TITLE: "When the Night Wind Whistles "
           AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
           SUMMARY:  Season Finale Scenario.  When the woman he loves is suddenly gone from 
his life, Harm is willing to risk everything, including his life, to get her back.
	In this series, the events of Afghanistan have occurred but we will not deal with the 
Singer/Sergei/Lindsey story line.
           CLASSIFICATION/RATING:   J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac, Clay-Other, Gunny-Other]    PG for 
language and mild violence.
           SPOILERS:  In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to.
           FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  Addy is 
ssbpmn@aol.com.  Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes 
into writing it.
           NOTE:  All parts of this story, as well as the majority of our other works, are available at 
                         
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  "When the Night Wind Whistles"

  April, 2003
  JAG HQ 
  
  "Mac where's. . ." Harm stopped as he realized she wasn't in her office. With a 
  sigh he headed to her desk in search of the Patterson file he knew he'd left 
  for her. Likely it was buried somewhere beneath all the piles on her desk 
  and he started to flip through them in search of what he needed. He caught 
  sight of a file marked Webb and he quickly opened it.
  
  "What are you doing?" Mac demanded as she walked into her office.
  
  "I was looking for the Patterson file" he frowned.
  
  "That doesn't look like the Patterson file in your hand."
  
  "No it's not. It's a very interesting file called Webb. When the hell did 
  you plan on telling me you were going to be working with Clay undercover? Or 
  weren't you?"
  
  She turned and closed the door to her office before taking the folder from 
  his hands.
  
  "That's classified information."
  
  "I don't give a damn how classified it is" he growled. "Especially when it 
  comes to an assignment you're going to be on."
  
  "I don't think the Agency would look at that way" she sighed. "So please 
  forget what you just read."
  
  "All I read was that you were going to be Mrs. Sarah Neville. And I'm 
  guessing that means you're going to be Clay's wife. Now tell me why the hell 
  you're going to be working undercover as Clay's wife."
  
  "Harm I can't tell you everything. You know that."
  
  "Did you plan on telling me anything?" he demanded. "Or were you leaving 
  that to the Admiral?"
  
  She didn't answer right away and he let out a long sigh. "You weren't going 
  to tell me were you?" he said quietly. "I was just going to walk in one day 
  and find out you're on some unknown assignment for an unknown amount of 
  time."
  
  "No honest. I was planning on telling you. I just hadn't figured out how."
  
  "So you're not playing his wife just because he needs a woman are you?" Harm 
  sighed. "This is dangerous isn't it?"
  
  "Harm any assignment can be dangerous. Just like when you flew you knew any 
  mission could be dangerous. We know there's risks to what we do."
  
  "Did you volunteer for this?"
  
  "No. But I didn't turn down the assignment when I was approached either."
  
  "Why not?"
  
  "Harm, Clay needed someone he could trust on this assignment. Someone who 
  could pull off being his wife."
  
  "And of course he thought of you" Harm sighed.
  
  "And I'm also in the military and since that's related to this, I was a good 
  choice."
  
  "Mac you're talking in circles. Just tell me what's going on."
  
  "Harm I can't" she sighed. "You know how these things are."
  
  "I know that we've been best friends and partners for seven years now" he 
  said quietly. "That should count for something." He started to walk away and 
  she put a hand to his arm.
  
  "Come over tonight" she said softly. "I'm not promising I'm going to tell 
  you everything but I will tell you what I can."
 ================
 MAC's APARTMENT
 8PM
 
 Harm's scowl deepened as Mac spoke, laying out as much as she dared of the assignment.  
Clay had told her it was not a problem to tell Harm the basic plan and where and why she was 
going.  At least as much as she knew of it.  The rest would be told to her upon arrival.
 
 "This is so wrong," he said softly, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss in the palm and then 
pressing it to his cheek.  
 
 "I don't want to go either but it's a pretty simple assignment when you come right down to it.  I 
just follow his lead.  We're gathering evidence and I'll be home."
 
 "You're going to tell me in the whole of the Agency you're the only woman who can do this."
 
 "I'm going to tell you that I'm the only woman who speaks Russian that's not been used too 
much on other ops that Clay trusts as much as he does me.  We've worked together before and 
we know each other."
 
 Harm opened his mouth to speak and closed it almost at once, letting that last sentence sink in.  
"You knew him before JAG?  Before you came to me. . .uh JAG?"
 
 "I did," she confirmed.  "We had done some ops together and how that came about isn't even 
important.  It was a long time ago."
 
 Somewhere in the recess of his mind he realized there was more to what she was saying and he 
held his breath for her reply to his next question.  "Were you and he. . .uh. . ."
 
 "Lovers?"
 
 "Yeah that's the word I didn't want to say but now that you have," he admitted sheepishly.
 
 "Yes."
 
 His breath drew in sharply.  He had been prepared to hear the word, and yet when he did, it hit 
him hard.
 
 "For a short time we were involved but it was one of those things that wasn't destined to go 
anywhere.  Been over and forgotten a long time and I don't want to bring it up again please."
 
 "Then why did you tell me?  I mean you could have easily smacked me and said Rabb you're 
out of your mind to think that."  He toyed with her hand as he awaited the answer, watching her 
face.
 
 "I told you because I don't want us to have secrets.  You and I are just figuring this whole thing 
between us out," she said slowly.  "I don't want us to keep things from each other.  This trip for 
example, I was going to tell you.  I just didn't want you worrying when it was so far off.  I mean 
I'm terrified when you fly now and I wouldn't wish that worry on anyone."
 
 Using the hand he was holding for leverage, he pulled her to him, collapsing back onto the sofa 
and bringing her with him.  In the same motion his mouth captured hers and the kiss they shared 
was their most serious ever.
 
 "Wow Flyboy," she panted when they stopped to breathe.  "I'm not leaving for three weeks.  You 
don't have to say goodbye tonight."
   
 "Sorry" he said sheepishly.
 
 "Don't apologize" she smiled. "Unless you think you should. Because I sure 
 didn't mind what you did."
 
 "Just tell me why you have to do this Sarah" he whispered as he looked deep 
 into her brown eyes.
 
 "Harm I told you" she sighed. "And I know the timing is lousy but I can't 
 help that. Clay needs someone he can trust with him."
 
 "I know. I just don't like the idea of this."
 
 "What bothers you the most?" she asked. "Surely not the assignment. It has 
 its risks but not anymore than anything else I've done in the past."
 
 "Maybe it's the part about you being Clay's wife. Especially now that you've 
 told me you and he had a past."
 
 "Whatever we had is long since over. In case you forgot, I've been at JAG 
 for seven years now. And since I met you. . .well I can assure you that was it 
 for Clay and me. It had been over before that but after I started at JAG, 
 well it was really over."
 
 "I guess that makes me feel better" he sighed. "But I still don't like it. 
 You being Mrs. Webb I mean.  Well Mrs. Neville but still. . ."
 
 "Why?"
 
 "Because it was bad enough when I had to think of you as being Mrs. Brumby. 
 Even if this is just pretend it just brings up too many bad memories."
 
 "Harm I don't have feelings for Clay anymore. I'm strictly going to be his 
 wife for the assignment only. That's it."
 
 "I know. And I'm sorry I'm grilling you like this. You just have no idea how 
 surprised I was when I found that file. I figured Clay was still off in 
 South America. I had no clue you and him were going to be working together."
 
 "I was going to tell you. Honest."
 
 "I believe you," he said quietly. "And thank you for telling me all this. 
 Not that it makes me feel any better."
 
 "I don't want you to worry about me," she said softly. "I'm in good hands. 
 You know Clay will make sure we're safe. And Gunny is going to be backing us 
 up."
 
 "Gunny?" Harm frowned. "Last I heard he was still in Afghanistan."
 
 "So everyone thinks. He's working for Clay now on his team."
 
 "Guess he's not coming back to the boring land of JAG again then. Not that I 
 blame him."
 
 "What's that supposed to mean?" Mac frowned.
 
 "I don't know. Nothing I guess. I'm just babbling here."
 
 "Harm I'm doing this assignment as a one time favor to Clay. That's it. I 
 don't have any desire to be out in the field all the time. I'm perfectly 
 happy being your partner at JAG."
 
 "You are?"
 
 "Of course" she smiled. "Especially after that kiss a few minutes ago."
 "Three weeks before you leave me huh?" he sighed. "I guess we'll have to 
 make the most of it then."
 
 "I would hope so" she smiled.
 
 "You sure you can't talk Clay into letting me be your husband on this 
 assignment?"
 
 "No. And even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm glad you're not involved in this."
 
 "Why?" he demanded, his concern ratcheting up once more. "There's more to this then you've 
told me isn't there?"
 
 "Harm please don't. I can't tell you anymore. But there is more and honestly 
 I'm glad I can't tell you since I know it would just make you more upset."
 
 "I hate this" he whispered. "I don;t want you to go Sarah. I don;t want to 
 lose you. Not now. Not ever."
 
 "I told you before you'd never lose me," she said softly. "And I meant it. 
 I'll come back to you Harm. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

"Is that a promise?"  

She let her mouth give him his answer.
========================
JAG HQ
Late June 2003

"Sorry sir. Nothing."

Harm looked up guiltily from where he had been scanning the incoming mail upon hearing Tiner's 
comment.

"Sir I looked already while you were in court.  The Admiral was awaiting a packet and I screened 
for yours too.  Sorry."

"Yeah thanks Tiner," he signed, walking morosely back toward his desk, only to have Sturgis 
intercept him.  

"Nothing from Mac?"

"No."  The word was short and sharp and he walked several feet before he regretted his temper.  
"I'm sorry buddy.  You didn't deserve that."

"No I didn't.  But I wish I could help."

Harm shook his head, walking into his office with Sturgis following him.  

"Like I said, I wish I could help," Sturgis sighed.  "Or you don't want to talk about it."

"No because if I attempt to talk about it, I'll just start screaming and cussing and a certain CIA 
agent's name will figure prominently and then the Admiral will send me home where I'll walk 
around the apartment like a crazy person."

"Hmm. . .sounds like that's experience speaking."

"Uh. . .'fraid so.  I've pretty much stopped sleeping.  When I do drop off, she fills my dreams.  Or 
rather my nightmares.  Sturgis I know she's in trouble.  With every fiber of my being I know she's 
in trouble.  I just don't know how to find her to help her."

"Have you asked the Admiral?"

"Asked, begged, threatened.  He swears he has no knowledge, and I believe him.  I mean he has 
no reason to lie to me."

"Sure he does," Sturgis countered mildly.  "The man puts his oath and loyalty to his country 
above all.  If he was ordered not to divulge, I don't think he would."

Harm's scowl deepened as he thought that over and he pushed past Sturgis toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To see an Admiral about a woman."

Without stopping to clear his visit through Tiner, Harm walked into AJ's office, startling the man 
who was engrossed in reading at his desk.

"Something I can do for you Commander?  And this had better be an emergency like the outer 
office is on fire and you're reporting that fact."

"Yes sir and no sir.  What you can do for me is tell me where Sarah Mackenzie is."

AJ regarding the semi-frantic man, peering over his glasses as he looked closely at his senior 
attorney.  "Sit down Mr. Rabb."

"No thank you sir."

"It wasn't a request Mister."

"Yes sir I can see it wasn't."  He fell heavily into the nearest chair and his head dropped into his 
hands almost at once.

"Commander you've got my attention.  Speak to me."

"Mac.  Where is she?" he asked, not looking up.

"Why would you think I would know?"

"Well how about because she's in your command and you should care about her.  In fact you 
shouldn't have let her. . ."  He stopped at that point and AJ nodded.

"Watch your tongue Commander. I'm cutting you a little slack because I think I understand that 
you're upset over her being gone."

"Sir she's not gone like she's on a TAD like before.  She's gone.  Period.  She's not somewhere I 
can pick up the phone or the email and be in touch with.  She's just plain gone.  And I think you 
know where."

"Do you now?  Well Commander you are seven ways to Sunday wrong.  She volunteered for the 
assignment and I gave my permission.  And I know nothing more than that."

"Sir you can't just leave it like that.  Please," he gasped.  "I'm about to lose it here."

"Now that fact is more than obvious.  And I am about to leave it there.  Because I know nothing 
further, and you have my word on that.  My word as an officer and if you know what's good for 
you, you won't question me further.  Permission to take the rest of the day off."

Harm stared at his CO for a long moment, sizing up the situation.  "I didn't ask for the time sir."

"It's another one of those not a request scenarios."
============
Another week passed and Harm withdrew more into himself, speaking only when needed at JAG 
HQ, doing his job quietly.  This particular night it was in the wee hours of the morning.  He sat in 
front of the TV, remote in his hand, half finished beer on the table beside him, mindlessly flipping 
from one infomercial to the next. The streets below him were still alive, with the early summer 
warmth bringing people out of their homes.  The noise drifted up to him and he tried to shut it out, 
hearing tapping at his door at the same time.

"Go away you've got the wrong place," he screeched.

"Commander it's Galindez.  You've got to let me in."

"Gunny?"  Through the haze of exhaustion from lack of sleep and resulting from the two beers he 
allowed himself of an evening he was not sure if he heard correctly.  If Gunny was there, maybe 
Mac. . .
  
 He sprung from the sofa and hurried to the door. He couldn't hide his 
 disappointment when opened the door to find Gunny there alone.
 
 "I'm sorry sir" Gunny said quietly. "Obviously you were hoping I wasn't 
 alone."
 
 "You don't know where Mac is do you?"
 
 "It's complicated sir. If you let me in, I'll explain what I can."
 
 Harm nodded and motioned the younger man into his apartment. He didn't miss 
 his grimace of pain as he sat down on the sofa and Harm knew something had 
 happened.
 
 "You're hurt aren't you?" Harm asked.
 
 "Had a run in with a bullet" Gunny said with a small smile. "It's nothing 
 that won't heal. It's just still a little tender."
 
 "When did this happen?"
 
