Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or its characters (unfortunately).

Notes: I published this story in French but since some reviewers asked me, I translated it in English. Once again, English is not my first language so I hope there won't be too many errors. All mistakes are mine…

Resume: this story takes place in "Adrift II": Harm has been found and is in sickbay. Doctors and nurses are trying to save him. And Skates asked them if she can try. That's where my story begins.

=====JAG=====

USS Patrick Henry / JAG HQ
May 21st
2215 local

"Commander! Commander Rabb, wake up!"

"His temperature is still dropping." the nurse said.

"We're losing him!" the doctor added.

Skates, who was watching the scene, approached the bed and asked the doctor if she could try to talk to him. Since he didn't know what else to do, he decided to let her try. But after five minutes he realized that it was to no avail.

"I have another idea," Skates said, "We have to get in touch with Colonel Mackenzie at JAG headquarters. If there is someone who can do it, it's her!"

"We've got nothing to lose at this point."

After the connection ashore was made, the nurse handed the phone to Skates.

"JAG Headquarters, Gunnery Sergeant Galindez speaking."

"This is Lieutenant Hawkes. I need to speak to Colonel Mackenzie ASAP."

Galindez might have known who was on the line because six seconds later:

"Lieutenant, this is Colonel Mackenzie."

"Ma'am, he's not waking up. He is dying!"

Hearing the distress in the RIO's voice, Mac understood why Skates called her.

"Put the phone on his ear please!"

Skates did as told. Ignoring everyone in the bullpen and not knowing that they could here everything, Mac did her best to make her partner come back:

"Harm it's Mac. Harm I know you can hear me. I know you're here. You have to fight OK? You're gonna open your eyes and you're gonna survive… You're not gonna die Harm, do you hear me?!"

Tears were falling freely on her cheeks. If there was a doubt before, she now knew that she couldn't live without him.

"I need you Harm" she continued almost in a whisper, "please Harm. Don't leave me. I couldn't live without you… Harm!"

She heard the doctor's voice loud and clear:

"We're losing him!"

"Harm! No! You won't die, do you hear me?? Harm I need you! I love you!"

"Oh my god!" Skates whispered, "he's waking up!"

"Mac…"

It was just a whisper but everyone heard it.

"Yes Harm. Hold on OK?"

"I love you Mac."

"I love you too sailor."

Skates took the phone back.

"He is awake ma'am. He's gonna make it."

"Really?"

"The doctor said so."

"Thank God!" Mac whispered.

"Ma'am, can I call you back when he'll be able to talk?"

"Yes. I'm staying here for now."

After she hung up, Mac realized how quiet it was around her. She turned around and saw her colleagues' and friends' faces, but most of all Mic's and Renée's faces. Mac knew she had to face them. But for now, she just wanted to be alone. She walked in her office, closed the door and sank into her chair. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally; but she was happy. Harm was alive, told her he loved her too. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift toward her flyboy.

Meanwhile in the bullpen

The admiral went back to his office, Bud and Harriet went back home at their superior's insistence. Tiner and Gunny were at their desk. All of them had heard the "conversation" between the Colonel, the Commander and Lt Hawkes. Indeed, without Mac knowing, Lieutenant Singer put the loudspeaker of the phone on. Mac, worried about Harm, didn't even notice. The others, wanting news on Commander Rabb didn't say anything.

After hearing her boyfriend's confession, Renée went in his office, sat down and cried. Mic came to see her ten minutes later, confused himself even he knew it was only a matter of time until his fiancée realized her love for Harm.

Mic knocked on the doorframe. Renée turned around and he saw the tears in her eyes. She also saw the tears in his eyes.

"I suppose it was only a matter of time" she whispered.

"I suppose so."

"And now?"

"I have to talk to Sarah. And I think that once Harm is better, you'll have to have a conversation with him."

"I think you're right."

When she saw him turn to leave, Renée called him:

"Good luck Mic."

"I think it's too late for that."

He got out of Harm's office and walked his future ex-fiancée's.

