**************************
  Mayport V
  
  US Naval Hospital
  Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
  
  
  The last hour had been a blur to Harm and Greg and now the two men 
both sat 
  quietly in the waiting room of the Naval Hospital. The chopper had 
come and 
  taken both Mac and Gwen while they made their way back via car. There 
was 
  still a mountain of paperwork to worry about but that would come once 
they 
  knew Mac and Gwen were okay.
  
  "She's going to die."
  
  They were the first words Greg had spoken since they'd gotten there 
and Harm 
  looked over at him with a look sigh. "Stop it. She is not. We got to 
her in 
  time."
  
  "Then why haven't we heard anything."
  
  "We will."
  
  "She wasn't ready for this assignment" Greg sighed. "And you let her 
go."
  
  Harm felt the stab of guilt at the young man's words, knowing that he 
was 
  partially right. He had sent Gwen even though she had no experience 
working 
  undercover.
  
  "Yeah I did" Harm sighed. "But she's going to be okay. I'm not going 
to 
  believe anything else."
  
  "You have more faith than I."
  
  It was several minutes before Harm spoke again. "Lt., where did you 
learn to 
  shoot like that?"
  
  "My father" Greg said quietly. "He was a Marine Corp marksman. He was 
a 
  little disappointed when I signed up for JAG."
  
  "You saved Mac's life you know. I don't know how to thank you for 
that. If 
  she'd gotten away with Mac, I don't think I'd have found Mac alive."
  
  Greg said nothing and Harm let out another long sigh. If anything 
happened 
  to Gwen, he wasn't sure what would happen to the young man beside 
him.
  
  "Commander Rabb."
  
  Harm jumped to his feet when the nurse called him and he hurried to 
the 
  desk. "Colonel Mackenzie?"
  
  "Concussion, a few bruised ribs and lots of bumps and bruises" she 
told him. 
  "But otherwise she's going to be just fine. We're going to keep her 
for a 
  few more hours for observation of course."
  
  "Thank God. Major Sauls?"
  
  "Commander Rhodes is still with her."
  
  "Is she going to be okay?" Harm asked.
  
  "I can't tell you that for sure. I know we're looking at a bad case 
of heat 
  stroke and a lot of times that can be fatal."
  
  "That's not what I needed to hear" Harm sighed.
  
  "Well we're not there yet. And hopefully we won't get there."
  
  "Can I see Colonel Mackenzie?"
  
  "Of course. I'll take you to her."
  
  "Just give me a moment please," he said before turning and making his 
way 
  back to Greg.
  
  _ 
 "Sir?" Greg gasped the second he saw Harm, searching his face for 
news.
 
 "Mac should be OK, but she'll have a little recovery to accomplish 
that, and of course I know that's not the 
news you're waiting for."
 
 "No sir but it's OK.  I care about her too.  It's just that Gwen is 
important to me. . .I mean not that the 
Colonel isn't. . .sir how long are you going to let me twist in the 
wind here?"
 
 "Until I can figure out how to tell you that. . ."
 
 "No.  No she's not dead," Greg yelped, gripping Harm's arms.
 
 "No  she's not dead," he assured the younger man quickly.  "But 
they're not making any promises either.  I 
knew you'd want me to be straight with you."
 
 "I do yes sir.  And I need to see her.  I have to be with her.  I mean 
what if she wakes up and I'm not there.  
She might think I don't care.  I don't even know if she knows I came 
for her.  She was so out of it on the 
desert."
 
 "I understand Lieutenant, and as soon as they're ready to allow her 
visitors you'll be able to do that.  So 
here's what's going to happen.  You're going to calm yourself.  You 
have a head injury yourself and I know 
it's hurting.  It's all over your face and if I can see it, you know 
she will too."
 
 "Yes sir.  I was going to ask them for something."
 
 "You do that.  And then you relax.  I'm going to check on Mac and I'll 
make sure they know they're to talk 
to you about Gwen as soon as there's news."
 
 "Thanks Harm.  You're a good friend."
 
 "And I owe you Mac's life.  I'm firmly convinced of that."  Harm 
clapped his shoulder.  "Hang tight.  I'll be 
back in a few."
 
 The nurse at the desk pointed the way to Mac's room and Harm wasted no 
time in covering the distance.  
"I swear Mackenzie I can't leave your side for a second that you don't 
get into trouble."
 
 "Hi."
 
 "Hi yourself," he replied, trying to keep his face impassive.  Her 
head was bandaged and he could make 
out the wrap around her middle under her hospital gown;  plus he knew 
he was seeing only part of the 
damage.  "You in pain?"
 
 "Oh hell no," she laughed nodding to the IV pole.  "I'm floating.  And 
I'm glad to see you.  I could really use 
a hug right now."
 
 "I'm afraid I'll hurt you."
 
 "No you won't,' she smiled and a second later was rewarded with his 
arms slipping beneath her to 
carefully bring her up to meet him.  Not only did he hug her, albeit 
carefully, he touched his lips to hers, 
leaving a long but gentle kiss there.
 
 "I love your bedside manner," she smiled.  "Now tell me what happened 
and how I got here and Gwen--oh 
my God Gwen is she OK?"
 
 "Slow down Colonel Concussion," he ordered, taking her hands in his as 
he sat down.  "First you.  You 
jumped in the car to stop Lt. Hennessy.  Do you remember that?"
 
 Her face was blank for a moment.  "Yeah I do.  She asked if she could 
relieve herself and I said why not.  
Wow.  Talk about stupid."
 
 "Well you couldn't have known she would take off.  And if she had gone 
very far into that countryside the 
local banditos would have made short work of both of you for that 
vehicle."
 
 "Where is she now?"
 
 Harm smiled and shook his head, still amazed.  "You would not believe 
what our young Lieutenant did.  
He took her out Mac.  Stood up, remained calm, and took her out.  And 
I'm convinced saved your life."
 
 "I should thank him."
 
 "I have.  Believe me I have."
 
 "Then what?" 
 
 Harm shuddered slightly, remembering the car catching fire as it hit 
and rolled over.  "I pulled you out 
before it blew."
 
  Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/01/2004 7:37:21 PM Central Standard Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 "You saved my life too? I owe both you and Greg."
 
 "Yeah well there wasn't much of a thought on my part" Harm sighed. "I 
knew 
 what I had to do and I did it."
 
 "Thanks partner" Mac said softly. "Harm now tell me about Gwen. How is 
she?"
 
 "They won't really say," he admitted and at once a distressed look 
came over 
 her face.
 
 "She's not going to die. Please tell me she's not."
 
 "I'm not going there and neither are you. We just need to have faith 
that 
 she's going to pull through. She's strong and healthy and hopefully we 
got 
 there in time."
 
 "How did you get us back here?"
 
 "I called in a favor from Brewster. I had a chopper meet us at the 
line and 
 had you and Gwen flown here."
 
 "How's Greg?"
 
 "Worried like we are" Harm sighed. "He has a lot of feelings for her 
you 
 know."
 
 "She has to be okay Harm" Mac said softly. "It's our fault she was 
here. We 
 shouldn't have send her down here if we weren't sure she could handle 
it."
 
 "Yeah well we can second guess ourselves forever and it won't change 
 anything. Right now I'm still holding on to her being okay."
 
 Mac nodded and leaned tiredly against the pillow. "This has been one 
hell of 
 a day sailor."
 
 "Yes it has. And when you're feeling better, you and I are going to 
have a 
 talk about why you went with LeShard alone."
 
 "I tried to call you. And all I was worried about was finding Gwen."
 
 "And almost got yourself killed in the process."
 
 "I had no idea he would do that" Mac sighed. "I thought he was 
honestly 
 giving himself up. And now that I think about it I actually owe you 
for 
 saving my life twice."
 
 "Well I kind of like having you in my life" Harm said with a small 
smile.
 
 "Harm can you go check on Gwen please? I really want to know if she's 
going 
 to be okay. Not to mention Greg probably needs you more than I do 
right 
 now."
 
 "I'll check on Gwen. But then I'm coming back to you."
 
 "Why?'
 
 "Because I'm hoping by now he's with Gwen" Harm sighed. "Hang tight 
Marine. 
 I'll be right back."
 
 He dropped another kiss on her forehead before making his way back to 
the 
 desk.
 
 "Look I really need some word on Major Sauls," he said to the nurse. 
 "Please. Is she going to be okay?"
 
 "I just took the young man that was waiting for news about her back to 
see 
 her" she informed him.
 
 "So she's going to be okay?"
 
 There was enough of a hesitation on her part that Harm immediately 
feared 
 the worst. "She's not is she" he gasped. "She's going to die."
 
 "Hey no. At least we're not giving up that easily on her."
  
"Isn't there a crumb of good news I can take to Colonel Mackenzie.  
She's not going to rest until she knows 
the Major has at least got a fighting chance."

"We're reducing her temperature.  That much at least is working.  Of 
course the concern is for organ 
damage.  Kidneys, heart, liver--all those good things the body needs to 
work at top form--well in that kind 
of eat they kind of stew in their own juice."

Harm wrinkled his nose, swallowing hard.  "So what's the plan?"

"To get her temperature back to normal, and then monitor her vitals 
which will give us some indication if 
there's any damage we need to be concerned about."

"That's the best I'm going to get isn't it?"

"From me yes sir," she smiled softly.  "Honestly we're just in a 
waiting game right now with Major Sauls."

"Can I ask a favor?"

"Yes sir. Long as I can say no way in hell."

"No this is pretty easy.  The young Lieutenant that's sitting with her.  
They're pretty close."

"No kidding," she giggled.

"Yeah I know," Harm nodded.  "Could you make sure he's given a little 
hope.  Not false hope of course but 
he needs something to hang his hat on."

"Right away."

"Thanks."  Harm gave her one of his best smiles and returned to Mac's 
side.

"Good.  There you are.  Get me out of here."

"Do I look like your doctor," he grinned.

"Actually no.  Not the one who was in here earlier.  He was about 
thirty, dark hair, had that Latino thing 
going."

"Sorry.  You want me to get him back?"

"Only if he's got my discharge papers."

"You are at your duty station my dear," he grinned again.  "That 
bandage wrapped around your head isn't 
making a fashion statement."

"We have a case to wrap up."

"Yes we have a few loose ends to take care of," he allowed, thinking of 
the situation just outside the 
fenceline.  "But yours truly--Super St. Rabb--is going to handle it as 
soon as I know everything is OK here."

"Is Greg with Gwen?"

"Yeah.  They let him go back and be with her."

"Then I want you to go and report back to me," she ordered.  "I need to 
know she's OK.  Him too.  I 
imagine he's pretty upset."

"He'll deal.  With our help if necessary."
  Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/03/2004 4:50:34 PM Central Standard Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 
 "Harm put yourself in his place."
 
 He did that and at once a shudder came over him. He couldn't even 
think 
 about being in that position. To not know if the person you cared so 
much 
 about was going to live or die.
 
 "Okay I'll go," he said finally. "But I'll be back."
 
 "Yes you will. I want to know first hand how she is."
 
 "Only if you promise to rest while I'm gone. Concussions are nothing 
to play 
 with Colonel."
 
 "Fine I'm resting. And you're going."
 
 Harm made his way down the hall to where Gwen was and with a deep 
breath 
 made his way inside the room. Greg was at her bedside, motionless.
 
 "Greg."
 
 He turned around at Harm's words and Harm felt a wavy of sympathy for 
the 
 young man. The distraught look on his face told Harm exactly how he 
felt.
 
 "I'm really scared for her," Greg said softly.
 
 "Yeah well don't be giving up on her yet," Harm said as he put a 
gentle hand 
 on his shoulder. "She's stronger than you think."
 
 "Sir if she doesn't live, it's over. JAG and the Navy I mean."
 
