Title: A Call to Bear Arms, Part 1
Author: Papergirl (Ambino1111@prodigy.net)
Spoilers: Goodbyes, Boomerang, People v. Gunny (assume that Renee broke up with Harm)
Summary: The murder of a politican gets Harm and Mac involved with an Air Force family.
Rating: PG 13 - mentions of violence
Classification: Eventually H/M
Disclaimer: Lucas O'Reilly and the Wots family are mine, but all the other characters in the following story belong to Bellisarius Productions, Paramount, and CBS. If you're going to sue me, could Harm and Mac be my lawyers?
Author's Notes: First of all - Adrift - what an episode! Secondly, this is my first solely JAG fanfic. Any and all feedback is welcome at Ambino1111@prodigy.net. Please let me know if I should keep going.
WARNING: This story is for external use only. Keep this and all other stories out of reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance.
0904 ZULU
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON, DC
Loud ringing awoke Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., from a very deep sleep. He groggily reached over and snatched up the phone.
"Hello?" he asked sleepily, his voice rough from lack of use.
"TJ? Are you almost here? Please hurry. I'm scared, TJ."
"Who is this?" Harm asked curiously, his eyes now opened.
"This is Amy," the voice said slowly. "Who're you?"
"Well, I'm not TJ."
"But isn't this 555-1903?" she asked, panicked.
"No," Harm paused. "Are you okay?"
There was movement on the other end of the line and a muffled noise.
"Amy?" he asked.
"Can you help me, mister?" she whispered, her young voice sounding hoarse and terrified.
"Where are you?" Harm jumped out of bed and pulled on a shirt and pair of jeans.
The other end was silent.
"Amy? Amy, are you there?"
A shuffle, then the voice returned.
"I'm here."
Harm let out a sigh of relief.
"Where are you, Amy?"
"I'm in the living room, behind the couch."
"What's going on? Is someone there?"
The sound of shattering glass made Harm wince. "Yeah."
"Who are you hiding from, Amy? Who's after you?"
It took a moment for the girl to answer.
"My daddy."
"Where do you live? I can come help you."
"I'm not supposed to tell strangers where I live."
"My name's Harmon Rabb. You can call me Harm. Now we're not strangers, Amy. You can tell me where you live."
She told him her address and Harm let out a breath. She was only three and a half blocks away.
"Hang on, Amy. I can be there in a few minutes."
"Okay," she whispered, the fear evident in her voice. "Please hurry, Harm."
Harm hung up the phone, grabbed his gun, and raced out the door. He figured he could make it there faster by running.
Minutes later, he found the building. Taking the stairs two at a time, he made it to the second floor quickly. He scanned the numbers and found apartment 206. Unholstering his weapon, he noticed the door was slightly ajar. A gunshot made him jump, and he quickly pushed open the door and froze at the scene in front of him.
A man was laying on his back in a pool of blood. Standing over him, a young man stared in disbelief at the gun in his hands. At his feet, a young girl in pajamas wiped away the blood trickling down her face, and clung to the leg of the younger man.
1652 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VA
"Harriet! You look exhausted! Are you okay?" Colonel Sarah MacKenzie asked as the tired lieutenant appeared in her office.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm fine. Baby AJ kept me up all night - he's got a cold."
"Poor little guy," Mac sympathized. "Poor you, too."
Harriet smiled, handing her a folder.
"Here's the information you wanted on the McCandless case. Sorry it took so long - I was having computer troubles. And don't worry about me, Colonel - Bud has to stay up tonight."
They smiled and Harriet left. Mac sat down at her desk and opened the file. She browsed the contents absentmindedly. The ring on her finger caught her attention. It was a beautiful ring, and Mic was a great guy, but... Harriet had said she had known Bud was the one from the start, and Mac didn't know at all. She didn't really think she wanted to marry him. She was enjoying, however, that every time she and Harm were together he looked at her hand. She knew it was hurting him, but he had hurt her, too. She had bared her soul to him on that ferry in Sydney, and he had merely told her to wait longer for him.
