Brumby effect your ability to 
handle this investigation?"

"No. Sir."

Mac and Harm were dismissed, so thy exited the conference room, leaving 
Chegwidden and Webb to work out details. They hadn't gotten far before 
they were met by Lt. Harriet Sims. 

"Something on your mind, Lieutenant?" Harm asked, noticing that the 
young woman was staring at them.

"No, Sir... Yes, Sir. Bud and I were wondering if you two would like to 
come over for dinner tonight? I know AJ would love to see you both. It 
would be fun.

Mac looked at Harm and shrugged her shoulders. Harm answered for both 
of them. "We'd like that Harriet. What time should we come? Can we bring 
anything?"

Harriet and Mac worked out the arrangement, and Harm disappeared into 
his office.

A few minutes later, Mac entered, without knocking. "Harm, did you 
notice that she invited us, not individually, but together. Like we were a 
couple."

"We are a couple." Harm flashed her a wide grin.

"But she doesn't know that, does she?"

"I don't see how she could. We had decided to keep our new relationship 
quiet, unless you'd like to change your mind?"

"No, I think that's best. Then why did she act as though she knew about 
it?"

"Honey, I think other people have suspected that there might be 
something between us at some point."

"They have?"

"Yeah, I think so. Some of these folks think we belong together. I even 
heard that at one point there was an office pool going on."


"You don't think that's true do you?"

He laughed. "What? True that there was an office pool or true that we 
belong together?"

"The pool." She replied, indignantly. "Harm, that's embarrassing."

"Sarah, we can't control what people think or do. Don't worry about 
that. But I say if Bud and Harriet want to see us as a couple, that's what 
we let them see tonight."

"What? You want to make out in their living room?"

"No," he said, finally rising from his desk and walking toward her. 
"But maybe we might just let them see us exchanging admiring glances, 
sitting very close holding hands - things like that. Maybe even a kiss. You 
know what they say - always give the people what they want."

"Oh, I don't know. Harm, this is so new to us, maybe we shouldn't share 
it with anybody else yet."

"We're not talking anybody, Mac. This is Harriet and Bud. If you're 
uncomfortable with it, we'll just forget the whole thing, but think about 
it."

"Okay." She agreed.



THAT EVENING

BUD AND HARRIET'S HOME

ROSSLYN, VIRGINIA

It had been a great dinner and a pleasant evening among friends. 
Harriet, always caring and compassionate, asked Mac directly about her 
breakup with Brumby, but failed to get a straight answer. Whatever she might 
have been thinking, though, couldn't have totally prepared her for what 
she saw.

Mac sat on the couch with Little AJ perched comfortably on her lap. The 
small boy happily flew a toy airplane through the airspace within his 
reach. The aircraft ended up crashing into the side of Mac's head, 
causing her to flinch a little.

AJ looked at her apologetically and announced in his best two year old 
voice, "Ehrplan."

Mac softly queried him, "Are you going to fly airplanes like Uncle 
Harm?"

The child pointed to the tall man standing across the room and 
repeated, "Uncle Harm."

His godmother just hugged him tight against her chest and kissed his 
cheek.

Harm watched all this with amusement. She certainly looked good holding 
that child. He walked over and sat down next to her. He picked up AJ's 
toy plane and guided it to make circles in the air, delighting the 
little boy. Then he leaned back on the couch and dropped a comfortable arm 
around Mac's shoulders. 

She smiled at him. 

It was then that they noticed the faces of Bud and Harriet casually 
watching them from across the bar.

"What do you think?" he whispered, so that only she could hear it.

In the same tone, she answered, "Let's give them what they want - or at 
least a hint of it."


Without saying anything, he ran his hand along her cheek, touching her 
face tenderly.

Mac reached up to take his hand in hers and kissed his palm, 
suggestively.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

When they looked up, their audience was gone. They knew that Harriet 
and Bud were talking about them in the kitchen. As long as the cat was 
out of the bag, Harm saw no reason to try to hide what he was feeling. He 
leaned close to her and gently kissed her lips.

AJ Roberts exclaimed, "Ooohhmmm," as he clasped his hand over his 
mouth. They both laughed.

Then, they got up and took their godson into the other room.

Bud and Harriet never said anything to their guests about what they'd 
seen, nor did Harm and Mac draw attention to themselves and invite 
discussion.

They left soon after - hand in hand.





TWO DAYS LATER

SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA

Harm yawned and stretched, turning over to wrap his arms around the 
most magnificent woman he had ever imagined, who lay beside him. He knew 
she was close to waking because he had felt her beginning to move. It 
somehow seemed important that she wake up in his arms, surrounded by his 
love. They needed to talk, and he wanted her to feel safe - feel his 
love and devotion while they did.


When her eyelids began to flutter, he pulled her closer and planted a 
kiss against her forehead. 

She sighed, snuggling into his chest. "Harm" she muttered under her 
breath. For just a moment, he wondered if that sounded just like what 
Brumby had heard that had brought her back to him. He hoped so - it sounded 
great. He whispered back to her, "I'm here, Darling." He punctuated it 
with a light, tender kiss on her lips.


Her eyes opened a little farther, and she grabbed for his shoulders, 
using them to hold him in place.

She deepened the kiss, and sighed against his mouth, probing for entry.

Harm happily obliged her, allowing the kiss to become intimate and 
passionate.

When they ran out of air, they lay staring into each other's eyes.

"I like waking up with you." She informed him.

"Oh, me too." The words rolled off his tongue, as he tenderly caressed 
her cheek.

Harm took a deep breath, then broached the discussion they had to have, 
"Mac, how is it for you, being back in Australia, I mean?"

"It's different this time. This time, you're with me." She squeezed his 
hand, affectionately.

"When you go to talk to the investigator today, he's going to ask you 
about Brumby. What are you going to tell him?"

"I'll tell him everything I know. But I'm afraid that's not much. I 
don't see how I can be of any help on this."

"You may see Mic. How's that going to be, for you?"

"Yeah, eventually I will see him, I'm sure. I don't know how I'm going 
to react. I guess it depends on how he takes seeing us together."

"He'll never hurt you again, Sweetheart, I'll see to that."

"I know. Thank you."

"If you'd rather, I won't go to the interrogation with you. I could 
keep a distance, and maybe it would help curb Mic's anger a bit."

"No, I want you to go with me, that is, if you don't mind. I think 
you're stuck in the middle of all this, whether you like it or not."

He leaned closer and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, "I like 
it just fine,"

"Then we better get up and get ready, or we'll be late."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Mac's interrogation by the Australian authorities lasted for just over 
an hour. They asked everything, and she answered as best she could. 
However, as she feared, she wasn't able to really give them much 
information. She just didn't know anything about Mic's activities or business 
dealings.

True to his word, Harm stayed right by her side.

Afterward they had lunch in the police building delicatessen, there. 
Somewhere mixed in with a ham and cheese on rye (hers) and a chicken 
Caesar's salad (his), they saw Brumby enter. They wouldn't have noticed 
him, if he hadn't spotted them. But he did. He made his way over to their 
table and sat down with them.

"Why are you doing this to me, Sarah?"

"Doing what?"

"You've been telling the authorities some kind of lies about me, saying 
I'm a spy or something. Now, they're questioning me. Why, Sarah? I 
never did anything to intentionally hurt you."

