Disclaimer: First off, I'd like to say that none of these are my characters. This takes place after the season 7 premier, and Brumby is long gone. (Yeah, the marriage never worked out.) We have to temporarily forget that Mac has had Harm's lasagna and spaghetti. At the request of a reader, I have taken all alcohol out of the script. If you wish to red the original, it is still posted.
Treason (Part 1)
17.30 ZULU
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
We pan through the central area of JAG headquarters. GUNNY and TINER are standing watching ZNN, as usual. HARM comes up behind them as the news broadcast begins.
ANCHOR: Good afternoon and welcome to today's broadcast. Our top story: a deadly killer escapes from prison. Bob Chanley with more. Bob?
BOB: Thank you Marcia. Clark Palmer escaped yesterday from a high security prison in Colorado. None of the wardens know exactly how this deadly man got out, and they later discovered that he stole enough explosives to blow up DC. Palmer's destination is unknown, but it is believed that he is heading for Virginia. As we gain more information, we will inform you.
GUNNY turns to HARM.
GUNNY: Sir? Isn't that the guy who...?
HARM: Yes, Gunny, it is.
MAC comes up and GUNNY and TINER salute.
MAC: As you were. Watching television again guys?
TINER: Yes ma'am, we were.
HARM: Mac, can I talk to you in my office?
MAC: Yeah, sure Harm. What's wrong?
HARM shuts his office door behind them. He sits down behind his desk and motions to the chair on the other side.
HARM: Clark Palmer has escaped.
MAC: What?!
HARM: That's what we saw on ZNN.
MAC: Ohh. So, what are you going to do?
HARM: I don't know. They say he's headed for Virginia. Most probably to kill me.
MAC: And that doesn't bother you because?
HARM: Damn it, it does! Can't you see that? This man is ripping my life apart with his obsession. I thought that he was finally done with, but I guess not.
MAC: Well, now that you've ripped my face off about Palmer, I think it'd be a good idea to talk to the Admiral about this.
They stand up and HARM goes over to MAC. He takes her shoulders in his hands.
HARM: Mac, I'm sorry. I shouldn't let him bother me so much. And I shouldn't have yelled at you.
MAC: Harm, if you brush this off, you're going to get killed. I, for one, don't want to see that happen. Now come on. The Admiral will want to know about this.
They go out of his office and over to Admiral Chegwidden's. TINER stands at attention as they approach.
MAC: Tiner, is the Admiral in?
TINER: Yes ma'am, he is. I'll tell him you're here.
He pushes the button on his speaker thingy that he always uses to talk to the Admiral and tells him that HARM and MAC want to see him. The Admiral's voice comes back to TINER, with the ever-present sigh that always accompanies his orders.
ADMIRAL: Send them in, Tiner.
MAC and HARM enter the office and stand at attention. As you were.
ADMIRAL: Now, what is it that you want to see me about?
HARM: Sir, we got information today-
ADMIRAL: Hold up, Rabb. Were you, Gunny and Tiner watching television again?
HARM: Yes sir, we were.
ADMIRAL: Then I don't want to hear it.
MAC: But sir, this is a matter of life and death!
ADMIRAL: I'm sure. Another kitten that needs rescuing, Colonel?
HARM: No sir, Clark Palmer has escaped.
The ADMIRAL looks at his desk, at a loss for words.
ADMIRAL: Oh.
~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~
ADMIRAL: Well, Commander, what do you propose we do about it?
HARM: Well sir, we were kind of hoping that you could help with that.
ADMIRAL: We?
MAC: It was my idea.
ADMIRAL: Oh, I see. Well, why don't we keep this quiet as much as possible until something turns up.
There is a knock on the door. Enter! Senator/Reporter Bobbi Lane enters.
BOBBI: Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, Admiral. I hear, Rabb, that your killer has escaped.
HARM: He's not my killer, Bobbi, seeing as I am still standing here.
MAC: Bobbi, I didn't know that you knew about Palmer and Harm.
BOBBI: I don't. I was hoping you could tell me more.