 "Week ago."
 
 "Were Mac and Clay involved?" Harm asked.
 
 "Before I tell you that I need to tell you a little more about what they 
 were doing" Gunny sighed. "The Colonel told me what she'd told you. But she 
 didn't tell you everything because she knew you'd be upset."
 
 "Like I'm going to be now?"
 
 "Likely" Gunny nodded. "See this assignment wasn't backed completely by the 
 Agency. It was more like a pet project of Webb's that he managed to convince 
 the big guns in Washington to let him do."
 
 "He took Mac on a mission that wasn't even supported by the Agency?" Harm 
 demanded. "That better not be what you're telling me."
 
 "It is sir. They said he could go in but not to expect any help."
 
 "I don't believe this" Harm groaned. "How could he do that to her?"
 
 "Sir, she knew what was going on. She was aware that if things went south 
 they were on their own. That the Agency wasn't going to help."
 
 "Why did she do this?" Harm whispered. "Why?"
 
 "Sir I don't know. I just know that she knew the facts. Webb didn't hide 
 anything from her. He was totally up front with her."
 
 "Nothing you're saying is making me feel better Gunny" Harm sighed as he 
 sunk down in the chair. "And somehow I have the feeling it's only going to 
 get worse."
 
 "I'm sorry sir" Gunny said so quietly that for a moment Harm feared the 
 worst.
 
 "Don't tell me she's dead" Harm whispered. "Please don't tell me that. I can 
 live with anything except her being dead."
 
 "She's not dead. But she and Clay are being held captive."
 
 "And the Agency doesn't care."
 
 "No sir they don't. I would have gone there if I thought for a second they 
 would help. But they won't. They told Webb if he got in over his head it was 
 his problem. That they weren't going to get involved."
 
 "This is crazy. They're in trouble and no one cares."
 
 "I do sir. That's why I'm here. To tell you because I know you care just as 
 much as I do."
 
 "I care about Mac. I don't give a damn about Webb at this point."
 
 "Sir I owe him" Gunny said quietly. "He saved my six in Afghanistan. We were 
 in the field and I didn't see the guy until it was too late. Webb did and he 
 fired before the other guy could. If he hadn't seen him, I wouldn't be 
 standing here talking to you right now."
 
 "Fine. You worry about Webb; I'll worry about Mac. She's the only thing that 
 matters to me."
 
 "I know sir" Gunny nodded. "And I'll help you get her back. But it's not 
 going to be easy."
 
 "I don't care. I just want her back. I'll do whatever it takes."
 
 "You love her don't you sir?" Gunny asked.
 
 "More than she'll ever know" Harm whispered.
 
 "If it helps any sir, I know she feels the same way. And if at any point 
 during the past two months she could have called you, she would have. She 
 missed you a lot."
 
 "She told you that?"
 
 "Yes sir. The Colonel and I have always been able to communicate pretty 
 well. And a few nights we sat and talked about life. Well specifically you 
 and her."
 
 "Did she say why she did this?" Harm asked quietly. "Why she felt she had to 
 do go on this suicide assignment with Webb."
 
Gunny swallowed hard before he answered.  "Sir you knew they were involved.  Were being the 
operative word there I hasten to add."

"Yeah.  So she felt she owed him, like you did?"

"Yes sir I think so," Gunny nodded.  "Out of respect to what they once felt for each other maybe; 
but as much --if not more--I think he convinced her of the righteousness of what he was doing."

"While he minimized the risk factor," Harm growled in assumption.

"Well thing is, risk to normal people and risk to Mr. Webb are two different things," Gunny sighed.  
"And this was personal besides.  An old enemy."

"When you got away, they were OK though right?  Mac wasn't hurt?"  His eyes narrowed 
suspiciously.  "Or was she?  Is that why she didn't escape with you?"

Gunny looked away from Harm's intense gaze and at once Harm felt the cold of ice seep into his 
belly.  "Sergeant Galindez answer my question, now," Harm roared, grabbing a handful of  his 
shirt for emphasis.

"She wasn't hurt no sir.  But she's been sick.  Some kind of virus or something.  She can't eat 
and she's been running a low grade fever off and on.  I wanted her to come.  I saw the chance 
and wanted her to come but she said she'd just slow me down and refused.  And Mr. Webb 
wouldn't leave her.  As it turns out, it's just as well because I was spotted and shot at.  And hit."

"Well bless Mr. Webb for that much common sense," he sighed.  "Are you OK now?"

"Yes sir.  A boat picked me up.  I told them I had a run in with drug runners and they stole my 
cabin cruiser.  Nice older couple and they believed me."

"Good job.  OK, down to the nitty gritty," Harm ordered.  "Where is Mac and how do I get her 
out?"

"It's a private island about fifty miles east of the Virgins," he replied.  "And how not to do it is to 
storm the beach with Marines even if you could get something like that to fly.  It's well guarded.  
They'd be killed soon as they were spotted.  But in the night, two guys who came in SCUBA gear 
with a boat anchored well off shore. . ."

Harm nodded as he envisioned the commando-type scenario.  "Sounds feasible so far.  Now the 
question on all of our minds--who is holding them, and why."

"He's a Dutchman turned Russian named Van Vreeden.  He's a dealer sir."

"In drugs?"

"No sir.  In babies."

Harm's mouth fell open.  "Did I hear you right Sergeant?"

"Yes sir. He's a broker.  A baby broker.  Sir there are plenty of people in this country who will pay 
a lot of money for a healthy white baby, boys commanding a premium by the way.  He has 
connections to deliver these babies including forged documentation.  But that's not how Mr. 
Webb came to know him.  About ten years ago the guy was hired to do some work for the 
Agency as a mole and he sold out.   Sold one of Mr. Webb's ops down the river sir.  Three men 
were killed.  Mr. Webb blamed himself almost as much as he blamed this guy."

"OK I'm getting the picture.  You three put on some elaborate charade and got onto the island 
and then they found out."

"Yes sir.  Basically that's it."

"It doesn't much matter anyway," he groaned, ramming his fist into the back of the sofa in a 
combination of frustration and determination.  "I'm going to get her out.  You said you'd help."

"All the way sir.  It's going to take some money though.  Flight to St. John, boat and gear rental.  
It won't be cheap."

"My American Express can handle it."
====== 
 
  Dulles International Airport
  4 Hours Later
  
  "Sir didn't you forget something" Gunny said once he and Harm had cleared 
  the security gate.
  
  "Forget what?" Harm frowned. "We've got everything we need."
  
  "Sir, you never called the Admiral. You can't just take off without 
  arranging for leave."
  
  "Gunny if I tell the Admiral what we're about to do, he'll try and stop me. 
  And I'm not going to let that happen. Right now I care more about getting 
  Mac back then my career. I'll deal with that when we get back."
  
  "You must really love her sir. To give up everything for her.  And that's what you're doing."
  
  "Nothing else means anything if she's not in my life" Harm said quietly. 
  "The Admiral will understand. And if he doesn't, I'm sure there's a few 
  civilian law firms that would be willing to take me."
  
  "You sure you don't want to call him and at least try and explain?" Gunny 
  asked.
  
  "No" Harm shook his head. "I'm sure. Let's just go."
  
  They were on the first flight that left that morning for Florida. From Miami 
  they would connect to St. John where they secure the boat and all the gear 
  they needed.
  
  "You okay?" Harm asked when Gunny grimaced as he sat down. In his fear for 
  Mac he'd completely forgotten that Gunny had been hurt before. And likely 
  was in no condition to be doing what they were about to do.
  
  "Fine sir" Gunny nodded. "I've lived with the pain before."
  
  "Well I'll never be able to repay you for this" Harm sighed. "But if there's 
  anything you ever need, just let me know."
  
  "I will sir" Gunny said with a small smile. "But first let's just worry 
  about getting them out."
  
  "We're going to get them out. We have to."
  
  "I know sir. And I'm with you all the way remember."
  
  "Get some rest" Harm sighed. "We've got a long trip ahead of us."
  
  "What about you sir? You didn't sleep at all last night either. Cause I'm 
  pretty sure you weren't sleeping when I got there."
  
  "I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to. But there's no reason why you 
  shouldn't."
  
  "Wake me when we get to Miami" Gunny sighed as he leaned his head against 
  the seat.
  
  Harm let out a long sigh as well and looked out at the window as the plane 
  taxied down the runway. He was on his way to her. And he would find her. 
  Before it was too late.
  
  "Hang on Mac" he murmured as the plane soared into the sky. "I'm coming."
  
  ****************
  Unknown Location
  Same Time
  
  "Harm" Mac murmured as the last bit of sleep faded away. She'd dream of him 
  again and it wasn't until she opened her eyes and saw Clay that she realized 
  it had been a dream.
  
  "Morning" he said quietly. "You were dreaming of him again weren't you? God 
  I am so sorry for getting you mixed up in this."
  
  "Would you stop blaming yourself?" she sighed as she pushed herself up. 
  "It's not like coerced me into this. I made the decision to come along with 
  you myself."
  
  "I should never have asked you. I knew this was going to be risky. I can't 
  believe I was that stupid."
  
  "Clay please" Mac sighed. "I don't need this again today."
  
  "Not feeling good again?" he frowned and she nodded as she put her hand to 
  her belly.
  
  "Churning away again."
  
  "Lay down then" he urged. "It's not like we're going anywhere."
  
  "Clay we need to start thinking about some kind of escape. Unless you're 
  planning on staying here until they kill us."
  
  "I'm still hoping Gunny got out" he sighed. "And that he's got help on the 
  way."
  
  "You believe that? Even after you told me we were on our own here?"
 
 "If nothing else he would have gone to Rabb," Clay said firmly.
 
 "And that's supposed to make me feel better," she shrieked, giving voice for the first time to her 
fears.  "If he got to Harm, you know Harm is going to try to come here.  God Clay that's the last 
thing I want.  Harm risking himself.  I'd never live with myself if anything happened to him."
 
 "Well likely it's what he's thinking too.  That he couldn't live without you."
 
 "Maybe," she sighed.  "But Clay I don't want you apologizing again.  You didn't get me into 
anything I wasn't prepared to handle the risk for.  I just didn't count on getting sick."
 
 "Harm is going to take one look at you and kill me.  At least maybe when you guys get back 
together, you'll try to have some honesty about your feelings with each other."
 
 "We've already done that."  The words came from her in the haze of her illness before she could 
censor them.
 
 His eyes went wide and he smiled despite their situation.  "You want to elaborate, since you've 
already gone this far."
 
 "We didn't mean it to happen," she sighed.  "I mean we'd been getting closer and we knew I was 
leaving so it was getting easier to be more free with how we were feeling, but it was like we were 
putting it on hold until I got back, which seemed to be the sensible thing at the time."
 
 "Until?" he prodded.
 
 "Our last night together."  She smiled with the memory and her eyes closed.  If she let her mind 
go, she could still smell the flowers.  Red roses.  A total cliche but nonetheless saying exactly 
what he wanted.
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>
 MAC's APARTMENT
 8 Weeks Before
 
 It was a warm spring evening in DC and Mac had gladly opened the windows to let in the fresh 
air.  Harm was coming to cook for her.  For her last night in DC, for early in the morning she 
would take a flight from Dulles, location undisclosed.  They had carefully avoided the issue the 
past many days, instead concentrating on each other and the bond that was growing between 
them.  A bond that had suddenly seemed to always have been, and now seemed like it always 
would be.
 
 She smoothed the fabric of her simple dress as she answered the door buzzer, only to be 
greeted not by Harm but by the biggest spray of roses she had ever seen.  Two dozen of the 
fragrant red and pink beauties.  A mixed bouquet, signifying friendship and. . .more.  The 
fragrance was overwhelming and she stepped back, inhaling deeply.  "Harm they're. . .I don't 
know what to say. . ."  and with that she burst into tears.
 
 "Whoa flowers are not supposed to make you cry.  Unless you're allergic."
 
 "No.  And they're so beautiful.  Thank you."
 
 "I wanted something special to mark this evening," he replied.  "You're welcome.  You want to 
arrange them while I start the lobster."
 
 "I'm not sure I can eat," she admitted.  "My stomach is tied in knots."
 
 "Hey for this evening--for tonight--there is none of that.  None of what's going to happen 
tomorrow," he urged.  "Call it denial, but for tonight there is just us."
   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 Aboard Flight 1412 To Miami
 
 Harm's mind had drifted to the last night he and Mac had spent together and 
 he let out a long sigh as he thought about it again. If he'd known he might 
 be saying goodbye forever. He swallowed hard at the thought and blinked back 
 a sudden wetness in his eyes. He wasn't going to give up that easily. There 
 was still time to get to her before it was too late.
 
 Gunny moaned slightly beside him as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and 
 at once Harm felt bad for bringing the young man along. At the same time he 
 knew Gunny wouldn't have stayed behind. Even if he was hurt.
 
 "You okay?" Harm asked as Gunny opened his eyes.
 
 "Yeah" Gunny sighed. "I could use some aspirin if you've got them though?"
 
 Harm nodded and reached under the seat for his carryon bag. A moment later 
 he handed two aspirins to the Marine and he quickly downed them without 
 water.
 
 "I'm guessing the doctor didn't like the idea of you leaving the hospital" 
 Harm frowned.
 
 "I didn't go to a doctor" Gunny said with a small smile. "It would have 
 raised to many questions. And I didn't have time for that."
 
 "You're telling me you were shot and you never went to a hospital?" Harm 
 hissed. "Are you out of your mind?"
 
 "Calm down sir. I had a friend take care of it. She knows what she's doing."
 
 "She?"
 
 "Carlita Sanchez. She works for the agency but she's also pretty skilled at 
 dealing with gunshots."
 
 "And she let you go like this?"
 
 "I snuck out of her apartment" Gunny smiled. "I'm sure she was mad when she 
 woke up this morning and I wasn't there. But I didn't want her involved."
 