"Mic, I haven't told anybody anything. I don't know anything. But, 
apparently somebody thinks I do. I had to come all the way to Australia to 
be questioned by those same people who are talking to you. What are you 
involved in? What's going on here?" She thought it best not to mention 
that she and Harm were going to be doing their own investigation of 
him.

"Nothing, I swear. Don't turn on me, Sarah. I won't let you railroad me 
like this." With that he grabbed her arm, intending an obvious threat.

Harm was on his feet immediately. "Let her go, Brumby."

"You stay out of this." Mic roared, shifting his rage toward the other 
man.

As he glared at Harm contemptuously, he yelled at Mac. "I see you 
didn't waste any time running right into his arms, did you? Just like the 
slut I always knew you were."

Mac gasped.

Harm shoved Mic, just a little, "You watch what you say to her, Mate."

Before things erupted into a full-fledged brawl, Mac convinced Harm to 
just leave. The police seemed to have Brumby under control, anyway.

*********

They took a walk. By late afternoon, they had found their way to the 
American Embassy. Mac went in to check on things. Even though she was TDY 
to the JAG Corps, she did still, technically, work there. 

She introduced Harm to Miss Knight in the Ambassador's office and 
several of her other coworkers. Ambassador Duncan was on leave this day, so 
they didn't get to say "hi" to him.

Following their visit to the Embassy, they rode the ferry across the 
harbor as a shortcut back to the brig to talk to Sergeant Casey. Then, 
they headed back to their hotel.

When they entered their room, it was being ransacked by two police 
officers.

As Harm and Mac came in, the officers stood and addressed Mac. "Lt. 
Colonel Sarah Mackenzie?"

"Yes, may I help you?"

"Ma'am, you're under arrest for espionage, intelligence trafficking and 
treason. You have the right to remain silent..."


The lump in Mac's throat almost choked her. She felt Harm's arm tighten 
around her waist as the officers approached her with handcuffs.

When Harm followed them out, they told him he would need to stay 
behind.

"I'm her attorney." He informed them. "You won't even speak to her 
without me being present."'



SAME NIGHT

LATER

The Australian authorities had questioned her for two hours. Mostly 
they had asked about Mic and about her work at he American Embassy. Her 
visit there that afternoon seemed especially important to them.

Once again, she had very little to offer. After it was over, they were 
transferring her to a cell overnight to await the international 
authorities in the morning. Harm protested, but they were unwavering.

Mac held his hand as they began to move her. She thought he looked 
exhausted. "Harm, go back to the hotel and get some sleep."

"No, I won't leave you."

"Please, Harm, if you want to help me, get some rest. We'll figure out 
something in the morning. I'll be okay, now go."

He bent to kiss her cheek, watched her led away, then headed for the 
hotel. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Harm did rest, but he was back up and at the US Embassy by sunrise. 
Whatever was going on, this seemed to be a key location.

He talked with a variety of staff members, and then was summoned to the 
Ambassador's office. There he met Ambassador Duncan for the first time, 
and ran headlong into Clayton Webb.

"Webb, I wondered when you'd show up."

"I've actually been here, monitoring the situation all along."

Now Harm was angry. "And you let them arrest Mac? Why, you son of a 
..." He moved menacingly toward Webb, who easily sidestepped him.

"It's all part of the plan." He answered.

"What plan?"

"The plan where we're going to catch Brumby selling state's secrets."

"Then you're using Mac for bait?"

"I guess you could say that."

"What's going to happen now?"

"Now we wait and see."

"Webb, I want her released from jail immediately. Don't give me any of 
that spy double-talk. Immediately!."

"No can do. She's got to stay there long enough for Brumby to think the 
heat's off."

"Then what?"

"Then the Ambassador will go make a statement which clears Mac."

"What does the Ambassador have to do with this?"

Ambassador Duncan spoke up. "I'm also being investigated on these 
charges."

"I'm sorry, Sir." Harm sympathized.

The three men continued to talk. Harm kept trying to negotiate a 
quicker release for the woman he loved, but Webb stood firm.



THAT AFTERNOON

DISTRICT PRISON FACILITY

SYDNEY

Mac was brushing her hair, but it seemed futile. Everything here felt 
so messy and dirty.

The guard came to the door of her cell and told her to come with him. 
She had a visitor. 

"Harm" she breathed silently. That was confirmed when the guard went on 
to say, "Your boyfriend's here to see you."

She had never been so excited.

When she entered the visiting room, her spirits fell. There sat Mic 
Brumby.

She sat down across the table from him and asked, "What are you doing 
here?"

"Sarah, Love, I've come to see you. After all, you are my fiancée."

"No, not anymore. Don't you remember we broke up, it was your idea, as 
I recall."

"That was a mistake. I never meant it."

"Too bad. I'm with Harm now, or hadn't you noticed."

"Sarah, you're mine. I love you. I'll never let you go.'

"Too late, Mic. I'm gone."

"Don't say that. We can work this out."

"No we can't. It's too late."

Mac called the guard and requested to be returned to her cell. As she 
left the room, Mic was yelling promises about making her love him again 
and winning her back.

An hour later, another guard came to tell her that her boyfriend was 
here to see her. She got up to go, wondering if Mic would ever learn to 
accept this.

When she entered the visiting room, there stood Harm.

She felt weak in the knees. 

He embraced her briefly, and then they sat down on opposite sides of 
the table.

They talked for as long as the guard would let him stay. She needed to 
know everything he'd found out. There wasn't much strategy to plan, 
because it seemed like most of this was out of their hands. As Webb had 
said, they'd have to wait.

"I love you." He whispered as he squeezed her hand and left.

When he was gone, she felt even more alone than she had before.

************************

The next morning Harm was called back to the Embassy. Today was the day 
that the Ambassador would give his statement to the authorities, so Mac 
should be released by tonight. He was given instructions on when and 
where to pick her up.

That didn't give him much time. He had so much to do to prepare for her 
return.

Harm really intended for this evening to be special. Mac had been in 
jail and now she was coming home - to him. He would be there. He 
especially wanted her to know that he would always be there. She could always 
come home to him.

He considered taking her out to a fancy, romantic dinner, but decided 
against it. Instead, they would have a private dinner catered by hotel 
room service. He elaborately decorated the room with flowers and 
candles, though. This should be a special occasion.

At the appointed time, Harm picked the newly released Mac up from the 
brig. They embraced briefly, but sincerely, and then he drove her to the 
hotel.

As they walked through the lobby, he asked, "Are you hungry?"

"You bet I am. I sure can't recommend the chef at the local lockup."

He smiled.

When they arrived at the room, he had her close her eyes, then led her 
to sit at the small table for two he'd had set up in the room.

The push of a button caused strains of beautiful music to fill the air. 
Candles were lit to make the scene romantic and perfect.

She gasped her approval.

Harm lifted the covers from the food on the cart and served their meal. 
They toasted her freedom and their love with a glass of sparkling 
cider.

Conversation during dinner started off very brisk, as they hadn't been 
together for a while. But it soon slowed, as they recaptured their 
comfortable, easy way of being together. For them, words weren't always 
necessary. By the time they reached the creme brulee, they were holding 
hands and making plans.

"I want to take you to see several things you've missed here, Sarah. We 
can do a lot of sight-seeing together tomorrow."

She smiled - he was excited like a small child. "Harm, wait a minute. 
Why did we come to Australia?"