 "Well seeing as how that's not going to happen, let's not even go 
there. 
 You're giving up way to quickly on your partner. I have a lot more 
faith in 
 her and the Man upstairs."
 
 "I haven't tried that yet" Greg sighed.
 
 "Maybe it's time you did. It sure won't hurt."
 
 The nurse came into the room to check Gwen's vitals and she gave them 
a 
 small ray of hope.
 
 "We're getting her temperature down. Another couple degrees and she'll 
be 
 back to normal. Then it's just a matter of seeing if there's any 
damage to 
 her organs."
 
 "She might be okay?" Greg dared ask.
 
 "I can't tell you that for sure but you being here is sure helping" 
she 
 smiled before walking out.
 
 "I'm afraid to even believe that" Greg whispered.
 
 "Well try believing it and maybe it'll happen. In the meantime I need 
to go 
 report back to a Marine before she comes down here herself. You going 
to be 
 okay? I still have that mess outside the fence line to deal with."
 
 "Sir I'm willing to take full responsibility for what I did."
 
 "I'm sure you are but nothing you did was wrong.  And I'll make sure 
that 
 everyone sees it that way. You saved Mac's life. That's all there is 
to it."
 
 "I'm just wish I could have done more for Gwen," he said softly.
 
 "You're here with her. That's what she needs. That and some good old 
 fashioned praying."

"I haven't stopped sir.  How about you?  Are you and Him tight?"

"We have an intimate acquaintance when I'm in the cockpit," Harm 
sighed.  "He and I talk all the time.  
Well actually that's not quite right.  I talk and beg him to listen.  
From there.  Unfortunately I'm one of those 
crisis pray-ers.  When everything is fine I don't go there.  But like 
earlier when that car overturned, you can 
be sure I was calling His name."

"Yes sir.  I was raised in church and Sunday School so prayer is kind 
of ingrained.  But right now I'm not 
sure it's doing the job."

"Well it can't hurt now can it," Harm smiled and dropped a comforting 
hand on his shoulder.  "Earlier Mac 
asked me to put myself in your place and that made it really hit me 
what you're going through here.  I'm so 
sorry son."

"I just want her to be OK."

"Yeah I know."

"She's going to need some time to get better once we get her home."

"And she'll have it," Harm assured him.  "And her favorite partner to 
nurse her."

Yes sir thank you."

Harm clapped his shoulder again and reached past him to touch Gwen's 
cheek.  "She's a special lady--not 
just to you."

"Thank you.  That helps sir.  And thanks for taking the time to talk to 
me.  Most COs wouldn't bother."

"Mac and I think a lot of you guys, just in the short time we've known 
you," he shrugged.  "Plus I'm firmly 
convinced that if Hennesy had been allowed to take Mac into the Cuban 
countryside, I never would have 
seen her again."

"Yes sir.  In hindsight I might have done something less drastic, but I 
don't really have any regrets."

"Nor do I, and the report will reflect a favorable action," Harm 
nodded.

Before Greg could answer, Gwen moaned softly, and began to stir 
restlessly on the mattress.

"Easy honey, I'm right here," Greg assured her at once, bending over 
her closely, not sure if she was 
awake or moaning in her unconscious state.

"I'm leaving her in your hands," Harm told him.  "I'll check back with 
you after."

"Yes sir thank you," he mumbled, his concentration on his partner.
  Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/04/2004 1:36:23 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 "Yes sir thank you," he mumbled, his concentration on his partner.
 
 Harm returned back to Mac's room, where she was anxiously awaiting his 
 return.
 
 "How is she?" she asked at once.

 "Well her temperature is going down" Harm told her. "And that's the 
first 
 real good sign we've had so far."
 
 "So she's going to be okay?"
 
 "Well I've left Greg with the task of praying but I've been doing my 
own 
 share as well."
 
 "I just want her to be okay" Mac sighed.
 
 "I know. So do I. And she will be. But unfortunately I need to go take 
care 
 of the administrative nightmare that I left with Brewster."
 
 "You have to go?"
 
 "I do honey," he said softly. "I don't want to but at the same time 
someone 
 needs to explain what the heck happened out there. And seeing as how 
you're 
 not going anywhere and neither are Greg and Gwen, I need to take care 
of 
 it."
 
 "I understand."
 
 "I promise I'll be back as soon as I can. And I want you to promise me 
that 
 you'll be resting and taking it easy while I'm gone. I don't want to 
come 
 back and hear you've been giving the nurses a hard time."
 
 "I won't. Honestly I just want to sleep but I'm worried about Gwen."
 
 "She's in good hands honey. Just rest and I'll promise I'll be back." 
He 
 leaned down and kissed her lips and she smiled slightly.
 
 "What was that for?"
 
 "To let you know how important you are to me" he smiled.  "Rest 
Marine. I'll 
 be back soon."
 
 Harm headed to the NCIS office where Colonel Brewster was waiting for 
him.
 
 "Commander you left one mess out there" he sighed. "I hope you're 
going to 
 tell me why there's a burned out car with a dead woman just outside 
the 
 fence line."
 
 "The dead woman is Lt. Hennessey."
 
 "What? The one that was being stalked."
 
 "She wasn't being stalked. She made it all up to get back at Lt. 
Conover. 
 Only Major Sauls found out and Lt. Hennessey decided to take her out 
to the 
 desert and leave her to die. Mac found out that Captain LaShard was 
involved 
 with Lt. Hennessey and he agreed to take her to where Major Sauls was. 
Lt. 
 Milay and myself had convinced Lt. Hennessey to tell us where Major 
Sauls 
 was."
 
 "And so you all met up in the desert."
 
 "Lt. Milay and I arrived just as Captain LaShard was about to shoot 
Colonel 
 Mackenzie. That's when I shot him. While I was attending to Captain 
LaShard, 
 Lt. Hennessey decided to try and be smart and escape. She got Colonel 
 Mackenzie in the car and if Lt. Milay hadn't shot Lt. Hennessey, they 
would 
 have gotten away and Colonel Mackenzie would have been dead for sure."
 
 "Commander you couldn't possibly be making this up" Yancy sighed. 
"This is 
 the most incredible story I've heard."
 
 "Well Lt. Milay and Colonel Mackenzie can corroborate it" Harm told 
him. 
 "Except that they're at still at the hospital."
  

"How are the patients doing?"

"Colonel Mackenzie is recovering from a concussion and I thank God 
she's not any worse.  Bumps and 
bruises that will heal.  Maj. Sauls had an episode of heat stroke and 
they're cautiously optimistic."

Yancy smiled softly.  "And young Lt. Milay?  Obviously his partner is 
pretty important to him?"

"The boy has a lot to learn, and some growing up to do," Harm allowed.  
"On the other hand, he's got a lot 
going for him.  As his CO, I can cut him some slack.  Just as the JAG 
has done for me for the past eight 
years.  He's overlooked some things that would drive a man to send me 
on a long mission off a short pier."

"You're kind of a legend,' Yancy grinned.  "You know how stories get 
passed."

"Please don't," he groaned.  "Now how can I help you?  With the mess we 
made I mean."

"You're going to have to write one helluva report for one thing," Yancy 
smiled.  "But then you already knew 
that.  I'll need statements from all concerned.  Including LaShard.  
Have you checked on him?"

"Honestly I wasn't that concerned but I'm sure he's fine.  I only 
incapacitated the jerk."

"You didn't take a kill shot?"

Harm gave a sheepish shrug.  "I'm afraid I'm only good enough to hit 
what I'm aiming at.  I can't promise 
where.  All I saw when I fired was the guy about to take a shot at 
Mac."

"Well we'll need all that in writing.  "You willing to get your hands a 
little dirty?  I've got some people 
securing the scene with orders not to go past the fenceline no matter 
what.  But that's not going to get that 
area cleaned up."

"Of course I'll come.  What's the dress code for an illegal operation 
on Cuban land?  I didn't bring fatigues."

"I've got some.  Thank you for volunteering."

"You're welcome.  You'll want to check back with the hospital and then 
lets say an hour back here?"

Harm nodded his agreement.  "Thanks for recognizing I need to have some 
time."
=========
His first stop was Gwen's room and to his amazement, she was propped 
halfway up in bed, her eyes open.  
Not to his surprise at all, Greg was at her side, his hand resting on 
her forehead.

"Major you're looking better," Harm smiled.  "And Lieutenant so are 
you."

"Yes sir thank you," he sighed.  "She's awake and knows me and they're 
still doing tests but she's a lot 
better."

"I'm glad.  Very relieved.  Listen, Commander Brewer needs some help 
cleaning up the mess.  I'm going 
and I'd like you to come but I'm not going to order you.  If it was Mac 
that sick, I might demand to be left 
alone at her side."

"Yeah.  Yes sir.  Unless she takes a bad turn I'll come help.  Of 
course."

"OK.  Hang loose and I'll give you holler when we're ready to go.  Gwen 
I'm glad you're doing better."

"Yes sir, thank you," she called softly, her voice strained and weak.

 "Mac will be happy for the news."

He turned to his partner.  "Hey beautiful.  I just came from Gwen.  
She's turning the corner they think."

"Thank you for that 'beautiful' comment.  I want to see her."

"What?"

"You got peanut butter in your ears mister?  Take me to see her." Subj:	
Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/05/2004 4:13:06 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 "Mac you're supposed to be resting."
 
 "Harm I have been resting all afternoon. I want to see Gwen and I want 
to 
 see her now. And if you don't take me to her I'm going to raise a huge 
 fuss."
 
 "Okay okay. Let me get a wheelchair and then we'll go."
 
 "I'm walking. Just help me out of this bed."
 
 "You are the most stubborn individual I have ever met" Harm muttered 
as she 
 started to sit up. At once he was at her side, his arm going around 
her as 
 she swung her feet over the side of the bed.
 
 "Besides yourself of course" she countered with a small smile. Her 
feet 
 touched the ground a moment later and she was grateful for his arm 
while she 
 steadied herself.
 
 "You're not okay."
 
 "I am. But after laying there for so long, I just need a moment."
 
 "You need to be in bed" he fretted.
 
 "I'm fine," she said after a deep breath that cleared her fuzzy head. 
"Let's 
 just take it slow."
 
 "How's the ribs?"
 
 "Hurting" she admitted with a small grimace. "And don't you dare say 
again 
 that I need a wheelchair. I'll be fine."
 
 "I could just pick you up and carry you" he sighed.
 
 "Yeah and you'll regret it. I may not be my best Commander but you are 
not 
 going to carry me to Gwen's room."
 
 "Understood. I'll just keep my arms ready for when you fall."
 
 She gave him a long glare and they slowly made their way down the hall 
to 
 Gwen's room.
 
 "Mac what are you doing up" Greg gasped when he saw her.
 
 "Visiting my people" she answered. "I needed to make sure you two were 
okay. 
 I see you're doing okay but Gwen was my real concern."
 
 "She's doing a lot better than before," Greg said as he stood up and 
 motioned Mac to take the chair. "But she's still really weak."
 
 "Mac" Gwen murmured as she looked up at her superior officer.
 
 "Major nice to have you back with us" Mac smiled. "You really know how 
to 
 freak us out don't you."
 
 "Sorry. I thought I had it under control."
 
 "Well it's over and not your concern anymore" Mac assured her. "You 
getting 
 better is all that matters. That and your partner getting over the 
stroke 
 he's been having since you vanished. He's been a little frantic."
 
 "I didn't mean to worry everyone" Gwen sighed.
 
 "It's okay. Don't even think about it. Everyone is going to be fine 
and 
 that's all that matters."
 
 "Greg I think this is our cue to get out of here" Harm spoke up. "If 
you 
 want to come."
 
 "Where are you going?" Mac demanded. "I though you said Yancy was 
taking 
 care of everything."
 
 "He needs our help with something that's our responsibility."
 
 "What?"
 