 "Oh I'm sure she's more than mad at you" Harm smiled. "I take it she's more 
 than just a friend?"
 
 "She and I have been seeing each other on and off" Gunny shrugged. "In this 
 business it's hard to get too attached. And we were trying to keep it low 
 key since they frown on this kind of stuff at the Agency."
 
 "Obviously that didn't stop Clay way back when with Mac."
 
 "Sir whatever was between them it's long since been over. The Colonel is in 
 love with you. Not Webb."
 
 "God I hope so" Harm sighed. "And I hope I get to her before its too late."
 
 "You will sir. How much longer before we land?"
 
 "Not much" Harm said as he checked his watch. "Which is good because I'm 
 hanging onto my last thread here."
 
 "We'll get them back," Gunny said softly. "I promise."
 
 ********************
 Unknown Location
 
 "God I screwed your life up royally" Clay sighed again. "You and Harm could 
 have been together if it wasn't for me and my stupid plans."
 
 "Clay the only reason we were having that night was because I was going 
 away. It wouldn't have just happened without something prodding Harm along."
 
 "It might have. And if we don't get out of this, I'm going to spend the rest 
 of eternity blaming myself for what happened."
 
 "If we don't get out of this at least I have that night" Mac whispered. 
 "I'll go to my grave knowing what it was like to make love to Harmon Rabb."  A small 
 sob escaped her and Clay reached for her hand.
 
 "I am so sorry" he whispered. "You don't know how much this is killing me. I 
 love you and knowing I'm the reason for this isn't easy to live with."
 
 "No I'm sorry" Mac sniffled. "I should be holding myself together better 
 than this."
   
"You're sick and you're not sure if we're going to get out of this," Clay sighed.  "If I knew why they 
were holding us--what they planned to do with us, I'd be better able to deal."

She nodded and swallowed down a final sob, looking into Clay's eyes which were suddenly alight 
with amusement.  

"I'm just realizing what you said.  You and Harm. . .on your last night together?"

"Yeah," she admitted sheepishly, blushing fully.  "It was a good good-bye."

"Yeah I guess so," Clay laughed, pressing his hand tightly over hers.  "I'm glad for you Sarah.  
Glad that you and him finally. . .you know.  I'm just sorry it was taken away from you."

"That he knows I love him, and that I know he loves me, is making this easier.  Even if we didn't 
exactly say the words--something I now regret," she sighed.  "And having you here is all that's 
keeping it together for me.  But I want to talk to you about something."

"Sounds serious."

"It is.  If another chance comes for you to get out of here, I want you to take it.  Clay I know you.  
A small opening and you could do it.  Even if you had to swim for it.  It has to be better than 
waiting to die here."

"No."

"Clay do not fight me on this," she begged.  "I'm serious here.  Seems to me they're getting a 
little more lax watching us.  Like they're concentrating more on the beach, waiting for a raid by 
that team of Marines led by Gunny that we know is not going to happen.  You might have a 
chance. . ."

She got no more words out for Clay clamped a gentle hand to her mouth.  "I said no.  It's a 
closed issue.  I was totally in favor of Gunny making the try.  But I won't leave you here alone.  
And before you give me the 'I'm a Marine' look, let me remind you that you are a sick Marine right 
now."

"Mmmffff."

He grinned teasingly at that.  "You want to say something now?"

She glared and nodded at the same time and he released her.  "OK but don't go back to that. 
Closed issue."

"I hate you."

"Good because I hate you too and I won't leave you."
==================
ABOARD THE FLIGHT

Gunny reached past Harm and righted his tray-table, realizing the Naval Officer had zoned out.  
"Sir we're landing shortly."

"Yeah."

"And sir, if I could speak freely, please when you see her. . ."  He stopped and gulped, realizing 
he was not in the habit of speaking so forthrightly to officers.

Harm sensed his reticence and smiled slightly.  "You're going to advise me to tell her how I feel?"

"Uh yes sir."

"I guess she didn't tell you.  Our last night together.  We left nothing undone, and only one thing 
unsaid.  Maybe the most important thing but still, she knows how I feel."
  
 "Sir you don't have to tell me anything" Gunny said quickly. "That was all between 
 you and the Colonel."
 
 "Gunny I love her. And I showed her how much that night. I just never said 
 the words."
 
 "You'll get the chance sir. Don't give up now. We're almost there and we're 
 going to get them back."
 
 Harm nodded and a few minutes later the plane landed at Miami International. 
 He helped Gunny to his feet, frowning slightly at the young man's paleness.
 
 "I'm fine sir" Gunny said as he read Harm's mind.
 
 "Let's at least find you some food before the next flight" Harm sighed. "And 
 I'll rethink this whole thing."
 
 "Sir you need me," Gunny said a short time later as they sat at a table in 
 the airport restaurant. "You can't do this alone."
 
 "Gunny I'm not sure you're in any condition to be doing this."
 
 "I'll be fine. Honest sir."
 
 "You'll tell me if you can't handle this?" Harm asked.
 
 "Yes sir. But that won't happen. I'm a Marine sir. We don't leave anyone 
 behind. The only reason I left was I knew I couldn't do it on my own."
 
 Harm nodded and watched the young man down his food. He'd ordered only a 
 soda for himself; the idea of food not setting well with a stomach that 
 was all tied up in knots.
 
 "We'd better head to the next gate," Gunny said as he checked his watch a 
 short time later. "We don't want to miss our flight."
 
 Harm carried their bags as they made their way through the concourses to the 
 gate their flight was leaving out of. He let out a long groan when he saw 
 the delayed sign above the counter.
 
 "How long is the delay?" he asked the woman at the counter.
 
 "A few hours. There's some storms on the islands. Soon as they pass, we'll 
 take off."
 
 "Great" Harm sighed as he headed to where Gunny had taken a seat "We're 
 delayed for a few hours because of storms."
 
 "No chance of getting there any other way then" Gunny sighed. "I guess we'll 
 just have to hang out and wait."
 
 "I don't have much patience left" Harm groaned. "Every minute we waste 
 something could be happening to her. You don't even know why they have them 
 or what they're planning on doing to them."
 
 "No sir I don't. But I'm telling you to keep the faith. They were alive when 
 I left. If they'd want to kill them, they would have right away. And since 
 Van Vreedren knows Clay, I'm sure he's going to use him for something else."
 
 "But the Agency won't deal for Clay's release. And certainly not Mac's."
 
 "He thinks they will. And at the moment if Van Vreeden thinks that, they're safe."
 
 "Please God" Harm murmured.
 
 ****************
 Unknown Location
 
 "Feeling better?" Clay asked Mac.
 
 "Marginally" she sighed. "I'm just so tired. Whatever this bug is it, it's 
 really got me down."
 
 "Well it's not like there's much else to do but rest" Clay sighed. "So go on 
 and get some rest."
 
 "Clay do you think Gunny got out alive?" she asked softly.
 
 "I hope so. And not just because I want someone to get us out of this mess."
 
 "You care about him don't you?" Mac said with a small smile. "The kid got to 
 you."
 
 "He's a good guy. And he didn't deserve to be in this mess anymore than you 
 did. He only did it because he felt he owed me."
 
 "You did save his life."
 
 "Only to get him killed here" Clay moaned.
 
 "You don't know he's dead Clay. And if he is, it's not your fault."
 
 "Mac this whole mess is my fault. And right now I'd gladly give up 
 everything to get you out of here."
 
 "Don't even think it mister" she ordered. "You are not selling yourself out 
 to save my six. You hear me?"
 
 "You have a life" Clay sighed. "A man who loves you back home. That's a lot 
 more than I have."
 
Mac leveled a steely gaze at him.  "Try again Mister.  What about that blonde woman whose 
picture you carry?" 

"Lacey?" he gasped.  "How do you know of Lacey?"

"I didn't know her name," Mac smiled.  "Lacey what?"

"Sturvesant" he sighed.  "And you don't want to know about her."

"Clay do I look like I'm going anywhere.  I saw her picture in your wallet.  Plus there's the same 
picture at your house.  I do want to know about her.  You brought it up.  So who's this Lacey and 
why do you say you haven't anyone to go back to?"

"You're not going to let me off without explaining are you?"

"Nope.  And you know I've got nothing but time.  Plus listening to you takes my mind off that I feel 
like crappola, so give it up."

"Lacey Sturvesant and I have worked together a few times in the past few years," he began with 
an aggrieved sigh.  "I keep a picture of her to remind me that in this life we can't always have 
what we want.  I mean look at us."

"Clay."

"Right.  Dead issue.  Back to Lacey.  OK she and I did a few ops together.  She's amazing.  In 
fact she reminds me some of you.  She can look gorgeous at the drop of a hat, and then an hour 
later be dressed to crawl through a jungle, devoid of makeup and carrying an M16."

"So have you and she ever. . .?"

"No.  A couple of kisses and a lot of teasing.  But there's the fact of Simon Manchester."

"Would this be Lacey's Mic Brumby?"

"Bingo.  He's with the agency but he's in management, not an agent.  They've been seeing each 
other for the past year.  Twice though she told me it was over; and twice it wasn't.  So I really put 
her out of my mind."

"Right.  And Gunny and a pack of Marines are going to storm the beach and get us out of here.  
So does Lacey know what you were up to?"

"Yeah.  She helped in some of the planning.  Under the table of course.  It's the kind of favor we 
do for each other.  I owe her-she owes me."

"Do you love her?"

"I probably could if I let myself."

"Clay you do or you don't."

"Oh listen at this.  One half of the King and Queen of Denial talking."

"Yeah OK.  So don't do as I do.  Take a lesson."

"What if she doesn't love me?"  His words were plaintive and Mac shook her head in 
exasperation.

"And what if she does."
     
  "It's complicated."
  
  "Yeah that's what Harm and I used to say. It was easy word to use so you can ignore 
  the real feelings."
  
  "You and Harm love each other."
  
  "We didn't know that until the night I left" she countered feebily.
  
  "Oh please" Clay scoffed. "You two were the only people who didn't know it. 
  I knew from the moment I introduced you two that there was something there. 
  Something I could never have competed with."
  
  "Clay we were over by then" Mac reminded him softly.
  
  "Doesn't mean I ever stopped loving you" Clay said with a small smile. "A 
  piece of me is always with you Mac. But I realized that Harm was the only 
  one you had eyes for. Except for the stupid stint you did with Brumby."
  
  "I'll admit it was stupid. At the time it seemed like the right thing."
  
  "Well at least you didn't marry the guy. I guess Harm did one thing right 
  that night. That is why you didn't marry Brumby isn't it?"
  
  "Of course. And it was so obvious to everyone but me. And I was so upset 
  when Mic walked out. Little did I know he was doing me the biggest favor."
  
  "Yeah he did. And now you and Harm finally have your chance. Except for the 
  fact that I messed it up by getting you involved in this."
  
  "Clay don't start again" Mac groaned. "Sick woman here who is getting tired 
  of hearing how you've messed up. Let's just get past it please."
  
  "Okay I won't start. But you get some rest."
  
  "I'll try" Mac sighed as she leaned back and closed her eyes. "Just don't do 
  anything stupid while I'm asleep."
  
  "Only if it means getting you out of here" he sighed.
  
  ******************
  Miami International Airport
  
  "Finally" Harm sighed as he came back from the counter. "She said the flight 
  will be boarding in the next half hour."
  
  "About time" Gunny said as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "This 
  waiting around is driving me nuts."
  
  "Me too. You need anything else before we board? Should we be checking that 
  wound of yours?"
  
  "I'm sure it's fine" Gunny shrugged. "Carlita dressed it and did a good job 
  cleaning it. Luckily the bullet just grazed me. It's just in a tender spot."
  
  "Carlita is probably furious with you" Harm said with a small smile. "Did 
  she know about Clay and Mac?"
  
  "She knew. And yeah she's probably pissed at me right now. But at least I 
  don't have to worry about her in the middle of this mess."
  
  As promised they boarded a half-hour later and Harm let out a long sigh of 
  relief when the plane finally took off. He was one step closer to finding 
  Mac.
  
  "I'm coming Sarah" he murmured.
  
  ********************
  Unknown location
  
  With a small cry Mac woke from the sleep she'd fallen into.
  
  "Mac what's wrong?" Clay demanded as he hurried to her side. "Are you sick again?"
  
  "No it's Harm. He's on his way here."
  
  "And you know that how?" Clay frowned.
  
  "Harm and I have a connection" she said softly. "We always seem to know 
  where the other is. Even at times like this. And I know he's coming for us."
  
  "You sure that's not just wishful thinking?"
  
  "No. It's not. He's coming Clay. He's going to get us out of here."
  
  "You're out of your mind. And so is he if he tries," Clay yelped.  "The only way to get a boat in 
here is at the beach or the pier, and they'll be blown out of the water before they get within twenty 
yards."
 
 Mac looked stricken at the though but shook her head.  "I don't know how I know.  I just know we 
should be ready for Harm and Gunny to take some kind of action."
 
 "This from the person who barely makes it from the bed to the bathroom half the time."
 
 "I know.  And that brings up the point that if rescue comes, I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up.  
And I won't allow myself to cause anyone grief."
 
 "You know that I won't leave you, and you know Harm sure as hell won't if he does in fact come.  
He's not going to have traveled a thousand miles to leave without you."
 
 Mac turned her face to the wall, willing away the tears that she knew from long weeks of being 
held would not help.
 ================
 Once the drinks had been served Gunny showed Harm a small bottle of white pills.  "If I don't 
have one of these and get a little rest, I'm not going to be any good once we get there."
 
 Harm gave his arm a quick pat.  "I'll wake you at the gate.  Victor I'm never ever going to be able 
to repay you.  And expect me to be saying that a lot."
 
 Harm declined anything but a cold beer, feeling the need for a little liquid nerve, and for the 
entire flight, stared out of the window until the small island of St. John appeared below, a large 
dot in an azure blue sea of other dots and he knew on one of them the woman he loved was 
being held.  Held and possibly hurt.  Tortured.  His mind painted that picture suddenly and just as 
suddenly he dismissed it.  If he believed that, he would be too distraught to carry through what 
must be done.
 