"Ah, Harm," she whispered, putting papers back into the file folder and standing. She was supposed to meet Harm for lunch. His flight home had come in early that morning, and the Admiral had given him the morning off to sleep. Mac had asked him out to lunch so she could break the news of his break-up to him. Apparently, the Video Princess didn't want to wait for Harm, either.
She smiled as she organized her desk so she could leave. Her afternoon paperwork looked light - she only had to review some information for her court session on Monday morning.
Mac hurried out of JAG headquarters and arrived at the restaurant, her stomach growling. She caught sight of Harm as soon as she entered. He was sitting at a table with a young man and a younger girl. The young man was in the Air Force - he looked no older than nineteen. The girl seemed only five or six. Mac wondered who they were.
Harm didn't seem to notice his partner standing next to him.
"Hey, Harm," Mac said, quietly slipping into the chair next to him.
Harm jumped guiltily and didn't meet her eyes. His two companions turned wary eyes to her.
"Hiya, Mac. How're you?"
"I'm okay," she paused, searching his face. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"
Harm sighed, and motioned with his hand.
"This is Airman First Class Thomas James Wots and his little sister Amy. This is Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.
"Nice to meet you," Mac nodded genially. They nodded and smiled slightly.
The group sat in silence. Mac idly noted the meals in front of each of them hadn't been touched. She wanted to know what was going on.
"Hey, Commander?" Mac asked sweetly, starting to stand. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure thing, Colonel," he stood and joined Mac a few feet from their table. Mac stared at him expectantly.
"It's an interesting story," Harm started, smiling nervously. Mac just looked at him, crossing her arms. He sighed before relating what had happened in the past eight hours.
"So what are they doing here?" she wanted to know.
"Well, my buddy down at the station, Lucas, let me take them into custody - I'm their lawyer.
"Harm, you can't be their - wait. They're both saying they did it?"
"Well, no, but they have no other family." He paused, looking into Mac's eyes. "Mac, if Wots is convicted, Amy will have to go to an orphanage, and we both know how long it takes for a child to get adopted."
Mac frowned ruefully, looking away from her partner's gaze. "Did he murder his father?"
"From what Amy has told me, it was self-defense. Their father was drunk and was coming at them with a broken bottle."
Mac felt a pang of sympathy - she knew all too well what an abusive father was like. However, her lawyer instincts soon took over.
"She's awfully young, but she could just be protecting him, or even herself. Maybe she's just saying that so he won't go to prison. What did Wots tell you?"
"He hasn't spoken at all." Mac looked surprised at Harm's statement.
"At all?"
"He hasn't said a word since I found them, but the paramedics didn't think he was in shock."
Mac nodded, glancing back at the Wots family. "Why don't we go eat, and we'll come up with a game plan?"
Harm nodded, smiling, as they made their way back to the table. "Food really is the way to your heart, Marine."
1737 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VA
"Tiner, find Rabb and MacKenzie and send them to my office immediately," Admiral AJ Chegwidden barked.
"Aye, aye, sir," Petty Officer Tiner replied, and went in search of Harm and Mac. He found Bud Roberts instead.
"Lieutenant, have you seen the Commander or the Colonel?"
Bud paused, thinking. Tiner understood him to say: "Colonel MacKenzie went out to lunch with the Commander about an hour ago. I haven't seen them since."
"Okay. Thank you, sir."
Just then, the elevator doors opened and Tiner spotted Harm and Mac. He hurried over and didn't even notice the two people with them.
"Sir? Ma'am? The Admiral wants to see you in his office, ASAP."
Harm and Mac looked at each other, then at the Wots siblings. They led them to Harm's office and instructed the two to wait. Then, Rabb and MacKenzie headed to the Admiral's office.
"The Commander and Colonel are here to see you, sir," Tiner announced over the intercom.
"Send them in," the Admiral barked.
"You wanted to see us, sir?" Colonel MacKenzie asked crisply.
"At ease," the Admiral said, pausing momentarily in his pacing. "How was your flight, Commander?"
"Horrible, sir," Harm answered honestly. The Admiral didn't even attempt to smile.
"That's bad to hear," he said absentmindedly, resuming his pacing.
Harm and Mac glanced at each other.
