Harmon Rabb Jr. arched his back and rubbed a hand across his neck just below his hairline. He glanced at his watch, 1615. No wonder he was so stiff. He’d spent almost four hours pouring over depositions and evidence against his client, looking for the proverbial “rabbit” he’d need to win this case. Opening arguments that morning had definitely gone to the prosecution and Sturgis was so confident in his case that he wouldn’t even talk plea bargain. Harm had grabbed a Campbell’s cup of vegetable soup and drank it at his desk. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed. He stood and wandered out of his office to see if Mac would be willing to discuss the case, wondering if she’d see something he’d missed. He noticed the quiet and immediately knew something was up. He rounded the corner to a nearly deserted room.

The Marine guard stood at attention as he approached, “Commander, I didn’t realize anyone else was still here. I thought the Colonel was the last to leave.”

“Where is everyone?” Harm asked , his bewilderment evident as he looked around JAG ops.

“The Admiral sent everyone home an hour and a half ago when the freezing rain hit, sir,” the guard answered.

“Freezing rain?”

“Not anymore, sir. Now there is heavy snow.”

“Not again, we already have 23 inches on the ground from the last two storms.” Harm sighed.

“Why are you still here, sir?” the guard wondered.

“Evidently no one noticed I was in my office,” Harm stated dryly. “I guess I better head home. How long ago did the Colonel leave?”

“She just left, sir.”

Harm hurried back to his office. He threw the files he was working on into his briefcase, before grabbing his overcoat and cover and heading for the parking lot. Mac shouldn’t be driving her corvette in weather like this; maybe I can catch her and convince her to let me drive her home, he thought.

Harm rushed out of the door just as the object of his thoughts pulled away from her parking slot. “Mac! Wait!” he called, but she was too far away and couldn’t hear him. Harm rushed to his car, unlocked the doors and started the engine. He scraped the windows in record time and backed out. He turned right out of the parking lot to follow the route Mac drove between JAG headquarters and Georgetown. The roads were quickly becoming snow covered and already treacherous. Gusty wind created blowing snow that occasionally obscured the roadway.

Harm pushed the limits as much as he could and still maintain safety. He hit the automatic dial on his car phone and was relieved when Mattie answered after just one ring.

“Glad you’re home, squirt. Is Jen there with you?” he asked.

“Yeah, she got home an hour ago. Where are you?” Mattie sounded concerned.

“I was working in my office and since I don’t have any windows, I wasn’t aware of the weather. Everyone must have forgotten about me when the Admiral secured for the day.”

“You are using the speaker so you can keep both hands on the wheel, aren’t you?”

The concern in her voice touched him deeply. “Yes, mom,” he laughed, but secretly enjoyed having someone in his life who showed that they cared about him.

“When are you going to be home?” Mattie wondered.

“Mac left just ahead of me. She’s driving her vet, and I want to make sure she gets home without any trouble, so it will be a while. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Harm heard the concern in her voice. “I’ll be fine, see you later.” He hit the button to break the connection, and caught sight of a red corvette up ahead. A gust of wind hit the SUV causing it to drift sideways and he let up on the accelerator to slow down in the momentary white out. When visibility returned he hunted for the sportscar. He had gained enough distance that he was pretty sure it was Mac. He thought about calling and telling her to pull off at the next exit and let him take her home, but she didn’t have a speaker phone and he didn’t want her fumbling for her phone in these conditions.

A large four-wheel drive pickup flew past him, kicking up snow in his windshield and he had to slow again. His vision cleared just as the pickup passed Mac, throwing up a huge cloud of snow which engulfed the low-bodied vehicle. He saw her lights blink as she gently applied the brake. An instant later, the vet spun out of control, turning a complete 360 in the roadway before sliding off down a steep embankment, barely missing the guardrail for an overpass.

Harm’s heart nearly stopped as he watched the car disappear. A stand of large oak trees bordered another highway below. “Dear God, don’t let her hit anything,” he prayed silently. He slowed his Lexus as quickly as conditions would allow, pulling off onto the shoulder about a hundred feet beyond where Mac’s car had left the roadway. He flicked on his hazard lights and jumped out of the vehicle, then ran back along the roadway and plunged through the snowdrifts toward the vette which had come to rest against a tree.

“Mac!” he screamed, more afraid than he’d been since walking into Sadik’s torture chamber.

Harm fought his way through the thigh deep drifts to the side of the car. Mac’s head lay back against the seat, her eyes closed. Harm grabbed the door handle and pulled, but it didn’t budge. He realized that it was locked at the same time Sarah turned her head and opened her eyes. Their gazes locked and he forgot about breathing as he realized she was conscious. “Mac, please unlock the door,” his voice rang with emotion.

Sarah’s hand trembled as she reached out and hit the automatic lock.

Harm kicked away snow, yanked open the door, and fell to his knees beside the car. He reached out his hand to stroke her cheek, “Are you hurt?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I don’t think so,” Sarah responded, surprised that the voice that answered him sounded so foreign to her ears.