~~SWITCH TO PAY PHONE BY A FAST MART---PALMER IS ON THE PHONE~~
PALMER: Okay baby, call me when you can. Oh, right. Well, I'll call you when I get the chance. Same number? Okay. I'll see you soon. Goodbye.
He hangs up the phone and turns, an evil smirk on his face. He gets into a waiting car and converses with the driver.
PALMER: So, ah, how far to Falls Church?
DRIVER: About another hour. You connected there?
PALMER: Yeah, it's all arranged. He's dead this time.
~~SWITCH TO HARM'S APARTMENT~~
20.43 ZULU
HARM'S APARTMENT
WHEREVER IT IS, Virginia
RENEE enters HARM's apartment and kisses him lightly. He nods, and hardly responds, the usual anymore. She sniffs appreciatively.
RENEE: Vegetarian lasagna? Mmmm, smells good.
HARM: Mmmm, thank you.
He seems preoccupied around her, not interested.
RENEE: I'll watch the food. You want to go slip into something a little bit more comfortable?
HARM: Nah, I'm fine.
He grins at her, adding to her fury.
RENEE: I could go find something for you.
HARM: No, I'm good.
RENEE: Harm, what has gotten in to you? I think some octopus sucked your brains out while you were unconscious in the ocean.
HARM: Octopuses don't eat humans. They like mussels and clams much better.
RENEE: Okay, you're beginning to get on my nerves.
HARM: Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, the lasagna's ready!
He picks up his lobster pot holders and slips them on, carefully pulling the pan out of the oven. He sets it on the counter, and RENEE comes up behind him. She puts her arms around his neck and begins to unbutton his shirt. He grabs her hands and returns them to her, then rebuttons his shirt. RENEE sighs in exasperation.
RENEE: You know, this is getting out of hand.
HARM: What? He turns and looks at her.
RENEE: This!
HARM: You lost me.
RENEE: Exactly! I've lost you.
HARM: I was actually saying that I didn't understand.
RENEE: Oh, I'm surprised. I thought it was all deliberate.
HARM: Renee, come on. I'm just not in the mood right now.
RENEE: You never are anymore.
HARM: Renee, you listen to me. Clark Palmer has escaped from prison and is heading here to kill me. I have reason enough to be a little bit preoccupied.
RENEE: You found that out today. What about three days ago, and last week, and the week before? You couldn't have known then. You just don't love me anymore.
She goes over and opens the door to leave, ignoring HARM's protests.
HARM: Aw, Renee, give me a break! Two weeks ago, I had recently been very close to death. Last week, I had a big case that I needed to work on.
RENEE: And three days ago? What's your excuse for then?
HARM: Excuse? You think I'm making excuses?
RENEE: Admit it Harm. You love Sarah, not me.
HARM: Renee, don't even go there. Mac is my partner and friend. We've been through hard times together. I've told you before, I don't---I don't--
His mouth hangs open, not able to utter the words. She glares at him in contempt.
RENEE: See? You can't even say it.
HARM: Renee, just leave.
RENEE: I was planning on leaving. I'm not coming back, either.
HARM: Good. Don't.
She studies him, to see if he means it, then sighs and slams the door behind her as she leaves. HARM winces as the dishes in the sink rattle. He goes over and sits on his couch, head propped in hand, staring at the wall. Then, he sighs and picks up the phone.
HARM: Mac? You hungry? I've got some lasagna here that needs to be eaten. Okay, I'll see you then.
He hangs up the phone and looks down at his clothing. The Levi's are battered and dirty, and his shirt is severely wrinkled. He sighs and gets up. Heading down the hall to his bedroom. He pulls off his shirt and exchanges it for a light gray sweater then changes from his Levi's to a pair of khakis. He stops at the mirror, fixing the hair that was knocked out of place by the sweater. He goes back to the kitchen area and dishes out the lasagna onto two plates. He puts the remainder of it back into the oven, and gets out a bottle of Perrier. He gathers two glasses and sets the table. Stepping back to survey the finished table, he hears a knock and hastens to open the door. MAC smiles at him shyly, and he motions for her to come in. She is wearing a light blue dress, and HARM is rendered speechless by the sight of her.