"What are you doing with Airman Wots?" Admiral Chegwidden asked suddenly, turning to stare right into Rabb's eyes.
"Sir?" Harm squeaked; he had caught him off guard.
"Early this morning I got a call from the Hill demanding that justice be served for the murder of former-Senator Mitch Wots. He was a very important politician. It's all over the news." The Admiral took a breath and slowly made his way behind the desk. "It's my understanding that you, Commander, are Thomas Wots's lawyer."
Harm nodded slightly.
"Would you care to explain to me how the hell that happened?"
"Well, sir, I received a phone call from Amy Wots at 0400. She believed that she had called her brother. It sounded like she was in danger and she asked me for help. When I got to her apartment, Mitch Wots was already dead. Airman Wots was standing by him with a gun in his hands."
"And what's his story?"
"I don't know, sir," When he saw the look on Chegwidden's face, Harm continued hurriedly. "He hasn't said a word since the, uh... incident."
"What about his sister?"
"She claims their father was drunk and attacked them."
"Was he?"
"The tox reports will be back soon."
The Admiral nodded, turning to stare out the window. "Mitch Wots had many friends," he sighed. "They've made sure that this case is to be tried in a civilian court, and they've called in the big guns to prosecute. I don't know if either of you have heard of Margaret Brooks?" He continued at their affirmative nods. "She's the best they've got. Still, I believe she's no match for you two. Colonel, Commander, I want you to get to the bottom of this ASAP. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," they replied in unison.
"Dismissed," he announced.
"Aye, aye, sir," they chimed before spinning on their heels.
"Well, that didn't go as bad as it could have," Mac commented once they were safely out of the Admiral's office. Harm nodded, a bit miffed.
"It's a bit fishy," he said, holding open the door to his office for her.
"Well, Airman Wots," Harm greeted as he took a seat at his desk. "The Colonel and I will be defending you."
The young Airman only nodded. Amy looked up at Harm from her seat in her brother's lap.
"Is TJ going to jail, sir?" she asked, her voice quivering as tears started to trek down her cheeks.
Harm looked at the small girl with her pigtails and jean overalls and couldn't help but smile at her.
"We're going to do our best to make sure that doesn't happen," he told her reassuringly. She nodded, wiping her eyes with balled-up fists.
Harm shifted and looked at Mac, who had taken a seat next to TJ and Amy. She nodded slightly and turned to the young airman.
"Thomas, we want to help you. We want to keep you and Amy together, but you have to trust us, okay? You have to tell us exactly what happened."
Thomas James Wots picked his baby sister up out of his lap and stood her in front of him. He turned to Mac.
"I know I have to talk. I'll tell you everything, Colonel, but... Commander? I know Amy trusts you, and I don't want her to have to hear this. Could you take her outside?"
Harm glanced at Mac curiously. He nodded and stood, wondering briefly why TJ had suddenly decided he wanted to talk.
"Sure, we'll be waiting for you," Harm said, taking Amy's little hand in his and leading her out into the bullpen. He closed the door behind him and bent down to be at eye-level with the child. "Say, Amy, how would you like some candy?"
Amy's big brown eyes lit up, and Harm led her to the kitchen. They were searching the cabinets when Harriet entered.
"Oh, hello, sir," she greeted, pulling a container of yogurt out of the refrigerator. "And who're you?" she asked Amy. The girl smiled shyly from her position on top of the counter.
"My name's Amy, ma'am," she whispered. Harriet grinned. "What manners! I'm Harriet. How old are you?"
"I'm six, ma'am."
"Six? That's an exciting age."
The girl nodded, but she looked ready to cry.
"Why're you so sad, Pumpkin?"
Amy plopped down on the counter top and sighed.
"My brother's going to jail and I'll be all alone."
Harriet looked over at Harm, a little stunned. She recovered quickly and took the girl's hand in her own. She leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, little one. You have the best people looking out for you."
Amy smiled, and gave Harriet a hug.
"Thank you," the youngster said before climbing to her feet and carefully maneuvering over the counter to Harm, who had been silently watching the interaction. Harriet smiled at the two and left.