 "The mess we left outside the fence line" Harm sighed. "Look it'll be 
fine. 
 You just sit here with Gwen and relax and Greg and I will be back 
shortly."
 
 "Harm be careful" Mac frowned. "That's not US territory. We weren't 
even 
 supposed to be there."
 
 "I know. And that's why I can't let Yancy handle it alone."
  
"I suppose.  You just hear horrible stories about Americans caught 
outside the fence line--banditos and 
worse."

"Which is why Greg used deadly force to stop the desertion of an 
American Naval Officer which also 
included the kidnapping of another officer."

"Be careful," she begged again, and he leaned down and kissed her lips 
very softly. 

"Promise.  Lieutenant say your good-byes and lets go.  Sooner we do 
this, sooner we get back."

"Aye sir."  Greg leaned over Gwen's bed, pressing his cheek to hers.  
"You be here when I get back 
Major."

"Not going anywhere.  Thank you for caring," she whispered, and with 
just a slight movement of her head, 
their lips met, barely brushing in their first gentle kiss.

"You know I do," he told her, his voice cracking slightly with emotion 
and then the was gone, Harm 
hurrying after him.

"You guys are sweet together," Mac smiled when they were alone.

"Yes ma'am."

"Gwen do not ma'am me when I'm sitting her in a gown wherein the 
mystery is over and this stupid 
bandage around my head."

"OK but I really don't do it enough when we're in uniform.  Not a good 
habit to get in.  Mac, are they going 
to be OK?" she asked hesitantly.  "That they're going outside scares 
me."

"Let's not think about it," Mac said firmly.  "They'll be back soon and 
then we can go home.  Right now my 
own bed is sounding really good."

Two hours later a very dirty pair of officers returned to the hospital.  
Mac had put a movie on but Gwen was 
not able to stay awake and she herself was dozing.  That is until she 
felt a warm heavy hand on her 
shoulder.

"Why did you not have them take you back to bed," Harm demanded. 

"I was waiting up," she whispered sheepishly.

"Cute Marine.  Up you come."

"Harm I can walk."

"No you can't.  And if you could see yourself at this moment you'd know 
how foolish you just sounded.  So 
it's me or a chair."

"Humiliation A or Humiliation B," she murmured and before she could say 
anything further he had her up in 
his arms.  

"Just go with it Colonel.  A few seconds more.  I'm the one suffering 
here."

"What?  Rabb are you calling me. . . Now who's being cute."

"Well at least it got you to wake up."

"Now put me down, tuck me in and go get some rest Commander.  You talk 
about my appearance.  You 
need a shower."

"I do not."

"Have you been sniffing jet fumes?  Round up young Mr. Milay and both 
of you go shower and get some 
rest.  I don't want to see either of you before breakfast and if you 
show your faces before that time I'm 
going to report you to security."


  
  ***********************
  Forty Eight Hours Later
  
  "If I never see Gitmo again I'll be a happy man" Greg sighed as he 
helped 
  Gwen aboard the plane that would take them back to Mayport.
  
  "I hear you sailor," she said with a small smile. "Not somewhere I 
ever want 
  to come back to if I don't have to. "
  
  "All I can say is at least we're not doing the ride home in a Hornet" 
Mac 
  said as she followed behind them.
  
  "You came down in a Hornet?" Greg gasped. "No way."
  
  "With Harm at the controls. We had no choice. We needed to find out 
what was 
  going on right away. We couldn't wait for the regular flight. And of 
course 
  Harm will take any opportunity he can to fly."
  
  "Sir I didn't realize you could fly Hornet's too" Greg commented. "I 
thought 
  you were only Tomcats."
  
  "A little side training I got while I was at the Agency" Harm smiled. 
"And 
  don't let Mac fool you. She loved the ride down here."
  
  "Yeah right."
  
  "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble," Gwen said softly. "Greg got 
arrested 
  because of me. And you two had to drop everything and come down 
here."
  
  "Fortunately we've smoothed out most of Mr. Milay's problems" Harm 
told her. 
  "Of course he still has a little explaining as to why he didn't just 
tell us 
  what was going on."
  
  "Sir if it was Mac what would you have done?"
  
  "Hijacked the Hornet instead of asking to use it" Harm admitted.
  
  "You are scary sometimes sailor" Mac sighed. "You aren't serious are 
you?"
  
  "Of course I am. If you were in trouble, I'd do whatever it took to 
get to 
  you. Including hijacking a forty-million dollar plane."
  
  "Uh I didn't hear you say that."
  
  "No you didn't" he smiled. "But it's true. And enough of that. Let's 
go home 
  people."
  
  Gwen slept most of the ride home and when they set down at Mayport, 
Greg 
  gently shook her awake.
  
  "We're home."
  
  "Thank God" she murmured. "And I'm sorry for sleeping on you the 
whole time"
  
  "You're still not totally well. They should have kept you another 
day."
  
  "I'm just tired. Which I will be for a while."
  
  "Which is why we won't see your face at JAG until next week" Harm 
told her. 
  "You either Mr. Milay. Mac and I will get things sorted out in the 
meantime. 
  Our new people will be starting so that's going to help a lot."
  
  "I can come in and help out" Greg offered.
  
  "Take care of the Major" Harm smiled. "We've got it under control."
  
  "Yes sir.  I'm going to consider that an order."
 
 "It was.  Take her home and take care of each other.  I'm going to do 
the same with the Colonel here who 
by the way will be the one not at her desk tomorrow."
 
 "I'm too tired to argue," Mac smiled.  "But that's only for tonight.  
Good night guys."
 
 "Good night Ma'am," Greg called and Gwen smiled softly, not trusting 
her voice at that moment.
 ===========
 "I have to admit I wasn't sure I was going to see this place again," 
Mac sighed when Harm pulled into the 
driveway between the two cabins.  "Feels like we've been gone for 
forever."
 
 "Yes it does, and right now you look like you swam most of the way 
home.  Into bed with you Colonel."
 
 "Harm are you going to stop fussing over me?"
 
 "Probably not any time soon.  I'm still seeing that car flip over with 
you inside it.  So you're going to have 
to indulge me just a little please."
 
 "Right.  Well I'm not going to bed."
 
 "Do I have to make an ugly face?" he growled.
 
 "How would I tell?"
 
 "Cute.  Compromise.  Sofa and I fix us something good to eat.
 
 "I'm so there.  But you know my fridge."
 
 "Yes unfortunately I do.  I have soup stuff while I'll get while you 
get into your PJs."
 
 "What PJs?"
 
 "Again--cute.  You'll be OK?"
 
 "Fine."  She took a long breath and added, "you'll be right there?"
 
 "Of course I will.  Where did that come from?"
 
 "Oh don't mind me.  I'm must be tired to be that needy and clingy."
 
 "Yeah.  You get your six inside.  I'll see you in a few."  He waited 
while she let herself in, making sure she 
was safe behind the door before he went into his cabin.
 
 Inside, Mac flipped on the lights and started for the bedroom.  
Passing the counter that divided the kitchen 
area she stopped short.  There was something there that had not been 
there before.  A folded piece of 
heavy paper rested on the counter top.  A handwriting she did not 
recognize sending her a short, terse 
message.  "Thanks for nothing".  She frowned and stared for a moment 
and then she knew.  Brady Frost.  
Upset over being stood up, he was venting his anger.  Angrily she 
crumpled the paper and heaved it 
across the small kitchen before going to the bedroom.  Next stop the 
bathroom and she blessed the large 
tub as it filled with hot water.  She needed that bath.  Her aching 
ribs would be grateful.  Tomorrow she 
would speak to Brady about being in her place, landlord or no.
 
 "Mac I'm back."  Harm's welcome voice reached her ten minutes later.  
"You OK?"
 
 "No I'm drowning myself actually."
 
 "Well don't let me interrupt.  I'll be in the kitchen making soup.  
And cleaning up a little."
 
 "Hey we left in a hurry.  So I'm not Suzie Homemaker."
 
 He carried the few dirty dishes to the sink and the crumpled paper, 
resting on top of a dirty plate, caught 
his eye at once.
 
 He was still holding it, his fist closed around it so hard his 
knuckles where white, when she emerged, her 
hair wet and slicked back and wrapped in a terry robe.  "What's with 
you?" she demanded when she saw  
his face.
 
 "Mac what the hell is this?"
 
 "Ah.  I see you found my little missive from Mr. Frost.  At least I 
assume it's from him."
 
 "Mac this is a threat."
 
 "No.  It's Brady being upset about me not telling him we had to leave.  
I'll straighten him out when I'm not 
so tired I'm barely coherent."
 
 "This guy is trouble Mac."
 
 "Harm I'll handle him.  Right now I'm more disturbed by the fact that 
he thought nothing of coming in here."
 
 His eyes narrowed.  "I'm installing a lock on that door tomorrow.  
He's not just going to be able to waltz in 
and out of here, even if he does own these cabins.  Being renters gives 
us rights too."
 
 "Whatever," she sighed tiredly.  "I believe I was promised soup?  
Which smells wonderful already by the 
way.  You're awfully good to me."
  Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/09/2004 10:58:47 AM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 "I try" he smiled. "Sit. You look beat and that's why I'm here. To 
take care 
 of you."
 
 "Well it does feel nice to have that for a change."
 
 After dinner she invited him to the living room and it was over coffee 
that 
 the subject of Brady came up again.
 
 "Mac I really don't like the idea of this guy having access to your 
place" 
 Harm frowned. "And I am changing your locks tomorrow."
 
 "Well I'm going to mention to him that it was inappropriate of him to 
come 
 in here when I wasn't around."
 
 "Obviously he was rather upset about his canceled date."
 
 "It wasn't really a date" Mac sighed. "We were going out. He might be 
 mistaking it for more than it is."
 
 "Maybe you need to clarify that. Before he gets anymore ideas."
 
 "Look I'll handle Brady. Not your problem."
 
 "He is if he's leaving you notes like that" Harm sighed. "I don't like 
it."
 
 "I know but I'll handle it. Now can we talk about something else 
please?"
 
 "Like the fact that you're going to stay home tomorrow while I go make 
sure 
 the office is still in one piece" Harm smiled. "And then we'll see how 
 you're doing."
 
 "You do take good care of me" she smiled softly. "Thanks. I'm not sure 
I 
 said it before but I really do owe you. You saved my life twice down 
there."
 
 "Having you still around is all the thanks I need" he whispered. "You 
know 
 both times I just did what I had to do. I didn't even think about what 
might 
 happen. All I knew is I couldn't lose you."
 
 "Why?"
 
 "Because you mean a lot to me Sarah Mackenzie" Harm murmured before 
leaning 
 closer to her for a kiss. "And I never want to know what my life would 
be 
 without you."
 
 They kissed gently and Mac smiled slightly when they parted. "What was 
that 
 for?"
 
 "Just because" he smiled. "And now I'm going to let you get some rest. 
 Though now that I think about it, I'm not sure I like leaving you 
alone 
 knowing Brady has free access to this place."
 
 "Harm I'll be fine."
 
 "How about I go get my clothes and spend the night on your sofa" he 
 countered. "That way I'll sleep better and probably so will you."
 
 "I was going to sleep fine anyway" she smiled.
 
 "Mac I'm serious."
 
 "Okay fine. Go get your stuff. But we'll share the bed. No way am I 
letting 
 you kill you back on the sofa."
 
 "The sofa will work fine."
 
 "Harm I'm serious."
 
 "Fine. I'll share your bed" he smiled. "I'll be back in five."
  

"What are you going to get?" she demanded with playful suspicion.

"The suitcase full of sex toys I forgot when we went to Cuba," he 
laughed.  "On second thought I've got 
boxers and an undershirt on.  What more do I need."

"Well now I don't know.  What do you normally sleep in and never mind I 
don't want to know."

