Disclaimer: The characters of JAG don't belong to me. I just borrowed them from Bellisarius Productions, Paramount and CBS for this story. No infringement intended.

Trust in Allah

A friend 
is one to whom one may pour 
out all the contents of one's heart, 
chaff and grain together 
knowing that the gentlest of hands 
will take and sift it. 
keep what is worth keeping 
and with a breath of kindness 
blow the rest away 

- Persian Proverb 

1500 ZULU
Persian Gulf
USS Seahawk


Mac was in her cabin, going over some of the files Mic Brumby had given her before their departure when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." she called, never looking up from her files.

"Urgent delivery from Mr. Webb." Harm uttered sarcastically and dropped a bag on Mac's bunk.

"What is this?" Mac asked, finally looking up from her files.

"Clothes for you."

Mac just nodded and returned to her reading material.

"You know," Harm started and sat down on the bunk, "I was wondering why you speak Farsi. I was surprised when the Admiral said you do."

"My grandmother was Iranian. I thought I had told you that. At least I thought you knew I speak Farsi, or did you already forget about the last time you were admitted to hospital?"

Harm grimaced slightly, "All you said was that you had Cherokee blood in you. And that you speak Russian. There was nothing about anything Persian in any discussion we ever had."

"That I do have Cherokee blood in me as well." Mac replied and turned to Harm, smiling. "My grandmother maternal side was Cherokee. My grandmother paternal side Iranian. She didn't speak English very well though she came to the States when she was only 20. I remember she had this very strong accent."

"You never cease to surprise me, Mac."

"Khay'ly Mo'teh'shaker'am, Harm."

"In English please."

Mac just started to laugh, but didn't reply. Harm roled his eyes about this.

"Our transport to Bahrain will take off at 325. We have 30 minutes to catch our connecting flight. We'll be at Mehrabad Airport at about 830 local time. Get some sleep, we'll need it."

Harm stood and made his way to the door. He opened the door, when he heard Mac starting to chuckle.

"Webb doesn't expect me to wear this, does he?" she uttered and held up the traditional black Iranian coat and scarf.

"Have you ever seen him joking? I am sure you look great in black."

Harm winked at her before he pulled the door closed behind him.

0746 ZULU
Prince Darius Hotel
Iran


Harm watched the heated conversation going on at the counter from the distance. Whatever Mac was telling that guy, he had no idea. Farsi didn't even sound like a language to him, it sounded more like coughs and sneezes in different tones.

He couldn't really tell what Mac's expression meant when she returned with a key in her hand.

"Let's get going." she briefly said and picked up her bag.

Harm just nodded and picked up his bag. Then noticing the strange looks from the personnel and other visitors, he quickly caught up with Mac and took her bag out of her hands.

"Just go." he whispered, and gently pushed her in direction of the elevator.

Once upstairs and in the room, Harm somehow had a feeling about what was going on during that conversation and the hotel counter. The room had only one bed.

"So, Ms. I-speak-Farsi-so-well, why does this room only have one bed?" he asked, dropping the bags on the bed.

"That question may go to Mr. Webb directly." Mac replied. "Apparently, he resevered a suite for us, but forgot to mention that he needed a suite with two beds, not only one. I tried to correct the error, but this is the only they got. It was either take it or not."

"And where exactly do you think I should sleep? As far as I can see, there is no couch, neither armchair in here, and I am honestly not up to sleeping in a bathtub - assuming there is one in the bathroom."

"Share a bed?" Mac asked carefully, waiting for Harm's reaction. "I mean it's big enough for two, and if you promise to stay on your side during the night, I'd be willing to share."

"I, uh..." Harm stuttered, but quickly pulled himself together and cast the thoughts flying around in his mind aside, "Okay. Which side do you prefer?"

"Left, please. That's only if it's okay with you."

"Fine."

"But if you start to snore, the bathtub is yours."

Harm grimaced and glanced at his watch.

"We are to meet Minister Nassan at 1245 local time at Bakkar prison. That gives us..."

"1 hour, 21 minutes and 32 seconds. I'd like to freshen up a little before we go."

Mac undid the scarf and ruffled her hair before she went to the bathroom.

"Harm, you're a lucky guy." she called after she had closed the door behind her.

"Why?" he called back.

"There's no bathtub in here!"






1735 ZULU
Prince Darius Hotel
Iran


The meeting with Keeter that afternoon had completely disturbed Harm. Seeing his best friend like that was no pleasant sight to him, even now that he knew it all was a plan to give him the information they needed.

Mac found him standing at the window, staring outside when she returned from the bathroom dressed in a hunter green silk nightgown.

"Harm?" she asked and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Hmmm?" he murmured, turning around to face her.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Silently, Harm shook is head no.

"I know Keeter is one of your oldest and best friends. We'll get him out of there."

"First it's Cuba, now it's Iran. I don't know why Keeter even considers working for the CIA."

"Same reason we do I think. Keeter was trained for this mission. It wasn't him you saw this afternoon, it was a role he was playing. You know that. Tomorrow he will be the same old Keeter you know so well."

Harm smiled and nodded, "I know."

"Look, I am tired, I'll go to bed. And you remember, stay on your side during the night, all right?"

"Got it, Major. I'll try not to wake you when I sneak in later. I want to go through these files first. Sleep tight."

Harm placed a tender kiss on Mac's forehead. First, she looked up at him with a frown that quickly turned into a warm smile.

"Don't work too long. You need sleep as well." Mac uttered before she climbed into bed and snuggled into the sheets.

Harm watched her for a moment before he turned of the light at the ceiling and turned on the small lamp on the table in the corner of the room.

Almost 2 hours passed quickly, and Harm hadn't even noticed he had been working that long. He yawned when he got up from his chair and went to the bathroom to dress for bed. Clad only in a pair of boxers and a muscle shirt, he emerged about 5 minutes later.

Seeing Mac sleeping peacefully on her side of the bed brought a smile to his face. Carefully, he slid in next to her, trying not to wake her. Though he had enough space on his side of the bed, he couldn't find a comfortable position.

Knowing that Mac was lying next to him, in the same bed, somehow made him wide awake. She was so near, but yet so far. Sighing, he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep when suddenly, Mac rolled over in her sleep and snuggled close to him.

