One Bridge, One Angry Colonel, and A Gash

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE.

Notes: Sorry for any mistakes...those are all mine.

Mac gave in to the Doctors embrace, she felt so weak…so drained. He sat her on the chair and left to get her some coffee. Mac sat there motionless staring straight ahead. Her eyes red and swollen from shedding tears for the man she loved. "He can't die. He can't die."

Meanwhile in the room the doctors worked hard to stabilize Harm and save his life, just how Mac had asked. The doctor approached Mac and she instantly got up.

"He's stable, but still in critical condition. We managed to stop the bleeding and help him. His condition now depends on him and his desire to live."

"I think I can help with that." Her face lit up a bit. She would make sure that Harm came back to her. He had to.

"Can I see him?"

"Yes ma'am. In a few minutes we will move him into a private room. I'll have a nurse come and get you."

"Thank you doctor, for everything."

Minutes later Mac walked into Harm's room. It was dark, the only light visible was that of a small lamp hanging from the back of his bed. She saw his body hooked to a million different wires. She was not prepared to see him so frail and inert. She hesitantly walked toward him and sat down next to him. As she picked up his hand she noticed how warm it was. She was afraid that it would be icy and pale, but he still had his color and his warmth. She gently caressed his face as she stared lovingly at him.

"Hang on Flyboy, please. I need you." With those few words she rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.

He heard someone telling him to hang on, but he wasn't sure who. It sounded so familiar. `No point in finding out right now. I'm tired, I'll just rest'.

JAG HEADQUARTERS

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINA

1750 HOURS

"Coats!"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Has Mr. Webb called yet?" He looked annoyed and concerned for his two senior officers.

"No, Sir, not yet. Can I do anything to help?"

"No Coats. That'll be all. Thank you."

"Aye, Sir."

RING

RING

RING

"Webb this better be you."

"No, Sir. It's Colonel MacKenzie." The Admiral's face went into complete shock and relief at once.

"Mac, where are you? Where's Commander Rabb? Are you guys ok?"

"Yes, Sir. Harm suffered a severe concussion and is still unconscious, but we're alive. We're at St. Mary's Hospital, Sir. In South Carolina. I will fill you in later, Sir." Her voice had traces of defeat, exhaustion, and panic, and with one final goodbye she hung up.

"Coats! Get me Webb on the phone."

"Yes, Sir."

"Webb, I know where they are. Mac just called."

NORTH OF UNION STATION

2250 HOURS

Mattie had just received the news from Jen. Her face turned pale, her eyes watered up, she could not accept the fact that this was happening. She had found Harm, actually it was the other way around, but they were a family. The only thing missing in their family was one person...Mac. And she was destined to be with Harm, Mattie new it.

"Come on Mattie, the Admiral is flying down there. He can take you to see the Commander."

"No Jen, I'll see him when he comes back. He is going to come back you know. Besides, him and Mac need some time together...they need to get a move on if we're going to be a family."

"They'll get it right Mattie, you'll see. Well Mattie...got to go, the Admiral's calling. I'll see you later ok. Bye."

ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL

0420 HOURS

Mac was sleeping on Harm's shoulder when she felt her hand being squeezed by his. She sat up and looked at him.

"Harm?" She caressed his cheek and waited for his response.

`God it's so hard to open my eyes, but I have to. Mac's here.'

He forcefully opened his eyes only to be met by a sharp pain and bright light. He was quickly soothed however by the smooth caresses of a soft hand.

"Hey there flyboy...you-you scared me." Tears were now gliding down her cheeks and the pain was evident in her voice. Noticing her pain, Harm put his hand to her cheek.

"Did you miss me?" Mac barely stifled a chuckle through her tears.

"Of course I did flyboy. And if you try anything like that again, I'll kick your six to Japan."

"Understood, Colonel."

They stared at each other in silence and got lost in the others eyes. All they had been hiding from each other for the last eight years suddenly wanted to surface. They had almost lost each other. In fact, too many times, and it was time to let go.

"Mac, I-I-can't remember much of what happened, except you. You were there pushing me to come back and hold on." His eyes left behind a look of confusion and weakness.

"It's ok Harm. Don't think about it. The good thing is that you're ok, and here." She paused trying to think about her next line, but Harm finished her thought for her.

"With you?"

"Yes, with me. I was so afraid that I was going to lose you."

They stared and it was Harm who finally made the move, which made him a bit dizzy, but was well worth it.

Harm leaned forward and Mac met him half way. He gently caressed her lips with his. Their kiss lasted a few seconds, but before Harm could pull away completely, Mac grabbed his hospital gown from the chest and pulled him in. This kiss they shared was more intimate, passionate, and full of love. Harm did nothing to pull away; instead he pulled her to him by the wrists and placed her on the edge of the bed. He repositioned himself so that he was sitting against the headboard and she was straddling his lap.

"Wait, Harm, I'm going to hurt you. And this is not the way I imagined our first time…making out."

"I'm well enough...and...wait a minute...how did you imagine our first time? And how many times have you imagined us?" A slight grin was visible on his face.

"Shut up flyboy and kiss me. That's an order." Harm, being the perfect officer, obeyed the order she had given him. Before it could get too far, he pulled away.

"Ok. I agree. I'd rather do this at the right place and at the right time. Preferably my place...or yours, with dinner, candles, and maybe some dessert." Mac cupped his face and placed a feather light kiss on his lips.