"Good.  Get in there and save me a space and don't hog the blanket.  
It's getting chilly in here without the 
heat."

"You're going to what?"

"I'm going to walk around outside and then come in and make sure we're 
locked up and no I don't need 
any help."

"Knock yourself out.  I'll be in bed.  You'll know me--the one who 
couldn't keep her eyes open."

Harm walked outside and took a long look through the trees.  He could 
make out the lights of Brady's 
trailer and he stared for a moment.  "Frost I don't know what your game 
is," he finally murmured.   "But if 
you cause her hurt in any way. . . ."  He left the spoken threat 
unfinished though it was very clear in his 
mind.  Plus, it was better delivered in person, which he intended to 
accomplish at some point the following 
day.  

When he stepped back inside he locked the door and put a chair up under 
it.  A quick look around satisfied 
himself they were safe and he crawled into her bed.  "You weren't 
kidding about being asleep," he 
whispered.

"Nope.  About the time my head hit the pillow," she mumbled.  "Good 
night Harm."

"Good night."  He reached over and tentatively touched his palm to her 
cheek, leaving it there for a 
moment.  She gave a long contented sigh and her breathing evened out 
almost at once as she fell further 
into that delicious state of almost sleep.

Then it came.  Like a bolt of lightning except this was as soft as a 
gentle sigh.  He swore to himself he 
heard it.  He was not imagining--or wishing--it.  "Love you."

He froze in place, not daring to move.  Had she really said that? Was 
she even awake to have said that?  
Did she mean it?  And what was an appropriate response?  Not that his 
own feelings were in question, just 
whether she wanted him to answer her.  

The moment was lost a few seconds later.  She was most definitely 
asleep, and short of waking her up and 
demanding that she repeat herself, there was nothing more to be done.  
He sank back onto his pillow, flat 
on his back and staring at the ceiling.  Two hours later he was still 
staring.  Finally he managed to drop off, 
but it was a restless sleep, haunted by all that they had been through.  
Missed chances, blown 
opportunities.  

"I would."  Too late.  She had left the cabin.  Aboard the Guadalcanal.  
He had traveled halfway around the 
world and when she pinned him down and he answered her--by the time he 
found his will and his tongue--
the moment had passed.

"Is that how long we're going to wait?"  Another boat.  This time a 
ferry, also on the other side of the world.  
Starting from the second he saw Brumby's ring on her finger forty-eight 
hours later he done a rewind of 
that moment hundreds of times.  And always he was different.  

"What I want most Mac is to never lose you."  No water involved this 
time.  He was trying so hard to 
convey his feelings.  And he had his chance scant minutes later when 
she stood at the doorway after the 
heated kiss they had exchanged.  All he had to do was say 'Sarah stop.  
We're going to fix this right now'.  

He was already awake when the alarm on his watch sounded, and Mac 
stirred as well.  "Keep your seat 
Colonel.  You're standing down today remember."

She snuggled deeper into her pillow.  "Right now a few more hours does 
sound nice.  Thank you."

"I'll just make sure the place is still intact and then I'll come back.  
I'm concerned about Brady though."

"Harm he's not the reincarnation of Ted Bundy.  When I see him I'm 
going to calmly tell him I don't want 
him in here when I'm not home."

"He may be getting that message twice," he growled.  "Speaking of 
messages. . ."  His voice trailed off as 
his courage failed.  No way could he bring up what she had mumbled last 
night.  

"Yeah?"

He shook his head and did the only thing he could do at that moment.  
He lied.  "Not important.  Never 
mind"
Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/10/2004 4:45:12 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 "Harm something's on your mind."
 
 "Nothing. You get some rest. I'm going to make sure the place is still 
 around and then I'll be back. Meanwhile I want you to keep this door 
locked 
 while I'm gone."
 
 "Yes sir" she murmured. "I'm sorry I'm not going in with you."
 
 "I can handle it. You sleep. I'll be back with lunch later. Provided 
the 
 office isn't lost in a mountain of paperwork."
 
 "I'm sure Marquest has handled it" Mac sighed.
 
 *****************
 "Sir thank God" Peter sighed when Harm walked into the JAG office. 
"You have 
 no idea how glad I am to see you. This place has been a disaster since 
you 
 left. Myers has been sick all week and I've been running this place 
alone. 
 Tell me everyone is coming back soon."
 
 "What happened to Myers?" Harm frowned.
 
 "Chicken pox sir. His little girl got it and then he came down with 
it."
 
 "You know I'd swear there's a black cloud hanging over this place. And 
 unfortunately I'm all you get today. The Colonel and the Major are 
both 
 still recovering from Gitmo and I've given the Lt. off to see that the 
Major 
 is taken care of."
 
 "Are they okay sir?"
 
 "They'll both be fine" Harm assured him. "A few days of R&R is all 
they 
 need. So what's the most earth shattering thing I need to take care 
of?"
 
 "Everything."
 
 "Marquest" Harm groaned. "I'm serious. Order of priority please."
 
 "Yes sir. Let me see what I can do."
 
 **********************
 Gwen's Apartment
 Same Time
 
 It was Greg's face that greeted Gwen the next morning and she smiled 
 slightly when she saw the tray of food he'd brought in.
 
 "Morning. How are you feeling?"
 
 "Better. And that smells wonderful."
 
 "Just some French toast and eggs for you. I thought you might be 
hungry. You 
 crashed last night before I could make you anything."
 
 "I am," she admitted. "Thanks. I hope you slept okay last night. I 
know my 
 sofa isn't the best."
 
 "No it was fine," he said as he sat down on the edge of the bed while 
she 
 ate. "Besides I didn't sleep much anyway. I wanted to make sure I was 
awake 
 in case you needed me."
 
 "Greg I'm okay now."
 
 "I know. It'll just take some time to get past everything that 
happened."
 
 "For me too" she said with a small sigh. "And you know you don't have 
to sit 
 around here with me all day. I'm sure Harm could use you at the 
office."
 
 "I have orders to take care of you. Which is what I'm going to do. 
Unless 
 you have some objection to that."
 
 "You saved my life. Why would I object to having you around?"
 
 "I didn't really" Greg sighed. "It was more Harm and Mac. I would 
still be 
 in the brig if it wasn't for them."
  

"Did you maybe let your heart rule your head?" she asked gently and 
when he did not reply she reached to 
turn his head toward her so that she was looking into his eyes.  "Did 
you?"

"Yeah I did.  Suddenly there wasn't anything more important than 
finding you."

"You're sweet," she smiled.  "I just wish I hadn't messed up so much on 
my first assignment.  I had it all 
figured out.  I just hadn't had a chance to do something with the 
information."

"At least you lived to fight again," he told her seriously, cupping her 
cheek with his palm.

"Sappy Lieutenant.  Very sappy."

"But you love that I care don't you?"

"Of course I do," she replied, leaning into his hand.  "And I love 
having you here taking care of me but I 
don't want them to think they can do without us."

"Not gonna happen.  And we have new people coming in too that will help 
us get out from under.  I plan to 
sick them with every crappy research job I've hated."

She giggled at that.  "Way to become really well liked."

"You think the guy is cute don't you?"

"No."

"Liar."

"Well I noticed your eyes followed the woman all the way to the door."

"Looking honey, looking.  All men look.  It's genetic."

"So is being an ass," she laughed and before he knew what was happening 
she had grabbed hold of his 
outstretched arm and rolled him across the bed with her.  "Uncle 
Lieutenant, say it.  Uncle," she gasped 
out between gales of laughter.

"Only because you're not well enough to be wrestling," he laughed as 
well, pinning her with gentle ease.  
He loomed over her, watching carefully for any sign of distress as her 
breathing calmed down.

"I'm OK.  Don't worry about me so much."

"Not gonna happen," he laughed softly and leaned down to gently kiss 
her.  

"You're a very sweet man Gregory Milay," she whispered softly.  "I want 
you to be part of my life for a long 
time to come."

"I'm not going anywhere," he assured her.  "No where at all."
===============
"Marquest."

"Sir."  Peter halted his progress across the office floor and turned to 
look to Harm.

"I am now at lunch.  The Colonel asked me to bring some files to her 
anyway to look over so I'm going to 
do that.  You've got the con."

"Oh aye aye sir thank you."

"Yeah well don't go power hungry.  I'll be back at 1430."

He turned into the driveway of Pelican Bay and hit the brakes.  It was 
his lucky day.  The man he wanted a 
word with was in the middle of the street directing a plumber's truck.  
He pulled in behind and tapped the 
horn.  "Frost.  I need to speak to you," he called sharply.
Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/11/2004 2:03:23 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 A few minutes later Brady made his way over and gave Harm a long look. 
"What 
 is it?"
 
 "It's about you going into Mac's place the other day when she wasn't 
around 
 and leaving that note. You know Frost we have rights as tenants here."
 
 "What the hell are you talking about? What note?"
 
 "The note you left because you were pissed that Mac broke your date 
last 
 weekend."
 
 "Look Rabb you aren't making any sense here. Yeah I was pissed that 
Mac 
 broke our date but I didn't go into her place and leave this note 
you're 
 talking about."
 
 "Why don't I believe you?" Harm muttered.
 
 "I really don't care if you believe me or not. But I do not go into my 
 tenant's places without telling them first. I know the laws and I 
abide by 
 them. And you can't prove otherwise."
 
 He walked away and Harm let out a long sigh. He hadn't handled that 
well but 
 at the same time when it came to Mac he knew he went overboard and he 
didn't 
 care. Someone had been in her place and Brady was the most likely 
candidate. 
 But if it hadn't been Brady who would it have been.
 
 "Rabb you know it was him" he said to himself. "He's just trying to 
throw 
 you off the scent."
 
 He pulled into Mac's driveway and a moment later greeted her with a 
wide 
 smile. "I've brought you work."
 
 "Oh good because daytime TV sucks" Mac groaned as she met him in the 
 kitchen. "Is the place still standing?"
 
 "Barely. Marquest is manning the ship alone since Myers got the 
chicken 
 pox."
 
 "You're kidding."
 
 "Nope. And yes there are piles everywhere, a few of which I brought 
for you 
 to look at. There's some heavy duty ones in there that we can decide 
whether 
 Gwen and Greg are ready for or you and I can handle them ourselves."
 
 "How heavy duty?"
 
 "Apparently a submariner from King's Bay drowned his wife in the tub 
of 
 their base housing unit."
 
 "Oh yuck" Mac frowned.
 
 "My thoughts too. I think we may handle that one ourselves. He's 
gotten 
 outside counsel so all we need to do is prosecute."
 
 "Is he claiming insanity?"
 
 "He claims it was an unknown assailant. That he found her that way 
when he 
 got home. Apparently NCIS didn't buy it and he was arrested."
 
 "Something to look forward to. Anything else?"
 
 "Minor stuff that I don't mind them handling. Lots of that."
 
 "When do our new people start?" Mac sighed.
 
 "Next week. There's going to be plenty to keep them busy."
 

"OK that's good.  Now why are you kind of red and agitated like?"

"I'm not."

"You are too.  Like you just cross examined a witness and got him to 
admit. . .Brady.  You confronted 
Brady didn't you?"

"Yes I did.  And of course he denied having any inkling as to what I 
was even talking about.  I am putting 
that extra lock on the door still though.  And at least I made a point 
to him I don't think he'll ignore.  At least 
not if he knows what's good for him."

"My hero," she giggled.  "I trust that's food in that bag."

"Barbecue from your favorite place."

"Harmon Rabb I love you," she laughed and grabbed for the bag, not 
seeing his reaction to her words.  Not 
seeing him suck his breath in sharply after last night.  Not until she 
attempted to get the bag did she realize 
that he had frozen in place.

"Harm you OK?  Is there something in this bag I shouldn't see?"

He recovered himself at that and shook his head.  "No I'm fine and the 
only thing in this bag are two 
specials, extra hot sauce for yours."

