Title: Family Ties
Author: Anne Taul, annetaul@home.com

Summary: When Harm tries to unite his Russian and American families, he and Mac may get trapped in the middle. A possible follow up to "Legacy."
Disclaimer: Jag, its' characters and premise are exclusive property of Bellisarius, Paramount, CBS, etc. No profit is made by the sharing of this story; no infringement of copyright is intended.

Family Ties

There was a sudden jolt as the plane hit an air pocket. Sarah MacKenzie was shaken awake from her relaxed slumber. It had been a stressful week, and, for once, she was glad that she could always sleep on a plane while traveling.

Recent events crowded her groggy mind. There was an officer suspected of treason, who had been killed by a car bomb.  There was Clayton Webb, playing spy games. The reappearance of "Mark Falcon" had certainly been unexpected. A plot to assassinate the president of Russia could raise the stress level a bit. Then, there had been an impromptu trip to Russia to thwart the assassination. On top of everything else, Harm finding the long-lost brother he'd never known existed, then having to leave him in Russia had rounded out events in this very unusual week.

As the thoughts gathered, she looked over at the man in the seat next to her. Harm looked tired ­ really tired, but he wasn't able to sleep now. Instead, he held the photograph Sergei had given him. It was of his father ­ a slightly older version than he had remembered ­ and a young, attractive, blond woman. Harm stared at the picture with a blank expression, and tenderly fingered the edges.

The sight made Mac smile. "You'll see Sergei again." she said.

"Of course I will." Harm replied. "I didn't know you were awake."

"Yeah," she commented. "Are you okay?"

"Sure, I'm fine." There was a pause, then the tone of his voice changed. "I guess I'm going to have to go see my mom. She should know about all this, don't you think?"

"Yeah, Harm, I definitely think she'll want to know. Talk to the admiral when we get back. I'm sure he'll be understanding. He'll probably approve your leave to go to California to talk to your mother."

"You're right. Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to say to her." Harm agreed. "Mac, I don't know why this all seems so strange. When we first met Sergei's mother and she told us about what had happened to my dad, why didn't she tell us about Sergei then?"

"I don't know, Harm. Maybe she was protecting him. She might have thought that he just wasn't ready to deal with knowing you yet. Or maybe she was afraid that her son would follow his American brother back to the States and she'd never see him again."

"I guess so." He agreed. "I just wish I had known."

Mac smiled at him and lay a hand on his arm. "I know."

She yawned as she continued, "How do you think your mom's going to react?"

"I really don't know. Say, you're still tired. Why don't you go on back to sleep?"

She nodded and lay her head back against the seat.

It looked terribly uncomfortable.

He watched her for a couple of minutes, then couldn't stand the sight of her position in the seat.

"Here," he said softly, "try this." As he said it, he gently moved her head to lie against his shoulder. "Is that better?"

"That's great." She replied, relaxing against him.

She squirmed a little, so he lifted the armrest between the seats to give her more room. It wasn't long before she had fallen to sleep and worked her way down into the crook of his arm. The only way he could make the arm comfortable for himself, without disturbing her was to drape it around her shoulders. It felt natural to have his arm around her.

Harm mused to himself about the sudden tenderness he felt toward his partner. Well, it wasn't really sudden; Mac had always held a tender spot in Harm's heart. For some reason, though, he just wasn't able to express it around her. When they were together, there was a natural barrier to their feelings for each other. He'd long convinced himself it was that they had to work together, but he knew that wasn't all of it. They just usually seemed to have a need for distance between them.. Now, though, with her lying asleep against his side, all that built up emotion flowed through him. There was nothing to hide while she was unconscious. He looked at her with overwhelming tenderness. It felt good.

After a while, he felt her shiver, involuntarily. Harm knew she was cold. He flagged down the fight attendant and asked for a blanket. When he draped the blanket over her sleeping form, she snuggled closer to him, seeking still more warmth. Harm enjoyed the sensation, though he would never have been able to admit it to her.

The blanket didn't stay in place, The only way he could hold it over her to make sure she stayed warm was to grasp it with his free hand ­ which he did. The effect of this, though he didn't notice it immediately, was that she lay against his side, with both his arms wrapped around her. It was a great feeling, and soon he was drifting off to sleep himself.

ONE WEEK LATER


Mac sat at her desk in JAG ops, going over her case notes for the upcoming Kennedy trial. The young petty officer was accused of molesting a child in a Naval base day care center. The evidence was plentiful against him, but mostly circumstantial. She believed that she had a good chance of winning him an acquittal.