 "Hey we're about to park."  Harm gave Gunny's arm a firm shake.  "You doing OK?  You know 
you can opt out any time."
 
 "No sir."  Gunny sat up, rubbing his face to help him wake up.  "No sir.  In for a dime, in for a 
dollar.  And sir, I won't fall out and hold you up.  But if on the chance I do, I want you to leave me 
be.  The objective is what's important."
 
 "Dammit stop talking like a Marine," he hissed, letting a little of the anger he was feeling show 
through.  "That's what got Mac into this."
 
 "Yes sir.  She's a Marine and a damn fine one.  I'd follow her into any action."
 
 "Except that once I get her home, I'm not letting her out of my sight again," Harm vowed. 
 
 The plane docked and Harm gave Gunny a quick hand to his feet.  It took another twenty 
minutes to collect their bags.
 
 The airport was teeming with bustling tourists and Harm shook his head as he looked around.   
"Much as I hate to say this we need a room for the night.  You need to rest, we need to make 
arrangements for the boat and SCUBA gear and a guide maybe."
 
 "Yeah....I mean yes sir.  The waiting is hard but our best chance to succeed is with a plan.  We 
need some firepower too.  Which begs the question---you're not a Marine sir.  And we're not 
going to get in there--or more to the point, out of there, without a fight."
 
 "I've taken fire before Gunny," he said softly.  "When the time comes, there will be enough 
Marine in me to make you proud.  I promise."
 
 "Yes sir."
 
 "And Gunny, as of now, drop the sir.  It's going to get in the way.  Harm is fine."
 
 Gunny nodded and they walked through the security check point into the main terminal.
 
 "Victor.  About time."  The soft feminine voice with just a slight Spanish lilt assailed them and 
Gunny froze for a moment before starting off again, ignoring the words.
 
 "Gunny someone is calling you," Harm told him, at the same time frowning as to who might 
know the Marine, and he turned around to see a petite woman, her blonde hair tied in a high 
pony tail, standing next to a dark haired Latino woman, a beauty in her own right.
 
 "Let me guess.  This would be Ms. Sanchez, who brought a friend," Harm smiled.
 
 "You damn right it would be," Carlita seethed, stepping forward and grabbing Gunny's arm.  And 
what followed Harm realized was the Marine being read the riot act in Spanish, silenced only by 
his drawing her mouth into a long kiss of reunion.
 
 "I don't believe we've been introduced."  The blonde held her hand to Harm, watching her friends 
with an amused sidelong glance.  "Lacey Sturvesant.  I work with Clay."  She paused and let that 
register so that Harm would know exactly who--and what--she was. 
 
 "Yes ma'am pleased to meet you.  I take it you know Victor."
 
 "We've met.  Call me Lacey.  This is Carlita of course."
 
 "Whom I'm going to throttle for coming here," Gunny yelped as they broke apart.  "And Lacey I 
know you're at least fifty percent behind this half assed scheme.  What the hell is the matter with 
the two of you?  Clay is going to have your hide when he sees you here."
  
 "Talk about half assed" Carlita hissed. "Who's the one who should be at home 
 in bed instead of trotting around the globe?"
 
 "Okay time out everyone" Harm interrupted. "I suggest we take this somewhere 
 a little more private then the middle of the airport. From there will figure 
 out what we're doing here."
 
 "They're not going with us," Gunny said firmly.
 
 "Oh please" Carlita groaned. "We're going to have a nice little chat Mr. 
 Galindez."
 
 "At a hotel" Harm interrupted again. "Have you two made any reservations 
 yet?"
 
 "Not yet" Lacey answered. "We just landed a short time ago. Carlita was 
 pretty sure you and Gunny were coming so we hung out here."
 
 "All right. We'll get some rooms and then we'll talk about this."

 "I suggest we try and look like tourists," Lacey said quietly. "Its possible 
 Van Vreeden's men are here on the island because they know Victor escaped.  
 Carlita and Gunny will share a room and you and I will share another. That 
 way we'll simply look like to couples vacationing together and if they ask 
 the hotel clerks, we won't stand out in their minds."
 
 "I..uh.." Harm started.
 
 "Don't worry I'll take the sofa" Lacey smiled. "But for the moment let's at 
 least try and pretend we're together. Carlita do you think you can do the 
 same without strangling Victor."
 
 "It's going to be hard," Carlita said as she glared at Gunny. "But I can 
 manage."
 
 She wrapped her arm around Gunny's waist, mindful of his wounded side while 
 Lacy and Harm carried the luggage. Outside, they hailed a cab and a few 
 minutes later arrived at the St. John Inn.
 
 "I see what you mean" Harm murmured as they made their way inside. There 
 were couples everywhere and it was obvious it was romantic getaway.
 
 "Exactly" Lacey nodded. "Let me handle the check in."
 
 Harm stood by and smiled as Lacey presented ID and credit cards in the name 
 of Kacey Martin. Carlita did the same a moment later, registering as Maria 
 Manchez.
 
 "I don't think I want to know" Harm sighed as they walked to their rooms. 
 "But I'm thinking this is probably a better idea than us just registering."
 
 "They probably have your names and if you registered they would know you 
 were here before you even got a chance to figure out a rescue."
 
 "I wasn't really thinking about all that," Harm admitted. "I was just more 
 concerned about getting here and getting Mac out of there."
 
 "I understand. And you might have been able to pull something off. But I'm 
 sure they would have known you were coming before you even got there."
 
 "Do you think they're still alive?" Harm asked once they were in the room.
 
 "They were alive when Victor left. That's what I'm holding to."
 
 "But you're not sure are you?"
 
 "I know that the only reason he would keep them alive is to try and work a 
 deal" Lacey sighed. "So far I'm not aware that he's contacted the agency 
 about making a deal for Clay. Or Mac."
 
 "Then they could be dead already" Harm sighed.
 
 "I'm not willing to go there just yet. I'm planning to get Clayton Webb back 
 alive."
 
 "All I want is Mac back in my arms where she belongs" Harm whispered.
 
 "And that's what's going to happen" Lacey said confidently. "But not unless 
 we do some good planning. I've got the maps of the island we can go over and 
 figure out what's going to be our best way in. Let me go get Carlita and 
 Victor."
 
 They'd been given adjoining rooms and Lacey knocked on the door before 
 walking in.
 
 "Bad time?" Lacey smiled as she walked in to find Gunny without his shirt 
 on.
 
 "No" Carlita sighed as she walked out of the bathroom. "I'm just trying to 
 take care of Victor's wound. Someone didn't bother to check and make sure it 
 wasn't getting any worse."
 
 "I tried" Harm said as he followed Lacey in. "He said it was fine."
 
 "Fortunately we arrived at the right time," Carlita said as she dabbed some 
 antiseptic on the wound. Gunny's sharp intake of breath told them it hurt 
 and Carlita shook her head as she cleaned the wound again.
 
"He belongs in a hospital doesn't he?" Harm groaned.

"He's got some infection I'm going to need to treat.  Fortunately here in the islands you can buy 
medication that you can't in the States."  Carlita finished wiping and smacked the top of his head.  
"Idioto."

"That was Spanish for I love you," Gunny told Harm.

"Right.  Oddly enough I know nothing of Spanish but from spending a lot of time in La Jolla 
around Mexican people and visiting the country---well let's say I'm fluent in Spanish obscenities.  
Idiot was pretty mild compared to the term I would have used."

"Yeah I guess.  Carlita stop fretting.  I'm OK."

"You are not.  And I will be back.  Twenty-four hours on medication and you may start to feel 
better." She leaned down and kissed his forehead before hurrying out.

"Gunny she's great," Harm smiled.

"I don't want her here."

"I know.  I'd feel the same about Mac if she followed me."

"And Lacey you've got that music to face once Clay sees you."

"Yeah speaking of idiotos," she muttered and her eyes clouded with worry.  "Victor I know the 
story from Carlita.  Bless her for having the sense to call me.  When I see Webb he's a dead 
man."

"Lacey you helped him set this up," Gunny pointed out gently.

"Yes I did, and I also know there was a point where he could have scrubbed it, but he didn't and 
now he's paid the price."

"He and my Sarah," Harm sighed, his tiredness letting his emotion show.

"Yeah I know all about her too," Lacey nodded.  "But it's better to keep work and personal 
separated."

"Well with me it's not working.  Can I ask you something?  If you and Clay worked together 
before, why did he not use you. . .I mean why not you?"

"Or why not anyone but the woman you love?" Lacey asked with a sly smile.

"OK yeah exactly," Harm admitted.

"Van Vreeden knows me.  It's part of the whole Webb vendetta story," she sighed.  "Otherwise I 
would have.  And in fact we experimented with wigs and make up and then decided the risk was 
too great.  I actually wish now I'd gone.  It couldn't have ended up any more badly."

"Amen to t hat, and Lacey please don't take my remarks personal.  I'm not real rational right now.  
All I can think of is getting Mac out."

"It's OK.  I understand."

"Because you feel the same about Clay," Gunny spoke up.

"I said I understood--can we leave it at that.  Excuse me.  Long flight--no sleep and I know I look 
like hell so I'm going to shower and get out of these gross clothes."

Harm waited until he heard the shower run before he turned to Gunny with a puzzled smile.  
"Where has Clay been hiding her all these years?"

"Hey I'm surprised myself.  I'm betting she didn't tell Manchester she was coming because he 
would have tied her to a chair."

"He would be who?"

"A guy who thinks he owns her, and Clay won't speak up, so Lacey lets him go on thinking that."

Harm held his hand up.  "Getting the picture.  No more details."

Lacey was still in the shower when Carlita returned and with a sly laugh she opened her bag and 
withdrew a bottle and a syringe.

"You are not serious," Gunny gasped.  "I've seen smaller needles used on horses.  No way in 
hell am I going to let you do that to me.  Forget it Sanchez.  Go back and get that in pill form."

"Pills take too long.  This goes right into the bloodstream.  Turn over."

"Not while I'm conscious."

"Whatever it takes."

"Harm help me."

"Sure," Harm grinned.  "I'll hold you down.  Carlita did you bring him a lollipop for being a brave 
little boy?"

"Kill me now."

"Soon as you have that shot.  Let's have your CIA six mister.  Don't keep the lady waiting."
 
 With a long sigh Gunny did as ordered and Carlita swiftly stuck the needle 
 in.
 
 "Geez could you be a little easier next time" he groaned.
 
 "Baby" she smiled. "That was just a little prick. That's going to put you 
 out for a bit too so say night night to everyone."
 
 "Was this really necessary?" he sighed as he looked up at her.
 
 "Only if you want to live," Carlita said quietly. "I'm serious Victor. You 
 need to take it easy for twenty-four hours. If the infection gets any worse, 
 I won't be able to treat it with these drugs."
 
 "You listening to her?" Harm demanded. "And why didn't you tell me sooner 
 you were hurting?"
 
 "Sir you need my help to get back there. You don't know where they are. I 
 do."
 
 "Well you won't be able to help him if you're dead" Carlita countered.
 
 "She's exaggerating" Gunny sighed as he closed his eyes.
 
 "I have the feeling she's not," Harm said softly as he looked at Carlita 
 and she shook her head.
 
 "Come let's let him rest," she said as she motioned Harm to the other room. 
 "Hopefully that will do the trick and he'll be better later."
 
 "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that bad. He said you'd taken care of him 
 and I assumed he was okay."
 
 "I'm not blaming you" Carlita assured him. "Course I would never have let 
 him go which is exactly why he snuck out on me."
 
 "Well I'm glad you contacted Lacey" Harm sighed. "I'm beginning to realize 
 just how much of your help we're going to need."
 
 "How's the patient?" Lacey asked as she emerged from the bathroom now 
 dressed in a simple pair of shorts and t-shirt.
 
 "He'll live. Unless I kill him first for being such a jerk. But he's out for 
 the night now."
 
 "Why don't Harm and I go get us some dinner then?" Lacey suggested. "And 
 then we'll figure out what our plan of attack is going to be."
 
 "Sounds good. I'll keep an eye on Victor."
 
 "I just have one question for both of you" Harm spoke up. "Are you here 
 officially or unofficially?"
 
 "Unofficially" Lacey answered. "My boss told me Webb had dug his own grave 
 this time and the Agency wasn't going to save his sorry butt this time. So I told 
 him I had something I need to take care in Panama and here I am instead. 
 Carlita is on leave so she may have a job to go back to. But honestly I 
 don't care. I wasn't going to leave Clay out there when I knew we could 
 help."
 
 "They'll take you back" Carlita assured her. "You're one of the best they've 
 got."
 
 "Well then there's two of us that may be unemployed," Harm said with a small 
 smile. "I'm officially UA from JAG. I didn't call the Admiral to tell him 
 what I was doing because he would have tried to stop me."
 
 "Brave man" Lacey sighed. "Willing to give it all up for the woman you 
 love."
 
 "Aren't you doing the same?"
 
 "Not quite. Clay and I aren't like you and Mac. And on that note, I think 
 it's time we go find dinner. Carlita keep an eye on things will you. Just in 
 case."
 
 "You know I will" Carlita nodded.
 
 "And don't forget, we're supposed to be a couple" Lacey said to Harm as they 
 headed to the door.
 
 "Couple oh yeah" Harm nodded and immediately put his arm around her waist. 
 "That work better?"
 
 "Not bad. You're a bit tall for me but we'll manage" she teased.
 
 "I guess Clay fits you better."
 
 "Mr. Rabb you are not going to get anything out of me about me and Clay" 
 Lacey smiled. "So I suggest you stop. I'm a CIA agent and I've been trained 
 to deal with interrogators."
 
 "Sorry. I'm just trying to get a feel for how far you're willing to go for 
 Webb."
 