“Thank God!” Harm reached out and pulled her into his arms. “You just took at least ten years off my life.!”

Sarah wound her arms around his neck and hugged him back as tremors of delayed reaction shook her body.

Harm pulled away slightly. “Let me look to make sure you’re not hurt.” He examined her head, but saw no bruising, then ran his hands down her legs, realizing that bones often snapped when people braced for an impact.

“Are you taking advantage of this situation, Sailor?” Mac asked with a shaky laugh.

“Glad to see your sense of humor is returning.” Harm smiled.

“Do you need an ambulance?” a voice called from the road above.

“No, she’s fine,” Harm yelled back. “You are, right?” he asked as he met her deep brown eyes again.

“Yes, I’m just a little shaky. I thought I was driving safely and suddenly I was spinning and then went over the edge of the embankment. I saw the cars and trees and thought I was going to die.” Mac started trembling again and Harm wasn’t sure if it was from shock or cold.

“We need to get you out of there and home,” he said soothingly, unbuckling her seat belt. “I wonder why the air bag didn’t deploy?”

“I think the soft snow slowed the car down so gradually that it didn’t trigger,” Sarah suggested.

Harm glanced at the front of the corvette and realized that a few inches separated it from the large oak. “You were lucky, Marine!” He sent a silent prayer skyward.

“I guess so. It could have been much worse.” Suddenly a puzzled look came over her, “What are you doing here, Harm?”

“I left headquarters right behind you and wanted to make sure you reached home safely. The vet’s a low car, I thought you might get stuck, so I cleaned off my car and took the route I thought you’d pick. I had caught up to a safe following distance when that jerk in the truck flew past you, causing the white out that precipitated your accident. My car’s a ways down the road. Let’s get you up there and home.”

“Harm, thank you,” Mac hugged him and kissed his cheek.

“You’re welcome,” he responded as he slid his arms under her and lifted her out of the car. He set her on the hood and reached in for her briefcase. “Is there anything else you need?” he asked as he pulled her keys from the ignition.

“No,” Mac replied, watching as he locked the car, handed her the briefcase, then picked her up. “You can’t climb that hill through this snow carrying me.”

“I’ll follow my original tracks. You can’t wade through it in a skirt and heels.”

“Harm!”

“Just relax, hang on, and don’t wiggle around. If you do, we’re both liable to end up in a snowdrift.” Harm flashed her a grin that made her remember happier times.

“Aye, aye, Commander!” she laughed and looped one arm around his neck.

Harm was half way up the embankment when two other motorists rushed down to help. One offered to carry Mac, but Harm wouldn’t give her up. Mac handed him her briefcase so she could hold on to Harm more securely. Harm found it easier going with a wider path beaten into the snowy slope.

When they reached the Lexus, Harm settled Mac into the passenger seat and pulled a heavy wool blanket from an emergency kit in the back. He tucked it securely around her legs, then tugged on the seat belt to make sure it was secure.

“Harm, I’m fine,” Mac couldn’t believe the fuss he was making.

“Humor me. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.” He smiled tentatively unsure of her reaction.

“Oh,” she whispered, unable to think of any comeback.

Harm shut the door and walked to the passenger side. Mac couldn’t hear his deep sigh, “You’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

Harm pulled up outside Mac’s apartment and shut off the engine. The icy road combined with blowing and drifting snow created a treacherous situation. They hadn’t talked at all the rest of the drive since Harm had given the roadway his total concentration. Luckily, most businesses had closed early so traffic was not as heavy as usual. Still it had taken four times longer than normal to make the trip. Harm glanced at Sarah, who seemed to be asleep. He just stared at her flawless skin and silky brown hair. God, she’s beautiful! he thought. How do I keep her in my life?

Sarah could feel Harm’s eyes on her; like a soft caress, she mused. Not sure what to say to this gentle man who’d gone out of his way to make sure she was safe, even though their relationship had been strained for months. Was I wrong? Does he care? she asked herself.

“Sarah?”

His voice is so gentle. He sounds so insecure, not the cocky flyboy from our first year as partners. Did I do that to him? she wondered.

“Hey, Marine, wake up. You’re starting to worry me.” His fingertips brushed across her brow, sweeping her bangs away from her eyes.

The deep chocolate orbs flickered open to meet the troubled blue-green eyes that she knew so well, yet there was something different about them. The shutter came down, and whatever emotion she’d seen was quickly hidden.

Sarah felt a great weight settle on her chest again. Why can’t we just get beyond this? “Hi,” she whispered.

“We’re home.” Harm opened his door and slid out against the wind. He made his way around the vehicle and opened her door, then reached in and picked her up, cradling her against his chest.

“Harm, I can walk,” she insisted.

“You’ll catch pneumonia if you walk through these drifts dressed like that. We already had this discussion.”

“Harm. . .”

“Just relax and try to enjoy the ride.” He chuckled at the look she threw him and tightened his grip as he struggled through the drifts to the door of her building.

Once inside, he set her on her feet in the hallway and hit the button to call the elevator. “I want to make sure you’re okay before I head home.”

“Harm, you can’t drive in this.”

