Warning: This story contains character deaths.

Prologue

JAG Headquarters 
Falls Church, Virginia 
12/18/98 
0837 Romeo

A slight tension filled the air of the bullpen as all eyes were riveted to the televisions attached on the far wall. Ensign Harriet Roberts, her pregnancy just beginning to show, stood at the edges of the crowd, her husband, Lt.  jg Bud Roberts by her side. 

The glass and wood doors, which separated the JAG area from the rest of the building, opened and closed almost silently. The new arrival quietly joined the rest of the group, stopping behind Petty Officer Tiner. The petty officer's eyes were glued to the ZNN broadcast, and it was only after the other man cleared his throat, that Tiner noticed his arrival. "Admiral on deck!" Tiner called out in a nervous voice. 

The other officers visibly jumped with surprise at his words and all turned to face their CO. Admiral A. J.  Chegwidden looked at each person in turn then moved his eyes back to the screen. "Would anyone like to tell me what's going on here?" he barked. 

"Um, Sir," Bud replied, "ZNN just aired a report about Desert Fox.  Apparently, the Arab nations have issued a warning to the U. S.  about attacks on the first day of Ramadan. "

A flicker of surprise crossed the admiral's face and his brow furrowed as he continued to watch the broadcast. He pulled the remote out of Tiner's hand and increased the volume. 

A dark haired woman in a flak jacket stood in front of the American embassy in Saudi Arabia.  The byline listed her name as Cynthia Ross. She pushed a strand of hair back over her ear and continued her report. "Sources have confirmed reports that an alliance of all Arab countries will be created to defend the Islamic faith in an all-out war if the U. S.  continues its military campaign against Iraq when Ramadan begins. The Islamic holy month, one of the pillars of the faith, is a time of inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control for all members of the Muslim belief. 

"Although few of the Middle Eastern countries agree with Saddam Hussien's political leadership, they have agreed to put aside their differences, believing that complete devotion to Islam is required of them during this holy period. At this time, nothing has been confirmed, but there have been reports that Ossam bin Laden is a key leader in this alliance.  Though his involvement is unlikely due to his enmity with certain Arab countries. "

The admiral lowered the volume and the reporters' words died off as she was replaced by a talking head.  The officers' thoughts flew to friends and loved ones already stationed in the Gulf.  An eerie quiet filled the bullpen while everyone looked to Chegwidden. He pursed his lips and turned slightly as if to walk to his office. After a moment, he paused and murmured, "Well, let's get to work, people. "

The group dispersed quietly and returned to their duties, their minds still on the potential events of tomorrow. The doors opened again to reveal Lt.  Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.  and Major Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie. Rabb was chuckling at some comment Mac had made in the elevator. Neither noticed the surreal calm that engulfed the room. After a moment, the commander paused, his confused gaze darting across the bullpen. "Did we miss something?" he whispered to the major. 

Her own brow furrowed, she shook her head. "I don't think so. Bud!" she called as the young man passed her, carrying a file. He looked up and a slight blush stained his features. 

"Sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to bump into you. . . "

She smiled, a question piercing her dark eyes.  "You didn't. We were just wondering what's going on. "

He glanced back at the TV screens. A lower level state department official, who now addressed other aspects of the mission, had replaced the anchor. "A reporter just announced that if we continue to bomb Iraq through Ramadan, all of the Arab nations will declare war. "

Mac's jaw dropped in shock while Harm mouthed nonsensical words. After recovering to a certain extent, she asked hoarsely, "What did the admiral say?"

"Nothing, ma'am," Bud replied shaking his head. "Mainly just to get to work. "

Harm let out a soft breath.  "Is it just a threat or are they serious?"

"Oh, they're serious, sir," the lieutenant answered and looked back down at the file. 

The two lawyers parted company and headed toward their offices, disbelief still evident on their faces. 

Apartment of Jordan Parker 
Bethesda, Maryland 
12/19/98 
0321 Romeo

Captain Jordan Parker, Navy psychiatrist, lay awake psychoanalyzing. The subject of her study was one she was intimately familiar with:herself.  Tonight had been the first time Jordan had slept alone since she and Harm had started to date seriously. On most nights, she would stay at his apartment in Union Station, but tonight was different. She heaved a frustrated sighed and quelled the impulse to reach for the phone. They had fought earlier. True, it was small in comparison to some of the lovers' quarrels she had heard in her years as a psychiatrist, but it was a fight nonetheless. 

'We've been dating seriously for two months and he still doesn't want me to meet his mother and step-father,' she thought. Every fiber of her being had screamed at the insanity of it all. They were committed, or, at least, she was to the relationship. . . if her parents were still alive, she would have introduced him. . .  'ARGH!Stop!' she told herself forcefully. Throwing back her comforter she climbed out of bed and walked toward the kitchen. She grabbed the milk from the refrigerator and popped a glass in the microwave.  Jordan smiled at the memory the movement evoked. As a child, her mother had always made her a glass of warm milk when she couldn't sleep. 

"Oh, Mom," she sighed softly. "What am I doing wrong here?Am I trying to change a player?I know he was a fighter pilot, but he's a lawyer now. " She shook her head as the bell dinged. Removing the warm glass, she nodded as if answering an unspoken argument. "I know, Daddy, you always said to stay away from the ones who'll break your heart. But I really think he could be it. "

She curled up on the couch in her living room and took a sip of the milk.  Closing her eyes, she heaved another sigh and picked up the phone. Her fingers hovered over the numbers as her pride warred with her common sense.  In the end, her pride won out and the number remained undialed. She never replaced the phone. She didn't have to since everything, including herself, was gone with a flash of light and a thundering blast. 

