Life Goes on 2

Harm had been working on a case at La Jolla. Now that he had wrapped things up he would start his ten days leave. He promised to spend it with his mother. He felt the need to patch things up.

This past year he had gotten his life back in order. Working at JAG was good, being teamed with Bud was good…almost as good as…well….that was in the past. And his personal life was pretty good too. It had taken some getting used to having someone around so much. After Renee called it quits it had taken three years before he met someone he liked enough. Rachel wasn’t anything like Renee, and she was even less like Mac. Or was she? At least the comparison wasn’t physical. She had long blond hair usually in a heavy braid. She was usually sweet but she knew what she wanted and went after it like a pit bull. And right now she seemed to want him. They had talked marriage and kids, but that was still in the future. She had her own PR company and worked long hours, but she was sure that the hours at home were spend with Harm. Needless to say she wasn’t too thrilled to hear he was spending all his leave time with his mother on the west coast.

Harm walked out to his car checking his messages on his cell phone. Three from Rachel and one from his mother. Deciding that mom took priority, ‘ she might want him to pick something up before coming over’ he listened to her message. He had only missed her call by five minutes.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise shortly followed by a concerned frown.

He got in his car to meet her at the hospital all the while thinking ‘what a sad story’.

When he got to the hospitals ER 30 minutes later he went to the desk to see if anyone knew where he could find his mother. The nurse nodded and pointed in the direction of the sound of a screaming child. “exam one” she mouthed.

“Ah..” He said understanding, scratching his head. Reluctantly he walked in the pointed direction, the screams getting more desperate and louder as he approached. .

“Wha? I don’t..whew, what a set of longs!”

He entered the room and found his mother holding a little girl who was hysterical, her face beet red, her eyes red too, her cheeks wet with ongoing tears.

Harm’s heart ached when he looked at the little girl, and it broke when she called out for her mommy.

It was then that Trish noticed her son standing there, a pained expression on his face. She placed the girl in the arms of a nurse which only made her scream harder while she struggled to get from the nurses grip. “Her mom got hit by a car running after her, they are still working on her, we haven’t heard anything, but it doesn’t look good. I couldn’t just leave her. She has been like this since it happened. She won’t let anyone near her. Harm, it’s been three hours!”

“Isn’t there any family?”

“They didn’t have any papers on them. The little girl’s name is Emma, that’s all I know.” As the cries became more frantic Trish went back to take the girl. Emma stopped kicking but kept wailing.

After another twenty minutes of this Trish motioned for Harm. “I really need to go to the bathroom and I need to call Frank.” She looked in Harm’s concerned eyes.” She has been kicking and screaming any time someone got close to her, but could you? For a little while?”

“I think I can take her.” Harm tried to joke. But he didn’t feel confident at all. He was scared to death he’d add more stress to this little girl who was already so scared.

“I’ll try and find out if the police have figured out who she is or where they came from.” She cupped the crying face and said as calmly as possible.” Emma, I am going to the bathroom, this is Harm, he is my son, you can sit with him till I come back okay?”

As expected it was not okay, not okay at all. As Trish walked away as quickly as possible Harm tried to hold on to the little girl who had turned up the volume and resumed her kicking. She even tried to scratch Harm. But he held her firmly against him. The nurses had left. They were going to give her something to calm her down, but so far they hadn’t been successful.

All alone in the room with a little girl so upset it scared him, he tried to reassure her she was safe. He walked back and forth rubbing her back and talking to her in a soft voice. Every now and then he could hear her voice starting to crack. She would probably lose her voice if she kept this up. After ten minutes Harm could feel her give up her struggling followed five minutes later by a decrease in volume, though his ears were still ringing.

Another ten minutes and Emma was out of breath and completely drained from all energy. She laid her head on Harm’s shoulder as she continued her wailing softer and softer. Harm whispered to her “It’s okay, sweetie. You’re okay.” His eyes were filled with tears he tried to hold back.

As she was quieting down a bit he had time to notice she was burning up. Her T-shirt was soaked and so was her hair. He reached back and brushed the wet locks from her face. She was now only whimpering. Harm could make out a soft plea for her mommy. He couldn’t hold back his tears and tightened his hold on her.

“The doctors are trying to make your mommy better, Emma.”

“I want my mommy” She cried softly, sounding very different from her earlier cries of panic. Big tears rolled down her sore cheeks which were agitated by the constant flow of salt and worsened by her overheated cheeks.

“I know sweetie. Shhh” Harm whispered in her hair. To his surprise she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled against him. Still crying she fell asleep.

When the ER quieted down a little and they were sure Emma was asleep, Harm carried her to a waiting room. There he sat down on one of the sofas. He adjusted her so she was lying on his lap her head resting against his chest.

“Mom, can you see if you can find us some blankets or a clean shirt? She’s soaked. I don’t want her to get cold.”

“I’ll see darling.” Trish looked at her son, the big strong cocky naval aviator turned lawyer, humbled by this little creature he held. He had a determined look on his face though. He was going to keep her safe from harm.

They sat in the waiting room till late afternoon. Finally a doctor came in.

“Are you her family?”

“No, but we are looking after her little girl.”

“Okay, she made it through surgery. We were able to stop the internal bleeding. She also has some head trauma, a collapsed long, and some cracked ribs. The bones will heal in time, but the next couple of days will tell us whether or not she’ll pull through. We will just have to wait. I suggest you go home. Leave your name and address, since we don’t know who they are, we will have to call social services tomorrow for the little girl.”

Harm flinched. “No, she’s staying with me. I won’t let her go through that again.”

“Harm, let’s go. We’ll see what we can work out tomorrow. Let’s get her to bed.”

“Doc, do you think she can see her mother tomorrow?”

“I do not think that would be wise sir. She’s pretty banged up, and with all the machines, it will only scare her. We’ll be in touch when there is any improvement."

Trish drove them all home in Harm’s car. Harm sat in the back with Emma in his lap. Her head resting against his chest her thumb in her mouth. Harm was amazed at how peaceful she looked and all the feelings this kid evoked in him.

Frank opened the door for them as Harm carried the sleeping child inside.

“Have you two eaten anything yet? I could fix something for you.”

Emma stirred in his arms at the mention of food.

“Are you hungry, sweetie?”

Sleepily she nodded her head. Harm sat down at the kitchen table while Trish went to check on the sleeping arrangements. Emma rubbed her eyes as she shifted in Harm’s lap. She stiffened when she spotted Frank and buried her face in Harm’s shirt.