"You guys need to go to the grocery store," she stated simply. Harm turned and reached into the depths of a cabinet. Moments later, he triumphantly pulled out a bag of M&Ms.
"Here you go, Amy," he said cheerfully, handing her the package. "They're Colonel MacKenzie's, but I don't think she'll mind."
The little girl shook her head and handed the bag back to Harm.
"No, thanks. It's wrong to steal."
Harm was a little surprised, but he respected her convictions. "It's not stealing," he assured, starting to tear open a corner of the bag. Amy still looked unsure. "Okay, I have an idea. Let's go see if your brother's done talking and we'll ask Mac if we can have some."
The girl nodded, smiling. Harm started to leave before realizing he had stranded her on the counter. He picked her up and flipped her upside down, resting her over his shoulder so that she was facing the ceiling. The girl squealed with delight as he tickled her and headed back to his office. The bullpen wasn't busy - many employees were either in court or at lunch - and no one seemed to mind.
Lt. Bud Roberts intercepted the two before they reached Harm's door. The Commander stopped tickling Amy, but kept her hanging off his shoulder.
"Hey, Bud. What's up?"
Bud replied through his wired jaw, but Harm couldn't understand a thing he said.
"What?"
"He said, 'Nothing much, sir. Who's that on your shoulder?" Amy interpreted. Bud nodded, happy to have another person who understood him.
"How'd you understand him, Amy?" Harm asked, curious.
"TJ talked like that after Daddy hit him."
Harm and Bud sobered at the girl's words.
"When was that, Amy?"
Her face scrunched up as she concentrated. "Last Christmas."
Harm and Bud exchanged a look. Just then the door to Harm's office opened and Mac motioned him inside.
"Bud, can you get me a copy of Airman Wots's medical reports?"
"Yes, sir."
"Thanks, Bud," Harm said quickly, entering his office and shutting the door behind him. He stood, waiting for Mac to begin, but she only stared at him with a weird look on her face. It took a few seconds before Harm realized Amy was still hanging from him. Feeling sheepish, he carefully placed her on the floor and she climbed into her brother's lap. He motioned for Mac to start, but before she could Harm's phone started to ring. He snatched up the receiver.
"Rabb."
Mac watched his face during the one-sided conversation, and from the expression on his face she could tell it definitely wasn't good news. After a few moments he said, "Thanks for the heads-up. Bye." He sighed, looking at Mac.
"That was Lucas. Someone's pulled some more strings and TJ has to be locked up until the trial starts next week."
Mac was shocked, and Amy's face fell, her bottom lip started quivering again.
"TJ's leaving now?" she asked, near tears.
"I'm afraid so," Harm answered sadly. "But we're going to work hard to get him out right away."
Amy turned and hugged her brother tightly. TJ looked up at Harm.
"Sir, what happens to Amy while... until I get back?"
"Well, I can pull some strings, too. I'll take care of her, Airman."
"Yes, sir... Uh, when do I...?"
"My friend, Lucas O'Reilly, will be here shortly to escort you."
TJ nodded, planting a kiss on top of Amy's head. Mac glanced at Harm and he tilted his head towards the door.
"We'll give you two some privacy," Mac said quietly. Harm followed her out of the room and closed the door.
"Mac, Amy mentioned that TJ had his jaw wired last Christmas - their father hit him. Bud's checking his medical records."
"If what he told me was true, that file should be as thick as a phone book."
"What did he tell you?" Harm asked, leaning his back against the wall and casually crossing his arms in front of him.
Mac sighed.
"I'll tell you later... Are you sure you'll be able to take care of Amy?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, I -"
"What, you think that little of me?" Harm asked, trying to keep the mood light but feeling slightly hurt.
"N- no, I didn't mean - " Mac was momentarily flustered, but regained her composure. "I think you'll do great."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, partner." He winked at her, letting her know that he wasn't angry.
Mac suddenly remembered she hadn't told Harm about his break-up during lunch. She hoped he wouldn't try to call Renee before they had a chance to talk.
"Hey, Harm... would you want to have dinner tonight? I could bring over a pizza..." She trailed off, trying to hide her ulterior motive.
