Title: Running For Your Love
Author: Anne Taul, anne_taul@gowebway.com
Summary:
Disclaimer: Jag, its
characters, premise, etc are owned exclusively by Bellasarius Productions,
Paramount and CBS. No copyright infringement is intended.
Acknowledgement: A special thank you to Sandy M. for support, encouragement,
friendship, and an especially helpful geography lesson.
Harmon Rabb, Jr. waited rather impatiently on the doorstep. "C'mon, Mac,
answer the door," he thought, almost aloud. He wondered to himself if she
was okay. She had called him, asking him to come over. It wasn't that she
didn't sound good on the phone, but he was worried about her. After everything
that had gone on during the past week, who could blame him.. This was Thursday.
Last Friday, some kind of explosive had detonated in her car when she'd opened
the door to get in after work. Fortunately, she hadn't gotten directly in the
car, so she wasn't hurt. The experts going over the remains of the Jeep still
hadn't been able to tell too much about the fuse or what it was attached to. On
Sunday afternoon, Mac had been at the shooting range taking target practice,
when the weapon had misfired, throwing her about 30 yards into a concrete wall.
Her injuries weren't too serious, only requiring an overnight hospital stay for
observation due to a concussion. That was actually pretty lucky; if the
ammunition had blown up in her face, it would have burned her badly, probably
killing her. Then yesterday, as she ate lunch in a café in downtown Washington,
a sniper had barely missed her with a bullet fired out of a rifle at high
velocity from a nearby rooftop. The police had the shooter in custody, but he
wasn't talking. Still, it was clear that somebody was trying to kill Mac.
Harm reflected on these incidents while waiting for his partner to answer the
door. She had called him at home twenty minutes ago and asked him to come over.
She seemed a little on edge, but hadn't sounded injured at all. They had spent
all day at the office going through past cases to try to figure out who might
have a big enough grudge against a military attorney to want her dead. Nothing
had come up so far.
When she finally did open the door, Harm rushed in past her, "What is it?
What's happened now? Are you okay?"
"Harm, I'm fine. As a matter of fact, somebody sent me flowers," she
said, motioning toward a vase full of freshly cut stems, still in florist
paper.
"You called me over here, and scared me half out of my mind to tell me
that somebody sent you flowers?"
"Read the card," she answered.
He picked up the card from where it lay on the table beside the vase. The blood
drained from his face, leaving him pale. The card had been printed in big block
letters and read, "Next time, no escape. You're dead, Major." It was
not signed.
"Whoever did this knows where you are. It's not safe here. Come on, let's
get out of here."
"To where."
"I don't know. For now you can stay with me."
"Harm, I'm not leaving my home. I can't let somebody frighten me and intimidate
me that way."
"I thought you'd learned your lesson when Coster was after you. Don't
argue, let's just go."
Being reminded of the stalker who had terrorized her, only months earlier,
didn't help her mood. She turned away from her friend and commented, almost in
a whisper, "I hated how he made me feel. What he did to me, and, even
worse, what I did to myself."
"But that's all over now. We won't revisit it. Let's get out of
here."
In the same low voice she acquiesced, "Okay" Changing her mind, she added,
"Harm, that time it cost somebody close to me his life. Maybe you better
not get too involved."
The next morning at the office, they talked around the coffee machine with
several of their co-workers. Everyone seemed concerned for Mac's safety. Harm
had assumed the role of big brother/protector. He wasn't entirely sure why he
felt the need to personally guarantee her safety, but he did know that he was
not going to let anyone hurt. He would personally take care of everything.
The admiral called the two of them into his office and closed the door.
"Sit down," he told them, pointing to two large chairs in front of
his desk.
He continued, "I just got off the phone with Webb. He's been trying to
trace those flowers. They came from a florist in Arlington, but nobody there
remembers taking the order."
"That's not much help," Harm observed.
"No, it's not," Cheggwidden agreed. "Major, I'm afraid you're
just not safe here right now. Why don't you take a vacation? Get out of town
for a while."
"Sir, I don't usually run away from my problems. Besides, if somebody
really wants me dead, they can get to me someplace else too."
"Mac, I'm not suggesting that you run away. But if you left town quietly,
and went someplace unsuspected, maybe this guy wouldn't even know you were
gone."
Harm jumped into the conversation, at this point, "He's right, Mac. You
can't just stay here and wait for something bad to happen."
"You too, Commander, I want you to go with her."
"What?" they both asked.
"Rabb, I can't very well send her out all alone, with no backup. You go
with her, watch her backside."
In a mocking gesture, Harm leaned to look at her back from his chair.
"Admiral," Mac began, "I can take care of myself. He doesn't
need to follow me around like a ....babysitter."
"I know that you're very capable, Major, but I won't let one of my
officers be left out like a lame duck, is that understood?"
"Thank you, Sir." Mac responded.
"This has to be secret, so we won't be able to keep in touch. "Harm
offered.
"I know that, Commander. Mr. Webb is going to set up some sort of
intelligence network that you can contact if you really need to. Other than
that, I'm afraid you two will be on your own. Be careful out there."
"Aye, sir." Harm answered.
They rose to leave. Mac walked out of the judge Advocate General's office, but
AJ Chegwidden caught Harm by the arm, and whispered to him, "Take care of
her, Son."
"Yes, Sir," Harm replied.
By the middle of the afternoon, Harm walked into his partner's office, where
she poured over a stack of folders. He asked, "What are you doing?"
"Well, if you're going to drag me away from here, I want to try to get my
work caught up."
He laid a file folder on the edge of the desk. "I've got some travel plans
made, but I want to discuss some of the details with you.."
"Harm, I appreciate you wanting to help me, and being worried about me,
but you don't have to go with me. I'll just get out of town for a while, all by
myself."
"No. I'm coming, Mac. You need somebody to watch your six, and that's me.
So, get used to it."
She smiled. "Okay, Commander, what do you have planned?"
"How would you feel about visiting my mother? Before you answer that,
listen. It's far away. It's safe. It's not a usual place for us to go. It's
comfortable. And she'd love to see us."
"Harm, no. I don't think we should get her involved in this.. It would put
her in danger, you know."
"Only if they know that's where we are."
"If we buy tickets and get on a plane, they're going to know. Those
records are easy to trace."
"We don't buy tickets, then. We take the Stearman."
"But you'll have to file a flight plan those aren't hard to get hold of
either."