“It’s okay Emma, that’s my dad, Frank.”

Emma carefully regarded Frank from behind a crack between her hands which were clutching Harm’s shirt.

“Hello Emma, would you like something to drink?”

She looked up at Harm questioningly. When he nodded his ‘okay’ she answered softly.

“Yes please.”

**

Harm and Trish were both still eating when Emma had fallen asleep again. She had been very excited about getting lasagna which apparently was her favorite, but she had only taken two bites before exhaustion had taken over.

“I made up the spare bedroom for her.”

“She can’t sleep in that big room al by herself!” Harm said worried.

“Darling, you are welcome to stay with her, but I am beat. I put one of my T-shirts on the bed. She can’t sleep in that shirt after what it’s been through today. I’ll call Samantha tomorrow and see if she can spare some of Jennifer’s clothes, she just turned five, I’m sure It’ll fit Emma.”

“You’re not going to help me?” Her son asked shocked.

“You seem to enjoy playing the dad here..you can handle it.., goodnight Harm.” She smiled at him as she led Frank out of the kitchen.

Harm got Emma settled in bed without waking her. He did enjoy ‘playing the dad’ as his mother had called it and he was not going to leave her alone all night! He would sit in the chair and sleep there. He walked to his room to get an extra blanket and pillow. When he came back in she was sitting up in the middle of the bed. She was breathing fast. Too fast..

Quickly he sat on the bed and took her in his arms rocking her back and forth trying to soothe her. Finally her breathing slowed down. “There you go, good girl.” He tried to put her down again but she clung to him. “You have to go to sleep now, Emma.”

“I’m scared.” She sniffed as she looked at him. Even in the dark he could see her blue eyes pleading with him.

“Would you like me to stay with you?”

“Yes…” She wrapped her left arm around his neck. Her right thumb found her mouth again as her fingers rested on his jaw.

Harm adjusted the pillows against the back board so he could rest against it comfortably.

It didn’t take long before they both fell asleep.

Trish found Harm and Emma still asleep the next morning, arms wrapped around each other.

She smiled at the sight before her. He would make such a good dad, she thought.

***

“How old are you Emma?” Frank asked.

“Three” she answered as she took another bite of her pancakes. “olmst foh”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Emma.” Harm said sternly.

She pouted a little at his reprimand but swallowed before she said. “mommy always says that.”

“See, your mommy is right!”

“What’s your mommy’s name?” Trish tried for information.

Emma’s face fell and she looked up from under her eyebrows, but she didn’t answer.

“Emma, that’s a pretty name.” Frank tried “Do you have a last name too?”

Still glaring at the adults she shrugged. “Dunno” Then she crawled onto Harm’s lap.

“Enough questions…would you like to go to the beach today?” Harm tried to cheer her up.

“As if that’s not a question.” Trish breathed as she walked past him.

Harm knew they needed to find out as much as possible about this girl and her mother, but he couldn’t stand to see her so uncomfortable. Maybe gaining her trust more would help.

**

Harm and Frank took Emma to the beach while Trish tried to find out how the mom was doing and for how long Emma could stay with them.

Emma loved the beach. She was wearing a pink bathing suit they got from Trish’s’ neighbour Samantha. Emma’s eyes had been as big as saucers when she saw all the pretty, (expensive) clothes she could choose from. She didn’t like any of the extravagant dresses with bows and ribbons. Not even when Harm tried to convince her she’d look like a princess in them.

“I’m not a princess, I’m a marine!” She had stated matter of factly which made Harm almost choke on his soda.

For today she had picked navy blue shorts and light blue top. Harm had attempted to do her hair so it would be out of her face at the beach. Trish had laughed out loud when she saw it.

“A true work of art!”

“Hey!, It’s my first time! You do it then.”

Trish brushed Emma’s hair and made two low in the neck pigtails which she folded into buns.

Harm could hear her giggle as she was splashing through some small waves. Afraid she would go in too far he joined her by the water. She smiled and ran toward him. Jumping up and down she said “I wanna go swimming!”

“Can you swim?”

“Of course, mommy taught me in case I’d fall in.”

“She sounds like a smart lady, your mom.” Emma smiled a familiar smile at him. “Okay, we’ll go in together.”

Ten minutes later they came out, both shivering. Harm wrapped her up in a big beach towel and sat her down next to Frank on a blanket. “The water hasn’t warmed up yet has it?” Frank asked sarcastically as he turned a page in his book.

Emma sat happily on her blanket. Her hair still wet and sticking to her head. Her cheeks and nose shining from the sun oil Harm applied. Frank had thought of it seeing her cheeks take on colour a bit too fast, but Emma wanted Harm to do it. She was looking at the pictures of a magazine, pretending she could read what it said, while she was chewing on a turkey sandwich.

Harm and Frank were fooling around with the shovels and little buckets, trying to relive the old days, though there weren’t many old days when they had been so relaxed and amiable with each other. They had dug a hole which Harm was now sitting in. While they joked both of them filled the hole back up, covering Harm under a mountain of sand. When they were satisfied with the result Frank called to Emma who was just taking another bite from her sandwich as she looked up.

“Look Emma, Harm can’t get out!”

A look of horror crossed her face. She dropped her sandwich and ran towards Harm, yelling “NO!”

“It’s alright Em, Frank and I are only playing.”

“NO! No..no” She breathed as she began to dig franticly with her hands..

Harm began to help her when he saw how scared she looked.

“Give us a hand Frank.” He called , now wanting out as much as she wanted him out.

“No..no out!” she cried..” Out Harm, please!”

Big tears were falling down her cheeks and all Harm wanted was to take her in his arms and tell her it was okay. Her little hands were going as fast as they could.

“Out…bad people..quick..Harm.”

As soon as he felt he could move a little he got up, making the sand move for him.

As soon as Harm stood up from the hole she reached her arms out for him to hold her. Which he did. He held her firmly against his sandy chest, in his sandy arms. Letting go of her slightly so he could look at her he asked. “Are you okay?”

She sniffed and nodded yes but there were still tears. He held her again.

“What if the bad people had come to take me and you couldn’t get out?” she whispered.

“What bad people?” He asked horrified at the fact that these were the things she worried about.

“The bad people, they try to hurt us, and we have to leave real fast.”

