Author: Lace
Subject: HBX Challenge May 2009, Changes

HBX Challenge May 2009

The characters are not mine and all that...

This is set somewhere around season 9. Paraguay never happened. Harm and make has to face some changes.

The mistakes are all mine...


Changes



Bethesda Naval Hospital
One months after the accident


Harm peaked inside the room and smiled when he saw that Mac was awake and sitting up in bed. He walked inside.

“Did you bring me something?” She asked eagerly, pointing to the paper bag in his hand.

“Chocolate muffins.” Harm handed over the paper bag. “How are you feeling today? Any pain?”

“The drugs are really good.” Mac joked. She struggled to opened the bag with only one hand and inhaled the scent. “I love chocolate.”

Harm laughed softly, pleased to see that she was better than when he left last night. “Did you get a good nights sleep?”

“Yeah, when the drugs kicked in I slept soundly until about 0600 this morning.” She reached for one of the muffins. “Captain Harris is pleased with my recovery and I'll get to go home in a few days, maybe before the weekend.”

“That's great.” He wrinkled his forehead. “Wait a minute. Did Captain Harris really think that sending you home was a good idea? You can only use one arm, and you're still in a lot of pain.”

Mac gave him a look of innocence as she nibbled on her muffin. “I might have lied and told him that you'd stay with me. I'm so sick of this place and I just want to go home. I'm sure I'll manage perfectly well on my own.”

“Mac!” He gave her a look of disapproval. “You can't lie to your Doctor.”

“But I want to go home.” She said with a cute pout. “And besides Captain Harris wants me to start using my arm a little. I'll be starting physiotherapy in two weeks and I should start moving my shoulder a little more every day.”

“Well, I'm staying with you until you can use it more than just a little.” Harm sat down in the chair by her bed. “You might be released from this place, but that will be with me as your caretaker.”

“I don't want to be a burden, Harm.” Mac argued.

“You won't be a burden.” He smiled. “Don't worry, I'll take good care of you.”

“You already have been taking good care of me.” She reminded him.

“You were blown up, the least I can do is make sure you have a chocolate treat every day.” He teased.

“I wasn't blown up, the building was. And yes, I do love my daily treat, thank you.” She smiled sweetly.



One month earlier
Afghanistan

Harm was happy to finally see base again after two days on the Afghan roads. He and Mac had been sent there to investigate allegations of improper behaviour towards an Afghan girl by two American Marines.

Harm had split up with Mac two days ago and they had each left with different units to make the investigation as efficient as possible. Mac had left to interview the girl and her family, while Harm had talked to other witnesses.

“Commander Rabb, welcome back.” Marine General Tobin approached Harm. “I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.”

“Sir?”

“Colonel Mackenzie was injured yesterday. A building exploded and she and three other Marines were standing close to explosion.”

Harm froze. “Where is she?”

“She was transported to the Guadalcanal along with the three other Marines. You are under orders from Admiral Chegwidden to stay here and wrap up the investigation.”

“But Sir...”

“Orders are orders Commander. I'm expecting to hear back from the Captain on the Guadalcanal and I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.”

Harm watched as General Tobin walked away from him. He ran a hand through his dirty hair and let out a shaky breath. Mac was injured and he couldn't be with her. Hell, he didn't even know the extent of her injuries either.

“Commander Rabb?”

Harm lifted his head and focused on a young man standing in front of him. “Yeah Corporal, what's up?”

“I have a message to you from Colonel Mackenzie, Sir. I was with her unit when the explosion happened and I talked to her before they transported her away on the helicopter.”

“What did she say?”

“Tell Commander Rabb not to worry. My shoulder hurts like hell, but I'll live. Tell him to charge the Marines and make sure they pay for what they did to that girl.” The Corporal gave Harm a look of sympathy. “I hope that helps, Sir.”

Harm nodded. “It really does Corporal.”

“And Sir, I hope you do charge the two Marines too. We're supposed to be the good guys and what they did was an insult to the Marine Corps.” The Corporal said.

“I agree.” Harm gave the Corporal a nod. “Thank you Corporal.” Then he walked away. He wanted to take a shower and finish the investigation, so that he could leave this place.



Four months later
JAG Headquarters

Mac exited the elevator and walked into the bullpen. She spent a few minutes talking to Bud before she walked straight into Harm's office without knocking, she rounded his desk and slumped down in his chair.

Thirty minutes later Harm walked in. He smiled when he saw her.

“Hi Mac. This is a surprise. What are you doing here?” He noticed his very organized desk. “And why does my desk look like that?”

Mac glanced up from the file she was looking through. “I organized it.”

“And now you're reading my files?” He sat down on a chair. “Are you bored, Mac?” He asked teasingly, knowing exactly how bored she was.

“It's no fun being on medical leave.” She whined.

“I know, but you have to be patient. Your shoulder needs to heal.” He gave a nod towards her left shoulder. “How was physiotherapy?”

“I have to take a break from it. Apparently I've agitated it by doing too much too son.” She tried to come of as cute and innocent.

“Mac! I told you to take it easy.” Harm reprimanded. “What am I going to do with you?”

Mac leaned back on the chair and let out a huff.

“Okay, what you need is for me to cook you dinner.” He gave her a pleading look. “We need to get that smile back in place. Come on, let's get out of here.”

