Part 30: A Journey of Separate Hearts – The Journey Ends
AN to part 30: Wow, it's done. I can't believe that I finally posted all parts at When I look back I'm a bit surprised that it took me that long doing that.
And during all this days, weeks and months of posting I got to know so many amazing and wonderful people and with some of them I share a special friendship. From the bottom of my heart thank you so very much: Lina, Coucoune, Cheery, Chrissy, Jenny, Helga, and Carrie and Lee Ann – my two beautiful, talented and amazing beta readers. I wouldn't know what to do without you and I'm so happy that you are willing to support and help me again with my future stories. I can't express what that means to me.
And of course, I say thank you to everyone who took the time to write me a few lines. Your feedback was helpful, wonderful and so good for my writer's soul. 'g' It means the world to me to know that something I wrote was read by others and caused some reactions. I better stop babbling and let you read the final part of "A Journey of Separate Hearts". I hope you enjoyed the whole story like I enjoyed writing it.
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, Kat :)
February 16th 2003, Sunday
1830 Zulu (13:30 hrs EST)
Waiting room of Fairfax Hospital
3300 Gallows Road
Falls Church, VA
The doors of the waiting room swung open and Lieutenant Bud Roberts rushed into the room, quickly followed by Admiral Chegwidden.
When Mac and Harm saw AJ and Bud, they got up from their seats and came to meet them.
"Sir, Ma'am, where are Harriet and AJ? How are they?" Bud was anxious to see them, still unsure if what Harm had told him and the Admiral was really the truth.
"Bud, calm down," said Harm, "your wife and son are in good hands."
"But where are they? Commander, I need to see them with my own eyes, only then can I calm down, Sir."
"Ok, Bud…we'll ask someone where they were taken and then…"
"Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie?"
Both turned around and found Doctor Anderson standing in front of them.
"Oh, Dr. Anderson…this is Lt. Bud Roberts – the husband of Harriet Roberts." Harm introduced them and Bud shook the doctor's hand.
"Hello, Lt. Roberts. I treated your wife and a colleague of mine treated your son. Your wife and son were unconscious when they arrived at Fairfax…" Doctor Anderson saw Bud's eyes widen in shock and worry, so he quickly continued, "…but both awakened during the examination. We treated all their injuries. Your son has a broken wrist and leg, some scrapes and many bruises. Other than that, he's doing fine and was taken to the children's unit, where he's sleeping now."
Bud relaxed a bit. "And my wife? How's Harriet doing? You know she's pregnant, don't you?"
"Yes, the Colonel informed me. Your unborn child and your wife are fine, too. We checked the heartbeat of the fetus and it's stable and strong. Nevertheless, I've put them on a heart monitor, so that we can watch them. Should there be any changes, we'll know it immediately. As for your wife, she was so concerned about your son and the baby inside of her, that we needed to sedate her. She had to calm down, so that her body could rest. Both, Harriet and your son, were dehydrated, but that was taken care of, as well."
Bud sighed in relief as Harm, Mac and AJ did, too.
"Thank you so much, Doctor."
"Oh, Lieutenant, don't thank me. If it wasn't for the Colonel and the Commander, your wife and your son would probably be dead by now."
Bud turned his head and faced his two friends and the godparents of his first-born.
"Colonel, Commander…I…don't know…what to say…besides: thank you so very much…"
"Bud, you and Harriet would do exactly the same if the tables were turned, if it were Harm and my child, that was…um, I mean, if Harm and I were a similar situation…"
'Oh my god, where did that come from?' Mac wanted to hit herself for that comment. She slowly looked up at Harm and AJ. The Admiral had a questioning look on his face while Harm's twinkling eyes told her that he didn't mind that image of him, her and their baby. She had to smile unwillingly when she saw the love and passion this man held for her.
"Anyway, we are your friends, Bud, and the godparents of your son. We are as happy as you are that Harriet, your new baby and little AJ are safe and secure. Now, how about you go and see your wife?" Harm suggested smiling.
"I'll do that, Sir." Bud said happily smiling, turned on his heels and followed Doctor Anderson to Harriet's room.
Exactly the same look of relief and happiness was reflected on Harm, Mac and AJ's faces. They wouldn't have known what to do if Harriet or little AJ weren't with them anymore.
All three watched Bud until he vanished around a corner. Then Admiral Chegwidden cleared his throat and both his senior officers turned to face their CO.