“You and mommy?” Harm asked remembering what Trish had told him about the mom at the gallery. Emma nodded. “Sweetie, I’m not going to let anything happen to you, no one.. NO one is going to hurt you. I promise.”

“Mommy got hurt.”

“That was an accident, there were no bad people.”

He obviously didn’t convince her entirely but she relaxed somewhat.

“You know what? Let’s go get some ice cream!” she perked up at those magic words.

**

They were standing in line at the Dairy Queen. Is was a hot day and the store was packed. Emma was holding on to his leg making it almost impossible for him to move.

While Harm was placing their order the lady standing in line next to them spotted the little girl clinging to the leg of the handsome fellow she had been drooling over for the last ten minutes. “Well hello there, aren’t you a pretty little girl.” Emma’s grip tightened around Harms thigh. As the lady ran her hand over Emma’s cheek she stiffened and her little nails dug into Harms leg causing him to flinch and look down. He immediately spotted the cause and quickly picked her up hugging her protectively. The lady smiled at him. “What a sweet thing, your little girl.” She started to reach for Emma’s hair. Harm knew she didn’t mean anything by it, but he didn’t want her to touch Em when it was clear it scared her. “Please don’t.” he warned. The lady stepped back, pouting at her failed attempt to make ‘contact’ with that tall hunk. Harm quickly grabbed his order and pushed his way through the crowd.

They brought the ice cream back to the house. Where Trish told them in no uncertain terms that they were to stay outside till they were hosed down. Harm finished his blizzard and Emma was enjoying the remainders of Trish’s’ banana split after her own chocolate Sunday.

“You like that huh?” Harm smiled. She nodded wildly, her blue eyes gleaming and she had a satisfied grin on her face. Her cheeks slightly red from the day in the sun and there was sand everywhere.

“Is there anything we need to get for you from your moms car?”

She sat up straight carefully pondering the question. Finally she decided she could answer this one, at least to Harm. “My dinosaur.” She whispered.

“Okay, what colour is the car?”

Emma ate a good dinner this time. She was tired but still bouncing around.

“I called the police about the car and they would call the hospital if they’d find anything like, ID’s or something.” Trish said to Harm who had just finished putting their towels in the dryer.

He spotted Emma taking cover behind the couch. “what is she up to?” Harm wondered out loud. He quickly got on his knees and crawled towards the couch so she wouldn’t see him.

For a second he hesitated because of the joke on the beach misfiring, a sneak attack might really scare the shit out of her. As he was considering his battle plan, she put hers into action and launched herself over the back of the sofa. Surprising her unsuspecting enemy. She landed on Harm’s back and called out. “I got ya!, surrender?”

Harm laughed. “Never!” He stood up straight with Emma clinging to his shoulders.

She giggled out loud as he danced across the living room. “Help she got me!”

Running into the kitchen, with Emma climbing up and getting a better grip he yelped. “Help me mom!”

“Oh, I’m sorry Harm, I can’t..I think it has something to do with girl power.” Trish said dryly.

Harm gave her a funny look. Then he tried to remove the giggling three year old by grabbing her shorts and flipping her over his shoulder so he was holding her in front of him. She screamed in delight.

“The tables have turned Marine!” he said in a low voice as he sat on the sofa’s arm rest, still holding her at arms length. She was trying to wiggle free still giggling. “You give up?”

“No!” she laughed “Semper fi!!!!” she cried out as Harm let them fall back onto the couch.

Her semper fi had caught him of guard and he lowered her to his chest. She immediately resumed her assault tickling him. Harm returned the favor. She didn’t stand a chance she was laughing so hard till a scraping of a throat caught their attention. As they were trying to catch their breath Harm sat up taking her with him in his lap. They both looked at Trish at the same time, their cheeks touching. Two identical grins stared her in the face and all she could do was gasp.

Of course Trish had seen the likeness from the first moment she laid eyes on the little girl, but since then Emma had been crying so much she hadn’t seen the two of them together like this, laughing, bright eyed.

**

Harm had checked the guest room together with Emma to make sure it was safe. He would be sleeping in the room next to hers. He had to stay with her till she was asleep but he didn’t have to stay all night.

He had checked on her before going to bed himself and everything seemed fine.

At two a clock Harm woke up to the sound of sobbing. He sat up straight in bed.

Emma was standing next to the bed in her borrowed flannel pj’s sniffing. “What’s wrong honey?” He asked as he lifted her up to the bed and onto his lap. “I don’t know..” She cried. “ I don’t feel…” That’s all she could say before she started crying louder and harm felt the blankets and his boxers go warm, then wet.

He got up and carried her to the bathroom in the hope of getting her to a toilet before she drenched the entire bed. When he sat her down he realised that HE had gotten the rest instead of the bed. She was wailing and he tried to think despite of it. He decided to draw a bath.

As he reached for the faucet he noticed she was strangely pale even though this afternoon she had picked up a very nice tan. Before he could think she opened her mouth emptying her stomach. He managed to turn her so she faced the toilet so whatever followed would end up in the bole instead of on the floor. When nothing more came she was shivering and crying again.

Despite everything he took her in his arms when she reached for him. It was then that Trish came in.

The crying had woken her and Frank up as well. She didn’t have to ask what happened, the smell told everything. She looked into the desperate eyes of her son. Keeping her lips pressed together she stepped over the mess on the floor and turned the tub water of. “Shower.” She said “Both of you.” Harm stood up with Emma. “Never mind the clothes, take them off after you rinse some of that off please. I’ll do the floor.”

“More.” Emma cried suddenly. Harm turned her just in time.

“No wonder with all the ice cream you gave her after a full day in the sun.”

**

After fifteen minutes in the shower Emma stopped shivering. Harm discarded their clothes.

“Mom, got anything dry and clean we can put on?” he called as he shut of the water.

Trish handed him two big towels through the door. “Two clean sets of PJ’s are waiting for you on the bed.”

After wrapping them both up in the towels and drying off, Harm helped her get dressed. Another cute set of pj’s . As Harm got into his boxers Emma yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Can I stay with you?”

The next morning Harm awoke to an empty bed. “Emma?”

He checked her room, the bathroom, his mother’s room….where was she?

As he walked into the kitchen he got his answer. She was sitting on the counter while Trish was making pancakes.

“Pancakes? After last night?” he asked incredulously.

“Kids bounce back quick, and I’m sure it was the sun and the ice cream.”

