SIXTH SEASON
PAST TENSE
Author's Note:
Mac is due to marry Commander (Mic) Michael Brumby. As the wedding closes in Mac is beginning to have second thoughts. I decided to start with Season Six-Lifeline, because it's here that we start to see the relationship between Renee and Harm start to unravel. I thought here would be a perfect time to start working on getting the 'Video Princess' out of the way.
Disclaimer: I do not own the JAG characters nor do I receive any money for doing this.
Part 1
2231 Local Time
North of Union Station
Washington DC
Renee and Harm walk into Harm's apartment after obviously being out on a date. First, he opens the door and then he reaches around the corner to flip on the lights. Renee walks in after and deposits her coat on the back of the couch.
"Well, I thought you liked Likerssini's." Harm said, referring to his go-to restaurant when it came to planning 'date night' with Renee.
"I did." Renee said as she moved away from the living area and headed towards the kitchen. "It's just that we always go to dinner. We haven't gone to a movie in ages."
Harm, with his back to Renee, let out an inwardly groan. His creativity or lack thereof, when it came to date night with Renee, was not something that he wanted to discuss. "Any particular movie in mind?" He asked, wondering what movie she'd come up to torture him with this time.
"Yeah. You know the one with what's his name and the actress with the sibilant 'S'?"
He didn't have a clue as to what movie she was talking about, "Wow that's scary." He said sarcastically
"No, it's a comedy." Renee went on totally missing the point.
"No, it was scary because I knew exactly what movie you were talking about." Harm said. It was about this time that time that Renee began to pick up on Harm's sarcasm.
"Ha ha ha…." She said, as she dug through her purse looking for God knows what.
Harm was hoping that it wasn't condoms because the last thing he wanted was for her to spend the night at his place. When that happened it usually ended with the two of them in bed and that part of their relationship had become more and more like a chore and less like something that should have been spontaneous and fun. Now if a certain Marine where here….Harm walked over to the answering machine and hit the play button hoping that whoever it was that called would get his mind out of the gutter and on to a slightly safer topic.
It's Jordan. I'm back from Spain. Well actually, I've been back for four months. I'm running a new Psychiatric counselling center in Quantico. I'm billeted there on base– in temp housing. Anyway, I was thinking about you. Thought we might talk. 763-555-2699.
In retrospect after seeing Renee's reaction, he wished he had waited until she left to check his messages. This was one call that he would have rather returned in private. He hit the stop button on the answering machine and then turned and headed back towards the kitchen area.
"You want some wine?" He asked hoping to get Renee's mind off of the phone call. She already had some heartburn about his and Mac's relationship. Throw Jordan into the mix….and all hell was going to break loose.
"Sure. I think the elephant might want some to."
Damn, Harm sighed. She wasn't going to let it go and he could tell that it was going to be a long night.
"What?" He tossed back over his shoulder as he stood in front of the fridge searching for the bottle of wine that he knew was in there. He really was going to need it now, he thought.
"The one you're ignoring. You just received a message from your old girlfriend, Harm."
She was beginning to piss him off. So what if he received a phone message from an old girlfriend. What business was it of hers anyway? He watched in disbelief as Renee walked over to the phone.
"Renee…" He said drawing out her name, in irritation.
"Call her back." Renee ordered, and it was quickly becoming obvious that she wasn't about to let any of this this go. "What was it?" She asked as she picked up the phone. "555-2624?" She repeated the number that she thought she had heard and when Harm confirmed that, it was correct she began to dial the number. "Want me to put it on speaker phone?" She asked.
"I already have." Harm said as he grabbed the phone away from her and they both listened while it rang and the call connected.
"Parker Residence." A male voice whom Harm didn't recognize answered.
"Hello, is Lieutenant Commander Parker there, please?" Harm asked, and then he thought–I'll show Rene Peterson that I have no other feelings for Jordan other than friendship. In fact, anything that he had felt for her had long since dissipated since the two of them had parted ways. If only that stupid Aussie hadn't interfered….
"Who am I speaking with, please?" The same strange voice asked, interrupting Harm's thoughts and this time sending a prickle of apprehension up his spine.
"Commander Harmon Rabb." He answered apprehensively.
"This is NCIS Special Agent Kenworthy, Commander."
Without hesitation, Harm took the phone off of speaker and put the receiver up to his ear. Whatever the Agent had to say, he wasn't sure that he wanted Renee in on the conversation.
"Are you a friend of hers?" The agent asked.
"Yes I am." Harm answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you, but Commander Parker is dead.
JAG intro music and intro clips of Harm in the court room, Harm in his Jet, etc…
Much to Renee's dismay, Harm told her that she could stay or she was free to leave. He on the other hand, after hearing about Jordan's death was adamant that he drive out there and see what he could do. He half listened while she argued her point at the same time grabbing his keys, jacket, and wallet. Without saying a word, he walked out the door and left–leaving behind an open mouthed Renee and for the first time in a long while he could have cared less.
Harm drove the fifty or so miles to Quantico in complete silence. He hadn't even bothered to turn on the radio. In fact, it wasn't until he arrived and saw all of the emergency vehicles that it began to sink in that she was really dead.