Harm's eyes popped open only to see Mac place her head on his chest and her arm around his waist. Not knowing what to do in this awkward situation, Harm finally decided to let Mac sleep right where she was. He slid his arm around her and burried his face in her hair before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

0300 ZULU
Prince Darius Hotel
Tehran, Iran


Mac suddenly was wide awake when the first sounds of the Arabian morning prayers sounded into their room. Casting her eyes open, she found herself snuggled against Harm's warm body. Her arm was wrapped around him, and his around her.

As comfortable as she felt in this position, and as much as she didn't want to break out of this embrace, she knew she had to as to not cause any awkwardness and embarrassment between them.

Carefully, she removed her arm from Harm and then placed his arm back where hers had been before. She didn't notice Harm had crooked an eye open and was watching her.

"Good morning." he finally broke the silence.

"Morning." Mac replied shortly and climbed out of the bed, pushing a strap of her nightgown back in its proper place.

"Slept well?"

"Fine."

As much as Mac wanted to tell Harm that she hadn't slept this well and felt this comfortable in years, she knew she better not to.

"I'll go take a shower. Can you call room service and order us something for breakfast?" she asked and collected her clothes from one of the chairs before she made a beeline to the bathroom.

"As long as I can order coffee instead of tea!" Harm called.

"Don't expect the coffee to be any better." Mac chuckled and pulled the bathroom door closed behind her.

1230 ZULU
Australian Embassy
Tehran, Iran


Sinar Kassari, an Iranian military member working for the CIA and their only connection to Clayton Webb so far, had informed them that morning that they had a meeting with Webb at 1600 the same afternoon at the Australian Embassy. Somehow, Harm was not surprised that the first thing he saw when they entered the one of the conference rooms in the Embassy was the grinning face of Lt. Cmdr. Mic Brumby.

"Good day, mates." he uttered, the grin only spreading on his face as he winked at Mac.

"Somehow I knew you'd be here." Harm replied a little annoyed.

"Mr. Webb needed an escort."

"That'll be the day." Webb interrupted them and joined them at the table in the middle of the room. "Good work on getting that letter to us. Keeter was able to encrypt the coordinates to a special code we taught him for just this kind of situation."

"So how are you gonna destroy the Stealth, Webb?" Harm asked, immediately getting to the point of their meeting.

"We're not. We're gonna retrieve it - or rather you are."

"Oh no, no, no. I am here to help Keeter."

"The priorities have changed."

"Mine haven't."

"As a pilot, you've got two crucial qualifications: access and ability."

"Harm has never even flown a Stealth." Mac interrupted the two men.

"Neither had Lt. Cmdr. Keeter until a month ago." Webb quickly replied. "All you've gotta do is get it off the ground. The computer's autopilot will take care of the rest."

"The computer is the reason it soundly grounded in the first place."

"The technicians on the Seahawk believe a heatshield worked loose from the repeated carrier landings. They could have overheated an integrated circuit in the flight stabilization system. Replacing the system should bring it back online." Brumby reasoned.

"Yeah, till it overheats again." Harm muttered. He still was not convinced that flying the Stealth back to the Seahawk was a better idea than just blowing it up.

"By that time, you should be back on the Seahawk."

"Harm, if you go, I can represent Keeter." Mac said to let Harm know that if no one was willing to help Keeter while he was gone to find the plane, she would.

"Rabb may need your Farsi skills to reach the plane, Major."

"I'll represent him." Brumby offered.

"Too risky. Once we go after that plane, anyone we leave behind in Tehran will be vulnerable."

"So you're gonna sacrifice Keeter."

"He knew it was a dangerous mission."

"Is that the going rate of exchange, Webb. A man for a plane?"

"Do you think you're gonna change anything in the Iran high court? His fate's already been decided. State will do the best it can to negotiate a deal after the trial. You know I am right."

Harm finally backed off. He wished he could gets his hands on Webb's throat right this moment for his decisions, but as a Navy Officer he knew that it was his job to serve his country and do what is best for it.

"You will pay for this some time, Webb. I promise." he groaned.

"He's just doing his job, mate." Brumby butt in, stepping between Harm and Webb to put distance between those two.

"All right. Then before we close this off and we will go to tell Keeter the good news, can we possibly talk about our current room situation, Webb?"
Harm asked, trying to stifle a grin.

His eyes narrowed on Brumby, trying not to miss his expression when he found out he was sharing a bed with Mac. He needed at least a little fun during that conversation, and what could be better that see Mic Brumby dumbstruck?

"What's the problem, Rabb?" Webb asked annoyed. "I got you the best suite I could find. Iranian standard is not the same as US standard, remember that."

"The suite is absolutely fine, Webb. But next time, when you have someone reserve a room for you, make sure you get as many beds as you need."

"One bed, Webb. That's all the suite has." Mac finished.

Brumby's mouth dropped open. They didn't need to mention it, he just knew they had shared the same bed that night. When he noticed the grin spreading on Harm's face, he closed his mouth and tried to gain back his composure.

"Well, Commander, knowing that Mac is only a friend to you, I don't think that had to be a problem. Eh, mate?" he snickered.

"Not for me, Commander." Harm replied and leaned closer to him so only he could hear his reply. "Besides, Brumby, I'd never complain about having a beautiful woman sleep in my arms."

"I thought you didn't consider Mac a woman, only a friend." Brumby retorted, never actually at a loss of words.

Harm glared at him shortly before Mac tugged at his arm, very eager to stop those two before they'd end up in a situation they later would certainly regret.

"Let's get going, c'mon, Harm. We have a meeting with Minister Nassan at Bakkar."

Mac dragged him out of the room behind her. Outside the Australian Embassy, they waited for their cab in silence until Mac spoke up.

"Care to share what that little display earlier between you and Brumby was all about, Commander?"

"Just some men talk." Harm replied casually.

"So? Then why did I feel like you two were somehow fighting over me?"

Harm remained silent. He was at a loss of words.

"Whatever is going on between Mic and you, I don't want to be any part of it, okay? I know you didn't like it when I went out to dinner with him, but like I told him, I am going to tell you now. There is nothing more than a working relationship between us, and there probably never will be more. We are only friends. So will you please stop trying to prove something to him - whatever that may be."