 "As far as I have to in order  to get him back alive" she said seriously. "And if this 
 helps, I'd give my life for his in a heart beat."

"It does.  It makes me know that you and I are on the same page," Harm smiled with Lacey's 
approval rating climbing in his book.  "Can I ask you who Manchester is.  Gunny said he must not 
know you're here. And if that's too personal, just tell me where to stick it."

She blushed slightly, realizing she liked this Naval officer almost at once.  "No secrets 
Commander.  Being honest with each other is going to keep us alive over the next few days.  
Simon Manchester and I have been seeing each other."

"Serious?"

"It was."

"Meaning it's not now?"

"No it's not now.  He didn't buy my Panama story that I fed my immediate supervisors.  Hell I 
don't even know if they did but they didn't yank my passport at least before I could get out.  
Anyway, Simon and I had a huge fight about me leaving.  He knew Clay was in trouble and told 
me no way in hell I was going to risk my life to find him."

"And what did you tell him?" Harm smiled, liking very much this feisty young woman.

Lacey shrugged.  "You don't really want to know that.  But it was suddenly real clear where my 
loyalty-and my heart-were..  Now I just want to get to Clay.  Before it's too late."

"Don't even," Harm groaned.  "Because I know Clay and Mac, and if it's too late for one it's going 
to be too late for the other."

"Well then Mr. Rabb we'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen won't we."

"Yes ma'am.  Thank you.  You've made me almost believe we're going to get them back.  Thank 
you for that."

"Oh you bet we're going to.  Then I'm going to wring one super spook's scrawny neck."
==========================
"How is he doing?" Harm asked Carlita the moment he and Lacey returned with food.

"Sleeping, and his fever seems to be under control," she sighed, dropping into the nearest chair.

"So is he going to be able to make the mission?"

"He is the only one who knows where they're being held.  I could make him show us, but our 
chances for success up considerably with him actually there.  Looking at something on a map is 
a far cry from actually being directed.  He'll know the best way in, places to avoid.  You see what 
I'm saying Mr. Rabb?"

"It's Harm.  And yes of course I do.  Much as it's going to kill me to admit it, letting him rest 
twenty-four hours does make sense."
=============
UNKNOWN LOCATION
 Same time

"Hey you're looking a little better," Clay told Mac, spotting her up and standing by the window.

"I feel better thanks.  At least for the moment.  Harm is a lot closer than he was."

"OK on second thought, let me check you for fever," Clay gasped.  "Mac you need to stop 
deluding yourself."

"It's not so impossible to think he's trying to get to us," she replied quietly.  "That Gunny made it 
back and is bringing help."

"I wish.  But anyway you're making it more like fact than hope and I'm afraid it's going to come 
back to bite you in the ass."

"OK have it your way," she smiled, enjoying her new-found serenity.  "I hate like hell that he's 
risking himself, but the feeling that he's near is helping so much."
   
 "I think this place has gotten to you" Clay frowned. "You're getting 
 delusional on me Mackenzie."
 
 "I'm not delusional Clay. He's coming. And he's going to get us out of here. 
 Soon."
  
 **********************
 St. John Inn
 Next Morning
 
 "Harm you really should have let me take the sofa" Lacey smiled as she awoke 
 to find Harm crunched up on the sofa looking very uncomfortable.
 
 "I knew I wasn't going to sleep anyway" he sighed. "So I figured you might 
 as well be comfortable."
 
 "Well I didn't sleep much either," she admitted. "Too much going on in my 
 mind to relax."
 
 "I know the feeling. I guess once they're awake we'll see how Gunny is and 
 then start making some plans. I'm assuming we're going to want to go in 
 under darkness anyway."
 
 "That'll be the safest way. Not the easiest though I might add."
 
 "I think we can handle it."
 
 "You sure?" Lacey asked. "I have to admit Harm that I don't know a lot about 
 you except that I know you're desperate to get the woman you love back. Are 
 you sure you can handle something like this?"
 
 "I'm not just a lawyer at JAG Lacey. And I've been in my share of situations 
 over the years. Some thanks to your friend Webb."
 
 "Oh yeah" she smiled. "I remember a few of those now that you mention that."
 
 "Including a time when I saved his scrawny little six in Columbia."
 
 "Okay Commander. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting 
 into here. I know Van Vreeden and what he's like. That's why I'm feeling you 
 out. I've worked with Carlita before so I know she can handle herself. It's 
 you and Victor I'm concerned about."
 
 "I can't speak for Gunny but I can handle it Lacey."
 
 "You guys awake?" Carlita asked as she knocked on the door adjoining the 
 rooms before walking into the room.
 
 "We're awake" Lacey sighed. "You get any sleep?"
 
 "I'm guessing you two didn't?" Carlita said softly and both Harm and Lacey 
 nodded. "Sorry. I know your minds are elsewhere. But the good news is Victor 
 seems a lot better this morning. If we let him rest today, we should be able 
 to go this evening."
 
 "Thank God" Harm murmured. "I guess we should get to work on getting the 
 supplies and equipment we need."
 
 "We can do that" Lacey replied. "Of course let me handle all that. We don't 
 want anyone to trace the names we use to rent the boat back to Clay and 
 Mac."

 "They wouldn't know who I am" Harm countered.
 
 "Don't underestimate Van Vreeden" Lacey sighed. "Once he found out who Mac 
 really was I'm sure he's gotten all the information he can about her. 
 Anything he can use against her."
 
 "The more you talk about this guy the less I like this."
 
 "Trust me Harm I tried to talk Clay out of this one. But he wasn't listening 
 to reason. He wanted to prove himself again."
 
 "Prove himself to who?"
 
 "The Agency. After that little fiasco with the videotape he gave you he lost 
 a ton of credibility with the guys at the top. All he wanted was a chance to 
 show them he was still a good guy. And bringing in Van Vreeden would have 
 been a hell of a catch."
 
 "So indirectly this whole mess is my fault" Harm sighed. "Because I pushed 
 him to get me the information about the Angel Shark."
 
 "He didn't do it just for you. He did what he thought was right. Course it 
 wasn't."
 
 "So that's why this assignment was so damn important to him."
 
 "Yes it is. And I'm sorry Mac is mixed up in this mess. As I told you before 
 I would have preferred it to be me with him. But its not and maybe that's a 
 good thing because at least you have me on your side to help you. And trust 
 me, you're going to need my help."
    
"I do trust you and if you knew me you'd know how much of a compliment that is because I don't 
trust easily.  I knew Clay had a vendetta against this guy, but I didn't know the rest about the 
tape.  I guess I didn't want to think about that.  Maybe in his place I would have done the same 
thing.  Anyway, we need a boat and six sets of SCUBA, water, and. . . ."  He paused in thought 
and Lacey smiled.

"Weapons Mr. Rabb, weapons."

"Is that going to be difficult?"

"In these islands?  Not hardly.  Long as you've got the green to back up what you want."

"And if I don't have enough I can have it wired in a matter of hours," Harm winced, thinking of 
Frank and hoping he did not have to go that route, but knowing he would if it was his only choice.

"Let's do it.  You can buy me breakfast."

"You got it."

"Hey, just be sure you tell Clay and Mac I was a perfect gentlemen."

"Deal.  Long as you tell them I didn't make any moves on you."

"Promise.  Now I suggest that it be you and I who make these arrangements.  I speak the 
language enough to get by and it's the money that does the talking anyway."

"I could go with you," Carlita offered but Lacey shook her head.

"Thanks but Harm and I as a couple will draw less attention.  We can make it clear we're 
planning an evening romantic boat ride, diving at sunset and so forth.  And Victor will rest better 
with you here."

"Well he's determined we're doing this tonight regardless, but I think he'll be OK."

"I have to agree the longer we stay here the more likely we are be found out," Harm nodded and 
offered his arm to Lacey.  "Carlita we're going for food.  You want us to bring you and Victor 
anything?"

"No thanks.  I'll call room service.  You be careful please.  If anything happens, not only will we 
not get them out but I'm left explaining to a room full of people what happened to everyone.  By 
the time I'm finished doing that, I'll be working the CIA mailroom in Borneo."

It took the better part of the day but by late afternoon there was a boat, loaded with SCUBA tanks 
and other provisions, rocking gently in a berth in the harbor.  As Lacey had said, once American 
dollars were shown, no questions were asked.

"I'm already exhausted and we haven't even started," Harm groused, dropping into a chair as 
soon as they returned to the room.  

"Oh you men can't handle it.  That was no different than a day doing the Washington's Birthday 
sales at the mall," Lacey scoffed.  "But it does prove up why woman shop alone."

"And we men thank. . ." Harm began only to stop when Gunny emerged from his room, pulling 
away from Carlita's steadying  hands.  

"And Gunnery Sergeant you do look well.  Or at least better," Harm nodded.  "You must have 
had some good care."

"I did.  In fact I got just what I really needed about an hour ago," he grinned and Carlita blushed 
furiously.  "Now I'm ready for a shower and some food and then we're out of here I hope."
 =============  
  "Yes we are" Harm replied. "The boat is waiting in the harbor. Soon as it's 
  dark enough we'll head out."
  
  "No one questioned you?" Carlita asked.
  
  "No" Lacey answered. "I don't think they know we're here yet. Which is good. 
  We'll have the element of surprise. We just need to figure out our game 
  plan."
  
  "Let's get some food and then we'll figure that all out" Harm suggested.
  
  ***************
  Unknown Location
  
  "Mac sit please" Clay urged. "You're making me dizzy with all that pacing."
  
  "Sorry. But I'm just so antsy now" she said as she dropped down beside him.
  
  "That's because you sleep most of the day" he sighed. "Course after this 
  morning you needed too. This was one of your worst days yet. I really need 
  to find a way to get you out of here and get help."
  
  "Help is coming," she said softly. "Harm is on his way Clay. We have to be 
  ready for him when he gets here."
  
  "God I hope he doesn't come alone" Clay sighed. "He and Gunny don't stand a 
  chance alone. You know that as well as I do."
  
  "I know that we're going to get out of this. We have to. I don't want that 
  last night Harm and I spent together be our last night forever. I love him 
  Clay and I want us to have our chance for happiness."
  
  "And I want you to have that" he said softly. "You deserve it more than 
  anyone else I know."
  
  "What about you?" she countered. "You and Lacey."
  
  "Mac there is no me and Lacey."
  
  "Something tells me there is. If you get your six in gear before it's too 
  late."
  
  "Me" he scoffed. "Look at you and Harm. How many years has it been?"
  
  "Too many. And that's why you shouldn't be as stupid as we were. Clay if 
  this woman means something to you, fight for her."
  
  "I would if I thought I stood a chance. But now, after this, I'm going to be 
  a nothing Mac. South America will be paradise compared to where I'll end up 
  if we get out of this alive."
  
  "I don't think she cares about that."

  "Maybe she does. She's worked hard to get where she is in the Agency Mac. 
  I'm not going to let her throw it all away for me."
  
  "Why don't you let her make that choice?"
  
  "Would you want Harm to do that for you?" he countered.
  
  "No. But I'm afraid that may have already happened."
  
  ******************************
  Four Hours Later
  
  "Harm you're the captain of this ship since you're the Navy guy" Lacey said 
  as they all climbed aboard. "Victor you're helping him with the navigation 
  while Carlita and I make sure no one is on our tail."
  
  "No problem" Harm nodded. "We got everything?"
  
  "Suits and tanks as well as weapons" Lacey answered. "And Gunny's got the 
  map in his head I guess."
  
  "I know exactly where we're going" Gunny replied. "Set a course south 
  Commander."
  
  Harm steered the boat out of the harbor and it wasn't long before they were 
  surrounded by water. Carlita and Lacey kept an eye behind to make sure no 
  one had followed them from the harbor.
  
  "He's got patrol boats three miles out," Gunny said as they neared the 
  island. "The south side of the island is where Mac and Clay are. Go around 
  the east side and then we'll drop anchor."
  
  Harm followed Gunny's directions and a short time later pulled the boat to a 
  stop.
  
  "Long swim in" Harm frowned. "You sure you can handle this Marine?"
  
  "Yes sir. Besides I'm the only one who knows exactly where they are. I'll be 
  fine."
  
  "We're far enough out that they shouldn't see the boat," Lacey said quietly. 
  "I just hope it's here when we get back."
  
  "We'll manage if it's not" Harm sighed. "First we have to get them out. 
  Let's do it."
  
  "Stick close together" Lacey urged as they finished donning the rest of the 
  gear. "Harm you've got the lead. The rest of us will be right behind you."
  
  Harm nodded and a moment later plunged into the water. Gunny followed behind 
  him with Carlita and Lacey joining them a moment later.
  
  "If I should fall out, I want you guys to keep going," Gunny sputtered.  "Carlita knows the 
location from the map."
   
 "If you fall out we'll regroup," Harm told him firmly.  "We don't leave men behind. Mac wouldn't 
forgive me if she knew I'd allowed you to be abandoned to save her.  It doesn't work that way.  
So here's what's going to happen.  You're not going to fall out, and we're not going to abandon 
you.  Let's stick close now.  I want us to be insight of each other at all times.  Let me have a 
thumbs up and let's do it."
 
 That it was a long swim was an understatement.  At least the water was warm.   It was easy 
enough to tell when they were nearing their goal for in the distance from above came the muffled 
sound of Van Vreeden's patrol boats, each circling the island in opposite directions.  "No more 
snorkel," Harm reminded the others unnecessarily and the breathing tubes were abandoned in 
favor of the regulators.  Using the compass to keep in a straight line and thus making minimal 
use of his light, Harm led the other three swimmers toward the island.  Gunny had planned well 
and knew to avoid the beach and the boat dock.  The opposite side of the island, where the rocks 
met the water was where he had them emerge.  Pitch black and with the rocks for cover if 
needed, it made the perfect landing zone.
 
