disclaimer: They belong to DPB, CBS and PARAMOUNT.
THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL
December 1st
JAG - HQ
Falls Church/Virginia
1400 ZULU
Today at the weekly staffmeeting was a new person.
A young woman, blue eyes, blond hair, wearing the uniform of a First Lieutenant in the USMC.
Everyone looked at her.
She stood two steps behind Admiral Chegwidden, who hadn't introduced her yet.
"With Lieutenant Sims on maternity leave, Commander Imes ill and Commander Mattoni on personal leave we have too much work and less people. I have asked JAG L.A. for help. They have sent us First Lieutenant Sophia Reed, who will support us for the next month. They told me about her that she is going to be a goddamnit lawyer" Admiral Chegwidden introduced her.
"Sir, with all due respect. I don't have the intension to be a very good lawyer. I just want to do the right thing, I want to fight for justice, Sir" she interrupted him.
"Whatever. Colonel MacKenzie, this is Lieutenant Reeds personal record, she helps you and Commander Rabb with the Higgins-trial."
"Aye Aye, Sir."
Later
Mac's Office
"Lieutenant Reed, I learn from your file that you have joined the Marines at the age of 16."
"Ma'am, that's right. After my parent's death the corps is my only family, Ma'am" Sophia Reed answered.
"It is 6 years ago."
"Ma'am, yes, 6 years ago, Ma'am."
"Commander Rabb and I are working at an important case. Your job is to help us. We need some informations" Mac said and gave her a list.
"Ma'am, I will do whatever you want, Ma'am."
"Lieutenant, it is enough when you call me Ma'am one time. I am your fellow officer and not your Drill Sergeant."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Your are dismissed, Lieutenant."
"Aye Aye, Ma'am."
After Sophia has left the office Harm and Mac looked at each other for a moment.
"She remembers me of myself when I joined the corps" Mac said.
"Why?"
"Haven't you seen the look in her eyes?"
"There's only one woman I look into the eyes." Harm answered and gave her his famous smile.
"Red light, Commander."
"Oh, you think this comment was about you? You are wrong, Colonel."
"Whatever. Have you read her personal record? It is perfect. Joined the Marines with 16, two years in Africa, OCS, then she has worked for the UN, then Los Angeles and now she is here at JAG. No black mark."
"Sounds like a fine officer" Harm said.
"Yes."
"Ok, now back to the case."
December 5th
JAG-HQ
Library
1600 ZULU
For 5 days Sophia was working for JAG.
Enough time to notice the tension between Harm and Mac when they were talking.
Sophia knew her job and what she had to do.
At the moment she did some research for Mac.
Someone walked behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
Sophia smiled. Without turning around she knew that it was Jason Tiner, the Admiral's yeoman.
Sophia liked this young guy, he was so full of life. He made her laugh.
"Hello, Tiner" she said and turned around.
"Ma'am, Colonel MacKenzie send me. She asked if you finished your research and if not she asks me to help you" Tiner said.
"That is nice. . . Ehm, Petty Officer, could you look where the penal code is?" Sophia said.
"The penal code? Ma'am, we use the UCMJ. We are in the military and for crimes we have the UCMJ which defines the law" Tiner looked at her surprised.
"But I need the penal code for my research. Have I made myself clear, Petty Officer?" Sophia gave him a stern look but tried to hide a smile.
"Sure, Ma'am, yes, Ma'am, whatever, Ma'am" Tiner said and was gone.
Sophia started to smile. She liked this new job of hers. She was an authority for some people. She was. . . ehm, Richard Gere was an Officer and Gentleman, this means she has to be an Officer and Lady, or whatever.
Kitchen
1900 ZULU
For the fifth time today Sophia walked into the kitchen to refill her coffeecup.
All the times before the kitchen was empty and she had a moment for herself but this time she collided with Harm.
"Lieutenant Reed, how far are you with the research?" Harm asked.
"As far as possible, Sir. And with Petty Officer Tiners help I will be finished hopefully at the end of tomorrow afternoon" Sophia promised him.
"Colonel MacKenzie and I will need the information tomorrow at 1200 ZULU sharp" Harm told her.
"No problem, Sir."