"I did not start it, he did. One day, he suddenly walked into my office and asked me what was going on with us. I told him we were only friends and partners, and suddenly he was more than just interested in you. He started to sneak around you whenever he got a chance, and when he saw me, he put this damn grin on his face."

"Harmon Rabb, you are jealous!" Mac chuckled.

"I am not!"

"What are you then? Trying to defend your territories? I'll give you some piece of advise - I am not a possession to fight over. I don't belong to you, nor do I belong to Brumby or anyone else."

Mac stomped away in direction of the cab that had stopped right in front of them. She climbed in the backseat and scooted off to the far left door so Harm could climb in after her. She told the driver where to go, and he drove off.

"Look, Mac," Harm broke the silence after a while, "this has nothing to do with what I feel for you or don't feel for you. It doesn't have to do anything with being jealous or not either. This guy is just so damn annoying. I am sorry that you somehow got caught in the middle of our little disagreement. He dragged you right into this because he knows how much you mean to me. I feel like he is trying to get into our friendship, put distance between us, and maybe break it up all the way. I am afraid of that. You are my best friend, Mac. You mean a lot to me and I care about you."

"Then why did you tell him I am nothing more than a friend to you if mean oh so much to you? And that you don't even consider me a woman, only a friend?"

There was a tone of sadness in Mac's voice that didn't go unnoticed by Harm.

"Mac, what I feel for you is none of his business. That's why I told him what I did."

Hopefully, Mac turned her head towards Harm to face him.

"And what are you feeling, Harm?"

"Confusion."

"Wow," Mac chuckled nervously, "that's something a guy never told me before."

"I am just trying to be honest with you. I don't know what I feel. All I can tell you is that I don't want Brumby to get between us."

"That will never happen. I promise."

1937 ZULU
The Dasht-E-Kavir-Desert
Iran


Almost 11 hours had passed since Harm, Mac and Sinar Kassari had freed Keeter while on his way to the Iranian high court. The rendezvouz point where they found a jeep with all the electronics they would possibly need for bringing the Stealth's computer back online lay about 2 hours into the Dasht-E-Kavir desert, far away from Tehran in nowhere land.

They exchanged their vehicle for the jeep real quick, and drove off further into the desert, the GPS receiver their only help in this god forbidden place on earth. When the sun had started to set, they had decided to make up their camp for the night, their only cover a couple of rotten bushes around them.

Mac and Sinar sat at the fire, making their camp for the night ready while Harm and Keeter were using the GPS to locate the Stealth's exact location. Keeter was digging in a can of something Harm couldn't even force himself to look at and ate it rapidly, stuffing spoon after spoon into his mouth.

"I set it down about a hundred miles from the coast in a dry lakebed, about here." he said with his mouthful and pointed on the small GPS screen. 

"We should be there by noon tomorrow." Harm replied. Again, he grimaced when he saw Keeter digging his spoon into the can of food. "You hungry?"

"Starving. I think they fed me camel feces."

"I didn't think that would have bothered you, I've seen you eat things out of the back of the wardroom fridge I wouldn't even touch." Harm chuckled.

"No guts, no glory."

"Yeah, I figured Cuba had cured you that philosophy."

Harm turned the GPS off and packed it back into a box in the back of the jeep before he turned around and leaned against the jeep to overlook the silent desert around them.

"So Keeter, you think that circuit board will last until I get to the Seahawk?"

"It started to cook about 30 minutes into my flight, but I used to be on board by then. If you are not, and she starts to go, punch out." Keeter replied.

"You didn't punch out."

"I had wide miles of dry lake to land on. You only have 750 feet of deck. Don't even think about trying without the stabilization system. I don't wanna be a pallbearer."

"What makes you think I even want you at my funeral?" Harm chuckled.

Keeter shortly laughed about Harm's comment before he turned dead serious.

"I don't want to see her heart break." Keeter uttered and placed the spoon back in the can, indicating Mac with his head.

"Mac? It's not like that between us, Keeter. She is my partner, and a friend."

"Oh, I've seen you with women before. Your eyes always get that glassy look, and I can practically see the testosterone seeping through your clothes."

"Keeter, Mac is just a friend, a good friend, and nothing more. All right?"

Keeter patted Harm's shoulder and turned to walk off. Halfway back to the fire, he turned around.

"I'll be really disappointed if I don't get an invitation to the wedding."

2055 ZULU
The Dasht-E-Kavir-Desert
Iran


Harm had never known it could be this cold in a place called the desert. Though it had been pretty hot during the day, it had cooled down to at least the mid 50s after the sun had set.

He pulled the blanket closer around his shoulders and put more wood into the fire. He had taken on the first shift to look out for anyone possibly following them, but all he could hear was the wood cracking in the fire. Other than that is was dead silence around them.

He cast his eyes around. To his left, Keeter was sleeping. His head was buried under the blanket, and all Harm could see was his feet sticking out at the bottom. He had to chuckle, remembering that this was the usual position he slept in.
 
Next to Keeter, Sinar Kassari was sound asleep with his gun in his arm. Unlike Keeter, he was not sleeping under the blanket, but on it. He didn't seem to be cold at all. Maybe this was the Iranian mentality, he didn't know.

When he looked over to Mac, he saw that she was awake and facing him.

"Can't sleep?" he asked and scooted closer to her.

"Not really." Mac replied, propping herself up on her elbow. "I was watching the stars. They look so different than in DC."

"They are lovely, aren't they?"

It wasn't until now that Harm saw that Mac was shivering under her blanket.

"Mac, you're cold. Why didn't you say anything?"

He removed the blanket from his shoulders and started to wrap it around Mac's cold body.

"I am a Marine, Harm. I can cope. You need the blanket yourself."

"Nonsense. You are cold."

"And you will be if you don't stay under that blanket. Please?"

Harm sighed and draped the blanket over his shoulders again. With a smile, he then lifted one arm and indicated for Mac to slip in under the blanket as well. She didn't hesitate and scooted closer to him. A moment later, she was in Harm's arms and two blankets were wrapped around their cold bodies.