 When they broke the surface the patrol boats were no where in sight and Harm motioned for 
Gunny to show the way.  Carlita had never left his side through the swim and she wrapped her 
arm around his middle to support him.  They made for the rocky shore and quickly stripped out of 
the SCUBA gear, following Gunny's direction to stash it and then his lead to a group of rocks.  
"Why are we stopping here?" Harm frowned.
 
 "Because Gunny needs a break," Gunny smiled.  "Just give me fifteen to catch my breath and I'll 
be fine.  It's a good four miles through the trees and not an easy walk."
 
 Harm nodded, clapping his shoulder.  "Take the time you need."
 
 "Well I will but at the same time we can't afford to dally here.  Dawn comes early."
 
  "Yeah."  He turned to Carlita and Lacey.  "It's not to late for you two to just wait here you know."
 
 "You don't have a prayer without us," Carlita said firmly.  "You need the fire-power."  She lifted 
the knapsack she had been towing behind her in the water.  Made of heavy gauge plastic and 
rubber, it kept their arsenal of small explosives and weapons dry and ready.
 
 "What she said," Lacey smiled, and Harm regarded the petite woman.  When he stood up and 
raised his arm out straight, she could stand beneath it without ducking, and yet her courage and 
tenacity was obvious.  "Harm I need to find Clay.  I mean what if you and Mac never had the 
chance to. . ."
 
 "But they did," Gunny could not resist and Harm actually blushed.  
 
 "Really?" Lacey's eyes were wide and Harm blushed further.
 
 "We didn't say the words," he sighed.  "But we did everything else.  I know she loves me, and I 
know I love her, but I swear those three words are going to be first out of my mouth."
 
 "Well Clay and I. . .I just don't even know where to begin.  I don't even know what he's feeling at 
this point," she murmured.  "I guess he thinks I'm in love with Simon and that he has no chance."
 
 "I think that pretty much covers it," Gunny supplied gently.  "If he's wrong, you need to set him 
straight."
 
 "You damn right he's wrong," she snapped.  "But he's done his share of pushing me away too."
 
 "What do they write a script for this BS and people buy into it?" Harm yelped.  "Because I swear 
you could change the names and be writing the story of me and Mac."
 ==========
 A few miles away Clay was spending another night staring out of the window of their cell-like 
room, watching the waves crash on the beach.  Mac was sleeping.  Fitfully, but at least she was 
managing some.  He could not.  The moonlight through the window was enough to illuminate 
what he held in his hand.  The wallet picture of Lacey Sturvesant.  He had told Mac he kept it to 
remind himself of what he could not have.  That was only partly right.  He also kept it to remind 
himself of what he most wanted, and how foolish he had been to let it escape him.  A lone tear 
tracked its way down his cheek and he laughed lightly as he rubbed it away.  Only love could do 
that to him.
    
 Behind him Mac woke suddenly and with a small cry.
 
 "Mac it's okay" Clay soothed as he hurried to her. "Go back to sleep."
 
 "No" she whispered. "Harm is coming. We have to be ready when he gets here."
 
 "You still believe that don't you?" he sighed as he went back to his post at 
 the window. "That he's coming."
 
 "Clay I can feel it. You don't understand. Harm and I are connected."
 
 "I know I know" he sighed. "I've heard all about how you found him in the 
 middle of the ocean when he crashed. But maybe that was just dumb luck."
 
 "No. And you don't have to believe me but I know he's coming. And I'm going 
 to be prepared for when he does."
 
 "Well I hope you're prepared to deal with the disappointment when he 
 doesn't."
 
 ***************
 "I'm ready," Gunny said as he stood up. "Let's go. We're burning precious 
 darkness."
 
 "How far away are they?" Harm asked.
 
 "About four miles. We should still be able to get in and get them out before 
 dawn. If we hustle."
 
 With Gunny in the lead and Carlita right beside him, they made their way 
 through the thick trees. What seemed like ten miles finally came to an end 
 as Gunny stopped and pointed to a small building in front of them.
 
 "They're in there."
 
 "What if they're not still in there?" Harm whispered. "What if he's moved 
 them?"
 
 "He doesn't have that many places on the island he can keep them locked out 
 without the others finding out. I'm sure they're still in there."
 
 "Maybe we should take a quick peek in the window before we set off an 
 explosion" Lacey said quietly. "Harm why don't you and I go take a quick 
 look. Carlita you cover our backs."
 
 Carlita nodded and both she and Gunny pulled their weapons as Harm and Lacey 
 slowly made their way towards the building.
 
 "Please Lord let her be there" Harm murmured as they reached the window.
 
 His prayer was answered a moment later when he quickly glanced in and saw 
 Clay and Mac sitting on the floor.
 
 "It's them" he whispered excitedly.
 
 "Okay stay cool Commander. We still have to get them out. Let's go around 
 and see how well this place is guarded."
 
 Harm nodded and together he and Lacey moved to the corner of the building. 
 Lacey looked around quickly and leaned back with a long sigh.
 
 "There's two of them. We need to take them out without making a scene. You 
 think you can handle that?"
 
 "I'll go around the other way" Harm nodded. "You get the one on this side 
 and I'll get the one on the other."
 
 "Be careful" Lacey hissed and Harm slowly crept around the other side of the 
 building.
 
 "Let's move forward" Carlita whispered. "It looks like they're going to take 
 out the guards and they may need our help."
 
 Gunny nodded and he and Carlita moved closer to the building just as Lacey 
 and Harm made their moves on the two guards. Neither man saw them coming and 
 a moment later Harm grabbed the keys of the man's coat and ran to the door. 
 His hands were trembling so bad he finally had to force himself to take a 
 deep breath of calm before he could get the key in the lock.
 
 "Harm come on" Lacey whispered behind them. "It won't be long before they 
 realize those two aren't answering the radios."
 
 He nodded and finally he got the door open, bursting into the room where Mac 
 and Clay were waiting.
 
 "Harm" she whispered as she ran to his arms.
 
 "Sarah thank God" he murmured as he hugged her tightly, lifting her from the floor in his 
exuberance.
 
 "Hello Clayton" Lacey said as she slowly walked into the room. "You sure do 
 know how to get yourself into trouble don't you?"
 
 "What in the hell are you doing here?" he demanded as soon as he recovered from the shock of 
seeing her. "Are you out of your mind or what?"
 
 "Well that's not exactly the greeting I was hoping to get."
 
 "Clayton Webb do not talk to the woman you love like that" Mac smiled as she 
 managed to pull herself out of Harm's arms long enough to look over at them.
 
 If Lacey was surprised by Mac's comment she didn't show it. "Look we can all 
 have a nice reunion later. Right now we need to get out of here before they 
 realize big and dumb out front aren't guarding the place anymore."
 
"Lacey they don't know you're here do they," Clay hissed, ignoring her urgency and taking her 
arm.

"The people we work for? I didn't file an itinerary no," she admitted.  "Hey first things first OK.  
We need to get off this island.  We'll have plenty of arguing time later.  And it's a long walk 
through the jungle and a long swim to the boat and we're burning darkness that we don't have an 
excess of."

"Swim?"  Mac looked up at Harm, her eyes cloudy with concern.

"Yeah we came in using SCUBA," he nodded, and realization dawned.  Gunny had told him she 
had been sick, and she felt him leaning heavily on him even now.

"I won't fall out on you," she said softly, reading his thoughts.

"You better not, because I won't leave you."

"Harm. . ."  Whatever she might have said was silenced by his lips crushing hers.  

"I won't leave you.  Now let's get out of here."

"Amen to that," Clay  nodded.  "OK I'm on point."  The weapon Lacey handed him made a 
decided click as he loaded in the clip and took off the safety.

"And who died and left you King," she snapped.  "Actually Victor is going to lead us out of here 
because he knows the way."

"Thank you I was just about to say that," Gunny spoke up, taking firm hold of Carlita's hand.  "We 
ready?"

"We are," Harm nodded, taking a long look at Mac at the same time.  "I was so afraid I wasn't 
going to see you again."

"I just hope finding me isn't the last thing you're going to do on earth," she whispered.

"Not likely.  You and I have a lot of living to do yet.  Including something very important we have 
to say to each other."

"Should we do it now?" she whispered, her eyes holding his and knowing exactly to what she 
was referring.

"Now as in lets do it because we're afraid we won't get out of here?  No. No way in hell.  That's 
for a special time and place to be determined when we're back to civilization."

"I'm holding you to that Flyboy."

"You do that.  Let's move out."  He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him.  
"You lean on me as much as you need to now.  If I have to carry you I will."

"Not and live.  Gunny let's move it."

Gunny smiled at the Marine officer barking orders.  "Yes ma'am."
 
 With his weapon poised, Gunny led the small group from the building and 
 outside. With a quick glance around, he headed towards the trees where 
 they'd come in.
 
 "How far to the water?" Clay asked as they made their way down the path.
 
 "Four miles" Lacey replied. "And hopefully we can get there undetected."
 
 "Please God" he murmured under his breath. "You know you have a lot of 
 explaining to do."
 
 "Save it for when I finish saving your six" she said as she grabbed his hand 
 to pull him along faster.
 
 "You keeping up Marine?" Harm asked as he felt Mac start to slow down a 
 short time later.
 
 "Trying" she managed as she stopped to catch her breath. "I'm a little out 
 of shape I guess." As she spoke, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her 
 and at once she grabbed for his arm.
 
 "Mac what's wrong?" he demanded. "Hey stay with me now Marine."
 
 "I'm okay" she said vaguely. "It's just that I've been sick and I haven't 
 been able to keep much food down."
 
 Without a word he lifted her into his arms effortlessly.
 
 "Harm put me down" she ordered. "You can't carry me the rest of the way. 
 It's at least a few miles."
 
 "I can and I will" he replied. "Now just lay back and relax."
 
 "Harm you okay back there?" Gunny called. "You need a hand."
 
 "Like you could lift her with that wound" Carlita frowned. "If Harm needs 
 help, Lacey and I will help him. You just concentrate on getting us back to 
 where we need to be."
 
 They made it back to the rocks where they'd hidden their gear without 
 incident and they stopped for a moment to rest.
 
 "So far so good" Lacey said as she kept an eye behind them. "We get to the 
 boat and we should be home free."
 
 "How far is the boat?" Mac asked as they suited up.
 
 "Three miles" Harm said softly. "But don't worry. I'll get you there. I'm 
 haven't come this far to not get you out of here."
 
 "Harm I don't want to put the others at risk" Mac whispered. "If we fall 
 behind"
 
 "Mac we're leaving this island together" Lacey said firmly. "All of us."
 
 "Clay you should hold on to this one" Mac said with a small smile.
 
 "Gunny how you holding up?" Harm asked.
 
 "I'm all right. I can make it back to the boat."
 
 "I think we'd better get out of here now" Lacey sighed. "With these guys 
 hurt it's going to take longer to get back. And we don't have that much time 
 before they realize where we went."
 
 They suited up and made their way to the water just as they heard angry 
 voices in the woods.
 
 "Move it" Lacey ordered.
 
 "Clay get Mac and Gunny and go" Harm said to the agent. "Gunny knows where 
 the boat is. I'm going to stay and hold them back a bit."
 
 "Harm no" Mac gasped as she reached for his arm.
 
 "Mac go" he hissed. "Please. I'll be there, I promise."
 
 "Clay go" Lacey ordered. "Carlita and I will stay with Harm."
 
 "Over my dead body" he retorted.
 
 "It will be if you don't get moving. I mean it Clay. Go."
 
 "I love you Lacey" he whispered before grabbing Mac's arm and taking her to 
 the water with Gunny in the lead.
 
 "Guess you have your answer to how Clay feels" Harm murmured as he and 
 Carlita took up positions in the rocks.
 
 "Well at least if we don't get out of here, they will" Lacey said softly.
  
"Well one of you should have gone with them.  In fact both of you.  I could have held them long 
enough for you four to get out of here," he whispered.

"It won't take us long to catch up to them once we get started," Lacey reminded him.  "They won't 
be able to move real fast."

"Gunny said Mac was sick but that didn't prepare me for how bad she looked," he sighed.

Lacey laid a calming hand on his arm.  "Once we're back safe we'll get her to a hospital.  Nothing 
wrong with her than some nutrition and decent rest won't cure.  Not to mention she's been 
spending twenty-four hours a day with Clay for god knows how long.  She's bound to need 
therapy."

Harm laughed lightly and the sound died on his lips as four well-armed men burst through the 
trees and pointed automatic rifles to the water at the spot where the trio had gone in.  Without 
hesitation Lacey was the first to fire from their hidden position, Carlita and Harm following suit.  
Two of the men returned fire while the other two sprayed the water with bullets.

"My god they're going to kill them all," Harm gasped between rounds, desperately trying to 
calculate how far they might have gotten before the first shots compared to the velocity of that 
sort of ammunition in water.

"Not if we can help it," Carlita growled and daring to break cover, took slow and deadly aim.  The 
intended victim was dead before he hit the sand.

"Nice.  Nice shot." 

"She's good.  Learned at Quantico," Lacey grinned just ahead of another barrage that headed 
their way.

It was over twenty seconds later.  Two more lie on the sand and the fourth took off running.  

"Now it's our turn," Lacey declared, wasting no time in leading Harm and Carlita to the water's 
edge.  "No sign of them," she added.  "That's good."

"Unless their bodies just haven't washed up here yet," Harm murmured.

"No.  They got clear.  There was enough time," Carlita insisted stubbornly.  "Once they got out 
past that first breaker line."

"Please God let her be right," Harm prayed and Lacey added her amen.  "OK let's go."

They had covered the first mile when they saw it.  Ten yards ahead, the 8-foot shark swam lazily, 
but still seemed to be alert.  Lacey grabbed Harm's arm and pointed upward, wanting them to 
surface.  Carlita nodded and Lacey signaled that they go slow.  From his summers off the coast 
of California, Harm had a basic knowledge of sharks and knew for the most part they would leave 
a swimmer alone unless they had not fed recently.

