Title: Divorce Trouble Blues
Author: FitzG
Rating: T (just in case)
Summary: Mac's husband shows up causing problems with her divorce. The second story in my series that began with "Trouble in Paradise"
Spoilers: I borrowed some background from the fourth season episodes "Mr. Rabb Goes to Washington" and "People v. Mac"
Disclaimer: JAG characters are the property of Bellisarius Productions.
A/N: This story starts 5 weeks after Harm and Mac returned from the Bahamas in my story "Trouble in Paradise" and before the events of "Ghost Ship" If you haven't already read it, I suggest you read it before continuing with this story.
Also I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed "Trouble in Paradise" Your words and encouragement meant a great deal to me. Since I was able to clean up my computer files sooner than I thought I decided it was time to begin this story.
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Chapter 1: A Man from Her Past
TUESDAY 1223 LOCAL TIME
JAG HQ
FALLS CHURCH, VA
It was a warm day in late spring. Mac was enjoying the sunshine as she ate her lunch at a table in the JAG courtyard. Harm was currently away from JAG HQ. He was investigating a helicopter mishap on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Teddy Roosevelt was currently in the Virginia Capes operating area on a training exercises. Admiral Chegwidden assigned Harm to the case Monday morning. Since Mac was currently involved in an Article 32 hearing she was unavailable to go with him. Instead Lt. (j.g.) Bud Roberts went with Harm to the Teddy Roosevelt. Harm was happy to get back to shipboard cases. His recovery from the knife wound to his right leg seemed complete and he had his doctor's clearance to return to full duty. He was looking forward to spending time on a carrier again, but Mac knew he wished she had gone with him.
Since their return from the Bahamas they had been spending more time together outside of work. They had dinner together at least twice a week and made time to do something fun together on the weekends. Harm even managed to convince Mac to go flying again. This time however he made sure there were no mechanical problems with his plane and both he and Mac took their service side-arms. They flew for a couple of hours during which time Harm let her handle the controls for a while doing loops and rolls. Harm gave her more instructions than the last time and after a while Mac felt she was learning better control. Harm told her she was a natural and promised to teach her more anytime she wanted. Normally Mac hated flying, but in the open cockpit of Harm's biplane she felt free and happier than she had anytime in her life. Of course it helped that the man she loved was right there with her. Each day they spent together was better than the last. She and Harm were falling more in love with each passing day.
After a couple hours flying Harm set the plane down in a mountain meadow that he knew about. Then he surprised Mac with a romantic picnic. He brought a number of her favorite foods and even a few dishes she had never heard of. Everything was great and the time they spent together was terrific. Mac knew that she loved Harm more each day. She couldn't wait until her divorce to Chris Ragle was final so she and Harm could move forward in their relationship.
As they promised Admiral Chegwidden they kept their involvement out of the office. They remained professional while at work. In fact their working relationship had improved since they became a couple. They each began to listen to each other better on the cases they worked. They trusted each other more and if they didn't agree on something they didn't take things personally. Even when they opposed each other in court things went better. Gone were any insults or mean remarks, as they tried to avoid hurting each other. There were a couple of instances where a few heated words were exchanged involving a difference of opinion on a case they were working, but only outside the office. Afterward they apologized and forgave each other. Neither one of them had ever had a love like the one they now shared. They were both determined to make things work.
The admiral continued to support them. He didn't question their relationship as long as they kept things outside of work. In fact he was impressed with their professionalism and complimented them on their improved abilities and teamwork. Mac had to admit they did make quite a team, especially when they were on the same page. Sharing their love had brought them closer both personally and professionally.
"Excuse me Major. Do you mind if I join you?" asked Ensign Harriet Simms bringing Mac's thoughts back to the present.
"No not at all Harriet. Please join me."
"Thank you ma'am" Harriet replied taking a seat across from Mac. "It sure is a beautiful day. I wish Bud wasn't away on investigation right now. Today would be a perfect day for a picnic in the park, don't you think ma'am?"
"Absolutely Harriet. A romantic picnic sounds like just the thing to finish a day like this." Mac couldn't help but smile at Harriet's comment. Funny how she had just been thinking about the picnic she and Harm shared before Harriet joined her for lunch. "I'm sure Bud would rather be here with you than on a carrier right now."
"I'm sure you're right Major. I just miss having him around. I know being in the navy sometimes means we can't always be together but it's still hard sometimes."
"It's okay to miss him Harriet. No one thinks any less of you for it" Mac responded, glad to distract her from noticing the smile she had while thinking of the picnic comment. Unfortunately Mac realized she was also missing her own sailor. Harm had emailed her twice since he got to the Teddy Roosevelt. His first email was a brief note letting her know he had arrived safely and begun the investigation. His second email was more meaningful and Mac clearly remembered every word.