Just as she closed one folder and opened another, there was a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Harm. She motioned him in. "When did you get back?"

"Last night." He informed her. "Do you have the depositions on the Gribaldi case?"

"Yeah, somewhere." She began looking through papers on her desk. "Did the admiral assign you to Gribaldi?"

"So it seems."

"I'm sorry. Nobody wanted that one."

"Well, I've been gone, so I guess it's only fair."

"Oh yeah, how's your mom?"

"This new information has really thrown her for a loop. She took a long walk, alone, then cried for a while. I really wished I hadn't had to tell her.Mac, she wants to go to Siberia. She wants to meet Ms. Zhukov and Sergei. Can you believe it?"

"Sure. Can you blame her? Did you really expect that she wouldn't want to know everything?"

"I didn't think she'd want to go."

"What's your step-father say?"

"That's the strange part. Frank wants me to take her to Russia. He thinks she needs closure."

"And you don't?"

"Mac, she's my mother. She's been through so much. I just don't want to subject her to anything else."

"So, when are you leaving?"

"You think you know me so well, don't you?"

"I do know you, Flyboy."

"You do ­ probably better than anyone else, but I'm not so predictable. You don't know what I'm going to do."

"Sure I do. You're going to take your mom and your step-father to Russia. Did Admiral Chegwidden grant your leave?"

"No, he didn't."

"He didn't?"

"No. Actually, he said that I never really finished the job he sent me over there for the last time. I got sidetracked, so I didn't get to make any recommendations for their system of military justice."

"After Sergei's trial, they may not want you to do that.'

"Of course, there are those who'd just as soon I never came back to Russia, but we have a status of forces agreement that says I will do this, so I will. Mom and Frank will be here tomorrow afternoon. I leave the next day, then they'll join me."

"I should come with you."

"There's no need for that. I can handle this one."

"Harm, you don't even speak the language. That's fine for the work you're doing, but when you get to Siberia and start trying to introduce your mother to Pitcha, it's going to be hard. I think I should come."

"I appreciate it, Mac. Really I do, but Š.."

"No buts, I'll pack and talk to the admiral.

Harm just shrugged his shoulders. He knew he couldn't do anything when she'd made up her mind like this.

4 DAYS LATER
MOSCOW AIRPORT


Mac, Trish and Frank were all booked on the same flight to Moscow. During the trip, Mac tried to get Trish to talk about her feelings concerning the new information about her former husband.

At first, she wouldn't say anything, but as the trip progressed, she began to open up some. "I just don't know what I feel about all of this ­ it 's such a shock. I guess part of me thinks he should have tried harder to get back to us. It's almost like he abandoned us. But I know that he was dealing with difficult circumstances. Maybe I should just be glad that he found some happiness at the end."

Mac looked sympathetic. This was certainly something she'd never dealt with before.

Trish continued. "These people are so important to Harm. I want to like them, really I do. And a big part of me knows that Harm's daddy deserved to have someone to love and comfort him at the end. I know I should be grateful. I just don't really know how I feel about all of this. I should be glad that he moved on, shouldn't I? After all, I did too." With this, she cast a glance toward Frank.

Sarah MacKenzie heldHarm's mother's hands tightly.

Trish went on. "What's really got me concerned is how I'm going to react when I meet these people. This woman and her son mean a lot to Harm, so I want to be gracious. I want to be accepting and understanding. But I'm afraid that when I actually see them, I might feel anger. I don't want to react that way, but I'm not sure I can control it entirely."

Finally Mac spoke. "Harm won't want you to deny your feelings."

"Thank you, Dear."

Mac walked off the plane into the waiting arms of the man who was meeting the flight.

"Mac!" he greeted her, as he hugged her tightly.

"Sergei," she returned. "Where's Harm?"

"He's in court. He couldn't get away, so he asked me to meet you. It's a favor for a brother."

"I can see that." She retorted.

Mac grabbed the arms of Trish and Frank Burnett as they entered the terminal. "Trish, Frank, this is Sergei."

Frank shook hands with the young man and said, "It's nice to meet you. Harm's told us so much about you."

Trish caught the young Russian up in a huge hug, then moved away to look at him. "Yes,' she concluded, "I can see your father in you."

"Really?" he asked, impressed.

They picked up their luggage, then went to Sergei's car. He took them the long way around to the hotel, so they could see some of the sights of Moscow.

As they were checking in, Trish caught Sergei staring at Mac with admiration.

"Lovely, isn't she?" Trish observed.