* * *

Home of Lt.  jg Bud Roberts and Family 
Roslyn Hills, Virginia 
0343 Romeo

Harriet had been unable to sleep all night. Normally, insomnia was not something that effected her. She could even count on one hand the number of times she had been plagued by it. The most recent encounter, prior to last night, was around the time Bud had first met her parents. 

Sighing at the memory, she rose from the couch, leaving the afghan that had blanketed her much of the night, and walked toward the window. He had been so nervous, she remembered fondly as she stroked her slightly distended belly. And then that slip-up when her mother had thought Commander Rabb was her fiancé!'Oh, poor Bud,' she thought smiling at the pinked-faced image that graced her memory. 

She walked from the window and tiptoed her way toward the bedroom, careful not to wake her sleeping husband. Harriet knew he needed his rest, in fact, that was the main reason she hadn't watched TV, instead she'd caught up on the stack of novels that sat on her side of the bed.  She watched his sleeping form from the door to the room. Her face softened with love at the picture he made. Part little boy, part valiant defender; he slept with her pillow cradled in his arms. Turning from him, she tried for what must have been the hundreth time that night to figure out what was the cause for her unrest. Ever since yesterday morning a pallor had settled over her. It had followed her the whole day, and, when prompted, she had been unable to pinpoint the exact cause. Certainly the news about the threat of war unsettled her, but none of her friends or family were in direct harm, so she discounted that as the sole reason. 

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine. She stopped and shivered, pulling her arms tightly about her. "Someone just stepped on my grave," Harriet murmured to no one in particular. Quietly, she slipped out the back door.  The weather thus far this winter had been relatively warm so she disregarded the jacket, which hung on a hook and closed the door. The small sliver of the crescent moon provided just enough illumination to bank the shadows in the yard. As she walked aimlessly around the back yard, a cool breeze ruffled her blonde hair. 

The subdivision was relatively new and filled with young families. The trees that surrounded the houses were small and one could easily see the horizon. She paused at the back corner of the yard, a bright light striking her peripheral vision. Curious, she turned and watched as the light intensified and grew. "What in the world?" she asked. The after glow looked for all the world like. . . . "Like a bomb," she murmured, gripping the low wooden fence. 

A moment later, all doubt in her mind was erased as the high-pitched whine of a smart bomb split the early morning air. She watched as the missile approached, transfixed in morbid curiosity. Macabre thoughts of the damage flashed through her brain at an alarming rate, and still she stood unable to move. Time seemed to slow as she stared. If asked, she would have said that she could swear she saw every inch the missile moved.  But no one asked, because no one could. 

Thirty seconds later, she was dead. 

* * *

I-66 Westbound 
0426 Romeo

Harm sped along the highway trying to exorcise the doubts and uncertainty that caused the fight he'd had with Jordan earlier that day. 'Well, yesterday. ' he thought glancing at his watch. He had been driving most of the night pondering the current mystery of his universe. Why was he so reluctant?After all, it was just meeting his parents. 'Hell, Mac's spoken with my mother almost from the first!' he reminded himself. 'It's no big deal. '

And yet, it was. Even though his father had disappeared in the Korean War, Harm had been raised with the old fashioned values that dictated a guy met his girl friend's parents, and vice versa, when they became serious. 

There it was:the crux of the problem. 'Am I serious about Jordan?' Harm thought, his brow wrinkling as his head laid out the facts of the case.  They had been dating exclusively for two months and started sleeping together early on in the relationship. She was a nice woman from a good background. She made good money and was pleasant to be around, but. . . . 

<But what?> his conscious chastised. <But she isn't Mac?>

Harm jolted out of his reverie, as that thought flitted through his mind.  'No, it's not that,' he automatically argued. 'There's just something missing between us. Something that my parents had, that Mom and Frank have to a certain extent. '

His brain mulled over the new piece of information. <Chemistry?> it offered curiously. 

"Yeah," Harm murmured with a smile. "Chemistry. "There was no awareness between them. No instinctive knowledge that the other was present or absent. Not like with. . . . No, he wouldn't go there. 

"Which begs the ultimate question:am I really that serious about her?" he asked the night air rhetorically. Harm took in a deep breath and released it in a rush. 'No,' he thought with a guilty certainty. 'I'm not. '

<So why do you stay?> the pricking of his conscious echoed. 

"Because I have nowhere else to go?" The words spilled unchecked from his mouth and for a moment, he was mortified. Then as the meaning sunk in, he realized how accurate that statement was. A relationship between himself and Mac, while potentially the most fulfilling of his life, was not only frowned on, it could also get them both slapped with Article 32s. 

Harm heaved a huge sigh. It was a moot argument, and would continue to be so until their situations changed. He would, however, have to break up with Jordan having finally realized that he couldn't replace one woman with another. Refusing to think anymore that night, he leaned forward and clicked on the radio. A low jazz tune filtered through the air, the soft wails of the sax a balm to his turbulent thoughts. 

