Disclaimer: JAG belongs to DPB, Paramount, CBS et al. This is for fun, no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's note: The friendship between Harm and Webb as I saw it around Season 5-6. A pity they destroyed it. These are short scenes I actually wrote a long time ago but never made it into a full story.


- JAG headquarters, Fall Church, Virginia. Early afternoon.

"Damn it! This doesn't make any sense!"

Frustrated threw Harm his pen on the paper littered desk in his office then ran both hands through his short hair. He glared at the mess as if it was a personal enemy.

"I'm sorry, Sir," replied Bud automatically from the visitor's seat. He shot his superior officer a guilty look. "But I just don't know where to look any more..."

Harm groaned. "It isn't your fault, Lieutenant." He picked up the pen again and sighed when the sorrowful expression remained on Bud's full face. "Really, Bud. Besides, maybe the Colonel has had more success."

"Unfortunately nothing concrete," a voice from the door cut in. Both men looked up as Mac entered the small room. "But on the other hand something quite interesting."

Harm tilted his head. "And that would be?"

"That the information I wanted to get is not available. For us."

"Excuse me?" Harm raised his brows disbelievingly. "We are investigating a case of severe theft and they keep information from us? Who?"

Mac smiled thinly. "Officially: the State Department."

Involuntarily Harm and Bud sat more upright in their chairs. They exchanged a meaningful glance.

"And unofficially?" Bud asked finally.

"Guess."

"C.I.A.," said Harm dryly.

Mac nodded. "That's the impression I've got."

"Oh, oh." Bud shook his head. "I don't think the Admiral will like that."

He should be right.


- JAG headquarters, Fall Church, Virginia. Admiral Chegwidden's office.

"CIA?" thundered AJ Chegwidden in a voice that rattled the windows. His sharp eyes fixed the three officers standing in front of his large desk. "What the heck does the CIA have to do with our case?"

"We don't know yet, sir," Mac answered respectfully, "But since all traces we followed hit a dead end sooner or later it seems an appropriate assumption. Especially because the State Department seems to be covering up."

Chegwidden thought about that for a moment with pursed lips. Finally he slammed his hand down on his desk.

"If the CIA got a hand in this Webb usually isn't very far away. Call him. Tell him, I want to know what game they are playing this time and that I want to know it yesterday! And if he continues hindering our investigation he will have to answer to ME - personally. That you can tell him too! Dismissed!"

"Aye, aye, sir!"

The two Navy officers and a Marine stood at attention and then left the room. On their way to Harm's office they shared a knowing grin.

"Can't wait to find out how he'll try and wriggle out of this one."

Harm sat down behind the desk while Mac took the visitor's seat. Bud closed the door and then stood at her side. Meanwhile Harm had got the cell phone number Mac had stumbled upon during her investigation involving the attempted assassination of President Putin out of his desk drawer and dialed. Then he activated the loudspeaker.


- Somewhere far away, a dark hotel room

The persistent ringing of a mobile phone cut through the silence. The still figure on the bed started then rolled over. A hand fumbled blindly in direction of the nightstand, toppled over an alarm clock, found the cable of the lamp and, following it to the switch, turned on the light. After disentangling himself from the sheets the man finally got hold of the chirping phone and took the call.

"Webb."

"Hello, Mr. Webb," an all too familiar voice replied cheerfully, "This is Commander Harmon Rabb, Junior speaking..."

Webb groaned deeply and fell forward into his pillow.


- JAG headquarters

Through the speaker came something like a muffled groan and a soft splash. The three assembled officers stared at the phone with raised eyebrows and then looked at each other. Their faces perfect pictures of utmost confusion.

"Err, Webb? You still there?" Harm asked reluctantly.


- Somewhere

Webb lifted his head from the pillow and brought the cell phone back to his ear.

"What DO you want, Rabb?" he hissed more than a little annoyed. Grabbing the alarm clock he threw a quick glance at the time. He barely suppressed a second groan.


- JAG headquarters

Back in JAG headquarters Harm had regained his footing. His voice was challenging.

"What do you know about the Baltimore affair?"

Several seconds of silence followed. Then:

"Baltimore affair? Rabb, I hope for you, you didn't call to reminisce about old times?"

A definite growl had entered Webb's voice.

"Baltimore three days ago. Someone stole almost a dozen crates with highly dangerous weapons from the Navy base there," Mac cut in.

"Should have known you're in it too," Webb snorted through the line. "Fascinating piece of information you've just given me but what's that got to do with me?"

"We were denied access to information for this case. Supposedly on order of the State Department," Bud explained.

"Jesus, what's this - a damn conference call?" Webb's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Any chance the Admiral is listening in too?"

Involuntarily Harm grinned. "No, but I'm authorized to tell you that you will personally have to answer him if he isn't immediately informed about what's going on."

"Well, tell him to go and cool his temper at the State Department. You just said that they are keeping information from you, didn't you?"

"We said supposedly."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on, Webb. That another one of your schemes, isn't it?" Harm was about to lose his patience.

"Do you really expect me to answer that? Besides, I've got to disappoint you. It certainly isn't one of MY schemes."

"Webb, the things they stole range from machine guns up to grenades. I don't have to tell you how much damage they could do with all that," Mac said hastily and just in time to cut off Harm's sharp reply. She gave her partner a meaningful look. Harm rolled his eyes.

The line was silent. Then there was a sound of moving cloth and a creaking noise that seemed strangely familiar. Harm, Mac and Bud once more exchanged questioning glances. Mac first reached the right conclusion. Her voice rose in disbelieve.

"Are you in bed? Webb, it's half past two in the afternoon and the sun is shining brightly!"

"Well, that's good for Washington. HERE it's in the middle of the night," Webb snapped back.

The three officers sat dumb-struck for a moment.

"Oh," Bud muttered finally and with that expressed the general feelings rather adequately.


- Somewhere

Webb allowed himself a short smirk. He ran his fingers through his tangled hair.

"Listen, I really can't help you this time. But talk to Richard Gowder in the State Department. You might tell him you know me, perhaps he'll give you something. Otherwise I don't want to have anything to do with it, is that understood?"

"All right then," said Harm after a moment. "But if we stumble yet again across the Agency you can prepare for another call. No matter what's the time where you are."

"I'll change my number," growled Webb under his breath. Sometimes his acquaintances from JAG got terribly on his nerves. You helped them, tipped them off ... and got threats in return.

"Good NIGHT, Harm," he said aloud.


- JAG headquarters

"Good night, Webb," said Harm, "And thank you."

But by then the line was already dead.


End of Episode One