"Yes." He replied. "My brother, Harm, he is a lucky man, no?"

"Yes, if he'd pay attention." She answered.

Sergei didn't really hear this, then they moved toward the rooms.

When Harm finally joined them, they went to an elegant restaurant for dinner. Everybody was watching somebody else at the table. Frank was intently observing his wife. He truly hoped that this trip would finally give her the peace she had sought for nearly thirty years concerning the fate of her first husband. Harm also watched his mom, wanting her to like Sergei and to accept this new part of his life. Trish, herself, watched Mac, or rather watched her son's interaction with his beautiful partner. Sergei was intent on his study of Harm. This was the older brother he had always wished for. It was also the closest he would ever get to knowing the father that had died before he could remember. The final member of the party, Mac, was carefully observing Harm. This whole situation provided a lot of stress for him, and she meant to be there to help him if he needed her.

On the way back to the hotel, following a lovely dinner, Harm shared the most immediate problem facing the group with Mac.

"You remember General Kreeloff?" he asked.

"Let's see," Mac engaged him, "Russian commander, into terrorism. He plotted to assassinate the Russian president last time we were here?"

"Yeah, same guy. He was also the commander of Sergei's unit. He presided at Sergei's trial for arms theft and treason."

"You said that trial was a farce."

"It was. There was a total lack of judicial process."

"So, what about the general?"

"He remembers me from that trial, too. He says I made a mockery of his court and showed disrespect for him."

"Oh, no, you lit up a Russian general. Harm, you've got to be more careful."

"Well, he's not too happy about me being the one to offer suggestions for the improvement of Russian military justice."

"I guess not. You better stay out of his way."

"Don't worry. The thing is, he threatened me. He wants me out of the country."

"Then do your family business and leave. The admiral can send somebody else to advise the military legal system."

By this time they had arrived back at the hotel. The room Harm was staying in was empty, so he pulled her into it, to continue the conversation.They sat on the bed. He leaned very close to her, intending to whisper his information into her ear, emphasizing the fact that he wanted to keep it just between them.

"Mac, Kreeloff's a dangerous man. It's one thing that he threatened me, but now with my family here, he might try to get to someone I care about."

"Do you think you should warn them?"

"No, I don't want to cause any unnecessary panic. It's enough if you and I are aware. I just want to keep my family safe. If he came after you or mom and Frank ŠŠ..well, I have to protect my family."

"Me? You're counting me as part of your family?"

He gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand. "Mac, you know that you're family to me."

She raised her hand to lay it along side his cheek, as well. "Yeah," she responded.

As they sat like that, their faces moved closer and closer together. Just before their lips touched, they were interrupted by a noise that caused them to pull quickly apart, breaking the moment.

Trish and Sergei had opened the connecting door between Trish's room and Harm's to alert him to their plans to begin preparing for tomorrow's trip to Siberia. When they saw Harm and Mac in what appeared to be a compromising situation, they quickly retreated and closed the door. From their side of the door, they smiled knowingly at each other.

NEXT DAY
SIBERIA
HOME OF PITCHA ZHUKOV


"Nonsense!"Pitcha said to Frank, through Sergei, acting as interpreter. "You will not go to the hotel. I have this big house, and it's been a long time since it was full of company. You will stay right here."

Frank tried to argue, but Trish stepped in, pulling him away. "Thank you. We'd be delighted to be your guests." She silenced Frank with a look that only a wife could manage.

As apprehensive as Trish had been about meeting this woman, she found Pitcha to be warm and eager to get to know them. She would still have to process her feelings about what she and this Russian woman had shared, but she found herself genuinely liking Pitcha.

When the group had first arrived at Pitcha Zhukov's farmhouse, Trish Burnett and the Russian woman had shared an embrace. Then, with Mac and Sergei acting as interpreters, they had spent almost two hours in animated conversation. Both felt a little awkward, but they could deal with that as they continued getting to know each other. They owed it to the memory of a man they had both loved.

Now that the sleeping arrangements were settled, Harm asked Pitcha to go for a walk outside with him. Mac went along, helping them communicate as they walked along, much as they had during their first meeting.

"Pitcha," Harm broached his questions carefully, "when we met before, you told me of my father's fate. Why didn't you tell me about Sergei then?"

Ms. Zhukov looked at the worn ground of the path, then into his eyes, "You came here looking for the father you had known as a boy ­ a hero, not the man who made a life with me."