"Commander, Colonel – very well done. As I recall, you two are still on personal leave until the 24th. I suggest that you take it. I know it's not Europe, but I'm sure you two can think of some way to spend the next week. And first thing on Monday, the 24th, I think we should have a talk about some decisions concerning your careers and future in the armed forces that probably need to be considered."
He smirked when he saw the shocked look on Mac and Harm's faces.
"Harm, Mac…I'm not blind or deaf. Besides that, I know an older lady named Martha Robin who talked about you two every time I met her in the Shakespeare class we led." The corner of AJ's mouth turned up into a knowing grin. "By the way, have you called her to let her know that you're back in Washington?"
"Uh, with all the worry and stress about Harriet and AJ's vanishing, we completely forgot about that. We'll do that soon. But first, we have to wait for the police to show up. They need our statements and they want to talk to Harriet when she's conscious again." Harm told him.
AJ nodded in agreement and they again sat down in the waiting room.
February 16th 2003, Sunday
2300 Zulu (18:00 hrs EST)
Harm's apartment
North of Union Station
Washington D.C.
Harm and Mac had waited at least three hours for the police to show up. Meanwhile Harriet and little AJ had woken up and Harm and Mac had visited them. Little AJ had been very quiet at first, but it hadn't taken Harm long to make him giggle again. They were sure that the little boy couldn't remember much, because he had been unconscious most of time, which was probably for the best.
Unlike her son, Harriet hadn't taken it well. Too much had happened that she had to deal with. But she knew that she wasn't alone. She still had her beloved husband, her little son and a new baby on its way. And there were Harm, Mac and Admiral Chegwidden, too. She would deal with it and in the end, the wounds would heal. For sure, she would never forget what she had gone through and the scars on her soul would always remember it. How close death had been during the two days of her captivity. The Admiral had ordered her to find some professional counseling and she knew he was right.
The police officers asked Harriet to tell them everything that had happened since the Friday she and little AJ had disappeared. As Harriet had requested, Harm, Mac, Bud and AJ Chegwidden stayed with her during the questioning. Bud held her hand, trying to give her the strength she needed to go through it.
Now Mac and Harm were back at Harm's apartment. And while Harm made them some coffee, Mac watched the rain falling. She remembered the statement Harriet had given the police officers this afternoon.
"That Friday, I picked up my son from daycare and afterwards, I went to our dry cleaner's to get my husband's uniform. When I got that done, I wanted to drive down to the mall.
As I crossed an intersection, I saw a car out of the corner of my eye. The driver was driving way too fast and didn't stop even though the traffic lights were green on my side. I tried to get out of the way, but I couldn't do anything, because the street was so icy.
I saw the car coming closer and closer, then it crashed into my car and then I blacked out.
The next thing I know is when I woke up in that examination room where you found me, Colonel. I didn't know where my son was, the pain in my head and back hurt incredibly and my vision was blurry. I was scared like hell…
Then I saw a man walking into the room carrying my son. He told me his name was Dr. Fellon and that he had taken care of my son's injuries. He placed AJ on a stretcher next to my bed. He then gave me something for the pain.
Then I saw that his white doctor's lab coat was soaked with blood – his blood, 'cause I saw the deep wound in his stomach.
Then it hit me – I knew that he was the driver who had caused the accident. I was so angry and confused, but thankful that he took care of my son and me.
I asked him, pleaded with him to let us go or take us to a hospital…that we needed help, that he needed help…his wound was really bad and he continually lost lots of blood.
He just glared at me, told me to shut up, told me that he couldn't go to a hospital 'cause then the doctors would be curious about what had happened to us and would inform the police.
Then he'd probably be sent to prison because he was completely drunk and had caused an accident. He told me about his alcohol addiction and that he was forbidden to practice as a doctor any longer.
I promised him that I would tell everyone what he had done for little AJ and me. That I would testify in his favor. But he didn't want to listen to me. Instead of that, he became angry and handcuffed my son and me to the metal bed frame.
He then left the room and locked it. AJ and I became weaker because of the lack of food and water – it seemed as if he didn't care anymore.
He returned hours later…I guess around 5 o'clock this morning…He was breathing heavily…said that he needed some more bandages from the cabinet above the bed. He tried to reach them but I guess he was too weak 'cause he just collapsed on the bed.
I talked to him, but got no response. I guess it was then I realized that he was dead. I cried, screamed for help…but no one heard me…I felt so helpless – so alone…so scared…I…oh god, I didn't know if I would ever see my husband again, if my unborn baby would ever see this world." Her weak voice trailed off and turned into uncontrollable sobs. Bud pulled her close and she buried her head in his shoulder.