"I think I could get used to this." Mac mumbled, snuggling into a comfortable position, and seeking the warmth of Harm's body.

"What? Camping in the desert?" Harm asked, brushing her hair out of her forehead.

"No. Sleeping in your arms. Harm?"

Mac turned around to face him. Even in the moonlight, she could see his dark blue eyes shining down at her.

"Hmmmm?"

"About that night in the hotel..."

"Sshhh..." Harm silenced her by putting his finger on her lips. "We were just two friends sharing a bed. There is nothing wrong about this, is it?"

"I... I think though. I still feel like - I don't know what I feel. I only know that it felt so good lying in your arms. I barely slept last night because I was afraid I would role over again in my sleep and seek your comfort. But to be honest, I wanted it to happen again."

"So did I. I didn't sleep much either. I somehow was afraid that I'd reach out for you and pull you into my arms. It felt so good having you sleep next to me. Your body close to mine, feeling your steady breath..."

"What is happening with us?"

"I don't know. All I know is that whatever it is, it feels too good to let go of it."

Again, Harm brushed Mac's hair out of her forehead. This time, he bent forward and placed a kiss there.

"You need sleep, Mac. It's gonna be a long trip to the Stealth tomorrow."

"Will you hold me until I am asleep?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Harm whispered and pulled Mac into his lap. "Sleep tight, Marine."

Mac placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Her arms were securely wrapped around him, and his around her. It didn't take long for Harm to notice that her breathing had become low and steady, telling him she had fallen asleep.
 

0930 ZULU
The Dasht-E-Kavir-Desert
Iran


When they finally reached the Stealth, they found a group of Bedouins near the Stealth. They had put their camp around the aircraft, and now claimed it their possession. What they find left in the desert is theirs to keep. Faisal Mohammed, the Bedouin leader, had offered his tent for any possible negotiations, and while Keeter and Sinar were checking out the plane to change the circuit board, Harm and Mac had accepted Faisal's invitation to talk about the Stealth.

"This plane is of no value to the Bedouins. You can't fly it." Harm reasoned.

"Its wings make good shade." Faisal retorted.

"That jeep has a very powerful generator. We need it only to start the plane. When we leave, it is yours."

Faisal just laughed about Harm's plain offer, "That plane is worth 80 million dollars. We may be nomadic, but we are not stupid."

"What's your price?"

"One million American dollars in gold."

"That can be arranged."

"When I get the gold, you get the plane."

"It can take days to get the gold. By then the Iranians might find the aircraft."

"No gold, no plane."

Mac quickly turned to look at Harm next to her before she decided to direct her proposal to Faisal in Farsi. She knew that if Harm could understand what she was offering, the moment her words were out of her mouth, he would start to object.

"I will stay with you until you get the gold."

"I need another wife like my camel needs pants." Faisal replied to her in Farsi.

"This is strictly business. Think of me as collateral."

The Bedouin leader shortly nodded and turned back to speaking English, "It is a deal."

He turned back to his men behind him to instruct them what to do with Mac.

"What did you say to him?" Harm whispered.

"I offered to stay behind as collateral."

Harm's eyes grew wide, "I am not leaving you here, Mac."

"I will be fine. This is about karma, Harm, not about sex." she reasoned.

"You were found not guilty in your husband's death."

"What does that have to do with this?"

"Well, sometimes people take risks they shouldn't when they wanna punish themselves."

"I'll pay my dues, Harm, at the article 32 hearing. I am doing this to complete the mission."

Faisal interrupted their private conversation. He directed his words at Mac, in Farsi, for Harm not to understand.

"Go with my youngest wife. She will dress you properly."

The Bedouin signed for his youngest wife to show Mac to their tent to change. Mac rose from the ground to follow her.

"I'll be fine." she said to Harm before she walked out of the tent.

1025 ZULU
The Dasht-E-Kavir-Desert
Iran


Harm zipped up his flight suit with mixed feelings. He knew he had no other choice than leave Mac and Keeter behind if he wanted to fly the Stealth back to the Seahawk. He looked up to see the Bedouins get ready for leaving. Faisal swung himself on his horse while his men had already started their walk further into the desert with their jeep and camels packed with all they had.

Though he knew that his job was to serve and protect his country, he suddenly wasn't that sure if he should leave Mac behind at all. About Keeter, he was not worried. He always managed to get out of even the most hopeless situation, but with Mac, it was a different matter.

Ever since the murder charges against her and the still upcoming article 32 hearing concerning fraternization, adultery and perjury, he felt like Mac had changed in some way. She had passed a barrier in her life that he only could describe as a death wish. Though she declined that vehemently, he knew that deep inside her a button had been pushed and she was taking whatever risk that came her way.

It hurt to know that he couldn't be there to keep an eye on her, now that he knew that Sinar had called in the Iranian Army and it was only a matter of minutes until they would reach them. He had to rely on Keeter's word that he would take care for her.

Harm quickly looked up at the Stealth. No, there really was no space in the cockpit to sneak her in as a second pilot and take her back to the Seahawk with him. Strapping her on one of the wings like Keeter had suggested wasn't an option either. But at least it had brought a smile on Harm's face - like Mac's nearness did now.

If he didn't knew he it any better, he would say she looked like a real Bedouin wife in the dress Faisal's wives had given her. It was nothing compared to the black dress she had had to wear in Tehran. This one brought out her beauty even more.

Fidgeting with the GPS receiver in his pocket, he finally pulled it out and switched it on the show Mac the correct coordinates where they would be picked up.

"We rendezvous in two days. Here, at the Iranian coast."

"What is this instrument?" Faisal Mohammed asked and stopped his horse next to them.

"GPS. Tells you where you are in the world." Harm answered him, but only got a loud laugh from the Bedouin in return.

"Allah and the stars tell me. And do not need batteries."

Harm shortly glared at Faisal before he turned to Mac next to him.

"Take care of you, Marine."

"You too, Sailor."

Mac extended her arms for a hug. Harm willingly stepped closer to her to wrap her into a tight hug. Until now, he never truly had realized how good it felt to have her in his arms, how much it hurt to have to give her up - even if it was only for two days. Harm rested his forehead against hers, never breaking the embrace.