"To clear you of these silly charges, of course."

"Darling, what about Sergeant Casey?"

"Of yeah, his preliminary hearing is day after tomorrow."

"Then don't you think that tomorrow we should see him and prepare his 
case?"

"But we can do it together?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course we can."

Harm rose from his chair, changed the CD that was playing their 
background music and opened the French doors that led out onto the balcony. 
Returning to the table, he extended a hand and inquired, "May I have this 
dance?"

She stood and he literally swept her into his arms. They danced out 
onto the balcony and he pulled her tighter. Her arms wound themselves 
around his neck and her head rested against his chest. It had never felt so 
good to be in anyone's arms.

They swayed to the music for a bit, and then he shut it off. He took 
her hand in his and they left the room.

While they walked, hand in hand, through the hotel's spacious lobby, 
she wanted to know, several times, where they were going. He didn't say 
anything. 

Outside, they could see the beach, with the light of the full moon 
reflecting from the water. He led her down to the water's edge, where they 
took off their shoes. Then they strolled down the beach, talking 
quietly. His arm was snaked around her waist, guiding her and keeping her 
close to him. 

It was, indeed, romantic. Perhaps the most romantic evening either of 
them had ever spent.

Back in the room, she suggested that they might go on to bed - to 
continue their togetherness.

"Not yet." He admonished her.

Harm sat down on the couch and pulled her down to sit next to him. He 
leaned back then wrapped his arms around her. Mac lay against Harm's 
chest so that she could hear his heart beating.

He stroked her hair, and encouraged her to talk to him about her 
experience. "Honey, what was it really like for you in there?"

They talked for a while, reveling in each other's loving embrace. 
Finally, she did coax him into bed.

She slept soundly in the shelter of his embrace.





NEXT MORNING

"Hurry up. Harm." Mac called toward the bathroom, again. "If we're 
going to talk to Ambassador Duncan before we meet Sergeant Casey, we need 
to move."

There was no response.


"Harm, do you hear me?"

He stuck his head around the door. "Yes, Dear. I'm coming."

Mac smiled at his use of the term of endearment. She'd never really 
been one for "pet names" and that kind of thing, but she could never tire 
of hearing Harm address her this way. If she had known that this was 
what being in love was going to be like, she could have saved herself a 
lot of time and heartache.

When Harm finally appeared from the bathroom, she hustled him out the 
door.

********

Miss Knight, the Ambassador's secretary, welcomed Mac at the Embassy. 
While they waited to see Ambassador Duncan, Mac noticed that the young, 
blonde woman could hardly keep her eyes off Harm. Her long eyelashes 
batted in his direction and her eyes roamed all over him.

Mac couldn't really blame her for this. Harm wasn't the type of man 
that you could help noticing. 

To Harm's credit, he was cordial, but did not return the young lady's 
flirtatious advances.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

After being invited into the Ambassador's private office, they took 
seats in front of his desk.

"Mac," Duncan got right down to business, "how bad does it look for 
Sergeant Casey?"

"Well, Sir, your testimony will help his case, but the prosecution 
still has a lot of circumstantial evidence."

"Ambassador, is there anything else you can tell us about the 
activities that went on here at the Embassy?" Harm ventured.

"Commander, I think I've told you everything I possibly can. There's a 
security leak here somewhere, but that young marine's not guilty."

They discussed a few more points in the case to make sure the 
Ambassador's testimony would cover all the aspects of Casey's character relevant 
to the hearing. 

Then, the Ambassador broached the subject on his mind, "Mac, how soon 
should I send your paperwork through for your permanent transfer back to 
Washington?"

"What?" she asked. It was something she really hadn't thought about 
yet.

"With you and Commander Rabb getting so close, I just assumed you'd 
want to be permanently assigned back to the States as soon as possible."

Mac wondered briefly how he knew about her relationship with Harm, and 
then noticed that they were holding hands. That realization startled 
her a little, so she pulled away her hand. Harm, though, ever alert, 
recaptured it in his larger one, giving her a broad grin.

"Turning to the Ambassador, she answered, "Sir, I've enjoyed my time 
here on your staff. But, yes, I would like to get back to JAG, that is, 
if Admiral Chegwidden will take me."

"I've already talked to the Admiral. He's pleased about your impending 
return."

"Then, you'll start the paperwork?"


"Already done, Colonel."

Harm was more pragmatic. "Ambassador, does the Admiral know about our 
relationship, then?"

"If he does, he didn't mention it to me, Commander. I do advise 
discretion, though, while you're working together."

"Yes, Sir." They chorused in unison.

When they left the Embassy, they headed to their scheduled meting with 
Sergeant Casey.

Their case prepared for the next day's hearing, they decided to take in 
some local culture.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Several hours of sight-seeing left them "famished" (it was Mac's word). 
They stopped for lunch at an elegant little sidewalk cafe. Mac reached 
over to help herself to a bite of Harm's pasta salad when she saw him.

She gasped, getting Harm's attention. "What is it, Mac?" he asked.

"Don't look." She ordered, emphatically.

"At what?"

"It's Mic."

"Is he looking at us?"

"Yeah, he is."

"Just ignore him. Maybe it's a coincidence that he's here."

"Maybe." She repeated, returning her attention to the food in front of 
her.

But it didn't work. Brumby walked to the table, and grabbed hold of her 
arm.

She tried to pull it away, but his grip only tightened. "Let me go, 
Mic."

"No, Luv. You see that's just it. I can't let you go, not to the likes 
of him."

"Take your hands off her." Harm stated, standing up.

"You don't waste any time moving in on another man's territory, do you, 
Mate?"

"Wait a minute," Mac urged, loudly, standing up between them. "I am not 
anybody's territory. And you two aren't going to do this - not here."

She turned to face Mic Brumby. "It's over between us, Mic. As I recall 
it was your idea."

"It's not over, Sarah. It will never be over." As he said this, he 
squeezed her arm a little tighter, then turned and left.

Mac immediately turned her attention to Harm. "Don't do it, Sailor. Let 
him go."

"Sarah, do you have unfinished business with Brumby? Because if you 
feel like you need to see him or to talk to him, or to try to work things 
out with him. I'll support you. I'll be waiting when you're through, 
but I'll support whatever you need to do."

She smiled. "I love you," her voice whispered in his direction, "but I 
don't need to see him or say anything to him. As far as I'm concerned, 
it's been over."

Harm held her hand and brought it slowly, but deliberately to his lips.

Soon after, they boarded the harbor ferry, and were met by two 
uniformed police officers.

"Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie?" one of them asked.

"Yes." Mac replied.

"Ma'am, you're under arrest."

"No!" Harm challenged them.

Mac was calmer. "On what charge?"

"Suspicion of murdering Ambassador Duncan."

"The Ambassador's dead? Oh, no!"

Harm was already working on countering the charges before the ferry 
docked.

**********************************


Harm sat alone in the middle of their hotel room bed. It had been such 
a perfect day for the two of them together. But there had been no way 
that he could keep her from being arrested. He hated that. The idea of 
her locked up like a common criminal was more than he could stand. He 
must get her released as soon as possible.