"Yeah, I thought of that. So, here's the plan: We fly to Las Vegas with
plenty of cash, no credit cards!, We kick around there for a short time, maybe
a few hours. Then we rent a car, under a phony name, and drive to L.A."
"But that's a long way from where your mom lives."
"Let me finish. In Los Angeles, we drop off the car, and rent another one,
then drive on to La Jolla."
"Smart."
"Thank you. I figure, we can't stay there or anyplace very long. We'll
have to keep moving all the time."
"I think that's a pretty good plan."
At that moment Clayton Webb opened the door and entered the office. He took a
chair right in front of Mac's desk, and began, "I've set up some regional
contact people who can provide you with emergency help in various locations
around the country. These are people you'll be able to trust. And whoever's
following you won't be able to trace you through these folks." He handed a
list to Mac, who shoved it deep into the pocket of the jeans she was wearing.
"Thanks, Clay," Harm said warmly.
"Good luck you two." With that he was gone as quickly as he'd come.
Harm picked up a backpack off the floor and threw it over his shoulder along
with one he already carried. "I'm glad you decided to pack this way, after
all."
"Well, you made a good point. It's easier to carry and more versatile. If
we need to tell a story about how we're doing the hobo thing across the
country, it'll fit."
"I knew you'd agree."
They went into the admiral's office to bid a final farewell, then they were
off.
Two days later they were in Vegas, having made a serendipitous stop in Cincinnati
(the airport, for which, is in Kentucky, they were surprised to find), for no
particular reason, and fuel. They were fairly confident that no one was
following them, at least not directly. After checking in to a hotel, they had
dinner, saw a show and strolled around in the casino for several hours. Once
back upstairs, Harm advised his companion, "You better get a good night's
sleep. These are the nicest accommodations you're apt to be staying in for a
while." They retired to their separate rooms.
About 0700 the next morning, Mac was awakened by the sound of Harm banging on
her door. She let him in, but concluded, "I think we ought to wait another
couple of days before we leave. It's nice here, and nobody knows where we
are."
"We don't know that for sure, Mac"
"Wouldn't they have tried something by now if they knew where we
are?"
"Maybe, or maybe they're just waiting for the right time."
At about that time, an alarm went off. Mac pulled on her jeans as the
sprinklers began raining down water onto the floor around her. Harm picked up
the backpacks, took her hand and said, "It's a fire! Let's go! I guess
that takes care of your question about whether they know we're here."
Outside, Harm talked to the hotel manager. Apparently the preliminary investigation
pointed to faulty wiring causing the blaze. It was confined to one section only
of the casino, and was almost out. He asked Mac if she thought it was
coincidental that the section of the casino effected by the fire just happened
to be directly below the rooms where they were staying.
This time she suggested that they "get out of here."
The yellow cab deposited them in front of a car rental company, situated right
next to a large shopping mall. Mac suggested, "We should get a truck or an
all-terrain vehicle for driving across the desert."
"Okay. We'll get whatever you prefer." Harm agreed, then added,
"Maybe we should buy a tent and some sleeping bags, and other camping
stuff. It makes a good cover. Who knows, we might even want to rest while we're
going through this country."
"Whatever."
It was late afternoon by the time they'd secured all their supplies and started
onto the highway that would lead toward California. The first part of the trip
was uneventful. They talked about nothing in particular, listened to the radio
and watched the road map for signs of anything interesting in the desert. By
the time that the "Thank you for visiting Nevada" signs loomed in
front of them, a noise began to close in.
"What is it?" Mac questioned.
"It sounds like a helicopter, but I don't see it." Harm replied. Nor
did he see it at all until it was too late.
What they did see was a shower of bullets fired down on them from above. Harm
swerved the vehicle to try to avoid them, but that was no use. They were being
barraged. He turned around to head back the other way, hoping he could get out
from under them. He shouted to Mac, "Get down! Lie on the floor!"
The chopper moved in very close to the vehicle, forcing Harm off the road. He
tried to move back toward it, but the only direction he could go was farther
away, toward the hills. After getting several miles from the road, amidst the
cover of the hills, he was finally able to get a little ahead of the helicopter
by swerving in and out. Eventually the maneuvering overcame the light truck,
and it turned over on to its side and rolled. When this happened, the
helicopter pulled up and left the area.
With his head still spinning, Harm looked around. He didn't see her anywhere.
He pulled himself out from under the side of the all-terrain vehicle, not an
easy task. Then he softly called her name, "Mac." Hearing no answer,
he called again, louder. There was a muffled groan to his left. He helped her
out from under the wreckage. They lay on the parched, barren ground of the
desert, until she started laughing. His tone was a little indignant when he
asked, "And what's s funny?"
"I was just thinking," she responded, "that they might know
where we are."
He couldn't stop himself, he laughed too.
She tossed him a sleeping bag, as he drove the last tent stake into the ground.
"I'm sure glad that you decided we needed all this equipment -- and
food," she complimented.
"Well, I've just spent too much time with you not to realize that I might
get in trouble." He teased.
"No, seriously Harm, I'm sorry I got you into this mess."
"Don't give yourself so much credit. I came of my own free will. I didn't
expect it to be easy."
"But you're only trying to protect me. I wish I knew who was responsible
for all this."
"Aw, Mac, it wouldn't make any difference. We just have to keep moving.
Webb and his people will figure this out and catch the bad guys."
She sat down, hugging her knees to her chest. "So what do we do now? We're
stuck out in the middle of nowhere. There's no place to keep moving to."
"I figure eventually a car has to go by here. When it does, we'll hitch a
ride. Until then, we dig in and hold our position."
"But they know where we are."
"Have you looked at that car?" He pointed to the mangled pile of
metal, hardly recognizable. "They won't expect us to have survived that
crash. But if they do come back, we'll be ready." He said as he loaded
ammunition into the 9mm handgun he took out of his pocket.
"Where'd you get that?"
"I bought it at the camping store. You don't think I'd risk being alone
with you, without some way of defending my honor."
"Very funny."
"Yeah, I thought so."
Later, Harm stoked the fire they had built for cooking, while Mac did the best
she could to clean up after their meal. "I'm going to try to find some
more dry brush for the fire," he informed her, "It gets cold out here
at night."
They sat beside his fire, as it got dark and watched the first stars appear in
the clear sky. Suddenly she was overcome by the desire to talk to him, really
talk. "Don't you ever wish that you had someone to share things like this
with? I mean how peaceful and beautiful the night sky is."
"I do. I'm sharing it with you, aren't I?"
"Yeah, but that's not what I mean. I mean someone special in your
life."