“So does that mean you still want tot go to the zoo?”

Emma slept in the car on the way back. Harm pulled into the drive 15:10. Trish came out to meet him.

“The hospital called. They asked if we could come down today.”

“Nothing more? How is she?”

“Nothing.”

“She needs a nap first, she’s exhausted.” He said as he looked worried at the sleeping girl.

“Harm lots of three year olds take naps, it’s perfectly normal especially after days like these.”

They sat in a waiting room at the end of a hallway. Emma was restless, she wanted to see her mom. Finally a doctor arrived. “We’ve got good news. The police found her car and in it they found the phone number of a firm in Washington. We found her husband!” The doctor grinned at Emma who stared back with a blanc expression. Turning back to Harm and Trish he continued. “I’m sure he will be here very soon. He got on the first plane west. He was very worried about his little girl.”

“That’s great.” Harm said , though he felt he little jealous of anybody who could call Emma ‘his little girl’. “But what about her mother? How is she doing?”

“She came through these two days surprisingly well. She is still very weak but she’s conscious.”

**

Trish was sitting with Emma while Harm went to the bathroom.

Just as Harm stepped back out into the hallway he saw a familiar face approaching his mother and Emma.

Clayton Webb, carrying a pink stuffed dinosaur, was practically running once he saw her sitting there. He called out to her. “Emma!”

She looked up and smiled at him. She let him pick her up and hug her. Harm felt his jealousy rising again. Webb? A father?

“Hello Clay.”

“Oh no….Hello Harm.” Webb sighed. He should have known Rabb would pop up somewhere eventually. “I take it you’ve been looking after my daughter?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Excuse me, but I’m sure she would like to see her mommy now.” Clay walked past them to the ICU. He just hoped Harm would go home.

Twenty minutes later Clayton Webb was surprised, though he didn’t know WHY anything Rabb did still surprised him, to find his Navy friend still sitting there.

As soon as Emma spotted Harm she let go of Clay’s hand and threw herself in his arms. Harm picked her up and sat her in his lap facing him. Little arms wrapped themselves around his neck immediately and a little face buried itself in the crook of his neck. She didn’t say anything, she just clung to him.

Harm tried to pry information out of Webb unsuccessfully. There were now guards standing at the mom’s room. Webb was obviously worried, but what about exactly Harm couldn’t tell. Webb was definitely holding out.

Once Emma settled in Harm’s lap he had made no attempt to take her himself, or try to comfort her himself. SHE had made no attempt to go to him! It just didn’t sit right with Harm. Emma had only known him for three days, she was scared of strangers. Clay was no stranger or she wouldn’t have gone to him so easily, but her father? Why did she cling to Harm with her DAD finally within reach? Maybe Webb had spent too much time working, or maybe his family was threatened and he had moved them away from DC, away from him. It was plausible, but Harm still had a feeling he was being lied to.

“We’re going home in five minutes Emma.” Clay finally said.

Harm again tried to find out more. “What’s her name?”

“Who?”

“Her mothers name, your wife? Or girlfriend?”

“Mind your own business Rabb, for once , stay out of it!___ Come on Emma, let’s go.”

“No, you said five minutes! This was only two minutes!” She cried out.

Harms eyes went wide with shock. He suddenly remembered the day before.

**“I’m not a princess, I’m a marine!”**

**“Semper fi!!!!”**

He couldn’t help but think of Mac.

**”How’d you do that?” “It’s a marine thing.”**

Without taking his eyes of Webb, who had seen that look in Rabb’s eyes, Harm asked carefully: ”Emma, is your mommy’s name Sarah?”

Emma quickly glanced at Clay, then back at Harm, biting her lower lip. “I’m not supposed to say.” She whispered.

She looked into Harm’s eyes. He had a desperate questioning look on his face. “Yes.” She said even softer. As soon as the word had crossed her lips his eyes fell shut and he let out a long breath he had been holding. When he opened them there was anger in them. He stood up facing Webb.

“Tell me it isn’t her.” He said through clenched teeth.

“It isn’t her.” Clay answered without looking away, knowing exactly who Harm meant.

“I want to see her!” Harm started towards the mom’s room but was stopped by the guard.

“Why? __Why Harm?”

“Because you’re lying.” Harm yelled at him.

Clay put his hands in his sides and sighed. When he looked up he was totally calm.

“Harm please, she.” He motioned towards Emma “doesn’t need this. And quite frankly neither do I nor my wife. And whatever you think you’ll find in there, you’ll only be disappointed, while my family’s safety will be jeopardized because you seem to think the world evolves around you! She isn’t who you think she is.”

Harm heard his words and felt the pain of losing Sarah all over again. A defeated look passed over his face, but he quickly pulled himself back together.

“So, where are you taking Emma?”

“She’ll be placed in good hands, she can’t come to Washington with ME, and her mother needs some more time.”

“Can’t I..”

“Rabb, no..” He motioned with the dinosaur that he wasn’t going into this with him right now. And then reached for Emma who by now was dozing.

She opened her eyes to see what was happening and went to Clay without problems.

Webb started walking towards the exit and Harm tried to swallow away the lump that had formed in his throat. He could feel tears threatening to fall and he weakly raised his hand to wave goodbye.

Emma’s head shot up as she realized Harm wasn’t coming with them. “Harm!” she cried out.

Harm wanted to run to her and take her in his arms and never let her go. But he knew he didn’t have a right. So he just stood there, that feeling of loss overwhelming him once again.

Clay was having a hard time with the feisty three year old, but he was still stronger then she was and he ignored her pleas. She didn’t understand why Harm didn’t help her, she wanted to stay with him. “Harm!” she cried out again. “Plea_se! Harm NO!” Tears were pouring down her face again.

Harm’s resolve was wearing thin. He couldn’t bare to see her so scared. And when she reached out her little arms and pleaded again he just couldn’t just let her go like that!

“Harm please!”

“Clay!” He yelled. “Clay stop!” He walked towards them, picking up speed as he was doing so.

Webb had stopped when he heard Harm call his name. He sighed and turned around.

As soon as he was close enough he reached for her and almost pulled her from Webb’s arms. Seeing the tears on the Commanders face was enough for Webb to take pity on him and let go.

They were both holding on to one another for dear life. Both crying.

Seeing Harm cry only made her cry even more, but she hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.

Clay sighed and shook his head. “Just what do you think you have accomplished with this?” he asked.