Sophia left the kitchen, she knew she would need heavenly help to finish the research in time
Outside the kitchen Sophia ran into Gunny.
"Gunnery Sergeant, are you busy at the moment?" Sophia asked.
"No, Ma'am."
"Then I need your help. I have to do some research for Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie, and even with Petty Officer Tiner's help I won't finish the research until tomorrow afternoon, and they need the information tomorrow early in the morning."
"What do you want me to do?" Gunny asked.
"I need twenty personal records. I will make you a list with the names. And I need any information you can get on Misty Higgins" Sophia said.
"No problem, Ma'am."
"Until tonight" she added.
"I will see what I can do."
Late in the evening
JAG-HQ
0300 ZULU
Harm, Mac and Sophia were still at JAG, Harm and Mac discussing the case and Sophia doing the research.
"Mac, what time is it?" Harm yawned.
"0305 ZULU" she answered without looking at her watch.
"It's late, we both should go home" Harm said and stretched his arms.
"Yes, a long hot bath and then my bed" Mac said and stood up.
As both walked into the bullpen they saw Sophia sitting at her desk, rapidly typing at her computer. They looked at each other surprised and walked towards Sophia.
"Lieutenant, it's late. You can finish your work tomorrow" Mac said.
"No, Ma'am. You need the information tomorrow early in the morning" Sophia said without looking away from the screen.
"That's right. But we don't need a tired Lieutenant in the morning" Harm said.
"I am nearly finished, just another 30 minutes" Sophia lied.
"30 minutes and then you are gone" Mac said and together with Harm she went to the elevator.
December 6th
JAG-HQ
Kitchen
1130 ZULU
Sophia stayed the whole night at the Headquarter.
Finishing the research has had a higher priority than sleep.
At the moment she was in the kitchen, pouring herself another cup of coffee. After the thirtieth she had stopped counting.
Mac and Harm entered the kitchen together.
"Ma'am, Sir" Sophia greeted them.
"Lieutenant, you look tired. When have you stopped working last night?" Mac asked.
"I don't know" Sophia lied.
"Judged by the circles under your eyes it must have been very late" Mac said.
"5 minutes ago" Sophia whispered.
Harm and Mac heard her.
"5 minutes ago?!! Lieutenant, we have told you that you could finish your research today" Harm said.
"Sure you have, Sir."
"And why don't you follow our advice?" Mac asked.
"Because I have thought it was really important, Ma'am" Sophia told them.
"Maybe, but this doesn't mean that you have to work the whole night" Mac said.
"It won't happen again, Ma'am."
December 15th
JAG-HQ
Bullpen
1900 ZULU
Everyone could listen to Mac and Harm's latest argument.
They were standing in the middle of the bullpen shouting at each other.
"You think it is all about you?! God damnit, Harm. It is always you. You return to flying. You have had a miserable childhood without your beloved daddy. You wanted everything. But this time, Mister, you can't have everything. Not this time. Remember, you aren't the only person on earth! You are an egoist! I hate you!"
"Oh, little Sarah MacKenzie feels lonely again, like always. Mac, did (do?) you know that there are some people in the world who were loved? Not everyone in this world is cold and heartless like you, Joseph MacKenzies daughter. You are not more then this. You are just his daughter. You always were and always will be. And no one could ever love the icequeen, not even..." Harm stopped before he could finish his sentence.
"Bastard!" she said and slapped him hard on the cheek.
"What was that for?"
"You are the reason I feel miserable"
"Sarah, I..." Harm started.
"No. I know that there is no man in the whole world who could love a mean drunk" she used the words he has once said to her.
"Sarah, listen to me" Harm begged.
"No, you have already said enough" And with that she left him standing in the middle of the bullpen.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
0200 ZULU
Harm was laying awake on his couch.
Today he has had a big fight with Mac.
And now he wanted to apologize to her but he didn't know how.
Harm lifted the receiver and dialed her number.
"This is Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzies Apartment, I am not at home, please leave a message after the peep. . . . peep."
"Mac. . . Sarah, it's me, Harm. I am sorry for what has happend, please call me when you are at home."
Harm put the receiver down and sighed.
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
0200 ZULU
"This is Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzies Apartment, I am not at home, please leave a message after the peep. . . . peep. . . Mac. . . Sarah, it's me, Harm. I am sorry for what has happend, please call me when you are at home."