She paused before continuing, " You and Annie have been broken up for a
long time now. Why don't you ever go out?"
"Oh, I don't know. I guess I'm just waiting for the right woman to come
along. How about you? I can't remember seeing you tearing up the town since.....Dalton.
I'm sorry, Mac. I didn't mean to bring him up.. I know that still hurts."
"It's okay. I've been thinking about him a lot lately. The last time some
nut case was out to get me, he paid the price.....with his life."
"Gee, I really have opened up a deep wound."
"No. It's okay, really. But to answer the question, I guess I'm like you,
just waiting for the right person. So, who is your Ms. Right? What will she be
like?"
"Well, she's attractive and smart and funny. She knows how to live life
and enjoy herself and..."
"Wait a minute. She is, not she would be? Sounds like maybe you've already
met her."
"There is this woman that I know, but nothing's going on. I don't think it
ever will. She's happy just to be friends."
"But you're in love with her?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"I know that look in your eyes, Commander Rabb, you're hooked."
"Maybe I am."
"What did she say when you told her how you feel?"
"I didn't tell her, and I won't."
"Harm, you're afraid of her! Who is it?"
He smiled, "I'm not saying anything else. The accused has the right to
remain silent."
"Okay, but you really ought to tell this lady how you feel.."
"What about you, Mac. What kind of man are you searching for?"
"Somebody strong and sweet and caring. Somebody that I can laugh with, and
cry with. A soul mate, somebody who really knows me."
"And have you met him out there yet?"
"I don't know. There is one man out there that could be him, but I'm not
sure."
"So, you've told this guy how you feel?"
"No, of course not."
"Why not?"
"Same reason as you, I guess."
"Major, I'm shocked that you don't even follow your own advice."
"Yeah, well.... This conversation has gotten too serious. It's
depressing."
"Maybe you're right. What time is it, anyway?"
"2200, local time. Why?"
"How do you do that?"
"I just concentrate on how to annoy you."
"We should think about turning in. It's bound to be a long day
tomorrow."
"Okay. I'll open up the sleeping bags."
"If we unzip them both and lie between them, sharing some of our body heat,
we'll stay warmer."
"If you say so. It is getting awfully cold."
While she busied herself preparing the bed, he sat alone still gazing at the
starry sky. He thought about their conversation, and...her. He couldn't tell
her that the woman he'd spoken of was her. She was the one he couldn't get out
of his mind, but he couldn't tell her that. She'd probably laugh, and he
wouldn't be able to handle that. Was she right? was he afraid? Could be, but
he'd hidden these feelings for so long now that maybe they weren't really real.
Anyway, she'd said that there was a man that she was interested in. He wondered
who it was. As beautiful as she is, she could have anyone she wanted.
When they lay down under the cover, they faced in opposite directions. Their
backs touched just enough to consolidate a little of the body heat he'd spoken
of. After a few minutes, he felt her shudder from the cold.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"No. It's just sub Artic out there."
He rolled over onto his other side, and put his arms around her.
"What are you doing?"
"Just trying to help, Mac. This might keep you a little warmer."
She took a deep breath before she asked, "Who is she?"
"Who is who?"
"The woman you're in love with."
"I didn't say that I was in love with anybody."
"But you've got "a thing" for somebody. Who is it?"
"It doesn't matter. Nothing could ever come of it."
"How can you say that? Of course it matters. You have to tell her. Really,
you should."
"No. I don't think so. There's no point." He couldn't help but notice
the way she felt in his arms. He was enjoying this, very much.
"Harm, that's ridiculous. Think about it. It could be a chance for
happiness. Anyway, she deserves to know how you feel. I think a woman might
even be flattered."
"I don't want to flatter anybody."
"That's not what I mean. I want you to find somebody special and be happy.
As soon as we get back to Washington, you've got to talk to her. Tell her how
you feel."
"You really think I ought to do that?"
He noticed that she was still cold, and had moved up closer to him. He was
intoxicated by her nearness.
"Yes, I think you really have to tell your lady how you feel."
They lay in silence for a few minutes, then he said, "Okay." He said
that, but, really, all he could think about was the way it felt to have her
lying so close to him. He thought that her body seemed like it was perfectly
formed to fit against his. Her hair smelled sweet. He could hear her, feel her
and smell her, and he wanted, deep inside him, to taste her. She would completely
fill his senses.
Then her words drifted back to him, "Okay, you said. Does that mean you're
going to tell her, when we get back home?"
Suddenly he moved, repositioning himself. His new position moved her onto her
back. He hovered over her slightly, and paused. While he lingered there, he
stared deeply into her eyes.
"Harm, are you alright?"
"Shh. Don't say anything. Don't move." He continued staring at her
for another moment. Then he moved his head close to hers. Their lips met and
electricity coursed through him. He felt her resist and pull slightly away, but
he didn't move. Her objection wasn't long lived, and shortly he felt her
relax. Her lips parted just a little, and she responded to his kiss. She
encircled her arms around his neck.
The slow, passionate kiss lingered. When it finally ended, she asked him,
"What was that?"
"I'm just taking your advice, Sarah"
"What advice? Are you trying to tell me something?"
"The advice you've been giving me. Yeah, I'm trying to tell you that I
think I'm in love with you."
"With me?"
"Sure with you. Who'd you think I was talking about."
"I don't know."
"Wait a minute. I'm sorry. You're thinking of somebody else.. Somebody
that you care about."
"I'm thinking about somebody, but..."
"Who is it, Darling? You can tell me. I won't be upset."
"Well," she said, pulling him closer, and initiating another kiss,
"does that tell you anything?"
"Wait a minute. Do you mean...?"
She giggled, pulling him even closer.
"Sarah, it's true. I love you."
"Harm, I don't know how this happened really, but I love you, too."
He nuzzled her neck and kissed her shoulder.
The next few hours were filled with cuddling, touching and kissing, lots of
kissing.
She was amazed at how his hands felt on her skin. She'd never experienced
anything so gentle and loving, nor anything that made her whole body tingle
that way. She knew that she would always crave to have her body explored by
these hands, while she was lying next to this man.
"Harm, I really do love you."
"Good, Sweetheart, because I couldn't bear it if you didn't."
She was awake early in the morning, but she didn't get up. She lay in his arms,
reveling in the warmth of his body. When he finally woke up,
He kissed her deeply saying, "I'm glad that it wasn't a dream."
"Me too," she replied.
