Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Timeline: In season 10 Jag: San Diego
Pre-story: This happens as a result of a conversation amongst the women about the type of men they are interested in.
Author Note: This is based on one of my favorite scenes from JAG. I hope you like it! Oh, some of the details about Tali Mayfield may be incorrect. I am not too familiar with her.
DEAD END?
"Or a Navy suit with Commander stripes…… Or a Navy suit with Commander stripes…… Or a Navy suit with Commander stripes……"
Those words kept replaying in her head as she tried her best to go to sleep. Why did that one, simple statement have such a huge effect on her? She had always known that he was the perfect guy for her—the third kind of guy, with his confidence, his ability to stand up to her, his ocean blue eyes, that sinfully entrancing smile—but all of his perfection could not make up for his impracticality. Why couldn't she just treat him like every other man and move on from this dead end street. Although she knew damn well what the answer was, Mac did her best not to think about that. She was in San Diego—with its warm climate, beautiful people, and gorgeous views—but all she wanted was to be back in Washington freezing her ass off with him. WHY!
Mac tossed and turned in bed, until she couldn't take it anymore. She picked up the phone and dialed the number.
A sleepy voice answered the phone, "Hello?"
"Lt. Mayfield? I'm sorry for waking you, but…."
"Col. Mackenzie? Oh, mam…." Tali snapped as she realized who she was talking to.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you. It will only take a minute."
Eager to please Tali responded, "Yes, mam. Just give me a few minutes to get my uniform on, mam."
"No Tali, just throw something on. This is about a personal matter, not business."
"Oh, ok. Room 716, right?"
"That's right."
Even though asking these questions would require a lot of soul searching afterwards, Mac had to know why Tali said what she did. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Mam, is everything okay?"
"Well, define okay. And, this is not about the military, call me Mac."
"Alright."
"And, I'm so sorry that I got you up in the middle of the night. I couldn't sleep after what you said."
"If I said anything out of line Col. I am truly sorry…"
Mac interrupted her, "No, no, no. Actually, you might have been helpful in a weird kind of way. I am referring to what you said while we were talking in the ladies' room. You know, about me liking the guy with the Commander stripes?"
"I didn't mean anything by it. I just noticed the chemistry between you two, or better yet the tension."
"Well, that's why I got you out of bed. You—like everyone else around us—obviously see something that we don't." She paused thinking to herself, 'or maybe just ignore.' She continued on with a bit of hesitancy in her voice, "I want to understand what everyone else sees. So, I can move on or….Anyway."
"Mac, I have only been at JAG for a short while, but the thing between you two is undeniable. Honestly, I've got to hand it to you; I would have given into his charms a very long time ago if I were you."
"Sometimes, I wish that it were that easy."
"Well, maybe it is. Maybe, the two of you complicate really simple things."
Mac's mind was flooded with memories of that fateful night she told Harm those exact words. She was quiet for a moment, lost in thought. Why was it so complicated?
"Tali, I wish I knew the answer. But, I don't."
"Very few people ever know the answer, but faith carries them. You sometimes have to take a chance and step out on pure faith."
Cynically Mac replied, "Like the blind leading the blind?"
"I guess, if that's the way you want to look at it. No one ever got the fairy tale ending by playing it safe."
"I'm not so sure that 'fairy tale ending' is a choice in my life."
"Mac, can I be blunt?"
"Sure."
"I have never seen you like this. You are always so strong and sure of yourself."
"Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, Tali."
"Oh no, not at all. It is actually admirable that a strong, independent woman such as yourself can be so vulnerable when it comes to the man she loves."
That statement caught Mac's ear. She wished that he could see that.
Walking Tali to the door Mac said, "Thanks Tali."
"Anytime, Col."
"By the way, how did you become so insightful?"
"Well my dad is a preacher, my mom is a marriage counselor, and Commander Rabb helped a little."
"What?"
"Well you are not the only one who sought out my advice."
With that statement, Tali continued down the hall to her room. Mac's head began to spin even more than it had before. What had he said to Tali?