Title: Harm and Mac Songbook: Don't Leave Me This Way

Author: Rising Sun

Rated: PG

Classification: JAG Story/Angst

Summary: Mac recoups as Harm hovers.

Disclaimer: JAG characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright infringement intended. All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people are purely coincidental.

Performing in this saga:

"Don't Leave Me This Way" (depending upon your generation) is sung by Thelma Houston or by The Communards

Feedback: Would be nice.

Author's Note: This is for a specific feedback that I got. That stated "... Even though the prior one told us that Mac got hurt, this is a cruel place to stop!!:) Please send the next installment ASAP! :)"

I hear and obey.

The HMS series is written in a manner that allows for each story to be read as a self-contained story or as part of an arc. This story is part of a potential quartet:

* HMS10a: Marijuana

* HMS10b: The Letter

* HMS10c: Don't Leave Me This Way

* HMS10d: Rocking Chair

Story Written - 2001

**************************************

0600 LOCAL

SOUFRIERE VOLCANO

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

CARIBBEAN

WEEK THREE OF OPERATION CLEAN UP

No one spotted the armed man as he moved forward slowly.

Mac spotted him first, as he was about to assail the Regional Security System Captain. She saw the menace first and was the only person near enough to deal with the situation and deal she did. The Marine moved into an intercept position as she yelled to the Captain. She felt blow intended for her colleague land across her shoulders as both she and the attacker hit the ground. Someone's head hit the ground and the cracking sound reverberated along the mountainside.

Soldiers emerged from the foliage. There was blood and brain everywhere and neither Mac nor the assailant moved. Neither made a sound.

One of the soldiers kneeled near the two and managed to distinguish a slight breath from Mac. The helicopter was recalled and an unconscious Mac was loaded onboard. None of the service men could tell where Mac began and the uniform ended. There was too much blood to tell.

============================================

0630 LOCAL

ST JUDE'S HOSPITAL

SAINT LUCIA - CARIBBEAN

Soufriere Volcano was in viewing distance of Saint Lucia and it thus closer than heading to Kingstown the Capital City of St Vincent. The helicopter landed in the nearby field and Mac was moved into the

Accident and Emergency Department.

The first order of the day was to stop the bleeding. A nurse applied pressure to stem the flow.

The Doctor gave off orders " Get an IV into her. Let's get a look at these wounds. Suichers!"

Nurses another began sticking needles into Mac.

She was sewn up and stabilized.

=====================================

0830 LOCAL

JAG HQ

FALLS CHURCH, VA

The airline ticket was burning a hole in the inner pocket of Harm's coat. He could not wait for the day to end. Mac's e-mail still burned in his brain. {To hell with it book a flight on American Eagle. Some biological itches must be scratched. We are due in Grenada in four days. Come meet me it will be the weekend. I need you.}

The Admiral stopped him. "Rabb!"

Harm prayed. "No God don't do this. Not an assignment. PLEASE?!"

Harm walked into the conference room to find other staff members already seated. The Admiral began "I have received news from SouthCom that Colonel MacKenzie has been injured while on an overseas mission. "

The room was stunned.

"Where is she now sir?" Bud asked.

"St Jude's Hospital in Saint Lucia. As soon as she is stabilized she shall be transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital. It is estimated that she will be there by 1600 tomorrow."

The airline ticket continued to burn a hole in inner pocket of Harm's coat but with a new intensity.

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Don't leave me this way

I can't survive, I can't stay alive

Without your love, oh baby

Don't leave me this way

I can't exist, I will surely miss

Your tender kiss

So don't leave me this way

============================================

THE NEXT DAY - 0730 LOCAL

HEWANORRA INTERNATION AIRPORT

SAINT LUCIA – CARIBBEAN

The aircraft landed on the former US Air Base runway to collect its package. It was going to take approximately eight hours to transfer this precious parcel.

Mac was transferred to the awaiting military aircraft.

It was cleared for take off at 0800 local.

============================================

2000 LOCAL

BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL

Harm paced the hospital hallway as he waited for Matt O'Hara to emerge and give him the heads up on Mac. Visit's were in a family only basis.

"Harm" Matt called. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"Mac's room."

"I'm allowed?"

"Disgraced or no the rank of Colonel still carries some weight. I made arrangements for you to be allowed to visit. Can you imagine the fall out when she finds out that you were denied access? A charging rhino I will face first."

Harm chucked in agreement. The notion died as the door swung open. Mac was lying on the bed face first wrapped like an Egyptian Mummy with all sorts of wires sticking into her. The only one he

recognized was the IV. He just froze and stared at his Marine.

"Matt?"

"Apparently it is worse than it looks. Apart from the wounds inflicted there was also the possibility of infection and that had to be dealt with, she lost lots of blood. Seems they did a good job at that little hospital down there."

"Who takes first shift?" Harm asked.

"You?" Matt replied.

Harm nodded his agreement.

"I will relieve you at 0600 with no objections." Matt had been down this road once or twice with either Harm or Mac. He knew the drill.

"No objections. I promise" He held Mac's hand as he settled down for the night. "Mac I'm here hon. Come back to me."

============================================

Don't leave me this way

Cos I can't exist

I will surely miss

Your tender kiss

So don't leave me this way

============================================

0400 LOCAL

BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL

MAC"S ROOM

Mac stirred and instantly regretted the move. She had something in her hand. Gently she moved her head to get a better view. It was Harm. She flexed her fingers a couple of times.

He stirred "Hey."

"Hey."

"All things considered how do you feel?"

"Like the Bride of Frankenstein but lie to me and say I look like Grace Kelly."

"You always look like Grace even with your hair dyed black."

She chuckled "Oooo don't make me laugh Harm – it hurts."

"I can't say I approve of the results but I'm proud of you Colonel." He leaned in and kissed her gently.

"What happened to the attacker?" she asked, "Did he get others?"

"After you tackled him? I don't think so. He fell and cracked his head on a stone and died on the spot."

"Ahh. Did the doctor give any news on my condition and my estimated time for discharge?"

"Not to me but maybe to your Uncle. He'll be back at 0600."

"But I'll tell you if you like." A voice joined in. "Hello Colonel. Your monitors outside indicated that you were back with us. I'm your Doctor; Lieutenant Fielding. How you feeling?"

"Like the Bride of Frankenstein" Harm volunteered.

Fielding feigned horror "Frankenstein? Never. Do you feel up to talking now?"

She nodded into the bed.

"Captain if you would excuse us?"

"I want him to stay please."

"Sure. Colonel you sustained severe cuts and minor lacerations. You lost much blood but that was pumped back into you by the good folk at St Jude's. You had to be stitched up and that may account for the Frankenstein feeling."

"When can I go home?"

"I'll keep you for the rest of today and if there are no complications we will release you with a schedule for checking up on the dressing. Now I said I will release you that does not mean I am authorizing you for work. Are we clear?"

"Yessir." Mac replied.

"Alright I'll just examine you and then be on my way."

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Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you

So come on down and do what you've got to do

You started this fire down in my soul

Now can't you see it's burning, out of control

So come down and satisfy the need in me

Cos only your good loving can set me free

============================================

SAME DAY - 1600 LOCAL

BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL

MAC"S ROOM

As promised Mac was discharged from the hospital that afternoon. She was wheeled out of the establishment flanked by Harm and Matt.

"What now?" Matt asked.

"Food. That stuff inside there can be called many things food is not one of them."

"Welcome back to both you an your appetite. Don't EVER scare me that way again." Harm ordered.

"Aye aye sir." She grinned "Now about that food …"

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Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you...

The END