The high-pitched whine of the Emergency Management Service cut through the last strains of the sax solo. After a moment, the announcer's well-modulated tones broke the noise. His voice was laced with fear as he reported, "We interrupt this program with a special ZNN report. The city of Bethesda, Maryland, has just been attacked by an Iraqi smart bomb. There is no known estimate of the damage and emergency crews have yet to reach the area. It is uncertain what the target of the bomb was. . . "

The announcer continued his report, but Harm couldn't hear anything above the blood pounding in his veins. 'Jordan, no. God, no,' his brain continued to try and process what he had just heard. Frantically, he slammed on the brakes and made an illegal u-turn across the highway's median. Gunning the engine, Harm reached for his cell phone, desperate to ensure the unthinkable hadn't happened. He dialed the familiar number and was thankful to hear the quiet tones. After three rings, someone picked up, but it wasn't Jordan. 

"We're sorry," the tinny voice of a pre-recorded message answered, "but the number you have just dialed has been disconnected or is no longer. . . "

He savagely pressed the End button and the accelerator at the same time.  Then a whisper of a thought dropped his heart from its usual place to somewhere near his stomach. Mac.  Again Harm fingered the phone, but this time, he only pressed 1 and Send.  He had programmed Mac's home number a long time ago. The phone on the other end rang, but once again, no one answered. Shouting a curse into the night, he hit End and dialed 2 and Send:Mac's cell phone number. 

After four long rings, a sleepy voice answered, "H'llo?"

"Mac!Where are you?" Harm cried, relief washing over him. Mac was alive.  She was safe. 

"Harm?" she asked in a husky, sleep-filled tone. "I'm at Dave and Jessica's. Housesitting remember?"

He felt the tension in his shoulders ease a bit before his thoughts drifted back to the reason for his call. "Mac, turn on the TV. 

"Why?What's going on?" 

He could hear her moving around, and urged, "Hurry, Mac. The Arabs have just bombed Bethesda. "

"What?" she cried, fully alert now. The low mutterings of the TV filtered through the phone line. 

"The Arab republics have followed through on their threats of retaliation against the U. S.  for breaking the solemn month of Ramadan. Ignoring warnings from the Arabs, President Clinton urged American fighters to continue their air raids on Iraq. 

"This report just in. Richmond, Virginia and several of its suburbs have been attacked a little less than half hour ago. "

"Oh my God!" Mac breathed. "Bud and Harriet!"

Harm closed his eyes a moment. "Mac, sit tight. Give me directions and I'll be there in a few minutes. "

He hung up the phone a moment later and lifted his eyes toward the stars.  "God in Heaven," he murmured. "What the hell just happened?"

His only answer was the Cheshire grin of the Ramadan crescent moon. 

* * *

Baghdad, Iraq 
May 14, 2000 
215th day of incarceration 
1156 Romeo

Harm lay on his side in the cot, which had been his bed for longer than he could remember. He was so tired. His face now sported a fully grown and unkempt beard, his eyes, once a brilliant shade of blue, were now bloodshot and dead. 

What the hell <had> happened?He had asked himself that question almost every hour of every day after the initial bombing raid. No one had expected the combined fire power of the Arab nations to so totally trounce the U. S.  It wasn't until months later that reports came out about Russia and China's support of the endeavor. 

The war was long and hard-fought. America's only help came from Great Britain.  The other European Community countries were unwilling to get involved in what would surely turn into a nuclear war. 

They were right. The traditional smart bombs and surface-to-air missiles were quickly replaced with nuclear weaponry when it became evident that the Arab countries would not back down. In fact, their combined arsenal actually rivaled that of the U. S.  in quality and quantity though no one outside of the inner circles could guess how. 

Closing his eyes, Harm sighed and rolled over to face the wall. His thoughts drifted back to the weeks after the first attack. Jordan and Harriet were dead and had been buried. Bud, apparently, had gotten up to go to the bathroom when the bomb had hit. He was alive, but badly scarred both emotionally and physically having had to have one leg amputated since it was crushed when the roof caved in. When Harm had last heard, the young lieutenant had been readmitted to a psychiatric facility and put on suicide watch. 

There had been no sign of the admiral. His house in McLean, Virginia, was far enough away from the blasts so that it was undamaged. But Chegwidden himself?It was almost as if he had disappeared. Shortly after the war began, rumors circled that he had been pulled into a special black ops mission before the bombing had occurred. 

And Mac. Harm sighed; his memories of her were tinged with a faint rose color. When war was officially declared, all non-deployable personnel were quickly placed on active duty status and transferred into war units.  Despite his diagnosis of night blindness, he had been reinstated for flight status and shipped out to the NIMITZ (CVN-68) where a Tomcat sat with his name on it.  Mac, however, was not returned to her previous duty. She was transferred to Naval Intelligence to work undercover. Her knowledge of Farsi and other native dialects were in short supply in the intell area.  Harm suspected that Webb had had something to do with that assignment. Not that he would ever learn the truth. Webb had been killed in a hand-to-hand fight with a group of Arab soldiers somewhere in Saudi. 

Mac. Where was she now?He would never forget the last day he had seen her. Exactly one week after the first attack, they stood at the gates to JAG Headquarters and said their goodbyes; she in her olive green uniform, he in an equally green flight suit. For a long time, they just stared, their eyes saying so much more than their mouths ever had or would. He had cupped her cheek softly and traced a path down her nose with his thumb. Her chocolate eyes filled with the tears she had been desperately keeping in check. At length, he pulled her to him and a sob broke through. Harm had shushed her and stroked her hair, trying to ease the pain of separation. He had looked down at her, heartbreak in his eyes and had touched his forehead to hers. 