The District Attorney's case was largely circumstantial. They didn't 
really suspect her of the murder, per say. They thought that Mic Brumby 
had done it. The most they'd be able to charge Sarah with was conspiracy 
- but that is what the prosecutor thought. The evidence centered 
largely on the fact that Mac had visited the Ambassador that morning. 
Apparently an intoxicated Brumby showed up at the Ambassador's office just 
after Harm and Mac left. It could be interpreted to look like Mac had set 
up an espionage scenario for suspected spy Brumby, then he came in to 
finish up the job. But in a well-planned spy operation, why would Duncan 
get killed? 

Since Mac was his client, he could meet with her tonight. Maybe she'd 
have some better ideas than his.



LATER

SYDNEY DISTRICT DETENTION CENTER

Mac looked tired as she was led into the conference room to talk to 
him. He rose from his seat and briefly embraced her, kissing her temple.

They sat, and she asked with weary eyes, "Harm, what's going on here?" 

"Honey, the authorities are still trying to link you up with Brumby. If 
he did this, and is letting you be dragged through it, I swear, 
I'll...."

"No, Harm, I don't think Mic is really capable of murder. Besides, what 
motive could he have? I doubt he knew Rob Duncan very well at all."

"Sarah, who did Mic hang out with? Who can I find to talk to?"

"I don't know. But, Harm, Rob was more than just my boss. He was my 
friend. I want to know what happened to him."

"Do you know Mrs. Duncan?"

"Not very well. Of course we've met at Embassy receptions and things 
like that, but I never got the chance to get to know her very well."

"Were she and the Ambassador close?"

"I guess so - they were married for almost 20 years. Why?"

"Sergeant Casey - he's helping me with the investigation since 
Ambassador Duncan was able to clear him, found evidence that the Ambassador and 
his wife were away at Summer Bay for the weekend two weeks ago."

"So?"

"That same weekend, Susan Duncan worked at a charity auction here in 
town - all weekend. There are several witnesses. She was here in town."

"So, the Ambassador had a girlfriend?"

"Looks that way. Know anything about that?"

"No."

His allotted time expired, Harm rose to leave. "This afternoon, I have 
to give a statement about where you've been the last few days."

"Yeah? What are you going to say?"

"You were in my arms the entire time - right where you should always 
be."

She smiled. 

Harm enveloped her in a huge hug and kissed her before the guard led 
her away. He just had to find a way to get her out of here.

LATE AFTERNOON

HARM AND MAC'S HOTEL

Harm glared at Sergeant Casey, sitting on the bed. "What did you say?"

"I followed your man, Brumby to Mrs. Duncan's house today. Maybe she 
knew her husband was unfaithful, so she was seeing somebody on the side, 
as well."

"Yeah," Harm agreed, "or maybe Brumby knew of the Ambassador's 
infidelity and was threatening to tell his wife. He could have been 
blackmailing Ambassador Duncan. That would explain those meetings between the two 
of them."

"If so, why would he go to see Mrs. Duncan?"

"Now the Ambassador's dead, so he can't pay anymore. Maybe Mic's going 
to tell all."

"Could be, but if Duncan was his meal ticket, he wouldn't kill him."

"He might know who did, though."

"So, now you want to talk to Brumby?"

Harm nodded.

Casey looked hard at him. "What did you learn when the authorities 
interrogated you today?"

"Apparently, they really think Mac did this."

"That's ridiculous."

"I know. I told them when she started being with me the whole time. 
They know when she left Australia. That leaves one night when they don't 
know where she was. If I can find a way to verify her alibi for that 
night, I might be able to convince then to grant her bail. I can't stand 
the thought of her locked up."

"Where was she that night?"

"With a friend."

"So, tell the police that."

"They'd just think I was trying to cover for her."

"Will this friend give a statement?"

"It was another man. It could make her look bad, so I don't know."

"I think you've got to give him a call. We could use her help on this, 
if you could get her out."

The two men discussed strategies for tomorrow's investigation then 
Casey left. Harm sat on the terrace alone with a beer thinking about what 
he should do. Finally he knew he didn't have any choice.

************


Harm called John Farrow at Quantico to ask him if he would provide a 
statement about Mac's whereabouts on the night before she came to his 
apartment.

Predictably, Farrow was upset that Mac was in trouble. He promised to 
do what Harm asked. He would meet with Bud Roberts in the morning to 
have a legal statement drawn up. Rabb had been in contact with Bud a 
couple of times and knew that the young lieutenant was eager to do anything 
he could to help Colonel Mackenzie. 



NEXT MORNING

HOTEL

Harm paced back and forth in front of the reception desk in the hotel 
lobby. A new clerk was just coming on duty and asked, "May I help you, 
Sir?"

"Thanks, no." Harm responded, impatiently. I'm waiting for a fax. The 
name is Rabb."

"Mr. Rabb, if you'd like to step over to the coffee shop for a bite of 
breakfast, I'd be happy to bring it to you, as soon as it arrives."

There was nothing else he could do, so Harm headed to the small 
restaurant.

Staring into his coffee cup, his mind raced. This faxed statement from 
John Farrow would get Mac released on bail. He hated that it wasn't him 
who could help her this way. It wasn't really jealousy of the 
relationship. He knew that what Sarah and Colonel Farrow had shared was over 
long ago. That one night of relapse didn't signal a reawakening of their 
affair. That wasn't it. But he was jealous. Harm guessed that it was 
just envy of Farrow's ability to be the one who could help the woman he 
loved right now.

As he mulled these thoughts, the young clerk appeared with his fax. The 
cover letter from Bud indicated that they had been as general as 
possible about what actually went on, instead stressing only that she had 
been with him the entire time.

Perfect. Harm read through the statement. Everything was perfect in it. 
He headed to the Australian Intelligence office with it.

Two hours and a $10,000 bond later (having cleaned out his savings 
account), she was back in his arms.

Now, the real investigation began.

They spent the rest of this day together, walking, talking, holding 
hands and just enjoying each other's company. Harm told her that he didn't 
think he could possibly bear to ever be separated from her again. This 
time was a real celebration of their love.

When they returned to the hotel, someone was waiting for them. Neither 
of them had ever been so surprised to see anyone.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The man sat quietly in the lobby, waiting for them. He stood as they 
entered. 

Mac strode forcefully to him and embraced him. "John, what are you 
doing here?"

Harm was right behind her. "Colonel Farrow, Sir, we got your fax. Thank 
you for being so prompt. But, Sir, we didn't expect to see you. What 
are you doing here?"

Farrow returned Mac's hug, then shook hands with Harm. "I just couldn't 
let Sarah be in trouble and not try to be here for her." He announced.

Harm's arm slipped easily and comfortably around Mac's waist. "I 
understand that, Colonel. But it's a long way to travel, and you've already 
done everything you can for us, Sir."

Farrow quickly picked up on the fact that they were more comfortable 
being alone. "I have a return flight in two days. I'll get a room while 
I'm here, and see if there's anything I can help the two of you with 
during that time."

It was agreed.

Back in their room, though, Mac was bothered by Harm's reaction. "Are 
you upset that John's here?"

"Of course not. It's just that he made such a long trip when there's 
really nothing he can do."

"Maybe." She concurred, "or maybe you're a little jealous."

"Me? No."

"Good, because you've got nothing to be jealous of." she informed him. 
Wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders.

"It's not like you haven't turned to the guy before to help you, 
instead of coming to me, but I'm sure I have nothing to be jealous of."

