Title: Whatever.

 

Author: Rising Sun

For feedback e-mail me at: jagrslc@yahoo.com

For updates on my new FF join: jagrslc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The FF is archived at: http://www.geocities.com/jagrslc

Join the Fan Fiction Challenge at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ffchallange/

 

Rated: PG-13

Summary: Just some thoughts on how different life would have been if Harm and Mac were more like brother and sister.

 

Spoilers: Washington Holiday, Lifeline

Classification: AU

 

Disclaimer: NONE of these characters are mine! No copyright infringement intended.  All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people are purely coincidental.

 

Author’s Note: When stumped for a title Shakespeare came up with: As You Like It and What You Will. So being stumped for a title myself I followed the grandmaster and named mine Whatever.

 

Feedback: Send it.

Permission to archive: Permission granted.

Story written May 16, 2002

 

Mac: I know this is like dancing with your sister Harm, but you could at least pretend you're having a good time. 

Harm: I don't think of you as a sister, Mac.

Mac: You don’t?

 

+         +            +

 

SEPTEMBER - 1986

RABB RESIDENCE

 

Trish Brunette opened the door in response to the knocking.  “Matt?”

 

He grinned. “I’m glad you remembered.”

 

“How can I forget?  Mac’s Uncle Matt is a legend in this house.” At the mention of Mac’s name her face became cloudy.

 

“Hey Mrs. Brunette.” Mac stepped from behind her Uncle.

 

“Macc!” The normally composed sophisticate screamed. She pulled the young woman to her and hugged her fiercely. “OH God!!!” Was all she could say.

 

Mac grinned sheepishly. Despite all that had happened Trish still welcomed her with open arms.  The three turned as they heard thumping coming round the corner of the balcony.  It was Harm.  Trish let go of her.

 

Mac took a few steppes towards her friend, hesitated and stopped still at arms length.

 

“Mrs. Regale.” He said formally.

 

“Mr. Rabb.” She reflected his tone.

 

“You cut your hair.”

 

She automatically ran her fingers though it “Yes.”

 

“You dry?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I love you.”

 

“I know.”

 

He opened his arms and Mac flung herself into them almost toppling them both to the floor.  “Oh Harm! I’m sooo sorry!” She wailed as she began crying.

 

Matt turned to Trish “We need a favour.”

 

“This way.” She led him to the kitchen.

 

Finally Mac and Harm sat on the banister of the balcony.  Harm ran his fingers through her now short hair. “I like it.”

 

“I’m glad. Why didn’t you come for me?” she asked the question that burned through her soul.

 

“I did.” He defended.

 

“You came but you left me.” She pointed out.

 

He got deadly serious. “You’re right and I’m sorry.  I promise you this Sarah Mackenzie. That will NEVER happen again.  Mac you are the sister I never had and I let you down, but never again.  You will have to shoot me first.”

 

“I may just do that.” She replied.  “But that’s over Uncle Matt came and got me and luckily all is well.”

 

“Luckily.” He echoed.  “I thought I’d lost you.”

 

“You’ll never know how close you came.” She informed him.  She frowned “What are you doing here anyway? Annapolis out already?”

 

He fidgeted with embarrassment.

 

“Harm?” She pressed.

 

“I got personal time off.”

 

“Why? What happened? Grams?” She was worried.

 

“No! Grams is fine. It’s my sister.” He assured her.

 

“Your sister? Harm you’re an only child!” She admonished.

 

“My sister.” He insisted, “Was in a car crash.  Her drinking buddy died and she disappeared into thin air.  She wasn’t at his funeral and I needed to find her.  I came home but all my searching only revealed that she went off with some man.”

 

She whispered as his story seeped in. “You came looking for me?”

 

“Yep.” He said “And I was right.”

 

“About?”

 

“You are a one beautiful woman Mac.”  She blushed deep red. “What now?” he asked.

 

“Back on track.” She told him. “I’m applying to OCS”

 

“Not Annapolis?” He was disappointed he was burning to show her off.

 

She shook her head.  “I spoke with Uncle Matt and we agreed on OCS.”

 

He let it drop. “… and hubby Chris?”

 

“Over. He’s gone.”

 

“Then do you mind?” He took her left hand.  She just stared. “Trust me?”

 

“Always.”

 

He removed the wedding band and threw it away.  “Hungry?”

 

“Always.”

 

“That’s my Mac.”

 

+          +            +

 

“We’re back!” Harm announced as he raided the cookie jar and Mac grabbed the milk from the fridge.

 

“Harm. Mac will be staying with us awhile.” Trish informed him.

 

“Well all right!” He said.

 

“Why?” She asked her Uncle.

 

“Your house is empty. Trish tells me that Joe left months ago. You need an address for the OSC application and I need to return to duty.” He explained.

 

“You’ll stay in touch?” She had a twinge of panic.

 

“You’re not getting rid of me that easy.” He assured her.  “Or these folks. Did Sir Lancelot here tell you that the house has been kept open only until you came back?”

 

“Pardon?” Mac was confused. “What are you talking about Uncle Matt?”

 

“Uncle Matt don’t.” Harm begged.

 

“Son bad deeds get too much limelight, time to give a good deed some of that.” He replied.  “Trish and Frank live in La Jolla as in California and Harm is at Annapolis.  If one of them is not here then a caretaker is. All just waiting and praying for your return. No matter the condition.”

 

“And you did come back.” Trish smiled at the only daughter she’d ever have.

 

Mac dropped the milk and bolted from the room. Harm made to follow her “Leave her Harm.” His mother advised.

 

“But Mom!”

 

“Your mother is right son. She’s embarrassed. Not only by what you all have done for her but what she has done.  She hit bottom and it was close there for a while. Give her a chance.”

 

+          +            +

 

Five minutes later Mac returned and no reference was made to the previous conversation.  Armed eventually with the milk and cookies Harm asked her.  “What now?”

 

She beamed at him. “Can we watch the Wizard of Oz?”

 

“Mac! You’re almost nineteen!” Matt said.

 

“And at twenty three mine still watches it.” Trish told him.

 

“Let’s go!” Harm said and the two traipsed off.

 

“Thank you Trish.”

 

“You all are family. Thanks not needed. More coffee?”

 

+          +            +

 

Harm felt complete. All was right with the world. Mac was back she’d gone through hell but she was back.  And as usual if they were not prancing round the house lip-syncing to the songs she fell asleep half way through. As she was doing now.

 

He looked at the beautiful woman she had become as she snuggled up close to him.  He leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead.

 

+          +            +

 

Trish came to call them to dinner and smiled.  Even as they slept it was in a protective position.  Mac was wedged between Harm and the wall with her head on his chest and their legs entangled.  He was on his back with an arm around her.

 

She smiled at the familiar scene Mac could never sit still and watch that movie.  As she closed the door she prayed “Wake up and smell the coffee son. Marry her.”

 

+          +            +

 

Harm: Mac, you have someone who will always love you.
Mac: And you have somebody that loves you.

 

FINIS