"Sarah, if you need anything," he had murmured. 

She had closed her eyes and nodded then whispered, "Same here. "They remained locked in an almost lovers embrace each hoping the inevitable would not break into their tiny, fragile world of comfort and peace. The honk of a car horn did finally interrupted them and Harm had eased out of her arms.  "That's my ride. "

Mac had nodded and let him go. "Watch your six, flyboy," she cautioned tearfully. 

"You too, jarhead," he murmured with a slight, sad smile. 

She had watched him walk away and, after a moment, called out, "Harm!"

He had turned and was hit full force by her shining gaze. The love she had stalwartly refused to acknowledge when they were partners blazed in her eyes. Harm's own gaze mirrored hers and he replied, "I know. Me too. " Then he had left and never seen her again. 

Harm opened his eyes and stared at the dirt wall, surprised to find his vision blurry. He drew the back of one hand across his face and wiped away the tears that had unconsciously fallen on his cheeks. 

He trailed his fingers along the wall, tracing the indentations that marked off each day of his incarceration. At midpoint in the war, his Tomcat had been downed by a stray missile. His RIO killed; Harm had received a concussion and broken an arm on impact. He had been in jail when he'd heard the news of the Arab defeat of the U. S.  and Great Britain. 

The instrument of their fall had not been superior fire power but superior intellect. On January first of 2000, all electricity had failed in the world. The Arabs had used that to their advantage and had destroyed key military installations in both the U. S.  and the UK. Without the ability to counterattack with reinforcements, the Allies had had to bow to the Arab leaders. The war was over a mere five days into the 22nd century. 

As dusk fell, the quiet sounds of the desert night filtered through the jail and into Harm's cell. He rose from his cot and eased toward the door.  Cautiously, he surveyed the routine changing of guards. He stretched ever-so-slightly easing out the cramps that had formed during the day and readying himself for his nightly exercises. Though he lacked the energy, his motivation was still at the same fever pitch it had been when he had first been brought there. At some point he would be able to break out and when that day came he had to be ready. 

Beginning with push-ups, he counted backward from 800. Soon enough, he moved to sit-ups and a few Tae-Kwan-Do moves he had picked up on the carrier. He was so engrossed in his movements that he never heard his cell door open. A figure clothed in an Iraqi uniform whispered something in the native language. 

Harm turned quickly at the words, ready to receive a punishing blow from an irate guard, but was stopped short when the intruder placed a small cloth over his mouth and nose.  Harm caught a glimpse of the person's face, a face he'd only seen in his dreams, "My God," he breathed. Then darkness closed in around him. 

* * *

Undisclosed location 
May 15, 2000

Awareness came slowly to Harm. The first thing to break through his dulled senses was the smell. His stomach gurgled as the aroma of meat wafted over him. Blinking rapidly to adjust his eyes to the bright light, he leaned up on one elbow and searched the room for a familiar face. No such luck; the room was empty. He struggled to a seated position, intent on finding out where he was, when the door opened. 

"Good, your awake," replied a voice he would never forget. 

"It is you," he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. "I thought for a moment that I'd dreamed everything. "

"No, unfortunately," the woman replied caustically, "you didn't. "

Harm's brow furrowed with confusion, "Mac?What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied her searching gaze everywhere but on his face.  "And it's Sari now. Mac's dead. "She glanced around the room then finally rested her lifeless gaze on him. "Come on, the Eagle wants to see you. "

Without another word, the woman formerly known as Major Sarah MacKenzie led him down a short corridor and stopped at a door. Knocking twice, she was granted entrance by a short blond man holding an AK-47. She paused just in front of him and came to attention. "Sir, Bane is wake. I've brought him as ordered. "

'Bane?' Harm thought to himself as she reached back and tugged him forward.  The Eagle, much to Rabb's consternation, sat with his back to them apparently studying the wall with great interest. 

"I suppose you feel much like Alice after she was tossed down the rabbit hole," the man offered. It was another voice that Harm remembered distinctly. 

"Admiral?" he asked moving a little to side, trying to see behind the chair that blocked his view. 

"While you've been incarcerated a great many changes have happened," the man remarked without answering Harm's question. "America and Great Britain lost the war. We are now under triumvirate rule by the Arabs, Russians, and Chinese. "Chegwidden paused and Harm kept the silence, sensing the man wasn't finished with his review. 

After a moment, the Eagle, still facing the wall, continued, "The man spearheading this new regime is Ossam bin Ladden. It turns out that he was the main financier of the Arab segment of the war. "

"Um, sir?" Harm asked cautiously, remembering from former dealings with the man that most interruptions were unwelcome. 

"Go on ahead. "

Harm looked from the back of the chair to Mac-Sari, he mentally corrected-and asked, "What happened at home?" 

A bitter chuckle escaped the other man as he answered bitterly, "Home. Home is now a pile of nuclear rubble, or at least most of it is. There are some groups who have been able to hide in the mountains living at a subsistence level. With the exception of a few, all of the major cities were destroyed.  D. C.  still remains intact, farcically so. The Triumvirate took pains to keep it that way to rub our noses in the fact that they now dominate us. "

"What about the other countries?The EU, Japan. . . "

The Eagle snorted derisively, "They are too weak to do anything. The Arab countries hoarded all of the world's supply of petroleum and forced them into submission. "He paused again, then continued, "I suppose you're wondering why you're here. "

"Yes, sir, that thought has crossed my mind. "

"Much as I'd like to say that we don't leave anyone behind, that would be a lie. We need you; we need your expertise. "

"For what?" Harm asked, confusion again evident on his face. 