He held her close for a few more minutes, before getting up to make coffee and
fix breakfast. She did the best she could to roll the sleeping bags, ignoring
his playful teasing about a lost cause.
"We have to keep watch for a car to go by on this access road, if we want
to get a ride out of here," he told her. "The main highway is
traveled a lot, but this secondary road here in the hills probably doesn't get
too much traffic."
"If we have to stay a while, it might not be all bad," she observed.
He smiled, but informed her, "I want us to spend time together, but not
necessarily here, my love."
"What's wrong with here?"
"Darling, I want to give you better than this. You shouldn't be sleeping
on the ground under a tent in the middle of the desert."
"Sure. I should be anywhere you are."
"Mac, I love you. As soon as we get past this, I'm going to prove it to
you."
"You don't have to prove anything to me."
"I know, but I want to keep you safe now, and take care of you always."
"I'm a marine, Harm. I'm really not the kind of girl that needs to be
taken care of."
By mid afternoon, a man in a large pickup truck came down the road. They
flagged him down. He told them that he was going all the way through to San
Diego with no stops. Harm told her that if they went to San Diego, they'd have
to double back to get to La Jolla, but if they could get a ride now, it might
be worth it. They were welcome to a ride, but the cab of the truck was filled
with perishable supplies.
The driver addressed Harm, "The little lady can probably get in up here in
front, Pal. If you don't mind riding in the back."
"We sure appreciate the ride, but we'll both get in the back."
On the way, Mac commented to him that the extreme heat and swirling dust could
have been avoided in the front of the vehicle. "You couldn't stand to be
away from me, even for the ride."
"It's not that, Honey. I just didn't like the way that guy was looking at
you."
"How was he looking at me?"
"Like you were the flavor of the month or something."
"Oh my, a jealous sailor."
"Maybe so," he said, picking up her wrist and looking at it.
"What are you doing," she queried.
"Why don't you ever wear a watch?"
"I guess I just never needed one."
"Oh yeah. Well mine stopped, what time is it?"
"1632, local time."
He shrugged his shoulders. Her sense of time always amazed him.
All he said was, "I love you."
"Yeah, I know. You better." She responded.
He just squeezed her hand, which he still held in his.
Once in San Diego, they thanked the driver and set out looking for a place to
spend the night. It seemed prudent to have that arranged before it got too dark
to find things.
He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked, and said, "I'm sorry,
Honey, but it's going to have to be something cheap. We're starting to run low
on cash."
"Let's use a credit card, then," she countered.
"Mac, we can't use credit cards or make telephone calls. Those things are
too easy to trace."
"Well, maybe they've given up. Maybe nobody knows we're here."
"I wish I could believe that, but I don't think it's likely."
"So, let's find the seediest motel in town and take a shower. We're
covered with dust."
They checked into Joe's One Night Stand, an old motor court on a road leading
out of town. After showering, they went to a greasy-spoon diner for dinner.
Even Mac, who was used to sometimes eating fat-laden food, had to admit that it
wasn't great.
An after dinner walk found them near the waterfront. A large aircraft carrier
docked at the naval yard made Harm a little homesick. She indulged these
feelings. They stood hand-in-hand and watched cargo being unloaded from a
barge, then headed back to their room.
The name on the motel check-in form was Mr. And Mrs. Harry Shelby (Mac picked
it out). They sat on the bed while they looked at the list Clayton Webb had
given them. There was no contact listed in San Diego, but one was available in
a small town about 20 miles away. When they got that far, they would go to see
this person.
Harm suggested that after a good night's sleep, they should go toward La Jolla
where they might get some rest and supplies at his mother's house. "But
you can bet that they'll look for us there, so we can't stay too long."
"Harm, won't it put your mom and step-father in danger if we just go
walking up to their door?"
"Yes. So, we'll sneak in."
"How"
"Don't worry, Darling. I'll think of something."
She sat behind him on the bed and massaged his shoulders, then he turned and
began tickling her. She giggled and warned him to stop. They fell back onto the
bed in a passionate kiss. In that kiss, it seemed to both of them that their
innermost souls fused together. One thing led to another, and all his secret
fantasies were fulfilled. He would later reflect, with some astonishment, that
until that moment, he had never known that all of his fantasies were about her.
The next morning intruded rather abruptly on them. The single window in their
room had neither shade nor curtain, so as soon as the sun lifted its gaze on
the horizon, strong beams of light shone directly on the bed, and in their
faces. As they untangled their bodies, parts of which seemed to be mixed up,
they said good mornings and started planning.
She lifted herself up on one elbow, looked at him and said, "Should we
talk about it? I mean about....last night."
"Sure," he answered, "If you want to."
"Harm, I think we probably should. There's a lot that needs to be
said."
"Okay, talk to me. I only have one thing to say."
"In that case, you go first."
"Okay," he began, then he leaned very close to her, kissed her cheek,
and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Sarah."
She smiled.
He continued, "What did you want to say?"
"I just wondered if all this had only happened to us because of our
circumstances, or would it have happened anyway?"
"What happened?, Dear."
"You know, being in love, and.....last night."
He looked intently into her eyes, "Sweetheart, being together like this
probably did speed this up a little bit, but don't you think it would have
happened eventually?"
"Maybe you're right." As she said this, she draped her arms around
his neck. When he tried to get up from the bed, this prevented it. She warned
him, "Don't think I'm the kind of girl that you can find in every port,
then sail away from when the tide changes, Sailor."
"I hope not," he responded, with eyes full of love and longing.
They had breakfast at the greasy spoon across the street, where the coffee was
actually pretty good. Afterward, they started looking for a ride to La Jolla.
Harm told the truck drivers that they didn't need to go all the way into town,
they just needed to go to where the road exited off the interstate. Mac was
concerned about this, but Harm assured her that would put them right where they
wanted to be.
Finally, a trucker hauling chickens, agreed to transport them. When they got
off the highway, onto the two-lane road headed into La Jolla, they got out. The
driver told Harm, "Buddy, I can't just leave you out here in the middle of
nowhere."
Harm responded, "It's my mother's birthday. She doesn't know we're coming,
so we're going to slip in from the back of the property to surprise her."
When they were alone, Mac asked, "Okay, so where is it?"
"You see those woods?"
"Yeah"
"Well, we're going through them, down a riverbed and over a couple of
hills. It's about a half mile."
"Then, let's go."
The trip was a little farther than he had remembered it, but they made it hand
in hand, so it didn't seem bad at all.