"We could be married you know me so well," she laughed again and took 
the bag.

"We'd kill each other first week," he replied, deliberately keeping his 
voice casual.

"Well maybe we'll have to try it sometime."  She was still laughing 
when he caught her arm and looked 
directly into her eyes. 

"Maybe we will."  There was no levity in his tone and she sobered at 
once as well.

"The mood in the room suddenly changed," she whispered.

"My fault.  I'm sorry."

She smiled at that and kissed him gently at the corner of his mouth.  
"No need to be.  I like it when you're 
serious like that."

"Then don't be surprised if the matter surfaces again."

"I'll count on it."

For the next few minutes the only sound was chewing until she broke the 
silence.   "I never thought I'd be 
go glad to see work.  I'm coming in tomorrow."

"We'll see."

"Yes we will.  We'll see me in my uniform coming to work."

In the late afternoon she was lying on the sofa almost asleep when 
there was a tapping at the door.  "Harm 
you lose the key or what?  Harm is that you?"

Her second attempt got a response.  "No.  It's Brady.  Can I talk to 
you?"

She looked at the clock, knowing Harm was due any time.  "Uh. . .yeah 
OK, I'll be right there."

 

 
 
 A moment later she opened the door, Brady's frown telling her at once 
that 
 he wasn't happy.
 
 "You got a minute?" he asked.
 
 "Yeah sure. What's up?" She let him in, hoping he'd leave before Harm 
 arrived.
 
 "You know I don't know what you told your partner about me but I don't 
 appreciate him accusing me of stuff I didn't do" Brady answered. "He 
spouted 
 off at me earlier about being in your place which is a crock of bull."
 
 "Brady someone was in my place and left a note."
 
 "Yeah well it wasn't me. Look I'd like to go out with you but I ain't 
that 
 hard up that I can't find someone else to go out with."
 
 "Look let's just forget it" Mac sighed. "You say it wasn't you fine. 
But 
 someone put a note in here. And because of it, I'm changing the 
locks."
 
 "I better get a key. This is my place."
 
 "How about instead if you need to get in, you call me."
 
 "No" he retorted. "Either you give me the key or you're not changing 
the 
 lock."
 
 "I don't want people in my place when I'm not here" Mac countered. 
"And if 
 you can't abide by that then we have a problem."
 
 "No you have a problem. I'm the landlord here. I'm the one in 
control."
 
 "I have rights Mr. Landlord. And one of them is people not being in my 
place 
 without my permission."
 
 "I can have both you and your little friend out of here if I want" 
Brady 
 threatened. "Go ahead and try and find somewhere else to live."
 
 "Are you threatening to evict us? Because you have no grounds."
 
 "I can do anything I want. You either play by my rules or you go."
 
 "Do we have a problem here?" Harm's thunderous voice made both Mac and 
Brady 
 turn around and Brady gave him a long look.
 
 "This is between me and the Colonel" Brady retorted.
 
 "Yeah well it's about to become between you and me" Harm countered. 
"And 
 after I get Mac to the sofa before she falls over you and I are going 
to 
 have a little chat."
 
 "Harm I'm okay" she sighed as she clutched the back of a kitchen 
chair.
 
 "Yeah that's why you're so pale and look like you're going to pass 
out" he 
 frowned. "The last thing you needed was some idiot screaming at you 
after 
 what you've been through. Come on. Back to the sofa and then I'll have 
a 
 little chat with Mr. Frost here."
 
 He led her to the sofa and when he returned to the kitchen Brady was 
 waiting.
 
 "Now whatever you have to say you say to me" Harm told him. "Not her. 
You 
 got that."
 
 "Fine. You change the locks here and don't give me a key, you're both 
out."
 
 "Try again mister. Mac has every right to change the locks. Even if 
it's not 
 you coming in here, obviously it's someone you gave access to the 
place. 
 Either way, the locks are being changed tonight."
  

"I have a right to be able to inspect the premises.  I own this place," 
Brady raged.  

"Yes you do.  But the standard lease--the one that both Mac and I 
signed--says we have the right to 
reasonable privacy.  Not to mention Florida landlord-tenant regulations 
state that the landlord may enter 
the premises unannounced when the renter isn't home only in a true 
emergency situation, such as a fire or 
leaking pipes."

"Be that as it may, this comes back to I didn't leave that crummy note.  
What Mac she did, standing me up 
like that, was crappy but I wouldn't leave her a note to express my 
outrage.  I did that on the phone and it 
was a closed issue."

"OK let's assume I believe you.  Then someone has a key to this place 
because there was no forced 
entry."

"Or was a good lock picker," Brady shrugged.  

"Except that you're the only one who would have motive for such a 
note."

Brady shook his head.  "You know what, there's a lot of things go on 
here that I can't give a ready 
explanation to.  Not all of my tenants are as upstanding as you two.  
I'm just telling you that I didn't write 
that note, and if you want to have a handwriting analysis done, by all 
means have at it.  You've got my 
signature on your copies of the lease."

"Yeah maybe I will," Harm nodded.  "Meanwhile the locks go up.   And if 
you want to try to evict us, I can 
tie you up in court for a long time and the only one who'll win will be 
your attorney."

Brady opened  his mouth to speak and then shook his head.  "I'm out of 
here.  Justin said to tell you he 
missed you and if you have a chance he's got something to show you.  I 
have no clue what.  Melora asked 
after you too."

"Thanks," Harm nodded, his tone mollified somewhat.

"Yeah."  Brady walked past him and into the living room where Mac was.  
"Look I'm sorry someone got in 
here.  And I'm glad nothing was touched otherwise.  I'm also sorry 
you're not feeling well."

"Well it's over now anyway," Mac told him.  "I'm OK.  I just had a 
rough time in Cuba and I'm still 
recovering.  Harm has been in protection-mode."

"I could have lost her," Harm said quietly, opening the door for Brady.

"Do you believe it wasn't him now?" Mac asked when they were alone.

"Actually I'm not sure," Harm sighed.  "Really I think I'm hoping it 
was.  He's at least a known quantity.  If 
someone else was in here we don't know who."

"You know what too--that kind of points up what happened before we 
left," she frowned.  "My secret 
admirer whom I just assumed to be Brady being funny.  Now I'm not so 
sure."
 
 Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/14/2004 1:50:27 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 
 "The flowers" Harm murmured. "Mac if it's not Brady then there could 
be some 
 wacko out there watching you. And coming into your place."
 
 "How did he get in without a key?" she frowned.
 
 "Like Brady said he could have picked the lock. Or somehow made a copy 
of 
 the key. Either way I'm putting up the new locks tonight. I just need 
to 
 make a quick trip to Home Depot. Except now I don't feel right leaving 
you 
 alone."
 
 "Harm I'll be fine. I have a weapon and I know how to use it."
 
 "All right" he said finally. "And then once the locks are changed, 
I'll make 
 some dinner."
 
 "Harm I can make dinner. You don't have to handle everything you know. 
And 
 tomorrow I am going with you to the office."
 
 "Well at least you'll be safe there" he murmured before heading out.
 
 Two hours later the new locks were installed and sat down at the table 
just 
 as Mac was bringing in the chicken she'd cooked outside on the grill.
 
 "Am I safe now?" she smiled.
 
 "I got the best lock and deadbolt set they had. And I don't want you 
giving 
 the key to Brady no matter what he says. The only other person who 
gets a 
 key is me."
 
 "Don't you think you're going a little overboard Commander?"
 
 "Not when it comes to your safety no."
 
 "Well I appreciate you doing this tonight. But you know we could be 
blowing 
 this whole thing out of proportion."
 
 "I'd rather not take that risk" he told her. "In fact the next thing 
I'm 
 going to do is hook up a set of those motion detectors. That way if 
anyone 
 comes near your place I'll know it."
 
 "And what about all the strays cats and dogs that will set it off?"
 
 "Small price to pay for your safety" he shrugged. "Mac you may not be 
taking 
 this seriously but I am."
 
 "Well it's not like I haven't been stalked before" she sighed. "And 
for all 
 we know this could be some prank."
 
 "We can hope."
 
 ***************
 JAG Office
 Following Monday
 
 It was a confident Ensign Alex Conway that made his way into the JAG 
 offices, ready for his first day on the job. He pulled into the lot 
just as 
 another car pulled in next to his. The petite young woman that climbed 
out 
 had a wide smile and he returned the smile.
 
 "You work here?" he asked as he stepped out of his car.
 
 "Today's my first day actually" Renee Westcoff answered.
 
 "Mine too. Ensign Alex Conway."
 
 "Uh, Renee Westcoff" she giggled. "Sorry I'm not military."
 
 "Obviously" he laughed as his eyes traveled over her short skirt and 
jacket. 
 "And it's probably going to be nice to have some civilians around for 
a 
 change."
 
 "I'm actually a little nervous about working with all military folks. 
And 
 trying to get Commander Rabb's attention since I'm so short."
 
 Alex laughed at her words, immediately liking the vibrant young woman. 
He'd 
 been a little apprehensive after his grilling by Commander Rabb but 
suddenly 
 the job looked even better now.
 
 "Shall we go in before we're late" he smiled.
 
 "Please. I really want to make a good impression."
 
 Harm and Mac were at Peter's desk when Alex and Renee walked in and 
Mac 
 smiled at Harm. "I see our new people have already met and seem to be 
 getting along great."
 
 At once Alex snapped to attention. "Ensign Conway reporting for duty 
sir, 
 ma'am."
 
 "At ease Ensign" Mac smiled. "Welcome aboard. Same for you Renee."
 
 "Uh thank you ma'am" Renee smiled. "And uh should I call you ma'am? Or 
 Colonel?"
 
 "Mac would be fine. We're pretty informal here."
 
 __ '
"I can do informal," Alex smiled.  "Seriously?  

"No. You may not call me Mac," she laughed, already liking the young 
man.  "Not in the office that is. Not 
good for good order.  But outside, and we do have picnics and things, 
Mac is fine."

"Yes ma'am."  He smiled that smile of his once more and looked to 
Renee.  "It's OK to call her Renee 
though right?"

"That you'd have to ask her."

"Well I want her to call me Alex."

"Hi Alex," Renee laughed.  "I'm glad to meet you and glad to be here.  
You can call me Ms. Westcoff."

"You're kidding," he gasped, looking truly wounded.

"Yes of course," she giggled.  "Renee is fine.  You're an Alexander are 
you?"

"Oh yeah.  Alexander Winthrup Conway.  And I can do with \out it thank 
you."

"I don't blame you.  Alex suits you just fine."

"Why don't you two start getting settled," Harm spoke up.  "You'll meet 
the rest of the staff--well Maj. Sauls 
and Lt. Milay, when they come off leave.  Meanwhile, Marquest--which by 
the way he's Peter speaking of 
names--will show you to your office.  And that is office singular.  
We're not overly endowed with space 
around here."

"We'll try to get along without putting masking tape down the middle to 
divide off the areas," Renee 
laughed.

"Let me guess--you and your sister did that?" Alex asked.

"The summer we were fourteen and twelve," she giggled.  "Six kids.  My 
brothers had it worse though--
there was three of them stacked in a triple bunk arrangement in their 
room.  I don't know how all three 
made it through high school alive."

"My brother and I used paint in our room," he smiled.  "We made the 
line from the edge of the ceiling on 
one side to the edge on the other. Talk about the old man being 
pissed."

"To work" Harm ordered and the group broke up.

"The office is getting to be fun," Mac smiled happily.

"Yeah well at least I feel you're safer here," he muttered.

"Harm stop.  I was surely more likely to be violated in Georgetown than 
in Pelican Bay."

"Well maybe but I didn't care so much. . ."

"What?" She stared at him for a moment and when he was too startled by 
his own words to respond she 
turned on her heel and walked away, shaking her head.