The shock Mac had felt then was still noticeable. She wished she could take away all the pain Harriet was feeling now. But she knew she couldn't do that. Nevertheless, she was glad that the nightmare was over now. And about one thing she was sure: Harriet was strong, stronger than most people thought when seeing the sweet, joyful, young Lieutenant. Harriet had the power and the strength to overcome all the horrible memories. She was so thoughtful, caring and full of zest for life. And the most important thing was that she had a family behind her that gave her strength and love, and supported her.
'A real family.' Mac sighed. That was what she wished for herself so desperately. She never wanted to feel alone again. And when she felt warm breath on her neck and the unmistakable presence of Harmon Rabb, Jr. behind her, she knew that from now on, he was the one who would never let her feel that way again. He was her family…
Harm put his hands on her shoulders and started to softly massage them, kneading away the tension in her muscles. Mac sighed with pleasure and he felt her relax against his hands.
"Hey, darling, a penny for your thoughts," he whispered sweetly next to her ear, causing her to shiver unwillingly.
She shrugged her shoulders, but didn't look at him, just stared out of the window. "Oh, nothing in particular…just this and that."
Mac saw him arching his left brow in his reflection in the window, not believing a word she had just said. But when she didn't say anything further, he stilled his massage, encircled her from behind with his arms and placed his head on top of hers.
"I don't believe a word, Marine. You've been so quiet and lost in your own world since we got back from the hospital, you didn't even realize that I called Martha. So, no way do I believe you. Spit it out! What were you thinking?"
"Oh, you called Martha? How is she?"
"Martha's fine and she invited us to go for dinner at her house tomorrow night. But don't change the subject. What's with you?"
Harm felt Mac tense in his arms. She took a calming breath and turned slowly around in his arms to face him.
"I was just thinking, how glad I am that the nightmare's over now. How glad I am that we found Harriet and little AJ and how badly I feel for what Harriet had to go through and still has to deal with…"
"Mac, darling, Harriet's strong…believe me. She's going to be ok. And she's not alone – she has Bud, AJ, a new baby is on its way and she has the complete JAG family, which will always be there for her. Harriet knows that, and that will give her the strength to deal with everything."
"I know that, and that's why I'm so relieved, but at the same time, I'm so sad…" she looked down at the floor.
"Mac…Sarah, look at me. Why are you sad?" He tilted her chin up and forced her to look at him again, deep concern and love mirroring in his eyes.
"Harriet has everything, I've ever wanted – what I still want. A husband that loves her unconditionally, a beautiful son and a new baby, a house, the feel of safety and security… She's not alone… That's exactly what I want from and in my life. She has it and I'm so jealous. Harm, I know I'm selfish and I feel so badly…but that's the way I feel – I…I don't want to be alone anymore…"
What he heard tore at Harm's heart. Here she was, the love of his life, and she looked so vulnerable and lost, so helpless and fragile. He wanted to do everything in his power to never see her like that again – he vowed to himself that he would give her all that she needed, wanted and wished for, and more.
"Sarah, you're not alone…you were never alone, I was always by your side, even in times when our friendship wasn't really a friendship. And I promise you that you'll never feel alone again. Not, if I have anything to say about it. I don't want to be away from you anymore and I want all that you want, too, and more. I want to make our relationship stable, want it to be forever. I want to work on that baby deal…Mac, I really want to have a big family with at least two kids…Oh, Mac, there's so much that I want… But what I don't want is to ever let you go again. I can't imagine my life without you and I'll do my best not to ever let that happen."
His words were thick with deep emotions: love, trust, happiness, passion and unbelievable luck. He was the luckiest man alive being allowed to hold this beautiful, breathtaking and amazing woman in his arms. She belonged to him and he belonged to her and nothing in this world had better try to change that.
Mac threw her arms around his neck, pulled him closer and kissed him hungrily, showing Harm exactly how thankful she was to be loved by him. And, god, she loved him back with every ounce of her body, soul and heart.
After a long and passionate kiss, they parted. Mac rested her head on his forehead and beamed happily.
"I don't know if I deserve you, Harm…but I love you."
He grinned his famous flyboy grin, "Well, I don't know either…"
Mac gave him a poke on his arm, but Harm continued, "…and I love you, too."
Again, a comfortable silence settled between them.
Harm was the first to break the silence. "Mac, remember that day in the park when we met Martha for the first time?"