"Wait a minute!" she exclaimed. "I only turned to John because you 
weren't available. You blew me off, Harm! Are you never going to let me 
live down that indiscretion? It was you that I wanted.... you that I 
loved; but you weren't ready for me, I guess. That night with John just sort 
of happened. I never meant for it to. I thought you understood that. I 
thought you had forgiven me!" By now she was in a veritable rant.

"I do understand, and there's nothing for me to forgive. You're right 
it was my fault. Let's just forget it."

"I wish we could."

"We can." He assured her, taking her into his arms. "I'm sorry, 
Sweetheart. I guess it's just the shock of seeing Farrow here. I didn't expect 
it."

"Nor, me either. Harm, but if he wants to help, we should let him."

"Okay, whatever you want."

She stretched up to plant a gentle kiss against his lips. Not satisfied 
with that, he deepened the kiss and held her even tighter.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

They met Casey and Farrow in the coffee shop for breakfast the next 
morning to plan a strategy. Sergeant Casey seemed uncomfortable at first 
with the addition of John Farrow - he was surrounded by too much brass. 
But Colonel Farrow soon put him at ease. This group could work 
together.

As they exited the coffee shop, they came face to face with Mic Brumby. 
He obviously had been up all night; and he had probably been drinking. 
He touched Mac's arm and said, "Sarah, I need to talk to you."

She pulled away and replied, "Not now, Mic. I don't think you're in any 
condition to have a civil conversation."

His voice rose. "Just a few minutes, please." When he reached for her 
again, Harm interceded. He pushed Brumby away. "Don't touch her again."

The Australian's fist came back and connected with Harm's jaw, sending 
him sprawling across the floor. Back up again quickly; Harm landed a 
punch to the side of Mic's head. 


Mac was incensed. "Stop it!" she yelled. She stepped between the two 
men. A scene flashed through her mind of a time when Bud had done this 
and had ended up with his jaw broken in two places. The visual image 
caused her to move back slightly.

Casey and Farrow were rolling up their sleeves and preparing to join in 
on Harm's side. A hand on each of their arms from Mac stopped them. 

Brumby lunged at Harm with both hands, throwing him off balance and 
into a post in the hotel lobby. Harm's head cracked against the pillar, 
dazing him. He fell to the ground and didn't move. 

In an instant Mac was at his side, cradling his head in her lap. She 
gently stroked his face, trying to revive him.

Mic watched her carefully, as he wiped the blood from his mouth. Even 
in his rage, Brumby could see the concern on Mac's face. "What about me, 
Luv?" he asked her.

"Get out of my sight." She spat at him.

"You really love him, don't you?" his tone was full of disbelief.

"Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell you."

"Then, I'll leave."

Casey and Farrow escorted him toward the door, while Mac helped Harm to 
his feet.

"He's gone." Sergeant Casey informed them, when he returned.

"I don't think he'll be back." Farrow added.

"Good." Harm growled. "Let's get back to work."

Mac wrapped her arms around his middle. "You need to take it easy and 
get some rest."

"Later." Harm contradicted. "Take her upstairs." He asked Allen Casey. 
He and Colonel Farrow left the lobby together





AMBASSADOR DUNCAN'S RESIDENCE

SYDNEY

Harm and John Farrow had come to talk with Mrs. Duncan. Of course, it 
was very delicate. You don't just ask a recently widowed woman if she 
knew her husband was having an affair. Instead, they focused on his work 
and travel habits. They asked whom he saw and whom he talked to.

Susan Duncan was willing to cooperate in any way, but she really didn't 
know names and dates. She was still deep in mourning. Her best 
suggestion was to check with Miss Knight in the office - she always made the 
Ambassador's travel arrangements and kept track of his schedule.

And that's precisely what Sergeant Casey was doing. He looked 
specifically at the appointment logs to see if he could pinpoint meetings with 
Brumby or anyone else in the days before his death, which might give 
them leads to a murderer.

There wasn't much at the Embassy to find. Either Miss Knight didn't 
know about her boss's clandestine weekends away, or she wasn't telling. 
Mic Brumby had come to see the Ambassador, without an appointment on the 
day Mac had left for her mission back to the States. He wasn't on the 
schedule, but he had signed in on the visitor's log.





BACK AT THE HOTEL

Farrow and Rabb met up with Casey in the lobby on the way back from 
their respective inquiries. Mac was upstairs in the room. The men headed 
up to find out what she knew about why Brumby would visit the Ambassador 
and how reliable Mrs. Duncan probably was.

Not wanting to disturb her if she was resting, Harm used his key to 
enter the room. Mac was sitting on the couch talking calmly to a man they 
hadn't expected to see.


She wore white, baggy sweat pants and a gray USMC sweatshirt. Her bare 
feet were folded up under her and her eyes sparkled - at Mic Brumby. 
The two were apparently engrossed in conversation.

Remembering the pain this man had caused her before, Harm moved 
protectively to Mac's side. She reached up and joined her hand with his.

"What are you doing here?" Harm challenged the other man.

"Trying to help a friend, Mate. Just trying to help a friend."

"If you think I'm going to let Sarah get involved in something you've 
done, you're mistaken, Brumby."

"Something I've done?"

Now Mac spoke up, tightening her grip on the hand she held, "Harm, Mic 
and I are trying to piece this together. I don't think he had anything 
to do with Rob's murder."

"Me? Murder? Not bloody likely." Mic shot back.

"Then what were you doing at the Embassy the day that Mac left?"

"I went to see Duncan, but I didn't kill him. I wanted to see Sarah - 
to apologize for the argument we had. The secretary told me that 
Ambassador Duncan had sent her on an assignment out of the country. I was just 
trying to find out the details ---- whether he'd sent her or she'd 
requested to go."

"If that's true, then why haven't you come forward before." John Farrow 
joined the conversation.

"I've been out of town and busy with my new job. This was the first 
chance I've gotten."

The sound of an electronic beeper interrupted. Mic Brumby looked down 
at the device, attached to his belt. "That's me. I've got to go make a 
call. I'll be back in touch. You have my number, if you need anything, 
Sarah."

He was up and gone.

"I think he's lying." Harm concluded.

"Why?" Mac wanted to know.

"I just do." Was all he could come up with.

"You're jealous." She observed. "I believe him. I don't think he did 
it."

"I have to agree with Harm." Farrow added.

"Me too." Casey offered.

Mac just sighed.





NEXT MORNING

U S EMBASSY 

SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA

Mac had gone to interview Embassy staff and check into records there, 
while the men followed up on other leads. After all, she had worked 
there, so she knew her way around.

Miss Knight was exceptionally busy trying to carry on the Embassy's 
duties without an Ambassador. Still she answered some of Mac's questions.

She had records of all the leave time the Ambassador had taken 
recently. She hadn't made his travel plans the past few times he'd been off, 
though. She had been on leave herself then.

Duncan's private files, which Mac retrieved from his office didn't 
offer much help either. There were no pictures of women, other than the 
photo of his wife on the edge of his desk. No steamy love letters were 
scattered through the drawers. Nothing at all presented itself to help 
identify his mistress or the location of their rendevouses. If he had been 
involved in passing on national secrets that too was well hidden.

No one on the staff who Mac talked with had any information either.

She met the three men who had worked diligently, themselves, all 
morning at a small cafe near the opera house. They were already there and 
waiting.

Nobody really had much to report. Harm suggested that they take the 
afternoon off and reconvene tonight to plan strategy. Mac started to 
object, but John Farrow spoke up and stopped her, "This is my first time in 
Sydney, I'd love to do some sightseeing."