Harm's mind was a whirlwind. Part of him wanted, more than anything to know every detail about his father, but part of him needed to keep the image he had carried for 28 years untarnished by extra information. He was still the boy who had idolized his father and the teenager who had traveled halfway around the world searching for him. He had to hear it, yet he was glad that his mom and Frank were there too ­ and Mac, of course.

"But Sergei is my brother. You must have known that I would want to know him."

"Yes, but Sergei is young. I wasn't sure he could handle knowing you yet."

There was a pause, then Pitcha assured him, "Your father loved your mother."

Harm smiled, then said, "I'm sure he loved you too.'

"Oh! Yes, he did. We were very happy."

Harm took the couple of paces needed to move to he woman's side. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.With a look to Mac that she couldn't quite place, he turned and walked back toward the house.

He needed to be alone. In some ways, all of this was just too much. This wasn't the father he remembered ­ his father. Perhaps it would have been better if he had just died in Vietnam.

Harm didn't know where all this was coming from. He had always wanted to know the truth. Somehow, now, though, he felt betrayed by it.

As he passed by his mother, she reached for his arm. "Darling, are you okay?"

Mac arrived just in time to hear the rest of the conversation.

Harm looked at his mother, "Mom, Dad had a whole other life ­ a whole other family that wasn't us."

"Yes, I know." She answered.

"Doesn't that upset you?" he demanded.

"No." Trish reasoned. "I'm grateful to them that his last days were happy ones."

Harm looked exasperated by now. "I've always been proud to be his son, his only son. But I'm not. He loved them too."

"Of course he did, Dear. I know what's wrong. You're still looking for that perfect man who was a hero to a little boy. You can't even see the man who was trapped in a bad situation and had to make a new life. Your daddy's not exactly what you expected, is he?"

Trish reached for Harm's arm, but he pulled away. He turned his back and walked out into the field, toward the woods. He just stood there with his back to the others staring into space.

Mac asked his mother, "Is he alright?"

Trish touched Mac's arm. "Go to him, Darling. He's hurting. He needs you now. Go to him."

Mac wasn't sure what to say to this, but she did feel an overwhelming need to comfort Harm. He was in pain.

Hs shoulders were slumped and his head bent in anguish. Mac had never seen him like this before. She could never have articulated why, but it scared her a little. She needed to do something to make him feel better. Her actions were impulsive, later she wouldn't know why she had done what she did.

She walked out across the field toward him. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and lay her head on his back, between his shoulder blades.

Nothing had ever taken Harm by surprise in quite the way that this did. Yet, somehow it felt appropriate, and it was comforting.

Harm turned slowly, and in one motion he had caught her up in his arms and pulled her to him.

They stood there for several minutes in a tight embrace. Then he looked down into her face. "Thank you." He said softly.

"Thank me for what. I didn't do anything yet."

"Yeah, you did. Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring."

"You get that for free, Sailor."

There was a moment of silence, then she reached up,as though she were going to drape her arms around his neck. He pushed her away and stepped back.

Her expression was confused.

"I just need a little time to process everything." He told her.

Sergei, still standing next to Trish, commented, "I don't understand these strange American customs. Why does he walk away from her? In Russia, when a man loves a woman that much, he holds her tight and never lets her go."

Trish smiled, "Darling, they will too, as soon as they figure it out."

Sergei laughed, "You mean, they don't know how they feel."

"Apparently not." Trish replied.

"Then maybe they need some help to find out."

"What do you have in mind?" Trish was interested.

Harm and Mac walked back toward the house. As they fell in step with each other their hands joined at their sides. Neither of them really paid that much attention, untilŠŠŠ

There was the sound of gunshots from in the woods. They both jumped involuntarily.

Sergei, now beside them, guessed, "Probably some hunters."

"Yeah, probably," Harm responded, giving Mac a worried glance. She knew that he was thinking of General Kreeloff.

Everyone was back in the house and having a drink when there was a knock on the front door. Sergei excused himself and went to answer it.

When the group moved to the living room to sit down, Frank Burnett noticed a bouquet of flowers that hadn't been there before.He picked them up, saying , "Somebody got flowers."

"I assumed they were for Mac." Sergei replied. "She's the beautiful, young woman here."

Mac blushed.

Frank continued, card in hand, "The card has Harm's name on it."

Harm came forward and took the card. It was all in Russian. He pulled Mac out into the hallway with him. "What does it say?"

She read it, then grimaced.

"Well?" he was insistent.

"t says, ŒYankee go home orŠ..'"

"Or what?" Harm demanded.

"Or else." She supplied.

"It's not signed?" he guessed.

"No." she confirmed.