“Okay.” She stood reluctantly. “I guess I could eat.”


Later that night
Harm's apartment

Mac watched as Harm walked around his kitchen area, preparing their dinner. She rose from her place on the couch and walked slowly towards the kitchen area.

“Harm, can I ask you something without you freaking out on me?”

Harm gave her a curious look. “Why would I freak out?”

She hesitated. “Do you ever think about our baby deal?”

He slowly put the bowl he was holding down on the bench. “Only when I look at you. Or hear you speak.” He admitted quietly.

“What?” Mac was surprised by his confession.

“When I picture myself with children, they always look like you.” He hesitated. “I figured we'd go through with it some day.” He shrugged a little. “Anyway, why do you ask?”

“I don't have a real purpose in life.” She sat down on a bar stool and reached for a carrot on the bench.

“What do you mean by that? No purpose?” He gave her a questioning look. “You're a Marine, a brilliant lawyer...”

“I haven't been really honest with you about the extent of my injury, Harm.” She looked away.

“What do you mean?”

“Captain Harris told me a few months back that for my shoulder to heal enough for me to be allowed back on active duty, it would take a miracle.” She stood and moved a little away from the bar stools. “I haven't told you because I haven't been able to accept it myself, but now that I've had to take a break from physiotherapy because my shoulder can't take it, I have to face the fact. Harm, I probably won't be a Marine any more.”

“Mac.”

His tone was so low and sad that she felt her eyes water. “And it sucks, because that was my purpose. I'm not good with relationships, I don't have a family or kids, but damn it, I had a purpose.”

“Mac, you're more than a Marine.” He moved closer to her. “You have your friends. You're brilliant, so you'll make a civilian career in no time.” He reached for her hand. “And you have me.”

She lifted her head to look at him. “In what way?”

He stared into her eyes. “Marry me?”

Mac took a step back in surprise. “Marry you?”

He nodded. “Yes. Let's get married.”

“But we don't even date?” Mac pointed out.

“Mac, I've known you for eight years, I don't need to date you.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “I'm ready.”

She studied him for a long time. “I'm ready too.” She finally said after what felt like hours.

Harm's face lit up. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes, it's a yes. Let's get married.” She started laughing softly. “I feel like I've just jumped off a mountain.”

Harm started laughing as well. “I think for us this is like jumping off a mountain.”

Suddenly the laughter stopped, they had moved closer without noticing. Harm leaned in and kissed her softly, he felt her respond and he deepened the kiss. It felt so natural, so comforting and so familiar. They both knew they'd made the right decision.


Harm's apartment
Three months later

Harm studied Mac as she chopped vegetables for their dinner. She looked like she was far far away from their kitchen. She'd been that way since she'd come home home earlier and he wondered what she was thinking about.

“Did you have a nice day?” He asked.

She didn't acknowledge his question, just kept chopping.

He reached out and took the knife from her. “Did you have a nice day, Mac?”

She nodded. “Yes, sure.”

He put the knife down. “What did you do?”

“I had a job interview.” She shrugged. “A private firm, Garrison and Harris. You've heard of them?”

“Mac, they're the second largest firm in the city.” He laughed softly. “Yes, I've heard of them.”

She huffed. “I was offered a job.”

“That's great!” Harm was excited.

She huffed again.

He was confused. “You don't seem very excited, Mac.”

“I got a call from the University of Virginia this morning. They offered me a job. To teach.” She shrugged. “Apparently Dean Harry Ivory of the University of Virginia play golf with the secretary of the Navy and somehow my name came up.”

“That's great Mac.” Harm said once more.

“I haven't had anything published, except from within the Military and I have no experience teaching.” She started chewing her bottom lip.

“Mac, you know the law better than anyone, you've been a judge, you've defended the SecNav on war crimes, you've been acting JAG... I could go on, but the point is that you're very qualified to teach.” He reached for her hand. “Do you want to do this?”

She nodded. “I really do.”

“Then what's the problem?”

“I'm just surprised. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, so I guess I'm trying to convince myself that I should take the job with Garrison and Harris.” She smiled sheepishly. “Stupid, huh?”

Harm smiled. “It's a little stupid.” He leaned in and kissed her. “You should do what you want to do, Mac, not what you think you should do.”

“I really thought I'd be a Marine forever.” She mumbled and hugged him close. “But I think this is what I should do now.”

He kissed her head. “I just want you to be happy, Mac.”

“I am happy.” She leaned back to look at his face. “I'm really happy. I can't wait to get married and have babies with you. I love you Harm.”

“I love you too.” He kissed her softly, before releasing her. “We need to celebrate.”

“Yes, let's have ice cream.” Mac said with a big smile.

“You want to celebrate with ice cream? I was thinking, a fancy dinner, dancing, maybe a night in a fancy hotel?” He reached for her and swung her around. “What do you say?”

“Sounds good, but I have a better idea.” She smiled. “Let's have ice cream, and then we'll go to bed early.” She leaned in and kissed him softly.

Harm deepened the kiss. “How about we take ice cream in bed?” He winked at her.

“Harmon Rabb, I love you so much.” Mac covered his face in kisses. “It's the best celebration ever.”

“Only the best for you, Mac.” He kissed her again.