Chegwidden turned in his chair and faced Harm for the first time. Rabb was shocked by the man's appearance, though he schooled his features against it.  The Eagle had a patch over one eye and sported an angry red scar on the left side of his face. A fierce resolve gleamed in the one eye that remained and he replied, "To take back what's ours. " 

* * *

Undisclosed location 
1749 Romeo

Sari stood guard and watched Harm eat in the large room that served as both the cafeteria as well as the training room.  She was dressed in camos and a red bandana kept her longish hair out of her eyes. Unable to steel herself against the feelings that his presence evoked, she indulged herself in a long hungry look. For the moment, his back was to her and he was unable to see her gaze roaming aimlessly over him. 

Reluctantly, she allowed her thoughts to drift back. She had been in Baghdad on a mission when she'd heard the news of Harm's capture. Although she was a mere thirty miles away from where they were supposedly keeping him, she had been ordered to remain at her assignment. No amount of asking, pleading, or outright blackmailing was able to dissuade her superiors from their stance. She had finished out her mission and then returned to headquarters. 

That was when the dreams, well, nightmares really, had started. Sometimes they were so real she could swear she felt his breath on her cheek. Other times, they were distant, horrifying whispers of punishments he might be enduring. At one point, she had resolved never to sleep again, but then she found her waking times were more disturbed than ever. At least in her dream world she could see him, touch him. In the light of day she was only left with memories. Happy though they were, they were still memories and were no substitute for the almost real quality of her dreams. She had sworn then that no matter what, she would find him. She was his partner. Her allegiance was to him. 

But somewhere along the line, her resolve was weakened. A new and bigger plan had evolved and her drive became divided. Then, the two goals were combined, the one strengthened by the other. And here was the result. A living, breathing, and hungry Harmon Rabb Jr.  sitting in front of her. And what could she do?Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Once again, she was under orders. The mission came first. Always the mission. The impulsive side of her chafed at the restraints put on her, but the logical, rational side understood. There would be time to revisit old feelings, but that time wasn't now. So she hid behind hostility, using her anger at the situation to cover the passions that tempted her. 

Harm rose and turned suddenly. A soft smile tickled his lips as he caught her staring at him. "Where do you want me to put this?" he asked indicating his dirty dishes. 

Sari walked toward him and answered, "I'll take them. You need to see how we dispose of everything around here. "As she took the plate, her fingers inadvertently brushed his. A shock, almost electric in nature, stole up her arm. She glanced down at his hand then up into his eyes. The same hunger that lingered in her gaze fastened on her and held. 

Harm felt the temperature in the room soar as his hand continued to touch hers. Their gazes locked, he moved a finger to lightly caress the back of her hand.  They both ignored the loud crash of the plastic plate as it landed on the floor. It rolled out of the way, then dropped face down. 

He raised his hand to cup her cheek; the action so reminiscent of their last meeting that tears sprung to her eyes. Harm leaned down and was about to brush her lips with his when she jerked away. 

"We can't do this," she said icily, all the while her heart screamed, 'Yes, you can!'Her logic overruled her impulsivity and she continued, "We have a mission ahead of us. We can't become distracted. "Turning on her heel, she picked up the plate and walked to a far door. 

Harm clenched his fists, steeling himself against the urge to turn her around and kiss her anyway. Mission be damned. He watched as she carefully brushed the remaining crumbs from the plate and read the fierce resolve in her shoulders. He would have to wait. Any attempt to continue what had almost happened would surely end with at best broken bones, at worst increased hostility. He drew in a silent breath and followed her to the door careful not to touch her. 

Sari felt his warm breath on the back of her neck and a little shiver of pleasure darted through her. Quelling her body's need to feel his hands and lips, she showed him the mundane tasks that had kept the group undetected and alive. 

* * *

Undisclosed location 
The Eagle's war room 
1823 Romeo

The small group of rebels gathered in the office and either sat or stood, each to his nature, waiting for the Eagle to give them their orders. Harm stood in a corner and searched the faces of the men and women who had sworn an oath to end the tyrannical reign of the Triumvirate. They were all hardened and world-weary. He had seen the same look reflected out of the eyes of Sari. 

The Eagle walked in and everyone's attention suddenly focused. All idle talk had ceased. Harm almost smiled. The only thing missing was Tiner's youthful voice shouting, "Admiral on deck!"A horribly scarred man in a wheelchair followed Chegwidden into the room. Harm couldn't place him, but was sure he had known him in another life. The other man looked at him, recognition flashing in his eyes. The Eagle, noticing their interest, introduced Harm to rest of the group. "This, everyone, is Bane. The last missing piece is in place and the mission can now proceed. "Harm nodded at the others, accepting for the moment, his new designation. "Bane, I'm sure you'll want to get to know the rest of the group. You already know Sari," the look out of Chegwidden's eye warned Harm not to mention that he knew her from their previous lives at JAG. Rabb understood and merely nodded, still curious about the newest addition. "And this is the Brain. He has researched all of the variables and has plotted out the course for the mission. "

The Eagle gave the floor to the man in the wheelchair, who promptly sat up straighter, a maniacal gleam evident in his eyes. Harm knew this was a man who had nothing to lose. Suddenly, he realized just who the Brain was: Bud. An overwhelming sadness engulfed him as the memory of Harriet and the unborn child returned. He really didn't have anything left to lose.  Everything he'd held dear was already gone, victimized by the very forces he now hoped to destroy. 