Just as she was about to get off the bed, Harm stopped her with a hand on her arm. "I didn't say we couldn't sleep together. Stay here, it's more comfortable."

Mac hesitated, his openness finally getting the better part of her heart. She did admit it all came about a weird way, but it didn't matter anymore as long as they were together. They had wasted so much time. She gave in to his look and positioned herself beside him. Her right leg resting on top of his right. Their hands wrapped around each other, and her head on his shoulder. `Finally', they thought. `How did we ever make it without this' was the thought that ran through both of their minds. Harm looked down to her just as she was looking up at him and their lips met once again.

"I love you, Sarah Mackenzie."

"I love you." She replied with a sigh.

THURSDAY

ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL

0715 HOURS

"Um…Colonel, Commander, sorry to interrupt your rest, but I'm here to tell you that I don't want either of you in my headquarters until next week. Understood?" Both of them smiled and responded in unison, "Yes, Sir."

"I also have some news about who caused this problem in the first place. It seems your client, Colonel Shields, got a little uneasy over your loss in the court room earlier this week. Webb pulled some strings and found out who it was. He is currently being held by the MPs, but will be transferred to Leavenworth in a few days. He won't be causing anymore trouble. Sorry that you two got involved in that, but look what you got out of it. To think that it only took one angry Marine Colonel, a bridge, and a gash to get you two to admit your feelings. Anyway, get some rest you two."

The whole day was spent getting visits from Harm and Mac's friends and co-workers. Which they thought was great because if they had gone anymore time without any other human contact, they would go insane. Being alone together had them on edge. They wanted to act on so much pent up frustration.

Harm was spent and after a few making out sessions that he and his marine underwent, they gave into sleep. Mac was sleeping comfortably next to him with a hand on his chest when Harm's parents came into the room.

"Look Frank, they look so good together. I hope our son finally got the courage to tell his Sarah that he loves her." Trish told her husband while peeking through the door. Mac heard someone walking in and was immediately startled to see who it was. With a hand to his cheek she woke him.

"Hey flyboy you have some visitors."

"Huh...Mac, honey come back to bed. We've had too many visitors already." Mac blushed slightly as he said the words unaware that his parents were there.

"Hey now, that's no way to greet your parents, son." Trish said to surprise Harm from a restful sleep…and to embarrass him a bit.

"M-mom, Frank, what are you guys doing here?"

"Wow, son, we can leave if you want."

"N-no Frank I'm just surprised to see you here, that's all."

"Well, you have an angel named Sarah that called us and told us about your situation." Mac again blushed as she heard the heartfelt words that came from Trish.

Harm turned to face Mac and grabbed her hand to plant a soft kiss on her palm.

"Well, honey, we only came to see how you were doing, we checked into a hotel around where Sarah lives. If anything comes up and you two need help, just call us." Trish smiled and walked over to his bed and dropped a small kiss on his forehead. "Bye Harmon, we'll see you later." She turned slightly to where Mac was seated and dropped a small kiss on her forehead as well. Mac's emotions became too much to handle with this show of love from Harm's mother. The woman had never really sat down to talk to her and get to know her, and yet she showed her love and appreciation with one simple gesture. "Goodbye Sarah. Thank you for taking care of my boy." Mac responded in a low voice trying to hold back the tears. "It's my pleasure. And thank you for bringing him into my life."

SATURDAY

MAC'S APARTMENT

GEORGETOWN, VIRGINIA

"Thanks for letting me crash here while my parents stay at my place." Harm smiled at her as he comfortably sat on her couch.

"I like your parents flyboy, but the doctor said you needed someone to take care of you remember?"

"Hey as long as I'm here." He flashed her his flyboy grin. And as he was about to get up, Mac pushed him back down and sat next to him.

"We need to talk, Harm." I think if we play our cards right this time, we can have something going for us."

"I agree Ninja Girl. Let me go first. All I really need to say is sorry for taking so long to tell you that I loved you. I'm sorry for screwing up all of the chances you've given me. Lets put it behinds us, Sarah. We need to work for a future, but we can't do that unless we stop living through the mistakes we've made in the past." Mac had tears in her eyes, but was holding on to his warmth for support.

"Harm, before anything, I want you to know that I never stopped loving you. Not when I was with Dalton, not with Mic, or even with Clay. Before you say anything...Webb took me out a few times and we were `dating', but I broke it off. I didn't have to tell him anything, he already knew the reason. You know what he said? He told me to come to you, that that's who I wanted."

They both stared at each other for seconds until Harm spoke up. "Was he right?" She looked at him and without hesitation she said, "Yes".

They were suddenly enveloped in each others arms. Harm crushed her lips onto his as he explored her body with his hands. He got up and took her with him. He placed his hands on either side of her waist and lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around him. Stumbling as he kissed her neck and tried steering them, he finally got them inside her bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed as he positioned himself over her body, his heavier built covering her petite one. He kissed her passionately on the lips and began to nuzzle her neck. He kissed his way up to her ear and whispered "I love you."

Mac was so touched by the way his voice sounded, so soft and sweet and caring. She kissed him in return and whispered back in his ear after nibbling lightly on his lobe, "I love you, too."

Harm turned on his side and brought Mac with him. He shifted them until she was practically on top of him with their legs tangled together. And so they slept together in peace, eager to see what their destiny laid before them.

THE END

I love stories where dangerous situations bring out the best in people.

Optimistic...that's what I am...yup. I am being optimistic right now in saying that I will have another post soon! ;-)