"I promise you, Mac. If for some reason you shouldn't make it to the coast, I will come looking for you and won't stop until I have found you. I will walk to the end of the world if I have to. Even if it means going UA."

"Quit worrying about me and concentrate on getting that plane back to the Seahawk, Harm. Keeter and I will be fine with the Bedouins. Now get going." 

Harm had to force himself to release Mac out of his arms. When he finally did, he quickly turned away and climbed up into the Stealth. Otherwise he hadn't been sure if he hadn't put Keeter in that very same cockpit and had stayed back with Mac. After all, even with a broken arm Keeter knew a lot more about the Stealth and flying it than he did.

Harm put his helmet on and looked down at Mac and Keeter who were trying to get the power supply running. That was when he caught the Iranian Army appearing at the horizon. He wasn't the only one who had seen it, Faisal had as well.

Mac and Keeter frantically worked on the power supply, but it wasn't working. Harm couldn't fire up the Stealth's engines and computer. The Iranians came nearer and nearer. Finally, the computer went on and he was ready to take off with the Stealth. He saluted Mac and Keeter and pushed the button to close the canopy.

The last time he saw Mac, Faisal Mohammed pulled her up on his horse and rode away with her. When the canopy was fully closed, the world around him was gone - and so was Mac.
 

0535 ZULU
USS Seahawk
The Persian Gulf


"Sir, what are you doing up here?" Bud questioned Harm, seeing him pacing the helo landing zone a full hour before Mac and Keeter were due. "You wouldn't be nervous, would you, sir?"

"No, Bud, what would I be nervous?" Harm muttered. "Just because I left my partner - whom I happen to consider an important part of my life - along with a man who is a close personal friend on the desert, in the hands of a stranger I know nothing about. Nervous? What ever gave you that idea?"

"Maybe because you're wearing a track in the deck there, sir." Bud smiled. "Sir, she's going to be fine. She can certainly take care of herself. She's proved it often enough. And with permission to speak freely, sir, it might be a good idea for when the two of you meet up again, that you thought about expressing how you feel."

"Lieutenant," Harm gave him a warning glare, "you're very near to the out of line marker."

"Yessir." Bud attempted to stifle a smile. "Would it be okay if I wait with you?" 

"As long as you don't interrupt my worrying with advice."

"No, sir... uh, yessir." Bud stammered.

The hour passed, and became two.  Harm's eyes were now fixed on the horizon. Radio silence had precluded the chopper crew from reporting back and his anxiety was growing by the minute.

Finally they heard, before they saw, the whap-whap noise of chopper blades. Harm felt himself grow weak with relief as the speck in the sky loomed larger and after what seemed like an eternity, set down on the deck.

As he waited for the crew to begin off-loading, he heard Bud's voice in his head, 'expressing how you feel'. He had done that with his actions, when he had clung to her in the desert, and now as the chopper door opened, he knew he would envelope her in a large hug, which to the casual observer would look simply like two friends being reunited, but to him would be the continuation of what he had begun two days earlier.

Harm began to approach the helo as its blades stopped turning and watched as a crewman stepped out, followed by Keeter. 

"My god what happened?"

His hand flew to his mouth in alarm as he saw Keeter sway on his feet, his head swathed in a blood stained bandage, and a moment later medics appeared on deck with a gurney.

"Keeter?" Harm sprinted the remaining distance between them, catching his arms. "Are you okay?" 

As he was asking that he was desperately looking past him into the chopper.

"She's not here, Harm. I'm sorry." Keeter told him quietly, pushing away the medics who were reaching for him in order to talk to Harm.

Harm took a step back, and had he not had hold of Keeter might have fallen. The nightmare he had imagined since they separated was happening and he felt as if the world around him was floating away as he tried to focus.

"What... what happened? Where is she?  She's not.... please, God, she's not dead?" His eyes searched Keeter's desperately.

"We were attacked at dawn this morning." Keeter said slowly, obviously in pain. "It was some kind of rival tribe best I can figure. Faisal attempted to protect Mac and me and then it's all black. I'm sorry."

"Mac?" Harm persisted, tightening his grip to Keeter's arms.

"Harm, I don't know." he confessed miserably. "I must have been out a while. When I woke up, I was in a jeep, being delivered to the rendezvous point by two of Faisal's men, neither spoke English."

"You're telling me you don't even know if she's alive?" Harm exploded, his face white with fear.

"No, I don't. She could be still at Faisal's camp, but if she was okay, why didn't he send her with me?" Keeter shook his head and Harm felt him swaying on his feet. 

"Well, I'm going to find out." he declared. "You get taken care of. I'm going to talk to the CAG."

"Harm, I'm so sorry." Keeter sighed, taking hold of his arm. "You were counting on me to take care of her and I let you down."

"Blame isn't called for now, only finding her." he answered. "And I'm going to do that, if I have to turn over every rock in that damn desert."

Bud came up behind Harm as Keeter was being taken away. 

"Sir, I've been listening. What are we going to do?"

"Find her." he said firmly. "Find Faisal and find out what happened to her."

Before Bud could answer the chopper pilot who had brought Keeter approached them. 

"Sir, my name is Estes and I know what happened - that we were supposed to pick up Major Mackenzie along with Commander Keeter."

"Make your point, Lieutenant." Harm urged.

"I'd like to volunteer to go back with you and search, sir. I know the area pretty well, and I speak the language." Estes offered.

Harm looked as if he could kiss the young man. 

"Thank you, Estes. Let's go talk to the CAG."






0652 ZULU
USS Seahawk
The Persian Gulf


"State department approval my six." Harm muttered. "That could take days." He glared sharply at Webb. 

Just a couple of minutes earlier, it had been Webb, Bud and Brumby dragging him off the bridge that saved him from an insubordination charge. 

"Rabb, I'm sorry. These things are delicate and have to be negotiated." Webb tried.

Harm turned flashing eyes on him. 

"I don't want to hear any more of that BS. Right now there's a woman out in that desert. I don't even know if she's alive or not. A woman who means a great deal to me, and I'm not going to sit on this boat and not know what's happened to her."

"Rabb, calm down." Webb urged. "I'm doing the best I can here. We're dealing with cultural differences, time differences and... okay shutting up now."