The Brain looked each person in the eye before speaking. "The time has come to end the domination. But our win will only come if every one of us is completely dedicated to the mission at hand. If there are no doubts as to our loyalties, our allegiance," his gaze settled on Harm. "With the completion of the team, we will begin the end of the Triumvirate. Thanks to Sari, we've learned that the regime is in a state of flux. There is a lot of infighting between three groups and it appears that bin Ladden is the only thing holding the leadership together. If we remove him, then the Triumvirate will fall and the world will get back what it had. "

"What's the plan?" a voice asked from the corner of the room. "bin Ladden is too well-guarded for an up front attack and an intell mission will cut our people off from the group. "

The Brain nodded, "You're right. That's why we are going to attack from the air to draw their attention away from the intell group. "

"Which is why you needed a fighter pilot," Harm murmured. Sari looked at him, searching for any rancor at the motivation for freeing him. Finding none, she realized that he too was committed to the fight. Understanding filled her gaze and Harm snagged her eyes with his. 'Whatever it takes,' he silently promised. 

"When do we attack?" asked another officer, who sat cross-legged on the floor. 

"Tomorrow night. We'll need most of the day to coordinate the plan. The plane has already been appropriated and outfitted with the proper equipment," Bud responded diplomatically. 

"And we want to make sure that everyone is well-rested," commented the Eagle. "Everyone hit the sack. We'll regroup tomorrow at 0700. "He nodded slightly and the men and women dispersed. 

After the others had left, Harm stood in the room with what was left of the JAG team. "Bud," he murmured. "It's so good to see you. "He held out a hand for the other man to shake. 

Bud looked at the proffered curiously, almost as if he were unfamiliar with the greeting. Then slowly a light began to flicker in his eyes. It was the same light that had gleamed when he had been younger in spirit. The pain seemed to lift off of him as he took Rabb's hand and replied, "Commander, it's good to see you too. " 

* * *

Undisclosed location 
2009 Romeo

The four JAG members sat and reminisced for about an hour before Chegwidden had called a halt stating that they too needed rest. For the first time, Harm noticed how much the admiral had aged over the past year. 'He's seen too much for one person,' he thought as he followed Mac to the room where he would sleep. 

It turned out to be the same room he had awoken in earlier that day. The small blanket had been carefully folded and lay at the foot of the cot.  Harm looked around the room, desperate to find something that would keep her a moment longer. His brain finally latched onto the one topic he knew she would discuss. 

"So, about the mission tomorrow," he began. She stood near the doorway, her arms crossed loosely in front of her. "I assume that you'll be leading the intell part?"

She peered at him closely, trying to judge his reasons for keeping her here.  "That's true to a point. I am the intell part. "

Harm blinked a couple of times. "Wait, you're going in without back up?" he asked incredulously. 

"That's the way it's always worked. "She shrugged, "I'm the only one with a good solid knowledge of the language. I distract the key people, then the rest of the group moves in. "

"It's too dangerous," Harm said forcefully. He walked toward her, his face intent, and stopped mere inches from her. 

Her favorite dream had just become reality as his warm breath whispered across her face. He searched her eyes, trying to regain the connection that had come so easily to them in the past. Her breathing stilled, then slowly began again, keeping a perfect cadence with his own. At length, the connection was mended and he found the truth. His mind refused to believe the answer he saw in her eyes. "You don't want to come out," he breathed incredulously. 

She looked away. He had guessed it; her ultimate secret, but she couldn't let him know the reason behind it, so couldn't jeopardize the mission. Harm lightly gripped her chin and forced her gaze back to him. "Sarah," he prompted, "look at me. "

Sarah. No one had called her that in a very long time. When she had joined the rebellion, she had been forced to choose another name so her past activities couldn't be tracked. She had become Sari, a derivative of the name her father had given her. 

"Talk to me. Why?Why do you so recklessly risk your life?" concern filled his blue eyes. 

She closed her eyes, steeling herself to tell the lie one more time. The lie she had repeated so often it had become almost truth to her. And yet, it wasn't the truth. One look at his face told her he would accept nothing less than whole, unvarnished fact, just like always. 

Realizing she wasn't ready to bare all, he gave her a reprieve. "When I was in that Iraqi prison," he began, his eyes drifting off to some unseen place, "do you know what I thought about?What I dreamed about for the great majority of the time?"

She shook her head unconsciously, equal parts longing and hating to hear his next words. 

"You, Sarah, I thought about you," he reached up and cupped her jaw. Slowly so as not to startle her, he brought his forehead down to hers. "God, I've missed you," he breathed into her hairline as a stray kiss landed at her temple. 

The hands she had so resolutely confined loosened on their own accord and drifted up to settle at the back of his neck. His hair was longer and she could freely move her fingers through the dark strands. After a moment, he crushed her to him, banding his arms about her, one high across her shoulders and the other low just above her hips. Slowly they sank into one another, both taking and giving strength. 