Casey had a young lady that he'd like to spend time with as well. 

After they were gone, Mac asked, "Did you knock off for the afternoon 
because you knew they both wanted to do something else?"

"No," he answered emphatically, "I just wanted to spend some time with 
the woman I love."

"Oh?"

He took her hand and led her away.

They walked hand in hand through the streets, reveling in each other's 
company. Every so often, he would stop and spontaneously gather her up 
in his arms and kiss her. Life was good.

That evening, before their meeting, they rode the ferry across Sydney 
harbor several times. The moon was full and it cast shadows off the boat 
onto the water. Holding each other and gazing over the rail, they 
finally talked about the talk they'd had so long ago on this same ferry that 
had changed their lives.

'So, you've decided to go ahead and let go - not wait an eternity?" Mac 
quipped.

"You're not going to let me forget that, are you?" he responded.

She shook her head. "Are you still only this way with me?"

Harm looked deep into her eyes. "Only with you, Sarah. Only with you."

They shared a long, passionate kiss. "You better keep it that way."

"Aye, aye, Ma'am." He said, crisply.

She lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Harm, this is 
just so perfect. I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and it'll all be a 
dream."

"No, Honey, this is real. I've had dreams about us together, and this 
is much better than any of them."

"You dreamed about us?"

"Oh, yeah." He kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer.

"I thought I was the only one with those dreams."

"I love you, Sarah." He answered, simply.

BACK AT THE HOTEL



Sergeant Casey and Colonel Farrow showed up right on time for the 
scheduled meeting. Everyone was surprised, though, when Mic Brumby joined 
them as well.

"I want to help Sarah." He explained. "I really do care for her very 
much." That statement was directed at Harm. "Besides, I'm the number one 
suspect, remember? I need to find out who this spy is to clear my own 
name."

At Mac's insistence, he was accepted into the group.

Ideas were bandied about for over an hour before anything was settled. 
Farrow thought surely Mrs. Duncan must know more than she'd said. So, 
he and Casey would go to question her again. They both hated to badger a 
grieving widow, but the information was essential.

Mic Brumby, and Mac, believed that the key to whatever was going on 
must be in the Embassy. Even though they hadn't found it yet, they were 
convinced it was there. Harm would accompany them both to continue 
looking for that when they restarted the investigation in the morning. This 
plan settled, Harm and Mac headed off to bed. They talked softly for a 
while about how wonderful it felt to be together, and then they fell 
into a peaceful slumber. 

NEXT DAY

AMERICAN EMBASSY

SYDNEY

Mac delved headlong into Ambassador Duncan's computer files this time. 
He seemed to have had close ties in several international intelligence 
communities, but they were all legitimate. He was a diplomat, after 
all. 

As she sat at the deceased Ambassador's desk, Harm came up behind her 
and began to gently massage her shoulders. It felt good, so she leaned 
back into his movements.

"Harm, we're not finding anything. Maybe it's just not here."

"Sweetheart, we'll find it. I promise you. We'll just keep looking 
until we do."

"You don't still think Mic had anything to do with this?"

"I think it's possible. If not, he's sure been in the wrong place a 
lot."

"Harm, I know him. He couldn't have done this."

"I hope not, Mac. I hope not."

They continued to search.

Harm found a memo containing a reference to a computer file that seemed 
like it might be relevant. When Mac tried to access it, though, it was 
sealed with a security code. She traced its origin to somewhere within 
the Embassy, but couldn't pinpoint it any more exactly.

"Harm, this could mean that the source of whatever information we're 
looking for is right here in the Embassy."

"Was Duncan close to his staff? Would he have covered up something, if 
he knew it was going on?"

"Yes, and I don't think so, in that order. Rob was a good boss; he was 
always concerned about the welfare of everyone who worked here. But I 
really can't see him involved in anything illegal. I don't think he'd 
cover for anyone either. He always expected a lot of us."

"Then how do you explain this file mentioned in his notes?"

"I don't know. Maybe he didn't know what was in it either. Or maybe 
after he'd seen it, somebody changed it."

"Okay, so there are possibilities."

"Yeah, but we really need to see the contents of that file."

"But," he waxed philosophical for a moment, "it does tell us that 
somebody inside the Embassy was involved in some way."

"We ought to be able to figure it out, then."

The rest of the search was uneventful.

**--------------------**___________________________***---------------------------**

That evening, Harm and Farrow and Casey were very busy comparing notes, 
outlining theories and devising strategies. When Mac tried to 
participate with them, she felt ignored. Truth advocate Harm had a blood scent 
on what was really going on. She might as well not have been there.


Sometime during this session Mic Brumby showed up at the hotel door. 
When Mac opened the door, he asked if they could talk. She barely even 
needed to excuse herself when she followed Mic to the lobby.

They sat down in a couple of chairs near the door that provided them 
with a bit of privacy.

"What is it, Mic?" Mac seemed impatient.

"Things didn't end well for us, Sarah. I just think we should talk."

"What is there to talk about?"

"I know it just didn't work out for us, Sarah, but I still care about 
you."

She knew it must have been hard for him to come here to say that. She 
took his hand in hers. "I care about you too, Mic. I always will. I'm 
just not in love with you. I love Harm."

Brumby looked at the floor. "I don't want you to think badly of me." He 
stated.

"I don't. "

"I know that Harm thinks that I passed government secrets. And he 
probably thinks that I killed the Ambassador too. But I didn't do those 
things. I'm innocent - and I need for you to believe me."

"I do, Mic. I know you're not a traitor or a murderer."

"I'm just so sorry that the authorities suspect you. If you'll help me, 
though, I may have a way to find out the truth about what's going on."

"That's what we're all working on upstairs. Why don't you join in?"

"No. I think I'll stand a better chance working alone. Will you help 
me?"

"Of course, I will. What's your plan?"

"Duncan's secretary, Alice Knight. She's the key to figuring it all 
out."

"Miss Knight? How do you figure that?"

"She has her finger on the pulse of everything going on in that 
Embassy. She handled all of Duncan's correspondence and scheduling. She 
basically runs things in the Embassy. So, even if she doesn't realize it, she 
probably has information that can solve all of this."

"I don't know." Mac was a little skeptical. "What are you going to do?"

"Well, she's a nice looking old gal. I thought I'd go out with her a 
few times, encourage her to talk about work - you know to get it out of 
her system, and see what I could learn."

"If you want to date Miss Knight, go right ahead."

"Sarah. I don't really want to date her. I just want to help you find 
out the truth. You're the only woman for me. I want to prove myself to 
you. I want to win you back."

"Hold on, Mic. I'm not a trophy that you get for beating Harm out in 
this investigation. You and I are through, over. I'm with Harm now; 
you're going to have to accept that." She looked directly into his eyes, 
with a pleading expression. "I love him, Mic."

"I'll believe you and accept it for now, but I'll make you remember 
loving me, Sarah. I'll get you back eventually."

"No, Mic." Was all she said, and then she looked away.

"In the meantime," he went on. "They've tightened down the traffic in 
the Embassy while the investigation's ongoing. I need you to get me in 
to see Alice, so I can ask her out. I've met her before, so no 
introduction's necessary. Just take me with you and go there tomorrow to look 
for something. You hack into the computer or whatever and I'll talk to 
her and ask her out."