Harm pulled away from them and walked to the edge of the flight deck, staring at the barely visible coast line.
 
"I'm confused here." Brumby whispered to Bud. "A few weeks ago I was told by Rabb that he thought of the Major only as a friend and another officer. His reaction back in Tehran and now here is way removed from that..."

"Yessir." Bud nodded. "I'm afraid the Commander is being forced to admit to himself what he's had in his heart for a long time."

"Now I know why he acted so strangely when I asked the Major out for dinner." Brumby smiled. "Fact is, I know the Major feels the same way about him. I wish there was something I could do the two of them would finally see what is so obvious to anyone else."

0738 ZULU
USS Seahawk
The Persian Gulf


Harm remained unmoving as the morning wore on. He stood on the observation deck, watching the fighter jets come in and take off, the choppers setting down and then going back up in the air while his mind was only focused on Mac and how she was doing. He whirled around when his name was called from behind to face Lt. Estes.

"Sir, I'm going to take a chopper up for a check ride in about twenty minutes." Estes smiled, keeping his voice low. "And if I happen to develop engine trouble and have to put down while I fix a fuel line, well those things happen."

Harm's eyes went wide as he realized what the young Lieutenant was offering. 

"Are you aware of the kind of trouble you could get in for doing something like that?"

"I guess I'd need a good lawyer." Estes grinned. "I'll take my chances. Captain Miller is a pretty fair guy. I'm betting he'll let me off with a reprimand. But it's not really an issue. This is my last stint. I'm getting out in six months anyway to fly a corporate helo out of Dallas, going to be ferrying oilmen instead of sailors. No sir, it's you who'll have that UA on your record the rest of your career. Is she worth it?"

"In a heartbeat." he answered at once, his convictions firm, and for a few moments he allowed himself some hope. 

"I'll get some things together and be right back."

Carefully avoiding Webb, Bud and Brumby he put civilian clothes on under a flight suit and hurried back to Estes where he was doing preflight on the helo.

"I'm betting you didn't tell your friends where you're going, sir." Estes grinned as he slipped into the pilot seat. 

"No way." Harm sighed. "I don't want them party to this. This way I'm the only one who's going to end up with my six in a sling."

"But you said she's worth it." Estes grinned again.

"Oh yeah." Harm nodded quickly. "I should have somehow tried to keep her from coming out onto the desert, and once she had I should have thought of some way not to have to leave her. A few months ago she came with me half way around the world and I guess in a way this is payback." 

He stopped and looked around, making sure no one was observing him and then slipped in beside the Lieutenant. 

"Estes, does this thing move?"

"Yessir!" the pilot laughed lightly and the helo lifted off at a dizzying speed, the Seahawk falling away as Estes swooped into the sky.

After about 10 minutes, Estes came in low over the shoreline, checking for any signs of hostility. The area was deserted and both men breathed a sigh of relief.

"Faisal can't be camped too far from here. Keeter said they were attacked at dawn, and he got back to the Seahawk about ten... YES, there they are." 

Harm gestured wildly to the small camp in the distance. 

"Sir, you're sure that's your objective? Not the rival gang that attacked them?"

"I'll know for sure in a minute." Harm nodded, recalling the small tribal flag attached to the tents.

"No, it's them, thank God." he announced a moment later. "Set us down, Lieutenant." 

Estes did so just at the outer edge, the chopper resting easily in the soft sand. Harm was out the door the second the skids touched the ground, sprinting across the hot sand. He was intercepted almost at once by two of Faisal's men, each taking firm hold of his arm. Forcing himself to remain calm, he nodded hello, knowing they would take him to Faisal.

"Harmon Rabb, I am glad to see you." Faisal's voice called to him in his very heavy accent and the Bedouin made a hand motion to release him. "You are no doubt looking for your beautiful traveling companion."

Harm froze in place, realizing that in just a few short seconds he might be hearing the news that Sarah Mackenzie was dead, and suddenly he was cold all over despite the blazing heat.

"Keeter was picked up. Thank you for sending him back, but because of his injury he had no idea what... what happened..." he stammered. "She's not dead, please tell me that."

"Your Sarah is alive." Faisal assured him quickly and Harm sucked his breath in sharply at the words 'your Sarah'.

"Is she not yours?" Faisal asked, motioning him to follow.

"She's my friend and my partner." Harm answered guardedly.

"Your voice says that. Your heart is crying out to say more. Allah knows." Faisal smiled slightly, stopping him outside a tent. "Now your heart must have faith in whatever deity it is who accepts your prayers."

Harm frowned, feeling cold fear wash over him.

"There was a traitor among my people." Faisal explained slowly. "He told my enemy there were Americans with us, Americans who could bring gold. Your Sarah was hurt in the attempt to take her and your other friend. We could not send her with him. A trip to the coast in the heat, bouncing in the back of a jeep, might have killed her. Instead I have kept her here, knowing Allah would send you to her."

Harm stood in shock as he spoke, for the second time that day his nightmare was coming to fruition - first she was not brought back to him, and now he was hearing she had been injured.

"How bad?" he finally was able to croak out.

"She took a bullet high in her shoulder here." Faisal touched Harm's shoulder. "It passed straight through but we cannot seem to make the bleeding stop fully. I fear an artery has been compromised. She has also begun to run a fever."

Harm nodded numbly and ducked his tall frame into the tent, stopping at first to squint in the sudden dimness. 

"Harm, it is you." Mac's voice was barely audible from a nearby bed. "Faisal promised me you would come."

"Faisal was right." he said softly, dropping to his knees before the low bed. "How're you doing, Marine?" 

He took her hand and pressed his other hand to her forehead, alarmed at how feverish she was.

"This isn't exactly taking care of yourself like I told you to do. How do you feel?"

"I've been better, but now that you're here..." A shudder of pain went through her and she squeezed his hand tightly. "I've been having terrible nightmares... dreaming that the Stealth crashed, dreaming that I was being taken away further and further from you and..." 

She began to toss restlessly on the small cot.

"Ssshh, it's okay, no more now." he admonished her gently. "I'm right here with you, and if I have anything to say about it we're not going to be apart again ever."

"Now I'm dreaming again." she sighed, her voice getting far away. "Dreaming that you're telling me we're going to be together forever." 