"I never forgot about you, Harm," she swore solemnly into his neck. "When I heard that you'd been captured, I was so close to breaking you out, but. . . . "

"You were under orders," he whispered.  "I'm glad you didn't. The guards were ordered to shoot anyone on sight. You would've been killed before you'd even gotten through the gate. "He paused and traced her hairline with his lips. "I'd spend a thousand lifetimes in that cell if I knew it would keep you safe. "

She breathed in the musky smell of him, her nose buried at the juncture between his neck and shoulder. She tried to move out of his arms after a few minutes murmuring, "The mission; it has to come first. "

He tugged her back into his embrace and reminded, "Nothing's going to stop the mission now. "His eyes glittered with barely checked feelings as he leaned back to gaze at her. "It's time, Sarah. There's nothing in the way now. No chain of command, no substitute lovers. Just you and me. "Harm's eyes pierced her own, searching for reluctance. He found none. 

She burrowed her way back to her previous spot. He felt and smelled so good, better than any memories her mind could conjure up. She nuzzled his neck and quietly, almost tentatively, licked him, like a child would taste a new lollipop flavor. Harm's eyes snapped open at the light contact. Heat flooded his body. He pulled her head back gently, and captured her lips with searing intensity. 

Backing her up against the door, his fingers searched and found the tiny lock. Hearing it snick into place, Mac smiled against his lips and gave herself fully to the feeling of being in the arms of the man she loved above all else. 

* **

Undisclosed location 
0526 Romeo

Mac lay on top of Harm wrapped in the safe cocoon of his embrace. The warmth from their combined body heat kept at bay the slight chill that had seeped in during the night. She snuggled closer to him, relishing in the feel of finally being in his arms. 

"Stop squirming, jarhead, or you might be in for more than you planned," Harm murmured huskily. 

She propped her head and on one hand and looked down at him. "What makes you think you're not the first thing on my itinerary?" she asked saucily as she planted a quick kiss on his lips. 

"Oooh, fighting words," he replied, a gleam in his eye.  Within a second he had reversed their positions and she lay pinned lightly beneath him. "Wanna put your money where your mouth his?"

"With you, flyboy?" she asked tenderly. "Anytime, anywhere. "She raised a hand and stroked the dark stubble that had grown on his cheek during the night and whispered, "I love you, Harm. "

He brushed her bangs back from her forehead and placed a soft kiss on her nose. "I love you, too. I have from the start. "

Her brow wrinkled with surprise. "Even when we first met and I was so rotten to you?"

He nodded, "Even then. One look into your eyes and I was lost. I just tried to deny what was right in front of me all the time. "

She smiled softly and leaned up her lips covering his, stoking the fire that had burned for years. Harm pulled away slightly and asked, "Do we have time?"

"Relax, it's only 5:36. We've got all the time in the world," her eyes filled with promise as he bent his head to hers. 

** *

Undisclosed location 
The Eagle's war room 
0704 Romeo

The group had gathered once more in the war room to hash out the plans for the attack. Harm, using the Russian Mig that had been stolen, would do a flyby of the military installation. While the guards were distracted, Mac, disguised as an Arab harlot, would sneak in and give the rest of the group details about bin Ladden's location. Once he was confirmed dead, the group would slip out unnoticed and meet Harm back at their base. 

After he had formally outlined the plan, Bud stated, "Having no obvious threat to their power, the Arabs have become lazy, which is key in our attack. By the time they respond to our presence, we will be gone. Are there any questions?" he asked looking around the room. 

Harm and Mac stood near the door their bodies almost touching.  Imperceptibly, Mac reached behind her and gripped his hand hard, warning him against voicing his objections to the plan. Much as he hated to admit it, Harm agreed that the plan was a sound one. Mac would be safer going in alone, especially with the cover she had been given.  He reluctantly squeezed her hand back, signaling his acknowledgement. She sighed inwardly with relief and laced her fingers through his. 

The next several hours were spent detailing the exact plan of attack. Much to his secret delight, Chegwidden noticed that whenever either of the two moved or spoke, the other's eyes would follow with rapt attention. At length, he called a break for lunch and watched as Harm and Mac left the others in favor of some quiet time alone. 

'Good,' he thought as he gathered up the plans on his desk. 'They deserve to be happy. It's about damn time someone was around here. ' 

* * *

Undisclosed location 
1604 Romeo

After spending most of the afternoon checking supplies and running drills, the team was finally ready. Harm stood near the Mig, dressed in a flight suit, helmet loosely gripped in one hand. Mac, having received the last of her orders from Chegwidden, walked toward him, the brightly colored Arabian skirt swirling around her ankles. 

"Hi," she murmured softly and reached up to smooth the collar of his suit. 

"Hi yourself," he replied, then promptly hauled her into his arms, uncaring who might be watching. 

She sank into him, sending a silent prayer heavenward asking to keep him safe. He pressed her head into his shoulder absorbing the melting softness of her frame. 

After what seemed like a lifetime he murmured, "Sarah, if you need anything. . . " 

She closed her eyes, her mind faithfully replaying the familiar conversation. Mac nodded, her movement more a caress than an assent, then whispered, "Same here. " 

Just like before, their quiet idyll was interrupted all to soon. Chegwidden cleared his throat and Mac, recognizing the order in his tone, eased out of his arms. "I guess I need to go. "

Harm nodded and reluctantly released her. "Watch your six, jarhead; I want you back in one piece," he cautioned, the ache in his voice belying the encouraging smile on his face.  "Same here, flyboy," she murmured with a slight smile, her eyes filled with love. 

He watched as she started to walk away and, after a moment, grabbed her lightly by the wrist and turned her around. "I love you," he murmured once before his lips locked on hers. 