"No splashing," Lacey commanded as soon as the broke the surface and she took a long look 
around.  So far the shark had not followed.  "He may or may not have friends.  But one thing's for 
sure, we're going to have to pass by them to get to the boat."

"It's like he just appeared from nowhere," Harm gasped, trying to watch all directions at once.  

"Well they're not uncommon in these islands," Carlita said softly.  "But I'm wondering if. . ."

"Speak up woman," Harm hissed.

"If there's blood in the water that brought him."

  It was only Lacey's quick hand to Harm's mouth that kept them from being 
  found out.
  
  "Harm chill" she hissed. "You want to get us all killed?"
  
  He shook his head and slowly she removed her hand. "Sorry" he sighed. "I 
  just got this really bad picture when she said that. If anything happens to 
  Mac. . ." He didn't finish the thought but both women knew what he was thinking.
  
  "I know" Lacey said finally. "And we can't say up here on the surface. We're 
  going to need to go back under or their going to spot us."
  
  "What about our friend below?" Carlita asked.
  
  "Hopefully gone. But we have to do something or we're sitting ducks 
  up here on the surface."
  
  Harm nodded. "And we need to make sure the others got back to the boat okay. 
  Let's go."
  
  Slowly they dove back under the water and to their relief the shark seemed 
  to have moved on to another area. They quickly made their way to the boat 
  and it was Carlita that broke the surface first.
  
  "Thank God" she murmured when she saw all three in the boat.
  
  "Where's Harm and Lacey?" Gunny hissed. "I see lights in the distance. We 
  need to get out of here before they find us."
  
  On cue, Harm and Lacey rose to the surface and they quickly climbed aboard 
  the small boat.
  
  "Harm we need to get out of here" Gunny urged. "Now."
  
  Harm nodded and despite his concern for Mac turned his attention to getting 
  them out of the area before Van Vreeden's men could catch them. He could 
  hear the motors in the distance and he knew they had to get out of there as 
  quickly as possible. He gunned the motor of the small boat and prayed it 
  would be enough. At the same time he reached for the radio, knowing one way 
  they could get help was to contact the Coast Guard, who regularly patrolled 
  the area for drug runners.
  
  His call for help was quickly answered and the promise of help was just 
off the coast of St. Thomas.
  
  "Everyone down" Lacey screamed as the first of the barrage of bullets whizzed 
  passed them as they neared St. Thomas.  Clay and Gunny pulled Mac to the floor of the boat 
while Harm continued to navigate  them away from the island.
  
  Lacey and Carlita took up positions at the rear of the boat and began to 
  return fire at the boat that was chasing them. Clay kept Mac to the floor of 
  the boat, despite her attempts to get up and see what was going on.
  
  "Stay down" he hissed as she squirmed beneath him. "They're all okay."
  
  "Harm" she moaned. "Is he okay?'
  
  "He's fine. He's doing what sailors do which is piloting this boat. Course I 
  feel like I should be over there with Lacey and not down here with you."
  
  "Don't even consider it Clayton Webb" Lacey yelled over her shoulder. "Keep 
  you head down where it belongs."
  
  "Yeah while you're getting shot at" he moaned. "This is all wrong." And with that he reached for 
Gunny's weapon and crept to the back of the boat.
  
  "Dammit Clay what are you doing?" Lacey shouted. "Get down now. We've got it 
  under control back here. You're going to get yourself killed."
  
  "Gunny take over" Harm ordered as he realized they needed more fire power in 
  the back to keep Van Vreeden's men back. He turned over control of the boat 
  to Gunny and hurried to the back with his weapon.
  
  "Clayton get down" Lacey ordered again.  "You're too exposed like that."
  
  Before he could answer she heard the sound of incoming gunfire from a new direction and 
without a thought she gave Clay a push out of the way and took the bullet herself. 
  The force of the impact sent her sprawling over the side of the boat and 
  Clay's scream of her name mingled with the sound of more gunfire.
  
  "Lacey" he screamed as he stood up, about to jump into the water. He was 
  stopped by Harm's strong arms, quickly pushing him back down before he 
  himself leapt into the water after Lacey.
  
  Mac had raised her head at Clay's cry, looking just in time to see Harm dive 
  into the water after Lacey.
  
  "Gunny stop" she shouted. "Stop the boat. We have to get Harm and Lacey."
  
  "There's the Coast Guard" Gunny yelled as the speedboat neared them.
  
  In the water, Harm spotted Lacey and quickly swam to her, pulling her to the 
  surface with him.
  
  "How bad is it?" Harm gasped as they broke the surface.
  
  "Just my arm" she panted.
  
  The sound of gunshots reminded them they weren't alone, the boat with Van 
  Vreeden's men approaching. At the same time Harm could see the lights from 
  the Coast Guard boat nearing as well. If they could just hold out a few more 
  seconds
  
  "Take a deep breath" he ordered as the boat with Van Vreeden's men neared. 
  "We're going to have to go under."
  
  She nodded and a moment later he pulled her down below the surface, praying 
  the sound of the Coast Guard boat would be enough to make Van Vreeden's men 
  give up the chase.
 
 A second later he has his answer.  "United States Coast Guard.  Hold your fire and prepare to 
be boarded."  The voice on the electronic PA system boomed across the water, managing to be 
clear despite the gunfire and the officer fired a warning shot across the bow of the onrushing 
vessel.  
 
 The marauder's pilot spun its wheel sending the large boat in to a spin, bouncing across its own 
wake with sickening thudding sounds.  At the same time Gunny picked up the mike to their radio 
and keyed their PA.  "Sergeant Victor Galindez, US Marines.  Don't let them get away."
 
 The Coast Guard officer on deck hesitated a moment and shouted an order.  The powerful cutter 
took off, sending a massive spray into the turbulent sea.
 
 "Gunny---Lacey," Clay screamed.  "We have to find her."
 
 Mac looked up as well, pushing Clay away  to get to a sitting position.  "Harm.  Where is Harm?" 
she shrieked.  "Gunny find them.  Now."
 
 Gunny nodded and carefully maneuvered their boat around, just as Harm brought a gasping 
Lacey to the surface.
 
 "They're OK.  I see them," Gunny shouted, dropping the throttles through neutral into reverse for 
braking action.  
 
 "Mac stay here," Clay ordered and before she could grab him, he was over the side, swimming 
with surprisingly strong strokes given his long weeks of imprisonment.
 
 "Lacey," he sputtered and Harm released her to the custody of the man she loved.
 
 That man gathered her to him, mindful of her arm but needing to feel her body next to his.
 
 "Clay you guys OK?" Harm called.  "Need a hand?"
 
 "I've got everything I need right here," he panted.  "Go.  We're right behind you."
 
 Harm took off for the boat, swimming several feet before looking back to check on their 
progress, only to find Clay treading water, holding Lacey to him, his lips to hers.  "Clay the 
woman needs medical attention and you're like you're on Make Out Ridge.  Move that six of 
yours."
 
 Mac's scream of his name prompted him to take his own advice and with several more strokes 
he was at the side of their boat.  It took almost all the energy he had remaining to heave himself 
onto the ladder and take the few steps.  Mac was waiting for him, her arms open and much as he 
longed to fall into those arms, he knew he risked knocking her down in her weakened condition.
 
 Instead he waved her off and accepted Gunny's hand to guide him to a bench seat and a 
second later what at one time was one hundred twenty pounds of Marine but was now no doubt 
a good ten pounds less landed on him.  "Harm.  I'm still not sure it's really you."
 
 "Yeah honey it is," he breathed into her ear, gathering her as much as possible onto his lap and 
looking up at Gunny.  "Clay and Lacey Gunny."
 
 "I'm on it," he nodded and in fact he and Carlita were keeping a close eye on the pair as they 
made progress to the side.  
 
 "Honey let me give them a hand," Harm said softly and Mac tightened her hold of him.  
 
 "I don't think I'm going to be able to let you go for a good long while," she wailed and Gunny 
gestured for them to keep their places.
 
 "Gunny you're not in that great a shape yourself," Harm objected.
 
 "Soon as they're aboard I'm giving myself permission to pass out sir," he grinned.
    
 "Victor sit down" Carlita ordered as she reached for him and pushed him down 
 on the boat.
 
 "I was just kidding" Gunny sighed.
 
 "Not totally I bet" Carlita frowned. "You are looking mighty pale there 
 Marine."
 
 She reached for Clay and Lacey, helping them both aboard the boat a moment 
 later.
 
 "Let me see it" Clay said anxiously once they were aboard. "How bad is it?"
 
 "Clayton chill" Lacey said with a small smile. "It's nothing major. I'll be 
 fine until we get back to the island. You on the other hand look like you're 
 about to have a stroke. Now sit before you fall."
 
 He did as ordered only because he was about to fall and Carlita looked to 
 Harm for help.
 
 "Commander your turn at the helm" she sighed. "This group needs to get back 
 to land ASAP."
 
 "Right away" he nodded as he managed to pull himself away from Mac.
 
 ****************"
 St. John Medical Clinic
 Two Hours Later
 
 "I think we overwhelmed them" Harm sighed as he and Carlita sat in the 
 waiting room of the small facility. There were no large hospitals on the smaller 
 island but they had been assured that the doctor at the clinic would be able 
 to treat all their wounds.
 
 "I'm sure we did" she nodded. "I just wish they'd tell us something. Or at 
 least let us see them."
 
 "You really care for Gunny don't you?" Harm said with a small smile.
 
 "Between you and me and the wall yes" Carlita said softly. "I love him. More 
 than I ever thought possible. Which is bad."
 
 "Why is it bad?"
 
 "Because in this business you don't get involved. Especially not with 
 someone you work with."
 
 "You and Gunny are a team?"
 
 "Sort of. I was assigned as his training partner when he moved over to the 
 Agency. And of course he's driven me crazy every day since."
 
 "He's a good guy. You're lucky to have him on your team now."
 
 "Yeah he is" Carlita sighed. "And I wish I could see him so I know he's 
 okay. Course I'm sure you're just as frantic about Mac."
 
 "You know it," he said softly.
 
 "I'm glad we got them back. We may not have gotten Van Vreeden but at least 
 we got them back. And that's all that matters."
 
 Harm nodded and stood up as the nurse walked into the waiting room. At once 
 Carlita was on her feet as well and the nurse gave them a motherly smile.
 
 "Your friends are doing just fine. Ms. Mackenzie is resting comfortably and 
 we're simply giving her an IV for dehydration while the doctor runs some 
 tests to find out what's causing her illness. We've also taken care of Mr. 
 Galindez and I know you're both anxious to see them."
 
 "Yes we are" Carlita nodded. "How about Lacey and Clay?"
 
 "The bullet went through her arm and the doctor has cleaned the wound and 
 she will be fine. Mr. Webb is with her and he's fine as well. And if you'll 
 follow me, I'll take you to see your friends."
 
 Harm hurried into the small room Mac was in and at once her eyes opened and 
 she felt the tears brim as he gathered her in his arms.
 
 "I was so scared I wasn't going to get to do this" he whispered as he held 
 her tightly. "Don't you ever leave me like that again."
 
 "I'm sorry" she sniffled. "Sorry for scaring you. Sorry you had to come and 
 risk you life to save mine."
 
 "I had to get you back," he said softly as he pulled away to look at her. 
 "Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to tell you that I love you."

"I knew they gave me something to make me rest comfortably," she murmured, "but I didn't think 
it was supposed to make me hallucinate.  You just told me you loved me."

"No hallucination I promise," he whispered, touching his cheek to hers as he spoke.  "I do love 
you Sarah and I've been desolate without you."

"Harm I. . .I love you.  I love you so much."  That was as much as she got out before an 
avalanche of tears.  "I'm sorry," she gasped between sobs. 

"Let it all out honey," he urged, pressing her face to the crook of his neck and rubbing her back.  
"Let it all out."

She took a long breath and shook her head in denial.  "It doesn't help.  I've cried the equivalent of 
the Nile River and it doesn't help.  Ask Clay.  I've gotten him soggy so often I wouldn't blame him 
if he runs the other way when he seems me coming."

"I probably need to thank him for looking after you."  

"He did.  He took care of me.  But more than that he kept me from losing my faith--and my 
sanity."

"Is there anything else you and he. . .that you want to tell me about you and. . ."  Harm paused in 
wording the question and before he could start again, the door opened and a smiling doctor 
walked in, followed by four jittery students.

"Ms. Mackenzie.  I'm Joanne Wilder, and these guys aren't important enough yet to introduce.  
How are you feeling?"

"I'm still amazed I'm in this guy's arms after all this time, but I'm OK I think.  Whatever you're 
running into my arm is helping I guess.  Or maybe it's just being with him."

"Well your tests are back and you're severely malnourished and anemic but we can take care of 
that in short order.  I'm ordering an ultra sound however."

"OK yeah I guess," she mumbled, feeling the effects of the drug and not that concerned with the 
particulars.

"In fact here she comes now. Mr. Rabb can we have some space please.  You move up to her 
head and hold her hand.  You students make a hole and take notes.  There will be a quiz."

Joanne stepped aside and Harm did what he was told, mystified but too intimidated to ask.  A 
condition that did not change when the technician adjusted the bedcovers and Mac's gown, 
uncovering her abdomen. 

Neither moved nor spoke, watching in awe, until a minute later the room was filled with a steady 
lub-lub sound.  "Ah good," Joanne gasped in relief.

"Doctor, what is. . .is that what I think. .. " Harm managed. "Mac what?"

"Hey I'm as in the dark as you are," she whispered, her eyes wide.  "Doctor, what are we looking-
listening?. . ."

"Doctor you need to see this," the technician interrupted, swinging the screen toward Joanne.

"Twins." Joanne smiled.

"Whoa hold up.  What the hell is going on here," Harm exploded.  "She's really pregnant?"

"With twins.  We'll have to figure out how far, but pregnant definitely, and with twins—uh I already 
said that.  Identical twins too.  Mirror twins.  Same sex, to be determined, and you'll likely never 
be able to tell them apart."