They stood on top of a small hill, looking out over a valley, toward the ocean.
From behind her, he encircled her in his arms. Pointing at a house in the
distance, he motioned for her to follow his finger, with her eyes. "See
that house"
"Yeah."
"That's where Mom and Frank live. See the smaller building off to the
side?"
She nodded.
"Well, that's where we're going to spend the night. It's a boat
house."
"It's starting to get dark, we better hurry. Harm, why are we going to
sleep in the boat house?"
Frank keeps a sailboat and a few other things in there, but it's clean, There
will be tarps and blankets to lie on. It's a safe place, and they won't have to
know we're here yet."
"So they stay safe longer?"
"You're so smart. That's why I love you."
She took his hand and they made their way toward the water. The boat house was
quiet and peaceful. The sound of the water lapping gently all around soothed
them. There was a large tarpaulin in the corner and a soft blanket on the bow
of the boat. He led her to the tarp, lay her down onto it, covering her with
the blanket. When he was sure that she was comfortable, he lay beside her.
Movements of the water were like a soft lullaby They soon fell to sleep in each
other's arms.
Early in the morning, Frank Burnett entered his boat house with the intention
of preparing the boat for an early morning sail with his wife. He tossed a bag
containing a picnic breakfast onto the large sailboat and began gathering a
coil of rope from the floor. He heard something and had the strangest feeling
that someone else was there. He looked around the small edifice, and saw it.
Someone else was there. His wife came through the door, and he warned her off,
"Trish, get back outside."
"Frank, what's wrong?"
"There's somebody in here."
"Who would be in the boat house?"
"I don't know, but stay behind me."
He tossed a small rock onto the tarpaulin where he'd seen a person. The
intruders were awakened by a small projectile hitting one, who moved rapidly
waking the other.
"What is it?" a female voice asked.
"Be still and quiet." A male voice responded.
"We need to get out of here," the woman
"I'll think of something. Just don't move" the man.
Trish Burnett listened to these murmuring, then, pushing her husband aside,
stepped near the corner and said, loudly, "Harmon Rabb, Jr., get out of
there right now, mister!"
Harm got instantly to his feet. "Mom," he exclaimed. They embraced,
then she inquired what he was doing here and in the boat house.
"It's a long story. Mom, I'm sorry that we couldn't let you know we were
coming."
"We?" she sounded surprised.
He held a hand out and pulled his partner up to stand beside him.
Trish was both excited and disbelieving when she acknowledged, "Mac!"
Mac greeted her warmly, she'd always liked Harm's mother.
Frank asked, this time, "What are you two doing sleeping in the boat
house?"
Harm dropped an arm around Mac's waist, pulling her closer, before he answered,
"It's a long story, but one we'd gladly trade for a cup of coffee."
Trish replied, "Of course, Darling. I have a fresh pot brewing now."
They made their way into the kitchen and sat around the table with their coffee
while Harm and Mac recounted the details of their current predicament. Trish
observed that they couldn't have gotten much sleep outside with the boat, and
that they needed some rest before they could proceed. "I'll go make up a
room so you can lie down for a little while." She glanced at the way the
two of them were holding hands, smiled and asked, "Should I prepare two
rooms, or one?"
Mac stood to help her clear the table, "Really, we don't want you to go to
any trouble."
"What trouble?" she observed, "This is my son, and you're
his..... girlfriend?"
"No. Nothing like that."
"Then, what?"
Mac looked at Harm and smiled, "Okay, I'm his girlfriend."
Trish asked again, "Two rooms or one?"
"One is fine." Mac answered, as she blushed, tellingly.
The room was nice, and they were far wearier than they had known. Soon they
fell to sleep.
They woke up at about the same time. Harm reached his arm around her shoulder
to her head that lay on his chest, brushing the hair out of her eyes.
"Hi," he said.
"Well, hi, yourself" she responded, as she pulled herself up on her
elbows to be above his face. She kissed him softly and gently.
He brought her in closer, and let his hands wander under her clothes.
"No," she exclaimed, sitting up.
"What's wrong, Honey"
"Harm, we're in your mother's house. She and Frank may be in the next
room."
"Sarah, do you think that they never..."
"I don't care, it just doesn't seem right."
"Okay." He sat up and held her in his arms.
Frank was terribly interested in what sort of plans they had, and how they were
going to stay one step ahead of the maniac who was chasing them. He talked to
Harm about these things while Trish and Mac spent time talking.
"Once again, Frank, I don't want to take your money." Harm asserted.
"Son, I'm not going to argue with you, but first thing in the morning,
we're going into town to get cash from the bank. If you won't take it for
yourself, then take it for Sarah. You can't keep her sleeping in boat houses
and hitchhiking. We'll go get money, and we'll buy a second hand car while
we're in town. If we put it in my name, it can't be traced to you."
"You're right, Frank. I'll take it for Sarah."
"I can tell that you really love her, Harm."
"I really do. I've never, ever felt anything like this before. I didn't
know that anything could ever feel like this. Do you have a clue what I
mean?"
"Actually, I do. That's exactly how I feel about your mom."
"I had no idea." Harm confessed.
Back in the kitchen, Trish finished putting away the last of the dishes, and
turned to her companion, "So, you two have gotten pretty close?"
"Yes, ma'am"
"I'm so glad. That's what Harm needs, a good woman."
"Well, we haven't talked about anything permanent, but right now, it's
really good."
Trish hugged her, "I can see the way he looks at you., Mac. He's in it for
the long haul."
Something about that statement caught Mac off guard, and it scared her. Part of
her still wondered if this romance was just part of this adventure they were
on. Still, she couldn't deny the feelings he aroused in her.
For the remainder of the afternoon, Harm and Mac took a stroll down toward the
ocean. They sat on a bluff overlooking the water as it lapped against the sand.
They sat there for about two hours without really saying anything. Their hands
were tightly entwined, and it was enough to just be together.
It was during this time that she realized, like a thunder-clap, out of the
blue, that this relationship was far more than she had anticipated, or meant
for it to be. This didn't just feel right, this was right. A sense of calm and
permanency came over her. In an instant she knew, knew for sure, that
everything she had ever wanted was sitting beside her. Responding to this
discovery, she lay her head against his shoulder.