They remained wrapped in each other's arms until Chegwidden approached them and ordered gruffly, "I hate to break up this lovefest, but if I remember correctly, we have a job to do. "

Mac broke the kiss and seeing the smile on the Eagle's face, she nodded once. She turned back to Harm and whispered one last time against his lips, "I love you. "This time when he let her go, Harm didn't move to bring her back. Instead, he watched as she climbed into the Arab jeep and drove off.  After she had disappeared from sight, he crawled up into the cockpit and began to prepare for flight. 

***

bin Ladden's compound 
Undisclosed location in Iraq 
1712 Romeo

Sari had been flirting unabashedly with the guard on duty for two minutes before he allowed her access into the compound. Once inside, she charmed her way to the innermost rooms and found bin Ladden himself resting on a group of giant pillows. Stealing her way down the hall, she hid behind a clump of palm trees and waited for word that Harm's diversion had worked. 

After a few tense minutes, a mass of concerned voices filled the hall.  Groups of soldiers raced down hall. It had worked. She tiptoed across the hall and peered into the now cracked doorway leading to bin Ladden's chamber. Sari pulled out a small transceiver to signal the group that they should attack. 

Suddenly, a hand gripped her shoulder and forcibly turned her around. She stared into the face of an Arab soldier. He grinned evilly and jerked the transceiver out of her hand. "I knew something more was going on. You were about to call in reinforcements, weren't you?" he asked in Farsi. 

Knowing she had been caught, a pre-rehearsed denial spilled from his lips.  He shook his head resignedly and replied, "Don't even bother. "

A disturbance down the hall drew his attention away from her momentarily and she seized the opportunity. Ramming a knee into his groin, she used the heel of her hand to shove his nose into his brain. He dropped to the ground, dead. 

Lifting the 9mm off of the guard, she realized that the group would now have no time to complete the mission. Sari took in a quiet breath and quietly disobeyed the orders the Eagle had given her. 

She gently pushed in the door to the room and stealthily approached the seated man. Placing the gun at the back of his neck, she pulled the trigger. Blood spilled from the gaping hole she had created in his throat. 

Sari tossed the gun aside and watched as the life seeped out of bin Ladden.  Satisfied, she turned and was brought face to face with another guard. He grabbed her and hauled her toward him. Digging his gun into her temple, he dragged her out of the room. 

The other soldiers' voices blended together and only snippets of the words filtered through her brain. The plane had been shot down. They were bringing the pilot to the compound. 

'Harm!' she mentally cried as the soldier pushed her into a small room. The guard forced her into a chair and another man bound her wrists and feet. A moment later, Harm was dragged into the room. His face was bloody and he was nearly doubled over. Two soldiers held him upright as the apparent leader paced between his two captives. 

"So, it would seem we have unannounced guests," the man began, his voice deceptively soft. "One of you will tell me your plans or the other will die. "He walked over to Mac and lightly ran a finger down her cheek; she stiffened, her mouth forming a tense line. Harm, predictably struggled against his captors and was promptly hit in the stomach with the butt of an AK-47. 

"Now," the Arab continued, "it just remains to be seen who will talk and who will die. "

Mac's gaze locked on Harm's and a silent exchange of love crossed the room.  The leader walked behind Mac and quickly pulled his gun out of his holster.  Aiming it at her temple, he murmured in Harm's direction, "Do you have anything to say?"

The pair carried on a silent conversation all their own. 'Don't say a word, Harm. He'll kill me anyway. '

'Sarah, we're going to get out of this. The Eagle knows. Reinforcements are coming. '

Frustrated by his inability to draw a response from him, the leader whipped an open hand across her face, drawing blood at the corner of her mouth.  Sari bit her tongue to stave off the cry of pain. 

The leader then moved toward Harm and hit him directly in the face. The blow connected solidly and a sickening crack pierced the air signaling he had broken Harm's nose. When he was able to lift his head again, Mac's eyes searched his, sending soothing thoughts his way.  "Ah, enough," the leader griped. "This has grown boring. "He raised the gun toward Mac and fired once. 

The bullet ripped its way through her abdomen leaving a searing pain in its wake. Blood spilled uncheck from the wound and Mac slumped over trying to put some pressure on it to ease the bleeding. 

It wasn't enough. Blood continued to pour from her. Knowing that the end was close, she raised her head and gazed intently at her lover. 'I love you. Save yourself,' her eyes whispered. 'Go. '

His tear-filled eyes returned her words of love. 'Not without you, Sarah. '

A sudden rush of adrenaline flowed through him and he broke free from his attackers. Knowing he was outgunned, Harm still grabbed the nearest weapon and began firing at random. The four guards dropped quickly, but he could hear the pounding feet of reinforcements. He prayed they were friendly though he doubted the possibility. Harm dove toward Mac intent on shielding her body with his own. As he reached her, she murmured once more, "Go. "

He nodded as he kissed her forehead softly, "Yes, we're going together. "He grabbed another gun that had been tossed to the side and readied himself for the soldiers. 

The door slammed open and Harm fired both weapons, able to get off a quick round or two before the enemy's bullets ripped through his chest. He slumped to the ground beside Sarah and looked deeply into her dying eyes.  Unable to say the words, she stared back at him, her gaze filled with love. 

He raised his hand to move an errant lock of hair from her cheek. "I love you," he whispered one last time. Harm watched as the light in her eyes died and then slowly clasped her to him, joined in death as they had been unable to join in life. 
 

THE END