Harm closed his eyes while he hugged her closer. “We didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“I don’t want to say goodbye.” A little voice whimpered.

“Shit!” Clay said. “You always have to complicate things, don’t you?! ‘you’re lying!, who is her mother? Can’t she stay with me?’ never easy with you!”

Harm and Emma both looked at him hopefully. “CAN she stay with me? She doesn’t like strangers”

Seeing his point, Webb ran the consequences through his mind. “It’s because we’ve moved her around a lot, when things got dangerous. I…..I..I suppose she can stay with you till her mother gets a little better. After that I can’t guarantee. A couple of days.”

“Maybe I should meet her, so she knows who is looking after her daughter.” Harm tried again.

Clay could see Harm still wasn’t satisfied with his explanation on the mom. Maybe having him look after Emma would keep him too busy to do anything stupid that would mess things up. “Why don’t you take her home, she looks tired. Here’s the dinosaur. I’ll inform my wife of my decision.”

Harm didn’t argue. He carried her to the car. Trish drove them home, Emma safely in his arms. His mind taking him places he was warned not to go.

When he was sure Emma was asleep and Trish had promised to watch her Harm went out.

He drove straight to the hospital in Franks car just in case Webb had people on the look out for him. It was almost twelve o’clock. There were hardly any visitors around this time of night. He couldn’t just walk in through the main entrance. So he waited. He waited till a couple of trauma cases were brought in, turning the ER into a busy bee’s hive. He slipped in unnoticed.

Once he got to the corridor where Webb’s supposed wife lay he noticed the guards were missing. He waited around to see if one might come back from the restroom or something, but nothing happened. It seemed he could just walk in. Easy, too easy? All of a sudden he felt nauseous. What if he was right. What if it was her? What would he say? Was she married to Webb? Could he just walk away from her after having missed her so much for so long. Could he? After seeing her smile, could he go on knowing she was still out there? Could he, remembering the pain he still felt every day, the dreams he still had of her, knowing that a familiar scent or song could still bring him to tears after four and a half years?

Harm swallowed and stepped back around the corner. Resting against the wall, his mind still racing. ‘Could you walk away? Without knowing if it was her?’

The answer to that question was clear and outweighed all the others. He carefully made his way over to her door and stepped in before anyone would see him.

There she was, on the bed, asleep. Her long brownish hair resting on the pillow.

Harm gasped and he fought tears. ‘It wasn’t her.’ For the third time that night he felt like he was losing her all over again.

The woman in the bed opened her blue eyes when she heard him gasp. “Are you looking for someone?” she asked weakly.

“Yeah, ah..is your name Sarah?”

She hesitated. “Yes it is, why?” She looked a bit worried.

Harm was fast to explain. “I am looking after Emma.”

She sighed in relief. “Oh, for a moment I thought you were here to…” Her voice trailed off.

“Clay told me, you are a friend of his?”

“Yeah, something like that.” Harm smiled. “I just thought you would like to know who she was with. She’s a great little girl, you can be proud of her.”

With that Harm left the room quickly. Only to be pushed against the wall by one of the guards. “You can explain to mr Webb what you are doing here!”

After a brief chewing out by Webb Harm was free to go.

Clay sat down in a chair when the door opened. “You owe me a hundred bucks!”

“I didn’t think he would come back after this evening.”

“I must congratulate you on your performance. I know Harm, he bought it, hook line and sinker!”

“I felt sorry for him. He looked so lost when he first saw me.”

“He does that to women”

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t tell HER HE is the one looking after her daughter.”

“You don’t know them as I do. They are like magnets! If either one of them knew the other was close by….never mind common sense, or all the hard work we’ve done keeping them save. It would be like a force of nature pulling them together!” He paused as she sat looking at him with an amused look on her face. “It’s not funny! I’m not kidding! Just look, neither one knows and STILL they’ve found each other!”

“It’s romantic, fate, kismet and most of all. bloody tragic!”

Emma had spent the remainder of the week with Harm and Trish. Trish had noticed her son being awfully quiet. The only person he said more than two words to was Emma. But even she was having a hard time with him. She was trying all kinds of things trying to get his attention and a smile. This morning they weren’t forthcoming either and Emma had given up. She was now playing with Frank on the lawn where they were trying out a new ‘slip and slide’ while Harm and Trish were sitting on the deck. Harm slightly slouching, his bare feet on the chair across from him.

“Darling, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“At the risk of getting into an argument with you…..please don’t shut me out again Harm.”

“Just like with Sarah?” She didn’t follow immediately. “Just like when Mac died?”

“Yeah, I don’t want to push you, but I don’t think you ever got over that. Maybe if you’d open up and talked?”

“Talking doesn’t bring her back to me.” He said with tears in his eyes.

“I know how you feel, darling. Nothing will bring her back__”

“That’s where you’re wrong!” he cut her off.

“Harm? Are you feeling okay?” she asked sternly. “She was killed, you saw it yourself.” She added in a softer tone.

“She’s…mom, ..she’s not dead. At least….she wasn’t. She came to me….”

Trish eyed her son carefully thinking he had totally lost it. But he was talking and she had to be supportive. “You know how many times I thought I saw your father?”

“No no no, I mean really. She came to my apartment after the funeral. We made love….” He trailed off. “And then she was gone, like she’d never been there.”

Trish was really worried now. She wondered what had brought this to surface now?

“Sweetheart, why now?”

“Emma” he stated looking at the little girl who was trying to squirt Frank with a water pistol. “She reminds me of Sarah.”

“Funny,” Trish said “She reminds ME of you.”

Harm didn’t seem to have heard her. “Her mom’s name is Sarah.” Trish suddenly understood.

“She has this time-thing like Sarah.”

“Harm”

“She even semper fi’s..”

“You think Emma’s mom is Mac?”

He shook his head and wiped away the tears. “I wanted it to be her. But …she isn’t. doesn’t look anything like her. But for a while I was sure, it HAD to be her…and then. when I saw her and she wasn’t….” he sobbed.

Trish felt for her son. “It was like losing her all over again…” she finished for him. She knew all too well how that felt. It was like when Harm had found out his father had died in Russia.

A couple weeks later

La Jolla

Webb had come by to have Emma visit with her mom almost everyday. He was a little late this evening.

“Emma, did you take that last cup cake?” Trish asked the little girl who was looking particularly guilty.

“No.”