That night, after dinner, they all turned in, with plans for an early start in
the morning. Mac wore a silk nightgown that Trish had lent her, saying,
"Harm'll like the way it feels." To her surprise, she was the one
that reveled in the way the soft garment felt against her skin. She was so
tired of sleeping in her clothes, that she believed this the most luxurious
thing she'd ever seen. Harm, on he other hand, slid the spaghetti straps down
off her shoulders, caressing them tenderly. He said that he thought that was
the best thing he had ever felt. She held him close, and kissed him
expectantly. They both experienced their passion and desire, like a fire,
burning through them, until they finally gave in to it.
A shouting and the sound of sirens broke into their peaceful slumber, rousing
them to a state of full alertness. A smell of smoke filled the air and they
gasped for breath. Looking out the window, Mac called to him, "The boat
house's on fire."
They both pulled on t-shirts and running shorts and were outside quickly. The
firefighters were battling the blaze, but it was clear that the auxiliary
building wouldn't survive.
Frank stood holding several sails. He made a move to try to go into the burning
structure after another that he thought he could get to. His wife held him
back, and screamed. Harm moved toward them, blocking Frank's path. "I'm
sorry Frank, Mom. We never should have come here."
Frank came back to himself long enough to say, "Harm, of course you should
have come here. This is your home, and Sarah's too, if she needs it."
Mac moved in this direction. Taking Harm's arm, she said, "I guess they
know we're here. We better leave right away."
Trish spoke up, "Not in the middle of the night, you don't. Besides, Frank
and Harm are going into town to the bank. They don't open until 9
o'clock."
They had breakfast, then the four of them sat, talking until 0900. When Frank
told him it was time, Harm kissed Mac and said, "We'll be right back.
You've got the gun in case anything happens."
Mac answered that she would go with them, but they both denied that request.
"Let me remind you, Commander," she warned, "they do know where
I am, and it's your job to protect me."
He rolled his eyes, grabbed her hand and relented, "Let's go, then."
The streets of La Jolla were a-bustle with early morning activity. When they
entered the bank, through a metal detector, the security guard confiscated
their weapon. The guard changed while they were conducting their business, and
they forgot to reclaim it on their way out.
Frank went to retrieve the car, which he had been forced to park some distance
away. Harm and Mac walked down the street toward the corner where they would
meet him. Mac kept looking over her shoulder, until he asked her what was
wrong. "You see that man in the blue shirt? Well, he's following us."
Harm looked back too, and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Turn up here, between the buildings." She suggested.
They did, just narrowly getting out of the line of vision of the man in the
blue shirt, who obviously was following them.
Back out on the street, they crossed to the other side and quickened their
pace. Soon the blue-shirted man was with them again. They began to run, but he
pursued. After several blocks and as many turns, Harm suggested, "Let's
split up at the next corner, he can't follow both of us."
At the next intersection, they headed in opposite directions..
Harm immediately regretted this. His mind told him, ""she's the one
they're trying to kill, and now she's unprotected". He turned and went
after her. When he finally caught up, Mac had the man with the blue shirt
cornered in an alley. She was interrogating him as to who he was and why he was
after them.
The man was frightened, but all he said was, "Lady, somebody paid me to
kill you. I don't know who or why. All the business dealings went through a
broker." She backed off, but when the pursuer started out of the alleyway,
she delivered a kick to him that rendered him unconscious.
"Are you okay?" Harm asked, taking her in his arms.
"Yeah, just a little tired. We ran up and down and in and out and
everywhere."
"I'm sorry, Sarah. I never should have left you alone."
"It's fine. As you see, I can handle it."
They retrieved their weapon and Frank, who had become quite worried.
When they returned to the house, Trish had lunch ready. Harm again asserted
that they needed to leave, but she wouldn't hear of it. The meal was good, even
though the smell of smoke and ashes pervaded the air. After they had eaten,
Frank gave Harm a California state map and $3,000 in cash, and another $5000 in
traveler's checks with a phony name. Harm put some of it in his pockets, some
in Mac'c pockets and the rest into the backpacks. Frank assured him that there
was plenty more money, if he could get word when they needed it. They thanked
him and Trish, then headed out. They left the same way they had come, planning
to hit the interstate where they could catch a ride. After walking back up to
the top of the hills that led to the woods, they sat down for a few minutes.
Harm told her, "I want to talk to you."
"What is it?" she inquired, reclining against his chest.
"Mac. Sarah. Darling. Where are we ultimately going?"
"I don't know. Let's look at the map."
"No. That's not what I mean. I mean where are we going, us."
"I love you, Harm, but I can't predict for sure what's going to
happen."
"Do you think we ought to, I don't know, get ...married?"
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
"Sweetheart, I'm just asking what you think about the idea."
"Well, I think it might be a good idea, for ...sometime."
"I've got to go back."
"Back where?"
"To Mom's."
"Harm, we can't go back. We've got to keep moving."
"I left something. It's really important. Will you wait for me here? It
won't take long."
She looked at him with disbelief in her eyes, as he stood up.
"No, wait," he said, "I can't leave you here alone. You'll have
to come with me."
"Honey, I don't think...."
He cut her off, "It's not going to take long."
When they arrived back at the house, Trish and Frank were delighted, but
surprised to see them. Harm placed Mac's hand in Frank's, saying, "Take
care of her for a minute. I've got to go in the house to get something."
He reappeared moments later, not carrying anything that they could see.
Mac couldn't help herself, "What is it? What did you come back all this
way for?"
Trish was soon questioning him as well.
He whispered in Mac's ear. "It's personal. I'll tell you later."
"Wait a minute. You brought me all the way back here, risked both our
lives, and you're not going to tell me what was so important?"
He reached into a pocket and handed her a small package, wrapped in gauze.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's for you," he said.
She carefully unwrapped it to reveal a ring. It had a large marquis shaped
diamond, surrounded by six smaller stones.
Trish gasped.
"It's beautiful." Mac gushed. "Where'd this come from?"
Trish answered, "Harm's dad gave it to me."
This time it was Mac who gasped. She hadn't even noticed that he'd fallen to
the ground on one knee.
He took both her hands in his, looked her directly in the eye, and asked,
"Will you marry me?"
Her jaw dropped open.
Frank steered a reluctant Trish away, telling her that this should be a private
moment. Sarah MacKenzie dropped to the ground in front of him, flinging her
arms around his neck. "This is so romantic," she said, "I don't
know what to do."
"Say yes," he offered.
"Yes," she whispered as they were joined in a very deep, passionate
kiss.
He placed the ring on her finger, and kissed her hand, when they came up for
air.
It was a celebratory occasion. Trish implored Mac to let her help with planning
the wedding. Mac reminded her that there wasn't even a date set yet. But when
Harm moved behind her , putting his arms over her shoulders and down in front
of her, to hold her against him, he indicated that soon would be good.