"Kreeloff." They breathed the name together.

"We've got to be very careful." He reminded her. "You and I will have to watch out for the others."

"Are you due back in Moscow for court tomorrow?"

"No, not until the day after. That's why I wanted to come here now."

Sergei suddenly burst in on them. "So, Big Brother, who are the flowers from> Do you have a secret admirer."

"Something like that ."Harm said with a wink at Mac.

Sergei saw this gesture and took it to be a lovers' sign, so he dropped his inquiry.

They rejoined the others.

Soon Pitcha announced that she must begin preparing the dinner. They would dine on a lovely Russian stew. This was a traditional dish especially for their guests.

Trish offered to help, and Pitcha seemed glad. She asked Sergei to come along, so that they could talk while they worked.

Not far into the preparations, Pitcha realized that she didn't have enough carrots to make her stew. "I must go to the village." She announced.

Trish asked Sergei how far the village was, how long a trip like that would take.

The village was about four miles by car. The trip in, buying the carrots and the trip back would take about 30 minutes, as the roads were very bad.

"That's a perfect errand for Mac." Trish commented. "Are you ready to set this plan in motion."

Sergei smiled at her. "I think it's time. You take care of her; I 'll concentrate on Harm."

They looked at each other mischievously.

Trish excused herself from the kitchen and cornered Mac in the hallway. "Darling, Pitcha must have some carrots from the village to complete her dinner.Would you mind driving in to get them for her?"

"Of course not." Mac replied, dutifully. Soon she was on her way.

Sergei waited about 15 minutes to start phase two of the scheme. He gave Harm a look that he hoped conveyed that he wanted to talk, then he went out to stand on the front porch.

Right on cue, Harm followed him outside. The two of them stood looking toward the woods.

"Have you seen Mac?" Sergei asked.

"Not for a few minutes." Harm responded. "Why?"

She came out here to go for a walk about 15 minutes ago, and I haven't seen her since. If she accidentally wandered i nto those woods, she might get lost."

"Oh no!" Harm exclaimed. "After we heard those gunshots out there earlier, she could be in danger."

"It will be dark soon." Sergei continued. "I hope she doesn't get in the path of those hunters."

"I'm going to look for her." Harm said, firmly.

"You can't go out there. You'll get lost too."

Harm quickly gathered up a flashlight and some other equipment and headed out in search of his partner ­ and friend.

After he had left, Trish whispered to Sergei, "Are you sure that they'll both be okay out there?"

"Trish, they are both trained military officers. They'll both find my uncle's old hunting cabin and take shelter there. Nothing can go wrong."

A short time later, Mac returned with carrots. She was helping Pitcha wash them, when Trish pulled her aside. "I'm worried about Harm." She confided.

"Why? What about him?" Mac wanted to know.

"He went out into the woods." Trish told her. "We heard more of those gunshots and he went to investigate. I guess he was going to tell the hunters not to come so close to the house."

"Harm went into the woods alone?" Mac was worried. "How long has he been gone?"

"He left right about when you left for town." Trish lied.

He should have been back. Maybe I better go ad look for him."

She mentioned this to Sergei, but he suggested waiting until morning. "Only a fool would go into those woods at night."

But she certainly couldn't let him face Kreeloff alone.

Mac didn't want to cause any alarm amongst he others, so she gathered up the things she would need and quietly headed out to the forest edge.

Trish and Sergei smiled at each other.

Harm had been walking a long time, without even so much as a sign of Mac. But he wouldn't give up. However, he was weary, and in his worry he had wandered off the main path. The woods were heavy here and it was getting dark fast. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find his way out, at least not until daylight. Shelter would be good. He'd think about that for when he found Mac.

Up ahead, he saw a small hunter's cabin. He needed to rest so he headed that way.

As he got closer, he could tell that someone was in there. Smoke came from the chimney and there was the smell of food cooking.

It could be a trap.

The marine felt a little embarrassed that she had lost her way in the dense tree clumps. Once darkness had set in, everything looked the same. Mac felt lucky that she'd stumbled onto this old cabin. She felt even luckier to discover that someone had recently stocked it with firewood, food and all the essentials. She could at least rest here a while ­ until there was enough light to find her way out.

She had built a fire and was fixing some food when she heard the noise outside. herself.

"Somebody's out there." she whispered to

Harm was extremely cautious in approaching the cabin. When he got close, he backed up flush against a tree and watched. He thought he saw some movement inside, but he wasn't able to tell what was going on or how many people might be inside. When a shadow moved toward the door, he held his breath, grateful that he had brought along a firearm.