Her eyes drifted closed once again and Harm felt her hand go slack in his. 

"Marine, you stay with me now!" he ordered sharply. "I'm getting you aboard the Seahawk and then back to the U.S., but I need you to stay with me." 

He turned to Faisal who was standing just inside the door. 

"Will you help me get her to the chopper?"

The Bedouin nodded silently and Harm reached beneath Mac. 

"Okay now, Mac. You hang on and I'm going to get you back to the Seahawk and in a few hours, you and I will be fighting just like we always do." 

He paused a moment and pressed a light kiss to her forehead, adding, "Please, God."

Harm staggered slightly under her weight and Faisal hurried to assist him, helping him to balance her in his arms and to rest her head on his shoulder. Estes was waiting when they emerged. 

"I see we've found what we came for." he smiled. "Now all we have to do is explain how we got here when we get back." 

"I'm taking full responsibility for that." Harm reminded him as he and Faisal followed him to the chopper. "Right now I'd make a deal with the devil himself to get her medical help and make her all right."

"Perhaps you should simply speak with your God. I asked Allah to send you to her, and you came. Now let your God take care of her." Faisal smiled when they reached the chopper. "Let me take her while you step in."

Harm reluctantly handed his precious cargo to Faisal and climbed in to the rear seat, his eager arms reaching for her as soon as he was settled. 

"Faisal Mohammed, you are a good friend." he shouted over the noise of the chopper blades being revved. "I don't know how I can repay you for..."

"For keeping her for you." Faisal finished for him. "You can repay me by letting her know what is in your heart. Do it, Harmon Rabb, before you nearly lose her again."

"Promise." Harm vowed. "Goodbye my friend."

The desert sand fell away as Estes expertly sent the chopper skyward, and Harm gathered Mac tightly in his arms. The bandage around her shoulder began to stain red as they neared the Seahawk. 

"Hang on, Mac, please, hang on!" he breathed. "As soon as you're up to hearing about it, I'm going to do what Faisal said. I'm going to stop all the pretending and the beating around the bush and..."

"Landing in fifteen, sir." Estes interrupted. "I've radioed for medical assistance. You'd better start thinking of what you're going to use for an excuse."

"The only thing I'm going to do is take this woman to sickbay and make the surgeon crazy hovering over her." Harm declared. "When I know she's going to live, and resting comfortably, and I've apologized profusely for leaving her, then and only then will I deal with the consequences of getting her out."

"Yessir." Estes grinned. "But I'm not afraid to stand with you and tell my part."

"Lieutenant, you helped save the Major's life. You have my word that I will do everything I can do to get out of this."

The skids touched down on deck 15 minutes later and Harm automatically tightened his grip on Mac. Medical personnel quickly brought up a gurney and reached for her. Harm let her go only long enough to jump down and went to take her once again, only to be forced to let them settle her onto the gurney. 

His hands went around hers at once and he trotted along side the gurney, never releasing her all the way down to the sickbay. 

"What is this?" the doctor on duty questioned as the corpsmen brought her to him, looking for Harm and Mac and back. 

"Sir, she was shot about six or seven hours ago. It went straight through." Harm panted. "But they said they couldn't stop the bleeding completely and now she's got a fever." Harm took a deep breath. "Sir, please. Please help her."

"Okay, Commander, calm yourself or you'll be joining her down here."

Captain Bush took his arm and led him aside to allow the nurses begin to assess Mac's injury. Harm stood in near shock as they poured over her and it took less than a minute to determine she would need surgery. 

"Commander, we're going to get her stabilized and the bleeding stopped, and then deal with the infection she's developing." Bush said hurriedly. "After that, we'll see where we are. Now I want you to go get yourself some coffee and a clean uniform and let
me and my people do our job."

"Sir, I can't leave her." Harm shook his head, his voice coming out in a strangled croak. 

"That was not a request, Commander. You look on the verge of collapse yourself and I don't need you taking up a bed down here. Go!"

"Yessir!" he relented and before the Captain could object, he pushed past him back to Mac, standing at her head and squiggling his fingers in her hair.

"Marine, you hear me good now." he whispered, leaning down so his mouth was close to her ear. "You hear me. You are going to be okay. I've got a lot I want to say to you and you're not going to deny me the chance. They're making me leave you but I'll be
back when you wake up and that's a promise." 

With his last words he looked up to Bush, daring him to contradict him.

"Commander, you can stay with her as she recovers." Bush assured him. "Now get out of here and let us take care of her." 

"Soon." Harm whispered again, kissing her temple and then allowing Bush to lead him to the door. "Please tell me she's going to be okay."

"I think so. Give us about an hour here." Bush nodded slowly. "She obviously means a great deal to you. You two are not just professional associates I'm seeing."

"No, sir. We're close... actually, sir, I'm not sure how to describe it, and it's changing anyway. I'd like to leave it at that." 

Harm took one last look at her before slipping through the door.

 


0925 ZULU
USS Seahawk
Persian Gulf

 
Harm was just coming out of the bathroom from his cabin, having washed the blood from himself and put on a clean uniform when Bud, followed by Mic and Keeter, poured through the door. 

"You people are here to inform me I'm in trouble I guess."

"Sir, Estes came to me and told me what you did." Bud answered slowly. "He's on his way to report to the CAG now. How is Major Mackenzie?"

"I'm just going to find out. The doctor said I could sit with her when she's waking up from surgery." Harm sighed.

"Harm, you should check in with the CAG or the XO at least." Mic pointed out.

"Only if I'm ordered to." he retorted. "The only thing on my mind at the moment is Mac's recovery. After that I'll take the consequences for what I did. I'm sure I'll hear about it from Admiral Chegwidden too when we get back."

"If you're lucky that's all that will happen." Mic smiled. "What we're really here for is to tell you well done, and I think any of us would have done the same thing. Except Mr. Webb maybe.  He's on purpose staying away. I don't think he wants to know
about any of this."

"I'm glad," Harm nodded, "it's enough that I'm in trouble. And that's why I wouldn't tell any of you either. Keeter, you look better than when I last saw you. How's your head?"