"Yeah, sometime soon," she agreed.
Frank made a phone call, then detained them until a delivery could be made. A
man arrived with an old model blue pickup truck. Frank introduced him as a
neighbor and friend. He gave this man a check and handed the keys to Harm.
The neighbor commented that he couldn't believe that Frank wanted to buy this
old, beat up truck. Frank told Harm to keep it as long as he thought it was
safe, then trade it for something else.
They said tearful goodbyes, again, then Mac and Harm started off in the truck.
When they arrived in Oceanside, the town listed on Clayton Webb's contact
sheet, They checked into another dilapidated motor court, then went to make
their contact.
In a downtown diner, Harm asked for Tom Radcliffe. He told the manager/cook,
"We're supposed to meet him here, on business."
They were directed to a corner booth near the window. The waitress told them,
"When Tom gets here, that's where he'll be."
Harm ordered a salad, while Mac favored a super deluxe cheeseburger with a
double order of fries. When he said that he didn't know how she could eat that,
she held the burger across the table to him and asked, "Want a bite?"
"I don't think so, Sarah."
"Okay, but you don't know what you're missing."
"Sure I do. About a million calories, pure fat and clogged arteries."
"Yeah, I knew there was a reason why it was so good."
"Why couldn't I have fallen in love with a vegetarian?"
"I'm sorry, Darling. Does it really bother you that much?"
"No. You're eating it, not me."
They had just finished their meal when a tall man in a cowboy hat and boots
came in and stopped beside them. "I think you folks are in my seat."
He said.
"Mr. Radcliffe?" Mac asked.
"MacKenzie and Rabb?" the man questioned back.
"That's right." Harm answered.
"Let's go somewhere so we can talk." The man offered. They followed
him out of the diner.
He led them down the street, through an alley and into the back of a store
building. Once inside he offered them a seat and began, "Clayton Webb told
me to take care of anything you need. He also left these for you." He
handed them each a small folder. Inside they found airline tickets to Europe
and fake passports. "He thinks you should get out of the country for a
while."
"But does he know who's doing this?" Mac asked.
"Ma'am, if he does, he didn't tell me."
"This flight leaves tomorrow." Harm observed.
They were escorted quickly back out to the street, with an offer of safe
passage to the L.A. airport.
The small town looked lonely, as they walked the streets holding hands and
discussing their options. Harm favored going on this unexpected trip, at least
for a while. Mac, on the other hand, told him she was tired of running all over
creation. She was ready to get home and plan a wedding.
When they finally got back to the motel room, they had reached no conclusions,
except that they were exhausted.
Harm unlocked the door, stepping in. He immediately stopped and motioned for
her to stay away. If a hurricane had come through the room, it couldn't have
caused much more damage. Everything had been torn apart and ransacked.
She entered cautiously, behind him, "Do you think somebody knew we were
carrying all this money?"
He picked up one of the backpacks and said, "Honey, the money's still
here. That's not what these folks were after."
"Then, what?"
"A clue as to where we were?"
"Oh no," she responded.
"Sarah, it's not safe here. We've got to get out."
They wandered around town until it began to be dark, and they were too tired to
continue. Then, he pointed to a structure in the distance. "Over
there." He said.
"It's a barn, Harm."
"It'll be a warm dry place to spend the night. It looks like rain."
They entered the structure at the edge of the town, and immediately noticed
several horses in stalls and a large stack of hay in the corner. The hay was
fresh and smelled sweet. He threw the backpacks down, then pushed her down onto
the hay.
Her body sank on the soft material, making a kind of nest. Soon he sat down
beside her.
He picked up large handfuls of hay, throwing them on top of her. She protested,
"What are you doing?"
"It's fun to play in the hay."
She relaxed as he proceeded to cover her completely up with the dry, prickly
substance, then told him, "Oh yeah, this is great fun!"
She sneezed.
"The fun is not covering you up, it's uncovering you.."
"If you say so, but hurry up, this stuff is sticking in me
everywhere."
Over the next hour or so, he reached into the hay to feel her, throwing it off
as he went. The searching hands caressed her body, sending shocks of pleasure
through her.
His touch was urgent, but gentle. When he had removed most of the hay, and part
of her clothing, his hands were replaced by the wonderful sensation of his lips
upon her flesh. They seared into her, almost igniting her skin. He kissed her,
with a massaging touch. She was sure that she had never felt anything quite
like this before. In the places where it tickled, she giggled. This seemed to
increase his intensity.
She marveled that only weeks before nothing like this had even existed between
them, they had been nothing more than very close friends. She was glad, though,
that friendship would always be an important part of their relationship, no
matter what else developed. When he had satisfied himself with exploring her,
he lay beside her, holding her close. He kissed her hungry lips, passionately. Eventually,
they fell to sleep in each others' arms.
They woke together, as rays of sunlight poured into their barn.. She kissed his
neck and excused herself. He asked her, "Where are you going?"
"Outside, just for a minute. I'll be right back. Keep my place warm."
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered.
But when she got up, all he could think about was her coming back.
Once outside, she heard a noise, turned and was hit, hard on the back of the
head.
When she regained consciousness, she was in a warehouse, of some kind. The
splitting headache made it hard fir her to raise her head. She couldn't move
her arms or her legs. Soon, she was able to tell that she was tied to a chair.
The ropes were very tight, she wondered if they would cut off her circulation.
She felt utterly helpless, and she didn't like the feeling. She knew, though,
that Harm would have missed her right away, so he'd be here to get her any time
now.
It wasn't long before a man came in. He was dirty and unshaven.
"So, you're awake, Major MacKenzie." She couldn't respond because a
rag in her mouth was gagging her.
This man walked up in front of her and glared at her. He didn't look familiar.
She wondered who he was.
"You don't remember me, do you?" he demanded.
She shook her head, she really didn't.
"Well, you killed both of my cousins, and I'm gonna make you pay."
It was true that in the course of her career as a marine, she had been forced
to kill people, but she had no idea who this man was or what he was talking
about.
"Yeah, we were minding our own business, away on a hunting weekend in the
mountains when you and your boyfriend showed up and terrorized us. Then you
killed both of them. I barely escaped myself."
Mac tried to think what he was talking about, but still she couldn't place him.
She knew that her head was hurting so badly that she couldn't really think
clearly. She wished that Harm would hurry up and get here.