Mac sat on her couch, tears glistening in her eyes.
He had hurt her with his words.
A moment later there was a knock at her door.
Mac didn't want to stand up and look who it was.
Then there was a voice.
"Colonel MacKenzie, Ma'am, I know that you are at home. Please, Ma'am, open the door" Sophias voice came through the door.
Mac sighed, she dried the tears in her eyes with a cleenex before she got up and opened the door.
"Sophia, something wrong?" Mac asked.
"Can I talk to you for a minute, Ma'am?"
"Sure, come in."
A minute later they sat together on Mac's couch, both with a cup of herbal tea, talking.
"Something you want to talk about?" Mac asked.
"I am not sure. Personal problems, regulation and my lovelife" Sophia answered.
"You can tell me what bothers you" Mac said.
"We are in the same chain of command. I know that he loves me and he means a lot to me. But I love my job with heart and soul. I don't know what to do" Sophia told Mac.
"Why have you joined the Marines?" Mac asked Sophia.
"I don't know. It feels like home."
"For some people it is the only home they ever know."
"Yes."
"But later you want a family?"
"I don't know, Ma'am. I don't know what I want. I just know that every day is precious. Every sunrise is something special for me, it marks a new day. Life is short and precious. The day my parents have died I have had a fight with them. The last words we had spoken were in anger, I can never apologize for my words. I hate myself for this, I can't forgive myself for it. Some nights I pray for a second chance. But I know that I don't have one. People who have a second chance should use it. They should do things right" Sophia said and looked away.
"Like?" Mac asked.
"Like the Commander and you."
"I think this is none of your business" Mac said angry.
"Maybe. But, Ma'am, some time it can be too late."
"Lieutenant Reed, like I said before, it is none of your business."
"Ok, maybe it is none of my business. Ma'am, life is not what it seems. You are blessed to have someone like Commander Rabb in your life. Believe me, Ma'am. In the future, when you are old and grey and when you think back about these days you will look and see his face, and that he was right there for you. He always was and always will" Sophia told Mac.
Then she stood up and left Mac alone.
The next day
December 16th
JAG-HQ
Falls Church/ Virginia
1300 ZULU
"Hey" Harm greeted Mac as he walked into the JAG bullpen, briefcase in one hand, hat in the other.
He followed her into her office, hovering in the door as she sunk down into the chair behind her desk. She looked at him curiously.
"Harm?" she asked.
"Hmmmm?" he replied, only half-listening, looking everywhere except at her.
"Are you always there for me?"
"What do you mean?" he asked and looked at her.
"You are my friend, my one and only friend."
"When you say so."
"Harm, please, let me finish. I have realized that you are the only one I can trust with my life. Yesterday we have had a fight, you have hurt me but the worst is the fact that I always thought you would never hurt me. Last night I couldn't sleep. I know that mostly we don't have a second chance. I can always be thankful for having you, having my best friend in my life."
"I am thankful to have you as my best friend" Harm interrupted her.
"Harm, I am not finish. Please. Listen. I . . . You mean so much to me. Please let us never fight about something stupid. I can't stand the fact that at night I go to bed and know that the last word I have spoken to you this day was in anger" she said.
Then there was a long moment of silence.
"Are you finish?" Harm asked.
"Yes."
Harm walked towards her and knelt down in front of her, taking her hands in his. He looked straight into her eyes.
"Sarah, you are my best friend. Yesterday has hurt me too. I have felt the same pain you have felt. I feel what you feel. Your smile is it that makes my day complete. You gave me the feel that the sky is in my reach. When I was on the PATRICK HENRY your lo..., friendship made me make it through. I owe you so much. You are right there for me. Thanks for everything. Thanks, Sarah."
Harm leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Gunny and Sophia stood outside looking at them.
"Finally" Gunny murmured.
"No, they are friends again, but not lovers" Sophia said.
"But they will be lovers" Gunny said hopeful.
"Maybe" Sophia smiled.
"Do you know something I don't, Ma'am?" Gunny asked.
Sophia just smiled and left him standing there.
Gunny looked after her. Sophia Reed was a mysterious woman.