Mac's eyes were as wide as possible, her mouth half open, frozen in shock for a long moment 
until she managed to turn to Harm, who had likewise not moved.

She gave a nervous giggle and fixed her gaze on the screen.  "Harm are you OK with this?"

"I. . .I guess you've got news for Clay," he gasped still in disbelief.  "You and he were. . ."
  
 "Not involved" she said sharply.
 
 "Not?" he frowned. "Then how?"
 
 "Don't tell me you forgot already" she whispered. "It was what kept me going 
 all those weeks. Thinking about that last night."
 
 "Me?" he whispered. "I'm the father right?"
 
 She nodded slowly. "You're the only person I've been with" she said softly.
 
 "Did you know you were pregnant?"
 
 "I just figured I'd gotten some virus. I had no clue."
 
 "You're going to have my baby?" he whispered, still grasping the concept.
 
 "Babies" she corrected. "I do believe she said twins."
 
 "I did" Joanne laughed. "I think we'll give you to a moment to sort this all 
 out. Obviously neither of you was expecting this."
 
 "No we weren't" Mac smiled.
 
 It wasn't until they were alone that either of them spoke again.
 
 "Harm if this isn't what you want, I'll understand," she said slowly. "I 
 mean, I wasn't expecting it either. And I don't expect you to do anything 
 you're not ready for."
 
 "Mac I love you," he said softly as he reached for her hand. "For weeks all 
 I could think about was getting you back. Nothing else mattered to me. There 
 is no way I'm going to walk away now."
 
 "You sure?"
 
 "Very" he smiled as he leaned forward to drop a quick kiss on her lips. "I 
 love you. And now that I'm over my initial shock, the idea that you're 
 having my babies is pretty damn appealing."
 
 "Twins" she giggled. "I can't believe it. We're going to have our hands full 
 sailor."
 
 "I can handle it. As long as I have you in my life, I can handle anything."
 
 "You're making me cry again" she sniffled, his words suddenly making her 
 weepy.
 
 "Sorry. But it's the truth."
 
 "I don't know how I got so lucky" she sniffled. "But for the record Mr. 
 Rabb, I love you very much too. And if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be 
 here."
 
 "I would have gone to hell and back for you" he whispered.
 
 "I'm just glad you didn't get hurt," she said softly. "I knew you were 
 coming and I was so afraid something would happen to you."
 
 "Fortunately I had two ladies and Gunny to help. I owe them all a lot for 
 helping me."
 
 "I hope Clay and Lacey can make it work. He loves her."
 
 "And she him" Harm returned. "You know she went against the Agency to help 
 me find him. They didn't want her to go and she said the hell with her 
 career."
 
 "What did the Admiral say when you told him you were going after me?" Mac 
 asked.
 
 For a moment Harm didnt answer and Mac's eye's widened. "Harm you didn't" 
 she gasped. "You're not UA are you?"
 
 "Mac he would have tried to stop me."
 
 "So you left without telling him?"
 
 "It was the only way. If I'd ask for time off, he would have known why I 
 wanted it. He knew I was upset about you being gone and he would have tried 
 to stop me if I'd told him what I was doing."
 
 "But your career" she moaned.
 
 "Means nothing to me compared to you" he finished. "If I have to, I'll 
 resign. Mac I had to find you. When Gunny came to my door that night, I knew 
 what I had to do. And I wasn't worried about my career."
 
 "I'm sorry. I wish you hadn't had to do that."
 
 "Mac it doesn't matter" he said softly. "You're all that matters to me now. 
 You and those little babies inside of you. Don't worry I'll find a way to 
 fend for us. Maybe Clay can get me in at the Agency if the Navy doesn't want 
 my services anymore."
 
 "NO" she nearly shouted.
 
 "Why?" he frowned.
 
 "Because this stuff is dangerous Harm."
 
 "But it wasn't too dangerous for you now was it?" he countered.

"It was something I felt like I had to do.  Remember, at the time I agreed, there didn't seem to be 
any reason not to.  You and I hadn't made any major headway with us and once we did, well a 
Marine doesn't back out.  But it would be different now.  Harm I need you.  These babies need 
you.  Not to change the subject, but they're boys."

"And you know this because?" He gave her a look of puzzlement and watched her run her hand 
over her flat belly.

"I just know.  Now getting back to your so called life, no.  There's way too many safe alternatives 
to hooking up with Clay.  And that's only assuming the Admiral won't take you back."

"Well I guess we'll find out won't we.  Right now that I've found you--that I've got you back. . ."  
His voice trailed off and his hand joined hers where it rested above where their babies were 
safely growing.  "I can't believe I thought you and Clay. . .I'm sorry."

She smiled and shook her head.  "Natural assumption given our history I guess.  We didn't.  We 
weren't.  But still I wouldn't have gotten through it without him."

"Then I guess I owe him big time."

"Who do you owe?" Clay himself appeared in the doorway at that moment.

"You Moron," Harm grinned.  "Mac says she wouldn't have made it through without you being 
there.  For that I thank you. More than I can express with words. Come in.  How's Lacey?"

"Sleeping.  They gave her something for the pain and cleaned up her arm, and I got to hold her 
until she fell asleep.  Then I needed to see how you guys are.  Mac you're looking better."

"Yeah what they're feeding this arm is helping.  Having this guy is helping a lot more, and then 
there's the news they just gave me."

Clay regarded her warily.  "Are you OK?"

"She's more than OK Mr. Webb," Harm spoke up, his grin ear to ear.  "She's pregnant Clay.  
Twins.  My twins."
 
  "Pregnant?" Clay gasped. "You're pregnant and you didn't tell me?"
  
  "I didn't know" Mac laughed. "It just never crossed my mind that that was 
  why I was sick."
  
  "That last night together sure must have been magical" Clay grinned as the 
  initial shock wore off. "Pregnant with twins. I don't believe it."
  
  "Believe it" Harm smiled. "And it means you will no longer be using the 
  services of a certain Marine anymore. Course I know a Navy Commander who 
  might be in need of a job."
  
  "Harm no" Mac warned.
  
  "What do you mean?" Clay frowned. "Why would you need a job?"
  
  "My night in shining armor here is UA from the Navy. He never told the 
  Admiral where he was going."
  
  "You're UA?" Clay frowned. "Why didn't you just tell AJ where you were 
  going?"
  
  "He would have tried to stop me. And I'm not the only one on this mission 
  who's UA."
  
  "Lacey?" Clay frowned even more. "No. Tell me she didn't."
  
  "Amazing what you'll do for the person you love," Harm said quietly. 
  "Obviously her position at the agency doesn't mean as much as you do to 
  her."
  
  "No" he groaned. "Why did she do that?"
  
  "Because she loves you, you fool" Harm sighed.
  
  "And you know this how?" Clay demanded.
  
  "Because Lacey and I had a few talks. And trust me her only concern was 
  finding you alive. She didn't give a damn about her job or what Manchester 
  thought."
  
  "I can't believe she did that. She shouldn't have. Her career is more 
  important than me."
  
  "Not to her."
  
  "I don't deserve someone like her" Clay sighed. "She's too good for me."
  
  "No you're right,  you probably don't" Mac smiled. "But I think this woman loves you and I 
  do believe you love her too. So I think it's time to step up to the plate 
  mister and let her know that those feelings are very mutual."
  
  "Oh and I suppose you two have done that?"
  
  "Of course. I promised myself the minute she was in my arms again I was 
  going to tell her how I felt," Harm said softly. "And I did. And now I'm 
  never going to let her go again."
  
  "He's joking" Mac giggled. "But at the same time I won't be letting go of 
  him any time soon either."
  
  "Well I'm glad everything is okay with you two. And congratulations on the 
  pregnancy. Shall I assume a wedding is in the near future?"
  
  "Might be" Harm nodded.
  
  "I expect an invitation. And I better be named a godfather of one of those 
  twins since I'm the reason they were conceived. And to think if I'd taken 
  Mac away on a mission years ago there wouldn't have been all this wasted 
  time."
  
  "Well there's no more wasted time now. I can promise you that."
  
  "Good. I'm going to go check on Victor and then go back and sit with Lacey."
  
  "I think Gunny is in good hands with Carlita" Harm smiled. "You might want 
  to leave them alone. Course she's probably still wringing his neck for doing 
  what he did."
  
  "We owe him our lives" Mac said softly.
  
  "Yes we do" Clay nodded. "And I'm going to make sure that's noted with the 
  Agency. Even if it was all unofficially."
  
  "He's a good man," Harm added. "And I'll never be able to thank him enough 
  for what he did."
 
 "You could always name a baby Victor," Clay laughed and gave Mac's hand a squeeze.  
"Twins?"
 
 "Yeah."  She smiled and blushed at the same time.
 
 Clay looked to Harm, making a show of looking him up and down.  "Well Rabb I'm impressed," 
he laughed and gave his arm a clap.  I'm going to go sit with Lacey."
 
 "Uh. . .Clay just a sec," Harm spoke up.  "I owe you an apology.  Well I owe you a lot more than I 
can ever repay for taking care of my lady.  But the apology--I jumped to a total conclusion about 
the baby.  Uh--babies. About you and. . ."
 
 Clay waved his hand in dismissal before Harm could continue.  "Forget it.  She's been yours for 
a long time  now."
 
 "Thanks.  More than I can say," Harm sighed, resting his hand lightly on the top of Mac's head.
 
 Clay gave them another wave and left them alone, ambling down the corridor toward Lacey's 
room, making a stop at Gunny's.
 
 "SSSHHHH," Carlita admonished him with a quick smile.  "Sound asleep, but doing good."  
 
 "OK then I'll be back to check with you guys later.  Meanwhile, if you or he need anything, and I 
mean anything, make them let me know."
 
 Carlita smiled softly and ran her hand through the brush that was Gunny's hair.  "I think I'm good 
to go."
 
 "I'd say so."  With that he hurried to Lacey's room.
 
 She was just stirring, and when she heard the sound of the door her eyes flew open.  "Clay?"
 
 "None other," he smiled, striding towards her to grasp her outstretched hand, bringing it to his 
lips to place a small kiss in the center of her palm.  "Hi."
 
 "Hi yourself Spook.  You OK?"
 
 "Right now I'm perfect," he replied, pressing that same hand to his cheek.  "What I want to know 
is how you are."
 
 "I'm floaty," she smiled.  "But that's good.  I keep having the nicest dreams about you."
 
 "Do I come off a good guy?"
 
 "You come off a super hero.  Like you ride in on your white horse and make me yours," she 
giggled.
 
 "Uh. . .well I don't have a white horse but I will gladly make you mine," he whispered, suddenly 
all seriousness.  "Of course Simon Manchester is going to have an objection or two."
 
 "He can object all he wants.  I'm not in love with him Clayton.  If I was, would I be holding me off 
like I have been, waiting for the man I do love to notice me."
 
 "Oh he's noticed you all right," Clay sighed.  "But up until now he's been too stupid to do 
anything about it.  The question is, does the woman he loves know for sure what she wants?"
 
 "She knows exactly who she loves, and who she wants," she replied firmly.
 
 "And will she be informing Mr. Manchester of this decision?"
 
 "She most definitely will.  Most definitely."
 
 "Then there's only one thing left to do," he smiled, and his lips closed over hers, right after his 
whispered "I love you Lacey Sturvesant.  Now what's this about you being here without 
permission?"

She shrugged her shoulders.  "I had to find you.  The agency wasn't going to.  They were real 
clear on that."
    
"Lacey" he moaned.

"Well if you'd let me come with you I wouldn't have had to do this" she 
countered.

"Oh I was real glad you weren't there. I wasn't happy that Mac was mixed up 
in it but I was thanking my lucky stars you weren't. As it is you got hurt 
saving my butt which isn't something I'm going to be able to forget any time 
soon."

"You'd have done the same for me wouldn't you?" she asked.

"In a heartbeat" he answered. "Nothing would keep me from you."

"I like this new Clayton Webb. You're so decisive."

"I wish I'd been this decisive before. Maybe Simon Manchester wouldn’t think 
you belong to him."

"He'll find out the truth" Lacey sighed. "And he never had my heart because 
it always belonged to you."

"You need to rest" Clay said softly. "We'll have plenty of time to talk 
about this later. Right now you just rest and take it easy."

"You're not leaving are you?"

"Never" he smiled. "I love you Lacey. And whatever fall out comes from the 
mess I created, we'll deal with it together."

"Together" she murmured tiredly. "I like that."

"So do I" he whispered as he dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Rest honey. 
I'll be here."

******************
JAG HQ's
4 Days Later

"That's quite a story Commander" AJ said as Harm finished telling him the 
story of Mac and Clay's rescue. "Now how about an explanation as to why you 
didn't think you needed to tell me what you were doing?"

"Sir you would have tried to stop me."

"I might have."

"I would have resigned then. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to 
Mac."

"Sir you understand why he did what he did don't you?" Mac asked. "Even if 
it wasn't the smartest move he's ever made."

"Yes I do" AJ said with a small smile.

"So you're going to drop all the charges against him?" Mac asked hopefully.

"There was never any charges against him. I never reported Mr. Rabb as UA. I 
simply had him on leave. I figured there was a good reason for his 
disappearance."

"A very good reason" Harm said as he looked at Mac. "Should we tell him the 
rest?"

"Tell me what?" AJ asked.

"That I really am pregnant" Mac smiled. "With twins."

"I'm guessing the Commander is the father?"

"Yes sir and soon as I can talk her into it, I'm going to make Mac my wife" 
Harm replied.

"Good Lord I knew I should have retired" AJ laughed. "I can't imagine this 
office with you two married and having kids. Do you have any other surprises 
for me?"

"No sir.  Not right now," Harm smiled, thinking of the phone message slip on his desk.  A certain 
Mr. Webb who wanted to speak to him.  "Not right now."

THE END