The man turned his attention from her to three other men who had entered the
warehouse. She couldn't place any of them either. But they called this first
man, Denny. It was no help. The name didn't mean anything to her.
Two days passed. She saw Denny three more times, and occasionally one of the
others. Denny had told her that killing her wasn't enough anymore, he thought
she needed to suffer.
She was worried about Harm. Why hadn't he come yet. Had they gotten to him?
Were they making him suffer too? She didn't like that thought. When she closed
her eyes tight, she could still feel the incredible sensation of his hands and
lips upon her skin. She prayed that he was okay.
On the third day, Denny was a little agitated. He walked around carrying a
hunting knife. It was military issue, but she couldn't tell much else about it.
He yelled and cursed at her, while he barked orders at the other men.
Finally, late in he day, he apparently decided to put her out of her misery. He
stood over her with the sharp point of the knife at her throat.
She knew that she was probably going to die, but all she could think about was
Harm. Where was he? What had happened to him? Then she saw it....
Something moved behind a crate in the corner. She had seen a shadow creeping
along the wall. Then she saw the unmistakable outline of a gun extended from
behind the crate. It was Harm. Finally he'd come to get her. The gun fired and
Denny slumped to the ground at her feet, and a man appeared, but it wasn't
Harm.
Special Agent Clayton Webb appeared from the shadows. He placed the handgun
into the pocket of his trench coat. He picked up Denny's knife and cut her
free. As soon as the gag was out of her mouth, she gasped, "Where's
Harm?"
Webb looked genuinely concerned. "I don't know. I've got my people looking
everywhere for him, but we haven't located him yet. We were pretty lucky to
find you."
"We've got to find him, Clay. Who are these people anyway?"
"Let's get out of here, and I'll tell you. Oh, and Mac, we will find Harm.
I promise."
They returned to the backroom she had first visited with agent Radcliffe. Clay
chastised her briefly for not leaving the country as he had advised.
Once he got her settled in and fed, he told her how he had identified the
culprit. "We went through all your work files everything you had been
involved in. When we couldn't find anything, I stared through things about your
personal life. People you've met casually, and things like that. Do you
remember about two years ago, you and Harm called in sick and went flying. Then
had to set his plane down in the middle of nowhere in the mountains?"
She nodded. "You mean this guy, Denny, is one of those poachers who tried
to kill us?"
"I'm afraid so. Apparently, you and Harm killed his two companions they
were all cousins."
"After all this time, he came after me." She shuddered slightly at
the memory of having killed a man with a knife much like the one Denny had
threatened her with.
Then a thought raced through her mind, and she exclaimed, "Harm! Clay,
what if they have Harm."
"Really, I hope they do. Because with Denny dead, they'll have no reason
to hurt him. He was the one doing all this; the rest of them are just minor
thugs."
She knew that Harm must be going crazy trying to find her.
Suddenly she sat up straight, "I know where he is. I know where Harm is."
"Where," Clay was almost sarcastic.
"We agreed on a place to go back to and wait, if we happened to get
separated."
"That's smart. Where is it?"
"One Night Stand," she was almost breathless now.
Clay looked at her with a mocking expression, "I don't need to know
details of yor personal life, Major. Whatever the two of you want to do when
you're alone, is up to you."
"No! It's a motel in San Diego. Joe's One Night Stand!"
"Charming, "Webb commented.
"No, it really wasn't. But it was memorable."
"I've got the car ready. We can be in San Diego in an hour and a half, if
we hurry."
When they pulled up in front of Joe's One Night Stand, Webb said sarcastically,
"Nice place."
They went into the office. Mac asked the clerk for a room number for Mr. Harry
Shelby. Webb rolled his eyes
The clerk responded that they don't just give out information about their
customers privacy and all.
Mac stared the young man down and said, "You better tell me where he is,
right now! I'm his wife." She momentarily reflected on how near to the
truth that was.
"Room 4, but he's not there. I saw him go out about an hour ago."
"Give me the key, I'll wait."
With fear in his eyes, the clerk handed over the key.
They waited for about an hour before a key turned in the lock. As he opened the
door, Mac could feel her heart in her throat. She knew that everything that
mattered in her life was coming through that door.
When he saw her, Harm dropped the bag he was carrying and rushed to her side.
He screamed her name through the tears in his eyes. They embraced, neither of
them ever wanting to let go.
He looked at her with tears in his eyes, "I searched for you everywhere. I
thought they had gotten you. Where have you been?"
She kissed him, and Webb cleared his throat.
"Webb, what are you doing here?"
"Good to see you too, Harm."
Mac turned her fiancée's face back toward her. "Clay rescued me. It was
one of those poachers that we ran from the day we went flying in the mountains,
remember?"
"I'm so glad to see you. I was afraid..." Harm told her. "The
sooner we get out of here, the better."
"I can't imagine why." Clay chided. With that he rose to leave..
"I'll see you both back in Washington. Now that you're not in danger, you
can travel openly.
Mac stood and walked with him to the door. She put a hand on his arm, saying,
"Thank you, Clay."
He stopped, closed the door and lifted up her left hand, noting the ring.
"What's this?"
She blushed and said, "Harm asked me to marry him."
Clay smiled broadly. "It'll be a shame to see your working relationship
come to an end."
"Oh," Mac sighed, "We hadn't even thought about that."
Harm circled an arm around her waist "I'd rather have you as my
wife." He assured her.
Clay looked at them both with a bemused smile. "Congratulations, Rabb.
You're a lucky man."
"I am that." Harm agreed.
"Well," continued Clay, "I'll kiss the bride now." He put
his hands on Mac's shoulders and gently kissed her cheek. She kissed his cheek
in return and embraced him.
"I can get you on a flight back to Washington tonight." Clay offered.
"Thanks, but we've got to go back to Vegas and get the plane." Harm
informed him.
"Yeah," Mac added, "but we'll se you back in a few days."
"Maybe a week," Harm corrected.
In Vegas, they took a cab from the airport and checked into the same hotel as
before. Except this time, only one room.
Amid the neon lights of evening, they walked hand in hand down the strip. Harm
stopped her in front of the Precious Memories wedding chapel, and asked,
"Will you marry me?"
"Darling, I already said that I would."
"No. I mean right now. Will you marry me right now?"
"Harm we can't. What about our friends? They'll want to be here. Your
mother will kill us."
"Sweetheart, I don't want this to be about anybody else. This is about us.
What'd you say?"
When they emerged from the chapel, she carried flowers and he grinned broadly.