"Small concussion, nothing I haven't had before." Keeter assured him. "Hard headed anyway." He walked over to Harm and touched his arm. "I'm glad you found her."

"I had to," he said softly, "I had to. Thank God for Faisal taking care of her. They wanted to kidnap you and her, and hold you for ransom you know."

"I figured it was something like that."

"Guys, buy me a cup of coffee and then I'm going to go sit with Mac."

 

0940 ZULU
USS Seahawk
Persian Gulf

 
Capt. Bush was waiting for Harm in the sickbay when he returned. 

"Commander, come in." he smiled. "Successful operation. We repaired the artery and some tissue damage and wrapped it up. She's very lucky. A little lower and to the left and the aorta would have been hit. So basically where we're at now is that she needs some rest, and a couple units of blood and then she can be medivac'd out of here."

"She's okay then?" Harm breathed, daring to allow himself a ray of hope.

"She's going to need some recovery time. And someone to sit with her while she does that. You know any volunteers?" 

"Yessir, I think that's covered." 

"Then get on in there with her." Bush motioned and Harm wasted no time in complying, installing himself in a bedside chair with one hand on her forehead and the other wrapped around her hand firmly.

"Finally!" he gasped a long forty minutes later when her eyes fluttered open. He had to gulp hard twice before he could speak further and his voice quavered even then. 

"Marine, how are you?" 

"I... I guess okay." she croaked and Harm immediately spooned a few of the ice chips he had been left into her mouth.

"Thanks... better." she nodded. "I'm on the Seahawk?" 

She turned her head from side to side, taking in her two IVs and the heavy bandage on her shoulder. 

"How did... no, I remember, you came for me. Faisal promised me Allah would send you for me."

"He told me that too." he grinned. "I don't know who to credit. I just know I wasn't leaving here without you." 

He gently stroked her forehead, smoothing her hair back. 

"Sarah Mackenzie, in case you haven't noticed, you've become an important part of my life. I couldn't just leave something like that."

She gave a long sigh and then a small smile. 

"I don't know what they're dripping in to me here, but I want some for home use. I could have sworn you just said I was important to you."

"Nothing wrong with your perception." he grinned again. "You are very important to me, both professionally and personally. Professionally goes without saying. Personally I should have told you a long time ago."

Before she could answer, a stern voice called Harm's name from behind and he jerked his head around to face Commander Riley, the Seahawk's XO. 

"Sir!"

Harm stood at once.

"As you were." Riley nodded. "Major, you seem on the road to recovery."

"Yessir, thank you, and thanks to Commander Rabb for coming for me."

"Without permission." Riley pointed out and Mac gasped sharply.

"Major, I gather he hasn't gotten to that part of the story." Riley said with a small laugh. "Seems he and one of the chopper pilots took it upon themselves to make incursion and pull you out."

"You're not serious!" Mac gasped, struggling against the IV lines and Harm's restraining hands. "Harm, you didn't wait for permission?"

"Or approval from Washington." Riley added.

"Harm, no!" she gasped again and shook her head. 

"Know a good attorney for me?" Harm grinned, at the same time trying to push her down. "Calm down now. I didn't do all that to have you make yourself worse just when you're getting better."

"I'll calm down when I know you're not going to do time and be dishonorably discharged." she screeched and then grimaced in pain as she moved her shoulder.

"Stop now!" Harm ordered and looked pleadingly at Riley.

"Major, relax. We're not going to make him walk the plank." Riley smiled. "Captain Miller put the matter in my hands, as he often does with things of this nature. So Mr. Rabb, let's hear your case."

Harm rose again and faced Riley, keeping Mac's hand firmly enclosed in his. 

"Sir, no excuse, sir, just an explanation."

Riley nodded for him to continue and Harm felt Mac's hand squeeze his tightly. 

"Sir, you know the facts. How Major Mackenzie was supposed to be brought aboard and wasn't. There was no way in hell I was going to leave her in that desert. No way. And had I not gone for her she probably would have bled to death. Bled to death long before permission to mount a rescue mission would have been given."

"Then you're telling me you have no regrets and you'd do it again?"

"In a heart beat, sir, in a heart beat." Harm confirmed, and saw that Riley's gaze had fallen to where their hands were joined.

"I uh... I think I understand what's going on here. And I want no part of sorting it out." He shook his head and laughed lightly. "I'm referring the whole matter back to your C.O.. I'm sure he'll know what to do with it all. Carry on."

"Yessir, thank you, sir." 

Harm carefully set Mac's hand down on the bed and then brought himself to attention. 

"I'll file a full report of my actions with Admiral Chegwidden. Sir, regarding Lieutenant Estes..."

"He'll be dealt with here." Riley nodded. "But he's definite with his discharge plans, not to mention the CAG considers him his best helo jockey. He's not likely to relieve him of duty on those terms."  He cocked his head and looked at Harm closely. "Commander, are you in the habit of taking off with a wild hair up your six?"

"No." - "Yes." 

The answers came from Harm and Mac simultaneously and they glared at each other.

"Okay, there is no way I'm getting in the middle of anything like that." Riley smiled. "I'm out of here. Major, you rest and get well. I want the whole lot of you off my boat as soon as possible."

"Yessir!" Mac smiled and sank back onto her pillow.

Riley left them alone and Harm sat down with her, his hand automatically going to her forehead. 

"Harm, you took a big risk in what you did." she murmured, her eyes drifting closed. "And Chegwidden isn't going to let you off very easy."

"That's my problem and I'll take care of it when we get home." Harm told her firmly. "Right now all you're going to do is sleep. You have an order to get well." 

"You won't... won't leave me, will you, until I do?" Her voice was growing more distant.

"No, of course not." he sighed. "Remember we're not going to be apart."

She gasped sharply and forced her eyes open at that.

"You told me that earlier. Did you... were you...?"

"I did mean it and yes, I was serious." he said adamantly, stroking the back of her hand with his free one. "I almost lost you. I'm dumb but I'm not stupid. Besides a very wise man told me earlier to listen to my heart. And that's exactly what I'm going to do." 

With gentle pressure on her forehead he urged her eyes to close, then leaned down and brushed his lips to hers. 

"From now on, I'm going to follow my heart. Thanks to Allah and the stars."