Harm came walking in the kitchen just then. “Yes you did, sweetie, I saw you earlier. You said you had asked Trish.”

Trish looked angry. “Emma, it’s not nice to lie! So you better tell the truth now because if you don’t…..” It had been a long day and Emma had tried everyone’s nerves.

“I didn’t eat it.” She lied again and she batted her eyes at Harm who’s jaw just about reached the floor at her behavior.

“Okay young lady. Little girls who lie won’t get to see ‘the little mermaid’ tape Jennifer brought over because you’ll be in bed early!” He forced out. He was about to retract her punishment when he saw her eyes filling up with tears but Trish stopped him. “Just wait and see..” she whispered to him.

Emma looked at Harm and Trish. They both looked pretty angry. She turned up the volume of her wailing and threw in some screaming to add to this nice little temper tantrum she had going here. Harm was at a loss, but he took his cue from his mother who ignored the little siren. After ten minutes Emma gave up on her audience and ran to her bedroom where she continued to cry.

Harm had wanted to go after her to see if she was alright, but Trish had grabbed his arm.

Twenty minutes had past and they didn’t hear any more crying. Harm was pacing back and forth. “Harm you’re ruining my carpet.” Trish said looking over her news paper. Harm gave her a desperate look. She could see he wanted to go to her and she smiled and shook her head. “Oh, go ahead.”

**

When Harm stepped inside the room he didn’t see her, but he heard soft sobs coming from under the bed. “Emma?” when she didn’t answer him he got down on his knees so he could see her. She continued to sob as she lay all curled up in a foetal position, her thumb in her mouth and her little body shaking with each breath and sob. He reached for her and was able to pull her out from under. She stood before him, her shoulders shaking, her eyes, red from crying searching his for reassurance. He gently moved her thumb out of her mouth and brushed away the hairs that were sticking to her red face. “Oh sweetie, come here.” He said with pain in his voice as he pulled her to him and let her cry in his arms. They sat on the floor like that, with him gently rubbing her back till she calmed down some. “Do you…. still… love me?” she cried into his shoulder.

“Of course I still love you.”

“Are you still mad at me?”

“No” He smiled. “Not anymore.”

Finally he let her go a little so he could look her in the eye.” So, you want to tell me what that was all about?” She crawled against him, her fists clenched around his sweater.

“mommy lies.”

When she saw his surprised look she explained. “She doesn’t tell who we are so the bad people won’t find us.”

“Ah.”

“Clay lies.”

“Really?” Harm questioned his interest sparked.

“He makes me lie to mommy.” She whispered .

“What about, Emma?” He didn’t know how to explain any of this, how to make her see that she wasn’t supposed to lie.

“About you.”

“Me?!”

“ I’m not supposed to tell mommy I am living with you. I can’t even say your name.”

Harm couldn’t think why she wasn’t allowed to say that, when he had met her mother everything was fine with her. Unless….. THAT wasn’t her mother.

“What else?”

She thought for a moment. “I can’t tell you stuff about mommy.”

“Emma?” Harm asked, not sure if he wanted to go through the disappointment again, but not able to resist this strong feeling. “What colour are your moms eyes?”

“Brown” she finally confessed

“Damn you Webb!” He whispered under his breath. He wanted to ask her more but he was interrupted by a knock on the door. His mother’s head appeared from behind the door. A questioning look on her face when she saw the tear stained face of the little girl.

Harm whispered to her so Emma wouldn’t over hear them. “ she is very confused, I feel sorry for her.”

“She might be confused, but that’s why we’re here, to set her straight!” Trish stated. “But that’s not why I came in. Clay’s here. He wants you to pack her things.”

“And you’re taking her straight to her mother?” It was more a demand than a question.

“Yes Rabb. Straight.”

“Okay.” Harm took a deep breath and then turned to Emma. “Okay squirt, time to say goodbye.” He saw her lower lip tremble slightly. “hey, none of that. You’re going to your mom, that was the deal remember?” She nodded her head. “Come here, give us a hug.” He said while he pulled her into his embrace.

“I love you.” She whispered into his shoulder.

“Love you too, marine.”

Reluctantly they both let go. Clay took the little girl by the hand and led her to the car.

Harm watched as she sat on her knees to wave goodbye to him. Neither stopped waving till the car was out of view. “Bye Harm.” She whispered softly to herself.

The next morning.

Sarah sat watching her almost four year old daughter pick out the toppings for her sandwich, surprised to see her grab a couple of ‘healthy’ things. Emma was definitely her mother’s daughter. Health food wasn’t high on the list. Sarah had tried, but living the life they did, she didn’t have much energy left to battle with a head strong three year old over food issues.

Seeing Emma chew happily on her sandwich while she hummed ‘anchors away’ made Sarah smile. She couldn’t remember when she had last seen her looking so relaxed. Whatever Clay did with her, it had obviously done her good. Nice clothes, nice sun tan.

“Did Clay take you shopping?”

“Uh-un” she shook her head taking another bite.

“Where did you stay?” Sarah asked, picking at her own breakfast.

“Huh?”

“Excuse you. Where did you and Clay stay? Did he take you to an hotel?”

Emma looked at her mother confused. She frowned, remembering she wasn’t allowed to tell her mommy about Harm. But on the other hand she remembered Harm telling her she shouldn’t lie, and certainly not to the people she loved.

“Em?”

The little girl’s demeanor changed drastically. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not? You like Clay don’t you?”

Emma nodded. “But he always comes to take me away.” She stated looking at the floor.

“Emma, you know he is only trying to keep you safe from harm.”

Emma’s head shot up, looking her mother in the eye angrily.

“Harm’s not gonna hurt me, he loves me!” she defended him.

Hearing HIS name coming from her daughter’s mouth froze Mac into place. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth fell open but there was no sound. It took her a couple of minutes to recompose herself. Just as she wanted to question her daughter further Clayton Webb walked in. She got up to look him in the eye. She knew that he couldn’t lie to her if she confronted him like that.

“Good morn__ning.” Clay noticed the fire in her eyes. “Oh, God…” He whispered.

She wasn’t yet sure, though his expression told her enough. She wasn’t even sure whether or not she wanted it to be true. Holding his gaze she swallowed. “She didn’t stay with YOU, did she?”

“No, she didn__”

“Who!” She demanded. “Who DID she stay with?!”

Clay moved from one foot to the other nervously. ‘How could he tell her this?’