Inside the cabin, Mac tried to find a position that would let her see outside without being seen. She gripped her side arm, aware that someone could burst in on her at any minute. But she was weary and hoped that she'd have time to gulp down a little of the food that was cooking before she was forced to move on. Harm was smart; she knew he'd eventually find this shelter. It would have been nice to have been able to wait for him here. Harm! Once again he filled her mind. If somebody had found her, could they have found him too? She was consumed with the necessity of finding him, and soon.

Mac was a marine, trained for action in combat situations. Just waiting here for the enemy to attack didn't seem right. She had to act first.

She moved quietly toward the front door. Opening it slowly, she took cover behind it.

Harm watched the door swing open, expecting the worst. Instinctively, he moved to the side of the doorframe, ready for action.

He saw the barrel of a weapon come round the corner, pointing at him. A voice warned, "Don't move!"

Harm froze as he leveled his own weapon at the sound of the voice. Suddenly his mind registered something shocking. That voice was familiar. "Mac?" he questioned.

"Harm? Harm?" She relaxed and released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

He moved out into her line of vision. Her weapon was still trained on him. "Whoa!" he said, pushing it aside.

"Now she lectured him, "What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? I could have shot you."

An unidentified noise from somewhere in the woods sent them both into the cabin.

He lay his weapon down on a table, along side hers.

"What was that?" he inquired.

"I don't know."

With a hand on her arm, he held her low, below the window. "Let's be careful."

"Now that's a plan." She smirked.

They crouched together out of sight of anyone who might be watching from outside.

She suddenly got up and ran toward the kitchen.Harm was startled, so he followed her. "Mac, what are you doing?"

"I left something on the stove, I don't want it to burn." She picked up a pot and smiled. "Dinner's ready."

"Where'd you get food out here?"

"When I got here there was lots of food and firewood. It was fully stocked."

"That's strange." He commented.

She dished up the food onto two plates, and they sat to eat.

The conversation was lively and comfortable as they ate. Mac asked a lot of questions about how he was really feeling about all the things going on during this trip.

And Harm answered her, as best he could. Some of his emotions, he hadn' t even really thought about yet, so it was difficult to tell her about them. But what he did know, he shared because he knew without doubt that there was no one else that he could talk to this way.

A sound outside, much closer than before, brought an end to their revelry. They exchanged a concerned glance, then Harm got up and headed toward the door.

Mac was right behind him.

He picked up his gun and told her, "I'll be right back. You stay here."

"Not a chance, Sailor. I'm coming with you.' She whispered.

He turned to look at her, speaking softly, "Mac, wait here. I can go faster by myself."

"Harm Š.." her eyed pleaded with him. But Harm remained firm. "Wait. I'll be right back."

She reluctantly acquiesced.

He had been gone for what seemed like forever. Mac was worried. She honestly didn't know what she'd do if anything happened to him. They were so much a part of each other's lives ­ partners, friends, and ŠŠŠŠ well partners and friends. She'd never had a friendship quite like the one she shared with Harm. He just had to be okay. She wouldn't even think about any other possibilities.

Harm had circled the entire perimeter of he cabin, even moving into the woods several times. He saw nothing and heard nothing. There had been shots, though. Where did they come from?

Mac was overjoyed when Harm re-entered the cabin. At least she was until she saw him stumble, almost falling. Rushing to his side, she inquired, "Harm, what happened? Are you okay?"

"It's nothing," he assured her. "I just stepped in a hole and twisted my ankle.

He didn't really have much to report, but she poured them each a cup of coffee and hey sat on the couch , his foot propped up,to plan their actions.

"I was worried." She told him. "You were gone so long."

"There's no need to worry, Mac. I'm a big boy, now."

She smiled. "But I thought somebody out there might be trying to kill you."

"I was armed."

"Yeah, I know, Harm. But, still, if anything happened to you, I don't know what I'd do."

He tried to laugh this one off. "Nothing's going to happen to me."

As he said that, he gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

She smiled again, then reached up to take his hand in hers. She stood up, but continued holding the hand. "I found a bottle of champagne. You want some?"

"No. Thank you.Champagne? Hunters don't bring along champagne on a hunting trip. What's champagne doing here?"

She just shrugged.

"Mac this is feeling more and more like a set up. Do you think we were lured here on purpose?"

What makes you think that?" She sat back down next to him.

"Well, think about it. We're both in the woods where we find a cabin for shelter. Not any cabin, but one that is stocked with firewood, food, everything we could possibly need. Doesn't it feel like somebody set us up?"