My dear Sarah,
Even though I've only been away from you for a day I miss you terribly. I miss seeing your beautiful face and looking into your sweet brown eyes. I miss seeing your smile and hearing your voice. Although I'm happy to be back on full duty and love being on a carrier again I love being with you even more. These past weeks since we shared our feelings have been the happiest of my life. I can't wait to get back to you. If I can find time I'll call later today. I'll call at the office since I don't want Bud to get any ideas about me calling you at home. I can always say it's about a case. I promise to come back to you safe and sound.
Take care my marine. My love always.
Your sailor,
Harm
Harm's words meant so much to Mac. Even though she missed him greatly she was glad to know that he felt the same. It meant that he truly did love her as much as she loved him. She felt the same as he did about the time they had together. Since they came back from the Bahamas Mac had been the happiest she could ever remember. As she and Harriet continued with their lunch they chatted away about work and a few other things. However Mac was thinking about the phone call she hoped to get from Harm later in the day. Finishing their lunches Mac and Harriet went back inside, Harriet to her desk in the bullpen and Mac to her office. Mac quickly settled down and proceeded to go over her notes for the Article 32 hearing she would be prosecuting later in the week. She needed to concentrate on her work to keep from getting anxious about Harm's call. Sighing quietly to herself she began re-reading witness statements to prepare for the hearing.
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TUESDAY 1430 LOCAL TIME
JAG HQ
FALLS CHURCH, VA
Mac was interrupted from her thoughts by the sound of her office telephone. Picking up the receiver she answered. "MacKenzie"
"Hey ninja-girl. How's my favorite marine?"
"Better now that I'm talking to my favorite sailor. I've missed you flyboy. Thanks for the email. I want you to know how happy you've made me. I've never been happier in my life since you told me you love me. I love you Harm. How's the case going?"
"I've missed you and I love you too. The case is going well. It appears that the mishap was the result of a mechanical failure. I've got Bud checking into the helo's service and maintenance records. I think the manufacturer supplied part was faulty. We're looking to see if any other failures of the same part have taken place any other time. I want to rule out the possibility that any more faulty parts are in use. Hopefully we'll be able to wrap things up soon. I think we should be back by the end of the week. I can't wait to see you. How does a picnic in the park sound to you?"
"It sounds wonderful. It's funny you should mention a picnic. Harriet suggested she would have enjoyed a picnic with Bud this afternoon. I couldn't help but think about our picnic in that mountain meadow we flew up to."
"That was a wonderful day. We'll have to do it again sometime, but I think this weekend maybe we can just enjoy a day in the park."
"I agree. I think with the Article 32 hearing I have I'll be a bit too tired to go flying. A relaxing day in the park seems more my speed this weekend. I just wish I could spend the night sleeping in your arms."
"I know. I'd like that more than anything else. Soon your divorce will be final and we can move forward. I know your anxious to get through this. We'll get through it together. Speaking of your divorce is there any more news from the divorce lawyer?"
"As a matter of fact yes. He was able to track Chris down. He called me just this morning to let me know that Chris has been served with the divorce papers. If Chris signs the papers and doesn't contest the divorce everything should be final by the end of the month."
"That's great news. Look, I've got to get back to work. Bud's probably beginning to wonder where I am. I don't want him to come looking for me and overhear our conversation. He'd probably tell Harriet anything he hears and she'd probably figure out we're together. Then she won't let you rest until she gets a confession and details. I don't want to share our relationship with anyone else for a while."
"Okay, I understand. I love you Harm."
"I love you too Mac. I'll see you soon."
Mac sighed as she hung up the phone. Harm would be home soon. If things continued to go well with her divorce they would soon be able to be together in every way possible. For now she would just have to be patient.
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TUESDAY 1802 LOCAL TIME
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN, DC
Mac stepped off the elevator and walked down the hallway to her third floor apartment. Her mind wandered back to the email and phone call she received from Harm so she didn't notice the man standing in front of her door.
"Hello Sarah" he said, startling her out of her thoughts.
Mac immediately responded to the sound of his voice with a look of concerned recognition. "Chris, what are you doing here?"
"We need to talk."
"I don't have anything to say to you. If you want to speak to me you need to go through my lawyer."
"Please Sarah, I need to know why you want a divorce. Why now? I want you back in my life. What can I do to convince you to change your mind?"
"Nothing you can do or say will change my mind. I need to do this. I need to move on with my life. I can't do that while I'm still legally married to you. I'm not having this discussion with you here. Call my lawyer and have him contact me to schedule an appointment. Goodbye Chris" Mac said turning the key in her lock and entering her apartment.
"I'm not going to let you go so easily Sarah" Chris said as he forced his way in behind Mac. "You have to listen to me now" he said as he grabbed Mac by her shoulders and turned to face him.
Reacting quickly Mac loosed his hold on her. She then twisted his right arm behind his back and pinned him to the floor. "Don't touch me like that again. If you agree to keep your hands off me and to talk calmly I'll let you up. Do you agree?"
"Yes, alright. You're hurting me. I promise to keep my hands to myself, if you'll just listen to what I have to say."