"Okay." She acquiesced. "Meet me at the Embassy at 0900 tomorrow."

It was agreed and she headed back upstairs as he left.

The men in the room were still huddled together around the table. 

"Good, you're back, Mac." John Farrow called to her. "Come take a look 
at this."

She walked over to stand behind him as he showed her their plan.

NEXT MORNING

HARM AND MAC'S HOTEL ROOM

Harm rolled over at the sounds in the room to find Mac dressing and 
preparing to leave.

"What time is it?" he asked groggily.

"0645." She replied.

"What are you doing up so early."

"I've got an appointment."

"With who at this hour?"

"If you must know, I'm having breakfast with Mic. Then we're going to 
the Embassy to work on the investigation."

"Since when are you partnering with him?"

"Since he asked me to work with him."

"Mac...." Harm sat up in the bed as he started to protest, but she was 
already ready to leave.

"See you later." She called over her shoulder.

He got up slowly and headed to the shower. How had this happened? How 
was Mac.... his Mac back to spending time with Brumby? Something about 
this didn't feel right to him. The guy had once tried to pin a murder on 
her, would he try to implicate her in this mess too?



EMBASSY

Mac worked in Ambassador Duncan's office while Mic charmed Miss Knight. 
A couple of times she glanced out to check on his progress. He was 
laying it on thick. Mac knew the secretary would succumb to this. Mic was 
so good looking and he could really be very sweet and charming. 

An hour later, they exited the Embassy and walked down the street 
together. Mac asked, "How'd it go?"

"Just like clockwork." Brumby enthused. "I'm picking her up at 7:30 
tonight - a little dinner, a little dancing.... then, who knows. By the 
end of the evening, she'll be ready to tell me everything."

"I hope you're right."

"I am." His confidence was inspiring. "She told me that she had just 
ended a serious relationship, so I promised to be supportive and take it 
easy. " A pause; then. "She really is a very attractive lady. This 
could be fun."

"I hope so." Mac encouraged. "I didn't know Miss Knight had been in a 
relationship with anyone. It's strange how you can see someone every 
day, work with them, and still not know things like that."

Mic reached to hold her hand as they walked. "She might be the kind of 
woman I could really be interested in, if I weren't in love with you."

"Mic.... it's over between us. If you like her, go for it, enjoy 
yourself. There's nothing left between you and me. I've moved on. You should 
too."

He didn't say anything to that, but just squeezed her hand.

Then, she pulled the hand away.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

She met Harm back at the hotel. He wanted to take her to lunch. Brumby 
looked pleadingly at her and said, "Sarah, I thought we were going to 
have lunch together."

"No, we had breakfast, this one's Harm's." She corrected him.

Harm beamed. 

Mac left the two men in the lobby while she went up to the room to 
change clothes.

"Can we talk, Mate?" Mic began.

Harm took a step back, lest Brumby be preparing to speak with his fist, 
like the last time they "talked."

"Sure," Harm responded, "what do you want to talk about?"

"Sarah."

"Now, why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Harm, we spent all morning together. We both felt that connection we 
have. Our break up was a mistake. She still loves me - and I'm going to 
get her back."

"Stay away from her." Harm answered in a flat tone, trying hard to 
control himself - for Mac.

The two men had laid territorial claim to different sections of the 
lobby by the time Mac returned.

She walked toward Mic and said, "Good luck with your project this 
evening. Let me know how it turns out."

He smiled and moved toward her, but she turned to Harm and left the 
hotel with him.

They walked several blocks before she asked, "What did you have in mind 
for tonight?"

"Anything you like."

"I thought you had specific plans."

"I did, but I'm flexible; we can do what you want to do."

"Thank you," she acknowledged, "but whatever you had in mind is fine, 
as long as you feed me at some point."

"I've got to feed you lunch first, before we start planning dinner."

"Right," she agreed, "but it's never too early to start planning 
ahead."

Harm took her hand in his and gripped it firmly. They continued to 
walk, going in the general direction of the beach. There was a small 
restaurant just at the juncture where the sand began to meet the roadway, 
where they stopped to eat. It was rather crowded, and they soon figured 
out why - the food was excellent!

Mac ate as though she hadn't been fed in weeks, enjoying every minute 
of it.

Harm had to fight the urge to tease her about her culinary habits, as 
he had done so many times in the past. Now that he had finally opened 
his heart and allowed her to claim it, he just relished the chance to see 
her have fun. After all, she'd been through a lot lately. 

In between bites, she mentioned the case. Her general comments were 
followed up by the latest plan, "And Mic thinks that we..."

It was then that Harm remembered what he wanted to talk to her about. 
His heart overflowed with love, but he was afraid it might not be 
enough.

"Mac, Honey, can we take a walk --- I mean, as soon as you're finished. 
There's something I really need to talk to you about."

"Sure, just a minute. You sound serious. Is anything wrong?"

He didn't answer.

When she had eaten all she wanted, he led her back out onto the beach.

They spent most of the afternoon walking and talking, but the 
conversation was very general and he never really got around to bringing up what 
he wanted to talk about. Then they returned to the hotel to change, 
before heading to the same restaurant for dinner. Afterward, they strolled 
back out onto the beach in the moonlight. 

They walked hand in hand, saying very little. When they had reached a 
scenic viewpoint, he stopped and stood behind her. While she looked at 
the view, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close 
against his chest. After a few intimate kisses to her neck, he began, 
"Sarah, we do need to talk."

"Okay, what's on your mind, Sailor?"

"I love you." He professed.


"And I love you." She answered without hesitation.

"I know." He said. "But, Honey, I'm wondering if you ever really got 
closure on your relationship with Mic."

"It's so over between me and Mic. Harm, why would you doubt that?" 

"I don't doubt it." He assured her. "But, Sarah, he hasn't let you go 
yet. He wants you back. So, I was just thinking that maybe you still had 
feelings or doubts too. Maybe you want to spend time with him still. Is 
there anything left over in your heart?"

"Sure, I still have some lingering feelings from that relationship. 
They're mostly friendship kinds of things, though. I'm not still in love 
with him, Harm."

"Good, because I don't want to share you - and I know I couldn't just 
give you up, not now."

"I never loved him in the same way that I love you, Harm. I couldn't. 
If you'll remember, Sailor, it was my feelings for you that broke us 
up."

"Oh yeah, you called out my name while you were in bed with him."

"Well, I always dreamed of you."

"It's not a dream anymore."

She raised herself up and kissed him, gently.

This wasn't enough for him. He crushed her to him in a strong embrace 
and his mouth covered hers hungrily.

They dropped to their knees in the sand, still locked in a tight 
embrace. So lost were they in each other that they were oblivious to the 
world around them, until...

A bright light shined in their faces and a gruff voice ordered, "You 
kids break it up and get on home now!"

They broke apart to stare at the beach patrol officer. He looked very 
embarrassed when he saw their faces. "I'm sorry folks. I thought you 
were teenagers out here sneaking around."

Mac giggled.

Harm stood and helped Mac to her feet. "Sorry, Officer. We didn't 
really realize that we were in a public place."

They said good night to the man and started walking back to the hotel.



OUTSIDE HARM AND MAC'S ROOM

Even before they got to the room, passion gripped them. Mac giggled as 
Harm's hands tried to sneak beneath her clothing. Trying to dissuade 
him was to no avail. So, she backed him up against the wall outside their 
room and.kissed him-long and hard. 