Gunny knew that Tiner had deep feelings for this young Marine.
But after all she was an officer and regulations are regulations.
December 19th
JAG-HQ
1500 ZULU
Tiner was nervous as he walked towards Sophia's desk.
"Ma'am, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.
"Sure. What do you want?"
"Do you have time for me tonight? For a walk in the park? I have to tell you something important. Please, Ma'am."
Sophia was silent for a moment.
She knew what he wanted. She knew that this young man had feelings for her. But she wasn't here to fell in love with a Petty Officer. She had a job to do.
"Ok" she said against all regulations.
She should have said no but she couldn't. Her heart has spoken and told her to say yes, to meet this young man in the evening.
In the evening
0200 ZULU
Tiner and Sophia walked hand in hand through the park.
Then he stopped.
"Sophia, I have something important to tell you."
"Something important?"
Tiner took a deep breath.
"I love you" he said.
"No, you can't" Sophia was shocked.
"Forget regulations for a moment, please. Listen to your heart" Tiner nearly begged.
He loved this young woman, for the first time in his life he was in love.
He felt wonderful and now - she said she couldn't love him.
"Jason, I know for a while that you have feelings for me. I can't love you. You are a very good friend, I care for you but I can't love you. Don't ask me why because you will never understand me" she said and looked away.
"I ask you why."
"I am sorry, Jason. That is something I can't tell you" she apologized.
"Are you married?"
"NO!"
"What is the reason that you can't love me? I guess you love me but you don't accept your feelings for me" Jason said hurt.
"It has to do with my job" Sophia sighed.
"Your job? So it is about regulations."
"No, Jason. Not this job. In some weeks I have to go. I have a new assignment."
"You leave JAG?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"In some weeks. I don't exactly know when. I just know I have to leave everyone and everything" she said.
"Why?"
"Like I have said before, I have a new assignment waiting for me" she said again.
Jason Tiner brushed a strand of hair out of Sophia's face.
"Even the fact that I love you can't make you stay?" he asked.
"It makes it harder to leave JAG but I have to."
December 20th
Admiral Chegwidden's house
McLean/ Virginia
0138 ZULU
The JAG-staff sat together in the livingroom of Admiral Chegwidden's house.
Sophia stood at the window, looking outside to the stars.
She was wearing black again. No one has seen her in other colors than black and the green of her uniform.
"Sophia" Harriet said.
But Sophia didn't answer.
"Sophia" Harriet said again.
But again no reaction.
"Admiral, it seems to me that she is far away with her thoughts" Harriet said.
"Let me give it a try" Admiral Chegwidden said.
"Yes, Sir."
"Lieutenant Reed" Admiral Chegwidden said in his best commanding voice.
"Yes?" she just asked without turning around.
"Something wrong? You seem lost in thoughts" Harriet said.
"Everything is alright."
"Can you tell us something about your past? About Africa? Los Angeles? The UN?" Harriet asked.
"There is nothing interesting to tell" Sophia answered.
"Nothing?" Lauren Singer asked.
"Yes, nothing. Los Angeles is the city of angels. Africa is a poor continent. And working for the UN was like working for JAG" Sophia said.
"Why don't you tell us some details?" Lauren Singer asked.
"Why should I? Talking about my life isn't really interesting" Sophia shrugged her shoulders.
"Hey, you have seen interesting places in the world and you don't want to talk about it?" Lieutenant Singer looked at her.
"You are right. I think everyone can imagine my work. It was never easy, always hard, difficult. But I have always done a fine job. Nothing more or less than my job" Sophia answered.
1 hour later
Harm and Mac stood under the mistletoe, not noticing that it was above them.
"Ma'am, Sir, do you know what it means when you stand under a mistletoe?" Sophia asked.
"A mistletoe?" Harm looked up over their heads.
"I guess this means that you have to kiss me" Mac said and smiled.
Harm leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"This doesn't count as a kiss. You have to give her a real kiss" Sophia smiled.
Mac wasn't prepared for the sensation which sweeps over her the instant his lips touched hers.
His first kiss was gentle, a light brush of his mouth against hers, then his warm lips were moving over hers in an intimate caress, his kiss was becoming deeper, more passionate, and it was with a sense of satisfaction when she heard him moan.