MAC: Well don't just stand there gaping at me, say something!
HARM: You're beautiful. I mean, you always are, but you look especially nice tonight.
MAC: Why thank you, Harm!
She blushes slightly, and there is a silence where they don't look at each other. MAC looks around the room, even though it is not the first time that she has been here. HARM, growing uncomfortable, breaks the silence.
HARM: Well, let's eat.
MAC: That's a good idea. I was about to fix my dinner when you called. I must say, this is a wonderful treat. Any occasion?
HARM: Um, no, not really.
MAC: Okay. Where's Renee? I thought that you two----Oh. Okay.
HARM: Um, yeah. You want some Perrier? It's non-alcoholic.
MAC:
HARM: Okay.
He grins again and pours the Perrier into the glasses. He puts the bottle on the counter and pulls out MAC's chair for her. She sits, and so does he.
HARM: I put the pan back in the oven to keep the rest warm. I hope that what I left out isn't too chilled.
MAC: Mmmm, no, it's not.
MAC eagerly begins to eat her lasagna, knowing that HARM is a good cook.
MAC: Harm, this is really good!
HARM: Don't tell me you've never had any of my vegetarian lasagna?
MAC: Now I have!
HARM: And my spaghetti?
MAC: Is it as good as your lasagna?
HARM: Better.
MAC: Ooh, I don't think that I could handle that.
HARM: Is it that good?
MAC: A lot better than mine.
HARM: Oh, okay.
~~SWITCH TO HOLIDAY INN PARKING LOT~~
RENEE looks around her and sighs in relief as a battered Volkswagen pulls in. CLARK PALMER gets out and RENEE runs and kisses him. He smiles at her.
PALMER: So where is the bastard?
RENEE: He's at home.
PALMER: Alone?
RENEE: He was.
PALMER: Too perfect. We should wait. Come on, I've got to check in.
They drag his suitcases carefully out of the car and to the entrance. The Volkswagen pulls out, and RENEE and PALMER go into the hotel together.
~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~
22.15 ZULU
Harm's Apartment
Wherever it is, Virginia
HARM sits on the sofa; his feet propped on the table. MAC stands across from him, wineglass in hand. She is tired, and has kicked off her shoes. She is talking and HARM interjects occasionally.
MAC: Remember when we first went to Russia?
HARM: How could I forget. We looked like pansies.
MAC: We fit in, amazingly enough.
HARM: I know.
MAC: That was fun. Except that I was chasing you and I couldn't ever catch you.
HARM: You did, eventually.
MAC: I know, but it seems that I'm always following you in the east.
HARM: Hey, it's not my fault.
MAC: I know. That Sergei fellow seems nice enough.
HARM: He is.
MAC: You wanna talk about him?
HARM: What's there to tell?
MAC: Well, I don't know. He's your brother. Your father was supposed to be dead and years later, we find that he wasn't.
She comes around the table and sits down next to him, her feet curled under her.
MAC: I know that it would bother me a little.
HARM: Well sure, it bothers me. I mean, he was alive all those years and never sent word. I feel---
MAC: Betrayed?
HARM: Yeah.
She scoots closer to him. She drains her glass and sets it on the table by his feet.
HARM: You want some more?
MAC: No, I'd better not. I've had too much already. Bastard.
HARM: What?
MAC: Asking me over here and making me feel drunk. So very sweet of you.
HARM: Are you implying that I had ulterior motives when I called? And anyway, there's no alcohol in Perrier. That's why I though it safe to give you. You're just tired, Mac.
MAC: That's exactly what I'm implying. And too bad, it is wonderful Perrier. Yes, I think you're right.
HARM: Thank you.
MAC: Harm, what's troubling you? Something's wrong. What is it?
HARM: Huh? Oh, no, nothing's wrong.
MAC: Yes there is. You're thinking about something. What are you thinking about?