She nodded and smiled at the memory, "Yeah, of course – I was so mad at you and at me, because I felt that our friendship and everything beyond that was slipping through my fingers then. And I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"Me, too, I felt so incomplete without you…but then everything changed. Oh, Mac, everything that happened afterwards seemed to be so out of reach, but I haven't ever been happier that it did happen …because now I'm standing here with the most astonishing and fascinating woman in my arms. Finally I feel like I'm home."
"You give me that feeling, too. But promise me that we will never have to deal with anything alone again. That we will take the journey of life together."
"Promise."
"Good, you haven't broken a promise yet…"
"…And I don't plan to …How about we continue this in my bedroom…?"
"Uh, your bedroom? You're so tactful – you know exactly how to get what you want from a woman, right?" Mac grinned in mischief.
"Thank you very much, Colonel. We men do not always want only one thing because we mention the word 'bedroom'. 'I' wanted to say – and you should know it by now – if you would let me finish my sentence: How about we go to my bedroom and 'cuddle'?"
"Uh, Harmon Rabb, Jr., I never thought of you as one of those romantic, cuddle lovers." She laughed, but walked with him to his bedroom. "But I'd like that…"
They lay down and he pulled Mac to him as closely as possible and kissed her. When he felt that she had drifted off to sleep, he whispered in her ear, "Mmmm, I'd like that, too."
Epilogue –
March 31st 2003, Monday
2015 Zulu (15:15 hrs EST)
Bullpen
JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA.
Mac was so nervous. Indeed she hadn't been this nervous since she'd made her first opening statement in court so many years ago.
It had been over a month since they had found Harriet and little AJ in that mysterious clinic close to Fairfax Hospital.
Harriet had had professional counseling and had found her way back to her own lovable sweet self. She was a very happy pregnant woman and glowed more every day.
Harm and Mac had indeed had that conversation with the Admiral and they had decided that until their relationship became more serious as in a marriage, they would continue their work at JAG without any changes. But Harm and Mac had had to promise their CO to leave the personal life back at their separate apartments and not let it influence their professional lives. So far, they had been able to follow this order.
Then Mac saw him. Harm's court day was over and he only wanted to finish the day as quickly as possible so he could gather his marine back in his arms and kiss her senseless without infringing on any regulations.
He saw Mac walking towards him with a shining smile on her face.
"Hey you…"
"Hey yourself, I heard you won your case?"
"Yup, I did," he grinned with pride.
"Uh, Harm, can I have a word with you in private?"
"Of course, what's up?" he asked when they walked into his office.
Before he closed the office door, she asked, "Do you remember that fateful, amazing night in your hotel room in Paris?"
"Of course…how could I forget it…"
Then the door was closed.
Only seconds later the staff outside his office heard a shriek of joy and saw Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. pull Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie into his arms and swirl her around.
Shortly afterward, Harm opened the door and Harriet asked him, "What happened, Sir? You look so happy…"
"That I am, Harriet, that I am." He looked at his marine and touched her belly softly. Harriet followed his actions and slowly it hit her.
"Colonel, you're…I mean the Commander is going to be…I mean you'll have…"
"Yes, Harriet, I'm pregnant," replied Mac proudly touching her belly herself.
Harriet ran to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"How long have you known?" Harriet whispered.
"I had my suspicions, but wasn't sure until this morning at my doctor's appointment. And my doctor informed me that I'm already in my seventh week. I had no clue that I was this far along. Actually, I was shocked at first when she told me. I haven't had any morning sickness or anything. To be honest, I should have had some idea at the end of February when I missed my period. But I just thought it was because of all the stress then. You know, first my kidnapping and then your disappearance. Anyway, I'm happy that I am and Harm's happy, too," answered Mac in a low voice, so nobody could hear what they were talking about.
"I'm so happy for you two…That's so wonderful." squealed Harriet loudly.
"What's so wonderful, Lieutenant?" asked a deep voice from behind them.
Admiral Chegwidden had left his office when he'd heard the shriek and now he was curious about what was going on in his bullpen.
"Well, Sir, the Colonel and I…I mean, we're pregnant…I mean…of course, Mac's the one who's pregnant, but I'm the father…I mean…"
AJ had to grin about Harm's momentary lack of ability to say one complete sentence without stuttering.
"What my partner wanted to say, Sir, is that we're going to have a baby. I'm pregnant, Sir."
"Well, then I guess congratulations are in order, and I think we should have that important discussion again. Follow me."
"Yes, Sir," answered both, and with one last, loving look at each other, they headed straight to their CO's office to plan their future. Their future together.
What had started out as a journey of two separate hearts fighting each other, finally became a united journey of love. Two individual souls became one, and built a family that would soon have a new family member.
The End.