"Rabb the words total putz are coming to mind," he muttered again, this 
time to himself.

An hour later he still had not worked up the courage to go near Mac.  
He suspected she was simply letting 
him stew but at the same time he was afraid of mis-speaking yet again.  
He was getting coffee when 
Renee came in with her own empty cup.  "Commander you look like you're 
in a total funk," she smiled.  "I 
don't suppose there's anything I can do?"

"Thanks no Renee."  The young woman's name caught in his throat and she 
cocked her head.  

"Commander?"

"Call me Harm please," he smiled softly.  "And you bear the unfortunate 
burden of sharing a name with a 
woman from my past."

"Tragic breakup?" she smiled teasingly.

"It just kind of died on the vine," he smiled, liking the young woman's 
veracity.  "But then it didn't have a 
chance in hell to start with."

"If you say so.  Anyway, you look like a man who at some point this 
morning got turned down or put his 
foot in his mouth."

"Yeah I did  The latter.  With Mac."

"So why are you hiding in here.  Go apologize and move on," Renee told 
him.  "As for my name, well I 
guess you'll have to live with that."



  
  
  "You don't have a middle name you'd rather go by do you?" he sighed.
  
  "No sir" she laughed. "If I were military like the others you could 
just 
  call me Ensign or Petty Officer I suppose."
  
  "I guess I'll just have to get used to Renee."
  
  "Yes sir you will" she smiled as she walked out.
  
  Harm finally managed to work up his courage and headed to the office 
they 
  shared and closed the door behind him.
  
  "Is there a problem Commander?" Mac asked.
  
  "None except that I need to explain what I said earlier."
  
  "I don't know what you're talking about."
  
  "When I said I didn't care before. Well it's a total lie because I 
have 
  always cared about you Sarah Mackenzie. Only since we've been down 
here I've 
  realized just how much I really do care about you."
  
  "Harm you don't have to explain" she started.
  
  "No. I do. This is how we always got messed up in the past. I'm not 
going to 
  let that happen this time. I care a lot about you and yes the idea 
that some 
  psycho could be stalking you scares me to death. I don't ever want to 
lose 
  you. I got way to close to that at Gitmo and I don't ever want to 
think 
  about it again."
  
  "Are you finished?" she said with a small smile.
  
  "Yeah I think so" he sighed. "Why?"
  
  "Because I was going to tell you that the feelings are very mutual 
  Commander. And I don't want us to get away from this good spot we've 
found 
  either."
  
  "So you're not mad at me?"
  
  "I never really was. I just never quite understand the Rabb mind 
that's 
  all."
  
  "Well neither do I" he smiled as well. "So now that we've made up, 
what do 
  you say I treat the office to lunch today?"
  
  "All of them?"
  
  "Of course. Peter's been working his tail off keeping this place 
together. I 
  think for an hour the world can manage without the JAG staff."
  
  "Harm what if the Admiral calls?"
  
  "He can leave a message?"
  
  "I don't think so."
  
  "All right we'll bring Peter lunch back. But I think we should take 
our new 
  folks out."
  
  "I agree. And for the record, I think we made some good choices. I 
think 
  Alex and Renee are going to be great additions to the staff."
  
  "If only we could change her name" Harm sighed.
  
  "You getting flashbacks" Mac teased.
  
  "Yeah bad ones. Of her and an Australian named Brumby."
  
  "Not one of our better moments in history" she said softly.
  
  "Not it wasn't. But enough about that. We're here now and this time 
Sarah, 
  we're going to make this work."
   
 
 "We have to go back to DC sometime," she reminded him sadly.
 
 "Yeah we do.  I guess.  Who knows.  Maybe we'll be assigned here 
permanently.  But a year is a long 
time.  A lot can happen in a year."
 
 "Your point?" she asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow.  
 
 "My point is this what we have is ours to keep or to lose," he 
answered, his tone totally serious as if he 
was in court.
 
 "And do we have something?" she goaded, liking this new Harmon Rabb, 
this man who could seemingly 
express what was in his heart.
 
 "You damn right we have something.  Unless you're more of a mind to 
entertain Brady Frost."
 
 "How about you and Melora?"
 
 "Oh good grief that's not even worth discussion.  Nice woman, sweet 
lady, mom to a great kid.  That's it."
 
 "Interesting."
 
 "You didn't answer your part," he groused.
 
 "Who Brady?" she giggled.  "Harm he's nothing to worry over."
 
 "Oh yeah, well that's what I thought about Brumby too and look at the 
nightmare that all entailed."
 
 "Brady Frost is not Mic Brumby," she smiled and wrapped her hand 
around his arm.  "Shall we round up 
our new hires?"
 
 Renee and Alex were still in process of setting up their office when 
Mac and Harm came for them.  "Come 
on you two.  One of the things you need to learn about the area is 
where the best barbecue is.  If Jesus 
Christ were on Earth today, this is where He would eat."
 
 "Thanks no.  I have lunch in the fridge," Renee said quietly.
 
 "It will keep.  Come on," Harm urged.
 
 "Yeah anyway, I saw you put a cup of yogurt in there.  Don't tell me 
that's your lunch?" Alex spoke up.  
"And for crying out loud do not even suggest you're dieting."
 
 "No it's not that.  It's that. . .it's budget concerns," she 
stammered, turning red.
 
 "It's on us," Harm told her quickly.  "We're trying to run a shop here 
where people are friends.  I won't get 
sappy and say family, though we've gotten pretty close to the two you 
haven't met yet."
 
 "OK well I can go then," she said softly, prompting Alex to look at 
her closely, only to find despite her 
blushing, she was not giving away anything more.
 
 Once they had survived the line, they found a quiet corner table.
 
 "Mac, Harm you were right.  This is great," Renee enthused, taking a 
large bite.  "And I'm starved."
 
 "Let me guess, you didn't eat breakfast," Alex offered.
 
 "Nope.  I didn't have. . .I mean I was too excited."
 
 "So on another subject entirely," Harm put in, "did you two find 
housing OK?  Alex are you doing the 
BOQ?"
 
 "No I lucked into a cottage.  I was there looking when the people 
who'd committed backed out and I got it 
cheap."
 
 "Well Mac and I are out at Pelican Bay, which you've probably never 
heard of.  Really nice area.  It's just 
the landlord who's a total zero."
 
 "Harm," she chided him at once.  "Renee?"
 
 "No I'm uh. . .still looking around," she said quietly and quickly 
took a bite of her sandwich.
 
  
 
 "Uh one of those extended stay places. Which is okay for now. I'll 
keep 
 looking until I find something I like."
 
 "There's a lot of nice stuff along the ocean" Harm told her.
 
 "I'm not sure I want to be right there on the ocean. I was reading the 
ads 
 and there's some stuff outside the base that's nice enough."
 
 "You mean you didn't come here for the beach?" Alex smiled.
 
 "Not quite" she said with a small smile. "Anyway so when will Major 
Sauls 
 and Lt. Milay be back at the office?"
 
 "Next week" Harm told her. "They're still recovering from Gitmo. Which 
 hopefully neither of you will have to go to. And I hope neither of us 
do for 
 a long time either since it was not a pleasant experience."
 
 "So you probably aren't going to tell us about it are you?" Alex 
asked.
 
 "Not right now. I'm still having nightmares thank you. But needless to 
say, 
 your stuff will be much tamer."
 
 "I hope tamer doesn't mean boring" Alex smiled.
 
 "In the beginning it might be. You know you're not going to get stuff 
like 
 the murder cases."
 
 "You get those here?" Renee asked.
 
 "Just got one the other day actually. "But I'll be handling that."
 
 "We will" Mac countered.
 
 "Whatever. But you two will be assisting Gwen and Greg with the 
lighter 
 stuff."
 
 ********************
 "So how do you think they're first day went?" Harm asked as he and Mac 
made 
 their way home.
 
 "Good. I think they'll get along fine and Peter seems to like them so 
that's 
 a plus. And I'm sure Greg and Gwen will like them too."
 
 "We need to have a get together again."
 
 "Your cottage or mine?" she smiled.
 
 "Uh yours. It's bigger. Maybe this weekend?"
 
 "I like that. That way Greg and Gwen can meet them before Monday."
 
 "You really want everyone to get along don't you" Harm laughed.
 
 "Well I do want us all to be like a family," Mac said seriously. "It's 
not 
 like anyone has family down here. And Renee and Alex are totally new 
to the 
 area. At least Greg and Gwen have been here for a while and can show 
them 
 around and help them get situated."
 
 "I get your point Colonel. We'll plan something for this weekend."
  

"You're one of the good guys Commander," Mac smiled.  "You just need to 
lighten up on Brady some."

"I'll put it on my to do list.  Which reminds me, he did ask me to come 
talk to Justin.  Said the boy has 
something to show me."

"Melora probably does too."  Mac could not help the jab.

"I'm not walking all the way over there to see the same thing you could 
show me right here," he jabbed 
back.

"Don't hold your breath.  Anyway, Justin is a neat kid.  I don't know 
how much good influence Brady can 
have on him though."

"Wow.  See there you admit it.  Brady isn't Mr. Wonderful."

"I think he's had a lot of problems," she said slowly.  "His ex for 
one.  His sister and her son for another 
whom he's tried to help take care of, and then this place.  Running 
this place can't be much fun given that 
any time you deal with the public you're going to get some wacko's.  So 
my point is that I don't know how 
much time he can really give the boy.  See what I'm saying?"

"And I have a little time, the kid likes me, and I know what it's like 
not to have a full time dad.  Am I reading 
you?"

"Five by five Commander," she laughed.  "I think it would be nice if 
you stopped over there tonight.  Long 
as you and Brady can manage not to get into it for the sake of the boy 
and Melora."

"I have self control," he returned staunchly.

"Right.  Prove it."

"OK I'm going to change and walk over there.  Then I'm going to come 
back and eat whatever you're 
cooking for us.  Then after that I'm going to take a walk on the beach 
with my favorite woman."

"And what am I supposed to do while you do that walk thing?"

"Cute."  He took advantage of them being stopped at a light and before 
she knew what was happening he 
had reached over to cup the back of her head and draw her to him for a 
warm kiss.  "That was to remind 
you who that woman is."

"Thank you," she smiled softly.  "You can be very sweet you know that."

"I know."

An hour later Mac stepped out on to her porch, the aroma of baking 
chicken following her out.  She knew 
Harm would be back from his visit with Justin any time.  As she stood 
there, breathing the clean, salt-
tinged air, she caught sight of a figure on the rise of the sand dune 
that led down to the water.  For a brief 
second she thought it was Harm, but he would have no reason to come 
from that direction.  Curious, she 
stepped from the porch and walked a few feet toward the figure, which 
began to move in her direction as 
well.

Now curious, she quickened her pace, and when she was about twenty feet 
away, raised her hand in 
greeting.  "Hello who are you?" she called sharply.  "Are you looking 
for someone?"

"You."  The voice echoed slightly and he raised his hand, pointing his 
palm at her.

"I'm here," she heard herself answer and found her feet to be walking 
even though she tried to stop.  Up 
the dune, slipping and sliding.  Struggling to reach the top.  She 
heard Harm's voice calling her name and 
when she tried to stop and turn back to him she could not.  Three steps 
forward, one step back, she made 
her way to the top of the dune.  "What do you want from me?" she 
demanded.

"You.  I want you."

She made a valiant attempt to protest, only to find her feet start to 
slide again, this time on the other side of 
the soft sand.  "You.  I want you," he said again and when she fell, 
she heard two voices.  The stranger's  
and Harm's.  The former taking on an ethereal haunting quality, the 
latter seeming to get more loud and 
frantic. 
 Subj:	Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/21/2004 5:45:50 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 "Mac" Harm called anxiously as he hurried to where he'd seen her fall. 
 "Mac."
 