"Okay, I'm going to let you up. When I do I expect you to take a seat and calmly tell me what you have to say. However you will leave when I ask. Agreed?"
"Agreed"
Mac released her hold on Chris and stood off to one side of her living room. Chris slowly rose to his feet and took a seat on her couch. Mac took a chair from her dining room table. Turning it to face him she calmly sat down. "Go ahead, say what you came to say."
"Geez Sarah, when did you get so tough. You didn't have to get physical with me, unless of course you had something else in mind."
"I'm a marine now Chris. I'm trained to handle myself. When someone grabs me or threatens me I react accordingly. It's not smart to surprise me like that. Besides I have no intention of getting physical with you in any of the ways you might want. Stop stalling and say what you came to say or I'll ask you to leave."
"Alright. I want you back in my life Sarah. I found out you were in DC and I came here about two months ago to ask you to take me back. Unfortunately I didn't have anything to offer you. I've been working on a deal the last month that would give me, give us some money to start over again. I was planning to come see you as soon as everything fell into place. Then last week I received the divorce papers. I knew I had see you soon. I need to you to take me back. I need you in my life."
"I'm sorry Chris, but I don't need you in my life anymore. I won't take you back."
"Why not? Why do you want a divorce now? It's been more than ten years and you haven't bothered to seek a divorce until now."
"I was getting my life back together. I needed to sober up and get on track. My Uncle Matt helped me. He helped me dry out and get my life in order. After I sobered up he helped me get into college and then join the marines. I've been busy putting the pieces of my life together. There really wasn't a good time to pursue the divorce until now. After I joined the corps my first duty station was in Okinawa. Following law school I was deployed to Bosnia. I haven't been in the states for several years. Now I have a good job at JAG HQ in Falls Church. I expect I'll be there for some time. It doesn't seem likely I'll be deployed out of the country for a while. I love my job. I've been sober for ten years. I have friends and coworkers who care about me and a good future in the marines. I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. I want to continue moving forward with my life. To do that I need to put my past behind me. You're part of that past Chris. You need to let me go so I can get on with my life. You need to get on with your life too. If you let me go we can both do that and find the happiness we need."
"I won't let you go so easily" Chris responded, with a touch of malice in his voice. "I know things about you. I could hurt you, ruin your career."
"What are you talking about?"
"After I got out of prison I followed you to Okinawa. I saw you with that marine major, John Farrow wasn't it? Don't the marines have rules against that sort of thing? I imagine having an affair with a superior officer isn't allowed, not to mention adultery."
"Chris you can't blackmail me into loving you. If necessary I'll resign my commission. I graduated at the top of my law school class at Duke. I have a good record of investigations I've solved and several cases I've won, as both defense and prosecution. I'm sure I could find a position in a private firm or even a position as a prosecutor. As I said before, I've made some friends here in DC. I'll survive. I love being a marine but if it means I have to resign to end my marriage to you I'll do it." Mac replied calling his bluff.
"Fine. I'll agree to the divorce under one condition."
"What?"
"You pay me $15,000"
"Chris I don't have kind of money. Why do you need it? Why that amount?"
"Like I told you before I've been working on a deal that would give us some money to start over, a substantial nest egg. I needed some start-up money so I borrowed 15 grand. The guy I borrowed the money from has called in the loan. If I had 15 grand to give him I could still work my deal and make enough to start over. Come on Sarah you need to help me here" Chris pleaded.
"Who did you borrow the money from?"
"His name's Benny Turpin."
"What is he, a loan shark?"
"Yea."
"Chris didn't you learn anything from Vegas?. You should have known better than to take money from a loan shark. What did he do threaten to break you legs?"
"Yes he did. Sarah you've got to help me out here. Even if you won't take me back I know you still care. You won't let me get hurt."
"I can't make you any promises but I'll see what I can do. You have to leave now. I'll have my lawyer contact you when I know how much I can give you."
"Thanks Sarah, you won't regret this" Chris replied as he rose to his feet. "I knew you still cared" he said as he walked over to her and bent down to give her a kiss.
Before he could complete the kiss Mac stopped him placing her hand over his mouth. "Don't Chris. You gave up the right to kiss me a long time ago. I'm a stronger person now. You're kisses won't make me do what you want me to anymore."
"I'm sorry Sarah. You're right I'll just be leaving now. Goodnight Sarah."
"Goodbye Chris. Don't come back and don't call me. You'll be hearing from my lawyer."
With that said Mac showed Chris to the door. Once he left she chained and locked the door and sat down on her couch. All the stress and tension that had been building inside her suddenly burst forth in tears. After fifteen minutes of crying she decided to go to bed early. Too tired and stressed to eat she decided to go without dinner. After changing into her bed clothes and brushing her teeth Mac crawled into bed and turned out her lights.
"Harm please come home soon" she whispered to herself. "I need you sailor. Don't let me go through this by myself." After shedding a few more tears Mac drifted off to sleep, but it wasn't a restful one.
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Please read and review FitzG