"You want to check up on me," He accused playfully.
"No, it's not that at all," Mac said quickly. Her mind raced for a reason. "I wanted to talk about the, uh, McCandless case." She tried to sound convincing, not wanting to tell him he'd been dumped right then and there.
Harm eyed her suspiciously. He knew she was lying, but he'd enjoy her company no matter what the reason she wanted to come over.
"Okay, but you better not be checking up on me, Marine. I can handle a six year old for the weekend."
2349 ZULU
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON, DC
Harm was exhausted. Who knew a six year old could have so much energy?
Amy, although upset about her brother, quickly warmed up to the Commander, and refused to leave his side for the remainder of the day. Harm had made a joke about gold wings and dress whites, and Mac had genuinely laughed. Harm was happy they were getting back to how they were before he'd returned to flying. If he ignored the ring on her hand, it was exactly like the good old times again.
"Harm?" Amy's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Yeah?" They were now sitting on the couch, watching the Cartoon Network.
"I'm bored."
'Uh oh.' Harm thought. 'What else can I do to entertain a six year old?' He turned off the TV. "Well, what do you want to do?"
"Can we play a board game?"
"Well, I don't know if I have any - I think they're some cards in the closet."
Amy eagerly followed him to the closet. On the way there her eyes caught hold of something, and she examined it while he rummaged around in search of a deck of cards. She tugged on his shirt.
"Harm?"
"Hmm?" he asked, concentrating on keeping a box from falling on his head.
"What's this?" She pointed to a large navy blue book on a shelf.
He turned his head to see what she was talking about.
"Oh, that? That's a photo album. Don't you have any like that at home?"
"Nope. Can we look at it?" She carefully picked it up.
Harm was surprised, but relieved. "Sure."
He stuffed the box back on the closet shelf and shut the door, heading for the couch. Amy followed him, solemnly holding the book in front of her. He sank into the couch, and Amy climbed up beside him. Harm opened the album over both their laps and settled in. Amy pointed to the first picture - a black and white one on the top of the page.
"Who's that?"
Harm smiled, a hint of sadness in his voice. "That's my dad and I when I was little. I was visiting him and he let me sit in his airplane."
"Your daddy flew an airplane?"
"Yep. I did, too."
"Really?" She was in awe. "TJ's a pilot, but I've never been flying. Is it scary?"
"A little bit, at first. But it's lots of fun. I love it. I even have my own plane."
"Wow! Can we go flying?"
"What - now?"
"Yeah!"
"We can't go right now," Harm grinned at her excitement.
"Why not?"
"Well, for starters, it's almost your bedtime." Amy made a face at the reminder. "And secondly, Mac will be here any second."
She smiled at the mention of the Colonel. "I like Mac. She's very nice."
"Yes, she is," Harm agreed.
Amy flipped a few pages of the album. "Is that your mommy?" He nodded.
"Is he your uncle?"
"No, that's Frank, my stepfather."
"What's a stepfather?" She asked curiously. Harm sighed slightly.
"He's not my real father, but he's married to my mom."
"Where's your real daddy?"
"He died when I was just about your age."
Amy looked up at him with big brown eyes. Wordlessly, she stood up and kissed Harm on the cheek, then gave him a hug.
He was touched by her actions. She was such a sweet little girl, and brave, too. He couldn't believe she was only six; she seemed much older.
"Thank you," he whispered, returning her hug. He resolved to do more than his best to make sure she'd be with her brother."
Three knocks interrupted their hug. Harm stood, sliding the book completely onto Amy's lap. She continued flipping through it as Harm opened the door.
It was Mac, on time as always. In one hand she carried a rather large pizza box and in the other was a brown grocery bag.
"I come bearing food," She announced with a smile, handing him the pizza.
"Sounds good to me," Harm said, stepping aside so she could enter. At the sound of her voice, Amy placed the album on the floor and ran over to the Colonel for a hug.
"Hello to you, too," Mac laughed. She pulled a big bottle of fruit juice out of her bag before placing it on the floor next to the table. "I brought you guys some juice."
Harm was in the kitchen, preparing cups with ice. He had already laid some paper plates out on the table.