 He reached her a moment later, for a moment not sure he should touch 
her. 
 He'd seen her fall, though he'd had no idea what had caused her to 
fall. And 
 why she hadn't answered him.
 
 "Sarah" he whispered.
 
 Her eyes floated open at once. "Harm."
 
 "Thank God. Honey what happened? Are you hurt?"
 
 "No" she frowned, suddenly not sure at all what had happened. "I don't 
think 
 so anyway. I don't know."
 
 "Okay well let's take this real slow just in case" he said as his arm 
went 
 around her back to help her to a sitting position. "Easy."
 
 "I'm okay" she told him.
 
 "What on earth where you doing?" he asked.
 
 "He was calling me."
 
 Harm looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. "Mac there is no one out 
here 
 but me and you. What do you mean he was calling you."
 
 "I saw him. He wanted me to come to him. And then I heard you and I 
was 
 going to turn around but I couldn't."
 
 "Okay are you sure you didn't hit your head on a rock or something?" 
Harm 
 frowned. "Mac there was no one here but you and me."
 
 Mac shook her head. "No. Harm he was here."
 
 "What did he look like?"
 
 "I don't know," she said after a long moment.
 "Okay that clarifies it" he sighed. "Honey I don't know what just 
happened 
 here but let's get you inside."
 
 "I know what happened" Mac frowned. "He wants me."
 
 Her words sent a chill down his spine and without a thought he pulled 
her 
 close to him. "Well whoever wants you is going to have to come through 
me" 
 he whispered.
 
She leaned against him, drawing several slow breaths as she tried for 
calm and cohesive thought while 
Harm's eyes surveyed the surrounding area.  Nothing.  Nothing in sight 
and no sound except the waves 
crashing.  He allowed himself to relax just a little, and to 
concentrate more on holding her to him.

"You have no idea who it was?  Didn't recognize him or the voice?" he 
finally asked gently.

She shook her head, moving against his chest.  "Nothing familiar about 
him."

"Then why in gods name would you let yourself go with him?" he 
demanded, the gentleness gone from his 
tone as fear for her returned.

"Harm please I just don't know.  My head is pounding so bad I can't 
even think right now.  He was staring 
at me, and I was compelled to come.  Then he called me and so did you 
and then I just got really dizzy and 
I remember losing my footing in the sand."


"All right enough right now.  Let's get you back to the house."  He ran 
his hand down her arm to her hand 
and was shocked to find it cold and damp, and it was then he realized 
she was shivering despite the late 
afternoon warmth.  "Can you walk?"

"I think so," she nodded, not sounding at all certain.  When he pulled 
her to her feet she took a trial step 
and stumbled badly.  "You're not carrying me."

"The hell I'm not."  A second later she was up in his arms and with 
only moderate difficulty negotiating the 
sand, he got her back to her cottage.  When he opened the door, he 
carefully sat her in a nearby chair, 
motioning for silence and for her to stay put.  "You'll have to excuse 
my paranoia," he told her when he 
came back from checking the house.

"It made me feel better that you did," she admitted, her voice 
quavering slightly.  "Can you finish dinner 
while I shower and change."

"Sure.  And I can also help you with that."

"Nice try Commander but I can manage."

When she emerged fifteen minutes later, he was surprised to see that 
she had dug out a pair of sweat 
pants and matching shirt.  It was not cold, far from it in fact, but he 
let it go as he pulled out a chair and 
reached for her arm.  "Hot food."

"And I'm starving.  I also need a favor."

"Anything."

"I don't want to talk about what happened earlier."

"Oh honey I'm not sure I can do that," he protested.  "You have to 
understand how scary it was for me to 
see you fall, and then when you told me what happened on top of that."

"Please.  At least just until I get a better handle on what happened.  
Right now I'm questioning my sanity."

"Well don't do that.  You know there's a good explanation.  Something 
logical."

"You want to give me a for instance?"

"Well OK no what exactly it would be escapes me for now," he sighed.

"See.  And I especially don't want to talk about it so change of 
subject.  How was Justin and I bet Melora 
was glad to see you."

He forced a smile, still disturbed.  "Is that your subtle way of asking 
if she and I uh. . .had anything 
personal go on between us."

"I didn't realize I was being that subtle," she smiled.

"Right.  Well, Melora was working late and Brady was out browbeating an 
eighty year old widow into 
paying her rent.  But I did talk to Justin.  He was glad to see me, and 
showed me some of the stuff he's 
collecting for his future.  Today he's looking at chopper pilot 
training."

"Well good for him, and you're kidding about Brady right?"

"Only half way.  Justin said he was off collecting back due rent."
Subj:	 Re: Mayport V
Date:	04/26/2004 3:24:28 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	SSbpMN
To:	madimal04@hotmail.com
CC:	SSbpMN

 
 Mac was thoughtful for a moment, wondering if it had been Brady 
calling her. 
 But the voice hadn't been familiar. It couldn't have been Brady.
 
 "Mac?"
 
 "Oh sorry I was zoning" she sighed.
 
 "About earlier?"
 
 "No. Harm let it go please. I really don't want to talk about it. What 
we 
 should be talking about is having everyone over this weekend."
 
 "Maybe we should postpone that" Harm frowned. "I'm not sure you're 
totally 
 up for it yet. In fact I wonder if you came back to work too soon."
 
 "Harm I'm fine. And I want everyone to meet before Monday. We can do 
it."
 
 "You can supervise and I'll do all the work. How's that sound?"
 
 "We'll see. I will of course leave you in charge of the food since you 
 obviously cook a lot better than I do."
 
 "Well that doesn't take much" he teased.
 
 After dinner they retreated to the living room, Mac easily finding a 
comfy 
 spot in Harm's arms on the sofa.
 
 "Thanks" she sighed. "I needed this."
 
 "I know you did. Especially after earlier. And I know you don't want 
to talk 
 about it, but Mac we need to. What if there is some wacko stalking 
you? 
 Leaving you notes and flowers and now trying to lure you so he can 
grab 
 you."
 
 "Harm you're getting worried over nothing."
 
 "No I'm not. And I think that maybe I should start staying over, at 
least 
 until we find out what's really going on."
 
 "No."
 
 "Mac I'm serious."
 
 "And so am I. Where do you intend to sleep?"
 
 "Right here on the sofa. That way if anyone tries to get in, well they 
come 
 through me first."
 
 "For how long?" Mac sighed. "Harm you can't sleep on my sofa every 
night. 
 Besides the fact that I need my space, you need a real bed to sleep 
in. And 
 mine is not an option."
 
 "Just until we figure this out. And I can handle your sofa."
 
 "Harm you don't fit on my sofa."
 
 "Mac this isn't negotiable. I care about you and I'm really starting 
to 
 think there may be some lunatic watching your every move. And that 
doesn't 
 make me feel good."
 
 "I don't know for sure there was someone there," she said slowly. "I 
mean, I 
 thought I heard someone. And I thought I saw someone."
 
 "Mac you're not crazy" Harm said seriously. "I know that. And while 
it's 
 possible this could have been some delayed reaction to what happened 
at 
 Gitmo, I don't believe that either. I think someone is watching you."
 
 "Someone or something."
 
 "Uh what are you saying?"
 
 "I don't know" Mac groaned. "Can we just let go of this subject 
please? I 
 really don't want to talk about it anymore."
 
  "Well we don't have to talk about it, but we are going to be aware of 
it.  In fact belay that for a second, 
what were you saying about someone or something?  Are you suggesting 
that what you saw was. . ."  
Words failed him as he tried to wrap his mind around the suggestion of 
something perhaps paranormal.

"Harm I don't know at this point and the more we talk about it the less 
I know what it was I saw.  If I had to 
raise my right hand and swear it was human though I'd. . ."  She 
stopped when she saw the curious scowl 
forming on his handsome features.  "This conversation is over."

"OK let's return to the sleeping arrangements."

"You know we'll both get more rest if you sleep in your own bed."

"I know no such thing."

"You'll be in your own bed that's what, maybe twenty feet from mine if 
you figure out my window, across 
the driveway and into yours.  I'll be in here locked up thanks to the 
new locks.  Give it a rest."

"Is that an order?"

"Does it need to be?"

He answered with a long sigh and relaxed back against the sofa, pulling 
her even more tightly against him 
as if that action would protect her.

With both drowsy by the time the movie ended, he gently pulled from 
beneath her.  "You want me to help 
you to bed?"

"Nice try Harm.  Not that I don't love the care and attention."

"Well you're going to get a lot of that," he warned.  "The more I think 
about what happened earlier, the less 
I like it."

"It wasn't the highlight of my day either," she smiled, offering him 
her hand to be helped to her feet.  "Be 
careful going home."

"What. . .OK right.  Across the driveway.  I'll wait until I hear your 
lock click."

They walked to the door and when he opened it he turned back to her.  
"Good night Sarah."

"Night," she whispered, looking up into his serious if not sleepy face.  
He hooked his finger under her chin 
and kissed her lightly.  

"Sleep well honey.  And don't go wondering off."

"No I won't.  At least I hope I won't."

  
  ********************
  The rest of the week passed without incident and Saturday morning 
found them 
  getting ready for the evening cookout with the JAG staff.
  
  "Okay who's doing what?" Mac asked as they met up outside her 
cottage.
  
  "Well you know I'm doing the cooking" Harm smiled. "Except that's 
going to 
  require a trip to the store. And quite honestly I'm not in the mood 
for 
  screaming kids on a Saturday."
  
  "Give me your list and I'll go. I need to pick up a few things myself 
  anyway."
  
  "Maybe I should go with you" he frowned.
  
  "Harm chill. I can handle the store alone. That way you can chill for 
a bit. 
  You'll be doing the cooking so you might as well sit back and relax 
for a 
  bit."
  
  "Maybe I'll go see how our friend Brady is doing. I noticed he's 
dropped out 
  of sight recently."
  
  "Whatever. Give me the list so I can get there before it becomes a 
zoo."
  
  With Harm's list Mac headed off to the store while Harm took 
advantage of 
  the moment to get a run on the beach in. It was as he was making his 
way 
  back that he spotted someone near Mac's cottage.
  
  "Hey" he called as the man moved closer towards Mac's door. "What you 
think 
  you're doing?"
  
  At the sound of Harm's voice the man took off running in the opposite 
  direction, disappearing a moment later behind the large sand dune 
where Mac 
  had fallen earlier in the week. Harm sprinted to the area, panting 
hard as 
  he looked around for any sight of the man. To his surprise he was no 
where 
  in sight.
  
  "Whoever you are you better stay away" Harm murmured.
  
  He stood there for several minutes before realizing there was no one 
around. 
  Whoever had been here was now gone. Only it didn't make any sense as 
to how 
  he'd disappeared so quickly.
  
  Harm shook his head and headed back to his cottage to shower, 
finishing just 
  as Mac knocked on his door.
  He threw on a pair of shorts and hurried to the door, grabbing a bag 
that 
  was about to fall from her hands.
  
  "Thanks" she smiled. "I uh guess I got you while you were in the 
shower."
  
  "I took a run while you were gone."
  
  "I see. I'll just put this stuff down and then let you get finished 
  dressing."
  
  "We need to talk first," Harm said as he followed her to the kitchen.
  
  "About?"
  
  "There was someone by your cottage earlier. A man. I think someone is 
  stalking you Mac. And I think it's time we get the police involved."
  
  "Oh yeah that got us a lot of help last time" she sighed as her mind 
went to 
  Coster.
  
  "Look this is different. We don't know who this guy could be. If we 
report 
  it, they can maybe step up the patrols in the area or something."
  
  "Harm lots of people wander the beach and come up to the cottages."
  
  "Mac he was at your door. He was about to go in."
  
  "Okay well right now I'm not going to worry about it" Mac said with a 
slight 
  shudder, which Harm didn't miss. "We have friends coming over and 
tonight is 
  going to be fun."
  
