Title: Don't Close Your Eyes

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.

Spoilers: Legacy Parts I and II

Summary and Notes: I, for one, loved both "Legacy Parts I and II." However, I saw them both as the beginning of the end on Brumby's part. For some reason, he just doesn't strike me as the kinda man who's gonna hang around just to walk the dog for too much longer. Also, I still see Mac as someone who is really torn between two men, one who is obvious with his affection and attention, and the other who is...um...well...a little clueless. This piece reflects those beliefs, but with quite the sympathetic eye towards Brumby. If that thought annoys you, please delete this.

Note: This beautiful song belongs to Mr. Keith Whitley.

Special thanks to Susan, an invaluable Beta reader and friend.

Part 1: Legacy I Missing Scene

I know you loved him a long time ago

And even now in my arms, you still want him I know

But darling this time let your memories die

When you hold me tonight

Don't close your eyes

Don't close your eyes, let it be me

Don't pretend it's him in some fantasy

Darling just once let yesterday go

And you'll find more love than you've ever known

Just hold me tight when you love me tonight

And don't close your eyes

He watched the glowing numbers turn slowly to 3:42 a.m. and silently wondered why Mac even had an alarm clock in her bedroom. He knew that she would instinctively wake up in one hour and eighteen minutes and push him out the door so she could get ready to start her day. Rolling carefully so he wouldn't disturb her slumber, Mic pushed himself up on one forearm and spent a moment or two simply watching her sleep. The moonlight cast subtle shadows on her face and her slight smile showed a peace that Mic hadn't seen in quite a while. Perhaps he hadn't really seen it since he showed up unexpectedly at the Surface Warfare Ball.

Closing his eyes, Mic fought the urge to reach out and brush a stray lock of hair from Mac's cheek as he wondered what had put that smile on her face. For only a moment, he let himself believe that it was him. Sighing deeply, he allowed his mind to drift back to their conversation earlier in the night. For weeks he'd been to afraid to ask Mac if she was happy that he'd shown up, and Mic supposed that the car explosion had finally given him the nudge he needed to ask. She'd answered honestly after a stilted, uncomfortable moment, and Mic could almost make himself believe that she was truly happy, though she was surprised. Then she'd even agreed to let him share her bed for one night, but it was that moment of hesitation that made him afraid that his Sarah would never really share his heart.

Moments ticked away as Mic thought about all the ways he would try to make her understand that she belonged with him, the ways that he could make her happy. He'd done this millions of times as he'd tried to talk Mac into going out with him and as he'd plotted a moonlit proposal and especially as he had thrown it all away and moved halfway around the world. However, there was one thing he never really considered. He'd never considered that maybe, just maybe she didn't belong with him. Maybe she wouldn't, or even couldn't be happy with him. Maybe it was someone else who put that smile on her face tonight.

Involuntarily letting out a soft curse, Mic wasn't able to stop himself before he stirred the woman lying beside him.

Although her voice was half-lost in sleep, he could make out her groggy, "Mic? You okay."

Mic almost laughed at the irony as he had to wait one long, uncomfortable moment before he answered, "Fine, Sarah. I'm fine. You go back to sleep." He paused for a long moment before he finished softly, "Just close your eyes, Sarah."

Not hearing the lost, almost defeated quality in his voice, Mac simply yawned and turned into the warmth of the man lying beside her. Soon she had fallen asleep, leaving Mic wide awake and staring at the ceiling.

Part 2: Legacy II Missing Scene

Maybe I've been a fool holding on all this time

Lying here in your arms knowing he's in your mind

But I keep hoping someday that you'll see the light

Let it be me tonight

Don't close your eyes

Don't close your eyes, let it be me

Don't pretend it's him in some fantasy

Darling just once let yesterday go

And you'll find more love than you've ever known

Just hold me tight when you love me tonight

And don't close your eyes

When several days had passed, Mic found himself once again lying sleeplessly in Sarah Mackenzie's arms. She'd fallen victim to exhaustion only minutes after walking through her apartment door, but she hadn't forgotten to thank him for coming to pick her up at the airport. Mic had simply smiled a bit and told her that was what he was there for. This earned him a quick kiss before he watched Mac strip off the day-old uniform and fall to sleep pleading jet lag.

He wasn't really surprised that she'd fallen asleep so quickly. He'd seen the jet-lag at the airport...and he'd seen the look that passed between Harm and Mac as they walked, not arm in arm, but close enough to support the other if it was needed, from the gate. In those days that Mac had been out of contact with him, Mic knew that something had happened, and figured it probably had something to do with Harm. If there was any truth to the strange conversation he'd had with Clayton Webb hours before the plane landed, Mac had gone deep into enemy territory at the mere suggestion that Harmon Rabb was in trouble, and then she'd risked her life to protect him...and the president of Russia.

At that thought, Mic had to swallow a laugh. That described Sarah all right, he thought. However he immediately sobered. Even if he hadn't wanted to admit it, Admiral Chegwidden's bold question from days before had made him think. Was he really afraid for Sarah's life? Or was he afraid that Sarah could happily live her life without him?

As if she knew that he was thinking about her, Mac shifted closer into his warmth and opened her eyes slightly. Instinctively, Mic's arms went around her, and he felt her whisper into his chest, "I missed you, Mic." Then she lifted her face and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, her eyes closing as her mouth met his.

For a moment, a war waged within Mic Brumby. He fought the urge to kiss her back, but felt the insistent warmth of her lips on his. For just a moment, he allowed himself to enjoy the sensation there, but then he reached up with one hand and cupped her cheek. Mac opened her eyes once more and saw the questions and confusion and perhaps hurt in Mic's eyes.

His voice soft, he simply whispered, "Sarah...don't close your eyes."

Just hold me tight when you love me tonight

And don't close your eyes

The End