HARM: A lot of things. She scoots closer on the sofa and leans her head on his shoulder.
He looks down at her and puts his arm across her shoulders.
MAC: Like what?
HARM: Don't get comfortable, or you'll fall asleep.
MAC: Okay. Now talk flyboy.
HARM: Well, I'm thinking about Clark Palmer, and Renee, and how he'd most likely kill me.
MAC: You know what I'm thinking about?
HARM: No, what?
MAC: You smell good.
HARM: Thank you.
He studies her. She is indeed, falling asleep, but is trying hard to stay awake. She looks up at him and meets his eyes. On impulse, he leans down and brushes her lips with his. She blinks at him, then smiles.
MAC: I was thinking about that, too.
HARM: Well, it seems that our minds think alike.
He grins at her, and she stares at him. A smile plays around her lips.
MAC: I have never been able to understand you, Harmon Rabb. I probably never will.
HARM: That's okay.
MAC: No, it's not.
HARM: Why?
MAC: Because if I don't really know you, then I don't really know why you do this to me.
HARM: Do what?
MAC: Make me love you.
HARM: And how did I do that?
MAC: I don't know.
HARM: Does it matter?
MAC: I don't think so.
She gets up and takes her glass to the counter. HARM watches her as she comes back to him. She stops by his feet with a gleam in her eyes.
HARM: Oh no you don't. You'll break my legs.
MAC: Then move your feet.
He sighs, and moves his feet off the table and onto the floor. She grins and flops into his lap.
HARM: Oof. Someone's not as light as they look.
MAC: Too bad.
She puts her arm around his neck and kisses him. Then, she leans her head on his shoulder and falls asleep as we fade to a commercial.
~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~
10.35 ZULU
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
HARM knocks on MAC's door.
MAC: Enter.
HARM: Have a good sleep last night?
MAC: Yeah. Your lap is not the softest to sleep in. GUNNY enters unnoticed.
HARM: I'm not the one who insisted on sitting there.
MAC: You invited me out so late.
HARM: You came.
GUNNY: Ma'am? Sir?
MAC: Yes, Gunny?
GUNNY: Commander, there's a telephone call for you.
HARM: Thank you Gunny, I'll take it in my office.
It's your fault. I was rather comfortable.
GUNNY leaves. HARM leaves, and MAC shakes her head and returns to her work. HARM picks up the phone in his office.
HARM: Hello? Renee? I don't want to talk to you. All right, I'll meet you at my place for lunch. Okay. Goodbye. He hangs up the phone and sighs.
~~SWITCH TO HARM's APARTMENT~~
RENEE: How's it coming, Clark?
PALMER is attaching a bomb to HARM's door.
PALMER: There. Done. We shut the door and it arms it. The door is opened and KABOOM! They're gone.
He grins evilly. They both leave, hand-in-hand, carefully shutting the door.
~~Time passes in quick frames--harm checks his watch and is surprised--it is much later than he had intended~~
HARM: 13.45! Renee! Gunny!
GUNNY: Sir!
HARM: Gunny, if the Admiral asks, I'm out at lunch.
GUNNY: Yes sir.
HARM quickly goes to his Corvette. He puts the key in and turns it. Nothing happens. He tries again and again, but the car is dead. He goes back inside and finds GUNNY.
HARM: Gunny, can I borrow your car? Mine's dead.
GUNNY: Yeah, here's the key. The blue SUV.
HARM: Thanks, I owe you one.
HARM goes to GUNNY's car and quickly starts it and head for his apartment.
~~MEANWHILE~~
RENEE gets in her car and reaches for her purse. It's not there. Her mind flashes back to the night before. She never picked it up. She starts her car and drives to HARM's apartment. The camera switches between the two driving, and we can only see a steering wheel as a car parks and the key is turned in the ignition. The camera follows the footsteps up the stairs to HARM's apartment, and we see a hand reach for the doorknob. The hand turns the knob and opens the door. The last camera shot is of the explosion. Across the screen, the words are printed:
To be continued...