As they parted in the need of breath Mac looked at him.
"I have always dreamt about kissing you this way" Harm said shyly.
"This kiss was... wow."
"I love you" Harm finally admitted.
Mac didn't answered him. She was surprised to hear this words coming out of his mouth.
"Mac, I am sorry if I have said something wrong" Harm said.
"I love you too" Mac told him.
December 23rd
JAG-HQ
Falls Church/Virginia
1400 ZULU
When Admiral Chegwidden walked through the bullpen he sensed that something was wrong but he didn't knew what.
He walked past Lieutenant Reeds desk but instead of the smiling face of his officer an empty desk greeted him and at this moment he knew it. Lieutenant Reed wasn't there today.
"GUNNY. TINER!" he barked.
Both men were at his side a second later.
"Yes, Sir?!" both men said in unison.
"Where is Lieutenant Reed?"
"Not here" Gunny answered.
"I don't know where" Tiner answered.
"That is what I see. But where is she?"
"We don't know, Sir" both men said in unison again.
"Then find out where she is before I declar her UA!" the Admiral barked.
"Yes, Sir" Tiner said.
December 24th
JAG-HQ
Falls Church/Virginia
1500 ZULU
There was still no word from Lieutenant Reed.
Since the Christmas Party at Admiral Chegwiddens house no one saw her or talked to her.
She just disappeared and the Admiral was about to declar her UA.
Tiner stood in the office of his CO.
"Tiner, what do you know about Lieutenant Reeds disapperance?"
"Sir, she just told me that she had to leave everyone and everything behind. She didn't knew when but she knew that she had to. She said that it had to do with her job. Maybe she..."
"WEBB" Admiral Chegwidden said out loud.
"Sir?" Tiner looked confused at his CO.
No one was in the room and the Admiral said WEBB? Was he crazy?
"Maybe she was working for the CIA. This would explain her disapperance. I need Gunny to check it. Tiner, get me Gunny" Admiral Chegwidden said.
"Yes, Sir."
"Oh, and Tiner..."
"Yes, Sir."
"We will find her" he assured his Yeoman.
"I hope it, Sir" Tiner said and left the room.
Admiral Chegwidden sighed.
He knew what his Yeoman felt for this young woman. He knew that Tiner was hopelessly in love.
Admiral Chegwidden hoped that they would find Lieutenant Sophia Reed.
2 hours later
Admiral Chegwidden's office
Clayton Webb sat in Admiral Chegwiddens office and looked at him confused.
"How come you think that she was working for the agency?"
"Because this would explain why she has left without a word" Admiral Chegwidden answered.
"She has left without a word?"
"At the moment she is just missing. I haven't declared her UA at the moment. Tiner has asked me not to."
"So you think she is working for the CIA."
"I hope it" Admiral Chegwidden said.
"Wow. This time you hope that I have sent one of my agents working undercover at JAG. No way, A.J., this will never happen" Clayton Webb shook his head in disbelief.
"Never say never. . . But when she didn't work for the CIA what has happened to her?"
"I don't know. She is in the military. It is your job to find out what has happened to her then" Clayton Webb answered and left Admiral Chegwidden's office.
Admiral Chegwidden didn't know what to do.
She wasn't working for the CIA but she was missing. Maybe something has happened to her? This would explain why no one has heard from her or seen her since his christmas party.
When he would declar her UA or AWOL they would search for her.
Maybe then they would find out where she was and what has happened to her?
Maybe she was the victim of a crime?
Maybe she has just gone UA?
Maybe.
In the evening
Harm's apartment
North of Union Station
0200 ZULU
Harm stood in front of the window, looking outside.
His apartment was empty. Mac wasn't there, she was out of town for three days. Harm knew that Mac would return some time tonight.
He didn't hear the key turning in the lock or Mac entering his apartment.
Mac snuck up behind Harm and wrapped her arms around his middle, laying her head between his shoulder blades.
"Missed me?" she asked.
"Always."
"Good" Mac grinned.
"Don't leave me again for this long" Harm said.
"Three days wasn't long" Mac said.
"For me it was like eternity."
"Eternity? This word has bad memories for me" Mac said.
"I know that Australia wasn't a good time for our friendship."