The elevator door opened and they stepped in. “I can’t stay here, so I have no choice but to drive home,” he answered as he pushed the button for her floor.

“Isn’t Mattie with Jen?” Sarah questioned.

“Yes,” he answered softly.

“She’s safe there and you need to be careful. I don’t think she’d be able to deal with losing you too.”

“Mac, I can’t!”

“Do you hate me that much?” she asked, hurt evident in her voice.

“No, I love you too much,” he sighed in resignation.

Sarah stared at him like he’d suddenly grown two heads. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say!” she said softly then fled through the opening elevator doors toward the safety of her apartment.

“Probably,” he muttered, then stormed after her. He followed her into her apartment without waiting for an invitation.

“Mac!”

She shut the door and spun to face him. “What exactly does that mean, ‘You love me too much to stay.’ Since when do you love me? You barely talk to me?” Her voice rang with hurt and confusion.

Harm pinched the bridge of his nose with his left hand and sighed. “Sarah, I can’t do it. I’ve tried. I thought if all I can have is friendship, I’ll have to settle for that. But I can’t!”

Sarah watched as he turned and walked to the window. He stared out at the blowing and drifting snow and felt the same bleak coldness in his soul. What the heck, I don’t have anything left to lose. Harm knew he couldn’t go on having his heart ripped out every time she went to Webb. He couldn’t continue at JAG. His request for a transfer had been sitting in his briefcase for a month.

Harm turned back to her and met her chocolate brown eyes. “Sarah, I can’t stay. I can’t be this close to you, it hurts too much. I love you. . . I have for a long time, but that didn’t seem to matter. We drifted apart. I didn’t want you to go to Paraguay with Webb because after weeks of sitting alone in the brig, with nothing but time to think, I realized that I needed you. I gave up ‘everything I had’, as you pointed out, because without you, I didn’t have anything that really mattered. But I was too late.”

Sarah looked into his troubled, watery, sea green eyes and saw the pain reflected there. The same pain she heard in his voice. “Harm. . .”

“No, Mac, don’t. I couldn’t stand your pity. I’m requesting a transfer. It really doesn’t matter anymore. We both know with my record, I don’t have a future in the Navy. I’m just going to finish out my twenty. . Then I’ll decide if I want to practice law or try for a civil aviation job.”

“No, you don’t understand!” Tears flowed freely down Sarah’s cheeks. “I never meant it. I just thought. . .Harm, please don’t leave me. I need you in my life.”

“Sarah, I can’t be your friend!” Harm’s voice broke and he felt the utter desolation that had gripped him from the moment Mac climbed into the taxi in Paraguay. His shoulders slumped and he stared at his hands. “I tried standing by while you were with Mic. I can’t do it again! I’m requesting a transfer.”

“Harm, I don’t love Clay. I felt responsible to help him, but you’re the only man I’ve ever loved. Please . . . .” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tentatively reached out.

Harm felt her butterfly soft touch, followed by the jolt of sexual awareness that physical contact with her always sparked. This time there was also a flicker of hope. He cupped her face gently between his hands and brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. “Do you mean it?’ His voice was so soft she barely heard him.

Sarah nodded silently as she looked up into very watery sea green eyes. She wound her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. . “

“I’ve done my share, sweetheart. When you said ‘never,’ I thought I’d destroyed any chance for us.” Harm caressed her back and rested his head against her soft hair. “I love you, Sarah. I need you.”

“Harm, I love you. . . .I didn’t think you loved me. You never told me.”

“A mistake I’ll never make again!” Harm lifted her face and gazed into her doe eyes. “I love you, Sarah Mackenzie, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” His lips claimed hers, gently and reverently.

Sarah slid her arms up over his shoulders and deepened the kiss. She heard his low moan as he molded her to his body.

“Mac,” Harm drew back slightly and looked into her shimmering eyes, “I love you. I want to stay, but. . .”

“Shhh,” she laid a finger over his lips. “I know. . . I want you to stay. I need you and. .”

“And what?” he prompted softly.

“I’ve waited a lifetime for you. I don’t want to wait any longer. I only feel complete when I’m with you.”

The ringing of his cell phone interrupted just as Harm pulled her back into his arms.

“I need to reassure Mattie that I’m safe,” he whispered before kissing her on the forehead. He glanced at the number displayed and answered, “Hey, Mattie, are you and Jenn all right?”

“We. . .I just wanted to make sure that you reached Mac’s apartment and were smart enough to stay off the roads.”

“I’ll be staying here until the roads are cleared. Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes, we’re fine. Do you two have everything you need?”

“Oh, yes,” Harm assured Mattie, as he reached out and pulled Sarah back into his embrace. “We have everything we need. Bye, Mattie. I’ll see you when the streets are cleared.” Harm put down his cell and gathered Mac in both arms. “Do you think we could be lucky enough to get another foot of snow?”

“We don’t need excuses anymore. Turn on the fireplace while I go gather some blankets. It can snow all it wants since I have you to keep me warm.” Harm’s answering smile was all the warmth she’d ever need.