He looked back to her pleading eyes and saw a mixture of fear, pain, despair and anger. But most of all he saw that she already knew. In an almost inaudible whisper he answered.

“Harm.”

Her hand went over her mouth immediately as she gasped.

“Oh God, Clay, no… How could you?” There had been so many tears over the years that there weren’t any now. But deep down, she felt like screaming. Instead she managed with a small voice. “The first time he met her and I wasn’t with them.” It hurt, it hurt as much as the day she realized what Harm had missed, and that they would never be a family. “This was our only chance, and you didn’t tell me……why?”

“It just isn’t possible, Sarah!” he tried to reason.

Her voice desperate and cracking as she spoke. “I don’t understand, Clay. If she was already with him…what harm would it do?”

He didn’t have any answers for her. Deep down he knew why he hadn’t told either of them, but he sure as hell couldn’t tell HER that, could he. She was out of the corps and she had changed in the last few years, but he was sure she would waste no time in snapping his neck if he told her the truth. Right now she was only hurting, no need to make her angry.

“You know how much I’ve wanted this, even if it were only for a day….” She tried to go on, but her voice was almost giving up on her. Hearing her mother’s hurt voice Emma had wrapped her hands around her mother’s leg, not quite following the grown up conversation.

“Where is he now? Can I see him?”

“It’s too late, and it’s too dangerous. You know that!”

“No I don’t! You move us around all the time, why couldn’t you bring him to us now?” She pleaded.

“Because I just know what would happen! I know YOU and I know HIM, and you two would cause all kinds of trouble if you ever got the chance to see each other, with no regard to your safety or Emma’s! That’s why I am here making these decisions, keeping you safe! I am moving you two tomorrow morning!” He was yelling at her, hoping he could break her resolve. He did brake something, HER.

Though she was trying to hold them back, big tears were rolling down her cheeks and her voice was shaky as she broke down.

“I can’t go on living like this, please.”

Clay sounded like he had everything under control, but the truth was, he couldn’t bare to see her hurt like that. And at the sight of the first tears he knew he was losing.

“Make sure you are all packed by 0600.” He turned and walked away quickly.

Sarah sank to the floor crying, taking Emma in her arms, rocking her back and forth . The motion was meant to comfort herself as much as it was meant for Emma.

When Clay came by again around lunch time Emma was sitting at the kitchen table, painting a watercolour picture. He scanned the room for Sarah. Finding her on the floor behind the sofa.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed? Get some rest?”

She turned to look at him. Her eyes were still red from crying, but they were dull, lifeless.

Clay gasped when he saw the ghost like face stare at him blankly.

“What for?” Her voice sounding as lifeless as she looked.

“For Emma!” he told her. She was scaring him. In all these years she had never been this bad. Sure she had been depressed at times, but she had always pulled through for Emma.

At the mention of her daughters name she glanced back in the direction of the kitchen, her expression not changing. “I can’t do this any more, Clay.” She whispered, letting the tears flow again. “This isn’t life, I don’t know why you thought this would be better then really being dead.”

“Don’t talk like that, Sarah. You wouldn’t have had Emma.”

She looked back again. Emma was oblivious to the conversation behind the sofa. ‘Thank God!’ “I love her, but this isn’t the kind of life I want for her. I don’t want her to be scared all the time.” When Clay didn’t respond she went on. “Being with him did her good, huh? She looks relaxed. “ She stared at the wall when she whispered. “Maybe she shouldn’t be with me.”

Clay wanted to cry with her. but he needed to be strong for her, like he always had. And he wanted to comfort her like he had before. But as he reached over to hold her, she stiffened and backed away from him. He HAD to do something…..

Trish looked up when she saw Frank step out on the deck with Webb.

“Harm’s out for a walk.” She told him before he could ask. “How’s Emma?”

“She is doing fine, she’s happy to be with her mom. Where did you say he went?” Webb asked nervously.

Trish turned towards the beach. “Ah, there he is!”

Seeing Webb there, made Harm quicken his step. “Is something wrong with Emma?”

‘Of course not, why would Clay come to HIM if something was wrong with his daughter?’

“She’s fine, but I need you to come with me, no questions asked.”

Harm looked into Webb’s’ serious face, then nodded.

Just before he wanted to step into the car, the driver came around and blindfolded him. Harm wanted to protest, but he trusted Webb enough, and he had a feeling it had something to do with Emma.

During the drive over Clay kept talking to Harm about ‘not doing anything stupid, or rash. Remembering the situation they were in. Remain calm, keep your distance, don’t kill me…’ and so on.

Harm couldn’t tell where they were going, or what time it was, but he noticed it was getting dark. They had been driving for three hours, making one blindfolded toilet stop.

When the car finally stopped, Clay got out and told him to take the blindfold off, but wait in the car! Harm did as he was told. Even though it was dark out it took some time before he could focus properly. He saw Clay enter a small bungalow with a large stretch of grass in front of it, surrounded by lots of trees, making it a perfect hide away.

Harm rubbed his neck when the car door was opened by the driver. “Out please”

Harm got out when he saw someone step out of the house. He didn’t have a clear view, he didn’t need one. Just a glimpse of her was enough. “Sarah” he gasped when they locked eyes and for a moment neither of them could move, or breath.

Finally she started moving towards him, at first slowly, but each step was made a little faster. With only 30 feet to go Harm got into action at last. Running towards her. He couldn’t believe it was really her! As soon as they were within arms reach they wrapped their arms around each other. It was then that Harm finally exhaled. “Sarah” he whispered in her hair followed by a kiss.

She loosened her grip on him a little bit so she could look up at him. Tears were running down her cheeks again. “I can’t believe it is really you.” she cried.

Harm pulled her against him again. His hands roaming over her back. “I know, I can’t believe it either.” He sniffed.

“I’ve missed you so much!” she cried into his sweater.

Harm felt his own tears trickle down his face as well at the sound of hurt in her voice. ‘God it feels good holding her again.’

“I’ve missed you too , so much.”

Hearing the tears in his voice she looked up again and tried to smile. He brushed away some of her tears with his thumb. Then he ran his fingers along her jaw before they cupped her face. He bent down slowly, his eyes locked with hers. Her hands were resting against his chest, slowly moving around. She looked at him with anticipation, wanting to kiss him so bad, but unsure she should. Sarah felt a shiver all through her body as his lips brushed against her cheek, kissing away some of her on going tears. While he repeated the motion, his thumbs joined in on the attempt to wipe away the tears, and brushing over her lips. They felt warm on her swollen lips and the sensation made her gasp and momentarily close her eyes. When she opened them she looked into his questioning eyes. His eyes, wet with tears, filled with love, and need. She also saw fear and pain in their blue depths. Her left hand covered one of his as she kissed the palm of his hand.