But who would do that? Why?"

"I suspect a Russian brother of mine. Who else could it be? Who else would want us out here alone together?"

"Sergei? I thought maybe Trish. She keeps saying things tome about how special our relationship is."

"Could be both of them." Harm concluded. "What I don't get is why they would want us out here. What do they expect us to do?"

Mac looked at him seriously now. "Deal with all our unresolved issues, maybe."

Harm was beginning to look frustrated. "What unresolved issues?"

Now she placed her hand along side his cheek. Leaning slightly forward, she lightly brushed her lips against his.

Taking this cue, Harm moved toward her and deepened the kiss, releasing a little of his pent up passion.

"Oh," he whispered, "those unresolved issues."

Several more kisses followed, then they ended up talking, her still wrapped in his arms.

"Is this a good idea, Harm?"

"Probably not, but it may be too late now." He let his lips graze her temple.

"We've avoided this for so long."

"Are you uncomfortable? We don't have to deal with it right now."

"No, it's very comfortable."

"Good."

"I know you already know it, but I've wanted this for a long time."

"Of course you have. That's why you've been wearing Brumby's ring for so long."

She hadn't even thought about that. Quickly she slipped the ring off her right hand and put it in her pocket.

Harm kissed the newly vacant finger.

"I do care about Mic, but it's not the same as you. I only took that ring because I thought there was no chance for you and me."

"But now?"

"Now, I'm not sure. I've always regretted not saying exactly what was on my mind that night in Sidney."

"And what was on your mind?"

"The same thing I'm thinking about now."

"Which is?"

"If Kreeloff is really out there somewhere, one of us could get hurt. SoŠŠ"

Responding to her assessment of their perilous situation, he pulled her closer, protectively. "So, you were saying?"

"Harm, I just wouldn't want something bad to happen to either one of us before I got the chance to tell you something."

"Okay, I'm listening."

"I know you already know it, but, Harm, I love you." As she said it, she turned slightly away.

A grave expression crossed Harm's features. He reached for her arm. "Wait a minute, you can't say that, then turn away from me."

She pulled a little farther from him. Her voice was shaky when she answered him, "Why not?"

"Because it's too important. Because I've been waiting too long to hear that from you."

"What did you say?" She began to turn back toward him.

"Sarah, sweet Sarah, I've waited for years now to hear you say those words. I know that your feelings for me have been difficult for you ŠŠand I haven't made it any easier. I know that sometimes you've cursed the pain I've caused you. I'm sorry. But, Mac, loving you has been the happiest part of my life, even when it wasn't easy."

"What!?!" Her eyes were wide and her face registered total shock.

He didn't say anything, instead he gathered her up in his arms and held her close.

"Loving me?" she questioned, unable to comprehend his words.

"Yes, did you think I didn't?"

"But what about the other women? What about not opening up to me?"

"Those are the hardest things ever in my life. I couldn't open up to you, because I had so much unfinished business ­ too much baggage. The time wasn't right for our relationship, I couldn't commit to you , not entirely."

"And now? Why now?"

"I feel more settled. Maybe I'm afraid of losing you. And Š. I can't hear those words from you andlet you doubt how I feel. I do love you, Sarah, really I do."

This confession was followed by a lingering kiss, then another and another andŠ..

They cuddled together and talked for hours. When she yawned, involuntarily, he asked, "Why don't you get some sleep?"

"You're sitting on my bed." She responded.

The couch? No, no, there's only one bed, so I'll take the couch."

"It's not as long as you are." She protested.

ŒI'll make do." With that he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Turning down the covers, he placed her into the bed and tucked her in.

Harm kissed her forehead, then rose to leave.

"No!" she ordered, reaching for his arm. "Stay for a while."

He sat down on the side of the bed until she asked, "Will you hold me, just Œtil I go to sleep?"

Harm stretched out beside her on the bed, enfolding her in his powerful arms.

Mac snuggled against him and drifted peacefully to sleep.

Hours later, Harm gazed, adoringly into her sleeping face. She was so beautiful. Had he really told her that he loved her? It had been his best kept secret for so long. No more, now she knew. He could feel sleep tugging at him, but was reluctant to close his eyes. He couldn't see her with his eyes closed. Besides, he needed to stay alert, in case he needed to protect her.

When Mac awoke from the most restful slumber of her life, the first thing she saw was Harm's face. He smiled at her and greeted her with, "Good morning."

"Good morning." she returned, then moved to get up.