"I suspected as much, Mac," he said with a grin, joining the two females on the couch.
The next few minutes were spent in a content silence as they hungrily devoured the majority of the half-veggie, half-meatlover's pie. When Amy was done, she excused herself and headed to the bathroom. The two lawyers shared raised eyebrows at her politeness.
"She's such a great kid, Mac," Harm said, closing the pizza box and putting it in the refrigerator.
"I know... she reminds me of how much I miss Chloe," 'Not to mention how much I want a child of my own,' she added silently.
Harm merely nodded, unsure of what to say. He had been one of the people to hurt her by leaving, and ever since he returned from flying he'd been unable to assuage his guilt.
"So..." Harm said, trying to lighten the mood.
"So..." Mac echoed.
Just then, Amy skipped back into the room.
"What's in your bag?" she asked Mac, sitting down next to her on the couch.
"I'm glad you asked. I brought some stuff I thought you might like," she snatched up the bag and reached inside. Seconds later she pulled out a deck of cards, Monopoly, Twister, two movies, some new clothes, and a large bag of M&Ms. Amy's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Mac!" she squealed with delight, giving her another hug. "Can we play Monopoly?"
"Sure. Why don't you go put on your pajamas while Harm and I set up the board?"
In an instant the girl had grabbed her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
"I hope you're prepared to be beaten, Sailor," Mac teased as she counted out the money. Harm laughed with mock indignation.
"I don't think so, Jarhead. I'm the king of Monopoly." He linked his hands behind his head and leaned back, a goofy grin on his face.
Mac gave him a 'Yeah, right' look and handed him the property deeds to organize.
"We'll see about that."
0203 ZULU
NORTH OF UNION STATION
WASHINGTON, DC
Mac blew on the dice, shaking them in her hands. If she rolled a six, the game would be over. She took a breath and tossed them on the board.
"Six!" Amy chirped happily. "I win!"
Harm and Mac groaned simultaneously.
"Amy, I'll never understand how you beat both of us," Harm shook his head in disbelief.
"It was the hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place that did it," Mac decided, loading the game back into the box.
"Well, that was fun," Harm said, standing and stretching. "But it's time for bed now."
It was her turn to groan. "But, Harm, can't I stay up a little longer?"
Harm shook his head. Amy turned to Mac, ready to plea her case.
"It was fun, Munchkin, but you've had a busy day. You need your sleep."
Amy stuck out her lower lip, trying to gain sympathy as Harm took her hand and led her to the bedroom. Mac hid a smile at the girl's resistance. She grabbed the remote and switched on the television, keeping the volume low as she surfed through the channels.
Inside Harm's room, Amy stood at the foot of the bed, watching Harm as he pulled down the comforter and sheets. He patted the spot on the bed, but Amy didn't budge.
"C'mon, Amy," he said gently. She shook her head sadly.
"I can't go to sleep."
"Why not?"
"Amelia's not here."
Harm's eyebrows furrowed. "Amelia?"
The girl nodded, trying to suppress a yawn.
"Amelia's my doll. She's a pilot. My mommy gave her to me before she died, and I never sleep without her."
Harm picked Amy up and carefully sat her on the bed, leaning over so that he could look her in the eyes.
"I know Amelia's not here," he said quietly, "But if you keep it a secret, I have someone you could borrow for the weekend."
Amy's curiosity was aroused. "Who is it?"
Harm winked. "He's in my closet. I'll go get 'em."
Amy settled into the bed and waited. Moments later Harm returned, hiding something under his shirt.
"You can't let Mac see this, or I'll never hear the end of it," he confided before handing over the secret object.
A smile spread across her face at the sight of the tattered teddy bear. She hugged it gently, and looked up at Harm.
"What's his name?"
Harm grinned sheepishly. "Captain Bear."
"Hello, Captain Bear." Harm tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
"Good night, you two."
"G'night, Harm," She paused, repositioning herself beneath the covers. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome," he whispered, and closed the door behind him.
End Part 1
So, what'd you think? Should I keep going? Please send some feedback to me at Ambino1111@prodigy.net. Thanks for reading!