Then the two of them fumbled to get the door unlocked.

It was only opened a crack when Harm pushed her back and away. 
"Something's wrong." He whispered.

"How do you know?"

"The light." He referred to their practice of always leaving a small 
light burning in the room when staying in unfamiliar places, so they 
wouldn't be walking into total darkness. 

"Maybe we accidentally turned it off." They were still whispering.

He shook his head. 

Very carefully and quietly Mac reached to flip the light switch. As 
soon as the glow of light came on in the room, a loud moan was heard from 
the bed.

They turned in the direction of the sound and were startled by what 
they saw.

There, lying under the covers were Mic Brumby and a blonde woman, 
obviously enjoying each other's company.

"Miss Knight!" Mac exclaimed as the young woman turned over to reveal 
her identity.

Harm was yelling at Brumby and rushing toward the bed to demand an 
explanation. Mic mumbled something unintelligible as he got up and wrapped 
a sheet around his waist. 

"How did you get in here?" Harm demanded.

"Relax, Mate. When we got here, Farrow and Casey were here. We wanted 
to talk to you and Mac so they said we could stay and wait when they 
left. You were gone a long time, so, well. You get the picture, right?

Mac's attention turned to the woman. Alice Knight was still in the bed, 
with the cover pulled tight around her neck. "What do you think you're 
doing?" Mac quizzed her.

"Mic said it would be alright." She defended. "I didn't mean to cause 
you trouble, Colonel Mackenzie. It's just that I've been so lonely since 
Rob.uh.. Ambassador Duncan died."

"Ambassador Duncan." Mac repeated. Now it made sense. "You were the one 
having the affair with him." This time it was simply a statement, not a 
question.

Alice Knight just looked at the floor, without speaking.

Now Mic spoke up, moving behind the secretary, "Alice has been a 
naughty girl." He informed them. "She got involved in some espionage and some 
illegal trading and all kinds of nasty stuff."

"Then the Ambassador was in on all that too." Harm completed the 
picture.

"No." Alice Knight stated emphatically. "No, Rob didn't know anything 
about it, at first."

"When he found out," Mic picked the story back up, "he tried to protect 
you, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." The secretary agreed. "He also wanted to make sure 
nobody at the Embassy was suspected."

Mac chimed back in, "That's why he planted evidence that pointed to 
Mic."

"But they blamed you," Miss Knight finished up the story, "and he never 
meant for that to happen."

"Who killed Rob?" Mac had to know.

I never meant for that to happen. He told me on that last weekend we 
went away together that he wouldn't let you take the fall, so he couldn't 
keep protecting me. My contacts said that if I went down the whole 
operation would collapse. I just had no choice. Honestly, I didn't mean to 
hurt him. I loved him." By this time she was crying.

Mic Brumby dropped an arm around her. "You're so lovely." He 
complimented. "If only you could have been uninvolved in this, I could really 
have enjoyed spending time with you."

Mac looked at Mic, and she felt terrible for her former fiancée. After 
all, he really wasn't a bad guy.

Before she had much time to reflect on this, Mic began reading Alice 
her rights, making a citizen's arrest. He had asked Harm to call the 
police. This had turned into a bad situation all around.

It was into this mess that Casey and Farrow returned, ready to continue 
planning a strategy to exonerate Mac.

"What's going on?" the Colonel demanded.

Mac quickly brought them up to speed.

"Are you okay?" John Farrow asked her.

She nodded, and then they exchanged an embrace.

Harm watched this, with a strange feeling he couldn't identify.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Once they were left alone, Harm enveloped Mac in a huge embrace. "Are 
you okay?" he inquired.

"Yeah." She said, weakly.

He climbed into the bed inviting her to join him.

"I think I can't sleep there tonight. They were just there together."

Harm wondered briefly if the problem was that someone else had been in 
their bed or if it was that Brumby had been with someone else, but he 
didn't mention it. Mac lay down on the couch and was soon asleep.

But Harm couldn't sleep without her. Sometime in the middle of the 
night, he got up and wandered over to lie beside her. It was very crowded, 
but she didn't wake, so he chose to think of it as cozy. By the time 
morning broke, he was lying on his back on the couch with her lying on 
top of him, facing him. Neither of them found it an unpleasant way to 
wake up. However, a persistent knocking at the door roused them sooner 
than they would have liked.

Harm opened the hotel room door to admit John Farrow. He told them that 
some time during the night Mic Brumby had been arrested. Apparently, 
when questioned, Alice Knight told the authorities that she and Brumby 
had become lovers and it was necessary for them to kill Ambassador Duncan 
so that they could be together and to cover up the illegal arms 
dealing.

Mac sighed. "It's not true." She told the men. "Harm, we've got to find 
him a good lawyer. After all he did to help us solve this one, it's the 
least we can do."

Harm nodded, reluctantly. 

Colonel Farrow's other news was that he would be leaving first thing in 
the morning. He had extended his original leave to work on this case, 
but now, he had to get back to Quantico. 

Mac embraced him; she would be sorry to see him go. They made plans to 
have lunch later, just the two of them. They invited Harm, but he 
declined. He thought these two old friends probably needed a little time 
together. He had loose ends to tie up, but would meet the two of them for 
dinner.

*******************

EARLY AFTERNOON

Harm stopped at the beach café for a bite of lunch himself. As he ate, 
he could see a man and woman walking down the beach holding hands. It 
was a nice, romantic image. But when he looked closer, he almost choked 
on his salad.

PART 16



It was Mac and John Farrow. They had once been lovers, and then had 
been again recently. Had all this rekindled something between them? He 
just couldn't accept that. But it was possible, wasn't it?

After eating, Harm took a long walk, going nowhere in particular. If 
she was falling back in love with Farrow, he couldn't hold her back. But 
he was sure that he couldn't bear to let her go either. 

He ended up back at the hotel room just staring at the wall. 



EARLY EVENING

MAC AND HARM'S HOTEL ROOM

Mac said goodbye to John Farrow, as she entered the room. Colonel 
Farrow had decided not to join them for dinner, as he needed to pack for his 
early departure.

She closed the door and saw Harm staring at the wall. "Is anything 
wrong?" she asked.

He was jolted out of his concentration by the sound of her voice. "No, 
nothing." He replied.

She moved behind him to lightly massage his shoulders. "So, where are 
you taking me for dinner, Navy?"

"You wouldn't rather eat with Colonel Farrow?"

"Of course not. What's wrong with you Harm?" 

"I saw you walking on the beach with John this afternoon."

"So?"

"So, it looked like maybe the two of you wanted to spend some time 
alone."

Her jaw dropped. "You are jealous. You are jealous of me having 
friends. Harm, you should know better; I don't want to be with anyone except 
you."

Harm turned so that he could pull her into his lap and encircle her 
with his arms. "Are you sure? Are you really sure? Cause, Sarah, I don't 
want to stand in your way, if you think you're supposed to be with 
somebody else."

"Harmon Rabb! You are crazy! I don't want anybody else. I just have a 
hard time believing that someone as wonderful as you wants to be with 
me."

"Well, get over those doubts, because I plan to spend the rest of my 
life being with you. I love you, Sarah."

She did the only thing she could do; she kissed him with a passion and 
intensity that completely took his breath away.