He pulled her back for a passionate kiss. His nearness and their confessions of love got the best of her. She began tugging at his shirt, trying to undress him.

Aware of what she intended, he stopped her. "No," he said firmly.

"Make love to me." She invited him.

"No." he repeated.

"You don't want to?" she sounded confused.

"Honey, I want to more than anything in the world. But not now, not here."

"Why not?" she pouted.

"Because we're hiding, on the run. Somebody may be trying to kill us. When we take that step, I want it to be in the right place, at the right time. I want it to be special."

She continued to entice him, but part of her did understand.

They cuddled for a few more minutes before they got up and made breakfast.

"Do you think we can find our way out of here in the daylight? He asked.

"Do you really want to leave here so badly?' she countered.

"It's not that."

"I know. I say after breakfast, we go outside and take a look around.

But they didn't get a chance to finish.

He was pouring he another cup of coffee, when they heard voices outside.

"They've gotten really close this time." She remarked.

"Go in the bedroom. Stay out of sight." He instructed her, as he grabbed the sidearm.

"Be careful." She admonished him before disappearing, her own weapon in tow.

Harm took up position to be ready to react if someone came through the door.

And someone did ­ two someones, in fact.

He was just able to lower the gun as Trish and Sergei came in.

"What are you doing her?" hedemanded.

"We came to find you." Sergei supplied. "Where's Mac?"

On cue, Mac appeared from the bedroom.

Trish couldn't contain her enthusiasm, "Anything new going on with you two?"

"No. Mom." Harm lied, giving Mac the Œplay along' look.

Trish seemed disappointed.

As they gathered up things to prepare to leave, Harm whispered into Mac's ear, "Let's just keep this all to ourselves for now. We don't want them to think they can manipulate us this easily."

"Okay."Mac said, then under her breath, "but apparently they can."

Back at the house, Pitcha had a huge lunch prepared.

"What did you do all night?" Sergei asked Harm and Mac.

"We discussed Harm's arguments for when he goes to court today to try to help with upgrades in Russian military law."

"I'm really glad we had the chance." Harm continue. "Mac had some great suggestions."

Pitcha warned Harm that he must leave immediately if he was to get back to Moscow in time for the hearing. It was quite a drive.

"Come with me?" Harm shot at Mac, as he headed to his rental car.

"Sure," she answered, "when else am I going to see Russian military law in action?"

In the car, she complimented him, :"That was very slick, inviting me along on business so we could spend time together."

"Thank you." He seemed proud of himself

At a break, they spoke wit General Kreeloff, who was participating in this session.

"Been doing any hunting, General?" Harm asked, tactfully.

"Why do you ask that?" Kreeloff replied.

"I thought maybe we saw you up near my brother's home."

"No, no, I don't think so. I don't hunt anymore. I have a bad hip that can't stand that muchwalking. This is why I am a general."

"Are you denying that you threatened my family and tried to kill Colonel MacKenzie and myself?"

"What are you talking about Commander Rabb? "

"Didn't you send me flowers yesterday telling me to leave or else?"

"Yes, that was me. Did you enjoy the flowers?"

"Kreeloff, I won't let you hurt my family."

"Of course not, Commander. I have a family myself. I would never hurt a man's family just because I don't like his politics."

"Then what does'or else' mean?"

"I'm sorry if you took that the wrong way. I meant, "or else, I'll humiliate you in the courtroom."

Harm felt really badly about having suspected this man. Now, he was being s cordial.

The court session ran late not finishing until well after dark.

He and Mac telephoned Pitcha's house to report that since they had early meeting tomorrow, they were just going to get a hotel for the night, instead of driving back.

HOTEL ROOM
MOSCOW


As they prepared to go to sleep, Harm reached for his lovely partner and kissed her soundly.

She responded by circling her arms around his neck.

Harm whispered into her neck, "Being all alone in a hotel room with the woman I love gives me ideas."

"Good." She agreed, moving closer.

The night was filled with passion and affirmation of their deep commitment to each other.

TWO DAYS LATER
MOSCOW AIRPORT


Trish Burnett said a tearful goodbye to Pitcha Zhukov. The two women had had several long talks and both felt good about the bond they shared. Trish had risen above (at least for now) all of her anger and doubt, so that she could truly be happy that her first husband had found love and peace a second, as she had.

Sergei had developed a real affection for his American family and hoped to visit sometime soon.

Harm and Mac held hands during the farewells. Then, just before they boarded the plane, he turned and kissed her passionately.

Sergei and Trish shared a knowing smile.


THE BEGINNING