"Not only for our friendship. After this day nothing was the same anymore" Mac said.
She fought back the tears.
Everytime she remembered Australia she was about to start crying every minute.
Harm knew it. He turned around and looked her into the eyes.
"Babydoll, please don't cry" he whispered.
"Remembering Australia makes me sad" she admitted.
"I know. Can I get you anything? Water? Tea?" he asked.
"You on the sofa holding me" Mac said in a small voice.
Without a word he lead her towards his sofa and sat down beside her, gathering her in his arms as her tears started to fall.
"I love you and nothing can come between us. Sarah, sweetie, please believe me" he whispered as he gently rubbed her back while she cried.
She cried on his shoulder, the tears finally coming to an end a short time later. She raised her tear stained face to look at him and he gently wiped away her tears with his
thumb.
"You okay now?" he asked softly.
"I think so" she whispered.
"Hormons, right?"
"I guess. Harm, let us move this party to a more comfortable space in your apartment" Mac suggested.
"Are you sure? We have eternity ahead" he said.
"No more about eternity" she stood up, took his hand in hers and lead him to the bedroom.
Harm took her into his arms and started to kiss her.
This kiss wasn't just full of love and passion, it was pure longing.
Both fell down on the bed. Harm on top of Mac.
"Having you in my arms feels wonderful. Do you think it is ok?" he asked concerned.
Mac couldn't answer; all she could concentrate on was his breath on her face and the weight of his body on hers.
Harm lowered his head down and carefully touched her lips with his.
Mac wasn't prepared for the sensation which sweeps over her the instant his lips touched hers.
His first kiss was gentle, a light brush of his mouth against hers, which ended even before she became accustomed to the sensation.
But then he was back, his warm lips moving over hers in an intimate caress, his kiss this time was deeper, more passionate, and it was with a sense of satisfaction when she heard him moan.
"Wow "
"Yeah wow" Mac smiled.
Harm began running his hands up and down her sides and bending his knees to straddle her. Not satisfied with the minimal contact his was getting he reached up and slowly unbuttoned her blouse until he could see her bra.
"You are beautiful" he whispered.
"You really think I am beautiful?"
"Yes. Close your eyes and give me your hand."
Mac did as she was told. Harm took her hand and placed it over his heart.
"Do you feel my heart beating?" he asked.
"Yes."
"It beats for you, only for you."
"I love you" she whispered.
"I love you too."
Harm countinued exploring her body.
December 25th
JAG-HQ
Conference Room
1500 ZULU
"Sir, there was no Lieutenant Sophia Reed" Gunny said as he walked back in the conference room.
"What do you mean?" Admiral Chegwidden didn't know how to understand it.
"She died 6 years ago, she is dead since 6 years" Gunny tried to make the Admiral understand his words.
"You're kidding, Gunny. She has worked here at JAG. We have laughed with her, we have talked with her. Who was she?" Mac looked at him.
"I don't know who she was. I just know that Sophia Angelina Reed, First Lieutenant of the USMC, has never existed. Sophia Reed died at the age of 22" he said but Harm interrupted him before Gunny could finish.
"Gunny, she isn't dead. She has just left JAG without a word" Harm said.
"Sir, Officer Sophia Reed was a police officer. She died 6 years ago because she tried to safe a child who was the target of a sharpshooter. She was a hero when she died" Gunny finished.
Everyone was shocked.
"Who was the woman who has worked here?!" Admiral Chegwidden looked at Gunny.
"Just someone."
"An angel" Tiner said.
"No, Tiner. There are no angels" Admiral Chegwidden tried to smile.
"Sir, there are angels among us, maybe she was one. We don't know who or what she was. She was more then just someone. For me she was someone special. I believe she was an angel" Tiner looked at the Admiral, the look in his eyes made clear that he won't believe anything else.
"She was someone special, like an angel, but she was no angel" Admiral Chegwidden said.
"For some of us she was an angel" Harm said and smiled.
His arms went from behind around Mac, resting on her belly in which hopefully will grow the lifes of their children in the future.
Unseen for everyone stood a young woman in the doorframe, cladded in black.
Sophia smiled at the people. She knew she had done her job right.
Just one more look and then she faded away.
Her job was done and her next job was waiting for her.
THE END