  "We need to do something about this Mac. Before it becomes like 
Coster."
   
 Mac shuddered again despite her outward nonchalance.  That time had 
been a bad experience to say the 
least.  "This is nothing like that."
 
 "How is it so different?" he challenged.
 
 "Well for one thing. . .because he's not. . .because it's not. . ." 
she stammered.  "Harm unless you're 
talking party, shut up."
 
 "Yes ma'am," he sighed recognizing when he had worn out his welcome on 
the subject.  Nevertheless he 
made a silent vow that he would protect her from this threat, real or 
perceived.   "OK I'm going to do my 
shower, and then we can finish this conversation later."  
 
 "The only thing I'm finishing later is a slab of those baby back 
ribs," she declared, reaching up to cup his 
cheek.  "But I do love that you care so much."
 
 "Well I do," he retorted stubbornly.  "Now get out of here.  I stink."
 
 "You got that right."
 ========
 "Gwendolyn I don't know if you're up for this," Greg fretted as he 
drove them onto the Pelican Bay 
property later that afternoon.
 
 "Since when do you call me Gwendolyn," she demanded, wrinkling her 
nose.
 
 "Don't change the subject," he muttered.  "You aren't ready for a lot 
of activity."
 
 "Since when does sitting in a yard eating qualify as a lot of 
activity?"
 
 "Well it doesn't, but I know you.  They'll be doing volleyball or 
something and you'll be right up there."
 
 "Maybe," she countered.  "Greg I'm going back to work Monday."
 
 "And thank you for reminding me of another really pleasant subject.  
At least when you're home you're 
safe."
 
 "Physically maybe but mentally I'm losing brain cells by the day.  The 
work I've been doing on the 
computer is just making me want to get back.  I'm feeling good.  And I 
need some space."
 
 "I know.  I know I need to back off.  I guess I'm just scared to."
 
 "Well don't be.  I'm fine.  Cuba is over."
 
 "I almost lost you."
 
 "You didn't," she smiled impishly, opening the door as he parked, 
smiling when he hurried around to help 
her.  "I'm not going to break sweetie."
 
 "Excuse me?"
 
 "Just trying it out," she giggled, letting her help him and then 
tossing her hair in fun.  "I'll go talk to Mac."  
Harm gave her a wide smile when he approached the car.
 
 "Welcome Gwen," he laughed and clapped her shoulder as she walked off.  
"Greg--Lieutenant--what's 
wrong with you?  You stand around like that and you're going to attract 
misquotes."
  
 "Sorry Harm" Greg sighed. "You know what the problem is."
 
 "Greg she's fine. Let her be before you push her away. And trust me I 
know. 
 I've dealt with my Marine for a while now and they don't like being 
treated 
 like they're glass."
 
 "I know. And I'm trying."
 "Maybe you need some space to get your head back together" Harm told 
him.
 
 "That might not be a bad idea before she gives me the boot" Greg 
sighed.
 
 "What if I could arrange it? You know there's the case down at King's 
Bay. I 
 was going to go down myself but I can easily let you handle it. Which 
now 
 that I think about it is better than leaving Mac alone."
 
 "Why don't you want to leave Mac alone?"
 
 "Long story but I think some lunatic is following her. But please 
don't 
 mention it because she thinks I'm going overboard."
 
 "Don't you usually when it comes to Mac?"
 
 "Touché Mr. Milay" Harm smiled. "So what do you think? We need some 
 background work if we're going to get a guilty verdict on this guy. 
 Apparently he's hired a fairly well known attorney down there."
 
 "You want me on this?"
 
 "Why not? I think you can handle it. Course if you'd rather not go, 
I'll 
 understand."
 
 "Am I going to get any help?" Greg asked.
 
 "I was thinking of sending our newbie with you. I think you'll like 
Alex. He 
 just started law school but he's pretty sharp."
 
 "Uh I was thinking more along the lines of you or Mac sir."
 
 "I have a lot of confidence in you" Harm smiled. "We'll talk more 
after you 
 meet Alex and Renee."
 
 "Is he driving you nuts?" Mac asked Gwen as they sat down at the 
picnic 
 table.
 
 "In a word yes. I know he means well but he's hovering too much."
 
 "So tell him that."
 
 "I have. Then he reminds me how he almost lost me" Gwen sighed. "And 
then I 
 feel bad."
 
 "Well he'll get past it I'm sure. Give him some time."
 
 "Oh my gosh is that Renee" Gwen giggled as she watched the petite 
young 
 woman walk up to Harm and Greg. "She's so short."
 
 "I told Harm she was going to get neck strain working out office" Mac 
 laughed. "I think she said she was just under five foot. Next to Harm 
of 
 course she looks like a midget."
 
 "I look like a midget next to Harm and I'm five six."
 
 "She's really nice. I think you'll like her."
  

Harm introduced Renee to Greg and then took her arm, bringing her to 
Mac and Gwen, Greg following.  
"And this would be Major Sauls," he added.  "Gwen actually."

"Hi Gwen.  I'm happy to meet you."

"Renee my pleasure.  And I believe there's an Ensign I'm to meet as 
well?"

"Alex," Renee smiled with just the hint of a blush.  "He's a good guy."

"At least they're managing to work together without killing each other.  
So far," Mac laughed.  "Of course 
you and Greg didn't always get along totally well."

"Well we've kind of OD-d on each other during my recovery," Gwen 
confided.  "Another reason I wanted to 
come today.  I wanted him to have someone other than me to focus on.  
And I am coming back to work 
Monday.  Which would be a great time to send him on a case somewhere."

"He probably wouldn't go," Mac laughed, "but you know I know what 
you're going through.  After Cuba 
Harm hovered a lot.  Still is.  And now even more again with the weird 
stuff that's happening around here."

"You can't just leave it at that now," Renee yelped.  "What weird 
stuff."

"Nothing to get really juiced up about.  Just some weird occurrences 
that mean little in and of themselves 
but if you added them up could hint that someone is like watching or 
taunting me."

"It's called stalking," Harm said firmly, having overheard.  "Let's 
call it exactly what it is.  And since Mac 
was a victim once before, she should know the proper term."

"Don't you have vegetables to grill or something," Mac groaned, shaking 
her head.  "The last thing I want is 
to spend the party thinking about that.  I'm not going to worry about 
it."

"You don't have to," Gwen pointed out with a giggle.  "Your fellow CO 
is doing plenty of that for you."

"Well in that case I'm off the hook," Mac laughed.  "Now should we get 
the food underway?"

"This conversation isn't over."

"No I'm sure it's not," she laughed and gave his shoulder an 
affectionate swat. 

 "By the way, I think we might let Lt. Milay handle the little 
difficulty at King's Bay.

"Oh that's a good idea," Mac smiled, giving Gwen a quick glance.

"What kind of a case is it?" Gwen asked.  "Maybe I should go."

"No."  This from both Greg and Harm, who glared at the young man.  
"Mister if you don't mind I'll make the 
command decisions around here.  In fact I have a defense of a woman 
Marine I want Gwen to handle, but 
she can hear about that next week.  Since she is coming back to work."

"Yeah and we're all thrilled about that," he muttered and then 
brightened.  "King's Bay--the dead ensign."

"Yes exactly.  Until the accused hired this hotshot out of Savannah, 
they were going to do it low key with 
local talent.  Now we need a JAG prosecutor."

"I'm your man," he grinned.  "What's the story?" 

"Well the official cause of death is drowning," Harm added.  "But the 
convening authority claims there's 
enough evidence to establish the deceased didn't leave the fishing boat 
voluntarily."
 
  "Murder?"
 
 "Looks like it. Especially since the dead ensign that was drowned was 
known to 
 be an excellent swimmer. She was tops in her swim team in high 
school."
 
 "And the accused is a he?"
 
 Harm nodded. "Petty Officer aboard the USS Wyoming. She worked in the 
XO's 
 office as an admin."
 
 "I think I can handle it" Greg said confidently.
 
 "Good. That's one less thing I need to worry about. You'll take Alex 
with 
 you. Provided he ever shows up so you can meet him."
 
 It was another ten minutes before Alex arrived, apologizing profusely 
for 
 being late.
 
 "Chill Ensign" Harm smiled. "I haven't even started cooking yet. Have 
a 
 seat, grab a drink and get to know you're new co-workers. Especially 
Lt. 
 Milay since you'll likely be traveling with him."
 
 "Yes sir."
 
 "And drop the sir for today."
 
 "Of course" Alex smiled. "Lieutenant can you show me the way to the 
drinks."
 
 "Greg please. I'll be happy to. Gwen you need anything while I'm up?"
 
 "If I need anything I have two legs and I can get it myself" she 
smiled. 
 "They still work just fine."
 
 Greg gave her a long look before leading Alex into the house and Gwen 
gave 
 Renee a small smile. "He's been a bit overboard since we got back from 
 Gitmo."
 
 "Obviously he cares. Which must be nice."
 
 "Yeah it is actually. But in small does. I'm actually glad Greg is 
going to 
 be going away for a bit. And enough about me. Tell me about you."
 
 "There's not much to tell" Renee said slowly. "Just moved down here 
for the 
 work."
 
 "I'm guessing your single? Any family around?"
 
 "My Mom lives in a little town in central Florida. But that's about 
all."
 
 "Well Harm and Mac will make you feel right at home" Gwen smiled. 
"They're 
 great people to work for not to mention they really want everyone to 
be like 
 a family."
 
 "They seem really nice."
 
 "They are. Have you found a place yet?"
 
 "I'm still working on that" Renee murmured. "Right now the extended 
stay 
 place is good."
 
 "Well if you need any help holler. I know the areas around here pretty 
well 
 and I'd be happy to help you find something."
 
 "Thanks. I'll remember that when I seriously start looking. I was just 
 concerned about getting situated at work first then I'll worry about a 
 place."

"Renee," Alex called a few minutes later when he came back outside with 
Greg.  She was the closest thing 
he had to a partner and he already knew he very much wanted to get to 
know her better.  "I tried to call 
you about picking you up but they said your cell was not in service."

"Tell me about it," she smiled.  "They've had my account messed up 
since I moved up here.  I need to get 
them a payment and that will help."

"Well I wanted to pick you up," he went on.  

"No need," she replied hastily.  "Besides I had a couple of stops to 
make on the way."

"Well next time then," he grinned, and Renee smiled softly.  She did 
not often see that grin of his and when 
she did, she almost tingled.  

An hour later Mac was inside, getting a bowl of fruit from the fridge 
and stepping around Harm who had 
followed her in, when the phone rang.

"I've got it," Harm laughed after two rings, watching her juggle the 
bowl, looking for a place to set it on the 
crowded counter.

"Home of Colonel Mackenzie," he intoned, making Mac giggle.

"Who is this?"  

Harm's demeanor changed at once and he waved Mac to come to hear the 
conversation.  "Who's asking?"

"Someone who doesn't appreciate you hanging around with her.  And 
you're doing it more and more.  You 
shouldn't be answering her phone either.  Never mind who it is.  I'll 
call later when she's alone."  The 
phone went dead and for a moment they stared at it, and then at each 
other, in surprise and shock.

"Well that was fun," she finally said to break the mounting tension.

Harm quickly hit star69 but with no success.  The number had been 
blocked, as it had on the caller ID.  
"Fun?  I don't think so," he growled.  "There's someone out there after 
you."

She was about to dismiss his concerns when the full impact of the 
caller's words hit her.  "He may be after 
me, but he's coming to realize that you're an obstacle in the path," 
she whispered.  "Harm I wasn't that 
concerned before.  Women do attract creeps now and then and some of the 
these guys act out more than 
others but this is different.  This guy knows about you.  He knows you 
and I. . .Harm you're a threat to 
him."

THE END

Watch for Mayport VI next month.