Mic got out three minutes later. He looked at Renée, smiled shyly at her and left the JAG offices with a heavy heart. Deep down he knew that Mac loved Harm but he thought once they were married, she would learn to love him.

In Harm's office, Renée was thinking approximately the same things. She knew that Harm's heart had always belonged to Mac, that she was his dream girl. One day while they were making love, Renée thought she heard Harm call her Sarah. But she quickly forgot, thinking she was hallucinating. Now she wasn't sure anymore. She stood up and wandered around the office. She noticed the pictures on the shelves: one of Harm with his father (copy of the one he had in his apartment), a picture of the JAG staff after Surface Warfare Ball, a picture of him with his squadron while he was stationed on the Patrick Henry. But the picture which drew her attention was the one put down between two law books. It was a picture of Harm and Mac at Little AJ's christening. Mac was looking at the baby in her arms and Harm had an arm around her shoulders. His other hand was on his partner's hand, the hand holding the baby. But he wasn't looking at the baby. He was watching Mac. There was tenderness in his eyes, which he never had when looking at Renée.

She put the picture back on the shelf, looked around the office one last time, got out and closed the door. She looked around the bullpen and saw Tiner and Gunny looking at her. She asked them to notice Harm's parents and, like Mic before her, she left the JAG for what would probably be the last time.

JAG HQ
Mac's office
2355 local

Mac awoke with a start. After her discussion with Mic and their break up, she fell asleep in her chair. She had a horrible nightmare in which the Admiral announced that Harm's body was found, dead. She saw herself and heard herself scream.

She looked outside the window. The stormed calmed down. She closed her eyes for a moment and Harm's face appeared to her, smiling. He had this smile, the one he used only for her. She knew at this precise moment what she wanted to do. She stood and before she reached the door, the phone rang.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie?"

"Colonel. This is Skates."

"Hey Skates. How is he?"

"He is awake. Still very weak but he'll survive. The doctor wants to keep him on board for a few days before transporting him to Bethesda next week."

"Is he able to speak?"

"Hang on!"

She heard the muffled voices of Harm and Skates. Then the phone hit something hard.

"Mac."

His voice wasn't that loud but Mac was relieved to hear him.

"Hey sailor! You scared me you know?"

"Sorry!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Better now that I can hear your voice."

There were a few seconds of silence before he spoke again.

"Mac, I remember what I said earlier. And I was thinking every word. I love you!"

"I love you too Harm. If you knew how much."

Tears were running down her cheeks again.

"Hey! Don't cry. I'm fine."

"You almost died."

"Yes, but I didn't. Thanks to you."

She couldn't hear anything for a minute and then she heard Skates' voice.

"He is exhausted ma'am. He needs to sleep."

"I understand. Thank you Skates. For everything."

"I'm glad I could've helped ma'am. The Commander is a good guy."

"Yes… I'm gonna find a helo and I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Are you it's wise to travel with this weather?"

"You didn't go out since a long time Lieutenant. The storm stopped. And nothing will prevent me from coming. Even if I have to swim."

"Yes ma'am!"

They both hung up and Mac exited her office. She spotted Gunny seated at his desk. He hung up his phone the moment Mac was near him.

"Gunny I need…"

"… The helo is leaving from Andrews in two hours ma'am. Just enough time for you to go home, take a shower, get dressed and prepare your duffel bag."

"Gunny you're amazing!"

"Just far-sighted ma'am."

"Thank you."

Then she turned and saw Tiner.

"Tiner, I have to…"

"… The Admiral has been notified and approved your trip. Captain Ingles, the skipper of the Patrick Henry is also aware of your arrival."

"Thank you Tiner. I owe you big guys."

She hurried to leave and reached the double doors of the bullpen when Gunny called out for her. She turned and saw him handing her a bunch of keys to her.

"I thought you may need a car."

She just realized that she came with from the restaurant. That seemed so far away now! She came back and retrieved the keys. To their astonishment she kissed Gunny's cheek, and then Tiner's.

"Thanks you two!"

End of chapter One

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