His warm hands kept caressing her face, wanting to memorise every thing about her. His lips following his fingers, finding their way towards her mouth. Her right hand now snaked around his neck, pulling him further towards her. Their lips met in a light and gentle kiss. But soon the need of five years combined made them deepen their kiss. His hands went in her hair, pulling her face even closer. His tongue brushed over her lips and she parted them to give him access. A low moan came from the back of his throat as their tongues met in a frantic battle. To Sarah it was the most perfect sound she’d ever heard and right now, all there was was them, Harm and Mac together again. A moment she had been dreaming about for four and a half years. She lost her self in the feel of him, his taste, his smell, she wanted it all.

Clay felt his heart ache as he saw the two of them rediscovering each other. The desire and need for each other so obvious it made him jealous. Deep down he knew that she had always loved Rabb, and nothing would ever change that. That was painfully obvious as he saw her lead Harm back towards the house, never breaking contact.

Once inside the house, he pushed her up against the door, slamming it shut. Sarah giggled shortly “Shhh, Emma’s asleep.” She reminded him before she continued her assault on his mouth. His hands were working on her blouse, trailing kisses where her skin was exposed.

As he pushed it off her shoulders his eyes went to admire her breasts. Instead they locked on the area directly under her ribs, near her stomach. A fresh scar as long as his hand dominated the view.

She placed a finger under his chin to force him to look back up at her. As their eyes met she noticed his worried expression. “It’s okay Harm, they put everything back in.” She tried to joke. His eyes went back down followed by his hands.

Mac sighed and closed her eyes as she felt his fingers brush over her skin ever so lightly. When they halted at the scar she opened them again to search for his. He didn’t look up at her. instead he focused on the reddish line on her olive skin. Gently he trailed his index across it’s length. It felt slightly smoother than the rest of her skin. When she didn’t flinch he lowered himself to his knees and carefully placed some kisses on and around the scar. Mac ran her fingers through his hair, holding him close to her.

“I almost lost you again..” He whispered through his kisses. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his cheek against her belly. Feeling his tears on her skin she gently nudged free of his hold and lowered herself so she sat straddling him. Now that she could face him again it was her turn to kiss away the tears. “Shh, I’m okay. You haven’t lost me.” Her lips went to cover his in a passionate kiss. “And I’m not about_” she breathed between kisses “to_” a soft moan came from him “lose YOU_ again_ any time_ soon” When his lips traveled across her jaw to her neck it was her turn to let out a moan, a little louder than his. She could feel him smile against her skin. Oh how she wanted to see his smile again. But right now the need to just simply feel him was a lot stronger. She shivered as she felt his hands finally graze her breasts. “Mmm don’t stop.” She whispered through her ragged breathing.

Harm looked up at her and smiled his cocky flyboy grin at her. In response she pulled him closer to engage in a heated kiss. He responded fully and she could feel him get hard under his kaki slacks. Subconsciously she rubbed herself against him to further stimulate him, making him groan.

Caught up in another heated kiss, Harm’s hands went down to unbutton her jeans when he felt her freeze. Afraid he had gone too far he opened his eyes to look at her. She wasn’t looking at him. Instead her gaze was directed at the wall, though she didn’t really seem to be watching it.

As he started to speak she quickly turned back to him to place a finger on his lips. “Emma” she mouthed silently. And sure enough, a soft voice was calling from one of the bedrooms.

“I better go to her, before she gets scared.” Harm couldn’t help but notice she winced as she got up from his lap.

“Hey, you sure you’re okay?”

“Healing, it takes time.” She wasn’t just talking about her physical injuries.

She started to walk towards the bedroom but turned and held out her hand when he didn’t follow. Harm smiled and took it, reveling in the feelings this innocent contact evoked. Sarah must have felt it too because they stood there and stared into each others eyes till the cries from the next room became more urgent.

“Mommy’s here sweetheart. It’s okay.” Harm watched from the door as Mac took the crying little girl in her arms softly rocking her. God, how he wished she was his, that they both were.

“What’s wrong Em?” Emma crawled onto her mother’s lap and snuggled even closer as she put her thumb in her mouth. “I had a bad dream.” She sniffed. “Clay came t’take me ‘way and I didn’t wanna.” “I understand, sweetie.” Her mother tried to soothe. “I wantetostay withharm.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows in surprise but smiled. Emma straightened and looked at her mother with big scared eyes.

“What is it honey?”

“I wasn’t supposed to tell you.” She whispered.

Sarah understood, “Oh, About you staying with Harm?” She smiled “It’s okay, I have a surprise for you.”

Emma looked up expectantly. Mommy’s surprises were usually very good.

“Look.” Her mom whispered as she motioned to the door. Emma’s mouth fell open and her eyes were big.

“Hey Em.” He said softly, trying to keep his emotions in check. Emma grinned happily and reached her arms out to him. He gladly took her from her mom and held her close. It had only been three days since Clay took her away, but he had missed her horribly. Now, with Mac beside him and Emma in his arms he felt….complete.

“Honey, it’s 2300, you should get some sleep, Clay will be here really early tomorrow.”

“No.” She whimpered as her mother settled her under the blankets, but she was too tired to argue anymore and it took all her remaining strength to raise her arms to Harm. He hugged her and then kissed her good night.

“I love you Emma.”

“Love y’too”

Sarah closed the door behind them and then looked at Harm.

“What?” He shrugged.

“You were never that comfortable showing your feelings.” She smiled.

“Maybe I changed. Maybe she made me realize what’s important in life.” Sarah just looked at him. “She and…you….trying to go on with life without you has been hard.”

“I know” She sniffed “It was hard for me too.”

“I can only imagine.”

They were silent for a couple of minutes, trying to decide if they were still the same people, if there was enough of them left.

“God, I missed you so much.” Harm broke the silence.

And that was all it took for them to be in each other’s arms again. The need to feel again too strong to resist. Without breaking contact she led him to her room. Clothes were discarded, hands roaming, lips searching, tongues twirling, and with each other’s names on their lips they became one again.